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John Diva veröffentlicht „Bigger than America“ – Jetzt hier im Video

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The bad blood between former W.A.S.P. guitarist Chris Holmes and frontman Blackie Lawless has boiled over into absolute hostility. In a blistering new interview, Holmes completely shut down any possibility of ever rejoining the heavy metal icons, labeling Lawless a “malignant narcissist” who systematically stole his money.

Holmes exposed decades of alleged financial betrayal, severe touring pay disparities, and widespread live track-faking that turned his final years with the band into a living hell. If fans were holding out hope for a classic-era reunion, Holmes has made it clear: it would take a miracle, and a massive payout, to ever get him back on stage with Lawless.

The Financial Betrayal: ‘I’d Be an Idiot to Go Back’

Speaking with Thomas S. Orwat, Jr. of the Rock Interview Series, Holmes did not mince words when asked if he would ever return if Lawless extended an olive branch. The guitarist pointed directly to a historical robbery regarding his songwriting royalties as the ultimate dealbreaker.

“Why would I play with him again? It’d be pretty stupid, wouldn’t it?” Holmes stated. “He’d have to pay me my publishing before I would even consider going back, and he’s not gonna do that. I’d be an idiot to go back.”

Holmes detailed a specific road incident involving late W.A.S.P. and Quiet Riot drummer Frankie Banali to highlight how deeply the financial divide ran. While Banali was pulling in $1,850 a week on tour, Holmes claims he was only being paid a meager $500 a week. When he confronted the frontman about the massive paycheck disparity, Lawless allegedly pacified him with lies.

“Blackie grabs me and puts his arm around me and he goes, ‘You’re gonna make more off your publishing. What are you worried about?’ When he knew he was taking my money,” Holmes revealed. “When he knew they already wrote me down as a session player. What kind of person is that? You think I’d ever wanna even sit in a room with that guy? No.”

Check This Out – W.A.S.P. Band Facts, Members, History And What They’re Known For

Faking It on Stage: The Inside Track-Faking Scandal

The hostility extends far beyond stolen royalties. Holmes confessed that performing live with W.A.S.P. after their 1997 album Kill Fuck Die became a source of deep emotional depression because the band began heavily relying on pre-recorded backing tracks and samples.

For a musician rooted in the raw, dangerous energy of the 1980s L.A. metal scene, the transition to a manufactured live show was a breaking point. “It’s not live to me,” Holmes admitted. “And it hurt me in my heart to be playing, knowing that I was faking it to people—or the band was faking it. I wasn’t. But knowing that it was faking it. I really hated myself doing that.”

The guitarist admitted his deep-seated resentment runs so deep that he genuinely despises signing classic W.A.S.P. records for fans. “I never got a penny of my publishing. I can’t stand that band. I can’t stand the band. I can’t stand what he’s done.”

Health Updates and a Forced Tour Cancellation

This explosive reality check arrives at a complicated time for the legendary guitarist. Holmes was recently forced to cancel a highly anticipated tour of the United Kingdom and Scandinavia scheduled for May 2026. The cancellation was triggered by a “minor prostate issue” that required immediate medical attention from his doctors.

This latest health hurdle follows Holmes’ inspiring and triumphant battle against throat and neck cancer. Diagnosed in February 2022, the guitarist underwent seven grueling weeks of intense radiation therapy. Five months later, he happily informed the metal community that he was officially cancer-free.

Holmes originally joined W.A.S.P. in 1982, playing an integral role in their rise to infamy before exiting in 1990. He returned for a second stint from 1996 to 2001 but has not shared a stage with Blackie Lawless since.

FAQ: Chris Holmes and W.A.S.P. Reunion Status

Why won’t Chris Holmes rejoin W.A.S.P.? Holmes refuses to return due to severe financial disputes with Blackie Lawless, claiming he never received his songwriting publishing royalties and was secretly categorized as a session musician.

What did Chris Holmes say about Blackie Lawless? Holmes labeled Blackie Lawless a “malignant narcissist” and accused him of intentionally manipulating road pay and stealing his publishing money while pretending to be his friend.

Why did Chris Holmes cancel his May 2026 tour? Holmes canceled his 2026 UK and Scandinavian tour dates to undergo immediate treatment for a minor prostate issue. This is unrelated to his previous throat and neck cancer, which he beat in 2022.

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Artist Bio: Chris Holmes

Chris Holmes is an American heavy metal guitarist best known as the co-founder and lead guitarist of the shock-rock outfit W.A.S.P. His fierce, aggressive guitar solos defined the band’s multi-platinum classic albums like W.A.S.P. and The Last Command. Renowned for his raw honesty and untamed lifestyle, Holmes remains a legendary and unfiltered figure in the history of heavy rock.

STAY LOUD: Catch the full breakdown of today’s stories on the Loaded Radio Daily Podcast with Scott Penfold, or crank the hard rock and metal 24/7 on our live digital stream at LoadedRadio.com.

TL;DR:

Former W.A.S.P. guitarist Chris Holmes ruled out a reunion, calling Blackie Lawless a “malignant narcissist” who stole his publishing royalties and forced the band to fake their live shows.

Is Chris Holmes completely justified in sitting out a W.A.S.P. reunion, or should the two former partners find a way to settle the score for the sake of the music? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

The post ‘He’s a Malignant Narcissist’: Chris Holmes Blasts Blackie Lawless and Rules Out W.A.S.P. Reunion appeared first on Loaded Radio.

Swedish metal band ELEINE has released a new single and accompanying music video for “Empire Of Lies.” The track delivers a heavy, rhythm-driven sound centered around themes of deception and the inevitable collapse of falsehoods.

Formed in Sweden and driven by founding members Rikard and Madeleine, the group has established a signature style that balances aggressive musicality with strong melodies. Their material consistently contrasts dark, heavy riffing with catchy vocal arrangements.

“Empire Of Lies” serves as the first official preview of the band’s upcoming full-length album. The new record is scheduled for release later this year on December 4 via RPM.

The post ELEINE Releases New Single and Music Video “Empire Of Lies” first appeared on FemMetal – Goddesses of Metal.

Fans expecting Staind to coast on nostalgia for their upcoming fall anniversary tour just got a massive wake-up call. Guitarist Mike Mushok has unexpectedly revealed that the post-grunge icons have officially finished recording their ninth studio album.

Dropping the bombshell backstage at the Sonic Temple festival, Mushok confirmed that the band is refusing to sit still, opting instead to double down on the controversial, modernized electronic elements introduced by frontman Aaron Lewis on their last record. If you thought this band was done evolving, think again.

From Synth to Sledgehammer: The Unconventional Ninth Album

Speaking with Columbus rock station 99.7 The Blitz at Sonic Temple, Mushok laid the cards on the table: “We have a new record that’s actually done.” While the album is tentatively mapped out for an early 2027 release through Alchemy Recordings/BMG, it is the musical direction that is already sparking intense debate among the rock community.

The upcoming LP serves as the direct successor to 2023’s Confessions Of The Fallen—which cracked a twelve-year studio drought. Rather than abandoning the polarizing synth elements from that release, the band is leaning further into them. Mushok admitted that Aaron Lewis has been the driving force behind modernizing the band’s signature heavy wall of sound, forcing the musicians to completely rewrite how they approach songwriting.

“It was funny, ’cause I do remember saying to him, like, ‘I play guitar. I don’t know how to do that,’” Mushok laughed, detailing the studio process. “Some of those verses where you hear it and it’s like more electronic-sounding, that’s a guitar part I wrote just played on a synthesizer using some crazy sound.” The band teamed back up with producer Erik Ron (Godsmack, Black Veil Brides) to seamlessly adapt Mushok’s heavy riffs into a computerized, modern soundscape.

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Balancing the Future with a Legendary Past

The news of a completed record adds a wild layer of context to Staind’s massive immediate plans. This September, the band is hitting the road for the highly anticipated “Break The Cycle 25th Anniversary Tour” alongside Seether, Hoobastank, and Hinder. Produced by Live Nation, the multi-platinum titans will be celebrating the 2001 five-times-platinum masterpiece that yielded “It’s Been Awhile”—one of the most played tracks in rock radio history with 20 weeks at number one.

Yet, even as they gear up to play those legacy anthems across North American amphitheaters, Aaron Lewis remains fixed on pushing boundaries. When initially launching this current era, Lewis made the band’s mission statement clear: “I did want to modernize the sound and bring us up to date. You can certainly recognize the band, but at the same time, you can hear that we’ve been paying attention.”

FAQ: Staind New Album and 2026–2027 Tour Updates

When does the new Staind album come out? The officially completed ninth studio album is tentatively scheduled for an early 2027 release through Alchemy Recordings/BMG.

Will the new Staind album have electronic elements? Yes. Guitarist Mike Mushok confirmed that the upcoming music continues down the experimental, modernized path of Confessions Of The Fallen, turning guitar riffs into synthesized arrangements.

Who is touring with Staind this fall? Staind is headlining the “Break The Cycle 25th Anniversary Tour” starting September 2026, featuring Seether as direct support, with Hoobastank and Hinder opening.

Check This Out – Grunge’s Grunge-iest: 13 Bands That Defined the Genre

Band Bio: Staind

Formed in 1995 in Springfield, Massachusetts, Staind became a definitive pillar of the post-grunge and alternative metal movements. Comprising vocalist Aaron Lewis, guitarist Mike Mushok, bassist Johnny April, and drummer Sal Giancarelli, the band achieved global superstardom with three consecutive number-one albums on the Billboard 200 (Break The Cycle, 14 Shades Of Grey, and Chapter V), selling over 15 million records worldwide.

STAY LOUD: Catch the full breakdown of today’s stories on the Loaded Radio Daily Podcast with Scott Penfold, or crank the hard rock and metal 24/7 on our live digital stream at LoadedRadio.com.

TL;DR:

Staind has secretly finished recording their ninth studio album for an early 2027 release, continuing the modernized electronic-rock direction driven by Aaron Lewis.

Are you ready for an electronic-infused Staind album, or should Aaron Lewis and the boys stick strictly to the raw acoustic and heavy post-grunge vibes of ‘Break The Cycle’? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

The post Aaron Lewis Overhauls the Formula: Staind Urgently Finishes Brand-New Studio Album Following Major Sonic Shift appeared first on Loaded Radio.

Italian symphonic power metal band Moonlight Haze has released a new single and music video for “Interstellar Madness.” The track serves as the third single and title track from the group’s upcoming EP.

Fronted by vocalist Chiara Tricarico, known for her live work with Avantasia, the five-piece unit blends fast-paced power metal with theatrical symphonic elements. The band has steadily built an international following across their four previous studio releases.

The Interstellar Madness EP is scheduled for release on May 22 via Scarlet Records. The new record will be available across digital streaming platforms as well as in physical CD and vinyl formats.

The post Moonlight Haze Releases “Interstellar Madness” Single and Music Video first appeared on FemMetal – Goddesses of Metal.

Los Angeles alternative metal artist Lexi Layne has released a new single and accompanying music video for “Judgement” via Community Music. Produced by Kevin McCombs, the track serves as the latest entry in the artist’s ongoing tarot-themed narrative arc, focusing on concepts of reckoning and critical choices.

Operating as an independent artist, Layne has been building her catalog since 2024. The new track serves as a direct follow-up to her 2025 EP, High Priestess Volume I. She recently brought her theatrical live performance to the stage earlier this month, supporting Holy Wars at an album release show in Los Angeles on May 2.

“Judgement” is currently available across all major digital streaming platforms alongside its music video.

The post Lexi Layne Releases New Single and Video “Judgement” first appeared on FemMetal – Goddesses of Metal.

Low ticket sales are killing tours. Recently, it’s happened to Post Malone, Zayn, Meghan Trainor, and Pussycat Dolls, and now Kiefer Sutherland is joining the club. The “Going Home” singer canceled the US leg of his tour and offered a very transparent explanation.

The post Kiefer Sutherland Cancels Tour Due To “Very Low Ticket Sales” appeared first on Stereogum.

The pop star Pete Parkkonen and the violinist Linda Lampenius performed “Liekinheitin” on a stage covered in flames.