Heavy Music News
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...
Chris Cornell’s Cover of Guns N’ Roses’ “Patience” Hits No. 1 on Mainstream Rock Chart
More than three years after his tragic death, Chris Cornell’s soaring voice continues to resonate with music fans. His posthumously released cover of the Guns N’ Roses classic “Patience” has just reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock Songs chart. Cornell’s take on the GN’R ballad was released by his family on July 20th, in commemoration of what would have been the late rocker’s 56th birthday. The Soundgarden frontman recorded the song prior to his death in 2017 but it was never released. “His birthday seemed the perfect time to share this and celebrate Chris, his voice, music, stories and art,” his family stated at the time of the song’s release. “It is true a man is not dead while his name is still spoken… and, through his art, an artist’s soul still burns just as bright as ever up...
Concert Review: Corey Taylor’s Streaming Show Gives Fans a Much-Needed Jolt of Rock ‘n’ Roll
Setting the Stage: With the concert industry still at a standstill due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Corey Taylor announced that he would be streaming a full-production arena show from The Forum in Los Angeles. The “Forum or Against ‘Em” concert was scheduled to stream on Friday, October 2nd, the same day that his debut solo album, CMFT, arrived. Not only would he perform the entire album, but he also promised favorites from his bands Slipknot and Stone Sour, as well as select cover songs. Taylor’s management team, 5B Entertainment, teamed up with U.S. festival producer Danny Wimmer Presents (Sonic Temple, Louder Than Life, Aftershock) for the show, meaning big expectations were in place. With virtual tickets in their possession, fans typed in their special codes and braced themselves for a fu...
Greg Puciato Releases Debut Solo Album Early After “Dipshit Reviewer” Leaks It Online
The Dillinger Escape Plan’s Greg Puciato has released his solo debut, Child Soldier: Creator of God, three weeks early after the album was leaked online by a reviewer. Puciato posted the full album Friday (October 2nd) via Bandcamp. It was supposed to drop on October 23rd, but will now arrive on other digital platforms October 9th. In a statement, Puciato revealed that the album was leaked by a music writer who’s been identified. Early online leaks plagued the music industry during the MP3 era, and now most digital album promos are watermarked so they can be traced back to the source of any potential leak. Puciato issued the following statement regarding the online leak: “I can’t believe this is a thing someone thought would be cool to do to an independent artist in 2020, but some dipshit ...
Late Power Trip Frontman Riley Gale Getting Library Named in His Honor
The metal world suffered a tremendous loss in late August when Power Trip frontman Riley Gale passed away suddenly at the young age of 34. Now, the singer is being honored with a library in his hometown of Dallas. The Riley Gale Memorial Library, spearheaded by Jeff and Vanessa Reynolds, will be housed at the Dallas Hope Center, which helps provide inclusive spaces for at-risk, homeless LGBTQ youth. The center is operated by Dallas Hope Charities, which Gale supported throughout his career. In fact, as part of Power Trip’s official statement regarding Gale’s death, the band requested donations be made to Dallas Hope Charities. The goal is to open the full library by December, with donations of new or gently used books currently being sought. As of Thursday (October 1st), the Riley Gale Mem...
