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The 36th annual Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame induction ceremony will return to Cleveland, Ohio on October 30, 2021, and for the first time, will be held at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.

The recently transformed FieldHouse provides a new and truly world-class venue that prioritizes health and safety and offers increased space and flexibility to host the induction ceremony in Cleveland as part of a multi-year partnership.

An internationally celebrated museum and attraction, the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame generates an estimated $36.5 million impact to the Cleveland economy when the city hosts the induction ceremony (report by Tourism Economics). Additionally, Rock Hall visitors to Cuyahoga County play a significant role in northeast Ohio’s economy, driving $199 million of impact annually.

Representing the diverse genre of rock and roll, this year’s nominees include Mary J. Blige, Kate Bush, DEVO, FOO FIGHTERS, THE GO-GO’S, IRON MAIDEN, Jay-Z, Chaka Khan, Carole King, Fela Kuti, LL Cool J, NEW YORK DOLLS, RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE, Todd Rundgren, Tina Turner and Dionne Warwick.

Fans can vote for their favorite nominees now through April 30, 2021 at vote.rockhall.com. The top five artists, as selected by the public, will comprise a “fans’ ballot” that will be tallied along with the other ballots to select the 2021 inductees will be honored on October 30, 2021 at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Inductees will be announced in May 2021.

The Rock Hall is open daily with advance tickets required at rockhall.com. Plan your visit now and experience the Hall Of Fame gallery and 2020 inductee exhibit.

John Sykes, chairman of Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Foundation, said: “We are excited to welcome the 2021 class of inductees into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame this year in Cleveland, the home of our Museum. The ceremony recognizes these inductees’ influence on generations of artists to follow and their impact on sound of youth culture.”

Greg Harris, president and CEO of Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame And Museum, said: “We are honored to again host the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame induction ceremony in Cleveland, this year at the newly renovated Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, and to serve as the place for rock and roll fans around the world to connect and celebrate our inductees all year long.”

Even though artists are eligible for the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame 25 years after the release of their first album or single, iconic hard rock and metal groups like MAIDEN, JUDAS PRIEST and MOTÖRHEAD have yet to be recognized by the institution, which inducted GUNS N’ ROSES in that band’s first year of eligibility.

Having been eligible for induction for a decade and a half, IRON MAIDEN is one of the biggest bands on the planet. Since the release of their self-titled debut album, the British heavy metal legends have released a further 15 full-length studio records, and sold over 100 million copies.

Rock Hall rules state that artists become eligible a quarter century after their first records were released, but the Hall also claims that other “criteria include the influence and significance of the artists’ contributions to the development and perpetuation of rock ‘n’ roll,” which is, of course, open to interpretation.

Eligible for induction since 1999, KISS didn’t get its first nomination until 2009, and was finally inducted in 2014.

DEEP PURPLE was eligible for the Rock Hall since 1993 but didn’t get inducted until 2016.

“Two Minutes To Late Night”, which bills itself as the world’s only heavy metal-themed talk show, has uploaded a cover version of the PANTERA song “Mouth For War” recorded in quarantine by members of HALESTORM, CODE ORANGE, BARONESS and CONVERGE.

Featured musicians:

* Lzzy Hale (HALESTORM)
* Gina Gleason (BARONESS)
* Reba Meyers (CODE ORANGE)
* Madi Watkins (YEAR OF THE KNIFE)
* Ben Koller (MUTOID MAN, CONVERGE, ALL PIGS MUST DIE, KILLER BE KILLED)
* Jordan Olds (a.k.a. Gwarsenio Hall)

Says “Two Minutes To Late Night”: “Gina wanted to cover PANTERA so we covered the crap out of PANTERA! All of the artists involved with this video will be donating their payment to Dallas Hope Charities Transitional Living Center.

“This is our 36th bedroom cover made with the support of Patreon. With so many musicians stuck at home with no outlets, we’re going to keep producing these style videos and use the Patreon to give some money to everyone who has a part in them. Please support our friends by donating to our newly redone Patreon.”

The reunited expanded classic lineup of German power metallers HELLOWEEN will release its much-anticipated album in the summer of 2021. The disc’s first single, “Skyfall”, will arrive on April 2.

A teaser for the “Skyfall” music video is available below.

The “Pumpkins United” lineup features returning singer Michael Kiske and guitarist/vocalist Kai Hansen alongside current singer Andi Deris, guitarists Michael Weikath and Sascha Gerstner, bassist Markus Grosskopf and drummer Daniel Löble.

Produced by Charlie Bauerfeind and Dennis Ward, the new HELLOWEEN LP was recorded in part at the H.O.M.E. Studios in Hamburg (where everything started in 1984). The same recording console used for such HELLOWEEN albums as “Master Of The Rings”, “Time Of The Oath” and “Better Than Raw” was utilized to record the band’s new material. The effort was mixed at the Valhalla Studios of Ronald Prent (IRON MAIDEN, DEF LEPPARD, RAMMSTEIN).

HELLOWEEN’s new album saw the legendary German power metallers going “back to the roots,” with the band recording fully analogue and Löble playing the drum kit previously used by HELLOWEEN’s original drummer, the late Ingo Schwichtenberg, on the legendary “Keeper Of The Seven Keys” recordings.

“Skyfall” will be available on CD, digitally and in two different vinyl versions.

Single 1: Vinyl, CD, digital:

“Skyfall” (single edit) + “Skyfall” (exclusive alternative vocals mix). Both are exclusive single versions and will not be on the album. Around 20 minutes playing time.

Single 2: Vinyl only

“Skyfall” (single edit) + “Indestructible” (exclusive album track). This is a strictly limited version of the new single with one exclusive album track.

The epic 12-minute track “Skyfall”, written by Hansen, has the long-yearned “Keeper Of The Seven Keys” vibe, but it isn’t musically telling the whole story of the album. Lyrically, “Skyfall” tells about an alien landing on earth, and the accompanying music video, produced by Martin Häusler, will be the most elaborate clip in the history of the band, featuring 3D animation and a cinematic look.

A new two-minute video in which Kiske, Hansen and Deris sit down and discuss the idea behind the “exclusive alternative vocals mix” and why there will be three versions of “Skyfall” can be seen below.

The “Pumpkins United” tour marked the first time Kiske had played live with HELLOWEEN since 1993. Hansen, who departed HELLOWEEN in 1988, had been joining the band onstage on various tours and festival appearances throughout the years. The set featured several duets with Kiske and his replacement, Deris, along with many rarely played songs, including “Kids Of The Century”, “Rise And Fall” and “Livin’ Ain’t No Crime”. Hansen — who fronted HELLOWEEN until late 1986 — sang a medley of several early HELLOWEEN classics, including “Ride The Sky”, “Judas”, “Starlight” and “Heavy Metal (Is The Law)”.

HELLOWEEN’s European “United Alive World Tour Part II”, which was originally scheduled to take place in September and October will now take place next year.

The “Pumpkins United” lineup of HELLOWEEN already released one new song — aptly titled “Pumpkins United” — in October 2017.

Grammy Award-winning four-piece GRETA VAN FLEET has unveiled a live video for “Heat Above”, the latest track from its sophomore LP “The Battle At Garden’s Gate”, due April 16 via Lava/Republic.

“‘Heat Above’ is theatrical, eloquent, and exaggerated,” explains the group. “This is a dream in the clouds, a moment of peace in the storm. Thematically, we are dead center in the cult of Heaven, surreal, strange, alive and free.”

“The Battle At Garden’s Gate” reflects heavily on the group’s personal and spiritual growth, as well as deepening empathy for the struggles and inequalities others are experiencing.

“We realized that while growing up, we had been shielded by many things,” describes drummer Danny Wagner. “As we started to travel a lot, meet new and different people and experience different cultures, our definition of ‘normal’ changed.” Bassist Sam Kiszka adds, “I suppose that everything has changed except what got us here in the first place…our perception of the world, perception of life itself, what it means to be an artist, what it means to be part of a beautiful, gorgeous society. We’ve gained a larger understanding of why we’re all here.”

“The Battle At Garden’s Gate” was recorded in Los Angeles with producer Greg Kurstin (Paul McCartney, FOO FIGHTERS, Adele). “There was a lot of self-evolution happening during the writing of this album that was prompted by experiences I had, experiences we all had,” explains vocalist Josh Kiszka. “It’s reflecting a lot of the world that we’ve seen, and I think that it’s reflecting a lot of personal truth,” says guitarist Jake Kiszka.

“Certainly after this, we’ve grown in so many ways,” Josh explains. “This album has taught us a lot, about life in general, about ourselves, about all of us, about the world we live in.”

Formed in Frankenmuth, Michigan back in 2012, GRETA VAN FLEET consists of three brothers, vocalist Josh Kiszka, guitarist Jake Kiszka, bassist/keyboardist Sam Kiszka, as well as drummer Danny Wagner. Together they have gone on to sell one million concert tickets across multiple continents, perform on “Saturday Night Live” and “The Tonight Show”, top the Billboard U.S. Mainstream Rock and Active Rock charts with their debut single “Highway Tune” in 2017, and win the Grammy Award for “Best Rock Album” in 2019 for their debut full length album, “From The Fires”.

Photo credit: Alysse Gafkjen

AC/DC has partnered with Australian jewelry, accessories and lifestyle brand Heart Of Bone. Almost two years in the making, this incredible collection fuses advanced bio molecular microscopy technology with traditional craftsmanship to create Heart Of Bone x AC/DC — a high-voltage unisex luxury rockware inspired by the band’s rock ‘n’ roll legacy.

There is something for every AC/DC fan including:

* Limited-edition bespoke 9k solid gold tribute collectors’ rings
* Bespoke sterling silver tribute rings in three unique styles
* “Ready To Rock” artisan crafted stainless steel jewelry styles
* 100% Australian-made organic cotton limited edition t-shirts made using the latest technology in screen printing practices and inks.
* Exclusive AC/DC cashmere knitwear, limited to 100 units per release which were created in collaboration with the famous Chanel-owned Barrie factory in Scotland. An ode to the Scottish heritage of AC/DC brothers, Angus and Malcolm Young.

This once-in-a-lifetime, first of its kind AC/DC-inspired collection, is a revolution in luxury rockware. There is already a global wait list for these soon-to-be-released collectors’ items and hard rock heirlooms.

This is an official partnership with AC/DC with every product in the collection including a certificate of authenticity. Heart Of Bone will begin dropping capsule collection releases regularly over an 18-month period starting April 15.

Heart Of Bone was founded in 2013 by creative director Emma Addams. Heart Of Bone creates authentic and unique badass jewelry with a dark edge and a rock and roll spirit that is coveted across the globe.

Michael Sweet, singer, guitarist and primary songwriter of the openly Christian hard rock band STRYPER, says that “it’s just a matter of time” before the Bible is “canceled.” Earlier today, Sweet took to his Twitter to share a picture of the Holy Bible cover, and he included the following message: “We’ve been handing out bibles for almost 40 years. For the first time in my life I’m asking myself this question – I wonder how long it will be before this book is cancelled? I know it may seem like a silly thought but it’s really not. It’s just a matter of time. Frightening!”

Sweet’s latest comments appear to be consistent with conservatives’ and the right wing’s grievance with “cancel culture”, believing that those on the left are somehow always infringing on their freedom of speech.

A few days ago, Donald Trump Jr. — son of former U.S. president Donald Trump, whom Sweet publicly supported — tweeted that the Muppets had been “canceled,” and warned his followers that there is nothing that “these psychos won’t destroy” and that “liberalism is a disease.”

Trump Jr. was apparently referring to a decision by Disney+ to include a warning at the beginning of some episodes of “The Muppet Show” — which first aired in 1976 and featured characters like Kermit The Frog interacting with celebrity guests — informing viewers that the show contains some “negative depictions” and “mistreatment of people or cultures.” In one episode, for example, Johnny Cash sings in a barn where the Confederate flag is present. A disclaimer now reads: “These stereotypes were wrong then and are wrong now.”

Formed 38 years ago, STRYPER’s name comes from Isaiah 53:5, which states: “But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.”

STRYPER’s albums include “To Hell With The Devil”, “Second Coming”, “No More Hell To Pay”, “Fallen”, “God Damn Evil” and the band’s latest effort, “Even The Devil Believes”.

In a 2018 interview with the Detroit Free Press, Michael said that STRYPER was never fully embraced by the heavy metal and hard rock communities, largely because of the band’s Christian lyrics.

“We’ve never been accepted by either side,” he said. “The secular side, the mainstream, they’ve never accepted us to this day. We’re probably that band that everyone’s going to go to whenever there’s a time to mock. We’ll be the band used for that in most cases. Now on the Christian side, we’ve never really had the full support of the Christian side because we don’t fit into their little club. We’re not wearing suits and ties and going to every church and preaching.”

We’ve been handing out bibles for almost 40 years. For the first time in my life I’m asking myself this question – I wonder how long it will be before this book is cancelled? I know it may seem like a silly thought but it’s really not. It’s just a matter of time. Frightening! pic.twitter.com/ikiDaHfDq5
— MichaelSweet Stryper (@michaelhsweet) March 2, 2021

In a new interview with RockSverige, guitarist/vocalist Richie Kotzen (THE WINERY DOGS, MR. BIG, POISON) spoke about what Eddie Van Halen meant to him. He said: “That would be the first and one of the few guitarists that I tried to emulate as a young student of the instrument. I will never forget the first time I heard him, and this is how out of touch I was. We were driving home, my parents had the radio on and I was in the back of the car and the guitar solo to ‘Beat It’ [from Michael Jackson] came on. That guitar started playing, and my dad was about to turn off the car, and I screamed and said ‘No!’, and I scared him. From there, I needed to find out who the hell was playing that. I had never heard a guitar sound like that. I had been around and I’d seen concerts and I was a [BLACK] SABBATH fan and a SCORPIONS fan, but I had never heard a guitar sound like that. That’s how I got turned on to VAN HALEN and from there I bought every record they made.”

Kotzen went on to confirm that he hadn’t come across the band VAN HALEN before hearing “Beat It” for the first time. “Isn’t that crazy?” he laughed. “I’ll never forget, one of my young friends and I were looking through a magazine and and we saw a picture of VAN HALEN and said, ‘Look at these guys. They ruined their guitars. Why would they paint their guitars like that?’ I didn’t say that. My friend pointed to the picture and said it, and we didn’t know who VAN HALEN was. We knew who BLACK SABBATH was, we knew the SCORPIONS, but we didn’t know about VAN HALEN.”

Kotzen is currently promoting SMITH/KOTZEN, his electrifying collaboration with IRON MAIDEN guitarist Adrian Smith. The project’s self-titled debut album will be released on March 26 via BMG.

Recorded on the Turks & Caicos Islands in February 2020, produced by Richie and Adrian and mixed by Kevin “Caveman” Shirley, this nine-track opus is described in a press release as “a consummate collaboration between these two highly respected musicians who co-wrote all the songs and also share lead vocals and trade off on guitar and bass duties throughout the record.”

Eddie died last October at St. John’s Hospital in Santa Monica, California.

The iconic VAN HALEN axeman passed away from complications due to cancer, his son confirmed.

Rolling Stone magazine ranked Eddie Van Halen No. 8 in its list of the 100 greatest guitarists.

Aside from recluses, few would say they’ve enjoyed the forced seclusion related to the pandemic. It’s been a social-life crippling nuisance at best, and an anxiety and depression fueling catalyst that’s led to many suicides on the more extreme, opposite end of the spectrum. Live music fanatics have suffered, obviously, but the impact upon the hardcore community is significantly more pronounced compared to numerous other genres. That’s because live music is the absolute focus of hardcore music and culture. For the better part of 20 years, TERROR has been one of hardcore’s guiding lights, so a new album from the LA-based crew is reason for celebration amongst the hardcore community, especially considering how good the new effort is.

“Trapped In A World” isn’t necessarily “new,” though. The 12 songs on hand are rerecorded tracks from TERROR’s first two studio releases — “Lowest of the Low” (2003) and “One with the Underdogs” (2004) — material that stems from the era of former guitarist Todd Jones. Jones is primarily known as the ringleader of the caustic band NAILS that he formed following his departure from TERROR, but with NAILS seemingly being on a hiatus of sorts due to lineup upheaval, Jones has reconnected with his former TERROR colleagues. “Trapped In A World” is a precursor for the band’s upcoming studio album, which Jones will produce and which will include songs written drummer Nick Jett, singer Scott Vogel (BURIED ALIVE) and Jones.

Here TERROR breathes new life into their classic songs by the entire band recording the album in Nick Jett’s Los Angeles studio, playing together, with the intent of capturing a raw and organic rehearsal room quality. The hardcore heavyweights have successfully achieved that objective as the tracks entail the magical coarseness and grit we’d expect from old rehearsal tapes from days of yore. Vogel’s vocal contributions differ somewhat from the original versions in term of timbre, and the songs are more uptempo, as the case often is in the live setting. “Out Of My Face” and “Crushed By The Truth” are incredibly more venomous compared to the original recordings.

No one knows when “normalcy” will comfortably return. But in the meantime, for starving hardcore fans, TERROR has offered “Trapped In A World”, a nice slab of steak that should keep the dog at bay, for now, anyway. The release will certainly stir anticipation for the upcoming full-length of new songs, what will surely be one of 2021’s hardcore highlights. And with NAILS currently on ice, TERROR seems like the perfectly logical new focus of Todd Jones’s immediate attention musically.