Ozzy Osbourne shared some sad news with audiences Wednesday in a prepared statement, saying he has had to cancel the upcoming leg of his “No More Tours 2” tour across Europe and the UK, and all future tour plans.
The upcoming tour, which was in support of Ozzy’s latest album, Patient Number 9, was scheduled to launch May 3 in Helsinki, Finland and to run through June 14 in Birmingham, UK. The album was released last year. Judas Priest was set to join Ozzy for the upcoming tour and Ozzy thanked the band as he talked about the cancellation of the tour and any upcoming live plans.
“I want to thank my family……my band…….my crew……my longtime friends, Judas Priest, and of course, my fans for their endless dedication, loyalty, and support, and for giving me the life that I never ever dreamed I would have,” Ozzy said.
The 74-year-old singer said the decision to cancel the upcoming tour was due to the lingering effects of a spinal injury he sustained four years ago, and that his voice is still working, so he hoped he could at least figure out a way to hold some live performances, if not full blown tours.
“Never would I have imagined that my touring days would have ended this way,” Ozzy said. “My team is currently coming up with ideas for where I will be able to perform without having to travel from city to city and country to country.”
Osbourne’s full statement is noted below. Refunds for ticket purchases are available at all points of purchase.
“This is probably one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to share with my loyal fans. As you may all know, four years ago, this month, I had a major accident, where I damaged my spine.
My one and only purpose during this time has been to get back on stage. My singing voice is fine. However, after three operations, stem cell treatments, endless physical therapy sessions, and most recently groundbreaking Cybernics (HAL) Treatment, my body is still physically weak.
I am honestly humbled by the way you’ve all patiently held onto your tickets for all this time, but in all good conscience, I have now come to the realization that I’m not physically capable of doing my upcoming European/UK tour dates, as I know I couldn’t deal with the travel required. Believe me when I say that the thought of disappointing my fans really FUCKS ME UP, more than you will ever know.
Never would I have imagined that my touring days would have ended this way. My team is currently coming up with ideas for where I will be able to perform without having to travel from city to city and country to country.
I want to thank my family……my band…….my crew……my longtime friends, Judas Priest, and of course, my fans for their endless dedication, loyalty, and support, and for giving me the life that I never ever dreamed I would have.
I love you all…”
More information on Ozzy Osbourne’s future is available along with all of his latest news at:
The hard rock and metal community had another strong year in 2022, with dozens of acts releasing new studio recordings. From established acts to some up-and-comers to even some fledgling acts, bands across the hard rock and metal community offered audiences something to appreciate. That included new power metal, death metal, nu-metal and general hard rock records. In other words, 2022 was a very good year for the hard rock and metal community, and Phil’s Picks’ 2022 Top 10 New Hard Rock and Metal Albums list illustrates that clearly.
This year’s list of top new hard rock and metal albums runs across the community with new albums from the likes of Slipknot, Megadeth, Ozzy Osbourne, Sabaton, and even Amon Amarth. Topping this year’s list is the debut album from fledgling nu-metal band Bloodywood. The band has, in the past few years, made a heck of a name for itself through its music and uplifting lyrical themes. The band’s star has continued to rise ever since it released its debut album, Rakshak early this year, too. Joining Bloodywood and the other noted bands on this year’s list are also the likes of Machine Head, Master Boot Record, and Lamb of God, too.
As with each list from Phil’s Picks, this list features Phil’s Picks’ top 10 new albums in the given category and five honorable mention titles. Those honorable mention titles are no less impactful than the top 10 albums. It is just that hard to really find just 10 records worth noting. There are that many that are so good. So, without any further ado, here for your consideration is Phil’s Picks’ 2022 Top 10 New Hard Rock and Metal Albums.
PHILS PICKS 2022 TOP 10 NEW HARD ROCK/METAL ALBUMS
Bloodywood – Rakshak
Sabaton – The War to End All Wars
Sabaton – The Symphony to End All Wars
Machine Head – Of Kingdom and Crown
Slipknot – The End, So Far
Lamb of God – Omens
Amon Amarth – The Great Heathen Army
Megadeth – The Sick, The Dying & The Dead
Arch Enemy – Deceivers
Ozzy Osbourne – Patient #9
Grave Digger – Symbol of Eternity
Master Boot Record – Personal Computer
Stratovarius – Survive
Artifas – Reflections
Stone Broken – Revelation
That’s it for this year’s list, but there is still plenty more to come between today and tomorrow with lists for top new Family Music, World Music, Top New Independent Albums and Top New Overall Albums. Somehow Phil’s Picks also has to get in lists for new TV and movie releases, too by midnight Saturday. Stay tuned!
Ozzy Osbourne will release his latest album this fall, and in anticipation has debuted the album’s lead single and its companion video.
Osbourne is scheduled to release his new album, Patient Number 9 Sept. 9 through Epic Records. In anticipation of the record’s release, he debuted the album’s lead single/title track and its companion video Friday.
The album’s track listing is noted below.
PATIENT NUMBER 9 track listing:
1. Patient Number 9 (feat. Jeff Beck)
2. Immortal (feat. Mike McCready)
3. Parasite (feat. Zakk Wylde)
4. Mr. Darkness (feat. Zakk Wylde)
5. One of Those Days (feat. Eric Clapton)
6. A Thousand Shades (feat. Jeff Beck)
7. No Escape From Now (feat. Tony Iommi)
8. Nothing Feels Right (feat. Zakk Wylde)
9. Evil Shuffle (feat. Zakk Wylde)
10. Degradation Rules (feat. Tony Iommi)
11. Dead and Gone
12. God Only Knows
13. Darkside Blues
The musical arrangement featured in ‘Patient Number 9’ is an interesting composition. The majority of its body is a melodic, radio ready rock song. However, the song’s bridge presents a distinct blues-infused sound and style, which makes for an interesting contrast to that main body. The whole is an engaging and entertaining composition.
When asked recently about the song’s lyrical theme during an interview, Ozzy simply said the song is about a mental institution.
The video for Osbourne’s new single was directed by famed animator Todd McFarlane, who has drawn for the likes of Marvel and Image Comics. The animated portions of the song feature decidedly psychedelic elements, which clearly play into the overall theme of a mental institution. The live segments at times feature Ozzy singing his new single in what is meant to look like an institution.
More information on Ozzy Osbourne’s new album, single, and video is available along with all of his latest news at:
Organizers of the Orange Loop Rock Festival announced details for the event Monday.
The three-day festival is scheduled to take place June 10-12 at the Showboat Festival Grounds in Atlantic City, NJ. Tickets and VIP passes are available now. Weekend general admission tickets are $144.99 plus fees and VIP passes are $449.99 plus fees.
Single day tickets for Friday, June 10 are $19.99 plus fees while tickets for June 11 and 12 $74.99 plus fees for each day. Children’s weekend general admission tickets are $54.99 plus fees. Tickets are also available in four-packs for $474.99 plus fees and in two-packs for $259.99 plus fees.
Approximately 17 bands are scheduled to perform at this year’s festival, including and not limited to John 5, Chevelle, and a trio of tribute band that take on classics from Ozzy Osbourne, Metallica, and Foreigner.
The festival’s full lineup is noted below.
Friday, June 10th
Foreigners Journey ft. Constantine Maroulis – Tribute to Foreigner & Journey
Ozzmosis – Tribute to Ozzy Osbourne
The Four Horsemen – Tribute to Metallica
Saturday, June 11th
Chevelle
TBA
Hinder
Stephen Pearcy – The Voice of Ratt
Great White
Slaughter
Doro
Sunday, June 12th
Stone Temple Pilots
Hoobastank
Puddle of Mudd
John 5
L.A. Guns
Treach of Naughty by Nature
Dangerous Toys
More information on the 2022 Orange Loop Rock Festival is available along with all of its latest news at:
Hair metal band Nova Rex debuted the video for its latest single this week.
The band premiered the video for its new single, ‘Time Is Up For You’ Tuesday. The song is featured in the new documentary, It Ain’t Easy Being Cheesy.
The video is a straight forward, familiar style presentation. It features the band performing its new single in a forested setting at night, a large bonfire burning behind the group as it sings.
The musical arrangement featured in the band’s new single is full on 80s hair metal. Comparisons can easily be made to vintage music from the likes of Ozzy Osbourne, Poison, and Motley Crue throughout the arrangement. That is evidenced through the rich, bass and guitar-driven composition.
No information was provided about the song’s lyrical theme. No lyrics are provided with the video, either. A close listen to the song adds even more to that vintage hair metal sense. That is because the whole thing is heavy with so much lyrical tough guy bravado that is so common from that era.
More information on Nova Rex’s new single and video is available along with all of the band’s latest news at:
Famed keyboardist Derek Sherinian is scheduled to release his new album, Vortex, this summer.
The album is scheduled for release July 1 through InsideOut Music. The record’s release will come more than two years after the release of his then latest album, The Phoenix. That album produced the singles, ‘Empyrean Sky,’ ‘Dragonfly,’ and ‘Them Changes‘ (a cover of the Buddy Miles classic).
Sherinian announced last March, that he had started work on the album. He said at the time, drummer Simon Phillips would return for the album, which has been confirmed for this album. Also making guest appearances at Steve Stevens, Zakk Wylde (Ozzy Osbourne band, Black Label Society), and Michael Schenker (Temple of Rock, Michael Schenker Group, Michael Schenker Fest), all of whom he has worked previously.
Sherinian made a guest appearance on Schenker’s latest Micheal Schenker Group record, Immortal, last year, while Wylde has previously appeared on some of Sherinian’s early solo releases. Also making appearances this time out are the likes of Joe Bonamassa, Steve Lukather (Toto), and his Sons of Apollo band mate Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal.
The track listing for Vortex is noted below.
Tracklisting: 1 The Vortex feat. Steve Stevens 2 Fire Horse feat. Nuno Bettencourt 3 Scorpion 4 Seven Seas feat. Steve Stevens 5 Key Lime Blues feat. Joe Bonamassa, Steve Lukather 6 Die Kobra feat. Michael Schenker, Zakk Wylde 7 Nomad’s Land feat. Mike Stern 8 Aurora Australis feat. Bumblefoot
More information on Derek Sherinian’s new album is available along with all of his latest news at:
Sorcerer has taken on a classic Ozzy Osbourne song for its latest single and video.
The band premiered its take on Osbourne’s ‘Waiting For Darkness’ for its latest single. The group premiered the song and its video Friday. It is just the latest of the covers the the band has premiered. The collective most recently took on Saxon’s ‘Crusader‘ last month and accompanied the song with a companion video.
The premiere of that song and video followed the premieres of the band’s cover of Black Sabbath’s ‘When Death Calls‘ in October and its cover of Rainbow’s ‘Gates of Babylon‘ in September.’
All four songs make up the body of the band’s new EP, Reverence. The record is available through all digital platforms.
Sorcerer’s take on ‘Waiting For Darkness’ is in line with its source material in terms of its run time. The original song runs five minutes, 17 seconds. Sorcerer’s cover is only four seconds longer, clocking in at five minutes, 21 seconds. In terms of the stylistic approach and sound, the two songs are just as closely similar.
The most notable difference between the two renditions is in the songs’ bridges. The bridge in the original composition bears more of a classic rock sense with what almost feels like a semi-orchestral sound. The bridge in Sorcerer’s take bears more of a full-on metal sound and style.
Sorcerer’s take on ‘Crusader’ is available now through all digital outlets. More information on Sorcerer’s take on ‘Crusader’ is available along with all of Sorcerer’s latest news at:
Fans of Ozzy Osbourne, Zakk Wylde, and Black Label Society got some big news this month when it was announced that Wylde and Osbourne have reunited for Ozzy’s next album. The announcement came more than a decade after it was announced that the longtime duo had parted ways because Ozzy allegedly felt his sound had become too much like that of the song’s from Black Label Society (Wylde’s band). Right around the time that the announcement of the duo’s reunion was made, audiences got even more good news when it was revealed that BLS was going to release its new album this fall. That album, Doom Crew, Inc., is scheduled for release Friday through eOne. It will come more than three years after the release of the band’s then latest album, Grimmest Hits.
While the news of the album’s release (and that of Zack and Ozzy reuniting) is good in itself, the even better news is that the album lives up to expectations of all the aforementioned audiences. That is because the album’s content is everything that those audiences have come to expect from BLS and then some. It brings audiences together by bringing in the band’s softer and heavier sides together in one complete package, which is so smart on the part of Wylde and company. At the same time, the arrangements featured throughout the album still give audiences something new in sound and style while still being familiar in their approach. One of the most notable of the ways in which Wylde and company have brought audiences something new and old together here is the album’s penultimate entry, ‘Gather All My Sins.’ This song will be discussed shortly. ‘Forever And A Day,’ which comes earlier in the record’s run is just as notable for the same reason. It will be discussed a little later. Much the same can be said of ‘Destroy_Conquer.’ It will also be discussed later. This song and the others noted here each do their own part to show how BLS’ blend of old and new make this record so enjoyable. When they are considered along with the rest of the album’s entries, the whole makes the album in whole, another successful new offering from the band that gives listeners just as much to be happy about as all of the news surrounding the album and Wylde’s reunion with Ozzy.
Black Label Society’s forthcoming 11th album, Doom Crew, Inc., is another strong new offering from the band. Coming a little more than three years after the band’s then latest album, its title is a tribute to the band’s fan base, for those who might be unaware. It is just part of that tribute, too. The record’s mix of new and old content throughout the album is its own tribute to those audiences, too. ‘Gather All My Sins,’ the record’s penultimate entry, is just one of the songs that serves to support the noted statements. The song opens with a catchy little southern blues-tinged rock riff that conjures thoughts of Lynyrd Skynyrd, and at the same time, of Wylde’s work with his other project, Pride & Glory. That intro is brief, very quickly giving way to Wylde and company’s more familiar heavy riffs and beats. At the same time, the overall arrangement, while being familiar stylistically, still boasts its own unique identity separate from the band’s (and Wylde’s) existing catalogs. It still bears that southern blues rock sound that opened the song throughout. This is important to note because so much of BLS’ music is known to be more along the lines of a southern sludge metal type work. The southern rock element is here, but instead of the familiar sludge approach, this is more of a pure, guitar rock style opus. It is a nice change of pace that audiences are sure to appreciate. In an interesting way, it throws back to some of the works that the band presented in its 2002 album, 1919 Eternal. It is just one part of what makes the song stand out. The lyrical content that accompanies the record’s musical arrangement makes for its own appeal.
Not having a lyrics sheet to reference, some of the lyrics are a little difficult to decipher, thanks to the production. From what can be deciphered, it can be inferred that the song’s lyrical theme has something to do with perhaps the topic of judging others wrongly. This is only this critic’s interpretation from what little can be deciphered from the song’s limited lyrical content. The noted interpretation as Wylde sings about bringing “the dead one to the stand” and gathering his own sins. It seems to be metaphorical language for people attacking those who cannot defend themselves. If in fact that is the case, then it is a familiar topic that will resonate with audiences. The song’s arrangement, energy and all serves to keep listeners engaged, leading to the noted interpretation or possibly another. Again, regardless of interpretation, that the song’s lyrical content can get audiences thinking is positive in its own way, showing even more why it is a key example of how the album’s mix of old and new makes it stand out.
‘Forever And A Day’ is another notable addition to Doom Crew, Inc. that shows how its content’s blend of old and new makes it so strong. This song is the polar opposite of ‘Gather My Sins.’ Its much more subdued sound and approach makes it a more fitting piece for existing BLS albums, such as Mafia and Hangover Music Vol. VI. The use of the layered vocals, the piano and subtle guitar alongside Wylde’s mournful, melancholy singing makes that clear. At the same time, it also boasts its own identity separate from the songs on those albums without alienating it from the records in question. So again, here just musically, audiences get another blending of old and new. The song’s lyrical content makes for just as much
The lyrical content featured in this song is, again, deciphered sans lyrics to reference. That should be noted up front. They are a little easier to decipher since the song is more controlled and subdued. In the case of this song, it comes across as a love song, believe it or not. This is inferred as Wylde sings in the song’s lead verse and chorus, “You say you’ve found/All that you lost/Just like a stone that sits upon/The gathered moss/It’s so easy/Just to walk away/It’s so easy/When you’ve got nothing to say/All the shadows we cast/They fade away/Like seasons that change/That could not change/I’ll gather the tears that fall/Forever and a day.” What audiences get here is, again, a seeming love song as someone is saying to another who is going through a tough time, emotionally, adding that no matter what, he/she will be there to gather those noted tears and be there for that person. As he continues in the song’s second verse, Wylde sings, “The sun that shines upon this empty home/The warmth inside/The endless cold/I’s so easy/Just to walk away/It’s so easy/When you’ve got nothing/Nothing to say/All the shadows we cast fade away/Like seasons that change/That could not stay/I’ll gather the tears that fall/Forever and a day.” Again, this isn’t just one of those sappy love songs. This is someone telling another that he/she will be there for that person in those difficult times. Wylde and company do such a wonderful job of capturing the delicate nature of such moments through the song’s musical arrangement. The gentility with which the subject approaches that other person’s emotions in such situations is equally well handled through the song’s lyrical approach. The whole makes the song another powerful addition to this record. Again, this is just this critic’s interpretation and should not be taken as gospel. Hopefully it is close to being what the band meant to infer. It is just one more example of what the album has to offer audiences. ‘Conquer_Destroy’ is yet another notable addition to the record that shows how its blend of old and new makes it successful.
‘Conquer_Destroy’ is notable in part through its arrangement, which does once again present some of Wylde and company’s familiar heaviness throughout its almost five minute run time. At the same time, the band gives audiences something unique here by taking that familiar heaviness and setting it against something of a bluesy, classic rock style sound and approach. So once again, audiences get here something new and something old in one setting that makes the whole so unique and enjoyable throughout. As with the other songs examined here, the song’s musical content is just one part of what makes it stand out. Its lyrical content does its own part to make it stand out, too.
The lyrical content featured in this song is yet again deciphered sans lyrics to reference. From what can be deciphered here, the song seems to be a commentary about war. Again, this is just this critic’s own interpretation and could well be incorrect, so should not be taken as the only interpretation. The mention of war and a horse riding, along with “the eternal fire” would seem to point the song in the noted direction. There is also an apparent call for people to “make this world all that you can” along with something about somebody gathering up souls. It certainly makes for an interesting listen, needless to say. There is even what sounds like a mention of “deserts burning” early in the song. That almost sounds like perhaps a reference to the nonstop combat that the U.S. has faced in the Middle East. Once again, this is only this critic’s interpretation. If in fact the whole is a reference to war (knowing Wylde’s support for the military, it would make sense), then it is a unique new way (again there’s that word, “new”) to address the inferred topic. Together with the song’s arrangement, the whole shows in its way, the noted blend of old and new and impresses in the process, too. When this song and the others examined here are considered along with the rest of the album’s entries, the whole of the album becomes a wonderful tribute to the worldwide Doom Crew, Inc. and a strong new offering from Black Label Society in whole.
Black Label Society’s forthcoming new album, Doom Crew, Inc., is another successful offering from the band. It is a presentation that continues to cement the band’s place in the upper echelons of the hard rock community. That is proven from beginning to end of the record through its musical and lyrical content. The musical content does a good job of blending the band’s own familiar sounds and stylistic approaches with some new sounds and approaches from one to the next. The lyrical themes are themselves unique and will engage and entertain audiences in their own right. All three of the songs examined here do well to make that clear. When they are considered along with the rest of the record’s entries, the whole – again – makes the album in whole another successful offering from BLS that pays tribute to the band and its legacy, and to the members of the Doom Crew, Inc. worldwide.
Doom Crew, Inc. is scheduled for release Friday through eOne. More information on the album is available along with all of the band’s latest news at:
Former Dead Daisies front man John Corabi opened the new week with a new single and video.
Corabi debuted his new single, ‘Cosi Bella (So Beautiful)‘ and its companion video Monday. The mid-tempo semi-ballad style song was produced and co-written by famed guitarist Marti Frederiksen (Aerosmith, Ozzy Osbourne, Motley Crue) in Nashville, TN.
The lyrical theme featured in the new song is, as Corabi sings right from the song’s outset, about a woman. In other words, it is a love song.
Corabi talked at length about the song during a recent interview.
“‘Cosi Bella’ came about from a writing session I did with Marti for The Dead Daisies’ ‘Burn It Down’ record,” said Corabi. “I had the initial verse idea, and a chorus that didn’t quite work for the tune. I played it for Marti, and he liked the idea but gave me a better idea for the chorus. We recorded the rough idea on my phone, with both of us just scatting the melody.”
Added Corabi, “The Daisies heard the idea but felt it didn’t quite fit their format, so I put it to bed for a bit. After leaving the band in 2019, I started to revisit old ideas I had and sat down and recorded the track. Being new to ProTools, I took the song as far as I could and sent it to Marti to produce. I explained the song was musically inspired to a degree by ‘Penny Lane’ by The Beatles and ‘Killer Queen’ by Queen, so Marti and his son Evan recut the drums and bass, and added some horns, and sprinkled their magical fairy dust on the track to give it that shiny polished sound!”
Corabi concluded, “I wrote the lyrics, and after singing the song, I felt ‘SO BEAUTIFUL’ was kind of an average title, so I looked those words up in a translation app and found it in Italian (Cosi Bella) and felt it had a nice ring to it! It’s not what some people truly expect from me, but I LOVE the way the song turned out, and it’s just a happy little upbeat love song with a twist! I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.”
More information on John Corabi’s new single and video is available along with all of his latest news at:
Angeles returned over the weekend with its latest single.
The band premiered its new single, ‘Witch Hunter‘ Sunday. The new single is featured in the band’s forthcoming album, on which the band is working. The single will release Tuesday on all major digital outlets.
Band founder Dale George talked about the group’s new single and album in a prepared statement.
“This new song is a little darker and heavier than our previous releases,” he said. “Furthermore, our new full-length album is in the works, for now we can reveal that our former singer Clare Diane and Cory Kyle will be joining on it, so stay tuned!“
The musical arrangement featured in ‘Witch Hunter’ is a mostly driving composition. The combination of vocalist Cory Kyle’s vocal delivery style, bassist Cal Shelton’s performance, Dale Lytle’s work on guitar, and drummer Danny Basulto’s work behind the kit gives the song a sound and stylistic approach that will appeal to any classic rock fan. The whole shows an interesting mix of influence from the likes of Judas Priest, Motley Crue, and Ozzy Osbourne. Yes, it sounds like quite the eccentric mix, but it works here.
No information was provided about the song’s lyrics, which were crafted by Allen Curtis. In listening to the song, listeners are left to infer that this song’s lyrics center on…well…a witch hunter. That would match up with lyrics of so much music from that era.
In other news, Angeles has three live dates scheduled. Those dates are noted below.
September 5th – Rainbow Bash with Staven Adler at Whisky a Go Go November 17th with Last in line at Whisky a Go Go March 20th with Loudness at Whisky a Go Go
**More shows TBA.
More information on Angeles’ new album is available online along with all of the band’s latest news at:
philspicks 