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Ritchie Blackmore joined Deep Purple on stage for the first time in more than three decades during the band’s headlining concert on August 12 at the Northwell at Jones Beach Theater in Wantagh, New York. The 81-year-old guitarist, who last played with Deep Purple in 1993, came up for a rendition of “Smoke On The Water,” which closed Deep Purple’s regular set.

In a new email interview with Guitar Player (transcribed by Blabbermouth), Blackmore reflected on the emotional impact of the appearance. “It was very moving because I went on very quickly and had to play immediately. I couldn’t warm up, but I wasn’t there to be playing correct notes. I was there to see old friends I hadn’t seen in 40 years, and we’re all getting older. I think we realized it could be the last time we see each other, maybe.

“It was tricky; I didn’t play anything too technical, as I felt I should stick to the rudiments of being simple. I still lost my place at one point, but it’s not why I was there. I was there to heal any wounds — but there weren’t any wounds. Everyone was like we were in the army all along the Western front and we were all getting together again. Very emotional moment.”

After the performance, Deep Purple singer Ian Gillan told the crowd: “A couple of days ago, I got a message from a local lad saying, ‘I only live around the corner. Do you mind if I come and jam with you?’ And I tell you, it was an absolute pleasure to have back on stage the founder member, the great legend, the immortal Ritchie Blackmore.” Gillan added: “Thanks, Ritchie. I have to say it was a great pleasure. I’ll see you in the bar.”

On social media, Blackmore wrote: “Good night had by all, I hope. I know I had a great time. Thanks a lot lads. Carry on and have a good tour.” Deep Purple’s official social media called the reunion “a big moment in rock history,” while Gillan wrote: “What a pleasure it was to welcome Ritchie Blackmore on stage with us to play ‘Smoke’ last night… Thanks Ritchie, that meant a lot to many people; not least me.” Current Deep Purple guitarist Simon McBride shared a photo backstage and wrote: “My absolute pleasure to share the stage with this legend, such a great guy and an inspiration to all.”

Blackmore revealed his guest appearance during an Aug. 11 Instagram Live with his wife Candice Night: “I sent my A.I. pigeon to Ian Gillan in Portugal, where he lives at the moment. And I said, ‘How would you feel about if I got up just for an encore? Just one of the songs. I don’t want to intrude.’ And I said, ‘No pressure — just kind of [for] old times’ sake.’ I’m 81 now. So he seemed to love the idea, put it to the band, got a thumbs up.”

Blackmore also addressed his current health challenges, including a severe vertigo attack in late 2025 that forced him to cancel tour dates, along with gout, arthritis affecting his fingers and feet, and previous heart issues. “I did have my injection in my lumbar area yesterday,” he said. “It’s a special injection I have that enables me to stand in one spot, because if I’m playing a Strat on stage, I have a hard time with the shoulders and the lumbar area. I’ve got four herniated discs, if anybody wants them.

“And I think we’ve all got something to complain about. I just have more things to complain about than usual. And if I don’t complain, I’ll find something to complain about.” Blackmore noted that Gillan has his own maladies with his eyesight, adding: “As you get older, you collect all these things.”

Blackmore is a co-founder of Deep Purple and the author of some of rock’s most recognizable riffs, including “Smoke On The Water,” but had not played with the group since his 1993 departure. During the ensuing years he released one final Rainbow album (1995’s Stranger In Us All) and toured with that band through 1997, then dedicated himself to the Renaissance-inspired music of Blackmore’s Night before briefly reforming Rainbow in 2016 with a new lineup. Blackmore and his family reside on Long Island, New York, near Port Jefferson.

The post RITCHIE BLACKMORE Reflects On Onstage Reunion With DEEP PURPLE: “I Wasn’t There To Play Correct Notes — I Was There To See Old Friends” appeared first on Sonic Perspectives.

Remote funeral doom project UMUS have released ‘Oblivion’, the first single from their debut album, Voidlit. The record will arrive on October 13, with Ksenza Records and Aesthetic Death handling the CD edition and Aesthetic Death releasing a double-LP version. ‘Oblivion’ introduces the project’s combination of glacial tempos, layered guitars and cavernous vocals. Rather than […]

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The pioneering metalcore band have a trio of shows booked for the fall at the moment.

The post Deadguy Announce New October Show appeared first on Theprp.com.

Soundgarden co-founding guitarist Kim Thayil launched his memoir, A Screaming Life: Into the Superunknown With Soundgarden and Beyond, on June 11, 2026 with a discussion alongside Krist Novoselic, co-founding bassist of Nirvana, at Elliott Bay Book Company in Seattle, Washington. The book, published on June 9 via HarperCollins’ William Morrow imprint, is now accompanied by video of that conversation.

Speaking about the way heroin had devastated the Seattle scene — claiming the lives of Alice in Chains members Layne Staley and Mike Starr, Nirvana’s Kurt Cobain and Mother Love Bone’s Andrew Wood — Thayil said (as transcribed by Blabbermouth): “That is a point I make in the book a number of times, is that none of these bands had a drug culture and the scene didn’t have a drug culture. There were individuals that had their own sense of self and their own sense of adventure. And I had to explain this many times to journalists and interviewers, and I made sure it was present in the book… I explained that the bands didn’t have a drug culture. I was close friends with all these other guys, and they themselves were just as impacted and distraught, and in no way were they somehow reinforcing this risk.

“As I would tell people, you drive as fast as you want to, you climb a mountain if you want to climb it, and people make choices to make themselves feel good and to enjoy their lives, and a lot of them, a lot of the choices they make are risky, and that’s part of being alive. And the impact of this constantly had me engaging with my family and friends and record labels and tours to say, ‘Hey, this isn’t us. This isn’t even them. This is just a strange aberration with individuals that are living their own lives.’

“And that was so difficult for people to understand. So I’d meet adults, and I’d have to kind of… They would look at me kind of odd or with suspicion or, ‘Here’s this guy with hair too long and doesn’t look like he combs it and a beard, and he plays in one of these Seattle bands.’ And it became very conspicuous after losing Andy and Kurt, and I think the belief was that Seattle was somehow embracing of and reinforcing the decisions that were made.”

When Soundgarden frontman Chris Cornell died in May 2017, an autopsy report showed several prescription drugs in his system, though none contributed to his death. Toxicology tests showed the presence of barbiturates, caffeine and lorazepam, as well as naloxone. Cornell was found in his hotel room after a concert in Detroit.

Soundgarden is currently working on an album of previously unreleased recordings made with Cornell before his 2017 death. Thayil, drummer Matt Cameron and bassist Ben Shepherd are collaborating with producer Terry Date, who previously helmed Louder Than Love (1989) and Badmotorfinger (1991).

In November 2025, Soundgarden joined the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame class of 2025 in the Performer category. The three surviving members performed at the induction ceremony alongside guest vocalists Taylor Momsen and Brandi Carlile, with appearances by Pearl Jam’s Mike McCready and Alice in Chains’ Jerry Cantrell.

A Screaming Life: Into the Superunknown With Soundgarden and Beyond is available here.

The post SOUNDGARDEN’S KIM THAYIL Says The Seattle Rock Scene Of The 1990s Didn’t Have A Drug Culture: “There Were Individuals That Had Their Own Sense Of Self And Their Own Sense Of Adventure” appeared first on Sonic Perspectives.

In a few short weeks, Texan metallic hardcore heavyweights Judiciary will return with their new EP Stalagmite Angels. We’ve already posted the extremely fucking sick lead single “Wall Of Skulls,” and now they’ve got a new banger called “Death Knell.” It’s an all-out thrasher with some gigantic riffs and a percussive breakdown that puts me in that old Sepultura mood. You probably don’t want to be around me when I’m in that old Sepultura mood. Wes Ellis directed the video which is full of sweaty mosh footage, guns, and beer. Check it out below.

The post Judiciary – “Death Knell” appeared first on Stereogum.

Polish metal band MORR have returned with Kości zostały rzucone, their first studio album in 11 years. Independently released on July 1, the eight-track record introduces a stronger thrash metal direction while retaining the melodic character of the band’s earlier material. The album’s title can be translated as The Die Is Cast, reflecting lyrics concerned […]

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Texas metalcore band THE LIGHT SUPERIOR have announced their debut full-length album, Dayspring, which will be released on October 2 through Rottweiler Records. The announcement is accompanied by the album’s title track, featuring guest lead guitar from producer and PHINEHAS co-founder Glenn Gizzi. ‘Dayspring’ combines forceful metalcore riffs and breakdowns with melodic passages, providing the […]

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The band briefly announced the matter this morning.

The post Thou Cancel All Shows In Light Of A Family Emergency appeared first on Theprp.com.

French one-man black metal project AZGAAL have released a lyric video for ‘The Bewitched Souls’, the second single taken from the forthcoming album Divine Hitman. The 10-track record will arrive on August 28 through Fetzner Death Records. Running for more than six minutes, ‘The Bewitched Souls’ offers another glimpse into the occult world developed across […]

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Just ahead of the pair heading over to Australia and New Zealand together.

The post System Of A Down & Faith No More Announce January 2027 Brazilian Show appeared first on Theprp.com.