Austrian crossover legends KONTRUST are one of the most extravagant and exciting acts on the scene. On their first album in nine years, KONTRUST present new vocalist Julia Ivanova and new drummer Joey Sebald, who already won over live audiences in the summer of 2022 at huge festivals such as Graspop Metal Meeting, Hellfest Open Air, Barcelona Rockfest and Resurrection Fest.

Throughout their two decade-spanning career, the Austrian based outfit has gained millions and millions of YouTube views with their exciting music videos, with over 15 million views on the electrifying hits “Hey DJ!” and “Bomba” alone. With their new album, madworld, KONTRUST prove their standing as an unpredictable force in the scene – ready to exceed everything they have achieved so far!

Media Mikes had a chance to chat with Kontrust members Manuel Haglmüller & Julia Ivanova about the new album and what fans can expect next from the band.

ALKALINE TRIO
BLOOD, HAIR, AND EYEBALLS
NEW ALBUM OUT JANUARY 26, 2024 ON RISE RECORDS

RAVI DHAR-DIRECTED VIDEO FOR TITLE TRACK LIVE NOW AT https://youtu.be/CprfYX6hij4
NORTH AMERICAN TOUR DATES ON SALE 12PM EST AT http://alkalinetrio.shofetti.com/

Album Available for Pre-Order at alkalinetrio.com and alkalinetrio.store

Alkaline Trio walks among us once again. On January 26, 2024, everyone’s favorite tortured triumvirate will return in Grand Guignol style with Blood, Hair, and Eyeballs, its tenth album and first full length offering of new material to be released in (66)6 years.

Recorded with GRAMMY-winning producer Cameron Webb at Studio 606 in Northridge CA, Blood, Hair, and Eyeballs finds Alkaline Trio stripping its sound down to the skin and bones of its unmistakable sonic spirit, while taking that dark essence to parts previously unknown. Accompanied by the premiere of a fittingly kinetic video directed by Ravi Dhar and featuring pro skaters including Steve Caballero, Chris Cole and more, the album’s first single and title track exemplifies its balance of the eerily familiar and the shock of the new. Oh, and there’s that song/album title…

“My mom worked for years as an emergency room nurse,” says vocalist/guitarist/founder Matt Skiba. “She and her co-workers referred to exceptionally busy nights as ‘blood, hair, and eyeballs’. Well, we’ve been busy making an exceptional record we refer to as Blood, Hair, and Eyeballs, too. We approached this new record in completely new ways. We built the songs together, from the ground up, in the same room which hasn’t happened since the band started. Usually we start with an idea somebody’s already written. This time, we had the unique opportunity to build the songs onto drums recorded at Studio 606 on to two-inch tape using one of the most beautiful-sounding and legendary consoles in rock. It has almost everything to do with how our new record sounds.”

Of the “Blood, Hair, and Eyeballs” video, bassist/vocalist Dan Andriano adds, “Sometimes the full circle nature of life is enough to just completely blow my mind… this is one of those times. Skateboarding was my first love, is my favorite sport, and a community through which I was first introduced to punk rock. So when Matt and I read Ravi’s idea to combine our music with an homage to the Bones Brigade’s ‘The Search For Animal Chin’ and throw some spooky zombies in there… we both dug it right away. The work Ravi and the entire production crew put in was insane and it shows… So to kick off the release of our 10th album with this super fun video featuring Steve Caballero, Chris Cole, Ace, Corey and Shea is so much more than a dream come true, it’s true love. This is not a phase.”

In addition to being a darkly shining exemplar of the Trio’s signature blend of wry lyrical wit and bittersweet melodic sensibility, Blood, Hair, and Eyeballs arrives in a confluence of endings and beginnings—specifically, it’s both the first album to be released via the band’s new label home, Rise Records, and the last to feature longtime member Derek Grant, drummer on every Alkaline Trio record since 2003’s classic Good Mourning.

See below for Blood, Hair, and Eyeballs’ tracklist, as well as a full list of upcoming live dates (with support from Drug Church), on which Skiba and Andriano will be joined by veteran drummer Atom Willard (Against Me!, Rocket from the Crypt). “Playing with Atom is so inspiring,” says Andriano. “His motor is unparalleled.”

ALKALINE TRIO
Blood, Hair, and Eyeballs

Tracklist:
Hot For Preacher
Meet Me
Versions Of You
Bad Time
Scars
Break
Shake With Me
Blood, Hair, And Eyeballs
Hinterlude
Broken Down In A Time Machine
Teenage Heart

North American Tour 2024
(DRUG CHURCH supports on all dates)

Thu — Feb 22, 2024 — Anaheim, CA — HOB Anaheim
Fri — Feb 23, 2024 — San Diego, CA — SOMA
Sat — Feb 24, 2024 — Phoenix, AZ — Van Buren
Mon — Feb 26, 2024 — Dallas, TX — HOB Dallas
Tue — Feb 27, 2024 — Austin, TX — Stubbs
Wed — Feb 28, 2024 — Houston, TX — HOB Houston
Fri — Mar 1, 2024 — Atlanta, GA — Tabernacle
Sat — Mar 2, 2024 — Orlando, FL — HOB Orlando
Sun — Mar 3, 2024 — Charlotte, NC — Fillmore
Tue — Mar 5, 2024 — Washington D.C. — Fillmore Silver Spring
Wed — Mar 6, 2024 — Philadelphia, PA — Fillmore Philadelphia
Fri — Mar 8, 2024 — Cleveland, OH — Agora Theater and Ballroom
Sat — Mar 9, 2024 — Queens, NY — Knockdown Center
Sun — Mar 10, 2024 — Boston, MA — HOB Boston
Tue — Mar 12, 2024 — Toronto, ON — History
Wed — Mar 13, 2024 — Montreal, QC — Beanfield
Fri — Mar 15, 2024 — Royal Oak, MI — Royal Oak Music Theatre
Sat — Mar 16, 2024 — Chicago, IL — Aragon Ballroom
Sun — Mar 17, 2024 — St. Louis, MO — The Pageant
Mon — Mar 18, 2024 — Minneapolis, MN — Fillmore Minneapolis
Wed — Mar 20, 2024 — Denver, CO — Fillmore Auditorium
Thu — Mar 21, 2024 — Salt Lake City, UT — The Complex
Sat — Mar 23, 2024 — Seattle, WA — Showbox SoDo
Sun — Mar 24, 2024 — Vancouver, BC — Vogue Theatre
Mon — Mar 25, 2024 — Portland, OR — Crystal Ballroom
Wed — Mar 27, 2024 — San Francisco, CA — The Masonic
Fri — Mar 29, 2024 — Los Angeles, CA — Novo
Sat — Mar 30, 2024 — Las Vegas, NV — Brooklyn Bowl Las Vegas

Kid Cudi Surprises Star Trek Fans on New York Comic Con Stage

During the Star Trek Universe Panel at New York Comic Con, Scott Mescudi, better known by his stage name Kid Cudi, wowed “Star Trek” fans in a surprise appearance to a packed room discussing his exclusive collaboration as part of “Star Trek’s” all-new “Boldly Be” campaign.

The panel was moderated by Josh Horowitz, best known for his work as a correspondent for MTV News and as a host of the podcast, Happy Sad Confused. Horowitz kicked off the panel by welcoming the crowd and introducing Executive Producer and the person at the helm for the Star Trek franchise, Alex Kurtzman, who debuted never-before-seen behind-the-scenes footage of Kid Cudi’s collaboration with the “Star Trek” universe.

Photo Credit: Catherine Powell/Getty Images for Paramount+

Kurtzman then shocked the New York Comic Con audience by introducing Kid Cudi himself for a brief moderated conversation, where he shared discovering his love of “Star Trek” through his father, as well as details behind the exclusive partnership – which includes a capsule streetwear collection, an immersive Fortnite gaming experience, and a new single, “Heaven’s Galaxy,” out now.

Photo Credit: Catherine Powell/Getty Images for Paramount+

The panel also treated fans to a special advance screening of an all-new episode from the current season of the hit Paramount+ original animated comedy series, Star Trek: Lower Decks, followed by a conversation with Alex Kurtzman and fellow Executive Producer, Mike McMahan. Season four of STAR TREK: LOWER DECKS is produced by CBS’ Eye Animation Productions, CBS Studios’ animation arm; Secret Hideout; and Roddenberry Entertainment. Secret Hideout’s Alex Kurtzman, Roddenberry Entertainment’s Rod Roddenberry and Trevor Roth and Katie Krentz (219 Productions) serve as executive producers alongside creator and showrunner Mike McMahan. Aaron Baiers (Secret Hideout), who brought McMahan to the project, also serves as an executive producer. Titmouse (Big Mouth), the Emmy Award-winning independent animation production company, serves as the animation studio for the series.

Photo Credit: Catherine Powell/Getty Images for Paramount+

After the panel, Kid Cudi then stopped by the official Star Trek x Kid Cudi booth, surprising “Star Trek” fans on the Javits show floor.

Photo Credit: Catherine Powell/Getty Images for Paramount+

The “Boldly Be” campaign takes its inspiration from “Star Trek’s” ethos of IDIC (Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations), the basis of Vulcan philosophy that the vast variables create truth, beauty, and strength.

The campaign kicked off on October 12th at the start of New York Comic Con with the release of an original Kid Cudi song inspired by “Star Trek” titled “Heaven’s Galaxy.” Fans can also visit the Star Trek x Kid Cudi booth that will showcase the capsule collection and a first look at the Fortnite gaming experience at NYCC on the Javits show floor from October 12 – October 15, booth 2653.

“Heavens Galaxy” was written by Cudi, produced by longtime collaborator Dot Da Genius and inspired by Cudi’s own fandom of Star Trek. It is available now on all streaming platforms.

Further celebrating the partnership, the Kid Cudi x “Star Trek” capsule collection debuted this week at New York Comic Con including tees, crewnecks, hoodies, a custom button-up t-shirt and a colorful leather varsity jacket with robust chenille and embroidery details. The collection will have a preorder window exclusively for attendees at NYCC, followed by the global release on shop.kidcudi.com on October 16.

Fans can also join “Star Trek,” Kid Cudi, and Fortnite as they embark on an out-of-this-world music and gaming collaboration like nothing this Galaxy has seen before! Star Trek x Kid Cudi: Mirror Mayhem brings Kid Cudi into the worlds of both “Star Trek” and Fortnite to perform his brand-new “Star Trek”-themed music collaboration “Heaven’s Galaxy” as well as never before heard songs from his new album INSANO. Boldly Go as you partner with Captain Skyles (Kid Cudi) on a mission to uncover the source of a sonic anomaly that threatens the peaceful planet Vada. Beam down to explore, discover, and defend a world these forces are threatening to tear apart. It’s up to you and other Starfleet recruits to work together with Captain Skyles to uncover the source of this musical malady and restore the harmony of Vada while there’s still time! The immersive Fortnite gaming experience is now live. Watch the game trailer here that can also be viewed at the NYCC booth today and throughout the weekend.

Follow @StarTrek on social and stay tuned to StarTrek.com for more details on how to get involved with “Boldly Be.”

@StarTrek
#StarTrekBoldlyBe

Listen to new song “Heaven’s Galaxy” HERE
Watch the Fortnite gaming experience trailer HERE

Alumni of American Idol, Bo Bice is hitting the road with his next upcoming stop being at the Garden Theatre in Winter Garden, Florida. “Bo Bice: In Concert” hits the stage on October 13-14, 2023!! Bo takes out sometime to chat with Media Mikes to discuss the plans and what to expect for the concerts.

Click here to get tickets: https://gardentheatre.org/event/bo-bice/

METAL ALLEGIANCE SET TO ROCK ANAHEIM WITH SPECIAL 10th ANNIVERSARY SHOW ON JANUARY 25TH 2024

METAL ALLEGIANCE began as a celebration of heavy metal, powered by the almost tribal bond shared between the extreme music community’s most revered trailblazers, armed with a list of contributors onstage (and off) that read like a Wikipedia entry on the genre itself.

On January 25th 2024, the band will re-assemble at The House Of Blues Anaheim for the bands 10th anniversary celebration (which will also coincide with the return of the Winter NAMM show). The night will be sponsored by Dean Guitars, ddrum and Heavys Headphones, with opening acts being Dieth, Held Hostage and QUOR.

The last time Metal Allegiance played at the House of Blues Anaheim was in 2020, right before the world shut down; the show garnered rave reviews, such as North East Rock Review saying “I have attended a couple Metal Allegiance shows over the years and they seem to get better every year. When attending the NAMM show, this is one of the shows not to miss.” Additionally, LA Metal Media added, “Metal Allegiance is an incredible coalition of the metal community’s most incredible and notable musicians today; a coalition that pays tribute to some of the best metal music ever written. Be sure to check out this amazing assembly of metal greats if you can whenever they play live.”

Metal Hammer raved about one of their past Anaheim shows, “Tonight the mayhem rises exponentially as a platoon of legends descends on the House of Blues – tucked deep in the heart of downtown Disney – even the besieged bar staff pause to witness the carnage.” while Cryptic Rock suggested, “Anyone who has the chance to see this should run, not walk, and join the Allegiance.”

“When Metal Allegiance first came together in 2014, no one could have guessed that ten years later, we’d be planning this anniversary show. The world feels different now than it did then, but we’re still here, music still unites and that is cause to celebrate. Among the many MA highlights over the past decade have been our shows in Anaheim, which always create a lot of great memories. This time will be no exception and no better way to mark our ten-year milestone. See you there!” – Alex Skolnick

Tickets can be purchased starting October 13 via Ticketmaster here https://tinyurl.com/4zxafxvh

Also available will be a VIP upgrade package, which will include:

• Early access into the venue
• Exclusive pre-show Meet & Greet with members of Metal Allegiance
• Personal photograph & autograph signing with members of Metal Allegiance
• Collectible show poster (which they’ll happily sign for you)
• Official Meet & Greet VIP laminate
• Crowd-fee access to the merch booth

VIP packages can be purchased via http://metalallegiance.bigcartel.com/product/vip-meet-greet-hob-2024

Please keep in mind that this is a VIP upgrade only. A ticket to the concert is required to attend pre-show meet & greet.

“I never in my life imagined a band like MA would exist, let alone write and record one record… here we are a few records, an EP and many shows/tours later celebrating our 10th year of existence. Pretty surreal. It’s been a minute since the ‘Core4’ have been in the same room. Excited to see my brothers, jam and laugh w/ them again. Only one place to kick off the festivities and that’s our home away from home at the House of Blues in Anaheim Cal-i-forn-i-A.” – Mark Menghi

Since the band’s inception in 2014, Metal Allegiance is comprised of the core 4 members of (Mark Menghi – bass, songwriter, Alex Skolnick – guitars, David Ellefson – bass, and Mike Portnoy – drums), and has issued two full-lengths (2015’s self-titled debut and 2018’s Volume II: Power Drunk Majesty) and an EP (2016’s Fallen Heroes).

In addition to Menghi, Portnoy, Skolnick, and Ellefson, the show will feature John Bush (Armored Saint), Chuck Billy (Testament), Troy Sanders (Mastodon), Brann Dailor (Mastodon), Andreas Kisser (Sepultura), Bobby Blitz (Overkill), Gary Holt (Exodus/Slayer), Doc Coyle (Bad Wolves / God Forbid), Hel Pyre (Nervosa) and Chris Poland (ex-Megadeth), among others in addition to their usual unannounced surprise guests.

Members of Metal Allegiance are certainly looking forward to the show:

“Metal Allegiance’s annual Anaheim shows are always one of the metal events of the year! This will be our return to Anaheim for the first time since our last show there weeks before the world shut down at the beginning of 2020, so I can’t wait to get back and throw down with my metal brothers and sisters once again! \m/ “ – Mike Portnoy

“It’s hard to believe it’s been 10 years since we started Metal Allegiance out on the Motorhead Motorboat Cruise, but here we are, a couple of albums and a whole bunch of shows later, celebrating the strength and resilience of heavy metal together. Looking forward to the show as everything is back in the swing during NAMM 2024!” – David Ellefson

“Great to be part of this killer 10-year event with MA. The head-banging doesn’t get any better than this!” – Bobby Blitz (Overkill)

“I am thrilled to get the band back together for a 10th anniversary Metal Allegiance throwdown! We look forward to another memorable show with all our friends!” – Troy Sanders (Mastodon)

“So stoked to be able to return once again to Metal Allegiance for the 10-year anniversary of the world’s foremost collection of metal maniacs, all sharing a stage together! It’s been way too long, I am fired up for this! Bring it on!” – Gary Holt (Exodus / Slayer)

FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT:
http://metalallegiance.com

METAL GODS JUDAS PRIEST ANNOUNCE NEW STUDIO ALBUM INVINCIBLE SHIELD OUT MARCH 8, 2024

NEW SINGLE “PANIC ATTACK” OUT FRIDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2023

WATCH THE ALBUM TRAILER HERE

Following a storming headline show at Power Trip Festival in California last night, metal icons Judas Priest announced on stage the arrival of a brand-new studio album entitled Invincible Shield, set for release on March 8, 2024, via Epic Records. “Panic Attack,” the first single from the album, will be released this Friday, October 13, 2023. The album is now available to pre-order here.

Power Trip festival took place at the weekend and saw the biggest names in metal gather for this sold-out event, where everyone from Metallica to Iron Maiden and AC/DC performed alongside the mighty Priest. Their surprise on-stage announcement was made to 200,000 fans at the festival and sent a shockwave of excitement amongst their loyal followers across the globe.

The undisputed hardest working band in metal will also be embarking on a world tour in 2024, the with the UK leg kicking off in Glasgow on March 11th and includes a show at London’s OVO Wembley Arena on March 21st.

Over the past 50 years Judas Priest have sold over 50 million albums worldwide and headlined the world’s biggest stadiums. With their evolving music and live performances also came a powerful unique identity, a look which has both defined the group and influenced future generations of metal bands the world over. With each year the Judas Priest legend continues to grow; 2022 saw them inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and complete a sold-out rescheduled world tour in support of their 50th Anniversary. As we roll into 2024, Judas Priest continue to retain their crown as one of the biggest and best bands in the world.

FOO FIGHTERS
EVERYTHING OR NOTHING AT ALL TOUR
U.S. STADIUM DATES 2024

Tickets On Sale Friday, October 6 at 10am Local Time
Pre-Sales and Additional Information at foofighters.com

Support Acts to Include Pretenders, The Hives, Mammoth WVH, Amyl and The Sniffers, Alex G and L7

“Grohl and his counterparts—Chris Shiflett, Nate Mendel, Pat Smear, Rami Jaffee and newly inked drummer Josh Freese—always come wholly alive when they are in concert” — Chicago Sun-Times

With their universally acclaimed 11th album But Here We Are stacking up Best of 2023 So Far accolades and singles “Rescued” and “Under You” cementing the band’s tally of more #1s than any other artist at Rock and Alternative Radio, Foo Fighters have confirmed a massive run of summer 2024 U.S. Stadium dates. The newly announced leg of the Everything or Nothing at All Tour will kick off with the band’s return to New York’s Citi Field for the first time since 2015 for a July 17 and 19 doubleheader and will see Foo Fighters host 12 rock ’n’ roll marathons at 10 stadiums, including a pair of shows August 9 and 11 at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles.

General on sale for tickets begins Friday, October 6 at 10am local time. For pre-sales and further information, please visit foofighters.com.

Foo Fighters’ 2024 stadium dates will mark the band’s biggest U.S. headline shows since the June 2 release of But Here We Are, which has landed on the mid-year best of lists of Alternative Press, Consequence, Entertainment Weekly, The Los Angeles Times, Loudwire and Uproxx among others, while generating some of the most positive critical notes in Foo Fighters history, including:

“Tragedy isn’t necessary to produce transcendent music. But here, it did.” — THE ATLANTIC

“★★★★★ Stunning … a standout, and at times stunning, piece of work … quite possibly their best and most meaningful album.” – GOLDMINE

“Explosive, emotional and inspired… a back-to-basics immediacy and intensity… The undercurrent holding all of ‘But Here We Are’ together is not an idea so much as raw emotion. Grohl’s melodies are as soaring and anthemic as they’ve sounded in years; his vocals are freshly impassioned and heartfelt.” — THE NEW YORK TIMES

“A fantastic record full of riffs and reflection… so catchy and vibrant, so brimming with wild-eyed wonder… Grohl clearly understands that we honor departed loved ones by building new joys we wish they were around to share.” – NPR

“Dave Grohl gives himself over to arena-sized grief, reckoning, and resolve on the band’s most propulsive and purposeful music of the last two decades… offering earnest hope, fond reminiscence, and skyscraping choruses” — PITCHFORK

“One of the strongest albums of the band’s career… reckoning with the conundrums of human existence through the sheer power of music” — SPIN

“Memorable and meaningful” — USA TODAY

“Aching directness and wounded sweetness make a potent combination here… But Here We Are pulses with the sense that the future happened too quickly, and we’re all having to navigate situations and handle emotions we thought we’d get to much later in life. These songs chart the push through denial into the acceptance of the reality of death and the lifetime journey of bereavement.” — VULTURE

Support on the various dates will come from Pretenders, The Hives, Mammoth WVH, Amyl and The Sniffers, Alex G and L7. See below for a full list of dates and details.

FOO FIGHTERS
U.S. STADIUM DATES 2024

Wednesday, July 17 — New York NY — Citi Field *
Friday, July 19 – New York NY — Citi Field #
Sunday, July 21 – Boston MA — Fenway Park #
Tuesday, July 23 – Hershey PA — Hersheypark Stadium #
Thursday, July 25 – Cincinnati OH — Great American Ballpark *
Sunday, July 28 – Minneapolis MN — Target Field **
Saturday, August 3 – Denver CO — Empower Field at Mile High *
Wednesday, August 7 – San Diego CA — Petco Park $
Friday, August 9 – Los Angeles CA — BMO Stadium #
Sunday, August 11 – Los Angeles CA — BMO Stadium %
Thursday, August 16 – Portland OR — Providence Park Soccer Stadium %
Saturday, August 18 – Seattle WA — T-Mobile Park %

* Pretenders & Mammoth WVH Support
** Pretenders & L7 Support
# The Hives & Amyl and The Sniffers Support
$ The Hives & Alex G Support
% Pretenders & Alex G Support

Citi is the official card of the above Foo Fighters shows. Citi cardmembers will have access to presale tickets beginning Tuesday, October 3 at 10am local time until Thursday, October 5 at 10pm local time through the Citi Entertainment program. For complete presale details visit www.citientertainment.com.

Fabio Frizzi is an Italian musician and composer. He is best known for his film scores like “Zombie” and “The Beyond” and was a frequent collaborator with horror director Lucio Fulci. Recently Fabio has been re-recording the scores to his films like “The Beyond” and most recently “Zombie” and taking them on the road to tour with his band. Media Mikes had a chance to chat about the new changes in the Composer Cut of “Zombie” and plans for his upcoming tour!

BRUCE DICKINSON
ANNOUNCES
THE MANDRAKE PROJECT

BRAND NEW SOLO ALBUM IN 2024
OPENING TOUR DATES REVEALED

Renowned around the world as one of the greatest and most distinctive heavy metal vocalists of all time, Bruce Dickinson will be releasing a brand-new solo album in early 2024 on BMG Records. Entitled The Mandrake Project it sees him reunited with long-time musical collaborator and producer Roy Z.

The Mandrake Project will be Dickinson’s seventh solo album and his first since Tyranny Of Souls in 2005.

Dickinson explains, “This album has been a very personal journey for me and I am extremely proud of it. Roy Z and I have been planning, writing and recording it for years, and I am very excited for people to finally hear it. I’m even more excited at the prospect of getting out on the road with this amazing band that we have put together, to be able to bring it to life. We’re planning to play as many shows as we can in as many places as possible, for as many people as we can!
As for what The Mandrake Project actually is… all will be revealed soon!”

www.themandrakeproject.com

The first live shows to be announced are in Mexico and Brazil in April and May 2024, with further touring plans to be revealed in due course.

Bruce Dickinson – The Mandrake Project Tour

18th April – Diana Theater, Guadalajara, Mexico
20th April – Pepsi Theatre, Mexico City, Mexico
24th April – Live Curitiba, Curitiba, Brazil
25th April – Pepsi On Stage, Porto Alegre, Brazil
27th April – Opera Hall, Brasilia, Brazil
28th April – Arena Hall, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
30th April – Qualistage, Rio De Janeiro, Brazil
2nd May – Quinta Linda, Ribeirao Preto, Brazil
4th May – Vibra, Sao Paulo, Brazil

Tickets will be available from https://brucedickinson.lnk.to/tourPR

Z2 Comics Captures the Historical PMRC Hearings with Dee Snider: He’s Not Gonna Take It

Rolling Stone full story

COURTESY OF Z2 COMICS

More than 35 years ago, Twisted Sister frontman Dee Snider marched into the United States Senate’s Committee on Commerce in a jean jacket and tank top to confront a band of concerned Washington housewives hellbent on silencing the howl of metal and beyond. Co-founded by Tipper Gore, a committee of politicians’ spouses labeling themselves the Parents Music Resource Center (PMRC) had lobbied to plaster “Parental Advisory: Explicit Lyrics” labels on any music that conformed to their definition of sexual, violent, or drug-endorsing. Partnering with Z2 Comics, Snider’s war to preserve the First Amendment will be immortalized in He’s Not Gonna Take It, a graphic novel charting the rocker’s passionate battle against censorship alongside writer Frank Marraffino (Marvel Zombies) and artist Steve Kurth (Avengers, X-Force). Dee Snider: He’s Not Gonna Take It will be available at retailers everywhere on November 21, 2023.

This new graphic novel will follow the impact of Dee’s battle for freedom of expression in the arts throughout his life. From a childhood where he was frequently silenced, through the early efforts to stifle his band’s music, to the open warfare of the PMRC hearings in Washington DC, and his current efforts on social media. He’s Not Gonna Take It tells the story of why free speech is so important to this man who has fought for it…even when it endangered everything that was important to him.

Z2 Comics and Dee Snider present He’s Not Gonna Take It featuring cover art by Erik Rodriguez and Josh Bernstein. Deluxe editions include retro-comic art prints from Roy Burdine, Javier Aranda, and Carlos Olivares. DEE SNIDER: He’s Not Gonna Take It will be available as a Deluxe Edition for a list price of $99.99 (includes Deluxe Edition Graphic Novel Oversized HC with Slipcase, Signed by Dee Snider, Commemorative Coin, and three Retro Dee Snider Commemorative Art Prints), hardcover for a list price of $29.99, and paperback for a list price of $24.99 (ISBN: 979-8-88656-030-5) – available at retailers everywhere on November 21, 2023. Preorder link.

About Dee Snider
Dee Snider was ranked as one of the top 100 metal vocalists of all time by the magazine Hit Parader. His 1984 album with Twisted Sister, Stay Hungry, sold 3 million copies in the United States and around 8 million copies worldwide, with lead single “We’re Not Gonna Take It” eliciting ire from the PMRC. Snider would go on to co-found the ‘90s metal band Widowmaker before writing and starring in the cult horror film Strangeland in 1998. Snider has been the host of The House of Hair radio show since 1997, curating heavy metal, glam, and hard rock primarily rooted in the ‘80s and ‘90s and syndicated over 200 markets.

About Z2 Comics
Recently dubbed the “Hottest brand in music” by Forbes, Z2 Comics has quickly become the premier destination for authentic graphic novels and collectibles, created in partnership with top-tier artists, musicians, and pop-culture icons. Distributed globally via Simon & Schuster, multiple Eisner and Ringo-winning Z2 Comics has produced 50-plus unique graphic novel properties, collaborating with Gorillaz, Blondie, Elvis Presley, “Weird Al” Yankovic, Pantera, Tori Amos, Last Podcast On The Left, Emily Hampshire, Balmain Paris, Joan Jett & The Blackhearts, Jason Derulo, The Grateful Dead, Machine Gun Kelly, Sublime, Beethoven, RZA, Mötley Crüe, Vince Staples, Cheech & Chong, The Doors, Anthrax, Public Enemy, Ronnie James Dio, King Diamond, All Time Low, Ivan Moody, Yungblud, Cypress Hill, Babymetal, Major Lazer, RZA, Alter Bridge, Sturgill Simpson, Poppy, John Lee Hooker, and Charlie “Bird” Parker. For more information visit Z2comics.com, and follow us on Instagram (@z2comics) and Twitter/X (@z2comics).

QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE
THE END IS NERO TOUR
December West Coast Dates Added
Spiritualized Confirmed to Support

“The last hard-’n’-heavy band that matters proved [that rock] isn’t dead yet.”
-The Washington Post

Queens of the Stone Age have announced a run of west coast dates to round out their epic worldwide The End Is Nero tour. Following another run of sold out arenas across the UK & Europe, the band will resume its North American campaign in Phoenix, sweeping through the Southwest before wrapping up 2023 in grand fashion with a December 16 headline at the Kia Forum in its homebase of Los Angeles.

Queens of the Stone Age are pleased to announce Spiritualized will be opening this run of December dates in North America. Led by J Spaceman, Spiritualized are supporting their stunning ninth album, Everything Was Beautiful.

The End is Nero tour is in support of the eighth Queen of the Stone Age studio album, In Times New Roman… recently hailed by Variety as “self-produced by band founder Homme and one of his strongest QOTSA lineups ever, is one of the rawest and heaviest albums the band has delivered, and during Saturday’s Queens, New York stop of their The End Is Nero Tour, they proved that sometimes the new material can be a live standout…”

Tickets for the newly announced dates will be on sale Friday, 9/22/23 at 10AM local time. Full routing below – for tickets and info visit https://qotsa.com/tour

Newly announced The End Is Nero dates:

12/05/23 – Phoenix, AZ – Arizona Financial Theatre
12/06/23 – El Paso, TX – Abraham Chavez Theatre
12/08/23 – Austin, TX – Moody Center
12/09/23 – Houston, TX – 713 Music Hall
12/10/23 – Irving, TX – The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory
12/12/23 – Albuquerque, NM – Revel ABQ
12/15/23 – San Diego, CA – Viejas Arena
12/16/23 – Los Angeles, CA – Kia Forum

Full routing here:

09/19/23 – Omaha, NE – Steelhouse***
09/20/23 – Kansas City, MO – Startlight Theatre***
09/22/23 – Indianapolis, IN – TCU Amphitheater at White River State Park***
09/23/23 – St. Louis, MO – Saint Louis Music Park***
09/24/23 – Louisville, KY – Louder Than Life*
09/26/23 – Rogers, AR – Walmart AMP***
09/27/23 – Oklahoma City, OK – The Criterion***
09/29/23 – Denver, CO – Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre***
09/30/23 – Salt Lake City, UT – The Great Saltair***
10/02/23 – Portland, OR – Veteran’s Memorial Coliseum***
10/03/23 – Vancouver, BC – Pacific Coliseum***
10/04/23 – Seattle, WA – Climate Pledge Arena***
10/06/23 – San Francisco, CA – Bill Graham Civic Auditorium***
10/08/23 – Sacramento, CA – Aftershock*
10/14/23 – Guadalajara, MX – Coordenada*
11/04/23 – Amsterdam, NL – Ziggo Dome**** – SOLD OUT
11/05/23 – Esch-Sur-Alzette, LU – Rockhal****
11/07/23 – Paris, FR – Accor Arena****
11/08/23 – Frankfurt, DE – Jahrhunderthalle**** – SOLD OUT
11/09/23 – Berlin, DE – Max-Schmeling-Halle**** – SOLD OUT
11/11/23 – Dusseldorf, DE – Mitsubishi Electric Halle**** – SOLD OUT
11/12/23 – Antwerp, BE – Sportpaleis****
11/14/23 – Manchester, UK – AO Arena****
11/15/23 – London, UK – The O2****
11/16/23 – Bournemouth, UK – Bournemouth International Centre
11/18/23 – Glasgow, UK – OVO Hydro****
11/19/23 – Birmingham, UK – Resorts World Arena****
11/20/23 – Stockton, UK – Globe Theatre**** – SOLD OUT
11/22/23 – Dublin, IRE – 3Arena****
12/05/23 – Phoenix, AZ – Arizona Financial Theatre
12/06/23 – El Paso, TX – Abraham Chavez Theatre
12/08/23 – Austin, TX – Moody Center
12/09/23 – Houston, TX – 713 Music Hall
12/10/23 – Irving, TX – The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory
12/12/23 – Albuquerque, NM – Revel ABQ
12/15/23 – San Diego, CA – Viejas Arena
12/16/23– Los Angeles, CA – Kia Forum

*Festival
** Support from Phantogram and The Armed
*** Support from Viagra Boys and Jehnny Beth
**** Support from The Chats and deep tan

STEEL PANTHER ANNOUNCE THE
ON THE PROWL WINTER HOLIDAZE TOUR 2023
SLATED FOR DECEMBER
https://steelpantherrocks.com/pages/tour

Sixth Studio Album On The Prowl Now Available
https://lnk.to/Panther_OTP

Get your hoes, hoes, hoes ready! On the heels of two headline-making appearances on the current season of America’s Got Talent, California’s greatest export Steel Panther are announcing their upcoming holiday tour in support of their latest album. The On The Prowl Winter Holidaze Tour 2023 is set to kick off this December. Steel Panther will be stuffing stockings for all the naughty housewives on the 12-city trek that will kick off on December 1 in Cleveland, OH and wrap up in St. Louis, MO on December 17. The tour will make stops in Flint, MI (December 5), Pittsburgh, PA (December 10) and Louisville, KY (December 16) among others. Spreading holiday cheer with Steel Panther are Seattle rockers Moon Fever. More information on tickets and VIP experiences – which make the perfect holiday gift for anyone – can be found here: https://steelpantherrocks.com/pages/tour.

Steel Panther is currently wrapping up a string of Canadian tour dates before returning to the US and then continuing to South American next month. The band has remaining shows in Thunder Bay, Winnipeg, Regina, Calgary, Edmonton, Dawson Creek, Prince George, Penticton in Canada and then returns to the US to play Billings, MT and Boise, ID. The band continues their plan to spread their love around the globe when they hit Chile, Argentina, Brazil, and Mexico in October. Additional Information on all ticket and VIP packages including meet and greets, exclusive merch items, early entry and more for the On The Prowl World Tour 2023 can be found here: https://steelpantherrocks.com/pages/tour.

On The Prowl Winter Holidaze Tour 2023 Dates

12/1/23 – Cleveland, OH – Temple Live
12/2/23 – Grand Rapids, MI – GLC Live at 20 Monroe
12/3/23 – East Moline, IL – The Rust Belt
12/5/23 – Flint, MI – The Machine Shop
12/7/23 – Cincinnati, OH – Bogart’s
12/8/23 – Charles Town, WV – The Event Center at Hollywood Casino
12/10/23 – Pittsburgh, PA – Roxian Theatre
12/12/23 – Joliet, IL – The Forge
12/13/23 – Green Bay, WI – EPIC Event Center
12/15/23 – Madison, WI – The Sylvee
12/16/23 – Louisville, KY – Mercury Ballroom
12/17/23 – St. Louis, MO – The Factory

Steel Panther released their sixth studio album On The Prowl worldwide on February 24, 2023. On The Prowl was produced by Steel Panther and brought the band their most-recent #1 Billboard comedy album. The album is currently available for order in multiple configurations including CD, Cassette, and 2 different color variant vinyl records here: https://lnk.to/Panther_OTP. From the opening synth intro of “Never Too Late (To Get Some Pu**y Tonight)” to the thunderous outro of “Sleeping On The Rollaway,” Steel Panther is back with the infectious riffs, pounding drums, unforgettable vocals alongside the witty humor that has earned them a global audience. Songs like “On Your Instagram,” “Magical Vagina” and “One Pump Chump” are sure to fit in on the biggest live stages next to the band’s most-memorable songs. The band has released the music videos from On The Prowl to date: the opener “Never Too Late (To Get Some Pu**y Tonight),” the chart-topping German radio hit “1987” and most-recently their Shark Tank inspired “Friends With Benefits.”

The track listing for On The Prowl is:

1) Never Too Late (To Get Some Pu**y Tonight)
2) Friends With Benefits
3) On Your Instagram
4) Put My Money Where Your Mouth Is
5) 1987
6) Teleporter
7) Is My D**k Enough (feat. Dweezil Zappa)
8) Magical Vagina
9) All That And More
10) One Pump Chump
11) Pornstar
12) Ain’t Dead Yet
13) Sleeping On The Rollaway

Gibson Launches Gene Simmons EB-0 Bass
Available Worldwide on Gibson.com

International Rock Legend and Co-Founder of KISS
Partners with Gibson for Second Signature Bass, a Limited-Edition Run of 100 Guitars

Gibson, the iconic American instrument brand continues its multi-year partnership with Gene Simmons–international rock legend and co-founder of KISS, America’s #1 gold record award-winning group of all time, in all categories (RIAA)–to create the new Gene Simmons EB-0 Bass. The Gene Simmons EB-0 Bass is inspired by the same Bass that Gene played with KISS in the 1970s. The new Gene Simmons EB-0 Bass is a limited-edition run of 100 guitars and is available worldwide at authorized Gibson Custom Shop dealers and via www.gibson.com.

If you saw KISS perform their high-octane live shows and television appearances in the 1970s, you may have spotted the bass that inspired this signature model from Gene Simmons and Gibson Custom Shop. Based on Gene’s heavily modified 1959 EB-0, the new Gene Simmons EB-0 Bass is the first 30.5” scale bass from the Gibson Custom Shop and the first bass the Custom Shop has produced in quantity. The Gene Simmons EB-0 Bass features a VOS finish in Ebony, as well as VOS hardware throughout, in addition, Gene made several modifications to his EB-0, including refinishing it, reshaping the neck to a custom profile, replacing the pickup with a later model Gibson unit, and relocating it much closer to the bridge, installing a custom pickguard, a fingerboard with Corian nut, adding binding, and changing the original tuners to Grovers. The bridge was also replaced with a high-mass model and can now be strung through-body or as a top-loaded bridge. All of these details are faithfully represented in the new Gene Simmons EB-0 Bass from Gibson Custom Shop. A custom hardshell case as well as case candy developed in collaboration with Gene is also included.

Above: the Gene Simmons EB-0 Bass.

Above: the Gene Simmons EB-0 Bass.

Above: Gene Simmons pin, pennant, patch, and guitar pick tin set.

METALLICA
“Too Far Gone? (Live from MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ – August 6, 2023)”
Digital Single Out Now
“Too Far Gone?”
Video Directed by Coan “Buddy” Nichols Live Now

“Too Far Gone? (Live from MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ – August 6, 2023),” a digital single capturing the debut M72 tour performance of the 72 Seasons standout track as played for some 80,000 fans on night two of the tour’s North American opening weekend. Hailed for “its roaring melody” by the OC Register in their review of Metallica’s recent record-breaking weekend at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, “Too Far Gone?” has quickly become a staple of the M72 No Repeat Weekend setlist rotation. Find out for yourself why the song has quickly become a fan favorite by giving “Too Far Gone? (Live from MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ – August 6, 2023)” a listen HERE.

As for the original studio version of “Too Far Gone?”… it’s been reimagined as a music video directed by Coan “Buddy” Nichols (The Original Skateboarder, The Body Corporate, Deathbowl to Downtown, Love Letters to Skateboarding). Through Nichols’ lens, “Too Far Gone?” becomes the score to raw Metallica performance footage intercut with action shots of pro skater Felipe Nunes. The energy levels of the two scenarios feed off one other, resulting in peak after peak of hyperkinetic intensity—plus a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it cameo from Tony Hawk, who premiered the video yesterday at: https://youtu.be/T-6Cx-VxXxI

Metallica recently completed the first North American swing of its M72 World Tour September 9 in Glendale AZ. The band will make a headlining appearance October 8 at Power Trip at the Empire Polo Club in Indio CA, before M72 resumes with its next No Repeat Weekend taking place November 3 and 5 at the Dome at America’s Center in St. Louis MO.

KK’S PRIEST Premieres 13-Minute Documentary Detailing the Return of K.K. Downing and the Band’s Debut Performance

Watch the New Mini Documentary HERE

New Album, The Sinner Rides Again, out September 29, 2023
via Napalm Records | Pre-Order HERE

KK’S PRIEST – the iconic heavy metal group of iconic Judas Priest alum and GRAMMY Award winning/nominated musicians K.K. Downing (guitar) and Tim “Ripper” Owens (vocals), along with A.J. Mills (guitar), Tony Newton (bass) and Sean Elg (drums) – will proudly reveal their new sophomore offering, The Sinner Rides Again, on September 29, 2023 via Napalm Records!

Today, in anticipation of the approaching album release, the band has revealed a brand new, 13-minute documentary film directed by up and coming British filmmaker Sam Singer. The piece was filmed at the first official KK’S PRIEST show this past July 6, 2023 at KK’s Steel Mill in Wolverhampton, England. The documentary gives a raw, behind-the-scenes look at the band preparing for the concert, and includes exclusive live footage as well as personal commentary from K.K. Downing, Tim “Ripper” Owens, and the band.

On the heels of their highly-lauded 2021 debut album, Sermons Of The Sinner – which debuted within the Top 20 on charts in the United States, the UK, Germany, Sweden, Finland and more – KK’S PRIEST return to sin again! With The Sinner Rides Again, KK’S PRIEST double down on the ripping melodic force of their debut, Sermons Of The Sinner – which Metal Hammer UK dubbed “hugely enjoyable” and Metal Injection cited as boasting “catchy hooks and plenty of guitar wizardry”. The Sinner Rides Again wields nine tracks of pure hellfire, produced and written by Downing and mixed/mastered by Jacob Hansen.

After stepping out of the Judas Priest spotlight, the return of K.K. Downing was uncertain. Nearly ten years after its onset, the genre-defining guitar icon returned from his hiatus with proof that he was nowhere ready to cease writing classic metal songs or to put away his famous Flying V guitars – taking part in acclaimed international comeback performances (including with his former Judas Priest bandmates when they were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in November 2022) that would act as harbingers of the formation of KK’S PRIEST.

Downing was recently quoted saying, “We’ve lost a lot of great people – Dio, Lemmy, for example – but this amazing and unique style of music must be preserved for as long as possible and I feel it within me to continue to play my role, as I always have, and to defend this metal genre, which we all know and love.” The Sinner Rides Again is a testament to this call for the classics while speeding full force into the future, delivered by some of heavy metal’s most essential performers.

Media acclaim highlights for The Sinner Rides Again singles:

“The riffs fly at you at breakneck speed, the harmonized guitar solos are as sweet as they come, and those shreds will most certainly singe an eyebrow or two along the way.”
– Guitar World

“K.K. Downing at his very best!”
– Götz Kühnemund, Deaf Forever

“…tapping into the fist-pumping energy of classic heavy metal like it’s 1983 all over again.”
– Metal Hammer UK

The immense and intricate art for The Sinner Rides Again was created by talented artist Andy Pilkington.

A haunting introduction of dual guitars carries the listener into the thundering “Sons Of The Sentinel”, winding across a wasteland of burning riffs and a deftly dynamic guitar solo to kick off the record with relentless energy! The undeniably catchy anthem “Strike Of The Viper” proves itself as one of the album’s most unforgettable tracks, before “Reap The Whirlwind” crashes in with a classic heavy metal power thrust of soaring leads, hair-raising harmonics and earworm vocal hooks. First single “One More Shot At Glory” raises its sword high, instantaneously calling for battle with its opening riff and beckoning verses. Heroic chants and unrelenting double bass set the stage for a galloping midsection as a spine-tingling guitar solo commands the song. Striding “Hymn 66” commands with sultry, slow and low metallic punches and a bluesy gait, while massive title track “The Sinner Rides Again” straddles balladic passages and sinister, head-bobbing choruses. Beginning with ominous bells, “Keeper Of The Graves” rounds the final bend of the album with roaring cascades and a dynamic performance from Owens, before charging “Pledge Your Souls” and rollercoaster closer epic “Wash Away Your Sins” rise as the final embers of a certified burner – proving itself as a must-hear metal album of the year by the greatest to ever perform the genre!

The Sinner Rides Again track listing:
1. Sons Of The Sentinel
2. Strike Of The Viper
3. Reap The Whirlwind
4. One More Shot At Glory
5. Hymn 66
6. The Sinner Rides Again
7. Keeper Of The Graves
8. Pledge Your Souls
9. Wash Away Your Sins

The Sinner Rides Again will be available in the following formats:
-Digital Album
-1CD Digipak Edition
-1LP Gatefold in Black
-Wooden Box Edition (incl. Digipak, Flag, Logo Wristband, Artprint, Patch) – Napalm Mail Order only, limited to 500
-1LP Gatefold in Marbled Orange and Black – Napalm International (excl. North America) Mail Order only, limited to 300
-1LP Gatefold in Transparent Orange – Napalm North American Mail Order only, limited to 300
-1LP Gatefold in Orange, Blue and Black Inkspot – Napalm Mail Order only, limited to 500
-Cassette Tape Edition in Red with White Print – Napalm Mail Order only, limited to 200

KK’S PRIEST w/ Paul Di’Anno & Burning Witches across the UK in October:
October 7, 2023 – Birmingham @ O2 Institute
October 8, 2023 – Glasgow @ SWG3
October 10, 2023 – Nottingham @ Rock City
October 11, 2023 – Manchester @ O2 Ritz
October 12, 2023 – London @ O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire

KK’S PRIEST live one-offs:
March 2-7, 2024 – Monsters of Rock Cruise

KK’S PRIEST is:
Tim “Ripper” Owens – Vocals
K.K. Downing – Guitar
A.J. Mills – Guitar
Tony Newton – Bass
Sean Elg – Drums