Heavy Metal
R.I.P. Mike Howe, Metal Church Singer Dies at 55
Mike Howe, lead singer of the veteran band Metal Church, has died at the age of 55. No cause of death has been reported, but the band announced his passing via Facebook on Monday evening (July 26th). “It is with our deepest regrets that we must announce the passing of our brother, our friend and true legend of heavy metal music. Mike Howe passed away this morning at his home in Eureka, California,” reads the band’s statement. “We are devastated and at a loss for words. Please respect our privacy and the Howe family’s privacy during this most difficult time.” The band formed in 1980 in the Bay Area as Shrapnel, impacting the thrash metal scene that was about to explode a couple years later. They moved to Aberdeen, Washington, early in their career and changed their name to Metal Church in 1...
Glenn Danzig Announces Theatrical Release Date for His Movie Death Rider in the House of Vampires
Glenn Danzig has announced the theatrical release date for his upcoming vampire Spaghetti Western, Death Rider in the House of Vampires. In a post on his Facebook, Danzig said that the film will hit select theaters across the United on August 27th. There will also be advance screenings in Los Angeles and Las Vegas. More details are coming soon, according to the post. Danzig’s second original feature-length film had been announced a while ago, but a release date had no been revealed until now. We previously saw the morbidly hilarious NSFW trailer, which starred Danzig in his central role as the character Bad Bathory. Advertisement Related Video The veteran rocker wrote, directed, scored, and stars in the upcoming film alongside the likes of Devon Sawa, Julian Sands, Danny Trejo, Eli Roth, a...
Iced Earth’s Jon Schaffer Had Feces and Urine Thrown at Him While in Jail for Role in US Capitol Riot: Report
The lawyer for Iced Earth guitarist Jon Schaffer has revealed that the veteran metal musician was threatened with his life and had feces and urine hurled at him while in jail for his role in the US Capitol riot. In April, Schaffer became the first person involved in the January 6th insurrection to plead guilty to charges related to the riot. The two charges to which he pleaded guilty are obstruction of an official proceeding and entering a building with a dangerous weapon. He admitted to carrying bear spray into the Capitol, as he and others forced their way into the building. As part of a plea agreement, Schaffer is said to be offering information about his militia group the Oath Keepers in exchange for a lesser sentence. Prosectors have recommended 3.5 to 4.5 years in prison, and he may ...
Dee Snider Announces Streaming Concert Filmed in Front of Live Audience
Dee Snider has announced a streaming concert that was filmed in front of a live audience. The stream goes live on July 29th, a day before the release of the Twisted Sister singer’s new solo album, Leave a Scar. Livestreams became the norm for many artists during the pandemic. It was a way to bring the concert experience into the homes of fans worldwide, but most featured only the performers and no crowds. For Snider’s upcoming stream, the metal legend filmed a June show in Patchogue, New York, in front of a full crowd, and he’ll beam the full performance across the interwebs for 30 days starting on July 29th for virtual ticketholders. Advertisement Related Video “I can’t wait to see all you crazy motherf—kers when we’re on the road again, but for now, grab a cold one, crank the volume, it’...
Volbeat Announce Fall 2021 US Headlining Tour
Danish rockers Volbeat have announced a brief run of U.S. tour dates for this September and October, with various support from Twin Temple, Municipal Waste and The Hu on select dates. The newly announced shows mark the band’s first headlining stateside performances in nearly two years. Volbeat’s fall jaunt will kick off September 24th at Tabernacle in Atlanta and run through an October 10th show at The Fox Theater in Oakland, California. The headlining tour dates bridge the gap between Volbeat’s previously scheduled appearances at two festivals: Rebel Rock on September 23rd in Orlando, Florida, and Aftershock on October 8th in Sacramento, California. Tickets for the newly announced shows will go on sale Friday, July 23, at 10 a.m. local time via Ticketmaster, with a pre-sale starting on We...
Anthrax Celebrate 40 Years of Thrash with Career-Spanning Livestream Concert: Review
Setting the Stage: It’s hard to believe, but this year marks the 40th anniversary of the formation of thrash metal pioneers Anthrax. Considered to be one of the “Big 4” of thrash (along with Metallica, Slayer, and Megadeth), the band — which since 2013 has featured a lineup comprised of singer Joey Belladonna, guitarists Scott Ian and Jon Donais, bassist Frank Bello, and drummer Charlie Benante — undoubtedly would have preferred to celebrate this impressive career accomplishment with a thorough world tour, but instead offered up a virtual worldwide concert event. Anthrax officially formed on July 18th, 1981, and the metal legends started the 40th anniversary celebration a couple months back with a video series documenting their illustrious career through testimonials from the band members ...
Sabaton Unleash Cover of Manowar’s “Kingdom Come”: Stream
Sabaton have unleashed their cover of Manowar’s “Kingdom Come” as a standalone single. The track is finally receiving a proper release on digital platforms and vinyl after frequent fan requests. A concert staple and fan favorite, “Kingdom Come” is Sabaton’s salute to their power-metal forebearers, Manowar. Both bands share musical and aesthetic similarities, as well as a fascination with war and military history. Sabaton update the track with heavier, modern production while retaining the original spirit of the song. “Our fans have spoken,” Sabaton bassist Pär Sundtröm said. “You requested the release of this song everywhere, so this is for all of you. This recording was meant to be a tribute to Manowar and a collaboration with a video game bearing the same name when we recorded it a few y...
Wolfgang Van Halen Has “Tons of Ideas” for Next Album, Names His Favorite Van Halen LPs
Wolfgang Van Halen has revealed that he has “tons of ideas” for his next album in a new interview with Audio Ink Radio. The son of the late Eddie Van Halen took the rock world by storm with the self-titled debut album from his Mammoth WVH project. Collecting songs written and performed entirely by Wolfgang, the LP has been an overwhelming success, bolstered by the chart-topping single “Distance.” It appears the next record is already in the making. “This is what I plan on doing,” Wolfgang said of his Mammoth WVH project. “Tons of ideas hit the cutting room floor that I’d like to return to, that I’m sure will show up on the next few albums. I’ve already written so many ideas in the past year on lockdown that I’m itching to get back in the studio.” Advertisement Related Video The success of ...
R.I.P. Jeff LaBar, Guitarist of Cinderella Dead at 58
Jeff LaBar, longtime guitarist of the glam metal band Cinderella, has died at age of 58. LaBar’s son, Sebastian, shared the news of his father’s passing in a social media post on Wednesday (via Blabbermouth). “So i just got the call… Jeff LaBar, my father, my hero, my idol, passed away today,” Sebastian wrote, “I’m currently at a loss for words. I love you pop.” A cause of death was not disclosed. LaBar joined Cinderella in 1985 right as the band hit the studio to record their debut album, Night Songs. Thanks to its breakout single, “Nobody’s Fool,” as well as a slot opening on tour for Bon Jovi, Night Songs became one of 1986’s biggest albums, achieving triple platinum status and peaking at No. 3 on the Billboard 200. Cinderella’s follow-up, 1988’s Long Cold Winter, was equally massive. W...
King Woman Share New Song “Boghz” Ahead of Upcoming Album: Stream
King Woman have shared “Boghz,” the final single from their upcoming third album, Celestial Blues, out July 30th. The mysterious track touts soft-loud buildups that create an unsettling vibe. Whispering wind and muted guitar notes give way to crushing chords in the chorus, as singer Kris Esfandiari belts out in terror. King Woman take the classic Sabbathian doom template and sharpen it to an edge. “It’s a tragic story about one ancient soul split in two separate bodies,” Esfandiari explained via a press release. “Only knowing a sick and twisted version of love, one half nearly destroys the other. It’s about being at the mercy of a sadistic person who you have an undeniable psychic bond with.” Advertisement Related Video Such darkly cerebral themes can also be found in previous singles “Mor...
Ed Sheeran Mulls Recording a Death Metal Album, Loves Slipknot and Cradle of Filth
Pop star Ed Sheeran going metal sounds like a late-night comedy skit — in fact that was an actual sketch a few years back on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. But this time, the British pop star isn’t playing around, as he now reports that he “would not be opposed to creating” a death metal album. That’s right, Sheeran, whose chart-topping hits like “The Shape of You” and “Perfect” are anything but metal, is a big fan of crushing riffs and guttural growls. The singer-songwriter was quoted in The Sun over the weekend as saying, “I was really into death metal as a kid. I listened to Cradle of Filth and Slipknot and all that stuff.” Advertisement Related Video In fact, Sheeran is considering dipping his toes in some extreme music. “I’m not saying I could ever step into that world,” he a...
Killswitch Engage to Perform Two Full Albums for August Livestream Concert
Killswitch Engage have announced a livestream event set for August 6th. The band will perform 2019’s Atonement and 2000’s self-titled debut album in their entirety. The stream goes live at 7 p.m. ET and will be available on-demand for 48 hours. Billed with the slogan “Vaccinated + Intoxicated,” the performance takes place at the The Palladium in Worcester, Massachusetts. The venue has been a frequent stop for Killswitch Engage when touring their home state. MyGoodEye’s David Brodsky and Allison Woest will direct the footage. “I am pleased we were able to finally pull this together,” stated singer Jesse Leach. “I hope everyone who watches enjoys this as much as we did making it. Aside from the music, the laughter and funny moments were an equal part of the experience. The whole package real...
