Former ACCEPT Members UDO DIRKSCHNEIDER, PETER BALTES And STEFAN KAUFMANN Reunite In 'Face Of A Stranger' Video

DIRKSCHNEIDER & THE OLD GANG, the project featuring former ACCEPT members Udo Dirkschneider (vocals), Peter Baltes (bass) and Stefan Kaufmann (guitar), has released a new single and video, “Face Of A Stranger”. Check it out below.

DIRKSCHNEIDER & THE OLD GANG, which is rounded out by Udo’s son Sven Dirkschneider (drums), Manuela Bibert (vocals) and Mathias Dieth (guitar), issued its debut single, “Where The Angels Fly”, last September. A third single, “Every Heart Is Burning”, will arrive on May 28, to be followed by the August 27 release of all three songs as the “Arising” CD, a 12-inch vinyl and a download.

DIRKSCHNEIDER & THE OLD GANG is:

Udo Dirkschneider – Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals
Peter Baltes – Bass, Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals
Manuela Bibert – Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals
Stefan Kaufmann – Rhythm Guitar, Backing Vocals
Mathias Dieth – Lead Guitar, Backing Vocals
Sven Dirkschneider – Drums, Backing Vocals

Last July, Udo ruled out the possibility of a reunion with ACCEPT. The singer, who last reconnected with ACCEPT in 2005 for a number of exclusive shows, discussed the prospect of a renewed working relationship with his bandmates during an interview with “The Rock N Ragni Show”. Speaking about the fact that Baltes and Kaufmann both appear on the latest album from his U.D.O. project, “We Are One”, Dirkschneider said: “It’s, in a way, a reunion if we were working together songwriting-wise. That was interesting. But a lot of people came up already [saying this opens the door to an ACCEPT] reunion. And I said, ‘What kind of reunion?’ It’s not possible to do a reunion with ACCEPT. There is only one guy left,” referring to guitarist Wolf Hoffmann. “Sorry, but there is no reunion with ACCEPT. Of course, some people are thinking, ‘Now he’s working already with Peter and Stefan.’ But no. Forget this. [Laughs] Definitely not.”

In November 2019, Hoffmann told Powermetal.cl that he no longer kept in touch with Baltes after the bassist exited ACCEPT a year earlier. “Unfortunately, when somebody leaves the band, they’re always kind of out of sight, out of mind,” Wolf explained. “It’s very sad. I wish it wasn’t that way, because we’ve been friends for so long. But the reality is I haven’t really heard from him — even though I reached out a couple of times. He’s almost like he wants to disappear or he wants to leave the music business altogether. It’s sad and I still don’t quite understand what really happened. But it is what it is, and we move on.”

Kaufmann was the drummer for ACCEPT on nine albums but was forced to give up drumming towards the end of the band’s initial run after sustaining a serious injury to his back.

Stefan joined U.D.O. as a guitar player in 1996, following ACCEPT’s second breakup, and recorded nine albums with them, including his most recent release with the group, 2011’s “Rev-Raptor”.

Back in 2015, Hoffmann dismissed Dirkschneider’s comment that the band’s then-lineup — which included Baltes and ACCEPT’s singer of more than a decade, Mark Tornillo — performed live “without any emotion.” “It’s just hilarious at this point,” Wolf said. “It’s just a big joke in our lives. And we just go on about our lives, and we do our thing, and we just… We let these things go by and laugh about it. He’s actually sort of our press agent, in a way. He keeps us [in the news].”

Read more »

Video Premiere: Danish Thrashers Killing Keep the Kill Alive with “Kill Everyone”

Check out the new video by Danish thrashers, Killing!
The post Video Premiere: Danish Thrashers Killing Keep the Kill Alive with “Kill Everyone” appeared first on Decibel Magazine.

Read more »

LIVING WRECKAGE Feat. ANTHRAX And SHADOWS FALL Members: 'Breaking Point' Debut Single Available

LIVING WRECKAGE, the new band featuring members of ANTHRAX, SHADOWS FALL, ACT OF DEFIANCE, DEATH RAY VISION, DOWNPOUR and LET US PREY, has released its first single and video, “Breaking Point”. The clip was produced by Jarvis and DEƎM at Punchdance Studios.

“It’s basically a middle finger to the powers that be and to the people that blindly follow them to whatever doom awaits,” says vocalist Jeff Gard, who is known for his work as frontman for Massachusetts-based hardcore band DEATH RAY VISION. “Whether it’s politics, the media, or people you know, there seems to be a recurring theme of fear and everything ‘hitting the fan.’ ‘Breaking Point’ is about how it is going to happen one way or another so screw it.”

The “Breaking Point” single is available today via digital providers at www.livingwreckage.com.

With LIVING WRECKAGE, guitarist Jon Donais (ANTHRAX, SHADOWS FALL), guitarist Matt LeBreton (DOWNPOUR), bassist Matt Bachand (SHADOWS FALL, ACT OF DEFIANCE), drummer Jon Morency (LET US PREY) and Gard have the spirit of the 1980s and blended them with a modern sound, resulting in a high energy hybrid of hard rock and metal, that sits not-so-neatly between SKID ROW and PANTERA.

Although Donais has played guitar beside Bachand since the inception of luminaries SHADOWS FALL in 1996, LIVING WRECKAGE sees Bachand trading the six-string for the four-string in this new endeavor, with LeBreton sharing the band’s dueling leads with Donais. For his part, vocalist Gard alternates an unexpected John Bush-esque style with classic PANTERA-style roars, completing the quintet’s modernized homage to their influences.

The debut from LIVING WRECKAGE was produced and engineered by Shane Frisby (UNEARTH, BURY YOUR DEAD) and mixed by Pete Rutcho (REVOCATION, FALLING IN REVERSE), and is slated for release this year.

LIVING WRECKAGE is in the process of lining up live shows (COVID-19 permitting). Confirmed dates so far are May 29 at Geraldines in Chicopee, Massachusetts and June 26 at Dingbatz in Clifton, New Jersey.

LIVING WRECKAGE is:

Jeff Gard (DEATH RAY VISION) – Vocals
Jon Donais (ANTHRAX, SHADOWS FALL) – Guitar
Matt LeBreton – (DOWNPOUR) – Guitar
Matt Bachand (SHADOWS FALL, ACT OF DEFIANCE) – Bass
Jon Morency (LET US PREY) – Drums

Read more »

GENESIS Announces 'The Last Domino?' Fall 2021 North American Tour

Legendary British rock band GENESIS has announced its highly anticipated return to North America for the first time in 14 years with “The Last Domino?” tour dates that will have Tony Banks, Phil Collins and Mike Rutherford, playing major cities across the U.S. and Canada in November and December 2021. Kicking off at Chicago’s United Center on November 15, 2021, the group will be joined by Nic Collins on drums, and the band’s longtime lead guitar and bass player Daryl Stuermer.

“The Last Domino?” North American Tour 2021 will be one of the first concerts at the brand-new UBS Arena in Belmont Park, New York with the Friday, December 10, 2021, show. Opening this fall, UBS Arena is a $1.1 billion world-class multipurpose arena next to the Belmont Park racetrack. In addition to being the new home to the famed New York Islanders hockey club, UBS Arena is one of the few venues in the world designed with a sharp focus on music. With its timeless and classic design, the venue will bridge its iconic past with today’s advanced technology and amenities. The state-of-the-art arena will create one of the best and most unique experiences for both artists and audiences and will deliver an unmatched live experience with clear sightlines and premier acoustics.

“The Last Domino?” North American Tour 2021 marks the first time GENESIS has performed stateside since 2007’s “Turn It On Again: The Tour”, which went on to be one of the biggest grossing tours of that year playing sold-out arenas and stadiums around the world.

One of the most successful and legendary rock bands of all time, GENESIS has sold more than 100 million albums, with numerous top 20 hits, including “Invisible Touch”, “In Too Deep” and “Turn It On Again”, while also being inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in 2010.

Tickets for all shows will be available first through a presale powered by Ticketmaster Verified Fan on May 5, followed by the general public on-sale on May 7. The Verified Fan program aims to create a safe and reliable ticket-buying experience. It helps ensure that tickets get into the hands of real fans first. Fans must register for access between now and Sunday, May 2 at 11:59 p.m. ET. If verified and selected, fans can secure their tickets beginning Wednesday, May 5 at 10 a.m. local time.

To register, please visit www.genesis-music.com.

Beginning May 7, tickets will be available through a public on-sale. Visit www.genesis-music.com for tour, ticket, and official VIP package information.

Venues in all the tour cities (except Cleveland and Philadelphia) will utilize Ticketmaster’s digital ticketing. With digital ticketing, your mobile phone becomes your ticket, using a unique rotating barcode for powerful fraud and counterfeit protection, and enabling a more contactless entry experience. The local box office can assist anyone without a smart phone on site at the venue.

For the biggest GENESIS fans who want to get closer to the action than ever before, official VIP packages will be available for all shows! Fans can choose from a variety of VIP package options to ensure they have an unforgettable experience. Official VIP packages will be available beginning Wednesday, May 5 at 10 a.m. local time.

The tour and all venues will be following all mandated precautions in accordance with state and local regulations so as to provide the most secure, COVID-19-free environment possible.

Upon opening this fall, UBS Arena will employ numerous health and safety strategies, leveraging smart technology and contactless experiences to offer guests grab-and-go food & beverage mobile ordering, restrooms equipped with touchless fixtures and dispensers, and cashless checkout options for all sales in an effort to allow guests and staff to more safely interact within the facility.

UBS Arena is very convenient for those coming from anywhere in the New York metro area, including by train from Penn Station, and is in close driving proximity from New York City, Westchester, Southern Connecticut, and Long Island. Convenient rideshare drop-off/pick-up locations will also be available. For out-of-state fans, UBS Arena is in close proximity to JFK (7 miles) and LaGuardia (13 miles) airports.

“The Last Domino?” is promoted by EMC Presents by arrangement with Solo and Tony Smith Personal Management.

“The Last Domino?” tour dates:

Nov. 15 – Chicago, IL @ United Center
Nov. 18 – Washington, DC @Capitol One Arena
Nov. 20 – Charlotte, NC @ Spectrum Center
Nov. 22 – Montreal, QC @ Centre Bell
Nov. 25 – Toronto, ON @ Scotiabank Arena
Nov. 27 – Buffalo, NY @ KeyBank Center
Nov. 29 – Detroit, MI @ Little Ceasars Arena
Nov. 30 – Cleveland, OH @ Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse
Dec. 02 – Philadelphia, PA @ Wells Fargo Center
Dec. 05 – New York, NY @ Madison Square Garden
Dec. 08 – Columbus, OH @ Nationwide Arena
Dec. 10 – Belmont Park, NY @ UBS Arena
Dec. 13 – Pittsburgh, PA @ PPG Paints Arena
Dec. 15 – Boston, MA @ TD Garden

Read more »

EPICA Announces 'Omega Alive' Global Streaming Event

Dutch symphonic metal heavyweights EPICA have announced their first-ever streaming event titled “Omega Alive”. The universal streaming event will mark the band’s triumphant return to the stage to perform for the first time in support of their latest album, “Omega”, their eighth full-length release the band’s first album in five years.

“Omega Alive” will be streamed on Saturday, June 12 at 12:00 p.m. PST / 3:00 p.m. EST / 9:00 p.m. CET and will be available on demand for 72 hours. Early bird tickets and exclusive bundles are on sale now at www.EpicaStream.com.

This one-of-a-kind online event will be the band’s most explosive performance to date with an enormous production on an ever-evolving stage setting that’s full of visual surprises. It will see the band perform songs from Ωmega for the first time ever, along with the band’s most popular songs and some other surprises.

Says EPICA keyboardist, and the mastermind behind the event, Coen Janssen: “After releasing our new album ‘Omega’, we found ourselves with great new songs aching to be played live, but without a stage to perform them on. We still wanted to give our fans the best possible release show like we always do, so, together with Jens De Vos from Panda Productions, we came up with a way to bring the EPICA experience into the homes of the fans all over the world. ‘Omega Alive’ is EPICA’s biggest show ever, and I can’t be more proud of what it has become! We went all out on everything we have to offer and I can tell you it is one massive audio-visual spectacle! Immerse yourself in the world of EPICA and join us in ‘Omega Alive’!”

EPICA was formed by composer Mark Jansen after leaving AFTER FOREVER in 2002, and the band quickly gained attention outside their home country, taking big steps towards becoming the leading symphonic metal superpower they have long proven to be. After their ambitious debut “The Phantom Agony” (2002) and the surprisingly eclectic sophomore work “Consign To Oblivion” (2005), the road took them to new heights via their first concept masterpiece “The Divine Conspiracy” (2007) and their global breakthrough “Design Your Universe” (2009). 2012’s opus “Requiem For The Indifferent”, 2014’s bedazzling “The Quantum Enigma” and their finest, most embellished effort yet, “The Holographic Principle” (2016), cemented their reputation as not only one of the hardest-working metal bands in the business but also as one of the best. Period. With “Omega”, the final part of the metaphysical trilogy they began with “The Quantum Enigma”, they reclaim the throne without so much as the blink of an eye, amassing three million-plus streams during the first week of the album’s release.

“Omega” is an album of unity, of friendship, of the close bond the members share. An album that naturally came together as a group effort. And no wonder: Mark Jansen, Simone Simons and keyboard player Coen Janssen have been playing together since EPICA’s conception in 2002, with drummer Ariën Van Weesenbeek joining as early as 2007, lead guitarist Isaac Delahaye following in 2009. In 2012, bass player Rob Van Der Loo marked the latest addition to their ranks. For eight years, three records and hundreds of gigs, this band has formed an indestructible unit.

In the middle of a world in turmoil, of a cataclysmic change in society, EPICA somehow managed to create their most spectacular album yet. An album that is seamlessly bringing together metal and orchestra, choir and oriental instruments to a perfect storm constantly emitting goose bumps. A record with specifically written suites for orchestra and choir, featuring a wide range of ethnic instruments recorded around the world by some of the best native musicians out there. In short: They outdid themselves. Once again. And still managed to keep the songs approachable and wickedly catchy.

Since forming in 2002, the band has amassed an incredible amount of success, “Omega” entered the album Top 10 in Germany, Holland, Belgium and Switzerland. EPICA has toured the globe, performing at venerable festivals including Wacken Open Air, Hellfest, Heaven & Hell festival, Heavy MTL and Download, while also staging shows in countries where many metal bands have not played including South Korea, South Africa and Venezuela.

Read more »

OZZY OSBOURNE Has Recorded 15 Songs For Next Studio Album: 'We're Getting There,' He Says

Ozzy Osbourne has confirmed to U.K.’s Metal Hammer magazine that he has spent the last few months working on the follow-up to 2020’s “Ordinary Man” album with producer Andrew Watt.

“I’ve done 15 tracks,” he said. “It’s kept me alive, you know. These past two years, I’ve been in a terrible fucking state between the accident [Ozzy seriously injured himself after falling at home in 2019] and then the pandemic. It’s kept me sane; I’ve needed the music.”

Osbourne went on to say that the as-yet-untitled album is nearing completion.

“I struggle a bit, but slowly but surely we’re getting there,” he said. “My only concern right now is finishing the bloody thing. We’ve got the same production time as the last time, so there’s definitely going to be some similarities. But you’ll just have to wait and see what you think.”

In December, Watt told Guitar World that he and the BLACK SABBATH legend were “halfway through” the new LP. “There’s some songs on there that are like eight or nine minutes long that are these really crazy journeys. I’m really excited about it,” he said.

Like “Ordinary Man”, which featured Watt on guitar, Duff McKagan (GUNS N’ ROSES) on bass and Chad Smith (RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS) on drums, Ozzy’s next album will feature guest appearances by a number of notable musicians.

“There’s a bunch of people involved,” Andrew told Guitar World. “I can’t say for sure until the end, but I started doing a bunch of basic tracks with Chad and Robert Trujillo [METALLICA], who used to play in Ozzy’s band. And Taylor Hawkins [FOO FIGHTERS] also came in and played a bunch on the record as well, which adds a different flair — it kind of harkened back to Ozzy’s ’80s era, in a great way. And I think it’s so cool for a rock fan to be able to listen to half an album with Chad Smith on drums, and then you flip it over and you get to hear Taylor Hawkins. And you know, the last album was really special for everyone involved. And so there was no point in Ozzy or me doing this again unless we thought we could bring something new to the table. And I feel like we’re achieving that.”

Last July, Ozzy said that he was still “not back to 100 percent” after suffering from several medical issues last year, including a fall, neck surgery and hospitalization for the flu. Ozzy also said that he was looking forward to performing again once he has regained his health and the coronavirus pandemic has subsided. The BLACK SABBATH singer had previously canceled all his 2019 tour plans, and the rescheduled 2020 shows were also scrapped.

In May 2020, Ozzy’s son Jack said that his father will “probably” retire “within the next five to ten years.” But Ozzy, who turned 72 in December, has repeatedly said that he is not calling it quits, despite the fact that his “No More Tours 2” — whenever it ends up happening — is being billed as his last major global trek.

Ozzy was also forced to cancel an April 2020 trip to Switzerland to see a doctor who specializes in treatment of Parkinson’s disease. The singer revealed early last year that he was diagnosed with the condition.

Read more »

GLENN DANZIG Says 'The Door Is Open' For More MISFITS Shows

In a new interview with Rolling Stone magazine, Glenn Danzig was asked if the MISFITS reunion is “done.” He responded: “I don’t know. I mean, right now, something like a MISFITS show would have to be in a bigger place. And I don’t know that those places are open yet. So we’ll see. I mean, the door is open. If we do it, I would like to play some places we haven’t played yet, Texas or Florida or places like that. We haven’t done any shows in those states, and those states are fully open.”

Glenn also seemed to dismiss the idea of releasing new music from any of his projects, explaining: “With people thinking they can download your record for free and all of that stuff, it gets to the point where you’re just, like, ‘Why am I going to do a new record? People are just going to steal it. It’s going to cost me money to make it. Am I going to make any money back?’ I love doing music, but if I spend a ton of money doing a record and it just gets downloaded for free and people steal it, what’s the point?”

He continued: “I mean, we’ll see. Maybe I’ll just go in and do a song or two and give it away for free or something, I don’t know. It doesn’t cost too much, but for the most part, I think all these people who just decided that, you know, ‘Fuck the bands, I’m going to get this for free,’ well, your bands are probably not going to put out new music.”

The initial comeback performance by MISFITS members Danzig, Jerry Only and Doyle Wolfgang Von Frankenstein took place at the 2016 Riot Fest. The estranged bandmates played together for the first time since 1983 and were backed by former SLAYER drummer Dave Lombardo and guitarist Acey Slade.

Since then, the original lineup of the MISFITS has reunited for scattered dates, with the most recent one taking place in December 2019 at Wells Fargo Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Prior to the Riot Fest concerts, Glenn, Jerry and Doyle Wolfgang Von Frankenstein last performed together on October 29, 1983.

The original MISFITS band broke up in 1983, and Only brought forth a new version of the MISFITS in 1995. Various members have come and gone, but Only, along with BLACK FLAG’s Dez Cadena, has kept some form of the MISFITS in the recording studio and on the road for most of the last two and half decades.

Read more »

MOTÖRHEAD's 'No Sleep 'Til Hammersmith' Gets 40th-Anniversary Expansion

Back in the summer of 1981, MOTÖRHEAD got louder, dirtier and more universal, and you’re getting an invitation to relive this most glorious of achievements once again…

Following on from 2020’s year-long celebration of MOTÖRHEAD’s iconic “Ace Of Spades” album comes the live album to end all live albums the undisputed definitive live record of all time, “No Sleep ‘Til Hammersmith”. To celebrate the 40th anniversary of this number one album, it is being presented in new deluxe editions.

There will be hardback book-packs in two CD and triple LP formats, featuring a new venue demolishing remaster of the original album, bonus tracks and the previously unreleased — in its entirety — concert from Newcastle City Hall, March 30, 1981, the story of the album and many previously unseen photos. Also, the album will be released as a four-CD box set of all three concerts recorded for the album, released here in their entirety for the very first time and primed to gleefully shatter what’s left of your grateful eardrums.

Upon that original June 27, 1981 release, Lemmy is quoted as saying of “No Sleep ‘Til Hammersmith” after it crashed into number one in the U.K. chart: “I knew it’d be the live one that went best, because we’re really a live band. You can’t listen to a record and find out what we’re about. You’ve got to see us.” “No Sleep ‘Til Hammersmith” was MOTÖRHEAD’s first and only number one record in the U.K. and is still the most necessary live album of all time.

The “No Sleep ‘Til Hammersmith” CD box set contains:

* The “No Sleep ‘Til Hammersmith” album, remastered from the original master tapes. Featuring extra bonus tracks and newly unearthed, previously unreleased sound check recordings.
* The three full recordings of the concerts that made up “No Sleep”, never before released in their entirety.
* The story of “No Sleep ‘Til Hammersmith” told through previously unpublished and new interviews with the people that were on the road at the time.
* Never-before-seen photos and rare memorabilia.
* Double-sided, A3 concert posters from 1981.
* Reproduction USA ’81 tour pass.
* MOTÖRHEAD “England” plectrum.
* 1981 European tour badge.
* Reproduction Newcastle City Hall ticket
* Port Vale gig flyer postcard

MOTÖRHEAD in 1981 was a band of extremes; a flammable mix of non-stop celebration over their rising success and punishing graft, underscored by an inter-band powder-keg dynamic. After recording “Ace Of Spades”, it had shot to No. 4 in the UK; the killer breakthrough after “Overkill” and “Bomber” had done essential groundwork, late 1980’s “Ace Up Your Sleeve” U.K. tour was a triumphant lap of honour that spilled into the recording of “No Sleep ‘Til Hammersmith”. The album took its title from an inscription painted on one of the trucks, referencing the 32 gigs they were playing with only two days off. The track listing ended up featuring three tracks from “Ace Of Spades”, five from “Overkill”, “Bomber”‘s title track and two from their self-titled debut.

CD box set track listing

“No Sleep ‘Til Hammersmith”

01. Ace Of Spades
02. Stay Clean
03. Metropolis
04. The Hammer
05. Iron Horse
06. No Class
07. Overkill
08. (We Are) The Roadcrew
09. Capricorn
10. Bomber
11. Motörhead
12. Over The Top
13. Train Kept A Rollin’
14. Stay Clean (Soundcheck)
15. Limb From Limb (Soundcheck)
16. Iron Horse (Soundcheck)

Live At Newcastle City Hall March 30, 1981

01. Ace Of Spades
02. Stay Clean
03. Over The Top
04. Metropolis
05. Shoot You In The Back
06. The Hammer
07. Jailbait
08. Leaving Here
09. Iron Horse
10. Fire Fire
11. Capricorn
12. Too Late Too Late
13. No Class
14. (We Are) The Road Crew
15. Bite The Bullet
16. The Chase Is Better Than The Catch
17. Overkill
18. Bomber
19. Motörhead

Live At Newcastle City Hall March 29, 1981

01. Ace Of Spades
02. Stay Clean
03. Over The Top
04. Metropolis
05. Shoot You In The Back
06. The Hammer
07. Jailbait
08. Leaving Here
09. Fire Fire
10. Capricorn
11. Too Late Too Late
12. No Class
13. (We Are) The Road Crew
14. Bite The Bullet
15. The Chase Is Better Than The Catch
16. Overkill
17. Bomber
18. Motörhead

Live At Leeds Queens Hall March 28, 1981

01. Ace Of Spades
02. Stay Clean
03. Over The Top
04. Metropolis
05. Shoot You In The Back
06. The Hammer
07. Jailbait
08. Leaving Here
09. Fire Fire
10. Capricorn
11. Too Late Too Late
12. No Class
13. (We Are) The Road Crew
14. Bite The Bullet
15. The Chase Is Better Than The Catch
16. Overkill
17. Bomber
18. Motörhead

Photo credit: Graham Mitchell

Read more »

ANTHRAX Announces 40th-Anniversary Celebrations

One of the “Big Four” turns the Big 4-0 this year and is celebrating with a number of special activities and events to honor the landmark anniversary. Formed by guitarist Scott Ian and bassist Dan Lilker in Queens, New York on July 18, 1981, ANTHRAX was one of the first thrash metal bands to emerge from the East Coast and quickly became regarded as a leader in the genre alongside METALLICA, SLAYER and MEGADETH.

Active over the past five decades, ANTHRAX has released 11 studio albums, been awarded multiple gold and platinum certifications, received six Grammy nominations, toured the world since 1984 playing thousands of shows, including headlining Madison Square Garden and playing Yankee Stadium with the “Big Four”. The band has built a strong reputation with fans as well as the record industry. With the lineup including Ian, bassist Frank Bello, drummer Charlie Benante, singer Joey Belladonna and guitarist Jon Donais, the band is being feted on their 40th anniversary by a wide range of friends and music contemporaries.

Each week beginning May 3, on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, and wrapping on the band’s official founding anniversary of July 18, ANTHRAX’s social media accounts will offer a series of video testimonials sent in by former bandmembers, fellow musicians, colleagues, and industry veterans sharing behind-the-scenes stories of working with the band and what ANTHRAX’s legacy has meant all these years on. These videos will honor each album in chronological order beginning with the original release, “Fistful Of Metal”.

The 11-week series will include video contributions from Chuck D, Corey Taylor, Dave Grohl, Dave Mustaine, Gary Holt, Gene Simmons, Henry Rollins, John Carpenter, Kerry King, Mike Patton, Nergal, Norman Reedus, Michael Poulsen, Rob Zombie, Robert Trujillo, Roger Miret, Darryl McDaniels (RUN DMC), Slash, Tom Morello and more. There will also be video clips from former ANTHRAX bandmembers Dan Lilker, Dan Spitz, John Bush, Neil Turbin and Rob Caggiano.

The finale will come as a very special livestream performance from ANTHRAX on Friday, July 16, featuring a deep cuts set that will pull from the band’s entire career-spanning catalog. All details including ticketing information will be announced shortly.

Fans will also be able to get their hands on a special 40th anniversary-edition bottle of ANTHRAX bourbon to enjoy during the livestream and keep as a commemorative keepsake. More details will be coming soon.

May 03 – “Fistful Of Metal”
May 10 – “Spreading The Disease”
May 17 – “Among The Living”
May 24 – “State Of Euphoria”
May 31 – “Persistence Of Time”
June 07 – “Sound Of White Noise”
June 14 – “Stomp 442”
June 21 – “Volume 8”
June 28 – “We’ve Come For You All”
July 05 – “Worship Music”
July 12 – “For All Kings”

Read more »

JOE BONAMASSA Reaches $500,000 Goal For Musicians In Need Following His Second Annual Stream-A-Thon Event

In just over one year, Joe Bonamassa and the Keeping The Blues Alive foundation have exceeded expectations for their fundraising goals by bringing in $500,000 to benefit their Fueling Musicians program. The initiative provides immediate $1,500 cash payments to musicians to help them get back on the road after being sidelined for over a year following the COVID-19 touring halt.

The Keeping The Blues Alive second annual Stream-A-Thon, hosted by Bonamassa, was a spectacular display of musicianship and featured more than three and a half hours of music performances from over 35 talented musicians including some of Joe’s legendary friends and rising stars. Fans in more than 42 countries tuned in to watch the line up which included TOTO, Dion, Ana Popovic, Warren Haynes, Bobby Rush, Joanna Connor, Jared James Nichols, Emily Wolfe and many more.

“I am so proud of this event. Our wonderful team did a magnificent job on our second KTBA Stream-A-Thon. We raised over $45,000 in an afternoon, all of which will be given to artists in desperate need of relief,” commented Joe. “I want to thank everyone who participated, contributed, and donated their time to make this happen. Reaching as many musicians as possible has been our goal from the beginning and I am pleased to see that we will be able to help hundreds of musicians get the music started again. The more donations we receive, the more help we can provide.”

In addition to Joe’s philanthropic endeavors, Bonamassa recently performed a critically acclaimed blues rock trio concert from “music’s best address,” ACL Live, on April 1 to a socially distanced crowd and a global audience via livestream. This incredible performance is only available on-demand through the end of the week (May 2). Each ticket includes a donation to KTBA’s Fueling Musicians program.

Keeping the Blues Alive Records released a very special collaboration digital album created by the legendary Jimmy Vivino (music director, “Conan”), to help Joe raise money for musicians in need. THE BLUE QUARANTINOS is made up of Jimmy on guitar/vocals together with Jesse Williams on bass and Rob Paparozzi on harp. The aptly named album “Phoning It In” was recorded quarantine-style via Zoom, Skype and studio tracking. 20 special guests, including Dion, Bonamassa, NORTH MISSISSIPPI ALL STARS, Shemekia Copeland and many more, donated their talents on 12 amazing tracks. 100% of the proceeds will go to KTBA’s Fueling Musicians program.

Individuals or organizations interested in helping Joe support this program should go to the Keeping The Blues Alive web site, ktba.org.

Read more »