In a week that’s seen two of rock’s most legendary musicians break new ground, both Tom Morello and Flea are making headlines with projects that highlight their ongoing creative evolution and enduring influence on modern music. These Rock and Roll Hall of Famers—whose names are synonymous with genre-defining bands and boundary-pushing artistry—are each venturing into fresh territory, collaborating with a new generation of artists and media, and, in Flea’s case, finally stepping out as a solo act after decades of group success.
Tom Morello, the Grammy-winning guitarist best known for his incendiary work with Rage Against the Machine and Audioslave, has teamed up with the platinum-certified melodic metalcore outfit Beartooth for a new track, “Everything Burns.” According to theprp, this collaboration isn’t just another single—it’s a centerpiece of the upcoming update for the massively popular MMORPG Final Fantasy XIV. The patch, set for release on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, will introduce a brand-new raid called The Arcadion, and Morello’s contribution is poised to set the soundtrack ablaze.
The genesis of this unexpected partnership can be traced to Masayoshi Soken, the game’s acclaimed composer. Soken, who’s openly expressed his admiration for Rage Against the Machine, had long harbored a dream of working with Morello. That dream came to fruition thanks to Jason Charles Miller, a versatile voiceover artist and composer who has lent his talents to previous Final Fantasy projects. Miller connected Soken with Morello, paving the way for the powerhouse collaboration that would become “Everything Burns.”
Morello, never one to shy away from experimentation, shared a preview of the track ahead of the patch’s release, generating a flurry of excitement among both gamers and music aficionados. The anticipation is well-founded. Morello’s signature guitar work—those thunderous chords and innovative solos that helped define Rage Against the Machine’s sound—has earned him a place among Rolling Stone’s “Greatest Guitar Players of All-Time.” His influence is felt far beyond rock, spanning the supergroup Prophets of Rage and a six-year stint with Bruce Springsteen’s legendary E-Street Band. With over 30 million albums sold worldwide, multiple Grammy Awards, and inductions into both the Rock & Roll and Metal Hall of Fame, Morello’s legacy is secure. Yet, as this latest venture proves, he’s far from finished making waves.
“Everything Burns” is more than just a song for a video game. It’s a testament to the way rock music continues to find new audiences and contexts, crossing over into digital worlds and collaborating with artists from different genres. For Beartooth, the partnership with Morello is a major milestone. For Soken and the Final Fantasy XIV community, it’s a dream realized—one that adds a new layer of intensity and artistry to the game’s ever-expanding universe.
While Morello is blending metalcore with gaming culture, another titan of alternative rock is stepping into the spotlight on his own terms. Flea, the iconic bassist of Red Hot Chili Peppers, has just released his debut solo single, “A Plea.” It’s a move that’s been a long time coming for an artist whose inventive basslines and wild stage presence have defined the Chili Peppers’ sound for over four decades.
As reported by Guitar Player, “A Plea” is a genre-bending track that fuses Flea’s lifelong love of jazz with the punk energy that fueled the early days of the Chili Peppers. The song features a rich tapestry of instruments and collaborators, with Flea not only playing his trademark electric bass but also singing and playing trumpet—a nod to his early contributions to Jane’s Addiction’s 1988 debut album, “Nothing’s Shocking.”
One of the most notable aspects of “A Plea” is the presence of Anna Butterss on double bass. Butterss, who joined Jason Isbell’s backing band The 400 Unit in 2023, brings a warm, acoustic texture to the track, complementing Flea’s electric lines. Butterss’s résumé includes work with Phoebe Bridgers, Jenny Lewis, and Bright Eyes, and her addition showcases Flea’s openness to collaboration—even on his own debut.
The song’s eclectic sound is further enriched by contributions from guitarist Jeff Parker, drummer Deantoni Parks, percussionist Mauro Refosco, alto flutist Rickey Washington, trombonist Vikram Devasthali, and vocalists Chris Warren and Josh Johnson (the latter also serving as producer and alto saxophonist). If that wasn’t enough, the music video for “A Plea” was directed by Flea’s daughter, Clara Balzary, a photographer and filmmaker in her own right. It’s a true family affair, and one that underlines Flea’s commitment to pushing creative boundaries.
Fans eager for more won’t have to wait long: Flea’s debut solo album is slated for release in 2026 via Nonesuch Records, the same label that recently put out a new album by Led Zeppelin’s Robert Plant. Details about the album’s title remain under wraps, but the anticipation is already building in music circles. The release marks a new chapter for Flea, whose career with Red Hot Chili Peppers has been nothing short of monumental. Since their founding in 1982 in Los Angeles, the band has sold over 80 million records, won eight Grammy Awards, and earned a place in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Their most recent albums, “Unlimited Love” and “Return of the Dream Canteen,” both dropped in 2022, and the band wrapped up their latest tour in 2024.
For fans of rock, metal, and alternative music, the simultaneous emergence of Morello’s and Flea’s new projects is a reminder that the genre’s elder statesmen are anything but complacent. Instead, they’re embracing new forms, new collaborators, and new audiences—whether that means scoring epic battles in a fantasy world or exploring the outer reaches of jazz and punk in a solo debut.
It’s rare to see two such influential figures make such bold moves in the same week, but perhaps that’s just the nature of true artistry: always restless, always searching, always burning for something more. As the release dates approach and the music world buzzes with anticipation, one thing is clear—rock’s living legends aren’t done surprising us yet.
