Today's Day in Rock News!

Today's Day in Rock


Older Artists Selling More Music?
(Classic Rock) Music appears to be becoming an old person's game as it has been revealed that the average age of the ten best-selling artists of last year was 38. Only four of them, all pop acts, were aged 25 or under in 2014, with three in their 30s and one each in their 50s, 60s and even 70s.

The balance was heavily swayed by rock bands - AC/DC were the fifth best-selling band of the year, with an average age of 60, while Pink Floyd, at number seven, averaged 70 years old.

And 'king of pop' Michael Jackson, at number six, would have been 56 if he hadn't died in 2009. The information, sourced from the IFPI Global Record Artist Chart, was revealed by Music Business Worldwide, who comment: "Thought pop was music made for teenagers, by teenagers? Not any more."





KISS Defend Their Use Of Backing Tracks In Concert
(Classic Rock) KISS have admitted to using backing tracks during their current tour of Japan, but Gene Simmons and co are adamant that there is nothing wrong with the move.

Pre-recorded parts are being played along with the band during their performances of Samurai Son, one of two songs they recently recorded with Japanese pop outfit Momoiro Clover Z. But Kiss say in a tweet: "Recorded Samurai Son for Japan. To reproduce production here, we play live with extra tracks. Nothing to hide."

Blabbermouth reports that Simmons slated bands using backing tracks in 2012, saying: "We're sick and tired of girls getting up there with dancers and karaoke tapes." Read more here.


Slash Adds Dates To North American Tour
Slash featuring Myles Kennedy and The Conspirators have added additional dates to their upcoming North American tour in support of their latest album "World On Fire."

The former Guns N' Roses and Velvet Revolver guitarist and his solo band have added the following new stops to the trek: New Orleans (April 28th), Sioux City (May 19th), Austin (May 21st), and Dallas (May 24th).

As we reported earlier this month, the tour will be kicking off on April 25th in Orlando, FL at the Central Florida Fairgrounds and the tour includes appearances at several music festivals including Welcome To Rockville on April 26th, Carolina Rebellion on May 3rd, Rise About Fest on May 9th and Rock on the Range on May 15th.

Slash and the band are currently Down Under playing a series of dates in Australia and New Zealand including appearances at this year's Soundwave Festival as well as few headlining shows.

Following those dates the band will kick off a South American tour on March 4th in Santiago, Chile at Teatro Caupolican. That tour leg will conclude on March 28th in Monterrey, Mexico.

In June the band will head over to Europe a series of shows including appearances at the Sweden Rock Festival on June 4th, Rock Im Park on June 5th and the Download Festival on June 12th-14th. See the tour dates here.




Emmure Singer Suffers 'Major Tear' In His Vocal Cords
Emmure were forced to cancel their show in Fort Collins, Colorado last night after their frontman Frankie Palmeri suffered a "major tear" in his vocal cords.

The band broke the news to fans via a Facebook post on Tuesday (February 25th). At press time they have not announced if they will be forced to miss any more shows on their current tour with Suicide Silence.

Here is the message, "It's with a heavy heart I must inform you Emmure will not be performing at The Aggie Theatre in Fort Collins tonight (and possibly tomorrow night). I experienced a major tear in my vocal chords and my only chance in finishing the tour is to sacrifice getting to see all of our supporters tonight.

"I am already on my way to quick recovery and once again deeply apologize for anyone let down by the news. We love you all...this does not put the breaks on our current or future obligations but...I am human...these things happen."

Fans can check their Facebook page for any updates here.



The Scorpions Announce North American Tour Dates
The Scorpions have added a number of North American dates in September and early October to their global tour plans in support of their forthcoming studio album "Return To Forever."

The band will be kicking off the North American trek on September 10th in Boston at the Blue Hills Bank Pavilion and concluding the tour leg on October 2nd in Inglewood, Ca at the Forum.

The tour leg includes stops in New York State (Brooklyn), New Hampshire (Gilford), Ontario (Toronto and Windsor), Quebec (Montreal), Ohio (Columbus and Cleveland), Illinois (Chicago), and California (San Jose and Los Angeles area).

The new album will be released in March and the band will be kicking of the supporting world tour in China on May 1st with an appearance at the Chang Jiang Music Festival.

The band has announced tour dates in Russia, eastern Europe and European festivals this fall and they will follow their North American tour in late fall with another European tour leg and they have already booked a tour of their native Germany for March of 2016. See the tour dates here.



David Bowie In The Studio For Young Americans 40th Anniversary
Syndicated radio show In The Studio: The Stories Behind History's Greatest Rock Bands have released a special online episode that celebrates the 40th anniversary of David Bowie's "Young Americans" album. The show sent over these details:

From '72 thru '74 Bowie's Ziggy Stardust character fascinated the rock music world by leading the Glam trend, and pioneered the ever-increasing importance of visual fashion elements to popular music. However, the success of Ziggy was also its downfall. David Bowie remarks, "I had this terror in my mind that I was going to be trapped with Ziggy and the Spiders... There was no way I was going to be trapped in that character for the rest of my life."

While setting up camp in New York City during the height of Ziggy-mania, Bowie found himself drawn to the mecca of American soul music, the Apollo Theater in Harlem. The musical acts he saw there truly inspired Bowie, and new musical relationships were conceived including the introduction to guitarist and future Bowie collaborator Carlos Alomar, saxophonist David Sanborn, and unknown singer Luther Vandross. David shares with InTheStudio host Redbeard the powerful effect American soul music had on him creatively.

"It was very hard for me to actually process that the music we were listening to (growing up in London) was associated with a lifestyle. Very naive, but true. It just came out of space! This stuff came from AMERICA... Coming to America, the impact was that this was real music coming from a way of life, and a lifestyle actually. It really came home in full force and I got completely overwhelmed by it , as I usually do by new experiences. I was just swept away with it, and I wanted to soak it up and then express it my way."

Bowie would score a Top 10 album with Young Americans in February 1975 fueled by the # 1 hit single "Fame", co-written with John Lennon and Carlos Alomar. Young Americans would begin the transition of Bowie into his next formidable character, the Thin White Duke.




Doug Aldrich Reveals Reason For Leaving Whitesnake
(Classic Rock) Doug Aldrich has revealed he quit Whitesnake after realizing he needed to spend more time with his son. And although he'd rather have stayed with David Coverdale's band, he's certain he made the right choice.

He bowed out last May, just as the group started work on what will be their 12th album. Before that he'd been a member of the band for all-star Las Vegas musical Raiding The Rock Vault, and he was also recording with supergroup Revolution Saints.

Aldrich started working with Coverdale on his days off from the musical, and believes they were "accomplishing a lot." But he adds: "I think David wanted me there full-time like I'd always been before. I was going to be, I wanted to be, but he wanted it now.

"There were some tense moments, and I felt, 'I'm really proud of what we've done together. I don't want it to become weird or whatever.'" Aldrich reflects that he "needed a little bit more flexibility." He adds: "David put Whitesnake on hiatus when his son was the same age. I took the decision that I needed to be with my boy. I decided, 'Time to step out.'" Read more here.



Guns N' Roses and Alice In Chains Lead Ebola Auction
(Classic Rock) Guns N' Roses and Alice In Chains are among bands contributing items for an Ebola charity auction. They join Black Label Society, System Of A Down, Sammy Hagar and others in the CharityBuzz online campaign, running now.

More than 10,000 people have died since an outbreak of the virus in West Africa, and millions more are at risk of serious or fatal infection. The MusiCares organisation is helping fight the problem via Music For Relief.

Auction items include a signed photo of former Guns N' Roses bassist Duff McKagan from 1986, autographed guitars from Alice In Chains and Slash, and more.




David Ellefson Says Time Outside of Megadeth Helped Him
(Classic Rock) Megadeth bassist David Ellefson says spending time out of Megadeth helped him "grow up." He left in 2002 when mainman Dave Mustaine dissolved the band and was welcomed back into the fold in 2010.

And he says he sensed that guitarist Chris Broderick and drummer Shawn Drover, who quit Megadeth last year, were interested in taking on a new musical venture - a move he says he can relate to because of his eight-years out of the band.

Ellefson tells Maximum Volume: "I did sense that a change was coming, especially when they both did it together. It was sort of like, 'Okay, they're obviously musically on to something else. And sometimes people do need to walk away and move into a different chapter of their lives in order to be clear and focused and give a new endeavour their 100% attention.

"I went through a similar thing like that back in 2002 when Megadeth disbanded. I was sort of forced into it. Fortunately, I had about eight years until I came back in 2010, where that process being in different groups and writing songs with people in a lot of different endeavours definitely helped me grow up and I appreciate having done that outside of Megadeth." Read more here.




Ozzy Osbourne Guitarist Gus G Working On New Album
(TeamRock Radio) Firewind and Ozzy Osbourne guitarist Gus G is in the process of recording the follow-up to last year's debut solo album I Am The Fire and has promised "catchy tunes that are rock hard."

He tells Metal Shock Finland: "I've already written all the songs and we just finished tracking the drums. So once I go back home from this tour, I'm going to go straight back in the studio and start working hard on the guitars. We're aiming to finish it by summer.

"This time, there are going to be fewer guests. It's going to be more like a close group of people that I collaborate and co-write with. I'm excited about that. There's a lot more up-tempo and heavier stuff on it, and a lot of guitar in it." Read more here.




Steven Tyler's Solo Album May Inspire New Aerosmith Music
(TeamRock Radio) Aerosmith guitarist Brad Whitford believes Steven Tyler's solo project could inspire the band to make another album. The chances of a studio return have been in doubt ever since the lukewarm reception for 2012's Music From Another Dimension. Last year drummer Joey Kramer said a follow-up was "unlikely."

But Whitford tells The Morning Call: "We're not currently in the studio or anything. We're not quite sure when we might get back. Steven is working on a solo album that he's been wanting to do for the last 20 years. I think a good deal of inspiration may come out of that - he may want to continue to write."

The guitarist adds: "Maybe at some point this year we might record some new music. Currently, no plans." Bassist Tom Hamilton says there's a possibility that, instead of writing new material, Aerosmith could go into their archive of unused tracks. Read more here.




FM Release 'Diggin' Up The Dirt' Video
(Classic Rock) FM have released a music video for the song "Diggin' Up The Dirt," which is taken from the band's Heroes and Villains album, the follow-up to 2013's Rockville pairing.

"Well, here it is, the brand new video of the lead track from our new album," says singer Steve Overland. "It's called Diggin' Up The Dirt and it's about sleaze and the gutter press, and how they're not really interested in real news, just celebrity. It's a real FM rock anthem and we had great fun making the video. We hope you enjoy it."

FM announced new album Heroes And Villains earlier this month, and head out on tour in May. The band will also play at HRH AOR in March, and at the TeamRock-sponsored Ramblin' Man Fair in July.

Watch the video here.


Robben Ford Streams Collaboration With Keb' Mo' and Robert Randolph
(Classic Rock) Robben Ford has launched an exclusive stream of his track Justified, featuring guests Keb' Mo' and Robert Randolph. It's taken from upcoming album Into The Sun.

The album is set to be released via Mascot Label Group on March 30, also including guest spots with Warren Haynes, Sonny Landreth and Tyler Bryant.

Ford recently explained: "The rule was to have no lid on things. I've worked very hard to master my craft as a musician and a songwriter - but other than relying on my strengths in those areas, I made sure there was room for new ideas and everything my collaborators brought to the music.

"When you're open to different concepts and approaches, the most beautiful things can happen." Stream the song here.



Mastodon and While She Sleeps Added To Reading and Leeds Festivals
(Prog) Mastodon and While She Sleeps have been added to the lineup for this year's Reading & Leeds music festivals in the UK, which will be headlined by Metallica.

Both bands are set to perform on the Pit Stage with Refused, according to the BBC's Daniel P. Carter, who broke the news in two posts on the social media site Twitter.

He says: "So yeah. While She Sleeps for The Pit is exciting right?" He later added: "Mastodon headlining the other day of The Pit. Reading & Leeds will be amazing, right?" Read more here.




Aerosmith Release Live 'Mama Kin' Video
(hennemusic) Aerosmith have released a video of their performance of "Mama Kin" from "Aerosmith Rocks Donington 2014", a new live DVD that will premiere in US cinemas on February 26.

The package features Aerosmith's headline performance on June 15, 2014 as they closed the final night of the Download Festival in Donington Park. "It's always an absolute hoot that leaves me howling at the moon, performing at Donington we couldn't have had a better time on stage that night," says Steven Tyler. "I could feel the vibes of all the greats pulsing through the stage like AC DC, Rage Against the Machine, Metallica and so many more."

"We have played Donington many times but this performance was one of our best," said Joe Perry. "Thanks to our fans who were there who helped us make it a night to remember. We are proud to have it be part of this theatrical series and it will give our fans who weren't there around the world a chance to relive an ass kicking night of rock and roll."




Randy Bachman Releases Neil Young Collaboration
(hennemusic) Randy Bachman has released an online stream of his collaboration with Neil Young on the track "Little Girl Lost" from his upcoming album, "Heavy Blues."

Due April 13 (April 14 in North America), the guitarist is joined on the project by guests including Robert Randolph and the late Jeff Healey. Bachman recently premiered the album's title track, which sees him team up with Peter Frampton, and "Bad Child" featuring Joe Bonamassa.

Bachman is joined on the project by new band members Anna Ruddick on bass and drummer Dale Anne Brendon. The guitarist will launch a North American tour in support of "Heavy Blues" on April 2 in St. Charles, IL.

Check out the new song here.




Fearless Vampire Killers Releasing Comic Book
(TeamRock Radio) Fearless Vampire Killers have unveiled a comic book titled The Vigilante. To promote the project, the band will appear at the Super Comic Con on March 14-15 at the Excel Centre, London. They will be the first band ever to do so.

They say: "We're crazy excited to be attending Comic Con this year. We have a load of new stuff coming this year, from a new comic called The Vigilante to a brand new novel Militia Of The Lost.

"Comic Con is a perfect forum to announce this new work and bring like-minded people a bit deeper into our conceptual side! We'll be doing meet and greets, signing books, and even have some exclusive prints and preview pages from the new comic, not to mention it will be good to reunite with old friends like David Lloyd and the Aces Weekly team!"

Read more and the cover art for the comic book here.




Atreyu Finish Recording New Album
(TeamRock Radio) Atreyu have finished recording their sixth studio album, drummer and vocalist Brandon Saller has confirmed. And he reveals that the organic process behind the studio sessions reignited a youthful spark within the band.

The US metalcore act went on hiatus in 2011 and reformed last year. The follow-up to 2009's Congregation of the Damned is now being mixed before it sees an autumn release, although singles and other "titbits" are set to arise over summer.

He tells Music Feeds: "I feel like we have too much of a history to not embrace the fact that we have been around, which we're very lucky for. There's no real agenda other than make music we love and have fun. Music had turned into such a business and such a daily grind.

"These shows we've played so far, since we've been back, feel like they did when we were 17 years old, which is how it should be. We're just kind of embracing that whole feeling and just doing things that are fun." Read more here.




Kamelot Releasing New Album 'Haven' This Spring
(TeamRock Radio) US symphonic metal outfit Kamelot have announced details of their 11th album, Haven. The follow-up to 2012's Silverthorn will be launched across Europe on May 8 after they inked a deal with Napalm Records and in North American on May 5.

Guitarist Thomas Youngblood says: "There is a grey cloud that is forming over our world. We are here to find that silver lining with an album that is both dark and melancholy, yet uplifting - and giving the listener a Haven in a world gone mad."

Along with the standard release, a deluxe version comes with a bonus disc featuring 15 extra tracks including alternative versions of songs from the main album. Read more including the track details here.




Steven Wilson Discusses Concept Behind New Album
(Prog) Steven Wilson describes the concept behind his forthcoming solo album Hand. Cannot. Erase. as a "gift" because of the songwriting opportunities it brought him.

He was inspired by the story of Joyce Vincent, a recluse whose body was found in her London flat two years after she'd died. Neighbours hadn't known anyone lived there and her family assumed she'd cut ties with them, so no one raised the alarm until bailiffs broke in to repossess the property over unpaid rent.

Wilson tells MusicRadar: "I was aware of the background of my character. I had seen a documentary on her, and I was very affected by it. I carried it around with me for some time.

"When I sat down to write new music, I found I was writing about a character based on Joyce Vincent. It wasn't like I made a conscious decision - I just think something about her story stayed with me.

"I wouldn't be so pretentious as to say 'the story chose me' but there were elements of that. The more I developed the story, the more of a gift it became; it touched on so many things that I wanted to talk about." Read more here.




Godspeed You! Black Emperor Announce New Album
(Prog) Godspeed You! Black Emperor will release their fifth album next month, they've announced. Titled Asunder, Sweet And Other Distress, it's set for release on March 31 via Constellation.

The follow-up to 2012's Allelujah! Don't Bend! Ascend! is their first standard-length studio outing since the late 90s, with the new material clocking in at 40 minutes.
The material is said to offer "a mighty slab of superlative sonics, shot through with all the band's inimitable signposts and touchstones - huge unison riffage, savage noise/drone, oscillating overtones, guitar vs. string counterpoint, inexorable crescendos and scorched-earth transitions."

They've issued an eight-minute excerpt from opening track Peasantry Or 'Light! Inside Of Light!' - hear it here.




Jethro Tull's Ian Anderson 'Bemused' By Lineup Debates
(Prog) Jethro Tull mainman Ian Anderson says he's "bemused" by fans who want to see him reunite with former band members for future live dates. He's been playing Tull tracks live under his own name since completing the Aqualung 40th anniversary tour in 2011. He released Thick As A Brick 2 in 2012 without longtime Tull members guitarist Martin Barre and drummer Doane Perry.

Some followers have called for a reunion for their upcoming appearance at the TeamRock-sponsored Ramblin' Man Fair. But Anderson says on his website: "I am rather bemused by the fan gossip surrounding who might be, or should be, at my side in concert. All of the musicians in the current band have performed as members of Jethro Tull during the last decade. They are fine musicians, wonderful people and my closest friends.

"There have been, arguably, 26 members of Jethro Tull over the years; a big extended family of musicians. A family who are usually delighted to see each other again after a period of absence but sometimes with the proviso that after a warm and welcoming cup of tea, they won't stay for lunch. You know how it is." Read more here.




Public Service Broadcasting Release 'Go!' Video
(Prog) Public Service Broadcasting have released a video for their track Go! from second album The Race For Space. The follow-up to 2013 debut Inform - Educate - Entertain was released this week via Test Card Recordings. Its theme is the US and Soviet space race in from the 1950s to the early 1970s, and Go! concentrates on the Apollo moonshots.

Mastermind J Willgoose Esq decided to focus on NASA's mission control centre rather than on the spacecraft itself. He says: "The first time I heard the call-outs and the replies, there was such excitement and frenetic-ness to it.

"The finished result is a fiery and confident speed-trial of a track, with an infectious chorus and the most unlikely sing-along dialogue of the year, all counting down to the moon landing itself, when Neil Armstrong utters the relief-filled words 'The Eagle has landed'."

He says of the Apollo era: "I find it a particularly sad indictment of our species that arguably our greatest technological and spiritual achievement - leaving our own planet and walking on another celestial body - is viewed by the more cynical as a colossal waste of money or, worse, as the greatest hoax ever perpetuated." Read more and watch the video here.




Prolong The Agony Release 'Bad Dreams' Video
(TeamRock Radio) As Portsmouth quintet Prolong The Agony prepare to release their new EP 'All We Are' in April, they have premiered their new video, 'Dead Dreams' as a taster.

Says vocalist Lawrence Welling: "The release of both the EP and our video for Dead Dreams represents a huge amount of work and determination to create something new and show people what we're really all about.

"With full respect to our past work, this is a new lease of life for our band - the connection between us and our supporters has really grown as we developed during its creation. The UK music community is really shining right now and we're stoked to be part of it. We hope you all enjoy what we're doing."





Finch Announce UK Tour
(TeamRock Radio) Californian post-hardcore outfit Finch have announced a seven-date UK tour. The run kicks off in Glasgow on May 27 and the shows have been lined up to support last year's Back To Oblivion - their first album since 2005's Say Hello To Sunshine.

Frontman Nate Barcalow previously said the group's sound had changed since their last record as they could no longer write material about "stupid stuff."

He said: "We stepped out of it for so long that when we came back, it was like, 'Who are we?' I felt like we didn't know who we were and what we sounded like any more.

"You can't write about high school - stupid stuff you used to write back in the day. You try and make it a little more poignant, a little more important." See the dates here.



(TeamRock Radio) In This Moment frontwoman Maria Brink insists while image is important to the band, the music will always come first. The group are known for their theatrical live performances but the singer says she wants people to enjoy the music at home just as much as their stage shows.

She tells Linea Rock: "The core of everything always has to be the music. If someone's in the dark and can't see what we look like, you still want that music to make them feel something and make them have that connection.

"On top of that, we like to give people something visually just as stimulating as if you're just listening to the music. We really like to express ourselves artistically with all of the visuals and the theatrical side. It all plays a really important part to us." Read more here.




Hang The Bastard Announce Dates With Corrosion Of Conformity
(TeamRock Radio) Hang The Bastard will support Corrosion Of Conformity on their upcoming UK tour, the London-based band have confirmed. They've also announced a run of headline shows to support latest album Sex In The Seventh Circle.

They were forced to step back from planned dates with Entombed AD in November after frontman Tomas Hubbard spent three days in hospital suffering from a back problem. But they report they're back on track after a difficult 2014.

They say in a statement: "We are more than excited to be playing shows and to be back on the road in the UK after a tough couple of months.

"Tom is feeling a lot better after his back problems and we are ready to play some riffs! Coupled with that, we are honoured beyond belief to be a part of this historic COC tour.

"We really can't wait to visit some of the places we haven't been to in a long time. It's gonna be heavy and it's gonna be loud? Bang your heads, we are coming for you!" Read more including the tour dates here.




Nightwish Singer Says New Album Was A Vocal Puzzle
(Prog) Nightwish singer Floor Jansen says the band's eighth album Endless Forms Most Beautiful was a "puzzle" they worked on together - even though she didn't write any of the material.

Her lack of involvement at composition level didn't cause her any ego problems, because she knew the results would be worthwhile. So she was happy to leave those duties to mainman Tuomas Holopainen and bassisst Marco Hietala.

Jansen tells FaceCulture: "This was my first time on an album from scratch, written by mainly Tuomas and Marco. 'This is the vocal line - this is the lyric. Go ahead.'

"One thing that connects all the eras of Nightwish is that particular sound. My little ego is just fine with saying, 'I don't have to write for this. This is going to be awesome anyway.' And it is."

But she continues: "That doesn't mean that there is no creative input from me whatsoever. There is a certain phrasing that Tuomas had in mind, but it becomes a vocal puzzle, where my input comes in: 'I can sing it like this, I can sing it like that.'"

Tim Abrigg Jr. Rants/Raves:: Today's Day in Rock News!

Tim Abrigg Jr. Rants/Raves:: Today's Day in Rock News!: Today's Day in Rock Scott Weiland Premieres Another New Song (hennemusic) Scott Weiland And The Wildabouts are sharing a prev...

Today's Day in Rock News!

Today's Day in Rock


Scott Weiland Premieres Another New Song
(hennemusic) Scott Weiland And The Wildabouts are sharing a preview of their debut album, "Blaster", with the release of a video for the project's third track, "Modzilla."

The tune follows "Way She Moves" and "White Lightning" from the album, which is due on 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.

Joining Weiland in The Wildabouts are guitarist Jeremy Brown, bassist Tommy Black and drummer Danny Thompson. Watch the new music video for "Modzilla" here.



Motley Crue Add Date To Farewell Tour
Motley Crue's hometown fans will have another opportunity to say goodbye the band as they have announced a third Los Angeles show for their "Final Tour" later this year.

The band has added a December 28th show at the Stapes Center in Los Angeles. The band will also be playing the venue on December 30th and will stage their very last show there on New Year's Eve.

As we previously reported, the last leg of their "Final Tour" will begin on July 22nd in Eugene, OR at Matthew Knight Arena and will be concluding with the final tour date of their career on December 31st in Los Angeles, CA at the Staples Center.

Like their previous North American leg of the Final Tour, rock legend Alice Cooper will be opening for Motley Crue on most of the stops on this final leg of the farewell tour. See the tour dates here.




Tom DeLonge To Release Unheard Blink-182 Demos
(TeamRock Radio) Tom DeLonge will release previously unheard Blink-182 demos next month, he's announced. The ex frontman left the group last month, insisting he hadn't quit - despite drummer Travis Barker and bassist Mark Hoppus saying otherwise.

The public spat then intensified with DeLonge claiming that he and Hoppus had previously discussed ditching Barker - comments that the bassist quickly played down.

But despite the fallout, DeLonge says via Twitter: "March 1, I will be launching personal recordings of new Blink demos along with a few extra tracks on TomDelong.me." Read more here.




The Pixies Announce North American Tour
The Pixies have announced that they will be hitting the road this spring to launch a North American tour that will feature headline shows and some music festival appearances.

The tour is scheduled to kick off on May 5th in New Orleans, LA at the Civic Theatre and will conclude with an appearance at the Amnesia Festival in Montebello, QC in June.

The band, Black Francis, Joey Santiago, and David Lovering, will once again be joined by bass player Paz Lenchain, who replaced Kim Deal when she left the band in 2013.

The group had the following to say about the tour, "All headline shows will feature a new and more varied set packed with songs from the entire Pixies catalogue, full of distortion howls and all the vivid dissonance a Pixies fan would expect. - all performed on a sparse yet stunning stage" See the tour dates here.




Led Zeppelin's Jimmy Page In The Studio For Physical Graffiti Anniversary
Led Zeppelin's Jimmy Page was the featured guest on the latest episode of the syndicated radio show In The Studio: The Stories Behind History's Greatest Rock Bands for part 1 of a special 40th anniversary celebration of the "Physical Graffiti" album. The show sent over these details:

Led Zeppelin's sixth release had completed a fundamental change in the popular music and media equation that began with their fourth album back in 1971. With the song "Stairway to Heaven" , Led Zeppelin had proven that the album format had matured to the point that a hit single for Top 40 radio release was no longer a necessity for big album sales.

Before Led Zeppelin the conventional wisdom of A&R (record label) types was to focus on one sound or style to be successful. But Zeppelin's international success resulted in more extensive concert tours taking them to the four corners of the world, which only stoked their creative flame such that epic songs on Physical Graffiti like "Kashmir" became musical bonfires, "Ten Years Gone" glowing embers, and "Custard Pie", "Trampled Under Foot" and "In My Time of Dying" outright sonic blow torches.

One of the enduring legacies of Physical Graffiti was Led Zeppelin's uncanny ability to seduce the ears while also pummeling the listener with a sonic slam which knew no peer, often in the same song. Jimmy Page shares with InTheStudio host Redbeard how he made the conscious decision to innovate and not be derivative.

"I was really careful not to listen to too much other music... I wasn't following what everyone else was doing in the same sort of category as us, that's for sure. I was trying to do things that were really different." - Jimmy Page





Early Iron Maiden Members Reunite
(Classic Rock) Four early members of Iron Maiden, who were part of the NWOBHM giants in 1977, staged a reunion this past weekend. Vocalist Dennis Willcock, keyboardist Tony Moore, drummer Barry 'Thunderstick' Purkis and guitarist Terry Wapram gathered at the Hope And Anchor bar, where Wapram's band Buffalo Fish were playing.

The moment was arranged by fan group Maiden 77, who admitted afterwards: "We had been planning something - but to be honest we didn't know if we could pull this off. A reunion of 80% of the 1977/1978 lineup! Thank you guys. It was an amazing night."

Moore only played one show with Steve Harris' band, before it was decided that keyboards didn't fit his sound. Thunderstick was Maiden's drummer for a few months while Willcock and Wapram spent nearly a year in the lineup. Read more here.




Tedeschi Trucks Band, Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings Tour
Tedeschi Trucks Band have announced the initial leg for their "Wheels of Soul" tour that will be taking place this summer and will also feature Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings, as well as Doyle Bramhall II.

The first eleven of the expected 20+ tour dates have been revealed with the tour set to kick off on June 5th in Paso Robles, CA at the Vina Robles Amphitheatre.

Tedeschi Trucks Band's singer and guitarist Susan Tedeschi, had the following to say about the tour "Sharon is really soulful and sweet and we know a lot of the Dap-King guys through different projects.

"There's a lot to look forward to and who knows-maybe we'll all get up and play together. The wheels of creativity are turning at all times; it should be fun and could be epic." See the tour dates here.




Krokus Announce First U.S. Tour In 25 Years
Krokus have announced that they will be launching their first U.S. tour in over 25 years this spring. The trek will be in support of their recent live release "Long Stick Goes Boom: Live From Da House Of Rust."

The band will be kicking off the tour on April 18th when they take part in the Monsters Of Rock Cruise that will also feature Tesla, Europe, Night Ranger, Extreme, KIX, and Queensryche.

Following the cruise, they will launch a club tour that will begin on April 24th in Houston, TX at Concert Pub North and conclude on May 6th in Los Angeles at the Whisky A Go Go. See the tour dates here.




Death Angel Cancel Charity Show Due To Injury
(TeamRock Radio) Death Angel have been forced to cancel a charity gig after drummer Will Carroll broke his foot at home. The San Francisco metal veterans were lined up to play at the Metal Against Cancer event in Marietta, Georgia on February 28. But they've pulled out after the sticksman broke a bone in his right foot while taking out rubbish.

Carroll says in a statement: "Doctors say I can't drum for three to four weeks. I was looking forward to this show for many reasons, but the biggest one is the fact that I lost my mother to cancer 11 years ago. It was important to me and Death Angel to be a part of this great cause.

"This will also be the first show I have ever cancelled in the 27 years I've been playing live, so this is hitting me on multiple levels."

The band tried to to find a replacement for Carroll, no one was able to step in at short notice. Carroll continues: "We decided there wasn't enough time to teach someone the set and make it presentable. The last thing we want to do is put on an unequal performance. People deserve better than that." Read more here.




Candlemass's Leif Edling Sitting Out Live Dates Due To Health Issues
(Classic Rock) Candlemass mainman Leif Edling will sit out the rest of 2015 as he continues to battle health issues. He was forced to take a back seat with his other band Avatarium early last year - and although specifics on his health condition haven't been made public, he's said to be getting better and will spend the rest of the year recuperating.

Candlemass say in a statement: "Our bass player and songwriter engine Leif Edling will, unfortunately, be off stage a year yet because of health issues. We will wave the flag high with our keyboard player Per Wiberg or Jorgen Sandstrom who will do the bass work instead while Leif is getting better."

The Swedish doom metal outfit are lined up to play this year's TeamRock-sponsored Hammerfest VII on the weekend of March 12-15 at Hafan Y Mor Holiday Park, Pwllheli, Wales. Read more here.




Slipknot's Clown Casts Sons of Anarchy Star In Film Debut
(TeamRock Radio) Canadian actor Kim Coates, known for his role as Tig Trager in Sons of Anarchy, is set to play the title character in Slipknot star Shawn 'Clown' Crahan's film directing debut Officer Downe.

The film is based on a graphic novel by Joe Casey and Christ Burnham, about a Los Angeles cop who is resurrected every time he's killed in the line of duty. Production begins next month.

Crahan recently told The Pulse of Radio: "I've been working my way toward directing a feature for a long time. I've been preparing myself with art my whole life and preparing myself for directing and scriptwriting.

"I honestly believe that we are going to create the next Clockwork Orange and I'm going to die trying because that's my life." Read more here.





Mayall, Green, McVie and Fleetwood Bootleg To Be Released
(The Blues A 1967 bootleg recording of John Mayall's Bluesbreakers featuring future members of Fleetwood Mac gets an official release on April 20 via Forty Below.

The bootleg was recorded in five London clubs during the three-month period in which Mayall, Peter Green, John McVie and Mick Fleetwood worked together.

Mayall secured the five-decade-old tapes recently and restored them with the help of Forty Below Records' Eric Corne, who says: "While the source recording was very rough and the final result is certainly not hi-fidelity, it does succeed in allowing us to hear how spectacular these performances were." Read more here.




Stolen Radiohead Guitar Found After 19 Years
(TeamRock Radio) Radiohead guitarist Jonny Greenwood hit the stage this weekend with a guitar he thought he'd never see again. It was stolen in 1995 while the band toured in the US in support of second album The Bends.

But last year, Radiohead fan site The King Of Gear heard from a reader who'd recognized the Ebony Frost Fender Telecaster Plus, and arranged its return.

The King Of Gear explains: "Someone recognised Jonny's Telecaster as one they'd purchased in Denver, the city in which all the band's gear was stolen on October 4, 1995. I directed them to Plank, the band's guitar tech, and the result was that the guitar was returned to Jonny." Read more here.




Orgy, 9electric and Death Valley High Announce Sick Talk Tour
Orgy have announced that they will be launching the Sick Talk tour of North America next month that will also feature support from 9electric and Death Valley High.

The tour will be kicking off on March 25th in Denver, CO at the Marquis Theater and the band have announced dates up until April 22nd in Colorado Springs, CO at the Black Sheep, with more dates still to be announced.
Orgy's Jay Gordon had the following to say about the tour, "Orgy 'Sick Talk' Spring tour update: I've been hangin' with my boy Ron Underwood from 9 Electric - 9E, since the Wayne Static Memorial Show about taking them with us on this tour, so we threw some tentative dates together with 9E, and said it was a go for them. So we are pleased to announce the lineup for the Sick Talk Tour. Orgy will be taking 9E as Special Guest and opening the show will be hard hitting Death Valley High - DVH from my hometown San Francisco.

"We're excited to bring the fans a super-charged, and chaotic show, as well as introduce to fans some fresh new music. Orgy has been writing and recording over the past year which will be coming by way of 2 EP's, the first of which is titled Talk Sick will be released to coincide with the start of the tour the end of March. The second EP is tentative titled Entropy will be released 4 - 6 months later.

"We are very excited about the Spring tour and a fresh new start for Orgy, and we will not stop developing and creating fresh new music until we have regained the trust and interest from all of our fans from the past as well as capture the attention of fans in the near future and beyond. We hope to get as many people onboard with us to help us push to the next level, as possible. Please come and support the shows. We will not disappoint. XJXGXOXRXGXYX." See the tour dates here.



The Darkness Announce New Album and Release Lead Single
(hennemusic) UK rockers The Darkness will issue their 4th album, "Last Of Our Kind", on June 1. Produced by guitarist Dan Hawkins, the follow-up to 2012's "Hot Cakes" is preceded by the newly-released lead single, "Barbarian."

According to vocalist Justin Hawkins, the song has "not one but two dramatic monologues, a guitar solo that has been declared 'irresponsible', a riff that weakens lady-knees and a chorus that makes grown men sh*t directly into their pants."

"The lyrics describe the Viking invasion of East Anglia which culminated in the decapitation of Edmund the Martyr," he adds. "So yeah, classic Darkness."

The album sees the debut of new drummer Emily Dolan Davies, who replaces original drummer Ed Graham after a split last year. Davies will make her live debut with The Darkness at an intimate "secret" show March 4 on Ireland's Valentia Island as part of a 10-show run across the country to road test their new material next month.





Kim Thayil Says Soundgarden Plan To Release New Album This Year
(hennemusic) Soundgarden guitarist Kim Thayil has revealed that the Seattle band plan to release a new album in 2016. The rocker shared the news while in Australia to play dates across the country as part of the annual Soundwave festival.

"No studio has been chosen and no songs are written yet," Thayil tells the Sydney Morning Herald. "When we finish these shows in Australia we'll spend a month or more working on it. It's definitely going to happen.

"We worked with producer Adam Kasper on our last album [2012's "King Animal"] and I wouldn't be surprised if we hook up with him again," he added. Read more here.




Steve Hackett Learned Ancient Instrument For New Album
(Prog) Steve Hackett says that he learned to play an ancient musical instrument for upcoming solo album Wolflight. He employed other musicians to perform on tar, digeridoo, duduk and darbukkah drum - all of which he says have lent the tracks a "prehistoric" and "otherworldly" feel.

He explains via his blog: "Having been fascinated by the evocative music on my trip to Morocco, I decided to have a go at learning one of those exotic instruments of the desert.

"I bought an Iraqi oud - a fretless lute - and took on the challenge. It's very hard to tune, but intriguing to play when those magical sounds start to speak back to you. My oud performance features briefly a couple of times on Dust And Dreams, a piece of music designed to evoke the soul of the desert." Read more here.




Tangerine Dream To Carry On Despite Edgar Froese's Death
(Prog) Former Tangerine Dream member Peter Baumann has vowed the band will continue, following the death of mainman Edgar Froese. He passed away suddenly last month at the age of 70. The band said in a statement: "Edgar once said, 'There is no death, there is just a change of our cosmic address.' This is a little comfort to us."

Now Baumann, who played a key role during Tangerine Dream's 1970s trio era alongside Christopher Franke from 1971 to 1975 then 1975 to 1977, reveals he'd been in discussions with Froese to return to the band.

He says via Facebook: "As all of you, I was shocked by Edgar's sudden departure. Just a month ago I visited him in Austria making plans for a new project.

"Well, there will be a new project, and Edgar's fingerprints will be all over it. His personality will permeate everything that is composed and produced under the TD name." Read more here.




Greg Christian Says He Was 'Under Duress' In Testament
(Classic Rock) Former Testament bassist Greg Christian has posted a reflective Facebook update, a year after he left the band after a lack of payment. Although he again hits out at his ex-band's hardline attitude - which left him with less than $150 to his name - he also writes of being in a better, more productive place with his new project Trinity Fallen. And he also reveals his financial woes were put into perspective following the death of friend Fozz Bear.

He says: "Been reflecting a lot. A little over a year away from Testament I see everything so much different. There's also something about death that helps to put other things in perspective so I think Fozz's passing may actually be 'helping' me in a way.

"I'd have to say I was under duress the entire eight and a half years I was back in the band. I came back with nothing, under a great deal of stress about trying to keep up an appearance that was consistent with being in a band of this stature, while being sh*t broke and struggling.

"That's exhausting and I was never able to get ahead, even a little. They fully took advantage, knowing if I didn't just do the gigs and get that next cheque, I couldn't pay my bills. There was no negotiating. There was a, 'F*** off, take it or we'll get someone that will. We own everything and you're not sh*t anyway' kind of attitude. I never once felt grounded or balanced. It wasn't possible." Read more here.




Wilko Johnson Returned To Hospital To Thank Them For His Life
(Classic Rock) Wilko Johnson went back to hospital last week - to thank medics for saving his life last year. He'd been expecting to die of pancreatic cancer until he was referred to the Adenbrooke's establishment in Cambridge. He underwent surgery in April and in October reported he'd been given the all-clear.

Wilko tells the Cambridge News: "Adenbrooke's, to me, is a wonderful, magical place. They saved my life. To me, everybody from the consultants to the cleaners to the nurses are heroes."

Surgeon Emannual Huguet, who oversaw the procedure, says: "Wilko was very brave throughout - it's wonderful to see him return to what he does brilliantly." Read more here.






Jimmy Page Reveals His Led Zeppelin Masterplan
(hennemusic) Jimmy Page reveals some of his masterplan when he first put together Led Zeppelin in 1968, in part three of his recent interview with Soundgarden frontman Chris Cornell in Los Angeles.

"I knew at that time there was a big focus on guitar, so I wanted to make it a tour de force for the guitar," explains Page (transcribed by hennemusic). "So for my playing, it was going to be everything from acoustic through to electric, there's pedal steel on it - there's everything - I'm throwing everything on it to get all these guitar textures. So it goes from really rude bottleneck through to very sensitive acoustic. It was going to be a guitar tour de force but not at the expense of the other members - this was they key to it. Everyone needed to be really heard."

The guitarist joined Cornell for "An Evening With Jimmy Page" at the Ace Hotel Theater in November to discuss his photographic autobiography, "Jimmy Page By Jimmy Page", and his own history as a musician.

In part 1, Page discussed his early years and musical upbringing with host Cornell in front of a live audience, and in part 2 he spoke about how he came to join The Yardbirds. Watch the video here.




Metal Musician Launches Petition Against Facebook Fees
(Classic Rock) The frontman of US metalcore outfit Illuminate Me has launched a petition asking Facebook to stop charging bands a fee for promoting their music. Chris Murray has started the campaign via Change.org as he says bands are being unfairly punished as they attempt to bolster their online presence.

He's paid Facebook close to $3000 to promote his band - but reckons the social media giant's "greed" is now unjustifiable. He says: "Facebook has raised its rates on bands and small businesses promoting themselves through their website several times over the last few years - asking to pay even more money to simply reach the audience the band or small business has already acquired.

"It's getting to a point where it's blatant greed and is unjustifiable. Bands like us for example, especially the unsigned ones, pay Facebook a hefty amount of money for an ad just to get potential new fans to visit our page.

"On top of that, now we must pay a large fee to talk to the fans already subscribed to our page. So we're paying double on a service that we heavily rely on." Read more here.



Jimi Hendrix's Final Interview Animated
(Classic Rock) An audio clip of an interview with guitar icon Jimi Hendrix the week before he died has been released as part of an animated web series titled Blank On Blank. The conversation between the guitarist and UK journalist Keith Altham was recorded in September 1970 - just a few days before Hendrix died in London.

In the clip, he talks about money, his appearance, smashing up his equipment on stage and his thoughts on the way he'd like to have seen music and visuals combine in the future.

When questioned about being credited as giving birth to psychedelic music, he says: "The way I write is a clash between reality and fantasy. You have to use fantasy to show different sides of reality - that's how it can bend. I don't really round it off too good - it's almost naked. I just hate to be in one corner. I hate to be just a guitar player, or a songwriter, or a tap dancer."

And he also gives his thoughts on the music scene at the time, calling it "too heavy." He continues: "There's too many heavy songs out nowadays - music is getting too heavy, almost to the state of unbearable. I have this one little saying, 'When things get too heavy just call me helium - the lightest known gas to man.'





In Flames React To Fan Backlash
(TeamRock Radio) In Flames have rejected complains from followers unhappy with their change in musical direction over the years. The Swedish outfit recently revealed how 11th album Siren Charms, launched last year, carried a heavy Van Halen influence.

That followed a rebalancing of influences with the departure of guitarist Jesper Stromblad in 2010 and the return of Niclas Engelin. Guitarist Bjorn Gelotte tells Noisecreep: "There's no way you can please everybody. There's no way you can listen to everybody. The only thing we know is what we like, the five of us in the band."

Frontman Anders Friden says: "We love our fans and we're so grateful that we can do what we do - travel the world and work with our hobby." But he adds: "We cannot listen to 1000 people - that would be an extremely confusing song," he says. "We are the ones who'll live with this album for ever, so we have to be happy with what we've done."





Black Star Riders Went Beyond Thin Lizzy On New Album
(Classic Rock) Black Star Riders frontman Ricky Warwick says he's happy with the balance he's achieved between being influenced by Phil Lynott and bringing in his Almighty spirit.

The Thin Lizzy offshoot set their own agenda by changing their name ahead of their debut album All Hell Breaks Loose. Follow-up The Killer Instinct is out today via Nuclear Blast.

Former Almighty vocalist Warwick tells Metal Forces: "I've been singing Phil's songs for almost five years now and I completely immersed myself in the role. When I was given the job I wanted to do it justice.

"I studied the man's lyrics, his poetry. I've learned so much from him - I think it's made me a better performer, a better writer and a better musician. That's part of who I am now."

While their first album was planned to sound more like Lizzy, Warwick believes there's less pressure now. "We'll always still have that vibe because of what we do," he says, "but I think we can try anything." Read more here.




Soundgarden Perform 'Birth Ritual' For 1st Time In Two Decades
(Radio.com) More than 20 years ago, Soundgarden contributed the song "Birth Ritual" to the soundtrack for the movie Singles. Released right at the apex of their popularity, the song's chugging riffs and caterwauling vocals find the grunge outfit in peak form.

They briefly appeared in the movie to perform the song, but strangely it's been absent from their lives sets ever since then. That is, until now. Touring Australia as part of the Soundwave festival's lineup over the weekend, Soundgarden performed the song for the first time since 1992 in Adelaide and Melbourne.

No one would confuse this performance for a perfect representation of the song, but it's nonetheless an admirable effort considering that they haven't performed the song in more than two decades, and by the end they seem to have locked into the groove.





Black Crowes's Chris Robinson Was Not Close To Bandmate Brother
(Classic Rock) Former Black Crowes frontman Chris Robinson says he and guitarist Rich never shared a spirit of brotherly love during their 25 years with the band. Instead, he suggests, the Crowes' success was the only reason they continued to communicate after the late 1980s.

The split was confirmed last month by guitarist Rich after drummer Steve Gorman had previously hinted they wouldn't be returning from hiatus to celebrate their quarter-century.

Now Chris tells HuffPost Live: "We never really had much of a relationship. You write some songs and that record sells six million copies, then you're supposed to keep going. Then there's family and there's responsibility and stuff."

But he continues: "I'm proud of the work. The Black Crowes gave me everything - the sheer, humble gift that a weird kid in Atlanta in the 80s could find his way through the world as an artist." Read more here.




Buck & Evans Release 'Screaming' Video
(Classic Rock) Buck & Evans have released a video for their track Screaming - featuring stand-in AC/DC drummer Bob Richards. He's a member of the Welsh blues outfit who recorded an album live at Rockfield Studios last year. Screaming is the latest number to be launched.

Richards was called up by AC/DC in October to appear in two videos for 17th album Rock Or Bust, as a result of the continuing issues faced by drummer Phil Rudd.

Richards recently said: "I heard the songs an hour or so before we went on to the set to start filming. I played it over several times and did a bit of air-drumming to it. The band were fantastic - they made me so welcome and we had a great time shooting."

Rudd has been replaced by Chris Slade for the band's world tour. Watch the video here.




John Bush Has Lost Touch With Former Anthrax Bandmate
(Classic Rock) Former Anthrax frontman John Bush says he's saddened that he's lost contact with drummer Charlie Benante. He remains in touch with guitarist Scott Ian, but hasn't spoken to Benante in several years - even though he says they used to be very close.

He fronted Anthrax from 1992 to 2005 then left when they attempted to regroup with classic-era frontman Joey Belladonna. When that failed they hired Dan Nelson but dismissed him in 2009. Bush returned to fill the gap until Belladonna's permanent return in 2010.

Bush tells Lucas H Gordon: "I haven't talked to Charlie in probably a couple of years, which is a little sad because I was close with him. But things got kind of weird. Maybe he doesn't want to talk or something. I'm cool - it's all good on my end." Read more here.




Singled Out: Revolution Saints (Night Ranger/Journey/Whitesnake)
Revolution Saints, featuring Night Ranger's Jack Blades, Journey's Deen Castronovo and Doug Aldrich (Whitesnake), release their self-titled debut album today and to celebrate we asked Jack to tell us about the song "Turn Back Time". Here is the story:

The way the song "Turn Back Time" is laid out it just screamed for a duet from Deen and me. We were in Portland in the studio and Deen started singing the first verse on the song…kinda low for his voice but he put it down. I took the second half of the verse and kinda played around with the melody still keeping it within the realm of the song.

Well, Deeno took that as a big green light and ripped into the second verse and then the chorus after the blazing solo DA had just laid down…I'm thinking, oh great… these guys are firing on all eight cylinders what am I supposed to do now with a harmony on this wild last chorus that Deen just killed.

The producer Alessandro was in the control room trying to come up with some harmony note for the last chorus and I said to him just roll the song and hit record. He started to say something and I said "just roll it and record", all the while thinking to myself what the hell am I gonna sing????

The chorus came on and boom I just started answering Deen's awesome chorus lines with lines of my own…sorta like we were talking back and forth with each other, line for line, note for note.

When I was finished Alessandro just stopped the song, looked at Deen and Doug, and they all together threw the horns with both hands. Ale said "Perfecto". I said "what the hell did I sing?" He laughed and played it back.

We left it as it was; what both Deeno and I did on the first run through of the song….didn't even try and sing it again. Now that's the way to record a vocal. I inspired Deen, Deeno inspired me and thankfully we didn't try to mess with it!!

Tim Abrigg Jr. Rants/Raves:: Today's Day in Rock News!

Tim Abrigg Jr. Rants/Raves:: Today's Day in Rock News!: Today's Day in Rock Metallica, West Memphis 3 Filmmaker Bruce Sinofsky Dead at 58 Bruce Sinofsky, a filmmaker behind the Met...

Today's Day in Rock News!

Today's Day in Rock


Metallica, West Memphis 3 Filmmaker Bruce Sinofsky Dead at 58
Bruce Sinofsky, a filmmaker behind the Metallica "Some Kind of Monster" documentary and the West Memphis Three/Paradise Lost film trilogy, died in his sleep on Saturday (February 21) from diabetes complications. He was 58.

Metallica, who recently celebrated the 10th anniversary of the award winning "Some Kind of Monster," paid tribute to Sinofsky on their website on Saturday. The band posted the following message, "We lost a valued member of our family today as award winning filmmaker Bruce Sinofsky passed away this morning.

"Bruce, along with Joe Berlinger, was the architect of our film Some Kind of Monster. Smart, funny and dedicated, Bruce was with us almost every day in the early 2000′s and was an integral part of helping us to navigate the rough waters during those times. Although not very welcomed at times, he was there through some of the darkest times of Metallica. He became a dedicated comfort and visual lifeboat, while objectively observing the unraveling and rebuilding of our inner and outer selves. We admired Bruce and Joe's work in Brother's Keeper, but of course were blown away by what Bruce and Joe accomplished with the Paradise Lost trilogy of films. With their relentless work and attention to detail, Bruce and Joe's films drew attention to the miscarriages of justice associated with the trial of three teens accused of murder and helped to lead to their eventual release from prison after over 18 years behind bars.

"After Some Kind of Monster, Bruce went on to do more brilliant work on the Sundance Channel series Iconoclasts, and History's 10 Days that Unexpectedly Changed America along with numerous other film and television projects.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with Bruce's family and friends. We will miss Bruce. A courageous man with deep empathy and wisdom who wasn't afraid to dig deep to tell the story. RIP Bruce."



Geddy Lee Addresses Rush's Final Tour Speculation
Rush frontman Geddy Lee discussed the band's upcoming tour and elaborated on the speculation that it would be the band's final "big tour" during his appearance on the season premiere of VH1′s That Metal Show this weekend.

"It's very hard to answer that question for a lot of reasons," Lee responded when asked the tour would be a farewell trek. "First of all, you know, the three guys in this band have very different opinions on this point in our lives. Everybody's in a very different space right now.

"We've done a lot of touring for the last 10 years, a lot of writing, a lot of working. (Drummer) Neil (Peart), for example, has a young child at home and he's said publicly, numerous times, that it's very hard for him to leave his daughter. She needs him.

"So, it's clear that we are at a point in our career that we have to slow down - and slow down dramatically. So, I'm not a guy who's in love with the farewell tour idea, but it's clear that this is going to be the last big tour that we're going to do for a while, anyway. I can say that."

He also talked about what he sees in the future for Rush. "In terms of 'are we still a band?,' yeah, of course we're still a band. Do we talk about writing? Yes, we talk about writing. Will we do gigs in the future? I don't see why not. But, when you are talking about a tour that's 35 shows, 40 shows, 50 shows at our age at this point in our lives, I don't know how many of those are still left in us."

The show also posted an exclusive backstage interview with Geddy that you can watch here.




Stone Temple Pilots Say New Music Is More 'R-A-W-K-I-N'
(hennemusic) Stone Temple Pilots guitarist Dean DeLeo and drummer Eric Kretz are sharing an update on the band's first full album with Chester Bennington of Linkin Park.

The band are currently in the studio working on the follow-up to their 2013 EP, "High Rise." DeLeo explains the sound of the new music in a new interview with WAAF Boston.

"Although we've been trying for many, many years to get away from ourselves, we always keep coming back to our same spot - that person in front of the mirror," says the guitarist. "It kind of sounds like us. I'd like to think it's not anything we've done before; we definitely don't wanna repeat ourselves. It's just about kind of stumbling and writing some new musical terrain we haven't really explored before. But it's definitely R-A-W-K-I-N. Rawkin'."

"When we were writing these songs, it was just, like, 'Man, what gets us off on stage live?'," adds Kretz. "We wanna make sure that it has those elements where we're excited not just to present a good song, but something that has great performances on all our parts and something that the audience can just really enjoy." Read more here.




Grateful Dead's Bill Kreutzmann Releasing Memoir This Spring
Grateful Dead drummer Bill Kreutzmann has announced that he will be releasing his memoir, which was written by him and Relix and Esquire contributor Benjy Eisen.

Entitled "Deal: My Three Decades of Drumming, Dreams and Drugs with the Grateful Dead" is set to be released on May 5th by St. Martin's Press. The hardcover will include 416 pages.

The synopsis says in part, "Everything a rock music fan would expect is here, but what sets this apart is Bill's incredible life of adventure that was at the heart of the Grateful Dead experience. This was a band that knew no limits and Bill lived life to the fullest, pushing the boundaries of drugs, drums and high times, through devastating tragedy and remarkable triumph.

"But at this book's beating heart is the music--theirs and others. Some of the greatest musicians and concerts were a part of the Grateful Dead's career, from sharing the stage with Janis Joplin, Bob Dylan, and The Who, to playing in the Acid Tests, The Monterey Pop Festival, Woodstock and Altamont.

"Bill's life is a chronicle of American music and pop culture history and his epic personal journey is one of sonic discovery and thrilling experiences." You can preorder the book, read more and see the cover art, here.




Former Yngwie Malmsteen Bandmate Mats Olausson Dead at 54
(Classic Rock) Former Yngwie Malmsteen keyboardist Mats Olausson has been found dead in a hotel room in Rayong, Thailand. He was 54. His body is reported to have been discovered among empty whisky bottles and beer cans.

He'd been staying in the hotel for a week, but an employee said he hadn't paid for his room and hadn't taken meals since his arrival. The musician is believed to have died in the 24 hours preceding his body's discovery.

Olausson joined Malmsteen for his fifth album, 1990's Eclipse, and remained until 2000's War To End All Wars. He appeared on a total of 70 albums and also performed with Kamelot, Iron Mask, Nemo, Geff, Ark and others. Read more here.




Rod Stewart's Guitarist Jim Cregan Has Prostate Cancer
(Classic Rock) Rod Stewart's guitarist Jim Cregan has confirmed he's battling prostate cancer. The 68-year-old, who has also recorded with artists including Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel and Family and produced albums by Glass Tiger and Quireboys, has postponed a run of shows planned for next month with his band Cregan & Co. as he begins treatment to fight the disease.

He says in a statement: "Like a lot of guys, my life is paved with good intentions. My dear friend Ian Wallace, who played drums for so many famous names said to us all before he died, 'Get checked out before it's too late.' And of course, true to form, I did absolutely nothing.

"Fast forward to last year when another old pal, drummer Kenney Jones asked me join him in a charity event called Rock 'N' Horse Power benefiting Prostate Cancer UK. I said yes and then realised Kenney was in treatment at the time for the disease. Happily he is recovering very well. But did I get checked? Not likely."

He continues: "As of today I'm waiting for the final results of an MRI which will tell the doctors how to treat it." Read more here.




Allstar Benefit Planned For Wings Guitarist Henry McCullough
(TeamRock Radio) Wings guitarist Henry McCullough is the subject of a star-studded fundraising event at the Half Moon, Putney, next month. The Spooky Tooth, Joe Cocker and Pink Floyd collaborator is unlikely to recover fully from his illness and requires 24-hour care and attention.

Tim Hinkley has gathered Nick Lowe, Paul Carrack, Andy Fairweather Lowe, Neil Inness, Suggs, Graham Parker and others to perform a show in support of McCullough, 71, who suffered a severe heart attack in 2012.

Hinkley says: "The heart attack has left Henry with a certain amount of brain damage, which has resulted in memory loss and functional instability. He's wheelchair-bound and the prognosis for the future is not good." Read more here.




Doug Aldrich Was Surprised At Dee Snider Insult
(Classic Rock) Former Whitesnake guitarist Doug Aldrich says Dee Snider "didn't know what he was talking about" when he went on a recent Twitter attack challenging his contribution to the band.

Twisted Sister frontman Snider called Aldrich out on Twitter, saying he was "tired of musicians who joined famous bands after their heyday claiming they are from those bands."

Aldrich tells Eddie Trunk: "We've done gigs together, Twisted and Whitesnake, but I never really met Dee that I can remember. I've got no problem with the guy."

He says the attack "hit me out of the blue," adding: "I was up late scouring eBay, looking for old guitars, as I do at night a lot, and I got a message that Dee had posted something. And I went on there, and I was just like, 'What is up with that?'

"Everybody knows Dee is a super-smart cat. I thought, 'This is weird.' It was like he was not educated at all and just spouted out this thing. So I tried to educate him a little bit of where I came from with Whitesnake, and I just tagged it with a little smackdown quick." Read more here.




Marilyn Manson and Sully Erna Cast In Upcoming Movie
(Classic Rock) Marilyn Manson and Godsmack frontman Sully Erna have landed roles in an upcoming movie, according to reports. The film Street Level has been written by Sons Of Anarchy actor David Labrava - the TV series which also featured Manson as character Ron Tully.

Fellow Anarchy stars Mark Boone Jr and Drea De Matteo are also lined up for parts in the film which is scheduled for a Christmas Day release. Last year Erna revealed his hope to crack Hollywood after landing a raft of roles on television and in movies.

He said: "I started just exploring the acting world and I started doing classes with a lady named Susan Batson, who's a really top-notch acting coach - she does Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman." Read more here.





Rush Releasing Hologram Edition of 2112
(hennemusic) Rush are sharing a preview of the special vinyl Hologram Edition reissue of the band's 1976 classic, "2112", due March 17. Pressed on high fidelity 200gram vinyl, the unique Hologram Edition showcases a custom, hand- of the "Red Star of the Federation" in the album's dead wax runout of side two.

To reveal the spinning hologram, fans can use any focused source of light, such as the LED flashlight on a smartphone, directly above the turntable while playing.

The "2112" special edition will also come with a free download card for the high resolution Digital Audio version. "The first record where we sounded like Rush," says guitarist Alex Lifeson. Watch the video here.




Rob Zombie Releases Live Video From Upcoming DVD
(hennemusic) Rob Zombie has issued a video performance of "Ging Gang Gong De Do Gong De Laga Raga" as a preview to his forthcoming release, "Spookshow International Live."

Due February 24, the package captures the rocker in concert presenting a 19-song set featuring material from his latest album, "Venomous Rat Regeneration Vendor", and a mix of solo and White Zombie tracks.

"It's been 8 years since our last live album so we figured it was time for another," said Zombie. "Actually we weren't planning on it, but we recorded a few shows and they sounded really great so we thought 'f*** it' let's get it out there."

"For the record," he added, "no overdubs, no fixes, no fake crowd, no nothing. 100% absolutely live. No joke." Watch the video here.




JJ Grey & Mofro Premiere 'Everything Is A Song'
(Classic Rock) JJ Grey & Mofro have premiered a lyric video for their track Everything Is A Song. It's taken from the blues-rock outfit's ninth album Ol' Glory, to be released on February 23 via Provogue Records.

The label says of the follow-up to 2013's This River: "Ol' Glory contains 12 new songs that feature the deep, soulful blend of blues, rock, folk, funk, gospel, gritty R&B and personal, Southern-inspired narratives that have become synonymous with JJ Grey & Mofro.

"The material reflects two themes that run through their entire body of work - a strong sense of place, and finding happiness with where you are in life." Watch the video here.




Yossi Sassi Releases Studio Video
(Prog) Former Orphaned Land guitarist Yossi Sassi has released a studio video to accompany his track Fata Morgana. It's taken from solo album Desert Butterflies, which was released last year following his departure from the Israeli prog metal outfit.

He said of his change in direction: "If there's something stronger than our past it is our future, as we evolve and understand what's right for us in the path ahead."

He's joined on the track by vocalist Sapir Fox, guitarist Ben Azar, bassist Or Lubianiker, drummer Roei Fridman and percussionist Shay Ifrah. Watch the studio video here.




Fall Out Boy Release 'Irresistible' Video
(Radio.com) Fall Out Boy got next in their new video for "Irresistible." In the clip, the guys don neon and some very short-shorts to prove that white men can in fact jump. We only wish Wesley Snipes would have been there to see it.

Or, maybe not. There's a whole lot of sloppy play in this video. Oh, so much traveling and underhand free throws. Snipes would have a field day with this.

Patrick Stumps even loses a hand, making his last name so true, it's almost not funny. What also isn't funny is how the guys were totally snubbed for a Best Song Oscar this year. In an interview with Radio.com, Stump even joked, "Our song was so obviously Oscar-worthy!"

Pete Wentz took the high road though, explaining, "We saw the list of songs that qualified for Oscars, and that was 79 songs. But it was amazing that we were able to work on this Disney film. I would never in a million years have thought that Fall Out Boy, this punk band from the suburbs of Chicago, would be involved in a Disney Marvel film." Watch the video here.




White Willow Reveal Unorthodox Scorpions Cover
(Prog) Norwegian prog outfit White Willow have launched an "unorthodox" cover of the Scorpions' Animal Magnetism, featuring new singer Venke Knutson and a clarinet solo by David Krakauer.

It's the band's first release since 2011's Terminal Twilight, and comes ahead of an album that makes up the first half of a double-length concept work.

White Willow say: "This version melds driving Tangerine Dream-like synths with doomy, motorik rhythms. Venke is a big star in her own right in Norway - that she's chosen to work with us is a great honour. Grammy-nominated David has recorded with John Zorn and released several albums on the prestigious Tzadik label." Check out the cover here.




Melechesh Streaming New Album 'Enki' In Full
(TeamRock Radio) Melechesh have released a full stream of their sixth album Enki in advance of its release on March 2 via Nuclear Blast. It followed the launch of lead track Lost Tribes, featuring Max Cavalera of Soulfly. Other guests on the record include Rob Caggiano of Volbeat and Rotting Christ frontman Sakis Tolis on the project.

Melechesh mainmain Ashmedi says: "Max is a lion - I love his voice. Sakis is an old friend and we toured together in the past, and Rob and I always wanted to collaborate. They all went above and beyond to make it happen despite their busy schedules. Melechesh is more than a band - it's a society!"

He adds: "Enki solicited different approaches and new experiences. I'm flattered and honoured to have esteemed guests appear on this multifaceted album."

Stream the album here.




Rock Goddess Plan First UK Show In 30 Years
(Classic Rock) Rock Goddess have announced their first UK live date in 30 years will take place in London in May. The NWOBHM outfit featuring sisters Julie and Jody Turner and bassist Tracey Lamb reunited in 2013 and will launch their fourth album tentatively titled Unfinished Business later this year.

The new album will be their first since 1987's Young And Free and they've announced they'll take to the stage at London's O2 Academy Inslington on May 14.

The band formed in 1977 and released their self-titled debut album in 1983. After a lineup shuffle, they issued second album Hell Hath No Fury later the same year and toured with bands including Iron Maiden, Y&T and Def Leppard. Read more here.




Metallica's James Hetfield Coming To Grips With Shameful, Dark Stuff
(Classic Rock) Metallica frontman James Hetfield says music saved his life, and that writing and playing is helping him come to terms with his "dark" and "shameful" past.

Earlier this month he revealed he struggled with being "King Sh*t" on stage then being a husband and a dad at home, and earlier spoke about his fear of responsibility.

In a follow-up clip he tells Road Recovery: "You wouldn't really like me if you knew my story - if you knew what horrible things I've done. I'm coming to grips with that, because I have groups of people that I'm able to share all my horrible stuff with - shameful, extremely shameful, dark stuff.

"Some of it is things I've taken from my parents and carried a little further. Other ones I've been able to drop, others I've picked up on my own. Shame's a big thing for me." Read more and watch the video here.




Raven Releasing New Album This Spring
(Classic Rock) British thrash icons Raven will release their new album in April, they've announced. ExtermiNation will launch in the UK on April 27 thanks to a successful crowdfunding drive. They raised $27,000 to help with production costs and offered backers incentives including a full-length covers album titled Party Killers.

The new release is the band's first original album since 2009's Walk Through Fire and will be released on Digipak, 2LP gatefold green vinyl and as a digital download.

Speaking about the decision to launch a Kickstarter campaign, vocalist and bassist John Gallagher told MetalRules: "It seemed more obvious the longer we went into this that it was going to cost more than the budget we have." Read more here.




Less Than Jake Release Four-Volume Live Series
(TeamRock Radio) Less Than Jake have released a series of live albums recorded on bassist Roger Lima's MiniDisc player during shows in the UK, US, Italy and Belgium in the 2000s.

The band say: "This is a four-volume live series we've put together from a time when technology was going through some growing pains and some formats just didn't last very long. Fast forward a few grey hairs down the road and Roger has cleaned them up a bit."

Drummer Vinnie Fiorello adds: "None of these recordings are doctored in any way. We wanted to be archivists of a moment in time - not surgically reconstruct the recording after the fact.

"The first in the series is a show from Glasgow - a city we have now played more than a dozen times. But this is one of the earliest shows when we had just started crossing the big puddle to visit our friends in the UK. Thanks for all the memories!" Read more here.




Steve Vai Announce Live Album and DVD Set
(Classic Rock) Steve Vai has announced details of his upcoming album Stillness In Motion - Vai Live In LA. The 2CD/2DVD set will launch on April 7 after he inked a new multi-album deal with Sony Music Entertainment and Legacy Recordings.

The performance was recorded on October 12 2012 during the guitar maestro's Story Of Light world tour and along with the live set, the package also features a three and a half hour video diary covering the two-year jaunt.

Vai says: "To say that this tour was a powerful life experience would be like saying the sun is hot." Following the live release, he'll launch his latest solo album which is said to "mark a significant next chapter in the musician's growing canon." Check out the track details and the cover art here.




Soilwork's New Music More 'Brutal' and 'Intense'
(TeamRock Radio) Soilwork singer Bjorn 'Speed' Strid says the band are proving more intense than ever as they record their tenth album. The Swedish outfit entered the studio earlier this month with producer Jens Bogren, who oversaw their last two albums, The Living Infinite and 2010's The Panic Broadcast.

Strid tells Metal Wani: "I feel it's pretty fast-paced. It's pretty intense - even more intense, I feel, than The Living Infinite. It might be a little bit more brutal, in a sense, even though that's kind of a stupid word to use. We're definitely not slowing down. It's also a development from The Living Infinite, just slightly faster, in a sense."

He adds: "We've just been developing our sound, and it turned out to be pretty fast-paced and pretty technical, but yet pretty melodic and also atmospheric." Read more here.




Obscura Plan First New Album in Four Years
(TeamRock Radio) German prog metal outfit Obscura will return to the studio in April to begin work on their first material in four years, they've announced. Their last release was 2011's Omnivium and they'll once again hook up with producer Victor Santura on what will be their fourth record.

Guitarist and vocalist Steffen Kummerer says: "We are all pleased with the new material which pairs the songwriting, technicality and arrangements of our previous albums with the creative input of members Linus Klausenitzer, Tom 'Fountainhead' Geldschlager and Sebastian Lanser.

"We'll keep our trademark prog riffing across the fusion and death metal landscape that makes Obscura sound unique. This album sees Obscura move a step further." Read more here.




Tank Releasing New Album
(Classic Rock) Veteran UK rockers Tank have announced their 10th album will launch later this year. Titled Valley Of Tears, the record will be released across Europe on June 8 via Metal Mind Productions. It's the follow-up to 2013's Breath Of The Pit.

Tank mainmen Mick Turner and Cliff Evans are joined on the studio outing by Dragonforce frontman ZP Theart, who has been a member of the group's touring lineup for two years. Completing the band are Blind Guardian bassist Barend Courbois and former Sodom drummer Bobby Schottkowski.

The band say: "The title comes from the famous tank battle during the 1973 Yom Kippur War, where one side was massively outnumbered but fought on regardless and against all odds secured a heroic victory." Read more here.




Shinedown Singer Reveals Some New Album Details
(Classic Rock) Shinedown singer Brent Smith has revealed the band are recording their fifth album, and its theme is "survival." The follow-up to 2012's Amaryllis is expected by late summer.

Asked if it's difficult to choose which tracks will make the cut, Smith replies: "Not this time. It's a devastating album. Beautifully Brutal. We are four weeks into recording. Release by late July, early August."

To the question "What's your all-time favourite songs?" the singer responds: "They are being recorded right now." Smith also reveals the first single from the project would be launched soon. "We are thinking late April", he says. Read more here.




Helloween In Final Stages Of New Album
(Classic Rock) Helloween guitarist Michael Weikath says they're are in the final mixing stages as they prepare their 15th album for a May release via Nuclear Blast records.

He says: "The album mix is currently at full throttle, namely in order to have all that stuff ready so we can conduct a presentation for a select, close circle of media representatives. I can't wait to hear the final result of the mixes."

The band marked their 30th anniversary in 2014 with a return to the label and a re-release of 2000's The Dark Ride and 2003's Rabbit Don't Come Easy – each expanded with the addition of bonus tracks. Read more here.




Rolo Tomassi Announce New Album
(TeamRock Radio) Rolo Tomassi will release their fourth album, Grievances, in June. They revealed details of the follow-up to 2012's Astraea on the 10th anniversary of their formation.

Vocalist Eva Spence says: "I feel more enthused than ever with where we're at. With Grievances we followed on from the sound we developed on Astraea, and pushed that to make an album I consider to be our best to date."

James Spence adds: "We wanted to do something ambitious. We took our time making sure the material was right. We tried new ways of writing, including collaborating with other musicians for the first time." Read more here.




Arch Enemy 'Gelling' With New Lineup
(TeamRock Radio) Arch Enemy's Michael Amott has hailed the chemistry in the band since adding frontwoman Alissa White-Gluz and guitarist Jeff Loomis. White-Gluz replaced Angela Gossow in the group and was on vocal duties for their 2014 album War Eternal, while Loomis was brought in ahead of their live commitments in November to support the release.

And Amott says while the band is coming together as a live outfit, he's also relishing the prospect of spending time in the studio with Loomis. He tells On The Rock: "I think there is chemistry. Sometimes bands don't have any chemistry any more, or they never had it, but they just do it anyway.

"I think everything's kind of gelling. I'm really looking forward to the next album at some point and working with Jeff. The possibilities are pretty crazy." Read more and watch the interview here.



Tim Bowness Reveals New Album Plans
(TeamRock Radio) Tim Bowness has confirmed his third solo album will be released via InsideOut this summer. The follow-up to acclaimed 2014 title Abandoned Dancehall Dreams features guest appearances by Anna Phoebe, Peter Hammill and Andrew Keeling, with more to be revealed. The band includes Porcupine Tree's Colin Edwin.

No-Man and Henry Fool member Bowness - also known for his work with Robert Fripp, Phil Manzanera and others - says: "If Abandoned Dancehall Dreams was something of a bolder and more dynamic extension of No-Man's Schoolyard Ghosts, I'd say that the new album is something of a bolder and more dynamic extension of Abandoned Dancehall Dreams.

"A logical step forward with some surprises, I hope. It's been really exciting working with the band on most of the pieces, and getting some special contributions from Anna, Peter and Andrew." Read more here.



Singled Out: I Fight Dragons' Chicago
Today I Fight Dragons lead singer and rhythm guitarist Brian Mazzaferri tells us about the song "Chicago" from their brand new album "The Near Future". Here is the story:

"Chicago" actually has the distinction of being the oldest song on the album, as well as the one with the most complex backstory. It began life as the 11th version of a melody that I was trying to write over a track that never made it onto our last album KABOOM! I had been banging my head against the proverbial wall with this track for almost a year at that point (I even did a music business case study about the track itself: see the video here), and finally one day I was riding the train downtown and the melody and lyrics all came to me in a rush, a song about losing yourself in the city and finding yourself in the idea of losing yourself.

I loved that version of the song, which ended up being the 11th out of 18, and the version that was my personal favorite, but that track never made it onto the album, and actually it wasn't even in consideration for The Near Future either during the first recording sessions. However, after our explosive band blowup which led to scrapping the entire first set of sessions, we spent months in our practice space mulling over what we really wanted on the album. One day, Chad (the drummer) out of the blue was like, "what about Chicago?" and we all laughed. We had such weird associations with the song, and it was attached in our heads to the old track, but we decided we'd just play through it once the way we'd want to play it instead of thinking of the original track in our heads, and by the end of that play through we all looked at each other an agreed it had to be on the album.

I'm so happy it ended up on there. It's a song about home, about losing yourself and finding yourself, and about being out on a quest but also knowing that you've got someplace, something, someone in your heart to come home too, that's always out there with you in a way.

Tim Abrigg Jr. Rants/Raves:: Today's Day in Rock News!

Tim Abrigg Jr. Rants/Raves:: Today's Day in Rock News!: Today's Day in Rock Iron Maiden's Bruce Dickinson Treated For Cancer Heavy metal legends Iron Maiden announced that lead ...

Today's Day in Rock News!

Today's Day in Rock


Iron Maiden's Bruce Dickinson Treated For Cancer
Heavy metal legends Iron Maiden announced that lead singer Bruce Dickinson has just undergone treatment for a small cancerous tumor on his tongue.

The band reports that the cancer was found early and Dickinson is expected to make a full recover. Here is the statement from the band, "Just before Christmas, Maiden vocalist Bruce Dickinson visited his doctor for a routine check-up. This led to tests and biopsies which revealed a small cancerous tumour at the back of his tongue.

"A seven-week course of chemotherapy and radiology treatment was completed yesterday. As the tumour was caught in the early stages, the prognosis thankfully is extremely good. Bruce's medical team fully expect him to make a complete recovery with the all clear envisaged by late May. It will then take a further few months for Bruce to get back to full fitness.

"In the meantime, we would ask for your patience, understanding and respect for Bruce and his family's privacy until we update everyone by the end of May. Bruce is doing very well considering the circumstances and the whole team are very positive."




Linkin Park Thank Fans With Free Acoustic Song Download
Linkin Park are giving away a free download of an acoustic version of the song "Final Masquerade" as a thank you to fans for their support. The original version of the track appeared on their latest album "The Hunting Party" and the band were recently forced to cancel their tour in support of the album due to a leg injury suffered by frontman Chester Bennington.

Mike Shinoda had this to say about the track, "We made something cool the other day, and we wanted you to have it. Here's a special unreleased acoustic version of Final Masquerade.

"Stripping it down to bare bones brought the sentiment of the song right to the surface. Thanks for all your support over the past couple months - we hope you enjoy the song."

Guitarist Brad Deslon adds, "In this stripped-down intimate version, the words and storytelling lead the way. I loved working on this special recording of "Final Masquerade", and we're excited to share it with our fans."





AC/DC Concert Tickets In High Demand
(Classic Rock) Tickets for AC/DC's upcoming Rock Or Bust tour across North America are selling on the secondary market for more than $250. They're lined up to play a run of shows across the Pond starting in April at the Coachella festival and then a further 10 dates kicking off at the Gillette Stadium, Massachusetts in August - and prices are climbing steadily as fans rush to see the band's first live shows since 2010's Black Ice tour.

According to Forbes, the average cost of securing a ticket has now reached $255.82 which rivals that of other big-name artists including The Who and Fleetwood Mac.

The most expensive ticket on the market is the Aussie giants' gig at the Commonwealth Stadium, Edmonton. The average price currently stands at $573.37 - 124.1% more expensive than the tour average. Read more here.



Man 'Enduring' Week Of Nickelback For A Cause
(Classic Rock) A man from the US is listening to Nickelback constantly for a week to raise cash for charity. Jesse Carey started the marathon session on Monday and will stop this coming Sunday - and he says he's received messages of support from across the world for his "ultimate test of human endurance."

He tells the Relevant podcast: "I want to lift the confidence of what a human being is capable of. It's the feeling I get after I watch a David Blaine special, and he's been locked in a block of ice upside down for reasons that were never made clear. All you need to know is that he did it.

"People have been kind enough to leave messages of encouragement. Somebody even said there's a darkness to the music and I'll have to do some sort of hot yoga cleanse after this - people are concerned for me spiritually, emotionally and even physically.

"No one knows what the brain will do when subjected to this type of Nickelback." The serious side to Nickelbackathon is Carey's drive to generate funds for the charity Water, which aims to build wells and give people across the world access to safe, clean water. Read more here.




Foo Fighters Sonic Highways Headed To Blu-Ray and DVD
(hennemusic) Foo Fighters will release their HBO series, Sonic Highways, on DVD/Blu-ray and digital on April 7. The series was a companion project to the band's 8th album of the same name, recorded in 8 different cities - Chicago, Washington DC, Nashville, Austin, Los Angeles, New Orleans, Seattle and New York - and documented for broadcast on HBO last fall.

The "Sonic Highways" DVD/Blu-ray package features bonus footage filmed during each of the eight episodes - plus extended interviews with President Barack Obama, Dan Auerbach of the Black Keys, Chuck D of Public Enemy, Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top, Gibby Haynes of the Butthole Surfers, Joan Jett, Ian Mackaye of Fugazi and Minor Threat, Dolly Parton, Carrie Underwood and Joe Walsh.

Originally premiering on HBO October 17, 2014, "Foo Fighters: Sonic Highways" has gone on to win this year's Cinema Audio Society Award for Outstanding Achievement in Sound Mixing for Television Non-Fiction, Variety or Music - Series or Specials (for the Los Angeles episode), as well as the Motion Picture Sound Editors Golden Reel Award for Best Sound and Music Editing: Television Documentary, Long Form (for the Seattle episode). Watch the trailer here.





Dave Lombardo Talks Possible Fantomas Activity
(Classic Rock) Former Slayer sticksman Dave Lombardo says a reunion with Mike Patton on the first Fantomas material since 2005's Suspended Animation could be in the pipeline.

He continues: "Let's just say that Mike and I have been in communication, we've been texting each other, like we always have. We always keep tabs on each other, which is great. I love our friendship and I hope that we do get together, that'd be awesome."

The Philm mainman has written and recorded music with his groove metal band Grip Inc, worked with Faith No More frontman Mike Patton in experimental outfit Fantomas and collaborated with Italian classical musician Lorenzo Arruga to record Vivaldi: The Meeting.

And he says he's always finding new music to inspire him. Read more here.




Chester Bennington Recovering From Serious Injury
(TeamRock Radio) Stone Temple Pilots guitarist Dean DeLeo says Chester Bennington is recovering quickly from the horrific leg injury that forced him to cancel a run of Linkin Park shows last month.

The vocalist is currently recording material with STP after taking over from Scott Weiland, who was dismissed in 2013. Bennington required surgery on his ankle after first trying to stay on the road with the injury.

Now DeLeo tells WAAF: "He's healing pretty quickly. He's just of that mindset and physicality where he wills his body to do that. He hurt himself badly. It was not only a break - the guy tore darn near every ligament in the ankle.

"They had to go in on each side. He has about a five-inch incision on each side. They had to go in and assemble a big bowl of spaghetti." Read more here.




Vinnie Paul Plans To Release A Cookbook
Vinnie Paul Abbott made a name for himself as the drummer of metal legends Pantera and continues with his current band Hellyeah. Now he is preparing to enter a different arena: drumming up fans appetites with his own cookbook.

He revealed his plans to release his long planned cookbook by Christmas during an interview with Vault With Shanda Golden. He said, "I'm going to get it out, I promise, by Christmas this year.

"About two Christmases in a row have kind of gone by. But we have a big tour coming up in Europe right after this [tour], so that way, I'll have a lot of time to myself to finish it up."

He elaborated, "I've already got about 125 recipes in it. It's called 'Drumming Up an Appetite With Vinnie Paul'. How clever is that? It's got a picture of me sitting behind a drum set. I'm holding two turkey legs, which are otherwise known as drum sticks.

"And it's all about cooking and having fun with it. I don't get too specific about it. But I do think a lot of people think cooking is throwing something in the microwave. And it's something that you've really got to be passionate about, just like playing an instrument.

"And if you put your heart and soul into it, and then you feed it to people, and you're [like], 'Oh, man! This is so good.' It makes you feel good. It's just like playing music; [people say] 'G-damn, I love this s-t!'"




Y&T Delay New Album Plans
(Classic Rock) Y&T frontman Dave Meniketti says the band's hectic schedule will push their plans for a new album back to 2016. He said last year that the follow-up to 2010's Facemelter would likely surface in 2015, but that will now not happen.

He tells Iron City Rocks: "We're playing 70 to 80 shows every year, and that gives us a limited amount of time to really sit down and focus on writing and everything.

"But this year we've been talking about making a real effort to just get in the studio and start writing and put songs together. And when we get the time to finalise all this stuff, we're hopeful that we'll have new product out next year." Read more here.



ZZ Top's Billy Gibbons Changing Things Up For Solo Album
(Classic Rock) ZZ Top guitarist Billy Gibbons is working on a solo album inspired by Cuban music and he took advice from Foo Fighters mainman Dave Grohl before deciding to take the project seriously.

And despite his blues background, he describes the side-project as something of a return to his roots. Gibbons tells Rolling Stone: "When I was 13 I got a guitar and my dad, being the consummate entertainer, sent me to New York to study Latin percussion.

"I learned maracas, timbales, clavas, bongos - you name it. And having lived in Mexico a couple of years, I know just enough Spanish to get me in trouble."

He adds: "It's turning out to be such an obtuse, oddball, unexpected left-turn from ZZ Top. But there is something to it." Read more here.



Me Vs Hero Breaking Up But Will Play Farewell Shows
(TeamRock Radio) Me Vs Hero have announced they're to split after playing two farewell shows. The appearances, at London's Barfly on April 23 and Manchester's Sound Control on April 26, bring the band's seven-year career to a close.

The Blackpool outfit say they "just don't have the time or the drive to put enough in." But they add: "Don't be disappointed, angry or upset with the news - we're not!

"We played some amazing shows, travelled to some amazing places, met some amazing people. And now it's just our time. We thank every individual who supported us." Read more here.




Marky Ramone Offers Solution To Battle Smartphones At Concerts
(Classic Rock) Marky Ramone has offered his own solution to the controversial issue of phones being used at concerts. The drummer says his Smartphone Swatter deals with the "a**holes" who ruin the show for others in a spoof public service video.

Ramone explains: "I'm sick and tired of people holding up their smartphones at concerts. I make a swatter by gluing a punk rock seven-inch to a drumstick. Want to smash a smartphone? Use a Ramones record on a stick."

He also suggested buying a copy of his autobiography to use as a weapon. Artists from across the rock and metal world have weighed in on the question of using phones at concerts. Iron Maiden frontman Bruce Dickinson called one fan a "wanker" in 2012 after he was seen "texting for the last three songs." Read more and watch the video here.




Jimi Hendrix's Early Recordings Remastered For Reissue
(Classic Rock) Jimi Hendrix's early recordings with Curtis Knight & The Squires is the subject of a remaster release next month. You Can't Use My Name: The RSVO/PPX Sessions is the first in a series to focus on the work Hendrix did before The Animals' Chas Chandler took him to London in 1966 and set him on the road to icon status.

The recordings were the subject of near-constant legal battles during Hendrix's life, after he'd been signed up for $1 and a 1% royalty by PPX boss Ed Chalpin in 1965.

But his estate secured ownership in 2003. As a result, the 14-track compilation is the first fully-official edition of his work with the Squires, featuring recordings made between 1965 and 1967. It includes How Would You Feel and Welcome Home, which gave Hendrix his first recording credits, plus his early compositions Hornet's Nest and Knock Yourself Out [Flying On Instruments].

The title You Can't Use My Name comes from a studio conversation, included on the album ahead of the track. Hendrix, who's already involved in litigation against Chalpin, tells the businessman to keep his name out of marketing material related to the release. Read more here.




Aerosmith Compared Famed Music Festival Smell To A Farm
(Classic Rock) Aerosmith bassist Tom Hamilton says the unique smell of the Download audience at is one of the most unforgettable things about playing the festival at Donington in the UK.

Steven Tyler and co are poised to launch live movie Aerosmith Rocks Donington 2014 in US cinemas. Shot during their 19-song headline set last year, it features tracks from across the veteran outfit's career. It arrives in the UK in May.

Hamilton says: "Every time we've been there it's been the funkiest, most earthy audience on the tour. Usually the crowd's been there are few days and it's been raining a few days.

"The audience gets a distinct aroma, between the mud and the folks who thought it was too far to the porta-cans. It's great - it smells like being on a farm." Read more here.



Voivod Not Rushing With Next Album
(Prog) Voivod are planning to release their 14th album next year, says drummer Michel 'Away' Langevin. The follow-up to 2013's Target Earth is to appear after the band have completed a series of seven-inch singles.

And the material is likely to follow the form of recent track "We Are Connected". Away tells That Drummer Guy: "Right now we're sort of touring the single.

"We have many split seven-inches coming up this year. One with At The Gates in April, another one with Napalm Death and another one with Corrections House, and so on.

"But eventually we'll write a whole bunch of songs and compile everything into an album. I would say early next year." Read more here.




Periphery Learned the Ropes From Dream Theater
(Prog) Periphery credit their 2012 support tour with Dream Theater as the "single biggest learning experience" they've ever had. The band halted work on their Periphery II album to hook up with John Petrucci and co across Europe in 2012. And guitarist Mark Holcomb reveals without that experience, they wouldn't be the band they are now.

He tells Rolling Stone: "We told ourselves in the process of recording that there would be no booking tours. We only accepted because it was Dream Theater. We have a list of bands, 10 or 15 names long, that no matter what, we will say yes. It was the single biggest learning experience we've ever had as a touring professional act.

"They never sat us down and told us anything. It was just observing - how they conduct themselves with fans, how they conduct themselves with other bands, with crew, with local crew, how they practice every night, how seriously they take their craft, how tough on themselves and their performance every night they are."

And Holcomb says seeing this effort on a daily basis had a profound impact on him and the rest of his bandmates. Read more here.




Mahalia Barnes Streaming New Album With Joe Bonamassa
(The Blues Mahalia Barnes has streamed her album Ooh Yea: The Betty Davis Songbook (featuring Joe Bonamassa) exclusively with The Blues Magazine ahead of its official release.

The daughter of iconic singer Jimmy Barnes teamed up with Joe Bonamassa and producer Kevin Shirley for the 12-track title, which is launched via Mascot Label Group on February 23.

Mahalia says: "I've been a fan of Betty for years - she's wild, free, nasty, raw, funky, intense, powerful and sexy. I love the instrumentation, I love the backing vocals. I've always wanted to make a record that sounds like what she was doing. Making this album was a real joy."

Ooh Yea features Mahalia's band the Soul Mates working through tracks from Davis' self-titled 1973 album, 1974's They Say I'm Different and 1975's Nasty Gal. Check out the stream here.




Nightwish's Nevalainen Is Doing 'Much Better' But Not Ready To Return
(Prog) Nightwish drummer Jukka Nevalainen is doing "much better" but his return to full-time work with the band could still be years off. A battle with chronic insomnia led him to pull out of recording sessions for Nightwish's upcoming new album Endless Forms Most Beautiful last year, with his place taken by Wintersun's Kai Hahto.

According to mainman Tuomas Holopainen, Nevalainen's health is improving, but there is still no definite timescale for his return, nor is there a guarantee he will come back at all.

Holopainen tells Faceculture: "He's doing much better. We are in contact all the time, because he still takes care of the band's business - merchandise, all that. And he's actually still a member of the band. That's what it says in the album booklet: 'Drums by Jukka Nevalainen. Drums on this album performed by Kai Hahto.'

"But he just needs a long breather now. So in two, three years, we'll know about the future." Read more here.




Leprous Announce New Album 'The Congregation'
(Prog) Leprous have confirmed the release of fifth album "The Congregation" on May 25 via InsideOut. The follow-up to 2013's "Coal" will be followed by a European tour in October, featuring three UK dates.

Vocalist Einar Solberg says: "This has without doubt been the most challenging album to write so far, if you count the amount of hours, blood, sweat and tears behind it. It makes me extra-proud to have delivered the master of what I consider the most daring, technical, fresh and mature album we've done.

"The music was mostly written on my computer, so I could use my ears instead of my knowledge as the main writing tool. If you use your usual methods to write every album you'll find yourself stuck in a quagmire of old habits." Read more and see the tour dates here.




CeDell Davis Streaming New Album Online
(The Blues CeDell Davis has streamed upcoming album "Last Man Standing" exclusively with The Blues Magazine. The 88-year-old Mississippi Delta bluesman's fifth title is launched on Monday via Sunyata Records - and it was made despite a stroke rendered him unable to play guitar in 2005.

Davis says in the current edition of The Blues Magazine, on sale now: "We just got in the room and started playing. We worked the songs out right there on the spot. I think it's the best record I ever recorded. It's the record of a lifetime."

The childhood polio victim reflects: "I did have an awful time growing up. But I'm the type of person who's not going to give up. I always tell people, 'I don't plan on dying - I plan on living. Dying will take care of itself.'"

Check out the album stream here.






Black Sabbath's Iommi Animated For History of Metal Series
(hennemusic) Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi is featured in the debut edition of the VH1 animated series, "The Complete History Of Heavy Metal." The series debut has been released in sync with Iommi's 67th birthday on Thursday.

Entitled "Fingers Bloody Fingers", the episode tells the story of how a tragic accident caused Iommi to lose the tops of two of his fingers on his last day of work before becoming a full-time musician - as told by the rocker himself.

The injury forced Iommi to re-evaluate his approach to guitar and led to the invention of the very first series of light gauge guitar strings. The feature was illustrated by noted U.K. artist Paul Blow and animated by VH1 senior designer Kee Koo.





Metallica Release Live Sanitarium Video
(hennemusic) Metallica have released footage of them performing a classic song from "Masters of Puppets" from a corporate gig they played February 9 at Pier 48 in San Francisco for cloud computing company Salesforce.com.

"10 days ago, we played at a surprise party thrown by our friend Marc Benioff for the employees of his little up-and-coming company called Salesforce," says the band. "Check out the #MetOnTour video from the gig featuring footage from the Tuning Room and "Welcome Home (Sanitarium)" from the show."

The group played the same event in 2011 when the company's chief executive officer, Marc Benioff, asked his neighbor - Metallica guitarist Kirk Hammett - if they would perform.

Metallica are currently in studio working on the follow-up to 2008's "Death Magnetic." The band return to live action May 9 when they headline the inaugural Rock In Rio USA festival in Las Vegas. Watch the video here.




AC/DC Go Behind The Scenes Of Rock Or Bust Photo Shoot
(hennemusic) AC/DC have released behind the scenes video footage from a band photo shoot from last fall. The session produced the first photo of their new lineup without founding member Malcolm Young, who retired last year due to health issues.

The image (above) features singer Brian Johnson, guitarists Angus and Stevie Young, and bassist Cliff Williams…noticeably absent is drummer Phil Rudd.

Rudd missed the photo session and a video shoot just weeks before his November 6 arrest on multiple charges by New Zealand police - including possession of methamphetamine, possession of cannabis and threatening to kill. Watch the video here.




Slipknot's Chris Fehn Says Fans Can't Be Pinned Down
(TeamRock Radio) Slipknot's Chris Fehn says he's loved watching the 'maggots' grow up and that the range of ages at their gigs proves heavy metal is thriving. The percussionist says that since the band broke big around 15 years ago, the maggots - Slipknot's affectionate name for their fans - have kept coming back, and brought new ones with them.

Asked by Roadrunner Records to describe the average maggot, Fehn says: "It's tough these days to pin it down because there's everybody, such a huge variety. It's been 15 years now so kids that were 15 are now 30. Guys that were 30 are 45-years-old now. It's such a huge range and that's really awesome for heavy metal.

"Not everybody that listens to heavy metal is crazy or out of touch, it's actually quite the opposite. These people are gonna run the world one day and it's a whole new world out there." Read more here.




Lacuna Coil's Cristina Scabbia Says Band Covers All Sides Of Life
(TeamRock Radio) Lacuna Coil's Cristina Scabbia says the band will never shy away from exploring the dark side of life in their music. Scabbia backs fellow singer Andrea Ferro's belief that their next album will be heavier thanks to the addition of new drummer Ryan Blake Folden. And she insists their lyrics will reflect whatever is going on in their lives at the time - whether joyous or desperate.

The band's last album, 2014's Broken Crown Halo, is noted for its dark themes, but Scabbia says that doesn't make it a negative album. She tells MetalPR: "Music for us is sort of self-therapy. We push all out feelings, positive and negative in our music. When we wrote the lyrics we were going through illnesses in the family, deaths of loved ones, break ups.

"Although with Broken Crown Hero we went through bad moments, it doesn't mean that it's a negative album. It's more of a way for us to say that there is always a light at the end of the tunnel.

"Whenever you're experiencing something bad, when there's bullsh*t in your life, whenever you're sad, there's always time to touch the bottom and rise again." Read more here.




The Darkness Preview Next Single 'Barbarian'
(hennemusic) UK rockers The Darkness have issued a short audio preview of their new single, "Barbarian", from their forthcoming album, "Cliffhanger." The follow-up to 2012's "Hot Cakes" is expected in March; the project will feature the debut of drummer Emily Dolan Davies following the band's split with Ed Graham.

"She's a hard hitter," frontman Justin Hawkins tells Classic Rock magazine about Dolan, who has previously played with Bryan Ferry and Tricky. "She's got the chops and the attitude that you need to be The Darkness' drummer. She also makes us feel like dirty old men."

"Ed has had some well-publicized health problems in the past. And for one reason or another, he wasn't capable of doing his job anymore," explains Hawkins. "We're still friends with Ed. But now that we have Emily in the band, the worry is gone."

Davies will make her debut with The Darkness at an intimate secret show March 4 on Ireland's Valentia Island as part of a 10-show run across the country to road test their new material.





Amorphis On The Latest Episode Of Ghosts On The Road Video Series
(Prog) Finnish metal outfit Amorphis are the latest band to feature on FreqsTV's Ghosts On The Road mini-series. In the short film, guitarist Esa Holopainen talks about issues affecting the band on tour including battling insomnia, giving each other space and the importance of keeping the same crew together.

Holopainen says: "Travelling is a necessary evil. If you could one day teleport yourself from one place to another, it would be a dream tour. It's easier these days.

"I remember in the 90s, especially in America, you didn't have any phones - you always called home from telephone boxes. Now we have Skype and you can phone home from wherever you want so it's easier to be in contact with your family." Read more and watch the episode here.




John Mitchell Praises Touchstone Singer's Work On New Album
(Prog) John Mitchell praises Touchstone singer Kim Seviour's work on Please Come Home, the debut release by his solo project Lonely Robot, in a new video blog about the project.

Seviour is one of a number of collaborators on the title, set for launch on February 23 via InsideOut. Steve Hogarth, Jem Godfrey, Nik Kershaw, Heather Findlay and others feature alongside Lonely Robot band members Nick Beggs and Craig Blundell.

Mitchell says in his latest video update: "I've known Kim for about 12 years now. I played at her 18th birthday and we became friends after that.

"We've always discussed working on something together. I thought it would be great to get her on the album. In Touchstone she has a more operatic approach to her singing.

"I think sometimes she has to sing men's vocal lines an octave up, because the guys write for their vocal ranges. So the nice thing about this album is it was more in her range.

"I made sure it was more comfortable for her to sing. It's more of a delicate performance and she does it brilliantly. it's absolutely fantastic."

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