Grammy-nominated R&RHOF inductee and guitar legend Ace Frehley offers a sneak peek into the making of his new album, 10,000 Volts, and the title track with a new Behind the Scenes video (which can be seen below). The thunderous, riff-tastic, 11-track album was produced by Ace and Steve Brown (Trixter) and will be released on February 23rd, preorder here.
Rock ‘n’ roll and heavy metal simply wouldn’t sound, look, or feel the same without Ace Frehley. Among hundreds of accolades, The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame® inducted him in 2014, as a co-founder and the original lead guitarist, of KISS. Guitar World named him in the Top 15 of its “100 Greatest Heavy Metal Guitarists of All Time” and plugged the lead from Shock Me on the “50 Greatest Guitar Solos of All Time.”Magnifying the imprint of his catalog as a solo artist, Foo Fighters cut a fan favorite cover of Ozone, and he even jammed out New York Groove alongside The Roots on NBC’s The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. The late Dimebag Darrell of Pantera proudly sported a tattoo of Frehley on his chest, while Tom Morello of Rage Against The Machine celebrated him on X/Twitter as “My first guitar hero.”
Whom Gods Destroy, the formidable group formed by keyboardist Derek Sherinian (Dream Theater, Sons Of Apollo, Black Country Communion),guitarist Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal (Guns N’ Roses, Sons Of Apollo) and vocalist Dino Jelusick (Whitesnake, Trans-Siberian Orchestra),along with the potent rhythm section of bassist Yas Nomura and drummer Bruno Valverde, has announced its debut album, Insanium, to be released on March 15th, through InsideOut Music.
As first taste for Insanium, Whom Gods Destroy is launching the first single and opening track off Insanium, called, In The Name Of War , watch the video below.
Thal commented aboutIn The Name Of War as follows, “Derek, Dino and I began writing this song in 2020. It was the first song we wrote together. This song captures a lot of what the band is about. It’s a good example of what to expect from the album. The song gets pretty intense when the band kicks in, an unexpected contrast. The music tells the story alongside the lyrics — the Eastern scale melody in the chorus followed by the ‘war drum’ pattern, the bridge feeling like it’s heading toward something, an urgency…”
Insanium track listing:
1. In The Name Of War (6:38) 2. Over Again (5:01) 3. The Decision (7:08) 4. Crawl (6:36) 5. Find My Way Back (5:46) 6. Crucifier (4:43) 7. Keeper Of The Gate (4:54) 8. Hypernova 158 (3:24) 9. Insanium (8:37)
Sherinian and Bumblefoot have built upon the creative link they developed as two of the key elements of supergroup Sons Of Apollo and now set their sights on a new path with Whom Gods Destroy, who are getting ready to present the musical odyssey that is their debut opus, Insanium, to be released in March 2024.
Bumblefoot explains how the band got started, “Derek and I began writing new music in 2020. Soon after, Dino joined, followed by Yas and Bruno. We’d share ideas, and each record parts, building and rebuilding songs, and by June ’23 the album was finished. The songs all went through a lot of changes, developing…you can definitely hear what each person brings to the music – when it adds up, it’s a mix of melody and intense heavy prog.”
Working with powerhouse vocalist Dino Jelusick, as well as Yas Nomura and Bruno Valverde, they knew they were building something special, says Bumblefoot. “These guys are all just mind-blowing,” he says. “I’ve known Dinofor a few years. We did a collab song a few years ago… His voice is just magic. He’s one of the greatest singers out there. Bruno and Yas are downright frightening; there’s no limit to what they can do, WTF…! And all great guys to hang with.”
Sherinian agrees, “All three of these musicians are super talented with great energy. I think Dino is the real deal. Ron and I knew that we could do something great with him.”
Jelusick expresses his excitement as well, “What I love about this band is that it doesn’t have any limits. It came together back in 2020 when we started talking about it. Yas and I started working separately not knowing we were both asked to do this. Bruno was the last piece of this puzzle and I’m glad the recommendation came from me. Love this lineup. Derek and Ron are wizards.”
The Metal Hall of Fame is getting ready to rock Anaheim and Southern California once again with the 7th Annual Metal Hall of Fame Gala.
“The Most Important Night In Hard Rock and Heavy Metal!!” will take place on January 24th at the Delta Marriott Garden Grove, Anaheim, CA. Performances just added to the Gala include Kings of Thrash (featuring David Ellefson, Chris Poland, Jeff Young, Chaz Leon, and Fred Aching), along with Joel Hoekstra, Vinny Appice, Held Hostage, Deconstruct, and Hollywood’s favorite band LONDON, among others. Iconic musicians, industry executives, major television and movie producers, and surprise guests will also be in attendance, with All Star Jams taking place throughout the night.
The Gala will be hosted by Legendary Radio/Television Host Eddie Trunk, and Entertainment Personality Cathy Rankin. Top musicians will be performing to honor late Whisky a Go Go and Rainbow Bar & Grill owner Mikeal Maglieri. The Gala will also continue the 40th Anniversary celebration and Induction into the 2024 Metal Hall of Fame for Eddie Trunk, who is celebrating his 40th year in radio.
Blackened, the award winning whiskey from Metallica, will present the 2024 Annual Metal Hall of Fame Gala, and will have a special sampling experience included in the price of admission, for all attendees ages 21 and over.
“As an inducted member of the Metal Hall of Fame myself, it’s an honor to perform with Kings Of Thrash this year, as well as waiting to see so many iconic & longtime friends, artists and establishments. Those who have clearly helped define rock ‘n’ roll to be firmly planted into the history books for their outstanding contributions. This is an event you definitely don’t want to miss!,” says David Ellefson of Kings of Thrash.
“We are excited to have the 7th Annual Metal Hall of Fame Gala back in Anaheim again in 2024!! Not only are we dedicated to helping the fans celebrate Hard Rock and Heavy Metal, we need to honor those musicians and industry executives who work so hard to bring us the music we love so much,” says Pat Gesualdo, President of the Metal Hall of Fame.
For more details about this event, including a list of inductees, please go here.
Veteran rock drummer James Kottak, who is best known for his work with Scorpions and Kingdom Come, has died. He was 61 years old.
Kottak‘s daughter Tobi told TMZ her father passed away Tuesday morning (January 9th) in Louisville, Kentucky, where he was born and lived until 1987, although further details about the exact circumstances weren’t immediately available.
In addition to Scorpions and Kingdom Come, Kottak had toured with such bands as Warrant and even DIO for a short run. He was also involved in various other projects, including the 1990s band KRUNK in which he sang lead vocals and played guitar.
Kottak‘s passing was also confirmed by his Kingdom Come bandmate, bassist Johnny “JB” Frank, who took to social media to write: “Rock Forever in Peace Brother James Kottak. James is in Heaven Now”.
The Scorpions have commented on the passing of their longtime drummer James Kottak, calling the American musician “a wonderful human being” and a “loving family man.”
On January 9th ,the band released the following statement via social media: “Very sad news… our dear friend & Drummer for 20yrs James Kottak has passed at the age of 61.
James was a wonderful human being, a great musician & loving family man. He was our ‘Brother from another Mother’ & will be truly missed.
RIP James“
Former Judas Priest and current KK’S Priest singer Tim “Ripper” Owenswrote on social media: “Horrible news about the passing of my buddy, band mate and amazing drummer James Kottak ! We had some great times with A New Revenge/Project Rock!! Here is a on the road video made to the ‘Here’s To Us’ demo! You will be missed”.
Poison drummer Rikki Rockett reacted to his friend’s death, tweeting simply: “RIP … James Kottak.”
Fellow drummer Simon Wright (AC/DC, DIO) wrote: “Rest in Peace . James Kottak . Shocking news , a very sad day .”
Kottak‘s stuggles with alcohol were well documented, and Kingdom Come singer Keith St. John told Eddie on his Sirius/XM show, Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk, “…he was just through a 48-day program, trying to do the rehab thing. And I don’t really have all the grisly details of the last day. They’re still kind of coming in. I haven’t talked to his sister yet, ’cause everybody’s just too out of it right now.”
Kottak is survived by his former wife, drummer AthenaBass (sister of Mötley Crüe‘s Tommy Lee) and their three children, Matthew, and Bass‘ children from two prior relationships, Tobi and Miles.
As 2024 gets underway and with the excitement around the upcoming February run of the Machine Killertour, metal legends Static-X and Sevendust are announcing another leg of the popular touring package that will also feature rockers DOPE and Lines of Loyalty to take place in April and May. For those unaware, The Machine KillerTour is a reunion that is over two decades in the making and goes all the way back to 1999. Sevendust, Static-X and DOPE were each exploding onto the scene and partnered up to create one of the most memorable tours of that year. Now 25 years later, the bands are returning for Leg 2 and Leg 3 based on the success of the 2023 run. The new dates will begin on April 28th in Salt Lake City, UT and run through May 18th where it wraps up in Minneapolis, MN. The bands will also be appearing at the sold-out Sick New World Fest on April 27th in Las Vegas. More information on tickets for all shows and VIP packages can be found via static-x.com/ or sevendust.com.
The Machine Killer 2024 Leg 3 Tour Dates:
April 28 – Salt Lake City, UT – The Complex
April 30 – San Francisco, CA – The Midway
May 2 – Portland, OR – Roseland Ballroom
May 3 – Eugene, OR – McDonald Theater
May 4 – Tacoma, WA – Temple Theater
May 5 – Vancouver, BC – Vogue Theatre
May 7 – Edmonton, AB – Midway Music Hall
May 9 – Calgary, AB – Grey Eagle Casino
May 10 – Spokane, WA – Knitting Factory
May 11 – Boise, ID – Knitting Factory
May 13 – Great Falls, MT – The Newberry
May 15 – Sioux Falls, SD – The District
May 16 – Omaha, NE – Steelhouse Omaha
May 17 – Dubuque, IA – Five Flags Center
May 18 – Minneapolis, MN – Myth
Previously AnnouncedTour Dates:
February 1 – Myrtle Beach, SC – House Of Blues
February 2 – Orlando, FL – Orlando Amphitheater Pavilion
February 3 – Ft. Lauderdale, FL – Revolution (Low Ticket Warning)
February 4 – Tampa, FL – Hard Rock Event Center (Sold Out)
Canadian label Music In Motion Ent is releasing Diamonds – The Best of the Hard Rock Years 1990 – 1995, a brand new compilation featuring iconic guitarist Rik Emmett‘s hand picked rock tracks from his three Duke Street releases, Absolutely, Ipso Facto and The Spiral Notebook plus two previously unheard songs.
Remastered with the most up to date technology at Iguana Studios in Toronto ON, Diamonds provides Rik Emmett fans with a new listening experience. The Diamonds cover art features the work of renowned photographer Andrew MacNaughtan. International retail date is set for March 1st, through Music In Motion Ent (Canada) and Deko Entertainment (ADA/WMG).
A signed Deluxe Edition of 400 collector sets is now available for pre-sale on Rik Emmett’s webstore through RockPaperMerch.com. A limited number of hand signed editions will also be available through the Deko Entertainment webstore.
The Deluxe Edition is designed with an album gatefold that includes both the CD (with bonus tracks) and LP (on 180g heavyweight marble space effect vinyl). Exclusives include: copies of handwritten lyric sheets, a photo set of never-before-seen images, guitar picks from each album, a lenticular holographic poster of the cover art, a gold embossed lithograph of the album cover hand signed by Rik, and a custom felt Diamonds vinyl slipmat.
The Deluxe Edition also touts two new previously unheard Rik Emmett original tracks (from the Absolutely and Ipso Facto demo sessions) that will not appear on the retail versions and will not be available on streaming platforms. The two new tracks will premiere in an exclusive online video stream in late January where Rik will preview the Deluxe Edition and tell stories of his Triumph and solo years from his Lay It On The Line biography. All purchasers of the Deluxe Edition will receive a private link to this stream. In addition, all purchases before January 31st, 2023 will be entered into a draw to win Rik’s personal signed test pressing of Diamonds.
Track Listing: LP: Drive Time / Straight Up / Bang On / Saved By Love / When A Heart Breaks / Big Lie / Rainbow Man / Middle Ground / The Hardest Part
CD Bonus Tracks: Stand And Deliver / The Pendulu, / TBA (Ipso Facto Demo) / TBA (Absolutely Demo)