GHOST has released an animated music video for a new song called "The Future Is A Foreign Land".
The Swedish band's "newly uncovered 1969-era" track is featured on the soundtrack to GHOST's debut film, "Rite Here Rite Now".
According to GHOST, "The Future Is A Foreign Land" was penned by the fictional character Papa Nihil, who also "wrote" previously released GHOST songs "Mary On A Cross" and "Kiss The Go-Goat" but the track but had never been made available — until now.
While its wicked twangy guitar figures and portentous lyrics of an impending 1984 render the song instantly recognizable as an artifact of the era, "The Future Is A Foreign Land" is suffused with presciently modern signatures of the contemporary GHOST sound. Ending with an optimistic nod to 2024, "The Future Is A Foreign Land" was revealed to the children of the world during the end credits of "Rite Here Rite Now"'s world premiere, and is the sole previously unreleased studio track to be included on the movie's original soundtrack.
"The Future Is A Foreign Land", like the animated video for "Mary On a Cross", was directed by animator Sean Donnelly.
"Rite Here Rite Now" premiered globally in cinemas on June 20 through 23, with additional screenings added due to insatiable fan demand. It's an unforgettable, immersive event that combines narrative storytelling with live performances from the sold-out two-night finale of the band's "Re-Imperatour" U.S.A. 2023 at Los Angeles's iconic Kia Forum.
A phantasmagorical blend of live performance and cutaway sequences that immerses viewers in the technicolor melodrama of GHOST's vaunted live rituals, the film picks up plot threads from the band's long-running Chapters webisode series. It captures flesh and bone renditions of fan favorites from all five of GHOST's albums, as well as the RIAA platinum-certified "Mary On A Cross", interwoven with the silver screen debuts of familiar faces — all interacting behind the scenes with GHOST's Papa Emeritus IV, as his future and fate lay in the hands of the Ministry.
Whether a devoted disciple reliving treasured memories of the GHOST live spectacle or a curious newcomer, "Rite Here Rite Now" transports viewers into the heart of the performance. The film captures the essence of living in the moment, with a shadow of uncertainty looming, leaving the audience completely spellbound and enthralled by this bombastic yet intimate cinematic portrait of GHOST.
For its theatrical run, which was distributed by Trafalgar (Taylor Swift's "Eras" tour and Beyoncé's "Renaissance"),"Rite Here Rite Now" entered the Top 10 of the North America box office with a cumulative total gross of $2.65 million, making it the highest-grossing hard rock cinema event ever in North America. After its opening weekend, it entered the worldwide Top 10 box office at No. 9 with a total gross of $5.04 million worldwide. Regional highlights also included U.K. and Ireland with a $606,000 gross and No. 5 at the box office, Germany with a $332,000 gross and No. 3 at the box office, Mexico with a $326,000 gross and a No. 5 box office position for the weekend, and Australia with a $178,000 gross and No. 6 at the box office. The film has captivated audiences, receiving a stellar 99% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.
"Rite Here Rite Now: The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack", mixed by Rich Costey, will be released worldwide on July 26 via Loma Vista Recordings. A fitting 18-song complement to GHOST's debut feature film, the band's first ever original soundtrack will be available on all formats (digital, CD, 2xLP). Pre-orders are live now, and include the brand new studio recording "The Future Is A Foreign Land", revealed to the world during the film's opening night, and the live version of "Absolution" as instant-grat tracks.
Last October, GHOST mastermind Tobias Forge confirmed that footage from the band's September 2023 two shows at the Kia Forum in Inglewood, California would be used as part of the film.
"When I first started putting it together, I was, like, 'Oh my god, I'm going to faint because there's so much to think about,'" Forge told Metal Hammer magazine. "Then it was, like, 'No, no, just don't think about it at all.'"
Both GHOST shows at the Forum were device-free experiences. Use of phones and smart watches was not permitted in the performance space. Upon arrival at the venue, devices were secured in individual Yondr pouches that were opened at the end of the event.
"I have never seen a crowd interact the way that they did since I was in a club band," Forge said. "They were the best shows I've ever done with GHOST, just because I didn't have to see those fucking mobile phones."
At the Forum shows, GHOST performed the song "Twenties" live for the very first time live. They also played their cover of Roky Erikson's "If You Have Ghosts", which was originally reimagined by GHOST for their 2013 EP "If You Have Ghost". The band's version of the track at the Forum featured two cellists with a piano playing, and it was performed on a separate stage from the rest of the set.
Professionally filmed video of AC/DC performing the song "If You Want Blood (You've Got It)" on July 21 at Old Airport Vajnory in Bratislava, Slovakia can be seen below.
The setlist for the show was as follows, according to Setlist.fm:
01. If You Want Blood (You've Got It)
02. Back In Black
03. Demon Fire
04. Shot Down In Flames
05. Thunderstruck
06. Have A Drink On Me
07. Hells Bells
08. Shot In The Dark
09. Stiff Upper Lip
10. Shoot To Thrill
11. Sin City
12. Rock 'N' Roll Train
13. Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap
14. High Voltage
15. Riff Raff
16. You Shook Me All Night Long
17. Highway To Hell
18. Whole Lotta Rosie
19. Let There Be Rock
Encore:
20. T.N.T.
21. For Those About To Rock (We Salute You)
The "Power Up" European tour marks AC/DC's first with the band's new touring lineup consisting of singer Brian Johnson, guitarists Angus and Stevie Young, drummer Matt Laug and the latest addition to the group's touring lineup, bassist Chris Chaney.
The 24-date trek will run through August. The trek will move on to Germany, Belgium and Paris before winding down at Croke Park in Dublin, Ireland. The European tour is the first run of gigs since AC/DC's return to the stage at last year's rock Power Trip festival in Indio, California.
AC/DC's last tour took place in 2015 and 2016 and had a $180 million gross, with 2,310,061 sold tickets reported to the Pollstar box office.
Laug is an American drummer who has played with many bands/artists such as Alanis Morissette, Alice Cooper, SLASH'S SNAKEPIT and Vasco Rossi. Matt moved to Los Angeles after graduating from South Florence High School in 1986 and after attending college in L.A., Matt became a sought-after studio drummer.
In 2001, Laug supported AC/DC as part of SLASH'S SNAKEPIT on the North American and European legs of the "Stiff Upper Lip" tour.
In its announcement about Laug's addition to the band's Power Trip lineup, AC/DC offered no explanation for the absence of the band's longtime drummer Phil Rudd, who rejoined AC/DC for the recording of the group's comeback album, "Power Up", which came out in November 2020.
Rudd was ousted from AC/DC when he was sentenced to eight months of home detention by a New Zealand court in 2015 after pleading guilty to charges of threatening to kill and drug possession. He was replaced on the band's "Rock Or Bust" tour by Chris Slade, who had previously served as AC/DC's drummer between 1989 and 1994, playing on the album "The Razor's Edge".
Rudd, who appeared on all but three of AC/DC's 18 previous studio albums, toured in support of his 2014 solo debut, "Head Job". It was the release of that album that led indirectly to Rudd's arrest, with the drummer allegedly so angry at a personal assistant over the way the record was promoted that he threatened to have the man and his daughter killed.
AC/DC postponed the last 10 dates of its spring 2016 North American trek after Johnson was advised to stop playing live or "risk total hearing loss." The band went on to complete the European and North American legs of its "Rock Or Bust" tour with GUNS N' ROSES frontman Axl Rose as a "guest vocalist." At the time, Johnson had been AC/DC's singer for 36 years, ever since replacing the late Bon Scott in 1980 and making his debut on the classic "Back In Black" album.
To enable him to perform live with AC/DC again, the now-76-year-old Johnson worked with audio expert Stephen Ambrose, who said he could help resolve the singer's hearing problems.
Ambrose, who invented the wireless in-ear monitors that are widely used by touring artists today, claimed to have invented a new type of ear-bud that would allow Johnson to perform without causing further damage to his eardrums. After three years of experimenting and "miniaturizing" the equipment, Johnson previously said the technology could allow him to tour again.
Chaney is best known as the bassist of JANE'S ADDICTION and as a member of Alanis Morissette's touring and recording band. Chaney was also a member of TAYLOR HAWKINS AND THE COATTAIL RIDERS and CAMP FREDDY, as well as being a prolific and versatile session musician, having played with artists including Joe Cocker, Shakira, Slash and Avril Lavigne to Sara Bareilles, Gavin Degraw, Cher, SHINEDOWN and Celine Dion. Chaney is also a founding member and partner in the all-star supergroup ROYAL MACHINES along with Dave Navarro (JANE'S ADDICTION),Mark McGrath (SUGAR RAY),Josh Freese (FOO FIGHTERS) and Billy Morrison (BILLY IDOL).
Bassist Cliff Williams announced his retirement at the end of AC/DC's 2015-2016 "Rock Or Bust" tour, which also saw Johnson leaving. However, Williams — and Johnson — took part in the recording sessions that resulted in "Power Up". Both of them were also part of the AC/DC lineup that performed at Power Trip.
During an October 2020 interview with Dean Delray's "Let There Be Talk" podcast, Cliff was asked if Johnson's departure from the road was what led to his desire to stop touring. Cliff responded: "It was before then. I spoke to Angus about it initially. I was at a point — and this is at the beginning of the 'Rock Or Bust' tour — that I just felt, for me, it was time to hang it up. I knew that I didn't wanna keep doing these two-year tours, and I didn't wanna hold them back, so I made them aware of the fact that this was gonna be my last go-round. It was a tough tour to finish. God bless Axl for coming in and helping us out, finish it up. He did a great job. And at the end of that, I was definitely — that was it for me. Done — just done. That compounded the whole thing."
According to Williams, he wanted to take part in the recording sessions for "Power Up" as a tribute to Angus's late brother, founding AC/DC rhythm guitarist Malcolm Young, who died in 2017 from effects of dementia at age 64. Malcolm is credited as a writer on all 12 tracks on "Power Up".
"If 'Back In Black' has [late AC/DC singer] Bon Scott all over it, for me, 'Power Up' has got Malcolm Young," Cliff said. "This is for him. And it's the band that we played together with for 40-plus years. And I wanted to do that — I wanted to come back and do that.
"We did some rehearsals earlier [in 2020] before this darn COVID thing popped up, and we had great rehearsals," he continued. "The band was playing really well. So [they asked me], 'Do you wanna do a few shows? 'Sure'. A few shows. We were planning on doing that. Everyone goes home to their respective homes, and bang, we've been here ever since [because of the coronavirus-related shutdown]."
Cliff went on to confirm that his commitment to AC/DC was only for "a few" dates in support of "Power Up".
"For both [my mental and physical] health," he said. "I definitely have some physical issues, which I won't bore you with the details of. But, yeah, it's tough. I'm very grateful for everything. It's been fantastic. But I just don't wanna do that anymore."
Williams previously revealed that a "terrible" bout with vertigo contributed to his 2016 retirement. He also admitted the return of both Johnson and drummer Phil Rudd convinced him to rejoin the group. "It was like the old band back together," he told Rolling Stone. "It was not like starting over again, but as close to the band that's been together for 40-plus years as we can possibly make it. I didn't want to miss that."
The follow-up to 2014's "Rock Or Bust", "Power Up" was recorded over a six-week period in August and September 2018 at Warehouse Studios in Vancouver with producer Brendan O'Brien, who also worked 2008's "Black Ice" and "Rock Or Bust".
Killswitch Engage performed on the Faster Stage at the 2023 edition of Germany's Wacken Open Air festival. Professionally-filmed footage of the band performing "My Curse", "The End Of Heartache", and "My Last Serenade" can be viewed below:
Killswitch Engage will launch their Australia/New Zealand tour on September 1 in Perth, Australia. Find the band's tour itinerary here.
Find Me, the AOR Trans-Atlantic alliance featuring Robbie LaBlanc and Daniel Flores, are delighted to announce their fifth studio album, Nightbound, set for release on September 13 via Frontiers Music Srl.
The first single and accompanying music video, "Never Be Alone", are out today, offering an enticing taste of the anthemic AOR sound that defines the record. Watch the video below, and pre-order the album here.
“Our new single 'Never Be Alone' is a nice little rocker. Classic Find Me vibe to it!!! It really hits home for me as it reflects on years gone by up to the present. Losing someone in the past that you wish you could have back in the present and let them know you will be there as long as forever lasts”, says Robbie LaBlanc.
“The new Find Me is my favourite to date, I know it seems cliche to say that, but I really believe it! There is a good mix of songwriters on the album, including three songs from Jim Peterik, how lucky am I to sing three of his songs!!!” continues Robbie. “Danny did an amazing job on the production and arrangements. All of the musicians were amazing as well. All I had to do was sing on top of this great bed! I am certain that our fans will absolutely love this new offering from us, we poured our hearts into this one.”
Daniel Flores adds: “It's been a couple of years of silence, but Serafino of Frontiers has once again gathered some of the best song writers on earth for this record, including the always enigmatic Jim Peterik of Survivor fame and many of the usual awesome suspects. It's been a blast to work with these songs and bringing the demos to life so they fits with Robbie's enormous voice and I dare say that this is by far Robbie's best performance to date, that also shines in the music, and the band is in rare form as we inspire each other. This is the most playful and hard rocking album we've made so far and we hope you'll enjoy it as much as we did while recording it. Hopefully we will tour with this one!”
Find Me is the ongoing collaboration between Swedish musician, songwriter and producer Daniel Flores (Issa, The Murder of My Sweet, Seventh Wonder) and singer Robbie LaBlanc, the “voice from heaven” from Blanc Faces, who has also recently appeared on the T3nors’ debut album, Naked Soul.
Robbie La Blanc, best known as vocalist with Blanc Faces, Find Me and as a solo artist, has been singing and playing instruments since he was a young kid. His first influences (besides his dad always singing and playing the guitar) were Trini Lopez and the Beatles. Shortly after, bands like Creedence Clearwater Revival and Grand Funk Railroad.
Robbie’s first break in the music business came when he met Rock and Roll Hall Of Famer Felix Cavaliere of The Rascals, who produced the album Fury with a slew of great musicians. Afterwards, Robbie signed with a management company that had Michael Bolton ties and the duo recorded at least four albums worth of material. A few years later, Robbie signed with Frontiers Records and the two Blanc Faces records were done in 2005 and 2009, followed by the Find Me project. Robbie’s singing credits also include East Temple Avenue and Cannonballz (with Vince Dicola, Doug Wimbish and Alan Friedman).
Accomplished musician, songwriter and arranger Daniel Flores made a claim to fame with bands such as Mind’s Eye, Find Me, and The Murder Of My Sweet. Flores. He creates his magic at the Sound vs. Science studios located in Stockholm.
Envisioned by Frontiers President Serafino Perugino, in his relentless quest for the perfect melodic rock album, their partnership resulted in some absolute melodic rock gems, starting with Find Me’s debut album, Wings of Love and the follow-up release Dark Angel, that were greeted with rave fan and critical reviews.
The project went on to release Angels In Blue in 2019 and Lightning In A Bottle in March 2022, touching on both the classic melodic rock/AOR style, while also showing influences from the new guard of the genre.
Fans of the genre can expect another AOR jewel, a first class AOR album, featuring Robbie’s soaring vocals and an awesome performance from Flores and his musicians.
Nightbound tracklisting:
"Never Be Alone"
"I See You In Everyone"
"Can't Wait Here Anymore"
"Distant Lovers"
"Nightbound"
"Love Always Finds A Way"
"Speechless"
"Walk Through The Fire"
"Said And Done"
"Savage Blue"
"The Time Has Come"
"Never Be Alone" video:
Lineup:
Robbie La Blanc - Lead and backing vocals
Andi Kravljaca - Lead and rhythm guitars, acoustic guitars
Jonny Trobro - Bass and fretless bass
Rolf Pilotti - Piano and organ
Daniel Flores - Keyboards, backing vocals and drums
Fernando Brito - Percussion
Mourning Wood boasts a seasoned lineup with a combined arsenal of musical knowledge spanning vocational studies to university degrees. Their experience translates to a tight and polished sound, honed through countless gigs and an undeniable musical chemistry that stretches back to 2013 (officially forming in 2021). Drawing inspiration from metal giants like Sentenced, Judas Priest, Ozzy Osbourne, and Billy Idol, the band delivers a fresh take on classic Finnish metal with a twist of their own. Mourning Wood's songs are about life, death, and mental illness with a twist of dark humor.
The new EP, Fill Your Grave, delves into the raw pain of letting go. Each track explores the different stages of grief, from the initial shock to the simmering frustration that fuels the human condition. The journey began back in 2021 with guitarist Eino-Akseli Koski's searing demos. The band meticulously crafted their sound, recording "Gone At Last" in 2022 and completing the EP in 2023.
Fill Your Grave will be released on August 2nd via Wormholedeath Records.
Tracklist:
"Fill Your Grave"
"Last Drop"
"Sociopath"
"Ave Mania"
"Gone At Last"
Atlanta foursome Pistols At Dawn — Adam Jaffe [drums], Will James [lead guitar], Gabriel Cuevas [bass], and Jon Sookdew Sing [lead vocals]— are entering their unapologetic era with their new single "Not Sorry."
Be forewarned, though! It's a banger with a hard rock and industrial-tinged edge, and dreamy vocals. It's an unexpected mix and it slays.
"Obsessed much?," the band states about the song's subject matter, with tongue planted firmly in cheek. "We all have crazy, toxic people in our past that try to manipulate and intimidate us. And the only way to deal with them is to unapologetically tell them that they are most definitely the problem." #TRUTH
As for the video, the band continues, "It encapsulates every relationship or moment in your life that have been abusive and corrosive to the soul. Dark themes are counterbalanced by the driving energy to overcome adversity. Poisonous elements and dark spaces represent the internal struggle and the focused intensity to become your own champion. It's an in-your-face lack of apology for moving forward and making your life your own."
Pistols At Dawn craft the kind of rock music that doesn't just reach the rafters; it breaks through the ceiling. Sky-high hooks stretch into the heavens, a powerful low-end rumbles without apology, and riffs roar at all the right moments. Thus far, the Atlanta band have emerged as a phenomenon. They've amassed nearly 10 million global streams and views, infiltrated the Billboard and Mediabase Top 40 Active Rock charts, earned acclaim from American Songwriter, Brave Words, and the Atlanta Journal Constitution, and embarked upon global tours alongside heavy-hitters such as Alter Bridge, Mammoth WVH, and Fozzy, to name a few. The quartet canvased the world throughout 2022 and 2023. Upon returning stateside, they opted to decamp to Los Angeles in order to assemble new material. Stayed tuned for more, because Pistols at Dawn are leveling up.
Today, The Nail share their new single and accompanying video, “The Nail”, taken from their self-titled debut album, set for release on September 13 via Frontiers Music Srl.
The Nail is the new musical alliance featuring one of the most gifted vocalists of the new generation, Girish Pradhan (Girish & The Chronicles, The End Machine) together with Efe and Reis Ali Eroglu, two very talented young kids (26 and 17 years old respectively) who - under the guidance of their father, producer Cenk Eroglu (ex-Winger, Crossing Rubicon) - created a new hard rock gem, poised to captivate audiences around the globe.
Producer Cenk Eroglu comments on the new single: “This song was the keystone of the whole album. It started with Reis Ali’s amazing guitar riff, and we built the song around it. I remember sending the demo to our President of Frontiers Records, Serafino Perugino. He immediately felt the energy and named the band after this song. The lyrics are about a relationship with a narcissist and how you get hurt even before you realize how deep the wounds are. So, we dedicate this song to all the narcissistic abuse survivors.”
Watch the official video for “The Nail” below:
Girish Pradhan shares his excitement for this project: “This is unlike like any record I have ever done. Different. Many of my listeners have always requested that I do something different for a change, and I feel like this record is exactly what they need. Of course, it’s all thanks to a great and a dedicated team, working tirelessly in the background, helping me bring out a different side of me. Amazing work by the young and super talented - Ali, on guitars! All in all, a great project that I got to be a part of."
"A great chemistry right from the start,” adds producer Cenk Eroglu. “Young Reis Ali's razor-sharp guitar riffs and melodies collided with Efe's blazing lead guitars, then Girish Pradhan took it to the stars with his amazing voice. It's hard to believe it's a debut album; it actually feels like a best-of already.”
“I am rarely as blown away by talent as I am by the members of The Nail. A honour to be included in the making of such a cool record”, comments Kip Winger.
Girish Pradhan’s reputation has been growing recently as one of the hottest new rock singers on the scene. Coming from India, he played already several shows in Europe with his band Girish & The Chronicles and appeared as lead singer on the last album from the hard rock supergroup The End Machine featuring George Lynch and Jeff Pilson, both ex-Dokken.
Following the acclaim that Girish received over the last few years, the label’s President Serafino Perugino conceived a new project set to highlight Girish’s vocals and abilities. Turkish composer and producer Cenk Eroglu was brought in to write some songs and work on ideas with Girish, and he was immediately blown away by his talent.
He asked his friend and former bandmate Kip Winger to A&R the project and thus put to work his two kids: Efe (a 26 years old guitar hero - top shredder on the “Monsters Of Rock Cruise Shred Contest” in 2021, praised by musical giants such as Bumblefoot, John 5, Andy Timmons, Nuno Bettencourt and Reb Beach) and Ali (17 years old multi-instrumentalist and co-writer of the album).
The final result is just above and beyond any expectation. The album offers a great balance of heavier material (“Soul Screamer”, the bastard child of Judas Priest’s “Painkiller”, “Underdog” and the title track) and very melodic numbers (“Broken”, “Walk the Line”, “No Time to Burn” and “Fall Back Now”).
The Nail is going to take people by surprise as it contains a real tribute to 80’s heavy metal, showcasing influences from Judas Priest, Sabbath, Dio and even hints at the heaviest Winger sound on the most recent albums.
The Nail tracklisting:
"Hit & Run"
"The Nail"
"No Time To Burn"
"Broken"
"Walk The Line"
"Soul Screamer"
"Blackout (Popeye's Sin)"
"Exorcist"
"Hangman's Noose"
"Underdog"
"Fall Back Now"
"Hit & Run" video:
Lineup:
Girish Pradhan - Lead Vocals
Reis Ali Eroglu – Drums, Bass, Guitars
Efe Eroglu - Lead Guitars
Additional Musicians:
Cenk Eroglu – Guitars, Hammond Organ, Keyboards, Back Vocals
John Bisaha - Background Vocals
Paolo De Santis - Background Vocals
Cem & Sevinc Keskin - Ghost Vocals
- Produced By: Cenk Eroglu
- Music Director: C.F. Kip Winger
- Executive Producer: Serafino Perugino
Ringo Starr (THE BEATLES),Slash (GUNS N' ROSES),Nancy Wilson (HEART) and Kirk Hammett (METALLICA) are among the musicians who have contributed short messages to a video celebrating the 55th birthday of guitar shred pioneer Jason Becker. Check out the video below.
Featured musicians:
00:47 Marty Friedman - MEGADETH, CACOPHONY
02:08 Chris Broderick - MEGADETH, ACT OF DEFIANCE, IN FLAMES
03:13 Richie Kotzen - THE WINERY DOGS, MR. BIG, Solo
03:46 Gregg Bissonette - DAVID LEE ROTH, RINGO STARR & HIS ALL-STARR BAND
05:03 Slash & Duff McKagan - GUNS N' ROSES, VELVET REVOLVER
05:15 Joe Bonamassa - BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION, Solo
05:30 John 5 - MARILYN MANSON, ROB ZOMBIE
06:12 Matt Bissonette - JOE SATRIANI, ELTON JOHN, DAVID LEE ROTH BAND
07:00 Nancy Wilson - HEART
07:50 Steve Stevens - BILLY IDOL
09:00 Uli Jon Roth - SCORPIONS, ELECTRIC SUN, Solo
09:44 Kirk Hammett - METALLICA, EXODUS
10:35 Eddie Trunk - "That Metal Show"
11:27 Nita Strauss & Josh Villalta - ALICE COOPER, DEMI LOVATO, Solo
11:55 Steve Hunter - LOU REED, ALICE COOPER, DAVID LEE ROTH BAND
12:39 Nili Brosh - TONY MACALPINE, Solo, DANNY ELFMAN, Cirque Du Soleil
13:06 Gene Hoglan & Laura Christine - DARK ANGEL, DEATH, DETHKLOK; NUKEM, ZIMMERSHOLE, WARFACE
13:35 Joe Satriani - CHICKENFOOT, Solo
13:49 Daniel Mongrain - VOIVOD
14:21 Seymour Duncan - Guitar Pickups Company
14:40 Steve Vai - DAVID LEE ROTH, WHITESNAKE
15:28 Alex Skolnick - TESTAMENT, ALEX SKOLNICK TRIO
16:20 Chuck Billy - TESTAMENT
16:45 Steve Lukather - TOTO, RINGO STARR & HIS ALL-STARR BAND
17:11 Paul Gilbert - MR. BIG, RACER X
18:11 Mike Varney - Shrapnel Records
19:03 Matt Blackett - Guitar Player magazine, EverTune
20:10 Vinnie Moore - UFO
21:00 Jason Newsted - METALLICA, NEWSTED, VOIVOD, OZZY OSBOURNE
21:21 Charlie Benante - ANTHRAX, PANTERA
21:32 Gus G - FIREWIND, OZZY OSBOURNE
22:16 THE ARISTOCRATS - Guthrie Govan, Marco Minnemann, Bryan Beller
22:44 Eric Johnson
23:00 Jeff Loomis - ARCH ENEMY, NEVERMORE, Solo
23:18 Nuno Bettencourt - EXTREME
24:20 Tony McAlpine
26:03 Ringo Starr - THE BEATLES, RINGO STARR & HIS ALL-STARR BAND
For those who may not know of Jason Becker's legacy, we'd have to travel back to 1985 when 16-year-old guitarist Becker partnered up with Marty Friedman as the duo CACOPHONY. His success at such an early age was no coincidence, his metal mastery becoming a talking point amongst his peers, going on to support some of the biggest names in rock including David Lee Roth and create some huge guitar moments as a solo artist.
As Becker's career began to blossom, Jason was diagnosed with ALS (also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease) in 1989 — at just 20 years old. As the disease progressed, Jason no longer could hold on to the instrument, but the urge to continue pushed on as he, amazingly, engineered his own way of writing music, a technique using "eye geometry" and chin movements, described further in the documentary on Becker's journey.
A trailer for the film "Jason Becker: Not Dead Yet", a compilation of interviews, live footage, and more on the unbreakable spirit and the ingenious songwriting ability of the guitarist that influenced so many can be seen below.
The guitar community has spoken and is asking for all of us to stand up and be an ally to Jason Becker and his family as he continues fighting this battle. There is an ongoing struggle to find a full-time caregiver, making proper help seem a hugely daunting challenge. Already saddled with the daily task of staying alive against all odds, there comes additional stress and worry for Jason and his family for all of the many out-of-pocket medical fees.
Keeping positive and consistently creating is essential for Becker, so we invite you to keep up with his latest creations through his web site, www.JasonBecker.com, where you can also donate to the Jason Becker Special Needs Trust.
King Crimson founder Robert Fripp and his wife, Toyah Willcox, have shared anouther throwback video for Sunday Lunch. Check out their performance of Ozzy Osbourne's "Crazy Train" below.
The new episode of The Osbournes podcast is available for streaming below.
Descrpition: "The Osbourne fam is back and answering YOUR fan questions: including Ozzy's dream band members and fast food favorites. The conversation flows into hilarious personal stories and memories about travel, dealing with airport mishaps, favorite snacks, and more. The family also discusses their travel essentials and the unpredictable nature of flying, complete with humorous anecdotes and past travel experiences."
DarWin, the ongoing musical exploration featuring Simon Phillips, Mohini Dey, Greg Howe, Derek Sherinian and Matt Bissonette, recently released a video for "Hulks & Heroes", a track from their new album, Five Steps On The Sun. They have shared an official video for the closing track, "What Do We Know".
Five Steps On The Sun is available on CD and strictly Limited Heavyweight Vinyl including exclusive poster.
Tracklisting:
"Soul Police"
"Inside This Zoo"
"Be That Man"
"One Step On The Sun"
"Five Steps On The Sun"
"The Sun"
"Imitation Suede"
"Seasons Of A Life"
"Hulks & Heroes"
"What Do We Know"
Bruce Dickinson, during his performance with his band at the Release Athens Festival yesterday, fulfilled the ardent desire of countless Greek fans, even if just for a moment, to hear "Alexander The Great" live, reports rockpages.gr.
At the end of the set, after finishing "Road To Hell," Bruce put on a plastic helmet with a crest and addressed the audience, saying: "I think you want to sing a little more," before starting the chorus of the song.
It should be noted that Iron Maiden played the song for the first time in Slovenia on May 28, 2023, as part of "The Future Past Tour," which did not pass through Greece.
German power metal pioneers, Helloween, performed with their extended classic line-up at Wacken Open Air 2023. Check out pro-shot video of "Keeper Of The Seven Keys" and "I Want Out" below.
Reigning Phoenix Music (RPM) recently announced the signing of legendary power metal institution, Helloween, for their upcoming studio album. Since their formation in 1984 and the spectacular reunion in 2017, Helloween are undoubtedly one of the world's outstanding representatives of the genre.
RPM comments on the signing: "It is a true milestone for Reigning Phoenix Music to welcome Helloween to our family of artists. Helloween are not just a band, they epitomize the energy and passion of power metal. Their music has inspired generations, and we are proud to collaborate in order to reach new heights."
Helloween themselves are equally enthusiastic about the new partnership: "Sven Bogner and his team have convinced us with their ideas and enthusiasm. They live and love metal, and this is what connects us - we look forward to be working with them!," explains singer Andi Deris.
The combination of Helloween and Reigning Phoenix Music promises a powerful synergy between one of the world's most influential power metal bands and a label that is passionate about promoting up-and-coming talents as well as established artists. Fans can look forward to thrilling musical experiences and innovative projects. Specifically, Helloween will start working on new material from the summer and are planning to release a new studio album in 2025.
Helloween are:
Michael Kiske - vocals
Andi Deris - vocals
Kai Hansen - guitars, vocals
Michael Weikath - guitars
Sascha Gerstner - guitars
Markus Grosskopf - bass
Daniel Löble - drums
FLAT BLACK, the band formed by ex-FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH guitarist Jason Hook, has released the official music video for "A Bit Of Lightning". The track is taken from FLAT BLACK's debut album, "Dark Side Of The Brain", which arrives today (Friday, July 19) via Fearless Records. The LP was produced by Hook and Chris Collier (KORN),and recorded at both Hook's home studio and The Hideout Recording Studio in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Hook is stoked to finally share "Dark Side Of The Brain" with fans, who have been patiently waiting for even more new songs! "Well, we're finally here," he states, with a laugh. "No more people hounding me about when the album will be available. I'm so excited to share these songs with the public. 'Dark Side Of The Brain' is personal; every lyric came from a real place."
The album artwork is also personal, as Hook designed it himself.
"Dark Side Of The Brain" track listing:
01. It's OK To Be Angry
02. Justice Will Be Done
03. Sideways
04. A Bit Of Lightning
05. Unwanted
06. Home
07. Halo
08. It's Your Lack Of Respect
09. Nothing To Some (feat. Corey Taylor)
10. Dark Side Of The Brain
11. Villain
12. Youth N Eyes
13. Tidal Wave
14. Let It Go
Regarding how he ended up collaborating with Corey Taylor on "Nothing To Some", Hook told Ronni Hunter of the 99.7 The Blitz radio station: "I developed a friendship with Corey in 2020. He hit me up, actually. I was working in Los Angeles with his producer, and I think the producer said, 'I've got Jason Hook here. We're working on some material.' He said, 'Oh, give me his number.' And so all of a sudden we're texting back and forth. And we hit it off right away. He's just a fucking fantastic guy. Maybe he doesn't want anyone to know that, but he's actually a sweetheart. [Laughs] He's a really sweet dude. And he was, like, 'Look, if you're trying to build something and you don't have anyone to work with, I'll write with you. So it was just perfect for the time and the emotions I was going through at the time. He really helped bolster my spirit, like, 'Yes, let's do something.' And we ended up doing five songs together. Four will probably never get heard, but we used 'Nothing To Some' on the record."
Hook is joined in FLAT BLACK by singer Wes Horton, bassist Nick Diltz and drummer Rob Pierce.
In an interview with Jake Daniels of the Rock 100.5 The KATT radio station, Hook stated about how FLAT BLACK came together: "Well, I was pretty hell-bent on starting a new band. Music's in my blood. It's a part of my DNA, and I just knew that… I didn't really care how long it took. It just had to be potent. And so, one [musician] at a time… I found Rob first, and he's awesome. And then, of course, Nick; he's from Los Angeles. All my guys are just stellar players. And I wanted to have a good pack of songs. And so here we are."
Regarding the importance of getting along with his bandmates on a personal level, Hook said: "Well, it was a bit of a prerequisite to find guys that were mentally stable and free of drama and that we could hang. It's all about the hang. When you're on tour, you're stuck in this submarine, this rolling submarine, for 18 months. It's important that everyone is compatible. The personalities, I wanted to be very specific about that this time around… We're getting along great."
Having left his prior band in February 2020, which was right before COVID-19 put the entire world on pause, Hook wanted to assume creative control and let his musical free spirit soar in a project that was truly his. He opted to gamble on himself. With great risk comes great reward and the decision to form FLAT BLACK clearly worked out in his favor.
"As a musician, I crave freedom and I wasn't ready to stop creating," Hook shared.
"Life is short," he continued. "We all want to feel satisfied and happy with what we are trying to accomplish in life."
The pandemic shutdown allowed him the opportunity to assemble the right musicians and carefully craft their debut album. FLAT BLACK is armed with an arsenal of riffs that'll rattle your teeth loose from your gums, stadium-sized hooks, arena-ready anthems, and choruses that are guaranteed to touch a nerve. All of those factors combined make FLAT BLACK poised for success.
The origin stories of the rest of the players are indicative of a lifelong love of music and plenty of road-worn experience. The desire to play courses through their veins and propels them forward, which is why they all meshed so well with Hook.
Horton was introduced to music at age 13, thanks to his sister and Guitar Hero. He honed his vocal chops by playing in local bands and making online videos. Various music industry friends and acquaintances would become the connective tissue between himself and Hook. Horton knew he wanted to be a frontman, and FLAT BLACK afforded him that opportunity. Wes loves the fact that his bandmates prioritize songcraft — and that allows him to be the singer he has always wanted to be.
Diltz, who was born and raised in Los Angeles, is the son of a legendary rock music photographer who brought him to concerts during his formative years. He recalls being inspired by watching a VHS video of U2 performing at legendary venue Red Rocks. Seeing fans clamoring for a piece of Bono in the footage is a vision that never left his head. This first exposure to the power of a true rock icon solidified Nick's destiny as a live performer.
Pierce hails from Nashville, a.k.a. Music City. His dad was a race car driver and his grandfather was a pastor. He grew up racing go karts and at first, wanted to follow in his dad's footsteps until he joined the fourth-grade band and was bitten by the music bug. He chose the snare drum over the saxophone and from that moment on, music was the only thing that mattered. Rob got his first drum kit at age 11, which he set up in his dad's car shop. He learned to play his instrument next to 1,000 horsepower engines, which influences his highly energetic style to this day.
FLAT BLACK made its live debut on August 24, 2023 at the FivePoint Amphitheatre in Irvine, California as the support act for GODSMACK.
FLAT BLACK is:
Jason Hook - Guitar
Wes Horton - Vocals
Rob Pierce - Drums
Nicholas Diltz - Bass
In October 2020, FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH confirmed that it had officially parted ways with Hook eight months earlier during the band's sold-out European arena tour. He has since been replaced by renowned British virtuoso Andy James, who made his recording debut with FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH on "Broken World", a song that was included on the second installment of the group's greatest-hits collection, "A Decade Of Destruction - Volume 2".
After his recovery from emergency gallbladder surgery at the end of 2019, Hook had to leave midway from FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH's tour of Europe to address further complications.
Jason, who joined FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH in 2009, said about his exit from the band: "As for the reason I'm leaving… well, there really isn't just one. I've been in bands my entire life and I feel like I've done all the good that I can here. It's time to pass the baton and move on to new challenges."
Former Sodom guitarist Andy Brings, who now fronts Double Crush Syndrome, has released a new Andy Brings & Band single, "Wär' Schön Wenn's Liebe Wär'". Check out the official video below.
There are things in the universe for which the head of the rock'n'roll gods must be personally responsible.
When the Gene Simmons takes to the stage of the Turbinenhalle in Oberhausen, Germany on August 6, Double Crush Syndrome frontman / ex- Sodom guitarist Andy Brings and his six-piece band will have opened the evening and, true to the title of his 2018 film Full Circle - Last Exit Rock'n'Roll, will have completed a circle that began 45 years ago. That's how long Brings has been a KISS fan. You can watch the movie here.
Andy Brings: "Gene and I have already crossed paths several times, but playing with him is absolutely amazing. A real rock'n'roll fairytale. This is what I live for!"
As recently as 2023, the former Sodom guitarist created an almost ten-hour memorial to his favorite band as part of his podcast series Rock School with Andy Brings. You can listen to the KISS episode here.
On this evening, Andy Brings & Band will also present their new single, "Wär' Schön Wenn's Liebe Wär'", which was released on July 19.
Brings: "The song is a driving punk rock number, with melody, sing-along potential and a lot of pressure on the beam. The lyrics are about the fact that the person you love is unfortunately blinded by a stupid competitor when it comes to choosing a partner, and you naturally find that unbearable yourself. A feeling probably as old as love itself."
Andy Brings & Band released the single, "Nicht Mein Zirkus" at the beginning of the year. Check out the official video below.
"Nicht Mein Zirkus" and the previous single, "Das Herz Und Die Seele", are the follow-up to the Andy Brings & Band album, Süden, released in June 2022.
Street justice mistrusted! Frontiers Music Srl and streetmetal pioneers Spread Eagle unleash their new music video for “Subway To The Stars” to celebrate the kickoff of the band's summer tour in the United States as well as in Europe, and the UK later this fall. “Subway To The Stars” is taken from the band's latest release produced by Rob De Luca and Tom Camuso.
The video for “Subway To The Stars”, directed by Frankie Fulleda with cinematography by Jim Shearman, sees the band completing their onscreen evolution from hunted to hunter and pays homage to their roots against the New York City and area scenery.
“Our most popular video is 'Switchblade Serenade',” explains vocalist Ray West. “In that clip, two cops harassed and chased us through the streets of NYC. For the ‘Subway to the Stars’ video, Frankie Fulleda had the hilarious idea of turning the tables 180 degrees. He put the band in control, portraying them as an undercover vice squad. We loved the irony of the concept and had a blast filming on the NYC subway and in Coney Island, NY.”
The raven-haired rock star from Los Angeles, Dorothy, has returned.
Riding in on a black horse, equipped with leather and signature red lip, the rock world will once again be schooled in the undeniable chemistry that is alive and well amongst metal and rock loyalists and country badasses. A musical outlaw through and through, Dorothy's new single is a display of raw, full-bodied vocal power complimented by heavy-hitting instrumentation and riffs galore.
The first taste of the new music from this Billboard-charting powerhouse is the explosive and unforgettable new single "MUD." The track was produced by Scott Stevens (Halestorm, Shinedown, Nothing More). Stream here and check out a visualizer below.
With "MUD," Dorothy isn't afraid to, well, get dirty. The song boasts a hearty mix of the blues-infused rock her previous albums have been known for, but adds a countrified twist, as can be offered up by only an artist of Dorothy's caliber.
"Our first single off this record is an amalgamation of hard rock, metal, and country tied together with a trap beat and spicy, heavily layered vocals. It was also my first time attempting a scream — proud of that," says Dorothy.
On Thursday, Dorothy launched a new webstore with exclusive merch available for pre-order and shared the single audio, giving fans who signed up an exclusive first listen to the song the day before release. The new webstore is at dorothyonfire.store.
The details of Dororthy's forthcoming fourth studio album will be announced in due course. Dorothy's discography thus far includes Gifts From the Holy Ghost (2022), which was inspired by a spiritual awakening, as well as ROCKISDEAD (2016), which inspired Roc Nation to sign the artist to the label, and 28 Days in the Valley (2018).
The Budapest, Hungary-born stunner has enjoyed over 1 billion global streams combined across her career and has participated in high-profile collaborations with everyone from Staind to Slash of Guns N' Roses to Scott Stapp of Creed to Alice Cooper guitarist Nita Strauss, earning and ultimately cementing her place among the hard rock elite.
Breakout four-piece Sleep Theory - vocalist Cullen Moore, guitarist Daniel Pruitt, bassist Paolo Vergara, and drummer Ben Pruitt - were one of the biggest success stories of 2023. And 2024 has proven to be just as massive for the foursome, who show absolutely no signs of slowing down.
Having only released the Paper Hearts EP via Epitaph last year, Sleep Theory managed to amass over 120 million global streams, while steadily garnering 3 million streams per week. They've played the main stage at major festivals, where they quickly became one of the most buzzed about bands on the lineup. They embarked on tours alongside Shinedown and Beartooth, achieved two Top 10 radio singles, a Top 5 hit with their song "Fallout," enjoyed numerous viral moments on social media, and began working on a full-length album.
Today, they drop the video for the brand new single "Stuck in My Head". The track is truly a self-fulfilling prophecy - the unforgettable, heartfelt chorus and propulsive riffing will get stuck in your head - and they will remain there.
"We're beyond excited to share our new single 'Stuck In My Head' with all of you," the band states. "This song is incredibly special to us — it captures the essence of our journey and the emotions we've experienced along the way. The video feels like the next step for us, showcasing our evolution both musically and visually. We can't wait for you to experience this next chapter of Sleep Theory with us."
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