JETHRO TULL leader Ian Anderson spoke to Sofa King Cool about how Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has affected his band’s plans to return to both countries. He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): “I’m supposed to be playing [in Russia] in September, but there’s no way I’m gonna go if [Russian president Vladimir] Putin’s still… He’s become a pariah to the world, and as much as I feel embarrassed and I feel like I’m letting down our Russian fans, from an ethical point of view, it pains me to have to say I’m sorry I can’t come to Russia. I’m supposed to be in Ukraine in just two or three weeks’ time. I won’t be there — for obvious reasons. It’s the sad reality of where we are right now.”

Asked if he would go ahead with his concerts in Russia if “things change” and “everything goes back to somewhat normal” in the coming weeks and months, Anderson said: “I don’t think I could do that, if Vladimir Putin is still the man in charge; I don’t think I could do that. And I don’t think anybody else will either. He’s not the kind of man to climb down and retreat and apologize; that’s not in his soul,” Ian explained. “He has a black heart. He will never, ever admit weakness. He thrives on an ever-increasing sense of his destiny and power. He’s not gonna change. If he’s deposed or assassinated or something like that happens, then, of course, I would… If at least I felt Russia was taking a new place on the world stage in a post-Putin era, then I’d be very happy to go there. But I’m afraid Russia has really done for itself. And it’s very sad because roughly speaking, in Moscow and Saint Petersburg, I think you would find probably a bit of a majority of people who really didn’t want Putin to be the man in charge. In some of the more rural towns and the more industrial towns further east, then Putin is very popular, because they believe what they see on state TV. That’s all they get; that’s their only access to news — state television. They don’t read papers; they’re not Internet savvy; all they see is what is on the few channels that they have of state television. That’s what they see; that’s what they believe. And they believe in Putin, the strongman. But the half of Russia that is not caught up in that ridiculous spell that he has cast upon the people, the other half of them are people like you and me. In fact, I’ve always felt in Russia, as I do in places like Poland and the Czech Republic, I’ve always felt there was an affinity between the British and those people. But it’s very sad for me personally that we’re in the situation that we are, that quite clearly people like me don’t have any business in going there as long as Putin is carrying out such hideous acts in blatant contravention of any definition of legality and propriety when it comes to respecting neighbors. So, no, I don’t think that’s gonna be on the cards.”

JETHRO TULL’s first studio album of new material in over 18 years, “The Zealot Gene”, as released on January 28 via InsideOut Music.

With more than 30 albums to its credit and sales totaling more than 50 million, JETHRO TULL is one of the most successful rock bands of all time with a catalog that contains classics that still resonate today.

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DAUGHTRY was joined by Mark Tremonti (ALTER BRIDGE, TREMONTI) and Lyell on stage last night (Saturday, March 26) at Fillmore New Orleans in New Orleans, Louisiana to perform a cover version of FOO FIGHTERS’ “My Hero” as a tribute to Taylor Hawkins. Fan-filmed video of the performance can be seen below.

Back in September 2018, DAUGHTRY frontman Chris Daughtry, a Season 5 “American Idol” finalist, told the Charlotte Observer that he texted FOO FIGHTERS frontman Grohl about going to a FF concert in San Jose that took place that month and Grohl actually invited him to come on over. Expecting only a quick meeting, Daughtry was surprised when Grohl invited him into the FOO FIGHTERS’ dressing room where they ended up sending two hours talking about music and more.

“I’m, like, ‘You guys have a show to put on, right?” Daughtry recalled. “You’ve been in here telling stories…for two hours plus and you’ve gotta go out and play now… How do you do this and walk out and still have a voice?’ And [Grohl] goes, ‘What better way to walk out on stage then after you’ve been hanging out with friends and laughing and having a good time? You’re already in a great mood.’

“We usually hang out with our guests after the show,” Daughtry explained. “It’s always this ‘quiet before the storm’ for us in the hours before the show. So I think that was an interesting takeaway, that maybe we shouldn’t take everything so seriously.”

Hawkins died at a hotel in Bogota, Colombia on Friday (March 25). Local officials said an ambulance was sent to the hotel after a man reported having chest pains. The 50-year-old FOO FIGHTERS drummer did not respond to resuscitation efforts and was declared dead, the city’s health department said.

On Saturday, the Colombian attorney general’s office announced that Hawkins had opioids, marijuana and other drugs in his system before he died. A toxicology report showed traces of 10 substances in his body, including anti-depressants, the office said. The statement added that the National Institute of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences “will conduct the necessary medical studies to ascertain the cause of death” and that it “will continue the investigation and will report the results obtained within the framework thereof in a timely manner.”

FOO FIGHTERS announced Hawkins’s death on their Instagram account. “The FOO FIGHTERS family is devastated by the tragic and untimely loss of our beloved Taylor Hawkins,” the announcement read. “His musical spirit and infectious laughter will live on with all of us forever. Our hearts go out to his wife, children and family, and we ask that their privacy be treated with the utmost respect in this unimaginably difficult time.”

The FOO FIGHTERS were scheduled to perform Friday at the Picnic Stereo festival in Bogota but their performance was canceled.

The band played Lollapalooza Chile on March 18 and Lollapalooza Argentina on March 20. They were scheduled to headline Lollapalooza Brasil on Sunday (March 27).

Hawkins has been open about his history of drug use. He overdosed on heroin in 2001 and spent a week in a coma, just four years after joining the FOO FIGHTERS.

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CANDLEBOX ended its show last night (Saturday, March 26) in Dallas, Texas at The Echo Lounge & Music Hall with a special tribute to the late FOO FIGHTERS drummer Taylor Hawkins. The band performed a cover of the FOO FIGHTERS’ “Learn To Fly” after CANDLEBOX frontman Kevin Martin said, “You will be missed, Taylor Hawkins, God bless.”

Hawkins died at a hotel in Bogota, Colombia on Friday (March 25). Local officials said an ambulance was sent to the hotel after a man reported having chest pains. The 50-year-old musician did not respond to resuscitation efforts and was declared dead, the city’s health department said.

On Saturday, the Colombian attorney general’s office announced that Hawkins had opioids, marijuana and other drugs in his system before he died. A toxicology report showed traces of 10 substances in his body, including anti-depressants, the office said. The statement added that the National Institute of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences “will conduct the necessary medical studies to ascertain the cause of death” and that it “will continue the investigation and will report the results obtained within the framework thereof in a timely manner.”

FOO FIGHTERS announced Hawkins’s death on their Instagram account. “The FOO FIGHTERS family is devastated by the tragic and untimely loss of our beloved Taylor Hawkins,” the announcement read. “His musical spirit and infectious laughter will live on with all of us forever. Our hearts go out to his wife, children and family, and we ask that their privacy be treated with the utmost respect in this unimaginably difficult time.”

The FOO FIGHTERS were scheduled to perform Friday at the Picnic Stereo festival in Bogota but their performance was canceled.

The band played Lollapalooza Chile on March 18 and Lollapalooza Argentina on March 20. They were scheduled to headline Lollapalooza Brasil on Sunday (March 27).

Hawkins has been open about his history of drug use. He overdosed on heroin in 2001 and spent a week in a coma, just four years after joining the FOO FIGHTERS.

We felt your spirit alongside us tonight. Taylor, thank you for being you…

Posted by Candlebox on Sunday, March 27, 2022

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Joan Jett paid tribute to Taylor Hawkins during her headlining concert on Saturday (March 26) at the Brookhaven Cherry Blossom Festival in Brookhaven, Georgia. Prior to launching into the song “Fragile” from her band JOAN JETT AND THE BLACKHEARTS, she called Taylor “one of the greatest drummers of our time,” adding that “the [FOO FIGHTERS] and Taylor are good friends of ours. And I can’t even tell you what it means to all of us.” Her voice cracking with emotion, Joan went on to say: “So this next song is for him. But really, all of you take it to heart — it’s true for everybody: life is very fragile. One moment you’re here and the next you’re gone.”

Jett served one of the guest vocalists when the surviving NIRVANA members — including FOO FIGHTERS frontman Dave Grohl and guitarist Pat Smear — performed together to celebrate the band’s induction into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in 2014. Four years later, she performed with Grohl, Smear and former NIRVANA bassist Krist Novoselic at Cal Jam.

Hawkins died at a hotel in Bogota, Colombia on Friday (March 25). Local officials said an ambulance was sent to the hotel after a man reported having chest pains. The 50-year-old musician did not respond to resuscitation efforts and was declared dead, the city’s health department said.

On Saturday, the Colombian attorney general’s office announced that Hawkins had opioids, marijuana and other drugs in his system before he died. A toxicology report showed traces of 10 substances in his body, including anti-depressants, the office said. The statement added that the National Institute of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences “will conduct the necessary medical studies to ascertain the cause of death” and that it “will continue the investigation and will report the results obtained within the framework thereof in a timely manner.”

FOO FIGHTERS announced Hawkins’s death on their Instagram account. “The FOO FIGHTERS family is devastated by the tragic and untimely loss of our beloved Taylor Hawkins,” the announcement read. “His musical spirit and infectious laughter will live on with all of us forever. Our hearts go out to his wife, children and family, and we ask that their privacy be treated with the utmost respect in this unimaginably difficult time.”

The FOO FIGHTERS were scheduled to perform Friday at the Picnic Stereo festival in Bogota but their performance was canceled.

The band played Lollapalooza Chile on March 18 and Lollapalooza Argentina on March 20. They were scheduled to headline Lollapalooza Brasil on Sunday (March 27).

Hawkins has been open about his history of drug use. He overdosed on heroin in 2001 and spent a week in a coma, just four years after joining the FOO FIGHTERS.

Joan Jett’s tribute to the late Taylor Hawkins. She is close to the Foo Fighters and has opened for them on tour. She also fronted Nirvana for their induction into the Rock hall of fame. The song is titled… Fragile. Brookhaven Cherry Blossom Festival. Atlanta GA 3/26/22 ?

Posted by Robert Whitman on Sunday, March 27, 2022

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I AM MORBID, the band featuring formerMORBID ANGEL members David Vincent (bass, vocals) and Pedro “Pete” Sandoval (drums), kicked off its “Morbidfest” 2022 European tour on March 24 in Berlin, Germany. I AM MORBID, which also includes guitarists Bill Hudson (NORTHTALE, DORO) and Kelly McLauchlin, is celebrating the 30th anniversary of MORBID ANGEL’s second album, “Blessed Are The Sick”.

Fan-filmed video of I AM MORBID’s March 26 concert at Streetfood in Aalborg, Denmark can be seen below.

The band’s setlist was as follows:

01. Immortal Rites
02. Fall From Grace
03. Visions Of The Dark Side
04. Day Of Suffering
05. Blessed Are The Sick
06. Rapture
07. Pain Divine
08. Sworn To The Black
09. Eyes To See, Ears To Hear
10. Dead Shall Rise
11. Maze Of Torment
12. Dominate
13. Where The Slime Live
14. Dawn Of The Angry
15. God Of Emptiness
16. World Of Shit

I AM MORBID’s current tour marks the first time Sandoval and Vincent have played together in 12 years.

Sandoval, who now lives his life as a born-again Christian, was forced to leave MORBID ANGEL in 2010 after undergoing surgery for a prolapsed disc.

Vincent told Invisible Oranges in a December 2013 interview that Pete had “found Jesus,” which meant that Sandoval and MORBID ANGEL were no longer “compatible.”

Sandoval has past the last few years recording and touring with TERRORIZER, whose latest studio album, “Caustic Attack”, was released in October 2018 via The End Records.

A year ago, Sandoval released an Instagram video in which he addressed some of the most commonly asked questions regarding his time with MORBID ANGEL. He said: “I’ve been asked about who’s my favorite singer or which era is my favorite one — the era with David Vincent or with Steve Tucker. Well, I wanna tell you that I love both eras. I had fun. I had a great time working with David Vincent, and I had a great time working with Steve Tucker as well. So, from ‘Altars Of Madness’ [1989] to ‘Heretic’ [2003], they’re all masterpieces for me. We worked hard [on] those albums. So I’m telling you my answer that I don’t have a favorite album, I don’t have a favorite era, I don’t have a favorite singer — I love ’em all. I had a great time in both eras with every album.”

Sandoval added: “And as far as the album released in 2011” — referring to MORBID ANGEL’s controversial “Illud Divinum Insanus” LP — “please don’t ask me any questions about it, because I have no comments about it — no comments at all, man. I stay what I am, I did what I did, and I am so happy and grateful that I did what I did with these guys.”

In a 2011 e-mail chat with Brazil’s Som Extremo, Sandoval was asked for his opinion of “Illud Divinum Insanus”, which incorporated industrial and electronic elements into MORBID ANGEL traditional death metal sound. “No comment! I don’t play on that album,” he wrote. He was then questioned about what he thought he would have done different on “Illud Divinum Insanus” had he played on the record. “More exreme deathgrind metal and less DJ, boring awful typical I care less industrial experimental same as everybody boring bull!” he said. “This is not what MORBID has been all about! …Hmmmmmm, and I really care less…!”

Initially announced for 2021, I AM MORBID’s “Morbidfest” tour had to be postponed due to the pandemic. But it’s finally happening in 2022.
Vincent left MORBID ANGEL in 2015. He has since been replaced by a returning Steve Tucker, who previously handled bass and vocals on MORBID ANGEL’s “Formulas Fatal To The Flesh”, “Gateways To Annihilation” and “Heretic” LPs.

In a May 2019 interview with Jorge Botas of the “Metal Global” radio show, which airs on the Portuguese public TV and radio broadcaster RTP, Vincent said that he had every right to perform MORBID ANGEL’s classic songs with I AM MORBID.

“Times come and life works the way that it does,” Vincent said. “And there are times when… It’s like a marriage — sometimes they don’t always work forever. But that doesn’t mean that the children that we’ve had together, that I don’t still love my children. Although Trey [Azagthoth, MORBID ANGEL guitarist and sole remaining original member] and I have some irreconcilable differences, that doesn’t in any way preclude me from still having the love and the passion for all of my children.”

Asked what he has to say to people who insist that he should not play MORBID ANGEL’s early material without the other members of the group’s classic lineup, David said: “There’s examples of this very situation… I mean, when Ozzy [Osbourne] left BLACK SABBATH, that didn’t stop him from playing ‘Paranoid’ every night, even though he didn’t write the song. All of the songs that I’m singing I wrote. So I don’t really understand that. But different people become attached to different things. And they have their opinion and I have mine. And I don’t really consider this kind of negativity. I don’t have it in my life.”

In 2019, Vincent released “Something Wicked Marches In”, the debut album from his supergroup VLTIMAS, also featuring guitarist Rune Eriksen (formerly of MAYHEM) and CRYPTOPSY drummer Flo Mounier. Two years earlier, Vincent issued his debut country single, “Drinkin’ With The Devil”.

Thanks to Kent Kirkegaard Jensen with Devilution for these photos from last night’s show in #AalborgDenmark….

Posted by I Am Morbid on Sunday, March 27, 2022

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