Guitarist Bernie Marsden rejoined his WHITESNAKE bandmates on stage last night (Thursday, May 23) at the Manchester Arena in Manchester, England to perform two songs: "Fool For Your Loving" and "Here We Go Again". Fan-filmed video footage of his appearance can be seen below.
Asked in a 2012 interview with Geeks Of Doom what he thought of his songs being re-recorded by later lineups of WHITESNAKE, Marsden said: "I thought 'Here I Go Again' was fabulous because for me it was such a long time after I had written the song that I could listen to WHITESNAKE in that period as if I was listening to JOURNEY or FOREIGNER: it was just another band who were really good. But they were an American band by then [who] just happened to have the same name and the same singer and guy I worked with. 'Fool For Your Lovin'', when they re-recorded that I felt it lacked some of the heart and soul of what the song was all about and I know that David [Coverdale, WHITESNAKE frontman] has more or less said the same thing in interviews over the years. I think Steve Vai is a wonderful guitar player and he did a very good Steve Vai job on that track, but I didn't think it had the heart of what the song was all about. So you win some, you lose some. But having said that it sold about three-and-a half, four, five million [copies], so I can't complain too much! [laughs] It continues to do well to this day."
Regarding whether there are any unresolved issues between him and Coverdale, Marsden said: "Certainly not between David and I. We're as close now as I think we ever were which I never thought, up until a couple of years ago, I would have said in an interview. He's completely upfront with me, straight with me and if he wants me to do something he calls himself, he doesn't have people call me and we chat on the phone. I was feeling lonesome in Euston station a couple of months ago and I looked at my phone and I thought… 'I'll call him up.' So I left him a message and I just sang, 'Sitting in the railway station, waiting for my destination,' because I didn't think he was in. He called me back within about ten minutes: 'What the hell are you doing in Euston station?' he says. 'It's one o'clock in the morning! I'll talk to you until your train goes.' I appreciate that because I think it's nice for men of a certain age who have done quite a bit in their lives together to be as close as they can as older men. That sounds a bit profound, doesn't it?! But I really do believe that. I'm very happy whenever I've been onstage with him again. That, to me, is a tremendous bonus and I love every minute of it and just to be able to phone each other up and just say, 'Hey, how you doing, mate?' that's as important to me. For me, it closes the circle. Or opens a friendship that I thought may have been gone."
Vlad Busca conducted an interview with MEGADETH mainman Dave Mustaine prior to the band's May 22 concert at Arenele Romane in Bucharest, Romania. You can now watch the chat below.
Speaking about the state of the record industry in 2013, Mustaine said: "I think if there is anything that is really bad about the music business, it's that it's been infiltrated by people who are businessmen who don't know anything about music and it's all about the numbers."
He continued: "I remember I was in Germany one time and this woman, who was from our label, was calling another band that was coming in 'product.' Not people, not the name of the band or anything like that. And I thought, 'Wow, that's really kind of impersonal.' 'Cause, I mean, this is our art, this is what we believe in; we struggle to translate our feelings and emotions into music and stuff. And sometimes you kind of get lost in the business part of it, because you have so much pressure from someone who works for a label. It's like: sell, sell, sell, sell. Instead of how it used to be 30 years ago when music business was all one word. Now it's, like, music, which is us, and business, which is a lot of the people who are board members and stockholders and publicly traded record companies."
He added: "That's what I one of the things I love about [MEGADETH's new record label] Universal is, they spent more money on our first photo shoot than almost all the videos that [MEGADETH's previous record company] Roadrunner did. One photo shoot! Our last video we did for Roadrunner was one sixth of the money that they spent on our photo shoot. It just shows you how out of place we were there. At the time, though, you figure going back several years, heavy metal was not popular in America. It was about, you've gotta be Tayor Swift or you've gotta… First off, we were never really in this to be the most popular band in the world. We play this music, 'cause we love this music."
MEGADETH's new album, "Super Collider", is scheduled for a June 4 release via Mustaine's new label, Tradecraft, which is distributed by Universal Music Enterprises (UMe).
"Super Collider" is MEGADETH's first release since the band's recent split with Roadrunner Records.
MEGADETH filmed a video for the title track and first single from the band's new album, "Super Collider", on May 10 in the Los Angeles area. California-based model, actress, singer and songwriter Hunter Elizabeth was cast in the lead role in the clip, which she says is "about a high-school couple still loving each other after all the years after graduation, and at the 10-year reunion, both characters find themselves successful (a model and a mathematician) and still very in love."
On April 13, Heavy Metal Artwork conducted an interview with SKID ROW at the O2 Academy Islington in London, England. You can now watch the chat below.
SKID ROW's new EP, "United World Rebellion - Chapter One", is being released in Europe on May 24 via Germany's UDR Music. The European version of the EP includes two bonus tracks, both of them cover tunes: "Fire Fire" (EZO) and "United" (JUDAS PRIEST). "One of [the cover songs] you'll know very well and one of them you may have to go back into the archives," guitarist Scotti Hill recently told Eyes From The Mosh Pit. "[It's] a little more obscure. But it's really cool."
"United World Rebellion - Chapter One" European version track listing:
01. Kings Of Demolition 02. Let's Go 03. This Is Killing Me 04. Get Up 05. Stitches 06. Fire Fire (EZO cover) 07. United (JUDAS PRIEST cover)
"United World Rebellion - Chapter One" sold around 1,500 copies in the Unted States in its first week of release. Released in North America on April 16 via MRI, the effort is the first in a series of EPs that the reincarnated band — Dave "Snake" Sabo (guitar), Rachel Bolan (bass), Scotti Hill (guitar), Johnny Solinger (vocals) and Rob Hammersmith (drums) — plans to release in the near future.
"United World Rebellion - Chapter One" reignites the youthful energy and blistering sound that SKID ROW is recognized for around the world. "That sound and energy is what resonates with people and knocks them on their ass," says Hammersmith. "We had a lot of great ideas to work with, so we're all really excited about this new music."
SKID ROW's rebellious tunes hit the big time in the late 1980s. However, after several Top Ten singles, gold and multi-platinum sales, No. 1 Billboard-charting tracks and more, the band split in 1996. In 2000, to the delight of fans everywhere, SKID ROW reformed and returned to the stage to open for KISS. They then released two new musical offerings in the form of 2003's "ThickSkin" and 2006's "Revolutions Per Minute" with new singer Johnny Solinger out front. Seven years later, the band is back again with new music, ready to take over in the new age of heavy metal.
"When we put the band back together, we needed to reintroduce SKID ROW as relevant without relying too much on past success," explains Bolan. "We sunk our heart and soul into it, letting people know we weren't doing it for lack of nothing better to do."
For the new EP series, Bolan and Sabo tapped again into the potent songwriting collaboration that built SKID ROW. Sabo says they were eagerly up to the challenge. "We seem to be at our best when we're faced with adversity. It's us against the world again — and by us I mean the band and the fans who stick with us and carry the SKID ROW torch without fail."
"The idea [of releasing EPs] really appealed to me," adds Bolan, "Especially with the constantly changing musical climate. I like the idea of a steady flow of new music, as opposed to releasing a full-length album then riding it for the next two years."
And although striving to reintroduce themselves and try something different, these boys are still strong in their roots. They got older, but SKID ROW never really grew up. "United World Rebellion" is still the youth gone wild, their musical spark still burning gasoline.
"I will always be that 16-year-old kid in front of the mirror, pretending to be Ace Frehley or Michael Schenker," admits Sabo. "It's still about writing a great song with your friend, praying it connects with someone. That has never left me. That willfulness will always exist, and there's so much left to say!"
Terry "Beez" Bezer of Scuzz recently conducted an interview with DEFTONES frontman Chino Moreno and drummer Abe Cunningham. You can now watch the chat below.
As previously reported, Moreno has said that it is more likely now than ever before that DEFTONES will release "Eros", the shelved 2008 album that it had nearly completed when bassist Chi Cheng got into a car accident in November 2008. The incident left Cheng in a semi-comatose state for more than four years, until his death last month. After Cheng's accident, the band decided to scrap the record and start fresh, ultimately recording and releasing "Diamond Eyes" in 2010.
Asked recently if "Eros" could see the light of day as Cheng's final work, Moreno told Artisan News, "It will. I think (the chances of that happening are) more so now probably than ever (before). I actually went back and listened to some of it recently and . . . I don't know when (we will put it out) . . . but I feel it's a little more appropriate now for us to think about that."
DEFTONES issued a statement back in June 2009 in which the band explained its reasons for keeping "Eros" on the shelf, saying, "We realized that this record doesn't best encompass and represent who we are currently as people and as musicians. The decision to hold off on releasing 'Eros' has no connection with Chi's condition or anything associated. This was, and is, purely a creative decision by the band to write, record, and deliver an amazing product."
Cheng performed on DEFTONES' first five albums, with his last released work being on 2006's "Saturday Night Wrist".
Vega played on "Diamond Eyes" and the most recent DEFTONES disc, "Koi No Yokan".
U.K. modern metallers THE DEFILED will release their second album, "Daggers", on August 2 via Nuclear Blast Entertainment. The cover artwork was designed and executed by Scott Chalmers, the band's longtime photographer.
Keyboardist The AvD explains the concept: "Daggers were made for only one thing — killing or betraying your fellow man. And one stab is almost always never enough…
"The flowers symbolize goodwill with the prospect of a co-operative future. The dagger behind the back symbolizes the ulterior motives, the insincerity and the impending disappointment that surrounds us all. This theme runs through all the tracks on the album.
"The concept was born out of a scene we wanted in our new video for 'Unspoken'. We wanted the two main characters shaking hands with daggers behind their backs. We were originally going to call the track 'Daggers', but then opted to go for 'Unspoken'. The song is about the politics of life and it seemed more fitting. We also didn't want to limit the word 'daggers' to only one song on the album, as it is the overall feeling we wanted for the full project."
A short teaser for the "Unspoken" video can be seen below. The full clip will make its online debut on June 3.
Having released its debut album "Grave Times" via Metal Hammer magazine in 2011, THE DEFILED has since enjoyed status as the U.K.'s biggest unsigned metal acts. Making huge strides forward on their own, their achievements as a self motivated and independent band in the world of heavy music, which includes sold out tours, prestigious slots at the biggest festivals and a Golden God Award, is remarkable. Their unwillingness to compromise or settle for anything less than their ambition dictates has got them this far; this alliance with indie metal powerhouse Nuclear Blast Entertainment now sets the sky as the limit.
"Someone Is After Me", the new video from Norwegian industrial/electronic metallers GOTHMINISTER, can be seen below. The song comes off the band's concert film and concept album entitled "Utopia". Released on May 16 via AFM Records, the set includes both newly recorded songs and a horror concert film with a running time of one hour and 20 minutes plus bonus material.
According to a press release, "The concept of 'Utopia' is inspired by Bjørn Alexander Brem's life and nightmares. The combination of being a lawyer in daytime and GOTHMINISTER at night drives him eventually insane; it becomes impossible for him to separate reality from imagination. The other GOTHMINISTER members Chris Dead (drummer), Icarus (guitars) and Turbo Natas (guitars) also take part in this nightmarish world filled with undead walkers, witches, werewolves and monsters."
Since the release of his debut, "Gothic Electronic Anthems", in 2003, Brem has captured the listeners with his hymns of pitch-black magic. Dark shudders, deepest leadvocals and thrilling craft of composing within the marrow of gothic, industrial metal and electro have become his trademarks ever since. Driving sequences lead into compelling verses which are soon countered by harsh metal riffs. Finally the listener gets subdued by an overwhelming combination of catchiness, denseness and heavenly choirs.
"Utopia" was produced by Bjørn Alexander Brem, mixed by Neil Kernon (JUDAS PRIEST, NILE) and mastered by Alan Douches (MISFITS, THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN).
TESTAMENT's Alex Skolnick (pictured below) has commented on the recent announcement that SLAYER guitarist and co-founder Jeff Hanneman died on May 2 from alcohol-related cirrhosis of the liver.
Hanneman's official cause of death was revealed by his bandmates on May 9. In the statement, they also acknowledged Hanneman's "health struggles over the years" — including flesh-eating necrotizing fasciitis that rendered him unable to perform. But, the band said, "Jeff and those close to him were not aware of the true extent of his liver condition until the last days of his life."
The statement added that Hanneman was not on a transplant list and that "by all accounts it appeared he had been improving — he was excited and looking forward to working on a new record."
In a post on his official blog, Skolnick wrote: "To those of us able to enjoy alcoholic beverages in a controlled, non-health threatening (let along life-threatening) manner, it is difficult to comprehend what the vicious cycle must be like. The novel 'Infinite Jest' (1996, David Foster Wallace), has a powerful description by a character in AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) who's seeking help. It alludes to a certain point when the substance is no longer a source of fun, becoming 'the only consolation against the pain of the mounting losses, and of course, you're in denial about it being the substance that's causing the very losses it's consoling you about.' We who've never experienced addiction to drugs and/or alcohol should consider ourselves very, very lucky.
"Too many lives have been lost and too many careers derailed because of addiction, a tragic circumstance that affects a significant segment of the population. More than a few prominent musicians, including many in the metal genre, are alive today and going strong career-wise because they've successfully sought treatment. Jeff's passing is a tragic reminder that those in need of rehabilitation from alcohol or drug addiction need all the help, encouragement and support they can get."
Steve Adams of the Birmingham Post recently conducted an interview with bassist/vocalist Geddy Lee of Canadian rock legends RUSH. A few excerpts from the chat follow below.
On finally being inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame last month:
Lee: "It was really overwhelming and we all got choked up.
"Our fans have always placed more importance on us getting in than we have — we'd always thought it was no big deal. But at that particular moment it sure did feel like a big deal.
"It was quite an emotional evening to feel the amount of love from so many different and unexpected places.
"When you have guys from PUBLIC ENEMY turning around and patting you on the back — jeez, even Spike Lee was so nice and giving us respect — you kinda pinch yourself and wonder: where the fuck am I?
"It was interesting because my wife was with me and it was her birthday and I was feeling bad that she had spent it playing second fiddle to the band once again.
"But so many iconic acts — such as Jackson Browne and Carole King — appeared that brought back moments of our life.
"My wife turned to me in the middle of the show and said there was probably no more suitable place to spend her birthday because we'd been living our lives through all these songs.
"It was a perfect moment for her to reflect and that's what it felt like for all of us."
"Part of you is saying, 'Somebody's made a mistake here,' and part of you is trying to enjoy it and accept what it means in terms of popular music.
"We've been so insular and off the mainstream for so long that it's very hard to see yourself as part of that same estimable group."
On still having a huge appetite for performing live:
Lee: "I love to play — that's my whole reason for being. And we're playing better than we've ever played — and I say that without much hesitation.
"Something happens after you play for 40 years... you get good at it!"
On RUSH's plans for when the band's current tour ends in early August:
Lee: "Right now we're looking to finish this tour and take a holiday. After a nice long break, we'll figure out what we're gonna do, but right now we have not talked about it and we have zero intention of talking about it."
On a proposed RUSH 40th-anniversary "R40" tour next year, an idea the band's management is determined to push through:
Lee: "They're trying but they're going to fail. And there's nothing wrong with an 'R42' tour — it doesn't have to be a round number. After all, there's been nothing round about our career."
Audio samples of all songs that are set to appear on "Eternal Defiance", the new album from German melodic folk/death metallers SUIDAKRA, can be streamed in the YouTube clip below. Due on May 24 via AFM Records, the CD's cover artwork was created by [famous Belgian graphic artist] Kris Verwimp and can be seen below.
"Eternal Defiance" track listing:
01. Storming The Walls 02. Inner Sanctum 03. Beneath The Red Eagle 04. March Of Conquest 05. Pair Dadeni 06. The Mindsong 07. Rage For Revenge 08. Dragon’s Head 09. Defiant Dreams 10. Damnatio Memoriae 11. Mrs Mcgrath (bonus track)
Commented SUIDAKRA singer Arkadius Antonik: "As on the previous two releases, it will be a concept album again, created by Kris Verwimp in cooperation with us. Our new concept includes a lot of new elements and suprises which will be reflected in the music as well."
In a 2012 interview with Metal Kaoz, Antonik stated about SUIDAKRA's new material: "The songs … are bombastic and we also finished the first song with Tina's [Stabel] female vocals. This time, it's gonna be a faster song with a real epic and catchy chorus."
Bassist Marcus Riewaldt last year announced his departure from SUIDAKRA. He said in a statement, "After more than 250 shows and 10 years being in the band, I feel that now time has come to change my priorities a bit and see what else life has to offer for me. No hard feelings involved; it's just that I cannot motivate myself for another writing-rehearsing-recording-promoting-touring cycle and that I'm really annoyed by some of the music business mechanisms that one has to deal with in order to continue this beautiful and exciting, but at the same time very time- and energy-consuming hobby. I wish SUIDAKRA much luck and success for the future — it would all be well deserved!"
SUIDAKRA has already secured a replacement bassist in Tim Siebrecht, who was a stand-in guitar player for SUIDAKRA on several occasions in recent years.
SUIDAKRA's tenth album, "Book Of Dowth", was released on March 25, 2011 via AFM Records.
"Sail Into The Sunset's Fire", the new video from Taiwanese metallers CHTHONIC, can be seen below. The song comes off the band's seventh studio album, "Bú-Tik", which will be released on June 3 via Spinefarm Records (June 18 in North America)
Recorded at Sweden's Sweetspot Studio by producer Rickard Bengtson, who also worked on 2011's "Takasago Army", "Bú-Tik" sees the band returning to the scene with their signature brand of symphonic "orient metal," as they choose to define it. As usual, the musicians continue on their mission to build awareness of the myths of Taiwan and thetragic events in their country's history.
"Bú-Tik" — based around the story of the 228 Massacre, the Bú-Tik Palace and the Mirror Of Retribution — highlights "righteous violence and justifiable defence"; once more, it takes the listener deep into the folklore and history of exotic Taiwan.
Says bassist Doris Yeh: "We are very proud to present 'Bú-Tik' to the world. It talks about self-defense, righteous violence and the armed spirits! With this album, we have pushed ourselves to achieve new heights — heights we've never imagined before! We are leading metal fans to the next episode of CHTHONIC!"
"Bú-Tik" track listing:
01. Arising Armament (intro) 02. Supreme Pain For The Tyrant 03. Sail Into The Sunset's Fire 04. Next Republic 05. Rage Of My Sword 06. Between Silence And Death 07. Resurrection Pyre 08. Set Fire To The Island 09. Defenders Of Bú-Tik Palace 10. Undying Rearmament (outro)
On the live front, CHTHONIC is confirmed to play on the Pepsi Max Stage on Saturday, June 15 at the Download festival at its historical stamping ground of Donington Park.
CHTHONIC last appeared at Download in 2011, but for this follow-up show, they are returning in greater numbers, the plan being to utilize the skills of the oriental orchestra.
Says Doris: "This is the first time we’ll have played with the orchestra outside of Taiwan. We're really hoping to present a show that people will be talking about for some time to come."
San Diego death metallers DISGORGE have announced the addition of bassist Diego Soria and vocalist Angel Ochoa to the group's ranks.
The band is currently working on material for its fifth album for a late 2013 release via Unique Leader Records.
DISGORGE's new lineup will make its live debut on June 6 at The Vault in Temecula, California, where they will co-headline, alongside ALL SHALL PERISH, Danny Kenny's (SUICIDE SILENCE) birthday bash.
DISGORGE recently inked a deal with Extreme Management Group, Inc. (SUFFOCATION, ORIGIN, CATTLE DECAPITATION, ABORTED, THREAT SIGNAL, NERVECELL).
After the tragic loss of bassist Ben Marlin in 2008, DISGORGE put the band on hold. In 2011, they reformed with thoughts of a new album and are finally working towards creating their most brutal release to date.
DISGORGE's current lineup:
Ricky Myers - Drums Diego Soria - Bass Angel Ochoa - Vocals Ed Talorda - Guitar Diego Sanchez - Guitar
CARPATHIAN FOREST frontman Nattefrost is one more in the long line of Scandinavian black metal musicians who have been unable to gain entry into the United States due to the immigration laws that have so often denied U.S. fans the opportunity to see their favorite European bands. Despite this setback, CARPATHIAN FOREST, whose remaining four members had been granted visas, was still aiming to appear at the Maryland Deathfest in Baltimore on May 26 as scheduled, but as a four-piece, with guitarist BloodPervertor taking on vocals. Unfortunately, for reasons unknown, the embassy was not able to return drummer Kobro's passport in time for the band to leave, and CARPATHIAN FOREST has therefore been forced to pull out of the festival completely. However, three members — guitarists Tchort and BloodPervertor and bassist Vrangsinn — will attend and will be available to talk to fans.
It is only under very exceptional circumstances that CARPATHIAN FOREST play without Nattefrost, the only other occasion having been when BloodPervertor stepped in to cover vocals on a handful of dates during the No Mercy Tour in 2004 when Nattefrost broke his collar bone.
Commenting on the original decision to go ahead despite the absence of the band's iconic frontman and then still being forced to cancel, guitarist Tchort had this to say: "When we decided to make the trip without Nattefrost, we knew that many fans would be disappointed, but at the same time we didn't want to let down the organizers who have been so supportive throughout the whole visa process, and have done everything they could possibly to do to try and make it happen. We were also very aware that CARPATHIAN FOREST has many fans in the United States who have waited a long, long time to see the band live, and, given the circumstances, there is always the possibility that Nattefrost may never be granted a visa, so this might have been the only opportunity our U.S. fans will have to see us on stage, albeit minus one member. To then have to pull out completely because of whatever delays occurred even though Kobro's visa was granted was a big disappointment for everyone".
CARPATHIAN FOREST recently returned to the scene after a period of stasis, and will spend most of 2013 playing a series of one-off shows and festivals while they prepare to record the long-awaited follow up to 2004's "Fuck You All!!!!"
Sweden's CULT OF LUNA has released a new remix from legendary artist and producer Justin Broadrick (GODFLESH, JESU). Broadrick tackles the 18-plus-minute track "Vicarious Redemption" from CULT OF LUNA's critically acclaimed studio album "Vertikal", which was released this past January via Density. Fans can stream or download the track below.
"It was both a pleasure and a challenge to work on such an sprawling epic song," Broadrick commented. "[There was] so much material to choose from and to attempt to refocus in my own context, and a challenge to make something new and concise which resonates like the original."
"When I was 14 years old, my friend taught my how to play guitar," adds CULT OF LUNA's Johannes Persson. "We spent hours listening to songs and then trying to play them. One of the records he had was the [GODFLESH] 'Streetcleaner' LP that since has been continuously in my rotation for almost 20 years, so listening to Justin's remix of 'Vicarious Redemption' kind of felt like going full circle. Justin has created something new with the elements of the song which, in my opinion, is the only way to justify a remix."
"Vertikal" marked a much-anticipated return for CULT OF LUNA after five years spent cultivating the ideas and directing the influences that have helped form a concept for the album. Distilled throughout are themes of machinery, repetition and clear, linear structures honed to the visual imagery of Fritz Lang's classic expressionist science-fiction film "Metropolis". The music broods, builds and boils as you may expect from CULT OF LUNA, but never over-complicates itself or veers from its intentions; it is arguably their finest and most cohesive piece of work to date.
CULT OF LUNA is in the midst of an extensive worldwide touring schedule, with plans in the works to bring the band to the Unites States later in 2013.
Massachusetts metallers REVOCATION will release their new, self-titled album on August 6 via Relapse Records. The follow-up to 2011's "Chaos Of Forms" will be the first full-length album with bass player Brett Bamberger, who joined the band in 2012 and was featured on the group's last EP, "Teratogenesis", which was released by Scion A/V. The cover artwork for the new CD was created by Orion Landau (DYING FETUS, OBSCURA, NILE).
REVOCATION will take part in this year's Summer Slaughter Tour alongside THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN, CATTLE DECAPITATION and others. The trek will kick off on July 19 in San Francisco, California and run through August 20 in Portland, Oregon.
"Revocation" track listing:
01. The Hive 02. Scattering the Flock 03. Arch Fiend 04. Numbing Agents 05. Fracked 06. The Gift You Gave 07. Invidious 08. Spastic 09. Entombed By Wealth 10. A Visitation
"Chaos Of Forms" was released in August 16, 2011 in North America and September 5, 2011 internationally via Relapse. The follow-up to 2009's "Existence Is Futile" was recorded at Damage Studios in Southbridge, Massachusetts with engineer Pete Rutcho.
A new one-dollar short ebook tells the story — 27 years on — of the making of VAN HALEN's 1986 album "5150".
Author Martin Popoff explains: "It's always a blast talking with Sammy Hagar, and our '5150' analysis includes lots and lots of Sammy just letting her fly.
"'5150' shocked the world, proving that VAN HALEN could not only survive the departure of David Lee Roth, but thrive, with the band taking the album to #1 on the charts on the strength of smash hits like 'Why Can't This Be Love', 'Best Of Both Worlds', 'Dreams' and 'Love Walks In'."
"'Love Walks In' has a real story to it," notes Hagar. "One night after everybody left, Eddie said, 'Let me just play you something I've got on this piano.' He goes to the piano and starts playing, and I went, 'I love that.' I had goosebumps. So I actually wrote the lyrics and did the whole thing that night on a cheap mic. That was used on the record, and everybody else overdubbed. Things happen like that. And there's nothing you can do to make it better."
"He sang all the backups," says Hagar of VAN HALEN's secret weapon and keeper of the peace Michael Anthony. "Mike is the background sound of VAN HALEN — he would sing the high parts. You take Mike out, you don't have a VAN HALEN sound."
"Ye Olde Metal: Van Halen's 5150" is available as a 14-page ebook in high-resolution PDF format from Zunior. Also available from Zunior is Popoff's earlier ebook about the making of VAN HALEN's second outing with Hagar, "OU812".
