(written by Islander) On March 13th a new Spanish underground label named Cruel Gates Records will release Fire & Sulfur, a debut album from the Spanish band Exorcised. Born from the ashes of the thrash band Madsher, Exorcised have devoted their hellish energies to the creation of old school death thrash, taking their cues from […]
The post AN NCS VIDEO PREMIERE: EXORCISED — “HATRED KNIFE” appeared first on NO CLEAN SINGING.
Mardi Gras. For so long, it’s been seen by non-New Orleans folks as an excuse to get wasted, see some titties, and collect colorful beads while parties happen all over the place. In reality, it’s got religious overtones linked to the Christian concepts of Lent and Easter.
This year, however, it’s also linked to the release of a new cover by the supergroup Down. Rather than go rock or metal with it, they opted to cover a local hero of theirs, Dr. John and his song “Right Place, Wrong Time”. Known as an American singer, songwriter, and pianist, Dr. John was more about blues, funk, jazz, and R&B than anything else — so basically a departure from Down’s sound.
Still, the dudes took a chance and released the single and accompanying music video. Speaking of the video, it was apparently shot last March and pays homage to Dr. John’s various appearances on the late-night musical variety show The Midnight Special.
As someone that grew up with Dr. John in their lives, vocalist Phil Anselmo explained why the band opted to do such a niche cover.
“Dr. John’s ‘Right Place, Wrong Time’ is probably one of the first songs I ever learned or knew of as a kid. We grew up in the French Quarter and Dr. John’s music was everywhere. Recording this song was something that I always wanted to do and I’m happy that I did it with DOWN. The video was an absolute blast to make. Even my mom is in it! Because of her, I know Dr. John’s music very well.”
There’s been a lot of talk that 2026 will be the year we get a new Down record. Though we haven’t heard anything seriously concrete from anyone in the Down camp, here’s hoping we’ll get some more traditional Down in the near future.
DOWN Live:
6/03/2026 Sweden Rock Festival – Norje, SE
6/05/2026 Mystic Fest Poland – Gdańsk, PL
6/21/2026 Hellfest – Clisson, FR
10/03/2026 Aftershock – Sacramento, CA
10/24/2026 Sick New World Texas – Fort Worth, TX
The post Down Release Cover of Dr. John’s “Right Place, Wrong Time” Ahead of Mardi Gras appeared first on MetalSucks.
For us elder millennials and even Gen Xers, there are few things more 80s (and thus nostalgic) than John Hughes directed flicks. Sixteen Candles, Weird Science, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off… All classics, but if you ask me The Breakfast Club is high up there on the list. And of course you can’t think about that movie without hearing Simple Minds’ “Don’t You (Forget About Me)”.
Well now there’s a new way to hear that tune, as Life Of Agony released a live video of their cover of that very song. For those that don’t know, Life Of Agony previously released a cover version of “Don’t You (Forget About Me)” on their 1995 album Ugly, which featured a darker, heavier, and more brooding style. Sure, it eventually picks up, but they definitely made the song their own.
Bassist Alan Robert said this live version of their Simple Minds cover was a special part of the band’s ’30 Years of Ugly’ anniversary tour in Europe.
“Even though our studio version of ‘Don’t You (Forget About Me)’ appears on Ugly, we had never performed the song live until the 30 Years of Ugly anniversary tour. Bringing it to the stage after all these years — and experiencing the live energy of the crowd — made the song one of the highlights of the set every night.”
You can check out the aforementioned live video below. Just try not to walk off into the distance with your fist in the air while you do it.
The post Life of Agony Join the Breakfast Club with Live Version of “Don’t You (Forget About Me)” appeared first on MetalSucks.
(written by Islander) In 2023 the Spanish death metal band Deimler released a concept album named Immortalized that was based on Ridley Scott’s groundbreaking 1979 movie Alien. Following that up, guitarist/vocalist Pako Deimler decided to pay tribute to a personal favorite series from the ’90s — The X-Files. More specifically, Deimler’s new album, Darkness Falls, […]
The post AN NCS VIDEO PREMIERE: DEIMLER — “DARKNESS FALLS” appeared first on NO CLEAN SINGING.
No — Simmons says he stands by his words and insists hip-hop doesn’t belong in the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame.
Gene Simmons defended his use of the word “ghetto” and reiterated his long-held belief that rap should not be included in the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. The KISS bassist acknowledged respect for rap artists but argued genre boundaries matter. The comments revive a cultural debate that has divided fans and musicians for over a decade.
Gene Simmons has never exactly been known for softening an opinion.
And in 2026, he’s proving that hasn’t changed.
During a recent podcast appearance, the KISS bassist/vocalist revisited one of his most controversial stances — his belief that rap and hip-hop do not belong in the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame.
What makes this flare-up different isn’t the topic.
It’s the tone.
After backlash surrounding his phrasing — particularly his statement “I don’t come from the ghetto” — Simmons addressed the controversy directly in a statement to People.
“I stand by my words.”
He then clarified his use of the term:
“‘Ghetto’ is a Jewish term… borrowed respectfully.”
Simmons rejected any accusation of racist intent, pointing to what he considers historical context rather than insult.
Simmons made an interesting distinction that often gets lost in headline reactions.
He did not attack rap artists personally.
In fact, he explicitly stated respect for figures like Ice Cube.
But respect, in his view, does not equal category inclusion.
“Hip-hop does not belong in the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, nor does opera, nor symphony.”
His argument centers on definition:
The institution is named Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Genres exist for a reason Labels describe musical approaches
One of Simmons’ most pointed criticisms involved a familiar frustration among rock fans:
“The fact that Iron Maiden is not in… when they sell out stadiums…”
Contrasted against the induction of hip-hop pioneers like Grandmaster Flash.
For Simmons, this represents a credibility imbalance rather than a cultural dismissal.
Perhaps the most paradoxically nuanced part of Simmons’ remarks came when addressing accusations of racial undertones.
“How could you be [racist], when rock is black music?”
He emphasized a point often forgotten in heated genre debates:
Rock owes its roots to Black artists Hip-hop is also Black music The disagreement is structural, not racial
“Statement of fact, period.”
This isn’t a new Simmons position.
Back in 2014, he openly criticized the Rock Hall for inducting non-rock artists, calling the process “back-room politics.”
“You’ve got Grandmaster Flash in the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame? You’re killing me!”
His frustration was blunt:
“They don’t play guitar. They sample and they talk.”
Ice Cube famously pushed back during N.W.A.’s induction speech:
“Rock ’n’ roll is not an instrument. It’s a spirit.”
That philosophical divide remains the heart of the controversy:
Simmons → Rock as musical structure
Ice Cube → Rock as attitude and cultural energy
Two definitions.
One Hall Of Fame.
Because it taps into something bigger than Simmons, Megadeth, N.W.A., or the Rock Hall itself.
It’s about:
What defines rock? Can a genre evolve beyond instrumentation? Should institutions protect tradition or reflect culture?
There is no answer that doesn’t alienate someone.
No. He said he stands by his words.
Not exactly. He stated respect for rap artists but doesn’t connect with the genre personally.
That hip-hop, like opera or symphony, falls outside the Rock Hall’s genre definition.
Yes. Artists including Grandmaster Flash, RUN-D.M.C., Eminem, Jay-Z, and N.W.A.
Gene Simmons is the bassist, co-lead vocalist, and co-founder of KISS, one of rock’s most commercially successful and visually iconic bands. Known for his entrepreneurial mindset and unfiltered commentary, Simmons has remained a polarizing yet influential voice in music culture. KISS was inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in 2014.
The post Gene Simmons Doubles Down: Rap “Does Not Belong” In Rock Hall, Defends “Ghetto” Comment appeared first on Loaded Radio.