Author: Editorial Team

To celebrate their sold-out European arena tour, Def Leppard has released a limited-edition, newly mastered Greatest Hits vinyl set in two formats: standard black vinyl and a special blood red marbled edition with exclusive 2026 tour artwork, available only at tour venues.

The 10-track collection spans the band’s core catalog. Side one features “Pour Some Sugar On Me,” “Hysteria,” “Photograph,” “Love Bites,” and “Animal.” Side two collects “Rock Of Ages,” “When Love And Hate Collide,” “Bringin’ On The Heartbreak,” “Foolin’,” and “Armageddon It.”

To pre-order, click here.

In January, Def Leppard released a new single, “Rejoice,” ahead of their Las Vegas residency at Caesars Palace, which ran from Feb. 3 through Feb. 28. In January 2025, the band released a cover of Ben E. King‘s 1961 classic “Stand By Me” as a benefit for FireAid, with all proceeds going to those affected by the Los Angeles fires. The cover also appears in the Netflix film Bank Of Dave 2: The Loan Ranger.

In June 2024, Def Leppard released “Just Like 73,” featuring a guest guitar solo from Rage Against The Machine‘s Tom Morello. Their 12th studio album, Diamond Star Halos, came out in 2022, followed in 2023 by Drastic Symphonies — a reimagining of classic material with London’s Royal Philharmonic Orchestra recorded at Abbey Road. That album spent 15 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Current Classical chart.

Guitarist Vivian Campbell, who joined Def Leppard in 1992 after earlier work with Dio and Whitesnake, underwent a bone marrow transplant in late 2024 as part of his ongoing treatment for Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a condition he disclosed publicly in June 2013. In June 2025, Campbell confirmed he is “completely in remission.” Def Leppard was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in March 2019.

The post DEF LEPPARD Releases Limited Tour Edition Of “Greatest Hits” On Vinyl — Blood Red Marbled Version Is Sold-Out European Arena Tour Exclusive appeared first on Sonic Perspectives.

London fragrance house Czech & Speake has released a limited-edition tribute batch of its No.88 cologne honoring the late Ozzy Osbourne, who wore the scent for 30 years. The batch, announced on Wednesday (April 29), sold out almost immediately. Each bottle is priced at $370 and presented in a black sleeve with purple foil, along with a note from Sharon Osbourne. Twenty percent of sales goes to Cure Parkinson’s.

Sharon‘s note recalls the moment she introduced Osbourne to the fragrance: “I don’t know exactly how long Ozzy wore No.88, but I’m sure it was at least 30 years. As soon as he smelled it, he said to me, ‘I’d like to smell like this for the rest of my life!’ And he did!”

Czech & Speake said in a statement: “Ozzy Osbourne was the most loyal fan of No.88, our signature and most unique perfume, for over 30 years. At Czech & Speake, we are proud to be working with the Osbourne family to honour The Prince of Darkness with this limited tribute edition.” The company describes the scent as having “a fresh, woody top note of reviving bergamot, the richness and warmth of geranium, rose otto, cassie and exotic frangipani, combined with dry base notes of vetiver and sandalwood.”

Ozzy Osbourne, the legendary Black Sabbath frontman, died July 22, 2025, at 76. His death certificate listed the cause as a heart attack, with coronary artery disease and Parkinson’s disease also noted. A private funeral was held July 31, 2025, at the Osbourne family’s Buckinghamshire estate, with 110 attendees including Osbourne‘s Black Sabbath bandmates, Robert Trujillo (Metallica), Rob Zombie, Zakk Wylde, Marilyn Manson, and Corey Taylor (Slipknot). The day prior, thousands of fans gathered in Birmingham for a public tribute, joined by Sharon and their children Aimée, Kelly, and Jack.

Osbourne‘s final performance came at the “Back To The Beginning” charity concert in Birmingham — a reunion of the original Black Sabbath lineup with guitarist Tony Iommi, bassist Geezer Butler, and drummer Bill Ward. He performed a five-song solo set with Wylde, Mike Inez, Adam Wakeman, and Tommy Clufetos, then joined his Sabbath bandmates for “War Pigs,” “Iron Man,” “N.I.B.,” and “Paranoid.” Seated on a throne throughout, he told the crowd: “You have no idea how I feel. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

The post OZZY OSBOURNE’s 30-Year Signature Cologne Tribute Sells Out Almost Instantly — 20% Of Sales Benefit The Cure Parkinson’s Charity appeared first on Sonic Perspectives.

Dimmu Borgir guitarist Sven “Silenoz” Kopperud spoke with KillerTube about the band’s upcoming album Grand Serpent Rising, due May 22 via Nuclear Blast Records — eight years after 2018’s Eonian. Asked whether the serpent imagery of shedding skin and renewal reflects what Dimmu Borgir went through over that stretch, Silenoz said (transcribed by Blabbermouth): “We’ve had to shed quite a lot, as usual, maybe more than previously. But it’s all a good thing. I feel like great things shouldn’t be easily achieved. It should include a lot of sacrifice, and that’s what we feel like we have done with this record. And it just sucks that it took us eight years to have it out. But there you go. I’d rather have quality over quantity any day. So, whenever we feel ready to release it upon the world, that’s when we do it.”

On the challenge of cutting material from the album, Silenoz said: “It can be challenging. It’s like if you have worked on a musical part for like weeks and months, and it doesn’t find its way into a song for whatever reason, and it’s still a great piece of music that doesn’t make it to the album — it happens more than once. And it’s part of being an artist. You have to write for what’s best for the songs. You cannot force things in there just to have a piece of the pie extra. That doesn’t work for the overall picture.”

“I think we’ve gotten a lot better at doing it the way we do it on this album, the last few times, because, yeah, it just feels the flow is there a bit more, I think, and we try not to analyze it to death. I think that’s also very important, that you do spontaneous things and you take things as they come,” he added.

On whether external expectations shaped the songwriting process, Silenoz elaborated, “If you do something and you don’t expect a reward for it, that’s usually when the great things come. If you try to force things to you, then that’s just going to go further away from you. Obviously, we don’t mind the ‘thumbs up’ and people coming to our shows — this is what we do for a living — but we would still do it at whatever level we are at, ’cause it’s part of you. And if we did it for other reasons, we would have an album out every year.”

Grand Serpent Rising was recorded in Gothenburg with producer Fredrik Nordström, who also worked with the band on Puritanical Euphoric Misanthropia and Death Cult Armageddon.

When Grand Serpent Rising was first announced in late March, Silenoz commented on the eight-year gap: “No question: quality must always trump quantity. We eventually set deadlines, but in the early stages of a new album, there are no schedules at all. Rushing means nothing to us. The most powerful blackened art simply can’t be forced without losing its essence.”

“It can easily become an endless process. Whatever you create, you constantly feel it could be improved — that’s the artist’s curse, and that’s why you eventually move on to make another album. But with every record, a point finally comes when everything feels exactly right. And that’s when it’s time to let it go.”

On the album title: “It fits perfectly. Dimmu Borgir is a leviathan of a band on a grand scale, and we are rising once again. While the serpent represents evil to some, for us it symbolizes something else: renewal, growth, knowledge, and liberation. Shedding our skin, so to speak. And let’s not forget that February 2026 marks the end of the Year Of The Snake, roughly the same moment this album was completed.”

Grand Serpent Rising is a full-band effort featuring Daray (drums), Victor Brandt (bass), Gerlioz (keyboards), and Damage (guitars). Thematically, the record traces a spiritual arc — transformation, ego dissolution, and awakening — drawing on esoteric traditions and alchemical self-transformation.

“Within every human being lie dormant divine centers, the chakras, whose awakening may take countless lifetimes through natural evolution,” Silenoz explained. “Yet once the soul reaches sufficient maturity, this process can be accelerated. Through disciplined self-training and deep meditation, the sacred force may rise within a single lifetime, activating each center in turn.”

Dimmu Borgir will tour North America in August with Hypocrisy and Suffocation.

The post DIMMU BORGIR’s SILENOZ Explains 8-Year Wait For Band’s New Album: “I Feel Like Great Things Shouldn’t Be Easily Achieved” appeared first on Sonic Perspectives.

Dave Mustaine received the title of Guest of Honor from the City of Buenos Aires on Wednesday, April 29, at a ceremony held at the legislature of Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires. The honor is the highest the city can bestow on foreign nationals, reserved for those who have distinguished themselves in culture, science, politics, sports, or through significant contributions to humanity. The ceremony took place the day before Megadeth‘s April 30 concert at the Tecnópolis venue. 

Megadeth issued a statement following the ceremony: “We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the City of Buenos Aires for this distinction, naming Dave Mustaine as a Guest of Honor. It is an honor that reflects not only his legacy but also the deep connection between his music and the Argentine audience. “We are truly thankful for this recognition.”

The band’s self-titled final studio album debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, moving 73,000 equivalent album units in its first week — 69,000 of those through pure sales. Released via Mustaine‘s Tradecraft imprint on Frontiers Label Group‘s BLKIIBLK label, the record also topped charts in Australia and Austria, with top-five placings in Finland, Sweden, Belgium, the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy, and New Zealand.

By comparison, the previous record, The Sick, The Dying… And The Dead! earned 48,000 equivalent units in its debut week, landing at No. 3 on the Billboard 200 — Megadeth‘s eighth top-10 album at the time. Both records were produced and mixed by Chris Rakestraw. 

Last August, Mustaine announced via social media that Megadeth would be calling it a career. He explained his reasoning: “There are so many musicians that have come to the end of their career, whether accidental or intentional. Most of them don’t get to go out on their own terms on top, and that’s where I’m at in my life right now.”

He has since clarified that the farewell run could extend “for another three to five years.” Megadeth was founded in 1983 following Mustaine‘s exit from Metallica, and released their debut record, Killing Is My Business… And Business Is Good!, in 1985.

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Nestor are set to present their thrilling live energy on record for the first time with their new album, Live at Gothenburg Film Studios, out August 14 via Napalm Records.

Originally formed back in 1989, the band took the international rock scene by storm with its comeback and first music releases in 2021, unleashing the debut album Kids In A Ghost Town (earning a Swedish Hard Rock/Metal Grammis nomination!). The following studio album, Teenage Rebel (2024), entered several charts internationally (incl. #12 on the Official German Album Charts and #19 in Sweden), and the band has gathered millions of streams on several of their hits. 

On Live at Gothenburg Film Studios, Nestor showcase their nostalgic, ’80s-inspired melodic anthems in a new light — infused with their signature, radiant live presence. The band has won over live audiences around the world, from huge European festivals to the Monsters Of Rock Cruise in the U.S. and headline shows in Japan, and shared stages with legends like Kiss and Europe. Now, the band is gearing up to release its first-ever live album. Make sure to pre-order your physical copy, and stay tuned for the first single!

Vocalist Tobias Gustavsson comments: “When I listen to Live at Gothenburg Film Studios, it becomes clear to me that it shows everything that Nestor was about, from the beginning. A live performance with all the little quirks and mistakes that make it human, a thing that I have learned to love even more in an era of AI-generated music. Live at Gothenburg Film Studios is less clinical and more of a human experience in comparison to our studio albums and shows a different side of Nestor. I hope you will enjoy it as much as we did recording it on stage.”

Pre-order your copy of Live at Gothenburg Film Studios now.

Live at Gothenburg Film Studios treats fans old and new to a hefty selection of live versions of future classics from Nestor‘s celebrated catalogue. The band brings the heat with a new rendition of the track “Firesign” (originally from Kids in a Ghost Town, 2021) – catchy riffs and rhythms carry the heavily 80s-inspired, authentic sound that is topped with impressive rock vocals.

The nostalgia-drenched following track “Teenage Rebel” (title track of the latest studio album, 2024) gets audiences singing along without fail with its irresistible chorus that is accompanied by emotion-loaded melodies and massive riffs. Further highlights of this extensive, 16-track offering include a live rendition of one of the biggest Nestor hits to date, “On The Run” (also from the praised debut Kids in a Ghost Town, 2021), featuring epic, AOR-inspired keys and guitars, and another one of the band’s possibly catchiest singalong-choruses so far. 

This comprehensive live album, available even as a DVD, draws from Nestor‘s impressive repertoire of arena-worthy anthems and rock ballads, polished with the very best AOR and classic 80s rock influences. Without a doubt, Nestor continues their steady mission to restore the glory of rock!

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ShipRocked is back for its 17th year. The rock music cruise vacation returns January 24-30, 2027, sailing out of Miami, Florida, aboard the Carnival Horizon with close to 30 bands and over 4,000 guests. The ship heads to Mahogany Bay in Roatan, Honduras — a first-time port of call for the event — and Cozumel on Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula.

Producer ASK4 Entertainment has confirmed Papa Roach, Ice Nine Kills, Nothing More, Highly Suspect, Badflower, Set It Off, and Magnolia Park as the lead acts for ShipRocked 2027. Rounding out the current bill are Aurorawave, The Barbarians Of California, Buffalo_Farm, Caskets, The Dark.FM, Des Rocs, Ekoh, Fury In Few, Good Terms, Kami Kehoe, Muttlee, Nate Bergman, Scarhaven, Sludge Mother, TX2, Upon A Burning Body, VANA, Wargasm, and Waxed. More acts are still to be announced, as is the guest lineup for fan-favorite all-star ship band The Stowaways.

Several of the confirmed artists have already weighed in on the upcoming sailing.

Papa Roach‘s Jacoby Shaddix said, “We’ve had some unforgettable moments on ShipRocked, and the 2027 edition will bring even more. We’ll see you ShipRockers out on the high seas!”

Ice Nine Kills‘ Spencer Charnas added: “I’m positively buoyant about stepping back aboard and rocking the boat together. ShipRocked is always a (killer) whale of a time!”

Highly Suspect‘s Johnny Stevens kept it casual: “Honestly, I just want to eat pizza on the back of the boat with strangers and watch y’all sing karaoke. Honored to be invited back to ShipRocked. Rock music? Cruise ship? That’s wetness overload. Stoked. See y’all soon.”

Magnolia Park said, “We’re super stoked to be a part of ShipRocked this year. We’ve gotten a lot of requests from people to be a part of it, so we’re pretty grateful that we got asked. And we can’t wait to rock out with everyone soon.”

Staterooms are limited. Last year’s sailing sold out at 4,100 guests — the largest ShipRocked to date — so anyone interested in booking should move quickly and head over here.

The 2027 edition goes under a “ShipRocked Samurai” theme and returns fan-favorite cruise director Cookie as host. The Carnival Horizon brings the full package: comfortable staterooms, a spa, multiple bars and dining options, a water park, and an IMAX theater.

Guests can also get the party started early at the free ShipRocked pre-party and concert on January 23 at The Hangar at Regatta Harbour, just south of downtown Miami. Bands for that event will be announced in the coming months.

Beyond the music, the cruise offers photo meet & greets, artist-hosted events and activities, theme nights, an onboard tattoo parlor, The Music Experience lounge, tropical port visits, and a rock-and-metal spin on classic cruise activities — ShipRocked Beach Wars, a blackjack tournament, dodgeball, live band karaoke, game shows, singles mixers, trivia, and heavy metal morning yoga, among others.

The event has also built a strong charitable track record. The ShipRocked Cancer Sucks! onboard charity auction raised a record $200,000 during the 2026 cruise, pushing the all-time total to over $1.2 million raised for cancer research.

The post ShipRocked 2027 Announces Initial Lineup Featuring PAPA ROACH, ICE NINE KILLS, NOTHING MORE, HIGHLY SUSPECT & More appeared first on Sonic Perspectives.

Dave Grohl reflected on Nirvana‘s legacy and the years following Kurt Cobain‘s death in an appearance on the Broken Record Podcast. He said (transcribed by Blabbermouth): “The Nirvana experience was — I don’t even know what the word is for it. It was just something else — in all the best and worst ways. And when you go through something like that with a small group of people, you’re forever connected by that. We’re a big family, all of the people that were there, and we all do love each other.”

The Foo Fighters frontman described how music pulled him through the loss: “When Nirvana ended, I kind of knew… Well, at first it was hard for me to get through it. And then I realized that music is the thing that’s going to get me through it.”

Grohl also spoke at length about his bond with Nirvana bassist Krist Novoselic: “Krist has such a gigantic heart and such a brilliant, amazing mind. And Krist sees the world through an entirely different lens than anyone you’ve ever met, in the most beautiful way. He’s an artist. And he’s a writer. And he’s the same. The first day I ever met him, he had not changed. And so the experience that we had together in Nirvana, we’ll be connected by that forever. And just as we all continue to move forward in life and live life, it’s like, we’re still beautiful, loving friends. And whenever I see him, it’s a trip… So, yeah, he’s amazing.”

In a separate interview with Apple Music‘s Zane Lowe, Grohl described the search for safety in music right after Nirvana ended: “I think that we all wound up in places that felt… I don’t want to say comfortable, but safe. When I went into the studio and recorded that stuff by myself, I felt safe there. And I can’t speak for Krist, but I think at that time it was like we were just trying to get our feet back on the ground. For me, that’s something that I thought, ‘Okay, well, music is the thing that’s going to rescue me.’”

He talked about what it felt like to approach the old material again in the years that followed: “It’s such a weird thing to feel afraid to play songs. And for a long time, it’s like I was even afraid just to sit down at a drum set and play the opening riff to ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’. It just seemed sort of forbidden. And so the few times that Krist and Pat [Nirvana guitarist Pat Smear] and I have gotten together to do it, it’s a trip… The noise that the three of us make together, you don’t really get that noise anywhere else. The way that Krist strums his bass lines, the bass that he uses, the equipment he uses, his sense of feel and time, it’s like all of those things, combined with Pat, with that crazy Germs/Pat Smear guitar thing. And then some loud-ass drums, when it happens, you’re just, like, ‘Oh, fuck, I remember this. Shit, I haven’t heard this in 35 years.’ It’s a really beautiful sound and a beautiful feeling.”

Grohl was equally direct on Cobain‘s stature as a songwriter: “The songs that he wrote, I think he wrote them to be heard. I think that most songwriters, when they write songs, want them to be heard or you want them to be felt or you want — not necessarily validation, but you want someone to feel what you feel, just as a listener wants to feel what the artist feels.

“I don’t know what the exact intention was, but I do know that Kurt was one of the greatest songwriters of all time. And it was inevitable that his songs would be recognized as some of the greatest songs of all time.”

Nirvana was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2014, introduced by R.E.M.‘s Michael Stipe. Grohl, Novoselic, and Smear performed four tracks at the ceremony with guest vocalists including St. Vincent, Lorde, Sonic Youth‘s Kim Gordon, and Joan Jett.

The post DAVE GROHL Talks NIRVANA’s Legacy & Bond: “When You Go Through Something Like That With A Small Group Of People, You’re Forever Connected” appeared first on Sonic Perspectives.

Riot V has announced the departure of frontman Todd Michael Hall, who had been with the band since 2013. Italian vocalist Valentino Francavilla of White Skull steps in as a temporary replacement for the band’s upcoming 2026 tour dates.

Todd broke the news on social media: “I am stepping down as the lead singer of Riot V. Being a member of Riot V has made many of my rock & roll dreams come true. While the opportunity has been life-changing, it has meant that I have not been able to prioritize other aspects of my life. After 13 years, 3 albums, and over 200 live shows, I need to take a break to focus more on my wife, my family, and my family business.”

“Regardless of what my future holds, I wish the guys the best of luck. I am grateful to Donnie [Riot V bassist Don Van Stavern] and Mike [Flyntz, Riot V guitarist] for the opportunity to be a small part of the Riot legacy. I deeply appreciate the friendship of Donnie, Mike, Frank [Gilchriest, Riot V drummer], Nick [Lee, Riot V guitarist], and Jonathan [Reinheimer, Riot V guitarist]. I am also very proud of the music we made and thankful to everyone who promoted and supported us.”

“I am blessed to have met so many wonderful people along the way. God bless everyone around the world who welcomed me warmly, cheered loudly, and sang along. You have brought great joy into my life. Thank you.”

The band followed with its own statement, confirming the split and introducing Valentino: “ATTENTION METAL WARRIORS! We have important news for Riot‘s upcoming 2026 tour dates — it seems like a lot of bands are going through this with members!”

“Unfortunately, singer Todd Hall has informed us he cannot perform with the band anymore at this point because of family issues. We wish the best for him and thank him for his years in the band, and who knows what the future might hold! In the great tradition of the band and in Mark Reale‘s beliefs and words, ‘the show must go on’ for the fans! Mike and Don have been a part of the band for over 40 years, and this is not the first time we have had to deal with this situation, and on such short notice. We have searched for fill-ins for the 2026 tour runs, and luckily, we have recruited Italian guitar virtuoso/singer Valentino Francavilla! Valè has been a longtime fan of the band and performed with us in Japan, and loves this opportunity to help out one of his favorite bands, belting out the highs and a little guitar!”

“As for the long-term, we will keep all you Metal Soldiers posted for updates on fill-ins and a permanent situation! We are currently working on our 18th record, so stay tuned. Warriors, we will never surrender! Thank you and see you soon! Shine On! — DVS, Mike, Frank, Jonathan, and Mark!”

Todd joined Riot V in 2013 following the death of founding member Mark Reale, recording three studio albums with the band: Unleash The Fire (2014), Armor Of Light (2018), and Mean Streets (2024), plus the live releases Live At Keep It True Festival (2018) and Live In Japan (2019).

Before Riot V, he was a member of Jack Starr‘s Burning Starr. His solo work includes Sonic Healing (2021) and Off The Rails (2024), both with Metal Church guitarist Kurdt Vanderhoof via Rat Pak Records. In 2020, he made the top 20 on Season 18 of NBC’s The Voice, landing on Team Blake.

The post TODD MICHAEL HALL Parts Ways With RIOT V: “I Need To Take A Break To Focus More On My Wife, My Family, And My Family Business” appeared first on Sonic Perspectives.

Kiss have announced the second annual Kiss Kruise Land-Locked In Vegas, taking place November 13–15 at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, co-produced by Pophouse, Vibee, and Topeka.

Paul Stanley addressed the crowd at Indy Kiss Fan Expo: “So, the funny thing with the Kiss Kruise — a couple of things. When we were first approached with the idea of doing a Kiss cruise, when we first heard about it, I went, ‘Who is gonna go on a Kiss cruise?’ And we’ve had people from 33 countries around the world every time we went out. So it was amazing. But the crazy part about it is that over the years, everybody started doing cruises, so we can’t get a ship most of the time. So last year we decided, I said, ‘Well, let’s do a “Kiss Kruise: Landlocked In Vegas.”’

“So we did that, and it was really fun. Having the band play was amazing, and seeing everybody was great. And that was the first one. We’ll do it again this coming year. We’ll do it in November. And as good as that one was, this one’s gonna be so much better, because we learn as we’re going. And this next Kiss Kruise in Vegas is gonna be awesome. I mean, we can’t wait to play, and we can’t wait to have the bands we’re gonna have and be with you again. So, pack your bags,” he added.

Kiss — Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, Tommy Thayer, and Eric Singer — will perform two unmasked shows across the weekend, alongside an all-star Ace Frehley tribute featuring Kiss member sit-ins and surprise guests. Other confirmed performers include Night Ranger, former Kiss guitarist Bruce Kulick, Slaughter, Faster Pussycat, Keel, and Chris Jericho’s Kiss tribute act Kuarantine.

The weekend marks the 50th anniversary of Kiss’s album Rock And Roll Over. A pre-party on November 12 will feature Enuff Z’Nuff, the Ace Frehley Band “Tribute To Ace” performing Rock And Roll Over in full, and Beasto Blanco — the group fronted by longtime Alice Cooper bassist Chuck Garric.

Returning panelists include Simmons, Stanley, Thayer, Singer, manager Doc McGhee, and legendary Kiss photographer Barry Levine. New this year: a look-alike contest, Kiss karaoke, late-night DJs, artist meet-and-greets, and a “Future Of Kiss” panel.

Kiss Army VIP pre-sale begins April 30. General on-sale is May 5. Details at this location.

The post KISS KRUISE To Return To Vegas In November With ACE FREHLEY All-Star Tribute, NIGHT RANGER, BRUCE KULICK And More appeared first on Sonic Perspectives.

Lex Legion — the new band featuring four of the five musicians from King Diamond’s classic late-‘80s lineup — have released the official video for debut single “Sleep Eternally,” directed by Patric Ullaeus. The group brings together Andy La Rocque (guitar), Pete Blakk (guitar), Hal Patino (bass), and Mikkey Dee (drums) — all of whom appeared together on King Diamond’s Them and Conspiracy albums — alongside vocalist Nils K. Rue of Pagan’s Mind.

La Rocque traced the band’s long origin in an interview with The Metal Crypt: “The story is kind of long because it started back in 2008 when Pete and I talked about maybe doing something together. Maybe just put together an album and start writing some songs. We started to write a few songs back in 2008. We had a few riffs here and there, and then it just turned into nothing because we were kind of busy with other things. Then, many years later, I think this was during the pandemic, Pete continued writing a few riffs, and he played some of the riffs and songs for Mikkey, who thought, ‘This sounds really good. I want to be a part of this.’ Then Pete said, ‘Yes, maybe we should ask Andy too, but I guess he’s too busy with King Diamond and everything.’”

“At the time, during the pandemic, nothing was really happening. They called me and asked me if I wanted to join that project. I said, ‘Sure, man. We’re doing nothing really with King Diamond because we have a pandemic now, and let’s do it.’ During that time, we put together a few more songs, and that’s how it started. Then Hal Patino was also asked during that period. It took us about — I don’t know — many years. If you count it from 2008 up until now, that’s many years. For the final maybe three or four years, we put everything together. In the very end, everything went quite fast. We got a record deal, and everything was really smooth in the very end.”

La Rocque was emphatic about keeping Lex Legion distinct from his other band: “The response has been absolutely overwhelming. I also think it’s important to say here that the songs we write and the songs from my side of it, it’s nothing that — it’s no leftovers from the King Diamond songwriting, if you know what I mean, from the library I have with King Diamond. This is completely different and has nothing to do with King Diamond in that sense. King Diamond is King Diamond, and I write songs for King Diamond, and then I write songs for Lex Legion. I don’t want people to believe that, oh, he has some songs that were intended for King Diamond that he’s using here. No, not at all. It’s not the other way around, either. It’s two very different and separate things.”

A second single, “Gypsy Tears,” is due in May. On the choice of “Sleep Eternally” as the debut, La Rocque said the label and band aligned on the selection, and that listeners who’ve already heard the follow-up have called it even stronger: “People who have heard that say, ‘No, I like the second one even better.’”

La Rocque has described the sound this way: “This is totally unique. No one is writing this kind of music, and there’s a big hole for us to fill. The album is a journey, and every song is like the beat of a movie. I want listeners to travel back. The song style is different [to King Diamond] but still from the same era. The riffs are different, and the arrangements are a little less progressive and a little more straightforward.”

The self-titled Lex Legion debut arrives June 2026 via MNRK Music Group.

The post ANDY LA ROCQUE Says LEX LEGION’s Songs Are Not KING DIAMOND Leftovers: “It’s Two Very Different And Separate Things” appeared first on Sonic Perspectives.