Diablo follows Arrogant Boy (which can be heard here), the first single from Splat! and opens the door to one of Deep Purple‘s surreal new story worlds: the most dangerous place on earth, where a heroine crosses a river, jumps into a fighting pit, celebrates with a bucket of wine, falls into the glitter pool and somehow makes it back home with a tale to tell. Diablo is a classic Deep Purple rocker — the kind of hard rock track that lives from the riff, the groove and the band chemistry captured in the studio.

On the new single, the band is joined by a special guest, global superstar and Grammy-winning guitarist, singer and songwriter Keith Urban on second guitar.

Deep Purple frontman Ian Gillan says of Diablo, “It is all about taking chances. Just for once in your life, do something exciting, step out of the mold, take that curious bend in the road instead of sticking to the highway and do something that will, for the rest of your life, either guide or warn you.” Listen to Diablo, below.

To read further details about Splat!, please click here.

He said (as per blabbermouth.net), “I consider heavy metal starting with Metallica. Before all that, it was hard rock. The crunchy guitars, the buzztone guitar and the double bass following guitar, that’s what started heavy metal. Everything else before that — Mötley Crüe and Van Halen, Blue Murder — everything’s hard rock. Heavy hard rock. But metal comes from the guitar for me.”

Coinciding with the tour announcement is the release of What Will Become of Me, one of the most anticipated recordings in the band’s history. First performed live in 1995, the song earned a devoted following despite never being officially released. More than three decades later, fans can finally hear it fully realized on MPLS Unplugged, set for release August 28th, 2026 through Blue Élan Records.

Recorded at Minneapolis’ historic State Theatre on April 20th, 2023, nearly 30 years to the day after the band’s original MTV Unplugged appearance, MPLS Unplugged captures Soul Asylum in an intimate setting while showcasing the depth and emotional resonance that have defined the band’s music for more than four decades.

Frontman Dave Pirner is joined by guitarist Ryan Smith, bassist Jeremy Tapparo, and drummer Michael Bland, along with returning keyboardist Ivan Neville, STRINGenius string quartet, and the Robert Robinson Gospel Singers. Neville‘s history with the band stretches back to the original 1993 Unplugged performance, making his return a fitting bridge between the two eras.

Among the album’s highlights is What Will Become of Me, a song that has lived exclusively onstage since its debut in 1995. Alongside fellow live favorite Farmer John, it represents one of two songs on the album that had never previously been recorded or released, offering fans a rare opportunity to experience an important piece of Soul Asylum‘s live legacy.

For Soul Asylum, the release of MPLS Unplugged and the launch of a worldwide tour reflect a band that continues to evolve while remaining deeply connected to its roots. More than 40 years into their career, they remain one of rock’s most enduring live acts, performing for audiences old and new while continuing to uncover fresh dimensions within their catalog.

Soul Asylum World Tour 2026:

June 8 – Manchester, UK – Gorilla

June 9 – London, UK – The Dome

June 11 – Kleylehof, Austria – Nova Rock

June 13 – Oroville, CA – Feather Falls Casino

June 19 – Minneapolis, MN – Pryes Brewing Company

June 20 – Duluth, MN – Grandma’s Marathon

July 3 – Arlington Heights, IL – Frontier Days Festival

July 4 – Milwaukee, WI – Summerfest

July 29 – Worcester, MA – Off The Rails

July 30 – Hampton, NH – Wally’s Pub

July 31 – St. John, NB, Canada – Area 506 Festival

August 15 – Las Vegas, NV – The Strat
August 16 – Solana Beach, CA – Belly Up

August 17 – Pomona, CA – The Glass House

August 19 – Garden City, ID – Revolution Concert House

August 20 – Bozeman, MT – The Elm

August 21 – Libby, MT – Happy’s Inn

August 23 – Calgary, AB, Canada – The Arrowhead

August 25 – Edmonton, AB, Canada – Midway

August 26 – Regina, SK, Canada – Casino Regina

August 27 – Winnipeg – Park Theatre

September 13 – Santiago, Chile – Teatro Caupolican (w/ +LIVE+)

September 15 – Comuna 15, Argentina – C Art Media (w/ +LIVE+)

September 17 – Lima, Peru – Costa 21 (w/ +LIVE+)

September 19 – Mexico City, Mexico – Velodromo Olimpico (w/ +LIVE+)

September 22 – San Juan, Puerto Rico – Coca-Cola Music Hall (w/ +LIVE+)

November 21 – Clearwater, FL – St. Pete Bike Fest

More dates TBA

Tickets on sale now at SoulAsylum.com

It nails it here, too, sliding in between Hellraisers Ball and Like A Drug, but Live From The Guild Theatre is explosive from start to finish, the Gunners firing off killer versions of fan favorites tracing as far back as the band’s debut album – Sex Action, for example, probably hasn’t featured in the repertoire since the eighties, but it’s alive and kickin’ here. 

Sophomore set Cocked and Loaded, meanwhile, spits out some of the most powerful shotgun blasts in the band’s entire arsenal – I Wanna Be Your Man, The Ballad of Jayne, Rip and Tear, and the set-ender, Never Enough.  And Leopard Skin gets both a triumphant airing and a delirious response.

In fact, longtime vocalist Phil Lewis and the man who put the Guns in L.A. Guns, Tracii Guns, have never sounded better – quite an achievement for a band that’s been tearing up the stages of the world since 1983. Ace Von Johnson(guitar), Johnny Martin (bass) and Shawn Duncan (drums) complete the line-up.

The first single from the album, Electric Gypsy (watch the video below) which is now available to stream and download here, is another from the self-titled debut, and it sounds as fresh now as it did way back then…drop it into your streaming playlist and it won’t simply wake up the neighbors, it’ll have them hammering on your door, demanding to know what you’re listening to.

L.A. Guns–Live From The Guild Theatre:

1. Intro – Taste It
2. Cannonball
3. Electric Gypsy
4. Sex Action
5. Hellraisers Ball
6. Hit and Run
7. Like a Drug
8. Speed
9. One More Reason
10. Theremin Jam
11. Over the Edge
12. Guitar Solo
13. I Wanna Be Your Man
14. Lucky Motherfucker
15. Never Enough
16. The Ballad of Jayne
17. Rip and Tear

Connect with L.A. Guns: Website, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

Driven by an instantly memorable hook and an anthemic chorus, The Cult of Ignorance combines undeniable catchiness with a message that resonates in today’s fast-moving world, delivering moments of reflection without losing its positive, feel-good energy.

As well as featuring Europe, the accompanying star-studded video showcases cameos from high-profile friends of the band, including renowned actress Malin Åkerman, former World No. 1 and multiple Grand Slam champion tennis player Stefan Edberg, astronaut Christer Fuglesang,  Howling Pelle (The Hives), Mikael Åkerfeldt and Fredrik Åkesson (Opeth) and E-Type, alongside many other notable personalities from the world of music, film, fashion, sports and science.

“I love this track. It’s a straightforward rock anthem with lyrics reflecting the times we live in, written slightly tongue in cheek” says Europe’s founding member and frontman Joey Tempest. “Mic (keyboards) came to me with this song idea while on tour in South America – I thought it was crazy good! We finished it together and it’s become a real banger! The title was inspired by a phrase coined by author and biochemist Isaac Asimov. It reflects some of the negative tendencies emerging in our world today, though it is written in a slightly light-hearted tone.”

Watch/Listen to The Cult of Ignorance below.

For more details about Come This Madness, and to see the band’s debut single/video, One On One, please go here.

Watch the band’s previously released video for Close To The Bone here and Hit A Moonshot here.

Emotion Factory Reset, Armored Saint‘s ninth studio album, is a resurrection of sorts, a tearing down and a rebuilding in eleven songs of diverse musicality and lyrical themes. The record is available now on CD digipack (w/ 20-page booklet) and digital formats as well as vinyl in varied color variants.

Preview/purchase the record at: metalblade.com/armoredsaint

Armored Saint has confirmed performances throughout the Spring and Summer months both Stateside and abroad as well as a North American co-headlining tour with Metal Church this Fall! The Metal Saint Tour 2026 will commence on November 2nd in San Juan Capistrano, California and runs through November 21st in Agoura Hills, California. Additional support will be provided by LiveKill.

Tickets + VIP upgrades are available now at: nationalactsvip.com/armoredsaint. See all confirmed dates here.

The street co-naming is led by NYC District 2 Council Member Harvey Epstein and spearheaded by Experience Hendrix, L.L.C., the Hendrix family-owned company led by Janie Hendrix, alongside musician and writer Jeff Slate. The event will also serve as the public launch of a new national education partnership with Stevie Van Zandt’s TeachRock, expanding its library of more than 500 free, standards-aligned lessons that use music and popular culture to teach history, social studies, language arts, and other core subjects. The collaboration includes a new multimedia Hendrix curriculum designed for middle and high school students.

Joining Council Member Epstein at the ceremony will be TeachRock founder Stevie Van Zandt; Janie Hendrix, President and CEO of Experience Hendrix, L.L.C.; Grammy Award-winning guitarist Vernon Reid of Living Colour; legendary songwriter and performer Valerie Simpson; guitarist Felicia Collins, best known for her work with the CBS Orchestra and the World’s Most Dangerous Band on Late Show with David Letterman; and acclaimed producer and engineer Eddie Kramer, who worked closely with Hendrix and helped conceptualize Electric Lady Studios.

Local TeachRock educators and students will also participate, connecting one of rock music’s most revered creative landmarks with classrooms in New York City and the growing national network of educators using TeachRock curriculum in schools across the country.

The new lesson, Jimi Hendrix: Rock’s Trailblazing Innovator and Influential Guitarist, invites students to explore Hendrix’s journey from his Blues and R&B roots to his revolutionary impact on rock music, sound design, and live performance. Through video, interactive tools, and hands-on projects, students examine how Hendrix reshaped creative identity and why his influence continues to resonate more than 50 years later.

“We are proud to honor the legacy of Jimi Hendrix today,” said Council Member Harvey Epstein. “Our district has long been a hub of culture, arts, and activism, and Jimi Hendrix embodied all of those ideals. He was not only a groundbreaking musician, but also a powerful voice for peace, racial equity, and social justice. He revolutionized music in this neighborhood, and it is only fitting that these streets now carry his name.”

“Jimi Hendrix didn’t just play guitar — he reimagined what art could be,” said Stevie Van Zandt. “With TeachRock, we want students to experience that same sense of possibility and discovery that so many of us felt the first time we heard Jimi. His story, lyrics, and sound remind young people that creativity has no limits.”

The lesson was co-developed with educator and musician John Anthony and features exclusive archival footage and expert interviews provided by Experience Hendrix, L.L.C., including Hendrix’s iconic 1967 Monterey International Pop Festival performance. TeachRock also partnered with NYU’s MusEdLab to create interactive tools that allow students to experiment with the guitar effects and sonic innovations that defined Hendrix’s signature sound.

“This collaboration speaks directly to the heart of our mission, carrying Jimi’s legacy forward through education,” said Janie Hendrix, President and CEO of Experience Hendrix, L.L.C. “His music remains a powerful gateway for young people to connect with history, creativity, and their own potential.”

In keeping with TeachRock’s commitment to accessible education, the free lesson, aligned with National Standards for Music Education, National Core Arts Standards, Social Studies standards, and Common Core State Standards, is available now at teachrock.org/lesson/jimi-hendrix-rocks-trailblazing-innovator-and-influential-guitarist/ as part of TeachRock’s free curriculum library.

Event Details:

What: Official West 8th Street Co-Naming Ceremony Honoring Jimi Hendrix
When: Wednesday, June 10, 2026 | 11:00 a.m.
Where: Corner of West 8th Street and Sixth Avenue, New York City
Who: Council Member Harvey Epstein, Stevie Van Zandt, Janie Hendrix, Vernon Reid, Valerie Simpson, Felicia Collins, local TeachRock educators and students

The band is sharing the track Fast As A Shark, featuring Anselmo, Hammett, Dee and Billy Sheehan (Mr. Big), below.

Hoffmann comments on Fast As A Shark, “This song was so much fun. We even re-recorded the intro in a Bavarian oompah style… a friend of mine lives in Bavaria, and he was in contact with one of those traditional Bavarian woodwind outfits, and they recorded the traditional German folk song ‘Ein Heller Und Ein Batzen’ for us, which was fantastic. We were lucky to get Phil Anselmo on vocals, Billy Sheehan on bass, and of course Kirk Hammett on guitar, which is amazing, and Mikkey Dee on drums, so that’s a pretty nice supergroup, isn’t it?”

Hammett added, “A real honor to pay back the great inspiration Accept had for me.”

For further details on Teutonic Titans 1976-2026, please click here.

Guitar Player: What did you think about the initial rumors that you were taking over as guitarist of Van Halen?

Steve Lukather: Well, first off, that’s the most ridiculous and humorous thing I’ve ever heard. I am no more qualified to try and play like Ed Van Halen than I am to be the first man to tug my dick on the planet. [laughs] I don’t know how anybody could think that would even be a reality. Honestly, it’s laughable. I don’t play… I couldn’t… I don’t play like Ed. It’s crazy…I’m not qualified Call Dweezil [Zappa] — he plays that s–t. Call Nuno [Bettencourt]. I can name 10 guys, like [Steve] Vai or Satch. I’m nowhere near qualified to start dabbling in the Van Halen world.

GP: How far back do you and Alex go?

SL: We’ve been friends for 45 years. I mean, I was close friends with the Van Halens, but I really love all the guys. The only guy I don’t know is David Lee Roth. I met him once or twice, but very briefly. I’ve just always been a fan since the beginning, you know? What can I say?

GP: What are you and Alex actually working on?

SL: Well, being a fan isn’t what it’s about. Alex needs some help. He came to me and said, “Look, I need some help with this.” I went, “How can I help?” But there’s no need for another guitar player.

GP: Meaning you’re not playing guitar on this?

SL: First off, Eddie played some of the most amazing s–t I’ve ever heard. And it’s not pieces on the floor that have to be snapped back together and try to Mickey Mouse something together that might be sellable. These are f–king finished tracks with Ed and Al, and Ed’s playing bass on a lot of it. That’s all I can say right now because it’s a much bigger picture, and it’s Alex’s story to tell.

GP: You can’t reveal the nature of the music, but can you expand on your role?

SL: I am there 100 percent to be his co-producer and help him through the technical aspects. I’m not gonna play. There’s not gonna be any Lukather or Toto fingerprints on a Van Halen thing. I can f–king promise you that. I’m there to be Al’s wingman, and go, “How can I help you do this?” I’m there to go, “Want me to help you do some vocals? How do we do these mixes?” It’s about making sure that there’s quality control from somebody he trusts.

GP: Is Wolfgang [Van Halen] involved?

SL: I’m hoping that Al is gonna ask Wolf to be involved on some level. I haven’t talked to Wolf in a long time. It’s sad, actually. I’d like to, you know? We sort of just got busy, and we haven’t. But I think what he’s doing is wonderful. I think he’s an incredible musician. I think if anybody is gonna play anything that’s needed, he would be qualified to do so. But there really isn’t a need for other players to come in at this point.

Read more at Guitar Player.

The debut release from Led By Vultures which drops in late summer, promises a dynamic collection of songs that capture the grit and fire of rock’s golden era while delivering a distinctly modern edge. Fans can expect soaring vocals, blistering musicianship, and a relentless sonic attack designed to resonate with both longtime rock devotees and a new generation of listeners. The release will be available on Limited Edition purple vinyl and will have a limited bundle with a personally signed 10×10 album flat by Tichy.

Pre-order the CD, Vinyl, and bundles while they last here.

Led By Vultures track listing:

Get It Right
Massivity
Straight To The Bottom
Below The Clouds Of Jupiter
He Who Greets With Fire
Lunatic Fringe 
Led By Vultures
An Evening Of The Odds (CD Only)
Waves
Psyched To Be Psycho
Say No More (CD Only)
Better Left Behind