Info from Aton Splitter PR

Photo Credit: Anastasiya Bordunos

Godsmack have launched their 2025 European/UK tour without two longtime core members of the group. Drummer Shannon Larkin and guitarist Tony Rombola are currently not in the band at the start of the tour, and have been replaced by Will Hunt (Evanescence) and Sam Bam Koltun (Dorothy, Faster Pussycat), respectively. In an interview with a Bulgarian radio station, Godsmack frontman Sully Erna disclosed that both musicians were not on the tour due to “personal things.” “I can tell you that there has definitely been some changes that have happened in the last few months,” said Erna. “They are changes that we’re not sure will be permanent or temporary, but everybody and everyone is in good health and in really good spirits. And the band is doing better than ever.” Godsmack is currently on the road promoting 2023’s Lighting Up the Sky, which they have declared will be their final album. 

In a new interview with Rolling Stone, Metallica’s Kirk Hammett revealed that he is currently working on his first solo album, and has over 700 riffs stockpiled for Metallica’s next LP. “I’m just actively getting ideas together for my [first] solo album,” he told the publication. “I guess the best way to describe it is it’s gonna be a fusion of all sorts of styles” While Hammet’s 2022 solo EP, Portals, featured instrumental pieces, his new project will feature a yet to be determined singer. “There will be vocals because the songs that I wrote scream for vocals this time around,” he said. “Who’s gonna be doing the vocals? I don’t know. I hope I’m not — I already have too much to do onstage” While he focuses on his solo album, Hammet isn’t neglecting his duties with Metallica, saying he has riffs stored up for the band. “I have 767 new ones for the next album,” he said. “I don’t foresee us starting the next album for at least another year because we’re still finishing the 72 Seasons tour.” 

By: Leeza Photo Credit: Travis Shinn

Information from Atom Splitter PR and Sharptone Records

By: Leeza Photo Credit: Warners

By Leeza Photo Credit: Loma Vista Recordings

By Leeza Photo Credit: Alexander Bemis

Info from Atom Splitter PR and Fearless Records

Metallica guitarist Kirk Hammett will share insights into the instruments that have played a pivotal role in his life and music career through The Collection: Kirk Hammett, a comprehensive coffee table book available for order through Gibson Publishing. This 400-page tome features new interviews with Hammett conducted by Chris Vinnicombe and Mark Agnesi, along with photos by Ross Halfin that showcase the metal musician’s extensive guitar collection, including iconic pieces like his 1979 Flying V and "Greeny," the 1959 Gibson Les Paul Standard previously owned by rock legends Peter Green and Gary Moore. “I’ve worked diligently on this curated collection of vintage and modern guitars for the book,” Hammett said. “I feel the book captures the rich history and artistry behind each of these unique and rare instruments.” A teaser for the book is narrated by Jason Momoa, with the publication set to be released in standard edition, as well as deluxe (limited to 1,500 copies) and custom editions (limited to 300 copies) that are each signed by Hammett. 

Info from Atom Splitter PR

Limp Bizkit's $200 million lawsuit against Universal Music will proceed to trial after a federal judge rejected the label's attempt to dismiss the case. The band initially sued UMG in October 2024, alleging that the label withheld significant royalties totalling as much as $200 million, while also accusing the company of “fraud,” claiming they “designed and implemented royalty software and systems that were deliberately designed to conceal artists’ royalties and keep those profits for itself.” Despite UMG's efforts to dismiss the lawsuit, the federal judge's recent ruling paves the way for an eventual trial between the band and the record label. This legal development follows UMG's ongoing legal dispute with Drake regarding allegations of inflating streaming numbers for Kendrick Lamar's "Not Like Us." 

Info from Atom Splitter PR

PUNCH OUT features a diverse range of songs, including "Black Heart", inspired by the character 'Diablo' from the video game Diablo, "Two Worlds", drawn from the character 'Shadow' in Sonic the Hedgehog, "Take Until They Break", influenced by 'Team Rocket' from Pokémon, "Killing Machine", written about 'Pathfinder' from Apex Legends, and more.

By Leeza Image By Sam Cahill

PHOTO CREDIT:  Guilty Visuals + Lucy Alienne Visuals 

Papa Roach continues its career-best streak of No. 1 hits on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock Airplay chart, reaching the top spot this week with their new standalone single, "Even If It Kills Me." This marks the California hard rock band’s 11th chart-topping single overall, and their fourth consecutive No. 1 hit – starting with “No Apologies” in 2022, followed by “Cut the Line” in 2023 and “Leave a Light On” in 2024. This achievement places the band in the 10th spot for the most No. 1 hits in the chart's history, right behind Linkin Park’s 12 career No. 1s. Shinedown holds the all-time record with 20 career No. 1s on the Mainstream Rock Airplay chart. While Papa Roach haven’t announced any details of a possible new album on the way, their last release was 2022’s Ego Trip, which debuted at its No. 6 peak on the Top Hard Rock Albums chart. (Billboard)