Day in Rock Report for 12/23/2021

Just in time for Christmas, an all-star collection of metal stars have come together to give Slayer's classic track "Season In The Abyss" a festive makeover.

The cover, entitled "Seasons Greetings In The Abyss", was created by Sleigher, featuring members of Haken, Dream Theater, Protest the Hero, Cradle of Filth and Inhuman Condition, and it mashes up Slayer's classic with alternate lyrics Dan Goldsworthy (Accept, Alestorm and Sylosis) and Charlie Griffiths of Haken. (read more)

Even though Dead & Company's Playing In The Sand Festival early next month has completely sold out, fans that were unable to get tickets will still be able to stream the band's performances.

The band's annual event will be taking place January 13th through 16th, 2022 at the Moon Palace Cancun in Mexico and Nugs.net have announced that they will be livestreaming all six shows from the event. (read more)

Elton John delivers an early Christmas gift to fans in the form of a seasonal video that features him reuniting via Zoom with the collaborators from his chart topping 'The Lockdown Sessions' album.

We were sent these details: "It features all the Lockdown Sessions collaborators, including Dua Lipa, Damon Albarn, Stevie Wonder, Miley Cyrus, Lil Nas X, Stevie Nicks, and Young Thug. (read more)

(hennemusic) The Doobie Brothers have announced dates for a Las Vegas residency next spring. The band will perform an eight-show series between May 13-28 at Zappos Theater at Planet Hollywood; tickets are on sale now.

This year, The Doobie Brothers released their fifteenth studio record, "Liberte"; the group''s first album since 2014's "Southbound" was co-produced by John Shanks and the band. (read more)

Legendary original Yes frontman Jon Anderson has launched a Patreon where fans can gain access to unreleased music and videos, live events and more.

Anderson had this to say, "Hello to my fans and supporters! I am thrilled to embark on this journey with you as I create the next chapter of my life's work. (read more)

(hennemusic) Metallica performed the live debut of their 1997 "Reload" track, "Fixxer", during the first of two 40th anniversary concerts in San Francisco, CA over the weekend.

The December 17 show at the city's Chase Center saw Metallica deliver a set of 16-songs in chronological order of their release - opening with the 1983 "Kill 'Em All" cut, "Hit The Lights", to the show-closer of the 2017 "Hardwired...To Self-Destruct" tune, "Spit Out The Bone." (read more)

Orlando rockers The High Ground recently released their new single and music video called "Bombs Away" and to celebrate we asked vocalist Andrew Parker to tell us about the track. Here is the story:

Around the time we started writing Bombs Away, I was actually in a bit of a writing slump. I was trying to work out all these complicated riffs on guitar that weren't going anywhere. Turns out I was overthinking it. (continue)

Motley Crue Hoping To Expand Stadium Tour was a top 21 story from July 2021: Motley Crue's Nikki Sixx says that they may expand their reunion stadium tour to other parts of the world and shared his disappointment and reasoning behind postponing it again this year.

The North American trek with Def Leppard and Poison is now scheduled to take place in the summer of 2022 after originally being postponed last year due to the Covid-19 pandemic lockdowns. (read more)

Guns N' Roses' Classic Referenced In Eric Church's 'Heart On Fire' was a top 21 story from July 2021: Eric Church references Guns N' Roses' classic hit "Paradise City" and Elvis Presley's classic "All Shook Up", in his new radio single "Heart On Fire", which comes from his recently released "Heart & Soul" trilogy.

The nostalgic track was penned by Church and also appears to reference Don McLean's signature hit "American Pie" with the line "A turned up radio, but the static was heavy / Couldn't make out any words but 'take me to the levee'." (read more)

KISS Reunion With Ace and Peter Impossible Says Paul Stanley was a top 21 story from July 2021: KISS frontman Paul Stanley believes that it would be impossible for the band to reunite with original drummer Peter Criss and original guitarist Ace Frehley for the same reasons it did not work out in the past.

Stanley was a guest on SiriusXM's Jim & Sam Show and he asked his thoughts about why fans seem so interested in the idea of the original members reuniting. (read more)

(hennemusic) Journey's 'Escape' Album Certified Diamond was a top 21 story from July 2021: Journey's 1981 album classic, "Escape", has been certified with diamond status in the US for sales of 10 million copies. The project achieved the milestone - as awarded via The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) - this week in sync with its 40th anniversary on July 17.

The album, which features the singles "Who's Crying Now," "Don't Stop Believin'," "Open Arms," "Still They Ride," and "Stone In Love", topped the Billboard 200 back in the day. (read more)

Cinderella's Jeff LaBar Dead At 58 was a top 21 story from July 2021: Cinderella guitarist Jeff LaBar has passed away. The sad news was revealed via social media by his son, Sebastian. A cause of death has not been revealed. He was 58 years old.

Sebastian wrote in a social media post, "So i just got the call... Jeff LaBar, my father, my hero, my idol, passed away today. I'm currently at a loss for words. I love you pop!" (read more)

Korn Recruited Suicidal Tendencies Star For Tour was a top 21 story from July 2021: Korn have announced that that they have recruited Suicidal Tendencies star Ra Diaz to play bass for them on their upcoming summer tour.

Diaz will be filling in for the band's bassist Fieldy who is taking some time off "to heal". The band had the following to say, "We appreciate your kind words of support in response to the recent tour update about Fieldy. (read more)

NEEDTOBREATHE Recruited Switchfoot's Jon Foreman For 'Carry Me' was a top 21 story from July 2021: NEEDTOBREATHE have released a new single called "Carry Me", which is a collaboration with their longtime friend, Switchfoot frontman Jon Foreman.

The track follows the band's collaboration with Carrie Underwood, "I Wanna Remember." Both tracks come from their forthcoming album, "Into The Mystery", which was released on July 30th. (read more)