Heavy Metal
Metallica Take Over Napa Valley with BottleRock Set and Late-Night Covers Show: Recap, Photos + Video
Napa, California’s BottleRock Festival finally returned after a two-year absence this weekend, and with Metallica headlining day one on Friday (May 27th), it got off to head-banging start. As they usually do, the legendary metal band made the show an event for their fans, making sure that they would have maximum Metallica intake. One of the bands that performed prior to Metallica’s headlining set was Bastardane, a hard-rock trio that includes James Hefield’s son Castor on drums. Although the band has a thrash metal influence, they have their own unique sound that seemed to get a seal of approval from the Metallica fans watching the show. Also approving was James himself, who could be seen behind the wings of the stage watching and nodding along, but soon he would be on a much bigger stage....
Supergroup The Dead Daisies Return with New Single “Radiance” Ahead of Upcoming Album: Stream
All-star supergroup The Dead Daisies have unveiled the lead single “Radiance” from their as-yet-untitled upcoming album, due this August. The new song comes just as the band is set to embark on a European tour in early June. The Dead Daisies have seen a number of lineup changes since forming in 2013, but the latest incarnation of the band is made up of a group of musicians with impressive pedigrees. Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Glenn Hughes (Deep Purple, Black Sabbath) handles lead vocals and bass, and is joined by drummer Brian Tichy (Whitesnake, Foreigner, Billy Idol) and guitarists Doug Aldrich (Whitesnake, Dio) and David Lowy (MINK, Red Phoenix). “Radiance” features big guitar riffs and hard-hitting drums, as Hughes delivers his signature wide-ranging vocals over the heavy rock tune. ...
James Hetfield and Kirk Hammett Perform National Anthem at S.F. Giants Game on 8th Annual “Metallica Night”: Watch
The San Francisco Giants celebrated the eighth annual “Metallica Night” at yesterday’s (May 24th) game against the New York Mets. Per tradition, members of Metallica — including James Hetfield, Kirk Hammett, and Lars Ulrich — were in attendance. Hetfield got to throw out the first pitch before picking up his guitar and shredding “The Star-Spangled Banner” alongside Hammett. “It’s a tradition that we’ve missed the last two seasons, so we’re really excited for the return of Metallica Night at Oracle Park with our hometown baseball team, the San Francisco Giants,” said Metallica in a statement. “This year marks the eighth time we’ll take the field for the National Anthem, first pitch, and a few other pre-game shenanigans.” Advertisement Related Video It kicked off what would be a maratho...
Vinnie Paul’s Estate Auctioning off Hundreds of the Late Pantera Drummer’s Items
The estate of the late Vinnie Paul is auctioning off hundreds of items and gear owned by the late Pantera drummer. Over 700 items are hitting the block, which will be hosted by Backstage Auctions. Highlight pieces include several drum kits played by Paul in Pantera, Damageplan, and Hellyeah; a collection of guitars (including a vintage Dimebag Darrell Washburn); slot machines; record awards; clothing; artwork; and a huge collection of sports memorabilia, as Vinnie loved hockey, football, and baseball. “Outside his impressive career, one that lasted nearly four decades, Vinnie Paul was a collector at heart, enjoying and appreciating every single memento,” the auctioneers noted. “This event is a tribute to his legacy, as much as it is an opportunity for all of his fans to continue that legac...
Slipknot Crush Brooklyn’s Barclays Center for First NYC Show in 13 Years: Recap, Photos + Video
There’s a certain poignancy to Slipknot’s choice of pre-show piped-in track: AC/DC’s “For Those About to Rock (We Salute You).” That song was the emotional core of School of Rock for a reason. Amid the boredom and frustration and anxiety of daily life, it’s a sacred activity to transcend the B.S. with a healthy dose of heavy metal. And that’s exactly what thousands of dyed-hair suburban kids, up-for-anything parents and metal-loving weekend warriors did, packed into Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, on the evening of May 20th. The mortar fire in the AC/DC tune gave way to actual pyrotechnics — to cheers. In an ironic twist, the track segued into country star Billie Jo Spears’ 1968 recording “Get Behind Me Satan and Push” — which locked onto the name “Satan” and seemed to melt. Devil’s...
GWAR Kick Off “Death Rager” Tour, Unveil New Sour Delta-8 GWARtridge
Ahead of their upcoming album, The New Dark Ages, the mighty GWAR kicked off the spring US leg of their 2022 “Black Death Rager World Tour” at Piere’s Entertainment Center in Fort Wayne, Indiana, on Thursday night (May 19th). Per usual, the intergalactic barbarians laid waste to the venue and the audience. GWAR’s US outing, which features support from Crowbar (joining the tour beginning May 23rd), Necrogoblikon, and The Native Howl, runs through a June 17th show in Reading, Pennsylvania — with tickets available here. At last night’s show, GWAR gave the New Dark Ages song “Mother F**king Liar” its live debut, performing it alongside favorites from such albums as Scumdogs of the Universe, Ragnarök, and more. Advertisement Prior to taking the stage, GWAR warned fans of what was to come via Tw...
Dethklok and Run the Jewels Top the Bill for 2022 Adult Swim Festival Block Party
The mighty Dethklok will return to the stage at the 2022 Adult Swim Festival Block Party, which is being staged on the East Coast for the first time. The three day event is taking place August 5th through 7th in Philadelphia, and will also headlining performances from Run the Jewels and Tierra Whack. Dethklok, of course, are everyone’s favorite band from the beloved Adult Swim animated series Metalocalypse. While the series was canceled back in 2013, just last year it was announced that a new Metalocalypse movie is in development. Brendon Small, the creator of Metalocalypse and musical mastermind behind Dethklok, will lead the live band. Run the Jewels will be making their appearance at the Adult Swim Festival in between gigs opening for Rage Against the Machine on the latter’s highly anti...
Devil Master Announce Summer 2022 North American Tour
Devil Master will embark on the Summer 2022 “Hungry Jaws of Hell” North American tour in support of their recently released new album, Ecstasies of Never Ending Night. The Philadelphia outfit, which combines black metal with punk sensibilities, will hit the road starting July 8th with an appearance at Necro Fest in Brooklyn, New York. The itinerary runs through a July 23rd show in Washington, D.C. and is highlighted by a trio of Midwest shows with Hulder in the middle of the outing. Tickets for Devil Master’s upcoming shows are available via Ticketmaster. In addition to their own headlining shows, Devil Master will then take on a major support role for My Chemical Romance on three bills: Philadelphia (August 29th), Houston (September 27th), and Dallas (September 28th). Advertisement Relate...
Deftones Bring on the Blood Moon with Rooftop Performance in NYC: Recap, Photos + Video
Setting the Stage: After twice postponing their highly anticipated tour due to the pandemic, Deftones have finally hit the road again. Most of the fans in attendance at the Rooftop at Pier 17 in New York City had been holding onto their tickets for two years, and they were rewarded with a beautiful night of perfect weather on Sunday (May 15th). Not to mention, a full moon hung over the evening’s festivities, with a sensational real-life backdrop that included the Empire State Building to the left and the Brooklyn Bridge to the right. In fact, later on that night, a “blood moon” would be visible due to a total lunar eclipse. If that weren’t enough, French metal masters Gojira were providing direct support, with Australian electronic duo VOWWS opening the evening. Taking the Stage: With...
Another Longtime Member Leaves As I Lay Dying
As I Lay Dying have said goodbye to another longtime member following their 2018 re-formation after frontman Tim Lambesis’ prison stint. Bassist and clean vocalist Josh Gilbert has left the veteran metalcore band, following the footsteps of guitarist Nick Hipa, who exited in 2020. Lambesis was infamously arrested in 2013 on suspicion of attempting to hire a hitman to kill his estranged wife. He was convicted and sentenced to six years in prison in 2014, but was released after only two and a half years behind bars. He ultimately decided to revitalize As I Lay Dying, and was joined by longtime members Hipa, Gilbert, Phil Sgrosso and Jordan Mancino. The band has been touring again ever since, and released the new album Shaped by Fire in 2019. In a statement on Monday (May 16th), Gilbert said,...
Judas Priest Confirm That K.K. Downing Will Attend Rock Hall Induction Ceremony
Judas Priest bassist Ian Hill has confirmed that former guitarist K.K. Downing will attend the band’s Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction. Downing left the group in 2011 and has been estranged from Priest in the years to follow. He has since formed a solo act, KK’s Priest, laying claim to half of his ex-band’s namesake. Nevertheless, his contributions during his four-decade stint with the NWOBHM pioneers remain essential to the Judas Priest legacy. When Priest were announced as part of the class of 2022 via the Musical Excellence Award, many wondered whether Downing would attend the ceremony alongside his former bandmates. Thankfully, founding bassist Ian Hill has confirmed that K.K. will be there for the induction. Advertisement Related Video “[Guitarist] Richie [Faulkner] is sadly not...
11 Funniest Moments From This Is Spinal Tap
(Editor’s Note: In light of news that This is Spinal Tap 2 is in the works, we are republishing this article. Originally published in 2019 to coincide with the 35th anniversary of the iconic rockumentary This Is Spinal Tap, Marty DiBergi Jr., son of filmmaker Marty DiBergi, took a look back at the film’s funniest moments. Below are his words, as he takes us on a trip through the classic film’s most humorous scenes.) My name is Marty DiBergi, Jr. I’m a writer. In the late fall of 1982, my father, filmmaker Marty DiBergi, heard that the UK band Spinal Tap were releasing a new album called Smell the Glove, and were planning their first tour of the United States in almost six years. He jumped at the chance to make a documentary, which hit theaters in March 1984, and the rest is history. L...
