When it first surfaced in a recent episode of his online series The Roth Show, some fans speculated that the tune sounded like it could represent the singer's farewell to his days in Van Halen, who have gone quiet since they wrapped up their 2015 with a pair of shows at the Hollywood Bowl in early October.
Roth's management responded to the recent chatter, saying, "It's poetry. It has nothing to do with Van Halen." Now, the rocker has issued a direct response via Facebook, stating: "On second thought, if all work is autobiographic, maybe this song is about Van Halen..."
Speculation regarding Roth's status in Van Halen amongst hardcore fans began when three things happened since last year's North American shows ended:
1) Roth was set to perform with the lineup featured on his 1986 debut full-length solo album, "Eat 'Em And Smile", at a Hollywood club last November - a move to work with others outside VH has historically been frowned upon by guitarist Eddie Van Halen - except in the case of his bassist and son Wolfgang, who is also a member of Tremonti and is currently recording his debut solo album;
2) Former VH singer Sammy Hagar reached out to Eddie via Twitter for his birthday in late January, marking the first public attempt at communication between the two since the end of an ill-fated 2004 reunion tour; and,
3) When Roth relaunched his online presence on February 7 - almost 12 months to the day after his social media sites went dark without explanation at the end of January 2015.
Speculation in some corners of the internet based on (1) and (3) is that Roth may have been under a limited time contract with the band and the arrangement had run its course. Read more and listen to the song
here.
The first three shows on the trek will have alternate lineups with Styx taking REO Speedwagon's place. The tour will kick off on May 4th in Lafayette, LA at Lafayette Cajundome and wrap up on October 10th in Cedar Rapids, IA at the U.S. Cellular Center.
Def Leppard frontman Joe Elliott had this to say, "I'm really looking forward to getting back out there and playing some great music with some great people for some of the most appreciative audiences in the world. It really is always a pleasure."
Kevin Cronin of REO Speedwagon adds, "We love our fans. We love you all so much that we are teaming up with our buddies Def Leppard for a big time high energy summer rock tour. Between us and the Lepps we have a ton of hits, we bring it every night, and we love to play live. It's gonna be a blast."
Def Leppard are launching the tour in support of their 2015 self-titled album.
Check out the tour dates here.
The band announced the dates, cities and venues for the tour, with the exception of an additional Virginia Beach, VA show that will be announced later this month.
The tour is scheduled to kick off on June 9th in Salt Lake City, UT at the USANA Amphitheatre and will conclude on August 5th in Des Moines, IA at the Wells Fargo Arena.
In other news, frontman Corey Taylor kicks off his brand new radio show "A Series of Bleeps with Corey Taylor" via Apple Music's Beats 1, with the premiere episode Wednesday (March 2nd) at 7:00 PM PT. An encore will be broadcast on Thursday at 9:00 AM PT.
See the tour dates here.
Billed as Phil Collins Unplugged, it will be his first gig since his 2010 tour in support of his last record, Going Back. Earlier this month, the former Genesis singer and drummer confirmed he had no plans to go back on the road.
He said: "I'm not going to go back out on tour. I like the rhythm of my life. It's very important to be with my kids - I do not want to go back on the road.
"Same thing with the record. People are saying I'm making a record, and I'm not. I haven't written a song yet. Things have been elaborated upon to make a better story, but I'm not sure how that will take shape yet." Read more
here.
The Foo Fighters frontman paid tribute to stars such as Wes Craven, Alan Rickman, Christopher Lee, Leonard Nimoy, Holly Woodlawn and David Bowie, who have all died since the 2015 ceremony.
Earlier this month, Grammys producer Ken Ehrlich admitted that Grohl had pushed for the Lemmy tribute at that awards ceremony this year. Foo Fighters' documentary series Sonic Highways won Film Of The Year at the 2015 Classic Rock Awards in December. Watch Grohl's performance
here.
Guitarist Zoltan Bathory says of the song: "Everyone has a nemesis. It can be anything - a self-defeating thinking pattern, a bad habit, an addiction, an adversary. Something or someone that puts you in an impossible scenario. Sometimes there is no other choice but making a hard choice. You can give up and just suffer the situation, or you can use your pain to overcome it, as pain is truly the wind in the sails of change.
"We wanted to present a story about moving on, a story that probes and questions compassion and loyalty. Those are beautiful notions. But remember you have to be loyal and fair to yourself as well.
"So, will you sacrifice yourself for another or will you live with the guilt that you didn't?" Watch the video
here.
It features Kera Schaley on cello, and has a slightly softer feel than the "Marigold" released as a b-side to "Heart-Shaped Box." "Marigold" features Dave Grohl on vocals with Kurt Cobain lending harmony to the track.
Grohl originally wrote the song for his 1992 solo project Pocketwatch, recorded under the pseudonym Late! (via Consequence of Sound). The band later recorded it while they were working on In Utero.
In the alternative version, Grohl counts down the beat before messing up and cursing, "Oh s-." Without any further word, the band plays the song with Grohl softly singing. Listen
here.
Legacy Of The Beast is being developed by Vancouver-based Roadhouse Interactive. They've been working with Maiden's management firm Phantom Music Management and have been given access to the band's back catalogue.
Roadhouse CEO James Hursthouse said: "As a lifelong fan, I have always thought that Maiden's music, lyrics and cast of characters would provide the perfect basis for a deep RPG experience.
"With this game we're creating an outstanding RPG that will appeal to all mobile gamers, including those discovering Maiden for the first time." Watch the trailer
here.
He bowed out last year to focus on Sixx:AM, before Rose confirmed that classic-era guitarist Slash and bassist Duff McKagan were returning to the lineup.
Asked to draw a comparison between Rose and notoriously-moody rapper Kanye West, Ashba tells SiriusXM: "It got difficult here and there. He's definitely, definitely a unique character."
But he continues: "I had the best time of my life doing it. I'm grateful. He has a very tight-knit circle and I was fortunate enough to be part of that. And he's always treated me like gold.
"I have not a bad word to say. Although I do know if you cross him he can turn more into the Kanye side of things." Listen the full interview
here.
Goldberg says: "I love the first album - but this one is even better because it reflects how we're evolving into a real band. The chemistry is just so good between the three of us. We all have so much respect for each other.
"When we recorded the first album, we knew it wasn't just a one shot deal. But along the way, and through touring, we actually found out just how well we played together." Read more
here.
Bonamassa explained the focus of the tour "If it wasn't for certain British musicians of the early 1960s, the blues may never have exploded into rock music as we know it today - and indeed may have passed into history."
Now he's extended the tour with additional dates in Ireland and Europe. Tickets go on sale at 9am on March 4 (Friday) with a fan presale available 48 hours earlier. See the dates
here.
The Wacken footage of Swedish Pagans is the third preview of the bundle ahead of its release on March 4 via Nuclear Blast. Previous clips were Resist And Bite and Carolus Rex.
Bassist Par Sundstrom donned his best pirate gear to pass along a video message to fans. He says: "Hello UK. I hope that you have not missed that we are coming on tour. It's pretty weird that I'm dressed as a pirate drinking rum, but on the other hand, we're touring with Alestorm so why the hell not. Hope to see you all there." Watch the video
here.
The music veteran is continuing to perform material from latest album Battle Scars, written about his brush with death while waiting for a liver transplant in 2014.
Trout says: "The songs come out a little bit different each night, as I feed off inspiration from the audience. It's still therapeutic to play these songs about my journey to death's door and back. Each time I share them with a live audience, I heal a little bit more." See the dates
here.
The band made their track Everything You're Not available to stream last month. Guitarist Tony Hernando said: "The new album, being the follow-up to a first record that was so greatly received, had to get to a higher place.
"After an intense year of writing and producing, along with the live performances, we came up with songs that are still deep and complicated in some arrangements, but have been written with the live performance in mind."
Romero was handpicked by guitar icon Ritchie Blackmore last year for Rainbow's 2016 summer shows. The band are scheduled to perform in Birmingham, UK, and the Gods Of Rock festival in Germany. Stream the song
here.
The recordings all feature Fripp, Jakko Jakszyk, Mel Collins and Tony Levin plus drummers Gavin Harrison, Bill Rieflin and Pat Mastelotto. DGM say: "How about a full live album gathering together the complete King Crimson setlist compiled from numerous nights and selected performances? In response to overwhelming demand for video of the group's shows, the multi-disc set will come with selected in-concert footage."
The bootleg that's now on sale was recorded at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre, Toronto, Canada, on November 20 last year. It's described as "a superb example of the band in full-flight," and "features some of the best-loved pieces in King Crimson's catalogue, as well as new material such as Radical Action To Unseat The Hold Of Monkey Mind and Meltdown." Read more including the tracklist
here.
Guitarist Esa Holopainen had the following to say to TeamRock: "The Under The Red Cloud tour hits the lands of Robin Hood, classic rock, haggis, football and pubs.
"We're looking forward to these dates as we got such good feedback from the show that we did supporting Nightwish at Wembley Arena. Check out our latest video - it was filmed in Amsterdam during the tour with Nightwish and Arch Enemy at the end of 2015." Watch the video
here.
Suicide Silence released EP Sacred Words last year. Frontman Eddie Hermida previously hinted that he'd like to have a rap-metal flavour on the band's next record.
Hermida said: "It'd be cool to re-touch the whole rap-metal thing. It's something I grew up with, and I feel like in that era, the people who were rapping with metal weren't that good. It was subpar rappers." Read more
here.
The legendary rock band last appeared on U.S. late night television way back in 1967 when they were featured on The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour.
The Who are making the appearance to promote the rescheduled North American leg of The Who Hits 50! Tour which kicked off this past weekend and runs until May 29th.
See the remaining dates here.
Zane directed and edited the clip via his Lord Zane Productions (John 5, Wayne Static, Zakk Wylde, DMC, Orgy) and had the following to say, "When I direct our own videos it's always a challenge considering I have to jump in front and behind the camera. This video was the most difficult out of all the Society 1 videos because not only did I have to perform but imagine what was going on in the scene.
"Everything was done on green screen so I was just trying to think about what it was supposed to look like. When I brought it into editing the real challenge began attempting to create what I envisioned. A very cool creative experience.
"We're going to concentrate in the realm of complete manifestations of worlds and environments for further video's to bring the music that much farther. We want every sound and visual to really capture the full spectrum of the viewers imagination." Watch the video
here.
The band will be playing the album in full at each show along with other tracks from their catalog. They be supported on the trek by Bobaflex and Terror Universal, Shattered Sun, Saint Diablo and Voodoo Terror Tribe will appear on select dates.
The 45-city tour is scheduled to kick off on May 5th in West Hollywood, CA at The Whisky A Go Go and will conclude on June 25th in Santa Ana, CA at Malone's.
Frontman Cris Machado had the following to say, "Nearly two decades later, onward we march to the sound of the war drums. It's safe to say we owe it all to our fans. For our first 10 tours, Revolution, Revoluci�n songs were all we played. Sadly a lot of our debut album went unperformed for many years thereafter, so now's your chance to hear it again!"
See the tour dates here.
set will draw from a combination of all of his albums, including the latest, Scorpions Revisited, and Transcendental Sky Guitar, but will also emphasize select Electric Sun songs in celebration of the 35th anniversary of the first Electric Sun album, Earthquake. These songs have not been performed live by Uli Jon Roth in over 30 years.
"I'm happy to say that there will be two great fellow guitarists on tour with me this time: none other than the fabulous Jennifer Batten and the very talented Andy Timmons," states Uli Jon Roth. "Together we'll be celebrating the spirit of our favorite instrument: The Electric Guitar! I'm really looking forward to this tour and I'm sure that between the three of us - and the audience - sparks will fly (positive ones, of course)! We will all play our own separate sets first and then play some pieces together, which should be great fun!"
He said: "I'm just jamming stuff for Behemoth now. I got this other band going now and I wanna wrap up the record in March and maybe have it out in September this year.
"It's not metal, it's blues, country and folk. It's very new for me, I'm singing also. I need to get it out of my system. It's a different approach but it's very dark." Check out the previews
here.
Guitarist and vocalist Rami Jamsa told Tough Riffs: "I've always try to keep music on a high level. I knew that next time I'd want to push the band over the limits and challenge ourselves even more.
"My main target is always keep our music interesting for ourselves. We have gone further from our old-school roots. Groove, dynamic, spacey metal is the name of the game this time." Check out the new song
here.
Also announced for the Pit Stage are Fearless Vampire Killers, Creeper, Citizen, Dead! and Tim Commerford's latest outfit Wakrat. Frank Carter And The Rattlesnakes and Sleeping With Sirens have also been announced for the Main Stage.
Commerford says: "I can't believe that Wakrat will be playing Reading and Leeds this year. It's a blessing to play and introduce my new passion to a part of the world that has been so good to me and has some of the most incredible fans. We hope to win more over."
Creeper add: "We are incredibly excited to be playing Reading and Leeds. Members of our band have been attending these festivals since we were kids, it is an incredible honour to have been asked to play and we promise a very special show." See the full lineup
here.
And the first taste of her new material will be the single which is set for release on March 7. Seviour tells Prog: "I love Fantasise To Realise. It's completely different to anything I've ever performed before, and it's a fun, brilliantly nostalgic and uplifting tune.
"It won't be on the album as it doesn't fit with the style I'll be going for, but one of the things that I love about being signed to White Star is that I can just try out new styles for the sheer enjoyment of it. For me, that's what performing music is all about."
She continues: "I really hope that Prog readers find the track as enjoyable as I have." Check out the song teaser
here.
Frontman Josh Middleton had the following to say of the trek: "We're extremely excited - it's great to finally be playing a full-length set for our very patient UK fans.
"With this package I think it's really worth the wait. We've been huge Decapitated fans since the time Nihility came out. Just getting to watch them every night is going to be awesome." Stream the song
here.
The Word Alive will release their fourth album Dark Matter on March 18. Frontman Tyler 'Telle' Smith said: "Dark Matter is the result of our most in-depth writing and recording session we've done, and is something we consider to be our most dynamic and expansive album to date.
"This record completely defines and expresses who we are, and where we are going, taking the listener to the darkest and most honest places our band has dared to venture." See all of the upcoming dates
here.
The 11-track follow-up to 2013's Rise Of The Elder Ones includes a cover of Celtic Frost's Innocence And Wrath and features Rob 'The Witch' on guitars and vocals, Mars on bass and Rick on drums.
Advent Of The Human God is available for pre-order direct from Season Of Mist. Check out the online stream of the new "Crown Of Thorns" music video
here.
The industrial metal veteran reveals how he has moved on to create new music under a new brand following the 2013 release of Ministry's final album, From Beer To Eternity.
Jourgensen tells In The Loop magazine: "Guitarist Mikey Scaccia died a couple of years ago, from Ministry, and I just figured, like, nah, it's time to quit. I don't want to have John Bonham's kid playing drums for us and having replacement parts forever - that's just not my scene. So I figured, 'All right, let's stop this. Let's do some other stuff.'
"I understand it's not a real commercial project for us, it's not gonna put bank in my wallet, but it was a lot of fun to do, in the sense of not having the constraints of the expectations of what you've done for 20 years." Read more
here.
I felt crazy, as though I didn't know how far away this was when I bought the tickets, why did I do such a thing? However, by the 5th hour of the flight the voice in my head had finally convinced me, "Jackie, you're doing this for music and you're doing this to fill that gap." I took a deep breath and calmly played Bejeweled until I fell asleep.
"That gap", in case some are wondering, is what inspired the song 'Next Life.' I have always been one to crush hard. When I get a gut feeling in my stomach about a guy, that feeling stubbornly sticks around until all possibilities of making it work have turned to impossibilities. This is how I have always been, and I suppose it means when I finally find the right man, I will love him deeply. I suppose this is a good thing but not when my heart is trapped in a crush for months, making it hard for me to get through my day. That's how the crush I had on an unavailable man eventually drove me to write a song about it. I had gone out to get away from my own thoughts and I ran into this crush of mine at a bar with his longtime girlfriend. (Great, I drove here to get away and ran into the very thing I was trying to get away from.) What was crazy about this random meeting is that it was as if his lady knew how I felt about him, even though I was acting completely civil and appropriate. She could see right through me and proceeded to taunt me the way Regina George taunted Cady in Mean Girls. She flaunted him and was all over him, to the point where he was actually acting a tad uncomfortable. I went home and I wrote Next Life that same night.
A month later I flew to Germany for a tour I had set up for myself. If I can't be with the man I want to be with, I'm just going to run away. I'm going to fill my life with music until I find another man to love. As for all of my past crushes, see you in the next life!
Hearing is believing. Now that you know the story behind the song, listen for yourself here and learn more about Jackie
right here!
Click here to read today's full Day in Rock report
On the Blue: New Horizons Cruise Days 4 & 5: Starship Lands on the Pearl, Alan Parsons Takes It Home
Kandace Springs - Run Your Race
On the Blue: New Horizons Cruise Day 1: Marbin Gets the Fun Started
Hot In The City: Prog Band Tu-Ner Coming to Phoenix
Slipknot To Play Rare Intimate Venue Show This Week
Deep Purple Announce New Album '=1'
Howard Jones, ABC And Haircut 100 Taking Fans Back To The 80s This Summer
Veil Of Maya and Brand Of Sacrifice Lead Summer Slaughter Lineup
Watch Sebastian Bach's '(Hold On) To The Dream' Video
Kittie To Rock North American Headline Dates
Billy Corgan's Adventures in Carnyland TV Series Premiere Announced
GHOSTxSHIP Releasing First New Music in 10 Years