††† (CROSSES) — DEFTONES frontman Chino Moreno’s project with FAR guitarist Shaun Lopez — has released two new songs, “Initiation” and “Protection”. Check them out below.

Last December, Lopez confirmed that ††† (CROSSES) had signed a new deal with Warner Records.

Three months ago, ††† (CROSSES) dropped its cover of Q Lazzarus’s “Goodbye Horses” as a digital single. The track was previously covered by ††† (CROSSES) back in 2014.

Prior to “Goodbye Horses”‘ digital arrival, ††† (CROSSES)’s last release was a cover of “The Beginning Of The End” by ’90s electropop band CAUSE & EFFECT. Made available in December 2020, it was the first new music from the alternative band since its 2014-released, self-titled record.

Moreno told The Pulse Of Radio how he got involved with the group in the first place, which was started by Lopez and Chuck Doom. “Shaun and Chuck were working together for a while before I came into the picture, and I just so happened to come in one day,” he said. “These guys were, you know, writing some stuff and I heard it and I liked it right off the bat, and I sort of weaseled my way [Laughs] into the project. I think their idea was to get a bunch of different singers to, you know, just write different tracks, and… it didn’t happen.”

††† (CROSSES)’s CD included the songs from the band’s two previously released EPs along with five new tracks.

Moreno told Rolling Stone about ††† (CROSSES)’ sound: “By listening to the music, you can tell that a lot of the influences come from the new-wave era. That was basically the scene that I came up on. I just happened to wind up in a metal band when I was 15.”

Asked about ††† (CROSSES)’s heavy use of the cross in the band’s imagery and songtitles, Moreno said: “I think a lot of bands are influenced by religious symbolism and not even necessarily Christianity or Catholicism. Our band definitely doesn’t follow any of those. It’s more of the aesthetic. The art, the way it works. The initial name of the band was going to be HOLY GHOST. But at the last minute, another band came out with the name, so Shaun suggested CROSSES. It’s a very strong symbol. Three crosses is great. It’s great to look at, there’s three of us in the band.”

††† (CROSSES) made its live debut in January 2012 at The Glass House in Pomona, California.

TOOL’s first video in 15 years, “Opiate²”, arrives today via RCA Records. A three-minute preview of the Blu-ray short film is viewable below.

“Opiate²” is a reimagined and extended version of TOOL’s 1992 single “Opiate”, with both the song and video marking the 30th anniversary of the EP of the same name’s release.

Housed in a 46-page art book with behind-the-scenes and making-of photos, the “Opiate²” Blu-ray also includes interviews and insights from special guests. Visual artist Dominic Hailstone (“Alien: Covenant”, “The Eel”) worked with TOOL guitarist Adam Jones on the 10-plus minute film. The clip continues TOOL’s knack for merging the aural and visual worlds, creating an all-encompassing experience for the listener that has been a hallmark of the outfit since their inception. Hailstone and Jones also collaborated on the filmed pieces featured on the current “Fear Inoculum” tour.

TOOL also recently announced the arrival of “Fear Inoculum” on vinyl, with the Ultra Deluxe set arriving April 8. The collection features 5 x 180g vinyl discs emblazoned with a unique etching on the album’s B-side, and accompanied by an elaborate pictorial booklet including never-before-seen artwork. The limited-edition collection, which also features a new cover, is housed in a hard shell box.

TOOL kicked off its 2022 tour in support of “Fear Inoculum” on January 10 at the Matthew Knight Arena in Eugene, Oregon. It marked the band’s first live appearance since March 2020 when TOOL’s trek was cut short following a gig in Portland, Oregon due to the burgeoning pandemic.

TOOL was honored with a Grammy in the “Best Metal Performance” category in the pre-telecast ceremony at the 62nd annual Grammy Awards in January 2020 at Staples Center in Los Angeles. TOOL was nominated for “7empest”, a track from “Fear Inoculum”.

TOOL already had three previous Grammy Awards under its belt: “Best Metal Performance” in 1997 and 2001 for “Ænima” and “Schism”, respectively, and “Best Recording Package” in 2006 for “10,000 Days”.

TOOL formed in 1990 and has released five studio albums thus far: “Undertow” (1993), “Ænima” (1996), “Lateralus” (2001), “10,000 Days” (2006) and “Fear Inoculum”; two EPs: “72826” (1991) and “Opiate” (1992); and the limited-edition boxset, “Salival” (2000). The band has won four Grammy Awards: Best Metal Performance (1998, “Ænima”), “Best Metal Performance” (2002, “Schism”), “Best Recording Package” (2007, “10,000 Days”) and “Best Metal Performance” (2020, “7empest”).

A unique solar-powered effects pedal that works best when powered from a natural light source.The Solar Sound is a unique solar-powered effects pedal from Mattoverse Electronics. Consisting of a simple transistor based gain circuit that has been finely tuned to take full advantage of the low current and voltage provided by the solar panel, it provides everything from starved and choked gain tones, to light overdrive, and smooth distortion.It was designed for and works best when powered from a natural light source, through a window or outdoors, but can also be powered in lower light environments with a bright light source directed at the solar panel. Introducing the Solar Sound a solar powered effect pedal from Mattoverse ElectronicsThe Solar Sound has a $229 Street Price and is available in limited quantities directly from Mattoverse Electronics at https://mattoverse.com.

GRETA VAN FLEET guitarist Jake Kiszka has been hospitalized with pneumonia.

The band shared the news of the musician’s diagnosis earlier today on social media following yesterday’s announcement that it was postponing its remaining two Michigan concerts on the “Dreams In Gold” world tour.

GRETA VAN FLEET postponed last night’s Flint concert and tonight’s Ypsilanti show last night’s Flint concert after revealing that Jake and singer Josh Kiszka had woken up with a non-COVID-related illness. The band later issued an update, saying that while Josh has mostly recovered, Jake Kiszka’s condition has worsened to the point he had to be hospitalized.

“Jake’s diagnosis is more complex,” GRETA VAN FLEET said in a statement. “What started as a small cough on Tuesday rapidly progressed overnight requiring his admission to the hospital yesterday. The last 24 hours have been arduous as doctors were unsure of the exact illness. Fortunately, after further evaluation, they are confident in their diagnosis of pneumonia and an optimal course of treatment has been determined.”

The group has now also postponed Saturday’s concert in Huntington, West Virginia until August 10. The Flint gig will take place on September 13 and Ypsilanti on September 13.

GRETA VAN FLEET launched its U.S. tour on March 10 at the Wings Event Center in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

The band supported METALLICA on February 25 in Las Vegas and recently announced two additional dates with the California metal giants.

GRETA VAN FLEET will be joined by a host of acclaimed artists on their fall tour, including THE PRETTY RECKLESS, HOUNDMOUTH, DURAND JONES & THE INDICATIONS, FRUIT BATS, Robert Finley, CROWN LANDS and Hannah Wicklund.

The group is touring in support of their acclaimed sophomore album, “The Battle At Garden’s Gate”, released last year to extensive chart and critical success. The album debuted at No. 1 Billboard Rock Album, No. 1 Billboard Hard Rock Album, No. 1 Billboard Vinyl Album, No. 2 Billboard Top Album Sales and in the Top 10 on the Billboard 200. The album currently has 275,000 in sales, with streaming numbers at 200 million and continuing to climb.

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— Greta Van Fleet (@GretaVanFleet) March 16, 2022

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— Greta Van Fleet (@GretaVanFleet) March 17, 2022

“Dio: Dreamers Never Die”, the career-spanning documentary on the life and times of the legendary rock icon Ronnie James Dio, will receive its world premiere this week at the SXSW Film Festival in Austin, Texas.

“Dio: Dreamers Never Die” is the first documentary about Dio to be fully authorized by the artist’s estate. According to the film’s official description, it “delves deep into his incredible rise from ’50s doo-wop crooner to his early classic rock days in Ritchie Blackmore’s RAINBOW, to replacing the iconic lead singer Ozzy Osbourne in BLACK SABBATH, to finally cement his legend with DIO. Ronnie’s biography is completely unique to the tired sex, drugs and rock and roll clichés. The film is about perseverance, dreams and the power to believe in yourself.”

“Dio: Dreamers Never Die” was financed solely by BMG and was helmed by Don Argott and Demian Fenton (“Framing John DeLorean”, “Believer”, “Last Days Here”), produced by Don Argott and Sheena Joyce for 9.14 Pictures, and executive produced by Wendy Dio, wife and longtime manager of Ronnie James Dio, for Niji Productions and Kathy Rivkin Daum for BMG.

Argott told Deadline that Dio doesn’t have the “archetypical” rock and roll story. “He’s basically had three incredible careers that, frankly, any artist would be lucky enough to have one of those careers,” he said. “From a storytelling standpoint, we looked at how you tell that story and not make it feel like it’s the same story over and over again. History presents its own group of challenges that you have to overcome. It’s a little refreshing to not be the typical ‘Behind The Music’ by-the-numbers rock documentary where everything is pretty expected.”

Fenton added: “It’s a story that I feel like we just need now. It’s so beautiful that you’re looking at this heavy metal dude and you think you know the tale full of darkness, but it’s really a story of righteousness and perseverance and packaged in this interesting world.”

Ronnie James Dio’s story transcends the standard rock documentary. Set against the backdrop of Dio’s autobiography — half finished by Ronnie before his untimely death from stomach cancer in 2010 — the film chronicles the inspiring journey of his life, love, and storied career. Whether playing sold-out stadiums or battling illness, his powerful voice and gentle heart have had a profound influence on his family, friends, and fans around the world.

Wendy Dio recently told Argentinian journalist Lucas Gordon about “Dio: Dreamers Never Die”: “I saw the first cut of it. It was very emotional. It’s very different from [Dio’s autobiography]. ‘Cause the book finishes in 1986, with Ronnie playing Madison Square Garden. But the documentary goes all the way through his life till the end. And it was very emotional. I was watching it with my publicist and a person from BMG, who are funding the documentary. And we all cried. It was very emotional. But it’s really interesting and really good. Rob Halford is great in it, talking about stories. Lita Ford [and] Jack Black [are also in it]. Eddie Trunk [SiriusXM radio personality] and Mick Wall [author of Dio’s autobiography] both kind of narrated it and everything. I’m very pleased with it.”

Last August, Wendy told SiriusXM’s “Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk” about what fans can expect to see in the documentary: “There’s a bunch of stuff from [old] Super 8 [tapes] and some other stuff. There’s fantastic interviews with all kinds of different people about when they were working with Ronnie or what they were doing at the time, maybe supporting Ronnie. It’s totally different to the [recently released Dio] book. And I’m very interested to see this cut. I’m excited, actually, to see it. And I think it’s gonna be great.”

In October 2019, Wendy told the WSOU radio station that the documentary “will go from Ronnie’s childhood all the way through [to the end of his life]. I think they interviewed Jack Black, and I think they interviewed all of Ronnie’s bandmembers and Doug Aldrich and, I think, Jeff Pilson. They were getting ready to go to Arizona to interview Rob Halford and Lita Ford. And then they were going into England to interview Tony Iommi. They already did Geezer [Butler]. So there will be very interesting stories from different people. I think it’ll be a great thing, and it’ll show people a lot of things that people have never seen before.”

Ronnie James Dio passed away of stomach cancer on May 16, 2010 at the age of 67.

Dio was renowned throughout the world as one of the greatest and most influential vocalists in heavy metal history. The singer, who was recording and touring with BLACK SABBATH offshoot HEAVEN & HELL prior to his illness, was diagnosed with stomach cancer in late 2009. He underwent chemotherapy and made what is now his final public appearance in April 2010 at the Revolver Golden Gods Awards in Los Angeles.

Dio’s autobiography, titled “Rainbow In The Dark: The Autobiography”, was released last July via Permuted Press.