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10 мар 2025
Watch: SAXON Joined By DORO PESCH For 'Denim And Leather' Performance In Düsseldorf
 German metal queen Doro Pesch and members of GIRLSCHOOL joined SAXON on stage this past Thursday (March 6) at Mitsubishi Electric Halle in Düsseldorf, Germany to perform the SAXON classic "Denim And Leather". Fan-filmed video of the performance can be seen below.
In a recent interview with FaceCulture, SAXON frontman Biff Byford was asked about a possible follow-up to the band's 24th studio album, "Hell, Fire And Damnation", which came out in January 2024 via Silver Lining Music. He said: "We're writing. I've started writing the new album, writing lyrics and titles. The boys have sent me loads of ideas already. So I'm just making a short list of what music we should use, what style we should play in, what songs are slow, fast, medium, good guitar riffs. So, yeah, we're pretty far on. We'll probably start rehearsing the new album maybe June, maybe recording in January, February. So we'll probably have a new album out in late 2026."
Reflecting on "Hell, Fire And Damnation", which marked SAXON's first release with new guitarist Brian Tatler (DIAMOND HEAD),Biff said: "I think it's been a natural progression with our following and the fans with our music. Brian coming into the band added a little bit of a different dynamic to the music writing. So I think that was for a good thing. I think the new album, 'Hellfire', has been voted 'Album Of The Year' on quite a lot of sites and things, so obviously we struck a little bit of good scene with the album, a good flow. So hopefully the next one will be just as good, if not better… Well, it can't always be better, but let's hope. I mean, 'Hellfire' is gonna be hard to beat. That's a pretty perfect album, I think."
"Hell, Fire And Damnation" was produced by Andy Sneap (JUDAS PRIEST, EXODUS, ACCEPT) and Byford, with Sneap mixing and mastering.
"I think this album's one of the best he's done sound-wise, and he's done a lot of albums," Biff previously declared. "It has a really raw, vibrant sound... if you compress the total time making this album, it was four weeks tops… you can hear everything brilliantly, nothing's overcomplicated, nothing's over compressed. The guitar sounds are fucking immense, they're just great, raw guitar sounds. And we haven't done a lot of overdubbing on there; it's just playing. I really, really like it."
In early 2023, SAXON guitarist Paul Quinn announced that he was stepping back from touring with the band. As a result of his decision, SAXON canceled its April 2023 South American tour as well as the appearance at the Monsters Of Rock cruise. Quinn has since been replaced on the road by Tatler.
Brian has been touring with fellow guitarist Doug Scarratt, drummer Nigel Glockler, bassist Tim "Nibbs" Carter and Byford since mid-2023, but continues to be a member of DIAMOND HEAD.
Byford and Quinn are the sole remaining original members in SAXON's current lineup.
Originally from South Yorkshire, England, SAXON has gone on to sell about 23 million albums and has produced such classic songs as "Denim And Leather", "Princess Of The Night", "Wheels Of Steel" and "Power And Glory".  | 0 |  |
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10 мар 2025
DAVID ELLEFSON On OZZY OSBOURNE: 'He's Just Such A Genuine Guy'
 In a new interview with Mark Strigl, former MEGADETH bassist David Ellefson spoke about his participation in Ozzy Osbourne's farewell concert in Birmingham, United Kingdon.
Taking place on July 5 at Villa Park, the all-star event — billed as "Back To The Beginning" — sold out in less than 10 minutes last month.
The concert will mark the first time that the original lineup of BLACK SABBATH — Osbourne, guitarist Tony Iommi, bassist Geezer Butler and drummer Bill Ward — have played together in 20 years.
Also set to appear at the event are METALLICA, GUNS N' ROSES, TOOL, SLAYER, PANTERA, GOJIRA, ALICE IN CHAINS, HALESTORM, LAMB OF GOD, ANTHRAX and MASTODON.
In addition, there will be a performance by a "supergroup of musicians" including Duff McKagan and Slash (GUNS 'N' ROSES),Billy Corgan (THE SMASHING PUMPKINS),Fred Durst (LIMP BIZKIT),K.K. Downing (JUDAS PRIEST),Jake E. Lee (OZZY OSBOURNE),Wolfgang Van Halen (VAN HALEN, MAMMOTH WVH),Tom Morello (RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE),Andrew Watt, Chad Smith (RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS),Rudy Sarzo (OZZY OSBOURNE, QUIET RIOT),Vernon Reid (LIVING COLOUR),Whitfield Crane (UGLY KID JOE),David Draiman (DISTURBED),Frank Bello (ANTHRAX),Jonathan Davis (KORN),Lzzy Hale (HALESTORM),Mike Bordin (FAITH NO MORE),Sammy Hagar, Scott Ian (ANTHRAX),Sleep Token II (SLEEP TOKEN) and Papa V Perpetua (GHOST).
Asked by Mark Strigl to recount some of his history with Ozzy and the rest of SABBATH, Ellefson said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH>NET): "I got to know Ozzy pretty well when we did the MEGADETH-BLACK SABBATH tour in 2014, I guess that was, across South America… But, yeah, just getting to know Ozzy just as a gentleman — he's just such a genuine guy. He's an old soul in a way, but he's just a music fan, is, I think, what I took away from it. And he's not a hippie — I wouldn't call him a hippie — but when he grew up and his love of rock and roll back into the '60s, and forgetting for a minute that he's Ozzy and that he's the lead singer of BLACK SABBATH and just kind of listening to him talk about Randy [Rhoads] and Mike Inez and just kind of do all that kind of stuff. It was like a guy sitting on the couch, just sitting around bullshitting about music. It was really, really great. So I was very honored for that. And, of course, Geezer and I have been friends. Tony, a little bit. I don't know Bill Ward. So it'll be great to see him again.
"It's funny. When Ozzy went back to BLACK SABBATH in 1998, they played in Phoenix, where I live," he continued. "They played our, at the time, brand new baseball stadium there where the [Arizona] Diamondbacks play. It was called 'New Year's Evil'. And it was on New Year's Eve. It was SABBATH, PANTERA, MEGADETH, SLAYER and SOULFLY. We performed the show, and then we went right to Nashville right after that, and literally like a couple days after that, had started the 'Risk' album. So, it was really kind of a cool way to close the door of '98, headed to '99, and, of course, now Ozzy's back in SABBATH with Bill Ward. It was huge.
"Yeah, I feel like I've had a good friendship with BLACK SABBATH through Ozzy and [his wife and manager] Sharon," David added. "She had us on an Ozzfest in 1998, I guess, which would have been right before Ozzy went back to BLACK SABBATH… So, I feel like it's kind of a good — it feels like a family vibe around there. It really does. And I commend Sharon for making it that way, that it's been like that. And MEGADETH has been a part of that, and they've been nothing but gracious to me."
Ozzy — who hasn't played a full show since late 2018 — announced his last-ever performance on February 5.
Proceeds from the "Back To The Beginning" show will support Cure Parkinson's, the Birmingham Children's Hospital and Acorn Children's Hospice, a Children's Hospice supported by Aston Villa.
The original lineup of BLACK SABBATH last performed in 2005. Since then, SABBATH has played in partial reunions but never in its original lineup.
The legendary BLACK SABBATH frontman was diagnosed in 2003 with Parkin 2 — a very rare genetic form of Parkinson's. During a TV appearance in January 2020, the singer disclosed that he was 'stricken" with the disease which occurs when the nerve cells of the body degenerate and levels of dopamine are reduced. Dopamine is an essential chemical that is produced by these nerve cells which send signals to different parts of the brain to control movements of the body.
Ozzy's health issues, including suffering a nasty fall and dislodging metal rods placed in his spine following a quad-bike accident in 2003, as well as catching COVID-19 three years ago, forced him to cancel some of his previously announced tours.
While Osbourne's health issues forced him to scrap most of his live appearances, the musician said he would return if his condition improved.
Despite his health problems, Osbourne has performed a couple of times in the last three years, including at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham in August 2022 and at the NFL halftime show at the season opener Los Angeles Rams and Buffalo Bills game in September 2022. | +3 | |
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10 мар 2025
THE ACCÜSED Returns With New Single 'Garden Of Fools'
 Condar Records has announced a brand new release from the original kings of splatter rock THE ACCÜSED.
The new single and music video "Garden Of Fools" from THE ACCÜSED was made available on all digital platforms this past Friday, March 7.
THE ACCÜSED is back with a lineup featuring original frontman/vocalist John Dahlin, founding member Tommy Niemeyer on guitar, drummer Josh Sinder from the "Grinning Like An Undertaker" album and Brookelle Sinder on bass.
"Garden Of Fools" was released via THE ACCÜSED's own imprint label Condar Records. It was mixed at Kansas House Studios and mastered by the legendary Jack Endino.
THE ACCÜSED has been hard at work in Martha's Splatter Laboratory cooking up new material and sharpening the blade for upcoming live shows in 2025.
"We have been working our fingers to the bone for the last few years to get this band properly back in shape to deliver the razor-sharp, face-blistering attack that this band is known for," says Niemeyer. "John has been amazing to work with as a vocalist and brings a fresh, healthy dose of 'Splat' to the new material and now this band does major justice to the old classics that will be in the live set like 'Slow Death' and 'Halo Of Flies'."
Niemeyer adds: "Josh's drumming is 'powerhouse unlimited' and together with his daughter Brookelle on bass, it's a brutal rhythm section, proving the apple really doesn't fall far from the tree."
"Garden Of Fools" is the first of several planned new music releases this year from THE ACCÜSED. | +1 | |
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10 мар 2025
IRON MAIDEN: 'Infinite Dreams - The Official Visual History' Book Due In The Fall
 Thames & Hudson has announced the forthcoming publication of "Iron Maiden: Infinite Dreams - The Official Visual History", to be published globally in hardback in autumn 2025. A magnificent visual celebration of the first 50 years of IRON MAIDEN, this new book chronicles the evolution of heavy metal's most prestigious band, with unparalleled input from band members and management.
A truly spectacular and beautiful book, featuring never-before-seen items and photographs, which have been curated with enormous attention to detail over a number of years, it celebrates one of Britain's most influential and biggest-selling bands, who have become arguably the biggest metal band in the world.
Organized chronologically, "Iron Maiden: Infinite Dreams" tells the story of the band from their first pub gigs in 1975 and their first record deal in 1979, through the recording and reception of groundbreaking albums, including their self-titled debut, 1982's global breakthrough "The Number Of The Beast" and the stadium-conquering "Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son", to 2021's hugely acclaimed double-album "Senjutsu" and the forthcoming "Run For Your Lives" world tour.
The book traces the evolution of IRON MAIDEN's iconic Eddie mascot, alongside exclusive comments from his creator Derek Riggs, and documents the band's spectacular and complex stage productions and extensive live tours, including the "Somewhere Back In Time" world tour of 2008, which made international headlines as Bruce Dickinson piloted the band's very own Ed Force One 757.
Presenting iconic album and single artworks, photographs of the band's instruments past and present, stage props, hand-written lyrics and artefacts from the archive and the band's personal collections, as well as landmark photographs by Ross Halfin, John McMurtrie and more, "Iron Maiden: Infinite Dreams" is rife with revelatory stories and intriguing insights from pivotal band members and management. It is bookended by a foreword from bassist and band founder Steve Harris and an afterword by vocalist Bruce Dickinson.
Harris says: "I've been pleasantly surprised at some of the stuff that I've managed to unearth for this book. I knew I had kept a lot of things from the early days but they have lasted really well and the photography has brought them back to life. I hope the fans are going to love looking at all the stuff presented like this! It's the right time to bring it all together for part of our 50th celebrations."
Tristan de Lancey, creative director at Thames & Hudson, comments: "IRON MAIDEN is an institution. Hailed as pioneers of British heavy metal in the 1980s, the band has come to embody a spirit of fearless creative independence and ferocious dedication to their fans that has won them a huge following around the world and across generations. With astonishing archival access and more meticulous, hands-on participation from the band than I ever thought possible, we have been gifted the tools to create something beautiful, comprehensive and unique which, I have no doubt, raises the bar for illustrated books in this music genre. Every page will surprise and delight its audience — just don't expect metal fans to be the only ones who buy it…!"
"Iron Maiden: Infinite Dreams - The Official Visual History" has been curated by Ben Smallwood and co-edited by Alexander Milas and Terry Burrows, incorporating contributions by band members and creatives past and present.
Tristan de Lancey acquired world all languages rights for Thames & Hudson from Oliver Stanton at Global Merchandising Services. Thames & Hudson has sold rights in six countries thus far: in France to Editions du Chêne (Hachette Livre); in Germany to Prestel Verlag (Penguin Random House); in Japan to Kawade Shobo Shinsha; in Spain to Libros Cúpula (Grupo Planeta); in Brazil to Belas Letras; and in Italy to Rizzoli Lizard (Gruppo Mondadori). The book will be published by Thames & Hudson in the U.K., U.S. and Australia.
Photo credit: John McMurtrie
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10 мар 2025
You Can Be GENE SIMMONS's Roadie For A Day — For $12,495
 KISS bassist/vocalist Gene Simmons is offering his fans a chance to be his roadie for a day during his upcoming tour with the GENE SIMMONS BAND.
Simmons's $12,495 "Personal Assistant And Band Roadie For The Day" experience is limited to one per show and includes the following perks:
* You will meet up with Gene and GENE SIMMONS BAND members early in the day (either at his hotel or designated location) to go over the band's show day schedule.
* You will be on the GENE SIMMONS BAND team crew for the entire day!
* You will get a GENE SIMMONS BAND crew member shirt and hat
* You will get a GENE SIMMONS BAND crew member VIP laminate
* You will have a meal with Gene Simmons (at the hotel or backstage at the show)
* You will arrive and load in to the venue with the band
* You will help the band set up for the show
* You will hang out backstage
* You will sit in on soundcheck
* Gene Simmons will bring you on stage during the show and introduce you
* You will get a setlist signed by Gene Simmons
* You can take photos throughout your entire experience
* You may bring one guest
* You may bring four items for Gene to sign (no instruments, parts, etc.)
* And… you get a Gene Simmons (KISS-rehearsal-used) bass signed by Gene Simmons
Tickets to the show are not included, as they are sold through the individual venues.
For more information, visit GeneSimmonsAxe.com.
GENE SIMMONS BAND's tour will kick off on April 3 in Anaheim and is scheduled to conclude on May 24 in Houston.
GENE SIMMONS BAND 2025 tour dates:
April 3 - Anaheim, CA @ House of Blues
April 4 - Temecula, CA @ Pechanga Resort Casino
April 5 - Rohnert Park, CA @ The Event at Graton Resort & Casino
April 8 - Auburn, WA @ Muckleshoot Casino Resort
April 10 - Magna, UT @ The Great Saltair
April 11 - Denver, CO @ Paramount Theatre
April 25 - Clearwater, FL @ Ruth Eckerd Hall
April 26 - Miami Beach, FL @ Fillmore
April 28 - Tallahassee, FL @ The Moon
April 29 - Jacksonville, FL @ Florida Theater
April 30 - Orlando, FL @ Hard Rock Live
May 2 - Peachtree City, GA - The Fred Amphitheater
May 3 - Beaver Dam, KY @ Beaver Dam Amphitheater
May 5 - Red Bank, NJ @ Basie
May 6 - Montclair, NJ @ Wellmont
May 8 - Bethlehem, PA @ Wind Creek Casino
May 9 - Huntington, NY @ The Paramount
May 11 - Uncasville, CT @ Mohegan Sun Arena
May 14 - Northfield, OH @ MGM
May 15 - Niagara Falls, ON @ Fallsview Casino
May 17 - Hammond, IN @ The Horseshoe
May 18 - Rockford, IL @ Hard Rock
May 20 - Nashville, IN @ Brown County Music Center
May 22 - Dallas, TX @ House of Blues
May 23 - San Antonio, TX @ Tobin Center
May 24 - Houston, TX @ House of Blues
During an appearance on a December 2024 episode of Billboard's "Behind The Setlist" podcast, Gene spoke about how he now tours and performs with his solo band. He responded: "I thought I could stay away from the stage [after the completion of KISS's 'End Of The Road' farewell tour]. It bears noting that there's a magic that happens up there that words don't really sort of describe. It's a feeling, and it's tough to talk about feelings. It's probably closer to… There used to be a guy named Dr. [Arthur] Janov and he had a kind of a strange hippie point of view about people having their stuff pent up. So you put people in a padded room. And it was called scream therapy. You go in there and you just let loose and reportedly — I was never part of that, but reportedly — people would come out drenched in sweat and relieved and tired and you expel all this stuff. And going through life, there are rules. You can't compliment women too much. There's no more hugging. There's all these rules. You can't do trans jokes, gay jokes, Jew jokes, black — you can't do any of that stuff because we're very sort of… There are subtle rules that we all have to be aware of. Not on stage. You are free. You just expel all this energy, and it's this celebration of life with the fans and you, and you get to this kind of joyous place. So the GENE SIMMONS BAND is a chance for me, with some friends who are monsters on their instruments, to go out there and just have a great time. It bears noting we don't have managers, road crew, nothing. No trucks, nothing. The local promoters provide the backline, and we just get up there and play. And there are no set-in-stone setlists. Fans can yell, 'Hey, why don't you do 'Almost Human' from 1804?' You betcha. And you break into it. Or, 'Do you guys know 'Whole Lotta Love'?' 'Yeah, I think so.' And you break into it. Or you jam. And at every show we bring fans up on stage. 'Can you sing?' 'Can you play? Let's have a party.'"
When asked how the idea for touring without managers and a road crew came about, Simmons replied: "Actually, it was done by black musicians when they played the Chitlin' Circuit, what used to be the black clubs, 'cause they couldn't play white clubs. So Chuck Berry, as an example, famously would show up with his guitar, and there was a local band. Now, I don't do that — I take my band with me — but Berry would show up, and he'd tell the guys, 'Study the records, learn these songs, I'm gonna show up,' and no rehearsal, nothing. Just let it happen. And you can be as tight as THE [ROLLING] STONES. I don't know if you've ever seen THE STONES live. No matter how much they rehearse, there's this kind of sloppy, greasy way of doing it. And you never quite know where the end of the song is — it never quite ends — because there is no end; you just kind of feel it. So it's very easy. We have a lot of fun. The fans are, as they say on the street, digging it. And then you die. That's all there is."
Regarding what the difference is to him financially when he plays shows with his solo band compared to how it was with KISS, Gene said: "I make more [with my solo band]. Yeah, there's no managers, no private jets, no 20 tractor trailers, no 60-man crew, no huge shows. And the pyro alone for every [KISS] show was 10 grand, sometimes 50, depending if you go outdoors — enormous, enormous costs for doing that — but proud to have done that with [fellow KISS founder] Paul [Stanley] and the rest of the guys in the band. But this is a decidedly different thing. It's almost as if you decided to rent some amps in a garage and plug in and then everybody from the neighborhood comes in and you have a much different relationship. There's none of that sort of prepared thing. It's very informal and an awful lot of fun."
In addition to Simmons, the GENE SIMMONS BAND members include guitarists Brent Woods (WILDSIDE, SEBASTIAN BACH, VINCE NEIL) and Zach Throne (COREY TAYLOR) alongside drummer Brian Tichy (LYNCH MOB, THE DEAD DAISIES, WHITESNAKE, BILLY IDOL, FOREIGNER, PRIDE & GLORY, SLASH'S SNAKEPIT).
Back in 2017 and 2018, the GENE SIMMONS BAND played a number of shows with a lineup that consisted of Simmons alongside guitarist/bassist Jeremy Asbrock, guitarist Ryan Cook, guitarist Phil Shouse and drummer Brent Fitz.
Six years ago, Simmons stated about his solo shows: "Doing these smaller concert halls, which hold a thousand to three thousand people, means they get filled up by real diehard fans. They don't want to hear the 'same old, same old.' They want to hear nuggets, as they say. It's a hoot for me because I've never really had a chance to do this stuff live. It's been a lot of fun." Gene told the Chicago Sun-Times: "By the end, I get the chance to bring as many people from the audience as we can fit on the stage to sing with me."
Regarding how the idea for a solo tour came about, Simmons told Australia's Advertiser in a 2018 interview: "The GENE SIMMONS BAND was not a plan or anything. About a year ago, a corporate event asked me to be keynote speaker … then they said, 'Won't you get up and sing a few tunes?' I explained that you can't just do that, you've got to have a band and rehearse and all that. They said, 'Well, we'll pay you X dollars more,' and I said, 'I like you!' "So I put together a band from Nashville — these guys back up Kid Rock and lots of other people — and without a single rehearsal, I just told them which songs I wanted to do and they learned them. It just sounded natural — there is such a thing called chemistry. They don't teach that anywhere — I mean, they do teach 'chemistry' but not the kind I'm talking about. It felt right and as soon as the videos went on YouTube and such, people were calling. This little GENE SIMMONS BAND never tried to be KISS… It was just a little bit of fun and stuff. Now all of a sudden, we're headlining festivals in the Czech Republic, Canada, Germany… It's crazy."
KISS played the final concert of its "End Of The Road" farewell tour on December 2, 2023 at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
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10 мар 2025
MASTODON Recruits YouTuber BEN ELLER For 'Tool Live In The Sand' Festival Performance
 Atlanta progressive metallers MASTODON recruited YouTuber and session musician Ben Eller to step in for founding guitarist Brent Hinds for their concert on Sunday, March 9 at "Tool Live In The Sand", a destination festival which was held at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino and Royalton Resort in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. Fan-filmed video of the performance can be seen below.
Eller is a popular guitarist and bass player from Tennessee who has gained popularity for his awesome chops on his guitar lesson series "This Is Why You Suck At Guitar".
Growing up as a home-schooled child, Eller had plenty of time on his hands after finishing his homework. He got hooked on playing guitar at the age of 16 after his older brother came home with a bunch of old METALLICA albums like "Ride The Lighting" and "Master Of Puppets". Initially, he just wanted to learn how to play his favorite songs by WEEZER, SILVERCHAIR and the FOO FIGHTERS, but after listening to guitar virtuosos like Steve Vai, Joe Satriani and Eddie Van Halen, Eller decided to share his newly discovered passion and curiosity for learning with other guitar aficionados.
When Eller isn't making guitar lessons for his social media channels, he's busy demonstrating his musical talent on stage in several outfits, namely 1980s hair metal tribute SKANKBANGER, the southern blues-rock KENNEDY WOOD BAND as well as laying down bass and guitar with Andy Wood's instrumental project. He has also featured as a guest guitarist for the deathcore act WHITECHAPEL, laying down leads for their self-titled release, as well as the albums "Our Endless War" and "Mark Of The Blade".
Eller has been uploading content to YouTube since 2010, started tutorials in 2012, and developed the popular series "This Is Why You Suck At Guitar" in 2013. Since then, he has also created well over 200 episodes of his weekly lesson series "Weekend Wankshop".
MASTODON announced Brent's departure from the band on Friday (March 7),writing in a statement: "Friends and Fans, After 25 monumental years together, MASTODON and Brent Hinds have mutually decided to part ways.
"We're deeply proud of and beyond grateful for the music and history we've shared and we wish him nothing but success and happiness in his future endeavors.
"We are still very inspired and excited to show up for fans in this next chapter of MASTODON. As we move forward, all 2025 touring plans will remain intact. We look forward to seeing you on the road."
Since 2000, Hinds had served as lead guitarist and vocalist for MASTODON, alongside bassist/singer Troy Sanders, drummer Brann Dailor, and rhythm guitarist Bill Kelliher.
MASTODON's lineup had remained the same for 25 years, recording eight studio albums, beginning with 2002's "Remission" until the band's latest LP, 2021's "Hushed And Grim".
MASTODON has had nine Billboard 200-charting albums and has been nominated for a Grammy Award six times. The band won a "Best Metal Performance" Grammy for "Sultan's Curse" in 2018.
MASTODON and LAMB OF GOD's collaborative single called "Floods Of Triton" was released in September 2024. The track, which was recorded prior to the launch of the two bands' "Ashes Of Leviathan" summer 2024 tour, was made available via Loma Vista Recordings.
"Hushed And Grim" was a double LP recorded at the band's Atlanta studio, West End Sound. The effort was produced by David Bottrill (TOOL, RUSH, MUSE, PETER GABRIEL) and was MASTODON's most expansive song cycle to date, featuring 15 distinct tracks. It achieved the band's third consecutive No. 1 debut on the Billboard Hard Rock Albums chart and earned MASTODON a Grammy Award nomination for the track "Pushing The Tides". Additionally, the album's single "Teardrinker" secured a top 10 position on the rock radio charts, a further testament to the band's widespread acclaim.
"Floods Of Triton" was recorded at MASTODON's own West End Sound in Atlanta and was produced by MASTODON and Tyler Bates, highly regarded in his own right for his scores for "Guardians Of The Galaxy", "John Wick", "MaXXXine" and more.
In December, MASTODON and COHEED AND CAMBRIA announced "The Infinite Arc" tour with special guests PERIPHERY. Produced by Live Nation and FPC Live, the 20-city trek kicks off on May 10 in Salem, Virginia, spanning the East Coast and Midwest before wrapping up in Waukee, Iowa on June 8. | +3 | |
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10 мар 2025
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10 мар 2025
MASTODON Parts Ways With Guitarist BRENT HINDS
 Atlanta progressive metallers MASTODON have parted ways with longtime guitarist Brent Hinds.
Brent's exit from MASTODON was announced via a social media post earlier today.
MASTODON wrote: "Friends and Fans, After 25 monumental years together, MASTODON and Brent Hinds have mutually decided to part ways.
"We're deeply proud of and beyond grateful for the music and history we've shared and we wish him nothing but success and happiness in his future endeavors.
"We are still very inspired and excited to show up for fans in this next chapter of MASTODON. As we move forward, all 2025 touring plans will remain intact. We look forward to seeing you on the road."
A little over three years ago, MASTODON singer/bassist Troy Sanders was asked by Metal Wani to what he attributed the band's longevity. He responded: "I attribute the longevity to two main things, I believe. Number one is that we have, thankfully, over time continued to grow together. In any human relationship, you always hope for the best, but it's very natural for people to grow apart. And that's very normal — a normal thing to happen. So the good fortune and fate that we've stuck together and continued to grow together. And number two is that we're all still incredibly passionate about creating music. Thankfully, none of us have a personal writer's block where… We're not the main songwriters, so if someone's only coming up with one or two ideas for this album, well, don't worry — the other guys have you covered because we're a band in the true sense of the word, I believe. So the two points is that we've thankfully grown together, and we've all continued to share this… The fire in our bellies to create has yet to be extinguished. So those two things are keeping us together."
MASTODON and LAMB OF GOD's collaborative single called "Floods Of Triton" was released in September 2024. The track, which was recorded prior to the launch of the two bands' "Ashes Of Leviathan" summer 2024 tour, was made available via Loma Vista Recordings.
MASTODON's latest album, "Hushed And Grim", was a double LP recorded at the band's Atlanta studio, West End Sound. The effort was produced by David Bottrill (TOOL, RUSH, MUSE, PETER GABRIEL) and was MASTODON's most expansive song cycle to date, featuring 15 distinct tracks. It achieved the band's third consecutive No. 1 debut on the Billboard Hard Rock Albums chart and earned MASTODON a Grammy Award nomination for the track "Pushing The Tides". Additionally, the album's single "Teardrinker" secured a top 10 position on the rock radio charts, a further testament to the band's widespread acclaim.
"Floods Of Triton" was recorded at MASTODON's own West End Sound in Atlanta and was produced by MASTODON and Tyler Bates, highly regarded in his own right for his scores for "Guardians Of The Galaxy", "John Wick", "MaXXXine" and more.
In December, MASTODON and COHEED AND CAMBRIA announced "The Infinite Arc" tour with special guests PERIPHERY. Produced by Live Nation and FPC Live, the 20-city trek kicks off on May 10 in Salem, Virginia, spanning the East Coast and Midwest before wrapping up in Waukee, Iowa on June 8.
Image credit: Pics from the pit
Friends and Fans, After 25 monumental years together, Mastodon and Brent Hinds have mutually decided to part ways.
We’re...
Posted by Mastodon on Friday, March 7, 2025
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10 мар 2025
Former MUSHROOMHEAD Singer JEFFREY HATRIX Is Completing His 'Alternative Medicine Treatment' In Cancer Battle
 Jeffrey Hatrix, also known as Jeffrey Nothing (born Jeffrey Lewis Hetrick),formerly the haunting voice and co-founder behind Cleveland's pioneering alterna-metal and industrial collective MUSHROOMHEAD, is completing his "alternative medicine treatment" in his battle with cancer.
Two months after revealing he was battling the disease, Hatrix took to his Facebook to write: "Just wanted to give an update on my situation and say Thank You All Sincerely, so much for the caring and help. Yesterday started the 7th of my 8 week Alternative Medicine treatment journey. I am pain free since the start and I truly believe that this is Working. I hope you and yours are all doing well. If you aren't, they can help with a multitude of conditions. (Read the testimonials). Contact: morseshealthcenter.com".
Last month, Hatrix's daughter Mea wrote on his launched a Gofundme account that his "alternative medicine treatment" consisted of "9 tinctures and 2 capsules. 3 times a day over the course of 8 weeks, not 6 as his dyslexic brain first told him," she said. "This protocol is from Morse Healthcare out of Florida and it goes with a diet of Fruit and Vegetables and daily visits to his steam sauna."
When Jeffrey revealed his cancer diagnosis in January, he wrote that he "really wanted to keep this to myself" but eventually made the decision to go public it in order to raise funds for his treatment.
"I was diagnosed a couple months ago," he said at the time. "It will be very hard to continue working with the treatment path I have chosen. Thank You for anything you can do to help. I know everyone is going through a lot."
The GoFundMe campaign has a goal of $20,000 and has currently raised more than $19,500.
Jeffrey's wife Stacy died in April 2024 after a long battle with cancer. She was only 38 years old.
Last August, Jeffrey Hatrix sued MUSHROOMHEAD's drummer and producer Steve "Skinny" Felton, alleging copyright infringement and failure to pay him royalties that he is owed.
Hatrix, who left MUSHROOMHEAD in 2018, claimed in the lawsuit, which was obtained by BLABBERMOUTH.NET, that he had not received royalties for his music "for several years at least", despite the fact that he wrote or helped write 148 songs during his time with the band.
"Most of the performing arts copyright registrations were registered as Stephen Felton being the copyright claimant," the lawsuit, which was filed in federal court in Cleveland, read. "And, although on many songs [Hatrix] was given proper credit for his participation in creating said works, there seems to be no record of mechanical royalty payments stemming from these performing arts registrations."
In the years prior to Hatrix's exit from MUSHROOMHEAD, "Felton's actions … became more nefarious, including the doctoring of publishing splits giving Skinny (Felton) double pay under 2 names 'Tenafly Viper' and just plain 'Steve Felton', along with 30% going to him under 'unknown publicist' and 'unknown writer'," according to the lawsuit. "In fact, most of the publishing splits seem to have disappeared as plaintiff has not received any mechanical royalties to speak of for several years at least.
"Although the money coming increased, plaintiff was apparently receiving pennies on the dollar," the lawsuit added. "[Hatrix] was paid an 'allowance' $1,200 per week per, per tour. In fact, plaintiff was paid almost nothing beyond this and is due his publishing and other, royalties, income from touring, sales and royalties from film media, along with loss from other sources of income to be determined."
Hatrix's attorney Ronald Stanley told Cleveland.com that Hatrix was seeking at least $3.5 million, but clarified that "we don't know all what he is entitled to yet."
Jeffrey left MUSHROOMHEAD in March 2018, stating: "I am coming to you today with a heavy heart to announce that I am leaving MUSHROOMHEAD. It is a decision that I did not make easily, but one I made for reasons that are best for me as an artist and musician at this juncture in my career." The vocalist went on to thank "the craziest, fucking loyal and amazing fans" for the "once in a lifetime privilege" of performing for them while touring and recording with the group.
A few months later, Hatrix discussed his exit while appearing on the "ADHD" podcast, saying that "my issue was there was only one chief [Steve Felton], and that's not how it started. That really catapulted us all backwards. I feel like we could have done so much more… Things could have all been different and friendly, but I don't believe my former band has that in their vocabulary. I never wanted it like that. It's odd."
He added: "I left the band because I couldn't do it anymore. I stayed for a long time for the fans and it just got to be like, 'Sorry I just can't do it anymore.' I was trying to leave on semi-amicable terms and then that never happened… I got to the point where I didn't even want to go on tour anymore. There was one tour where I felt like I was in need of having every tooth pulled out of my head. The stress was so bad, it felt like that. That ended up not being the case. Once I got home, I was fine. Sometimes a bus can feel like a prison cell or your bunk can feel like a casket or you're doing time or you're not even alive anymore… When it was cool, I liked it. When it became somebody's little game, for lack of a better word, it became very ugly and something I wanted to get out of as soon as I could."
Just wanted to give an update on my situation and say Thank You All Sincerely, so much for the caring and help....
Posted by Jeffrey Nothing on Thursday, March 6, 2025
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10 мар 2025
DISTURBED Is Having 'Fun' Reliving 'The Sickness' Album On 25th-Anniversary Tour
 In a new interview with Liv Maddix of the 105.7 The Point radio station, DISTURBED guitarist Dan Donegan spoke about the band's 34-date "The Sickness 25th Anniversary Tour", which kicked off in Nampa, Idaho on February 25, 2025 and is produced by Live Nation. The tour celebrates 25 years of DISTURBED's seminal debut album which launched the band into public consciousness and is one of the most important and influential heavy metal albums of all time. Each night features two sets of music, opening with DISTURBED playing the five times platinum "The Sickness" in full, followed by a full set of greatest hits. The first half of the tour features support from special guests THREE DAYS GRACE, including the return of original singer Adam Gontier, and opener SEVENDUST, and the second half features special guests DAUGHTRY with opener NOTHING MORE.
Regarding what it has been like to go back and perform some of the songs that he and his DISTURBED bandmates hadn't played in a long time, Dan said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "Yeah, it's great. Half the album we probably hadn't played in 15 years or something. It's been a while. So to kind of go back and do it again, it was good. I had to go back and kind of relearn them a little bit, but then without overthinking it, just muscle memory came back and you just play it. So it's fun to play these again 'cause it's been so long. Because we have such a deep catalog now, there's so many songs that we've left off throughout the years — not intentionally. It's only 'cause — unless we're gonna do a six-hour show. But, yeah, it's been fun to do these songs again and just kind of relive it."
A few days prior to the launch of "The Sickness 25th Anniversary Tour", DISTURBED singer David Draiman told the 100.3 The X Rocks radio station that getting ready for the trek was "a ton of work," requiring "a ton of preparation. Lots of little Easter eggs, so to speak, [are] part of the performance. Definitely dipping heavily into the nostalgia. So, getting into it, it's been a nice little trip down memory lane, it's been sort of a humbling experience kind of, 'cause we've never actually played the first record front to back before. This is gonna be our first time doing it. Some of these songs we haven't played in — I don't know — 15, 20 years. So it's been a while. It was nice running through everything with the guys last week. It's like revisiting old friends. It's really, really cool. I'm really looking forward to the whole entirety of it. There's definitely lots of production-element surprises that are complex and theatrical, definitely hearkening back to the whole 'Sickness' era, but done in a new and modern way. So it's definitely been a challenge, but one that we've been enjoying as we've been going along."
Asked how much fun he and his DISTURBED bandmates have in coming up with ideas and trying to push the limits of what they can make happen on the stage during a live show, Draiman said: "Well, that all depends. Unfortunately, things like that cost money [laughs], and a lot of it, and if we had an unlimited amount of money, it wouldn't be a problem. Unfortunately, we do have a limited amount of money. And if we were able to do everything we wanted to, we would be accomplishing all of my dear guitar player's wildest dreams and production fantasies coming to life. He's definitely the mad scientist when it comes to that kind of stuff. He's got a great vision for that sort of thing, and he's been working closely with our production staff, and I've been kind of hanging back, seeing what he's coming up with and what they're coming up with… But it's been challenging, because the environment is tough, and we wanna put on as big of a show as possible, but we don't wanna have to pay from out of our pockets to do it. We'd like to actually make some revenue on it. So it's been challenging, but I can pretty much guarantee everyone, from everything that I've seen over the course of the past couple of weeks, that it is going to be a huge-looking show. It's going to be impressive as hell. And I think that everyone's really going [to enjoy it]."
Last month, DISTURBED announced the European leg of "The Sickness 25th Anniversary Tour" with support from MEGADETH.
Since "The Sickness" was released in 2000, the album was certified five times platinum by the RIAA, spent a total of 106 weeks on the US Billboard 200 chart, and Revolver named it one of "Top 25 Debut Hard Rock Albums." Billboard said of the title track upon release: "'Down With The Sickness' is, of course, the quintessential DISTURBED song, harnessing all the band's seethe and its now-famous tribal beat and guitar chug into three and a half minutes of alt-metal mayhem. It's menacing, it's rhythmic, it's rebellious."
DISTURBED recently announced the 25th-anniversary edition release of "The Sickness". To commemorate the anniversary, the band will reissue the five-times-platinum-certified LP on March 7, exactly 25 years to the date of their original release, in editions including:
* A limited edition 1-LP (silver vinyl) and 3-CD box set. It includes the original album, B-sides, unreleased demos, and an unreleased 14-track concert from The Palladium in Los Angeles from April 2001 as well as songs recorded at Chicago's Metro in March 2000 and the London Astoria in February 2001. The box includes a poster, cloth patch, backstage pass, and a set of guitar picks. It also includes a book featuring rare photos and memorabilia, and an extensive essay with new interviews with the members of DISTURBED, and producer Johnny K. An exclusive lithograph signed by the band is included with the limited-edition D2C format.
* A 2-CD deluxe edition that includes the original album, plus a disc of B-sides, unreleased demos, and rarities. The booklet features an essay with new interviews with the members of DISTURBED and producer Johnny K.
* Vinyl editions, including variants in limited edition green vinyl, limited edition orange vinyl (Germany/Central Europe exclusive),and limited edition milky clear vinyl (Spotify Fans First).
* Digitally, which includes all 40 tracks included in the limited-edition box set.
"The Sickness" 25th-anniversary edition is available to pre-order on all formats. The deluxe box set will be available via the band's web site and digitally on March 7, and via all retailers in North American on March 21.
On February 21, DISTURBED released a new single, "I Will Not Break", via the band's own label, Mother Culture Records. | +1 | |
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10 мар 2025
WEDNESDAY 13 Says 'Mid Death Crisis' 'Isn't A Metal Record': 'I Wrote A Punk, Glam, Hard Rock' Album
 In a new interview with Radioactive MikeZ, host of the 96.7 KCAL-FM program "Wired In The Empire", Wednesday 13 was asked if paying tribute to his former band, the revered glam punk icons MURDERDOLLS, on several tours in 2023 and 2024 influenced the songwriting process for his upcoming album, "Mid Death Crisis", which is set to drop on April 25, 2025 via Napalm Records. He responded (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "A hundred percent. Just revisiting that music and having that fresh on my mind when I started writing, that's what I wrote. So I wrote a punk, glam, hard rock record. This isn't a metal record. Probably the heaviest song on the album is 'When The Devil Commands'; that is as heavy metal as it gets. From that point on, it's pretty much a rock and roll record. So, yeah, that's what influenced that. And that's what I started off doing. This record's more in league with my first three than my last three albums. And it's crazy 'cause my first album turns 20 years old this April. So, I sort of planned this album to come out the same month, the same time, 20 years later — album number 10 comes out 20 years later, same month. So it's sort of just to show how far I've came since then or how far I've went or however you wanna say it. But I'm still here and I think I still do it pretty good."
Last December, Wednesday 13 was asked by Joshua Toomey of the "Talk Toomey" podcast if all of his recent tours celebrating the music of MURDERDOLLS "translated" into the new material he was writing. Wednesday 13 said: "Yeah, it definitely did. I think sometimes you'll start hearing people talk about bands or stuff and you maybe start believing something that wasn't necessarily the case. So like with MURDERDOLLS, my whole life I've always played in simple three-chord kind of rock and roll bands. And people always call that easy and simple and, 'What you do is easy to do. It's not complex like DREAM THEATER or something.' And I guess it kind of got in my mind, 'Oh, I guess what we do really isn't that complex.' And then on this last tour we had DEVILDRIVER's drummer [playing with us], and DEVILDRIVER's just crazy, insane drumming. And then he got to these drumming parts, for Joey's [Jordison, late SLIPKNOT drummer and MURDERDOLLS guitarist] drumming parts, and he's, like, 'This shit is really hard. This shit is really hard to do. It's simple, but it's not simple.' So I realized kind of what MURDERDOLLS did was a special thing. It didn't have to be complex or anything. And I think over the last couple of years, my records kind of went in a more metal direction. And I was maybe trying to do a little — just experimental because I'd never done that in the past. But reflecting on this MURDERDOLLS stuff in the last year or so, I've realized that's really what I specialize in. That's the natural thing to me. And I just went back to that. So it definitely helped shape the new music. And it just made me realize what I did was — again, it didn't change the world, it wasn't something brand new, but it definitely had a style to it. And I don't think that's been really replicated. I don't see it a lot in bands now. And we were just doing what our influences were. We were just imitating MÖTLEY CRÜE and TWISTED SISTER and W.A.S.P. and sprinkling in all of our influences. And I just don't see that or hear that in a lot of newer music."
Wednesday 13 previously described "Mid Death Crisis" as a fun, campy, "leave-your-brain-at-the-door" rager and a true return to his hard-rocking roots. Produced by guitarist Alex Kane (LIFE, SEX & DEATH, ENUFF Z'NUFF, ANTIPRODUCT) and mixed by Steve Evetts (THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN, PRONG, DEVILDRIVER) the album oozes infectious 1980s sleaze metal energy, further accented by a blitzing guest vocal from FASTER PUSSYCAT's Taime Downe.
Last month, Wednesday 13 unveiled the album's first single, the ultra-catchy "When The Devil Commands", and its equally raucous, blasphemous new music video. The track stuns with an unforgettable hook, charging arena rock-laden drum production and chugging guitars.
Wednesday 13 commented: "Growing up in the '80s, I remember the satanic panic of heavy metal music and parents' concern over what their kids were listening to. My mother was constantly checking my cassettes and making sure I wasn't possessed by the devil. Most of the music that I listened to never had any of those themes, but they were just accused of it. So when writing the lyrics to this song, I wrote what I thought would terrify my mother if she had stumbled upon this music. I wanted the lyrics to be upfront and leave no question as to what they were about… the Devil. This song is done in a fun spirit, and we don't plan on burning any churches in the future."
Eerie introductory track "There's No Such Thing As Monsters" vibrates with electricity before industrial-tinged "Decease And Desist" kicks in full blast. Wednesday 13's trademark crooning wastes no time entering the fold as he careens through the high-octane horror anthem, before tracks like "Rotting Away" and "Blood Storm" ensnare with metallic goth-punk energy that will have crowds moving wall to wall. Featuring FASTER PUSSYCAT's Taime Downe on guest vocals, standout heavy rocker "No Apologies" is a fast-romping exorcism of toxic demons, while the triumphant mini-murder ballad "Decapitation" riles up listeners with a catchy lead riff before making a hard left into a theatrical bridge straight out of a sinister '60s sock hop! Ragers like "In Misery", "Xanaxtasy" and "Sick And Violent" explore various genres of metal, injecting the album with elements of gripping heaviness for any listener, while downtempo stunners "I Hurt You" and "My Funeral" approach a more pensive territory.
Although its title, "Mid Death Crisis", may suggest otherwise, the Duke Of Spook shows zero signs of stopping on this refreshingly powerful and multi-faceted entry into the Wednesday 13 hall of horrific history!
"Mid Death Crisis" track listing:
01. There's No Such Thing As Monsters
02. Decease And Desist
03. When The Devil Commands
04. Rotting Away
05. No Apologies (feat. Taime Downe)
06. Decapitation
07. In Misery
08. Blood Storm
09. Xanaxtasy
10. I Hurt You
11. My Funeral
12. Sick And Violent
WEDNESDAY 13 is:
Wednesday 13 - Lead Vocals / Guitar
Jack Tankersley - Guitar
Troy Doebbler - Bass
Mike Dupke - Drums
Ashes - Lead Guitar
Photo credit: Anabel DFlux | +1 | |
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10 мар 2025
ZAKK WYLDE On His Recording Process: 'I Never Demo Anything'
 In a new interview with Andertons Music Co., legendary guitarist Zakk Wylde (OZZY OSBOURNE, BLACK LABEL SOCIETY, PANTERA) spoke about how his songwriting and recording process has evolved over the course of the last four decades. He said in part (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "Back in the day with Ozz, looking back on when we first started, when we were doing 'No Rest For The Wicked', 'Miracle Man' and all that stuff, like how you get ready for a tour now, we'd go over the songs. You do rehearsals and play the songs. We were ready to do the songs before we went in the studio, whereas now you go in the studio with nothing. Even when we did [the latest BLACK LABEL SOCIETY single] 'Lord Humungus' just now, I just ended up, just like how I wrote it right now. So, you just write the song, and then go, I go, 'What's that? And he goes, 'Oh, Zakk, I just wrote that earlier today when I was having coffee.' I go, 'Let's record that.' And then we'll record it, and the guys will play along to it, and then you can put your vocals on it. And next thing you know, that's another song done. So, as opposed to going into a rehearsal room, and we'll sit there and practice this song. Just record. I never demo anything. Just do it for real."
Asked if he thinks that is only really possible now because he has his own home studio, Zakk said: "Actually, when we did [BLACK LABEL SOCIETY's 2003 single] 'Stillborn' and everything like that, that was just going into the studio with no song ideas at all. But I was just thinking, like even with 'Lord Humungus', we had that thing out now, with 'The Gallows', the last two songs, for me, I just try to… [I have the approach of] I'll give you two strings on the guitar and see if you can write a song. All right, maybe I'll give you four strings so you can play some power chords. That's it. See if you can write me some songs. Like [DEEP PURPLE's] 'Smoke On The Water' — you're talking about three chords. So see if you can write a song around three chords. I remember when we did 'Stillborn', it was, like, 'Let me see if we can write a song with one note.' … It's basically that one riff. But it's just four chords. 'I'm gonna give you four chords. See if you can write a whole song around that.' So if I only gave you X amount of food , let's see if you can make a meal out of that… Even the mellow stuff, you just try and keep it as simple as possible. Even when you listen to Elton John, you listen to 'Rocket Man' or any of the other things, it's very little going on. And then this way, it's the melody [driving the song]."
"Lord Humungus" was released in February, along with a hilarious music video directed by Justin H. Reich.
Last September, BLACK LABEL SOCIETY released another new single titled "The Gallows" via MNRK Heavy (formerly eOne Music).
In a September 2024 interview with Lipps Service With Scott Lipps, Zakk spoke about the progress of the songwriting and recording sessions for BLACK LABEL SOCIETY's next album. BLACK LABEL SOCIETY's twelfth studio LP will be the follow-up to "Doom Crew Inc.", which came out in November 2021 via MNRK Heavy.
"We've been recording a batch of stuff while we're home," Zakk, who has also been touring with PANTERA and ZAKK SABBATH, said. "I mean, obviously it's gonna be a lot of — we're gonna be doing a PANTERA celebration [tour] throughout 2025, and then there's going to be ZAKK SABBATH shows peppered in there as well. So I'd imagine somewhere — I don't know — maybe late 2025, [early] '26 or whatever, putting out another BLACK LABEL album. But I mean, all it does to me, it just gives you more time to just keep writing and listening to stuff and going back and going, 'No, you know what? Let me put more orange on that as opposed to red,' where you can actually sit back and look at it and everything like that. 'Cause usually, most of the time when I do the records, I'll go in, whether it was 'Stillborn', 'Suicide Messiah', anything like that, with nothing. I think if you ask any musician, they'll tell you, when you're in a recording studio, it's just a breeding ground for inspiration. Because everything sounds good... Whether you're sitting with an acoustic guitar, or you're sitting behind a piano, or you got the big distorted guitars going, the drums sound like cannons. So everything just sounds amazing. And it just is very inspiring."
BLACK LABEL SOCIETY headlined Zakk's inaugural music festival, Berzerkus, last September at Poconos Park in Bushkill, Pennsylvania. Berzerkus was co-headlined by outlaw country music's Cody Jinks.
Four years ago, Wylde told the Morristown, New Jersey radio station 105.5 WDHA about the BLACK LABEL SOCIETY songwriting process: "The way it always goes, it's always the music first and then a melody. And then I've gotta find out something I wanna sing about. So then I'll write the lyrics. That's usually always the way it goes. And then, when it's all done, then the solos go on it. The painting's all done, and the solo is the frame that goes on the thing. So you can sit back and look at the whole thing. That's the way we pretty much always do it… I would just have a cup of coffee and just start writing riffs. You always get inspired by — for me, it's always Mount Riffmore, which is CREAM, MOUNTAIN, [LED] ZEPPELIN, [BLACK] SABBATH, DEEP PURPLE… If you're not getting inspired by the riffs those guys have created, it's just like… So I'll just go fishing and just start writing till you get to something you like."
Wylde formed BLACK LABEL SOCIETY in 1998 and has kept the band busy in between touring and recording with Ozzy Osbourne, whose backing group he first joined more than three and a half decades ago.
BLACK LABEL SOCIETY's "Order Of The Black" (2010) and "Catacombs Of The Black Vatican" (2014) both broke into the top five on the hard rock album charts.
Since first joining Ozzy, Zakk has played on all of the BLACK SABBATH singer's solo albums except for 2020's "Ordinary Man", including such classic efforts as "No More Tears" (1991),"Ozzmosis" (1995) and "Black Rain" (2007).
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10 мар 2025
GHOST's TOBIAS FORGE: 'As A Singer, OZZY OSBOURNE Had A Phenomenal Impact On Me'
 In a new interview with HardDrive XL's Lou Brutus, GHOST mastermind Tobias Forge spoke about the fact that he will appear at the upcoming "Back To The Beginning" charity show on July 5 at Villa Park in Birmingham, United Kingdom. The concert will mark the original lineup of BLACK SABBATH's last-ever performance and Ozzy Osbourne's final appearance as a solo artist. He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "For me, obviously, one band that has meant — one band, BLACK SABBATH; one artist, Ozzy. Of course, I grew up in the '80s, so Ozzy was more prevalent, I guess, in presence because he was sort of — in media, he was just this over-the-top character whereas a lot of the stuff that that BLACK SABBATH was doing in the '80s I grew to love a lot later — with the exception of the [Ronnie James] Dio records, of course. But it took me some time to sort of like some of the '80s records with BLACK SABBATH, whereas now I'm a very, very wholistic in my worship. But Ozzy, obviously, as now obviously a singer, had a phenomenal impact on me. And, of course, everything that he was doing that was dark and haunting, and I guess I'm looking specifically at 'Bark At The Moon' and 'Diary Of A Madman', influenced me a lot."
Forge will appear at "Back To The Beginning" as Papa V Perpetua, the new character fronting GHOST for its 2025 touring cycle.
"Back To The Beginning" sold out in less than 10 minutes last month. The concert will mark the first time that the original lineup of BLACK SABBATH — Osbourne, guitarist Tony Iommi, bassist Geezer Butler and drummer Bill Ward — have played together in 20 years.
Also set to appear at the event are METALLICA, GUNS N' ROSES, TOOL, SLAYER, PANTERA, GOJIRA, ALICE IN CHAINS, HALESTORM, LAMB OF GOD, ANTHRAX and MASTODON.
In addition, there will be a performance by a "supergroup of musicians" including Duff McKagan and Slash (GUNS 'N' ROSES),Billy Corgan (THE SMASHING PUMPKINS),Fred Durst (LIMP BIZKIT),K.K. Downing (JUDAS PRIEST),Jake E. Lee (OZZY OSBOURNE),Wolfgang Van Halen (VAN HALEN, MAMMOTH WVH),Tom Morello (RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE),Andrew Watt, Chad Smith (RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS),David Ellefson (MEGADETH),Vernon Reid (LIVING COLOUR),Whitfield Crane (UGLY KID JOE),David Draiman (DISTURBED),Frank Bello (ANTHRAX),Jonathan Davis (KORN),Lzzy Hale (HALESTORM),Mike Bordin (FAITH NO MORE),Rudy Sarzo (OZZY OSBOURNE, QUIET RIOT),Sammy Hagar, Scott Ian (ANTHRAX),Sleep Token II (SLEEP TOKEN) and Papa V Perpetua (GHOST).
Ozzy — who hasn't played a full show since late 2018 — announced his last-ever performance on February 5.
Proceeds from the "Back To The Beginning" show will support Cure Parkinson's, the Birmingham Children's Hospital and Acorn Children's Hospice, a Children's Hospice supported by Aston Villa.
The original lineup of BLACK SABBATH last performed in 2005. Since then, SABBATH has played in partial reunions but never in its original lineup.
The legendary BLACK SABBATH frontman was diagnosed in 2003 with Parkin 2 — a very rare genetic form of Parkinson's. During a TV appearance in January 2020, the singer disclosed that he was 'stricken" with the disease which occurs when the nerve cells of the body degenerate and levels of dopamine are reduced. Dopamine is an essential chemical that is produced by these nerve cells which send signals to different parts of the brain to control movements of the body.
Ozzy's health issues, including suffering a nasty fall and dislodging metal rods placed in his spine following a quad-bike accident in 2003, as well as catching COVID-19 three years ago, forced him to cancel some of his previously announced tours.
While Osbourne's health issues forced him to scrap most of his live appearances, the musician said he would return if his condition improved.
Despite his health problems, Osbourne has performed a couple of times in the last three years, including at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham in August 2022 and at the NFL halftime show at the season opener Los Angeles Rams and Buffalo Bills game in September 2022. | +1 | |
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9 мар 2025
ZAKK WYLDE On Touring With PANTERA: 'It's A Blast To See Everybody Having A Great Time'
 During the European leg of PANTERA's 2025 world tour, Dagan Wilkin of PMTV UK spoke to PANTERA guitarist Zakk Wylde and Grady Champion, who was "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott's guitar tech throughout his career with PANTERA and is now working with Zakk. Zakk discussed touring, Dimebag's legacy, and the Wylde Audio fiddles he's using to tear the house down on these shows, celebrating his dear friends Dimebag and Vinnie Paul Abbott. Grady also takes the time to talk PMTV through Zakk's monster of a rig, which is more stripped back them most people expect, adding gear and effects that Dimebag himself utilized into Zakk's rig to create a monstrous tone that Dime would be proud of.
Regarding what it has been like to be part of the revamped PANTERA, which also includes classic-lineup vocalist Philip H. Anselmo and bassist Rex Brown, alongside drummer Charlie Benante, Zakk said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "I love it, man. I'm blessed… It's awesome, man. I mean, I get to play my buddy's stuff every night. So, celebrating Dime, celebrating Vinnie and Philip and Rex, this awesome thing that they created together. I think it's a beautiful thing. To me, I approach it the same way, kind of like, when we do 'Experience Hendrix' [tours celebrating Jimi Hendrix] and everything like that. You're honoring Jimi every night. And when I'm playing with Ozz [Ozzy Osbourne], you're honoring St. Rhoads [late Ozzy guitarist Randy Rhoads] every night. So it's same thing — it's honoring the guys' greatness every night. So, it's a blast to see everybody having a great time."
Earlier this week, PANTERA announced a summer 2025 U.S. amphitheater tour. Produced by Live Nation, the journey will commence on July 15 in Burgettstown, Pennsylvania and wind its way through over two dozen cities, coming to a close on September 13 in West Palm Beach, Florida. Support will be provided by Swedish heavy metal icons AMON AMARTH and an additional guest opener to be announced at a later date.
PANTERA's latest stretch of live dates continues the celebration of the lives of late founding members, drummer Vinnie Paul Abbott and guitarist "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott. The tour follows PANTERA's spring run of stadium shows with METALLICA and SUICIDAL TENDENCIES as well as a very special U.K. performance as part of BLACK SABBATH's and Ozzy Osbourne's historic final show alongside METALLICA, SLAYER, GOJIRA, HALESTORM, ALICE IN CHAINS, LAMB OF GOD, ANTHRAX, MASTODON and more.
PANTERA kicked off its 2025 European headlining tour on January 21 at Helsingin Jäähalli (Ice Hall) in Helsinki, Finland.
Last April, Zakk told Ultimate Guitar about the decision to tour with a reformed version of PANTERA: "I feel [Dimebag] all the time. Even when we were getting ready to do the [PANTERA tour in 2022], [the early] rehearsals, and they were just figuring out how we were gonna do this, there'd be signs all over the place, whether [it was] a license plate that would be, like, '333' [three being Dimebag's favorite number], or I'd run into like a Dimebag license plate in the middle of nowhere. It was just, like, him just pushing this thing along, willing it to happen. So he's just always around. When we were in New York, just like signs, when we just did [a headlining show at] the [Madison Square] Garden [in February 2024], my wife Barbaranne was, like, Check this out.' Something came up and it just reminded us of Dime, and I was like, 'Wow, that's crazy.' Or we would look on our phone and it would be '333'. It's just these signs everywhere. And I could see Dime just doing it, going, 'I hope these idiots realize it's me sending these signs.' [Laughs]"
It was first reported in July 2022 that Anselmo and Brown would unite with Wylde and Benante for a world tour under the PANTERA banner.
During a recent appearance on "Drinks With Johnny", the Internet TV show hosted by AVENGED SEVENFOLD bassist Johnny Christ, Zakk was asked how he, Philip, Rex and Charlie all "came together to decide that this was the right time, the right group to pay homage to the mighty PANTERA". The guitarist said: "Well, BLACK LABEL [SOCIETY] and DOWN, we did some shows together in 2014, we did a tour, and it was great. 'Cause I've known Phil [who also sings for DOWN] and Pepper [Keenan, DOWN guitarist] and all the guys, and Jimmy Bower [DOWN drummer], Father Bower Power, over there for a while. It was just a bunch of friends going out doing shows together. And we did some PANTERA stuff then, and then Father Rex came out and we jammed 'I'm Broken' and stuff like that, and it was a lot of fun. And it's always been rumored for years. I just said that's always on the fellas. Me and Charlie are buds, and we'll be here to support our friends, whatever they wanna do. So when Phil called me up one day, he was, like, 'Zakk, you wanna get together and do this? We're thinking about me, Rex and Charlie and yourself, and we'll go out and pay tribute to Dime and Vinnie.' I was, like, 'Of course. I always said I would be there for you guys when you felt the time was right to do it.'"
He continued: "But, yeah, we just got together and did the rehearsals down in New Orleans and then we've been rolling ever since. We just did the [Madison Square] Garden and everything like that, with LAMB OF GOD and the guys and everything like that. So it was great. So just looking out every night and seeing people taking a trip down memory lane, the people that have seen the original PANTERA… When Phil says every night, he's just, like, 'How many people, this is their first time ever seeing PANTERA?' And all the younger people that never got a chance to see 'em [raise their hands]. It just really is a beautiful thing.
"I always say it every night, when we were playing the Garden, it's just like if Dime and Vinnie were right there on the side of the stage, I'd go, 'Look at what you guys created.' So it's really special. I think it's just a beautiful thing every night paying honor and tribute to Dime and Vinnie every night, Phil and Rex and Dime and Vinnie, this thing that they created that brings so many people joy. So, I just think it's a beautiful thing every night."
Zakk previously discussed his involvement with PANTERA in a February 2024 interview with Chuck Armstrong of Loudwire Nights. At the time, he said: "Everybody in the whole camp, it's all great people. And it's crazy, because we've known each other for years, but you end up knowing, even with the crew and everything like that, all these people you've known for years — I mean, people that I've been with when I started with Ozzy [Osbourne] and everything like that. So, it's just a great time out there, man, for sure. And then, obviously, celebrating Vinnie and Dime every night, it's just awesome.
"The beautiful thing about music is, all the bands that we love, whether it's ZEPPELIN or [BLACK] SABBATH, THE ALLMAN BROTHERS or Elton John or PANTERA or whatever, everybody has their connection to that music," he continued. "That's the most powerful thing about music. I mean, you hear stuff, it just transports you back to when you were 13 years old, 14 years old, where you were and what you were doing when that music was going on. So, for so many people — it's amazing 'cause Phil always does it at like almost every night, he's just, like, 'How many people saw PANTERA back in the day?' And everybody, obviously, you have all the PANTERA faithful. And then he goes, 'How many people, this is their first time seeing PANTERA?' It's mind-blowing. I mean, I'd say it's almost like 60-40, 70-30 sometimes, where it's, like, 'Wow. That is amazing.'
"I never got a chance to see ZEPPELIN back in the day, so to see… When I went and saw the [Jimmy] Page and [Robert] Plant thing with the orchestra and everything, that was just amazing, because I never got a chance to see them back in the day. So, just the power of the music, to see it live was just… I saw 'em at Brendan Byrne Arena [in East Rutherford, New Jersey in April 1995] when we were working on [Ozzy Osbourne's 1995 album] 'Ozzmosis'. I got tickets and we went down to the gig that night, and it was amazing — 'cause I never I never got a chance to see it back in the day. So, it's pretty much the same, 'cause I know I was getting chills when I was watching it. So, yeah, it's a beautiful thing, man."
Zakk was also asked if he would be open to working on new material with PANTERA. He said: "Nah, I don't think so. Whenever Phil says that and all the younger kids are screaming and yelling, when they put the house lights on and everyone's got their fists up in the air 'cause that's the first time [they're seeing PANTERA live], I just look at like Vinnie and Dime, if they were on the side of the stage, and go, 'See what you guys created.' So it's just, like, yeah, it's awesome. It truly is, man. But, no, I don't think [the plan is] to record [as PANTERA]. I mean, it'd be like if [Eric] Clapton was playing with [drummer] Mitch [Mitchell] and [bassist] Noel [Redding], honoring Jimi [Hendrix], they're not gonna go in and record [and call it] THE JIMI HENDRIX EXPERIENCE with Eric Clapton. [Laughs] I don't think anything like that. Obviously, if we were ever to do anything, it would be under a different name. Like Jimmy Page, if he was playing with Paul Rodgers and everything, it's THE FIRM; they're not going out as LED ZEPPELIN."
Vinnie Paul and Dimebag co-founded PANTERA. On December 8, 2004, while performing with DAMAGEPLAN at the Alrosa Villa in Columbus, Ohio, Dimebag was shot and killed onstage by a troubled schizophrenic who believed that the members of PANTERA were stealing his thoughts.
Up until his passing in June 2018, Vinnie remained on non-speaking terms with Anselmo, whom the drummer indirectly blamed for Dimebag's death.
Vinnie, who was Dimebag's brother, and Anselmo had not spoken since PANTERA split in 2003. But the relationship got even more acrimonious when Vinnie suggested that some remarks the vocalist had made about Dimebag in print just weeks earlier might have incited Dimebag's killer.
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9 мар 2025
SHINEDOWN's Eighth Album To Be Released In Late July Or Early August
 In a new interview with Tabatha Velasquez Grammer of Tulsa, Oklahoma's 106.9 K-HITS, SHINEDOWN singer Brent Smith was asked how he and his bandmates manage to navigate putting the finishing touches on a new studio album while simultaneously preparing to embark on a massive U.S. tour. He responded (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "I'll be honest with you, I'm ready for it. I don't really have an 'off' switch in a lot of ways. I have to remind myself that it is a band, and I mean that wholeheartedly. There's a lot of moving parts to this machine that we call SHINEDOWN.
"We started last year thinking about what does the next three years look like, the next five years look like. One of the goals is that we had a bit of an issue kind of locking in international touring over the last few years and we have a lot of fans that have been waiting on us from that aspect. So, next year our goal is to play all seven continents in 2026. Obviously, these first run of shows that we're doing in North America are a big deal for us."
Referencing the fact that SHINEDOWN recently released two new singles, "Three Six Five" and "Dance, Kid, Dance", which offer a glimpse into the band's forthcoming eighth studio LP, Brent said: "The album should be coming out roughly late July, early August. But we wanted to get these two songs out because that's kind of the launch pad, in a way, to what we're getting ready to do next, but you just kind of juggle it.
"One of the things is that in SHINEDOWN, we're very lucky that one of our brothers and our bandmembers is a gentleman by the name of Eric Bass…. But Eric, for people that may not know this about him, who's the bass player in the band, he's way more than a bass player. The last two records and this record that we're working on right now, he's been the sole engineer, mixer and producer of those records. So having a bandmember that is really a savant in a lot of ways, we're very lucky in that way. So we can kind of articulate and carve out the schedule the way we need it to be done. But we're able to do a lot of things in-house. And we have to kind of circle the dates, and you've got deadlines when you've gotta meet things and all that, but we just navigate it to the best of our ability."
Earlier this week, "Dance, Kid, Dance" reached the No. 1 slot at Active Rock radio. The song, which was released only a month ago on January 24, is SHINEDOWN's 20th No. 1 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart and their 22nd song to reach No. 1 on Mediabase's Active Rock chart. When the song entered the Top 5 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart, SHINEDOWN tied with the FOO FIGHTERS for the artist with the most top ten songs in the chart's history at 32 total songs.
Globally the song also continues to pick up steam as it was the No. 1 most played track this week across both Planet Rock and Kerrang! Radio in the U.K. The radio trajectory of the song and "Three Six Five" is nothing but meteoric. "Three Six Five" has already risen to the Top 20 (No. 17) at Alternative & Hot AC (No. 16) radio, Top 40 at Active Rock (No. 36) and continues to climb.
SHINEDOWN will team up with SiriusXM Octane and Meyer Shank Racing (MSR) on Sunday, March 2 at The Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, Florida. The collaboration will sponsor No. 60 SiriusXM Honda driven by Felix Rozenqvist. The band's Zach Myers and Barry Kerch will be at the track on race day, immersing themselves in the INDYCAR action and supporting MSR from the pit lane.
Recently, SHINEDOWN announced it has added the historic Kia Forum in Los Angeles to the band's already massive headline tour. The "Dance, Kid, Dance" tour kicks off on April 25, and the 36-date run is one of the largest run of shows (and venues) the band has ever put on. It will be the first time the band has ever headlined some of the country's most legendary venues, including Madison Square Garden (July 20),Bridgestone Arena (May 10),Boston's TD Garden (July 19) and more. Joining them on the tour are BEARTOOTH and BUSH (on select dates) and Morgan Wade for all shows.
Adding to the celebrations, SHINEDOWN was recently nominated for numerous iHeartRadio Music Awards, including "Rock Song Of The Year" for "A Symptom of Being Human", "Rock Artist Of The Year" and Sanjay Parikh was nominated for "Favorite Tour Photographer" for SHINEDOWN. The new nods bring the band to a total of 13 iHeartRadio Music Awards since the band's inception.
The two new singles embody the many multifaceted talents of the SHINEDOWN: one part rock 'n' roll dynamism and one part incredible songwriting and passion. "Dance, Kid, Dance" hits hard right out of the gate with incredibly heavy guitars and a tempo that just doesn't quit. It's part social commentary and part "don't overthink it, let's just rock out and LET'S DANCE!" The song pushes boundaries and is a reminder of why SHINEDOWN holds the record for the most No. 1 songs at Active Rock radio of all time with "Dance, Kid, Dance".
"Three Six Five" is an example of the band's ability to tackle tough subjects through impeccable songwriting. Anyone who has ever experienced loss knows that every day we draw breath is an opportunity to live out loud — to live for those we have lost. At its core "Three Six Five" is a reminder to stop wasting time, focus on the moments we have right now, and treasure time with the ones you love the most. The song honors the people in our lives who aren't with us anymore. It reminds us to stop taking time for granted because it's not promised. Take chances, be bold, and don't sweat the small stuff, because as the song says: a lot can happen in a year.
Smith and SHINEDOWN bassist/producer Eric Bass co-wrote "Three Six Five", and "Dance, Kid, Dance" was co-written by Smith, Bass and Dave Bassett. The songs were produced by Bass at his own Big Animal Studio in Charleston, South Carolina.
SHINEDOWN continues to demonstrate that they are one of the most forward-thinking powerhouses in music, forever pushing the boundaries of what it means to be a modern-day rock band. The tour and new music not only kick off a new era for SHINEDOWN but continue to celebrate the momentous acclaim the band received from their juggernaut song "A Symptom Of Being Human" off their seventh studio album "Planet Zero" (Atlantic Records). The song, which has reached over 100 million streams and counting, crossed over not only to Alternative but Top 40 radio and resonated with fans across the globe for the unifying message of its lyrics: that it is our human connections that matter the most.
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9 мар 2025
SIMON KIRKE Was Surprised To See BAD COMPANY Finally Nominated For ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME
 In a new interview with Shelli Sonstein of New York's classic rock radio station Q104.3, BAD COMPANY drummer Simon Kirke spoke about the British supergroup's Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame nomination, which was announced earlier this month after decades of eligibility. Asked how it feels to finally be nominated, Simon said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "It feels good. I mean, it does feel good, but I have to add a note of caution that I'm not familiar with the voting process, or I wasn't until last week. So we're nominated, but then we have to get voted in on April — I believe it's April the 23rd the votes are cast. So we'll see. But I have to say finally, 'cause I've always advocated that FREE and BAD COMPANY should have been in a while ago. But I won't dish out sour grapes. I'm just happy to be nominated. And I was saying to a friend of mine earlier on that I hope that we can get on the podium because Mick [Ralphs], our guitarist, as you know, is not well and we don't know how long he's gonna be around. But it would be wonderful if me and Paul [Rodgers, BAD COMPANY singer] could get on the stage and say, 'This is for Mick as well,' and so on. But, yeah, it feels good."
Asked if it was a surprise to finally get nominated, Simon said: "It was. It was a surprise sort of tempered with, 'Wow, at last.' And also what I didn't realize is there's a two-pronged attack. There's the popular vote, and then there's the voting committee of the Hall Of Fame, who are made up… Once you've been nominated and accepted, you become automatically a voting member. So, I didn't know that. Yeah. So, there are hundreds and hundreds of musicians and executives who are now on the board, as it were. So there's also the popular vote where fans can go on the Hall Of Fame web site and vote. So when the votes are cast on the end of April, that's when the committee steps up and they cast their vote. I mean, I'm a friend of Steven Van Zandt, who's been on the Hall Of Fame committee for years. And every year they sit around the table and they scratch their head and say, 'Why the hell isn't FREE and BAD COMPANY in?, because of our influence. I think a lot of bands were influenced [by us] — like we were. We were influenced by a lot of bands before us — THE [ROLLING] STONES and THE BEATLES and black music. We're just passing it on."
In a statement to Billboard about BAD COMPANY's nomination, Rodgers said: "BAD COMPANY fans and friends have been lobbying for this nomination persistently for years and they never gave up, so big thanks to them. According to them, BAD COMPANY fits all of the criteria and then some to be inducted."
Kirke, for his part, told the publication: "I think it's been a long time coming. It has rankled me a bit. We've been around a long time and we've influenced a lot of bands, and I think it's a place that we deserve. I'm just pleased that we're at least on the ballot. I'm happy and I'm honored, and fingers crossed that we make it."
Back in November 2023, Kirke was asked by "The Bob Lefsetz Podcast" how he felt about BAD COMPANY not having been inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. He responded: "I think it's such a travesty, quite honestly. And not just that, but FREE — FREE certainly should be [in the Hall], because FREE has been around since 1968, and the two bands have been responsible for influencing a lot of bands who are already in the Hall. So I feel pretty bad about it. But I'm not gonna go on too much about it. It's just I think we should be in. Certainly FREE. And I think Paul Rodgers should be in on his own merits, as one of the great rock vocalists of all time. If Eric Clapton and Rod Stewart and Jeff Beck can be inducted as solo artists, then certainly Paul Rodgers should be in there. That's my two cents."
Later in the chat, Kirke offered one possible explanation for why BAD COMPANY had been overlooked by the Rock Hall.
"I think because of BAD COMPANY's changing lineups over the 50 years that we'd been together, it kind of devalued our currency a little bit," he said. "You had the Brian Howe era, you had the Paul Rodgers era, one and two, when Paul rejoined the band, we had Robert Hart. So I honestly don't know why we have not been nominated — not even inducted; you have to be nominated first, as you know."
In September 2023, Rodgers told SiriusXM's "Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk" that he wasn't bothered by his absence from the Rock Hall. "Well, it doesn't affect my daily life. It doesn't affect what I do in any way at all," he said. "It's one of those things. But I remember years and years ago, Ahmet Ertegun, who was the head of Atlantic Records [and a co-founder of the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame], said to me, 'Paul, we're making this museum of rock and roll. Do you guys wanna be part of it?' And I said, 'What, a museum of rock and roll? What's it called?' He said, 'Well, it's called the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame.' I said, 'Well, I don't think rock and roll belongs in a museum.' So it's my bad, I guess. And he asked me a couple of times, and I kind of like refused, I guess, basically. So, you know, there you go. Onwards and upwards."
Born and raised in London, THE BEATLES perked a teenage Simon's interest in rock music, and he picked up the drums — leading to a gig with a local band called THE MANIACS, on which Simon supplied drums and lead vocals (something quite uncommon at the time).
Simon worked out a deal with his parents after graduating high school, that if he couldn't "make it" as a drummer in a band within a two-year period, that he would begin a college career. Just a few months before the deadline, Simon landed a gig with a group called the BLACK CAT BONES. The drummer befriended the group's talented guitarist, Paul Kossoff, who in turn convinced Simon to leave the group with him and begin a new outfit with singer Paul Rodgers. Soon ex-JOHN MAYALL'S BLUESBREAKERS bassist Andy Fraser signed on and FREE was officially formed in 1968. Mixing blues with hard rock, the group would prove to be quite influential, especially on the strength of their classic 1970 release, "Fire And Water", and its strutting, anthemic hit single "All Right Now".
When the band broke up, it didn't take Simon long to find another gig, joining Paul Rodgers in a new band, BAD COMPANY, which was quite similar stylistically to FREE. Joined by ex-KING CRIMSON bassist Boz Burrell and ex-MOTT THE HOOPLE guitarist Mick Ralphs, BAD COMPANY was the first group signed to LED ZEPPELIN's record label, Swan Song. Their debut album, 1974's "Bad Company", would go on to become one of hard rock's all-time classics, as it birthed such long-standing rock radio standards as "Can't Get Enough", "Ready For Love" and the title track, written by Paul and Simon himself. The group hails as one of the all-time top rock outfits. Kirke is the only member of BAD COMPANY who's been in every lineup of the band.
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Saxon
