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Chad Kroeger says that there has been a “softening” of hate towards Nickelback, who up until recently, have been the butt of numerous jokes and memes in the rock community.

During a zoom appearance on Arizona’s KFMA-FM radio station, the frontman was asked why he thinks so many people enjoy hating on his band. In response, he tells host Robin Nash (as transcribed by Blabbermouth): “That kind of used to be a thing. I shouldn’t say ‘that kind of used to be’ — that was definitely a thing for a long time. 

“And I think there’s been a softening — there really has, thankfully. I’m not sure if it’s because we receive a ton of love on TikTok or whatever the hell it is, but for whatever reason the teeth have kind of been removed. It’s really nice to not be Public Enemy Number One.”

Last year, Nickelback’s disco-rock track She Keeps Me Up went viral on TikTok, due to thousands of fans making ‘thirst-traps’ (provocative videos) to the song.

“Thanks for all the love for She Keeps Me Up“, the band declared at the time. “That one was pretty unexpected!”.

Noting how he believes the hate towards Nickelback may well have been due to their music being overplayed, Kroeger suggests: “I think that with the range of songs that we write — from rock to all the softer, melodic stuff, all the way down to… Well, I know that Far Away got played on country stations even and I know that Rockstar — the heavily redacted version — got played on CMT.

“So when you’re going that far and the scope is that wide, it makes it tough to get away from the band if you’re not into the band. And if you’re trying to switch the radio station three times, and it’s just, like, ‘Ah, there they are. There’s their rock song on the rock station. There’s their pop song on the pop station. And oh my God, I can’t even go to the country station and get away from these guys. That type of oversaturation could piss people off. But at the end of the day, we’re just a band that makes music.”

On how he takes the high road when hearing the music of bands he dislikes – instead of dishing out contempt like Nickelback haters – he concludes: “I can’t stand a couple of bands, but I don’t go online and turn into a keyboard warrior and just start hating on them. I just change the channel or I put on something that I wanna listen to.”

In spite of the hate aimed at the Canadian hard rockers, Kroeger has continually shown that he is comfortable taking it all in his stride. Earlier this year, he credited the “haters” and “keyboard heroes” as being one of the main reasons they’ve been able to stay relevant and “in the press loop” for so many years.

Watch the interview below:

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Ever since 2013’s Infestissumam, it’s become a tradition for Ghost to follow each studio album with a palette-cleansing EP that leans heavily on Ghostified covers of classic songs by everyone from Abba to The Beatles (the notable exception of 2019’s Seven Inches Of Satanic Panic single, which followed Prequelle and threw up the viral hit Mary On A Cross). 

Phantomime upholds this tradition. Unlike 2016’s Popestar EP, which opened with the iconic Square Hammer, this features five cover versions and no new Ghost originals.

The result is fun if not entirely essential. An exhilarating cover of Genesis’ 1991 single Jesus He Knows Me, a takedown of US televangelists, falls so neatly into the Ghost ouvre you’d think Tobias wrote it himself with a gleeful cackle and eye to building his ever-expanding Ghost universe (it’s not hard to imagine it sitting alongside Kaisarion in Ghost live shows). 

But elsewhere, things feel decidedly more throwaway. Tobias plays things a little too straight on Iron Maiden’s Phantom Of The Opera, struggling to put his own stamp a classic song, while their version of Hanging Around by punk icons The Stranglers similarly seems the band they’re taking on overpower Ghost’s own identity. The forgettable cover of 70s New York art-punks Television’s See No Evil seems to exist purely so Tobias can use that title.

They save the biggest and best until last with an epic version of Tina Turner’s We Don’t Need Another Hero, originally the theme to 1980s Mel Gibson blockbuster Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome. If ever they remake that one, they’ve got a ready-made closing song right here.

Phantomime isn’t essential between-albums listening for Ghost fans in the same way 2013’s If You Have Ghost EP, Popestar or Seven Inches Of Satanic Panic were, but at this point the band hardly need to prove themselves; this well-oiled behemoth long having passed the point where they can do whatever the hell they want.

The Smiths bassist Andy Rourke died after a cancer battle at age 59, guitarist Johnny Marr announced.

Rourke joined the English rock band after their first show in 1982 and appeared on all four of their albums released between 1984-87. He continued working with singer Morrissey for several years, and also collaborated with the Pretenders and Killing Joke, among others. He later became a host on the U.K. radio station XFM.

“It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Andy Rourke after a lengthy illness with pancreatic cancer,” Marr wrote on social media. “Andy will be remembered as a kind and beautiful soul by those who knew him and as a supremely gifted musician by music fans. We request privacy at this sad time.”

Drummer Mike Joyce noted, “Not only the most talented bass player I’ve ever had the privilege to play with but the sweetest, funniest lad I’ve ever met. Andy’s left the building, but his musical legacy is perpetual. I miss you so much already. Forever in my heart, mate.”

Born in Manchester in 1964, Rourke started playing guitar at the age of 7 and met Marr at school. The pair spent years experimenting with music together, with Rourke moving to bass early on. He formed Freak Party with Marr and later followed him to the Smiths. He was briefly fired from the group as a result of heroin addiction but rehired weeks later.

In a 2004 interview with Mojo, Rourke recalled that “it all clicked” when he played with the Smiths for the first time. “Literally six months later we were on Top of the Pops,” he said. It took a while for Joyce to settle with him, but Rourke reflected that he “had something to prove to Mike, and he had something to prove back. It created quite a dynamic but aggressive sound. … There was nothing contrived about it. We were dueling off each other.”

He added, “We were a gang, a very tight band of brothers. When we were at our peak nobody could penetrate that – we were united in what we were doing. I think that got us through the pressures of getting famous, management, record companies. We were always tight, and nobody could chip away at that.”

In Memoriam: 2023 Deaths

A look at those we’ve lost.

More From Ultimate Classic Rock

Grammy Award-winning, multi-platinum singer-songwriter, actor, and New York Times best-selling author Corey Taylor (Slipknot, Stone Sour) recently revealed details for his new solo studio album, CMF2, including the release of the electrifying new single, “Beyond”.

In the new video below from AXS TV, Taylor stops by The Power Hour with details on his upcoming record:

Stream/download the “Beyond” single here.

The official video supporting the single was shot at a remote location within California’s Mojave Desert. Captured through the lens of director Dale “Rage” Resteghini (Hatebreed, Five Finger Death Punch, Trivium), the video finds Taylor trudging around the desert as a musing Uncle Sam intermingling with members of the band and the Cherry Bombs – all the while being surrounded by different versions of himself from through the years – before culminating as a live performance for a mass of fans in the round. Watch the clip below.

The song “Beyond” harkens back to 2006 in some shape or form. Taylor knew the song was special, but never found the time to bring the tune to its potential. “I originally wrote it as an aggressive romantic song, but I’m also looking at it now as a kind of ‘come together’ song,” Taylor explains. “Bringing the masses together, and letting them know that I want my music to take them beyond what they may think about me. Maybe they’ve had a misconception about me. It’s not exactly a calling card, more like throwing the bat signal up and being ‘alright, let’s turn everything on its head.’ It’s almost a dual threat, because now I look at it from two standpoints.”

CMF2 follows up Taylor’s 2020 solo debut CMFT, which featured the #1 Billboard mainstream rock single “Black Eyes Blue” and streaming sensation “CMFT Must Be Stopped” (feat. Tech N9ne and Kid Bookie). The LP hit #6 on Billboard’s US Top Rock Albums charts.

“My first solo album was kind of where I was coming from. This album is more where we’re going,” Taylor adds. CMF2 – where Taylor sings and plays lead and rhythm guitar, piano, and mandolin – packs the energy, experimentation, and forthrightness that’s defined a career which has seen him sell more than 12 million albums with his Grammy-winning band Slipknot and several million with chart-toppers Stone Sour.

CMF2 is Taylor’s first album for BMG and the first on his own label imprint, Decibel Cooper Recordings.

Jay Ruston (Anthrax, Steel Panther, Amon Amarth), who produced Stone Sour’s 2017 Hydrograd LP as well as CMFT, returns for Taylor’s second full-length. “Together we have great ideas, great energy, and are quick to try everything,” Taylor says of his studio collaborator. “We’re not afraid to tell each other if it’s a good idea, or also a bad one; we have that kind of trust.”

The CMFT band is:

Corey Taylor (vocals/guitar)
Zach Throne (rhythm/lead guitars)
Dustin Robert (drums)
Christian Martucci (rhythm/lead guitars)
Eliot Lorango (bass)

Pre-order/pre-save/pre-add CMF2 here.

CMF2 tracklisting:

“The Box”
“Post Traumatic Blues”
“Talk Sick”
“Breath Of Fresh Smoke”
“Beyond”
“We Are The Rest”
“Midnight”
“Starmate”
“Sorry Me”
“Punchline”
“Someday I’ll Change Your Mind”
“All I Want Is Hate”
“Dead Flies”

“Beyond” video:

In support of his new album, Taylor today announces his 2023 tour featuring special guests Wargasm, Oxymorrons, and Luna Aura on select dates. Produced by Live Nation, the 28-city tour kicks off on August 25 at Fillmore Auditorium in Denver making stops across the US in Detroit, Orlando, Dallas and more before the final headline show in Los Angeles at The Wiltern on October 5.

Tickets will be available starting with Citi pre-sales beginning today. Additional pre-sales will run throughout the week ahead of the general on-sale beginning Friday, May 19 at 10 AM, local time at CoreyTaylor.com.

Artist VIP pre-sale tickets and packages go on-sale starting today. Password: CMF2

Tour dates:

August
25 – Denver, CO – Fillmore Auditorium *
27 – Kansas City, MO – Uptown Theater *
28 – Minneapolis, MN – The Fillmore *
30 – Milwaukee, WI – The Rave/Eagles Club – Eagles Ballroom *
31 – Chicago, IL – Riviera Theatre *

September
2 – Chesterfield, MO – The Factory *
3 – Pryor, OK – Pryor Creek Music Festival Grounds (Rocklahoma) ***
5 – Detroit, MI – The Fillmore Detroit *
7 – Cleveland, OH – House of Blues *
9 – Cincinnati, OH – The Andrew J Brady Music Center *
10 – Alton, VA – Virginia International Raceway (Blue Ridge Rock Festival) ***
12 – Montclair, NJ – The Wellmont Theater *
13 – Boston, MA – House of Blues *
15 – Wallingford, CT – The Dome at Oakdale **
16 – Huntington, NY – The Paramount **
18 – North Myrtle Beach, SC – House of Blues **
19 – Orlando, FL – House of Blues **
21 – Huntsville, AL – Mars Music Hall **
22 – Louisville, KY – Kentucky Exposition Center (Louder Than Life) ***
24 – Houston, TX – House of Blues **
25 – Dallas, TX – House of Blues **
27 – Albuquerque, NM – Revel **
28 – Tempe, AZ – Marquee Theatre **
29 – Henderson, NV – The Dollar Loan Center ***

October
1 – San Diego, CA – House of Blues **
3 – Riverside, CA – Riverside Municipal Auditorium **
5 – Los Angeles, CA – The Wiltern **
7 – Sacramento, CA – Discovery Park (Aftershock Festival) ***

* w/ Wargasm & Oxymorrons
** w/ Wargasm & Luna Aura
*** Festival / Radio show

(Photo – Pamela Littky)

Gibson – the iconic American-made, and leading instrument brand – has a legacy of making world-class instruments since 1894 when Orville Gibson was crafting archtop mandolins. As a natural extension of Gibson’s passion for its unique instruments and the stories they tell, the history-making Gibson Certified Vintage program – offers collectible vintage guitars authenticated, and certified directly by Gibson, with a new limited lifetime warranty and a certificate of vintage authenticity. All Gibson Certified Vintage guitars are sold via the Gibson Garage in Nashville, TN, call (615)933-6000; select models will available for purchase via Gibson.com.

The Gibson Les Paul Standard is quite simply the most iconic guitar ever built.

Today, the Gibson Certified Vintage program offers a rare Gibson 1960 Les Paul Standard  burst guitar in Cherry Sunburst finish, an authentic vintage Gibson instrument made and shipped in the year 1960, with the serial #0 1490. The guitar was sold by its original owner’s widow to a prominent collector in the 1980’s. The guitar was photographed and featured in the legendary 1996 book on vintage Les Paul Standards titled, The Beauty of the Burst. Eventually, the guitar changed hands and was bought by Kirk Hammett, guitarist of Metallica, who used it extensively until 2022. One of his beloved guitars, Kirk nicknamed this Les Paul Standard 1960 guitar “Sunny.”

“Sunny is special because not only is she in immaculate condition, but her tone is so present and bright, it’s like the sun cutting through clouds on an overcast day,” says Kirk Hammett. “Hence the name ‘Sunny.’ That’s the truth. The name came because she was so full and bright sounding. The reason I chose Gibson Certified Vintage for the worldwide offering is because having a mint vintage Gibson guitar can sometimes feel like having a brand-new Gibson guitar. They’re made that well. And this is what’s really special; the fact Gibson recognizes this and is willing and ready to re-warranty these beautiful instruments. I think this is just a great reflection of Gibson’s integrity towards the past, present, and future.”

This guitar, which sports the serial number 0 1490 shipped in 1960 and features transitional specifications, with 1959 parts and cosmetics joined by a typical 1960 SlimTaper™ neck profile – a desert island combination for many players.

Even among Bursts, this is a special guitar indeed. The maple top’s extensive side-to-side figuring is a rare and desirable trait that significantly increases its value compared to more plain vintage examples, while the original Cherry Sunburst finish retains a rich red color around the perimeter. With original fret wire and no major modifications, this guitar is presented in the kind of condition collectors dream of.

A world-first, the Gibson Certified Vintage features one-of-a-kind Golden Era blue-chip guitars, to unique, one-of-a-kind prototypes, celebrity-owned guitars, as well as 70s and 80s models directly from the Gibson Vault. All Gibson Certified Vintage guitars sold will come with a detailed letter of appraisal confirming the provenance and history of the instrument, a certificate of authenticity, and exclusive case candy. In an industry first, all guitars will receive a new lifetime limited warranty.

Explore Gibson Certified Vintage guitars below and check back for refreshed vintage offerings as each guitar is sold; for details, head here.

Purchase inquires/bids for the Gibson 1960 Les Paul Standard are only available directly from the Gibson Garage in Nashville, TN, call (615) 933-6000. Upon purchase, this Gibson 1960 Les Paul Standard, aka “Sunny,” previously owned by Kirk Hammett of Metallica will be available for pickup at the Gibson Garage, or shipment to an address in the US, starting on May 18, 2023.

Gibson Certified Vintage Gibson 1960 Les Paul Standard details are as follows:

* Solid Brazilian Rosewood Fretboard

A 1960 SlimTaper neck holds a Solid Brazilian rosewood fretboard with 22 original frets. The scale length is 24.75” / 628.65mm, and its weight is 8.8 lb / 3.9 kg.

* Figured Maple Top

This instrument features a beautiful 2-piece figured maple top on a Honduras mahogany body, highlighted by singly-ply cream binding on the top and fretboard, and original plastics.

* Original Components

Featuring the vintage technology that makes these Golden Era guitars so beloved: an ABR-1 Tune-O-Matic™ bridge, nickel-plated zinc alloy Stop Bar tailpiece, and two Patent Applied For humbucker™ pickups — 8.2k DC resistance at the bridge, and 7.6k DC resistance at the neck.

* Hidden Gems

Inside the control cavity, you’ll find Bumblebee capacitors and Centralab potentiometers dating to the 50th week of 1959… and on the back of the control cavity cover, a personalized signature by Les Paul himself.

* Original Controls

This Sunburst 1960 Les Paul Standard features its original controls: two Volume and two Tone knobs.

* Iconic Headstock

The vintage headstock on this 1960 Sunburst features an original inlay of the Gibson logo, and Les Paul signature branding. The nylon nut is 1.687” / 42.86mm wide.

* Restored Tuners

At some point it appears that the original tuning keys were replaced with an aftermarket style, but correct 1950s Kluson® single line/single ring tuners have since been restored, and there is only a small amount of finish touch-up visible from this work.

* Collectible Extras

The buyer will also receive a one-of-one hardcover book from Gibson Publishing, with stunning photography of the guitar, a brand-new interview with Kirk Hammett, and more. Plus, an exclusive portrait print of Hammett posing with the guitar, shot by legendary rock photographer Ross Halfin in Los Angeles. Additionally, the buyer will receive a Les Paul from Gibson Custom’s acclaimed Made 2 Measure program with their choice of a VOS, gloss, or Murphy Lab-aged finish.

* Gibson Certified Vintage Warranty and Case

Covered by a new limited lifetime warranty, this guitar from the Gibson Certified Vintage program will ship with its original case plus a modern Gibson Deluxe Protector Case. Inspired by the design of vintage 70s-era Gibson “chainsaw” cases, Gibson Deluxe Protector Series hardshell cases feature rugged polyethylene shells and modern improvements like TSA-approved locks, ergonomic soft-grip handles, and black powder-coated hardware. Protect your instrument with a case that delivers both vintage-inspired style and modern technology.

Check out additional photos of Gibson 1960 Les Paul Standard serial number 0 1490, aka “Sunny,” previously owned by Kirk Hammett of Metallica:

(Top photo – Ross Halfin)

Metal legends Cavalera have re-recorded Supultura’s first EP, Bestial Devastation, and first full-length album, Morbid Visions. The albums will be released on July 14 via Nuclear Blast Records.

They recently released the first single, “Morbid Visions”. In the new video below, Max and Iggor Cavalera discuss the re-recorded track:

 

Stream the new re-recorded single “Morbid Visions” here, and watch the lyric video below:

Morbid Visions will be available digitally and in the following formats:

– CD Jewel
– Red Cassette (Limited to 300)
– Vinyl
* Red, Black, White Splatter
* Red, Black Corona

Bestial Devastation will be available digitally and in the following formats:

– CD Jewel
–  Orange Cassette (Limited to 300)
– Vinyl
* Orange Swirl
* White, Black Corona

Pre-order/pre-save Morbid Visions here. Pre-order/pre-save Bestial Devastation here.

Morbid Visions and Bestial Devastation were re-recorded at The Platinum Underground. The albums were produced by Max Cavalera and Iggor Cavalera while John Aquilino handled the engineering. Arthur Rizk was responsible for the mixing and mastering of both albums. Cavalera enlisted Eliran Kantor to create the artwork for both albums.

Max Cavalera comments, “As we get harder year after year, sometimes you’ve got to go back to where it all started! We re-recorded Bestial Devastation and Morbid Visions with the amazing sound of NOW, but with its raw and timeless spirit. The artwork reflects the times we’re living in right now…. Apocalyptic as hell! We also have two new tracks with riffs from those days, remembered by heart.”

Iggor Cavalera states, “I always felt like the recordings of our earlier work didn’t do justice to the way we performed the songs. So, this is a very special moment in our lives that we are very proud to show you real fans our true representation of the amazing records Bestial Devastation & Morbid Visions with an insane visual identity…enjoy and see you all in the pit”

Morbid Visions tracklisting:

“Morbid Visions”
“Mayhem”
“Troops Of Doom”
“War”
“Crucifixion”
“Show Me The Wrath”
“Funeral Rites”
“Empire Of The Damned”
“Burn The Dead”

Bestial Devastation tracklisting:

“The Curse”
“Bestial Devastation”
“Antichrist”
“Necromancer”
“Warriors Of Death”
“Sexta Feira 13”

Cavalera is also proud to announce they are hitting the road this fall on their “Morbid Devastation Tour”. The 40-date trek will kick off in Albuquerque and will make its way to Chicago, Houston and Baltimore,  and Denver before concluding on October 18 at The Wiltern in Los Angeles. Accompanying the brothers on stage will be Igor Amadeus Cavalera fulfilling bass duties and Travis Stone will be supplying lead guitars. Exhumed and Incite will be opening the tour package each night.

Tickets for the tour will go on sale next Friday, April 21 at 10 AM, local time. Purchase the tickets here.

Tour dates:

August
29 – Albuquerque, NM – Revel
31 – Oklahoma City, OK – Diamond Ballroom

September
1 – Dallas, TX – Granada Theater
2 – New Orleans, LA – House of Blues
3 – Birmingham, AL – Saturn
5 – Covington, KY – Madison Theatre
6 – Knoxville, TN – The Concourse
7 – Danville, VA – Blue Ridge Rock Fest
8 – Columbus, OH – The KING of CLUBS
9 – Cave-In-Rock, IL – Full Terror Open Air
10 – St. Louis, MO – Delmar Hall
12 – Grand Junction, CO – Mesa Theater
14 – Tucson, AZ – Rialto Theatre
15 – Tempe, AZ – The Marquee
16 – Santa Ana, CA – The Observatory
18 – El Paso, TX – RockHouse Bar & Grill
19 – San Antonio, TX – Aztec Theatre
20 – Houston, TX – House of Blues
21 – Pensacola, FL – Vinyl Music Hall
22 – Orlando, FL – Beacham Theater
23 – Atlanta, GA – Terminal West
25 – Baltimore, MD – Baltimore Soundstage
26 – Sayreville, NJ – Starland Ballroom
27 – New York, NY – Irving Plaza
28 – Boston, MA – Paradise Rock Club
29 – Reading, PA – Reverb
30 – Pittsburgh, PA – Mr. Smalls Theatre

October
1 – Milwaukee, WI – Turner Hall Ballroom
2 – Minneapolis, MN – Fine Line
5 – Des Moines, IA – Wooly’s
6 – Omaha, NE – Waiting Room
7 – Denver, CO – Oriental Theater
8 – Salt Lake City, UT – The Complex
10 – Seattle, WA – The Crocodile
11 – Boise, ID – Treefort Music Hall
12 – Portland, OR – Crystal Ballroom
14 – Sacramento, CA – Ace of Spades
15 – San Francisco, CA – Great American Music Hall
17 – Las Vegas, NV – House of Blues
18 – Los Angeles, CA – The Wiltern

Motörhead’s timeless classic, Ace of Spades, has been captivating audiences since it first came out in 1980. The song is one of the most iconic entries in the heavy metal pantheon, and its meaning continues to be discussed and speculated upon decades later. Immortalized by Lemmy Kilmister’s unmistakable vocals, this all-time classic is just as powerful today as when it first hit the airwaves. So, what exactly is Motörhead trying to tell people with this beloved anthemic song? This article will explore that question more deeply by examining some of the symbolism found within Ace of Spades’ lyrics and discussing why this anthem remains so popular amongst metal fans from around the world.

Exploring the Origins of Motörhead and the Formation of ‘Ace of Spades’

With their iconic speed metal sound, Motörhead became one of the most influential bands in heavy metal history. Yet, how did they get their start? The band was formed in the mid-1970s, led by the enigmatic frontman Lemmy Kilmister. Their unique blend of punk energy and hard rock riffs set them apart from other bands. This fusion would eventually lead to the creation of their classic album Ace Of Spades. Released in 1980, this album was a defining moment for the genre and cemented Motörhead’s place in music history. Its powerful title track, with its unmistakable opening riff and unforgettable lyrics, is still considered one of the greatest songs in heavy metal. With Motörhead’s legacy continuing to inspire new generations of fans, it’s clear that their origins and music will remain timeless.

The Song is About Gambling & Taking Risks.

The lyrics of Ace of Spades focus on the idea of gambling and taking risks. It references game metaphors such as ‘dancing with the devil’ and ‘don’t forget the joker.’ The chorus is actually a call to arms, urging listeners to take risks in life despite all of the potential dangers: ‘You know I’m born to lose, and gambling’s for fools, but that’s the way I like it, baby, I don’t wanna live forever.’ This message of embracing life despite the odds is timeless and resonates with many heavy metal fans today. It also reinforces the idea that life is a gamble, and those who take risks must be willing to accept the consequences.

If you want to chase the thrills like Lemmy in Ace of Spades, try playing some online casino games at sites like jackpotcitycasino.com. Like Motörhead’s classic, you’ll never know what’s on the other side of the spin. At this casino, they have a range of games so you can always enjoy something fun and they take a range of payment options. 

Themes of Rebellion & Individuality

Another central theme in Ace Of Spades is the idea of rebellion and individualism. This sentiment is expressed through lyrics such as ‘The pleasure is to play, makes no difference what you say’ and ‘I don’t want to love in vain.’ This celebrates living life on one’s terms and fighting against conformity. This idea of standing up for oneself has been a central theme in heavy metal since it began, and it’s a perfect fit for Motörhead’s music.

Conclusion

The meaning of Motörhead’s Ace of Spades has been debated for decades, but what is clear is that this classic anthem remains an iconic part of heavy metal history. With its themes of taking risks, rebelling against conformity, and living life on your terms, it’s easy to see why this song truly resonates with metal fans from around the world. Whether you take a spin on the online casino wheel or stick to playing air guitar in your bedroom, Ace of Spades will always be there to inspire you. Long live Motörhead!

Courtney Love has shared unpublished lyrics written by Kurt Cobain that were originally intended to be used for Nirvana‘s 1991 trademark anthem, Smells Like Teen Spirit.

The Hole frontwoman revealed the scrapped lines during an appearance on Rob Harvilla’s podcast 60 Songs That Explain The ‘90s, where she also revisited various memories that she shared with Cobain, such as how he wrote the 1991 track Dumb in just 20 minutes during one stay together in Amsterdam.

Of the unused lyrics for the grunge rock band’s main hit, she explains: “Some of these were in these journals, and some of them are unpublished.”

Then, reciting a handful of lines for the verse she reads: “Come out and play / make up the rules / I know I hope / to buy the truth / who will be the king and queen / of all the outcasted teens”. 

Reading the lyrics for the chorus, she continues, “We’re so lazy / and so stupid / blame our parents / and the cupids / a deposit, for a bottle / stick it inside / no role model“.

Love also shares a second draft of lyrics for the song, which include: “We merge ahead this special day / this day giving amnesty to sacrilege” / “A denial / and from strangers / a revival / and from favours / here we are now / we’re so famous / here we are now / entertain us.”

Noting how the frontman’s initial demo for the song was incredibly different to the final released version, she confirms: “The only consistencies that it retains are: ‘load up on guns and bring your friends’, and ‘little group has always been and always will until the end’, that’s it”, before adding how she wishes Cobain kept the line: “Who will be the king and queen / of all the outcasted teens”, believing that its inclusion would have “helped my life a little bit better, taking on the shit that me and my daughter have”.

Cobain’s handwritten draft lyrics for Smells Like Teen Spirit can be viewed on page 136 and page 141 of Journals, a collection of his notebook musings published in 2002. 

Listen to the podcast episode below:

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May 17, 2023, 28 minutes ago

news hard rock van halen the tapes archive

The Tapes Archive has released a trailer for the upcoming “Van Halen 1984 Documentary”, with Episode 1 set to debut later this month.

Descrpiption: The year 1984 was, arguably, Van Halen at its peak. The band’s creativity and tensions reached an optimum balance – enough to keep the passion in the music but not enough yet to destroy the band. This 5-part fan-made miniseries is the result of seven months of research, interviews, and video editing.

The Tapes Archive adds: “After seven months of work, my new Van Halen 5-part series is about to be released. (Over 2.5 hours) Lots of newly uncovered information and media never seen by the public.”

Check out the trailer below: