Megadeth mastermind Dave Mustaine has issued the following update regarding treatment for the throat cancer with which he was diagnosed this past spring:"I wanted to take a moment to give you all an update on the current status of my health. I'm... More

Megadeth mastermind Dave Mustaine has issued the following update regarding treatment for the throat cancer with which he was diagnosed this past spring:"I wanted to take a moment to give you all an update on the current status of my health. I'm almost through the last round of treatment and my doctors are feeling very positive regarding my progress. I want to thank all of you for the support and well wishes these last few months. I can't express enough gratitude as it has made this hard road easier knowing you are in my corner fighting with me!"Over the next few weeks my condition will be evaluated, and I will keep you posted on my progress as we get closer to the sailing date of the first Megacruise! We can't wait to see you, and I know all of the other wonderful artists feel the same way. Let's make this event one for the record books. Less than 30 days till we are Thrashing through the Pacific!"See you all very soon." Via Lambgoat Less

During the recent “The Voice of Germany” episode, Stefanie Stuber performed LAMB OF GOD‘s song “Ghost Walking” and totally crushed it! You can see her performance below. [jrEmbed module="jrYouTube" youtube_id="Vadw5zGw9KE"] Via... More

During the recent “The Voice of Germany” episode, Stefanie Stuber performed LAMB OF GOD‘s song “Ghost Walking” and totally crushed it! You can see her performance below. [jrEmbed module="jrYouTube" youtube_id="Vadw5zGw9KE"] Via MetalAddicts Less

Philip Anselmo spoke to Chile's Humo Negro about his upcoming support slot on SLAYER's "The Final Campaign", the seventh and final leg of the thrash metal legends farewell world tour, which will take place in November. This last hurrah will start... More

Philip Anselmo spoke to Chile's Humo Negro about his upcoming support slot on SLAYER's "The Final Campaign", the seventh and final leg of the thrash metal legends farewell world tour, which will take place in November. This last hurrah will start at the ExploreAsheville Arena in Asheville, North Carolina, and see SLAYER taking its goodbye bow at the Los Angeles Forum on November 30. Accompanying SLAYER for this last ride are PRIMUS, MINISTRY and PHILIP H. ANSELMO & THE ILLEGALS performing a vulgar display of PANTERA, who will support on all dates. Discussing what SLAYER means to him personally, Anselmo said: "God, I could talk for hours about SLAYER. I think the world of SLAYER. [They're] very unique. "I remember when I was younger, there was always this saying that nobody — nobody — plays with SLAYER," he continued. "Whether you are opening or closing, SLAYER was the band that everybody was terrified of. Opening bands would get shit thrown at 'em and stuff. [The crowd would chant] 'SLAYER! SLAYER!' "All of that energy, that attitude — great attitude; fucking awesome attitude — it's in me. Definitely SLAYER spoke to me as a young man. And they still speak to me. When I watched them live — I just watched a set of theirs earlier this year — they're fucking great, man. And the setlist that they're playing is amazing. So it takes me through great memories of being a young man and just being knocked out by this fucking band." On the topic of SLAYER calling it quits after one final tour, Anselmo said: "For me, I know they say, 'Oh, this is the end.' I don't think you can walk away from SLAYER forever, man. "The fact that they end — I say, what more could they do? But also I think that it leaves a new chapter open for them to where if they wanted to come back and do one show a year, one show every two years, it would be fucking huge. So, hey, more power to SLAYER." PHILIP H. ANSELMO & THE ILLEGALS — now featuring Anselmo with guitarists Stephen Taylor (SUPERJOINT) and Mike DeLeon (FLESH HORDER, BEING KILLED), drummer José Manuel "Blue" Gonzalez (SUPERJOINT, WARBEAST) and newest recruit Derek Engemann (SCOUR, ex-CATTLE DECAPITATION) — released the critically acclaimed "Choosing Mental Illness As A Virtue" full-length last year via Anselmo's own Housecore Records. The disc was the follow-up to PHILIP H. ANSELMO & THE ILLEGALS' debut, "Walk Through Exits Only", which came out in 2013 to mostly positive reviews. Via Blabbermouth Less

METALLICA's "Enter Sandman" blared over the White House speakers on Monday (September 16) as Mariano Rivera entered the ceremony where President Donald Trump awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor.... More

METALLICA's "Enter Sandman" blared over the White House speakers on Monday (September 16) as Mariano Rivera entered the ceremony where President Donald Trump awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor. METALLICA's smash hit song — which the longtime Yankees closer used as his walk-on music when he came on to close games throughout his baseball career — played for more than a minute as Rivera and Trump took the stage. After introducing Rivera as "the sandman," Trump told a story of when he explained to first lady Melania Trump why the Yankees legend went by the nickname. "Because he put the batter to sleep," Trump said. "A lot of people don't know that, but the Yankee fans know that." Several years ago, Rivera admitted that he didn't even listen to METALLICA's music. "I never said that I didn't like it, but I didn't care about the song," Rivera said. "I didn't pick the song. I don't pay attention to the music. When I go in there, I'm going to business. I have a job to do, that's it." According to NBC News, the Yankees stumbled into using "Enter Sandman" for Rivera's entrances because they were trying to copy the Padres' use of "Hells Bells" for Trevor Hoffman. They initially tried "Welcome To The Jungle" and "Paradise City" by GUNS N' ROSES, but weren't satisfied with the crowd reaction. Then a freelance member of the scoreboard production team brought in some CDs and suggested "Enter Sandman". Both METALLICA drummer Lars Ulrich and guitarist Kirk Hammett have voiced their dislike of Trump to different degrees, unusual for a band whose members have never spoken out much on politics. Ulrich told Mexico's Las Estrellas television network about Trump's plan to build "a great wall" along the U.S.-Mexico border: "I don't think the world needs any walls. I think we need to bring people together. METALLICA travels all over the world, and through music we try to bring people together. So whether we're in Mexico or whether we're in Asia or whether we're in Europe or whatever, we encourage as many different people from as many different backgrounds to come together and share music and life and culture and all these experiences." After Trump — one of the most polarizing figures to assume the office — was officially sworn in as the 45th president of the United States in January 2017, a number of celebrities took to social media to share their thoughts, including Hammett, who urged fans to "defend democracy" and "reject American carnage." In a series of tweets, the METALLICA guitarist was critical of Trump's inaugural address, which painted a bleak picture of life for some in the United States. "To say America is not great, that it lacks greatness, sets up a scenario for manipulation and control from others —pay attention, people!" Hammett wrote. In October 2016, Ulrich said he would consider moving back to his native Denmark if Trump were elected president. "I am a hundred percent Danish citizen. I pay taxes in the U.S.A., but I can't vote in America," he said. "Yes, certainly sometimes I think about moving home to Denmark… If Trump becomes President and everything goes to shit, I might make my way to the airport and ask if I can get back in again." Via Blabbermouth Less

According to Deadline, Marilyn Manson has joining the third season of Starz's "American Gods". Manson will play Johan Wengren, the lead singer of BLOOD DEATH, a Viking death metal band that is a source of power for Ian McShane's Mr. Wednesday... More

According to Deadline, Marilyn Manson has joining the third season of Starz's "American Gods". Manson will play Johan Wengren, the lead singer of BLOOD DEATH, a Viking death metal band that is a source of power for Ian McShane's Mr. Wednesday (also known as the Old God Odin). Based on the classic fantasy novel by Neil Gaiman, "American Gods" follows a former convict named Shadow Moon (Ricky Whittle) who is pulled into an epic battle between factions of old and new deities when he's hired by a mysterious man, Mr. Wednesday, to act as a bodyguard and driver. "As a longtime admirer of his estimable talent as an author, artist, musician, and actor, it is dope indeed to be working with Mr. Manson in Season 3 of 'American Gods'," showrunner Charles "Chic" Eglee told the site. "Bringing his specific energy, wit, and boundless enthusiasm for all things Neil Gaiman to the role of Johan, a Norse 'berserker' in service to Odin, his performance promises to be disturbing, original, and uniquely entertaining." "American Gods" stars McShane, Whittle, Orlando Jones, Emily Browning, Pablo Schrieber, Kahyun Kim and Dean Winters. Manson recently landed a guest-starring role on HBO's "The New Pope". The shock-rocker has appeared in a handful of movies and TV shows before, including the American television drama series "Sons Of Anarchy", the Showtime series "Californication" — where he played himself — and the Sundance Channel program "Wrong Cops". Via Blabbermouth Less

Fan-filmed video footage of Vince Neil's September 14 performance at the Oktoberfest in Downers Grove, Illinois can be seen below (courtesy of YouTube user "Debbi Andrews"). Neil is continuing to tour the world with his backing group, which... More

Fan-filmed video footage of Vince Neil's September 14 performance at the Oktoberfest in Downers Grove, Illinois can be seen below (courtesy of YouTube user "Debbi Andrews"). Neil is continuing to tour the world with his backing group, which includes Dana Strum and Jeff Blando from SLAUGHTER, along with drummer Zoltan Chaney. Speaking to "Trunk Nation", Vince acknowledged that he is currently the only member of MÖTLEY CRÜE who is waving the flag for the band's music by performing CRÜE songs as a solo artist. "It's a cool thing, because I love MÖTLEY CRÜE, I love MÖTLEY CRÜE's music, and I love singing, and I love the fans' reactions when they hear the songs," he said. "Whether we're playing in front of a thousand people or twenty thousand people, I can only see the front row anyway. So I'm happy for me and for the fans to be able to still hear that music after MÖTLEY CRÜE is finished." The film adaptation of MÖTLEY CRÜE's biography, "The Dirt", was released on March 22. The movie, which was helmed by "Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa" director Jeff Tremaine, was picked up by Netflix after being previously developed at Focus Features and before that at Paramount. Last year, MÖTLEY CRÜE recorded four new songs for "The Dirt" movie, including the single "The Dirt (Est. 1981) (Feat. Machine Gun Kelly)", "Ride With The Devil", "Crash And Burn" and the band's own spin on Madonna's "Like A Virgin". MÖTLEY CRÜE's last studio album was 2008's "Saints Of Los Angeles", which was followed by a 2009 "Greatest Hits" compilation. In 2015, MÖTLEY CRÜE completed "The Final Tour", closing the book on the band's iconic career after performing a total of 164 shows in 72 markets, grossing over $100 million. To cement the sense of finality, the four members of MÖTLEY CRÜE in 2014 publicly signed a "cessation of touring" contract that prevents any of them from performing under the CRÜE name in the future. A tour film about MÖTLEY CRÜE's final shows, "The End", came out in 2016. Via Blabbermouth Less

Former JUDAS PRIEST members K.K. Downing (guitar), Les Binks (drums) and Tim "Ripper" Owens (vocals) will join forces to perform "a full-length set of PRIEST classics" with MEGADETH bassist David Ellefson on November 3 in Wolverhampton, United... More

Former JUDAS PRIEST members K.K. Downing (guitar), Les Binks (drums) and Tim "Ripper" Owens (vocals) will join forces to perform "a full-length set of PRIEST classics" with MEGADETH bassist David Ellefson on November 3 in Wolverhampton, United Kingdom. The one-off show at K.K.'s Steel Mill will feature a full band set from Ellefson's "Sleeping Giants" band, followed by the PRIEST set with Downing, Binks and Owens. Former IRON MAIDEN vocalist Blaze Bayley will be the evening's opening support act. Additionally, the Steel Mill will also host a special pre-show VIP event whereby attendees will be treated to a "More Life With Deth" book-signing event and one-on-one question-and-answer session with Ellefson, Downing and Ellefson's "More Life With Deth" co-author Thom Hazaert, moderated by Mark Eglinton, who co-authored Downing's recent memoir "Heavy Duty Days And Nights In Judas Priest". Says Downing: "I am very pleased to have been asked to perform a unique and special concert with MEGADETH's David Ellefson to celebrate the release of his new book, 'More Life With Deth'. The concert will also bring about the opportunity to play again with some very dear and talented metal legends from the past. The combination of these icons will for sure enable us to deliver up one of the most exciting concerts this year, so much so that it would not be out of place to call this the ultimate ass-kicking 'MegaPriest' fest, and is one that is not to be missed." Adds Ellefson: "I speak very candidly in my new book 'More Life with Deth' about the significance JUDAS PRIEST played in my early musical trajectory, specifically the 'Unleashed In The East' live album with its picture-perfect image of what heavy metal should look and sound like. To me, that album, along with its powerful cover image, captured the excitement I felt for a new era of music, one that would transition me from my roots in American hard rock over to that of British heavy metal. "Over the years, K.K. and I became fast friends while we toured together with PRIEST and MEGADETH, and I'm beyond thrilled to perform together onstage with him and his former PRIEST bandmates, as we light up the Steel Mill together for a night of molten metal classics!" He continues: "Thom and I have been touring all summer across the USA supporting the new book and our 'Sleeping Giants' release. Plus Ripper and I have shared stages all around the world in the last decade or so, and now to add Les Binks in the mix, who to my generation was the ultimate metal double-bass drummer, this has become the ultimate 'metal' family reunion!" In other news, Ellefson has announced a European solo tour, featuring a full band playing songs from his recent solo release, "Sleeping Giants", and other metal classics. Performing with Ellefson will be Hazaert on vocals, plus guitarist Andy Martongelli, who toured with Ellefson and Frank Bello's ALTITUDES AND ATTITUDE and appears on the "Sleeping Giants" track "Hammer (Comes Down)". Ellefson published his new memoir, "More Life With Deth", in July via Jawbone Press, along with a companion solo release, "Sleeping Giants". Downing, who left PRIEST in 2011 amid claims of band conflict, shoddy management and declining quality of performance, was replaced by Richie Faulkner, nearly three decades his junior. Last year, Downing revealed that he sent two resignation letters to his bandmates when he decided to quit JUDAS PRIEST. The first was described as "a graceful exit note, implying a smooth retirement from music," while the second was "angrier, laying out all of his frustrations with specific parties." Downing later said that he believed the second letter was "a key reason" he wasn't invited to rejoin PRIEST after Glenn Tipton's decision to retire from touring. Binks played drums on PRIEST's "Stained Class", "Hell Bent For Leather" (released as "Killing Machine" in the United Kingdom) and "Unleashed In The East" albums. Downing reconnected with Binks in 2017 for the first time in nearly four decades. Downing later described the experience of meeting his former bandmate as "great" and called Les "one of the greatest drummers in the world and a good friend and a great guy." Owens joined PRIEST in 1996 and recorded two studio albums with the band — 1997's "Jugulator" and 2001's "Demolition" — before PRIEST reunited with Rob Halford in 2003. Via Blabbermouth Less

During an appearance on the latest installment of Dean Delray's "Let There Be Talk" podcast, ex-SLAYER drummer Dave Lombardo confirmed that he has had no contact with his former bandmates in the six years since his latest departure from the... More

During an appearance on the latest installment of Dean Delray's "Let There Be Talk" podcast, ex-SLAYER drummer Dave Lombardo confirmed that he has had no contact with his former bandmates in the six years since his latest departure from the group. "No, there's been no communication," he said (hear audio below). Asked if he believes that SLAYER will truly play its last-ever show in November at the Forum in Los Angeles, Lombardo said: "Apparently, from what I hear. Tom [Araya, SLAYER bassists/vocalist] has been wanting to retire when I was in the band — he wanted to stop. He had the neck issues. He's been wanting to retire for a long time now. So now that he's got it, I'm happy for him, and I hope he gets what he wants out of life and his future." The 54-year-old musician, who splits his time between crossover pioneers SUICIDAL TENDENCIES, horror-punk icons MISFITS and hardcore supergroup DEAD CROSS, was effectively fired from SLAYER after sitting out the group's Australian tour in February/March 2013 due to a contract dispute with the other bandmembers. He has since been replaced by Paul Bostaph, who was previously SLAYER's drummer from 1992 until 2001. Shortly after his dismissal, Lombardo said that he discovered that 90 percent of SLAYER's tour income was being deducted as expenses, including fees to management, costing the band millions and leaving them with about 10 percent to split four ways. While he and Araya hired auditors to figure out what had happened, Lombardo said he was never allowed to see any of the information obtained. A few years ago, SLAYER guitarist Kerry King said that "when Dave was in [the band] this last time, I figured I'd be on the stage with him until one of us fell off the stage, dead. Things change. He got some bad advice and listened to some bad advice, gave us an ultimatum ten days before we went to Australia [to do the Soundwave festival tour]. And I said, 'I can't have this over my head.' And I feel bad for Dave to this day; I really feel bad for him because he shot himself in the foot. Maybe he thought he had the upper hand, but you ain't gonna get me." Via Blabbermouth Less

According to the music industry trade publication Pollstar, METALLICA has sold more than 22 million concert tickets since 1982, grossing more than $1.4 billion in the process. That puts the thrash legends "just behind" U2 in tickets sold, but... More

According to the music industry trade publication Pollstar, METALLICA has sold more than 22 million concert tickets since 1982, grossing more than $1.4 billion in the process. That puts the thrash legends "just behind" U2 in tickets sold, but ahead of rock peers such as AC/DC, GUNS N' ROSES and OZZY OSBOURNE. "When accounting for the reach of METALLICA's business... while playing 48 countries and every single continent (including Antarctica) over the course of their career; fervent and rabid merch consumption totaling $125 million in North America since the "Black Album" and into the high teens per-head on its latest touring [cycle]; and the band's road touring with no gimmick reunion or farewell announcement[s] necessary to drum up extra business... METALLICA may just be the biggest band in the world," wrote Ryan Borba. Drummer Lars Ulrich believes the band's continued success can be attributed to not looking backwards. "I keep thinking and forcing myself to think all our best years are still ahead of us," he said. "That's the M.O. It's always, 'What's your favorite record?' It's the next one, the one we haven't recorded yet. It's always about the possibilities, always about what can be, what's coming. That, to me, is what this is all about, and I think that attitude is a big part of why METALLICA still connects to so many people around the world." Manager Cliff Burnstein — whose Q Prime artist management agency has represented the group since 1984 — agrees. "We could tour off the first five albums forever," he told Pollstar. "But would we have the same staying power? Would there be an erosion of interest if we didn't have new things to put in front of people from time to time? Would the band be as engaged if they didn't have the goal of putting out new material to play? I don't think so.... Albums may come at great intervals, but they're always thinking about new material." Including the band's two recent "S&M2" concerts in San Francisco, Pollstar reports that METALLICA's ongoing "WorldWired" tour has sold 4.1 million tickets and grossed $430 million. If those figures are accurate, it would make the trek the eighth-highest-grossing tour of all time — and once the group plays Australia and New Zealand this fall and South America in the spring, METALLICA will likely move into sixth place on the all-time list. "What's happening in Latin America over the last five years is crazy," Ulrich said. "What's happening in places like Southeast Asia is crazy. What's happening in Eastern Europe — it's unbelievable we can go into a place like Estonia and play to 60,000 people... As long as that keeps happening, we'll keep doing it." One of the group's North American booking agents, Dennis Arfa of Artists Group International, says he believes METALLICA may well be "the biggest band in the world." "The two biggest apparel pieces in the world are a Yankees hat and a METALLICA T-shirt," he said. As a result, Ulrich believes the group's image as rebellious heavy metal outsiders no longer applies. "METALLICA belongs to everyone," he says. "METALLICA is more like a state of mind or ethereal position or situation. Nobody owns METALLICA. It's a place we go and a place we escape to and a place where we can feel better about who we are and connect to other people and to the fucking universe." Read more at Pollstar.com. Via Blabbermouth Less