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Roger Waters Fires Back at Metallica’s James Hetfield: “He’s a Nobody”

Former Pink Floyd bassist launches a blistering verbal attack on the Metallica frontman after Hetfield declares that the band’s shows are about love, energy, and heavy music, not political agendas.

The debate over politics in music has erupted into a war of words between two of rock and metal’s most recognizable figures. Roger Waters, former bassist and vocalist for Pink Floyd, has launched a scathing attack on Metallica frontman James Hetfield following Hetfield’s recent comments about keeping political agendas out of the band’s live performances.
The exchange has quickly become a talking point among music fans, raising an age-old question: Should concerts be a place to escape the world’s problems, or should musicians use their platforms to speak out about them?
James Hetfield: Metallica Is About Love, Energy, and Heavy Music

During Metallica’s October 10 performance at the Sphere in Las Vegas, Hetfield addressed the audience between songs, thanking fans for traveling and spending their money to see the band.
He then made it clear that Metallica’s live shows are not intended to influence audiences with political messaging.
“Metallica is not here, like some other entertainers, to influence you with their bullshit,” Hetfield told the crowd.
He continued by explaining that the band’s purpose was to give fans a chance to step away from everything happening outside the venue.
“Metallica’s agenda is love, energy and heavy music, baby!”
Although Hetfield did not name any specific artists, his remarks arrived amid a broader debate over musicians expressing political opinions from the stage. His comments have since sparked discussion about whether concerts should remain focused on the music or serve as platforms for artists to address issues beyond it.
Roger Waters Responds With Harsh Words

Waters, known for incorporating political and social commentary into his music and public statements, was far less diplomatic when asked about Hetfield’s position during an appearance on The Katie Halper Show.
The former Pink Floyd musician unleashed a series of personal insults directed at the Metallica frontman, questioning both his intelligence and his musical abilities.
“He’s got an IQ of about three and why we’re talking about him, I honestly don’t know because he’s a nobody and he’ll always be,” Waters said.
He continued his criticism by attacking Hetfield’s musicianship, referencing an acoustic performance by Metallica.
“He may have a few hundred million dollars or whatever, but he’s a prick and he’s no musician. I heard them. I told you I heard them playing acoustic instruments and they couldn’t. It was appalling…”
Waters also took issue with what he perceived as a lack of empathy in Hetfield’s position, arguing that kindness and concern for fellow human beings should take precedence over the spectacle of a rock concert.
“It’s a shame this prick didn’t have somebody around him to explain that being kind is way more important than all that loud music and bouncing around and whatever,” Waters stated.
“Being kind, have some empathy for your fellow human-beings because we need that to spread through across the whole world.”
Waters’ comments reflect his long-standing belief that musicians have a role to play in addressing political and humanitarian issues. Throughout his career, his work has frequently explored war, power, inequality, and the consequences of political decisions.
Two Different Philosophies About Music

The disagreement highlights a fundamental difference between the two musicians’ public approaches to the relationship between music and politics.
For Hetfield, Metallica’s concerts are an opportunity for fans from different backgrounds to come together, enjoy the music, and temporarily leave their everyday problems behind. His recent remarks reinforce the idea that a live performance does not necessarily need to become a platform for political messaging.
Waters has built much of his post-Pink Floyd career around political commentary, using his music and public appearances to challenge governments, criticize military conflicts, and advocate for humanitarian causes.
Neither approach is new. Rock music has a long history of political protest, from anti-war anthems and socially conscious lyrics to artists who deliberately keep their personal political views separate from their performances.
Metallica themselves have explored subjects such as war, corruption, injustice, and the consequences of power throughout their catalog. Songs like “One,” “…And Justice for All,” and “Disposable Heroes” demonstrate that heavy metal has never been entirely detached from political and social realities.
At the same time, plenty of fans attend concerts primarily for the music, the atmosphere, and the chance to disconnect from the outside world for a few hours.
That leaves a question without an easy answer: Does an artist’s platform come with an obligation to speak out, or should musicians be free to decide when and how they engage with politics?
The Debate Continues

Waters’ comments have added another layer to an already heated conversation about political expression in entertainment. Hetfield’s original remarks were directed at unnamed entertainers, while Waters has now made his criticism of the Metallica frontman unmistakably personal.
Whether fans agree with Hetfield’s preference for keeping political messaging out of Metallica’s concerts or support Waters’ insistence that musicians should demonstrate empathy and address the wider world, the exchange illustrates how differently artists can view the purpose of music.
One thing is certain: When two iconic figures from the worlds of progressive rock and heavy metal clash over the role of music in society, fans are going to have plenty to say.
What do you think? Should concerts be an escape from the outside world, or do musicians have a responsibility to use their platforms to speak out on political and humanitarian issues?
Sound off in the comments.

Italian multi-instrumentalist Gabriele Gramaglia has made the entire debut album from his death metal project LUGUBRIOUS GARMENT available to stream ahead of its official release. In The Wide Vale Of Uncreated Night arrives on 16 October 2026 via 20 Buck Spin, with all seven tracks now available for early listening on YouTube. The Milan-based musician, […]

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There are no attempts to conceal the mistakes, smooth out the tempos or disguise the chaos. That is precisely how Athenar wants his live recordings to sound. American blackened speed metal outfit MIDNIGHT have unveiled a visualizer for “Violence On Violence”, offering another preview of their forthcoming live album, Satanic Attack Live!, scheduled for release […]

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“I’m just putting a positive message out there in the world…showing a little more grace, trying to kill some of the division.”

The post Kid Rock Speaks On Trying To Be Less “Polarizing” & Using AI On His New Christian Album “Halfway 2 Jesus”: “I Really Do View It As Another Tool” appeared first on Theprp.com.

Two icons of shock, horror, and drive-in mayhem collide on Gwar and the Last Drive-In-Stein, a new album bringing together Gwar and Joe Bob Briggs for one gloriously demented musical meeting. With new songs and music from John Brennan and the Bigfeet. Arriving November 13th via Pit Records on vinyl, the album celebrates more than four decades of Gwar and 40 years of Joe Bob Briggs on television as a film critic, commentator, and entertainer.

Marking the announcement of this historic record, the new single “Splatter-Fu,” written specifically for Gwar by John Brennan, and its official video are available now.

Speaking on the upcoming album, Blothar exclaims: “Lordy Lordy, look who’s 40! Gwar and Joe Bob Briggs. A match made in hell! I love horror movies, trash, and funny spooky stuff. Gwar wouldn’t exist without it. I was just a calf when creepy Joe Bob reached up my poodle skirt at the last Drive-in. He promised he’d make me a star… Now we’ve made a record together!”

Joe Bob continues: “To create the real spirit of Halloween, I called up my buddies – the intergalactic warriors who live in Antarctica – and I asked them to bring some fear, some filth, and some fun. Of course you know whom I’m talkin’ about… the Scumdogs of the Universe… GWAR!

Gwar and the Last Drive-In-Stein captures the meeting of these two legendary worlds, with Side A featuring Gwar’s epic live performance from The Last Drive-In’s 2025 Halloween special. The set features several Gwar originals alongside covers of some of the most beloved songs associated with Joe Bob’s legendary show.

Side B features John Brennan and the Bigfeet, The Last Drive-In’s house band, performing songs written for the show’s final two seasons. The collection marks the third official soundtrack release from John Brennan and the Bigfeet, from the musical world of The Last Drive-In.

For Gwar, the release arrives as the band continues to celebrate a legacy spanning more than four decades of bloodshed, battlefields, mutilation and intergalactic domination. For Joe Bob Briggs, it marks four decades of television history and a career built around his unwavering devotion to drive-in movies, horror, exploitation cinema and the strange cultural universe surrounding them.

Two shock icons. More than 80 combined years of cultural carnage. One very strange record indeed!

The Scumdogs are preparing to embark on the Gor Gor Must Die! Tour, featuring direct support from Midnight and Mac Sabbath. X-COPS and Nailed Shut will open the tour on select dates. For a complete list of dates and/or to purchase tickets, check here.

Gwar and the Last Drive-In-Stein is available to pre-order here.

The post Shock Rock Legends GWAR Join Forces With JOE BOB BRIGGS For “Gwar And The Last Drive-In-Stein” appeared first on Sonic Perspectives.

Posted on October 15th 2026, 5:34pm

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SAARKOTH ANNOUNCE THIRD FULL-LENGTH ALBUM TERRA MORTUA, ARRIVING DECEMBER 4

Staffordshire Black Metal Outfit Expands Its Sound While Exploring Environmental Destruction, Death, and Humanity’s Impact on Nature

STAFFORDSHIRE, ENGLAND | English black metal band Saarkoth will release their third full-length album, Terra Mortua, on December 4, 2026. The self-released record marks another chapter in the band’s nearly decade-long evolution, pushing beyond familiar black metal foundations while retaining the dark atmosphere and uncompromising themes that have defined their sound.
Formed in 2016, Saarkoth began as a two-man project and has since developed into a five-piece lineup. Over the years, the band has built a catalog exploring the darker relationship between humanity, nature, and the world we inhabit.
With Terra Mortua, Saarkoth expand their sonic approach by weaving a broader range of influences into their established black metal sound. The result reflects a band continuing to evolve without abandoning the lyrical and atmospheric foundations that have shaped its identity.
The album explores environmental disaster, death, mental health, and mankind’s destructive impact on the natural world. These themes build upon ideas present throughout the band’s previous releases, presenting a bleak examination of humanity’s relationship with its surroundings.
Speaking about the album, the band explains:
“With Terra Mortua, we’ve taken a riffier approach while maintaining the atmosphere and melodies of our signature black metal sound. Each member of our new lineup has firmly put their own stamp on each song to create our proudest work to date.”
The album’s development follows a period of renewed activity for the band. Saarkoth released their debut full-length, Jera, in 2018 through Morning Star Heathens Music Group, followed by the Follow the Cult EP and their second full-length, Cult of Nature, both released in 2020. After a hiatus following the pandemic, the band solidified its current lineup and returned to the live circuit in 2023, beginning work on what would become Terra Mortua.
The album’s campaign began with the release of “Scribes of Death” on July 19, 2026, showcasing a noticeable step forward in songwriting and production. The second single, “Condemned to Damnation,” released October 18, 2026, offering another glimpse into the band’s expanding musical direction.
Featuring seven tracks, Terra Mortua brings together the band’s evolving influences and recurring lyrical concerns in a record that examines destruction, mortality, and the consequences of humanity’s actions.
TERRA MORTUA TRACKLIST



Destroyers of Worlds
Condemned to Damnation
Gaias Children
Scribes of Death
Fire, Flood, Drought, Death
Terra Mortua
Hiraeth

ALBUM CREDITS

Band: Saarkoth
Album: Terra Mortua
Release Date: December 4, 2026
Genre: Black Metal
Label: Self-Released
Recording Engineer: Daryl Payne
Mixing and Mastering: Jonathon Salisbury
Artwork: Winterkeep_DA
SAARKOTH LINEUP

Ellis Arnott – Vocals & Synth
Lewis Baker – Guitars
Dan Kraushar – Guitars
Joshua Ballantyne – Bass
Josh Milligan – Drums
ABOUT SAARKOTH

Formed in 2016, Saarkoth are a black metal band from Staffordshire, England. Beginning as a two-man project, the band has spent nearly a decade developing its sound through releases including Jera, Follow the Cult, and Cult of Nature. Following a return to live performances in 2023, Saarkoth have continued to build on their foundations, exploring new influences while maintaining a focus on environmental disaster, mortality, mental health, and humanity’s impact on nature.
For fans of Winterfylleth, The Infernal Sea, and Agalloch, Saarkoth’s upcoming album Terra Mortua represents the next stage in the band’s evolution.

FOLLOW SAARKOTH

Facebook: https://facebook.com/Saarkoth
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saarkoth_official
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@saarkothofficial9421
Bandcamp: https://saarkothofficial.bandcamp.com/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1qM7ycvzZg18445LzjtvB4
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/saarkoth/1419676873

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SAARKOTH ANNOUNCE THIRD FULL-LENGTH ALBUM TERRA MORTUA, ARRIVING DECEMBER 4

Staffordshire Black Metal Outfit Expands Its Sound While Exploring Environmental Destruction, Death, and Humanity’s Impact on Nature

STAFFORDSHIRE, ENGLAND | English black metal band Saarkoth will release their third full-length album, Terra Mortua , on December 4, 2026. The self-released record marks another chapter in the band’s nearly decade-long evolution, pushing beyond familiar black metal foundations while retaining the dark atmosphere and uncompromising themes that have defined their sound.
Formed in 2016, Saarkoth began as a two-man project and has since developed into a five-piece lineup. Over the years, the band has built a catalog exploring the darker relationship between humanity, nature, and the world we inhabit.
With Terra Mortua , Saarkoth expand their sonic approach by weaving a broader range of influences into their established black metal sound. The result reflects a band continuing to evolve without abandoning the lyrical and atmospheric foundations that have shaped its identity.
The album explores environmental disaster, death, mental health, and mankind’s destructive impact on the natural world. These themes build upon ideas present throughout the band’s previous releases, presenting a bleak examination of humanity’s relationship with its surroundings.
Speaking about the album, the band explains:
“With Terra Mortua, we’ve taken a riffier approach while maintaining the atmosphere and melodies of our signature black metal sound. Each member of our new lineup has firmly put their own stamp on each song to create our proudest work to date.”
The album’s development follows a period of renewed activity for the band. Saarkoth released their debut full-length, Jera , in 2018 through Morning Star Heathens Music Group, followed by the Follow the Cult EP and their second full-length, Cult of Nature , both released in 2020. After a hiatus following the pandemic, the band solidified its current lineup and returned to the live circuit in 2023, beginning work on what would become Terra Mortua .
The album’s campaign began with the release of “Scribes of Death” on July 19, 2026 , showcasing a noticeable step forward in songwriting and production. The second single, “Condemned to Damnation,” released October 18, 2026 , offering another glimpse into the band’s expanding musical direction.
Featuring seven tracks, Terra Mortua brings together the band’s evolving influences and recurring lyrical concerns in a record that examines destruction, mortality, and the consequences of humanity’s actions.
TERRA MORTUA TRACKLIST



Destroyers of Worlds
Condemned to Damnation
Gaias Children
Scribes of Death
Fire, Flood, Drought, Death
Terra Mortua
Hiraeth

ALBUM CREDITS

Band: Saarkoth
Album: Terra Mortua
Release Date: December 4, 2026
Genre: Black Metal
Label: Self-Released
Recording Engineer: Daryl Payne
Mixing and Mastering: Jonathon Salisbury
Artwork: Winterkeep_DA
SAARKOTH LINEUP

Ellis Arnott – Vocals & Synth
Lewis Baker – Guitars
Dan Kraushar – Guitars
Joshua Ballantyne – Bass
Josh Milligan – Drums
ABOUT SAARKOTH

Formed in 2016, Saarkoth are a black metal band from Staffordshire, England. Beginning as a two-man project, the band has spent nearly a decade developing its sound through releases including Jera , Follow the Cult , and Cult of Nature . Following a return to live performances in 2023, Saarkoth have continued to build on their foundations, exploring new influences while maintaining a focus on environmental disaster, mortality, mental health, and humanity’s impact on nature.
For fans of Winterfylleth, The Infernal Sea, and Agalloch, Saarkoth’s upcoming album Terra Mortua represents the next stage in the band’s evolution.

FOLLOW SAARKOTH

Facebook: https://facebook.com/Saarkoth
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saarkoth_official
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@saarkothofficial9421
Bandcamp: https://saarkothofficial.bandcamp.com/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1qM7ycvzZg18445LzjtvB4
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/saarkoth/1419676873

Loudwire was on the "purple carpet" at the premiere of the 'Ozzy & Black Sabbath: Back to the Beginning' film premieres at the Orpheum Theatre in Los Angeles. Continue reading…