SMITH/KOTZEN, the dynamic partnership between IRON MAIDEN guitarist Adrian Smith and THE WINERY DOGS vocalist and guitar virtuoso Richie Kotzen, is set to unleash a brand-new single, “White Noise,” this Wednesday, November 20, at 7:00 a.m. PST / 10:00 a.m. EST / 3:00 p.m. GMT. A sneak peek of the track has already been shared, building anticipation among fans worldwide.
In an interview with Dawn Osborne of TotalRock earlier this July, Kotzen hinted at exciting developments for the duo, revealing they had been writing together and teasing “a few surprises” in the works. That same month, Smith joined Kotzen onstage at London’s Islington Assembly Hall for a rendition of THE YARDBIRDS classic “Shapes Of Things,” further fueling excitement about their collaboration.
Their most recent release, the Better Days …And Nights EP, dropped in September 2022 via BMG. This collection combined four studio tracks originally released on the limited-edition vinyl Better Days EP for Record Store Day in November 2021 with five live recordings from their debut U.S. and U.K. tour in early 2022. Praised for their electrifying chemistry, the live performances featured support from bassist Julia Lage (VIXEN) and drummer Bruno Valverde (ANGRA).
Acclaimed by critics, their live shows were described by Japan’s Burrn! magazine as “an amazing night… totally unique.” Meanwhile, Classic Rock magazine celebrated their live guitar prowess, calling the performances “a masterclass in guitar playing and showmanship.”
The self-titled debut album from SMITH/KOTZEN, released in March 2021 via BMG, garnered rave reviews, achieving a top 10 spot on Billboard’s Top Album Sales chart and securing high rankings in markets like the U.K., Germany, Japan, and Canada. The project showcased the duo’s signature blend of melodic rock, blues, and classic metal.
Smith, a core member of IRON MAIDEN and an accomplished solo artist, and Kotzen, known for his work with MR. BIG and POISON, as well as over 20 solo albums, bring a wealth of experience and songwriting talent to this collaboration. With “White Noise” on the horizon, their partnership continues to captivate fans across the globe.
