MUDVAYNE singer Chad Gray has revealed that he had COVID-19 on stage while performing with his bandmates at their first show in 12 years, which took place last September at the Inkcarceration Music & Tattoo Festival in Mansfield, Ohio.

Speaking to Danny Wimmer Presents at the Welcome To Rockville festival in Daytona Beach, Florida this past November, Gray said that he never lost his senses of taste and smell while battling the disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus.

“I think on a level — it’s so hard to say I think I had ‘COVID Lite’ but I think I had COVID Lite,” he said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET. “But, dude, it fucking wiped me out.

“I had it on stage… The good thing is I didn’t know I had it at [Inkcarceration]. [So] I wasn’t stressing about it but I couldn’t figure out what the fuck was going on with my body. That day, [I was] super short of breath. My voice didn’t seem to wanna work when I warmed up. My throat was fucking super dry all day. I had some sinus shit going on that I didn’t know.”

He continued: “And that’s one thing, too, about COVID — it’s, like, one day you might have sinus thing going on; the next day it’s in your chest; the next day it’s in your throat; the next day you’re really lethargic and tired; and then it’s back in your chest. You can’t fucking wrap your head around it. The only thing you can do is feed your body good things.”

Elaborating on how he eventually recovered from COVID-19, Gray said: “[My wife] went to [the supermarket chain] Sprouts, and apparently they have a fucking cornucopia of fucking feel-better stuff, shit for your immunity. So she went and cleaned them out of that shit. I was probably taking 30 pills a day — vitamins, all the vitamins, but probably 30 something or other in pill form.”

MUDVAYNE canceled its appearance the Louder Than Life festival in Louisville, Kentucky last September after Gray and “a few staff members” tested positive for COVID-19.

MUDVAYNE formed in 1996 and has sold over six million records worldwide, earning gold certification for three albums (“L.D. 50”, “The End Of All Things To Come”, “Lost And Found”). The band is known for its sonic experimentation, innovative album art, face and body paint, masks and uniforms. MUDVAYNE is Gray, Greg Tribbett (guitar, backing vocals), Matthew McDonough (drums, synthesizer) and Ryan Martinie (bass).

Gray has spent the past 16 years fronting HELLYEAH, which released its sixth studio album, “Welcome Home”, in September 2019 via Eleven Seven Music. The disc marked the group’s final effort with drummer Vinnie Paul Abbott, who passed away nearly four years ago.

MUDVAYNE did not tour behind its fifth album, which was barely promoted and sold weakly upon release.

Fans of virtuoso shred will check out the new STEVE VAI album regardless of anything written in a review. Taking into consideration his extraordinary resume and fine catalogue of studio albums, that is just as it should be. Vai is a master beyond dispute, and while there is always the risk that a new record by a noted shred-god will be heard primarily by other guitarists, “Inviolate” nonchalantly bucks that trend by being both hugely accessible and coolly adventurous. In much the same way that past triumphs like 1990’s seminal “Passion And Warfare” and 1993’s “Sex & Religion” transcended guitar nerdiness and drew in a much broader audience, Vai’s tenth full-length as a solo artist is incredibly easy to absorb and intermittently fascinating with it.

You do genuinely need to adore the sound of an electric guitar being played by a certified expert to enjoy this stuff, but there is warmth and looseness to these songs that sets the whole thing apart from the indulgent showboating that typifies the genre. Performed almost exclusively on a hollow body Gretsch guitar (and that’s as in-depth as the guitar analysis is going to get, folks!), these feel like rounded, crafted songs, rather than exercises in blurred-finger frenetics. Opening with the explosive and elaborate “Teeth Of The Hydra” — during which Vai plays some unfathomable, triple-necked creation of his own devising — and the fluid fusion of “Zeus In Chains”, “Inviolate” is full of artful, jazzy chord changes and the skittering charm of Latin percussion, with Vai delivering a steady stream of wonderfully tasteful solos. “Little Pretty” is a strutting, KING CRIMSON-esque epic, laced with dissonance and elegant, oddball detours; “Candlepower” is a quirky, jazz rock curio, with Vai employing the most delicate of touches to negotiate every inch of the fretboard; “Apollo In Color” is a high-tension funk rock sprawl; “Avalancha” is Vai in arched-back guitar hero mode, as he glides through the gears across six minutes of athletic-sounding prog metal.

The biggest payoff arrives with “Greenish Blues”, wherein the silky tones of the Gretsch are put to their most effective use, over a gently meandering blues hymnal, steeped in bubbling Hammond. Has Vai ever played with more grace or finesse? Almost certainly not. It’s a wonderfully serene and stately piece of music, and the guitarist’s spotlit performance is genuinely extraordinary. Closing with the frantic, hyperactive clatter of “Knappsack” and the mellifluous, psychedelic mirage of “Sandman Cloud Mist”, “Inviolate” is Steve Vai’s most inviting and inventive album in quite some time — with or without that preposterous, triple-necked monstrosity. He can’t help himself, bless him.

Former ICED EARTH frontman Matt Barlow says that Jon Schaffer is doing “okay,” more than one year after he was arrested for his role in the U.S. Capitol riot.

The 50-year-old singer, who is married to Schaffer’s sister, touched upon his current relationship with ICED EARTH’s founder, songwriter, guitarist and producer while doing press for his ASHES OF ARES project. Asked by Greece’s “TV War” if he has talked to Jon in the 12 months since Schaffer was taken into federal custody, Matt said: “I have spoken to Jon, but we don’t talk about that kind of stuff. He’s okay. I mean, he’s my brother-in-law.”

ICED EARTH played its final show with Barlow at the 2011 edition of the Wacken Open Air festival in Wacken, Germany.

Barlow announced his departure from ICED EARTH in March 2011. In a heartfelt statement, he cited his commitment to his family and the need for ICED EARTH to tour more as the reasons for his retirement; however, he committed to performing with ICED EARTH on all 2011 European festival dates, including Wacken Open Air.

A little over a year ago, Barlow reunited with Schaffer to celebrate the holiday season with an EP called “Winter Nights”. Released under the SCHAFFER/BARLOW PROJECT banner, the effort contained the duo’s unique spin on five Christmas classics and two ICED EARTH songs.

Last April, Schaffer pleaded guilty to his role in the January 6, 2021 U.S. Capitol riot. As part of the plea deal, Jon entered into a cooperation agreement with the government.

Following the initial reports that Schaffer was involved in the riot, his ICED EARTH bandmates distanced themselves from his actions. Singer Stu Block and bassist Luke Appleton later posted separate statements on social media announcing their resignations. BLIND GUARDIAN frontman Hansi Kürsch also quit DEMONS & WIZARDS, his long-running project with Schaffer. The allegations also apparently affected Schaffer’s relationship with his longtime record label Century Media, which had released albums from both ICED EARTH and DEMONS & WIZARDS. As of mid-January 2021, the Century Media artist roster page did not list either band.

ASHES OF ARES, which also features former ICED EARTH member Freddie Vidales, released its third studio album, “Emperors And Fools”, on January 21 via ROAR! Rock Of Angels. The LP ends with the eleven-minute-long epic “Monster’s Lament” which includes the long-imagined joining of forces between Barlow and another former ICED EARTH singer, Tim “Ripper” Owens.

“Emperors And Fools” was produced by ASHES OF ARES, and mixed and mastered by Byron Filson at Villain Recording in Phoenix, Arizona. The cover artwork was created by Kamil Pietruczynik.

Video footage of MEGADETH’s Dave Mustaine teaching you how to play the band’s classic song “Symphony Of Destruction” can be seen below. The clip was filmed at this month’s Rock ‘N’ Roll Fantasy Camp in Deerfield Beach, Florida.

Rock ‘N’ Roll Fantasy Camp was created 26 years ago to provide real people the once-in-a-lifetime experience of connecting and jamming with their musical heroes. The Camp has provided unforgettable memories, advice and feedback for attendees worldwide. Camp events span over four jam packed days where campers join a band mentored by today’s top touring musicians, and work up to final performances with the headliner rock stars at legendary venues from Abbey Road Studios in London, to Hollywood’s Whisky A Go Go, to the Atlantic resort in The Bahamas.

Rock ‘N’ Roll Fantasy Camp was the focus of the tremendously successful 2021 documentary “Rock Camp: The Movie”. “Entertaining”, “inspiring” and “moving” are how critics, audiences and industry leaders described the documentary. The film follows four real people who attend Rock ‘N’ Roll Fantasy Camp and how it transforms their lives. These “rock campers” share the stage with superstar counselors including Roger Daltrey, Alice Cooper, Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, Nancy Wilson, Joe Perry, JUDAS PRIEST, Sammy Hagar and many more. “Rock Camp” was directed by Doug Blush, who has worked on over a hundred documentaries (including Oscar winners “20 Feet from Stardom”, “Icarus” and “Period. End Of Sentence.”).

“Rock Camp: The Movie” has generated great word of mouth and buzz, scoring a 94% Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The film has been featured on “The Today Show”, “The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon” and on ABC News. The Washington Post called “Rock Camp” “an eye-opening treat,” and The Chicago Sun-Times described it as “infectiously upbeat.” Music industry critic and influencer Bob Lefsetz raves, “I couldn’t turn it off. Rock and roll is a religion.”

David Fishof, Rock ‘N’ Roll Fantasy Camp founder, has had a successful career as a sports agent, producer, promoter, and manager and is the founder and CEO of Rock ‘N’ Roll Fantasy Camp. Fishof produced the “Happy Together” tours, the MONKEES 20th-anniversary reunion tour, “Dirty Dancing Live” tours and “Classic Superfest” and others. He also created and produced RINGO STARR & HIS ALL-STARR BAND tours for 15 years.

This week Demo:listen introduces the world to the skull-crushing/mind-expanding death metal of California’s Vile Rites.
The post Demo:listen: Vile Rites appeared first on Decibel Magazine.

According to Deadline, Cinedigm has picked up North American rights on “The Sound Of Scars”. The film is described as a deeply personal documentary which chronicles Brooklyn alt/metal band LIFE OF AGONY’s rise, fall and rebirth while confronting domestic violence, substance abuse and addiction, depression and lead singer Mina Caputo’s gender transition. A spring release is expected.

The deal was negotiated by Brandon Hill on behalf of Cinedigm and Michael Paszt on behalf of Raven Banner Entertainment.

“While LIFE OF AGONY has proven itself as an incredible act on stage, it’s rare that we get to see what makes a band of this caliber work behind the scenes,” said Cinedigm’s manager of acquisitions, Brandon Hill.

“The Sound Of Scars” was directed by Leigh Brooks and filmed across several countries while LIFE OF AGONY was on and off the road.

“This isn’t a typical music documentary. It’s as personal as it gets,” Brooks said. “I first saw the band live at the London Astoria in 1996. Since then, LIFE OF AGONY has become an absolute go-to when I felt alone and insecure about myself. This film is an intimate portrait that sheds light on the real-life stories that make their music so vital and relevant.”

The film takes a deep dive into Caputo’s gender transition.

“We’ve never avoided tough conversations and we don’t pretend to have all the answers,” says Caputo. “But this film is a roadmap with many great lessons. It shows a ton of vulnerability… moments of falling downward and others where we rise strong. Enjoy this gift of imperfection. May you find the tools to be braver with this film.”

“‘The Sound Of Scars’ is one of the most intense ‘punch-in-the-face’ documentaries we’ve seen in years,” states Paszt. “We’re looking forward to sharing the band’s incredibly important story with everyone.”

“The Sound Of Scars” utilizes personal archival footage, rare photographs and lost interviews, along with new, never-before-seen conversations with the band and their family members that tells the story of how three friends overcame domestic violence, substance abuse and depression to form one of the most influential bands in its genre. Through the success of their ground-breaking 1993 debut “River Runs Red”, hailed by Rolling Stone as “one of the greatest metal albums of all time,” they channeled their cumulative life stories into a soundtrack for a broken generation. At the time, that newfound fame allowed them to escape the tragedies of their pasts, but in the wake of their accomplishments, unforeseen obstacles arose.

“We’ve completely ripped our deepest selves open for this film,” says guitarist Joey Zampella. “The audience and our fan base will completely understand the mold we were broken from, and what this journey means to us.”

“When we first started LOA over 30 years ago, I don’t think any of us could have predicted the impact that this band would have on so many people around the world,” says bassist Alan Robert. “We got together as a way of saving ourselves, but ultimately, through the music and the brutal honesty of the lyrics, we ended up saving so many others along the way.”

Hear and acquire this Enforced flexi disc single, featuring an exclusive brand new track, available as part of the Decibel Flexi Series. Hurry, quantities are extremely limited!
The post Enforced Premiere New Single, “Casket,” via the Decibel Flexi Series! appeared first on Decibel Magazine.

SEVENDUST has commenced work on material for the follow-up to 2020’s “Blood & Stone” album.

Earlier today, the official SEVENDUST social media was updated with a couple of photos from the Instagram accounts of guitarist Clint Lowery and singer Lajon Witherspoon, and it was accompanied by the following message: “Writing sessions have begun for the next album… The boys are hard at work! #sevendust”.

Last month, SEVENDUST released a digital expanded edition of “Blood & Stone”. “Blood & Stone Deluxe” contained five new tracks, including three never-before-released remixes and two newly recorded songs. Jake Bowen of PERIPHERY, Richard Wicander of FIRE FROM THE GODS and Justin deBlieck, formerly of ICE NINE KILLS, provided remixes and the band finished recording “All I Really Know” and “What You Are” specifically for this release. “Blood & Stone Deluxe” was released via all digital partners via Rise Records and was produced by Michael “Elvis” Baskette.

Witherspoon told Audio Ink Radio about the recording process for “Blood & Stone”: “I feel like we’ve grown as not just artists but men, personally. I feel like we’re seasoned, if that makes sense. Maybe we’re just like an old wine. We’ve had time to really know each other. We’re brothers. It’s easy for us when we’re in the studio. It’s like a well-oiled machine, once we get back in there. That’s where the magic happens, is when we’re looking at each other. It always reminds me of when we first got together, whenever we get together, as long as we’ve been together. It’s just because there’s a certain light that comes on. It’s always been great to have that.”

Witherspoon also talked about SEVENDUST’s longevity, saying: “You can’t just call yourself a band just because you’ve got a group of people together. I think it’s a group. I feel like you have to have a band when you’ve gone through a lot of things together, not only the good times, but the bad times. You’ve seen life together. You’ve seen death together with each other. You’ve helped each other. You’ve done all those types of things over the last 25 years, and that’s the reason why I can say I’m very proud to be in SEVENDUST the band, not SEVENDUST the group.”

He continued: “There are some bands out there — there’s a lot of bands out there — and there are a lot of groups. I think it takes heart. I think it takes compassion. I think it takes some respect. To treat each other equally, like what we’re trying to do in the world today, I feel like that’s something that’s kept us together. It’s not one guy with a Ferrari and another guy with a Hyundai, which those are nice cars, too. I’m just saying in the scheme of things. So, I think that’s something that’s kept us together, too, is that not one guy’s better or feeling better. When we get in a room sometimes, it feels like even though we’re older men, I still feel like we’re those kids that were in the recording room, wondering, how are we going to pay rent for the month? What show are we going to play? And it’s a good feeling to feel happy after all these years.”

Writing sessions have begun for the next album… The boys are hard at work! #sevendust

Posted by Sevendust on Tuesday, January 25, 2022

Sebastian Bach (SKID ROW) and Jamey Jasta (HATEBREED) have weighed in on Neil Young’s decision to issue a letter to his management team demanding Spotify to remove his music from the streaming service over vaccine misinformation on Joe Rogan’s podcast.

In a now-deleted post on his web site, Young said the music and podcast platform is “spreading fake information about vaccines — potentially causing death to those who believe this disinformation spread by them.” “I want you to let Spotify know immediately TODAY that I want all my music off their platform,” he wrote, according to Rolling Stone. “They can have Rogan or Young. Not both.”

“With an estimated 11 million listeners per episode, JRE [‘The Joe Rogan Experience’] which is hosted exclusively on Spotify, is the world’s largest podcast and has tremendous influence,” Young continued.

“Spotify has a responsibility to mitigate the spread of misinformation on its platform, though the company presently has no misinformation policy.”

Earlier on Tuesday (January 25), Jasta shared a tweet from the right-wing outlet The Blaze about Neil’s request, and he included the following comment: “Spotify doesn’t care Neil. Rogan is not your problem. Start your own streaming service where you pay bands more than what Spotify pays, then they’ll care.”

A few hours later, Bach chimed in, retweeting Jasta’s comment and writing: “Misinformation about the vaccines is everybody’s problem. Neil Young is doing this because he wants rock and roll to exist and his fans to live. This other guy is a complete jackass who doesn’t give a shit about anybody or anything except himself”.

Frank Gironda, Young’s manager, confirmed to the Daily Beast that the two had discussed Young’s concerns and were “trying to figure this out right now.” He added that Young was “very upset about this disinformation.”

“The Joe Rogan Experience” became a Spotify exclusive in 2020, when Rogan signed a multi-year exclusive licensing deal with the streaming giant.

Misinformation about the vaccines is everybody’s problem. Neil Young is doing this because he wants rock and roll to exist and his fans to live. This other guy is a complete jackass who doesn’t give a shit about anybody or anything except himself https://t.co/SgzVBnIwqM
— Sebastian Bach (@sebastianbach) January 25, 2022