The Metal Report

Vince Neil's Golf Tournament Set for May 2nd.

Vince Neil is perhaps best known as the front man for the legendary rock group MÖTLEY CRÜE. But thanks to his Skylar Neil Foundation he is also widely recognized as a man who generously gives back. After losing his five-year-old daughter Skylar to cancer in 1995, Vince dedicated himself to raising awareness and much needed funding for children's illnesses. The Skylar Neil Memorial Golf Tournament is a product of those efforts, and the 12th annual event is right around the corner. With generous support from both he mainstream and adult entertainment world, the tournament has raised millions for various charitable organizations dedicated to cancer, leukemia and AIDS research.

This year's tournament will take place on Friday, May 2 at the scenic Lost Canyons Golf Club in Simi Valley, CA. It is a great day of golf and fun on the course followed by a one-of-a-kind charity auction, hosted by Tiffany Granath of Playboy Radio's "Afternoon Advice" on Sirius Satellite Radio. Celebrity memorabilia, Great food, drinks, golf and beautiful girls, all for a good cause. What could be better? The event has grown so much that last year, it was expanded to two full courses. This year's event will also span two courses and promises to be bigger and better than ever.

As in past years, the adult community will be heavily involved with the tournament. Previous adult sponsors have included Playboy, Vivid, Wicked Pictures, Elegant Angel, Pure Play Media, Red Light District, Hustler, Zero Tolerance and many, many others. Adult stars such as Jenna Jameson, Ron Jeremy, Danni Ashe, Randy West, Jessica Drake, Brianna Banks, Savannah Sampson, Tori Lane, Mari Possa, Cousin Stevie and Britney Skye have all been involved as well.

The time is now to get involved. As always, the tournament is looking for sponsors. Tee, pin-flag and golf-cart sponsorships are all available. With options starting as low as $500, sponsorships are a great way to get your company logo, products and name out the participants. In addition, you or your company can be part of this fantastic event by playing, providing product for golfer gift bags, or by sending talent to sign autographs and pose for pictures with participants on the course.

Additionally, girls are needed. Girls, girls, girls, in fact. The more the merrier. The organizers need some lovely ladies to man all 36 holes of the two courses. It is a great way to meet fans, sign autographs, pose for pictures and keep the players smiling as they play.

For further information on playing in tournament or becoming a sponsor, or for info on other ways to get involved, please contact tournament coordinator Alan Koenig at (615) 255-9000, or email him at alankoenig@bellsouth.net. You can also visit the tournament's website at www.skylarneil.org/golf.

Thanks to www.blabbermouth.net

FOZZY to Release All That Remains Reloaded

As previously reported, WWE Superstar Chris Jericho and his FOZZY bandmates (featuring members of STUCK MOJO) will be releasing All That Remains… Reloaded on March 25th via BCD Music Group Distribution.

Wal-Mart and Fozzy have teamed up for the release - check out the display April 1st at your local Wal-Mart.

All That Remains… Reloaded will feature the reissue of the All That Remains CD with new artwork and a bonus DVD featuring Fozzy live in front of 20,000 screaming fans in the UK.

All That Remains… Reloaded features multiple guest performers: 'Nameless Faceless' features ALTER BRIDGE's Myles Kennedy, 'Wanderlust' features OZZY OSBOURNE's guitarist ZAKK WYLDE, 'Its A Lie' features BONECRUSHER, 'The Way I Am' features Alter Bridge's Mark Tremonti, 'Born of Anger' features ex-MEGADETH guitarist MARTY FRIEDMAN.

All That Remains… Reloaded includes the singles 'Enemy' and 'Daze Of The Weak'. ‘Enemy' was the theme song for WWE No Way Out.

The bonus DVD never before released features a live Fozzy concert in front of 20,000 Fozzy fans in the UK.

The CD/DVD set will be available at retailers nationwide. The tracklisting: 'Nameless Faceless', 'Enemy', 'Wanderlust' (featuring Zakk Wylde), 'All That Remains', 'The Test', 'It’s A Lie' (featuring Bonecrusher), 'Daze Of The Weak', 'The Way I Am', 'Lazarus', 'Born Of Anger' (featuring Marty Friedman).

Thanks to www.bravewords.com

MONSTER MAGNET Adds Tour Dates

MONSTER MAGNET has scheduled the following dates:

June 20 - Scheessel, GER - Hurricane Festival
June 21 - Neuhausen Ob Eck, GER - Southside Festival
June 24 - London, UK - Astoria
June 25 - Brussels, BEL - AB
June 27 - Gothenburg, SWE - Metal Town
June 28 - Oslo, NOR - Sentrum Scene

MONSTER MAGNET's new album, "4-Way Diablo", entered the German Media Control chart at position No. 81. The CD, which was produced by Matt Hyde and features a cover version of THE ROLLING STONES' "2,000 Light Years from Home", previously landed on the Swedish chart at No. 51. The album sold 1,800 copies in the United States in its first week of release, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

Thanks to www.blabbermouth.net

VELVET REVOLVEr to Continue Without Scott Weiland?

Classic Rock's Jerry Ewing recently spoke to VELVET REVOLVER guitarist Slash for an article that will be published in the issue that goes on sale on April 30. A couple of excerpts from the story follow:

Slash: I was talking with Robert Plant the other night and he was casually naming certain ZEPPELIN songs and then in the same breath who it was ripped off from.

Classic Rock: Did GUNS N' ROSES ever get taken to court for allegedly ripping anyone off?

Slash: No. One of the things about myself and the other members of GUNS N' ROSES, with the exception of maybe Izzy [Stradlin], 'cause he was maybe a bit more freeform, was that we were huge sticklers for anything that sounded like anything else. Straight off the bat if you played a few chords and it really reminded you of something else we scrapped it. It's very different with VELVET REVOLVER. Even though myself and Duff [McKagan] are the same way, and Matt [Sorum], Scott [Weiland] will rip something. We'll be like, "No, we can't do that," and he'll be like, "Oh, go on, let's do it," and we'll do it.

Classic Rock: Going back to VELVET REVOLVER, there's been a lot said on the Internet between Scott and Matt. What's the current state of play?

Slash: We've got six shows, ha-ha.

Classic Rock: How do you deal with that stuff flying around?

Slash: I have no comment. Obviously I'm very aware of everything that's going on. The only thing I can add to that is, in contrast to what Scott says, there will be a VELVET REVOLVER after this tour.

Classic Rock: With Scott singing?

Slash: I have no comment on that [chuckles].

Thanks to www.blabbermouth.net

ALICE COOPER 40th Anniversary Show

According to a posting on the ALICE COOPER fan site SickThingsUK, Cooper will return to London, Ontario to play Centennial Hall on October 10 at 8 p.m. It's being billed as Cooper's 40th anniversary in Canada, dating back to 1968 when promoter Don Jones first brought him to the old Wonderland Gardens. Tickets are $61.50 plus charges. They go on sale Friday, April 4.

ALICE COOPER recently signed a deal with Steamhammer/SPV. Autumn 2008 will see the arrival of Cooper's eagerly awaited new studio album, which the legendary singer began recording in February. Tentatively titled "Along Came A Spider", the CD is being co-produced by Greg Hampton and Danny Saber in Los Angeles.

Cooper interrupted the current studio production for March shows in Australia, New Zealand and Japan, and plans extensive touring later in 2008 covering Europe, Canada, and the USA. His band features longtime drummer Eric Singer, guitarists Keri Kelli and Jason Hook, and bassist Chuck Garric.

Alice's "Nights With Alice Cooper" syndicated classic rock radio show continues to air Monday through Friday on 90 stations throughout North America plus outlets in Australia, Ireland, the UK, and other countries.

The paperback edition of Cooper's "Alice Cooper, Golf Monster: A Rock 'N'Roller's 12 Steps To Becoming A Golf Addict" book is scheduled to hit stores in May.

"Golf Monster" is a pull-no-punches account of Alice's life, and it deals candidly with his alcohol problem, which almost ruined him at the height of his fame in the '70s.

Thanks to www.blabbermouth.net

Munky/Emotional Syphon Records Street Team

From his myspace page:

The ESR Street Team is back up and running and we want you to join and help promote the bands! This time around there is no signing up, just being a friend of the teams page is all you need to do.

The team will be running contests soon with better prizes as well!! Head over from the link below, join the team's page, post the banners that are on the page every where, you can and stay tuned for more news from the ESR ONLINE/STREET TEAM!! myspace.com/esronlinestreetteam

Thanks!

VIOLENT GREEN Interview

I recently caught up with the lads of VIOLENT GREEN to interview them for Band of the Month. Here is what they had to say!

Is Violent Green the hurl you have the morning after? or what does it stand for?
Lukus: Its a deep seeded emotion that we all have that involves anger, envy, hate....everyone has it. Someone told me it was great juxtaposition of the mellowness of green (weed) and the brutality of violence, I guess thats what other people get out of it.

You guys seemed to emerge quite quickly then be gigging all over the place. How long have you guys actually been playing together and how did you come about?
Andrew: Basically Guy and I have been playing together for a few years in a previous project that went no where, we saw Lukus’ was advertisement on a local website and we contacted him, he joined early 2007. Around the same time Dale (Guy’s bro) was added on guitar and the funny thing is that he could hardly hold a power chord when he first stepped into the band room. We managed to get a rough demo together with sample drums and Kent booked a gig for us - 1 week out from the gig we were drummer less.

Lukus: It was the first gig at phoenix that helped us because we had just lost a drummer and Todd (Berzerker, Happy Camper) filled in, and probably more people turned up to watch him than us, so I think that was a big help for our name.

Andrew: Gig went well and soon thereafter Brian joined and gigs were aplenty.

You are planning an upcoming EP and soon a possible album for us, is this correct?
Dale: I would like to bring one out mid/close to the end of the year.

Guy: We are planning a EP release for mid to late this year, then waiting until we have enough material to sift through and pick the best for the album.

Who are you guys getting to record and mix this for you?
Lukus: For an EP, we will probably do it ourselves and for the album, with luck Adam Mercer.

Are you all of age now and finding it no hassle to play 18+ gigs?
Dale: Damn if we publish my real age clubs will know my age and no more staying...

Andrew: He has to leave straight after performance though which sux for him.

Lukus: Dale is still 17, but we have never had hassles getting gigs that are 18+, we have trouble getting all ages gigs if anything lol.

You have quite strong lyrical content. What is the message you guys are portraying and who is doing a lot of the writing?
Lukus: We have a lot of religious stuff in our lyrics mainly because of my religious background and how much I despise it, but its mostly about how crap the world is, from a regular persons point of view, so its not political, just about the crap the world goes through, such as how Australia is a media run society much like America, war, terrorism, how corrupt religion is, racism, and how fucked people can be, but we dress it up more to look like a rotting carcass or a tortured Christ to have more effect.

Who in the brismetal community has been a real inspiration to you guys at the moment, and why?
Guy: You cant really name one person.

Lukus: Me personally, The Dead, because I am an old cunt, hitting 30, and when I moved down I was gonna give up being in a band, but I saw that The Dead were not young guys, and they were up on stage doing their thing, so it was a big boost knowing that I wasn’t dead yet, no pun intended.

Andrew: If I had to answer - I’d say not one particular person but the diversity of quality bands out there just doing it - putting on good shows and releasing decent music - just the sheer quantity of quality bands in Brisbane at moment is exciting

So since Jeebus (Lukus - vocalist) likes to show his bits anyway, how are Violent Green going to humiliate him on his bucks night? I guess tying him outside of Rosie’s naked, just won’t cut it for your front man?
Dale: Well I’ll be on the side line, watching TV at home unless some how I manage to get in.

Brian: Yeah not sure if I should tell you haha or keep it a secret.

Dale: Strap him to a public pole. Spread his balls with peanut butter and find a dog somewhere!

Guy: Yeah Dale....you can touch his balls.

Is there ever creative moments where you all get the shits and want to tackle each other, or do you all flow quite easily together?
Brian: We don’t tackle, we make love hahaha.

Lukus: I wouldn’t say tackle...but there is moments when we kinda know when enough is enough, time to go home or have a break.

Guy: Lol,  we have our fair share or creative arguments in the band room but make up sex is always good.

Andrew: This is getting far too homo, the creative process is alot of fun in this band - typically we can knock out a song in one jam session- and if it doesn’t happen it doesn’t happen. We don’t like to labor over the music and prefer to let it come out naturally.

How does a band handle a moment where someone comes up and says"You’re shit!". Or if you happen to over hear it?
Lukus: Hasn’t happened yet, but what people say to you and what they say to others is always different, people lie all to often, but so far its all been positive.

Do you try to take criticism on, or say fuck it, this is our style and you’re going to get different opinions on it?
Lukus: Ok... musically, I would say fuck it, we do what we do, its what we like in the end, but performance wise, yes, I like criticism, we can always improve on what we do live, If we didn’t we would become stale.

What are some of the say "unspoken rules" you guys stick to, to ensure the longevity of Violent Green?
Brian: No spitting.

Guy: Swallow.

Lukus: Have fun, if its too much like a job then people are gonna leave, but if it stays a fun, a hobby/outlet, you will keep doing it.

Describe a typical Violent Green show to us...
Dale: Sober, abrasive, in your face, catchy, little colorful and a hint of enraging emotions!

When are some of your next gigs and why we should get off our asses and be there? Will Lukus possibly wax his ass for the next gig?
Dale: Next upcoming gig will be the Brismetal.com Records Launch, and I should hope so! I’d like to see a shiny ass this time!

Lukus: Then a small break for my honeymoon, there is a chance of a Melbourne and down south tour and an up north tour soon too, more shows at 299 and Step Inn....we would love to play a big festival, or support an international act though, get off your ass to come see mine.

Andrew: Any punters who haven’t seen us make sure you come to the Brismetal.com Records fund raiser launch to support the bands and buy Lukus a beer on his bucks night.

Thanks to brismetal and brutal nerd!

Axl Rose Comments on Dr. Pepper for Chinese Democracy

Axl Rose has been working on the new Guns N' Roses album for the past 15+ years, and Dr. Pepper can't wait any longer to hear it. The soda company thinks it's created a way for Rose to finally release the thing, according to Billboard.com.

"It took a little patience to perfect Dr Pepper's special mix of 23 ingredients, which our fans have come to know and love," said Jaxie Alt, director of marketing for Dr Pepper. "So we completely understand and empathize with Axl's quest for perfection — for something more than the average album. We know once it's released, people will refer to it as "Dr Pepper for the ears" because it will be such a refreshing blend of rich, bold sounds — an instant classic."

Commented Axl Rose in a statement: "We are surprised and very happy to have the support of Dr. Pepper with our album, 'Chinese Democracy', as for us this came totally out of the blue. If there is any involvement with this promotion by our record company or others, we are unaware of such at this time. And as some of Buckethead's performances are on our album, I'll share my Dr Pepper with him."

Thanks to www.thegauntlet.com

Clint Lowery Rejoins SEVENDUST

Sevendust is pleased to announce the return of original guitar player Clint Lowery to the band. Lowery was with Sevendust when they formed in 1995 and singed to TVT Records in 1997. Lowery was a key member of the Sevendust attack throughout the their TVT years which saw the band release Sevendust (1997) Home (1999), Animosity (2001), Seasons (2003) and Southside Double Wide (2003). After leaving TVT in 2003 the band and Lowery mutually parted ways, with Lowery moving on to join his brother in the band Dark New Day. Sevendust brought in former Snot guitar player Sonny Mayo to replace Lowery and went on to release three full length albums. Next (2004) on the now defunct Winedark Records, Alpha (2007) on 7Bros. Records, Sevendust's wholly owned label through Warner Music Group's Independent Label Group and Chapter VII: Hope & Sorrow which comes out April 1st on 7Bros/Asylum.

Sevendust statements on Lowery's return:

"This was extremely tough considering Sonny is our brother and has been amazing to work with. He didn't do anything wrong at all, we just owe it to ourselves and all the folks that grew up with us to put our original band back together. Clint has always been our brother and Sonny will always remain our brother as well. We are sorry to say goodbye to Sonny and I'm sure this will be tough on the fans that follow him, but we're excited about reuniting the original lineup of Sevendust." Morgan Rose, Drums

"Everything happens for a reason. Sonny is an incredible person and we thank him for everything. Just like when you leave home, you come back! Hopefully everyone will understand the decision we have made. God bless you all. Welcome home Clint Lowery." LaJon Witherspoon, Vocals

Sevendust's new record Chapter VII: Hope & Sorrow is out on Tuesday, April 1st - The album was produced by Shawn Grove, Morgan Rose & John Connolly in Atlanta, GA at Tree Sounds Studios. The album features guest appearances from vocalist Chris Daughtry, as well as Mark Tremonti and Myles Kennedy from Alter Bridge. The band will be hitting the road in April in support of Chapter VII: Hope & Sorrow.

Sevendust Spring 2008 Tour Dates:
4/09 – Port St. Lucie, FL – Mojo Room *No Saliva
4/10 – Ft. Myers, FL – Ricochet *No Saliva
4/12 – Panama City, FL – Club LaVela *No Saliva
w/SALIVA
4/13 – Hattiesburg, MS – Remington’s
4/15 – Myrtle Beach, SC – House of Blues
4/17 – Richmond, VA – The National
4/18 – Allentown, PA – Crocodile Rock
4/19 – Hampton Beach, NH – Casino Ballroom
4/20 – Sayreville, NJ – Starland Ballroom
4/23 – Jackson, TN – Carl Perkins Civic Center
4/24 – Fort Wayne, IN – Piere’s
4/25 – Sauget, IL – Pop’s
4/26 – Little Rock, AR – EDGEFEST
4/28 – Wichita Falls, TX – Kay Yeager Coliseum
4/29 – Lubbock, TX – The Pavilion
5/01 – Nashville, TN – City Hall
5/02 – Louisville, KY – Derby Outdoor Show
w/Black Stone Cherry, Neverset
5/03 – South Bend, IN – Club Fever
5/04 - Springfield, IL Prairie Capital Convention center
5/09 - Grand Rapids, MI Orbit Room
5/13 - Libertyville, IL Austin's Saloon
5/14 - Traverse City, MI Streeters
5/16 - Flint, MI The Machine Shop
5/18 - Columbus, OH Columbus Crew Stadium (Rock on the Range)

Thanks to www.thegauntlet.com

HATEBREED's Jamey Jasta Issuse Update

Jamey Jasta (HATEBREED, KINGDOM OF SORROW) has issued the following update:

"A lot of people have been writing me asking me about my solo dates and upcoming shows with both of my bands HATEBREED and KINGDOM OF SORROW. I've been getting a lot of questions and inquiries about booking. First, I'd like to thank everyone for interest and second I'd like to answer some of the questions. Hopefully this helps, see you all on the road!

"1. What is the JASTA solo show all about?

"Basically I perform songs from all three of my bands, as well as some covers, vote @ www.jameyjasta.com. I jam with a bunch of cool dudes from the band PHANTOMS. We play small bars, clubs and halls. Most of the time on really short notice in places you wouldn't think you'd hear some of these songs played live. This is just a fun way for me to play in places that I haven't played in years and I get to play cities and venues that it is hard to play with HATEBREED. I will eventually put out a solo record, maybe Halloween time of '08? But HATEBREED will always be my 1 priority and we will have our DVD coming out soon as well as a live album and a covers CD THIS YEAR! Later this year we will get back to writing our new album as well.

"2. How can I book a JASTA solo show?

"My old pal Tim Borror at The Agency Group books my solo shows. Please do not bother him unless you are a serious promoter and have promoted successful shows in the past. Thanks! timborror@theagencygroup.com."

Thanks to www.thegauntlet.com

PAINT IT BLACK Tour Dates

Paint It Black has announced a slew of spring tour dates. Here are the latest dates:

4/10 Philadelphia, PA @ Sailor Jerry (in-store)
4/11 Toronto, Ontario @ Kathedral w/ Cold World
4/12 Montreal, Quebec @ Black Dot w/ Cold World
4/13 Ottawa, Ontario @ Mavericks w/ Cold World
4/25 Doylestown, PA @ Siren Records w/ Cloak/Dagger
4/26 Buffalo, NY @ Mohawk Place w/ Cloak/Dagger
4/27 Wilkinsburg, PA @ Mr. Roboto Project w/ Cloak/Dagger
5/9 Providence, RI @ Club Hell w/ Blacklisted, Soul Control
5/10 Manville, NJ @ Manville Elks Lodge w/ Blacklisted, The Mongoloids
5/11 Lemoyne, PA @ The Champion Ship w/ Blacklisted
5/19 Los Angeles, CA @ Knitting Factory w/ Leatherface
5/20 Anaheim, CA @ Chain Reaction w/ Leatherface

dates w/ Ceremony, Life Long Tragedy, Sabertooth Zombie
5/21 Santa Cruz, CA @ 418 Project
5/22 San Francisco, CA @ Blazo Gallery
5/23 Portland, OR @ Satyricon
5/24 Tacoma, WA @ Rain Fest

dates w/ Blacklisted, New Mexican Disaster Squad
5/30 Jacksonville, FL @ Fuel
5/30 Gainesville, FL @ Atlantic
5/31 Lake Worth, FL @ Klein Dance Studio
6/1 Orlando, FL @ Back Booth

Thanks to www.metalunderground.com
 

AC/DC Farewell Tour?

XM's Boneyard/VH1 Classic host Eddie Trunk revealed a rumor on his "Friday Night Rocks" radio show on New York's Q104.3 FM earlier tonight (Friday, March 28) that Australian hard rock legends AC/DC will embark on a "farewell" tour later in the year once the recording sessions for their new album have been completed.

AC/DC bassist Cliff Williams told Spinner.com last month that AC/DC would enter the studio March 1 to begin recording its first new album in eight years. The web site caught up with Williams at the Rock and Roll Fantasy Camp in Los Angeles, where he said, "God I'm ready."

As for touring, however, Williams was less sure about the group's intentions. He explained, "If we go out again or when we go out again, you just never know. We've been around a long time, so we're going to get together and get in the studio and I fully expect we will (tour). I don't mean to be so negative about that."

The band itself is now international, with members scattered across the globe. Malcolm and Angus Young divide their time between Britain and Australia (with Angus also spending time in the Netherlands because he has a Dutch wife). Singer Brian Johnson and Cliff Williams are based in the U.S., while drummer Phil Rudd lives in New Zealand.

Reports surfaced in January that AC/DC was nearly finished recording its next album, but a spokesperson for the band's Australian label, Albert Records, denied the story.

AC/DC's last all-new set, "Stiff Upper Lip", came out in 2000.

Thanks to www.bravewords.com

MESHUGGAH Tour Problems

Sweden’s MESHUGGAH have issued the following update:

"Ahhh, not so awesome beginning of the CU LaTour! We just wanna say we're sorry for you guys who came out to the Calgary show especially! The routing/distances for this tour was insane for the first couple shows and us being stuck at the U.S/Canada border for a few hours meant we didn't make it in time for the Calgary show!

For the first Vancouver show at the Croatian Culture Center - same thing! Too far a drive to actually make it in time, so everything was way delayed which in turn meant that we had to cut the set real short! Three songs!! How's that for a Meshuggah set!!? Kinda embarrassing, but things were out of our hands!! We were there in time but the semi with all the stage gear was very late and with a 11 p.m curfew....

Basically, the start of this tour was just routed insanely and as for the rest of the tour, we shouldn't run into these issues.

So again, we apologize to those of you who came out to the shows to see us, only to find we didn't play or as for the Vancouver show - only played for 15 minutes!"

Thanks to www.metalunderground.com

Sebastian Bach Announces Tour Dates

Former SKID ROW singer SEBASTIAN BACH has issued the following update:

"We are stoked beyond belief to embark upon the Angel Down Under 2008 Headline Tour of Australia!! We had the time of our lives in 2007 opening for GUNS N' ROSES in Australia, now we are back to kick your ass one more time in 2008 ! See Ya Soon Australia!!"

Here are the confirmed tour dates:

May
17 - Newcastle, Australia - Panthers
20 - Sydney, Australia - Enmore Theatre
22 - Melbourne, Australia - Palace Theatre
23 - Gold Coast, Australia - Seagulls
24 - Brisbane, Australia - The Arena
27 - Perth, Australia - Burswood Theatre
29 - Adelaide, Australia - The Barton Theatre
30 - Canberra, Australia - Anu

June
4 - Oslo, Norway - Rockefeller
5 - Solvesborg, Sweden - Sweden Rock
6 - Tallinn Harjumaa, Estonia - The Old Monastery Yard
7 - Tampere, Finland - Sauna Open Air Festival
8 - Oulu, Finland - Teatria

Thanks to www.metalunderground.com

DEF LEPPARD VIP Packages on Ebay

Rick Allen, drummer of DEF LEPPARD will auction off once-in-a-lifetime VIP packages, in four cities, to benefit his Raven Drum Foundation and US troops coming home. Each package will include: two premium tickets to watch Def Leppard LIVE in concert, pre-concert meet and greet with Rick Allen for auction winner plus one guest, and catered dinner backstage with Rick. Additionally, Rick will escort auction the winner plus their guest on a private backstage tour of his drum kit before the concert. There will time to get autographs, take photos and chat with Rick. Complimentary hotels rooms will be included in Atlantic City and Las Vegas. Each of these locations will provide one room for the night of the concert.

All proceeds from these auctions will be donated to the Raven Drum Foundation and their Trauma & Resiliency Program, a comprehensive project for veterans and survivors of trauma which uses drumming as a healing tool. The Raven Drum Foundation was founded in 2001 by Rick Allen and Lauren Monroe, a musician and healing practitioner, in order to educate, support, and empower.

The first auction, for Def Leppard's concert on Friday April 4th at the Borgata Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City will be available for bidding on Ebay March 26th and close on Wednesday, April 2nd. Go directly to eBay to see more details on the auction.

You can also go to www.defleppard.com or ravendrum.org for more information

Cities include:

Friday, April 4 - Borgata, Atlantic City, NJ
Tuesday, April 8 - Mohegan Sun Casino, Uncasville, CT
Friday, April 25 - The Pearl, The Palms Casino In Las Vegas
Sunday, April 27 - Soboba Casino, San Jacinto, CZ

Def Leppard's 14th studio album, Songs From The Sparkle Lounge, is set for release on April 29th in North America, the 30th in Japan and May 5th in the UK. The limited edition Japanese version will feature a bonus track, and a bonus DVD with behind-the-scenes interviews and music videos. The CD will be a limited edition featuring the new deluxe SHM-CD (Super High Material CD) format which is completely compatible with standard CD players.

The finalized tracklisting for the album is as follows: 'Nine Lives', 'C'mon C'mon', 'Go', 'Love', 'Cruise Control', 'Bad Actress', 'Hallucinate', 'Tomorrow', 'Come Undone', 'Only The Good Die Young' and 'Gotta Let It Go'.

www.bravewords.com

First Acts for Tidalwave 2008 Announced

EXODUS, DÉTENTE, PSYCHOSOMATIC, ZOMBIE HOLOCAUST, ANCIENT AT BIRTH and PILLAGER are the first acts confirmed for The Tidalwave 11 festival which is taking place Saturday, July 5th and Sunday, July 6th in San Francisco, CA at McLaren Park, Amphitheater.

For more info click here.

Thanks to www.bravewords.com

RUSH Live Special to Air in April

According to RushIsABand.com, in the week prior to the release of RUSH's Snakes & Arrows Live, FMQB Productions will be releasing a one-hour radio special featuring an interview with Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson titled Inside Rush: Snakes & Arrows Live. It is due to air on select stations from April 11th - 15th. The official press release is below:

"Rush are set to unveil Snakes & Arrows Live, a 2-CD set recorded last October at the Netherlands' Ahoy Rotterdam arena. The show took place during the renowned rock trio's five-month world tour after the release of the acclaimed studio album Snakes & Arrows. Rush will release the new live CD to coincide with another four months of concert dates that will see the band traveling North America through mid-July.

Hosted by Lou Brutus, Inside Rush: Snakes & Arrows Live is a one-hour radio special with Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson, featuring the music of Rush in concert from the Snakes & Arrows Live release. Included in the program are the Rush classics 'Tom Sawyer', 'Limelight', 'Subdivisions', 'Witch Hunt' and 'A Passage To Bangkok', as well as the newest Rush creations 'Far Cry' and 'Workin' Them Angels'."

As previously reported, Rush will be the featured guests on the US nationally syndicated radio show Rockline with host Bob Coburn on Wednesday, April 30th at 8:30pm PT / 11:30pm ET.

Fans are encouraged to speak with the band by calling 1-800-344-ROCK (7625). For a station near you and for information regarding how to log onto the Internet for the broadcast go to www.RocklineRadio.com.

Rush's new album, Snakes & Arrows Live, is set for release on April 8th in North America. The first single off the album, 'Workin' Them Angels', has been officially released to radio stations.

Snakes & Arrows Live features the following track list:

Disc 1 - 'Limelight', 'Digital Man', 'Entre Nous', 'Mission', 'Freewill', 'Monkey Business', 'Larger Bowl', 'Secret Touch', 'Circumstances', 'Between the Wheels', 'Dreamline', 'Far Cry', 'Workin' Them Angels', 'Armor And Sword'.

Disc 2 - 'Spindrift', 'The Way The Wind Blows', 'Subdivisions', 'Natural Science', 'Witch Hunt', 'Malignant Narcissism + Drum Solo, 'Hope', 'Distant Early Warning', 'The Spirit Of Radio', 'Tom Sawyer', 'One Little Victory', 'A Passage To Bangkok', 'YYZ'.

Thanks to www.bravewords.com

Korn to Tour with Original Lineup?

According to The Pulse of Radio, rumors have surfaced that the original lineup of KORN be reuniting in the not-too-distant future. No other information was offered as to when this could happen or whether the original five members would record a new album or hit the road. KORN's lineup was stable for the first 12 years and six albums of the band's existence, until guitarist Brian "Head" Welch left the group in early 2005 to devote his life to Christianity. Drummer David Silveria followed in late 2006, taking a "temporary hiatus" to spend time with his family and oversee his restaurant business. Singer Jonathan Davis, guitarist James "Munky" Shaffer and bassist Reginald "Fieldy" Arvizu have carried on with a revolving cast of touring and studio musicians in the interim, vowing not to find permanent replacements.

KORN's eighth studio album, which was untitled, came out last summer.

The band has trips to South America, Australia and New Zealand planned for April, after which Davis will embark on a solo European tour in May and June.

Shaffer recently started a new project called FEAR AND THE NERVOUS SYSTEM, with a self-titled debut album due to arrive on August 8 through his own Emotional Syphon label. The CD also features guest appearances by past and present members of FAITH NO MORE, LIMP BIZKIT and BAD RELIGION.

Arvizu also has a solo project reportedly in the works, while Welch published a memoir last year titled "Save Me from Myself: How I Found God, Quit Korn, Kicked Drugs, and Lived to Tell My Story".

Thanks to www.blabbermouth.net

OTTO'S DAUGHTER Offers New Items Online

Otto's Daughter has added new merchandise to thier online store, check it out here.
You can also check them out here: www.myspace.com/ottosdaughter

Watch FIVe FINGER DEATH PUNCH Celebrate St. Patrick's Day

From their Myspace:
5FDP celebrate St. Patty's day
..

Cruefest!

From The Metal Reporter himself....

Tenth Street Entertainment — which represents MÖTLEY CRÜE — has shot down as (at least partially) "blatantly false and completely unfounded" Internet rumors that CRÜE will headline a festival-type tour called "Cruefest", with support from several other artists from the Tenth Street management stable, including BUCKCHERRY, PAPA ROACH, SIXX: A.M.



and DROWNING POOL.



According to Tenth Street, CRÜE's April 15 press conference/announcement in Los Angeles will relate to "a few" (but presumably not all) of the following artists:

MÖTLEY CRÜE
ATREYU
SAVING ABEL
SHINEDOWN
CHEVELLE
APOCALYPTICA
THE EXIES
PUDDLE OF MUDD
STAIND
GODSMACK
DROWNING POOL
THEORY OF DEADMAN
THREE DAYS GRACE
AVENGED SEVENFOLD
SIXX: A.M.




TRAPT
SEETHER
FLYLEAF
BUCKCHERRY
BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE
RED
BELLE & SEBASTIAN
PETE YORN
THE WALLFLOWERS
3 DOORS DOWN

All four members of CRÜE will be present at the April 15 press conference at a location yet to be determined for what the release hyped as "by far...one of the biggest music announcements of the year!!" The band is also launching a contest in which one grand prize winner from each major city in the country will be flown to Los Angeles to cover the announcement, complete with a chance to interview the band and have the interview broadcast live.



Details can be found at the official CRÜE site.





A "video teaser" for the press conference/contest — which appears to contain images of MÖTLEY CRÜE, BUCKCHERRY and SIXX: A.M.



— can be viewed at this location (Quicktime required).





MÖTLEY CRÜE is currently working on its ninth studio album and first featuring all four original members since 1997's "Generation Swine".



Bassist Nikki Sixx said in an online posting, "Tommy's (Lee, drums) kickin' ass, Vince (Neil, vocals) sounds insane and (Mick) Mars is shredding on guitars. It doesn't feel like one song is better or worse than any other. It feels so good to be excited about something you've worked on so hard...I'm so excited for you all to hear it.



"

The album, titled "The Dirt" after the group's memoir of the same name, is tentatively due out on July 8.

MOTLEY CRUE Wants Fans to be Part of Big Announcement

Motley Crue will be making a HUGE announcement in Los Angeles on April 15 and wants its' fans to be a part of it. Motley Crue will fly out one lucky grand prize winner from each major city across the country for a once in a lifetime opportunity to cover this announcement in Los Angeles and the chance to interview the band and have it broadcast live. Fans can visit this location.

Thanks to www.thegauntlet.com

OBITUARY US Tour Dates And Opening Acts

OBITUARY, DYING FETUS, ORIGIN and THY WILL BE DONE will team up for a U.S. tour in May. Confirmed dates are as follows:

May 09 - Spartanburg, SC @ Ground Zero
May 10 - Raleigh, NC @ Volume 11
May 11 - Virginia Beach, VA @ Steppin Out
May 12 - New York, NY @ BB Kings
May 13 - Cleveland, OH @ Peabody’s
May 14 - Mokena, IL @ The Pearl Room
May 16 - Springfield, VA @ Jaxx
May 17 - Rochester, NY @ Penny Arcade
May 18 - Stroudsburg, PA @ Penn Monster Factory
May 19 - Huntington, WV @ Monkey Bar
May 20 - Nashville, TN @ The Muse
May 21 - Atlanta, GA @ The Masquerade
May 22 - Orlando, FL @ The Haven
May 23 - Tampa, FL @ The Orpheum

Thanks to www.metalunderground.com

An Aussie Metal Event

From www.brismetalrecords.com:

Rosie's Live - Ex-Club Phoenix
235 Edward St
Brisbane

Cost $10
Doors Open 7:30pm

Band Times

8:00pm - Violent Green

8.50pm - Phalanx

9.40pm - Defamer

10.30pm - Empyrean

11.30pm - Dead Letter Opener

12.30pm - Happy Camper

Major Prize
Local merch pack featuring $150 voucher for Rockaway Records

Four other merch packs featuring local cd's, shirts, stickers also to be won!

Now featuring the worthy addition of the mightiest flesh-piercing super-glue-ing soup-can-face-smashing of all freak sideshows - DAMAGED GOODS!
Damaged Goods will be performing acts throughout the night so be prepared - between face-crushing metal, you'll be witnessing cranium-smashing freaks.

The guys/gals of the freakshow will also be drawing the prize winners for local merch packs featuring cds, t-shirts, stickers and more from a range of Brisso bands including Acid Theory, Western Decay, Omit, Torn Asunder, 'Neath, Killosophy plus many more.

All this, plus HAPPY CAMPER, VIOLENT GREEN, PHALANX, DEAD LETTER OPENER, EMPYREAN and DEFAMER... equals a night not to be missed.

... See you there, Brismetallers...
BMcR HQ

WARRANT Frontman Settles Lawsuit with Label

From the Associated Press:

Warrant's singer has settled a lawsuit with Virgin Records that accused the label of breaching a contract dealing with his musical compositions.

Attorneys on both sides told Superior Court Judge Richard Fruin on Monday they had resolved the case, but terms of the settlement were not made public.

Jani Lane, whose real name is John Oswald, filed the suit in August, seeking unspecified compensatory and general damages.

Lane said he entered a deal with Virgin Songs Inc. in August 1988 in which he was to be paid royalties and other sums for his published compositions.

He claimed the label was notified of alleged breaches in the contract last June, but did not correct them.

Lane, 43, joined Warrant in 1984 and wrote such hits as 'Heaven', 'Down Boys' and 'Cherry Pie'. He left the band in 1992 and returned again before leaving again in 2004.

The band recently announced it will be touring this summer, with Lane and the rest of the original lineup regrouping for the first time in 14 years.

In related news, Warrant drummer Steven Sweet recently commented to Artisan News on the band's future plans regarding new material and if they would head back to the studo, stating, "Not immediately, but we're already working on new ideas and probably by the end of the year, once things slow down with travel, then we'll get back in and start putting some things down."

Thanks to www.knac.com

MESHUGGAH, DANKO JONES and THE EXPLOITED Confirmed for German Festival

MESHUGGAH, DANKO JONES and THE EXPLOITED have been confirmed for this year's With Full Force festival, set to take place July 4-6, 2008 at Flugplatz Roitzschjora in Löbnitz, Germany.

The festival billing is shaping up as follows:

IN FLAMES
MACHINE HEAD
CAVALERA CONSPIRACY
MINISTRY
AGNOSTIC FRONT
AVENGED SEVENFOLD
1349
A.O.K.
BELPHEGOR
BORN FROM PAIN
BROILERS
BRUTAL TRUTH
CALIBAN
CATARACT
CONVERGE
DANKO JONES
DARK FUNERAL
DEATH BEFORE DISHONOR
DEATH BY STEREO
DIE APOKALYPTISCHEN REITER
DISCIPLINE
DRONE
ENEMY OF THE SUN
ENSIFERUM
ENTOMBED
FALL OF SERENITY
H2O
HARDCORE SUPERSTAR
HEAVEN SHALL BURN
J.B.O.
JAPANISCHE KAMPFHÖRSPIELE
JOB FOR A COWBOY
KRISIUN
LAGWAGON
MAD SIN
MADBALL
MAMBO KURT
MAYHEM
MESHUGGAH
MILWAUKEE WILDMEN
MISERY SPEAKS
MOONSPELL
MORBID ANGEL
ONE FINE DAY
PÖBEL & GESOCKS
PRIMORDIAL
PSYCHOPUNCH
RYKER'S
SHE MALE TROUBLE
SIX FEET UNDER
SLAPSHOT
STUCK MOJO
SUBWAY TO SALLY
TECH 9
THE DESTINY PROGRAM
THE EXPLOITED
THE TURBO AC'S
VOLBEAT
WAR FROM A HARLOTS MOUTH

Thanks to www.blabbermouth.net

MEGADETH Update And Video Greeting

MEGADETH have issued the following update:

"MegaFanClub members can check out a new video clip posted at the club of Dave Mustaine from backstage in Bangalore, India (March 14th). Dave sends out a warm hello to all fan club members from his dressing room just 10 minutes prior to going on stage at the Rock In India festival. See this exclusive video clip here."

In other news, ExpressIndia.com conducted a short Q&A with Megadeth prior to their Bangalore show. It appears below:

American thrash metal band Megadeth, known for its seven Grammy nominations as well as controversial lyrics, is on its first visit to India. At the Rock In India Festival in Bangalore today, they will share the stage with American heavy metal act Machine Head and Indian bands like Millennium, Pentagram and Junkyard Groove. In an interaction with Pallavi Jassi, Megadeth talks about themselves and the concert.

Q: How does it feel to be in India?

A: "The band’s lineage is very strong. And we’re really excited to bring the band to its Indian fans. It’s a fantastic honour to have the opportunity to show where we are right now."

Q: There seems to be a consensus in the music world that metal is poised to make a big comeback. Do you think it ever really went away?

A: "I don’t think it really went away. It has always been there and will be there. But we must say that with the growing number of metal bands, more and more people are waking up to it."

Q: It has been 24 years since your first album came out. How has the journey been?

A: "The journey has been fantastic, there has never been a dull moment. But we would like to think there will be many more exciting moments in the future."

Q: Would you say there has been a return to the old-school speed-metal roots with the release of your album United Abominations last year?

A: "I think so. It was an amazing project, a true Megadeth album."

Q: What is the band’s take on Indian music?

A: "We’re not very familiar with Indian music, to be honest, though we would love to hear some local talent, as we are always looking to hear something new, regardless of where it is from."

Thanks to www.bravewords.com

KING CRIMSON Announce U.S. Tour Dates

Progressive rock legends KING CRIMSON have announced the following U.S. tour dates for August:

August 6 - Chicago, IL @ Park West
August 7 - Chicago, IL @ Park West
August 8 - Chicago, IL @ Park West
August 11 - Philadelphia, PA @ Keswick Theatre
August 12 - Philadelphia, PA @ Keswick Theatre
August 14 - New York, NY @ Nokia Theatre
August 15 - New York, NY @ Nokia Theatre
August 16 - New York, NY @ Nokia Theatre

Thanks to www.metalunderground.com

Nikki Sixx Gives Update On New MOTLEY CRUE Album

Motley Crue Bassist Nikki Sixx has issued the following blog:

"I fucking love this new MÖTLEY CRÜE album. Tommy's kickin' ass, Vince sounds insane and Mars is shredding on guitars. It doesn't feel like one song is better or worse than any other. It feels so good to be excited about something you've worked on so hard... I'm so excited for you all to hear it."

Thanks to www.metalunderground.com

IRON MAIDEN's Bruce Dickinson Writes Horror Movie

Iron Maiden's Bruce Dickinson has co-written a horror movie which will premiere at the Cannes Film Festival in France. The "Bring Your Daughter To The Slaughter" singer teamed up with director Julian Doyle to pen the script for Chemical Wedding, which stars Simon Callow as reincarnated occultist Aleister Crowley.

Chemical Wedding will debut at Cannes on May 17 and pilot Dickinson is planning to fly guests down to the French event in Iron Maiden's Boeing 757.

Thanks to www.thegauntlet.com

NINE INCH NAILS Net $1.6 Million From Online Sales

Nine Inch Nails star Trent Reznor has become a rich man after netting $1.6 million from first-week sales of his new online venture. The rocker released his new instrumental album Ghosts I-IV in cyberspace and 800,000 fans paid anything from $1 to full price and beyond to download the tracks.

The $1.6 million windfall also includes online orders for album-related products like limited-edition vinyl releases, CDs, and a dual-CD box set.

Ghosts I-IV will be released in record stores next month.

Thanks to www.thegauntlet.com

METALLICA To Re-Release Vinyl Records

Metallica have issued the following update:

"While we're finishing up the new album, we told the dudes at the record company we thought it might be cool to dust off the old tapes and get all retro with some vinyl re-releases... First up are the first two albums (duh!?), Kill 'Em All and Ride the Lightning, coming out on April 15 in North America and pretty fucking close to that in the rest of the world.

There will be two versions...one like the original on a single disc spinning at 33 1/3, the other a two disc, 180 gram vinyl, 45 rpm package all in a double gatefold. The music was half speed mastered from the original analog tapes at Mobile Fidelity to bring you audiophile quality.

Both versions will be available in the (Metallica.com) online store and over at Met Club. Oh, and in case you were wondering, Master Of Puppets and ... And Justice For All will obviously be next and should be coming out on vinyl in June."

Thanks to www.knac.com

MESHUGGAH Tour Dates With MINISTRY

It’s been three years since their last tour and last album, but with their highly-anticipated new masterpiece, obZen, slated for release in the U.S. and Canada on March 11th, a new Swedish My Space pre-listening promotion record for a ¼ of a million album streams, and Blender Magazine’s “Best Heavy Metal Drummer” & Guitar World’s #35 ranked “Greatest Metal Guitarists” in tow, Sweden’s MESHUGGAH are ready to bring their trademarked arrhythmia back to North America on Ministry’s “C-U-LaTour” Farewell Tour.

A truly lateral-thinking force genuinely dedicated to pushing the boundaries of extreme music, MESHUGGAH have spent the last twenty years developing and exploring their metric art. It’s never shocking to see some of the biggest names in metal standing in the wings at MESHUGGAH shows shaking their heads at the band’s (di)versions of standard 4/4 time. States Deftones guitarist Stephen Carpenter, “Through all these years, I’ve been waiting to hear someone that does something more pummeling, and it’s just not coming. Their stuff changed my life.” Not surprisingly, the band’s discography underwent scholarly analysis at the 34th Annual Meeting of The Music Theory Society of New York State in 2006, and the article, “Re-casting Metal: Rhythm & Meter in the Music of MESHUGGAH” was published in Music Theory Spectrum, the journal of The Society for Music Theory in the latter half of 2007.

With obZen primed to become another testament of MESHUGGAH’s importance to the fields of recording and performing arts, it’s safe to say that MESHUGGAH is to music what Sir Isaac Newton is to calculus.

March, 25 - Spokane, WA -  The Big Easy
March, 26 - Calgary, Canada - The Whiskey
March, 27 - Vancouver, Canada - Croatian Cultural Center
March, 28 - Vancouver, Canada - Commodore Ballroom
March, 29 - Seattle, WA - Showbox SoDo
March, 30 - Portland, OR - Roseland Theatre
April, 1 - San Francisco, CA - Filmore Auditorium
April, 2 - San Francisco, CA - Filmore Auditorium
April, 5 - Los Angeles, CA - House of Blues
April, 6 - Los Angeles, CA - House of Blues
April, 7 - San Diego, CA - House of Blues
April, 8 - Tempe, AZ - Marquee Theatre
April, 9 - Las Vegas, NV - House of Blues
April, 11 - Salt Lake City, UT - The Great Salt Air
April, 12 - Denver, CO - Ogden Theatre
April, 14 - Albuquerque, NM - Sunshine Theatre
April, 15 - Austin, TX - La Zona Rosa
April, 16 - Tulsa, OK - Cain's Ballroom
April, 17 - Dallas, TX - Palladium Ballroom
April, 18 - Houston, TX - Verizon Wireless Theatre
April, 19 - New Orleans, LA - House of Blues
April 21 - Ft. Lauderdale - Revolution
April, 22- Orlando, FL - House of Blues
April, 23 - St. Petersburg, FL - Jannus Landing
April, 24 - Charlotte, NC - Tremont Music Hall
April, 25 - Atlanta, GA - Masquerade
April, 26 - Baltimore, MD - Rams Head Live
April, 27 - Worcester, MA - Palladium
April, 29 - Philadelphia, PA - Fillmore At The TLA
May, 1 - New York, NY - Irving Plaza
May, 2 - New York, NY - Irving Plaza
May, 3 - Montreal, Canada - Metropolis
May, 4 - Toronto, Canada - The Guvernment - Kool Haus
May, 6 - Cleveland, OH - Agora Theatre
May, 7 - Detroit, MI - Emerald Theatre
May, 8 - Chicago, IL - House of Blues
May, 9 - Chicago, IL - House of Blues

Thanks to www.thegauntlet.com

DISTURBED is spreading the "Insanity"

Disturbed is giving fans an early taste from their new album “Indestructible” which hits the streets June 3, 2008. Click here to hear their new track “Perfect Insanity”.
Also, This Monday the 10th at 11am PST / 2pm EST Disturbed will be playing a live show from Kuwait that is being streamed free via MySpace. Click here for more info.

Thanks to www.thegauntlet.com

LORDI working on new material; New MySpace page relaunched

Finnish monster rock n' roll band LORDI has posted an update on their official site about recording new material and upcoming live dates.

"We are busy writing new material right now for an upcoming album. We've also been confirmed for a few summer festivals in Europe,
so keep checking our tour page to find out where you can see us. Confirmed festival dates are:

07/02/08 Wed @ Castle Fest - Smederevo, Serbia
07/05/08 Sat @ Waldrock 2008 - Bergum, Netherlands
07/12/08 Sat @ Oluset-festival - Iisalmi, Finland
07/25/08 Fri @ Noc. Festival, - Benatska, Czech Republic
08/02/08 Sat @ Wacken Festival W:O:A - Wacken, Germany

Also, please check out our new killer MySpace site: http://www.myspace.com/lordi

Thanks to www.thegauntlet.com

First Summer Slaughter Tour Dates Revealed

As previously reported, this year’s Summer Slaughter Tour will feature THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, KATAKLYSM, VADER, CRYPTOPSY, THE FACELESS, DESPISED ICON, ABORTED, BORN OF OSIRIS, PSYCROPTIC, and WHITECHAPEL. The first dates to be released for the tour include:

July
19 - Spokane, WA - Big Easy Concert House
20 - Boise, ID - Big Easy Concert House

Thanks to www.bravewords.com

POISON, DOKKEN, Sebastian Bach To Team Up For Tour

It has been revealed that POISON, SEBASTIAN BACH and DOKKEN will team up for a U.S. tour this summer. POISON will headline the trek, with SEBASTIAN BACH and DOKKEN rotating the opening slot. So far only one date is available: Saturday, August 23 at the Gibson Amphitheatre at Universal CityWalk in Universal City, California.

POISON will perform at the Rock2Wgtn music festival, which is scheduled to take place March 22-23 at Westpac Stadium in Wellington, New Zealand. Also scheduled to appear are WHITESNAKE, ALICE COOPER, OZZY OSBOURNE, KISS and LORDI.

POISON's album of cover songs, "Poison'd!", sold 21,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release in June 2007 to debut at position No. 32 on The Billboard 200 chart. The CD presents the band's first new studio recordings since 2002's "Hollyweird". Produced by Don Was at Hensen Recording Studios in Hollywood, "Poison'd" packs 13 explosive tracks, including new recordings of DAVID BOWIE's "Suffragette City", THE CARS' "You're Just What I Needed", THE ROMANTICS' "What I Like About You", SWEET's "Little Willy", THE MARSHALL TUCKER BAND's "Can't You See" and THE ROLLING STONES' "Dead Flowers". Some of POISON's best previously recorded covers are also featured on "Poison'd", including KISS' "Rock and Roll All Nite", GRAND FUNK RAILROAD's "We're An American Band" and LOGGINS AND MESSINA's "Your Mama Don't Dance".

Thanks to www.metalunderground.com

New Interview With Ville Valo of HIM

A new video interview with Ville Valo of HIM can be seen here:

MIGHTY SIDESHOW CD Release Party and Show With 10 Years

Mighty Sideshow will be celebrating the release of their new CD 'Charm' with a CD release party on April 25th at the Midtown Music Hall in Chattanooga, Tennessee. They will also be preforming with 10 Years on April 15th at Fathom in Chattanooga.

To hear more from Mighty Sideshow check out their myspace page: www.myspace.com/mightysideshow

Brismetal Interview with AZAZEL

New Zealander's Dawn of Azazel are another band playing at METALSTOCK in Sydney this month.

Faith put on her interviewer's hat again and asked vocalist/bassist Rigel Walshe a few questions. Read on...
----------------------------

You guys have landed some killer international and local support slots, how was the recent Behemoth tour?

Really killer, we played with the behemoth guys at the Hellraiser open air festival last year, so we knew them already, and they were great to tour with. The crowds in your country were great as always too. We played our 100th show for Sedition on the tour, which of course we celebrated by passing out a round of shots to the crowd, and I couldn't have thought of a better place to be celebrating.

Which country were you surprised by the most on your international tour with Krisiun, Grave and Immolation? Any culture shocks?

Well we had been to most of them before on our last European tour, but never realized how fruity Germans got at those festivals, wearing pink hats and trying to kiss and hump you when they've had too many brews, we had to give them a few cultural lessons on what happens to your face when you do that in NZ :)

Most memorable moment on tour so far?

Fuck theres alot, but maybe ill go with when we were last in Germany playing an open air festival and we and Leng Tche stacked 6 drunken passed out Germans and pissed all over them. That was pretty funny shit.

How do you keep up your energy levels on tour?

Well everyones got their own tricks, but for me the secret is really as simple as to keep drinking. Once you get on the bandwagon mate you are gonna crash when you come down, so like they say when your going through hell, keep going!

How is the metal scene in NZ these days? Any bands you would recommend checking out?

The scene is pretty strong here these days, its a small county, but there definitely are some killer bands, Ulcerate, Sinate, Meatyard, Akaname, Vassafor, Diocletian, Aethea, Scoria, Backyard Burial, Slave Cadaver, Vixen Execution, Ravenous

What have DOA been working on of late, any new material in the works?

Well we have just changed over drummers so we have been pretty busy getting Jeremy settled in and just getting tight again. We have a whole lot of new material, its just a matter of getting onto learning that when we get back from this upcoming Australian tour.

Are you guys all trying to still hold regular jobs or are you truly full time musicians now?

Haha no I don't think thats really going to be a realistic goal for musicians making extreme metal in this part of the world, its so expensive to get to a part of the world where you can play everyday for weeks on end, which is really how most people in this business make a living. We are doing ok but we still got a way to go before we get to that level.

Do DOA love sheep as much as an Aussie would presume they do? hahaha

No, but I hear you fuck Kangeroos, you threw another shrimp on the barbie, a dingo stole your baby. And you are a cunt.

Did any of you make new year's resolutions and are you actually keeping them?

Well I had a few that Id rather not mention, but the most successfull so far has been my one to drink more vodka and other white spirits, im making some really good progress in that regard.

Thanks alot for the interview, see ya in a month!

Thanks to www.myspace.com/brismetal

KITTIE Bassist Leaves Band Due To Medical Condition

With sadness Kittie has confirmed the departure of bassist Trish Doan due to a severe medical condition.

Doan has been diagnosed with the eating disorder anorexia-athletica-nervosa, which she developed during the recording of Kittie’s “Funeral for Yesterday,” Doan’s first release with the group.

“It breaks my heart to say goodbye to this family that has given me the best two years of my life,” Doan said. “I wish my time with Kittie did not have to end, but this decision was made based on doctors’ orders. Unfortunately this is the only option that will allow for my full recovery.”

Doan has been battling the disease for nearly two years.

“Trish is a part of our family and her talents and friendship will be missed by all of us,” said Tara McLeod and sisters Mercedes and Morgan Lander. “We are continuing to be respectful and supportive of Trish’s needs during her period of healing. We wish her the best on her road to recovery and will remain close to her throughout this difficult time.”

www.kittierocks.com

Thanks to www.thegauntlet.com

NINE INCH NAILS' New Album Downloads Halt Servers

It shouldn't be any surprise, but fan demand for the new Nine Inch Nails self-released "Ghosts I-IV" was so great that nin.com could not handle the load. Sales were suspended briefly, but are now back up with this note:

    Nin The new Nine Inch Nails record is available RIGHT NOW! (for real this time). Sorry again about the hassle. Somebody kicked the plug out of our internets, but we're all set now.

In related news, NIN's new album has been released via Amazon MP3 as well thanks to TuneCore.

Get more band news and info here.

Thanks to www.metalunderground.com

ALICE COOPER, POISON, STYX Confirmed For Kansas State Fair

The Kansas State Fair has announced the following first confirmed acts for the 2008 Sprint Grandstand Entertainment:

STYX - Friday, September 5
POISON - Sunday, September 7
ALICE COOPER - Friday, September 12

The annual Kansas State Fair is held annually beginning the Friday following Labor Day and lasts for 10 days at the Kansas State Fairgrounds in Hutchinson, Kansas. The largest single event in the State, the Fair annually attracts approximately 350,000 people from all 105 Kansas counties and several other states.

For more info click here.

Thanks to www.bravewords.com

BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE Ticket Scam Uncovered

BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE have issued the following heads up to their fans:

"There is an internet scam going on. Someone named / or calling themselves JENNIFER WEDS (promotions@tasteofchaos.com), we believe, is charging $95 for two VIP tickets. She is claiming to be the tour's promotions marketing person. We're currently investigating the situation in hopes of finding out who this person is for further investigation. People are being sent emails, printing them out, and bringing them to the box office for entry. THIS IS A SCAM.

Here is what the letter says:

Dear ______:

You have been chosen to receive two VIP tickets for the Rockstar Taste Of Chaos tour! Your name will be on the will call list plus one guest. Please be sure to bring a print out of the email and your photo ID when
picking up your tickets. Will Call will be open one hour prior to showtime. Have a great time and keep rockin!

Sincerely,
Jennifer Weds
promotional marketing
Taste of Chaos 2008

Others letter are more specific and say within the body:

'Receive two VIP tickets for the Rockstar Taste of Chaos Tour 2008 in Denver, CO on February 29th, 2008. Your name will appear on IDIOT PILOTS guestlist. Please bring a valid photo ID. This guestlist spot is valid for you PLUS ONE GUEST.'

Again, this is a SCAM and this will become a police matter!

The tour always prides itself on giving our audiences the best experience and when something like this happens it really sucks!"

Kevin Lyman, John Reese & Your RTOC Family

The Taste Of Chaos tour schedule is as follows:

March
5 - Family Arena - St. Louis, MO
7 - Hara Arena - Dayton, OH
8 - Cobo Arena - Detroit, MI
10 - The Armory - Rochester, NY
11 - Aragon Ballroom - Chicago, IL
13 - Constant Convocation Center - Norfolk, VA
14 - Tweeter Center - Philadelphia, PA
15 - Convention Center - Asbury Park, NJ
17 - Patriot Center - Washington, DC
18 - Cumberland County Civic Center - Portland, ME
20 - Nassau Coliseum - Nassau, NY
21 - Tsongas Arena - Boston, MA
22 - The Armory - Albany, NY
24 - Gwinnett Center - Atlanta, GA
25 - USF Sundome - Tampa, FL
26 - Bayfront Park - Miami, FL
28 - New UCF Arena - Orlando, FL
29 - Mississippi Coast Coliseum - Biloxi, MS

April
1 - Nokia Theatre - Dallas, TX
3 - Fairgrounds Arena - Oklahoma City, OK
4 - Concrete Street Amphitheatre - Corpus Christi, TX
5 - Freeman Coliseum - San Antonio, TX
6 - County Coliseum - El Paso, TX
8 - The Pearl - Las Vegas, NV
9 - Jobing.com Arena - Phoenix, AZ
10 - Long Beach Arena - Long Beach, CA
12 - Event Center - San Jose, CA
13 - ARCO Arena - Sacramento, CA
15 - WaMu Center - Seattle, WA

Thanks to www.bravewords.com

'Dirt Town' by BOBAFLEX Gets Five Star Review

Review from MUEN Magazine, www.myspace.com/gcataline

With song titles like "Born Again", "Savior" and "I Still Believe" you might think these rockers from West Virginia were a Christian Band. But when you listen to the lyrics you'll find it's an album about real people and real life, whence the title "Tales From Dirt Town" It also seems to tell a little of their own struggles as a band. Like on their energetic opening track "Sell Out": "Looking down the barrel of a muthafuckin' gun - You better get his money or your little band is done - Law suits label rape are steppin' on my lungs - I pray this album has a hit but I know we ain't got one..." Bobaflex has had to deal with broken down vans, stolen equipment and the uglier side of the music industry to get to where they are today, and starting the album with "Sell Out" is like saying "No matter what you bastards do, we're not going to quit!" There are plenty of songs with catchy lyrics and riffs that will have you singing along after only a couple of plays, like "That Ole Speed" and "Be With You" and is an album that just about anyone can identify with. Their song "Home", brings the album to a solid conclusion with its more ballad style and melodic harmonies. It is about being burned out on tour and is already being played on radio stations all over the country. There is maturity in the writing and in the age of screamo and growling they have gone to a more traditional Rock/Metal sound. These guys have brought fantastic vocals, courtesy of Shaun and Marty McCoy and meaningful lyrics back to metal. *****

Munky of KORN Has A New Project

JAMES “MUNKY” SHAFFER ANNOUNCES NEW PROJECT – FEAR AND THE NERVOUS SYSTEM…NEW ALBUM DUE AUGUST 8!!!

KoRn guitarist James ‘Munky’ Shaffer announces plans to release a new
project entitled FEAR AND THE NERVOUS SYSTEM due out August 8, 2008. The record will be released on his own label, EMOTIONAL SYPHON RECORDINGS.

The band features James Christian Shaffer (“Munky”) on guitars and vocals; Billy Gould (Faith No More), bass; Wes Borland (Black Light Burns), guitars; Brooks Wackerman (Bad Religion, Tenacious D), drums and percussion; Leopold Ross (IO Echo), programming and guitars; Zach Baird (KorRn), keyboards and programming. The album will be produced by Shaffer, Ross, and Jim Monti, with additional production by Tim Harkins and Danny Lohner (NIN, Black Light Burns)

Famed producer Ross Robinson (Slipknot, KoRn) comments: “What can I do to ever come close to feeling James’s level of pure ruthless courage through a guitar? Since I’ve worked with him, I've tried to inspire, convince, beg,bleed, cry, prod and nearly die, hoping to hit that bar with others.  I'm grateful to know what ‘it’ is, and where it always exists—in my brother, James. His solo band? Yes, please!”

The songs are being recorded at Music Grinder Studios in Hollywood, CA, with Jim Monti handling the mixing duties. Fear and The Nervous System is an exciting project that opens up the boundaries of rock, harkening back to the days when music was fearless. You can check out more on FEAR AND THE NERVOUS SYSTEM by visiting http://www.myspace.com/fearandthenervoussystem!!!

Rocklahoma Line Up Coming Together

The lineup has been announced for this year's Rocklahoma, which will be held July 10-13, 2008 at the Catch The Fever Festival Grounds, four miles north of Pryor, Oklahoma. The main-stage billing is shaping up as follows:

Thursday, July 10:

BRET MICHAELS (headlining)
L.A. GUNS
ENUFF Z'NUFF (possible Jake E. Lee appearance)
VAIN
HOUSE OF LORDS
JETBOY

Friday, July 11:

TRIUMPH (headlining)
EXTREME (co-headlining)
NIGHT RANGER
KINGDOM COME
ARMORED SAINT
XYZ

Saturday, July 12:

CINDERELLA
WARRANT (with Jani Lane)
KIX
TRIXTER
BLACK 'N BLUE
TORA TORA
EVERY MOTHER'S NIGHTMARE
PRETTY BOY FLOYD

Sunday, July 13:

[Major act yet to be announced]
TESLA
LYNCH MOB (with Tommy Aldridge, Marco Mendoza)
ZEBRA
BEAUTIFUL CREATURES
AXE

Metal from Finland Award Winners

Best Finnish band of 2007:
1. NIGHTWISH
2. H.I.M.
3. CHILDREN OF BODOM
4. THE RASMUS
5. TARJA TURUNEN
6. LOVEX
7. APOCALYPTICA
8. CATAMENIA
9. SONATA ARCTICA
10.ENTWINE

Best Finnish vocalist of 2007
1. VILLE VALO (H.I.M.)
2. LAURI YLÖNEN (The Rasmus)
3. TARJA TURUNEN (Tarja Turunen)
4. MARCO HIETALA (Nightwish/Tarot)
5. TIMO KOTIPELTO (Stratovarius/Kotipelto)
6. PEKKA HEINO (Brother Firetribe/Leverage)
7. TONY KAKKO (Sonata Arctica)
8. MIKA TAURIAINEN (Entwine/Shamrain)
9. TOMI JOUTSEN (Amorphis)
10.ARI KOIVUNEN (Ari Koivunen)

Best Finnish guitarist of 2007
1. ALEXI LAIHO (Children Of Bodom)
2. EMPPU VUORINEN (Nightwish/Brother Firetribe)
3. PAULI RANTASALMI (The Rasmus)
4. LINDE LINDSTRÖM (H.I.M.)
5. TIMO TOLKKI (Stratovarius)
6. SIR CHRISTUS (Negative)
7. ROOPE LATVALA (Children Of Bodom)
8. JANI LIIMATAINEN (ex-Sonata Arctica)
9. MARKUS VANHALA (Omnium Gatherum)
10.JARI MÄENPÄÄ (Wintersun)

Best Finnish drummer of 2007
1. JUKKA NEVALAINEN (Nightwish)
2. AKI HAKALA (The Rasmus)
3. MIKA KARPPINEN (H.I.M.)
4. JASKA RAATIKAINEN (Children Of Bodom)
5. AKSU HANTTU (Entwine)
6. MIKKO SIRÉN (Apocalyptica)
7. TONI TURUNEN (Tarja Turunen)
8. KAI HAHTO (Wintersun)
9. JUSSI 69 (The 69 Eyes)
10.TOMMY PORTIMO (Sonata Arctica)

Best Finnish bassist of 2007
1. MARCO HIETALA (Nightwish/Tarot)
2. MIKKO 'MIGE' PAANANEN (H.I.M.)
3. EERO HEINONEN (The Rasmus)
4. LAURI PORRA (Stratovarius)
5. HENKKA BLACKSMITH (Children Of Bodom)
6. JASON (Lovex)
7. ANTTI ANATOMY (Negative)
8. ERKKI SILVENNOINEN (ex-Amoral)
9. TEEMU HAUTAMÄKI (Charon)
10.TEEMU RAJAMÄKI (Uniklubi)

Best Finnish keyboarder of 2007
1. TUOMAS HOLOPAINEN (Nightwish)
2. JANNE 'BURTON' PUURTINEN (H.I.M.)
3. JANNE WIRMAN (Children Of Bodom)
4. HENRIK KLINGENBERG (Sonata Arctica)
5. JANNE TOLSA (Tarot)
6. CHRISTIAN (Lovex)
7. MARIA ILMONIEMI (Tarja Turunen)
8. AWA (Lordi)
9. TUOMAS PLANMAN (Norther)
10.SANTERI KALLIO (Amorphis)

Best Finnish album of 2007
1. VENUS DOOM (H.I.M.)
2. DARK PASSION PLAY (Nightwish)
3. MY WINTER STORM (Tarja Turunen)
4. WORLDS COLLIDE (Apocalyptica)
5. SILENT WATERS (Amorphis)
6. UNIA (Sonata Arctica)
7. LUIHIN JA YTIMIIN (Mokoma)
8. LUOTISADE (Uniklubi)
9. CAUGHT IN A WHEEL (Elenium)
10.STUCK HERE ON SNAKES WAY (Omnium Gatherum)

Best Finnish debut album of 2007
1. MY WINTER STORM (Tarja Turunen)
2. FUEL FOR THE FIRE (Ari Koivunen)
3. LEARNING TO ROCK (Sturm Und Drang)
4. REBORN (Northern Kings)
5. WORLD EXPIRATION (Soulfallen)
6. SENTINELS OF THE SUN (Morian)
7. VIGOR MORTIS (Deathlike Silence)
8. BEAUTIFUL DARKNESS (Tacere)
9. EXECUTE THE FACT (Dauntless)
10.THE BEGINNING (Beyond The Dream)

Best Finnish newcomer of 2007
1. TARJA TURUNEN
2. ARI KOIVUNEN
3. NORTHERN KINGS
4. STURM UND DRANG
5. AMBERIAN DAWN
6. THE BROKEN SUN
7. DAUNTLESS
8. MORIAN
9. SOULFALLEN
10.KATRA

Thanks to www.metalfromfinland.com/awards/

10 YEARS Announce Tour Dates

10 YEARS posted new tour dates on their myspace page today:

03/19/2008 08:00 PM - On the Rocks (outside) (10 YRS headlining)  Nashville, Tennessee

04/11/2008 08:00 PM - Hooligan’s (10 YRS headlining) Jacksonville, North Carolina

04/12/2008 08:00 PM - Jester’s Pub (10 YRS headlining)  Fayetteville, North Carolina

04/13/2008 08:00 PM - Amos’ Southend (10 YRS headlining) Charlotte, North Carolina

04/16/2008 07:00 PM - Valarium (10 YRS headlining) Knoxville, Tennessee

04/18/2008 08:00 PM - Headliner’s (10 YRS headlining) Columbia, South Carolina

04/19/2008 11:00 AM - Richmond Raceway Complex (102.1 chili cook off) Richmond, Virginia

04/21/2008 08:00 PM - Stage Music and More (10 YRS headlining) Hilton Head, South Carolina

04/22/2008 08:00 PM - Music Farm (10 YRS headlining) Charleston, South Carolina

04/25/2008 01:00 PM - Verizon Wireless Ampitheater (KISS-FM radio show)  Selma, Texas

04/26/2008 12:00 PM - Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavillion (KTBZ Radio Show) the Woodlands, Texas

04/27/2008 12:00 PM - Pizza Hut Park (Edgefest Dallas) Frisco, Texas

05/17/2008 12:00 PM - Columbus Crew Stadium (Rock on the Range) Columbus, Ohio

Brismetal Interview with EBOLIE

METALSTOCK is a metal show happening in Sydney across 2 nights, featuring Kataklysm, Psycroptic, Dawn of Azazel, Alchemist, Daysend and many many more.

It's happening at The Manning Bar on the 22nd and 23rd of March, and may well be worth your while to trek on down. More info here.

Recently Faith (of Brismetal.com) got a chance to catch up with the Ebolie guys, who will be playing at Metalstock, and ask a few questions. Here is the outcome.

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How do you lads differ Metalstock from other fests?

Due to the sheer size of previous' Metalstock's I think you're exposed to a whole lot of smaller up and coming interstate bands you might otherwise never have experienced. It's great in that it really does a holistic feel; bands and fans young and old all getting together for a booze fuelled weekend of metal.
This years differs in that you get an amazing cross section of extreme metal groups, whether grindcore (Fuck I'm Dead / Beyond Terror Beyond Grace), experimental (Five Star Prison Cell), international (Kataklysm), technical (Psycroptic), mainstream (Daysend) or black metal (the Furor).

Do you guys get a lot of fight dancing kiddies down there?

No thank fuck, though we do get the odd show complete with ninja kiddies. Our little ditty 1800 Fashioncore Kids Helpline always seems to go down well with them.

How did you like playing along brutal brisbanites, Excruciate and People Die recently?

Mate fucking incredible. To be completely honest I'm not the biggest death metal fan, but both bands have a wealth of talent and really bring something missing in most death metal bands. They can really hold my attention – Excruciate especially. They get some a massive fucking live sound – they were some of the best Aussie death metal I've seen in a long time.
I was really impressed with both bands – and to top it off both bands are full of great blokes. We had more than our fair share of beers. We look forward to playing with them again soon, and they're welcome down our way any time.

Can we expect Ebolie in Brisbane in 2008?

Yes most definitely. More than likely we'll be hitting those Excruciate cunts up for some shows. I'd say third quarter of this year when the full length album we're in the middle of recording is out. We want to go to every state this year - Brisbane and Perth especially because we haven't been out there for fucking ages.

What's the most memorable gig you guys have played so far?

For me personally there have been three: Napalm Death because we all got to play with our idols at a packed out show; playing the last Metal for the Brain – the iconic Australian metal festival – and my very first gig with Ebolie supporting Behemoth.

If you could only choose one corpse each to sodomise, who would they be?

Mate I'd have to go with Jessica Alba. I'm sure McChob would go with Frank Zappa.

Do you guys plan on having any DVD releases in the future?

We have a few projects we're playing around with though. I'd love to get something out, even if it's just a bootleg DVD-R.

When do you guys plan on next coming up to us in BrisVegas?

Definitely before the year is out. The beers are on you though.

What are you all listening to at the moment?

To be honest we all listen to a shitload of different music, so here's a few off the top of my head: Meshuggah's obZen which is a fucking monster of an album, Cephalic Carnage's Xenosapian, Beyond Terror Beyond Grace's new full length, Mars Volta's The Bedlam in Goliath and as always far too much Nasum, Botch and Pig Destroyer. Throw in some jazz fusion, fucked up experimental shit, drum and bass, chicken pickin' country/rock (fuckin' McChob) gore/grind, hardcore and stoner/sludge and I think you've got most of us covered.

In your opinion, best release of 07?

That's a tough one since a few of my favourite bands let me down. Did Converge's No Heroes come out last year? If not I'm going to cheat and say Captain Cleanoff's discography, because they're that fucking good. Hope Muz gets back in action soon.

Best hangover cure for Ebolie?

Obscenely inappropriate jazz fusion.

Lastly, what can Metalstock anticipate from Ebolie this year?

Midget knife fights, live scat shows, death metal for Satan, spin kicks for Jesus, contradictory but unwaveringly passionate neo-socialist revolutionary rhetoric and a violent public break-up followed by the world reunion tour no one asked for.

Thanks to www.myspace.com/brimetalaus