• Guitarist TJ Bell Says He Was Fired From Escape The Fate Over “False” Allegations

    Guitarist TJ Bell has issued a statement regarding his departure from Escape The Fate. According to him, he was fired over “false” allegations.

    Bell said the following:

    “Over the past several months, I’ve received countless messages from fans asking for clarity about my recent departure from the band. I want to take a moment to address this directly and offer transparency to those who have supported me throughout my career.

    I was recently removed from the band following public accusations that are entirely false. These claims were amplified online by a well known public figure with whom I’ve had many public disagreements over the years. While it’s no secret that differences have existed with this person, the situation that has unfolded is rooted in misinformation, not truth.

    I want to be absolutely clear: in all of the stories being circulated about me, I do not know any of the people mentioned. Claims that I dated or had relationships with anyone referenced in these narratives are completely false. None of these stories are rooted in reality.

    It is a reality of this industry that when a powerful voice creates a narrative, others often feel they must choose between what is right and what is safe for their own careers. While the band may offer other explanations for my departure, the timing of these events speaks for itself. They made a choice to prioritize their own professional standing and avoid the pressure of public conflict.

    While the lack of support was devastating, I also recognize that my path forward doesn’t end here. I’ve been focusing on building my own business and creating something positive and lasting beyond music, something grounded in community and authenticity, which cannot be swayed by online narratives.

    I want to sincerely thank every fan who has shown me unconditional support, compassion, and patience as the truth comes to light. Your messages, encouragement, and belief in me have meant everything. My goal moving forward is simple: to keep creating, to keep growing, and to move forward with integrity. ⚔️

    (Instagram is not a courtroom, and I will not be engaging in debates in the comments. This will be my first and only statement on the matter.)”

    While not specified, it’s assumed he is referring to accusations amplified by the band’s former singer Ronnie Radke (Falling In Reverse).

  • Sammy Hagar And Michael Anthony “Haven’t Been Asked” To Contribute To Alex Van Halen And Steve Lukather’s New Album

    As previously reported, Van Halen’s Alex Van Halen and Toto’s Steve Lukather are currently working on a new album featuring unreleased material from Van Halen. Unfortunately, it appears Sammy Hagar and Michael Anthony have not been approached about the possibility of contributing to the project.

    Hagar said the following about the album during a recent appearance on Rock Of Nations With Dave Kinchen And Shane McEachern:

    “No. We haven’t been asked, number one. I can tell you, the day I walked in the studio, in 5150, to basically, if you wanna call it an audition, but to meet the guys and to play music, we played for about eight hours at least. And we recorded everything. Everything that I ever did, and every time we made a record, we recorded hundreds of hours of jam and music, and then we cut ’em up, made songs. That’s the way we did it. So there’s so much stuff from Mike and I and Ed and Al in the studio. Like I said, just the initial day that I went in there, we got ‘Summer Nights’, we got ‘Good Enough’ and the beginnings of ‘Get Up’ from [the] ‘5150’ [album] — three songs that came from that eight-hour jam. And I remember there was a blues thing we did, and I was making up lyrics. So there’s so much stuff that Al could really choose from, if he wanted to include Mike and I. But, obviously, Al’s got a reason, and he’s Alex Van Halen; he can do whatever he wants. And, to me, it’s an Alex Van Halen project, and it’s not necessarily a VAN HALEN project, but I guess we’ll see if it ever sees the light today. But I’m disappointed that Mike and I wouldn’t be invited. It’s, like, what? Are you kidding me? We’re still alive. We’re out here doing it. We’re playing those songs. We can still do it, you know?”

    Anthony added:

    “Yeah. If this is material that we jammed on or whatever, I’d have no problem coming in and singing or [playing bass] or whatever. It’s all good there.”

    [via Blabbermouth]

  • Tom Angelripper On New Sodom Music: “I Still Have Ideas”

    During a recent interview with George Dionne of KNAC.COM, Sodom’s Thomas “Angelripper” Such discussed the possibility of new music. According to him, he “still [has] ideas” for new material.

    Such said the following:

    “Oh, yes. I have a couple of new ideas for lyrics, and sometimes I come up with a guitar riff. And I take one of my bass guitars, recording some stuff… Sometimes I wake up in the night, I get some ideas for anything. I gotta write it down and put it on my computer.

    We have an option [for a new album] with [our longtime record label] SPV. That is another thing. They wanna have a new album. I don’t know when, but I think in the next one or two years we’re talking about a new album.

    That’s what I do. And also on the last album, [2025’s] ‘The Arsonist’, our drummer Toni [Merkel] had a couple of songs written on his album, which is great.

    Yes. I still have ideas.”

    [via Blabbermouth]

  • Watch Trailer For “Billy Idol Should Be Dead” Documentary

    Billy Idol has shared an official trailer for his new documentary “Billy Idol Should Be Dead.” That film was directed by Jonas Åkerlund and it was released in theaters today (February 26). Here’s a synopsis:

    “Through never-before-seen archival and personal interviews with Idol, his family, peers and collaborators, the documentary digs deep into his emergence as a prototypical punk rocker, his meteoric rise as a global superstar in the MTV era and the myriad of challenges Idol had to overcome to not just survive, but to remain one of the most beloved figures in rock n roll, almost fifty years into his career.”

  • Moonspell Frontman Fernando Ribeiro On The Band’s Upcoming Record: “It’s A Very Atmospheric, Very Gothic Metal Album”

    During an interview with MetalSide, Moonspell singer Fernando Ribeiro discussed the band’s upcoming album. According to him, “it’s a very atmospheric, very gothic metal album.”

    Ribeiro said the following when asked about length:

    “Well, I think we are going to make between eight or 10 songs. We don’t want a very long album this time. I prefer quality over quantity.”

    He also added the following when asked about the musical direction:

    “It was the big question for us: Why should we do a new MOONSPELL album, with all the legacy that we’ve been talking about, and which direction should it be? Because it’s a question for us too. And so we let all these years go by between ‘Hermitage’ and the new album. But I think, if I can describe it well, it’s a very atmospheric, very gothic metal album. It’s a very classical album from MOONSPELL. And also the lyrical side is very fantasy-like, very literature-oriented. That’s what we needed as musicians, and that’s also what we think — we might be wrong because it’s always a challenge for us to know what the fans want — I think that’s what the fans are looking for. It’s beautiful songs, strong, catchy choruses, heaviness mixed with atmosphere.

    I wouldn’t say it’s our best album. I mean, I’m done with this conversation — best album, worst album. It really depends on the zeitgeist. I think ‘Hermitage’ is a great album — great reviews, great sales, but many also complaints with the fans, and many people loving it too. So I believe this will be a more consensual album, but what do I know? So I just say personally, from what I gather now, from everything we worked, from the project we did, the demo, et cetera, we are all very, very enthusiastic and very happy about the album. Let’s see how it translates to the audience, but I think it’s gonna be one of the best moments of MOONSPELL, yeah.”

    [via Blabbermouth]

  • Rob Zombie On White Zombie’s Final Album “Astro-Creep: 2000”: “It Was A Good One To End On”

    During a recent interview with Revolver, Rob Zombie took some time to reflect on White Zombie’s final album “Astro-Creep: 2000.” According to him, the effort “was a good one to end on.”

    Zombie said the following about performing “Astro-Creep: 2000” with his solo band during the 2025 Louder Than Life festival in Louisville, KY:

    “It was a bit of a challenge. Thirty years is a long time, so it’s sort of hard to remember where my head was at when I was making that record. It was not exactly the greatest of times [for White Zombie]. I knew as we were making that record that it would most likely be the last one since the band was falling apart, but obviously, I wanted to stick it out… I’m definitely proud of the record. It was a good one to end on.”

    He continued:

    “After White Zombie disbanded and I had to create another band, I really wanted to be very exacting with the people that I chose to work with again. I couldn’t deal with any more conflicts. Everything worked out perfect, both of these guys [guitarist/vocalist Mike Riggs & bassist/vocalist Blasko] contributed greatly to the ‘Hellbilly Deluxe‘ tours being the absolute best time I ever had in my life being on the road.”

    He also ruled out a White Zombie reunion:

    “That was a very long time ago and I’ve moved on from it to do other things.”

    He later discussed his future:

    “I think all the time about what it would take for me to step away from the stage — the main thing would be if I didn’t think we were capable of deliver­ing the show at the level it should be delivered. Once I feel that the excitement and the energy and the drive is gone, I will just walk away. I take the show very seriously and I want it to be great, simple as that. And if I feel that it’s not great anymore, then I’ll be done.”

  • Nunslaughter Premiere “Satanic Chaos Legions” Music Video

    Nunslaughter have shared an official video for the title track of their upcoming album “Satanic Chaos Legions.” That effort will be released on June 26 via BLKIIBLK. Pre-orders can be found HERE.

    Vocalist Don Of The Dead commented:

    “‘Satanic Chaos Legions‘, the first video is like a ritual dagger—sharp, merciless, and the ideal initiation into our relentless Luciferian audio onslaught.”

    He also added:

    “Now with BLKIIBLK on our side Nunslaughter can ram the black horn of Satan down the throats of every metalhead on the planet, spitting fresh venom and blistering hatred directly into the rotting face of Christianity with ‘Satanic Chaos Legions.’”

    “Satanic Chaos Legions” Track Listing:

    01. “Satanic Chaos Legions“
    02. “Jesus Fucking Dies“
    03. “Unsacrament“
    04. “Christian Ruse“
    05. “Die Your Own Death“
    06. “Rotten Messiah“
    07. “Peukharist“
    08. “Undead Melody“
    09. “Cathedral Of Stench“
    10. “In The Flames Of Inferno“
    11. “Lucifer The Light“
    12. “Listen To The Lies“
    13. “Infernal Reign“
    14. “The Spear Of Satan“

  • Watch Children Of Bodom Members Reunite During “A Celebration Of Music” Concert

    On February 26, Children Of Bodom bassist Henkka Seppälä, keyboardist Janne Wirman, drummer Jaska Raatikainen, and early guitarist Alexander Kuoppala paid tribute to their late frontman Alexi Laiho during “A Celebration Of Music” show at the Tavastia club in Helsinki, Finland. The set found the band joined by Lost Society guitarist/vocalist Samy Elbanna. You can see fan-filmed footage of that below. A second show will take place at the venue on February 27.

  • KnuckleBonz Release Limited Edition Danny Carey (Tool) Statue

    KnuckleBonz have released a new limited edition statute based on Tool drummer Danny Carey. The following was said about that:

    “This limited edition statue is a first ever collaboration with KnuckleBonz, Inc., the creators of the Rock Iconz Collectible Series and Danny Carey of Tool. This design is sculpted and cast by hand in resin by the KnuckleBonz artists and production team. Each statue ships with a limited edition certificate on the base ensuring authenticity. These are hand signed by Danny Carey on the base of the statue. Each statue is numbered on the bottom of the base.”

  • Slash Was Recently In The Studio With Danny Elfman

    It looks like Danny Elfman has been collaborating with Slash (Guns N’ Roses). Elfman recently shared a photo with the guitarist along with the following caption: “@slash is in the studio….what could we possibly be working on?.” This news comes after Limp Bizkit’s Wes Borland previously revealed that he was contributing to Elfman’s new album.