Members of Black Sabbath, DeepPurple, Iron Maiden, Metallicaform metal supergroup

Fri 8th Apr, 2011 in International News

Meet WhoCares a new hard rock/metal supergroup featuring the talents of Deep Purple’s Ian Gillan and Black Sabbath’s Tony Iommi joined by bassist Jason Newsted, keyboardist Jon Lord, Iron Maiden drummer Nicko McBrain, and HIM’s Linde Lindström. Fairly impressive, eh?

WhoCares has been put together by Gillan and Iommi to raise funds for a music school in Armenia, which may seem like an unusual idea but the pair have been involved in charity work for the country since a devastating earthquake that struck the Eastern European country in December 1988.

Back in 1989 Gillan and Iommi recorded Smoke On The Water to raise funds for Rock Aid Armenia and after being awarded the Orders Of Honor in October 2009 by Armenia’s prime minister Tigran Sargsyan the metal stars decided to record new songs to assist the country’s rebuilding efforts.

“Some twenty years ago when the call came, I thought, well at least I’ve helped,” said Iommi, “but it was going to Armenia and seeing the actual devastation caused by the earthquake that really made me realize that funds were still needed. Despite all the money that was raised last time, here was a music school doing their best, forgotten, in basic tin sheds. After the warmth and honor bestowed upon us during our visit, we just had to help make a difference and get the school re-built. And what better way than to hook up with some of rock’s greatest players and my old mate Ian, both an honor and a pleasure. “

“The idea came as Tony and I flew back from Yerevan together after being inspired by the enthusiasm of everyone there to get this thing done,” added Gillan. “It was brilliant working with Tony again after all these years; he makes life easy for a singer. The other guys need no introduction do they…”

The band will release a single in May featuring the tracks Out of My Mind and Holy Water with a bonus 40-minute documentary that shows Gillan’s and Iommi’s involvement with the Armenian charity efforts.