In a new interview with Luke Morton of Kerrang! In Conversation, vocalist Cristina Scabbia of Italian metal titans LACUNA COIL spoke about the title of the band's upcoming tenth studio album, "Sleepless Empire". The band's first collection of new songs since 2019's "Black Anima" will arrive on February 14, 2025 via Century Media Records. She said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "We chose that title because it was representing the times that we are living today. We're always awake, constantly trying to be productive, super connected with the rest of the world, but at the same time, we've never been so disconnected and anxious and feeling that we need to prove something, that we need to be present all the time, because if not, we are forgotten by the rest of the world.

"I am putting myself in the sleepless empire as well, so it's not a criticism," she explained. "It's just a realization, because I am part of that generation that saw it all and saw it coming and saw how fast the technology developed and how big the changes were, so I am trying to take the best out of the past to bring it in the future and the present, because I think that we should take advantage of technology. I mean, the fact that we are talking right now through a screen, it's one of the most beautiful things of technology, because if not, you would have to come to my place or me at yours, or we would have to travel somewhere to meet in person, which would be amazing. But this way, you save time, you can save four hours so you can go spend time with your family and I can go to watch [Italian professionally football club] AC Milan tonight with Andrea [Ferro, LACUNA COIL co-vocalist] at the stadium instead of traveling. So technology is good if used wisely. And I love progress — I love technology and I love to evolve with times — but I think it's cool to remember what the important things really are, because at the end of the day, all the time that we waste in stuff that doesn't really enrich us as persons, it's going to be wasted. So sometimes I try to think about this, even if realistically the first thing that I do when I wake up in the morning is to grab the phone and see the messages and watch the messages and maybe scroll through stories of other people."

Cristina added: "We just need to pay attention. I think that especially with the new generations that never saw it coming and never saw how it was before, they tend to compare to each other. They see beautiful lives in other people's social medias, and they think that that's reality. So sometimes they feel less than they are and they feel depressed and frustrated because they don't feel enough. So at least, just like the fact that I was born earlier kind of gave me a sort of a shelter that it's a sort of a filter that it's, like, okay, I don't need to compare myself to another person because, of course, this is my life. That's their life. And maybe not everything they're showing [is] true. Most probably not everything they're showing [is] 100 percent true. Maybe it is, but who cares? I should look at my life. I should look at what I'm building. I should look at what I'm living. I should look at the people, the real people around me and real life around me. It should be a balance. As everything, you just have to keep the right balance."

Asked if she is guilty of waking up in the morning and picking up her phone immediately and then wasting hours and hours every day just scrolling through social media, Cristina said: "Oh, totally. Totally. I'm guilty, especially in the morning. Not just wasting time, just looking at socials because I also do it as a sort of a study 'cause I wanna see what happens. I'm curious — I'm genuinely curious — so maybe that's not a complete waste of time, 'cause it's still entertaining. What I'm guilty of is that I feel guilty when I want to take time for myself. Now, when [I] get a message, I have the tendency of wanting to reply immediately or I feel guilty. And maybe I should wait. Maybe I shouldn't have so much anxiety if I answer 10 minutes after and I don't reply as soon as I open my eyes. Maybe I should just open my eyes, go in the kitchen, prepare myself a breakfast and then start my day and dedicate it to the work and my mails and everything. Instead, I just grab my phone. I'm just, like, 'Okay, I got a mail. Okay, I've gotta answer. My eyes are still closed, but I'm gonna answer.'

"There is this weird cycle for all of us that we're working hard because we have so many inputs," she continued. "Then we try to detach ourselves and relax watching other stuff on other social medias, thinking that they're entertaining. And they create even more anxiety. So it's a cycle that could be dangerous… But it's not all bad. So the sleepless empire, it's basically an empire with people that never sleep, that [are] always doing stuff, which could be good and could be bad as well."

Inspiration to create "Sleepless Empire" came during the sessions for "Comalies XX" (2022),the acclaimed remake of LACUNA COIL's breakthrough third record "Comalies". Writing and recording took place in northern Italy between Milano (the band's hometown) and Como, where SPVN Studios are located. As with their previous albums, production was done in house with Marco "Maki" Coti Zelati at the helm, and artwork was hand curated by the talented Italian artist Roberto Toderico. Two other very special talents enrich the album, namely the guest vocalists: LAMB OF GOD's Randy Blythe on the song "Hosting The Shadow" and NEW YEARS DAY's Ash Costello on "In The Mean Time".

As a token of the band's love for the gaming world (which we've seen in past endeavors such as their card game "Horns Up" and their collaboration with Zombicide for which they wrote the track "Never Dawn"),the band have created an oracle "game" to be played with custom made dice available only in the box set version of "Sleepless Empire".

The new album is comprised of 11 tracks; each one is a richly textured soundtrack to a specific time and place. With "Sleepless Empire", that place is dark, cinematic, and unmistakably true to the unique characteristics that have given LACUNA COIL such a celebrated entry in the annals of heavy music.

The band previously shared: "'Sleepless Empire' captures, through our eyes, the chaos of a generation trapped in a digital world that never stops, where social media consumes identity and every day pushes us one step closer to becoming soulless zombies. We find ourselves in between, having witnessed a full analogic world and the modern one, confronting the evolution and searching for a true meaning of it all. Throughout every song, the journey is an undercurrent of rebellion, a desperate cry to reclaim oneself in an era that seems to have lost its sense of time and reality."

"Sleepless Empire" track listing

01. The Siege
02. Oxygen
03. Scarecrow
04. Gravity
05. I Wish You Were Dead
06. Hosting The Shadow (feat. Randy Blythe)
07. In Nomine Patris
08. Sleepless Empire
09. Sleep Paralysis
10. In The Mean Time (feat. Ash Costello)
11. Never Dawn

This past October, Italian guitarist/producer Daniele Salomone confirmed that he has joined LACUNA COIL as the replacement for the band's longtime guitarist Diego Cavallotti.

Salomone made his live debut with LACUNA COIL on August 4, 2024 at the Rockstadt Extreme Fest in Râșnov, Romania.

In June 2024, LACUNA COIL announced Cavallotti's departure. Diego, who joined LACUNA COIL in 2016, initially as a fill-in guitarist following the exit of Marco "Maus" Biazzi, later said in a social media post that "this decision is not the result of my dissatisfaction or desire to explore new opportunities."

Cavallotti and Salomone played together in the Italian metal band INVERNO, which released its debut album, "Stasis", in December 2023.

Photo credit: Cunene

AURI, the project featuring NIGHTWISH mainman/keyboardist Tuomas Holopainen and his wife, popular Finnish singer Johanna Kurkela, has entered the studio to begin recording its third album for a 2025 release. Laying down the drums on the effort at the Petrax facility in Hollola, Finland is Kai Hahto, best known as the drummer of NIGHTWISH and WINTERSUN.

Earlier today (Wednesday, January 8),AURI shared a short video from the studio in which Holopainen said: "Good evening and greetings from the legendary Petrax studios in Hollola, Finland, where we just finished recording drums and percussion for the third AURI album by the legend himself, Mr. Kai Hahto, who will also join us for the tour later this year."

Kai added: "Yes, I'm really thrilled to be part of the live shows and hope to see you all there."

AURI released its second album, "II - Those We Don't Speak Of", in September 2021 via Nuclear Blast. The effort was the follow-up to AURI's self-titled debut LP, which came out in March 2018 via Nuclear Blast.

AURI began its life with three people, united through their shared need to hear a kind of a music which can't be described by words alone. The first song born of this mindset, "Aphrodite Rising", appeared in 2011.

Kurkela lent her unique voice, while Holopainen and English composer and multi-instrumentalist Troy Donockley (also of NIGHTWISH) cast their spells with various other instruments. Now complemented by the dynamic percussive talents of Kai Hahto (NIGHTWISH),the threesome carves fantastical worlds entirely their own.

In a 2018 interview with Dead Rhetoric, Donockley stated about AURI's formation: "It was always there for us, since 2010. We decided back then that the three of us wanted to do something together. Tuomas and I are huge fans of Johanna's voice. I had been involved in one of her albums as a guest musician, and Tuomas had written a song for her on a solo album. So the three of us realized pretty early on that we wanted to do something together, musically. It was obvious that it couldn't be like NIGHTWISH. But it was something we felt really strongly about, that we had to release this atmosphere we all felt, and were tuned into. I know that sounds fairly vague, but that's truly what it was. It was a kind of music that we wanted to get out of ourselves. We are close friends and have very similar tastes and attitudes towards life so we made our plans, but NIGHTWISH is a behemoth. We have our commitments there and we did 'Imaginaerum' and 'Endless Forms Most Beautiful' after our decision to work together on some music. As it turned out, fortune smiled on us with a sabbatical year. We decided to dive in and work on it."

Asked how he would compare the spirit/essence of AURI with that of NIGHTWISH, Donockley said: "We don't see it as very different from NIGHTWISH at all. Sonically it is, for sure. We were struggling to find a label for it, as it usually happens, so I just tossed out 'celestial metal.' So this Polish journalist said to me, 'I know what you mean about celestial metal. It's kind of heavenly music. It has the metal attitude, but without all of the electric guitars and bass.' Metal is an attitude. The metal scene — the metal fans are open-minded, as I said before. The Italian [NIGHTWISH] fan club, I did an interview with them, and this was brought up and she told me that she was a fan of DIMMU BORGIR as well as Ed Sheeran. That's it right there! So I think the NIGHTWISH connection is inevitable because of Tuomas and I are in it, so there are those elements. But I think the spirit is the same as NIGHTWISH. It does cover a lot of the same themes, it's just not obviously NIGHTWISH. It's down to the sonic side, honestly."

AURI is:

Johanna Kurkela: Voices, viola
Tuomas Holopainen: Keys, backing voices
Troy Donockley: Acoustic and electric guitars, bouzouki, uilleann pipes, low whistles, aerophone, bodhran, keys, voices

Holopainen and Kurkela have been married since October 2015.

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CYHRA, the band featuring vocalist Jake E (ex-AMARANTHE),guitarist Jesper Strömblad (THE HALO EFFECT, ex-IN FLAMES), guitarist Euge Valovirta (ex-SHINING), drummer Alex Landenburg (KAMELOT) and guitarist Marcus Sunesson (ENGEL, THE CROWN), has released a new single, "Superman". The track explodes with headbang-inducing riffs, as Jake teases its epic, melody-rich chorus against a backdrop of sharp instrumentals. The almost-spoken verses escalate to a larger-than-life chorus, culminating in irresistible, sing-along choirs that emphatically signal CYHRA's trajectory is set to soar above and beyond at breakneck speed.

CYHRA comments on the song's meaning: "Sometimes life tests our limits, but when we choose to rise, to dream and to believe, we find the strength to be unstoppable. Because deep down, we all have a 'Superman' within us."

"Superman" not only marks CYHRA's latest single but also the band's debut release with the burgeoning label Reigning Phoenix Music (RPM). This track was mastered by renowned audio engineer Maor Appelbaum, known for his work with HALFORD, SABATON and EQUILIBRIUM, among others. The artwork for "Superman" was crafted by Gustavo Sazes, a longtime collaborator who has designed for SOILWORK, DYNAZTY and VLTIMAS. Sazes has been instrumental in shaping the visual identity of CYHRA's previous three studio albums as well.

Jake states: "We are thrilled to announce that we have officially signed with Reigning Phoenix Music! This marks an exciting new chapter in our journey, and we couldn't be prouder to join a family that shares our passion for music and artistry.

"Reigning Phoenix Music is home to a roster of incredible talent and a team of dedicated professionals, many of whom we've had the pleasure of working with earlier in our career. Reuniting with such familiar faces feels like coming home, and we're confident that this partnership will allow us to reach new heights together.

"We're already hard at work with new music, and with Reigning Phoenix Music by our side, we're more inspired than ever to create something truly unforgettable for our fans. Thank you for your continued support — it means the world to us!"

The Reigning Phoenix Music team says: "We are are excited to welcome CYHRA to our family and for the opportunity to work with them again. Their talent, passion, and energy align perfectly with our vision of elevating artistry to new heights. Together, we're setting the stage for an incredible journey!"

As they approach their 10th anniversary next year, CYHRA have carved out a notable place in the metal scene since their founding in 2016 by Jake and Jesper. They were soon joined by Alex and bassist Peter Iwers (THE HALO EFFECT, formerly IN FLAMES). Their debut album, "Letters To Myself", was released in 2017 to glowing reviews, catapulting the group to global stages, crowned with a massive North American tour supporting SABATON and KREATOR.

Following Iwers's departure, Euge Valovirta (guitars, bass) joined the CYHRA lineup, and the band released its second album, "No Halos In Hell", in 2019, which blended groovy metal with a poppy flair and featured the hit single "Out Of My Life", amassing about 11 million streams on Spotify. Their success continued with a European tour with BATTLE BEAST, U.K. dates alongside DELAIN, headline shows in select countries including Finland and Japan, and performances at major festivals like Masters Of Rock, Bloodstock Open Air, Sabaton Open Air and 70000 Tons of Metal.

In 2020, guitarist Marcus Sunesson (RONNIE ATKINS, THE CROWN) joined, expanding the lineup. The pandemic pause allowed the band to craft their third album "The Vertigo Trigger", released in 2023. The album's tour brought them back to Finland to open for SMASH INTO PIECES and to headline shows in early 2024. Quietly beginning their fourth album, CYHRA ended the cycle with a Scandinavian tour with EVERGREY, leading into 2025 with the standalone single "Superman".

Photo credit: Linda Florin

Following the success of their first single "Silver Linings", German metal act OBSCURA returns with the second single, "Evenfall", from the highly anticipated album "A Sonication", due on February 7, 2025 via Nuclear Blast Records.

This standout track showcases OBSCURA's ongoing evolution, masterfully blending their signature technical prowess with a more melodic approach. The result is a fresh yet unmistakably OBSCURA sound that promises to both surprise longtime fans and captivate new listeners.

Accompanying the release is a visually striking music video, bringing the song's intensity and emotion to life. Once again, the video has been directed by Mirko Witzki (ARCH ENEMY, POWERWOLF, ESKIMO CALLBOY). Fans can expect an immersive audiovisual experience that underscores OBSCURA's artistic depth.

Mastermind Steffen Kummerer comments: "With 'Evenfall', we look into the most anticipated song by the band to perform in a live setting on our upcoming tours. The dynamics, groove and pace falls perfectly into place. One of my personal highlights of the new album, showcasing a rather cinematic sound scape within the OBSCURA universe."

The group's second (seventh overall) album for Nuclear Blast, "A Sonication" pivots on many fronts. Advanced, elegant, and yet refreshing, "A Sonication" sums up past endeavors effortlessly as it gazes with purpose and conviction into the future. OBSCURA are fan-renowned and critically acclaimed for challenging and then expanding upon norms. From "Retribution" (2004) through "A Valediction" (2021),the band flourished and made significant progress in a musical genre unprepared for a creative shot of German invention. "A Sonication" spearheads OBSCURA into a new era of extreme metal.

"A Sonication" track listing:

01. Silver Linings
02. Evenfall
03. In Solitude
04. The Prolonging
05. Beyond The Seventh Sun
06. Stardust
07. The Sun Eater
08. A Sonication

A European tour is set to kick off in February 2025. Joining OBSCURA on tour will be American progressive deathcore outfit RINGS OF SATURN and GOROD, the technical death metal force from France. With this international lineup, fans can expect a night of diverse and electrifying performances.

Original Journey bassist, Ross Valory, has released a video for "No One Wins A War", featured on his debut solo album, All Of The Above, available via OID Music. Watch the clip below:





Produced by Valory and co-produced by Eric Levy and Jacob Stowe, the nine tracks on the All Of The Above album represent the full maturity of Valory’s musical gifts, cutting a broad swath through the instrumental territory the music travels. He plays keyboards, guitar, and, of course, many basses in a display of cultivated virtuosity across a palette far broader than could be found in his work with Journey.







Tracklisting:


"Wild Kingdom"
"Tomland"
"Nightflower"
"Touched, Pt. II"
"Windmill"
"Incident At Neshabur"
"Senor Blue"
"Low Rider"
"No One Wins A War"


"Incident At Neshabur" / "Senor Blue" video:





"Touched, Pt. II" video:





"Nightflower" video:





"Low Rider" video:

Melodic metal powerhouse The Ferrymen (Magnus Karlsson, Ronnie Romero, and Mike Terrana) are pleased to share “Mother Unholy”, the next single from their new studio album, Iron Will, set for release on January 24 via Frontiers Music Srl. The release of the single is accompanied by a music video, available to view below.


About the track, vocalist Ronnie Romero says: “The most epic song of the album! Just loved how Magnus is capable to create such an atmosphere for a song. Loved to sing in this epic and yet heavy tune!! I believe The Ferrymen fans are going to love this one!!”


Guitarist Magnus Karlsson adds: “I love to write and produce epic stuff and this song is a really good example of that! The great lyrics are written by Jane Gillard and are about a nun who was pure of heart, but her heart was turned black by the hypocrisy of the people in the order around her, and ultimately, she became evil. Where there is light there, must also be dark”.







Magnus Karlsson expresses his excitement for the upcoming release: “It’s pure fire creating metal with legends like Ronnie and Mike! These tracks hit hard with unrelenting power, but there’s this raw, emotional edge woven into the heaviness that I can’t get enough of. Heavy, honest, and straight from the soul—that’s the vibe we’re bringing”.


“As usual, I just loved singing over Magnus/The Ferrymen songs!! As a singer there is nothing better to work on melodies and lyrics that inspire your performance, but also in real life day by day, and that’s something I strongly believe the fans of the band like the most of this project. Can’t wait for everybody to listen what, once again, is a strong melodic yet heavy album that I am very proud of,” adds vocalist Ronnie Romero.


Pre-order here.





Tracklisting:

With acclaimed albums like Universe (2019), The Unknown (2021) and Hologram (2023), as well as blockbuster tours with the likes of Lacuna Coil, DragonForce and Amaranthe, Los Angeles based cinematic hard rockers, Edge Of Paradise, have strongly established themselves on the heavy music scene. Today they are pleased to unveil their epic sixth studio album and Napalm Records debut, Prophecy, arriving March 7.


On Prophecy, Edge Of Paradise rage against the existential crisis of what is commonly known as “The Singularity,” the prophesized moment in time in which humanity loses control of artificial intelligence, leading to potentially cataclysmic shifts to life as we know it. Band mastermind and enigmatic frontwoman Margarita Monet combats this grim prediction with her vulnerable, self-effacing lyricism, and striking artwork featured on the cover and accompanying earbook. Co-produced with Mike Plotnikoff (Nita Strauss, Apocalyptica, Daughtry, Three Days Grace), mixed and mastered by Jacob Hansen (Amaranthe, Arch Enemy, Katatonia, Delain, Evergrey), and incorporated for the first time, 8-string guitars, Prophecy packs extreme firepower for Edge Of Paradise’s most intense voyage yet.


Alongside the album announcement, the band unleashes the melodically soaring “Death Note”, a thunderous anthem built on big riffs and harmonious hooks, urging listeners to escape their technological confines and reconnect with humanity. The official music video, directed by Monet, features high quality special effects and deeply immersive sets and costumes, transporting viewers into the band’s rich narrative universe at the Edge Of Paradise.




Monet says about the single: “Death Note’ is an intense battle for identity and connection, powered by soaring melodies and an aggressive sound. In a world where digital forces aim to seize control, and greed and conquest have dehumanized existence and stripped away individuality, two souls stand in defiance. Together, they fight to preserve the essence of being alive. Bound by loyalty, determination and human spirit, they risk everything to stand united against the rising tide of control to reclaim what it means to be truly human.”


Check out the official music video for “Death Note” below.


Prophecy kicks off in explosive fashion with opening track “Death Note”, a bombastic crash through apathetic walls encouraging listeners to break free from their technological isolation, and embrace connection with others over numb comfort alone. “Give It To Me (Mind Assassin)”, cranks up the intensity with an irresistible driving pulse propelled even further by an infectiously dancy chorus. A raucous fight for authenticity and self-realization, “Prophecy Unbound” careens through claustrophobically tight riffage, blossoming into a lush and cathartic belt-along chorus. The winding serpentine melodies of “Falling Light” explode with Monet’s venomous soaring vocals, dancing around ethereal synth textures, enveloping listeners in a sonic gothic cathedral. Released earlier this year, lead single “Rogue (Aim For The Kill)”, is a full throttle industrial rock track about perseverance in the face of seeming unbeatable adversity. “The Other Side Of Fear” is an energized rager built on pulsating dance beats and features a standout guitar solo from composer and commander in shred Dave Bates. Prophecy takes a stand against indifference, encouraging listeners to go outside, cry, and embrace all the uncomfortable parts of life that make us human, before comfort driven apathy driven by addictive algorithms bring about our demise.





Prophecy will be available in the following formats:


- 1LP Gatefold AV Translucent (Napalm Records mail order only - limited to 200)
- 1CD Digisleeve
- Digital Album


Always looking for new and innovative ways to engage with fans, Prophecy will release alongside the highly anticipated follow up to the band’s graphic novel Hologram and Slaves to Forever.


Pre-order Prophecy here.





Prophecy tracklisting:


"Death Note"
"Give It To Me (Mind Assassin)" ( feat. Ben V. from Ludovico)
"Prophecy Unbound"
"Sad Life Of A Rose"
"Rogue (Aim For The Kill)"
"Hear Me"
"The Other Side Of Fear"
"Martyr (Monster)"
"Relive Again"
"Falling Light"


"Death Note" video:





"Rogue (Aim For The Kill)" video:

During his final livestream of 2024 on his YouTube channel, Brazilian guitarist Kiko Loureiro, best known for his work with MEGADETH and ANGRA, was asked how he deals with writer's block. He responded (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "That's a good question. I don't have that, the writer's block. I don't know. I think to write ideas, it's more how much you're judging your ideas. I think that's the problem. You play something, and it's, like, 'Hey, I did that already,' or, 'It doesn't sound good,' or, 'I don't like this,' 'Nobody's gonna like it.' You start thinking about other people. Do you think they're gonna like that? They're gonna sell the album. I think bigger bands might have that because they're afraid of just doing whatever they they're doing. I kind of don't have that, or I try to work on my thoughts so I don't have that, but I'm not [pop superstar] Beyoncé or something. So I just do it. Of course I have my conflicts — like, 'Is this good? Maybe not. Maybe I can try a better, a better part,' et cetera. So this is all good. But it doesn't mean I have some sort of a block that nothing happens. Something happens, and then I do it. Sometimes I'm not even liking that much, but then I think like, 'Wow, I have to put this thing out and see what happens.' Because sometimes you write something that you don't like. And also I'm doing this right now, in this last two months."

He continued: "After [my latest solo album] 'Theory Of Mind' was released, I was thinking, ''Theory Of Mind' is quite complicated. Can I do something very simple?' It was a question to myself. And then I started writing very simple things…And then I'm not giving names to the ideas. I just like trying to have a bunch of ideas. So I think I'm around number 20. I was just checking yesterday. So, okay, 20 ideas. 20 songs? I cannot call [them] 20 songs — it's 20 ideas, 20 melodies. And then I was doing one melody, [and] it was not so good, but it's, like, 'Well, let me finish. Let me see where this is gonna lead.' Because sometimes a melody that is not so good leads to another part that's better. And then you get rid of the not-so-good melody, or that not-so-good melody is just a transition to something else. So, that melody kind of works as a transition, but it's not the main thing or it's not the chorus or the main theme of the song. So, we never know. So that's why the writer's block, in this sense, it doesn't happen to me, I guess. And also, when I'm on tour or if I'm traveling a lot, I'm not in a mood to write stuff. So sometimes I don't even try. So maybe if I try during crazy flights or things like that, then maybe it's not gonna work. So, yeah, during the tours I could consider that I have a writer's block because my mind is more into playing well the songs of the tour. But sometimes you get into that place in a hotel room or backstage that you start playing. It's, like, 'Oh, that's a cool idea.' And you get more inspired or you feel more creative and you try to record that. Also with the years doing that, you kind of learn how to put yourself in that space, mental place, mental space. You sit down, you know it takes 30 minutes, one hour to start feeling comfortable of creating stuff that you can use. Then you have always to record your ideas with no judgment. That's very important. So sometimes I go back to my ideas… Sometimes I find the original recordings of some songs that I have."

"Theory Of Mind" was released in November.

In November 2023, Kiko announced his decision to "extend" his absence from MEGADETH's touring activities, explaining that he didn't want to "hinder any of the band's plans or the hard work of all the incredible people involved in the tour."

Kiko revealed in September 2023 that he would sit out the next leg of MEGADETH's "Crush The World" tour in order to stay home with his children back in Finland.

One day after Kiko's announcement that he was "extending" his absence from MEGADETH's touring activities, band leader Dave Mustaine released a statement in which he said that he loves Loureiro and respects and fully supports Kiko's decision. He described Kiko as "a top-notch professional, a maestro" and thanked the guitarist "for his dedication and hard work these past nine years, helping us to achieve a Grammy on 'Dystopia' and the additional awards we have received on this latest record 'The Sick... The Dying...And The Dead'." Mustaine added: "I could not have done this without Kiko Loureiro."

MEGADETH played its first concert with Kiko's replacement, Teemu Mäntysaari on September 6, 2023 at Revel in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

The 37-year-old Mäntysaari was born in Tampere, Finland and began playing guitar at the age of 12. In 2004, he joined the band WINTERSUN. He has also been a member of SMACKBOUND since 2015.

Loureiro officially joined MEGADETH in April 2015, about five months after Chris Broderick's exit from the group.

Former NIGHTWISH bassist/vocalist Marko Hietala makes a triumphant return with his powerful new single "Rebel Of The North". This high-energy classic rock anthem is a perfect showcase of Marko's talent for crafting timeless, hard-hitting music. The single serves as another taste of his upcoming album, "Roses From The Deep", which is set for release on February 7, 2025.

Accompanying the release is a unique and visually striking music video. Filmed against the breathtaking backdrop of a picturesque Spanish village, the video captures the band's electrifying performance, seamlessly blended with the song's bold and inspiring lyrics. The stunning contrast between the rugged rock sound and the tranquil Mediterranean setting makes this release a feast for the senses.

Hietala comments: "This one is a rocker. The main riff will put you into the Nordics with a slam. And the story is about reimagining, reinventing, and then gathering yourself into a better new being. We should never take ourselves for granted. It leads to becoming jaded and boring. Your inner kid wants to learn and apply anything and everything. Just don't get in the way of yourself."

"Roses From The Deep" marks Hietala's first major project since his critically acclaimed "Pyre Of The Black Heart" captivated fans worldwide in 2020.

"Roses From The Deep" promises to deliver a unique blend of dark, introspective lyricism and soaring, cinematic soundscapes. Drawing inspiration from myth, nature, and the human experience, Hietala has crafted an album that transcends genres, with elements of progressive rock, folk, and symphonic metal seamlessly intertwined.

"Roses From The Deep" represents a journey into the hidden layers of our emotions and the beauty we often overlook in darker times. It's an album about fragility, resilience, and finding light even in the depths of shadow.

The album's previous single, "Impatient Zero", arrived with a visually stunning music video. Featuring a stomping, groovy beat and a grand, anthemic chorus, the track captivated listeners and perfectly set the tone for the rest of "Roses From The Deep".

"Impatient Zero" followed the huge success of the album's first two singles. "Left On Mars", a haunting duet with ex-NIGHTWISH singer Tarja Turunen, quickly became a fan favorite, showcasing the vocal chemistry between the two icons. The second single, "Frankenstein's Wife", with its dark storytelling and intricate composition, further heightened anticipation for Hietala's upcoming release.

"Roses From The Deep" track listing:

01. Frankenstein's Wife
02. Left On Mars
03. Proud Whore
04. Two Soldiers
05. The Dragon Must Die
06. The Devil You Know
07. Rebel Of The North
08. Impatient Zero
09. Tammikuu
10. Roses From The Deep

To mark the album release, Hietala will embark on a tour across Finland.

Feb. 07 - FI Lahti - Finlandia Klubi
Feb. 08 - FI Kuopio - Sawohouse Underground
Feb. 12 - FI Helsinki - Tavastia
Feb. 13 - FI Savonlinna - House Of Olaf
Feb. 14 - FI Tampere - Olympia-kortteli
Feb. 15 - FI Turku - Logomo

Lineup:

Marko Hietala - Bass, Vocals
Tuomas Wäinölä - Guitar
Vili Ollila / Bob Engstrand - Keyboards
Anssi Nykänen - Drums

Hietala announced his departure from NIGHTWISH in January 2021, explaining in a statement that he hadn't "been able to feel validated by this life for a quite a few years now." He has since been replaced by bassist Jukka Koskinen (WINTERSUN),who made his live debut with NIGHTWISH in May 2021 at the band's two interactive experiences.

This past March, Hietala was asked by Brazil's Ibagenscast if he would consider taking part in a reunion of the band's classic lineup, either for a tour or fresh material. He responded: "Hmm, I would consider it. But I think that the organization there would have to be looked very carefully into it and some of it would have to be dismantled. Because the business side and how the people there work, they are one of the big reasons why I left."

He continued: "In all the bands that I've been [in], I found out that I'm probably the most kind of courageous person there is and therefore also I have the inner strength to be the most honest and most fair and the one who upholds the justice between the people and taking care of everyone most. And that is something that I saw, the last years, were lacking. So, these kind of things would have to be taken care of. But I mean, [NIGHTWISH] was a big part of my life and I always, always backed up the music that we did because I love to do music that is versatile and ambitious with a lot of all kinds of atmospheres of all the world, from sensitive and soft into the big and pounding metal and all that. So, musically, I have no regrets at all. I'm happy and proud to have been a part of it. But, yeah, the organizational situation and the attitudes and who talks to whom and about what, those are things that I would totally dismantle and make into a transparent situation."

In an August 2022 interview with Finland's Chaoszine, Hietala revealed that he went through a dark period in his life, which included depression, insomnia, anxiety and an eventual attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) diagnosis. Speaking about how he eventually came to the realization that exiting NIGHTWISH was the right thing to do, Marko said: "It was a long process. Of course, the COVID year that was there, where I had a lot of time for soul searching, it obviously gave me the last incentive that I need something else, that if I just continue with this I'm just gonna get sicker and sicker. But, of course, it's a process.

"I've been chronic depressive since 2010 [or] 2011, so I've been on a permanent medication ever since," he revealed. "Sometimes you get used to the meds [and] you will need more. We did raise [the dosage] during the years also, but it just didn't work. And now that I started to do… I had psychotherapy for over four years now, and then I also talked to psychiatrists and some doctors and did that also in Spain. Then my psychiatrist here in Finland said that I should do these ADHD neuropsychological tests, which I then did in Spain. And, okay, I got it."

Hietala reiterated that he "had been thinking about" leaving NIGHTWISH "for a while" before making the final decision. "Because I had a lot of weight. And I tend to… With the attention disorder, it tells me that when there are lots of trouble, then the disorder makes it into a real chaos," he explained. "There's a shitload of stuff coming and going and no peace anywhere. And for a year or two, I was already waking up every night at three o'clock to bad dreams and anxiety. So I'd say that the whole process probably started already with my former divorce [in 2016]. That was a very sad time when you think about your kids and your broken homes and all that. And then, when I started to get clear from that, then there were, well, all kinds of things. I don't really wanna go any deeper to what kind of things I'd gone through, but I'd gone through enough."

Acknowledging that making NIGHTWISH's 2020' album "Human. :II: Nature." was a "difficult" experience for him, Marko denied that his mental state at the time resulted in a diminished role for him on the final LP. "I think the original idea was to have that… we'll do a couple of [solo vocal appearances], or one solo for me and Troy [Donockley], and the rest Floor [Jansen], and then the harmonies; that was the idea originally for that," he said. "So I don't know if it affected. I think it was sort of as planned. But at that time I already had serious trouble with concentrating and serious trouble with a constant black cloud over my head."

In July 2022, Hietala told Finland's Iltalehti that he had not kept in touch with NIGHTWISH since his departure or followed the activities of his former band.

In December 2020, Hietala was crowned the winner of the fall 2020 season of "Masked Singer Suomi" — the Finnish edition of the popular masked singing contest. He was disguised as Tohtori — the Doctor.

Photo credit: Mika Toivanen

Saber, the a Los Angeles based heavy metal band known for their uniquely sleazy take on the traditional NWOBHM sound, will release their new album, Lost In Flames, on February 7 via RPM-ROAR. Pre-order the album here.


Saber emerged organically in 2018 after lead guitarist Joel Dominguez, who was already working on some similar material with rhythm guitarist Jesus Delgado and bassist David Sanchez, received a message from singer Steven Villa about starting a new 80s-inspired band.


A series of thundering tracks followed soon after, which were refined into their 2021 debut album Without Warning. Produced and released with the help of Trevor William Church (Haunt), who also filled in as the drummer, the album was overwhelmingly positively received, being named as one of Bandcamp's best albums of the year and outranking Exodus and Iron Maiden on BraveWords annual Top 30 list.




Sonically and aesthetically, Saber’s artistic identity is firmly rooted in the 80s. With Jesus now as their drummer and the addition of guitarist Antonio ‘Yogi’ Pettinato, the fearsome fivesome pass influences from Judas Priest and Queensrÿche to Riot, Crimson Glory and Iron Maiden through a unique lens, creating a distinctly energetic audiovisual experience that resonates with their diverse and growing fanbase. “We are heavily inspired by all 80s music, we love the glam era as well, as many can tell, we have that certain look that is unmistakably glam but don't let it fool you, the songs are heavier than you may expect”, says Joel Dominguez.


Saber directly became a part of the NWOTHM scene with young bands, playing traditional heavy metal in a fresh way. “Some of the newer bands we love are Traveler, Visigoth, Wings Of Steel, Evil Invaders, Enforcer, Skull Fist and many more.”


After two years playing and touring alongside legends like Night Demon, Sacred Reich, Haunt and Screamer at institutional events like Decibel's “Metal and Beer Fest” and the sold-out “Hell’s Heroes Fest”, Saber is now preparing for their sophomore release Lost In Flames. “The first new track I wrote that would light the spark to write the songs for Lost In Flames was 'On The Hunt'. We were at rehearsal one day and I picked up my guitar and the first thing I played was that opening riff and all the guys were silent and said 'Is that your riff?! Keep playing!' By the end of that rehearsal that song was completed and we worked from then on”, remembers Joel Dominguez. One and half year later, the second album was written. He adds: “It was an arduous time through all that because things kept happening that would derail our attempt to write songs but we persevered through it.”


The new tracks also mark a new chapter, a logical follow-up by a band that grew together and got more experienced. “We certainly wanted to change the lyrical themes for this album. After going through life changing experiences, we decided we wanted to sing about what we were going through in life at that time. The riffs on this album are also some of the best we've written. 'Steelbreaker' sounds nothing like we've done before but it is relentless from beginning to end. 'Lost In Flames' tells the story of how we were spiraling on a downward trajectory but managed to pull ourselves together and rise from the ashes like a phoenix, so to speak.”


Once again Saber went back to their friend and supporter Trevor at Church Recordings, where they recorded Lost In Flames. The guitar player remembers: “We lived in his studio for a week tirelessly working on recording and fine-tuning certain parts to songs to make them sound the best as possible. We had Darren Trentacoste mix and master the album and it came out sounding amazing.” The result is fresh and unique, wild and… hungry! You can obviously hear that there is a band who live and breathe what they stand for. “The album is relentlessly infectious! We know our fans will love it and we hope to make a lot of new fans upon release.”


The highlights are many. For the band founder Joel it is "Shattered Dreams". “That song has some personal lyrics that Steven wrote and is sung fantastically. His scream at the end of the song makes the hairs in the back of my neck stand straight up! The bridge riff on that song is very ear pleasing to me, especially when the harmony guitar kicks in. I think our fans will love that song just as much as I do.” One of the obvious hist on the album is the hymnic “Madam Dangerous”, a definitive single
and track for a video. “It quickly became one of our favorite songs from the album. We knew it would be a single as soon as we finished recording it. It was inspired by a certain encounter that someone in the band had with a lady he had met at a bar. She was very intense, and I thought it to be a perfect theme for one of our songs. The title came to me almost instantly, I thought it fit perfectly.”


The album title track is the epic “Lost In Flames”, basically expired by a lot of personal tragedy during the songwriting process. Joel remembers: “Jesus' house burned down and he lost everything, including his dog Tim. We were very deeply saddened about that. We also rehearsed and wrote at his house so we had to put that on pause for a while. One night after opening for Midnight in San Diego, David had his car broken into and someone stole his bass and all his equipment. Steven's relationship of 10+ years ended so he was in a dark place for a while, and I had a back injury that prevented me from performing live to the best of my abilities. I had to endure physical therapy for 9 months to strengthen my body back to normal. It started to feel like we were cursed but we didn't let it derail us from what we had to accomplish.” All of this is somehow reflected in the album artwork. “Since we were all battling some demons through this time in our lives, we decided to add that to the artwork as well and "Madam Dangerous" and "Steelbreaker" are also in the artwork. Daniel Porta from The Pit Forge did an amazing job with the artwork. He's a very talented artist and a fantastic person to work with.





Lost In Flame

Tarja has released the official video for "Never Enough", from her recently released Rocking Heels: Live At Hellfest, available via earMUSIC. Watch below:





On June 19, 2016, Tarja delivered a captivating performance at Hellfest, one of Europe's largest and most prestigious metal festivals held in Clisson, France. Her powerful blend of operatic vocals and heavy metal instrumentation enthralled the audience, making her performance one of the festival's highlights. The setlist featured a carefully curated mix of her solo work and iconic Nightwish songs.




Opening with “No Bitter End” from her 2016 album, The Shadow Self, Tarja set the tone for an evening of intensity and emotion. Her dynamic stage presence and dramatic musical arrangements created an unforgettable experience, solidifying her status as one of metal's greatest female singers.


Experience the raw energy and powerful emotion of Tarja Turunen's unforgettable performance at Hellfest 2016. Rocking Heels: Live At Hellfest is available as a Ltd. 1LP Gatefold Vinyl Edition, CD Digipak in LP-replica design and on Digital. Order here.





Tracklisting:


"No Bitter End"
"Never Enough"
"Ciaran's Well"
"Calling From The Wild"
"Supremacy"
"Victim Of Ritual"
"Tutankhamen / Ever"
"Tutankhamen" / "Ever Dream" / "The Riddler" / "Slaying The Dreamer" (Nightwish Medley)
"Die Alive"
"Until My Last Breath"


"Victim Of Ritual" video:

Swedish rockers, Degreed, are pleased to share their new single and accompanying visualizer video, “Good Enough”, out now via Frontiers Music Srl. Stream/download the single here, and watch the clip below.





Vocalist Robin Eriksson comments on the new single: “'Good Enough' is one heavy and fast track with a sing along chorus. You won’t be disappointed.”

Pattern-Seeking Animals comes out of the gate in 2025 with the release of their fifth album, Friend Of All Creatures, due out on February 14 on GEP Records. The Los Angeles-based quartet have been one of the prog scene’s most prolific and well-received artists, beginning with the release of their self-titled debut album in 2019, followed by Prehensile Tales in 2020, Only Passing Through in 2022 and Spooky Action At A Distance in 2023.  





Originally formed with past members of Spock’s Beard, Pattern-Seeking Animals (P-SA) has long since staked claim to its own identity, forging a strong path in the prog world. The band, named after a quote about human behavior from science historian Michael Shermer, PS-A is Ted Leonard (lead vocals and guitar), John Boegehold (keyboards, guitars, programming), Dave Meros (basses) and the energetic Jimmy Keegan (drums and vocals).




The band is pleased to share the lyric video for the new sin

The fully restored official video for Dokken's 1987 single / video "Dream Warriors" can be viewed below courtesy of Bunker HeavyRock. 


The song was written for the movie A Nightmare On Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors. It charted at #22 on the Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart, and was also released on Dokken's fourth album, Back For The Attack, as the closing track.







Gibson TV recently shared the video below, along with the following introduction:


"Check out this EXCLUSIVE clip from Metal And Monsters on Gibson TV as horror icon Robert Englund (the original Freddy Krueger) and rock legend Don Dokken, who wrote the hit song 'Dream Warriors' for A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors talk about their childhood and how music shaped their lives.


"Watch as they share stories of growing up surrounded by music and how music would eventually influence their careers as well as placing them in horror and heavy metal stardom.


"Watch as Robert Englund talks about his father’s friend, a B-29 pilot, whose son introduced him to early rock ‘n’ roll, and how this “cool kid” whose bedroom sound system blasted Duane Eddy’s 'Rebel Rouser' and Link Wray’s 'Rumble'—hit Robert like a lightning bolt, eventually fuelling his appreciation of heavy music which would later blend perfectly with the dark intensity he would bring to the screen as the iconic Freddy Krueger.


"Don Dokken, the man b

Video of former FEAR FACTORY frontman Burton C. Bell's December 13, 2024 concert at The Regent in Los Angeles, California as the support act for GOD FORBID can be seen below.

Bell played the first concert with his solo band on June 13, 2024 at 1720 in Los Angeles, California.

Backing Bell at the 1720 gig were guitarist Henrik Linde (THE VITALS, DREN),drummer Ryan "Junior" Kittlitz (ALL HAIL THE YETI, THE ACID HELPS),bassist Tony Baumeister (ÆGES) and multi-instrumentalist Stewart Cararas.

When the 1720 concert was first announced, Burton called the gig a "historic event" and vowed to perform "new songs and classics spanning my career."

In August 2024, Bell released a new solo single, "Technical Exorcism", along with the official Don Pancho Films-directed music video for the track.

In March 2024, Bell, who released his debut solo single that same month, "Anti-Droid", was asked by Knotfest's "Nu Pod" podcast if he has an entire album's worth of material ready to come out. He responded: "No. I'm working on individual singles at a time. I do have a record's worth of music. But I'm adopting the hip-hop strategy where instead of coming up, releasing a single and then the whole album comes out a couple of weeks later, and then a couple of weeks later, when that album is out, the momentum of the single and the whole record just kind of slows and becomes sluggish and just almost crashes. So I learned watching hip-hop artists and other artists as well, [where] they would just release a single at a time, keep that momentum, keep that spotlight on them and just release a single every few weeks and just keep that momentum going."

He continued: "In this day and age, the short attention span of the masses is very apparent. There's this old saying in economics, less is more — supply and demand, less is more. So if you just feed 'em just a little bit at a time, they wanna hear more. And that's where the interest stays. They're compelled to keep listening. 'Oh, he's got something else coming out. Oh, he's got something else coming out.'"

Bell went on to tease his next single, which he described as "heavy", "groovy" and "dark. It's more uptempo. It's got more guitar in it," he revealed. "And it's gonna be awesome. I've got a couple of guest artists on this next track that it's gonna be sick. I recruited Paul Ferguson again, and I've also recruited Norman Westberg, guitar player from SWANS. SWANS is one of my favorite bands of all time and it's a band that influenced not just me but NEUROSIS — a lot of bands — GODFLESH."

Asked if he is planning to play shows or get a band together to promo his music, Bell said: "Yes to all of those questions. I'm in the process of booking a show. It's gonna be a showcase. It's gonna be in L.A., and I have a band together. They're already working on [the set]. It's a retrospection, so I plan to play four new songs, some deep-cut FEAR FACTORY, some [ASCENSION OF THE] WATCHERS, some G/Z/R, some CITY OF FIRE.

"My new music is an amalgamation of everything I've ever done, and I'm gonna basically put it all together into this package and just see what happens," he explained. "And the live show, it's gonna be heavy, it's gonna be groovy. And I wanna create a vibe. I really do."

When "Anti-Droid" was first released in March 2024, Bell said in a statement: "I'm starting my solo career. I'm working with different producers and co-songwriters, making music that I love, with full control of the music and creative direction."

Bell's discography includes multiple live and recorded collaborations with BLACK SABBATH icon Geezer Butler and JOURNEY's Deen Castronovo (as G/Z/R); industrial maverick Al Jourgensen and MINISTRY; and guest vocal appearances with PITCHSHIFTER, CONFLICT, SOIL, STATIC-X, SOULFLY and DELAIN, among others. He's the vocalist of ASCENSION OF THE WATCHERS and CITY OF FIRE and, of course, the co-creator of FEAR FACTORY and the only musician to appear on every FEAR FACTORY release from 1992 through 2024.

FEAR FACTORY created a sound that revolutionized extreme metal, defined in no small part by Bell's innovative scream/sing dichotomy and the influences he brought from post-punk and industrial. Songs like "Replica", "Linchpin", "Edgecrusher", "Fear Campaign", "Archetype", "Cyber Waste" and "Zero Signal" are modern metal anthems. "Demanufacture" (1995) and the RIAA gold-certified "Obsolete" (1998) are genre-redefining works heralded by fans and critics as essential albums. Orwell, Bradbury, "Blade Runner", and sophisticated sci-fi and fantasy works fed Bell's lyrics and concepts.

The band toured the world with METALLICA, SLIPKNOT, KORN, MEGADETH and OZZY OSBOURNE, taking bands like SYSTEM OF A DOWN and STATIC-X out as support acts in their early stages. After years of behind-the-scenes band member turmoil and legal issues, Bell left FEAR FACTORY in the fall of 2020.

In the chorus of "Anti-Droid", he declares: "I'd rather be dead than a slave to the factory."

Bell says "Anti-Droid" is "a statement about breaking free. Breaking the bonds of what I felt was a prison in many ways. Not just financially or contractually but creatively, as well. I felt constrained to this format we'd written ourselves into. The 'factory' doesn't have a capital F. It's the factory of the music industry, a certain form of business, and priorities. Being a slave to an established way of thinking is not really freedom. I am moving forward."

Like the faithful cover of RAMMSTEIN's "Du Hast" he released in 2023, or the cover of "Enter Sandman" recorded with DANZIG's John Christ and METALLICA's Robert Trujillo more than a decade before, Bell's solo work embodies the best of hard rock, metal, and industrial's past, present and future. "Anti-Droid" is but the opening salvo in a brand-new campaign, which will see Burton C. Bell releasing increasingly innovative yet classic feeling, ever-engaging solo material.

The 55-year-old Bell had been largely inactive on the musical front since officially announcing his departure from FEAR FACTORY in September 2020. At the time he said that he could not "align" himself with someone whom he did not trust or respect, an apparent reference to FEAR FACTORY founding guitarist Dino Cazares.

During an appearance on a May 2023 episode of the "Home Is Where The Dark Is" podcast, Bell reflected on his musical journey so far, saying: "I've had a lot of incredible ups in my career, a lot of incredible high points. I've had some devastatingly low points. But for me, this is all I wanna do.

"I consider myself an artist — multifaceted, but first and foremost I'm a musician; I'm a singer. So I wanna keep continuing that," he explained.

"I love performing on stage. I love being out in front of the crowd. I love the energy of the audience, and I miss it completely.

"I am making plans — I'm making steps to get back onstage."

At the end of the chat, when host Alex Crescioni thanked Bell for his "inspiring" musical output over the years, including that with FEAR FACTORY and ASCENSION OF THE WATCHERS, Burton said: "People will hear those again. When I get back on the road, I'll be playing… I'm proud of 99 percent of the songs we did [with] FEAR FACTORY. Not every song is a winner, but I'm proud of all the work I did with FEAR FACTORY, THE WATCHERS, GZR, CITY OF FIRE, MINISTRY, HATEFACE. There's all these bands I've been part of. So when I go on the road, I will be playing music from all of these bands. Obviously, a lot from FEAR FACTORY, 'cause I got 30 years of that. But it's not gonna be all about FEAR FACTORY. It's gonna be FEAR FACTORY, WATCHERS, classic GZR, CITY OF FIRE — just do all of it. It's gonna be fun. And I'm jamming with some guys right now. We're working on it and making those steps to make that happen."

In March 2023, Bell was asked by Joshua Toomey of the "Talk Toomey" podcast how it felt to see FEAR FACTORY going out on tour with someone else singing the parts he originally wrote and recorded with the band. He responded: "It doesn't affect me at all. To be honest, I haven't been this happy in a long time. More power to them, but I'm just moving forward in my own life, my own career, and I'm just trying to make a name for myself."

Asked if he has checked out any of the videos on YouTube of FEAR FACTORY performing with his replacement, the Italian-born singer Milo Silvestro, Bell said: "No, I don't. I don't care to."

Burton went on to say that he doesn't mind being asked about FEAR FACTORY despite the fact that he is no longer in the band. "FEAR FACTORY, it's what I'm known for," he explained. "And the 30 years I had with FEAR FACTORY were some of the proudest moments of my career. And everything I've ever done in FEAR FACTORY I'm very proud of. Even some of the questionable things I've done in FEAR FACTORY I'm still proud of. It was a great legacy."

During an April 2022 appearance on an episode of "The Ex-Man" podcast hosted by Doc Coyle (BAD WOLVES),Bell touched upon FEAR FACTORY's latest album, "Aggression Continuum", which was released in June 2021 via Nuclear Blast Records. The LP, which was recorded primarily in 2017, features Bell and fellow original FF member Dino Cazares (guitar) alongside drummer Mike Heller.

"I was just happy that record finally came out," Burton said. "We finished that record in 2017. By the time it came out, I'd forgotten all about it. 'Oh, yeah, I remember that song. Oh yeah.'

"There's some good songs on that record. The song 'Collapse' is a good song. The title track 'Monolith' is a good song," he added, referencing the LP's original working title, before it was changed by Cazares.

When Coyle noted that the mix on "Aggression Continuum" is "great," Bell hesitated for a couple of seconds before reluctantly agreeing. "I guess," he said. "When I finished the record [in 2017], the record was done and agreed upon and then further work was done without my say."

Elsewhere in the chat, Burton admitted that "it was difficult" for him to leave FEAR FACTORY. "Stepping away from FEAR FACTORY was not an easy decision by [any] means," he said. "But what I experienced for the 10 years before that, the lawsuits, the acrimony, that was the one that killed me. And I just had to step away to realize, you know, they can take all this stuff from me — they can take the money, they can take the royalties, they can take the trademark away from me — and I realized that didn't define me. They can take that, but I'm still Burton C. Bell, motherfucker, and whatever I have they can't take. So I'm just kind of moving forward and doing new things."

According to Bell, hardship is par for the course for most musicians, who often find themselves victims of bad contracts, unscrupulous management and, all too often, what appears to be a penchant for self-destruction.

"I knew a long time ago I wanted to be an artist — way before I was in FEAR FACTORY," he said. "When I was in high school, I was, like, 'I wanna be an artist.' To be an artist, you've gotta suffer. You've gotta understand that people wanna take from you the entire time — what you create they wanna make money off of and take it away from you and just give you a pittance. But being bitter is not my style — never has been.

"Whatever negativity has happened in the past with FEAR FACTORY doesn't even hold up to the amount of positivity that has happened," he continued. "If you think about the negative, it can weigh you down so much, but it's not really that much in comparison to what the band achieved, what we created, what we provided to the music world, and for that I'm proud and very happy.

"No one likes to talk to a bitter person at all," Burton added. "Me for one. It's, like, 'Man, just get over it and just move on.' 'Cause holding on to the past doesn't serve me anything, it doesn't serve anybody else anything. Move on and show 'em what you can do from that point forward."

Bell's exit from FEAR FACTORY came more than two weeks after Cazares launched a GoFundMe campaign to assist him with the production costs associated with the release of FEAR FACTORY's latest LP.

Bell later told Kerrang! magazine that his split with FEAR FACTORY was a long time coming. "It's been on my mind for a while," he said. "These lawsuits [over the rights to the FEAR FACTORY name] just drained me. The egos. The greed. Not just from bandmembers, but from the attorneys involved. I just lost my love for it.

"With FEAR FACTORY, it's just constantly been, like, 'What?!' You can only take so much. I felt like 30 years was a good run. Those albums I've done with FEAR FACTORY will always be out there. I'll always be part of that. I just felt like it was time to move forward."

Last year, Bell unveiled "Paradise Found", his debut exhibition of photographic works, at the Vincent Castiglia Gallery in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The photographs Bell presented were representational of his industrial and science-fiction aesthetic.

"Paradise Found" consisted of 20 original full-color photographs of abandoned industrial buildings taken in darkness and fog from 2002 to 2003. Bell's images are printed on aluminum using the dye sublimation process — an approach Bell calls "celluloid impressionism."

Bell's ASCENSION OF THE WATCHERS project released its second full-length album, "Apocrypha", in October 2020 via Dissonance Productions.

During an appearance on "The Downbeat Podcast", the podcast hosted by STRAY FROM THE PATH drummer Craig Reynolds, vocalist Dani Filth of British extreme metal titans CRADLE OF FILTH spoke about the band's long-awaited collaboration with British singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran. Dani said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): " The Ed Sheeran [collaborative song] is done and dusted. We did it like two years ago. It was weird, because we were planning to do it for about a year and a half."

Asked how the collaboration came about, Dani said: "I don't know. I think our managers got in touch with each other somehow. His manager, Stuart [Camp], used to listen to COAL CHAMBER [the band featuring CRADLE OF FILTH manager Dez Fafara] when he was growing up. Ed [played a vampire in the music video for his single 'Bad Habits'], and I think one day he got asked questions somewhere where it was, like, 'Are you into heavy metal?' I don't know why. And he said, 'Yeah, I was really into SLIPKNOT and CRADLE OF FILTH.' … So apparently [our managers] talked, and the chat came around, we should do a collab, it'd be hilarious. And he was right up for it."

Regarding the recording process for the song, Dani said: "When [Ed] was eventually free and we were free, he just comes to the studio by himself. He didn't even ask, like, 'Are you gonna be there with your mums and everything?' So we were very respectful. It was just me, the producer and him in our little countryside studio, probably 15 miles away as a crow flies from where he lives. he turns up in his wife's secret mini, the one he can get out of the house, on his own, [wearing a] CRADLE hoodie, guitar on his back. That was it. We spent the afternoon recording. He was telling us loads of funny stories, really cool. And then when we finished, we were, like, 'Do you wanna go for a pint?' He said, 'Well, I'm bit peckish.' So we went to local pub, at which point everybody in the pub, and it's like a very, very rustic old country pub, suddenly everybody, all these old dears and that, all knew his mum and they were flocking over. And he'd be, like, 'I have no idea who that is.' But it was really cool."

Dani went on to say that the song came out "great". He added: "We didn't wanna release it back then because we were busy with other things. Then he couldn't release it because he was doing a bunch of stuff. So it's just gonna come out when it does. We didn't wanna put it on the album."

Asked if it's a CRADLE OF FILTH song featuring Ed Sheeran or if it's an Ed Sheeran song featuring Dani Filth, Dani clarified: "It's a brand new CRADLE OF FILTH song featuring Ed Sheeran, and a lot of it sounds like Ed Sheeran. He's playing acoustic guitar, he's singing Ed Sheeran, but a lot of it sounds like us. There's a blast beat, scream. Ed really pushes himself in it as well. He does rock vocals. It's about affirmation. It's a bit about self-affirmation. It's a really good song. Only about a handful of people [have heard it]. My mum hasn't even heard it."

Last May, Dani was asked by Australia's Metal Roos if he thinks Ed Sheeran fans are going to be "a little bit in for a shock" when they hear the song. Dani said: "I think so. I think they're gonna be in for a shock because it's still an extreme song. There's still a blast beat on it. But it does sound like Ed Sheeran; it really does. It sounds like Ed Sheeran singing with us. And he's got some breakdowns in it. He plays acoustic guitar. It's very catchy, but it's very heavy at the same time."

Filth originally broke the news about potentially working with the 33-year-old singer/songwriter, who is one of the most successful musicians on the planet, during an interview with Kerrang! Radio"Breakfast Show" at the 2021 Bloodstock Open Air festival in the U.K. At the time, Dani said: "I've actually been e-mailing with [Ed]… He actually touched base with me. I've been invited up to his place. Well, he said he could come down to mine, but I pointed out to him that I don't own my own bar or village, and it'd be better if I went there.

"He said he'd do anything," he added. "Quite literally. He said he's a massive fan. He seems like a genuinely very nice guy actually."

Filth went on to say the prospect of collaborating with someone like Sheeran is not as far fetched as one might think. "We've always been like that," he explained. 'If someone tells us not to do something, then we'll do it. That's been our prerogative the whole time. I did this rap song with this band called TWIZTID in America. It's actually turned out more like RAMMSTEIN and BEASTIE BOYS than full-on rap. So, in that respect, I think it the Ed Sheeran collaboration would be great fun. I think it'd be great if we did it for charity, because at least it would bring a bit of credibility to it. Because obviously to his public, it'd be, like, Oh my god, he's got this weird comical guy,' and to my public it'd be, like, 'Oh my god, this is a bit weird, isn't it? But I think that sort of thing nowadays works."

In July 2021, Sheeran floated the possibility of exploring a more extreme musical path while speaking to The Sun. He said: "I was really into death metal as a kid. I listened to CRADLE OF FILTH and SLIPKNOT and all that stuff. I'm not saying I could ever step into that world. I learnt all those riffs on guitar as a kid. That's something I've never thought about doing — but something I would not be opposed to creating."

Sheeran had previously dabbled in a variety of genres, including rock, dance, rap and reggae.

After The Sun published Sheeran's comments, Filth posted a screenshot of an article headlined "Ed Sheeran is open to recording a death metal album after spending his youth listening to CRADLE OF FILTH" and wrote in an accompanying caption, "I'll believe it when I see it. Fellow Suffolk lad could come good in the end. 'Dracula's Castle On The Hill' anyone?"

Last October, CRADLE OF FILTH released a new single, "Malignant Perfection". The track is taken from the band's upcoming album, which is tentatively due this spring via Napalm Records.

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Polish death metal veterans VADER will release a new EP, "Humanihility", in the spring, to be followed by the recording of a new full-length album in the fall. Also planned for this year are the reissue of the classic "Black To The Blind" album (1997) and a summer tour to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the "Litany" LP, which will be performed live in its entirety.

VADER stated: "The year 2024 [has come] to an end. How was it for the band? As usual, it was very busy. We continued the 40th anniversary of VADER on tours in the USA/Canada and Europe. We played a few festivals in the summer — including Jarocin after 30 years of absence! At the end of August we returned to Grindstone Studio to record brand new material for an EP. We ended the year with the 'Freezing Hell' tour, which went around the Baltic Sea. 2024 is also another year played with Michal Andrzejczyk behind the drums. A few months ago, Michał also joined the happy endorsers of TAMA drums.

"And what about plans for 2025? The new year will be even more intense. First of all, this spring will see the release of the completely new EP 'Humanihility' since the release of 'Solitude In Madness' in 2020, as well as the long-awaited reissue of the classic album 'Black To The Blind' from 1997 in a new cover with the original cover by Jacek Wiśniewski. Both titles will be released by Nuclear Blast. The recording session for the next full length VADER album will also start in the fall of 2025! [This] year will also be VADER's return to the stages of summer festivals. And we will appear at 20 of them. 2025 will also be the 25th anniversary of the release of the album 'Litany'. Therefore, in the summer season, you will be able to hear the entire album as part of a concert set. Most of the songs from this classic album for the band have not been played since its premiere in 2000, and some have never been played. So 2025 will be absolutely explosive and truly vaderish \m/ And we already INVITE you ALL !!! Expect our arrival under the banner of Massive Music \m/"

Regarding the upcoming EP, VADER said: "Yesterday in Spiderclass studio in Wroclaw we were working on leads to the upcoming new VADER EP 'Humanihility' for Nuclear Blast. Mauser works on his part in home studio in U.K. too. This was a last step before final mix and master of the recording. Scott Atkins should finish the production in Grindstone Studio by middle of January. More details coming soon...."

VADER released its 16th studio album, "Solitude In Madness", in May 2020 via Nuclear Blast.

Photo courtesy of Tarja Virmakari PR

Modern thrash titans WARBRINGER will release their new album, "Wrath And Ruin", on March 14, 2025 via Napalm Records.

With 20 years of history and millions of cross platform streams in their wake, "best of the year" nods from the likes of Loudwire and Consequence on 2020's "Weapons Of Tomorrow", and now gearing up for a massive European tour with DECAPITATED and CRYPTOPSY this spring, WARBRINGER is poised for their next global assault with their seventh full-length studio release.

On "Wrath And Ruin", WARBRINGER continues their furious assault against the powers that be with eight new explosive rippers lyrically focused on inspiring listeners to recognize strength in numbers and actualize their class power. The bonus CD, included with the 2CD and digital versions of the album, boasts 15 incendiary live versions of fan favorites recorded along their "Ravaging Europe 2023" tour. The album features pristine production by Mark Lewis, famous for his work with CANNIBAL CORPSE, TRIVIUM and THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, mastering by Justin Shturtz (TESTAMENT, SEPULTURA, MACHINE HEAD) and album art by the legendary Andreas Marschall (KREATOR, OBITUARY, IN FLAMES).

Alongside the album announcement, WARBRINGER has unleashed the breakneck speed metal ripper "A Better World", lambasting ignorant optimism with forked tongue. The track arrives with a high-octane official music video.

About the single and video, frontman John Kevill says: "When I was younger, I used to think the world would only get better during my life. I know now that isn't the case. We aren't going to fix the environment even though we know the consequences, because profits would decrease, so it's not considered possible. On top of that, our societies keep getting more unequal, with a few people owning most everything, and most people just trying to keep their heads above water. We still won't feed everyone, but we will fund development of weaponized autonomous drones. Etc etc.

"I was reading some social theory stuff (Mark Fisher) some years ago and feeling depressed about my own future in these conditions. I went to a therapist and they basically told me it was all real and legitimate, and that all they could do was give me drugs so I could pretend that I didn't know all this. I don't really have time to worry too much, because a bunch of bills are always due. I also stopped dreaming for a year or two, which I found scary. I tried to bottle this feeling into 'A Better World' — I don't think I'm the only one.

"The video was made by Juan Rodriguez, who we worked with on 'Crushed Beneath The Tracks', and shows WARBRINGER going hard — what we do best. The song has a melodic death-tinged riff penned by Adam Carroll, with arrangements by thrash maestro Carlos Cruz. To me, it gives the feeling of being stuck on some accelerated loop that won't slow down. Hope you guys enjoy the first taste of 'Wrath And Ruin', there's a lot more to come!"

"Wrath And Ruin"'s destructive opening duo of "The Sword And The Cross" and "A Better World" quickly kick the gates of cataclysm open with broodingly dark guitar work and virtuosic precision. Frontman John Kevill's passionate proclamations are as potent as ever, mocking those who scoffed at clear harbingers of societal collapse with their misguided optimism. "Neuromancer" rides low and steady with blast master Carlos Cruz putting some serious stank on an irresistible battle vest fist pumper. "The Jackhammer" sees the band explode into a frenzy with chaotic riffage and ear splitting pinch dives. "Through A Glass, Darkly" indulges in deliciously gothic chord work and melodic leads embellishing Kevill's already hellish vocal fry. "Strike From The Sky" is trademark thrash excellence quickly followed by the atmospheric, true cult epic "Cage Of Air", with its tensely ornate dueling guitars on full display. Album closer "The Last Of My Kind" continues this dark gothic path with syncopated octave runs dancing around tightly dueling melodeath riffage. "Wrath And Ruin" sees WARBRINGER indulging in the darker elements of their sound, for an uncompromising and unflinching exploration of life's most bitter pills.

"Wrath And Ruin" track listing:

CD1

01. The Sword And The Cross
02. A Better World
03. Neuromancer
04. The Jackhammer
05. Through A Glass, Darkly
06. Strike From The Sky
07. Cage Of Air
08. The Last of My Kind

CD 2

01. Firepower Kills (Live in Budapest, Hungary - April 7th, 2023)
02. The Black Hand Reaches Out (Live in Budapest, Hungary - April 7th, 2023)
03. Crushed Beneath The Tracks (Live in Nantes, France - April 20th, 2023)
04. Living Weapon (Live in Budapest, Hungary - April 7th, 2023)
05. Woe To The Vanquished (Live in Budapest, Hungary - April 7th, 2023)
06. Living In A Whirlwind (Live in Budapest, Hungary - April 7th, 2023)
07. Guitar Solo/ Outer Reaches (Live in Nantes, France - April 20th, 2023)
08. Shellfire (Live in Munich, Germany - April 5th, 2023
09. Descending Blade (Live in Krakow, Poland - April 4th, 2023)
10. Hunter-Seeker (Live in Krakow, Poland - April 4th, 2023)
11. Defiance Of Fate (Live in Budapest, Hungary - April 7th, 2023)
12. Silhouettes (Live in Nantes, France - April 20th, 2023)
13. Remain Violent (Live in Budapest, Hungary - April 7th, 2023)
14. Combat Shock (Live in Budapest, Hungary - April 7th, 2023)
15. Total War (Live in Budapest, Hungary - April 7th, 2023)

WARBRINGER is:

John Kevill - Vocals
Adam Carroll - Guitar
Carlos Cruz - Drums
Chase Becker - Gui
Chase Bryant - Bass

Photo credit: Alex Solca

In a new interview with the Apex Lifestyles podcast, CRUCIFIED BARBARA vocalist/guitarist Mia "Coldheart" Karlsson spoke about the band's decision to reunite for its first live performances in 10 years. CRUCIFIED BARBARA's comeback will begin with an appearance at Sweden Rock Festival, taking place June 4-7, 2025.

Asked how the reunion transpired, Mia said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "Actually we didn't talk for a couple of years after we split up, The break was mostly because of me; the other three [girls] kept playing in the band THE HEARD. And yeah, I just was hiding under a stone for a few years. And when I started to play again, I thought I was only gonna play the acoustic stuff because that's what I felt like. And then I was introduced to a process to come back to the stage and play first the guitar with DONNA CANNONE and then the bass with THE GEMS. And all of a sudden I found myself on these rock stages again. And then two years ago, we actually reached out and met, just had a beer and talked, and it felt really, really good to meet everybody. And it just was like a big relief to finally meet them again and talk. But we didn't talk about like playing or anything back then. We just wanted to hang out then. Now it was maybe [last] summer when I realized, like, I love playing music again, and there's nothing in the way. We felt like, why don't we just meet and rehearse and see how it feels and just play some songs together? And we did. And it just felt like coming home. Yeah. It was amazing."

She continued: "I love the girls and I missed them so much during these years. It's just been so much to process and now so much to work through. And, yeah, to get this chance was amazing. So we just felt like, yeah, why not do a reunion now when we all want to play together again? And I'm really happy. And people are surprised. [They ask], 'Are you the original lineup?' It's, like, yeah, of course. There is no other way to do CRUCIFIED BARBARA."

Regarding what CRUCIFIED BARBARA's plans are for the coming months, Mia said: "We wanna do shows and just have fun with it. And as long as it's fun, we're gonna keep playing."

CRUCIFIED BARBARA's 2025 lineup consists of Karlsson, guitarist Klara "Force" Rönnqvist Fors, bassist Ida "Evileye" Stenbacka and drummer Jannicke "Nicki Wicked" Lindström.

In addition to the Sweden Rock Festival, CRUCIFIED BARBARA will appear at this year's Resurrection Fest in Spain, Skogsröjet festival in Sweden and La Guerre Du Son festival in France.

From the release of their debut album "In Distortion We Trust" (2005) up until their split in 2016, CRUCIFIED BARBARA became known as one of Sweden's hardest-working hard rock bands, with countless touring miles across the globe. Whether playing in gritty rock clubs on four continents, under the spotlight of Melodifestivalen or on numerous festival stages, they consistently showed how hard rock should be done.

CRUCIFIED BARBARA is a band that has always walked its own path. A group unafraid of exploring both dark metal and heartfelt ballads, blending the soft and the heavy to create their own unique hard rock brew. Now, they're back to once again deliver that brew live, in a celebration showcasing the best from their four albums: "In Distortion We Trust" (2005),"'Til Death Do Us Party" (2009),"The Midnight Chase" (2012) and "In The Red" (2014).

In a January 2019 interview with France's Loud TV, Klara said that CRUCIFIED BARBARA's 2016 split had been a long time coming. "It had been kind of a hard time for a while, so it was time for us to move forward," she said. "It was just the next step in life — to quit the old and start fresh."

After CRUCIFIED BARBARA's breakup, Klara , Ida and Nicki joined forces with DEATHSTARS bassist Jonas "Skinny Disco" Kangur (on lead guitar) and burlesque performer, model and singer Pepper Potemkin in a new group, the aforementioned THE HEARD. THE HEARD's debut album, "The Island", was released in November 2018 via Despotz Records.

CRUCIFIED BARBARA announced its breakup in June 2016, two years after the release of the band's fourth album, "In The Red". The group explained at the time that "our lives have parted and we need to move on. The last years have taken its toll on all of us and the joy of playing together got lost somewhere along the way."

More recently, Karlsson has been the touring bassist for THE GEMS, the new band featuring former THUNDERMOTHER members Guernica Mancini, Emlee Johansson and Mona Lindgren. She has also pursued a solo career.

Photo: Damon Zurawski

U.K.'s Channel 4 will air a three-part documentary series on Marilyn Manson later this month.

Originally announced in October 2023 under the working title "Marilyn Manson: Behind The Mask", "Marilyn Manson: Unmasked" charts the musician's rise to fame, significance and role as a counterculture icon. Delving deep into his rock persona, this series examines the recent accusations against Manson and his ability to court controversy all while exploring how high-profile sexual assault allegations play out in today's post-"Me Too" era.

From the moment Brian Warner launched his alter-ego, Marilyn Manson, in the early 1990s, he set out to shock. Over the next two decades his carefully cultivated, highly controversial persona became iconic around the world. His fans and liberal cultural commentators justified his shocking lyrics, behaviour and concerts, as a form of social or political satire.

Many placed Manson at the centre of a culture war, particularly following the Columbine school shootings, for which conservative commentators claimed he was partially responsible, an accusation he stridently denied. This had many people asking the question whether he should be cancelled as a performer for corrupting America's youth, or if his freedom should be defended as an artist.

In February 2021 several women accused Brian Warner of sexual assault and within 24 hours he was dropped by his manager, his agent and his record company.

Later the same year, an explosive Rolling Stone article laid bare a stream of allegations from multiple women. The allegations led to a police raid and criminal investigation into Manson. In total, five of his accusers launched civil lawsuits against him claiming sexual assault and other charges, with retractions and out of court settlements evidencing the complex and multi-faceted nature of this type of allegation. To date, no charges have been made but civil cases are pending.

"Marilyn Manson: Unmasked" delves deep into an extraordinary unfolding story, of which Rolling Stone's ongoing investigation is a part, and asks searing questions about this moment in the culture, where Marilyn Manson is fighting to defend himself against allegations from women who have recently accused him of abusive behavior that happened many years ago and which he and his lawyers argue were entirely consensual, or simply did not happen.

"Marilyn Manson: Unmasked" has access to several of the accusers, lifelong fans, industry insiders, lawyers, a former band mate and his childhood best friend. The series charts his rise to fame from a difficult childhood, through vilification and death threats to being championed as an advocate for those on the fringes of society and closely examines the fallout of the allegations for both the accusers and the accused.

It includes exclusive audio recordings of interviews with Rolling Stone alongside archive footage and never-before-seen photographs, to provide a first-hand portrait of one of the most controversial musicians of the twenty-first century.

Suzanne Lavery, SVP Unscripted, Lightbox, said: "'Marilyn Manson: Unmasked' tells the definitive story of the controversy surrounding the star, charting his career from its early days through to his being dropped by his manager, agent and record label as a result of the allegations made against him. In first hand testimony, we hear intimate accounts from his accusers, as well as those who robustly refute their allegations...

"The series asks timely questions about how the music industry draws the line between rock and roll excess and transgressive behavior and examines whether Manson's constructed persona reflects the reality of the human being behind the performer, and what the future holds for the freedom of expression and the right to shock."

Sacha Mirzoeff, Senior Commissioner Documentaries, Head of Bristol Hub, added: "Brian Warner, better known as Marilyn Manson, has made a lifetime career of stomping where others fear to tread. His transgressive rock persona was largely espoused until multiple questions about his private behavior emerged...

"This three-part series directed by Karen McGann examines his life, career and sets the recent abuse allegations into context of the times then and the times now through the voices of the accusers and Manson's allies. The result is a shocking portrayal of the different accounts of what went on and how much society, the world of music and celebrity has changed in the last generation."

Gus Wenner, CEO Rolling Stone, said: "Rolling Stone broke the story about Marilyn Manson's alleged abuse and this series takes a step back to explore those allegations in the wider context of Manson's career, his meteoric rise as the self-proclaimed 'Antichrist Superstar' and the controversy surrounding his recent fall from grace. We are proud to partner with Lightbox to tell this fascinating and complex story."

Travis Webb, SVP Sales, Americas, at Fifth Season, said: "Lightbox has an incredible track record in creating premium, award-winning documentaries that shine a light on high-profile musicians, such as 'Tina', 'Whitney' and 'Spector'. This latest addition is a captivating series that will appeal to audiences in the U.S. and around the world through its never-before-seen footage, exclusive interviews, and incredible access to the inner circle.

"Marilyn Manson: Unmasked" airs January 14, January 15 and January 16 at 9 p.m. GMT on Channel 4.

Watch the trailer for "Marilyn Manson: Unmasked" below.

"Marilyn Manson: Unmasked" is a Lightbox and Rolling Stone Films production for Channel 4 in association with Fifth Season and Media Finance Capital. For Lightbox, the series director is Karen McGann, the series producer is Zoe Jewell, Nic Preston is line producer, Selina Ferguson is production executive, and the executive producers are Simon Chinn, Jonathan Chinn and Suzanne Lavery. Jason Fine and Gus Wenner are executive producers for Rolling Stone Films. It was commissioned by Sacha Mirzoeff at Channel 4. Fifth Season has worldwide distribution rights.

Photo credit: Perou (courtesy of Nuclear Blast)

In a new interview with Paul Salfen of AMFM Magazine, former KISS guitarist Bruce Kulick revealed that he is planning on working on his autobiography in 2025. He explained (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "I amassed a lot of materials from [my] era [of KISS]. When I first started a book with a guy in the industry back in '99, there were a lot of interviews done, and I was able to get all those tapes digitized because that's important, to spark my memories and stuff. I have notes of subjects.

"It's certainly gonna be a really in-depth discussion of my life as a musician with, of course, hefty amounts on my KISS years, 'cause I know that the fans are gonna wanna get my thoughts on how it felt and what I did," he continued. "It's certainly not gonna be some salacious slam book. It's not me. But I do have a lot of stories that I never really discussed that I think are gonna be really fun for people to read about and fascinating for them to see.

"Everything was, in many ways, a very interesting journey, and there were many [instances] of where you fall in the ditch, but you've gotta pull yourself out — that kind of thing."

In a separate interview with Loaded Radio, Kulick was asked why he wasn't ever approached to rejoin KISS after Ace Frehley left for good back in 2001. He responded: "That's a great question. And not everyone's aware of some of the backstory. I would hear things about them having problems with Ace and Ace was getting erratic or difficult. And [later KISS guitarist] Tommy Thayer was actually tour managing with them; he was on the road with them. Because even during my era, he was involved with the band, helping with 'Kisstory' and doing things for the group. He wrote some songs with Gene [Simmons, KISS bassist/vocalist] and was always part of the inner circle, shall I say. So from what I understood, there was one or two things that KISS did — not a concert, even though once Ace was almost not gonna make it and they made Tommy get the outfit on. [He had a] similar build — tall and thin — and Ace made it to the show. But there were a couple of other things they needed to do. I believe 'That '70s Show', when they were taping, Ace didn't show up. 'Tommy, get the outfit on.' And then I think there was a private gig, too, that no one would really know about — one of those things where you go to an island and play for some rich people. And Ace wouldn't go. And KISS wasn't gonna say, 'All right, we're not gonna take the gig.' So if they ever had a thought of me, I think they would have known that that probably would have been a lot harder. Tommy was younger, there already, if you know what I mean, working with them. And Tommy, not everybody knows that he was in a tribute band for fun at times called COLD GIN as Ace Frehley."

Bruce continued: "So if they would have went to me, I can't say I absolutely would have said 'no.' I miss being in KISS. I do realize it would have kind of pooped on my era because then I'd have to kind of play the role of the 'Spaceman' and shoot rockets and play more like Ace. I was never given that direction from Gene and Paul [Stanley, KISS guitarist/vocalist], where Tommy knew that it actually was more comfortable with his natural style of guitar playing. He wasn't a Floyd Rose, play-some-flashy-riffs king of the mountain. So I never felt like they made the wrong choice — ever. I always felt that was the right way to go 'cause then Tommy could assume the role of the Spaceman in the group. Eric [Singer, KISS drummer] sometimes gets some criticism, like Tommy has, but Eric being behind the drums and having five years in the band without the makeup, maybe he gets a little less. Neither of them really deserve criticism because they're talented players doing a great job. And it was Gene and Paul's choice to say, 'And now you're the Catman,' 'And now you're the Spaceman.' It wasn't [Tommy and Eric] saying, 'Please, I wanna be the Spaceman.' And to new generations, Tommyis the Spaceman. Even though Eric has a lot of credibility from 'Revenge' and 'MTV Unplugged' and 'Carnival Of Souls' and all the work that we did together for those five years. So, I actually kind of lost the big gig on many levels for the right reasons though. And I was never fired the first time. It was simply, 'Well, we're making all this money. Now we're selling out from arenas to stadiums in makeup.' So my era ran its course."

In 1984, Bruce joined KISS, where he remained as their lead guitarist for twelve years, accompanying the band on the "Animalize" tour and continuing with the band until the 1996 reunion tour. Bruce is heavily featured on "Kissology – Vol. 2" and "Vol. 3", the band's DVDs spanning their historic 45-year career.

In an April 2020 interview with Sleaze Roxx, Kulick said that he was "relieved" he wasn't approached to rejoin the band after Frehley left for good back in 2001.

"When I had to leave in '96 after the success of the KISS 'Unplugged' performance, people were aware of the musicianship that existed in the band between Eric Singer [drums] and I, but after 20 years of people hearing about KISS in makeup, it was kind of like 'Star Wars' when it was rebooted people went to see what it was all about," he said. "I understood that it was the original guys, they put the makeup on and people were excited to either see it again or see it for the first time. That carried on, then it carried on and it carried on. [Laughs] It then reached a point where Gene [Simmons] and Paul [Stanley] couldn't continue with Peter [Criss] so they called on Eric Singer to step into the role and the makeup.

"Eric is such a tremendous drummer," he continued. "I was genuinely happy for him. I still am. Then when Ace started dropping the ball, it was seamless for them to go with Tommy Thayer who does such a fantastic job as the 'Spaceman.'

"If I had been asked to step into the 'Spaceman' role, it would have been really awkward for me. I get asked by the fans a lot, 'Well, why aren't you there?' I think Tommy stepping into the role was a lot more natural than Bruce Kulick becoming the 'Spaceman' and shooting rockets off of my guitar. I would have had to play the songs note for note like Ace. I don't think I could do that and remain happy in the band. Tommy does that to perfection. I was never required to learn the classic stuff note for note, but if you're going to be the 'Spaceman,' it would have to stay true to the way Ace plays it. That's not to say that I don't play the classic songs with respect. I play the GRAND FUNK RAILROAD songs with respect, while injecting my own style into them, like I did in my time in KISS. I would lose my 'liberties' if I stepped into the 'Spaceman' role.

"I'm friends with Tommy, Bruce added. "We've gotten closer over the years on the 'Kiss Kruise'. We've spoken a lot on the 'Kruise'. He once said to me, 'Hey, I never got into the Floyd Rose whammy bar thing. How do you play 'Crazy Nights'?' I said, 'Don't worry about it. Play it how you play it. It's what works for you. I don't take any offense and you don't need to copy how I do it.'

"Tommy's style is so much closer to Ace's than mine. I have a unique style to my approach you can hear it on 'Tears Are Falling', 'Who Wants To Be Lonely', 'Unholy' and even the acoustic solo on 'Forever'. I am proud of my body of work for that era of KISS. I'm embracing it. The fans are embracing it. It's all good."

Kulick went on to say that he is at peace with the fact that he will never be part of the makeup era of KISS.

"I was relieved [when they didn't ask me to step in after Ace left]," he said. "I think if I had been asked and done it, I think it would hurt. I know that Tommy and Eric avoid… I'm close to both but I'm closer with Eric. They avoid reading things online. Their best medicine is to just do a great job every night and not read that stuff. I'm shocked that sometimes someone will leave a snarky comment toward me. I'm, like, 'Really?' I don't get into that stuff and I don't like anything negative on social media and I never do or post anything negative. I won't allow anything negative. There's times I read something and I choose to ignore it. Everyone has a voice these days. They have a laptop, a tablet or a smartphone.

"I was relieved, but how could I not have 'entertained' the idea if I was asked? At the time when they swooped Tommy right in, I was already in GRAND FUNK RAILROAD and I was and still am pretty happy with my role in the band. Sure, it wasn't KISS, but it's a great gig. Now think of it from this angle. Let's say they made the right proposition and I took it, then Ace wanted back into the band. Where would that have left me? No KISS gig and no gig in GRAND FUNK."

In some of his recent interviews, Bruce once again confirmed that he wasn't asked to perform at KISS's final show and wasn't invited to attend the event, which was held in December 2023 at New York City's Madison Square Garden.

Theogonia Records is proud to announce the signing of one of Greece's most legendary and revered forces in black metal, LLOTH.


Hailing from the rich, myth-laden soil of Hellenic metal, LLOTH's legacy is deeply etched into the black/death metal pantheon. Their upcoming second full-length album, Archees Legeones (Ancient Legions), will be released under the burning banner of Theogonia Records, summoning a new epoch of ferocity, grandeur, and reverence to the ancient spirit of black metal.


Founded in 1995 by the late and iconic Tristessa - a trailblazer in the Greek metal scene and founder of Astarte (the first ever all-female black metal band) - LLOTH rose as a beacon of unholy darkness and unyielding artistry. After transitioning into Astarte, LLOTH lay dormant for years, only to rise once more in 2013. Following Tristessa’s tragic passing, the remaining members, led by her husband Nicolas Maiis (Melanomorfos), vowed to carry her legacy forward, creating music that echoes her undying vision. Their 2017 release, Athanati (Immortal), was a monumental tribute, and now, LLOTH is poised to unleash their most powerful opus yet.




Archees Legeones (Ancient Legions) is a triumph of uncompromising sonic devastation. Recorded, mixed, and mastered at the acclaimed Pentagram Studio under the masterful hand of George Emmanuel (Lucifer's Child, ex-Rotting Christ), the album delivers a bludgeoning storm of relentless riffs, thunderous percussion, and soul-searing vocals. Accompanied by the darkly evocative, hand-painted artwork of Mars Triumph, the album takes listeners on a visceral journey through themes of ancient battles, Hellenic pride, and eternal resistance—a testament to LLOTH's roots in blackened chaos and profound emotional depth.


LLOTH's current lineup includes:


Nicolas Maiis (Melanomorfos) – Vocals
Chris Vaelor – Guitars
Thanos – Guitars
The Antipope – Bass
Nick “Ynvge” Samios – Drums


The band's unrelenting live presence has seen

Rock Duck Radio producer Mark Christopher Garrett has shared a 30th Anniversary collection of Doctor Butcher songs. Check it out below.


"Doctor Butcher, Chris Caffery's brain child and one of his earliest solo projects featuring Jon Oliva (notably of Savatage and Trans-Siberian Orchestra fame). Chris Caffery also being a key figure in both Savatage and Trans-Siberian Orchestra (TSO). He formed Doctor Butcher after convincing Jon Oliva over five bottles of Jack Daniels, then enlisted Jon Osborne on drums and Doctor Butcher was born. Demos were released in 1993, but the debut album was released in 1994 with a lot of the tracks cut. This was upsetting and confusing to early fans, as some of the tracks that were cut were already featured on a local radio station. Later, a demo album was released featuring some of those lost and missing tracks. 


This Doctor  Butcher 30th Anniversary Collection brings almost all the song to one place to listen to as intended. When assembled together they make up a rock opera about an inividual that has lost faith in religion and humanity and begins commiting crimes. This ultimately leads to his arrest, trial, and culminates with his execution. So now for the first time this Doctor Butcher rock opera can be listened to in its entirety.




Tracklist:


"Freaks"
"A Living Hell"
"Dismissal Of Faith"
"Born Of The Board"
"Bridges"
"The Altar"
"Don't Talk To Me"
"Season Of The Witch"
"Reach Out And Torment Someone"
"Chester The Molester"
"Help Police"
"Innocent Victim"
"The Pictures Wild"
"Lost In The Dark"
"I Hate You Hate We All Hate"
"All For One, None For All"
"Juice"
"The Chair"
"Bridges" (acoustic bonus track - Chris Caffery vocals)
"Live Die Kill" (demo)





The legendary Savatage (Johnny Lee Middleton - bass, Chris Caffery - guitars, Al Pitrelli - guitars, Jeff Plate - drums, and Zak Stevens - vocals) have announced tour dates across Europe for summer 2025, with a mix of festival appearances and headline shows.


Says Zak Stevens: "As you can imagine, there are so many special things about these shows that are racing through my mind. We get to play a series of headline shows for the first time in over twenty years that will put us right back in front of all of the unbelievable fans

Danish rock 'n' rollers VOLBEAT have completed recording their ninth album. The follow-up to 2021's "Servant Of The Mind" is due later in 2025.

Earlier today, VOLBEAT guitarist/vocalist Michael Poulsen shared an end-of-year video message in which he said in part:  "Hello people out there. Michael Poulsen from VOLBEAT and ASINHELL here. Happy new year. I'm definitely looking forward for 2025.

"The new VOLBEAT record has been recorded. It's done. It will be out in 2025. You'll know more information about that early in 2025. Can't wait.

"There's a lot of shows being booked for '25 with VOLBEAT everywhere in the world. Can't wait to meet you all out there. Who knows? I might even start working on new songs for the next ASINHELL record, my second band. If you don't have the first record, check it out. Old-school death metal.

"We had a great tour [of Europe with ASINHELL last summer]. We were talking to a lot of new fans and old-school fans. And, yeah, a lot of fans actually ask what we were inspired by, but I'll get back to that in another video where I've been talking about all the old-school death metal that I like so much and old fresh metal and old classic heavy metal from the '80s, early '90s. But that's another video. Right now I just wanna recommend some good new bands that I bought lately or I just bought within a couple of years. There's so many of them. There's not room for every vinyl in this video, but I will make a second video so all the bands get the credit that they truly deserve. I think there's so many good youngsters out there doing amazing job, and actually also some old timers as well."

VOLBEAT returned to the live stage for the first time in 16 months on December 6 as the support act for IRON MAIDEN at Allianz Parque, São Paulo, Brazil.

In October 2023, Poulsen underwent a throat surgery. A month earlier, he told "Paltrocast" host Darren Paltrowitz about the procedure: "It's an operation I've been through before. This one is just a little bit bigger and it's gonna take some time to get back in vocal shape. So, VOLBEAT is not playing [in 2024]. I'll use a lot of time to get my voice back after the operation. But at the same time, I will actually be writing a new VOLBEAT album. So hopefully later [in 2024], I can put down the vocals for the next VOLBEAT album. But in the meantime, I will go out and play shows with ASINHELL."

Asked if this means that he might have to change his singing approach to where he will start doing the vocal warmdowns after each show, Michael said: "I do warm up before a show, but there's no way I'm gonna use my voice after a show. I'm very optimistic about the whole thing. As I said, I tried before and I got good people around me. I've got a great coach in Melissa Cross who has been helping out a lot of singers. She will help me out again to get my voice back in shape after the operation. So I like to stay positive, and I'm pretty sure everything's going to be all right."

Back in January 2021, Poulsen told Denmark's BT.dk that he underwent an operation during the coronavirus pandemic to remove a large polyp. He added: "I have managed to retrain my voice so much that there has been time to record a new album," referencing "Servant Of The Mind", which came out in December 2021.

VOLBEAT parted ways with longtime guitarist Rob Caggiano in June 2023 and replaced him for the band's latest tour with Flemming C. Lund of the Danish extreme metal outfit THE ARCANE ORDER.

VOLBEAT played its first concert with Lund on June 10, 2023 at the Rockfest festival in Hyvinkää, Finland.

Just five days earlier, VOLBEAT announced that it had officially parted ways with Caggiano. No reason was given for the split, but the remaining bandmembers said that they wished their "brother Rob all the best with everything he does in the future." They went on to thank Rob "for ten amazing years."

Caggiano played on VOLBEAT's last four studio albums: 2013's "Outlaw Gentlemen & Shady Ladies", 2016's "Seal the Deal & Let's Boogie", 2019's "Rewind, Replay, Rebound" and "Servant Of The Mind".

ASINHELL's debut album, "Impii Hora" (Latin for "Ungodly Hour"),arrived in September 2023 via Metal Blade. Poulsen is joined in the project by ex-MORGOTH singer Marc Grewe (also of INSIDIOUS DISEASE) and RAUNCHY drummer Morten Toft Hansen.

Photo credit: Ross Halfin (courtesy of Q Prime)

As we head into the New Year, Michael checking in with Volbeat & Asinhell updates plus some of his favorite records of 2024 🤘🤘

As we head into the New Year, Michael checking in with Volbeat & Asinhell updates plus some of his favorite records of 2024 🤘🤘

Paying homage to show & record shop fliers to spread the word, here's "Michael's Fliers" - check out Repuked, Plague, Fulci, Gutless, OSSUARY, Intolerance, Stress Angel, Severe Torture, Outre-Tombe, Molder, Black Curse, Darkened, Strychnos, Thorium, Coffin Storm, Darkthrone & Infern!

What have been some of your favorite records of 2024? 👇

Posted by Volbeat on Tuesday, December 31, 2024

In a recent interview with 518Scene.com, MEGADETH bassist James LoMenzo was asked how he would compare playing with guitarist Teemu Mäntysaari and drummer Dirk Verbeuren in the band's current lineup to his experience of sharing the stage with previous MEGADETH musicians. He responded: "Well, you know I've been in an awful lot of bands, as anybody who's ever tracked my career knows. Everybody plays different. Everybody has a certain thing that they uniquely do. Dave [Mustaine, MEGADETH guitarist/vocalist] is always going to sound like Dave. As a matter of fact, I always say as soon as he lifts up his guitar and puts it on, it really doesn't matter who's playing in the band, because that's the stamp; that's the familiar sound. That said though, everybody is really completely reverent to the past in a very important way. We try to make the music as authentic as we possibly can. You can't play it exactly — I will not be able to play exactly like [former MEGADETH bassist] David Ellefson, and Teemu will not be able to play exactly like the 20 guitar players before him, but we try and get the essence of it and try and get those parts sewn up really tight, so they come at the right time and they fire at the right time."

James continued: "Dirk is just a fantastic drummer. I've played with tons of great drummers, but Dirk is really special in the context of this band. He plays reverently to the music, but he has a certain kind of concussion to his playing that's immediate and very powerful and very strong and right on the money. As a matter of fact, when I rejoined the band, he was the first guy I played with before anybody else showed up. Just out of motor memory we went through a bunch of songs, without any guitars or vocals. I was prepared with the music and he had been playing it for a while, and man it was just astounding how tight we were immediately. That's a testimony to him, maybe not as much as myself, because my job throughout my career has been to get into a band and get on board real quick and play the music well. But it seemed to me that when I started playing the stuff with him, it almost made me sound like I was playing it better, so I'm a big Dirk Verbeuren fan."

Asked to elaborate on how his playing approach is different to that of Ellefson, James said: "As far as rock and roll and metal bands go, I'm an originalist; I love the original band. So as much of an honor and how great it is to be part of this, I still have that little thing, that little fan guy thing, going with the real band. But we are very different in our trajectory. In my estimation, David Ellefson has defined the sound of this band with his bass playing as much as everybody else who's been in the band, so I try to be very respectful and reverent to that."

Last fall, LoMenzo, who joined MEGADETH in 2006 and appeared on two of the group's studio albums, 2007's "United Abominations" and 2009's "Endgame", told Yamaha Guitars' "Artist Breakthrough Stories" series that he "felt a bit like a fish out of water" after he first hooked up with the Mustaine-led outfit. "I understood the music, I could play it, but I was, like, 'How do you deliver this? What do you do with it?'" he admitted.

"The challenge of this music is to be able to perform it in such a way that it looks to the audience the same way that they feel when they listen to it.

"In MEGADETH, I have spaces to make grander gestures. I can pump that fist to the guy who's pumping his fist to me at the right time and look him in the eye and let him know that I see you and I know you love this and I love it too. There's something that is so transformative about that in the moment, which makes metal really work. And I think that's metal's best thing. It's like building that community, building that church instantaneously with the audience, and vice versa.

"The community of metal is unwavering. The audience has broadened since the last time I was here."

LoMenzo was MEGADETH's bass player in the mid-2000s but was fired from the band in 2010 and replaced with returning original MEGADETH bassist David Ellefson. After Ellefson was kicked out of MEGADETH in May 2021, LoMenzo stepped back in as a touring member for the 2021 leg of "The Metal Tour Of The Year". In May 2022, it was announced that Lomenzo was officially rejoining the MEGADETH family.

In November 2022, LoMenzo reflected on his initial departure from MEGADETH in an interview with Ashdown Engineering. He said at the time: "After three or four years in MEGADETH, David Ellefson returned. And I, like you, was pretty excited about that, because I had always been a fan of MEGADETH anyway. I'm one of those crazy guys that's, like, I want it to be the original band. I always want it to be the original band; it's kind of the way I grew up. But in lieu of that, I had to take the charge of the bass spot when he couldn't be there. So when he came back, I was fine with it. I've done two great albums — 'United Abominations' and 'Endgame'; we've done two world tours, been all over the place. And so at that point, I was kind of excited to maybe try something new. And so I went back home. I started a video production company. I started doing these local jams where all my famous friends would come by and jam with me. It was great. And eventually I ended up in [rock legend] John Fogerty's band."

On the topic of how he rejoined MEGADETH, James said: "How do I end up back in MEGADETH? It's like that 'Godfather' movie — 'Just when I thought I got out, they pull me back in again.' No… But anyway… When they needed a bass player — it became apparent — I thought to myself, 'They'll probably call me up.' But I also thought to myself, 'It's been a while since I played that kind of music, so maybe it'll be great. It'll be all right. Maybe not.' Sure enough, the phone rings, and Dave [Mustaine] is, like, 'We've gotta do this 'Metal Tour Of The Year'. James, I know you're the guy who can do it. I would love to have you here. If you would just commit to just doing this tour, that would be great.' And I thought, 'Well, that's kind of weird. He doesn't want me to rejoin the band.' But then I thought about it. He knew I had another band, and he was telling me, 'I don't want you to screw up whatever you've got going.' I was being loyal to John. So we went out on the tour, and gosh, it was just the best time. I was so enamored with the band that he put together that I was blown away. And Dave, gosh, he's just delivering the goods every day. The great thing about Dave is he's been through a lot. He recovered from cancer. He's had problems with his back. Over the years, he's had more things than most professional wrestlers would have, and he shows no sign of it — he just gets up there and plays and just gives it his all. So after that tour, I was sitting there going, 'Man, I think I might like to stay here for a while.' And so, luckily, as luck would have it, not too long after that, Dave calls me up at home and he goes, 'You know, we would love to have you be part of the band officially if you wanna stay.' And I thought, 'That's exactly what I was thinking, man. Let's do it.'

In addition to MEGADETH and Fogerty, LoMenzo has played with Ozzy Osbourne, Zakk Wylde and WHITE LION.

LoMenzo played his first show with MEGADETH in nearly 12 years in August 2021 in Austin, Texas. The concert took place three months following Ellefson's dismissal from MEGADETH after sexually tinged messages and explicit video footage involving him were posted on Twitter.

Legendary guitarist Carlos Santana has postponed the next run of his Las Vegas residency shows because of a "accidental fall" at his home in Hawaii.

Santana was slated to kick off his residency at the House of Blues At Mandalay Bay Resort And Casino on January 22. He was scheduled to play eight shows at the venue through February 2.

Earlier today, Michael Vrionis, president of Universal Tone Management, said in a statement: "I am sorry to say that Carlos was out taking a walk at his vacation home in Kauai. He took a hard fall, and he broke his little finger on his left hand. He had to have pins inserted in the finger. Unfortunately, he won't be able to play guitar for approximately six weeks. Doctors do say that he will recuperate fully."

"Carlos is doing well and is anxious to be back on stage soon. He just needs to heal," Vrionis added. "Santana profoundly regrets these postponements of his upcoming performances, but accidents happen, and his health is our number one concern. He is looking forward to seeing all of his fans very soon."

For more than five decades — from Santana's earliest days as a groundbreaking Afro-Latin-blues-rock fusion outfit in San Francisco — Carlos Santana has been the visionary force behind artistry that transcends musical genres and generational, cultural, and geographical boundaries. To date, Santana has won ten Grammy Awards and three Latin Grammy Awards, with a record-tying nine Grammy Awards for a single project for 1999's "Supernatural" (including "Album Of The Year" and "Record Of The Year" for "Smooth"). He has received the Billboard Century Award (1996),was ushered into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame (1998),received the Billboard Latin Music Awards' Lifetime Achievement honor (2009),and was the recipient of the Kennedy Center Honors Award (2013). Among many other distinctions, Carlos Santana has been cited by Rolling Stone as No. 11 on their list of the "100 Greatest Guitarists Of All Time"; and has joined THE ROLLING STONES as one of only two bands to have an album reach the Top 10 in every decade since the 1960s. In 2018, he released his first "MasterClass", and celebrated two epic milestones, the 50th anniversary of his legendary performance at Woodstock, and the 50th anniversary of his masterpiece "Abraxas".

In 2024, Santana celebrated the 25th anniversary of his groundbreaking album "Supernatural". Santana's most recent release, "Let The Guitar Play" (feat. Darryl "DMC" McDaniels),followed on the heels of his powerful, energy-infused "Blessings And Miracles" (2021) that featured collaborations with Rob Thomas, Chris Stapleton, Steve Winwood and many others. The epic feature documentary "Carlos", produced by Sony Music Entertainment and Imagine Documentaries, is a celebration of Carlos Santana's life and career. It had its world premiere at the 2023 Tribeca Film Festival and is now available to stream worldwide. Santana has been in residency in Las Vegas for over 15 years.

From Team Santana: Legendary guitarist Carlos Santana has postponed the next run of residency shows this month beginning...

Posted by Carlos Santana on Friday, January 3, 2025

In a new interview with Shaggy of 94.9 and 104.5 The Pick, JUDAS PRIEST bassist Ian Hill said that the addition of guitarist Richie Faulkner to the band's lineup largely contributed to PRIEST's decision to stay on the road nearly a decade and a half after the legendary British heavy metal group announced its "farewell" tour. Asked what has kept PRIEST going strong and not calling it quits, as was the original plan, Hill said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "Richie Faulkner. [Laughs] Yeah, he came, he replaced Ken [original PRIEST guitarist Kenneth 'K.K.' Downing], who went off to do his own thing .Of course, the whole idea was to slow down a little bit and to take the workload down a notch. But Richie came along with boundless enthusiasm and all this energy, and he just sort of rubbed off on the rest of us. And here we are three albums, three tours, four tours later — well, five tours later, if you count the [2011-2012] 'Epitaph' ['farewell'] tour — and we're still going strong. I mean, we're motoring. We're loving it. We really are."

When Shaggy noted that PRIEST last two albums, 2024's "Invincible Shield" and 2018's "Firepower", are some of the stronger LPs in the PRIEST catalog, Ian said: "I [feel the same way], yes. I do, very much so. It's something we always try and do, is try and take a step forward with each album. I mean, you're learning stuff all the time, and whatever we learn, we try and put it into the next project. And we've done that right from the very start, right from way back in early '70s. And it's important that you do it, because it keeps you modern and it keeps you relevant. And you can sort of make that connection with the younger fans, which is important. I mean, the original fans are all our age, and they're all sort of expiring. But we've been able to make that connection with the younger people. And you look down from stage, and you see people in late teens, early twenties, what have you. And they're loving it, and it's not just the new stuff that they're loving — they're singing along to the older stuff, 20, 30 years old, what have you. So you've got them interested in that and they've gone back into the heritage of the band and started to look at some of the earlier material. And it's great news — not just for us, but it's great news for metal in general, that these people are still getting interested into it."

Back in 2014, PRIEST guitarist Glenn Tipton was asked during an appearance on "Rockline" if people may have misconstrued what he and his bandmates said in late 2010 about not wanting to do any more extensive touring ever again. Glenn responded at the time: "We, uh, lied. [Laughs] The statement we made was we're gonna do no more world tours. As we said before, it takes a massive chunk out of your life. It's pretty arduous out there — almost two years, the last one, playing two and a half hours every night, four or five shows a week. But we enjoyed every second of it. And we said that at the end of it, we weren't gonna do any more world tours, but we didn't rule out any dates. And we just got so enthused with the new album and everything that we put some dates in."

Asked by "Rockline" host Bob Coburn if it's fair to say retirement didn't work out for the band at all, Tipton replied: "We lied. We lied. We didn't mean to." Singer Rob Halford added: "Actually, it's Richie Faulkner's fault; let's blame Richie. We can't overemphasize the importance of having Richie with us at this point in our career."

He continued: "When Richie joined us for the 'Epitaph' tour, extraordinary things were happening night after night after night. And that, accompanied with some of the things that Richie was doing backstage before the show, laying down licks with his little portable recording gear, it was just this energy that was just out of control. So, naturally, when you come off a tour like that and you digest everything, you're just raring to go and we couldn't wait to get into the writing mode and start making music for [the then-new JUDAS PRIEST album] 'Redeemer Of Souls' together."

Jason Bonham, son of legendary LED ZEPPELIN drummer John Bonham, joined Billy Joel onstage New Year's Eve (December 31) at UBS Arena in Elmont, New York to perform a cover version of the ZEPPELIN classic "Whole Lotta Love". Fan-filmed video of his appearance can be seen below.

"We're going to bring a guest onstage and do this next song," Joel told the audience. "We have fun playing this, especially with this guy. Please welcome Jason Bonham. You all know this song. It's not a piano song."

JASON BONHAM‘S LED ZEPPELIN EVENING was the opening act for Joel at last night's concert.

Jason Bonham spent nearly a decade touring as JASON BONHAM'S LED ZEPPELIN EXPERIENCE before changing the band's name to JASON BONHAM'S LED ZEPPELIN EVENING. Bonham later explained that the switch was prompted by a request from the LED ZEPPELIN camp, who wanted to use the "Experience" name for a project involving the archive of ZEP live recordings.

JASON BONHAM'S LED ZEPPELIN EXPERIENCE was formed in 2009 to pay tribute to Bonham's father, who died in 1980 at the age of 32. "It was meant to be part of my way of expressing my love for music and expressing myself with a tip of the hat to my father," Jason told Mixdown in a 2017 interview. "Soon after doing the 28 shows that we did with an orchestra, everyone said, 'You're not going to stop now, are you? You haven't been here, you haven't played there…' And so I said, 'As long as you guys want me to do it, I'll do it.' It's really fan-based. It's not us and them; it's about love for LED ZEPPELIN, and that's how it's grown, as a very honest, natural, fan-based show. You guys all knew him as Bonzo; I knew him as dad, and there's a great interaction."

Jason launched JASON BONHAM'S LED ZEPPELIN EXPERIENCE two years after taking part in LED ZEPPELIN's one-off performance at London's O2 Arena tribute concert for friend and Atlantic Records founder Ahmet Ertegun. The rare live set, which saw Jason behind the drums in place of his late father, was released in 2012 as "Celebration Day".

He told the Chicago Tribune about JASON BONHAM'S LED ZEPPELIN EVENING: "We're not LED ZEPPELIN. We are fans. We love the music. We give it 150 percent energy and time to make it as good as we can make it to give people that feeling and make people go back to their youth.

"I never wanted it to be we are just playing music. It had to be personal with stories to tell people what Dad was like at home. It's nice to know that so many people love hearing that music played in a live environment."

The performance includes LED ZEPPELIN favorites as well as deep cuts. For this year's tour, JASON BONHAM'S LED ZEPPELIN EVENING has worked up a number of fresh inclusions on the setlist, such as "Friends", "Achilles Last Stand" and the arrangement of "Dazed And Confused" from "The Song Remains The Same" concert movie.

"The hardest thing is picking the songs," Bonham told the Chicago Tribune. " "There's more deeper songs — 'In The Light', 'Friends', 'Four Sticks' — songs that never got played live and never made it to a ZEPPELIN show. The list could go on for the more obscure ones that fans like to hear. Of course we still do 'Kashmir', 'Stairway To Heaven' and 'What Is And What Should Never Be'. We started doing 'Dancing Days', 'Houses Of The Holy' and 'That's The Way'. This show is one of the most fun things to do because I get to play all this great music in front of people that really appreciate it."