Venom frontman and bassist Conrad “Cronos” Lant has died aged 63. The band paid tribute to the Extreme Metal pioneer and his enduring legacy.

The city of St. Paul released the full, redacted, report Oct. 1, 2026, from an outside investigation commissioned after Police Chief Axel Henry made claims of sexual harassment against Mayor Kaohly He...

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Paris, France and Mountain View, California--(Newsfile Corp. - October 1, 2026) - Avatar Medical, an award-winning pioneer in transforming the clinical consultation experience through real-time, patient-specific 3D medical imaging, today announced that Avatar Medical Vision can now be launched directly from within the patient's Epic Systems electronic health record (EHR), giving clinicians seamless access to interactive, patient-specific 3D anatomy during consultations and...

OpenAI is back in the news with a financial move that is turning heads across the globe. Reports indicate that the artificial intelligence pioneer is looking to secure a staggering $30 billion in a brand-new funding round. This massive cash injection could push the company’s total valuation to a eye

Kelly SIMONZ (ケリー・サイモン) Japanese Neoclassical Shred Pioneer, "Hyper-Technician" & Master Clinician Biography & Career Overview Born on July 1, 1970, in Osaka, Japan, Kelly SIMONZ (born Kazuyoshi Shimazu / 島津和芳) is an electric guitar virtuoso, multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, author, and educator. Picking up the guitar in his early teens, he immersed himself in the classical works of Bach, Vivaldi, and Paganini alongside the neoclassical metal revolution spearheaded by Yngwie Malmsteen, Ritchie Blackmore, and Uli Jon Roth. In the early 1990s, Simonz moved to Los Angeles to study at the Musicians Institute (GIT), honing his technical mastery, stagecraft, and English-language songwriting. Returning to Japan, he established himself as a premier shred pioneer with his self-produced solo debut Sign of the Times (1998) and follow-up Silent Scream (1999). Renowned in the Japanese guitar press as a preeminent "Hyper-Technician" (超絶ギタリスト), Simonz formed his flagship power trio project, Kelly SIMONZ's Blind Faith, while publishing Japan's best-selling "Chozetsu" (Super-Transcendental) guitar instructional book series with Rittor Music and conducting clinics worldwide for ESP Guitars and Marshall Amplification. Musical Instrumentation & Technical Signature Neoclassical Alternate Picking & Sweep Arpeggios Celebrated for immaculate picking hand mechanics, executing high-speed pedal-point sequences, harmonic minor runs, and multi-octave sweep-picked arpeggios with zero friction and absolute note clarity. Dynamic Touch, String Bending & Classical Vibrato Possesses a wide, operatic finger vibrato and pinpoint microtonal bending accuracy, channeling the expressive touch and sustain of traditional European classical violin and vintage heavy rock. Lead Vocals & Multi-Instrumental Command In addition to his guitar virtuosity, Simonz handles lead rock vocals across his band projects, delivering soulful clean melodies and gritty hard-rock belts, while also tracking keyboards, bass, and orchestrations in the studio. Signature Gear & Amplification Longtime premier clinician and signature artist for ESP Guitars, famously known for his custom scallop-fretboard ESP Snapper models equipped with Seymour Duncan YJM Fury / single-coil pickups, paired directly with vintage-voiced Marshall tube stacks and custom boost pedals. Band Formations & Projects Kelly SIMONZ's Blind Faith (KSBF) His primary touring and recording power trio / quartet, featuring high-caliber Japanese rhythm section veterans (including bassist Kaz Nakamura and powerhouse drummer Yosuke Yamada), blending high-velocity neoclassical metal with symphonic rock and melodic ballads. Kelly SIMONZ's Bad Tribe A hard rock and heavy metal unit exploring aggressive modern grooves, blues-rock foundations, and twin-guitar arrangements. Solo & Educational Catalog ("Chozetsu Guitarist" Series) Author of the definitive "Chozetsu" instructional book and DVD catalog published by Rittor Music, training successive generations of Asian shred and neoclassical guitarists. Selected Discography & Releases Full-Length Studio Albums (Solo & KSBF) Sign of the Times (1998) His breakthrough independent debut album that stunned the Japanese guitar scene, featuring neoclassical speed staples like "Future World" and "Now Your Turn." Silent Scream (1999) Sophomore solo effort further establishing his balance of furious shred technique, vocal melodicism, and classical counterpoint. The Rule of Right (2002) A mature, heavier studio outing exploring progressive themes and blistering instrumental trades. Blind Faith (2014) The major-label return under King Records (Nexus) with Kelly SIMONZ's Blind Faith, featuring anthems like "I Am Your Judgement Day" and "N.Y. Take-off." At The Gates of a New World (2015) A symphonic neoclassical power metal showcase highlighting intricate twin-lead overdubs and aggressive double-kick rhythms. Overture of Destruction (2017) A hard-driving studio collection celebrating high-speed neoclassical arrangements and dynamic guitar solos. Holy Mother (2019) / Tales of the Messiah (2023) Later conceptual releases showcasing refined acoustic-electric dynamics, orchestral arrangements, and virtuosic fretboard endurance. Instructional Works & Soundtracks Chozetsu Guitarist Series (Books & Audio, Rittor Music) Landmark pedagogical literature including Chozetsu Guitarist Yōsei Gips (超絶ギタリスト養成ギプス), establishing standardized technical exercises for sweep picking, economy picking, and neoclassical phrasing. Here's a demo of a new song that will be premiered at Mark Boals' Japan tour in November 🎸✨ Please come to the venue and experience it for yourself 😎👍✨ Mark Boals × Kelly SIMONZ “TRILOGY” 40th Anniversary × A New Era. 📍10/31 Tokyo, Daikanyama UNIT 📍11/1 Tokyo, Daikanyama UNIT 📍11/3 Osaka, Esaka MUSE 🎫 Performance details and tickets: https://evp.jp/project/anewera26/ Surpassing the excitement of 7 years ago. 😎🤘🔥 [Guitar Lesson Salon & Fan Club] We have just started an online salon, and we look forward to many of you joining us. → https://yoor.jp/door/KellySIMONZ Become a member of this channel to access perks: 【DEMO】The Guardian Of Purgatory by KellySIMONZ feat. Mark Boals

New EP out now: https://owane.bandcamp.com/ Video lessons available at https://www.musicbro.co.uk/ Tabs & stuff: https://owane.sellfy.store/ Music and video by Owane Handheld shots by Soumia Ghechami Øyvind "Owane" Pedersen Norwegian Jazz-Fusion Virtuoso, Multi-Instrumentalist, Producer & Modern Harmony Pioneer Biography & Career Overview Born in Sortland, Vesterålen, Norway, Øyvind "Owane" Pedersen is a guitarist, keyboardist, composer, and producer celebrated as one of the leading figures in modern instrumental jazz fusion, progressive math-rock, and synth-infused funk. Immersed in music from childhood, Owane initially gravitated toward heavy metal, progressive rock, and European instrumental shred before diving deeply into traditional and modern jazz harmony, soul, R&B, and chiptune aesthetics. Owane gained rapid international recognition through self-produced instrumental releases recorded in his home studio in northern Norway. Blending sophisticated 2-5-1 jazz substitutions and chromatic voice-leading with infectious 1980s Japanese fusion and city-pop grooves, he cultivated a devoted global following of musicians and producers. In addition to his acclaimed solo discography, Owane is an established educator with masterclasses on Jam Track Central (JTC Guitar), an active collaborator alongside French multi-instrumentalist and bassist Jacky Vincent (Jacky Man / Mac Jack), and a touring guitarist who has shared global stages with modern progressive acts like Plini and Arch Echo. Musical Instrumentation & Technical Signature Chromatic Jazz-Fusion Phrasing & Voice Leading Distinguished by sophisticated note choices over complex harmonic changes, integrating half-whole diminished runs, altered scales, chromatic enclosures, and neo-soul double stops into fluid, singable lead melodies. Hybrid Picking & Legato Mechanics Combines seamless, low-effort left-hand hammer-ons and pull-offs with pick-and-middle-finger hybrid picking, allowing rapid wide-interval string skips and arpeggio flourishes with zero transient harshness. Multi-Instrumental Composition & Synthesizers A prolific keyboardist and arranger, Owane writes and tracks intricate Fender Rhodes electric piano lines, lush polyphonic synth pads, and analog lead synthesizers that intertwine with his guitar voicings. Rhythmic Nuance & Groove Possesses an immaculate pocket rooted in funk, hip-hop backbeats, and jazz-funk swing, frequently employing ghost notes, subtle swing timing, and playful metric modulations. Signature Gear & Tone Known for playing premium superstrat and modern S-style instruments (including Tom Anderson, Suhr, and customized headless models) paired with transparent low-to-medium-gain overdrives and digital modeling setups that emphasize warm, vocal midrange clarity. Projects & Collaborations Owane (Solo Project) His primary creative canvas featuring self-composed, arranged, tracked, and produced instrumental records often showcasing guest contributions from saxophonists, horn sections, and guest guitar soloists. Collaboration with Jacky Man (Jacky Vincent) Longtime collaborative studio synergy with French bassist and multi-instrumentalist Jacky Man, yielding acclaimed joint records like Shred and You Shall Receive and high-octane collaborative jams. Touring & Live Appearances Performs internationally as a headline act and co-bill artist with progressive peers including Plini, Arch Echo, and Jakub Zytecki. JTC Guitar (Jam Track Central) Masterclasses Influential contributor to modern guitar pedagogy, releasing interactive lesson packages focusing on chord-tone targeting, exotic substitutions, and hybrid-picking mechanics. Selected Discography & Key Releases Full-Length Studio Albums & EPs Greatest Hits (2016) His breakout full-length debut, hailed as a modern fusion masterpiece with centerpiece tracks such as "Groove of the Century," "Born in '88," and "Troll." Dunno (EP) (2017) A five-track EP expanding his sound into relaxed chillwave, soulful Rhodes chord voicings, and articulate lead lines, featuring "Love Juice" and "Rock Paper Scissors." Yeah Whatever (2018) A widely celebrated studio effort combining lush brass arrangements, city-pop sensibilities, and technical guitar chops on songs like "Saturday Morning Cartoon," "Olsen," and "Kranium." Shred and You Shall Receive (with Jacky Man) (2020) A collaborative high-energy instrumental release merging technical guitar acrobatics, slap-bass counterpoint, and playful video game aesthetics. Bumblebee Jam / Yolo (Singles & Collabs) Signature viral jam cuts and independent singles showcasing high-level fretboard improvisation and melodic songwriting. Owane - everything we never did

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American R&B and soul music pioneer Macy Gray has been touring across Australia this month. Her lengthy national tour comes to an end in October, with a massive date set for the Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) Concert Hall towards the end of the run. Gray is back on our shores following a sold-out run in 2024. This time, she’s embarking on her largest-ever tour of Australia and New Zealand, stopping everywhere from capital cities to the regions. For her Brisbane stop, the I Try hitmaker takes over the QPAC Concert Hall on Friday, 9 October. Tickets and VIP Meet & Greet passes are available via the QPAC website. Gray is a major artist, having sold more than 25 million records worldwide and picking up a Grammy Award, two BRIT Awards, and releasing ten albums across more than two decades. As a press release notes, even before all that success found her, Australia and New Zealand embraced Gray first. Her hit single, I Try, shot straight to #1 in both countries, while her 1999 debut album, On How Life Is, debuted at #1 in Australia and spent 44 weeks atop the New Zealand Albums Chart. Fans can expect an epic celebration of classics when she lands in Brisbane, from I Try to Still, Do Something, Sexual Revolution, Sweet Baby, and more. Plus, on this tour, she’s been spotlighting the Right Said Fred track, I’m Too Sexy, from her forthcoming album, The Trouble with the Truth. That’s not the only song she’s been covering. Per setlist.fm, Gray has been putting her own spin on unexpected tracks like Creep by Radiohead and Nothing Else Matters by Metallica throughout her Australian tour. Who doesn’t love a musically diverse queen? “Australia! The band and I have always had a ball ‘Down Under,’ and we can’t wait to see you all again,” Gray said of her current tour. She added, “This time, I’m heading to places I’ve never been before and will get to see so much more of your beautiful country. “We’re going to be performing all the songs you want to hear, plus a few from my new album – The Trouble with the Truth. Australia will be the first audiences to hear tracks from the new album live so get your dancing shoes ready and come along and party with us at a show near you!” Head to Macy Gray’s website for remaining dates on her The Encore Tour. MACY GRAY THE ENCORE TOUR LIVE IN BRISBANE Friday 9 October – QPAC, Concert Hall Embedded Content

Dame Valerie Jane Morris-Goodall ( GUUD-awl; 3 April 1934 – 1 October 2025) was an English

This story was originally published by Grist. Sign up for Grist's weekly newsletter here.On a spring day earlier this year, 10 men stood on the rooftop of a