They may not have released a new studio album in a while (ummm…. it’s actually been 30 years!), but few who’ve seen southern sleaze-metal veterans Dangerous Toys playing out recently would ever doubt that they remain one of the most exhilarating live bands on the circuit – albeit one that rations its appearances to just a handful at most a year!
They’ve already played a few select shows this year, and there’s still a couple to come, at the Rochester Opera House in Rochester NY on November 14, and the Met Cafe in Pawtucket RI the following evening.
And next spring, they’re playing the Monsters of Rock cruise!
Amidst so much activity, and with the band’s long, long, so-bloody-loooong awaited fifth album still in a state of gestation, December 12 will see the release of Demolition – on CD, vinyl and limited edition cassette!
A truly blockbusting compilation, Demolition features 10 tracks, all previously unreleased and recorded during the hiatus between the band’s second and third albums, 1991’s Hellacious Acres and 1994’s Pissed, as they continued refining their debut album’s unique concoction of Southern rock and driving metal.
Hand selected by the band, “these old songs… obviously didn’t make the cut when choosing songs for official release,” the band remark in the liner notes. All will be completely new to all the ears that hear them.
But while it’s easy to refer to the 10 tracks as “rejects” (even the Toys do so!), it’s also worth remembering the band wrote at least 70 new songs during this period, with most of them being recorded within days of the original idea being brought to the jam room, probably scribbled on a piece of scrap paper, or loosely worked out on a cassette tape. And so the recordings piled up and when it came time to piece Pissed together…
Quality had nothing to do with it!. There was just too many songs to release. Until now!
The countdown to Demolition begins today, with the first single from the album, “Rock Shock Cowboy,” coming at you – as guitarist Scott Dalhover puts it – “Straight out of the Way Back Machine from deep within the Dangerous Toys Archives.
“It’s a snapshot of what was going on in the D.T. song writing process at that point in time.” And it’s a slice of seriously anthemic metal balladeering….
Well, compared to what you were probably expecting, it’s balladeering. But it’s also a mighty slab of exactly what you’ve been waiting for. Primo Dangerous Toys!
To commemorate the induction of the legendary SOUNDGARDEN into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame on 8 November 2025 , alternative rock collective KING ULTRAMEGA have unleashed a powerful new rendition of “The Day I Tried To Live”, featuring SOUNDGARDEN’s Kim Thayil, with Alissa White-Gluz of ARCH ENEMY, Mark Menghi of METAL ALLEGIANCE, and Charlie Benante of ANTHRAX. “The Day I Tried To Live” is also featured on a 2-song LP release that also features KING ULTRAMEGA’s rendition of the SOUNDGARDEN classic “Rusty Cage”. KING ULTRAMEGA crafted this single in loving memory of legendary vocalist Chris Cornell, while raising funds and awareness for MusiCares, which is the Recording Academy’s nonprofit that provides mental health, addiction recovery, and emergency services to those in the music community.
Kim Thayil welcomed this unique opportunity to rediscover his relationship with the song, outside of the familiar context of performing it as a SOUNDGARDEN member. Though the process of sharing his original contributions and interpretations of his guitar performances with other musicians was challenging, Thayil found it to be personally cathartic, capturing the essence of “The Day I Tried To Live”, while still bringing a fresh power and beauty to the song.
Thayil comments, “I believe that the personal exploration that came out of my accepting the invitation from Mark, and King Ultramega, to participate in these recordings, allowed me to open myself up to the creative risks of sharing an emotive and artistically intimate experience with other creative individuals, and that this has proved to be rewarding and encouraging, for me, of future similar collaborations.”
While Thayil’s smooth, soulful lead guitar performance shines on top, bassist and KING ULTRAMEGA creative visionary Mark Menghi keeps the groove of the song true to form. Menghi’s precise bass performance gives Thayil a familiar foundation to build upon so that together, KING ULTRAMEGA can do justice to Chris Cornell’s legacy.
Menghi comments, “It was a bit nerve racking for me to go in and record this track knowing Kim was going to be on this song, as it’s his band’s song to begin with. In addition, it was equally important for me to keep it true to the original so Alissa had a strong foundation to deliver her magic. ‘What would Chris think?’ was the question that kept repeating in my head over and over.”
As a longtime SOUNDGARDEN fan, vocalist Alissa White-Gluz cites Chris Cornell’s work as highly influential and inspirational to her own, through all of his projects. Her energetic performance carries the song through a range of emotional peaks and valleys, from smooth, dark verses to gritty, soaring choruses. The use of subtle dynamics and textures shows meticulous attention to detail, demonstrating White-Gluz’s intent to craft a tribute that remains true to Chris Cornell’s style and delivery.
“I felt that I needed to try to embody his unique power and swagger when delivering the vocals here,” she comments. “He has always had such a remarkable way of wording things; ‘I stole a thousand beggars’ change and gave it to the rich’ – just so, so good. He always managed to grab our attention with narrative and keep our interest with thoughtful word choice and intriguing messages.”
Finally, drummer Charlie Benante of ANTHRAX lays the beat down with care and intention, closely matching the dynamic structure of the original song. Always playing slightly behind the beat, Benante alternates lighter and heavier playing to recreate the signature sound of “The Day I Tried To Live”.
“This is one of my favorite Soundgarden songs,” Benante comments. “I just love everything about the song. I especially love the ending, I never expected it to end the way it ends. It’s just a beautiful piece of music. Matt’s playing on this tune really compliments the song so much. I just tried to stay true to that.”
A limited run of 500 purple vinyls (available to US purchasers) and 300 lilac vinyls (available to European purchasers) will go on sale beginning November 7, to commemorate SOUNDGARDEN’s induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
The LP featuring “The Day I Tried To Live” and “Rusty Cage” is available exclusively on the Reigning Phoenix Music webstore, SOUNDGARDEN webstore, and KING ULTRAMEGA webstore.
KING ULTRAMEGA is a passion-driven musical project honoring the life, voice, and genius of Chris Cornell, one of the most gifted artists of our time. It launches in conjunction with SOUNDGARDEN’s long-overdue induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
This project did not begin with a single, dramatic moment. Instead, it grew quietly and gradually, an organic result of years of conversations, inspiration, and deep reverence for a musician whose impact remains immeasurable.
“There is not a singular moment in time that led to this project,” says bassist and producer Mark Menghi, the driving force behind KING ULTRAMEGA. “It was a trail of events that led to the formation of KING ULTRAMEGA and the evolving creation to pay tribute to the voice of a generation.”
It started in 2020, in the midst of the pandemic, when Menghi recorded a version of “Rusty Cage” with friends. What began as a creative release soon became something larger. With every step forward, the project deepened in meaning and purpose. “I kept crossing the mental roadblock of ‘you are entering uncharted waters, are you sure you wanna do this?'” Menghi reflects. “Chris is one of those dudes if you cover, you better do it justice.”
The decision to continue became clear when SOUNDGARDEN guitarist Kim Thayil joined the project and re-recorded one of his own iconic tracks. “Once Kim got involved and re-recorded one of his own songs, I knew something was brewing,” Menghi says.
Thayil embraced the project wholeheartedly. “I’m super honored to record alongside all the amazing musicians appearing on the KING ULTRAMEGA project,” he says. “I’m equally proud that it celebrates SOUNDGARDEN in this tribute to the songwriting of Chris. Ultra-admirably, everyone’s participation is supporting the work of the MusiCares Foundation. Thank you Mark Menghi, Charlie Benante and Reigning Phoenix Music (RPM).”
For Menghi, this project is as personal as it is musical. “I went through some very difficult times in my life. I should not be here right now, but I am,” he shares. “I like to think my past trials and tribulations helped me understand Chris just a little, hence the formation of KING ULTRAMEGA.”
Song selection was guided by instinct. “My mood. It’s really that simple,” Menghi explains. “‘Rusty Cage’ was recorded simply because it’s one of my favorite songs featured on one of my favorite records.” Other songs came to Menghi during moments of reflection and inspiration. “There is a bunch more in the can right now, all with drums fully recorded, which are currently being worked out for future releases.”
The goal was never to reinvent Cornell’s work. It was about honoring it with the respect it deserves. “It really is only about honoring the legacy of Chris Cornell. Nothing more,” Menghi says. Each musician brought their own voice, but always in service to the song and to Cornell’s memory.
“Each musician has their own individual musical stamp,” Menghi explains. “You hear the absolute best of each one of them. You are talking about musicians who helped invent and shape musical genres and helped define their generations in popular culture, not just music, but society as a whole.”
The cast of collaborators is remarkable. Kim Thayil, Charlie Benante, Joe Satriani, William DuVall, Bill Kelliher, Alissa White-Gluz, Kenny Aronoff, Menghi himself, among many others. The mix of past friendships and new connections created a unique bond among them. “I think back and go ‘did I really ask Joe Satriani to do an instrumental reinterpretation of one of the greatest modern vocal songs ever recorded?’ or ‘what the fuck was I thinking asking the great Kim Thayil to re-record one of his own classic Soundgarden songs?'”Menghi laughs. Yet, no egos entered the room. “Each participating musician saw the vision and understood that this is about honoring the legacy of not only an inspiring musician, but an amazing husband, father and man.”
For Menghi, Cornell’s music has always been a constant presence. “Chris Cornell has been one of only a very small handful of musical constants in my life,” he says. “I never waivered, not once.”
Certain moments in the process were surreal. Recording with Thayil was one of them. “I remember thinking back saying to myself ‘holy fuck, I’m on a SOUNDGARDEN song with Kim Thayil. What planet are we on?'”
Throughout it all, Menghi served as the project’s creative director, always guided by one central question. “How would Chris like this?” Every choice, from guest musicians to mixes to artwork, was measured against that standard. “If there is even a shred of uncertainty at any point in the process, back to the drawing board we go.”
The recordings were completed remotely over several years. The final tracks were mixed with care to ensure a cohesive sound that still captured the raw emotion of the performances.
Hope is the underlying theme that runs through KING ULTRAMEGA. It is an offering to longtime fans and an invitation for younger listeners to discover the timeless brilliance of Cornell’s work. “KU is just a blip in the Chris Cornell universe,” Menghi says. “We are a subtle reminder that Chris was a true musical genius.”
For Menghi and his collaborators, KING ULTRAMEGA is both a deeply personal labor of love and one of the greatest honors of their musical lives. “To be here thirty-plus years later paying tribute to whom I believe was the king of those times is one of the greatest musical honors of my life.”
MusiCares helps the humans behind music because music gives so much to the world. Offering preventive, emergency, and recovery programs, MusiCares is a safety net supporting the health and welfare of the music community. Founded by the Recording Academy in 1989 as a U.S. based 501(c)(3) charity, MusiCares safeguards the well-being of all music people through direct financial grant programs, networks of support resources, and tailored crisis relief efforts. For more information please visit: www.musicares.org.
In the late 70`s/early 80`s legendary drummer, producer, multi-instrumentalist and vocalist, Hirsh Gardner and his band New England dazzled record buyers and audiences alike with their own innovative mix of supreme AOR/Melodic Rock. Supporting KISS on the 1979 Dynasty Tour, New England’s first release `Don`t Ever Wanna Lose Ya` broke into Billboard’s revered Top 40. Throughout the intervening years Hirsh has produced countless artists as well as achieving critical acclaim and rewards from his musical peers with `Producer of the Year` accolades along the way.
Gardner’s new album Third Time’s A Charm is out now through Deko Entertainment and is split into 2 very different parts. Side one is all original material that builds on the ideas that Hirsh laid down on his previous solo releases and side two is brand new recordings of classic New England songs that brings the material kicking into the 21st century. Gardner has rounded up fellow New England band mates Gary Shea (New England, Alcatraz) and Jimmy Waldo (New England, Alcatraz), along with Ron ’Bumblefoot’ Thal (Guns N’ Roses, Asia, Sons of Appollo) for the recording of “Nothing To Fear” and now is releasing a new video.
Fireworks Magazine contributor Malcom Smith summed up the track and new video nicely, “The latest single to be taken from Hirsh Gardner’s acclaimed 3rd solo album Third Time’s A Charm is ‘Nothing To Fear’. Long standing New England fans will no doubt be aware that this iconic track was one of the centrepieces of the groundbreaking New England debut record first released in 1979. Written by New England Guitarist/ Vocalist John Fannon, this new version features not only Hirsh’s New England colleagues Jimmy Waldo and Gary Shea on Keyboards and Bass respectively, but is also a vehicle for the immense talents of one Ron ‘Bumblefoot’ Thal on lead guitar, who gives an incredible performance that gives the song a contemporary 21st century makeover. Hirsh, who sang lead vocals on the 1979 original, has once more delivered a compelling and emotional vocal that sends shivers down the spine, and as for his drumming…well it goes without saying, he’s the master of giving any song he appears on a formidable foundation and backbone like no other. ‘Nothing To Fear’ is a majestic yet powerful track that in the realms of the rock world has few, if any equals!!
TRACKLIST: Luver’s Lullaby Reach Out for Love Faith In Your Heart Angel In The Sky Miles and Miles Away All I Want Don’t Ever Wanna Lose Ya Tear You Apart Holdin’ Out On Me Hello Hello Hello Nothing To Fear I’m Not Down
JUNO-nominated and Maple Blues Award winning Miss Emily returns with her new album, The Medicine. Released by Gypsy Soul Records on November 7th, the album is produced by Grammy winner Colin Linden (Keb’ Mo’, Bob Dylan, Lucinda Williams, Gregg Allman, Diana Krall). To coincide, the focus track “The Medicine” will also be released.
Watch the official lyric video for the title track single HERE.
Order The Medicine album on vinyl and CD HERE. Stream the album digitally HERE.
The title track “The Medicine” is an empathetic plea to understand one of the most complex issues of our times. It was written after a family member of an overdose victim reached out to Emily to write a song representing the victims and families affected by overdose.
The new album blends soul, blues, and roots, and features an all-star cast of musicians at the top of their game. Including players from Bob Dylan and Keb’ Mo’s bands, the new album pairs her thunderous voice with songs of truth and resilience. Known for her powerful voice and exhilarating live shows, Miss Emily channels two decades of raw experience into music that heals and uplifts.
Miss Emily has a voice that demands your attention. She is never predictable. She values community above all else. For more than 20 years she has channelled those principles in her songwriting and performance, never shying away from an open conversation with her audience about the struggles she has faced.
Whether it was domestic violence or being a musical road-warrior and a single mother at the same time, Emily has always opened her heart in a communal invitation to share, heal and celebrate.
During the writing process for The Medicine that commitment was tested. “I wasn’t in a great head space,” she says, her voice cracking under the emotional weight of the memory. “Like so many of us, sometimes life brings you down. In one of my darker moments, I wrote an angry song. Then, as I continued prepping the songs, I realised I didn’t want anger to be a prominent theme on my new album. I wanted to celebrate community. I wanted to record music that made people feel better.”
The Medicine is just that; a collection of soul and Americana-inspired blues. The album is produced by Nashville-based JUNO and Grammy winner Colin Linden and features a hand-picked team of amazing musicians including Linden on slide and electric guitar, Keb’ Mo’s keyboardist, Michael Hicks on the Hammond B3 and George Receli; a drummer who Keith Richards lists as one of his favourites. Receli’s resume includes 20 years as Bob Dylans’s drummer.
The talent Linden curated and Miss Emily’s passion for the music is front and centre on The Medicine. “Miss Emily is a tremendously passionate and supple singer, with a deep well of emotion, says Linden. “She is a truth teller. Working with her was pure joy.”
That inclination towards joyful truth was cultivated over more than two decades of playing night after night in bars and nightclubs along the busy Canadian highway corridor between Toronto and Montreal. Along with exhilarating, heart-wrenching performances, Emily developed a work ethic that drew the attention of promoters at regional theatres and festivals. In 2019 Miss Emily won three Canadian Maple Blues awards: Female Vocalist of the year, Newcomer of the year and Video of the Year. In 2022, she was nominated for a JUNO for Blues Album of the Year and won Maple Blues Female Vocalist of the year in 2021 and 2023.
Brad Wheeler of Canada’s national newspaper, the Globe and Mail said it perfectly, “She’s got a voice on her like big velvet thunder.”
That thunderous voice is highlighted on the soulful, anthemic first single “Stand Together, Band Together,” a celebration and reflection of community and humanity. These are the cornerstones of everything Miss Emily has been doing for more than two decades. At some point every night, on every tour, in every venue, she will open her arms wide and invite the people to join her in song. It’s a momentary risk but as the voices fill the room in unison and celebration, it’s an affirmation that, in this unpredictable world, the communal celebration of music is the medicine that binds us together.
ALBUM TRACK LISTING
1. My Freedom (3:01) 2. Stand Together, Band Together (5:23) 3. The Medicine (3:28) 4. Maybe (4:12) 5. You Make Believe (3:04) 6. Running Again (3:25) 7. Solid Ground (4:11) 8. Smith’s Bay Drowning (4:36) 9. Remember This Song (5:20)
PRODUCTION CREDITS
Miss Emily – Vocals Guitar – Colin Linden George Recile – Drums David Santos – Bass Michael Hicks – Hammond B3
–All songs written by Emily Fennell, except Track 8 written by S. Pastenak with poem by Miss Shannon –Track 4 cowritten with R. Baker, Track 6 cowritten with Colin Linden –Produced and mixed by Colin Linden in Nashville, Tennessee –Mastered by Greg Calbi and Steve Fallone at Sterling Sound, New Jersey –Additional engineer: Michael Stankiewicz –Production assistant: Janice Powers
ALBUM TRACK BY TRACK
1 – My Freedom A funky reflection on refusing to allow the past to define yourself and on finding redemption and celebration in what’s ahead.
2 – Stand Together, Band Together
A soulful singalong that embraces the idea that my struggle is your struggle, your struggle is my struggle and none of us gets through this world alone.
3 – The Medicine Written a few years ago after a family member of an overdose victim reached out to Emily and asked her to write a song to represent the victims and families of overdose victims, it’s an empathetic plea to understand one of the most complex issues of our times.
4 – Maybe The Tragically Hip’s lead guitarist Rob Baker laid down the 60’s inspired musical bed for this love song that doesn’t make promises or pledge eternal love, it simply says, “I’m not telling you maybe,” and that’s enough.
5 – You Make Believe A “want to be” love song stuck in the reality of wounded hearts and the fear of being hurt again.
6 – Running Again Propelled by a relentless bass and drum groove and a hook-laden chorus, it’s an account of the constant motion in every relationship.
7 – Solid Ground Every mother wants to pave the way for their child, but few have done it as honestly and eloquently as Miss Emily does in this soulful future letter to her young daughter.
8 – Smiths Bay Drowning A haunting true story poem set to melody by Emily’s music mentor Suzanne Pasternak. The tragedy took place in the island community of Prince Edward County where Emily is 8th generation of her family raised there. The story is a common theme of rural island life and living and working on Lake Ontario.
9 – Remember This Song The plaintive lead guitar of Colin Linden is a perfect compliment to Miss Emily’s soaring vocals in this searing slow blues treatise on the power of a song to lift, strengthen and heal.
MISS EMILY – BIOGRAPHY
In the 1990’s, 12-year-old Emily Fennell from Prince Edward County, Ontario, Canada, got an early education on the power of community. She spent the summer competing in and winning dozens of county fair singing contests. While the other competitors chose standards like “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” or “I Will Always Love You,” Emily stunned audiences into silent amazement with K.D. Lang’s version of the Patsy Cline song “Three Cigarettes in an Ashtray.”
That song choice, her spellbinding performance of it, and the venues in which she chose to display her talents, is everything you need to know about the woman who would become Miss Emily. She has a voice that demands your attention, she is never predictable, and she values community more than anything else.
For more than 20 years she has channelled those principles in her songwriting and performance, never shying away from an open conversation with her audience about the struggles she has faced. Whether it was misogynistic encounters with old-school promoters, domestic violence, or being a musical road-warrior and a single mother at the same time, Emily has always opened her heart in a communal invitation to share, heal and celebrate.
During the writing process for her upcoming album that commitment was tested. “I wasn’t in a great head space,” she acknowledged, her voice cracking under the emotional weight of the memory. “Like so many of us, sometimes life brings you down. In one of my darker moments, I wrote an angry song. Then, as I continued prepping the songs, I realized I did not want anger to be a prominent theme on my new album. I wanted to celebrate community and record music that made people feel better.”
Dublin, Ireland-based Pagan metal legends PRIMORDIAL today unveil their Live In New York City full-length. Recorded earlier this year at Ridgewood, New York’s TV Eye, the stunning collection spans the band’s now legendary catalog with tracks from Spirit The Earth Aflame, The Gathering Wilderness, To The Nameless Dead, Redemption At The Puritan’s Hand, Exile Amongst The Ruins, and their most recent release, How It Ends.
Comments vocalist A.A. Nemtheanga, “Live In New York City, a title that sort of speaks for itself, something every band probably wants in their discography, right? Who knows, we may not be on this mortal coil for that much longer. When might some new music be on the horizon? Who can tell? But when we heard the results of this incredibly well mixed show which captured perfectly the passion, commitment, and fury of a special night – something that doesn’t happen often – we thought, ‘what the hell, let’s put it out there.’“
Watch PRIMORDIAL‘s video of “Victory Has 1000 Fathers, Defeat Is An Orphan” from the performance:
“Victory is traditional in the true meaning of the word, traditional metal in sound but also steeped in traditional Irish music at the same time. An epic rabble rouser, a warrior’s journey, death, sacrifice, and path to the otherworlds set in some distant Celtic past…“
PRIMORDIAL‘s Live In New York City is available digitally at: metalblade.com/primordial. A physical edition will be available via Eisenwald at a later date.
Live In New York City Track Listing: 01. As Rome Burns 02. No Grave Deep Enough 03. The Golden Spiral 04. How It Ends 05. To Hell Or The Hangman 06. Lain With The Wolf 07. Gods To The Godless 08. Gallows Hymn 09. Bloodied Yet Unbowed 10. The Coffin Ships 11. Victory Has 1000 Fathers, Defeat Is an Orphan 12. Empire Falls 13. Heathen Tribes
PRIMORDIAL Live: 11/09/2025 Damnation Festival – Manchester, UK 12/05/2025 Sala Revi Live – Madrid, ES 12/06/2025 Mouco – Porto, PT 12/07/2025 RCA Club – Lisbon, PT
The Metal Voice recently spoke to former Dio Guitarist Tracy G about his time in the band writing, recording and performing the albums Strange Highways and Angry Machines.
Tracy G was asked on how Ronnie’s passing affected him even though they had not spoken since his departure in 1999
”I hadn’t talked to him for 10 years. 1999 I left. It was 2010 when I think he passed or got sick or something and I hadn’t talked to him at all. So, I wasn’t really that close to him (at the time). And when I was with him, I was his friend, but it was like a business partnership. Of course, it’s devastating and it’s a huge loss because that’s a huge talent right there. He was such a hardworking guy. On the road he never even missed a show even when he got a cold or got sick, he just sang. Maybe not the same notes he just he sang different notes that he could hit. It’s tough on a singer when they get sick. I got sick many times, but I don’t sing, you know. It’s different. But he was a working madman. Um, first one at practice, last one at practice, he cared. He cared how the guitar sounded. He cared how the snare drum sounded. Major respect to Ronnie. He was one of the greatest singers that there could be for any style of music. I mean does it get any better than that? I have been struggling my whole life till I’m like 30 years old trying to find a decent singer for me. I always needed a better singer. You know. But then I’m in a band with Ronnie James De I mean I hit the musical lotto.
Tracy Grijalva, known as Tracy G, is a guitarist best known for his time with Dio from 1993 to 1999. He left the band when Dio brought back guitarist Craig Goldy and they wanted him to switch to only Rhythm guitar.
Tracy G appeared on –Strange Highways (1993) –Angry Machines (1996) –Inferno: Last in Live (1998) –Live in London, Hammersmith Apollo 1993
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Kimmo Kuusniemi’s ASA unveil the long-overdue release of "Collective Failure" + first music video for title-track! Check it out and stay tuned for more news! Click image to watch the video
Kimmo Kuusniemi’s SARCOFAGUS return with a Historic 2010 Concert Video Premiere on YouTube! Click image to watch the video
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Visionary artist KIMMO KUUSNIEMI's ANCIENT STREAMING ASSEMBLY (ASA) have released “Aurora Nuclearis”, a powerful 12-minute audiovisual experience, dedicated to the Late Keyboardist Esa Kotilainen. - Click image to watch the video
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Metal Shock Finland (World Assault ) 