This Week in Rock

Flotsam & Jetsam have delivered their 15th studio effort, “I Am The Weapon.“ “(The album) “goes one step further in terms of musical skill and composition,” stated the band in a statement. The set includes the title track and follow-up songs, “Primal” and “Burned My Bridges.” “We are back to a real band making a stab at…

“This album has some different twists and turns to it,” explained Stryper frontman Michael Sweet (pictured above), talking about the band’s 16h studio effort, “When We Were Kings.” “When I was writing the songs, the verses might be in a minor chord, a little more on the darker side, and the choruses go to a…

“We had this song, and we thought Randy’s (Blythe, Lamb Of God frontman picture above) voice would be perfect on it,” notes Mastodon drummer Brann Dailor.   Blythe says he had the majority of “Floods Of Triton” lyrics written when he asked Mastodon bassist/vocalist Troy Sanders for additional ideas. “So we went back and forth in the studio,” Blythe added….

Linkin Park officially kicked off its comeback mini-tour (on 9/11) at Kia Forum in Inglewood, CA. The two-hour set showcased new singer Emily Armstrong (pictured above) and drummer Colin Brittain, along with Mike Shinoda, Dave “Phoenix” Farrell, Joe Hahn and touring guitarist Alex Feder (stepping in for Brad Delson). “It is not about erasing the past,” Shinoda told the audience. “It…

Sevendust’s Clint Lowery will not be part of the band’s upcoming tour. The guitarist was advised by doctors to sit out the run after suffering a recent neck injury. “He has been instructed to rest to allow the injury to heal and rocking with you all would work against his recovery from this injury,” writes…

“An Ocean Of Strange Islands,” the third single from Nightwish’s upcoming album, “Yesterwynde,” is out. It’s the band’s tenth studio LP is due on September 20 th. “The song ‘An Ocean Of Strange Islands‘ gives you sheer heaviness with its massive guitars, epic orchestrations and phenomenal vocals by Floor Jansen,” enthused Nightwish keyboardist and main composer Tuomas Holopainen. “Classic Nightwish at its…

Black Label Society, who were formed in ’98 by guitarist/singer Zakk Wylde, are currently working on their twelfth album which is expected to drop next year. In the meantime, the band has released “The Gallows.” In addition to the Black Label Society, Wylde is known for his guitar work on Ozzy Osbourne’s solo albums and for…

“An Evening With Dream Theater” will be the band’s first North America since drummer Mike Portnoy’s (pictured above) return to the lineup. He joined vocalist James LaBrie, guitarist John Petrucci, keyboardist Jordan Rudess and bassist John Myung, The trek kicks off on February 7th in Philadelphia and runs through March 22nd with a hometown show in NYC. Concerts will feature…

Casandra’s Crossing has released “Impatient,” the second single from the upcoming album “Garden Of Earthly Delights,” due October 25th. The band pairs guitar legend George Lynch with Paralandra singer Casandra Carson. “‘Impatient’ was one of those songs that kind of wrote itself when it came to the lyrics and the melodies,” noted Carson. “I found myself singing about the…

The White Stripes filed a lawsuit Monday (9/9) against former President Donald Trump for “significant monetary damages” regarding the use of their ’03 song, “Seven Nation Army,” for campaigning purposes without permission.  Jack and Meg White said that Trump used the Grammy award-winning song “to burnish Defendant Trump’s public image and generate financial and other…