Author: Editorial Team

Symphonic metal titans Epica are delighted to unveil an electrifying live version of their track “Eye Of The Storm”, taken from their critically acclaimed, latest studio record Aspiral. This powerful version, titled “Eye Of The Storm (Live At The Ziggo Dome)”, was recorded last month at the band’s biggest headline show to date – a sold-out night at Amsterdam’s Ziggo Dome in front of 10,000 fans.

The track arrives just as Epica kicks-off the second leg of The Arcane Dimensions Tour with Amaranthe and Charlotte Wessels.

The Arcane Dimensions European Tour with Amaranthe and Charlotte Wessels’ The Obsession, brings three of the genre’s most dynamic forces together for an unforgettable live experience.

The journey of growth follows a spiral, continuously widening and deepening with every cycle. By sticking to this spiritual principle, symphonic metal innovators Epica have reinvented themselves on their ninth effort Aspiral, releasing a studio album that shows a band brimming with a newfound joy in their own skin – standing united as a team, where every band member brought inspiration, ideas and years of songwriting experience to the table.

Aspiral bears testimony to this unity, but the band’s steep ascent within the past years was far from coincidental and required lots of hard work and combination of things happening after the release of their latest album Omega in the midst of a raging pandemic. After walking several steps off their usual path with their EP The Alchemy Project which saw them collaborating with artists such as Myrkur, Fleshgod Apocalypse or Uriah Heep, the band played a massive world tour and got invited by a certain band called Metallica for several dates, and played 4 sold out “Symphonic Synergy” shows with a massive orchestra and choir.

After diving deep into hypothetical theories, metaphysical mysticism and themes that were touching the fabric of our existence in the infinity of the universe, Epica’s 9th studio effort Aspiral centers on the work of sculptor Stanisław Szukalski. During the first Covid lockdown, bassist Rob van der Loo saw the documentary Struggle – The Life And Lost Art Of Stanislav Szukalski and felt so inspired by his work that he wanted to write soundtracks for some of his sculptures, simply because each and every detail in his works are artworks on their own and their stories go very deep. And this is where the path started. Aspiral was born as an instrumental soundtrack to this world, an initially separate project that over time metamorphosed into the new Epica record.

The title comes from a bronze statue Szukalski did in 1965. If you take a close look, you can see snails rebuilding elements out of the mud in cycles and this eventually leads to civilization and a woman reaching out to the sun. It stands for renewal and inspiration – keywords that define Epica now.

For more than 20 years now, Epica have been standing tall. And while already their last efforts clearly showcased their commitment to the game, it is Aspiral that truly distills the very heart of their trademark sound.

The post EPICA Releases Live Single And Video “Eye Of The Storm (Live At The Ziggo Dome)” appeared first on Sonic Perspectives.

Dixxon Flannel Co. is continuing its run of music-driven collaborations with a new release tied to Lamb Of God. The apparel brand, known for building a loyal following around its flannel designs, has teamed up with the Richmond metal band for a limited-edition piece connected to their upcoming album Into Oblivion.

“Hope all has been well! Dixxon Flannel Co., the cult-favorite lifestyle apparel brand that turned the classic flannel into a global obsession, has announced its latest collab with heavy metal icons Lamb Of God, DIXXON x Lamb Of God, inspired by their new album, Into Oblivion, out March 13 via Century Media / Epic Records.”

The design leans into the band’s aesthetic, using a neon green and black color scheme that references the new record. Beyond the visual element, the flannel includes practical features built with everyday wear in mind.

“From a built-in microfiber cloth to utility chest pockets, this multi-faceted flannel is prepped & ready for war. Its striking neon green and black will keep you in true Into Oblivion fashion at your next Lamb Of God concert or while streaming the title track on your preferred listening platform.”

The release will arrive as a limited run through Dixxon’s online store and mobile app. Both men’s and women’s versions will be available.

“The DIXXON x Lamb Of God limited-edition collab will be released tomorrow, March 6 at 9 am PT here and at the Dixxon mobile app. It will be available in both men and women’s styles. Order this flannel in the first hour of release for a chance to win a FREE signed copy of Into Oblivion on vinyl.”

The post LAMB OF GOD Teams With Dixxon Flannel For “Into Oblivion”-Inspired Limited Edition Release appeared first on Sonic Perspectives.

Ahead of Rhino Records’ March 27 release of the expanded edition of 5150, Van Halen have rolled out the official HD remastered clip for “Why Can’t This Be Love” (Live Promo Video). The upgraded video gives fans a sharper look at one of the key tracks from the band’s mid-’80s era.

Van Halen – 5150 (Expanded Edition) pulls together several pieces from that period. The set features the remastered original album, rare B-sides, and a previously unreleased live recording from New Haven ’86. A 24-page book is also included. In addition, the package marks the first HD release of the band’s 1986 concert film Live Without A Net and includes a promo video for “Dreams”.

The expanded edition will be available on 2LP, 2CD and digital formats. It can now be pre-order here.

This month marks the 40th anniversary of 5150, the first of four albums Van Halen recorded with singer Sammy Hagar, a record that signaled a new chapter for the band while delivering staples that remain fixtures for hard rock fans.

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Canadian sci-fi metal pioneers Voivod have shared a new update on their upcoming video game project, Voivod: The Nuclear Warrior.

“We’re excited to share a major visual update for Voivod: The Nuclear Warrior, the first official video game inspired by Voivod. The game’s key art has been completely reimagined in collaboration with Costin Chioreanu, bringing a richer level of detail, a stronger comic-book vibe, and an even more authentic Voivodian atmosphere. This new artwork better represents the tone and identity of the project as development continues. What do you think of this new look? If you haven’t yet, remember to wishlist the game on Steam, it really helps boost its visibility.”

Alongside the game news, Voivod recently rolled out new North American dates, confirmed an extended summer run across Europe and the UK, and provided an update on studio activity. The band also launched a new video for the classic track “Condemned To The Gallows.”

Drummer Michel “Away” Langevin offered a detailed look at what’s ahead: “We are gearing for a very exciting year in the Voivod camp, as we are working on multiple projects at once. We have a brand new setlist for a few tours planned in 2026, where we will play with good friends like Midnight and BAT. We are mixing the Quebec City Symphonique Live album, while recording the next studio LP. A video game by Chaosmonger Studio is in the works as well. In the meantime, here’s a video by Pierre Ménétrier for a re-recording of the very first song we ever wrote, ‘Condemned To The Gallows’. The video was supposed to come out in 2023, but Pierre’s computer crashed and most data was lost. Pierre, who also did the video ‘Planet Eaters’ for us, retrieved whatever he could and secretly salvaged the video over the last couple of years. The result is truly fantastic, so here it is, enjoy!”.

Fans can now check out “Condemned To The Gallows (2023 Version)”, featured on the band’s 40th anniversary release Morgöth Tales from 2023. The clip was directed by Pierre Ménétrier and produced by Esprit Pop, managed by Bruno Beaudouin.

Next up, Voivod will hit the road for a short North American run with BAT, followed by a more extensive European tour in the summer. More details and ticket links are available through the band’s official channels.

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Rock ’n’ roll mainstay Suzi Quatro will release her new album Freedom on March 27. The second single from the record, “Little Miss Lovely”, is now available, following the title track “Freedom”.

Speaking with Dawn Osborne of TotalRock, Suzi Quatro explained how the album took its final shape. “I was going through the master mixes, and the album was gonna be called “Choose Yourself”, which was the top song for a long time. So I’m going through the mixes to approve, and this “Freedom”, it just kept coming out and smacking me in the face. And I went, ‘Okay, this is the first single, this is the title of the album.’ And have you ever seen and heard a picture and a song, and a title that all says exactly the same thing? Doesn’t it scream it to you freedom?”

The decision also guided the artwork: “Once I decided on that track for the single, I actually had a vision — [it was] so strange — a vision of this album cover and the single cover. And I couldn’t get it out of my mind. So I put out little notes to all my people who photographed me for years. I said, ‘Here’s what I’m looking for.’ And so I have a girl in Australia who’s done me for — I don’t know — since the ’80s. And she had a photograph of me from the back with my bass on, on stage. And the art team then got together and created the image around it. And it’s exactly the way I saw it in my mind’s eye. And it’s important.”

Lyrically, Freedom reflects where she stands now. “I’m 75. I have achieved freedom in myself, in my attitude. I’ve dropped my excess baggage. I don’t have that anymore. I don’t have anything to prove. I’m comfortable in my skin. So it’s a very important personal thing. Also, in this world we live in, I say freedom — what is more precious than freedom? Nothing.”

She expanded on that idea in a separate statement: “It’s all about getting back to who you are, and it applies universally. We all wear masks to get by in this world. For me it’s all about being comfortable in your own skin, having nothing to prove to anyone, and not accepting any B.S.! This is the journey this album takes you on. Here I am, warts and all. Take it or leave it. Choose yourself…and finally FREEDOM. Which also applies to the world we live in today. A very important word, a very important attitude and very important reality… ‘FREEDOM’!”

The album also features a duet with fellow Detroit rocker Alice Cooper on a take of the MC5 classic “Kick Out The Jams”.

From the early chart-toppers “Can The Can” and “Devil Gate Drive” onward, Suzi Quatro has sold more than 55 million records worldwide. Her catalog runs deep, with staples like “48 Crash”, “Daytona Demon”, “The Wild One”, “If You Can’t Give Me Love”, “She’s In Love With You”, “Rock Hard”, and the U.S. million-seller “Stumblin’ In”, her duet with Chris Norman, which returned to million-seller status worldwide in 2024.

Beyond music, she built a strong acting résumé, including her three-season run as Leather Tuscadero on Happy Days, where she received the second most fan mail after The Fonz.

Freedom was produced by L.R. Tuckey and mastered by Christian Wright at Abbey Road Studios, closing the loop on a record that Suzi Quatro sees as a statement of identity and purpose.

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Swedish heavy rock outfit Sister Sin has dropped a second new single, “Drive”, continuing its return after more than a decade without new material. The track follows last month’s “Suicide Hill”, which marked Sister Sin’s first new music in 12 years.

Both “Drive” and “Suicide Hill” were recorded by the band’s current lineup: Liv Jagrell on vocals, Jimmy Hiltula on guitar, Andreas Strandh on bass, Dave Sundberg on drums and Sebastian Svedlund on rhythm guitar. The songs were mixed and mastered by Lawrence Mackrory at Rorysound Studios.

“Suicide Hill” pulls inspiration from the 1988 cult film Maniac Cop and the novel Suicide Hill by James Ellroy, tying horror themes into the band’s hard-edged sound.

Although Sister Sin announced its reunion in December 2019, the pandemic stalled live plans. The band finally returned to the stage in June 2022 with a show at Backstage Rockbar in Trollhättan, Sweden.

The group originally called it quits in November 2015. In a statement at the time, the band explained that its “relentless” touring and recording schedule had taken a toll and that “the motivation for some members just wasn’t there anymore.” Even then, the door was left open for another chapter: “It is our hope that the flame will burn once again and hopefully resurrect this Swedish bastard sometime in the future. Time will tell…”

Eleven years ago, Jagrell reflected on the breakup in an interview with Sleaze Roxx. “We toured too much and we got burned out. That’s the simple answer. They just felt like they did not want to do this anymore. [In 2015], we had been out for almost four months or something so it’s a lot of time away from family. It’s a lot of time away from friends. And also just to survive in the business is hard, so I think we maybe worked too hard in the last years.”

With two new singles now out, Sister Sin is clearly pushing forward again, picking up where it left off — only this time with a reset and a renewed focus.

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Two years ago, Billy Morrison—the British guitarist, singer, and songwriter, primarily known as Billy Idol’s rhythm guitar player for the past 17 years alongside lead guitarist Steve Stevens—released The Morrison Project via TLG/ZOID/Virgin Music Group. It marked his third solo album (and first since 2015) and produced the #1 Active Rock Song (Mediabase) in America: “Crack Cocaine” featuring Ozzy Osbourne and Steve Stevens and co-written by all three artists. A deluxe edition of the album followed in 2025 and bonus track, “Gods Of Rock and Roll (Orchestral)”—another seismic collaboration with Osbourne and Stevens—landed in the Active Rock Top Ten (Mediabase).

Morrison will build on that success with his upcoming album Hollow, out sometime in August via TLG/ZOID/Virgin Music Group. The album will launch with the March 27 release of its first single and video “Becoming” which was written by Morrison, Sully Erna (Godsmack) and Brett Scallions; it features Erna on lead vocals and Grammy Award-winner Nuno Bettencourt (Extreme) on lead guitar.

Hollow will follow the success of 2024’s The Morrison Project format with 12 songs, half sung by Morrison and half sung by a handful of Morrison‘s friends. Guests include Dexter Holland, Marilyn Manson, Chuck D, B Real, Duff McKagan, Steve Stevens, DMC, and the above-mentioned Sully Erna and Nuno Bettencourt, among others. “Forgive Me,” “The Tailor,” “No Suspects,” “Another Day,” “Leave No Trace,” and “Becoming” are among the song titles.

“The last album was so much fun and such a creative experience for me that I got the band back together for a follow up record,” says Billy. It’s on the same label (TLG/ZOID/Virgin Music Group), with the same crew (Barry Pointer mixing the record, Dave Donnelly mastering and all art and photography by Jane Stuart) and I’m excited to share this body of work with the world.” He adds: “The guests on this record are at the core of the collaborative spirit that I try to put in the center of these records. Every single person I worked with stepped up, brought their A game and helped me produce an album that crosses genres, features some really diverse songwriting, and yet has a truly cohesive, and powerful sound. Ultimately, I am just grateful to everyone involved for allowing me to do this again.”

The post BILLY MORRISON’S Solo Album “Hollow” Features MARILYN MANSON, SULLY ERNA, NUNO BETTENCOURT And DEXTER HOLLAND, Lead Single “Becoming” Arrives March 27 appeared first on Sonic Perspectives.

Celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2026, Mr. Big’s fourth studio album, Hey Man, finally makes its long-awaited debut on vinyl for Record Store Day UK and Japan 2026 (April 18th), followed by a new remaster on SACD Hybrid Multi-channel and Double MQA-CD on May 8th.

A landmark release for the band, the album famously dominated the Japan Oricon chart for 16 weeks and remains a fan favorite for its blend of technical prowess and soulful songwriting.

The album features some of the band’s most enduring tracks, including fan-favorites “Take Cover” and “Goin’ Where The Wind Blows.” It stands as a definitive tribute to the incredible musicianship of the band’s classic lineup — Eric Martin, Pat Torpey, Billy Sheehan, and Paul Gilbert — making this a must-have for fans and collectors.

The Double MQA-CD format features an expansive array of additional content. This includes the “I Love You Japan” demo, the first-time release of the final mixes for “Friend of The Working Girl” and “Livin’ Like A Dog,” and a selection of bonus tracks such as “Tears,” “Little Mistake,” “Swingin’ Jam,” and “Shoot The Moon.” Rounding out the bonus material are live versions of “Take Cover,” “Goin’ Where The Wind Blows,” and “I Love You Japan,” alongside exclusive drum-only and minus-drum mixes of “Take Cover.”

The SACD Hybrid Multi-channel format features a brand-new remaster in high-resolution audio and will be released with a new 5.1 mix, housed in a premium super jewel box with a protective outer slipcase.

The 180g One-Step Pressing Deep Cyan Vinyl LP format marks the first time the album is available on vinyl for Record Store Day UK and Japan, and it is limited to 3,000 copies worldwide.

Stay tuned for more updates as these landmark anniversary editions arrive. The LP will be available on April 18th, followed by the SACD Hybrid Multi-channel and Double MQA-CD on May 8th.

Note: The Hybrid SACD disc is compatible with all standard CD and SACD players.

The post MR. BIG Celebrates 30th Anniversary With “Hey Man” First-Time Vinyl Release, New Remaster & More appeared first on Sonic Perspectives.

Jay Jay French and Eddie Ojeda have confirmed that former Skid Row vocalist Sebastian Bach will front Twisted Sister for a select run of dates this fall. The band was quick to clarify that the appearances won’t interfere with Bach‘s existing or upcoming solo touring commitments.

A short clip of Bach in rehearsal with the band has already surfaced online.

The announcement comes roughly a month after Twisted Sister scrapped its 2026 reunion run entirely. On February 5, the band revealed that Dee Snider had resigned due to health issues, forcing the cancellation of all scheduled dates from April through early summer.

Snider addressed the question of a replacement on a recent episode of the “Beardo & Weirdo” podcast, hosted by Five Finger Death Punch bassist Chris Kael and comedian Craig Gass. When asked whether Twisted Sister could carry on without him, Dee was straightforward: “I hope so. I believe there’s gotta be somebody out there who can kick ass.”

When pressed on whether he had anyone specific in mind, Snider reached back about a decade to explain the situation’s irony:

“All right. Okay. Back it up. Back it up. So cut back to, we’re still reunited — it’s, like, 2014, something like that, and we only do, like, 20 shows a year, and they’re headlining festivals, whatever. And we realized that if somebody got sick or had a problem at home and they couldn’t do a show, it would be a great loss since it was one of 20 shows for the year. So we said, ‘Listen, let’s all find a stand-in guy who will do the job in case we can’t make a show.’”

Dee recalled going directly to Bach with the offer — and getting turned down flat:

“I was trying to get someone to replace me, in case we can’t make a show. And I called him Sebastian Bach. I was, like, dude, ‘Will you be the fill-in?’ And he goes, ‘No way.’ I’m like, ‘What do you mean no way?’ ‘Dude, that’s a thankless job. No, I’m not standing in for you. Never.’ I’m, like, you’re my student. You studied me. You’re a great singer. You can do it. People will love it.’ ‘Nah, nah, no way.’”

Snider also mentioned reaching out to Michael Monroe of Hanoi Rocks with similar results. Now that the shoe is on the other foot, Dee appears to have no hard feelings: “I hear rumors that the band is actually trying to find someone, and I say, God bless ’em.”

When podcast co-host Gass pointed out he’d heard Twisted Sister had already been rehearsing with one of the singers Dee mentioned — an apparent nod to Bach — Snider confirmed it without hesitation: “Yeah, I know there’s been rehearsals with him. And he hasn’t reached out to me. I think he knows he has my blessing. And I would never begrudge anybody continuing to rock.”

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The post SEBASTIAN BACH Steps In As TWISTED SISTER’s New Frontman For Fall Shows, DEE SNIDER Says “He Knows He Has My Blessing” appeared first on Sonic Perspectives.

Ozzy Osbourne is getting a six-meter statue at this year’s Hellfest, and Sharon Osbourne has confirmed the whole family plans to be there for the unveiling.

The annual open-air festival in Clisson, France — one of Europe’s largest metal events — runs 06/18 through 06/21, with the statue set to greet attendees near the entrance on opening day.

Sharon revealed the first image of the sculpture during a 02/06 appearance at MIDEM 2026 at the Palais des Festivals in Cannes. Her reaction on seeing it left little room for interpretation: “Oh, there he is. Look at him, a rock god. That is going to debut at Hellfest, and that is June 18th. And the whole family will be there to see it.”

She also directed praise toward Hellfest director Ben Barbaud: “It’s such a great tribute. It’s amazing. So, I can only thank Ben. Just bless you. It’s an amazing piece of art.”

The move puts Ozzy in notable company at the festival grounds. Back in June 2022, Hellfest unveiled a statue of Mötörhead frontman Lemmy Kilmister — a replacement for an earlier sculpture of the bassist that had been erected six years prior but had deteriorated badly due to crumbling plaster.

The post OZZY OSBOURNE’s Six-Meter Statue To Be Unveiled At Hellfest – SHARON OSBOURNE Says “It’s An Amazing Piece Of Art” appeared first on Sonic Perspectives.