The Month In Rock: July

Kreator

7/2 “Kreator – Hate & Hope” Premieres

The official documentary about German Thrash Metal band premieres at the 42nd Munich International Film Festival.

The 110-minute film, directed by Cordula Kablitz-Post, will receive a theatrical premiere on September 4th.

7/2 Alice Cooper To Be Inducted Into The Radio Hall of Fame

After launching his syndicated radio show, “Nights With Alice Cooper” over 20 years ago, it’s announced that the Shock Rocker will be inducted into the Radio Hall Of Fame during a ceremony on October 30th.

Liam and Noel Gallagher

7/4 Oasis Launch Reunion Tour

The long-awaited Oasis reunion, with the often-warring brothers Liam and Noel Gallagher, play Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales for their first show together in 16 years.

Further (sold out) dates around the U.K., the United States, South Korea, Japan, Australia and South America are scheduled.

Evanescence

7/5 Evanescence Garners First Mainstream Rock #1

The track is featured in the Netflix series “Devil May Cry.” This rise to the top ends a 22-year wait for a #1 hit, the longest in the Billboard chart’s history, Evanescence first reached the survey when “Bring Me To Life” (with Paul McCoy) peaked at #11 in ’03.

7/5 Ozzy Osbourne Takes The Stage For The Last Time

Ozzy plays a solo set before he is joined by the other founding Black Sabbath members (Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward) for the first and last time in two decades.

Earlier, Metallica, Guns N’ Roses, Slayer, Anthrax, and Halestorm are among the bands who also play during the Ozzy/Sabbath “Back To The Beginning”’ farewell concert.”

Scorpions

7/5 Scorpions Play 60th Anniversary Concert

To mark their 60th anniversary, the band the band performs in their hometown of Hanover, Germany at the Heinz von Heiden Arena which sells out (45,000 tickets) in mere moments.

Formed in 1965, the band has released 19 albums, sold over 100 million records worldwide and are best known for the songs “Wind Of Change” and “Rock You Like A Hurricane.”

Kelly Osbourne/Sideny Wilson

7/5 Slipknot Turntablist Proposes

Sidney George Wilson, turntablist for Slipknot, proposes to Kelly Osbourne, daughter of Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne\.

The 48-year-old musician proposes to the 40-year-old Kelly backstage at Ozzy’s final concert with Black Sabbath at Villa Park in Birmingham, U.K.

Tony Iommi

7/6 Gibson Guitars Are Auctioned

Following Black Sabbath’s farewell concert two signed Gibson SG Standard guitars — the model favored by Sabbath’s Tony Iommi – are auctioned with all proceeds shared equally between three charities (Cure Parkinson’s, Birmingham Children’s Hospital and Acorns Children’s Hospice) favored by Sabbath frontman Ozzy Osbourne.

King Diamond

7/7 Strep Throat Cancels King Diamond

King Diamond announces the cancelation of four shows on its European tour after the band’s namesake singer is diagnosed with strep throat.

“Send me a Devil’s prayer or two,” asks the namesake frontman. 

Matt Cameron

7/7 Matt Cameron Exits Pearl Jam

The drummer takes to social media to write: “After 27 fantastic years, I have taken my final steps down the drum riser for the mighty Pearl Jam. Much love and respect to Jeff, Ed, Mike and Stone for inviting me into the band in 1998 and for giving me the opportunity of a lifetime.”

7/7 Fall Out Boy Guitarist Done For The Year

F.O.B.’s lead guitarist Joe Trohman issues a statement revealing that he’ll be undergoing surgery on his right hand and he’ll be taking the rest of the year for recovery.

Trohman says that while he’s taking time off the band is still planning to honor their 2025 tour dates.

Spiritbox

7/7 Spiritbox On Kimmel

Spiritbox make their late-night television debut on Jimmy Kimmel Live!

Their latest album, “Tsunami Sea” debuted at #1 on Billboard’s Top Hard Rock Albums and #26 on the Billboard 200. The set has generated over 31 million global streams featuring the singles “Perfect Soul,” “No Loss, No Love” and “Soft Spine,” which they performed on Kimmel Live!

Iron Maiden’s Eddie

7/8 Iron Maiden Coin Introduced

The Royal Mint unveils a commemorative coin celebrating 50 years of Iron Maiden. The coin joins The Royal Mint’s Music Legends series, which has previously celebrated Queen, Elton John and David Bowie.

“Having (band mascot) Eddie on an official U.K. coin is a continuation of his incredible odyssey since we unearthed him back in 1980,” says Iron Maiden manager Rod Smallwood, 

One of Monster Magnet founding members passes away due to ALS at the age of 63.

“Words cannot express how great this guy was… You had to know him. Rest in peace Tim,” writes Monster Magnet’s drummer Bob Pantella. 

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club

7/10 Black Rebel Motorcycle Club Sends DHS A Cease & Desist Order

BRMC demand, in writing, that the Department of Homeland Security stop posting/airing a promotional clip that uses the band’s version of “God’s Gonna Cut You Down.”

The recruitment clip shows government personnel in surveillance gear on patrol before displaying the emblem of U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Tom Morello

7/10 Rage Against The Machine Guitarist Releases Protest Song

Tom Morello releases the anthem, “Pretend You Remember Me,” targeting the Trump administration’s stance on immigration,

Morello says the song, created in collaboration with the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles (CHIRLA), is a “direct response to what we’ve seen happening, the state terror we’ve seen happening in this country,”

Rio James Dio

7/10 UCLA Plaque Honors Dio

Ronnie James Dio, who succumbed to gastric cancer in 2010, is honored — on what would have been his 83rd birthday — with the dedication in his name of a room in the UCLA Center for Oral/Head & Neck Oncology Research (COOR).

A memorial plaque is unveiled by Dio’s widow Wendy Dio at a formal naming ceremony,

Born Of Osiris

7/11 Born Of Osiris Issue Seventh Album: “Through Shadows”

“‘Through Shadows’ is a reflection of the human experience — both the quiet struggles and the heavy storms we each endure,” states the Progressive Metal band, “When all feels lost, we’re left with a choice: face demise or defend our existence.” It’s the band’s first full-length album since ’21’s “Angel Or Alien.”

Metallica

7/11 Metallica Heard In Drone Clip

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth appears in front of the Pentagon in a video promoting increased U.S. drone production with Metallica’s “Enter Sandman” playing the background.

Drones fly about has Hegseth touts American manufacturing of military equipment.

The video is later re-uploaded without the Metallica audio.

The Black Parade

7/14 ‘The Black Parade” Singles Get Upped

Singles from the ’06 four-times platinum effort, receive new certifications from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

The album’s lead single “Welcome To The Black Parade” is now certified seven times platinum.

“Teenagers” is six times platinum while “Famous Last Words“ is double platinum.

“I Don’t Love You” and “Mama” reached platinum status.

GWAR

7/15 GWAR’s Blothar Has His Say

Blothar, the Berzerker champions the fight for public media funding amidst the threat of potentially massive budget cuts.

He makes a compelling and public plea for mass action before devastating action is taken toward eliminating the financial backing to public media providers.

7/16 Yngwie Malmsteen Announces A Protein Powder Line

“When I’m on stage, there’s no compromise, only precision, power, and passion,” writes the guitarist. “I take these supplements to stay razor-sharp, night after night. This isn’t hype. It’s fuel!”

Probiotic capsules, electrolyte supplements and pre-workout supplements are available.

7/16 “Back To The Beginning” Revenues

Event musical director Tom Morello writes in a social media posts that Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath’s farewell concert raised $190 million with proceeds going to Birmingham Children’s Hospital, Acorn Children’s Hospice and Cure Parkinson’s, the latter is seeking a cure to the disease Ozzy suffers from.

7/16 Jane’s Addiction Members Sue Singer

Jane’s Addiction members Dave Navarro, Eric Avery and Stephen Perkins file a lawsuit in Los Angeles County Superior Court, against lead singer Perry Farrell. The suit alleges the group lost over $10 million (from the cancelation of both a tour and a planned album) as a result of last September’s onstage altercation between Farrell and Navarro during a concert in Boston.

Coldplay

7/16 Coldplay Kiss-Cam Snafu

Andy Byron, the CEO of data operations startup Astronomer, is caught on a “kiss cam” at a Coldplay concert with his arms around Kristin Cabot, Astronomer’s Chief People Officer.

On camera the two quickly pull apart, prompting Coldplay frontman Chris Martin to joke, “Either they’re having an affair or they’re just very shy.” The video explodes online resulting in Byron, who is married, resigning days later.

Bush

7/18 Bush’s “I Beat Loneliness” Drops

The band’s tenth studio album features singles “60 Ways To Forget People” and “The Land Of Milk And Honey,”

The latter, according to frontman Gavin Rossdale, “is a wild ride into the heart of the new record. It’s built to be played loud — to liberate and uplift. That’s the spirit behind it.”

A press release adds, “The track examines “the illusion of freedom in a world ruled by power, obsession, and disconnection.”

One More Satellite

7/18 One More Satellite Releases Debut Album

Featuring guitarist Dean DeLeo (Stone Temple Pilots) and U.K.-based vocalist/ lyricist Pete Shoulder, tghe band’;s self-title debut contains “Paper Over The Cracks” and “Can Of Worms.”

“What started out as an instrumental album, quickly changed soon after Pete and I chatted,” recalled DeLeo. “He was going to sing on a song or two, then wound up singing on eight of the ten on the record.”

“I was excited to hear the new music Dean wanted to collaborate on,” noted Shoulder. 

Five Finger Death Punch

7/18 “20 Years Of Five Finger Death Punch – Best Of Volume 1” Arrives

The collection of re-recorded versions of their best-known songs came in response to the recent sale of the band’s original master recordings by their former label made without their knowledge or the opportunity to reclaim their own work.

“So when this happened to Taylor Swift, she responded by re-recording her catalog and her fans switched to streaming the new versions out of protest and loyalty,” notes FFDP guitarist Zoltan Bathory. “We have one of the most hardcore and loyal fan bases on the planet so I know our fans will do the same.”

Scars On Broadway

7/18 Scars On Broadway Deliver “Addicted To Violence”

Fronted by System Of A Down guitarist/singer Daron Malakian, Scars On Broadway have unfurled their first studio album in seven years.

Malakian composed, produced, and performed all the album’s songs, with contributions from Scars on Broadway bandmates Orbel Babayan (guitar) and Roman Lomtadze (drums).

“I’m just as proud of Scars as I am of SOAD,” states Malakian in a press release. “This is another musical outlet for me.”

7/18 It’s Shadows Fall Day

Shadows Fall receive an official proclamation from Springfield, MA mayor Domenic J. Sarno declaring “Shadows Fall Day.” “From playing shows at Fat Cat’s down the street… to tonight’s show at The Mass Mutual Center, Western Massachusetts has always been home sweet home,” says the band.

They are on tour opening for Lamb Of God.

Three Days Grace

7/19 Three Days Grace Land 19th #1

“Apologies” is the band’s 19th #1 on Billboard‘s Mainstream Rock Airplay chart. The song follows “Mayday” to the top.

Both songs employ a two-vocalist setup. Last year, original frontman Adam Gontier rejoined Three Days Grace sharing vocals with Matt Walst who has been with the band since 2013.

7/21 Metallica Expands Scholarship Opportunities

The Metallica Scholars Initiative (MSI) announces it will launch its largest grant to date, totaling approximately $3 million. Fifteen community colleges will join the effort, each receiving $75,000 to enhance the student experience within career and technical education programs.

Ozzy Osbourne

7/22 Ozzy Osbourne Is Gone

Ozzy was a founding member of Black Sabbath, the first true Heavy Metal band, who after being fired from the band, embarked on an incredible solo career with platinum albums and a popular cable series – “The Osbournes.”

7/23 Dropkick Murphys Drop Out

The Celtic Punk band announce they will no longer be performing at any more Punk in the Park shows after learning the festival’s organizer, Brew Ha Ha promotions, donated to the Trump campaign.

“Punk Rock and Donald Trump just don’t belong together,” states the band.

Ghost

7/23 Ghost On The Tonight Show

The Swedish band performs on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” for the first time. They perform “Lachryma.”

Ghost is currently on the U.S. leg of the “Skeletour” world tour in support of the group’s sixth studio album, “Skeletá.” The U.S. leg runs through mid-August.

Laura Jane Grace

7/24 Laura Jane Grace Apologizes

The Against Me! vocalist breaks her silence after her wife Paris Campbell Grace previously accused her of spousal abuse.

“I made a lot of poor decisions where I absolutely should have known better,” Grace stated. “My poor decisions have impacted my kid, my band and my community. I hold myself accountable for it and sincerely apologize.”

The Revenge Of Alice Cooper

7/25 The Original Alice Cooper Band Returns

The surviving members of the original Alice Cooper band — singer Alice Cooper, guitarist Michael Bruce, bassist Dennis Dunaway and drummer Neal Smith — present “The Revenge Of Alice Cooper.”

The band’s first album in over 50 years includes a special appearance by late guitarist Glen Buxton. What Happened To You” is based on riff from a demo Dunaway and Buxton made together way back when. The set also has “Black Mamba” with guitarist Robby Krieger of The Doors.

GWAR

7/25 GWAR’s New Album “The Return Of Gor Gor”

“The last time I saw Gor Gor, he was just a wee fart dragon,” GWAR’s Blöthar The Berserker recalls.: “He had crawled on the hood of my Kia Soul and was holding on for dear life while I drove to the store to buy Clamato. I bathed him in wiper fluid and used my wipers to knock him off my sweet ride. Next thing I know, he’s all grown up and looking for revenge. This record chronicles his struggles trying to make his way in a cruel world.”

Foreigner

7/25 “Happy Gilmour 2” Premieres On Netflix

The sequel to the classic Adam Sandler golf comedy features Foreigner’s “Juke Box Hero,” Survivor’s “Eye Of Tiger” and Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers’ “The Waiting.”
With 4.7 million households watching “Happy Gilmour 2” over the first weekend it was available is the biggest Netflix movie debut of the year.

7/26 “I Refuse” Rules Mainstream Rock

Five Finger Death Punch extends its record for the most consecutive #1s on Billboard‘s Mainstream Rock Airplay chart as “I Refuse” tops the chart. It’s the band’s 12th consecutive.

“I Refuse,” featuring Maria Brink from In This Moment, is off “Five Finger Death Punch: 20 Years Of FFDP – Best Of Volume 1.”

7/27 Dropkick Murphys Name “First Class Loser”

During their set at the Warped Tour fest in Long Beach, CA, frontman Ken Casey tells the crowd, “This next song is dedicated to a guy who wears orange makeup, shits his pants in his diapers, rapes women, touches kids. It’s called ‘First Class Loser’!”

Not surprisingly, Dropkick Murphys have been one of the most outspoken music acts against President Trump, 

All That Remains

7/29 All That Remains Loses A Member

Guitarist Jason Richardson exits All That Remains after a nearly seven-year run with the band

“I’m incredibly proud of the record we made together and grateful for the relationships I’ve built during my time with the band,” says Richardson.

Paul Mario Day

7/29 Iron Maiden’s Original Vocalist Dies

Singer Paul Mario Day dies at the age of 69. The British-born musician had reportedly been battling cancer for the last few years.

He was in Iron Maiden from 1975 to 1976.

7/30 Hometown Says Goodbye To Ozzy

The city of Birmingham, U.K. pays its final respects to Ozzy Osbourne with a funeral procession. The hearse and accompanying vehicles make their way through the city.

“It was important to the city that we support a fitting, dignified tribute ahead of a private family funeral,” said Zafar Iqbal, Birmingham’s lord mayor. “We know how much this moment will mean to his fans. We’re proud to host it here with his loving family in the place where it all began.”

Ilan Rubin

7/30 Foo Fighters New Drummer

Ilan Rubin replaces Josh Freese, who was fired from the Foo Fighters in May. 

Rubin is best known for his work with Nine Inch Nails, where he served as the band’s touring drummer since 2009.

Freese, who was the N.I.N.’s touring drummer from 2005 to 2008, will return to the band.

Chris Beattie

7/30 Ex-Hatebreed Bassist Sues Band

Hatebreed’s founding bassist Chris Beattie files a lawsuit in Connecticut Superior Court against the band for his ‘baseless expulsion” from the group last November.

The complaint also accuses Hatebreed frontman Jamey Jasta of displaying “increasingly erratic” behavior “culminating in a unilateral decision to cut Beattie off from his career, fans, touring, and substantial expected revenue.”

Ozzy Osbourne

7/31 Ozzy Osbourne Laid To Rest

He is laid to rest at the grounds of his mansion in Buckinghamshire, England.

The private service at the 250-acre estate is attended by Ozzy’s close friends and family, as well as Elton John, Ozzy’s Black Sabbath bandmates and members of Metallica.

Elton calls Osbourne a “dear friend” who “secured his place in the pantheon of Rock gods.”