Finland's Tuomas Kauppinen, who works under the moniker Nobody, has released a new single, "Bathory". The track is taken from the upcoming second album, Eternal Infernal, which is set to be released on May 21st via Inverse Records. The new album takes his music to a new territory, including elements of world music as well as traditional instruments. While black metal influences are not so overtly heard, the album retains a dark undertome as it travels through time from ancient Rome to the present day.  

Kauppinen comments: "In the depths of a Romanian castle lies its former queen, Elizabeth Bathory. She is forever trapped inside four tightly sealed walls. Her quest for eternal youth sealed her destiny. Bathing in the blood of hundreds of young girls under the belief that this would give her what she wanted, she invoked the fury of a great mage. The horror she inflicted gave the mage power to confront her and inspire others to stand up to her. To this day her cries can be heard in the castle but no one knows where exactly she is buried." 

Tracklist:

"Children of Pompeii"
"Blackbeard"
"Bathory"
"Nero"
"In the Arms of North II"
"The Question"
"Owl Demon"
"Parasite"
"Sexhex"

"Bathory"

Line-up:

Tuomas Kauppinen - vocals, acoustic guitar, electric bass, accordion, congas, electric guitar, contra bass, keyboard, djembe & triangle 




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Seven Spires vocalist Adrienne Cowan, who also works with Avantasia, has posted her metal arrangement of "Hoist The Colours" from Gore Verbinski’s Pirates Of The Caribbean: At World’s End” 

Adrienne: "Inspired by Insomnium, Death Came Through A Phantom Ship-era Carach Angren, Labyrinth-era Fleshgod Apocalypse, Silverthorn-era Kamelot, and of course, Hans Zimmer himself. 

David is my clean vocals teacher, and Jon is a friend from ProgPower - and the singer of Jack’s other band, Threads Of Fate! It was a real treat to arrange this for the three of us and all the different colours in everyone’s voices. Bringing in the 'He’s a Pirate', 'Davy Jones', 'One Day', 'Singapore', and other themes was also so much fun. This score has been a huge influence on my writing and arrangement style, even since I was a kid.

I love Pirates Of The Caribbean, I love my friends, I love metal… it was bound to happen at some point, haha. Plus, I played so much Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag lately, and the sea shanties put the idea in my head. So here we are. 

Mr. Zimmer, Mr. Verbinski, Mr. Elliott, Mr. Rossio, this was done with all the love and admiration in the world. Thank you for the soundtrack to my childhood!"

Arrangement by Adrienne Cowan
Vocals by David Äkesson, Adrienne Cowan, and Jon Pyres
Bass by Peter de Reyna
Guitars by Jack Kosto




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The clip below is a playthrough of Korn's "You'll Never Find Me" by Korn / KXM drummer Ray Luzier, courtesy of Sweetwater. The song is taken from Korn's 2019 album, The Nothing.

The clip below features Dug Pinnick (vocals / King's X), Ray Luzier (drums / Korn), Phil X (guitars / Bon Jovi), Billy Sheehan (bass / Sons Of Apollo), and Doug Aldrich (guitars / The Dead Daisies) covering the Thin Lizzy classic "Jailbreak". The video was made as part of the David Z Foundation All-Star Fundraiser on Sunday March 7th, 2021.  

The David Z Foundation fundraiser featured guest appearances and performances by Steve Stevens (Billy Idol), Ray Luzier (Korn), Jeff Scott Soto (Sons Of Apollo), Dave Ellefson (Megadeth), Doug Aldrich (The Dead Daisies), Gilby Clarke (Guns N’ Roses), Billy Sheehan (Mr. Big), Charlie Benante (Anthrax), Eric Singer (KISS), Russell Allen (TSO), Chuck Billy (Testament), Alex Skolnick (Testament), Robert Mason (Warrant), Jennifer Batten (Michael Jackson), Dug Pinnick (King’s X), Rudy Sarzo (Whitesnake), Phil Demmel (Vio-lence), James LoMenzo (John Fogerty), Debby Holiday, Chuck Wright (Quiet Riot), Johnny Kelly (Type O Negative), Jen Cella (TSO), Ira Black (Of Gods & Monsters), Matt Starr (Mr. Big), Phil X (Bon Jovi), Kat Dyson (Prince), the band Buckcherry, the band Candlebox and many more.

About the David Z Foundation:

The David Z Foundation is a non-profit organization created in memory of David Zablidowsky & dedicated to transforming lives through the magic of music.

Our goal is to nurture that creative musical spark that a child has and help turn it into a sustainable reality. We are currently running original music programming nationwide, including private instruction, rock band, songwriting, production, and music business. In addition, we prepare kids for the music world by pairing them up with professionals in the field and showcasing their creativity through the various events we produce. Our focus is on providing these services to those who need it most. We are also working on innovative ways to address the staggering issue of youth mental health through initiatives such as the Music Mentor Songwriting program. We also offer scholarships through partnerships with music schools such as School Of Rock, Brooklyn College, and various other local organizations around the country.

David Zablidowsky, better known as “David Z.” tragically died in a roadside accident in 2017 while on tour with Adrenaline Mob. David Z was an incredible musician with an accomplished and celebrated career. He performed on stages all over the world, gaining recognition for his extraordinary ability on the bass guitar. He was best known for the bands ZO2, The Trans-Siberian Orchestra (TSO), and Adrenaline Mob. David Zablidowsky was active in developing young people through music. To continue his legacy, the David Z Scholarship Fund has been created to offer education  and financial need to young aspiring musicians.




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Drummer/vocalist Deen Castronovo, who recently stepped away from The Dead Daisies while preparing for back surgery, has issued the following update:

"Hey everyone! I am so happy to announce that Frontiers and I have made amends, and are moving forward with some amazing new albums like Gioeli/Castronovo, Revolution Saints and more!! I couldn’t be happier and more grateful for this renewal of our relationship. Serafino (label boss) supported his belief in me not only as a drummer, but as a lead singer many years ago. Revolution Saints gives me that platform, and I’m excited to share my voice with the world. Stay tuned for updates and more exciting news as we bring all of this to new life."

Castronovo issued the following official statement upon his departure from The Dead Daisies:

"As some of you may have heard, I have officially left The Dead Daisies. My decision to leave was not an easy one as I have great respect for my former band members and a tremendous amount of love and appreciation for all the fans who supported us. This decision will ultimately give me time to spend with my family after touring extensively and schedule a minor back surgery to ensure that I am able get back on the road playing music and doing what I love! Rest assured I will be back and playing soon! I love you all. Stay healthy, stay safe and look for great things to come in the future! Stay tuned!"

In January 2020, Revolution Saints - Deen Castronovo (ex-Journey, Bad English), Doug Aldrich (The Dead Daisies, ex-Whitesnake, Duo), Jack Blades (Night Ranger, Damn Yankees) - released their third album, Rise. Details and tracks are available below.

Tracklisting:

"When The Heartache Has Gone"
"Price To Pay"
"Rise"
"Coming Home"
"Closer"
"Higher"
"Talk To Me"
"It's Not The End (It's Just The Beginning)"
"Million Miles"
"Win Or Lose"
"Eyes Of A Child"

"Coming Home" lyric video:

"Talk To Me" video:

"Price To Pay" video:

"Closer" lyric video:

"When The Heartache Has Gone" video:

Lineup:

Deen Castronovo: lead vocals, drums
Jack Blades: bass, vocals
Doug Aldrich: guitars

Featuring:

Alessandro Del Vecchio: keyboards, backing vocals
Lunakaire: guest vocals on “Talk to Me"




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Suzi Quatro has released an album teaser video for her new record, The Devil In Me, out tomorrow, Friday, March 26, via SPV. Below is the list of international chart entries for the first week of release.

Suzi Quatro announces proudly: “The Devil In Me is the best album in my career to date!” 

Suzi’s enthusiasm for her latest offering has many reasons, twelve of them to be precise. Because The Devil In Me consists of exactly a dozen songs, each of them – from the opening track and title song to the final "Motor City Riders" – a real highlight.

The reasons for Suzi’s remarkable creative explosion: on the one hand the lockdown, which kept her from her usual touring life in spring 2020, and on the other another collaboration with her son Richard Tuckey, which had already worked out extremely well on her predecessor album No Control.

Suzi: “Starting spring 2020, almost one hundred of my shows were cancelled and Richard would also have been on tour with his band had not all concerts been cancelled or postponed. So I said to him: ‘We should make the most of our free time, write new material and allow ourselves to be inspired by the things that are currently going on in the world.’ I already knew that Richard and I make a brilliant team, after all No Control had been a major success and a very special recording for us. Although I would never have thought that we’d be able to surpass it. But everybody who’s heard The Devil In Me and all the people who had worked on the previous album have told us: ‘This album is even stronger!’”

Tracklisting:

"The Devil In Me"
"Hey Queenie"
"Betty Who?"
"You Can‘t Dream It"
"My Heart And Soul"
"Get Outta Jail"
"Do Ya Dance"
"Isolation Blues"
"I Sold My Soul Today"
"Love‘s Gone Bad"
"In The Dark"
"Motor City Riders"

Album teaser:

"The Devil In Me" video:

"I Sold My Soul Today" video:




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"I loved hearing Brian and Kerry’s re-imagining of 'Panic Attack' to signal hopeful, re-connected days ahead. In such a dispiriting and heart-breaking time, I didn’t realize how badly I needed this re-assurance from two of my favorite artists. It’s going to be all right!," says Bob Whitehill.

 The original video can be viewed below.

"Panic Attack 2021" is a bold reimagining of 2017’s Ellis/May classic "It's Gonna Be All Right (The Panic Attack Song)" written from a personal standpoint by Queen guitarist Brian May long before the world buckled under the heel of COVID-19, and originally featured on the duo’s Golden Days album. 

Sharing how the new version came about, Brian said: “At the close of 2020 there was a feeling that perhaps saying goodbye to that year would bring relief from the pandemic and a new era of hope would now begin. Sadly, following a very muted and restricted celebration of Christmas, the New Year dawned with the realisation that mankind’s struggle was probably going to get worse before it got better. Kerry and I realised that 'The Panic Attack' song now potentially had a whole new meaning to literally millions of people around the world who felt a growing sense of panic. In the UK, there was definitely a feeling that we had all been cheated of our Happy New Year. So we wanted to mark the occasion in a completely real and transparent way.”

With Brian hurriedly rewriting the lyrics with a new inspiration, a work-in progress version of "Panic Attack 21" was first aired via the pair’s ambitious live link-up on Instagram for New Year’s Eve. “We knew it had to be a train wreck because the delays in this link situation make it impossible for two players at opposite ends of it to be synchronised. Nevertheless we went for it - out of sheer stubbornness really - because we wanted to mark the occasion in a completely real and transparent way.” 

While technical difficulties did their worst, the performance’s honesty shone through and the sentiment chimed with fans across the world. Buoyed by the messages of approval, Brian and Kerry decided at that point to re-create the track properly with a new studio incarnation of the song.  

Of course, with Britain now headed back into another lockdown, getting back into the studio to remake the track was impossible for many weeks. Brian finished the new lyrics and Kerry stepped up to create a new vocal performance recording on the only equipment she had – a microphone hooked up to Garage Band on her laptop in her home kitchen!   

By e-mailed updates and Zoom discussions, the pair created a new "Panic Attack" vocal track, while assembling ideas for a new mix and groundbreaking video. Driving the whole project was a desire to create something that would actually rekindle some hope, reminding listeners that in spite of endless wrong turns – and in the words of the song - things were, somehow going to be all right!

Finally, after wrestling further with home recording, restrictions were relaxed to the point where Brian and Kerry were able to meet for a couple of days socially distanced work in Brian’s studio.  Long-time Queen and BM engineer and co-producer Justin Shirley Smith - himself newly recovered from COVID - worked alongside Brian on extensive new guitar work, including a wild new solo, and a dynamic mix.  In a few days, again swapping ideas with Kerry through digital media, the new track was finished.  

“I am beyond excited to kick off this year with a song full of hope,” says Kerry. “Putting 'Panic Attack 2021' together during a lockdown has had its challenges, but that has also been the beauty of it. Music is so powerful and it’s amazing what you can still create with so many restrictions. I hope this song and video gives people as much hope and joy as it did for me and Brian making it. We have all had quite a tough year but remember: ‘it’s gonna be all right!’”

 




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The Brian Johnson TV YouTube channel has uploaded two TV performances from Brian Johnson's pre-AC/DC band GEORDIE. The first is of GEORDIE playing its U.K. Top 10 hit "All Because Of You" in 1973 while promoting its debut album, "Hope You Like It", which came out in March of that year via EMI. The second is a live GEORDIE performance of "Goodbye Love" on "Pop '75", a music program that aired in West Germany from 1974 to 1979 and originally broadcast on the SWR and HR networks.

This past February, AC/DC guitarist Angus Young told 95.5 KLOS's "New & Approved" series about how late AC/DC singer Bon Scott first met Johnson in the early 1970s. "Bon had been in a band that had toured in Britain, and they were opening for the band Brian was in, which was a band called GEORDIE," Angus said. "Anyhow, they were gigging away, and as Bon told the story, he was saying he was listening to GEORDIE performing and listening to Brian, and then he heard this screaming. He said it sounded great — he said it sounded like Little Richard was on the stage. He said this guy [was] howling and yelling. And then he said then he saw the guy on the floor. Bon thought it was great — it was the best act he had seen, and a singer, in a long time. But what he didn't know, afterwards he found out, Brian had an attack of appendicitis. But Bon thought it was part of the act. He thought, 'This guy is incredible.' 'And he was still hittin' these high notes.'"

Brian previously spoke about crossing paths with Bon in a 2011 interview with New York Post. He said: "I met Bon in 1973 or 1974. His band was supporting my band, GEORDIE. I had a terrible case of appendicitis and I went down on my side, kicking and going, 'Ooh!' But I kept on singing. Apparently, he told the boys when he joined AC/DC, 'I saw this guy Brian Johnson sing, and he was great. He was on the floor, kicking and screaming — what an act!' Of course, it wasn't an act. I was really ill."

On July 25, 1980, AC/DC released "Back In Black" in the U.S., followed by the album's U.K. release on July 31. It was the band's first album without Scott, who had died a few months earlier after passing out and choking on his own vomit following a long night of drinking.

The group quickly decided to press on and hired Johnson from the band GEORDIE to take over on vocals, and they headed to the Bahamas for about six weeks to do the album. AC/DC had made some serious headway in America before Scott's death, but no one knew how "Back In Black" would be received.

"Back in Black" first went platinum in October 1980. The RIAA lists "Back In Black" as the fourth biggest-selling album of all time.

"Back In Black" included the singles "You Shook Me All Night Long", which peaked at No. 35 on the Billboard Hot 100, and "Back In Black", which peaked at No. 37.

Despite its massive success, it never got higher than No. 4 on the album charts. The band's next album, "For Those About To Rock", reached No. 1.

"Back In Black" was produced by Robert "Mutt" Lange, who went on to produce DEF LEPPARD, FOREIGNER, THE CARS, and BRYAN ADAMS.

In 2012, "Back In Black" was added to The Recording Academy's legendary Grammy Hall Of Fame collection.

Last year, AC/DC launched a range of new merchandise to celebrate the 40th anniversary of "Back In Black".

#Repost @erikgronwall

It’s time to let this one out in the open. I will try to make a long story as short as possible. ⠀⠀
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I am currently spending day 22 at the hospital in Sweden. About a month ago I was full of energy, capable of doing everything I normally do, business as usual.⠀⠀
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But then it appeared from nowhere. I started feeling exhausted, I had no energy to perform the simplest tasks and it was like I had run a marathon when I was just literally walking my dog for five minutes. Something wasn’t right. So I took a few blood tests and... fast forward... now it’s the third week of my treatment against acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL). ⠀⠀
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In medical terms this means that my bone marrow generates immature blood cells, rather than mature ones.⠀⠀
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Now. First and foremost. I am extremely privileged and grateful to live at a day and age where a disease like this is curable. There’s been so much progress made in this field. My body is reacting well to the treatment but it’s a long treatment and it’s going to be the toughest challenge of my life so far, for me and my family. Mentally and physically. ⠀⠀
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I have thought a lot about how to deal with this - both publicly and privately - and have decided to be completely transparent about it. During the treatment there will be good days and there will be bad days but I think it’s important that we can talk about, share and show our weak sides and bad days as well. After all life isn’t always a super filter fluffy social media world. No Instagram filter can beautify this. ⠀⠀
⠀⠀
We don’t always get to choose what happens to us, life is a lottery, but we can choose how we react to it. Well… at least do our best to choose how. I am not promising frequent updates but when I do you will be seeing a new side of me if you stick around here. A more transparent side I assume. ⠀⠀
⠀⠀
If you want to be supportive just focus on HEALTH empowerment. I don’t believe in fighting fire with fire, let’s use water instead. Let’s understand it and cure it. ⠀⠀
⠀⠀
Final note. I am doing well given the circumstances and I’m ready to tackle this challenge the best I can.

Udo Dirkschneider has once again ruled out the possibility of a reunion with ACCEPT.

The 69-year-old singer, who last reconnected with ACCEPT in 2005 for a number of exclusive shows, discussed the prospect of a renewed working relationship with his bandmates during a recent interview with TNT Radio Rock.

Speaking about the fact that almost all the members of ACCEPT's classic lineup are no longer in the band, Udo said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "There is only one guy left: [guitarist] Wolf Hoffmann. To call this ACCEPT — it's completely a different thing.

"A lot of people say, 'Yeah, what about the whole story with ACCEPT…?' Blah blah blah," he continued. "I don't wanna say anything bad. Wolf is a great guitar player. He's a great guy — I know that. But one thing, and that's why never ever can happen again a reunion or stuff like that, is he was stealing my name. A long time ago, in '81, when we had to sign some papers. I was really young, and, 'Yeah, okay,' I signed my contracts. There was some paper in between [all the others], and he [got] the rights [to the ACCEPT name]. But it was not Wolf [who orchestrated it]; I think it was now his wife. She was the manager of ACCEPT, and she was clever to put the [ACCEPT] name on Wolf Hoffmann. And this is the thing that makes me still angry — he was really stealing the name. I mean, I was making ACCEPT in '68.

"In the end, as a person, [he's] definitely a great guitar player, a great guy," Udo added. "It's history. I think I'm quite successful with U.D.O. If I want, I can do anytime a tour under [the name] DIRKSCHNEIDER and play ACCEPT songs. If I really say, 'Okay, I wanna do this again,' no problems at all. But the rest, in a way, is history.

"For example, I was working with [fellow former ACCEPT members] Peter Baltes and Stefan Kaufmann together on the single 'Where The Angels Fly', and everybody was, like, 'Oh, what is this? This is more ACCEPT than ACCEPT is doing now at the moment.' We'll see. Maybe I'll do something more also with this project."

Dirkschneider's long-running metal band U.D.O. released an album last July called "We Are One", featuring contributions from Baltes and Kaufmann. Baltes and Kaufmann also reunited with Dirkschneider in the studio to record a song called "Where The Angels Fly" as a tribute to the frontline workers who have protected others from the pandemic.

This past January, Hoffmann was asked by SiriusXM's "Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk" if he was surprised to see Baltes working with Dirkschneider on some new music last year. He responded: "Yeah, I probably shouldn't say much about that. Again, I can only speculate what that was all about. At the end of the day, we do our thing, and everybody has to know for themselves what they wanna do. Yeah, let me not say as much about that as I can, please."

Back in 2015, Hoffmann dismissed Dirkschneider's comment that the band's then-lineup — which included Baltes and ACCEPT's singer of more than a decade, Mark Tornillo — performed live "without any emotion." "It's just hilarious at this point," Wolf said. "It's just a big joke in our lives. And we just go on about our lives, and we do our thing, and we just… We let these things go by and laugh about it. He's actually sort of our press agent, in a way. He keeps us [in the new

TESTAMENT guitarist Alex Skolnick says that he is in favor of some kind of a coronavirus vaccine passport program whereby concert venues can ask patrons to show proof of testing or vaccination before attending certain events.

A vaccine passport is a physical or digital document that displays whether someone is fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Critics say that such passports are a violation of privacy and an example of government overreach. Meanwhile, supporters point out that federal immigration law already requires that immigrants provide proof of vaccination status for several diseases.

Skolnick addressed the hot-button issue in a brand new interview with André Cholmondeley of Make Weird Music. Asked what he thinks about clubs and promoters around the country announcing that they will begin staging events for only those guests who show proof of full vaccination, Alex said: "Yeah, I think that's what we need to do. And it's also gonna be limited capacity as well."

He continued: "To go to certain countries, we need to get a yellow fever shot, and we carry this card that's put out by the World Health Organization that is proof of vaccination. What's the difference? We've been doing this for years. We wouldn't think otherwise. We don't wanna risk getting somebody else sick. So why would there be an issue here? And then, when people complain about the vaccine — 'I don't know what's in it. I'm suspicious…' Well, are you suspicious of the polio vaccine? 'Cause I think everybody gets that. I don't think you leave the hospital without getting certain vaccines."

Alex added: "I'm just amazed how people aren't aware of this. There's measles, mumps, polio… There's vaccines that we've been getting for years, and that's why we're not getting measles or mumps, or why we're not being forced to not be able to walk because of polio — because we get these vaccines. And the same medical and scientific communities that are behind those vaccines are behind these vaccines.

"My patience is running thin for these types," Skolnick concluded.

Over 100 million Americans — more than 30% — have received at least one dose of the three vaccines, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

A recent NPR/Marist poll found that one in four Americans said they would refuse a coronavirus vaccine if offered. Another 5% are "undecided" about whether they would get the shot. 49% of Republican men said they would not take the vaccine when it's available to them.

Although the COVID-19 vaccine was produced quickly because of the urgency of the health crisis and the number of clinical trial volunteers, scientists say the vaccine was not rushed, and it relies on years of research.

The nation's top infectious disease expert, Dr. Anthony Fauci, has estimated that about 70-85% of Americans would need to be vaccinated to reach herd immunity.

America's two main vaccines have shown 95% efficacy against the coronavirus.

Johnson & Johnson's vaccine, which became available in the United States last month after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration gave it emergency use authorization, was tested with new variants of COVID-19, and has shown to be effective against them; Pfizer and Moderna were tested prior to the emergence of these variants.


























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French progressive metallers GOJIRA have unleashed a new track titled "Into The Storm". It stands out as the fourth song shared from their widely anticipated new album, "Fortitude", which will be released April 30 via Roadrunner Records. "Into The Storm" is available today on all streaming platforms and is accompanied by a visual.

Vocalist/guitarist Joseph Duplantier elaborated on "Into The Storm": "This song is infused with the concept of civil disobedience. Acting accordingly with our deepest wisdom and standing for what is precious and good in this world. The only possible revolution is the one that blossoms from within us. Change will come from individuals. Laws are meant to be bent and shaped to our vital needs. LAWS WILL FOLLOW!"

"Into The Storm" arrives in the wake of the band's recent single "Amazonia" which takes aim at the crisis impacting the Amazon and its indigenous communities. A lush ripper interwoven with indigenous folk instruments and groove-metal rhythms, the soundscapes skew verdant, but the themes prove anything but idyllic. Duplantier surveys the endangered rainforest, concluding: "The greatest miracle/ Is burning to the ground."

Alongside "Amazonia", GOJIRA launched a fundraising initiative to benefit the indigenous owned NGO The Articulation of Indigenous Peoples of Brazil (APIB) who advocate for environmental and cultural rights of indigenous tribes in the Amazon who have suffered immensely — victims of land loss, forced labor and poverty. "We don't want to just release a song called 'Amazonia'—we want to do something on top of that," Duplantier explains. "We feel a responsibility as artists to offer a way for people to take action."

Working with the social good-focused digital platform Propeller, GOJIRA is curating a month-long charitable campaign featuring an auction of one-of-a-kind items from the band and their friends, as well as a raffle were fans can donate to be entered for a chance to win a hand customized signature Duplantier guitar. Having already raised over $120,000 to date, each week new pieces of memorabilia are added to the auction with recent items including: a snare drum from the DEFTONES' Abe Cunningham used in the recording of the band's debut album "Adrenaline", a painting from SLIPKNOT's Jay Weinberg, an autographed bass used by Justin Chancellor from TOOL, a signed book from METALLICA's Kirk Hammett and more.

"Into The Storm" and "Amazonia" follow the album's lead single, "Born For One Thing", which arrived in February accompanied by a Charles De Meyer-directed official music video shot in France and Belgium. All three tracks are available as instant rat downloads with pre-orders of "Fortitude", GOJIRA's first album in five years and the follow-up to 2016's Grammy-nominated LP "Magma".

Recorded and produced by Joseph Duplantier at Silver Cord Studio — GOJIRA's Ridgewood, Queens, headquarters — and mixed by Andy Wallace (NIRVANA, RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE), "Fortitude" is a collection of songs urging humanity to imagine a new world — and then make it happen. The band initially laid the foundation for "Fortitude" last year with the surprise release of the 2020 single "Another World". NPR hailed the track as "an apocalyptic banger," and Stereogum declared, "GOJIRA are one of this century's most important underground metal institutions," while "Fortitude" was voted by fans as the #1 release on Revolver's "Most Anticipated Albums of 2021."

GOJIRA's widely anticipated tour dates supporting DEFTONES have been rescheduled for 2021.

Photo credit: Gabrielle Duplantier

ANTHRAX drummer Charlie Benante has told Eonmusic in a new interview that the band is planning "something special" to celebrate the band's 40th anniversary. "We're working on something big for June, maybe July, which is going to commemorate our career, and we're putting that together now," he said. "It may be like a livestream type of thing, and it's going to consist of a lot of songs, and a lot of songs that we've probably never played before. We wanted to make something special out of this, but yeah, look out for that announcement. We're just putting it together now."

On July 18, 1981, the then New York-based ANTHRAX was formed and started on the road to help change the history of music. Over that 40-year period, ANTHRAX has sold in excess of ten million units, received multiple gold and platinum certifications, six Grammy nominations and a host of other accolades from the media, industry and fans. In 1991, their music helped break down race and genre barriers when they collaborated with PUBLIC ENEMY on "Bring The Noise". And, of course, along with METALLICA, SLAYER and MEGADETH, ANTHRAX helped pioneer the thrash/metal genre as a member of the "Big Four".

When ANTHRAX celebrated its 35th anniversary in 2016, guitarist and co-founder Scott Ian said that his life had "changed profoundly" since the band's launch. "I am a husband, I am a father," he said. " I am a long way from the 17-year-old soon-to-be-college dropout who co-founded a heavy metal band. The only thing that hasn't changed, the one constant, is that I am still the rhythm guitar player in ANTHRAX. It's what I get to do. I get to play in a band and I never take that for granted."

In a 2018 interview with Fargo Monthly, Benante stated about ANTHRAX's longevity: "When you're trying to keep it together, I would say it is important that you love what you're doing. Throughout the years, we can see other forms of music take form and become popular. We are living in a time where the climate is telling you that rock music is done and that you need to make way for other genres. We're, like, 'no.' Everyone is still here and you can see that. Just look at AC/DC or IRON MAIDEN — they stuck to their guns and they're still relevant; that's what we are too."

Among the big takeaway experiences that stand out for the ANTHRAX members was when legendary author Stephen King included the band in one of his "Dark Tower" series books; in 2012, when ANTHRAX became the first metal band to have its music played on Mars, when NASA played "Got The Time" to wake up the Mars Rover Curiosity; in 1991, when they received their first Grammy nomination; when the band was caught up in the 2001 U.S. anthrax attacks and considered changing their name due to the PR nightmare that was caused; when ANTHRAX made a cameo appearance on the popular 1992 TV series "Married... With Children"; September 14, 2011, which was named "Anthrax Day" in the Bronx; and June 22, 2010, when the "Big Four" played together on the same stage for the first time ever in Sofia, Bulgaria.

ANTHRAX — Ian, Benante, bassist Frank Bello, singer Joey Belladonna and guitarist Jon Donais — is working on material for the follow-up to 2016's "For All Kings" album, tentatively due in 2

Founding BLACK SABBATH drummer Bill Ward has shared a new original poem called "What Once Was". Check it out below.

Ward has released a number of poems in recent months, some inspired by the coronavirus pandemic and others celebrating the fall–winter holiday season, including Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Bill was on board for the SABBATH reunion when it was first announced more than nine years ago, but backed out soon after. The drummer later claimed that he sat out the recording and touring sessions because of unfair contractual terms, although the members of SABBATH have hinted in other interviews that he wasn't physically up to the task.

All four original members of SABBATH were present when the band announced its reunion in late 2011. But Ward split from the group in 2012, citing an "unsignable" contract, and singer Ozzy Osbourne, guitarist Tony Iommi and bassist Geezer Butler carried on with their Rick Rubin–produced "13" LP and extensive international touring without him.

Ozzy told The Pulse Of Radio during SABBATH's last tour that Ward was not in shape to participate. "Bill Ward has got the most physically demanding job of the lot of us, 'cause he's the timekeeper," he said. "I don't think personally he had the chops to pull it off, you know. The saddest thing is that he needed to own up to that, and we could have worked around it, whether we had a drummer on the side with him or something."

It was rumored that SABBATH wanted to bring a second drummer on the road to share duties with Ward, something that Iommi confirmed in 2017 during a question-and-answer session about SABBATH's "Ten Year War" box set.

In 2015, Ward released his first solo album in 18 years. Titled "Accountable Beasts", the record can be purchased on iTunes.

In November 2017, Ward's band DAY OF ERRORS released its first two songs, "Day Of Errors" and "Blaspheming At Creation", via iTunes, Spotify, Amazon MP3 and Google Play. Two more tracks, "Dark" and "Ghost Train", followed in 2019.

Last month, Ward revealed that he was working on an autobiography.




#whatoncewas #newpoem #covid19 pic.twitter.com/wjbGMZ3INQ

— Bill Ward (@billwarddrums) April 12, 2021

PUSCIFER has unveiled the next chapter in the saga of desert-dwelling scamp Billy D with the psychedelic, alien-infused mini film for "Bullet Train To Iowa".

"The 'Bullet Train To Iowa' video is sort of a bridge between the 'Money $hot Live At The Mayan Theater' performance ('Billy D And The Hall Of Feathered Serpents') and the 'Existential Reckoning Live At Arcosanti' performance," explains Maynard James Keenan. "Kind of like what 'Rogue One' is to the 'Star Wars' films, but without the stormtroopers and snarky robots."

The clip was created by longtime Keenan collaborator Meats Meier. Meats's work with PUSCIFER spans the band's history, from the band's debut video, "Queen B", which saw the introduction of the group's de facto mascot of the same name, to the special-ops laced "Dozo" video, and most recently, the prescient "Apocalyptical" clip, which features the visual wizard surfing the pandemic-swept streets of Los Angeles. "Bullet Train To Iowa" also features a subtle nod to "Money $hot", with the cowboys featured on the album's cover, serving as bartenders in the newly released footage.

"Bullet Train To Iowa" comes from the band's recently released album, "Existential Reckoning" (Alchemy Recordings/BMG). The 12-song collection, featuring artwork from Daniel Martin Diaz, has received widespread praise, with Variety saying "the airily hypnotic electronic rock… works... brilliantly," Stereogum describing the music as "darkly playful," and Revolver noting "you're highly unlikely to find another album that explores the fear and loathing of our uncertain times in as chill a fashion as the latest from Maynard James Keenan's art-rock outfit PUSCIFER."

The band's next visual offering arrives April 17, with the global streaming event "Billy D And The Hall Of Feathered Serpents Featuring Money $hot By Puscifer", a performance that sees PUSCIFER build upon their Luchador-infused performances surrounding the 2016 album "Money $hot" (which will be played in its entirety). The production highlights PUSCIFER's unique marriage of music-meets-theater, having seen the touring incarnation hailed as "extraordinary" (Kerrang!), "stunning" (Loudwire), and "a modern blend of 'Saturday Night Live' and 'Monty Python's Flying Circus'" (Relix).

Los Angeles's historic Mayan Theater, a 1920s-era revivalist theater featuring original artwork by Mexican painter and sculptor Francisco Cornejo, serves as the backdrop to the one-time outing. The elaborate cultural landmark, with its jaw-dropping Mayan calendar infused chandelier and a lobby dedicated to the bird-meets-reptilian deity Quetzalcoatl, gave birth to the performance's title. "While looking both forward and backwards, we stumbled into The Hall of Feathered Serpents," explains Mat Mitchell. "The perfect site to pay homage to the 'Money $hot' album and tour."

A Frankenstrat guitar originally owned by Eddie Van Halen has been sold for $50,000 via Heritage Auctions.

The instrument was made for Eddie circa 1984 by Steve Ripley, who was renowned for his stereo guitars that Eddie used on songs like "Top Jimmy". Built from a Kramer Striker very early in the Ripley/Kramer era, as it does not have stereo, the instrument is believed to have been used by Eddie as a backup guitar on the "1984" and "5150" tours in the mid-1980s.

The guitar features Steve Ripley's custom-made, dark-colored Rosewood neck, which is extremely rare, as Eddie typically used light-colored maple necks. Only several Rosewood Frankenstrats were made for Eddie, this being one. The body has been spray-painted and striped by hand, presumably by Eddie himself, given the instrument's vintage. The white painted stripes are tinged with a light yellow, or cream color, both from age, and extensive exposure to cigarette smoke while on tour with VAN HALEN in the 1980s. It has a Floyd Rose tremolo.

The guitar was given to the consignor in 1990 by rock guitarist and vocalist Leslie West of the group MOUNTAIN, who had received the instrument as a gift from Eddie Van Halen several years prior. Van Halen cited West as one of his primary musical inspirations. The consignor is a noted, professional bodyguard who, for more than 30 years, has worked with some of the biggest names in the music and film industries. Between 1989 and 2001, he worked as West's personal bodyguard, spending a considerable amount of time with Leslie both on and off the road. The guitar's various nicks and metal coating wear are known to be from Eddie Van Halen.

Last December, Eddie Van Halen's son Wolfgang criticized an auction of three of his late father's guitars. The instruments were sold for a total of $422,050 through Julien's Auctions as part of a larger music memorabilia event called "Icons & Idols". The 30-year-old said the sellers were "taking advantage of my father's passing", and he had "nothing to do with" the sale. "I don't EVER plan on selling any of my father's iconic guitars," he said.

Image credit: Heritage Auctions

Brian Johnson, AC/DC's legendary frontman, will publish his long-awaited autobiography, "The Lives Of Brian", on October 26.

The book will be published in the U.K. by Penguin Michael Joseph, a division of Penguin Random House, by publishing director Rowland White. It will be published simultaneously in the U.S. by Dey Street Books, an imprint of the William Morrow Group at HarperCollins,.

Johnson joined AC/DC in 1980 after the death of previous lead singer Bon Scott.

His first album with the band, "Back In Black", went on to become the biggest-selling rock album of all time.

After a quarter century of platinum albums and record-breaking tours, he was forced to quit the band in 2016 after being diagnosed with hearing loss, but made a triumphant return in 2020 with the release of "Power Up", which went to No.1 in 21 countries. A successful competitive vintage racing car driver, Johnson has more recently enjoyed acclaim as the charismatic presenter of television shows "Cars That Rock With Brian Johnson" and "Brian Johnson: A Life Of The Road".

"I've had some long nights and some great nights, some bad days and a lot of good days, and during that time I've gone from choirboy to rock 'n' roll singer, and now I've gone and written a bloody book about it," says Johnson.

"Brian's memoir captures an unforgettable moment in rock history. Anyone who wants to understand Brian's roots as well as the moment of ignition when he joined AC/DC and helped create a monster album will be in for an unforgettable ride," says Dey Street Books SVP and executive editor Mauro DiPreta.

Rowland White says: "From growing up in the north-east, the son of a former British army sergeant-major and an Italian mother, to fronting world's biggest rock band, 'The Lives Of Brian' tells one of the best stories in music in Brian's own inimitable voice. His life has been a roller coaster of highs and lows during which success as a musician too often felt out of reach. But even when it seemed defeat had been snatched from the jaws of victory he never gave up. And throughout his feet have remained firmly planted on the ground. Warm, vivid, evocative, life-affirming and often laugh-out-loud funny, 'The Lives Of Brian' is a gold standard rock 'n' roll memoir from one of our most well-loved performers. Brian's one of a kind and I couldn't be more proud to be publishing his book."

Johnson was born to a steelworker and WWII veteran father and an Italian mother, growing up in Newcastle Upon Tyne, England, a working-class town. He was musically inclined and sang with the church choir. By the early '70s, he performed with the glam rock band GEORDIE, and they had a couple hits, but it was tough going. So tough that by 1976, they disbanded and Brian turned to a blue-collar life.

Then 1980 changed everything. Bon Scott, the lead singer and lyricist of the Australian rock band AC/DC died at 33. The band auditioned singers, among them Johnson, whom Scott himself had seen perform and raved about. Within days, Johnson was in a studio with the band, working with founding members Angus and Malcolm Young, Cliff Williams and Phil Rudd, along with producer Mutt Lange.

When the album, "Back In Black", was released in July — a mere three months after Johnson had joined the band — it exploded, going on to sell 50 million copies worldwide, and triggering a years-long worldwide tour. It has been declared "the biggest-selling hard rock album ever made" and "the best-selling heavy-metal album in history."

The band toured the world for a full year to support the album, changing the face of rock music — and Johnson's life — forever.




I’ve had some long nights and some great nights, bad days and a lot of good ones. I’ve gone from choirboy to rock 'n' roll singer, and now I’ve gone and written a bloody book about it… The Lives of Brian is coming October 26th: https://t.co/39bW2wkR1h pic.twitter.com/aOlxfQYTa6

— Brian Johnson Racing (@BrianJohnson) April 12, 2021

Veteran Norwegian black metallers EMPEROR have announced a livestream event, "A Night Of Emperial Wrath 2021", to be held on May 23.

The band states: "2021 marks 30 years since the formation of EMPEROR. With the current state of the world, it’s been impossible to go ahead with scheduled plans. We now welcome you to join us in an exclusive streaming event. The show will take place at Notodden Theatre, 23rd of May. The setlist will feature tracks from the entire catalogue, as well as very special guest appearances from original bass player Mortiis, who appeared on the 'Wrath Of The Tyrant' demo, 'As The Shadows Rise' EP and 'Emperor' mini album, and ex-drummer Faust, who appeared on the 'As The Shadows Rise' EP, 'Emperor' mini album, as well as the landmark album, 'In The Nightside Eclipse'."

To purchase tickets, go to this location.

In 2019, EMPEROR frontman Ihsahn (real name: Vegard Sverre Tveitan) dismissed the idea of the band writing and recording a comeback album. The group's last studio LP, "Prometheus - The Discipline Of Fire & Demise", was released in 2001 and was written entirely by Ihsahn. EMPEROR broke up shortly thereafter, with Ihsahn going on to pursue a solo career, while guitarist Samoth (real name: Tomas Thormodsæter Haugen) partook in a variety of bands, including SCUM and ZYKLON. EMPEROR has reunited frequently in ensuing years to perform live, but has continually resisted calls to release new material, something Ihsahn says won't change anytime soon.

"As you know, EMPEROR developed, at some point, I ended up making more and more of the music and eventually, I did all the music," he told Loud TV. "We'd rather stop at the level where we were all creatively involved, rather than doing it for keeping the logo or for any of those reasons. At this point, there's so much nostalgia attached to what we do, and we've been in the privileged position that people have developed similar relationships to these old songs that we did, as we are fans, to other bands. It's a very humbling position to be in. If you turned it around, what kind of EMPEROR could we possibly do? What kind of EMPEROR could we possibly do? We should make something that sounds like old EMPEROR? Or should we do something like EMPEROR would sound today? If it was up to me, EMPEROR would sound like my solo records because that's how I write metal. It's kind of a lose-lose thing. The whole point of black metal, people want something that is real and has integrity of what it is. At this point, none of us can see any reason to do that beyond what we already do. Just speaking for myself, I get to play all these old songs to people who have this strong relationship to it, in a similar way as I as a fan, have. But I also get to do my solo albums and continue that musical journey, and I see no reason to change that. We are at a very fine position now that we all just get to do what all of us wants. If there's some kind of festival or some kind of show that doesn't fit into our schedule, that's fine. We do just the stuff that is cool for us to do."

TOMMY'S ROCKTRIP is drummer Tommy Clufetos's (OZZY OSBOURNE, BLACK SABBATH) new hard rock outfit, where he offers his take on the rock 'n roll influences that made him one of the most sought-after drummers in the current hard rock scene. "Beat Up By Rock 'N' Roll", TOMMY'S ROCKTRIP's debut album, will arrive on May 7 via Frontiers Music Srl. Eric Dover, known for singing and playing guitar with JELLYFISH, SLASH'S SNAKEPIT and Alice Cooper, handles lead vocals on the LP (though Tommy grabs the mic for three tracks). Eliot Lorengo (bass), Hank Schneekluth (guitar) and Nao Nakashima (guitar) round out the supporting cast.

The disc's second single, "Make Me Smile", can be streamed below.

Clufetos said: "I wanted to make an album that I would enjoy listening to, while injecting some of the characteristics that I love about my favorite rock 'n' roll. Hopefully when you listen to it in your car, you realize you are driving way over the speed limit."

Regarding previously released first single "Got To Play Some Rock 'N Roll", Clufetos said: "The lyrics of this song are pretty obvious if you are in the game of music.... If you're a spectator....not so much. Just as a great band once said, 'It's a long way to the top if you wanna rock 'n' roll.' This business is a bitch, BUT you ride through it all with a smile 'cause...you 'Got To Play Some Rock 'N Roll'!!!"

"Beat Up By Rock N' Roll" track listing:

01. Heavy Load

02. Welcome To The Show

03. You Got The Cash, I Got The Flash

04. Make Me Smile

05. Do It Again

06. Kid Blood

07. Don't Be Afraid

08. Beat Up By Rock N' Roll

09. Got To Play Some Rock N' Roll

10. The Longevity

11. Power Of Three

Recording lineup:

Tommy Clufetos - Drums, Lead Vocals on Tracks 4, 8 and 11

Eric Dover - Lead Vocals

Eliot Lorengo - Bass Guitar

Hank Schneekluth - Lead Guitar

Nao Nakashima - Rhythm Guitar

Tommy C - Saxophone on “Power Of Three”

John Schreffler - Guitar Solo on “Beat Up By Rock 'N’ Roll"

Doug Organ - Hammond B3

Clufetos worked with such rock icons as Nugent, Alice Cooper and Rob Zombie before joining Ozzy Osbourne in 2010. That led to a spot as the drummer on BLACK SABBATH's last two world tours.

Legendary rock musician Ann Wilson has released another new single, "Black Wing". It is one of several songs the HEART frontwoman recorded last fall in Seattle with the help of local musicians, including current HEART bassist Andy Stoller and keyboardist Dan Walker. In addition to "Black Wing", Wilson recorded "Tender Heart" as well as covers of Steve Earle's "The Revolution Starts Now" and ALICE IN CHAINS' "Rooster", all three of which have already been released as singles, plus another original, "The Hammer", which came out in February.

In a 2020 interview with ABC Audio, Wilson described "Black Wing" as a "heavy poetic song" that was inspired by where she lives.

"I live on a river, so there's lots of birdlife and everything," Wilson explained. "And I see these birds coming so fast across my view. They're coming from somewhere and they’re on a mission to somewhere else. I thought, 'Well, that spirit is carrying a lifeline from the world,' you know? And so, that got me thinking about writing a song… about carrying messages from the world's insanity out to this pure place."

Released last year, Ann's version of "The Revolution Starts Now" — which marked her first new music in more than two years — was met by universal acclaim from the likes of Rolling Stone, which praised it for "a sense of urgency that arrives like a jolt to the heart." "With thrumming guitar and crashing high hat/kick drum combination, 'The Revolution Starts Now' is propulsive," agreed American Songwriter. "Classic hard rock, it swells on the chorus, then falls away. Her voice is strong, somewhat dusky, retains its power."

Ann Wilson is a true icon, known far and wide as lead singer and songwriter of the groundbreaking rock band HEART. Led by Wilson's extraordinary vocal power, HEART has thrilled audiences for more than four decades, earning sales of more than 35 million and well-deserved induction into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in 2013. Wilson's second solo album, 2018's "Immortal", saw her putting her unique stamp on songs made famous by a number of hugely influential artists, including David Bowie, Leonard Cohen, Tom Petty, Amy Winehouse, and more. Produced by longtime HEART collaborator Mike Flicker, the album earned widespread critical acclaim, with Associated Press declaring it "an exciting, eye-opening look at largely obscure songs by big-name artists" and Goldmine praising Wilson for "her mighty vocal firepower and a far ranging creative spirit."

Photo by Criss Cain

SALIVA has released the second single, "Click Click Boom", from "Every Twenty Years", an EP featuring re-recorded SALIVA classics with current vocalist Bobby Amaru to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the band's major label debut, "Every Six Seconds".

"Re-recording 'Click Click Boom' was much easier than the original recording because we already had the blueprint laid out for us," says guitarist and founding member Wayne Swinny. "There was no need to alter anything because the original had all the right pieces in all the right places. We simply used the advances in modern technology to enhance the song sonically."

"Click Click Boom", available now via digital music providers, remains one of the most popular tracks from SALIVA's 2001 breakthrough album.

"I think the combination of multiple genres of music has contributed greatly to the popularity of 'Click Click Boom'," Swinny says. "Producer Bob Marlette took a song which was a cool, interesting rock song and crafted it masterfully into a piece of music that has stood the test of time for two decades and will continue to do so into the future."

"Every Twenty Years" will be released on May 7 via Megaforce.

"In the 10 years I've been with the band, I've realized how strong our fan base really is," says Amaru. "I wanted to do something for the fans for embracing me with open arms. Fans have asked me all the time if we ever thought about recording some of the old hits with my voice. I've sang those songs enough that they have become an important chapter of my life. What better way than to revive this album with an EP to mark the 20th anniversary? People of my generation and all around rocked these tunes before and will continue to. 'Every Six Seconds' brought SALIVA abundant success and we are all grateful."

"Every Twenty Years" track listing:

01. Your Disease (2021 Version)

02. Click Click Boom (2021 Version)

03. After Me (2021 Version)

04. Greater Than/Less Than (2021 Version)

05. Spyhunter (2021 Version)

06. Spoonman (2021 Version)

Formed in Memphis is 1996, SALIVA released a self-titled a debut album the following year. After selling 10,000 copies of the self-released album, Island Records took notice of the band. "Every Six Seconds" and its hit singles, the Grammy-nominated "Your Disease" and "Click Click Boom", catapulted SALIVA into the mainstream and is now certified double platinum.

After nearly 15 years, SALIVA parted ways with vocalist Josey Scott. In 2011, Bobby Amaru stepped in to fill the roll, infusing SALIVA with new blood, spirit and an energy similar to that which launched the band's career a decade earlier. From modern metal to straight up hard rock, SALIVA continues to write in-your-face, anthemic songs, and win fans over through tours around the world with the biggest names in rock and appearances on the main stages at countless festivals and the most well-known motorcycle rallies.

SALIVA is:

Bobby Amaru - vocals

Wayne Swinny - guitar

Paul Crosby - drums

Brad Stewart - bass

Toronto-based Famous Underground, featuring former Slik Toxik frontman Nick Walsh, have checked in with the following update:

"We have some exciting news!! Famous Underground have a brand new EP to be released this June. The EP will feature five new tracks, with the lead off single being 'The Dark One Of Two' dropping in May.

The band will also be performing and filming a live concert for streaming, date to be announced. The concert will showcase songs from the self-titled debut and the upcoming release. 

For a limited time we are giving away a free mp3 download of our song 'Necropolis' here. Crank it up!"

Famous Underground has also launched a new online store. Click here to check out the tees, hoodies and other accessories.

In February 2017 Famous Underground decided to release "Corrupted" as a digital 45, which included a cover of Megadeth’s "Peace Sells... But Who's Buying?" since they were already performing the song at their live shows. The idea to meld "Get Up, Stand Up” with this track came to Walsh while he was listening to Bob Marley. He felt the two songs would work well together because of their lyrical points of view.

The tracks were mastered by Harry Hess of HBomb Mastering (Three Days Grace, Monster Truck, Madonna) and mixed by Daniel Tsourounis (Skullfist, Moxy). Both songs are available on most digital platforms.




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Avantasia guitarist / Hartmann frontman Oliver Hartmann has checked in with the following announcement:

"Dear fans of Hartmann and handmade music,

Due to the current situation we unfortunately had to postpone the dates of our acoustic anniversary tour a few times during the last months. Of course there’s still a chance that the announced shows in late April and May will take place but at the moment it looks like we have to move them all again to summer… 

Nevertheless, we hope that you will be part of our live stream next Friday (April 16th) at the Colos-Saal in Aschaffenburg (Germany) that will be broadcasted worldwide starting at 7:00pm CET and will be available online for full 24 hours! The line-up of this special acoustic show will again include the great Ina Morgan, my duet partner of 'When The Rain Begins To Fall', part of our live DVD Handmade and member of the crazy Avantasians since our last tour in 2019. This concert will contain songs of our latest release, 15 Pearls And Gems, as well as many tracks of 15 - sorry - 16 years band history. We are definitely looking forward to this concert and we hope that you’ll be part of it, too!"

Purchase tickets for the livestream show here.

In December 2020 Hartmann released the 15th Anniversary Hartmann Livestream Concert /  15 Pearls And Gems Release Show that took place on June 26th, 2020 at the Colos-Saal in Aschaffenburg, Germany. The 90 minute show is available in mp4 format via Hartmann's online shop here.

The show features guest musicians Ina Morgan (Avantasia), Zlatko Jimmy Kresic (ex-Rock Meets Classic), and former keyboard player, Jürgen Wüst.

The setlist:

"Can't Stop This Train"
"You Will Make It"
"Walking On A Thin Line"
"Don’t Want Back Down"
"Simple Man"
"When The Rain Begins To Fall"
"The Sky Is Falling"
"After The Love Is Gone"
"The Sun's Still Rising"
"I Won’t Get Fooled Again"
"Don't Give Up Your Dream"
"Alive Again"
"Listen To Your Heart"
"Out In The Cold"
"Music"




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Union, along with Lindsley Records and Blackbird Entertainment, have announced an exclusive license with eOne Music to release both their self-titled debut album and The Blue Room on 180 gram remastered vinyl. There will be multiple formats, limited color vinyl, and tons of extras. Stay tuned for more details and release dates as they become available.

Union is comprised of vocalist / guitarist John Corabi (Mötley Crüe, The Scream), guitarist Bruce Kulick (KISS, Grand Funk Railroad), bassist Jamie Hunting (David Lee Roth, Vince Neil), and drummer Brent Fitz (Slash Featuring Myles Kennedy & The Conspirators, Vince Neil).

Formed in Los Angeles, California in 1997, Union released two studio albums and one live album: Union (1998), Live In The Galaxy (1999), and The Blue Room (2000).  

 




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Solus Ex Inferis is a trans-continental, technical death metal band founded by long-time musician and guitar player, Dave Sevenstrings alongside Marco Pitruzzella aka Lord Marco (Six Feet Under, Sleep Terror, The Faceless), Sahil Makhija aka Demonstealer (Demonic Resurrection, Reptilian Death), Ollie Morgan (Necropathy) and Mauricio Catalán.

The band first broke into the worldwide metal scene back in 2018 with their four-song EP, Demonic Supremacy. Three years on, Solus Ex Inferis has resurfaced with news of their debut full-length album, Daemones Ceramici; scheduled to be released on July 9th. Alongside the announcement, the band has also unveiled a new single off of the upcoming LP titled, "Destroying Malevolence". The track is accompanied with a slick lyric video featuring, in great detail, the diabolic cover art drawn by Tata Kumislizer.

Right from the band’s inception, it has been Dave Sevenstrings’ constant endeavour to write music that combined fast-paced, blast-beat style death metal with melodic lead elements and simultaneously was informed by the sounds of celebrated bands in the genre like Vital Remains, Hypocrisy, Deeds Of Flesh, and Psycroptic. It started to evolve into its own thing once all the members started participating in the writing process and started to contribute some of their own musical influences from the different regions they came from. Hence, the music on Daemones Ceramici, while being devastatingly fast-paced and razor-sharp technical, “still retains the core of any good song, (and includes) solid riffs that you can headbang to,” says Dave.

If you thought the last EP was any indication of how brutal or extreme Solus Ex Inferis could sound, the full-length quashes all of that point-blank and strives to push all known boundaries within the tech-death realm. Named after the malevolent spirits in Greek mythology, Solus Ex Inferis’ debut full-length plays around concepts of demonology and the occult; often re-contextualizing it for the terrible state of the world as we know it today. “The album reflects on human beings as the real demons, it reflects the hypocrisy and hatred fueled by religion” adds Makhija, the band’s frontman and lyricist. 

Tracklisting:

"The Myth Creation" 
"Constructing The Great Divide" 
"Shattering Divinity" 
"Destroying Malevolence" 
"Set Ablaze The Books Of Deception" 
"Destroying False Gods" 
"The Black Gate" 

 




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Thomas Zwijsen has released the new video below, featuring an acoustic classical fingerstyle guitar cover of Alice Cooper's "Poison", from the 1989 album, Trash.

"Poison" became one of Alice's biggest hits, and was also one of Thomas' first solo guitar arrangements made eight years ago, and released on the Nylonized album, available here.  

Previously, Thomas collaborated with Alice Cooper guitarist Nita Strauss jamming "The Trooper" and "Aces High" by Iron Maiden.

 

 




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The year is 1967. Heinz Beanz launches its famous "Beanz Meanz Heinz" advertising slogan, since voted the U.K.'s favorite of all time. This same year, THE WHO release their third album, "The Who Sell Out", with the now-iconic sleeve featuring Roger Daltrey sitting in a bath full of Heinz Beanz and featuring "Heinz Baked Beans" as the second track. What a year 1967 was. But we're not trying to cause a big sensation, we're just talkin' 'bout our g-g-generation.

Fast forward to 2021 and the two icons are reuniting after more than 50 years to celebrate THE WHO releasing the expanded edition of "The Who Sell Out" (due on April 23) — this time with no bean-filled baths involved.

Instead, Heinz and THE WHO are launching limited-edition "Beanz Meanz The Who" cans, and this is no sellout; the cans sold in the U.S will raise funds for Teen Cancer America, and the U.K. cans will raise funds for child hunger charity Magic Breakfast and cancer support charity Teenage Cancer Trust, Heinz and THE WHO's respective charity partners.

A giant, hand-signed (empty) 57.5cm (H) x 42cm (D) version of the limited-edition can is also being auctioned off for the charities via givergy.uk/HeinzTheWho from Thursday, April 15 to Sunday, April 25.

The net proceeds will not only help Magic Breakfast continue their work towards ending child morning hunger as a barrier to education in the U.K. and allow them to continue providing healthy breakfasts to pupils in over 1,000 schools in disadvantaged areas each school day but will also help fund Teen Cancer America and Teenage Cancer Trust's vital work supporting young people aged 13-24 through cancer treatment.

There is a total of 500 limited-edition cans available to buy today from the official artist store in the U.S. for just $8.00 (USD).

The album artwork featuring Roger Daltrey holding a giant can of Heinz Beanz while sitting in a bath full of the Beanz "was the best visual of the whole album cover," according to Roger, making the subsequent bout of illness that Daltrey endured to make it possible all worth it.

Reminiscing about the 1967 photoshoot, Roger said: "[Afterwards] I ended up with a week in bed with either the flu or probably the worst cold that I've had in my lifetime and I put it down to the baked beans because they'd just come out of the fridge; they were freezing cold! I sat in them for twenty minutes until they had the great idea of putting electric fire round the back of the bathtub I was sitting in, which worked for a while. It started to heat them up, but then they started to cook. So my arse was roasting while my front was freezing and within 24 hours, I was in bed with the sniffles. I don't blame the beans; I blame the electric fire!"

Despite that experience, THE WHO frontman's love for Heinz Beanz has not waned. Roger said: "I don't know anybody who doesn't like Heinz Beanz, they're great. They're so simple; you put your eggs on, you put your toast on, you click your toaster, you time your eggs, and you put the beans in a pan, and it all comes together all in one lump. It's great. For someone who can't cook like me, it's the most magical breakfast you can have: poached eggs and beans on toast."

Lucy Cooke, brand manager, Heinz Beanz said: "We are very excited to be working with THE WHO, celebrating the iconicity of both our brands, as they release the expanded edition of the 1967 album 'The Who Sell Out'. 1967 was obviously a great time for creativity, as our famous advertising slogan 'Beanz Meanz Heinz' launched that very same year and went on to be voted the U.K.'s favorite of all time.

"We've had lots of fun working on this collaboration, and to be able to raise funds for our brilliant charity partners with our limited-edition "Beanz Meanz The Who" cans is just wonderful."

Jane Ashton, head of entertainment, Teenage Cancer Trust, said: "We're thrilled that THE WHO and Heinz have teamed up to fundraise for teenagers and young people with cancer.

"The money raised for Teenage Cancer Trust will fund our specialist nurses and support teams who work tirelessly to get young people with cancer through the hardest times of their lives."

Emily Wilkie, head of fundraising, Magic Breakfast: "We're very excited that Heinz and THE WHO are using this brilliant initiative to raise vital funds for children and young people via Magic Breakfast and Teenage Cancer Trust. The funds Magic Breakfast receive will help us work towards ending child morning hunger in the U.K. and allow us to continue providing healthy breakfasts each school day to pupils in over 1,000 schools in disadvantaged areas each school day. A huge thank you to both Heinz and THE WHO!"

Bruce Resnikoff, president and CEO, UMe, said: "THE WHO are not only groundbreaking musicians, but they were the first to establish specialized Teen Cancer centers in the U.S. and U.K. We are proud to help them raise funds for their charities in a way, only THE WHO can do."

UK alt-metal upstarts, Vexed, will release their debut full-length, Culling Culture, on May 21 via Napalm Records. The band have released a drum playthrough video for their new single, “Epiphany”, which can be seen below:

A previously release guitar playthrough video for the single follows:

Facing very personal experiences, Culling Culture is a tribute to hate, betrayal and anger, whilst also reflecting post-modern society with strikingly honest songwriting and heavy groove. Moreover, for as confident as they are musically, Vexed is as poignant lyrically. The title of the album, Culling Culture, and portions of its contents deliver the band’s unfiltered response to the world’s latest social phenomena of public ostracism, “cancel culture”.

Unrelenting lead vocalist Megan Targett’s vicious vocal assault blending venomously low growls, soaring cleans and razor-sharp rap-like deliveries (see “Fake” and “Weaponise”) is backed by the pure technical proficiency of bandmates Willem Mason-Geraghty (drums), Jay Bacon (guitar) and Al Harper (bass). The warning instrumental “Ignorant” prefaces the record’s menacing atmosphere and provides a flawless basis for smashing wake up call “Hideous” and fiery, threatening tracks “Fake” and “Narcissist”. Ghostly “Aurora” and disrespectfully heavy album-closer “Lazarus” showcase Targett’s multi-faceted clean vocal delivery while clashing otherworldly auras with resonating, melodic rhythms. “Epiphany” blends both, offering a bold message of moving past self-loathing, while superciliously weighty offering “Weaponise” seethes between violent hatred and ambient darkness.

Pre-order Vexed’s debut album Culling Culture here.

Culling Culture will be available in the following formats:

- 1-CD Digipak
- 1-LP Gatefold Vinyl (Black)
- 1-LP Gatefold Vinyl (Orange transparent, strictly limited to 100 copies)
- 1-CD Digipak + T-Shirt Bundle
- Digital Album

Tracklisting:

"Ignorant"
"Hideous"
"Fake"
"Epiphany"
"Misery"
"Narcissist"
"Weaponise"
"Purity"
"Drift"
"Aurora"
"Lazarus"

“Epiphany” video:

"Hideous" video:

(Photo - Andy Ford)




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Join Sweetwater’s Nick Bowcott as he shows you how to play “Hysteria” by Def Leppard. Watch below:

Bowcott previously offered lessons on the Jimi Hendrix classic, “Purple Haze”, Pantera's "Cowboys From Hell", the Rush track "Tom Sawyer", KISS' "Hotter Than Hell", and "Them Bones" by Alice In Chains:




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Finland's Steve'N'Seagulls have released the video below, along with the following message:

"Here's the Seagulls'Nest version of a true power metal classic. We had a great honour to have Timo Kotipelto of Stratovarius visit our nest and perform this song - 'Unbreakable' (original song by Stratovarius). Enjoy!"

Watch the complete episode here.




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Arizona's Go Ahead And Die - featuring vocalist and guitarist Max Cavalera, joining forces with his son, singer, guitar and bass player, Igor Amadeus Cavalera as well as Zach Coleman on drums - will release their self-titled debut on June 11 via Nuclear Blast.

In this new trailer, the band discuss the songwriting and recording process:

Pre-order the new album here.

Tracklisting:

"Truckload Full Of Bodies"
"Toxic Freedom"
"I.C.E. Cage"
"Isolated/Desolated"
"Prophet's Prey"
"Punisher"
"El Cuco"
"G.A.A.D."
"Worth Less Than Piss"
"(In The) Slaughterline"
"Roadkill"

"Truckload Full Of Bodies" video:

(Photo - Jim Louvau)




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