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Concert Review: Ultimate NAMM Night 2020

Ultimate NAMM Night 2020 at the Hilton Anaheim was a unique experience, and that’s putting it mildly. After all, where else can you see Alice Cooper’s daughter Calico Cooper taking on “Ace of Spades” alongside Carla Harvey (Butcher Babies), with Gary Holt (Slayer) and Ira Black (Dark Sky Choir) on guitar, Chuck Garric (Alice Cooper/Beasto Blanco) on bass, and Art Cruz (Lamb of God) on the drums? Or a thrash-heavy “Black Diamond” Kiss cover by Mark Osegueda (Death Angel), Alex Skolnick (Testament), Charlie Benante (Anthrax), Jack Gibson (Exodus), Chuck Garric, Calico Cooper and Paulie Z (The Sweet, Ultimate Jam Night)? […]

Interview: Keith St. John

I sat down with Keith St. John for an in-depth discussion on the history of Ronnie Montrose as a figure of guitar excellence and innovation in the rock world, more on Keith’s own background as a musician and as the point person for the Ronnie Montrose Remembered event, growing up on Long Island, some rock and radio history, and even a bit of John 5 and Randy Jackson, as well as music and life overall.  So Keith, we’re kind of cooling down after NAMM right now, and the majority of NAMM for you, I feel like, must consist of Ronnie […]

NAMM Interview: Mats Levén

You may know Mats Levén from Candlemass, from Trans-Siberian Orchestra, from Yngwie Malmsteen, or any of the multitude of projects he’s been involved in, but you may not have known that he’s also the face behind the solo project known as Skyblood, on Napalm Records. I sat down with him at NAMM for an interview about what’s behind Skyblood, as well as some insight into his songwriting techniques, and NAMM 2020 goings-on.  How are you doing, enjoying your day at NAMM? I’m fine, I’ve only been here for two hours, so I’ve only been to the Marshall booth and Gibson, […]

Ronnie Montrose Remembered To Celebrate the Music of Montrose with All-Star Lineup At NAMM

Ronnie Montrose Remembered is an annual event that takes place during NAMM, one which will be celebrating its 5th Anniversary this year. The event, set for January 17th, 2020 at The M3 Live in Anaheim, CA, unites a vast and continually expanding list of musicians for a tribute concert to the late namesake guitarist of Montrose, led and coordinated by musician and former Montrose frontman, Keith St. John. The lineup so far includes: Brad Gillis (Night Ranger), George Lynch (Lynch Mob/Dokken), Carmine Appice (Vanilla Fudge, Ozzy Osbourne), Dave Rude (Tesla), Derek St. Holmes (Ted Nugent Band), Dave Amato (REO Speedwagon), […]

Interview: Steve Harris

Steve Harris’s extra-Maiden musical project, British Lion, is just about to release a new album, The Burning, on January 17th, right before kicking off a U.S. tour that runs until the end of February. Steve was kind enough to take the time for a phoner, discussing all the latest goings-on with British Lion, the new album, tour gear, and more. I just want to dig right into the British Lion stuff, I’ve been listening to this record, I’m very excited about it, and I heard that The Burning is a couple of years in the making, so what made now […]

Interview: Sal Abruscato

A Pale Horse Named Death, the Brooklyn-based band formed and fronted by Type O Negative and Life of Agony’s Sal Abruscato, released their third album, When The World Becomes Undone, earlier this year. I recently spoke with Sal about the creation of the new album, what brought the band back from their hiatus, their European touring ventures, and more.  You’ve got lots going on right now with A Pale Horse Named Death, you just came off the Season of the Dead European tour, which you just mentioned before we started the interview, how was that run? It was fantastic, a […]

Interview: Kenny Hickey

Silvertomb just released their debut album, Edge of Existence, this month via Long Branch Records. With Type O Negative’s Kenny Hickey and Johnny Kelly at the helm, the band evolved from Seventh Void and took on a new life with a slew of new songs and sounds, and the addition of three new band members with Joseph James (Agnostic Front, Inhuman), Hank Hell (Inhuman), and Aaron Joos (Awaken The Shadow). I recently had the chance to speak with Kenny about the making of the new Silvertomb album, including the ideas that went into some of the tracks, the personal touch […]

Mötley Crüe To Reunite

The video speaks for itself – the Crüe has officially thrown away the contract that was to inhibit them from ever touring together again. The band is said to have seen a resurgence in their audience, including new fans as a result of their hit Netflix biopic film The Dirt, and their time spent in the studio recording new music for the film gradually led them out of their meant-to-be-permanent touring retirement. The internet is abound with talk of exactly what Mötley Crüe reuniting might mean for the band, and there are rumors of a potential tour alongside Def Leppard and […]

UFO To Continue “Last Orders” In 2020

UFO has been going strong with their first North American leg of the Last Orders tour, which they just wrapped up this week, but it’s not over yet – a run of 2020 dates have just been announced for February with special guest Damon Johnson (Black Star Riders, Thin Lizzy), wrapping up with the Rock Legends Cruise February 27th-March 2nd. For all the details and the full listing of tour dates, check out: http://www.ufo-music.info/.

Final Dio Studio Albums to be Reissued

The final four Dio studio albums, released from 1996-2004, are about to get a reissue in 2020, via BMG and Niji Entertainment Group Inc. The newly reissued and remastered Angry Machines (1996), Magica (2000), Killing the Dragon (2002), and Master of the Moon (2004) will feature rare and never before released live and studio bonus tracks, with updated artwork to go along with it all. February 21st, 2020 marks the date of release. Head to: https://www.facebook.com/OfficialRonnieJamesDio/ for more info.

King Diamond Reveals “Masquerade of Madness”

King Diamond’s first new studio album in 12 years, The Institute, is on the way, but in the meantime, a taste of the highly-anticipated concept record is available now in the form of “Masquerade of Madness”, the first single. You can check it out right here. Here’s some of what King Diamond has to say about the track: “’Masquerade of Madness’ is one of the first King Diamond studio songs in a long time. It will be featured on a future two album horror concept story, of which the first part is titled The Institute. The style is very classic […]

Accept To Acquire a Third Guitarist

Accept is on their way to two upcoming North American tour dates this coming week, but with a slight switch in the lineup. As guitarist Uwe Lulis recovers from a reconstructive leg surgery, the band will be joined by Philip Souse for these two dates – after which, Philip will become a permanent member of Accept, even after Uwe returns to the stage. The band will now have a triple-guitar lineup, with Philip, Uwe, and Wolf Hoffman alongside the existing lineup of Christopher Williams on drums, Martin Motnik on bass, and frontman Mark Tornillo, and Accept has plenty of touring […]

Saxon’s Biff Byford To Release Solo Album

Legendary Saxon frontman Biff Byford is headed on a solo venture, with his first ever solo album, School of Hard Knocks, set to be released via Silver Lining Music on February 21st, 2020. Biff says of the album’s material, “I’m singing about my past of course and about things I like, but mostly I wanted it to reflect me, my personality and my life. Song-wise it’s more diverse and not just focused on heavy metal. I wanted it to be a slice of the music I like, from metal, to rock ‘n’ roll. I’m a guy who’s just as happy […]

“Ol’ Black Eyes Is Back” To Continue in 2020

Alice Cooper is going strong on the road – the legend just wrapped up an arena run in the U.K., and the Ol’ Black Eyes Is Back tour is about to hit the U.S. this fall – now, a new leg of the tour has just been announced as it extends into 2020. Alice will first head out to Australia and New Zealand in February, before taking the show across North America throughout the month of April. You can find all the details and the full listing of dates right here: https://alicecooper.com/tour/.

Bowl For Ronnie Announced for 2019

The Fifth Annual Bowl For Ronnie Celebrity Bowling Party is officially set for next month, with the Ronnie James Dio Stand Up And Shout Cancer Fund event taking place on November 7th at PINZ Bowling Center in Studio City, California. Teams of celebrity guests will aim to beat last year’s record of $74,000 raised for the charity, as Eddie Trunk hosts for the evening. For an idea of what to expect, check out highlights from last year’s event here. Tickets for the 2019 Bowling Event can be purchased, with 100% of the proceeds benefitting the Ronnie James Dio Cancer Fund, […]