KISS bassist Gene Simmons is recovering at home after crashing his Lincoln Navigator into a parked car Tuesday on Malibu's Pacific Coast Highway. The accident happened before 1 p.m. when Simmons told Los Angeles Sheriff's deputies he passed out or fainted while driving. His wife Shannon Tweed said the vehicle crossed several traffic lanes before striking the parked car. Simmons was hospitalized for evaluation then released to recover at home. Tweed suggested the incident may relate to recent medication changes and Simmons' reluctance to drink enough water. His representative told Rolling Stone "Mr. Simmons is totally fine from this minor fender bender." Simmons has upcoming performances scheduled, including a November KISS reunion show in Las Vegas and December's Kennedy Center Honors ceremony. (Story URL)

Click here to add text.

Former KISS guitarist Ace Frehley announced on Facebook on Monday (October 6) that he has been forced to cancel all of his remaining 2025 tour dates due to “ongoing medical issues” following a minor fall in his studio back in September that required hospitalization. While it’s unclear if his current health problems are directly related to the fall, doctors reportedly advised him to avoid travel. The cancellations affect a series of Midwest US dates throughout October and early November, and comes only two weeks after the 74-year-old Frehley canceled an appearance alongside Quiet Riot and Vixen at the Antelope Valley Fair in Lancaster, California, due to a short hospital stay following his fall in the studio. Before the cancellations, Frehley had been working on a third album in his Origins cover song series featuring songs that have inspired him over the years. (Consequence of Sound)

Click here to add text.

On Friday, Megadeth released “Tipping Point,” the lead single from their upcoming self-titled 17th – and final – album, which is set to be released on January 23rd. The track marks the recording debut of guitarist Teemu Mäntysaari, who joined the band in 2023, and is accompanied by a music video directed by Leo Liberti. Frontman Dave Mustaine previously announced that the metal legends’ upcoming album would be their last, supported by a farewell tour starting in 2026. “We all have different ‘tipping points’ and they may vary from day to day,” Mustaine says of their new single. “I think we’re all being pushed to the edge right now, and it’s easy to lean into that feeling. But it’s important not to let things get you down.” Megadeth is currently touring Europe and the U.K. with Disturbed through October 28, with pre-orders for the new album available in a variety of formats via the band’s webstore. (Consequence of Sound)

Aerosmith and YUNGBLUD’s new collaboration, “My Only Angel,” tops Billboard’s Hot Hard Rock Songs chart, marking Aerosmith’s first No. 1 on the tally since its inception in 2020. The track is from their upcoming joint EP, One More Time, due out on November 21, which will be Aerosmith’s first new material since their 2012 album, Music From Another Dimension. “My Only Angel” earned its chart-topping position through 2 million streams, 1.4 million radio impressions, and 5,000 sales during the tracking week. The song also debuted at No. 37 on Mainstream Rock Airplay – Aerosmith’s first appearance on the list since 2012’s “Lover Alot” – while also launching at No. 20 on the Hot Rock Songs chart and No. 23 on Hot Rock & Alternative Songs. The collaborative EP follows YUNGBLUD and Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler and Joe Perry recent performance together at the MTV Video Music Awards in tribute to the late Ozzy Osbourne. (Billboard)

Def Leppard will be honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in a ceremony on October 9 in front of the iconic Capitol Records building in Los Angeles. The UK rock legends will receive the star in the "Recording" category, joined by guest speakers Jon Bon Jovi and Universal Music president Bruce Resnikoff, with SiriusXM’s Bob Buchmann serving as emcee. The band was originally notified of the honor back in 2023, and thanked their supportive fanbase in a statement, “None of this would be possible without YOU. Thank you.” Walk of Fame producer Ana Martinez said in a statement, “Def Leppard has earned a permanent place not only in music history, but now on one of the most famous sidewalks in the world.” Def Leppard are set to co-headline the Rock the Tides festival in Riviera Maya, Mexico from November 7-9, and have a Las Vegas residency scheduled in February. (Consequence of Sound)

Following the stomping debut single “Heavy As Hell” from their upcoming album 'Built To Destroy,' due out on November 14th, New York steamrollers N.Y.C. kick down the doors of the virtual Heaven ‘n’ Hell Bar once again, this time with the album’s crushing title track. Louder, faster, and meaner, “Built To Destroy” is a perfect metal battering ram for the beginning of the end times. The self-titled track arrives accompanied by an official NEXTGEN UE5 music video, available below.

MEGADETH have unveiled “Tipping Point” as the first single and video from their forthcoming self-titled final album due out in 2026 via DAVE MUSTAINE’s Tradecraft imprint in partnership with Frontiers Label Group’s new BLKIIBLK label.  The sonically explosive and lyrically unflinching song kicks off with a thunderous guitar solo before DAVE’s iconic voice hauntingly kicks in. In the desolate but hopeful accompanying video, directed by Leonardo Liberti, DAVE is locked up in a prison being tortured in extreme fashion, while the band performs in the same lock-up. In the end DAVE perseveres evil and walks away into a new day. 

Judas Priest released their cover of Black Sabbath’s “War Pigs” featuring a duet between Rob Halford and the late Ozzy Osbourne in his first posthumous musical appearance since his death in July. According to the release, “all profits from audio streams, downloads, and physical sales of the recording will be donated to The Glenn Tipton Parkinson’s Foundation and Cure Parkinson’s.” The release of the charity single honors Osbourne, who had publicly battled Parkinson’s disease since 2020 and famously took part in the “Back to the Beginning” farewell concert shortly before he passed. Halford credits Sharon Osbourne for making this collaboration happen, while proudly admitting, “It’s the first ever time in my entire life that I’ve been able to do a duet with Ozzy, and I’m so eternally grateful and blessed that I was able to do that.” (Rolling Stone)

Photo by DC

📸: Pedro Blanco

BraveWords Records releases the re-record of "Hiroshima Mon Amour" by Alcatrazz. The single is available today on all digital services. "Hiroshima Mon Amour" is taken from the upcoming album PRIOR CONVICTIONS that will be released on November 7th.

📸: Michael Anthony

Click here to add text.

On Monday (September 15), Sammy Hagar announced the dates and details of his 2026 Las Vegas residency at Dolby Live at Park MGM. Hagar will perform 11 shows throughout March and September next year, joined by his all-star backing band featuring Michael Anthony, Joe Satriani, Kenny Aronoff, and Rai Thistlethwayte as part of his ongoing The Best of All Worlds Tour. Hagar’s setlist will include songs from his Van Halen era, solo career, and Montrose material. “I can’t tell you how hard it’s been not to leak this announcement,” Hagar shared on Instagram, while adding, “I love this band like no other and can’t wait to do it again.” Ticket pre-sales begin September 16, with general sales starting September 19. Following a successful Vegas residency earlier this year – which will soon be immortalized in a live album set to be released on October 10 – Hagar praised the band and the current run of shows as some of the best of his life. (Consequence of Sound)

Iron Maiden’s Bruce Dickinson performed the American national anthem a cappella at the Pittsburgh Steelers’ home opener against the Seattle Seahawks at Acrisure Stadium on Sunday (September 14). The heavy metal legend called the experience “a huge honour” on Instagram, with the vocalist receiving chants of “U.S.A!” from the crowd. The British singer’s unexpected role in an iconic American tradition sparked mixed reactions on social media, highlighting the novelty of a U.K. musician singing the anthem at an NFL game. Dickinson is currently on the North American leg of his Mandrake Project solo tour, which concludes at the Wiltern in Los Angeles on October 5. Meanwhile, Iron Maiden is celebrating their 50th anniversary in 2025, accompanied by a forthcoming documentary directed by Malcolm Venville that explores the band’s legacy, featuring interviews with famous fans like Javier Bardem and Lars Ulrich, alongside insight from key members of the metal band, including the final interview with original vocalist Paul Di’Anno, who died last year. (Rolling Stone)

Photo by DC

Before his Las Vegas show on Friday night, Sebastian Bach was approached by a fan for a hug while he was speaking with his wife. Later, on stage, he called out the fan, insulted her, and had her removed, creating a tense moment for the audience. TMZ reports that a witness said the fan recorded Bach and made an obscene gesture when he took the stage, triggering the confrontation.

📸: Ian Ritter

Photo by Michael Vetter

Engineered Society Project proudly announce the release of their brand-new single, “Blink Of An Eye,” now available on all major streaming platforms.

Never change a winning team. Never change a winning formula. Cristiano Filippini’s FLAMES OF HEAVEN strengthens its position among the leading acts of Power Melodic Metal - five years after releasing the critically acclaimed „The Force Within“. Thanks to catchy melodies and brilliant musicianship „Symphony of the Universe“ is the utmost logical follow-up. Spectaculary crafted neoclassical anthems breathing the spirits of an ideally open production with natural sounds. The manga “Saint Seiya” by Masami Kurumada delivered the lyrical inspiration. Shimmering highlights among the twelve songs are „Darkside of Gemini“, „On the Wings of Phoenix“, Midnight Riders“, and „The Power of Stars“.

Italian/Swedish hard rock/heavy metal band Hell in the Club are thrilled to announce the release of their new studio album, “Joker In The Pack”, out on November 7, 2025, via Frontiers Music Srl.

Swedish hard rockers Andy and the Rockets return with a no-nonsense, straight-from-the-gut anthem: “Seven Years of Bleeding”, out today on all digital platforms.

This week, the Gibson hosted a very special event to celebrate Tony Iommi, the legendary guitarist of Black Sabbath, and launch the return of his Tony Iommi Signature Humbucker™ out now from the Gibson Pickup Shop. Music fans gathered at the Gibson Garage London for an intimate interview with Tony Iommi—moderated by Liz Barnes (BBC Radio 2)—which was followed by a brief performance, and a screening of the “first look” trailer for “Iommi: The Godfather of Heavy Metal,” a new limited docuseries from Gibson Films, which will stream worldwide this fall on Gibson TV.

Bon Jovi announced that they are reimagining their 2024 album, Forever, with the upcoming release of Forever (Legendary Edition) on October 24. The new collection features collaborations with Bruce Springsteen, Jelly Roll, Jason Isbell, Lainey Wilson, Joe Elliott, Avril Lavigne, Marcus King, Robbie Williams, and others. The project was inspired by Jon Bon Jovi’s vocal cord surgery and rehab, which limited his ability to tour and promote the original album, leading him to enlist friends to help carry the songs forward. On Friday (August 29), they are sharing their Springsteen collaboration, “Hollow Man,” along with the new tune, “Red, White & Jersey.” Jon says the project captures “a new viewpoint and new spirit – a collaboration album that proves we all get by in this world with a little help from our friends,” while adding, “I feel tremendous joy and gratitude releasing this album and I think it shows in the music.” (Rolling Stone)

Swedish Hard Rock giants Eclipse are finally back on the road with the announcement of their brand-new Megalomanium Tour 2025. A journey that will take them through Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic, Belgium, Switzerland, and Italy, this tour is more than just a series of shows, it’s a celebration of everything that makes Eclipse one of the most thrilling Rock bands of our time.

The Ronnie James Dio Stand Up and Shout Cancer Fund has announced the details for its 2025 "Bowl for Ronnie" charity event. The benefit is scheduled to take place on November 13 at PINZ Bowling Kitchen + Bar in Studio City, California, with the event once again hosted by SiriusXM’s Eddie Trunk, with festivities set to begin at 6:30 p.m. A variety of celebrities and rock stars will compete for bowling trophies throughout the night, with a full list of participants and added details to be revealed soon. An eBay auction will be launched shortly, offering the winning bidder a coveted spot on Trunk’s celebrity bowling team. Last year’s event sold-out well in advance, and raised over $70,000 to support cancer research and awareness through the Dio cancer fund, which honors the late metal legend who died of stomach cancer in 2010. Past bowlers have included Tom Morello, Dave Grohl, Geezer Butler, Sebastian Bach, Adam Jones, Steven Adler, Jack Black, Richie Sambora, Lita Ford, and many more. (Consequence of Sound)

High Roller Records 

📸: Stuart Hollingsworth

Credit- Rob Shanahan

Finnish rockers Rust N' Rage are back with the brand new album “Songs Of Yesterday”, available now via Frontiers Music Srl.The band also share the official video for “Just Like Brothers”, out now.The band commented: “Songs Of Yesterday” is an ultimate collection of nasty riffs and tasty hooks; all forged in the fires of adrenaline filled rock n' roll! These tracks are sure to get your head banging, so give it a spin and play it loud!”About the new single, they added: “Just Like Brothers” is an anthem of unity; a tribute to those who stand by your side no matter what”.Through lots of hard work and gigging, Rust N' Rage have been starting to make a name for themselves in their home country of Finland. With energetic live shows and anthemic songwriting, this rock n’ roll quartet is ready to introduce themselves to the world more than ever before. Coming from a small Finnish town called Pori, Rust N’ Rage are four musicians - Vince, Johnny, Jezzie, and Eddy - who share a common passion for rock n’ roll. Initially playing individually around their town, it didn’t take long for them to unite under a shared musical vision. Drawing inspiration from '80s legends such as Guns n’ Roses, Judas Priest, Mötley Crüe, and Dokken, the band has crafted a sound rooted in classic hard rock but with a fresh and personal twist.The band’s debut album, produced by Jimmy Westerlund (One Desire), was filled with hard-hitting, melodic tunes. In 2020, things accelerated for the band as they found a new manager and teamed up with a new producer to bring their vision to life.Now, their latest release, “Songs Of Yesterday”, produced by Olli Anttila, is the band’s defining statement - a high-energy dose of rock packed with powerful anthems, memorable choruses, infectious guitar solos, and explosive rhythms. It’s a celebration of their influences, but also a testament to their identity and evolution as a modern hard rock force.“Songs Of Yesterday” Tracklist:1.    One For All (All For One)2.    Songs Of Yesterday3.    Just Like Brothers4.    Hey Jane5.    Gone But Never Forgotten6.    Rollin' Till The Morning7.    Open Fire8.    I Am The One9.    Gave It All I Got10.    Fire It Up

In a new interview on ‘Talkin' Rock with Meltdown,’ Judas Priest’s Rob Halford opened up about his profound grief following Ozzy Osbourne’s death on July 22. “I just put the phone down in my hotel room… and I just curled up in a ball and bawled my eyes out for hours,” the 73-year-old Halford recalls of the moment he learned of Ozzy’s death, while adding, “I just couldn’t believe it. I still can’t believe it now. I’m still grieving like so many people.” Halford admitted back in May that he was “gutted” to have to miss Ozzy’s final concert due to already being booked to play a 60th anniversary show with the Scorpions in Germany that day. Halford praised Osbourne’s generosity and enduring spirit, recalling that, “Whenever we did shows together he would always say to me, ‘Did you have a good time?’ He was the embodiment of kindness in that respect.” (Billboard)

Australian melodic metal four-piece DARKER HALF recently announced the upcoming release of their brand-new album, “Book Of Fate,” scheduled for August 29, 2025 via Massacre Records. Today the band unveil the second single ‘Another Day Another Nightmare.’The song is a powerful exploration of existential dread and the struggle to find meaning in a seemingly indifferent world. Drawing inspiration from timeless folklore — particularly the stories of the Pied Piper of Hamelin and the Wizard — “Book Of Fate” promises to deliver an epic narrative set to the band’s trademark heavy and melodic soundscapes. While not being a concept album, these were themes the band came back to regularly during writing sessions.The new lineup infused the album with a newfound energy, resulting in a faster paced release that harks back to earlier days of the bands roots. Meanwhile the anthemic choruses the band has become known for remain prominent. Produced by DARKER HALF’s drummer Dom Simpson at Elephant Sounds Studio, Australia, the album was mixed by Chris Themelco at Monolith Studios and mastered by Thomas Plec Johansson at The Panic Room. The stunning cover artwork was created by Karim Konig.  Track Listing:1. Introduction2. The Golden Path3. From Disaster4. Are You Listening5. Another Day, Another Nightmare6. Something Sinister7. Somebody Else8. Faded Glory9. Nightfall10.Book of Fate11. From Disaster (Live in Maastricht 03/11)

PHOTO: ROSS HALFIN

Eddie Van Halen’s iconic 1982 Kramer guitar, modeled after his famous "Frankenstein" design, is heading to auction for the first time this October through Sotheby’s, with an expected sale price of $2-3 million. Played during Van Halen’s 1982-83 tours and featured in a memorable Kramer TV commercial, the guitar was later gifted to Eddie's guitar tech, Robin “Rudy” Leiren, with the guitar sporting a personal inscription to Leiren. The instrument was subsequently owned by Mötley Crüe’s Mick Mars, who used it on the band’s chart-topping 1989 album, Dr. Feelgood, though the current owner is unknown and has requested anonymity. Ahead of the auction, the guitar will be on display in Monterey, California, with Sotheby’s claiming it will be “the first time the guitar has appeared on public view in 40 years.” The upcoming sale reflects a rising market for Van Halen’s memorabilia, highlighted by the late guitar legend’s original "Frankenstrat" fetching $3.9 million in 2023. (Rolling Stone)

During a new interview for the Grammys, Alice Cooper expressed his interest in voicing a character on The Simpsons. When asked if he would like to be on a future episode of the iconic animated series, the 77-year-old rock legend said, “Oh yeah, absolutely. When The Simpsons came out, they were totally unique. It was really, really funny. I really admired what they were doing.” Cooper has previously made memorable cameo appearances on Family Guy and Wayne’s World, and he recalls that his legendary 1978 appearance on The Muppet Show is still a career highlight. “My favourite thing in the world was being on The Muppet Show,” he said. “I loved the show — it was a very funny show, very clever. That ended up being the reference point to an entire generation, me doing The Muppet Show. It’s amazing, to this day people go, ‘I discovered you on The Muppet Show, and after that I went and got all your albums.’” (NME)

‘80s metal luminaries The Rods are back with Wild Dogs Unchained, a new album that combines reimagined classics from their past with masterfully crafted new songs.Hooks, grooves, crafty, formidable, and rebellious are songwriting attributes that The Rods gladly embrace. On Wild Dogs Unchained, the veteran power trio continues their famed aural assault with songs like “Eyes of a Dreamer” and “Tears for the Innocent,” revealing heretofore unrealized musical melodicism, while re-tooled classics, “Hurricane” and “Wild Dogs Unchained,” percolate with renewed vigor. On Wild Dogs Unchained, the playing is harder, the grooving is heavier, and the singing more soulful than ever before. David “Rock” Feinstein (guitar/vocals), Freddy Villano (bass), and Carl Canedy (drums) have crafted a definitive Rods album aimed at pleasing die-hard fans and new audiences alike. Once again mixed and mastered by Chris Collier, Wild Dogs Unchained flexes considerable musical muscle and builds upon the ironclad sonic template that these three musicians have forged over recent years. Not content to rest on their laurels or their legacy, The Rods are getting tighter, more nuanced, and perhaps even more bludgeoning with age. As Derric Miller at hardrockhaven.net said, “The Rods just pummel you. There’s an insane energy coming from this band.”

Metalopolis Records

Rockshots Records

Ozzy Osbourne died at the age of 76 on July 22nd from a heart attack, according to a death certificate obtained by the New York Times. The certificate, filed by his daughter Amiée, cited the cause of death as "(a) Out of hospital cardiac arrest (b) Acute myocardial infarction (c) Coronary artery disease and Parkinson's disease with autonomic dysfunction (Joint Causes)." In the wake of Osbourne's passing, his family released a statement, saying, "It is with more sadness than mere words can convey that we have to report that our beloved Ozzy Osbourne has passed away this morning. He was with his family and surrounded by love. We ask everyone to respect our family privacy at this time." Just weeks prior to his death, Osbourne had performed at what was billed as Black Sabbath's final performance during a festival titled "Back to the Beginning" in his and the band's hometown of Birmingham, England. (Variety)

Vince Neil, the lead vocalist of Mötley Crüe, has returned to the stage for the first time since undergoing an undisclosed medical procedure that forced the band to postpone their Las Vegas residency earlier this year. Neil and his solo band recently performed a gig in Boston, marking his first live appearance in nearly a year. During the show, Neil addressed the audience, acknowledging his recent absence and the uncertainty surrounding his ability to return to the stage. "I had a medical thing that happened to me, and they said I wouldn't be back on stage again. I said, 'Fu-k that, man.' And I'm back and I'm with you guys tonight. And I'm really proud to be here, man." The setlist included various Mötley Crüe classics, and while Neil struggled with some of the higher vocal ranges, fan footage showed him to be physically active. Motley Crue's Vegas residency are now set for September and October. (COS)

Photo: Melinda Clabes

Atom Splitter PR

Photo Credit: Ross Halfin

Canadian melodic rock band Fatal Vision return with a powerful new standalone single, a reimagined version of “If You Ever Get Lonely”, originally recorded by John Waite. Now available on all major streaming platforms, the track showcases Fatal Vision’s ability to breathe new life into a beloved classic while making it distinctly their own.

Capital T Productions