Alternative Music

Drummer Paul Mazurkiewicz (CANNIBAL CORPSE), guitarist Taylor Nordberg (INHUMAN CONDITION, THE ABSENCE, FORE), bassist Vernon Blake (ANARCHUS) and vocalist Brian Stephenson (FORE, OLD JAMES) have joined forces in a new rock and roll band called UMBILICUS. Mazurkiewicz says: “UMBILICUS was formed in the summer of 2020 and driven by our love of rock and roll from the late ’60s, ’70s and early ’80s. “I’ve been listening to well-known bands like GRAND FUNK [RAILROAD], BAD COMPANY and STEPPENWOLF and not-so-well-known bands like SIR LORD BALTIMORE and LUCIFER’S FRIEND for the last 20 years or so now. The more I listened to these bands, the more I wanted to play music like this. It is just so much fun to sit back and groove out and play by complete feel ...

Swedish metallers AVATAR have shared another new song, “Cruel And Unusual”. Check it out below. “It feels self-evident,” the band states about the track. “Violent thoughts channeled through violent riffs, demented thoughts driven by a sick groove. It’s simply a very sexy song.” Earlier this fall, AVATAR, who are known to smash the boundaries between band, theater troupe, and cinematic masterminds with a series of celebrated albums and videos, and the immersive world of Avatar Country, a fantastical land where metal rules supreme, released four new songs. AVATAR also previously announced they signed to Thirty Tigers and have launched their own Black Waltz Records imprint. In October, AVATAR postponed the last five shows on its “Going Hunting&#...

KILLSWITCH ENGAGE frontman Jesse Leach has implored his social media followers to engage in civil discourse about sometimes divisive issues, saying we “have much to learn from one another even if we do feel a stark disagreement with another.” The 43-year-old singer, who has been open about his battles with anxiety and depression, took to his Instagram on Thursday (December 30) to share a short clip from an earlier Instagram Live video he made, and he included the following message: “I thought this particular part was worth a share if nothing else then to shed some light on why I am not screaming and preaching my (ever changing) opinions (be it political or about this virus) all over social media. “This is one of those moments that I did not plan or think through. I ...

A short video of WARRANT guitarist Joey Allen trying sweet cherry pie at the Sweetwater headquarters in Fort Wayne, Indiana can be seen below. Back in 2018, WARRANT guitarist Erik Turner told Green Bay, Wisconsin radio station 94.3 Jack FM that he never gets tired of performing some of the band’s biggest hits, like “Cherry Pie” and “Heaven”. “We always play it in a different place, [in front of] different people,” he said. “If there’s a lot of people there having a good time and you’re having a couple of beers, it never, ever gets old watching people sing your songs and lyrics and scream and shout when you’re done playing that song [‘Cherry Pie’]. Now, that said, if we rehearsed a lot, it would not be fun to play...

Stephen Pearcy says that he doubts RATT will ever be inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. Despite the fact that 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 bands like IRON MAIDEN and JUDAS PRIEST have yet to be recognized by the institution, which inducted GUNS N’ ROSES in that group’s first year of eligibility. Asked by The Rock Shop With Ralph if he thinks RATT should be inducted into the Rock Hall, Pearcy said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): “I doubt that’ll ever happen. Unfortunately, everything is politics. “I watched the last Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. It’s such a piece of shit,” he continued. “Some people deserve to be ther...

POISON frontman Bret Michaels, who resides in Southern California, has shared video of the flooding in and around Los Angeles this morning. In one of the clips, which can be seen below, Bret can be heard saying: “Yesterday we had a little rain and barely a dry creek bed with a trickle. Now it is a mass flood. Half these people can’t even get across or through their driveways. I’m gonna go see if I can help ’em out. Everyone, if you’re in L.A. county, stay safe.” Heavy rain in the Los Angeles area has prompted mudslides, debris flows and flooding, with downpours expected to taper off in the afternoon. Conditions will dry out for the weekend. A winter storm warning took effect at 1 a.m. Wednesday and will remain in place until 4 a.m. Friday in the Los Ange...

DIRTY HONEY, one of rock’s hottest new bands, will help kick off the 2022 National Hockey League (NHL) Winter Classic on New Year’s Day as part of TNT‘s event coverage. Filmed on one of Minnesota’s iconic frozen lakes and directed by Turner Sports‘ Tyler Lassiter and Craig Murray, the band — Marc LaBelle (vocals), John Notto (guitar), Justin Smolian (bass) and Corey Coverstone (drums) — will wrap up the pre-game coverage with its interpretation of hometown hero and rock icon Prince‘s “Let’s Go Crazy”. “I found out about DIRTY HONEY through former NHL player Scottie Upshall and have been a fan of the band ever since,” said Lassiter. “I had read that Marc LaBelle was a big hockey guy, and as soon as we landed the NHL dea...

CRO-MAGS frontman Harley Flanagan has defended his decision to get the COVID-19 vaccine, saying it’s about being “responsible” and doing whatever he has to do “to exist in the world.” Earlier today, Flanagan, who has apparently spent the last few days visiting friends and family in Denmark, shared the following message via Instagram: “To all those who are against vaccinations. I too believe in freedom of choice but I also believe in looking out for each other. And if I have to get vaccinated to travel and to play concerts and do what I like to do then that’s what I’m gonna do. It’s not about ‘boot licking’ like some of these assholes want to say, it’s about doing what I have to do to exist in the world and do what I li...

Michael Sweet of openly Christian hard rockers STRYPER has completed the songwriting process for the band’s upcoming album. The follow-up to last year’s “Even The Devil Believes” will once again be recorded at SpiritHouse Recording Studios in Northampton, Massachusetts. Earlier today, the 58-year-old guitarist/vocalist posted the following update on his social media: “I’m happy to say that all the songs (music) for the new STRYPER album are complete. I started work on everything 2 weeks after my eye surgery (once I could lift my head) so it’s taken a little longer than usual (3 weeks) and also due to the holidays. Of course we will fine tune them once we get together for rehearsal. Usually we rehearse at my house and then we head to Spirithouse to ...