After almost three decades as bassist, vocalist and co-writer for legendary bands like PIXIES (2014–2024),A PERFECT CIRCLE, ZWAN and THE ENTRANCE BAND, Paz Lenchantin now steps forward with her debut solo album, "Triste", out October 17 on her own label, Hideous Human Records.

"Triste" is a 12-track album that blends both Latin folk textures with American rock structures that features Paz on piano, adding her signature string arrangements around the rock band roots she came from. Paz performed all of the instruments before enlisting some of her favorite Los Angeles-based musicians, reuniting her with former A PERFECT CIRCLE bandmates Josh Freese (drums),Troy Van Leeuwen (guitar),and also longtime friend Jeffertiti on the album's lead single "Hang Tough".

The official music video for "Hang Tough", directed by Lenchantin, can be seen below.

"Triste" began forming in Petatlán, Mexico, where Paz spent most of 2024 on her own writing songs about faith, doubt, and self-discovery, mirroring her own experiences post PIXIES.

Mixed by Chris Coady (BEACH HOUSE, YEAH YEAH YEAHS),"Triste" delivers a fiercely personal and expansive statement that stamps the first chapter in her solo career.

“I had to make this record on my own — not to prove anything, but just to have faith that music can nurture me back," Paz said in a statement. "And it did."

"Triste" track listing:

01. Novela
02. Lows & Highs
03. Woman Of Nazareth
04. Hang Tough
05. Wish I Was There
06. Si No!
07. In The Garden With The Devil
08. Adam
09. Lucia
10. Sin Dios
11. Save It For Hell
12. Triste

Lenchantin joined PIXIES in 2014 after the group parted ways with bassist Kim Shattuck. In 2024, after recording three albums with PIXIES and countless world tours with the band, the PIXIES announced that they were parting ways with her.

"My departure is a bit of a surprise to me as it is to many," Lenchantin told Rolling Stone at the time, "but it looks like they have a solid plan figured out, which in turn has pushed me to move onwards onto new projects that I am excited about."

Photo by David Alvarado

In a new interview with the Everblack podcast, MY DYING BRIDE guitarist Andrew Craighan spoke about the band's decision to recruit vocalist Mikko Kotamäki (SWALLOW THE SUN) to front MY DYING BRIDE for its live appearances in 2025 after an apparent dispute with MY DYING BRIDE's founding singer Aaron Stainthorpe. Asked how the collaboration with Mikko came about, Andrew said in part (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET):  "Basically, it was fairly easy. All we did is ask — via Facebook, of all things… We just told him that we need a vocalist for these upcoming shows. We didn't give him any ins and outs of what was taking place. [We just asked], 'Are you available?' And he just said, 'Yeah, I'm in. I'll do it. Whatever you want, I'll do it.' And we're, like, 'Fucking hell. That was easy.' He then flew over to England a couple of weeks later and we rehearsed and it was easy. And we thought, 'This is easy.' So that was pretty much it."

Andrew continued: "When we got him in rehearsal and we were playing some of the older stuff, he just knew [the songs]. There was just no drama. And we were, like, 'This is gonna be all right. He knows the songs.' Now, don't get me wrong — he doesn't sing quite like Aaron does or would, but what he's done is done absolute honesty to the albums, but with his nuances, let's say, his sort of characteristics, but not losing anything, or anything at all, actually."

Craighan also talked about a possible follow-up to MY DYING BRIDE's latest album, "A Mortal Binding", which came out in April 2024 via Nuclear Blast Records. He said: "We're always writing. Well, I'm always writing. We were in a little mini studio recently in Huddersfield. It's a great place called Vibration, and we put some new stuff together there just for fun. And we we're just sort of toying with ideas of where we wanna go next. I mean, it'll still be us, of course; we're not gonna be breaking out into any strange hip-hop or anything like that.

"We've nothing to lose — we've really nothing to lose at this stage — so we are kind of damned if you do, damned if you don't," Andrew explained about MY DYING BRIDE's new material. "So we're thinking of maybe even going back to, say, bringing back some of the early death metal stuff off the first album. Maybe do another '[The] Barghest [O' Whitby]' where we deliberately write a song so you can't have a B-side because it's 30 minutes long and we don't like B-sides…

"But, yeah, I'm certainly always writing, and I've got plenty of ideas," he added. "And there's some riffs that didn't quite squeeze on to the last album that for some reason just didn't make it on that we can always use those to springboard the next session of writing. So, short answer is yes, we're writing. There's nothing complete — maybe bits of three songs. But I wouldn't wanna play it to anybody right now because it's too soon."

Last month, Andrew spoke in more detail about MY DYING BRIDE's decision to recruit Mikko, telling Metalirium: "Despite all the problems, the band was willing and ready to perform the remaining shows in 2024, but, unfortunately, there was no willing singer. The band only discovered this at the very last minute, which led to the cancelation. Given that the album had just been released, the band was not prepared to be sidelined. As a result, a meeting was organized to discuss the possibility of a replacement. Mikko was the unanimous first choice."

As for Aaron's current status with MY DYING BRIDE, Andrew said: "As Aaron has, in truth, distanced himself from the band, we are only aware of his activities through social media and online interviews. The band contacted him in March 2025 to enquire about his intentions with MY DYING BRIDE, but he has not responded. We first learned through social media that he was on a hiatus from MDB. Although he states online that he is still part of the band, he has not engaged with us since April 2024. So, in response to your question, the band does not know what his plans with MDB are."

Kotamäki has already played three shows with MY DYING BRIDE in Europe, at the Rockmaraton Fesztivál in Hungary, the Pit Of Metal in Slovakia and at the Dark River festival in Finland.

During a recent appearance on the Iblis Manifestations podcast, Stainthorpe stated about his current status with MY DYING BRIDE: "Well, in fact, the last thing I heard was they're writing new material as well now, which is interesting. I have not heard from Andrew for over a year. And as me and him are the only founder members left… And we never had a manager. Me and Andrew managed as best we could for years and years and years. There was only one stint when we nearly got a manager — Ronnie James Dio's ex-wife, funnily enough. That was a long, long time ago. So me and Andrew figured, 'Well, we could probably do it.' So we had a go of it, and then we had this big bust-up — I can't even remember when it was now, a year ago, a year and a half. And I thought, 'We'll let it die down a bit, and when we come to our senses, we'll get around the table, thrash out our differences and reignite the band.' And then I saw they were gigging without me. So I thought, obviously there's no communication then. So, what do I do? I'll just keep doing what I do until there is some communication. And there still hasn't been. So I'm getting on with my life. I'm not gonna sit there and stew and wait for things to happen. I'm gonna crack on and maintain a busy schedule. But I've no idea who they're gonna use in the studio, if they do a new album. I don't even know if there's a record deal anymore, 'cause everything's gone pear shaped at Nuclear Blast. I don't even know if Nuclear Blast is operating as a full record label anymore. I've heard all kinds of weird stories. And I know for a fact that the guy I used to chat with at Nuclear Blast, he's not there anymore. So over the last couple of years there's been massive, massive changes. So I don't even know if MY DYING BRIDE have a deal. And if they do, I don't know where that leaves me. I've not left the band, and I haven't been kicked out, so I don't understand where we're gonna go. I don't know what the future is. But having been a founder member and in the band for 35 years, I'm not leaving. If they wanna do things without me, well, good luck to 'em."

When Iblis Manifestations host Shayan noted that "it sounds like quite a complicated situation" in light of the fact that a legal MY DYING BRIDE partnership exists between Aaron and Andrew, Stainthorpe concurred. "Yeah. And it'll only get more complicated," he said. "I don't fully understand it. You would hope and imagine that as a founder member who hasn't left, I would have some authority somehow, but it seems not. So I don't really know. I'm probably gonna have to seek legal advice at some point. Obviously, I didn't want to, and I don't want to, but if a record comes out, a MY DYING BRIDE record comes out, and I'm not on it, but I'm still officially the singer, I don't know legally what I'm supposed to do. So at some point, unfortunately, it looks like I might have to seek legal advice, which in this country we have the musicians' union, so it's not a problem. They've got all the experts. And I do know some people quite high up in the business. So I've got people with their finger on the pulse so I can chat with them and just see what's what. But I don't want to. I would just rather keep singing MY DYING BRIDE songs. But maybe I don't have a choice with that."

Aaron also clarified that his involvement with his new band HIGH PARASITE, which released its debut album, "Forever We Burn", last September via Candlelight/Spinefarm, didn't create any issues with MY DYING BRIDE, despite fan speculation to the contrary. "Yeah, there was never gonna be a conflict," he explained. "MDB do about 15 gigs a year, and [there is] sometimes three or four years between albums. I could be in 10 bands and it wouldn't affect the scheduling of MY DYING BRIDE. I spoke to [HIGH PARASITE bassist/vocalist Danny] Tombs [Lambert] back in the day and I said, 'Here's some MY DYING BRIDE gigs. Make sure there's no HIGH PARASITE [gigs] clashing, any clashing of any gigs at all.' And he said, 'Absolutely fine. That will not happen.' And, well, it never even got that far, because we had a big bust-up before then, and the gigs got canceled anyway.

"You don't sacrifice the main band for your smaller band," Aaron continued. "That doesn't happen. Can you imagine Lars Ulrich saying to METALLICA, 'Do you know what, guys? Can we cancel those big gigs, 'cause me and my mates wanna mess around in this other band?' It doesn't work that way. It doesn't happen like that. And it would be ridiculous to even think that. 'Cause I know some people think, 'Oh, Aaron's concentrating more on HIGH PARASITE than MY DYING BRIDE. So he sacrificed MY DYING BRIDE for HIGH PARASITE.' You don't do things like that. It's utterly, utterly ridiculous. And why would I? MY DYING BRIDE has been an absolute delight for me for 30-odd years. I'm not gonna let that go. And I'm certainly not gonna let another, a smaller band batter it out the way. It doesn't work like that. Literally every musician I know is in more than one band. It's easy. Anyone can do it. It's not an issue."

Asked if he has been in touch with any other members of MY DYING BRIDE, Aaron said: "I see Neil [Blanchett, guitar] every once in a while for a beer in Halifax. But zero communication with the others. They've all got my details."

Pressed as to whether he has tried to reach out to the other members of MY DYING BRIDE since the "bust-up" happened that he mentioned earlier in the interview, Aaron said: "There's no point. There's no point because if they're not contacting me, they don't want to. So it's pointless me chasing them. They're doing what they wanna do and they clearly wanna do it without me."

Aaron went on to say that he is still holding out hope things could be ironed out between him and the other members of MY DYING BRIDE in the coming months.

"The reason why I'm not screaming and shouting is because I genuinely think it's not over," he said. "If I knew it was definitely over, then, yeah, I'd be heartbroken. But I try to remain optimistic that somehow we can work stuff out. I don't see why we can't. We're not kids. We're not a gang. We can surely work something out. Because normally when bands split up, there's normally some sort of financial irregularity, someone's run off with all the money, or there's some infidelity — 'You slept with my wife' or 'you slept with my wife.' Bands split up because of serious — something's gone really bad, really bad. We have none of that, which is why I think we can get back together. But let's see."

Asked what he would say to Andrew right now if the guitarist was listening to the interview, Aaron said: "Give us a ring. Give us a ring. It's not hard, is it?"

MEGADETH guitarist Teemu Mäntysaari has shared a new video message in which he offered an update on the recording sessions for the band's final studio album.

On August 14, MEGADETH announced that its upcoming LP will be the band's last. The Dave Mustaine-led outfit will also embark on a farewell tour in 2026.

Mustaine and the rest of MEGADETH have yet to reveal the final album's title, release date or the band's remaining tour dates.

In his video message, Teemu said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "Hey, Teemu from MEGADETH here. I hope you guys are doing great. I just wanted to give you a little update on what's been going on lately.

"Most of this year we've been in the studio working on the new MEGADETH music, starting with songwriting, getting in the studio and jamming together, arranging the songs, recording demos, getting all the little details right, getting the final takes and slowly crafting the music to its best form. So there's been a lot of traveling between home, my home studio in Zurich [Switzerland] and the band's studio in Nashville. We also got to squeeze in a couple of festival shows this summer.

"Currently we are very close to completing the recordings for the album," Teemu revealed. "I think the songs are sounding great, and I am super excited for you guys to hear it soon as well. So I hope you guys stay patient for just a little bit longer. New music and a lot of other exciting things are on the way. We have also some shows coming up this fall. We are playing an exclusive headlining show in Istanbul, Turkey on the 22nd of September, followed by a four-week tour across Europe with DISTURBED. So if you haven't gotten your tickets yet, now is the time. I hope you also check out our VIP options so we can meet you in person.

"I'm really looking forward to getting back on tour," the guitarist added. "See you guys soon."

In a press release announcing MEGADETH's final album and farewell tour, Mustaine thanked fans for their commitment and love while celebrating the band's impact on the music world.

"There's so many musicians that have come to the end of their career, whether accidental or intentional," Mustaine said. "Most of them don't get to go out on their own terms on top, and that's where I'm at in my life right now. I have traveled the world and have made millions upon millions of fans and the hardest part of all of this is saying goodbye to them."

He continued. "We can't wait for you to hear this album and see us on tour. If there was ever a perfect time for us to put out a new album, it's now. If there was ever a perfect time to tour the world, it's now. This is also a perfect time for us to tell you that it's our last studio album. We've made a lot of friends over the years and I hope to see all of you on our global farewell tour.

"Don't be mad, don't be sad, be happy for us all, come celebrate with me these next few years. We have done something together that's truly wonderful and will probably never happen again. We started a musical style, we started a revolution, we changed the guitar world and how it's played, and we changed the world. The bands I played in have influenced the world. I love you all for it. Thank you for everything."

The follow-up to 2022's "The Sick, The Dying… And The Dead!" will be released via Mustaine's Tradecraft imprint on Frontiers Label Group's new BLKIIBLK label, and is expected next year.

Fans can register for early access to exclusive information and offers surrounding the upcoming final album on MEGADETH's web site. Pre-orders for the LP will start on September 25. The initial run of farewell tour dates will also be announced later this year.

For its final album, MEGADETH is once again working with Chris Rakestraw, a producer, mixer and engineer who previously worked on MEGADETH's last two LPs, the aforementioned "The Sick, The Dying... And The Dead!" and 2016's "Dystopia".

Mäntysaari joined MEGADETH two years ago. He stepped in as the replacement for Brazilian-born guitarist Kiko Loureiro, who announced 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. It was later revealed that the now-38-year-old Finnish musician would continue to play guitar for MEGADETH for the foreseeable future, with Loureiro seemingly having no plans to return.

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.

Released in September 2022, MEGADETH's latest album, "The Sick, The Dying... And The Dead!", sold 48,000 equivalent album units in the U.S. in its first week of release to land at position No. 3 on the Billboard 200 chart. It marked MEGADETH's eighth top 10-charting album.

MEGADETH's previous top 10 entries on the Billboard 200 were "Countdown To Extinction" (No. 2, 1992),"Youthanasia" (No. 4, 1994),"Cryptic Writings" (No. 10, 1997),"United Abominations" (No. 8, 2007),"Endgame" (No. 9, 2009),"Super Collider" (No. 6, 2013) and "Dystopia" (No. 3, 2016).

Led by the growled vocals and razor-wire riffing of Mustaine, MEGADETH are one of the "Big Four" thrash titans. Shortly after being kicked out of METALLICA in 1983, Mustaine met bassist David Ellefson, and the pair bonded quickly, forming the core of MEGADETH. Drummer Gar Samuelson and guitarist Chris Poland later joined, and MEGADETH released their underground-hit debut "Killing Is My Business... And Business Is Good!" in 1985. Its follow-up, "Peace Sells... But Who's Buying?", solidified the band's status with sprawling yet tightly wound songs like the uneasy opener "Wake Up Dead" and the fiery title track.

"So Far, So Good... So What!", released in 1988, featured a new lineup as well as a thrashy cover of the SEX PISTOLS' "Anarchy In The U.K." and the anti-PMRC broadside "Hook In Mouth". In 1990 they released "Rust In Peace", with Nick Menza on drums and technical wizard Marty Friedman on guitar; songs such as "Holy Wars... The Punishment Due" and "Hangar 18" blended pummeling riffs and suspicion-fueled lyrics with a stadium-rock ambition that matched the era's metal-embracing tendencies.

"Countdown To Extinction", released in 1992, and "Youthanasia", released in 1994, continued the band's dominance of metal and emergence in rock's mainstream, with the latter album's "À Tout Le Monde" being a rare thrash ballad. After a brief breakup in the early 2000s, MEGADETH returned as a de facto Mustaine solo project with 2004's "The System Has Failed". Ellefson rejoined in 2010 prior to the album "Th1rt3en" and remained in the MEGADETH lineup until 2021, when he was fired.

In addition to Mustaine and Mäntysaari, MEGADETH's current lineup includes drummer Dirk Verbeuren and bassist James LoMenzo.

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In a new interview with Andrew McKaysmith of the Scars And Guitars podcast, legendary German guitarist Uli Jon Roth spoke about his pioneering role in the neoclassical metal genre. His unique style, incorporating classical techniques and exotic scales, has inspired numerous guitarists, and his time with the SCORPIONS significantly shaped the band's sound. Uli said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "I'm not a metal guy. When I was in the SCORPIONS and the name heavy metal barely existed, we were considered, if you want to classify it, as a melodic hard rock band. So metal, the name, came afterwards, and then it became something which is actually not my cup of tea. Most metal, for me, is just a little bit too hardcore, a little bit too distorted and, for me, maybe a bit two-dimensional. And what I mean by that is the lack of dynamics.

"I come from a time, like in the '60s when I first started, in the '70s, where even loud bands played with a lot of dynamics," Uli explained. "People like LED ZEPPELIN, [Jimi] Hendrix, CREAM, they were loud on stage with the amplifiers, but they were actually very dynamical in it. The guitars, the drums, everything was dynamical. Now, in heavy metal that gradually went away and everything went to 11 all the time — the guitar constantly hyper distorted, every drum beat fortissimo — and for me, it's very often more like a cacophony. So I'm not a fan. There are some metal things that are excellent and great — absolutely — but on the whole, it's not something I like to listen to. It's not my world."

Asked how it feels to know that he and fellow German guitarist Michael Schenker were so hugely influential in shaping the heavy metal guitar style that is popular today, Uli responded: "I don't really think along these lines. For me, I know that we had a strong influence on particularly guitar players, but some people have said, 'Yeah, these two guys are the architects of rock,' which is, I think, an exaggeration, because we were standing on the shoulders of other people. Michael was listening to maybe LED ZEPPELIN, Rory Gallagher, MOUNTAIN and I was listening to [Eric] Clapton, Hendrix and some other bands. And that's where we learned our craft. And then, of course, we were like the next generation. We put our own stamp on it. And it was a time of discovery — the early '70s sort of field was wide open; it was completely wide open. And there weren't that many explorers around, I found. There were a few, and they pushed it forward. In Holland, in the Netherlands, you had Jan Akkerman. He was an explorer, and he was amazing, and his guitar playing — he was way ahead of the game of most of the other players. In England you had Ritchie Blackmore [DEEP PURPLE]. Then you had Brian May [QUEEN] in England slightly later. All these people were pushing it forward in their own way, and most of them were in England, most of the great guitar players, which is very strange, but I counted it once; there were at least 12 of them. Some of them may be not as well known, but there was [PINK FLOYD's David] Gilmour, there was Allan Holdsworth. There was Gary Moore; of course, he was Irish. There was Hank Marvin, who started it all. There was [THE BEATLES'] George Harrison. Amazing what he did on the electric guitar and the sitar. And I probably forgot quite a few here, but they were all English and British or Irish. And the rest of Europe had a lot of guitar players, but not many of them made it into quote-unquote writing history as such, or rock history. You can count them on one hand, whereas in England it was like a nest. You had all these people. Yeah, Jimmy Page also. Of course, Jeff Beck. I forget Jeff Beck. Hello. Big mistake. He was definitely one of the all-time greats."

This fall Uli Jon Roth will return to North America with an extraordinary new program titled "Pictures Of Destiny". This highly anticipated tour promises to be a mesmerizing three-hour extravaganza, including the premiere of compositions from his long-awaited "Requiem For An Angel". Uli will be accompanied by a full band and a string quartet, making for an ensemble of 10 talented musicians performing on stage. The music will be enriched by dynamic multimedia projections, offering audiences an immersive experience at seated venues.

Fans will have the opportunity to witness a stunning orchestral rendition of Roth's groundbreaking piece "Sails Of Charon", alongside several new compositions and material from his acclaimed "Transcendental Sky Guitar" albums. There will also be a couple of classic early SCORPIONS tracks, from Uli's "Tokyo Tapes Revisited" DVD, blending a touch of nostalgia with innovative artistry. While the show will include many beloved pieces, the spotlight will shine brightly on Roth's latest compositions, marking their debut in the United States.

As a special addition, Roth will showcase a collection of his original oil paintings, inspired by his music and songs, in each venue's foyer. Critics have described his artwork as "Rembrandt meets 'Star Wars'," and these visually striking works of art will be integrated into the performances to enhance the audience's journey.

Roth's tour offers more than just a concert — it is an emotional and artistic odyssey. Through his exceptional guitar artistry and evocative paintings, Roth invites audiences to immerse themselves in a world of profound beauty and inspiration.

In recent years, Roth has revisited the early music of his period with the SCORPIONS, which resulted in the "Scorpions Revisited" double CD and "Tokyo Tapes Revisited" DVD/Blu-ray releases.

Widely regarded as one of the greatest guitar players ever, Uli pioneered a unique style of guitar playing which — for the first time — combined complete mastery of the instrument with an intensely melodic and emotional appeal.

From his earliest days onwards, Uli has always been a bold and uncompromising musical innovator of the first order. Being the first guitar player in rock to incorporate complex melodic arpeggio sequences, Uli Jon Roth — in the eyes of many of his peers — practically reinvented modern guitar technique almost singlehandedly during his SCORPIONS tenure, but even more so during his ELECTRIC SUN days.

Acclaimed drummer Tommy Clufetos, who worked with such rock icons as Ted Nugent, Alice Cooper and Rob Zombie before joining Ozzy Osbourne in 2010, spoke to iHeartRadio's Doug Podell about the passing of the legendary BLACK SABBATH singer. Tommy said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "Well, when you lose a guy like Ozzy Osbourne, which it never happened [before], it's a shock to everybody, and it's been a shock to everybody around the world, and you can see in the responses. He deserves the ovation that he's getting. And I was one of the few fortunate people that got to sit behind him on stage and have the time of my life for 15 years. I got to play drums behind Ozzy Osbourne, and every gig was awesome, every backstage was awesome. Every car ride, every plane ride, everything was a moment to remember, and I'll remember it forever. God bless Ozzy Osbourne."

After Podell noted that Ozzy was "a real innovator when it comes to music," Tommy said: "Usually the innovators aren't given the credit because people don't 'get' it. When you're really great at something, people don't really get it. When you make things look easy, people don't get it. When you're great, that's what it is. When you're pretty good, it's easy for people to get.

"Here's what I think: if you don't like Ozzy Osbourne, it's 'cause you're jealous," Clufetos added. "That's all there is to it. That goes with sports figures or certain people… Usually the dislike or the hate is usually out of jealousy. So I know there was a lot of people jealous.

"Ozzy was great. He had this power in his voice and this sound that came out that it didn't matter how high you could sing or how low you can sing, or how pretty you sang, you couldn't do what he did. What he did was special and it was unattainable."

Tommy was lucky enough to have played with both Ozzy's solo band and BLACK SABBATH, having done two full tours with SABBATH as the touring replacement for the band's original drummer Bill Ward. He also performed with Ozzy at the singer's final concert on July 5 at the Villa Park in Birmingham, United Kingdom. At the "Back To The Beginning" event, Tommy, Ozzy and the rest of Osbourne's solo band, consisting of guitarist Zakk Wylde, bassist Mike Inez and keyboardist Adam Wakeman, played four songs from Ozzy's 1980 solo debut album "Blizzard Of Ozz" — "I Don't Know", "Mr. Crowley", "Suicide Solution" and "Crazy Train" — along with his 1991 "No More Tears" ballad "Mama, I'm Coming Home".

Four years ago, Tommy talked to Jeff Gaudiosi of MisplacedStraws.com about what it was like to step in for original BLACK SABBATH drummer Bill Ward on the legendary heavy metal band's final tour. He said: "To be honest, I've done it so many times where I'm coming in — I've always come in after somebody. That was a higher level of that. But knowing that I've replaced a name drummer every time I've come in, and eventually, I'm kind of maybe possibly this much of a name drummer now, even though I pride myself on trying to stay under the radar, I was prepared for that situation. And I understand that BLACK SABBATH is Ozzy, Tony [Iommi], Geezer [Butler], Bill Ward; I get that there's four parts to that, and I feel that I went in respecting that. And I know that you've got three guys that I was playing with, there's three leaders. Ozzy knew me; he had my trust. And I had to earn Tony's trust. I had to earn Geezer's trust. And I don't do that through saying, 'I'm your guy,' I do that through going in every day and knowing every song. And that's how you earn people's trust. So I think I won them over that way. And I think going and playing the gigs, I won the people over that way. There's always going to be naysayers, and that's part of the business, but my goal was to go out there and kick ass every day. And I can bet that nobody walked out of the show unhappy. So that's the only thing I can do, is do my best playing drums and just go through it. If I didn't do it, somebody else would have."

Ozzy died on July 22 of a heart attack, his death certificate revealed. The certificate filed in London also said Osbourne suffered from coronary artery disease and Parkinson's disease.

A private funeral service for Ozzy was held on July 31 on the 250-acre grounds of the house the legendary BLACK SABBATH singer and his wife bought in 1993 in Buckinghamshire, England. Only 110 of the singer's friends and family members attended the service, including his SABBATH bandmates, Robert Trujillo (METALLICA),Rob Zombie, Zakk Wylde, Marilyn Manson and Corey Taylor (SLIPKNOT).

The day before the private funeral, thousands of fans gathered in the streets of Birmingham to pay tribute to Ozzy. His wife Sharon, along with their children Aimée, Kelly and Jack, joined mourners for the emotional tribute.

Image credit: George s Pogacich

In a new interview with Jai That Aussie Metal Guy, SABATON singer Joakim Brodén spoke about the lyrical inspiration for the band's upcoming eleventh studio album, "Legends", which will arrive on October 17 via Better Noise Music. He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "We wanted to do something different after having been in World War I-era warfare for quite some time. We felt, when the pandemic hit, we just started touring on 'The Great War' [2019] theme. And we also had songs left — like we wanted to tell the story of, well, Christmas Truce, Hellfighters, and we didn't have the right music in that case for when we were making 'The Great War', so it made perfect sense for us to continue in the World War I track. This time, however, we felt like we had— I'm not saying never again, but we're, for now at least, done with World War I and we wanted to do something different. An idea about something like this is something we had floating around for quite some time, because it takes you to different places, for sure. I mean, we have done ancient warfare before, but most of it has been modern warfare — World War I and onward. So it was really liberating, I guess, to move out here. I mean, totally new vocabulary to work with when writing lyrics, for sure."

He continued: "The only problem we had was… Obviously, there are some stories that are fantastic and they're known for a reason — it's obvious and most people have heard about them. Maybe we can bring something new to light. But we also love to bring in something totally unknown and something people have never heard before. The problem with this then is 'legends' — you're not gonna be a legend or it's not gonna be a legendary thing if nobody's ever heard of it before. [Laughs] So we had to work a bit differently, thinking, like, yeah, okay, Lu Bu, the Chinese general on 'A Tiger Among Dragons' — not unheard of, but pretty unheard of where we are from. So we had to start looking more geographically diverse as well, because Miyamoto Musashi, the Samurai, is far from unknown in Japan. However, in at least Scandinavian culture, I'd say you have to be into history to have heard about him. And then also the possibility of exploring different sides. I mean him, for example, he is not only a dualist and a warrior, but he's an author as well, and there's a big, well, I guess, philosophical aspect to him as well."

Asked if the fact that this is the first time in SABATON history that every member of the band has contributed to the songwriting process had changed the creative energy and the dynamic in the studio for the group, Joakim said: "It hasn't really changed anything, because it's just the first time everybody's been on the same album. I have written with Hannes [Van Dahl], the drummer, before. I've written with Chris [Rörland] and Thobbe [Englund], the guitar players, before, and Pär [Sundström, SABATON bassist] has always been involved in the lyric writing. So it's just the first time we were all together at the same time. And I'm happy about it because it means less time for me sitting alone writing music. So that's the biggest change, I guess. I wasn't as alone this time. Yay!"

Throughout the aptly titled "Legends", which blends rock and history for fans of all ages, SABATON delves into some of history's greatest and most loved characters such as Jeanne D'arc (also known as Joan Of Arc),Napoleon Bonaparte, Julius Caesar and the legendary swordmaster Miyamoto Musashi.

"Legends" will be available across various different physical formats and retailer exclusives including CD, 2CD digibook, 2CD earbook (both including the exclusive Storyteller Edition),11 unique vinyl editions (including a special vinyl color and exclusive artwork each),additional exclusive vinyl colors and a limited box set (including another exclusive vinyl color, the 2CD earbook, and a colored cassette as an exclusive format).

Among 11 unique vinyl editions, each one portraying one legendary figure, "Legends" will be available as the "Hannibal Edition" and the "Miyamoto Musashi Edition", which are linked to today's song releases for "Lightning At The Gates" (Hannibal) and "The Duelist" (Miyamoto Musashi).

"Legends" is a rock odyssey that transcends time and borders, with melodic guitar riffs, goosebump-inducing choirs, and epic choruses. It marks a bold evolution in storytelling, plunging headfirst into the heart of history's most formidable and enigmatic figures. These are not just rock songs, they are battle hymns carved from the blood and legacy of warriors, kings, strategists, and revolutionaries.

SABATON have always had a signature focus on writing songs about historical battles, wars, and acts of heroism that have solidified their impact with their loyal and longtime fans. They've collaborated closely with its network of specialists, developed over the years since the launch of the Sabaton History Channel on YouTube, to make sure this new album is once again as close to reality as possible.

SABATON continues to work with graphic artist Peter Sallai to create the striking album artwork, and producer Jonas Kjellgren is once again behind the boards from his Swedish Black Lounge Studios to create the classic SABATON sound the band is now known for.

In the more than two decades since the band's launch, SABATON has headlined major festivals, sold-out arena concerts worldwide, and gained a legion of loyal fans by carving out a reputation for being one of the hardest working bands in the business. Since their 2005 debut album, they've earned gold, platinum, and multi-platinum certifications in territories around the world with their 10 studio albums. Eight of their albums scored Top 10 international chart status, and six claimed the Top 5. SABATON has earned eight Metal Hammer Golden Gods Awards nominations, taking home the award for "Breakthrough Artist" in 2011 and "Best Live Band" in three different years, and a Grammis nomination (Swedish equivalent to the U.S. Grammy Award) as "Best Heavy Metal" band. They've accumulated more than three billion streams across all streaming platforms and two billion views on YouTube.

Thobbe originally joined SABATON in April 2012 and amicably parted ways with the band in July 2016 to focus on his personal life and expand his creativity. He rejoined SABATON in February 2024.

Englund recorded two studio albums with SABATON, namely "Heroes" (2014) and "The Last Stand" (2016),and assisted with the songwriting of some very popular songs including "Shiroyama" and "Fields Of Verdun", among others.

In November 2025, SABATON will embark on a 20-city European run dubbed "The Legendary Tour". The band teased the trek as "a huge celebration of SABATON's music, storytelling and the incredible bond they share with their fans", featuring "The Legendary Orchestra and other surprises," resulting in "something unprecedented."

Last fall, SABATON served as main support to JUDAS PRIEST on the legendary heavy metal band's North American tour.

Kenyon Records unveils the definitive edition of Rites Of The Black Mass, the cult 1992 debut from Satanic death metal pioneers Acheron. Available September 12, 2025, this fully remastered and expanded release marks the first time the original album and its foundational 1991 demo have been paired together — with full support and participation from all three original members: Vincent Crowley, Pete Slate, and Jim Strauss.

Originally recorded at Morrisound Studios under the guidance of legendary producer Scott Burns, Rites Of The Black Mass fused brutal musicianship with authentic Satanic philosophy. Its ritualistic structure — with lyrics written in collaboration with Peter H. Gilmore (now High Priest of the Church of Satan) — made it the first metal album to truly set a Black Mass to music.

“Peter Gilmore and I had the idea of doing an actual Black Mass set to music so the lyrics would be authentic and genuine. Getting the unholy blessings from the Black Pope Anton LaVey, we set forth to manifest our goal into a reality.” — Vincent Crowley, Acheron



2025 Deluxe Edition Details – preorder at the Kenyon Records webshop.

● Newly remastered by Joe Viers (Sonic Lounge Studios)
Both the original Rites of the Black Mass album and its raw, blistering 1991 demo have been meticulously restored and remastered, with careful attention to maintaining the true spirit and sonic ferocity of the era.

● New liner notes by acclaimed metal journalist David E. Gehlke
Drawn from brand-new interviews with Crowley, Slate, Strauss, and Scott Burns, the liner notes provide a definitive oral history of this pivotal release.

● Multiple collectible formats, all strictly limited:
– Double LP (180g splatter vinyl)
▪ Remastered 1992 album
▪ 1991 demo (first time on vinyl)
▪ 24” x 24” album art poster
▪ 8-page 12” booklet
▪ Gatefold jacket
▪ Hand-numbered – limited to 250 copies

– Deluxe 2CD Edition
▪ Remastered album and demo
▪ 16-page booklet with expanded liner notes
▪ Hand-numbered – limited to 500 copies

– Limited Picture Disc LP
▪ Remastered 1992 album
▪ Hand-numbered – only 100 copies

– Cassette Edition
▪ Remastered 1992 album
▪ Limited to 100 copies

– Collectors Bundle (Kenyon Exclusive)
▪ 12” x 12” 300g album flat signed by all 3 original members
▪ Exclusive woven patch (limited to 100)
▪ Limited Edition Rites of the Black Mass slipmat (limited to 100)
▪ Full-color t-shirt featuring the original album artwork (limited to 100)
▪ Available only while supplies last

– Digital Edition
▪ Available on all major platforms worldwide on release day



Originally released by Turbo Music in 1992, Rites Of The Black Mass has gone on to achieve cult status in the underground, widely regarded as a foundational work in the blackened death metal genre. But behind its legend lies a deeper story — one of spiritual rebellion, artistic conviction, and underground perseverance.

“After being raised in a Christian household and continuously preached to as a child by the church, I never would have thought my anti-religious anger would manifest into a Satanic metal reality the way it did.” — Vincent Crowley, Acheron

To mark this monumental reissue, Acheron also unveils their first official music video for the fan-favorite track “Thou Art Lord.” Created in partnership with Luiz Arruda at Audio Power Studios, the video offers a visual manifestation of the song’s unholy power and stands as a historic moment in the band’s legacy.

After more than a decade, Falling Leaves returns with their second full-length, The Silence That Binds Us, featuring guest appearances by Paul Kuhr (vocalist – Novembers Doom) and renowned session musicians like Fabio Alessandrini (drummer – Bonfire, Annihilator), Ariel Perchuk (keyboards – Kenziner, Roger Staffelbach). Mixed by Alessandro Comerio at Daemon Star Studio in Italy and mastered by the incomparable Dan Swano, the album stands as a mature and emotionally charged testament to the band’s growth and perseverance. The Silence That Binds Us will be out on September 5.

Now based in Dubai, UAE, Falling Leaves originally emerged from Amman, Jordan to carve out a distinctive niche within the melodic death doom metal genre. Their sound is a tapestry woven with themes central to doom metal—despair, existential dread, and the passage of time—offering heavy yet melodic soundscapes that transcend genre confines to deliver introspective intensity.

The band got their start in the same year with a self-released demo, introducing a sound that was both ethereal and crushing to an emerging fan base. In 2012, they released their debut full-length, Mournful Cry Of A Dying Sun, under Endless Winter. Mixed and mastered at Clintworks in Hamburg by Dennis Israel (former assistant to Jens Bogren, famed for work with Opeth and Amon Amarth), the album was enriched by contributions from Paul Kuhr, Pete Johansen (The Sins of Thy Beloved, Morgul, Tristania), and Olof Gothlin (Draconian), surging with waves of emotional and sonic depth.

The upcoming album, The Silence That Binds Us, is a powerful continuation of the band’s legacy. “This album marks an important chapter for us,” the vocalist Bashar Haroun affirms. “After so many years, it feels great to finally share something we truly believe in. Every song reflects a piece of who we are today — honest, emotional, and real.”

The album opens amid the shock of broken trust and memories that wound as deeply as they comfort. It travels through solitude and regret, where absence settles like a weight growing heavier with time. Wounds remain open, and the blur between reality and memory grows until even pain feels like a distant echo. It concludes with “Re-Silence (Silence Pt. III)”, the third and final instalment in a long-standing tradition within the band’s discography, where silence once filled with anguish settles into something enduring and unshakable.

The songs unfold with emotive leads and dark, bending chords layered over rich keys and steady, precise drumming — mostly slow, but sometimes breaking out into fierce blast beats. Those rare moments of intensity, paired with pulsating riffs and restless melodies, prevent the sound from slipping fully into funeral doom’s bleakest corners, even though it borrows from that style.

Travis Smith’s haunting tableau of faceless figures tied by invisible threads fits perfectly with Murad Juneydi’s lyrics, which explore anonymity, isolation, and the quiet connections between presence and absence — where silence is both the scar and the solace.

Pre-order/pre-save The Silence That Binds Us here (starts August 15), and/or here.



Tracklisting:

“Carvings”
“The Angel On My Shoulder”
“We Are Alone”
“Ashes Of My Mind”
“Shattered Hopes”
“The Everlasting Wounds”
“The Visions Of The Forsaken”
“Re-Silence (Part III)”

Artist Blake Armstrong, better known as Space Boy Comics, has revealed that he worked on artwork for MEGADETH's final studio album.

On Thursday, August 14, MEGADETH announced that its upcoming LP will be the band's last. The Dave Mustaine-led outfit will also embark on a farewell tour in 2026.

Mustaine and the rest of MEGADETH have yet to reveal the final album's title, release date or the band's remaining tour dates.

Armstrong, who is based in Los Angeles, took to his Instagram to write: "If I could tell my fifteen-year-old self that I'd be asked to create artwork for MEGADETH's last studio record, I would have (fittingly) burst into flames.

"The process designing this record has been an absolute joy (give or take a little bit of sheer panic here and there). It's truly something to be able to work closely with artists responsible for crafting such a huge piece of a genre. I consider myself so lucky to be in the orbit of such amazing creatives every day.

"There will be more to come and more to share about this journey but I just want to give heartfelt thanks to @cshields12 @justismustaine and the man, @davemustaine for letting me participate in this mad circus. But more than anyone, I want to thank @soph.lamontagne for being my rock and backbone through the highs and lows of it all.

"This artwork represents just the first notes of the piece — there will be plenty more to come. I hope you all dig it."

Having grown up in a small, rural, Southern Illinois town called Metropolis, Armstrong designs artwork for "film, TV, music and just about anything in between. Heavy Metal fans might have seen his work with IN FLAMES, SLAYER, STARSET, CARNIFEX and more. He has also worked on a multitude of film and television projects like "Ready Player One", "Ford v Ferrari" and "Stranger Things".

In a press release announcing MEGADETH's final album and farewell tour, Mustaine thanked fans for their commitment and love while celebrating the band's impact on the music world.

"There's so many musicians that have come to the end of their career, whether accidental or intentional," Mustaine said. "Most of them don't get to go out on their own terms on top, and that's where I'm at in my life right now. I have traveled the world and have made millions upon millions of fans and the hardest part of all of this is saying goodbye to them."

He continued. "We can't wait for you to hear this album and see us on tour. If there was ever a perfect time for us to put out a new album, it's now. If there was ever a perfect time to tour the world, it's now. This is also a perfect time for us to tell you that it's our last studio album. We've made a lot of friends over the years and I hope to see all of you on our global farewell tour.

"Don't be mad, don't be sad, be happy for us all, come celebrate with me these next few years. We have done something together that's truly wonderful and will probably never happen again. We started a musical style, we started a revolution, we changed the guitar world and how it's played, and we changed the world. The bands I played in have influenced the world. I love you all for it. Thank you for everything."

The follow-up to 2022's "The Sick, The Dying… And The Dead!" will be released via Mustaine's Tradecraft imprint on Frontiers Label Group's new BLKIIBLK label, and is expected next year.

Fans can register for early access to exclusive information and offers surrounding the upcoming final album on MEGADETH's web site. Pre-orders for the LP will start on September 25. The initial run of farewell tour dates will also be announced later this year.

For its final album, MEGADETH is once again working with Chris Rakestraw, a producer, mixer and engineer who previously worked on MEGADETH's last two LPs, the aforementioned "The Sick, The Dying... And The Dead!" and 2016's "Dystopia".

MEGADETH guitarist Teemu Mäntysaari joined the band two years ago. Mäntysaari stepped in as the replacement for Brazilian-born guitarist Kiko Loureiro, who announced 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. It was later revealed that the now-38-year-old Finnish musician would continue to play guitar for MEGADETH for the foreseeable future, with Loureiro seemingly having no plans to return.

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.

Released in September 2022, MEGADETH's latest album, "The Sick, The Dying... And The Dead!", sold 48,000 equivalent album units in the U.S. in its first week of release to land at position No. 3 on the Billboard 200 chart. It marked MEGADETH's eighth top 10-charting album.

MEGADETH's previous top 10 entries on the Billboard 200 were "Countdown To Extinction" (No. 2, 1992),"Youthanasia" (No. 4, 1994),"Cryptic Writings" (No. 10, 1997),"United Abominations" (No. 8, 2007),"Endgame" (No. 9, 2009),"Super Collider" (No. 6, 2013) and "Dystopia" (No. 3, 2016).

Led by the growled vocals and razor-wire riffing of Mustaine, MEGADETH are one of the "Big Four" thrash titans. Shortly after being kicked out of METALLICA in 1983, Mustaine met bassist David Ellefson, and the pair bonded quickly, forming the core of MEGADETH. Drummer Gar Samuelson and guitarist Chris Poland later joined, and MEGADETH released their underground-hit debut "Killing Is My Business... And Business Is Good!" in 1985. Its follow-up, "Peace Sells... But Who's Buying?", solidified the band's status with sprawling yet tightly wound songs like the uneasy opener "Wake Up Dead" and the fiery title track.

"So Far, So Good... So What!", released in 1988, featured a new lineup as well as a thrashy cover of the SEX PISTOLS' "Anarchy In The U.K." and the anti-PMRC broadside "Hook In Mouth". In 1990 they released "Rust In Peace", with Nick Menza on drums and technical wizard Marty Friedman on guitar; songs such as "Holy Wars... The Punishment Due" and "Hangar 18" blended pummeling riffs and suspicion-fueled lyrics with a stadium-rock ambition that matched the era's metal-embracing tendencies.

"Countdown To Extinction", released in 1992, and "Youthanasia", released in 1994, continued the band's dominance of metal and emergence in rock's mainstream, with the latter album's "À Tout Le Monde" being a rare thrash ballad. After a brief breakup in the early 2000s, MEGADETH returned as a de facto Mustaine solo project with 2004's "The System Has Failed". Ellefson rejoined in 2010 prior to the album "Th1rt3en" and remained in the MEGADETH lineup until 2021, when he was fired.

In addition to Mustaine, MEGADETH's current lineup includes drummer Dirk Verbeuren, bassist James LoMenzo and Mäntysaari.

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In a new interview with Cutter's Rockcast, BLACK VEIL BRIDES vocalist Andy Biersack spoke about the band's recently released single "Hallelujah". The Tampa, Florida-based choir One Voice Ensemble lent its talents to the song, which was produced by Biersack and guitarist Jake Pitts and was issued via BLACK VEIL BRIDES' label partners Spinefarm. Regarding the lyrical inspiration for "Hallelujah", Biersack said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "I grew up Catholic, and it plays into a lot of my lyrics and always has. I'm not practicing, but anytime you grow up in any kind of religious situation, the good and bad filters its way in. And I went to Catholic school, and I got the negative side of it, and then I had family members who were practicing it, and it was a very positive thing in their life. And so in some ways I can't help but have it find its way into the things I write."

He continued: "This is not a religious song, but the content is such that I sort of see the way things are going culturally where it almost has this sort of religious zealot nature to it where things, whether it's ideological conversations or whatever else, sort of always come from the perspective that it's a deeply held belief and you can't possibly have any pivot points on it."

Biersack also talked about BLACK VEIL BRIDES' upcoming follow-up to their sixth album, "The Phantom Tomorrow", which came out in October 2021. He said: "I've done a lot of concept records over the years, and this one is more of, I guess I would call it a theme record in that there's not an overarching narrative that's being told. It's not a dystopian world with a superhero character or whatever. I'm looking at it from the perspective of various stories about the idea of revenge and kind of having that chip on your shoulder and the ways that that manifests. And so the track listing and the record itself goes through different versions of that experience and in some ways talks about the futility of feeling that way constantly. But it's just the truth of my life.

"Since I was 16 years old and I started the band, I've always been somebody who's been a little bit of an underdog," he explained. "We've never been the darlings of any scene. And you need only type our name into the Internet to see people who have decided that we're the worst thing that ever happened to music, or inversely the greatest thing, and that sort of battle in that duality is something that has always had a part in what we do. I have the word 'revenge' on my shoulder. It's the sort of literal monkey on my back that I carry around. And so tonally this record is about those ideas and whether it's viewing the sort of insanity of sort of groupthink, whether it's viewing the betrayal of a friend, the anger that you have towards people who don't believe in you, on and on and on, all those kind of ideas and the ways that they manifest are how I have shaped this record lyrically."

When "Hallelujah" was first released in July, Biersack said in a statement: "'Hallelujah' is an important song for us, not only because it is the first track from the new record, but also as a signifier of what's to come for the band. On a narrative level, it represents the themes and ideas I am exploring lyrically on the album.

"I am fascinated by the current state of discourse and how often we seem to prioritize ideological certainty over the heart and soul of humanity. Over the years we have developed a tremendous connection with our audience, which is often dismissed or misinterpreted by the 'scene.' We stand at a unique inflection point culturally and I want to be able to speak openly about how much I believe in being true to yourself over the fear of mass hysteria or in-group recriminations.

"When my grandfather's voice spoke to 'the outcasts' in the first moments of our first record in 2010, it was a sincere call to arms for all those who feel different. In many ways this record is the natural evolution of that same idea. This is the heaviest and most vitriolic BVB record by far but more importantly I believe it is the most sincere and honest record we have ever made."

BLACK VEIL BRIDES released an animated video for "Hallelujah", directed by Marco Pavone (THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, PINK FLOYD, SHADOW OF INTENT). The band will continue to release more visual content over the coming months to support the new songs.

BLACK VEIL BRIDES will make appearances at Louder Than Life in Louisville, Kentucky (September 20),Rock The Locks in Umatilla, Oregon (September 26) and Aftershock (October 5) before heading to South America for six headline shows. The "We Missed Ourselves Tour 2025" will also feature UNDEROATH, SILVERSTEIN, SENSES FAIL and I SET MY FRIENDS ON FIRE.

In a recent interview with Brandy-Baye Robidoux of Idobi Radio, Biersack confirmed that he and his BLACK VEIL BRIDES bandmates have been working on their seventh album. He said: "We finished a new record. At this point, one song is fully mixed. So it's very early. But we produced the record ourselves — myself and Jake were kind of at the helm in that — and it was the first time doing a self-produced record in that way, at least of original material. We had done re-records or things before, but this was the first time that we… It was also devoid of many outside voices."

Elaborating on BLACK VEIL BRIDES' decision to not work with an outside producer this time around, Andy said: "For a lot of years, you get to a place where you start… Your first record, you write the record together, and then you record it and then it's out there. And then you have a level of popularity, if you're lucky, and then people go, 'You know what? We should put you with this producer.' And then that producer has a way of doing things, and then you work with the next producer and they have a way of doing things. And then the more and more you work with different people, the more injection of their style becomes a part of what you do. And that's actually been really beneficial for us, because working with [producer] John [Feldy] Feldmann for so many years really created, for me, vocally how I am now. My voice, there's a definite line where you go, 'Oh, this person became a much better singer,' and I credit that all to Feldy and basically him teaching me how to use my own voice. Working with Erik Ron, working with Bob Rock, we've had a lot of luck with our producers, but we had never, in our whole career, back since the very beginning, had an opportunity to go, 'We kind of know what this band is,' and 'What would a record be like if we made it and tried to use our best judgment?' We didn't wanna go in there just celebrating ourselves. I think sometimes that's the thing that happens when bands produce their own record. They're, like, 'Everything we do is great.' We were very hard on ourselves to make sure that it was the best thing that we could do, and I'm really excited about how it's turning out."

Biersack went on to credit Feldmann and Ron with helping him develop the skills in the studio to oversee a BLACK VEIL BRIDES recording from beginning to end. "I wouldn't know how any of this stuff functions without particularly those two," he said. "Jake and I have always said we learned how to be people in a studio from John Feldmann. And then that carried over to where when we started working with Erik, who also had worked with Feldmann as an engineer in his early career, we come from that same school. And so I think in a lot of ways we brought that same sort of means of production to our record. It's just that we were doing it on our own. But it really comes from that for us."

Asked if it was "more challenging or easier" to produce the new album themselves, Andy said: "I would say it was a little bit more challenging in the capacity that you've gotta make sure that you get it right. I would say the easier thing is for me vocally, sometimes — and I guess this will be determined by how people hear it — but sometimes when you're singing, if you're working with a producer who is also a singer, they have a way that they want to hear something. So if I go, 'This melody goes this way,' and they go, 'Oh, this melody should go this way.' And then you're, like, 'Oh,' and that's unnatural. I always say, like, there's certain times when I can hear on records where I would've wanted it to be pushed this certain way, and then somebody else wanted it to go this other way, and then I just end up sounding like I don't know what I'm saying in the song. With this, it's just the way I want it, for better or for worse. So we'll find out whether that was the right way or not. We'll find out. We'll see if people like it."

Regarding whether BLACK VEIL BRIDES is "pulling from any unexpected influences" this time around, Andy said: "Well, I think we have a total lack of interest in any commercial crossover. We've been in the major label system for most of our career, where even though we were a band with a lot of shreddy guitars and I'm writing about theological ideas, they're, like, 'But where's the single?' And so you'd always kind of have to temper that with, 'We've gotta make sure that there's a single.' And what we have found, and thankfully working with Spinefarm now, 'Bleeders' was not a song that was made to be a hit. And yet it was a song that, because the label believed in it, did really well at radio and traditional places. So we want to be able to make songs that are enjoyable and that people at radio wanna play — we sincerely want that — but we are not in a position now where we're going to the studio going, like, 'Okay, but we've gotta make sure that we have the song that it's cool for the executives' kind of thing, which is kind of something that we had been bogged down by for a lot of years… And sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. In some cases, you make a concept record that's an hour and a half long, but you happen to have a song that is a platinum single on it. People are, like, 'All right, fine. You could do weird stuff.' If you do that same thing and then you don't have that platinum single, yeah…. And we've seen both sides of that. So, at this point I feel like the best bet is just to make the coolest thing we can make as opposed to trying to go, 'I hope we've got that big hit on there,' 'cause you can't prescribe those things."

In May 2024, BLACK VEIL BRIDES released the title track from their "Bleeders" EP, inspired by Stephen Sondheim and Hugh Wheeler's "Sweeney Todd". The band paid tribute to the classic musical with a music video for the title track that is inspired by the musical's 2007 Tim Burton-directed film adaptation.

Released in June 2024, the three-track EP, which included "Bleeders", a cover of "My Friends" from the Sondheim classic, and a cover of U2's "Sunday Bloody Sunday", was BLACK VEIL BRIDES' first release for Spinefarm.

In a new interview with Neil Jones of TotalRock, UGLY KID JOE guitarist Klaus Eichstadt was asked about a possible follow-up to the "Rad Wings Of Destiny" album, which came out in October 2022. Klaus responded (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "We actually have pretty much finished recording — the recording part. And we're mixing about 10, 11 [songs] — I don't even know the total right now — but we're this close to finishing our next record."

Regarding the musical direction of the new UGLY KID JOE material, Klaus said: "It's more heavy metal than the last record, which I think we're all really excited about. I think there's a lot of songs that will be really good live — high-energy songs.

"I know it sounds cliché maybe, but probably, I would say right now it's my favorite record we have ever done, hands down," he added. "The last record wasn't my favorite that we ever did, but this one is, song for song. There are moments on every record, but this one I think — I'm, like, 'God, I like a lot of these songs.'"

Asked where the new UGLY KID JOE album was recorded, Klaus said: "Kind of everywhere, actually, because Dave [Fortman, UGLY KID JOE guitarist], who's [also] our producer, is based in Florida, and Shannon played drums on this record — [ex-GODSMACK drummer] Shannon Larkin. And so we did the drums at Shannon's [house]. It's a studio, but it's more of a jam room that he's kind of slowly converted into a studio — in other words, just put mics up and preamps and he's got a mixing board. So drums were done at Shannon's house in his garage, which is a studio, basically. And then the other stuff was either done in Dave's bedroom studio and my shed. I have a shed that I've made into a little recording studio. And then Cordell's [Crockett] flown his bass in, doing it just there with his his computer. So it's been California, Florida and even on the road. We've done some vocals on the road in the dressing room and stuff."

Elaborating on how the recording process has changed over the decades, Klaus said: "Now it's like, holy crap, we can do this anywhere. It's like Zoom for people that have jobs that do meetings. I can play my guitar all day long. I could do it right here. And we have. Like I said, we've [recorded things] in dressing rooms. I sang something in an airport. There's this one harmony, and I did it really quietly and it may have made the record. I was sitting in the waiting room."

"Rad Wings Of Destiny" saw UGLY KID JOE re-teaming producer Mark Dodson who was behind the desk for the band's debut album, "America's Least Wanted", which celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2022.

UGLY KID JOE will support LIFE OF AGONY on the European leg of the "30 Years Of Ugly" tour in November 2025.

In the spring of 2023, UGLY KID JOE completed its first U.S. tour in 27 years.

After a 15-year hiatus, UGLY KID JOE reformed in 2012 and has toured extensively throughout Europe and the rest of the world.

The band released the EP "Stairway To Hell" in 2012 and the full-length "Uglier Than They Used Ta Be" in 2015.

Five years ago, UGLY KID JOE singer Whitfield Crane told Eonmusic about the band's huge success on the back of single "Everything About You" in 1991: "'Eye of the storm' is a good way to put it, because it just was all happening at a deadly fast gait. And it was a lot — it was beautiful and also very challenging, because there's a lot of people that surround the business of music that are full of shit. But when you're 23 [or] 24, you don't know how to negotiate that, so on one hand, it was super fun and we did all the things you should do at that age, and on the other hand, it was too much for me. But we survived it, and I can deal with it all now."

Image credit: parpiperkele

SAXON frontman Biff Byford has revealed the type of cancer he has been battling for the past few months.

Although Biff released a video message last week in which he implied that he underwent an operation to remove "a small tumor" from his "prostate gland", he now says that he was actually diagnosed with bowel cancer, which is cancer that is found anywhere in the large bowel, including the colon and rectum.

Byford will now be treated with chemotherapy for "a short period", resulting in the cancelation of a couple of shows and the postponement of several others.

Earlier today (Tuesday, August 19),Biff released the following message via social media: "Firstly thanks to everyone for their wonderful messages of support it really does mean a great deal to me.

"Following Friday's post I just wanted to clear up a couple of things that seem to have been slightly misinterpreted. Firstly, I just want to quickly clarify that I actually have bowel cancer not prostate cancer although I did have a scan on my prostate. Also, as reported in some media, we have not postponed all of our upcoming shows, only the shows that clashed with my chemotherapy treatment sessions.

"All of our special UK & Ireland 'Hell, Fire & Steel' tour dates this November are still going ahead as planned. There are not many tickets left now for these shows so grab them quick so as not to be disappointed. This will be the very last time we play our classic hit album 'Wheels Of Steel' from start to finish in the UK. We are also still playing Metal Hammer Paradise in Lübeck, Germany this November too. All of the rescheduled shows will be announced here imminently too.

"Tickets for all shows are available from www.saxon747.com.

"Thanks again for all your amazing support."

Bowel cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in the U.K.

Byford underwent surgery on July 8 to remove the cancer.

According to Cancer Research UK, patients are likely to have chemotherapy after surgery for colon cancer if they have stage 2 cancer and their cancer has features which increase the risk of it coming back, or if they have stage 3 cancer. Patients don't usually need chemotherapy if they have stage 1 colon cancer.

Biff previously said that his cancer was revealed when he underwent an MRI scan on his prostate gland before he went to America a few months ago.

According to the singer, his operation was "successful" and the doctors "got all the cancer out, but they just need to make sure there's none floating around in my bloodstream." He added that his prognosis is "good" and his "cure is progressing."

In August 2024, Biff underwent a "procedure" to treat atrial flutter, a type of heart rhythm abnormality, or arrhythmia, that causes the heart's upper chambers (atria) to beat too quickly.

In September 2019, Biff suffered a heart attack and underwent an emergency triple bypass surgery.

SAXON's latest album, "Hell, Fire And Damnation", marked the band's first release with new guitarist Brian Tatler (DIAMOND HEAD).

"Hell, Fire And Damnation" was produced by Andy Sneap (JUDAS PRIEST, EXODUS, ACCEPT) and Byford, with Sneap mixing and mastering.

In early 2023, SAXON guitarist Paul Quinn announced that he was stepping back from touring with the band. As a result of his decision, SAXON canceled its April 2023 South American tour as well as the appearance at the Monsters Of Rock cruise. Quinn has since been replaced on the road by Tatler.

Brian has been touring with fellow guitarist Doug Scarratt, drummer Nigel Glockler, bassist Tim "Nibbs" Carter and Byford since mid-2023, but continues to be a member of DIAMOND HEAD.

Byford and Quinn are the sole remaining original members in SAXON's current lineup.

Originally from South Yorkshire, England, SAXON has gone on to sell about 23 million albums and has produced such classic songs as "Denim And Leather", "Princess Of The Night", "Wheels Of Steel" and "Power And Glory".

Message from Biff following Friday's Post!
Firstly thanks to everyone for their wonderful messages of support it really...

Posted by Saxon on Tuesday, August 19, 2025

During an August 18 appearance on SiriusXM's "Trunk Nation Eddie Trunk", WHITESNAKE guitarist Reb Beach was asked if there are any plans for the band to resume performing live at some point in the not-too-distant future. He responded (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "Uh, no. Three years ago, [WHITESNAKE leader David Coverdale] said [adopts British accent], 'Reb, keep some equipment at the house, just in case we do a residency in Vegas,' something like that. So, I did, and that was three years ago. It's still there. And I keep waiting for that call. And the whole band is ready to do it. We're just hoping he does just a few shows to say goodbye."

Referencing the fact that Coverdale was overseen several WHITESNAKE archival reissues in recent years, Beach added: "Yeah, he keeps repackaging the stuff. He's doing [2011's] 'Forevermore' now, and he does it really well. I mean, those box sets are great. He knows what he's doing. But I sure would love to play just a few more shows with him again. And my equipment's there ready to go, so we'll see what happens."

Reb previously addressed the possibility of WHITESNAKE performing again this past March during an interview with The Rockpit. He stated at the time: "Look, it's all up to David. I'll tell you what I know. David — was it three years ago now? — he called me two weeks before the SCORPIONS tour and he said, 'I'm just exhausted, darling. That's it. I'm exhausted and I just can't do it. I'm so sorry.' And he canceled the tour two weeks before. And then he sold his publishing for 50 million dollars around the same time."

Reb continued: "[David] told me to keep my equipment at his house, in case we do something else, if something could come up. 'But just leave enough so that you can tour, if something comes up.' And I'm, like, 'Great.' Well, it's been three years.

"I've always been under the impression that if [David] does do something, it's gonna be five nights in Vegas," Beach explained. "That he can do. But he does hate the traveling; it does exhaust him. So I don't see him going on another European farewell tour and ending that the way we should have, because it really was a shame how that whole thing ended. We all got COVID, and that was it."

In July 2024, WHITESNAKE and Bruce Dickinson bassist Tanya O'Callaghan was asked by Finland's Chaoszine if the Coverdale-fronted outfit will ever resume its farewell tour, three years after WHITESNAKE pulled out of its previously announced North American run with the SCORPIONS due to what was described at the time as Coverdale's "continued treatment for a persistent upper respiratory infection. She said: "We're hoping… We're hoping to finish the cycle at least, but I can't really speak fully for David because he's, as he says himself, never say never. But he's still recovering a little bit because that was a pretty intense tour run. And between rehearsals and everything, he had gotten sick and a lot of health stuff unfolded for him. But he's doing pretty good. He's really excited about doing the farewell DVD and the book, and all that will be hopefully next year, which is fantastic. And, as he says, never say never. Maybe we'll go out around that, but he wants to write and record some stuff. So WHITESNAKE is not finished… It's not over by any means. But I don't know what iteration it will be that is next. Maybe, hopefully, I hope we finish the tour cycle. I really, really hope we do 'cause it's a great group of people to work with."

In November 2021, Tanya officially joined WHITESNAKE as the replacement for longtime bassist Michael Devin whose departure was revealed a few days earlier.

In October 2023, Coverdale told SiriusXM's "Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk" about WHITESNAKE's future plans: "Well, my band and I are in touch all the time. There is still a WHITESNAKE and there are still offers coming. I can't entertain anything until I get my physical aspect together.

"I had a fall recently, which I don't think helped my… I've got two torn rotator cuffs, which would certainly compromise my performance," he explained. "But arthritis, all this kind of stuff's kicking in.

"My heart goes out to Steven [Tyler] after the [2023 AEROSMITH tour] cancelation. It's so awful, getting older and having this burden of responsibility to try to be as good as you can so you don't disappoint anybody. And I know how he feels and I sent my love to him through our friends, mutual friends.

"But I can't commit to anything until I know how my health is," David added. "The last thing I wanna do is go on tour and have to do what happened last year, which was come home, tail between my legs. It was heartbreaking. And being sick for a year didn't really help matters."

In May 2023, Coverdale told Rockonteurs about his respiratory infection: "That was really bad. When these things get on your cords, that just closes you down entirely.

"I spent a fortune keeping the guys [in my band] as safe as we could; we called it the 'COVID bubble.' Private jet wherever we went. And still COVID came in and took some of the crew out. It was really challenging."

Coverdale also shot down the suggestion that the WHITESNAKE farewell tour would drag on for many years to come. "I know contemporaries of mine that have been doing a farewell tour for 20 years," he said. "That's not it. I'm [73]. It's a number that I see and go, 'Really?' Because most of the time I certainly don't feel like that kind of age that would be the perspective we had growing up, when 20 looked old, 25 was ancient. 30? You're kidding. It's just fascinating to look at."

On June 28, 2022, WHITESNAKE scrapped three shows on its spring/summer European tour due to Coverdale's infection of the sinus and trachea. Three days later, the rest of the trek was also called off. At the time, David blamed the decision on "continuing health challenges, doctor's orders, and our concern for everyone's health and safety."

David was not the first member of WHITESNAKE to fall ill during the group's spring/summer 2022 European tour. Reb missed several shows on the trek in June 2022 after being "under the weather." On June 25, 2022, WHITESNAKE canceled its show at the Rock Imperium festival in Spain due to the fact that drummer Tommy Aldridge "went down" and "was bad enough at the time to have missed the first show ever in his career," according to Coverdale.

In April 2023, Coverdale told "Rock Of Nations With Dave Kinchen And Shane McEachern" regarding the possibility of WHITESNAKE resuming its farewell tour in 2024: "It's not really a professional decision. It's literally a health decision.

"[In 2022] it took me seven months to get rid of a sinus infection that went so deep into my body… And then we discovered a secondary one, which is why I had to cancel the U.S. tour," he explained. "So all of that appalling antibiotics I had for three months, all the damage it did to my system, was a waste of time because this other infection was canceling it out. So I had to go on to heavier medications and steroids, and at the same time ignoring a torn rotator cuff.

"When I was onstage with Steve Vai at Hellfest [in France in June 2022], which turned out to be the last WHITESNAKE show — hopefully not the last WHITESNAKE show [ever] — underneath my shirt, my shoulder was taped up like I was going into the arena to face another gladiator," Coverdale revealed. "And you couldn't really tell. And thank God I could still fling the mic stand around. But as soon as I got signed off back in January, the infection had gone, I realized that we had to sort out the shoulder, 'cause that had been of secondary importance — minor compared to this, 'Am I ever gonna be able to sing again?' That's a big deal. It's something you wake up and almost take for granted.

"So, I'm getting a lot of approaches [regarding Las] Vegas residencies. I'm not quite sure about that. I feel I owe Japan. I feel I owe the U.S. I feel I owe South America. 'Cause I've been pretty successful for 50 years, and you can't buy that. It's people who've supported you to be in this position. It was a personal choice. I didn't wanna do a video going, 'Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, brothers and sisters of the 'SNAKE, thank you for 50 years. I'm done.' I wanted to be there.

"I wanted to retire in 2020," David added. "I thought the appropriate age for the singer of WHITESNAKE to step down was 69. But, of course, bloody COVID came [and ruined those plans].

"We have three to five years of projects here at my studio. So I'm certainly not finished with music. But my health will dictate whether I can take on [a full tour]. 'Cause it's incredibly physically demanding for me. I don't wanna do a half-assed [tour], standing-there stuff. I love telling my stories and moving and working."

Also in April 2023, Coverdale told Ultimate Classic Rock that the illness that forced him off the road in 2022 was "the worst sinus infection I've ever had in my life. And as a singer, I know them like fucking relatives of mine," Coverdale said. "This was one of the ugliest illnesses I think I've [ever] had. For seven months, I was taking ever-increasingly strong antibiotics and horrifying prednisone steroids."

WHITESNAKE launched its farewell tour on May 10, 2022 at Dublin, Ireland's 3Arena. The band's 14-song set, which was part of a European tour with special guests EUROPE and co-headliners FOREIGNER, marked WHITESNAKE's inaugural performance with the group's two latest two additions, keyboardist, guitarist and backing vocalist Dino Jelusick and O'Callaghan.

Coverdale had both his knees replaced with titanium in 2017 after suffering from degenerative arthritis. He later explained that he was in so much pain with arthritis in his knees that it hampered his ability to perform live.

Prior to the pandemic, WHITESNAKE had been touring in support of its latest album, "Flesh & Blood", which was released in May 2019 via Frontiers Music Srl.

In a new interview with "Rock Of Nations With Dave Kinchen And Shane McEachern", IRON MAIDEN singer Bruce Dickinson spoke about the spring/summer 2025 European leg of the band's "Run For Your Lives" world tour. The trek, which launched on May 27 in Budapest, Hungary and concluded on August 2 in Warsaw, Poland, marked MAIDEN's first run of shows with new drummer Simon Dawson, who replaced the group's longtime drummer Nicko McBrain last December. Asked if it was "weird" and "surreal" not seeing McBrain sitting behind the kit during the tour, Dickinson replied (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "It's not weird from the perspective that what I'm hearing behind me is not Nicko. So I don't expect to see Nicko because everything about Simon is different. His drums are tuned differently, he plays the songs with a different feel to Nick. So because of that, I don't turn around and go, 'Oh, shock. Nicko should be there,' because it's obvious he's not there from the sound. The drums are tuned a lot lower, they're much fatter. And Simon kind of sticks with the program in terms of the tempo of the song and everything. He's absolutely scrupulous about cutting the right tempo every time. So we actually, as a band, really kind of appreciate that. 'Cause all the guitarists have big smiles, like Cheshire cats, [and MAIDEN bassist] Steve [Harris is] the same. 'Cause everybody's not feeling, like, 'Whoa, hey, steady on there, trigger. Whoa, slow down there.' So that's what Simon brings to it — there's stability. And he's doesn't try to be Nicko. You can't be Nicko. I mean, there's only one Nicko; he is unique. That's why we didn't pick a clone. And there were plenty of drummers who could copy what Nicko did, but we don't want one of those. We wanted somebody that had a different feel."

The now-73-year-old McBrain, whose real name is Michael Henry McBrain, announced his retirement on December 7, 2024 in a statement on MAIDEN's web site and social media. He also said that night's concert at Allianz Parque in São Paulo, Brazil would mark his final show with the legendary rock band.

The band's manager, Rod Smallwood, said at the time: "Thank you for being an irrepressible force behind the drum kit for MAIDEN for 42 years and my friend for even longer. I speak on behalf of all the band when I say we will miss you immensely!"

On December 8, 2024, IRON MAIDEN announced Dawson as its new touring drummer.

A native of Suffolk, England, Simon first teamed up with Harris back in 2012. He debuted on three tracks on the first album from Steve's BRITISH LION project and all of BRITISH LION's second LP, the critically acclaimed "The Burning", plus the many subsequent tours in the U.S., Europe, Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Mexico and South America.

In January 2023, Nicko was at his home in Boca Raton when he suffered a stroke with partial paralysis.

When Nicko first went public with his stroke in August 2023, the drummer said in a statement that the episode left him "paralyzed" down one side of his body and "worried" that his career with the band was over.

Five years ago, McBrain was diagnosed with stage 1 laryngeal cancer and opened up about it in a single interview in 2021 but otherwise kept it mostly under wraps. The musician received his cancer diagnosis after undergoing an endoscopy at the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, part of the University Of Miami Health System and the Miller School of Medicine. Within a week, McBrain's cancer was surgically removed and he now gets check-ups every few months to make sure the cancer hasn't returned.

Despite the fact that he was stepping away from touring, McBrain said that he would remain closely connected to IRON MAIDEN and continue to be involved in "a variety of projects" with the band, while also focusing on personal ventures and his existing businesses.

McBrain joined IRON MAIDEN in 1982, replacing Clive Burr, who had performed on the group's first three albums.

The reunited classic lineup of BIOHAZARD has released the official music video for its new single, "Eyes On Six". The track is taken from "Divided We Fall", the band's first studio album in over a decade, which will arrive on October 17 via BLKIIBLK.

BIOHAZARD guitarist/vocalist Billy Graziadei comments: "You don't have to come from the 'cold streets' to feel like the odds are stacked against you and to know what it feels like to rise above hard times. When we find ways to survive, against all odds, we adopt a mindset of welcoming challenges. Forged in fire, that strength and determination and grit and heart is the underlying credo of BIOHAZARD. Knock us down nine times, we'll get up a tenth time and push forward, no matter what! No matter where you come from, play your cards right, know who your friends are, and keep your circle tight!"

In a recent interview with the Des Moines, Iowa radio station Lazer 103.3, Graziadei and BIOHAZARD bassist/vocalist Evan Seinfeld spoke about "Divided We Fall". Asked if it was weird getting back in the studio after so long, Billy said: "I would say no, because we didn't get together… We put the band back together. We're the only band from the '90s that has original guys, and we didn't realize that until three years later. But we got back together. We had two shows booked, three shows, and we pretty much all just kind of went with the flow. We really didn't make much plans. If we would've sat down and said, 'Hey, let's put the band back together. Let's have go on tour for a couple of years, have some amazing shows, and let's do a record.' Any time we kind of planned things in our career, it never worked out. When we let things kind of just stick on the wall and just go with it, it worked. So BIOHAZARD was never like a big business entity that planned all these things with this huge marketing plan and this business proposal that works to the tee. We're the underdog. So, being the underdog, our back's against the wall, we come out swinging, and we make it up as we go along. And it works."

Asked what it was like working with producer Matt Hyde (SLAYER, HATEBREED, DEFTONES) on "Divided We Fall", Evan said: "Matt's awesome. We're all very experienced in recording music, obviously. And some of the guys — Billy has his own studio — everyone in this band's prolific and can make an album. The role of the producer is to bring it together into like a common unified vision. And Matt shot us down, like, day one. I think we were all kind of overthinking, what's gonna be the progression? What's the next step for BIOHAZARD? And he was, like, 'Hey, man. You guys are BIOHAZARD. You've gotta just make a BIOHAZARD record like it's 1993, bro.' And we were, like, 'Wait. Wait a second. You mean like what we naturally just kind of sound, you think that's what people want?' And he was, like, 'Yeah, 'cause only you guys can do that.' And we looked at each other, like, 'Aha.' And next thing we know, album's done and we're all psyched and we're on the phone with you on the radio."

Billy also talked about the themes covered on "Divided We Fall" and the importance of having lyrics that are "incredibly relatable". He said: "One of the things that I think that everyone gravitated to BIOHAZARD for when we started was the realism. We always wrote, and we only write, about things that are real to us, things that we experience, things that we go through. And when that resonates with somebody else… That's why we all love BLACK SABBATH, we all love Ozzy [Osbourne], we all love TOOL and all the other bands that we love because there's a certain symbiotic kind of connection that we have. With BIOHAZARD, our lyrics are straight up in your face and they're honest. And I think that, if you go look at the comments… We dropped two singles [so far from the upcoming album], but those lyrics… Look at the comments on the video. Everyone's, like, 'They're back. I feel 16 again.' And if you're 16, you're gonna relate to it like someone who's 29 was relating to it when they were 16. So it's great to be relevant and doing what we do. We're proud of what we have. The record 'Divided We Fall' is the BIOHAZARD record of all BIOHAZARD records. In our opinion, this is gonna go up there with 'Urban Discipline' and 'State Of The World Address'. And we can't wait to bring it to your part of the world."

BIOHAZARD has released three singles so far from "Divided We Fall": "Eyes On Six", "Forsaken" and "F**k the System".

Graziadei commented: "'F**k the System' is BIOHAZARD calling it like it is. The powers that be have us at odds and beefin' with each other while they sit back and cash in. It's no accident the world's burnin' in front of our eyes. It's all divide and control — while they keep us divided by politics, class, race, all of it, and have us out here fighting each other, they're pulling the strings. 'F**k the System' is our war cry about the state of the world with no sugarcoated bullshit."

Produced, mixed, and mastered by Matt Hyde (SLAYER, HATEBREED, DEFTONES),"Divided We Fall" captures BIOHAZARD at their most raw, relentless, and unifying. The album blends the band's unmistakable fusion of hardcore, metal, and streetwise groove with a sharpened edge for a fractured modern world delivering a powerful reminder of why BIOHAZARD remains one of the most vital and influential bands in heavy music.

Recording sessions took place at Shorefire Recording Studios in Long Branch, New Jersey and The Hydeaway in Van Nuys, California, with engineering by Joseph DeMaio and additional recording from Matt Hyde. Guitar and production tech duties were handled by Phil Caivano.

"Divided We Fall" track listing:

01. F**k The System
02. Forsaken
03. Eyes On Six
04. Death of Me
05. Word To The Wise
06. Fight To Be Free
07. War Inside Me
08. S.I.T.F.O.A.
09. Tear Down The Walls
10. I Will Overcome
11. Warriors

In a recent interview with Chicago's Rebel Radio 92.5 FM as part of the station's 31st-anniversary celebration, Graziadei stated about "Forsaken": "The song 'Forsaken' is a killer BIOHAZARD track. It's the first one off the new record that we started playing live.

"We were on tour in Europe with LIFE OF AGONY and a band called LYLVC," he continued. "We had a great tour. Most of it was sold out. So we started playing new songs during soundcheck, and one night we threw 'Forsaken' into the set. Because once social media started happening and everybody had a cell phone, we didn't like playing new songs because it was up on YouTube the next day. So we were, like, 'Screw it. Let's just play it. Who cares?' And then we played it. And, bro, it was like 1992 again, the way the kids and the audience was reacting. We kept playing it every night. And then the [fan-filmed live] videos started coming out [on YouTube]. And it's funny, because we weren't tight with the song. And it's always like that — a new song, it takes a little while to get tight. But after, like, a week of play that every night, there was another video of us playing it, and it got better and better. So then we were like, 'Yo, the kids like this new song. Let's do a [proper] video.' So I talked to the label, and the record wasn't even done yet. But I was, like, 'Let's just do a video. Let's film this. If something comes cool of it…'"

Billy added: "People have been seeing the [reunited] original [lineup] BIOHAZARD playing live for [the last] three years. We've been talking about doing a [new] record, we've been teasing it and we finally did it late last year and finished it during the winter and then went on tour. So it just came together. I hired some dudes I knew from England [to make the 'Forsaken' video]. They flew over to Amsterdam and Belgium, filmed a couple shows, and then we put together this… It's a real video. It's not a live video, but it captures all the energy. The new record is like that."

Touching upon BIOHAZARD's approach to making the new album, Billy said: "One of the things about BIOHAZARD was we always were better live than we were on records. So that was a goal of mine, is to try to capture that live energy and sound. And I never was able to do it. With BILLYBIO and my solo stuff, I figured it out. BIOHAZARD, this record we worked with this producer named Matt Hyde, and he brought a whole different element and realization to the table with me. 'Cause I have POWERFLO with Sen Dog and Christian from FEAR FACTORY, I have my solo stuff, BILLYBIO. He said, 'You grew as an artist, as a writer.' He goes, 'And I love it. It's great. But you can't be that dude. You gotta be Billy BIOHAZARD from 1994. That's when people fucking loved you guys. You've gotta be Billy BIOHAZARD from the early '90s when everybody loved you. That was when you guys made music and you didn't care about structure. It was real and raw and right in your face.' And that realization, that was the resonating theme of this record. And we went back — every band says, 'We're going back to the roots.' Guys, you heard it on 'Forsaken'. We're dropping something new next. You'll hear it."

Elaborating on the musical direction of the new BIOHAZARD material, Billy said: "The record — it's not a rerun, but it's kind of like we really found the heart and soul of the band that we… I guess it's just the formula of the four of us being together. And being on the road for three years playing like all the classic BIOHAZARD songs, it reignited the same passion that we had back then. And it's all there on the new record. So I can't wait for you guys to get another track to play. The next track won't let you down."

As previously reported, BIOHAZARD will team up with the American hip-hop group ONYX for a North American tour this fall. Additional support on the "Divided We Fall" trek will come from BAYWAY and SWOLLEN TEETH.

BIOHAZARD was joined by ONYX on stage on February 23 at the Academy in Dublin, Ireland to perform the 1993 ONYX song "Slam".

"Slam" was originally released in May 1993 as the second single from ONYX's debut album, "Bacdafucup". An official remix, "Slam (Bionyx Remix)", was a collaboration with BIOHAZARD and was made available as a maxi-single titled "Slam: The Alternatives" in June 1993.

BIOHAZARD and ONYX also worked together on the song "Judgment Night" for the soundtrack to the 1993 film of the same name.

BIOHAZARD, renowned for their aggressive style and socially conscious lyrics, has been a seminal force in the hardcore and metal scenes since their formation in the late 1980s. Their unique blend of hardcore punk, heavy metal, and hip-hop elements has garnered them a dedicated fan base and critical acclaim.

Musical pioneers in every sense of the word, BIOHAZARD were one of the first bands to seamlessly blend hardcore, heavy metal, punk, and hip hop into an intoxicating genre all their own. After more than a decade away, the Brooklyn, New York band's OG lineup reunited in 2023 to both fan fervor and critical acclaim, headlining the opening night of the legendary Milwaukee Metal Fest for their first show back. Ghost Cult magazine said they "explosively unleashed their fury with fortitude and force" with "a superhuman set and an awe-inspiring show."

The band followed with two sold-out hometown shows in New York City, a late-summer festival run in Europe, and a fall direct support slot with MEGADETH across North America. That was just the start. They returned to Europe in 2024 for the early summer festival season and made their triumphant return to South America in spring, then returned home to blow out America's exploding festival circuit.

Photo credit: Istvan Bruggen

A new one-hour film about the "last chapter" of Ozzy Osbourne's life was pulled from the BBC's schedule to respect his family's wishes.

"Ozzy Osbourne: Coming Home" had been due to air on BBC One and iPlayer at 9 p.m. U.K. time on Monday, August 18, but was removed from the schedule earlier in the day. It was replaced by an episode of "Fake Or Fortune".

The BBC has since released the following statement: "Our sympathies are with the Osbourne family at this difficult time. We are respecting the family's wishes to wait a bit longer before airing this very special film. The new [transmission] date will be confirmed shortly."

Titled "Ozzy Osbourne: Coming Home", the film was described as "the moving and inspirational account of the last chapter of Ozzy's life, told through unique and intimate access to the whole Osbourne family, including Sharon, Jack and Kelly."

Filmed over three years, "Ozzy Osbourne: Coming Home" reportedly captures the extraordinary roller-coaster of their lives as Sharon and Ozzy attempt to complete their long-held dream of moving back to the U.K., Ozzy heroically battles to get fit enough to perform, and the family deal with the dramatic consequences of his ill health.

The film is full of love, laughter and tears and the kind of unforgettable family moments that we've come to expect from the Osbournes. It's a remarkably candid and uplifting tribute to one of the world's true icons, and documents the first family of rock as they are forced to accept, that, as Kelly says in the film, "Iron man wasn't really made of iron".

Clare Sillery, BBC head of commissioning, documentaries, previously said in a statement: "We are honored to have had the opportunity to film with Ozzy and his family. The film captures an intimate glimpse into their journey as they prepare to return to the U.K. It features family moments, humor, reflection and shows the enduring spirit that made Ozzy a global icon. We hope it brings comfort and joy to Ozzy's fans and viewers as they remember and celebrate his extraordinary life."

Ben Wicks and Colin Barr, executive producers at Expectation, added: "It was an incredible privilege to spend the last few years with Ozzy, as well as Sharon, Jack and Kelly. Ozzy wanted to make it back to the U.K. and appear on stage one last time — our film is an inspiring and poignant account of him fulfilling that dream. Ozzy was loved by millions around the world not just for his music, but for his sense of mischief and his honesty all of which we saw plenty of in the final years of his life. But one thing shone through even more brightly to us, and that was Ozzy's intense love for his exceptional family who were by his side through it all."

"Ozzy Osbourne: Coming Home" is produced by Expectation in association with JOKS Productions Limited for BBC One and iPlayer. It was commissioned by Clare Sillery, BBC head of commissioning, documentaries. The BBC commissioning editor is Carl Callam. Executive producers for Expectation are Ben Wicks, Colin Barr, Rachael Barnes and Louisa McKay. The documentary is being distributed internationally by Banijay Rights.

Originally conceived as a series "Home To Roost", announced in 2022, the project evolved as Ozzy's health deteriorated into a one-hour film "Ozzy Osbourne: Coming Home".

Ozzy died on July 22 of a heart attack, his death certificate revealed. The certificate also reportedly said the 76-year-old musician suffered from coronary artery disease and Parkinson's disease.

Photo credit: Ross Halfin (courtesy of Premier)

Thrash metal veterans OVERKILL are apparently hard at work writing and demoing material for the follow-up to their latest album, "Scorched", which came out in April 2023 via Nuclear Blast.

Earlier today, OVERKILL shared a post from the band's drummer, Jeramie Kling, in which he wrote that he was "loving" his new electronic drum kit from Roland, which he is using during some of his current "writing" and "demoing" sessions.

In August 2024, OVERKILL confirmed Kling as the group's new drummer. Kling joined the veteran outfit as the replacement for Jason Bittner, who announced his exit from OVERKILL earlier that month.

A founding member of THE ABSENCE, Kling appeared on VENOM INC.'s second album, 2022's "There's Only Black", and has played with such acts as FORE, RIBSPREADER, GOREGÄNG and NECROMANCING THE STONE. He was also briefly affiliated with the reunited Florida death metal band MASSACRE, which led to the formation of INHUMAN CONDITION, alongside Terry Butler (OBITUARY, ex-DEATH) and Taylor Nordberg (DEICIDE). In addition to being a drummer, Kling is a recording engineer, producer and live sound engineer.

Bittner joined OVERKILL in 2017 and played drums on the band's last two studio albums, 2019's "The Wings Of War" and "Scorched".

Last November, Jason admitted to "Reckless" Rexx Ruger of Pod Scum that he "hadn't been happy" in OVERKILL "for, like, two fucking years. It wasn't a surprise that I quit. I'd been dissatisfied for a long time, but I'm a team player. I don't like to leave things. I love the guys personally. So I just kind of just hung in there, but I was not happy where I was career-wise, let's say, within the confines of that band. I wasn't a bandmember. And that's the main thing for me to keep doing this at this point in my lifetime." He added that he felt he wasn't "being paid fairly" for his time" but clarified that there was "no animosity" and called his decision to leave "just a business thing." He explained: "I can play five shows with SHADOWS FALL and make more money than playing 30 with OVERKILL."

In September 2024, OVERKILL bassist D.D. Verni told Capital Chaos TV about Bittner's departure: "We kind of knew that that was coming. He had told us a while ago that he was just kind of burned out on too many things and had his hands in too many pots. So I think we kind of knew that was coming."

OVERKILL played its first concert with Kling on August 30, 2024 at the Posada Rock festival in Câmpulung Muscel, Romania.

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Posted by Overkill on Monday, August 18, 2025

During an appearance on the Mark And Me podcast, RISE AGAINST frontman Tim McIlrath acknowledged the role of luck and timing in the music industry but also emphasized that being prepared and putting in the hard work increases the chances of success. He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "I don't discount how much luck plays a role in all of our lives. It's, like, it's not a hundred percent luck, and I don't even think it's 95 percent luck, but there's a little bit of luck in there. A part of it is just being lucky, being in the right place at the right time, at the right time in culture and music and … making music at a time where people's appetite for that kind of music is peaking, maybe. But luck isn't enough to get you through. So you've still gotta have good songs, you've still gotta have a great live show. You've gotta be good people — people [whom other bands] wanna tour with. If we had a bad reputation as a band, no one's gonna take us on tour. No one's gonna bring us out. People aren't gonna root for us. People aren't gonna wanna work for our band. There's things like that that go on behind the scenes."

Reflecting on RISE AGAINST's early success, he continued: "I don't discount how much being a part of a community like the Fat Wreck Chords community, which first signed our band for our first two records — that was a huge sort of jump for us to immediately land in this community of bands that were super supportive of each other and with a label that had a reputation of being super fair with their roster and always was. So we had a great record label. Fat Mike was a bit of a mentor to us. The bands on Fat took us out, even though no one knew who we were, but NO USE FOR A NAME took us to Japan, and the MAD CADDIES were already a name before we were, and they were taking us around the world. We got to play for their fans. SICK OF IT ALL, who were signed to Fat, took us on our first European tour; the first time I was ever in the U.K., it was opening for SICK OF IT ALL. And being part of that family was a great launchpad for our band. And peaking in the early 2000s when bands like THRICE, THURSDAY, POISON THE WELL, TAKING BACK SUNDAY, JIMMY EAT WORLD, SPARTA, AT THE DRIVE-IN, all that shit was kind of happening right at that time, we got a call from DreamWorks, who signed us to a five-record deal. And then we just put our heads down and we made all five of those records. And all of them sold and recouped and nobody ever tinkered with any of them and we never had to go back in the studio and write a radio single or none of that shit. And that was partially due, I think we wrote good songs, but we also had a good team around us who protected us from the sharp teeth of the major label industry. And that's something that you can't just do by yourself as a kid from Chicago who has no idea how to get to Hollywood. You need to have a great manager and a great agent that can be, like, 'Hey, leave these kids the fuck alone. Let them make their songs. Let them go on tour with whoever they wanna go on tour with. They don't need your money. They're just gonna come and do what they do.' And we were able to do that, and people left us alone and we had a great career since then, where I think we were able to do our thing, exist just under the radar, but enough where we get to do this band, make music and kind of fulfill our artistic instincts and do it in a way, I think, we still honor who we were from day one."

RISE AGAINST's first new album in four years, "Ricochet", was released on August 15 on Loma Vista Recordings.

Produced by Grammy winner Catherine Marks (BOYGENIUS, FOALS, MANCHESTER ORCHESTRA, ST. VINCENT) and mixed by Alan Moulder (NINE INCH NAILS, PARAMORE, QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE, THE KILLERS),"Ricochet" balances introspection with the incendiary, and offers righteousness without sanctimony as it chronicles our collective unravelling. The recently released "Ricochet" title track followed "I Want It All", "Prizefighter" and "Nod", hailed as a "particularly potent rallying cry for the moment" (Rolling Stone),and "the anthem we need right now" (Vice). Across the rest of the album, RISE AGAINST cover apocalyptic scenarios ("Black Crown"),false promises sold to the youth ("Gold Long Gone"),the necessity of resisting blind allegiance ("Soldier"),mental health ("Sink Like A Stone"),and the sensationalism of the algorithmic entertainment-industrial complex ("State Of Emergency"),all with a sense of optimism for real, lasting change.

Taking inspiration from one of their favorite literary works, Tim McIlrath and bandmates Joe Principe (bass/vocals),Zach Blair (guitar/vocals) and Brandon Barnes (drums) have absorbed the maxim that "in a time of deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act." The mantra has permeated RISE AGAINST's growing body of multi-gold and platinum hits, filling arenas, topping charts, breaking records and earning billions of streams while uniting millions of listeners in a necessary embrace of vital, progressive issues.

Having made their triumphant return to Vans Warped Tour, while playing Los Angeles's Kia Forum, headlining festivals and touring across three continents this year, RISE AGAINST is getting ready to hit the road again this fall for dozens of arena and amphitheater shows in the U.S.

In the four years since 2021's "Nowhere Generation", the Chicago band's outspoken messages, bulletproof melodies and deep body of multi-gold and platinum hits have reached more fans than ever, uniting millions in a necessary embrace of vital, progressive issues. Whether they are singing about injustice, instability, environmentalism, animal rights or the way the social and economic decks have been stacked against the youth, RISE AGAINST continues to fill arenas, top charts, break records and earn billions of streams.

Legendary rockers FOREIGNER will mark their monumental 50th anniversary with a landmark performance at Ellis Island, New York on September 6, 2025, filmed on a closed set for a major documentary, due out in 2026, produced by Vertigo Live Productions.

Known for their explosive live shows and era-defining anthems, FOREIGNER have sold over 80 million albums worldwide, cementing their place as one of the greatest rock bands of all time. Their catalogue includes timeless hits like "Hot Blooded", "Juke Box Hero", "Waiting For A Girl Like You", "Cold As Ice", "Urgent", "Feels Like The First Time" and the global No. 1 hit "I Want To Know What Love Is". On September 6, 2025, these songs and more will come to life again in an intimate, cinematic performance that includes original lead singer Lou Gramm and surprise guests — all in the shadow of the Statue Of Liberty.

Filmed where the story of modern America began, this concert places one of rock's most iconic bands at the gateway to the American Dream — with the Statue of Liberty as a symbolic and cinematic backdrop.

This is not just a concert — it's a filmed production on a closed set, captured for global release. Only 250 fans will witness this once-in-a-lifetime performance and appear in the finished film. Mobile devices will be sealed during filming; waivers will be required.

Vertigo Live is redefining live music experiences, capturing legendary artists in iconic locations. Each Vertigo Live event is designed as a cinematic experience first, with a live-on-set audience typically capped at just 250 attendees. Through exclusive live events and immersive concert films, Vertigo Live brings fans closer to the music than ever before. Past collaborations include "Duran Duran: A Hollywood High", an explosive performance set against the backdrop of the Capitol Tower and L.A. skyline; the forthcoming "Kaleo: Viva Roma - In The Shadow Of The Colosseum", which features the band performing in front of the world's most iconic arena, Rome's legendary Colosseum; and "Billy Idol: State Line", an unforgettable global first staged against the architectural splendor of the Hoover Dam.

In a recent interview with Ryan Vacey, music photographer and host of the Beyond The Vibe podcast, Gramm spoke about FOREIGNER's upcoming shows where he will guest on some of the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame group's biggest hits. The original FOREIGNER singer will share the stage with Luis Maldonado, who is replacing current frontman Kelly Hansen on lead vocals. Asked why now is the right time for him to return to FOREIGNER as a guest singer, Gramm said: "Well, I know that since we were inducted into the Rock Hall Of Fame, there's been a lot reinterest in the band — the early band and the band as it currently is. And I know [FOREIGNER's founding guitarist] Mick [Jones] is not in good health. I think if he was in good health, he would be out there with this band, and maybe I would be joining him. But he's not well enough to play, and I feel like I wanna help fly the flag for the band — the original band, and the current band right now, in these waning moments and moments when we're getting so much attention for what we've accomplished over the years. I wanna be out there as one of the original members to wave the flag."

FOREIGNER recently announced the September 12 release of extensive super deluxe editions of its 1981 smash multi-platinum album "4".

Recorded at the famed Electric Lady Studios in New York City alongside respected music producer Robert John "Mutt" Lange (DEF LEPPARD, AC/DC),"Foreigner 4 Deluxe" will be available in black vinyl and various other formats on September 12 via Rhino. The release will encompass newly remastered Stereo or Atmos versions, and a five-disc CD/Blu-ray package that includes a booklet containing over 60 exclusive photos, five previously unreleased songs, 14 early and alternate versions of various songs, 15 instrumentals, and 15 live performances from across the globe, spanning the band's 1981 and 1982 "4" world tour. The digital deluxe release will also contain alternate versions, instrumentals, and live performances from the era.

Originally released July 2, 1981, "4" spent more weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard charts than any artist in the history of Atlantic Records, including AC/DC, THE ROLLING STONES and LED ZEPPELIN, and went on to sell more than ten million albums worldwide. "4" is certified six times platinum in the U.S. (RIAA),four times platinum in Canada (Music Canada),platinum in Australia (ARIA) and Germany (BVMI),and gold in seven additional countries. It spawned three Billboard Hot 100 singles: "Waiting For A Girl Like You", "Urgent" and "Juke Box Hero". "Foreigner 4", as it's often referred to, is the fourth studio album by the legendary British-American rock band released during a time of transition as they famously went from six members to four.

To coincide with the deluxe package release, FOREIGNER — Luis Maldonado (lead vocals/guitar),Jeff Pilson (bass),Michael Bluestein (keyboards),Bruce Watson (guitars),Chris Frazier (drums) — will celebrate half a century of music with a new round of headlining tour dates which will include Gramm guesting on some of the songs he helped create almost 45 years ago. The upcoming "Foreigner 4 Deluxe Tour" signals yet another important transition for the band as these new dates will be the first major U.S. shows featuring Maldonado on lead vocals. On the season finale of "The Voice", it was announced that this year's summer tour would be the last for Hansen.

Of the transition, Maldonado had this to say: "Earlier this year, we toured Mexico and South America with the incredible Lou Gramm. We all had such a fantastic time performing and being together, and it's with that same excitement I look forward to working with Lou again. He was an integral part of the writing and recording of the 'Foreigner 4' album and his presence will add a historic dimension to our forthcoming tour."

Released in 1977, FOREIGNER's debut album produced the hits "Feels Like The First Time", "Cold As Ice" and "Long, Long Way From Home". The albums "Double Vision" and "Head Games" followed with more hits including "Hot Blooded", "Blue Morning, Blue Day" and "Dirty White Boy". Then came "Urgent", "Juke Box Hero" and "Waiting For A Girl Like You". Those songs helped give FOREIGNER's next album, "4", its impressive 10-week run at No. 1 on the Billboard chart. At the zenith of 1980s sound, FOREIGNER's fifth album, "Agent Provocateur", gave the world the incredible No. 1 global hit "I Want To Know What Love Is". This musical milestone followed the record-breaking song "Waiting For A Girl Like You".

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In a new interview with Metal Roos, legendary German guitarist Uli Jon Roth shared his thoughts on the importance of human creativity in a world where A.I.-generated music is becoming more common. He said in part (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "I'm not one for repeating the same thing over and over again. Each one of [my live performances], there are improvised little bits here and there. Some of them are very improvised. And that's what keeps him fresh. And that's what we all also did in the SCORPIONS. When I was [in SCORPIONS], no two shows were ever the same. We took chances.

"The spirit of rock, I always say, needs to have a touch of danger about it," Uli continued. "What that means — I'm not really interested in perfection in rock. In fact, it's almost anathema, because the original rock was not perfect. It came like almost a revolutionary kind of thing. [It] burst on to the scene with a completely new sound, a new attitude, new way of playing music. And this is what I am always tapping in to when I'm playing that kind of music. It needs to have that kind of frontier spirit almost. If you take that away, it loses the very essence of it, almost, And I have to say a lot of people have done that, particularly in later years, in the '80s or '90s and the 2000s. Rock became a lot more polished, and so much so that it started sounding very much the same. They took away all the edges and all the great ones from the early start, they had those edges, they were unique, and they were anything but smooth. They were kind of revolutionary in their own way. What [Jimi] Hendrix did, what CREAM did, LED ZEPPELIN, you name it. THE BEATLES, of course, in a completely different way, but earlier, they also were like that. And then if you start making everything the same and you take away that danger element, to me it just becomes fad and boring.

"There's now the trend of making all the vocals of using pitch correctors, to the point where it becomes ridiculous," Roth added. "They're taking away the essence of human expression and turning the voices into robot voices so that people… Because I guess a lot of the younger kids, they're used to all that because a lot of what we get now on social media or whatever is completely manufactured and absolutely not real. And the borders between real and what's not real are very shifting and it's coming to the point with A.I. that you really very often don't know whether it was machine made or computer made, digital, or whether it was actually flesh and blood in front of you. And that's actually a very interesting development, I find, and I'm not scared about it. I'm rolling with the punches there. But a lot of people are threatened, and I understand that.

This fall Uli Jon Roth will return to North America with an extraordinary new program titled "Pictures Of Destiny". This highly anticipated tour promises to be a mesmerizing three-hour extravaganza, including the premiere of compositions from his long-awaited "Requiem For An Angel". Uli will be accompanied by a full band and a string quartet, making for an ensemble of 10 talented musicians performing on stage. The music will be enriched by dynamic multimedia projections, offering audiences an immersive experience at seated venues.

Fans will have the opportunity to witness a stunning orchestral rendition of Roth's groundbreaking piece "Sails Of Charon", alongside several new compositions and material from his acclaimed "Transcendental Sky Guitar" albums. There will also be a couple of classic early SCORPIONS tracks, from Uli's "Tokyo Tapes Revisited" DVD, blending a touch of nostalgia with innovative artistry. While the show will include many beloved pieces, the spotlight will shine brightly on Roth's latest compositions, marking their debut in the United States.

As a special addition, Roth will showcase a collection of his original oil paintings, inspired by his music and songs, in each venue's foyer. Critics have described his artwork as "Rembrandt meets 'Star Wars'," and these visually striking works of art will be integrated into the performances to enhance the audience's journey.

Roth's tour offers more than just a concert — it is an emotional and artistic odyssey. Through his exceptional guitar artistry and evocative paintings, Roth invites audiences to immerse themselves in a world of profound beauty and inspiration.

In recent years, Roth has revisited the early music of his period with the SCORPIONS, which resulted in the "Scorpions Revisited" double CD and "Tokyo Tapes Revisited" DVD/Blu-ray releases.

Widely regarded as one of the greatest guitar players ever, Uli pioneered a unique style of guitar playing which — for the first time — combined complete mastery of the instrument with an intensely melodic and emotional appeal.

From his earliest days onwards, Uli has always been a bold and uncompromising musical innovator of the first order. Being the first guitar player in rock to incorporate complex melodic arpeggio sequences, Uli Jon Roth — in the eyes of many of his peers — practically reinvented modern guitar technique almost singlehandedly during his SCORPIONS tenure, but even more so during his ELECTRIC SUN days.