This Week in Rock

Iron Maiden have announced an epic graphic novel in celebration of the 40th anniversary of their fourth album, “Piece Of Mind.” It’s due out November 21st through Z2. Each of the nine songs on the album, which includes “The Trooper,” “Flight Of Icarus” and “Revelations” has an individual chapter. Frontman Bruce Dickinson contributed to the “Revelations”…

The Killers will release the ‘best of’ album “Rebel Diamonds” on December 8th. The album includes “Mr. Brightside,” “When You Were Young,” “All These Things That I’ve Done” and the new track “Spirit.” There is at least one song from each of the band’s seven studio albums – from “Hot Fuss” to “Pressure Machine.” “Rebel…

U.K.’s Download festival will return as DLXXI (the 21st edition) at Donington Park, Leicestershire. Headliners are Queens Of The Stone Age (pictured above), Fall Out Boy and Avenged Sevenfold. In addition, over 70 bands have been scheduled. The festival will take place June 14th-16th. General tickets are available at www.downloadfestival.co.uk.

Rush‘s Geddy Lee, a longtime and passionate baseball fan, will auction items from his “supremely mammoth collection of baseball memorabilia” beginning December 6th through Christie’s. Lee’s collection includes baseballs signed by U.S. Presidents John F. Kennedy, Harry Truman, Franklin D. Roosevelt and Lyndon B. Johnson. He’s also selling a Hank Aaron’s 500th home run Braves…

Longtime GWAR guitarist Brent Purgason (Pustulus Maximus) has announced his departure from the band. Purgason (pictured) released the following statement: “11 years ago I had the privilege of joining the greatest shock Rock and Roll band in the world. Today, I announce my departure from it.” Purgason joined GWAR in ’12 as the replacement for Cory Smoot, a.k.a. Flattus Maximus, who died in…

“Welcome To The Darkness,” a feature-length documentary about The Darkness, will be in theaters on November 9th for one night only, plus encores. (The film will also be available for digital download and on Blu-ray December 4th.)   In ’03, The Darkness scored with the single “I Believe In A Thing Called Love” and their multi-platinum debut album “Permission…

Slipknot has parted ways with longtime drummer Jay Weinberg, who replaced Joey Jordison a decade ago. The band thanked Weinberg for his ten years of dedication and passion before providing an explanation for the move. “No one can ever replace Joey Jordison’s original sound, style or energy, but Jay honored Joey’s parts and contributed to the last three albums and we,…

Rage Against The Machine (pictured above), Sheryl Crow, Kate Bush, Missy Elliott, George Michael, Willie Nelson and The Spinners were officially inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in the “performer” category during an 11/3/23 ceremony at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. Rage Against The Machine: Known for melding Heavy Metal and Rap with Punk…

The Struts have released their fourth studio album, the 11-track, “Pretty Vicious,” featuring “Too Good At Raising Hell.”   “This record showcases each individual member’s strengths,” states singer Luke Spiller. “It’s some of my favorite music, hands down, we’ve ever conjured up. It’s the record everyone’s been waiting for.” In addition to Spiller, the Brit band has guitarist Adam…

Five Finger Death Punch is donating a portion of its upcoming tour ticket revenue to support Covenant House’s programs to house, feed, educate, provide job assistance, mental health services and healthcare to homeless youth across the Americas. The band is supporting Covenant House’s Youth Homelessness Awareness Month campaign by posting important facts and links to resources about…