Backstage Legends Reunited: Axl Rose, Sebastian Bach, and Lars Ulrich Announce Reunion and Memorial Album
By Staff Writer
In a moment that sent shockwaves through the rock and metal world, three of the genre’s most iconic figures—Axl Rose of Guns N’ Roses, Sebastian Bach of Skid Row, and Lars Ulrich of Metallica—made a surprise appearance together backstage at a private Los Angeles event to announce a reunion decades in the making. The trio, whose careers collectively shaped the sound of hard rock and heavy metal in the late 1980s and early 1990s, revealed plans for a collaborative memorial album that honors the music, spirit, and fallen legends of their era.
A Meeting of Titans
The setting was intimate, almost understated—far from the grand stages these artists are known to command. But the energy in the backstage green room at the Hollywood Palladium was electric. Rumors of a potential collaboration between Axl Rose, Sebastian Bach, and Lars Ulrich had been circulating for years, but nothing ever materialized—until now.
Clad in leather jackets, faded denim, and their signature no-nonsense attitudes, the trio appeared relaxed but energized. It was a scene reminiscent of the early ’90s, when Guns N’ Roses, Skid Row, and Metallica dominated the airwaves, sold out arenas, and lived fast and loud.
“This isn’t just about nostalgia,” said Axl Rose, the enigmatic frontman of Guns N’ Roses, whose voice remains as piercing and passionate as ever. “This is about legacy. About honoring the friends, bandmates, and fans we’ve lost—and bringing something new and powerful into the world.”
The Album: Echoes of Thunder
The newly announced project is titled Echoes of Thunder, a full-length memorial album that will feature original material, reimagined classics, and tributes to fallen legends like Layne Staley, Dimebag Darrell, Chris Cornell, Chester Bennington, and more. It marks the first time these three titans have collaborated in such a significant way.
Sebastian Bach, known for his powerful vocals and wild stage persona during his Skid Row years, described the project as deeply personal.
“This is the album we wish we never had to make,” Bach said. “But it’s also the one we have to make. We lost too many brothers. This is our way of keeping them alive.”
The album is set to feature guest appearances from other hard rock veterans, including Dave Mustaine of Megadeth, Slash, Duff McKagan, and possibly even Ozzy Osbourne, depending on scheduling and health. Each track will focus on a different theme—grief, survival, rebellion, legacy—tied together by a blend of raw guitars, heavy drums, and soaring vocals.
Lars Ulrich, the drumming mastermind behind Metallica’s rhythm section, will be leading the production alongside longtime Metallica collaborator Greg Fidelman. Ulrich called the album “a communion of memory and fury.”
“There’s something therapeutic about making noise with people who’ve walked through the same fire,” Ulrich said. “This isn’t about money or charts—it’s about blood, sweat, and honoring those who shaped us.”
A Reunion Born in Reflection
While the three rock icons have crossed paths over the decades, this collaboration was sparked during a quiet moment of reflection. According to Rose, the idea first emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns, when the absence of live shows and the isolation gave many artists a chance to revisit old wounds—and reignite old friendships.
“We had time to think. To talk,” Rose said. “Sebastian and I started writing again. Then Lars called. And suddenly it wasn’t just talk—it was action.”
The trio began meeting in secret studios across Los Angeles and Nashville, writing and recording tracks that blend their distinct styles. One insider described the early tracks as “a mix between Use Your Illusion and The Black Album, with Sebastian’s voice tearing straight through the middle.”
More Than Music: A Movement
Beyond the album, Echoes of Thunder will be accompanied by a documentary film chronicling the making of the record, the history of their friendship, and the stories behind the tributes. It will be directed by acclaimed rock documentarian Sam Dunn (Metal: A Headbanger’s Journey, Super Duper Alice Cooper) and is expected to premiere on Netflix in early 2026.
In addition, the trio announced a limited-run “memorial tour,” set to kick off in spring 2026. Rather than traditional stadium dates, the band will perform at select intimate venues, with ticket proceeds going to mental health and addiction recovery programs for musicians and road crew members.
Sebastian Bach emphasized that the tour will be more than a concert series.
“This is for the fans who stuck with us, for the friends we buried, and for the ones who need help now. We’re going to make it loud, make it real, and make it matter.”
Fans React
News of the reunion and album spread rapidly across social media, with longtime fans and younger rock lovers alike expressing awe and gratitude. “This is the Avengers of rock,” one Twitter user wrote. “Three legends teaming up to honor the fallen. I’m not crying, you are.”
Tributes also poured in from fellow artists. Dave Grohl of Foo Fighters posted, “About damn time! This is going to be heavy—in every way.”
The Future Is Loud
Echoes of Thunder is slated for a worldwide release in December 2025, with the first single expected to drop this fall. While details about the full tracklist remain under wraps, the buzz around the project suggests it could be one of the most emotionally charged rock records in years.
And if there’s one thing Axl, Sebastian, and Lars made clear—it’s that this isn’t a swan song. It’s a second wind. A tribute, yes, but also a rallying cry.
“We’re still here,” Axl said with a grin. “Still loud. Still alive. And we’ve still got something to say.”
The legends may be grayer, wiser, and a little more battle-scarred—but the fire still burns. And now, together, they’re ready to turn that flame into thunder.
