Author: fgt

After over five decades on the road, Sammy Hagar says his touring career may be at at end.

“I don’t think I want to go on tour anymore,” the former Van Halen frontman told the Miami Herald. “I hate to say that, because I don’t want to piss my fans off.”

Hagar traveled the United States last summer with the highly successful Van Halen-themed Best of All Worlds tour, but now says he wants to focus on residencies and one-off shows. He’s bring a revamped version of the Best of All Worlds show to a nine-date Las Vegas residency that kicks off on April 30.

“I keep telling my manager, ‘Don’t take any tours, let me do this residency,'” he explained. “If I like it enough, I’ll do another one. And if that’s successful I’ll do another one, and I can squeeze a few more years out of my career. …With this, I don’t have to travel, I don’t have to unpack and pack and get on an airplane every day. You know, at my age, it hurts my shoulders to do all this. And I have to perform. I’m a performer, at the end of the day.”

Read More: Watch Sammy Hagar Fight 114-Degree Heat at Arizona Show

Hagar has promised to switch up the set lists for his upcoming Vegas residency, which will find him performing alongside Joe Satriani, Michael Anthony, Kenny Aronoff and Rai Thistlethwayte.

One of the songs he’s promised to add is “Don’t Tell Me (What Love Can Do),” the lead single from Van Halen’s 1995 album Balance. “Technically it’s a brutal song to sing. I painted myself in a corner.” Regardless, he insisted: “[W]e will be doing it at the residency in Vegas. I’m going to add it to the show.”

The Best Song From Every Sammy Hagar Album

Solo or in a group, he proves there’s more than one way to rock.

Gallery Credit: Matthew Wilkening

More From Ultimate Classic Rock

February 7, 2025 will see the Los Angeles based NWOTHM (New Wave of Traditional Heavy Metal) act Saber release their much-anticipated sophomore studio album, Lost In Flames, via ROAR. Coming on CD, “Burning Orange” Marbled Vinyl, and a variety of digital formats, the album presale is available here.

In addition, the band is set to reissue their impressive debut, Without Warning on the same day. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to own this limited edition on vinyl and CD through ROAR! Their stunning debut belongs in every well-sorted heavy metal record collection; preorder here.

Following the previously-released “Madam Dangerous” single and to please fans with more new material, today, the four-piece band has released a brand new track taken off Lost In Flames. “Steel Breaker” is out now on all digital streaming providers.

“‘Steel Breaker’ is the other fast track on the album. It’s different from anything the band has done because it has a thrash feel to it, it’s relentless!” vocalist Steven Villa comments. “The song is about one of my favorite animes ‘Berserk’. And if you know anything about the anime, yes the song is just as intense as the anime.”

Lost In Flames tracklisting:

“Lost In Flames”
“Phoenix Rising”
“Madam Dangerous”
“Shattered Dreams”
“Time Tells All”
“Shadow Of You”
“On The Hunt”
“Steel Breaker”

“Steel Breaker”:

“Lost In Flames” video:

“Madam Dangerous” video:

Saber is:

Steven Villa – Lead Vocals
Joel Dominguez – Lead/Rhythm Guitar
Jesus Delgado – Drums
David Sanchez – Bass Guitar
Antonion Pettinato – Rhythm/Lead Guitar

(Photo – Pouya Golhassani)

In The Woods… have premiered the video clip “A Misrepresentation Of I” as the first single taken from their forthcoming new album Otra. The seventh full-length of the Norwegian avant-garde metal band from the city of Kristiansand has been scheduled for release on April 11, 2025.

Preorder Otra here.

“Our first single from our upcoming studio album Otra takes you on a melodic journey through hard battles with your own self,” guitarist and keyboard player Kåre André Sletteberg explains. “All faith is lost and it is now a game between light and darkness. This is our shot at something musically a bit different than usual, but still attached to what In the Woods… have become and what our future will hold: something melodic, beautiful, and yet still heavy.”

With their seventh studio album Otra, In The Woods… might surprise their listeners – and particularly those, who have not followed the remarkable evolution that the band from the southern Norwegian city of Kristiansand has undergone since the early nineties.

The tracks of Otra are surprisingly captivating with melodic tunes dominating the present sound of In The Woods… – although progressive elements and the occasional rough reminder of the Norwegians’ harsh past are also regularly shimmering through the fabric of these songs. What sets Otra apart from the average heavy work of music is the excellence of composition that shows expert level experience and comes with a seeming ease that makes the achievement even greater.

Lyrically, Otra revolves around stories connected to the eponymous river that winds for 245 kilometres through the South of Norway and spills into the Skagerrak, the strait that separates the country from Denmark and Sweden, at the band’s home in Kristiansand.

Tracklisting:

“The Things You Shouldn’t Know”
“A Misrepresentation Of I”
“The Crimson Crown”
“The Kiss And The Lie”
“Let Me Sing”
“Come Ye Sinners”
“The Wandering Deity”

“A Misrepresentation Of I” video:

The “This Was My Life” documentary premiere of late Megadeth drummer Nick Menza has postponed due to the Los Angeles wildfires.

A statement below:

“Due to the unforeseen circumstances surrounding the Los Angeles wildfires, we have unfortunately had to postpone the Nick Menza documentary film’s red carpet premiere to a new date this spring. We will announce the new date as soon as details are finalized. If you have already purchased tickets for the postponed February 13th date, please call the Laemmle NoHo 7 theater directly at 310-478-3836 for a full refund.

“Our deepest thoughts and prayers are with everyone currently impacted by the devastating wildfires. We hope for their safety, strength, and the swift containment of the fires. As always, thank you for the continued understanding and support during this difficult time. 

“Sincerely,

The Menza Family, Ellefson Films, Screaming Butterfly Entertainment, Bayview Entertainment.”

Screaming Butterfly Entertainment, in association with Ellefson Films, recently inked a worldwide deal with BayView Entertainment for the release to the documentary. In addition to the North Hollywood premier, the film will also be available for digital streaming and on physical media including Blu-ray disc.

For more information visit thiswasmylifefilm.com.

“We are thrilled to work with Nick Menza’s estate, and with Dave Ellefson, Jeff Young and other former Megadeth members as well as other legendary metal figures to bring this release to worldwide audiences,” said BayView Entertainment VP of Acquisitions, Peter Castro. “It is an honor to celebrate Nick’s legacy and help to carry it forward.”

Compiled by Menza’s longtime personal manager Robert Bolger, the film provides an intimate look into a life dedicated to music. Culled from Menza’s personal and private VHS tape collection, photos, and audio files, the film features unreleased drum tracks, concert and studio footage, candid glimpses backstage and on the tour bus, and interviews with family, friends, fans, and colleagues.

“I’m a part of the ‘90s generation. The soundtrack of our lives played every day on MTV was ‘Headbangers Ball,’” director Holly Grayson said in a statement. “At that time, Nick was making his mark as a metal legend in Megadeth, and I was very familiar with his work. I am honored to be able to explore who he was beyond his amazing talent for the drums.”

“Nick had a storied career and an even more incredible life,” Menza’s former Megadeth bandmate David Ellefson said in a statement. “I’m proud to be part of this documentary and can’t wait for fans to see this beautiful story unfold.”

Ellefson previously stated about his involvement with the film: “The making of the Nick Menza documentary has been such a joy for all of us, like a sort of MEGA family reunion where we shared stories, laughs and even a few tears around Nick and what he meant to so many of us. I think this film and soundtrack will touch the hearts of the fans and viewers in the same way, as we remember his larger-than-life character behind the drum kit, but also his lovable charm and warmth that made him the beloved one of a treasured musical legacy.”

The Menza family previously stated: “We are excited for the fans to see the life Nick lived before, during, and after Megadeth, it was quite the journey. Stay tuned for an epic documentary. As Nick would say, ‘It’s gonna be RAD.”

For over 20 years, BayView Entertainment has been a full service media company committed to acquiring, developing, producing, marketing, and distributing audio-visual content. With a catalog of over 3,500 titles across a wide range of genres, BayView has been home to some of the biggest names in the industry, including titles that have been nominated for or won Independent Spirit Awards, Golden Globe Awards, and NAACP Image Awards, as well as premiered at festivals such as TIFF, Sundance, Slamdance, SXSW, Tribeca, and Fantasia.

BayView is direct with most VOD, AVOD, and SVOD platforms and its titles can be found on Starz, Showtime, Shudder, Screambox, and more. BayView Entertainment has a presence at the largest film markets around the globe including the American Film Market, the European Film Market, the Marché du Film Festival de Cannes, the Toronto International Film Festival, NATPE Global, HKTDC, MIPCOM Cannes, and MIPTV.

“This Was My Life” will be the first-ever film to memorialize Menza’s legacy and celebrate his life exactly how it was. It is described in a press release as “an unflinching exploration into the life of one of the most successful thrash-metal drummers of all time, authorized by the Menza family. From his childhood all the way through to the end of his life including a true blow-by-blow account of the repeated failed attempts of the classic Rust In Peace lineup.”

“This Was My Life” will feature rare and never-before-seen photos and video footage from Nick’s archived VHS tape collection, personally filmed by Menza himself from 1988 through 1991. Included will be exclusive content showcasing Nick working at the studio, personal home movies, casual time and party time with his fellow bandmembers, as well as other well-known artists of the era that Nick toured with.

“This Was My Life” will include interviews with the Menza family and close friends, and former Megadeth members Chris Poland, Jeff Young, former Lamb Of God/Megadeth drummer Chris Adler, former Megadeth tour manager Skip Rickert, Nick’s drum tech Rob Corsie, legendary rock and roll photographer Gene Kirkland, film director, late metal historian, journalist and filmmaker Bob Nalbandian, James Rota and Emily Burton of Fireball Ministry, Terri Evans, Cory Danziger and Ravi Dosaj SceneFour, Inc., Peter Flyn, John “Gumby” Goodwin, Bert Wolf, David Randi, Rob Schaefer, Juan “Nico” Alvarez, Robertino “Pag” Pagliari, Iki Levy of Soultone cymbals, and David Corral of L.A. Calling.

Late in the evening on May 21, 2016, Nick collapsed behind his drum kit after suffering a heart attack during a concert with Chris Poland and Robertino “Pag” Pagliari in their band OHM: at The Baked Potato in Studio City, California and was pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital. The Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner said Menza died of hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.

Menza rightfully earned his place as heavy metal’s fiercest drummer during Megadeth’s 10-year peak at the top. The highlight of his career, Nick said, was playing Rock In Rio before more than 100,000 people.

January 15, 2025, 2 hours ago

news hard rock rarities kiss

On January 15, 1982, KISS performed on Fridays to promote their new album Music From The Elder.

The lineup featured Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, Ace Frehley, and Eric Carr. Music Of The Elder was released in November 1981 and notoriously bombed in the United States. The Bob Ezrin produced album would peak at #75 on the US Billboard 200. 

Fridays was a late-night live comedy show that aired on ABC from April 1980-April 1982. Other notable musical guests were AC/DC, Heart, Ted Nugent, Paul McCartney, and King Crimson. 

Head back in time and watch KISS perform Elder tracks “I”, “A World Without Heroes”, and “The Oath”:

Barcelona’s Löanshark will release their new studio album, No Sins To Confess, on February 14 via ROAR. Today, the band debut a video for the new single, “Another Man In The Trunk”. Check it out below, and pre-order the album at this location.

Everything about Löanshark is old-school and like a flashback into the early 80s metal scene. “This is what we feel and what we are, so it’s kinda impossible for us to not sound old-school, because it is in our DNA”, describes bassist Aless. You can already see that spirit within their artwork, their logo or their look.

“For the cover artwork, we wanted that 80’s movie atmosphere, something eye catchy, dangerous, exciting and sexy! So we have chosen a smoky alley as the setting, long and sexy female legs, that hide a lethal weapon behind them, and there we are, about to die at the hands of this hit woman who already has ‘another man in the trunk.’ We want to maintain that ‘mafia’ atmosphere in our work, we want it to be our identifying seal, in accordance with the name we chose for the band.”

No Sins To Confess will be featuring re-recorded, early tracks “Machine Gunner” and “Heavy Metal Addicts” as well as a cover version of NWOBHM cult band Marseille and their track “Open Fire”. In the end you will get ten exciting tracks of a young band that is obviously on fire.

“I think we managed to sound fresh within the genre,” summarizes Aless. “Obviously we play traditional heavy metal and that aura is going to reach you when you hear it, but at the same time we try to ensure that no riff reminds you explicitly of any other song. Another virtue we have is, that we are what you hear on the album. We try not to be pretentious with the production and when you see us live you will get a very similar experience. People are usually surprised by our live sound, created by just three crazy people.”

Tracklisting:

“Electric Shockin’ Waves”
“Machine Gunner”
“The City Goes Fast”
“Another Man In The Trunk”
“Backstabber”
“Wet N’ Wild”
“Midnight Shooter”
“Bad Guys Don’t Lose”
“Open Fire”
“Heavy Metal Addicts”

“Electric Shocking Waves” video:

“The City Goes Fast”:

Eagles have donated $2.5 million to FireAid, a benefit concert scheduled to take place at the 18,000-capacity Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, on January 30.

The show, which is being organised by industry heavyweights Live Nation, AEG and Irving Azoff (Eagles’ longtime manager) will raise funds for those impacted by the wildfires still ravaging parts of Los Angeles. No acts have yet been announced for the show.

While Eagles are currently engaged in a long-running residency at Sphere in Las Vegas, they don’t have any shows booked between January 26 and February 13, and the scheduling may also take advantage of those attending the annual Grammy Awards Ceremony, which is slated for February 2.

Earlier this week, Metallica‘s All Within My Hands Foundation announced it was granting $500,000 to relief efforts carried out by the California Community Foundation’s Wildfire Recovery Fund and the Pasadena Community Foundation’s Eaton Canyon Fire Relief and Recovery Fund.

The fires, which have been raging across Los Angeles since January 7, have already claimed 25 lives and led to the evacuation of more than 180,000 people. More than 12,000 structures have been destroyed and the cost of damage is currently estimated at $250-275 billion.

MusiCares, the charity that provides a financial safety net for those working in the music industry, has announced a $1 million pledge to support music professionals impacted by the fires, offering $1,500 in immediate financial assistance and $500 in food vouchers to those with three years music industry service.

For announcements regarding the FireAid concert, sign up at the FireAid Relief website.

Before music’s biggest stars gather to honor the highest music achievements of the year, Julien’s Auctions and MusiCares® will come together to light up Music’s Biggest Night with this year’s best music memorabilia up for auction in the star studded MusiCares® Charity Relief Auction live at The Recording Academy in Santa Monica, California and online on juliensauctions.com on Sunday, February 2.

The Julien’s Auctions MusiCares Charity Relief Auction holds a vital place in supporting MusiCares’ mission to provide a safety net for music professionals in times of need. This annual event, held in conjunction with the MusiCares Persons of the Year celebration, raises essential funds that help music professionals recover from crises, including the unprecedented challenges posed by the recent wildfires in Greater Los Angeles. While the items on auction honor the legacy and creativity of music’s biggest icons, the funds raised have a very tangible impact—supporting services such as disaster relief, mental health resources, addiction recovery, and essential living expenses for those in the music community. This year, the auction takes on even greater importance as MusiCares continues its work to address both the immediate and ongoing needs of music professionals affected by these devastating events.

This Official Grammy®Week event precedes the 67th Annual Grammy Awards® Telecast. Proceeds will benefit MusiCares, the leading music industry charity. MusiCares provides the music community a support system of health and human services across a spectrum of needs including physical and mental health, addiction recovery, unforeseen personal emergencies and disaster relief.

It was announced today that more than 60 exclusive, one-of-a-kind items given by the world’s greatest music and pop culture icons of our time including instruments, stage worn wardrobe, personal items, signed memorabilia and more from the likes of Bruce Springsteen, Coldplay, Dolly Parton, Lionel Richie, Meghan Trainor, Neil Young, Olivia Rodrigo, Ringo Starr, Slash, Quincy Jones and for the first time at Julien’s and MusiCares’ annual initiative, wardrobe from K-pop groups, Tomorrow X Together, Seventeen and NewJeans, will hit the auction block. More incredible items from several yet-to-be-revealed artists, including MusiCares 2025 Persons of the Year honorees The Grateful Dead, will be unveiled in the coming days.

Among the highlights announced today (with estimates):

A 2023 Martin DX-2E X Series Special acoustic electric guitar signed by the following music legends at the “Keep The Party Going: A Tribute To Jimmy Buffett” event held at The Hollywood Bowl in 2024: Snoop Dog, Eric Church, Paul McCartney, Zac Brown, The Eagles, Pitbull, Jake Owen, Sheryl Crow, Angelique Kidjo, JD Souther, Brandi Carlisle, Kenny Chesney, Jon Bon Jovi, Don Johnson, and Will Arnett ($3,000-$5,000).

A 2024 Fender American Vintage II 1951 Telecaster electric guitar in butterscotch blonde finish donated and autographed by Bruce Springsteen with his familiar signature and a distinctive “doodle” – this axe’s design and style is similar to the 1950s Fender guitar the twenty-time Grammy award-winning rock icon with fifty-one Grammy nominations has played since the 1970s ($2,000-$4,000).

A 1995 Gibson Les Paul Studio electric guitar in Wine Red finish with gold hardware accompanied by a second pickguard signed by the two-time Grammy award-winning rock and folk icon with twenty-eight Grammy nominations, Neil Young ($2,000-$4,000).     

A black felt top hat with a black ribbon hat band, worn by Stevie Nicks during a promotional shoot for her 2024 musical guest appearance on Saturday Night Live and signed with additional celestial doodles by the two-time Grammy award-winning Fleetwood Mac legend, with fifteen Grammy nominations ($1,000-$2,000) (photo credit: Mary Ellen Matthews).

A 2024 Gibson Slash Les Paul Standard electric guitar (pictured at top) in November Burst finish signed by the Guns N’ Roses legend and dated 2024 along with the Grammy award-winner and seven-time Grammy nominee’s signature Skully caricature ($2,000-$4,000).

“Julien’s Auctions is proud to partner again with MusiCares to celebrate the gift of music and its power to inspire and heal the world in our annual charity relief initiative,” said Martin Nolan, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Julien’s Auctions. “From signed guitars from The Boss to Olivia Rodrigo to stage worn outfits from Dolly Parton to global sensation NewJeans, the best of the best will be offered in this incomparable opportunity to own a piece of music history while making a difference.”

“Year after year, our partnership with Julien’s Auctions helps MusiCares provide vital support to the music community. The generosity of artists and fans fuels our mission to care for those who make music possible,” said Laura Segura, Executive Director of MusiCares.

MusiCares helps the humans behind music because music gives so much to the world. Offering preventive, emergency and recovery programs, MusiCares is a safety net supporting the health and welfare of the music community. Founded by the Recording Academy® in 1989 as a U.S. based 501(c)(3) charity, MusiCares safeguards the well-being of all music people through direct financial grant programs, networks of support resources, and tailored crisis relief efforts.

MusiCares is here to support the music community during times of disaster, such as the current wildfires in Los Angeles. Music professionals affected by these events can reach out for assistance with costs related to evacuation, relocation, instrument replacement, home damage, medical care, mental health services, and other essential living expenses. For more information or to apply for support, contact MusiCares at MusiCaresRelief@musicares.org or call 1-800-687-4227.

Julien’s Auctions Live and Online Auction
MusiCares Charity Relief Auction
An Official 67th Grammy Week Event
Sunday, February 2, 2025
11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Pacific Time (approximately)
The Recording Academy
MusiCares Foundation
3030 Olympic Blvd
Santa Monica, CA 90404

Registration is required to bid in this online auction and can be done in person at the exhibition, or online before the sale at the JuliensAuctions.com Registration page to bid by phone, proxy or in person or by calling (310) 836-1818. For inquiries, please email info@juliensauctions.com or call 310-836-1818.

There are four ways to bid in Live Auctions:

– Bid with Julien’s Auctions online and live-in real time.
– Bid over the telephone through an auction house representative.
– Bid in person in the room at our auction events
– Bid in advance by absentee bid. Absentee bid forms are available by calling 310-836-1818

For the moments that matter.

You know that moment when the lights dim, right before your favorite band starts playing? Or that feeling right before the credits roll on a movie that changed your whole world in an instant? The air is charged with anticipation and words are never going to do it justice because you just really had to be there.

At Julien’s, we exist to bring those moments back into your life through iconic artifacts and one-of-a-kind collections. Whether collaborating directly with artists, partnering with legendary estates, or working closely with discerning collectors, our auctions make culture pop with the promise of discovery and reconnection. From Elvis Presley, Marilyn Monroe, and Ringo Starr to Lady Gaga, Banksy, and Kurt Cobain—from LA to the world, we are where originals find their kind.

Coal Chamber have officially cancelled their Fiend For The Fans Tour 2025, which was to feature support from Fear Factory, Twiztid, Black Satellite, and Frayle. Dez Fafara has issued the following statement:

“Hello everyone,

“First off let me say that we are sending prayers to all who are affected in these terrible California wildfires. We have many friends on evacuation or that have lost everything please donate or do what you can to help.

“At this time, I will be taking down the scheduled touring this year until quarter 4 to focus on my health.

“For everybody that has shown support and given me positive comments, sent our family prayers or contacted us with well wishes, I want to thank you so much. It means a great deal to not only myself but my family during this trying time.

“I’ve had a very blessed life and in all lives some rain must fall and certainly over the last few years. It’s been stormy for my family and I with my health.

“I’m looking forward to getting healthy. My attitude is positive and when I’m ready I’m gonna get back on the road harder than ever with both Coal Chamber and DevilDriver.

“There are a lot of things in the works with both of those bands, but I won’t go over them now because I want to focus on this announcement and I wanted you guys to hear it straight from me.

“To all those who supported me, been behind me, I’m so sorry that these tours have to come down but at this time I’m just not able to go do my job at 100%.

“Love one another and be good to one another.” – Dez Fafara