This Week in Rock

Rosa Laricchiuta made her debut with Vixen on Friday (6/21) at the Honda Center in Anaheim, CA. She was recruited following the recent departure of Lorraine Lewis. “The band has taken a different direction,” Lewis stated last month, concluding a five-year run with Vixen. A day later, the band announced it had found a replacement lead…

“Fire,” Kittie’s seventh studio album, but first in 13 years – since the release of “I’ve Failed You” (’11), has dropped. For over a decade the band was on a hiatus due to rising costs associated with touring/recording and the suicide death of bassist Trish Doan in ’17. They ended their hiatus in early ’22, with…

Paramount+ has announced a docuseries “Nöthin’ But A Good Time: The Uncensored Story Of ’80s Hair Metal,” that will premiere on the platform later this year. The three-part series showcases the ’80s Hard Rock phenomenon and has interviews with Poison’s Bret Michaels (pictured), Ratt’s Stephen Pearcy, Extreme’s Nuno Bettencourt and Skid Row’s Dave “Snake” Sabo, among many others. “This docuseries…

Queen’s legendary catalog has been acquired by Sony Music for £1 billion (approximately $1.27 billion). Sony has also acquired name and likeness rights, but Broadway rights and “other brand monetization” are not part of the deal – including revenue for live performances by founding members Brian May and Roger Taylor, who still tour with singer…

Ghost’s debut film, “Rite Here Rite Now,” had its world premiere on June 18th at United Kingdom’s Picturehouse Central in London. “As any semi-gargantuan task, as fun as it is, it’s also draining,” offered Ghost frontman Tobias Forge. “So it feels like a giant relief because at points during the making of the film, there was definitely…

Fever 333 has released “New West Order“ song/video. “There is an intersectional hot bed where the hood and hardcore meet,” explained frontman Jason Aalon Butler. “This intersection is beautifully represented in Los Angeles and ‘New West Order’ is an unapologetic exploration of my experience as a social variable growing up in L.A. Fever 333 has also announced headlining tour…

“Stereophonic,” a play that featured original songs from Arcade Fire’s Will Butler, earned the coveted “Outstanding Play” award at the 2024 Tony Awards Sunday night.  The play was written by David Adimi. The storyline draws from Fleetwood Mac’s “Rumours” era as it follows a fictional Rock band on the cusp of superstardom as they struggle through…

A restructured Pantera played its first U.K. show in more than two decades at the Download Festival in Donington Park on Saturday (6/15). Classic-lineup members Philip Anselmo (vocals) and Rex Brown (bass) were joined by Zakk Wylde (guitar) and Charlie Benante (drums). The latter pair replaced the deceased brothers Vincent “Vinnie Paul” Abbott (drums) and “Dimebag” Darrell Abbott (guitar).  The current line-up…

Black Country Communion has released its fifth studio album “V,“ featuring “Stay Free” and “Letting Go.” “The camaraderie is immediately evident,” noted album producer Kevin Shirley. “Once they start playing, everyone is deadly serious, and the music sounds like this band, and nothing else sounds like it.” “V” Tracks: 01. Enlighten02. Stay Free03. Red Sun04. Restless05. Letting Go06. Skyway07. You’re Not Alone08. Love And Faith09. Too…

R.E.M.’s founding members gave their first public performance since ’07 on Thursday to mark their induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. The quartet delivered an acoustic version of “Losing My Religion” at the Marriott Marquee Hotel, New York, NY. R.E.M. broke up in ’11 but drummer Bill Berry left in ’97 for health reasons….