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28 ÿíâ 2020
CYNIC's PAUL MASVIDAL On SEAN REINERT: 'There Will Never Be Another One Like Him'
 CYNIC guitarist/vocalist Paul Masvidal has commented on the passing of the band's longtime drummer Sean Reinert. Sean was found unresponsive at his California home on Friday, January 24. He was only 48 years old.
Paul took to his social media earlier today (Sunday, January 26) to write: "I am shocked and saddened by the loss of one of my oldest friends. We were karmic brothers, connected by something beyond both of us.
"So many memories have been flooding my heart and mind. From the moment I first met Sean in junior high school, I knew we had a connection. His gifts were beyond measure, and I'm grateful that we were able to make music together.
"In the end, all that remains is love, and that's what I have for Sean. There will never be another one like him. Peace to his family and all of his fans around the world.
"Listen to Sean play his drums and hear his heart sing."
Law enforcement sources told TMZ that Sean was found by a family member at his San Bernardino home around 8:45 p.m. on Friday night. He was transported to a hospital, but after life-saving measures proved ineffective, he was pronounced dead upon arriving. No foul play is suspected at this time. However, an official cause of death is pending an autopsy, which hasn't been conducted yet.
Reinert was a founding member of CYNIC, along with Masvidal, and he remained in the group until September 2015.
In 1991, Reinert and Masvidal joined the legendary Florida band DEATH to record the "Human" album. After touring with DEATH, they returned to CYNIC.
Reinert played his last shows with CYNIC in September 2015 in Japan.
After his exit from CYNIC, Sean was involved with the Los Angeles progressive rock group PERFECT BEINGS.
I am shocked and saddened by the loss of one of my oldest friends. We were karmic brothers, connected by something...
Posted by Masvidal on Sunday, January 26, 2020  | +8 |  |
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28 ÿíâ 2020
NILE's KARL SANDERS Pays Tribute To Late Bassist JOE PAYNE: 'You Are A True Metal Warrior'
 NILE leader Karl Sanders has paid tribute to the band's former bassist Joseph Payne (pictured), who died earlier this month at the age of 35. No cause of death has yet been revealed.
Sanders took to his Facebook page earlier today to write: "The members of NILE were saddened this weekend to learn of the passing of one of our own, Our Dear Metal Brother Joe Payne.
"We have no details as yet what caused this tragedy, but his loss is a profound one. During Joe's time with NILE in 2005-07, Joe was a true brother and band member in every sense of the word. He always gave 110% onstage every day, was full of positive enthusiasm, and was a brightly burning Spirit.
"Joe joined us at the tender age of 19, on recommendation from Kreishloff of LECHEROUS NOCTURNE. Possessed of an incredible talent beyond his years, Joe was never afraid to face any of the challenges in stepping onto the world's stages; the very first obstacle of course was learning the entire NILE set and stepping into the uncomfortably large shoes of recently departed legendary NILE bassist Jon Vesano. Just being able to play those difficult NILE songs on bass while doing Jon's vocal parts was a herculean task, let alone pulling it all off convincingly in less than a week. But Joe fearlessly stepped up, and boldly walked out on the stages all across Europe to help promote the 'Annihilation Of The Wicked' album. Joe of course killed it from the first note, nailing the songs with an awesome stage presence and a supernova of metal energy. It became immediately clear that Metal was what Joe was born to do.
"The next 2 years of Touring for AOTW were an exceptionally busy time for NILE, and Joe's fire and will to conquer never let up, not for a single moment. On and off stage, Joe was a great band member, traveling companion, and friend.
"The time Joe spent with us is something we will remember always.
"Rest in Peace, Brother Joe, You are a True Metal Warrior."
Back in December 2012, Payne made headlines when was arrested in connection with an investigation into the distribution of more than 2,900 grams of marijuana in the Iredell County area in North Carolina.
The members of Nile were saddened this weekend to learn of the passing of one of our own, Our Dear Metal Brother Joe...
Posted by Karl Sanders (Nile) on Saturday, January 25, 2020
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28 ÿíâ 2020
NITA STRAUSS Says NEIL PEART's Death Was 'A Huge Loss' To Rock Community
 Nita Strauss, the Los Angeles-based guitar shredder for the ALICE COOPER band, has commented on the passing of Neil Peart, who died on January 7 in Santa Monica, California after a three-year battle with glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer. The iconic RUSH drummer was 67 years old.
Strauss spoke about Peart's passing in a new interview with "The Blairing Out With Eric Blair Show" conducted at the Metal Hall Of Fame event in Anaheim, California. She said (see video below): "It's always such a tragedy to have the loss of someone that's meant so much to our community. Me not being a drummer, it didn't hit me as hard as I saw some other people on social media, but, of course, I am a big fan of what they did for the genre of music that I love so much, so it's a huge loss, for sure."
When interviewer Eric Blair pointed out to Strauss that her longtime boyfriend, manager and occasional bandmate Josh Villalta is a drummer, Nita said: "He actually came in. I was doing a live stream, and he came in and told me, 'Neil Peart died,' and kind of threw me in for a shock and interrupted me. I think he was just so surprised and so overcome by the loss of a legend in our community that he was, like, 'I have to tell you right now.' So, yeah, definitely it hit us in our house, for sure. And it's great to see the community come together and the shockwave kind of pull us all together and realize how lucky we were to have such a great legend in our community."
Nita's second solo LP is tentatively due in late 2020.
The guitarist's live show is mostly instrumental in nature, combining originals with covers.
Strauss has been playing with Alice Cooper since 2014 when she replaced Australian musician and former Michael Jackson player Orianthi. She joined Alice in time for a mammoth MÖTLEY CRÜE tour. She was recommended to Cooper by the legendary rocker's former bass player and WINGER frontman Kip Winger. | +2 | |
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28 ÿíâ 2020
CYNIC Bassist SEAN MALONE: 'We're All Lucky To Have Been Alive While SEAN REINERT Was Making Music'
 CYNIC bassist Sean Malone has commented on the passing of the band's longtime drummer Sean Reinert. Sean was found unresponsive at his California home on Friday, January 24. He was only 48 years old.
Malone issued the following statement earlier today: "I was luckier than most. Complete musical trust — especially between a bassist and a drummer — is a rare and precious thing. Rare, because it’s not something you find by looking for it. Precious, because some may go an entire lifetime without ever having experienced it. But I was luckier than most. Sean offered his trust during every rehearsal, every recording, and every performance we ever did, and it's likely that I'll never experience the same again. The truth is that we're all lucky — lucky to have been alive while Sean Reinert was making music."
Law enforcement sources told TMZ that Sean was found by a family member at his San Bernardino home around 8:45 p.m. on Friday night. He was transported to a hospital, but after life-saving measures proved ineffective, he was pronounced dead upon arriving. No foul play is suspected at this time. However, an official cause of death is pending an autopsy, which hasn't been conducted yet.
Reinert was a founding member of CYNIC, along with guitarist/vocalist Paul Masvidal, and he remained in the group until September 2015.
In 1991, Reinert and Masvidal joined the legendary Florida band DEATH to record the "Human" album. After touring with DEATH, they returned to CYNIC.
Reinert played his last shows with CYNIC in September 2015 in Japan.
After his exit from CYNIC, Sean was involved with the Los Angeles progressive rock group PERFECT BEINGS.
From Sean Malone:
I was luckier than most. Complete musical trust—especially between a bassist and a drummer—is a rare...
Posted by Cynic on Saturday, January 25, 2020
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28 ÿíâ 2020
Is IRON MAIDEN Working On New Album? NICKO MCBRAIN Responds (Video)
 On January 18, David "Gus" Griesinger of BackstageAxxess conducted an interview with IRON MAIDEN drummer Nicko McBrain at the British Drum Co. booth during the 2020 NAMM show in Anaheim, California. You can now watch the chat below.
Asked if MAIDEN is working on a new album, Nicko responded: "Watch this space: IronMaiden.com. That's all I've gotta say." After Griesinger took McBrain's words to mean that fans should "expect something soon," Nicko came back with: "No, I didn't say something soon, and I didn't say 'possibly.' Watch this space, is what I said. Don't be putting words in their mouths."
Last December, rumors spread that IRON MAIDEN had already completed work on a new studio album.
The British heavy metal legends haven't released any fresh music since 2015's "The Book Of Souls" LP, which was recorded in late 2014 in Paris, France with longtime producer Kevin "Caveman" Shirley.
The latest rumors were fueled by Shirley's 2019 recap on social media in which he alluded to a renewed MAIDEN collaboration. He wrote that he spent three months in Paris early last year "working very hard on an unnamed but not-very-secret project." He added: "I finished with a loud ringing in my ears."
Back in May 2019, Italian web site Maiden Concerts first speculated that IRON MAIDEN was putting the finishing touches on a new album. The site concluded that the LP was nearing completion after gathering social media evidence that all six members of the band, their wives and Shirley were in Paris at the same time. The producer even posted new pictures of Guillaume Tell Studios, where MAIDEN recorded "Brave New World" (2000) and "The Book Of Souls", saying he was finalizing a major project.
During MAIDEN's summer 2019 North American tour, singer Bruce Dickinson hinted at new material, telling the crowd at the group's Oakland, California concert: "New IRON MAIDEN songs — sooner than you think." At MAIDEN's Nashville show in August, Dickinson said that fresh music from the band wasn't "beyond the bounds of possibility," adding that a new MAIDEN record was essentially a "certainty."
If the reports of a new MAIDEN album are true, it will mark the band's 17th studio effort and the sixth to be produced by Shirley, who has worked with MAIDEN for the past two decades.
In addition to MAIDEN, Shirley has collaborated with dozens of notable acts, including Joe Bonamassa, JOURNEY, DREAM THEATER and LED ZEPPELIN.
During the making of "The Book Of Souls", Dickinson was diagnosed with a cancerous tumor at the back of his tongue. He recorded all the vocals for the album with the tumor before undergoing treatment and making a full recovery in time for the LP's release in September 2015.
"The Book Of Souls" was the longest MAIDEN album, clocking in at 92 minutes, with lyrics heavily based in the themes of death, reincarnation, the soul and mortality.
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28 ÿíâ 2020
RICHIE KOTZEN's '50 For 50': More Details Revealed About 50-Song Album
 When a person turns 50, they usually spend that entire year celebrating in as large of a way as possible to make it their biggest and most memorable birthday yet. Singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Richie Kotzen is taking the concept literally, as he gears up for the release of his most ambitious album to date, and he wants to share this big birthday present to himself with his fans around the world.
"50 For 50" — his 22nd solo album — is due out Monday, February 3 via his own custom label, Headroom-Inc. The three-disc collection is just what the title implies: a collection of 50 previously unreleased compositions produced, performed and written by Kotzen in honor of his birthday. It's the follow-up to his critically acclaimed "Salting Earth" album, which was released April 14, 2017 via Headroom-Inc.
Although Kotzen has been hailed as a guitar virtuoso since the release of his first album, it is his emotional lead vocal delivery and diverse songwriting style that separates him from his peers thanks in large part to artists that influenced him in the Philly soul R&B to jazz, rock, funk, and fusion guitar genres. "50 For 50" captures the full artistic scope of what makes Kotzen such a unique artist.
"The idea of a 50-song album came to me while I was on tour sometime last year," Kotzen explains. "I had completed what would have been your typical 10-to-12-song album and was anticipating a 2020 release. Somewhere along the line, I discovered a few completed songs that for whatever reason were never released. Along with that, I found a massive collection of material that was in various forms of completion. Some songs had drums bass and piano with no vocal, other songs were nothing more than a bass line and a vocal melody and so on. I decided to take that summer and fall, stay in the studio, and see how many of these ideas I could bring to completion. The concept was to include the already completed works and finish the other ideas and then stop once I reached 50 songs. Reality is we've got way more sitting on the hard drives waiting for attention. I figured if I can walk out of the studio with 50 songs (that I like) mixed and mastered, I can release a 50-song package on my 50th birthday."
The first song from "50 For 50", "Devil's Hand", will also be released on Monday, February 3 via all digital retail outlets. As Kotzen says: "The song touches on loss and regret while romanticizing a past that may or may not have been as it is being remembered in the present."
Kotzen will continue to celebrate his big birthday with fans all over the world starting with an appearance at the Monsters Of Rock cruise kick-off party on February 7 in Miami, Florida at the Magic City Casino. His North American tour will commence with a three-night engagement in New York City at the Iridium Jazz Club on June 23, 24 and 25. The worldwide tour will take the birthday celebration to Mexico, Europe, Latin America, Japan and Southeast Asia.
Photo credit: Larry Dimarzio | +2 | |
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28 ÿíâ 2020
BLACK SWAN Feat. JEFF PILSON, ROBIN MCAULEY, REB BEACH And MATT STARR: 'Big Disaster' Video
 Vocalist Robin McAuley (MCAULEY SCHENKER GROUP), guitarist Reb Beach (WINGER, WHITESNAKE), bassist Jeff Pilson (FOREIGNER, THE END MACHINE, ex-DOKKEN), and drummer Matt Starr (ACE FREHLEY, MR. BIG) have joined forces in BLACK SWAN, a new band project signed to Frontiers Music Srl. Their debut album, "Shake The World", is a delightful romp of powerful hard rock that is not simply the sum of its parts, but a powerful rock and roll machine. It will be released on February 14 on CD, LP and digital formats.
The official music video for the second single from "Shake The World", a track called "Big Disaster", can be seen below.
The genesis of BLACK SWAN was sparked by a conversation between Pilson and Frontiers president and head of A&R, Serafino Perugino, who wanted a project that would not only showcase McAuley's vocal prowess, but have a mighty musical backbone to stand skyscraper tall behind him. Thus, the initial seeds were planted and Pilson ran with it from there. "Shake The World" was tracked at Pilson's home studio in Los Angeles and is a showcase of both the musical talents of the instrumental players in the band as well as McAuley's powerful voice. The four members got BLACK SWAN off the ground by exchanging ideas back and forth and then bringing all the songs together. The final result is something fresh, very heavy, but still intensely melodic and it's certainly not DOKKEN, nor WINGER, nor MSG, or some combination thereof, but its own unique animal. As an example, one of the songs was written by Pilson right after seeing the QUEEN movie "Bohemian Rhapsody". "I came home and I sat down at the grand piano and pretty much wrote exactly the chorus that we have, just coming straight [from] the movie. It is a bit QUEEN-like."
Continues Pilson, "It's amazing, incredible music. Wait until you hear everybody's playing and singing. It's beyond — way beyond."
Adds McAuley, "This is really exciting for me to read: BLACK SWAN announces the release of 'Shake The World', the first offering from the band on the Frontiers label.' I've known Jeff for some thirty years and we have a history of performing together on MSG 'Unplugged', in addition to being great friends, musically and socially. When he asked me to do this and collaborate with Reb, I didn't have to think too long with my response. Initially he wasn't going to play bass on this, but Reb and myself soon changed his mind, lol!!! Bringing Matt into the mix was a great decision. His powerful energy and style is unmistakable on this album. Overall, it is a very powerful blend of styles and writing. Reb is truly an amazing guitarist and songwriter. Jeff captured my vocals the way I like to sound. Probably the best vocal sound I've had... ever!!!! Such a great and creative studio experience for me. This is kick-ass, powerful music on an album full of great songs. If you love strong melodies and BIG choruses, BLACK SWAN won't disappoint!! It's time… 'SHAKE THE WORLD'!!!"
Beach says: "When Jeff approached me to do this, I was so excited because I loved writing 'Erase The Slate' with him for DOKKEN. I also played in the band with Jeff for four years, and we worked so well together, writing and live too. He is as good as it gets when it comes to a rock musician, a great songwriter and an absolute joy to work with. I came in with riffs, Jeff arranged them into a song by adding his own parts, and then Robin wrote the lyrics, and knocked it out of the park with the vocals. I am pretty particular about singers, and Robin's voice is so slammin' that I wouldn't want anyone else. Matt came in with his huge drum sound, and we had a great sounding band. Very exciting stuff!!"
"Shake the World" track listing:
01. Shake The World
02. Big Disaster
03. Johnny Came Marching
04. Immortal Souls
05. Make It There
06. She's On To Us
07. The Rock That Rolled Away
08. Long Road To Nowhere
09. Sacred Place
10. Unless We Change
11. Divided/United | +4 | |
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28 ÿíâ 2020
Video: MEGADETH Performs 'The Conjuring' In Amsterdam
 MEGADETH's classic song "The Conjuring" made its 2020 tour debut last night (Sunday, January 26) at AFAS Live in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Fan-filmed video footage of the performance can be seen below.
MEGADETH played "The Conjuring" live for the first time since 2001 in June 2018 at the Home Monitoring Aréna in Plzeň, Czech Republic, where the band was the support act for JUDAS PRIEST.
Mustaine said in a 2016 interview that he was reconsidering his decision to never play "The Conjuring" again, explaining that he wouldn't mind reintroducing the track at MEGADETH's live shows "as long as it doesn't hurt anybody."
Mustaine wrote in his autobiography, "Mustaine: A Heavy Metal Memoir", that he practiced black magic as a teenager, and that the experience — which inspired "The Conjuring" — affected his life for years after.
Speaking to "The Morning Blaze With Gus & Izzy" show on the Fresno radio station 105.1 The Blaze, Mustaine was asked about his refusal to play "The Conjuring" at MEGADETH's concerts. He said: "I used to do black magic when I was a kid, and I put a hex on a dude and his leg kind of got messed up. The other one was I put a sex hex on this girl and the next night she was in my bed, so I think that it worked."
He continued: "But the funny thing [is] Chis Adler [LAMB OF GOD drummer, who played on 2016's 'Dystopia' album] just said, 'Hey, dude, can we re-record 'The Conjuring' with different lyrics?' And I was, like, 'Nah. You know what? Maybe I should re-think this whole thing.' Because when I first did the whole, 'You know what? I'm not gonna be a heathen anymore. I'm gonna clean up my life' thing, I kind of put some brakes on things I would and wouldn't do. And as I grow, I evolve in my outlook and my personal journey here, being a positive person and being a positive influence on other people's lives. So as long as it doesn't hurt anybody, I wouldn't mind doing the song again, 'cause it is a good song."
Mustaine previously spoke about his reluctance to perform "The Conjuring" during a 2011 interview with U.K.'s Total Guitar magazine. He stated at the time: "Performance-wise, 'The Conjuring' is one of the heaviest songs on [MEGADETH's 'Peace Sells… But Who's Buying?' album], but, unfortunately, it's got black magic in it and I promised that I wouldn't play it anymore, because there's a lot of instructions for hexes in that song. Although it seems kinda corny, anybody who's a Wiccan or a warlock or anything like that will know that all of that stuff is instrumental."
He continued: "When I got into black magic I put a couple of spells on people when I was a teenager and it haunted me forever, and I've had so much torment. People say, 'Goddamn, Dave never gets a break, he's had such a hard life,' and I just think, 'No, Dave didn't — he got into black magic and it ruined his life.' It wasn't that I was a bad guy or that I had a big mouth, it was that I got into witchcraft and black magic and it ruined my life. Fortunately for me, with all the work and the love of my friends, and not giving up with my guitar playing, I got over it. So I look back now and I think, "Hmm, I don't wanna play 'The Conjuring'."
Mustaine went on to say: "When I first got saved, I was really scared and I was basically holding on to anything that I heard in church or whatever, but as I've grown I've learned a lot and lightened up a lot, and I see people around me doing certain things and instead of me saying, 'Man, you shouldn't do that!' I think quietly to myself, 'Dude, you don't know what you're doing…' It's a huge growth process."
MEGADETH is currently on the road in Europe as the support act for FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH. The trek kicked off on January 20 in Helsinki, Finland and will conclude on February 22 in Sofia, Bulgaria. The Helsinki concert was MEGADETH's first since Mustaine was diagnosed with throat cancer and its first live appearance in 15 months. | +6 | |
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28 ÿíâ 2020
RUSH's NEIL PEART Included In GRAMMY AWARDS' 'In Memoriam' Segment
 Iconic RUSH drummer Neil Peart was included in the televised portion of the Grammy Awards ceremony's "In Memoriam" segment. A short video snippet of Peart in concert was displayed on the screen, along with the caption "NEIL PEART - drummer, lyricist Rush".
You can watch the entire "In Memoriam" segment below, with Peart appearing around the 19-second mark.
Peart died on January 7 in Santa Monica, California after a three-year battle with glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer. He was 67 years old. The band announced his passing on January 10, setting off shockwaves and an outpouring of grief from fans and musicians all over the world.
RUSH's final show took place at the Forum in Los Angeles on August 1, 2015. Peart indicated at the time that he wanted to retire while he was still able to play well, along with a desire to spend more time at home with his young daughter.
Peart joined RUSH in 1974. He was considered one of the best rock drummers of all time, alongside John Bonham of LED ZEPPELIN; Keith Moon of THE WHO; and Ginger Baker of CREAM. Peart was also RUSH's primary lyricist, drawing inspiration from everything from sci-fi to Ayn Rand. | +7 | |
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28 ÿíâ 2020
FAITH NO MORE Announces More European Tour Dates
 FAITH NO MORE, which recently announced their first European live performances in five years, has extended the trek, adding shows in Stuttgart, Berlin, Amsterdam, Milan and Zurich.
So far, the following dates have been announced:
Jun. 09 - Manchester, UK - O2 Apollo
Jun. 10 - Manchester, UK - O2 Apollo
Jun. 11 - Glasgow, UK - O2 Academy
Jun. 13 - Punchestown, Ireland – Sunstroke Festival
Jun. 15 - Birmingham, UK - Birmingham Academy
Jun. 16 - London, UK - O2 Academy Brixton
Jun. 17 - London, UK - O2 Academy Brixton
Jun. 19 - Dessel, Belgium - Graspop Metal Meeting
Jun. 20 - Clisson, France - Hellfest Open Air
Jun. 22 - Stuttgart, Germany - Schleyerhalle
Jun. 23 - Berlin, Germany - Mac Schmeling Halle
Jun. 26 - Oslo, Norway - Tons Of Rock
Jun. 28 - Helsinki, Finland - Tuska Open Air
Jul. 03 - Amsterdam, Netherlands - AFAS Live
Jul. 04 - Werchter, Belgium - Rock Werchter
Jul. 06 - Milan, Italy - Milano Summer Festival
Jul. 07 - Zurich, Switzerland - Halle 622
Jul. 10 - Lisbon, Portugal - NOS Alive
Jul. 11 - Madrid, Spain - Mad Cool Festival
FAITH NO MORE's spring 2020 shows will come five years after the release of the group's acclaimed reunion album, "Sol Invictus".
FAITH NO MORE initially reunited for touring purposes in 2009, twelve years after issuing its previous studio set, "Album Of The Year", and followed that up with the aforementioned "Sol Invictus".
FAITH NO MORE keyboardist Roddy Bottum recently said that there are no plans for the band to record new music.
"I think we're all at an age, or at a time in our lives, where looking back at what we've done is a profound place to be," he told Kerrang! magazine. I'm super-proud of what we've done in a way that I haven't been before. I think maybe some years ago it did feel a little bit dirty, like we were taking advantage of the world by just going out there and playing old songs, but for whatever reason, I'm in a different place with that right now. I think our legacy speaks for itself in the way the world is right now. It's refreshing and it's appropriately provocative to throw ourselves into the world again. It's a good example of eccentric leftism, if you will."
Roddy went on to say that FAITH NO MORE 's comeback has actually "been a long time in the making."
"I think all of us were at the point collectively where we felt like what we had done five years ago in reforming, and the subsequent recording and touring of that recording [the 'Sol Invictus' album], was an unfinished task," he explained. "There were places that we didn't go, things we didn't do, and ways that we would have liked to perform but hadn't. The option to do it again was still there, but it kind of took us a while to get our head around how we wanted to do it, and what the impetus for going forward was."
In 2018, Bottum said that he had been working on new material with his FAITH NO MORE bandmates Mike Bordin and Billy Gould, saying that the trio was getting together regularly "in the hopes of pushing things forward and making new music."
Three years ago, FAITH NO MORE singer Mike Patton told Full Metal Jackie's nationally syndicated radio show that the band was "on an extended break." He added: "And if something happens, it'll happen organically and naturally. But I kind of don't think it will. I kind of feel like we've tipped the scales a little bit. But we'll see. Who knows? I've learned my lesson not to say 'no.'"
Patton stressed that he didn't close the door on any future shows with FAITH NO MORE. "It's one of those things. It's kind of like going to a family reunion, and you get along with your uncle, and then you're, like, 'Oh, we're gonna go to the next barbecue. Okay. Fine,'" he said. "I mean, that's really the way it is with us."
Chuck Mosley, who sang on FAITH NO MORE's first two albums, died in November 2017 "due to the disease of addiction," according to a statement from his family. He was 57.
Photo credit: Jimmy Hubbard | +1 | |
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28 ÿíâ 2020
HEAVEN SHALL BURN Documentary Heading To German Cinemas; Video Trailer
 Save the date! German fans of Heaven Shall Burn should already block the evening of February 19, because you will have the exclusive opportunity to watch Mein grünes Herz in dunklen Zeiten (“My Green Heart In Dark Times“) in cinemas. More info including ticket links will be available shortly. Watch a trailer below.
Synopsis: The producer Ingo Schmoll followed Heaven Shall Burn for almost a year on their creative journey to their new album. Mein grünes Herz in dunklen Zeiten isn’t just a documentary about an adventurous and inspiring trip throughout Europe, but is also going back to the roots of the band. The making of “Of Truth And Sacrifice” is offering the narrative framework in order to get to the bottom of the phenomenon HSB. It is a portrait about a band that is highly successful worldwide, but still rooted in their native Thuringia, and it is spotlighting not only private and musical, but also social and political aspects from unusual angles.
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zergnet.type = 'text/javascript'; zergnet.async = true;
zergnet.src = (document.location.protocol == "https:" ? "https:" : "http:") + '//www.zergnet.com/zerg.js?id=70729';
var znscr = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0];
znscr.parentNode.insertBefore(zergnet, znscr);
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28 ÿíâ 2020
MARILYN MANSON And THE MARS VOLTA Bassist JUAN ALDERETE In A Coma After Suffering Serious Injury In Bicycle Accident
 MARILYN MANSON and THE MARS VOLTA bassist Juan Alderete is in a coma after suffering a serious injury in a bicycle accident. According to his wife, Anne, the 56-year-old musician sustained serious head trauma in the form of a traumatic brain injury.
In an Instagram post on Friday (January 24), Anne wrote: "Hi everyone – this is Anne, Juan's wife. While I generally hesitate to share personal details on social media, it felt right to include all of you who've supported Juan over the years as friends, fans, fellow music (and food, cat, bike, Japan) lovers and musicians.
"Juan was in a solo (no cars, other people) and very serious bicycle accident on 1/13/20 not far from our home. He – as always – was wearing a helmet and protective clothing but sustained serious head trauma in the form of a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI); his form of TBI is Diffuse Axonal Injury (DAI) and as of today, he remains in a coma.
"The only prognosis is to wait and see, as the brain is a complicated organ and the outcomes for DAI patients has a range as wide as the sea. While frustrating, it also allows for a world of positive outcomes so we can only hope for the best.
"We know you have questions, concerns, thoughts to share, so please feel free to leave them in the comments (not DM please, sorry) here. We're also very eager to hear from neurologists, medical professionals with experience in DAI and TBI, first-person accounts of similar trauma and outcomes – essentially any useful, factual and accurate resources that relate to Juan's injury. If you have any of these, please DM me (Anne) @tunatoast.
"We will post updates here from time to time. Thank you all and please keep Juan in your thoughts. – xo, Anne"
Juan was the bass player for the Grammy Award-winning band THE MARS VOLTA. He joined the band in 2003, and has also recorded with VOLTA's composer/guitarist Omar Rodríguez-López on his solo albums. THE MARS VOLTA toured with SOUNDGARDEN on their big 2011 reunion tour. In 2012 THE MARS VOLTA disbanded and he started a new bandwith MARS VOLTA singer Cedric Bixler-Zavala called ZAVALAZ.
According to Amptweaker, Juan's early progressive rock and jazz interests combined with his studies at the Musicians Institute in Hollywood have helped him incorporate styles that make him a very unique sounding yet solid player. It was at the Musicians Institute where Juan and fellow classmate Paul Gilbert created the band RACER X.
Aside from ZAVALAZ, Juan has been involved with his own musical projects. BIG SIR is a group composed of Juan and singer Lisa Papineau. VATO NEGRO is a group with a revolving door of musicians, including Deantoni Parks, Omar Rodriguez-Lopez, and Jon Theodore. Juan also played in an experimental futuristic rock trio called HALO ORBIT with drummer Mark Guiliana (David Bowie, John Scofield) and guitarist/synth player suGar Yoshinaga (BUFFALO DAUGHTER).
In November 2017, Alderete filled in on bass for MARILYN MANSON at the Ozzfest Meets Knotfest festival, and has been Manson's bass player on tour since.
Photo courtesy of Anne Alderete
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28 ÿíâ 2020
HORISONT Announce Sudden Death Album And Headline Tour
 Swedish hard rockers Horisont has announced their forthcoming album Sudden Death and headline Sudden Death Tour 2020 in support of the release.
“As you might have noticed, it's been a bit quiet from team Horisont. That doesn't mean we haven't been busy. Quite the opposite, actually! We have, in our humble opinion, created our best record ever. It's a combination between a slap shot to the groin and a crosschecking in the face topped off with your normal Horisont sound. We're also stoked to be hitting the road the same time as the album release. Be sure to check out the dates and swing by. The combination of us being super excited to play live again, and the feeling of pure power with this new album, tells us these shows are going to kick all of our asses," states Horisont about the announcement.
Dates:
May
14 – Leipzig, Germany – Ut Connewitz
15 – Lohr am Main, Germany – Umsonst & Drinnen Festival
16 – Berlin, Germany – Bi Nuu (Paranoid Club Party)
18 – Vienna, Austria – Arena
19 – Aschaffenburg, Germany – Colos-Saal
20 – Essen, Germany – Turock
21 – Olten, Switzerland – Coq’D’Or
22 – Innsbruck, Austria – PMK
23 – Lichtenfels, Germany – Paunchy Cats
24 – Hamburg, Germany – Logo
June
3 – Solvesborg, Sweden – Sweden Rock Festival
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28 ÿíâ 2020
DEE SNIDER Is Working On Live DVD/CD From 'For The Love Of Metal' Tour
 Dee Snider has confirmed that he is working on a live DVD and CD recorded during the touring cycle for his latest solo album, "For The Love Of Metal", which was released in July 2018. The new set, which may end up being called "For The Love Of Metal Live", is expected to arrive later this year via Napalm Records.
On Friday (January 24), the TWISTED SISTER frontman tweeted: "'So Dee, what have you been up to?' Funny you should ask. Been putting together a live DVD/CD with @NBellmore @CharlieBellmore @pzutto @mahtyfriedman for @NapalmRecords ! Get ready for 'For the Love of Metal Live!' Or maybe I should call it 'For the Live of Metal'?"
"For The Love Of Metal", which was produced by HATEBREED vocalist Jamey Jasta, featured contributions from Howard Jones (ex-KILLSWITCH ENGAGE), Mark Morton (LAMB OF GOD), Alissa White-Gluz (ARCH ENEMY), Joel Grind and Nick Bellmore (TOXIC HOLOCAUST), and Charlie Bellmore (KINGDOM OF SORROW).
Snider told Decibel magazine about the musical direction of "For The Love Of Metal": "I love contemporary metal and I think that's why it sounds so genuine. I go to shows. My kids are all metalheads, especially my daughter, she's hardcore. Over the years, because she was so young, I had to escort her to these shows, so I was exposed to all these hardcore bands. I love the passion, and I love the 'I've got nothing to lose' attitude that these bands have. That's what you lose when you're successful. You lose that fearlessness. I'd much rather listen to bands that have that heart and that passion than listen to people who have lost it. I've always been in tune with that and have loved it. Jamey, in writing, we sat and talked endlessly about what matters to me now and about what I wanted to say now and where was I at emotionally now."
In a separate interview with Distorted Sound, Snider said that he has found his place in the contemporary music scene with "For The Love Of Metal". "I'm so happy to be doing this," he said. "This record defines me as a person who wants to feel vital what I'm doing now matters and counts. I'm so happy I thought there wasn't that place in music for me. I've been doing Broadway, radio, TV, movies, I've been finding my place now with other things that I've been doing, but my first love is metal and music, and to do a record that I feel is a place now… My wife said she hasn't seen me this happy in a long time, and I'm always happy. She said I have an odd, childlike glee. It's crazy. I know, I'm [64] and not that I feel it. I'm healthy, people see me rock and their minds are blowing. I didn't think at this point in my life, this would be happening."
TWISTED SISTER called it quits in 2016 after completing a farewell 40th-anniversary tour.
“So Dee, what have you been up to?” Funny you should ask. Been putting together a live DVD/CD with @NBellmore @CharlieBellmore @pzutto @mahtyfriedman for @NapalmRecords! Get ready for “For the Love of Metal Live!” Or maybe I should call it “For the Live of Metal”?
— Dee Snider (@deesnider) January 25, 2020 | +3 | |
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28 ÿíâ 2020
LAMB OF GOD Guitarist MARK MORTON Releases Video For Cover Of PEARL JAM Classic 'Black'
 The second video from LAMB OF GOD guitarist Mark Morton's new solo EP — a cover of the PEARL JAM hit "Black" featuring vocalist Mark Morales — can be seen below.
"The early '90s were such an important and vibrant time for rock music in general, and I feel like 'Black' is one of the great songs from that era," Morton says. "Our approach in covering it was to present a super stripped-down version, sticking the essence of the song. It's got a very lonely feel to it and Mark Morales delivered an absolutely incredible vocal performance."
"Ether", Morton's second solo offering, was released this month via Rise Records. The primarily acoustic EP is comprised of three original tracks and two covers that showcase Morton's diversity as a musician.
As with Morton's solo debut, "Anesthetic", released last year, the guitarist enlisted the talents of various musicians and vocalists to bring his songs to life. "Ether" features appearances by Lzzy Hale (HALESTORM), Howard Jones (KILLSWITCH ENGAGE, LIGHT THE TORCH), John Carbone (MOON TOOTH) and Morales. The EP is made up of three original songs and two covers that once again showcase Morton's diversity as a musician.
Said Morton: "Once again, I've had the great pleasure of working with some amazingly talented artists and friends to assemble this collection of tunes, all of which feature a strong acoustic guitar component. Inspired by the acoustic sets I had the opportunity to perform last spring and summer in support of 'Anesthetic', I began writing some new songs to reflect that more mellow vibe."
"Ether" track listing:
01. All I Had To Lose (featuring Mark Morales)
02. The Fight (featuring John Carbone)
03. She Talks To Angels (featuring Lzzy Hale)
04. Love My Enemy (featuring Howard Jones)
05. Black (featuring Mark Morales)
"Ether" was produced and mixed by Josh Wilbur (LAMB OF GOD, GOJIRA, TRIVIUM).
Morton recently wrapped a handful of intimate acoustic shows in the U.K. as a three-piece with Morales and guitarist Joe Harvatt. | +2 | |
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28 ÿíâ 2020
Video: Original BANG TANGO Lineup Performs At Whisky A Go Go
 Fan-filmed video footage of BANG TANGO's January 25 concert at the Whisky A Go Go in West Hollywood, California can be seen below (courtesy of YouTube user "concertsrock").
The original lineup of BANG TANGO announced its reunion last November.
All five of the group's original members — guitarist Mark Knight, singer Joe Lesté, guitarist Kyle Stevens, bassist Kyle Kyle and drummer Tigg Ketler — agreed to regroup for live appearances this year.
BANG TANGO was founded by Knight and Kyle in 1988. After recruiting Stevens, Lesté joined, along with Ketler, to complete the classic line up of BANG TANGO.
Lesté stated about BANG TANGO's comeback: "As with any band in any genre, over the years there have been multiple lineup changes and the obvious ups and downs, both personally and professionally with this band. The five of us had, and still have, a bond musically and personally that simply doesn't come along every day. Within one hour of us getting in the rehearsal room, it was obvious that we needed to do this, and do it for the RIGHT reasons. We are all only here once."
Although BANG TANGO was often lumped in with the whole '80s glam metal movement (perhaps due to their pretty-boy looks and the fact that they hailed from Los Angeles), the hard-rockin' quintet was one a few L.A. glam groups to incorporate funk into its sound — around the same time as the RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS and FAITH NO MORE made it acceptable to do so. The band piqued the interest of Mechanic/MCA shortly after the quintet issued its first in-concert recordings, 1987's "Live Injection". Following the release of their major-label debut, "Psycho Cafe", in 1989, MTV's "Headbangers Ball" gave significant air time to the single "Someone Like You", and eventually it became a mainstay on the dial MTV charts. The group continued to issue albums throughout the early 1990s, including "Dancin' On Coals", "Ain't No Jive...Live!" and the critically acclaimed "Love After Death".
BANG TANGO released three studio albums in the past decade and a half: "Ready To Go" (2004), "From The Hip" (2006), and the latest CD, "Pistol Whipped In The Bible Belt" (2011).
BANG TANGO's most recent lineup consisted of Lesté, bassist Lance Eric, drummer Timmy Russell and guitarist Steve Favela. | 0 | |
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27 ÿíâ 2020
Listen To A Snippet Of NIGHTWISH's New Single, 'Noise'
 A 15-second preview of "Noise", the new single from Finnish/British/Dutch symphonic metallers NIGHTWISH, is available below. The song is taken from the band's ninth studio album, "Human. :II: Nature." , which will be released on April 10 via Nuclear Blast. The long-awaited follow-up to 2015's "Endless Forms Most Beautiful" will be a double album containing nine tracks on the main CD and one long track, divided into eight chapters on CD 2.
"Human. :II: Nature." was recorded from August to October 2019 at Röskö campsite, Petrax Studios and Troykington castle, as well as Finnvox Studios, by Tero Kinnunen, Mikko Karmila and Troy Donockley. The mixing was done by Mikko Karmila at Finnvox, with Tuomas Holopainen and Tero Kinnunen. Mastering was done by Mika Jussila at Finnvox.
The track listing will be as follows:
Disc 1:
01. Music
02. Noise
03. Shoemaker
04. Harvest
05. Pan
06. How's The Heart?
07. Procession
08. Tribal
09. Endlessness
Disc 2:
01. All The Works Of Nature Which Adorn The World - Vista
02. All The Works Of Nature Which Adorn The World - The Blue
03. All The Works Of Nature Which Adorn The World - The Green
04. All The Works Of Nature Which Adorn The World - Moors
05. All The Works Of Nature Which Adorn The World - Aurorae
06. All The Works Of Nature Which Adorn The World - Quiet As The Snow
07. All The Works Of Nature Which Adorn The World - Anthropocene (incl. "Hurrian Hymn To Nikkal")
08. All The Works Of Nature Which Adorn The World - Ad Astra
The album pre-order will start on February 7.
NIGHTWISH frontwoman Floor Jansen recently told FaceCulture that she was "very, very happy" with how the new disc turned out. "Already with the first notes, I [was, like], 'Oh, yeah. There we go,'" she said. "It's as much NIGHTWISH thing you might expect from us as, 'Wow! What's this now? What's happening?'"
She continued: "I can't really say too much about it, because there are a couple of things that are the same, a couple of things that are different. But all I can say is I'm very happy with it and I'm very excited about it. And I think people that already knew NIGHTWISH will really enjoy this."
NIGHTWISH's new album will mark the band's second full-length effort with the Dutch singer, who has been touring with the group since 2012.
NIGHTWISH's latest release was the "Decades: Live In Buenos Aires" set, which came out on December 6 as a Blu-ray digibook, 2CD digipak, Blu-ray+2CD earbook and 3LP via Nuclear Blast. The effort was recorded on September 30, 2018 at Estadio Malvinas in Buenos Aires, Argentina during the "Decades" tour in support of the band's compilation album of the same name.
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27 ÿíâ 2020
BLIND GUARDIAN To Begin Pre-Production On New Album This Month
 Frontman Hansi Kürsch of German power metal veterans BLIND GUARDIAN has revealed to France's Loud TV that his band is about to enter the studio to record its next album. "The other guys used the time when I was working on [BLIND GUARDIAN's recently released all-orchestral album] 'Legacy Of The Dark Lands' and provided me with material, which I already have come up with vocal ideas," he said (see video below). "So we are ready to hit the studio. We start pre-production at the end of January, and the real production for the album will start around April. And what we have in mind is mixing in November. So, I would guess that this album will be released in the first half of 2021. And after that, it's very obvious that we are going to hit the road again."
"Twilight Orchestra: Legacy Of The Dark Lands" was released in November via Nuclear Blast. To create the concept, lead guitarist André Olbrich and Kürsch worked alongside German bestselling author Markus Heitz, whose latest novel, "Die Dunklen Lande", was released in March 2019. The book is set in 1629 and contains the prequel to "Legacy Of The Dark Lands".
BLIND GUARDIAN's last "regular" studio album, "Beyond The Red Mirror", came out in 2015. It was the band's first LP since 2010's "At The Edge Of Time", marking the longest gap between two studio albums in BLIND GUARDIAN's career. It was also the group's first album without bassist Oliver Holzwarth since 1995's "Imaginations From The Other Side". Holzwarth has since been replaced by Barend Courbois. | +4 | |
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27 ÿíâ 2020
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27 ÿíâ 2020
VIO-LENCE Recruits Former OVERKILL Guitarist BOBBY GUSTAFSON
 Reunited San Francisco Bay Area thrashers VIO-LENCE have parted ways with guitarist Ray Vegas. His temporary replacement for VIO-LENCE shows starting in late February will be former OVERKILL guitarist Bobby Gustafson.
Says the band: "VIO-LENCE would like to thank Ray Vegas for all his hard work and contributions to this band. It's been an incredible year bringing VIO back to life and Ray was an integral part in our success. We wish him all the best.
"The band will perform in Puerto Rico this weekend as a four-piece and Bobby will start later in February when the band goes to Japan, Australia [and] New Zealand. All shows will be honored as scheduled."
VIO-LENCE released three studio albums between 1988 and 1993. The group reunited soon after guitarist Phil Demmel left MACHINE HEAD in late 2018.
VIO-LENCE performed its first comeback concert in April 2019 at the Oakland Metro in Oakland, California and spent the last year playing select shows in the U.S. and Europe.
The band's current touring lineup consists of Demmel, Gustafson, vocalist Sean Killian, drummer Perry Strickland and bassist Deen Dell.
Although MACHINE HEAD frontman Robb Flynn was part of VIO-LENCE's classic incarnation and played on the band's debut album, "Eternal Nightmare", he wasn't contacted about doing the comeback shows.
Demmel told Australia's Heavy magazine about VIO-LENCE's comeback: "This whole thing kind of started slow, right after I quit MACHINE HEAD and did a little bridge thing with SLAYER [filling in for Gary Holt]. Sean reached out about doing a couple of shows, and I was pretty floored, because he wasn't looking too good the last time I saw him. [Editor's note: Killian received a liver transplant in 2018.]… My only concern was Sean, and how he was physically. I think that all the other things could be put into place, but there's no VIO-LENCE without Sean Killian. [It was about] making sure that he was going to be good, and be able to pull it off. I didn't want to go out there and just kind of prop him up and have him just be going through some — not midlife crisis, but some sort of thing that he just wanted to do. I wanted it to be quality, because we've always put on a pretty quality product whenever we got together and jammed."
Asked about the prospect of new VIO-LENCE music, Phil said: "We're just kind of enjoying getting through the shows and playing with each other. We're going to be getting to a part where we're traveling together, so we're still kind of feeling each other out in that sense. New music? Sean's itching to write some new music. I'm not itching as hard. I've got a lot on my plate. VIO-LENCE is definitely a priority, but that's just a step I haven't... It's hard, because you have this comeback, and then you play the songs, and you want to be good. I don't want to put out something that isn't as good as 'Eternal Nightmare' or some of the songs from 'Oppressing [The Masses]'. I want to have something that's quality. I want to be with these guys long enough to know that that can happen, because I don't want to put out something shitty. I don't want to taint the feeling that people would have, because I know the live show's there, but I don't know that the creative part, that aspect of it, is there yet. Until I'm sure of that, I just kind of want to enjoy what we're doing now. [We're] just really trying to be kind of delicate with it. All the fun we're having, I don't want to fuck it up." | +3 | |
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27 ÿíâ 2020
Rockers React To Death Of Basketball Legend KOBE BRYANT
 Paul Stanley (KISS), David Coverdale (WHITESNAKE), Dino Cazares (FEAR FACTORY), Phil Labonte (ALL THAT REMAINS) and Chris Kael (FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH) are among the rockers who have reacted to the death of basketball star Kobe Bryant. The NBA legend and his daughter were among five people killed in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California, on Sunday, it has been reported. Bryant was 41.
Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter Gianna Bryant were on their way to a travel basketball game with when the helicopter crashed. According to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, there were no survivors of the crash. The incident occurred before 10 a.m., and the fire made it difficult for firefighters and emergency personnel to get to the aircraft, according to the Los Angeles Times. An investigation is ongoing.
Bryant played for the Los Angeles Lakers for 20 years and is considered one of the greatest basketball players of all time. He won five NBA championships, was an 18-time All-Star, was the NBA's Most Valuable Player in the 2007-2008 season and is fourth on the NBA's all-time scoring list. He retired after the 2015-16 season, having spent his entire career with the Lakers. The franchise retired his No. 8 and No. 24 jersey numbers in December 2017.
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27 ÿíâ 2020
BLACK VEIL BRIDES' Longtime Bassist ASHLEY PURDY: 'Technically, I Didn't Leave' The Band
 BLACK VEIL BRIDES' longtime bassist Ashley Purdy spoke to Sonic Perspectives about his surprise departure from the band last November. His exit from the group took place not long after he spent time in a psychiatric hospital to undergo intensive grief counseling and therapy from a few recent deaths and tragedies.
"What sucks was the timing of it all," Ashley said. "They didn't have anything to do with each other. There are legal aspects of what I can say about the departure.
"Fans of the band are continually coming up to me, asking why did I leave the band. Technically, I didn't leave; I'm just not in the band anymore. I have to talk in those terms right now.
"BLACK VEIL BRIDES is a corporate business, and there are legal rules," he explained. "It's like a divorce, and we are working it all out.
"People can make their own assessments about things, but when you make a record, don't tour for two years, only to make another record, don't tour for two more years, the morale of the band starts to go away. The band is a job, and it's how you pay your bills and put food on the table. When it doesn't happen, you have to start looking for other things to do."
Purdy also offered an update on his emotional and physical well-being, saying: "It just had to take its course, but at least I was strong enough to know I needed to seek help. I was trying to be a tough guy and deal with it on my own until one day I broke. I went to a physician to get some meds after telling him my story, and he was, like, 'No, you need more treatment.' I was admitted to a psychiatric hospital for a week to get medicine, therapy, and grief counseling. At the group sessions, I heard other people's stories and knew I wasn't alone. The oddest thing was a psychic medium who I didn't know, reached out to me through a friend of a friend to give me a message from the people who passed into the afterlife. What the medium told me was very believable, as nobody would have known the level of details they shared. Strangely, hearing that they were okay helped me. This whole thing changed my perspective and I'm living a different way. I'm an open book now. There is nothing I won't say or do or help someone. It's part of life, and I'm accepting of it."
Just one week after his split with BLACK VEIL BRIDES, Purdy was reportedly arrested by Nashville police after being found unresponsive behind the wheel of his vehicle, with the engine running. He was eventually awakened by the officers, who placed him in the rear of their patrol vehicle where he "urinated all over the back seat of the patrol vehicle" on the way to the hospital, and threatened officers when they discovered it, according to Scoop Nashville.
Purdy recently released a new solo song called "Nowhere". Another single will be made available in the coming weeks.
In November, BLACK VEIL BRIDES announced the addition of bassist Lonny Eagleton to the group's ranks. Eagleton previously played with BLACK VEIL BRIDES singer Andy Biersack (a.k.a. Andy Black) on his solo tour.
Photo courtesy of Ashley Purdy's Facebook page
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27 ÿíâ 2020
TOOL Wins 'Best Metal Performance' GRAMMY For '7empest'
 TOOL was honored with a Grammy in the "Best Metal Performance" category in the pre-telecast ceremony at the 62nd annual Grammy Awards, which is being held tonight (Sunday, January 26) at Staples Center in Los Angeles. TOOL was nominated for "7empest", a track from its 2019 album "Fear Inoculum".
Danny Carey (drums) and Justin Chancellor (bass) accepted the award at today's Premiere Ceremony in Los Angeles.
In his acceptance speech, Danny said (see video below): "Wow! It kind of renews my faith in humankind that there's long attention spans left out there that can listen to a 12-minute song.
"I'd like to thank all the Gods, 'cause I don't think it's a good time to piss any of them off," he continued. "My bandmates Justin, Adam and Maynard, who I couldn't do anything without. And my mom for educating me and over a thousand other people. My lovely mother of my children — about-to-be children; just a child right now. This is for you also, baby.
"As artists, we're all influenced by the people that come before us, and for me, it's all about the great drum gods," Danny added. "I do my best to channel them every time I'm working — namely John Bonham, Tony Williams and, recently, my good friend Neil Peart. This is for all of you guys."
The nominees in the "Best Metal Performance" category were as follows:
* CANDLEMASS - "Astorolus - The Great Octopus" (feat. Tony Iommi)
* DEATH ANGEL - "Humanicide"
* I PREVAIL - "Bow Down"
* KILLSWITCH ENGAGE - "Unleashed"
* TOOL - "7empest"
The majority of the awards in the 84 Grammy categories spread across 30 fields are being handed out in a non-televised event, the Premiere Ceremony, this afternoon. The televised portion of the Grammys will begin on CBS at 5:00 p.m. PT/8:00 p.m. ET.
Alicia Keys will host music's biggest night for the second year in a row.
The award itself is a gilded gramophone, an early version of a record player/speaker combo.
The Grammys are voted on by approximately 13,000 Recording Academy members, who are comprised of artists, songwriters, producers and engineers. More than 21,000 recordings were submitted for Grammys consideration last year. For 2020 awards, music must have been released between October 1, 2018 and August 31, 2019 in order to be eligible.
Earlier this week, the Recording Academy faced allegations of sexual misconduct and voting irregularities after the abrupt departure of its president.
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27 ÿíâ 2020
Grammy Awards 2020: OZZY OSBOURNE Makes First Public Appearance Since Revealing Parkinson's Disease Diagnosis
 Ozzy Osbourne, 71, shocked the world after opening up his about his Parkinson's disease diagnosis last week, reports The Sun. As expected, he created a buzz over the weekend by walking the red carpet at the 2020 Grammy Awards on Sunday night, making it his first public appearance since the announcement. According to a Fox report, found here, Ozzy "appeared to be in good spirits as he walked the carpet and did interviews dressed in an all-black outfit complete with a crucifix necklace" while accompanied by his daughter, Kelly.
As previously reported, despite vowing to return to the stage later this year, Dr Rachel Dolhun of the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research has feared it may not be possible for the rocker.
The expert told The Daily Star how patients often experience difficulties with speech and swallowing while battling the disease. She said: “It does this by affecting the way the vocal cords and swallowing muscles actually move. In people with Parkinson’s, often times the voice gets much quieter. The emotion or tone is taken away. This is really a core part of Parkinson’s for a lot of people and it becomes a very difficult symptom to manage.”
Read more at TheSun.co.uk.
Ozzy has set Friday, February 21 as the release date for his new Ordinary Man album. Marking his first new solo music in almost 10 years, the album has been preceded by the release of two singles, the title #1 rock track "Under The Graveyard", which was followed by "Straight To Hell" featuring Guns N' Roses guitarist Slash. Pre-order the album here.
Ordinary Man will be available as a standard CD, deluxe CD, black vinyl, deluxe gatefold swirl color vinyl, picture disc and digital album. In addition, all physical copies of the album will include a unique code that will allow the purchaser to enter a sweepstakes for a chance to win one of over 300 Ozzy prizes (including an official Ozzy laminate to get into any show on the 2020 "No More Tours 2," meet and greets with Ozzy, a gift certificate to the Ozzy global store and much more!) All details on the sweepstakes can be found at ozzy.com.
"It was a lot of fun to do though it's a lot different from my other albums," Ozzy says of the album. "We recorded it quickly, which I haven't done since the first Black Sabbath album. This made it a different process, which I actually enjoyed."
Recorded in Los Angeles, the album features producer Andrew Watt on guitars, Duff McKagan (Guns N' Roses) on bass and Chad Smith (Red Hot Chili Peppers) on drums. Beyond the core band, Ordinary Man, features a who's-who of Ozzy friends and collaborators including Elton John, Post Malone, and Tom Morello.
"It all just came together," Ozzy explains of the guest stars. "Slash is a dear friend of mine, as is Elton. When I was writing 'Ordinary Man,' it reminded me of an old Elton song and I said to Sharon, 'I wonder if he would sing on it?' We asked and lo and behold, he agreed and sings and play piano on the song."
"Ordinary Man" is available for streaming below:
Videos for the singles, "Straight To Hell" and "Under The Graveyard", can be seen below:
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27 ÿíâ 2020
TO/DIE/FOR Drummer SANTTU LONKA Passes, R.I.P.
 "Sad day today," says Finland's melancholy rockers To/Die/For.
"To/Die/For drummer Santtu Lonka passed away. Santtu played drums on IV (2005), Wounds Wide Open (2006) and Samsara (2011) albums. We shared good and bad moments here and there from Mexico to Japan, on European tours, in Turkey etc. And just were friends from a same city. After TDF, Santtu played drums in bands called Murderdome and Boothill Regulators. Before TDF he played in New Dawn Foundation and Jackwire. He will be missed."
BraveWords sends our condolences to Santtu's family, friends, fans, and bandmates. The cause of death has not been revealed.
(Photo courtesy of Santtu Lonka's Facebook page)
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27 ÿíâ 2020
Former NILE And DIVINE HERESY Bassist JOSEPH PAYNE Dies
 Former NILE and DIVINE HERESY bassist Joseph Payne has died. He was 35 years old. No cause of death has yet been revealed.
Payne's passing was confirmed by his onetime DIVINE HERESY bandmate Dino Cazares (also of FEAR FACTORY and ASESINO), who took to social media earlier today to write: "Our metal brother Joseph Payne has passed away. Another one gone way too young.
"I wasn't going to say anything until I got confirmation from his family, which I now did. At this time no cause of death has been revealed.
"Joe was a great friend, a great band member and an incredible musician. Although he played bass in DIVINE HERESY, he was an incredible guitarist. I first saw him playing bass in NILE and right then and there, I said, 'I want that guy in my band.' After having that first conversation that night, I realized he was a great dude and from there on, we've shared some amazing moments in life and on tour, from Australia to South America to Canada to Mexico to Europe etc.
"Joe was a very outgoing funny guy with a very friendly personality. He was loved by many and he loved all his fans and road friends. He never complained when times got tough on the road. He always helped everyone and worked his ass off when he was in DH and I admired him for being that way.
"We love you and we will miss you. Rest in peace, my friend."
Payne quit DIVINE HERESY in January 2011, explaining in a statement that his "passion for this project" had "been insufficient for quite sometime now."
Back in December 2012, Payne made headlines when was arrested in connection with an investigation into the distribution of more than 2,900 grams of marijuana in the Iredell County area in North Carolina.
Our Metal brother Joseph Payne has passed away. Another one gone way to young.
I wasn't going to say anything until I...
Posted by Divine Heresy on Friday, January 24, 2020
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27 ÿíâ 2020
Watch DINO CAZARES Perform FEAR FACTORY Classics At NAMM 2020
 Gear Gods has uploaded video footage of Dino Cazares performing FEAR FACTORY's classic songs "Demanufacture" and "Zero Signal" at the Seymour Duncan booth during the NAMM 2020 show in Anaheim, California. Check out the clip below.
In a November 2018 interview, FEAR FACTORY singer Burton C. Bell said that the band had completed a new album tentatively titled "Monolith". He also said that "legal technicalities" needed to be sorted out before the record could be released. The effort, which is expected to once again be made available via Nuclear Blast, will mark the Californian band's first collection of new music since 2015's "Genexus" LP.
Back in May 2017, Bell told the Kilpop web site that the positive reaction to "Genexus" has "absolutely" inspired him and his bandmates to try to top it with their upcoming effort. "It was such a great response," he said. "Putting out that record was just positive all the way around, which just makes us drive even further and drive even harder. Now we've been working on a new album. All the new songs, I say, in my opinion, are even stronger than 'Genexus', 'cause it just seems even more tight. We're on a groove, and it's kicking ass."
In 2016, FEAR FACTORY completed a U.S. headlining tour on which it performed its classic second album, "Demanufacture", in its entirety.
FEAR FACTORY was the subject of breakup rumors in May 2017 when the band's former bassist-turned-guitarist Christian Olde Wolbers posted a since-deleted eulogy for FF on his Instagram. He wrote "RIP Fear Factory" and appended that post with the hashtag #GrownAssMenThatCantWorkOutShit. | +7 | |
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27 ÿíâ 2020
PSYCHOTIC WALTZ Release Music Video For New Single "All The Bad Men"
 US progressive metal pioneers and innovators, Psychotic Waltz, return in full original lineup with their fifth studio album and first new music in 23 years. Entitled The God-Shaped Void, the upcoming new album and InsideOutMusic debut will be released on February 14. Check out the song “All The Bad Men” via a video created by Costin Chioreanu / Twight13Media, below.
Guitarist Dan Rock says of the song: “This started out from an old acoustic guitar riff I had back in the ‘90s before we broke up. Oddly, there is no acoustic guitar in it at all! It became the heavy verse riff. This song took a while to find the right notes for the lead and the proper groove for the drums. Early versions of this song make us cringe, so persistence obviously pays off, as it is one of our favorites from the album now.”
Says the band: “For the first video we trusted visual artist Costin Chioreanu to come up with something fittingly dark, dystopian, abstract and trippy. And he really outdid himself! Besides, an animated video is a lot better than looking at a bunch of middle-aged guys rocking out in an empty warehouse.”
The band will be premiering the new album at a listening party at the Burning Beard Brewing Company (785 Vernon Way, El Cajon, CA) on
February 13 at 7:30 PM. Join members of the band to hear the album in its entirety, as well as a raffle for some band goodies. Free entry.
The basic tracks for The God-Shaped Void were recorded with engineer Ulrich Wild in the band’s hometown of San Diego, then the rest of the recordings at Studio D in Austria and finally the material was mixed/mastered by Jens Bogren (Opeth, Devin Townsend, Fates Warning) at Fascination Street Studios in Sweden. Artwork, as seen below, was created by longtime visual partner Travis Smith (Katatonia, Riverside, Nevermore).
The album’s bonus-track “Season Of The Swarm” will be available on the limited Mediabook CD (which comes with expanded booklet and an exclusive logo patch), on the vinyl edition as well as on the digital versions. A standard jewelcase CD edition is available as well.
The vinyl edition of The God-Shaped Void comes as 2LP on 180gr. vinyl with gatefold packaging and with the entire album on CD as bonus in the following versions:
- vinyl, there will also be the following strictly limited coloured editions available:
- Black 2LP + CD: Unlimited
- Lilac 2LP + CD: 200x copies from IOM Webshop
- Transparent Blue 2LP + CD: 200x copies from Nuclear Blast
- Dark Green 2LP + CD: 300x copies from CM Distro
Pre-orders are live here.
Tracklisting:
“Devils And Angels”
“Stranded”
“Back To Black”
“All The Bad Men”
“The Fallen”
“While The Spiders Spin”
“Pull The String”
“Demystified”
“Season Of The Swarm” (bonus track)
“Sisters Of The Dawn”
“In The Silence”
“Devils And Angels” lyric video:
Lineup (left to right in photo above):
Dan Rock - guitars & keys
Devon Graves - vocals
Ward Evans - bass
Norman Leggio - drums
Brian McAlpin - guitars
(Photo - Axel Jusseit)
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27 ÿíâ 2020
SICARIUS Reveal New Video “Bia”
 Black metal nihilists Sicarius will issue their second full-length release, God Of Dead Roots, on March 13 via M-Theory Audio. The album – which was produced by Mick Kenney (Anaal Nathrakh, Benediction, Empyrean Throne) – is now available for pre-order on CD, digital and limited-edition moonless night black vinyl at this location.
The California-based group has unveiled the second taste of the new album via a lyric video by David Thelan (Suidakra, Attic) for its bludgeoning opening track, “βία.” In Greek mythology, Bia was the personification of force, anger and raw energy, and Sicarius – whose moniker means contract killer or assassin in Latin – deftly channel all of those qualities in the song.
Along with the new track “A Practiced Hand” – which Sicarius premiered late last year – “βία” is available as an “instant grat” download with all digital preorders of God Of Dead Roots, Sicarius' first recording with guitarist Travis “Grimnir” Whiting (Carnifex, Ruines Ov Abaddon). Both songs are also now streaming via Spotify, Apple Music, Bandcamp and other digital platforms.
“βία is purely about violence in its most primal form and how it has been rooted instinctively into our DNA throughout our evolutionary history,” explains vocalist Karcass. “I find the human need to create violence fascinating; it is simultaneously our blessing and our curse. We can be so massively destructive, yet from that same mindset we birth amazing creations, new ideas, and even further life. Ultimately, I believe that we are slaves to the circle of violence created by our own human nature, and will inflict endless war upon ourselves with a grim pleasure.”
The album's cover art was again designed by Misanthropic Art (Behemoth, Pig Destroyer, Dismember, Hate Eternal):
Tracklisting:
“Bia”
“Open Fire”
“Immortal Plight”
“Culling The Heedless”
“Nekromanteia”
“A Practiced Hand”
“Pagan Vestige(s)”
“God Of Dead Roots”
“Scythe Bearers”
“Tombs”
(Unlisted CD-only bonus track – Bathory cover of “Raise The Dead”)
“Bia” lyric video:
“A Practiced Hand”:
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27 ÿíâ 2020
INNO Feat. FLESHGOD APOCALYPSE, HOUR OF PENANCE, THE FORESHADOWING, NOVEMBRE Streaming "Night Falls" Single
 Today marks the release of "Night Falls", the first single by Italian dark metallers Inno. The song is taken from their upcoming debut album The Rain Under, to be released on February 28, 2020 via Time To Kill Records.
The album was produced by the band and mixed by Marco Mastrobuono and Giuseppe Orlando in Rome. Mastering was handled by renowned Danish producer Jacob Hansen (Katatonia, Volbeat, Epica). Last but not least, the cover artwork was created by Decline Design.
The band comment:
"We want you guys to get to know Inno in its entirety and to truly experience what our new album is about. With The Rain Under we’re telling a story about darkness, fear, nightmares and despair. We thought that nothing would complete our music better than what our singer Elisabetta (who happens to express her visions drawing as well as singing) would come up with when we asked her to visualize the story behind the songs. She went on and created an obscure and mournful picture, representing one of the concepts we based our writing on: sleep paralysis.
The result left us so chuffed, we decided to print a very limited amount of copies, hand number them and sign them, so that the first amazing fans who will preorder The Rain Under will have this unique and powerful item to complement the trip through the songs.”
The first 75 copies of the album will come with a painting by frontgirl Elisabetta Marchetti. Each print (21x21 cm) will be hand numbered and signed by the band. Preorders are now available on Bandcamp.
Tracklisting:
“Suffocate”
“The Hangman”
“Pale Dead Sky”
“The Last Sun”
“Night Falls”
“To Go Astray”
“Goliath”
“Scorched”
“Misericordia”
“High Hopes” (Pink Floyd cover)
Teaser:
Emerging out of the Roman metal scene in 2017, Inno was founded by four veterans with the aim to create something that would differ from their past experiences within the metal world.
After spending a few months exploring their dormant influences, Inno came to shape a dark, doomy, heavy and progressive sound akin to eclectic acts such as Katatonia and The Gathering.
Watch out for more news and audio previews in the weeks ahead.
Lineup:
Elisabetta Marchetti (ex-Stormlord, ex-Riti Occulti) - Vocals, Piano, Acoustic Guitar
Cristiano Trionfera (ex-Fleshgod Apocalypse) - Rhythm and Lead Guitar
Marco Mastrobuono (Hour Of Penance, Coffin Birth) - Bass
Giuseppe Orlando (ex-Novembre, The Foreshadowing, Airlines Of Terror) - Drums and Percussion
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Cynic
