Author: fgt

The online countdown that Linkin Park launched over the weekend is now counting back up.

On Saturday (August 24), the nu metal stars began a 100-hour countdown on their website and social media channels, with many fans hoping that the news at the end of the wait will be the band reuniting.

Instead, once the clock expired this evening (August 28), it started counting back upwards, possibly to 100 hours again. People are a bit perplexed.

“????/ WHAT” prominent influencer Nik Nocturnal replied when Linkin Park published footage of the clock restarting to X (formerly Twitter). “Why is it counting up funny man” another user asked, their annoyance almost tangible.

Another grumbled, “Okay, if you teased an announcement date… but it’s actually just revealing an actual announcement date… this is the dumbest, most unfriendly to fans reveal strategy of all time.”

Linkin Park unofficially deactivated shortly after frontman Chester Bennington took his own life in July 2017, aged 41. The band played a tribute show to the late vocalist the following October but haven’t performed live since.

Rumours of a comeback began in April, when Orgy singer Jay Gordon, a former collaborator, said in an interview that Linkin Park will be reactivating with a female vocalist replacing Bennington. He later retracted his claims. Evanescence frontwoman Amy Lee denied that she was the vocalist in question.

A month later, Billboard reported that Linkin Park were hoping to return for a 2025 tour and festival shows. One source told the publication that the reunion would be with a female singer.

Speculation about a reunion reignited when Linkin Park started their countdown. US festival Welcome To Rockville shared the initial social media post in their Instagram stories, sparking hopes that the band will be back to play live in 2025. Vocalist/multi-instrumentalist Mike Shinoda had previously told Revolver that, if Linkin Park were to return, the announcement would be made on their website.

“When there’s an announcement to be made, it will be on LinkinPark.com,” he said. “If you’re hearing it from somebody else, you can trust that information as much as you want to trust it.

Fans also theorised that the band would be returning with Deryck Whibley of Sum 41 on vocals, as the singer/guitarist teased his own announcement for today. However, Whibley quickly denied the rumours and postponed his announcement, which is to do with his upcoming memoir Walking Disaster: My Life Through Heaven And Hell, to the end of the week.

Linkin Park released a compilation album, Papercuts (Singles Collection: 2000–2023), in April.

The Mojo Dojo has released a new video for David Lee Roth’s “Black Sand”, featured on the DLR Band album from 1998. A message from animator Ramses Rios follows:

“Perhaps one of David Lee Roth’s greatest and most underrated tracks of his solo career, ‘Black Sand’ from the DLR Album is perfection. Matching the same type of vibe as ‘Damn Good’, Dave’s smooth voice and lyrical genius paired with Terry Kilgore’s guitar on this track is like combining JD & Coke.

“As you know, I am a die hard DLR fan. To me, DLR is not simply just legendary or my hero, like he is a hero to all. DLR is a lifestyle. My goal is to share my passion I have for illustration/art paired with tracks that many are unfamiliar with from Dave. You could say I’m trying to give a little life to these diamonds in the rough. This is how I became an ultimate fan, by receiving exposure to greatness.

“Just doing my small part in carrying this torch so that you all may enjoy DLR as much as I do.”

Ramses Rios previously released a new video for Roth’s “Mississippi Power”.

“A very rare, but amazing track by David Lee Roth from the YFLM (Your Filthy Little Mouth) album (Non-LP track). It has been around for ages, but not many are aware of this gem the Diamond blessed us with. Dave has always had an incredible bluesy voice, and he hits it out the park every time. Enjoy this track if you have not already heard it. Illustration by myself – a little tip of the hat to the art portrayed on the YFLM booklet (Moon).”

Montrose was formed in 1973 in California by guitarist Ronnie Montrose. Known for their powerful, guitar-driven sound, Montrose released four studio albums during their original run, including their self-titled debut, Montrose (1973), which is often regarded as one of the greatest hard rock albums of the 1970s. Despite numerous lineup changes, the band was known for its influential and iconic sound, fronted initially by vocalist Sammy Hagar. Montrose disbanded in 1977 but briefly reunited in 1987. Over the years, the band underwent multiple lineup changes with a revolving door of talented musicians who contributed to its legacy, though they never quite matched the chart success of their debut. Montrose’s impact on the rock genre remains significant, marked by classic tracks like “Rock Candy” and “Bad Motor Scooter.”

Ronnie Montrose

Ronnie Montrose was the founding guitarist and namesake of the band, forming Montrose in 1973 after previously working with artists like Van Morrison and Edgar Winter. He was the driving force behind the band’s distinctive sound, characterized by powerful riffs and a raw, energetic guitar style. Ronnie played on all four of the band’s original studio albums: Montrose (1973), Paper Money (1974), Warner Bros. Presents Montrose! (1975), and Jump on It (1976). He left the band in 1977 but briefly returned in 1987 for the reunion album Mean. Montrose’s influence extended beyond his own band as he went on to have a successful solo career, forming Gamma in the late 1970s and releasing several solo albums. His career highlights include working with Herbie Hancock and Boz Scaggs, showcasing his versatility as a guitarist.

Sammy Hagar

Sammy Hagar was the original vocalist for Montrose, joining in 1973 and contributing to the band’s first two albums, Montrose and Paper Money. Hagar’s powerful and dynamic vocal style helped define the band’s sound during its formative years, with standout performances on tracks like “Bad Motor Scooter” and “Space Station No. 5.” Hagar left Montrose in 1975 due to creative differences and went on to a highly successful solo career before joining Van Halen in 1985, replacing David Lee Roth. Hagar also formed supergroups like Chickenfoot and The Circle and is known for hits such as “I Can’t Drive 55,” solidifying his place as one of rock’s most enduring frontmen.

Read More: Top 10 Sammy Hagar 70s Songs

Denny Carmassi

Denny Carmassi joined Montrose as the drummer in 1973, playing on the first four albums before leaving the band in 1977. His powerful drumming style was a key component of the band’s early sound, driving tracks like “Space Station No. 5” and “I Got the Fire.” After his tenure with Montrose, Carmassi continued to build an impressive career, playing with Sammy Hagar’s solo band and later joining Heart during their 1980s resurgence. He also played with Whitesnake, Coverdale/Page, and worked on recordings with artists like Joe Walsh, showcasing his versatility and adaptability across rock and hard rock genres.

Bill Church

Bill Church played bass on Montrose’s debut album in 1973, laying down the foundational grooves that helped establish the band’s sound. He left the band in 1974 and was replaced by Alan Fitzgerald. After his time with Montrose, Church joined Sammy Hagar’s solo band, playing on several of Hagar’s early solo records, including the hit Standing Hampton album. Church’s steady and melodic bass playing was a crucial element in the early success of both Montrose and Hagar’s solo work.

Alan Fitzgerald

Alan Fitzgerald replaced Bill Church on bass in 1974 and played on the albums Paper Money (1974) and Warner Bros. Presents Montrose! (1975). His contributions included a more melodic bass style that complemented Ronnie Montrose’s guitar work. After leaving the band in 1976, Fitzgerald went on to become a founding member of the band Night Ranger, where he switched to keyboards and achieved significant commercial success with hits like “Sister Christian” and “Don’t Tell Me You Love Me.”

Bob James

Bob James replaced Sammy Hagar as the lead vocalist in 1975 and sang on the albums Warner Bros. Presents Montrose! and Jump on It (1976). His vocal style differed from Hagar’s, bringing a bluesier and more laid-back feel to the band’s later work. Despite not achieving the same level of acclaim as his predecessor, James’ contributions were integral to the band’s third and fourth albums. After leaving Montrose, James pursued a lower-profile solo career.

Jim Alcivar

Jim Alcivar joined Montrose as the keyboardist in 1975, adding a new dimension to the band’s sound on their later albums Warner Bros. Presents Montrose! and Jump on It. His keyboard work provided a richer, more layered sound to the band’s arrangements, particularly on tracks like “Matriarch.” Alcivar continued to work with Ronnie Montrose on his later projects, including the Gamma albums, showcasing his talents as a versatile keyboardist.

Randy Jo Hobbs

Randy Jo Hobbs briefly played bass for Montrose in 1976, appearing on some live performances but not on any studio recordings. Hobbs was best known for his work with The McCoys and Johnny Winter’s band prior to his short tenure with Montrose. His involvement with the band was brief, and he left before any major recording contributions could be made.

Glenn Letsch

Glenn Letsch played bass during Montrose’s 1987 reunion for the album Mean. Letsch had previously worked with Ronnie Montrose in the band Gamma and brought a seasoned presence to the group during its later phase. Outside of Montrose, Letsch is known for his work with musicians like Robin Trower and has been a respected session player in the rock and blues scenes.

Johnny Edwards

Johnny Edwards joined Montrose as the lead vocalist for the 1987 reunion album Mean. Edwards brought a powerful vocal presence to the band’s sound during this brief period. Before joining Montrose, Edwards was known for his work with the band Buster Brown, and he later went on to front Foreigner on their album Unusual Heat in 1991.

James Kottak

James Kottak joined Montrose on drums for the 1987 reunion album Mean. Known for his hard-hitting style, Kottak brought a fresh energy to the band’s late 80s lineup. Before Montrose, Kottak played with bands like Kingdom Come, and he later gained fame as the drummer for the Scorpions, where he played for nearly two decades.

Read more Montrose articles on ClassicRockHistory.com

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Top 10 Montrose Songs

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Complete List Of Montrose Albums And Discography

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Montrose Albums Ranked

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Ronnie Montrose Remembered 2024 Tribute Concert Review

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Complete List Of Montrose Band Members article published on Classic RockHistory.com© 2024

Judas Priest frontman, Rob Halford, famously came out as gay during an appearance on MTV News in 1998.

In a new interview with Fugues ahead of Priest’s headline show the Bell Centre in Montreal on September 13, Halford was asked if other gay musicians have asked for his counsel about coming out?

Says Halford, “Yes, that has happened, but I won’t name names because everyone comes out when it’s their time. As we all know, set yourself free. It’s such a difficult thing for us to do, even now in 2024 because we still have this ongoing challenge of hate and bigotry and intolerance and divisiveness. You think it would be a lot easier, but it’s not. The struggle is still very real for young people, and that’s where I hope any conversations I have with others do some good. You know, I read a story not long ago about a guy in his 90s who came out just before he took his dying breath. Glory hallelujah! It’s never too late to set yourself free because, as we know, once you’re out, the attacks float away. I’m fucking here, I’m queer, get fucking used to it!”

Did coming out save his life? “Absolutely! It saved my life,” says Halford. “My two important life changes were becoming clean and sober, and coming out.”

Read more at Fugues.

In anticipation of Leg 2 of their Invincible Shield Tour, with special guests Sabaton, Judas Priest  have shared an official live video for “Invincible Shield”, which was shot at the Live From Release Festival 2024 in Athens, Greece on July 21. Check it out below.

Judas Priest will take over new markets in North America this fall with an additional 23 performances. All shows will feature music from their new album, Invincible Shield.

Produced by Live Nation, the tour kicks off on September 13 at Bell Centre in Montreal, QC and makes stops in Milwaukee, WI; Omaha, NE; Spokane, WA;  Portland, OR; Los Angeles, CA; Phoenix, AZ and more before wrapping up with three shows in Texas on October 22, 24 and 26. Full ticketing and tour dates are available below. Metalheads are in for the show of a lifetime as few rock or metal acts remain as much of a must-see live attraction as Judas Priest.

Tickets will be available starting with an artist presale beginning on Wednesday, June 12. Additional presales will run throughout the week ahead of the general on-sale beginning on Friday, June 14 at 10am local time at judaspriestinvincibleshield.com.

Tour dates:

September
13 – Montreal, QC – Bell Centre
14 – Niagara Falls, ON – Fallsview Casino Resort*
17 – Sterling Heights, MI – Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre at Freedom Hill
19 – Milwaukee, WI – Miller High Life Theatre
21 – Cedar Rapids, IA – Alliant Energy PowerHouse
22 – Sioux Falls, SD – Denny Sanford Premier Center*
24 – Rochester, MN – Mayo Civic Center Arena*
25 – Omaha, NE – Baxter Arena
27 – Rockford, IL – BMO Center
29 – Louisville, KY – Louder Than Life – Festival^  

October
1 – Independence, MO – Cable Dahmer Arena
3 – Billings, MT – First Interstate Arena at MetraPark
5 – Idaho Falls, ID – Mountain America Center
6 – Spokane, WA – Spokane Arena
9 – Everett, WA – Angel of the Winds Arena
10 – Portland, OR – Alaska Airlines’ Theater of the Clouds
12 – Sacramento, CA – After Shock Festival^
13 – Reno, NV – Grand Sierra Resort and Casino*
15 – Los Angeles, CA – YouTube Theater
16 – Las Vegas, NV – Bakkt Theater at Planet Hollywood
18 – Phoenix, AZ – Arizona Financial Theatre
20 – Loveland, CO – Blue Arena
22 – Houston, TX – Smart Financial Centre at Sugar Land
24 – Austin, TX – Germania Insurance Amphitheater
26 – Irving, TX – The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory

* Not A Live Nation Date
^ Festival Date

Eclectic singer-songwriter Charlotte Wessels (ex-Delain) has unveiled her brand new single, entitled “The Crying Room”, alongside a gripping music video featuring footage from the song’s first ever live performance.

“The Crying Room” is the next harbinger of Wessels’ first traditional full-length, full-band solo album, The Obsession, set to be released on September 20 via Napalm Records. The track unveils another touching facet of this sonic masterpiece, where themes like fear, obsessive thoughts and escapism run rampant on the one hand, whereas there are also songs that offer a more upbeat approach to the subject. “The Crying Room” deals with that fear while a weeping guitar solo draws the listener into darker soundscapes.

On The Obsession, Charlotte Wessels adds bucketloads of bombast to her genre-bending songwriting, as spellbinding melancholia and dark catchy elements meet progressive and heavier tunes. The storytelling within the songs give the multifaceted album even more depth, making The Obsession an exciting listening experience and Wessels’ most mature solo offering so far.

Charlotte Wessels on “The Crying Room”: “When we were gearing up for the very first performance under my own name after Covid, my tour manager asked if I wanted my own dressing room. Knowing full well that I’d be an anxious mess, I told her I didn’t need a private room – just somewhere I could have a well-earned meltdown without ruining everyone’s vibe. And that, my friends, is how ‘The Crying Room’ was born. It’s a song about the fear of failure, about needing to catch your breath before diving headfirst into something new. Everyone loves to tell stories about courage and heroism, but let’s be real: I want to hear more stories about people who are absolutely terrified… and do the thing anyway – it’s a central theme on the album, and ‘The Crying Room’ is an invitation to do just that.”

Watch the captivating music video for “The Crying Room”:

While still writing and producing the songs in her Six Feet Under basement home studio and sharing their first incarnations with her patrons, Charlotte Wessels now takes the songs from her new album, The Obsession, to the next level with a band of her fellow ex-Delain cohorts Timo Somers (guitars, additional arrangements), Otto Schimmelpenninck van der Oije (bass) and Joey Marin de Boer (drums) as well as Sophia Vernikov (piano/hammond), contributing to the new heavier sound. The album also features arrangements by Vikram Shankar (Silent Skies, Pain of Salvation), cello by Elianne Anemaat, was mixed by Guido Aalbers (Muse, Coldplay, The Gathering) and was mastered by Andy VanDette (Porcupine Tree, VOLA, Dream Theater).             

Charlotte Wessels about the new album: “On the one hand, this album tells a very personal story – through its unintended theme of fear, obsessive thoughts and the escapes from them – and at the same time it represents the joy of finding the song’s true forms with everyone involved in the making of this record. That’s why I chose The Obsession as a title. It refers to my personal challenges with OCD that inspired many of the songs – but I’ve also started referring to the band as The Obsession – because there were moments in the studio with them that truly reminded me of why I’m obsessed with making music in the first place.”

Themes of fear, obsessive thoughts and escapism run rampant on the album, presenting dark and heavy on songs like “The Exorcism”, “The Crying Room” and “Ode To The West Wind” (feat. Alissa White-Gluz of Arch Enemy). In addition, there are songs that offer a more upbeat approach to the subject – like “Dopamine” (feat. Simone Simons of Epica) which deals with SSRI-induced numbness, or “Praise” – which sings the gospel of needing external validation in order to feel anything. The reimagining of fan-favorite “Soft Revolution” won’t leave a dry eye in the room, while “Soulstice” and “Serpentine” present an unprecedented dark sensuality. Each song itself functions like an exorcism, an attempt to cast out a little of the fear it deals with.    

Charlotte Wessels about the guests: “I’m extremely grateful and proud to add Simone Simons and Alissa White-Gluz to the line-up of this album. They are creative powerhouses that I have so much love and respect for. Whenever we get to work together is an absolute treat and they really elevated the songs with their performances.”

The Obsession will be available in the following formats:

– Gatefold 2-Vinyl Splatter + 2 Bonustracks (“Backup Plan” + “Breathe; Extended“), D-Side Etched – ltd. to 200 copies worldwide *Napalm Records Mailorder Only*
– Gatefold 2-Vinyl Recycled Black + 2 Bonustracks (“Backup Plan” + “Breathe; Extended“), D-Side Etched
– Gatefold 2-Vinyl Inkspot + 2 Bonustracks (“Backup Plan” + “Breathe; Extended“), D-Side Etched *Patreon Exclusive*
– Digisleeve + Shirt Bundle
– Digisleeve
– Digital Album

Pre-order here.

The Obsession tracklisting:

“Chasing Sunsets”
“Dopamine”
“The Exorcism”
“Soulstice”
“The Crying Room”
“Ode To The West Wind”
“Serpentine”
“Praise”
“All You Are”
“Vigor And Valor”
“Breathe”
“Soft Revolution (2024)”

“Dopamine” video:

“Chasing Sunsets” video:

“The Exorcism” video:

(Photo – Tim Tronckoe – design by Nina Mathijsen at takeadetour.eu)

HEAVY RELEASES

Happy 32nd
MORTIFICATION’s Scrolls Of The Megilloth – August 28th, 1992

Happy 28th
MICHAEL SCHENKER GROUP’s Written In The Sand – August 28th, 1996

Happy 23rd
SLIPKNOT’s Iowa – August 28th, 2001

Happy 18th
IRON MAIDEN’s A Matter Of Life And Death – August 28th, 2006

Happy 15th
ILLDISPOSED’s To Those Who Walk Behind Us – August 28th, 2009
JORN’s The Dukebox – August 28th, 2009
THE 69 EYES’ Back In Blood – August 28th, 2009
AXXIS’ Utopia – August 28th, 2009
GUILT MACHINE’s On This Perfect Day – August 28th, 2009
KRYPTERIA’s My Fatal Kiss – August 28th, 2009
SALTATION MORTIS’ We Wind Sat – August 28th, 2009

Happy 13th
BLOOD RED THRONE’s Brutalitarian Regime – August 28th, 2011

Happy 12th
TRIUMPH’s Live At Sweden Rock Festival – August 28th, 2012
DYSRHYTHMIA’s Test Of Submission – August 28th, 2012
MURDER CONSTRUCT’s Results – August 28th, 2012
EAGLE TWIN’s The Feather Tipped The Serpent’s Scale – August 28th, 2012

Happy 9th
MOTÖRHEAD’s Bad Magic – August 28th, 2015

SOILWORK’s The Ride Majestic – August 28th, 2015
KOBRA AND THE LOTUS’ Words Of The Prophets – August 28th, 2015
NILE’s What Should Not Be Unearthed – August 28th, 2015
PENTAGRAM’s Curious Volume – August 28th, 2015
AHAB’s The Boats Of The “Glen Carrig” – August 28th, 2015

Happy 5th
COLDRAIN’s The Side Effects – August 28th, 2019

Following the success of his first two singles “Mother Mary” featuring Slash and Erik Grönwall, and “Rock Bottom” featuring Kai Hansen, legendary guitarist Michael Schenker has released the third single, “Only You Can Rock Me”, from his new album, My Years With UFO.

This new single once again showcases an incredible lineup featuring Joey Tempest (Europe) on vocals, Roger Glover (Deep Purple) on bass, Derek Sherinian on keys, and Brian Tichy on drums. As we approach the album’s release, the anticipation builds for what’s set to be one of 2024’s most exciting rock records.

Stream/download “Only You Can Rock Me” here, and watch a visualizer below:

Schenker’s new album My Years With UFO is a tribute to the golden years that saw British hard rock band UFO rise from an underground phenomenon to rock legends.

Produced by Michael Schenker and Michael Voss, the new album marks the 50th anniversary of Schenker’s era with UFO, spanning from 1972 to 1978. The “German Wunderkind” was asked to join UFO at just 17 years old. Touring the globe as a teenager, Schenker became a driving force behind some of UFO’s most loved tracks, including “Doctor Doctor,” “Rock Bottom,” “Lights Out,” “Love To Love” and many more.

Although Michael Schenker’s era with UFO spanned only six years, his influence as a young songwriter and exceptional guitarist had already left a lasting mark on rock. During these meteoric years, the UFO albums Phenomenon, Force It, No Heavy Petting, Lights Out, Obsession, and the seminal live album Strangers In The Night were recorded, each contributing significantly to the genre. Strangers In The Night particularly stands out as one of the most influential live rock albums of all time and is still regarded as a cornerstone in any rock enthusiast’s collection.

In this celebratory album, Michael Schenker presents 11 of UFO’s greatest hits from this magical era with an impressive lineup of guest stars. Joining Schenker on this journey are Derek Sherinian on keys’ Brian Tichy on drums’ and Barry Sparks on bass.

The stellar roster of guest artists includes Axl Rose, Slash, Kai Hansen, Roger Glover, Joey Tempest, Biff Byford, Jeff Scott Soto, John Norum, Dee Snider, Joel Hoekstra, Joe Lynn Turner, Carmine Appice, Adrian Vandenberg, Michael Voss, Stephen Pearcy, and Erik Grönwall.

This album is the introduction to an upcoming trilogy, as Michael Schenker has signed an exclusive three-album deal with earMUSIC, with additional albums to follow in 2025 and 2026.

My Years With UFO will be released worldwide on September 20 via earMUSIC and is available for pre-order here.

Tracklisting:

“Natural Thing” (Feat. Dee Snider + Joel Hoekstra)
“Only You Can Rock Me” (Feat. Joey Tempest + Roger Glover)
“Doctor Doctor” (Feat. Joe Lynn Turner + Carmine Appice)
“Mother Mary” (Feat. Slash + Erik Grönwall)
“This Kids” (Feat. Biff Byford)
“Love to Love” (Feat. Axl Rose)
“Lights Out” (Feat. Jeff Scott Soto + John Norum)
“Rock Bottom” (Feat. Kai Hansen)
“Too Hot Too Handle” (Feat. Joe Lynn Turner, Adrian Vandenberg, + Carmen Appice)
“Let It Roll” (Feat. Michael Voss)
“Shoot Shoot” (Feat. Stephen Pearcy)

“Rock Bottom”:

“Mother Mary” visualizer:

(Photo – Tallee Savage)

On August 15, Brazilian death metal outfit, Crypta, performed at the 2024 edition of Germany’s Summer Breeze festival in Dinkelsbühl. You can now watch professionally-filmed footage of the band’s full set, courtesy of ARTE Concert.

Setlist:

“The Other Side of Anger”
“Lord of Ruins”
“The Outsider”
“Lullaby for the Forsaken”
“Stronghold”
“Trial of Traitors”
“From the Ashes”

The Hatebreed 30th anniversary celebrations continue deep into 2024. The Grammy-nominated hardcore icons, who are one of the most impactful and enduring bands of the modern era, have announced their Fall 2024 headline tour plans.

The band will embark on a full, 30th anniversary trek that kicks off on September 26 in Portland, Maine and runs through October 27 in Norfolk, VA and includes stops in Canada. The band will be playing fan favorites and dragging deep cuts out of their beloved catalog.

Special guests for the fall run include Carcass, Harms Way, and Crypta. Get tickets here.

Hatebreed dates with Carcass, Harms Way, Crypta:

September
26 – Portland, ME – State Theatre
27 – Boston, MA – House of Blues
28 – New York, NY – Terminal 5
29 – Montreal, QC – MTELUS
30 – Toronto, ON – Rebel

October
2 – Cleveland, OH – Agora Theatre
3 – Royal Oak, MI – Royal Oak Music Theatre
7 – Cincinnati, OH – Bogart’s
8 – McKees Rocks, PA – Roxian Theatre
10 – Sauget, IL – Pop’s
11 – Oklahoma City, OK – Diamond Ballroom
12 – San Antonio, TX – Vibes Event Center
14 – Phoenix, AZ – The Van Buren
15 – Los Angeles, CA – The Wiltern
16 – Riverside, CA – Riverside Municipal Auditorium
18 – Portland, OR – Roseland Theater
19 – Vancouver, BC – Vogue Theatre
20 – Seattle, WA – Showbox SoDo
22 – Salt Lake City, UT – The Complex
23 – Denver, CO – Fillmore Auditorium
24 – Kansas City, MO – Uptown Theater
25 – Nashville, TN – Marathon Music Works
26 – Greensboro, NC – Piedmont Hall
27 – Norfolk, VA – The NorVa

Legendary chamber prog rockers Gryphon have announced they will release their very first live album, Gryphon Live – A Sonic Tonic, through Talking Elephant Records on September 6.

The new release was recorded at The Junction in Cambridge on November 28 last year on the band’s 50th-anniversary tour and features a mix of classics from their original 70s period and more recent material the band have recorded since they reformed in 2015. 

“Gryphon’s music defies categorisation and is hard to describe,” other band state. “It can perhaps be compared with an abstract painting built from seemingly incongruous images that individually may jar the senses, but through the vision and expertise of the artist, they coalesce and become complementary. In this way Gryphon’s music manages to create a kaleidoscopic fantasy of atmospheric sound. The compositions have been meticulously scored, enabling the band to perfectly reproduce their pieces live on stage, where their diverse musical skills draw the listener into an aural journey through the show.”

The current issue of Prog Magazine features a new interview with the band, primarily discussing the year 1974, when they released both the Midnight Mushrumps and Red Queen to Gryphon Three albums and toured with Yes.

You can see the new album artwork and tracklisting below.

You can buy the latest issue of Prog Magazine here.

Gryphon: Gryphon Live – A Sonic Tonic

Disc One
1. Kemp’s Jig
2. The Astrologer
3. Dumbe Dum Chit
4. A Bit Of Music By Me
5. The Brief History Of The Bassoon
6. Normal Wisdom From The Swapmp… (a sonic tonic)
7. Sailor V
8. Reduc ed Krum Dancing

Disc Two
1. Hospitality
2. Christina’s Song
3. Forth Sahara
4. Unquiet Grave
5. Haddock’s Eyes
6. The Red Queen Muddle
7. Parting Shot
8. Estampie

Horns Up Games, founded by Sabaton bassist/manager Pär Sundström, have announced a metal festival-themed video game called Lord Of Metal.

The new title is expected to be released on Steam in 2027, with console releases to follow. Promoted as a “Single Player Story Driven Heavy Music Festival Management Simulator”, the game will see the player “start small and go big, organizing concerts and festivals, bringing life and colors to a dystopian bleak world”. You can back the project by heading to its official Kickstarter page.

Sundström, Horns Up Games’ CEO, comments: “For the past 25 years my life has revolved around the music industry: playing live shows, managing a band, performing at and organizing festivals. I wanted to make an exciting single-player game that I myself wanted to play. Not some mobile game with tons of in-app purchases and no gimmicks… So join us on this adventure and support us on Kickstarter.”

Lord Of Metal creative director Alexey Morozov adds: “Lord Of Metal is a story-driven music festival management sim being developed for PC and consoles. We’re building our game in Unreal Engine 5 to ensure the best-in-class visual experience for our players.”

He continues: “As avid gamers with decades of experience, we appreciate it when we know exactly what we’re getting. That’s why from the very start we’ve decided that we’re going to deliver the game as a single-player ‘box’ product. No in-game purchases, no game-as-a-service mechanics and tricks. In Lord Of Metal, you get a glimpse of what’s going on ‘under the hood’ of festivals, and find out what’s happening backstage, on- and off-site of the festival grounds.”

At time of publication, the Lord Of Metal Kickstarter has far exceeded its original target. The project has raised £56,852, with the original goal being just under £19,000.

As Lord Of Metal gets developed, Sundström remains active with Sabaton. The Swedish power metal stars will tour North America in September and October. On October 11, they’re releasing their concert film The Tour To End All Tours to 600 cinemas in 24 countries.