Author: fgt

Journey tweaked their North American summer stadium tour set list on Friday, playing the Top 5 hit “Who’s Crying Now” for the first time since their trek with Def Leppard launched nearly a month ago.

You can watch the performance below.

The set list shakeup took place at the Rogers Centre in Toronto, where Journey’s 18-song set also included a rendition of “O Canada.”

According to setlist.fm, “Who’s Crying Now” ranks among Journey’s top 20 most-played songs in concert — and for good reason. The Escape single reached No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming their first Top 10 hit and their second-highest-charting single ever, behind “Open Arms” (No. 2).

READ MORE: Top 10 Songs Journey Hasn’t Played Yet in 2024

Journey Keeps Playing Amid Ongoing Schon-Cain Legal Drama

Journey’s massive co-headlining tour keeps on running across North America even as the protracted legal battle between Jonathan Cain and Neal Schon heats up again. This week, Cain filed a lawsuit against Schon for overspending — echoing his 2023 complaint — alleging the guitarist maxed out an American Express account with a $1 million limit and exceeded a daily hotel fee cap of $1,500, spending “up to $10,000 per night.”

Cain’s lawyers claimed that these “unforeseen strains on cash flow” now “pose a severe threat of harm to the company and to Journey’s storied history of musical greatness.” The court filing further claims that the ongoing schism is “impacting the band’s reputation throughout the music industry. The band’s actual onstage performance is, at the moment, one of the only aspects of the business that has not suffered.”

Journey’s tour continues on Aug. 5 in Boston and will extend through early September.

Watch Journey Play ‘Who’s Crying Now’ in Toronto on 8/2/24

Journey Albums Ranked

Some Journey lineups were respected but low-selling, while others were bestsellers who got critically ignored. But which one was best?

Gallery Credit: UCR Staff

More From Ultimate Classic Rock

Sammy Hagar paid tribute to the retiring Aerosmith with a Beatles song on Friday night during his The Best of All Worlds Tour stop in suburban Detroit. And he had a very personal reason for that particular choice.

Coming back for the encore at the Pine Knob Music Theatre, Hagar first told the crowd that, “We had some crazy news today. We got here this afternoon sometime and we’re all sitting around backstage and a friend of ours that works for Aerosmith came and said, ‘Yeah, Aerosmith called retirement today. They quit. They stopped. God bless ’em; it’s a horrible thing. What a great fuckin’ loss.”

Hagar then explained that his band Montrose had opened for Aerosmith during 1974 (he mistakenly said 1973) at Detroit’s famed Cobo Arena. “We didn’t know who they were and they sold out Cobo Hall and I’m going, ‘Who the fuck are these guys?'” Hagar recalled. “So we did our show. We did an encore and we played (the Beatles’) ‘Helter Skelter’ for our encore and Aerosmith comes on and they open with ‘Helter Skelter.’ Steven (Tyler) and I have been friends ever since.

Read More: Revisiting Aerosmith’s Final Concert

“Long story short, we love those guys. We all grew up with those guys — you grew up with them, we grew up with them. Mike (Anthony) and I, y’know, they’ve been our competitors to Van Halen for fuckin’ 10 years, us saying ‘Fuck those guys!’ — no, no, we really like ’em. It’s just that we were mad at them. What a shame. It’s a sad thing.”

Sammy Hagar Agrees With Aerosmith’s Decision to Retire

But, Hagar added, it was the right decision. “Honest to God, my hat goes off to one of the greatest rock ‘n’ roll singers of all time, Steven Tyler, for saying, ‘I can’t sing anymore. I quit.’ Fuck yes! Listen, that’s honorable. That’s fuckin’ honorable. The day I can’t sing anymore I will fuckin’ do the same thing, and that’s what a lot of other motherfuckers should have done a long time ago. So let’s do one for them. Let’s do one for Aerosmith.”

Hagar and company then performed a throat-shredding version of “Helter Skelter” in place of the usual first encore, Montrose’s “Space Station #5,” following with Chickenfoot‘s “Big Foot” and the Van Halen hits “Jump” and “When It’s Love.”

Aerosmith had already postponed its Peace Out farewell tour last September, after just three shows, due to a reported vocal injury for Tyler. The trek was supposed to resume Sept. 20 in Pittsburgh, with dates announced through February. The group announced its cancelation and its retirement from touring, telling fans that, “It has been the honor of our lives to have our music become part of yours. In every club, on every massive tour and at moment’s grand and private you have given us a place in the soundtrack of your lives.”

Sammy Hagar Talks About the First Time He Met Aerosmith

Watch Sammy Hagar Perform ‘Helter Skelter’

DragonForce, formed in 1999 in London, England, is known for their fast-paced and melodically intense style of metal music, often classified as power metal. The band originally began under the name DragonHeart, but due to copyright issues, they changed their name to DragonForce before their first album release. They have released eight studio albums, starting with Valley of the Damned in 2003, which established their distinct, high-speed metal sound with fantasy-themed lyrics. Their breakthrough album, Inhuman Rampage (2006), gained international fame partly due to the inclusion of their song “Through the Fire and Flames” in the video game Guitar Hero III, which brought them a substantial fan base. DragonForce is also known for their virtuosic guitar work, characterized by rapid solos and complex riffs.

Herman Li

Herman Li, a founding member of DragonForce, is renowned for his advanced guitar techniques and electronic effects that mimic sounds like video game music and lasers. Since the band’s inception, Li has been a constant member and has played on all DragonForce albums. His playing style is a defining characteristic of the band’s sound, particularly noted for its speed and complexity. Li’s contributions extend beyond performance to production and mixing on several of DragonForce’s albums. Outside the band, Li is active in music education, providing online guitar tutorials and participating in master classes.

Sam Totman

Also a founding member, Sam Totman has been with DragonForce since its formation. Totman plays rhythm guitar and is the primary songwriter for the band, crafting the framework of many of their most iconic tracks. He has played on all the band’s albums and his songwriting often draws on his love of fantasy themes, which are a staple in DragonForce’s lyrics. Totman’s background in various metal bands in New Zealand before settling in the UK has influenced his musical style, integrating elements of traditional metal with the high-speed, melodic power metal that defines DragonForce.

Marc Hudson

Marc Hudson joined DragonForce in 2011 as the lead vocalist, replacing former singer ZP Theart. His debut with the band was on the 2012 album The Power Within. Hudson’s vocal range and power have been a key component in the band’s continued success, contributing to subsequent albums such as Maximum Overload (2014), Reaching into Infinity (2017), and Extreme Power Metal (2019). His ability to handle the intense vocal melodies and demanding performances has been critical in maintaining the band’s dynamic sound in live performances and recordings.

Gee Anzalone

Gee Anzalone joined DragonForce in 2014 as the drummer, following the departure of Dave Mackintosh. Anzalone, an Italian musician, made his first appearance on the DragonForce album Maximum Overload. Known for his technical skill and speed, he has helped sustain the band’s reputation for fast-paced, energetic music. Anzalone’s drumming is featured prominently on the band’s latest releases, showcasing his ability to complement DragonForce’s fast guitar riffs and solos.

Alicia Vigil

Alicia Vigil became the bassist and backing vocalist for DragonForce in 2019. Although she joined after the release of Extreme Power Metal, she has been involved in recent tours and is set to feature on future recordings. Vigil’s previous experience in her band Vigil of War has equipped her with a robust performance style suited to DragonForce’s high-energy shows.

ZP Theart

ZP Theart was the original lead vocalist for DragonForce and played a significant role in establishing their distinctive sound. Joining the band at its inception in 1999, Theart’s powerful and expansive vocal range was a key element in the band’s early success. He recorded on DragonForce’s first four albums, including Valley of the Damned (2003), Sonic Firestorm (2004), Inhuman Rampage (2006), and Ultra Beatdown (2008). His performances on tracks like “Through the Fire and Flames” helped catapult the band to international fame. Theart left DragonForce in 2010 due to creative differences. Following his departure, he has been involved in various musical projects, including I Am I and Skid Row, continuing his career in heavy metal and power metal.

Matej Setinc

Matej Setinc was one of the early drummers for DragonForce, joining the band shortly after its formation. His time with the band was during its developmental phase when they were still solidifying their style and lineup. Setinc played with DragonForce for a brief period before they achieved mainstream success and did not record on any of the major releases. His contributions helped lay the groundwork for the future direction of the band. After leaving DragonForce, Setinc continued to pursue music but maintained a lower profile compared to other former members.

Steve Scott

Steve Scott was another early member of DragonForce, serving as the bassist. Like Setinc, Scott’s involvement with the band occurred before they recorded their debut album. He contributed to the band’s formative sound and development during its early years but left before DragonForce recorded any of their major albums. Scott’s musical journey post-DragonForce remains less documented, and he has stayed relatively out of the public spotlight compared to other members who joined in later years.

Steve Williams

Steve Williams played keyboards for DragonForce during the band’s early stages. His tenure with DragonForce included contributing to their initial musical experiments and performances. Williams’ keyboard playing was part of the band’s early exploration into what would become their signature epic and melodic sound. However, he departed from the band before the recording of their debut studio album. After leaving DragonForce, Williams went on to play a significant role in the power metal band Power Quest, which he founded in 2001, focusing on melodic and symphonic elements similar to those he engaged with during his time in DragonForce.

Didier Almouzni

Didier Almouzni was the drummer for DragonForce during the recording of their debut album, Valley of the Damned, released in 2003. Almouzni’s contribution to this album was significant as it helped set the high-energy, fast-paced drumming style that would become a hallmark of DragonForce’s sound. His technical ability and speed were vital in driving the band’s powerful and fast music during his tenure. Almouzni left the band shortly after the debut album’s release. Following his departure from DragonForce, Almouzni continued his career in music, focusing on teaching drums and working on various musical projects across different genres, showcasing his versatility as a drummer.

Diccon Harper

Diccon Harper was the bassist for DragonForce before the release of their debut album. Harper’s time with the band was during its early formation phase, contributing to their initial sound development and live performances. Although Harper did not appear on any of DragonForce’s studio albums, his early contributions helped shape the band’s musical direction during its formative years. After leaving DragonForce, Harper continued his musical career with other bands, most notably with the UK doom metal band Pagan Altar, further exploring different styles within the metal genre.

Vadim Pruzhanov

Vadim Pruzhanov, often known for his energetic stage presence and distinctive keytar playing, was the keyboardist for DragonForce from 2001 until his departure in 2018. Pruzhanov’s keyboard work featured prominently on several of DragonForce’s albums, starting with Sonic Firestorm in 2004 and continuing through Reaching into Infinity in 2017. His ability to blend fast, melodic scales with the band’s guitar sections added a unique symphonic element to their music, enriching the overall sound. After leaving DragonForce, Pruzhanov focused on personal music projects and collaborations, bringing his dynamic style to a broader range of musical endeavors.

Adrian Lambert

Adrian Lambert joined DragonForce as the bassist in 2005 and contributed to the albums Inhuman Rampage (2006) and Ultra Beatdown (2008). His bass playing supported the band’s complex arrangements and fast-paced tracks, adding depth to their rhythm section during his tenure. Lambert’s musical background and technical proficiency helped maintain the high standard of musicianship expected in DragonForce. After leaving the band in 2008, Lambert continued his musical journey with other metal bands and projects, applying his skills in various contexts within the heavy metal community.

Our John Bonham’s Best Opening Drum Beats presents a tribute to one of the most loved drummers of all time. This article focuses on John Bonham’s opening drum beats in which it was pretty much just Bonam being featured before the rest of the lads jumped in. With a few exceptions almost all the songs on this list featured just John Benham’s drums  at the song’s Start. These drum beats would become legendary.

John Bonham was born on May 31, 1948, in Redditch, Worcestershire, England. In 1968, Jimmy Page, guitarist of The Yardbirds, was forming a new band. He recruited Robert Plant as the lead vocalist, who then recommended Bonham for the drummer position. Bonham initially hesitated to join, receiving several offers from other bands, but he eventually accepted Page’s offer. The lineup was completed with John Paul Jones on bass and keyboards.

Bonham’s influence on drumming is profound and enduring. His work with Led Zeppelin set new standards for rock drumming, blending power, speed, and precision with a creative approach to rhythm and percussion.  Tragically, John Bonham’s life was cut short on September 25, 1980. After a day of heavy drinking, he was found dead at Page’s home in Windsor, having choked on his own vomit while asleep. He was only 32 years old. His death marked the end of Led Zeppelin, as the remaining members decided they could not continue without him.

No one sounded like Bonham. No one ever will. He was unique, he was the best ever……..

# 9 –  We’re Gonna Groove – Coda

Whilst we wanted to stick to the original Led Zeppelin studio albums, we thought Bonams’ opening drum lick on this track was too good to ignore. Originally written by Ben E. King and James Bethea, the song was initially recorded by Led Zeppelin during a rehearsal at Morgan Studios in London in January 1970. However, it was primarily known for its live renditions, particularly as the opening number during their 1970 European tour. The song was included on the posthumous live album Coda, released in 1982, which showcased unreleased tracks and outtakes.

# 8 – Boogie With Stu – Physical Graffiti

Our favorite Led Zeppelin album makes a quick appearance on this Bonhams list. “Boogie with Stu,” was released on the 1975 double album Physical Graffiti.. Recorded in 1971 at Headley Grange, a historic English mansion known for its distinctive acoustics and informal setting, the track stands out as a lively, impromptu jam session featuring the Rolling Stones’ road manager and pianist, Ian Stewart.

“Boogie with Stu” is notable not only for its musical content but also for its origins and the ensuing legal considerations. The song is based on Ritchie Valens’ “Ooh My Head,” and Led Zeppelin’s version pays homage to Valens while infusing it with their distinct style. To acknowledge Valens’ influence, the band included his mother, Connie Valenzuela, in the songwriting credits, ensuring that she received royalties from the track.

# 7 – D’yer Mak’er – Houses Of The Holy

Oh, those drums are just so heavenly. It’s such a simple drum riff that he’s playing, but he creates a sound that no one can duplicate. The song was released in 1973 as part of Led Zeppelin’s iconic fifth studio album Houses of the Holy. The recording sessions for “D’yer Mak’er” took place at Stargroves, a country house owned by Mick Jagger, and at Electric Lady Studios in New York City. The song was born out of a spontaneous jam session.

“D’yer Mak’er” achieved significant commercial success, becoming one of Led Zeppelin’s more accessible and radio-friendly tracks. It peaked at number 20 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States. The song’s catchy melody, combined with Plant’s emotive vocal delivery and Bonham’s distinctive drum groove, created a sound that was both familiar and refreshingly different for Led Zeppelin fans.

# 6 – Moby Dick – Led Zeppelin II

I can still hear Robert Plant’s live vocals saying Moby Dick, Dick, Dick….. You know what I’m talking about. Moby Dick was John Bonham’s shining moment during Led Zeppelin’s live shows. “Moby Dick”  was an instrumental tour de force from Led Zeppelin’s 1969 album Led Zeppelin II.  However, it was the live versions that made this one a truly epic legendary classic by Bonham.

# 5 – Good Times Bad Times – Led Zeppelin I

Led Zeppelin’s “Good Times Bad Times” is the first of two songs on this list that don’t just feature John Bonham alone at the start. However, the accompaniment is very sparse, and it is truly indeed John Bonham’s explosive drum fills and groove that take center stage at the song’s opening, which made us feel that this one should be on this list. The song was released on Led Zeppelin’s debut album Led Zeppelin. It was the album’s opening track.

# 4 – The Ocean – Houses Of The Holy

Led Zeppelin’s “The Ocean” is the second of two songs on this list where John Bonham is accompanied by his bandmates during the song’s opening riff. However, Bonham does start this song off with his iconic counting that they included on the record. And of course, those fills that he plays in between Page and John Paul Jones’s riffs are just so rock and roll iconic that we had to include this one. It all happens before Plant sings a word. “The Ocean” was released on Led Zeppelin’s studio album Houses of the Holy.

# 3 – The Rover -Physical Graffiti

In the number three spot on our “John Bonham’s Best Opening Drum Licks” article is “The Rover.” “The Rover” may very well be Bonham’s most underrated opening drum riff. However, it’s not on their most underrated album; Physical Graffiti is thought by many to be Led Zeppelin’s best.

# 2 – Rock And Roll – Led Zeppelin IV

# 1 – “When the Levee Breaks” – Led Zeppelin IV

We close out our “John Bonham’s Best Opening Drum Beats” list with a song that always stands at the top of almost every Led Zeppelin fan’s list of favorite Zep songs. The song was originally written and recorded by Kansas Joe McCoy and Memphis Minnie in 1929 about the Great Mississippi Flood of 1927. However, Led Zeppelin did what they always did with old blues classics, completely reinterpreting and reimagining the song. It sounds nothing like the original; it sounds like Led Zeppelin. This may very well be John Bonham’s most shining moment in the studio.

John Bonham’s Best Opening Drum Beats article published on Classic RockHistory.com© 2024

Nightwish vocalist Floor Jansen has shared a new video along with the following message:

“This episode of Coffee, Questions & Answers we dive into the fascinating history of how time was standardized and explore why our ancient brains may struggle with modern pressures. Discover productivity hacks that leverage your brain’s hidden capabilities and learn why balancing downtime is crucial for your creativity.”

Nightwish will release their new album, Yesterwynde, on September 20. It marks the band’s tenth studio album, following on from the release of Human. :II: Nature. in 2020.

The first single, “Perfume Of The Timeless”, can be streamed here. An official video for the track can be viewed below.

Yesterwynde will be available in a number of different vinyl variants, as a jewelcase, digipak, earbook and as part of a deluxe vinyl box set. Order the album here.

Yesterwynde tracklisting:

“Yesterwynde”
“An Ocean Of Strange Islands”
“The Antikythera Mechanism”
“The Day Of…”
“Perfume Of The Timeless”
“Sway”
“The Children Of ‘Ata”
“Something Whispered Follow Me”
“Spider Silk”
“Hiraeth”
“The Weave”
“Lanternlight”

“Perfume Of The Timeless” video:

Working with Nuclear Blast since the release of their highly lauded 2004 album Once, Nightwish have gained international fame and success selling more than ten million records and receiving more than 60 gold and platinum awards, having released six #1 albums and thirteen #1 singles. In October 2018, Nightwish was inducted into the Tähtikatu – Walk of Fame Finland, becoming the honorary gallery’s eleventh member. 2020 saw the release of the band’s last studio record, Human. :II: Nature. that crowned the band’s discography with another #1 success in Finland and Germany as well as several other impressive chart entries worldwide.

Lineup:

Floor Jansen – Vocals
Tuomas Holopainen – Keys
Emppu Vuorinen – Guitars
Jukka Koskinen – Basses
Troy Donockley – Uilleann Pipes, Low Whistles, Acoustic & Electric Guitars, Bouzouki, Bodhrán, Aerophone, Vocals
Kai Hahto – Drums & Percussion

Originally launcehd in June, the encore of Metallica: Fuel. Fire. Fury. began on Friday, August 2nd and is back for the weekend. Experience the Fortnite “concert” and themed gameplay live for the last time before it fades to black on Sunday, August 5, at 3 PM ET // 12 PM PT.

Experience Metallica’s music like never before in Metallica: Fuel. Fire. Fury. This journey through six of Metallica’s fan-favorite songs features gameplay that matches the intensity. The Master of Puppets awaits… 
  The experience will be in Fortnite’s Discover screen for thirty minutes each showtime, so even if you jump in later than the start, you can be part of the full show. Choose a time that works best with a party of up to four Just catch one of the shows so you can finally sleep with both eyes closed./p>  

Content creators in the Support-A-Creator program can share their “Metallica: Fuel. Fire. Fury” experience with the world. See the Content Creation for Metallica: Fuel. Fire. Fury. part of this blog post to learn more!

Go to this location for complete details.

Metallica have released more official video footage from at Estadio Cívitas Metropolitano in Madrid, Spain on July 14. Watch the new clip for “The Memory Remains” below:

Watch “The Unforgiven”, filmed at the same show, below:

Metallica previously released footage from their concert at Estadio Cívitas Metropolitano on July 12. Watch the band perform “Orion” and “Cyanide” below:

Find the band’s complete live itinerary here.

Def Leppard have released a brand new remix of the Pyromania hit, “Photograph” in collaboration with pioneering house DJ, Armand Van Helden. Stream/download the digital EP here, and listen to the three versions –  radio mix, extended club mix and instrumental – below:

Pyromania was the album that launched the band into rock legend status. They are continuing their 40th anniversary celebration of the iconic album, available as deluxe 4CD / Blu-Ray, 2CD, black 2LP, colour 2LP, and half-speed mastered 1LP formats with a discount across selected stores. Order now to make the most of the offer.

The deluxe edition has been prepared in conjunction with singer Joe Elliott who has acted as executive producer on the set, featuring 4CDs consisting of the original album, two live shows from the era, plus a disc of entirely unheard demos and unreleased song, “No You Can’t Do That”.

The Blu-Ray contains an Atmos mix of the album, 5.1 / Stereo and instrumental mixes and promo videos as well as a live show from Westfalen Halle in Germany (Dortmund).

Included is a book containing the history of the album written with band member interviews as were as featuring rare and unseen photographs.

Order here.

Featuring the one-and-only Tom Morello on guitar, and having been sung right back by crowds throughout the North American tour – 7″ coloured vinyl editions of “Just Like 73″ have now sold out. But good news! There are still plenty of black 7” vinyl editions available online.

Inspired by the glam rock stompers of the 1970s, the single is available on the official Def Leppard store amongst many other retailers. Order here.

Tracklisting:

A: “Just Like 73” (Featuring Tom Morello)
B: “Just Like 73” (Alternate Version)

August 2, 2024, 20 hours ago

news heavy metal tony iommi glenn hughes

Black Sabbath legend, Tony Iommi, will reissue the two albums he recorded with Glenn Hughes – The 1996 The Dep Sessions and Fused, on October 4 via BMG. This will be the first time the albums are available on vinyl.

You can pre-order the titles here, and listen to two songs, “Gone” and “Saviour Of The Real”, below.

The 1996 Dep Sessions tracklisting:

“Gone”
“From Another World”
“Don’t You Tell Me”
“Don’t Drag The River”
“Fine”
“Time Is the Healer”
“I’m Not the Same Man”
“It Falls Through Me”

“Gone” lyric video:

Fused tracklisting:

“Dopamine”
“Wasted Again”
“Saviour Of The Real”
“Resolution Song”
“Grace”
“Deep Inside A Shell”
“What You’re Living For”
“Face Your Fear”
“The Spell”
“I Go Insane”
“Slip Away” (Bonus Track)
“Let It Down Easy” (Bonus Track)
“The Innocence” (Bonus Track)

“Saviour Of The Real”:

TALENT WE LOST

R.I.P. Nicola James “Jim” Capaldi (TRAFFIC) – August 2nd, 1944 – January 28th, 2005 (aged 60)

HEAVY BIRTHDAYS

Happy 73rd
Joe Lynn Turner (RAINBOW, DEEP PURPLE, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN) – August 2nd, 1951 (photo credit above: Agata Nigrovskaya)

Happy 74th
David Alan “Ted” Turner (WISHBONE ASH) August 2nd, 1950

Happy 64th
Neal Morse (SPOCK’S BEARD, TRANSATLANTIC, FLYING COLORS) – August 2nd, 1960

Heavy Releases

Happy 13th
BURY YOUR DEAD’s Mosh ‘N’ Roll – August 2nd, 2011
DIR EN GREY’s Dum Spiro Spero – August 2nd, 2011
DEAD AND DIVINE’s Antimacy – August 2nd, 2011
IT PREVAILS’ Stroma – August 2nd, 2011