XS ROCK

Whitecross is one of the first-ever Christian hard rock/metal bands that began in the early 80s. Guitarist and founding member, Rex Carroll discusses the new album "Fear No Evil" and shines some light on what happened with the change in lead singers, the future of the band, and a whole lot more.

XS ROCK spoke with Pla Vinseiro, bassist for Crisix to discuss the band's latest release 'The Pizza E.P." and all things metal. Pla is a really cool dude to chat with and Crisix is one of the top bands working to keep the old-school thrash metal vibe alive.

Legendary vocalist Jeff Scott Soto sat down with XS ROCK and discussed his new album along with many aspects of his career and his thoughts on his work with previous artists like Yngwie Malmsteen and Journey. About Jeff Scott Soto and his new album: Using the downtime from his normally relentless touring activity due to the worldwide pandemic, renowned vocalist Jeff Scott Soto decided to create a very special album which pays tribute to some of the classic songs he has recorded over the course of his storied career. But, rather than simple re-records, he wanted to make the album something special, unique. So, he not only did re-record these songs with his musical friends Jorge Salan, Howie Simon (guitars), Leo Mancini (guitars), Tony Dickinson (bass), and Edu Cominato (drums), but he called in some of his fellow rock friends and vocalists to create a unique DUETS album. With the likes of Erik Martensson (Eclipse, W.E.T.), Dino Jelusick (Animal Drive, Dirty Shirley), Eric Martin (Mr. Big), Johnny Gioeli (Hardline), Deen Castronovo (Revolution Saints), Nathan James (Inglorious), Russell Allen (Symphony X), Renan Zonta (Electric Mob), Mats Leven (Candlemass, TSO), BJ (Spektra, SOTO), and Aliro Netto, this is an amazing international affair. The tracklisting alone will surely make any JSS fan excited, much less hearing the final product. Where can you get such an amazing list of singers and songs all in the same place? Jeff says, "It was a DREAM to cast these voices and I am so amped for you to hear the results…” Jeff Scott Soto is a man that needs virtually no introduction to any discerning melodic rock fan. Jeff launched his career at a young age in tremendous fashion as the lead vocalist for Yngwie Malmsteen’s debut album, "Rising Force" and the sophomore album, “Marching Out”. That first step into the spotlight has led to a career that has seen Jeff play and work with an outstanding number of artists and genres. From the AOR of Eyes and Takara to the hard rock and Metal of Talisman, Axel Rudi Pell, Soul SirkUS, and of course, his time with the legendary Journey. Jeff has also maintained a solo career over the past decades, while also recently joining up with the progressive metal supergroup Sons of Apollo. Tracklist: Livin’ The Life (ROCK STAR) with Erik Martensson (Eclipse/W.E.T.) Don’t Let It End (YNGWIE MALMSTEEN) - with Dino Jelusick (Animal Drive) Mysterious (TALISMAN) - with Eric Martin (Mr. Big) Believe in Me (JSS) - with Nathan James (Inglorious) Coming Home (SOUL SIRKUS) - with Deen Castronovo (Revolution Saints, Journey) I’ll Be Waiting (TALISMAN) - with Alirio Netto (Shaman, Queen Extravaganza) Callin’ All Girls (EYES) - with Russell Allen (Symphony X, Allen/Lande) Colour My XTC (TALISMAN) - with Renan Zonta (Electric Mob) Warrior (AXEL RUDI PELL) - with Johnny Gioeli (Hardline, Axel Rudi Pell) Holding On (JSS) - with BJ (SOTO, Spektra) Again 2 B Found (HUMANIMAL) - with Mats Leven (Candlemass) Total length: 0.46.30 LINE-UP: Jeff Scott Soto - Vocals and Keys Edu Cominato - Drums Tony Dickinson - Bass Jorge Salan - Guitars Howie Simon - Guitars Leo Mancin - Guitars https://www.facebook.com/JeffScottSoto/ https://www.instagram.com/jeffscottsotoofficial/ https://sotoworld.net/

Singer Jizzy Pearl opens up about his new Jizzy Pearl's Love/Hate album and the upcoming Quiet Riot album which will feature the return of Rudy Sarzo along with Frankie Banali's drum tracks recorded before his passing. Don't miss this interview as Jizzy dishes dirt on the record industry and what it's like to be a rock star in today's world.

Holy Mother has a brand new album coming out called "Face This Burn".  It's set to release on January 22nd, 2021.  I had the chance to set down for an interview with vocalist Mike Tirelli and discuss the band's new album, their history, and Mike's lengthy history in the music business. Holy Mother's Face The Burn is one of those albums that simply surprises and blows you away. Lead by the excellent vocals of former Riot V vocalist Mike Tirelli this album is simply outstanding.  The songwriting and structure are really, really good and it elevates the entire album.  This album has everything that you love and nothing to dislike. The sound quality and production are near perfect and the band really nails it song after song. You may think I'm exaggerating about how great this album is, but I'm not. This is is my first recommended "Must Hear" metal album of 2021! Don't sleep on this one! The entire album of Holy Mother's Face This Burn is any metalhead's dream come true. Visit Holy Mother on their social media sites: https://www.facebook.com/holymotherband https://twitter.com/MikeTirelli

Metal fans have a new must-have item to add to their Christmas list this year with the release of Doro’s Magic Diamonds Box Set.  This incredible career-spanning set is almost too good to be true.  When I spoke with Doro recently she explained how she painstakingly hand-picked all of the tracks for this set.  It’s a Warlock/Doro fan’s dream come true.  While covering some of the greatest hits of her career she also gives us some rare unheard gems that are out of this world.  Filled with great live tracks and some truly fascinating cover songs and alternate versions of her songs.  Usually, with these box sets, I’m left wishing the artist would have added this track or that one to make it feel complete, but this set is damn near perfect.  This a great retrospective of Doro’s career thus far and shows that she has plenty of greatness left to come.  True metal fans should push this to the front of their music want list and soon as it releases on November 13th, 2020.  It’s one of the best things to happen for music fans in this crazy, tumultuous year. Listen to our latest interview with the Queen Of Metal herself, Doro Pesch.

Back before COVID-19 shut down almost everything, we spoke with MSG singer Robin McAuley about the new album he recently recorded with Reb Beach, Jeff Pilson and Matt Starr called "Black Swan". The interview has been delayed being published until now because of audio issues that we were able to edit and correct from the recording of the original interview.

Former Dokken guitarist George Lynch has created a new band project called The Banishment which leans more towards electronica and industrial rock with Lynch's soulful, bluesy playing. Think Nine Inch Nails, KMFDM, etc with George Lynch's style infused throughout. We talked with George and the rest of the band about the new album and how this all came about.

Former Anthrax, Armored Saint vocalist, John Bush talks with XS ROCK to discuss their brilliant 2020 album release "Punching The Sky. John talks about his time in Anthrax as well...and we ask him if he would ever perform with them again.  

Recently, I sat down with Don Dokken to discuss his new album, appropriately named The Lost Songs: 1978-1981.  I've been a fan of Dokken for years and I was interested to talk with Don, not only about the new album, but also about his relationship with the members of the classic lineup of Dokken including George Lynch, Jeff Pilson and Wild Mick Brown.  Don told us all about The Lost Songs album, but also about the new upcoming Dokken album which is halfway finished. Listen to the interview below as we take a journey through the history of Dokken, from the early days to current day and Don's current paralysis in his arm which prevents him from playing guitar these days.