Heavy Music News
Sammy Hagar and Michael Anthony Honor Eddie Van Halen with Video and Onstage Tributes: Watch
Former Van Halen members Sammy Hagar and Michael Anthony have paid tribute to the late Eddie Van Halen with a new video message. The pair happened to be getting ready to perform at Hagar’s “Birthday Bash” concert this week at Catalina Island when news of the guitarist’s death broke on Tuesday. The two musicians had both been estranged from Eddie for several years, with Hagar revealing Wednesday that he had recently made peace with the guitarist. Previously, Hagar and Anthony shared very short statements on social media, both expressing that they were heartbroken over Eddie’s death. In a new video message filmed during rehearsals for Hagar’s annual birthday bash, Hagar and Anthony expressed how shocked they were to hear the news of Eddie’s passing. “For Mike and I, it was just like getting ...
Rammstein Confirm They Are in the Studio Working on New Music
Rammstein are currently working on new music for their next album. The band shared a pic from the studio on Instagram, confirming a previous report from a fan site. The members of Rammstein appear to be social distancing in the spacious recording room, which is ostensibly at La Fabrique in the Saint-Rémy-de-Provence of France, per the prior report. The band and crew were spotted in the area prior to the sessions, leading to rumors that they’d assembled to work on new music. Rammstein were previously in the studio to record their untitled 2019 album. The German industrial-metal act captioned the photo: “Sadly no tour this year — but it’s great to be back in the studio!” Rammstein were supposed to embark on a massive stadium tour this year, dates that were rescheduled to 2021 due to the...
Fever 333 Announce Wrong Generation EP and Virtual Global Livestream Tour
Politically charged rockers Fever 333 have announced a new EP, titled Wrong Generation. What’s more, they’ll support the new release with a virtual tour of major regions across the world. Wrong Generation, due October 23rd, was inspired by frontman Jason Aalon Butler’s experience in several protest marches following the death of George Floyd in the custody of Minneapolis police. The singer spent 13 days in the streets of Los Angeles protesting against racism and police brutality. “This project is art as activism first,” explained Butler in a press release. “I’m talking about what’s happening and what needs to happen. I hope you understand there’s going to be pain in progress. After dismantling and deconstructing all of these things, we can find a beautiful place to be together. For me, thi...
Sammy Hagar Rekindled His Friendship with Eddie Van Halen Before the Guitarist’s Death
Sammy Hagar and Eddie Van Halen weren’t always on the best of terms, but Hagar rekindled his friendship with the guitarist in the months prior to the latter’s death on Tuesday. Before reconnecting, the pair hadn’t directly spoken since the end of the 2004 Van Halen reunion tour. However, in a note passed on to The Howard Stern Show this morning (October 7th), Hagar revealed that he’d secretly reconnected with his former bandmate via text in recent months. Their text communication was kept secret to prevent possible Van Halen reunion rumors. Hagar joined Van Halen in 1985, replacing original frontman David Lee Roth, who went on to pursue a solo career after having his own disputes with Eddie. Often labeled “Van Hagar” when the Red Rocker was out front, the band continued its massive success...
Eddie Van Halen’s Wife Janie and Ex-Wife Valerie Bertinelli Share Heartfelt Tributes to the Late Rocker
Two of the women who were closest to Eddie Van Halen have shared heart-wrenching tributes to the late guitar legend. His wife, Janie Liszewski Van Halen, and his ex-wife, actress Valerie Bertinelli, both posted tributes to the rock icon following his death on Tuesday. Most reports suggest that the Van Halen guitarist passed away following a battle with throat cancer. However, Bertinelli mentioned lung cancer in her Instagram post, perhaps confirming a report by TMZ that the cancer had spread to other parts of his body. Bertinelli, best known for her role on the TV sitcom One Day at a Time, married Eddie in 1981. They separated in 2001, and divorced in 2007. The couple had one son, Wolfgang, who would eventually become Van Halen’s bassist. Along with sharing a photo of herself with Eddie an...
Musicians and Celebrities React to Death of Eddie Van Halen
Tragically, news broke earlier today that the legendary Eddie Van Halen has died at age 65 following a long battle with throat cancer. Needless to say, the rock world and beyond has been devastated by the iconic musician’s passing. The Van Halen guitarist’s playing influenced countless musicians over the past 40-plus years. The Rock & Roll Hall of Famer revolutionized the way the instrument was played with his lightning quick fingers, as evidenced on the instrumental classic “Eruption”. Along with David Lee Roth, Michael Anthony, and his brother Alex, Eddie Van Halen dominated rock music with Van Halen. Beginning with their 1978 self-titled debut, they came out swinging, quickly becoming multi-platinum superstars. They continued to achieve massive success with Sammy Hagar as their sing...
David Lee Roth on Eddie Van Halen’s Passing: “What a Long Great Trip It’s Been”
David Lee Roth has honored his longtime bandmate Eddie Van Halen, who passed away on Tuesday (October 6th). The singer offered a short but poignant tribute, joining fellow Van Halen members past and present in saluting the guitar god. Eddie Van Halen died after a battle with throat cancer, and the tributes have poured in from the music and entertainment world. On Tuesday evening, David Lee Roth shared a photo of himself with Eddie, with the words, “What a long great trip it’s been.” Roth’s words follow similar tributes from former Van Halen members Sammy Hagar and Michael Anthony. Hagar, who replaced Roth when he left Van Halen in the ’80s, simply wrote, “Heartbroken and speechless. My love to the family.” Anthony, the band’s longtime bassist before being replaced by Wolfgang Van Halen in ...
AC/DC Officially Announce New Album Power Up, Unleash “Shot in the Dark”: Stream
After a number of social media teases, AC/DC have unveiled their first new song in six years. The track, “Shot in the Dark”, is the first single from the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame act’s upcoming album, Power Up. Moreover, the band has officially revealed the tracklist, artwork, and release date for the new LP. Power Up, the band’s 17th studio album, will arrive on November 13th. The LP contains 12 songs, and was produced by Brendan O’Brien. Pre-orders, including a limited-edition deluxe version, are available via AC/DC’s online store. The standard vinyl and CD editions can be pre-ordered via Amazon, as well. “Shot in the Dark” marks the official return of classic members Brian Johnson, Phil Rudd, and Cliff Williams, who rejoin Angus Young in the legendary band. The lineup is rounded out...
Scott Ian: Anthrax Won’t “Put a Record Out Until We Can Play Shows” Again
Anthrax have made it plain and simple: There will be no new album until after the COVID-19 pandemic. Many bands have released new albums throughout the pandemic, but the thrash legends believe it’s better to wait it out. Unfortunately, the spread of the virus hasn’t abated, growing worse in many parts of the United States. Drummer Charlie Benante previously said that there would be no new Anthrax album until a vaccine arrives. Guitarist Scott Ian seemed to confirm that stance in a new interview, but said the band is still working on new material. “We started writing new Anthrax last year — obviously, without a crystal ball knowing what was going to happen in the world, but with the intent of having a record out this year,” Ian siad in an interview with Knotfest.com’s “Mosh Talks With Beez”...
Guns N’ Roses Unveil “Not in This Lifetime” Pinball Machines
The post-pandemic arcade might not be the same crowded sweatbox we remember, but there will soon be at least one bright new toy for the ardent pinball fanatic. Make space in your rec room, ’cause Guns N’ Roses have announced “Not in This Lifetime” Pinball, a collaboration with Jersey Jack Pinball. The machine, available in three editions, is named after the band’s long-running reunion tour, and it’s a sight to behold. Guns N’ Roses’ iconography makes for excellent pinball graphics, with skeleton versions of the band adorning the colorful machine. GN’R guitarist Slash is an avid pinball collector and longtime player, so the collaboration with Jersey Jack, a leader in U.S. pinball manufacturing, makes sense. In fact, it’s a wonder it took so long, with other notable heavy bands like Metallic...
Mr. Bungle Announce Virtual Halloween Concert
Mr. Bungle, photo by Eric Larsen Mr. Bungle are celebrating the release of their first album in 21 years with a virtual Halloween concert. The show, dubbed “The Night They Came Home”, will premiere on October 31st. As previously reported, Mr. Bungle will release The Raging Wrath of the Easter Bunny Demo on October 30th. The newly recorded LP updates a 1986 demo and features a lineup of original members Mike Patton, Trey Spruance, and Trevor Dunn alongside thrash legends Scott Ian (Anthrax) and Dave Lombardo (ex-Slayer, Misfits). With live concerts still on pause for the most part due to the pandemic, Mr. Bungle will bring their record-release party to the whole world, with a global stream beginning noon PT / 3 p.m. ET on Halloween day. Virtual tickets are $15 each and allow streaming up to...
Motörhead’s Röad Crew Craft Beer Comes to America for Ace of Spades 40th Anniversary
Motörhead and beer are two things that go together. For the 40th anniversary of the band’s classic album Ace of Spades, the Motörhead-branded Röad Crew beer is being brewed and widely distributed in America for the first time. The original Röad Crew beer was first brewed by Camerons Brewery in the United Kingdom back in 2015. For the new release, Madison, Wisconsin brewery Ale Asylum was tapped for the first-ever American edition of the beer, putting their own spin on the beverage. The resulting brew is a newly crafted American pale ale “packed with hoppy citrus aromas.” Ale Asylum’s Otto Dilba told The Post Crescent, it took “two seconds” for him to accept the offer to work with Motörhead. Apparently, the band’s camp was intrigued by another beer the brewery released earlier this year cal...
