ITP V.026 ONLY ONE PER COFFIN: R.I.P. ROSS "THE BOSS" FRIEDMAN (FORMER MANOWAR GUITARIST)

 

 Auburn, New York, U.S.A. based power metal warriors MANOWAR'S publicist has announced former guitarist  ROSS "THE BOSS" FRIEDMAN  died 3/26/2026 after been diagnosed with ALS. (LOU GEHRIG'S DISEASE) at 72..  

MANOWAR unleashed "THE FINAL BATTLE I" (EP), 3/29/2019 via MAGIC CIRCLE MUSIC.

 

 FROM METAL HALL OF FAME: 

 

"It is with deep sadness that we confirm the passing of legendary guitarist, our dear friend, and Metal Hall Of Fame inductee Ross 'The Boss' Friedman," the statement read.

"Ross was a pioneering force in both punk and heavy metal, best known as a founding member of THE DICTATORS and MANOWAR.

"Ross will always be the Metal Hall Of Fame's 'Global Metal Ambassador' to the world. His powerful playing, unmistakable tone, and uncompromising spirit helped shape generations of musicians and fans around the world.

FROM ROSS THE BOSS PUBLICIST: 

"Ross's impact on music is immeasurable. From the raw energy of early punk to the epic scale of heavy metal, his work left a lasting mark on the genre and on everyone who experienced it. Beyond his achievements on stage and in the studio, Ross was deeply respected by his peers and beloved by fans across continents. His legacy will live on through his music, his influence, and the countless lives he touched.

"We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, bandmates, and fans worldwide during this difficult time.

"Further details will be shared as they become available

 FROM DORO: 

 I'm speechless. Another great one has left us. So quickly, so unexpectedly. I sent you my best wishes for a speedy recovery in the hospital just last week, and now you're gone... Ross, we will miss you terribly. You were one of the all-time great riff masters of heavy metal. This is so sad... RIP, my friend!

FROM KEEP IT TRUE FESTIVAL PROMOTERS: 

."

This morning I got the tragic news of the passing of my great friend Ross Friedman

After the announcement he got ALS i feared the worst, but did not think the end would come so fast. I am still in deep shock!

I was a Die Hard Manowar Fan since the mid 80s, I saw and adored him since my first show in 1986. I went to every tour since then...

I got to meet him in person for the first time at the Earthshaker festival in 2005 and we became friends. I introduced him to Majesty and Tarek Maghary and also Atlantean Kodex for whom he recorded a solo and me some backing vocals. I helped creating his first solo band with Matze Mayer , Carsten Kettering and Patrick Fuchs. It was his rebirth, the shows were exciting and I am still so happy I could convince him going back to his Manowar days.

He even headlined my 40th birthday party together with Oliver Barth and Powerwolf.

In 2016 we celebrated his 2nd comeback with one of the best shows at KEEP IT TRUE Festival ever when he was the surprise guest with the unbelievable great Mike Cotoia on vocals. We did two fabulous gigs in this line up together that wrote Metal History.

Since we first met we had a deal...no politics as we were the complete opposite to each other there, but we were comrades, brother and friends in every musical aspect.

Ross' playing was unique. Rooted in Blues and Rock 'n' Roll, he created Epic Metal together with his Ying/Yang partner Joey DeMaio. These immortal hymns will live forever and will sound in Valhallas great hall.

A monumental musician left our scene and cannot be replaced, but we can cherish this music forever. We will do that at KIT in April.

Farewell over the rainbow bridge my friend, my heart is broken.

 

 

 

FROM BLABBERMOUTH.NET: 

 

"Ross 'The Boss' Friedman, founding member of punk rock legends THE DICTATORS and heavy metal stalwarts MANOWAR, has been diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS),commonly known as Lou Gehrig's Disease. The diagnosis followed several months of seemingly unrelated symptoms that included weakness in his hands and legs. A series of very minor strokes was initially thought to have been the cause, but changes in diet, exercise and added physical therapy did nothing to slow the progression or increase his strength."

The 72-year-old Friedman added in his own statement: "It's difficult to know what lies ahead, and it crushes me not to be able to play guitar, but the outpouring of love has been so, so strong. I'm absolutely blown away by the love and support from family, friends and fans. I love you all."

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive, fatal neurodegenerative disease that destroys motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord, causing muscle weakness, paralysis, and loss of voluntary muscle control.

 

 

Thanks-Stay Metal, Stay Brutal-R.I.P. \m/  

WINTERFYLLETH: STREAMING NEW RELEASE "THE UNYIELDING SEASON" VIA SPOTIFY

 

  UK black metal warriors WINTERFYLLETH, via SPOTIFY, are streaming  the bands anticipated new release  "THE UNYIELDING SEASON", unleashed 3/27/2026 via NAPALM RECORDS.  

 

 
WINTERFYLLETH have posted a video for "ECHOES IN THE AFTER" , a track from the bands anticipated new release  "THE UNYIELDING SEASON",  unleashed 3/27/2026 via NAPALM RECORDS.  

 

WINTERFYLLETH have posted a video for "HEROES OF A HUNDRED FIELDS", a track from the bands anticipated new release  "THE UNYIELDING SEASON",  unleashed 3/27/2026 via NAPALM RECORDS.  

 

WINTERFYLLETH have announced bassist NICK WALLWORK has left the band.

 

 WINTERFYLLETH, via SPOTIFY, are streaming  the bands anticipated new release "THE IMPERIOUS HORIZON",  unleashed 9/13/2024 via CANDLELIGHT RECORDS. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  WINTERFYLLETH: NEW RELEASE "THE UNYIELDING SEASON" (VIA SPOTIFY, COURTESY OF WINTERFYLLETH): Thanks-Stay Metal, Stay Brutal-\m/ -l-

HELLRIPPER : STREAMING NEW RELEASE "CORONACH" VIA SPOTIFY

 

Aberdeen, Scotland based black metal warriors HELLRIPPER, via SPOTIFY, are streaming the bands anticipated new release  "CORONACH", unleashed 3/27/2026 via CENTURY MEDIA RECORDS. 

  HELLRIPPER have posted a video for "MORTERCHEYN" , a track from  the bands anticipated new release "CORONACH", unleashed 3/27/2026 via CENTURY MEDIA RECORDS.

  HELLRIPPER have posted a video for "KINCHYLE (GOATCRAFT AND GRANITE)" , a stand alone single, unleashed 10/22/2025 via CENTURY MEDIA RECORDS....  

  HELLRIPPER have announced SPRING 2026 EUROPEAN TOUR DATES WITH SARCATOR and SCHIZOPHRENIA. 

 HELLRIPPER  unleashed "GRIM AND WITHERED HAGS", 2/17/2023 via PEACEVILLLE RECORDS. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

: HELLRIPPER: NEW RELEASE "CORONACH" (VIA SPOTIFY, COURTESY OF HELLRIPPER): Thanks-Stay Metal, Stay Brutal-\m/ -l-

ETERNAL EVIL: SET TO UNLEASH "FOREVER FEARED", POST NEW TRACK "EYES OF WRATH"

 

 

 Stockholm, Sweden based blackened, thrash metal warriors ETERNAL EVIL have posted "EYES OF WRATH", a track from the bands anticipated new release "FOREVER FEARED", due to be unleashed 5/29/2026 via LISTENABLE RECORDS.  

 

 

 ETERNAL EVIL, via SPOTIFY, , are streaming the bands anticipated new release "THE WARRIORS AWAKENING BRINGS THE UNHOLY SLAUGHTER", unleashed 11/26/2021 via REDEFINING DARKNESS RECORDS. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

VIDEO BELOW: ETERNAL EVIL:NEW TRACK "EYES OF WRATH" (VIA YOU TUBE, COURTESY OF LISTENABLE RECORDS.):  

Thanks-Stay Metal, Stay Brytal-\m/ -l-

CRUEL FORCE: POST NEW RELEASE "HANEDA"

 

 German speed, thrash metal warriors CRUEL FORCE have posted  the bands anticipated new release "HANEDA",unleashed 3/27/2026 via SHADOW KINGDOM RECORDS. 

 

 CRUEL FORCE unleashed "DAWN OF THE AXE", 8/16/2023 via SHADOW KINGDOM RECORDS..

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

VIDEO BELOW: CRUEL FORCE:NEW RELEASE "HANEDA" (VIA YOU TUBE, COURTESY OF CRUEL FORCE):

 

 

  

Thanks-Stay Metal, Stay Brutal-\m/ -l-

PURE WRATH: POST VIDEO FOR NEW TRACK "HAVEN OF ECHOES"

 

 Indonesian atmospheric black metal warriors PURE WRATH have posted a video for  "HAVEN OF ECHOES", a track from the bands anticipated new release "BLEAK DAYS AHEAD", due to be unleashed 4/24/2026 via DEBEMUR MORTI PRODUCTIONS....

PURE WRATH have posted a video for "FLOWERS AND WALLS", an unreleased track, due to be unleashed 1/7/2025

PURE WRATH, via BANDCAMP, are streaming  the projects anticipated new release "HYMN TO THE WOEFUL HEARTS", unleashed 2/18/2022  via DEBEMUR MORTI PRODUCTIONS...

 PURE WRATH unleashed "THE FORLORN SOLDIER", (EP) 3/6/2020 via DEBEMUR MORTI PRODUCTIONS.

 

 

 

 

FROM PURE WRATH: 

 

Indonesian Black Metal band Pure Wrath unveil a haunting video for 'Haven of Echoes', the second single from forthcoming album "Bleak Days Ahead", set for release on April 24th.

Find the clip and all info on DMP's website (dmprd.com/hoeVD)!

--

Foreword sung by Dany Tee (LOS MALES DEL MUNDO, THE LEAVING, ACATHEXIS).

Moving images by Jaka Sadewo, Yurii Ciel, Dimas Tirta Arwana, and Januaryo Hardy.

Assembled by Dimas Tirta Arwana.

--

PURE WRATH mastermind Ryo comments on the song and video:

"I try to portray the daily routine in a highly industrialized world, where humans become instruments of production…even in moments of rest, there is no true pause, only the quiet weight of a system that consumes you. This particular song also has an unusual composition for PURE WRATH. I wrote the riffs differently, changed the way I approach certain chords, manufactured noises by scratching guitar strings, and it is probably the slowest song in our catalogue."

--

"Bleak Days Ahead" will be released on CD and vinyl, alongside a special T-shirt design. Pre-orders are available via DMP's EU (dmprd.com/purewrathEU), US (dmprd.com/purewrathNA) and Bandcamp (dmprd.com/bdaBC) shops.

 

VIDEO BELOW:PURE WRATH: NEW TRACK "HAVEN OF ECHOES"(VIA YOU TUBE, COURTESY OF DEBEMUR MORTI PRODUCTIONS):  

Thanks-Stay Metal, Stay Brutal-\m/ -l-

VADER: "This is very important statement. We are forced to change the show dates in Australia. All details below:"

 

Polish death metal warriors VADER have announced the bands previously announced SPRING 2026 AUSTRALIAN tour has been moved back to NOVEMBER. 

 

VADER have announced MORE  SPRING 2026 LATIN AMERICA TOUR DATES..

 VADER have announced  APRIL 2026 AUSTRALIAN TOUR DATES.  

 

VADER have posted the re-issue of the bands classic release  "LITANY", re-unleashed 6/6/2025 via METAL BLADE RECORDS. 

 

 VADER, via BANDCAMP, are streaming the bands anticipated new EP "HUMANIHILITY (EP)" , unleashed 5/30/2025 via NUCLEAR BLAST RECORDS. 

VADER have announced  SUMMER 2025 POLISH SHOWS

VADER have posted a video for  "UNBENDING", a track from the bands new EP   "HUMANIHILITY", due to be unleashed 5/30/2025 via NUCLEAR BLAST RECORDS.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FROM VADER: 

 

VADERMANIAX !!! This is very important statement. We are forced to change the show dates in Australia. All details below:

"Dear fans of Australia, Vader have had to make the difficult decision to reschedule our Australian Tour dates due to the conflict in the Middle East. We cannot risk the flights being cancelled and everyone losing out. We have worked out with our Australian promoter Hardline Media, on some new dates in late November. Please hold onto your tickets; your current ticket/s transfer directly to the rescheduled dates. We will see you in November, we cannot wait to return."

Vader

Also, a note from the promoter - "Hi fans of Vader, the current situation is not safe and is getting worse by the day it seems. The band and management's safety is paramount; we back their decision and have sorted new dates in late November. Please note, if you cannot make these dates, simply contact Oztix or Hardline, and we will sort a refund, or a swap to a different tour of your choice. If you have spent money on flights and accommodation, let us know, we can help out maybe with letters to the hotels and flight carriers. We don't want anyone losing out here. Also, and this is an important note, when things like this happen, a lot of the times the venue is forgotten about, their financial loss can be huge, as many of these venues are not Pubs, they only open for live music and derive the majority of their income from live music. We have long relationships with these venues on this tour, being both Crowbars in Brisbane and Sydney, and the Croxton in Melbourne. We have put the call out to some local bands to put on gigs to fulfil these nights, with a very low entry fee, and a good solid local line up of Metal. At least then the venues can recoup something. When these are sorted, please jump on board to support the venues because without them, none of this would happen. All our other tours are safe due to their routing and won't be affected. Thanks for your understanding"

VADER - REIGN FOREVER WORLD + LITTANY

NOVEMBER 2026

WED 25 - MELBOURNE - CROXTON

THUR 26 - BRISBANE - CROWBAR

FRI 27 - SYDNEY - CROWBAR

Tickets via OZTIX

 

 

Thanks-Stay Metal, Stay Brutal-\m/ -l-