Earlier today (Sunday, May 23), FAITH NO MORE bassist Bill Gould spoke with Darren Paltrowitz — host of the "Paltrocast With Darren Paltrowitz" — about the success of his Yebiga rakija brand, the motivation beyond launching rakija in the States, how spirit distribution and music distribution compare, future plans for FAITH NO MORE and his label, and more. You can now watch the chat below.

Speaking about FAITH NO MORE's comeback album, 2015's "Sol Invictus", Gould said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "We were very ambitious on this one. We recorded the album in our rehearsal room without telling anybody. So there were some limitations with that, obviously; it wasn't a real studio. So to make it sound good took a lot of effort. And I was pretty exhausted by the end of it; I don't know if I'd do it that way again. But I'm very happy with what we did and how we did it. It was a really ambitious goal, and I think we made it work. I think if we do something in the future, it'll be different, like they all are; all the albums are different. But I'm cool with this one. If we put it out, I'm cool with it."

Gould also talked about FAITH NO MORE's upcoming shows with SYSTEM OF A DOWN and KORN at the Banc Of California Stadium in Los Angeles in October. The dates were initially scheduled to take place in May 2020, and were moved back to May 21 and 22, 2021. The dates were recently once more postponed due to COVID-19.

Asked if it's fulfilling to play stadiums and arenas more than four decades after FAITH NO MORE's inception, Gould said: "It's great. It's really great. And it's also great that we still are who we are; we didn't really change our own way of doing things. We've always been kind of the black sheep in the music world, and I've always been a little frustrated that we never seemed to get it over the net — this thing that we thought was so great. And now we're being accepted for who we are, and I think that is absolutely amazing. That's a great feeling."

FAITH NO MORE initially reunited for touring purposes in 2009, twelve years after issuing its previous studio set, "Album Of The Year", and followed that up with the aforementioned "Sol Invictus".

Earlier this month, FAITH NO MORE pushed its scheduled summer 2021 European shows back to the summer of 2022.

Chuck Mosley, who sang on FAITH NO MORE's first two albums, died in November 2017 "due to the disease of addiction," according to a statement from his family. He was 57.

ANTHRAX singer Joey Belladonna spoke to Syracuse, New York's classic rock radio station TK99 about the time he and his bandmates were asked to co-star on an episode of the groundbreaking TV sitcom "Married With Children", a show that happened to be a favorite of all the ANTHRAX members. The episode was titled "My Dinner With Anthrax", and the band spent a week with the Bundy family at the iconic Sunset-Gower Studios in the heart of Hollywood, learning their lines, rehearsing and shooting the episode — and getting into a little hot water with the show's producers when they took "Bud Bundy" (David Faustino) to see METALLICA.

You can watch video of Belladonna's interview with TK99 below.

This past February, ANTHRAX drummer Charlie Benante said that the band's appearance on "Married With Children" was "one of the highlights" of his career. "On the last day we filmed the show, we actually did two," he said. "We thought the first one went great, the audience laughed a lot and we all hit our marks. The writers and producers came down and decided to change some of our linesThere was a different rhythm now, but the new lines were funnier."

A synopsis of the "My Dinner With Anthrax" episode, which originally aired March 1992, reads as follows: "It's Al and Peg's 20th anniversary, and Peggy wants only one thing from Al... Meanwhile Kelly and Bud win the 'My Dinner With Anthrax' contest, which means a house party with the thrash-metal band, but there will be no party unless they get rid of mom and dad first. The answer: tricking them into taking a Florida 'vacation' that turns out to be a time-share sales scam where the salesman won't leave them alone." Each member of ANTHRAX had a couple of lines to say in the show and the band performed "In My World".


























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Heavy metal coven, Burning Witches, have announced that they will stream a release show for their new album, The Witch Of The North, on Friday, May 28 at 8 PM, CET. The stream will be free of charge and accessible for fans all over the world. However, if you want to show the band your support, you will be given the opportunity to buy different kinds of 'support tickets'. So, mark the date in your calendars and prepare to get blown away once more by one of the most exciting new bands in heavy metal today.

Release Show Live Stream
Friday, May 28, 2021
8 PM, CET - 7 PM, GMT - 2 PM, US Eastern - 11 AM, US Pacific

You can access the stream here.

Burning Witches comment: "We want to give the release of our new album The Witch Of The North a special kick, by uniting all our fans worldwide for a free stream on this special day! Let’s make it a day to remember! Tune in on the 28th of May for this online concert, it will be a magical night on release day! Thanks for the great support - we hope to meet you all on tour very soon! Your favorite Witches!"

The Witch Of The North can be pre-ordered in various formats here.

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"

"The Witch Of The North" video:

"Flight Of The Valkyries" visualizer:

(Photo - Kevin Grab)




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In November 2020, Lindemann - the duo of Rammstein frontman Till Lindemann and Pain / Hypocrisy mastermind Peter Tägtgren - announced they have decided to go their separate ways:

"As Till Lindemann and Peter Tägtgren confirm today, the two artists have ended their collaboration on the project Lindemann. Both will be pursuing their own plans in the future. Till Lindemann will be active under the name Lindemann within a new set-up in the future.

Lindemann and Tägtgren say goodbye with the release of Live In Moscow on CD and Blu-Ray, availble now, which showcases their March 15th, 2020 performance at the VTB Arena in Moscow, Russia. Check out the official video for "Steh Auf" from the show below.

The tracklist is as follows:

"Skills In Pills" 
"Lady Boy" 
"Fat" 
"Frau & Mann" 
"Ich Weiss Es Nicht" 
"Allesfresser" 
"Knebel" 
"Home Sweet Home"
"Cowboy" 
"Golden Shower" 
"Blut" 
"Platz Eins" 
"Praise Abort" 
"Fish On" 
"Ach So Gern" 
"Gummi" 
"Steh Auf"

"Allesfresser"

"Home Sweet Home"

"Praise Abort"

"Steh Auf"

Till Lindemann and Peter Tägtgren released two album under the Lindemann moniker; Skills In Pills (2015) and F & M (2019). They released a total of seven singles and eight videos.




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With their recent comeback to metal after temporarily transforming into a pop boyband, Nanowar Of Steel are back with their beloved brand of comedy infused heavy metal, taking their fans on a journey through the roots of their beautiful homeland of Italy on their new album, Italian Folk Metal, out July 2 via Napalm Records.

Nanowar Of Steel have proven themselves to be on the frontlines of comedic heavy metal, gathering millions of cross-platform views and streams and releasing legendarily hilarious music videos. The new single, “Gabonzo Robot”, is a joyful power metal anthem dedicated to Gabonzo, the popular Japanese cartoon series. A catchy chorus and razorsharp guitar solos display Nanowar Of Steel’s sense of humor and immaculate musical talent in top form.
 
The music video was made by Dr. Pira, who also conceived Gabonzo Robot as one of the characters of his surreal comic collection "I fumetti della gleba". Along with the song, Dr. Pira has released a limited edition comic book entitled "Gabonzo l’invincible Robot".

Bassist Gatto Panceri 666 on “Gabonzo Robot” and collaborating with Dr. Pira: “As Nanowar Of Steel, we are proud of singing the amazing deeds of Gabon The Invincible Robot, the only superhero that always wins because he fights against the weak and the children. But above everything, we were proud of finally being able to work with the great Dr. Pira, whom we have been following and worshipping for two decades!”

Nanowar Of Steel turns to the musical roots of their homeland, bringing heavy new life to traditional Italian music on their new album, Italian Folk Metal, out July 2 on Napalm Records. Filled with references to Italian folklore, Nanowar Of Steel puts its own comedic metal twist on the various traditional sounds of their beautiful country.

Each song on Italian Folk Metal is performed in a distinct style of Italian folk music: Napoli-based sounds of musica neomelodica clash with melodic guitar sweeps on “Scugnizzi of the Land of Fires" and speedy accordions (prominently known from northern Italy‘s mazurka) are layered with dizzying guitar solos on “La Mazurka del Vecchio che Guarda i Cantieri".

Mixed with the band‘s eclectic, comprehensive brand of catchy, comedy-infused metal, Italian Folk Metal is a truly multi-faceted listening experience and a deep dive into the roots of Italy’s folklore! In the process of recording the new album in Rome and Milan during the summer of 2020, Nanowar Of Steel took the Italian-focused theme as an opportunity to gather Italy’s crème de la creme of musicianship: the album features Francesco Paoli from Fleshgod Apocalypse on “L’assedio di Porto Cervo”, Alessandro Conti of Luca Turilli's Rhapsody and Trick Or Treat fame on “La Mazurka del Vecchio che Guarda i Cantieri” and Frozen Crown’s Jade on “Rosario", among others. Italian Folk Metal showcases Nanowar Of Steel’s musical versatility at its best!

Pre-Order Italian Folk Metal here.

Italian Folk Metal tracklisting:

"Requiem per Gigi Sabani in Re minore"
"L'Assedio di Porto Cervo"
"La Maledizione di Capitan Findus"
"La Marcia su Piazza Grande"
"La Mazurka del Vecchio che Guarda i Cantieri"
"La Polenta Taragnarock"
"Scugnizzi of the Land of Fires"
"Rosario"
"Il Signore degli Anelli dello Stadio"
"Gabonzo Robot"
"Sulle Aliquote Della Libertà"
"Der Fluch des Kapt’n Iglo"
"El Baile del Viejo que Mira las obras"

"Der Fluch des Käptn Iglo" video:

Nanowar Of Steel are:

Gatto Panceri 666 - Bass
Potowotominimak - Vocals
Mr. Baffo - Vocals
Abdul - Guitar
Uinona Raider - Drums

(Photo - Marco Dazzi)




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International heavy metal group, Beast In Black, have released the new video below, along with the following message:

"Mate Molnar's birthday surprise for you, in the form of a bass playthrough for 'Sweet True Lies', the first single from Beast In Black's second album, From Hell With Love."

The band previously released a bass playthrough video for "Blind And Frozen". Check out how Mate Molnar plays his bassline in their first hit song, from their debut album, Berserker.

Watch Mate Molnar chugging through the title track from the band's sophomore album, below:

Having released two sensational records through Nuclear Blast Records, Beast In Black have played numerous thrilling shows, including mostly sold out international headline tours in Europe, Russia and Japan, supporting Gloryhammer in the UK and festival appearances around the world (Sweden Rock, Graspop, Summer Breeze, Heavy Montréal etc.)

Now, the five-piece Helsinki based band announce their upcoming European Tour for November / December 2021, which will take them through 13 countries, ready to spew its unrivaled heavy metal fury all over them!

Beast In Black have issued the following statement: "Not easy to say any wise words in these dark times so just let us smoothly announce our upcoming European Tour for November / December 2021! Although it's still far away we hope that everybody who reads these lines now will be able to attend the shows in his / her best health! That's our wish for 2021."

The tour schedule is below.




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Finnish modern melodic death metal band Dimman is set to release their debut album, Songs And Tales Of Grievance on July 30th, 2021 via Inverse Records. The band’s modern melodeath combines beautiful melodies, heavy compositions and technical musicality into a unique ensemble. In addition to the diverse instrumentation, Dimman’s two vocalists create a distinctive and balanced soundscape.

The second single, "Obscenity", is released today and the lyric video can be viewed below.

 

Valtteri Halkola (vocals): "'Obscenity' is the fastest song on the album, highlighting the work of the band’s new drummer, Arto Pieksämäki. The intensive and technical song culminates in an orchestral ending accompanied with some rapid riffing and haunting singing. Obscenity’s theme comprehends a leader whose morbid and violent decisions cause iniquities among the nation."

Songs And Tales Of Grievance addresses all the grievances and insecurities that cause misery to both individuals and communities. The incapability to be able to affect the injustices results in frustration, which can be heard from every song on the album.

Tracklist:

"Ambuscade"
"Paroxysm"
"Obscenity"
"Contretemps"
"Morbus"
"Progradation"
"Imprudence"
"Memoria"
"Umbra"
"The Mist"

"Paroxysm"

Photo by Jenna Kohtala




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Slovenian heavy metal prodigy, SkyEye, will release their second studio album, Soldiers Of Light, on June 25 via Reaper Entertainment. A third album trailer has been issued for the record; watch below:

Unique and powerful vocals combined with raw and melodic guitar riffs give the band its signature heavy metal sound, reminiscent of other major representatives of the genre, like Iron Maiden, Saxon or Judas Priest.

The album was produced in summer 2020 by producer Grega Smola Crnkovič and was mastered by Boban Milunović who is known in the hard & heavy scene for his work with Graveworm, Belphegor, Jack Frost and many more.

Album artwork by Aleksandar Živanov:

Tracklisting:

“The Arrival”
“King Of The Skies”
“Soldiers Of Light”
“Constellation”
“Brothers Under The Same Sun”
“In Saecula Saeculorum”
“Son Of God”
“Detonate”
“Eternal Starlight”
“Chernobyl”

"Constellation":

Trailer #1

Trailer #2

 




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Xael (ft. members of Nile, The Reticent, Rapheumets Well) are conjuring the resurrection of “Srai - The Demon Of Erring” with their new music video in support of their latest album sci-fi escapade Bloodtide Rising, released this past February via Pavement Entertainment. 

The video, which can be seen below, is the next visual exploration into the fictional sci-fi world created by band founder and drummer Joshua “Nassaru” Ward, who explains the album in further detail:

“In Xael, we are trying to not only create some brutal and primal metal, but cultivate the fusion of storytelling and epic adventures. We are building a multiverse with diverse planets and odd-powerful creatures, taking listeners on a journey. This specific album follows the ‘watchers’ as we are assimilated into the vile and mysterious world of Vuul Athmar. It is a tragic love story turned horror. Musically, we incorporate tribal elements, Asian and traditional folk instruments, and an array of vocals to capture the variety of emotions. Though there was a global pandemic, we worked hard to bring this musical odyssey alive and we are excited to finally share it.” 

Hailing from the American Carolinas, Xael brings forth with them epic symphonic death metal like no other. Their new album entitled Bloodtide Rising is a concept record rooted in a science fiction universe that Xael revolves all their music around. The extreme symphonic release chronicles the journey of a character named Darmak, an immortal who is trying to find purpose in a chaotic and complex multiverse. 

Xael was initially meant to be a personal project by drummer Joshua “Nassaru” Ward, however, when other musicians showed interest it evolved into a full-fledged project with each member contributing equally towards this current full length and the band's first album “The Last Arbiter” (2018).

Fans of progressive and brutal metal along with sci-fi enthusiasts will take interest in what Xael is doing. It’s different, and listeners can get lost in the complex multiverse that they have conceived. Epic and extreme, it is recommended for fans of Septicflesh, Fleshgod Apocalypse, and Nile.

Tracklisting:

"Suun Rai Aru (Passion Begets Ruin)"
"As Decreed: The Law Of Vuul Athmar"  
"The Waste Of Dreadrift"
"Srai - The Demon Of Erring"
"Dark World Mirrors"
"Bloodtide Rising" (ft. Mathieu Marcotte of Augury)
"The Red Odyssey"
"The Red Odyssey Part 2: The Temple Of The Sky Eater"
"The Odium And The Contrition"

"Bloodtide Rising" video:

"The Waste Of Dreadrift" video:

In live news, Xael will be hitting the road in 2022 to support Sweden's Bloodbath as they tour North America. Confirmed shows are as listed:

May 2022
22 - Brooklyn, NY - Warsaw
23 - Boston, MA - Paradise Rock Club
24 - Montreal, QC - L'Astral
25 - Toronto, ON - Opera House





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The Menza family, in conjunction with Screaming Butterfly Entertainment, has released a video tribute to the late Megadeth drummer who passed away five years ago today.

The two minute and 27 second clip features Nick Menza's sister, Donia Menza Ontiveros and Nick's oldest son, Nicholas Menza in a brief video message thanking the late drummer's Mega fans and friends for their continued support.

Late in the evening on May 21, 2016, Nick collapsed after suffering a heart attack during a concert with OHM: at The Baked Potato in Studio City, California and was pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital. The Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner said Menza died of hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.

Recently announced, authorized family documentary film about the late drummer's life and musical career is currently in the works and expected to be released in the fist half of 2022.

This Was My Life will be the first-ever film to memorialize Menza's legacy and celebrate his life exactly how it was, described in a press release as "an unflinching exploration into the life of one of the most successful thrash-metal drummer's of all time, from his childhood all the way through to the end of his life including a true blow-by-blow account of the repeated failed attempts of the classic Rust In Peace lineup."

This Was My Life will feature rare and never-before-seen photos and video footage from Nick's archived VHS tape collection, personally filmed by Menza himself from 1988 through 1991. Included will be exclusive content showcasing Nick working at the studio, personal home movies, casual time and party time with his fellow bandmembers, as well as other well-known artists of the era that Nick toured with.

Menza's longtime personal manager Robert Bolger said: "I am very excited to be working with Screaming Butterfly Entertainment on Nick's official documentary.

"There's a lot of published misinformation out there about Nick that isn't true and I am very happy to bring the truth forth.

"Nick loved his fans and always said without the fans none this would be possible. I really think Nick's fans will enjoy this journey through his life."

Executive producer Holly Mollohan from Screaming Butterfly Entertainment added: "As both a filmmaker, and fellow metalhead who deeply values the metal community, I am honored and excited to go on this journey alongside all of you."

Menza's official autobiography, Megalife: The Autobiography Of Nick Menza by J. Marshall Craig, was released in December 2018 via Post Hill Press.

Nick rightfully earned his place as one of heavy metal's fiercest drummers during Megadeth's 10-year commercial peak. The highlight of his career, Nick said, was playing Rock In Rio before more than 100,000 people. The lowest point was being fired by Megadeth mainman Dave Mustaine while he was still in a hospital bed after surgery to remove what doctors feared was a cancerous growth.




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King Crimson founder Robert Fripp and his singer wife Toyah Willcox - joined by the mysterious stranger Sidney Jake - are back with another episode in their "Toyah & Robert’s Sunday Lunch" series covering the Scopions classic “with a twist of the feline variety”. Check out “Rock You Like A Hurricane” below:

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

 




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In honor of Month Of Giving, METALLICA brought back its concert series, "#MetallicaMondays", where the band is streaming a complete live show for fans on the group's YouTube channel and on Facebook every week.

The special, one-night-only event on Monday, May 24 featured METALLICA's September 6, 2018 concert in Lincoln, Nebraska shot on the North American leg of the "WorldWired" tour, including a very rare performance of "The Unforgiven III".

The show premiered on YouTube and Facebook and can be viewed below.

And just like all of METALLICA's #MetallicaMondays shows last year, this one featured simultaneous fundraisers on both platforms for the All Within My Hands Month Of Giving benefitting Feeding America and Direct Relief.

Last August, METALLICA announced that it had raised more than $100,000 from its #MetallicaMondays streaming concert series for its All Within My Hands foundation.

METALLICA launched the free weekly series at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic as a way to provide "live" entertainment to their fans as the concert industry shut down. After more than five months of sharing full performances spanning the band's entire career — from 1983 through 2019 — METALLICA closed out the series in August with a 2017 show from Mexico City.

If you missed any of the shows or you would simply like to relive them, you can watch them on demand on METALLICA's YouTube channel.

METALLICA frontman James Hetfield revealed this past March that the band had written "over 10 songs" for the follow-up to 2016's "Hardwired… To Self-Destruct" album.

"Hardwired… To Self-Destruct" debuted at No. 1 on The Billboard 200 album chart, selling 291,000 copies in its first week of release.

Knotfest, the music and counterculture experience created by the multi-platinum sonic phenomenon and nine-piece force of nature SLIPKNOT has today confirmed the return of Knotfest Iowa for 2021. The event will be the biggest heavy music festival to ever hit the mid-western state and will be held at National Balloon Classic Field in Indianola, Iowa on Saturday, September 25, with SLIPKNOT headlining. The full lineup features FAITH NO MORE, MEGADETH, LAMB OF GOD, $UICIDE BOY$, GOJIRA, TRIVIUM, TECH N9NE, FEVER 333, KNOCKED LOOSE, TURNSTILE, GATECREEPER and VENDED.

Tickets will be available on pre-sale to Knotfest.com subscribers from 10 a.m. Central time on today (Tuesday, May 25), with a general on-sale from 10 a.m Central on June 4, over at KnotfestIowa.com.

The Iowan icons have also confirmed the exciting news that they returned to the studio last month to work on new music. The band will deliver updates soon.

With SLIPKNOT bringing their incendiary live experience home once more to their native Iowa, SLIPKNOT percussionist M. Shawn "Clown" Crahan says: "A home show is always insane, but a home Knotfest show will be on a whole other level. Prepare. See you soon for the new reality. Stay (sic)."

In related developments, SLIPKNOT's news and content web site, Knotfest.com is absorbing the band's Outside The 9 fan club and will now offer fans of both SLIPKNOT and heavy culture in general, the opportunity to gain access to a wealth of exclusive content and opportunities first. The behind-the-scenes footage showcasing the making of the band's next album will be accessible exclusively for fans who join the Knotfest community. Digital memberships for Knotfest.com start at $6 a month or $50 annually, with a free tier also available. Subscribers will get an array of exclusive access and bonuses including:

* Priority access to SLIPKNOT headline shows, Knotfest festivals, Knotfest Roadshow, Knotfest Presents shows, VIP experiences and additional major tours and festivals.

* Expanded exclusive content drops from SLIPKNOT and the biggest artists in the culture including performances, interviews, AMAs, meet-and-greets and more.

* Access to enhanced visual, audio, and editorial content from the Knotfest web site

* One-of-a-kind contests and giveaways involving your favorite artist

* Exclusive Knotfest forum

* Knotfest members-only private Discord channel

* Access to exclusive merchandise

* 10% off discount in the Knotfest online store

* First-drop access for merch collabs

Speaking to Rolling Stone, Crahan described Knotfest as "a dark carnival experience. It's not just the shows, but the environment created around it. It's all about having fun. A day dedicated to our mentality, our ideas, to the people we want to be with. I'm talking about smells, sights, hearing, your body, everything will be overloaded with stimulation."

Twenty-two years ago, nine inspired musicians from Des Moines, Iowa, shattered the scope of what was possible in rock music. From the moment SLIPKNOT emerged in 1999 with their self-titled debut, it was clear they were like nothing the world had seen before. Where a similarly creative act may have burned out or lost their relevance chasing mainstream acceptance, SLIPKNOT has only proven that an enduring commitment to constant evolution, their craft, and their fans can allow a rock band to not only continue — but flourish and push the envelope on what defines heavy metal and rock music in general. With "We Are Not Your Kind", SLIPKNOT's first new album in five years, the band delivered when they were needed most. Meanwhile, SLIPKNOT's annual Knotfest festival has evolved into the biggest hard rock and metal festival in the world, expanding to four continents. Over 550,000 fans have attended these massive festivals, which are as cultural as they are music-based, mixing heavy rock with hip hop, world music, visual art, experiential installations, and much more. Recorded music and live performances aside, SLIPKNOT has always permeated mainstream culture in ways that defy expectations. Recently, SLIPKNOT partnered with Amazon Studios' advertising campaign for their smash hit series "The Boys", and have launched SLIPKNOT No. 9 Whiskey in a partnership with Cedar Ridge Distillery (American Distilling Institute's "2017 Distiller Of The Year").

"We Are Not Your Kind" came out in August 2019. The disc sold 118,000 equivalent album units in the U.S. in its first week of release to land at position No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart. Furthermore, the album made an impact worldwide with No. 1 debuts in the United Kingdom, Mexico, Australia, Canada, Japan, Ireland, Belgium, Portugal and Finland, as well as Top 5 debuts in Germany, France, Norway, Italy, Austria, Sweden, Switzerland, The Netherlands, Poland, Spain and New Zealand.

"We Are Not Your Kind"'s sales in the U.S. were boosted by a concert ticket/album sale redemption offer with SLIPKNOT's summer 2019 tour.

MACHINE HEAD will release a new three-song single, "Arrows In Words From The Sky", on June 11. More information about the effort will be made available soon.

Two videos featuring behind-the-scenes footage from the making of one of the songs that are expected to appear on the EP, "Become The Firestorm", can be seen below. The track was recorded this past January at Sharkbite Studios in Oakland, California. Joining MACHINE HEAD frontman Robb Flynn and bassist Jared MacEachern during the sessions were drummer Navene Koperweiss (ENTHEOS, WHITECHAPEL, ANIMALS AS LEADERS) and producer Zack Ohren.

In November, MACHINE HEAD released a new single, "My Hands Are Empty", via Nuclear Blast. The song marked the first musical collaboration between Flynn and original "Burn My Eyes" guitarist Logan Mader in 24 years.

"My Hands Are Empty" was the latest in a line of singles to be released by MACHINE HEAD, which issued "Do Or Die" in October 2019, "Circle The Drain" in February, and the two-song digital single "Civil Unrest", consisting of "Stop The Bleeding" and "Bulletproof", in June. "Stop The Bleeding" featured guest vocals from KILLSWITCH ENGAGE frontman Jesse Leach, and was written and recorded just days after the murders of George Floyd and Ahmaud Arbery.

In July, MACHINE HEAD canceled its previously announced rescheduled 2020 tour dates for Europe and Australia due to the coronavirus pandemic which is sweeping the globe.

Each show on MACHINE HEAD's "Burn My Eyes" 25th-anniversary tour consisted of two parts: part one saw Flynn and MacEachern performing alongside new recruits, guitarist Wacław "Vogg" Kiełtyka (DECAPITATED) and British drummer Matt Alston (DEVILMENT, EASTERN FRONT); while part two featured "Burn My Eyes" played in its entirety for the first time ever, with original "Burn My Eyes"-era drummer Chris Kontos and Mader joining in.

Veteran Arizona thrashers FLOTSAM AND JETSAM will release their 14th album, "Blood In The Water", on June 4 via AFM Records. The official music video for the disc's third single, "Brace For Impact", can be seen below.

It's been 35 years since FLOTSAM AND JETSAM, formed in Phoenix, Arizona, released its landmark debut, "Doomsday For The Deceiver", the only album to ever receive a 6K rating from the influential British magazine Kerrang! Bassist Jason Newsted would jump ship to METALLICA while the band released "No Place for Disgrace" in 1988. "Cuatro" (1992), "Drift" (1995), "High" (1997) and "My God" (2001) all still rank extremely high in heavy metal circles. But it was the first part of this unofficial trilogy in 2016's self-titled "Flotsam And Jetsam", followed by the the crushing 2019 successor "The End Of Chaos" that a certain rejuvenation and reset was clearly felt. Fast forward to a planet that was forced to its knees: While spending most of the past year in a holding pattern like the rest of the world, FLOTSAM AND JETSAM made the best of a struggling situation and just let those creative juices and angst flow. What emerged was 12 brand new blistering tracks under the moniker "Blood In The Water".

"We really had a hell of a time figuring out which songs to actually include in this album, because we don't feel we had any fillers," says guitarist Steve Conley about the new songs, which clock in at nearly 55 minutes of thrashing glory.

Vocalist Eric "A.K." Knutson adds: "We've seen our fan base increasing, and we've seen the response to the last two albums getting louder and louder. We have some of the most committed and crazy fans in the world. We charted higher on our last album than at any point in our career. Maybe our career path will run similar to MOTÖRHEAD's, who, although was always considered iconic, didn't really break through in a big way until later in their career. We feel our time is now... We're like that dog that's been kicked...we're ready to break the door down and take what's ours."

And the FLOTSAM lineup has never been stronger. A.K. keeps bringing the magic every album and tour, and oddly seems to be getting better and better as time goes on. He's backed by the incredibly talented, exceptionally brilliant guitar duo of co-founder Michael Gilbert and Steve Conley, the powerful, precise and lightning-fast engine of drummer Ken Mary (whose Hall Of Fame resume includes over five million albums sold with artists such as ALICE COOPER, HOUSE OF LORDS and ACCEPT), and the "fresh blood" and extraordinary technical skills and prowess of bassist Bill Bodily.

"Blood In The Water" was once again mixed and mastered by Jacob Hansen (U.D.O., VOLBEAT, AMARANTHE, POWERWOLF) and sees FLOTSAM AND JETSAM exploding with creativity, moving forward but nodding to their past.

"Following up 'The End of Chaos' was no easy task," Gilbert said. "We weren't really sure what we had left in the tank, as we put so much work, sweat, and blood into that album. As it turns out, we had plenty left to say. With everything that's happened in the world, the friends we lost this last year, and not being able to perform or tour… you hear all of that in our music. It's angry, it's aggressive, and our emotions pour out all over this album."

The track listing for the effort is as follows:

01. Blood In The Water

02. Burn The Sky

03. Brace For Impact

04. A Place To Die

05. The Walls

06. Cry For The Dead

07. The Wicked Hour

08. Too Many Lives

09. Grey Dragon

10. Reaggression

11. Undone

12. Seven Seconds 'Til The End Of The World

FLOTSAM AND JETSAM is:

Eric "A.K." Knutson - Vocals

Steve Conley - Guitar

Michael Gilbert - Guitar

Bill Bodily - Bass

Ken K Mary - Drums

Red Fang have shared the tragic tale of Arnie Von Party, a pizza parlor mascot whose predilection for the company goods puts the fuzzy fiend in a world of hurt, via their new video for “Why”.

“Whoa!!! This video is JAM-PACKED with thrills, chills and spills. Our buddy Ansel Wallenfang, director of the music video/video game for our track, ‘Antidote,’ is back with a wild and hilarious, but also touching story about a special group of friends who play together as the in-house band for a casual pizza restaurant,” explains vocalist and bass player Aaron Beam. “Things get a lot darker than you might imagine. We hope it’s not too cheesy!”

Pre-orders for the album are available now, with Arrows available in a variety of formats, including standard versions of the LP, CD, cassette and digitally, as well as, a limited-edition liquid filled LP, deluxe CD (exclusive to Europe and Relapse.com), and two collectible bundles: LP with a limited Arrows blacklight poster and a Red Fang x Psycho Las Vegas limited-edition Texas Hold’em themed box set.

Dubbed the Fortune Hunter Gamblers Pack, the poker-themed package includes branded casino-quality playing cards, dice, collector's coin, custom boxing, and a card of authenticity (all featuring custom artwork by Ian Colazzo), as well as the LP, and t-shirt.

Physical pre-orders are available via Relapse’s webstore here, while digital downloads and streaming links can be found here.

Arrows album cover, artwork by Orion Landau.

Tracklisting:

"Take It Back"
"Unreal Estate"
"Arrows"
"My Disaster"
"Two High"
"Anodyne"
"Interop-Mod"
"Fonzi Scheme"
"Days Collide"
"Rabbits In Hive"
"Why"
"Dr. Owl"
"Funeral Coach"

"Why":

"Funeral Coach":

"Arrows" video:

Red Fang is:

Aaron Beam (bass/vocals/guitar/keyboards)
Bryan Giles (guitar/vocals),
John Sherman (drums)
David Sullivan (guitars)

(Photo - James Rexroad)




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According to Music-News.com, Ozzy Osbourne, Led Zeppelin members Robert Plant and Jimmy Page, and Queen guitarist Brian May are among those landing on The Sunday Times Rich List.

Paul McCartney tops the list with £820m, with Brian May landing at #13 with £210m. May's Queen bandmates also appear on the list, with Roger Taylor at #18 with £190m, and John Deacon at #22 with £155m.

Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne take the #23 spot with £150m, while Led Zeppelin's Jimmy Page sits at #25 with £142m, and Robert Plant at #30 Robert Plant with £117m.

Read more and view the full list at Music-News.com.




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Following yet more official appreciation, as acknowledged by the presentation of the German Record Critics’ Award, for their current album Genesis XIX (having garnered the prize once before with its predecessor Decision Day in 2016) and prior to their upcoming 40th band anniversary next year, Sodom have rarely been as energetic as in spring 2021.

Despite cancelled shows, despite the Covid-19 lockdown, despite the many imponderability's that these strange times bring about. In a phase when other bands appear to remain stuck in anguish, August 20 will see Tom Angelripper and band members Frank Blackfire (guitar), Yorck Segatz (guitar) and Toni Merkel (drums) release their brand-new Bombenhagel EP via Steamhammer/SPV, available on CD, 12” vinyl and for digital download.

“Originally we had planned to bring out the record in time for this year’s summer festival season, including a sticker with all confirmed tour dates. Of course, the way it looks at the moment, all festivals will be postponed until 2022. But the EP will be released anyway, as a sign of life. As a signal to our fans: We’re still around! The story continues,” explains Tom Angelripper.

Bombenhagel will be released on August 20 via SPV/Steamhammer in the following configurations:

- CD DigiPak
- 12" LP, 140 g, red vinyl, printed inner sleeve
- Download / Streaming
Pre-order here.

- 12" LP exclusive coloured editions only at the Napalm shop
Pre-order here.

- Exclusive CD/LP Bundle with a T-shirt only at the Steamhammer shop
Pre-order here.

Tracklisting:

"Bombenhagel"
"Coup De Grace"
"Pestiferous Posse"

(Photo - Monsterpics - Fotografien)




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DEEP PURPLE performed on the closing night of Switzerland's prestigious Montreux Jazz Festival on July 16, 2011, re-imagining their classic catalogue with the help of a symphony orchestra. A treasured memory for fans in attendance, this special show is now available for DEEP PURPLE fans around the world, when Mercury Studios reissues "Deep Purple Live At Montreux 2011", which will be available for the first time on DVD+2CD set, on July 16, 2021.

The show has been preserved via high definition for the DVD release, with the CDs featuring superb DTS Surround Sound, Dolby Digital 5.1 and Dolby Digital Stereo audio. Included on the DVD is a bonus in-depth band interview.

DEEP PURPLE classics, including "Highway Star", "Strange Kind Of Woman", "Lazy", "Perfect Strangers", "Hush", "Woman From Tokyo", "Black Night", "Smoke On The Water" and 11 other gems are performed with the dramatic flourish of the orchestra behind them, inspiring the band to new heights. Ian Gillan (vocals), Ian Paice (drums), Roger Glover (bass), Steve Morse (guitar) and Don Airey (keyboards) are noticeably delighted with the results, as directed by Stephen "BK" Bentley-Klein.

This 115-minute concert is representative of the kind of shows that DEEP PURPLE is known for. It's what their fans have come to expect. The orchestral tour proved the band capable of transcending genre limitations to create unforgettable, theatrically presented events. DEEP PURPLE fans globally will be thrilled by this extraordinary pairing of symphonic textures and the classic hard-rock.

SAMMY HAGAR & THE CIRCLE kicked off a five-date tour of Florida Sunday (May 23) at Key West, Florida's Coffee Butler Amphitheater. Fan-filmed video footage of the concert can be seen below.

Remaining shows:

May 25 - Orlando, FL @ Dr. Phillips Center

May 26 - Orlando, FL @ Dr. Phillips Center

Jun. 01 - St. Augustine, FL @ St. Augustine Amphitheater

Jun. 02 - St. Augustine, FL @ St. Augustine Amphitheater

Each venue is enforcing a social distancing policy, including the St. Augustine Amphitheatre concerts, which will have a limited capacity with distanced seating and enhanced safety measures. These changes include digital ticketing and mobile concession ordering.

This past January, Hagar told Radio.com that he was reluctant to play socially distant concerts, citing the example of a 10,000-capacity venue with 5,000 fans in the room.

"I just know that those 5,000 people are not going to stay in their seats and socially distance," he said. "The second we start getting it on and I start saying, 'Are we having any fun yet?' and holding the mic up in the air and [singing] 'Right Now', they're going to be at the front of the stage, all unsocially distanced. … It's going get criticized, or I'm going get sued or fined or something."

SAMMY HAGAR & THE CIRCLE released their massively popular "Lockdown Sessions" as an album collection titled "Lockdown 2020" on January 8.

"Lockdown Sessions" began in March 2020, when the COVID-19 shelter-at-home order went into effect. With time on their hands and their upcoming tour in limbo, the band's legendary drummer Jason Bonham challenged Hagar, Michael Anthony and Vic Johnson to record a warmup jam they'd been playing backstage before concerts for several years. Equipped with iPhones and their respective instruments, they each laid down their individual tracks from the den, music room, closet and even showers of their homes, and "Funky Feng Shui" and the band's "Lockdown Sessions" were born.

"When we first start doing these lockdown sessions, it was only meant to stay in touch with the fans until we could get back out on the road again," Hagar explained. "But as the weeks and months drew on, it also became a fun way to keep the band together, musically and creatively."

Over the next eight months, their "Lockdown Sessions" became a hit with critics and fans alike, producing 10 tracks and reaching an online audience approaching 30 million. The sessions gave the band the opportunity to throw down raw and raucous compact covers of classic hits that they'd jammed to backstage but never planned to record, including THE WHO's "Won't Get Fooled Again", Bob Marley's "Three Little Birds", AC/DC's "Whole Lotta Rosie" and more. When plans for an album came to fruition around the holidays, the band came together to record one more track, a cover of David Bowie's "Heroes" which they'd offer as an instant download or single purchase.

"With the addition of 'Heroes', it made sense to help those who are struggling from the effects of COVID-19," Hagar said. "It probably wouldn't have happened without it."

QUEENSRŸCHE guitarist Parker Lundgren was absent from the band's concert this past Friday (May 21) at the Chiefs Event Center at Shoshone-Bannock Casino in Fort Hall, Idaho. Filling in for him was Mike Stone, who joined QUEENSRŸCHE for the 2003 album "Tribe" and stayed with the band for six years. Mike was eventually replaced by Lundgren, a former member of original QUEENSRŸCHE singer Geoff Tate's solo group who was also briefly married to Geoff's stepdaughter Miranda.

In 2017, Lundgren, who joined QUEENSRŸCHE in 2009, opened his own guitar shop called Diablo Guitars in the Seattle area.

After Friday's concert, QUEENSRŸCHE's other guitarist, Michael Wilton, took to his Instagram to write: "Our 1st show in 15 months at the SOLD OUT Fort Hall Casino, Idaho and it ROCKED ? #queensryche #1stshowin15months #soldout #forthallidaho #michaelwilton #whip #rychersrule #greattime #greatfans #wemissedperforming #beenalongtimecoming".

Lundgren previously sat out some of QUEENSRŸCHE's U.S. shows in September 2018 when the band was on tour as the support act for SCORPIONS.

Wilton and bassist Eddie Jackson are the sole remaining original members of QUEENSRŸCHE, which split with Tate in 2012 and replaced him with ex-CRIMSON GLORY frontman Todd La Torre.

QUEENSRŸCHE has released three albums thus far with La Torre — 2013's "Queensrÿche", 2015's "Condition Hüman" and 2019's "The Verdict".

In April 2014, Tate and QUEENSRŸCHE announced that a settlement had been reached after a nearly two-year legal battle where the singer sued over the rights to the QUEENSRŸCHE name. Original QUEENSRŸCHE members Wilton, Jackson and Scott Rockenfield (drums) responded with a countersuit. The settlement included an agreement that Wilton, Rockenfield and Jackson would continue as QUEENSRŸCHE, while Tate would have the sole right to perform the albums "Operation: Mindcrime" and "Operation: Mindcrime II" in their entirety live.

Rockenfield hasn't performed with QUEENSRŸCHE in more than four years. The band has used former KAMELOT drummer Casey Grillo for touring purposes since April 2017.

The drum tracks on "The Verdict" were laid down by La Torre.


























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Z2 Comics further cements their place as the leading publisher of music-inspired graphic novels across all genres with the announcement of this summer's "Alter Bridge: Tour Of Horrors" In the grand tradition of comic horror anthologies like "Tales From the Crypt", "Creepy" and "Vault Of Horror", Marvel Comics writer Emily Ryan Lerner and a cast of top artists take fans on a fun-filled ride of thrills and chills.

The "Alter Bridge: Tour Of Horrors" graphic novel comes in at 120 pages and will be released in a standard hardcover edition in comic shops and bookstores alike in November 2021, as well special deluxe, super deluxe edition, and super-duper deluxe editions available for preorder now only through the Z2 web site, which will include a special exclusive first-time vinyl edition of the band's 2004 debut, "One Day Remains", in a strictly limited edition of 3,000 copies across three premium editions.

ALTER BRIDGE says in a statement: "After 17 years making music and touring the world, there aren't many opportunities for a rock band to do something they've never done before. After partnering with Josh and the whole Z2 staff to create 'Alter Bridge: Tour Of Horrors', we can now check create a horror comic off our bucket list. We can't wait for people to read this original story we came up with. It is equally exciting we are finally getting to release 'One Day Remains' on vinyl thanks to this incredible partnership."

When one of ALTER BRIDGE's roadies goes missing, they find a ghoulish replacement! And what better way to pass the time between gigs than with four terrifying tales that are sure to keep you up all night! Join ALTER BRIDGE, writer Emily Ryan Lerner (Marvel, HBO) and more for a spine-tingling ride through the supernatural!!!

Publisher Josh Frankel says: "'Alter Bridge: Tour Of Horrors' is another testament to our commitment to the vision of the artist. While some of our releases are directly tied to the storylines of the albums themselves, our mission is simply to provide a home for these musicians to expose their fans to a whole new side of their artistic palette, uninhibited by their previous musical work or otherwise. This book is guaranteed to please both fans of the classic horror anthology and ALTER BRIDGE fans seeking something new."

Frontiers Music Srl has announced the signing of a new AOR band from Norway, Zelbo to the label for a multi-album deal. Musically the band plays an excellent and varied AOR style, which draws influences from the giants of the scene and adds a healthy dose of Scandinavian influences (especially DaVinci of course, but also Stage Dolls, Europe, and Treat). 

"We are very excited to sign with a great record company like Frontiers Music,” says band mastermind Dag Selboskar. "We’re really proud to be a part of their AOR family”.

Zelbo was put together in 2018 by keyboard player Dag Selboskar (DaVinci, Street Legal) together with guitarist Ken Ingwersen (Wonderworld, Ken Hensley, ex-Street Legal). The two then completed the band's lineup with young rising vocal star Frode Vassel from Bergen, NO (who recently appeared on the TV show The Voice Norway) and the brilliant Sturla Nøstvik on drums.

The band is currently working on the post production of their debut album and the label tentatively plans to release it in the fall/winter of 2021.




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Diversion Podcasts, a division of Diversion Media, has released the latest episode of "Backstaged: The Devil In Metal". Hosted by bestselling author and music journalist, Jon Wiederhorn, this 12-episode podcast offers a one-of-a-kind journey through the history and culture of heavy metal. The podcast explores elements of darkness and extremism in the music and, examines how a generation of rebellious rockers took the phrase "sex, drugs and rock n' roll" to an entirely new level.

In this week's episode, Wiederhorn dives into the origins of BLACK SABBATH and the unique backstory of lead guitarist Tony Iommi. During the episode, Tony shares the highs and lows of his journey to becoming a metal legend, including the near career-ending injury that actually added to SABBATH's dark, demonic sound.

Later in the episode, hear from BLACK SABBATH lead vocalist Ozzy Osbourne as he recounts the early blues influence of the band which included a saxophone and a slide guitar player. Also featured in the episode, PANTERA vocalist Philip Anselmo and ANTHRAX guitarist Scott Ian praise the band for their fearless sound and explain how Iommi and BLACK SABBATH laid the foundation for every riff written in metal.

Speaking about his brief stint with JETHRO TULL in December 1968 after leaving EARTH, his pre-BLACK SABBATH band with Osbourne, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward, Iommi said: "I felt really weird not being with the other guys. I really missed them. But the thing was I felt a bit out of place 'cause I was joining basically an established band and I wanted to be a part of an established band; I wanted to be able to earn my own dues, if you like. I didn't wanna join a band that was already doing well and I was just gonna be the guitar player. I wanted to be in a band where you all worked together and you are a band. I didn't wanna be the guitar player in JETHRO TULL and like a side musician; I wanted to be a part of a team. So I said to Geezer, 'Let's get the band back together,' which is what we did. We called Ozzy and Bill from London, and we said we're coming back. 'If everybody's really serious about this, I'm willing to leave and we'll get back together again and really work at it. And that's what everybody suggests.' So that's what we did."

"Backstaged: The Devil In Metal" is a production of Diversion Podcasts with iHeartRadio. New episodes can be found each Friday on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and wherever you find your favorite podcasts.

Wiederhorn is a seasoned music journalist, having written about rock and metal for more than 30 years. He is the author of "Raising Hell: Backstage Tales From The Lives Of Metal Legends" and the celebrated classic "Louder Than Hell: The Definitive Oral History Of Metal" (with Katherine Turman). Wiederhorn is a former editor at Rolling Stone, a former writer for MTV News and the co-author of "I'm the Man: The Story Of That Guy From Anthrax" (with Scott Ian), "Ministry: The Lost Gospels According To Al Jourgensen" (with Al Jourgensen), and "My Riot: Agnostic Front, Grit, Guts & Glory" (with Roger Miret) and He has also written for Rolling Stone, SPIN, MTV, Guitar World and Revolver, among others.

During a recent appearance on the "Next Level Soul" podcast with Alex Ferrari, IRON MAIDEN singer Bruce Dickinson, a true polymath whose accomplishments include pilot and airline captain, aviation entrepreneur, beer brewer, motivational speaker, film scriptwriter, twice-published novelist and Sunday Times best-selling author, radio presenter, TV actor, sports commentator and international fencer, was asked what drives him to excel in a wide variety of pursuits away from his main job. He responded (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "I'm just curious about how they work. And the only way to find out how something really works is to internalize it. And by internalize it, what I mean is it's very easy to be superficial about something. [It's] not a bad thing being superficial — it's just, like, I take an interest in blah, and I do it for one day a week for an hour and a half. And I'll never really be any good at it, 'cause you can't be any good at it if that's all you do. It's my hobby and then I'll give it up and find another hobby and blah blah blah. And that's great, but that pisses me off. I mean, me. Other people — fine; I'm not gonna condemn other people for doing what they do. But it seems to me to be pointless to invest your time in things at which you are not really passionate about. So the alternative is to be passionate about everything you do in some way. Which means that you end up having to make commitments, because that passion means there's a constant thirst to want to know more."

He continued: "What makes this beast tick? What is it really like to be in… For example, when I learned to fly. Lots of musicians learn to fly; lots of actors learn to fly. And then I thought it would be really nice to go and fly myself around to some gigs. Then it becomes more complicated, because you've gotta actually get there, and depending on the weather, you've gotta have more qualifications and blah blah blah… And then finally I got to the point where I thought there's so much more to learn here, the only way to learn, to dig really deep is to get a job and actually be a professional pilot. And not being John Travolta and being unable to afford to buy my own jet, I thought I've gotta get a job and fly someone else's. So, believe it or not, that's what happened via a series of chance and happenstance. Much the same way that I ended up getting the job in IRON MAIDEN is actually how I ended up getting the job in an airline."

Dickinson, who turned 62 last August, joined IRON MAIDEN in 1981, replacing Paul Di'Anno, and made his recording debut with the band on the 1982 album "The Number Of The Beast". He quit the band in 1993, pursuing several solo projects, and rejoined in 1999.

As previously reported, Bruce is teaming up with filmmaker Sacha Gervasi ("Anvil: The Story Of Anvil!" ) to co-write a narrative screenplay about the legendary concert Dickinson played with his solo band during the wartime siege in Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Dickinson and his band came to Sarajevo with the help of UN troops in 1994 and held a concert at the Bosnian Cultural Centre. At the time, the city was cut off from the world, its citizens brutally terrorized by shooting, bombing and starvation with electricity and water supply being nothing short of a luxury. Bruce and his then-solo band drove through the frontlines and ultimately played a show for the people trapped in the city. What this gig meant to the people and how it changed Bruce and his band is told in the 2016 documentary "Scream For Me Sarajevo".

"Scream For Me Sarajevo" was released in 2018 on DVD, Blu-ray and digital via Eagle Vision. In addition, the music from the film was issued on CD/double LP via BMG.

In a new interview with RockSverige, Wolfgang Van Halen was asked if he is into bands like GOJIRA or MASTODON. He said: "Oh, yeah. I love GOJIRA. And I'm crazy about MESHUGGAH. PERIPHERY, I'm friends with those guys and they're a phenomenal band."

Wolfgang, who played all instruments on the upcoming debut album from his MAMMOTH WVH project, was also asked if he can work out the MESHUGGAH song "Bleed" on drums. "Oh, yeah. I can play it," he said. "As a drummer, MESHUGGAH is just like my favorite because it's like a math problem, as a song. As a drummer, it's really fun to figure out the polyrhythmic stuff going on in each song. It's a treat, and I love it."

Van Halen went on to confirm that he has seen the popular YouTube clip of MESHUGGAH's lighting guy at work during a 2012 show in Paris. "Yeah, it's amazing," Wolfgang said. "They've got a wonderful dude."

MAMMOTH WVH's self-titled debut album will be released on June 11 via Explorer1 Music Group/EX1 Records.

Wolfgang joined his father Eddie Van Halen in VAN HALEN for the band's 2007 reunion tour with singer David Lee Roth, replacing Michael Anthony.

In November, Wolfgang confirmed that he asked his father for permission to use the MAMMOTH WVH band name for his solo project. MAMMOTH WVH is a nod to family history — Eddie and Alex Van Halen's band was called MAMMOTH when Roth first joined it in 1974.

MAMMOTH WVH's touring lineup will feature Wolfgang on guitar and lead vocals, Frank Sidoris (SLASH FEATURING MYLES KENNEDY AND THE CONSPIRATORS) on guitar, Garrett Whitlock (TREMONTI) on drums, and Ronnie Ficarro on b

During an appearance on episode 12 of "Tour Talk", ANTHRAX drummer Charlie Benante spoke about the importance of treating opening bands with respect.

"I think a lot of times bands who come into this world, into this business, and they think that it's gonna be this and it's gonna be that," he said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET). "And then they go on tour with a band, and then that band doesn't cater to their every need. Look, sometimes this is how it is on a tour. I mean, we've been on tour opening for bands that, shit, our gear went up there five minutes before doors are opening. So, basically, your whole set is a fucking soundcheck. And then by the time you get to the last song, yeah, you sound good now. And then, of course, you get those people afterwards who come and say, 'Oh, God. You guys sounded like shit.' And it's, like, 'Ah, man.' And, again, sometimes bands that are on tour with us, sometimes they don't get to have a soundcheck because of the show, the day, just everything ran late and you didn't have it. But for the most part, we'll give a band as much time as we can possibly give them to get it together, to get a good sound. 'Cause we don't want them to sound like shit either. It's a whole thing that people are coming to see, so if the opening band sounds like shit, it kind of sets it off in not a good tone."

Benante also offered a piece of advice to up-and-coming hard rock and heavy metal bands looking to break into the music industry. "I would say go out in a van or something like that with the band — and, of course, some crew too," he said. "By the time that tour is done, you're gonna know who is going to make it in the band and who is not gonna make it. And we found that out too. So it's a good learning experience."

Benante's covers album, "Silver Linings", was released on May 14 via Megaforce Records. The 14-track effort features an all-star cast of "who's who" in the thrash, metal, and rock worlds, with all cuts culled from Benante's acclaimed "quarantine jam" video series.

ANTHRAX is celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2021 with a number of special activities and events. Formed by guitarist Scott Ian and bassist Dan Lilker in Queens, New York on July 18, 1981, ANTHRAX was one of the first thrash metal bands to emerge from the East Coast and quickly became regarded as a leader in the genre alongside METALLICA, SLAYER and MEGADETH.

Active over the past five decades, ANTHRAX has released 11 studio albums, been awarded multiple gold and platinum certifications, received six Grammy nominations, toured the world since 1984 playing thousands of shows, including headlining Madison Square Garden and playing Yankee Stadium with the "Big Four".

French president Emmanuel Macron attended a private concert by the "parody metal" band ULTRA VOMIT in the gardens of his Elysee presidential palace as part of a YouTube video by two comedians.

According to Reuters, Macron challenged two popular French YouTube comedians, McFly and Carlito, who have over six million subscribers on YouTube, to make a video about the need to wear masks, disinfect hands and keep a safe distance to slow the spread of the coronavirus. As an incentive, he promised they could film their next project in his Elysee palace if the video hit 10 million views.

McFly and Carlito won the bet and were allowed to shoot a 36-minute video, which ends with a stroll in the Elysee gardens, where ULTRA VOMIT performs a hard rock version of the French lullaby "A Green Mouse" ("Une Souris Verte"). Check out the clip below.

Hailing from Nantes, France, ULTRA VOMIT has recorded a few demos and three albums, "M. Patate" (2004), "Objectif: Thunes" (2008) and "Panzer Surprise!" (2017). Their style and lyrics are described as "totally crazy," generally inspired by cartoons or TV commercials. They have also made new versions of famous French children's songs like the aforementioned "Une Souris Verte" and "Bouba The Little Bear".

The At The Movies project - launched by Pretty Maids guitarist Chris Laney due to the COVID-19 pandemic - caught fire over the course of 2020, and project has now moved on to movie soundtrack covers from the '90s. Check out their take on the Backstreet Boys hit "I Want It That Way".

"OMG... we are down to the last song of the '90s! 23 songs in 13 months. Not bad, right?! We leave the 90's with Backstreet Boys’ smash hit 'I Want It That Way' (Max Martin, Andreas Carlsson) from the 1999 movie Drive Me Crazy. Now we take a small break, but we will be back, that's a promise!!"

The core At The Movies players are:

Björn "Speed" Strid (Soilwork) - lead / backing vocals
Linnéa Vikström Egg (Therion) - lead / backing vocals
Chris Laney (Pretty Maids) - guitars
Allan Sørensen (Royal Hunt, Pretty Maids) - drums
Morten Sandager (Pretty Maids) - keyboards
Pontus Norgren (HammerFall) - guitars
Pontus Egberg (King Diamond) - bass

Stay tuned for more.




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Cyhra / Red Wolf guitarist Euge Valovirta has checked in with the following update:

"The first single, 'The Bad Boy', from my forthcoming second solo album, Shooting From The Hip, (release date June 30th) is out now. Available on all major streaming & downloading platforms. And don't forget to pre-save the full album. The link will have more stores in the future than the ones it now has."

Pre-save the new album here.

Cyhra recently checked in with the following update:

"We are extremely happy and excited to announce that we are joining forces with our friends in Twilight Force touring Europe and the UK! Sadly, our 2020 No Halos In Hell Tour abruptly ended due to the Covid-19 pandemic. To finally announce that we are going back on the road again, feels almost  somewhat surreal.

Honestly, the happiness we are feeling about this upcoming tour is overwhelming! We can't wait to meet all the fans that have been away from live music just as long as us! Hope to see you all then!"

Loaded with melodic vocal hooks and heavy yet dynamic guitars that stay nailed to the brain for days, Cyhra's No Halos In Hell album proves Jake E (ex-Amaranthe), Jesper Strömblad (ex-In Flames), Euge Valovirta (ex-Shining) and Alex Landenburg (Kamelot) are a band ready to take the world by storm.

No Halos In Hell is available as 2 CD digipak, black vinyl or download. The bonus CD included in the limited digipak includes six additional songs, three of them being exclusive acoustic versions. You can order the format of your choice here.

Tracklisting:

"Out Of My Life"
"No Halos In Hell"
"Battle From Within"
"I Am The One"
"Bye Bye Forever"
"Dreams Gone Wrong"
"Lost In Time"
"Kings Tonight"
"I Had Your Back"
"Blood Brothers"
"Hit Me"
"Man Of Eternal Rain"

"Dreams Gone Wrong" video:

"Out Of My Life" video:

"Battle From Within" lyric video:

Album cover photo by Paulsensfoto




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