Author: u0zp4y

A Los Angeles judge told Kiss to consider settling an upcoming court case against their fired wig roadie, saying the band could be hit in its “deep, deep pockets” if the ruling didn’t go its way.

The lawsuit was brought in February 2023 by former crew member David Mathews, who claims he was mistreated on tour and then wrongfully terminated after his 30-year tenure turned sour.

Mathews – whose main responsibility as part of the costume team was to maintain the band’s hair – claimed he was forced to work in close proximity with Gene Simmons while the musician was suffering from COVID, but denying it.

In his six-point suit he also claimed he was fired by manager Doc McGhee for allegedly being involved in reports in which the Kiss crew revealed their concerns about the band’s COVID measures, in the aftermath of guitar tech Fran Stueber’s death from the illness on the road. Mathews insists he wasn’t one of those who spoke to journalists.

READ MORE: Paul Stanley Feels ‘Kind of Disoriented’ After Farewell Kiss Tour

“The first time I saw this lawsuit, it was clear both sides had very serious risks,” L.A. County Superior Court Judge Armen Tamzarian said during a hearing on Friday (via Rolling Stone).

He continued: “If this goes to trial, it would not surprise me if Mr. Mathews got nothing. It would not surprise me if he made a big pot of money. This is the kind of case any rational person would settle. There’s big risk this could swing dramatically one way or the other. This is a tough case for plaintiff to win, but if he wins, there are deep, deep pockets there, and there could be a big result.”

The judge admitted: “I don’t know what I’m doing to do with this” if the case commences as scheduled on Jan. 6. He told lawyers on both sides: “You’re both overconfident in your positions.”

Judge Says No Laws for Rock Bands with Makeup During Covid

He also criticized Kiss’ position that Mathews was a contractor rather than an employee, saying: “I’m not so sure I’m buying that argument. Let’s say he had his own hair studio in Beverly Hills, and every time they went on tour, they went to him and he fixed up their hair. That’s one thing.

“[But] he didn’t have his own hair studio. He didn’t cut anybody else’s hair. All he did for a couple years was cut the hair of these guys. He had some side gigs, but they weren’t side gigs in hair.”

He also queried Mathews’ position on how the band should have gone about COVID protection. “I’m unaware of any law or regulation about somebody who’s in a rock ’n’ roll band … where the performer who’s wearing makeup has to wear a mask.

“After they put on the makeup, Gene Simmons should have put on a mask? Wouldn’t that ruin the makeup and ruin the whole point? Is that what you’re saying they should have done? It’s not practical for how they do things. That’s going to be their argument at trial.”

Kiss Solo Albums Ranked Worst to Best

Counting down solo albums released by various members of Kiss.

Gallery Credit: Matthew Wilkening

More From Ultimate Classic Rock

The first global economic study into the effect of AI on the creative industries suggested that those working in the music industry could lose over a fifth of their income in the next three years.

The International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers (CISAC) revealed the conclusions of the report, which, they said, emphasizes the need for urgent new legislation to protect their five million members and others.

The study suggested that, if new laws aren’t introduced, corporations will have the ability to continue developing AI music from poorly-protected copyrighted material created by humans, and will make more money than ever before out of that material, without having to share any with artists.

READ MORE: Singers Offered AI Voice Cloning by World’s Biggest Record Label

As a result, corporate profits could explode, while artists – and many others working in the creative industries – could see their income fall by over 20 per cent by 2028. By that time, the CISAC report said, the AI industry is expected to have expanded from $3.1 billion worldwide to $67.7 billion.

The key argument in the matter concerns how AI models are trained. It’s argued that if a model is given access to an artist’s work, and then generates its own version of that work, the new work is entirely the property of the AI’s owners, and the artist whose work was used to train the AI has no ownership rights. That position is disputed by many artists, who face having their material used and re-used without enjoying a share of profits.

AI Should Enhance Creativity, Not Replace it – Bjorn Ulvaeus

ABBA’s Bjorn Ulvaeus, the current CISAC president, identified upcoming legislation in Australia and New Zealand which, he said (via the Guardian), was the kind of lawmaking needed to protect creatives around the world from the risk of losing out.

“By setting a gold standard in AI policy – one that protects creators’ rights while fostering responsible and innovative technological development – Australia and New Zealand can ensure that AI serves as a tool to enhance human creativity rather than replace it,” Ulvaeus said.

“The world is watching, and the decisions made will resonate far beyond these shores.”

Dean Ormston of Apra Amcos, the Australian music rights management organization, said that similar legislation was required as a matter of urgency. “It’s creators who stand to lose the most,” he argued.

“Our industry thrives on human creativity … [G]overnments need to take the lead and act decisively to protect the livelihoods of creators and the future of our creative industries.”

The brand new German symphonic / epic metal band, Skytribe, have released their debut single, “Kingdom Of The Sky”, via Reaper Entertainment. It is accompanied by a spectacular and lavishly produced music video which can be viewed below.

The video for “Kingdom Of The Sky” was shot at the impressive Externsteine ​​in the Teutoburg Forest (North Rhine-Westphalia). Produced by Ismael Meisingen and Jannis Krenke, it shows the band as an energetic unit in a unique setting. 

The band comments: “The time has come: Skytribe is here! We are a female-fronted metal band that combines hard riffs with epic orchestral sounds. Our music is powerful, melodic and comes straight from the heart – carried by Dorothée Kahler’s expressive voice.

With our very first single, ‘Kingdom Of The Sky’, we want to send a clear message to the world: No matter how different we are, we all share this vast, infinite firmament. Our music stands for solidarity and the conviction that we can only overcome the challenges of life together.

Together we have given everything over the last few months to make our vision a reality – and now we are really looking forward to finally sharing our music with you. Stay tuned – this is just the beginning!”

Skytribe is:

Dorothée Kahler – vocals
Emanuel Knorr – lead guitar
Robin Hadamovsky – rhythm guitar
Elias Knorr – drums

Lamb Of God frontman, Randy Blythe, has announced a string of spoken word/Q&A dates in support of his upcoming “Just Beyond The Light” memoir.

Dates for the “An Evening With Randy Blythe: Just Beyond The Light Spoken Word Book Tour” are listed below, and tickets are available here.

February
19 – Underground Arts – Philadelphia, PA
23 – The Center for Arts at the Armory – Somerville, MA

March
1 – The Forge – Joliet, IL

Grand Central Publishing (GCP) recently announced the forthcoming publication of “Just Beyond The Light: Making Peace With The Wars Inside Our Head” by D. Randall (Randy) Blythe, which is scheduled for publication on February 18, 2025.

In his gripping, bestselling debut memoir “Dark Days,” the Lamb Of God vocalist unflinchingly wrote about some of the most harrowing episodes of his past.

Now, in his highly anticipated follow-up “Just Beyond the Light,” Blythe shares how he works daily to maintain positivity in a world that feels like it is spinning out of control. In his own words, “Just Beyond the Light” is a “tight, concise roadmap of how I have attempted to maintain what I believe to be a proper perspective in life, even during difficult times.”

Written with a scathing balance of hard-edged reality offset by a knowing humor and a razor-sharp wit, voiced in in his inimitable, conversational, everyman-philosopher style, Blythe clearly breaks down his approach to life, which is a personal and idiosyncratic mix of sobriety, art, and surfing. He writes movingly of his childhood in the South, of fallen friends, of what he’s learned touring the world as the vocalist of a successful heavy metal band, and of the very real ways he is doing what he can to leave the world a better place. Above all, he offers readers hope that balance, real balance, is possible, even (or especially) when things seem hopeless.

Compelling, compassionate, and refreshingly honest, “Just Beyond the Light” ultimately reminds readers that “as long as we keep our feet (and minds) planted firmly on the ground that is reality, the sky isn’t falling – it never has been, and it never will.”

“For me, the single most gratifying aspect of being an artist is learning that your work has been useful to others in some way. I’ve been told by lots of readers that my last book, ‘Dark Days,’ helped them – I hope ‘Just Beyond the Light’ does the same,” says Randy Blythe, about this highly anticipated follow-up memoir.

“In chaotic times, Randy’s outlook is a bulwark against despair. His perspective is hard-earned, and ‘Just Beyond the Light’ reminds us that we can all work daily to achieve balance in our lives and strive to implement it in the world,” says Ben Schafer, Executive Editor, Grand Central Publishing.

D. Randall Blythe is a writer, photographer, actor, and musician best known for fronting the metal band Lamb Of God. He is also the author of “Dark Days.” He lives in Richmond, VA.

December 5, 2024, 18 hours ago

news heavy metal body count ice-t jimmy fallon

Ice-T and Body Count were guests last night (Wednesday, December 4) on NBC’s The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.

The band performed their version of the Pink Floyd classic, “Comfortably Numb”, and Ice-T talked about posting inspiring quotes called “ice-cold facts” on social media, Body Count getting approval from Pink Floyd for their cover of “Comfortably Numb”, and Season 26 of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. Watch the official videos below:

Body Count’s Merciless album is out now via Century Media Records. Order here.

Tracklisting:

“Interrogation Interlude”
“Merciless”
“The Purge” (feat. Corpsegrinder)
“Psychopath” (feat. Joe Bad)
“Fuck What You Heard”
“Live Forever” (feat. Howard Jones)
“Do Or Die”
“Comfortably Numb”
“Lying Motherfucka”
“Drug Lords” (feat. Max Cavalera)
“World War”
“Mic Contract”

“Merciless” video:

“Comfortably Numb” video:

“Fuck What You Heard” video:

“Psychopath” video:

In 1994, BraveWords & Bloody Knuckles magazine was born and here we stand 30 years later celebrating the past 12 months of music on our anniversary! What an incredible ride it has been and it’s far from over! And during the past three decades, we’ve literally seen/heard thousands of releases and this is the time of the season when we crown the finest! The BraveWords scribes have spoken, so join us each day this month as we count down to the BravePick of 2024!

Remember, everybody has an opinion and it’s time for ours! Stay tuned at the end of December for BraveWords’ writers’ individual Top 20s (new studio albums ONLY), Top 5 Brave Embarrassments (a fan favorite!), What/Who Needs To Stop In 2024? and Metal Predictions For 2025. 

BravePicks 2024

26) OPETH – The Last Will And Testament (Reigning Phoenix Music)

 

To growl or not to growl? That is the question. Of course there are many other factors to determine the quality of a new Opeth album. But yes – there are indeed growls, and they are ferocious on the Swedes’ newest longplayer The Last Will And Testament.

Mikael Åkerfeldt has found the right balance of musicianship and soundscapes, blending prog, weirdness, harshness, and chilling passages to create this monster concept about a man’s life and his well with nasty, dark secrets being revealed throughout. It’s an album that could come from the mind of Åkerfeldt and we are grateful for it as The Last Will And Testament finds its resting place at #26.

Scribe Rich Catino gave the album a glistening perfect 10, saying if fans “enjoyed In Cauda Venenum – then this album will be equally satisfying”; an excerpt of his review:

Musically, it’s progressive as you would want it, with first single and opener begun by drum patterns and melodic guitars before the rhythm kicks in to familiar musical territories, the death metal vocal a counterbalance to the melodic parts, representing two emotions. And for Opeth it’s nothing new and works for the composition as it travels from hard to melodic parts, Hammond organ, and guitar solo. After becoming familiar with Opeth, you know this all works within an arrangement. The last minute ride out incorporates a melodic orchestral part, voices that flows right in to “§2” which at the start is angry and aggressive, music and vocally. But then all of a sudden, a switch to a melodic verse with another orchestra piece and spoken words with Joey Tempest (Europe), to further the story. 

Akerfeldt says, “Joey does this call and response with Ian (Anderson, Jethro Tull).” Midway through there is more Hammond organ or Mellotrons, and Åkerfeldt really embracing his singing voice. “§3” begins feeling like a Dream Theater song, and I like it. But then it drops in to Opeth world, the bass line moving along the piece, also allowing some space to be heard with Mikael singing melodic without need of the counter tenor to express feeling; could be my favorite song. Longest song so far at seven minutes, “§4” begins with more of the busy drums patterns thus far, and a layered back and forth between the melodic and death vocal. Is this also where a Cittra guitar was used? And more flute by Anderson.

BravePicks 2024 Top 30

26) OPETH – The Last Will And Testament (Reigning Phoenix Music)
27) DARK TRANQUILLITY – Endtime Signals (Century Media)
28) MORGUL BLADE – Heavy Metal Wraiths (No Remorse)
29) THE DEAD DAISIES – Light ‘Em Up (Independent)
30) MÖRK GRYNING – Fasornas Tid (Season Of Mist)

Hypnotic Viking folk project Wardruna have shared a typically epic video for their new single, Birna.

It’s also the title track from the outfit’s upcoming album, which they will release through Music For Nations/Sony on January 24.

“The song illustrates a dialogue between man and bear, exemplifying the various traits and abilities we humans have sought to borrow from these significant totemic animals throughout history,” explains Warduna mainman Einar Selvik.

The new album sees the band explore the relationship between man and bear (Birna means the she-bear in Old Norse).

“The bear doesn’t need my help or any human traditional ornamentation to be its own powerful self,” Selvik continues. “It is quite the opposite if one looks to past bear-traditions worth remembering. We learn, we dream of borrowing its traits and abilities. We fear, revere, and try to walk alongside but on separate paths. Respectfully, claim space and give space. However inconvenient it may be, further taming of the wild can never be the fruitful way forward. For me, it profoundly felt like the right time to give voice to the Birna, mother and shepherd of the vanishing woods.”

The striking video was filmed in Rondane National Park in Norway and directed by Wardruna´s longtime collaborator Tuukka Koski and produced by Breakfast Helsinki and Ragnarok Film.

Wardruna will also release a Blu-Ray and DVD, Live At The Acropolis, alongside Birna on January 24, which was recorded at the world heritage site Odeon of Herodes Atticus, Acropolis, Athens.

Doom metal masters My Dying Bride have announced their first show since taking a hiatus – without lead singer Aaron Stainthorpe.

The Yorkshire outfit, who cancelled all live plans around the release of new album A Mortal Binding earlier this year, have confirmed their first show for 2025, taking place at the Rockmaraton festival in Hungary next July.

However, founding member Stainthorpe will not perform, with Mikko Kotamäki of fellow doom-dealers Swallow The Sun filling in.

My Dying Bride comment: “After a small ‘hiatus’, live shows are set to recommence, featuring a very special guest on vocals: Mikko Kotamäki from Swallow The Sun. We warmly welcome Mikko, who has graciously joined the MDB live setup, enabling us to bring both new and classic songs back to the stage.

“With this year’s monumental album A Mortal Binding now well into establishing itself as a doom metal success, the band are at last ready to promote it live along with seasoned classics of course.”

My Dying Bride, who formed in 1990 and became recognised as one of death/doom’s pioneering ‘Peaceville Three’, cancelled all their scheduled live shows this past April, days before A Mortal Binding’s release.

Shortly afterwards, guitarist Andrew Craighan, the band’s sole constant member alongside Stainthorpe, explained, “We have some live problems, which we’re – how best to say it? – massaging, I would say.”

Stainthorpe offered his side of the story in September, highlighting professional tensions between himself and Craighan. “We’ve worked relentlessly in My Dying Bride – without a manager. Me and Andrew managed the band as best we could over the years,” the singer said.

He went on to add: “And me and Andy, we’ve argued the toss like a married couple for years and years and years – artwork, lyrics. I normally pretty much get away with lyrics, but artwork particularly. And I think we’re both becoming grumpy old men. We’ve just got a bit loggerheaded like that. We said, ‘Let’s take a break before we have a massive bust-up.’”

Despite My Dying Bride’s hiatus and his absence from their live lineup, seemingly for the foreseeable future, Stainthorpe has been active in 2024. The debut album from his new band High Parasite, Forever We Burn, dropped in September.

Talking to Metal Hammer, the singer said High Parasite were not started due to My Dying Bride’s hiatus. “I haven’t suddenly stood up and said, ‘OK, My Dying Bride is shelved so I can do this!’” he explained. “I’ve been doing this for three years! You’ve got to remember, between MDB albums there’s usually a three-or-four year gap. When it comes to live shows, we only do a few every year, so I’ve got loads of time to work on other projects!”

Rockmaraton will take place in Dunaújváros, Hungary, from July 3 to 5. Also on the bill are Powerwolf, King Diamond, The Hu, Bury Tomorrow and more. Tickets are now available.