In a new interview with RadioactiveMike Z, host of the 96.7 KCAL-FM radio program "Wired In The Empire", ATREYU guitarist Dan Jacobs discussed his love for METALLICA. He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET) : "We've played with them a couple of times — always at a festival, though; there's never been a METALLICA/ATREYU tour.

"They're the kings of metal — of rock and metal — they're just the biggest thing there is. So getting to experience that and see how they roll, it's really inspiring for any band, especially in the rock world. I mean, you watch what they do, and you're just, like, 'Holy crap, man.'

"When you're that big, you just have the best show; your show is so ridiculous," he continued. "It's so over the top in the most awesome, epic way. They still sound just as good [as], if not better than, they ever have. I mean, those dudes are just ripping at what they do. James Hetfield is an animal. It's a great experience. There's a reason why they're as big as they are and they have been as successful as they have. They're the real deal. You will not go to a METALLICA show and be let down."

Asked how he first discovered METALLICA's music, Dan said: "The first METALLICA I ever heard was 'Enter Sandman' back in the '90s. It was kind of around the time that I was just getting introduced to… I guess kind of really paying attention to music more than I ever have. I started watching MTV. Before, music was something in passing I'd hear on the radio. I sought it out a little bit. But this was the age when I was, like, 12 or 13 years old, and I was really pursuing music and really just obsessed with it at that point. So, I remember watching MTV or VH1 and METALLICA's 'Enter Sandman' would come on every once in a while. I liked it — it wasn't something that I super fell in love with, but I knew it was a great song [and it had] a huge sound, with the drums and the guitars and everything. It wasn't exactly in line with what I was listening to at the time; I was kind of a little bit more drawn to the punk world… As far as the mainstream — THE OFFSPRING and GREEN DAY and RANCID, which kind of led me down way more into the punk world, which then led me into the hardcore bands, which then led me into metal, which was kind of around high school time. That's when I kind of came back around and started listening to METALLICA a little bit more, especially a song like 'Battery'. I think that's probably the most standout song that kind of resonated with me as far as listening to quote-unquote older METALLICA… Out of all the METALLICA songs that are older, that one just, for whatever reason, sticks to my head the most."

ATREYU has just dropped a new album, "Baptize", via Spinefarm Records. The effort marks ATREYU's first release since the departure of vocalist Alex Varkatzas last September. The LP showcases ATREYU's current lineup consisting of Brandon Saller focusing completely on singing after previously sharing lead vocals with Varkatzas for most of the band's two-decade-plus existence. Sitting behind the kit is Saller's HELL OR HIGHWATER bandmate Kyle Rosa, who had filled in for Saller on drums in 2019 after Varkatzas bowed out of the band's European tour while dealing with serious back and hernia issues.

THE OFFSPRING guitarist Kevin "Noodles" Wasserman and singer Bryan "Dexter" Holland recently took part in a virtual meet-and-greet with listeners of the Austin, Texas radio station 101X. You can now watch the question-and-answer session below.

Speaking about how the music industry has been turned upside down with the advent of the Internet and digital technology, Noodles said: "Back [in the late 1990s], we weren't sure exactly how the Internet was gonna change. We knew things were changing — the ground was kind of shaking — but we didn't really know what it meant. But we were kind of positive about the effects that the Internet could have. I mean, things like this [discussion] — we're talking one-on-one right now. When I get tweets, I can talk to people right away. We could talk to 'em on our web site back in the day. Now it's on Facebook, we can respond right away. So that stuff's all good. Unfortunately, it almost feels like music doesn't have as much worth as it did when we were growing up. I mean, we would all go buy vinyl and pore over the liner notes. If we wanted to hear a song, we had to pick the needle up and go back. You know what though? Vinyl's still a thing; you can still get vinyl. Most of our records are out on vinyl, so you can still live that, if you want to. You can still pick up that needle. Wait, wait — I don't know if we wanna be telling kids to pick up needles. Wrong message."

In a 2012 interview with Metroactive, Holland said: "The Internet is something I've always been comfortable with because I've always thought of the Internet as a way to directly connect to fans. It's what we were trying to do in little clubs as a punk band. The bands that I loved are the bands that invited the audience on stage. We did a lot of that too. I always thought of punk shows as being really inclusive of their audience, like you're part of an event. So when the Internet came along, you had your own webpage, your own chat room and your own Facebook — Twitter now is even more direct. It fits in very natural to what our band was already about."

THE OFFSPRING's latest album, "Let The Bad Times Roll", arrived on April 16 via Concord Records. The follow-up to 2012's "Days Go By" was once again produced by Bob Rock, who also worked on the band's last two LPs.

Holland, Wasserman, drummer Pete Parada and new bassist Todd Morse wrote and recorded "Let The Bad Times Roll" in the last few years at various locations, including the band's studio in Huntington Beach, California.

King Crimson founder Robert Fripp and his singer wife Toyah Willcox - joined by the mysterious stranger Sidney Jake - are back with another episode in their "Toyah & Robert’s Sunday Lunch" series. This time they take on the ZZ Top classic "Sharp Dressed Man" Watch below:

A selection of Robert & Toyah's previous Sunday Lunch videos can be seen below:




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Dream Theater keyboardist Jordan Rudess has posted another video from home along with the following message:

"EastWest Sounds Hollywood Choirs with Word Builder is just incredible! With a little work I was able to program the virtual choir to sing all the words while being able to play from my keyboard."

Rudess recently released a video for "I Surrender" from his new solo album, A Chapter In Time. Get the album here, and watch the new clip below.

Tracklisting:

"Weightless"
"I Surrender"
"Light As A Feather"
"The Quiet Mind"
"After The Storm"
"Once Upon A Time"
"Empty Streets"
"And Breathe"
"Into Sleep"
"Flying"
"Patterns Of Thought"
"Touching Light"
"Twilight Rain"
"Stellar Enigma"
"Beyond The Clouds"

"I Surrender" video:

"Weightless" video:




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Amon Amarth have shared pro-shot video of their entire Pol'and Rock (Woodstock Poland) show, which took place on August 24th, 2017. Check it out below.

The setlist was as follows:

"The Pursuit of Vikings"
"As Loke Falls"
"First Kill"
"The Way of Vikings"
"Asator"
"At Dawn's First Light"
"Cry of the Black Birds"
"Deceiver of the Gods"
"Death in Fire"
"Father of the Wolf"
"War of the Gods"

Encore:
"Raise Your Horns"
"Guardians of Asgaard"
"Twilight of the Thunder God"

In celebration of the 20th anniversary of their third full-length album, The Crusher, Sweden’s celebrated Viking overlords and undisputed modern masters of epic heavy metal, Amon Amarth, have released a special, re-recorded version of the track “Masters Of War”. Find the track on your streaming platform of choice here and watch the accompanying visualizer below.

Speaking on the band’s celebratory re-working of “Masters Of War”, frontman Johan Hegg shares, "Celebrating the 20th anniversary of The Crusher album, we felt we wanted to re-record one of the main songs from the album and put a bit of a modern Amon Amarth touch on it. Enjoy!"

To coincide with the release and further the festivities, the band have also announced the release of a special edition “Masters Of War” merch collection exclusively available from the band’s store, Victorious Merch.

Amon Amarth stand tall and unassailable: over 25 years into a career that has seen them evolve from humble origins in the dark, dank rehearsal rooms of their native Tumba to their current status as explosive festival headliners and one of the metal world’s most widely adored bands.

Formed in 1992, Amon Amarth became modern metal greats the hard way. Ruthlessly dedicated to creating new music and taking it out on the road, the Swedes steadily built a formidable reputation as a ferocious live band and, as the years passed, were increasingly recognized for their recorded achievements too. Since the dawn of the millennium, Amon Amarth have been unstoppable.

Breakthrough releases like 2006’s With Oden On Our Side and its now legendary follow-up, 2008’s Twilight Of The Thunder God, further cemented their popularity throughout the metal world, while the band’s stage show evolved with each successive tour, transforming into one of modern metal’s truly great spectacles. Amon Amarth returned in 2019 with their biggest, boldest and most bombastic musical statement to date - Berserker - which brought with it an epic, history-making trek across North America with fellow Swedes Arch Enemy, At The Gates and Grand Magus and saw multiple sell-outs. To date the band have clocked up a mammoth 270 million YouTube views and 547 million streams across their releases with over 2 million albums sold worldwide.




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Stryper frontman Michael Sweet has checked in with the following message:

"Love us or hate us, we’ve stood strong and stayed true to our convictions musically, lyrically and spiritually for 38 years. We’ve stumbled a few times but we’ve always gotten back up to beat the odds. We’re the band that won’t go away when some may want us to. We step into the studio again in January to record yet another album. Will it be our best? You bet it will! How do I know this? Because I believe that the best is yet to come with every album. We’re not done yet. 

To all the fans worldwide - thank you for standing with us."

Join Stryper frontman, Michael Sweet, on June 2 for a live listening party where he will play To Hell With The Devil and talk about each song in detail. He will take questions via a chat board and discuss the origins, the inspiration, musical parts, lyrics, recording history, videos from this album, and more.

Also, there will be a big announcement at this listening party as it relates to To Hell With The Devil. You don't wanna miss this one.

It all happens June 2, 2021 at 7:30 PM, EST at Patreon.com/Stryper. Free for Fan Club+ members. Not a member? It's easy. Just go to Patreon.com/Stryper, choose your tier, and instantly unlock videos, photos, and more as well as get a pass to join fun events like this one.




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Former KISS guitarist Vinnie Vincent gave an hour-long interview to Mike Brunn at the "May Metal Madness" event on May 29 at S.I.R. Soundstage in Nashville, Tennessee. You can now watch the chat below.

Asked if he ever felt there was a chance that he could rejoin KISS when Vincent was brought back into the KISS mix to co-write "Unholy", "Heart Of Chrome" and "I Just Wanna" for the band's 1992 album, "Revenge", Vinnie said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "I think — I think… Those are very important two little words, because it's me thinking this. But we formed this thing where we were… The Vinnie, Gene [Simmons] and Paul [Stanley]… The bond was getting there creatively. And we're talking about at that time. In my humble opinion, in my heart of hearts, in my private world of my own mind, I believe that there was a moment where… Whoever was driving the car was gonna turn the wheel, but there was a moment where it could have easily happened where I would have been back in the band. But this is my opinion. Don't take it as someone else's opinion."

Pressed about whether he have wanted to be back in KISS at that time, Vinnie said: "Yes and no. Yes in a big way, and, for my own little reasons, no. But yes in a big way. Of course, because we're just a natural team. So, when you're natural, it feels natural to you. If you have a boyfriend or girlfriend, and they feel so great to you, and you have such a great relationship in a certain way, what, are you gonna look for someone else? This person works for me. They know me; I know them; and it's a great marriage. But maybe there's something there that doesn't work. So, it didn't happen. But it could have. And I mean it really could have."

By the time "Revenge" was released in 1992, Vincent's relationship with Simmons and Stanley had once again soured.

"Vinnie was up to his old tricks again," Gene later said. "He reneged on a signed deal we had made and decided that he wanted to renegotiate. He eventually sued us and lost. As far as I was concerned, he was persona non grata forever."

Vincent — who was a member of KISS when the band publicly "unmasked" in 1983 — made several public appearances in 2018 after spending the preceding two decades out of the public eye.

In 1983, KISS wrote and released "Lick It Up" — their first album without makeup — a recording on which Vincent co-wrote eight of 10 songs, including the title track, which remains a staple of the group's live performances to this day.

Despite the album's success, Vincent was fired by KISS after the "Lick It Up" touring cycle came to an end, allegedly due to a dispute over both the terms of his employment contract with the band and royalties. From there, Vincent founded VINNIE VINCENT INVASION, which recorded two albums.

In 1996, Vincent released a solo EP, "Euphoria", which featured vocals by former VVI singer Fleischman and included material from sessions recorded around 1990. Soon after that, Vincent vanished from the public eye and remained off the grid for more than two decades.

In November 2019, KISS manager Doc McGhee claimed that all former members of the group have been contacted about possibly taking part in the band's last-ever tour.

Prior to the "End Of The Road" launch, Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons weren't very enthusiastic about the prospect of an onstage collaboration with Vinnie Vincent. "Now Vinnie, that's one exception, and for so many reasons," Stanley told Guitar World. "I would say that's not someone who I want to celebrate."

Simmons also chimed in, explaining that "it's worth stating that Vinnie has sued the band and lost 14 times. I'm not here to cast any aspersions. He's a talented guy. That's why he was in the band. But would I depend on him to get up onstage and do anything? Never. … Can he come to the shows? Of course! Anybody can. But onstage? Never."

In April 2018, Vincent joined Simmons at the KISS bassist/vocalist's "Vault" event in Nashville, Tennessee. He later said in an interview that he felt that got "a cold reception" and was "treated very indifferently" by Gene at the event.

Wymer Publishing has set September 10 as the release date for the new book, Dire Straits - A Visual Biography, by Laura Shenton.

After their last studio album in 1991 and the tour that followed it, fans have eagerly awaited a Dire Straits reunion ever since. Whilst the likelihood of that remains incredibly slim, this book is a celebration of the band and their amazing musical accomplishments ‐ with "Sultans Of Swing", "Private Investigations" and "Money For Nothing" being just the tip of the iceberg!

From the early days of playing at London's Hope & Anchor in 1977, to the dizzying heights of the 1985‐86 Brothers In Arms tour and beyond, this book documents it all. With vintage interviews and reviews aplenty, the story of Dire Straits is one that needs to be told and this mammoth 240-page large format book is the most comprehensive biography of the band yet published. Not only is the band's story covered in detail through the narrative ‐ this lavish coffee table book is also visually stunning. Weighing in at around 2kg it is printed on high quality art paper and illustrated throughout with numerous photos and items of memorabilia and will certainly become a highly desirable Dire Straits collectible.

The first 250 come in a presentation box with a set of prints. Customers who pre‐order by June 30 can also have their names printed on a dedicated fan page. Buy direct from the publisher, here.




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Italian queen of Gothic / black metal Cadaveria is back with her band and a new majestic single that embraces the concept of the sacred feminine and exalts the woman as symbol of life, energy, abundance, strength and elegance.

"The Woman Who Fell to Earth" is available for streaming from a digital outlet here.

Credits: Lyrics by Cadaveria herself. Music by Cadaveria herself, Kris Laurent, Marçelo Santos. Performed by: Cadaveria (vocals) Kris Laurent (guitar) Pier Gonella (guitar) Peter Dayton (bass) Marçelo Santos (drums). Recorded at Rrooaarr Sound in March 2021. Produced by Cadaveria and Pier Gonella.




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SoCal artists (HED) P.E. have released the official lyric video for the title track of their upcoming "Sandmine" EP. The EP is due on July 23 via Suburban Noize Records.

Comments frontman Jared Gomes: "After the success of 'Class Of 2020', we wanted to give the fans more of what they wanted! The pandemic, the election, the reaction, the pending birth of my daughter... all these experiences fueled the inspiration for 'Sandmine'. The title itself names a brutal place where only the strong survive and few are able to escape.

"On 'Class Of 2020' we went back to our roots with the back-to-basics approach; but on this one we mixed all those elements together with our signature G-Punk sound and a pissed off 'Sandmine' was born. I cannot wait for the world to hear this one."

Recorded at Gomes's home studio in Idaho, the seeds of "Sandmine" were triggered by producer/songwriter Remy Dovianus who co-wrote and co-produced the EP. Dovianus has been a lifelong (HED) P.E. fan and recorded the guitar and bass in The Netherlands with a goal of harnessing the signature sound of the band's biggest albums. Drummer Jeremiah "Trauma" Stratton laid down his drums with an emphasis complimenting the deep metallic grooves. Gomes is at the top of his game and ever defiant on "Sandmine", recording vocals that draw inspiration from the raw aggression of SUICIDAL TENDENCIES and RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE, mixed with the unfiltered hardcore tones of HATEBREED. "Sandmine" encapsulates the old thrashiness and ferocity of early (HED) P.E. albums, weaving together a complex mixture of poignant punk-rock, brutal riffs, and bludgeoning drums that packs a walloping punch.

"Sandmine" track listing:

01. Sandmine

02. False Prophet

03. R.T.R.

04. Death Trip

05. Let Me Know

(HED) P.E. will commemorate the new release by hitting the road starting July 23 in Las Vegas, Nevada for a month-long headlining tour. The tour will also mark the first time the band performed tracks off their critically acclaimed twelfth studio album, "Class Of 2020", which was released last year.

(HED) P.E. are the pioneers of the G-Punk sound, which fuses together punk-rock, metal, hip-hop and reggae. For over two decades, the band has toured the world alongside hard rock chart-toppers like PAPA ROACH and LINKIN PARK, hardcore legends SUICIDAL TENDENCIES, as well as the iconic Ozzfest tour. (HED) P.E. experienced a creative resurgence after signing with Suburban Noize Records in the early 2000s and was instrumental in developing the booming underground scene.

German heavy metal supergroup Hellryder released their full-length album The Devil Is A Gambler on May 28, 2021 via ROAR! Rock Of Angels Records. Order here. A lyric video for the ripping title track is streaming below. 

Since 2017, Chris Boltendahl and Axel Ritt have been thinking about bringing a project to life which deals with the origin of metal. Usually extensively involved in their main band Grave Digger, unfortunately and due to the pandemic, 99% of all activities became canceled or postponed overnight. This unexpected time window of opportunities opened up and was finally used from Boltendahl and Ritt.

The first songs were recorded in September 2020 and Hellryder took shape; an idea led into a project and in November 2020 to a real band. With drummer Timmi Breideband (Gregorian, ex-Bonfire, ex-Freedom Call) and bass player Steven Wussow (Orden Ogan, ex-Domain, ex-Xandria), two absolute thoroughbred musicians could be won and complete the line-up into a real German metal supergroup. Hellryder stand for straightforward, metallically hard, diabolical and uncompromising traditional heavy metal.

Formats:

-Digipak CD
-Limited digipak CD & T-Shirt Bundle
-Black Vinyl (LTD. 150) incl. signed A3 poster
-Transp. Yellow Vinyl (LTD. 150) incl. autograph card
-Orange/Red Splatter Vinyl (LTD. 200) incl. autograph card
-Digital streaming/download

Tracklisting:

“Hellryder”
“Sacrifice In Paradise”
“Night Rider”
“The Devil Is A Gambler”
“Jekyll & Hyde”
“Faceless Jesus”
“Chainsaw Lilly”
“I Die For You”
“Bad Attitude”
“Passion Maker”
“Harder Faster Louder”
“I Don’t Wanna Die” (Bonus Track)

"The Devil Is A Gambler" lyric video:

"Hellryder" video:




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STÖNER will release its debut studio album, "Stoners Rule", on June 25 via Heavy Psych Sounds. The disc's second single, "Rad Stays Rad", can be streamed below.

STÖNER is the supergroup formed by desert rock godfathers and long-time compadres Brant Bjork (founding member of KYUSS, also former member of FU MANCHU), Nick Oliveri (MONDO GENERATOR, former member of KYUSS, QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE) and Ryan Güt. The outcome of this desert reunion is "Stoners Rule", a high-class, groovy and rousing seven-track effort driven by the spirit of these true legends.

The sound is mellow, yet these are the same guys who created the legend of KYUSS as well as the desert and stoner rock movement, which is alive now more than ever. "Stoners Rule" is a celebration of the sound of the Desert, the perfect soundtrack for a ride across the dusty roads of the Mojave Desert, where it has all begun.

Brant told Outlaws Of The Sun about how STÖNER came together: "Nick called me up and wanted to jam. So we got together and we were having a blast and this felt right. It was cool all of us playing together. It felt like we were kids starting out again just playing for the fun of it without any outside pressure.

"We all put our musical influences into this via original jam sessions," he added. "This feels like a mixture of punk rock, metal, blues rock and hard rock. Some stuff we're already known for and some stuff that will surprise and hopefully entertain people."

Brant went on to call STÖNER "a full-time thing. We've got long-term plans for STÖNER and the music that we create. We're booking tour dates for 2022 onwards in Europe and possibly in the United States. Those plans are in the hands of our booking agents but we've been told the pandemic should be under more control next year and more areas will be open up for live performances to happen."

According to Bjork, "it's been nothing but fun playing with Nick and my drummer Ryan Güt. I wanted to do something different and STÖNER allowed me the opportunity to do this," he said. "This project feels right for me especially during the pandemic. It feels good vibing new ideas off Nick, who is one of my closest friends and I can't wait to perform these new songs to a live audience. As I feel these songs deserve to be heard by a live audience."

"Stoners Rule" was recorded at The Rad Cabin in Joshua Tree, California in October 2020 by Yosef Sanborn. Cover art was designed by Branca Studio.

"Stoners Rule" track listing:

01. Rad Stays Rad

02. The Older Kids

03. Own Yer Blues

04. Nothin'

05. Evel Never Dies

06. Stand Down

07. Tribe / Fly Girl

Cruise To The Edge, progressive rock’s largest festival at sea, is set to return in 2022 with it's biggest cruise ever. The official artist lineup has been announced and includes the largest number of acts to sail the prog seas.

The 5-night cruise sails from Port Canaveral, Florida, May 2 - 7, 2022, aboard the Royal Caribbean Mariner of the Seas visiting the Private Isle of Labadee and the Perfect Day at CocoCay. Reservations will reopen next Wednesday, June 9, at Noon, Eastern.

Headlined by prog legends Marillion, Alan Parsons, Transatlantic and Al Di Meola, the event features some of the world’s greatest prog-rock musical artists.  The lineup also includes returning acts Riverside, Saga, The Flower Kings, Adrian Belew, Haken, Pendragon and many more, alongside debuts by Al Stewart, King's X, McStine And Minnemann, Pattern-Seeking Animals, and more.

Beyond the sun, fun, and exquisite dining, there will be artist/cruiser photo experiences, Q&A sessions, special theme nights and other events designed to optimize the artist/fan experience. This year will once again feature the unprecedented CTTE Late Night Live, where fans can sign up to showcase their own musical talents.

The newly amped up Mariner of the Seas is packed with more ways to play on the most maxed-out short getaway ever. When the sun goes down, the night heats up with epic prog performances on stages throughout the vessel. Combined with some of the best food and service afloat, Cruise To The Edge is truly the greatest prog-rock show on earth and is a can’t-miss event for prog enthusiasts throughout the world.

For more info, visit CruiseToTheEdge.com.




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Guitarist Dave Carlo of Canadian thrash metal legends Razor has released the new video below, stating, "Shred session number one. Non stop, unedited guitar riffage."

Back in May, Carlo launched a new YouTube series, Road Stories. Episode one, which focuses on the 1990 Shotgun Justice Tour, can be seen below.:




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Finnish modern melodic metallers, As I May, have signed with the new German label ,Uprising Records, for a release of their third album Karu, which is set to be released in November. Uprising Records is a sub-division of the Danish label Target, which also houses sub-labels, such as Emanzipation, From The Vaults and Mighty Music.

Since the 2019 album My Own Creations, As I May have been composing a somewhat more modern, and basic album. Hard hitting, with loads of nerve and punch, but with an emphasis on the grand choruses.

As I May have been long-time confirmed as support act of Semblant, for a European tour that has been postponed a few times, due to the COVID-19 virus and lockdown. Find the band's tour itinerary here.

Lineup:

Tipi Nokelainen - Bass and clean vocals
Lasse Hiltunen - Guitars and scream vocals
Jani Valhola - Guitars and backing vocals
Leevi Räsänen - Drums




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Sheboygan, Wisconsin’s Toxic Ruin have unleashed the playthrough video for “Divine Acclimation", the third preview track from their forthcoming sophomore album (and M-Theory Audio debut), Nightmare Eclipse.

The song shows off the combination of energetic thrash metal, death metal brutality and clinical technicality that propelled the band to the final round of the 2019 Wacken Metal Battle. The playthrough video can be viewed below, while the song itself is now available for streaming/download through all major digital music platforms.

Nightmare Eclipse, which features artwork by Mark Richards (Revocation, The Black Dahlia Murder, Municipal Waste),will be released by M-Theory Audio on August 27. Pre-orders are now available for CD, digital, and limited-edition maroon-colored vinyl editions of the album, here.

Tracklisting:

"Until Everything Is Gone"
"Ritual Rebirth"
"Defiler"
"Voices Of Death"
"It Of The Horrid Storm"
"Divine Acclimation"
"Liquor Blood Bound"
"Nightmare Eclipse"
"Lord Of Pandemonium" (Bonus Track)

"Nightmare Eclipse" lyric video:

“Ritual Rebirth” video:

The current lineup of Toxic Ruin began writing and recording songs for Nightmare Eclipse while relentlessly touring the United States in 2019 alongside bands such as Lich King, Micawber and Stonecutters and playing multiple festivals including Full Terror Assault and Slam Dakota, plus winning 2nd Place in the 2019 edition of Wacken Metal Battle USA. The result is the band's most mature and complex material to date, while also being their heaviest display of metallic force so far. Guest appearances from guitarists Glen Drover (Eidolon, ex-Megadeth), Derek DeBruin (Micawber) and Nick Weyers (Aronious) provide additional ear candy for aficionados of guitar wizardry.

Toxic Ruin was formed in 2014 with a mission of blending classic thrash metal, old-school death metal and modern technicality and tones into a wicked headbanging brew. Operating out of their collective hometown of Sheboygan, the band released their debut album, Subterranean Terror, in 2016. This opening serve showcased the group's already-burgeoning barrage of furious riffs and lyrical content ranging from the sociopolitical commentary of tracks such as “Seat of Corruption” to the beloved craving of a good drink on songs such as “Alcoholocaust.”

The group followed up that debut record with the release of their 2018 EP, Mortal Insolence. The effort saw the current lineup of Toxic Ruin take shape with Behrendt stepping into the vocalist position and the debut of rhythm guitarist Blake Toltzmann alongside lead guitarist Jacob Baneck and drummer David Miller.

Toxic Ruin is:

Stephen Behrendt (vocals/bass)
Jacob Baneck (lead guitar)
Blake Toltzmann (rhythm guitar)
Dave Miller (drums)




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Prog ensemble, Potter's Daughter, will be releasing their second full-length album, Close To Nearby, featuring legendary drummer, Simon Phillips, on September 30. The album will be available digitally, CD, and limited-edition vinyl with accompanying art book.

The album Close To Nearby features eight tracks, three virtuosic instrumentals and five captivating vocal songs. All compositions arranged and Produced by Jan-Christian Vögtlin.

Joining forces with the world-renowned drummer, Simon Phillips, Potter's Daughter plan to release their heaviest work to date. “It has been an absolute pleasure to play on your music. Very challenging and ever so much fun.” - Simon Phillips

Say Dyanne and Jan-Christian of Potter’s Daughter, “The huge contribution of Simon’s playing to our music, together with the depth of his artistry and vision simply cannot be understated or exaggerated. He added a completely new dimension to each song. He is also down to earth, such a joy to work with!”

The artwork for the album cover was created especially for this project by the master artist, Armand Cabrera.

Tracklisting:

"Movement I"
"Rosewind"
"Night Sky"
"The Mask"
"5 And 5"
"Midnight"
"Seven Meets Five"
"Hold"

Potter’s Daughter are scheduled to open the prestigious music festival, Prog On the Ranch, in Florida this October.




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This past April, Endseeker released their new album, Mount Carcass, via Metal Blade Records. Today, the band has launched a video for the album track, "Escape From New York", a cover version of the John Carpenter classic. Watch below.

Endseeker comments: "We have a long tradition of cover songs, but this is the first time we chose an instrumental track, and even a main theme from a movie, but 2021 is the 40th anniversary of John Carpenter's masterpiece, which just never gets old. The main theme has this iconic beat and mesmerizing melodies that sound so creepy and haunting in their original synth sound that we thought this would be the perfect template for a massive metal version. When we started to play around with it and try out different things for the arrangement, it was clear very fast that this works out absolutely great. We tried to stick quite close to the original and keep that eerie feeling over the song as a deeply respectful homage to this awesome movie and composition."

Having become one of the premier German death metal bands - and rapidly rising the ranks of the genre as a whole - Endseeker storm back into the fray with Mount Carcass. Building on the groundwork laid down on 2017's Flesh Hammer Prophecy and having the difficult task of besting 2019's stunning The Harvest, they have returned with a streamlined, powerful collection that further raises the bar.

Like both of its predecessors, Mount Carcass was recorded, produced, mixed, and mastered by Eike Freese at Chameleon Studios in Hamburg, Germany. Going into the record, Endseeker knew they wanted something rawer and more organic than The Harvest, and while COVID was causing global havoc, the band embraced the time they would have otherwise spent touring, using it to rehearse and discuss what they wanted the record to be. From this process they knew they wanted the songs to be quite straightforward and even have something of a "punkish / crust feel, so to speak. The songs are pretty reduced to the core with all the ballast removed. Every part and every riff has a meaning and isn't just there for no other reason than extending the song. The album is also very melodic. There are a bunch of very strong guitar hooks and vocal compositions that really stick in your ears for days. It's way simpler and probably more easy to listen to compared to 'The Harvest' or 'Flesh Hammer Prophecy', but at the same time, it has a very spontaneous and lively attitude with a big chunk of personality."

To keep the genre sounding fresh in 2021, they focused on the production, having just a touch of the old school vibe to remain rooted, and they did not limit themselves too hard to the Swedish death metal style of songwriting they previously embraced, but also let other influences into their songs.

"You can hear all kinds of stuff that is inspired by bands like Morbid Angel, Bolt Thrower, Slayer, Dissection, Gorefest, etc. We listen to so many different bands, and somehow, a bit from all of this keeps adding to our music."

Mount Carcass can be ordered here.

Mount Carcass tracklisting:

"Unholy Rites"
"Merciless Tide"
"Bloodline"
"Mount Carcass"
"Count The Dead"
"Cult"
"Moribund"
"Frantic Redemption"
"Escape From New York" (John Carpenter cover)

"Count The Dead" lyric video:

"Unholy Rites" video:

Get to know the band:

Endseeker lineup:

Lenny - vocals
Jury - guitars
Ben - guitars
Eggert - bass
Kummer - drums

(Photo - Toni Gunner)




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RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE guitarist and acoustic troubadour Tom Morello and the punk-fueled electronic artist The Bloody Beetroots have announced a collaborative new project, "The Catastrophists" EP, to be released on June 18. The seven-track EP is executive produced by Morello, and produced by The Bloody Beetroots, along with Carl Restivo.

"Radium Girls", the second song from the EP, is a true tour de force, co-written with Jehnny Beth from SAVAGES, Carl Restivo, Nadya Tolokonnikova and Simone Cogo. Once again, Tom joins forces with PUSSY RIOT, as well as with Aimee Interrupter (THE INTERRUPTERS), Mish Way (WHITE LUNG), and The Last Internationale on vocals. You can see the official "Radium Girls" music video — directed by Morello — below.

Morello stated about "Radium Girls": "Four extraordinary women (PUSSY RIOT's Nadya Tolokonnikova, THE INTERRUPTERS' Aimee Interrupter, WHITE LUNG's Mish Way, THE LAST INTERNATIONALE's Delila Paz) and the ferocious production of The Bloody Beetroots breathe life into the true story of the Radium Girls, young Illinois factory workers who were the victims of one of the most heinous crimes in U.S. industrial history. I spent every summer as a kid near Ottawa, Illinois where these doomed girls used deadly radium-laced paint to make glow in the dark watches. They were encouraged to lick the paintbrushes to a point to increase productivity and profit and in the end their bones literally fell apart from cancer and they were so toxic they had to be buried in lead lined coffins. The resulting court cases and publicity led to historic nationwide labor protection legislation. Every year I place flowers at the small monument to these quiet heroes and this song is dedicated to their memory."

The Bloody Beetroots said about "Radium Girls": "'Radium Girls' is what happens when two punks go off to battle; each with his weapon of choice."

Earlier last month, Morello revealed the protest song "Weather Strike" featuring PUSSY RIOT's Nadya Tolokonnikova. The song was produced by Carl Restivo and came alongside a music video directed by filmmaker and 3-D artist Ksti Hu. The dazzling remixed version by Bloody Beetroots added another layer of energy to the already dynamic track.

Morello, known for his innovative guitar solos and thunderous chords, is a groundbreaking artist whether in his solo career or as an original member of the rock bands RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE and AUDIOSLAVE, two acts responsible for multiple Grammy Awards and a combined 30 million albums sold worldwide. He's released four solo albums as THE NIGHTWATCHMAN, created the genre-obliterating ATLAS UNDERGROUND project, and formed the band STREET SWEEPER SOCIAL CLUB with Boots Riley of The Coup. Morello has also been recognized by Rolling Stone magazine as one of the "100 Greatest Guitar Players of All Time" (#26). Morello has produced or collaborated with artists of diverse genres, including WU-TANG CLAN, Johnny Cash, TOOL, John Fogerty, ANTI-FLAG, PUBLIC ENEMY, Joe Strummer, CRYSTAL METHOD, Calle 13, DAVE MATTHEWS BAND, Johnny Cash, Killer Mike, Travis Barker and Pete Seeger. In addition, he joined Bruce Springsteen and the E-STREET BAND for six years on tour and is featured lead guitarist on Springsteen's "Wrecking Ball" and "High Hopes" albums. In 2016, Morello joined forces with fellow RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE bandmates Tim Commerford and Brad Wilk, as well as CYPRESS HILL's B-Real and PUBLIC ENEMY's Chuck D and DJ Lord to form the band PROPHETS OF RAGE. In 2020, RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE announced its reformation and an extensive world tour. Morello is also known for his lifelong valiant activism.

The Bloody Beetroots is the creation of Sir Bob Cornelius Rifo. Inspired by his lifelong love of punk rock and comic books, Rifo unleashed The Bloody Beetroots in late 2006 and has since crafted an intense sound that mixes his classical training, his punk rock obsession and his passion for electronic music into an edgy rock-meets-dance hybrid sound. His 2009 critically acclaimed debut album, "Romborama", featured the iconic track "Warp 1.9." with Steve Aoki, both of which helped launch the American EDM boom at the end of the 2000s. His 2013 sophomore album, "Hide", featured crossover tracks with rock icons and alternative stars like Sir Paul McCartney, Tommy Lee and others. Rifo's third full-length album, "The Great Electronic Swindle" (2017), continued the electronic-rock narrative via collaborations with Perry Farrell, JET, Gallows, Deap Vally and more. In 2019, The Bloody Beetroots released the "Heavy" EP, which saw Rifo revisiting his classic electro style and also features collaborations with Ephwurd and Dr. Fresch. Via his boundary-pushing full live band shows and DJ sets, The Bloody Beetroots has performed at every major music festival around the world in addition to several headlining solo tours.

"The Catastrophists" EP track listing:

01. The Devil's Infantry

02. Radium Girls (feat. PUSSY RIOT, Aimee Interrupter, Mish Way and THE LAST INTERNATIONALE)

03. Lightning Over Mexico (feat. Ana Tijoux)

04. Keep Going

05. Weather Strike (The Bloody Beetroots Remix) (feat. PUSSY RIOT)

06. Field Of Tigers

07. Mary Celeste

Photo credit: Eitan Miskevich

U.K. glam rock giants THE DARKNESS have announced a new album, "Motorheart", set for release on October 15 via Cooking Vinyl.

The LP is available for pre-order from the band's official store on exclusive formats and signed bundles, including deluxe CD with bonus tracks, exclusive color LP and tape. Fans who pre-order the album before Thursday, June 10 will have access to ticket pre-sales ahead of them going on public sale.

Drop the needle anywhere on "Motorheart" and be instantly transported from this moaning and weeping vale of tears to Elysian fields of rock where all hands are raised, the drinks — just as in the Club Tropicana of yore — are free, and everyone wears a pleasingly salacious grin. Does it rock? Is the sun hot? Has your partner's touch grown cold? THE DARKNESS are the Orwellian boot stamping on the flaccid face of limp rock, forever!

Brimming with their trademark blazing guitar riffs and solos, soaring falsetto and immeasurable rock 'n' roll extravagance, fans will get the first preview of THE DARKNESS's newest masterpiece when the first single is unveiled next month.

To celebrate the news of "Motorheart", the band will be heading out on a full U.K. tour in November and December this year with support coming from BRITISH LION, the side project of legendary IRON MAIDEN founder and bassist Steve Harris.

Justin Hawkins comments: "The time has come, the walrus said... to put your fookin pants on your head and rock like Satan is eating your private parts with a pointy fork! Yes, we, THE DARKNESS, are the fuck back on tour, praise Satan's better half... come and party with us like it's the last orders at the last chance saloon. Which it may well be, but I wouldn't like to comment any further on that. Get in kids, it's THE DARKNESS, wot you knows and luvs, plus BRITISH LION — Steve Harris's top rock band who are guaranteed to blow your socks straight up your welcoming arses. What a night! Delirium! Outfits, including hats! Denim that smells of hamsters! Who doesn't want that? See you down the front, connoisseurs of the finest that life has to offer..."

With a back catalog overflowing with sonic gold and a live reputation that most bands can only dream of attaining, THE DARKNESS have established themselves as one of the most loved and important British rock bands of our time. Their latest album, 2019's "Easter Is Cancelled", became the band's fourth Top 10 album in the U.K., while also topping the Official Charts Top 40 Rock chart and the iTunes Rock chart, alongside receiving swathes of critical praise.

"Motorheart" U.K. tour dates 2021

Nov. 17 - Brighton Dome, Brighton

Nov. 19 - Winter Gardens, Margate

Nov. 20 - O2 Academy, Bournemouth

Nov. 21 - Cliffs Pavillion, Southend

Nov. 23 - UEA, Norwich

Nov. 24 - Corn Exchange, Cambridge

Nov. 26 - The Hexagon, Reading

Nov. 27 - The Great Hall, Cardiff

Nov. 29 - The Great Hall, Exeter

Nov. 30 - G Live, Guilford

Dec. 02 - O2 Academy, Liverpool

Dec. 03 - Academy, Manchester

Dec. 04 - Bonus Arena, Hull

Dec. 06 - The Victoria, Stoke-on-Trent

Dec. 07 - O2 Academy, Bristol

Dec. 09 - Barrowlands, Glasgow

Dec. 10 - O2 Academy, Newcastle

Dec. 11 - O2 Academy, Leeds

Dec. 13 - Rock City, Nottingham

Dec. 14 - O2 Academy, Birmingham

Dec. 16 - O2 Shepherds Bush Empire, London

Dec. 17 - O2 Shepherds Bush Empire, London

Sami Yaffa, best known for his work with NEW YORK DOLLS, Michael Monroe and HANOI ROCKS, will release his first solo album, "The Innermost Journey To Your Outermost Mind", on September 22, 2021. The first single, "The Last Time", will be released on June 11 via Livewire/Cargo Records.

"'The Last Time' is one of the first songs I wrote for this album when still living in Brooklyn, New York back in 2015," Yaffa said. "It's a story about two people whose communication is stuck. How hard it is to change one's habits, no matter how much one wants it. It's about the frustration and distress of addiction."

Recording lineup:

* Sami Yaffa (HANOI ROCKS, MICHAEL MONROE, NEW YORK DOLLS) - Vocals, Bass Guitar

* Rich Jones (MICHAEL MONROE) - Guitar

* Christian Martucci (STONE SOUR) - Guitar

* Rane Raitsikka (SMACK) - Guitar

* Timo Kaltio (IZZY STRADLIN, CHEAP AND NASTY) - Guitar

* Janne Haavisto - Drums

Yaffa has had a unique career as a musician. He joined the punk band PELLE MILJOONA OY at the tender age of 16 and played on the bands now-legendary album "Moottoritie On Kuuma". PELLE MILJOONA OY was Finland's number one band at the time, but Yaffa and his future cohorts were aiming higher: as an original member of the band HANOI ROCKS, he spent the first half of the 1980s as an international rock musician with all its ups, downs and trappings. The band influenced many of the acts that would later become huge in the world of rock and roll — including GUNS N' ROSES.

After the breakup of HANOI ROCKS, Yaffa was asked to join some of the most notable artists in rock and roll history, such as JOAN JETT AND THE BLACKHEARTS (2002-2004), as well as one of HANOI ROCKS' major influences, the NEW YORK DOLLS (2004-2010). In 2009, he started a band with HANOI ROCKS singer Michael Monroe. This collaboration continues to this day, but now Yaffa is also releasing music under his own name.

"The idea for the solo album started to take shape a few years back," Sami said. "Previously I had written music for the NEW YORK DOLLS and the Michael Monroe band, but now some of the songs that I was writing and had written, started to sound more and more like my own stuff instead of what I would write for those bands."

What kind of music does Yaffa release under his own name then? Versatile. "I've always loved bands like THE CLASH and ROLLING STONES," he said. "They could write country, funk, reggae, rock 'n' roll or jazz without fear and make it their own. I wanted to have that same kind of versatility and freedom for my own record."

The album has wide influences, but that is hardly surprising to those who have followed Yaffa's career: in addition to his own musical career, he has been getting to know the musical traditions from different parts of the world as the host and co-creator for the "Sami Yaffa: Sound Tracker" TV series. "However, my roots are deeply in punk and rock 'n' roll," he said. "I don't shy away from that.”

Even though it's a solo record, Sami has always been a member of bands and because of that, a team player. Yaffa mentions a couple of names without whom the record would not have come to completion — at least the way it finally became. The first to mention is a childhood friend, drummer Janne Haavisto with whom Sami made his first forays into the world of music. Sami and Janne created the basic tracks together and invited valued friends and musicians to collaborate on the album. Rich Jones, the guitarist from the Michael Monroe band helped pull together a lot of the songs lyrically, Christian Martucci from the band STONE SOUR played guitar on half of the album, the other half was played by another old friend Rane from the cult band SMACK and Sami's old bro from the HANOI days, Timo Kaltio.

Long Shadows Dawn is a new musical alliance featuring Scottish vocalist Doogie White (Rainbow, Michael Schenker Fest) together with Swedish guitarist Emil Norberg (Persuader). The band’s debut album, Isle Of Wrath, will be released on August 6.

Today, fans can get their first listen to the guy's collaboration with the release of the first single and video, "Master Of Illusion". Watch the clip below, and pre-order/save Long Shadows Dawn here.

Doogie and Emil have crafted an amazing hard rock record which invokes memories of the classic ‘80s era, but think more what the well loved ‘70s bands were doing in that era versus the bands that had just been introduced to the public eye then. In other words, classic rock influences which lead to a timeless hard rock vibe. Serafino Perugino, President of Frontiers Records, had a vision of hearing Doogie sing songs in the style of Rainbow, like Doogie actually did with the band for a few years, and pairing him with Emil, a lifelong Rainbow fan, seemed only logical.

"As a big fan of the line of heritage from Deep Purple to Rainbow onwards to what Yngwie Malmsteen explored with that basic sound, I tried to tap into what made me love those albums growing up. Although impossible to copy, I took a shot at making my own interpretation of the sound of what I think are the best rock albums to date in my opinion," says Emil Norberg.

"I think working on this first Long Shadows Dawn album, something new and exciting, helped me get through the lockdown pretty much unscathed. Emil and I had no fixed plan other than to write killer tunes. We went out on a musical limb on some songs taking a bold view of the future and respectfully pulling from the well of the past. Lyrically it needed to be dark, but hopeful. Sad, but uplifting. I think we managed that. I hope it touches people’s spirits," says Doogie White.

Doogie White first came to prominence when he was asked to audition for the legendary Rainbow, subsequently joining the band in 1994 and releasing the album Stranger In Us All. Since then, he has worked with Cornerstone (a band he put together with former Royal Hunt member Steen Mogesen), Yngwie Malmesteen’s Rising Force, Tank, and, more recently, Michael Schenker Fest and Alcatrazz. His vocal range is rich and distinctive and he is certainly one of the great rock vocalists of his generation.

Emil Norberg cut his teeth playing very aggressive power metal and building the band Persuader, who have released five critically acclaimed albums from 2000 to 2020. Long Shadows Dawn is Norberg’s first foray into production outside of Persuader and channels his instinctive Blackmore influences, which he has been developing steadily during the years.

An absolute gem of an album has been born in Long Shadows Dawn's Isle Of Wrath with the pairing of these two talents.

Tracklisting:

"Deal With The Preacher"
"Raging Silence"
"On Wings Of Angels"
"Star Riders"
"Hell Hath No Fury"
"Master Of Illusion"
"Hallelujah Brother"
"Steeltown"
"Never Wrote A Love Song"
"Where Will You Run To?"
"We Don’t Shoot Our Wounded"

"Master Of Illusion" video:




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Courtney Love has shot down the possibility of a HOLE reunion, saying "it's just not gonna happen."

The prospect of a HOLE comeback was broached in a new interview Love gave to Vogue, where she also debuted a new video cover series.

Asked if there will ever be a proper HOLE reunion, Courtney said: "No. Absolutely not. And you guys have gotta get over it. Our old manager Peter Mensch calls once a year to ask about a reunion: 'Hey, just doing my thing I do every year with you and Jimmy Page [of LED ZEPPELIN].' And I’m so honored to be in that company, but it's just not gonna happen."

Speaking about her relationship with her former bandmates, Love said: "We're all really good friends and Melissa [Auf Der Maur, bass] and I are especially close — we talk every day. But Eric [Erlandson, guitar] is kinda off the grid right now — I think he's in Japan literally becoming a monk. I'm not even kidding. Melissa, Patty [Schemel, drums], and I think he's become a monk or something on that level of aestheticism."

Elsewhere in the interview with Vogue, Love spoke about her newly released cover of "California Stars", a Woody Guthrie-penned poem later set to music by Wilco and Billy Bragg on their 1998 album "Mermaid Avenue".

"It's just such a charming, rollicking little song," she said. "I'm a fourth-generation Californian, and every time I hear it, it reminds me of places like Will Rogers State Park and the Great Bluffs above Salinas. I'm a California girl and I will never not be a California girl, so there's so much in that song for me."

Last November, Courtney, who relocated to London from Los Angeles in 2019, seemed to be more receptive to the idea of a HOLE reunion. She told NME at the time: "Before I came [to the U.K.], I actually had Melissa and Patty come with our tech to this old-world rehearsal studio. We had a good session, but it takes a bit of time to get back into the rhythm of it all. It's something I'd love to do, and [I've] been taking guitar lessons over Zoom during lockdown and I'm writing again, so we'll see."

In May 2019, Love said in an interview with The Guardian that HOLE was considering a reunion to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the band's 1994 sophomore album "Live Through This".

There has been talk of a HOLE reunion before, most notably in 2014, when rumors that the band would reunite were eventually shot down by Love herself.

Auf Der Maur has previously discussed a possible HOLE reunion, saying she had a positive meeting with Schemel and Erlandson about reconnecting with Love.

"We've all grown older, have become more gentle, and I have the feeling that now would be the right point in time to reactivate the band once again," she said. "We did a few little gigs over the years but nothing substantial... HOLE was a great band, and it's important to remember them properly."

HOLE has been largely on hiatus since 2002, although Love released the aforementioned album called "Nobody's Daughter" in 2010. The quartet reunited to perform for the first time in 15 years at a party in April 2012.

SCORPIONS have shared the first snippet of their upcoming album. The LP is currently being mixed at the legendary Hansa Studios in Berlin, Germany with engineer Michael Ilbert, who has earned multiple Grammy nominations for his mix work with producer Max Martin on albums by Taylor Swift and Katy Perry.

Earlier today, SCORPIONS singer Klaus Meine, guitarist Rudolf Schenker and guitarist Matthias Jabs checked in from Peppermint Park Studios in Hannover, Germany, where most of the recording sessions for the new disc took place. Klaus, who celebrated his 73rd birthday last month, stated in a video message (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "We're in the studio right now, as you can see — Peppermint Park in Hannover — and this morning, we decided to give you guys a little snippet.

"We're here for a year," he continued. "We spent so much time in here working with the recording sessions. And right now it's so very exciting to finally listen to the mixes coming in from Berlin the other day. And we just wanted to share this moment with all of you out there. And believe me, we can't wait — not only to give you a little snippet but to play you the whole damn album. All right? And we'll see you out there."

Tentatively due later this year, SCORPIONS' new album will mark their first release since 2017's "Born To Touch Your Feelings - Best Of Rock Ballads", which was an anthology of new and classic material.

SCORPIONS originally intended to record the new album in Los Angeles with producer Greg Fidelman, whose previous credits include SLIPKNOT and METALLICA. However, because of the pandemic, some of the initial work was done with Greg remotely, after which SCORPIONS opted to helm the recordings themselves with the help of their engineer Hans-Martin Buff.

Meine previously told Talking Metal that the goal with using Fidelman to produce the new LP was to bring "the old vibe from albums like 'Blackout', 'Love At First Sting' or even 'Lovedrive'. We try to focus on those albums and this attitude," he said. "If we get there, who knows — it's so many years later. But it's the spirit and it's the whole vibe around this album. This time, the focus is on the harder songs."

According to Meine, SCORPIONS' new LP features "no outside writers at all," unlike 2015's "Return To Forever", which was largely co-written by the album's producers, Mikael Nord Andersson and Martin Hansen.

SCORPIONS' last full-length collection of new recordings was the aforementioned "Return To Forever", partially comprising songs the band had in the vault from the '80s. It was the final recorded appearance of SCORPIONS' longtime drummer James Kottak, who was dismissed from the band in September 2016. He has since been replaced by Mikkey Dee, formerly of MOTÖRHEAD.
























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NONPOINT's music video for "Ruthless", the recently released title track off the band's upcoming EP, can be seen below. The single was made available through the group own label 361 Degrees Records LLC and was this year's featured track on AEW's "Blood And Guts" on TNT.

The team at 361 Degrees Records comments: "When [singer] Elias [Soriano] presented the concept to the label, it was so brutal, we honestly weren't sure if it would even get played. Now that it's done, we realize it's exactly the video they needed to do and the definition of 'Ruthless'."

NONPOINT has never done a video like this before, but says it was like being on a movie set with director Francesca Ludikar at the helm, leading moment after bloody moment of this fast-paced, heart-pounding roller coaster of a video.

"We're aiming for the temple, swinging for the fences and making heads rock in this one," the band says. "Only one of us will be left standing in the end."

The concept was written by Soriano, and even he warns viewers: "This is what happens when you take an infectious riff, athememic lyrics, an aluminum baseball bat, some duct tape, and a grudge, put it in a blender and serve it cold blooded."

Soriano told Reno's rock radio station Rock 104.5 about the musical and lyrical inspiration for "Ruthless": "When we came out of [2018's] 'X' [album], we sat down with our producer, Fred Archambault, and had some very deep conversations about where we wanted to take our next body of work. And he felt like what we've heard from a lot of our fans and a lot of our peers that there is a more dangerous route that we can go. And safety wasn't really what we should be aimed at. And right now we're very — we're coining the term 'irresponsible music.'"

He continued: "It is definitely a fun record. We know our fans are reacting well to it. The AEW fans have reacted amazing over the last couple of weeks in the promo for 'Blood And Guts', which a shoutout to that entire camp — an amazing group of people. The administrative side is such a good camp, AEW. But now our fans have really hit the gas with it, and we're noticing with the reaction and seeing it online that things are definitely balled up and ready to go."

NONPOINT launched its independent record label 361 Degrees Records LLC in January of this year. They filmed the process of starting the label and making new music in a docu-series titled "A Path To Independence" that can be seen on the band's YouTube and official web site.

NONPOINT's songs "Bullet With A Name", "Alive And Kicking", "In The Air Tonight", "Circles", "Your Signs", "Everybody Down" and many others have been featured in trailers, hit movies, television, iconic video games, as well as broadcasts from NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, WWF.

NONPOINT has toured with major acts like DISTURBED, PAPA ROACH, MUDVAYNE and SEVENDUST, to name a few. They have also been featured on the main stages and support stages of iconic festivals like Soundwave, Rock Am Park, Rock Am Ring, Ozzfest, Rock On The Range, Welcome To Rockville and many more.

Photo credit: Francesca Ludikar

Nikki Sixx is "finishing up" new music from his SIXX:A.M. project.

The MÖTLEY CRÜE bassist offered an update on his long-running band — in which he is joined by vocalist James Michael guitarist DJ Ashba — in a social media post on Saturday (June 5).

While outlining his recent activities in Los Angeles, Sixx wrote: "Heading back [home] to Wyoming. Got a lot of work done on the new book, La Rats, a new creative endeavor I am about to embark on and seeing family. Finishing up new Sixx:A.M. with james and DJ now and next time you see me I'll be fly fishing on the Snake river ...THIS is gonna be a great summer with so much opening up but I really look forward to the Stadium tour NEXT summer...Been a minute since I've been onstage..."

SIXX:A.M.'s latest release was a reworked version of its song "Maybe It's Time", which came out in August 2020 as part of the Artists For Recovery project.

The original version of "Maybe It's Time" appeared on SIXX:A.M.'s latest album, "Vol. 2, Prayers For The Blessed", which was released in November 2016 via Eleven Seven Music. The disc was written and recorded at the same time as "Vol. 1, Prayers For The Damned", released earlier that same year, and it acted as a companion piece to the first chapter.

In January 2020, SIXX:A.M. released the official music video for "Talk To Me". The track, originally released in September 2019, invited each of us to take the first step toward mutual understanding and healing using the power of conversation.

Sixx recently teamed up with Rob Zombie, John 5 (ROB ZOMBIE, MARILYN MANSON) and Tommy Clufetos (OZZY OSBOURNE, BLACK SABBATH, ROB ZOMBIE) in a new project called L.A. RATS. The quartet came together expressly to record a cover of "I've Been Everywhere" for the soundtrack to the upcoming movie "The Ice Road". "I've Been Everywhere" is a song written by Australian country singer Geoff Mack in 1959, and made popular by Lucky Starr in 1962.

MÖTLEY CRÜE's "The Stadium Tour" with DEF LEPPARD, POISON and JOAN JETT & THE BLACKHEARTS was originally scheduled to take place last summer but ended up being pushed back to 2021, and then to 2022, due to the coronavirus pandemic.


Heading back to Wyoming.

Got a lot of work done on the new book,La Rats,a new creative endeavor I am about to embark on...

Posted by Nikki Sixx on Saturday, June 5, 2021

"Two Minutes To Late Night", which bills itself as the world's only heavy metal-themed talk show, has uploaded a cover version of the Prince classic "I Would Die 4 U" recorded in quarantine by members of LAMB OF GOD, GORILLA BISCUITS, HARM'S WAY and MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, among many others.

Featured musicians:

* Randy Blythe (LAMB OF GOD)

* Walter Schreifels (GORILLA BISCUITS, QUICKSAND, RIVAL SCHOOLS)

* Urian V. Hackney (ROUGH FRANCIS, THE ARMED)

* Rachel Rosen (MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, INDECISION)

* Bo Lueders (HARM'S WAY)

* Jeffrey Eaton (MODERN LIFE IS WAR)

* Christina Michelle (GOUGE AWAY)

* Dwid Hellion (INTEGRITY, VERMAPYRE)

* Brody King (GOD'S HATE)

* Djamila Azzouz (ITHACA)

* Lisa Mungo (FILTH IS ETERNAL, HE WHOSE OX IS GORED, DAUGHTERS)

* Dimitri Minakakis (THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN)

* Shawna Potter (WAR ON WOMEN)

* James Muñoz (THE BLED, XED OUT)

* Miss Eaves

* Jenna Pup (THE HIRS COLLECTIVE)

* Ryan Bland (ACHE)

* Mike Lennon (HEALTHY SCRATCH)

* Peter Bruno (TYRANNOSAUR)

* Malachi Kies (DOGMEAT, Gwarsenio's old band)

* Jordan Olds (a.k.a. Gwarsenio Hall)

In a 2016 interview with Full Metal Jackie's nationally syndicated radio show, Blythe stated about Prince's death just a couple of months earlier: "Well, for one thing, I think it's obvious due to the, the wide reaching and highly varied nature of this huge outpouring of sadness at his passing that the man's music crossed a lot of borders. It touched a lot of different people and he... I don't know. Prince was pretty punk rock, if you ask me, yeah. I don't know of any other human being who has ever changed their name to an unrecognizable, unpronounceable symbol — period — much less done it in order to like, deal with record company contracts. I thought that was pretty freaking genius. I don't know, man. He was just a huge talent. He played something like 27 instruments and played [them] well. He wasn't a hack. To me, [as] more and more of the news comes out about the way he passed, it just makes me sad. So, he was a huge talent — he really was. I certainly, [when] he died — [I] cruised around listening to some 'Purple Rain' and some 'Controversy'. Some old stuff."

Canadian legends Annihilator have checked in with the following update:

"Annihilator friends and fans: we are doing something amazing and need only one photo each, taken from 1989 - 1993 (Alice In Hel l /Neverland / Set The World On Fire-era). A live shot of us or a pic of you and your mates wearing an Annihilator shirt back then, or holding a vinyl, cassette or CD, etc. Anything cool from '89 - '93 to do wth Annihilator. If we use it, you won't get credit or money or any rights to what we use it for, but you get to, at least, see your pic and know that you were there. 30 years. Alice. Neverland. STWOF. Send the pic to Messenger / Send Message on Jeff Waters' Facebook page."

Annihilator frontman / founder Jeff Waters recently responded to a fan's question on Facebook regarding the band's Set The World On Fire album and the vocalist on that record, Aaron Randall. Check out the exchange below.

Q: Can you tell us the story behind Aaron Randall's brief stint in the band? I did read somewhere that a mic issue during the recording of Set The World On Fire left the vocals sounding like Aaron had a lisp when in fact it wasn't the case. Why did you not carry on with him for King Of the Kill?

Waters: "Aaron rocked. We were in studio in '92 - '93 with Aaron for what would be the Set The World On Fire record. Basically, we tried around eight different mics to see which suited his voice. He was kinda inexperienced but great! The rental cost of the mics we rented was a LOT of money so, after the manager heard me say 'none of these seven mics seem to work' he rented the most expensive one and said 'Use this; your last one.' We did but did not realize that there was some kind of hidden frequency roll off, or that maybe the mic itself was damaged, but we could not hear Aaron's letter 'S' or 'T's... so therefore, we kept saying 'Aaron, you need to say and almost spit those letters out, every time they come up in the lyrics...' which was always hahaha! So what you get is poor Aaron literally spitting into the mic and trying to concentrate on the SSSSS and TTTTT's... not feel and notes and stuff.

In the mixing at Little Mountain Sound, we literally had to boost the frequencies like mad. Huge amounts, just to hear them. I salute Aaron; we put him through a polite, Canadian hell over that in the studio. He is actually one badass singer. He was capable, only a few years later, of cloning Seb Bach and Layne Staley. I look forward to possibly having him on a tour or set of shows soon!

After that CD, which sold very well, we were actually dropped. It was the year that most labels were dropping ALL bands that were in that '80s metal category. In came the Seattle sound, then metal shifted a different way. We didn't want to change it up so we left Roadrunner / Epic and got super duper lucky that Music For Nations in the UK and a killer Japanese label grabbed us for the King Of The Kill record and a few after that. At least outside of North America, KOTK was huge for us, but I couldn't have brought Aaron with us on that record/cycle. I had felt I needed someone with more experience. I couldn't find that person then so I just took it on myself and totally shocked myself when our KOTK CD hit #2 in Japan, just beaten out by Bon Jovi hahahaha!"




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Super7 presents the return of The Man, The Myth, The Legend: Lemmy of Motörhead!

The older and wiser Lemmy 3.75" ReAction Figure arrives wearing his trademark sunglasses as well as his iconic calvary hat and cowboy boots. Also included are his thunderous bass guitar and Murder One amp to ruin your hearing. Get yours now at this location.

Previous Motörhead Super7 ReAction Figures are still available here.

 




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