Today's Day in Rock News!

Today's Day in Rock


Van Halen Streaming Two Songs From Forthcoming Album
(hennemusic) Van Halen have released streams of "Runnin' With The Devil" and "Panama" as a preview to the upcoming release of "Tokyo Dome Live In Concert", their first-ever live album with original frontman David Lee Roth.

Due March 31, the project features the band recorded live at the Japanese venue on June 21, 2013 as part of their tour in support of 2012's "A Different Kind Of Truth."

The package will be available as a double CD, four-LP set on 180-gram vinyl, and digitally. A deluxe collection featuring "Tokyo Dome Live In Concert" and newly remastered versions of their groundbreaking 1978 debut, "Van Halen", and their 6th album, "1984", will also be available as both a four-CD set and a six-LP vinyl set in special packaging.





Scott Weiland Previews More New Songs
(hennemusic) Scott Weiland And The Wildabouts have released a new video preview of "White Lightning" and "Circles", two songs from their forthcoming debut album, "Blaster."

Due March 31, the 12-track set was produced by Rick Parker (Black Rebel Motorcycle Club) and recorded at Weiland's Lavish Studios and the Sandbox in Los Angeles.

Last week, the band debuted the video for "Modzilla" from the forthcoming album. The group is currently on the road playing shows on a spring US tour. Check out the new preview video here.




Metallica Reveal 'No Life 'til Leather' Reissue Details
As we previously reported, Metallica will be releasing a limited edition cassette tape of their original 1982 demo "No Life 'til Leather" during this year's Record Store Day on April 18th but we now learn more details and that the band has additional release plans.

The band had this to say about the reissue, "This year we decided to celebrate Record Store Day with our friends at independent retail by taking a huge leap back in time to our humble beginnings with that little rectangle of plastic known as the "demo tape."

"In 1982 we recorded seven songs that became our initial calling card known as No Life 'til Leather and it led us to our first record deal . . . the rest, as you some of you may know, is history! We hope you enjoy this little walk down memory lane with us and that you will continue to join us in supporting independent record stores around the world."

The band's camp also sent over the following additional information: "The seven tracks were recorded on July 6, 1982 at Chateau East Studio in Tustin, CA by the band's original lineup of James Hetfield: lead vocals and rhythm guitar, Lars Ulrich: drums, Dave Mustaine: lead guitar, and Ron McGovney: bass.

"Straight from the archives, the original source material has been re-mastered to maximize the sound potential for 2015 without altering the original mixes. No Life 'til Leather will be available for purchase at your favorite local record store and on Metallica.Com. The collection has never been available commercially until now."

The band plans to follow up the Record Store Day special release this summer with the release of expanded versions on CD, vinyl and a collector's set.



The White Stripes Announce Special Record Store Day Release
Third Man Records have announced that they will be celebrating this year's Record Story day with a special 10th anniversary edition of The White Stripes' "Get Behind Me Satan."

The limited edition vinyl reissue will feature a double LP with one red vinyl disc and one white vinyl disc, which will be housed in a full-size gatefold lenticular jacket.

It will also feature newly created inner artwork that reprises the themes of the original promo version of the album. In addition to the vinyl, the release will come with a download code.

The label has released a promote teaser video for the release that you can watch here. This will mark the first time that the album will be released commercially on vinyl.

This special edition will only be available on Record Store Day, April 18th, at Third Man Records and participating record stores. The label also plans to release a standard black vinyl version of the album, with the standard artwork, sometime later this year. Check out the special edition tracklisting here.




Tremonti Preview New Songs and Reveal Album Details
(hennemusic) Tremonti, led by Alter Bridge/Creed guitarist Mark Tremonti, have confirmed their second album will be titled "Cauterize" and be released in May and they have released a preview of several tracks.

The band revealed the title and tracklist in a new video announcing the project, following the recent release of previews for five songs from the record, including "Another Heart", "Sympathy", "Providence", "Flying Monkeys" and the title song.

The follow-up to 2012's "All I Was" was produced by Michael "Elvis" Baskette (Alter Bridge, Slash). The side project of the Alter Bridge guitarist now features bassist Wolfgang Van Halen, who joined the group at the start of their fall 2012 tour - on 24 hours notice - to fill in for Brian Marshall, who had to pull out for undisclosed personal reasons.




The Reasoning Reveal They Have Broken Up
(Prog) The Reasoning have split up after 10 years together, they've confirmed. Rachel Cohen and co report that they're separating on friendly terms. Their decision comes almost exactly three years after guitarist Owain Roberts disappeared in Cardigan, Wales, and hasn't been seen since.

The Reasoning say in a statement: "We part in the knowledge that we have achieved many wonderful and great things as a band and individuals. But the time has come to be honest and realise that, as a musical group, we have explored as much as we can.

"Though we have enjoyed our journey with you immensely, we have also had occasions where it seemed so tough to carry on. As we approach the third anniversary of the disappearance of our dear friend Owain, this seems like the right time to gently put the band to bed." Read more here.



Grateful Dead Reunion Tickets Going For Up To $10K
(Classic Rock) Tickets for the Grateful Dead's upcoming three-night reunion at Chicago's Soldier Field have reached as high as $10,000. The tickets are being sold on StubHub - and one anonymous agent reports he's never seen prices so high for a music event.

The four surviving members Mickey Hart, Bill Kreutzmann, Phil Lesh and Bob Weir will take to the stage on July 3,4 and 5 - 20 years after the death of frontman Jerry Garcia to celebrate the group's 50th anniversary.

They attempted to bypass scalpers by implementing a mail order pre-sale for the shows. But according to Stereogum, Chicago Bears season ticket holders - who watch the American Football team at the stadium - were given first option on securing places. It's thought many of them are now responsible for pushing up the prices. Read more here.




Foo Fighters' Nate Mendel Streams New Solo Album
(Radio.com) Foo Fighters' Nate Mendel is streaming his debut solo album under the name Lieutenant, titled If I Kill This Thing We're All Going To Eat For A Week, in advance of the album's March 9 release.

Having played with Foo Fighters since the band's inception in 1995, and indie band Sunny Day Real Estate before that, it hasn't been easy for Mendel to carve out the time to record his own personal music.

"There's never a right time!" he told NME. 'Schedules are always packed. There are always other commitments. So it was important I just bit the bullet and did this. Or maybe I never would."

That said, according to the bassist, his Foo Fighters bandmates have been "crazily supportive" of his solo venture. It's the second release in just a few months for Mendel; the Foos' Sonic Highways arrived in November.





Shooter Jennings Recruits Marilyn Manson For New Tribute Album
(Classic Rock) Shooter Jennings has revealed he's working on a tribute album to dance music pioneer Giorgio Moroder. He says the results - which feature guest star Marilyn Manson - have a vibe like Queens Of The Stone Age.

Italian producer, DJ and performer Moroder is credited as being the driving force behind the disco movement in the 70s, producing tracks for Donna Summer, The Three Degrees, Bonnie Tyler and Sparks.

And Jennings reveals while the album covers tracks made famous due to Moroder's influence, he's recording them in a completely different style.

He tells Classic Rock: "It's an all-live band but we're doing all Giorgio tunes - stuff from 1977's From Here To Eternity and things like that. To me it sounds like Queens Of The Stone Age when you have a live band doing all his stuff.

"We have fiddle and all kinds of interesting instruments involved. I think Classic Rock's audience will like the record because I'm not doing an electronic dance music thing - it's very much a live performance format."

Manson lends his vocals to David Bowie's track "Cat People (Putting Out The Fire)," co-written by Moroder for the 1982 Nastassja Kinski film Cat People. Bowie re-recorded it for his hit "Let's Dance" album. Read more here.




Led Zeppelin's Physical Graffiti Reissue Goes Top 10 In UK
(hennemusic) The expanded reissue of Led Zeppelin's 1975 album, "Physical Graffiti", has debuted at No. 6 on the UK charts. The Official Charts Company reports the project sold 14,000 in its opening week for the Top 10 showing after topping the chart mid-week with strong early sales.

Sam Smith claimed No. 1 on the first UK chart to include audio streaming of albums from services such as Spotify, Deezer, Google Play, Napster, O2 Tracks, Xbox Music, Rdio and Rara.

Audio streams were added to the UK's Official Singles Chart in July 2014 - and streams have been added to the Official Albums Chart using a similar methodology. Read more here.



Dillinger Escape Plan Frontman Says Killer Be Killed Will Tour
(TeamRock Radio) Supergroup Killer Be Killed will tour following their triumphant debut performances at Australia's Soundwave festival, says The Dillinger Escape Plan frontman Greg Puciato.

Puciato loved every second of his first time playing alongside Max Cavalera, Mastodon's Troy Sanders and Ben Koller of Converge. So they aim to perform again towards the end of 2015 - although they're not sure where the shows will take place.

He tells The Metal Hammer Magazine Show at Soundwave the members took time to compare schedules before they went their separate ways. Puciato reports: "We figured out we're all free October and November.

"We want to go back to Australia, go to New Zealand, see if we can go to the UK, look at Brazil, Mexico… We can't do all that, so we're going to send an email to our agent and say, 'Figure out how to make as many of them happen as possible.'" He also discussed the excitement of their first performance. Read about that here.


David Silveria Made 'Impassioned Plea' To Rejoin Korn
(TeamRock Radio) Former Korn drummer David Silveria says he sent an "impassioned plea" by video message in 2013, asking his bandmates to let him rejoin. It's part of his argument in the lawsuit he's launched against his former colleagues, asserting that his departure in 2006 was temporary and he always planned to return.

The legal action was confirmed last week, after Silveria spoke out in 2014, arguing it was "wrong" for Korn to celebrate their 20th anniversary by touring their debut album in his absence.

Papers filed at the Superior Court Of The State Of California say: "In or around December 2006, Silveria informed his business partners that he would be taking a temporary hiatus from the band. Silveria always intended on returning - and under no circumstances did he relinquish his ownership interests in the Korn Partnership.

"In or around the summer of 2013, primed and ready to make music once again, Silveria reached out to James Shaffer, Reginald Arvizu, Jonathan Davis and Brian Welch, via video message, expressing his desire to return to the band in order to reunite all founding members of Korn, and to set aside any grudges that may have existed in the past.

"Despite Silveria's impassioned plea, the Korn band members informed Silveria that while they appreciated his gesture, they would not allow him to return to the band." Read more here.



Helloween Blend Their 80s and Modern Sounds On New Album
(Classic Rock) Helloween say their upcoming album My God-Given Right has a "friendly" feel and takes elements from their 80s' era. The record will be released on June 1 after the band inked a new deal with Nuclear Blast - the label who issued 2000's The Dark Ride and 2003's Rabbit Don't Come Easy.

And guitarist and founding member Michael Weikath says they didn't spend too much time coming up with a concept for the album, deciding instead to concentrate on the music with producer Charlie Bauerfeind.

Speaking of their 14th album, he tells Rock Overdose: "It's more open to the public. I wouldn't say commercial, it's more friendly. That was also what Charlie wanted to do - it's typical of '80s Helloween and modern Helloween at the same time." Read more here.




Doro Pesch Planning Big Live Package
(Classic Rock) Doro Pesch says she's currently working on a live album and DVD package which she plans to release later this year. It's being brought out to mark her 30th anniversary in the music business - and she reveals the writing process for the follow-up to 2012's Raise Your Fists is well under way.

She tells Metallife: "We're in the middle of songwriting - we've got some great, ass-kicking ideas already. And we are doing the production for the DVD and we filmed all over the world.

"We started with the Wacken festival, which looks awesome, and then we did a couple of things in my hometown of Dusseldorf and also in New York. It will come out in autumn and will be a big package - two DVDs and one live album." Read more here.




28 Seconds At A Rock Concert Could Damage Hearing?
(Classic Rock) The World Health Organization has warned that 28 seconds at a rock concert could damage hearing - and recommended that people should use earphones for just an hour a day.

WHO believe 1.1 billion people are at risk of suffering permanent ear problems through their listening habits - and that over 43 million people between the age of 12 and 35 are already living with hearing loss.

The health body says in a report: "The emerging pattern of listening regularly at high volume and for a long duration poses a serious threat. While it is important to keep the volume down, limiting the use of personal audio devices to less than one hour a day would do much to reduce noise exposure."

They also urge the public to limit device volumes to 60% full output, take listening breaks while in noisy venues like concert halls and pubs, and to use earplugs. Read more here.



Michael Schenker's Temple Of Rock Releases New Video
(Classic Rock) Michael Schenker's Temple Of Rock have released a video for Live And Let Live, taken from the band's album Spirit On A Mission, which will be released on March 23rd.

"After the Bridge The Gap Japan Tour in March 2014, I started to put new material together for what was to become the Spirit On A Mission album," says Schenker. "I went to the recording studio in June 2014 to put down the song arrangements and we finished recording in November.

"I already knew ahead of time that I wanted to take Spirit On A Mission to the next level by adding more 7-string guitar on some songs to get more of the low heavy sound, and on other songs to keep it very fast and energetic with melodic vocals and a couple of mid tempo's with more of my writing like in my UFO days."




Fleetwood Mac Feels Complete Again
(Classic Rock) Fleetwood Mac mainman Lindsey Buckingham says having keyboardist Christine McVie back in the fold makes them a more 'complete' band. And he reveals that although they worked well together as a four-piece when McVie left 17 years ago, they're in a better place with her back in the lineup.

He tells Austin 360: "When she left, we took a little bit of time off and then went in the studio to make an album back in 2003. And we've done a number of successful tours, business wise and I'd say artistically as a four-piece.

"The only difference, really, is that Stevie Nicks is sort of at one end of the spectrum. She's representing one pole, I'm representing the other end of that, and Christine is somewhere in the middle.

"So I think that the body of work speaks more eloquently. With her inclusion in it and her songs in there, suddenly you've got a more complete landscape. And I think her songs help inform my songs and Stevie's." here.




Special Johnny Winter Vinyl Release For Record Store Day
(The Blues Alligator Records have confirmed the launch of a Johnny Winter special for Record Store Day on April 18. The annual event seeks to offer additional reasons to visit independent retail outlets on the big day.

It's My Life, Baby - The Best Of The Alligator Records Years is a vinyl album containing material recorded by the later Winter during his two years with the label.

They say: "Upon joining the family in 1984, he wanted to record nothing but authentic, deep blues. Guitar Slinger, his Alligator debut, was widely hailed as his best and bluesiest album ever. The next year, he followed up with Serious Business. His final Alligator release, 3rd Degree, featured several special guests and an array of blues styles." Read more here.




Black Star Riders Make Top 20 Chart Debut In UK
(hennemusic) Black Star Riders second album, "The Killer Instinct", has debuted at No. 13 on the UK album charts. The band launched a UK tour with Europe on Monday in support of the new project.

"UK FANS: Thank you for all of your support and buying our new release 'The Killer Instinct'", posted the band. "The album debuted at #13 in the National Album Charts, #2 in the National Rock Charts, #2 in the Indie Charts and #3 in the Vinyl Charts!

"It was a tough week to enter the charts with it being the Brit Awards week and coming second to Led Zeppelin Official in the Rock Charts is a coup in itself wink emoticon Big thanks again and see you on the road..." Read more and check out the title track here.




Fearless Vampire Killers Reveal Rescheduled UK Tour Dates
(TeamRock Radio) Fearless Vampire Killers will head out on the road in May on their rescheduled UK headline tour, the band have announced. They postponed their original February run of dates after landing a support slot with In This Moment - but they'll get back on track starting in Norwich on May 4.

Frontman Kier Kemp says: "Bring on this headline tour! We're all very excited to finally get these dates out there. Our fans have been very patient after the rescheduling we had to do. We also feel like the extra time has really given us the chance to get to grips with more songs from Unbreakable Hearts."

Support comes from Annisokay, Zoax and Myth City on select dates. All tickets purchased for the original show are valid for the May gigs. Check out the new dates here.



Magenta's Christina Booth Release 'Disappeared' Video
(Prog) Magenta vocalist Christina Booth has released a new music video for her solo track Disappeared, which she describes as a "very, very personal" piece.

It's taken from her solo album The Light, to be released under the name Christina. It features guest appearances by Andy Tillison, John Mitchell, Theo Travis, Andy Edwards and Dan Nelson, along with Magenta bandmates Robert Reed and Chris Fry.

Booth tells Prog: "This song is about watching someone literally disappear before your eyes. It's about how cruel diseases like Parkinson's and dementia are. Layer by layer the person you know is slowly stripped away until nothing of them remains.

"Don't take someone's smile or the sound of their voice for granted - because one day they will become just a memory." Watch the video here.




Von Hertzen Brothers Release 'Trouble' Video
(Prog) Von Hertzen Brothers have issued a lyric video for their track Trouble. It's lifted from their upcoming album New Day Rising which is released on March 23 via Spinefarm Records.

Vocalist and guitarist Mikko Von Hertzen says: "On the cover of the album there are birds of prey trying to break the chains they carry in their claws. This song is about the chains - the heaviness we carry, the constant struggle we face.

"It's a song about the enemy we all have inside of us - the one who sometimes hides in the background but never surrenders. The one who is always keen on finding an opportunity to bring us down." Watch the video here.




Lesoir Release 'Going Home' Video
(Prog) Lesoir have released a video to accompany their track Going Home, from third album Luctor Et Emergo. It was produced by Muse collaborator John Cornfield and recorded in Airfield Studios, as used by Matt Bellamy and co. Mastered was completed by Rene Rutten, who's previously worked with The Gathering.

The Dutch five-piece cite their inspirations as Anathema, Tool and Karnivool, among others. They've toured with The Gathering, The Pineapple Thief, Karnivool and Within Temptation.

Luctor Et Emergo ("I Struggle And Emerge") is released internationally on March 20. Lesoir hit the road across Europe with Evergrey in May, including three UK shows. See the dates and watch the video here.




Glass Hammer Release New Album Trailer
(Prog) Glass Hammer have launched another teaser for 17th album The Breaking Of The World - and co-founder Steve Babb has explained the "optimistic darkness" that inspired the work.

The follow-up to Ode To Echo is available for pre-order now and shipping begins on March 31. The title is taken from a JRR Tolkien quote - but the band have said the album is "no work of fantasy."

Babb tells Prog: "Lyrically it's dark at time, but the humour is ever-present in songs like Third Floor. Our approach to lyrics has often been compared to the writings of GK Chesterton. It's his optimistic pessimism to which these critics are referring, I think. So yes, it is dark - but optimistically dark!"

He adds: "Musically, this is a much more aggressive album than previous efforts. Very proggy in a traditional way, but we are expanding the sound in many directions. In that regard it is perhaps a continuation of something we began on Ode To Echo."




Eternal Tapestry Release 'Mountain Primrose' Video
(Prog) Eternal Tapestry have released a video for their track Mountain Primrose. It's the opening piece on Wild Strawberries, the US experimental psychedelic band's first double-album, launched last week via Thrill Jockey.

The label say: "It was recorded in a secluded cabin under the shadow of Mount Hood in Zigzag, Oregon. The Zigzag River flowed nearby, and the group spent time between takes learning about the area's floral make up and relaxing under the stars.

"This idealistic lifestyle, however temporary, helped to chart the course of the recording process. The song titles - named after plants specific to the region - speak to the influence of that environment. The lush atmosphere combined with a week-long sequestration from the outside world had a pronounced impact on the music, which unfolds in a panoramic slow-burn.

"Wild Strawberries yields vast rewards for those who spend time in its aural forest." Watch the new video here.




Soundgarden's Kim Thayill Talks Songwriting For New Album
(Classic Rock) Kim Thayill says Soundgarden will explore every opportunity when it comes to writing material for their seventh album. He last week confirmed that work on the follow-up to 2012 comeback King Animal would commence in the coming weeks.

But he admits he doesn't know what bandmates Chris Cornell, Ben Shepherd and Matt Cameron have up their sleeves - and he's not yet revealing what he has himself.

Thayill tells The Metal Hammer Magazine Show at Australia's Soundwave festival: "There's many different vehicles for writing within our band, and we'll explore as many of them as possible.

"I think what will happen is some people will bring riff ideas in, some will bring in demo tapes, and we'll see where it goes. We'll also just jam on an idea and people will add to it." Read more here.




Gnarwolves and The Smith Street Band Teaming Up For UK Tour
(TeamRock Radio) Gnarwolves and The Smith Street Band have announced a co-headline tour of the UK. The six-date road trip kicks off in Bristol on April 23 and wraps up on the 28th in Leicester.

Gnarwolves says: "Bloody stoked to announce the co-headline tour with The Smith Street Band in April. Drug Church will be joining us as special guests. Let's have a good time!"

The UK group released their self-titled debut album last year, while Aussie outfit The Smith Street Band's most recent recording was the Wipe That Sh*t-Eating Grin Off Your Punchable Face EP which came out last month. See the dates here.



Singled Out Flashback: Santana's Black Magic Woman (Gregg Rolie)
With the recent news that the original lineup of Santana recorded new music, we revisit this 2009 Singled Out where Gregg Rolie (founding member, lead singer and keyboards for Santana and Journey) told us about their version of "Black Magic Women." Here is the story:

"Black Magic Woman" is still one my favorite songs to sing and perform even after almost 40 years. It took me about a year to convince the band that we should do this song. It was one I had a passion for and I knew I could sing it. Some songs are made for you and other songs you just sing. This one was made for me.

A little known fact is that Mike Shrieve (drummer for Santana) turned me on to "Black Magic Woman". He knew I was a big Peter Green fan from his involvement with John Mayall's Blues Breakers where Peter took Eric Clapton's place as the lead guitarist and played on the album "Hard Road".

Mike gave me the Fleetwood Mac album with lead guitarist Peter Green and I found "Black Magic Woman" penned by Peter. It became a #4 Hit for Santana and one of the most recognizable Santana songs for decades to follow. I'm sure glad Mike gave it to me.