Kings of Thrash, featuring former Megadeth members David Ellefson and Jeff Young, have shared their first original song.
The track is titled “Bridges Burned,” and is built around a riff that Young had originally written in 1988 to be used for Megadeth’s next album, which would become 1990’s Rust in Peace. However, Young never got to use it, as he was replaced by Marty Friedman before Rust in Peace was recorded.
Kings of Thrash posted footage of the live debut of “Bridges Burned” on their YouTube channel.
You can also catch Kings of Thrash on their current U.S. tour, during which they’re playing the Megadeth albums Killing Is My Business…and Business Is Good! and So Far, So Good…So What!
Megadeth, meanwhile, released their latest album, The Sick, the Dying…and the Dead!, last September.
The artwork of two Black Sabbath albums will be turned into collectible statues.
The music merchandising company KnuckleBonz is releasing officially licensed figures inspired by the witch on the cover of Sabbath’s 1970 self-titled debut and the pilot that graced the front of 1978’s Never Say Die!
In keeping with their respective albums’ release dates, KnuckleBonz is making only 1,970 witch statues and 1,978 pilot figures.
You can pre-order your own — separately or as a two-piece set — now via KnuckleBonz.com.
KnuckleBonz has previously worked with artists including Metallica, AC/DC and Ghost.
Fishbone has returned with a new song called “All We Have Is Now.”
The track marks the “Sunless Saturday” outfit’s first release featuring founding member Christopher Dowd in 29 years. Dowd reunited with Fishbone in 2018 after leaving the group in 1994.
“All We Have Is Now” was produced by NOFX frontman Fat Mike. It’s included in a new compilation Bottle Music for Broken People.
You can listen to “All We Have Is Now” now via digital outlets and watch its accompanying video streaming on YouTube.
Ashley Morgan Smithline, one of several women who’ve accused Marilyn Manson of abuse, is now retracting the allegations she made against the musician.
In a legal filing obtained by Billboard, Smithline says she “succumbed to pressure from Evan Rachel Wood and her associates to make accusations of rape and assault against [Manson] that were not true.”
Smithline’s statement was filed amid Manson’s defamation lawsuit against Wood. Wood said that Manson, born Brian Warner, “horrifically abused [her] for years” in a February 2021 Instagram post, and expanded on her allegations in the 2022 documentary Phoenix Rising.
Following Wood’s Instagram post, other women came forward with allegations of abuse against Warner, including Smithline, who said in a May 2021 People interview that Warner had sexually assaulted her. In June 2021, Smithline sued Warner, joining lawsuits filed by actor Esmé Bianco and Warner’s former assistant Ashley Walters.
Smithline says now that her suit “contained untrue statements about Mr. Warner, including that there was violence and non-consensual sexual activity in our brief relationship.”
“I never intended to pursue criminal charges against Mr. Warner and have no intention now of ever pursuing criminal charges, as Mr. Warner did not ever assault or abuse me,” Smithline continues.
She adds that she feels “manipulated” by Wood, Bianco, lawyer Jay Ellwanger and Wood’s associate Illma Gore, also named in Warner’s defamation suit, to “spread publicly false accusations of abuse against Warner.”
A rep for Wood tells Billboard, “Evan never pressured or manipulated Ashley.”
“It was Ashley who first contacted Evan about the abuse she had suffered,” the statement continues. “It’s unfortunate that the harassment and threats Ashley received after filing her federal lawsuit appear to have pressured her to change her testimony.”
Smithline’s lawsuit was dismissed in January 2023, and Walters’ in May 2022. Bianco’s case was settled in January 2023. Warner also faces suits from anonymous Jane Does. He’s denied all allegations.
If you are affected by abuse and needing support, or know someone who is, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673). You can also chat online at thehotline.org or online.rainn.org, respectively.
Iggy Azalea says she keeps “in touch” with Britney Spears, whom she collaborated with on the 2015 song “Pretty Girls.” She told Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen Thursday, “We talk on Instagram sometimes. She’ll message me and I’ll message her back and everything.” She also said she’s down for another collab.
Pink also talked Britney and said she wasn’t picking on her in the 2001 song “Don’t Let Me Get Me,” where she sings, “Tired of being compared to damn Britney Spears/She’s so pretty/ That just ain’t me.” She told People, “I’ve always felt like a big sister to her… I’m very protective of her, and she’s the sweetest person in the world.”
Selena Gomez seemingly came to friend Taylor Swift‘s defense when a fan posted a throwback clip of model Hailey Bieber apparently gagging when Taylor’s name is mentioned. “So sorry, my best friend is and continues to be one of the best in the game,” she commented.
In other Selena news, she posted a throwback of her drinking a cocktail in a strapless black top. She captioned it, “I deleted this one time because I thought maybe it was too much but eh.”
BTS‘ Jimin shared the itinerary for how he plans to release his debut solo album, FACE. His label, BIGHIT Music, dropped the “promotion schedule,” which starts with Jimin dropping the tracklist on Thursday. The album will have six songs. He’ll release the first song, “Set Me Free Pt. 2,” and its music video on March 17. FACEi arrives March 24.
Jax announced she has a new song coming out on March 3, called “Cinderella Snapped.” The song promo features a prince posing for a mug shot and holding a sign that reads “cheating is treason.”
Pink said she wasn’t picking on Britney Spears in her 2001 song “Don’t Let Me Get Me,” where she sings, “Tired of being compared to damn Britney Spears/She’s so pretty/ That just ain’t me.” She told People, “I’ve always felt like a big sister to her…I’m very protective of her, and she’s the sweetest person in the world.”
Jordin Sparks is #1 on Billboard‘s Christian Airplay chart thanks to her for KING & COUNTRY collab, “Love Me Like I Am.” This marks the first time she’s ever topped any Billboard airplay chart.
Alanis Morissette will be a marquee speaker at the Psychotherapy Networker Symposium, which runs March 16-19 in Washington, D.C. She said on Instagram that she’s “looking forward to a deep dive with one of my favorite people in the world.” Virtual and in-person registration is available on the event’s website.
Adam Lambert released the music video for his cover of Billie Eilish‘s “Getting Older.” The video includes some family videos of a young Adam and footage of him performing over the years. Adam also puts on some prosthetics to make himself look like an elderly man.
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for The Recording Academy
Smokey Robinson has done a lot in his career, but there’s still one thing he’s hoping to accomplish. In a new interview with Entertainment Tonight, Smokey reveals his desire to try his hand at acting.
“If there’s anything left on my bucket list, it would be that I would like to make a movie, a good movie,” he tells the show. “… I’d like to be in a really good movie and be a character.”
Smokey also discussed how he feels about a movie or Broadway show being made about his life and career, and he says if it happens, it’s “gonna be very candid.”
“I might as well be candid. I don’t want to sugarcoat it… There’s going to be my ups and my downs, and my positives and my negatives, and all that has to be included, if it’s going to be real,” he shares. “I want it to be real, so people can get a good feeling of what my life has been and what it’s like.”
Teyana Taylor is giving fans a preview of her starring role in the film A Thousand and One. She shared the trailer to her Instagram Thursday, introducing all to her character Inez.
Inez, according to Collider, is an “unapologetic and free-spirited” woman whose son Terry was placed in the foster care system while she served a stint in jail. Aware of the negative effects the system can have on children, she kidnaps him and together, they “set out to reclaim their sense of home, identity, and stability, in a rapidly changing New York City.”
“It’s here,” Teyana captioned the film’s teaser. “A love letter to mothers, sons, and hustlers of NYC.”
A Thousand and One premieres Friday, March 31, 2023, in theaters nationwide.
Jake Owen headlines Live in the Vineyard Goes Country April 25-27 in Napa Valley. Jackson Dean, Megan Moroney, Lauren Alaina and many more are set to take the stage as well.
Brandon Ratcliff is set to make his Grand Ole Opry debut on April 21. His first full-length effort for Monument Records, Tale of Two Towns, came out January 6.
You can check out Bailey Zimmerman‘s performance of his new track “Fix’n to Break” from his visit to Jimmy Kimmel Live! on YouTube.
Dollywood’s counting down the days until it kicks off its 2023 season on March 11. Not only will it be 21 days longer than last year, this season also has the opening of both the Big Bear Mountain roller coaster and the new HeartSong Lodge & Resort on the horizon.
Here’s a look at some of the other major events at Dolly Parton‘s East Tennessee theme park:
March 11 – April 8: I Will Always Love You Celebration
April 21 – June 11: Flower & Food Festival
June 17 – August 6: Smoky Mountain Summer Celebration
September 20 – October 30: Harvest Festival
November 4 – January 6: Smoky Mountain Christmas
