Entertainment

Arctic Monkeys have unveiled a slate of 2022 European tour dates, shortly after drummer Matt Helders confirmed that fans can expect a record soon. The four-piece outfit are set to hit the road for their first headline shows of 2022 in August, performing two shows in Turkey and one in Bulgaria, Croatia and the Czech Republic. This will mark the Sheffield group’s first set of performances since 2019, when they were touring in support of Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino. Helders recently told 5 Live Breakfast that a new Arctic Monkeys record is on the way and that it was “ready to go,” adding, “It was a bit disjointed how we had to do it, and there are bits to finish off, but yeah, it’s all in the works.” He continued, “I think by the time we get everything together it’ll be next year. Hop...

In a new interview with Full Metal Jackie‘s nationally syndicated radio show, SLIPKNOT drummer Jay Weinberg spoke about the recent passing of his predecessor, SLIPKNOT‘s founding drummer Joey Jordison. Asked how Jordison‘s death has changed his “sense of curating” Joey‘s legacy, Jay said: “I think with Joey‘s tragic passing, of course, we’re all affected. And I would never wanna speak for my older brothers who started this band with Joey, but certainly, it has been heavy. And I think, to me, the way of preserving Joey‘s legacy, Paul‘s [Gray, SLIPKNOT bassist, who died in 2010] legacy is really just committing my full self to the ethos and spirit of this band. They live through this music, without a doubt. So, to me, thatR...

OPETH has parted ways with longtime drummer Martin “Axe” Axenrot. The Swedish progressive metallers announced Axenrot‘s exit from the group in a social media post earlier today. The band wrote: “Due to a conflict of interests, Martin Axenrot is no longer part of the OPETH collective. His replacement for the North American tour with MASTODON and ZEAL & ARDOR will be powerhouse drummer Sami Karppinen [THERION]. His first show will take place today (November 16) at Harrah’s Cherokee center in Asheville, NC.” OPETH frontman Mikael Åkerfeldt added: “However sad it is to not have Axe in the band anymore, we’re not in a position to linger on anything that is going to hold us back. We need to soldier on. “Needless to say, we’re incred...

SCORPIONS have released a short video in which lead singer Klaus Meine explains the meaning of the lyrics in the band’s new single, “Peacemaker”. He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): “I was just playing with words: ‘Peacemaker, peacemaker, bury the undertaker.’ But what does it mean? “At [a time] when so many people are dying because of a worldwide pandemic, of devastating wars and many other mindless crimes, it seems like the undertaker is working overtime. In a challenging world of our future, the peacemaker should rule the planet and we should support him in order to make the world a better place. It’s up to all of us, isn’t it?” “Peacemaker”, which features music courtesy of guitarist Rudolf Schenker and b...

RATING: 7/10 In 1996, Victory Records released what’s considered one of the most important live records in hardcore’s history: “The California Takeover… Live”. The compilation captured the performances of nineties, genre-defining hardcore bands EARTH CRISIS, SNAPCASE and STRIFE. These hardcore stalwarts would eventually have varying periods of hiatus, but they would go on to rekindle the flame and march forth as they continue to do so today, though the gentlemen of SNAPCASE essentially perform one-offs amidst their more traditional nine-to-five careers. Fast forward to February 2020, this revered trio of hardcore powerhouses came together once again to revive that release’s magic, and here present material from sets that celebrate said bands lauded material fr...

Andrew Barber of Fake Shore Drive blog sat down with Eric Arginksy, the owner and creator of the bear costume showcased in Kanye West’s The College Dropout album, as they discuss the creation of the mascot ensemble as well as the hefty price tag it currently carries. The bear that was actually used in the album cover is owned by the high school that was where the photoshoot was held and declined the offer of selling the costume to the record label. In lieu of the situation, Mr. West wore this customized bear suit, made from Arginsky, in promotion of the release at The Grammy’s and other highlight events. According to the interview, he was supposed to launch a stuffed animal line with the Chicago rapper but eventually died down and resulting in him keeping the costume. Arginsky is now offer...