Ann Wilson’s 2023 performance at Nashville’s Brooklyn Bowl is being released on Blu-ray and digital video.
Ann Wilson & Tripsitter Live in Concert captures the group as it was touring in support of Wilson’s 2023 LP Another Door. The album was her fourth solo effort and first with Tripsitter as her backing band.
The Nashville performance saw Wilson through solo material along with Heart classics such as “Crazy On You,” “Barracuda” and “Magic Man.” The singer also delivered a couple of Led Zeppelin covers: “Immigrant Song” and “Going to California.”
The full track listing for Ann Wilson & Tripsitter Live in Concert can the found below. The show, which originally aired on PBS in November 2023, will be released on Blu-Ray June 6 available for preorder now.
Who Is in Tripsitter?
Wilson’s backing band is made up of guitarist Ryan Wariner, bassist Tony Lucido, guitarist and keyboardist Paul Moak and drummer Sean Lane.
Wilson has offered high praise for the group, calling them “musicians of the highest caliber.””We clicked in this way that doesn’t happen that often, so we just decided to make it a band,” the singer explained to the Pittsburgh Post Gazettein 2023. “it was exciting and challenging because they’re all really good, super good musicians. They’re all sort of A-list studio musicians from Nashville who are tired of being studio musicians.”
When Wilson returned her attention to Heart in late 2023, all of the Tripsitter members joined her in the band’s new lineup and have remained ever since.
‘Ann Wilson & Tripsitter Live in Concert’ Track Listing:
1. “Crazy On You” 2. “This Is Now” 3. “Love Alive” 4. “Magic Man” 5. “Going to California” 6. “Ruler of the Night” 7. “Even It Up” 8. “Straight On” 9. “Miss One & Only” 10. “Rain of Hell” 11. “Immigrant Song” 12. “Mistral Wind” 13. “Isolation” 14. “Tripsitter” 15. “Rusty Robots” 16. “Barracuda”
Gary Leonard / Chris Carroll / Steve Rapport, Getty Images
If there’s one thing that can unite rock fans of all stripes, it’s being upset with the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. That’s why we made this list of the 10 Worst Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Snubs.
Since 1986, the Cleveland institution has enshrined artists who have shaped and pushed the genre forward. Artists become eligible 25 years after the release of their first recording, and five to seven enter the Hall each year.
According to the Rock Hall itself, relevant criteria include “an artist’s musical influence on other artists, length and depth of career and the body of work, innovation, and superiority in style and technique.”
Needless to say, this is an imperfect science.
It doesn’t take a mathematician to figure out that such small annual classes lead to an inevitable log jam, with many worthy artists taking years or even decades to get inducted after they first become eligible. Others, it seems, have simply fallen by the wayside, doomed to be ignored by the Hall forever.
Certain genres get worse treatment than others. The Rock Hall is notoriously behind the curve when it comes to heavy metal and alternative rock, overlooking some of the most significant acts of the past 40 years as fans continue to cry foul. As the Hall expands its scope to include country, pop and hip-hop, induction feels even further out of reach for these rock artists — and ultimately, the Rock Hall suffers most for it.
Here at UCR, we feel your pain and empathize with your frustrations. From metal to indie rock to singer-songwriters, here are our picks for the 10 Worst Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Snubs.
Billy Idol was one of the biggest stars of the ‘80s, but in hindsight the singer says he’s fortunate to have survived the decade.
During a recent interview with USA Today, Idol looked back on his wild past.
“I’m lucky to be here,” the singer remarked. “If I was doing today what I was doing in the ‘80s, I would be dead. A lot of people didn’t make it out.”
Idol has been open about his struggles with drugs and alcohol abuse in the past, including an overdose in 1994. The singer has previously called himself “California Sober” these days, a term used to describe people who occasionally drink or smoke cannabis, while generally abstaining from any other recreational drugs.
While Idol, who turns 70 this year, admitted he has toned down the behavior he exhibited early in his career, he hasn’t completely abandoned the attitude that made him one of rock’s most beloved rebels.
“I most definitely still have a wild side,” the singer confessed. “There’s still the guy who doesn’t mind risking things, just trying to keep it in check. The guy who is willing to move to another continent to start his life again or gamble his future a lot of the time.”
Idol added that he works to abide by a simple rule: “If I do anything too much, don’t carry on the next day.”
Billy Idol’s Busy 2025
Idol has been busy so far in 2025 and he doesn’t look to be slowing down any time soon. The singer’s latest album, Dream Into It, was recently released, and he launched a nationwide tour with Joan Jett on April 30. There’s also the appropriately-titled documentary Billy Idol Should Be Dead which premieres at the Tribeca Film Festival this June.
It could have been an even bigger year for Idol had he been elected to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. The “Rebel Yell” singer appeared on the ballot for the first time, but was passed over for induction despite being among the top vote getters from fans.
In the USA Today interview – conducted before the Hall of Fame class was announced – Idol pondered how the results could play out.
“If I don’t get in, it wouldn’t be the end of the world because there’s always another year,” he remarked. “But if we do, it’s a chance to thank your fans. They’re the reason you’re here and they stuck with you through thick and thin – and believe me, some parts of it were thin! – and that’s the reason I’m still going.”
Billy Idol Albums Ranked
A stage name like Billy Idol isn’t chosen just because it sounds cool.
Angry Anderson, founding frontman of Aussie rock legends Rose Tattoo, has confirmed that the band, who formed in Sydney in 1976, will play their final live show next year.
“We wrap it up at the end of next year,” Anderson tells Melbourne’s 3AW. “We will be 50 years old in ’26 on New Year’s Eve. I am proud to say – because I have survived all the original members, and a few along the way – we have achieved what we set out to achieve. At the end of the day if you can say that you are a lucky man.
“We’re working on a new set of songs because we want to mark our 50th anniversary bow-out with an album. But I think we’re still going to keep writing and recording even after that, because this particular lineup is on fire.”
Rose Tattoo, whose debut album classic Nice Boys was covered by Guns N’ Roses on their 1986 EP Live ?!*@ Like a Suicide and later by Nashville Pussy, are currently on the road in Australia with ZZ Top, George Thorogood and The Destroyers, The Living End, Baby Animals and Dallas Frasca.
The band then headline their own Hard Road Tour, a run of dates that kicks off at the Indooroopilly Hotel, QL, on May 16, and wraps up at the Bridge Hotel in Rozelle, NSW, on June 7. Full dates below.
Rose Tattoo: Tour dates 2025
May 03: Pokolbin Roche Estate, Australia ^ May 04: North Wollongong Stuart Park, Australia ^ May 10: Sandstone Point Hotel, Australia ^ May 11: Sandstone Point Hotel, Australia ^ May 16: Indooroopilly Hotel, Australia May 17: Kallangur Tavern, Australia May 23: Morphett Vale Emu Hotel, Australia May 24: Morphett Vale Emu Hotel, Australia May 30: Collingwood Bendigo Hotel, Australia May 31: Collingwood Bendigo Hotel, Australia Jun 06: Rozelle Bridge Hotel, Australia Jun 07: Rozelle Bridge Hotel, Australia
^ with ZZ Top and George Thoroughgood & The Destroyers
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Classic Rock Magazine has hooked up with Luke Spiller, frontman of The Struts, to celebrate the release of his debut solo album Love Will Probably Kill Me Before Cigarettes And Wine.
The album is out now, and so is our exclusive, limited edition bundle of the new issue of Classic Rock, which contains a copy of the magazine with a bespoke cover, an autographed lyric sheet – hand-signed by Luke himself – and a Luke Spiller t-shirt you won’t find anywhere else.
Inside the magazine, we talk to Luke Spiller about his solo album, which classic flavours, velvet-lined pop and old European flair with a modern Hollywood love story.
Also in this issue:
Fleetwood Mac With Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham on board, their 1975 self-titled White Album was the first record by what became the band’s most beloved and successful line-up.
Those Damn Crows Religion, psychedelics and a near-death experience were all inspirations for the Welsh band’s new album.
The Classic Rock Interview: Pete Townshend With The Who he wrote some of the great songs from the first wave of pop, then went on to conquer the rock world
Lollapalooza ’92 In an exclusive book extract, we look at how down-the-bill sudden stars Pearl Jam’s performances on the 1992 tour sparked crowd frenzies verging on riots.
Mike Campbell The guitarist talks about his years as Tom Petty’s right-hand man in the Heartbreakers, early-days self-doubt, playing with Dylan and Fleetwood Mac, and two love stories.
The Stories Behind The Songs: Joe Walsh A career crossroads, snow-capped mountains and a runaway lawnmower all played a part in making Rocky Mountain Way.
Q&A: Don Airey The Deep Purple keyboard player, go-to session guy and solo artist on his new album, touring, Purple, Blackmore.
Ever Meet Lemmy? Yngwie Malmsteen Yes he has. And Blackmore, Angus, Metallica, May, Mogg…The Swedish shredder recalls some of his close encounters
Reviews New albums from Ghost, Stereophonics, Hawkwind, Billy Idol, H.E.A.T, Luke Spiller, Robin Trower, Melvins, Neil Young, Samantha Fish, Machine Head and more. Reissues from Pink Floyd, Wings, Small Faces, Helloween, David Bowie, Angel, Camel, Godfathers, Dwarves, Raven and more. DVDs, films and books on Queen, Kirk Hammett, Genesis, The Jam, Slade, The Clash and more. Live reviews of The Temperance Movement, Avantasia, The Wildhearts, Guitar Wolf, Wytch Pycknyck and more.
Lives We preview tours by Daryl Hall, Rosalie Cunningham and Toby Lee. Plus gig listings – who’s playing where and when.
The Soundtrack Of My Life: Samantha Fish The guitarist and singer picks her records, artists and gigs of lasting significance.
“A rollercoaster of epic musical detours, great songwriting and completely unhinged twists and turns”: Halestorm announce upcoming album details and mammoth tour
(Image credit: Jimmy Fontaine)
Halestorm have confirmed the details of their upcoming sixth album. Everest will be released via Atlantic Records on August 8, and is the follow-up to 2022’s Back from the Dead. The news comes a week after the band released the first single from the album, Darkness Always Wins.
“Our album Everest is a story of our journey as a band, full of beautiful endings and new beginnings,” says Lzzy Hale. “We weave a tangled web of melancholy, frustration, anger, and the vast purgatory of love and love lost. It is a rollercoaster of epic musical detours, great songwriting and completely unhinged twists and turns.
“Everest is an auditory representation of the four pillars of Halestorm. Let us reintroduce ourselves and invite you into our world…if you dare.”
The band have also announced extensive touring plans for the latter half of the year, in addition to a previously announced run of US shows supporting Volbeat beginning in August. Headline shows will arrive in September (with support from Lindsey Stirling and Apocalyptica), and the tour wraps up in Europe in November, climaxing with a booking at London’s O2 Arena on November 26. Support on the European leg will come from Bloodywood and (UK only) Kelsy Karter & The Heroines.
Tickets for the nEVERESTtour go on sale in the UK on May 8 at 10am local, with European and North American sales beginning May 2 at the same time. Pre-sales begin today, depending on location.
Fallen Star Everest Shiver Like A Woman Can Rain Your Blood On Me Darkness Always Wins Gather The Lambs WATCH OUT! Broken Doll K-I-L-L-I-N-G I Gave You Everything| How Will You Remember Me?
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(Image credit: Atlantic Records)
Halestorm: 2025 Tour Dates
May 15: Daytona Beach Welcome To Rockville, FL * May 17: Ocean City Boardwalk Rock, MD *
May 27: Budapest Sportarena, Hungary ^ May 28: Budapest Sportarena, Hungary ^ May 31: Prague Letany Airport, Czechia ^ Jun 01: Bratislava O’Nepelu Arena, Slovakia ^ Jun 03: Leipzig Felsenkeller Leipzig, Saxony * Jun 05: Trondheim Trondheim Rocks, Norway * Jun 07: Stavanger Viking Stadium, Norway ^ Jun 09: Copenhagen Royal Arena, Denmark ^ Jun 12: Stockholm 3Arena, Sweden ^ Jun 13: Stockholm 3Arena, Sweden ^ Jun 16: Helsinki Olympic Stadium, Finland ^ Jun 18: Tallinn Helitehas, Estonia * Jun 19: Riga Palladium Riga, Latvia * Jun 23: Lille Aeronef, France * Jun 25: Dublin Malahide Castle, Ireland ^ Jun 28: London Stadium, UK ^ Jul 01: Lausanne Les Docks, Switzerland * Jul 02: Eindhoven Effenaar, Netherlands * Jul 05: Birmingham Villa Park, UK ✝
Jul 17: Denver Ball Arena, CO ∞ Jul 19: Salt Lake City Utah First Credit Union Amphitheatre, UT ∞ Jul 21: Auburn White River Amphitheatre, WA ∞ Jul 22: Ridgefield Cascades Amphitheatre, WA ∞ Jul 24: Wheatland Kia Forum, CA ∞ Jul 26: Phoenix Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre, AZ ∞ Jul 28: Irving The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory, TX: ∞ Jul 29: Houston 713 Music Hall, TX ∞ Jul 31: Rogers Walmart AMO, AR ∞ Aug 02: Franklin FirstBank Amphitheater, TN ∞ Aug 03: Alpharetta Ameris Bank Amphitheatre, GA ∞ Aug 04: Tampa MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre, FL ∞ Aug 06: Charlotte PNC Music Pavilion, NC ∞ Aug 07: Bristow Jiffy Lube Live, VA ∞ Aug 09: Camden Freedom Mortgage Pavilion, NJ ∞ Aug 10: Holmdel PNC Bank Arts Center, NJ ∞ Aug 12: Bangor Maine Savings Amphitheater, ME ∞ Aug 13: Gilford Bank NH Pavilion, NH ∞ Aug 14: Mansfield Xfinity Center, MA ∞ Aug 16: Hershey Giant Center, PA ∞ Aug 17: Cincinnati Riverbend Music Center, OH ∞ Aug 19: Clarkston Pine Knob Music Center, MI ∞ Aug 21: Noblesville Ruoff Music Center, IN ∞ Aug 22: Tinley Park Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre, IL ∞ Aug 23: Marshfield Central Wisconsin State Fair, WI *
Sep 11: Salem Salem Civic Center, VA: ¶ Sep 12: Cherokee Harrah’s Cherokee, NC ¶ Sep 14: Bridgeport Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater, CT ¶ Sep 16: Syracuse Upstate Medical University Arena at the Oncenter, NY ¶ Sep 18: Laval Place Bell, QC ¶ Sep 19: Toronto Budweiser Stage, ON ¶ Sep 21: Madison Breese Stevens Field, WI ¶ Sep 23: St. Louis Hollywood Casino Amphitheater, MO ¶ Sep 24: Cedar Rapids Alliant Energy PowerHouse, IA ¶ Sep 26: Welch Treasure Island Amphitheater, MN ¶ Sep 27: Duluth AMSOIL Arena, MN ¶ Sep 29: Bonner Springs Azura Amphitheater, KS ¶ Oct 01: Sioux City Tyson Events Center, IA ¶ Oct 02: Grand Forks Alerus Center, ND ¶ Oct 04: Winnipeg Canada Life Centre, MB ¶ Oct 05: Saskatoon SaskTel Centre, SK ¶ Oct 07: Calgary Scotiabank Saddledome, AB ¶ Oct 08: Penticton South Okanagan Events Centre, BC ¶ Oct 10: Vancouver Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre, BC ¶ Oct 11: Spokane Spokane Arena, WA ¶
Oct 22: Wiesbaden Schlachthof, Germany æ Oct 23: Oberhausen Turbinehalle 2, Germany æ Oct 25: Hamburg Inselpark Arena, Germany æ Oct 27: Stockholm Fållan, Sweden æ Oct 28: Copenhagen The Grey Hall, Denmark æ Oct 30: Warsaw COS Torwar, Poland æ Nov 01: Berlin Columbiahalle, Germany æ Nox 03: Prague ucerna Velkỳ Sàl, Czechia æ Nov 05: Vienna Gasometer, Austria æ Nov 06: Budapest Barba Negra, Hungary æ Nov 08: Munich Zenith, Germany æ Nov 09: Zurich Komplex457, Switzerland æ Nov 11: Milan Alcatraz, Italy æ Nov 12: Barcelona Razzmatazz, Spain æ Nov 14: Pamplona Totem, Spain æ Nov 15: Madrid La Riviera, Spain æ Nov 17: Paris Olympia, France æ Nov 18: Amsterdam AFAS Live, Netherlands æ Nov 20: Cardiff Utilita Arena, UK √ Nov 21: Glasgow OVO Hydro, UK √ Nov 23: Birmingham BP Pulse LIVE, UK √ Nov 24: Manchester AO Arena, UK √ Nov 26: London O2 Arena UK √
* Festival date ^ supporting Iron Maiden ✝ suppporting Black Sabbath ∞ supporting Volbeat ¶ with Lindsey Stirling, Apocalyptica æ with Bloodywood √ with Bloodywood, Kelsy Karter & The Heroines
Online Editor at Louder/Classic Rock magazinesince 2014. 39 years in music industry, online for 26. Also bylines for: Metal Hammer, Prog Magazine, The Word Magazine, The Guardian, The New Statesman, Saga, Music365. Former Head of Music at Xfm Radio, A&R at Fiction Records, early blogger, ex-roadie, published author. Once appeared in a Cure video dressed as a cowboy, and thinks any situation can be improved by the introduction of cats. Favourite Serbian trumpeter: Dejan Petrović.
(Image credit: Mikael Eriksson | Haris Nukem | Jimmy Fontaine | Press | Andy Ford)
Christ has risen, and so too has metal. In the week after Easter, we’ve been undoubtedly spoilt by large-scale singles from across the heavy music spectrum. Superstars as wide-ranging as Linkin Park, Sleep Token, Ghost, Sabaton, Machine Head and Slaughter To Prevail have all offered some new treats for your earholes, as have underground players from Employed To Serve to Full Of Hell.
As impatient as we are to hop amidst the melee, first there’s the matter of which song you voted as the best of last week. Against stiff competition from the likes of Rivers Of Nihil, Cryptopsy, Blood Command and The Devil Wears Prada, it was Scottish punk’n’roll act Bratakus who stood tall. Congratulations!
Now, the cycle repeats, and we need you to listen to another rich array of hard-rocking tracks before casting your pick as to which rules supreme. Here are the contenders…
Linkin Park – Unshatter
Linkin Park really are making up for lost time, huh? The nu metal frontrunners have gone from laying low for seven years to being unstoppably active, this week releasing rap-rock back-and-forth Unshatter: their second song since comeback album From Zero dropped just five months ago. You’ll find the audial attack, along with previous single Up From The Bottom, on a deluxe reissue of From Zero on May 16.
Unshatter (Official Visualizer) – Linkin Park – YouTube
This morning, pop-metal genre-busters Sleep Token returned with… more pop-metal genre-busting. Damocles started by placing frontman Vessel’s croons on top of weepy piano notes, but it gradually evolved into something heavier, until the band’s all-consuming djent riffing struck at full force. It was another dynamic preview of new album Even In Arcadia, which drops via major label RCA on May 9, following on from already-beloved singles Emergence and Caramel.
It’s a cliche to call an album “one of the most anticipated metal releases of the year so far”, but Ghost leave no other option. The Swedish anti-church built up to the brand-new Skeletá, out today, with several delectable singles, a change of frontman and the start of their headline-generating phone-free world tour. Peacefield was the last preview before the whole picture developed, teasing fans with a slice of unabashedly 80s rock’n’roll cheese.
With today’s single Templars, Sabaton ditched their usual topic of 20th-century warfare and journeyed back to the Middle Ages, weaving a myth about the last stand of an order of knights. Some things never change, however: the first taste of the power metal battalion’s as-yet-unannounced 11th album was still a charge of bold riffs, choirs and baritone vocals. Just as badass was the Game Of Thrones-esque music video that came with it.
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SABATON – Templars (Official Music Video) – YouTube
For new album Unatoned, out today, Machine Head leant towards more melodic terrain, possibly inspired by the Oakland thrashers’ recent re-embrace of festivals and a want to affirm their headliner status. Whatever the reason, though, fans have received such bangers as Unbound and Bonescraper fro, the shift, and latest single Outsider did a bang-up job of blending arena-ready hooks with knucklehead force. Expect to hear it blaring from a stadium-sized speaker near you soon!
MACHINE HEAD – ØUTSIDER (OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO) – YouTube
Bear with us as we try to avoid making any grizzly puns. Just days after singer Alex Terrible adopted two bear cubs, Slaughter To Prevail reiterated their love of all things ursid on Russian Grizzly In America. The stampeding deathcore track was accompanied by the announcement of the now-Orlando-based outfit’s long-awaited new album, Grizzly, which will claw its way onto streaming services and store shelves on July 18.
SLAUGHTER TO PREVAIL – RUSSIAN GRIZZLY IN AMERICA (OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO) – YouTube
New nu metal torch-bearers Wargasm have shed the confines of being on a major record label and gone independent. The London duo self-released new song Vigilantes to mark their newfound freedom, but also proved that they’re the same electro-metal agitators they’ve always been. No news on album number two yet, but Sam Matlock and Milkie Way’s debut Venom dropped 18 months ago now so… something must be in the pipeline, right?
𝐖𝐀𝐑𝐆𝐀𝐒𝐌 – “VIGILANTES” (Official Music Video) – YouTube
If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. 10 years after breaking out of Southampton and onto the world’s stage, Bury Tomorrow are still dealing out the primo metalcore that brought them to the dance. But who’s complaining? Forever The Night, released this morning, was a flurry of melodic vocals, whirlwind guitar lines and lightspeed percussion. It marked single number five from new album Will You Haunt Me With That Same Patience, out on May 16.
Bury Tomorrow – Forever The Night (Official Visualiser) – YouTube
Employed To Serve feat. Jesse Leach – Whose Side Are You On?
This week, Metal Hammer gave the new Employed To Serve album, Fallen Star, a 4.5-star review and said it had “riffs that rip your face off, breakdowns that blow your pants inside-out”. Whose Side Are You On?, featuring Killswitch Engage frontman Jesse Leach, showed exactly what we were on about. It was a face-scrunching shot of adrenaline, but it wasn’t mindless either, as proven by that fist-pumping chorus. Make this band famous now.
Employed To Serve – Whose Side Are You On? (feat. Jesse Leach) – YouTube
Aussie prog metal five-piece Voyager returned this week with Seen Better Days: their first song since frontman Danny Estrin was diagnosed with stage-four cancer 18 months ago. The lyrics candidly explored the past year-and-a-half, from the throes of treatment to the support the singer received from his fans. The track will be followed by the band’s first full-length shows since Estrin’s sickness, taking place in their hometown of Perth in June and July.
Voyager – Seen Better Days (Official Music Video) – YouTube
Grindcore noisemakers Full Of Hell have gone synth-pop. Ha, as if! On latest single Knight’s Oath, the Maryland/Pennsylvanians were every bit the grimy fucks they’ve always been, roaring over discordant guitars. Meanwhile, the music video was a fever dream of anthropomorphic animals engaging in mediaeval warfare. It might make more sense in the full context of the band’s Broken Sword, Rotten Shield EP, out on May 16, but let’s be honest: it probably won’t.
Full Of Hell – Knight’s Oath (Official Video) – YouTube
Hailing from Bogotá in Colombia, Poison The Preacher give hardcore/thrash metal a South American makeover. The four-piece say that they dabble in jazz and folk as well as riotous, Hatebreed-style speed, and their range will be heard in full when debut album Vs The World comes on May 23. For now, though, we have One Man Army, which landed on Thursday in a three-and-a-half-minute blitzkrieg of groove and fury.
Founded in 1983, Metal Hammer is the global home of all things heavy. We have breaking news, exclusive interviews with the biggest bands and names in metal, rock, hardcore, grunge and beyond, expert reviews of the lastest releases and unrivalled insider access to metal’s most exciting new scenes and movements. No matter what you’re into – be it heavy metal, punk, hardcore, grunge, alternative, goth, industrial, djent or the stuff so bizarre it defies classification – you’ll find it all here, backed by the best writers in our game.
Feature Photo: Bruce Alan Bennett / Shutterstock.com
Faces, the legendary rock group known for their raw, blues-infused rock sound and charismatic stage presence, are making an eagerly anticipated return to the music scene. Original members Rod Stewart, Ronnie Wood, and Kenney Jones have recently completed recording sessions for what will become their first new studio album in over fifty years, following 1973’s celebrated release, Ooh La La. The reunion has sparked excitement among fans and rock enthusiasts, rekindling memories of the band’s influential role in shaping the landscape of rock music in the early 1970s.
Recording took place at the iconic RAK Studios in North London, a location renowned for hosting numerous classic albums. Faces have laid down eleven tracks, a blend of newly written songs and a few previously unreleased compositions originating from the group’s original era. While the band members acknowledge that not all recorded tracks might appear on the final record, they express confidence in the quality and energy captured in these sessions.
Faces emerged in 1969 from the ashes of two influential British bands, Small Faces and The Jeff Beck Group. Their energetic live performances, combined with Stewart’s soulful vocals, Wood’s versatile guitar playing, and Jones’s rhythmic prowess, quickly catapulted them into rock stardom. Throughout their initial run between 1969 and 1975, the group released four influential studio albums, with hits like “Stay With Me,” “Ooh La La,” and “Cindy Incidentally” solidifying their legacy.
Following their split in the mid-1970s, each member pursued successful careers independently. Rod Stewart went on to become a global superstar, with a multitude of chart-topping solo albums and singles. Ronnie Wood solidified his place as a legendary guitarist by joining the Rolling Stones, becoming an essential part of their sound and image. Kenney Jones carried on his successful drumming career with bands such as The Who and maintained a prominent presence in rock circles.
Discussions of a Faces reunion had circulated for years, often teased by individual members, but scheduling conflicts repeatedly stalled the project. In 2021, the trio finally decided to actively move forward with new recordings, juggling commitments such as Stewart’s touring schedule and Wood’s Rolling Stones duties. The resulting sessions mark a significant milestone for the band, who are eager to demonstrate that their dynamic chemistry remains intact.
Drummer Kenney Jones confirmed the band plans to release the album in 2026, recognizing the detailed process involved in producing and finalizing the record. Additionally, the group is exploring releasing an accompanying documentary that would chronicle their rich history and provide an intimate look at the recording of the new album. Jones mentioned archival footage from 1972 that has never been publicly seen, promising a nostalgic treat for longtime fans.
Faces last publicly performed together at the 2020 Brit Awards, delivering a memorable rendition of “Stay With Me” that reminded audiences of their undeniable stage chemistry. This performance further fueled anticipation for their upcoming studio release. The new album represents not just a reunion of talented musicians, but also a powerful revival of a unique and influential musical spirit that first captured audiences decades ago.
As anticipation builds towards 2026, the Faces’ upcoming release serves as a timely reminder of their vital contributions to rock history. Their legacy as a band that defined a generation through gritty authenticity, musical talent, and undeniable charisma remains strong, ensuring their new album will be celebrated by both dedicated fans and a new generation of rock listeners.
The upcoming Faces album project includes three original members: Rod Stewart on lead vocals, Ronnie Wood on guitar, and Kenney Jones on drums. Notably absent from this reunion are bassist Ronnie Lane, who passed away on June 4, 1997, and keyboardist Ian McLagan, who died on December 3, 2014. Stewart, Wood, and Jones represent the surviving members from the band’s classic lineup, reuniting to create new music for the first time in over fifty years.
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Brian Kachejian was born in Manhattan and raised in the Bronx. He is the founder and Editor in Chief of ClassicRockHistory.com. He has spent thirty years in the music business often working with many of the people who have appeared on this site. Brian Kachejian also holds B.A. and M.A. degrees from Stony Brook University along with New York State Public School Education Certifications in Music and Social Studies. Brian Kachejian is also an active member of the New York Press.
Feature Photo: ultimate-guitar.com, CC BY 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
Ghost formed in Linköping, Sweden in 2006, brought to life by musician Tobias Forge, who would eventually be revealed as the mastermind behind the band’s ever-changing theatrical personas. From the beginning, Ghost distinguished themselves by merging hard rock, heavy metal, and progressive pop with a powerful visual identity: the frontman performed under the guise of Papa Emeritus (a demonic anti-pope figure), while the rest of the band members remained anonymous, performing as “Nameless Ghouls.” This unique combination of sonic power and visual spectacle would eventually propel the band from underground notoriety to global acclaim.
Their debut album, Opus Eponymous, was released in 2010 on Rise Above Records and set the tone for their haunting blend of melodic metal with doom-laden themes. The album received critical praise and earned them international attention, opening the door for wider distribution and major festival appearances. Their second album, Infestissumam, followed in 2013, marking their first release on the Loma Vista label and debuting at number one in Sweden. The band continued to build momentum with the release of Meliora in 2015, which climbed to number eight on the Billboard 200 and featured the Grammy Award-winning track “Cirice.”
By the time they released Prequelle in 2018, Ghost had become one of the most discussed and dissected bands in rock music. The album debuted at number three on the Billboard 200 and spawned the hit singles “Rats” and “Dance Macabre,” both of which dominated rock radio. Ghost followed up with Impera in 2022, another commercially and critically successful release that extended their reign over modern hard rock. With Impera, they continued their tradition of combining metal riffage with polished, anthemic songwriting, reaching new levels of chart success around the world.
Ghost’s impact extends far beyond album sales. Their elaborate stage production and evolving characters have turned each tour into a theatrical event. The identities of the “Papa” characters have evolved over time, from Papa Emeritus I through IV, and most recently, Papa Emeritus V, all portrayed by Forge. In 2017, Forge publicly confirmed his role as the sole constant member and creative leader, following a lawsuit filed by former band members. That year marked a pivotal transition from being viewed as a mysterious cult act to a band with mainstream muscle.
Ghost has also garnered an impressive array of awards. Their first major U.S. accolade came in 2016, when they won the Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance for “Cirice.” They have also earned multiple awards from the Swedish Grammis, as well as accolades from Metal Hammer and Loudwire. Their international touring schedule has included sold-out shows across Europe, North America, and Asia, helping to solidify their position as one of the most in-demand live acts in rock.
In addition to their music, Ghost has participated in cultural events that connect them with broader audiences. They performed a special show at the 2022 Bloodstock Open Air Festival and have participated in multiple promotional campaigns with major media outlets. Forge, under his Papa personas, has also discussed the band’s creative process in interviews and documentaries, revealing a deep commitment to thematic cohesion and long-form storytelling in both lyrics and stage presentation.
With five studio albums already released and a sixth, Skeletá, announced for 2025, Ghost continues to evolve musically while staying loyal to the aesthetic and thematic vision that made them a sensation. Their career is a testament to the power of image paired with songwriting craft, and their ability to blend metal’s heaviness with melodic accessibility has earned them a broad fanbase that spans generations and genres.
Complete List Of Ghost Songs From A to Z
Absolution – Meliora – 2015
Ashes – Prequelle – 2018
Avalanche – Prequelle (Exalted Edition) – 2018
Bible – Meliora (Deluxe Edition/Meliora Redux)/Popestar EP – 2015/2016
Bite of Passage – Impera – 2022
Body and Blood – Infestissumam – 2013
Call Me Little Sunshine – Impera – 2022
Cenotaph – Skeletá – 2025
Cirice – Meliora – 2015
Cirice (Radio Edit) – Meliora (Limited LP) – 2015
Con Clavi Con Dio – Opus Eponymous – 2010
Crucified – Infestissumam Redux/If You Have Ghost EP – 2013
Dance Macabre – Prequelle – 2018
Darkness at the Heart of My Love – Impera – 2022
De Profundis Borealis – Skeletá – 2025
Death Knell – Opus Eponymous – 2010
Depth of Satan’s Eyes – Infestissumam – 2013
Deus Culpa – Opus Eponymous – 2010
Deus in Absentia – Meliora – 2015
Devil Church – Meliora – 2015
Dominion – Impera – 2022
Elizabeth – Opus Eponymous – 2010
Excelsis – Skeletá – 2025
Faith – Prequelle – 2018
From the Pinnacle to the Pit – Meliora – 2015
Genesis – Opus Eponymous – 2010
Ghuleh / Zombie Queen – Infestissumam – 2013
Griftwood – Impera – 2022
Guiding Lights – Skeletá – 2025
Hanging Around – Phantomime – 2023
He Is – Meliora – 2015
Helvetesfönster – Prequelle – 2018
Here Comes the Sun – Opus Eponymous (Japanese Edition) – 2010
Impera (2022): 13 songs (including Bandcamp Digital Edition bonus track)
Skeletá (2025): 10 songs
Check out our fantastic and entertaining Ghost articles, detailing in-depth the band’s albums, songs, band members, and more…all on ClassicRockHistory.com
Brian Kachejian was born in Manhattan and raised in the Bronx. He is the founder and Editor in Chief of ClassicRockHistory.com. He has spent thirty years in the music business often working with many of the people who have appeared on this site. Brian Kachejian also holds B.A. and M.A. degrees from Stony Brook University along with New York State Public School Education Certifications in Music and Social Studies. Brian Kachejian is also an active member of the New York Press.
The Speaker Wars, led by former Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers drummer Stan Lynch and guitarist/vocalist Jon Christopher Davis, have a new single out titled “The Forgiveness Tree.”
It comes from their upcoming self-titled debut album, due on May 30. The track also features Jay Michael Smith on guitar, Brian Patterson on bass, Steve Ritter on percussion and Jay Brown on keyboards.
“This one had legs from the start – it’s written from the heart,” Lynch said of the new song in a press release. “It’s a roadmap to healing. It’s the truth.”
“It was a simple chorus I had lying around,” Davis added. “I sat at Stan’s piano and played it. He immediately knew where I was trying to go. Two hours later, the song was finished. The end result is a soul scratcher.”
You can listen to “The Forgiveness Tree,” as well as view the album’s full track listing, below.
How the Speaker Wars Came to Be
Lynch and Davis first started working together back in the early 2000s, a collaboration that blossomed into a co-writing partnership.
“Tom [Petty] used to say, if we leave all the shitty stuff out, we’ll probably be stuck with something pretty good. That was part of his genius,” Lynch told UCR in 2022 when Speaker Wars released their debut single. “And then watching how Jon works — which is just like the power of ‘no.’ Just because you did it, don’t mean it’s any good and you gotta use it.”
“I’ve shot past the point of caring to the point of: I follow my bliss. And my bliss is looped into Jon and this bizarre adventure,” he continued. “I feel like this is something we can own. We’ve just scratched the surface.”
‘The Speaker Wars’ Track Listing: 1. “You Make Every Lie Come True” 2. “It Ain’t Easy” 3. “Taste of Heaven” 4. “Never Ready to Go” 5. “The Forgiveness Tree” 6. “When The Moon Cries Wolf” 7. “Trader’s South” 8. “Leave Him” 9. “Sit With My Soul” 10. “I Wish You Peace”
Tom Petty’s Heartbreakers: Where Are They Now?
The surviving members continue to forge new paths.
