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13 ìàé 2025
JOE SATRIANI And STEVE VAI Release Video For SATCHVAI's 'I Wanna Play My Guitar' Single Featuring GLENN HUGHES
 The newly formed SATCHVAI band, the electrifying collaboration between legendary guitarists Joe Satriani and Steve Vai, returns with their second studio single "I Wanna Play My Guitar", out now. Featuring powerhouse vocals from Glenn Hughes (DEEP PURPLE, BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION),the track arrives just one month ahead of SATCHVAI's European summer tour, their first full run as a unified group.
Following the cinematic instrumental release of their debut collaboration "The Sea of Emotion, Pt. 1" in March 2024, "I Wanna Play My Guitar" adds another dynamic layer to the SATCHVAI catalogue, blending hard rock, blues, and arena-sized energy.
Anchored by Hughes's unmistakable voice and backed by an all-star rhythm section, the song is a rousing celebration of six-string obsession and pure rock 'n' roll spirit. Directed by ZZ Satriani, son of Joe Satriani, the video for "I Wanna Play My Guitar" captures the electric chemistry between the newly formed SATCHVAI band and Hughes.
"I Wanna Play My Guitar" recording lineup:
Glenn Hughes - Lead Vocals
Joe Satriani - Guitars
Steve Vai - Guitars
Marco Mendoza - Bass
Kenny Aronoff - Drums
Eric Caudieux - Keyboards
Background vocals by Derek Day, Steve Vai and Doug MacArthur
"When I started writing this song, I had no idea how important the contributions from Glenn and Steve would be," Satriani told Guitar Player, which premiered "I Wanna Play My Guitar". "What they brought to the track made it all happen."
According to Joe, he originally approached Hughes and THE DARKNESS's Justin Hawkins to both sing on the track. "I got this crazy idea on the Monsters Of Rock Cruise where Glenn and Justin were both performing," he explained. "Unfortunately, when I got back from the cruise, I tested positive for COVID and I entered into a 10-day fog, forgetting if I had sent the invitations to collaborate. When I finally recovered, I heard back from Justin's people that THE DARKNESS was going to be releasing a record at the same time and he wouldn't be able to contribute to the song, so I sent a rough demo to Glenn and he was into it."
"I Wanna Play My Guitar" sets the tone for SATCHVAI's monumental European tour, launching June 13 in the United Kingdom and spanning iconic cities and festivals throughout the beginning of August.
The full band lineup includes powerhouse drummer Kenny Aronoff, renowned bassist Marco Mendoza and virtuoso guitarist Pete Thorn to complete a stellar quintet that is SATCHVAI.
When Satriani and Vai first announced the members of the SATCHVAI band in January, Joe said: "Finding the right musicians for the SATCHVAI band was at first a daunting task, then an exciting one; there are so many great musicians to choose from! It's no secret that the chemistry between players will always be the thing that makes them a magical live band, and we've found that chemistry with Kenny, Marco and Pete. The upcoming shows will focus on not only our respective solo works, but also the music from our new album. We are so excited to get this show on the road and celebrate it with all of our fans!"
As Vai explained: "When considering forming one band around myself and Joe we talked about the qualities needed for each position, bass, drums, rhythm guitar. It was a surprising challenge to find the right fits."
Drummer Kenny Aronoff is no stranger to Satriani fans. He has toured alongside Joe as part of the CHICKENFOOT band, joined on Satriani solo tours since 2019, played on "The Elephant Of Mars" album, and most recently stepped in for Jason Bonham on "The Best Of All Worlds" tour with Satriani, Sammy Hagar and Michael Anthony.
"What can I say about the legendary Kenny Aronoff that I haven't said before?" asked Satriani. "No other drummer has the sound, feel, time, groove, and swagger like Kenny. He's an exceptional human being too. He's supernatural!"
"Kenny is the quintessential rock drummer," said Vai. "His time is bulletproof, his tone is fat and clean, and his ability to respond in an improvisational setting is instant. Besides that, he's one of the easiest and most fun guys to tour with — an essential quality on the road."
When it came to adding a rhythm guitarist and bass player, the duo was challenged to find the right combo. Vai had been aware of Pete Thorn for quite a while and knew he was perfect for their band. As Vai explained: "Pete's playing is rock solid with a huge tone in his fingers. His rhythm playing is tight and in tune in a way that's rare, and his intonation is stunning. He's the perfect musician for this band, and we couldn't be happier to have him."
Satriani agreed: "Pete is an all-around monster guitarist. He has that rare ability to shine on rhythm and lead guitar, switching back and forth with finesse. He's got the technical abilities and the rock 'n' roll attitude Steve, and I were hoping to find for our band."
Then came the choice for bassist. Vai said of the addition of Marco Mendoza: "Marco is a bass phenomenon. With his six-string fretless, his bass sings with perfect intonation and swooning vibrato. His wide, rich tone and masterful control of dynamics will bring a new dimension to our songs."
With Satriani echoing, "Marco's musicianship is boundless. He's got a special magic to his bass playing; it's both foundational and out front at the same time. Together with his exceptional singing voice and stage presence, he will be a driving force in our band."
Aronoff said: "I've been performing and recording music with Joe Satriani since 2012 (CHICKENFOOT, Sammy Hagar, G3 and Joe's band) and have performed live with Steve Vai, but the next level is RIGHT NOW because I am joining the SATCHVAI band for a two-month tour this summer in Europe. I am pumped, excited and ready to kick ass!"
Thorn stated: "It sounds like something out of a mad fantastical dream that the 14-year-old guitar-obsessed me would have had….'Joe Satriani and Steve Vai called, they want you to join their new band!' And then I'd wake up and go to 9th grade math class! But it's real! It's a mind-blowing opportunity, and yet I also feel like I've arrived exactly where I've always wanted to be. I'm beyond excited to be of musical service to these legends, and to rock out!"
Mendoza said: "I have to say that getting invited to be part of a great project like this is monumental for me personally! I know it's going to be something very special, and I can't wait to get it started."
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13 ìàé 2025
BEHEMOTH Shares Music Video For New Single 'Sowing Salt'
 Extreme metal giants BEHEMOTH have just released their new album, "The Shit Ov God", via Nuclear Blast Records. The official music video for the LP's fourth single, "Sowing Salt", can be seen below.
With the post-apocalyptic and retro-futuristic imagery that dominates the clip, BEHEMOTH enters new territory without sacrificing the visual leitmotif and thematic virulence it has established over the course of its more than three-decade-long career.
BEHEMOTH founder and frontman Adam "Nergal" Darski comments: "'Sowing Salt' is arguably one of the most brutal compositions in BEHEMOTH's catalog to date. Unrelenting. Unapologetic. Absolute.
"The video was directed by Zev Deans, with whom we've had the pleasure to collaborate before. He's crafted a visual that powerfully completes the song — musically and lyrically. And the lyrics? Just as radical and confrontational as music itself."
BEHEMOTH have always been known for not shying away from controversy, and they most certainly remain true to this approach with their 13th full-length. Here's a band that, 34 years in, is releasing its most inflammatory and extreme record to date. Eight songs that go into the fathoms of humanity, divinity, and what defiance means in an age where individuality is prized but everyone is clinging to their saviors — musically, politically, or otherwise. The title of the album is in line with those sensibilities.
Intentionally polarizing, Nergal said of the title: "We chose this provocative title deliberately, rejecting subtlety in favor of a direct and polarizing statement. It's a defiant plunge into the depths, daring to seek the absolute even in the gutter."
But make no mistake, despite its apparent insubtlety, the album title gets a touch of genius when seen in combination with the strikingly clever artwork, which depicts an upside-down version of the most common Christogram "IHS."
Nergal commented: "I've reached a point in BEHEMOTH's journey and my own creativity where words and statements mean less and less. The true essence of who we are and what we stand for lies in our music, our art, our visuals, our sounds, our performances, and the ways we connect with you. I deeply believe BEHEMOTH represents transcendent, timeless art.
"The number thirteen — so magical and significant. If this were to be our final album, I could say I die a proud man. Without a shadow of a doubt, this is the most refined, purest representation of BEHEMOTH. No filler, no excess — just the very best we have to offer, handed to you.
"Hail Satan."
BEHEMOTH meticulously chose the audiovisual artists involved on the album. Production on the album was helmed by the inimitable Jens Bogren of Fascination Street Studios (EMPEROR, ENSLAVED, KREATOR, ROTTING CHRIST et al.). Working closely with the band, Bogren's deft hand underscored the band's natural sound while sacrificing none of the mayhem and ferocity which permeates the band's essence. As is always the case with BEHEMOTH, the visuals were as carefully constructed as the sound. The band tapped long-time collaborator and partner in crime Bartek Rogalewicz (BLACK.LODGE.IS.NOW) as well as Dark Sigil Workshop to make the beautifully ominous and unique cover art.
"The Shit Ov God" track listing:
01. The Shadow Elite
02. Sowing Salt
03. The Shit Ov God
04. Lvciferaeon
05. To Drown The Svn In Wine
06. Nomen Barbarvm
07. O Venvs, Come!
08. Avgvr (The Dread Vvltvre)
BEHEMOTH recently embarked on a European tour, featuring legendary Norwegian black metal pioneers SATYRICON as special guest. From the ancient lands of Greece, the ever-epic ROTTING CHRIST completed "The Unholy Trinity".
The tour launched on April 4, 2025, in Vienna, Austria and descended across major cities, including Berlin, Paris, London, and Stockholm, before culminating in Prague, Czech Republic on April 27.
Photo credit: Sylwia Makris and Christian Martin Weiss
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13 ìàé 2025
Ex-LAMB OF GOD Drummer CHRIS ADLER Says He Was Fired Via E-Mail: 'It Was Devastating To Me'
 Chris Adler has opened up about his departure from LAMB OF GOD, explaining that it was "devastating" for him to be fired from what he considered to be his "life's work".
LAMB OF GOD officially parted ways with the drummer 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, spoke about the circumstances that led to his exit from LAMB OF GOD in a new interview with Scott Penfold of Loaded Radio. He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "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."
Cruz made his live debut with LAMB OF GOD in July 2018 in Gilford, New Hampshire.
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12 ìàé 2025
ROBERT FRIPP & TOYAH Put “Sunday Lunch” Series On Hold After KING CRIMSON Legend Suffers Heart Attack
 King Crimson founder Robert Fripp and his wife, Toyah Willcox, have temporarily paused their “Sunday Lunch” series, after Fripp suffered a heart attack.
On May 7, Toyah shared the following as part of her “Toyah’s Blog”:
“Two Saturday’s ago Robert had flown to Italy for work. The next day he sent me a text in which he said, ‘do not panic but I am in intensive care’. He’d had a heart attack, what he didn’t know after some phone calls from myself to the team looking after him is he possibly had had a silent stroke .
“The good news is all of this happened within the vicinity of one of the best cardiac units in Italy. Within minutes he was with the best cardiac surgeons and specialist available. It was a miracle. He had five hours of surgery to put the first stent in. He was in intensive care for a day, now he is doing incredibly well.
“When I talk to him there is very little different about him, he is obviously in shock and he has medication effecting him but he looks extremely well.
“He looks incredible and I actually think the stents where badly needed. He’s probably feeling the best he has in a long time. We think the heart attack may have happened on his flight returning from Miami four weeks ago .
“I have never felt so stressed in my life, I thought I was just going to pass out with stress. I did a lot of grieving. I was terrified, Robert had to have two surgeries. I realise that he was in the right place at the right time and his guardian angels took really good care of him so any of you that are alarmed by this, he’s in a really good place. He’s been saved.
“We both need to address getting rid of saturated fat from our diets. I eat a lot of butter and we need to get rid of sugar. Both of us have stressful lives and we need to dial that down. I’ve said to Robert I will change my diet. I will change my lifestyle to suit him and rather wonderfully and selfishly for me he says he wants more time with me and to be with me when I’m working, for me that’s the greatest news I could hear and I’m hoping that by May 26th (the astrological shift for the better) all our lives will be improve and this very difficult past 10 months will become something of a past that we never revisit again.”
The couple shared this week’s regular Upbeat Moments video yesterday (May 11) which saw them explain the situation further. They say Robert will be taking it easy for six to eight weeks, but that the “Sunday Lunch” series will continue. Watch the clip below:
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12 ìàé 2025
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12 ìàé 2025
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12 ìàé 2025
OF MICE & MEN Shares New Single 'Another Miracle'
 Southern California's OF MICE & MEN has returned with a new single, "Another Miracle". The track marks the band's first new music since 2023's "Tether" and OF MICE & MEN'a first since signing to new label Century Media Records. The powerful track — which was produced by the bandmembers themselves — explores themes of desperation, hope, and the relentless pursuit of peace amidst chaos. Known for crafting intimate, heavy-hitting anthems that resonate deeply with fans, the band once again showcases their ability to fuse raw vulnerability with explosive sonic power.
OF MICE & MEN's Aaron Pauley says: "Life is hard. No matter who you are, you're fighting battles big and small on a daily basis. A lot of the time, we feel that the uniqueness of our circumstance prevents connecting with others. 'How could anyone possibly know what it's like to go through what I'm going through?' That being said, everyone, and I mean everyone, knows what it's like to wish for a miracle during a time when everything seems hopeless. It seems to be one of those core human experiences that ties us all together. That's exactly what 'Another Miracle' is about and we hope you enjoy it."
Today OF MICE & MEN has also shared the official video for "Another Miracle" which was shot by filmmaker Mike Matsui. Guitarist Alan Ashby says: "Working with Mike and his team was awesome. We got to actually do a bit of acting as well as play our instruments. It was super cool having a tactical co-ordinator and learning how to do the proper movements in relation to the SWAT team scenes. It felt like we were part of a big-budget Hollywood movie!"
OF MICE & MEN is currently touring the U.S. with both headline and festival dates, including Summer Daze festival in Elko, Nevada, Warped Tour in Long Beach, California and Louder Than Life in Louisville, Kentucky. Today the band has also announced a European run, with dates kicking off November 27 and concluding December 14. Tickets for that leg are on sale May 14 at 10 a.m. CET / 9 a.m. U.K.
Kicking off an exciting new chapter, OF MICE & MEN has officially signed with Century Media Records. This new partnership paves the way for continued evolution while honoring the sound that has earned them a loyal global following. With fresh creative momentum and new music on the horizon, the band stands ready to make this one of their most dynamic and impactful years to date.
The label's head of A&R Dennis Moll says: "We're beyond stoked to welcome OF MICE & MEN to the Century Media Records family. Witnessing their tenacity, perseverance and willingness to reinvent themselves while sticking to their roots isn't just promising — it's inspiring and fits perfectly to the vision we have as a label. This is the beginning of a great partnership."
Earlier this week OF MICE & MEN launched their new offering for fans via the brilliantly named Micespace (www.micespace.club),a new online community for the band and their fans where the band will be sharing unreleased music and demos, unseen footage from each era of their nine albums, fan club perks on tour tickets and tons more exclusive content.
Since its debut in 2010, OF MICE & MEN has built a devoted global fanbase through relentless touring, powerful live shows, and a string of acclaimed albums. The band's core lineup — Aaron Pauley, Phil Manansala, Alan Ashby and Tino Arteaga — has remained solid since 2016, fostering a deep creative chemistry. Their music frequently explores themes of resilience, mental health, and human connection, striking a deep chord with listeners. With numerous charting singles, award wins, and a new partnership with Century Media Records, OF MICE & MEN continues to evolve while staying rooted in the authenticity that defines the band's sound.
OF MICE & MEN 2025 European tour dates:
Nov. 27 - Docks - Hamburg, DE
Nov. 28 - Hole 44 - Berlin, DE
Nov. 29 - Anker - Leipzig, DE
Nov. 30 - Meet Factory - Prague, CZ
Dec. 02 - Progresja - Warsaw, PL
Dec. 04 - Backstage - Munich, DE
Dec. 05 - Essigfabrik - Cologne, DE
Dec. 06 - Kulturfabrik Kofmehl - Solothurn, CH
Dec. 08 - Bataclan - Paris, FR
Dec. 09 - 013 - Tilburg, NL
Dec. 11 - Electric Ballroom - London, UK
Dec. 12 - Academy 2 - Manchester, UK
Dec. 13 - Bristol Electric - Bristol, UK
Dec. 14 - The Garage - Glasgow, UK
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12 ìàé 2025
STONE TEMPLE PILOTS' DEAN DELEO And Singer/Guitarist PETE SHOULDER Announce Debut ONE MORE SATELLITE Album
 Dean DeLeo of STONE TEMPLE PILOTS and TRIP THE WITCH, along with vocalist Pete Shoulder, will release the self-titled debut album from their latest collaboration, ONE MORE SATELLITE, on July 18, 2025 via Symphonic.
"One More Satellite" presents a diverse collection of songs. "I was simply sitting on some songs I wanted to record," says DeLeo. "What started out as an instrumental album, quickly changed soon after Pete and I chatted. He was going to sing on a song or two, then wound up singing on eight of the ten on the record."
The collaboration with U.K.-based vocalist and lyricist Pete Shoulder and DeLeo went quite well and voila, through a transatlantic workflow… ONE MORE SATELLITE was born.
"I was excited to hear the new music Dean wanted to collaborate on," says Shoulder. "We've worked together in the past and it's always been an absolute pleasure making music with him. The stuff he comes up with is so interesting, with so many beautiful, unexpected, twists and turns. It's very inspiring to write to and pushes me into realms that I would never usually think of exploring. I'm very proud of the album we've made."
The debut single, "Paper Over The Cracks", can be streamed below.
DeLeo's son Rocco drums on "Drowning Out The Sun", "Willow Mae" and "Spit It Out". STONE TEMPLE PILOTS drummer Eric Kretz plays on "Serenade" and Brian Tichy drums the rest. Daughter June DeLeo lends a lovely "aaah"…vocal on "Your Call", and longtime collaborator Ryan Williams co-produced and mixed the album.
"One More Satellite" will be available digitally and on CD and vinyl. More merch items, including posters and t-shirts, can be found here.
"One More Satellite" track listing:
01. Paper Over The Cracks
02. Vultures
03. Long Way Down
04. Drowning Out The Sun
05. Serenade
06. Can Of Worms
07. Willow Mae
08. Spit It Out
09. Pull Back The Veil
10. Your Call
DeLeo and Shoulder had previously collaborated on songwriting, including for the album "Lessons Learned" by Dean's younger brother — and STONE TEMPLE PILOTS bassist — Robert DeLeo. They've also worked together in the studio on projects, including a collaboration with STONE TEMPLE PILOTS and TRIP THE WITCH. Shoulder has also collaborated with Robert DeLeo on the aforementioned "Lessons Learned" LP and co-wrote songs for it, including "Love Is Not Made Of Gold".
In addition to his work with STONE TEMPLE PILOTS, Dean DeLeo is known for his role in the short-lived bands TALK SHOW and ARMY OF ANYONE, the latter of which featured Robert DeLeo, FILTER frontman Richard Patrick and session drummer Ray Luzier.
STONE TEMPLE PILOTS features three original members — the DeLeo brothers and drummer Eric Kretz.
In 2017, singer Jeff Gutt, a now-48-year-old Michigan native who spent time in the early-2000s nu-metal act DRY CELL, among other bands, and was a contestant on "The X Factor", joined STONE TEMPLE PILOTS after beating out roughly 15,000 hopefuls during an extended search that began more than a year earlier.
Original STONE TEMPLE PILOTS singer Scott Weiland, who reunited with the group in 2010 after an eight-year hiatus but was dismissed in 2013, died in December 2015 of a drug overdose.
Chester Bennington, who joined STP in early 2013, departed nearly three years later to spend more time with his main band LINKIN PARK. Bennington committed suicide in July 2017.
Dean DeLeo photo credit: Wendybird Fotos / Pete Shoulder photo credit: Scott Wynne | 0 | |
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12 ìàé 2025
DANCE GAVIN DANCE Announces New Album 'Pantheon'
 Rock band DANCE GAVIN DANCE has announced its highly anticipated new album "Pantheon", set to be released on September 12 via Rise Records. Their first full-length release since 2022's "Jackpot Juicer" — which debuted at No. 8 in the Billboard Top 200 — "Pantheon" sees the band building on their signature genre defying sound with soul shredding breakdowns, pop-infused melodies, frenzied screams, and guest vocals from the legendary master of Pfunk, George Clinton, on the song "Space Cow Initiation Ritual".
In addition to announcing their new album, DANCE GAVIN DANCE has released their new single "Midnight At McGuffy's". Along with the song comes a brand new music video — a surreal, Escher-esque trip through flashing lights and desert landscapes that will leave you questioning what is real.
DANCE GAVIN DANCE drummer Matt Mingus comments: "We're incredibly ecstatic to share our 11th full-length album, 'Pantheon', with the world. We poured our hearts and souls into this record — it has all the signature elements our fans have come to expect, along with fresh sounds and new styles that truly spotlight Andrew as our new vocalist. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride that is 'Pantheon'."
Catch DANCE GAVIN DANCE on the road this spring. The headlining "Return Of The Robot" tour kicks off on May 22. A number of shows are already sold out — including night two in Philadelphia, Toronto, Charlotte, Phoenix, and Riverside — with more expected to sell out soon. Fans in Chicago can also look forward to the fourth annual Swanfest, with special guests GLASSJAW, ANIMALS AS LEADERS, THE FALL OF TROY, Kurt Travis and "Return Of The Robot" tourmates THE HOME TEAM, BELMONT and DWELLINGS.
Gratitude. It's a word that DANCE GAVIN DANCE return to often — and with good reason. Because few words encapsulate the mood in the band as they prepare to lift the veil on the latest era in their storied career. Gratitude for each other. Gratitude for the journey, its lessons and the growth it affords. Gratitude for the outlet in which to express themselves creatively, with freedom and abandon. Gratitude for the fans of old and gratitude for the fans of new, without whom none of this would be possible.
"Pantheon", DANCE GAVIN DANCE's 11th full-length record and the follow-up to 2022's "Jackpot Juicer", is a testament to and document of that gratitude. Emerging from a recent period of trauma and flux — the sudden passing of beloved longtime bassist Tim Feerick; along with various changes within the band's lineup — it finds the newly minted quartet refocused, rejuvenated and reenergized, imbued with an unbridled energy that duly bursts from every inch of "Pantheon"'s 13 tracks.
Formed in Sacramento, California in 2005, DANCE GAVIN DANCE — today comprised of vocalist/guitarist Andrew Wells, his fellow frontman Jon Mess, lead guitarist Will Swan and drummer Matthew Mingus — are a powerhouse of alternative music; true originals and originators alike, crafting an exhilarating cacophony of sounds and disparate styles that harmonizes everything from funk through metalcore to post-hardcore, pop sensibilities colliding with progressive, kaleidoscopic song structures. With four Billboard 200 Top 15 albums to their name and one of the most deeply fanatical fanbases in modern music fueling millions of record sales and billions of streams, as the esteemed Rock Sound magazine attests: "There is no band on earth like DANCE GAVIN DANCE."
"Pantheon" is an album born first and foremost from reflection — on what DANCE GAVIN DANCE was, is, and, crucially, could still be. It's an astonishing listen that sees DANCE GAVIN DANCE shift back towards the band's heavier, more experimental beginnings. Without forgoing any of the accessibility and songcrafting craft of "Jackpot Juicer" and 2020's "Afterburner" before it, "Pantheon" succeeds in sandblasting away the pop sheen that has glossed the band's recent output to leave something altogether edgier, coarser, tactile. Lyrically, it channels thoughts and themes that are similarly abrasive. It's a record that navigates an undercurrent of instability, frustration and exasperation, the jarring, dueling delivery of Wells and his thrillingly erratic, freeform counterpoint Mess the embodiment of "Pantheon"'s inner conflicts and confusion. It poses an abundance of questions while rationing its answers.
"The intention of 'Pantheon' was to build a certain tension, without a proper resolution," Andrew Wells says. "The world is in chaos right now, so there is a lot of solemn commentary on where we're all headed, songs about where we find ourselves in life right now, and the classic DGD absurdism for light and relief amongst the darkness of it all.
"I think 'Pantheon' is a testament to perseverance and the gratitude that we feel today," Wells adds. "Being able to overcome everything that life hits you with, find your people — the people that you trust, people that you love, people that love you — and create art with them, whatever chaos the world has in store for you. It's about getting through the hardest times, getting back to basics, and making something that you love."
"Pantheon" track listing:
01. Animal Surgery
02. Midnight At McGuffy's
03. The Robot With Human Hair: Rebirth
04. The Conqueror Worm
05. Trap Door
06. Strawberry's Daughters
07. Space Cow Initiation Ritual (feat. George Clinton)
08. All The Way Down
09. A Shoulder To Cry On
10. The Peak Of Superstition
11. The Stickler
12. Yikes!
13. Descent To Chaos | 0 | |
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12 ìàé 2025
MOTÖRHEAD: 'The Manticore Tapes', A 'Lost' Album From 1976, To Be Released
 In 1976 the seminal line-up of MOTÖRHEAD was solidified a year after the band's initial inception. Known as the "Three Amigos" era of MOTÖRHEAD, Lemmy (bass/vocals),Fast Eddie Clarke (guitar) and Phil "Philthy Animal" Taylor (drums) joined forces and began their extraordinary journey to the top of the hard rock elite.
In August 1976 the band set up at EMERSON, LAKE & PALMER's legendary Manticore Studio in Fulham to rehearse and showcase the new lineup. While they were there they recorded together for the very first time and now, forty-nine years later, this long-lost tape has surfaced, been dusted off and restored in all its raw glory, to celebrate the seminal hard rock band's 50th anniversary
It's quite surreal, even unbelievable that a whole half century has elapsed since that vital time in 1976. Just as remarkable, especially for those who remember Lemmy hammering the fruit machines of London's pubs or as the era's most extraordinarily approachable rock star, has been this always humble man's ascension to Mount Rushmore-like immortality as rock 'n' roll's ultimate icon, this despite his having sadly passed away nearly ten years ago. Lemmy himself certainly would have cackled.
The dogged struggles MOTÖRHEAD faced in the first four of their 50 years are well documented and the almost accidental manifestation of this album — and the circumstances under which it was recorded — present a previously barely known new element in the band's history from that time when it's very future looked bleak had events not taken a different course.
Part of that early story involved a little-mentioned man called Frank Kennington, who roadied for THE WHO before moving into management and briefly taking on the struggling MOTÖRHEAD. One of Kennington's moves was booking the trio into the converted ABC cinema on Fulham Palace Road that served as prog supergroup EMERSON, LAKE & PALMER's HQ — which was known as Manticore. Named after the mythical beast in Persian folklore that adorned their album sleeves, Manticore was one-stop shopping for bands, with the projection room housing offices while the seatless main auditorium provided a useful soundstage for bands to rehearse in. MOTÖRHEAD were ensconced at Manticore recording their set on Ronnie Lane's mobile studio, which was operated by Ronnie's trusted mate Ron Faucus.
Faucus did a fine job capturing MOTÖRHEAD's blossoming raw power and high-velocity onslaughts on songs that would remain in their live set until 1979. These aging tapes were brought to life with restoration duties dutifully handled by longtime MOTÖRHEAD collaborator Cameron Webb at Maple Studios in California and mastered by Andrew Alekel at Bolskine House in Los Angeles. The result is a truly historical moment in the evolution of hard rock's finest heavy icons, restoring and bringing to the public eye for the first time ever a vital part of MOTÖRHEAD's evolution and history.
"The Manticore Tapes" will be available as a deluxe expanded bookpack containing a double LP and seven-inch single, a single LP, CD and digital.
See below for full details of "The Manticore Tapes" releases and be sure to visit www.iMotorhead.com for news and updates. | +8 | |
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12 ìàé 2025
BATTLE BEAST Releases New Song 'Last Goodbye'
 Finnish metallers BATTLE BEAST have released a new single. The song "Last Goodbye" is the first taste from the band's seventh album, due later this year.
BATTLE BEAST bassist Eero Sipilä comments: "The spark for 'Last Goodbye' was lit in the least rock and roll place imaginable: a hospital. In 2020, I spent a few weeks there and met an older woman battling cancer — a fight she'd been waging on and off since 1985. It made me wonder: how much can a person take before they give up? But she never did. She kept showing up, kept pushing through the treatments, kept being around. 'Last Goodbye' is a tribute to that human fighting spirit — the will to rise every time life knocks you down. As long as you're breathing, you're still in the game."
BATTLE BEAST's European tour starts with a bang on October 17 with the band's biggest German headline show to date at Hamburg’s Inselpark Arena. The trek, with DOMINUM as the special guest and Sweden's rising power metal force MAJESTICA as the opening act, will keep BATTLE BEAST on the road until mid-December.
BATTLE BEAST released its first live album, "Circus Of Doom - Live in Helsinki 2023", on April 11 via Nuclear Blast Records. The album is available on all DSPs and as a limited-edition CD plus Blu-ray digipak. Recorded at the Helsinki Ice Hall on January 27, 2023, mixed by the band's "keytarist" Janne Björkroth and mastered at the legendary Finnvox by Mika Jussila, this massive live package is a highlight for every dedicated fan out there and perfectly captures the ambitious dystopian carnival show BATTLE BEAST put up during their past touring cycle.
BATTLE BEAST singer Noora Louhimo revealed in November 2023 that she had been diagnosed with a ruptured left carotid artery, causing the postponement the band's tour.
Louhimo joined BATTLE BEAST in 2012 with no previous experience as a metal vocalist but quickly acclimated herself as the replacement for Nitte Valo (a.k.a. Nitte Vänskä).
Three years ago, Noora, who in 2021 released her debut solo album, "Eternal Wheel Of Time And Space", under the NOORA LOUHIMO EXPERIENCE banner, admitted publicly that she had been struggling with eating disorders and her weight since she was "a little child" and said that she was "still trying to find a balance." She added that she had "been depressed and anxious sometimes 'without a reason'."
In an interview with Metal Divas, Noora explained how she ended up fronting BATTLE BEAST: "[In] September [2012], I got a call from [then-BATTLE BEAST guitarist] Anton [Kabanen] that they want me to join BATTLE BEAST. I had heard their music and loved the sound and the vocals, so the next day I called Anton and said I'm in.
"Anton found me by accident on YouTube when he was searching for the new vocalist," she continued. "He had been looking for a vocalist — male or female; [it did not] matter. The only thing that mattered was can that [he or she could] sing his songs without compromises.
"I've been singing since I was four years old," Noora added. "While being a huge fan of heavy metal of '80s and a teenager, I had some classical singing lessons when I was 16 years old. Then at the age of 19, I started studying music in pop/jazz line. At the same time, I started doing some jam sessions at bars. There I found my first band (ADMIRAL OCTOPUS) in the blues bar. We used to play rock and blues music from '60s-'70s and Janis Joplin was the reason I got the rasp in my voice. After ADMIRAL OCTOPUS, in 2011, I took part in a singing competition ('Wanna Be A Rock 'N' Roll Star') at Henry's Pub of Tampere and won it with Janis Joplin's 'Piece Of My Heart'. That's how my single 'Relax' was born."
BATTLE BEAST is:
Noora Louhimo - vocals
Eero Sipilä - bass
Joona Björkroth - guitars
Juuso Soinio - guitars
Janne Björkroth - keyboards
Pyry Vikki - drums
Photo credit: Marek Sabogal
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12 ìàé 2025
BROOKS WACKERMAN: How I Landed AVENGED SEVENFOLD Gig
 AVENGED SEVENFOLD's Brooks Wackerman was recently interviewed by Steve Jocz, also known as Stevo 32, a Canadian musician best known as the original drummer of the punk rock band SUM 41. Asked how he landed the AVENGED gig back in 2014, Brooks, who had been a member of BAD RELIGION since 2001, said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "My friend Diony [Sepulveda] — he used to be my personal manager, and then he was AVENGED SEVENFOLD's tour manager — they talked to him, and they started establishing a dialogue about, 'Do you think Brooks would be into playing with AVENGED?' So he called me and I'm, like, 'What? It was just so outta — maybe not outta left field, but when you get that call and you just start kind of envisioning yourself in a completely different light. It's, like, metal festivals, even though, to me, AVENGED is so much more than metal, but we are playing metal fest festivals. So, yeah, it was exciting. I'm, like, 'Okay, I haven't felt this way in a while' at the time. I was grateful for all my work with BAD RELIGION, but I was in the band for 15 years, and I wanted to spread the wings a little wider, too, musically. So I'm, like, 'Okay, not only are they interested, but they're also interested in writing with me for this record. They want me to contribute.' And I'm, like, 'Yeah, let's do this.' 'Cause to actually feel like you're a proponent between five guys in a studio, it's special."
Asked if he felt like he wasn't able to do that in BAD RELIGION, Brooks clarified: "The writers were Brett [Gurewitz, BAD RELIGION guitarist] and Greg [Graffin, BAD RELIGION singer], and as they should be, because they created the sound. I always call them the [John] Lennon and [Paul] McCartney of punk rock. There's no one that can write like those guys. I did parameters, but I'm not gonna sit here and say BAD RELIGION didn't allow me creativity — they did — but I will say once I did the second record with BAD RELIGION, that's when I really felt like myself. I didn't feel a hundred percent like myself on [2002's] '[The] Process [Of Belief]', and I think that was a) nerves, b),not knowing the guys, and c) they had all the songs demoed. So by the second record, I was demoing at Brett's house. He wanted to hear what I would come up with and it was more collaborative. But when you get the AVENGED call, it's, like, 'Okay, so the Latin beat that I practiced when I was 12, I can now apply this in a song.' It's, like, just the rhythmic possibilities, the creative possibilities [were endless]…"
Regarding what songs he played at the AVENGED SEVENFOLD audition, Brooks said: "'Nightmare', 'Little Piece Of Heaven', 'Bat Country', I think 'Buried Alive'. Yep, 'Buried Alive'. I think it was just that."
AVENGED SEVENFOLD had been working with Brooks for over a year already following the departure of Arin Ilejay before Wackerman was announced as the band's new drummer. Although Ilejay left the group in 2014, his departure was only announced in July 2015.
Ilejay was AVENGED SEVENFOLD's drummer for four years, playing on 2013's "Hail To The King" album. In announcing his exit, the band thanked him for his "positive energy" but added that it "needed to move in a different direction."
Back in November 2015, AVENGED SEVENFOLD frontman M. Shadows told the "Talk Is Jericho" podcast about Brooks's addition to the band: "To be honest, Brooks's name has always been in the mix. It was one of the names we were throwing around when Jimmy [original AVENGED SEVENFOLD drummer James 'The Rev' Sullivan] passed away in terms of who was going to step up for [the 2010 album] 'Nightmare'. We felt Mike [Portnoy, DREAM THEATER] was the right choice and we still feel that way. Mike just destroyed on the record. He was perfect. But at the time, our tour manager brought up Brooks's name as well. But at the time he was also busy with BAD RELIGION and it was also… People were going to look at it differently because he was a punk drummer at this point."
Regarding the split with Ilejay, M. Shadows said: "It just became increasingly difficult to be on the same page, not only touring, but with writing and just where we want to take things. We're just a bunch of guys who are all over the place and we have a bunch of different influences and we need somebody who can instantly… who can sit there and say, 'Yeah, I've got that influence too or I understand why we're gonna go here. I understand why we're going to do that.'"
He continued: "It just got to the point where after Mayhem Festival [in 2014], we had just decided to fire on all cylinders the way we want to, we needed to make a change. And we all had our little talk. We said, 'Listen, we can ride this thing out the way it is right now and we'll be fine or we can shake the nest a little bit and we want to fire on all cylinders again. We want to be the baddest band on the planet. We want to just dominate onstage.' And I came up with the idea that I really want to talk to Brooks and see if there's any chance and see where he's at in his life right now."
He went on to say: "Jimmy's missing and you're not trying to replace that and you're just trying to get to the point where if you were to tear this thing to the bottom floor, how would you rebuild it — to just say new band, new mentality, new fire. And one of the things was, 'Let's give Brooks a call and see what he's doing.' It wasn't like we were going to start trying guys out and we were serious about this change. It was, like, 'If Brooks is willing to do this, that's what we want to do.' So it wasn't like we were gonna just start looking for drummers." | +2 | |
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12 ìàé 2025
KIRK WINDSTEIN Says Music For New DOWN Album Came Together Really Quickly: 'You've Got Five Dudes That Can Write Riffs'
 During an appearance on "The Jasta Show", Kirk Windstein confirmed that DOWN is working on a new full-length album, tentatively due in 2026 via Nuclear Blast Records. The guitarist/vocalist said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "Yeah, all the drum tracks are done and basically the bass tracks as well."
Windstein, who is joined in the long-running heavy metal supergroup by vocalist Philip H. Anselmo, guitarist Pepper Keenan, drummer Jimmy Bower and bassist Pat Bruders, went on to discuss the evolution of DOWN's songwriting, beginning with the band's 1995 debut album "NOLA" and running through DOWN's last two releases, 2012's "Down IV Part I – The Purple EP" and 2014's "Down IV – Part Two" EP. He said: "[Philip and I] talked about it kind of jokingly and stuff, but I'm, like, 'Dude, at some point I think you were just overthinking,' because it went from the simplicity of 'NOLA' where there's so many open areas of just big, simple riffs and shit to really being complex on a lot of songs on 'Down III: Over The Under', where he's almost singing over every part of the song but the guitar solo or something."
Circling back to the writing process for the next DOWN album, Kirk said: "We were out at the [Nodferatu's] Lair [Anselmo's home studio] and I'm, like, I said, 'I haven't been out here writing with you dudes since… It's been, like, since for the first EP,' so maybe 2011, early 2012… So it's kind of like we haven't written together in so long that it was so fresh. I mean, we got together on a Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and I think we had seven songs written. Because you've got five dudes that can write riffs. I mean, your drummer can write riffs too. And Pat writes great, and Phil writes great. And you've got me and Pepper on guitar. So when you've got five dudes that can write riffs — there's some songs that we all kind of have a riff in it even, or a part or half a riff or something."
As previously reported, DOWN will headline night one of this year's edition of the Milwaukee Metal Fest. The show follows the band's recent Western U.S. tour with DANZIG.
In April 2024, Windstein, who is also the frontman of CROWBAR, told Concrete Spew about the musical direction of the new DOWN material: "It just sounds like DOWN. I mean, it sounds refreshing because we haven't done it in so long, gotten together with me and the guys and done it in — fuck — 12 years or something. So it sounds like DOWN, I think, to me, it sounds more old-school DOWN. And the reason I say that is I think we got to a point where… Like, the 'NOLA' record is so simple, and it just wrote itself; it was so simple. And that's how this is coming about, which is great."
He continued: "We're not overthinking it. We're not trying to make things too complex. Phillip's not trying to write so many lyrics and things. We just kind of got away — I hate to say 'got away', 'cause anything we do is DOWN, but, to me, we kind of got a little bit… We needed to go back and look at each other and just go, 'Let's just get in a room and do it like we did from the beginning.' And that's what it feels like to me. It's very magical. The ideas and the working together, just bounce off of one another, it's a natural thing."
DOWN played its rescheduled concert at Inn Of The Mountain Gods Resort And Casino in Mescalero, New Mexico on September 27, 2024. The band was originally supposed to perform at at Inn Of The Mountain Gods on June 20, 2024, but the show was called off due to a pair of rapidly growing wildfires which were converging on a village inside a tribal reservation in the state. As a result of the postponement, DOWN played two pop-up shows in Louisiana — on June 20, 2024 at Southport Hall in New Orleans and on June 21, 2024 at Varsity Theatre in Baton Rouge.
Prior to Southport Hall, DOWN's last concert took place in September 2022 at the Blue Ridge Rock Festival in Alton, Virginia.
DOWN made a handful of rare live appearances in the spring and summer of 2022. The band launched a three-date U.S. run of shows in May 2022 at the Welcome To Rockville festival in Daytona Beach, Florida. After playing in Atlanta and Dallas immediately after Rockville, DOWN took a three-week break before regrouping for three European festival appearances in June. The aforementioned appearance at that year's Blue Ridge Rock Festival followed in September 2022.
In August 2021, DOWN took part in a very special in-person live and virtual experience. "NOLA Town Throwdown" was held at the Fillmore in New Orleans, Louisiana and featured fans attending the show in person as well as watching it in real time from the comfort of their living room.
In August 2020, DOWN celebrated the 25th anniversary of "NOLA" with a special livestreamed event. Dubbed "The Quarter Century Throwdown", the high-production, multi-camera event took place using cutting-edge streaming technology to create a one-of-a-kind virtual concert experience.
A founding member of DOWN, Windstein left the band in 2013 in order to focus on CROWBAR and his family life. He was replaced by Bobby Landgraf, DOWN's former guitar tech who was previously in GAHDZILLA MOTOR COMPANY, a 1990s outfit also featuring Jason McMaster (DANGEROUS TOYS, WATCHTOWER),and HONKY.
Windstein announced his return to DOWN in 2019, with the band confirming a number of festival appearances for 2020 to celebrate the 25th anniversary of "NOLA", all of which were later canceled or postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic which swept the globe.
Prior to the August 2020 livestream, DOWN's last live appearance took place in August 2016 at the Psycho Las Vegas festival in Las Vegas.
"Down IV – Part Two" sold around 10,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release in May 2014 to debut at position No. 23 on The Billboard 200 chart.
The band's previous EP, "Down IV Part I – The Purple EP", opened with around 12,000 units in September 2012 to land at No. 35.
"Down IV – Part Two" was recorded at Nodferatu's Lair and produced by Michael Thompson. It was released via Down Records/ADA Music.
Photo by MetalDave Media | +3 | |
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12 ìàé 2025
HAUNT Announces New Album Ignite
 Fresno metallers Haunt have announced their new album Ignite. Release is expected for August 2025.
Ignite formats/merch:
-Die Hard Bundle (pictured above), limited to the first 100 orders. Includes Ignite album art shirt, patch, and signed record on black vinyl
-Four different vinyl variants
-Long sleeve, raglan, tank top, and t-shirts available
-CD and cassette
Preorder on Bandcamp.
Ignite follows-up 2024’s Dreamers and is the band’s 10th full-length album.
Artwork by John Giannelli:
Tracklisting:
“Extraordinary Life”
“Soaring Through The Ages”
“Eventide”
“Early Grave”
“Ignite”
“Not The Same”
“Shattered Past”
“Long Cold Lonely Winter”
“With Our Angel”
“If I Said Good Night” | +1 | |
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12 ìàé 2025
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12 ìàé 2025
DAVID VINCENT Says Reactivated TERRORIZER Has 'Some Things In The Works' For Coming Months
 In a new interview with Mexico's Loud! Metal Radio, bassist David Vincent spoke about the future plans for the reactivated TERRORIZER, in which he is joined by Pete "Commando" Sandoval (MORBID ANGEL, I AM MORBID) on drums, Brian Werner (VITAL REMAINS) on vocals, and Richie Brown (EXMORTUS, THE ABSENCE, TRIVIUM, I AM MORBID) on guitar. He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "Well, we have these shows coming up in Mexico, and we have a couple of festivals in Europe over the summer. And we're discussing some other things too that I'm not at liberty to speak with you about. But we have some things in the works. I'll just leave it at that."
Vincent confirmed that these TERRORIZER shows mark the first time he has toured with the influential grindcore act. "See, it's funny. When we did the first record, 'World Downfall', we never toured as TERRORIZER for that record, because, obviously, Pete was in MORBID ANGEL and Jesse Pintado joined NAPALM DEATH," he explained. "So that kind of put a stop to TERRORIZER because we were all busy doing this other stuff. So, it was kind of a fluke the way the whole [reunion] thing came together. But we did a couple of festivals in Europe last year, and then we did the Candelabrum festival [in Mexico], and since then, our booking agent, his phone is ringing off the hook of people saying, 'Oh can TERRORIZER play here, play there?' It's, like, 'Okay. Yeah.'
"It's cool because it's nostalgic," Vincent continued. "And people tell me that TERRORIZER was such a big influence on them as they were growing up with their bands or what have you. And it's also a lot of fun. So, anytime we play, especially in Mexico, the fans have so much energy. We kind of feed off of the energy of the audience, which has always been the case in Latin America and especially in Mexico. The fans are great, and that's the reason why we're there."
Regarding how the TERRORIZER reunion with him came about, David said: "Well, it's a really long story, how it came about. So I don't wanna get into details. But there was an ask, could we do a TERRORIZER set for a particular festival? And we said, 'Yeah, we can do that.' So we started rehearsing and put it together. That festival got canceled — this is several years ago — but it was advertised, so people said, 'What? TERRORIZER?' So that's when the agent started getting some calls about it. So he said, 'Hey, we're getting calls from European festivals now and we're getting calls from Latin America. Is this something that [you want to take to other territories]?'
"Obviously we have several different things that we do, music wise," he added. "Myself, I'm probably the busiest. But number one, it's a lot of fun. Number two, the love that we get from the fans is just second to none. And that, really is… Yes, music is what we do. It's our life. We make music, but it's so enjoyable when the fans are just so responsive. It makes everything worthwhile. It's kind of like a drug all unto itself."
The reactivated TERRORIZER played its first comeback show on April 25, 2024 at the SWR Barroselas Metalfest in Barroselas, Portugal.
Werner, who left VITAL REMAINS in 2019 after a seven-year run with the group, announced his addition to TERRORIZER in a social media post in August 2023. He wrote: "Been quiet about this for a little while, but now I got the thumbs up to announce that I will be singing for TERRORIZER with Pete and David...... time to get back to work. Super excited to also be jamming with my brother Richie Brown too.......get ready the world is about to fall".
Sandoval announced TERRORIZER's comeback a week earlier, confirming that he would be joined by his onetime MORBID ANGEL and current I AM MORBID bandmate Vincent.
Just seven months after saying that TERRORIZER was "over" due to his "busy schedule" with his personal life and I AM MORBID, Sandoval took to his social media to announce that TERRORIZER would perform on October 22, 2023 at the Maranhão Open Air 2023 in São Luís, Brazil. That performance was eventually canceled.
Before Sandoval recorded MORBID ANGEL's first album, 1989's "Altars Of Madness", he performed on two demos and a split album with his original band TERRORIZER. Today, the group's 1989 full-length debut "World Downfall" is still considered a pinnacle for death metal and grindcore, featuring impossibly fast blast-beats and double-bass drumming along with a blitzkrieg attack by late guitarist Jesse Pintado (NAPALM DEATH),and ex-vocalist Oscar Garcia (NAUSEA). The 1989 lineup was rounded out by Sandoval and Vincent on bass.
Over the next twenty-three years, Sandoval took time between MORBID ANGEL albums to continue working with TERRORIZER, recording two more cataclysmic full-lengths, 2006's "Darker Days Ahead" and 2012's "Hordes Of Zombies". Six years down the burning highway, TERRORIZER released 2018's "Caustic Attack", described at the time as "their heaviest and most eclectic album to date."
Back in 2021, it was announced that TERRORIZER had signed a worldwide deal with Earache Records. At that time, the band's lineup had consisted of Sandoval, Lee Harrison on guitar, and Sam Molina on bass/vocals.
In the fall of 2022, I AM MORBID parted ways with guitarist Kelly McLauchlin (POSSESSED, DIABOLIC, UNHOLY GHOST) and replaced him with Brown. Brown made his live debut with I AM MORBID, which also includes guitarist Bill Hudson (NORTHTALE, DORO),on October 16, 2022 at the Grita Fest in Colombia.
I AM MORBID's spring 2022 European tour marked the first time Sandoval and Vincent played together in 12 years.
Sandoval, who now lives his life as a born-again Christian, was forced to leave MORBID ANGEL in 2010 after undergoing surgery for a prolapsed disc.
Vincent told Invisible Oranges in a December 2013 interview that Pete had "found Jesus," which meant that Sandoval and MORBID ANGEL were no longer "compatible."
More than a decade ago, Vincent spoke to told Capital Chaos TV about his guest appearance on TERRORIZER's 2012 album "Hordes Of Zombies". He said: "It was a lot of fun [laying down the bass tracks on the CD]. He asked me if I'd be willing to play on the record, and of course I said yes. It's a good record. It's obviously a different style to MORBID ANGEL, and that's okay. We like all kinds of music." | +2 | |
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12 ìàé 2025
3 DOORS DOWN Singer BRAD ARNOLD Diagnosed With Stage 4 Kidney Cancer: 'I Am Not Scared Of It At All'
 3 DOORS DOWN singer Brad Arnold has revealed that he is battling clear cell renal cell carcinoma, or ccRCC, a type of kidney cancer.
Earlier today (Wednesday, May 7),Arnold released a video message in which he said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "Hey, everybody, it's Brad from 3 DOORS DOWN. I hope you're having a great day today. I've got some not-so-good news for you today. So I'd been sick a couple of weeks ago and then went to the hospital and got checked out and had actually got the diagnosis that I had clear cell renal [cell] carcinoma that had metastasized into my lung. And it's stage four, and that's not real good. But you know what? We serve a mighty God, and he can overcome anything. So I have no fear. I really, sincerely am not scared of it at all. But it is gonna force us to cancel our tour this summer. And we're sorry for that. And I'd love for you to lift me up in prayer every chance you get. And I think it is time for me to maybe go listen to [3 DOORS DOWN's 2008 song] 'It's Not My Time' a little bit.
"Thank you, guys, so much. God loves you. We love you. See you."
According to the National Cancer Institute, clear cell renal cell carcinoma is named after how the tumor looks under the microscope. The cells in the tumor look clear, like bubbles.
In adults, ccRCC is the most common type of kidney cancer, and makes up about 80% of all renal cell carcinoma cases. ccRCC is more common in adults than children. Renal cell carcinoma makes up 2-6% of childhood and young adult kidney cancer cases.
ccRCC patients with smaller tumors have a better chance of survival than patients with larger tumors. The five-year survival rate for patients with ccRCC is 50-69%. When ccRCC is already large or has spread to other parts of the body, treatment is more difficult and the five-year survival rate is about 10%.
As a result of Arnold's diagnosis, 3 DOORS DOWN canceled all of its previously announced tour dates, including headlining shows, festival appearances and support dates with CREED, as well as a performance at Morgan Wallen's Sand In My Boots festival.
Brad celebrated the ninth anniversary of his getting sober in January.
The 46-year-old singer previously credited his Christian faith for his sobriety.
"I feel like a different person than I did [in 2016] ... and it feels so good," Arnold wrote on social media. "Without question, God took that burden from me. I was so tired of carrying it. I couldn't carry it any more so I gave it to God and I'm not taking it back! If you're struggling with something, give it to Him. He'll gladly take your burden and you'll never have to carry it again."
In a 2021 interview with The Young Folks, Brad revealed that he quit smoking cigarettes around early 2018 after being a smoker for more than a quarter century, adding that giving up smoking and alcohol were "the two best things that I've ever done for my voice. They were the best things that I've ever done for my life, in general, but they were acutely present in my voice."
Arnold co-founded 3 DOORS DOWN at age 16 and wrote the band's hit song "Kryptonite" soon afterward.
Formed in 1995, 3 DOORS DOWN's many accolades include selling 16 million albums globally, receiving three Grammy nominations, and winning two American Music Awards, and five BMI Pop Awards for songwriting — including "Songwriter of the Year". Their debut, "The Better Life", became certified six times RIAA platinum in 2000 and was fueled by the success of the aforementioned juggernaut hit "Kryptonite". This was followed by 2002's sophomore album, "Away From The Sun", which went triple platinum and saw similar success with "When I'm Gone" and "Here Without You". 2005's platinum "Seventeen Days" and 2008's "3 Doors Down" each earned No. 1 debuts on the Billboard Top 200, while "Time Of My Life" landed at No. 3 in 2011. In 2003, the group founded the charity The Better Life Foundation. In 2016, 3 DOORS DOWN released its sixth full-length album, "Us And The Night".
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11 ìàé 2025
KERRY KING: If I Had Joined MEGADETH, DAVE MUSTAINE And I 'Would Have Butted Heads Like No Tomorrow'
 In a new interview with Gastão Moreira of Bangers Open Air, SLAYER guitarist Kerry King talked about his brief involvement with MEGADETH during the latter band's early days (King played MEGADETH's first five shows as the band's second guitarist). He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "Well, I love [MEGADETH leader Dave] Mustaine to this day. I think he's one of the greatest guitar players out there — still. So when I caught — I don't even remember how I heard that he wanted me to play second guitar to him. But I was flattered because even back then I thought he was awesome."
Asked if he was already in SLAYER at that time, King said: "Yeah, I think we were kind of in between records."
Pressed about whether he ever thought about leaving SLAYER to play with MEGADETH, Kerry said: "I'm sure I probably did, but [SLAYER] is where I belong. And in hindsight, I absolutely made the right choice 'cause me and Dave would've butted heads like no tomorrow. It's just his personality. I mean, look how people have been in his band. Fifty? And that's not me down talking Mustaine. I like hanging with him for 20 minutes, and then you go away and 'I'll see you in a year.'"
Last January, Kerry reflected on his first time seeing METALLICA back in 1982, telling the "Lipps Service With Scott Lipps" podcast: "I saw 'em with [then-METALLICA guitarist] Mustaine. And we opened for them. I think Mustaine was still in the band, at the place we used to frequent called the Woodstock [in Anaheim, California].
"When I first saw 'em with Mustaine, I was sitting kind of between [METALLICA frontman] James [Hetfield] and [then-METALLICA bassist Ron] McGovney in where the audience is, and I was just blown away watching Mustaine just ripping on guitar and not even looking at his fingers. I'm, like, 'I can't do that.' And to this day, he's a badass guitar player. But that's what I walked away from METALLICA [thinking]. And he wrote tons of the riffs in the early days. So, when he branched off into MEGADETH, a lot of the riffs went with him."
Asked if he was thinking at that point that he wanted to do what METALLICA was doing, but "turn it to 11, just turn it up a notch", Kerry replied: "No, it didn't have anything to do with seeing them doing it, 'cause we'd already known [about pioneering U.K. extreme metal band] VENOM and we were in the process of morphing what we had to that point to punky, VENOM, MOTÖRHEAD — kind of what they did before us. But seeing them, it's, like… And even when they were — I mean, they're a Southern California band, as much as they like to be called a [San Francisco] Bay Area band, they're from Southern Cal. Sorry. But they had streamlined everything, and we were still working it out. But we went a far darker route than they did. And then they became the biggest metal band on the planet."
Kerry also talked about his current relationship with the members of METALLICA, including Mustaine. He said: "Mustaine's cool, but Mustaine's one of those guys that he can't help but stick his foot in his mouth. So, I'll take my 20 minutes and I'll bolt just before anything gets uncomfortable.
"It's funny, James is one of those guys, even though we've got basically the same career, different circles, we did the [shows featuring the] 'Big Four' [of 1980s thrash metal], he made a point to come say 'hey' to us, but it's funny that it hasn't occurred in the 40 years we've both been doing this that I've rarely seen James," Kerry continued. "Kirk's [Hammett, METALLICA guitarist] cool, Rob's [METALLICA bassist Robert Trujillo] cool, Lars [Ulrich, METALLICA drummer] is cool. We hang out when they feel like hanging out. Yeah, that's all of 'em."
Last fall, King was asked during a question-and-answer session with readers of U.K.'s Metal Hammer magazine whom he would pick if he could have been in any other band. Kerry responded: "I was almost in MEGADETH. I think if myself and Dave Mustaine could have co-existed for four years, it would have been a very different band. I'm not saying I'd have made them better — I'd have made them different."
Kerry previously talked about his brief involvement with MEGADETH during the band's early days in a 2015 interview with Loudwire's "Wikipedia: Fact Or Fiction?" signature series. Kerry said at the time: "I was one of the lucky people — and there's certainly no offense against [current METALLICA guitarist] Kirk Hammett; Kirk's a wonderful friend of mine — but I was lucky enough to see METALLICA with Mustaine. And I say that because it's just a rare thing to be able to say that. I saw them play with Woodstock [in Los Angeles], and I was so intringued by Mustaine, because he was just ripping on guitar and looking out that way somewhere. And I can't do that to this fuckin day. So I was just blown away at his guitar playing. And to find out — I think it was through B.C. Rich, 'cause we all played B.C. Rich back then… I think it was through B.C. Rich I found out that Dave was inquiring if I would play [with MEGADETH]."
He continued: "At the end of the day, I thought, 'This is a gigantic learning situation.' And I also thought people would see me and know me from SLAYER. 'Cause, I mean, we only went to the Bay Area; we only got up there. So I think if people saw me, it would at least make 'em think, 'SLAYER.' So I had SLAYER's best intentions in mind. I didn't go and say, 'Hey, I wanna be in MEGADETH.' I don't know how anybody can be in MEGADETH for more than a couple of hours, 'cause that guy's crazy."
Asked if he had any particularly bad experiences dealing with Mustaine in the early days of MEGADETH, Kerry said: "He was cooler back then. I think there's been a lot of drugs and funny extracurriculars between now and then that helped shape who he is today. But it was good times back then. Playing all the venues SLAYER played and just… I don't know… playing different music. His stuff is definitely more… I wouldn't say 'intricate,' 'cause we've got intricate parts too, but it's just… He writes riffs in a very different perspective than I… Even after playing with him for a number of months, I'd still… I wouldn't do it; it's just not my style."
More recently, King joined MEGADETH on stage in October 2010 at the Gibson Amphitheater in Universal City, California to perform MEGADETH's classic "Rattlehead". You can see video of that performance below.
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11 ìàé 2025
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11 ìàé 2025
CHEVELLE's SAM LOEFFLER: 'Finishing A Song Is Like Pulling Your Hair Out And Then Trying To Put The Hair Back In'
In a new interview with Nic and Big J of the Boise, Idaho radio station 100.3 The X Rocks, CHEVELLE drummer Sam Loeffler spoke about the band's recently released new single "Rabbit Hole (Cowards, Pt. 1)". The track is taken from CHEVELLE's as-yet-unannounced tenth studio album, which will arrive later in the year. The follow-up to 2021's "Niratias" will mark CHEVELLE's first release through Alchemy Recordings following a long run with the Epic label. 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.
Asked how he and his brother, CHEVELLE vocalist/guitarist Pete Loeffler, manage to retain the band's signature sound with each new piece of music they put out, Sam said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "You really hope that your music sounds like you, because it's not always the case, for sure… But, yeah, definitely the way Pete plays is particular to him, the way that he writes. It's funny because I can hear it too, and then I wonder if I'm so close to it, am I the only one that's hearing it?
"Man, these songs take so bloody long now to write because the first versions of 'em are just — you've gotta keep going and keep going, getting it better, and then you're, like, 'All right, I'm really happy with this,'" he explained. "And then [Pete] looks at it and goes, 'Can I write a better chorus? Because I think the verse is better than the chorus.' And then he writes a better chorus, and now the verse isn't good enough. Okay, now those things seem to work really well, but now we've gotta write a bridge, which is sort of a song within a song in a lot of places. So how do you write a bridge that…? It's such a process. It takes so bloody long now, and every single word is scrutinized over. Literally, when we're working on the music, Pete's working on the music and he's, 'How do I suck every moment of joy out of this process so that it can be as good as it can be?' And then at the end of it, he's, like, 'This is joyless, and it's perfect.'"
Sam went on to clarify that "the fun part about it is the writing. The hard part is the producing and just going back and doing it again," he said.
Referencing the fact that he and Pete decided to produce the band's new LP themselves after working with Joe Barresi for almost a decade and a half, Sam said: "We self-produced this stuff — well, Pete really did. I think knowing that, it's really hard to not have a producer because you need somebody to take it away from you and say, 'No, this is done. Stop spending time on it.' But this is where we're growing. Do things harder and harder."
He added: "I mean, I make it sound brutal, and it is kind of brutal. The writing process and finishing a song is like pulling your hair out and then trying to put the hair back in."
This summer CHEVELLE will embark on a massive tour with special guests ASKING ALEXANDRIA and DEAD POET SOCIETY. Produced by Live Nation, the 38-city trek kicks off on August 7 at Boeing Center at Tech Port in San Antonio, Texas, making stops across North America in Chicago, New York, Los Angeles and more before wrapping up in Airway Heights, Washington at BECU Live at Northern Quest on October 2.
Last July, Sam told TribLive.com about CHEVELLE's next LP: "We kind of did expect to have it done [already]. It's like pulling teeth. This is what I described: Writing an album and doing all that is like pulling your hair out and then trying to put it back in. Writers love having written, is what I learned. It's just torturous on my brother. It's torturous because there's just so many factors to making something great. And then the longer you can live with it, the more changes you're gonna make. So that makes you never want to put it out. You never want to pull the pin and throw the grenade because you're like, well, it gets better every time I look at it."
As for what the 10-song album sounds like, Sam said: We're always skewing towards heavy. [But] these [last] two songs that we've been working on right now are definitely different from everything we did, although 'Niratias', our last album, I think was a really important snapshot of what we've been learning about writing and about music and stuff. This one definitely sounds different than just rock music, definitely different."
Released in March 2021 via Epic Records, "Niratias" was recorded throughout 2019 and 2020 with Barresi. The album artwork was designed by Boris Vallejo — the famed and award-winning artist is responsible for the posters used for films like "Knightriders" and "National Lampoon's Vacation", as well as iconic '70s and '80s science fiction novel covers and magazines (such as Heavy Metal).
Over the course of its career, the Chicago rockers have generated nearly half a billion streams, notched seven No. 1 hits, and sold out shows worldwide. Their catalog spans the double-platinum "Wonder What's Next", which boasts the double-platinum smash "The Red" and the platinum hit "Send The Pain Below". "This Type Of Thinking (Could Do Us In)" attained platinum status, while "Vena Sera" was certified gold. CHEVELLE has landed four Top 10 debuts on the Billboard 200, including "Sci-Fi Crimes" (2009),"Hats Off To The Bull" (2011),"La Gárgola" (2014) and "The North Corridor" (2016). The latter two each captured the No. 1 slot on the Top Rock Albums chart. | +1 | |
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11 ìàé 2025
Watch: DEVIN TOWNSEND Performs In Atlanta During May 2025 North American Tour
 Canadian singer, songwriter and producer Devin Townsend launched his North American tour on May 2 in Nashville, Tennessee. Front-row fan-filmed video of the entire second concert of the trek, which took place on May 3 at the Tabernacle in Atlanta, Georgia can be seen below.
Featured songs:
00:00 - Muppet Show Theme (Sam Pottle and Jim Henson)
00:54 - PowerNerd
04:23 - Kingdom
09:53 - Love? (STRAPPING YOUNG LAD)
15:27 - Lightworker
21:06 - Dimensions
26:37 - Aftermath (STRAPPING YOUNG LAD)
33:31 - Deep Peace
43:44 - By Your Command
53:10 - Bastard (Not One of My Better Day / Girl From Blue City)
1:04:10 - Why?
1:09:41 - Gratitude
1:13:23 – Truth
Encore:
1:19:04 - Deadhead
1:26:55 - Bad Devil
1:32:49 - Pregherò (Stand by Me) (Adriano Celentano - originally Ben E. King)
Four days before the start of the tour, Devin announced that this run of shows will mark the "last time" fans will get a chance to see him perform "for quite some time". Townsend said: "For nearly 35 years, I've followed a creative path guided by instinct — each album, each tour, each project a new chapter in a story I've felt compelled to tell. My mind latches on to concepts, and I love chasing them down. That chase has made this journey wild, unpredictable, and deeply fulfilling.
"Over the years, I've heard it countless times: 'Dev, take a break… please.' But the flood of ideas, the excitement, and the support of incredible musicians and listeners have kept me going, kept me touring, and kept me grateful for a life on the road. That said, things have changed — especially since the pandemic. Booking tours now means planning up to two years in advance. With fewer venues, fewer crews, and a saturated touring circuit, it's become more challenging than ever to line things up. And beyond the logistics, life has simply caught up with me: my parents need help, my dogs are on their last legs, the kids have moved out, 'The Moth' is nearly complete, and truthfully, I need some time to breathe and recalibrate.
"So I've made the decision to take a break from touring — an indefinite one. This upcoming North American run will be the last time you'll see me on stage for the foreseeable future.
"That doesn't mean I'm done playing live. Not by a long shot. I'll be performing until my final breath. But right now, I need to be present for the people who need me, and to give myself the space to reflect on everything I've been through.
"In the meantime, I'm launching a long-overdue project: 'The Ruby Quaker Show' — a YouTube series where I'll finally explore the dozens of creative ventures I've had on the back burner. Albums, worlds, inventions, and strange, wonderful ideas I've postponed for years — now I'm making the time to bring them to life, without that familiar pressure of knowing I'll be gone again in a month.
"I will return to the stage. But first, I need to reset. Touring has been a beautiful, exhausting constant in my life, and for once, I'm listening to the voice that says: slow down. I want to create from a place of calm inspiration rather than frantic obligation. And until I can truly be there for the people who rely on me, my creativity won't be at its best.
"So here's the deal: this final North American tour is going to be something special. We're digging deep into the catalog, pulling out some big ones, and making these shows a true celebration.
If you've ever wanted to step into this world I've built — maybe you caught 'The Moth', or a song found its way to you when you needed it — now's the time. I know things are tough economically, and I don't take that lightly, so I'm doing everything I can to make these shows as meaningful and unforgettable as possible. Let's make this one count."
Townsend added in a separate video message: "In two weeks I start a tour in America. This video acts as me announcing that I'm going to stop touring for a while after this American tour coming up, starting next month.
"If you're in America and you wanna have the opportunity to see me or meet me or participate in the work that I do in a live front, this upcoming tour will be the last time you get a chance to see me for quite some time. I'm going on a vacation. That being said, that vacation will incorporate about a dozen things that I've been waiting to do for all these years that have to be pushed aside because of the constant touring.
"So I say this again, this American tour coming up starting next month, if you want to have the opportunity to see me, this is your opportunity, my friends.
"It's a pleasure to play for you. It's a pleasure to be in your life, and thank you for being in mine."
Devin Townsend performed his rock opera "The Moth" live on March 27 and March 28 together with the Noord Nederlands Orkest (North Netherlands Symphony Orchestra) symphony orchestra at De Oosterpoort in Groningen, Netherlands.
Townsend is renowned for his groundbreaking fusion of metal, progressive rock, and ambient music. With a career spanning more than 30 years, he has pushed the boundaries of musical genres and collaborated with world-famous orchestras, establishing an unparalleled artistic legacy.
For his latest project, he teamed up with the Noord Nederlands Orkest and composed "The Moth", a "rock opera" he had been working on for years, which represents his lifelong ambition. "The Moth" tells the story of the human experience from birth to death, comparable to the transformation of a caterpillar into a moth. It symbolizes the human quest for meaning and offers perspectives on the fear of death through analogy and narrative. Ever since Townsend witnessed large musicals such as "Jesus Christ Superstar" and "Phantom Of The Opera" in the 1970s, he had seen this project as his calling.
"The Moth" had been in the making for over a decade, and Townsend had been building towards it for 30 years. A month ago, he shared the stage at De Oosterpoort in Groningen with no less than seventy musicians from the Noord Nederlands Orkest, a sixty-member choir, and his own band, which includes Mike Keneally, Joseph Stephenson, Darby Todd and James Leach.
Townsend's career is one of many distinct eras. He's been the leader of STRAPPING YOUNG LAD, the lynchpin of the DEVIN TOWNSEND PROJECT and the co-architect of country duo CASUALTIES OF COOL, all while maintaining his prolific and lauded solo project. More recently he completed work on "PowerNerd", a succinct but still progressive record that pulls from its mastermind's childhood love of vintage rock.
Townsend has an amazing variety in his musical style. He works in ranges of hard rock, progressive metal, new age and ambient. As a solo artist he has had a lineup of various artist working on his albums sporting his infinite variety.
When he revisited his music career, it was with the founding of the DEVIN TOWNSEND PROJECT. The project began with a series of four albums each written in a different style and released between 2009-2011. Afterwards he kept to the DEVIN TOWNSEND PROJECT and keeps releasing under this name.
Across all Townsend's bands and projects, he has released more than two dozen studio albums and several live ones. Similar in all of these are his versatile vocal delivery that ranges from screaming to an opera-esque singing. The same diversity appears in his writing. Townsend's musical style has roots in metal but draws elements from other genres into the material. Each album is written to express different aspects of his personality. | +1 | |
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11 ìàé 2025
Watch: ROBERTO DIMITRI LIAPAKIS Steps In For ERIK GRÖNWALL At MICHAEL SCHENKER's Madrid Concert
 Fan-filmed video of Michael Schenker's May 4 concert at Sala La Riviera in Madrid, Spain can be seen below.
The legendary German guitarist — accompanied by ex-SKID ROW frontman Erik Grönwall on vocals, Bodo Schopf on drums, Barend Courbois on bass and Steve Mann on keyboards/guitar — kicked off his spring 2025 European tour on April 9 at De Boerderij in Zoetermeer, The Netherlands.
Schenker is touring in support of his recently released "My Years With UFO" album celebrating the 50th anniversary of Michael's years with UFO.
Just prior to the Madrid concert, Erik was forced to leave Schenker's European tour in order to return home to Sweden and be with his ailing father. Filling on for him is Roberto Dimitri Liapakis (MYSTIC PROPHECY).
Featured songs in the video below:
00:20 Natural Thing
04:06 Only You Can Rock Me
08:20 Hot 'N' Ready
11:58 Doctor Doctor
16:53 Mother Mary
21:05 I'm A Loser
25:12 This Kid's
31:12 Lights Out
36:36 Lipstick Traces/Between The Walls
40:55 Love To Love
48:50 Let It Roll
53:15 Can You Roll Her
56:20 Reason Love
59:40 Rock Bottom
Encore:
1:15:14 Shoot Shoot
1:19:10 Too Hot To Handle
On May 4, Erik posted the following message on his social media: "Sometimes life draws a hard line between stage and home. Twenty minutes before the show in Vienna [on April 17], I got a call from my family and friends - my dad had been rushed to the hospital in an ambulance, unable to stand on his left leg. Fast forward to today, and it's been decided he'll undergo heart surgery. There are risks involved due to his age and health history and the doctors have been transparent with us, and while there's hope, there's also uncertainty.
"I've made the decision to fly home today (Sunday May 4th) to be by his side - to support him, my family, and to be fully present for whatever comes. In the meantime, the Michael Schenker tour will continue according to plan, and I'm incredibly grateful to vocalist Roberto Dimitri Liapakis (Lia) for stepping in to cover for me. What this means is that I won't be doing the shows in Madrid [May 4] and Barcelona [May 5] but I plan to rejoin for the UK shows [starting on May 8 in Wolverhampton], and I'll keep you posted.
"Right now, I need to show up, not as a performer, but as a son.
"Thank you for your understanding."
Erik touched upon his touring plans with Schenker in a September 20, 2024 YouTube livestream. He said: "Yeah, I'm heading out with Michael Schenker next year, a European tour. I did that song with him on the 'My Years With UFO' release. And it's gonna be a lot of fun. And I've been looking forward to get back on that stage once again."
In March 2024, Grönwall — who was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in March 2021 — announced his departure from SKID ROW. He said at the time that he decided that the travel and rigors of the road were not conducive to his overall health and recovery, and he wanted to focus on a lifestyle that is more amenable for his well-being, healing and family.
In a recent interview with Noise11's Paul Cashmere, Schenker revealed that he was already working on a new MICHAEL SCHENKER GROUP album called "Don't Sell Your Soul" which will feature Grönwall "singing most of the songs," along with vocal contributions from Robin McAuley and Michael Voss.
Produced by Schenker and Voss, "My Years With UFO" marked the 50th anniversary of Schenker's era with UFO, spanning from 1972 to 1978. The "German Wunderkind" was asked to join UFO at just 17 years old. Touring the globe as a teenager, Schenker became a driving force behind some of UFO's most loved tracks, such as "Doctor Doctor", "Rock Bottom" and "Only You Can Rock Me".
Although Michael Schenker's era with UFO spanned only six years, his influence as a young songwriter and exceptional guitarist had already left a lasting mark on rock. During these meteoric years, the UFO albums "Phenomenon", "Force It", "No Heavy Petting", "Lights Out", "Obsession" and the seminal live album "Strangers In The Night" were recorded, each contributing significantly to the genre. "Strangers In The Night" particularly stands out as one of the most influential live rock albums of all time and is still regarded as a cornerstone in any rock enthusiast's collection.
In this celebratory album, Michael Schenker presents 11 of UFO's greatest hits from this magical era with an impressive lineup of guest stars. Joining Schenker on this journey are Derek Sherinian on keyboards, Brian Tichy on drums, and Barry Sparks on bass.
The stellar roster of guest artists includes Axl Rose (GUNS N' ROSES),Slash (GUNS N' ROSES),Kai Hansen (HELLOWEEN),Roger Glover (DEEP PURPLE),Joey Tempest (EUROPE),Biff Byford (SAXON),Jeff Scott Soto (YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, JOURNEY),John Norum (EUROPE),Dee Snider (TWISTED SISTER),Joel Hoekstra (WHITESNAKE),Joe Lynn Turner (RAINBOW),Carmine Appice (VANILLA FUDGE, CACTUS),Adrian Vandenberg (WHITESNAKE),Michael Voss, Stephen Pearcy (RATT) and Erik Grönwall (SKID ROW).
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11 ìàé 2025
See ALICE COOPER Perform In Huntsville, Alabama During Spring/Summer 2025 'Too Close For Comfort' U.S. Tour
 Fan-filmed video of Alice Cooper's entire May 2 concert at the VBC Mark C. Smith Concert Hall in in Huntsville, Alabama can be seen below (courtesy of hissdemon).
The setlist for the show was as follows:
01. Lock Me Up
02. Welcome To The Show
03. No More Mr. Nice Guy
04. I'm Eighteen
05. Under My Wheels
06. Bed Of Nails
07. Snakebite
08. Be My Lover
09. Lost In America
10. He's Back (The Man Behind The Mask)
11. Hey Stoopid
12. Drum Solo
13. Welcome To My Nightmare
14. Cold Ethyl
15. Go To Hell
16. Poison
17. Guitar Solo
18. Ballad Of Dwight Fry
19. School's Out
Encore:
20. Feed My Frankenstein
Cooper pioneered a grandly theatrical brand of hard rock that was designed to shock. Drawing equally from horror movies, vaudeville, and garage rock, the group created a stage show that featured electric chairs, guillotines, fake blood and boa constrictors. He continues to tour regularly, performing shows worldwide with the dark and horror-themed theatrics that he's best known for.
In an interview with the 96.1 KLPX radio station, Cooper stated about how his stage show has evolved over the years: "It's so funny because it used to be easy to shock an audience in the '70s. Now nobody's really trying — we're not really trying to shock an audience. I don't think anybody is 'shock rock' anymore, but those elements still remain in the show because they're fun to watch. It's still fun to watch the guillotine and the fact that you really buy in to it because of what happens before that. You're really concerned about this character Alice up there, what happens. And that's what I like about it. I want the audience to get involved in the show. We don't do a lot of lasers. We don't do things like that, because I want the emphasis to be on the character Alice, what happens to him and what he what exactly he's doing. But all that happens during all these songs that everybody knows — 'Feed My Frankenstein' and 'Poison' and 'No More Mr. Nice Guy' and, of course, 'School's Out' at the end."
Fresh from the success of his latest album "Road", a concept album about the thrills and spills of touring, Alice is accompanied, as always, by his long-running live band of Ryan Roxie (guitar),Chuck Garric (bass),Tommy Henriksen (guitar),Glen Sobel (drums) and Nita Strauss (guitar).
With a schedule that has included six months year in and year out on the road, Cooper brings his own brand of rock psycho-drama to fans both old and new, enjoying it as much as the audience does. Known as the architect of shock-rock, Cooper (in both the original ALICE COOPER band and as a solo artist) has rattled the cages and undermined the authority of generations of guardians of the status quo, continuing to surprise fans and exude danger at every turn, like a great horror movie, even in an era where CNN can present real-life shocking images.
With his influence on rock and roll and popular culture long since acknowledged, there is little that Cooper hasn't achieved in his remarkable career, including platinum albums, sold-out tours and any number of honors and career achievement awards.
The surviving members of the original ALICE COOPER band — Alice, guitarist Michael Bruce, bassist Dennis Dunaway and drummer Neal Smith — recently reunited to release a brand-new studio album, "The Revenge Of Alice Cooper", due on July 25 via earMUSIC. This highly anticipated LP is heralded as the successor to their iconic records "School's Out", "Billion Dollar Babies", "Love It to Death" and "Killer". | +1 | |
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10 ìàé 2025
IRON MAIDEN's ADRIAN SMITH: Only A Tiny Percentage Of People In Bands Are Making A Living
 In a new interview with Paul Salfen of AMFM Magazine, IRON MAIDEN guitarist Adrian Smith, who also plays guitar and sings for SMITH/KOTZEN, was asked what advice he would give to young musicians looking to make it in the business. He responded (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "Well, play all you want. You can have fun, have a band. Whether you wanna do it with your life, that's something different. You have to really dedicate yourself. And you could spend what some people would say are the best years of your life, from your late teens all through your twenties, trying to make it and not make it. Depending on how you class 'making it.' If you class it as earning money, very few people do, unless you're gonna be in a Top 40 band. And if you just wanna be a jobbing musician, you can learn to read music, you can do sessions. But being in a band, that is a tiny percentage of people in a successful band making money. Even bands now that have got hit records are struggling to make money, because nobody buys bloody records anymore. And the money is light. So it's very, very difficult. But I suppose it's a process, and the process just kind of makes or breaks the ones that stay with it. You almost have to have a sponsor as well, because it costs money to put a band out there. In the old days, a record company would sponsor a band and advance some money until they start making money. [It's] difficult. But if you're gonna do it, then nothing will stop you, I guess."
SMITH/KOTZEN's second album, "Black Light/White Noise", was released via BMG on April 4. The record — mixed by Jay Ruston (ANTHRAX, STEEL PANTHER) — sees Smith once again join forces with Richie Kotzen (THE WINERY DOGS),with whom he shares guitar and vocal duties.
Smith was born in Hackney, East London, on February 27, 1957. He joined IRON MAIDEN at the end of 1980. Adrian is the bandmember who has collaborated on the most side projects outside of IRON MAIDEN, as well as writing and recording a series of albums in the early '90s, before rejoining the band. IRON MAIDEN has sold 100 million albums, and tours the world playing to millions of fans. Onstage, Adrian uses Jackson and Gibson guitars. Offstage, he is an avid tennis player. However, his main hobby is fishing.
MAIDEN's "Run For Your Lives" world tour is scheduled to launch on May 27 in Budapest, Hungary. The trek will mark MAIDEN's first with new drummer Simon Dawson, who previously played with MAIDEN co-founder Steve Harris as a member of his BRITISH LION project.
MAIDEN's longtime drummer Nicko McBrain played his last-ever gig with the band five months ago in São Paulo, Brazil.
The 72-year-old British musician, whose real name is Michael Henry McBrain, announced his retirement on December 7, 2024 in a statement on MAIDEN's web site and social media. He also said that night's concert at Allianz Parque in São Paulo, Brazil would mark his final show with the iconic heavy metal act.
Despite the fact that he was stepping away from touring, McBrain said that he would remain closely connected to IRON MAIDEN and continue to be involved in "a variety of projects" with the band, while also focusing on personal ventures and his existing businesses.
On December 8, 2024, IRON MAIDEN announced Dawson as its new touring drummer.
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10 ìàé 2025
EVANESCENCE's AMY LEE Collaborates With HALSEY On New Song 'Hand That Feeds'
 EVANESCENCE's Amy Lee has collaborated with Grammy-nominated singer Halsey on a new song called "Hand That Feeds". The track, which is taken from the new John Wick spin-off movie "Ballerina", will be released this Friday, May 9.
Earlier today (Tuesday, May 6),Lee took to her social media to write: "So thrilled to bring you a new song, 'Hand That Feeds' with Halsey THIS FRIDAY! We've been fans of each other's work for a long time and it really feels like the universe pulled us together for this moment. We already had the Hollywood Bowl show in place when Lionsgate invited us to work on a song for the Ballerina Movie together, and it's finally time to serve it UP! Cannot wait for you all to hear!!"
In a text message to fans, Halsey shared a snippet of "Hand That Feeds", writing in an accompanying message: "I really hope I see some of you guys on the For My Last Trick tour. Here is something to hold you over … (the answer is yes, I am freaking out about it)."
Halsey has reportedly been a fan of EVANESCENCE since childhood. When promoting her 2024 album "The Great Impersonator", Halsey dressed up as 18 of her musical heroes, one of whom was Lee. Recreating the EVANESCENCE "Fallen" album cover, Halsey wrote on Instagram that Lee was her "OG dark rock queen". Halsey also shared a childhood photo in which she sported an EVANESCENCE t-shirt. "I wore that shirt into the ground," she wrote.
Due in theaters on June 6, "Ballerina" marks the first big-screen spinoff for the popular "Wick" series. It stars Ana de Armas as Eve, an assassin seeking revenge on the people who killed her family.
Directed by Len Wiseman, "Ballerina" is produced by John Wick's Chad Stahelski and features performances from Anjelica Huston, Gabriel Byrne, Lance Reddick, Catalina Sandino Moreno, Norman Reedus, with Ian McShane and Keanu Reeves alongside de Armas.
EVANESCENCE will support Halsey during her show at the famed Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, taking place May 14. THE WARNING is also on the bill.
So thrilled to bring you a new song, “Hand That Feeds” with Halsey THIS FRIDAY! We’ve been fans of each other’s work for...
Posted by Amy Lee on Tuesday, May 6, 2025 | +2 | |
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10 ìàé 2025
See ACE FREHLEY's Entire Performance At 2025 Edition Of M3 ROCK FESTIVAL
 Fan-filmed video of Ace Frehley's entire May 4 performance at the 2025 edition of the M3 Rock Festival at the Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, Maryland can be seen below.
According to Setlist.fm, the setlist was as follows:
01. Shock Me (KISS song)
02. Deuce (KISS song)
03. Rocket Ride (KISS song)
04. Rock Soldiers (FREHLEY'S COMET song)
05. Love Gun (KISS song)
06. How Many More Times (LED ZEPPELIN cover) (chorus and drum solo only)
07. Rip It Out
08. Detroit Rock City (KISS song)
09. She (KISS song)
10. Hotter Than Hell (KISS song) (short instrumental played by the band during Ace's guitar switch)
11. New York Groove (Russ Ballard cover)
12. Cold Gin (KISS song)
13. Ace Frehley Guitar Solo
14. Rock And Roll All Nite (KISS song)
Ace's current backing band consists of Ryan Spencer on bass, Jeremy Asbrock on guitar and Scot Coogan on drums.
During an appearance on the February 27, 2025 episode of SiriusXM's "Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk", Ace confirmed that he is working on "Origins Vol. 3", the sequel to Frehley's 2016 and 2020 collections of cover songs that inspired the former KISS guitarist. He said: "I decided to reconnect with my old producer Alex Salzman. So, it won't be me and Steve Brown," referencing the TRIXTER guitarist/vocalist who helmed Ace's latest solo album, 2024's "10,000 Volts". "It'll be me and Alex Salzman collaborating on that record since Alex did 'Origins Vo. 1' and 'Vol. 2' and we have a formula that we came up with and it seemed to work."
Ace continued: "I was listening to the [first two 'Origins'] records last night on YouTube in my office on my desk. I have a set of Bose speakers, and the albums sound just as good as the new album, '10,000 Volts'. So, I'm gonna go back to my old formula with Alex. And maybe I'll bring back Steve to do the [next all-original] album since he's a very, very good songwriter and guitar player and engineer as well."
Asked if he has decided which songs he will cover on "Origins Vol. 3" yet, including whether he will once again do remakes of some KISS songs, Ace said: "I haven't decided. I have a list of about 50 songs, so… I really don't wanna give anything away. It's too soon."
Regarding the possibility of "Origins Vol. 3" being released in 2025, Ace said: "I could have it ready [this year]. I can do the album in a month because I don't have to write the songs. That's the beauty of the 'Origins' series. I don't write. So, the recording process is pretty seamless and rapid because all I have to do is Ace-ify it. [Laughs]"
Released in September 2020, "Origins Vol. 2" featured cover versions of THE BEATLES' "I'm Down", DEEP PURPLE's "Space Truckin'", LED ZEPPELIN's "Good Times Bad Times", THE ROLLING STONES' "Jumpin' Jack Flash", THE KINKS' "Lola" and THE JIMI HENDRIX EXPERIENCE's "Manic Depression", among others. A cover of the 1975 KISS tune "She" also appeared as a bonus track. Guests on the set included CHEAP TRICK's Robin Zander, Lita Ford and former KISS guitarist Bruce Kulick.
Released in April 2016, "Origins Vol. 1" debuted at No. 23 on The Billboard 200 with first-week sales of 16,000 equivalent album units. The CD featured KISS frontman Paul Stanley joining Ace on FREE's hit "Fire And Water", Slash trading leads on THIN LIZZY's classic "Emerald", Ford singing and playing lead on THE TROGGS staple "Wild Thing", then-ROB ZOMBIE guitarist John 5 playing guitar alongside Ace on the classic KISS composition "Parasite", and PEARL JAM's Mike McCready playing guitar with Ace on KISS's "Cold Gin".
In a 2016 interview with The Aquarian Weekly, Frehley admitted that doing the first covers album was "the record company's idea. To be honest with you, initially, I wasn't that excited about the project, because I had just come off the high of the success of 'Space Invader', which is all originals except for a cover of 'The Joker'," he said. "It was almost, like, 'Okay, I'm going to go through the motions and get this out of the way and then jump into the studio for my next real studio album.' But I've gotta tell ya, man, once I started the process and started remembering the groups that influenced me, narrowing down which songs I thought were going to be best for the record, and then started the recording process; I really started getting more excited about it."
"10,000 Volts" came out in February 2024 via MNRK Music Group (formerly eOne Music).
The official music video for the "10,000 Volts" track — directed by Alex Kouvatsos from Black Wolf Imaging — was released in late November 2023. A clip for "Cherry Medicine", which was directed by Justin H. Reich of Three Thirty-Three Creative and produced by Reich and Steve Seabury, followed in February 2024. | 0 | |
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10 ìàé 2025
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10 ìàé 2025
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10 ìàé 2025
METALLICA Shares 'Creeping Death' Pro-Shot Video From Syracuse Concert
 Professionally filmed video of METALLICA performing the song "Creeping Death" during the band's April 19 concert at at the JMA Wireless Dome in Syracuse, New York can be seen below.
Syracuse marked METALLICA's first show of 2025. Support at the gig came from PANTERA and SUICIDAL TENDENCIES.
More than 47,500 fans attended METALLICA's concert at the JMA Wireless Dome — more than the former Carrier Dome's previous record of 47,319, set by THE WHO in 1982.
According to Syracuse.com, METALLICA's circular stage allowed fans to fill seats around the entire stadium, which is why total attendance exceeded Syracuse University's current official capacity of 42,774 for football games.
METALLICA's setlist was as follows, according to Setlist.fm:
01. Creeping Death
02. For Whom The Bell Tolls
03. Hit The Lights
04. King Nothing
05. Lux Æterna
06. Screaming Suicide
07. Kirk And Rob Doodle
08. The Day That Never Comes
09. Fuel
10. Orion
11. Nothing Else Matters
12. Sad But True
13. One
14. Seek & Destroy
15. Master Of Puppets
16. Enter Sandman
Since opening April 2023 in Amsterdam, "M72" has seen METALLICA play to some three million fans. Variously hailed as "an altogether life-affirming experience" (Billboard),"impossible to leave unsatisfied" (Austin Chronicle),"a stone-cold stunner of a show" (Detroit News),"the mother of all summer concerts" (Worcester Telegram Gazette) and "as tight and furious as METALLICA has sounded in ages" (Los Angeles Times),"M72" continues to amaze fans and critics alike. The tour concluded its triumphant 2024 run with four nights at Mexico City's Estadio GNP Seguros, where METALLICA played to more than 250,000 fans over the course of two No Repeat Weekends.
The "M72" world tour's 2025 itinerary continues the hallowed No Repeat Weekend tradition, with each night of the two-show stands featuring entirely different setlists and support lineups. These include the band's first Nashville shows in five years on May 1 and 3 at Nissan Stadium, as well as METALLICA's return to Tampa after 15 years on June 6 and 8 at Raymond James Stadium. "M72" has also confirmed its much-anticipated Bay Area hometown play, to take place June 20 and 22 with the band's debut performances at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara.
In a new twist, "M72" 2025 features several single shows bringing the tour's full production, with its massive in-the-round stage, to venues including two college football stadiums: the aforementioned JMA Wireless Dome in Syracuse, New York on April 19, and METALLICA's first ever visit to Blacksburg, Virginia, home of the Virginia Tech Hokies. The May 7 show at Lane Stadium will mark the culmination of 20-plus years of "Enter Sandman" playing as the Hokies take the field.
In addition to playing football stadiums across the nation, the "M72" world tour's 2025 itinerary will also include one festival headline — May 9 and 11 will mark a festival/No Repeat Weekend combo as METALLICA plays two headline sets at Sonic Temple at Historic Crew Stadium in Columbus, Ohio.
Support on "M72"'s 2025 North American run comes from PANTERA, LIMP BIZKIT, SUICIDAL TENDENCIES and ICE NINE KILLS.
"M72"'s 2025 North American leg is produced by Live Nation and presented by new sponsor inKind. inKind rewards diners with special offers and credit back when they use the app to pay at 2,000-plus top-rated restaurants nationwide. The company provides innovative financing to participating restaurants in a way that enables new levels of sustainability and success. METALLICA fans can learn more at inkind.com.
As always, a portion of proceeds from every ticket sold will go to local charities via the band's All Within My Hands foundation. Established in 2017 as a way to give back to communities that have supported METALLICA over the years, All Within My Hands has raised over $15 million — providing $8.2 million in grants to career and technical education programs including the ground-breaking Metallica Scholars Initiative, now in its sixth year, over $3.6 million to combat food insecurity, more than $3.5 million to disaster relief efforts.
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10 ìàé 2025
GENE SIMMONS Says He Doesn't Know If Entire KISS Band Will Appear In Las Vegas: 'It Ain't A Concert'
 In a new interview with Rob Rush, the evening host on Long Island, New York's 94.3 The Shark radio station, 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 94.3 The Shark (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "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. [Former KISS guitarist] 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.
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.
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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SatchVai
