World-Renowned artist/tattooer Paul Booth has been announced as the Tattoo Headliner for the 2025 Inkcarceration Festival which is scheduled for July 18-20th at the Ohio State Reformatory in Mansfield, OH. Media Mikes Presents had the chance to speak with Paul recently about the upcoming appearance, his 30 plus years of tattooing and his newly released signature coffee blend “Devil’s Pact”.
GIBSON
LAUNCHES GLOBAL SEARCH FOR MISSING GUITAR FROM THE ICONIC UNIVERSAL PICTURES AND AMBLIN ENTERTAINMENT FILM
‘BACK TO THE FUTURE’
HUNT UNDERWAY FOR THE CHERRY RED GIBSON ES-345 GUITAR PLAYED BY MICHAEL J. FOX
THAT DISAPPEARED FROM THE FILM 40 YEARS AGO
‘LOST TO THE FUTURE’
NEW DOCUMENTARY FILM BEGINS PRODUCTION
Gibson, the iconic and leading instrument brand, has launched a global search for the world-renowned Cherry Red Gibson ES-345™ guitar that Michael J. Fox played in the 1985 hit film from Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment, BACK TO THE FUTURE, which became the biggest film of 1985 in the U.S. and the second highest-grossing worldwide.
The stunning guitar was showcased during the beloved film’s unforgettable “Enchantment Under the Sea” school dance scene, a pop culture moment that has inspired many musicians to pick up guitars for the very first time after witnessing the character of Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) play the legendary song “Johnny B. Goode.” During the making of the 1989 sequel to the film, the filmmakers went to look for the guitar, and it was nowhere to be found. Now, music fans worldwide have the chance to help Gibson find the most important guitar in cinema history.
Fans who have any tips as to the whereabouts of the missing original Cherry Red Gibson ES-345 guitar that Michael J. Fox played in the film BACK TO THE FUTURE can contact Gibson via www.LostToTheFuture.com or call/text 1-855-345-1955.
Watch/share the call-to-action video for the global guitar search featuring Emmy winner Michael J. Fox and his fellow stars of BACK TO THE FUTURE, including Lea Thompson, Emmy® winner Christopher Lloyd, Harry Waters Jr., GRAMMY® winner and Academy® Award nominee Huey Lewis, and more https://youtu.be/m6RdBMtAgSA.
Released on July 3, 1985, BACK THE FUTURE scored an Academy Award® and three additional nominations and launched a franchise that would go on to earn almost $1 billion globally.
Directed by Oscar® winner Robert Zemeckis and written by Zemeckis and Oscar® nominee Bob Gale, BACK THE FUTURE was executive produced by three-time Academy Award® winner Steven Spielberg, eight-time Best Picture nominee Kathleen Kennedy and five-time Best Picture nominee Frank Marshall. The film was produced by Neil Canton and Bob Gale.
From the innovative storytelling and characters to the unforgettable guitar performance of the song “Johnny B. Goode,” the film has left an enduring impact on pop culture and remains one of the most beloved and culturally significant films of all time. The film continues to influence and inspire new generations of fans everywhere with its dynamic special effects, beloved characters, and innovative storytelling.
The discovery of what happened to the film’s Gibson ES-345 would add a critical chapter to the film’s cinematic history.
“Guitar has always been a big part of my life,” says Michael J. Fox. “When we talked about the ‘Enchantment Under The Sea’ scene in Back to the Future, I sat down with the cinematographer and choreographer and said I want to riff through all of my favorite guitarists, like doing Jimi Hendrix behind the head, Pete Townshend doing a windmill, and the Eddie (Van Halen) hammer thing, it was so cool that they were open to that, and we laid it all out there. I’m really happy with the scene because it was an expression of my love for guitar and all the great players. I didn’t realize the influence the scene had on people, John Mayer said, ‘I play guitar because of you,’ and Chris Martin said the same thing, and I am glad they took it further than I did, they went to the trouble of being really good players. I just love the guitar, and I love the movie.”
“Years ago, I was astonished to learn this beloved cinematic artifact had apparently disappeared into the space-time continuum,” says Bob Gale, co-creator/screenwriter/producer of BACK TO THE FUTURE. “Since we don’t have a functioning time machine, this effort is probably our best chance to solve a decades-long mystery.”
“This is one of the most exciting moments at Gibson for me,” says Cesar Gueikian, President & CEO of Gibson. “Back To The Future is one of the most important and significant movies of my life, and the ‘Enchantment Under the Sea’ school dance scene marked me musically in a profound way. Working with Michael J. Fox, Bob Gale and the rest of the Back To The Future team is a dream come true. I hope we find Marty’s Gibson ES-345! To everyone out there who is as passionate as I am about this iconic film, please help us find it!”
“I started searching for this guitar back in 2009 on my first day on the job at Norman’s Rare Guitars,” says Mark Agnesi, Director of Brand Experience at Gibson. “After 16 years of searching, I’m so excited to get the entire guitar community together to help find the guitar that made me, and so many other guitarists of my generation, want to learn to play.”
“Watching Michael J. Fox’s iconic performance of ‘Johnny B. Goode’ during the ‘Enchantment Under the Sea’ dance was a moment that struck a chord with an entire generation of kids, inspiring them to pick up a guitar for the very first time,” adds Todd Harapiak, Gibson Media Director. “Few moments in film have had such a lasting impact on musicians as this scene in Back to the Future, and we’re thrilled to embark on a journey to find this guitar that’s carried the legacy of film and rock history for nearly four decades.”
“This is the movie that made me want to be a filmmaker, and the scene that made me pick up a guitar for the first time,” says Doc Crotzer, Director of the upcoming documentary film LOST TO THE FUTURE. “As children of the ’80s, it is our duty to take fans of music, fans of the movie, and fans of true crime documentaries with us on this too-crazy-to-believe quest to find our generation’s Excalibur.”
In tandem with the worldwide hunt for the missing Gibson ES-345 and to further celebrate the 40th anniversary of BACK TO THE FUTURE this year, Gibson Films has now started production on a new documentary film titled LOST TO THE FUTURE.
The forthcoming documentary LOST TO THE FUTURE from Gibson Films will feature in-depth interviews with BACK TO THE FUTURE cast members Michael J. Fox, Lea Thompson, Christopher Lloyd, and Harry Waters Jr., musician Huey Lewis (“The Power of Love”), and the film’s co-creator/screenwriter/producer Bob Gale, as well as the world-renowned music superstars that have been inspired by the film over the decades. In the quest to find the elusive original Gibson ES-345 guitar, documentary Director Doc Crotzer (Roadhouse, Glee), alongside Mark Agnesi (Director of Brand Experience at Gibson), will guide viewers in the global hunt for this legendary instrument from long-forgotten film prop warehouses, fascinating vintage guitar shops, auction houses, and shadowy back alleys. The LOST TO THE FUTURE documentary will transport viewers back to 1985 to celebrate the music, culture, and defining moments of the era through a rich collection of archival photos, stories, film clips, and iconic songs.
LOST TO THE FUTURE is produced by Gibson Films and directed by Doc Crotzer.
Above: A close-up view of Michael J. Fox playing the iconic Gibson ES-345 during the “Enchantment Under the Sea” scene of the film BACK TO THE FUTURE. Today, Gibson and the filmmakers launched a worldwide hunt for the original Gibson ES-345 used in the film and announced the forthcoming documentary Lost To The Future.
STYX
ANNOUNCES HIGHLY ANTICIPATED 18TH STUDIO ALBUM
‘CIRCLING FROM ABOVE’
DUE OUT JULY 18
CDS AND VINYL VERSIONS AVAILABLE
STARTING TONIGHT AT ALL CONCERTS
ON THE “BROTHERHOOD OF ROCK” TOUR
WITH THE KEVIN CRONIN BAND AND DON FELDER
“BUILD AND DESTROY” SINGLE AND VIDEO OUT TODAY
Creating and recording new music is often considered the lifeblood of any band — an ethos AOR torchbearers STYX continue to embody with the highly anticipated release of CIRCLING FROM ABOVE, the 18th studio album in their formidable catalog via the band’s label, Alpha Dog 2T/UMe. Spanning 13 tracks, the album navigates the complexities of the human experience through the intersecting lenses of technology and nature.
STYX made the exclusive announcement on TalkShop.live yesterday, where a limited number of autographed CDs can be ordered now for immediate delivery. Tommy Shaw, Lawrence Gowan and Will Evankovich participated in a live interview with host Steve Harkins, which can be viewed now.
While the album won’t be available on streaming or digital outlets until July 18, CIRCLING FROM ABOVE CDs and vinyl copies are also available to purchase today on StyxWorld.com for immediate delivery. They will also be available starting with tonight’s launch–and at every show–of this summer’s “Brotherhood of Rock” tour with The Kevin Cronin Band and special guest Don Felder (a former lead guitarist of the Eagles) in Greenville, SC at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena.
CIRCLING FROM ABOVE features contributions from all seven members of the band, including founding guitarist/vocalist James “JY” Young (affectionately known as “The Godfather of Styx”), guitarist/vocalist Tommy Shaw, original bassist Chuck Panozzo, longtime drummer Todd Sucherman, keyboardist/vocalist Lawrence Gowan, guitarist/vocalist Will Evankovich and bassist Terry Gowan.
The kinetic energy of lead single “Build and Destroy” is the first introduction of new music to their fans who’ve been circling around the band for over 50 years. It’s available to stream and download on all digital outlets including the band’s YouTube page, and a thrilling AI conceptual video—directed by Jay Ziebarth—will premiere today at 3:00pm Eastern Time on Mellomanic. It will be available on the band’s YouTube page at 6:00pm Eastern Time.
“That little melody, I kept singing ‘Build and Destroy,’” explains singer/keyboardist Lawrence Gowan, who takes the lead vocal. “Even though we don’t sing over that part, I kept thinking that would be a good title. It’s thematic. The melody feels like a little ‘Star Trek’ or ‘Twilight Zone’ thing — just a small tag that reinforces the title.”
Shaw and Evankovich jumped in to flesh out the verses and finalize the lyrics, and the song came together in just a day and a half. “We knew it was strong,” Gowan says. “Even though it was the second-to-last song we finished, it felt like a quick way into the album’s overall theme.”
CIRCLING FROM ABOVE is a dynamic collection that reflects the full emotional and stylistic range of the Styx canon. It’s muscular yet introspective, theatrical in moments and layered in sincerity at others — balancing progressive leanings with deeper, thought-provoking messages.
“When you start writing an album, there’s generally something that piques your imagination, and all of a sudden, you’re a storyteller starting with the seed of a story,” says Shaw. “A good song is like a straight road — it’ll get you to the next place.”
The album, the band’s third in eight years, delivers a 41-minute, end-to-end listening experience that is both thought-provoking and exhilarating. A masterclass in storytelling, it blends signature STYX hallmarks with bold steps forward — building on the creative momentum of recent releases THE MISSION (2017) and CRASH OF THE CROWN (2021).
The album was produced by Evankovich, who also helmed the band’s previous two records before becoming an official member in 2022. All 13 songs were penned in various combinations by the band’s songwriting triumvirate of Shaw, Evankovich and Lawrence Gowan. Referencing the trio’s creative spark, Lawrence Gowan says it’s not a simple case of majority rules but rather a true collaborative endeavor.
“I’ve noticed over the last three records, there’s a real effort to make sure everyone’s got a smile on their face at the end of it,” he says. “There’s creative friction, but everybody gets a go around the table and we all get a swing at the tree. And that’s really, really good.”
“It’s a strange three-way democracy for sure,” Evankovich says. “We all know that the institution of Styx is the most important thing.”
Midway through writing the album, a loose theme began to orbit the band’s creative process — a gravitational pull, if you will, guiding them down the straight road Shaw describes. In a moment of studio serendipity, talk turned to an app that tracks abandoned satellites, those silent relics of once-lofty ambition. From that spark, the opening tracks — including the title cut and “Build and Destroy” — took shape, tracing the tension between human ingenuity and the dreams we sometimes discard in its pursuit.
“When they were shot up into space, these satellites were somebody’s dream and ambition,” says Shaw of the once-cutting-edge technology now floating aimlessly through the atmosphere. “They served their purpose and they were cast aside. It’s a wasteland up there, but they were once created with love. We’re all humans, and who’s to say our love project is better than someone else’s?”
Look closely at the album cover art and you will see this thematic overture take flight. Thousands of starlings — chosen specifically for their supreme ability to work in concert together with their flight patterns — in the shape of one bird, soaring over a dilapidated satellite dish.
“They’re prevailing and we’re failing,” notes Evankovich of the cover. “We’re not like the rest of the creatures that work in stewardship together, like the birds and the bees and all the other things. We do things and then create waste for ourselves that ends up harming us.”
STYX has remained a touring juggernaut for the past 25 years, but according to guitarist/vocalist Tommy Shaw, the band’s current streak of artistic resurgence in the studio is due to multiple factors tethered to a deep sense of harmony.
“There’s just a lot of positive flow right now,” says Shaw. “There’s a lot of people playing great, and there’s a lot of love, respect and excitement about each other’s talents. Bands can go lifetimes and never have this kind of rapport and chemistry.”
Earlier this year, STYX and Kevin Cronin, the iconic voice and writer behind REO Speedwagon’s greatest hits, wrapped up hugely successful sold-out residencies at The Venetian Theatre. For the first time in their 50-plus-year career in Las Vegas, NV, STYX performed 1977’s THE GRAND ILLUSION in its entirety, while REO Speedwagon performed 1980’s HI INFIDELITY in its entirety. Due to the overwhelming response from both residencies, STYX and The Kevin Cronin Band are bringing these special album shows for the first time, plus their hits, to the amphitheaters and arenas as part of the “Brotherhood of Rock” tour.
It wouldn’t be summer without a live celebration of some of the greatest Rock anthems of all time from each of these multi-Platinum albums, including “Come Sail Away,” “Keep On Loving You,” “Fooling Yourself (The Angry Young Man),” “Take It on the Run,” along with “Hotel California” and other classics by the Eagles. The official trailer for the “Brotherhood of Rock” tour can be seen on Live Nation’s YouTube page.
Tickets for the trek, produced by Live Nation, are on sale now on LiveNation.com. STYX and The Kevin Cronin Band are also offering VIP packages via their own StyxWorld.com and KevinCronin.com websites, as well as on LiveNation.com.
Here’s the track listing for CIRCLING FROM ABOVE:
1. Circling From Above
2. Build and Destroy
3. Michigan
4. King of Love
5. It’s Clear
6. Forgive
7. Everyone Raise A Glass
8. Blue Eyed Raven
9. She Knows
10. Ease Your Mind
11. The Things That You Said
12. We Lost the Wheel Again
13. Only You Can Decide
Check out the “Brotherhood of Rock” tour at any of the following stops.
DATE CITY VENUE
Wed 5/28 Greenville, SC Bon Secours Wellness Arena
Sat 5/31 Tampa, FL MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre
Mon 6/2 Jacksonville, FL Daily’s Place
Wed 6/4 Austin, TX Germania Insurance Amphitheater
Fri 6/6 The Woodlands, TX The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion presented by Huntsman
* Mon 6/9 Denver, CO Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre
Wed 6/11 Salt Lake City, UT Utah First Credit Union Amphitheatre
Fri 6/13 Concord, CA Toyota Pavilion at Concord
Sat 6/14 Bend, OR Hayden Homes Amphitheater
Sun 6/15 Ridgefield, WA Cascades Amphitheater
Wed 7/2 Kansas City, MO Starlight Theatre
Sun 7/6 Alpharetta, GA Ameris Bank Amphitheatre
Tue 7/8 Charlotte, NC PNC Music Pavilion
Wed 7/9 Raleigh, NC Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek
Fri 7/11 Virginia Beach, VA Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater
Sat 7/12 Bristow, VA Jiffy Lube Live
Mon 7/14 Syracuse, NY Empower Federal Credit Union Amphitheater at Lakeview
Tue 7/15 Bridgeport, CT Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater
Fri 7/18 Gilford, NH BankNH Pavilion
Sat 7/19 Mansfield, MA Xfinity Center
Sun 7/20 Holmdel, NJ PNC Bank Arts Center
Fri 8/8 Camden, NJ Freedom Mortgage Pavilion
Sun 8/10 Burgettstown, PA The Pavilion at Star Lake
Tue 8/12 Saratoga Springs, NY Broadview Stage at SPAC
Wed 8/13 Toronto, ON Budweiser Stage
Fri 8/15 Noblesville, IN Ruoff Music Center
Sat 8/16 Clarkston, MI Pine Knob Music Theatre
Tue 8/19 Cincinnati, OH Riverbend Music Center
Wed 8/20 Cuyahoga Falls, OH Blossom Music Center
Fri 8/22 St. Louis, MO Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
Sat 8/23 Tinley Park, IL Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre
Sun 8/24 Milwaukee, WI American Family Insurance Amphitheater
* Promoted by AEG Presents
After a Successful First Run of Dates,
Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Evening
Extends Their Celebration of the
50th Anniversary of Physical Graffiti
Next Round of Tour Dates to Run Throughout August
Public On Sale This Friday, May 30
On the heels of a successful tour that brought multiple sell outs, Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Evening/JBLZE is back with another round of dates to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Led Zeppelin classic, Physical Graffiti. The latest 22-city trek is billed as An Evening with JBLZE Celebrating 50 Years of Physical Graffiti. The show made headlines as JBLZE has been performing all the songs from the album that fans have been clamoring to hear including classics such as “The Wanton Song” and “Kashmir” live alongside deeper cuts like “In The Light” and “Boogie With Stu.” The evening is also made up of other Led Zeppelin favorites including “Good Times Bad Times,” “Whole Lotta Love” and of course “Stairway To Heaven.” The tour kicks off on August 1 in Omaha, NE and wraps August 31 in Vancouver, BC. Along the way, the tour will make stops in Denver, CO (August 08), Napa, CA (August 16), Bakersfield, CA (August 23) and Seattle, WA (August 30) to name a few markets. Public on sale for tickets with begin on Friday, May 30 and more information on all tickets and performances can be found at https://www.jasonbonham.net.
At the time of the first tour announcement, Jason Bonham had this to say: “This is my favorite Led Zeppelin album of all time. Being able to celebrate it the way we are planning on this tour is something I am extremely excited about. I can’t wait for people to come out and see these shows and celebrate this extraordinary record with us. My goal is to play at least 50 shows to commemorate 50 years…And don’t worry there will be plenty of other songs that you also love played that night.”
JBLZE August Tour Dates
Fri, Aug 01 – Omaha, NE – Steelhouse Omaha
Sat, Aug 02 – Oklahoma City, OK – The Criterion
Sun, Aug 03 – San Antonio, TX – The Aztec Theatre
Tue, Aug 05 – Albuquerque, NM – Kiva Auditorium
Thu, Aug 07 – Vail, CO – Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater
Fri, Aug 08 – Denver, CO – Paramount Theatre
Sun, Aug 10 – Park City, UT – Snow Park Outdoor Amphitheater at Deer Valley Resort
Tue, Aug 12 – Flagstaff, AZ – Pepsi Amphitheater
Wed, Aug 13 – Tucson, AZ – Rialto Theatre
Fri, Aug 15 – Lincoln, CA – Thunder Valley Casino Resort
Sat, Aug 16 – Napa, CA – Blue Note Napa Summer Sessions at Meritage Resort
Sun, Aug 17 – Redding, CA – Redding Civic Auditorium
Tue, Aug 19 – Monterey, CA – Golden State Theatre
Thu, Aug 21 – Anaheim, CA – Grove of Anaheim
Fri, Aug 22 – Alpine, CA – Viejas Casino & Resort
Sat, Aug 23 – Bakersfield, CA – Dignity Health Theater
Mon, Aug 25 – Salem, OR – Oregon State Fair
Tue, Aug 26 – Jacksonville, OR – Britt Music & Arts Festival
Wed, Aug 27 – Boise, ID – Morrison Center for the Performing Arts
Fri, Aug 29 – Spokane, WA – Martin Woldson Theater at The Fox
Sat, Aug 30 – Seattle, WA – Paramount Theatre
Sun, Aug 31 – Vancouver, BC – Orpheum Theatre
Previously Announced JBLZE Tour Dates
Wed, May 28 – San Diego, CA – Humphrey’s Concerts by the Bay *
Thu, May 29 – Paso Robles, CA – Vina Robles Amphitheatre *
Fri, May 30 – Henderson, NV – Green Valley Ranch Resort Spa & Casino – Backyard Amphitheater *
Sat, May 31 – Los Angeles, CA – The Greek Theatre *
PAUL BOOTH
The Dark Lord of Ink
Announced as Headliner of Monster Energy Tattoo X
at DWP’s Inkcarceration Festival – Ohio State Reformatory Mansfield
July 18 – 20, 2025
Paul Booth’s sinister artistry is set to haunt the Ohio State Reformatory. Are you ready to be marked by the master? Book directly with Paul and have your appointment ready for when you hit The Yard.
“A lot of great bands and a lot of great tattooers all in one place! Plus, I really dig the history and horror of the location of Inkcarceration Festival at legendary haunted Shawshank Prison …Really looking forward to the Show.”- Paul Booth
Don’t miss Paul Booths latest merch items including Devil’s Pact Coffee.
Available for shipping. Order now and save 20% with coupon code: DEVILSINK
Concept Cafes: Paul Booth’s OFFICIAL ‘Devil’s Pact’ Private Label Coffee (12oz)
About Paul Booth:
Paul Booth is a world-renowned artist known for his haunting and evocative artwork. Booth has established himself as a master of the macabre, exploring themes of mortality, spirituality, and the human condition in his striking paintings and tattoos.
Paul Booth has been a renowned figure in the world of dark and surrealist, gothic art for almost four decades. A fine artist, tattooist, filmmaker, sculptor and musician, Booth has become synonymous with transgressive and provocative work which spans a vast range of expressive forms. This variety, and continually developing style, has generated a fanbase comprising of both the counterculture and the mainstream.
Booth’s early creative projects came as a result of a desire to express complex and, often challenging, subject matter. Mental illness, psychosis, torment and abuse are often dealt with in his work; the results of which has made him a permanent fixture in the realm of alternative culture. Booth has also been recognized and inducted by the National Arts Club – the oldest and one of the most respected art institutions in the United States today.
In the 1990s, Booth’s inimitable style led to high demand within the celebrity circuit, and he soon became the go-to artist for top-tier clients such as Slayer, Pantera, Slipknot, Lamb of God, Sepultura, Cradle of Filth and the stars of the WWE (including The Undertaker and Aleister Black). It was with this enviable client list that Booth found himself one of the most famous tattoo artists in the world. Additionally, demand for his fine art pieces and album artwork grew, and with it, the Last Rites brand which Booth has been developing since the late ‘80s.
Booth’s flagship project, Last Rites Tattoo Theatre & Gallery, occupied three-stories in Manhattan and was a testament to the creativity and drive of the artist’s vision, with each room adorned with a multimedia installation of unforgettable resonance.
In recent years his work has featured in everything from Rolling Stone, (which on its March 28, 2002 magazine cover, declared Paul Booth “The New King of Rock and Roll Tattoos.”) to Forbes.
As well as fine art, Booth has used his technical skills to design homewear, clothing and jewelry, all of which was well received, critically and commercially; released an EP titled Shadows Remain with his dark wave band Corpse Flower (featuring Eve Minor) in 2023 and published his debut novel Mortal Skin in 2024.
With over half a million social media fans in eager anticipation of his actions, Booth is always sought after. The only thing we know about his next move, however, is that it will be remarkable.
METALLICA a/k/a THE BLACK ALBUM CERTIFIED 20X PLATINUM
MASTER OF PUPPETS CERTIFIED 8X PLATINUM
Metallica is as surprised as anyone to learn that two of their landmark albums have attained new RIAA certifications:
Metallica’s self-titled fifth album a/k/a The Black Album has been certified 20x platinum for sales in excess of 20 million copies, while the band’s third full length, Master of Puppets, has been certified 8x platinum having crossed the eight million mark.
The Black Album’s 1991 release not only gave Metallica its first #1 album in no fewer than 10 countries, including a 4-week run at #1 in the U.S., its unrelenting series of singles — “Enter Sandman”, “The Unforgiven”, “Nothing Else Matters”, “Wherever I May Roam”, and “Sad But True” — fueled the band’s rise to stadium headlining, radio and MTV dominating household name status. The album’s reception from the press was similarly charged, building over the years from the top 10 of the 1991 Village Voice Pazz & Jop national critics poll to becoming a constant presence in the likes of Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Albums Of All Time. The Black Album’s impact and relevance continue to grow with successive generations—it remains unchallenged as the best-selling album of the Luminate era, outselling every release in every genre over the past 30+ years.
Metallica’s 1986 breakthrough third LP Master of Puppets has attained 8x platinum status, having sold more than eight million albums. The heaviest rock album ever to be selected by the Library of Congress for preservation in the National Recording Registry for being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant,” Master of Puppets has long been regarded as a watershed moment in the history of rock music. The album’s peerless balance of sheer power and complex song craft would earn Metallica its first gold record, elevating the band to new heights of critical acclaim on the strength of enduring favorites including “Battery,” “Orion” and of course the title track, speaking of which…
… “Master of Puppets” recently followed “Enter Sandman” and “Nothing Else Matters” as the third Metallica song to join the billion streams club, becoming the second longest song to do so. Clocking in at 8:36, “Master…” now sits between former second longest billion streamer “Stairway to Heaven” by Led Zeppelin (8:02) and reigning champion Taylor Swift’s “All Too Well (10 Minute Version).”
Metallica is currently in the midst of the third year of its M72 World Tour, which has seen the band play to more than three million fans across the globe. The M72 shows have been breaking attendance records from Los Angeles’ SoFi Stadium to the JMA Wireless Dome in Syracuse NY, while generating some of the most positive critical notes of the band’s career — and in one case, actual seismic activity, thanks to the unbridled enthusiasm of 70,000+ fans attending the first-ever concert at Lane Stadium in Blacksburg VA.
NEW DOCUMENTARY ‘THE BALLAD OF JUDAS PRIEST’ IN PRODUCTION FROM SONY MUSIC VISION
Film Co-Directed by Sam Dunn and Rage Against the Machine’s Tom Morello
Produced by Emmy and Peabody-Winning Banger Films
Photo Credit: Andy ‘Elvis’ McGovernSony Music Vision, in association with Sony Music Entertainment UK and Epic Records, today announced the production of The Ballad of Judas Priest, a new documentary about legendary GRAMMY-winning English heavy metal band Judas Priest and their epic journey to the top of rock and roll.
Co-directed by documentary filmmaker Sam Dunn and Rage Against the Machine’s Tom Morello in his directorial debut, the documentary will celebrate the legendary band’s lasting impact on music and culture with their influence reaching far beyond metal. Featuring unforgettable anthems and pop culture staples like “Breaking the Law” and “You’ve Got Another Thing Coming,” The Ballad of Judas Priest will capture the passion, resilience and enduring legacy of a band whose music and story continue to inspire generations.
Rising from humble, working-class roots in Birmingham, UK, to become global rock legends, Judas Priest didn’t just help shape heavy metal culture – they forged it. Widely credited as being one of the pioneers of the Heavy Metal genre in the 1970s, Judas Priest has sold more than 50 million records and released 19 studio albums for their legion of dedicated fans around the world. In 2022, they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. With their 2024 album “Invincible Shield,” the band became the first heavy metal band to release studio albums 50 years apart. The album drew widespread acclaim, receiving a GRAMMY nomination for Best Metal Performance. This fall, they will be joined by Alice Cooper for a co-headlining tour across 22 North American cities.
Judas Priest said, “We have lived and breathed metal for over five decades, and finally in this documentary we are summoning our congregation to officially witness our lives uncensored, in a never-before-seen way…the cassock comes off, revealing Priest in all its metal glory!”
“While some may know Judas Priest for their huge hits that have shaped the heavy metal genre, there is so much more to their story,” co-directors Morello and Dunn said. “Tracing their incredible 50-year journey, this film will capture how Judas Priest both defined the sound and look of metal, but also made it a more inclusive place along the way. We are grateful to the band for allowing us such intimate, unfiltered access to their lives and look forward to bringing this film to the metal masses around the world.”
The documentary is a production of Banger Films and directed by Sam Dunn and Tom Morello. Producers include Scot McFadyen and Sam Dunn. It is executive produced by Tom Morello, Rick Krim, Sheila Stepanek, and Jayne Andrews. Tom Mackay, Krista Wegener and Abby Davis serve as executive producers for Sony Music Vision. Sylvia Rhone is executive producer for Epic Records. The film is presented and distributed by Sony Music Vision.
GWAR & Mischief Toys
Unleash Limited-Edition “Minion Gastley” Toy
Order HERE
New Multimedia Release ‘The Return of Gor Gor’
Out July 25th via Pit Records
Pre-Order from Pit Records HERE
On Tour Now!
Mischief Toys and GWAR have formed an unholy alliance that blends heavy metal mayhem with cult collectible culture. At the center of this twisted partnership is Mischief Toys’ beloved hellion, Gastley—now transformed by the Scumdogs into Minion Gastley, a mutated servant oozing with grotesque charm and unmistakable hints of Balsac the Jaws of Death himself.
This limited-edition crossover celebrates the fusion of music and mischief, offering fans multiple colorways of Minion Gastley along with matching merch. Whether you’re a designer toy collector, a GWAR maniac, or both, this drop delivers the chaos you crave.
In addition, a special blue-spattered variant—exclusive to GWAR.net—will be limited to just 150 pieces for the most diehard Scumdogs.
In true GWAR fashion, Minion Gastley’s suffering doesn’t end there. The poor beast has been condemned to clean toilets, mop blood, and tend to the wreckage as the band lays waste to the galaxy on tour.
Available Now at MischiefToys.com:
With each purchase, fans will receive one, randomly selected variant:
=> Minion Gastley – Classic “Unscathed” Version (320 pieces) – $55
=> Blacklight-Reactive Green Spatter Gastley (100 pieces) – $55
=> Red Spatter Gastley (50 pieces) – $55
Available for direct purchase:
=> Signed Classic Unscathed Gastley (30 pieces) – $85
(Signed by Blothar, Jizmak Da Gusha, Grodius Maximus, Balsac the Jaws of Death,
Bonesnapper, Sawborg Destructo, and Beefcake the Mighty)
=> Matching Merch: enamel pins, 11×17 blacklight poster, t-shirt, snapback hat, dad hat
Christopher Gast, founder of Mischief Toys comments:
“This collaboration brings together two of the things we love most: GWAR—the most gloriously chaotic band in the universe—and Gastley, our beloved little hellion from the Netherworld. We’re thrilled for fans of both to revel in the madness together.”
PROGRESSIVE MUSIC ICONS DREAM THEATER ANNOUNCE THE PARASOMNIA 2025 TOUR ACROSS THE UNITED STATES SCHEDULED TO KICK OFF ON SEPTEMBER 5th
Latest Run is an Evening With the Iconic Lineup of James LaBrie, John Myung, John Petrucci, Mike Portnoy and Jordan Rudess to Celebrate the Band’s Chart-Topping 16th Studio Album Parasomnia
Information on all tickets and VIP Packages can be found at https://dreamtheater.net/tour/
On the heels of their successful 2025 40th Anniversary sold-out North American tour that wrapped at Radio City Music Hall in March, GRAMMY®-winning, progressive music titans Dream Theater are announcing another run of dates in the United States. As referenced nightly from the stage on the last run, the upcoming tour will be An Evening With Dream Theater that will celebrate the band’s recent chart-topping 16th studio album, Parasomnia. The tour is scheduled for 30 cities across the United States and kicks off September 5th in Reading, PA and runs through October 25th where it wraps in Long Island, NY. The tour will make stops in Orlando, FL; Detroit, MI; Kansas City, MO and Providence, RI among others. Dream Theater will be performing their latest album in its entirety as well as classics and fan favorites from their catalog in what promises to be an unforgettable evening of music. More information on all tickets and VIP packages can be found at https://dreamtheater.net/tour/.
An Evening With Dream Theater Parasomnia 2025 Tour
September 5 – Reading, PA – Santander PAC
September 6 – Baltimore, MD – The Lyric
September 9 – North Charleston, SC – North Charleston PAC
September 10 – Clearwater, FL – The BayCare Sound Amphitheater
September 12 – Orlando, FL – Hard Rock Live
September 13 – Atlanta, GA – Coca-Cola Roxy
September 14 – Atlanta, GA – Coca-Cola Roxy (40th Anniversary Tour Rescheduled Date)
September 16 – Charlotte, NC – Owens Auditorium
September 18 – Pittsburgh, PA – Benedum Center
September 19 – Louisville, KY – Louder Than Life (Festival)
September 21 – Detroit, MI – Fox Theatre
September 22 – Peoria, IL – Prairie Home Alliance Theater
September 24 – Milwaukee, WI – Miller High Life Theatre
September 25 – Minneapolis, MN – Orpheum Theatre
September 27 – Des Moines, IA – Vibrant Music Hall
September 29 – Colorado Springs, CO – Pikes Peak Center
October 3 – Sacramento, CA – Aftershock (Festival)
October 4 – Oceanside, CA – Frontwave Arena
October 5 – Long Beach, CA – Long Beach Terrace Theater
October 7 – Mesa, AZ – Mesa Arts Center – Ikeda Theater
October 8 – El Paso, TX – Abraham Chavez Theatre
October 11 – Tulsa, OK – Tulsa Theater
October 13 – Kansas City, MO – Arvest Bank Theatre at The Midland
October 14 – St. Louis, MO – The Factory
October 17 – Hammond, IN – The Venue at Horseshoe Hammond
October 18 – Columbus, OH – Palace Theatre
October 20 – Syracuse, NY – Landmark Theatre
October 22 – Providence, RI – Veterans Memorial Auditorium
October 23 – Schenectady, NY – Proctor’s Theatre
October 25 – Long Island, NY – Nassau Coliseum
An album that was fifteen years in the making, Dream Theater released their sixteenth studio album, Parasomnia on February 7, 2025, via their longtime label home, Inside Out Music/Sony Music. From the opening track “In The Arms Of Morpheus” to the closer of “The Shadow Man Incident,” Dream Theater returned with a collection of songs that showcased what has earned the band a loyal following for four decades. Clocking in at 71 minutes, Parasomnia debuted at #1 on the Billboard Top Hard Rock Albums, the Hard Music Albums and Current Rock Albums chart selling over 18,000 combined units the first week. It also debuted at #41 on the Billboard 200 which is notable for a progressive metal band and shows the bands devout fanbase. Parasomnia is a term for disruptive, sleep-related disturbances including sleepwalking, sleep paralysis, and night terrors. The album was produced by Petrucci, engineered by James ‘Jimmy T’ Meslin, and mixed by Andy Sneap. Hugh Syme returns once again to lend his creative vision to the cover art. More information can be found at: www.dreamtheater.net.
The track listing for Parasomnia is:
1) In The Arms Of Morpheus (5:22)
2) Night Terror (9:55)
3) A Broken Man (8:30)
4) Dead Asleep (11:06)
5) Midnight Messiah (7:58)
6) Are We Dreaming? (1:28)
7) Bend The Clock (7:24)
8) The Shadow Man Incident (19:32)
Donner Acoustic Guitar “APL” Multi Effects Pedal
Features:
Our Score: 4 out of 5 Stars
From the bedroom to the stage Donner’s “APL Multi Effects Pedal” has everything you need to elevate your acoustic instrumentation to the next level. At first glance the “APL” looks like just another compact all in one floor unit however, after further inspection we found that underneath the brightly colored heavy duty housing was a smorgasbord of options that other pedals in this price range don’t even come close to offering.
Effects wise you get 8 classic effects including chorus, tremolo, phase, overdrive, echo, hall reverb, plate reverb and delay & reverb. Each effect has its own set of parameters which users can adjust to their individual liking via an easy to use multi-knob. Also available are 8 dedicated parameters knobs which control bass, mid, treble, compression, gain, mix, impact and range. Having these dedicated knobs certain made dialing in sounds a breeze however it did take a minute or two to figure out that the impact and range knobs actually work in conjunction with the effects select knob allowing you to control your effects levels via those two knobs. Users also have access to onboard tuner by simply holding down the left toggle switch.
If you have ever played an acoustic instrument in an amplified setting then you know how difficult it can be to control feedback. Thanks to the APL’s Automatic notch & Anti-howling feature you can quickly eliminate or reduce specific frequencies helping you have a more stable performance with just the push of a button. Even at lower volumes where feedback wasn’t as much of an issue this was a welcomed addition to the unit.
The “APL” right toggle button controls the looper which is capable of 8-minutes of recording time along with an infinite amount of overlay tracks and thanks to the units USB connectivity loops can be easily exported to a computer via USB for secondary editing and creation. I really enjoyed this feature as it made the recording and transferring of riffs quick and easy and eliminated the need for additional equipment. The “APL” has a variety of interfaces, including TRS, AUX, OTG, PHONE, which can be connected to mobile devices, speakers, headphones, etc furthering the units versatility.
If all that wasn’t enough Donner also chose to include IR Modeler. This was probably my favorite feature of this whole things as the modeler allows you to replicate practically any guitar body out there. All the favorites are from Taylor, Martin and Gibson come pre-programmed and many others can be downloaded and emulated giving your guitar even more tonal capabilities.
If you have been looking for an all in one multi-unit and interface then look no further than the Donner “APL”. From its sturdy build quality and bright led display screen to its robust tonal features and a multitude of connectivity options you will be hard pressed to find another unit of this quality. With an MSRP of just $218.99 you get a lot of bang for your buck. Though I would have liked to have seen a few more controllable effects and parameters the units overall ease of use and build quality far out weighed this minute short coming.
98° BRINGS THEIR LEGACY ‘FULL CIRCLE’ WITH NEW ALBUM FEATURING RE-RECORDINGS, NEW SONGS, AND TOTAL CREATIVE CONTROL
Photo credit: Trevor PaulFor decades, the music industry thrived on contracts that kept artists from owning their own work, but those days are over. 98°, the multi-platinum, chart-dominating vocal group that soundtracked an era, is reclaiming their catalog and their career with their new album, ‘Full Circle’, out TODAY, May 9, 2025, through XOXO Entertainment Corp. A bold blend of past and present, the record features five brand-new tracks alongside re- recordings of their biggest hits, giving the group full ownership of the songs that helped define late ‘90s and early 2000s pop.
Managed by the legendary Johnny Wright and Joe Lilak at Wright Entertainment Group, 98° has sold over 15 million albums worldwide, earning eight Top 40 hits on the Billboard Hot 100, four Top 10 singles, and a No. 2 smash with “Give Me Just One Night (Una Noche)” in 2000. Their signature harmonies and R&B-tinged ballads became anthems of an era, from “The Hardest Thing” (No. 5, Billboard Hot 100) to “Because of You” (No. 3, Billboard Hot 100, Platinum-certified), securing their status as one of the most successful vocal groups of their time.
“Everything about this album is intentional,” says Nick Lachey, “We wanted to revisit these songs not just because fans love them, but because they’re part of our story. We lived them, we built this career from them, and now, we own them. That’s what Full Circle is about.”
This isn’t just a nostalgia play—it’s a reclamation. In an era where legendary acts are rewriting the rules, Full Circle proves that 98° is not just reflecting on their past but actively shaping their future. The album’s five new tracks showcase their evolution while staying true to the R&B-infused harmonies and heartfelt storytelling that first captured audiences. Lead single “Got U” sets the tone, written by Nick Lachey, Soulshock & Karlin (Whitney Houston, Usher), and Alex Cantrell (JoJo, Fantasia), and produced by Anders Bagge (Janet Jackson, Celine Dion, Madonna, Jennifer Lopez, Enrique Iglesias). Other highlights include “Stranger Things (Have Happened),” produced by Noah Conrad (BTS, Niall Horan, Chappell Roan), and “Tremble,” crafted by Grammy-winning producer Dave Audé (Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, Coldplay, Bruno Mars, U2) and the album’s focus track, “Mona Lisa,” featuring international superstar Janine, and produced by Multi-Platinum hitmaker Adam H. Hurstfield (Ray J, Ne-Yo, Elise Estrada, BoA, Girls Generation, Super Junior, DJ Khaled, Loverboy).
“We’ve lived with these hit songs for so many years they feel almost like old friends.” says Justin Jeffre “I think we’ve grown as artists and singers through the years so it was exciting to revisit those hits and try to capture that same feeling that made them hits while trying to make them even better than the original recordings.”
Then come the re-recordings—massive pop and R&B hits that once ruled the Billboard charts and now belong fully to the band. “Because of You,” “The Hardest Thing,” “Give Me Just One Night (Una Noche),” and “I Do (Cherish You)” all return with a fresh yet faithful approach, reaffirming 98°’s legacy as one of the most enduring vocal groups of their generation. Fans can also expect an exclusive Taglish version of “I Do (Cherish You),” featuring powerhouse vocalist Katrina Velarde, bridging the group’s deep-rooted connection to their loyal Filipino fanbase.
“The old industry model was built to keep artists in the passenger seat of their own careers,” says Drew Lachey, “We’ve spent decades performing these songs, and now we finally own them. This isn’t just a win for us—it’s a message to every artist out there.”
Unlike their peers, 98° wasn’t manufactured by a label—they formed organically, built their fanbase from the ground up, and defied the pop industry’s formulaic mold. Their commitment to staying authentic and adaptable has kept them a force in music for decades. As they prepare to take Full Circle on the road, they are proving that longevity in pop music is about taking control of your own history.
98° will kick off their album release with a series of live events and in-person signings:
May 10, 2025 Barnes And Nobel In-Store Autograph Signing, NY
May 30, 2025 SM Mall Of Asia Arena, Philippines
May 31, 2025 SM Mall Of Asia Arena, Philippines
June 27, 2025 OLG Stage, Niagara Falls, ON
July 25, 2025 Grey Eagle Casino, Calgary, AB
“98° isn’t just a moment in time,” says Jeff Timmons, “This album is about more than nostalgia—it’s about legacy. We’re not just revisiting our history, we’re owning it.”
Full Circle is available today, May 9 on all digital streaming platforms, LP vinyl, and CD.
CANNIBAL CORPSE Announces North American Headlining Tour This Fall
Tickets On Sale Friday, May 9th!
Death metal icons CANNIBAL CORPSE are pleased to announce their North American headlining tour this Fall. The journey will commence on September 15th in Nashville, Tennessee and make its way through over two dozen cities, the tour drawing to a close on October 22nd in Charlotte, North Carolina. Support will be provided by Municipal Waste and Fulci. The tour follows the band’s recent North America run with Meshuggah.
Blabbermouth and Knotfest presales begin Wednesday, May 7th at 10:00am local time. Local/promoter presales begin Thursday, May 8th at 10:00am local time.
General on sale date is Friday, May 9th at 10:00am local time at cannibalcorpse.net. See all confirmed dates below.
CANNIBAL CORPSE w/ Municipal Waste, Fulci:
9/15/2025 Marathon Music Works – Nashville, TN
9/17/2025 The Mill & Mine – Knoxville, TN
9/18/2025 Louder Than Life – Louisville, KY
9/19/2025 The Roxian – Pittsburgh, PA
9/20/2025 NE Metal and Hardcore Fest – Worcester, MA
9/22/2025 Buffalo RiverWorks – Buffalo, NY
9/23/2025 The Agora – Cleveland, OH
9/24/2025 The Intersection – Grand Rapids, MI
9/26/2025 The Rave – Milwaukee, WI
9/27/2025 Epic Event Center – Green Bay, WI
9/28/2025 First Ave – Minneapolis, MN
9/29/2025 The Truman – Kansas City, MO
9/30/2025 Diamond Ballroom – Oklahoma City, OK
10/02/2025 The Van Buren – Phoenix, AZ
10/03/2025 Ventura Theater – Ventura, CA
10/04/2025 House Of Blues – Anaheim, CA
10/05/2025 Soma – San Diego, CA
10/07/2025 Rialto Theater – Tucson, AZ
10/09/2025 The Aztec Theatre – San Antonio, TX
10/10/2025 House Of Blues – Houston, TX
10/11/2025 The Hall – Little Rock, AR
10/12/2025 Mars Music Hall – Huntsville, AL
10/14/2025 The Ritz – Raleigh, NC
10/15/2025 The National – Richmond, VA
10/17/2025 The Paramount – Huntington, NY
10/18/2025 Starland Ballroom – Sayreville, NJ
10/19/2025 The Fillmore – Silver Spring, MD
10/21/2025 The Norva – Norfolk, VA
10/22/2025 The Fillmore – Charlotte, NC
CANNIBAL CORPSE released their critically adored Chaos Horrific full-length in 2023 via Metal Blade Records. Produced again by guitarist Erik Rutan, who has now produced six of the band’s albums, Chaos Horrific is, without question, a full-on, CANNIBAL-style death metal outing, straight down to the themes, which include zombie warfare, resetting the human race through mass mutilations, and the violent revenge of victims of human trafficking, and its cover art by longtime collaborator Vince Locke. Wrote Decibel Magazine upon its release, “Chaos Horrific manages to be easily digestible while also being honeycombed with nuance and is a nearly perfect record.” Revolver concurred noting, “They’re one of the hardest working bands in the game, their sound has never gotten a drop less brutal, and their coolness factor has never waned.” Added Metal Hammer, “This band is an imperious, tweaked-to-perfection wrecking machine at this point.”
Chaos Horrific slaughtered Billboard charts upon its first week of release, earning the #7 position on the Billboard Album Sales chart, #2 on the Hard Music Albums chart, #3 on the Rock Albums chart, #5 on the Independent Label Albums chart, and more!
The record is available on digipak CD, cassette, and digital formats as well as vinyl in multiple limited color variants.
Secure your copy today at the CANNIBAL CORPSE store at: cannibalcorpse.store and Metal Blade at: metalblade.com/cannibalcorpse.
THE AYKROYD FAMILY AND JUDY BELUSHI’S ESTATE ARE PASSING THE BRIEFCASE OF BLUES TO THE NEXT GENERATION WITH ANNOUNCEMENT OF FIRST GRAPHIC NOVEL VIA Z2
FEATURING A FOREWORD BY DAN AYKROYD
The beloved Blues Brothers universe will come roaring back to life over the next few years with forays into television, film, live events, music and much more with the first IP offering being a brand new original Graphic Novel: THE BLUES BROTHERS: THE ESCAPE OF JOLIET JAKE. Written by Stella Aykroyd, Luke Pisano and James Werner with artist Felipe Sobriero, The Blues Brothers: The Escape of Joliet Jake is both a love letter and sequel to the original Blues Brothers film. With editorial oversight by Dan Aykroyd, the utmost care has been taken to ensure this new chapter is true to the classic skits, legendary film, and iconic albums. The result is a wild and entertaining ride for both the longtime fans, and those new to the world of Jake and Elwood Blues. This project was originally conceived with the architect of The Blues Brothers, Judy Belushi Pisano, who sadly passed away during this book’s production.
Luke Pisano shares “The Blues Brothers weren’t just a SNL act or movie, they were real musicians, in awe of the legends who came before them. This book is a continuation of that labor of love. This book is dedicated to my mother, Judy Belushi Pisano – the widow of John Belushi and the fierce, loving steward of the Blues Brothers legacy for over 40 years. After John’s passing, she didn’t just preserve the story—she expanded it. With the team at Z2, and with the talents of Stella and James, we finally found the right partners to make that dream turn reality. I am proud—and humbled—to continue her work in expanding this world of fun, music, and mischievousness.”
“It makes complete sense to me that the new generation of Blues Brothers will begin in comic book form, where the possibilities for destroying police cars is infinite, physics have no bounds, and the potential for jam partners is off the charts.” James Werner points out. “The Blues Brothers universe is full of music and absurdity. Jake and Elwood are FINALLY reuniting , and I am forever grateful that Luke and Stella have asked me to join the band.”
Stella Aykroyd adds “Elwood and Jake are precious to me, in fact, one of them is actually my Dad. I’ve helped him sharpie ELWOOD onto his knuckles before Blues Brothers shows with ‘Brother Zee’, I’ve walked behind him as he’s made his way through a sea of fans dressed as Elwood and Jake all over the world and I’ve been his co-pilot on the road, where he’s explained to me the proper way to T-bone a car. Now, with Elwood, and the one and only ‘Sister Zee’, Judy Belushi’s blessing, Luke, James, and I take the wheel and swerve into the endless possibilities that Z2, Felipe Sobreiro, and the comic book world provide for Jake and Elwood. In many ways the antics we’ve seen from the Blues Brothers have always been perfectly suited for the comic strip; flying cars, supernatural nuns, dusting an entire apartment building worth of bricks off your shoulders, and now Felipe Sobreiro’s illustrations bring them to life once again. Our development process was guided and inspired by the stories and real life occurrences from the lives of Judy, John, and Dan and their process of conception of the Blues Brothers and using it not only for easter eggs but for plot points. I am so excited to share this whole new story with all our music loving anarchists.”
Lastly, Z2 President, Josh Bernstein adds “The Blues Brothers are comedy, pop-culture and musical royalty. Z2 is proud to expand the creative universe built by Dan Akyroyd, John and Judy Belushi-Pisano and welcome new band members: Luke, Stella and James. When you mix their story with the art of Brazilian Blues Brother, Felipe Sobreiro, fans of all ages will be delighted with the epic return of Jake & Elwood Blues. (We apologize in advance to the fine men and women of the Chicago Police Department.)”
THE BLUES BROTHERS: THE SCAPE OF JOLIET JAKE will be available for pre-order via Amazon, Barnes and Noble, as well as many other fine independent book, comic, and record stores.
METALLICA
LOAD (REMASTERED)
LIMITED EDITION DELUXE BOX SET OUT JUNE 13
FEATURING PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED MATERIAL INCLUDING DEMOS, ROUGH MIXES, VIDEO, LIVE RECORDINGS & MORE
PRE-ORDERS LIVE NOW AT https://www.metallica.com/store/load-remastered/
“Until It Sleeps (Remastered)” Lyric Video Live Now
Metallica has announced the definitive re-release of the band’s 5x platinum sixth studio album Load, out June 13 via the band’s own Blackened Recordings.
Remastered by Reuben Cohen at Lurssen Mastering with Greg Fidelman overseeing, the Load Remastered Limited Edition Deluxe Box Set is available now for pre-order at https://www.metallica.com/store/load-remastered/ where full package details and track listings can be viewed. Pre-orders of the Deluxe Box will receive instant grat tracks “Until It Sleeps (Remastered),” “Until It Sleeps (Herman Melville Mix),” “F.O.B.D. (“Until It Sleeps” Rough Chorus Vocal Idea Mix),” and “Until It Sleeps (Live at Slim’s, San Francisco, CA – June 10th, 1996).”
Load (Remastered) will be released in formats including standard 180g 2LP, CD, cassette and digital (including a Spatial Audio mix using Atmos). Standard pre-orders receive “Until It Sleeps (Remastered)” IG, Expanded Edition pre-orders receive “Until It Sleeps (Remastered)” and “F.O.B.D. (“Until It Sleeps” Rough Chorus Vocal Idea Mix)” IGs. The 2LP, 3CD Expanded and Deluxe digital versions for the first time ever feature the extended version of “The Outlaw Torn,” originally edited for release due to time constraints of the CD format.
The Load Remastered Limited Edition Deluxe Box Set is an ambitious and comprehensive time capsule of 1995-97 era Metallica, jam-packed with exclusives including previously unreleased demos, rough mixes, live performances, on-air and television appearances, and much more. The one-time pressing will include the remastered Load album on 180g double vinyl, a “Mama Said” picture disc, and Loadapalooza ’96, a 140G triple album recorded live during Metallica’s Lollapalooza headlining run at Irvine Meadows Amphitheatre on August 4, 1996. The set’s 15 CDs range from the remastered Load album to never-before-released collected riffs, demos and rough mixes, B-Sides and rarities, and a wealth of live material, while its 4 DVDs offer a plethora of behind the scenes, in-studio and live footage, on-air and television appearances, the band’s Polar Beach Party visit to Tuktoyaktuk, Canada, and more. Rounding out the box’s content are memorabilia including a pack of 14 Rorschach Test cards, a Pushead patch, an 11×17 Lollapalooza poster, an Rolling Stone cover reproduction, a 5-pack of guitar/bass picks, lyric sheets, two laminated tour passes and a deluxe 128-page book.
Originally released June 4, 1996, Load was the second Metallica album to debut at #1 on the Billboard 200, where it would remain for four straight weeks. The 1995 sessions at The Plant in Sausalito CA that resulted in Load (as well as 1997’s ReLoad) would find James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Kirk Hammett, Jason Newsted creating yet another landmark of the Metallica catalog. Currently, two of Load’s four singles—“Until It Sleeps” and “King Nothing”—have been lighting up crowds the world over in regular rotation on the setlists of the band’s M72 World Tour.
GHOST
SKELETÁ
NEW ALBUM OUT NOW
“Peacefield” New Single Live Now
Following what seemed an interminable wait to its global legion of fans, GHOST’s excruciatingly anticipated new album, SKELETÁ, is at long last out today, April 25, via Loma Vista Recordings.
The lead up to SKELETÁ’s full release has been punctuated by a cavalcade of world-spanning events that have only elevated the fervor of the album’s exuberant welcome. This week alone witnessed the unveiling of the recorded version of “Peacefield,” the monolithic anthem opening both the new record and the sold-out arena performances comprising the first leg of the SKELETOUR WORLD TOUR 2025. The faithful also assembled in full regalia for SKELETÁ-Eve Midnight Sales celebrating the arrival of the band’s sixth psalm at close to 150 record stores around the globe. With demand for the midnight mass events far exceeding the number of suitable physical locations, GHOST’s added live-streamed SKELETÁ Rockin’ Eve event took the invocation of the new offering to devotees in all corners of the world, ensuring that not a single fan was left out of the festivities.
The coming of SKELETÁ was previously heralded by first single “Satanized”—dubbed a “catchy goth-rock epic” by VICE—and the rapturously received “Lachryma”—deemed “economical, vicious, and contemporary, but tinged by ‘80s rhapsody” by PASTE and “phantasmagoric” by REVOLVER. Both advance tracks have remained perched atop streaming music and video charts, thanks to GHOST’s singularly passionate following that includes more than 10 million combined Spotify monthly listeners and YouTube subscribers.
As if all of the above was not enough, GHOST’s blockbuster SKELETOUR WORLD TOUR 2025 opened to overwhelmingly ecstatic critical and popular reception from the moment the first notes of “Peacefield” filled the AO Arena in Manchester UK with deafening applause on the tour’s April 15 opening night. Featuring the flesh and bone debut of frontman Papa V Perpetua, the SKELETOUR WORLD TOUR 2025 is the most staggeringly ambitious incarnation of the GHOST live ritual to date. Having completed a string of sold out arena shows across the UK, the tour is currently making its way through the European territories, presaging a North American campaign that will begin July 9 in Baltimore and include GHOST’s historic first-ever headlining show at New York’s hallowed Madison Square Garden on July 22. With more shows to be announced soon, the SKELETOUR WORLD TOUR 2025 ritual experience promises to expand the GHOST community to attract its largest and most diverse audiences to date. From lifelong disciples to the curious uninitiated first-timers to the outcasts and others who find solace in the ritual, all are welcome to escape the travails of daily life and to become one with the enthralling spectacle hailed by KERRANG on opening night in Manchester as “bones and wings and sparkling and bedazzled macabre glory… f***ing brilliant.”
The tour’s kick-off also marked the world premiere of GTV, the new channel dedicated to exclusive coverage of all things GHOST and SKELETOUR. Join host Vanessa Warwick as she welcomes any and all to join the Ghoulbangers’ Ball for in-depth and behind the scenes coverage available only HERE
GHOST
SKELETOUR WORLD TOUR 2025
(More dates to come)
04/26/25 – Lyon, FR – LDLC Arena
04/27/25 – Toulouse, FR – Zénith Toulouse Métropole
04/29/25 – Lisbon, PT – MEO Arena
04/30/25 – Madrid, ES – Palacio Vistalegre
05/03/25 – Zürich, CH – Hallenstadion Zürich
05/04/25 – Milan, IT – Unipol Forum
05/07/25 – Berlin, DE – Uber Arena
05/08/25 – Amsterdam, NL – Ziggo Dome
05/10/25 – Lodz, PL – Atlas Arena
05/11/25 – Prague, CZ – O2 Arena
05/13/25 – Paris, FR – Accor Arena
05/14/25 – Oberhausen, DE – Rudolf Weber-ARENA
05/15/25 – Hannover, DE – ZAG Arena
05/17/25 – Copenhagen, DK – Royal Arena
05/20/25 – Tampere, FI – Nokia Arena
05/22/25 – Linköping, SE – Saab Arena
05/23/25 – Sandviken, SE – Göransson Arena
05/24/25 – Oslo, NO – Oslo Spektrum
07/05/25 – Birmingham, UK – Back to the Beginning
07/09/25 – Baltimore, MD – CFG Bank Arena
07/11/25 – Atlanta, GA – State Farm Arena
07/12/25 – Tampa, FL – Amalie Arena
07/13/25 – Miami, FL – Kaseya Center
07/15/25 – Raleigh, NC – Lenovo Center
07/17/25 – Cleveland, OH – Rocket Arena
07/18/25 – Pittsburgh, PA – PPG Paints Arena
07/19/25 – Philadelphia, PA – Wells Fargo Center
07/21/25 – Boston, MA – TD Garden
07/22/25 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden
07/24/25 – Detroit, MI – Little Caesars Arena
07/25/25 – Louisville, KY – KFC Yum! Center
07/26/25 – Nashville, TN – Bridgestone Arena
07/28/25 – Grand Rapids, MI – Van Andel Arena
07/29/25 – Milwaukee, WI – Fiserv Forum
07/30/25 – St. Louis, MO – Enterprise Center
08/01/25 – Rosemont, IL – Allstate Arena
08/02/25 – Saint Paul, MN – Xcel Energy Center
08/03/25 – Omaha, NE – CHI Health Center
08/05/25 – Kansas City, MO – T-Mobile Center
08/07/25 – Denver, CO – Ball Arena
08/09/25 – Las Vegas, NV – MGM Grand Garden Arena
08/10/25 – San Diego, CA – Viejas Arena
08/11/25 – Phoenix, AZ – Footprint Center
08/14/25 – Austin, TX – Moody Center
08/15/25 – Fort Worth, TX – Dickies Arena
08/16/25 – Houston, TX – Toyota Center
09/24/25 – Mexico City, MX – Palacio de los Deportes
09/25/25 – Mexico City, MX – Palacio de los Deportes
