Canadian metal outfit SPIRITBOX will release its debut album, "Eternal Blue", on September 17. The band's music video for its latest single, titled "Secret Garden", can be seen below.

Speaking about the LP, SPIRITBOX vocalist Courtney LaPlante states: "We are very anxious to release our album. It is a body of work we have been accumulating for over two years.

"Having the recording process put on hold for so long due to the pandemic has made me see that I can never take the experience of tracking an album for granted ever again.

"I must say that although we never intended to wait so long to do this record, I think it did help the songs become stronger. I am so happy with every single song, I wish I could release each one as a single with a music video. They all reflect different moments and influences in our lives.

"We have had enough time to release the exact music we would like to put out into the world, with no need to compromise. Every single note and every single syllable is the music that we have always dreamed of making and we are very proud of it."

Regarding "Secret Garden", LaPlante adds: "I think this is the most scared I've been to put out a song, because I realize as we continue to release music in single format, listeners can start to assume what kind of band we are, and are alarmed when we do not meet those assumptions. I want to continue to showcase the fluidity that is inherent in heavy music, and even though this is just one part of a full body of work that may not sound exactly like this song, it is a song that we love and are obsessed with. I celebrate variation. 'Secret Garden' is exciting to me for this reason. I'm scared but excited, like I'm about to hit the big drop on a roller coaster, and I'm fully embracing that."

The latest announcement comes hot on the heels of SPIRITBOX's previous single release at the end of May for track "Circle With Me" which charted on Billboard at No. 1 Hard Rock Digital Song Sales, No. 5 Hot Hard Rock Songs, No. 9 Rock Songs Core Genre, No. 12 Rock Digital Songs, No. 50 Hot Rock & Alternative Songs, No. 71 Digital Songs. The track has already clocked up 4.3 million streams to date.

Prior to "Circle With Me", SPIRITBOX released two break-out, hit singles last year the heartbreaking and otherworldly "Constance" and the unrelentingly brutal "Holy Roller", which debuted at No. 25 on Billboard's Hot Hard Rock Songs and charted as the No. 1 song of 2020 on SiriusXM's Liquid Metal.

The band released "Constance Reimagined" this past weekend in conjunction with The Grammy Museum COLLECTION:live #spotlightsaturdays in partnership with BMG. The band performed an incredible acoustic rendition of the song featuring a string quartet and filmed in a church.

The husband-and-wife duo consisting of Courtney LaPlante and Michael Stringer made its debut with an independently released EP in October 2017, quickly building a cult following. In 2018, they found their musical counterpart in bass player Bill Crook and partnered with Pale Chord Music to continue to create and release music in single and EP formats, and in fall of 2020, signed with globally renowned label Rise Records.

Drawing its name from a device that some believe is capable of communing with the dead, SPIRITBOX has a paranormal undertone that runs through everything they do, using EVP (electronic voice phenomena) recordings both at its live shows and within its tracks.

Having toured the world many times over with their previous bands — metal outfit IWRESTLEDABEARONCE (Courtney and Mike) and pop punk band LIVING WITH LIONS (Bill) — SPIRITBOX absorbed the highs and lows of living as working musicians and decided to try a different and more sustainable approach when it came to releasing their music. They took the concept of supply and demand and applied it to their release model, focusing on making fans across the globe by using the social media tools available to them, releasing shorter bodies of music and removing touring from the plan until a demand was built. In doing so they quickly garnered a cult-like online following which has lead to over 66.6 million streams across all platforms and sell outs on every physical release and most merch items they've released to date.

In February 2020, SPIRITBOX jumped on a plane and finally went on tour in support of AFTER THE BURIAL across Europe, which was unfortunately cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite having to return to Canada early, SPIRITBOX has remained busy, recording the two new music, shooting the accompanying videos, launching their Patreon and working on their debut LP.

"Eternal Blue" track listing:

01. Sun Killer

02. Hurt You

03. Yellowjacket (feat. Sam Carter)

04. The Summit

05. Secret Garden

06. Silk In The Strings

07. Holy Roller

08. Eternal Blue

09. We Live In A Strange World

10. Halcyon

11. Circle With Me

12. Constance

The iconic band KISS return to comics in a haunting new tale, "Phantom Obsession", by writer Ian Edginton.

As a young man in 1978, Darius Cho attended a concert of his favorite band, a memory that has stuck with him to this day. Now he is a massively wealthy tech giant, but mysteriously reclusive. Some even believe he may not exist at all, simply serving as a ghostly facade for an endless consortium of corporations. At least until KISS receives an all-expense invitation to play an exclusive concert for him. Playing for an audience of just Cho, his assistant and a crowd of "Westworld"-style androids invented by the mega-billionaire, everything seems a little off… Especially when the band wakes up in luxurious accommodations, but with no way to leave, and their powerful talismans stolen from them!

"It was 1977, in the U.K., and I was 14. I actually discovered KISS in issues #12 and 13 of Marvel's Howard The Duck!," said writer Ian Edginton. "I didn't know who the hell they were, but loved the look. A friend of mine who knew his metal played me the 'Love Gun' album and I was hooked, which is why 'Love Gun' (song and album) has always been my favorite!"

Acclaimed writer Ian Edginton (X-Force, Iron Maiden) twists this mystery and more for readers in this rocking new series. He's joined by artist Celor (Hack/Slash, Zombie Tramp) as well as colorist Valentina Pinto and letterer Troy Peteri. With official collaboration and approval by the band, this is a series that KISS fans can't miss!

In addition to a concert scene, of course, and the band's fight to break free from Cho's captivity, Edginton is tackling some serious questions in the series. Delving into science fiction territory with an exploration of humanity and identity by way of the androids. Which ties right into the band's famous identities involving masks and makeup. Also featured will be a romp through a theme park, with reference and influence from major parts of Japanese culture like Godzilla and the horrific manga works of Junji Ito. But ultimately, Edginton confirms, "It sounds deep, but it's mostly about robots, monsters, and blowing shit up!"

No great rock album is complete without iconic cover art, and comics are no different! In addition to one by interior artist Celor, Jae Lee leads the pack, tapping into the Japanese influences of the story on his cover. KISS fan-favorite artist Stuart Sayger returns, following his contributions to previous series Blood & Stardust, The End and Kiss Zombies, all now available in graphic novels. Celor brings along his Hack/Slash collaborator, writer and artist Tim Seeley, for one too. Plus, of course, a photo of the band themselves, and a blank sketch cover for aspiring artists!

Kiss: Phantom Obsession #1 is solicited in Diamond Comic Distributors' June 2021 Previews catalog, the premier source of merchandise for the comic book specialty market, and slated for release in August 2021. Comic book fans are encouraged to preorder copies of the issue with their local comic book retailers. It will also be available for individual customer purchase through digital platforms courtesy of Comixology, Kindle, iBooks, Google Play, Dynamite Digital, ComicsPlus, and more.

Leviathan Project is a powerful new metal ensemble, featuring, Bobby Koeble (Death), Matt Nardo (Producer), Tk (Britny Fox) and Tim "Ripper" Owens (guest vox, ex-Judas Priest) exploring the ongoing study of our human condition through music, writings, and visual communication. The result is an aggressive and captivating sound that combines traditional heavy metal with catchy melodies, haunting vocals and other worldly guitars.

Leviathan Project will release the first of two EP’s It’s Their World on June 4 digitally and as a Limited Edition (only 100 copies) cassette. Throwing it back to the early days of metal when you would discover the latest new band through tape trading, as Deko Entertainment president Bruce Pucciarello comments, “What a great example of how you can take a familiar musical genre to another level. Amazing writing is here, the sound explodes, it’s powerful and seductive! This is an insanely good project.”

The band have released a lyric video for the track “Solar Storm” and had this to say about the new release. Tim “Ripper” Owens: “Gotta say these were some fun tunes to sing on!! When Tommy called and asked if I wanna sing on a few songs and maybe even help write a few I said hell yea let’s do it! Always cool to be a guest singer on stuff you dig!”

Bobby Koelble: “I listened to the basic tracks and just went for it. I tried to keep the flow of musicality in whatever I play. It's a lot of fun to be a part of this music.”

Matt Nardo: “Being involved in the creation of Leviathan Project has opened up new worlds for me as a musician. When you build music with talents like Bobby, Tim, and Tk; how can it not be something that resonates?”

TK: “Leviathan Project is about the moment and letting yourself get lost in the music. I try to capture sounds and create songs that will take you somewhere else.”

Grammy Award-winning band GRETA VAN FLEET will embark on a series of specialty events, "Strange Horizons" — its only headline shows in 2021 — at iconic venues, including FirstBank Amphitheater in Tennessee; Hartford Healthcare Amphitheater in Connecticut; Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island in Chicago, Illinois and Los Angeles's Greek Theatre beginning later this summer. These limited engagements follow the band's extensive touring history, which saw them sell more than one million tickets in five continents over the span of three years.

"It is truly a monumental time in history to be able to perform again," the band shares. "We are honored to experience these special shows with all of those who will be in attendance. Let us, once again, come together & celebrate the privilege of life."

Tickets are on sale this Thursday, May 27 at 10 a.m. local time at LiveNation.com. There will be a Peaceful Army fan presale on May 25, and a local venue presale on May 26.

Tour dates:

Aug. 05 - FirstBank Amphitheater - Franklin, TN

Aug. 27 - Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater - Bridgeport, CT

Sep. 03 - Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island - Chicago, IL

Oct. 26 - Greek Theatre - Los Angeles, CA

GRETA VAN FLEET's sophomore studio album, "The Battle At Garden's Gate", came out on April 16 via Lava/Republic Records.

A bold evolution from the band's 2018 full-length debut "Anthem Of The Peaceful Army", "The Battle At Garden's Gate" came together primarily on the road or while in the studio after the runaway success of 2017's "Highway Tune" led to the band packing up, leaving home, and eagerly soaking up new experiences on an extended road trip around the world.

Over the past three years, GRETA VAN FLEET — vocalist Josh Kiszka, guitarist Jake Kiszka, bassist Sam Kiszka, and drummer Danny Wagner — played to hundreds of thousands of people across North America, Europe, Japan, Australia, South America and New Zealand. While driving to gigs, the first-time world travelers passed many unfamiliar sights, from the favelas in Sao Paulo to the Gold Coast of Australia and everywhere in between, meeting and enjoying conversations with fans and other musicians that opened up new worlds to them. To cap off the change-filled era, the quartet moved from Michigan to Nashville, immersing themselves in Music City's rich history. The melding of all these experiences opened their eyes to amazing new worlds of culture, history, philosophy and spirituality — and ushered in an entirely new way of looking at life and the approach to their music.

Accordingly, GRETA VAN FLEET poured everything they experienced into these new songs - the music reflects their spiritual and intellectual growth, increased awareness of the inequalities plaguing the modern world, and deep empathy for what other people are going through.

Sonically, "The Battle At Garden's Gate" also feels bracingly modern, an embodiment of genre-blended musical freedom. Recorded in Los Angeles with Greg Kurstin (FOO FIGHTERS, PAUL MCCARTNEY), the album is ambitious and expansive, marked by epic journeys such as the second single, "Age Of Machine", and the Top 5 rock hit "My Way, Soon", which boasts a towering chorus hook and rip-it-up-and-start-again lyrics.

German/Celtic death metallers, Suidakra, have just finished working on their new album, Wolfbite, which is set for release on June 25 via MDD Records. They have checked in with the following update:

"Wolfbite pre-order starts today. We've promised you that we will start the pre-order of our album #14 this weekend. Guess what? Here comes the link to a very strong limited mega bundle package including our own red-wine here. To all of you that live outside the EU and don't like red-wine, we also have a cool package for you here."

After more than 25 years of history and more than 13 studio albums as well as worldwide tours, can a band reinvent itself or even release the unexpected? Well, Suidakra may not reinvent themselves completely in 2021, but on their new album Wolfbite they create a mixture of all their past musical work and a fresh breeze, which gives the impression that the band has risen from a fountain of youth.

Wolfbite is bursting with power, uncompromisingness and joy of playing. The collaboration with Aljoscha Sieg (Eskimo Callboy, Vitja, Gestört aber GeiL), which is certainly untypical for die-hard fans, results in a breathtaking, lively sound, which from the very first note makes any scepticism about whether Suidakra still sound like Suidakra in 2021 evaporate. With the proven concept story from the Realms Of Odoric cosmos, lyrically and visually realised by Kris Verwimp, of course, Suidakra 2.0 presents itself in a form that even old fans probably wouldn't have dreamed of.

With "Wolfbite", Suidakra succeed in travelling from the past into the future and surely present one of THE albums of the year 2021.

Tracklist:

"A Life In Chains"
"The Inner Wolf"
"Darcanian Slave"
"Faoladh"
"Crossing Over"
"Vortex Of Carnage"
"Resurgence"
"Redemption"
"A Shrine For The Ages"




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The Georgia Thunderbolts are riding high in their new video for “Take It Slow”. Directed by Jim Arborgast, the hard-charging video is the first taste of The Georgia Thunderbolts’ new set of material, slated for release later this year. “'Take It Slow' is about living life by the wayside,” explains guitarist Riley Couzzourt. “Life wasn’t meant to be fast lived, but to be enjoyed and memorable.” “This song is for anyone who wants to just let loose,” adds vocalist TJ Lyle. “The struggles of life sometimes seem overbearing, but the answer is to just sit back, relax and 'Take It Slow'.”

Whether it be on the banks of the Mississippi River or deep in the heart of the English countryside, rock ‘n’ roll lives, breathes, and burns on the outskirts. Hailing from Rome, GA at the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, The Georgia Thunderbolts’ scorching signature style is steeped in raw rock, soulful southern swagger, and blistering blues. With a wide swath of inspirations, ranging from southern gospel and Hank Williams to Merle Haggard, Neil Young, Little Feat, Ozzy Osbourne, and Lynyrd Skynyrd, the band cut their teeth performing with everyone from The Kentucky Headhunters to Blackberry Smoke, resulting in a signature sound steeped in anthemic riffs, wild harmonica, and pulse-pounding drums.

“We’re going for that timeless and classic sound with a modern twist and newer attitude,” exclaims Lyle. “We all grew up on rock music,” Riley adds. “If I could think of three words to describe us, they would be ‘Hardworking, Determined, and Humble.’” Drummer Bristol Perry grins, “If I could think of three words, they would be ‘Rock and Roll.’”






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For years Faster Pussycat's aggressive touring schedule made it difficult for them to get into the studio to work on new material. When the Covid pandemic hit, and there were no live shows for the foreseeable future, the band immediate shifted gears and entered the studio.

The new single “NOLA” is a song inspired by the fabulous city of New Orleans, a city that fronman Taime Downe holds dear to his heart. When the band started working on making new music for a release “NOLA” was the obvious choice to lead with. Downe and guitarist Sam Bam Koltun began working together in the studio, tracking guitars on what would be the first new song from the band since 2006’s “The Power And The Glory Hole”.

The B-Side of the single is “Pirate Love” a cover of the Johnny Thunders & The Heartbreakers song, which was goes back to Faster Pussycat's club days, also inspired by the New Orleans theme, as Thunders passed away in New Orleans in 1991, and has had a major influence on Downe and the whole band.

The single, released on May 21st, is available in two formats - digital and 7” vinyl. Digital is available through Apple Music, Spotify, Amazon etc. The vinyl can be purchased exclusively via the band’s website: fasterpussycat.com.

To celebrate the release, Faster Pussycat and Enuff Z' Nuff are pairing up and coming Straight Outta Quarantine  throughout North America –  showing all the warts, scars and tattoos that only a package like this can, which have only grown deeper over the past year...

Featuring the MTV smash hits "House Of Pain", "New Thing", "Bathroom Wall" and "Fly High Michelle", the Straight Outta Quarantine tour, (which has been booked and routed with careful consideration of each venue's Covid regulations and the safety of all involved) is without question going to be one of the most long overdue rock and roll parties of our lifetime. Dates are as follows:

June
18 - Fremont Street Country Club - Las Vegas, NV *
19 - Leatherheads - Salt Lake City, UT *
24 - Edith Lucielle's - Cedar Rapids, IA
25 - The Scene Rock Bar - Kansas City, MO
26 - Diamond Music Hall - St. Peters, MO
27 - The Arcada Theatre - St. Charles, IL
29 - Live At 1175 - Kansasville, WI
30 - Phat Heads II - Green Bay, WI

July
1 - Hobart Art Theatre - Hobart, IN *
2 - Diesel Concert Theatre - Chesterfield, MI
3 - Big Indian Drive-In - Irving, NY
4 - M3 Festival - Columbia, MD
5 - The Vault - New Bedford, MA
6 - Reverb - Reading, PA
7 - Jergel's Rhythm Grille - Warrendale, PA
8 - Peecox - Erlanger, KY *
10 - King Of Clubs - Columbus, OH
11 - Thelma's Sport Nook - Sharpsville, PA
14 - Tally Ho Theatre - Leesburg, VA
16 - Amos Southend Music Hall - Charlotte, NC
17 - 37 Main Street - Buford, GA
18 - Hal & Mal's - Jackson, MS
19 - Drew & Willies Sports Bar - Denham Springs, LA
21 - The Rail Club - Fort Worth, TX
23 - Sunshine Studios Live - Colorado Springs, CO
24 - The Venue - Denver, CO
27 - Diamond Ballroom - Oklahoma City, OK
29 - Cooters - Eagle Pass, TX
30 - Sam's Burger Joint - San Antonio, TX
31 - Warehouse Live - Houston, TX

(* denotes Faster Pussycat only)

 




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Legendary hard rockers NIGHT RANGER will release their 12th studio album, "ATBPO", on August 6 via Frontiers Music Srl. "ATBPO" stands for "And The Band Played On", an ode to making music during the COVID-19 era. It will be available on CD and vinyl (several limited-edition, color vinyl versions), as well as digitally across all streaming platforms.

Today, fans can get their first taste of the album with the release of "Breakout", the first single and music video from the album.

NIGHT RANGER began writing the album in early 2020, amid the onset of the global pandemic. After narrowing down the song selection and tightening them up to their well-known rock and roll sound, the band hit the studio, although separately, due to the times we are in. Throughout "ATBPO", we hear NIGHT RANGER continuing their hot streak that kicked off with 2011's "Somewhere In California". Ten years on, and two highly acclaimed albums later, "High Road" and "Don't Let Up", the band's latest studio work shows them still burning with that high-octane hard rock energy they are known for. NIGHT RANGER has always had a knack for killer melodies, intricate instrumentation, and captivating lyrics; "ATBPO" delivers all of that and more.

"The process was strange but the outcome rocks," said Jack Blades.

Added Kelly Keagy: "This record was incredibly hard to do as we could not be in a room together with all the COVID-19 issues that were going on. But sometimes you do your best work when there's a deadline approaching."

States Brad Gillis: "It's been a crazy but fun task trying to write and finish this new record in a COVID situation. A few zoom video gatherings got us started. With everybody in the band having their own home studios, we were all able to elaborate and add our own textures to each song. As a vintage guitar collector, I was able to add some great classic sounds to rhythm and solos using my 57 Strat and 52 Goldtop! I hope everyone enjoys the record!"

Having sold over 17 million albums worldwide, performed across more than 4,000 stages, and enjoyed a radio audience that exceeds one billion, NIGHT RANGER has both epitomized and transcended the arena rock sound and style well beyond that era. With multiple songs having a significant impact on popular culture, NIGHT RANGER continues to grow its fanbase. The band is proof that powerful songs alongside incredibly talented musicians is the perfect formula for continued success.

NIGHT RANGER is Jack Blades (bass, vocals), Kelly Keagy (drums, vocals), Brad Gillis (lead and rhythm guitars), Eric Levy (keyboards), and Keri Kelli (lead and rhythm guitars).

A bonus track, "Savior", appears on the CD and LP versions of "ATBPO" only.

"ATBPO" track listing.

01. Coming For You

02. Bring It All Home To Me

03. Breakout

04. Hard To Make It Easy

05. Can't Afford A Hero

06. Cold As December

07. Dance

08. The Hardest Road

09. Monkey

10. A Lucky Man

11. Tomorrow

12. Savior (bonus track; CD and LP versions only)

TOTO and The Players Club/Mascot Label Group will release "With A Little Help From My Friends" on June 25. The performance captures one special night on November 21, 2020 when Steve Lukather, Joseph Williams and David Paich appeared with the new lineup of TOTO for a global event originating from Los Angeles, California.

A performance clip of the song "You Are The Flower", taken from "With A Little Help From My Friends", can be seen below.

Williams offers: "Among some of the deeper cuts is one of my all-time favorite songs, 'You Are The Flower' by the original — Bobby Kimball. Being a massive fan (and a good friend), I dedicate the performance to him."

Joining Lukather, Williams and Paich for this next chapter in their indelible history are new band members bassist John Pierce (HUEY LEWIS AND THE NEWS), drummer Robert "Sput" Searight (GHOST-NOTE, SNARKY PUPPY), and keyboardist/background vocalist Steve Maggiora (ROBERT JON & THE WRECK). Keyboardist Dominique "Xavier" Taplin (PRINCE, GHOST-NOTE) and multi-instrumentalist/vocalist Warren Ham (Ringo Starr) segued over continuing their tenure in the ensemble. This marks the fifteenth incarnation of the TOTO lineup in consideration of band members or sidemen who joined or exited.

The pre-order is live now. Alongside LP pressings of the audio only, both a CD/DVD and CD/Blu-ray package are available. The track listing features "Till The End", "Hold The Line", "Pamela", "Kingdom Of Desire", "White Sister", "You Are The Flower", "I Won't Hold You Back", "Stop Loving You", "Home Of The Brave", "Rosanna" and "With A Little Help From My Friends". In the DVD and Blu-ray releases, a documentary is featured alongside the performance, featuring thoughts from all members of the band that appeared that evening.

Steve Lukather, a.k.a. Luke, shares: "When the music is performed by great musicians, it honors TOTO. The documentary featured on the DVD offers great insights into our thoughts looking forward. David, who stands with us, alongside Joe and myself, desire to keep this music alive. And Paich could pop in any time for a show as a special surprise.

"When it came to plan this specific setlist, we picked an eclectic group of songs for this one night only show. Looking forward, we'll be selecting a broader mix from the TOTO catalog that includes deep cuts, the hits, and tunes from Joe and my recently released solo albums.

"Both of us could not be more thrilled with the global response to these records. They charted all over the world, and integrating some of the music in to the new TOTO set brings a fresh spice to the 'Toto: The Dogz Of Oz' world tour when we head back out to begin staging shows. Simply, both of us aim to bring the past TOTO to the present and beyond, and this first look at the new lineup sets the stage for a chapter in our history we can't wait to write."

Joe Williams offers: "It's always a complete joy to perform a TOTO show, but this one was special. Joining me, Luke and David last November were three new top-level, virtuoso musicians as well as a few returning geniuses.

"The show itself was born out of the need to play after being on COVID lockdown, but also served as the reason to build this new band. Right out of the gate, this group jelled and dug deep into the new and old TOTO material. Among some of the deeper cuts is one of my all-time favorite songs, 'You Are The Flower' by the original — Bobby Kimball. Being a massive fan (and a good friend), I dedicate the performance to him. Also back are a few of my favorite things, 'Till The End' and 'Pamela'. Played to perfection by the new cats. I have the best job in the band because when I'm not singing, I get to watch the most incredible players work!

"The TOTO model holds strong and true. A band of the very best musicians and singers writing and performing all manner of cool songs. That's how it began, and that's how it continues.

"This documentary explores that concept by talking with David, Luke, Warren, Dominic X, John Pierce, Robert 'Sput' Searight and Steve Maggiora about their experiences as players, and also about being a part of the TOTO legacy. And, of course discussion about the show as well. I think I'm in there too, saying how much I love these guys! Soon we'll to get back out to you, on stage, in the flesh expanding our set with some even deeper 'legacy' cuts as well as some new stuff from Luke's and my new records. We can't wait! In the meantime, enjoy a little TOTO history and current events."

Luke and Joseph Williams are life-long friends since they were kids, and bandmates sharing a deep colorful history that has thrived professionally on a global basis over the past decades. In front of staging this one night only appearance during the global pandemic, Luke offered: "We could not be more at peace with this move. There is a refreshing, optimistic enthusiasm to step into the future. At this moment, Joe and I are the only long-tenured members of the band that want to be on the road continuing to bring music to our multi-generational fan base.

"I've spent almost four and a half decades of my life as the only original member who never missed a show or an album nurturing this legacy while enabling the music to continually exist in the live concert setting. That is something I'll never stop doing, and when we inevitably return to the road it presents a rare opportunity to reimagine our personal futures while simultaneously preserving the deep connection that exists with the audience while likewise yielding continual discovery."

Williams shared: "Luke and I have been through a lot with one another. He's like a brother to me. Our creative partnership has always enriched our lives. As we look towards what's to come in unison, there is nothing but anticipation to bring everything in our minds to life. I can't think of anyone else on Earth I'd rather launch the next chapter with than with this lifelong, loyal and gifted friend and band mate. We're the last men standing…The Dogz of Oz!" Luke added: "Joe and I have been friends since I was 17, and Joe was 14. During the course of this pandemic, we've been reevaluating our career and how to move forward. People are either not with us anymore or have retired. We still feel like kids who want to be back on the road as soon as possible. It's where we live. Joe's growth as a producer, songwriter, engineer, singer and performer is inspiring. The timing of this move is perfect as Joe is at the top of his game, and he amazes me every day. We are enjoying this collaboration, and could not be more enthusiastic about the future."

"With A Little Help From My Friends" was produced by Joseph Williams, who also edited the accompanying long-form video. The band's longtime front-of-house engineer Ken Freeman mixed and captured the sound that evening.

Track listing:

01. Till The End

02. Hold The Line

03. Pamela

04. Kingdom Of Desire

05. White Sister

06. You Are The Flower

07. I Won’t Hold You Back

08. Stop Loving You

09. Band Introductions

10. Home Of The Brave

11. Rosanna

12. With A Little Help From My Friends

Dutch death metal veterans PESTILENCE will release their ninth album titled "Exitivm" on June 25 via Agonia Records. The official music video for the LP's latest single, "Deificvs", can be seen below. The clip was directed by Dariusz Szermanowicz of the Grupa 13 production house (KREATOR, BEHEMOTH, AMON AMARTH), with costumes by Prepostevolution.

Back in 1986, in the small town of Enschede in the Netherlands, near the German border, a true metal phenomenon was born. More than three decades later, not only is PESTILENCE alive and well, but about to once again reaffirm its place in the extreme metal pantheon, with "Exitivm", which is Latin for "total destruction."

As controversial as he can be to some, nobody will ever deny the band's undisputable driving force, Patrizio "Patrick" Mameli, and his constant ability to reinvent himself. Unlike most of the bands in the scene, PESTILENCE just keeps evolving. From the raging thrash leanings of their cult 1988 debut "Malleus Maleficarum" to the jazz-infused versatility of 1993's "Spheres" or 2009's "Resurrection Macabre" frontal assault, not to mention the fans' favorite and Scott Burns-produced "Testimony Of The Ancients" from 1991, he never did the same record twice. No matter who playes with him on any PESTILENCE album, Mameli always gets the best out of the musicians he is working with. But first and foremost, the man has a one-of-a-kind vision, instantly recognizable style and yet always stretching musical boundaries. And it's never more true than on "Exitivm".

After a vast reissue campaign in between 2015 and 2018 and an acclaimed new album "Hadeon", the band got seemingly stopped in their mission to conquer the death metal scene in early 2020, like everybody else, by the global pandemic, going as far as forcing some of the band's "Hadeon" lineup members to drop the towel. But what doesn't kill you only makes you stronger, and instead of letting that whole situation drag him down, Mameli chose to do the exact opposite and write the best and darkest album possible to date. And he just did that. With its ambitious lyrical concept about "global domination," "induced mental illness," "inner and outer demons" and malicious external entities, "Exitivm" is propelling the band one again to the forefront of the death metal movement with yet another original and brilliant artistic overhaul.

Mind you, as soon as you're past the very cinematic introduction "In Omnibvs", you're instantly caught up by "Morbvs Propagationem" whose intense riffing will take back to the "Testimony" days. Except that their core sound has been revived, with now extra layers of ominous soundscapes ingeniously suggesting an atmosphere of suspence and horror, boosted by Mameli's jazz-fusion impressive solo works and a renewed sense of urgency. This rejuvenation, with emphasis on "new musical landscapes but also sick and twisted riffs," as stated by Mameli himself, is no accident, though. Not only has Mameli been extremely inspired by the turmoil humanity had to face since March 2020 but with a lineup once again, entirely based in the Netherlands and made up of only super-seasoned players — besides former DEW-SCENTED and CREEPMIME bassist Joost Van Der Graaf and BLEEDING GODS' Rutger Van Noordenburg on lead guitar, former GOD DETHRONED drummer Michiel Van Der Plicht joined last year — PESTILENCE is more than ever a band where everybody feeds off of each other's musical talent.

With the exception of the drums — tracked by Van Der Plicht himself at his home studio — "Exitivm" was recorded over a period of two months in between June and August 2020 at Pitchnote Productions. The album was produced, like all PESTILENCE albums, by Mameli and is co-produced, recorded, mixed and mastered by Jory Hogeveen (SHINIGAMI and ANCIENT RITES).

"Exitivm" will be available in various formats, including supra-limited picture, pin-wheel, "firebreath" and clear vinyl versions. The cover artwork once again brought the band's iconic sphere and was done by Michal "Xaay" Loranc, known for his various cover for NILE, GOD DETHERONED and EVOCATION and who previously worked on "Hadeon".

"Exitivm" track listing:

01. In Omnibvs (Intro)

02. Morbvs Propagationem

03. Deificvs

04. Sempiternvs

05. Internicionem

06. Mortifervm

07. Dominatvi Svbmissa

08. Pericvlvm Externvm

09. Inficiat

10. Exitivm

11. Immortvos

12. Personatvs Mortem (Outro)

PESTILENCE lineup:

Patrizio Mameli - vocals, lead guitars

Rvtger Van Noordenbvrg - lead guitars

Joost Van Der Graaf - bass

Michiel Van Der Plicht - drums

Photo credit: Marc Van Peski

Former MEGADETH bassist David Ellefson says that he is pursuing "revenge pornography" charges against the person who leaked his private messages and videos of his interactions with a woman who is not his wife.

MEGADETH fired Ellefson on Monday (May 24), two weeks after sexually tinged messages and explicit video footage involving him were posted on Twitter. The longtime MEGADETH member later released a statement on Instagram denying all social media chatter that he "groomed" an underage fan.

Ellefson's statement was accompanied by a screenshot of a social media post from the woman involved, who denied any suggestions that she was underage at the time. The woman also revealed she recorded the intimate moments and shared them with a friend without Ellefson's permission, calling herself "naïve" for doing so and claiming that the contact between her and the musician was "all consensual and all online." She also called assumptions that she was "groomed" by Ellefson "misinformation".

Earlier today, Ellefson released the following statement: "Recently, a very private video was illegally posted on the internet and false allegations were made against me. The actions in the video were between two consenting adults and were recorded without my knowledge. I am working with Scottsdale Police Department in their investigation into charges regarding revenge pornography to be filed against the person who posted this video. Also, my lawyers are preparing a defamation lawsuit to be filed against this person. This person will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

"I am taking this time to be with my family. I wish my bandmates the best with their upcoming tour."

In announcing MEGADETH's decision to "officially part ways" with Ellefson, the band's leader, Dave Mustaine, wrote: "While we do not know every detail of what occurred, with an already strained relationship, what has already been revealed now is enough to make working together impossible moving forward. We look forward to seeing our fans on the road this summer, and we cannot wait to share our brand-new music with the world. It is almost complete."

MEGADETH is currently scheduled to take part in "The Metal Tour Of The Year" with LAMB OF GOD, beginning on August 20 in Austin. MEGADETH is also slated to appear at the SLIPKNOT-curated Knotfest in September in Iowa.

MEGADETH has yet to announce a replacement for Ellefson, who was in MEGADETH from the band's inception in 1983 to 2002, when the group briefly broke up because Mustaine suffered severe nerve damage that left him unable to play.

Mustaine reformed MEGADETH 17 years ago. Originally setting out to record a solo album, Mustaine enlisted studio musicians to play on what ultimately became MEGADETH's 2004 "The System Has Failed" comeback album, subsequently recruiting former ICED EARTH bassist James MacDonough to take Ellefeson's place for the album's touring cycle.

In 2004, Ellefson filed an $18.5-million lawsuit against Mustaine, alleging the frontman shortchanged him on profits and backed out of a deal to turn Megadeth Inc. over to him when the band broke up in 2002. The lawsuit was eventually dismissed and Ellefson rejoined MEGADETH in 2

FEAR FACTORY guitarist Dino Cazares has weighed in on David Ellefson's dismissal from MEGADETH, saying "some stuff" was likely "going on behind the scenes that we just don't know about."

Cazares addressed MEGADETH's decision to fire Ellefson while being interviewed by Rocking With Jam Man about FEAR FACTORY's upcoming album, "Aggression Continuum".

When Jam Man opined that it's "not fair at all" that Ellefson lost his MEGADETH gig over allegations of sexual misconduct, Dino said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "Well, we don't really know what his relationship is with [MEGADETH leader] Dave Mustaine. I know that there's been a lot of water under the bridge with those guys; I know they've had some turmoil issues that were going on. So, who knows? Who really knows? I don't know. If it's just based on what happened, then I would say it's unfair. But I'm sure there's stuff behind the scenes that we don't know that's going on… As Dave [Mustaine] stated in the press release [announcing Ellefson's exit], he said it was a 'strained relationship,' so, obviously, some stuff was going on behind the scenes that we just don't know about."

Dino also offered his opinion on the so-called cancel culture — where public figures are torn down after publicly judged for transgressions, perceived or real. He said: "We're in a whole new era now [where] everybody's ready to destroy you and destroy your career without even giving anybody a second chance or without even actually finding out the truth. So, it's unfortunate that's where we're at these days."

MEGADETH fired Ellefson two weeks after the leak of the bassist's messages and videos featuring a woman who is not his wife.

On May 10, several sexually explicit videos of Ellefson were leaked by an anonymous third party on the Internet and shared to Twitter; at least two of the videos revealed him masturbating. The longtime MEGADETH member later released a statement on Instagram denying all social media chatter that he "groomed" an underage fan.

Ellefson was in MEGADETH from the band's inception in 1983 to 2002, when the group briefly broke up because mainman Dave Mustaine suffered severe nerve damage that left him unable to play. After Mustaine reformed MEGADETH with an all-new lineup in 2004, Ellefson sued his former bandmate for $18.5 million, alleging that Mustaine still owed him substantial merchandise and publishing royalties. In January 2005, the case was dismissed in court, and five years later, Ellefson rejoined MEGADETH.

"Aggression Continuum" will be released on June 18 via Nuclear Blast Records. The disc features Cazares; drummer Mike Heller; and former vocalist, lyricist, and co-founder Burton C. Bell. It was produced and engineered by Damien Rainaud (DRAGONFORCE, ONCE HUMAN), with keyboards by Igor Khoroshev (ex-YES), and programming on two songs from longtime collaborator Rhys Fulber (FRONT LINE ASSEMBLY). "Aggression Continuum" was mixed by Andy Sneap (MEGADETH, KILLSWITCH ENGAGE, TRIVIUM), who also mixed FEAR FACTORY's previous album, 2015's "Genexus".

Long-running California rockers BUCKCHERRY have released the official music video for the title track of their new album, "Hellbound", due on June 25 via Round Hill Records. The follow-up to 2019's "Warpaint" was recorded last fall in Nashville, Tennessee with producer and songwriter-for-hire Marti Frederiksen, who has previously collaborated with AEROSMITH, DEF LEPPARD, Jonny Lang and Sheryl Crow, among many others.

The "Hellbound" video, directed by Kurtis "KasterTroy" Imel and shot in Las Vegas, follows the release last month of the clip for the song "So Hott". The "Hellbound" track is available now for download and streaming on all DSPs.

"Hellbound" track listing:

01. 54321

02. So Hott

03. Hellbound

04. Gun

05. No More Lies

06. Here I Come

07. Junk

08. Wasting No More Time

09. The Way

10. Barricade

Speaking to Shawn Ratches of Laughingmonkeymusic, BUCKCHERRY guitarist Stevie Dacanay (a.k.a. Stevie D.) stated about "Hellbound": "We worked on this one with Marti Frederiksen, who's like the sixth member of AEROSMITH. So the feel is gonna be a little bit different as well [compared to previous BUCKHERRY albums].

"We banged one out in no time," he continued. "Josh [Todd, BUCKCHERRY singer] and I had been, since quarantine, we started writing. And by the time September came around, we were ready to start tracking another album. But what we did is we went to Nashville and we wrote another batch of songs with Marti Frederiksen, and we were all ready to go by October, to record. We were so ready that it literally took us less than 10 days to record the whole thing."

According to Steve, BUCKCHERRY wrote over 25 songs this time around but ended up recording only 10. "We thought about [releasing a double album], but right now, a lot of people aren't releasing full-length albums — a lot of people just release singles and videos," he explained. "So, we decided to cull the whole thing down to 10. The Japan release, we're gonna release two extras.

"I was talking with Josh, 'Which [songs] do you wanna give up? Which ones do you wanna keep for the next album to work on?'

"I just keep going," he said. "At some point in the writing process, you hit a brick wall, and that's when it's good to have these.

"We have a new process now with Marti that really works for us and that we really like."

Last November, Todd told Audio Ink Radio about about the musical direction of the new BUCKCHERRY material: "Well, it's not gonna change from a BUCKCHERRY rock record. Alls I can say is that we've just come leaps and bounds from the first record, as far as songwriting and how we put everything together. And just as far as the quality of songs, song to song, it's just so powerful. I can't wait for everybody to hear it. Marti Frederiksen is producing it. He produced a few records of ours back in the day. And it's been really great to be reunited with him, and he's a super talented guy. It's like having a sixth band member. So, it's been a lot of fun."

Last summer, BUCKCHERRY recruited JETBOY's Billy Rowe as its new guitarist. He joined the group as the replacement for Kevin Roentgen, who left BUCKCHERRY in July 2020.

Roentgen, who joined the California-based band in 2017, made his exit official in a social media post. He wrote: "Bottom line, I made this decision to come off the road and spend more time with my family. The guys understood this, and for that I'm thankful. Though my wife and daughter always one hundred percent supported me in this gig, they are quite happy now to have me home."

Roentgen joined BUCKCHERRY as the replacement for original guitarist Keith Nelson. Roentgen can be heard on "Warpaint", which was released in March 2019 via Century Media/RED Music. The 12-song record was produced by Mike Plotnikoff, whose previous collaboration with the band was BUCKCHERRY's multi-platinum third album, 2005's "15".

In 2019, BUCKCHERRY recruited Francis Ruiz as its new drummer. He joined the group as the replacement for Sean Winchester, who exited BUCKCHERRY after laying down the drum tracks on "Warpaint".

German thrash metal veterans DESTRUCTION will release a new Blu-ray and CD, "Live Attack", on August 13 via Napalm Records. It follows their latest record, "Born To Perish", recalling a nearly two-hour livestream attack the band unleashed in January this year.

Dive deep into DESTRUCTION's history with the first crushing single and energetic live video for "Mad Butcher", originally released in 1983 as one of the first songs the band ever wrote.

Bassist/vocalist Schmier states: "'Mad Butcher' is one of the first songs we ever wrote, such a classic! I still love to perform it live; it is in my DNA meanwhile, I guess! There are a lot of memories that come along with this track and the history of the band. We brought back the double-lead section from the EP version into the solo part; many fans have reacted at that during the live shows, which is really cool! But this DVD will also have some nice surprises, some songs we have not played live in decades."

When the music world was forced to shut down venues and cancel tours for an indefinite period of time, DESTRUCTION came through to deliver its outstanding power via livestream to its loyal fans at home. Witness DESTRUCTION ripping through its live set of 22 songs, including beloved classics like "Mad Butcher", "Thrash Till Death", "Born To Perish" and many more. Filmed and recorded at the legendary Z7 venue in Pratteln, Switzerland, DESTRUCTION spares no expense or effort to bring you a live show experience that will make you bang your head like you're in the front row at the show, getting your ear drums penetrated by rumbling double-bass grooves. The Blu-ray is filled with exclusive pre- and aftershow insights and behind the scenes footage from DESTRUCTION's live show — a must-have for fans of true thrash metal.

DESTRUCTION comments on its first release for Napalm Records: "This show at our fave club, the Z7 in Switzerland, was a really special one in the middle of this dreadful pandemic! When we recorded it as a livestream on the 1st of January, it gave us hope back and connected us with the fans worldwide! Many supporters demanded to release it in physical form, so we had to make it happen. The setlist reflects four decades of DESTRUCTION with an almost two hour best-of setlist, which includes some really rare live tracks! It was for sure a night to remember… we hope you all enjoy it as much as we did!"

Track listing:

01. Born To Perish

02. Death Trap

03. Nailed To The Cross

04. Armageddonizer

05. Tormentor

06. Rotten

07. Mad Butcher

08. Reject Emotions

09. Thrash Till Death

10. Betrayal

11. Sign Of Fear

12. Damir’s Shred

13. Inspired By Death

14. Release From Agony

15. Life Without Sense

16. Antichrist

17. Invincible Force

18. Under Attack

19. Bestial Invasion

20. The Butcher Strikes Back

21. Curse The Gods

22. Total Desaster

Photo credit: Gorka Photography

AFI has shared "Tied To A Tree", the latest track from its eagerly awaited new album "Bodies", due on June 11 via Rise Records.

"This is not only my favorite song on the record, but an exemplification of the evolution of the band," guitarist Jade Puget says.

Last week, AFI launched a remix contest for its recent single "Dulcería". The contest can be found within The Bodies Experience interactive 360-degree web site, where fans can download song stems and create their own take on the track. Top submissions will be showcased online and will win exclusive prizes, including a "golden ticket" to future AFI shows. Deadline for entry is Friday, June 4 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

The band also recently unveiled The Ritual Collection, a new line of merch that can be found exclusively in The Bodies Experience. This includes a special deck of oracle cards (with one card for each song), soy prayer candles and incense — all fitting counterparts to the dark and brooding new track. The artwork for the "Tied To A Tree" visualizer is based on the art found on the oracle card deck.

AFI are leaders, not followers. A collective in a perpetual state of creative evolution as fluid as the evocative figures contorting on the cover of "Bodies", their newest collection of songs. The record is a snapshot of unrelenting artists in motion, unconcerned with compromise or outside demands.

AFI's unshakeable connection with their audience is a testament to the band's knack for reinvention, renewal, and exploration, anchored by an unblemished authenticity. AFI songs are embedded in the spiritual DNA of a legion of supporters and "Bodies" is further demonstration of AFI's unwavering commitment to artistic exploration, a dark conjuration of an uncapturable muse. The album was produced by the band's own Jade Puget, mixed by Tony Hoffer (M83, PHOENIX, SILVERSUN PICKUPS), and mastered by Vlado Meller (OASIS, PINK FLOYD).

The band initially summoned a steady subcultural groundswell in the mid-'90s, devoid of careerist ambitions. The band first made music as teenaged misfits in an obscure Northern California town, steadily assembling a dense catalog over the years marked by its diversity and authenticity.

"AFI is such an integral part of who I am. What we do with AFI together is a foundation for me," explains Havok. "Coming back is a return to a home I've always known."

It's a sentiment shared by the entire band. "I couldn't do what I do in AFI in any other place," observes Puget. "Davey and I have written songs together for over 20 years now. I couldn't find the thing he and I have together anywhere else, nor the thing the four of us have when we come together. AFI is home for me and will always be that."

"At this point, it's not even a choice. It's just what I do," drummer Adam Carson concurs. "I started this band with Davey when I was 16. It's something that I love so much. It's just a part of me."

"Every album is an opportunity to show people a snapshot of our evolution," adds bassist Hunter Burgan. "And with this band, it's always something fresh. We've been playing together for so long that I have a deep understanding of each of my bandmates‘ musical styles, and yet I am still pleasantly surprised by the new things they bring to each record."

"Anyone who knows our catalog knows that no two records really sit together," Puget points out. "Some sit a little closer, maybe. We do certain things, just by virtue of who we are, that are consistent, but those things come about organically. Every time we do something, I have to judge it on its own merits. Some fans are going to judge a new album, or a new song, based on what's come before. But as artists, we can't do that, because it would only hinder our creativity."

AFI never stepped into the mainstream; the masses came to them. The platinum success of "Sing The Sorrow" blazed a path for a generation of hardcore-punk weaned bands to similarly crossover. 2006's "Decemberunderground" upended expectations again and earned AFI a second platinum plaque. "Crash Love" was another adventurous turn, with expansive and almost optimistic-sounding melodies, glistening with emotion. The haunting "Burials" arrived four years later, debuting in the Top 10 of the Billboard 200. The self-titled follow-up, commonly referred to as "The Blood Album," became AFI's second-highest charting album since their inception, debuting at No. 5 in 2017. After the release of "AFI" (The Blood Album), the band was hardly content to rest on its laurels. AFI then released yet another highly praised addition to their discography, 2018's "The Missing Man" EP.

"Bodies" track listing:

01. Twisted Tongues

02. Far Too Near

03. Dulcería

04. On Your Back

05. Escape From Los Angeles

06. Begging For Trouble

07. Back From The Flesh

08. Looking Tragic

09. Death Of The Party

10. No Eyes

11. Tied To A Tree

LACUNA COIL singer Cristina Scabbia says that she is "super happy" that a fellow Italian rock band, MÅNESKIN, won this year's Eurovision Song Contest.

The group, whose name is Danish for moonlight, a tribute to the home country of bassist Victoria, won on Saturday (May 22) with a total of 529 points MÅNESKIN's win was only Italy's third victory in the popular contest and the first since 1990.

Scabbia addressed her countrymen's win during a May 23 livestream via her Twitch channel. She said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "I usually don't watch Eurovision. I have to say that yesterday for the very first time I watched the very first couple of hours. And it was a great coincidence that I watched it at the evening in which Italy won.

"Music competitions are always really weird for me, because I don't like when they put an artist against another," she explained. "I'm happy that Italy and MÅNESKIN's won. But it is usually not my thing. I know that sometimes you have to compete with others, but it's not my favorite thing in the world. And, to be honest, it was almost like looking at a soccer championship, just like one team against each other and sad faces, which I really hate. Because, of course, I was very happy for Italy, but I felt really sad for Switzerland because he was first for a long while, and then, all of a sudden, it was gone, and then France was second.

"I'm super happy that we won," she reiterated. "I say 'we won' because I got a lot of messages, like, 'You won. Congratulations.' And I was just, like, but I didn't do anything. My only luck today was being Italian, and, 'Oh my God! Italy won Eurovision.' But whatever. That's my thought about it. I'm happy for them, and they're really young, so they will have time to work on their career. But it's always pretty sad when there is a competition.

"I'm happy that a rock band won," Cristina added. "I hope that the excitement that everyone has today — everybody in Italy today was just, like, 'Rock will never die,' and I was, like, 'Where were you, like, two days before? You always said that music on the radio is, 'Oh, my God. There are too many distorted guitars,'' and then, all of a sudden, everybody was a rock and roll soul today, which is really disappointing. So hopefully… I always say I hope that something is gonna change, but I find it really hard."

Asked by one of her Twitch followers if LACUNA COIL would ever consider taking part in the Eurovision Song Contest, Cristina said: "LACUNA COIL will never, ever be at Eurovision, because to go to Eurovision, you have to win Sanremo, which is something that we will never participate [in] as artists. We went there as a guest. I always that I respect the taste of whoever wants to go there or watch it, but [it's] not our thing." (Editor's note: The winner of Italy’s Sanremo festival is given first right of refusal for the ticket to Eurovision. This year, the winner accepted the invitation.)

39 countries participated in this year's competition which was held in the Netherlands, the home country of 2019's Eurovision winner, Duncan Laurence. The live finale took place in Rotterdam’s Ahoy Arena with 3,500 fans in attendance.

To determine the winner, the points from the jury votes are announced first via satellite link. Finally, the points from the public are announced and added to the jury votes. That combined total leads to the winner.

MÅNESKIN was in the in fourth place — behind the Switzerland, France and Malta — after the jury votes were counted. But MÅNESKIN's "Zitti E Buoni" was the favorite of the public, securing 318 points from that section of the voting.

RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS drummer Chad Smith says that "it's been really fun" working again with guitarist John Frusciante.

Frusciante rejoined RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS in December 2019 after the dismissal of Josh Klinghoffer, who had been in the band for 10 years.

Smith discussed RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS' renewed collaboration with Frusciante in a new interview with SiriusXM's Pop Rocks. He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "He's back in the group, and it's really exciting and fun, and we just kind of picked up where we left off. We've known each other for so long — obviously, 30-plus years — so it's like putting on a nicely well-worn pair of shoes that feel really good, and you get back in there and it's comfortable and a little bit different, but still we're doing our thing. So it's been really fun."

Regarding RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS' plans to release the follow-up to 2016's "The Getaway" album, Chad said: "There's been no hurry, with what's happened over the last year or so. So we've been kind of taking our time, and we have lots of new music, and we're very excited about it, and when it's done, it's done, and we'll put it out, and we'll go play some concerts next year. We look forward to being in front of people again, like everybody wants to be so badly, us included. Not only having new music to play, but also we just wanna play live. And that's such an important part of life's experiences and certainly of being a band. It's really important to us. We were gonna play last summer. But we want it to be safe for everyone and a really good experience for everyone, so we pushed everything off, but we're coming back, and it's gonna be great."

Frusciante originally joined RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS following the death of founding guitarist Hillel Slovak in 1988. This lineup recorded two highly successful albums that brought the group mainstream popularity: "Mother's Milk" and "Blood Sugar Sex Magik". Sadly, Frusciante fell into a deep heroin addiction that caused him to leave the band while touring to support "Blood Sugar Sex Magik". Frusciante rejoined CHILI PEPPERS six years later, playing on 1999 album "Californication", 2002's "By The Way" and 2006's "Stadium Arcadium" before quitting the band again in September 2009.

Last October, Frusciante told the Australian digital radio station Double J that playing with his RHCP bandmates Anthony Kiedis, Flea and Smith once again was like "returning to family. I'm extremely comfortable with those people. It was as if no time had gone by at all when we started playing, pretty much, with a couple of minor exceptions, like how Chad and I gradually got our communication together in a new way. Basically, we're all just as comfortable with each other as we ever were, and it just felt like that right off the bat."

Photo credit: Laura Glass

During the latest episode of the "On The RAGS" podast, Gloria Butler, the wife of BLACK SABBATH bassist Geezer Butler, recounted her husband's experience traveling to the United Kingdom earlier this month from their house in Los Angeles. She said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "My husband flew to England where they're having to quarantine still. When you land, you have to tell them where you're staying. He gave them our house address. My husband, for those of you that don't know, is reclusive; he doesn't answer phones or answer doors or anything… But all of a sudden, there's a knock at the door. He would never, ever, ever answer a door. And he's jetlagging so badly that it's shocking he wasn't even sleeping or he could have been in the shower. But he actually answered the door. And they were checking up on him. It was the COVID police. How funny is that? I mean, how funny, but how scary, because he maybe wouldn't have answered the door. So he had to show his ID so they knew it was really him. They asked if he was there on his own, which he was. And they asked — which I thought was lovely — they said, 'I know this is really hard doing this, isolating. Is there anything I can get you? Are you okay here?'"

Asked what would have happened if Geezer hadn't answered the door, Gloria said: "He would have been in trouble. He would have been fined."

On May 14, Geezer tweeted about his U.K. lockdown experience, writing: "Nice to be back in England, but stuck in quarantine & need 3 COVID tests, even tho I’ve had my jabs. #COVID #LifeGoesOn #ofcourseitisraining".

According to the Evening Standard, police forces around the U.K. were handed powers by the government last year to enforce the "stay at home" message and break up large gatherings of people. Officers were also empowered to prosecute people for breaking lockdown, not wearing masks on public transport, throwing house parties, and meeting in the street in groups.

Geezer received his second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine on February 12. The musician took to his Instagram to share that he got the final dose of the vaccine. He posted a photo of him wearing a face mask and sporting sticker on his left arm that read: "I got my COVID-19 vaccine!" He wrote in an accompanying caption: "Second vaccination completed. Can I go to England now? #please #missingtherain #longestivebeenaway".

A founding member of BLACK SABBATH, Geezer is also the lyricist of such SABBATH classics as "War Pigs", "Iron Man", "Paranoid" and others.

Geezer, singer Ozzy Osbourne and guitarist Tony Iommi reunited in late 2011 and released a comeback album, "13", in June 2013.

In February 2017, SABBATH finished "The End" tour in Birmingham, closing out the quartet's groundbreaking 49-year career.

"The End" was SABBATH's last tour because Iommi, who was diagnosed with cancer in 2012 and is currently in remission, can no longer travel for extended amounts of time.

Two months ago, Geezer confirmed to Cleveland.com that he is writing a memoir.

Hosted by Risa Shapiro, Amy Motta, Gloria Butler and Sloan Kivo (the RAGS) "On The RAGS" features four extraordinary women from diverse backgrounds with unique insight into business, politics, family and entertainment. Their viewpoints, while often serious, are more often hilarious.






Nice to be back in England, but stuck in quarantine & need 3 COVID tests, even tho I’ve had my jabs. #COVID #LifeGoesOn #ofcourseitisraining

— Geezer Butler (@geezerbutler) May 14, 2021

Julien's Auctions has announced the marquee lineup of "Music Icons", the world-record breaking auction house to the stars' annual music extravaganza on Friday, June 11; Saturday, June 12; and Sunday, June 13 2021 live at Julien's Auctions in Beverly Hills and online at juliensauctions.com.

A canon of over 1,000 music iconography featuring instruments, memorabilia, wardrobe and personal property owned and used by the greatest 20th- and 21st-century's pop culture icons representing the genres of rock and roll, pop, soul, R&B and beyond will be offered. A marquee lineup of legends including Alex Van Halen, Eddie Van Halen, Kurt Cobain, THE BEATLES, Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix, Prince, Elton John, Little Richard and others join the previously announced female music icons lineup of Cher, Lady Gaga, Madonna, Whitney Houston and more.

Bursting onto the auction stage this summer will be one of the most coveted drum kits played by the legendary drummer Alex Van Halen. His custom designed Ludwig drum kit, stage-played on over 100 shows of VAN HALEN's 1980 "Invasion" tour, will make history once again as the first and only drum kit of the rock icon ever to come to the auction.

"This kit from the 1980 VAN HALEN 'Invasion' world tour spent five years on display at the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in Cleveland," said Alex Van Halen. "It's the only one like it in the world and I'm happy that 100% of the selling price will be going to charity via the Frangioni Foundation and Mr. Holland's Opus."

This spectacular and massive drum ensemble features a visually striking element: articulating kick drums, which began a long fascination Van Halen had with flexible hoses joining drums. The drum has a conservative estimate of $200,000 - $300,000.

In the early 1970s, Van Halen and his younger brother, prodigy lead guitarist, Eddie Van Halen, founded their namesake group and soon after with bassist Michael Anthony and singer David Lee Roth, conquered the world and entered into the pantheon of rock as of one of the greatest hard rock bands of all time. VAN HALEN dominated the music charts, MTV and sold out arenas around the world, thrilling audiences with their high flying, energetic live shows throughout the '80s and into the '90s with the drum legend's fiery percussion and epic solos powering their classic hits "Runnin' With The Devil", "Unchained", "Hot For Teacher", "Panama", "Jump" and more. Van Halen's immense skill and intensity behind the drum unleashed the era-defining sound and fury of the '80s American hard rock music scene and the seismic shift that would propel other glam metal/hard rock bands such as MÖTLEY CRÜE, METALLICA and GUNS N' ROSES to follow. VAN HALEN was inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in 2007.

Five Charvel EVH Art Series electric guitars designed, hand striped and played by Eddie Van Halen will join his brother Alex's drum kit on the auction stage, including the last of the late legendary rock guitarist's Charvel legendary EVH guitars he played on stage. The Stealth black body with a silver hand-striped design by Van Halen, possibly in tribute to his EVH Wolfgang guitar, is applied with four white "Van Halen / 2012" guitar picks attached to a strip of adhesive tape, and is signed and inscribed "Kansas City / MO / 5.22.12 / Eddie Van Halen / Van Halen / 2012," with an additional note "Last one!!" indicating that this was his last Charvel stage-played EVH guitar. The lot comes with a photograph of Eddie Van Halen playing the guitar live on stage with VAN HALEN at Kansas City Sprint Center, on May 22, 2012. Other Eddie Van Halen Charvel EVH Art Series electric guitars include: a red guitar with a unique black and white hand-striped design by Van Halen that pays homage to his legendary "Frankenstein" Mark II guitar — and is uniquely numbered "5150" — the name of EVH's recording studio (and also the date that he played this guitar), signed and inscribed by EVH in silver sharpie: "Baltimore, MD / 5.15.08 / Eddie Van Halen / Van Halen '08" that comes with a DVD featuring footage from the show of Van Halen playing this guitar live on stage at First Mariner Arena, Baltimore, Maryland on May 15, 2008, and a Van Halen 2007-08 tote bag; a black guitar with a unique, yellow hand-striped design by Van Halen in tribute to his "Bumblebee" guitar, signed and inscribed in silver sharpie: "8.7.04 / Las Vegas NV / Eddie Van Halen / Van Halen / 04" that comes with a black custom EVH tour flight case (not the standard hard case that typically accompanies these guitars,) a photograph of EVH playing the guitar live on stage with VAN HALEN at the Mandalay Bay Events Center, Paradise, Nevada on August 7, 2004, a certificate of authenticity signed by Van Halen, two "VH" guitar picks, a ticket from the show, a corresponding backstage pass, and a Mandalay Bay hotel room key card; a yellow guitar with a unique, black hand-striped design by Van Halen in tribute to his "Bumblebee" guitar, signed and inscribed in black sharpie: "Des Moines IA. / 2.6.08 / Eddie Van Halen / Van Halen 2008" that comes with a black custom EVH hard case, a photograph of Eddie playing the guitar live on stage with VAN HALEN at Wells Fargo Arena, Des Moines, Iowa on February 6, 2008, and a certificate of authenticity signed by Van Halen and a black body with a unique, yellow hand-striped design by Van Halen in tribute to his "Bumblebee" guitar with the words: "Las Vegas" partly visible under the bridge, signed and inscribed in silver sharpie: "Las Vegas NV. / 12.30.07 / Eddie Van Halen / Van Halen 2007," which comes with a black custom EVH hard case, a photograph of EVH playing the guitar live on stage with VAN HALEN at MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas on December 30, 2007 (the last date of the first leg of VAN HALEN's 2007/08 tour), and a certificate of authenticity signed by Van Halen. Each of these guitars have a conservative estimate of $30,000 - $50,000.

Other drum kits from legendary rock bands will rock the stage with a singular and sensational drum kit heading this way from the legendary drummer Eric Singer of one of rock and roll's most notorious bands, KISS (estimate $50,000 - $70,000).

"KISS, keeping in line with Las Vegas: bright lights, big production, one-of-a-kind, i.e. Elvis, Rat Pack and Liberace style, I had this Pearl drum set custom made for the first-ever KISS Vegas residency," said Eric Singer. "These shows were recorded and featured on the 'Kiss Rocks Vegas' DVD. I also played this kit on the KISS and DEF LEPPARD tour as well as various other high-production KISS shows. The LED lights inside the drums ran in synchronization with the KISS light show, changing colors throughout the night controlled from the lighting board plus these drums sound amazing!"

Another fascinating and rare piece of art heading to the auction stage comes from another iconoclast and one of rock music's most signature artists of all time: Kurt Cobain. A self-portrait caricature drawing (estimate: $10,000 - $20,000) done in black felt pen on TNT Music Centre [sic] in Singapore stationery by the charismatic frontman of the group NIRVANA depicts himself playing the guitar and is signed "Kurdt Kobain Rock Star" and handwritten on the right, "I don't know how to play and I don't give a hoot!" Cobain gifted the drawing to Jacque Chong, a freelance photographer who worked with Cobain during NIRVANA's "Nevermind" album promotional tour in Singapore in 1992.

Julien's Auctions has broken world records with the sale of Kurt Cobain's memorabilia, including Cobain's cardigan worn on "MTV Unplugged" in New York, which sold for a record $334,000, his "In Utero" tour Fender Mustang guitar which sold for $340,000, his cardigan worn on his last photoshoot which sold for $75,000, a NIRVANA paper plate set list written in Cobain's handwriting which sold for a record $22,400 and the Guinness Book of World Record sale of Cobain's "MTV Unplugged" 1959 Martin D-18E acoustic-electric guitar, which sold for $6 million making it the world's most expensive guitar ever sold at auction.

"Each year, Julien's Auctions ups the ante for music fans and collectors in offering the most prized music memorabilia ever to come to auction," said Martin Nolan, executive director of Julien's Auctions. "From the first auction appearances of Alex Van Halen's Rock And Hall Of Fame-displayed Ludwig drum kit and Kurt Cobain's self-portrait drawing to Bob Dylan's handwritten and annotated lyrics to his 1969 classic 'Lay Lady Lay', this collection of fine and rare music collectibles is no exception and is one of our most exciting sales that is sure to make history once again on the auction stage."

Julien's Auctions public exhibition and auction location

Julien's Auctions

257 N. Canon Drive

Beverly Hills,

CA 90210

Public exhibition

Exhibition: Monday, June 7 - Friday, June 11, 2021

11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time

Free to the public

Julien's Auctions live and online auction

Music Icons

Friday, June 11, 2021

Session I (Lots 1-381): 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time

Music Icons

Saturday, June 12, 2021

Session II (Lots 382-775): 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time

Music Icons

Sunday, June 13, 2021

Session III (Lots 776-1086): 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time

Registration is required to bid in this online auction and can be done in person at the exhibition, or online before the sale at the JuliensAuctions.com. Registration page to bid by phone, proxy or in person, or online at JuliensLive.com to bid live online, or by calling (310) 836-1818. For inquiries, please email [email protected] or call 310-836-1818.

THE OFFSPRING guitarist Kevin "Noodles" Wasserman has blasted Republican member of the House of Representatives for comparing a decision to continue requiring masks in the House to the steps Nazis took during the Holocaust to control Jewish people.

Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, in a conversation with the Christian Broadcasting Network's David Brody Real America's Voice TV show "The Water Cooler", attacked House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and accused her of being a hypocrite for asking GOP members to prove they have all been vaccinated before allowing members to be in the House chamber without a mask.

"You know, we can look back at a time in history where people were told to wear a gold star, and they were definitely treated like second-class citizens, so much so that they were put in trains and taken to gas chambers in Nazi Germany," Greene said. "And this is exactly the type of abuse that Nancy Pelosi is talking about."

Earlier today, Noodles took to his Twitter to share a video clip of Greene making her comments, and he wrote in an accompanying message: "Holy shit! People actually voted for this tweaker's nightmare! This is today's @GOP and a perfect example of why we need to move on without them. #PartyofTheInsane".

According to CNN, every Democrat of Congress in both the House and Senate is fully vaccinated. In the Senate, 92% of Republicans say they are vaccinated, but only 44.8% of House Republicans would say if they have received the necessary shots.

This past February, THE OFFSPRING singer Bryan "Dexter" Holland told the Minneapolis, Minnesota radio station 93X that he doesn't consider THE OFFSPRING "a political band." Noodles concurred, saying: "We try to ask questions. It could be about society, about personal relationships, or it could be about what we see happening in the world. In this case, it's what we see happening in the world on both the political stage and on the personal stage. So it's more kind of an expression of ideas that pose a question. At least that's what we're hoping for — rather than try to tell people what to think." Dexter added: "When you say the word 'political,' that sounds like you're gonna try to force your opinion about something on someone, and that's not what we're trying to do at all. We're making observations and leaving it up to you to make your own conclusions."

THE OFFSPRING's tenth studio 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 previous 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.




Holy shit! People actually voted for this tweaker’s nightmare! This is today’s @GOP and a perfect example of why we need to move on without them. #PartyofTheInsane https://t.co/KcwFtLVFHT

— Noodles believes in Democracy! (@TheGnudz) May 22, 2021

Jeff Pilson has confirmed to Steve Mascord of the "White Life Fever" podcast that the sophomore album from his THE END MACHINE project, "Phase2", was informed at least partly by the tumultuous political divisiveness that is gripping the United States Of America at the moment.

"Obviously, especially in the U.S., what's gone on over the last several months politically makes you really stand up and take notice," Pilson said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET). And something that we firmly believe is that people need to talk.

"I firmly believe that one of the biggest problems in the world right now is misinformation and just all the stuff that's out there that just isn't true," he continued. "But we need to talk. And the only way to get over people being in their little camps and just only hearing their own information is to talk.

"Yeah, we'd love to bridge the divide. Obviously, we're a rock band — we're not gonna change the world — but we can do our part. And so hopefully that's a positive message that people will take to heart."

Jeff also confirmed that differences in political views exist even between the members of THE END MACHINE.

"I think ultimately we all have the same goals in mind — we all want a safe, secure world and a prosperous world," he said. "But, yeah, we have differences, and I think working them out and talking them out and finding common ground is a great thing.

"George [Lynch, former DOKKEN and current THE END MACHINE guitarist] and I actually fairly in sync thought-wise, but, yeah, it's other guys. And that's great. Like I say, I welcome that. The main thing is that we talk. The main thing is that we understand and respect what people say. I mean, to just throw out what the other side says, I think, is really, really a bad mistake. And I think we've done way too much of that."

Asked if he has any advice on how to interact with people who have different political views from you without jeopardizing your friendship with them, Jeff said: "I think you always have to judge the situation at the moment. I don't think there's any one solution for everything. Some people don't wanna talk reasonably. Some people just wanna reinforce their own beliefs. And when that's the case, or even if I'm doing that, there's no sense talking. But if you have a point of view that's reasonable, why can't you talk about it? That's my feeling. Like I say, I think what's really made it bad is that people have two distinct sources of what they believe is the truth. And that's a problem — that's a serious, serious problem. And if we don't figure that out or something, we're gonna be in more trouble. And I think it starts with talking. So, talk when you can. Talk when people want to talk, when they're reasonable, when they have a desire to see what you think or when you have a desire to hear what they think. I think it's important to talk."

Back in 2017, Pilson — an acclaimed producer and a veteran bassist who has played with DIO, FOREIGNER, DOKKEN and T&N — said that then-President Donald Trump was "a dangerous man" whose vitriolic and divisive rhetoric could ignite another American civil war.

In September 2019, Lynch caught flak from some of his fans when he slammed Trump in an interview, calling the billionaire real estate mogul an "idiotic monster" and an "egotistical, self-aggrandizing, complete piece of shit" who "doesn't know anything." George was also criticized when told Australia's "Scars And Guitars" podcast that "progressives are more compassionate people by nature — we're wired to sort of be more empathetic and care about things outside of ourselves. We are about other people; it hurts us to see people in pain or suffer," he explained. "So they call us 'snowflakes.' But people that are wired, on the right, the way their brains are wired, they don't have that sense of empathy. I'm not saying it's good or bad — I'm just saying it is. And these people are the ones that have the guns. And they're willing to use them. And it's becoming pretty frightening."

"Phase2" was released on April 9 via Frontiers Music Srl.

A police department in New Hampshire has an active arrest warrant for Marilyn Manson.

Earlier today (Tuesday, May 25), the Gilford Police Department announced that they have an active arrest warrant for the shock-rocker, whose real name is Brian Warner, for two counts of misdemeanor simple assault involving an alleged incident with a videographer at the Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion.

"Mr. Warner, his Agent and legal counsel have been aware of the warrant for some time and no effort has been made by him to return to New Hampshire to answer the pending charges," the statement read. "Mr. Warner had been performing a concert at the Bank of NH Pavilion on August 18, 2019, when the alleged simple assaults occurred.

"The videographer had been subcontracted by a NH based company to video the concert, and had been located in the stage pit area when the alleged assaults occurred.

"The alleged assaults are not sexual in nature as has been asked by several other media outlets due to a number of other allegations made against Mr. Warner."

Manson performed in Gilford, New Hampshire on August 19, 2019 as part of the co-headlining "Hell Never Dies" tour with Rob Zombie.

If convicted on the charges, Manson could face a jail sentence of up to one year and a fine of up to $2,000.

In a statement, Manson's attorney Howard King said: "It is no secret to anyone who has attended a Marilyn Manson concert that he likes to be provocative on stage, especially in front of a camera. This misdemeanor claim was pursued after we received a demand from a venue videographer for more than $35,000 after a small amount of spit came into contact with their arm. After we asked for evidence of any alleged damages, we never received a reply. This whole claim is ludicrous, but we remain committed to cooperating with authorities, as we have done throughout."

Seemingly contradicting King's statement, three concert attendees — including a security guard — told People that they saw Manson spit and "shoot his snot" at the camerawoman.

"He was spitting everywhere and one time it got on her camera so she wiped it off and looked semi-irritated. He noticed this and kept purposely spitting on her camera," one attendee told People. "I think her final straw is he got on the floor, got within 2-3 feet of her and hacked a giant snot rocket at her not the camera. She was pissed off and disgusted so she stormed off and he just laughed."

"I stopped listening to his music after that and told my husband I would never go to another one of his concerts again," she added.

A second attendee concurred, stating that he "bent down to shoot his snot all over this woman. I can remember him just laughing about what he did."

"I was right there when it happened, she was beyond furious when he did that to her," a third man, who works as a security guard at the venue, said. "He spit on her a couple of times and then leaned real close to the camera and blew a huge snot rocket on her. After he did that, she almost threw her camera right down on the ground."


UPDATE: 05.25.21 @ 8PM

The Gilford Police Department has an active arrest warrant for Brian Hugh Warner (aka: Marilyn...

Posted by Gilford Police Department on Tuesday, May 25, 2021

Canadian metal outfit SPIRITBOX will release its debut album, "Eternal Blue", on September 17. The band has also issued a brand new single titled "Secret Garden".

Speaking about the LP, SPIRITBOX vocalist Courtney LaPlante states: "We are very anxious to release our album. It is a body of work we have been accumulating for over two years.

"Having the recording process put on hold for so long due to the pandemic has made me see that I can never take the experience of tracking an album for granted ever again.

"I must say that although we never intended to wait so long to do this record, I think it did help the songs become stronger. I am so happy with every single song, I wish I could release each one as a single with a music video. They all reflect different moments and influences in our lives.

"We have had enough time to release the exact music we would like to put out into the world, with no need to compromise. Every single note and every single syllable is the music that we have always dreamed of making and we are very proud of it."

Regarding "Secret Garden", LaPlante adds: "I think this is the most scared I've been to put out a song, because I realize as we continue to release music in single format, listeners can start to assume what kind of band we are, and are alarmed when we do not meet those assumptions. I want to continue to showcase the fluidity that is inherent in heavy music, and even though this is just one part of a full body of work that may not sound exactly like this song, it is a song that we love and are obsessed with. I celebrate variation. 'Secret Garden' is exciting to me for this reason. I'm scared but excited, like I'm about to hit the big drop on a roller coaster, and I'm fully embracing that."

Today's announcement comes hot on the heels of SPIRITBOX's previous single release at the end of May for track "Circle With Me" which charted on Billboard at No. 1 Hard Rock Digital Song Sales, No. 5 Hot Hard Rock Songs, No. 9 Rock Songs Core Genre, No. 12 Rock Digital Songs, No. 50 Hot Rock & Alternative Songs, No. 71 Digital Songs. The track has already clocked up 4.3 million streams to date.

Prior to "Circle With Me", SPIRITBOX released two break-out, hit singles last year the heartbreaking and otherworldly "Constance" and the unrelentingly brutal "Holy Roller", which debuted at No. 25 on Billboard's Hot Hard Rock Songs and charted as the No. 1 song of 2020 on SiriusXM's Liquid Metal.

The band released "Constance Reimagined" this past weekend in conjunction with The Grammy Museum COLLECTION:live #spotlightsaturdays in partnership with BMG. The band performed an incredible acoustic rendition of the song featuring a string quartet and filmed in a church.

The husband-and-wife duo consisting of Courtney LaPlante and Michael Stringer made its debut with an independently released EP in October 2017, quickly building a cult following. In 2018, they found their musical counterpart in bass player Bill Crook and partnered with Pale Chord Music to continue to create and release music in single and EP formats, and in fall of 2020, signed with globally renowned label Rise Records.

Drawing its name from a device that some believe is capable of communing with the dead, SPIRITBOX has a paranormal undertone that runs through everything they do, using EVP (electronic voice phenomena) recordings both at its live shows and within its tracks.

Having toured the world many times over with their previous bands — metal outfit IWRESTLEDABEARONCE (Courtney and Mike) and pop punk band LIVING WITH LIONS (Bill) — SPIRITBOX absorbed the highs and lows of living as working musicians and decided to try a different and more sustainable approach when it came to releasing their music. They took the concept of supply and demand and applied it to their release model, focusing on making fans across the globe by using the social media tools available to them, releasing shorter bodies of music and removing touring from the plan until a demand was built. In doing so they quickly garnered a cult-like online following which has lead to over 66.6 million streams across all platforms and sell outs on every physical release and most merch items they've released to date.

In February 2020, SPIRITBOX jumped on a plane and finally went on tour in support of AFTER THE BURIAL across Europe, which was unfortunately cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite having to return to Canada early, SPIRITBOX has remained busy, recording the two new music, shooting the accompanying videos, launching their Patreon and working on their debut LP.

"Eternal Blue" track listing:

01. Sun Killer

02. Hurt You

03. Yellowjacket (feat. Sam Carter)

04. The Summit

05. Secret Garden

06. Silk In The Strings

07. Holy Roller

08. Eternal Blue

09. We Live In A Strange World

10. Halcyon

11. Circle With Me

12. Constance

Swedish melodic hard rock band ECLIPSE has set "Wired" as the title of its eighth studio album, to be released in October via Frontiers Music Srl (and in Japan by Marquee/Avalon). A music video for the LP's first single, "Saturday Night (Hallelujah)", can be seen below.

"Saturday Night (Hallelujah)" is the first original ECLIPSE song released since the band's acclaimed 2019 album "Paradigm". According to singer/guitarist Erik Martensson, "It was another one of those Saturday nights at home, but for the first time in a very long time, there was hope. Suddenly, there were stories about someone's mom getting 'the shot', an old neighbor who was able to see the grandkids for the first time in a year, and I saw an ad for a gig — a real one, without screens or Internet connections. A songwriter buddy of mine was there, and we walked back to the studio and wrote most of what would become 'Saturday Night (Hallelujah)' in 15 minutes. There's absolutely nothing snotty about this song. It's about partying! Don't try to tell me you're not up for a good f--king party right about now?"

The group confirmed the title of "Wired" during a May 22 live chat on Instagram. "This is really a band record," Martensson said. "We've all been working very hard together to make something instead of just individuals doing their thing. It's been real teamwork.

"I really think this new (album) is the best one so far," he continued. "It's a very diverse album. There are really heavy rockers, and there are (also) more, like, pop/softer rock anthems. ['Saturday Night'] is like ECLIPSE's 'Rock And Roll All Nite', but I think we have a little of everything."

ECLIPSE is the primary musical vehicle of the prolific Swedish songwriter and producer Erik Martensson, who also comprises half of NORDIC UNION, an ongoing project with PRETTY MAIDS vocalist Ronnie Atkins. In addition, Martensson is one of three core members of the melodic rock/AOR supergroup W.E.T., which also features Jeff Scott Soto (SONS OF APOLLO, TALISMAN) and Robert Sall (WORK OF ART).