The rock world held its collective breath this week as legendary former KISS guitarist Bruce Kulick revealed he has undergone a massive surgical procedure to save his life. The 72-year-old virtuoso, whose melodic mastery defined the “unmasked” era of the hottest band in the world, confirmed he is now officially on the road to recovery after surgeons operated to repair a life-threatening heart valve defect. While rumors of an “emergency collapse” sparked panic across social media, Kulick has stepped forward to clear the air: he’s not going anywhere, and he’s coming back stronger than ever.

The “Rockstar” Recovery: Bruce Kulick Speaks Out

Taking to his official social media channels, the veteran guitarist described the operation as a “success,” offering high praise for the medical team that treated him. Kulick was quick to credit his “heart surgeon and their fantastic staff for looking after me like a rockstar.”

The guitarist, who also spent 23 years with Grand Funk Railroad, noted that he is “taking it one step at a time” as he regains his strength. He also took a moment to publicly thank his wife, Lisa, stating he was “grateful” for her unwavering love and support during this harrowing period.

Debunking the “Emergency” Rumors

In typical internet fashion, rumors began to circulate that Kulick had been rushed into an “emergency open-heart surgery” after a sudden collapse. Kulick was adamant about correcting this narrative. He explained that this was a proactive strike against a ticking time bomb: an aortic birth defect that caused a valve to become a legitimate danger to his life.

“This was NOT emergency surgery,” Kulick clarified. By addressing the congenital issue now, the guitarist has effectively cleared the path for many more years on stage. According to the Mayo Clinic, heart valve disease occurs when valves fail to keep blood flowing in the correct direction, a condition that can lead to heart failure if left untreated.

We Also Recommend – The Loaded Radio Podcast: BRUCE KULICK Unplugged On Life After KISS

Gene Simmons and the KISS Army Respond

The outpouring of support from the rock community has been massive, led by none other than “The Demon” himself. Gene Simmons reached out publicly to his former bandmate, offering words that were both encouraging and characteristically colorful.

“Go Bruce, Go,” Simmons wrote. “With Lisa by your side, you can lick anything. You know we’re all rooting for you. And can’t wait for you and Lisa to cook up a new batch of pancakes for all of us.”

 

Go Bruce, Go. With Lisa by your side, you can lick anything. You know we’re all rooting for you. And can’t wait for you and Lisa to cook up a new batch of pancakes for all of us. https://t.co/yOBmfPOfp6

— Gene Simmons (@genesimmons) April 23, 2026

 

Check This Out – The Demon’s Dirty Secrets: 13 Gene Simmons Facts That Prove He’s Rock’s Ultimate Marketing Genius

The Legacy Continues: From Animalize to the KISS Kruise

Kulick joined KISS in 1984, replacing Mark St. John, and anchored the band’s sound for 12 years across six studio albums. Unlike the members who relied on pyrotechnics and greasepaint, Kulick’s era was about the music, and he is widely regarded as one of the most technically proficient players to ever hold the position.

For those worried about his future performances, the “Winter Storm” of recovery seems to be moving fast. Bruce is still scheduled to take the stage at the 2026 KISS Kruise: Landlocked In Vegas later this year. After a career that saw him record with everyone from Meat Loaf to Michael Bolton, it’s clear that a simple heart valve wasn’t going to be the thing that silenced his guitar.

To hear our exclusive deep-dive into Bruce’s legendary KISS era and get the latest health updates as they break, tune into the Loaded Radio live stream and subscribe to the Loaded Radio Podcast.

TL;DR:

The Bottom Line KISS legend Bruce Kulick is recovering after successful heart valve surgery to correct a lifelong aortic birth defect. Despite rumors of an “emergency” crisis, Kulick confirmed the surgery was planned and a total success. Backed by support from Gene Simmons and the KISS Army, the 72-year-old guitarist is taking his recovery “one step at a time” and remains on track for his 2026 performance at the KISS Kruise in Las Vegas.

Also check out this exclusive interview clip of Bruce Kulick discussing why he was never “called back” to KISS after Ace Frehley left the band for good in 2002.

The post KISS Icon Bruce Kulick Beats Death: Shredder Survives Major Heart Surgery To Correct Lifelong Defect appeared first on Loaded Radio.

Baltimore death/grind veterans announce eighth album & European/UK headline tour For 25 years, Misery Index have stood out for their high-intensity combo of death metal, grindcore and cutting social commentary. Featuring current and former members of Pig Destroyer and Dying Fetus, the Baltimore band have released seven critically acclaimed albums, visited 46 countries and performed […]

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American heavy metal icons, ARMORED SAINT, are pleased to present their new single, “Hit A Moonshot.” The track comes off the band’s upcoming new full-length, Emotion Factory Reset, set for release on May 22nd through Metal Blade Records. “Hit A Moonshot” is a band favorite. A “moonshot” is a baseball term referencing a homerun that’s hit at […]

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Swedish modern metal force METALITE continue their forward momentum with the release of a stunning new music video for their latest single, “Starchild.” Following their recent signing with PERCEPTION – A Division Of Reigning Phoenix Music and the high-energy introduction of the previously released track “Our Time Has Come,” the band now dives deeper into the sonic universe of their upcoming concept album Discovery.

“Starchild” showcases METALITE’s signature blend of soaring melodies, powerful riffs, and futuristic soundscapes. Driven by epic arrangements and shimmering synth layers, the track pulls listeners straight into the heart of the album’s narrative, offering a glimpse into the story unfolding within their ambitious new record.

With the accompanying video, METALITE bring the world of “Starchild” to life, visually expanding the band’s sci-fi inspired concept and underlining their dynamic and modern approach to power metal.

Guitarist, producer, songwriter and founder Edwin Premberg comments: “Starchild is a key piece of the concept behind our upcoming album Discovery. It’s a classic Metalite track, packed with high energy and soaring melodies but with some new influences. I wanted to create something heavier, a song that’s truly headbang-friendly with a chorus everyone will be singing along to.”

Stream / Download “Starchild”: 

https://metalite.rpm.link/starchildPR

Watch the video here: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wW08438ZPzA

ABOUT METALITE
Formed in 2015 by guitarist Edwin Premberg and vocalist Emma Bensing, the band quickly gained recognition for its fresh and modern take on melodic metal and their 2017 debut album Heroes in Time set the stage for METALITE’s rise.

With millions of streams and a growing global fanbase, METALITE continues to redefine the future of melodic metal. Their fusion of cutting-edge sound design, anthemic choruses, and sci-fi-inspired storytelling has set them apart, proving that their journey is far from over. Stay tuned, a new discovery awaits!

More on METALITE:
Website
Instagram
Facebook
Spotify

More on PERCEPTION:
perception.music 

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Source: C Squared Music

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The legendary Beatle shares how he ended up making music in Nashville decades before meeting T Bone Burnett. Continue reading…

1979’s Dream Police was Cheap Trick‘s last truly classic album

Well, look at that, the February Record(s) o’ the Month are quite late. The institutional push to get these things out more promptly has failed miserably at 4 months into 2026. We will endeavor to do better, but in the meantime, 2026 waits for no man, and the months are flying by with alarming expedition. February had a collection of standout killers, and opinions were divided among the AMG staff. Fortunately, Steel does not care, and I made hard executive decisions that we all have to live with. Start living!

It’s not often Yours Steely reviews black metal these days, but a chance encounter with a promo video from Ireland’s Domhain had me intrigued enough to investigate, and I may have found one of my Albums o’ the Year in the process. In Perfect Stillness [out February 20th, 2026 from These Hands Melt (buy it on Bandcamp!)], is a near-perfect blend of post-black, melodoom, and Gothic styles, and over the album’s runtime, Domhain makes you feel many things, all of them depressive and dour as fook. Yes, the sadboi is real, and the writing is exceptionally good at wringing the pathos out of the listener. Icy tems play off forlorn cleans and skin-rending blackened screeces, but emotion is always primary as nods to Ghost Brigade, Darkest Era, and Agalloch float through the ether. as I summed up, “In Perfect Stillness is a short, sharp shock to the part of the brain that deals with feelings, and there’s a genuine, raw beauty to their music that sticks with you long after you step away. It’s the rare album I wish were longer, and I actually don’t want it to end when it does.” Get with the Stillness.

Runner(s) Up:

Cryptic Shift // Overspace & Supertime [February 27th, 2026 | Metal Blade Records | Bandcamp] — Progressive/technical death crew Cryptic Shift shove 500 lbs of ideas into a 50 lb sack on Overspace & Supertime. Coming off the massive Visitations from Enceladus, the band seemed to want to go bigger and bolder, and so they did! The result is techy, thrashy, ambitious, and progressive, with ideas stumbling over ideas in a mad rush. It works, though, and Overspace & Supertime is a strange beast of many colors. As a stunned Andy-War-Hall wrote, “Yes, this is an exhausting record. Trying to catch everything on it during your first listen could make you go blind. Maybe 80 minutes is too damn long. But Overspace & Supertime is a better record than my wildest expectations, six years in the making, ever dreamed up.” Clock in for your Cryptic Shift. Stick around to earn Supertime.

Worm // Necropalace [February 16th, 2026 | Century Media Records | Bandcamp] — The Worm has turned once more, bringing spooky, eerie, cavernous doom-death to the people on Necropalace. This time, the sense of existential dread is replaced by a more cinematic, campy vibe, but the goodness remains, and those goods are delivered. This is doom-death that’s actually FUN rather than soul-killing, and that sounds weird on paper, but it works in practice. As Thus Spoke wisely observed, “With its bombastic sense of fun and theatricality and a beauty that stays firmly entrenched in the dark and dirty, Necropalace shows Worm evolving in a way that magnifies rather than dilutes their personality.” Hail Worm.

The post Record(s) o’ the Month – February 2026 appeared first on Angry Metal Guy.

Peter Steele: The Charismatic Giant of Gothic Rock

The life, contradictions, and legacy of one of the most iconic voices in gothic metal.

A Presence Impossible to Ignore

Some artists don’t just perform—they dominate the space around them. Peter Steele was one of those figures. Standing at 6 ft 8 in, with a deep baritone voice that felt almost inhuman, he didn’t need theatrics. His presence alone created an atmosphere.

But beyond the physical image, there was something more complex. Steele carried contradictions—strength and vulnerability, humor and darkness—that made him one of the most compelling personalities in gothic rock.

From Brooklyn Roots to Dark Icon

Born Petrus Thomas Ratajczyk in Brooklyn, New York, Steele grew up in a Catholic environment that would later influence his internal struggles. His relationship with faith shifted throughout his life, reflecting a constant search for meaning.

Before fame, he worked for the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation. He later described that period as one of the happiest in his life—a grounded contrast to the chaos that would follow.

His musical journey began with early projects, but it was with Type O Negative that everything changed. The band’s blend of doom, gothic atmosphere, and dark humor gave Steele the perfect space to express his identity.

Music, Irony, and Identity

Peter Steele never fit into a single category. His lyrics explored love, death, religion, and self-destruction, often wrapped in irony. He could be deeply serious in one moment and completely sarcastic in the next.

Even his controversial decisions—like posing for Playgirl—reflected that duality. He later joked about it, revealing both his sense of humor and discomfort with fame.

Struggles Behind the Image

Behind the towering figure and dark charisma, Steele faced deep personal struggles. Depression and addiction followed him for years, shaping both his life and his music.

The death of close friends, including Dimebag Darrell, intensified these struggles. At one point, rumors of his death spread while he had actually entered rehab, stepping away from the public eye to confront his demons.

Music remained his primary outlet—a way to process pain and transform it into something powerful.

The Legacy of a Gothic Giant

On April 14, 2010, Peter Steele passed away at the age of 48. With him, an era of gothic metal seemed to close. His bandmates famously stated that Type O Negative ended the moment he died.

Yet his influence remains. His voice, his presence, and his unique way of blending darkness with humor continue to inspire artists and fans alike.

Peter Steele was not just a musician. He was a symbol of contradiction—a man who embraced both the shadow and the light, leaving behind a legacy that still resonates today.

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On Wednesday night, I headed along to The Black Heart in Camden to see German melodeath band Hiraes play the second of two UK shows on their “Nightflight” tour of Europe. I first saw them support Be’lakor at The Dome in 2023 and was instantly blown away. I am a big melodeath fan generally, but … Continue reading Gig Review: Hiraes / nopreachers – The Black Heart (22nd April 2026)