After decades of cementing his status as one of hard rock and metal’s most distinctive guitarists, Jake E. Lee is preparing to bring his band Red Dragon Cartel back on the road in 2025. Fans can expect an exciting mix of old and new, with confirmed international stops and the promise of intimate live performances that showcase Lee’s timeless artistry.
Confirmed Tour Plans
In a recent Antihero Magazine interview, Jake E. Lee confirmed that Red Dragon Cartel will embark on a major tour in 2025**. The run is set to include an April trip to Japan, one of Lee’s most loyal fan bases, with a U.S. tour expected to precede the overseas dates.
This marks an exciting new chapter for the band, who last toured extensively following the release of their 2018 album *Patina*. While full details are still being finalized, the group has made it clear that their goal is to connect with fans across the globe—whether in larger halls or the more intimate setting of bars and clubs.
A Potential Dream Pairing with Zakk Wylde
Perhaps the most buzzworthy development is Lee’s openness to a possible co-headlining tour with Zakk Wylde, another iconic Ozzy Osbourne alumnus.
While the collaboration is not yet confirmed, the mere prospect has fans salivating. The combination would not only unite two generations of Ozzy guitarists but also showcase two contrasting yet equally powerful guitar styles. Wylde’s heavy, pinch-harmonic-driven attack and Lee’s bluesy, precise, and emotional phrasing would make for a once-in-a-lifetime pairing.
As Lee explained, such a tour would be about celebrating music and giving fans something truly memorable: “I’d love to do it. Zakk and I are very different players, but we both came from that Ozzy family tree. It would be something special for the fans.”
Keeping Patina in the Spotlight
Even though it has been several years since its release, Red Dragon Cartel’s second album, *Patina*, remains a central part of the band’s identity and live shows. Released on Frontiers Music Srl**, the record earned critical praise for its bold, genre-bending approach and has become a fan favorite.
Tracks like “Feeder,” “War Machine,” “Crooked Man,” and “Speedbag” represent different sides of Lee’s creativity, from dark grooves to high-octane riffing. According to Antihero Magazine, *Patina* stands as “a strong statement of Jake E. Lee’s guitar skills” and demonstrates why his influence remains as vital today as it was during the 1980s.
Lee himself has often emphasized that the music—not the money or accolades—is what matters most. *“If I want to do something, I’ll do it, and I’ll see if I can get paid for it. But I don’t do it for the money. It’s about the credit, the songs, and the fans,”* he’s remarked in past interviews.
A Setlist That Spans Generations
Fans attending Red Dragon Cartel’s 2025 shows can expect **a powerful blend of material** from *Patina* alongside Jake’s classics from his Ozzy years.
Songs like “The Ultimate Sin,” “Rock and Roll Rebel,” and High Wire” will share space with *Patina* highlights, giving fans the full range of Lee’s career. For many, it’s this balance of honoring the past while pushing forward creatively that makes a Red Dragon Cartel show so special.
Back to the Roots: Bars and Clubs
Despite the possibility of larger tours, Lee has stressed that **Red Dragon Cartel is committed to staying close to their roots**. The band is fully open to playing **bars, clubs, and smaller venues**—settings where the energy is raw, immediate, and unfiltered.
As Lee puts it, *“Whether it’s 300 people in a small room or 30,000 in an arena, the music is the same. But in a club, you can feel that energy bouncing right back at you—it’s real, it’s intense, and it keeps you honest.”*
This grassroots approach reflects both the spirit of *Patina* and Lee’s philosophy as a musician who values authenticity over commercial flash.
Looking Ahead to 2025
With tours in the U.S. and Japan confirmed, the tantalizing possibility of a partnership with Zakk Wylde, and a setlist that spans his career, **2025 promises to be one of the most exciting years in Jake E. Lee’s recent history.**
For fans, it’s not just about hearing the guitar wizardry that made him a legend, but about witnessing a musician who has never lost sight of why he started playing in the first place: the love of music itself.
As one longtime fan noted online, *“Jake doesn’t just play guitar; he speaks through it. Red Dragon Cartel isn’t just a band—it’s an experience.”*
And come 2025, fans around the world will get to live that experience once again.
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