Sharon Osbourne just revealed plans for a permanent AI Ozzy avatar experience, and the rock world is completely divided. Is this preserving a legacy, or are we officially witnessing the death of human rock history for a perpetual corporate paycheck?

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If you’re watching this here, you’re already late. The full episode, exclusive third segment, and early interviews are already on Locals: https://classicmetalshow.locals.com

Neeley and Chris break down why this digital ghost trend might completely backfire on legacy bands, how easily these high-tech avatars are actually made behind the scenes, and whether rock and roll can even survive when the legends aren't allowed to naturally end.

Alright, rock fans, turn up your speakers. It is time for some real talk.

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Sammy Hagar just got a massive reality check across the pond. The Red Rocker thought he could just stroll into the United Kingdom on his 2026 tour and sell out massive venues like a god. Well, guess what? He couldn’t.

GET I NEVER SAID GOODBYE FROM SAMMY HAGAR AT A GREAT PRICE: https://amzn.to/43PCAUi

The numbers came back, and they were brutal. Sammy had to completely rip up his original U.K. tour schedule and rewrite it. Why? Because the ticket sales were a total train wreck. He is actually admitting it out loud now. He couldn't move the tickets for the original shows, so they had to scale back big time.

Here is my take on this mess:

• The ego trip is over. You can't just slap the Van Halen legacy onto a flyer and expect people to pay insane prices anymore.

• The U.K. fans aren't stupid. They know a cash grab when they see one. If you don't bring the ultimate killer package, they will leave your seats empty.

• Reality bites hard. Sammy is legendary, sure. But even legends look like posers when they try to play rooms that are way too big for them.

It is embarrassing, but at least he is owning up to the junk sales instead of making up some fake "medical excuse" like most soft rock stars do these days.

June 3^rd 2026 – Europe release the hook-laden new single, ‘The Cult of Ignorance’, the second track unveiled from their highly anticipated forthcoming studio album, Come This Madness, set for release on September 25^th via Silver Lining Music.

Pre-orders are available now.

Driven by an instantly memorable hook and an anthemic chorus, ‘The Cult of Ignorance’ combines undeniable catchiness with a message that resonates in today’s fast-moving world, delivering moments of reflection without losing its positive, feel-good energy.

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As well as featuring Europe, the accompanying star-studded video showcases cameos from high-profile friends of the band, including renowned actress Malin Åkerman, former World No. 1 and multiple Grand Slam champion tennis player Stefan Edberg, astronaut Christer Fuglesang, Howling Pelle (The Hives), Mikael Åkerfeldt and Fredrik Åkesson (Opeth) and E-Type, alongside many other notable personalities from the world of music, film, fashion, sports and science.

“I love this track! It’s a straightforward rock anthem with lyrics reflecting the times we live in, written slightly tongue in cheek” says Europe’s founding member and frontman Joey Tempest. “Mic (keyboards) came to me with this song idea while on tour in South America - I thought it was crazy good! We finished it together and it’s become a real banger! The title was inspired by a phrase coined by author and biochemist Isaac Asimov. It reflects some of the negative tendencies emerging in our world today, though it is written in a slightly light-hearted tone.”

Europe’s new studio album Come This Madness signals a powerful new chapter for one of rock’s most enduring acts. Across songs like ‘One on One’, ‘The Cult of Ignorance’, and the title track ‘Come This Madness’, the band channel tension, truth, and raw energy into a record that feels both deeply personal and globally resonant.

Watch and listen to Europe’s recently released and celebrated single, ‘One on One’ below. The song is accompanied by a cinematic video featuring acclaimed actor Peter Stormare (Fargo, The Big Lebowski, Minority Report, 8MM, Armageddon) and directed by Patric Ullaeus.

Come This Madness was recorded at RMV Studio, the Stockholm-based recording facility founded by Benny Andersson and Ludvig Andersson. The album features special guests Tobias Forge (Ghost) and Mikael Åkerfeldt (Opeth) on backing vocals and was produced by acclaimed producer Tom Dalgety (Ghost, Rammstein, Pixies, The Cult, Opeth), who became a true creative force throughout the process, deeply embedded in the band’s writing and recording, shaping the album’s sound from the ground up. To bring the project to its final stage and complete their vision, the band turned to one of rock’s most respected recording legends Mike Fraser (AC/DC, Van Halen, Metallica, The Cult, Loverboy) to mix the record.

With Come This Madness, Europe deliver a landmark record that finds them fully realised and present, confronting the realities of the modern world with conviction and creativity. Building on the momentum surrounding the album's release, the band will also embark on an extensive run of live dates, including numerous festival appearances and a major tour to celebrate the 40th anniversary of The Final Countdown. Kicking off in Glasgow on September 30^th, The Final Countdown 40th Anniversary Tour promises to unite the legacy that defined them with the renewed energy, driving them forward today. For a full list of dates and ticket information, please visit: www.europetheband.com

2026 Dates:

6 Jun - North Festival, Maia (PT)
21 Jun - Graspop Metal Meeting, Dessel (BE)
25 Jun - Rock Pod Kameňom Festival, Bela Nad Cirochou (SK)
28 Jun - Retro Trop C, Tilloloy (FR)
5 Jul – Summer Festival Piazza Castello, Marostica (IT)
7 Jul - Cavea-Auditorium Parco della Musica, Roma (IT)
8 Jul - Arena Campo Marte, Brescia (IT)
9 Jul - Villa Bertelli, Forte Dei Marmi (IT)
25 Jul - Son Do Mar Festival, Meaño, Pontevedra (ES)
30 Jul - Wacken Open Air, Wacken (DE)
29 Aug - Stonedead Festival, Newark (GB)
30 Sep - SEC Armadillo, Glasgow (GB)*
2 Oct - Civic Hall, Wolverhampton (GB)*
3 Oct - Eventim Apollo Hammersmith, London (GB)*
5 Oct - Musis Arnhem, Arnhem (NL)*
6 Oct - Olympia, Paris (FR)*
8 Oct - Poble Espanyol, Barcelona (ES)*
9 Oct - Bilbao Arena Mirabilla, Bilbao (ES)*
10 Oct - La Cubierta, Madrid (ES)*
12 Oct - Salle Métropole, Lausanne (CH)*
13 Oct - Volkshaus, Zürich (CH)*
14 Oct - Alcatraz, Milan (IT)*
16 Oct - Liederhalle, Stuttgart (DE)*
17 Oct - Gasometer, Wien (AT)*
19 Oct - Admiralspalast Theater, Berlin (DE)*
20 Oct - COS Torwar, Warszawa (PL)*
22 Oct - Falkoner, Frederiksberg (DK)*
23 Oct - Film Studios, Gothenburg (SE)*
24 Oct - B-K, Stockholm (SE)*
26 Oct - Sentrum Scene, Oslo (NO)*
15 Nov - Malta Metal Weekend, St. Julians (MT)*
21 Nov - Ostravar Aréna, Ostrava (CZ)*
25 Nov - Aalto Hall @ House of Culture, Helsinki (FI)*
27 Nov - John Smith Rock Frozen Paviljonki, Jyväskylä (FI)*
28 Nov - Unholy Winter Festival Joensuu Areena, Joensuu (FI)*

*The Final Countdown 40th Anniversary Tour

Come This Madness album artwork by Storm Studios (Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, and Muse).

Come This Madness track listing:

1. One on One
2. The Cult of Ignorance
3. Come This Madness
4. This Time of Year
5. In a Different World
6. Scandinavian Eyes
7. Takin’ It Back
8. In the Absence of Grace
9. The Angels Must Have Flown
10. The Devil’s Back
11. Nothing Can Follow This

Come This Madness will be available on vinyl, CD and digital formats. 

EUROPE are:
Joey Tempest - Lead Vocals
John Norum - Guitars
John Levén - Bass
Mic Michaeli - Keyboards
Ian Haugland - Drums