In a new interview with Elliott Fullam of Little Punk People, DRAGONFORCE guitarist Herman Li was asked about the material he and his bandmates have been working on for their upcoming ninth studio album. He said: “Well, you know, it’s gonna be epic, triumphant, fun and catchy and uplifting. We’re gonna carry on sounding like DRAGONFORCE.”

Last month, Li told Finland’s Chaoszine that DRAGONFORCE had “a lot of music written” for the follow-up to 2019’s “Extreme Power Metal”. “We haven’t recorded it,” he said. “So we’re actually gonna look for a new record deal at the moment to do it.

“We don’t do music for money, so we only release stuff when we want to and it sounds good,” he explained. “We’re not on a hamster wheel: ‘You’ve gotta release an album every two years.’ It’s hard to be creative when you just force yourself to make good music, and every artist knows.

“We don’t just make music now; we’re content creators at the same time. We have a pause on YouTube at the moment, but we were posting every week before that. So if you want something — an art form; I don’t know if you can call YouTube ‘art form’ — if you want something from us, there’s always something coming from DRAGONFORCE, even if it’s not new music. Right now you’re getting [backstage and behind-the-scenes footage from] the shows [on our U.S. tour on our Twitch channel].

“When it comes, it’ll be a good album that we’ll be proud of,” he added.

DRAGONFORCE is currently on the road in North America with FIREWIND, VISIONS OF ATLANTIS and SEVEN SPIRES.

DRAGONFORCE is continuing to tour in support of “Extreme Power Metal”, which came out in September 2019. Produced in Los Angeles, California by Damien Rainaud at Mix Unlimited, the LP was also recorded, in part, on Li’s livestream channel on Twitch with participation from the fans.

DRAGONFORCE’s platinum-selling single “Through The Fire And Flames” brought the London-based Grammy-nominated extreme power metal group international acclaim and was featured as the most challenging song on “Guitar Hero III”.

In March 2019, the “Through The Fire And Flames” music video reached a new milestone: it surpassed one hundred million views on YouTube — DRAGONFORCE’s first music video to do so.

“Through The Fire And Flames” is the leadoff track from 2006’s “Inhuman Rampage” album, which was officially certified gold in July 2017 by the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America) for sales in excess of half a million copies.

DRAGONFORCE’s 2020 European and North American tour dates marked the band’s first with new bassist and backing vocalist Alicia Vigil (VIGIL OF WAR), who joined DRAGONFORCE in January of that year.

In August 2019, DRAGONFORCE parted ways with longtime bassist Frédéric Leclercq. He has since joined German thrashers KREATOR.

Wormwitch and Seer members venture Westward in Vital Spirit on new single, “Withering Fire,” via new album Still as the Night, Cold as the Wind (Vendetta/Hidden Tribe).
The post Track Premiere: Vital Spirit – ‘Withering Fire’ appeared first on Decibel Magazine.

Fan-filmed video of PUDDLE OF MUDD’s April 2 performance at Fiesta Oyster Bake in San Antonio, Texas can be seen below.

Last November, PUDDLE OF MUDD frontman Wes Scantlin made headlines when he walked offstage midconcert at the EPIC Event Center in Green Bay, Wisconsin after complaining about the venue’s lights.

Wes had almost non-stop problems with the law, alcohol, finances and other issues, before claiming to have gotten sober in 2017. Scantlin said that he ended up going back to rehab and receiving treatment “because there’s really nowhere else to go.” He also credited his family and fans for giving him the strength to try to get better.

Scantlin was arrested at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) in September 2017 after he attempted to board a plane with a BB gun. He pleaded no contest and was banned from LAX unless it involved traveling for work.

Before that, there have been a few tumultuous years for the singer and guitarist. In January of 2016, he was arrested on suspicion of breaking into his former home and vandalizing some of the property.

He skipped two court dates related to the charges later that spring, which led to another arrest.

Prior to that, Scantlin was arrested in December 2015 for possession of a controlled substance and had several previous busts that same year for driving under the influence.

Additionally, he was arrested at a Denver airport in 2015 for taking a joyride on a baggage carousel and taken into custody as far back as 2012 for an altercation with a flight attendant.

He also ended a number of PUDDLE OF MUDD shows in 2016 early with various meltdowns, including one in which he accused a fan of stealing his house

PUDDLE OF MUDD was formed in 1991 in Kansas City by Scantlin, the only original member still with the band. The group into the mainstream with 2001’s “Come Clean”, which yielded three hits — “Control”, “Blurry” and “She Hates Me”.

PUDDLE OF MUDD’s latest album, “Welcome To Galvania”, was released in 2019 via Pavement Entertainment.

He has won 12 Grammy Awards and sold millions of records without kowtowing to the expectations of the music industry. Jack White has always, truly, marched to the beat of his own drum. The 46-year-old singer-songwriter is best known for his stripped-down, quirky garage rock with THE WHITE STRIPES, though he’s been involved with THE RACONTEURS, THE DEAD WEATHER and more: a modern-day Renaissance man. Or, if that’s too pretentious a description, he’s unquestionably a multifaceted and ambitious artist considering that he also owns Three Man Records, a record label and studio, and he’s a producer and actor. The charismatic multi-instrumentalist is poised to release his latest solo album, “Fear of the Dawn”, which will be followed by a full-length titled “Entering Heaven Alive”, which is set for release in July. “Fear of the Dawn” is a rowdy, 12-song release that travels the trajectory of the styles and sounds for which he’s known, incorporating his ongoing morphing and evolutionary strides, and incorporating elements that boldly reach outside regular rock music terrain. With that said, “Fear of the Dawn” is also noticeably more gritty and hard rocking.

The album is just as ambitious production-wise as it is on a strictly musical level, perhaps even more so. The slick, futuristic guitar sounds and effects paired with forward-thinking studio work elevate the release in its significance to rock music’s development. The interesting paradox at hand is that the production aesthetic is sharp, progressive and clean, and yet the underlying, core music is definitely grimy and bleak. Caustic, industrial-flavored guitars drive through the album’s opener “Taking Me Back”, and the effects pedal intricacies simply take the song to another dimension altogether.

“Fear of the Dawn” is indeed anything but a conventional, traditional rock record. Hip-hop beats wind their way mellifluously through “Hi-De-Ho”, a song that features slicing guitar work that paves a path toward vocals that sound inspired by Indian or Middle Eastern music. The song’s contemporary hip-hop feel is augmented by A TRIBE CALLED QUEST’s Q-Tip. Elsewhere, a trip-inducing, guitar-driven expansive space opens up “Eosophobia” prior to the song’s focus upon a manic and lethal percussive and guitar assault.

“Fear of the Dawn” proves that Jack White is as hungry and vibrant as ever. And he’s certainly keeping himself busy, as “Entering Heaven Alive” will follow in just a few months. The pair of 2022 releases are his first solo efforts since 2018’s “Boarding House Reach”, though he reunited with THE RACONTEURS in 2019 for that band’s first album in over a decade. White’s two new solo albums meet one another across the song “Taking Me Back”, the opening song from “Fear of the Dawn”, which will resurface, with revisions, as the “Entering Heaven Alive”‘s closing number, “Taking Me Back (Gently)” . In any event, “Fear of the Dawn” is proof that rock ‘n’ roll and hard rock, in spite of the prevalence of other popular music styles and the lackluster nature of contemporary active rock, is in good hands when the torch is carried by the likes of Jack White.

METALLICA’s All Within My Hands foundation asks that you join them in supporting World Central Kitchen’s work aiding in the humanitarian crisis in Eastern Europe. The foundation kicks off its annual Month Of Giving early this year with a $500,000 donation to World Central Kitchen — on top of a recent $100,000 grant — with the goal of bringing that number to a total of $1 million over the next two months.

For those who wish to join in these efforts: Today through May 31, the Metallica.com store will feature exclusive merchandise benefitting World Central Kitchen. METALLICA family artist Andrew Cremeans has created a one-of-a-kind shirt for this campaign — available for pre-order now. Keep watching the store for other exclusives and additional merchandise, with all proceeds going to this campaign. The local chapter fundraising competition will start on May 2 and run for one month — additional All Within My Hands auctions and raffles will feature items including the guitars James Hetfield and Kirk Hammett will be playing during their performance of the national anthem at “Metallica Night” with the San Francisco Giants on May 24.

METALLICA drummer Lars Ulrich said: “The work that Chef José Andrés and the dedicated World Central Kitchen cooks do on the frontlines in a humanitarian crisis is nothing short of incredible. We are inspired, humbled, and beyond proud to support their teams currently in six European countries serving the millions of Ukrainians who have been forced to leave their homes. WCK represents everything that METALLICA and our All Within My Hands foundation stand for by providing meals with dignity and hope worldwide.”

Added Nate Mook, CEO of World Central Kitchen: “World Central Kitchen is grateful for METALLICA and All Within My Hands foundation’s support and belief in our mission. They share our belief that a plate of food is more than just nourishment; it’s hope and a sign that someone cares. Their support will allow us to continue to provide fresh and comforting meals to Ukrainians fleeing their homes as well as those staying in the country.”

To simply contribute, please visit the All Within My Hands donation page and choose the World Central Kitchen Ukraine Relief Fund from the drop-down menu. 100 percent of funds raised will go directly to World Central Kitchen — All Within My Hands does not use any portion of donations to cover expenses.

World Central Kitchen believes that food is a universal human right. Their #ChefsForUkraine campaign is doing incredible work to fulfill this mission: Since February 24, over five million meals have been served to refugees across six countries — at a rate of 250,000 meals being distributed daily.

As All Within My Hands extends its annual Month Of Giving into two months, the foundation will continue to keep all posted on its progress, new ways to help, and provide information about the work that World Central Kitchen is doing with their boots on the ground. All Within My Hands truly appreciates all support in its efforts to give back. When the METALLICA family comes together for a cause, the positive impacts on individual lives are extraordinary.

The children of successful people have their work cut out for them if they choose to follow in those footsteps. Richie Cavalera is likely to live in the shadow of his stepfather, heavy metal legend Max Cavalera (SEPULTURA, SOULFLY, NAILBOMB, etc.). Richie and his thrashing groove metal band INCITE have been slugging and hacking away since 2004, and the Arizona-based act has paid its dues and established a name for itself. Here they return with their sixth album, “Wake Up Dead”, which is formidable but far from exceptional.

“Wake Up Dead” definitely flows as a cohesive new album; however, the latter half of the release is comprised of re-mastered songs culled from each of the band’s previous five full-lengths, including the melodic metal rager “Fallen” from 2014’s “Up In Hell” and the blistering title track from their debut, “The Slaughter”. The career-spanning nature of the album makes “Wake Up Dead” an appropriate entry point and overview for newer onlookers. The strong, new material will serve completists well, but the limited number of new songs undercuts the value to existing fans.

Having Max Cavalera as a stepfather is surely cool as hell, but to be the child of that metal icon and a professional metal musician as well is obviously a double-edged sword. INCITE enlisted Max to sing alongside Richie on one of their songs, “War Soup”; it’s an explosive groove metal song engineered to churn mosh pits. Richie’s vocals work well with Max’s here, and while Max’s voice is deeper and more guttural, Richie’s voice is much more hardcore and clear.

Elsewhere, “Fuck With Me (Wake Up Dead)” goes straight for the jugular. The track includes some “Dimebag-esque guitar soloing providing the necessary depth to keep the song from feeling too monotonous. “Sucker Punched” is equally vitriolic, resting upon a high-tempo percussive assault and hefty guitars, which are just as biting as they are melodic. “Mental Destruction”, though, is the highlight here as it boasts an absolutely epic chorus that’s bookended by playful guitar work, including some stuttered pic scratches.

Popular, relatively contemporary heavy music has segmented into various directions, but there continues to be a void as far as new blood forwarding modern thrash and groove metal. The quartet isn’t exactly a new band, yet they’re unknown to many metal fans who may be inclined toward them. While “Wake Up Dead” isn’t essential listening, it is enjoyable. INCITE has yet to realize its potential, however. It’s likely that they’ll need to be bolder and step outside their comfort zone for that to happen.

Former BON JOVI guitarist Richie Sambora has paid tribute to FOO FIGHTERS drummer Taylor Hawkins, who died more than a week ago at the age of 50. Speaking to Fox News’ “Fox & Friends” last Thursday (March 31), he said about Taylor’s passing (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): “Oh, man. The FOOs are just a legendary band. It’s such a shame, obviously, because sometimes the perils of being in the rock and roll business can kill you. I was a lucky guy that I just didn’t like any of that crap that much. But Taylor was a great guy, an amazingly talented man, and they were one of the most successful bands in the world for a very long time. And we’d find ourselves on vacation together, just crossing paths and stuff like that. They were just a bunch of great guys. It’s gonna be a loss. You don’t even know what to say. It’s kind of beyond words, really, because he was such a great guy — and a talent.”

Sambora is no stranger to the rock and roll lifestyle. In 2008, he was arrested for DUI with his then-10-year-old daughter Ava in the car. The incident happened only a year after the guitarist had left rehab for alcohol and pill abuse. The arrest followed a year of personal trials during which his divorce to actress Heather Locklear was finalized, his relationship with Denise Richards fell apart and his father died of lung cancer.

“When I fell off that cliff, I realized who I was, unrelated to the band,” Sambora told the Los Angeles Times in a 2012 interview. “I’d started to clean up [in 2007], but I slipped, and made those amends. I’m lucky I wasn’t a guy who lost his family or relationships… I had cleaned up my act about 85% [in 2007]. But I was naïve. I just wanted to drink as a stress reliever, and I slipped again.”

Hawkins was found dead on March 25 at the Four Seasons Casa Medina hotel in Bogota, Colombia while FOO FIGHTERS were on tour.

An official cause of death for Hawkins hasn’t yet been released. But on March 26, Colombia’s attorney general’s office released a preliminary toxicology report, saying that medical examiners found evidence of 10 types of substances in Hawkins’s body, including opioids, benzodiazepines, marijuana and antidepressants.

Hawkins joined FOO FIGHTERS in 1997. Prior to that, he played with the Orange County band SYLVIA and was also in the backing band for Sass Jordan. He also toured with Alanis Morissette as her drummer.

Hawkins was inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame last year as a member of the FOO FIGHTERS.

Hawkins’s most recent work with FOO FIGHTERS included last year’s “Medicine At Midnight” album, a collection of BEE GEES covers and FOO FIGHTERS’ horror film “Studio 666”.
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