In which we wonder aloud, way can’t every one-person grind project be as good as Full Body Punishment?
The post Blast Worship – Full Body Punishment appeared first on Decibel Magazine.

Geoff Tate says that he doesn’t expect a reunion of QUEENSRŸCHE’s classic lineup to ever materialize.

In April 2014, Tate and QUEENSRŸCHE announced that a settlement had been reached after a nearly two-year legal battle where the singer sued over the rights to the QUEENSRŸCHE name after being fired in 2012. Fellow original QUEENSRŸCHE members Michael Wilton (guitar), Scott Rockenfield (drums) and Eddie Jackson (bass) responded with a countersuit. The settlement included an agreement that Wilton, Rockenfield and Jackson would continue as QUEENSRŸCHE, while Tate would have the sole right to perform the albums “Operation: Mindcrime” and “Operation: Mindcrime II” in their entirety live.

During a January 24 appearance on SiriusXM’s “Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk”, Tate was asked if he is hopeful that a QUEENSRŸCHE reunion will happen someday. He responded (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): “I’m honestly not really expecting that to happen, basically because we’ve been offered just obscene amounts of money to get back together and do one tour — one tour and we’d never have to tour again. And a couple of people in the band turned it down; they’re not interested in doing it. So that would really be, I think, the only motivation that would get everybody together was an obscene amount of money. But that didn’t work, so [laughs] there’s really no hope for it after that, I think… Money is not the motivator, and getting together for an artistic dream isn’t a motivator either, so what do you have? You have nothing. Obviously, both camps are happy in the position they’re at. I know for myself, I love my life — I love what I’m doing and I love traveling and playing music for people. And so far, I’m still kicking it at 63, still happy and healthy.”

Geoff went on to say that he is fine with the prospect of never returning to QUEENSRŸCHE and continuing to pursue his solo career and other projects for the rest of his time as a performing artist.

“We did hold it together for years and years and years,” he said. “It was a really, really tightly run ship and it was very lucrative and we had a lot of great records and did a lot of world touring and made a lot of friends and played a lot of music together. And we had our time, and I’ll aways be grateful for that time that we had. That was a time, and it doesn’t mean that that time has to go on forever. There’s new times to be had and there’s more music to be made, there’s more songs to be sung and more audiences to play music for.”

Tate has gone back and forth on the subject of a reunion with QUEENSRŸCHE, telling The Rock Vault in November 2019 about the possibility of rejoining his former bandmates: “I think that would be something that makes sense, and I think it would be an interesting thing to do, if everybody could get in the same room and actually talk to each other.” However, just eight months earlier, he dismissed the chances of a QUEENSRŸCHE reunion, telling Greece’s “TV War” that he had “no interest in that. No. Not at all. [I have] absolutely no reason to,” he said. “I don’t need the money. That’d be the only reason to do it. Maybe if they paid me, like, 10 million dollars or something like that. [Laughs]”

He continued: “It was a good thing for a long time, and then it went really bad. And I just don’t want that kind of negativity in my life. My life is so good, and I have such great friends and family. I travel the world and sing songs for a living. I mean, it’s lovely. I have wonderful, positive people in my life, and to go back and be in that negative land again… aargh, I just couldn’t do it. It’s not worth it.”

Tate previously described his time in QUEENSRŸCHE as “a strange, strange sort of relationship.” He told The Metal Gods Meltdown: “We weren’t really friends, you know — we were business associates. We had a wonderful entity that we shared called QUEENSRŸCHE, but it wasn’t an equal sort of partnership as far as involvement goes. You know, so there wasn’t a real camaraderie amongst everybody in the band… From my perspective and my involvement, it wasn’t an emotional sort of brotherhood kind of thing that some people might think existed. That wasn’t my reality with them.”

Last year, current QUEENSRŸCHE singer Todd La Torre told “Paltrocast With Darren Paltrowitz” about the chances of Tate’s return to QUEENSRŸCHE: “It’s funny. I always hear, ‘There’ll definitely be an all-original lineup reunion. Every band does it.’ And I’m thinking, if you knew what I know, I don’t think that’s gonna happen. And other than the optics of it, why? What’s the point? We saw for 15 years what it sounded like.”

In October, Rockenfield, who stepped away from QUEENSRŸCHE’s touring activities in early 2017 to spend time with his young son, filed a lawsuit against Wilton and Jackson, alleging, among other things, breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty and wrongful discharge. Rockfenfield also claimed that Wilton and Jackson did not include him in the recording QUEENSRŸCHE’s latest album, “The Verdict”, “despite his availability and willingness to participate.”

The drum tracks on “The Verdict” were laid down primarily by La Torre.

QUEENSRŸCHE has used former KAMELOT drummer Casey Grillo for touring purposes since April 2017.

FAILURE has announced a North American tour in support of its recently released sixth album, “Wild Type Droid”.

Ken Andrews said of the live outings: “I have not been this excited to bring new material to the stage since ‘Fantastic Planet’. Prepare yourself for an out-of-body experience.”

The dates, which kick off on June 2 in San Diego and run for five weeks before culminating in a hometown show at Los Angeles’s Regent Theatre, are on sale today at 10 a.m. local time. All shows will open with a special preview of the forthcoming FAILURE documentary.

Tour dates:

June 02 – San Diego, CA @ Music Box
June 03 – Pioneertown, CA @ Pappy & Harriet’s
June 04 – Las Vegas, CA @ Backstage Bar
June 05 – Phoenix, AZ @ Crescent Ballroom
June 07 – Albuquerque, NM @ Launchpad
June 08 – Denver, CO @ Bluebird Theater
June 09 – Omaha, NE @ The Waiting Room
June 10 – Lawrence, KS @ The Granada Theater
June 11 – St. Louis, MO @ Pop’s
June 12 – Dallas, TX @ Trees
June 14 – Austin, TX @ Mohawk
June 15 – San Antonio, TX @ Paper Tiger
June 16 – New Orleans, LA @ The Parish Room at House of Blues
June 17 – Nashville, TN @ Exit/In
June 18 – Birmingham, AL @ Saturn
June 19 – Atlanta, GA @ The Masquerade
June 21 – Raleigh, NC @ Cat’s Cradle
June 22 – Baltimore, MD @ Sound Stage
June 23 – Philadelphia, PA @ Underground Arts
June 24 – New York, NY @ Warsaw
June 25 – Boston, MA @ The Sinclair
June 26 – Toronto, ON @ Velvet Underground
June 28 – Detroit, MI @ The Crofoot
June 29 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Mr. Smalls Theatre
June 30 – Cleveland, OH @ Grog Shop
July 01 – Chicago, IL @ Bottom Lounge
July 02 – St. Paul, MN @ Turf Club
July 05 – Seattle, WA @ Neumo’s
July 06 – Portland, OR @ Hawthorne Theatre
July 07 – San Francisco, CA @ Great American Music Hall
July 08 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Regent Theatre

“Wild Type Droid” arrived in December via FAILURE’s own label, Failure Music. Rolling Stone called the 10-song collection “incredibly expansive,” Guitar World described the album as “one of the most inspiring alternative guitar records to arrive in 2021,” and Paste magazine said the trio “make a career-defining statement.”

“To me, it captures a lot of the new musical approaches and techniques we were going for on this album, but somehow is still quintessential FAILURE,” Andrews explained as news of the album was revealed. “We’ve been together long enough to know that some of our best ideas come directly from these experimental sessions. For this album, we simply cultivated that methodology for a much longer time than we have in the past. It brought out the trio aspect of the band. There was a feeling we could really push the individual parts further away from each other and let the more interesting and challenging combinations take center stage.”

FAILURE is Andrews (vocals, guitar, bass, programming), Greg Edwards (vocals, guitar, bass, keys) and Kellii Scott (drums, percussion). Formed in early ’90s in Los Angeles, the trio has released six albums: “Comfort” (1992), “Magnified” (1994), “Fantastic Planet” (1996), “The Heart Is A Monster” (2015), “In The Future Your Body Will Be The Furthest Thing From Your Mind” (a series of EPs released as an album in 2018) and “Wild Type Droid” (2021). The group is considered one of the era’s most influential rock bands, with Vice, in an all-encompassing retrospective upon the band’s return, saying: “While many of their contemporaries became prolific by releasing an ungodly amount of materials, FAILURE’s [initial] three-record catalog is minuscule, but just as important in terms of content, style, and music texture.”

Photo credit: Priscilla C. Scott

GWAR will release its ambitious new album, “The New Dark Ages”, on June 3 on CD and digital, and on September 16 on vinyl and cassette via GWAR’s own label Pit Records. Pre-orders are available at this location. The album concept is tied to a companion graphic novel, “GWAR In The Duoverse Of Absurdity”, which will be released by Z2 Comics on June 3. In the graphic novel, the bandmembers are sucked off into an alternate universe to do battle with their evil twins and the specter of rogue technology. On “The New Dark Ages”, our heroes floorboard it through a kaleidoscope of hard-driving heavy metal, and rock and fucking roll, building on their hilarious mythos, introducing cool new characters, and cataloging mankind’s hapless abandonment of their passions, rituals, and beliefs.

The Berserker Blóthar says: “This is the greatest rock record of all time. These are the songs for a new age, a New Dark Age, when men live by the dimming light of a technology destined to betray them. Listen, as we have a rock and roll orgy in the ruins of the world to celebrate humanity’s descent into an age of darkness, disease, ignorance, and death.”

“The New Dark Ages” is available for pre-order on cassette, CD and multiple different colors of vinyl (whiskey, sunbolt and black/gold marble) and the graphic novel as both soft and hard cover. Bundles are available including ones with Blóthar bobbleheads, and a one-of-a-kind Beefcake helmet.

“GWAR In The Duoverse Of Absurdity” chronicles the epic battle between GWAR and their doppelgangers from an alternate universe the band discovers behind their treasured Magic Mirror. The book uses an innovative storytelling technique that combines words and pictures printed on paper (made from real trees!) in a seamless format we are calling a “graphic novel.” The tale is illustrated by the masterful talents of Andy MacDonald (“Wolverine”, “Dr Strange”, “Wonder Woman”), Shane White (“Things Undone”, “Braun”, “Endless Summer”), Matt Maguire (GWAR) and Bob Gorman (GWAR). Z2 Comics (JUDAS PRIEST, DIO, ANTHRAX) have teamed up with GWAR to produce what will surely be known as the ultimate illustrated saga of the beloved Scumdogs Of The Duoverse.

Says Bälsäc The Jaws ‘O Death: “This was the most utterly engrossing book I’ve ever read! I couldn’t wait until I’d read what was on the page before I was compelled to turn it! This novel has the one element that is missing in so many so-called literary masterpieces: It’s about me!”

GUNS N’ ROSES guitarist Slash says that he was “blown away” by Axl Rose’s performance as the fill-in singer for the end of AC/DC’s “Rock Or Bust” tour.

AC/DC postponed the last 10 dates of its spring 2016 North American trek after frontman Brian Johnson was advised to stop playing live or “risk total hearing loss.” The band went on to complete the European and North American legs of its “Rock Or Bust” tour with the GUNS N’ ROSES frontman as a “guest vocalist.”

In a new interview with Classic Rock magazine, Slash said about Axl’s pairing with AC/DC: “I came out to a gig in London, and it was phenomenal. I was blown away, especially when he sang the Bon Scott stuff. That was a very proud moment, actually.”

Asked by Classic Rock writer Paul Elliott if it felt weird seeing Rose fronting another band so soon after GN’R launched its reunion tour, the guitarist said: “Not at all. It was AC/DC, man.

“The fact that he got asked to do that was very cool,” Slash continued. “And he worked his ass off doing it, too. He really adhered to the whole AC/DC regimen and pulled it off.

“In the moment, when it first came up, it was a little jarring, I have to say,” the guitarist admitted. “I was super-proud that he was doing it, but how that was gonna happen and go right into the GUNS thing, I really didn’t know. But anyway, it worked out. So it wasn’t like a big deal.

“In all these years that we’ve been apart, he’s become super-fucking professional. And he’s never missed a beat during this whole time. So it’s been great. There has been a sort of synergy that’s been happening this last six years that we never had in our first incarnation.”

AC/DC’s North American tour ended in Philadelphia in September 2016, and despite initial fan trepidation, Axl got generally good reviews for his performances. Guitarist Angus Young said at the time: “I mean, under the situation that we had, it was very good that he volunteered and said, ‘Hey, if I can help, let me try.’ So he’s been very good. And he had to learn a lot of songs very quickly, and he’s done a great job.”

Duff McKagan, who is one-third of the reunited partial classic lineup of GUNS N’ ROSES, got a chance to watch Rose and AC/DC play in June 2016 in London, England and in September 2016 in Cleveland, Ohio.

Duff spoke about Axl’s collaboration with AC/DC during a 2019 appearance on “The Church Of What’s Happening Now” podcast. He said: “The way [Axl] did that was amazing. He was, like, ‘If you guys don’t mind, I’m gonna go try out. They need a hand here.’ [Late AC/DC frontman] Bon Scott’s his all-time [hero]. [We said], ‘Dude, you know you don’t really have to try out for AC/DC.’ But he was really nervous. ‘I’m gonna go try out. It fits in with our touring perfect.’ And Slash and I were, like, ‘You’ve got the gig.’ But he went to Atlanta and tried out, quote-unquote, and got the gig. I saw him twice on that tour. I flew to London to see him, and I flew to Cleveland to see that. It was great.”

McKagan added: “I think what it did for [Axl]… We got to know Angus through that. Angus has now come out and played with us a bunch of times. That was that thing when he was 14 or 15, ‘Man, one day, if I ever got to be in AC/DC…’ He was singing with a broom, and he finally got to do it. Amazing.”

AC/DC released its long-awaited comeback album, “Power Up”, in November 2020.

Sheptone celebrates a milestone for one of rock ‘n’ roll’s most recognized anthems and albums with the release of WARRANT “Cherry Pie” 30th-anniversary limited-edition regular nickel-plated electric guitar strings. Handwound at tensions and speeds designated for optimal performance, these strings sound “so good they make a grown man cry.” In light of Sheptone’s history with the band and this joyous occasion, the limited-edition “Cherry Pie” strings deliver an iconic tone that will put smiles on faces 10 miles wide.

The single “Cherry Pie” and its album by the same name are permanently cemented into the history of rock as one of the all-time best, standing out as a rare album that can be listened to from beginning to end without skipping a track. While “Cherry Pie”, “Uncle Tom’s Cabin”, “Blind Faith” and “I Saw Red” were chart toppers, Sheptone’s Josh Vittek prefers the guitar-laden tracks of “Sure Feels Good To Me”, “Mr. Rainmaker” and “Train, Train”.

“Over the years, I have continued to support WARRANT through many brands I have represented during my career,” said Vittek, who today runs VittekPR, an industry public relations agency in addition to Sheptone. Vittek approaches artist-endorsed products as he does artist relationships — with the time, effort, and care required. He worked with WARRANT on the specifications and measurements for the six-string package, gauged at .010, .013, .017, .026w, .036w, and .046w.

Vittek’s history with WARRANT dates back to 1990, when their platinum album “Cherry Pie” debuted. As the band rose to fame in the Los Angeles club scene, Vittek was finishing high school in Southern California. He began his career in the music manufacturing industry on the factory assembly lines of San Diego-based Carvin Corporation, which made the ’80s classic X100B guitar amplifiers and speaker cabinets that WARRANT endorsed. Since Vittek first connected with WARRANT lead guitarist Joey Allen, the two have formed a working relationship around instruments and gear, and a friendship that has stood the test of time.

“When you work with someone that long and trust them to help you with your instruments/gear, you are trusting them to be a part of you musically,” Allen said, adding that Vittek is a “relentless perfectionist” with a “never say die” attitude that’s reflected in Sheptone strings down to the core. From the first time Allen strung his GMP guitars with Sheptone strings, he could tell the difference.

“Sheptone strings ring louder, cleaner, hold tuning better and last longer than any string brand I have ever tried — and I have tried many,” Allen added. “When Sheptone approached the band for an anniversary set, it was a no-brainer. Try a set and hear the difference!”

Like other Sheptone nickel plated electric guitar strings, WARRANT “Cherry Pie” 30th-anniversary limited-edition strings are handcrafted one at a time for the best tone possible. The U.S. made strings are sourced from premium, nickel-plated steel that’s carefully wrapped around a treated hex steel core. It’s a meticulous process, but Sheptone wouldn’t have it any other way, as the method helps to ensure tone, feel, and durability. For the members of Warrant, these strings are perfect right out of the package.

Robert Mason, WARRANT vocalist and guitarist, said that he looks for three things in a set of strings: tone, consistency, and an unmistakable “killer vibe.” “Our Sheptones deliver all of that, from clean ballad tones to full on rock power,” he said. “Thirty years of ‘Cherry Pie’ feels good at every show!”

The strings are available direct from the Sheptone web site or WARRANT performances and online store. Sets are $10.99 each.

Founded in 2007, Sheptone handcrafts electric guitar products without compromise, one at a time, with the materials, time, and intent, to achieve the ultimate tone.

ANTHRAX singer Joey Belladonna joined members of DROWNING POOL on this year’s ShipRocked cruise Monday night (January 24) to perform a cover of the DIO classic “Holy Diver”. Video footage of his appearance can be seen below.

This year’s ShipRocked set sail from Galveston, Texas on January 22 and includes stops in Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico.

ShipRocked 2022 features music performances from over 25 bands, plus special appearances by THE STOWAWAYS all-star group and performance troupe CHERRY BOMBS.

After consistently selling out over its 12-year history, ShipRocked expanded to the larger Carnival Dream class. ShipRocked 2022 guests will enjoy five days of music and adventure at sea and in port.

Produced by ASK4 Entertainment, ShipRocked is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that provides guests with the opportunity to vacation with their favorite bands, meet new friends, and reunite with old ones year after year. In addition to unique performances and musical collaborations, ShipRocked onboard and beach activities include photo meet-and-greet opportunities with band members, artist-hosted events and activities, crazy theme nights, after-hours parties and more.

The Carnival Breeze features multiple dining options, well-appointed staterooms, a luxury spa, casino, fitness center, waterpark and more. ShipRocked 2022 features new cabin categories, including spa level interiors, balconies and suites with extra amenities, ocean view staterooms with two bathrooms, and even some ocean view accommodations that can sleep up to five.

Safety and health are of the utmost importance, and ShipRocked producers ASK4 Entertainment are in regular communication with their Carnival cruise line partners regarding policies and procedures to protect the health of everyone onboard.

In 2020, ShipRocked had its biggest year to date, with over 3,300 guests in attendance — including 62% returning ShipRockers. The 2020 onboard Cancer Sucks! charity auction, led by auctioneer Arejay Hale of HALESTORM, raised over $130,000 — bringing the annual auction’s all-time total to nearly $750,000 raised for cancer research.

Tonight on the ShipRocked Cruise, off the coast of Costa Maya, Mexico, Joey Belladonna performs Holy Diver with members of Drowning Pool. Great job guys!

Posted by Ronnie James Dio on Monday, January 24, 2022

Frontiers Music Srl will release the new solo album from Chip Z’Nuff, “Perfectly Imperfect”, on March 18. The first single and video from the album, “Heaven In A Bottle”, is out today.

The songs for “Perfectly Imperfect” were written by Chip, except for “Heaven In A Bottle”, which is an older track written with former ENUFF Z’NUFF vocalist Donnie Vie, and “Honaloochie Boogie”, which is a MOTT THE HOOPLE cover. The album includes guest appearances from Joel Hoekstra (WHITESNAKE, TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA), Steven Adler (ADLER’S APPETITE, ex-GUNS ‘N ROSES), Daxx Nielsen (CHEAP TRICK) and Daniel Hill (ENUFF Z’NUFF).

“All songs are written as I see the world through my rose-colored glasses. It’s my heroin letter to the new generation,” says Chip.

Chip Z’Nuff is an American singer, songwriter, bassist, producer, and radio personality. Having founded the popular glam rock band ENUFF Z’NUFF in 1984 in the illustrious city of Chicago, the band saw its self-titled major label debut released in the summer of 1989. Chip has released over twenty albums with ENUFF Z’NUFF, as well as having toured with such acts as MISSING PERSONS, Steven Adler, CHEAP TRICK, POISON, THE TRAGICALLY HIP, FOREIGNER, ALICE COOPER, REO SPEEDWAGON, Ace Frehley, and others. The Grammy-nominated artist has produced dozens of records throughout his robust career and had his music hailed by former late night television host David Letterman and the popular radio personality Howard Stern. In addition to writing, recording and touring with ENUFF Z’NUFF, Chip also currently hosts the Monsters Of Rock radio show on the Dash Radio Network, playing the finest hits in hard rock and heavy metal to a collective audience of over 800,000.

“Perfectly Imperfect” track listing:

01. The Church
02. Welcome To The Party
03. Doctor (I’m Going Down Can You Save Me?)
04. Ordinary Man
05. Heaven In A Bottle
06. Roll On
07. I Still Hail You
08. 3 Way
09. Heroin
10. Honaloochie Boogie

Recording lineup:

Chip Z’Nuff – Vocals, Bass, Guitar, Melotron
Joel Hoekstra – Lead Guitar on Tracks 2, 6, & 8
Daxx Nielsen – Acoustic Drums on Tracks 3, 4, 5, 6, & 9
Daniel Hill – Drums, Percussion, and Orchestration on Tracks 1, 2, 7, & 8
Steven Adler – Acoustic Drums on Track 10

TNT guitarist Ronni Le Tekrø will release his first solo album in six years, “Bigfoot TV”, on March 18 through TBC Records via Cargo Records.

Backed by Ronni’s tight band, “Bigfoot TV” sounds inspired and vibrant, with Le Tekrø’s brilliant guitar work threading through the album and a musical nod to everyone from TNT to THIN LIZZY, THE BEATLES, David Bowie and Ronni’s own progressive rock albums.

Le Tekrø is considered one of the world’s most influential metal guitarists, first and foremost with his band TNT, but also in collaboration with jazz guitarist Terje Rypdal and as a diligently used studio musician. Le Tekrø has sold over four million albums with TNT and was named one of the world’s 25 best guitarists in its genre in 2009.

The lyrics on “Bigfoot TV” are about Ronni’s own life and values and is a musical evolution of his progressive rock sound, a continuation from his solo albums “Mein Ampf” 1 and 2.

Le Tekrø’s new single, “Life On Long Island”, will be released on February 18.

Ronni said: “My life on Long Island was in Bayshore from 1984 to 1993. Since then, I haven’t been there. The song is about the summer of ’85 when everything seemed possible and hard rock ruled the world. My tribute to my American family.”

Ronni Le Tekrø’s band lineup:

Ronni Le Tekrø – Electric & Acoustic Guitars, Vocals
Markus O. Klyve – Keyboards
Henrik Fossum – Drums, Percussion
Ove Husemoen – Bass
Jon Johannessen – add Guitar
Leif Knashaug – Additional Vocals, Backing Vocals

Guest appearances:

Rodmar Johansen – Lead vocals on “Not Today”
Bjørn Kristiansen – Guitar solo on “New Day In The Morning”
Tim Scott McConnell – backing vocals on “Life On Long Island”

Produced and mixed by Ronni Le Tekrø & Kjartan Hesthagen
Engineered by Kjartan Hesthagen
Recorded and mixed at Studio Studio Nyhagen

TNT’s latest studio album, “XIII”, came out in June 2018 via Frontiers Music Srl. The band’s thirteenth LP was TNT’s first to feature new vocalist Baol Bardot Bulsara, who replaced Tony Harnell. Baol is a Spanish vocalist whose debut with TNT happened in front of 8,000 fans in November 2017 when the band opened for German hard rock legends the SCORPIONS in Oslo, Norway.