Eddie Van Halen’s ex-wife Valerie Bertinelli, who is promoting her new book, “Enough Already: Learning To Love The Way I Am Today”, has told Washington Post Live in a new interview that her bond with the legendary VAN HALEN guitarist only grew stronger in the years before his death.

“He was angry at me for a few years when I first left — he was very angry at me,” she said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET). “I think a lot of people saw that on [VAN HALEN’s] 2004 tour.

“I don’t know how else to say it except I felt like the love we had for each other was deeper than just marital love or sexual love,” she continued. “I loved him deeply through my soul, and I felt that same thing from him.

“It seemed like he spent that whole last year really wanting to connect, and I didn’t realize it at the time that this might have been our last year together. So I write a lot in the book about regretting not going over there more. ‘Cause the last couple of years of his life, he was alone in that house. And I wish I’d gone over more. Every time he had texted me, I wish that I had just dropped everything and gone over.

“The reason I write that in the book is for anybody else that may hear it, and if you’re having doubts, if you’re feeling like, ‘Ooh, maybe I shouldn’t overstep my bounds,’ ‘They just texted me. Maybe I shouldn’t go over,’ do it,” Valerie added. “You’re never gonna regret having told somebody that you love them. There are gonna be regrets about if you didn’t.

“I must say by the end of his life, we were able to say that to each other. I mean, we always said it to each other, but there was something deeper to it before he passed.”

Bertinelli split with Van Halen in 2002 after 21 years of marriage. They officially divorced in 2007. Eddie then went on to marry Janie Liszewski in 2009, while Valerie also remarried, tying the knot with Tom Vitale in 2011. Valerie told People magazine that both marriages were struggling before Eddie’s death. She eventually filed for separation from Vitale in November 2021.

On the day of the VAN HALEN guitarist’s passing, Valerie shared a photo of her, Eddie and their son Wolfgang, taken while Wolfgang was still a toddler, and she included the following message: “40 years ago my life changed forever when I met you. You gave me the one true light in my life, our son, Wolfgang. Through all your challenging treatments for lung cancer, you kept your gorgeous spirit and that impish grin. I’m so grateful Wolfie and I were able to hold you in your last moments. I will see you in our next life my love.”

Eddie died at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, California. Following his death, fans left flowers at his childhood home on Las Lunas Street in Pasadena, California. Additional flowers, candles and fan mementos were placed on Allen Avenue where Eddie and his brother, VAN HALEN drummer Alex, scratched their band’s name into the wet cement of a sidewalk when they were teenagers.

“One of the many reasons that Ed and I split up is to give Wolfie a better vision of what two people who are supposedly in love treat each other like,” Valerie told Oprah.com. “Ed and I weren’t treating each other like two people that loved each other, and that’s what Wolfie was seeing. So I’m hoping that when he does get married and start a life for himself, that he takes his time and marries a friend and not just someone that he can’t keep his hands off.”

Valerie went on to say that leaving Eddie wasn’t an easy choice. “We were all very raw from 9/11, and you heard all these stories of people coming together,” she said. “They hated each other and they were back together and divorces weren’t happening anymore. And I’m, like, ‘Am I the only one in the world that wants out now because of 9/11? I’m not going to live my life if it’s that tenuous. That’s not how I want to live my life anymore.'”

VAN HALEN was inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in 2007.

Rolling Stone magazine ranked Eddie Van Halen No. 8 in its list of the 100 greatest guitarists.

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TESTAMENT, EXODUS and DEATH ANGEL played the sole 2021 date of “The Bay Strikes Back Tour” last November 27 at the Fox Theater in Oakland, California. The gig took place less than two months after the three bands shared the stage at the Aftershock festival in Sacramento.

“The Bay Strikes Back Tour” was originally scheduled to kick off on October 6, 2021 at the Fremont Theater in San Luis Obispo, California and make stops in Austin, New York, and Detroit before concluding in Oakland. The tour has since been rescheduled to take place in April and May 2022.

Earlier today, EXODUS singer Steve “Zetro” Souza uploaded the latest episode of his “Zetro’s Toxic Vault” YouTube series in which he assured fans that “The Bay Strikes Back Tour” will in fact take place this spring. “We will continue the tour again with DEATH ANGEL and [TESTAMENT],” he said. “[Starting in] San Luis Obispo [on] April 9th, we will be continuing. I believe it’s five and a half weeks. Again, DEATH ANGEL, EXODUS and TESTAMENT coming to your town. We are going. This is happening.

“I know there’s tons of tours that are canceling,” he continued. “When we postponed this tour from last October [and] November, I actually spoke with Chuck [Billy, TESTAMENT singer] and I said directly, ‘We can [postpone the tour] now, but we cannot come up in April and cancel the tour. We have to do this. And we are.”

Souza also reflected on the Oakland concert, saying it “was really basically the first ‘Bay Area Strikes Back’ show in the United States. It wasn’t supposed to be — it was supposed to be the last one — but it ended up being the very first one.

“We finally got to play two new songs [during our set],” he continued. “We opened with ‘The Beatings [Will Continue (Until Morale Improves)]’ and went into ‘Clickbait’, but there will be more of that on there. DEATH ANGEL had an amazing set that night. In fact, I was telling Will [Carroll, DEATH ANGEL drummer] earlier today they sounded so great. And, of course, TESTAMENT.”

Regarding what makes “The Bay Strikes Back Tour” so special, Zetro said: “The bands get along so well. Obviously, Chuck and my history… My history with LEGACY and TESTAMENT forever, and then obviously EXODUS and DEATH ANGEL, and LEGACY and DEATH ANGEL, and TESTAMENT and DEATH ANGEL, and then Will and [my AC/DC tribute band] AC/DZ. And so we’re all kind of incestually fucking connected to each other. And it makes it fun. It makes it for the reason why I wanted to do this in the first place when I was a kid. I’m an old man now and I’m still fucking doing it and digging it even more.”

“The Bay Strikes Back Tour” dates:

Apr. 09 – San Luis Obispo, CA – Fremont Theater
Apr. 10 – Anaheim, CA – House of Blues
Apr. 12 – San Diego, CA – House of Blues
Apr. 13 – Las Vegas, NV – House of Blues
Apr. 15 – Tucson, AZ – Rialto Theatre
Apr. 16 – Albuquerque, NM – Sunshine Theater
Apr. 19 – Oklahoma City, OK – Diamond Ballroom
Apr. 20 – Houston, TX – White Oak Music Hall
Apr. 21 – Austin, TX – Emo’s
Apr. 22 – Dallas, TX – Amplified Live
Apr. 23 – New Orleans, LA – House of Blues
Apr. 25 – Orlando, FL – Hard Rock Live (new date)
Apr. 26 – Atlanta, GA – The Masquerade
Apr. 27 – Raleigh, NC – The Ritz
Apr. 28 – Chattanooga, TN – The Signal (new date)
Apr. 30 – Sayreville, NJ – Starland Ballroom
May 01 – Baltimore, MD – Soundstage
May 02 – Boston, MA – House of Blues
May 03 – Philadelphia, PA – Theater of Living Arts
May 05 – Huntington, NY – The Paramount
May 06 – Buffalo, NY – Town Ballroom
May 07 – Cincinnati, OH – Madison Theater
May 09 – Pittsburgh, PA – Stage AE
May 10 – Cleveland, OH – The Agora
May 11 – Columbus, OH – Newport Music Hall
May 12 – Detroit, MI – The Majestic Theatre
May 14 – Joliet, IL – The Forge
May 15 – Joliet, IL – The Forge
May 17 – Minneapolis, MN – Skyway Theatre
May 19 – Denver, CO – Summit
May 20 – Salt Lake City, UT – The Depot
May 22 – Seattle, WA – Showbox (new date)
May 23 – Portland, OR – Roseland (new date)
May 25 – Sacramento, CA – Ace of Spades (new date)

Last October, Billy and Souza released a 40-minute video in which they went in depth about the two bands’ decision to postpone the North American leg of “The Bay Strikes Back Tour” to 2022. Speaking about the thought process behind pushing back the tour, Chuck said: “I called Zet and I called Will and Ted [Aguilar, guitar] from DEATH ANGEL and just wanted to hear what everybody’s thoughts were. And the most important thing, I think, came back as that when we did the European leg [in February/March 2020], we all had such a great time. It was the first time where you go out and there’s not a band that you met that you’ve gotta get to know and hang out with. Where we came into it as, like, ‘Hey, buddy.’ We’re all pals flying out together. It didn’t feel like starting a tour. And at the end of it, we all had a good time. No attitudes, no problems.

“We said, ‘This has gotta go to America. This has to go everywhere,'” he continued. “We were saying that. The most key thing was, you know what? Remember how much fun we had? I was talking to Tom [Hunting, EXODUS drummer] about it and Gary [Holt, EXODUS guitarist]. We had a great time. Do we wanna do America and not have fun, not enjoy ourselves?

“‘Cause I did talk to other [bands who were recently] on tour, and the consensus was it wasn’t fun. And we were, like, do we wanna go do that? We wanna have fun. I think we’re bands that like to go out and talk to the fans. We don’t hide and run from fans.”

Added Zetro: “Then there’s the whole cost factor. Buses cost money. Crew cost money. We’re not rich rock stars. We live off the business, and we’re very fortunate to do so, but we still have to look at it from that angle. And if we go out for three weeks, and we’ve printed all this merchandise with the dates on the back, and Chuck gets sick. Are you gonna get a new singer for TESTAMENT? You can’t do that. You can’t replace it. So the tour’s now over with. ‘Cause DEATH ANGEL and EXODUS are not gonna go, ‘Well, TESTAMENT’s dropping off. We’re just gonna continue.’ That’s not the package. That’s not how it works. Gary gets sick. Over with. Zetro gets sick. Over with. Tom, who’s just coming back from his whole ordeal with cancer. Tom gets sick — done, over, tour over.

“And, again, we’re talking to our friends on other tours. We’re getting the feedback from the crews. And they’re telling us what’s going on and what a nightmare it is. ‘And yes, we’re there working, but we’re isolated on the bus.’

“I’ve always said, as soon as it’s not fun anymore, I don’t wanna fucking do it anymore,” Zetro said. “So if we’re gonna go out there for five weeks, and you’re gonna basically put me in a rolling prison, I can’t do that. On days off, we have to be accountable for. I like going to the movies or going to games and stuff on days off. I can’t do that, ’cause if I go out and I get exposed and I expose everybody, it’s just the way… We have to tour in a bubble, basically.”

Continued Chuck: “We really took our time thinking about, ‘Do we wanna go and do this?’ And I think at the end of the day, after all this talk, it just came down to, ‘Let’s go out and do this right. Let’s go out and have some fun. Let’s go out and do it for the fans that got to hang out that we’ve been doing this for for all this time.’ And it just made more sense [to postpone it].

“So many restrictions in venues in different cities are different. You’ve either gotta have the shot or show proof… So, as time goes by, I think it’s all gonna open up better.

“First of all, we’ve seen the world change. ‘Okay, there’s daylight. Things are getting normal.’ And then the delta variant hits,” Chuck added. “We’re, like, ‘Oh, here we go again.’ Things are changing — shutdown, restrictions are coming back. We thought we booked this tour knowing by the time October comes around, it’s gonna be free and clear. And it changed on us. So that was the sucky part for us.”

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Anacrusis frontman Kenn Nardi lets his progressive thrash roots show on the epic new solo track “Masquerade.”
The post Track Premiere: Kenn Nardi — “Masquerade” appeared first on Decibel Magazine.

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With a genuinely astonishing and vast catalogue of releases to their legendary name, BORIS have earned the right to be regarded as underground legends. The Japanese band’s method and madness, perpetually intertwined, have led to some truly groundbreaking moments over the last 30 years: from the strung-out doom experiment of “Absolutego” to more accessible but equally out-there standouts like “Boris At Last -Feedbacker-“, “Pink” and “Smile”, BORIS have been very generous towards those who like to lose themselves in the mind-expanding magic of manipulated sound and overdriven guitars.

In many ways, “W” feels like a particularly inviting and digestible addition to the BORIS canon. The band’s ongoing dalliance with dream-pop and shoegaze, while never expressed conservatively, has brought a brightness and textural depth to everything they do. As a result, everything from amorphous, wistful opener “I Want to Go to the Side Where You Can Touch…” onwards gets the balance between esoteric insanity and musical warmth just right. Reveling in contrast, “Drowning by Numbers” is a rumbling haze of post-punk fuzz and jittery beats, its skewed funk gait underscored by warped, cartoon electronics and billowing clouds of feedback and noise. “Invitation” is all queasy, ambient drift and ethereal sparkle; “The Fallen” is a blistering squall of furious sludge metal, like early MELVINS forced through the eye of a bloody needle; “Beyond Good and Evil” sounds perfect for the next David Lynch movie, with its air of smoky resignation and sudden jarring crescendos. Similarly, “Old Projector” defies expectations with a big grin on its face, starting with a slow-motion wave of soupy abstraction before ending with a brutally curtailed burst of grubby, doom riffing. Most startling of all, “You Will Know (Ohayo Version)” is BORIS at their most instinctive and feral: nine minutes of glacial fuzz and scattershot atmospherics that never quite settle into a groove, it’s unsettling and gorgeous in equal measure.

As ever, on their 27th studio album, BORIS are still making music that we categorize at our peril. “W” is a highly inventive, experiential piece of work, and that is probably the least surprising thing about it. Not for the first time, BORIS are taking a deep trip into the heart of sound.



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OTEP, the band led by singer, poet, illustrator, author and activist Otep Shamaya, has canceled its previously announced “Sermons Of Fire” U.S. tour which was scheduled to kick off next month.

Earlier today, Shamaya issued the following statement: “My Real Ones, it is with a heavy heart that I write this to you. As you know, it’s been 3 years since I’ve toured the U.S. and performed for all of you and I have been anxiously awaiting for the moment where we could all be together again, to make new memories and give you the best show possible. However, many of you know that I have l lung issues due to chronic bronchitis as a child and with the surge of the Omicron variant, how rapid it’s spreading and the inconsistencies with state guidelines and mandates, it is impossible for us to enforce the proper covid protocols that my team & I are comfortable with to keep everyone safe.

“To make this heavy decision, my team and I have had many, many (sometimes heated) discussions regarding what could be done and ultimately we decided it is best to unfortunately cancel the upcoming tour for fear of putting the health of the bands, our crew, the venue staff, myself & most importantly, YOU, at risk.

“Also, most of you know that I’ve been struggling with the recent death of my brother & I cannot thank you enough for all your kind words & love. It means so much to my family & I as we still process this unimaginable grief. In that respect, I simply can’t put my family in a position that might result in another tragedy.

“Again, I am so, so sorry. We tried everything. We really did. In the meantime, I will be taking the proper time to grieve and heal & working to finish my 9th album to give you everything you deserve.

“Stay safe, stay healthy. Get vaxx’d so we can breathe freely again.

“Love & stitches, xx Otep xx”.

Throughout the span of her career, Shamaya has been an undeniable force in bringing awareness via various acclaimed mediums to social and political injustices felt by various communities and subcultures. For years, publications such as Revolver magazine have lauded Shamaya for “following in the footsteps of outspoken musicians from folk singer Woody Guthrie to RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE’s Zach de la Rocha, dubbing her “one of music’s catalysts for social change”.

OTEP’s latest album, “Kult 45”, was released in 2018. The LP was recorded at The Lair in Los Angeles, completely utilizing the same equipment used for OTEP’s first album, “Sevas Tra” (down to Shamaya’s vocal microphone, a SHURE Beta 58), in order to create a sound reminiscent of their roots. “Kult 45” was produced by the band, with assistant engineering from Larry Goetz, Nicolas Schilke and Lizzy Ostro.

My Real Ones,

It is with a heavy heart that I write this to you. As you know, it’s been 3 years since I’ve toured the…

Posted by O T E P on Tuesday, January 18, 2022

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British extreme metallers CRADLE OF FILTH have announced a digital show stream, a one-off special performance titled “The Infernal Vernal Equinox”. The concert will see the band play its monumental 1996 studio album “Dusk… And Her Embrace” in full.

“The Infernal Vernal Equinox” will take place on March 20 at 11 a.m. PST / 2 p.m. EST / 7 p.m. GMT / 8 p.m. CET. Tickets are available to purchase from this location.

CRADLE OF FILTH frontman Dani “Filth” Davey said: “After the glorious success of our livestream extravaganza back in May last year, we have decided to undertake a second in which we will play our legendary musical excretion ‘Dusk… And Her Embrace’ in its dark cinematic entirety, accompanied by a further bout of new album tracks and fan favorites.

“Being unleashed on March 20th, 2022 — the day of the Spring Equinox — and known as ‘The Infernal Vernal Equinox’, this full livestream ritual will also premiere the incredible third single video from ‘Existence Is Futile’ plus will include the entirety of our first livestream free for your vulgar delectation.

“So, Children of the Night, be expectant of horrific spectacle, big production, and razor-sharp Black Metal mayhem ascending your way. Warning. This one-off special performance is intended solely for those tortured souls still clinging to the last of winter’s grip. Happy f**king Spring!!!”

CRADLE OF FILTH’s latest album, “Existence Is Futile”, was released in October. The LP was pieced together in isolation at Grindstone Studios in Suffolk with studio guru Scott Atkins (DEVILMENT, BENEDICTION, VADER). Horror icon Doug “Pinhead” Bradley made a welcome return to the CRADLE fold, lending his dulcet tones to the band’s most politically astute song to date, the epic “Suffer Our Dominion” as well as the album bonus track “Sisters Of The Mist”, which is the conclusion to the “Her Ghost In The Fog” trilogy that started over 20 years ago on the infamous and classic “Midian”.

Eight months ago, CRADLE OF FILTH announced the addition of keyboardist Anabelle Iratni to the band’s ranks.

Iratni, who previously played alongside Filth in DEVILMENT, as well as her own group VEILE, made her live debut with CRADLE OF FILTH on May 12, 2021 during the band’s livestreamed concert.

Anabelle joined CRADLE OF FILTH as the replacement for Lindsay Schoolcraft, who announced her departure from the group in February 2020 after a seven-year run.

CRADLE OF FILTH is:

Dani Filth – Vocals
Richard Shaw – Guitar
Marek “Ashok” Šmerda – Guitar
Daniel Firth – Bass
Martin “Marthus” Skaroupka – Drums
Anabelle Iratni – Keyboards & backing vocals

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