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20 май 2025
JOSH FREESE Shares List Of 'Top 10 Possible Reasons' He 'Got Booted From' The FOO FIGHTERS
 Josh Freese has shared a humorous list of "Top 10 possible reasons" he "got booted from" the FOO FIGHTERS.
Just three days after the drummer announced he had been let go from the Dave Grohl-fronted act without being given a reason, Freese — a session veteran who first came to prominence in the SoCal punk band THE VANDALS, and later went on to play in GUNS N' ROSES, A PERFECT CIRCLE and DEVO — made good on his promise by putting together a tongue-in-cheek list of reasons he might have been given his walking papers.
The list reads as follows:
10) Once whistled "My Hero" for a week solid on tour.
9) Could only name one FUGAZI song.
8) Two words: polyrhythms.
7) Metronome-like precision behind the kit deemed "soulless."
6) Demanded starting every rehearsal with a 20-minute cowbell sound bath.
5) Never even once tried growing a beard.
4) Didn't show up to studio because Mercury was in retrograde.
3) Promised Noodles [THE OFFSPRING] he could be 4th guitarist.
2) Refused to perform unless he was guaranteed a Ouija board and nunchucks after every show.
1) The whole poodle thing was getting to be a bit much
Two years after he was recruited to fill the vacancy left by the late Taylor Hawkins, Freese shared a statement on Instagram last Friday (May 16) in which he said the FOO FIGHTERS called him earlier that week to let him know that they had decided "to go in a different direction with their drummer." Freese added, "No reason was given," and later joked, "Stay tuned for my 'Top 10 possible reasons Josh got booted from the FOO FIGHTERS' list."
Josh's full statement reads as follows:
"The FOO FIGHTERS called me Monday night to let me know they've decided 'to go in a different direction with their drummer.' No reason was given. :(
"Regardless, I enjoyed the past two years with them, both on and off stage, and I support whatever they feel is best for the band.
"In my 40 years of drumming professionally, I've never been let go from a band, so while I'm not angry just a bit shocked and disappointed. But as most of you know I've always worked freelance and bounced between bands so, I'm fine.
"Stay tuned for my 'Top 10 possible reasons Josh got booted from the FOO FIGHTERS' list."
In April 2024, Josh spoke to producer and YouTuber Rick Beato about how he landed the coveted FOO FIGHTERS gig. He said in part: "On my children's lives, I had zero plans of being called to be the drummer. And everyone and their mother — my neighbor walking the dog, 'Hey Josh, the FOO FIGHTERS call you yet?' Other people hitting me up, other drummers, Reddit forums, 'Josh Freese is gonna be the guy.' I'm going, 'I don't even know if they're gonna continue on [after Taylor's death].' And most people I knew said, 'Oh, they're gonna have to. They're gonna figure it out.' I was, like, 'Well, maybe. Who knows?' I didn't ask them that question during those [Taylor Hawkins] tribute [concerts in September 2022]. Once again, I wanted to give everybody space. I wasn't gonna be another guy coming at Dave [Grohl, FOO FIGHTERS frontman], going, 'So dude, if you need a drummer, I'm around. I'm just saying.' I didn't mention it once, and was busy enough and making a good enough living already that I wasn't freaked out about it. I wasn't going, 'God, I hope they call. I hope they call.' I was, like, 'You know what? Whatever happens is gonna happen.' And that's how I kind of like to roll."
He continued: "Months went on after that second, L.A. [Taylor Hawkins tribute concert]. I guess it was September [2022 when the two shows took place]. And Dave had said that he'd written a bunch of songs. He was gonna record a bunch of stuff after those shows. So, cool. So it sounded like he was gonna make a record. And then I guess it was right before Christmas that year, 2022, and I got a call from him. I got a missed call. I was on a walk with my wife and some of our dogs, and I go, 'Ah, Dave just tried calling me like 20 minutes ago.' And she's, like, 'I know why he's calling you.' I was, like, 'Easy. I'm not thinking that.' I swear to God, that's not why I thought. I go, 'You know what? He might be having a New Year's Eve party. He might be doing a project where he has all those drummer friends of ours that perform at the thing, we each play a track. He could be calling me for numerous reasons, but I'm not gonna pretend like that's why he's calling me.' I called him back, and we small-talked about Christmas and our kids and do they still believe in Santa Claus? And who's the hardest to shop for? And just this silly small-talk family stuff, if anything. I said, 'Hey, did you go record?' He goes, 'Yeah, we recorded a bunch of stuff. And I played drums, and I'm really happy with the way it sounds. I'm really excited about it. And we had the drummer talk. And we want you to be the guy.' And it felt like someone kind of socked me in the stomach. I didn't go, 'Wow, yippee, this is so cool.' I didn't get excited like that. It was almost like I got the wind knocked out of me. And I was, like, 'Oh my God.' I was, like, 'Here we go.' 'Cause I knew… I had time to think about it and all that, but I was, like, come on. After the holidays, Dave and I got together and talked and he played me the new record, we were talking, and even there's sometimes when you go, 'You know you've gotta do this, right?'"
Freese went on to say that he had no doubt he would accept the offer to become FOO FIGHTERS' new drummer. "It couldn't have gone down any other way after being asked, and being asked by someone that I've respected forever, not just as a songwriter and a singer/guitarist, but as a drummer," Josh explained. "First and foremost for me, Dave is such a bad motherfucker, man. And he just innately has this thing. That stuff can't be taught; it just can't be taught. You can try to explain it to somebody, but you're either gonna do it or you're not. And he was blessed with being able to do it and just deliver. So, for me, as a drummer, it's great. And I used to talk about it with Taylor all the time. He was, like, 'Oh, man, it's so cool. Look at Dave.' He loved Dave's drumming, and we'd talk about it."
Freese continued: "I've made records with bands where the singer maybe used to play drums. But Dave's a drummer's drummer. And so it's not, like, 'Oh, yeah, he used to play drums.' Nah, he's the drummer. And I've tried to let that be a source of inspiration and excitement when I'm playing with him and playing in a band with him rather than letting it intimidate me or freak me out. 'Cause if you start going down that path, it could intimidate you and freak you out. 'My God, I'm Dave Grohl's drummer.' But he makes it so comfortable and good and natural, the way we play together. And as a drummer, his rhythm is great. Most bands, when you've got a break, you've got a four-bar break and the guitar is playing, I'm making sure to keep that time on the hi-hat. [With Dave, I] never have to [do that]. It's right there all the time. Ah, it's so cool. It's so cool. And when he turns around and we lock in, luckily — maybe one day it will become nerve racking — it's never been nerve racking for me. It's always fun and exciting, 'cause it's kind of laid out that way. It's not some heavy trip or weird thing. It's just all good. It's all good stuff."
FOO FIGHTERS revealed Freese as part of its touring lineup on May 21, 2023 during a pre-tour livestream called "Foo Fighters: Preparing Music For Concerts". Freese was unveiled as the drummer during the livestream after comedic cameos by Chad Smith of RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS, Tommy Lee of MÖTLEY CRÜE and Danny Carey of TOOL.
Prior to joining the FOO FIGHTERS, Freese had most recently been drumming for Danny Elfman but was recently replaced by Ilan Rubin. Freese was also touring with THE OFFSPRING up until 2022, with former SUICIDAL TENDENCIES drummer Brandon Pertzborn stepping in to officially replace him.
Freese is a veteran session drummer who has performed with GUNS N' ROSES, A PERFECT CIRCLE, PUDDLE OF MUDD, NINE INCH NAILS, WEEZER, PARAMORE, THE REPLACEMENTS, Sting and THE VANDALS, among many others. He has also played more than 300 recordings ranging in genres from pop to rock to country.
FOO FIGHTERS' 11th album, "But Here We Are", was released in June 2023 on Roswell/RCA.
Hawkins tragically passed away in March 2022 at the age of 50.
Hawkins was found dead in a hotel room in Colombia, shortly before FOO FIGHTERS were due to play a festival in Bogotá. No cause of death was ever announced.
Hawkins had been the FOO FIGHTERS drummer for 25 years, taking over from original drummer William Goldsmith in 1997. He is survived by his wife Alison and their three children.
FOO FIGHTERS staged two tribute concerts in honor of Hawkins. The first tribute concert took place September 3, 2022 at London's Wembley Stadium. A Los Angeles concert was held on September 27, 2022 and raised money for Musicares and Music Support charities and served as a farewell party for Hawkins's adopted hometown.
Other notable tributes to come in the months following Hawkins's death included a segment at the 2022 Grammy Awards, a drum circle in Taylor's hometown, and a live performance of the FOO FIGHTERS song "My Hero" by more than 1,000 musicians.
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20 май 2025
CHRIS POLAND Says Being Publicly Called A 'Liar' By DAVE MUSTAINE Did A Lot Of Damage To His Post-MEGADETH Career
 For the latest episode of "The David Ellefson Show" video podcast, former MEGADETH guitarist Chris Poland joined ex-MEGADETH bassist David Ellefson and podcast co-host Joshua Toomey to share stories about life after MEGADETH, challenges of recovery, industry politics and the lasting brotherhood forged through decades of music. Reflecting on his time with the Dave Mustaine-led outfit, Poland said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "I have no regrets about everything that's happened — except one. I regret that Mustaine for years would go on stage and call me a liar. I never really thought much about it, but then I did the math and I realized that's why things were so hard for me to try and get deals. I walked into Carvin [guitars] one day and I thought, 'You know what? These guitars aren't bad. I wanna talk to their A&R guy.' So I spoke to the guy and he goes, 'Dude, we don't use people like you on our roster.' So, I was, like, 'Oh, okay.' So I have a feeling that Dave's anger with me about what it was really was like dragging around a fucking 50-pound ball all the time — back then."
Ellefson chimed in: "Well, look, he did it to [another former MEGADETH guitarist] Jeff Young. There was some derogatory comment [Dave made] that kept [Jeff] from getting work for a long time. I could say the same was attempted at me. Fortunately, I just kept moving. I just kept going and was, like, 'All right, I'm just gonna ignore that comment and keep moving.'"
David continued: "It's interesting. There's always been a lot of these 'former MEGADETH members unite' [situations]. And it's not an intentional thing. It's not. In fact, when I was going back to MEGADETH [15 years ago], Jeff was really taking an issue over Dave [saying in interviews that Mustaine was] whistling or singing guitar solos to him [while Jeff was in the band] or something, and it was a public thing. And he is going, 'Come on, we gotta unite.' And I said, 'Hey, Jeff. I just got home from San Diego. I literally just rejoined MEGADETH.' And this was 2010. And I remember Dave came to me about it, and I said, 'I'll handle it. I'll take care of it.' And I made it go away — as I do. Because that's just part of — I don't know — part of the gift I've been given on this planet. It's, like, we're gonna come to peaceful terms, we're gonna make that go away, and we're all gonna just move on."
Added Chris: "It's not sour grapes or anything. It's just it finally dawned on me just how much damage that really did."
A little over three years ago, Poland confirmed to Sofa King Cool that the song "Liar" from MEGADETH's 1988 album "So Far, So Good... So What?" was written by Mustaine about him. He said: "Oh, yeah. Obviously, Dave was very upset with me when I left the band — when he fired me, basically."
Asked if he was angry when he first heard he was the lyrical inspiration for the song, Poland said: "No, man. It's like the pot calling the kettle black, man. When you point your finger, man, there's three pointing back at you. I just rolled my eyes and was, like, 'Really?'"
Poland was a member of MEGADETH from 1984 to 1987, during which time he performed on the band's classic albums "Killing Is My Business... And Business Is Good!" and "Peace Sells... But Who's Buying?" He is also a featured soloist on the group's 2004 album, "The System Has Failed".
Back in 2004, Poland and/or his management and attorney filed a lawsuit against Mustaine regarding the use of the three "Rust In Peace" demos on the album's reissue without Chris's permission. According to MEGADETH's webmaster, Mustaine included the demos because he thought Chris would be "thankful for the promotion, the tipping of the hat, and showing the fans how Marty [Friedman, MEGADETH's guitarist during some of the post-Poland years] had actually been influenced by some of Chris's solo selections for those songs." Chris also allegedly tried to sue Dave for defamation of character because Dave called him a "thief," but Chris's attorney "dropped that after he found out that Chris had actually taken the band's gear and sold it for drugs," according to MEGADETH's webmaster. "Remember, there is a confession in the VH1 'Behind the Music' on MEGADETH," the webmaster said. Chris eventually settled for $9,500 and thereby ended a professional relationship with Dave and MEGADETH.
In a September 2020 interview with Darren Paltrowitz (host of the "Paltrocast With Darren Paltrowitz" podcast),Mustaine singled out Poland, saying: "Chris Poland, as much as I don't really like the guy, he was a great guitar player, and I wanted to give him a shot when we did the 2004 reissues for 'Peace Sells' and 'Rust In Peace', and I wanted to put that song out on the 'Rust In Peace' reissue. He got involved in a nuisance lawsuit, I think it was, and we just ended our friendship. And I thought, 'God, that was such a waste.'
"There was a little teeny mountain that was right out by where we live, and I said I could have just as soon bought that piece of dirt there than sell Chris's friendship, and I'm so bummed that this happened," Mustaine added. "'Cause I thought it would have been terrific to have him on the record. [When] people say, 'Hey, this sounds like Marty Friedman.' No, Marty Friedman sounded like this, because Chris played it first."
Poland previously discussed the legal issues surrounding the 2004 reissue of "Rust In Peace" in a 2018 interview with the As The Story Grows podcast. He said: "When I did 'The System Has Failed', [Dave] was working on adding the demos to a re-release of 'Rust In Peace'. And I wasn't going to get paid, but I didn't realize that until it came out. I was like, 'Wait a minute — I'm not getting paid for this.' And I tried to call Dave at least a dozen times, and I never heard back from him. Then I called Dave's manager a dozen times, and he wouldn't get back to me. The last time I called him, I said, 'Hey, man. If you don't call me back, I'm going to call [my lawyer], and we're going to have to get into it.' [The manager] calls me back and totally insults me, saying, 'You played a couple solos. So what?' And I'm like, 'What do you mean, 'So what?'' 'Well, Dave thought that you would do it for the fans.' I said, 'Okay. Is everybody else that played on that demo doing it for the fans? Are they getting paid?' He said, 'Chris, that's not the point.' I said, 'Listen, man, we have to do something here. I'm not just going to walk away. I love the fans, but I'm just not going to do it. If everybody else is getting a performance royalty for this, I want one.' I want everybody to know that it wasn't a nuisance suit, it wasn't anything like that. I made every attempt to work it out, and they just ignored me."
For more than two and a half decades, Poland's main musical focus has been the fusion band OHM:, which has released several full-length studio albums to date.
Ellefson and Young are currently playing together in a band called KINGS OF THRASH. Earlier this month, the band released a new single called "Lockdown", featuring a guest appearance by Poland.
Photo credit: Melody Myers (courtesy of O'Donnell Media Group)
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20 май 2025
Watch: EXODUS Performs At 2025 Edition Of Florida's WELCOME TO ROCKVILLE Festival
 K Train Productions has uploaded video of EXODUS's May 15 performance at the Welcome To Rockville festival at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. Check out the clips below.
During a recent appearance on Full Metal Jackie's nationally syndicated radio show, EXODUS guitarist Gary Holt opened up about the latest departure of singer Steve "Zetro" Souza and the decision to bring Rob Dukes back. He said: "Well, no one foresaw lineup changes. We never foresaw 'em the first time [we had Rob in the band], but you'd come to kind of a road crossing where we just felt like things were not going the way they needed to be, with everybody being on the same page and being happy about things. And as far as Rob coming back — I'm 60 years old. I don't wanna meet new people [laughs] — I don't. And Rob's one of my best friends and we talk all the time. And yeah, I thought for, like, half a second, 'Maybe we'll get some guy half my age who's got washboard abs and could still jump off a drum riser without his knees giving out for a week.' But no — I'd rather stick with my friend. And his vocals on these new songs are just fucking gonna blow people's minds. It's insane."
Asked how Dukes's return to EXODUS changed the direction or his approach to the band's next studio album, which is currently being recorded for a 2026 release, Holt said: "I write songs for myself, and we all do; EXODUS writes for EXODUS. And I've never changed approach for anything. When Steve Souza rejoined us for '[Blood In] Blood Out', I'd already written those songs. And some people are, like, 'Oh, they were perfect for him.' Well, they were what was written, and I'm gonna write 'em regardless of who's manning the microphone. But Rob's coming back certainly energized me. And that's when I was, like, 'Let's record two [albums],' and then I can have that mythical vacation in between albums and not have to go back in the studio until I'm 70. Who knows if that'll even happen? So that's the way we look at it — record two albums and who knows what happens between now and then? I could get hit by a car, and then have a posthumous release — 'Gary Holt's last performance', whatever. You think about that stuff at 60 years old. It's crazy."
Souza joined EXODUS in 1986 after previously fronting the band LEGACY (which later became TESTAMENT). He remained in the band until their hiatus in 1993, but rejoined them for two years from 2002 to 2004. Dukes had joined EXODUS in 2005 (following Souza's departure) and remained until 2014, when Souza rejoined.
Dukes previously joined EXODUS in January 2005 and appeared on four of the band's studio albums — "Shovel Headed Kill Machine" (2005),"The Atrocity Exhibition... Exhibit A" (2007),"Let There Be Blood" (2008, a re-recording of EXODUS's classic 1985 LP, "Bonded By Blood") and "Exhibit B: The Human Condition" (2010).
EXODUS played its first concert with Dukes in nearly 11 years on April 5 at the Decibel Magazine Metal & Beer Fest: Philly at the Fillmore in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
In a recent interview with CBS SF, Holt stated about Souza: "I've got nothing but love for [Zetro]. It's not like the last time he left the band, when it was on really bad terms. At 60 years old, this job gets fucking hard. And if you don't like to travel, and no longer like to be out on the road and and you want to cut the touring way back and all that, we can no longer make a living at this. We literally would have to go get day jobs. That's pretty much what happened. One guy wasn't enjoying it anymore. And none of us enjoy being away from home all the time. It sucks. My happy place is being around my family. I can speak for all of us, Steve included. But while I can — this whole age thing — while I can still tour for six weeks and crush it and go out and play seven, eight, nine shows in a row, I'm going to do it. Until I can't, and then I'll slow down. But if we start slowing down now, eventually it's just going to come to a stop."
Regarding how he ended up back in the EXODUS fold, Rob told Mark Strigl in February: "How it happened was Lee [Altus, EXODUS guitarist] and Gary called me, and Tom [Hunting, EXODUS drummer] called me, and they all spoke to me individually to kind of see where I was at. And then they asked me, and I said, 'Sure.'
"I'm not gonna talk about why they did what they did [as far as parting ways with Zetro] — that's on them to talk about, 'cause I have no idea," he continued. "I mean, I kind of do, but it's not my place. So, I'll let them handle that end.
"I was as surprised as you, man," Dukes admitted. "I mean, when I got the call… Me and Gary didn't speak as much, but me and Tom talk all the time. Me and Lee constantly talk about hockey and give each other shit — I'm a Rangers fan; he's a Flyers fan — so we're always in contact, especially during hockey season. And then, like I said, man, it came out of nowhere for myself too. And I took a day and decided, 'Yeah, okay, I can make it work.' 'Cause I have to put my life on hold, the life I've been building for 10 years as a car builder and a welder. But I sat down with the people I work for and the people I work with and I explained the situation and they were all, like, 'Yeah, go do it, man. You only live once.' And I was, like, 'Yeah, cool. That's exactly how I was thinking about it.' So, it all worked out, man. And everybody's stoked and happy."
During an appearance on a recent episode of the "Rock And Roll Geek Show" podcast, which is hosted by former EXODUS bassist Michael Butler, Holt opened up about Souza's departure, saying: " People ask [why we fired Zetro] — everybody wants to know because we've chosen not to tell anybody. All I ever tell people is, marriages don't often work. And just 'cause you saw a married couple out in public that seemed happy, you don't know what's going on at home. I don't know if the wife's throwing frying pans at his head or he's fucking drunk out of his ass, fucking screaming at him and slapping the kids. You don't know. Just 'cause they go out in public and they put on a happy face.
"We've got nothing but respect for Zetro, and we've got love [for him] and I'm honored to have made some great music [with him]. But I'm also 60 years old, and the five of us need to be on the same page. And now we are."
After Butler suggested that musicians sometimes have different personalities and "people can get on your nerves sometimes", Holt clarified: "It's not even a matter of [anything] like that because we all get on each other's nerves. It's just as you get older, this job, either you still love it or it becomes incredibly difficult… For me, [it's] fucking not [difficult] at all. And so, for whatever our reasons, four guys had a reason to do what we did."
Asked if he personally called Zetro to tell the singer he was fired, Gary responded: "I don't really wanna go into all that. [Laughs] There's no hate involved. It's just the fucking marriage didn't work. Sometimes you get along with your ex. Sometimes you don't hate your ex; you just can't be married to them anymore… Sometimes the wife still likes him and he's a good father, but God, what a fucking crappy husband. Or what a bad life. But she was good with the kids and she's a member of the PTA. Who fucking knows?
"What's funny is online people are coming up with their conspiracy theories [about why Zetro was fired]," he continued. "It's like Pizzagate. It's fucking crazy. Like that it had something to do with that he just got married. Like, 'Rob Dukes got married right when he got fired, and Zetro got married [before he got fired]. Hmm. Pattern?' Dude, I've got grandkids. Like I fucking have a problem with my singer being married. Fucking stupid. I had one guy, when it happened, he got on my Instagram and he broke down his timeline of how we treat singers. Well, the first thing he said was, 'Gary Holt's just all about the money.' And if you fucking think parting ways with your singer is a fucking path to financial security, you're fucking high. What the fuck's wrong with you? And then he broke down his whole timeline. And I politely corrected his timeline for him. I don't respond to fucking people — I ain't got time for — but the guy goes, 'Band hires Paul [Baloff]. Fires Paul.' True. Paul was fired. Paul's life was a mess. In hindsight, we later became just as big a mess as he ever was. And then he said, 'Band hires singer, Steve Souza.' And he goes, 'Band fires Steve Souza.' No, we broke up [after] 'Force Of Habit'. He goes, 'Band rehires Paul Baloff. Band fires Paul Baloff.' I'm, like, 'He fucking died. We didn't fire him. He died.' And then he said, 'Band hires Steve Souza. Band fires Steve Souza.' No, he quit… In his eyes, we fired the dead guy. And I was, like, 'Just fuck off,' you know?, I politely said, 'Hey, buddy, let me correct your timeline for you.' I didn't go, 'Fuck you, dude.' I just said, 'Let me fix your timeline.'
"People are dumb," Holt added. "And I don't like to be mean to people. I've done stupid shit myself. But people fucking create whatever theories they can come up with in their little brains."
Although EXODUS rarely gets mentioned alongside the so-called "Big Four" of 1980s thrash metal — METALLICA, MEGADETH, SLAYER and ANTHRAX — the aforementioned "Bonded By Blood" LP inspired the likes of TESTAMENT, DEATH ANGEL, VIO-LENCE and many others to launch their careers and is considered one of the most influential thrash metal albums of all time. | +2 | |
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20 май 2025
WARMEN Feat. Ex-CHILDREN OF BODOM Keyboardist JANNE WIRMAN: New Album 'Band Of Brothers' Due In August
 WARMEN, the brainchild of former CHILDREN OF BODOM keyboardist Janne "Warman" Wirman, will release a new album, "Band Of Brothers", on August 15 via Reaper Entertainment.
The follow-up to 2023's "Here For None" was recorded at various locations across Finland and refined by Mikko Karmila (mix) and Mika Jussila (mastering) at the legendary Finnvox Studios. Frontman Petri Lindroos (ENSIFERUM) delivers aggressive vocals and distinctive guitar solos, adding new energy and helping to define the band's modern sound.
The first single, the title track "Band Of Brothers", will play a central role in the band’s 2025 live set. Following the album release, WARMEN will embark on an extensive touring schedule across Europe, including debut shows in Hungary and Switzerland, as well as a major headlining tour in Finland.
The official album launch will kick off with a special release show at Germany's Summer Breeze Open Air festival on August 15.
In 2025, WARMEN present themselves heavier, tighter, and more determined than ever before. The new record combines brutal heaviness, anthemic melodies, and cinematic atmosphere — cementing the band's evolution from a side project to a fully fledged force in melodic death metal.
"We really wrote this album together," says Janne. "It feels like a real band — a true band of brothers."
"Band Of Brothers" track listing:
01. Band Of Brothers
02. One More Year
03. Nine Lives
04. When Doves Cry Blood
05. Out For Blood
06. Kingdom Of Rust
07. March Or Die
08. Untouched
09. Coup De Grâce
10. Dethroned
11. The Kiss Of Judas (STRATOVARIUS cover)
The cover artwork was once again created by Aleh Zieliankievic, who also worked on "Here For None".
WARMEN started as a solo project of Wirman, and when the keyboardist wasn't traveling the world with CHILDREN OF BODOM, he was regularly recording albums with his brother Antti "Warman" Wirman, Jyri Helko (bass) and Mirka Rantanen (drums; KOTIPELTO, ex-HEVISAURUS). After the much-too-early end of CHILDREN OF BODOM and the tragic death of Alexi Laiho, Janne, together with Antti, found his way back to music through WARMEN.
WARMEN is:
Janne "Warman" Wirman - Keyboards
Petri Lindroos - Vocals
Antti "Warman" Wirman - Guitar
Jyri Helko - Bass
Seppo Tarvainen - Drums | 0 | |
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20 май 2025
Watch: SNOT Performs With Ex-GODSMACK Drummer SHANNON LARKIN At WELCOME TO ROCKVILLE Festival
 Reactivated Santa Barbara-based metal/punk rock hybrid SNOT recruited former GODSMACK drummer Shannon Larkin to sit behind the kit for the band's performance yesterday (Sunday, May 18) at the Welcome To Rockville festival at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. Fan-filmed video of the concert can be seen below.
On Thursday, May 15, SNOT shared a video of Larkin playing along to one of the band's songs and included the following message: "Due to [regular SNOT drummer] Jamie Miller currently on tour in Spain with BAD RELIGION, legendary drummer Shannon Larkin will be joining SNOT on the drum throne this Sunday at @WelcomeToRockville in Daytona Beach! Shannon is responsible for putting SNOT together in the beginning and also played the very last two SNOT shows before [original SNOT singer] Lynn [Strait] passed away in 1998."
Larkin and guitarist Tony Rombola quit GODSMACK last year in order "to fulfill their desire to live a more simple and quiet life away from touring," according to GODSMACK frontman Sully Erna, who didn't make their departures public until early April.
Shannon joined GODSMACK in 2002, replacing founding drummer Tommy Stewart.
Last month SNOT recruited Doc Coyle (GOD FORBID, ex-BAD WOLVES) as the band's touring guitarist after the group's recent split with Sonny Mayo.
The news of Mayo's departure was broken by SNOT guitarist Mikey Doling who stated in a video message: "Sonny Mayo has decided to quit SNOT. SNOT doesn't fit into his life right now, and he just wants to focus on himself and his life. And SNOT's just too busy for him to be able to continue.
"So I'd like to wish Sonny Mayo the best of luck in his future, and I wanna thank him for all he's contributed to SNOT over the years. We love you, brother," Mikey continued.
"That being said, our very, very good friend from GOD FORBID, formerly BAD WOLVES, Doc Coyle, is going to be filling in on guitar for the upcoming shows. And we're excited to have him on board. And thank you very much, Doc Coyle."
In March, SNOT announced a European tour for August 2025. The eight-date trek will mark the band's first shows on the continent with new singer Andy Knapp, who made his live debut with SNOT in January.
SNOT's first gig with Knapp took place on January 17 at the Parish room at the House Of Blues in Anaheim, California. The performance was also livestreamed via the band's Instagram. SNOT played a second show with Knapp, who also sings for fellow Southern California band STRONGER THAN MACHINES, on January 18 at Brick By Brick in San Diego, California.
In a recent interview with "The Garza Podcast", hosted by SUICIDE SILENCE guitarist Chris Garza, Doling and bassist John "Tumor" Fahnestock confirmed that there are plans for SNOT to write new music.
SNOT will also play at select European festivals, as well as at the Inkcarceration Music & Tattoo Festival in Mansfield, Ohio, this summer.
SNOT disbanded in 1998 following Strait's death, putting an end to a career that generated considerable promise but only one studio album, "Get Some". The band had been writing material for its sophomore CD and had completed 10 songs at the time of Strait's tragic passing. As a memorial to Strait, SNOT eventually decided to release those tracks, with lyrics and guest vocals provided by a host of stars from the alt-metal community. The resulting album, "Strait Up", was a fitting tribute from Strait's peers and friends, featuring members of LIMP BIZKIT, KORN, SLIPKNOT, SEVENDUST, (HED) P.E., COAL CHAMBER, SUGAR RAY, SYSTEM OF A DOWN, SOULFLY, and more.
SNOT in 2014 recruited Carl Bensley (VITIATE, CONSUME THE FIRE) to sing for the band following the departure of Tommy "Vext" Cummings (ex-DIVINE HERESY, BAD WOLVES).
According to the Los Angeles Times, Lynn died in died in a car accident in December 1998 as he attempted to drive across Highway 101 in Mussel Shoals, California. The 30-year-old singer died instantly after his 1992 Ford Tempo was broadsided by a southbound full-size pickup truck about noon. Also killed was Strait's small bulldog, SNOT's mascot Dobbs, who adorned the cover of the band's debut album, the 1997 Geffen Records release "Get Some". Strait, a Santa Barbara resident, was crossing the highway after visiting his girlfriend in the community. Lynn apparently pulled into the path of the truck, which was going about 65 mph. The impact sent Strait's car spinning into the center divider where it stopped, a California Highway Patrol officer told the Los Angeles Times at the time.
Cummings fronted SNOT in 2008-2009 before he and Mayo exited the group amid "strained relationships." | +1 | |
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20 май 2025
Watch: BLACK LABEL SOCIETY Performs 'Lord Humungus' Single Live For First Time
 BLACK LABEL SOCIETY, the band led by legendary guitarist Zakk Wylde (Ozzy Osbourne, PANTERA),played its recent single "Lord Humungus" live for the first time at this year's Milwaukee Metal Fest on Saturday, May 17 at The Rave / Eagles Club in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Fan-filmed video of the performance can be seen below (courtesy of WORT Mosh Pit Radio).
BLACK LABEL SOCIETY's setlist was as follows, according to Setlist.fm:
01. Lord Humungus (live debut)
02. Heart Of Darkness
03. Destroy & Conquer
04. Trampled Down Below
05. A Love Unreal
06. Funeral Bell
07. Fire It Up
08. Suicide Messiah
09. Stillborn
In a recent interview with Scott Davidson of Chicago's Rebel Radio 92.5 FM, Zakk spoke about the possibility of more music from BLACK LABEL SOCIETY after the release of two singles, "The Gallows" in September 2024 and "Lord Humungus" this past February. He said: "Well, it's a weird thing, because nowadays, just the way… 'Cause back in the day, it would be, like, you'd make a record… I mean, even back with Ozzy [Osbourne], back in '88 when I first started with the Boss, you would make the album, then you do some videos and then you release the album and then there's this big tour campaign and the whole nine yards. And nowadays, we could just keep putting singles out and videos and then put the album out eventually. So we're already two [singles] deep right now between 'The Gallows' and 'Lord Humungus'. And then in between all the PANTERA celebration stuff, when I get back home, we're in the Vatican [Zakk's home studio] and we're tracking new songs. 'Cause 'Lord Humungus' and 'The Gallows', those were all recent songs. So, yeah, we just track 'em and then we box 'em up and then ship 'em out and they're good to go. So in between, by the time BLACK LABEL starts touring in 2026 sometime… 'Cause, obviously, I'm committed to, with the fellas, [touring] with the PANTERA celebration. So we're not gonna be doing anything [touring-wise with BLACK LABEL SOCIETY] until 2026. So just keep writing away… And then, when we're good and ready, we go out."
Regarding how he goes about writing music for BLACK LABEL SOCIETY, Zakk said: "For me, it always starts with the riff. And the riff just inspires you to sing something over it. Actually, most of the time, even when it's the mellow stuff… I mean, whether I'm sitting at the piano, I pick up an acoustic, it's the chord progressions and everything like that. But especially with the heavy stuff, for me it's usually always the riff. And the riff will dictate where the song's going."
Wylde previously discussed new BLACK LABEL SOCIETY music in an April 2025 chat with American Musical Supply. He stated at the time: "We did the 'Lord Humungus' video and then we did 'The Gallows'. And I'm actually enjoying this process of doing the album this way where instead of usually you do the album, it's all done, then you make two videos or whatever and then you put them out and then it's kind of run its course — or maybe three videos. Now I think we're just gonna keep pumping out videos and doing singles and things like that until we're ready to tour in 2026 or whatever. Because everything's right now is dedicated to the PANTERA celebration. So we're doing that. And then in the spots that are in between there, we're having a blast with the ZAKK SABBATH stuff. And then, sometime in 2026, then it's time for the BLACK LABEL [to hit the road again], so we'll throw that one in high gear."
Asked about how much easier it is for him to record music now that he has a home studio at his disposal, Zakk said: "It's great… Most the time when we would do a record, it's just like there's an implosion of ideas. You write 'em, and then you're done. And then when you get some other ideas and it's time to write another [song], then you come up with this other thing… It's an implosion of ideas, and then you're done… Even with 'The Gallows' and 'Lord Humungus', it was just kinda like I was jamming on 'em in my weight room on my amp. And then I was like, 'Oh, this is a cool riff. I like this thing.' And then just put a melody to it, and then the guys came out and recorded it. And then we just recorded it just then, so it wasn't like it's been sitting around for a while."
When it eventually arrives, BLACK LABEL SOCIETY's twelfth studio LP will be the follow-up to "Doom Crew Inc.", which came out in November 2021 via MNRK Heavy.
BLACK LABEL SOCIETY headlined Zakk's inaugural music festival, Berzerkus, on September 14, 2024 at Poconos Park in Bushkill, Pennsylvania. Berzerkus was co-headlined by outlaw country music's Cody Jinks.
Wylde formed BLACK LABEL SOCIETY in 1998 and has kept the band busy in between touring and recording with Ozzy Osbourne, whose backing group he first joined more than three and a half decades ago.
BLACK LABEL SOCIETY's "Order Of The Black" (2010) and "Catacombs Of The Black Vatican" (2014) both broke into the top five on the hard rock album charts.
Since first joining Ozzy, Zakk has played on all of the BLACK SABBATH singer's solo albums except for 2020's "Ordinary Man", including such classic efforts as "No More Tears" (1991),"Ozzmosis" (1995) and "Black Rain" (2007).
BLACK LABEL SOCIETY is:
Zakk Wylde - vocals, guitar, piano
John "JD" DeServio - bass
Jeff Fabb - drums
Dario Lorina - guitar
Thanks: Nickelsack Jack | +1 | |
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20 май 2025
SIXX:A.M. Singer JAMES MICHAEL Exposes 'A Very Dark Side' Of Songwriting: It Brings Out 'The Worst In People'
 SIXX:A.M. singer James Michael has shared a new video on his YouTube channel in which he addresses what he calls "predatory songwriting", a practice where certain songwriters might ask for credit on songs that they had little to do with or where sometimes the producer of a song will try to give himself/herself a songwriting credit on a song that he/she didn't write in order to receive more royalties.
Michael said in part (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "People always talk about how powerful songs are and how they can change lives or save lives, or how they can connect us. And I believe all of that's true, but what you don't hear about is there's a dark side to songwriting — a very dark side. And the best songs quite often bring out the worst in people. And I'm gonna explain that.
"You see, the reality is this. It's not just music. This happens in all kinds of work. Maybe you've built something at your job or you had an idea, and the moment it starts to get traction, someone steps in and wants a piece of it," he continued. "It could be your boss taking credit, or a co-worker who just tries to repackage your work as if it's theirs, and it happens everywhere. Wherever there's value, there's someone right there waiting to claim it, because when something shows potential, when it feels like it's gonna work, the energy in the room shifts. People stop focusing on the craft and they start focusing on the opportunity. And songwriting, it's no different. In fact, it might be worse. I don't know. Because when a song lands, when it really hits you in the chest, it doesn't just sound good, it feels like money. And that's when things get kind of messed up.
"Now, I've gotta tell you, I've been in those rooms and watched it happen so many times," James added. "You bring in a song idea, something that you worked on really hard, and suddenly everyone wants to be a part of it. And I'm not talking about the people that were there from the beginning — you know, the ones that you may have written this song with. I'm talking about the people who kind of drift in pretty much after it's done — the ones who say, 'Let's just change this one word, or this one melody,' and they're so obviously angling for a writing credit. Now, the first few times that I had this happen to me, I thought to myself, 'Well, maybe this is just how the game is played.' But then it happens over and over and over, and I started realizing, this isn't collaboration; this is a conquest. This is this person's strategy. And the fact is the music industry doesn't reward truth; it rewards ownership. Whoever controls the publishing controls the paycheck. So it doesn't matter who created it; it just matters who delivered it. And I've gotta tell you, man, that messes with your head. Because songwriting isn't just a product; it's very personal. These are your thoughts and your stories, and suddenly they're kind of being sliced up and sold like they belong to everyone else in the room. And the better the song is, the worse the behavior gets. People change, man. And you start realizing that success doesn't just attract praise, it attracts predators.
"Now what I've just described is something that I became all too familiar with, and that is what I refer to as predatory songwriting," Michael said. "It's just where somebody sees the potential in something and they just do everything they can to basically weasel their way in and own a part of that idea or a part of that song. And so if you are starting to write songs and you're wanting to get into the songwriting business, you really have to be cautious about this. You have to learn how to identify those predators.
"I remember one time I had written a song for one of the 'American Idol' contestants who had done very well in that show and was getting ready to release their first album," James added. "And I don't wanna mention names, but a very well-known artist. And I'd written a great song for them. And the record label and the management company loved it and were very excited about it. Now, there was a big-name producer [who] was producing this album. And one day I got a call from the producer's assistant saying, 'Hey, the producer wants a writing credit on this song.' And I said, 'Oh. Well, okay, what did they change?' And the person that I was talking to kind of sat there for a second and they were, like, 'Uh, I'm not sure. I'll get back to you.' So they got back to me a couple hours later and said, 'No. They didn't really change anything. They like the song the way that it is, but since they're producing it, they want a writing credit on this song.' And I was just floored by that. I thought, 'Well, how do you justify asking for a writing credit if you didn't write something on the song?' If you're the producer, you're getting paid to produce the song. If you have an idea for the song, then by all means, I'm open to you adding your idea to the song, if it makes it better, and then, of course I would share writing credit with you, but that was not the case in this particular situation. This was just a big-name producer wanting a writing credit because he knew that's where the money was. And I just said no. And you know what happened? The song went on the album, I got the writing credit and everything turned out okay. But the point is this producer was trying to bully me into giving him a credit. He knew that I needed that songwriting cut more than he did, and so he used his power to try to persuade me to cave, to basically give in to him. And I didn't."
You can hear Michael's full comments in the YouTube video below.
James has worked as a record producer, songwriter, and/or engineer and mixer with many rock and pop recording artists, including Kelly Clarkson, Alanis Morissette, Meat Loaf, MÖTLEY CRÜE, HAMMERFALL, SCORPIONS, Hilary Duff, THE RASMUS, PAPA ROACH, TRAPT, AMERICAN BANG, SALIVA, THE EXIES, Deana Carter, Sammy Hagar, Lillix, Sarah Kelly, HALESTORM, JACK'S MANNEQUIN, BRIDES OF DESTRUCTION, Marion Raven and Victoria Justice.
To date, SIXX:A.M. — whose name is a combination of all of the members' last names (Nikki Sixx, D.J. Ashba, James Michael) — has had three U.S. Billboard top 20 albums and a string of hit singles, with its full catalog consisting of five studio albums — "The Heroin Diaries Soundtrack" (2007),"This Is Gonna Hurt" (2011),"Modern Vintage" (2014),"Prayers For The Damned" and "Prayers For The Blessed" (2016) — and three EPs, "X-Mas In Hell" (2008); "Live Is Beautiful" (2008) and "7" (2011).
SIXX:A.M.'s "Hits" compilation album came out in 2021 via Better Noise Music. The album was a retrospective celebration of SIXX:A.M.'s biggest hits and fan-favorite songs that also included five previously unheard tracks and mixes, marking the band's first official album with new material since 2016.
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20 май 2025
CHRIS ADLER Doesn't Believe He Would Ever Rejoin LAMB OF GOD: 'I Don't Think That Would Be A Very Good Idea'
 In a new interview with Scott Penfold of Loaded Radio, former LAMB OF GOD drummer Chris Adler was asked if he would ever rejoin the band he co-founded more than 30 years ago in Richmond, Virginia. He responded (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "Um, would I step in to do it again? Oh, man. I don't know that I would. It feels like it would be like, would you go on a date with your ex-wife that you still kind of pine for? And I don't think that would be a very good idea for either of us. I'll take the memories and the plaques and Grammys that I can show my parents or whatever, and we'll let it rest."
LAMB OF GOD officially parted ways with Adler in July 2019. He was replaced by Art Cruz, who had previously played with PRONG and WINDS OF PLAGUE, and filled in for Adler on several LAMB OF GOD tours in 2018 and early 2019.
Adler, who has also played drums with a number of metal artists, including MEGADETH, NITRO, BLOTTED SCIENCE and PROTEST THE HERO, told Loaded Radio about the circumstances that led to his exit from LAMB OF GOD. He said: "If anybody knows LAMB OF GOD from the beginning, I think they know that I put a lot into that band. The first practice ever was at my house, I kind of picked the guys out and I worked really hard for myself and for the guys the entire time. So that became, really, my identity. That was about as personal as it's ever been.
"When I got to do the PROTEST THE HERO record [2013's 'Volition'], that was one of my favorite bands at the time, so that was a real rush for me to be able to do something. And that was by far the most difficult recording that I did and probably I'm most proud of. I'm really happy for them that they won the Canadian Grammy [equivalent] for that. And so that felt like a personal challenge — can you actually pull this off? — which was amazing. And then, of course, getting the call to do the MEGADETH thing [recording the 2016 album 'Dystopia' and touring with the band briefly in support of the record]. When I was 14 years old skateboarding around and trading cassettes of music, I heard a MEGADETH song for the first time — and I remember the day, I remember the ramp, I remember the board I had — that set me on the path to do exactly this. MEGADETH was the thing that just flipped the switch. So when I got that call, that was the greatest thing, and I was jumping up and down. I could not believe that I was gonna be a part of my favorite band of all time. And to have that record win a Grammy, it was just amazing."
Reflecting on some of the other issues that were going on in his life prior to his departure from LAMB OF GOD, Adler said: "My mom passed away. I was in the middle of a terrible divorce. I'd had the motorcycle accident. And I haven't talked about this before, but at the same time, in 2016, '17, right at the end of '16, I was diagnosed with something called musician's dystonia. I didn't wanna talk about it at the time because I felt like it would really hinder my career, but I've gone through an incredible amount of work to be able to come back from it. What it is, and I've heard Alex Webster [CANNIBAL CORPSE] talk about this before, and I'm buddies with him, and I recently saw the NICKELBACK documentary. I'm not the biggest NICKELBACK fan, but it's a great documentary, if you haven't seen it. Their drummer Daniel [Adair] went through the same thing. It may have been with his arm or his hand, but he was diagnosed with dystonia. And for a drummer — really, for anybody that plays an instrument — it's kind of a death sentence."
Detailing his battle with musician's dystonia, a neurological disorder characterized by involuntary muscle contractions and loss of fine motor control during specific musical tasks, particularly those requiring complex and repeated movements, Chris added: "Mine was with my right foot. Dystonia is basically a neurological condition where the nerve that controls the movement of any particular body part basically deteriorates to the point where that motion becomes impossible. So people that repeat the same repetitive motion for decades at a time, this happens to them. It happens a lot to golfers, quarterbacks, first-chair violinists, people that just practice the hell out of what they're doing. And this happened to me with my right foot. So I would be playing a song, and my foot, when I intended it to depress the pedal, would shoot off to the side or shoot back. And that was at the point where I was coming off stage just so depressed with my performance. I think the band was very frustrated with my performance. I did give them the medical paperwork: 'Here's what it is. Here's what we can do. There's just a couple songs that are really aggravating this. The rest I can get through, if you're willing to change 'em.' I think at the time I had also joined MEGADETH, so tensions were really high. And we were never like the most functional group of people traveling around the world, if you know anything about the band. So, whoever was not in the room was basically getting picked on. And I think the combination of things got to the point where they didn't wanna deal with it and I wasn't happy with my performances, so that kind of stopped the train. It was one of those e-mails, 'service is no longer required' kind of thing, and that was devastating, 'cause I felt like it was my baby, it was my project and I put my life into it. It was my identity, so I had to take some time. And, of course, these other things that were going on, and, really, just trying to find a purpose, trying to decide what chapter two was gonna be about."
Regarding how he managed to recover from his battle with musician's dystonia and learn to live with the condition, Chris said: "I knew that I wanted to play. I knew that it would be stupid for me to try to compete with what I had done before because we really did way more than anybody, including ourselves, thought we could have done. 22 years of traveling the world, and I don't really count the awards or accolades, but there really wasn't, I didn't feel, a whole lot more to achieve other than just proving that we were still around. So it wasn't a total death sentence. I think I got off the train at a very good time. It was just because of the other circumstances that contributed to it, that it was difficult for me to find any relief in that. I was more depressed and kind of searching for who I am and what I'm gonna do next. So a couple years of like intense practice, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and really the only way around dystonia is learning to do what you do in a different way. So in that, my right foot was the issue, I really learned how to play drums backwards, where my left foot became my main foot, which would kind of trick my brain into trying to figure out how to get the right foot to not be the lead, which was using a different pathway. So I, over time, practiced that to the point where I was able to do the stuff that you're hearing on the FIRSTBORNE record," he added, referencing his post-LAMB OF GOD project.
When Penfold expressed his surprise that Adler would have been fired from LAMB OF GOD via e-mail after being in the band for 25 years, Chris admitted: "It was devastating to me. It really was. Like I said, I really considered that kind of my life's work. But from my side of the street, I understand. I wasn't capable of playing the songs that we really needed to be playing. These were the songs that were — not all of them, but there were two or three songs that were fairly popular songs, and I understand that would cause them pause as far as why we can't play that. And again, with me taking on the MEGADETH record and that doing so well, with me taking on the PROTEST record and that doing so well, I think the tensions were just high. And like the metal sites always say, everybody's replaceable, right? So, I did take it hard, I did take it personally, and it sent me spiraling for a little while. But I've worked through those resentments, and I've got nothing but love for them continuing on and for each one of them. It was a difficult time, I think, for everybody, and, yeah, it hurt me a lot. But thankfully things have drastically improved in my life. I've gotten remarried, we've got three teenagers, I've got a nice little house, we've got dogs, cats. And now I've got FIRSTBORNE that is keeping me busy all the time. So I could look back on that and really be very, very proud of the time, effort and career that I had with them. And I wouldn't do it any other way. It's unfortunate it ended the way it did, but in the end, looking back on it, I also think that I in that I was forced at the time to walk away from it, since that time, I don't know that there would've been a better time for anybody to depart. At least personally, I do feel like we achieved more than we ever set out to do, and it had gotten to the point where, again, it doesn't really matter what the accolades were, but we had received basically all of them. So now it's just kind of this rinse and repeat proving to everybody that we're still around. And I didn't feel like there was much higher to go. We reached, again, way higher than I ever thought we would. And all the best to them and good luck continuing on. But looking back now, despite where my headspace was at the time, but looking back now in a different mindset, it was probably a very good time to walk away."
Asked if there has been any communication between him and the members of LAMB OF GOD since his official exit from the band six years ago, Chris said: "There hasn't been any. And again, I've worked through those resentments and I think about those guys all the time in a positive way. But since that letter — I believe it was in 2018 — or the e-mail, there's been absolutely no communication whatsoever from either side."
Back in March 2022, Chris Adler has publicly referred to LAMB OF GOD guitarist Mark Morton as a "fucking douche." Adler's comment was apparently prompted by Morton's revelation that the guitarist was blocked on Twitter by Lee J. Carter, the American politician who represented the 50th district in the Virginia House of Delegates from 2018 to 2022. On March 8, 2022, Mark shared a screenshot of a Twitter notification that he was blocked, and included the message, "But whyyyyyyyy?!?!?", to which Chris responded in a since-deleted tweet, "Maybe because you are a fucking douche." Within minutes, Morton fired back with "I usually wait until after dark to drunk message my exes".
Adler previously addressed his departure from LAMB OF GOD in June 2020, saying that "everybody parted on good terms. I left my drum throne in good hands with Art, who has been a friend. I think I met Art when he was 17 years old — I've got a picture of me and him standing outside the bus when he stood there waiting for an autograph. So he and I have been friends for a long time. And, obviously, the guys in the band are not only family," referring to the fact that his brother Willie plays guitar for LAMB OF GOD, "but became great friends over 25 years. And it was quite a career that we had. It didn't end — I don't think anybody from either side would say it ended really particularly well in that I think we all hoped and dreamed and wanted all the same thing but just couldn't seem to get ourselves on the same page, for whatever reason.
"As much as I loved doing what I was doing, it certainly seems like it was kind of a good time to maybe step away," he added. "And I think everybody wins in that regard. And I wish the best for them, and I'm sure they do… You have to speak to them — I'm not sure — but I hope they do for me.
"I didn't leave because I didn't want to be involved with music or play the drums. [And] I didn't leave the band because I was wanting to do something too heavy or too light or anything like that. It was just kind of a mutual crossroads… The shoe didn't fit anymore on either side.
"I'm happy to have had been a part of it. I think if I was [still] in that band, I would be pushing even further than what we've ever done before."
In 2020, Morton spoke to American Songwriter about what it has been like writing and playing with Cruz after recording with Chris for over a decade. He said: "There are differences for sure. Chris was a phenomenal talent, and he's a great drummer, and we made a lot of amazing music together. But Art is also a phenomenal talent and a great drummer. He's more feel-oriented. He's a little less robotic, and I don't mean that as a dig. I don't want to compare them too much. They're just two different drummers. But Art is a real feel, finesse player. I think the prime example I can give is live with Chris we used to play everything to a click. There was a click in our ear and that was a machine that kept timing consistent and the same every night. Within a week of playing with Art live, we were off the click. We were just playing the songs together instead of playing them at the same time. And I think that really made its way into our creative process as well."
After various web sites, including BLABBERMOUTH.NET, picked up Mark's comments, he took to his Twitter to set the record straight about his relationship with his former bandmate. He wrote: "Chris Adler is an incredibly talented person & an incredibly talented drummer. We have made a ton of music together & I'm immensely proud of our collective work. I have said that repeatedly in recent interviews because I mean it. Sites want clicks so they SPIN it another way."
He added in a separate tweet: "Chris and I remain in contact and he knows damn well that I love and respect him." | +3 | |
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20 май 2025
PUDDLE OF MUDD's WES SCANTLIN On His Upcoming Solo Album: 'It Will Possibly Bring Tears To Your Eyes'
 In a new interview with Mark Strigl, PUDDLE OF MUDD frontman Wes Scantlin, whose band has just released an album called "Kiss The Machine", confirmed that fans can expect to hear more fresh music from him in the not-too-distant future. "I'm doing a solo record with Universal Music Group," he explained (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET). And there's extra songs and stuff. And I'm still working with Jimmy Allen, the original guitar player from PUDDLE OF MUDD. I love him to death.
"We've got stuff in the mix, man," Wes continued. "And we're gonna be doing another record with Universal Music Group. This record's being put out by Sony, the 'Kiss The Machine' record. So we're doing another record with UMG, because I can't leave them in the dust, because they basically gave me my life."
Asked how his solo album will be different stylistically from PUDDLE OF MUDD, Wes said: "Yeah. It's nice, man. You're gonna flip out, man, when you hear this stuff. It's so crazy. When you hear this other music, aside from the 'Kiss The Machine' record, it will, it will possibly bring tears to your eyes about how amazing it is. It's got a little NINE INCH NAILS in there, by the way… And there is a country vibe.
"We've got a lot of songs, man, believe me," he continued. "There's a hundred million of them. All we do is just keep writing.
"When I got signed by Jimmy Iovine, the guy in his office and everybody else go, 'Just keep writing music.' And I was, like, 'Okay, I can do that.' And they're, like, 'Here's a guitar. Go to the hotel and write music.' And that's what I did, man."
"Kiss The Machine" was released on May 2 via Pavement Entertainment.
PUDDLE OF MUDD was formed in 1991 in Kansas City by Scantlin, the only original member still with the band. The group into the mainstream with 2001's "Come Clean", which yielded three hits — "Control", "Blurry" and "She Hates Me".
PUDDLE OF MUDD's previous album, "Ubiquitous", was released in September 2023 via Pavement Entertainment.
In March, TMZ reported that Scantlin was arrested after allegedly getting into a physical altercation with his girlfriend.
Earlier that same month, Scantlin made headlines when he claimed he was "roofied" by an ex-bandmate before a disastrous PUDDLE OF MUDD gig at Daytona Bike Week.
Scantlin's latest legal problems came just eight months after he was arrested in Burbank, California for an outstanding warrant and a new charge of resisting arrest.
Wes had almost non-stop problems with the law, alcohol, finances and other issues, before claiming to have gotten sober in 2017. Scantlin said that he ended up going back to rehab and receiving treatment "because there's really nowhere else to go." He also credited his family and fans for giving him the strength to try to get better.
Photo by Bryce Cain (courtesy of Pavement Entertainment) | +2 | |
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20 май 2025
FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH's ZOLTAN BATHORY: 'We Have Probably The Craziest Fanbase On The Planet'
 FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH's founding guitarist Zoltan Bathory spoke to Audacy Music about the band's decision to celebrate its 20th anniversary by releasing "Best Of - Volume 1", a collection of re-recorded versions of FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH's most iconic chart-topping songs. This move comes in response to the recent sale of the band's original master recordings by their former label, an action made without their knowledge or the opportunity to reclaim their own work.
Zoltan said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "It's pretty common in the music industry. Outside the music [industry], people don't really know that this actually happens, but record labels do trade or sell masters many times without letting the artists know or having the chance even to participate. So this kind of happens. From a business perspective, from the record label's side, it's a move on the chess board. And this is our move now."
Acknowledging the fact that FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH's move is similar to what pop superstar Taylor Swift did when she embarked on a huge project to re-record her own "Taylor's Version" of her first six albums since around 2021 after the original master recordings were sold to talent manager Scooter Braun, Zoltan said: "Taylor Swift did what she did. It was a brilliant move. And many artists, when it happens to them, they feel helpless and they don't really have an answer. And some artists go, like, 'You made your move. Now we are gonna make ours.' And it is what it is. Now, Taylor Swift has a rabid fanbase, a very hardcore fanbase, so when she put out the new songs, the fanbase just simply switched to the new streams. It just happens so that we have probably the craziest fanbase on the planet. I mean, these guys are with us since day one, literally, and they're hardcore — I mean, it's the most loyal fanbase — so probably the same thing is gonna happen. They'll just switch."
On the topic of whether FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH is planning to re-record its entire catalog or if he and his bandmates are focusing only on the biggest songs, Zoltan said: "We started with these 30 [tracks]. So, basically we looked at what's the most popular 30 songs? And then we are, like, let's get those, because those are the ones, obviously, that resonate with the fans the most. Let's record those. And this is the 20th anniversary. So besides what happened with the masters, we were also already looking for something to do for the fans. So it was kind of, like, 'Oh, here's some lemon. Let's make some lemonade.' This happened anyway, so, well, it's a perfect opportunity then — instead of getting pissed off or getting mad about, it's, like, 'You know what? Well, it is what it is. Then why don't we turn it into a positive?' And then this is our little move on the chess board. We are gonna re-record it. Fans are gonna be happy. This is the 30 most popular songs. Let's reimagine them. Let's record them with today's sound and today's voice. And we lived with these songs for years and years, so how would they sound today? And we just did that."
Asked if there are any plans for FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH to put out a new album at some point soon as a follow-up to 2022's "AfterLife", Zoltan said: "Yeah, definitely. We'll be doing this first, and then the new album."
Regarding FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH's touring plans, Bathory said: "Right now we have a bunch of festivals, big festivals booked. And then we are always in conversations what the future… Bands this size usually have to plan a year ahead, sometimes more. So we are already talking about 2026, what's happening. And there's a very specific schedule when I can tell you something, when I cannot yet. So, yeah, we are talking about it. But we're playing a bunch of huge festivals [this summer], like Inkcarceration [Music & Tattoo Festival in July] and similar."
On "Best Of - Volume 1", FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH emphasized its respect for the original recordings and the people they made them with but has also breathed new life into fan favorites like "The Bleeding", "Bad Company" and "Wrong Side Of Heaven".
The first offering from the 20th-anniversary edition is "I Refuse", a fan favorite that was always meant to be a single. This reimagined, re-recorded version of "I Refuse", now features guest vocals from Maria Brink of IN THIS MOMENT.
With over 12 billion streams, numerous No. 1 hits under their belt and multiple gold and platinum certifications, FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH has firmly cemented their place as one of the most successful rock acts of the 21st century. "20 Years Of Five Finger Death Punch (Best Of - Volume 1)", released via Better Noise Music, is available now for pre-order. The collection includes 14 re-recorded hits — including smash singles like "Wrong Side Of Heaven", "Jekyll And Hyde" and "Bad Company" — alongside three bonus live recordings: "Trouble", "Welcome To The Circus" and "The Bleeding".
"Best Of - Volume 1" will be available across all streaming platforms on July 18, 2025, and will also be released worldwide in physical CD and vinyl formats. Fans can choose from a variety of configurations, including a standard CD and a Walmart exclusive CD. The vinyl edition will be offered in several collectible versions, such as a standard vinyl, Walmart exclusive, Best Buy exclusive, a special FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH web store edition, an indie retail exclusive, and a limited edition through Revolver magazine. A special-edition merchandise collection to commemorate the band's 20th anniversary is also available now in the band's official webstore.
"Best Of - Volume 1" track listing
01. Under And Over It (2025 Version)
02. Wash It All Away (2025 Version)
03. Battle Born (2025 Version)
04. I Refuse (feat. Maria Brink of In This Moment) (2025 Version)
05. Jekyll And Hyde (2025 Version)
06. Wrong Side Of Heaven (2025 Version)
07. Lift Me Up (2025 Version)
08. Far From Home (2025 Version)
09. Bad Company (2025 Version)
10. House Of The Rising Sun (2025 Version)
11. Gone Away (2025 Version)
12. Remember Everything (2025 Version)
13. Coming Down (2025 Version)
14. The Bleeding (2025 Version)
15. Trouble (Live)
16. Welcome To The Circus (Live)
17. The Bleeding (Live)
FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH has held firmly to a top three position on the Billboard Hard Rock charts for the last five years and amassed a record-setting 11 billboard mainstream rock airplay #1s in a row, the longest run of leading consecutive entries in the history of Mainstream Rock Airplay. FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH has 28 top 10 hit singles and 16 Active Rock No. 1 singles to its name, and the band has released nine consecutive studio albums since 2007, seven of which were certified gold or platinum by the RIAA, as well as two chart-topping greatest-hits albums.
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20 май 2025
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20 май 2025
Watch: TIM 'RIPPER' OWENS Performs JUDAS PRIEST, KK'S PRIEST And IRON MAIDEN Songs In São Paulo
 Former JUDAS PRIEST and current KK'S PRIEST singer Tim "Ripper" Owens performed on May 11 at Manifesto Bar in São Paulo, Brazil as part of his ongoing South American solo tour. Fan-filmed video of the show can be seen below.
According to Setlist.fm, Owens's setlist was as follows:
01. Jugulator (JUDAS PRIEST song)
02. The Green Manalishi (With the Two Prong Crown) (FLEETWOOD MAC cover)
03. Burn In Hell (JUDAS PRIEST song)
04. Guitar Solo
05. Hellfire Thunderbolt (KK'S PRIEST song)
06. Beyond The Realms Of Death (JUDAS PRIEST song)
07. Scream Machine (BEYOND FEAR song)
08. Blood Stained (JUDAS PRIEST song)
09. One More Shot At Glory (KK'S PRIEST song)
10. When The Eagle Cries (ICED EARTH song)
11. Wrathchild (IRON MAIDEN cover)
12. Hell Is Home (JUDAS PRIEST song)
13. Electric Eye (JUDAS PRIEST song)
14. Living After Midnight (JUDAS PRIEST song)
15. One On One (JUDAS PRIEST song)
In a recent interview with Andrew McKaysmith of the Scars And Guitars podcast, Owens was asked if he has ever thought about writing an autobiography. Tim responded: "Yeah, I'd like to do one. I just don't know if I can talk about everything in my career. I don't know if it's right. There's bands that can do that because they were known as being — they'd come up in the '70s and '80s, so there's there's things they'd done and in their career and they like to talk about it because they were into that. But I don't know. I don't necessarily wanna throw people under the bus.
"I think it might be a little bit boring 'cause I'm not gonna talk about everything. On the other hand, I guess I do have a lot to talk about, and maybe talking about everything would be a pretty good idea. It could make me look a little more adventurous, too. I can make things up.
"I've said this: I will write a book, but I'm not writing a book that's not paying me. 'Cause I see so many musicians and so many people write books, and I know they haven't made much money from it. I'm not saying I'm gonna be super rich, but I've always said if I'm writing a book, it's paying me — it's paying me to write the book. I'm not just putting it out there to put it out there. I've gotta retire at some point.
"But, yeah, I've had one hell of a career. Just a kid from Akron, Ohio that's done and played with the musicians that I have, and all because of JUDAS PRIEST giving me a break and a chance to sing for 'em. And, yeah, just a book on who I've played with and when I've jammed with them, whether it was Ace Frehley [KISS] or Scott Ian [ANTHRAX] or whoever it's been, it's pretty crazy 'cause, again, I'm still just a fan and a kid from Akron, Ohio that gets to do what I do."
Owens previously discussed the possibility of writing a book in January in an interview with Australia's "Everblack" podcast. He said at the time: "I've never been offered [a book deal]. I'm not writing a book unless I get paid money, 'cause they loosely made a movie about me; I didn't get paid nothing for that. So, they would have to pay me some money. But I don't know how to do it 'cause I don't wanna… I'll probably hurt some feelings doing that book. But I won't spill all the beans. I might be in trouble if I spill all the beans."
He continued: "I would be nice about it. But it is a great story, isn't it? I mean, it's an amazing story. And it's continued to be. I love when people go, 'What have you done since JUDAS PRIEST?' More? I don't know. I've toured the world more. I've played in front of the same amount of crowds, sold more records. This is all after JUDAS PRIEST. So I think it's pretty crazy when someone says, 'What have you done?' Or they diss me by saying, 'Oh, the guy that used to be somebody.' I'm, like, 'What do you mean used…?' I'm doing more now than I ever did in my life. So it's kind of, like, 'I don't know what you're talking about.'
"I've done a lot," Owens added. "I said I've been fired from more bands than people have been in, so it's kind of funny. But, yeah, I've met so many great people. And I always say JUDAS PRIEST was my college, and they opened up the door for me to make a living out of it. And I've worked hard at trying to make sure I'm in top form and ready to go."
The 2001 Warner Bros. movie "Rock Star", starring Mark Wahlberg as a salesman-turned-rock star, was loosely based on Owens, who fronted a JUDAS PRIEST cover band before being tapped to become the new lead singer of the actual group.
Asked in a 2014 interview with Russia's Classic Rock magazine how much of "Rock Star" was styled after him, Tim said: "When they first [got the idea to do] the 'Rock Star' movie [under its original name 'Metal God'], it was really gonna be about me. And then JUDAS PRIEST pulled away from it, because they didn't like some things. So [the producers] really made their own movie, I think. The similarities were that I auditioned for JUDAS PRIEST and I sang one line of a song and hit a note and made the band. But then a lot of the things, they kind of went out… I mean, I wasn't that kind of fan when I made the band, because I was that kind of crazy kid in high school in the '80s. But this was 1996, so I wasn't living at my parents' with posters on the walls. I mean, it was still pretty cool. I mean, to have a movie loosely based on you is pretty cool."
Regarding whether it was ironic that the "Rock Star" movie became almost prophetic in the sense that Mark Wahlberg's character in the film ends up playing small clubs with his own material after the band's original lead singer rejoins the group, Owens said: "For me, the movie was almost [like real life]. Rob [Halford] came back [to JUDAS PRIEST], which was good for me, to be honest. My career, I went on to do a lot of stuff. It was better for the band, it was better for Rob. So it was kind of funny. I think I became a little bit bigger than the coffee shop singer that Mark Wahlberg was in the movie in the end, just playing there. I still get to play in front of thousands of people in Russia. But it is similar how he went on to do his own thing."
Owens joined PRIEST in 1996 after being discovered when PRIEST drummer Scott Travis was given a videotape of Tim performing with the PRIEST cover band BRITISH STEEL. JUDAS PRIEST at the time was seeking a replacement for Halford, who has since rejoined the band. Asked in an interview with The Vinyl Guide podcast what kind of advice or preparation he had for stepping into those shoes, Owens said: "Well, listen, I was confident. They were confident with my voice. I knew some fans wouldn't like me, but I also knew that I could sing really good, and I could sing really good live. One advantage I felt I had as a singer was I could sing what I recorded in the studio; whatever I recorded, I'm gonna be able to sing that live. And I felt when fans came to the show, they would be happy that they have someone who's coming in the JUDAS PRIEST that could still keep the voice going. So if someone didn't like me, there's nothing I could do. K.K. [Downing, then-PRIEST guitarist] used to always say, ''The proof is in the pudding. Come to the show and see.' And I think a lot of people used to come to the shows and they just couldn't wait to hate me. They hated me showing up and wanted me to fail. And so many of 'em, I'd win 'em over when I started singing, because they could tell that I loved it; I loved what I was singing, and I wanted to do the songs justice. So I always felt confident."
Addressing the fact that the two albums PRIEST recorded with Owens — 1997's "Jugulator" and 2001's "Demolition" — sold poorly, and he was ultimately pushed out to clear the way for the return of Halford, Tim said: "It was a really bad time of heavy metal. So it wasn't like I joined them in the heyday. I mean, when Rob left JUDAS PRIEST, they were playing in front of a couple thousand people on the 'Painkiller' tour, a lot of shows So, it really wasn't a great time of heavy metal. So I understood that, and I understood people would want Rob back. But all I cared about was getting on stage and sound[ing good]. I just wanted the band to be happy and me to be happy with me doing it. That's all I worried about."
He added: "I know a lot of the the musicians at the time, especially the hair metal bands, because hair metal was gone at that time, they hated me in L.A., 'cause they were, like, 'Who's this guy? He comes from Akron, Ohio. What's he done? How's he here?' And I still am the same Ohio guy, [with the] same friends. I have the same attitude. And all of us are the same. I tell musicians this all the time: we're all the same. I mean, nothing different."
Asked if he had any sort of communication or relation with Halford at that time, Owens said: "No, just in the press. They always tried to get us to say mean things and bad things. And every now and then, one of us would say something. Now, this was pre-Internet. So, I couldn't imagine doing that nowadays, how screwed up it would be. But, no, because there was a respect. I don't think Rob liked me much, probably at the time, because someone's going to his band, his songs and singing this, but we always had this respect. And when we met each other, we always had great talks. And I think it made a lot of people mad that we liked each other. I think it made a lot of people mad, and I think it still does. But whenever I've seen him, I love talking to him, and he knows what's going on with me, and he's, like, 'Oh, I see that you're playing in Russia,' whatever."
Tim continued: "Back in those days, [journalists] would have the old tape recorder hidden. Now they could just turn their phone on, and no one would know it. But you would do an interview, and then they go, 'All right, the interview's over.' And then they'd turn the tape recorder off, but they'd have another one going in their pocket trying to get you to say stuff. And you know this, doing interviews, you get people to feel comfortable so you talk like you're friends. And then you just start saying stuff. And I put my foot in my mouth a few times. Oh, now I do all the time, because now — I always do."
In 2019, Owens told Ultimate Guitar that he believes his era of JUDAS PRIEST is largely overlooked. "Yeah, I think it definitely deserves more [attention]," he said. "I mean, they don't do anything. [Laughs] It's kind of amazing that they just totally erased it that they won't play... I mean, 'Burn In Hell' [off 'Jugulator'], the crowd would like to hear 'Burn In Hell'.
"They don't have to give me a tribute or anything, but it would be nice to play a song from... You know, that was a pretty big thing, I did two studio records, two live records, and a DVD, starting from '96 to 2004. So it's kind of crazy that it's just been erased and they won't even play a song from it live, because it is JUDAS PRIEST."
"Demolition" and "Jugulator" are included on "50 Heavy Metal Years Of Music", JUDAS PRIEST's limited-edition box set which contains every official live and studio album to date plus 13 unreleased discs. Released in October 2021, it is the most extensive release of previously unreleased music the band has made from its vast archives.
RIPPER OWENS IN LATIN AMERICA *2025….Argentina YOU are next!!
13/05- ROSARIO @ Que Sea Rock Multespacio
*16/05 -...
Posted by Tim Ripper Owens "Official Page" on Monday, May 12, 2025 | 0 | |
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20 май 2025
Watch: GUNS N' ROSES Performs In India For First Time In Nearly 13 Years
 GUNS N' ROSES performed in India for the first time in 13 years Saturday night (May 17) as part of the band's ongoing Asia tour.
The concert at the iconic Mahalaxmi Racecourse in Mumbai — typically used for horse racing — was organized by Indian concert promotion company BookMyShow Live. Live Nation, GUNS N' ROSES' global tour promoter, co-produced the show.
Prior to last night's concert, GUNS N' ROSES last played India on December 12, 2012 in Gurgaon, outside of New Delhi. However, that gig took place prior to lead singer Axl Rose's 2016 reunion with guitarist Slash and bassist Duff McKagan.
GUNS N' ROSES' 2025 world tour kicked off on May 1 at Incheon, South Korea's Songdo Moonlight Festival Park. The concert marked the band's first live appearance with new drummer Isaac Carpenter, who replaced Frank Ferrer, the longest-serving drummer in GUNS N' ROSES' storied run, in March.
GUNS N' ROSES's "Because What You Want & What You Get Are Two Completely Different Things" tour includes a May 23 show in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The band is also scheduled to play in Shekvetili in the republic of Georgia and make multiple stops across Europe with support from rock band RIVAL SONS, hip-hop icons PUBLIC ENEMY and a reunited SEX PISTOLS.
Frank first joined GUNS N' ROSES during a show in June 2006, helping anchor the rhythm section during subsequent tours, including their recent outings featuring the reunited trio of Rose, Slash and McKagan. Ferrer's last show with the band took place November 5, 2023 in Mexico.
Ferrer laid down drums tracks on five songs on GUNS N' ROSES' most recent studio album, 2008's "Chinese Democracy". He also appeared on the live portion of 2022's "Hard Skool" EP, with former drummer Bryan "Brain" Mantia appearing on the studio tracks and GUNS' ROSES' 2023 singles "Perhaps" and "The General".
Carpenter had most recently played drums for the alternative rock band AWOLNATION. He also previously sat behind the kit with McKagan's LOADED band and toured with Adam Lambert on the "Glam Nation" tour in 2010.
The rest of GUNS N' ROSES' current lineup includes guitarist Richard Fortus, and keyboardists Dizzy Reed and Melissa Reese.
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20 май 2025
SLEEP TOKEN's 'Even In Arcadia' Tops U.S. Album Chart, Arrives With Biggest Streaming Week Ever For Hard Rock LP
 According to Billboard, SLEEP TOKEN's fourth full-length studio effort, "Even In Arcadia", has landed at position No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart with first-week sales of 127,000 equivalent album units. This figure represents the biggest week by units for any rock album in nearly a year, and the biggest for any hard rock album in two years.
The Billboard 200 chart ranks the most popular albums of the week in the U.S. based on multi-metric consumption as measured in equivalent album units, compiled by Luminate. Units comprise album sales, track equivalent albums (TEA) and streaming equivalent albums (SEA). Each unit equals one album sale, or 10 individual tracks sold from an album, or 3,750 ad-supported or 1,250 paid/subscription on-demand official audio and video streams generated by songs from an album.
Of "Even In Arcadia"'s 127,000 first-week equivalent album units, album sales comprise 73,500, SEA units comprise 53,000 and TEA units comprise 500. According to Billboard, the streaming numbers mark the largest streaming week ever for a hard rock album.
"Even In Arcadia" sold 47,000 vinyl copies, marking the largest vinyl sales week for a hard rock album on vinyl in the modern era (since Luminate began tracking sales in 1991) — more than GHOST's "Skeletá", which sold 44,000 vinyl copies in its first week.
In a unique collaboration with Spotify, the official track listing for "Even In Arcadia" was revealed through a series of intriguing puzzles across various social media platforms. This creative, interactive rollout offered fans an immersive experience as they pieced together the album's final track listing, adding to the anticipation surrounding the record's release.
As this next chapter unfolds, the band will embark on its first sold-out arena tour in the U.S. — the "Even In Arcadia" tour — with stops in 17 cities this fall. Promoted by AEG Presents, the "Even In Arcadia" tour will be SLEEP TOKEN's only headline tour in 2025. The band will also make an appearance at the Louder Than Life festival on Friday, September 19.
"Even In Arcadia" track listing:
01. Look To Windward
02. Emergence
03. Past Self
04. Dangerous
05. Caramel
06. Even In Arcadia
07. Provider
08. Damocles
09. Gethsemane
10. Infinite Baths
Formed in London, United Kingdom in 2016, the SLEEP TOKEN members perform under cover of anonymity in cloaks and masks. Only two of the group's pseudonymous members — singer and multi-instrumentalist Vessel and drummer II — are credited as having played or written a note on any of SLEEP TOKEN's four albums so far.
Widely considered one of the biggest rock bands in Britain, SLEEP TOKEN wrapped up a massive U.K. arena tour last December that included two stops at London's O2 Arena.
The members of SLEEP TOKEN have never revealed their true identities and have only done a handful of interviews since forming in 2016.
SLEEP TOKEN masterfully blends epic, emotionally charged anthems with bold, boundary-pushing experimentation that transcends traditional genre limits. With rich layers of atmospheric soundscapes and hauntingly beautiful lyrics, they build an immersive, mystical world where music, emotion, and mythology converge under the being known as Vessel. This world becomes a sacred space for fans to escape, connect, and experience catharsis, fostering deep bonds among those who share in the band's ethos. Their innovative approach has established them as one of the most exciting forces in modern music.
Emerging in 2019 with their debut album "Sundowning", SLEEP TOKEN quickly garnered attention for their unique sound and mysterious persona. Two years later, they achieved mainstream success with their sophomore album, "This Place Will Become Your Tomb", which charted in the U.K. and attracted a growing global following. Their trajectory reached new heights in 2023 with the release of "Take Me Back To Eden", an album that became an international success, topping charts in multiple countries. Notably, standout tracks from "Take Me Back To Eden" have dominated streaming platforms, with "The Summoning" leading the charge. The track became a viral sensation, amassing millions of streams, taking the No. 1 spot on international Spotify viral charts, and earning a feature as a "YouTube Trending Artist On The Rise", appearing on YouTube's homepage and being viewed by millions every day.
With their meteoric rise, SLEEP TOKEN has never played a headline show that didn't sell out. In 2023, Revolver awarded the band both "Artist Of The Year" and "Album Of The Year" for "Take Me Back To Eden", while at the Heavy Music Awards, they took home "Best UK Breakthrough Band" and "Best Album" for the same record. Though notoriously elusive, SLEEP TOKEN's presence in the music world continues to strengthen, with their creativity and mystique drawing increasing attention from both fans and the media, earning praise from outlets like Billboard, Forbes, NME, Revolver and more for their innovative sound and creative vision.
A little over a year ago, SLEEP TOKEN signed to major label RCA after previously releasing music on the independent label Spinefarm.
Photo credit: Andy Ford
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20 май 2025
BUCKCHERRY's STEVIE D.: 'We Were One Of The Last Rock And Roll Bands To Do Double-Platinum Numbers In Sales'
 In a new interview with Peter Kerr of Rock Daydream Nation, BUCKCHERRY guitarist Stevie Dacanay (a.k.a. Stevie D.) was asked why he thinks the band's 2005 album "15" was so successful, with hit singles like "Crazy Bitch" and "Sorry" eventually resulting in the LP becoming certified double platinum in the U.S. for sales in excess of two million copies. Stevie responded (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "If I knew the answer to that, we'd have songs like that on every album. I think we were one of the last, if not the last rock and roll band to do double-platinum numbers in sales. I think soon after that, streaming became the way of the universe. So, the only ones making money after that were the record companies. The artist was no longer part of that equation. The videos all just became the loss leader, the commercial for the live show. So we're recording albums — artists are recording albums and putting out videos… Now they're only putting out singles and videos, and that's just kind of the advertisement to come see the live show. At least the rock bands, for sure. And the record deals reflect that too. [Bands] used to get signed for $500,000 plus, and now it's a lot less than that, if they're getting signed at all."
Asked if BUCKCHERRY has a cross-generational fanbase in the U.S., with a mix of different age groups at the band's live shows, Stevie said: "Well, I think the rock audience — you get different reports. 'Rock is dead.' Everywhere I go, there's rock lovers out there. I mean, if you look at country music, that's where they all went. I think country music is all rock now. But there's a lot less young people. But that's just at our shows. We're an older band, so — I don't know — maybe there's younger bands that have big, young audiences. I don't know. We have seen, through the last few years, more younger people coming. But, yeah, a lot of it is our core fans."
BUCKCHERRY will release its eleventh album, "Roar Like Thunder", on June 13.
As with 2023's "Vol. 10" and 2021's "Hellbound", "Roar Like Thunder" was recorded in Nashville at Sienna Studios and helmed by producer and songwriter-for-hire Marti Frederiksen, who has previously collaborated with AEROSMITH, DEF LEPPARD, Jonny Lang and Sheryl Crow, among many others. All 10 tracks were written by BUCKCHERRY singer Josh Todd, Dacanay and Frederiksen.
"Roar Like Thunder" will be released in North America by Round Hill Records, in Japan by Sony Japan and in the remainder of the world by Earache Records.
"Vol. 10" came out in June 2023. The 11-song LP featured 10 new BUCKCHERRY originals and, as a bonus track, a cover of the Bryan Adams classic "Summer Of 69".
In November 2023, BUCKCHERRY released a new holiday song called "Tell 'Em It's Christmas".
BUCKCHERRY previously released another holiday song, "Christmas Is Here", back in 2010.
In the summer of 2020, BUCKCHERRY recruited JETBOY's Billy Rowe as its new guitarist. He joined the group as the replacement for Kevin Roentgen, who left BUCKCHERRY in July of that year.
In 2019, BUCKCHERRY enlisted Francis Ruiz as its new drummer. He joined the group as the replacement for Sean Winchester, who exited BUCKCHERRY after laying down the drum tracks on "Warpaint".
The 20th-anniversary deluxe edition of the double-platinum BUCKCHERRY album "15" on physical and digital formats arrived on January 17 via Endurance Music Group. Originally released in 2005, the album featured the four-times-platinum single "Crazy Bitch" and the two-times-platinum single "Sorry". The deluxe edition was issued in North America on a two-vinyl-LP format featuring the album's 11 original songs as well as four bonus tracks recorded in 2005 and three newly recorded acoustic tracks by Todd and Dacanay.
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20 май 2025
Ex-SEPULTURA Drummer IGOR CAVALERA: 'My Main Drum Hero Has Always Been BILL WARD From BLACK SABBATH'
 In a recent interview with David Frangioni of Modern Drummer, former SEPULTURA and current CAVALERA drummer Igor "Iggor" Cavalera was asked to name his drum heroes. He responded (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "My main drum hero has always been Bill Ward from [BLACK] SABBATH… He's my man. I have many drum heroes, but if I have to pick one person that defines for me all those things that I'm talking about — being creative in a studio, performing live with such energy — [it is Bill]… I got to see him many times live, and I have one of his bandanas that he gave it to me after he performed with SABBATH. So I keep that as a treasure for all my life. I had the pleasure to watch him play towards the end of his career, of course, and he's just such a creative force. And he was doing things that inspire us as Brazilians, like doing congas, doing overdubs with percussion with SABBATH. People say, like, 'Oh, you pretty much created this whole tribal thing [mixed with metal],' and I'm, like, 'No, there's many other people doing things that led me to that path,' and Bill Ward is definitely one of those guys. He was super open minded. You can hear heavy, you can hear jazz, you can hear Latin things with him. So he's my man."
Igor went on to say that Bill "pushed forward" drumming. "And for me that's also [something] that I always tell a lot of friends, family and fans — it's, like, look, the technique, of course, it's a beautiful thing, but pushing drumming to become like a fun thing to do," he added. "I wanna have fun in my drums. And I can see Bill had that pleasure when he was playing. He's hitting things, and it's just pure energy. And I like that over just the technical thing of being so stressed that you can see the person's not really enjoying themselves when they're playing."
As for other drummers who had a huge impact on him growing up, Igor said: "I have a big list. Of course Stewart Copeland [THE POLICE] is a huge influence as well. As a Latin, I grew up playing samba and all those rhythms, and to see someone like him bringing that into pop world — we're talking someone that [had] a number one hit — and doing crazy stuff on his drums, mixing up Jamaican styles and things like that, with a punk attitude. So he's also another innovator, in my view, that really influenced me in many ways."
This past February, Igor launched a solo tour of the United Kingdom during which he performed electronic music from the repertoire of his solo discography inspired by the varied sub genres of avant-garde, drone, industrial and harsh noise.
Along with older brother Max Cavalera, Igor is a founding member of the Brazilian thrash metal band SEPULTURA. Igor is now the drummer for CAVALERA, CAVALERA CONSPIRACY, SOULWAX, PETBRICK and other projects. Cavalera is one half of the DJ duo MIXHELL, an electronic music project he founded with his wife, Laima Leyton, in 2006. With MIXHELL, he has toured the globe, performing in festivals such as Glastonbury, Bestival and Reading.
In 2013, Igor moved to London with his family and in 2016 joined the Belgian band SOULWAX, recording drums for their album "From Deewee" and touring as part of "Transient Program For Drums And Machinery". Soon after, he founded PETBRICK with Wayne Adams — a project that involved melting noise and crushing electronics over grinding drumming.
Igor has been performing live with analog modular gear, drum pads and visuals for intimate crowds at experimental festivals such as Dio Drone (Florence) and clubs such as Cafe Oto and Iklectik (London). His latest releases include "Aural Manifestations" on Damian Records in America and Deepthroat Records in Europe and "Alucinações Sônicas" on Hospital Productions.
Igor left SEPULTURA in June 2006 due to "artistic differences." His departure from the band came five months after he announced that he was taking a break from SEPULTURA's touring activities to spend time with his second wife and their son (who was born in January 2006).
In 1996, Max Cavalera exited SEPULTURA after the rest of the band split with Max's wife Gloria as their manager.
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20 май 2025
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20 май 2025
GENE SIMMONS Says ACE FREHLEY And PETER CRISS Are 'Welcome' To Appear At 'KISS Army Storms Vegas' Event
 In a new interview with Greg Schmitt of Noize In The Attic, Gene Simmons spoke about KISS's upcoming appearance without makeup at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas as part of the three-day "KISS Army Storms Vegas" event, which runs from November 14 to November 16.
"KISS Army Storms Vegas" celebrates the KISS fan club's 50th anniversary and will be the band's first appearance since Simmons, guitarist/vocalist Paul Stanley, guitarist Tommy Thayer and drummer Eric Singer wrapped up their "End Of The Road" farewell tour at Madison Square Garden in New York in December 2023.
Simmons told Schmitt (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "People misunderstand what that is. The Virgin event in November is really the fans, the KISS Army — they're taking over the hotel. This ain't a concert. No [makeup]. Certainly not. We promised we would never do that again. No touring. We'll get up and jam. In fact, I'm not even sure how many of us are gonna be there. I know Paul and I are gonna be there. I think Tommy's gonna come, but [former KISS guitarist] Bruce Kulick might pop in. It's very informal."
Asked if original KISS members Ace Frehley (guitar) and Peter Criss are "welcome" to appear at "KISS Army Storms Vegas", Gene said: "Of course."
After Schmitt noted that KISS is one of the last bands of his generation that have all living members and that "it'd be great if somebody could really utilize that still," Simmons said: "I like the way you think, but it's dreamland, my friend. That's not how life works. You can lead a horse to water, but that's all you can do. We invited — I personally invited Ace and Peter to jump up on stage with us at Madison Square Garden [for the final KISS concert]. 'Hey, why don't you invite him on the show?' I did, but they said no. 'I want this and I want that.' 'Well, you can't have that, but join us to celebrate the beginning.'"
Simmons previously discussed "KISS Army Storms Vegas" earlier in the month in an interview with the "Jim Kerr Rock & Roll Morning Show" on New York City's Q104.3 radio station. Simmons said at the time: "Well, this is not a KISS concert. We promised when we sold the IP [KISS intellectual property rights] to Pophouse, an amazing company — they're futurists — about a year and a half ago when we finished touring at Madison Square Garden. There's gonna be a film and there's a lot of stuff coming up. We promised we would never tour again, because, as you noticed, I'm stunning in real life and that's when you want it… While you're on top, get out of the ring. Don't wait for some chump to knock you out. We've all seen boxers and rockers and everything that stayed around too long. 50 years, half a century is plenty of time."
Simmons went on to say that he and his KISS bandmates still want to honor the group's fans. "So that's what we're doing," he explained. "We are showing up for a fan-run event. Three days in November at the Virgin Hotel. Be there or be square. And it's really for the fans. There'll be lots of questions — if they want a back rub or anything. But it's not a KISS concert. We will jump up [and] jam, but certainly we are not bringing the flying rigs and 60 people on the crew and the jets and all that stuff… Other bands will pop up on stage and stuff, but it's really a chance to be more intimate with the fans — actually, to be cornball about it, to our bosses. Because without the fans, I would surely have been asking the next person in line, 'Would you like some fries with that?'"
50 years ago in Terre Haute, Indiana, a small group of fans lit the spark that would become the loudest and proudest fan movement in rock history: the KISS Army. Now, five decades later — and 30 years since the first official KISS convention — KISS is cranking it up to 11 in Las Vegas for the ultimate celebration.
Gene said: "Strange story. There was a guy in Terre Haute, Indiana, as a matter of fact, and in the early days, radio didn't play KISS 'cause we didn't do John Denver kind of namby-pamby stuff… But we just didn't do the la-di-da kinds of songs. We liked to turn the guitars up and have fun, and radio wouldn't play us. So this one guy, [Bill] Starkey, his name was, called the radio station, which was a small building outside of town. 'Play KISS.' 'I'm sorry, kid. We don't play that song.' And he threatened them. He said, 'If you don't play KISS by 5:00 p.m. tomorrow, the KISS Army will surround your building and everything.' Of course they did not. So what happened? The cover of the [local] newspaper [ran the headline] 'Kiss Army Invades WXYZ', whatever it's called, and that's where the name came from. And by the way, afterwards, they played KISS. Because they knew that we knew what their home address was, and when they weren't home, we might set their pets on fire. There's that."
In a separate interview with Rob Rush, the evening host on Long Island, New York's 94.3 The Shark radio station, Gene stated about KISS's upcoming Vegas appearance: "This is much more a fan gathering. The Kiss Army … are taking over the Virgin Hotel and we will show up, but I don't even know if the entire band's gonna be there. I know Paul and I are gonna be there, and Tommy. Bruce Kulick probably will show up, and we'll jam, answer questions and stuff. It ain't a concert — we're gonna do none of that stuff. I may even bring my solo band up there just for [shits] and giggles. So this is more a fan event, like a fan gathering that we're gonna be guests at."
This past March, Gene told Las Vegas Review-Journal that he and his KISS bandmates "will not do the makeup" at "KISS Army Storms Vegas". "We will hold true to the promise [of never playing another KISS show in makeup]," he explained. "There's no stage show. There's no crew. We won't have 60 people levitating drum sets and all that stuff. This is more personal gathering of the tribes, where we meet them, greet them, maybe have a Q&A."
Regarding what else fans can expect from "KISS Army Storms Vegas", Simmons said: "There might be some KISS tribute bands, almost like a convention, if you will. So it's much more personal. And of course, we can't get by without playing, so we'll get up and do some tunes. What they are, how long, I don't know."
When KISS officially announced "KISS Army Storms Vegas", the band said that Stanley and Simmons — along with "special guests" — would play at least one show "unmasked," meaning without their iconic makeup. It was later revealed that Thayer would also appear at the event, along with Thayer's former band BLACK 'N BLUE, as well as former SKID ROW frontman Sebastian Bach and the tribute acts MR. SPEED and KISS NATION: THE KISS TRIBUTE SHOW.
KISS's official "KISS Army Storms Vegas" announcement made no mention of Singer, making it unclear if he will be part of the event.
There will also be question-and-answer sessions with Stanley and Simmons, as well as KISS's longtime manager Doc McGhee, where they will share stories, behind-the-scenes moments and answer fans' most burning questions.
Fans can also expect guest performances, including from Kulick, as well as surprise appearances, guest sets and tribute bands.
KISS had previously set a 12-show residency at Planet Hollywood Las Vegas in 2021 and 2022 but ultimately canceled all of the dates.
For more information, visit kissarmystormsvegas.com.
Simmons told Rolling Stone in a November 2023 interview that the second Madison Square Garden "End Of The Road" concert would mark "the final KISS-in-makeup appearance."
Kulick was a member of KISS from 1984 until 1996.
According to Billboard, Kulick is one of only two musicians to have not worn makeup while a member of KISS, the other being Mark St. John.
Kulick had performed with the band again at their Kiss Kruise events in 2018 and 2021. | +2 | |
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20 май 2025
DISTURBED's DAN DONEGAN On His Bandmates: We Have Disagreements' But 'We've Grown Closer Over The Years'
 In a new interview with The Rockman Power Hour, DISTURBED guitarist Dan Donegan opened up about his relationship with his bandmates, saying that their bond has gotten stronger over the years. He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "Even as we've gotten older over the years too, just that level of respect and brotherhood and… Yeah, of course, for 25 years, or actually since 1996, when we finally formed and got David [Draiman, DISTURBED singer], of course, it's a marriage — it's a marriage between the four of us. And you just kind of have that respect and you have to learn to — especially in those early days when we were in the RV… You're on top of each other. We didn't have hotel rooms all night. It's, like, you're in each other's face all the time.
"Everybody butts heads a little bit," he continued. "We have disagreements, but now, as we're older, we do it with respect. We hear each other out, and we have our moments — creatively mostly, in the studio, stuff like that. But that's very common. We've been around the block long enough too, and we still feel like we have a lot left in the tank and we wanna keep creating. And so I think we've just grown to be closer over the years… If there are those moments of disagreements, whatever, those arguments are usually short-lived. You put all the things into perspective and it's like, we all want what's just best for this band. And we share the same vision. And we might have different ideas here and there, but it's become a lot easier to talk to each other, like I said, the older we get and just be okay. If it's a disagreement, it's usually gone after 10 minutes."
DISTURBED's latest single, "I Will Not Break", came out on February 21 via DISTURBED's own label, Mother Culture Records.
"I Will Not Break" marks DISTURBED's first new music since its acclaimed 2022 album "Divisive".
According to DISTURBED, "I Will Not Break" is "a necessary song, about becoming stronger than the forces that constantly try to tear you down." The track includes the stirring lyrics "I've had enough of feeling terrified, now I'm deciding that I won't be hiding from anyone," which encourages listeners to push back in the face of adversity.
Producer Drew Fulk, also known as WZRD BLD, who helmed "I Will Not Break", previously worked with DISTURBED on "Divisive", which was recorded in Nashville, Tennessee.
According to Billboard, "Divisive" sold 26,000 equivalent album units in its first week of release, with 22,000 units via album sales.
On the all-format Billboard 200 chart, "Divisive" debuted at No. 13.
DISTURBED has had five No. 1s on the all-genre chart, beginning with "Believe" in 2002.
DISTURBED's "The Sickness 25th Anniversary Tour" kicked off in Nampa, Idaho on February 25. Produced by Live Nation, each night features two sets of music, opening with DISTURBED playing the five times platinum "The Sickness" in full, followed by a full set of greatest hits. The first half of the tour featured support from special guests THREE DAYS GRACE, including the return of original singer Adam Gontier, and opener SEVENDUST, while the second half features special guests DAUGHTRY with opener NOTHING MORE.
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20 май 2025
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20 май 2025
ICED EARTH's JON SCHAFFER: 'Jesus Is The Only Way; That Is Absolutely Clear To Me Now'
 In a new interview with Riffs From The Couch, ICED EARTH's founding guitarist Jon Schaffer spoke about his newfound faith after being sentenced for his involvement in the January 6, 2021 riot at the U.S. Capitol. Asked what role his relationship with Jesus Christ played in helping him to get through his ordeal and what impact those circumstances had on his relationship with Christ, Jon said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "Well, I would say that as brutal as it's been in the big picture, it's been the biggest gift of my life to go through this, not only for the cause, but for the fact that it is what led me to Christ.
"My life's journey has been incredible — I mean, you can't make this stuff up — and so it's, like, it took that to break my stubborn… I was very stubborn, very, very hardheaded and very driven," Jon explained. "But I realized that all the things that I'd been writing about [in my songs] and the sort of the warnings and stuff through the catalog and various projects, and that I feel like God was working through me and I didn't even know it. And so when I was locked up in solitary, the only book that I could get was a Bible. And even that request took about three weeks to get it. And I started reading and… 'Cause I was a Christian when I was a kid. Then I went to a religious school and things changed for me after that experience. And I'll get into more of that in my testimony. But if it wasn't for this, I am certain that I was on a path to destruction and that it took this and this time, these years of solitude, to understand and learn, and I'm still learning. I have a lot to learn. I think there's a lot to the Bible. But I look at the Bible as a… We're in a fallen state, and the Bible is like the operator's manual to help you not just live, but thrive in the fallen state. And Jesus is the only way — that is absolutely clear to me now. And this has come in various steps of my…"
Schaffer added: "I've always been awake to corruption and held very strong views against government corruption and what's happening and this level, but when you start to understand it from a biblical standpoint, then it gets real and that's when the dots start connecting. And I just feel like — without getting too deep in the weeds about everything that happened — if it wasn't for what happened, I would not have been saved and called by Christ. And I feel like this is the beginning of a new chapter. I don't know what that looks like, and that's okay, 'cause he's in the driver's seat."
Asked if he had any other message for people who might be watching the interview, Jon said: "I think we're in an unprecedented period of time for humanity, and I just strongly encourage you to look at Jesus's teachings, what he stood for, what he died for, what he rose for, and realize that regardless of how horrible things may appear, there is a way out and it will bring you a sense of peace that you cannot possibly imagine. When you're in a fallen state, you have no clue, but when you see that pathway and when it's in you, it brings a level of calm and strength that it's just hard to put into words until it happens."
Last October, Jon was sentenced to three years of probation and 120 hours of community service in connection with his involvement in the riot at the U.S. Capitol. He was also ordered to pay $1,000 in restitution and a $200 financial assessment. Schaffer later became one of about 1,500 people accused of crimes related to the riot who were pardoned by President Donald Trump.
Although Schaffer was initially charged with six crimes, including engaging in an act of physical violence and targeting police with bear spray, he pleaded guilty to only two charges: obstruction of an official proceeding of Congress; and trespassing on restricted grounds of the Capitol while armed with a deadly or dangerous weapon.
As part of the plea deal, Schaffer agreed to cooperate with investigators and potentially testify in related criminal cases. In return for Schaffer's assistance, the Justice Department later urged the judge to show leniency during his sentencing. Also as part of the agreement, the Justice Department offered to sponsor Schaffer for the witness protection program.
Following the initial reports that Schaffer was involved in the riot, his ICED EARTH bandmates distanced themselves from his actions. Singer Stu Block and bassist Luke Appleton later posted separate statements on social media announcing their resignations. BLIND GUARDIAN frontman Hansi Kürsch also quit DEMONS & WIZARDS, his long-running project with Schaffer. The allegations also apparently affected Schaffer's relationship with his longtime record label Century Media, which had released albums from both ICED EARTH and DEMONS & WIZARDS. As of mid-January 2021, the Century Media artist roster page did not list either band.
Last week, Schaffer teased a possible return to music, telling the It Is Later Than You Think podcast of Cornerstone Church, a non-denominational Church in Trafalgar, Indiana: "There's a few releases that I've got up my sleeve that we're gonna be working on. In terms of new material, I'm gonna give that a little bit of time. I need to know that there's clear artistic direction and not something that's manufactured by me. Because I've done enough records in my career to know some of 'em were wedged into schedules because tours on either side and you're kind of forced into a writing mode because of schedule pressures and other commitments. And sometimes working under pressure is really great, and other times you're going through the motions. And so whatever I would do going forward, I only wanna do something that's gonna be great. I don't want anything to be forced. And I want it to glorify God. And I think there's just so much, from a creative standpoint… There's actually been some biblical stuff throughout my catalog anyway, but from the eyes of a Christian now, like, man, there's so much inspiration there that hopefully would have a good effect on people. So I hope that comes back to me. I hope that it's, like, 'Okay, it's time. Activate.' But I don't know.
"It was just Friday this past week where I got a call that the civil case is dismissed, and really, when you consider the level of stress and pressure and fight or flight and the PTSD and all the things, the financial wrecking, all of the, the things, I think it's gonna take a little bit of time to come completely out of this," Jon explained. "Although I'm cool and calm with what's happening, and I do view it as a gift and a blessing, it's still, like, I'm a human living in the world. And I think it's just gonna take a little bit of time to feel free again. Even if it was all an illusion anyway. With my lifestyle, man, I felt like I was. But when I started waking up, I knew it was all B.S. I could [force creativity], but it's not gonna be great. I want it to be great… I know the rough spots in the catalog. I know how it works, and if that's my calling, to be creative again, then I'll do it. But I don't know. It's gotta be something. It'll move me. I'll know it, put it that way. It'll be unstoppable. That's the way it was before. So it's, like, 'Oh, here it comes. I can't stop it. It's going.'. But we'll see. Yeah, it's not my timeline. I've surrendered that."
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19 май 2025
LINKIN PARK's MIKE SHINODA: METALLICA Was One Of The 'Top Three Tours That We Did With Anybody'
 In a new interview with DJ EFN and N.O.R.E., hosts of "Drink Champs", a weekly talk show/podcast focused on celebrity interviews, presented by Revolt, LINKIN PARK's Mike Shinoda reflected on touring with METALLICA in 2003 as part of the second and final edition of the "Summer Sanitarium" package. He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "That was one of the best tours. We did a tour with them. We've done a lot of shows with them, but we did a whole summer tour with them at one point, and it was — top three tours that we did with anybody. We spent the whole summer [touring with them]. It was in the era of just at the end of like the 'nu metal' thing. All the rap-rock bands were out, and then that was coming to a close. It was [METALLICA], LIMP BIZKIT, us, DEFTONES and MUDVAYNE. And since we were in the middle of the bill, it felt like we were underdogs a little bit, but we weren't. We knew we were coming with a really big show, and just the performance — we were on fire. We just felt great. And the fans loved our music. And so every single one of those shows, we went in [and] we killed. It was just so much fun. And that's unusual for a METALLICA fan."
Mike continued: "I don't know if you know this, but [METALLICA] fans can be very rude to their openers. There was one show — this is a very common thing for their shows — their fans will show up and turn their back to the stage to the performer and put their middle fingers up, and they'll throw beers at the stage while you're performing. And we didn't get any of that. It was incredible. They did not do that to us."
Back in October 2023, Shinoda told Australia's Triple M radio station the story of how he and his LINKIN PARK bandmates worked up the guts to prank METALLICA in the middle of the metal legends' set during the "Summer Sanitarium" tour. He said at the time: "One of our claims to fame is that, at the time — we may still be the only ones — we were the only one to ever prank METALLICA. So they took us out on tour, and we were opening for them in stadiums all over the U.S. for two months in the summer. And we were so nervous. We were so nervous. I loveMETALLICA. Our guitar player, grew up — that was his main reason for learning guitar and getting better at guitar. We all love METALLICA. So, we were on tour with them kind of starstruck. And at a certain point, they invited us to a bar to go hang out. And we were just, like, 'You guys. Come on. You guys.' They were the sweetest guys — every single one of them, incredible. Just so down to earth and thoughtful and complimentary too. They were really sweet about, like, they loved our show. Each of them made a point… I had a conversation with every guy in that band, and they each made a point to say, like, 'I really like what you're doing and you guys are, like, in terms of an opener, so, so, so great. Good people and I love the music.' So we felt really emboldened; we felt comfortable with these guys."
He continued: "So at the end of the tour… Their head of security was a guy who used who worked for us for a period of time. So we knew him… And we were like, 'Hey, Tom, at the end of tours, a lot of times, people will prank each other. You think we could prank METALLICA?' And he was [James] Hetfield's guy. And he's, like, 'Well, I don't know if you know this, but that's never been done. But I think I can work it out.' And so the next thing the METALLICA guys know, they're in the middle of — I don't remember what song, but they they're in the middle of it. And we came out with a blanket and a picnic basket and little almost like lunch boxes and things. They had this platform behind them. Chester [Bennington, LINKIN PARK's then-singer] comes out. He has a skateboard. And we go up to the middle of it, and we pull out sandwiches and sodas, and we start having a picnic on their stage. And they're doing, like, 'Ride The Lightning'. [People are] trying to take 'em seriously, and Chester's literally skating back and forth behind them eating a sandwich. The guys in the band — I think Lars [Ulrich, METALLICA drummer] lost the plot entirely… They figured it out very [quickly]. 'Cause nobody goes on stage with them. So they were, like, 'What the hell's happening?' It was awesome."
LINKIN PARK kicked off its North American tour on April 26 at Moody Center in Austin, Texas.
The deluxe edition of LINKIN PARK's comeback album, "From Zero", arrived on May 16 via Warner.
"From Zero (Deluxe Edition)" 2CD is a limited pressing. It features a four-panel softpak packaging with 16-page booklet and showcases three new songs, five live tracks recorded around the world and all new, expanded packaging.
LINKIN PARK launched the 2025 leg of its "From Zero" world tour on January 31 at Estadio GNP Seguros in Mexico City, Mexico.
In late January, LINKIN PARK released an a cappella/vocals-only version of "From Zero", dubbed "From Zero - A Cappellas".
The original version of "From Zero", issued last November, marked LINKIN PARK's first full-length effort since 2017's "One More Light", which was the last LINKIN PARK album before the death of lead vocalist Chester Bennington. "From Zero" features LINKIN PARK's new singer Emily Armstrong and drummer Colin Brittain, who have joined returning members co-vocalist and main producer Shinoda, guitarist Brad Delson, bassist Dave "Phoenix" Farrell and DJ/visual director Joe Hahnin the band's new lineup. Guitarist Alex Feder is filling in for Delson at all LINKIN PARK concerts for the foreseeable future.
LINKIN PARK announced its new lineup during a September 2024 one-hour global livestream of a concert in Los Angeles showcasing Armstrong and Brittain.
Photo credit: Jimmy Fontaine
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19 май 2025
DAVE NAVARRO On JANE'S ADDICTION's Future: 'There's No Chance For The Band To Ever Play Together Again'
 Eight months after JANE'S ADDICTION canceled the remainder of its U.S. tour after an onstage altercation between singer Perry Farrell and guitarist Dave Navarro, Dave says that "there's no chance for the band to ever play together again."
JANE'S ADDICTION's September 13, 2024 concert at Leader Bank Pavilion in Boston came to a sudden end after Farrell bumped Navarro's shoulder with his own before seemingly yelling at the guitarist. Navarro then placed a hand between himself and Perry before Farrell appeared to throw a punch at him. Another man then jumped between them, breaking up the fight. A couple of days later, JANE'S ADDICTION announced that it was scrapping the rest of its tour dates following the incident. The band said it "made the difficult decision to take some time away as a group," therefore scrapping the rest of the dates of their tour. A short time later, Navarro, along with drummer Stephen Perkins and bassist Eric Avery, posted a joint statement to their respective Instagram accounts in which they said the cancelation of the tour is a result of a "continuing pattern of behavior and the mental health difficulties of our singer Perry Farrell."
"Our concern for his personal health and safety as well as our own has left us no alternative. We hope that he will find the help he needs," the statement read.
Navarro, Perkins and Avery expressed "regret" for the cancelation but added that they "can see no solution that would either ensure a safe environment on stage or reliably allow us to deliver a great performance on a nightly basis."
"Our hearts are broken," the statement concluded.
Later that same day, Farrell wrote in a statement posted to his Instagram story that "this weekend has been incredibly difficult and after having the time and space to reflect, it is only right that I apologize to my bandmates, especially Dave Navarro, fans, family and friends for my actions during Friday's show."
His statement added: "Unfortunately, my breaking point resulted in inexcusable behavior, and I take full accountability for how I chose to handle the situation."
Now, in a new interview with Guitar Player, Navarro addressed JANE'S ADDICTION's future after being asked to name some of the best and worst shows of his career.
"There were a couple of gigs on this last run that we did last year in Europe with Eric Avery back on bass that were some of my favorite JANE'S ADDICTION gigs of all time," he said. "There was no bullshit: no props, no nothing onstage. No dancing, no pyro, and no gimmicks. It was just the four of us and some colored lights, and we were playing the songs, expanding on them, and getting in a kind of weird. If you combined GRATEFUL DEAD and RADIOHEAD, there were moments like that — just weird, experimental jams that we'd never done before as a band. And yet, if you were to ask me what my least favorite gig was, it would be a gig last September, on Friday the 13th, in Boston."
Elaborating on why the Boston concert was particularly memorable for all the wrong reasons, Dave said: "I have to speak in broad strokes here, because there are other individuals involved and it's still very tender and unresolved. There was an altercation onstage, and all the hard work and dedication and writing and hours in the studio, and picking up and leaving home and crisscrossing the country and Europe and trying to overcome my illness — it all came to a screeching halt and forever destroyed the band's life. And there's no chance for the band to ever play together again. I have to say that's my least favorite gig, without throwing animosity around, and without naming names and pointing fingers, and coming up with reasons. I'll just say that the experience prior to that gig, when we were in Europe and gelling, really, for the first time — because at our ages, in our 50s and 60s, everybody's done what they're gonna do, and we weren't competitive with each other — we were getting along. There was no ego issue; it was just four guys making great music, just like we did in the beginning. I was just us on a stage, with people going fucking crazy. And that gig, September 13th, in Boston, ended all of that. And for that reason, that is my least favorite gig that I have ever played.
"I think that's a pretty democratic way, you know, a pretty bipartisan way to go about it," he added. "You know, just the real sadness is the loss of that previous… The experiences are there, but the potential of having those types of experiences ended that night. And so, you know…. it is what it is. And that's my answer."
A few days after the tour cancelation, JANE'S ADDICTION released a new single, "True Love". The track, which was performed live for the first time in 2023 and had been played at a few other shows since, was the second new single from the band's classic lineup of Farrell, Navarro, Perkins and Avery, following "Imminent Redemption", which arrived in July 2024.
"True Love" was written by Farrell, Navarro, Avery and Perkins, with assistance from touring guitarist Josh Klinghoffer.
"Imminent Redemption" was tracked at Sweetzwerland Studios in Hollywood, California.
Prior to "Imminent Redemption"'s arrival, Avery's last time in the studio with JANE'S ADDICTION was for the classic 1990 album "Ritual De Lo Habitual".
"Imminent Redemption" was first performed live when JANE'S ADDICTION's classic lineup played its first show in 14 years on May 23, 2024 at London, United Kingdom's Bush Hall.
Navarro sat out JANE'S ADDICTION's 2022 and 2023 shows due to his battle with long COVID. He was replaced at that year's gigs by Klinghoffer, a former member of RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS who also records with Eddie Vedder and performs with PEARL JAM. 2022 saw QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE's Troy Van Leeuwen step in for Navarro.
The fall 2022 "Spirit On Fire" tour marked the first JANE'S ADDICTION run of shows in more than a decade to feature returning Avery. Prior to that, Avery last played with the band for a short stint in the 2000s before departing again in 2010.
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19 май 2025
SODOM's TOM ANGELRIPPER Doesn't Know When He Will Return To Full-Scale Touring: 'I Don't Have Any Plans'
 In a new interview with Chaoszine, bassist/vocalist Thomas "Angelripper" Such of German thrash metal veterans SODOM once again discussed his decision to cut down on the band's touring activities for the foreseeable future. Asked if this was a "hard decision" to make at this point in SODOM's career, Angelripper said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "Yes, because when you make a break or you stop something, the time is always uncomfortable, I think. The record company, they told me, 'Oh, you release a new album. You have to go on tour. You have to play festivals.' I know. But it's my decision. I'm working for the whole production, I'm working for the promotion for the new album. That's not a problem. But I wanna stop touring for a while. I need more time for my family, for my hobbies, for my good old friends or time for myself."
Tom continued: "My doctor said, 'You are in very good condition for your age, but slow it down a little bit.' And I'm still working on the band; I'm still working for re-releases. I just wanna do more home office. But I have no plan to come back. I don't wanna have any pressure. When I say, 'Okay, I come back in April '27,' whatever, I put myself under pressure. I don't want [that]. Maybe — I don't know how long it takes. I will see what happens. I don't have any plans. But I'm sure I'm coming back one day."
Angelripper previously discussed SODOM's decision to take a break earlier in the month in an interview with RapidMetalFire. He said at the time: "I think you know the story of [SLAYER's] Tom Araya. Maybe you heard something about it. I think he's got the same problems, like [issues with his] neck [when performing live]. He couldn't more headbang. I can headbang. It's not so massive… But that is not the reason why. The reason why is I want to spend more time with other things. I want to spend more time with my family. I need more time going for my hunting district. I want to spend time doing nothing.
"If you are a professional musician — I'm also the manager of the band — you are busy every day," Such explained. "There is no time to breathe. There is no time to relax. I like to spend the time on stage. I like to spend the time making music, but I hate wast[ing] time on airports or hotels.
"If you're getting 62 [years old] like me, you say, 'Okay, I need money to make my [living] from [playing] music.' I know — money is a very important thing. But there is something you cannot buy with money: the freedom," Thomas added. "And that's what I told to my boys, to my group. I told them, I think two years ago, 'In this year, I wanna slow down the things a little bit,' because I can't do nothing, because I'm still working on re-releases. The only difference is I have my home office. That's the only thing. But I can tell you, I have no plan what to do. I have no plan how long I'm gonna rest. I have no plan when I restart the band, so I don't wanna live without any plans in the next times. I can't tell people I want to come back in '27 or '28, maybe '26 — I don't tell the people. When I think I wanna come back, I go."
Asked if SODOM is still "receiving booking requests" from promoters around the world, Thomas said: "I receive a lot of booking requests… I get some offers from this [and that] festival. I get some offers for making a tour with HEAVEN SHALL BURN. They were interested in maybe a SODOM tour. I get a thousand of requests [for] the 'Big Four' [of German thrash metal: KREATOR, DESTRUCTION, SODOM and TANKARD] worldwide. That is not a problem… People are still interested. It's not something bad because we have no success. I can book tours every day over the year, if I want. That is another thing. SODOM is still — we are still very much a success, I think. People are really interested in coming [to see us]… So that is not the problem. I know that people wanna see SODOM."
Elaborating on his reasons for taking a break from the road, Thomas said: "I love my fans, but I also love myself. I also love my family. I also love my old friends. Now it's time to stop [and] just [concentrate on] doing other things. That's very easy. I'm still healthy. I'm able to do it. I'm still creative. Maybe the day will come I don't know what to do, I'm not more creative, I cannot write lyrics, I cannot play bass. Then it's gone. It's just a break. But I don't know how long it takes."
SODOM will release its new album, "The Arsonist", on June 27 worldwide through SPV/Steamhammer. The LP saw all four SODOM musicians — Thomas "Angelripper" Such (vocals, bass),Frank Blackfire (guitar),York Segatz (guitar) and Toni Merkel (drums) — involved in the songwriting.
The official lyric video for the album's first single, "Trigger Discipline", can be seen below.
In November 2023, SODOM released an EP, "1982", via SPV/Steamhammer.
SODOM's 40th-anniversary album, "40 Years At War - The Greatest Hell Of Sodom", arrived in October 2022 through Steamhammer/SPV. The LP included one song from each of the previous studio albums receiving a re-recorded treatment from SODOM's current lineup. The CD and vinyl double LP with their martial cover artwork penned by Eliran Kantor (KREATOR, TESTAMENT, GWAR, among others) contain 17 tracks, all newly recorded by Such, Blackfire, Segatz and Merkel.
SODOM's last studio album, "Genesis XIX", came out in November 2020 via Entertainment One (eOne) in North America and Steamhammer/SPV in Europe. The disc was recorded by Siggi Bemm and mastered by Patrick W. Engel and comes shrouded in the cover art of Joe Petagno of MOTÖRHEAD fame. | +7 | |
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19 май 2025
VOLBEAT's MICHAEL POULSEN Unboxes Upcoming 'God Of Angels Trust' Album (Video)
 Video of guitarist/vocalist Michael Poulsen of Danish rock and rollers VOLBEAT unboxing the vinyl, deluxe CD, hardcover book and cassette versions of the band's ninth album, "God Of Angels Trust", can be seen below.
VOLBEAT — Poulsen, Jon Larsen (drums) and Kaspar Boye Larsen (bass) — will release "God Of Angels Trust" on June 6 via longtime label Vertigo/Universal. The LP's arrival will coincide with plenty of summer touring on the band's "Greatest Of All Tours Worldwide".
With "God Of Angels Trust", the Danish band — which has scored ten No. 1 songs on the Billboard Mainstream Rock airplay chart, the most ever for a band based outside North America — has thrown caution to the wind, ignored comfort zones, and paid little heed to traditional songwriting in the search for something more immediate and surprising. The end result will thrill VOLBEAT's dedicated legion of fans.
"In the past, I've taken a long time to write and obsessed over so many elements of the songs before finishing them," says Poulsen. "This time, I wanted to make a VOLBEAT record without thinking too much about it. Instead of following any kind of structure I said, 'Okay, there are no rules. I can do anything I want. I can start with a chorus or do songs that are just a bunch of verses stacked on top of each other. Anything goes.' That was freeing for me and made it exciting to write this album."
Poulsen's excitement to thwart convention is palpable throughout "God Of Angels Trust", a punchy, crunchy album that's undeniably VOLBEAT, yet marches to a fresh new metallic and melodic energy.
Poulsen started working on songs for the follow-up to 2021's "Servant Of The Mind" in the summer of 2024. VOLBEAT was taking a year-long break from touring to give Michael a chance to recover from throat surgery and to tour with his death metal band ASINHELL. Driven equally by his excitement to record a new VOLBEAT album and by his determination not to follow convention, Poulsen worked on songs for a mere three weeks with bandmates drummer Jon Larsen and bassist Kaspar Boye Larsen. Amazingly, they worked on a new song at every rehearsal. Three weeks into the process, VOLBEAT had arranged half of "God Of Angels Trust". That's when Poulsen decided that having no rules meant he could follow his muse wherever it took him, and he veered off on a different path. He and the band still wrote and rehearsed two songs a week, but they started composing more familiar rock songs that drew from traditional elements.
The band entered the studio with their longtime producer Jacob Hansen in the fall of 2024. As with the songwriting, Poulsen wanted to work quickly and rely on instinct, so they just plugged in and started to play. To keep the music sounding urgent and immediate, VOLBEAT recorded live in the studio, playing as few takes as possible before moving from one song to the next.
When it came time to add lead guitar, there was no question that VOLBEAT would tap Flemming C. Lund, who currently tours with the band and worked with Michael in ASINHELL. A mere 13 days after they started working with Hansen, VOLBEAT were finished.
As impressive as it is that VOLBEAT wrote and recorded an entire album in about five weeks, what's more incredible is that "God Of Angels Trust" sounds as fleshed out, eclectic, and fulfilling as albums that have taken 10 times longer (or more) to create. In the end, creating such a strong album so quickly was a tremendous challenge that demanded Zen-like calm, a joy for exploration, maximal creativity, and razor-sharp concentration to pull off.
"In some ways, it feels like we've come full circle," Poulsen explains. "If you start drawing a circle over an extended period of time, eventually you've going to get back where you started, and that's how I feel now. I've dealt with medical operations, lineup changes, and all these things, and now it feels like a rebirth. It doesn't feel like we're doing our ninth studio album, it feels like we're on our first album again and there's something really refreshing about that."
VOLBEAT will return to the road on the "Greatest Of All Tours Worldwide", beginning in June and running throughout 2025. The tour begins in June with a co-headline Canadian run with THREE DAYS GRACE and special guests WAGE WAR, which will be followed by headline treks in the U.S. with special guests HALESTORM and THE GHOST INSIDE, and Europe with special guests BUSH and WITCH FEVER, including a second show at Copenhagen's Royal Arena on September 20.
"God Of Angels Trust" track listing:
01. Devils Are Awake
02. By A Monster's Hand
03. Acid Rain
04. Demonic Depression
05. In The Barn Of The Goat Giving Birth To Satan's Spawn In A Dying World Of Doom
06. Time Will Heal
07. Better Be Fueled Than Tamed
08. At The End Of The Sirens
09. Lonely Fields
10. Enlighten The Disorder (By A Monster's Hand Part 2) | 0 | |
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19 май 2025
MUDVAYNE Signs With ALCHEMY RECORDINGS For Long-Awaited Sixth Album: New Music Is 'Coming', Says CHAD GRAY
 MUDVAYNE has signed with Alchemy Recordings for the release of the band's new music. Alchemy Recordings is a record label created in partnership between Dino Paredes, former American Recordings vice president of A&R, and Danny Wimmer, the founder of Danny Wimmer Presents, the premier production company for rock music festivals in the United States. Other Alchemy artists include STAIND and CHEVELLE.
The news of MUDVAYNE's deal with Alchemy was revealed in an Instagram post by Wimmer, who shared a short video of MUDVAYNE singer Chad Gray confirming that new music from him and his bandmates is coming. Wimmer wrote in an accompanying caption: "I had to put @chadnesss @mudvayne on the spot because I have had a hard time getting him to announce and here it is... and it's coming through my label 'alchemy' and my partner @riserecords Proud to be part of this next chapter. #dino"
Gray also spoke about new MUDVAYNE material during an interview with SiriusXM Octane conducted at this weekend's Welcome To Rockville in Daytona Beach, Florida. He said: "We've got new shit coming, so get ready, motherfuckers. It's coming."
Chad's wife Shannon Gunz, who is a radio host for several SiriusXM channels, chimed in during the chat, saying: "The first time I heard [new MUDVAYNE songs] — and these are rough mixes — I was literally bawling on the couch."
MUDVAYNE formed in 1996 and has sold over six million records worldwide, earning gold certification for three albums ("L.D. 50", "The End Of All Things To Come", "Lost And Found"). The band is known for its sonic experimentation, innovative album art, face and body paint, masks and uniforms.
Gray spent 15 years fronting HELLYEAH, which released its sixth studio album, "Welcome Home", in September 2019 via Eleven Seven Music. The disc marked the group's final effort with drummer Vinnie Paul Abbott, who passed away seven years ago.
MUDVAYNE did not tour behind its fifth album, which was barely promoted and sold weakly upon release.
The reunited metallers haven't put out any new material since 2009, which means more than a decade and a half has gone by without a single fresh MUDVAYNE song.
In July 2024, Gray was asked by Pablo of the Minneapolis, Minnesota radio station 93X if he and his MUDVAYNE bandmates have done any "file sharing" to create their new music. Chad responded at the time: "We've done it pretty much every fucking way you can do it at this point. But we did some file sharing and stuff like that. Greg [Tribbett, guitar] sent around some risks and then Matt [McDonough, drums] — 'cause Matt does a lot of like ambient-style music on his own, so he can definitely program. So he programmed some drums, and, obviously, when I get that… All I need is basically the guitar riff and I can start kind of feeling it out for melody and lyrical direction and shit like that. I don't need necessarily the whole thing. I can just have very basic shit for me to start writing… But I'll have the nuts and bolts, and, ultimately, that's what file sharing is all about. It's about getting the nuts and bolts of what you're wanting to do. And then from there, you go in the studio and you fucking tweak it, and you fucking add harmonies and you add fucking layers and fucking overdubs, and you can go crazy and then really make it special. So I'm excited about that. We haven't done that yet. That's the one thing we haven't done yet, is got in a room with a fucking producer."
Addressing the pressure he and his bandmates feel to make music of a high-enough quality to live up to the fans' expectations, Chad said: "Honestly, dude, if we were to go into a studio situation and we were to record something, if every single fucking person on our team — us, the producer, our fucking manager, our fucking lawyer — if everyone on our team is not fucking jumping up and down and high-fiving, then it ain't worth putting out. That's just me — I only wanna put out fucking great shit. And with great shit, [I mean] timeless. You wanna create timeless music, and you have to ask yourself the question, 'Is that timeless? Is this timeless music or is this a fucking fad? Are we following something here or are we leading something here?'"
Gray also talked about the relationship he has with his MUDVAYNE bandmates, particularly as it relates to the creative process. He said: "We are who we are. How we are with our personalities is almost the dynamic of what makes MUDVAYNE great. And it's not conflict or whatever, but we test each other. But I think that that comes across in the music we create. And I think we've always had that since the beginning or whatever. And I think that that's one of the things that kind of makes it great. Obviously, we overcome it and we get through it, but there are like times when we start writing, man, where it's, like, 'Do we want the same thing?' We're trying to mold it. But the good thing is that everybody in the band is really open-minded, and that's what it takes. But when we start, like, I have a vision, Matt has a vision, Ryan [Martinie, bass] has a vision, Greg has a vision, and they're not always the same. Through that, you bring it together, but you've gotta give a little, take a little, give a little, take a little, but you've gotta be willing to do that.
"But, yeah, it's really cool," he continued. "I like the dynamic we have. I like the personalities that we have in the band, and I think that, honestly, that's one of the things that makes it great. And I think that's one of the things that make it special.
"Our music is emotional music, whether it's helplessness or fucking anger or aggression or any fucking gamut — our music definitely covers the gamut of all emotions — and I think that those emotions are what bring people close to our music, because they can build a relationship with it," Chad added. "'Cause I'm not the kind of writer that's, like, 'This is what the song is. This is what the song's about.' I kind of get you going down a road, maybe reel you in a little bit so you kind of get the vibe on where I'm at, but I'm giving you off ramps all the way through it where you can take it and make it applicable to your life. But that's what makes it special, 'cause now you're building your own relationship with it and not what I'm telling you the relationship has to be. There's no boundaries on it, so it's pretty boundless."
In March 2024, Chad told The Jesea Lee Show that he and his MUDVAYNE bandmates were still "trying to figure out" where they wanted their new material to go.
"Right now, we've got some, you can call them whole songs 'cause they have a start and a finish, but I feel like they're kind of half-songs," he said at the time. "I just don't think they're realized yet. I don't think we have figured out exactly how we want this to play out with what we're doing in our business or how we want it to sonically sound."
Gray continued: "Nothing inside of me wants to be the MUDVAYNE of [the band's 2000 debut album] 'L.D. 50'. I think that the more albums we wrote, the better we got as songwriters. A lot of people would probably disagree with me, but [2008's] 'The New Game' is probably one of my favorite fucking albums. It's got like 'Dull Boy' on it, it's got just some really quintessential MUDVAYNE stuff that's not anything like anybody else was doing. I feel like we fucking finally had kind of found our groove. 'L.D. 50', to me, was a very gratuitous, individual workshop, and we put all four pieces together and called it an album."
In October 2023, Gray told Australia's Heavy that he and his MUDVAYNE bandmates had "started putting some new stuff together a little bit and people that have heard [some of the early demo] stuff are really excited about it. Only the people that are closest to us have heard anything, and, like I said, it's really rough; it's demos," he explained. "But you can tell it's special. And I think that we have to make sure it's MUDVAYNE. We have to make sure that it's what we want. So we'll just have to see. We were working on it, working on it, working on it a little bit here and there.
"We all live states away from each other — nobody lives even close to each other — so it makes it a little bit difficult," he explained. "But we were able to get some stuff demoed up or whatever, but with us being so far apart, it's a little slow going. And then we just kind of hit a wall. We were, like, 'Okay, we've gotta get back into touring.' So we put everything together and we went back out [in the] summer [of 2023]."
In August 2023, Chad told The Oakland Press that he and his MUDVAYNE bandmates had "four [songs] in the pipe. I've written each one of them probably three different times, 'cause it's like nothing's good enough," he revealed. "We're gonna keep pushing. We're all getting along really good. We're all talking. Hopefully we all want the same thing from our music, so we'll see. It's definitely the thing that makes the most sense to do now."
As previously reported, MUDVAYNE will celebrate the 25th anniversary of "L.D. 50" on a U.S. tour in late summer and early fall. Support on the trek will come from STATIC-X and VENDED.
Released in 2000 via Epic, "L.D. 50" produced three singles — Dig", "Death Blooms" and "Nothing To Gein". "L.D. 50" peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard Heatseekers chart and No. 85 on the Billboard 200. It was certified gold by the RIAA for shipment in excess of half a million copies in the U.S. alone.
MUDVAYNE completed its first headlining tour in over 14 years, "The Psychotherapy Sessions", in the summer of 2023. Support on the 26-city trek, which was produced by Live Nation, came from COAL CHAMBER, along with GWAR, NONPOINT and BUTCHER BABIES.
Previously, MUDVAYNE made waves in 2022 when they embarked on the "Freaks On Parade" tour co-headlined with ROB ZOMBIE. The 2023 tour, however, marked MUDVAYNE's first headlining endeavor since 2009.
Gray told The Oakland Press that his "main motivation for putting [MUDVAYNE] back together and coming back was our fans", including those who discovered the band during its absence. "There's so many younger kids that are coming up and coming into our world, the metal world, and they're learning about MUDVAYNE," he said. "So you have this, like, the ground's kind of rumbling and it goes out and touches more and more people, but we weren't out there to scratch that itch. You still have your actual fan base but you're accumulating new people. So when we came back it was very exciting for us. It was about our fans and giving those new fans the experience."
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19 май 2025
Watch: GENE SIMMONS BAND Performs In Niagara Falls During Spring/Summer 2025 U.S. Tour
 On Thursday, May 15, KISS bassist/vocalist Gene Simmons and his solo band, GENE SIMMONS BAND, performed at the OLG Stage at Fallsview Casino in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada. Fan-filmed video of the entire concert can be seen below.
Featured songs:
* Deuce (KISS cover)
* Shout It Out Loud (KISS cover)
* Charisma (KISS cover)
* Are You Ready (Gene Simmons song)
* I Love It Loud (KISS cover)
* War Machine (KISS cover)
* House Of Pain (VAN HALEN cover)
* Parasite (KISS cover)
* Ace Of Spades (MOTÖRHEAD cover)
Guitar & Drum Solo
* Spit / Whole Lotta Love
* Cold Gin (KISS cover)
* Bad Reputation (THIN LIZZY cover)
* Christine Sixteen (KISS cover)
* Calling Dr. Love (KISS cover)
* Rock And Roll All Nite (KISS cover)
The GENE SIMMONS BAND kicked off its 2025 tour Friday night (May 2) at Frederick Brown Jr. Amphitheater in Peachtree City, Georgia. The band — consisting of Gene on bass and vocals, Jason Walker on guitar and vocals, Brian Tichy on drums and vocals and Brent Woods on guitar — reportedly played only six songs before the rest of the gig was scrapped due to bad weather. A second show followed on May 3 at Beaver Dam Amphitheater in Beaver Dam, Kentucky.
Simmons recently postponed nearly 20 dates on his solo tour with the GENE SIMMONS BAND to 2026. Gene currently has dates scheduled through August 3 in Sturgis, South Dakota.
In an interview with 95.9 The Rat's Carl Craft, Gene discussed the "Personal Assistant And Band Roadie For The Day" experience he is offering to his fans during his tour with the GENE SIMMONS BAND. The experience in question, called "The Ultimate Gene Simmons Experience", offers fans the opportunity to not only meet Simmons and his band but to assist him with load-in at the venue and setting up the stage, attend soundcheck and spend time backstage. The roadie will also join Simmons for a meal, and the 75-year-old rock legend will introduce the fan during the gig. The experience costs $12,495 — plus the original ticket price and comes with a bass guitar Gene previously used — and is only available to one fan per venue.
Asked how he came up with the price tag of $12,495 for the experience, Simmons said: "Here's the deal: when I was a kid and I went to see [Jimi] Hendrix or somebody, of course I enjoyed the show and really got off on it — we talked about it forever and stuff — but I didn't know what it was like. What's the beginning of the day like? What's it like to sit and have breakfast or lunch with my favorite rock stars, and then get in the limo, go to the gig, set up the drums, do soundcheck and then be on stage with your video, 'cause nowadays everything's on video. You can't take a poop without a camera coming in under the stall. And then you get pulled up on stage to sing along with them. Now, having said that, we only do one roadie for a day per show. And I'll tell you why — because nowadays everything is so litigious. That's a big word, like gymnasium. That means everybody sues everybody for no reason. So if you get a paper cut, somebody gets sued. And that's just the way life is here in America — much more in California, by the way. It's crazy out here. So, I can't even, if I wanted to, bring out do roadie for a day with 10, 20, 30, as many people [as we would like]. So we do one, because the insurance costs for that are astronomical. And so this ain't cheap. It's not for everybody. And for that one person, you do have to pay premium numbers. That's just life."
Gene went on to say that the $12,495 price tag doesn't "just" include "the classic stuff. It's also exposure, financial and legal exposure," he explained. "Somebody has a bad experience and they sue you and it costs you hundreds of thousands of dollars. You need insurance for everything. Do you have a car? You've got insurance. Everything in life, apparently… In fact, you buy anything — a tool — they give you insurance. Would you like the one-year or three-year? Everything's insured."
Simmons is offering another package called the "Gene Simmons Bass Experience", which gives one fan and three guests the chance to meet the KISS icon backstage. With this package, the fan will be able to take home one of Simmons's bass guitars, which can be signed and personalized for $6,500 for a "non-stage-played" instrument, and $12,500 for one that Simmons previously played at a show in addition to the ticket cost.
Simmons's $12,495 "Personal Assistant And Band Roadie For The Day" experience is limited to one per show and includes the following perks:
* You will meet up with Gene and GENE SIMMONS BAND members early in the day (either at his hotel or designated location) to go over the band's show day schedule.
* You will be on the GENE SIMMONS BAND team crew for the entire day!
* You will get a GENE SIMMONS BAND crew member shirt and hat
* You will get a GENE SIMMONS BAND crew member VIP laminate
* You will have a meal with Gene Simmons (at the hotel or backstage at the show)
* You will arrive and load in to the venue with the band
* You will help the band set up for the show
* You will hang out backstage
* You will sit in on soundcheck
* Gene Simmons will bring you on stage during the show and introduce you
* You will get a setlist signed by Gene Simmons
* You can take photos throughout your entire experience
* You may bring one guest
* You may bring four items for Gene to sign (no instruments, parts, etc.)
* And… you get a Gene Simmons (KISS-rehearsal-used) bass signed by Gene Simmons
For more information, visit GeneSimmonsAxe.com.
During an appearance on a December 2024 episode of Billboard's "Behind The Setlist" podcast, Gene spoke about how he now tours and performs with his solo band. He responded: "I thought I could stay away from the stage [after the completion of KISS's 'End Of The Road' farewell tour]. It bears noting that there's a magic that happens up there that words don't really sort of describe. It's a feeling, and it's tough to talk about feelings. It's probably closer to… There used to be a guy named Dr. [Arthur] Janov and he had a kind of a strange hippie point of view about people having their stuff pent up. So you put people in a padded room. And it was called scream therapy. You go in there and you just let loose and reportedly — I was never part of that, but reportedly — people would come out drenched in sweat and relieved and tired and you expel all this stuff. And going through life, there are rules. You can't compliment women too much. There's no more hugging. There's all these rules. You can't do trans jokes, gay jokes, Jew jokes, black — you can't do any of that stuff because we're very sort of… There are subtle rules that we all have to be aware of. Not on stage. You are free. You just expel all this energy, and it's this celebration of life with the fans and you, and you get to this kind of joyous place. So the GENE SIMMONS BAND is a chance for me, with some friends who are monsters on their instruments, to go out there and just have a great time. It bears noting we don't have managers, road crew, nothing. No trucks, nothing. The local promoters provide the backline, and we just get up there and play. And there are no set-in-stone setlists. Fans can yell, 'Hey, why don't you do 'Almost Human' from 1804?' You betcha. And you break into it. Or, 'Do you guys know 'Whole Lotta Love'?' 'Yeah, I think so.' And you break into it. Or you jam. And at every show we bring fans up on stage. 'Can you sing?' 'Can you play? Let's have a party.'"
When asked how the idea for touring without managers and a road crew came about, Simmons replied: "Actually, it was done by black musicians when they played the Chitlin' Circuit, what used to be the black clubs, 'cause they couldn't play white clubs. So Chuck Berry, as an example, famously would show up with his guitar, and there was a local band. Now, I don't do that — I take my band with me — but Berry would show up, and he'd tell the guys, 'Study the records, learn these songs, I'm gonna show up,' and no rehearsal, nothing. Just let it happen. And you can be as tight as THE [ROLLING] STONES. I don't know if you've ever seen THE STONES live. No matter how much they rehearse, there's this kind of sloppy, greasy way of doing it. And you never quite know where the end of the song is — it never quite ends — because there is no end; you just kind of feel it. So it's very easy. We have a lot of fun. The fans are, as they say on the street, digging it. And then you die. That's all there is."
Regarding what the difference is to him financially when he plays shows with his solo band compared to how it was with KISS, Gene said: "I make more [with my solo band]. Yeah, there's no managers, no private jets, no 20 tractor trailers, no 60-man crew, no huge shows. And the pyro alone for every [KISS] show was 10 grand, sometimes 50, depending if you go outdoors — enormous, enormous costs for doing that — but proud to have done that with [fellow KISS founder] Paul [Stanley] and the rest of the guys in the band. But this is a decidedly different thing. It's almost as if you decided to rent some amps in a garage and plug in and then everybody from the neighborhood comes in and you have a much different relationship. There's none of that sort of prepared thing. It's very informal and an awful lot of fun."
In addition to Simmons, the GENE SIMMONS BAND members include guitarists Brent Woods (WILDSIDE, SEBASTIAN BACH, VINCE NEIL) and Zach Throne (COREY TAYLOR) alongside drummer Brian Tichy (LYNCH MOB, THE DEAD DAISIES, WHITESNAKE, BILLY IDOL, FOREIGNER, PRIDE & GLORY, SLASH'S SNAKEPIT).
Back in 2017 and 2018, the GENE SIMMONS BAND played a number of shows with a lineup that consisted of Simmons alongside guitarist/bassist Jeremy Asbrock, guitarist Ryan Cook, guitarist Phil Shouse and drummer Brent Fitz.
Six years ago, Simmons stated about his solo shows: "Doing these smaller concert halls, which hold a thousand to three thousand people, means they get filled up by real diehard fans. They don't want to hear the 'same old, same old.' They want to hear nuggets, as they say. It's a hoot for me because I've never really had a chance to do this stuff live. It's been a lot of fun." Gene told the Chicago Sun-Times: "By the end, I get the chance to bring as many people from the audience as we can fit on the stage to sing with me."
Regarding how the idea for a solo tour came about, Simmons told Australia's Advertiser in a 2018 interview: "The GENE SIMMONS BAND was not a plan or anything. About a year ago, a corporate event asked me to be keynote speaker … then they said, 'Won't you get up and sing a few tunes?' I explained that you can't just do that, you've got to have a band and rehearse and all that. They said, 'Well, we'll pay you X dollars more,' and I said, 'I like you!' "So I put together a band from Nashville — these guys back up Kid Rock and lots of other people — and without a single rehearsal, I just told them which songs I wanted to do and they learned them. It just sounded natural — there is such a thing called chemistry. They don't teach that anywhere — I mean, they do teach 'chemistry' but not the kind I'm talking about. It felt right and as soon as the videos went on YouTube and such, people were calling. This little GENE SIMMONS BAND never tried to be KISS… It was just a little bit of fun and stuff. Now all of a sudden, we're headlining festivals in the Czech Republic, Canada, Germany… It's crazy."
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19 май 2025
Watch: HALESTORM Performs Five Songs From Upcoming 'Everest' Album At WELCOME TO ROCKVILLE Festival
 HALESTORM, the Pennsylvania-bred and Nashville-based quartet, played five songs from its upcoming "Everest" album during the band's May 15 performance at the Welcome To Rockville festival at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida.
Notably, nearly half of HALESTORM's 10-song set consisted as-yet-unreleased tracks from the group's sixth studio LP: "Fallen Star", "WATCH OUT!", "Rain Your Blood On Me" and "Everest", along with "Darkness Always Wins", which was made available as a single in late April.
HALESTORM's setlist was as follows, according to Setlist.fm:
01. Fallen Star (live debut)
02. Mz. Hyde
03. WATCH OUT! (live debut)
04. Uncomfortable
05. Darkness Always Wins (full-band live debut)
06. Rain Your Blood On Me (live debut)
07. Freak Like Me
08. Drum Solo
09. I Miss The Misery
10. Love Bites (So Do I)
11. Everest (live debut)
Fan-filmed video of the concert can be seen below.
"Everest" is due out August 8 on Atlantic Records.
A North American tour in support of the LP, "nEVEREST", with Lindsey Stirling and APOCALYPTICA, will kick off on September 11 in Salem, Virginia and conclude on October 11 in Spokane, Washington.
"Everest" was produced by Grammy winner Dave Cobb (Brandi Carlile, Chris Stapleton, Jason Isbell),and it "dives deeply, both lyrically and sonically, into [HALESTORM's] mountainous climb over the last couple decades," according to a press release.
"Our album 'Everest' is a story of our journey as a band, full of beautiful endings and new beginnings," says HALESTORM frontwoman Lzzy Hale. "We weave a tangled web of melancholy, frustration, anger and the vast purgatory of love and love lost. It is a rollercoaster of epic musical detours, great songwriting and completely unhinged twists and turns. 'Everest' is an auditory representation of the four pillars of HALESTORM. Let us reintroduce ourselves and invite you into our world…if you dare."
Rolling Stone said of "Darkness Always Wins", "What the song has going for is its catchy, brooding, and dramatic in all the ways we love HALESTORM songs to be," and Revolver noted "The arrangement remains lean even as the amps begin to crank into the red, though 'Darkness Always Wins' still sports some exquisite minor-key melodicism, a metal-chunked bridge, loud-as-hell requiem bells and a classically rippin' rock guitar solo."
The newly announced "nEVEREST" tour follows an epic run first supporting IRON MAIDEN in Europe and dates with VOLBEAT in the U.S. with a one night-only-performance at BLACK SABBATH's final show in Birmingham, England.
In a recent interview with Cutter's Rockcast, Lzzy spoke about HALESTORM's songwriting and recording sessions with Cobb, known for his previous collaborations with the likes of Sammy Hagar, Slash, GRETA VAN FLEET and RIVAL SONS. Regarding the musical direction of the band's follow-up to 2022's "Back From The Dead", Lzzy said: "It's really hard to describe this one. We did the record with Dave Cobb, which is a new producer for us. His ADHD mixed very well with our ADHD. But we didn't do it traditionally the way we always do these albums. First day, we walked in and I always have, like, whatever, a ton of half-written songs or full-written songs, or, 'Here's a riff or whatever' — you come in with your bag of tricks. And Dave Cobb says, 'Oh, we're not gonna do any of that.' And I'm, like, 'What do you mean?' He's, like, 'We're not doing demos. I hate demos. What we're gonna do is we're gonna start and we're gonna write, and as we're writing, we're recording at the same time.' So that's what we did. The first day we actually ended up writing our first single that'll be coming out soon. But, yeah, we started, like, 'Okay, who's got a line?' 'Oh, I have this that I thought of yesterday.' 'Cool. That'll work. Let's go.' Set up the drums, set up the guitar, here's the vocals. And so we would be recording while we were writing it, and then we would get done and we would move on to the next day. And so there are songs that don't even have a click track to them or a guide because we forgot."
Lzzy continued: "There's so many different elements of songs that we used to write when we were kids, but, obviously, as adults — a lot of that feeling. It was kind of an emotional rollercoaster. There's also, I think, some of the heaviest songs we've ever written on there, some really beautiful mid-tempos. A lot of personalities that I've always wanted to kind of put on a record, but I never really had the freedom or time to, because usually when we do a HALESTORM record, it's, like, 'Okay, we have to have all the songs picked. We have to have them rehearsed.' We go in and kind of do it like an assembly line. Like, 'Okay, you do the bass, do the drums, do the guitar, do the vocals, and we're good.' So there's no time to really like sit with things before they're, like, 'Okay, we've already decided we're gonna do that.' And so the freedom and kind of the nerve-racking kind of element of the fact that there wasn't really a plan ended up being the special sauce on this album, because we were just chasing everything that got us excited. And if it wasn't a 'hell yeah', it was a 'hell no'. So there's nothing on there on this album that we don't feel complete ownership over. There's nothing on this album that anybody forced us to do. There's nothing on this album that isn't part of our personalities."
Elaborating on why the new HALESTORM album feels like it is a return to the band's roots in a way, Lzzy said: "My bass player said it yesterday. He's, like, 'It's kind of like this long road to the beginning,' 'cause all of the guys at one point in time said this really feels like we're back in our parents' basement again and we're hustling and we're trying to figure out how to write songs on the radio. But we have all this knowledge now. So everything ended up coming together so incredibly well. But it was almost like the reverse, that the music was telling us what to do and not us trying to like shoehorn anything in.
"I'm telling you, man, — it is the most HALESTORM record we've ever done," Lzzy added. "It is the first time in the 20 years we've been on Atlantic Records that we have not felt lorded over in regarding to making records, because usually it's time crunch. Somebody's always there being, like, 'Oh, we can't do that.' 'Oh, you probably shouldn't say that.' 'What about this thing?' And that kind of thing. So it usually becomes like a project, like a group project.
"We didn't do it in Nashville — we did it in Savannah, Georgia, locked in a house in the middle of nowhere, next to a river," Hale revealed. "The guys and I would wake up like around 11:30 a.m., we would start recording and we wouldn't stop until 4:00 a.m. And then we would annoy the hell out of the engineer who was trying to sleep with playing on the proper keyboard and coming up with weird stuff. But we were unsupervised in the best way, and it was all about, who are we now? Who were we then? This is our story. For me, when I listen to this album, it's my personal opus — all the things that I've gone through in my life, both dark and not. There's more questions than answers. It's not just me giving myself a pep talk, like 'I'm the fire', 'I'm back from the dead.' It's like I'm dealing with a lot of my reality and a lot of the reality of the world in my own way. And then it's also our story as a band, and you can really hear it in the music and in the lyrics. So I'm so excited for people to hear it. And it's to the point where it's, like, I don't even really care if anybody likes it because all four of us are, like, 'This is our favorite album we've ever done.'"
Fronted by Lzzy with drummer Arejay Hale with guitarist Joe Hottinger and bassist Josh Smith, HALESTORM's music has earned multiple platinum and gold certifications from the RIAA, and the band has earned a reputation as a powerful live music force, headlining sold-out shows and topping festival bills around the world, and sharing the stage with icons including HEAVEN & HELL, Alice Cooper, Joan Jett and JUDAS PRIEST. Additionally, Lzzy was named the first female brand ambassador for Gibson and served as host of AXS TV's "A Year In Music".
Posted by Brian Dow on Friday, May 16, 2025
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19 май 2025
Watch: MICHAEL DENNER Performs MERCYFUL FATE Classics With Members Of ARTILLERY At Denmark's NORDIC NOISE Festival
 ARDENNERY, the band featuring former MERCYFUL FATE guitarist Michael Denner alongside members of ARTILLERY, performed iconic tracks from the first three MERCYFUL FATE releases — "Don't Break The Oath", "Melissa" and the group's debut EP — on May 9 at the Nordic Noise 2025 festival at Kometen in Hvidovre, a suburb of Copenhagen, Denmark. Fan-filmed video of the concert can be seen below.
Shortly after ARDENNERY's appearance Nordic Noise 2025 was first announced in March, Denner commented: "It is an absolute joy to share the stage with musicians I have respected and known for decades, performing legendary songs that shaped my own career."
ARDENNERY, which had performed in the past at special events, stepped in at Nordic Noise 2025 as the replacement for BLITZKRIEG, who unfortunately had to withdraw due to lineup changes.
When it was announced in 2019 that MERCYFUL FATE would reunite for an unspecified number of concerts throughout Europe during the summer of 2020, it was revealed that the influential Danish heavy metal act's lineup for the shows would not include Denner, who was a member of MERCYFUL FATE's classic lineup.
Asked in an August 2022 interview with Creem magazine why Denner isn't involved in the MERCYFUL FATE reunion, MERCYFUL FATE frontman King Diamond said: "There are reasons Michael Denner and [drummer] Kim Ruzz are simply not here. I know that Michael Denner did an interview recently, and I'm not going to get into it, but he said a lot of things that are absolutely not true. I could go into a lot of details about the reasons that this is not a lineup with him in it, or Kim Ruzz in it. I don't want to say anything bad about anybody, but you can't say, 'Hey, I should have played there.' Why? Should I throw out a band member that is absolutely perfect for the band, that goes all out for the band all the time, no matter what? And his skill is beyond anything I played with on that spot in the band? There's no way that he's going to get fired because someone else is suddenly interested in the band. That's completely wrong. There's no way I would ever treat anyone like that."
King went on to say that it has been "very cool and a lot of fun" to play with MERCYFUL FATE again, but he clarified: "People have misunderstood what we are doing now. This is not a reunion. We are just picking it up again because the stars are aligned correctly now. And that's been the thing all the time. Before when people asked, 'Do you think you're going to play with MERCY again?' I would never say never. But it's got to be completely right. I don't want to go out there and try to milk a cow and do a show with the backdrop and then collect and say, 'That was that.' That's not right. And Hank [Shermann, MERCYFUL FATE guitarist] has the same philosophy. Either we do it 200 percent, or we don't do it."
In July 2022, Denner said that it was "heartbreaking" for him to be excluded from MERCYFUL FATE's current reunion. Denner addressed his absence from the band's reunion in an interview with Finland's Chaoszine. The guitarist said: "I [feel like] this is not my band anymore. I'm not part of it, because they didn't tell me; they didn't invite me. We didn't even have a discussion about it. So, of course, it took some time for me to digest it. It was quite painful, because I miss my friends from the '80s — I miss them. But not the people who [are] in the band today. I wish them the best. I mean, the better they play, the more records we can sell and the more money I will get in the end. Of course it's heartbreaking. And also to see and hear — they play my signature stuff. Most of the songs they play now is things I've done — I mean, my signature solos, my themes, my arrangements, my stuff. And it's another guy who plays. But then again, Mike Wead is a great guitarist, and he's still a good friend of mine. So if anyone should do the job, I'm glad it's him who did it, really. He can do the shit. That's some sort of comfort in all this agony and disappointment — that it's Mike Wead who plays. And that makes me feel good."
Regarding his relationship with King, Michael said: "The thing is me and King, we had a discussion some years ago. It was about a cover of a DENNER/SHERMANN album. Because the artist who did the artwork for the cover is [Swedish artist] Thomas Holm who did [MERCYFUL FATE's] 'Melissa' and 'Don't Break The Oath'. And, of course, his way of painting and stuff, it was a bit more than a bit similar to 'Melissa' and 'Don't Break The Oath', and King got upset and tried to stop the album. He did manage to stop — as I recall it — the merchandise side; t-shirt design and so on. I'm not a hundred percent sure [about] that, but that could be the story.
"Me and King are quite alike," he explained. "We don't turn the other cheek. I mean, two old assholes who don't wanna stretch the hand out and say, 'Okay, let bygones be bygones. Let's try to do this.' So we keep the disagreements and the enemy side of it. That's just sad. But with Hank, it was a different story because it came out of nowhere. We had a good teamwork going with DENNER/SHERMANN. And one of the last things Hank told me was, 'If we do a MERCYFUL FATE reunion, it should be with you and me. No question about it.' But of course, King, he has some strong will and some power behind it — Metal Blade Records and money; big salaries. So Hank chose to go that way and just leave me out in the cold. And [Hank and I] haven't spoken since, more or less. And that's a few years now. But then again, we've been a guitar team since the late '70s — that's a long, long time — and the friendship. And it's like telepathy. You know exactly which guy should play what parts and we know each other like it's in the pocket. But he chose to go that way, and I couldn't live with that. So we don't talk anymore. But I wish him the best — I wish him just the best of luck in the future. But his future will be without me."
Asked if he thinks there is still a chance that he will one day reconnect with Hank, Michael said: "Not in a million years. That will never happen — never. It's just the end of it, because I could never trust this guy again. He broke my heart and he stabbed me in the back. But still, I miss my old friend; I miss my guitar partner. But I will never take a chance again, trusting this guy, when he could do the thing he did. I will never be safe. So I feel sorry for me and I feel sorry for him. It's a loss. That's the way life goes. You have to carry on."
MERCYFUL FATE's last studio album, "9", was released in 1999.
MERCYFUL FATE will be remembered for its unquestionable mark on the history of metal with its innovative sound, complex arrangements, memorable melody, and its influence on bands that later took the genre to new heights.
In 1998, METALLICA paid tribute to MERCYFUL FATE by recording a medley of classic MERCYFUL FATE songs on the album "Garage Inc." Titled "Mercyful Fate", the medley included parts from "Satan's Fall", "Curse Of The Pharaohs", "A Corpse Without Soul", "Into The Coven" and "Evil".
Lars Ulrich of METALLICA (a fellow Dane) played drums on a new version of MERCYFUL FATE's "Return Of The Vampire" on the "In The Shadows" album, which came out in 1993.
Original MERCYFUL FATE bassist Timi Hansen died in November 2019 after a battle with cancer. | +2 | |
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19 май 2025
Watch: OPETH, RAINBOW, KING DIAMOND Members And Others Pay Tribute To RONNIE JAMES DIO At Stockholm Memorial Concert
 Jørn Lande (MASTERPLAN),Ronnie Romero (RAINBOW),Doogie White (RAINBOW),Fredrik Åkesson (OPETH),Pontus Egberg (KING DIAMOND),Guernica Mancini (THE GEMS, THUNDERMOTHER),Per Wiberg (OPETH) and Mia Karlsson (CRUCIFIED BARBARA) are among the more than 20 musicians who took part in the 2025 edition of the "Stargazer Alliance" memorial concert for Ronnie James Dio, which was held this past Thursday (May 15) at Bibliotek Live in Medborgarplatsen, Stockholm, Sweden. The non-profit charity event in aid of the Cancerfonden, the Swedish Cancer Society, featured performances of many of Dio's classic hits from RAINBOW, BLACK SABBATH and DIO. Fan-filmed video of the show can be seen below.
Ronnie James Dio, best known for his work with BLACK SABBATH, RAINBOW and his own band DIO, died of stomach cancer just over 15 years ago (May 16, 2010) at the age of 67.
Dio was renowned throughout the world as one of the greatest and most influential vocalists in heavy metal history. The singer, who was recording and touring with SABBATH offshoot HEAVEN & HELL prior to his illness, was diagnosed with stomach cancer in late 2009. He underwent chemotherapy and made what is now his final public appearance in April 2010 at the Revolver Golden Gods Awards in Los Angeles.
A free public memorial service was held on May 30, 2010 at Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills Cemetery in Los Angeles, attended by more than 1,500 fans, friends and fellow musicians.
In March 2011, it was announced that the surviving members of the final lineup of DIO would embark on a project with former JUDAS PRIEST frontman Tim "Ripper" Owens under the name DIO DISCIPLES.
Ronnie James Dio, real name Ronald James Padavona, was born in New Hampshire on July 10, 1942.
He moved to Cortland, New York at a young age, where he began playing with local acts. A street in Cortland, Dio Way, was named after him in 1988.
He released his first single, with a band called RONNIE AND THE REDCAPS, in 1959.
His first heavy rock act, ELF, released three albums and opened for DEEP PURPLE, where Dio's voice caught the ear of guitarist Ritchie Blackmore. Blackmore recruited Dio for his own band, RAINBOW, after leaving PURPLE in 1975.
Dio recorded three studio albums and one live set with RAINBOW before exiting in 1978, including "Rising" and "Long Live Rock And Roll".
He replaced Ozzy Osbourne in BLACK SABBATH in 1980, recording the "Heaven And Hell" and "Mob Rules" albums, plus "Live Evil", before leaving in 1982. He rejoined the group 10 years later for an album called "Dehumanizer", and again teamed with the group under the HEAVEN & HELL banner in 2006. HEAVEN & HELL released an album called "The Devil You Know" in 2009.
He also recorded 10 studio albums with his own band, DIO, including a classic 1983 debut, "Holy Diver", and an equally renowned follow-up, 1984's "The Last In Line".
Dio was also behind the HEAR N' AID project, a collection of metal artists who recorded the track "Stars" in 1985 to raise funds for African famine relief.
Rock and metal musicians around the world paid tribute to Dio in the weeks and months following his death. SLIPKNOT frontman Corey Taylor shared his feelings with The Pulse Of Radio about the fallen metal icon. "When I got that news that he had passed away, man, it seriously — it broke my heart. It broke it in two. Because honestly, I just feel like there will never be another Ronnie James Dio. He had such a pure voice — and still singing his ass off. I just know he'll be missed, and I will miss him as well."
Ex-VAN HALEN and current SAMMY HAGAR & THE CIRCLE bassist Michael Anthony also shared his memories of Dio with The Pulse Of Radio. "I don't know anybody that didn't grow up listening to his stuff," he said. "You know, VAN HALEN, we used to do from the first RAINBOW album, we did 'Man On The Silver Mountain'. I remember one time, the second VAN HALEN tour we were doing some festivals in Europe, and we actually played on the same show as Ronnie's band. Real powerful voice, you know, and definitely a driving force in hard rock music, that guy was."
Slash told The Pulse Of Radio that he felt the loss of Dio very keenly. "He's just somebody I was influenced by," he said. " I played all the RAINBOW stuff, I played the DIO stuff, the SABBATH stuff when I was in, you know, high school. I don't think that it's really set in what a, you know, huge figure in rock 'n' roll we lost, you know. Really major. Probably one of the most influential heavy metal singers of all time."
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Foo Fighters
