In a recent Cameo video message requested by Jonathan Montenegro of Sobre La Dosis, SEPULTURA guitarist Andreas Kisser commented on the band’s enduring musical influence, especially within the heavy metal scene. He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): “Yeah, I feel very proud that SEPULTURA, after almost 40 years — we’re at 37 years now — of a career, is still relevant. People talk about our old stuff, our new stuff. We have a very rich history with some changes in lineups and characteristics in music, using the Brazilian influence of our music — percussion and et cetera — which put SEPULTURA in a different place compared to other bands, especially outside Brazil. So, yeah, it’s cool that we created something new on the business, on the scene, on the heavy music scene. So it’s great that many, many bands mention SEPULTURA as an influence for them to start a career or start writing music. And that’s very fantastic; it’s amazing.”

Formed in 1984 in Brazil, SEPULTURA has gone on to sell over millions of records and solidify its legacy as one of the greatest metal bands of the 1980s, 1990s, and beyond. Today, SEPULTURA is still going strong, 15 albums deep into one of the hardest-hitting discographies in history.

While the pandemic paralyzed the entire world and prevented bands from touring, the members of SEPULTURA refused to sit back and feel like animals trapped in a cage. Therefore, in early 2020, the band seized the moment to start its own weekly “SepulQuarta” video podcast in which they invited other famous musicians from all over the world to not only discuss important topics but also perform a track from SEPULTURA’s massive catalog together with the group. The resulting full-length compilation was released in August 2021, with the album containing 15 classics featuring internationally renowned guests and friends.

SEPULTURA comprises Kisser, vocalist Derrick Green, bassist Paulo Xisto Pinto Jr., and drummer Eloy Casagrande.

SEPULTURA was formed in Belo Horizonte by brothers Max and Igor Cavalera, who are no longer with the band.

Grim Reefer Fest celebrates riffs and spliffs with a nine-band lineup of stoned heaviness on April 16th in Baltimore, MD.
The post Grim Reefer Fest Smokes Up Baltimore on April 16th appeared first on Decibel Magazine.

SALIVA will reunite with its original singer Josey Scott for a one-off appearance at this year’s Blue Ridge Rock Festival, set to take place September 8-11 at the Virginia International Raceway in Alton, Virginia.

The reunion was originally announced on March 18 by Blue Ridge organizers via Twitter. They wrote: “It is Happening. For years it is has been highly rumored and demanded, now it finally takes place this September.”

Earlier today (Wednesday, March 30), Scott shared the announcement on Twitter for the first time and included a simple two-word comment: “LETS GO!!!!!!” When one fan asked him, “Are u serious???”, he responded: “Yes!”

Scott left SALIVA at the end of 2011 after 15 years with the group, reportedly to pursue a solo Christian music career. He was quickly replaced by Bobby Amaru, who can be heard on SALIVA’s last four releases: “In It To Win It” (2013), “Rise Up” (2014), “Love, Lies & Therapy” (2016) and “10 Lives” (2018).

Scott broke the news of his return to SALIVA in October 2019 during an appearance on “The Morning Dump”, a podcast hosted by “The Big Mad Morning Show” in Tulsa, Oklahoma. At the time, Josey said that he wanted to get together with SALIVA and “write a badass record.”

In March 2021, SALIVA guitarist Wayne Swinny addressed Scott’s status with the band during an interview with Meltdown of Detroit’s WRIF radio station. Asked if there are still plans for Josey to reunite with SALIVA for a possible album and/or a tour, Wayne said: “There was preliminary discussions, but it never really got off the ground. We just basically had to make plans and keep this train rolling, so to speak. It didn’t make sense to me to stop what we were doing. ‘Cause this unit, we’ve been together, it’s been almost 10 years now, with Bobby in the band. Brad came along shortly after that. We’re tight. We get along. It’s a well-oiled machine. We’ve got a great crew, a great bus driver. It would throw a monkey wrench into the actual SALIVA.”

Last December, Josey took to his Twitter to write: “I want 2 apologize 2 my fans because I thought I was gonna reunite w/certain people & make u new music, & that fell through, but, I believe everything happens for a reason. There are no coincidences. A blessing in disguise. Now it’s just u, & me, how intimate is that? #SV2022”.

When Swinny spoke to WRIF about SALIVA’s failed reunion with Scott, he said that even though there were some initial discussions about Josey’s return to the group, there was no follow-up to ensure that the plan was executed.

“If you wanna do something, do it,” Wayne said. “But you can’t just talk about it and have it magically happen. There’s work, there’s planning, there’s stuff that goes into it, and none of that stuff was done early enough to pull it off.

“Yeah, there was some fan response, saying, ‘Wow, yeah, that might be cool.’ But it didn’t get enough steam to take off,” he explained. “All the preliminary stuff kind of got set up, and it just didn’t jell.

“It just didn’t make sense to stop what we [the current lineup of SALIVA] were doing and do that, because you’ve got momentum, we’ve got a groove going, the band’s tight live. I didn’t feel like we should give that up or give that a rest.”

SALIVA released six albums with Scott and tasted platinum success and a Grammy nomination for its first big hit, “Your Disease”.

Last May, SALIVA celebrated the 20th anniversary of its breakthrough major label debut, “Every Six Seconds”, with a special project called “Every Twenty Years”, an EP of classic songs re-recorded with Amaru.

LETS GO!!!!!!??? https://t.co/ZeAGaIWrtw
— ❌J⭕️SEY SC⭕️TT❌ (@joseyscottmusic) March 30, 2022

Yes!
— ❌J⭕️SEY SC⭕️TT❌ (@joseyscottmusic) March 30, 2022

TWISTED SISTER guitarist Jay Jay French believes that “it’s time for comedians to stop making fun of people’s appearance[s].”

French made his comment just a couple of days after actor Will Smith stormed onstage during this year’s live Oscars broadcast and smacked Chris Rock across the face before returning to his front-row seat and yelling a profanity-filled threat at the comedian.

The confrontation took place after Rock made a joke about Smith’s wife, calling Jade Pinkett Smith “G.I. Jane” in reference to her bald head, which she has previously explained is due to the medical condition alopecia.

On Tuesday (March 29), Jay Jay, who battled prostate cancer in 2018, took to his Twitter to write: “No one should ever hit another person like @willsmith did to @chrisrock . Among many issues this created at the #AcademyAwards2022 I think it’s time for comedians to stop making fun of peoples (especially woman) appearance it is degrading and unnecessary”.

One musician who apparently doesn’t share French’s opinion is FEAR FACTORY guitarist Dino Cazares, who has been defending Rock on Twitter. In one exchange with a fan, Dino said that Rock “didn’t know” Pinkett Smith had a medical condition and pointed out that Chris is “a comedian” who “was hired to roast the actors” as the host of this year’s Oscars. He went on to say that he didn’t think Rock’s joke was “cruel,” explaining that “people have said worse to [their] kids”.

Other musicians, like KISS frontman Paul Stanley, have criticized Hollywood for giving Smith a standing ovation when it was announced at the Oscars that he won best actor for “King Richard”. Smith’s Oscar victory occurred several minutes after he slapped Rock.

On Monday, Paul tweeted: “Wait… Chris Rock makes a bad joke about Jada Pinkett’s appearance. Will Smith walks onstage hits him in the face shouts out obscenities & later in tears accepts an Oscar saying ‘Love makes you do crazy things’ to a STANDING OVATION?!? WTF Hollywood. That’s not WOKE. That’s WEAK”.

The following day, he elaborated: “What personal issues would embolden someone enough to walk onstage and ASSAULT another person? THEN how could an audience of people who believe themselves morally and socially conscious watch & spend the rest of the night cheering him? Sad and scary.”

Although most people believe that stand-up comedy is about pushing boundaries and making people laugh and by its very nature is meant to provoke, in recent years telling jokes has become controversial, with some topics completely off limits. Several months ago, Dave Chappelle faced backlash for making quips about the trans community.

Smith first apologized about the incident at the Oscars, expressing his sorrow to the Academy and his fellow nominees in a tear-filled speech while accepting his “Best Actor” trophy. A day later, he went further in an Instagram post, saying that “violence in all of its forms is poisonous and destructive” and calling his behavior at the Academy Awards “unacceptable and inexcusable.”

The Academy has condemned Smith’s actions and started a formal review around the incident.

Chris is scheduled to make his first public appearance since the Oscars Wednesday night at Boston’s Wilbur Theater, where he will perform as part of his “Ego Death” world tour.

No one should ever hit another person like @willsmith did to @chrisrock. Among many issues this created at the #AcademyAwards2022 I think it’s time for comedians to stop making fun of peoples (especially woman) appearance it is degrading and unnecessary
— Jay Jay French (@jayjayfrench) March 29, 2022

No one made fun of her medical condition cause he didn’t know she had one ,you are reading it wrong. He’s a comedian that’s what he was hired to do roast the actors https://t.co/CIGmYbQggx
— Dino Cazares (@DinoCazares) March 29, 2022

Sure I get where u would think it could be insensitive because her going bald is hard for her to deal with even tho she said she doesn’t give a fuck but ultimately u know that’s not true,but I also don’t think it was a cruel joke.People have said worse to there kids https://t.co/XpCrATJr3G
— Dino Cazares (@DinoCazares) March 29, 2022

Wait… Chris Rock makes a bad joke about Jada Pinkett’s appearance. Will Smith walks onstage hits him in the face shouts out obscenities & later in tears accepts an Oscar saying “Love makes you do crazy things” to a STANDING OVATION?!? WTF Hollywood. That’s not WOKE. That’s WEAK
— Paul Stanley (@PaulStanleyLive) March 28, 2022

“Unacceptable Behavior”? What personal issues would embolden someone enough to walk onstage and ASSAULT another person? THEN how could an audience of people who believe themselves morally and socially conscious watch & spend the rest of the night cheering him? Sad and scary.
— Paul Stanley (@PaulStanleyLive) March 30, 2022

JUDAS PRIEST was rejoined by guitarist Glenn Tipton on stage during the band’s headlining concert Tuesday night (March 29) at The Met Philadelphia in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

As he has done a number of other times over the course of the last four years, Tipton appeared with PRIEST for the encore, performing “Metal Gods”, “Breaking The Law” and “Living After Midnight”.

Fan-filmed video of the performance can be seen below.

Tipton was diagnosed with Parkinson’s eight years ago — after being stricken by the condition at least half a decade earlier — but announced in early 2018 he was going to sit out touring activities in support of JUDAS PRIEST’s latest studio album, “Firepower”. He was replaced by “Firepower” album producer Andy Sneap, who is also known for his work in NWOBHM revivalists HELL and cult thrash outfit SABBAT.

PRIEST singer Rob Halford recently told Metal Pilgrim that Glenn is “still actively involved with JUDAS PRIEST, a hundred percent. Andy is still standing in that spot for Glenn with Glenn’s blessing… And my gratitude to Andy. It couldn’t have happened in a better way, if you wanna try and make something good out of it. It was a really important day when Glenn said, ‘I think it’s probably best if I step to the side and maybe we should let Andy come in.’ That was just a really beautiful act of selflessness. That’s Glenn treasuring PRIEST and PRIEST’s reputation, particularly in live concert more than anything else. So bless Glenn for that. And as a result, Andy stepped in and did amazing work on the ‘Firepower’ tour, and we’re looking forward to doing the same thing with him on this 50th-anniversary [tour]. And don’t discount the fact that Glenn can show up. He plays the guitar differently, but there’s no reason why Glenn can’t show up and do some work. I mean, I’ve said to Glenn, ‘Just walk out on stage and do that to everybody [flashes devil horns], and the people will just go fucking crazy, ’cause you are loved so much.’ But I’ve got a feeling that Glenn’s gonna be making the occasional appearance on this 50th-anniversary [tour].”

Bassist Ian Hill is the sole remaining original member of PRIEST, which formed in 1969. Halford joined the group in 1973 and Tipton signed on in 1974. Rob left PRIEST in the early 1990s to form his own band, then came back to PRIEST in 2003. Founding guitarist K.K. Downing parted ways with the band in 2011, and was replaced by Richie Faulkner.

PRIEST’s current North American tour kicked off on March 4 at Peoria Civic Center in Peoria, Illinois and will conclude on April 13 at FirstOntario Centre in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. Support on the trek is coming from QUEENSRŸCHE.

JUDAS PRIEST was forced to postpone around two dozen North American shows on its rescheduled 50th-anniversary tour in late September after Faulkner suffered an acute cardiac aortic dissection during a performance at the Louder Than Life festival. He ended up undergoing a 10-hour life-saving surgery a short distance away at Rudd Heart and Lung Center at UofL Health – Jewish Hospital in Louisville, Kentucky.

According to Daily Mail, the casket carrying the body of FOO FIGHTERS drummer Taylor Hawkins, who died last Friday at a hotel in Colombia, was flown back to the U.S. on Tuesday (March 29).

Daily Mail published images from the El Dorado International Airport in Bogota of the casket being loaded onto a chartered Boeing 757 plane.

FOO FIGHTERS’ tour manager Gus Brandt reportedly remained in Colombia after the surviving members of the band returned to the U.S. a day after the 50-year-old musician was found dead at the Four Seasons Casa Medina.

On Tuesday, FOO FIGHTERS announced that they were canceling all of their previously announced concerts as a result of Hawkins’s death.

“It is with great sadness that FOO FIGHTERS confirm the cancellation of all upcoming tour dates in light of the staggering loss of our brother Taylor Hawkins,” the band said in a statement. “We’re sorry for and share in the disappointment that we won’t be seeing one another as planned. Instead, let’s take this time to grieve, to heal, to pull our loved ones close, and to appreciate all the music and memories we’ve made together. With Love, FOO FIGHTERS.”

The FOO FIGHTERS were scheduled to perform at the Grammy Awards in Las Vegas this Sunday (April 3), where they are nominated for three awards.

An official cause of death for Hawkins hasn’t yet been released. But on Saturday, 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”.

In a new interview with Sofa King Cool Magazine, former MARILYN MANSON and current ROB ZOMBIE guitarist John 5 discussed the recent passing of FOO FIGHTERS drummer Taylor Hawkins. He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): “I was friends with Taylor and did some shows with him, with his band CHEVY METAL.

“It’s just a shame, because Taylor was very, very special — he was so talented,” he continued. “An incredible drummer, a great singer, just a great human being. And it just knocked me on my ass for two days. I didn’t talk to anybody. I was just so bummed out about this because I loved Taylor so much. And I miss him. He was someone very special and he was such a great human. God, he was just such a great dude and so fun to be around and just always happy. It’s just a terrible, terrible, terrible thing. He was a great person. People loved him, and he loved people.”

Hawkins died on Friday, March 25 at a hotel in Bogota, Colombia. 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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