TWISTED SISTER frontman Dee Snider spoke to Full Metal Jackie’s nationally syndicated radio show about the progress of the songwriting sessions for his next solo album. The upcoming disc will be the follow-up to “For The Love Of Metal”, which was released in July 2018 via Napalm Records. That effort, which was produced by HATEBREED vocalist Jamey Jasta, featured contributions from Howard Jones (ex-KILLSWITCH ENGAGE), Mark Morton (LAMB OF GOD), Alissa White-Gluz (ARCH ENEMY), Joel Grind and Nick Bellmore (TOXIC HOLOCAUST), and Charlie Bellmore (KINGDOM OF SORROW).

Dee said (hear audio below): “[I’m] working with the same amazing team — the Bellmore brothers, Charlie [on guitar] and Nickey. Nickey plays drums, but also is the engineer and mixer — an amazing, talented guy. And Jamey Jasta is the producer and curator. He is the gatekeeper, the master. As all ideas are brought in, they’re filtered through Jamey, his ears, and have to get a thumbs-up from him before it makes it to the record. But now we no longer have to do that ‘Is this gonna work?’ thing. And for me, it’s, ‘Do I trust these guys?’ I mean, I trusted them in the sense that they were friends, but when Jamey challenged me to do the metal record, I had my doubts. I don’t wanna say it’s doubts, but [I thought], ‘How is this gonna work?’ So there was an initial thing where we were all feeling each other out. Now, after two years of working together, touring with the Bellmore brothers, locking in a band with Nick ‘Taz’ Petrino on guitar and Russ Pizzuto on bass guitar, we come in and we don’t have to waste any time with that. There is trust, we do know our direction, we do know what works for Dee Snider and for this project, and we just go full steam ahead.”

Snider’s latest release was “For The Love Of Metal Live!” , which came out in July via Napalm Records. The DVD/Blu-ray and accompanying live album (available in various formats) features audio captured from several Snider festival performances worldwide — from the United States to Europe, Australia and beyond. In addition to tracks from Snider’s solo catalog, like “I Am The Hurricane” and “For The Love Of Metal”, TWISTED SISTER favorites such as “I Wanna Rock” and “We’re Not Gonna Take It”, and even a cover of AC/DC’s “Highway To Hell”, the audio portion of “For The Love Of Metal Live!” also features a brand new original studio track, “Prove Me Wrong”.

In an interview with Chris Annunziata of the New Jersey radio station 90.3 WMSC-FM, Snider said about “For The Love Of Metal”: “This is a really exciting album I did not expect to make, especially at this point in my life. I was doing Jamey Jasta’s podcast, and he challenged me to make a contemporary rock record. And I was, like, ‘Who’s producing?’ He said, ‘I am.’ And so we went in the studio [with] no record deal, and people started flocking [to appear on the LP]. It just amazed me, the enthusiasm and excitement that these younger musicians — younger than me, at least — had for working with Dee Snider and being a part of this project.”

TWISTED SISTER called it quits in 2016 after completing a farewell 40th-anniversary tour.

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Eddie Van Halen was among the music icons who were honored at the 2020 Billboard Music Awards in Los Angeles last night (October 14). The show played a clip of VAN HALEN performing the smash hit “Panama” at the 2015 Billboard Music Awards, followed by a single shot of a a lone Frankenstrat guitar on stage in a spotlight.

Pop singer Kelly Clarkson, who hosted the program, paid tribute to Eddie at the ceremony, saying: “Just a few days ago, a true giant was taken from us: Eddie Van Halen. He was a legendary guitarist, an amazing musician and an incredible songwriter.” After the performance of “Panama”, she added: “That moment is one that all who saw will always remember.”

Billboard Music Awards was held at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood without an audience in attendance. The show was rescheduled from its original date of April 29 due to the pandemic.

VAN HALEN’s appearance at the 2015 Billboard Music Awards — which aired live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas via ABC — marked the first time that the most recent lineup of the band (including David Lee Roth on vocals and Eddie Van Halen’s son Wolfgang on bass) had performed at an awards show.

The rock act was introduced by pop superstar Taylor Swift, a move which got mixed reviews on social media.

Eddie died on October 6 at St. John’s Hospital in Santa Monica, California. His wife, Janie, was by his side, along with Wolfgang, and Alex, Eddie’s brother and VAN HALEN drummer.

The iconic VAN HALEN axeman died from complications due to cancer, his son confirmed.

Eddie and Alex formed VAN HALEN in 1972 in Pasadena, California, with Roth on lead vocals and Michael Anthony on bass.

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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MÖTLEY CRÜE drummer Tommy Lee has fired back at Ted Nugent after the outspoken conservative rocker called him “a convicted felon, domestic violence heroin addict.”

In an interview with Blunt Force Truth, Nugent discussed his recent appearance on Sammy Hagar’s AXS TV reality series “Rock & Roll Road Trip With Sammy Hagar”. The avid hunter said: “The producers wouldn’t let [Sammy] near me, even though he and I go way back; we’re dear friends. They thought I was dangerous, that I’d come out with a machine gun or I’d slaughter an innocent fawn on television. This is stupidity! I said, ‘So your producers were afraid of me, but they did a show with Tommy Lee, who’s a convicted felon, domestic violence heroin addict.’ They’re okay with this guy, but not with the Ted Nugent ‘Kamp For Kids’ charity, teaching kids to be clean and sober. I said, ‘Sammy, coldcock those sons of bitches and get out and let’s do the show.’ So, finally, they dangerously acquiesced, and we did the number one Sammy Hagar ‘Rock & Roll Road Trip’ show.”

On Wednesday night (October 14), Lee took to his Twitter to write: “Ted Nugent? ….Is that guy even still alive? ….. I thought he shot himself like 20 yrs ago”. Tommy also included two middle finger emojis as well as a crying laughing emoji.

Lee was one of the featured guests in the first season of “Rock & Roll Road Trip With Sammy Hagar”, which premiered in 2016.

The “Rock & Roll Road Trip With Sammy Hagar” episode featuring Nugent originally aired this past May.

Nugent is a longtime supporter of President Donald Trump, while Lee has repeatedly made his anti-Trump sentiments very clear. The MÖTLEY CRÜE drummer even said in a recent interview that he would leave the United States if Trump wins re-election.

Back in 1998, Lee was arrested for spousal battery and he served six months in jail after pleading no contest to assaulting his then-wife Pamela Anderson.

Ted Nugent? ….Is that guy even still alive? ….. I thought he shot himself like 20 yrs ago?????
— T?mmy L33 (@MrTommyLand) October 15, 2020

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Since starting SPIRIT ADRIFT as a solo project in 2015, after a stint with Phoenix goth-metallers TAKE OVER AND DESTROY, vocalist/guitarist/bassist Nate Garrett has gradually evolved the project from an exercise in melodic doom-metal to a well-oiled heavy metal powerhouse, all while maintaining the sense of beautiful melancholy that drove his initial works. The latest record released under the SPIRIT ADRIFT name, “Enlightened in Eternity”, sees Garrett once again performing as a mostly one-man show, with drumming duties filled by Marcus Bryant on his third outing with Garrett. Through 2017’s “Curse of Conception” and 2019’s “Divided By Darkness”, Garrett has shifted more and more into a traditional heavy metal direction. “Enlighted in Eternity” is perhaps Garrett’s purest statement of heavy metal intention so far, but the head-on embrace of thrashy riffs and fast-paced energy has come at a price, as SPIRIT ADRIFT simply no longer feels as special as it did on previous albums.

During an era where there are literally dozens of bands adequately replicating traditional metal sounds, and numerous more mining melancholic doom for their musical inspirations, SPIRIT ADRIFT had become cult favorites due to their expert juggling of these two forces, to the point where each of their last two records were featured prominently on many year-end lists. Garrett’s foray into a more straightforwardly metallic direction here is still executed well. The new record launches with “Ride Into The Light”, an anthemic ripper with plenty of energetic rushes, hearty bellows from Garrett, and a big-arena feel that is playing to the front row and the cheap seats. The first half of “Astral Levitation” is a power-driven stomper that seems to mine BLACK SABBATH’s Ronnie James Dio-era, down to a thumping bass line that shares similarity with the one that helped make “Heaven and Hell” a classic song. The second half of the track sees Garrett excelling at harmonized guitar solos from the IRON MAIDEN playbook. The majority of “Enlighted in Eternity” from this point forward abounds with hard-driving riffs and arena-sized anthems, as well as the warm guitar tones that have been one of SPIRIT ADRIFT’s most endearing characteristics, which so far remain intact.

That said, if you have already been a dedicated converted fan of SPIRIT ADRIFT thanks to their previous efforts, the dynamic ebbs-and-flows of those records are lost in their current quest for heavy metal glory. The only moment on “Enlightened in Eternity” that evokes past successes is the closing track, a ten-minute journey called “Reunited In The Void”. The melodic trudge that Garrett has shown to be a master of on previous records is hypnotic once again here, and he soars with atmospheric vocals and the record’s most beautiful guitar tones, before the metallic crunch roars back in for the final minutes of the track with a captivating display of bluesy shred-guitar.

It’s that mix of the trudge and the power that SPIRIT ADRIFT excelled at so much on previous records. The turn towards faster-paced metal endeavors on “Enlightened in Eternity” are still done well, but the final moments of the record just make it clearer that the more eclectic approach is missed throughout the previous seven tracks.

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Former AC/DC bassist Paul Matters has died. The news of his passing was revealed by his friend Rod Wescombe as well as AC/DC biographer Jesse Fink, author of the book “Bon: The Last Highway”.

According to Wikipedia, Matters joined AC/DC in 1975 after the recording of the band’s debut album, “High Voltage”. Several weeks later, he was reportedly fired by AC/DC singer Bon Scott, and was replaced by Mark Evans.

Prior to joining AC/DC, Matters played bass for Newcastle band ARMAGGEDON which he exited in 1974 over what drummer Les Gully described to Fink as “musical differences”. He was then fired from AC/DC, according to Gully, “because he didn’t fit the values of the Young [brothers] oligarchy. Too pretty, for a start. He didn’t really fit, had strong opinions and sensitivity, and played just what he liked.”

A recluse, Matters has only ever given one press interview since his dismissal from AC/DC, to Fink for “Bon: The Last Highway”, in which he claimed he was “a bit lazy” and “a bit cranky” but did not have enough money to eat: “I didn’t have any food in my stomach. They [management] didn’t give us any money to buy food or anything.”

In “Bon: The Last Highway”, Fink called Matters “an uncommonly handsome sight in AC/DC, a kind of hard-rock Chris Hemsworth who could play.”

Matters performed live with AC/DC on a national tour in Melbourne, Adelaide and Sydney, promoting the band’s debut album, but did not record in the studio, where bass duties were performed by George Young.

Matters quit music after his departure from AC/DC in 1975 and sold his bass guitar.

Earlier today, Wescombe wrote: “Shocked and sad to hear of the passing of Paul Matters.

“I first met Paul in 1973 when he was playing bass in ‘Armageddon’ at a gig in Hamilton, Newcastle N.S.W.

“When I was living in Toronto he would drop into the house in the late hours to party and he loved to party.

“In late ’75 after he departed AC/DC we played together in a one off band called ‘Miss Australia Band’ at a gig on a ferry on Lake Macquarie.

“I moved to Sunshine on the lake further south and Paul would drop in to chill whenever he was in the area. I recall he could always make me laugh when he was in the mood.

“After leaving New South Wales I lost contact with him as did many other people over the years.

“From all reports he lived a reclusive life in his later years and his early rock n’ roll life style led to ailing health.

“He will be missed by all who knew him.”

Fink tweeted simply: “Another former AC/DC musician has died: bassist Paul Matters. RIP, mate #acdc”.

Shocked and sad to hear of the passing of Paul Matters.
I first met Paul in 1973 when he was playing bass in “Armageddon…

Posted by Rod Wescombe on Wednesday, October 14, 2020

R.I.P. Paul Matters @acdc pic.twitter.com/YPCP1shNvP
— acdc.se (@AcdcSe) October 14, 2020

Another former AC/DC musician has died: bassist Paul Matters. RIP, mate #acdc pic.twitter.com/N9ZNAlvTfK
— Jesse Fink (@JesseFink) October 14, 2020

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GREAT WHITE singer Mitch Malloy was forced to miss the band’s performance last night (Tuesday, October 13) at the Mississippi State Fairgrounds in Jackson, Mississippi after suffering a serious allergic reaction triggered by a long-standing food allergy.

One concert attendee wrote on social media that the rest of GREAT WHITE went ahead with the show by playing a number of previously unrehearsed covers, including songs by LED ZEPPELIN, AC/DC, ZZ TOP and WHITESNAKE. Guitarist Jeff Blando of SLAUGHTER, which was also on the bill, stepped in and handled lead vocals for some of the tracks, with GREAT WHITE and SLAUGHTER drummers swapping places for different songs. The set ended with GREAT WHITE’s “Once Bitten Twice Shy”, with keyboard player Michael Lardie singing.

Earlier today, the following message was posted on Mitch’s Facebook page: “Mitch would like to thank everyone for reaching out and sending their thoughts and prayers this morning. Last night before the GREAT WHITE show (where socially distanced measures were taken) at the Mississippi State Fairgrounds, he had a serious allergic reaction triggered by a long-standing food allergy. Mitch would especially like to thank the first responders and the University of Mississippi Medical Center for their excellent and prompt care. Mitch is already home in Florida resting and recuperating.”

Last month, GREAT WHITE started taking pre-orders for a new live CD/DVD set apparently titled “Live”. The effort is expected to include the band’s August 2018 performance at the Kentucky State Fair, featuring Malloy, who joined the group earlier that year following the departure of Terry Ilous.

Ilous, frontman of ’80s L.A. hard rockers XYZ, joined GREAT WHITE in 2010 after stepping in for touring vocalist Jani Lane (WARRANT).

The Ilous-led GREAT WHITE released two albums, 2012’s “Elation” and 2017’s “Full Circle”, before Terry was dismissed from the group.

This version of GREAT WHITE is not to be confused with JACK RUSSELL’S GREAT WHITE, which features original GREAT WHITE singer Jack Russell alongside Robby Lochner (FIGHT) on guitar, Dan McNay on bass, Tony Montana on guitar and Dicki Fliszar on drums.

Mitch would like to thank everyone for reaching out and sending their thoughts and prayers this morning. Last night…

Posted by Mitch Malloy on Wednesday, October 14, 2020

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The ubiquitous clip-on tuner now features the newly designed Hyper Snark technology.

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In a new interview with GQ magazine (see video below), SLIPKNOT and STONE SOUR frontman Corey Taylor was asked if he would ever consider getting a face tattoo. He responded “never,” before adding: “I get it, you know. A face tattoo is no different than a nipple piercing from 20 years ago — 30 years ago anyway. You end up looking like a shitty notebook from high school.”

While notable figures like Mike Tyson and Tekashi 6ix9ine have sported face tats in the past, recent months have seen more stars than ever tatting their cheeks and foreheads, including MÖTLEY CRÜE drummer Tommy Lee, rapper Post Malone and model Amber Rose.

Ozzy Osbourne also recently said he would “never” get a face tattoo, explaining: “Anything above the collar should be stopped. To be honest, it makes you look dirty.”

Last year, SLAYER and EXODUS guitarist Gary Holt said that he was alarmed by the number of younger rap artists having face tattoos. “That’s what dudes looked like when they passed out on the bus — we’d Sharpie the fuck out of you,” Gary said. “And now that’s what they look like on purpose. It’s crazy. They’re all fucking Sharpied up.”

A few months ago, Post Malone added a new inking of a buzzsaw dripping with blood. He also has the phrase “Always Tired” tattooed under each of his eyes.

Earlier this year, Malone opened up about his many face tattoos, telling GQ Style that there’s more to it than aesthetics.

“I’m a ugly-ass motherfucker,” he said. “[The face tattoos do] maybe come from a place of insecurity, to where I don’t like how I look, so I’m going to put something cool on there so I can look at myself and say, ‘You look cool, kid,’ and have a modicum of self-confidence, when it comes to my appearance.”

FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH frontman Ivan Moody sports a couple of tattoos on his head: a mohawk tattoo made to look like reptilian scales and feathers on his scalp, and a phoenix in flight, which marks his first year sober.

Back in 2014, Moody’s FIVE FINGER’s then-bandmate Jason Hook got the word “Driven” added to his right temple.

KORN bassist Fieldy has a couple of face tattoos: a crucifix on the left side of his face, and the word “love” in Hebrew on the right side. KORN guitarist Brian “Head” Welch also has several symbols on his face, including stars, teardrops, music notes and a cross.

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Last week, AC/DC released “Shot In The Dark”, the first single from the band’s long-awaited comeback album, “Power Up”, which is due on November 13. The follow-up to 2014’s “Rock Or Bust” features AC/DC’s reunited lineup of Brian Johnson (vocals), Phil Rudd (drums), Cliff Williams (bass), Angus Young (guitar) and Stevie Young (guitar). Johnson and Williams both left in 2016 for health reasons; and Rudd was sidelined in 2015 with various legal issues.

In a recent interview with Keith Roth, host of SiriusXM’s Ozzy’s Boneyard, Angus stated about how “Power Up” came together: “Our management people had contacted us around 2018 and ahd said, ‘Are you up for making an album?’ I had a lot of material together from [late AC/DC rhythm guitarist] Malcolm [Young] and myself, which we had worked on through the years, and we had quite a bit, so I thought, yeah, ‘I’ll put together a whole heap of these ideas and we’ll see who wants to be a part of it and get in the studio.’ It was great, because everyone wanted to be on board to do the project — Brian and Cliff and Phil and Stevie and myself. It was all great that we could get back together and do some new rock and roll tunes for the world to hear.”

Asked if “Power Up” was originally supposed to arrive earlier in the year before the coronavirus pandemic hit in March, Brian said: “We shot the video in Holland, and then we spent about two and a half weeks — maybe even more — rehearsing with a full backline, the whole bit. We got such a buzz playing together for the album, it was just too good an opportunity to miss. And we all got together and it was like lightning. It was fantastic. And then, straight after that, the album was supposed to get ready to come out and all that, but then, honestly, within the space of about four days of us all leaving, the COVID hit and stopped everybody dead in their tracks. So, out of respect for the disease and all that, they held it back a bit to see what was gonna happen. We thought it was all gonna be over in five to six weeks, but that hasn’t been the case.”

Regarding which other AC/DC album “Power Up” is most musically similar to, Angus said: “When you hear it, it’s AC/DC — you hear it straight away. Most of what we do, that’s the thing we’ve always aimed for. You want people to hear it for the first time and go, ‘That’s them. There’s no one else like [them].'”

Angus also set the record straight about a rumor that Malcolm’s guitar playing can actually be heard on “Power Up”. He said: “Malcolm’s contribution is mainly the song ideas, which he did with me. So that’s basically what Malcolm’s contribution is to the whole album. He was there in spirit, and you always feel him. He’s there, especially with me — he’s always part of my thoughts. I’m always thinking of him. As [is] everyone else.”

According to Angus, there is no end in sight for AC/DC, and fans can expect a lot more activity from the band going forward.

“I keep doing it,” he said. “It’s part of me. That’s from my perspective. I like making AC/DC music and playing it. And I’ve been doing it so long now. I think I know that more than anything else. I even think I know that better than what I learned in my shool years.”

“Power Up” was recorded over a six-week period in August and September 2018 at Warehouse Studios in Vancouver with producer Brendan O’Brien, who also worked 2008’s “Black Ice” and 2014’s “Rock Or Bust”.

“Power Up” will be available in multiple configurations, including digital, CD, and deluxe versions. The limited edition, one-of-a-kind deluxe “Power Up” box is the ultimate fan package. Hit the button on the side of the box and watch the flashing neon AC/DC logo light up while the opening bars of “Shot In The Dark” blast out of the built-in speaker. Inside the box is the full CD package in a soft-pack with a 20-page booklet that features exclusive photos and USB charging cable allowing the box to remain powered up and on display. The vinyl LP will be pressed on 180-gram vinyl and housed in a gatefold jacket. Limited-edition variants of the LP will be available at select retailers nationwide, as well as the band’s online store. The album will be available on all digital platforms.

“Power Up” track listing:

01. Realize
02. Rejection
03. Shot In The Dark
04. Through The Mists Of Time
05. Kick You When You’re Down
06. Witch’s Spell
07. Demon Fire
08. Wild Reputation
09. No Man’s Land
10. Systems Down
11. Money Shot
12. Code Red

Photo credit: Josh Cheuse

Malcolm, who co-founded AC/DC with Angus in 1973, died in November 2017 at the age of 64 after suffering from dementia and failing health for several years. His condition forced him to leave the band in 2014, with his nephew Stevie Young stepping into Malcolm’s position.

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