Drummer Simon Wright (AC/DC, DIO, UFO) recently spoke to Metal Godz Radio about how he has been dealing with the coronavirus pandemic. He said: “I haven’t lost any friends to [the virus]. I don’t know anybody who’s passed away from it. My daughter just had it last month, but she’s recovered; she’s back at work.

“I couldn’t believe what I was seeing and reading when this thing first broke out. I thought, ‘Is this a freakin’ bad movie or what? [Or] a joke?’

“It’s been really frustrating, as it probably is for a lot of musicians, but there was nothing going on for months,” he continued. “But the past couple of months, I managed to do a couple of albums. There’s a friend of mine, Stuart Smith, who has a band here in L.A. called HEAVEN & EARTH, and he called me up, and we’ve just finished up an album. And then, a couple of weeks after that, another friend of mine, Kevin Goocher, was has a band, OF GODS & MONSTERS, with Ira Black on guitar and Bjorn Englen on bass. He said, ‘Do you wanna do the album?’ [And I said] ‘Yeah, of course. I’ve got nothing else to do.’ Nah, there’s some really great songs on that. So this last couple of months has been a bit busy, which is good, ’cause there was nothing going on for months.

“I think a big part of the problem with all this is the Internet, ’cause of the amount of — excuse my French — bullshit that’s out there,” Simon added. “So you’ve just gotta pick and choose what you wanna think, what you wanna read and believe, and what you don’t. How much of what you are being told is most likely true? What have you experienced that was false?

“There’s stuff out there that you read, and it’s from a so-called reliable source. And it looks like one, but it’s just a load of propaganda. And it’s somebody’s idea — it’s not fact. And then you’ve got Facebook, where they’ve got fact checkers. And then you’ve got Disney being rated R, ‘The Muppet Show’. It’s just insane.”

Wright, currently of DIO DISCIPLES and also known for his work in DIO, RHINO BUCKET and UFO, lasted in AC/DC for six years. Wright, a then-unknown drummer whose first credits included Manchester, England metal outfit A II Z, joined AC/DC in time for the touring cycle for “Flick Of The Switch” and played with the Australian rockers throughout the ’80s before leaving to join DIO in 1989.

Maryland grinders Jarhead Fertilizer emerge from six years of recording silence with Product of My Environment.
The post Blast Worship: Jarhead Fertilizer appeared first on Decibel Magazine.

Golden Robot Records recently announced the signing of the legendary VANILLA FUDGE. To celebrate this announcement, VANILLA FUDGE released a remastered version of its cover of LED ZEPPELIN’s “Immigrant Song” and accompanying video. Now it’s another ZEPPELIN classic, “Rock And Roll”, which gets the FUDGE treatment. Check it out below.

“Rock And Roll” is without doubt one of the greatest rock tracks of all time, performed by one of the greatest rock bands of all time. VANILLA FUDGE gives the track its own slant, adding a little soul vibe and some amazing organ interludes. This version definitely has a life and identity of its own.

VANILLA FUDGE was one of the first American groups to infuse psychedelia into heavy rock sound to create “psychedelic symphonic rock,” an eclectic genre which would, among its many offshoots, eventually morph into heavy metal.

Although, at first, the band did not record original material, they were best known for their dramatic heavy, slowed-down arrangements of contemporary pop songs which they developed into works of epic proportion.

Originally, VANILLA FUDGE was a blue-eyed soul cover band called THE PIGEONS, formed in New Jersey in 1965 with organist Mark Stein, bassist Tim Bogert, drummer Joey Brennan and guitarist, vocalist and U.S. Navy veteran Vince Martell. They built a following by gigging extensively up and down the East Coast and earned extra money by providing freelance in-concert backing for hit-record girl groups. In early 1966, the group recorded a set of eight demos that were released several years later as “While the World Was Eating Vanilla Fudge”.

The East Coast, in particular New York and New Jersey, created a sound all its own. Inspired by groups such as THE RASCALS and THE VAGRANTS (fronted by guitarist Leslie West of MOUNTAIN fame), THE PIGEONS reworked many of their own existing arrangements of covers to reflect their unique interpretation of this “East Coast Sound.”

In late 1966, drummer Joey Brennan moved out to the West Coast. THE PIGEONS immediately drafted drummer and vocalist Carmine Appice, a disciple of the renowned Joe Morello (DAVE BRUBECK BAND) and a seasoned veteran of the club scene. In early 1967, THE PIGEONS manager Phil Basile convinced producer George “Shadow” Morton (producer for THE SHANGRI-LAS and Janis Ian), to catch their live act. Impressed by their heavy-rocking, trippy and psychedelic version of THE SUPREMES’ “You Keep Me Hangin’ On”, Morton offered to record the song as a single. This resulted in a deal with the Atlantic subsidiary Atco, which requested a name change. The band settled on VANILLA FUDGE.

VANILLA FUDGE celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2017 and is still rocking the world as hard as ever.

In a new interview with Anne Erickson of Audio Ink Radio, Wolf Hoffmann admitted that he became disillusioned with the heavy metal scene more than 20 years ago and pursued other interests until the band’s eventual reformation. “There was a time when actually ACCEPT didn’t exist — from about ’97 to 2009 or whatever,” the guitarist said (see video below). “That’s over 10 years when we didn’t exist, and I basically walked away from the music business for a long time. I became a photographer. And then music got me back. And here I am, full force, in music again, the last 10 years nothing but touring, recording — all that kind of stuff. But there definitely was a time when I thought metal is over, and I kind of lost interest there for a while in the late ’90s.”

Asked what brought him back to music, Wolf said: “Well, the fact that we met [current ACCEPT singer] Mark Tornillo. All of a sudden, we had an awesome singer at our hands, which we didn’t have before, because for the longest time, the band didn’t exist because we didn’t have a lead singer. Our [original] lead singer, Udo [Dirkschneider], had his own project and wasn’t interested in working with us. So, there was really no perspective whatsoever. And, you know, other interests take over in life. But, like I say, once a musician, always a musician. So when it calls you back, then you’re right there.”

ACCEPT’s latest album, “Too Mean To Die”, was released on January 29 via Nuclear Blast. The LP is the group’s first without bassist Peter Baltes, who exited ACCEPT in November 2018. He has since been replaced by Martin Motnik. ACCEPT’s lineup has also been expanded with the addition of a third guitarist, Philip Shouse, who originally filled in for Uwe Lulis during 2019’s “Symphonic Terror” tour, before being asked to join the band permanently.

“Too Mean To Die” was recorded in Nashville, Tennessee with British producer Andy Sneap (JUDAS PRIEST, MEGADETH), who has been responsible for the studio sound of ACCEPT since 2010.

ACCEPT’s previous album, 2017’s “The Rise Of Chaos”, marked the band’s first release with Lulis and drummer Christopher Williams, replacing Herman Frank and Stefan Schwarzmann, respectively.

The 36th annual Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame induction ceremony will return to Cleveland, Ohio on October 30, 2021, and for the first time, will be held at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.

The recently transformed FieldHouse provides a new and truly world-class venue that prioritizes health and safety and offers increased space and flexibility to host the induction ceremony in Cleveland as part of a multi-year partnership.

An internationally celebrated museum and attraction, the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame generates an estimated $36.5 million impact to the Cleveland economy when the city hosts the induction ceremony (report by Tourism Economics). Additionally, Rock Hall visitors to Cuyahoga County play a significant role in northeast Ohio’s economy, driving $199 million of impact annually.

Representing the diverse genre of rock and roll, this year’s nominees include Mary J. Blige, Kate Bush, DEVO, FOO FIGHTERS, THE GO-GO’S, IRON MAIDEN, Jay-Z, Chaka Khan, Carole King, Fela Kuti, LL Cool J, NEW YORK DOLLS, RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE, Todd Rundgren, Tina Turner and Dionne Warwick.

Fans can vote for their favorite nominees now through April 30, 2021 at vote.rockhall.com. The top five artists, as selected by the public, will comprise a “fans’ ballot” that will be tallied along with the other ballots to select the 2021 inductees will be honored on October 30, 2021 at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Inductees will be announced in May 2021.

The Rock Hall is open daily with advance tickets required at rockhall.com. Plan your visit now and experience the Hall Of Fame gallery and 2020 inductee exhibit.

John Sykes, chairman of Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Foundation, said: “We are excited to welcome the 2021 class of inductees into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame this year in Cleveland, the home of our Museum. The ceremony recognizes these inductees’ influence on generations of artists to follow and their impact on sound of youth culture.”

Greg Harris, president and CEO of Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame And Museum, said: “We are honored to again host the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame induction ceremony in Cleveland, this year at the newly renovated Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, and to serve as the place for rock and roll fans around the world to connect and celebrate our inductees all year long.”

Even though artists are eligible for the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame 25 years after the release of their first album or single, iconic hard rock and metal groups like MAIDEN, JUDAS PRIEST and MOTÖRHEAD have yet to be recognized by the institution, which inducted GUNS N’ ROSES in that band’s first year of eligibility.

Having been eligible for induction for a decade and a half, IRON MAIDEN is one of the biggest bands on the planet. Since the release of their self-titled debut album, the British heavy metal legends have released a further 15 full-length studio records, and sold over 100 million copies.

Rock Hall rules state that artists become eligible a quarter century after their first records were released, but the Hall also claims that other “criteria include the influence and significance of the artists’ contributions to the development and perpetuation of rock ‘n’ roll,” which is, of course, open to interpretation.

Eligible for induction since 1999, KISS didn’t get its first nomination until 2009, and was finally inducted in 2014.

DEEP PURPLE was eligible for the Rock Hall since 1993 but didn’t get inducted until 2016.

“Two Minutes To Late Night”, which bills itself as the world’s only heavy metal-themed talk show, has uploaded a cover version of the PANTERA song “Mouth For War” recorded in quarantine by members of HALESTORM, CODE ORANGE, BARONESS and CONVERGE.

Featured musicians:

* Lzzy Hale (HALESTORM)
* Gina Gleason (BARONESS)
* Reba Meyers (CODE ORANGE)
* Madi Watkins (YEAR OF THE KNIFE)
* Ben Koller (MUTOID MAN, CONVERGE, ALL PIGS MUST DIE, KILLER BE KILLED)
* Jordan Olds (a.k.a. Gwarsenio Hall)

Says “Two Minutes To Late Night”: “Gina wanted to cover PANTERA so we covered the crap out of PANTERA! All of the artists involved with this video will be donating their payment to Dallas Hope Charities Transitional Living Center.

“This is our 36th bedroom cover made with the support of Patreon. With so many musicians stuck at home with no outlets, we’re going to keep producing these style videos and use the Patreon to give some money to everyone who has a part in them. Please support our friends by donating to our newly redone Patreon.”

The reunited expanded classic lineup of German power metallers HELLOWEEN will release its much-anticipated album in the summer of 2021. The disc’s first single, “Skyfall”, will arrive on April 2.

A teaser for the “Skyfall” music video is available below.

The “Pumpkins United” lineup features returning singer Michael Kiske and guitarist/vocalist Kai Hansen alongside current singer Andi Deris, guitarists Michael Weikath and Sascha Gerstner, bassist Markus Grosskopf and drummer Daniel Löble.

Produced by Charlie Bauerfeind and Dennis Ward, the new HELLOWEEN LP was recorded in part at the H.O.M.E. Studios in Hamburg (where everything started in 1984). The same recording console used for such HELLOWEEN albums as “Master Of The Rings”, “Time Of The Oath” and “Better Than Raw” was utilized to record the band’s new material. The effort was mixed at the Valhalla Studios of Ronald Prent (IRON MAIDEN, DEF LEPPARD, RAMMSTEIN).

HELLOWEEN’s new album saw the legendary German power metallers going “back to the roots,” with the band recording fully analogue and Löble playing the drum kit previously used by HELLOWEEN’s original drummer, the late Ingo Schwichtenberg, on the legendary “Keeper Of The Seven Keys” recordings.

“Skyfall” will be available on CD, digitally and in two different vinyl versions.

Single 1: Vinyl, CD, digital:

“Skyfall” (single edit) + “Skyfall” (exclusive alternative vocals mix). Both are exclusive single versions and will not be on the album. Around 20 minutes playing time.

Single 2: Vinyl only

“Skyfall” (single edit) + “Indestructible” (exclusive album track). This is a strictly limited version of the new single with one exclusive album track.

The epic 12-minute track “Skyfall”, written by Hansen, has the long-yearned “Keeper Of The Seven Keys” vibe, but it isn’t musically telling the whole story of the album. Lyrically, “Skyfall” tells about an alien landing on earth, and the accompanying music video, produced by Martin Häusler, will be the most elaborate clip in the history of the band, featuring 3D animation and a cinematic look.

A new two-minute video in which Kiske, Hansen and Deris sit down and discuss the idea behind the “exclusive alternative vocals mix” and why there will be three versions of “Skyfall” can be seen below.

The “Pumpkins United” tour marked the first time Kiske had played live with HELLOWEEN since 1993. Hansen, who departed HELLOWEEN in 1988, had been joining the band onstage on various tours and festival appearances throughout the years. The set featured several duets with Kiske and his replacement, Deris, along with many rarely played songs, including “Kids Of The Century”, “Rise And Fall” and “Livin’ Ain’t No Crime”. Hansen — who fronted HELLOWEEN until late 1986 — sang a medley of several early HELLOWEEN classics, including “Ride The Sky”, “Judas”, “Starlight” and “Heavy Metal (Is The Law)”.

HELLOWEEN’s European “United Alive World Tour Part II”, which was originally scheduled to take place in September and October will now take place next year.

The “Pumpkins United” lineup of HELLOWEEN already released one new song — aptly titled “Pumpkins United” — in October 2017.

Grammy Award-winning four-piece GRETA VAN FLEET has unveiled a live video for “Heat Above”, the latest track from its sophomore LP “The Battle At Garden’s Gate”, due April 16 via Lava/Republic.

“‘Heat Above’ is theatrical, eloquent, and exaggerated,” explains the group. “This is a dream in the clouds, a moment of peace in the storm. Thematically, we are dead center in the cult of Heaven, surreal, strange, alive and free.”

“The Battle At Garden’s Gate” reflects heavily on the group’s personal and spiritual growth, as well as deepening empathy for the struggles and inequalities others are experiencing.

“We realized that while growing up, we had been shielded by many things,” describes drummer Danny Wagner. “As we started to travel a lot, meet new and different people and experience different cultures, our definition of ‘normal’ changed.” Bassist Sam Kiszka adds, “I suppose that everything has changed except what got us here in the first place…our perception of the world, perception of life itself, what it means to be an artist, what it means to be part of a beautiful, gorgeous society. We’ve gained a larger understanding of why we’re all here.”

“The Battle At Garden’s Gate” was recorded in Los Angeles with producer Greg Kurstin (Paul McCartney, FOO FIGHTERS, Adele). “There was a lot of self-evolution happening during the writing of this album that was prompted by experiences I had, experiences we all had,” explains vocalist Josh Kiszka. “It’s reflecting a lot of the world that we’ve seen, and I think that it’s reflecting a lot of personal truth,” says guitarist Jake Kiszka.

“Certainly after this, we’ve grown in so many ways,” Josh explains. “This album has taught us a lot, about life in general, about ourselves, about all of us, about the world we live in.”

Formed in Frankenmuth, Michigan back in 2012, GRETA VAN FLEET consists of three brothers, vocalist Josh Kiszka, guitarist Jake Kiszka, bassist/keyboardist Sam Kiszka, as well as drummer Danny Wagner. Together they have gone on to sell one million concert tickets across multiple continents, perform on “Saturday Night Live” and “The Tonight Show”, top the Billboard U.S. Mainstream Rock and Active Rock charts with their debut single “Highway Tune” in 2017, and win the Grammy Award for “Best Rock Album” in 2019 for their debut full length album, “From The Fires”.

Photo credit: Alysse Gafkjen

AC/DC has partnered with Australian jewelry, accessories and lifestyle brand Heart Of Bone. Almost two years in the making, this incredible collection fuses advanced bio molecular microscopy technology with traditional craftsmanship to create Heart Of Bone x AC/DC — a high-voltage unisex luxury rockware inspired by the band’s rock ‘n’ roll legacy.

There is something for every AC/DC fan including:

* Limited-edition bespoke 9k solid gold tribute collectors’ rings
* Bespoke sterling silver tribute rings in three unique styles
* “Ready To Rock” artisan crafted stainless steel jewelry styles
* 100% Australian-made organic cotton limited edition t-shirts made using the latest technology in screen printing practices and inks.
* Exclusive AC/DC cashmere knitwear, limited to 100 units per release which were created in collaboration with the famous Chanel-owned Barrie factory in Scotland. An ode to the Scottish heritage of AC/DC brothers, Angus and Malcolm Young.

This once-in-a-lifetime, first of its kind AC/DC-inspired collection, is a revolution in luxury rockware. There is already a global wait list for these soon-to-be-released collectors’ items and hard rock heirlooms.

This is an official partnership with AC/DC with every product in the collection including a certificate of authenticity. Heart Of Bone will begin dropping capsule collection releases regularly over an 18-month period starting April 15.

Heart Of Bone was founded in 2013 by creative director Emma Addams. Heart Of Bone creates authentic and unique badass jewelry with a dark edge and a rock and roll spirit that is coveted across the globe.