Dark Angel last issued new music in 1991 with the release of their Time Does Not Heal album which featured the tagline: “9 songs, 67 minutes, 246 riffs!”
The thrashers reformed in 2013 and features the lineup of Gene Hoglan (drums), Eric Meyer (guitars), Mike Gonzalez (bass), Ron Rinehart (vocals), and Laura Christine (guitars).
Christine joined the band in 2023 after the death of original guitarist Jim Durkin in March 2023.
Deathless Legacy will release the new album, Damnatio Aeterna, on March 7 via Scarlet Records.
Driven by Steva’s unholy, malevolent and sexy voice, the ominous tones of a church organ, and the fierce occult metal riffs, Deathless Legacy deliver a sound that hits hard and stands apart. This is horror metal at its most unapologetic.
Damnatio Aeterna tells the thrilling story of the lesser demon Malchrum, who is challenged by Lucifer to ensnare a priest in an unspeakable sin, thereby ensuring his eternal damnation.
A dark and provocative journey faithful to the band’s signature style and filled with an atmosphere of mystery that grows progressively tense as the story unfolds, the seventh Deathless Legacy studio album will finally delve into sophisticated themes and explore the true nature of evil.
Recorded at Eden Studios; mixed and mastered by Simone Mularoni at Domination Studio; eerily illustrated by the visual artist and band’s leader & drummer Andrea Falaschi (Delain, Elvenking, Temperance), Damnatio Aeterna will be released in the following formats:
– digipack CD – digital
Pre-order/pre-save here, and stay tuned for the announcement of the Collector’s Edition, a limited-edition release for the most devoted fans.
Damnatio Aeterna tracklisting:
“Damnatio Aeterna” “Miserere” “Get On Your Knees” “Communion” “Indulgentia Plenaria” “Oblivion” “Spiritus Sanctus Diabolicus” “Sanctified” “Mother Of God” “Nightshade” “Gehennae”
Deathless Legacy lineup:
Steva – vocals Sgt. Bones – guitar Alex van Eden – keyboards Deadwood Nick – bass Frater Orion – drums The Red Witch – performances
Guitarist Joey Concepcion, of Swedish extreme metal pioneers Arch Enemy, is featured in the new episode of “Backstage Pass” from Jackson Guitars. Watch the video below:
Arch Enemy will release their new album, Blood Dynasty, on March 28 via Century Media Records.
Blood Dynasty marks Arch Enemy’s 12th studio album. The record features 11 new tracks full of the band’s signature powerful guitar riff and guttural force.
Blood Dynasty is available for pre-order in the following formats:
– Special Edition CD (11 tracks) – Special Edition CD (US version) (11 tracks) – Ltd. Deluxe CD Box Set (11 + 2 bonus tracks) – Ltd. Deluxe A/B split (red&golden) LP (11 tracks) + bonus LP (2 tracks) + CD Artbook (13 tracks) + art print black LP & LP-Booklet (11 tracks) – Ltd. deep blood red LP + LP-Booklet (11 tracks) – Ltd. grey LP + LP-Booklet (11 tracks) – Ltd. transp. red LP + LP-Booklet (11 tracks) – Ltd. creamy white LP + LP-Booklet (11 tracks) – Ltd. dark green LP + LP-Booklet (11 tracks) – Ltd. bright gold LP + LP-Booklet (11 tracks) – Ltd. red blood splatter (clear-red splatter) LP + LP-Booklet (11 tracks) – Ltd. Liquid Blood Vinyl (limited to 666 copies) (11 tracks) – Ltd. black ice LP + LP-Booklet (US version) (11 tracks) – Ltd. milky clear LP + LP-Booklet (US version) (11 tracks) – Ltd. tangerine colored LP + LP-Booklet (US version) (11 tracks) – Digital album (11 tracks)
Next to the limited deluxe editions that feature two exclusive bonus tracks, fans can direct their attention to the Ltd. Liquid Blood Vinyl that is exclusively available in the band stores and limited to 666 copies.
Blood Dynasty tracklisting:
“Dream Stealer” “Illuminate The Path” “March Of The Miscreants” “A Million Suns” “Don’t Look Down” “Presage” “Blood Dynasty” “Paper Tiger” “Vivre Libre” “The Pendulum” “Liars & Thieves”
“Blood Dynasty” video:
“Liars & Thieves” video:
“Dream Stealer” video:
Arch Enemy have announced their spring 2025 North American tour plans.The massive tour kicks off on April 14 in San Diego and runs through May 16 in Atlanta, including several stops in Canada. All dates are below, along with key spring festival appearances, such as Sonic Temple and Welcome to Rockville. Get tickets here.
“We can’t wait to reconnect with our amazing North American fans this spring,” says guitarist Michael Amott. “We’re bringing Fit For An Autopsy, Baest, and Thrown Into Exile along for the ride – prepare for an unforgettable night of pure metal mayhem. See you soon!”
Dates:
April 14 – San Diego, CA – The Observatory North Park 15 – Los Angeles, CA – The Wiltern 16 – San Francisco, CA – The Regency Ballroom 18 – Portland, OR – Roseland Theater 19 – Seattle, WA – Showbox SoDo 20 – Vancouver, BC – The Pearl 22 – Edmonton, AB – Union Hall 23 – Calgary, AB – MacEwan Hall 25 – Salt Lake City, UT – The Complex 26 – Denver, CO – Summit 28 – Minneapolis, MN – The Fillmore Minneapolis 29 – Chicago, IL – The Vic Theatre 30 – Detroit, MI – The Majestic Theatre
May 2 – New York, NY – Palladium Times Square 3 – Worcester, MA – The Palladium 5 – Philadelphia, PA – Theatre of The Living Arts 6 – Silver Spring, MD – The Fillmore Silver Spring 8 – Montreal, QC – L’Olympia* 9 – Toronto, ON – Queen Elizabeth Theatre 10 – Stroudsburg, PA – The Sherman Theater 11 – Columbus, OH – Sonic Temple** 13 – Charlotte, NC – The Underground*** 15 – Daytona Beach, FL – Welcome To Rockville** 16 – Atlanta, GA – The Masquerade*** 18 – Milwaukee, WI – Milwaukee Metal Fest**
* no Fit For An Autopsy, but featuring Martyr ** festval appearance *** no Baest
Arch Enemy are:
Alissa White-Gluz – Vocals Michael Amott – Guitars Joey Concepcion – Guitars Sharlee D’Angelo – Bass Daniel Erlandsson – Drums
Legendary guitarist Phil X’s own band, Phil X & The Drills, are thrilled to unveil the official lyric video for their single, “Don’t Wake Up Dead,” featuring Korn drummer Ray Luzier, out now via Frontiers Music Srl. The video comes with a time-lapse of the production of the single’s artwork, created by Thomas Estrada.
Phil X commented on the single: “’Don’t Wake Up Dead’ is a look at how people just go through the motions of life just to get to the end of their day. I know because I, myself, have been there. To put it into impactful words, if you’re not waking up ready to conquer all obstacles, you’re waking up dead. Plus… Put to music that’s like downing a triple espresso is pretty awesome.”
In 2003, The Drills started to cause a stir in Hollywood, with their brand of punk mixed with classic and modern rock with guitar virtuosic undertones. Phil X was at the helm as the lead vocalist and guitar player. Daniel Spree on bass and backing vocals and Jeremy Spencer (Five Finger Death Punch) completed the power trio. They remained quite underground and released their first EP, Kick Your Ass In 17 Minutes in 2009. Jeremy had left to start FFDP by this time, so the constant rotation of drummers began.
Also, in that time period, Phil was becoming a groundbreaking YouTube sensation on a video channel called Fretted Americana, where he demoed vintage guitars. Actual 1959 Gibson Les Pauls (worth in the range of $250K),1954 Fender Stratocasters, and hundreds of other guitars were put through their paces in Phil’s hands. Before he knew it, Fretted Americana was sitting on millions of collective views and from a marketing standpoint, it made sense to take The Drills to another level as Phil X & The Drills.
We Bring The Rock’n’Roll was the follow-up to KYAI17M. With even more classic rock flavors stirred into the mix, this was the first endeavor to feature famed drummers that Phil had worked with on other artists’ records, including Chris Cornell, Daughtry, Kelly Clarkson, and Gavin DeGraw to name a few.
Drummers like Josh Freese (Sting, Foo Fighters), Abe Laboriel Jr (Paul McCartney, Eric Clapton), and fellow Canadian Randy Cooke (Smashmouth, Five for Fighting) were all featured on this record.
Following two successful tours in the UK, the band released We Play Instruments ’N Sh!t. Musically showing vast growth in writing and production, the band was excited to unleash this heightened evolvement to their new fan base. The fan base started to grow exponentially, due to Phil filling in for Richie Sambora in Bon Jovi for thirteen shows in 2011. Phil went on to replace Sambora in 2016 and has been juggling both bands along with becoming a father since.
Multiple tours and recordings with Bon Jovi inevitably took the front seat in Phil’s career but every time he got a break, he was writing and setting up recording sessions with drummers like Tommy Lee, Tico Torres, Ray Luzier, and many more.
The first of these sessions were mixed by Chris Lord Alge and released on Stupid Good Lookings Vol 1. Taylor Hawkins, Glen Sobel, Brent Fitz, Matt Chamberlain, Abe Laboriel Jr, and Randy Cooke all participated on this drum extravaganza with more sessions in the vault.
2024 marked an exciting new landmark for the band when they opened for Mötley Crüe at Summerfest in Springfield, IL. Phil X, Daniel Spree, and Brent Fitz took the stage and left the 10,000 attendees, event coordinators, promoters, and agents (not to mention the headliner) all thrilled.
Finally, the band recently signed to Frontiers Records Srl and is excited to embark on a new journey with new music.
Lineup:
Phil X – Lead Vocals & Guitars Daniel Spree – Bass & Background Vocals Ray Luzier – Drums
German rock legends, Scorpions, have released video of their performance of the “Seventh Sun” from France’s Hellfest 2022. The song originally appeared on the band’s nineteenth studio album, Rock Believer, released in February 2022. Watch the video below:
More footage from the band’s Hellfest 2022 appearance can be viewed below:
Scorpions recently announced “60th Anniversary – Coming Home” a unique concert experience in their hometown, Hannover, Germany, on July 5, 2025. The show will include special guests, including Judas Priest.
Scorpions are returning to the Las Vegas Strip in 2025 with exclusive headlining residency show in celebration of the band’s 60th anniversary.
Promoted by Live Nation and Caesars Entertainment, Scorpions – Coming Home To Las Vegas 60th Anniversary Las Vegas Residency kicks off on Thursday, February 27, 2025 at PH Live at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino. Scorpions will be joined by special guest Buckcherry. The new show follows the band’s two previous sold-out residencies at the venue – Scorpions – Love At First Sting Las Vegas in 2024, and Sin City Nights in 2022.
“There couldn‘t be a better way than to start 2025 in Las Vegas with another residency at Planet Hollywood… come and celebrate with us our 60th Anniversary and catch a rockin‘ good time… we gonna sting yaaaa!!!” – Klaus Meine
(Image credit: Bonnie Schiffman/Getty Images | Theo Wargo/WireImage)
The Clash and Prince are among the artists to be honoured with a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, which recognises performers “who, during their lifetimes, have made creative contributions of outstanding artistic significance to the field of recording.”
The London punk pioneers and the gifted Minneapolis icon join Frankie Valli, blues legend Taj Mahal, and trailblazing rapper Roxanne Shante on the 2025 list, which is voted for by the Recording Academy’s National Trustees.
On the official Grammys website, The Clash are hailed as “pioneers in integrating elements of militant reggae, dub, funk, jazz, and hip-hop into their music, influencing fellow bands, musicians and DJs alike, then and now”, while Prince’s tribute states that he is “considered by many to be the greatest artist of all time.”
In another acknowledgement of rock’s rich history, English producer and recording engineer Glyn Johns, whose CV takes in work on legendary albums by The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and Led Zeppelin, is to receive a Special Merit Award, with the Academy noting, “his legacy in rock music is profound, with his techniques and ethics continuing to influence modern producers and engineers.”
The 67th Annual Grammy Awards will take place on Sunday, February 2, 2025 at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.
Beyonce has received 11 nominations for her country album, Cowboy Carter, while Kendrick Lamar, Charli XCX, Post Malone and Billie Eilish have each received seven nominations.
The Best Rock Album category will be contested by, The Black Crowes’ comeback record Happiness Bastards, voted Album of The Year by Classic Rock‘s writers, Pearl Jam’s Dark Matter, Romance by Fontaines D.C., The Rolling Stones’ 24th studio album Hackney Diamonds, Green Day’s Saviors and Tangk by Idles.
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A music writer since 1993, formerly Editor of Kerrang! and Planet Rock magazine (RIP), Paul Brannigan is a Contributing Editor to Louder. Having previously written books on Lemmy, Dave Grohl (the Sunday Times best-seller This Is A Call) and Metallica (Birth School Metallica Death, co-authored with Ian Winwood), his Eddie Van Halen biography (Eruption in the UK, Unchained in the US) emerged in 2021. He has written for Rolling Stone, Mojo and Q, hung out with Fugazi at Dischord House, flown on Ozzy Osbourne’s private jet, played Angus Young’s Gibson SG, and interviewed everyone from Aerosmith and Beastie Boys to Young Gods and ZZ Top. Born in the North of Ireland, Brannigan lives in North London and supports The Arsenal.
Southside Johnny has announced his immediate retirement from touring, citing unspecified health issues.
According to NJArts, Southside Johnny left the stage after performing just a few songs at the band’s most recent show, Dec. 14 at the Birchmere in Alexandria, Virginia. His longtime backing band the Asbury Jukes finished the show without him.
The 76 year-old singer, considered the “grandfather of the New Jersey sound,” was scheduled to perform at the Count Basie Center in Red Bank, New Jersey on New Year’s Eve. That performance and a handful of previously announced 2025 dates have all been cancelled.
“After a hugely successful 50-year run with his band Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes, touring non-stop throughout the U.S and overseas, ‘Southside Johnny’ Lyon has made the decision to retire from touring in order to manage ongoing health issues,” read the statement on his Facebook page.
“Johnny Lyon and the Asbury Jukes are an integral part of the Basie Center’s history and the history of music here at the Jersey Shore,” read a tribute from the Basie Center’s Facebook page. “While we’re sad we won’t be seeing them this New Year’s Eve, everyone at the Count Basie Center is forever grateful for the hundreds of moments that he and his bandmates have created on our stages. We love you, Johnny!”
Top 100 ’80s Rock Albums
UCR takes a chronological look at the 100 best rock albums of the ’80s.
Canadian rockers, Loverboy, have announced new Canadian tour dates for March and April, 2025. Special guests on select dates include Quiet Riot and Trooper.
Pre-sale for the new dates begins tomorrow, Wednesday, December 18. Use code: WEEKEND
New dates:
March 21 – Coquitlam, BC – Great Canadian Casino Vancouver
April 4 – Toronto, ON – The Theatre at Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto (with Quiet Riot) 5 – Pickering, ON – Pickering Casino Resort (with Trooper)
Loverboy performs next on January 10 at Hertz Arena in Estero, FL. Find the band’s complete tour itinerary here.
Doug Aldrich recently spoke with Eddie Trunk on SiriusXM’s Trunk Nation. During their conversation, Doug reflected on his cancer battle and returning to The Dead Daisies.
SiriusXM’s Trunk Nation, hosted by Eddie Trunk, airs daily at 3 PM, ET on SiriusXM’s Faction Talk. Audio clips and transcription below courtesy of SiriusXM’s Trunk Nation.
On time off, return to The Dead Daisies:
Doug Aldrich: “I did the UK tour knowing that I had the cancer, right before I was dealing with insurance issues and not getting approved yet, and this and that and blah, blah, blah. And finally I got approved while I was in the UK with The Dead Daisies. And then a couple days after I got back, I was in surgery. And then I started to feel good after a couple weeks and I was like, the European tours coming up. But I had already asked a bunch of friends, I talked to, I had a whole list of people and a lot of people were busy. But I also was really excited because I thought of Reb you know, and so I called Reb and I said, ‘Reb, I got this going on. And would you do me a favor? Could you, would you be into, you know, learning the set?’
“We’ve got like three weeks of dates in Europe and Rev was great, man. Reb, I mean, we had a little competition when we were in Whitesnake together. But I love Reb and he’s a brilliant musician. He is a legendary player and he’s a legendary person too. He’s just a lot of fun as you know. And he knows Michael Devin, he knows Corabi. He, Tommy and him, I think got on really good. I’m sure they did. And David and him got on and he went in and did a great job and, but I’m good to go. So we’ve got dates starting in March next year, so I’m back.”
On cancer fight:
Aldrich: “All in all, like I said, man, I’m doing better than I should. It’s a, you know, obviously it’s a serious thing that a lot of people go through and you know, well first things first, I just wanna say thanks to you and to, you know, I mean, I never knew I had so many friends around the world, people that reached out, that I hadn’t heard from in years, maybe decades, and those prayers and well wishes and stuff, man, when you’re going through something like this, it really, it means everything. And you really did from the day one, you were checking on me. And I really appreciate it, man. And thank you to all the friends of mine around the world that reached out online. I mean, it was like overwhelmingly a beautiful help.”
The Dead Daisies’ new album, Light ‘Em Up, lands at #29 on our BravePicks 2024 Top 30. Follow the countdown here. The release is available to order here.
Light ‘Em Up tracklisting:
“Light ‘Em Up” “Times Are Changing” “I Wanna Be Your Bitch” “I’m Gonna Ride” “Back To Zero” “Way Back Home” “Take A Long Line” “My Way And The Highway” “Love That’ll Never Be” “Take My Soul”
Lamb Of God and Sixthman, the leader in festivals and music cruises for more than a decade, recently announced Lamb Of God Presents Headbangers Boat 2025, sailing October 31-November 4, 2025 from Miami, FL to Cozumel, Mexico aboard the glittering Norwegian Jewel.
The full Headbangers Boat 2025 lineup has been revealed. Welcome to the boat Power Trip, The Exploited, Nekrogoblikon, Gideon, Walls Of Jericho, and Category 7.
Acts confirmed now include: Lamb Of God (two sets), Clutch, Kublai Khan TX, Power Trip, Obituary, DevilDriver, Fear Factory, The Black Dahlia Murder, The Exploited, Crowbar, Nekrogoblikon, Eighteen Visions, Gideon, Walls of Jericho, Category 7, BRAT, Josh Potter (Comic), Saul Trujillo (Comic), Jose Mangin, Riki Rachtman, Liberty Tattoo.
