This Week in Rock

Megadeth frontman Dave Mustaine has confirmed that Teemu Mäntysaari (pictured) will continue as the band’s guitarist for the foreseeable future. Thew announcement came after longtime Megadeth guitarist Kiko Loureiro made his decision to “extend” his absence from the group’s touring activities. “Kiko is a top-notch professional, a maestro — and he did not want to hurt me or Megadeth,” Mustaine explained. “We came up with a solution…

Following the sale of an Eric Clapton guitar for $1.27 million, a Kurt Cobain guitar goes for $1,587,500 during Julien’s Auctions “Played, Worn And Torn: Rock N’ Roll Iconic Guitars And Memorabilia” event (on 11/17). The “Skystang I” guitar was played by the late Nirvana frontman during his final public performance on band’s ’93 – ’94…

The Billboard Music Awards were presented on Sunday (11/19). Though the awards focused primarily on Pop, R&B, Rap and Country acts there was a (slight) nod toward Rock. In the Top Rock Duo/Group category, Artic Monkeys (pictured) beat out Foo Fighters and Metallica for the honor. The Top Touring Artist award went to Coldplay. Ironically,…

New Years Day will release its fifth studio album, “Half Black Heart,” on March 1st. “It’s common for musicians to express affection for their albums, this one truly stands out to me,” noted vocalist Ash Costello (pictured above).  It feels like the culmination of all the hard work and growth we’ve experienced… and poured it into this…

Flyleaf vocalist Lacey Sturm has released her sophomore solo album, “Kenotic Metanoia.” It’s the follow-up to 2015’s “Life Screams.” The album made Sturm the first solo female to top the Billboard Hard Rock Albums chart.  “Kenotic Metanoia” contains the singles “Breathe With Me,” a power ballad with violin virtuoso Lindsey Stirling, and “Reconcile.” “All these songs have been for my own heart,” stated…

Eric Clapton’s “The Fool” guitar has sold for $1.27 million at Julien’s Auctions “Played, Worn And Torn: Rock N’ Roll Iconic Guitars And Memorabilia” event.   The 1964 Gibson SG electric guitar, first stage-played while Cream (pictured above – Clapton far right) toured the U.S. in the late ‘60’s, was acquired by The Jim Irsay Collection in Indianapolis…

So far this year, only one Rock album has topped the Billboard 200 album chart. On November 4th, Blink-182‘s comeback album “One More Time…” went to the top selling 125,000 units in its first week. Metallica‘s “72 Seasons” debuted at #2 on the Billboard 200 selling 146,000 copies in the first week. But that wasn’t enough…

Former Guns N’ Roses photographer Katarina Benzova has filed a lawsuit against GN’R and their management claiming copyright infringement over unauthorized use and distribution of materials and sexual harassment by the band’s manager Fernando Lebeis. The suit alleges that Lebeis repeatedly made numerous unwelcome sexual advances toward Benzova between 2016 and 2022. The suit also claims that…

“Might Love Myself,” Beartooth’s eleventh entry on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock Airplay chart, is their first #1 (dated 11/18). The track is from Beartooth’s fifth studio effort, “The Surface.” The album, which dropped last month. also contains the singles “Riptide,” “Sunshine” and “The Better Me,” featuring Country’s Hardy. The band first reached the chart in ‘15…

Staind has announced “The Tailgate Tour” with Seether and Saint Asonia. Staind‘s comeback album “Confessions Of The Fallen” dropped last September – their first effort since a self-titled set in ’11. The band is known for the Top 10 hit “It’s Been Awhile” from the #1 album “Break The Cycle.” Also, the albums “14 Shades Of Grey” and “Chapter V” topped the Billboard chart. Seether has…