THE BEAST

DEADLAND RITUAL , the new band featuring bassist Geezer Butler (BLACK SABBATH), guitarist Steve Stevens (BILLY IDOL, VINCE NEIL), drummer Matt Sorum (GUNS N' ROSES, VELVET REVOLVER) and singer Franky Perez (APOCALYPTICA), will perform several songs from BLACK SABBATH , VELVET REVOLVER and Billy Idol on its upcoming tour.

Asked by Billboard in a new interview what tracks will fill out DEADLAND RITUAL 's live set when the group hits the road in late May, Butler said: "We're thinking about doing seven original songs, which we've done up to now, unless we write more between now and May. Probably three or four SABBATH songs. 'N.I.B.' , because that's what I'm associated with particularly; the bass intro and all that kind of stuff. And some stuff that SABBATH didn't do, like 'Symptom Of the Universe' . Steve loves that one. And Franky likes 'Heaven And Hell' and we might do one or two others; see which ones work out best in rehearsals. But more obscure SABBATH songs, rather than 'Iron Man' or 'Paranoid' , that's been done a million times. A couple VELVET REVOLVER . 'Slither' definitely, I'm not sure bout the second one, and I think we're going to do 'Rebel Yell' , Billy Idol ! [ Laughs ] I have to learn them all between now and May."

Butler went on to say that there is no long-term plan for DEADLAND RITUAL at the moment. "We're just going to see how it goes," he said. "We've written seven songs up to now, so we have to get those recorded. We've got quite a few record companies interested. But at first, it was 'have a jam, and let's do some festivals.' But it seems to have gone beyond that, people are taking it more seriously now. So if things work out with the gigs that we do we'll carry on. I'm excited about it. I really like the music we're doing, not restricted to any kind of formula. And as I say, each track stands on its own, different in its own way. I'm really looking forward looking to it."

DEADLAND RITUAL will make its U.S. live debut on May 28 at the Troubadour in West Hollywood, California. A European tour will follow in June.

DEADLAND RITUAL recently released its first song, "Down In Flames" . The track, which was produced by Greg Fidelman ( METALLICA , SLIPKNOT ), was made available via Sonik Riot Records / AWAL powered by Kobalt .

Via Blabbermouth