Seattle thrash veterans Sanctuary have revealed that founding guitarist Sean Blosl was killed in an "vehicle related accident" this past summer at the age of 58. Sanctuary guitarist Lenny Rutledge, who is Sean's cousin, shared the news and explained the delay in informing fans about Blosl's tragic passing.
Lenny wrote, "It is with a very heavy heart that I have to announce that Sean Blosl passed away earlier this year. He was involved in a vehicle related accident in Seattle. I have struggled with posting about this news. I am not a fan of the social media death announcements, but I realize that even though I think this is a private family matter, Sean was also a very important part of the Seattle music scene. (continue)
Billy Joel had a special surprise for fans at his New Year's Eve (December 31st) concert at the UBS Arena in Elmont, NY when he brought out Jason Bonham to jam a Led Zeppelin classic.
Bonham, son of Led Zeppelin icon John Bonham, jumped on stage with Joel to perform of a cover of the band's classic hit "Whole Lotta Love". The drummer was on hand after his solo project, Jason Bonham's Led Zeppelin Evening, opened the show. (continue)
Thursday kicked off 2025 by surprising fans with the release of "Taking Inventory Of A Frozen Lake", the third new track from the band since they ended their 13 year hiatus last year.
The group had this to say, "SURPRISE! As the clock strikes midnight on the jet black new year, we want to start the year with a new song, a new tour with @silverstein (starting in 10 days) and a new resolution (to keep writing and hope that more songs follow)! As the world enters 2025 our new track, Taking Inventory Of A Frozen Lake, will start to appear on streaming services. (continue)
After teasing a return of Nevermore in 2025 via social media last week, guitarist Jeff Loomis and drummer Van Williams have released an open letter to fans confirming the reunion and announcing auditions for the vocalist and bass player spots.
Van Williams had this to say: "So, the Nevermore teaser has sparked a lot of positivity and some expected negativity. Let me address the negative first. Some people think it's disrespectful not to involve Jim or inform him of our plans. But those who feel that way don't know the history of the band or the behind-the-scenes dynamics that led to this decision. While it may not have been the most ideal approach, the reality is that there hasn't been communication with Jim in years. We felt that sometimes, for the sake of a fresh start, it's necessary to move on from relationships that may no longer be conducive to growth or new beginnings. We made this decision with the intention of honoring the legacy of the band while moving forward in a way that felt right for us at the time. That said, we wish him good health and he is free to pursue whatever path he chooses. Without going into too much detail, I'll just say respect goes both ways, and certain things became irreconcilable over time for us. At this point in my life, I don't feel the need to explain myself further on this, so take from that what you will. (continue)
Former Slipknot and current Suicidal Tendencies drummer Jay Weinberg took to social media earlier this week to announce that he plans to work on solo material this year.
He shared, "Though the phrase 'New Year's resolution' has never really connected with me, I've always believed in the power of intention, and following through on setting manageable goals. (continue)
Shadow Kingdom Records announces March 28th as the international release date for Savage Master's highly anticipated fifth album, Dark & Dangerous, on CD, vinyl LP, and cassette tape formats.
By now, the name Savage Master should be more than familiar to anyone following today's occult heavy metal scene. Founded in 2013 by guitarist Adam Neal and vocalist Stacey Savage, the duo transformed their love of heavy metal and horror into one of the most exciting and electrifying sounds around. During their first six years, Savage Master swiftly built an impressive canon of work over the course of two cult albums, one EP, one single, and especially their over-the-top live shows. Prolific touring and festival appearances followed, but it was the duo of 2019's Myth, Magic and Steel and 2022's Those Who Hunt at Night - both released by Shadow Kingdom - which catapulted the band to the top of the true metal pack. Sound and vision had aligned into a spectacle both mysterious and mesmerizing. (continue)
AC/DC had a top 24 story of October 2024 when they celebrated the 50th anniversary of their very first performance with late frontman Bon Scott by sharing a classic 1997 of guitarist Angus Young discussing the historic show.
The clip begins with the interviewer saying, "the story is when he auditioned for you, [Bon] actually downed two bottles of bourbon." Angus responded, "yeah, yeah, and he just picked them up one after the other and we were about to go on stage and I said to Malvin 'we wonder if he can walk or let alone sing you know.' (continue)
Lynyrd Skynyrd frontman Johnny Van Zant had a top 24 story of October 2024 after he said that his spirits have been lifted by the outpouring of love, support and prayers from fans in the wake of the sad news that a mass was found in his daughter Taylor's brain.
Late last month the band were forced to cancel several concerts so Johnny could return home because Taylor had to undergo emergency surgery. He shared last week, Taylor started having numbing feeling on her right side. She went to the emergency room, they did a cat scan, they found a, the only way to say it is found a mass on her brain. Some of it was bleeding, causing the numbing part." (continue)
Oasis scored a top 24 story of October 2024 after all North American dates on the band's OASIS LIVE '25 world tour sold out within an hour of going on sale. The news comes after the band rocked the world with the announcement of their return and a UK and Ireland stadium tour that also sold out instantly while setting a record for the biggest concert launch ever seen in the region.
With almost half a million tickets sold, the North American leg, produced by Live Nation and SJM, will see Oasis play two nights each at stadiums in Toronto, East Rutherford, Los Angeles, Mexico City and one night in Chicago. (continue)
The Offspring had a top 24 story of October 2024 after he performed with the Beach Boys. Here is the report in our look back in the Year In Rock: The Offspring have enjoyed a number of special guests joining them on stage in recent months, but the tables were turned when frontman Dexter Holland performed with The Beach Boys.
Holland made the surprise appearance with the legendary rock band at the Oceans Calling Festival in Ocean Beach, MD on September 28th and sang their classic hit "Wouldn't It Be Nice" with the band. (continue)
Ozzy Osbourne landed a top 24 story of October 2024 after the metal legend admitted that Van Halen blew Black Sabbath off of the stage back when the group was just starting out and opened for Ozzy and company of a tour.
He made the comments during an episode of Ozzy Speaks, a SiriusXM program on the Ozzy's Boneyard channel featuring Ozzy and guitarist Billy Morrison discussing a variety of topics and during the latest episode the talk turned to Eddie Van Halen. (continue)
Cheap Trick earned a top 24 story of October 2024 after they took to social media to break the bad news to fans that have been forced to cancel their October 5th concert in Parker, Arizona due to extreme weather conditions.
The band wrote on their Facebook page, "Due to the extreme temperatures in Parker, AZ the Cheap Trick show at the Bluewater Casino Amphitheatre tonight has been cancelled. We apologize to fans for any inconvenience. Ticket holders, please check your email for more details." (continue)
Jason Aldean had a top 24 story of October 2024 after he returned to his hometown of Macon, GA and hosted a special acoustic benefit show where he ended up raising $618,393 for a local children's hospital.
The country music star took to social media to share the big news, "Last nite we raised over half a million dollars for the Beverly Knight Olson Children's Hospital in Macon, Georgia. Thank u guys for coming out and making it possible!" (continue)
Original Queensryche frontman Geoff Tate has a top 24 story of October 2024 when he announced that he will be launching a massive U.S. tour where he will be performing the band's classic concept album "Operation Mindcrime" in full for the very last time.
The Operation Mindcrime, The Final Chapter Tour will be kicking off on March 18th in Tucson, AZ at the Rialto Theatre, with the first leg running through April 25th where it wraps in Boise, ID at the Revolution Center. (continue)
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