Foo Fighters Reveal Sonic Highways Guests

Taylor tells Loudwire: "We wanted to make something that looked unified but stayed with the spirit of what the band is all about. Instead of trying to find something that was individualistic, Clown designed a mask that the drummer and bass player will both wear.

"On one hand they get a mask but at the same time, it's not an individual mask that we in the band use. We knew any attempt to do anything like that might be taken as disrespectful, but at the same time, it's part of the way of moving, getting past the hardest steps.

The band had the following to say about pulling out of the cruise, "Due to complications arising from a previous cervical spine surgery, and upon his doctor's strict recommendations, Dave Mustaine has cancelled all performances for the next 8 weeks. With rest and treatment, he is expected to recover and resume performing soon.

"The band was looking forward to the concerts and cruise, and is disappointed that they will not be able to see their fans. Megadeth expects to return to the road and will see their fans soon!"

Organizers have also announced that with Megadeth's departure, the super group Metal Allegiance (including Megadeth's David Ellefson and Chris Broderick) will be joining the festivities when it launches on September 22nd-26th.

The all-star group will features singers Philip Anselmo (Down, ex-Pantera), Joey Belladonna (Anthrax), and Chuck Billy (Testament), guitarists Chris Broderick (Megadeth), Jon Donais (Anthrax, Shadows Fall), Scott Ian (Anthrax), Mark Zavon (Kill Devil Hill), bassists Frank Bello (Anthrax), Rex Brown (Kill Devil Hill, ex-Pantera) and David Ellefson (Megadeth), and drummers Charlie Benante (Anthrax) and Mike Portnoy (The Winery Dogs, ex-Dream Theater).

Event producer Alan Koenig of ASK4 Entertainment had this to say about the change in plans, "You can't replace a band like Megadeth, who have done so much to change the landscape of heavy music over the past 30 years. We wish Dave Mustaine all the best in his recovery.

"We're looking forward to getting out there and rockin' it with Dusty in a big way...100%," said Hill's bandmates Billy F Gibbons and Frank Beard in a statement.

Billboard reports that their new album will not be eligible for consideration for the 57th GRAMMY Awards. The Recording Academy only considers albums released before Sept. 30, 2014, for that particular year, and due to the freely available nature of this album ahead of its commercial release date of Oct. 14 will not be considering it. The Academy feels it does meet the qualifications for consideration in the 58th ceremony, however.

"All entries - singles, tracks, albums - must be commercially released, nationally distributed and available from any date within the eligibility period," a representative for the GRAMMYs told Billboard. The trick there is the phrase "commercially released" - giving it away for free with a future commercial release date apparently doesn't count for the GRAMMYs.

The Essential Kinks, out Oct. 14, marks the first time the English rock band have released career-spanning album. Fittingly, they went all out for it, even tapping David Bowie for the liner notes.

"I've never heard a Kinks song that I didn't like," Bowie writes in the notes. "Of course, from their noisy and brash beginnings, the Kinks have come to stand for some of the most enduring and heart-clutching pop of all time. They are in the gut of every British song-writer who followed them and are indisputably a cornerstone of everything pop and rock. I love 'em. The world loves 'em."

He tells Billboard: "We have a bunch of new material we've been working on for the last two years since we rolled in with Todd - stuff we've been digging deep and working on longer than just the last few months.

Sweet Lynch features singer/guitarist Michael Sweet of Stryper, Dokken and Lynch Mob guitarist George Lynch, former Megadeth bass player James LoMenzo and one-time Whitesnake drummer Brian Tichy.

The Led Zeppelin singer recorded the project with his band, The Sensational Space Shifters, at Helium Studios in Wiltshire and Peter Gabriel's Real World Studios in Bath, UK.

Later this month, Plant will launch the new record with a 7-date theatre tour of North America; he'll play three shows in New York starting September 25th, before hitting Toronto, Chicago and Denver, wrapping the run up in Los Angeles on October 7th.

Fallon tells Lithium Magazine: "We'll take October, November and December to finish up writing. We'll do a run from Christmas to mid-January out to Texas, where we plan to record. Then we'll record in January, February and probably the beginning of March, take a little bit of time off and go back out on the road."

It perhaps wasn't the song-by-song rundown that fans had hoped for, but it did provide a bit of insight to where Bruce's head was at different points in his career as a writer.

Now it looks like he's ready to examine his music videos in a more granular way. He recently posted an item to his official website, "Video of the Week: 57 Channels (and Nothin' On)," presumably the first of a series of Springsteen dissecting his videos.

He writes, "Shot back in the quaint days of only 57 channels and no flat screen TVs, I have no idea what we were aiming for in this one outside of some vague sense of 'hipness' and an attempt at irony. Never my strong suit, it reads now to me as a break from our usual approach and kind of a playful misfire."

Black made his final appearance with the German outfit at the Summer Breeze festival in Dunkelsbuhl on August 15. Frontman Ralf Scheepers stated at the time there would be "no dirty laundry" over the split.

We were sent over these details: The event will take place on Tuesday, September 30th, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel and local radio station radio Gary Moore (KLOS) will provide the evening's entertainment.

The evening commemorates The Midnight's 100-year anniversary and recognizes its 2014 award recipients including famed actress Carrie Fisher, Arlene Van Dyke, renowned make-up artist and wife of entertainer and 2005 Golden Heart honoree Dick Van Dyke and Denise Salazar, Richie Sambora's longtime executive assistant for their noted contributions.

All will be recognized for their substantial contributions to The Midnight, as well as their personal advocacy on behalf of Los Angeles' neediest population.

A three dimensional hard rock masterpiece, Pump delivered Aerosmith's deepest well of songwriting, blistering performance chops, and the most innovative production of any hard rock album to date, courtesy of the late Bruce Fairbairn.

It's blazing energy and cinematic presentation combined with unforgettable songs make Pump one of Aerosmith's biggest sellers (over 7+ million), producing three Top 10 hits "Janie's Got A Gun", "Love In An Elevator", "What It Takes" and delivering the band its first Grammy Award.

Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler shares with InTheStudio host Redbeard how protective the band is with the creative process in the studio. "A guy came in while we were recording, rehearsing this album, doing pre-production and he mentions, "Well you gotta have an "Angel", you gotta have a "Dude", and we threw him out... When you look at it like that it becomes a business thing, plus it can tend to scare you half to death."

They say, "This was a difficult decision to make, but for a variety of non-musical work related reasons, logistical complications have proven to be insurmountable on this occasion.

"We would like to apologise wholeheartedly for this: full refunds will of course be available from all points of sale. We also extend my deepest apologies to our good buddies HeKz, who have been nothing but professional in response to the situation.

After a series of lineup changes, described by the mainman as a "normal process," his colleagues are guitarists Andrew Kopczyk and Gavin Owen, bassist Dean Markham and drummer Rich Smith.

And they're planning to tour in support of the record, which sees the former The Gathering vocalist working with a heavier sound for the first time in several years.

A statement on the Aryeon mastermind's website says: "We are excited to announce The Gentle Storm is planned for release in early 2015. Arjen likes to say his touring days are over - but he's helped Anneke form a stellar band for live dates."

Last month he confirmed he'd be moving on after their European tour, and that his final appearance would be on the US Blues Cruise next month. He'll be replaced by Bart Walker.

Zito tells American Blues Scene: "In 2011 I was just developing this sound I had in my head, blues but kind of country. I was really getting in there - then here comes the Royal Southern Brotherhood, out of the blue.

"I'd been writing with Cyril Neville and I've known Devon Allman for years. We got into the Brotherhood - and part of me, right away, was like, 'I don't know that I want to do something.' I'm in the middle of this career, and I was starting to get somewhere."

The group formed in 1997 but broke up three years later. They reformed in 2007 but delays and other commitments mean only now are they working on their as-yet-untitled album. Lopez is joined on the project by vocalist/guitarist Jonas Reslan and bassist David Lindh.

Lopez tells Bravewords.com: "I'm very excited to finally release our debut album after all the years of contradictions and hard work. I'm even more excited this is happening with Graviton, who we consider both partners and friends.

"Our vision and art will remain intact without needing to compromise to any big label for their pursuit of greed and capital. I hope people who see music as something more than just entertainment will take the time to listen to our album."

Richards shared stories about his grandfather Augustus Theodore Dupree, who was his inspiration for the book, as well as tales of Chuck Berry, Mick Jagger and being a five-time grandfather himself.

Frontman Alex Erian says the new album represents the band "more accurately, as people, both lyrically and musically" than their debut album Young Blood.

The band have also lined up a European tour to tie in with the album's launch and take in four UK dates along with one Irish date in November. Joining them are Terror, Comeback Kid and Stick To Your Guns. Other artists will be added at a later date.

The early '80s metal scene in Los Angeles has become legendary, as it spawned such worldwide headliners as M�tley Cr�e, Ratt, Dokken, W.A.S.P., and originally, Metallica (before the latter relocated to San Francisco). And the new documentary, 'Inside Metal: Pioneers of L.A. Hard Rock & Metal,' chronicles the entire scene.

Directed by Bob Nalbandian and produced by Metalrock Films, 'Inside Metal' features all-new interviews with countless bands and artists that thrived on the scene, and tell its story, first hand.

This groundbreaking movie features exclusive and candid interviews with members of Metallica (Lars Ulrich), Ratt (Stephen Pearcy), Dokken (Don Dokken), Quiet Riot (Carlos Cavazo), W.A.S.P. (Chris Holmes), Megadeth (David Ellefson), Great White, (Jack Russel), Y&T, (Dave Meniketti), Stryper (Michael Sweet) and Armored Saint (Joey Vera).

'Inside Metal' is about giving fans the real inside story from the behind the scenes world of metal and hard rock with in-depth interviews, ultra-rare concert footage and photographs, and an original music score from that era; in this no-holds-barred, never before seen, recollection of untold stories.
Check out some sneak previews here.

Early feedback has been exceptional, including renowned video director Jonas �kerlund (who has worked with the likes of Metallica and Ozzy) raving, "This film captures an era that catapulted metal into the spotlight and takes the audience on a wild ride down memory lane. After watching it I wanted to get in my time machine and experience those days for the first time. You're hit with a potent nostalgia, a time I thought we couldn't get back, not until I saw this film. I can't get enough of this sh*t, what an amazing film to watch over and over again, well done!"

Metalrock Films ask - and want - real and serious metal fans to be a part of this historic documentary and spread the word that this was the scene where it all began, ground zero. "Our Fanbacked campaign will raise the direly needed financial support to bring this film to one and all in the US and Internationally in order to pay for the marketing and promotion to get it noticed by the general public. We want to bring this film to your theatre, town, bar, club and living room! Unite and support us. We have created some one of a kind opportunities for our friends and fans to participate with us in birth of this film. Get your name on the screen and let the world know that you support metal and the bands that create it. Help us tell the story of the music you love and let the world know you love it. Join in the festivities of our, and your, accomplishments by being at the premiere of the movie and interact with the artist that participated in its creation. Commemorate your participation with a plaque, t-shirt, poster or other limited edition merchandise items that says 'Metal Rules.' Keep checking back as we add more tasty premiums."

And thanks to you and your donation, 'Inside Metal' will finally get the true story of the scene heard - worldwide!

The Indiana rocker will play 80 shows, including multiple dates in the artist's hometown of Bloomington, Indiana; Nashville, Chicago, Minneapolis, New York, and more. The tour will kick off on January 21st in South Bend, Indiana at the Morris Performing Arts Center.

A portion of the ticket proceeds from the final performance held in Indianapolis at the Bankers Life Fieldhouse on August 4th will be donated to the Riley Children's Foundation, which supports Riley Hospital for Children (rileykids.org).

The Swedish veterans released 11th album Siren Charms this month and Friden admits he is comfortable with whatever feedback it gets. He tells Pitcam: "I so surpassed my goals. This is like the 10th album I've done with In Flames and I've done albums with other bands. I couldn't even have imagined this when I started so everything from many years back is just a bonus really.

"The only pressure we have is within the group. We want to create stuff that we feel means something to us and represents us as people. That's the only thing that matters really.

It comes after Kiss star Gene Simmons claimed the genre was dead and buried in a hard-hitting interview last week. Plant invited fans to ask questions via Facebook this week and offered a selection of answers on his website last night. Among the queries was: "Do you believe that hard rock is dead?" He replied: "Is there a pulse?"

Asked who would play Plant in a movie, the singer replied: "Zsa Zsa Gabor." When he was invited to reveal a secret about himself he said: "Holidaying in Madagascar, I tried my luck as a cross dresser. It was before the beard." And when one fan inquired: "Will you marry me?" He told her: "Send full details. You'll be right after Jack White."

The full original version of the song appears on the band's latest album studio Catacombs Of The Black Vatican, which was released in April this year.

The live CBS broadcast from New York also featured artists like Duran Duran, Jennifer Lopez, Miranda Lambert, Pitbull, The Band Perry and Usher.

KISS just wrapped up their summer dates with Def Leppard and will next host their first Las Vegas residency this fall.

Frontman Pete Loeffler recently described the follow-up to 2011's Hats Off To The Bull as a "sonic reinvention," adding: "I don't want Chevelle to sound like every band out there - I want to create something fun, in a dark way."

The band's sixth release was produced by Nick Raskulinecz (Rush, Alice In Chains, Foo Fighters, Mastadon) at Studio 606, the Northridge, California-based studio owned by Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl.

Drummer Charlie Benante recently said: "Santiago was the perfect place - when we'd played there in the past, we'd finish our set and go to the dressing room. Every time the fans would continue to scream, cheer and clap. They wouldn't stop.

"One time Scott Ian and I walked out to the side of the stage just to watch what was going on in the audience. It was intense. Why wouldn't we film a DVD in front of an audience like that?"

Produced by Seger, it's his first studio album in 8 years, since 2006's "Face The Promise." Seger began teasing tracks from the album during his 2013 tour.

The Albany, New York group release their fifth album Black Widow on November 17. It's their first album on Atlantic Records after leaving Century Media.

The band have also revealed they will go out on tour in support of the album from October 26, although gig dates are not yet available. Support will come from Starset, Twelve Foot Ninja, and 3 Pill Morning.

"This was a happy experiment for me," says leader Dave Wyndorf. "It's not a re-mix record by the current definition. It's more like Last Patrol in a "what if?" style alternate reality. What if these songs were recorded in 1968? What would happen if I turned a pretty song into an angry one? How would adding creepy organs and Mellotrons affect the emotional vibe of a song? These are just a few of the questions that roll around in my head when I write and record any album but this time I decided to actually answer them with fully fleshed out, recorded and mixed examples".

Mr Big recently announced that drummer Pat Torpey has Parkinson's disease, leaving him unable to tour.Ace Frehley's sticksman Matt Starr will go on the road in his place, although Torpey is expected to appear briefly on some dates.

He has cut an edited version of album track Stranded and released it as a single, which can be downloaded digitally from online retailers. A lyric video for the track has also been made available.

'Simple as That' is a result of me picking up my guitar and going 'grrr'. I was angry at the time, but to be honest, I had been dispirited and angry for so long that I had journeyed far beyond angry, emerging into a world of eerie, lonely stoicism. No sympathy sought. The chorus is undeniably angry, but the rest of song reflects the stoicism.

The 'woo hoo' lines aren't there because I couldn't be arsed to write a lyric, or because I wanted a crowd sing along. They are there because there is nothing left to say that will make any difference. Let's just waste no more time, eh?

This is also, in my opinion, one of the finest sounding The Pineapple Thief tracks to date. This is down to the engineering and mixing of Adam Noble. Witnessing him working on these mixes was a humbling experience. This allowed me to focus on song writing, my vocal and the guitar. How many of the great (and great sounding) albums were written, mixed and produced by the same guy? Not very many. And there's a good reason for that.