Rock This Day

Legendary bassist David Ellefson (ex-Megadeth) has spoken about his live debut with Metal Church, which took place on May 17, 2026, at the San Luis Metal Fest in San Luis Potosí, Mexico. Ellefson joined the band in late 2025, completing a new lineup that includes Kurdt Vanderhoof (guitar), Rick Van Zandt (guitar), Ken Mary (drums), and new vocalist Brian Allen (Vicious Rumors).

"The concert was great. The band played well, sounded good. I was very impressed with Brian Allen as a vocalist. He has charisma, and when you get on stage, the adrenaline hits you and the charisma lights up. I told Kurdt afterward, 'Man, what an honor to be able to play with you.' It was mutual respect."

Metal Church released their new album, "Dead To Rights", on April 10, 2026, via Rat Pak Records. The album was produced by Kurdt Vanderhoof and mixed and mastered by Chris "Zeuss" Harris. The first single, "Bad News", is already available. The band plans a US tour starting in July 2026.

Metal Church formed in 1980 in Seattle, Washington, and became one of the most important bands in the 80s underground metal scene. Their self-titled debut album (1984) and their second album, "The Dark" (1986), are considered classics of thrash/power metal. The band has had several vocalists throughout its history, including David Wayne (deceased in 2005), Mike Howe (deceased in 2021), and Marc Lopes (2022-2024). The new lineup aims to continue the band's legacy.

- Kurdt Vanderhoof – guitar (founder)
- Rick Van Zandt – guitar (since 2015)
- David Ellefson – bass (since 2025)
- Ken Mary – drums (since 2025)
- Brian Allen – vocals (since 2025)

Ellefson is known for his work as bassist and co-founder of Megadeth (1983-2002, 2010-2021). He has played on 15 studio albums with the band, including classics like "Peace Sells... But Who's Buying?" (1986), "Rust in Peace" (1990), and "Countdown to Extinction" (1992). After his departure from Megadeth in 2021, he has been active in various projects, including Ellefson-Soto (with vocalist Jeff Scott Soto) and his own podcast.

What do you think of Metal Church's new lineup with David Ellefson? Do you think they can maintain the band's legacy?

Australian hard rock band Airbourne has released their new single "Kid In A Candy Store", the fourth preview of their upcoming self-titled album (out August 28 via Spinefarm). The track, with its energetic riff and catchy chorus, evokes classics like AC/DC's "Whole Lotta Rosie".

The new record is the band's sixth and the first with guitarist Brett Tyrrell (who joined in 2022). Recorded at Music Farm Studio in Australia, the album was produced by Brian Howes (who previously worked on "Black Dog Barking" in 2013), with mixing by Zakk Cervini (Bring Me The Horizon, Evanescence) and mastering by Ted Jensen. The band describes it as "the best work of their career."

Joel O'Keeffe (vocals and guitar) stated: "It's a rocket we've been building and building, and we've filled it with this fuel and we're ready to light it up. Everything we are as a band, our heart and soul, is on this record."

Ryan O'Keeffe (drums) added: "We said, 'This is the moment, let's make the oracle.' If we're going to do it, you can't cut corners on anything. This record distills everything we stand for into one place. Everything we love."

The full tracklist for the album is:
01. Gutsy
02. Alive After Death (Last Plane Out)
03. Here She Comes
04. Kid In A Candy Store
05. Sky High
06. Who Put The Rhythm In You?
07. Christmas Bonus
08. Last Man Standing
09. Rock 'N' Roll Ya
10. Bogotá
11. Hell's Got No Vacancy
12. Send Me To Rock 'N' Roll Heaven

Airbourne formed in 2001 in Warrnambool, Australia. The band is known for their AC/DC-influenced sound, live energy, and "no holds barred" attitude. They have released five studio albums to date: "Runnin' Wild" (2007), "No Guts. No Glory." (2010), "Black Dog Barking" (2013), "Breakin' Outta Hell" (2016), and "Boneshaker" (2019). The new album will be their first in seven years.

What do you think of the new single "Kid In A Candy Store"? Do you think Airbourne can maintain the level of their previous albums?

On June 30, 1998, System of a Down released their first studio album, a self-titled record that laid the foundation for their unique and explosive sound. Produced by Rick Rubin, the album captivated critics and audiences alike with its blend of metal, punk, alternative rock, and Middle Eastern music.

System of a Down's debut is a whirlwind of tempo changes and unconventional structures. The album includes gems like "Sugar", "Spiders", "Suite-Pee", and "War?". The cover art, an outstretched hand, is based on an anti-fascist World War II poster designed by John Heartfield.

The band almost called themselves "Victims of a Down," inspired by a poem by Daron Malakian. They changed it to "System" so that in record stores they would be placed next to Slayer, one of their biggest influences.

Following the success of "Toxicity" (2001), the debut reached platinum status in the United States. The album appears in the book "1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die" and is considered a fundamental work of alternative metal.

- Release date: June 30, 1998
- Label: American Recordings / Columbia Records
- Producer: Rick Rubin
- Recording: Between November 1997 and February 1998 in Los Angeles
- Length: 40 minutes
- Chart position: #124 on the US Billboard 200 and #1 on the Heatseekers chart.
- Certification: Platinum in the US (over 1,000,000 copies).

What is your favorite song from this album? Do you think the debut is still System of a Down's best album?

Captured by photographer Rune Hellestad, the image shows Keanu focused, fully present. The internet’s favorite actor fades away, and what’s left is the bassist. The one who takes it seriously. 🎥📸

Oslo felt it. A band that never chased easy fame, only the joy of playing. And a frontman who, given the choice of any red carpet, picked a Norwegian festival stage instead. 🌍

Would you rather catch Dogstar at a festival near you, or keep seeing Keanu on the big screen?

June 26, 2026. Keanu Reeves wasn’t wandering through the crowd this time. He was on stage, under the lights, bass slung low and eyes locked on the strings.

The setting was Eikebergsletta, Oslo’s sprawling festival grounds. There, Dogstar the alt‑rock trio Keanu fronts alongside Bret Domrose and Robert Mailhouse delivered a set that blended '90s nostalgia with fresh, genuine energy. No Hollywood gimmicks. Just three musicians making noise.

Would you rather catch Dogstar at a festival near you, or keep seeing Keanu on the big screen?

Mötley Crüe bassist Nikki Sixx has publicly responded to accusations from former Godsmack drummer Shannon Larkin, who claimed that Sixx uses pre-recorded tracks in his live performances. Larkin had pointed out a moment when Sixx appeared to step away from the microphone while his voice continued to be heard, arguing that it was a pre-recorded track. Sixx didn't take it well and fired back with harsh words.

"Who is this hater Shannon Larkin? It's funny how so many B-level and C-level bands seem to spend more time talking about us than writing songs that people actually remember. Maybe it's envy, maybe insecurity, maybe ticket sales are a little slow. Either way, borrowing someone else's spotlight has never been a long-term professional strategy. I genuinely feel for musicians who never discovered that the best publicity is writing great songs, over and over, decade after decade, for the fans, not for the critics. It reminds me of the endless parade of 'bimbo' podcasts that build an audience by talking about others rather than creating something worth mentioning. Anyway, maybe he needs a nap before doing more interviews."

Larkin had pointed out that the use of pre-recorded tracks in live shows is increasingly common, and that Mötley Crüe is no exception. In an interview, Larkin said: "You see Nikki Sixx up there. He's not really singing, he steps away from the mic, but you still hear his voice. Well, it's a pre-recorded track." Larkin argued that the use of pre-recorded tracks has eliminated the unpredictability and raw energy of live shows.

Larkin also defended Godsmack's decision to bring in drummer Mike Mangini for the band's current tour. Godsmack has always positioned itself as a band that plays without pre-recorded tracks, and Larkin argued that relying on pre-recorded elements forces a band to follow a rigid click track, eliminating the natural flow of tempo.

The debate over the use of pre-recorded tracks in live rock has grown in recent years. The practice ranges from layered harmonies to full rhythm guitar parts being played through a track without a musician playing them on stage. For purists like Larkin, the line between a live show and a polished playback experience has become increasingly blurred.

Mötley Crüe is one of the most important hard rock bands in history, with over 100 million records sold. Formed in 1981 in Los Angeles, the band has released nine studio albums, including "Too Fast for Love" (1981), "Shout at the Devil" (1983), "Theatre of Pain" (1985), "Girls, Girls, Girls" (1987), "Dr. Feelgood" (1989), and "Saints of Los Angeles" (2008). The band retired from touring in 2015 but reunited in 2019 and has continued playing.

Do you think Nikki Sixx is right in saying that bands should focus on writing great songs rather than criticizing others? Or is Larkin right to call out the use of pre-recorded tracks?

Disturbed guitarist Dan Donegan has revealed that the band has a very limited concert schedule for the rest of the year. Following the massive 25th anniversary tour of their debut album "The Sickness" (2000), the members have taken some personal time. Only two shows are confirmed for 2026.

"We have a couple of shows coming up, as you may know. Just two shows, that's all we're doing this year. Obviously, last year was the big 25th anniversary tour. We were in Europe. We wrapped up last fall. So we've been off all this time. Everyone is taking some time off, family time, personal matters, and finding ways to stay busy. But just two shows this year."

1. Inkcarceration Festival (July 17): Mansfield, Ohio. The band will headline Friday night at the festival, held at the prison where the movie "The Shawshank Redemption" was filmed. The lineup includes Limp Bizkit and Bad Omens.

2. Hard Rock Casino (July 25): Hollywood, Florida. The band hasn't played that venue in over 20 years. "We have a lot of friends who are going to make a couple of road trips to see both shows," Donegan added.

Donegan was honest about the uncertainty surrounding 2027: "There's nothing to announce for '27 yet. We have internal conversations with management and among the band, but nothing I can make public yet. We're still trying to figure out a game plan and see where everyone's head is at, where we are with material, where we are with future touring. So we're taking it step by step."

The 25th anniversary tour was a milestone for the band. It included Megadeth as a special guest and was structured in two acts: the first dedicated to performing "The Sickness" in its entirety, with a theatrical entrance styled after Hannibal Lecter by David Draiman. The tour extended across North America and Europe, with an emotional stop at London's O2 Arena. The tour continued into 2025, with a stop at the Kia Forum in Los Angeles.

Disturbed formed in 1994 in Chicago. Their debut album "The Sickness" (2000) was a massive success, with hits like "Stupify", "Down with the Sickness", and "Voices". The band has released eight studio albums, including "Believe" (2002), "Ten Thousand Fists" (2005), "Indestructible" (2008), "Asylum" (2010), "Immortalized" (2015), "Evolution" (2018), and "Divisive" (2022). They have sold over 20 million records worldwide.

Do you think Disturbed should release a new album soon, or is it good that they're taking a break? Will you be going to any of their two 2026 concerts?

Alternative rock band LOVELESS & COMPANY has released their new single "I'm Done", a song that addresses emotional exhaustion, isolation, and the constant pressure to keep moving forward when life gives no respite. The track combines soaring melodies, raw rock energy, and deeply personal lyricism.

"'I'm Done' is about carrying the world on your shoulders for so long that it stops being temporary and becomes permanent. Life gets heavy and you keep going anyway, because you don't have the luxury of giving up. No matter where you go, there you are, just you and the truth. At that moment, the mask falls. You've reached the end of your rope. You don't negotiate with it. It's been trapped under your ribs until it finally tears itself from your chest, screaming: 'I can't do this anymore'."

"I'm Done" is not about giving up, but about reaching a breaking point where honesty becomes the only way forward. The song captures the emotional weight of exhaustion, isolation, and the constant pressure to keep moving when life gives no respite. The dynamic instrumentation, punchy guitars, and thunderous rhythms create a sonic landscape that mirrors the song's emotional arc, building tension before exploding into an unforgettable chorus.

The band achieves a compelling balance between heavy, emotion-driven rock and memorable melodic hooks. The song doesn't just ask listeners to hear it—it invites them to feel every word. In an era when many people silently struggle with anxiety, burnout, depression, and the overwhelming demands of daily life, "I'm Done" serves as both a cathartic release and a reminder that vulnerability is not weakness. Sometimes, the strongest thing a person can do is admit they've reached their limit.

With "I'm Done," LOVELESS & COMPANY continues to establish itself as a band unafraid to tackle difficult emotions through authentic songwriting and powerful musicianship. Their ability to transform deeply personal experiences into anthems of resilience positions them as one of the most emotionally compelling voices in modern rock.

What do you think of the song "I'm Done"? Do you believe music can be a tool for facing emotional exhaustion?