Van Halen, 'Blood and Fire' -- Song Preview

The other day, Van Halen released a snippet of another new song for their upcoming album A Different Kind of Truth. The preview is about 90 seconds of the track "Blood and Fire." From the little I've heard, I think "Blood and Fire" will be a much better tune than "Tattoo."

The music for "Blood and Fire" almost sounds like it could fit on OU812 but then David Lee Roth starts singing and I'm reminded that Sammy Hagar is gone and we're back to VH1. This isn't a bad thing or a judgement: just that maybe the music and the eras don't mix. I guess I need to hear the whole song to really judge but even this 90 seconds of new music is getting me more excited for Feb. 7 and the official album release. What do you think of the song preview?

The Big M3 Announcement Is Monday

You read the headline correctly: the big M3 lineup announcement is Monday, Jan. 30. Tickets go on sale Friday, Feb 3rd. That's all I know at this point - the press alert I received didn't mention anything about the time of the announcement or if it would be on the radio or just an online blast. I guess we'll see soon enough.

M3 2012 is set for May 11 and 12 in Columbia, Md.

So far, we know that Queensryche, Warrant and Quiet Riot will be at the fest. In some cases, the bands confirmed their own appearance and in other instances, the appearances were leaked by Pollstar. So, if you've got any last minute lineup guesses, now is the time to make your declaration.

When the lineup is officially released Monday, I will post it here.

Phil Collen Plans Fitness DVD

There's big money in the fitness industry and it's trendy for celebs to release their own workout vids these days. To that end, the always bare-chested Phil Collen will release a fitness DVD and book based on the "Physical Mechanics" style of training he follows.

Collen is serious about his fitness (and his looks I suspect). I've seen Def Leppard live lots of times and never has Phil worn a shirt during any of the performances. Turns out he's been working with martial arts champion and Muay Thai expert Jean Carrillo and for the past seven years. The program they co-developed will be revealed in the fitness DVD and book soon. No exact release date is known at this time. I'm a workout junkie so I'll probably buy the DVD. I mean, I'll try anything once. It would be cool if the DVD has a metal soundtrack, too...

Def Leppard is rumored to tour with Poison this summer. Of course, it's worth noting that Phil plays on the new Bret Michaels song "Get Your Ride On" which I posted here a few days ago.

Best. Metal. Ad. Ever.

Our friend Metalboy! sent me a photo of an ad that Hard Rock Cafe used to promote the opening of an Oslo, Norway store. The campaign isn't new, but I don't remember ever seeing it before. At any rate I thought I just had to share this with you.

The Hard Rock Oslo print advertisement was developed by DDB, Oslo. I'm in marketing and help develop ad campaigns and I give this campaign mega props for awesomeness: simple design, great photography and just the right amount of copy. Did you miss the copy? Look at the Hard Rock logo. Below the logo is the snipe "Arriving in December." Perfect.

Will Tony Iommi's Cancer Derail New Black Sabbath Music?

For anyone who is not aware, Tony Iommi has been diagnosed with cancer (lymphoma). It sounds like it was caught early, and the members of Black Sabbath are saying that it's given them a real kick in the pants to work on a new album, but I'm sure worried.

Having just lost Ronnie James Dio to cancer, it would be devastating to lose Tony as well, especially on the cusp of a reunion with Ozzy Osbourne that will include new music. According to Metal Hammer, Iommi has written two new songs just since his cancer diagnosis.

Here is Black Sabbath with Ian Gillan doing "Trashed."

Will you see Black Sabbath's reunion tour this summer?

I Think Steven Tyler Did A Great Job Performing the National Anthem

Steven Tyler performed the National Anthem before yesterday's AFC Championship game featuring the Baltimore Ravens and the New England Patriots. After Steven was done, Twitter went batshit crazy with criticisms and before long, "Steven Tyler" was trending and my timeline was full of lame American Idol jokes. Folks were even saying that Steven doesn't have any vocal abilities at all... and that Aerosmith doesn't deserve their Grammy awards.

Yeah, okay.

I get so sick of negative people and criticisms in general. I swear, it seems like all anyone wants to do anymore is criticize and complain. Here I was excited that a rock singer got the chance to perform the National Anthem at such an important game. Steven was introduced as "lead singer of multi-platinum selling band Aerosmith." NOT as "a judge on American Idol" or even just as "Steven Tyler." Nope. Aerosmith was mentioned for a reason: it's why Steven is famous and the hometown crowd at Foxborough, Mass loves him (and the rest of the band!) So suck it, haters.

Here's the video below if you missed it. I dare anyone on Twitter to do better.

Reckless Love, 'On the Radio' -- New Video

Reckless Love has a new video for the song "On the Radio." Basically, it's awesome: all glam, all the time.

The song is from the album Animal Attraction. There really isn't any excuse for you to not own this record. Click over to Amazon and get a copy.