
 |
|  |
 |
  |
15 ÿíâ 2025

DREAM THEATER's JORDAN RUDESS Releases Music Video For 'The Final Threshold' Song From 'Permission To Fly' Solo Album
 DREAM THEATER keyboardist Jordan Rudess has released the official music video for his song "The Final Threshold". The track is taken from his latest solo album, "Permission To Fly", which came out last September via InsideOut Music.
Says Rudess: "Step into 'The Final Threshold' with this stunning video by my friend Wayne Joyner! Using @Lightricks' amazing @LTX.Studio software, Wayne brought this song from my solo album 'Permission To Fly' to life in a way that's truly next level. Big thanks to Wayne and Lightricks for making creativity soar!"
No stranger to experimentation, known for leading the charge in pushing creative, sonic, and technological boundaries, Rudess's latest endeavor epitomizes this ethos, delving into the complexities of human existence within our multifaceted world.
As Jordan explains: "The essence of the album is deeply informed by the tumultuous events of 2023-2024, with motifs of peace and anti-violence woven throughout many of the songs."
While some previous releases were true solo pursuits, this time, Rudess assembled a core group of musicians to support and elevate his vision. The album features Jordan alongside That Joe Payne on vocals, Darby Todd (DEVIN TOWNSEND) on drums and Steve Dadaian on guitar, as well as guest guitar solos from Bastian Martinez.
With the music in capable hands, Rudess wanted to make sure to give the lyrics their proper attention. For that, he turned to a source close to home, his daughter.
"All the lyrics on the album were written by my daughter, Ariana," Jordan says. "While I enjoy writing lyrics myself, my primary focus tends to be on the sonic quality of the words. For this album, I wanted to delve deeper and offer something that resonated on a more profound and cerebral level. Ari did an exceptional job."
"Permission To Fly" was made available as a limited CD digipak and gatefold 180g 2LP (both including bonus material),as well as digitally.
"Permission To Fly" track listing:
01. The Final Threshold (04:08)
02. Into The Lair (09:31)
03. Haunted Reverie (05:14)
04. The Alchemist (08:36)
05. Embers (04:03)
06. Shadow Of The Moon (05:29)
07. Eternal (08:53)
08. Footstep In The Snow (04:02)
09. Dreamer (05:03)
10. Incarnation (03:31) (bonus track)
11. Chopin Fm (05:33) (bonus track)
Renowned as the "Best Keyboardist Of All Time" by Music Radar magazine, Rudess stands out as the extraordinary keyboardist and multi-instrumentalist for the platinum-selling, Grammy Award-winning progressive rock band DREAM THEATER. Embarking on his musical journey as a classical prodigy, Jordan initiated his studies at the illustrious Juilliard School Of Music at the age of 9, laying the foundation for a career marked by a distinctive fusion of classical and rock influences.
Beyond his role in DREAM THEATER and the power group LIQUID TENSION EXPERIMENT, Jordan's musical prowess has resonated across a diverse spectrum of collaborations. From DEEP PURPLE and David Bowie to Steven Wilson and Jan Hammer, he has left an indelible mark on the industry. Notable projects such as LMR (his side venture with Tony Levin and Marco Minneman),Steven Wilson's BLACKFIELD, guest appearances with DEEP PURPLE and THE DIXIE DREGS and collaborations with artists like Enrique Iglesias, THE PAUL WINTER CONSORT, Annie Haslam, and many others, underscore the breadth of his musical reach.
Venturing into the realm of cutting-edge technology, Jordan has emerged as a pioneer with a focus on state-of-the-art keyboard controllers and music apps. As the owner of the highly successful iOS app development company Wizdom Music, he has spearheaded the creation of award-winning apps, including GeoShred, MorphWiz, SampleWiz, Vythm, Polywave, Jam With Jordan and SampleWiz 2. GeoShred, Wizdom Music's latest triumph, was a collaborative effort with moForte, founding members of Stanford University's Sondius team. Rudess is currently working on an AI interactive project as Visiting Artist at MIT's Media Lab in the Responsive Environments group.  | 0 |  |
|    |
15 ÿíâ 2025

LAMB OF GOD's RANDY BLYTHE On His Upcoming Book 'Just Beyond The Light': 'There Is A Lot Of Self-Searching In It'
 During an appearance on B&H Event Space's "Leica Stories", LAMB OF GOD frontman D. Randall "Randy" Blythe spoke about his upcoming book, "Just Beyond The Light: Making Peace With The Wars Inside Our Head", which is due on February 18, 2025 via Grand Central Publishing (GCP). He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "My first book, the main theme was personal accountability, about some legal problems I had, that I went through, that some people are probably familiar with. But the second book is about perspective, as far as I can tell after writing it, because I didn't have a very clear plan when I started writing it. It's about looking for outside perspectives from people or experiences I've had in order to have me course correct and not to make so many of the stupid mistakes I've made over the years.
"For me, the only way I've ever been able to shift my perspective to a more balanced perspective is listening to people who have experienced things and come out on the other side of it a better person," he explained. "So that's what I was trying to do. And there is a lot of self-searching in it. I don't know if you would describe the book as a memoir, but it's a collection, maybe, of essays or something. And I'm writing about my experiences that I've had with other people or just in life. And so I'm questioning myself, and I was questioning myself as I was writing the book. I knew I wanted to write about a couple of things, but everything else was a mystery. So, it's a lot of self-questioning.
"Something I really want for the reader — hopefully that's the main point — is to think about their own perspective on life and to ask themselves about their own perspective and how they can change it for the better."
Blythe went on to say that learning from past experiences is a fundamental aspect of personal growth and development.
"Nobody, as far as I know, has ever lived a perfect life, at least no one that I've met," he said. "And God knows I haven't. But that doesn't mean I need to sit here and castigate myself and flagellate myself and crucify myself forever. I need to learn from these experiences and hopefully become a better person. If I just sit there and [say things to myself], 'Oh, you're horrible,' and beat the crap out of yourself, it's really just the other side of the egomaniacal narcissism coin, really. Because if I'm just sitting there thinking I'm just the worst person in the world because I did something wrong, then I'm still just thinking about one person — myself. And I think as I grow older, my life goes a lot smoother the less I think about me. [Laughs] When I try and reach out and think about other people, my life tends to go a lot smoother. If I'm stuck here up in my head, it's no good. My head's a bad neighborhood. I should never go up there without adult supervision."
"Just Beyond The Light" was previously described by Blythe as a "tight, concise roadmap of how I have attempted to maintain what I believe to be a proper perspective in life, even during difficult times."
Last month, Blythe announced more spoken-word and question-and-answer events to promote "Just Beyond The Light". The special "evening with" event includes a spoken-word performance, an audience question-and-answer session, a copy of "Just Beyond The Light" and an opportunity to have the book signed.
In a recent interview with Radioactive MikeZ, host of the 96.7 KCAL-FM program "Wired In The Empire", Blythe was asked if "Just Beyond The Light" picks up where his debut book, "Dark Days", which focused on his ordeal in a Czech Republic prison and his subsequent acquittal, left off or if it's a completely different book. Randy said: "It's a completely different book. It's a collection of — I wouldn't call 'em essays, but different chapters about, basically different people and experiences who have [changed] my perspective for the better.
"As I get older, I try not to make the same stupid mistakes again and again and again and again," he explained. "And surprise, surprise, if you look at people who — you look at them and you think, 'Man, this person has their life together,' or, 'They've acted in a manner that I find admirable,' if you pay attention to them and follow their example, you don't do stupid things yourself. I'm not saying that I don't still do stupid things, but I'm trying fully in my old age to learn from others more."
When Radioactive MikeZ noted that it's "interesting" that Randy actually interviewed his then-94-year-old grandmother for the book, Blythe said: "Yeah, she passed away. There's a chapter. Well, I didn't interview her for the book. I interviewed her because she was 94. She lived to be a hundred and a half. And there's a whole chapter about her. She raised me for part of my childhood and she was raised during the The [Great] Depression. She did not screw around. She was a very real person who lived through a whole lot. But I interviewed her when she was 94, just for the fact that I heard so many stories from her of growing up in a different time. And I was, like, 'She's not gonna be here forever. I might as well get all this stuff down,' just for my own purposes and for my family to have. She was the last of that generation in my family. So when I started to write this book on perspective and people I've learned things from, she was a natural choice. Luckily, I had that interview to draw on. So if you have old people in your life — this is what I'm gonna tell you — if you have old people in your life, interview them now… I'm gonna have to do that with my parents soon. I mean, they're not ancient or anything, but your memory starts failing as you get older. So it's time to get that stuff before it disappears."
Blythe told RVA Magazine about "Just Beyond The Light": "It is about trying to maintain a balanced perspective in the world right now, and in order for me to do that, I have to look to other people I admire. One of those people I write about is my grandmother, who was 94. I was beside her when she died, and I was grateful for that because it was post-COVID. I interviewed her over the course of two days and learned about her life. I asked her what the biggest difference is between [her generation] the modern age we're in right now — she didn't say computers or globalism; she said people are not as close as they used to be."
Asked if he feels like we've lost that sense of interpersonal connection between people," Randy said: "In many ways, but I don't think it's totally gone. I think it's dormant. I think it's buried under the iCloud of bullshit, and it's going to come back and bite us on the ass. In one way or another, you're going to need help. People don't know their neighbors; there's not the sense of community there used to be. In this hyper-connected world, people are lonelier than ever — particularly young people. They're interfacing with the world through this digital medium, and it's providing an illusion of connection, but real connection requires friction. There has to be a push and pull when you're in person, and that is absent via digital communications when there is a wall of anonymity."
In 2012, Blythe was arrested in the Czech Republic and charged with manslaughter for allegedly pushing a 19-year-old fan offstage at a show two year prior and causing injuries that led to the fan's death. Blythe spent 37 days in a Prague prison before ultimately being found not guilty in 2013.
Blythe's prison experience inspired two songs on LAMB OF GOD's 2015 album "VII: Sturm Und Drang": "512", one of his three prison cell numbers, and "Still Echoes", written while he was in Pankrac Prison, a dilapidated facility built in the 1880s that had been used for executions by the Nazis during World War II. It also led him to write the aforementioned "Dark Days", in which he shared his whole side of the story publicly for the first time.  | +1 |  |
|    |
15 ÿíâ 2025

KERRY KING's WWE Entrance Theme Song For DAMIAN PRIEST Now Available On Streaming Services
 WWE wrestler Damian Priest's updated version of his entrance song "Rise For The Night", featuring SLAYER guitarist Kerry King, has been officially made available on all the streaming music services.
King plays guitar on the track, which originally debuted last November during WWE's weekly "Raw" broadcast. At the time, Priest took to social media to thank King for "adding some of his genius to my theme."
Priest spoke about his love for metal in a Metal Hammer interview in April 2024. "I would say that METALLICA and Ozzy [Osbourne] were my first [bands] where I was, like, 'Oh, I love this,'" he said. "That's what really got me hooked on heavy metal."
Although "Rise For The Night" marks King's first performance on a theme song for a WWE wrestler, SLAYER originally recorded the "God Hates Us All" album track "Here Comes The Pain" for a compilation LP by now-defunct promotion WCW in 1999. More recently, SLAYER's classic 1988 song "South Of Heaven" was licensed by WWE as a one-off entrance theme for veteran wrestler Edge at "Wrestlemania 39" in 2023.
King and his new solo band will hit the road for the 28-date North American headline tour in early 2025. With MUNICIPAL WASTE as special guest and ALIEN WEAPONRY supporting, the tour is set to launch in San Francisco on January 15, 2025, and wrap at House of Blues in Las Vegas on February 22.
King's debut solo album, "From Hell I Rise", was released in May 2024. All material for the LP was written by the 60-year-old SLAYER guitarist. Helming the sessions at Henson Recording Studios in Los Angeles last year was producer Josh Wilbur, who has previously worked with KORN, LAMB OF GOD, AVENGED SEVENFOLD and BAD RELIGION, among others.
Joining Kerry in his new band are Mark Osegueda (vocals, DEATH ANGEL),Phil Demmel (guitar, MACHINE HEAD, VIO-LENCE),Kyle Sanders (bass; HELLYEAH) and Paul Bostaph (drums, SLAYER).
In early May 2024, the KERRY KING band performed its first live show at Reggies in Chicago. In the days following, the band went from playing an intimate venue to performing at the huge U.S. festivals Welcome To Rockville (Florida) and Sonic Temple (Ohio).
KERRY KING launched a European tour on June 3, 2024 — King's 60th birthday – in Tilburg, The Netherlands. The trek combined headline shows in the U.K., The Netherlands, Germany, Italy and Spain but also festival appearances such as Rock Am Ring, Hellfest, Tuska, Download, Sweden Rock Festival and many more.
The SLAYER guitarist's solo band played its first concert as the support act for LAMB OF GOD and MASTODON on July 19 at the Texas Trust CU Theatre in Grand Prairie, Texas. The six-week "Ashes Of Leviathan" tour wrapped on August 31 in Omaha, Nebraska.
 | +6 |  |
|   |
![=]](/img/news-bord-shr.gif) |
|
  |
|
   |
|
   |
|
  |
|
 |
  |
15 ÿíâ 2025

EXODUS Guitarist GARY HOLT: Limited-Edition Statue Coming From KNUCKLEBONZ
 KnuckleBonz, the creator of the Rock Iconz music collectible series, has announced new limited-edition statue of Gary Holt of EXODUS. Officially licensed, this statue is hand-cast and painted and is created in 1/9 scale, making the average height of each approximately 8.75 inches tall. Each statue comes with a certificate of authenticity on the base of the statue.
The statue will tentatively ship in the fall of 2025.
Pre-sales are now available at knucklebonz.com.
KnuckleBonz has been developing iconic, high-quality statues of the legend of rock music since 2003.
All work created by the company is officially licensed and approved by the artists and their management.
KnuckleBonz, Inc. is a music merchandising company focused on the creation of high-end products for music enthusiasts. KnuckleBonz is committed to fine craftsmanship and artistry and has developed the Rock Iconz, 3D Vinyl and On Tour collectible series. KnuckleBonz is solely focused on offering quality products specifically for the music superfan.
Hachette Books has set an April 1, 2025 release date for Holt's upcoming memoir, "A Fabulous Disaster: From The Garage To Madison Square Garden, The Hard Way". In the book, which features a foreword by former EXODUS an current METALLICA guitarist Kirk Hammett, Holt presents an entertaining, personal memoir detailing his "destruction-laden" life and the origins of the thrash metal scene from the San Francisco Bay Area to its world dominance.
Holt joined EXODUS in 1981, shortly after the band's formation, and has been the group's main songwriter ever since. Holt has performed on every EXODUS album, and is considered highly influential in the world of thrash metal.
Holt began filling in for SLAYER guitarist Jeff Hanneman at live shows in 2011, and became the band's full-time co-guitarist as of 2013, while remaining a member of EXODUS. Holt played on SLAYER's final album, "Repentless", which came out in 2015.
In a June 2012 interview with Full Metal Jackie's nationally syndicated radio show, SLAYER's Kerry King stated about Holt: "I always regard Gary as the Glenn Tipton of our era — really good, really polished and nobody talks about him. To this day, nobody really references [JUDAS] PRIEST and Tipton that much as guitar players and I feel the same way about Gary. EXODUS have a huge following but a little more overlooked than METALLICA, MEGADETH, SLAYER, ANTHRAX — the 'Big Four,' so to speak, so [it is great] to be able to bring him to the forefront and shove him down people's throats and say, 'Hey, this motherfucker kicks ass. Pay attention.'"
EXODUS's latest album, "Persona Non Grata", came out in November 2021 via Nuclear Blast Records. The LP was recorded at a studio in Lake Almanor, California and was engineered by Steve Lagudi and EXODUS. It was produced by EXODUS and was mixed by Andy Sneap. For the third time in the band's history, they returned to Swedish artist Pär Olofsson to create the album artwork.
"Persona Non Grata" was the follow-up to 2014's "Blood In Blood Out", which was the San Francisco Bay Area thrashers' first release since the departure of the group's lead singer of nine years, Rob Dukes, and the return of Steve "Zetro" Souza, who previously fronted EXODUS from 1986 to 1993 and from 2002 to 2004.  | +2 |  |
|    |
15 ÿíâ 2025

ERIC CLAPTON: 'Unplugged... Over 30 Years Later' To Receive Theatrical Release
 MTV today announced the release of "Eric Clapton Unplugged... Over 30 Years Later" from its trailblazing, Grammy- and Emmy Award-winning global music franchise "MTV Unplugged". The 90-minute special will premiere in select U.S. and U.K. theaters on Monday, January 27 and Tuesday, January 28, 2025 before it is available to stream on Paramount+ beginning Wednesday, February 12, 2025 in the U.S. and globally.
Considered one of the most iconic installments of the "MTV Unplugged" series, 18-time Grammy Award winner Eric Clapton originally recorded his unforgettable hour-long performance of "Eric Clapton Unplugged" in 1992 at Bray Studios in Windsor, England. In this all-new extended, remixed and remastered edition, "Eric Clapton Unplugged... Over 30 Years Later" will feature exclusive content of Clapton discussing the inspiration behind specific songs and performances with the crew just before he took the stage, seamlessly integrated with the performance footage.
Tickets for the theatrical release are available now, exclusively at Dolby Atmos capable theaters in the U.S. and U.K. The list of theaters is available here.
During the intimate performance, Clapton reimagined his catalog with first-time acoustic arrangements of hits including "Layla", "Tears In Heaven" and more. He also paid homage to the blues music that influenced him, performing classics including "Before You Accuse Me", originally recorded by Bo Diddley; "Nobody Knows You When You're Down And Out", originally recorded by Bessie Smith; and more.
The subsequently released live album "Unplugged", issued in August 1992, became a monumental success, selling over 26 million copies worldwide and dominating charts worldwide. "Unplugged" went on to become the best-selling live album of all time.
Clapton is the only three-time inductee to the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame: as a solo artist and separately as a member of THE YARDBIRDS and of CREAM. In his solo career, he has sold 100 million records worldwide, making him one of the best-selling musicians of all time.
"Eric Clapton Unplugged... Over 30 Years Later" follows the release of Eric's new studio album "Meanwhile", available now.
This enhanced 30th anniversary special of "MTV Unplugged: Eric Clapton" is a unique collaboration between MTV, Surfdog Records and producer for Surfdog, John Logsdon.
Bruce Gillmer and Vanessa Whitewolf serve as executive producers for MTV with Eric Clapton, Michael Eaton and Dave Kaplan. In addition, Alicia Portugal will serve series executive in charge, with Lisa Lauricella taking on the role of series music talent executive.  | 0 |  |
|    |
15 ÿíâ 2025

 | +2 |  |
|   |
![=]](/img/news-bord-shr.gif) |
|
  |
|
   |
|
   |
|
  |
|
 |
  |
15 ÿíâ 2025

SEX PISTOLS Set To Release Three Full Live Albums From Band's Legendary 1978 US Tour
 “Ah-ha-ha. Ever get the feeling you’ve been cheated? Good night.”
Sex Pistols fans will finally be able to judge for themselves with the release for the first time of three full live albums from the band’s legendary 1978 US tour.
Sex Pistols singer and lyricist Johnny Rotten signed off with the immortal words on stage at the Winterland Ballroom in San Francisco on January 14, 1978 - the band’s final show until they reformed in 1996.
This year will see the San Francisco show and performances in Atlanta (South East Music, 5th January 1978) and Dallas (Longhorns Ballroom, 10th January 1978) given special edition coloured vinyl releases before all three are made available in a three-CD set and for digital download.
Even had the band not imploded soon afterwards, the tour would still have had a place in rock and roll history, the band’s reputation preceding it across America’s conservative heartlands.
John Rotten (aka Lydon), Paul Cook, Steve Jones and Sid Vicious were sent into venues primed for confrontation, police ready to clamp down on any signs of anarchy and religious protesters rallying to see off the unholy Brits.
Audiences were provoked, objects flew, tensions brewed, cracks widened among the Pistols themselves - but amidst it all was delivered some of the rawest and most honest music that the country that birthed rock and roll had ever seen. "God Save the Queen", "Bodies", and the re-targeted "Anarchy in the USA" - all launched at the crowds and the onlooking authorities.
“Now, we came to dance - what did you come for?,” says Rotten before the band rip into "God Save The Queen" in Atlanta, and then: “That was the new British National Anthem.”
The newly mastered recordings put the listener right amongst the sweating, bellowing crowd. “Aren’t we the worst thing you’ve ever seen?,” asks Rotten - but in truth the roar of Jones’s guitar and the raw snarl of his vocal are exactly what they want.
A radio advert for the Dallas show proclaims: “They said no one could be more bizarre than Alice Cooper or more destructive than Kiss. They have not seen the Sex Pistols…Banned in their own home country, England’s Sex Pistols denied admittance to the United States - the Sex Pistols bring the new wave to the Metroplex this Tuesday night in the Longhorn Ballroom.”
After the band crashed through The Stooges’ ‘No Fun’ in San Francisco, Rotten challenged the crowd directly: “Ever get the feeling you’ve been cheated?”
Within days, he announced his departure and the Sex Pistols explosion, detonated in the turmoil of the late 1970s, was over. These primal recordings document the final shockwaves of a band that changed pop culture forever.  | +1 |  |
|    |
15 ÿíâ 2025

LORD OF THE LOST Vocalist CHRIS HARMS Releases "She Called Me Diaval" Single And Music Video
 After the most successful year of the band’s history, Chris Harms kicks off 2025 by making a long-cherished dream come true, releasing his first solo album, 1980, set for release on January 31 via Napalm Records.
Today, Harms reveals “She Called Me Diaval”, a brand-new song cut from his upcoming debut. In this genre-fluid offering, the Lord Of The Lost vocalist and German ESC finalist emphasizes his boundary-defying artistic vision. The track delivers an 80s synth-pop revival enriched with electronic influences, new wave, and goth elements - all elevated by Harms’ unmistakable signature vocals.
Featuring eleven tracks in total, 1980 offers a distinctive sound that remains unexplored in Harms’ main band. Once again, it highlights his versatility as a musical chameleon and free spirit—qualities that both fans and critics respect and admire.
Chris Harms about the new single “She Called Me Diaval”: “Probably, the most frequently asked question about the song will be 'Who or what is Diaval?' - Well, either the song is about a dream I can't describe in detail, me musically processing a part of my life - because it's my only way of dealing with things, or I just like to tell mysterious, darkly colorful stories. At some point, I'll give it away...”
Watch the official music video for "She Called Me Diaval":
With Lord Of The Lost, Chris Harms just experienced the most successful four years in the band's history, including participation in the Eurovision Song Contest and tours with Iron Maiden, as well as one #1 and two #2 albums on the Official German Album Charts. But a break is out of the question. The idea of a solo album has been maturing in his mind for a long time and has now taken its final form.
Chris Harms describes 1980: “If I were forced to categorize this album and label it, it would probably say ‘a strange but successful mix of Depeche Mode, Modern Talking and Sandra with Chris Harms' voice, but with less perm and mullet’.”
Songs such as the first single “I Love You” and “Lunamor” exude a pleasant lightness, while “Past Pain” and “May This Be Your Last Battlefield” strike a reflective note. Two selected duets round off the album: Harms welcomes guest singer Sven Friedrich (Solar Fake) on “Madonna Of The Night”, while Ronan Harris (VNV Nation) can be heard on "The Grey Machines”.
1980 deliberately avoids attempting to reinvent the wheel, but is to be understood as a musical journey through time. There is no deliberate calculation or riding the wave of any trends on the album, but simply a passion, desire and love for music, with which Chris Harms has marked a remarkable new pinnacle in his discography as a musician.
1980 will be available in the following formats:
- Deluxe Box incl. 2-CD 6 page Digisleeve (1980 & Instrumental Version) with 16 page booklet + Bonus CD (Voice & Keys Version) as 4 page Digisleeve, “1980“ golden chain, 3 printed polaroids – ltd. to 500 copies worldwide (Napalm Records Mailorder + Bandshop exclusive)
- 2 LP Gatefold Cross Fuchsia/Yellow/Red incl. lyric sheet – ltd. to 300 copies worldwide (Napalm Records Mailorder exclusive)
- Tape Neon Orange (Black Print) – ltd. to 100 copies worldwide (Napalm Records Mailorder + Bandshop exclusive)
- 2 LP Gatefold Marbled Translucent (Old Purple, Viola, Black) incl. lyric sheet – ltd. to 100 copies worldwide (Bandshop exclusive)
- 2-CD 6 page Digisleeve (1980 & Instrumental Version) with 16 page booklet (Napalm Records Mailorder + Bandshop exclusive
- Digital Album  | +1 |  |
|    |
15 ÿíâ 2025

CRYPTOSIS Premier "Reign Of Infinite" Music Video
 Following their Bionic Swarm debut album (2021) and The Silent Call EP (2023), Dutch futuristic metallers, Cryptosis, return with a mighty, awe-inspiring sophomore album, Celestial Death, set for worldwide release on March 7 via Century Media Records.
Today, the band share the official video for "Reign Of Infinite" from the upcoming release. Watch below.
Cryptosis comment: “We’re really excited to share our newest single, 'Reign Of Infinite', with all of you. This track is a dystopian anthem that dives deep into the rise of a new god, blending relentless Overkill-style double bass drums with an epic and dark atmosphere. It’s not your typical Cryptosis sound - most of the song rides on the same beat and pulse, creating a hypnotic energy, while Laurens’ vocals bring an atmospheric edge. As the second single from our sophomore album, Celestial Death, 'Reign Of Infinite' offers a glimpse into the vast and intense album we've created - one that’s darker, heavier, and more unrelenting than ever before. Stay tuned for the full album release and let us know what you think!"
Cryptosis checked in with the following comment about Celestial Death: “We’re excited to announce our new album! A sonic journey that pushes all boundaries of everything we created before. This album represents our evolution - an exploration of darkness that’s both vast and cinematic. 'Celestial Death' pulls you into a haunting atmosphere with relentless heaviness. Each track digs deeper into the enigma of existence, decay and fragile hope. 'Celestial Death' is our darkest vision yet - a soundtrack to the chaotic world we live in. It’s heavier, bolder, and still very much Cryptosis. We can’t wait for you to experience it, and join us in this new chapter. Prepare to ascend. The 'Celestial Death' awaits!".
Recorded by Olaf Skoreng at Tom Meier and Studio Moon Music between April and August 2024, mixed by Fredrik Folkare at Chrome Studios (Unleashed, Necrophobic, Hellbutcher) in Sweden and finally mastered by Tony Lindgren at Fascination Studios (Arch Enemy, Borknagar, Amorphis) in Sweden too, Celestial Death once more comes with artwork by Eliran Kantor (Kreator, Testament, My Dying Bride) and showcases the group on a darker, heavier, more melodic and extremely cinematic journey across its 11 tracks / 42 minutes of playing time.
Celestial Death will be available in the following formats:
- CD Digipak Limited Edition (first pressing only)
- Gatefold LP on 180g black vinyl (unlimited copies)
- Gatefold LP on 180g deep blood red vinyl (limited to 300 copies)
- Digital
Pre-order here.
Celestial Death tracklisting:
Prologue - "Awakening"
"Faceless Matter"
"Static Horizon"
"The Silent Call" (Version 2024)
"Ascending"
"Motionless Balance"
"Reign Of Infinite"
"Absent Presence"
"In Between Realities"
"Cryptosphere"
"Coda - Wander Into The Light"
"Faceless Matter" video:
In other news, Cryptosis has been announced as part of a European tour with British thrashers Onslaught, who are celebrating the 40th Anniversary of their classic Power From Hell album. Find confirmed Cryptosis dates below, including an album release show in Enschede, The Netherlands on March 29.  | 0 |  |
|   |
![=]](/img/news-bord-shr.gif) |
|
  |
|
   |
|
   |
|
  |
|
 |
  |
15 ÿíâ 2025

CHRIS BARNES Admits He Was Responsible For Most Of The Tension In CANNIBAL CORPSE During His Time With The Band
 In a Cameo video message requested by one of his fans, former CANNIBAL CORPSE and current SIX FEET UNDER frontman Chris Barnes commented on the fan's selection of CANNIBAL CORPSE's "The Bleeding" (1994) and SIX FEET UNDER's "Maximum Violence" (1999) as his two favorite death metal albums of all time. Chris said in part (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "Yeah, this is interesting. Those two albums, 'The Bleeding' and 'Maximum Violence', to me, are… Everything I do, I find important — I guess otherwise I wouldn't release it or work on it — but those albums, they're anchored in a different place for me, because both albums kind of marked a new beginning for two bands. 'The Bleeding' being the first [CANNIBAL CORPSE] album after [guitarist] Bob Rusay, and 'Maximum Violence' being the first [SIX FEET UNDER] album after [guitarist] Allen West. They're really inspired albums, and you find that happens when you bring someone new into a band. And that's always been something that I've kind of noted myself. I put that in the back of my head, like, whenever a band I'm working with picks up a new member, a main songwriter, like Steve Swanson was [in SIX FEET UNDER], it just changes gears and brings a new dynamic into the music itself, which is something I thrive to hunt for in the music of SIX FEET UNDER specifically."
Chris continued: "In CANNIBAL CORPSE, with 'The Bleeding', those guys as musicians were really wanting to progress the band musically in a way. I could kind of say why — I think they were wanting to, in a way, prove themselves as well-skilled musicians. And I thought they always were, because it was always very interesting music, the arrangements and stuff in CANNIBAL CORPSE on the first three albums. But I think they wanted to really hyper focus their skills and weren't able to do that. And I just was along for the ride, man. I can write to anything. It was really challenging to me. And I really liked 'The Bleeding' too. I liked what we were doing with Bob. I didn't want Bob to leave the band, and I didn't want him to be forced out of the band, and neither did Jack [Owen, then-CANNIBAL CORPSE guitarist]. So it kind of was a strange thing with that whole situation, but it did bring about a good album with 'The Bleeding'. And 'Stripped, Raped And Strangled' is probably my favorite song that I've written. And 'Hammer Smashed Face' is probably the most successful song that I've written. But something about 'Stripped, Raped And Strangled', to me, it showed something with the band that never appeared again with any of their albums after that, even 'Created To Kill'. [Editor's note: 'Created To Kill' was the original title of CANNIBAL CORPSE's 1996 album 'Vile', which was partly completed before Barnes was dismissed from the band due to creative differences.] But that is a purposeful thing. I was told by one of the members I will never write another song like that, which I thought was a big mistake. So it's a special song to me in that way, and I love that song. I'll play that song forever.
"You picked two great albums to be your favorites," Barnes added. "I mean, probably pretty close for me too. I kind of tend to really like [CANNIBAL CORPSE's] 'Butchered At Birth' 'cause that's what really brought us out of the woodwork, so to speak, and caused a lot of controversy and also gave us really our first real step up. And the music and everything on that — the band was just hitting on all cylinders. There was not too much tension in the band, although there was some. There was always tension on a personal level in that band when I was in the band, and probably mostly my fault [laughs], so I'll be the first to admit it. But, yeah, those are great albums that you picked there. I'm glad you like those a lot. They're important, important, important albums to me, too."
Barnes fronted CANNIBAL CORPSE from its inception in 1988 until his exit in 1995, one year after the release of the band's "The Bleeding" album.
After Barnes left CANNIBAL CORPSE, he formed SIX FEET UNDER, whose current lineup also includes another former CANNIBAL CORPSE member, guitarist Jack Owen.
 | +8 |  |
|    |
15 ÿíâ 2025

RAVEN Debut Official Lyric Video For "Can't Take Away The Fire" From Upcoming 50th Anniversary EP
 Today, the pioneering Newcastle UK heavy metal legends, Raven, unleash the ear-splitting title track from their 50th anniversary Can’t Take Away The Fire release, out February 14 via Silver Lining Music.
Stream the new single "Can’t Take Away The Fire" here. The video, by widely acclaimed visual arts icon Costin Chioreanu, can be viewed below.
This rebel cry from the insane new Raven release underlines that the band aren’t letting their legacy dictate what they are… instead, they continue to push and redefine their approach by employing mega metal flamethrowers of CRUNCH!
Co-founding lead vocalist and bassist John Gallagher comments: “After the last album, All Hell’s Breaking Loose, we knew it was time to raise the bar yet again… ‘Can’t Take Away The Fire’ is the perfect introduction to this new EP … five tracks of pure cranium crushing headbanging mania!”
Founding Geordie brothers John Gallagher (lead vocals, bass) and Mark Gallagher (guitar, backing vocals) aligned with the jet-propulsive power of Mike Heller (drums), throw down their speed demon gauntlet on "Black And Blue", roar with turbo charged intensity on "Power Hungry", carpet bomb and bludgeon with the mega riffs of "Can’t Take Away The Fire" then accelerating back to the pyrotechnic fury of "Gimme A Lie". The new suite of songs wraps up with "The Wreckage" – a doom-tinged epic with the weight of a thousand baseball bats pummelling your skull!
Adding to the festivities are live bonus tracks from across the band�  | 0 |  |
|    |
15 ÿíâ 2025

NONPOINT's ROBB RIVERA On Being Rushed To Hospital With Elevated Heart Rate: 'Extremely Emotional And Overwhelming'
 NONPOINT drummer Robb Rivera says that being rushed to the hospital after he had a dangerously elevated heart rate was an "extremely emotional and overwhelming" experience.
According to the band, Robb had a sudden shift in his heart rate that was "dangerously high" during the NONPOINT concert Sunday night (January 12) at the Mercury Ballroom in Louisville, Kentucky. Since "the paramedics were not able to get it down in time", they took him to the hospital."
On Monday night (January 13),Robb took to his social media to write: "Hello all, as some of you know I had quite the health scare in Louisville, KY. I had an elevated heart rate and the medics that treated me did not let me go back on stage. I was carted off to the hospital where they ran a bunch of tests.
"I will say that the last 24 hours have been extremely emotional and overwhelming. This is something that has never happened to me.
"So what is going on now? Well I have been released and how does that old saying goes, 'The Show Must Go On' so we will be in Greensboro, NC at Hangar 1819! 'Painful Statements' rolls on.
"I want to thank everyone that sent a text, dm, email and phone calls! Thank you for the support. Let's do this!!!!"
A short time after the Louisville concert, NONPOINT vocalist Elias Soriano shared a video message in which he offered an update on Rivera's condition, saying: " So tonight is a pretty wild night here in Louisville. Thank you to all the fans that hung around and stayed. Robb is okay. He is back at the hospital right now, just getting some tests done. His heart rate got a little bit high today on stage. It's something that's never happened before."
He continued: "You guys know we put on an energetic show, and this is never anything that really is any different than what we normally do. But Robb is okay. They got his heart rate down, and we're just gonna wait for more news. But I just wanna let everybody know.
"Thank you so much for everybody in Louisville for coming out," Elias added. "I'm sorry we couldn't do the last song. Literally we had one and a half more songs to do and Robb really wanted to do it, but the paramedics wouldn't let him do it.
"Thank you for everybody for all your support. Everything is okay. Robb is doing good. I just wanna give you guys an update."
NONPOINT also included the following message with the video: "Thank you to the fans of Louisville for understanding us having to cut the set tonight. Robb had a sudden shift in his heart rate that was dangerously high and the paramedics were not able to get it down in time so they took him to the hospital. As of now his heart rate is stable and they're running tests. We'll keep you all posted on his progress as news comes in. Send them healing vibes our way so we can get our brother back on that drum throne. #prayersup".
Louisville was the third show of NONPOINT's "Painful Statements" tour with special guests CROBOT and HEARTSICK. The trek is in celebration of the 20th and 25th anniversaries of NONPOINT's two most popular albums, "To The Pain" and "Statement", respectively. The band is playing songs that not only haven't been heard in a long time, but also songs that have never been played live.
NONPOINT has been captivating audiences with its energetic sound and passionate performances for over two decades. Formed in 1997, the band has consistently pushed the boundaries of what modern rock can be, combining heavy metal, nu-metal, and hard rock into a unique and powerful musical force. Over the course of its 27-year career, NONPOINT has released several critically acclaimed albums and garnered a reputation as one of the most exciting live acts in the industry.
Throughout their career, NONPOINT has been celebrated for their signature sound and powerful lyrics, which often tackle social and political issues. Their hard-hitting sound and emotional live performances have earned them a dedicated fanbase, as well as recognition from the music industry. NONPOINT has received multiple award nominations and has been praised by publications such as Rolling Stone, Revolver and Alternative Press.
NONPOINT's songs "Bullet With A Name", "Alive And Kicking", "In The Air Tonight", "Circles", "Your Signs", "Everybody Down" and many others have been featured in trailers, hit movies, television, iconic video games, as well as broadcasts from NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, WWF.
NONPOINT has toured with major acts like DISTURBED, PAPA ROACH, MUDVAYNE and SEVENDUST, to name a few. They have also been featured on the main stages and support stages of iconic festivals like Soundwave, Rock Am Park, Rock Am Ring, Ozzfest, Rock On The Range, Welcome To Rockville and many more.
Hello all, as some of you know I had quite the health scare in Louisville, KY. I had an elevated heart rate and the...
Posted by Robb Rivera Nonpoint on Monday, January 13, 2025  | +2 |  |
|   |
![=]](/img/news-bord-shr.gif) |
|
  |
|
   |
|
   |
|
  |
|
 |
  |
15 ÿíâ 2025

ARCHITECTS Release "Blackhole" Single And Cinematic Video
 Today, British metalcore heavyweights, Architects, unleash their blistering new single, "Blackhole: from their 11th studio album, The Sky, The Earth & All Between, out February 28 via Epitaph Records.
Paired with a jaw-dropping, cinematic music video shot on location in California, “Blackhole” is as visually striking as it is sonically explosive. Frontman Sam Carter shares, “So excited to have Blackhole out, it’s one of my favourite songs from the album. The video is equally as intense as the song. We filmed the video at such a wild location and we really are at the top of those buildings that you see. This is Architects at our most ferocious."
The single marks the next chapter in the lead-up to The Sky, The Earth & All Between, following the hard-hitting anthems “Whiplash,” “Curse,” and “Seeing Red.” If these first four single singles are any indication, this album is shaping up to be a defining moment for Architects.
Since dropping their critically acclaimed 2022 album ‘the classic symptoms of a broken spirit’, Architects have cemented their position as one of the UK’s most vital rock bands. The past year has seen the band dominate stages worldwide, from being personally tapped by Metallica to join their tour, to blowing minds at Download Festival 2023 and headlining Bloodstock Festival. This summer, they’re set to continue their takeover with select dates supporting Linkin Park on their world tour.
Armed with sharp innovation and renewed hunger, Architects are a band at the absolute peak of their powers—and they’re not slowing down.
Preorder / pre-save the new album here.
Tracklisting:
“Elegy”
“Whiplash”
“Blackhole”
“Everything Ends”
“Brain Dead” feat. House Of Protection
“Evil Eyes”
“Landmines”
“Judgement Day” feat. Amira Elfeky
“Broken Mirror”
“Curse”
“Seeing Red”
“Chandelier”  | +4 |  |
|    |
15 ÿíâ 2025

 | +1 |  |
|    |
15 ÿíâ 2025

Rare Live Footage Of WHITE LION Performing OZZY OSBOURNE Classic "I Don't Know" Surfaces On YouTube
 The Vito Bratta Forever YouTube channel, dedicated to original White Lion guitarist Vito Bratta, has shared rare fan-filmed video of the band petrforming the Ozzy Osbourne classic "I Don't Know" at an undisclosed location. Check it out below.
White Lion was officially active from 1983 – 1992, releasing four albums: Fight To Survive (1985), Pride (1987), Big Game (1989) and Mane Attraction (1991). The band called it quits in September 1991 and Bratta retired from the music business.
Guitar World caught up with Bratta in 2023, and during the interview he discussed White Lion's debut album, Fight To Survive, released in 1985. Bratta calls it a "fucking disaster" specifically because of the guitar parts that made it onto the record.
He reveals that the entire album consists of scratch tracks. For those who don't know, scratch tracks are demo tracks recorded as a temporary filler to help hold down the rest of the song. These are meant to be replaced with final takes, which Bratta never  | 0 |  |
|   |
![=]](/img/news-bord-shr.gif) |
|
  |
|
   |
|
   |
|
  |
|
 |
  |
15 ÿíâ 2025

STREETLIGHT Release "Captured In The Night" Music Video
 Streetlight have released a video for "Captured In The Night", from their upcoming Night Vision album, out March 14 via Frontiers Music Srl. Watch the clip below:
Streetlight is an AOR/melodic rock band from Jonkoping, Sweden. In 2023, Streetlight released their debut album Ignition via Frontiers, digitally and on CD. The band has not been resting on the laurels, and has worked hard to release their sophomore album, Night Vision.  | 0 |  |
|    |
15 ÿíâ 2025

OPERUS Unleash "Psychopomp" Single And Music Video
 Operus, the masters of blending theatrical drama with epic metal, are back with their new single, "Psychopomp". This electrifying track offers listeners an exhilarating sonic journey through the afterlife, reimagining the concept of a nightclub where souls gather instead of following the traditional guide to the beyond.
Combining haunting melodies, powerful orchestral arrangements, and intense metal riffs, "Psychopomp" is both a musical and visual spectacle. The single encapsulates Operus’ signature sound: a fusion of metal, classical music, and theatre that delivers an unforgettable experience. With its epic yet fun atmosphere, the song transports listeners to a neon-lit realm filled with mystery, chaos, and the shadowy presence of the titular psychopomp.
Oscar Rangel, guitarist behind Operus, describes the track as, "a celebration of defiance and exploration—an invitation to imagine a vibrant afterlife where boundaries are blurred, and souls revel in their eternal journey."  | 0 |  |
|    |
15 ÿíâ 2025

MARK TREMONTI: METALLICA's 'Master Of Puppets' Album 'Made Me Wanna Pick Up The Guitar'
 CREED and ALTER BRIDGE guitarist Mark Tremonti recently spoke to Adam Whalley of Primordial Radio about his love of METALLICA, particularly the latter band's classic third album, 1986's "Master Of Puppets". Tremonti said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "['Master Of Puppets' is] the album that made me a music fanatic in life. Before that, I was just like everybody else listening to whatever was on the radio at the time. I think BEASTIE BOYS' 'Licensed To Ill' was the big record that everybody was listening to. And then one night I couldn't fall asleep and my brother Dan was always listening to metal upstairs and I could hear it in his room upstairs. I said, 'Hey man, what's that song about the sanitarium?' So he gave me the tape, the 'Master Of Puppets' tape with 'Welcome Home (Sanitarium)' on it, and I just fell in love with the album. And it's probably the most important record to me for my history of making me wanna do what I do."
Regarding what it was about METALLICA's music that immediately grabbed him, Mark said: "It's atmospheric, it's epic, it's beautiful, it's mean, it's angry — it's all the things you want it to be… To me, like I was saying, it's beautifully written. You could have a song like 'Battery' that has just this intro that draws you right in with how nicely it's composed, and then all of a sudden it hits you over the head with something that — it did everything I wanted it to do with music when I was listening to it when I was a kid and it made me wanna pick up the guitar and [made me wanna] practice my down strokes like James Hetfield was doing. And I think James's voice, especially on that record, was just one of the greatest rock voices. It's just my thing, man. I think it was my thing and millions and millions of other people's thing, for some reason."
Back in November 2020, Mark told Hakos Pervanidis of Greece's "TV War" that "Master Of Puppets" was his "favorite record of all time. I've listened to it thousands of times," he said. "That's the record that turned me into a music fanatic. Before I heard that record, I was listening to the BEASTIE BOYS, I was listening to the J. GEILS BAND and whatever was popular on the radio, and I came across that record and from that point on, I've been a metalhead, looking for the heaviest thing that I could find. And I think METALLICA 'Master Of Puppets' is METALLICA at their best. Every single song on that record is a 10 out of 10."
Mark's comments echoed those he made in 2012 when he told Noisecreep that "Master Of Puppets" was the record that helped shape him musically. "From there, I searched for the heaviest, darkest, meanest sounding stuff I could find," he said. "I grew up in Detroit and my friends listened to SLAYER and TESTAMENT — I got into punk, too, like BLACK FLAG and MINISTRY. And I got really into black metal. I got into CELTIC FROST, KING DIAMOND and MERCYFUL FATE. I loved that stuff. I'd have to control the volume though so I'd turn it down when they said 'praise Satan' or whatever to keep my parents from taking my records away. [Laughs]"
When asked if there were there specific metal guitarists that influenced him and his riffs, Mark told Noisecreep: "[METALLICA's] James Hetfield and Kirk Hammett, for sure. That down stroke thing they do is one of my core sounds — my rhythm playing is very rooted in the METALLICA-based style. And SLAYER's approach, too. Some of my favorite riffs of all time are on SLAYER's song 'Raining Blood' and that really inspired me to write man of the menacing metal riffs that I have over the years. That's really what turned me on when I was younger, that kind of music."
 | +2 |  |
|   |
![=]](/img/news-bord-shr.gif) |
|
  |
|
   |
|
   |
|
  |
|
 |
  |
15 ÿíâ 2025

 | +2 |  |
|    |
15 ÿíâ 2025

 | 0 |  |
|    |
15 ÿíâ 2025

 | +1 |  |
|   |
![=]](/img/news-bord-shr.gif) |
|
  |
|
   |
|
   |
|
  |
|
 |
  |
15 ÿíâ 2025

 | 0 |  |
|    |
15 ÿíâ 2025

FEAR FACTORY To Celebrate 30th Anniversary Of 'Demanufacture' Album On Summer 2025 European Tour
 FEAR FACTORY will celebrate the thirtieth anniversary of its classic second album, "Demanufacture", by performing the LP "in its entirety on most festivals" in Europe this summer.
Tour dates:
Aug. 01 - Wacken, Germany - Wacken Open Air
Aug. 04 - Katowice, Poland - MCK
Aug. 06 - Villena, Spain - Leyendas Del Rock Festival
Aug. 07 - Jaromer, Czech Republic - Brutal Assault
Aug. 08 - Helsinki, Finland - Hellsinki Metal Festival
Aug. 09 - Walton-On-Trent, UK - Bloodstock Festival
Aug. 10 - Kortrijk, Belgium - Alcatraz Festival
Aug. 12 - Manchester, UK - Academy 2 (with Kerry King)
Aug. 13 - Bristol, UK - SWX (with Kerry King)
Aug. 14 - Sulingen, Germany - Reload Festival
Aug. 15 - Eindhoven, Netherlands - Dynamo Metal Fest
Aug. 17 - Carhaix, France - Motocultor Festival
In a 2021 interview with Cuartel Del Metal, FEAR FACTORY guitarist Dino Cazares was asked what the initial response to "Demanufacture" was from the fans and the critics when it was first released in 1995. He responded: "Some people didn't realize that it was real. Some people thought it was electronic drums — programmed drums. Some people thought my guitars were sampled. Because it was such a tight record, it was so mechanical sounding in some ways, so people thought it wasn't real. I was very happy that I was able to create a sound that people still admire today; people still love it today. Some people are still influenced today by that record. It was a milestone in the band's career, and it was something that we created that, I think, defined the genre of industrial metal. Sure, you had bands like MINISTRY and GODFLESH and stuff like that, but I think that FEAR FACTORY took it to another level. We combined a lot of elements that maybe other people weren't doing. I think one of the main things also was the production of the record. The mixing of the record definitely took it to a new level. When Rhys Fulber and Greg Reely mixed the record, it was mindblowing, that it set the standard for that type of music. The vocals alone inspired a generation of musicians to come, vocalists to come. Syncopated guitars and drums… A lot of people were saying, 'Well, MESHUGGAH made that popular.' Yeah, MESHUGGAH didn't make it popular till much later. FEAR FACTORY at that time was a much bigger band. We were the only band, really, at the time that was really popularizing that style with the syncopated guitars and drums. So, yeah, I feel very lucky that I made a classic record that stood the test of time."
In December 2020, Dino told The Pit that he still revisits "Demanfucature" "quite a lot, because it was a groundbreaking record. And I go back sometimes just to listen — not to the tones or anything, but listen to the structures," he said. "But a lot of times, I apply those structures into newer songs. Like, 'Okay, how did I write a song like 'Zero Signal'? How does it go? How does it start? Where does the verse go? Where does the mid-section go?' And blah blah. If I'm stuck on a new song, I'll go back to 'Demanufacture' and be, like, 'Okay, that's how we did it, so let's go back and apply it to this song.' Even though the songs are completely different, the riffs are different, it's still something that helps me craft songs today."
In 2020, Run Out Groove celebrated the 25th anniversary of "Demanufacture" album by issuing it on vinyl and expanding it with a previously unreleased live concert from 1996's Ozzfest. "Demanufacture" was mastered for vinyl with lacquers cut by FEAR FACTORY's producer-engineer Damien Rainaud. The three-LP set was pressed on transparent blue, solid white, and black mixed-color vinyl at Record Industry and housed in a tri-fold jacket containing an exclusive poster.
FEAR FACTORY's current lineup features Cazares, Milo Silvestro on vocals, Tony Campos on bass, and Pete Webber on drums.
Silvestro's addition to FEAR FACTORY was officially announced in February 2023.
FEAR FACTORY played its first headlining concert with Silvestro and Webber on May 5, 2023 at the Whisky A Go Go in West Hollywood, California.
In early 2023, FEAR FACTORY completed the "Rise Of The Machine" U.S. tour as the support act for STATIC-X. It marked the Cazares-led outfit's first run of shows with Silvestro and Webber.
Webber had been filling in for FEAR FACTORY's longtime drummer Mike Heller who was unable to play with the band due to "scheduling conflicts."
In June it will be Demanufacture’s 30 year anniversary, we will be playing it in its entirety on most festivals. Go to https://t.co/6yaEYj0kIB
— Fear Factory (@FearFactory) January 13, 2025
 | +6 |  |
|    |
15 ÿíâ 2025

SOPHIE LLOYD To Go Forward With Whisky A Go Go Concert This Thursday; A Portion Of Proceeds To Benefit Los Angeles Fire Department Fund
 British guitarist, Sophie Lloyd, has issued the following update in regards to her first-ever US solo show, scheduled for Thursday, January 16, at Whisky A Go Go in West Hollywood, California:
"Like most of the world, I have watched, with horror, the fires ravaging LA over the last week. We have witnessed unprecedented destruction across a city so beloved by so many.
"It feels very strange to be discussing our gig when people are experiencing so much loss and pain right now. But I have had a lot of people asking about the status of our show on Thursday, January 16th, at The Whisky A Go Go in Hollywood.
"Things are changing very quickly, but at this time, we have decided to go forward with the show. Everything will go ahead as planned including all the VIP experiences. Safety is our first priority so we will continue to monitor the situation and update you if there are any changes .
"The incredible loss the people of LA have experienced in the past week is unfathomable, but throughout it all, it’s been overwhelming to see the acts of kindness and self
 | +1 |  |
|   |
![=]](/img/news-bord-shr.gif) |
|
  |
|
   |
|
   |
|
  |
|
 |
  |
14 ÿíâ 2025

MÖTLEY CRÜE's TOMMY LEE Blasts Musicians For Promoting Tours And Album Releases During Los Angeles Wildfires
 MÖTLEY CRÜE drummer Tommy Lee has blasted musicians for promoting their tours and album releases while wildfires have leveled areas of Los Angeles with one of the worst natural disasters to strike California in the history of the United States.
On Monday (January 13),the 62-year-old musician took to his Instagram to write: "Makes me fucking sick to see most people just caring on a posting on lame ass social media!
"Guys right now nobody gives a flying fuck when your record drops or the next concert is when so many people are in the middle of one of the biggest disasters of all time!”
He added: "I get that some comic relief is always needed, but Jesus Christ leave it all alone and maybe just stop and see who needs help if you can."
According to NBC News, there are 24 known deaths from the wildfires that broke out in the Los Angeles region on January 7 as winds with gusts of 80 mph or more turned fires into firestorms.
The Eaton and Palisades fires are likely the second and fourth most destructive in California history, according to CNN. The total area burned by the Palisades, Eaton and Hurst fires is about 60 square miles, an area larger than Paris.
Elsewhere, DISTURBED's David Draiman condemned social media users who derived pleasure from the misfortune of the victims of the wildfires. He wrote on Instagram: "There are people on this platform cheering on the destruction caused by the Los Angeles Fires. Delighting in the misery and misfortune of others. Nothing justifies this. No reason. No cause. NOTHING. Absolute scum. The lot of you."
Several high-profile rock musicians have lost their homes to one of the Los Angeles wildfires, including PRIMUS guitarist Larry "Ler" LaLonde, IRON MAIDEN's Adrian Smith and SPIRITBOX bassist Josh Gilbert (formerly of AS I LAY DYING).
Among the musicians who were forced to evacuate during the fires are RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE's Brad Wilk and ANTHRAX's Scott Ian.
The Recording Academy and charity foundation MusiCares have pledged $1 million to support artists and music industry professionals affected by the ongoing wildfires tearing through the Los Angeles area. Guitar Center has launched an initiative to replace instruments and gear destroyed in the blaze, while the NAMM Foundation and Sweet Relief Musicians Fund are also providing immediate financial assistance to musicians in need.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Tommy Lee (@tommylee)
 | +1 |  |
|    |
14 ÿíâ 2025

METALLICA's 'All Within My Hands' Foundation Donates $500,000 To Los Angeles Fire Relief
 METALLICA's foundation All Within My Hands is granting $500,000 to relief efforts carried out by the California Community Foundation's Wildfire Recovery Fund and the Pasadena Community Foundation's Eaton Canyon Fire Relief And Recovery Fund.
The fires raging in the Los Angeles area have relentlessly wreaked havoc and widespread destruction since January 7 and, sadly, do not show signs of slowing down. Despite containment progress over the weekend, officials warn residents to stay vigilant as the Santa Ana winds return and are expected to reach up to 70 miles per hour over the coming days, creating critical fire conditions. In the past week, the community has suffered at least 24 lives lost, nearly 100,000 people under evacuation orders, 40,000 acres burned, and more than 12,000 structures — commercial and residential — destroyed. However, numbers cannot articulate the magnitude of anguish as the disaster upends families and dismantles livelihoods.
The California Community Foundation (CCF) has a long history of ensuring resources reach those most in need. It leverages partnerships with community-based organizations and government agencies while using data from CalFire and the CDC's Social Vulnerability Index to prioritize underserved communities. For the Los Angeles County wildfires, CCF has activated its Wildfire Recovery Fund to complement immediate relief and address the long-term recovery needs of neighborhoods. The fund's disaster and recovery efforts support an array of critical recovery services, including housing, case management, mental health, and medical care for displaced residents. It also aids in rebuilding essential infrastructure like emergency communication systems and offers financial disaster assistance, labor law education, and immigration services to low-wage workers and immigrant families. AWMH is donating $250,000 to the California Community Foundation's Wildfire Recovery Fund.
The Pasadena Community Foundation (PCF) has established the Eaton Canyon Fire Relief And Recovery Fund. A smaller agency, PCF is entrenched within the community, poised to leverage connections with civic and nonprofit leaders to ensure its aid reaches those who need it most. The fund will support immediate needs during relief efforts as the fires continue to spread. It will also support critical long-term recovery efforts after the fires are extinguished and the community embarks upon the seemingly impossible task of rebuilding what has been demolished. AWMH is donating $250,000 to the Pasadena Community Foundation's Eaton Canyon Fire Relief And Recovery Fund.
All Within My Hands was established in 2017 by METALLICA to invest in the people and places that have supported the band. It also allows METALLICA's fans to engage in philanthropy and volunteerism. The Foundation is dedicated to creating sustainable communities through workforce education, the fight against hunger, and other critical local services. All expenses of the Foundation are covered by the band, the board, and a few special friends so that 100 percent of donations go to the organizations it supports. AWMH is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization.
The METALLICA family and the All Within My Hands foundation board members are committed to running an organization of the highest integrity where expenses are kept to a minimum and are paid for entirely by the band, the board, and friends who have worked with the band over many years and are excited to help in this mission. As such, 100% of all donations from fans and third parties go to the organizations AWMH supports.
 | +4 |  |
|    |
14 ÿíâ 2025

RUDY SARZO Reveals More Details About His Recent Collaboration With BRAD GILLIS And TOMMY ALDRIDGE
 In a recent interview with Rock Your Faith Out, legendary bassist Rudy Sarzo spoke about his collaboration with his former OZZY OSBOURNE bandmates Brad Gillis (guitar) and Tommy Aldridge (drums) on a recording of a "classic cover song", to be released later this year. He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "There's a singer named Rick Hughes. He's in a band called SWORD in Montreal, Canada. His manager contacted Tommy, Brad and me and asked each individually if we wanted to play on one song off his record. I'm not gonna disclose what the song is. I can tell you it's not an Ozzy or BLACK SABBATH song. It's not; it's not at all. It has nothing to do with anything that we have done together in the past, except it's us playing together. There's no tie to what we did in the past."
He continued: "It's not really a project; it's is a one-off, an appearance. And so we did the song about three or four months ago — that's when I did my track — separately. Tommy did his, and I did mine, and then Brad did his. That's how we all were able to do it because we live in different parts of the world. So then they asked us if we wanted to be in the video. And I figured, 'Well, I already played on the track, and I like what I played. So I might as well be on the video.' And that's what we did. We got together [in late November] and we made a video."
Asked when the song and the accompanying music video will be released, Rudy said: "It's not my decision. It should be coming out somewhere in 2025. Stay tuned.
"We were just basically hired to do this," Rudy explained. "We're not part of something. Because I already have my something, which is QUIET RIOT, and I'm very busy with that something."
Gillis first revealed his involvement with Sarzo and Aldridge on the aforementioned recording last November. He wrote on his social media at the time: "Excited about recording a classic cover song and filming a video to be released in early 2025….. Getting together with my ol' Ozzy buddies Rudy Sarzo (bass) and Tommy Aldridge (drums) and talented Canadian vocalist Rick Hughes was a BLAST! More to come soon!!!"
Formed in 1980 in Montreal, SWORD (not to be confused with THE SWORD, a great doom metal band that came out over 20 years later) released its Combat Records debut, "Metalized", in 1986, punctuated by the band's precise thrash attack, and the soaring vocals of Rick Hughes, summed up by Kerrang!'s Mark Putterford as such; "My eyes are a painful shade of purple. My ears are ringing tortuously. My mouth is awash with blood and broken teeth, I've just been ten rounds with a Montreal mob called SWORD. "
SWORD was hand-picked by METALLICA to open the Quebec leg of the "Master Of Puppets" tour, Alice Cooper's Canadian "Return Of The Nightmare" tour and then crisscrossed the U.K. with the mighty Lemmy on MOTÖRHEAD's "Rock N' Roll" tour. "Metalized" was followed up by the heavy but diverse "Sweet Dreams" in 1988.
After a short U.S. tour promoting "Sweet Dreams", SWORD started work on its third album when all hell broke loose, and a parting of ways ensued. Until 2011, when they reunited for a few select shows in Canada and Germany and found the urge to go back in the studio to pick up where they had left off.
The quartet soon ended up right back where they started, after connecting with Thom Hazaert and then-MEGADETH bassist David Ellefson, and their relaunched Combat Records, which immediately released "Live: Hammersmith", a live recording of a "Metalized"-era SWORD show supporting MOTÖRHEAD at England's fabled Hammersmith Odeon.
“Hush Hush Project”
Excited about recording a classic cover song and filming a video to be released in early 2025….....
Posted by Brad Gillis on Wednesday, November 13, 2024  | 0 |  |
|   |
![=]](/img/news-bord-shr.gif) |
|
  |
|
   |
|
   |
|
  |
|
 |
  |
14 ÿíâ 2025

KILLSWITCH ENGAGE's JESSE LEACH: 'I Love The Idea Of Continuing To Evolve As A Human'
 In a new interview with Finland's Chaoszine, KILLSWITCH ENGAGE frontman Jesse Leach spoke about his approach to writing lyrics, particularly as it relates to the band's upcoming album, "This Consequence", which is due on February 21 via Metal Blade Records. Asked if he is, most of the time, in a dark place when he is writing KILLSWITCH lyrics, Jesse responded (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "Yes, that's the majority of kind of where I come from, is sitting in my darkness, understanding my darkness and then finding a solution to it. It's kind of the formula I like to use 'cause I always like to inject some positivity."
He continued: "And two points. One, I think there are a couple of songs on this record that do not end on a positive note. I think of 'The Fall Of Us'. I think of 'Broken Glass', 'Where It Dies'… And I think that's important. I think it's important to put out something that just feels therapeutic and doesn't necessarily have to have a positive message. And then on the flip side, the song 'I Believe' off the record, which is 100 percent a positive song, and I was in a good mood when I wrote it, I was in a mood of hopefulness and positivity, and I'm proud of that too. And I think you need the contrast between the two as an artist — well, at least for me. I like the diversity of touching on different emotions, touching on different sonic tones, different genres of music, instead of just sort of doing the one thing, like, 'KILLSWITCH is strictly this type of band.' More power to people who are like that, but for us, I enjoy the diversity of our sound, I enjoy the diversity of how we're able to talk about love in this area and then political corruption in this area and maybe spiritual awakening and the desire to understand our existence right here. So I like and enjoy the diversity of all of that. So you can be in a positive headspace and write a song, but you skirt the fine line of trying not to be cheesy, saying what you feel, and I think we achieved that. Maybe I'm wrong."
Asked if the dark times we are living in right now, with the world in such a state of insanity, sorrow and rage, are reflected in his lyrics, Jesse said: "Yeah, and I think that's why the album sounds the way it does and has the lyrics that it does, because I'm very intuned. At least I had to sort of turn my attention to what we've all been through — from COVID, the whole pandemic till now, the divisiveness, people at each other's throats, being divided, sort of political ideologies, religious warfare. Everywhere you look, there's something to be harped upon that is negative and dark, and I think it's important to acknowledge that but not to get lost in it, not to allow it to swallow you to despair. Even one of the lines in one of the songs, 'Aftermath': 'don't give in to despair.' You can't give in to it.
"This record was very much about sitting in my suffering, sitting in the suffering of the world, reflecting upon it and then moving through it with a righteous anger where I wanted to sort of wake people up," he explained. "Like, you don't have to think this way. You don't have to live in this divisive world. You don't have to shut somebody down because they don't agree with you. You can have compassion on that person. You can find yourself in a place of understanding where you take that person's point of view and you try to understand why they think that way and maybe have a little bit of a discourse about it. Maybe you'll learn something about yourself. Maybe you'll gain some wisdom and understanding. The world we live in doesn't want that. And I very much want that. So, to me, what I'm writing, the righteous anger I'm coming through is very much of a revolutionary state of mind, trying to bring people together for the greater good for all of us. Because the powers that be, the people who are in control — name them, whoever you want to call 'em or whatever, entities, beings — there is a reason why they're pushing, through social media, through mainstream media, divisiveness, wars, negativity. Good things don't usually make the headlines, and there's a reason for that. So read between the lines, try to pay attention to what is going on in the periphery and use your discernment to know why this is being thrown at you. And you can fight against it. You can become the change that this world needs within yourself. And it could be very simple things, starting with the way you treat people, your neighbors, someone you see at the grocery store. Those little acts of kindness and compassion have a ripple effect that can create a beautiful, positive change that you don't even understand. And that, to me, is where I'm coming from. If my music can resonate in any way to create some sort of a positive ripple, that is why I do it. Think for yourself."
Asked if writing lyrics is always like a therapy session for him as well, Jesse said: "For better or for worse, yes, it is. Music is definitely one of my many therapies. I think it's important to grow and to sort of admit when you're not in a good place, admit when you're wrong — and change your behavior. And I think people who don't do that, who get stuck in their comfort zones, who get stuck in relationships where things are not great and you just kind of deal with it, I've never been about that. I love the idea of continuing to evolve as a human. I think that goes hand in hand with what I was just talking about being open to hear people and being able to sort of change your point of view. I've changed my opinion and point of view on many things — religion, politics, the two hot topic buttons that people can't talk about. When I've had conversations about those two things, I've changed my ideology a little bit. I'm, like, 'Oh, I never thought of it that way. That's really interesting you say that. I'm gonna do my own research on that because you said that and give your idea a chance because I'm curious why you think that.' So I think with personal growth, it's the same thing. Don't stay stuck. You know the old phrase that I'm not sure if it applies in Finland, but 'you can't teach an old dog new tricks' is something we say here in this country. I completely disagree. You can. You absolutely can. You can change yourself. And I think it's important to adapt and to grow and to gain more wisdom. Why would you not? Why would you want to stay stagnant when you can grow and evolve as a human?"
As previously reported, KILLSWITCH ENGAGE will return to the road this winter and spring. Their upcoming winter headline tour features support from KUBLAI KHAN TX, FIT FOR A KING and FROZEN SOUL and kicks off on March 5 in Nashville and runs through April 12 in Portland, Maine. The band has also announced dates for May, which will feature support from SHADOWS FALL, FIT FOR A KING and BOUNDARIES.
When "This Consequence" was first announced late last year, Leach said in a statement: "Making this record lit a fire under my ass and made me rethink everything. It had to be next level. It had to be different enough for people to really recognize we're putting forth an effort-or what's the point of doing this? There was no repeating ourselves. It was very carefully planned out and passionately written. It sounds like KILLSWITCH, yet there's also a fresh spirit to it."
This time around, the group emphasized working together face-to-face in a Massachusetts rehearsal spot. The process enabled them to apply the pressure on every element. At the collective urging of his bandmates, Jesse pored over his words like never before.
"We pushed him to do more vocal demos and were super tough on him," recalled guitarist and producer Adam Dutkiewicz. "He was so open to feedback though, and he definitely got the lyrics right. I love it when he and I are face-to-face, and ideas are flying around. We work especially well together when we're in the heat of the moment. All of the demoing made for a better record, and there was so much communication between all of the band members."
"It felt like everyone put a ton of effort into this," bassist Mike D'Antonio added. "It's the first time since 'Alive Or Just Breathing' that we really hashed everything out together in the same room. It was a combined effort, and there are even some things you've never heard from KILLSWITCH."
Jesse culled inspiration from "hours on Thesaurus.com," reading as many books as possible, and interacting with fans on the road in between. He confessed, "I found my voice again."
"I never considered myself to be a part of mainstream society," he went on. "I've always been in the middle. To me, this record is about the consequences of our actions as humans as we engage in war, hatred, division, and falling in line with control. History repeats itself. We're going to have to answer for our actions-whether it's how we treat the earth or each other. There will be an uprising and a backlash from nature. Cause-and-effect is a driving theme. We will face a consequence."
"This Consequence" is KILLSWITCH ENGAGE's ninth album overall, and sixth with Leach, who rejoined the band in 2012.  | +2 |  |
|    |
14 ÿíâ 2025

AVENGED SEVENFOLD's M. SHADOWS: 'The Day I Realized God Was Not A Feasible Option For Me, My Whole Body Shook In Fear'
 During a recent appearance on the "Artist Friendly With Joel Madden" podcast, AVENGED SEVENFOLD frontman M. Shadows discussed religion and spirituality. The 43-year-old singer, whose real name is Matt Sanders, said in part (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "I'm not religious at all. But I find beauty in no purpose. And I've found a lot of positivity in there being no purpose 'cause I feel like that's the ultimate freedom. I don't want to be told what needs to happen. I want to have my own path. And for me, it's all the simple things we all come back to, and it's all the things that religion would teach you. It's love. It's my family. It's empathy. It's trying to further the human conversation. But the difference here is if you said, 'Matt, does any of it matter?' I would say, 'No.' I would say at the very end, the only reason it matters is 'cause while you're here, I don't like to see suffering… I believe that if you look in a even a five-billion-year time frame when Earth gets wiped out, I believe nothing will ever know we were here. It doesn't matter."
Elaborating on why he is not religious, M. Shadows said: "I look at it like this. I look at deep history. And there's no sign of… I mean, you could always always go back, back, back. And the thing that God has going for it is you can always go, 'Well, what created that?' And you can always go further back. These are just conversations that go in circles. But let's say we have a Big Bang [a physical theory that describes how the universe expanded from an initial state of high density and temperature]… And my question would be, at what point did God start taking notice or care? Was it 2000 years ago? Was he, like, 'Those guys are kind of apes, but they're kind of looking like this new thing that I'm into. I'm gonna send Jesus out in a couple thousand years.' And so there's a bunch of funny things to me.
"I understand that people that believe in God, now they've become more savvy," M. Shadows continued. "So, they go, 'Well, I'm not talking about the guy in the sky. I'm talking about a feeling' or a consciousness.
"When you wanna know what you feel is the truth and you read as much as you can on it, there's a shock to the system, which makes me think it's very much evolutionary and how it's based in a human. 'Cause there's very few things that will make your body chill to the bone. The day that I realized that God was not a feasible option for me, my whole body just shook in fear. And I know that is usually the spot where most people go, 'Okay, I'm going back. I'm gonna run back to it.' And so I just was calm and I just continued to read and see if I could find things on either side.
"The belief in God and the comfort in God almost feels like I'm going to carry on in some way or there's a me, and a lot of the philosophy that that I believe in is that there is no you," M. Shadows added. "That's what [the AVENGED SEVENFOLD song] 'Nobody''s about. Like, there's no you. You are one with the whole universe. Now, God might have his hands around the whole universe, but at that point, you're in an ocean.
"So, when I did 5-MeO-DMT [also known as O-methylbufotenin or mebufotenin, a psychedelic drug that occurs naturally in plants and some animals], the point of it is to wipe away you… It's very scary. But one thing that it led me to was, I have this friend, Jeremiah, who became very religious as of late. And we'd argue with each other — back and forth… So when I did 5-MeO, it's called the 'God [Molecule]'. And you lose yourself. You don't exist when you're on this. And it's not correct for English words or any words. You actually come back and you can't even talk. But the next day I saw Jeremiah, and I gave him a hug and I said, 'You were right all along. He exists.' And I gave him a hug, 'cause I realized at that moment it didn't matter, regardless. And I just said what he believes in and what I experienced was the same thing. He puts a name on it, and I was just one with the universe and with every human that ever existed. And when you listen to 'Nobody', the first lyric is 'I'm a God. I'm awake. I'm the one in everything.' And it's because I'm taking those words and I'm changing them to what you think they mean. I don't think I'm up there making decisions."
M. Shadows went on to say: "There's an old Buddhist saying, 'Enlightenment is when the wave realizes it's the ocean.' It's when you realize you're just one with everything and you're just ebbing and flowing. And so when I realized that, I realized Jeremiah was right all along. What he believes in and what guides him in life, what he calls God is just a technicality. It was all the same thing. And so it was actually an interesting way to come back around to everything."
As previously reported, AVENGED SEVENFOLD will embark on a European tour in June 2025. The 12-date trek will consist of appearances at some of the continent's biggest rock festivals, including Norway's Tons Of Rock, Czech Republic's Rock For People and Greece's Release.
AVENGED SEVENFOLD launched the 2024 leg of the "Life Is But A Dream…" North American tour on March 6 at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York. The band's 2024 run included AVENGED SEVENFOLD's first-ever performances in Manchester, New Hampshire; Raleigh, North Carolina; and Newark. The group performed in Des Moines, Iowa for the first time in 18 years; Cleveland, Ohio; Indianapolis, Indiana; and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania for the first time in 15 years.
AVENGED SEVENFOLD has been touring in support of its latest album, "Life Is But A Dream…", which sold 36,000 equivalent album units in the U.S. in its first week of release to land at position No. 13 on the Billboard 200 chart.
AVENGED SEVENFOLD made its first festival appearance in five years on May 19, 2023 at Welcome To Rockville at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida.
AVENGED SEVENFOLD's first concert since June 2018 took place on May 12, 2023 at AREA15 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
To date, AVENGED SEVENFOLD has sold over 10 million albums worldwide and earned two consecutive No. 1 albums on Billboard's Top 200 Albums chart (2010's "Nightmare" and 2013's "Hail To The King") to go along with over a billion video views and a billion-plus Spotify streams, as well as multiple No. 1 singles on rock radio.
 | +1 |  |
|    |
14 ÿíâ 2025

SKUNK ANANSIE Releases New Single 'An Artist Is An Artist'
 British rock icons SKUNK ANANSIE have released their brand new single "An Artist Is An Artist". Their first new music in almost three years, it finds the acclaimed four-piece at the peak of their powers and is a witty, provocative, pulsating slice of spiky, new-wave brilliance.
Tackling everything from ageism to our current need for approval in the digital age, "An Artist Is An Artist" somehow seems to hark back to the band's vitriolic debut single, "Little Baby Swastikkka", in terms of its confrontational quality. It also reaffirms the fact that SKUNK ANANSIE is part of Britain's proud agit-pop lineage that extends back to THE SLITS, whilst also conjuring up the wordplay of Ian Dury.
Produced by David Sitek of TV ON THE RADIO fame, known for his production work with FOALS, YEAH YEAH YEAHS, SANTIGOLD, SOLANGE, WEEZER and CHELSEA WOLFE, "An Artist Is An Artist" is the surprising first taste of what's to come from the band in 2025. Reinvigorated after a period of introspection, their work with Sitek has seen the band twist and turn, stepping out of their comfort zone and re-shaping themselves into a lean and vital musical machine, ready to take on the world once more.
"His name seemed to be on a lot of records that we liked. But none of the records sounded the same. The records all sounded fresh, but mainly the artists all sounded like themselves," says singer Skin of the producer.
"He basically reminded us that the process of making music didn't need to be that complicated. When you start a band it never is, so it was a good reminder of that, and he got us to strip things right down," continues guitarist Ace.
Originally based around a trademarked, hulking SKUNK riff, the band listened to Sitek as he reduced the tune to its most primal essence. Then, he decided that they needed to add a sax solo. "I fucking hate sax!" grimaces Skin, "then this really cool fucking dude walks in and played sax like I've never heard it before, and at that point my mantra became, just trust The Dave."
Strangely, what should have felt uncomfortable sounds utterly natural, and the band's performance in the multi-colored lyric video showcases how fresh, vital, current, and contemporary they are, a rare feat for a multi-million-selling group three decades on from their very first release.
"An Artist Is An Artist" will no doubt prove to be one of the highlights of the band's upcoming European headline tour, which kicks off in Portugal on February 28 and continues through Spain, France, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Czechia, Poland, Denmark, Luxembourg, The Netherlands and Belgium before ending in the U.K. with 14 shows.
SKUNK ANANSIE, formed in 1994 in London, is a seminal band, one of the first multi-racial British rock bands, who are known for their powerful sound and thought-provoking lyrics. Fronted by the charismatic and dynamic vocalist Skin, the band blends alternative rock with elements of punk and metal. They remain one of the most important and influential bands of their era.
Their debut album "Paranoid & Sunburnt" (1995),and its follow-up "Stoosh" (1996) both hit the Top 10 album chart in the U.K. and with hits like "Weak" and "Hedonism", they established themselves on the international stage, helped by their stunning live performances. In 1999, SKUNK ANANSIE closed the decade out in style by releasing their third studio album, "Post Orgasmic Chill" and headlining Glastonbury Festival, before surprisingly going on a lengthy hiatus in 2001.
The band reconvened in 2008 to embark on the second chapter of their career, releasing three acclaimed albums — 2010's "Wonderlustre", 2012's "Black Traffic" and 2015's "Anarchytecture". In 2019, the band marked their 25th anniversary with "25LIVE@25", a live album that brings together the greatest songs from their six studio albums.
Throughout their career, SKUNK ANANSIE has sold over five million records globally. The band's international prominence continues to thrive today, selling out live arenas and headlining festivals across the continent.
SKUNK ANANSIE is celebrated for addressing political and social issues through their music and breaking racial and gender barriers in rock. Their influence extends beyond music, contributing to discussions on identity, equality, and activism.
Photo credit: Rob O'Connor  | +1 |  |
|   |
![=]](/img/news-bord-shr.gif) |
|
  |

|
   |
|
   |
 |
  |
|
|
|
|
|