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4 àâã 2025
MAYHEM: 'We Are Currently In The Studio To Record A New Album'
 In a new interview with Poland's Noise Magazine, bassist Jørn "Necrobutcher" Stubberud of Norwegian black metallers MAYHEM confirmed that he and his bandmates are working on the follow-up to their sixth studio album, "Daemon", which came out in October 2019 via Century Media. A live album, "Daemonic Rites", arrived in September 2023. He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "We are currently in the studio now to record a new album, which has been in the works for several years, obviously, 'cause the last album was in 2019, so it's already six years. But that's good."
Regarding why it has taken so long for MAYHEM to make a new album, Stubberud said: "It's more honest, I think, and it's better for everyone that there is some space between the albums, because if you release albums too close to each other, it tends to be maybe just a repetition of your last album or very close to it, 'cause there's no time to get new inspiration in between. So the longer the time it takes for the songwriters to distance themselves from the last project and to get new inspiration, the longer time it takes, the better it is. And then the longer time you have to evolve the songs in your head as a composer…"
He explained: "As a composer, I compare it to a painter. You paint and paint and paint, and in the end it's hard to know when to quit. When is the painting really finished? Same with the songs. You can get lost. You have a song and you write it, and then it sounds good, but then you think, maybe that riff should go a little bit longer and maybe that riff shouldn't repeat itself and maybe that other riff should repeat itself. And then, in the end, you don't know when to stop. And then so it takes time for this thought process to to be thought through. That's why always, even after the songs are recorded in the studio, you start to play them live and then they alter a little bit, but musicians, we call them the 'live versions.' But really, really the live versions is really how the song ended up to be, 'cause they were not completely matured when recorded, in a sense. That's why they altered when we rehearsed them for live later, 'cause the alteration would be what we have come up with. And that's why I love to release live albums too, because I feel like that's how the songs should actually be. And also then you have the roughness from the live and not the studio where you can [perfect] everything and put on extra guitars or keyboards or whatever. So that's the more honest expression. And sometimes I like the live versions much better."
Last November, Stubberud told the "Everblack" podcast that there would be new MAYHEM music coming in late 2025 or early 2026. He said at the time: Teloch [MAYHEM guitarist Morten Bergeton Iversen] and Charles [Edward Alexander Hedger, MAYHEM guitarist] have presented some demos — both of them presented over 10 songs or 10 skeletons — so [they have] presented almost 20 songs. And I listened to everything, and some of it is really fucking good… By 2025 we should have been able to enter the studio. And then, hopefully, it would be cool to have it out in 2025. That would be a goal, but we'll see. But definitely 2026. And then, of course, we'll be heading out [on] a new world tour to promote it, I guess."
Last fall, MAYHEM canceled its previously announced North American 40th-anniversary tour "due to a member of the band having a medical emergency that requires immediate surgery."
The North American dates were scheduled to kick off on November 12 in Montreal, with stops in Toronto; Queens, New York; Chicago; and Los Angeles before and wrapping up November 23 in Denver.
MAYHEM launched a short European tour on December 4, 2024 in Paris, France. An Australian tour followed in January.
When MAYHEM's North American tour was first announced in August, the band said that its 40th-anniversary show would be "a once-in-a-lifetime experience for fans, featuring a setlist that spans their illustrious career, from their groundbreaking debut album, 'Deathcrush', to present day."
Formed in 1984 in Norway, MAYHEM has been at the forefront of the black metal scene, known for their controversial history, groundbreaking music, and unparalleled live performances. Over the years, they have cemented their status as one of the most influential bands in extreme metal, continually pushing the boundaries of the genre.
MAYHEM has nearly 1,000 shows to its name. Since their formation in Langhus, Norway in 1984, the band — now comprised of Necrobutcher (bass),Hellhammer (drums),Attila Csihar (vocals),Teloch (guitars) and Ghul (guitars) — has brought its brand of bellicose, preternatural black metal to over 60 countries. From the United States and Germany to Australia and Brazil, MAYHEM has stunned, bewildered, and turned rabid a global legion. Much of that respect and devotion started in the early 1990s but persisted to the present day on the strength of official live albums "Live In Leipzig" (1993),"Mediolanum Capta Est" (1999),"Live In Marseille 2000" (2001) and "De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas Alive" (2016).
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4 àâã 2025
PAPA ROACH's JACOBY SHADDIX On OZZY OSBOURNE: 'What An Icon And What A Massive Impact He Had On Music'
 In a new interview with Lyndsey Marie of the 93Xradio station, PAPA ROACH frontman Jacoby Shaddix paid tribute to Ozzy Osbourne who died late last month at the age of 76. Jacoby said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "When the icons of our generation start passing — rest in peace, Ozzy — it really kind of puts things in perspective. I was thinking, I was, like, man, we did Ozzfest back in 2001 or 2002, so that would've made Ozzy like 52 years old, 53 years old when he did that tour and we were touring together. And then I'm, like, 'Oh, snap. I'm almost that age. Is this the beginning of the sunset of my career?' I was kind of getting in my head about it this morning, as I got the news. What an icon and what a massive impact he had on music."
Shaddix continued: "I'll just say this: I love the band. I love what Ozzy has done and he's a true pioneer, but the thing that always impressed me the most about him was the family man that he was. I admire that so much about him and the love that he had for his family. And that's what I aspire to. To be able to balance these two worlds and honor and respect both of them, it's such a great challenge, but such a worthy challenge."
Asked what makes a legend, in his opinion, Jacoby said: "I think an artist that comes through and blazes a trail in their own right and then continues to grow and evolve and continues to make an impact later on in their career and not just about what they did in the very beginning. And Ozzy is definitely one of those guys. And the way that he trailblazed for metal and rock music and then passed the torch to the younger generations of metal and rock with Ozzfest and that whole legacy. And just being kick-ass till the day you die — that's what makes a legend."
In a separate interview with SNSMix, Jacoby stated about the legendary BLACK SABBATH singer: " Ozzy's one of those guys that I just regard as one of the greats. He's been to hell and back and proved that you can pull your life back together and have success. And he's had so many highs in his career and so influential. Great writer, great singer, great performer, and one of those guys that I've admired and respected my whole life.
"We were doing Ozzfest back in the day, and we were playing — it was, like, Kansas somewhere — and it was just pouring down rain, like just insane, sideways," Shaddix recalled. "And so the band, we're just getting pelted and we're drenched as we're performing. And I look to my left and there's Ozzy standing over by the monitor engineer, and he's just completely drenched wet. And he is just over there smiling, watching our set just, like, 'These guys rock.' It was such a cool moment, to be honored by his presence as we were ripping the show."
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.
No cause of death was given, but 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.
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4 àâã 2025
Watch: OPETH Covers BLACK SABBATH's 'Solitude' In Honor Of OZZY OSBOURNE
 Swedish progressive metallers OPETH paid tribute to Ozzy Osbourne by including a cover of BLACK SABBATH's "Solitude" during their August 1 set at the Beyond The Gates festival in Bergen, Norway. Fan-filmed video of the performance can be seen below.
"Solitude" was first released on BLACK SABBATH's 1971 album "Master Of Reality" and later as the B-side to the single "Children Of The Grave".
Two days after Ozzy died, OPETH guitarist/vocalist Mikael Åkerfeldt took to the band's social media to write: "So that dreadful day finally came. John Michael Osbourne has left us, and it's so incredibly hard to accept it. Even if I have braced myself for this inevitable fact since the 80's it just feels completely unreal. He was like an ancient oak tree to me. A listed tree that people would visit and marvel at.
"Ozzy came into my life in the late 70's/early 80's (I can't remember exactly, I admit) when I heard 'Iron Man' on a cassette player in Sörskogen/Huddinge/Stockholm. I was just a child, and 'that' voice in the beginning scared the living daylights out of me. BLACK SABBATH was my introduction to heavy rock/metal and has remained a lifelong companion since. I've read some posts from other musicians and can only concur. If it wasn't for Ozzy and BLACK SABBATH my interest in music (as a whole) wouldn't have taken off as it did. I became obsessed with them, and I suppose I still am.
"I've never talked to Ozzy myself. The closest engagement I had with him was when he shuffled past me at an award show and kinda bumped into me. I remember thinking 'this might become my only Ozzy story'. He felt that illuminated and untouchable just walking past. I kept looking for him around the room but I never got the chance to speak to him again. We have played with BLACK SABBATH and Ozzy on a few occasions but I've been too shy and starstruck to search him up. Besides his entourage and private quarters made sure that no-one would be able to come close.
"There's so much to be said about his musical wealth which he showered on the world of music, but I'd only repeat what countless others have already said. All I know is that the world is a lesser place without him around. The beacon that was Ozzy Osbourne has gone dark and silent. Luckily, his music remains for our eternal enjoyment, and for that I am so grateful.
"Now, all that remains is to actually understand and accept that this is real. It happened! It'll be an emotional marathon of sorts in order to get there, but what else can we do than try?
"Our warmest condolences to his family, friends and colleagues."
Mikael previously discussed his introduction to SABBATH in a 2019 interview with Rolling Stone magazine. He said at the time: " I grew up in a small [town in Sweden]. Where I grew up is a place called Sörskogen. It's just a suburb to Stockholm, and I was at another family's house during the days. And they had a playroom with toys and LEGO and a small cassette player with a couple of cassettes. And most of them were children's stories cassettes, but there was also a SABBATH greatest-hits cassette. I remember 'Iron Man', that song, when Ozzy… And now I [recognize] it's Ozzy speaking in the beginning, but then it was like a monster, with that effect: 'I am Iron Man'. And then I was, like, 'Wow, that's amazing.' I think that was probably the time when I became a metal fan, I would say, with that cassette, you know, prior to that I was into David Bowie and ABBA [and] Ricky Wilde, Kim Wilde's brother. [Laughs] That SABBATH tape, it would've been maybe '79, but I fell in love with it because it was scary. It was like horror films. I got scared. The whole imagery that they had, those bands, was also very appealing to me. So I fell in love with that whole scene."
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.
No cause of death was given, but 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. | +3 | |
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4 àâã 2025
Former METALLICA Producer BOB ROCK Defends 'Load' And 'Reload': 'I Was Glad We Weren't Copying The Black Album'
 In episode 105 of "The Metallica Report", the podcast offering weekly insider updates on all things METALLICA, producer Bob Rock spoke about his work on the band's pair of mid-Nineties albums, 1996's "Load" and 1997's "Reload", which have always been controversial, both among fans and the METALLICA members themselves.
Released in 1996, "Load" marked a new direction for METALLICA, featuring what one critic has described as "a fresh take on LYNYRD SKYNYRD-tinged boogie rock for the 1990s."
Although "Load" and 1997's "Reload" were warmly received by critics at the time, they've since taken their place among the most reviled work of METALLICA's career.
Reflecting on the writing and recording sessions for the two LPs, Bob said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "Well, the big change in 'Load' and 'Reload' was that because of the influences of other bands — I don't know whose idea it was; maybe it was [METALLICA drummer] Lars [Ulrich], because he is kind of this guy that thinks big and looks at music kind of maybe like I do. All of a sudden he said, 'Well, I like these bands like AEROSMITH, THE [ROLLING] STONES, GUNS N' ROSES.' There's two guitar players. Before 'Load', James [Hetfield, METALLICA guitarist/vocalist] did all the rhythms. So the idea is Kirk [Hammett, METALLICA guitarist] was gonna play rhythms along with James, and that changed everything. And some people don't like it."
Elaborating on how his production approach differed from that of Flemming Rasmussen, who helmed "Ride The Lightning" (1984),"Master Of Puppets" (1986) and "…And Justice For All" (1988) albums, Rock said: "Going back to the Black album [METALLICA's 1991 self-titled effort], when I first met them, they told me how they record. So, basically, what they knew is how he [Flemming] put together a record. I'm not gonna get into why and how, but I don't do that. And I told them, 'I don't do that. I record everything live.' And they said, 'Why would you do that?' And I explained to 'em. I said, well, the way they did it, it's very mechanical. In other words, you can't go back and fix a kick drum — you just can't do it. You can't change it. And you can't really realize what the whole song is until you finish it. But what you do when you record live, you get a good example of pretty much everything, like all the parts. So you can figure out like… Jason [Newsted, then-METALLICA bassist] wasn't playing bass like a bass player. He was just doubling the guitar. So I taught him, like, 'Dude, be a bass player.' So there's points where he's not playing the guitar riff; he's playing with the drums. And that would've never happened if you just do it to a click and do all the guitars. So that opened the door, and it's my fault that I opened that door to them, because what they realized, through the recording of the Black album, they realized that there was something different about that, and in 'Load' they embraced it. And then they had different influences because they'd been on the road for — what? — three years or whatever. We started with the same shapes, so to speak, the riffs that they had collected. But then — the story's been told — I think we cut 26 tracks. I think we were a year into it and Hetfield had, like, three vocals. And I'm going, like, 'This is gonna take fucking five years to do all these.' So we made the decision to split the album. And then the other decision was we had to get out of town because they all just started having kids in a series. They married and stuff, and nothing was getting done. So I said, 'We've gotta get out of here.' So we picked New York. In New York, it kind of changed. They started looking at other things, and they started experimenting, like Hetfield's LYNYRD SKYNYRD kind of things. So they went into different things, and to me, that is what a band does."
Rock added: "I don't follow the rules of metal, which is probably wrong, and I'm sorry. Because, really, my relationship with METALLICA is that I'm a song person, and so it matter however you style it. I mean, I still fucking listen to 'Led Zeppelin I', and I'm going, 'There's nothing better than this.' And that's not true, but it's just the songs and how they play it. And so when they switched, I wasn't opposed to it. I wasn't the guy that said, 'No, we've gotta copy the Black album.' I was glad we weren't copying the Black album, 'cause you can't make the Black album again. When you make albums like that, it's everything coming together — where I was, where they were, where culture was, where music was. And so I embraced the fact that they wanted to be a little freer and all these other influences rather than just metal bands that they grew up on started to come in into the picture. So that's that album. So we ended up in New York discovering what was there, 'cause it was just the basic tracks."
Bob went on to say that there was "quite a difference between" the production on "Load" and "Reload". "They sound different — they sound really different," he explained. "And there's a reason.
"When we were in New York, they didn't have the consoles that we used before, the [SSL] 6,000. All the studios that were available, they had an SSL 9,000. It's a different ball of wax. And [engineer/mixer] Randy Staub and I fucking hated it, because it kept breaking down and losing. Anyway, I'm not gonna get into it, but it's an acquired taste. It's not what I do, but that's what we had to finish it. So when I listen to 'Load' and when I was asked to write about [the reissue of] both records, and I talked to Lars about this, I said, 'They're completely sonically different.' 'Reload' is aggressive. But you've gotta understand — people love 'Load'. They don't know what I know. And they don't care what I know. But to me, it was really apparent that they're so different. And then I go to back to why and stuff.
"So I'd like to remix 'Load' [laughs], but that's never gonna happen," Rock added. "Anyway, so that's a big difference. So, basically, you make a record in the surroundings that you do, and that's what 'Load' is. And 'Load' is a great record. Actually, my kids like 'Load' better than 'Reload'. They love'Load', for whatever reason. But when you put 'Fuel' on, off 'Reload', you go, 'Oh.' Sonically, it's more aggressive. It's more like them. That's critical thinking, so to speak. 'Cause I was shocked. I listened to both albums and I'm going, like, 'What the fuck?' Anyway, there you go."
In a 2013 interview with Revolver magazine, Ulrich said that "Load" and "Reload" are "great records" that "are creatively on par with every other record we've made. Obviously, they're bluesier records, and at that time, we were listening to a lot of LED ZEPPELIN, DEEP PURPLE and AC/DC, and we had a different kind of foundation than records before or after," he said. "And I understand that there are people who couldn't quite figure out what was going on with the haircuts and the rest of it, and that's fine. But musically, if you strip all that other stuff away, if you just listen to the 27 songs — 'Load' and 'Reload' were intended as one double-record — it's a great collection of songs that is on par with everything else that we've done creatively."
Hetfield has repeatedly expressed his dislike of the "Load" album cover and its inspiration, telling Classic Rock magazine in a 2009 interview: "Lars and Kirk were very into abstract art, pretending they were gay. I think they knew it bugged me. It was a statement around all that. I love art, but not for the sake of shocking others. I think the cover of 'Load' was just a piss-take around all that. I just went along with the make-up and all of this crazy, stupid shit that they felt they needed to do."
The definitive re-release of the "Load" was made available on June 13 via METALLICA's own Blackened Recordings. Remastered by Reuben Cohen at Lurssen Mastering with Greg Fidelman overseeing, "Load (Remastered)" was released in several formats, including standard 180g 2LP, CD, cassette and digital (including a Spatial Audio mix using Atmos).
Originally released June 4, 1996, "Load" was the second METALLICA album to debut at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, where it would remain for four straight weeks. The 1995 sessions at The Plant in Sausalito, California that resulted in "Load" (as well as 1997's "Reload") would find Hetfield, Ulrich, Hammett and Newsted creating yet another landmark of the METALLICA catalog. Currently, two of "Load"'s four singles — "Until It Sleeps" and "King Nothing" — have been lighting up crowds the world over in regular rotation on the setlists of the band's "M72" world tour.
In a 2017 interview with Clash, Hetfield was asked if the band had to make certain compromises along the way in order to be accepted by the mainstream. He responded in part: "As far as doing something that doesn't feel right, I'm sure there's been a few times that it's happened — the 'Load' and 'Reload' era, for me, was one of those; the way that was looking, I wasn't 100 percent on with it, but I would say that that was a compromise. I said, 'I'm going with Lars's and Kirk's vision on this. You guys are extremely passionate about this, so I'll jump on board, because if the four of us are into it, it's going to be better.' So I did my best with it, and it didn't pan out as good as I was hoping, but, again, there's no regrets, because at the time it felt like the right thing to do."
Following the "Load"/"Reload" albums and tour, METALLICA went into a tailspin that resulted in Newsted's exit of, Hetfield spending the better part of a year in rehab and the band nearly splitting up.
In a 2016 interview with TeamRock, Hetfield was asked what he thought late METALLICA bassist Cliff Burton might have felt about the drastic changes in METALLICA's look and sound that the band made through the 1990s and early 2000s with albums like "Load", "Reload" and "St. Anger". Hetfield replied: "Well, I certainly would have thought there would have been some resistance, for sure. I think the 'Black Album' was a great album and I appreciate the fact that we did have the balls to do that… I would certainly think that the 'Load' and 'Reload' [era], I would have had an ally that was very against it all — the reinvention or the U2 version of METALLICA."
Image credit: Gibson TV
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3 àâã 2025
STEVEN WILSON Says GUNS N' ROSES 'Vetoed' His Remix Of 'Use Your Illusion' Albums: 'They Didn't Like The Idea Of Their Music Being In Spatial Audio'
 In a new interview with Andrew McKaysmith of the Scars And Guitars podcast, prog-rock wunderkind Steven Wilson spoke about some of his remixing work, which he began in 2009 as a sideline to his very successful career as a musician and producer. In the last few years, fans have been treated to his spatial audio remixes of classic albums from high-profile acts such as TEARS FOR FEARS, ABC, CHIC, ULTRAVOX, SUEDE, THE WHO and VAN MORRISON. Asked what the challenges were working on remixes of GUNS N' ROSES' 1991 multi-platinum releases "Use Your Illusion I" and "Use Your Illusion II", Wilson said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "Well, the challenges were the band didn't like what I was doing. That came through the record company, and I did it all, and then the band basically vetoed it all. So the only thing that ever came out was my remix of 'November Rain', with a real orchestra added. And that was a shame, 'cause that's a lot of music on those records — I think I worked on about 40 songs, including outtakes, B-sides and God knows what else. And then the band basically turned around and decided they didn't like it. They didn't like [Dolby] Atmos [a surround sound technology that creates a more immersive, three-dimensional audio experience], they didn't like the idea of their music being in spatial audio. So that project is kind of just sitting on my hard drive, unreleased and unheard. It's such a shame. Amazing, amazing records. Amazing records. But yes, a shame in a way that it got sort of bogged down in band politics and God knows what else."
Asked if he ever has mates of his from school or university or whatever that he is still in touch with that say, 'Come on, mate. Put on the 'Use Your Illusion' albums that you worked on,' so they can hear it, Steven responded: "Well, to be honest, no, because … we didn't grow up with GUNS N' ROSES. GUNS N' ROSES was kind of the next generation. I grew up in the '80s, so the bands all my sort of generation were listening to were THE SMITHS, THE CURE. If it was metal, it would've been METALLICA. It wouldn't have been GUNS N' ROSES. It would've been [METALLICA's] 'Master Of Puppets' from '85 rather than [GUNS N' ROSES'] 'Appetite For Destruction' from '89. So I just missed that generation, yeah. I just missed that generation. But yeah, sometimes people, friends come over and I bring them into the studio and I'll blast them with some… I say, 'What music did you grow up with?' And I've usually got something, I've usually got something I've worked on, which they'll remember from their childhood I can blow their mind [with]."
Wilson's remix of "November Rain" was released as part of GUNS N' ROSES' 2022 "Use Your Illusion" box set. It featured a 50-piece orchestra that was arranged and conducted by TV and film composer Christopher Lennertz.
A couple of months before the box set's release, Wilson wrote on Facebook: "The new 2022 version is the same performance as the original, and mixed faithfully to the established version, but with newly recorded orchestration replacing the sampled sounds used at the time."
In a 2023 interview with Songfacts, Wilson talked about how he became an in-demand remixer of classic albums, specializing in immersive surround audio. He said at the time: "I started to get noticed for doing surround sound on my own music. And I wanna say around 2008/2009 I picked up a Grammy nomination for best special audio/surround sound — whatever it was called at the time ['Best Immersive Audio Album' for 'The Future Bites'], so I started to get invitations by a few other artists. Just a few to begin with. But one door leads to another, and over the years it kind of built up, and I've made a name for myself doing these remix projects. But that's how it started, really — with the Grammy nod for one of my own records I mixed in surround sound."
Asked why he has done the most remixes for two bands, JETHRO TULL and KING CRIMSON, he explained: "I think it's a case of they just had the biggest catalogs — they've got 50 years of catalog in the case of JETHRO TULL. Some of the other artists I've done — like TEARS FOR FEARS, CHIC and SUEDE — they just have less records in their discography. But a band like JETHRO TULL, for example, the first few we did were very well-received, and it's the gift that keeps on giving because Ian [Anderson, JETHRO TULL leader] has made a record with JETHRO TULL pretty much every year since 1968. So, there was just more and more albums that were available to be done."
Hailed by David Fricke in Rolling Stone for his "fighting spirit and truly progressive ideals in rock composition, group improvisation and emotionally authentic storytelling," Wilson is, among his many guises, a visionary solo artist, founding member of Grammy Award-nominated British rock band PORCUPINE TREE, and pioneering spatial audio remixer known for his work with such artists as KING CRIMSON, YES, TEARS FOR FEARS, XTC, NEW ORDER and many more.
2022 saw the internationally acclaimed release of PORCUPINE TREE's long-awaited eleventh studio album and first release in over 12 years, "Closure/Continuation", which debuted at No. 2 on the U.K. Albums chart and reached No. 1 in Germany, the Netherlands and Switzerland. An epic world tour followed, making stops in North America, South America, and Europe before culminating with a triumphant sold-out show at London’s famed OVO Arena Wembley. 2022 also saw the publication of Wilson's much-applauded first memoir, "Limited Edition Of One" (Little, Brown).
Photo credit: Kevin Westenberg
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3 àâã 2025
GUNS N' ROSES Keyboardist DIZZY REED Shares 'Earn It 2 Burn It' Single From Upcoming Solo Album 'Rock 'N' Roll Chose Me'
 Dizzy Reed, who is the longest-serving member of GUNS N' ROSES after singer Axl Rose, will release his second solo album, "Rock 'N' Roll Chose Me", on physical vinyl on August 22, 2025 via the Pittsburgh-based label 50q Records, with the digital full-length album release to follow on September 5, 2025.
This deeply personal and socially reflective 10-song album explores the pain of letting go, the struggles of mental health in an indifferent world, the illusions of the American Dream, and the unifying power of music — all told through a lens of perseverance, connection, and the human cost of chasing meaning in a divided and demanding society.
Written and produced by Dizzy, "Rock 'N' Roll Chose Me" is a gritty, emotionally charged journey. It was co-produced by Jason Achilles Mezilis, with lyrics co-written by Nadja, Del James and Reed himself. The album was mixed by Evan Rodaniche and mastered by Gentry Studer.
The LP's third single, "Earn It 2 Burn It", can be streamed below.
Dizzy comments: "The song is about working our asses off and never actually seeing any money at all. And starting off our lives with incomprehensible debt from the cost of our education to do something else altogether while being pummeled with information about what we should like, want and need. The music was born from my love of metal and my hero Jon Lord. Thank you, Johnny Kelly, Mike Duda and Jason, for making it like it needed to be."
Track listing:
01. Revolution L.A.
02. D.I.B.
03. Contact
04. Bombz Away
05. Born A Number
06. Intro Thru The Outro
07. Earn It 2 Burn It
08. Falling Down 2gether
09. Rock 'N' Roll Chose Me
10. My Wounds Don't Bleed
Dizzy continues to balance his legacy as a rock icon with his ever-evolving role as a songwriter, storyteller and solo artist.
For fans of hard rock with heart and authenticity, "Rock 'N' Roll Chose Me" is the next chapter in Reed's musical journey.
Reed's debut solo album, "Rock 'N Roll Ain't Easy", was released in February 2018 by Golden Robot Records. The disc featured guest appearances by musicians from W.A.S.P., QUIET RIOT, PSYCHEDELIC FURS, THIN LIZZY, NO DOUBT, THE REPLACEMENTS, QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE, and more.
Back in November 2019, Dizzy reflected on his three-plus decades with GUNS N' ROSES during an interview with the "Thunder Underground" podcast. He said: "How the fuck has it been 30 years? [Laughs] Where did the time go?
"I've been so lucky and fortunate that I was ever asked to do this gig in the first place and that I'm still doing it," he continued. "As long as they'll have me, I'm gonna do it. And it's been a great run. There's been some long breaks, but those were being put to good use — writing and whatnot."
Dizzy added: "It's just been a blast. And these last three years have been fantastic. The turnouts have been amazing. And just to be a part of that, it's pretty special. And I'm so fortunate, again. I thank my lucky stars every day, man — I really do."
Reed joined GUNS N' ROSES as a touring member in 1990, during the "Use Your Illusion" era, and has played with most of the original members as well as in all the later editions of the group and the current "reunion" lineup.
In 2012, Dizzy was inducted into the the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame as a member of GUNS N' ROSES.
The Pulse Of Radio asked Reed how he's managed to stay in the band for so long. "I get asked that a lot and it's really just, I just never really thought about doing anything else, you know, on sort of a permanent basis," he said. "You know, I kind of feel like I'm in GUNS N' ROSES and that's where I was meant to be."
Besides being a member of GUNS N' ROSES, Dizzy has played on albums from artists including MOTÖRHEAD, Mick Taylor, Doug Aldrich, Duff McKagan, BACKYARD BABIES and Gilby Clarke.
Photo credit: John Altdorfer | 0 | |
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3 àâã 2025
SCOTT STAPP Releases 'Deadman's Trigger: A Short Film' Co-Starring His Seven-Year-Old Son
 Grammy-winning songwriter, solo artist and CREED frontman Scott Stapp has released "Deadman's Trigger: A Short Film". The nine-minute, 13-second short co-stars Scott Stapp and his seven-year-old son Anthony Stapp and was directed by Tyler Dunning Evans, with music by Scott Stapp. The film features "Deadman's Trigger", the third single from his chart-topping solo album "Higher Power", which came out in March 2024 via Napalm Records. The track is climbing the rock charts now after two consecutive radio hits, "Higher Power" and "Black Butterfly", reached Top Ten and Top Five, respectively.
As the inspiration and soundtrack for the father/son saga, "Deadman's Trigger" is an explosive track that pulses with sonic swagger, anguish, and idealism.
Executive director Jason Lipshutz comments: "In the middle of another successful touring season for his reunited band CREED, Scott Stapp has offered something unexpected: a nine-minute high-octane short film in which he stars as a man of faith who, Lord forgive him, has to go back to the old him."
The rock-fueled Western was shot over two days at Whitehorse Ranch in Landers, California. It's a classic Hollywood showdown as a man of faith, haunted by unspeakable nightmares and villains, is forced to take matters into his own hands when what he loves is threatened. In a hail of Hellfire he protects, and is saved in return, by an unlikely hero.
Online speculation about the premiere began when a live-action trailer framed by film credits appeared on Monday (July 28). In it, a fully loaded cowboy strolls frame as Old West music conjures Doc Holliday, cracked earth, and tumbleweeds. Their questions were answered when "Deadman's Trigger: A Short Film" premiered Thursday, July 31, exclusively on YouTube.
Director Tyler Dunning Evans says: "Adapting Scott's storyline for the screen was easy because he is a narrative songwriter; the arc is already there. As a collaborator, he's clear on his vision and values other creators' expertise. With Anthony on set and Milan working behind the scenes, Scott was hands-on in establishing safety measures and his love for his kids translated to a vulnerable but fierce performance in the final cut."
One of the most iconic voices in rock, Stapp first emerged as the high-energy, post-grunge frontman of CREED. He penned anthems like "Higher", "My Own Prison", "My Sacrifice", "With Arms Wide Open", "What If", "Say I" and "One", and the band sold over 50 million albums, including a diamond certification. Throughout the early 2000s, CREED broke airplay records, sold out arenas, earned Billboard Music Awards, American Music Awards and a Grammy for "Best Rock Performance By A Duo Or Group". As a solo artist, Stapp has released the platinum-certified "The Great Divide" (2005),"Proof Of Life" (2013),"The Space Between The Shadows" (2019),and "Higher Power".
In 2024, after an 11-year hiatus, CREED announced two "Summer Of '99" cruise festivals, a North American tour, and the band's own rock festival. After each event sold out, the tour was extended into 2025, their third sold-out CREED cruise sailed (with plans to sail again in 2026),and their festival grew into a two-day event in Milwaukee in July. The Grammy- and American Music Award-winning CREED formed in Tallahassee, Florida, in 1994. Now, they've exceeded one billion streams on Spotify alone, between "Higher", "My Sacrifice", "One Last Breath", "With Arms Wide Open" and "My Own Prison". Nearly 30 years after CREED's formation, the anthems composed by singer Scott Stapp and guitarist Mark Tremonti have become part of rock and alternative's DNA. "My Own Prison" (1997) is one of the late 20th century's biggest debuts. "Human Clay" (1999) and "Weathered" (2001) entered the Billboard 200 chart at No. 1. Their "Full Circle" (2009) album debuted at No. 1 on the Top Rock, Hard Rock, and Alternative charts and No. 2 on the Billboard 200. With over 53 million albums sold worldwide, CREED stands alongside VAN HALEN, GUNS N' ROSES and METALLICA as one of an elite few rock bands to earn RIAA diamond-certified status, for more than 11 million sales of "Human Clay" in the U.S. | +1 | |
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3 àâã 2025
Watch: DAVID LEE ROTH Performs VAN HALEN Classics In Hollywood, Florida During Summer 2025 Tour
 David Lee Roth played his third show of 2025 Thursday night (July 31) at the Hard Rock Live in Hollywood, Florida.
As was the case with his July 22 concert at the California Mid-State Fair in Paso Robles, California, Roth was backed at the Hollywood gig by Al Estrada on guitar, Ryan Wheeler on bass, Francisco Valentino on drums and Danny Wagner on keyboards.
Hollywood was the second date of Roth's summer 2025 U.S. tour, which is scheduled to conclude on September 14 in Napa, California.
The full setlist for Roth's second solo concert in more than two months was as follows:
01. Panama (VAN HALEN song)
02. Drop Dead Legs (VAN HALEN song)
03. I'm The One (VAN HALEN song)
04. I'll Wait (VAN HALEN song)
05. You Really Got Me (THE KINKS cover)
06. Runnin' With The Devil (VAN HALEN song)
07. Romeo Delight (VAN HALEN song)
08. Dance The Night Away (VAN HALEN song)
09. Mean Street (VAN HALEN song)
10. Atomic Punk (VAN HALEN song)
11. Jamie's Cryin' (VAN HALEN song)
12. Unchained (VAN HALEN song)
13. Oh, Pretty Woman (Roy Orbison cover)
14. Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love (VAN HALEN song)
15. Hot For Teacher (VAN HALEN song)
16. Everybody Wants Some!! (VAN HALEN song)
17. Jump (VAN HALEN song)
Roth played his first full solo concert in more than five years on May 3 at the 2025 edition of the M3 Rock Festival at the Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, Maryland.
"We've reached the end of my first retirement," David joked at one point during the M3 concert. "How many retirements did Rocky have? Nine?"
Roth originally left VAN HALEN to pursue a solo career following the success of the band's album "1984", but he returned for a stint in 1996 and then took over as VAN HALEN's frontman again from 2007 until 2020, although the band had not toured since 2015.
In recent months, Roth has been releasing solo versions of several VAN HALEN classics, including "Jump", "Unchained", "Everybody Wants Some!!", "You Really Got Me", "Dance The Night Away", "Panama" and "Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love". The tracks were laid down on May 3, 2022 during a session at Henson Recording Studio in Hollywood, California. Joining Roth in the studio were Al Estrada on guitar, Ryan Wheeler on bass and Francis Valentino on drums. A total of 14 songs were recorded in two hours. The music and the vocals were tracked live with "no samples" and without the pitch-correction technology Auto-Tune.
In January 2022, Roth canceled the remaining farewell shows he was set to play in Las Vegas after he vowed to retire from performing live.
In a statement, event organizers said the cancelations were made "due to unforeseen circumstances related to COVID and out of an abundance of caution for those working and attending the shows."
When Roth's Vegas residency was first announced, organizers promised "a changing set of 26 instantly recognizable songs, including 'Jump', 'Panama' and 'California Girls...'"
In March 2020, Roth postponed the final six shows of his Las Vegas residency due to the coronavirus pandemic that was spreading across the globe.
Roth's last Vegas residency kicked off on January 8, 2020 with a 15-song set that included 10 VAN HALEN classics and five songs from his solo career. Backing the singer were lead guitarist Al Estrada from the VAN HALEN tribute band ERUPTION, rhythm guitarist Frankie Lindri, bassist Ryan Wheeler, keyboardist Danny Wagner and drummer Mike Mussleman.
Roth explained that he chose Vegas as the place to debut his new band because "this is where you come to celebrate and do the victory dance, whatever that means to you."
In a February 2020 interview with StarTribune, Roth openly wondered whether his first tour since VAN HALEN completed its 2015 run of shows would be the last time he would perform.
"I'm calling it 'The Last Tour'," he said at the time, "and then underneath it in parentheses: 'Unless It Isn't'. ... At my age, everything is a possible farewell tour."
"It's been a long great trip, a long great run," he continued. "But this kind of music requires the kind of energy that people in their 20s bring. You know what NFL stands for: Not For Long. It's similar in rock. I remember the days when we would stand around and say, 'Let's go have a cigarette.' And that's what we did: Four guys having one cigarette. I remember those days. They go by fast, so enjoy them while you're in them."
In February/March 2020, Roth performed as the opening act for the North American leg of KISS's "End Of The Road" farewell tour.
JUST ANNOUNCED: David Lee Roth is coming to Hard Rock Live on Thursday, July 31!
Our social media pre-sale is on...
Posted by Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino - Hollywood, FL on Monday, May 5, 2025
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3 àâã 2025
VINNY APPICE On OZZY OSBOURNE: 'He Wasn't Known As The Greatest Rock Singer' But 'People Loved Him'
 In a new interview with Buffalo, New York television station WIVB-TV, former BLACK SABBATH drummer Vinny Appice was asked what made Ozzy Osbourne such a legend. Vinny responded (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "Well, he wasn't known as the greatest rock singer, but he is a great singer, and his antics and his character, on stage, people loved him. And you never know what was gonna happen when he's on stage.
"I played with him with BLACK SABBATH for a little bit in Europe and it was always something," Vinny recalled. "First time [I] played [with him] — [in front of] 70, 80,000 people — and he threw a pail of water on me. The drums were all wet. And then he did it twice. I went, 'Okay.' I almost went on the next show with an umbrella. But then at the hotel lobby, we were leaving the next morning, and [Ozzy's wife and manager] Sharon Osbourne said, 'How's everything going, Vinny?' I said, 'It's great, except he keeps throwing water on me.' And she goes, 'He did?' That was the end of the water. So she wears the pants in the family.
"But what a character," Appice added. "[He was a] great guy, sweetheart. Love him. And sad it turned out to be this, but what a sendoff."
Vinny also talked about Ozzy's final performance, which took place on July 5 at the "Back To The Beginning" event at Villa Park on BLACK SABBATH's original hometown of Birmingham, United Kingdom. He said: "I thought [Ozzy] sang great. And he was trying to get up. He was just so excited, because he loved being on stage. And it was fantastic. And [there were] so many people there. But you just wanna go to the front of the stage and get the crowd going, and he couldn't get up… I didn't know what to expect. I heard he was gonna be sitting down, and he couldn't stand. I wasn't sure of how this was gonna go down, but that was good. Luckily, they belted him in 'cause, knowing Ozzy, he would've went and whatever was gonna happen was gonna happen."
In a recent interview with Meltdown of Detroit's WRIF radio station, Vinny was asked if he was invited to take part in "Back To The Beginning". The concert marked the original lineup of BLACK SABBATH's last-ever performance and SABBATH singer Ozzy's final appearance as a solo artist. Vinny responded: "No, no, no. They didn't contact me because times have changed and I'm associated with [the Ronnie James] Dio [version of] BLACK SABBATH. Even though I did play — at one point I did the European tour with Ozzy and BLACK SABBATH, which I thought was cool. I'm sitting there on the drum set facing the audience, and then I see Ozzy in front of me, and then Tony [Iommi, BLACK SABBATH guitarist] and Geezer [Butler, BLACK SABBATH bassist], I go, 'This is pretty damn cool. I'm with the original band now.' It was cool with Ronnie, of course, but now this was, like, 'Wow.' I'm the only other drummer that played with them at that point. So that was very cool for me. So I'm associated more with Dio, so I'm not involved in this whole thing there. So that's okay."
Vinny went to say that he played only a few dates with the Ozzy-fronted version of SABBATH more than a quarter century ago. "It went into America too, a little bit," he explained. "We might have played 10 shows, 12 shows, something like that."
Regarding what it was like touring with Ozzy, Vinny said: "He's pretty crazy. But you know what? He's fun — he's a lot of fun. And we sat and talked many times and all this stuff, and he was great. He was a cool guy. And what you see on TV, that's him. He'll tell you the story a couple of times. He forgot he told you. You just sit and listen. 'Ozzy, you told me that already.' I can't tell him that. Ozzy was great."
Vinny continued: "When we started playing, [Ozzy] thought it was really funny to come, during the set, with a bucket of water and throw it on me. So I'm, like, 'Oh, crap, man.' Now I'm all kind of wet and the drums are all wet and not working very well. So he did that twice. The road crew had to come up and wipe everything. But he's laughing. So then the next morning, Sharon Osbourne [Ozzy's wife and manager] says, 'Vinny, how's it going?' I said, 'It's great. This is fantastic. But he keeps throwing water on me.' And she said, 'He did?' And that was the end of the water. It shows you who wears the pants in the family.
Asked by Meltdown when this tour happened, Vinny said: "I think it was, like, '99. I went and played the European tour with them, and then after that there was a break for Christmas, and then they toured in America. But [original SABBATH drummer] Bill Ward came back. 'Cause he had a medical issue at that point. So, Bill came back and Sharon wanted me to be on the tour in case Bill keeled over, let's put it that way. So, I did a whole tour and didn't play. It was the weirdest thing. And in case Bill had a problem, I would jump up and play, continue the show. And I was the backup plan B. So that was quite funny."
During a March 2020 appearance on the "80's Glam Metalcast", Vinny was asked if it feels "surreal" to him to know that he was once a member of such a legendary band as BLACK SABBATH. He responded: "Yeah, it's a great thing. If I reflect back on it, it's, like, wow, that was great. I got to play with the legendary band — not one of the legendary bands, but the legendary band that started all this stuff.
"While it was happening back in the '80s, I always approached everything as I'm a musician in the band and I'm gonna do a job," he continued. "I didn't get caught up in the whole rock-star thing. I got caught up in it more as a musician and trying to make it great and trying to play great and be part of the band. Now, when I reflect back on it, wow, I got to play with these guys and know them — we were quite close — and it's pretty cool. To this day, it still supports my career… I get a band in Europe and we do old SABBATH stuff — not old SABBATH stuff, but the stuff I'm on. Play all that, some old SABBATH songs, with a sprinkle of DIO. And I've done [a few] tours already there; it goes over so well. Same in South America. 'Cause they just love SABBATH and they love DIO — they love Ronnie [James Dio]. And I'm able to be part of that music and still go out and play it. Because I'm the only one left, really — playing any of that stuff. SABBATH is not going out, Ozzy is not going out, and I play on a lot of those albums. I didn't play on the old stuff, but I played it enough to where it's in my blood. So it's a fantastic thing. I really appreciate having that opportunity to play with such a great band, legendary band and people and musicians."
Appice joined BLACK SABBATH in 1980 during the "Heaven And Hell" tour and appeared on the albums "Live Evil" (1982) and "Mob Rules" (1981) . In late 1982 he left BLACK SABBATH with vocalist Ronnie James Dio and formed the band DIO. They recorded "Holy Diver" (1983),"The Last in Line" (1984),"Sacred Heart" (1985),"Intermission" (1986),and "Dream Evil" (1987). In December 1989, Appice left DIO. In 1992, he returned to BLACK SABBATH for the "Dehumanizer" album and tour. He then rejoined DIO and they recorded "Strange Highways" (1994) and "Angry Machines" (1996).
Appice rejoined his BLACK SABBATH bandmates Ronnie James Dio, Geezer Butler and Tony Iommi in 2006 as HEAVEN & HELL, touring and releasing one studio album, "The Devil You Know", before Dio's death in 2010.
Currently, Appice is a member of LAST IN LINE, whose latest album, "Jericho", was released in March 2023 via earMUSIC.
For the past few years, Vinny has been touring with his ultimate BLACK SABBATH/DIO show, called SABBATH KNIGHTS. Joining Appice in SABBATH KNIGHTS are Jim Crean on vocals, Jimmy Caputo (CACTUS) on bass, and Artie Dillon (SLAMM) on guitar.
Vinny has recorded and co-written songs on several dozen albums and CDs, including many multi-platinum records. Vinny's drumming can also be heard on numerous movie soundtracks, including "Wayne's World 2", "Heavy Metal", "Iron Eagle" and "Bedazzled". Vinny, the author of drum instruction book "Rock Steady" and DVD "Hard Rock Drumming Techniques", has performed incredible powerhouse drum clinics around the globe. Numerous books have been written about BLACK SABBATH and DIO with the authors always mentioned Vinny's drumming style.
Vinny's unique drumming approach has influenced many artists over the last few decades. | +7 | |
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3 àâã 2025
OCEANS To Release We Are Nøt Okay II EP In November; “Ghost” Single Streaming
 German nu death outfit, Oceans, return with their new single, “Ghost”, a brutal yet vulnerable reflection on anxiety, isolation, and the overwhelming fear of not being enough. Driven by a haunting screamed verse and a massive, melodic chorus, “Ghost” continues the band’s journey of giving voice to mental health struggles through raw heaviness and emotional honesty.
Singer Timo Rotten comments: “This song is about the kind of anxiety that traps you inside your own head, where every silence feels like rejection, and every thought turns against you. ‘Ghost’ is a reflection of that, but also a fight against it.”
Listen to “Ghost” here.
“Ghost” is the first of four singles leading into Oceans’ upcoming EP, We Are Nøt Okay II, the sequel to their 2021 release, We Are Nøt Okay. The new EP drops in November.
To support the release of their upcoming EP, Oceans will hit the road this fall for the Still Not Okay Tour 2025. Expect 11 intense shows packed with raw emotion, heaviness, and a powerful message – because this band is still not okay, and neither are we.
Get tickets here. | 0 | |
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3 àâã 2025
BEHEMOTH To Reissue Pandemonic Incantations With Seven Bonus Tracks And More; “Satan’s Sword (I Have Become)” Visualizer Streaming
 Polish extreme metal legends, Behemoth, will reissue their stunning Pandemonic Incantations full-length next month.
Originally released in 1998, Pandemonic Incantations marked a crucial turning point in Behemoth’s evolution — from their early black metal roots into the more complex, aggressive fusion of black and death metal that would define their later work. With this third full-length, the Polish horde expanded both sonically and thematically, offering a darker, more layered sound while continuing to sharpen their lyrical focus on occultism, anti-dogma, and self-deification.
Now, over twenty-five years later, Metal Blade Records proudly presents a definitive reissue of Pandemonic Incantations, available September 12. The expanded edition features seven bonus tracks, including the Bewitching The Pomerania EP and rare rough mixes. A twenty-page booklet dives deep into the album’s legacy with archival photos, liner notes, and brand-new interviews reflecting on the record’s lasting impact. The reissue also features new cover art by Eliran Kantor, paying tribute to the original artwork while reimagining it through a contemporary lens.
Offers band founder Nergal, “Pandemonic Incantations marked a significant leap forward in our evolution. It was a milestone made possible by overhauling the lineup and bringing Inferno into the band – it was a game changer. We recorded the best album we could at that point. To this day, I often hear from fans who say it’s their favourite Behemoth record. Even the sonic imperfections don’t overshadow the mature arrangements and solid song writing. I’m still very proud of it.”
This reissue is not just a nod to Behemoth’s past — it is a vital piece of extreme metal history, reborn for longtime fans and new listeners alike.
Watch the band’s “Satan’s Sword (I Have Become)” visualizer below.
Pandemonic Incantations reissue will be released as a 2xCD digibook and digitally as well as 2xLP in the following color variants:
– Maroon Marbled (US)
– 180g Black (EU)
– Transparent Beige Brown Marbled (EU – Ltd. 700)
– Bone/Brown Splatter Vinyl (EU – Ltd. 300)
Find pre-orders here.
Tracklisting:
“Diableria (The Great Introdvction)”
“The Thovsand Plagves I Witness”
“Satan’s Sword (I Have Become)”
“In Thy Pandemaeternvm”
“Driven By The Five-Winged Star”
“The Past Is Like A Fvneral”
“The Entrance To The Spheres Of Mars”
“With Spell Of Infern”
“Chwała Mordercom Wojciecha (997-1997 Dziesięć Wieków Hańby)”
“With Spell Of Inferno (Mefisto)”
“Hidden In A Fog” (1997 Version)
“Sventevith (Storming Near The Baltic)” (1997 Version)
“The Thovsand Plagves I Witness” (Rough Mix)
“Satan’s Sword (I Have Become)” (Rough Mix)
“Entrance To The Spheres Of Mars” (Rough Mix)
“Driven By The Five-Winged Star” (Rough Mix)
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3 àâã 2025
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3 àâã 2025
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3 àâã 2025
DON DOKKEN On OZZY OSBOURNE: 'He Was Different Than I Think A Lot Of People Perceive Him As'
 In a new interview with Chaz & AJ In The Morning, a morning radio talk show program on 99.1 WPLR, a rock radio station broadcasting from New Haven, Connecticut, Don Dokken paid tribute to Ozzy Osbourne who died on July 22 at the age of 76. The DOKKEN leader said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "[His death] was inevitable. Well, it's inevitable for everybody, man. We're all gonna have our time here in this world, and we're gonna go. And he was only about five or six years older than me, so [that] makes me nervous. I'm getting ready to retire too."
Referencing the "Back To The Beginning" event, which took place on July 5 and marked Ozzy's final performance both as a solo artist and with the rest of the original lineup of BLACK SABBATH, Don said: "How amazing was it that just — was it three weeks ago? He had his last concert. It's amazing… He did his last concert sitting in that throne, and he sang great, he looked great. He sang the songs. He didn't make any mistakes. He did a few songs, and all those great bands like METALLICA and [AEROSMITH's] Steven Tyler, hey were all there. I think they had over 40,000 people. So it was a great sendoff that he could even muster up the energy to say thank you to all his fans and say farewell in England and do a show. I mean, obviously the fact that he passed three weeks later, I think he knew that it was coming."
Dokken also shared some personal memories of Ozzy, saying: "He was different than I think a lot of people perceive him as, the Prince Of Darkness and just a wild party animal, 24 hours a day. Yes, he had his time, but I think [in the later years] he slowed down and became more reclusive.
"It's funny, when you talked to him, just talked to him, sitting at a table, it's not the Ozzy that the public perceived him as, as the Prince Of Darkness, wild man," Don explained. "He was pretty mellow. And the cool thing about Ozzy, he was very well read. He loved to read. He was always reading something, and he'd ask me what I'm reading. And he loved his books."
Asked if he is planning to cover any Ozzy-sung songs in tribute to the legendary heavy metal singer when he hits the road with DOKKEN this week, Don said: "The problem with singing anySABBATH song is Ozzy's voice was so unique. How do you copy or even try to pay homage to that style of singing? How do you homage the song properly without messing it up?"
Ozzy died Tuesday morning (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.
No cause of death was given, but 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 death came a little more than two weeks after he took the stage for his final performance with BLACK SABBATH at Villa Park in the band's original hometown of Birmingham, United Kingdom. They performed four songs for more than 40,000 people in the stadium and 5.8 million more on a livestream. Ozzy also played a five-song solo set while seated in a bat-adorned throne.
Ozzy's family reality television show "The Osbournes" won a 2002 Primetime Emmy.
In 2006, Osbourne and the other members of the original BLACK SABBATH were inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. Ozzy was also inducted into the Rock Hall as a solo artist in 2024.
Osbourne won several Grammys, including one in 1993 for his solo song "I Don't Want To Change The World".
Ozzy and his wife and manager Sharon started their annual tour — Ozzfest — in 1996 after he was rejected from the lineup of what at the time was the top touring music festival, Lollapalooza. The first traveling version of Ozzfest in 1997 included MARILYN MANSON and PANTERA as part of the lineup.
Osbourne leaves behind his wife, three children from his first marriage (including an adopted son from his first wife's previous relationship),and three with Sharon: Jack, Kelly and Aimee.
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3 àâã 2025
Ex-MEGADETH Bassist DAVID ELLEFSON: 'OZZY OSBOURNE Was Our ELVIS PRESLEY'
 On Wednesday, July 23, former MEGADETH bassist David Ellefson spoke to Fox 10 Phoenix 's Ron Hoon and Syleste Rodriguez about where he was when he found out about Ozzy Osbourne's death a day earlier. David said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "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."
Ozzy died Tuesday morning (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.
No cause of death was given, but 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 death came a little more than two weeks after he took the stage for his final performance with BLACK SABBATH at Villa Park in the band's original hometown of Birmingham, United Kingdom. They performed four songs for more than 40,000 people in the stadium and 5.8 million more on a livestream. Ozzy also played a five-song solo set while seated in a bat-adorned throne.
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). | +6 | |
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3 àâã 2025
ALICE COOPER On OZZY OSBOURNE: 'We Had A Mutual Respect For Each Other'
 In a new interview with Darren Redick of U.K.'s Planet Rock, legendary rocker Alice Cooper was asked if Ozzy Osbourne's death earlier this week gave him pause in any way. Alice responded (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "I was on my way to the stage when I heard about it, and I went, 'Oh, that's not right. He just did this thing [where he performed with BLACK SABBATH one last time at the 'Back To The Beginning' event in Birmingham, United Kingdom]. I saw him. He was singing well.' But when it finally hit, it was just one of those… Even though you know it's coming, especially with Ozzy, especially with certain guys in rock where you go, 'He certainly hasn't been well for a while.' But what a shock to the system. And at the end of the show, I just said, 'Everybody, let's say good night to Ozzy,' and everybody just [went], 'Ozzy! Ozzy!' So, he was a very beloved character in rock."
Elaborating on his relationship with Ozzy, Alice said: "We did shows together. He was not one of those guys that I would say [was] one of my best friends, but we were close when we saw each other. We'd go, 'Oh, good to see you, man,' dah, dah, dah. We didn't hang in the same sort of people. I knew [Ozzy's wife and manager] Sharon, I think, more than I knew Ozzy, 'cause I'd met Sharon before for other things, and I met [their son] Jack a couple of times.
"Ozzy and I did four or five things together — he sang on [my album] 'Hey Stoopid', and we did Brazil together, a soccer stadium down there together, and things like that," Alice continued. "But there was never that, 'Let me call Ozzy,' there was never that thing. I just respected him and I think we had a mutual respect for each other. We had a lot of the same players. I mean, the great thing about being a lead singer without a band is that you get your pick of — you know who the guitar players are, you know who the drummers are, you know who the bass players are. So between us, we had the same drummer at one time. You get your pick of the litter."
Asked by Redick why he thinks so many iconic rockers refuse to retire even when they hit their late 70s and early 80s, Alice said: "It's not for money. We could have retired 30 years ago when it comes to financially. It's not that. You're either a lifer or you're not. I've always been a lifer. And Ozzy was a lifer. [THE BEATLES' Paul] McCartney, THE [ROLLING] STONES… THE STONES are doing it because they love to do it. McCartney — if McCartney wasn't playing his big shows, he'd be in a pub band somewhere, because he just loves to play. That has nothing to do with the financial part of it. [Bob] Dylan does 200 shows a year — what? — because that's what he loves to do. [Pete] Townshend — I mean, THE WHO are going back out. Townshend is still really angry at his guitar. I saw Townshend maybe five years ago, and his knuckles were bleeding and he was hitting the guitar. And I went, 'Yeah.'"
Alice added: "I tell every young band. They [ask me], 'What should we do?' I say, 'Go see Pete Townshend. Go see GREEN DAY. Go see the FOO FIGHTERS.' These are the bands that bring it every night — they bring it. I said, 'That's what you need to do.'"
Cooper and his band found out that the world lost Osbourne just minutes before they were due to go perform in Cardiff, Wales, which is about two hours from the place where legendary BLACK SABBATH singer was born. Before hitting the stage, Alice recorded the following quote for his radio show "Alice's Attic": "Well, we all know that time is going to take us rockers, but when the giants fall, it's really hard to accept. Even though everybody saw it coming with Ozzy, it just took our breath away when it happened. So, Ozzy and family, your records and your music and your legend and all that you brought — the humor to the rock business — will live on forever and we're gonna miss you, man."
Alice and his band then dedicated Tuesday night's show to Ozzy's memory and they were able to celebrate along with the crowd who had also just learned of this great loss for rock and roll. Following the concert, Alice summed up his thoughts by saying: "The whole world is mourning Ozzy tonight. Over his long career, he earned immense respect among his peers and from fans around the world as an unmatched showman and cultural icon.
"I always saw Ozzy as a cross between the prince of darkness, which is the persona his fans saw, and the court jester. That was the side that his family and friends saw. He was and will continue to be a rock and roll legend.
"Rock and roll is a family and a fraternity. When we lose one of our own, it bleeds. I wish I would have gotten to know my brother Ozzy better.
"Sharon, Jack, Kelly, Aimee and the rest of the Ozzy brood — our prayers are with you tonight. A titanic boulder has crashed, but rock will roll on."
In 1991, Ozzy provided backing vocals to Cooper's song "Hey Stoopid", which was the title track of Alice's 12th studio album. The two worked together again on the song "Wake The Dead", which appeared on Cooper's 2008 album "Along Came A Spider".
Ozzy died Tuesday morning (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.
No cause of death was given, but 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 death came a little more than two weeks after he took the stage for his final performance with BLACK SABBATH at Villa Park in the band's original hometown of Birmingham, United Kingdom. They performed four songs for more than 40,000 people in the stadium and 5.8 million more on a livestream. Ozzy also played a five-song solo set while seated in a bat-adorned throne.
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2 àâã 2025
SHINEDOWN: Another Single To Arrive In October, Eighth Album To Be Announced In November
 In a new interview with The Mistress Carrie Podcast, SHINEDOWN frontman Brent Smith spoke about the band's upcoming eighth studio album, which is tentatively due in early 2026. He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "What I can tell you is we don't know what the name of the album is just yet. I can tell you that it's not a concept record. It is definitely a true traditional album. [The songs] all stand alone, but they all belong on the same body of work. But they're not related to one another. But they're on the body of work — they're under the same roof, basically. I can tell you that there's gonna be another single in October that's going to show a completely other side of the band. I can tell you that the announce of the record will be in November."
He continued: "I don't necessarily like using the term 'a deadline', but the fact of the matter is because it's so competitive right now… And we're stoked that we're still a physical-selling band, meaning our vinyls do quite well. It's a pretty large order internationally that we have to look at. So you have to have it turned in in time. There are going to be — I can tell you there's a lot of color on this record… I can tell you that the announce for the album should be November. And I'm pretty secure in telling you that it'll be March, is when it'll be released."
Earlier this month, SHINEDOWN released a brand new single, "Killing Fields", via Atlantic Records. The track arrived just days before SHINEDOWN headed off on the largest and most ambitious tour it has ever set out on in its career. Performing at arenas all across the country, the tour kicked off on July 19 at Boston's TD Garden and the next day they performed at Madison Square Garden (the first time they have ever performed there as a band),as well as Los Angeles's Kia Forum on August 3. Joining on the second leg of the tour are BUSH and Morgan Wade on all shows.
"Killing Fields" is the third new song SHINEDOWN has made available in 2025 after the simultaneous release of "Three Six Five" and "Dance, Kid, Dance" in January. Breaking rules and doing what few artists have been able to achieve, "Three Six Five" is currently charting at five different radio formats: already hitting No. 1 at Alternative, it also has hit Top 10 at Hot AC and AC, No. 16 at Active Rock and is approaching Top 20 at Top 40 radio.
The massive support at radio can also be derived from the inspirational message of the song. Upon release of the animated music video, which featured storylines of three people each dealing with loss in their lives over the course of a year, and how they navigated through it, inspired fans all over the Internet. Many wrote in their own stories of loss and used the comment section of the video almost as an online therapy board.
Released simultaneously with "Three Six Five" was "Dance, Kid, Dance". The song has literally made history for the band as when it reached No. 1 on the Mediabase Active Rock chart, it marked SHINEDOWN's 22nd song to reach No. 1 on the chart. On the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart (where it also hit No. 1) SHINEDOWN became the only band in the chart's history to get 20 No. 1s on the chart. Not to mention when the song entered the Top 5 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart, SHINEDOWN tied with the FOO FIGHTERS for the artists with the most songs to hit the top 10 in the chart's history with 32 songs each. On Mediabase, SHINEDOWN holds the record for the most No. 1s, No. 5s and No. 10s on the Active Rock chart, with a total of 24 No. 1s on the Mediabase chart. All these incredible accomplishments continue to solidify that SHINEDOWN have made a name for themselves in rock and are one of the biggest bands in the world.
This year has also come with some historic wins for the band as they recently took home two trophies at the iHeartRadio Music Awards where they won "Rock Artist Of The Year" and "Rock Song Of The Year" for "A Symptom Of Being Human". The awards were in celebration of the banner year they've had as "A Symptom Of Being Human" has hit nearly 125 million global streams and charted at five radio formats including a No. 1 at Active, Top 10 at Alternative, Top 10 at AC, Top 15 at Hot AC and a Top 20 at Top 40. The song, off SHINEDOWN's "Planet Zero" album, resonated with fans across the globe for the unifying message of its lyrics: that it is our human connections that matter the most.
Smith and SHINEDOWN bassist/producer Eric Bass co-wrote "Three Six Five", while "Dance, Kid, Dance" was written by Smith, Bass and Dave Bassett. The songs were produced by Bass at his own Big Animal Studio in Charleston, South Carolina.
For the tour, SHINEDOWN has teamed up with Musicians On Call and will be donating $1 for every ticket sold for the tour. As the nation's leading provider of live music in hospitals, Musicians On Call (MOC) has delivered the healing power of music to patients, families, and caregivers in healthcare environments for 25 years. More than one million people across all 50 states have experienced the joys of live music in the hospital setting through MOC's bedside, virtual, and streaming programs. MOC volunteers perform live for children and adults facing any health challenge, including Veterans recovering in VA facilities, family members supporting loved ones in need, and healthcare workers caring for patients. The collaboration is just one of the many charities SHINEDOWN supports as they frequently give back to organizations in need.
Photo credit: Ebru Yildiz | 0 | |
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2 àâã 2025
CINDERELLA's TOM KEIFER On OZZY OSBOURNE: 'He Was The King Of Heavy Music'
 In a new interview with Shaggy of the 94.9 and 104.5 The Pick radio station in Idaho Falls, Idaho, CINDERELLA frontman Tom Keifer spoke about the recent passing of legendary BLACK SABBATH singer Ozzy Osbourne. He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "Man, I loved SABBATH growing up. And to me, he was the king of heavy music. I don't use the word 'metal' because — I don't know — he did so much more than that. But he really was the innovator to me, starting with BLACK SABBATH and then with the solo stuff of just the heavy, heavy, hard, dark rock. His lyrics were just amazing. Obviously, his persona was just — everybody loved Ozzy.
"I spent a lot of time with [Ozzy] on [CINDERELLA's] trip to Moscow [Russia] for the Moscow Music Peace Festival [in 1989]. That's probably the most that I had been around him, and he was just such a great guy and just so funny. He just had everybody laughing all the time. So it's a great loss — really great loss."
Asked if he had a "crazy Ozzy Osbourne story" to share, Tom said: "Yeah, I'm trying to think. I think one of the funniest moments was, we did a press conference when we first got there, and he was asked, 'What's the difference between America and Russia?' And remember this is back in the '80s, so Domino's Pizza [had] the whole [marketing campaign where they promised a pizza delivery in] '30 minutes or your pizza's free'. He just said something kind of like, In America, if we don't get our pizza in 30 minutes, we're angry and we want it for free.' And he said, 'They're still waiting for their pizza here.' And just the whole room just cracked up. [Laughs] I think anyone that was at that press conference will remember that moment, because he just had a way about him. He was just funny."
After Shaggy noted that Ozzy still sounded great at his final performance, which took place a little over two weeks before his death, Tom concurred. "I've seen clips from it. It's really great," he said. "And, yeah, I really love that track that he released recently; 'Gods Of Rock N Roll' [Ozzy's collaborative song with Billy Morrison] is amazing. His voice is as good as ever. And, actually, fun fact — Fred Coury, the drummer of CINDERELLA, scored the strings on that track and was involved in that track… Yeah, it's a beautiful track, man. I really love it. His voice just still sounded so amazing."
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.
No cause of death was given, but 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 death came a little more than two weeks after he took the stage for his final performance with BLACK SABBATH at Villa Park in the band's original hometown of Birmingham, United Kingdom. They performed four songs for more than 40,000 people in the stadium and 5.8 million more on a livestream. Ozzy also played a five-song solo set while seated in a bat-adorned throne.
Formed in Birmingham in 1968, BLACK SABBATH is widely recognized as one of the most influential heavy metal bands of all time, with a career spanning decades and over 75 million albums sold worldwide. Their impact on the genre remains as significant today as it was in the early 1970s, with their music shaping generations of metal musicians.
Ozzy's family reality television show "The Osbournes" won a 2002 Primetime Emmy.
In 2006, Osbourne and the other members of the original BLACK SABBATH were inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. Ozzy was also inducted into the Rock Hall as a solo artist in 2024.
Osbourne won several Grammys, including one in 1993 for his solo song "I Don't Want To Change The World".
Ozzy and his wife and manager Sharon started their annual tour — Ozzfest — in 1996 after he was rejected from the lineup of what at the time was the top touring music festival, Lollapalooza. The first traveling version of Ozzfest in 1997 included MARILYN MANSON and PANTERA as part of the lineup.
Osbourne leaves behind his wife, three children from his first marriage (including an adopted son from his first wife's previous relationship),and three with Sharon: Jack, Kelly and Aimee.
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2 àâã 2025
MALEVOLENT CREATION's PHIL FASCIANA Expects To Be Released From Hospital Next Week
 Guitarist Phil Fasciana of long-running Florida death metallers MALEVOLENT CREATION expects to be returning home next week, a little over two weeks after he was first treated in ICU (Intensive Care Unit) at a hospital in Montpelier, France as a result of him developing a severe case of bacterial pneumonia.
Due to Phil's hospitalization, the other members of the band — Ronnie Parmer (drums),Jesse Jolly (bass, lead vocals) and Chris Cannella (guitar) — are playing the remaining shows of the band's in-progress European tour as a three-piece, beginning with the July 17 concert at Razzmatazz in Barcelona, Spain.
Earlier today (Friday, August 1),Fasciana shared the following update on his condition via social media: "As of today August 1st I am having the last of my tests and if all is good I will be released on Monday or Tuesday at the latest.
"I don't know how I contracted this bacteria but my lungs were filled with blood for some time now. I have to see doctors every month concerning injuries I received in a car accident in 2021 and none of the doctors I see that check your blood as well as other vitals never detected anything. Even after complaining about just generally feeling constantly sick and having tons of X-rays, MRIs and just general routine doctor visits. The French doctors knew immediately and after being in a coma for 8 days I was told what was going on and of course I laughed and said yeah right! One of the doctors asked me to spit on the ground and I did and sure as shit it was pure blood. My lungs were filled with blood and I was dying. A lot of work had to be done to clear up my lungs and a lot of strong antibiotics. But right now I am getting ready for a bunch of tests concerning my black heart. If all goes well I will be flying home on Monday or Tuesday.
"Thanks to my band members Ronnie Parmer, Jesse Jolly [and] Chris Cannella for saving my life and all the people around the world for your kind words.
"I have to take things day to day but I will be on tour with KRISIUN in Brazil in September and our North American tour in October.
"What a wild ride I had to experience the last 4 weeks but I'm back baby!!!"
Fasciana is the sole remaining original member of MALEVOLENT CREATION, which formed in in Buffalo, New York in 1986 and later relocated to Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
MALEVOLENT CREATION's latest album, "The 13th Beast", was released in January 2019 via Century Media. It was the band's sole disc to feature drummer Phil Cancilla and vocalist/guitarist Lee Wollenschlaeger.
Former MALEVOLENT CREATION frontman Bret Hoffmann died in July 2018 after a battle with stage 4 colon cancer. He was only 51 years old.
Bret performed on the first three MALEVOLENT CREATION releases until he left the band after 1993's "Stillborn" album. Five years later, he returned and performed on "The Fine Art Of Murder" and "Envenomed" before leaving again and being replaced by Kyle Symons. He rejoined MALEVOLENT again in 2006 and appeared on three more of the group's albums, 2007's "Doomsday X", 2010's "Invidious Dominion" and 2015's "Dead Man's Path". He exited the group once again in 2016 and was replaced by Wollenschlaeger.
Seeing posts like this freaked me out but things like this reach a lot of people. As of today August 1st I am having the...
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2 àâã 2025
NOVEMBERS DOOM Release Official Lyric Video For New Single “Mercy”
 American dark metal stalwarts, Novembers Doom, reveal “Mercy” as the second single from their twelfth studio album Major Arcana, out on September 19 via Prophecy Productions. Stream the single here, and find a lyric video below.
“For me, ‘Mercy’ stands out as the most personal song on this record”, vocalist Paul Kuhr reveals. “We also felt that a visual concept with emphasis on the lyrics was the right concept for this song. From my perspective, ‘Mercy’ explores the paralyzing fear associated with confronting mortality. This is juxtaposed with the time and age disparity between my wife and myself. This song delves deep into personal guilt for knowing that quite likely I’ll be leaving her alone one day. The lyrics therefore embody abandonment, and they are deeply rooted in loss, sadness, and pure emotion. Larry’s solo performance is arguably my favorite of all that he has ever recorded, as it perfectly captures the intended feelings and simply ‘sings’ all the words I couldn’t write down.”
Additionally, Novembers Doom will also reissue a 20th Anniversary Edition of their cult album The Pale Haunt Departure (2005) on October 3. This collectors’ edition full-length will be released on vinyl for the first time and as a lavish artbook including 7 exclusive bonus track, rare images, and liner notes. Mailorder customers, who order both albums, will receive The Pale Haunt Departure early and together with Major Arcana on September 19.
Novembers Doom return with their twelfth full-length album, Major Arcana. Following six long years after their acclaimed latest opus Nephilim Grove (2019), the American dark metal stalwarts have raised the stakes even higher by creating a conceptual album that thematically draws inspiration from tarot and divination.
This overarching theme reflects in the artwork and design of Major Arcana as well as in the lyrical storytelling throughout the album. Novembers Doom are pushing forward with renewed vigor and a burning desire to expand their artistic boundaries even further.
Founded in 1989 in Chicago, Illinois by vocalist Paul Kuhr, Novembers Doom have continued to grow and evolve over more than three decades. Initially emerging as one of the leaders of American death doom, their debut album Amid Its Hallowed Mirth in early 1995 set the band firmly on a dark musical course. Over the following years, they have gradually refined and developed a style that they have coined “dark metal”.
Their distinct sound encompasses many different elements and musical influences that make Novembers Doom a unique band that is hard to categorize and pigeonhole. This evolution of their signature style has garnered much praise and reverence from the metal underground and beyond. Albums such as The Knowing (2000), 2005’s The Pale Haunt Departure, and Bled White (2014) have received high praise and acknowledgements from critics, fans, and their peers alike.
Novembers Doom’s mastery of seamlessly blending their death metal and doom roots with progressive, folk, and classic rock influences has allowed the band to grow and change in fresh and surprising ways, while always retaining their signature feel and atmospheres that have remained a constant throughout the band’s career.
After enduring the various trials and tribulations presented by the world in recent years, Novembers Doom enter their 36th year of existence with renewed focus and excitement about their new album, Major Arcana.
From the hauntingly ethereal vibes of the opening track, “June”, through brutally crushing songs like “Ravenous”, as well as the epic sadness and yearning of tracks like “Mercy” and “Bleed Static” to the frenetically energetic hooks found on “The Fool” and “Dusking Day”, their twelfth opus witnesses Novembers Doom covering a wide range of sounds and emotions. Once again, with the production team of engineer Chris Djuricic at Belle Sound Studio and the legendary Dan Swanö (Edge Of Sanity, Nightingale, et al.) handling the mixing and mastering duties, Major Arcana boldly underscores the band’s reputation for delivering exceptional albums that sound dark, heavy, epic, and emotionally stirring all at once.
While no divination may accurately predict where Novembers Doom will go from here or how the deck might be stacked against or in favour of them, rest assured that they have poured their souls into the creation of this new album. Get ready to hear Major Arcana and to see it unleashed onto an eagerly anticipating world!
Major Arcana is available as a 36-page hardcover CD-artbook, as a Digipak CD, as a marbled gold & black vinyl LP, and as black vinyl LP.
All formats are also available as premium editions that include a complete 79 card Tarot deck & an exclusive ‘Fan Bonus Card’ that will grant access to future meet & greets, VIP merchandise, and other items.
Pre-order here.
Major Arcana tracklisting:
“June”
“Major Arcana”
“Ravenous”
“Mercy”
“The Dance”
“The Fool”
“Bleed Static”
“Chatter”
“Dusking Day”
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Mayhem
