VICIOUS RUMORS guitarist and leader Geoff Thorpe suffered a serious accident in Cham, Germany after the band's recent European tour. Walking back to the band apartment in total darkness, Geoff fell and severely broke his right shoulder.

Geoff said: " I couldn't see a thing, it was so dark. There was no light... just a black night. Next thing I knew I was on the ground. I don't even know what I tripped over. After about 10 minutes, Chalice [VICIOUS RUMORS singer Brian Betterton] heard me calling for help. The guys helped me so much and Peter Lehan, our amazing guitar tech, called an ambulance and stood by me the whole time. I broke my right shoulder badly enough to require surgery with a long rehabilitation time."

Geoff is now recovering, and as a result, VICIOUS RUMORS' U.S. tour originally set to take place between August 20 and September 21, 2025, will be rescheduled to 2026.

VICIOUS RUMORS' new album, "The Devil's Asylum", will be released on August 29, 2025 worldwide (except Japan) through SPV/Steamhammer as a CD digipak, LP version, download and stream.

Joining Thorpe in VICIOUS RUMORS' current lineup are original member Larry Howe on drums and vocals, with longtime bassist Robin Utbult, who has been with the group since 2019, completing the core foundation of VR. After the songs for "The Devil's Asylum" were written, the addition of two new members has made the band chemistry rise to a new level. There's vocalist Brian "Chalice" Betterton and the second new member guitarist Denver Cooper, who — like Chalice — hails from Cape Coral in Florida.

The first single and video for the song "Bloodbath" was made available in May. The track was described in a press release as "a raw speed metal attack with melodic vocals and thrashy guitar riffs which perfectly combines the group's irresistible heaviness with speed and catchiness."

Thorpe formed VICIOUS RUMORS in 1979. He told The Press Democrat in a 2023 interview that there have been more than 40 different members in the band since its inception.

"One good thing about all of the members is that we have a very good relationship with almost all of them," Thorpe said. "When I need someone to fill in, I've got a lot of people I can call on."

VICIOUS RUMORS has released 17 albums, including three LPs recorded for Atlantic Records in 1990 and 1991, which were reissued as a box set titled "Vicious Rumors: The Atlantic Years" in September 2022.

In a new interview with Dawn Osborne of TotalRock, respected Danish vocalist and guitarist Mike Tramp spoke about his decision to release "Songs Of White Lion - Vol. III", the third album in a series where he reinterprets songs from his former band WHITE LION. As was the case with "Songs Of White Lion - Vol. I" and "Songs Of White Lion - Vol. II" once again sees Tramp accompanied by his current solo band.

Asked if "Songs Of White Lion - Vol. III" is the final album in the series, Tramp responded (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "I think when the first one came out, I was still very unsure about really what it was I was doing. To be honest, I think that I somehow both pushed myself into it and felt somehow obligated that since I couldn't go anywhere, regardless of if I showed up on stage with an acoustic guitar or two monkeys, they still will put WHITE LION on the poster. And so I had to find a way to deal with that. And I was speaking with Marcus [Nand], which now does the fine guitar work, and I had asked him if this was possible to sort of [put together] a refurbished version of the classic WHITE LION songs that sounds like how I sound today but at the same time is as close to the original as possible. So when we had done the first one, the first thing any interviewer did was, [they asked] will there be a number two? And, obviously, I started thinking about that. And as we got into number two, I knew there was gonna be a number three."

Asked if he has now re-recorded all the WHITE LION songs or if there are still some that he left out, Mike said: "No. No. And I really had hoped that I wouldn't get confronted with this, because somebody actually spoke to me the other day. He says, 'You know what? I know you you're talking about the completion of the trilogy.' He says, 'I think you [should] just record all the songs so that all the songs have been re-recorded and then that's that.' And I started thinking, 'Wow, okay.'"

Tramp continued: "It's sort of an easy thing to take on because most of the work is already there. Now jumping aside, doing the number three, we went in to do that album completely different than we did the first one. And had I known that we were going to do all three, I wouldn't have made the first one being like a 'greatest hits'. I would've balanced it. I wouldn't have put 'Tell Me', 'Wait' and 'Little Fighter', the big WHITE LION songs, on one album; I would've spread them out. Now as we're doing volume three, a lot of people have already said, when they hear this, this feels like a fresh new album. It's very heavy, it's the dark songs, et cetera, et cetera, and it doesn't just feel like you've just gone in there… Because there's a lot of songs that might not have been the familiar songs with the sort of average rock fan, the WHITE LION fan that knows the three songs. But for those who know the darker tracks from 'Fight To Survive' and 'Big Game' and things like that, this is an album that I really, really actually enjoy myself listening to."

"Songs Of White Lion - Vol. III" will arrive on September 19 via Frontiers Music Srl.

The official music video for the LP's lead single, "Cherokee", can be seen below.

In July, Tramp spoke about how this series of recordings came together, stating in a press release: "For me, the point of re-recording the old classic WHITE LION songs was all about letting the audience know how the band would sound if they come to see us live. Bringing the sound up today and away from a world no more.

"When I started with 'Vol. I', I must admit, I never thought I'd do 'Vol. II' and now 'Vol. III'," he continues. "But having done it all now, makes all the more sense to me. If I have to be active playing WHITE LION in 2025 and onward, there's got to be a natural progression in every way. That is exactly what this trilogy is all about."

In this final installment, Tramp revisits and reimagines ten more essential songs from the WHITE LION catalog, bringing them back to life with the passion, perspective, and authenticity that only decades of experience can deliver.

Once again backed by his trusted bandmates — Marcus Nand (guitar),Claus Langeskov (bass) and Morten Hellborn (drums) — Tramp offers fresh but respectful renditions of these classic tracks, capturing their spirit while elevating them with a more refined, seasoned sound.

From the raw defiance of "Fight To Survive" to the cinematic power of "Warsong" and the infectious rhythm of "Radar Love", this album is both a celebration and a reawakening.

Standing as more than a simple re-recording project, "Songs Of White Lion - Vol. III" is the emotional conclusion of a trilogy — a journey through time, memory, and music that connects the past to the present with integrity and fire.

"Songs Of White Lion - Vol. III" track listing:

01. Dirty Woman
02. Warsong
03. Fight To Survive
04. She's Got Everything
05. In The City
06. If My Mind Is Evil
07. Cherokee
08. All Burn In Hell
09. Don't Say It's Over
10. Radar Love

In a January 2025 interview with Australia's Heavy, Tramp was asked how he has managed to keep his voice in shape after all these years. Tramp, who turned 64 earlier that month, said:  "You know what? Obviously, you will recognize that it's the same singer, but it was very important for me that the growth of Mike Tramp through all the albums that I've done and the touring and the traveling became… Let's say, in reality, [WHITE LION] had not broken up. There would have been a natural progression. Vito Bratta and myself, which, of course, were the foundation of WHTIE LION, the songwriters, already knew that when we recording 'Mane Attraction', our fourth album, our last album. If you go back, you will already see that we were making the first step towards prog rock, where we wanted the band to go. We were going much more towards bands like JOURNEY, KANSAS or STYX and whatever bands would have come. We wanted the band to be a band of music and little by little, the hair would become less important. So, with my albums that have gone on, my voice has naturally just changed bit by bit a year. So when I reintroduced the WHITE LION songs, I definitely cannot sing them in the same key. So once we refurbished them and once we found the new key to the songs, I also went out there now with the knowledge of knowing that I wrote those songs 40 years ago. I wanted to sort of say, 'I'm gonna sing them a little different.'"

Asked why it was important for him to recreate those songs, Mike said: "Yeah, without any disrespect to myself and the band that I started, I personally cannot stand listening to the versions from that time. I was in a completely different place. So, for me to play these songs again, I had to find something that felt new and fresh, even though it was the same thing. So by singing these songs again and changing the keys of the songs, it's almost like they became fatter and fuller and not so gung-ho. We were so fast and singing so high and flying in the air. Now I'm going up to the mic stand and I'm fully in control. I used to run out on stage with WHITE LION and started screaming at the audience, and the band would look at me, 'He's gonna collapse in 10 seconds.' [Now I'm] going out fully confident and saying, 'We're gonna play these songs now for the sake of music.'"

When "Songs Of White Lion - Vol. II" was first announced last year, Tramp said in a statement: "Would Leonardo Da Vinci have re-painted 'Mona Lisa', if he had gotten a second chance? That we will never know, but I can say for sure, that I am beyond thrilled to have gotten a second chance to re-record and sing the songs I wrote between 1983 - 1990. Today I have such a better understanding of how I want to express the songs in my voice than I had when I was in my 20s, it's just a fact, and I've grabbed the chance. 'Songs Of White Lion' is a whole new chapter. [As a] matter of fact, it is current."

Tramp spent most of 2024 and the first half of 2025 touring the U.S. and Europe with his band MIKE TRAMP'S WHITE LION, which doesn't included any other members of the original WHITE LION group.

In 2023, Tramp was asked in an interview about the possibility of WHITE LION reforming for a tour. He said: "When we broke up in '91, we always knew we would never go back together. And a lot of people always talk about reunions. WHITE LION reuniting would not be a better WHITE LION than WHITE LION was, so I'm out there performing the songs, not trying to recreate WHITE LION."

Asked if he has ever thought of calling his solo band WHITE LION and touring with new members, Mike replied: "I can't call it WHITE LION." Pressed about whether he would call his band WHITE LION if he could, Mike said: "I tried, and it cost me money. [Laughs] I think that the audience now is understanding that I'm just keeping the songs alive, and I'm able to perform it in a different way. I'm able to show the image that I'm not coming out there and doing a show but I'm gonna take them through like a greatest hits. I like to tell stories about what the songs are. You can't always do that on a festival when you have one hour, but that is my goal, that I will keep the songs alive. And I think that all the fans and the music fans know who Mike Tramp is and it doesn't need to be called WHITE LION. But it's called 'Songs Of White Lion'."

Back in 2019, Tramp revealed in an interview that he had apologized to guitarist Vito Bratta for trying to resurrect his former band without his onetime songwriting partner and bandmate.

The Danish-born singer hasn't played with Bratta since WHITE LION performed its last concert in Boston in September 1991.

In the 34 years since WHITE LION broke up, Bratta's public profile has been virtually nonexistent, while Tramp has remained active, recording and touring as a solo artist and with the bands FREAK OF NATURE, THE ROCK 'N' ROLL CIRCUZ and, more recently, BAND OF BROTHERS. Tramp also attempted to revive WHITE LION with the 2008 album "Return Of The Pride", featuring new members. Two years later, Tramp ceded ownership of the name WHITE LION to Bratta in an out-of-court settlement.

Speaking to SiriusXM's "Trunk Nation", Tramp said that he and Vito are once again on speaking terms following his ill-fated attempt to bring back WHITE LION a decade and a half ago.

"I have, over the past couple of years, been the one out there basically both admitting and apologizing that the only thing that I never planned to do in my career and wanted to do was go back and rehash a version of WHITE LION that had nothing to do with WHITE LION, nothing to do with the guys that played in the band," Mike said. "Mike Tramp's heart was not in it. It was just a moment of weakness, not believing enough in my solo albums. [You listen to] some guys saying, 'Hey, if you put a new WHITE LION together, you can play festivals and get much more money.' And then you fall for that and you engage in it and you go out there, and then you realize it's not what you wanna do. And then, of course, Vito did not want the name WHITE LION to be used without him being in the band. And it actually took a couple of years for me to really understand how much it meant to Vito. And when Vito one day told me in one of these conversations… First of all, he told me, 'Mike, I'm not against you. I just don't wanna turn YouTube on and see the title 'WHITE LION live in so and so,' and somebody doing 'When The Children Cry' solo and it's not me. WHITE LION was you and me, it was our band, we wrote the songs. That is the memories I want for the rest of my life.' And when he told me that, I had tears in my eyes and I totally understood it, because I had also gotten to that point that when we closed WHITE LION, we felt that this is where we wanted to stop it. There was something, going into the '90s, that didn't agree with the things we were looking at, and we wanted to somehow end it on a higher level than something that would not represent us in the future. But it just took many years to really understand it."

Asked if he understands why Vito doesn't want to play music professionally anymore, Mike said: "Yes, I do, because there are actually times when I also don't feel like doing it anymore. When all the magic around us, the stuff that made us fall in love with rock and roll — first of all, our heroes, then the industry, then the touring stuff — when all of that was really exposed that it was a two-faced kind of thing, that the people we thought loved us — and I'm not talking about the fans; I'm talking about the people that made money from us, and stuff like that — turned their back on us and stabbed us in the back, it really ripped us apart. And maybe it's just that I came from a different background than Vito, that I maybe was a little bit stronger or just of a different nature that I just fought back, but Vito just said, 'I just don't wanna deal with this.' And I understand now — I understand it from every conversation that I have with him."

Tramp also once again closed the door on a possible WHITE LION reunion, saying: "I can't be Mike Tramp 1988. I can't sing like that, and I'm not going up on stage and doing a half-assed job, which most of the bands out there are doing."

Mainly active in the 1980s and early 1990s, WHITE LION released its debut album, "Fight To Survive", in 1985. The band had its breakthrough with the double-platinum-selling "Pride" album, which produced two Top 10 hits: "Wait" and "When The Children Cry". The band continued its success with the third album, "Big Game", which achieved gold status.

By the time WHITE LION released its final album, 1991's "Mane Attraction", alternative rock was in the ascendancy, leading to a swift decline of the so-called "hair metal" scene in terms of sales, popularity, radio play, and most importantly, relevance.

Mike released "Songs Of White Lion", in April 2023 via Frontiers Music Srl. "Songs Of White Lion - Vol. II" followed in August 2024.

Crystal Tears have issued the first single from their forthcoming album Athanato (Sliptrick Records). Marking a new chapter in the band’s evolution, “Bloodstorm” is defined by its sharpened edge and metal precision. It features a sensational solo by Mike Wead (King Diamond / Mercyful Fate) and the epic voice of George Simeonidis of Greek heavy metal pioneers Sarissa, a statement of heaviness and melody.

Mixed & mastered in London by renowned producer Matt Hyde (Machine Head, Slipknot, Trivium, Kreator etc.).



Athanato brings together the best of both worlds: raw heavy metal energy and polished, cutting-edge production; a modern metal assault in classic heavy tradition.

“Working with Crystal Tears on their album has been such a great project for me to be part of. I was immediately struck by how professional the band are and from the outset they were very clear on their musical vision for how the record should sound, which really helped me with the direction of the mix. Together I believe we have created something great that I hope gets this fantastic band the recognition they deserve.” – Matt Hyde, London, UK

In a recent interview with WZLX's Kenny Young, Joe Perry once again spoke about the possibility of AEROSMITH playing one final concert, a year after the legendary rockers announced that they were officially retiring from touring due to singer Steven Tyler's vocal injury. AEROSMITH made the announcement on August 2, 2024 — nearly one year after the now-77-year-old singer fractured his larynx during a September 2023 show. Perry said about the likelihood of another AEROSMITH show: "We're actually talking quite a bit. I know our touring days are over, but… I don't know… We're all flesh and blood… I don't know, man. I would say, at some point … we will all be together on the same stage… If I was a betting man, which I am, I would say, at some point something's gonna happen. But we'll see."

Tyler most recently appeared at BLACK SABBATH's "Back To The Beginning" charity concert, where he performed three songs alongside several other iconic musicians. The AEROSMITH singer covered "The Train Kept-A-Rollin'" with Ron Wood, Nuno Bettencourt, Tom Morello, Andrew Watt, Rudy Sarzo and Travis Barker, before belting out AEROSMITH's "Walk This Way" and LED ZEPPELIN's "Whole Lotta Love" with a nearly identical lineup of backing musicians, except for Barker being switched out with Chad Smith from the RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS for these last two songs.

This past June, Perry told SiriusXM's "Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk" that he is "always hoping" for another AEROSMITH concert "but going on the road, it's a big deal pulling that together. It's one thing to sit there and look online and see who's touring and stuff, and there's dates that show up, but there's so much planning, and what it takes out of you physically, it's a lot more than people realize," he explained. "It's one thing when you're doing it when you're 25 or 30, but it's another when you're starting to get up there like us. It's a really physical thing, going out on stage. And all that energy that you're putting out, that you're transferring to the audience, it takes something out of you in a physical and emotional way. And all of that energy that you give, that's flowing out there, that's making people feel good, it takes it out of you."

Perry added: "We talk probably a couple of times a week, and [Steven and I] played together up at a charity up in San Francisco [in late April]… So I don't know, man. But we're talking about it. I mean, except for anything on the calendar, we're all alive and well. So, we'll just have to see. I know there's gotta be at least another AEROSMITH gig, and I'm not looking forward to putting the setlist together for that one. But I don't know, man. We'll just have to see. I've always played like every show's the last one. I hate to sound like it's a downer, but I give it up every night."

Asked by host Eddie Trunk if Tyler seems well enough to be able to play a full AEROSMITH concert and whether he thinks Steven "would like to do that", Joe said: "I think he would. I think it's just a matter of getting there. We're up there [in age], man. And it's a lot. It was interesting, with COVID and everybody being home for that length of time, it was, like, 'Oh, so this is how other people live.' Actually sleeping in your own bed every night and hopefully not feeling shitty from COVID. In the beginning, it was pretty bad. But it really, really opens your eyes. I don't think I've gone a year without something on the calendar and having to be somewhere. So that's the bigger picture. [We enjoy being home] or doing other things. We all have stuff we like to do. And you can't [do those things when you are touring], whatever it is. So, I've got enough left in me. I still wanna do it. But right now, for [THE JOE PERRY PROJECT], I'm gonna be taking it out [this August] and giving it up, and I'm just glad I've got these guys to open up enough time to come along. So, we'll see what happens."

THE JOE PERRY PROJECT, featuring Perry with musicians from AEROSMITH, THE BLACK CROWES and STONE TEMPLE PILOTS, will play eight U.S. tour dates in August.

The 2025 lineup of THE JOE PERRY PROJECT will feature AEROSMITH guitarists Perry and Brad Whitford with the Rock And Roll Hall Of Famers' touring keyboardist/backing vocalist Buck Johnson, along with THE BLACK CROWES' Chris Robinson on lead vocals and STONE TEMPLE PILOTS members Robert DeLeo and Eric Kretz on bass and drums, respectively.

Perry and Tyler performed together for the first time in nearly two years at a private concert the singer hosted on April 30 in San Francisco, California. The event was a benefit for Janie's Fund, the initiative Tyler created in order to bring hope and healing to girls and young women who have experienced trauma.

AEROSMITH's "Peace Out" tour came to a halt after what turned out to be a final gig in Elmont, New York on September 9, 2023. That show came just three dates into the trek, which was supposed to last through February 2024. Tyler said in a statement at the time that the injury caused bleeding but that he hoped he and his AEROSMITH bandmates would be back on the road after postponing a few shows.

The rescheduled "Peace Out" tour was due to begin September 20, 2024 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with special guests THE BLACK CROWES.

Tyler released a solo LP in 2016.

VENOM paid tribute to Ozzy Osbourne by playing a medley of BLACK SABBATH's "Children Of The Grave" and "Symptom Of The Universe" on Saturday, August 9 at the Hellsinki Metal Festival at Nordis in Helsinki, Finland. Fan-filmed video of the performance can be seen below.

A few years ago, VENOM frontman Conrad "Cronos" Lant told Metal Hammer magazine that BLACK SABBATH was one of the bands which got him into heavy music. "In the late '60s, early '70s, it was LED ZEPPELIN, DEEP PURPLE and BLACK SABBATH," he said. "Those early SABBATH albums really did something to me."

Cronos also said that SABBATH was an early inspiration for his role as the frontman of VENOM.

"I always wanted to carry the Ozzy thing to the nth degree," he explained. "I was always reading up on Satanism and demonology and witchcraft. I went out with a girl who was in a witch coven and that sparked something in me. I loved SABBATH, but I realized that they'd only touched the tip of the iceberg. This could go so far. Ozzy was singing about being chased by the Devil. I thought: I'll be the Devil!"

Cronos elaborated on his mindset when approaching the VENOM gig during a separate interview with Guitar World. He said: "I used to listen to SABBATH, and Ozzy would be going off about all the fuckin' witches or elves. And then all of a sudden he would cry, 'Oh, God, help me!' And I would think, Oh no! You're supposed to be the evil bastard. Why are you asking God for help? So I decided I would be the evil bastard. But the music had to be evil, too. So, while all these other groups would get to their lead breaks and play these pretty little leads, I wanted to have divebomb solos and guitars crashing against amplifiers and all this madness.

"Since day one, we said, 'We are horror movies to music,' Cronos added. "If BLACK SABBATH were 'Frankenstein', VENOM are the 'Evil Dead'."

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 and manager Sharon, along with their children Aimée, Kelly and Jack, joined mourners for the emotional tribute.

In a new interview with MetalKaoz, Johnny Hedlund of long-running Swedish death metallers UNLEASHED was asked how it feels to have lasted more than 35 years and released 15 full-length albums so far. The bassist/vocalist responded (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "Well, it feels great. It's been a good ride, I would say. I mean, we've been doing it for such a long time now that we kind of — you almost take it for granted. But sometimes, once in a while, you've gotta just stop and think about what the hell is going on. But it feels really good. It feels really good we can still be doing this and, well, first and foremost, we can still have a good time. And I think that's really important. And we do. So we always look forward to the next album and we always look forward to the next show and next festival. So, yeah, things are good."

Asked if it has become easier to write new music after doing it for more than three decades, Johnny said: "Probably. Since we've been the same guys also for a very long time in the band, we kind of know each other. Fredrik [Folkare, UNLEASHED guitarist] won't send around music to try and risk something. He knows what Tomas [Måsgard, UNLEASHED rhythm guitarist], Anders [Schultz, UNLEASHED drummer] and Johnny like, and I very seldom take a chance and write lyrics that the guys in the band probably would turn down. It will just be a waste of time. So in that regard, it's pretty easy. I mean, because we've been doing it for such a long time, we know each other very, very well. And it's a smooth ride, I would say."

After the interviewer noted that the current UNLEASHED lineup has been together for around 30 years now, Johnny said: "Yeah, I think, yeah, probably. I think [since] '97 or '98; I'm not sure. Yeah, it's been a long time, and crazy. We used to say, 'What about the old Fredrik?' [referencing original UNLEASHED guitarist Fredrik Lindgren] and 'How about the new Fredrik?' And the thing is that the new Fredrik has been around for almost 30 years now. [Laughs] So that's strange. He's like the new guy in the band. [Laughs] That's funny shit."

UNLEASHED's fifteenth studio album, "Fire Upon Your Lands", will be released on August 15 via Napalm Records.

In a recent interview with Jai That Aussie Metal Guy, Hedlund was asked what keeps him and his UNLEASHED bandmates motivated to keep making new music. Johnny said: "Well, I don't know how to stop. [Laughs]. It's strange because I've gotten this question many times, and I still don't know really the answer.

"The thing is that when we started this band, I was a young guy," he continued. "We started it in 1989, and I had played in NIHILIST for two years, so I started playing death metal in '87. Now that's, like, 400 years ago [laughs] — at least it feels like it. So the thing is that everything that we spoke about way back then was mostly, 'Let's go out on fucking tour and bang heads together and drink some beers.' There was no plan to release 15 albums way back then, but as the years kept rolling, and we realized, 'Man, we might actually be good at this' [laughs], we just kept on going. And we still do. And Anders used to tell me, 'Well, what the hell should I do if I didn't do this?'

"First of all, it's very inspiring to make music and lyrics, and we love it," Johnny added. "And, of course, going out to meet people and still bang heads and drink beer and meeting all the friends I've been seeing for all those years, that's the thing, man. There's nothing better. So, yeah, we just keep on rolling."

During an August 6 appearance on SiriusXM's "Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk", DREAM THEATER drummer Mike Portnoy spoke about what it has been like for him to be touring with the band once again after a 13-year absence. The progressive metal legends played their first concert with Portnoy in 14 years on October 20, 2024 at the O2 Arena in London, United Kingdom. The drummer, who co-founded DREAM THEATER, played on 10 of the band's albums over a 20-year period, from 1989's "When Dream And Day Unite" through 2009's "Black Clouds & Silver Linings", before exiting the group in 2010. Portnoy returned to DREAM THEATER in October 2023 after being replaced by Mike Mangini, who played with DREAM THEATER across five studio albums and accompanying world tours. Portnoy told "Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk" (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "It's been incredible — the biggest tour the band has ever done. We started at the O2 in London, which was incredibly emotional, and then we wrapped the U.S. tour at Radio City Music Hall… There's so many highlights. It's been incredible. We did all of Europe once with [the] 'An Evening With' [run of shows], then we did South America. We did North America, then we did this [European] festival run, and now we're about to shift into finally doing a tour for the new album, 'cause through all this we put out a new album in February, and we haven't really had a chance to properly give attention to that yet, 'cause we've been so busy with the 40th-anniversary thing. So we're about to shift into 'Parasomnia' mode, and we have a North American tour kicking off next month. And we'll be all through the States in September and October with a completely different show. So if anybody saw us in the last round, this is a completely different set, completely different stage, and we're gonna play the whole new album in its entirety, which will be a lot of fun and finally give it its due."

Asked if the tracks from DREAM THEATER's sixteenth studio album, "Parasomnia", will be performed in the same order that they appear on the LP on the upcoming tour, Portnoy said: "Yeah, it was written to be performed that way. The whole album is very much like a concept album in that respect. So we've played a couple of the songs this past year on the 40th-anniversary tour, but now we could dig into it and give it a full top-to-bottom presentation. And then gonna celebrate the 30th anniversary of 'A Change of Seasons', which was like the first big epic the band put out 30 years ago. So we're gonna play that as well."

Portnoy added: "We've still got a lot of gas left in the tank. We're gonna go over to Asia right after New Year, and then we have a third European run next spring to do the 'Parasomnia' over there. So it's been incredible, but the emotions at every show — the fans, you just look out there and you see grown men crying, and it's all smiles and tears."

After Trunk noted that a lot of the emotions surrounding DREAM THEATER's current tour are based on the fact that Portnoy is back in the band after such a long time away, Mike said: "I'm so thankful that it's come back full circle. It would've been really sad if we never did reunite. I've seen other bands, like PINK FLOYD with Roger Waters, or GENESIS with Peter Gabriel, certain bands that never do reunite. And as a fan, it's a shame. I would love to see those lineups together again before it all ends. So for us to be back together again and celebrating the 40th anniversary of the band and riding off into the sunset together, it's poetic. It's the way it should be, really. And I'm so glad that we're here together again."

DREAM THEATER kicked off the spring/summer 2025 leg of its "40th Anniversary European Tour" on June 3 at Logomo in Turku, Finland.

DREAM THEATER's summer/fall 2025 "An Evening With Dream Theater" U.S. tour is scheduled for 30 cities across the United States, kicking off September 5 in Reading, Pennsylvania and running through October 25, when it wraps in Long Island, New York. The tour will make stops in Orlando, Floria; Detroit, Michigan; Kansas City, Missouri and Providence, Rhode Island, among others. DREAM THEATER will be performing its latest album in its entirety as well as classics and fan favorites from the band's catalog in what promises to be an unforgettable evening of music.

"Parasomnia" came out on February 7, 2025 via InsideOut Music. The LP marked DREAM THEATER's first release with Portnoy since 2009's "Black Clouds & Silver Linings".

"Parasomnia" was produced by guitarist John Petrucci, engineered by James "Jimmy T" Meslin, and mixed by Andy Sneap. Hugh Syme returned once again to lend his creative vision to the cover art.

"Parasomnia" is an eight-song, 71-minute set which was recorded at DREAM THEATER's DTHQ studio on Long Island, New York. It is the follow-up to 2021's "A View From The Top Of The World", which debuted at in the top 10 of Billboard's Top Hard Rock Albums, Top Rock Albums and Independent Albums charts. Six songs on "Parasomnia" are over seven minutes and the closing epic "The Shadow Man Incident" clocks in at nearly 20 minutes.

The North American leg of DREAM THEATER's 40th-anniversary tour kicked off on February 7 at The Met in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The trek was "An Evening With Dream Theater" and was the first tour of North America since Portnoy's return to the lineup, joining Petrucci, singer James LaBrie, bassist John Myung and keyboardist Jordan Rudess. The tour concluded on March 22 in New York City.

Portnoy, Petrucci and Myung started DREAM THEATER as MAJESTY in 1985, after meeting at the Berklee College Of Music in Boston. LaBrie came on board in 1991, while Rudess joined in 1999.

Prior to Portnoy's return to DREAM THEATER, the drummer and Petrucci worked together on the latter's 2020 solo album, "Terminal Velocity", and toured together. Portnoy and Petrucci also joined Rudess and bassist Tony Levin for a third studio album as LIQUID TENSION EXPERIMENT in 2021.

The Rholedz channel on YouTube has uploaded HD video of DEF LEPPARD's August 9 performance at The Venue at Thunder Valley Casino Resort in Lincoln, California. Check out the clips below.

According to Setlist.fm, DEF LEPPARD's setlist was as follows:

01. Rock! Rock! (Till You Drop)
02. Rocket
03. Let's Get Rocked
04. Foolin'
05. Armageddon It
06. Animal
07. Love Bites
08. Just Like '73
09. Let It Go
10. Die Hard The Hunter
11. This Guitar
12. Two Steps Behind
13. Bringin' On The Heartbreak
14. Switch 625
15. Rock Of Ages
16. Photograph

Encore:

17. Hysteria
18. Pour Some Sugar On Me

In a recent interview with Houston Life, DEF LEPPARD lead singer Joe Elliott and guitarist Phil Collen spoke about the band's upcoming third Las Vegas residency. "Def Leppard: Live at Caesars Palace The Las Vegas Residency" will set the strip alight from February 3 through 28, 2026 at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace. These new shows follow the band's sold-out residency successes in 2019 and 2013.

Regarding how the idea for the latest residency came about, Phil said: " It's our third time doing a residency in Vegas… And we've been talking about this one… We played a stadium there a couple of years ago, and some of the people came down and we know them and everything. It's, like, what'd be really good? So it kind of got thrown about then. So that's when the thing happened. Then all of a sudden it's, like, 'Caesars. It's there if you want it.' It's, like, 'Yeah, great.' And it's February. The last time we'd done a residency, it was July or August, and it was, like, 108 degrees [Fahrenheit] every time you walked outside. So, yeah, a little bit more kind of cool."

On the topic of how DEF LEPPARD chooses its setlist for the crowd in Las Vegas, Joe said: "Yeah, it's always a challenge. But we've kind of grown into a routine of what we like to call the A, B and C list. And your A list is your crown jewels, the ones that if you don't play them, you wouldn't get out the building alive. And then there's the B list of interesting stuff. And then the C list is, like, 'Oh, that's interesting. They haven't played that one in 40 years.' And so we are still juggling it now. I mean, we're just pouring names into a bucket and stirring 'em around, and the ones that come to the surface where all five of us go, 'Yeah, we should do that.' And there is so many to choose from, but there's a logic to what we do, and we have to feel comfortable with what we're doing, and if we feel comfortable doing it, I think that energy goes across the audience and they get it. And so they accept what we play."

Asked if standing in front of thousands of people and performing some of the most iconic songs of all time and having the fans sing almost every word back to the band is why they still do what they do, Joe said: "I would say yeah, because that's what we watched as kids. When we went to gigs or we saw on TV the response of a crowd to a song that we got off on, whether it be a BEATLES song or a [ROLLING] STONES song or [LED ZEPPELIN's] 'Stairway To Heaven' or [BLACK SABBATH's] 'Paranoid' or wherever it was, and you go, 'Wow, I hope that happens to me.' Or before you're in a band, you go, 'I wish I could be in that position.' And we are in that position, and especially like '[Pour Some] Sugar [On Me]' or 'Photograph', we've been in that position for 30, 35, 40 years where that song is, they're just waiting, they're waiting and waiting, and [they know] we're not gonna play it first. That's another thing about making sure you have a running order that is — it's sexy and it makes sense and it teases people into a frenzy, if you like. That's what every artist is supposed to do, especially if they're a rock band."

Tickets for the following 12 shows went on sale on July 25:

February 2026: 3, 5, 7, 10, 12, 14, 17, 19, 21, 24, 26, 28

The veteran British rockers played their first concert of 2025 on January 18 at Feria Estatal De León in León, Mexico. As was the case with the band's October 14, 2024 private show in Nashville (as part of the Daimler Truck Customer Appreciation Event),DEF LEPPARD guitarist Vivian Campbell was unable to join his bandmates at the León gig and was replaced by John Zocco, who is Phil Collen's guitar tech. Campbell has since rejoined DEF LEPPARD on the road.

Late last year, Vivian underwent a bone marrow transplant as part of his treatment plan for Hodgkin's lymphoma, with which he was diagnosed in 2013.

In June, Campbell revealed that he is "completely in remission" from the cancer of the lymphatic system.

This past January, DEF LEPPARD released a cover of Ben E. King's 1961 classic "Stand By Me". All proceeds from the song are going to FireAid, which raises money for those impacted by the fires that swept through Los Angeles early this year.

DEF LEPPARD's version of the song is featured in the Netflix film "Bank Of Dave 2: The Loan Ranger", which was released on January 10. The band can be seen performing the track before the credits.

Campbell — who before joining DEF LEPPARD in 1992 was well known for his work with DIO and WHITESNAKE — went public with his Hodgkin's lymphoma diagnosis in June 2013.

Vivian underwent three separate spells of chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant, only for his Hodgkin's lymphoma to return.

Six years ago, Campbell underwent spine surgery.

Vivian and his DEF LEPPARD bandmates were finally inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in March 2019 — 14 years after the British rockers first became eligible.

DEF LEPPARD's latest album, "Diamond Star Halos", arrived in May 2022 via UMe.

Def Leppard are taking over The Venue at Thunder Valley Casino Resort on August 9th! Listen to Ken Anthony in the...

Posted by 96.9 The Eagle Sacramento on Monday, April 21, 2025

During an appearance on The Scuba Steve Show, CREED frontman Scott Stapp  spoke about legendary BLACK SABBATH singer Ozzy Osbourne who died late last month at the age of 76. Scott said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): He meant the world to rock and roll and metal. CREED definitely has huge metal influences, coming specifically from Mark's [Tremonti, CREED guitarist] side. But we all got into Ozzy when we were young. We all listened to BLACK SABBATH. We all listened to Ozzy as a solo artist. His songs not only rocked, but a lot of his ballads touched our hearts. His charisma, his personality, who he was as a father, from watching his reality shows, he was just a major influence. And [his wife and manager] Sharon Osbourne, she actually has been a part of CREED's story since 1998, and she's always been a big CREED defender and had our back early in our career. And so we love that family and just wanted to share our love for Ozzy and for Sharon and know that they're in our prayers during this difficult time."

Back in 2021, Tremonti picked BLACK SABBATH's self-titled 1970 debut as one of his five essential guitar albums, telling Classic Rock magazine: "These are the guys who started it all for the scene I love the most. It's hard to pick just one BLACK SABBATH record — all my favorite songs are spread out — but I'll go with the debut album. Nobody had this sound before Tony Iommi. It's almost like he and the band were possessed by some dark spirit, and this is the result. A lot of the metal that followed, like black metal, was directly influenced by BLACK SABBATH. Tony Iommi's riffs are and his guitar tone are so scary and gloomy. If anybody ever asks, 'What does heavy sound like?', this is the answer."

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. Sharon, along with their children Aimée, Kelly and Jack, joined mourners for the emotional tribute.

In a new interview with Slovakia's Tomketoviny, FEAR FACTORY guitarist Dino Cazares spoke about the band's latest additions, singer Milo Silvestro and drummer Pete Webber, who have been part of FEAR FACTORY's touring lineup for more than two years. He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "The fans are reacting great [to the new lineup]. It's been all positive reaction. Milo, obviously, he auditioned 'cause we were looking for a vocalist. We got more than 300 submissions of a videotape of… This was during COVID, so a lot of people couldn't get on a plane and come see me. So a lot of it was just done online. And so we had a lot of submissions, and it was a lot of stuff to go through. But one stood out, and that was Milo. And that was pretty much how he got the gig. When the travel ban was lifted, he was able to fly into L.A. and physically auditioned. So that worked out. And Pete — we had another drummer at the time [Mike Heller], but our drummer had some prior commitments and he couldn't make it. And then Pete filled in and we decided to keep Pete. We liked his attitude, we liked the way he played, and that's really important."

Regarding when FEAR FACTORY fans can expect to hear some new material from the band, Dino said: "Next year, for sure. Next year, 100%. Maybe a single this year, but for sure next year."

Asked if he still has time for some of his side projects, like DIVINE HERESY or ASESINO, Dino replied: "Not really. Not at all. I'm doing one show this year with ASESINO on December 13th in Mexico City, but that's about it. Everything is really focused on FEAR FACTORY. We've gotta be able to finish the new record and get it out for fans to hear. And everybody wants to hear Milo on the new record. So that's important right now."

FEAR FACTORY kicked off a European tour celebrating the 30th anniversary of its classic second album, "Demanufacture", on July 18 at Turock in Essen, Germany.

FEAR FACTORY's current lineup features Cazares, Silvestro, Webber and Tony Campos on bass.

Ricky Bonazza (BUTCHER BABIES) is playing bass for FEAR FACTORY on the road in Europe while Campos is busy touring with STATIC-X.

Silvestro's addition to FEAR FACTORY was officially announced in February 2023.

FEAR FACTORY played its first headlining concert with Silvestro and Webber on May 5, 2023 at the Whisky A Go Go in West Hollywood, California.

In the fall of 2023, Dino told Nyva Zarbano that Milo "brings, obviously, a freshness that FEAR FACTORY needed. The last singer that we had [Burton C. Bell], obviously he had a lot of vocal issues and he really couldn't sing or do any of this kind of heavy touring," he explained. "It just was a big setback for us. So bringing Milo into the band, obviously he's got a great voice, he's very talented, he's a multi-instrumentalist. He could play more than one instrument. The kid's very talented. Of course, the story is I found him on the Internet. He was releasing videos of him doing FEAR FACTORY covers and he was posting them on all the FEAR FACTORY fan sites. And I saw him there, and I was, like, 'Okay, that's really got my attention.' But we had many people audition, but he was the one that really stood out. And he's a huge fan of FEAR FACTORY. And he pretty much learned from listening to our older vocalist. So he learned a lot of his stuff. And so, I mean, if you close your eyes, you think it's the original singer."

In early 2023, FEAR FACTORY completed the "Rise Of The Machine" U.S. tour as the support act for STATIC-X. It marked the Cazares-led outfit's first run of shows with Silvestro and Webber.

FEAR FACTORY's latest album, "Aggression Continuum", was released in June 2021 via Nuclear Blast Records. The LP, which was recorded primarily in 2017, featured Cazares, Heller and Bell.

In September 2020, Bell issued a statement officially announcing his departure from FEAR FACTORY, saying that he "cannot align" himself with someone whom he does not trust or respect, apparently referring to Cazares.

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

During the July 26 episode of his "Spirit Campfire" show on Real America's Voice, Ted Nugent spoke about legendary BLACK SABBATH singer Ozzy Osbourne who died four days earlier at the age of 76. Ted said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "In the wind, Ozzy is still alive. Some people wanna get high, some people gotta start low, some people think they're gonna die someday. I got news. You never got to go. You know who's never gonna go? Eddie Van Halen, Dusty Hill, Wayne Kramer and Ozzy Osbourne. And all are dearly departed.

"What an emotional time for people who embraced and celebrate and will forever embrace and celebrate the incredible soundtrack of BLACK SABBATH and all things Ozzy Osbourne," he continued. "Now, did I disagree — in fact, I not only disagreed with a big part of his lifestyle, I condemned it. I think getting drunk and stoned and stupid is really disrespectful to God's gift. And he made mistakes. We all make mistakes. I've made two. Anyhow, so Ozzy made some mistakes, so we won't harp on that, because I was very critical of the TV show that made fun of his condition, made fun of his slovenliness, made fun of his disconnect, made fun of his mental decline through drugs and alcohol. But you know what? I loved Ozzy Osbourne. [Ted's former band] THE AMBOY DUKES opened up for the BLACK SABBATH concerts in Detroit, Michigan, in 1971, 1972, I believe it was. AMBOY DUKES and BLACK SABBATH… But Ozzy Osbourne had an incredible musical force."

Speaking specifically about BLACK SABBATH's music, Ted said: "They called it heavy metal, but basically it was blues… Remember, Ozzy always celebrated that he was just obsessed with the spirit, the energy, the authority, the musicality of THE BEATLES. And you know where THE BEATLES musical authority came from? Howlin' Wolf, Muddy Waters, Mose Allison, Lightnin' Hopkins, Jimmy Reed, B.B. King, Albert King, Freddie King, ultimately Chuck Berry and Bo Diddley, and Little Richard and Jerry Lee Lewis and the Motown Funk Brothers, the Motown supreme artists. Ozzy always represented that. So what BLACK SABBATH — Tony Iommi and Geezer [Butler] and… I can't remember but drummer's name. But anyhow, we would open up for BLACK SABBATH at Madison Square Gardens and Largo, Maryland. 18,000 people. Here they're big, giant concerts. Long Island Coliseum. It was so much fun. And I tried to have a conversation with Ozzy. Like I need a reminder why clean and sober is the only way to go. It'd be nice to talk to these guys because I know that Ozzy was given the musical influence by THE [ROLLING] STONES and THE BEATLES and THE YARDBIRDS and THE WHO, and before LED ZEPPELIN, THE KINKS, because of American black artists. All those British invasion guys were inspired by Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley, Little Richard and Jerry Lee Lewis...

"So Ozzy, thank you," Ted added. "And the BLACK SABBATH band and Tommy Clufetos and Tommy Aldridge and, and Zakk [Wylde] and Jake E. Lee and Brad Gillis and Randy Rhoads, thank you for enriching the world's lives, all of our lives, with your incredible music, because it was called heavy metal, but it was basically heavier, thicker, grinding rhythm and blues music. And he had an incredible, uncanny sense of melody and phrasing and cadence that he gleaned and created his own style and his own genre. Heavy metal — he was the God of heavy metal. All these other bands — METALLICA and SAVATAGE; I don't even know the names of some of these bands.

"So we're gonna dedicate this whole first segment to Ozzy Osbourne. And not only just his memory, but it will never fade away. Just like Eddie Van Halen, his music will never fade away.

"So, back to Ozzy, he was a bluesman. Yeah, they intensified the inspiration of those black founding fathers of the most wonderful, stimulating, defiant, uppity fun music.

"So, to the Osbourne family, we love you. We pray for your strength. We know these are difficult times. It's always traumatic, it's always heartbreaking and emotional, and we get lost, we become lost, uncertain of our every breath when we lose a loved one. Especially, I gotta tell you, it's magnified when it's such a historically profound, influential global figure like Ozzy Osbourne."

During an appearance on the "Faith & Freedom" podcast, which is hosted by his wife Shemane Nugent, legendary rocker Ted was asked what it was like touring with Ozzy back in the late 1970s when Nugent was the support act for BLACK SABBATH on a North American run of shows. Ted responded: "Well, it doesn't really matter because — and bottom line is we love Ozzy. He was a kind man, a gentleman, a hard-working guy, extremely talented. He did a vocalization and a songwriting musical force to reckon with. So we're praying for his family and his friends and those millions and millions of fans out there that are really traumatized [by his passing]. I mean, there's a lot of heartbreak and a lot of crying going on. So we're with you people, and we share your heartbreak, we share your emotion and we share your love for Ozzy. Our hearts are heavy for the Osbourne family because he was a good dad and a good husband… And as he got clean and sober, he was a fun guy. He was a funny guy. He was a cocky guy. And more importantly, he's known as the Prince Of Darkness. He was a Christian. He was against war…"

Ted continued: "I've been reviewing a lot of the testimonies and celebrations of Ozzy's life, and a lot of his lyrics were for peace, supporting the military, good over evil, identifying the scourge of mankind, being negative and being evil and satanic. So I believe, I'm confident when I say that Ozzy Osbourne was a Christian."

Back in 2002, Nugent slammed Ozzy's family reality TV show "The Osbournes" for being "soulless" and singled out Osbourne's wife and manager Sharon for "[taking] advantage of [Ozzy's] drooling condition to make millions of dollars from people laughing at [him]". In an interview published at Salon.com, Nugent had the following response when asked for his opinion on the series that at the time was the highest-rated program in MTV history: "I think the success of 'The Osbournes' as a TV show is an indictment of the soullessness of mankind.

"Now, I'm just a guitar player, but when I see a train wreck, I don't look at it and laugh — I try to save injured people. You're not supposed to wring entertainment out of tragedy.

"Ozzy is a nice man, he is a kind man, he is an extremely talented man, extremely tenacious, obviously. But he is the poster boy of why I never touched poisons in my life. Because I don't want to drool, nor do I want to allow a woman in my life to take advantage of my drooling condition to make millions of dollars from people laughing at me. That's what she has done. And no one is laughing with the Osbournes — they are laughing at them. I find that soulless."

On whether the Osbournes represent the family life that people think most rock stars have, Ted said at the time: "That's the worst thing. There's three levels. Well, there's obviously a million levels. But let's go with the obvious three. There's Jerry Garcia's level: They did so many drugs they died. You don't have enough tape and I don't have enough time to list all the dead assholes. That's Level 1: The ultimate failure of individuals and society to identify deadly conduct. Horrifically, not only didn't they identify it, they fucking celebrated it. They encouraged it, they wrote about it, they danced about it, they drew people into it. So now, you have death and mayhem out of control. That's not an opinion; that's an observation of [more than five decades of] clean and sober. I'd like to go see Jimi Hendrix, I'd like to go see John Belushi, I'd like to, well, I wouldn't like to go see Jerry Garcia, he's not one of my favorite guitar players. But that's the ultimate stupidity: Poison yourself to death for no other reason except that some trendy asshole thought it was groovy, baby."

Ted continued: "The second level is Ozzy: you're not dead, but damn close. And again, I'm to repeat this: I like Ozzy. He is a good guy. He is an extremely talented man. More talented for the fact that he took those talents he does have, which are moderate, and sold 50 million records with them. He surrounded himself with the Randy Rhoadses and the Tommy Aldridges and the Zakk Wyldes and mastered building a million homes out of timber that most people couldn't have built a barn with. That's real talent.

"So that's Level 2: You did all the stupid things, but you survived. Great. Then there is Level 3: Ted. He defied the stupidity and his American dream soars on the wings of an American eagle. Because my happiness — the content, the fiber, the joys, the emotion — is all thriving in my life, because I discipline myself. Aha! That's what Jerry and Ozzy didn't have: The big 'D'. Discipline. My parents taught me to shoot a gun conscientiously, safely, and responsibly, and disciplined me if I didn't. I would get my block knocked off, which is what Ozzy's little brats need a good dose of. God, I wish my dad was still alive. He could fix those kids in one night. I'd just say, Dad, could you fix those assholes for me? Thank you very much.

"Level 3 is those who are smart enough not to drink and drive, not to poison their God-given gifts, and to live the American dream of seeking excellence, and the resulting happiness that can not be stopped."

In a 2003 interview with Classic Rock Revisited, Ted doubled down on his criticism of "The Osbournes", saying: "God bless Ozzy and Sharon. God bless their family. I hope they can find happiness. What I see is not happiness; it is superficial happiness. You don't encourage and much less allow your children to swear violently at people and be totally undisciplined. Look at how fat his kids are. When you have kids that fat, then they are just eating bad food, which is a manifestation of a certain cultural depravation where they can't even monitor their own health habits.

"Ozzy, God bless him, is super talented. He is a great man. He is a man of heart and soul and goodwill. He is a very funny man, but he is a perfect poster child of why I have never touched drugs, alcohol, tobacco or fast food. You get stupid, fat, slow and drooling. He is an absolute shell of a man. He doesn't have any capacities physically or mentally. It is just pathetic that someone would find entertainment or recreational joy from watching a wounded man shuffle about and mumble. It's embarrassing."

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

A little over a month ago, Osbourne reunited with the rest of the original BLACK SABBATH lineup for what was his final performance at the "Back To The Beginning" charity concert in their original hometown of Birmingham, United Kingdom.

MÖTLEY CRÜE singer Vince Neil performed live for the first time in nearly 10 months last night (Friday, August 1) with his solo band at the MGM Music Hall at Fenway in Boston, Massachusetts. Also appearing on the bill were POISON's Bret Michaels and RATT's Stephen Pearcy.

While introducing the second song of his set, a rendition of MÖTLEY CRÜE's classic "Shout At The Devil", Vince told the crowd (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): " Hey, thank you, everybody. It's good to be here. I haven't been on stage since almost a year now. I had a medical thing that happened to me, and they said I wouldn't be back on stage here. I said, 'Fuck that, man.' And I'm back and I'm with you guys tonight. And I'm really proud to be here, man. Thank you so much."

Prior to last night's concert, Neil hadn't performed live since hitting the stage with MÖTLEY CRÜE last October at the Aftershock festival in Sacramento, California.

Neil's backing group still consists of bassist Dana Strum and guitarist Jeff "Blando" Bland from SLAUGHTER, along with drummer Zoltan Chaney.

Five months ago, MÖTLEY CRÜE's Las Vegas Residency at Dolby Live at Park MGM, originally scheduled for March 28 - April 19, 2025, was moved to September 2025 due to a required medical procedure advised by Neil's doctors. The new show dates will take place September 12 through October 3. Tickets from the original dates will remain valid for the newly announced dates.

The CRÜE's third Vegas residency is being billed as a "tell-all show [that] will immerse the audience in the band's history, leading all the say through their record-breaking 'Stadium Tour'." They previously set up shop in Vegas in 2012 for "Mötley Crüe Takes On Sin City" and in 2013 for "Evening In Hell".

In October 2024, MÖTLEY CRÜE released a new EP, "Cancelled". Produced by Bob Rock, the EP marked the band's first release with Big Machine and included three new tracks: Top 5 Rock Radio hit "Dogs Of War" a cover of the BEASTIE BOYS' "Fight For Your Right" and the title track, "Cancelled".

This past February, Neil's Learjet aircraft was involved in a collision in Scottsdale. Vince was not on his jet when it collided with another plane in the fatal incident, leaving one dead and several hospitalized.

John 5 joined MÖTLEY CRÜE in the fall of 2022 as the replacement for the band's co-founding guitarist Mick Mars. Mick announced his retirement from touring with MÖTLEY CRÜE in October 2022 as a result of worsening health issues.

TONIGHT 📆 Bret Michaels and Vince Neil with Stephen Pearcy 🤘

🎟️: https://bit.ly/3Qn8Vv9
🚪: 7PM
🎶: 7:30PM
All ages
Upgrade your experience: https://bit.ly/4flGN7e
🚗 Reserve Parking: https://bit.ly/41Yhpzt

Posted by MGM Music Hall at Fenway on Friday, August 1, 2025

Rock legend and Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame inductee Glenn Hughes has unveiled his new single and official visualizer, "Into The Fade", taken from his upcoming studio album "Chosen", set for release on September 5 via Frontiers Music Srl.

About the new single, Glenn commented: "'Into The Fade' is about a life of acceptance, being here now, and living in the present moment."

In early June, Hughes released the official music video for the "Chosen" title track. It was followed by the "Voice In My Head" video a month later.

Commenting on the new album, Glenn previously stated: "Songwriting is deeply personal to me, and l generally write and record when I have something to say.

"It's been nine years since I recorded my last solo album, 'Resonate'. There have been recordings and collaborations with other artists since 2016"

"When writing 'Chosen', I went back to my life drawing board, writing about the human condition, love, hope, faith and acceptance.

"I write about how I feel on the inside and not externally. My life is lived from within, in the present moment.

"It's an album of soul food, and I've never been so grateful, right here, on planet earth. Music is the healer."

This year will also see Hughes busy touring across Europe and South America, with "The Chosen Years" tour starting in Zoetermeer, Netherlands, on September 2 and ending on November 29 in Bogota, Colombia.

Hughes is a true original. No other rock musician has carved such a distinctive style blending the finest elements of hard rock, soul and funk. That astonishing voice is his calling card. He's known as a singer's singer. Stevie Wonder once called Glenn Hughes his favorite white singer.

After a nine-year hiatus as a solo artist, Hughes is back with "Chosen", his brand-new solo record: an album which presents Glenn in his most hard rockin' fashion. An explosive record that offers Glenn at his absolute best with a state-of-the-art album, both from a songwriting and production standpoint.

Glenn, a native of Cannock, England, absorbed all kinds of influences, including early British hard rock, THE BEATLES and, most importantly, American soul and R&B. The sleek Motown sound from Detroit and the gritty Stax/Volt sound from Memphis left their mark on him.

Hughes first found success in the early '70s with the band TRAPEZE before joining DEEP PURPLE in 1973 during a pivotal lineup change that introduced him and David Coverdale to the group. Despite initial skepticism, the revamped band silenced critics with the release of "Burn" (1974),a powerful album that revitalized PURPLE's sound and remains a classic. During this era, the band headlined the iconic California Jam in front of over 300,000 fans, toured the world aboard their private jet The Starship, and released two more studio albums, "Stormbringer" and "Come Taste The Band", before disbanding in 1976.

Glenn's first solo album "Play Me Out" was released in 1977. He joined former Pat Travers guitarist Pat Thrall to form HUGHES/THRALL, which released an acclaimed self-titled album in 1982. Throughout the '80s and '90s, Glenn Hughes made countless guest appearances (both credited and un-credited) as a vocalist, bass guitarist or songwriter on other artists' albums. The endless list includes — among others — Gary Moore, John Norum and Tony Iommi of BLACK SABBATH.

Since 1992, Glenn has started a prolific solo career with a dozen studio albums where he explored all the different sides of his songwriting and influences: from hard rock to funk and more contemporary sounds. He collaborated — among others — with such musicians as Chad Smith (RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS),Dave Navarro, John Frusciante and many others. He also founded or took part in some amazing musical alliances such as CALIFORNIA BREED (with Jason Bonham and Andrew Watt),BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION (with Joe Bonamassa and Jason Bonham) and THE DEAD DAISIES.

Glenn has collaborated with Robbie Williams on his new single "Rocket", which was released on May 22, 2025. The track also features a collaboration from Iommi and will be the first time Glenn has been featured on a record with Tony since 2005, when they released "Fused" together.

Glenn also recently joined forces with SATCHVAI, a new collaboration by legendary guitar icons Joe Satriani and Steve Vai, by writing and singing on their new single "I Wanna Play My Guitar".

"Chosen" track listing:

01. Voice In My Head
02. My Alibi
03. Chosen
04. Heal
05. In The Golden
06. The Lost Parade
07. Hot Damn Thing
08. Black Cat Moan
09. Come And Go
10. Into The Fade

Recording lineup:

Glenn Hughes – Vocals
Søren Andersen - Guitar
Ash Sheehan - Drums
Bob Fridzema - Keys

In a recent interview with Sweden Rock Festival, Hughes stated about "Chosen": "Every artist you talk to, [they say] 'it's the greatest thing I've ever done.' It's another extension of who I am. It's another chapter of who Glenn is. And I'm happy to announce that I'm really happy with the album."

Asked how he keeps his singing voice in such great shape at the age of 73, Hughes said: "People ask me every day. It's a big thing. All those years ago, maybe I was thinking about the next note I was gonna sing, and about 10 years ago I started meditating deeply, working with someone far away. And I learned about acceptance, letting go of the feelings and embracing fear and naming the fear. 'Hello, Bill. You are the fear. And today I'm gonna embrace you, and Bill, we're gonna be okay.' So now when I perform, I don't think of Bill. I think about no notes. I perform in the moment, never thinking about anything but this present moment."

As for his pre-show rituals, Hughes said: "Well, I've been doing press all day today [at the Sweden Rock Festival, where Hughes performed on June 7 with BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION], which is quite unusual for me on show day. But I normally, at soundcheck, do a big soundcheck, but there's no soundcheck at festivals, as you know. So I'll just go do some meditation and do some vocal warmups. I need to do that. I think everybody that is a singer has to warm their voice up. So, for me, I step into a room and do my thing."

He added: "It's all mental. My mind is not my friend. So I tell my mind, 'No, no, no, no. I'm gonna be fine. Just leave me alone. I'm full of gratitude. Just let me be, let me be.' My voice tells me all kinds of things which aren't real. And we have them all the time. You do and I do. So, to me, I tell the mind, 'I don't hear you. Let me get up.' And every day of my life, I'm very grateful to have been given this gift to accept what is happening."

Photo credit: Leo Baron

BEHEMOTH mastermind Adam "Nergal" Darski has confirmed to Bloodstock TV's Oran O'Beirne that he is working on the fourth album from his dark folk/blues/Americana influenced solo project ME AND THAT MAN. He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "It's almost done… We are like deep into the recording process. We've got all the instrumentation recorded and vocals demoed so far. But it's a matter of months that we have the whole product wrapped. We still don't know who's gonna release it. We don't know what formats and how and where."

He continued: "There's the whole thing about ME AND THAT MAN that is like less tension, because it's less… I mean, BEHEMOTH is a big business, so to say, it's a big production, it's many people involved and… When I say business, I don't mean… You know what I mean — it's just a big production while ME AND THAT MAN is way more relaxed and a niche thing. This band helps me to go to places which I could never explore with BEHEMOTH. Yesterday, we played up there in the Swiss Alps, 2000 meters above the sea level, fucking goats running around and just people trekking and 500 people, a really low-key kind of festival, but probably absolutely unprecedented circumstances and great atmosphere. And we could have never done this with BEHEMOTH because it's just too big. So this band is a gateway for me to go to places and just to play smaller clubs, smaller venues that I miss playing, because there's a lot of pressure with BEHEMOTH and a lot of responsibility on me solely. And with this band, I can just step back a little bit. I mean, I still run the show, but I'm not the main vocalist. Actually, [there's] a very young Polish jazz musician that's singing for us now, and we demoed the new album with him and he's amazing — a beautiful and really deep vocal timbre and a beautiful baritone. So I'm very, very happy. So yeah, it's just a different animal."

Asked if there are any collaborations on the upcoming ME AND THAT MAN album, like there were on 2021's "New Man, New Songs, Same Shit, Vol. 2" and 2020's "New Man, New Songs, Same Shit, Vol. 1", Nergal said: "We have one guy singing. We did two volumes with a whole gang of my good friends and artists that I appreciate and I like and we're friends with, and they would just make those two albums very special. Trying to do a third volume, it'd be, like, 'Ah, man.' No. I just sense that it's just not right. The formula is done. Two records is enough. So with the fourth record, I had no idea what I would go for. And I had this thought that, okay, with BEHEMOTH, we could, but it'd be lame, to do a cover album, and there's nothing new about it, and plenty of bands have done that before, but with ME AND THAT MAN, I thought, 'Oh, shit. I would love to do a cover record with ME AND THAT MAN.' And then when we play songs, we can throw all these covers here and there, we can just shift around songs and it's gonna be pure fun. But then I met [the new ME AND THAT MAN singer], and it completely changed my optics, and I immediately started working on new music and he inspired me to do this ME AND THAT MAN's music."

ME AND THAT MAN, launched in 2017 with the release of "Songs Of Love And Death", serves as an outlet for Nergal to express emotions and themes outside the realm of black metal. Drawing inspiration from artists like Leonard Cohen, Tom Waits and Nick Cave, the sound is markedly different from his previous work.

Seeking collaboration to fully realize his vision, Nergal teamed up with British/Polish musician John Porter for their debut album. In 2020, they released "New Man, New Songs, Same Shit, Vol. 1", featuring guest appearances from Corey Taylor (SLIPKNOT),Brent Hinds (MASTODON),Matt Heafy (TRIVIUM),and Sivert Høyem (MADRUGADA). This was followed by "New Man, New Songs, Same Shit, Vol. 2" in 2021, featuring guest appearances by Gary Holt (SLAYER, EXODUS),Alissa White-Gluz (ARCH ENEMY),Randy Blythe (LAMB OF GOD),Myrkur, Devin Townsend, David Vincent (MORBID ANGEL),Doug Blair (W.A.S.P),Hank Von Hell (TURBONEGRO) and Olve "Abbath" Eikemo (IMMORTAL, ABBATH).

Decibel Books proudly presents "Born Human: The Life And Music Of Death's Chuck Schuldiner", the fully authorized biography of the legendary DEATH frontman, offering a balanced and unprecedented look into his life and career.

"Born Human", authored by accomplished journalist David E. Gehlke ("The Scott Burns Sessions: A Life In Death Metal 1987-1997", "Turned Inside Out: The Official Story Of Obituary"),features exclusive interviews, contributions, stunning new Ed Repka cover art and previously unreleased, hand-selected photographs from those who knew Chuck best. "Born Human" brings life to the dramatic story of the man who blazed an iconic path in metal music, laying the foundation for generations to come.

A visionary whose groundbreaking recorded output earned him the title of "Godfather Of Death Metal," Schuldiner is one of the most influential figures in heavy metal history. Chuck channeled a tragic childhood into music that was brutal, technical, melodic and progressive, making his band, DEATH, a leader within the metal underground throughout the 1980s and 1990s. His uncompromising approach was accompanied by an often-tumultuous relationship with bandmates, the music industry and the press at large, obstacles he went to great lengths to overcome. When he finally found peace, Chuck was stricken with terminal brain cancer in 1999. He succumbed to the disease in 2001 after a remarkable fight that defied the odds.

"We finally met someone and we came to know over time, David E. Gehlke, whom we could entrust with our closely guarded family secret; this being the inspiration to the painful journey of Chuck's music," says Chuck's sister Beth Welty.

"It is the culmination of different perspectives and experiences, not only from my family and myself, but from Chuck's friends, bandmates and countless people who were infused into his dynamic journey," offers Chuck's nephew Chris Steele. "Finally, there is an accurate and concise chronicle of the man, brother, uncle, son, partner and trailblazer that was Chuck Schuldiner."

At nearly 500 pages, (including a 32-page color image section) "Born Human" stands as the official document of Chuck's incomparable legacy.

For an exclusive preview of "Born Human", fans can read the first excerpt online, which takes readers back to 1986 as Chuck and new DEATH drummer Chris Reifert prepare for take two of the groundbreaking "Scream Bloody Gore" album.

Fans can pre-order their copy now or order a special DEATH-luxe edition that includes an exclusive T-shirt limited to 500 copies here. Both have an expected ship date in November. European fans can pre-order the book at this location.

Press image courtesy of Relapse

In a new interview with Waste Some Time With Jason Green, Fred Coury was asked if there could ever be a CINDERELLA reunion of all the surviving members of the band. (Guitarist Jeff LaBar died in July 2021 at his apartment in Nashville. He was 58 years old.) The CINDERELLA drummer said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "Well, we all still play our instruments. So, Tom [Keifer, CINDERELLA frontman] is out touring. Eric [Brittingham, CINDERELLA bassist] is doing a benefit — Rock For Hope, I believe it's called — he's doing that next week. I'm right now playing on Billy Morrison's record. So we're all pretty active in playing. We have our chops up. So if something had to happen, if it was, like, 'Oh my gosh. You guys can save the world. We need to have you play,' there's no reason we couldn't."

Coury went on to say that he is still in contact with Keifer and Brittingham. "I just talked to Eric this afternoon," he said. "And I speak to Tom quite often. Yeah, we're brothers. I mean, first of all, I owe everything to those guys."

He continued: "I walk every day in the morning and at night. That's how I unwind… That's the time that nobody's around. The streets are dark and I just get to walk. And the other day I listened to [CINDERELLA's third studio album, 1990's] 'Heartbreak Station' for the first time in 20 years. I hadn't listened to it from top to bottom. And I forgot some of the songs. I was, like, 'I don't even remember this song.' And it was so refreshing to go, 'Oh my gosh. I've completely forgotten about this.' And I loved it. It was so cool. And that's when I called Eric yesterday, and I spoke to him again today for something else, but I called him yesterday and I was, like, 'Dude, when was the last time you listened to one of our records top to bottom?' I was, like, 'It was amazing.' All the memories started flooding back. So yeah, it was pretty cool. I feel like I'm a very lucky person."

In a separate interview with the Another FN Podcast With Izzy Presley, Eric was also asked about the possibility of the surviving members of CINDERELLA playing together again. He responded: "Early on, right after Jeff passed, [the idea of doing a tribute concert] was kind of floating around. I think our old manager was trying to get something together. But it would never be the same without Jeff. And I see so many bands that it's like watering down a drink. And I really don't want to… I mean, I love KISS — I grew up with them and I don't wanna knock them — but it's not the same. 1975 KISS is not like KISS with Eric Singer. And I love those guys too, but it's not the same."

When interviewer Izzy Presley brought up the idea of CINDERELLA playing a one-off concert with Jeff's son Sebastian LaBar, who has played guitar for both SALIVA and TANTRIC, stepping in for the late CINDERELLA guitarist, Eric said: "Yeah. I would be open to it, and I'm sure Fred would too. Tom, he's been with his solo career for — what? — 13 or 14 years now, and he's really vested in that. And that's where his heart is. So I don't know if he would really wanna do it. But I would be open to it [and] Fred would be open to it, but I don't know if it would ever happen. Sebastian's a great player, he's a great guy. That would make sense, but I don't know if that would ever happen. I wouldn't wanna go out and do a tour or anything like that. If it's a one-off thing for a good reason, I would be open to it. Otherwise, remember the band how the band was."

For his part, Keifer confirmed to Meltdown of Detroit's WRIF radio station that he is "still in touch" with his longtime CINDERELLA bandmates. He said: "Fred is really talented…He's just really, really found a niche that he loves. He's got a beautiful studio out there, and he's done a lot of really great work. He and I are in touch a lot… He does TV music. He does stuff with sports. I mean, he's a busy guy. Eric, the last I'd heard, he had a couple of different projects that he was involved in musically, and he played with Bret Michaels for a while. I don't think he's playing with Bret anymore. I'm not sure. He's played with a couple of different artists and done some session work here in town."

Back in June 2022, Coury was asked by the "Talk Toomey" video podcast if there could ever be a CINDERELLA reunion without Jeff LaBar. "We always said that it's the four of us," the drummer said. "That's why you don't see Tom out there touring as CINDERELLA. Because it's really his band — he can say what he wants. He can say [his current solo band] isCINDERELLA, but it's not — it doesn't feel like it, it doesn't sound like it, it doesn't look like it. And we always said it's the four of us.

"So, could there be something without Jeff? I don't know," Fred continued. "I think it'd be weird. We always say 'never say never.' But why? Why go do it? For who? The fans would like to see it, but then they're all gonna miss Jeff. We're gonna always look over at that side of the stage and we're gonna miss Jeff. Our keyboard player Gary [Corbett] died on the same fricking day. So stage right — gone. You look over and it's just so… so wacky.

"So, I don't see it," Coury added. "If something miraculous happens and Slash [GUNS N' ROSES] was, like, 'I really like you guys and I wanna do something with you guys and it would be cool to do and let's do a tribute [to Jeff]' type of thing, sure. But I don't think anybody has the time as well."

Asked about the possibility of CINDERELLA carrying on with Jeff's son Sebastian LaBar, Fred said: "People bring that up all the time. He plays like him and he looks like him and we've all watched him grow up. He's like all of our illegitimate stepchild. And we love the guy; he's really salt of the earth, as they say."

In early 2022, Keifer publicly discussed LaBar's passing for the first time during an appearance on SiriusXM's "Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk". At the time, he said: "I've gotta tell you, you're never really ready for that kind of loss; you're not prepared to hear that kind of thing. And everyone is still trying to grieve and process it. It's an emotional topic. Jeff was just such a passionate, amazing person, musician, human. He had a huge heart. And it was a tough one, man. It still is, for everybody."

Tom continued: "Jeff and I had a really good relationship throughout out career. Obviously, in bands there's times when you have differences; that's part of being in a band. It's true what people say about bands — that they're like a family, but, honestly, it's like that and even more intense, because there's so many different facets that inform the dynamics between bands; everything from business to creativity and everything in between. But despite any differences that we've had over the years, and the band in general, as I've always said, we've never aired anything like that.

"Jeff and I had a great relationship," Keifer repeated. "I loved Jeff — I really did — and have so many great memories of our journey together. He was amazing, and not just what he contributed to the music. Jeff had such a great sense of humor, and some of my favorite memories with Jeff are just kind of cutting up together on the bus. We were both big movie fans and could quote pretty much all our favorite movies. And we'd sit in the front lounge and quote 'Arthur' and 'The Big Lebowski' and 'Caddyshack'. He was just a really passionate, really fun guy to be around, and obviously, an amazing performer. He was a huge part of CINDERELLA.

"Like I said, you're never ready for that. And everyone is really honestly… I'm in touch with Eric and Fred regularly — everybody close to him — and we're still trying to process it. We really are."

When host Eddie Trunk noted that CINDERELLA fans were very supportive immediately after LaBar's passing, Tom said: "That's all I saw online — was really, really positive, because he projected that. He was a good soul and a good friend to me. Obviously, when you're in a band, you try to hold each other up. And anything that Jeff was going through in his life I would try to have his back on, and he did the same for me. Especially when I had my voice challenges," referencing his early '90s battle with vocal cord paresis, a neurological condition on the left side of his voice box that almost put an end to Keifer's career, "he was really supportive. There was a point where I was just at an all-time low before I met [vocal coach] Ron Anderson. And I was so self-conscious about my voice that I didn't want anyone in the rehearsal room when I was trying to work through it. And I asked Jeff if he would just come in and play guitar and let me sing, 'cause there was so much brain power [required] just trying to work through the vocal issues that I couldn't even play the guitar and sing at the same time. And he came every day. It was just me and him, and he just played the guitar and I sang the songs. And he heard a lot of really bad things come out of my mouth [laughs], and he would just always look at me and say, 'You're doing great.' And I always tried to return and have his back on… He had his challenges too."

With his voice cracking with emotion, Keifer continued: "We had a good relationship. We really did. I loved him, and I know in my heart he loved me. And in the end, that's what's most important. And I have great memories of him and they're forever in my heart. And I cherish them."

Although CINDERELLA hasn't released a new studio album since 1994's "Still Climbing", the band started playing sporadic shows again in 2010 but has been largely inactive for the past decade while Keifer focused on his solo career.

Back in 2016, LaBar accepted blame for CINDERELLA's prolonged period of inactivity, explaining that his "drinking problem" caused a rift between him and his bandmates. He told "Another FN Podcast With Izzy Presley": "I can only speculate, but I believe it's all my fault. It's no secret that I've had a drinking problem. And it showed its ugly face on one of those [cruises that CINDERELLA played]. I guess that's what caused a rift… When I fell out on one of those cruise ships in front of everybody — like, basically O.D.'d — that's when the band, and mostly Tom, took notice and was, like, 'What the fuck?'"

Asked if he was sober at the time of the interview, LaBar said: "No, I'm not. Which is the problem. Which is probably the problem. Like I said, I can only speculate, because I don't talk to the other guys anymore. I talk to Fred every now and then. Eric [Brittingham, bass] lives 20 minutes from me. We haven't talked lately, but Eric and I have been the most consistent of all my bandmates throughout the past 32 years. It's just Tom and I that don't talk anymore. And I can only speculate that he's very disappointed and doesn't wanna see me die. He doesn't wanna witness me dying."

LaBar went on to say that the touring lifestyle "fed [his] appetite for partying… all the way back to the '80s." He explained: "I have a history. It's not just these past issues. I have a history of drinking and cocaine… In the '80s, it was cocaine abuse. In the '90s, it was heroin. I went through every cliché phase that a rock star could go through. It just wasn't highly publicized. I was arrested, I went through rehab, I did all the things MÖTLEY CRÜE did. I just didn't publicize it. I was MÖTLEY CRÜE and GUNS N' ROSES all wrapped into one. As a band, we tried to hide our dirty laundry, and most of our dirty laundry was me. We didn't try to hide it; we just didn't publicize it. We just didn't tell people. 'Oh, yeah, Jeff's in rehab. Jeff's in jail. Jeff's in… whatever.' We just didn't publicize it. We actually kept it to ourselves. It was our family. It was our family business, and that's how we treated it."

Despite the fact that he hadn't spoken to Keifer for a couple of years prior to the "Another FN Podcast With Izzy Presley" interview, LaBar said that he didn't hold a grudge against his longtime friend and bandmate. "I understand why he doesn't return my calls, and I don't blame him," he said. "I understand. And hey, you know, he's been the major talent of CINDERELLA all this time, and he deserves to be solo. Not deserves to be solo, but, you know, it was inevitable for him to go solo. He's just one of those guys — lead singer, main songwriter. It's inevitable that he should go solo and basically dump [laughs], dump the dead weight."

BAD OMENS are back with their highly anticipated new single, "Specter", out now via Sumerian Records. After teasing their next chapter with cryptic "goodbye, friend" messaging for the past few months, the band now takes the stage with a track that promises to take their sound to new heights.

Beginning with delicate, atmospheric production, "Specter" builds into a passionate, hard-hitting chorus, complete with ominous, otherworldly electronic flourishes that provide dynamic layers to the song. This carefully crafted soundscape pairs perfectly with its cinematic music video counterpart, a visual staple for the band that adds an extra layer of storytelling to their already powerful track. Directed by Noah Sebastian and Nico, the video injects viewers into a dark fantasy world that explores themes of loss, betrayal, and the supernatural. The visual was teased with cinematic clips featuring actor Ryan Hurst (known for "Sons Of Anarchy" and "Remember The Titans"),adding an extra layer of intrigue ahead of the release.

"Specter" marks BAD OMENS' first new release since their RIAA gold-certified "The Death Of Peace Of Mind" — the album that propelled BAD OMENS into the upper echelons of rock. With over 2.7 billion streams globally, a platinum-certified No. 1 Alternative Radio single ("Just Pretend"),and two gold singles ("Like A Villain" and "Death Of Peace Of Mind"),BAD OMENS have proven themselves to be an unstoppable force. In 2024, the band released "Concrete Jungle [The Ost]", an experimental expansion of their acclaimed album, further cementing their reputation for pushing musical boundaries.

The band's 2025 festival run is only adding fuel to their momentum, with notable performances at Summerfest, Welcome To Rockville, Rock Fest and upcoming headlining slots at Louder Than Life and Aftershock. As highlighted by Live Nation, heavy rock is taking over the live music scene, experiencing a 14% rise and owning 13% of arena and stadium shows — and BAD OMENS is one of the key players leading this charge.

BAD OMENS are coming off a wildly successful three years with the explosive success of their breakthrough third studio album "The Death Of Peace Of Mind" (2022). Hailed as "a stunning fusion of dark, Weeknd-esque pop and industrialized metalcore" (Revolver),the project has garnered over 1.8 billion streams, with the catalog surging over 2.7 billion streams. The album is RIAA-certified gold.

The hardworking band's ascension was driven in part by the albums hit-single "Just Pretend" experiencing a viral TikTok moment that yielded a growing, dedicated fandom who catapulted them into the spotlight. Becoming the band's first RIAA-certified platinum single, "Just Pretend" reached No. 1 at U.S. Alternative Radio and smashed multiple Billboard Year-End charts coming in at No. 1 on Hot Hard Rock Songs, No. 6 on Alternative Airplay Songs, No. 11 on Rock and Alternative Airplay Songs, No. 11 on Mainstream Rock Airplay Songs, No. 14 Hot Rock & Alternative Songs, and No. 23 on Hot Alternative Songs. The genre defiers continued their climb with the album's seductive RIAA-certified title track, "The Death Of Peace Of Mind", reaching the Top 10 on U.S. Rock and Alternative Airplay Billboard charts. Their radio success also earned BAD OMENS a nomination for "Best New Artist (Alt & Rock)" at the 2024 iHeartRadio Music Awards.

Gaining momentum online and over the airwaves, BAD OMENS persistently surged ahead, captivating their rapidly expanding fanbase with electrifying live shows at numerous sold-out tours and festival performances worldwide. The band spent 2024 extensively touring, including U.K. dates with BRING ME THE HORIZON and the "Concrete Forever" European headline run with opener Poppy, with numerous U.S. performances and a lineup of festivals into the 2025 season.

Photo credit: Bryan Kirks

In a new interview with The Logan Show, former MEGADETH bassist David Ellefson spoke about legendary BLACK SABBATH singer Ozzy Osbourne who died late last month at the age of 76. He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET):  "He certainly defied the odds, from the lifestyle that he had led earlier in his career. I think a lot of that had changed in recent years."

Reflecting on the publicity surrounding the "Back To The Beginning" event, which marked Ozzy and BLACK SABBATH's final performance, Ellefson said: "Leading into the gig, obviously, was huge. The week of the show [was] amazing. The week after was amazing. And the news feeds were still full of content, everybody just feeling the love, the emotion of the event. And then [Ozzy] passes, [which] was just a whole other week of mourning. And then a couple days ago was the memorial and then, I guess yesterday, the funeral. So it's been a month of just feelings all over.

"I think there's a few things that we can all agree on," Ellefson continued. "It's so much better to celebrate someone's life… 'Cause look, Ozzy knew he was dying. We all knew the day was coming here. I think we all thought it was going to be some time off in the distance — not so soon. That was, of course, shocking. But to celebrate with him rather than just this heavy mourning after the fact. The fact that we got to celebrate with him — all of us, not just those of us who are at the show, but everybody around the world — it just showed the significance of what he meant to all of us. And then to be able to sort of turn the celebration into mourning, it was different than this shocking news that someone passes, which is usually what happens. Suddenly someone passes, and you're, like, 'Oh my gosh. I had no idea. We didn't know.' So I think the way that the Osbourne family, the way [Ozzy's wife and manager] Sharon, everybody did it was very cool of them to sort of give us this advance warning, that we could sort of all wrap our arms around Ozzy, the family, our community. And I think the thing that I saw was this wasn't just rockers and metalheads. I mean, country, pop… I saw a letter from Kermit The Frog. I mean, come on. This thing crossed so many genres of life. Not even music, Sports people, everybody was weighing in on this. I saw something — even Texas, San Antonio, where he peed on the Alamo. Now they're proud. 'Ozzy peed here.' They were obviously not promoting that, but they were proud that he's part of the legacy of their state.

"I feel like there hasn't been a significant event like this, of this level probably since the funeral and the passing of Queen Elizabeth," David added. "That was probably the last worldwide monumental event of this magnitude — ironically from England. And I feel like there's a new royal family: it's the Osbournes. It's kind of like Sharon's now the Queen of England. They needed a new one, and she's the one. And it just goes to show the magnitude of this thing.

"Our world has been so divisive, especially since January. It has just been nothing but turmoil, divisiveness, pitting everybody against each other. And this last month, the irony that Ozzy Osbourne would be the one to bring us all together, and through his music, through his life, that they brought us all together rather than everything that's been dividing us," Ellefson concluded. "So, there's just so many layers that you can unpack from all of this and just kind of the divine timing of it all that it's incredible. It just moves you to emotions. You get goosebumps just thinking about it."

On July 23, Ellefson spoke to Fox 10 Phoenix 's Ron Hoon and Syleste Rodriguez about where he was when he found out about Ozzy's death a day earlier. David said: "Well, it's funny, I think that is a question that's gonna be with all of us: where were you when you heard the news [about Ozzy dying]? So I was literally in the [Battery] studio [in London]. I was right downstairs. We were just taking a break 'cause we were working here yesterday as well. We're doing some video and some promotional work here. I was downstairs on the couch. Our guitar player, Walter, comes down the stairs and he says, 'Did you hear that Ozzy might have died?' And he sends over the clip from Sky News. And I immediately hit [GUNS N' ROSES guitarist] Slash, 'cause he and I are friends. We had just played together at the 'Back To The Beginning' event up in Birmingham, the final farewell show. I said, 'Is this for real?' He goes, 'I don't know. It looks pretty big.' And sure enough, as it started to come out, Eric Singer from KISS had called our singer Jeff [Scott Soto] and [said] it's confirmed, yes, it's true. And it just very quickly became this just shocking news."

David went on to reflect on the last time he saw Ozzy on July 5 when both he and Osbourne performed at the "Back To The Beginning" event in Birmingham, United Kingdom. He said: "Obviously, we were all wondering, 'Is this gonna work?' And of course it did. [Ozzy] performed, both with the Ozzy Osbourne band and with BLACK SABBATH. And after the show, there was a VIP area that [Ozzy's wife and manager] Sharon gave me and a few of us some tickets to go to, some passes. So we hung out there. And ironically, they bring Ozzy in. I see him, he waves me over. We have a minute to just talk, and he's glowing. There's this after-show glow you get right after performing, especially at a stadium gig like that. And he looked fantastic. He was sitting down, he was in his chair, but he looked like he was just the king of the ball, as he was. The funny thing was his daughter Kelly Osbourne was there, and right in front of me, front row of this event, her boyfriend proposes to her, which she's put this on her social media. He gets down on his knee and gives her a ring and proposes marriage. And there's Sharon and Ozzy, and I was, like, 'Oh my God. It's like being in the Osbournes' living room right now, watching this whole thing happen.' It was just such a beautiful moment."

Ellefson added: "The whole show was just fantastic. Anyone who sees obviously everything on social media or if you happened to see the livestream, it was heavy metal Live Aid. It had that special feeling about it, and it sounded so well with us."

Addressing Ozzy's legacy and the fact that Osbourne was considered one of the inventors of heavy metal with his band BLACK SABBATH, David said: "Look, Ozzy was our Elvis [Presley]. And I remember, I was 13 years old. My mom was a big Elvis fan. I grew up on a farm in Minnesota, and I remember the day Elvis died, time stood still. The world stopped. And that's what it felt like [on Tuesday, when Ozzy died] and even feels like today [one day after the fact]. It's just like time has stood still.

"I think the beauty of it is the way the ['Back To The Beginning'] event happened — obviously, we all knew the end was coming for Ozzy; the end was near, with his health condition. So rather than throwing a concert afterwards to remember him, it's like we did the show in advance so we could all say goodbye to him," David added. "He could say goodbye to all of us and all of his fans. And it's kind of like we got to have the memorial and the wake and the celebration of life before he actually passed. And I think that was just such a remarkable thing, because now that he's gone, we have great memories of him and having just seen him and performed for us, rather than going, 'Gosh, I, I sure wish I could have seen him one last time.' So I think that there, there is a little bit of kind of divine beauty in how it all has played out, actually."

At "Back To The Beginning", Ellefson took part in the first of two hastily assembled supergroups which performed at the event. David played "The Ultimate Sin" (with Lzzy Hale, Nuno Bettencourt, Jake E. Lee, Mike Bordin and Adam Wakeman),"Shot In The Dark" (with David Draiman, Jake E. Lee, Mike Bordin and Adam Wakeman) and "Sweet Leaf" (with David Draiman, Nuno Bettencourt, Scott Ian, Mike Bordin and Adam Wakeman).

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 Sharon 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 and manager Sharon, along with their children Aimée, Kelly and Jack, joined mourners for the emotional tribute.

According to The New York Times, Ozzy died of a heart attack. A death certificate filed at a registry in London and submitted by Osbourne's daughter Aimée Rose Osbourne also indicates that the legendary BLACK SABBATH singer had suffered from coronary artery disease and Parkinson's disease. The certificate, which lists his occupation as "Songwriter, Performer and Rock Legend", further states that Osbourne died of "(a) Out of hospital cardiac arrest (b) Acute myocardial infarction (c) Coronary artery disease and Parkinson's disease with autonomic dysfunction (Joint Causes)," according to The New York Times. The document also says that the heart attack occurred "out of hospital."

Ozzy died the morning of July 22, his family announced in a statement.

"It is with more sadness than mere words can convey that we have to report that our beloved Ozzy Osbourne has passed away this morning. He was with his family and surrounded by love. We ask everyone to respect our family privacy at this time," the family said.

Osbourne had battled a number of health issues over the past several years, including Parkinson's disease and injuries he sustained from a late-night fall in 2019.

Ozzy's final concert saw him and his fellow original SABBATH bandmates Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward perform four songs for more than 40,000 people in the stadium and 5.8 million more on a livestream. The festival served as a tribute to the legendary heavy metal act, including additional performances from such other groups as METALLICA, GUNS N' ROSES, SLAYER, TOOL, PANTERA and ALICE IN CHAINS. Ozzy also played a five-song solo set while seated in a bat-adorned throne.

Osbourne leaves behind his wife, Sharon, and their children, Aimée, Kelly and Jack, as well his two older children, Jessica and Louis, from his first marriage to Thelma Riley, and grandchildren.

Photo credit: Maciej Pieloch (courtesy of Napalm Records)

TRIVIUM was joined by MACHINE HEAD's Robb Flynn for a performance of the BLACK SABBATH classic "Symptom Of The Universe" in honor of SABBATH singer Ozzy Osbourne during the Florida metallers' headlining performance Friday night (August 8) at the Bloodstock Open Air festival at Catton Park, Walton-on-Trent, United Kingdom. Fan-filmed video of his appearance can be seen below.

Prior to launching into the track, TRIVIUM frontman Matt Heafy told the crowd: " So we recently lost a hero of metal. I shouldn't even say a hero of metal. A man without whom's influence none of this shit would exist. I wouldn't be here, we wouldn't be here — none of these fucking bands would be here. Metal would not sound the fucking same, rock wouldn't sound the same, fucking metalcore, deathcore, none of that shit would fucking exist without this man. And you know exactly what I'm talking about.

"So we wanna pay a special tribute to the man that made this all happen," he continued. "But we can think of no fucking better way to have another one of our heroes on stage with us right the fuck now to sing this with us. Ladies and gentlemen, another person without whose influence we wouldn't be fucking standing here right now. Make some noise for Robb Flynn from MACHINE HEAD."

On July 22, the day Ozzy died, TRIVIUM took to Instagram to write: "Today, we learned of the passing of Ozzy Osbourne the same way many of you did — the band group chat. 'Is it true?' 'Is he gone?' The news hit us hard, especially coming so soon after the 'Back To The Beginning' event.

"Like so many conversations in the world of heavy metal, Ozzy's passing sparked instant reflection. We found ourselves talking about our favorite records — what's the best Ozzy album? What's the best BLACK SABBATH record? The debates, the memories, the influence — they all came rushing back.

"For so many of us, hearing the kick drum of 'Iron Man' and Ozzy's unmistakable, haunting voice was the moment it all began. It was the hook — the spark that made us want to pick up guitars, basses, drumsticks, microphones. It made us want to be a part of this music, this energy, this global family that is heavy metal.

"Because it really is a family. Whether we've met or not, there’s this unspoken bond between all of us who play and love this music — like distant relatives connected by a common bloodline. That bloodline is Ozzy Osbourne and BLACK SABBATH.

"We were incredibly lucky to be asked to join the 2005 Ozzfest. That moment defined us — it made TRIVIUM. It put us in front of thousands of people across America and launched our band in a way we could never have imagined. We are forever grateful to Ozzy for that opportunity. To be billed under the mighty BLACK SABBATH banner gave us legitimacy and taught us what it means to truly play heavy metal.

"Rest in peace, Ozzy. Thank you for everything."

Flynn also paid tribute to Ozzy at the time, writing on Instagram: "Absolutely gutted to hear about the passing of Ozzy. Both BLACK SABBATH and Ozzy Osbourne band are more of an influence on my singing, lyrics, songwriting, guitar playing than words can even speak.

"I love you Ozzy. Rest in power to the greatest to ever do it".

Ozzy died the morning of July 22, his family announced in a statement.

"It is with more sadness than mere words can convey that we have to report that our beloved Ozzy Osbourne has passed away this morning. He was with his family and surrounded by love. We ask everyone to respect our family privacy at this time," the family said.

Osbourne had battled a number of health issues over the past several years, including Parkinson's disease and injuries he sustained from a late-night fall in 2019.

Ozzy played his final show a month ago at Villa Park in Birmingham, United Kingdom. The concert saw him and his fellow original SABBATH bandmates Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward perform four songs for more than 40,000 people in the stadium and 5.8 million more on a livestream. The festival titled "Back To The Beginning" served as a tribute to the legendary heavy metal act, including additional performances from such other groups as METALLICA, GUNS N' ROSES, SLAYER, TOOL, PANTERA and ALICE IN CHAINS. Ozzy also played a five-song solo set while seated in a bat-adorned throne.

Osbourne leaves behind his wife, Sharon, and their children, Aimée, Kelly and Jack, as well his two older children, Jessica and Louis, from his first marriage to Thelma Riley, and grandchildren.