By: Philip Sayblack

​Famed guitarist Ross “The Boss” Friedman is combating ALS.
The announcement was made Monday through a news release. Ross, who is currently a member of Death Dealer (and who has worked with the likes of Manowar and The Dictators), had suffered a series of health concerns prior to the diagnosis, including a series of strokes, and weakness in his hands and legs.

Friedman addressed the diagnosis in a prepared statement.
“It’s difficult to know what lies ahead, and it crushes me not to be able to play guitar, but the outpouring of love has been so, so strong,” said Friedman. “I’m absolutely blown away by the love and support from family, friends and fans. I love you all.”

Friedman co-founded The Dictators in 1973 alongside Andy Shernoff and Scott Kempner. Since then he has gone on to a successful solo career, co-founded Manowar with bassist Joey DeMaio, and has also worked with The Spinatras and The Brain Surgeons. He is currently a member of Death Dealer, which released its latest album, Reign of Steel late last month through Massacre Records.

More information on this and other news from Ross The Boss is available at:
Website: https://ross-the-boss.com
Facebook: https://facebook.com/rossthebossofficial
Twitter: https://twitter.com/officialrtb

The Hu and Apocalyptica will hit the road together this spring and summer.
The bands announced the upcoming tour Monday via a news release. According to the document, the tour is scheduled to kick off May 12 in Silver Spring, MD and to run through June 7 in Anaheim, CA. The Rasmus will serve as support throughout the tour.
Tickets are scheduled to go on sale at 10 a.m. local time Friday. The tour’s schedule is noted below:
The Hu and Apocalyptica Spring 2026 Tour Dates
5/12/2026 — Silver Spring, MD — The Fillmore
5/13/2026 — New York, NY — Palladium Times Square
5/14/2026 — New Haven, CT — College Street Music Hall
5/15/2026 — Stroudsburg, PA — Sherman Theater
5/18/2026 — Milwaukee, WI — The Rave / Eagles Club
5/19/2026 — Green Bay, WI — EPIC Event Center
5/20/2026 — Maplewood, MN — Myth Live
5/22/2026 — Memphis, TN — Minglewood Hall
5/23/2026 — Irving, TX — The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory
5/24/2026 — San Antonio, TX — Aztec Theatre
5/26/2026 — Houston, TX — Warehouse Live
5/27/2026 — Oklahoma City, OK — Diamond Ballroom
5/29/2026 — Phoenix, AZ — The Van Buren
5/30/2026 — Las Vegas, NV — The Theater at Virgin Hotels
5/31/2026 — Valley Center, CA — Harrah’s Resort SoCal – The Events Center
6/4/2026 — Reno, NV — Grand Theater
6/6/2026 — Los Angeles, CA — The Wiltern
6/7/2026 — Anaheim, CA — House Of Blues
— special guest The Rasmus appearing on all shows --
The Hu recently premiered its latest single, ‘The Real You.’ the song’s arrangement is the most radio ready song yet from the band, with far more mainstream hard rock and metal leanings than much of what the band has presented throughout its catalog to date. The song’s lyrical message delivers a familiar message of self realization.
According to information provided in the news release announcing the pending tour, the song asks listeners “to not judge others but focus on themselves and to become a better person.” The release adds that the message is based on a Mongolian proverb, which states, Don’t worry about what is on top of a person’s head, just worry about what is not on yours.”
For Apocalyptica, the upcoming tour is in continued support of the group’s most recent Metallica covers compilation, Plays Metallica Vol. 2. The record was released in Feb. 2024 through BMG. It features covers of Metallica hits, such as ‘Ride The Lightning, ‘Holier Than Thou,’ and ‘One.’ There are two covers of ‘One,’ one featuring an appearance by Metallica front man and founder James Hetfield and another by current Metallica bassist Robert Trujillo.
More information on the upcoming tour is available along with each band’s latest news at:
Website: https://thehuofficial.com
Facebook: https://facebook.com/thehuofficial
X: https://x.com/thehuofficial


Website: https://apocalyptica.com


Facebook: https://facebook.com/Apocalyptica


Twitter: https://twitter.com/apocalypticafi

​

​Dirkschneider and the Old Gang unveiled the video for its latest single this week.
The band debuted the video for its new single, ‘Batter The Power’ Friday. The song is just the latest from the band’s album, Babylon, which it released in late 2025 via Reigning Phoenix Music. The song is now the 11th of the record’s 12 songs to receive its own release in support of the album.
The song’s video is, like those of so many of the videos for the album’s songs, another visualization meant to reflect the band’s live look. It features the band on a sound stage dressed to look like a live stage as the song plays over the visualization.
In regard to the song’s lyrical content, information in the news release announcing the video’s premiere stated, ““Batter The Power” draws on classic heavy metal imagery of battle, resistance and liberation. Lines like “we’ll die to be free” and “never surrender” underline the song’s central message: relentlessly challenging oppressive power in the name of freedom and justice.” This makes the premiere of the new single and video quite timely, considering everything going on in America today.
Babylon is available now.  More information on the album is available along with all of Dirkschneider and the Old Gang’s news at https://www.facebook.com/dirkschneiderandtheoldgang.

By: Philip Sayblack

Outlier (nee Ovtlier) is taking on one of Cypress Hill’s hits for its latest single.The band unveiled its take of Cypress Hill’s ‘(Rock) Superstar’ Friday. The band’s take on the song, which stays largely true to its source material, sees guest appearances from Hyro The Hero and Cypress Hill’s own Sen Dog (who also provided vocals to the original track, too).

Outlier’s updated take on the song updates the original by adding even more of a hard rock lean. Front man Joey Arena takes on the lead vocals this time, while Hyro The Hero and Sen Dog add their own touches with their own performances.

Arena talked about taking on the song in a prepared statement.
“‘Superstar’ was more influential to me than I had realized in my youth,” said Arena. “Growing up, there wasn’t a Rap, Rock or Pop station that wasn’t playing this song. A friend of mine would pick me up for school and we would blast this track like it was the only song that had existed for months. I listened to so many genres growing up (still do) and given that my first instrument was guitar, I would play anything from NuMetal, Hardcore and Grunge to Jazz, Classic Rock and Pop Punk but listened to a lot of mid-90’s and 00’s Hip Hop. I never believed a band should have one specific sound and always heard from so many industry reps is that I needed to find my “identity” when my identity was doing whatever the fuck I wanted. An artist is meant to grow, push boundaries and experiment, why would that not manifest in songwriting? ‘Superstar’ was just that for me, it was a staple in the fusion of the genres it portrays. A track that pushed the envelope, took a chance and has the accolades to prove its success.”

Arena added, “I wanted to cover this song not only cause its nostalgic, but because of the genre blending it represents. I have incorporated some “white boy rap” in previous tracks, but this got to showcase a whole different side and my love for Hip Hop. I wanted to pay respects to the original track, but also somewhat make it my own. This song needed something special though and what could bring a more authentic stamp of approval than getting the iconic, Sen Dog of Cypress Hill on the track. It was such an honor to have him to not only feature on the track but get him to appear in the video. He stuck it out all day with us and hit multiple locations, getting behind the vision and project. Such an awesome and down to earth individual that deserves all the recognition. Lastly, to add a little extra flare to the track, I felt that it was only right to reach out to none other than, my guy, Hyro The Hero. A stud who is no stranger to Rap/Metal, Hyro’s voice brings such a force that it can’t be overheard. His presence in the video speaks for its self and not mention, I’m a genuine fan. It was truly an experience to put this all together and one I will never forget. My hopes to bring about a new wave to it all and open the eyes of so many musicians and artists to step outside of their comfort zones and write for themselves instead of the trends just like this song had done for me. Enjoy!”
​
Along with the single, Outlier also premiered a video for its new cover. The video for Outlier’s cover of ‘(Rock) Superstar’ finds the trio of Arena, Sen Dog and Hyro The Hero performing both on a sound stage and against natural backdrops as the song plays over the collective visualization.
More information on Outlier’s new single and video is available along with all of the band’s latest news at:
Website: https://ovtlier.co
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ovtlier
Twitter: https://twitter.com/OvtlierBand

​

Sabaton fans can now enjoy the band’s latest concert recording in the comfort of their homes.
The band announced Thursday, the recording, which made its theatrical debut in October 2024 is now streaming through AppleTV, Amazon Prime Video, and YouTube. In other words subscribers to the first two will immediately get access. Everyone else will have to pay through all three streaming services to take in the concert.
The concert featured in the recording was captured in 2023 in front of a sold out crowd at the Ziggo Dome in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Audiences can stream the concert’s trailer free here.
Sabaton released its latest album, Legends, in October 2025 through Better Noise Music, the band’s new label home. To date, the album has produced seven singles: ‘A Tiger Among Dragons,‘ ‘I Emperor,’ ‘Crossing The Rubicon,’ ‘The Duelist,‘ ‘Lightning at the Gates,‘ ‘Hordes of Khan‘ and ‘Templars.’
A global tour in support of Legends is underway now with the band’s next stop scheduled for Feb. 9 in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. The tour’s current schedule is noted below. Tickets are available here.
Mon 2/9       Fort Lauderdale, FL          War Memorial Auditorium
Tue 2/10      Tampa, FL                        Yuengling Center
Fri 2/13        Houston, TX                     713 Music Hall
Sat 2/14       Dallas, TX                        South Side Ballroom
Sun 2/15      San Antonio, TX               Boeing Center at Tech Port
Wed 2/18     Phoenix, AZ                      Arizona Financial Theatre
Fri 2/20        Los Angeles, CA               The Kia Forum
Sat 2/21       Wheatland, CA                 Hard Rock Live
Tue 2/24      Salt Lake City, UT             The Union Event Center
Thu 2/26      Loveland, CO                   Blue Arena
Fri 2/27        Omaha, NE                      Steelhouse Omaha
Sat 2/28       St. Louis, MO                   The Factory
Mon 3/2       Des Moines, IA                 Vibrant Music Hall
Tue 3/3        Minneapolis, MN               The Armory
Wed 3/4       Chicago, IL                       The Salt Shed
Fri 3/6          Milwaukee, WI                  Landmark Credit Union Live
Sat 3/7         Cincinnati, OH                  The Andrew J Brady Music Center
Sun 3/8        Detroit, MI                        The Fillmore Detroit
Tue 3/10      Pittsburgh, PA                   UPMC Events Center
Wed 3/11     Philadelphia, PA               The Met Philadelphia presented by Highmark
Thu 3/12      Boston, MA                      MGM Music Hall at Fenway
Sat 3/14       Virginia Beach, VA            The Dome
Sun 3/15      Washington, DC               The Theater at MGM National Harbor
Tue 3/17      Greensboro, NC               Greensboro Special Events Center
Wed 3/18     Atlanta, GA                       Coca-Cola Roxy
Mon 4/6       Halifax, NS.                      Scotiabank Centre
Thu 4/9        Laval, QC.                        Place Bell
Sat 4/11       Toronto, ON.                     Great Canadian Toronto
Tue 4/14      Winnipeg, MB.                  Burton Cummings Theatre
Fri 4/17        Edmonton, AB.                 Edmonton Convention Centre
Sat 4/18       Calgary, AB.                     Grey Eagle Event Centre
Mon 4/20     Vancouver, BC.                 PNE Forum
Sat 6/6         Nürnberg, Germany          Rock im Park
Sun 6/7        Nürburgring, Germany      Rock am Ring
Sat 6/13       Nickelsdorf, Austria           Nova Rock
Sun 7/5        Cartagena, Spain              Rock Imperium Festival
More information on Sabaton’s new music and tour is available along with all of the band’s latest news at:
Website: https://sabaton.net
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sabaton
Twitter: https://twitter.com/sabaton

Dropkick Murphys has joined the fight against Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s actions nationwide.
The band’s part in that fight came Wednesday in the form of its latest single, ‘Citizen I.C.E.’ Clocking in at less than 90 seconds (1 minute, 23 seconds to be exact), it actually feels longer thanks to the way in which it was composed. Additionally, the approach taken to the song takes audiences back to the early days of the band, with more of a pure punk sound a la Rancid, The Casualties, etc.
‘Citizen I.C.E.’ is actually a re-imagined version of DKM’s 2005 song, ‘Citizen CIA.’
The band discussed the song in a prepared statement.
“As Americans are being executed in the street, we feel it is our duty to raise consciousness, and be one of the voices speaking against this nightmare. CITIZEN I.C.E. is FOR THE PEOPLE. Stand strong against tyranny. Use it however you want.
In Solidarity, with Love, Dropkick Murphys”
‘Citizen I.C.E.’ is featured in the band’s upcoming split album with Haywire, New England Forever. The song also features the members of Haywire.
In other news, Dropkick Murphys has a new tour scheduled to kick off Feb. 9. The tour is scheduled to run through March 17 and fans can pick up copies of the new 12: split LP at each of the tour’s stops. The Aggrolites and Haywire will serve as support.
The track listing for the record is noted below:
Side A (Dropkick Murphys):
1. Citizen I.C.E. (feat. Haywire)
2. Only The Strong
3. Solidarity
4. Always By My Side (Haywire song)
Side B (Haywire):
1. New England Forever (feat. Dropkick Murphys)
2. Hang Up The Telephone
3. The Henchmen
4. The Boys Are Back (Dropkick Murphys song)
More information on Dropkick Murphys’ new tour, single, record and more is available along with all of the band’s latest news at:
Website: https://www.dropkickmurphys.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DropkickMurphys
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DropkickMurphys

BY: Philip Sayblack

Exodus has unveiled the uncensored video for its new single, ‘3111.’
The originally premiered the single, — the first song from the band’s forthcoming new album, Goliath — two weeks ago but YouTube threatened to shut down the band’s YouTube channel because the video was so explicit in its presentation. In response, the band has premiered the uncensored version of the video on its official website here.
Viewer discretion is advised as the video features graphic footage connected with the drug war in Mexico’s Ciudad Juarez. That includes the bodies of people fatally shot, body parts dismembered from others, and other related imagery; this as the band performs its new single.
Guitarist Gary Holt discussed the controversy around the video in a prepared statement.
“So here it is, time to share the full, uncensored version of the video for ‘3111!,’ said Holt. “If you put it in movie terminology, we have the PG, PG-13, and with this one, the rated-R version! With YouTube flagging what we consider the PG-13 version repeatedly with threats of losing our page permanently (which to be honest contains nothing you can’t find on YT already), we decided to really push it and include all the scenes we KNEW they would not allow! So here’s the full video, with its own website to view! Enjoy!”
According to the band, the lyrical content featured in ‘3111’ which is also the album’s opener, “is about the narco killings in Juarez, and ‘3111’ is the estimated number of murders for 2010 alone.”
In other news, Exodus has an extensive tour schedule set in support of Goliath‘s release. The global tour includes runs across North America, Canada, and Europe and the United Kingdom.
All of the band’s upcoming tour dates are noted below:
EXODUS Live 2026
 
Canada Tour
w/ Megadeth, Anthrax
02/15/26: Victoria, BC @ Save On Foods Memorial Centre
02/17/26: Abbotsford, BC @ Rogers Forum
02/18/26: Kelowna, BC @ Prospera Place
02/20/26: Calgary, AB @ Scotiabank Saddledome
02/21/26: Edmonton, AB @ Rogers Place
02/24/26: Saskatoon, SK @ SaskTel Centre
02/25/26: Winnipeg, MB @ Canada Life Centre
02/28/26: London, ON @ Canada Life Place
03/01/26: Ottawa, ON @ Canadian Tire Centre
03/03/26: Halifax, NS @ Scotiabank Centre
03/04/26: Moncton, NB @ Avenir Centre
03/06/26: Québec, QC @ Videotron Centre
 
EU/UK Tour
w/ Kreator, Carcass, Nails
20.03.26 PT – Lisbon / MEO Arena
22.03.26 ES – Madrid / Palacio Vistalegre
24.03.26 FR – Paris / Zenith Paris
25.03.26 BE – Brussels / Ancienne Belgique
27.03.26 UK – London / O2 Academy Brixton
28.03.26 UK – Manchester / O2 Apollo Manchester
29.03.26 UK – Glasgow / O2 Academy Glasgow
31.03.26 LU – Esch-sur-Alzette / Rockhal
01.04.26 CH – Zurich / Halle 622
03.04.26 NL – ’s-Hertogenbosch (Den Bosch) / Brabanthallen
04.04.26 DE – Essen / Grugahalle
05.04.26 DE – Frankfurt / Jahrhunderthalle
07.04.26 IT – Milan / Alcatraz
08.04.26 SI – Ljubljana / Media Center
09.04.26 AT – Vienna / Gasometer
10.04.26 DE – Ludwigsburg / MHP Arena
11.04.26 DE – Munich / Zenith
12.04.26 CZ – Prague / Forum Karlín
13.04.26 HU – Budapest / Barba Negra
15.04.26 PL – Warsaw / COS Torwar
17.04.26 DE – Hamburg / Inselparkhalle
18.04.26 DE – Berlin / Uber Eats Music Hall
20.04.26 LV – Riga / Palladium
21.04.26 FI – Helsinki / Black Box Finland OY
23.04.26 SE – Stockholm / Annexet
24.04.26 NO – Oslo / Sentrum Scene
25.04.26 DK – Copenhagen / Poolen
 
USA Tour
w/Sepultura
04/29/26: Montclair, NJ @ The Wellmont
05/01/26: Montreal, QC @ MTELUS
05/02/26: London, ON @ London Music Hall
05/04/26: Detroit, MI @ Royal Oak Theater
05/05/26: Louisville, KY @ Old Forester’s Paristown Hall
05/06/26: Nashville, TN @ Brooklyn Bowl
05/07/26: Atlanta, GA @ The Masquerade (Heaven)
05/08/26: New Orleans, LA @ The Civic Theatre
05/11/26: Charleston, SC @ Charleston Music Farm
05/12/26: Greensboro, NC @ Piedmont Hall
05/13/26: Reading, PA @ Reverb
05/15/26: Chicago, IL @ Ramova Theater
05/17/26: Milwaukee, WI @ The Rave
05/19/26: Des Moines, IA @ Val Air Ballroom
05/21/26: Denver, CO @ The Ogden Theatre
05/22/26: Salt Lake City, UT @ The Depot
05/23/26: Boise, ID @ Shrine Social Club
05/25/26: Las Vegas, NV @ House Of Blues
05/26/26: San Diego, CA @ The Observatory North Park
05/28/26: Berkeley, CA @ UC Theatre
05/29/26: Los Angeles, CA @ The Wiltern
Goliath is scheduled for release March 20 through Napalm Records. The band’s 13th album, it will be the group’s first for Napalm. The new album will span 10 tracks and will be released on a variety of platforms, all of which are listed below along with the album’s track listing.
Goliath tracklisting:
1             3111     
2             Hostis Humani Generis
3             The Changing Me (feat. Peter Tägtgren)
4             Promise You This            
5             Goliath (feat. Katie Jacoby)
6             Beyond The Event Horizon         
7             2 Minutes Hate
8             Violence Works
9             Summon Of The God Unknown
10           The Dirtiest Of The Dozen          

Goliath will be available in the following formats:
Digital Album  
2-LP Gatefold PICTURE with 12” Booklet
2-LP Gatefold Liquid Purple Rain with 12” Booklet, Certificate of Authenticity (exclusively available via Napalm Records Mailorder) – strictly limited to 200 copies
2-LP Gatefold Marbled Viola, Blue incl. 12” Booklet (exclusively available via Napalm Records Europe Mailorder) – strictly limited to 700 copies
2-LP Gatefold Marbled Orange, Red with 12” Booklet (exclusively available via Napalm Records North America Mailorder) – strictly limited to 500 copies
2-LP Gatefold Solid Red (exclusively available via Indie Market, US) – strictly limited to 1000 copies
2-LP Gatefold Glow in the Dark White (exclusively available via EMP) – strictly limited to 300 copies
2-LP Gatefold Solid Yellow
2-LP Gatefold Black
Cardboard Boxset (Embossed), with CD, Band Poster, Cover Art Flag, Guitar Picks, Patch (exclusively available via Napalm Records Mailorder) – strictly limited to 1000 copies
1-CD Digisleeve              
Ltd. 1MC (Red transparent / yellow print) (exclusively available via Napalm Records Mailorder) – strictly limited to 300 copies
More information on Exodus’ new album, single, video, and tour is available along with all of the band’s latest news at:
Website: https://exodusattack.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/exodusattack
Twitter: https://twitter.com/exodusattack