Kevin Winter, Getty Images Dave Grohl is heading back behind the drumkit for Queens of the Stone Age , and he says one of the things the experience provides is freedom from restrictions. The Foo Fighters leader told BBC Radio 1 (via NME ) that he’s really enjoying backing up old pal Josh Homme and that the musical chemistry is undeniable. Grohl explained, “With Queens of the Stone Age, like, there were no boundaries with that band, there were no limits with them, it was like if you did something insane, you’d do more, if you did something that seemed too ridiculous — and honestly the new Queens of the Stone Age record, I’m playing drums on that, and I’ll do something so completely ridiculous, I’ll just, like, ‘There’s no way that that Josh isn’t going to let me do that,’ and he’ll say, ‘Do that for forty-five seconds, over and over again, that’s become, like, part of the song, that is a big part of the song,’ and that’s the way they work.” The drummer previously took a turn behind the kit for the ‘Songs for the Deaf’ album and he says it was definitely a unique experience. He recalls, “When you walk into a festival backstage with Queens of the Stone Age, it’s like, the record stops. People stop and they stare, and it’s like, Queens of the Stone Age are, without question, the baddest rock and roll band in the world! And they still are, and when ‘Songs For The Deaf’, when that came out, it blew people’s minds, man, for real.” Grohl is filling the void of drummer Joey Castillo, who, incidentally, joined Queens of the Stone Age after Grohl returned to Foo Fighters. The group continues to record new music and a disc is expected next year. [button href=”http://loudwire.com/queens-of-the-stone-age-no-one-knows-top-21st-century-hard-rock-songs/” title=”Next: Queens of the Stone Age – Top 21st Century Hard Rock Songs” align=”center”]
Razor & Tie All That Remains are major fans of America’s servicemen and women, and, as they discovered during a trip to Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, the love and respect coming back at them from the troops was definitely mutual. According to the Camp Lejeune Globe , the band recently dropped by to share their respect for the community, families, and service members of base. Singer Phil Labonte says, “It’s cool to be able to do something like this and give back to the Marines.” Labonte himself was briefly a part of the Marine Corps as a mortar trainee before medical issues forced him out, but the rocker’s wife has served three deployments. He says, “I don’t rate. There are Marines out there who have done some real things. My wife is a Marine. She has deployed to Iraq twice and Afghanistan once. She’s done all the real stuff. I don’t count.” “The military is voluntary,” says Labonte. “It makes the commitment more valuable. We were at war for the past 10 years. People don’t join just for college anymore. [Service members] definitely have my support.” The band recently released the new single ‘ Stand Up ,’ which has already become a favorite amongst service members. Cpl. Eric Mascio stated, “This is what I workout to everyday. On deployments, we listen to it all the time. It’s the same music as our mentality. The military is a big fan base for metal bands.” Melissa Patterson praised Labonte for his dedication to the military, adding, “It’s awesome he’s a former Marine. As the saying goes, ‘Once a Marine, always a Marine.’ He’s keeping it real and bringing it back to the men and women he served with. He hasn’t gotten too big for the Marines.” The group staged a meet-and-greet during lunch hours, with many of those in attendance bringing guitars, posters and uniform caps for the band members to sign. [button href=”http://loudwire.com/all-that-remains-phil-labonte-talks-military-religion-a-war-you-cannot-win/” title=”Next: Phil Labonte Discusses the Military” align=”center”] ?
Theo Wargo, Getty Images Avenged Sevenfold turn up as performing characters in the new ‘Call of Duty: Black Ops II’ video game, but there have been a few people suggesting that late drummer The Rev also makes a guest appearance as a grainy figure in the balcony. However, singer M. Shadows says that any likeness to their drummer was purely unintentional and was not something they signed off on. He told Kerrang , “I’ve seen people saying this. The possibility of adding The Rev was mentioned, but it would have been too weird. Really, the last thing we would want to do is include him in something that he obviously has no say in. By this stage, we’re all about moving on. We love and miss The Rev, but it just wouldn’t feel right or appropriate to put him in the game.” In addition to the game, Avenged Sevenfold are currently in the process of working on a new record . Shadows says, “I’m incredibly proud of what we’re preparing. I know that in my heart of hearts what we’re working on is something special and we can stand tall behind this new music for the next year and however long.” The rocker adds, “There’s no point in going out there on the road and putting all your energy into something if you don’t believe in it wholeheartedly. What’s inspiring is how into this everyone is and how fired up we all are about making a kick ass new record.” The group added Arin Illejay on drums during the latter half of supporting their ‘Nightmare’ album, and Shadows reveals that Illejay has been involved in the writing process. [button href=”http://loudwire.com/avenged-sevenfold-enter-loudwire-cage-match-hall-of-fame/” title=”Next: Avenged Sevenfold Enter Cage Match Hall of Fame” align=”center”]
Trixie Textor, Getty Images With the 20th anniversary edition of legendary rap-rockers Rage Against the Machine ’s self-titled debut on target to arrive Nov. 27, rumors have been swirling that the band might be planning a new album. Guitarist Tom Morello dashed any of those hopes in an interview with Billboard earlier this month, and now, he’s chiming in on why the band might not regroup for a new set. Speaking with NME , Morello stated that some members of Rage simply are “not ready” to start working on a new studio release. “When bands make albums, it’s because everybody wants to, and that’s not the case with Rage Against the Machine at the moment,” he explained. “Everyone in the band gets along very well, we consider each other friends and comrades in arms, but people sometimes don’t feel ready to do it. I don’t have one minute of one day that’s not filled with music, or politics, or family. If at some point Rage were to get it together to work more, I would be open to that, but that’s not on the table right now.” Rage Against the Machine’s 20th anniversary of edition of their self-titled debut, named ‘Rage Against the Machine – XX,’ can be pre-ordered via this link . [button href=”http://loudwire.com/rage-against-the-machine-best-reunion-tours/” title=”Next: Rage Against the Machine – Best Reunion Tours” align=”center”]
Getty Images AC/DC ‘s ’Back in Black’ album is among the pack of new titles entering the Grammy Hall of Fame this year. The band’s classic 1980 disc joins more than 900 recordings that make up the Grammy Hall’s collection. This marks the 40th year of the Grammy Hall, and Recording Academy President/CEO Neil Portnow says , “It’s especially important to note that these entries continue the tradition of including a wide variety of recordings that have inspired and influenced both fans and music makers for generations. Memorable for being both culturally and historically significant, we are proud to add them to our growing catalog of outstanding recordings that have become apart of our musical, social and cultural history.” The addition of AC/DC’s ‘Back in Black’ in the Grammy Hall of Fame partly makes up for the band being overlooked at the Grammy Awards over the years. AC/DC have received seven Grammy nominations, but only have one Grammy statue — Best Hard Rock Performance for ‘War Machine’ in 2010 — to their credit. It is also significant as ‘Back in Black’ is one of the very few hard rock albums ever to be inducted. There is the qualification that a recording must be at least 25 years old. ‘Back in Black’ is one of 27 new recordings chosen this year, entering alongside such major acts as Paul McCartney & Wings, Elton John , Billy Joel , Bob Dylan , Frank Sinatra, and Whitney Houston . To find out more about the Grammy Hall of Fame, check here . [button href=”http://loudwire.com/favorite-acdc-album-readers-poll/” title=”Next: Favorite AC/DC Album – Readers Poll” align=”center”]
Mary Ouellette, SheWillShootYou.com – Avenged Sevenfold ‘s M. Shadows reveals the band is about “six songs” into writing for their next studio album. [ Loudwire ] – Slipknot ‘s M. Shawn Crahan will step behind the lens to direct the ‘We Are’ video for Hollywood Undead . [ Loudwire ] – Rage Against the Machine ‘s Tom Morello says that there are no plans to write or record new music. [ Loudwire ] – Courtney Love has started a Kurt Cobain documentary project on his life. [ Loudwire ] – Machine Head ‘s Robb Flynn checks in with everything you may have wanted to know (and perhaps what you didn’t) about his recent hernia surgery. [ Loudwire ] – Emmure have been rocking long enough to reach their 1000th show. [ Rock Music Report ] – Check out Led Zeppelin ‘s performance of ‘Black Dog’ from the ‘Celebration Day’ film. [ Ultimate Classic Rock ] – Bruce Springsteen , Paul McCartney and The Who are just a few of the rock heavyweights taking part in a Hurricane Sandy benefit. [ Ultimate Classic Rock ] – Former Iron Maiden vocalist Paul Di’Anno let loose with some Bruce Dickinson bashing after audience members started chanting the singer’s name at one of his shows. [ Ultimate Classic Rock ] – Phish ‘s Trey Anastasio has detailed his past drug and alcohol addictions. [ Diffuser.fm ]
Liz Ramanand, Loudwire There’s two big additions for Korn today, as Brian “Head” Welch is returning for two shows and guitarist James “Munky” Shaffer is responsible for the other — a newborn son . [ Loudwire ] Soundgarden serve up a sneak peek of their new video, ‘Been Away Too Long.’ [ Loudwire ] It’s less than a week away, but you can hear the new Deftones album ‘Koi No Yokan’ streaming online. [ Loudwire ] Suicide Silence frontman Mitch Lucker was laid to rest in front of family and friends Thursday. [ Loudwire ] Calling Trent Reznor fans! How to Destroy Angels are streaming their new ‘An Omen’ EP. [ Loudwire ] What’s your favorite EP or single artwork from Metallica ? Check this out. [ Ultimate Metallica ] Are you ready for another rock supergroup? Get the details on S.U.N. (Something Unto Nothing) and their debut disc. [ Rock Music Report ] Bruce Springsteen left New Jersey governor and big time “Boss” fan Chris Christie a little teary-eyed after a recent meeting. [ Ultimate Classic Rock ] Jon Bon Jovi ‘s heading back to the big screen … with movie music … for the upcoming film, ‘Stand Up Guys.’ [ Ultimate Classic Rock ] How are you handling the gas shortage? Here’s five songs to help you cope. [ Diffuser.fm ]