American power metallers Helion Prime have just released a new version of their song "The Drake Equation", which first appeared on the band's 2016 self-titled debut album. The re-recorded single is to celebrate the new custom "Drake Series" guitars made by Helion Prime fan Eddie Julian for founding guitarist Jason Ashcraft as well as to showcase the band in its current line-up.

Guitarist Jason Ashcraft had this to say:

"I'm very excited to finally have these new guitars in my hand. Each guitar is completely handmade from scratch. Both modeled after the Les Paul and Explorer body shape, but with tweaks to meet my specifications. The explorer is thicker and both headstocks are reinforced to prevent them from snapping. When Eddie Julian made these, I asked if we could take the inspiration from the custom designs that Gibson uses, but that we of course make them our own and something that will compliment my playing style. Both are great for those heavy riffs I like to play! Each guitar has a 12th fret inlay of my other band Dire Peril's emblem and both have an engraving of my band Helion Prime's emblem. The explorer has the Seymour Duncan Nazgul & Sentient Humbucker Pickup Set while the Les Paul is packed with Bare Knuckle Painkiller pickups. When it came time to paint them, The Drake Equation kept coming to my mind, and just felt like it would really pop on these guitars and it really did! That also led to the idea to re-record the track. Re-recording some old songs with our current line-up is something we've talked about in the past and this felt like a great opportunity to do it and let me show off these new guitars!"

This re-recording of "The Drake Equation" is just the first of new things to come from Helion Prime this year! Stay tuned as they will have more to announce.




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German thrash institution Eradicator have revealed the new video "Mondays For Murder." The track is the first to be revealed from the band's fifth album, Influence Denied, set for international release on July 23 via Metalville Records.

Says the band about the video, "Most people know Mondays are when things just don't work out. 'Mondays For Murder,' however, does not deal with the consequences of a weekend gone wrong in the classical sense. Rather, it describes in an exaggerated way what will happen if the world community doesn't finally get off its ass and take the demands of scientists and Fridays For Future seriously. Then the horror awaits us every day of the week."

Influence Denied is the sovereign consequence of the previous long-players. The band's passionate claim to raise their music to a new level results in audible joy of playing and convincing compositions: Eradicator's new work combines the sound of the San Francisco Bay Area ala Testament or Death Angel and the Teutonic elemental force of German genre greats like Kreator or Destruction. Fused with the soul of the band, the result is a massive thrash metal concoction.

With incisively authentic thrash metal and equally perceptive song lyrics, they hold a mirror up to society on their new album. Encouraged to critical reflection and humility, there are no compromises musically, however, because Eradicator unpack the scantling.

The new tracks were produced together with Orden Ogan mastermind Sebastian "Seeb" Levermann (Asphyx, Brainstorm, Rhapsody Of Fire, etc.), who is also responsible for mixing and mastering. The cover illustration was penned by Mario Lopez.

First single to be revealed shortly.

Influence Denied tracklisting:

"Driven By Illusion"
"Hate Preach"
"Echo Chamber"
"Influence Denied"
"5-0-1"
"Jackals To Chains"
"Mondays For Murder"
"Hypocrite"
"Descent Into Darkness"
"Anthropocene"

"Mondays For Murder" video:

Lineup:

Sebastian Stöber "Seba" - guitar / vocals
Sebastian Zoppe "Zoppe" - bass
Jan-Peter Stöber "Pitti" - drums
Robert Wied "Robb" - guitar

(Photo - Tom Row)




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Rockshots Records has announced their signing of Helsinki, Finland's Thy Row, which is helmed by Metal De Facto and Everfrost vocalist Mikael Salo for the debut album Unchained due out September 24, 2021. 

Founded in 2017, Thy Row offers up a fresh mix of old-school heavy metal with modern hard rock. The debut album Unchained' will feature guest artists Ben Varon (Oceanhoarse, ex-Amoral), Ilja Jalkanen (Raskasta Joulua, Kiuas), and Teemu Mäntysaari (Wintersun, Smackbound). The full-length is mixed by Jussi Kraft (Starkraft Studio) and partly by Nino Laurenne (Sonic Pump Studios). Mastering was handled by Grammy-nominated Svante Forsbäck of Chartmakers Mastering (Rammstein, Volbeat).

“The album serves up ten songs of pure energy and mayhem. There will be great melodies spiced up with shakin’ riffs so turn up your knobs all the way to eleven and enjoy! We want our fans to be able to burst out their feelings and leave all the day-to-day stresses and worries behind.” adds the band.

Unchained follows Thy Row's 2019 independently released self-titled EP with its lead single "The Round" that reached over 110K streams on Spotify. The success of that EP gave the band the opportunity to tour Japan in 2019 with Beast In Black and Swallow The Sun.




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Savatage / Trans-Siberian Orchestra guitarist Chris Caffery has checked in with the following update:

"The new Burning Witches CD is out today (May 28th) and I’m posting this cover they did of 'Hall of the Mountain King' for a couple reasons...

# 1 - It kicks ass and 
# 2 - I played a guitar track throughout the entire song!

Some of the press releases list it as a 'guest solo', which is true, but that solo happens to be a guitar part with rhythm and leads the entire length of the song! I even played the clean part at the end for them. They weren’t expecting that  one when I sent them my track!

I’m excited to have played this with them. They are big fans of Savatage and they really did an awesome job on this cover. Pick up their new CD if you get a chance it totally kicks ass! I played this for the Mountain King himself and he was really impressed with how well this was done!"

Swiss / Dutch heavy metal coven, Burning Witches, recently released an official video for the title track of their new studio album, The Witch Of The North. Check it out below.

Tracklisting:

"Winter's Wrath"
"The Witch Of The North"
"Tainted Ritual"
"We Stand As One"
"Flight Of The Valkyries"
"The Circle Of Five"
"Lady Of The Woods"
"Thrall"
"Omen"
"Nine Worlds"
"For Eternity"
"Dragon's Dream"
"Eternal Frost"
"Hall Of The Mountain King"  (bonus)

"The Witch Of The North"

"Flight Of The Valkyries" visualizer:

Photo by Bob Carey




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According to TMZ, KISS bassist/vocalist Gene Simmons has just bought a new home just outside Las Vegas, Nevada for $8.2 million. The six-bedroom, eight-bathroom mansion in Henderson contains over 11,000 square feet of living space and includes a sculptural koi pond, glass walls and soaring geometrical spaces and outdoor full-valley views.

Two months ago, Simmons told KTLA 5 Morning News that he and his wife Shannon Lee Tweed Simmons also bought a four-acre property in Lake Tahoe, Nevada. "There's lots of land," he said. "There's 96 acres next door that I wanna buy. Just sort of a change of page. Less of the hubbub. And no more traffic jams, no more earthquakes and no more fires. But we love L.A. and love the home, but it's time for a change."

Simmons has been very vocal about his desire to leave California for some time due to wanting a quieter lifestyle and to get away from being listed on celebrity maps or having to deal with Beverly Hills tour buses.

Elaborating on his and his wife's recent decision to sell their Beverly Hills home and relocate to the state of Nevada full time, Gene said: "Our beautiful home in Beverly Hills on two acres, about 14,000 square feet, swimming pool, back rubs whenever you want — all the accoutrement, which is my French word of the day — we've loved this house and we've loved L.A. for so long. We've raised our two kids, who've now moved on and bought their own homes in the Hollywood Hills. It's time for Shannon and I to move out of L.A. and California. So we're moving to Lake Tahoe, Nevada. In the meantime, it's a very sad but also a happy time. It's sad because we raised our kids in this gorgeous home, but it's also a happy time because it's the next phase. So no more celebrity tour buses at the front door, no more Hollywood star maps."

He continued: "A home, a house, it's more than property and all that — it's our home; it's where our kids are raised. And so I really hope the folks who buy this home are gonna get as much joy as we have in this. It's like graduating high school or maybe leaving home; you love your mom and dad, and at some point, you've gotta move on. This is the next phase."

Last fall, Simmons put his Beverly Hills house on the market for $22 million. He later relisted it for $25 million after it never sold and he reportedly invested a lot of money in making improvements. The home is currently for sale for just under $20 million.

"The taxes [in California] are just insurmountable," Gene said. "But for us, it's a tug of the heart."

Simmons told The Wall Street Journal last October that part of the reason he and his wife listed the two-acre property in Benedict Canyon because the home had become too big for the both of them since their children had grown up.

Gene and Shannon were married in 2011 after dating since 1975. They have two children, Nick, 32, and Sophie, 28.

Gene, Shannon and their kids all appeared on the reality TV series "Gene Simmons Family Jewels" from 2006 until 2012.

In its 48-year career, KISS has accumulated 23 gold and platinum albums — more than any other U.S. band.




Gene Simmons Buys Vegas Mansion After Vowing to Leave California https://t.co/fwkXuyfMyy

— TMZ (@TMZ) May 29, 2021

Jimmy Page's riff from LED ZEPPELIN's "Whole Lotta Love" has been named the greatest riff of all time by the readers of Total Guitar and Guitar World magazines.

The ZEPPELIN classic placed ahead of Ozzy Osbourne's "Crazy Train", AC/DC's "Back In Black" and DEEP PURPLE's "Smoke On The Water".

Total Guitar wrote in its July 2021 issue, which is out today (June 4): "In 1969, the year Neil Armstrong first set foot on the moon, Jimmy Page launched his own giant leap for mankind.

"'Whole Lotta Love''s guitar figure took just 2.7 seconds to play, but it immediately projected music into another decade. While everyone else was still playing the '60s, ZEPPELIN were now playing the '70s.

"It wasn't the first great riff, but it is the defining one. It's why riffs became central to guitar music, the reason bands search for the guitar hook that can propel a whole song — or even a whole career."

Top 10 greatest riffs of all time, as chosen by the readers of Total Guitar and Guitar World magazines:

01. Whole Lotta Love (LED ZEPPELIN)

02. Crazy Train (OZZY OSBOURNE)

03. Back In Black (AC/DC)

04. Smoke On The Water (DEEP PURPLE)

05. Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love (VAN HALEN)

06. Enter Sandman (METALLICA)

07. Iron Man (BLACK SABBATH)

08. Walk (PANTERA)

09. La Grange (ZZ TOP)

10. Purple Haze (Jimi Hendrix)

Other riffs featured in the list include NIRVANA's "Smells Like Teen Spirit", RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE's "Killing In The Name" and SLIPKNOT's "Psychosocial".

Page spoke about the "Whole Lotta Love" song creation in a 2014 interview with The Wall Street Journal. He said: "I came up with the guitar riff for 'Whole Lotta Love' in the summer of '68, on my houseboat along the Thames in Pangbourne, England. I suppose my early love for big intros by rockabilly guitarists was an inspiration, but as soon as I developed the riff, I knew it was strong enough to drive the entire song, not just open it. When I played the riff for the band in my living room several weeks later during rehearsals for our first album, the excitement was immediate and collective. We felt the riff was addictive, like a forbidden thing."

Last year, Jimmy told Total Guitar that the "Whole Lotta Love" riff "was so fresh and it still is. If somebody plays that riff, it brings a smile to people’s faces. It's a really positive thing."

Polish tech death metal virtuosos, Decapitated, have released their early demos in a carefully handpicked collection called The First Damned. Order the album in various editions here.

Vogg states: "Here we go! The First Damned - our first steps that we did as teenagers. I'm proud of this release in all these formats and amazing layouts together with the best metal label these days, Nuclear Blast Records. Check it out: No re-mastering, no-remixes, no bullshit. Raw and deadly as it was back then. Enjoy."  

Evoking the spirits of wild times, the band releases a video for the song "Cemeteral Gardens", featuring some old video content from the early days of Decapitated. Watch the video below.

The First Damned is physically available as digipak, black LP, white/black splatter LP [band exclusive], cassette [band exclusive], and white/black marbled LP [mailorder + wholesale exclusive].

Tracklisting:

The Eye Of Horus Demo, 1998
"Intro"
"The Eye Of Horus"
"Blessed"
"The First Damned"
"Nine Steps"
"Danse Macabre"
"Mandatory Suicide"

Cemeteral Gardens Demo, 1997
"Intro"
"Destiny"
"Way Of Salvation"
"Ereshkigal"
"Cemeteral Gardens"

"Cemeteral Gardens" video:

"Destiny" (Demo, 1997):

Formed in 1996, Polish tech death masters Decapitated built a reputation over the years as one of the international leaders of their genre. Over their nearly 20-year career, Decapitated has released seven studio albums, which are considered to be some of the most influential death metal releases of the 21st century.

Decapitated are:
Waclaw "Vogg" Kieltyka - Guitars
Rafal "Rasta" Piotrowski - Vocals
James Stewart - Drums

(Photo - Robert Zembrzycki)




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German genrefluid visionaries, Lord Of The Lost, return with their seventh studio album, Judas, out July 2 via Napalm Records. The band have released a second cinematic and visually stunning video for their second single, "For They Know Not What They Do". The new music video picks up where the first video for "Priest" (more than 400,000 views to date) leaves off. Together, the two videos form the start of a grand narrative of black and white, good and evil, and loud and quiet. ine).

"For They Know Not What They Do", the second single from Judas proves that this new piece of art is musically and organically grown and has very lively highlights - including a choir, grand piano and string quintet - as well as a real church organ. We Will Outlive Them!

Chris Harms on the new video: "With ‘For They Know Not What They Do’, the audiovisual experience of ‘Priest’ is not only continued, but in a certain way, a cycle opens here which connects the two videos in their beginnings and endings. In addition, we have fulfilled a childhood dream here, because what musician would not like to be seen once as a ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ choir in the best Queen manner in his video..."

Lord Of The Lost on Judas: “Don’t judge a book by its cover. This sentence could hardly apply any better to someone in theological history than to the figure of Judas Iscariot, who represents only one thing at first glance: Betrayal. If you take a closer look, almost endless possibilities of interpretation open up here: from "Judas the murderer" to "Judas the redeemer" and "Judas the actual martyr", who, if you believe in it, could only find room in hell for his salvific betrayal after dying for what he did, in complete contrast to Jesus Christ. This field of tension and the apocryphal writings of the "Gospel of Judas" are the basis for a double album that not only illuminates the dark and light side of history, but above all the grey areas in between, in which we move emotionally and ideologically throughout our lives and try to find our place.”

Judas will be available in the following formats:

- Deluxe Box (incl. 2-CD Mediabook, 1 CD The Sorrows Of The Young, 2 CD LOTL+, DVD Becoming Judas, Cover Alu Print) - strictly limited to 1500 copies worldwide
- 4 CD Earbook - strictly limited to 500 copies worldwide
- Double Music Cassette - strictly limited to 100 copies worldwide
- 2-CD Mediabook
- 2-CD Sleevepack
- Vinyl Box incl. 2x 2LP Recycled Black Vinyl Gatefold
- Digital Album

Pre-order here.

Judas tracklisting:

CD1: Damnation
"Priest"
"For They Know Not What They Do"
"Your Star Has Led You Astray"
"Born with a Broken Heart"
"The 13th"
"In the Field of Blood"
"2000 Years a Pyre"
"Death Is Just a Kiss Away"
"The Heart Is a Traitor"
"Euphoria"
"Be Still and Know"
"The Death of All Colours"

CD2: Salvation
"The Gospel of Judas"
"Viva Vendetta"
"Argent"
"The Heartbeat of the Devil"
"And it Was Night"
"My Constellation"
"The Ashes of Flowers"
"Iskarioth"
"A War Within"
"A World where We Belong"
"Apokatastasis"
"Work of Salvation"

"Priest" video:

Next to the 2-CD Judas Mediabook and a cover alu print, the strictly limited deluxe box includes the special CD, The Sorrows Of The Young, double extra CD LOTL+, as well as the six part behind the scenes documentary bonus DVD, Becoming Judas. The Sorrows Of The Young features ten unreleased songs, written by Chris Harms at the age of 18, that have now been re-recorded, whereas LOTL+ showcases 32 completely different interpretations in terms of vocals and lyrics on the original song “Viva Vendetta”, written and performed by artists like Megaherz, Equilibrium, Lacrimosa, Subway To Sally, Nachtblut, Unzucht and many more.

The Sorrows Of The Young tracklisting:
"Catharsis"
"Syringes in the Sand"
"Deus Absconditus"
"Die Without Your Love"
"This Piece of Art"
"The Last Saviour"
"All I Am Is The Void"
"Obscularum Infame"
"Infinity"
"Supernova"

LOTL+ tracklisting:

CD1:
"Living a Lie" feat. A Life Divided
"Consume Hate" feat. Aesthetic Perfection
"Vergissmeinnicht" feat. AnnA Lux
"Still Life to Die For" feat. Ben Christo (The Sisters Of Mercy / Diamond Black)
"The Darkest Hour" feat. Chemical Sweet Kid
"Into the Dawn" feat. Simon Moskon (Cryptex)
"The Warrior" feat. Daria Trusova
"Old-School Pagan Spirit" feat. Robse (Equilibrium)
"Entität" feat. Erdling
"Doomed Love" feat. Erk Aicrag (Hocico / Rabia Sorda)
"Crimson Masque" feat. Face Time Police
"Your Skeleton Grin" feat. Faderhead
"A Pain That I Know" feat. Florian Grey
"Ohne Zweifel" feat. Heldmaschine
"Sadly Ever After" feat. Hell Boulevard
"Stolen" feat. Jaani Peuhu (Mercury Circly, Swallow The Sun, Iconcrash)

CD2:
"Alles wird gut, aber…" feat. Lacrimosa
"Dein Blick" feat. Letzte Instanz
"Pale Rider" feat. Lolita KompleX
"Revenge" feat. MajorVoice
"Aus und Vorbei" feat. Megaherz
"Bloody Flower" feat. Nachtblut
"Abandon Ship" feat. Night Laser
"The Shadow and the Sun" feat. OH FYO!
"Digging Deeper" feat. Scarlet Dorn
"It Starts with a Crack" feat. Solar Fake
"Fake Gods" feat. Soulbound
"Träume zu Tränen" feat. Subway To Sally
"Die Flamme" feat. Sündenrausch
"Feuerrot" feat. Tanzwut
"Während die Welt in Flammen Steht" feat. Unzucht
"Today" feat. Saku Solin (Turmion Kätilöt / Fear Of Domination)

Lord Of The Lost are:

Chris Harms - vocals, guitar, cello
Pi Stoffers - guitar
Class Grenayde - bass
Gared Dirge - piano, synthesizer, percussion, guitar
Niklas Kahl - drums

(Photo - VDPictures / Jan Season)




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Yngwie Malmsteen will release his new studio album titled "Parabellum" on July 23 via Music Theories Recordings/Mascot Label Group. The disc's second single, "Relentless Fury", can be streamed below.

Malmsteen states: "Here's 'Relentless Fury'. It's a good example of how you can take a simple groove and melody, and take it to a whole new world with different harmonies, instrumentation, and voices. Hope you guys enjoy it."

The name of Yngwie Malmsteen has always stood for uncompromising excellence. In a career that now spans more than 40 years he has proven himself to be a unique artist. You can try to categorize him in any way you wish. But the manner in which this supreme Swedish craftsman has continually developed his music makes Malmsteen sublimely transcend any definition you attempt to impose.

He now has a catalog of 21 solo studio albums, each of which has much to commend. Moreover, the guitarist played a crucial role in helping to establish ALCATRAZZ as a significant force in the 1980s. Malmsteen's artistry has always clearly incorporated a healthy virtuosity, but his talent goes well beyond a comprehensive control of the guitar. The man is a fine composer and, on recent releases, has also showcased a strong vocal presence.

One aspect of his approach has always shone through, and that is an abidingly deep respect for the music he plays. Malmsteen has constantly done whatever it takes to bring out all of the color, shade and hue embedded in each one of his compositions. Merely doing a very good job isn't an option. He wants to go — and does go — well beyond such limitations, into the rarefied realms inhabited by an elite number of timeless masters. This has never been more focused and informed than on "Parabellum". Malmsteen shares, "I always try to push myself on every album I do, and attempt things which are more extreme than previously. But what has helped this time is that I wasn't able to go on the road because of the pandemic. It meant I could take much longer in the studio, both to write and record. Because I am usually always on tour, which is great, I haven't had the luxury of spending a lot of time working on new music for more than 20 years. But I suddenly had no pressure at all on that front. And I feel the album has benefited enormously as a result."

There are instances when musicians can have so much time available to them for the purposes of recording and writing that what comes out of the process is a little stilted and overthought. But that is never the case here. He reflects: "I am the sort of person who doesn't like to do take after take after take of any track. If something isn't to my satisfaction, I'll move on. But there were occasions with this album when I dismissed something because I thought it was a stinker. I went back a couple of days later, listened to it and wondered why I thought it stank in the first place! That's the beauty of having everything available you've done through Pro Tools. Nothing is lost. Things were changing all the time. Song titles, tempos. Everything was fluid. I would listen to a part I had done for one specific song, and realise it worked better if I transposed it into another track."

Four of the songs here feature vocals. But once more, this wasn't mapped out in advance. Malmsteen offers: "I love to listen back to what I've done in the car. Sometimes I find myself singing along to what was supposed to be an instrumental. That's when I realize this song does need vocals. The opposite happens as well."

On occasion, it does sound as if Malmsteen has surely incorporated keyboards into the fabric of the album's sonic tapestry. But this is not the case. He reveals: "I can assure you that, while it may seem as if there are keyboards, everything has been done by myself on guitar. Even what sounds like a piano intro to 'Wolves At The Door', the opening track, has been played on guitar." This particular composition also includes a clever reference to 19th century classical master Paganini. "It's the sort of thing I love to do. It's my way of paying homage to him. And here it works very well within the flow of the track."

The album title "Parabellum" is Latin, translating as "Prepare For War". "There's a track on the album called '(Si Vis Pacem) Parabellum'," he says. "This translates as 'If you want peace, then prepare for war.' It was a last-minute decision to make this the album title. But I think it fits very well."

The striking portrait on the cover was painted by the accliamed artist David Benegas. Malmsteen states: "That was my wife April's idea. David lives near us in Florida, and we were talking to him about other projects. I did a photo shoot with Mark Weiss, who I think is a great photographer and someone I've worked with for a long time. Then David based the portrait on this. The painting itself is huge, and we've had the idea to use it to raise money for the April Way Children's Foundation ('dedicated to bringing the artists of the world together to give hope to kids, teens, and young adults that have been orphaned or are in foster care all across the world')."

In closing, he shares: "The bottom line for me is that the passion I feel for the music I make has to be obvious. I am the sort of person who lives in the moment. I wanted this album to have a joyous, spontaneous atmosphere. This must never sound as if it's been rehearsed so much that it becomes routine. I hope people will put on this record at the start and listen right through to the end, from start to finish. I recorded this as a singular piece of art. Not as a collection of 10 tracks you can hear in any order you want. I was asked by Mascot what song would be the lead track. The one for which I'd do a video. You know what? I'd like to do videos for everything here. I view this album as having a natural flow from start to finish. It's not to be cut up into little pieces. I want fans to experience the delight I had in making it."

The complete track listing includes "Wolves At The Door", "Presto Vivace in C# Minor", "Relentless Fury", "(Sis Vis Pacem) Parabellum", "Eternal Bliss", "Toccata", "Good Particle", "Magic Bullet", "(Fight) The Good Fight" and "Sea Of Tranquility". The album will be available on CD, red tranparent LP and digital.

The countdown to July 18, the 40th anniversary of thrash/metal legends ANTHRAX, is well underway and heading towards the big finale. A special worldwide livestream event, presented by Danny Wimmer Presents and originating from Los Angeles, will kick off in North America on Friday, July 16, beginning at 4 p.m. PT and 7 p.m. ET, and in the U.K. on Saturday, July 17, starting at midnight BST. Livestream event tickets and special 40th-anniversary ticket bundles — one including a live video chat with the members of ANTHRAX — are on sale now. Special 40th-anniversary artwork was created by Brian Ewing and Stephen Thompson for limited-edition t-shirts, commemorative tickets, and an anniversary poster. In addition to the livestream and merchandise bundles, fans will be able to buy a digital ticket to relive the past 40 years with exclusive interviews, testimonials, and behind-the-scenes stories of the band's legendary career. All purchasing details are accessible at www.anthraxlive.com.

The global livestream event, debuting July 16/17 (depending on your global location), will remain available to fans worldwide to tune in through July 25 at 11:59 p.m. ET via video on demand. The band — Joey Belladonna (vocals), Scott Ian (rhythm guitar), Frank Bello (bass), Charlie Benante (drums), and Jon Donais (guitar) — will perform an extensive set of hits and deep cuts that will pull from the band's entire catalog.

The countdown to July 18 began on May 3 with the ongoing, 11-week, online video docu-series presented on ANTHRAX's social media accounts. Posted every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, in the album catalog's chronological order, each episode focuses on a particular album, with past and present band members, fellow musicians, colleagues, and industry veterans sharing behind-the-scenes stories of their interactions. Those contributing their personal memories include Kerry King, Robert Trujillo, Dave Grohl, Dave Mustaine, Gene Simmons, Henry Rollins, John Carpenter, Norman Reedus, Rob Zombie, Slash, Tom Morello, Mike Patton, Nergal, Darryl McDaniels, Michael Paulson and Roger Miret.

"I was a 17-year-old metal-head kid from Queens when I started this band," said Scott Ian. "I am a 57-year-old metal-head kid from Queens about to celebrate the 40th anniversary of this band. That means for 40 years, I've gotten to do exactly what I've wanted to do — and getting to do what I love and being a part of something so much bigger than myself has made the time, the unbelievable weight of 40 seems so light. It's been an amazing story so far, and I see 40 as a milestone that absolutely should be recognized and celebrated. Congratulations to us! I also see 40 as a stepping stone to the next chapter of ANTHRAX — we still have a lot to say and some killer riffs to unleash. I'm not going to say, 'Here's to 40 more,' because nobody wants to see that (I'd be 97). How about, 'Here's to at least ten more, and we'll go from there! Thank you for enabling me, my friends."

SHINEDOWN has topped Billboard's Greatest Of All Time Mainstream Rock Artists listing, finishing ahead of peers from the last 20 years like THREE DAYS GRACE and DISTURBED, as well as classic rock staples like VAN HALEN and TOM PETTY AND THE HEARTBREAKERS.

Billboard's Mainstream Rock music chart ranks the most-played songs on mainstream rock radio stations in the United States, a category that combines the formats of active rock and heritage rock.

SHINEDOWN has issued the following statement: "There are no words to describe how this feels… To the fans/family, we say thank you. We've said it before, and we'll say it again... we only have one boss… It's everyone in the audience...

"Thank you, Billboard, for this incredible acknowledgment. Thank you, Atlantic Records, promotion and In De Goot Entertainment for always believing in us, and allowing us to not only be an artist, but to be ourselves. We LOVE YOU… And to ALL of terrestrial radio, thank you for being there from the beginning… We are just getting started. Onward and upwards we RISE together."

SHINEDOWN guitarist Zach Myers added: "As you know, around here we don't celebrate the accolades of this business to often... It's kinda like monopoly money... fun to walk around with... but what's it worth? Today I'll celebrate this... then tomorrow, me and my three best friends will try and figure out what's next. Forever grateful for y'all... What a ride, man..."

In a new interview with Billboard correspondent Bobby Olivier, SHINEDOWN vocalist Brent Smith said: "We write songs because it's cheaper than therapy. I've never been afraid to say how I feel. Even if I'm talking about dark subject matter, I'm always trying to empower the listener — to say that it may be difficult, you may have to struggle, but you can hold on to hope and understand that life is never going to be perfect. It’s not meant to be perfect."

Two months ago, Smith revealed that SHINEDOWN was in Malibu, California working with Grammy Award-nominated multi-platinum songwriter and record producer Dave Bassett on material for the band's upcoming album. The follow-up to 2018's "Attention Attention" is being recorded in part at bassist and producer Eric Bass's new studio in Charleston, South Carolina for a tentative late 2021 release.

Last September, Smith told the KLOS radio show "Whiplash" that he and Bass were looking to make a more organic-sounding album this time around.

In August 2020, SHINEDOWN broke the record for the most No. 1s ever in the 39-year history of the Billboard Mainstream Rock Songs chart, scoring its 16th No. 1 hit with "Atlas Falls". This also marked the band's 17th No. 1 on the Mediabase Active Rock chart and its sixth consecutive No. 1, following "How Did You Love", "Devil", "Get Up", "Monsters" and "Attention Attention".

Originally written in 2013, "Atlas Falls" was first made available from SHINEDOWN's vault in March 2020 as part of an exclusive song and T-shirt bundle for the band's COVID-19 fundraising eff

According to Led Zeppelin News, it appears that Robert Plant's new collaborative album with Alison Krauss will include a cover of a "Searching For My Love", a 1965 song by BOBBY MOORE & THE RHYTHM ACES.

The upcoming LP will be sequel to 2007's "Raising Sand", which won Grammy Awards for "Album Of The Year", "Best Contemporary Folk/Americana Album", "Record Of The Year" for "Please Read The Letter", "Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals" for "Rich Woman", and "Best Country Collaboration With Vocals" for "Killing The Blues".

Greg Leisz, a musician who played on "Raising Sand", revealed during an appearance on the "Everyone Loves Guitar" podcast that he has heard a song from the upcoming album. "[Robert is] doing another record with Alison Krauss, and I heard a track from it the other day," he said. "Incredible." Saying that the song was called "Searching For My Baby", Leisz sang part of it: "Searching, searching for my baby." He added: "When you hear that, it’s going to blow your mind. It's fantastic."

Back in 2015, Republic Records released the "Love The Coopers" official soundtrack album, featuring the studio reunion of Plant and Krauss on their Christmas original "The Light Of Christmas Day".

In a 2014 interview with Rolling Stone, Plant revealed that he had been talking with Krauss about recording a follow-up to "Raising Sand". "Alison called me six weeks ago," he says. "She said, 'Should we make a new record?'"

Plant previously tried to make a "Raising Sand" follow-up when he and Krauss finished their tour in 2009. The LED ZEPPELIN frontman entered a California studio with producer Daniel Lanois and attempted to write material he could sing with Krauss. "We walked away from that and took our toys back," said Plant. "Dan and I wrote about five songs in two or three days up in Silver Lake. They were pretty good, but they didn't really lend themselves to a vocal collaboration, so I took them away. And then Alison went back to the fat guys with beards [her longtime band UNION STATION] and she made a pretty good record within that gen

AniMaze X is a project started by the members of best selling D-Metal Stars / AniMetal USA, featuring Michael Vescera (vocals / Obsession, ex-Loudness), John Bruno (guitars / Obsession), Rudy Sarzo (bass / The Guess Who, ex.Ozzy Osbourne, ex-Quiet Riot) and BJ Zampa (drums / House Of Lords). The project focuses on a wider variety of music themes such as superheros,  popular cartoons, Broadway musicals, movie soundtracks, as well as the D-Metal Stars “classics”.

They have switched things up for their latest release: a cover of The Beatles classic "Strawberry Fields Forever", which was made available via Spotify, Amazon and Apple Music back in March. They have now released an official video for the track. Check it out below.

Vescera previously covered the song on his Michael Vescera Project's Windows album, released in 1997.

"Strawberry Fields Forever" marked the start of recording for what became The Beatles' 1967 album, Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. It was released in February 1967 as the B-side to "Penny Lane".




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Finnish Punk 'n Rollers Graveyard Shifters have announced the upcoming August 5th self-release of their new EP, Head Turns First, Eyes Follow... Fans and newcomers alike can expect a loud, hot rockin' dose of riotous punk and memorable songwriting sure to get the feet moving and the head nodding in time with the penetrating rhythms. It's a combination that's tough to beat from a band that continues to reach new musical heights!

The official video for the first single, "Fake It Till You Make It", can be enjoyed now:

Graveyard Shifters released the following statement concerning the new single: "'Fake It Till You Make It' excites people to ask themselves whether they are chasing their own dreams, or if they are acting according to imaginary expectations. And obviously, all these nonsense reality TV stars, social media influencers and all the f**kin' wannabes who think they are some kind of messiahs... You are just kerosene to our magic carpet! Hahaha!"

Head Turns First, Eyes Follow... artwork and tracklisting:

"Fake It Till You Make It"
"Head Turns First, Eyes Follow"
"Whirlpool"
"Calm Down Before The Storm"

Head Turns First, Eyes Follow... was recorded, mixed and mastered by Harri Petjakko.

 




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Brazilian power metal band Trend Kill Ghosts is getting ready to release their new album. After months of production and big investment, the quaratet from São Paulo issue their first single, entitled "Phoenix". This song is accompanied by a music video, filmed at London Studio, featuring the participation of actress and singer Aline Ferrari.

"'Phoenix' is one of the parts of the new album in which I tell about a little of what I lived in the middle of the Pandemic," says vocalist Diogo Nunes. "I believe that many of us went through this; through anxiety, crisis, and often without perspective of improvement. Sometimes thinking that nothing in our lives makes sense anymore, but that, when we can see for a moment who we are and how far we have come, we know where to draw strength and be reborn, stronger and willing to show it to the world, like a phoenix."

"Phoenix" is available now on all digital platforms.

(Photography: Jéssica Marinho and Filipe Moriarty)

 




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"Our new album is done!" states Joyous Wolf. "What an incredible experience the last few weeks have been for us. We can't wait for all of you to hear it! There is no better way to celebrate this achievement than to hit the road supporting Dirty Honey on their California Dreamin Tour! Let's go!"

Catch Joyous Wolf opening for Dirty Honey at the following shows:

June
3 - Marquee Theatre - Tempe, AZ
5 - Jake's Backroom - Lubbock, TX
6 - Hoot's Pub - Amarillo, TX
8 - The Rock Box - San Antonio, TX
9 - Brewster Street Ice House - Corpus Christi, TX
11 - Club LA - Destin, FL
12 - Soul Kitchen Music Hall - Mobile, AL
14 - Shagnasty’s Grubbery & Pour House - Huntsville, AL
15 - Capone's - Johnson City, TN
17 - The Signal - Chattanooga, TN
19 - Diamond Ballroom - Oklahoma City, OK
20 - The Cotillion Ballroom - Wichita, KS
22 - The Bourbon - Lincoln, NE
24 - Piere's - Fort Wayne, IN
27 - The Venue - Denver, CO

(Photo courtesy of the official Joyous Wolf Facebook page).

 

 




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WINTERSUN's Jukka Koskinen spoke to Kaaos TV about his new gig as the session bassist for NIGHTWISH's upcoming world tour in support of the "Human. :II: Nature." album.

Koskinen joined NIGHTWISH as the replacement for Marco Hietala, who announced his departure from NIGHTWISH in January, explaining in a statement that he hadn't "been able to feel validated by this life for a quite a few years now."

Speaking about how he landed the NIGHTWISH job, Koskinen said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "It was a few months back. I received a phone call from the NIGHTWISH camp and was being asked if I would be interested [in] the bass player position regarding what has happened, that Marco has left the band. And, of course, obviously, when I got that phone call, I thought it was, like, 'Woah.' As an outsider, obviously, I couldn't think that, especially in NIGHTWISH, I couldn't think of it even that this sort of thing could happen. But, of course, life is life. And, yeah, absolutely, I immediately, of course, said that yes, definitely I would be interested. I always listened to NIGHTWISH; I always liked their music a lot. [It's] very soulful music. That was a few months ago. And then we made a few arrangements. Two months ago, approximately, I was in Finland practicing. I had a meet-and-greet. We had a meet-and-greet before as well, but another one where we practiced together for the first time to see how, playing-wise, the chemistry was going, and get to know each other more. Kind of [like] an audition — obviously, of course. Any band who would find new guys to come in or so, you would need to have these things. I would do the same if I would be on the other side of the table, if you know what I mean. So, yeah, everything went good. After the audition thing, everything went very smoothly, and the guys said, 'You're in.' And what did I say more than with the happiest smile, I said back [to them], 'I'm in.' But we're talking, of course, as a session musician spot now for the upcoming 'Human. :II: Nature.' tour."

Asked if he had ever played any NIGHTWISH songs in the past, Jukka said: "No, I hadn't played [any of that material]. I've listened to NIGHTWISH ever since the early Spinefarm days, when they were [signed to the label] — [1998's] 'Oceanborn'; maybe from that [album] onwards. Music-wise, I played in the past with a few kind of, like, not similar, but maybe that style or genre of music in the past. But I never played NIGHTWISH music. That was kind of, like, from a player's point of view, I couldn't believe it that when I started practicing the songs, or trying them out even before everything was settled, I just thought that I would try it out, it just felt that my playing style is something that really fits to this — I had this feeling. And it was really, really, of course, great to see then afterwards, hearing from the other guys — they basically told me that 'it feels like you've always been playing bass here.' It felt very natural."

Koskinen made his live debut with NIGHTWISH last weekend at the first of the band's two interactive "An Evening with Nightwish In a Virtual World" concert experiences that kicked off the "Human. :II: Nature." run. NIGHTWISH performed in a tavern called "The Islanders Arms" built in a virtual world for two nights — Friday, May 28 and Saturday, May 29. On both nights, the fans experienced a one-and-a-half-hour performance, hearing songs live off "Human. :II: Nature." for the first time ever. These two nights had their own, slightly different setlists.

Last month, NIGHTWISH keyboardist and main songwriter Tuomas Holopainen said that Hietala's decision to leave the band "came as a bit of a surprise." He added: "It was a really tough pill to swallow. And for a few days, I was actually quite confident that there's no coming back, that this is it. I remember talking to Emppu [Vuorinen], the guitar player, and we were, like, 'You think this is it?' 'Yeah, I think this is it.' I mean, enough is enough. So much has happened in the past. Something that broke the camel's back, as they say. Then, after some time had passed — a few days — we started to think that it's been such a ride of 25 years, with so many ups also, that this is not the way to end it."

Tuomas elaborated on NIGHTWISH's reasons for carrying on, saying: "I think we still have something to give, and that's the main point. The music is still there. We felt that there's still so much music that needs to come out from this band that, 'Okay, let's give it one more shot.' And then finding the new bass player was really easy."

He added: "It's not like we do this just because we need to do it and there's nothing else to do. On a personal level, I feel that there's still so many stories and melodies that I want to share with the world with one lineup or another, so that's why you want to continue and keep on going.

"I've said this a million times, that a lineup change is the ultimate energy vampire, and that's how it really felt and still feels."

"Human. :II: Nature." was released in April 2020. The follow-up to 2015's "Endless Forms Most Beautiful", "Human. :II: Nature." is a double album containing nine tracks on the main CD and one long track, divided into eight chapters, on CD 2.

Ex-STYX vocalist and keyboardist Dennis DeYoung has once again said that he wants to reunite with his former bandmates for one final tour.

DeYoung, the voice behind such STYX classics as "Come Sail Away", "Best Of Times", "Pieces Of Eight" and "Babe", spoke about his previous group while chatting with Joe Rock of Long Island, New York's 102.3 WBAB radio station.

Asked if he is still hoping for a reunion of STYX's classic lineup, Dennis said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "I've been riding that bandwagon for the last five or six years, but to no avail. Really, the people that are vested, the promoters around the country, have this past year gone through back channels to see if there was interest. 'Cause everybody, every STYX fan would like to see that one more time. And one person spoke, and it was Tommy [Shaw, STYX guitarist/vocalist], and he said 'No.' I don't know why; it makes no sense to me.

"We owe the fans who made us what we are today — rich, successful human beings — one last opportunity to experience Moe, Larry, Curly and Shemp, when he's available, to come out there and see 'em," he continued, referring to "The Three Stooges", one of the most successfully comedy acts in history.

"It's not in my hands. I have no ax to grind. I have no hatchets to bury. I have nothing. I wanna go out and do it. It's not me. So, please send your cards and letters to the appropriate address."

DeYoung co-founded STYX as a teenager alongside his neighbors Chuck and John Panozzo in the early 1970s. James Young joined shortly after that, with Shaw coming on board in 1975.

Three years ago, Shaw likened STYX's relationship with DeYoung to a divorce. "You get married when you're young and everything's rosy," he told "The Big Interview". "Then, as you start to get a little older, you realize you didn't have that much in common and then you go through a tough divorce… We still have songs that we co-wrote together, and those are our children, and we've managed to find a way to keep those things in play."

Shaw went on to say that he is content to let the past remain in the past, choosing instead to surround himself with positivity as he enters the next part of his career. He continued: "Personality-wise, at this stage in my life, I want to be happy. I want to be around people who love me and that have my best interest at heart, and I don't have to fight with. There's just not enough years left that I would want to risk not having that again."

DeYoung will release his final studio album, "26 East, Vol 2", on June 11 via Frontiers Music Srl

Prog legends Dream Theater have checked in with the following update:

"Dream Theater’s second release in the highly anticipated Lost Not Forgotten Archives series is a collection of select board mixes taken during the band’s A Dramatic Tour of Events in 2011 and 2012. This release features a curated selection of some of the most outstanding performances from that tour, compiled into one archival release.  

Originally only available as a digital release, this autographed limited edition is now available for the first time on vinyl, and limited to just 250 copies. CD and digital editions will also be available here."

Tracklist:

"Under A Glass Moon" (Phoenix, AZ 12/4/11)
"Forsaken" (London, UK 7/24/11)
"Peruvian Skies" (London, UK 7/24/11)
"Endless Sacrifice" (Austin, TX 10/26/11)
- Drum Solo - (Austin, TX 10/26/11)
"YtseJam" (Austin, TX 10/26/11)
"The Great Debate" (London, UK 7/24/11)
"Another Day" (Austin, TX 7/7/12)
"Through My Words / Fatal Tragedy" (Montreal, QC 10/7/11)
"To Live Forever" (Huntington, NY 7/19/12)
"Learning To Live" (Tel Aviv, Israel 7/19/11)
"The Count of Tuscany" (London, UK 7/24/11)
"As I Am" (Shibuya, Japan 4/24/12)

Due to the high demand for vinyl manufacturing, production times are subject to possible delay. Shipping in late July.




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"Super excited to announce Hate Eternal will be releasing the first ever Official Guitar Tab Book on June 10th entitled Best Of - Vol. I, released with Sheet Happens Publishing," announces frontman Erik Rutan.

"As many of you know, this is something I have wanted to do for a very, very long time. With the tremendous help of Evan Bradley transcribing, we worked together painstakingly to be very thorough and accurate. Very proud of what we achieved and hope to do more books in the future. Cheers! Cover Photo By Alex Morgan."

 




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Sweden's Horndal has premiered a live video for "Growing Graves", taken from their sophomore album, Lake Drinker. Footage in the video was recorded at the Forum in Horndal on April 18, 2021. Watch below:

Lake Drinker is the heavy soundtrack to a true horror story about a small industrial town in Sweden being brutally murdered, left to rust away, and then fooled into believing in the false hope of prosperity, promised by big American tech. The follow up to 2019’s Remains, Lake Drinker is a cautionary tale about making a deal with the devil. But this story of urban decay is not a fairytale or fantasy, it’s rooted in the real lives of the citizens of Horndal, retold by a band whose own lives are umbilically linked to the town itself.

Recorded in the iconic Studio Gröndahl in Stockholm, Sweden with producer Karl Daniel Lidén (Bloodbath, Katatonia, Crippled Black Phoenix) taking care of recording, mixing and mastering, Lake Drinker is a worthy follow up to their debut. The songs are captured in a raw, organic form, making the album come alive as it weaves its tale, incorporating elements of sludge, death metal and furious punk attitude. The album features some guest contributions courtesy of Pelle Jacobsson from Sweden’s National Radio Symphony Orchestra (classical percussion), Christer Falk and Daniel Johansson (horn arrangements), Johan Jansson of Interment and Dreadful Fate (guest vocals), and last but by no means least the voices of Horndal’s own protesters.

This is a story about the town of Horndal, but there are many others just like it out there. Here’s to all rusty hometowns out there. Drink up.

Lake Drinker is available now via Prosthetic Records.

Lake Drinker tracklisting:

"Rossen"
"Horndal's Blodbad"
"The Uprising"
"The Black Wheel"
"Kalhygget"
"Ruhr"
"Growing Graves"
"Home"
"Thor Bear"
"Town Burner"
"Ormön"

"Rossen" video:

"Horndal's Blodbad" video:

(Photo credit: Daniel Liljas)




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The Rumours have released their new single, "Want Ya", which was produced, mixed and mastered by Ari Mihalopoulos at Inner Light Recording, to all major platforms. The official music video for the single can be seen below.

"Just like everyone else, we faced a year full of struggles. Between cancelling tours, growing into our new mold as a band, and generally trying to keep our heads above water, one would think that we would be swimming in inspiration! The truth is, we spent a lot of the year stuck at home binge watching Netflix, especially the show Dexter. So, that's exactly where we finally found inspiration. We're very excited to release our first single "Want Ya" as a three piece band. Keep your eyes open for tour dates, and keep your ears open for more new music!," says the band.

The Rumours are a rock band based out of Waterloo, IA. They started out as a straight up rock n roll band, but who doesn't like flirt with punk? Either way you like it, here they are. Hooks, looks & loud guitars.

The Rumours are:

Carli Foxx - Lead Vocals/Guitars
Ela Rose - Bass/Backing Vocals
Daniel Kluiter - Drums/Backing Vocals




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STAIND frontman Aaron Lewis has once again railed against the U.S. government, saying that "we can't just sit on our asses and watch them do shit anymore."

The outspoken conservative rocker, who reinvented himself as a solo country artist in the last decade, voiced his views before performing a new song called "Am I The Only One" during his May 27 concert at at Sharkey's Event Center in Liverpool, New York.

He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "Before I start this next song, I'm gonna try to somewhat quote Einstein. I'm not gonna quote it exactly, but he said that this country will not be destroyed by evil men. This country will be destroyed by good men that stand idly by while evil men do what they do. So how long are we gonna stand by and watch these people destroy our fucking country right out from underneath our feet?

"We inherited this," he continued. "We're supposed to take care of it and value it like it's ours, because it is. Because the people in control certainly don't value it; that's obvious. So, people, this is our country, and it's time to wake the fuck up. We can't just sit on our asses and watch them do shit anymore — we can't do it. It's gonna be gone. All the blood that was shed for this amazing thing that is in our hands right now, we are responsible for what happens to this country. We can't just sit here and do nothing anymore; we can't do it. That's why we're as far down the fucking shithole as we are already — is because we just sit here and let them fucking do it. So — wake up."

Lewis originally performed "Am I The Only One" in March at another solo concert in Texas — a state which removed all pandemic restrictions that same month.

The as-yet-unreleased track, which finds Aaron asking if he is the only one fed up with the state of the country right now, features such lyrics as: "Am I the only one, who can't take no more, screaming if you don't like it there's the fucking door, this ain't the freedom we've been fighting for, it was something more, yeah, it was something more."

Apparently addressing the removal of Confederate statues, Lewis sings in the song: "Am I the only one willing to fight for my love of the red and white, and the blue, burning on the ground as the statues coming down in a town near you, watching the threads of Old Glory come undone, Am I the only one. I can't be the only one."

Lewis also criticizes Bruce Springsteen at the end of the track, singing: "Am I the only one, who quit singing along every time they play a Springsteen song."

Springsteen can best be described as Lewis's political polar opposite, having been a vocal opponent to former U.S. president Donald Trump on many occasions. Last August, Bruce went as far as to allow the use of his song "The Rising" in a video that aired during night one of the Democratic National Convention.

Lewis, who is widely considered to be one of the most politically conservative musicians in rock, told the Anchorage Press in a January 2020 interview that he considered the first Trump impeachment by the House Of Representatives as the clearest representation of what's wrong with America these days.

Lewis was a staunch critic of President Barack Obama, telling a crowd at one of his solo concerts in 2016: "Barack Obama should have been impeached a long fucking time ago. Every fucking decision he makes is against the Constitution, it's against what's good for our fucking country, and he is truly the worst fucking president that we have ever had in the history of this fucking country."

That same year, Lewis told Billboard that he would support Donald Trump in the U.S. presidential race, even though he was "disappointed" by the real estate mogul "with the bickering and the name-calling." Lewis added that he voted for Senator Ted Cruz, Trump's closest competitor in the Republican nomination race, in the Massachusetts primary.

Tracii Guns has once again commented on last month's out-of-court resolution of the legal dispute over the rights to the L.A. GUNS name. Under the terms of the settlement agreement, he and singer Phil Lewis will continue to operate under the L.A. GUNS trademark, while Steve Riley and his bandmates from the other version of L.A. GUNS will now operate under the new name RILEY'S L.A. GUNS.

Speaking to The SDR Show, the guitarist said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "We ended up settling in a way where, basically, [Steve] licenses the words L.A. GUNS for free; I'm not even asking for a percentage of when he plays. I'm just saying, 'Hey, I could have taken your house. I could have taken anything you own. But I don't want you to die in the street, and I don't want you to be poor.' And I really love his son, Cole. It just got to the point with all this litigation…

"I live in Denmark half the time, so when we did this thing called a mediation, that mediation started at 11 p.m. Denmark time, and it was nine hours," he continued. "And I just had a baby. And my wife and my baby were in the bedroom, and I'm in the living room, and this is our first apartment there, which is, like, 72 square meters — it's tiny. And I'm up, and I'm doing this mediation. And finally, it just got to the point where [we were] just going back and forth, and I'm, like, 'How can I easily make it just make sense?' 'Cause in the end, they had no argument. 'Well, I'm in L.A. GUNS.' That was the argument. No, you're not — you're not in L.A. GUNS. You were hired by me. The bass player guy was hired by me. And it's as simple as that. But if you wanna pretend that you came up with the name or you formed the band or it was your musical vision or that you even wrote one fucking song, you can go live in that fantasy, as long as it doesn't infringe on my business."

RILEY'S L.A. GUNS features Riley alongside Orlando, Florida-based guitarist/vocalist Kurt Frohlich, bassist Kelly Nickels (a member of L.A. GUNS' "classic" incarnation) and guitarist Scott Griffin (who played bass for the band from 2007 until 2009, and then again from 2011 to 2014).

In January 2020, Riley was sued by Lewis and Guns in California District Court. Joining Riley as defendants in the case were the three musicians who performed in his rival version of L.A. GUNS; that group's manager, booking agent and merchandiser; and Golden Robot Records. The complaint, which requested a trial by jury, alleged that Riley's version of L.A. GUNS (referred to in the case docket as "the infringing L.A. GUNS") was creating "unfair competition" through its unauthorized usage of the L.A. GUNS trademark. In addition, Guns and Lewis were seeking relief from and/or against false advertising, breach of contract and unauthorized usage of their likenesses.

As previously reported, L.A. GUNS has set "Checkered Past" as the title of its new studio album, due in November via Frontiers Music Srl. This will be the third studio album since the much welcome reunion of the band's core foundation of Lewis and Guns. It will follow the well-received studio albums "The Missing Peace" and "The Devil You Know", plus the live release "Made In Milan", and a covers EP "Another Xmas In Hell".

SLIPKNOT frontman Corey Taylor says that he would "probably" take a page out of the SEX PISTOLS' playbook by declining to be inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame if his band was to ever get the nod.

When the SEX PISTOLS' induction was announced in 2006, lead singer Johnny Rotten (né Lydon) sent along a hilariously blunt (and grammatically incorrect) handwritten letter in which he compared the Hall to "urine in wine" and added: "Next to the SEX PISTOLS, rock and roll and that hall of fame is a piss stain. Were [sic] not coming. Were [sic] not your monkey." Later he said: "I can't accept any accolade from them — unless they offer me a shitload of money."

The prospect of SLIPKNOT being inducted into the Rock Hall was raised during Taylor's recent interview with Andy Hall of the Des Moines, Iowa radio station Lazer 103.3. When Andy suggested that fans had the power to get SLIPKNOT into the Hall and "right all of the wrongs of the past by also inducting JUDAS PRIEST and SCORPIONS and a bunch of other bands that deserve their spot," Corey said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "First of all, I don't care about that Hall, 'cause I think it's a pile of garbage. They don't honor anything except pop music, really, and they only really induct real rock bands when they have to cave to pressure. They disrespected so many bands over the past by putting others in before the ones that actually deserve it, that I would probably go the way of the SEX PISTOLS. I'd be, like, 'Your Hall is a sham. I don't care if I'm a part of it or not. You have no idea what the spirit of rock and roll is actually about. So take this and shove it up your you-know-what.' So, that's basically where I'm at. And, obviously, I'm not getting any brownie points, and I probably will never be nominated, but I don't really care."

Taylor went on to say that he doesn't think SLIPKNOT fans "would actually care if we were in [the Rock Hall] to begin with. It's not gonna stop us from playing," he said. "I mean, think about it: football players, they retire and then they go [into the Football Hall Of Fame]. We're still going. Why would I wanna go in the Hall Of Fame if we're still killing?"

This is not the first time Taylor has critized the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. Back in May 2016, the singer was asked by Loudwire Nights for his opinion on comments Gene Simmons taking issue with hip-hop acts — and other non-rock artists — being inducted into the Rock Hall. He responded: "I see what Gene's saying, and, you know, I'm old-school guy as well; I get it. But at the same time, the more I look at what N.W.A. did, man, I mean, they influenced me, and I'm a rock and roll guy. So how do they not deserve to be in there? To me, bands like that, bands like RUN–D.M.C., it's a different type of band, but it's a band, man. I mean, that's straight up. So I can see both sides of it."

He continued: "I have bigger problems with the Hall Of Fame than some of the people who have gone in. Mine has more to do with the fact that until this year, CHEAP TRICK and DEEP PURPLE weren't in. That, to me, is disrespectful on a whole other level. Does N.W.A. deserve to be in. You're goddamn right they do. But did CHEAP TRICK and DEEP PURPLE deserve to be in years before they got in? You're damn right they did. So that whole organization needs to figure out who they're gonna honor and when, because there are still bands right now who aren't in that should be."

Two years earlier, Corey called out KISS over the public feud between the current bandmembers, two original ex-members and the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame over the group's long-awaited induction into the Hall in April 2014. Taylor said: "On one hand, you're stoked being a KISS fan, but on the other hand it's, like, 'Can you guys just put aside your petty issues and realize that without one another you wouldn't have been able to do this? Can you just set stuff aside and do one show for the fans of the original lineup again? And then you never have to see each other again?'"

KISS co-founders Simmons and Paul Stanley firmly rejected the idea of performing at the induction ceremony with former founding members Peter Criss and Ace Frehley, despite the Hall's and fans' wishes.

Taylor added: "Without [Frehley and Criss], the other two guys wouldn't be where they are! And that's just me layin' it straight! I might not ever get a kind word from anybody in that band anymore. But I think it's petty and I think it's ridiculous! Figure it out! Show respect, because sometimes it's not about you, it's about the fans."

Another artist who famously refused to be inducted into the Rock Hall is GUNS N' ROSES singer Axl Rose. In an April 2012 letter to the Hall, band fans and "to whom it may concern," Rose listed several reasons for not attending his band's ceremony in Cleveland, including a feeling that the Hall does not respect him. In declining his own induction, he added: "I strongly request that I not be inducted in absentia and please know that no one is authorized nor may anyone be permitted to accept any induction for me or speak on my behalf."

HNE Recordings Ltd has just released "Questions And Answers: The Atlantic Anthology 1987-1989", a new three-CD collection from iconic FOREIGNER singer Lou Gramm.

Gramm had been recording with Rochester, New York-based band BLACK SHEEP since the early 1970s. Releasing two LPs for Capitol, Gramm met his future bandmate and songwriting partner Mick Jones in 1975 when BLACK SHEEP opened for SPOOKY TOOTH in Rochester. Jones was looking for a singer for his new band in 1976, and BLACK SHEEP having split at the end of 1975, Lou was free to audition for Mick's new group, FOREIGNER. Releasing their self-titled album on Atlantic Records in 1977, and featuring solid gold rock classics as "Cold As Ice" and "Feels Like The First Time", FOREIGNER were an instant worldwide smash. Going from strength to strength, the band hit a commercial peak in 1984 with the "Agent Provocateur" album and the chart-topping power ballad "I Want To Know What Love Is".

Perhaps choosing to return to a simpler rock format, Gramm released his debut solo album, "Ready Or Not", in 1987. Produced by Pat Moran with Gramm, it featured the hits "Midnight Blue" and "Ready Or Not" among a collection of songs that wouldn't have sounded out of place on a FOREIGNER record. Having come from a very musical family, "Ready Or Not" is very much a family affair, featuring contributions from Lou's brother Ben Jr. on drums and his father Ben Sr. on trumpet. The core of the band was Lou's former BLACK SHEEP bassist Ben Turgon, who make a significant songwriting contribution to the album, plus guitar hero Nils Logfren. Lou also found time in 1987 to record a track for the soundtrack of teen horror flick "The Lost Boys".

After returning to FOREIGNER for 1987's "Inside Information", Lou released his second solo album, "Long Hard Look", in 1989. Capitalizing on the success of his debut, it was produced by Peter Wolf (famed for his production and arrangement work for Frank Zappa, HEART and Kenny Loggins), "Long Hard Look" built on the foundations set by Lou's debut. "Just Between You And Me" was another huge smash, making No. 6 in the U.S. Hot 100, followed by the single "True Blue Love". The album concludes with a cover of THE SMALL FACES' "Tin Soldier".

Although Gramm only recorded two solo albums for Atlantic, a third disc gathers together some of his Atlantic-era rarities, including two versions of "Lost In The Shadows (The Lost Boys)" from the aforementioned soundtrack. "Ready Or Not" is represented by a "Rock Remix", an "Extended Dance Remix" and an "Instrumental Remix". Hit single "Midnight Blue" was issued in various formats, including a very collectible transparent blue 12-inch single, which featured an "Extended Remix" of the track. A single edit of "True Blue Love" has been selected from "Long Hard Look". To promote Lou's 1987 debut, Atlantic Records released the very rare and highly collectible LP, "Questions And Answers", a promotional album distributed to radio stations featuring Lou interviewed by Dan Neer as he discusses the genesis of the "Ready Or Not" record, and his career to date, in 1987.

Track listing:

Disc One: Ready Or Not (1987)

01. Ready Or Not

02. Heartache

03. Midnight Blue

04. Time

05. If I Don't Have You

06. She's Got To Know

07. Arrow Thru Your Heart

08. Until I Make You Mine

09. Chain Of Love

10. Lover Come Back

Disc Two: Long Hard Look (1989)

01. Angel With A Dirty Face

02. Just Between You And Me

03. Broken Dreams

04. True Blue Love

05. I'll Come Running

06. Hangin' On My Hip

07. Warmest Rising Sun

08. Day One

09. I'll Know When It's Over

10. Tin Soldier

Disc Three: Single Versions / Questions And Answers (1987-89)

01. Lost In The Shadows (The Lost Boys) (Vocal Edit)

02. Lost In The Shadows (The Lost Boys) (Vocal Lp Version)

03. Ready Or Not (Rock Remix)

04. Ready Or Not (Extended Dance Mix)

05. Ready Or Not (Instrumental Remix)

06. Midnight Blue (Extended Remix)

07. True Blue Love (Edit)

08. Questions And Answers (Unbanded – Promo Interview Album)