Testament has joined forces with KnuckleBonz for an official collaboration that will bring the Bay Area thrash legends into the upcoming KnuckleBonz360 BackStage Experience. The immersive 3D platform is scheduled to launch in the summer of 2026, giving fans a new way to interact with the band and other members of the metal community.
“Testament is very excited to be a part of a new experience for fans to connect directly with the band,” says Chuck Billy, frontman of Testament. “KnuckleBonz360 is gonna blow some minds with what is available in this digital world.”
KnuckleBonz360 is being built as a digital destination centered around legendary bands and artists, recreating their visual identity through interactive 3D environments. More than 20 dedicated band worlds are expected to be available when the platform launches in 2026. Users will be able to meet other fans, take part in mini-games, browse exclusive collectibles, and experience classic album artwork brought into an explorable digital space.
According to KnuckleBonz CEO and creative director Tony Simerman, Testament was a natural fit for the project.
“Testament has been one of the defining forces in thrash metal for over four decades and building the Testament world inside KnuckleBonz360 means every fan around the globe now has a place to gather and live inside original thrash,” says Tony Simerman, adding: “Chuck and the band understand exactly what this platform can be for fans, and that energy is going to come through in every corner of the experience.”
The Testament experience is being created by a development team made up of artists, engineers, and dedicated music fans. The goal is to give followers of the band a place where they can celebrate its legacy while exploring key elements of its history and identity. Visitors will be able to move through environments inspired by the band’s rise from the early Bay Area thrash scene, alongside its recognizable skull artwork, crushing guitar riffs, and Chuck Billy‘s signature vocal style that has defined Testament for more than 40 years.
In addition to the virtual world itself, the experience will include digital collectibles, physical collectibles, and exclusive merchandise available for worldwide shipping. The multiplayer environment also gives fans the chance to explore the world together when the platform launches in the summer of 2026.
Founded in 2003, KnuckleBonz has spent more than two decades producing premium music collectibles and content for dedicated fans. With the introduction of KnuckleBonz360, the company is expanding into immersive digital experiences while continuing its focus on music memorabilia, art, and collector culture.
WE ALL RISE Release Explosive New Music Video For “Dead And Rotting” Featuring BIOHAZARD’s Billy Graziadei
Debut Album The Beginning of the End Continues To Build Momentum Following Acclaimed Release Through Golden Robot Records
Groove metal powerhouse We All Rise continue their relentless ascent with the release of the brand new music video for “Dead And Rotting,” featuring acclaimed producer, guitarist, and BIOHAZARD legend Billy Graziadei , who also produced the band’s debut album, The Beginning of the End , released via Golden Robot Records .
The video showcases the band’s signature blend of crushing riffs, hardcore attitude, and undeniable groove while highlighting the chemistry that has developed between We All Rise and Graziadei, whom the band has repeatedly described as an essential part of their creative family.
Fresh off their recent appearance on The Zach Moonshine Show on Metal Devastation Radio , the band reflected on Graziadei’s impact on both the record and the band’s evolution.
“We consider him the fifth member of the band.”
Throughout the recording process, Graziadei’s influence extended far beyond producing.
“He helped develop the band… not just musically, but in life.”
Produced by Billy Graziadei and mixed and mastered by renowned producer Tue Madsen (Meshuggah, Suicide Silence), The Beginning of the End delivers a powerful fusion of classic ’90s groove metal, hardcore aggression, and modern heaviness. Fans of Sepultura, Pantera, Biohazard, and Machine Head will find plenty to sink their teeth into.
The album has already generated significant attention thanks to the standout track “Crown,” featuring BIOHAZARD co-founder Evan Seinfeld . During their interview, the band revealed the collaboration unexpectedly became much more than just another guest appearance.
“That was the first real contact Billy and Evan had in almost 15 years.”
According to the band, recording “Crown” marked the first time Graziadei and Seinfeld had shared a track in well over a decade, helping reignite a friendship that ultimately contributed to BIOHAZARD’s now celebrated reunion.
“They inspired us… and we were able to inspire them again. Full circle.”
Rather than relying on modern studio shortcuts, We All Rise took an old school approach to creating the album, recording with live performances, real amplifiers, and genuine emotion.
“We didn’t want plugins. We wanted that real sound.”
The band’s philosophy reflects the same message that inspired their name.
“If I could sum it up in one word… unity.”
That spirit of perseverance, authenticity, and bringing people together continues with the release of “Dead And Rotting,” delivering one of the album’s heaviest and most intense tracks in visual form while celebrating the collaboration that helped shape the band’s explosive debut.
With The Beginning of the End now available worldwide and new music continuing to reach fans across the globe, We All Rise are proving they are more than another new band. They are carrying forward the legacy of groove metal while forging a powerful identity all their own.
Watch the “Dead And Rotting” Music Video:
Stream The Beginning of the End:
https://orcd.co/the-beginning-of-the-end
Purchase the Album:
https://weallrisemusic.bandcamp.com/album/the-beginning-of-the-end
Connect with We All Rise:
Website: weallrisemusic.com Facebook: facebook.com/weallrisemusic Instagram: instagram.com/weallrisemusic Twitter/X: twitter.com/weallrisemusic1 TikTok: tiktok.com/@weallrisemusic YouTube: youtube.com/@weallrise
Management Contact:
Paul Andrejack: EMG.Paul.Andrejack@gmail.com
Band Contact:
Gery Rodriguez – weallrisemusic@gmail.com
Sacramento, California-based band Tesla have a new album for 2026 entitled Homage. It is a mostly cover song release with an original entitled “Never Alone” that starts it off. “Never Alone” is a classic Tesla number that would have been a big radio hit, back when “power ballads” ruled the airwaves in the late 1980s. These days, it is a song that displays Tesla’s roots in rock, by showcasing feel-good songwriting combined with classic rock musicianship. Tesla guitarist Frank Hannon and his acoustic intro sets up the blast of electric guitar and bass, and crush of drums that follow, as Tesla singer Jeff Keith and his raspy, road worn rock and roll vocals, bring a love song that brings to mind the style that Tesla has been bringing to their fans for years.
Homage continues where they left off almost 20 years ago, when they released a double album of cover material entitled Reel 2 Real (Vol 1 & 2) in 2007. Thirteen cover tracks are featured, with an assortment of styles from rock to rhythm and blues and soul, and more, catch the band “honoring” their roots, which started in the early 1980s as a cover band called City Kidd. There are some real gems on this album. I really enjoyed their version of Queen’s “Spread Your Wings,” for instance. Bassist Brian Wheat’s gentle piano intro lets Jeff Keith’s likeable tenor take over. This version will never equal the original version that featured the unique vocals of Queens late singer Freddie Mercury, and it shouldn’t. Keith’s vocals take the song in a slightly different direction, without intending to duplicate it.
Classic rock radio favorites, such as the dusty version of Bob Seger’s classic “Night Moves” and the Lynyrd Skynyrd delta blues of “The Ballad Of Curtis Loew” are very straight forward, but very likeable, again, mostly due to Keith’s vocal takes. Instrumentally, Tesla is right, as we musicians like to say, “In the pocket” as far as keeping it close to the originals but not steering too far away. Another favorite, a version of Climax Blues Band’s 1981 heartfelt ballad “I Love You”(2026 version) is indicative of what can be called a “classic deep track” and a song that they have released before on their 2011 Twisted Wires release, although this version seems to have been recorded slightly different. Any of the versions released of this beauty, are among the best love songs ever released in the “classic rock” era in my humble opinion.
Classic soul songs, such as the Temptations’ “I Wish It Would Rain” and the Etta James epic “I’d Rather Go Blind” are well represented, as Tesla shows off their R&B chops. They get funky with James Brown’s “I Got You” (I Feel Good) without trying to outdo the “Godfather of Soul” in any way. Again, the title Homage is just that. Tesla delightfully shows that they are just a rock band addressing their roots in their own special way. Homage concludes with a very fun and sing-along on the chorus version of the Hank Williams classic shuffle “Mind Your Own Business” that sounds like the band had a blast recording it, just like all the numbers on this release. This recording is perfect for a nice road trip. Crank it up and sing along, just like the many songs in Tesla’s catalog of classic rockers. As a tribute to their roots, they have succeeded in every way.
Nikki Sixx is sitting on a mountain of money estimated at $65 million in 2026, though he hasn’t exactly handed over his bank login to verify it.
This massive pile of cash is the result of forty years of Mötley Crüe mayhem, songwriting gold, massive music-rights sell-offs, global stadium tours, bestselling books, and savvy side hustles.
Current buzz on the street puts him right at that $65 million mark, reminding us that while we can see the flashy public records, the private vaults remain a rock & roll secret.
Remember: a band’s total tour haul isn’t just split four ways. Before the bassist gets his cut, the taxman, the managers, the road crews, and the lawyers all take their bite out of that pie. What hits Nikki’s pocket is the real prize.
Let’s take that $65 million anchor and dive deep into the evidence to see if the lifestyle actually matches the ledger.
Nikki Sixx: The 2026 Wealth Breakdown
Category
2026 assessment
Estimated net worth
About $65 million
Main wealth source
Mötley Crüe music and touring
Major one-time deals
Publishing income and recorded catalog sales
Ongoing income
Live shows, merchandise, licensing and books
Confidence level
Moderate, because assets and liabilities are private
Is Nikki Sixx Really Worth $65 Million?
That $65 million figure is definitely a “Hell Yes” on the plausibility scale, even if it’s not stamped by an auditor.
Sixx has spent his life as the mastermind, bassist, and chief songwriter for the world’s most notorious band. According to BMG’s big catalog reveal, they’ve moved 100 million albums, scoring seven platinum trophies and nine Top 10 hits.
Decades of dominance mean constant checks from performance fees, mechanical royalties, sync deals, and killer merch sales.
Net worth isn’t just about what you’ve earned; it’s about what you’ve kept. Sixx’s lifetime gross is likely astronomical, but after accounting for real estate, smart investments, business overhead, and those rockstar expenses, $65 million is the sweet spot.
How Mötley Crüe Built Nikki Sixx’s Wealth
Mötley Crüe’s 2021 catalog sale likely gave Nikki Sixx a major wealth boost
The Crüe is still the main engine pumping gas into Sixx’s financial tank. Since he lit the fuse in 1981, he’s been the one writing the anthems that keep the stadiums full and the bank accounts overflowing.
Back in 2021, BMG pulled the trigger on buying the band’s entire recorded catalog. We’re talking nine studio albums and 40 years of hits. BMG called it their biggest deal ever, and while they stayed quiet on the price, insiders say it was near $150 million. That is a serious payday for any rocker.
Now, a $150 million band deal doesn’t mean Nikki pocketed $37.5 million in cash. Taxes, management cuts, and ownership splits always whittle down the final check. But even after those deductions, that deal alone was enough to supercharge his current wealth for years to come.
Songwriting Rights Produced Another Major Payout
Nikki was already making money moves before that BMG deal even crossed his desk.
In 2020, Hipgnosis Songs Fund snatched up 100% of Sixx’s writer’s share for 305 songs. The price tag stayed hidden, but industry insiders noted the deal covered massive hits from Mötley Crüe and Sixx:A.M. alike.
Selling your rights is a classic trade: you give up future royalties for a massive, immediate payout. It’s a smart play that provides instant capital for new ventures. Between Hipgnosis and BMG, Sixx has basically won the music industry lottery twice.
Hitting the road has poured tens of millions into Nikki’s pockets over the decades, but remember, the box office total isn’t his personal take-home pay.
The 2022 Stadium Tour with Def Leppard was a certified monster, grossing $173.5 million from over a million tickets. According to the tour tallies, they were raking in nearly $5 million every single night. That’s a lot of loot to split, but it’s still a heavy lift for Nikki’s net worth.
Pollstar’s deep dive shows the scale. Since 1999, the Crüe has sold 6.7 million tickets and grossed $457.1 million by late 2025. The average per-show gross of $721,069 explains why these guys never really retire. The fans keep showing up, and the checks keep clearing.
In 2026, the party is still raging. Mötley Crüe kicked off the 33-date Return of the Carnival of Sins tour on July 17. The announced run goes through September. Between ticket sales and VIP packages, Nikki is still stacking cash today, even if we won’t see the final totals for a while.
Books, Radio and Business Ventures
Books, radio, fashion and real estate gave Nikki Sixx major income beyond music
Nikki’s fortune isn’t just built on bass riffs. He’s diversified his portfolio in ways most rockstars can only dream of.
He’s a four-time New York Times bestselling author. His publisher bio highlights a career that includes huge book royalties and an eight-year stint as a nationally syndicated radio host on Sixx Sense. Advances, royalties, and hosting fees have all padded his $65 million nest egg beautifully.
Then there’s the fashion. Sixx launched Royal Underground in 2006, hitting high-end shelves at places like Nordstrom. While early buzz was huge, we treat this as a solid supporting venture. It’s another piece of the puzzle that makes Nikki Sixx a business mogul in leather pants.
His real estate game is equally strong. He bought a Westlake Village mansion for $4.125 million and flipped it for $5.18 million in 2021, according to public sale records. That’s a cool million-dollar gain before costs, proving Nikki knows how to pick winners on and off the stage.
Why the $150 Million Catalog Sale Is Often Misread
Fans often see a nine-figure headline and assume the rocker just became a billionaire.
Here’s the reality check on why that $150 million isn’t all Nikki’s:
That huge price tag was for the whole band’s catalog, not just Nikki’s share.
Taxes, legal fees, and commissions always take a massive bite out of the gross.
A rights sale is a trade – cash today in exchange for no royalty checks tomorrow.
Net worth factors in spending and debt, not just the money coming in.
You can be part of a massive deal and still “only” have $65 million to your name. For Nikki, that number is a well-earned victory lap.
What Could Change Nikki Sixx’s Net Worth in 2026?
Tours, royalties and brand deals could push Nikki Sixx’s net worth higher in 2026
Touring is the biggest wild card right now. A massive 2026 run could send his net worth north, while any cancellations or high overhead would stall the growth. The road is where the real money is made.
Even after selling his catalog, Nikki isn’t done. He likely still has contractual artist royalties, new music revenue, and branding deals that weren’t part of the BMG buy. The exact details are locked away, but he’s still earning.
Turning 67 in July 2026, Nikki shows zero signs of slowing down. Between the tours, the books, and the brand, the Crüe leader is staying relevant, and rich, decades after the band’s first gold record.
FAQs
What is Nikki Sixx’s real birth name?
Frank Carlton Serafino Feranna Jr.
Where was Nikki Sixx born?
San Jose, California.
Who is Nikki Sixx currently married to?
Model and entrepreneur Courtney Sixx (née Bingham), whom he married in March 2014.
How many children does Nikki Sixx have?
Five children.
What other bands has Nikki Sixx played in outside of Mötley Crüe and Sixx:A.M.?
Early career groups Sister and London, along with side projects 58, Brides of Destruction, and L.A. Rats.
What charity program was established by Nikki Sixx?
“Running Wild in the Night,” an initiative supporting Covenant House for runaway and at-risk youth.
Nikki Sixx’s 2026 fortune sits comfortably at $65 million. It’s a rock-solid estimate supported by those nine-figure catalog deals, half a billion in tour grosses, and a stack of bestselling books that would make any author jealous.
While we don’t have his personal PIN, $65 million is a well-supported look at a legend who turned rock and roll into a financial empire. Music was the start, but Nikki’s business brain is why he’s still on top of the world in 2026.
Los Angeles fixture Mark Oliver Everett has been making permanently bummed-out orchestral alt-pop for decades. Right now, Everett has a few projects in various stages of completion, including a Judd Apatow-produced documentary and an upcoming album called Cookie Happened. We’ve already heard lead single “Cap In Hand,” and today Everett shares two more songs.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DISTANT Earns Major Feature In Louder Sound / Metal Hammer’s “The Best New Metal Songs You Need To Hear Right Now”
“All Will Be (N)One” Featuring Suffocation’s Ricky Myers Continues To Build Momentum Ahead Of Into Despair
European deathcore powerhouse DISTANT has earned another major media spotlight, this time with a feature from Louder Sound / Metal Hammer in their acclaimed “The Best New Metal Songs You Need To Hear Right Now” roundup.
The publication praised the band’s latest single, “All Will Be (N)One,” featuring Ricky Myers of legendary death metal pioneers Suffocation , describing it as ” yet another slab of angular, pummelling violence ” while highlighting Myers’ guest appearance as adding ” some extra lung-shredding nastiness. ”
The recognition marks another significant milestone for DISTANT as anticipation continues to grow for their upcoming full-length album, Into Despair , scheduled for release on November 6 via Century Media Records .
Blending devastating deathcore with elements of brutal death metal, slam, and atmospheric intensity, DISTANT continues to establish itself as one of the genre’s most uncompromising acts. The band’s latest wave of critical acclaim further reinforces the excitement surrounding Into Despair and its crushing lead single.
Congratulations to DISTANT on another well deserved feature from one of heavy music’s most respected publications as they continue their relentless march toward the release of Into Despair .
Check out the feature here: https://www.loudersound.com/music/tracks-singles/best-new-metal-songs-enslaved-moonspell-haken
Check out the video:
Into Despair
Out November 6, 2026 via Century Media Records
New Single
“All Will Be (N)One” featuring Ricky Myers of Suffocation Available now on all streaming platforms: https://distantofficial.com/pages/presave
Production Credits
Nashville-based artist Logan Hornyak, who makes tangled glitch-folk music as Melaina Kol, is releasing his new album Okay that’s a great idea because if I do that then, his first for Philly label Julia’s War, in a few weeks. Yesterday, he released the new single “Idola,” which is another captivating web of sound, both delicate and strange.
dh2 has had a busy run of releases lately. The electronic label, launched by The 1975’s George Daniel in 2024, recently welcomed Nikki Nair — whose new EP The Sick Dimension arrives at the beginning of August — and Ineffekt, the project of producer Rick Bouwkamp, to its roster.
OZRIC TENTACLES RETURN WITH THEIR NEW STUDIO ALBUM HARMONIC MIND
Photo by Simon J Evens
SET FOR RELEASE ON KSCOPE ON 18th SEPTEMBER
For over forty years, Ozric Tentacles have carved out a universe entirely their own. From their roots on the UK’s free festival circuit to becoming one of the defining names in experimental rock, the Ozrics have spent more than four decades charting a wonderfully offbeat course through prog, space rock, electronica and beyond, creating an instantly recognisable musical world that has inspired generations of musicians and listeners alike. Today, the band have shared news of their new albumHarmonic Mind, set for release on Kscope on 18thSeptember.
Harmonic Mind, the band’s 17th studio album, is another welcome chapter in that ever-evolving story. Named after the geometric structure and harmonic nature of existence, the album sees the Ozrics once again weaving together soaring guitar melodies, intricate rhythms, lush synth textures and deep, hypnotic grooves into the kind of free-flowing psychedelic odyssey that has become their trademark.
Recorded at the band’s home studios as it gradually took shape across Scotland, Devon and finally Glastonbury, Harmonic Mind also captures something a little different. Featuring the full touring line-up – including drummer Pat Garvey, bassist Corey Wallace, percussionist Paul Hankin and multi-instrumentalist Saskia Maxwell – the album has a natural energy that reflects the chemistry of the band’s live performances, with each player bringing their own voice to the music.
A LIMITED TRANSPARENT PURPLE VINYL LP EDITION IS ALSO AVAILABLE THROUGH OFFICIAL KSCOPE AND OZRIC TENTACLES STORES.
From the driving pulse of “Guardstones” to the cosmic momentum of “Space Platform”, Harmonic Mind is packed with the flowing musicianship and exploratory spirit that fans have come to expect and adore. “Malachite” pays tribute to one of Ed Wynne’s favourite minerals, while also giving centre stage to his custom sandalwood acoustic from Kif Wood Guitars, complete with a beautiful malachite inlay around the sound hole. It’s one of many moments that highlights the warmth and detail running throughout the album, alongside the fluid interplay between Ed Wynne’s guitar and Silas Neptune’s ever-shifting synth landscapes.
Produced by Ed Wynne and Silas Neptune, with mastering handled by Silas for the first time, the album feels both fresh and reassuringly familiar. Even the return of the beloved Erp on the cover art offers a knowing nod to longtime listeners. There’s no radical change of direction here, just Ozric Tentacles doing what they do best.
Ozric Tentacles – Harmonic Mind
1. Guardstones [06:40]
2. Space Platform [05:57]
3. Harmonic Mind [09:12]
4. Malachite [07:52]
5. Tillamook [09:11]
6. Sumipad [04:54]
Since emerging from the UK’s festival scene in the early ’80s, Ozric Tentacles have remained one of psychedelic music’s true originals. More than four decades on, they’re still pushing forward, still exploring new sonic possibilities, and still making music with the same spirit of curiosity and freedom that first set them apart. 2026 sees Ozric Tentacles continue their extensive touring schedule with a large run of Autumn/Winter shows and a number of co-headline shows alongside The Orb.
OZRIC TENTACLES TOUR DATES 2026
23rd July – SubArt Open Air, Kranj, Slovenia 24th July – Open Air Kotač, Pula, Croatia 25th July – Regenerator, Zabok, Croatia
22nd August – Down the Hill Festival, Aarschot, Belgium 31st August – Honey Fest, Honeystreet, Devizes, England
4th September – Existence Festival, Tetbury, England 17th September – Foxlowe Arts Centre, Leek, England 18th September – Equinox Festival, Coningsby, England
16th October – Gazarte Ground Stage, Athens, Greece 17th October – WE, Thessaloniki, Greece
11th November – Buttermarket, Shrewsbury, England 12th November – Boilershop, Newcastle, England (with The Orb) 13th November – Lemon Tree, Aberdeen, Scotland 14th November – Queen Margaret Union, Glasgow, Scotland (with The Orb) 15th November – Platform, Morecambe, England 18th November – Social, Hull, England 19th November – O2 Academy, Leeds, England (with The Orb) 20th November – O2 Academy, Liverpool, England (with The Orb) 21st November – Bodega, Nottingham, England 22nd November – Club 85, Hitchin, England 25th November – Con Club, Lewes, England 26th November – O2 Academy, Bournemouth, England (with The Orb) 27th November – O2 Academy, Bristol, England (with The Orb) 28th November – O2 Academy 2, Oxford, England
2nd December – The Church, Ipswich, England 3rd December – Hare & Hounds, Birmingham, England 4th December – O2 Ritz, Manchester, England (with The Orb) 5th December – O2 Kentish Town Forum, London, England
2027
25th February – De Helling, Utrecht, The Netherlands 26th February – De Pul, Uden, The Netherlands 27th February – Poppodium Boerderij, Zoetermeer, The Netherlands
As German electronicore stars Electric Callboy prepare to release new album Tanzneid, we speak to co-vocalists Kevin Ratajczak and Nico Sallach about how they became metal’s ultimate party band.
Kevin was once a salesman at Mercedes, while Nico was an intensive care nurse before joining the band in 2020. Since going viral with the single Hypa Hypa that year, the band’s popularity has continued to rise, and they now play arenas. Shows involve costume changes, pyro, and dance/metal mash-ups.
Nico reveals he partied hard in his 20s, throwing weekly bashes that would get out of hand.
“At its peak, we had 80 people in this tiny flat. People that we didn’t know were ringing the doorbell,” he says. “They treated our flat like shit. I wanted to go to bed, and there were drinks and liquids that I couldn’t identify all over my bed! Very good memories, even if it doesn’t sound like it.”
Elsewhere, we celebrate 25 years of Slipknot’s iconic second album, Iowa. “We were looking to help Norway burn some more churches,” super-producer Ross Robinson tells us. “We wanted to join that extreme metal club!”
Meanwhile, from Metallica’s Lulu to Iron Maiden’s No Prayer For The Dying, every band has a stinker clogging up their back-catalogue. But are metal’s ‘worst’ albums really that bad? Our writers defend their favourites.
We also get in a dungeon with German zombie sensations Dominum, grill Loathe about why their new album took five years to make, and share the inside story of Nightwish’s Bye Bye Beautiful – symphonic metal’s first-ever diss track.
I Prevail’s Eric Vanlerberghe answers your questions about lasagne-towers, Judas Priest/Elegant Weapons man Richie Faulkner explains why he once summoned the Devil, and Sharon Osbourne reveals how she’s keeping Ozzy’s legacy alive – from a movie of Back To The Beginning to the return of Ozzfest and a controversial AI avatar.
Plus, we meet Eihwar: the mysterious Viking war trance duo bringing an Asgardian rave to the moshpit.
All this, along with Primus, AFI, The Hu, Halestorm, The Dillinger Escape Plan, Mortiis, our big Download and Mystic reviews, and much, much more.
