Tag Archives: band lineup changes

Dream Theater Announces Return of Drummer Mike Portnoy

band logos, dream theater, dream theater logo

The Press Release:
GRAMMY®-winning, progressive music titans Dream Theater are announcing the return of drummer Mike Portnoy to the group. Portnoy will reunite with guitarist John Petrucci and bassist John Myung – the trio formed the band at the Berklee College Of Music in 1985 – along with longtime members, vocalist James LaBrie and keyboardist Jordan Rudess. Dream Theater will be going into the studio to begin working on their 16th studio album and the first with Portnoy since 2009’s Black Clouds & Silver Linings.

band photos, dream theater, dream theater 2023

“I understand Dream Theater’s decision to get Mike Portnoy back at this time,” states Mike Mangini. “As was said from Day 1, my place was not to fill all the roles that Mike held in the band. I was to play the drums in order to help the band carry on. My main role of keeping our live show working tightly on a nightly basis was an intense and rewarding experience. Thankfully, I got to experience playing music with these iconic musicians, as well as some fun times laced with humor. I also really enjoyed spending lots of time with the crew. And then there’s the GRAMMY® win, which was amazingly satisfying. To the fans: thank you so much for being amazing to me. I cherish the pictures I have of you all losing your minds and having fun. Finally, I really love the band, crew and management and wish them and the entire organization all the best.”
Continue reading Dream Theater Announces Return of Drummer Mike Portnoy

Ghost’s Cardinal Copia Appointed To Papa Emeritus IV

ghost logo

The Scoop:
We wish to inform you. Last night’s only Ghost show for 2020 in Mexico proved to be one that the fans in attendance will never ever forget. Not only was it an astounding display of music for the final night of touring for the “Prequelle” album, but they also witnessed the appointment of Cardinal Copia to be the bands newest Papa as Emeritus IV made his debut appearance. Please enjoy this fan filmed video of the happening and I will follow with more by me after the clip.

PiercingMetal Thoughts: There is a lot to absorb here from the clip and I was so glad that this fan was not only close to the action but also had a decent charge on their mobile device. Now according to what I’ve read online about this show, just before this clip begins his Unholiness Papa Nihil aka Papa Emeritus 0 fell down and died onstage just after his saxophone solo. As many diehard fans know, Nihil was the sire of all three of the previous Papas and with his passing the bloodline ends. We then see the Cardinal Copia surrounded by the Sisters Of Sin who adorn him in the proper garments of his station and appointment to Papa Emeritus IV. Once revealed he takes to the microphone and continues the legend for the masses. This show in Mexico City was to be the only show for the band for the 2020 year so they will likely be working on some new music and presenting some sort of EP in the not too distant future. Over the years they’ve finished an album and then toured and then released an EP of covers. As more develops on this story, I’ll be sure to share it with you since the band is officially a phenomenon now. Historically speaking I’ve been following Ghost since the first album but never managed to see them play with Papa 1 or the Cardinal. Stay tuned, and congratulations to Papa Emeritus IV. We all look forward to serving you.

Official Website: http://www.ghost-official.com

Guitarist John Frusciante Rejoins Red Hot Chili Peppers

red hot chili peppers logo

The Statement:
The Red Hot Chili Peppers announce that we are parting ways with our guitarist of the past ten years, Josh Klinghoffer. Josh is a beautful musician who we respect and love. We are deeply grateful for our time with him, and the countless gifts he shared with us.

We also announce, with great excitement and full hearts, that John Frusciante is rejoining our group.

Thank you.

red hot chili peppers band photo

*** end of transmission ***

PiercingMetal Thoughts: Well isn’t this some interesting news to absorb on a Monday morning my friends. Truth be told, I haven’t actually followed the path of the RHCP in quite a few years but I do have a number of their staple releases in my music library. One of my closest friends turned me onto their “Freaky Styley” and “Uplift Mofo Party Plan” albums after I had already gotten into the “Blood Sugar Sex Magik” one and while I loved all of that stuff, I got into a much heavier style not long afterwards. Despite seeing over 1000 or so bands in my life, I have never caught the RHCP once and that surprises me since a lot of my friends still enjoy everything about them and go to see them perform whenever they can. Perhaps this next go round with the returning John F. will be the year I finally address this oversight and as I close this notice up I wonder what you readers think about the news. Let me know what you think down in the comments section below.

Official Website: http://www.redhotchilipeppers.com

Finland’s Children Of Bodom To Play Final Show With Current Lineup In Helsinki

There is some sad news from the Finnish sensation of a band known as Children Of Bodom…..read down below for the bands official statement on their affairs and future….

children of bodom logo

The Press Release:
Finland’s perhaps best known metal act, Children Of Bodom, will be playing their final show with the current line-up this coming December. ”A Chapter Called Children Of Bodom” will take place at the Black Box in Helsinki Ice hall on December 15th. Below is a statement from the band:

”It is with heavy hearts that we announce that 2019 will be the last for Children Of Bodom with this line-up. After almost 25 years with Bodom, thousands of shows & 10 albums it is time for Henkka, Janne and Jaska to step back and change direction within their lives. All three will miss the fans and supporters in every city in every country the band ever played. The last show of this line-up will be on the 15th of December at Helsinki Ice Hall. Tickets still remain for some of the Finnish shows in December. Alexi And Daniel will have further announcements about their plans to keep creating new music in the future. Thanks again for everything – Children Of Bodom”
Continue reading Finland’s Children Of Bodom To Play Final Show With Current Lineup In Helsinki

Dramatic Lineup Changes In Finland’s Santa Cruz :(

It was just about a week ago when I pointed out that the Finnish Rock band Santa Cruz had pulled out of the remaining dates on their US Tour. They were one of the many openers for Fozzy and also doing some headlining dates on the off times during this run. We did that HERE if you missed it and want to be properly up to speed.

Though there wasn’t any sort of full OFFICIAL PRESS STATEMENT made about the status of the tour and why it was cancelled on their Official Website or Facebook Page, it seemed as though the band members took to their personal Instagrams and posted that they had left the group; Here are the embedded posts from Johnny Cruz, Taz Cruz and Middy Cruz (Joonas Parkkonen, Mitja Toivonen and Tapani Fagerstrom respectively).


Continue reading Dramatic Lineup Changes In Finland’s Santa Cruz 🙁