Heavy Music News
The Used’s Bert McCracken Seeks Mental Health Treatment, Band Cancels Festival Gigs
The Used singer Bert McCracken has announced that he will seek professional treatment for mental health struggles. As a result, the band has canceled its scheduled gigs at the Slam Dunk festival slated for this coming weekend (June 3rd and 4th) in the UK. McCracken revealed his current “struggle with mental health” via the band’s social pages on Tuesday (May 31st), apologizing for skipping the high-profile festival performances while asserting that it’s the best decision for his personal well-being. The singer’s full statement reads as follows: “I have always been open about my struggle with mental health and have recently found myself facing new and overwhelming challenges. For this reason, I won’t be able to play the upcoming shows at Slam Dunk. I am so sorry but needed to make this deci...
Actor Joe Quinn “Listened to a Lot of Heavy Metal” to Prep for Breakout Stranger Things Character Eddie Munson
Those of us who’ve watched all or some of the recently premiered Volume 1 of Stranger Things Season 4 have been captivated by the new character Eddie Munson, an ’80s metalhead who is also a Dungeons & Dragons freak. Munson is played by British actor Joe Quinn, who revealed in a new interview that he immersed himself in heavy metal music to prepare for the role. Without revealing any spoilers (except for those who absolutely don’t want to know any details), the character of Eddie leads a Dungeons & Dragons club at Hawkins High School. His appearance screams ’80s metal, with long hair and a denim jacket that has a Dio back patch and various band pins. Quinn, who previously had a small role on Game of Thrones, attempted to immerse himself into the Stranger Things role via Dungeon...
Melvins Announce Fall 2022 “Five Legged Tour”
The Melvins have a heavy year of touring ahead. Just weeks after announcing the summer “Electric Roach Tour,” the sludge veterans have announced an additional 43 dates for Fall 2022, dubbed “The Five Legged Tour.” Beginning September 5th in San Francisco, the US trek makes a point to give fans ample opportunities to see The Melvins. King Buzzo and company have sketched out several shows in multiple states, including a healthy eight stops across California and six stops in Florida. As Osbourne said in a statement, “Nationwide once again! Nothing like touring the USA in the fall. Everyone’s a winner!” “The Five Legged Tour” wraps up October 29th at The Halloween Freakout Festival in Los Angeles. Austin psych rockers We Are the Asteroid lend support on all dates. Tickets to the tour become av...
Metallica Take Over Napa Valley with BottleRock Set and Late-Night Covers Show: Recap, Photos + Video
Napa, California’s BottleRock Festival finally returned after a two-year absence this weekend, and with Metallica headlining day one on Friday (May 27th), it got off to head-banging start. As they usually do, the legendary metal band made the show an event for their fans, making sure that they would have maximum Metallica intake. One of the bands that performed prior to Metallica’s headlining set was Bastardane, a hard-rock trio that includes James Hefield’s son Castor on drums. Although the band has a thrash metal influence, they have their own unique sound that seemed to get a seal of approval from the Metallica fans watching the show. Also approving was James himself, who could be seen behind the wings of the stage watching and nodding along, but soon he would be on a much bigger stage....
KISS’ Gene Simmons: Donald Trump “Allowed” People to Be “Publicly Racist” and “Conspiracy Theorists”
KISS founder Gene Simmons was once a contestant on Donald Trump’s network TV program The Celebrity Apprentice and was friendly with the former president long before he took office. Now, Simmons has come out to blast Trump’s presidency for normalizing racism and conspiracy theories. In a new interview with SPIN, Simmons discussed the cause-and-effect of Trump’s behavior and policies. As is typical with Simmons, there were no minced words. “I know the previous [US] president,” Simmons said. “I knew him before he entered politics. Look what that gentleman did to this country and the polarization — got all the cockroaches to rise to the top. Once upon a time, you were embarrassed to be publicly racist and out there with conspiracy theories. Now it’s all out in the open because he allowed it.” ...
Supergroup The Dead Daisies Return with New Single “Radiance” Ahead of Upcoming Album: Stream
All-star supergroup The Dead Daisies have unveiled the lead single “Radiance” from their as-yet-untitled upcoming album, due this August. The new song comes just as the band is set to embark on a European tour in early June. The Dead Daisies have seen a number of lineup changes since forming in 2013, but the latest incarnation of the band is made up of a group of musicians with impressive pedigrees. Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Glenn Hughes (Deep Purple, Black Sabbath) handles lead vocals and bass, and is joined by drummer Brian Tichy (Whitesnake, Foreigner, Billy Idol) and guitarists Doug Aldrich (Whitesnake, Dio) and David Lowy (MINK, Red Phoenix). “Radiance” features big guitar riffs and hard-hitting drums, as Hughes delivers his signature wide-ranging vocals over the heavy rock tune. ...
R.I.P. Alan White, Drummer for Yes and John Lennon Dead at 72
Alan White, the longtime drummer for prog-rock legends Yes, has died at age 72. The veteran musician, who was also a member of John Lennon’s Plastic Ono Band, passed away on Thursday (May 26th) after a “brief illness,” according to a Facebook posting by his family. White joined Yes in 1972 and remained their drummer until his passing. He joined the band for their tour in support of 1972’s Close to the Edge, replacing original drummer Bill Bruford, and made his recording debut with the band on 1973’s Tales from Topographic Oceans. He played on a total of more than 40 studio and live albums released by Yes, including their most recent full-length studio effort, 2021’s The Quest (the band’s 22nd studio album). Prior to joining Yes, White was recruited by John Lennon to be part of the ex-Beatl...
James Hetfield and Kirk Hammett Perform National Anthem at S.F. Giants Game on 8th Annual “Metallica Night”: Watch
The San Francisco Giants celebrated the eighth annual “Metallica Night” at yesterday’s (May 24th) game against the New York Mets. Per tradition, members of Metallica — including James Hetfield, Kirk Hammett, and Lars Ulrich — were in attendance. Hetfield got to throw out the first pitch before picking up his guitar and shredding “The Star-Spangled Banner” alongside Hammett. “It’s a tradition that we’ve missed the last two seasons, so we’re really excited for the return of Metallica Night at Oracle Park with our hometown baseball team, the San Francisco Giants,” said Metallica in a statement. “This year marks the eighth time we’ll take the field for the National Anthem, first pitch, and a few other pre-game shenanigans.” Advertisement Related Video It kicked off what would be a maratho...
Rammstein’s New “Dicke Titten” Video Pays Homage to Large-Breasted Women: Watch
Rammstein have never shied from embracing the sexual or erotic, and video while the video for the band’s latest single, “Dicke Titten,” is tame compared to past clips, it’s still par for the course for the German industrial metal giants. “Dicke Titten” hails from the band’s new album Zeit and literally translates to “Big Boobs.” Leave it to frontman Till Lindemann and company to write a song and make a video paying homage to women with large breasts. The Joern Heitmann-directed clip sees a bearded Lindemann in traditional German garb, reveling with his fellow villagers. Their choreographed stomp dancing is interspersed with women also wearing traditional attire as they perform mundane chores such as using a washboard, milking a cow, and washing clothes. Yes, they all have big breasts, and ...
Vinnie Paul’s Estate Auctioning off Hundreds of the Late Pantera Drummer’s Items
The estate of the late Vinnie Paul is auctioning off hundreds of items and gear owned by the late Pantera drummer. Over 700 items are hitting the block, which will be hosted by Backstage Auctions. Highlight pieces include several drum kits played by Paul in Pantera, Damageplan, and Hellyeah; a collection of guitars (including a vintage Dimebag Darrell Washburn); slot machines; record awards; clothing; artwork; and a huge collection of sports memorabilia, as Vinnie loved hockey, football, and baseball. “Outside his impressive career, one that lasted nearly four decades, Vinnie Paul was a collector at heart, enjoying and appreciating every single memento,” the auctioneers noted. “This event is a tribute to his legacy, as much as it is an opportunity for all of his fans to continue that legac...
Kid Performs “Break Stuff” Onstage with Limp Bizkit: Watch
Limp Bizkit have embraced crowd participation during their ongoing “Still Sucks” tour, and most recently invited a kid onstage to perform “Break Stuff.” It went down at the band’s Sunday night (May 22nd) show in Green Bay, Wisconsin. During the closing moments of the gig — an SNL-style full-crew send off — Fred Durst halted the festivities for an impromptu performance of “Break Stuff” featuring a tiny special guest. “I promised this young man a little favor,” Durst said, pointing to a boy on the stage. With mics in hand, the two proceeded to bust into a raucous rendition of the song. Advertisement Related Video The kid was clearly familiar with the track, matching Durst rhyme for rhyme. The audience went berserk as they were given the ultimate encore banger. It wasn’t the first time Limp B...
Slipknot Crush Brooklyn’s Barclays Center for First NYC Show in 13 Years: Recap, Photos + Video
There’s a certain poignancy to Slipknot’s choice of pre-show piped-in track: AC/DC’s “For Those About to Rock (We Salute You).” That song was the emotional core of School of Rock for a reason. Amid the boredom and frustration and anxiety of daily life, it’s a sacred activity to transcend the B.S. with a healthy dose of heavy metal. And that’s exactly what thousands of dyed-hair suburban kids, up-for-anything parents and metal-loving weekend warriors did, packed into Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, on the evening of May 20th. The mortar fire in the AC/DC tune gave way to actual pyrotechnics — to cheers. In an ironic twist, the track segued into country star Billie Jo Spears’ 1968 recording “Get Behind Me Satan and Push” — which locked onto the name “Satan” and seemed to melt. Devil’s...
