On November 21, original KISS drummer/vocalist Peter Criss performed a live rendition of “Beth” at the Cutting Room in New York, NY. You can check out some fan-filmed footage of that below. The performance, which also featured pianist Paul Shaffer and singer Catherine Russell, was part of a VIP charity event for the Music Treatment Foundation at the 2025 Underwater Sunshine Festival.
Steve Smith (Vital Information, ex-Journey) recently covered Alice In Chains’ “Would?” on drums after hearing it for the first time without percussion. You can see footage of him adding his own drum parts to the song in the below video from Drumeo:
Shiner have announced a January U.S. tour. Here’s the dates for that run:
01/14 Wichita, KS – Barleycorn’s
01/15 Dallas, TX – Double Wide
01/16 Austin, TX – 29th Street Ballroom
01/17 Monroe, LA – Electric 25
01/18 New Orleans, LA – Gasa Gasa
01/20 Orlando, FL – Will’s Pub
01/21 Atlanta, GA – The Earl (feat. Dropsonic)
01/22 Nashville, TN – Drkmttr
01/23 St. Louis, MO – Off Broadway (feat. Atomic Rule)
01/24 Chicago, IL – Sleeping Village (feat. Atomic Rule)
More bands have been added to next year’s Wacken Open Air festival. The event will be held in Wacken, Germany on July 29 to August 1 and it will feature the following: Def Leppard, Judas Priest, Powerwolf, Hämatom, In Flames, Savatage, Arch Enemy, Saxon, Emperor, Lamb Of God, Running Wild, Airbourne, Sepultura, Europe, Black Label Society, Yngwie Malmsteen, Danko Jones, Alestorm, Triptykon, Electric Bassboy, Turbonegro, Rose Tattoo, Blood Fire Death: A Tribute To Quorthon & Bathory, Hatebreed, Bleed From Within, Thy Art Is Murder, Nevermore, Orbit Culture, Thrown, Uli Jon Roth (celebrating 50th anniversary of Scorpions’ “Virgin Killer”), Paleface Swiss, Nothing More, The Gathering, Paradise Lost, P.O.D., Therapy?, Life Of Agony, The HARDKISS, Mr. Hurley und die Pulveraffen, The Butcher Sisters, Corrosion Of Conformity, Skynd, Kim Dracula, H-Blockx, Thunder Mother, President, Municipal Waste, Kittie, Dritte Wahl, Hardline, Mantar, Nergal + Misþyrming (performing Behemoth’s “Sventevith (Storming Near the Baltic)”), The Haunted, Pig Destroyer (“Prowler In The Yard” set), Faun, Any Given Day, Future Palace, Anaal Nathrakh, Lagwagon, Kupfergold, Spectral Wound, Gutalax, Misery Index, Heavysaurus, Vended, Blood Red Throne, Grand Magus, ten56., Employed To Serve, Einherjer, Angelus Apatrida, Broken By The Scream, Crimson Glory, Firespawn, Craft, Blood Command, Ad Infinitum, Focus, Storm Seeker, Guilt Trip, Our Promise, Eläkeläiset, Nita Strauss, Vogelfrey, Insanity Alert (15th anniversary set), Dilvilje Jagode, Castle Rat, Hackneyed, Ricky Warwick, Dubioza Kolektiv, Katerfahrt, Brunhilde, Alfahanne, Chaosbay, Vanir, Allt, and Luna Kills.
Visions Of Atlantis have announced a new instrumental orchestral version of “Pirates II – Armada.” The effort is titled “Armada – An Orchestral Voyage” and it will be available on February 6. The first single, a reimagined version of “Ashes To The Sea,” can be found below:
“Armada – An Orchestral Voyage” Track Listing:
01. “To Those Who Choose To Fight”
02. “The Land Of The Free”
03. “Monsters”
04. “Tonight I’m Alive”
05. “Armada”
06. “The Dead Of The Sea”
07. “Ashes To The Sea”
08. Hellfire”
09. “Collide”
10. “Magic Of The Night”
11. “Underwater”
12. “Where The Sky And Ocean Blend”
The band commented:
“It is with great pleasure that we announce the release of ‘Armada – An Orchestral Voyage,’ coming February 6th.
Many of you longed for an orchestral version of ‘Armada’ — so we sailed further than ever to bring you the ultimate listening experience.
This is an INSTRUMENTAL record where every lead part is performed by real flutes, whistles, violins, and even the ancient Duduk.With the extraordinary performances of Sandro Friedrich and Fabio Polo (Elvenking), the beautiful orchestrations by Lukas Knoebl, and additional percussions and guitars by Michele Guaitoli, Armada has evolved into the perfect soundtrack for your gaming nights, your books, and your daily adventures.
Watch the visualizer of “Ashes to the Sea” on YouTube — you’ll immediately feel what this voyage is about.
And to crown this release, we’re unveiling a limited, exclusive LP edition dedicated to role-playing, in collaboration with Wyrd Edizioni:
Exclusive RPG Edition Includes:
• Downloadable RPG manual for the game Aureus Aestus – Wyrd Edizioni, in English
• 5x printed A5 cards featuring the VoA characters
• Custom VoA d20 dice
• Black velvet bag with VoA logo in goldSymphonic Metal is truly being taken to the next level”
Singer Clémentine Delauney added:
“We are delighted to present another immersive work with ‘Armada – An Orchestral Voyage’. This very first track, ‘Ashes To The Sea’, is very dear to me because of the original message it carries. In this version, the words fall silent, leaving space for emotions and vibrations to envelop the listener, who is then free to imagine and feel along with the strings and the beautiful orchestral arrangements.
With this new instrumental record, we truly wanted to enhance the core of Visions Of Atlantis’ sound: symphonic music. When we released ‘A Pirate Symphony’, the feedback from our fans was enthusiastic. With ‘An Orchestral Voyage’, we didn’t limit ourselves to repeating a winning formula — we aimed to go even further and offer the epitome of a symphonic piece. Still rooted in an orchestral instrumental approach, all the lead melodies have been passionately and skillfully performed by real instruments such as violins, flutes, and even a duduk! This album turns our latest studio release ‘Armada’ into the most epic journey — the ultimate symphonic soundtrack to any adventure. To be enjoyed on its own, or alongside your favorite book, outdoor hikes, or game nights!”
Metal Anarchy 
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