Ronnie Younkins Opens Up About His Addiction

Ronnie Younkins of Kix has been in a bad way. He relapsed and is now in rehab. Ronnie recently opened up about his relapse and use of heroin, alcohol and other drugs. It's pretty scary and it sounds like Ronnie has been really bad off for awhile now. I wish him well and I hope he's able to turn the corner. I want him to know he has a dedicated group of fans here who are pulling for him!

KIX Guitarist RONNIE YOUNKINS Opens Up About His Drug Addiction: 'My Disease Has Gotten Worse' https://t.co/46S33P2BsW pic.twitter.com/kzPrbVIf5Z

— BLABBERMOUTH.NET (@BLABBERMOUTHNET) July 23, 2017

Accept Release Lyric Video For 'Koolaid'

For the heavy fans today: Accept just released a lyric video for “Koolaid” off the forthcoming album The Rise of Chaos. It's due out August 4. I love the guitar work on this one - I'll be adding to my music library. Have a great summer day everyone!

Guns n' Roses Extend Tour... Again

The biggest tour of the last 18 months keeps rolling. Guns n' Roses have announced more US dates "due to popular demand." The band is also celebrating the 30th anniversary of Appetite for Destruction. By this point, there's really no excuse: you must get to one of these gigs!

JUST ANNOUNCED
New #GnFnR shows added due to overwhelming demand!
For more information visit https://t.co/R8emcwZ1PY pic.twitter.com/RlDXeq6BHD

— Guns N' Roses (@gunsnroses) July 21, 2017

Celebrate the 30th Anniversary of Appetite for Destruction!
Listen on @Spotify#Appetite30thhttps://t.co/xB9P2btD6b pic.twitter.com/YcbdVjbSOJ

— Guns N' Roses (@gunsnroses) July 21, 2017

Farewell Chester Bennington

It seems unreal, but the news broke yesterday afternoon that Chester Bennington, lead singer of Linkin Park, had taken his own life. He was 41.

I'm not sure what it is going to take, but we need to have a real conversation about mental health in America. I'm not sure how other countries handle mental health, but the way it is approached in America is a joke. Issues like depression, anxiety and mental illness are met with derision and stigma. People are afraid to reach out for help. Or if they do want help, paying for counseling is often a barrier.

When a person like Chester: young, famous, wealthy and loved by a family can't overcome his sadness, what does that say for the odds of average folks which have a whole different set of pressures they face daily? Add addiction into the mix and forget it. We're in a national crisis here - we're drowning and no one seems to care.

I wish Chester's family members well. This is a nightmare for them.

AMERICAN FOUNDATION FOR SUICIDE PREVENTION Releases Statement On CHESTER BENNINGTON's Death https://t.co/j4dZfJxHpZ pic.twitter.com/aAKE5IYTJ1

— BLABBERMOUTH.NET (@BLABBERMOUTHNET) July 21, 2017

Nikki Sixx Announces 'The Heroin Diaries' Graphic Novel

From my inbox:

SAN DIEGO CA, JULY 19, 2017 – This year marks the 10th anniversary of the release of Nikki Sixx’s drug-soaked NY Times bestselling memoir, THE HEROIN DIARIES. Chronicling the year of decadence and depravity that almost cost Sixx his life during the recording and tour for Mötley Crüe’s seminal 1987 album GIRLS GIRLS GIRLS, the book not only became a worldwide bestseller but also spawned the band Sixx:A.M., Sixx’ nationally syndicated daily iHeart Media rock radio show “Sixx Sense with Nikki Sixx” and soon, 10th anniversary editions of THE HEROIN DIARIES book and Sixx:A.M.’s soundtrack by the same name (to be announced next month and coming out this fall), as well as the forthcoming THE HEROIN DIARIES play, amongst many other ventures. 

Now, Nikki Sixx and HEAVY METAL are proud to announce a graphic novel adaptation of this powerful book that gives both insight and understanding to the deadly trap and temptation of addiction. THE HEROIN DIARIES graphic novel will be the first release under HEAVY METAL’s new 12 X 12 imprint, a new line of music-themed art books and graphic novels that will explore the songs and experiences of the most exciting musical artists. Fans visiting Comic-Con San Diego can get an exclusive first preview of the interior pages when visiting the HEAVY METAL booth #1529 at the convention between today and Sunday, July 23. 

Working in close collaboration with Sixx, the HEROIN DIARIES is being adapted by Rantz Hoseley, known for his award-winning work with Tori Amos on the graphic novel COMIC BOOK TATTOO, along with acclaimed artists Danijel Zezelj, Andy Kuhn and Kieron Dwyer. Hoseley summed up the development experience by saying, “Getting to work with Nikki and his team at 10th Street Entertainment to bring this story to life in a new way has been incredible. It’s been a fantastic collaboration focused on the sole goal that when the fans pick it up, it blows their hair back like a power chord through a stack of Marshalls.”

The 150 page graphic novel will be presented in a 12”x12” prestige “album” format and come in different collector’s editions, details of which will be revealed in the near future. Those interested should sign up now  at Pledge Music to guarantee the opportunity to purchase a copy, receive an exclusive 10% discount on their order when the graphic novel becomes available for purchase next month and also, to get exclusive news about the the forthcoming 10th anniversary editions of the book and soundtrack first. 

Reunited Nitro Makes Hilarious Video Begging For Money

It's 2017, so that means someone - or a group of someones - is begging for money online. Today, that group of someones is the reunited Nitro. The reunited Nitro now also features Chris Adler on drums (he is in Lamb of God and about 12 other bands, which is part of the joke here). So here's a highly-produced six minute clip, starring Nitro and hyping up a new album and asking you for cash to pay for it. Enjoy.

Here's the crowd-funding link in case you want to donate. You have to admit, the video is hilarious.

H/T to MetalSucks for this!

New Steelheart Music Soon!

We hardly talk about Steelheart around here and that's a shame because Miljenko Matijevic has one of the best voices in rock. Steelheart will release Through Worlds Of Stardust on September 15. The first single is "Got Me Runnin" and you can hear it below. What do you think?