Today's Day In Rock!

Riot Guitarist In A Coma
(Rock News Desk) Riot guitarist Mark Reale is in a coma after suffering a brain hemorrhage as a result of his continuing battle against Crohn's Disease.
The band last week announced he'd miss some live shows after being taken to intensive care, and that his condition was critical. Now they've confirmed Reale, 56, the only founding member to remain in Riot since they formed in 1975, has been unconscious for nine days. The severity of his illness before his collapse meant he'd been unable to record his own parts on their upcoming album.

His webmaster reports: "Mark had a subarachnoid hemorrhage and that is why he's still in a coma since January 11, when he was rushed to hospital. more on this story

Cancer Not Stopping Black Sabbath
(Rock News Desk) Tony Iommi isn't letting his cancer get the better of him, says Black Sabbath bassist Geezer Butler. Instead, the iconic guitarist has written two new songs since being diagnosed with lymphoma at Christmas, and is continuing work on the band's first original-lineup album since 1978.

Iommi, Butler, frontman Ozzy Osbourne and drummer Bill Ward decided to move their recording operation from the US to the UK to make the guitarist's health battle easier. He's now receiving treatment for the form of cancer which attacks the immune system, and early indications suggest he's responding well.

Butler says: "We got the engines back up and running at Tony's home studio. Far from being down and depressed about his diagnosis, Tony had already written the music for two new songs. more on this story

Bruce Springsteen Wrecking Ball in March
(Gibson) Bruce Springsteen's forthcoming album was produced by Ron Aniello (Jars of Clay, Candlebox), will be called Wrecking Ball and will be released on March 6 in North America.

"The lyrics tell a story you can't hear anywhere else and the music is his most innovative of recent years," Springsteen manager Jon Landau said in a statement, via Rolling Stone. "The writing is some of the best of his career and both veteran fans and those who are new to Bruce will find much to love on Wrecking Ball."

The album's name comes from a song that Bruce and the E Streeters debuted in 2009 when they played some of the last shows at Giants Stadium. The record also features "Land of Hope and Dreams," a song Springsteen and the gang have been playing live since 1999. more on this story



Vince Neil Warns Musicians Not To Get In The Music Biz
(Gibson) Motley Crue frontman Vince Neil says the music business has changed exponentially since his band first started dishing out hair metal in the '80s.

What's his advice for upcoming musicians? "Don't get in the business," he laughed, speaking with NewsTimes.com. "It's tough. There [are] so many different outlets for music now. Thirty years ago you had MTV; everybody watched MTV and everybody saw your video. There was one place to go; now there [are] thousands of places to go. It's a lot tougher. There [are] more eyes out there; it's just harder to get everybody to look at you at the same time."

Neil added that very little is secret in today's music industry, and fans have a much more intimate relationship with their favorite rock personalities thanks to social media networks such as Twitter and Facebook: "I think with all the social media everybody pretty much knows everything. What you're doing and where you've been and where you're going. It's kind of hard to be secretive anymore." more on this story



Gary Glitter Planning Comeback?
(Rock News Desk) A Twitter page claiming to be the official account of Gary Glitter has drawn over 16,500 followers since announcing the shamed glam star is preparing a comeback. @OfficialGlitter has a tagline that reads "The official twitter of Gary Glitter. Managed and updated by me. The leader. Still shining."

The 70s artist, real name Paul Gadd, fell into disgrace in 1999 after serving a prison sentence for possessing child porn. He later moved to Vietnam, where he was jailed for two years for child abuse, charged he insisted were trumped-up in a conspiracy against him. He moved back to the UK three years ago.

Now the account owner, who says he's awaiting Twitter verified status, has released a series of messages promising to hit the stage again. He writes: "I believe the public have accepted me again, putting my past behind me. I hope I can continue my music career/tour this year. We have venues in Manchester, Nottingham, London and Bristol so far. I should be able to confirm these by Friday. I am the real Gary Glitter." more on this story

Disturbed Frontman Vs Cyber-Bullies
(Banana 101.5) Disturbed vocalist David Draiman took to his Twitter page this week to post a lengthy statement about the effects cyber-bullying can have on someone.

While Disturbed has been on hiatus, singer David Draiman has been fairly active on his Twitter feed. He will often times post lengthy commentaries on a subject or carry on conversations with others through a series of tweets. Yesterday (1/18) he sounded off about the hot button issue of cyber-bullying by posting the following statement:

"One of the biggest problems with Internet culture is people's tendency to write whatever, without thinking it through properly beforehand. I encourage everyone on here to make informed statements based on forethought and fact. Don't let the fact that you are simply sitting behind a keyboard, with no one watching, and nothing to be accountable for, lull you into believing that your words/actions do not have consequences. Measure your words carefully before you spit them out. Think before you type.

"By the way, anything is OK to type, that's what freedom of speech is; but to everything, there are consequences/repercussions." The rest of his statement here.

8-Year-Old Scores Hardcore Video Hit
(hennemusic) The latest viral video features Juliet, the 8-year-old daughter of Australian producer Rob Sharpe, rocking the world with "My First Hardcore Song."

Juliet teamed up with her dad over the school holidays to put together the young rocker's first song and video clip.

It's only 1:00 in length, but it's intense, as Juliet takes you on a journey of her love for her dog, Robert, and how her pet fish stink even though Juliet has zero sense of smell. The clip has already racked up almost 2 million views in its first 24 hours online. Check it out

The Mars Volta New Album Details
(Banana 101.5) The Mars Volta have ended speculation as to what their new album is named, what songs are on it, and when it comes out. As for what any of the songs are about, you're on your own.

The Mars Volta have announced that their new album is called 'Noctourniquet' and not 'In Absentia' as previously rumored, that is, however, the name of a song that appears on the prog rock duo's sixth full-length album.

'Noctourniquet' will tell the story of a character that was inspired by Superman nemesis Solomon Grundy and Hyacinthus — a character in Greek mythology. When does it come out and what are the track names?

Mark Tremonti Going Heavier Than Creed or Alter Bridge on Solo Album
(Banana 101.5) Mark Tremonti recently said his solo material is heavier than Creed or Alter Bridge and has a lot of soloing.

Artist Direct recently caught up with the busy axe-slinger and got an update on how his debut album was coming along: Tremonti spoke about the direction of his record compared to what he does in the studio with either of his other bands:

"It's a dynamic record. It's probably heavier than either Creed or Alter Bridge, but it's still melody-driven. Most of the stuff is more up-tempo and heavy-riffing though. I had to write eleven solos for this record so it took me a long time. There's lots of soloing." More from Mark here.

Gregg Allman and Steve Miller Band For Doheny Festival
Gregg Allman and The Steve Miller Band have been named as the headliners for their year's installment of the Doheny Blues Festival.

The lineup also includes Chicago Blues Legend Buddy Guy, Texican rockers Los Lonely Boys, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue from NOLA, roots artist and conservationist Tab Benoit, Texas Blues guitarist Johnny Winter and Irish-born vocalist Imelda May. Many more artists will be announced in the coming weeks.

The 15th Annual Doheny Blues Festival will take place on May 19 & 20th at Doheny State Beach; 25300 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point, CA 92629. more on this story

AC/DC Releasing Pinball Machine
(Gibson) AC/DC fans now have a pinball machine to call their own! Stern Pinball, Inc. has revealed its newest pinball machine, and the game honors the legendary rock and roll band with plenty of AC/DC-appropriate goodies.

The AC/DC pinball machine features 12 classic AC/DC chart-toppers, such as "Back in Black," "Highway to Hell" and "You Shook Me All Night Long." Other features include two individual ramps, a pinball-shooting cannon, eight drop targets and cartoon animations of band members.

"The combination of classic rock and pinball can't go wrong," said Gary Stern, founder, CEO and chairman of Stern Pinball, in a release. "The music and play of the AC/DC machine delivers nothing less than the ultimate rock experience that both AC/DC fans and pinball players can appreciate." more on this story



The Red Hot Chili Peppers Release Free App
(Banana 101.5) The Red Hot Chili Peppers have unleashed an official mobile app that will keep fans up to date with the band and offer exclusive premieres of new videos, songs, and more.

RHCP recently had to postpone their tour after Anthony Kiedis underwent surgery to repair a foot injury — this is the perfect example of the type of news you would get early notification of with the new RHCP app.

The new app is now available for free on both the Android Market and iTunes Store and will also offer exclusive sneak peeks at upcoming Chili Pepper projects — like a behind-the-scenes look at their upcoming music video for 'Look Around.' The app also includes music, photos of the band, videos, a fan wall, tour dates, and more. more on this story

Metallica Add Another Black Album Concert Date
(hennemusic) Metallica have announced a new addition to their summer tour schedule. The band will play Stadio Friuli in Udine, Italy on May 13.

"You guessed it... a 20th anniversary celebration of the 'Black Album' is a part of the plan. There seems to be a pattern here..." writes Metallica.

The band says "the schedule's not full yet..." and promises more dates to come. Metallica's 2012 European Summer Vacation Tour is currently set to kick off May 12 in Paris. more on this story

Unreleased Janis Joplin Coming On The Pearl Sessions
Legacy Recordings have set a April 17, 2012 release date for Janis Joplin's The Pearl Sessions, a newly-curated definitive two-disc edition of Joplin's final studio album premiering, for the first time, newly discovered studio outtakes, live performances and other sonic rarities recorded during her dynamic last chapter of accelerated tumult and creativity.

Originally released on January 11, 1971 (three months after her passing on October 4, 1970), Pearl debuted Joplin's final finished studio recordings as well as intimations of what the influential American country-soul-blues-rock singer was capable of delivering.

The only album Joplin ever recorded with the Full Tilt Boogie Band, the touring ensemble that had backed her on the Festival Express (a mythic 1970 concert tour by railroad across Canada with the Grateful Dead, the Band and others), Pearl included canonical studio recordings of songs that had been introduced to audiences on tour. more on this story

All-Star Tribute to Tommy Bolin Coming in March
429 Records have set a March 27th release date for Great Gypsy Soul, an all-star tribute to the late great Tommy Bolin.

Great Gypsy Soul, which will be released in single CD format and double CD with bonus tracks. A series of promotional concerts are also in the works.

429 sent over these details: Produced by Greg Hampton and Warren Haynes, it's a remarkable project that brings together major players who actually perform alongside Tommy Bolin's playing and vocals from the recording outtakes to his solo debut album "Teaser." Peter Frampton, Warren Haynes (a key supporter of the project), Nels Cline, Steve Lukather, Steve Morse, Brad Whitford, Joe Bonamassa, John Scofield, Derek Trucks, Glenn Hughes and Myles Kennedy all contribute to this amazing project. more on this story

Zakk Wylde's Roast Idea Boomeranged On Him
(Banana 101.5) Zakk Wylde recently spoke about being the first victim of Guitar World's first Rock and Roll Roast, which will feature rock roasters like Ozzy Osbourne, Corey Taylor, and Chris Jericho as well as comedians like Jim Norton, Brian Posehn, and Jim Breuer — check out Zakk's thoughts and the trailer here.

Several comedians and fellow rockers plan to skewer Zakk Wylde at tonight's Rock and Roll Roast — we sure as hell don't envy their task of poking fun at the iron-pumping heavy metal icon. You would think making fun of Wylde would be a dangerous game to play but as he recently told Artist Direct — the whole thing was his idea:

"I'm good buddies with all of the guys over at Guitar World, and I remember talking to Brad Tolinski [editor-in-chief] about it. I mentioned I wanted to do a 'Black Label Roast.' I was watching the Dean Martin Roasts one day, and I thought, 'I ought to start doing these 'Black Label Roasts' where we take the piss out of all of our friends.' Dean Martin would have everybody on that thing, and they'd be getting destroyed [Laughs]. With cast of characters I know, I figured it'd be hysterical. Everybody knows everyone else too in rock. Brad came back to me and said they're going to do these Guitar World Rock & Roll Roasts, considering you were talking about doing those 'Black Label Roasts' and it was your idea, you're the first one we're going to destroy! I said, 'Awesome, sounds good!' That's how that came about. The more brutal it is, the funnier it is, dude." more on this story

Anvil Frontman Addresses Lineup Change
(Rock News Desk) Anvil's Lips Kudlow addressed the departure of bassist Glenn Five and how quickly they replaced him.

Five, who appeared in the celebrated Anvil: The Story of Anvil feelgood movie, has been replaced by Sal Italiano from a New York based Iron Maiden tribute band.

The frontman tells Metal Shock Finland: "We hired an old friend to do the tour and are currently working with a new improved bassist. There was no major issue in fixing this at all and in fact everything was sorted out within a few hours of Glenn departing. Glenn tried to make it difficult by leaving without proper notice but we've been preparing for this for quite sometime. This did end up for the better as it is a huge improvement with our new guy both musically as well as personally." more on this story

Ringo Starr Town Hall Special
(Gibson) Sirius XM will present a Ringo Starr Town hall radio special, which the veteran rocker will be interviewed by comedian, actor and Katy Perry soon-to-be-ex-husband Russell Brand.

According to the Daily Express , Brand is a "massive fan" of the most famous drummer in music history and said, "Now we can unravel the enigma of Ringo."

The interview will be broadcast from Los Angeles on January 30, a day before the release of Starr's 17th album, Ringo 2012. more on this story



Phil Anselmo Rather Have Friends Than Enemies
(Rock News Desk) Phil Anselmo has reached a point in his life where he'd rather have friends than enemies, he reflects. And that attitude appears in the lyrics he's written for Down's upcoming EP. But he takes time to fire back at negative voices who have been predicting the end of heavy metal music since before he rose to the big-time with Pantera in the 1990s.

Anselmo says of his words on the six-track release: "I write to basically give an outline, and let the listener garner for themselves how they want to apply their own rules and regulations to the track.

"I find one of the biggest realities of life is that no two men, no two cultures, no two belief systems are really the same. There's a lot lyrically where I'm kind of at odds with mankind's relationship with mankind.

"Such is history – but these days, instead of ruffling feathers, I'd rather have friends than enemies, any day. more on this story

Black Stone Cherry, Cavo and Rains Tour
Black Stone Cherry and Cavo have tapped Rains to support them on their upcoming North American tour.

The tour will be kicking off on February 1st in Libertyville, IL and will wrap up on February 18th in Shreveport, LA.

In true DIY fashion, with no support from a traditional record label, "Liar," the first single from Rains self released debut album Stories, cracked the Top 15 of Sirius/XM's Octane channel. more on this story

The Kooks North America Tour
The Kooks plan to return to the North American road for a February/March headlining tour.

The trek will be succeeded by dates as special guests of Foster The People, of which both Central Park NYC shows have sold out five months in advance.

Their latest Astralwerks release, Junk of the Heart was produced by Tony Hoffer (Beck, Air, Belle & Sebastian), and recorded in The Sound Factory (Los Angeles) and Sarm Studios (London). more on this story

The Quill Coming to America
The Quill will kick off their first North America tour on March 7th in Seattle, Washington and winds up March 16th in Fresno, CA.

The Quill are out supporting their latest release "Full Circle" which was released in 2011 on Metalville Records.

Bassist Robert Triches commented on The Quill's first North American tour: "To go to the US on tour is nothing less than a dream come true for us. We know we have a faithful fan base here and to finally get the chance to meet that audience live after all these years is... fantastic! It's gonna be magic! We're also very happy with where this tour takes us, although we see it as a modest first beginning of touring in the US. We aim to follow this up with many more tours and visits over the next years. Love and respect and see you soon!" more on this story

After The Burial Working On New Album And Will Play Warped Tour
After The Burial are currently working on a new album and have announced that they will take part in this summer's Warped Tour, in support of the effort.

The band says: "We're happy to share with everyone that we will be a part of this year's Warped Tour. It's our first time on the festival, and we can't wait to pummel crowds all summer long.

"We're also pleased to announce to you that since returning from the Crush Em All II tour last November, we've been working on a brand new album. more on this story

Monarch Releasing New Album Next Month
At A Loss Recordings have set a February 28th release date for Monarch's sixth album Omens.

Monarch recorded Omens over a four month period in four different countries with four different producers -- Osaka, Japan by Hironori Ochi @ Kakurega, Melbourne, Australia by Neil Thomason @ Head Gap, Montreal, Canada by Matt Cartman @ Crane Studio, and Chicago, IL by Sanford Parker @ Engine Studios -- then mixed by Sanford Parker and mastered by Collin Jordan at The Boiler Room (Twilight, Ministry, Yob).

The album features newest member Rob Shaffer (Dark Castle, YOB) along with guitarist Shiran Kaïdine (Year of No Light), bassist MicHell Bidegain, and as always the ethereal, penetrating vocals of Emilie Bresson. The record also includes guest appearances by Atsuchi Sano (Birushanah), Yailen Munoz (Ensorcelor), Eric Quach (Thisquietarmy), Jeanne Peluard (The Sparteens) and Robert MacManus (ex-Grey Daturas, ex-Monarch). more on this story

Singled Out: Fall From Grace's 18 and Out
Today Fall From Grace frontman Tryg Sebastian tells us about their new single "18 and Out" from their new album "The Romance Years". Here is the story:

"18 & Out" initially started as a B side. We knew 12 songs were going to make the record, and had 12 done, but thought it would be great to write a few more. Funny how when you don't put expectations to a song, then it becomes the first song you want to represent the record to the world!

Now every song Fall From Grace writes is written differently, and "18 & Out" was no exception. We wrote and recorded the initial chord structure, pre chorus, and chorus music first (one of the beauties of spending over a year in the recording studio: we wrote and recorded the entire record in there). We then listen to the music and try to come up with a premise behind the emotion that the song is trying to convey. I kept thinking in my head, "…this makes me think of a John Hughes movie" (The Breakfast Club, 16 Candles, etc.). With that in mind, we wrote the words about coming of age.

Metaphor is our biggest achievement in "18 & Out", I believe. Lines like "burn it to the ground" and "one round is cocked and loaded" are not to be taken literally, but as a metaphor for letting go of the past and feeling like a loaded gun when you're young. The line "I'm so sick of all those games" is actually about how I used to go hang out at the football games on Vashon Island (where I grew up) and drink and party with all my under age friends. I got sick of all those football games because all my friends were just doing the same old thing, and I left Vashon with the goal to make something of myself.

"18 & Out" would not have been made possible if I hadn't been able to reach out through my blogs to kids in 2009. I made it my goal for 6 months to coach kids through sexual abuse, sexuality conflict, and substance abuse on my personal blogs. That's what inspired the entire feeling behind "The Romance Years" (available January 24th, 2012), and what continues to drive Fall From Grace. Our message is hope in time of despair, friendship and family. "Through Thick & Thin, We Rise Again!"

BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN READIES HIS WRECKING BALL:

Bruce Springsteen will release his new CD Wrecking Ball on March 5, featuring 13 new tracks. This also from Rolling Stone magazine:
Bruce is close to announcing his 17th studio album and a U.S. tour with the E Street Band. Springsteen's manager Jon Landau tells Rolling Stone that the record is an ambitious "big-picture piece of work. It's a rock record that combines elements of both Bruce's classic sound and his Seeger Sessions experience, with new textures and styles." Music was played for Sony recently, according to The Hollywood Reporter, whose source described the songs as having "unexpected textures – loops, electronic percussion... influences and rhythms from hip-hop to Irish folk rhythms."
The disc was produced by Ron Aniello, who has previously worked on albums by Candlebox, Jars of Clay and the last LP by Springsteen's wife, Patti Scialfa. Members of the E Street Band play on the album, along with a variety of outside musicians, including Tom Morello and possibly former Pearl Jam drummer Matt Chamberlain, who has often recorded on Aniello's projects. "It was an experimental effort with a new producer," says Landau. "Bruce and Ron used a wide variety of players to create something that both rocks and is very fresh."
According to Landau, the record has "social overtones" – although it was largely written before Occupy Wall Street began and doesn't directly address the movement. The LP also has a "very pronounced spiritual dimension," adds Landau. "It extends and deepens the vision that has animated all of Bruce's work." According to The Hollywood Reporter's source, "[Bruce] gets into economic justice quite a bit. He feels it's the angriest album he's ever made."
The E Street Band will spend most of 2012 on the road, including spring and fall U.S. runs and a summer European tour. Dates haven't been announced, but concert-business sources tell Rolling Stone the band has arenas booked starting in March, including an Austin show around Springsteen's March 15th keynote address at the South by Southwest festival. One big question is how the group will address last summer's death of saxophonist Clarence Clemons, Springsteen's onstage foil for four decades.
Read more: www.rollingstone.com/music/news/bruce-springsteen-returns-with-wild-new-album

Check out the first single We Take Care Of Our Own via YouTube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=RHPx3RghAKw.

Wrecking Ball Tracklist: 01. We Take Care of Our Own 02. Easy Money 03. Shackled and Down 04. Jack of All Trades 05. Death to My Hometown 06. The Depression 07. Wrecking Ball 08. You've Got It 09. Rocky Ground 10. Land of Hope and Dreams 11. We Are Live 12. Swallowed Up (iTunes Bonus Track) 13. American Land (iTunes Bonus Track).

Short Rock News Bits!

Van Halen Unplug For You Really Got Me
(hennemusic) Van Halen has released an acoustic performance of "You Really Got Me." The video is in the spirit of "The Downtown Sessions," the bonus DVD that makes up part of the Deluxe Edition of their forthcoming new album, "A Different Kind Of Truth" (due February 7).
The full "Downtown" DVD features 4 acoustic video performances – "Panama", "You and Your Blues (intro)", "You and Your Blues" and "Beautiful Girls!"

The footage of The Kinks' classic was shot at Henson Recording Studios in Los Angeles. Check it out here.


Beastie Boy Settles Colbert Report Dispute
(Banana 101.5) Beastie Boy Mike D. flexed his 'License to Ill' on 'The Colbert Report' last week in order to settle a crossword puzzle dispute caused by the misuse of a term in a recent edition of 'The New York Times.'

Comedy Central's Stephen Colbert decided to settle an argument between New York Times crossword puzzle editor Will Shortz and blogger Julieanne Smolinski on last Thursday's episode of 'The Colbert Report.'

The beef was caused by Shortz' clue for the term 'Illin,' which he described as "Wack, in Hip-Hop." After some back and forth between Smolinski and Shortz, Colbert brought in "the only authority with a license to ill" Beastie Boys' "head grammarian" Mike D. to mediate the dispute.



Shredders of Ozz: Ozzy Osbourne's Amazing Guitarists
(Gibson) Few things in life are certain, but one thing that is certain is this: if you're playing guitar for Ozzy Osbourne, you're a virtuoso. Osbourne's current guitarist, Gus G., recently expressed the thoughts of many with these words: "I like all [Ozzy's guitarists]. I like Zakk Wylde for what he did, and I'm a big fan of the Jake E. Lee albums. The first Ozzy solo album I heard was Diary of a Madman, and I thought Randy [Rhoads] was amazing. I don't think I have a favorite. I really like all the guys he's had." Below are profiles and quotes from the sensational six-stringers who've backed Osbourne during more than three decades of solo work.

Randy Rhoads: A classically influenced virtuoso, Randy Rhoads was introduced to Osbourne by bassist Dana Strum, from Slaughter, when Osbourne was seeking a guitarist with whom to launch his solo career following his split with Black Sabbath. Rhoads's tenure with Ozzy was brief – he died tragically in a plane crash in 1982 – but his contributions to rock guitar are monumental. "As a guitar player he was just phenomenal," Osbourne told Guitar Shop, in 1998. "His heart wasn't really into rock 'n' roll so much as the classics. He was one of these guys who, once he tasted what he wanted to taste, wanted to move on. He wasn't really interested in becoming the next guitar hero."

Jake E. Lee: Jake E. Lee's stint with Osbourne, which extended from late 1982 until 1987, provided much-needed stability during a difficult period. Lee's playing on 1983's Bark at the Moon and 1986's The Ultimate Sin – both of which featured his contributions as co-writer as well as guitarist – was sensational. "On the first album, I felt [pressure] because there were a lot of guitar players who wanted this gig," he told Guitar World, in 1986. "I knew there were going to be a lot of people listening to see if I did any good or not. But I'm not the kind of person who really cares what other people think. There are guitar players who still come up to Ozzy and go, 'I'm the guitar player you should have got.'"






Cold War Kids Giving Away New Single
Cold War Kids are giving away their latest single, "Minimum Day," as a free download on their official website.

Recorded by Richard Swift, the song features new guitar player Dann Gallucci.n celebration of the new, Cold War Kids will perform in Portland, Seattle, and San Francisco - three cities, three nights each. Ticket holders will receive a limited edition, "Minimum Day Chapbook," designed by bass player and in-resident artist, Matt Maust.

"Does the Mayan Calendar predict a 2012 apocalypse? With humanity coming to an end soon, we are giving away our latest single, 'Minimum Day,'" says lead singer Nathan Willett. "Time to play a few shows to join in on the end days craze!" Grab the song here.



Primal Fear Streaming New Song Online
Primal Fear are streaming their new song "Bad Guys Wear Black" online ahead of next Tuesday's release of their new album Unbreakable".

"Unbreakable" features a well-balanced "back to the roots" vibe and an ambitious learning process that took place during their longest tour so far.

"Unbreakable" was produced by Mat Sinner, engineered and mixed by Achim Koehler at the House Of Music studios and some more studios in Germany & Sweden between the summer and autumn of 2011. Check out the song here.


KISS Kruise II Details
(hennemusic) KISS have announced more details and pre-sale ticket information about KISS Kruise II.

For the second straight year, Kiss has partnered with Sixthman to unite the Kiss Navy for the 2012 Kiss Kruise, which is scheduled to depart Miami, Fla. on October 31 — Halloween — and head to Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas. Passengers will enjoy all the comforts and amenities aboard the Norwegian Pearl ship for the four day cruise, that will return to the port on November 4.

Packages for the cruise begin at $750 per person. In addition the the entertainment aboard the ship, other attractions will include each member of the band leading their own activities for the Kiss Kruisers to get involved with. Fans will also have the rare opportunity to explore the private island, Great Stirrup Cay, located in the Bahamas. more on this story


NAMM and the Make-A-Wish Make Heart Transplant Patient's Dream Come True
NAMM and the Make-A-Wish Foundation will fulfill the dream of a heart transplant patient who wants to meet and shadow renowned rock music photographer Robert M. Knight.

The meeting will take place from 3:00 – 6:00 pm on Friday, January 20 at The NAMM Show, one of largest music instruments and products trade shows in the world that showcases more than 1,400 exhibitors.

19 year-old Kevin Grissom, a North Carolinian, received a heart transplant last May and has always admired Knight's work, which includes a collection of photography chronicling the Who's Who of music. Knight began his career in the late 60s and has photographed Eric Clapton, Led Zeppelin, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Jimi Hendrix, Maroon 5 and more. more on this story


Anniversary of Daydream Believer Songwriter John Stewart's Death
(Gibson) On this day in 2008, Singer-songwriter John Stewart, who wrote the Monkees hit "Daydream Believer," died at age 68 after he suffered a massive stroke or brain aneurysm in San Diego. Stewart was a member of folk group The Kingston Trio and went on to record more than 45 solo albums with his biggest solo success being a U.S. top five single, "Gold," in 1979.

Gibson looks back: He started out in small folk groups before making his mark in the seminal '60s folk combo the Kingston Trio, whose style influenced a generation of folkies from Bob Dylan to Peter, Paul and Mary. After that group fizzled out, he talked about starting a duo with John Denver but that pairing never went beyond the talking stages. When "Daydream Believer" hit for The Monkees, Stewart no longer had to be concerned about money and could devote himself to making the kind of singer-songwriter albums he'd always aspired to.

His debut solo album, California Bloodlines, remains a cult classic. Recorded in Nashville while Dylan was cutting his pioneering Nashville Skyline album, California Bloodlines was a brilliant first album and an inspiration to the burgeoning singer-songwriter boom that was about to engulf rock and roll. Rolling Stone placed Stewart's masterpiece in their list of the top 200 albums of all time.

But Stewart's throaty, literate, whimsical style, while influential among his peers, failed to translate into sales. The industry truly rated him – indeed three major labels, Capitol, Warner Brothers and RCA, at different times tried to break him to the mainstream market but for some mystifying reason, Stewart spent the early '70s in obscurity.

Today's Day In Rock

Vince Neil's Time To Leave Motley Crue?
(Rock News Desk) Motley Crue frontman Vince Neil has explained why he's considering leaving the band after their Las Vegas residency next month.
He says: "There are so many opportunities in front of me that I'm really excited about. I'm just not sure I can give them the time and effort I'll need, and continue with the band.

"I just don't want to look back later in life and regret that I didn't pursue them. Eventually it's time to call it quits – it might be the time to just kind of bow out." (Las Vegas Sun) More rock news

Roger Waters' Pink Floyd Regret
(Rock News Desk) Roger Waters accepts it was wrong of him to fall out with his Pink Floyd bandmates after he left the prog rock icons.

He and David Gilmour spent many years at loggerheads through lawyers after Waters decided to depart in 1985. Waters claimed the group had "dissolved" and fought to stop the remaining members from continuing under the Floyd name.

Asked by radio host Howard Stern if Floyd were wrong to keep playing his songs after he'd left, Waters says: "No, I don't think so. I think I was wrong to think they were wrong." more on this story

Dave Grohl Records Song With Slipknot's Corey Taylor
(Gibson) Few people really know exactly what Dave Grohl is up to, but his new project is boasting big names. Following news two weeks ago that Ratt's Stephen Pearcy and Warren De Martini had recorded a song with Grohl, Corey Taylor of Slipknot and Stone Sour has revealed that he has been working with the Foos man.

In a Tweet on January 18, Taylor said: "HUGE checks off the Bucket List today – did a song with Dave Grohl and Butch Vig. Do the words 'holy s--t' say enough about it?!?"

It could well be a project about Sound City Studios. In 2011, Grohl said he was working on a film about the Los Angeles studio. "When Sound City closed last year it was a very sad day. That place was like a church. The list of people that recorded there is like a virtual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. We recorded Nevermind there back in 1991. That funky old place had the best drum room in the world. The drum sound at the beginning of 'Smells Like Teen Spirit?' That's Sound City. I decided to make a film about that feeling when you put five guys in a room, hit 'record' and the hair on the back of your neck stands up. Expect some epic jam sessions." more on this story



Queen's Brian May Collaborates With Rapper
(Gibson) Queen's Brian May is no stranger to collaborations. But it is still something of a surprise to see him guesting with N-Dubz singer/rapper Dappy. Dappy launched his solo career with the single "No Regrets," for which May expressed a liking. A few phone calls later, and May is on Dappy's new single "Rockstar."

Dappy tells the U.K's Daily Star, "I would love Brian to make me a guitar. He told me all about his guitar that he made with his dad out of wood from a fireplace in his old house. He even got a five-sided coin to put in the neck and he replaced the Queen's head with his own head. Now that's his pluck, so I want one with my head on it."

Lyrically, "Rockstar" is about the so-called 27 Club of artists that died young. "It's all about paying homage to the 27 Club and amazing artists such as Amy Winehouse," says Dappy. "It's a song about people getting to their lowest but it talks about turning a negative into a positive. more on this story



Reunited Black Sabbath Will Still Rock Download
(Gibson) Organizers of the U.K's Download Festival have said Black Sabbath still plan to perform at the festival this year, despite guitarist Tony Iommi recently confirming he had been diagnosed with cancer.

Speculation about the metal legends' Download slot followed news that Iommi's illness meant the band wouldn't be able to play at California fest Coachella as originally planned.

But Download boss Andy Copping has told the NME: "As far as I'm aware everything is fine. I've been told that Black Sabbath are going to be playing Download. I don't want people to worry unduly about that, we should all just send our thoughts and best wishes to Tony Iommi." more on this story



Bon Jovi, Foo Fighters, Blink-182, and Incubus For Bamboozle
Bon Jovi, Foo Fighters, Blink-182, Skrillex and Incubus are set to headline this year's Bamboozle festival.

The event will be celebrating their 10th anniversary at North Beach Asbury Park, New Jersey, May 18, 19, and 20.

Headlining on Friday for the opening night of the festival are Skrillex and Incubus, as well as performances from Mac Miller, Mike Posner, Kreayshawn, We Came As Romans, and others. more on this story

Chevelle Frontman Explains Upside To File-Sharing
(Rock News Desk) Chevelle frontman Pete Loeffler can see an upside to online music piracy. He had this to say about it:

"I don't like the fact that it is in our human nature to steal music, and I wish we could change that, but one good thing that has happened is that there was a change that needed to be made as artists have always been taken advantage of.

"Now you can do it all on your own, and that's one of the good things to come out of this whole file-sharing thing. It's a wholly different world now because of that." (Ultimate Guitar) More rock news.

Slipknot Using 2012 To Regroup Before Making New Album
(Rock News Desk) Corey Taylor believes Slipknot will regain their strength in the coming year, as they move towards recording their first album without Paul Gray.

The bassist's passing in 2010 put the band's future in jeopardy, but frontman Taylor says: "2012 will be a strengthening year for us. I just know if we try to rush in and make an album that doesn't feel right, the audience will know it isn't genuine, and we have always been as genuine with our audience as possible.

"When we make it, it's going to be for Paul, and I don't think any of us are ready to open up that much yet." (Loudwire) More rock news

Lacuna Coil Streaming New Album Online
Lacuna Coil's new album Dark Adrenaline isn't set to hit stores until next Tuesday (January 24th) but fans can stream the album in full right now at Spin.com

Fans worldwide will also be able to check out a special virtual acoustic performance and Q&A session with Lacuna Coil on January 24th via www.stageit.com. The band's performance and Q&A session will be broadcast live at 7:00PM, EST from acclaimed record store Vintage Vinyl in Fords, New Jersey.

Fans who purchase the new album at any Metal Club store will receive an exclusive code to watch the performance for free. All proceeds will be donated to Rezophonic, a project with which the band is actively involved, that is dedicated to providing medical assistance to remote regions of East Africa. Listen to the album stream

The National Curating All Tomorrow's Parties
All Tomorrow's Parties our annual December festival will be a three day event at Butlins, Minehead will be curated & headlined by The National - performing their only UK show of 2012.

ATP had this to say along with the lineup: Since their formation in 1999, The National have grown organically from indie cult heroes in their early years, to creating truly stunning LPs such as the amazing Alligator and Boxer, and more recently with the success of High Violet deservedly achieving crossover success to become one of the most acclaimed bands on the planet. Much of this success is based on their incredible live shows - ATP are very excited that the band have accepted our invitation to headline and to curate an exciting supporting bill featuring many of their favourite artists.

In total the line-up will feature 40 live acts playing across the weekend on three indoor stages with a total festival capacity of just 5500 people. The event will also feature DJs until late, Cinema chosen by The National, Book Club curated by The National, and much more.
The line-up

Death Cab for Cutie Orchestra Tour
Death Cab for Cutie has announced plans for a North American tour of intimate venues and historic theaters where they will be joined on stage by members of San Francisco's Magik*Magik Orchestra.

The tour kicks off on April 10th at Denver's Ellie Caulkins Opera House and then culminate with a May 13th homecoming concert at Seattle's Paramount Theatre.

Youth Lagoon will support Death Cab beginning April 27th at NYC's Beacon Theatre and continue through the end of the tour. First leg opener to be announced shortly. more on this story



Diamond Rugs (Deer Tick, The Black Lips) Set Album Release
Deer Tick, The Black Lips, Los Lobos and Six Finger Satellite supergroup Diamond Rugs have set a April 24th release date for their self-titled album.

Diamond Rugs is a collaboration between John McCauley (Deer Tick), Robbie Crowell (Deer Tick), Ian Saint Pé (The Black Lips), Steve Berlin (Los Lobos), Hardy Morris (Dead Confederate) and Bryan Dufresne (Six Finger Satellite).

Last fall McCauley decided he wanted to make another record during his downtime in his new home base of Nashville with producers Adam Landry and Justin Collins (Middle Brother, Deer Tick).. While attending a Los Lobos show (one of his all-time favorite bands), he made his way backstage and met Steve Berlin. McCauley convinced Berlin to come to Nashville to play on the record. more on this story

Johnny Ramone Biography Coming
(Gibson) Johnny Ramone, guitarist with punk pioneers The Ramones, is the subject of a new biography, written by his widow Linda.

The Telegraph reports that Commando: The Autobiography of Johnny Ramone will be published by Abrams Image on April 2, some eight years after Ramone's death. Linda finished the book that had Johnny started when he was sick.

"It was like he knew he was dying, and he wanted to do something," she said. Tommy Ramone contributes the foreword while the epilogue has been written by Lisa Marie Presley, a good friend of Johnny Ramone. more on this story



Sebastian Bach and Steve Stevens To Webcast New York Show
(hennemusic) Later this month, Sebastian Bach joins Billy Idol guitarist Steve Stevens for a series of three shows in New York.

The January 27, 28 and 29 gigs at The Iridium and will see Bach and Stevens "doing two sets a night," including "some special unexpected songs," according to Sebastian, adding, "I have always wanted to play with Steve, so I am really looking forward to it."

Bach has now tipped fans off that the Saturday, January 28 performances will be webcast live. more on this story


Metallica Art Exhibition Opens Next Week
(Gibson) Metallica songs are the inspiration for new art exhibition. The Obey Your Master exhibition will see pieces from a range of different artists who have interpreted various Metallica songs in their own unique way.

Among the artists who will be displaying pieces are My Chemical Romance frontman Gerard Way and Metallica's own bassist Robert Trujillo with his wife Chloe.

The exhibition opens to the public at the Exhibit A Gallery in Los Angeles on January 23. The Obey Your Master website details all the participants here



Say Anything Spring Tour
Say Anything have announced the dates for their upcoming headlining tour this March and April 2012.

The 31-date tour will kick off on March 24th at San Francisco's Regency Ballroom, and will then make its way around the country, culminating with a performance at the House of Blues in Los Angeles on May 3rd.

Say Anything are hitting the road in support of their upcoming full-length album, Anarchy, My Dear (out March 13th on Equal Vision Records). more on this story


Brian Jonestown Massacre Spring Tour Dates
Brian Jonestown Massacre have announced the initial dates of their world tour for 2012.

The tour is set to kick off with West Coast North American run beginning on April 27th. East coast dates are expected to be announced soon.

Brian Jonestown Massacre will be touring in support of their new album release, Aufheben, which will hit stores on May 1, 2012. more on this story

Paul McCartney Webstream Today
Paul McCartney fans have been invited to tune in live to PaulMcCartney.com today (Thursday 19th January) at 11am (EST) to get an exclusive live behind the scenes broadcast of Paul answering questions from some of the world's media.

Paul will be spending the afternoon in London talking with press from around the world to promote the release of his new album, 'Kisses On The Bottom' which will be released on February 6th in the UK and Feb 7th in the US.

PaulMcCartney.com will stream 30 minutes of the afternoon at some point between 11am and 12pm est. In addition fans have the opportunity to ask a question to Paul by simply email their question to kissesonthebottom@paulmccartney.com and one question will be chosen and given to Paul to answer. Check it out here.


Marillion and Porcupine Tree Members Team Up For New Album
Marillion and Porcupine Tree members have teamed up for a new album. We were sent these details: Kscope will release Not The Weapon But The Hand, the debut album from Steve Hogarth (Marillion) and Richard Barbieri (Porcupine Tree, Japan), on February 28th in North America.

A sampler of the forthcoming album can be heard on the official Steve Hogarth / Richard Barbieri mini-site here.

Not The Weapon But The Hand was completed in late 2011 and features occasional appearances from Danny Thompson on double bass, Arran Ahmun (John Martyn) and Chris Maitland (ex-Porcupine Tree, No-Man, Blackfield) on drums and guitar, as well as string arrangement contributions from Dave Gregory (XTC). more on this story


Evile, Cerebral Bore and Savage Messiah For A Night Of Metal Mayhem
Evile, Cerebral Bore and Savage Messiah are teaming up for a night of metal mayhem as part of HMV's Next Big Thing tour.

This stop of the HMV's Next Big Thing tour will take place on Saturday, 11th February at the HMV Ritz in Manchester.

The event will also be celebrating the 25th anniversary of the bands' record label, Earache Records, and an after-show party will be held at Satan's Hollow, featuring a guest DJ set by Evile lead guitarist OL DRAKE. more on this story


River Guerguerian Delivers 'Grooves for Odd Times'
River Guerguerian has released his new album 'Grooves for Odd Times'. Glass Onyon sent over this background:

River has been inspiring audiences with his ecstatic and versatile percussion for over 30 years, and has performed and recorded with such groups as the BBC Concert Orchestra, Omar Faruk Tekbilek, Tan Dun, Tibetan Singing Bowl Ensemble, Paul Winter Consort, Chuck Berry, Sophie B. Hawkins, The Billy Sea and Ziggy Marley/Gipsy Kings. He also co-founded the world jazz group Free Planet Radio and Talujon Percussion Ensemble. The music on his new CD 'Grooves for Odd Times' represents a body of work that spans five years. This time period includes: 1) composing music for solo and mixed ensembles, 2) performing with inspiring artists, 3) recording/archiving the process of these creative cells.

"The inspiration for 'Grooves for Odd Times' was to create a sonic palette in the same way a painter might approach canvas," River explains. "The album's roots are heavy grooves mixed in with the lyrical side of percussion. There is a dance in the odd time rhythmic structures." more on this story


Fleming Plan Record Release Show
Fleming have announced a special record release show at the Mercury Lounge on February 13, 2012 to celebrate the release of their debut EP, "Play for Manuel."

Muse Box sent over these details about the group: The trio, made up of Erich (guitar and vocals), Guillem (bass and vocals), and Andrew (drums), made their performance debut in 2003 at the now defunct ACME Underground, and have since performed at Bowery Ballroom, Don Hills, The Continental, Luna Lounge, and Knitting Factory.

With a sound that is energetic yet dark and quirky yet introspective, Fleming has been compared to Interpol, Spoon, and Matthew Sweet. Through word-of-mouth alone, the band has garnered a devoted following and earned a residency at the Lower East Side's Mercury Lounge. more on this story


Winds Of Genocide Lineup Change and Album Details
Winds Of Genocide have announced a lineup change and released details about their forthcoming album.

Winds Of Genocide will release their debut, Usurping The Throne Of Disease, which will feature cover art by legendary gruesome graphic artist Mark Riddick (Arsis, Slayer, Morbid Angel, The Black Dahlia Murder, Suffocation, Cephalic Carnage, etc).

Winds Of Genocide have also recently added drummer Matthew Henderson, and second guitarist Linus Girdland Flink to the lineup. Elaborates the band in a collective statement: "This is the new lineup that will be writing material for and recording our debut full-length, Usurping The Throne Of Disease. Matthew is a great, young, versatile drummer --still only in his teens -- and drums in a local death metal band called Plague Rider. He can switch from d-beats, Swebeats and blastbeats, which is all we need in a drummer! He has picked up most of the songs we've written so far very quickly and learned the current setlist with impressive ease. We are very happy to have him in the band and onboard for the full-length album. Linus, who played drums on our first two recordings and the tracks for the upcoming split with Abigail (Japan), has now moved on to second guitar due to his relocation to London. We needed to find a drummer who could rehearse and work on new material regularly."


Singled Out: Foxes' The Panda Bear Song
Today Adam Bell from Foxes tells us about the evolution of their song "The Panda Bear Song " from their brand new self-titled album, which hit stores this week. As a bonus, Adam shares the evolutionary versions of the song as well! Here is the story:

The first recording was made on the very day Kayla & I came up with the main ideas for the song. We were sitting in our house in Old Road, Oxford with the TV on and there was a shot of a crew in a helicopter filming some polar bears swimming. It was talking about endangered species and I just started singing the lines 'as we fly in the helicopter, watch the bear swimming in the water!' over a few suspended chords that sounded good to me. Somehow a polar bear turned into a panda bear shortly after. As you'll hear from the first recording, there weren't too many lyrics at this stage and we were so excited to get a recording that I didn't bother tuning my guitar. The date of this recording is 18th December 2006. Listen here.

The next recording is a home demo recorded by just Kayla and myself again on 26th September 2007. By this point, we had played the song live with Dan Pacrami (original bassist), who had written the bass intro (played here on a casio keyboard), and the basic structure of the song was down, although the second half of the song was purely instrumental and also lacks a lead guitar line. Listen here.

Al Grice replaced Dan on bass around this time and we went to St John's College in Brighton in December 2007 to record the first full band version of the song. It was produced by Matt Twaites and Ben Elliott from Restlesslist. Matt ended up producing the whole of the album. By now, the song is complete and the 'voice' of the first part of the song is revealed to be Anneka Rice, as Kayla sings "Anneka, can't you see that there's nothing left but the bamboo tree?". Listen here.

We upped the tempo and tried to go hell-for-leather for the album version of the song. Otherwise it was not hugely adjusted from the first studio version, apart from some additional keys and backing vocals. Listen here.

The lyrics have a nice throwaway goofy nursery rhyme feel to them. I liked the idea of putting cutesy animals into an upbeat pop song but having a sub-context of more serious issues as well. It has a light-hearted, fun feel but with a darker undercurrent and as such, perhaps a good song to define how a lot of our songs work. Musically, it crams quite a few ideas into a short space, I don't like to waste any time when songwriting and get bored easily by repetition. Sometimes this causes a jarring first listen as things change all over the place but hopefully, after a few plays, things start to make more sense, that's the plan anyway!

Today's Day In Rock

Sammy Hagar Disappointed With New Van Halen Song
(hennemusic) Sammy Hagar speaks out on his former band, Van Halen, including his thoughts on their new single, "Tattoo."
"I personally don't think that what they have just released, what I have seen and heard, is great at all," Sammy tells Cack Blabbath in Manchester. "It should be better than it is but hey, it is what it is and at least they got together and at least they came out with something, that's all I can say, you know. God bless them but I was expecting a lot more."

Hagar was asked if the VH reunion with David Lee Roth was motivated more by music or money. "Well, I'm not going to speculate why anyone does anything, but I'll tell you what, they waited so long and they're so not fan friendly, and as big as Van Halen was in the past…," Sammy began. "That's what we used to argue about when I was in the band, I got thrown out because I didn't want to do a Greatest Hits record. I said 'Why the f**k, we're the biggest band in the world, every album we've done since I've been in the band has been at number 1, we've sold out every arena on the planet, now why would you want to sell them the same old record again and give them two new tracks? Why do you want to do that to the fans?'" He's not done.

Kid Rock Addresses Smoking Controversy
(Banana 101.5) It has been a couple of years since smoking indoors at any public venue has been allowed in the state of Michigan, but that didn't stop Kid Rock from lighting a cigar inside the Andiamo Celebrity Showroom last Friday. The native Michigander was there to watch a Travis Tritt concert but ended up angering a 58-year old man with asthma by disregarding the anti-smoking policy about 15 minutes into the performance.

Reports have said that the upset concert-goer plans to file a report with the health department regarding the incident, which may have prompted Rock to offer this response when speaking with TMZ:

"My most sincere apologies to the patrons I may have offended, and a big middle finger in advance to all the haters and attorneys who will somehow try to find an easy paycheck in all this. I doubt I'm the first one to ever make a bad decision while being intoxicated." more on this story

Godsmack, Staind and Halestorm Tour
Godsmack confirmed the rumors that they are teaming up with Staind for a tour this Spring and also announced that the trek will include Halestorm.

On Tuesday Godsmack posted a message about the tour on Facebook and put a call out to fans to help name the trek. They wrote:

"It's official. Godsmack Staind and Halestorm are all going out on tour this Spring and we're asking for you, the fans, to help to name the tour! All you have to do is post your tour name suggestion in the comments section below. Thursday we will reveal the top 5 contenders from each band's pages and ask you to vote for your favorite. The winning tour name will be announced on Monday, 1/23. We will also be announcing the official tour dates sometime next week is well, so be on the look out!"

Read suggestions and post your tour name here.

Daughtry Set For The Break The Spell Tour
Daughtry are hitting the road for the first North American leg of their Break The Spell Tour in March

Named after their latest album, the "Break The Spell Tour" will kick off the first leg on March 20 in Buffalo, NY and continue through April 30 when it concludes in New York, NY.

Daughtry will be supported on the trek by SafetySuit and singer-songwriter Mike Sanchez. Frontman Chris Daughtry says: "We recorded a hard-hitting rock album that is primed to blow the doors off these great theaters. Fans who come out are going to get an incredible show every night." more on this story

Metallica Add New Summer Vacation Tour Date
Fans across the pond will be celebrating a Metallica Black Album summer in 2012. The band has been rolling out the dates and this week jokingly announced the latest addition with this message:

We're baaaaccckk!! Welcome to the 2012 edition of the "one show at a time" tour announcements. Today's installment finds us traveling to Paris on May 12 as we continue to extend our summer vacation with a show at Stade de France.

And in keeping with the theme of the summer, we will be performing the 'Black Album' in its entirety... just another anniversary to celebrate! More from Tallica here.

Iron Maiden Releasing Double Album and 2 Disc DVD and Blu Ray
Iron Maiden fans mark your calendars for March as EMI and UMe have announced plans for the release of "EN VIVO!," a live Blu-Ray, 2DVD Set and Double Soundtrack album.

UMe will release EN VIVO! on March 27th in North American, while international fans will get the release from EMI a day earlier, apart from the live album and video the second DVD disc contains a full length documentary called "Behind The Beast." Here are the details Iron Maiden released.

"EN VIVO!" was filmed on 10th April 2011 in front of over 50,000 ecstatic fans at the Estadio Nacional, Santiago during the Round The World In 66 Days leg of The Final Frontier World Tour, and captures a magnificent performance by the band, ardently embraced by the legendary Latino passion and energy of their Chilean fans. With spectacular stage backdrops, dynamic musicianship and a literally jaw-dropping appearance by Eddie, this live show encapsulates to perfection the heart and soul of Iron Maiden 2011. more on this story

Judas Priest To Release 17 Disc Complete Albums Collection Box Set
Christmas is coming a month late for Judas Priest fans as Columbia/Epic/Legacy have announced a January 24, 2012 release of a massive new box set.

The 'The Complete Albums Collection' box set which includes all 17 studio and live albums Priest recorded with the classic line-up of Rob Halford, Glenn Tipton, K.K. Downing and Ian Hill.

Included will be brand-new remasters of Priest's first two albums, 1974's 'Rocka Rolla' and 1976's 'Sad Wings of Destiny' (which have never been released before as authorized remasters by the band). The 2009 live compilation, 'A Touch of Evil... Live,' features in the box set but it is the only compilation that appears in 'The Complete Albums Collection.' more on this story

Robbie France of Diamond Head and UFO Dead at 53
Diamond Head announced on their website this week that former drummer Robbie France died on Saturday January 14th. He was 53 and the cause of death was not announced at press time.

Robbie was the drummer for Diamond Head from 1983 to 1985 and during his career he also played with UFO, Carnival, One Nation and Wishbone Ash.

Ultimate Classic Rock report: France was born in England but moved to Australia at age 11. There he studied at the National Academy of Rudimentary Drummers and eventually became a music teacher at the Australian Academy of Music. more on this story



NIN's Lohner Remixes Evanescence, Linkin Park, The Cure For Underworld
Lakeshore Records digitally released the soundtrack to Underworld Awakening at iTunes and Amazon Digital this week and will follow up with the physically release on January 31.

The Underworld soundtracks have boasted top-notch lineups of rock, goth and industrial acts remixed for the soundtracks by Danny Lohner, a former member of Nine Inch Nails. He returns this time under the moniker of Renholdër (re d.lohner backwards) to remix tracks from Evanescence, Ministry, Linkin Park, The Cure and The Naked and Famous.

Also returning to the Underworld clan are Wes Borland's Black Light Burns, Lacuna Coil, William Control (the side project of Aiden's front man wiL Francis), Linkin Park (whose Chester Bennington contributed a track to the Underworld: Rise of the Lycans soundtrack), and three tracks featuring Geno Lenardo (ex-Filter guitarist), one of which is a collaboration with Lacey Sturm of Flyleaf on the lead track and it's corresponding video, "Heavy Prey" which will premiere tomorrow on Rollingstone.com. Check out the soundtrack album preview video here.

The film—due in theatres nationwide this Friday, January 20--is the first of the Underworld series to be shot in 3D. more including tracklisting


Korn Set for Second Leg of Their Path of Totality Tour
Korn will hit the North American road next month for the second leg of their Path of Totality Tour.

The new leg kicks off on February 23 in Detroit, running through the Midwest before heading back West and wrapping up on March 4 in San Francisco.

Kill the Noise will provide support on certain dates, while Korn's own Jonathan Davis will also debut his brand new DJ set as his J Devil alter ego. more on this story


Meat Loaf Going To Hell In A Handbasket in March
Legacy Recordings have set a March 13, 2012 North American release date for the Meat Loaf's new studio album, Hell In A Handbasket.

Performing with Meat Loaf on Hell In A Handbasket is The Neverland Express, his long-time backing ensemble, featuring John Miceli (drums, percussion), Patti Russo (lead and backing vocals), Paul Crook (electric and acoustic guitars), Randy Flowers (electric and acoustic guitars, vocals), David Luther (saxophone, vocals), Justin Avery (piano, organ, keyboard, vocals) and Danny Miranda (electric and upright bass).

The new Meat Loaf tracks on Hell In A Handbasket include "All of Me," "The Giving Tree," "Live or Die," "Blue Sky/Mad Mad World/The Good God is a Woman and She Don't Like Ugly" (special appearance by Chuck D), "California Dreamin'" (duet with Patti Russo), "Party of One," "Another Day," "40 Days," "Our Love and Our Souls" (duet with Patti Russo), "Stand in the Storm" (special guest appearances from Trace Adkins, Lil Jon and Mark McGrath), "Blue Sky" and "Fall From Grace." more on this story


George Harrison iPad App Coming
Bandwdth Publishing are teaming up with the George Harrison Estate to release a special iPad app celebrating the fame Beatles guitarist and his historical guitar collection.

The Guitar Collection: George Harrison iPad app will be released through iTunes on February 23, two days before Harrison's birthdate. Watch a video previewing the app's features here

The app brings George Harrison's private guitar collection to life through photographs, detailed descriptions, audio, and video footage. For the first time, with the help of unique 360° imaging by photographer Steven Sebring, fans can see the scratches, dings, and worn threads on the guitars as if they were themselves holding the instruments. more on this story


Rival Sons Announce Headlining Tour
Rival Sons are heading back to Europe for a headlining tour which is set to kick off on March 30th in Hamburg, Germany.

Following the band's hugely successful debut European tour last year, Rival Sons are returning in 2012, performing around the UK with Black Stone Cherry in March, followed immediately by their own headlining European tour.

Rival Sons drummer Michael Miley comments: "Hell ya! Europe here we come again! We are so stoked to be coming back so soon. The autumn tour was epic; so good to share our music and meet you all. See you soon and bring 10 friends this time. Peace!" more on this story


Black Sabbath and Pantera Supergroup Kill Devil Hill Debut Album Details
Black Sabbath and Pantera supergroup Kill Devil Hill have set a March 27th North America release date for their debut album.

The album will be available in a standard CD edition, iTunes digital download, and Double Gatefold LP.

Kill Devil Hill is he new project featuring acclaimed drummer Vinny Appice (Black Sabbath, Heaven and Hell, Dio) and bassist Rex Brown, (Pantera, Down) guitar slinger Mark Zavon and lead vocalist Dewey Bragg. more on this story


Dark Funeral Postpone North American tour
Dark Funeral announced via a posting on their official Facebook page on Tuesday that they are postponing their upcoming North American tour which was due to kick off on January 29th.

The posting reads: Dear Fans, friends and supporters of Dark Funeral, It is with great regret that we have to inform you today that our North American Tour has to be postponed.

Due to circumstances and events way beyond our control, there is no other way but to postpone these dates. And yes, our triumphant return to the United States Of America is definitely not cancelled, but postponed. more on this story



Railroad Earth North American Tour Starts This Week
Railroad Earth will be kicking of their North American tour this weekend with two concerts in Charlottesville, VA.

The tour includes stops throughout the Southeast, Midwest and all along the East Coast, before heading to the Pacific Coast in early March. With key dates booked in Chicago, Atlanta, Boston, New York City, Seattle, Portland and San Francisco.

Railroad Earth have also booked additional dates following the tour including a two night stand in Wakarusa Ozark, AR and appearance at the Four Corners Folk Festival. more on this story



Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros Announce Tour Dates
Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros will break out of the studio in March to play a select run of dates showcasing some of the new music they have just recorded.

In other news, band has created a tumblr site here that will feature things that they find on the web as well as special pieces of content from within, that haven't yet been exposed.

They will be updating it consistently as a central place to dive into the community that is Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros more on this story


Municipal Waste and Darkest Hour Members Form New Band
Members of Municipal Waste and Darkest Hour have teamed up to form a new metal supergroup called Iron Reagan and fans are being offered their first taste of the group's music.

The group is made of Tony Foresta (Municipal Waste, No Friends), LandPhil Hall (Municipal Waste, Cannabis Corpse), Ryan Parish (Darkest Hour, Suppression, City of Caterpillar) and Paul Burnette (Darkest Hour, Crack Head)

IRON REAGAN just released a free 4 song demo available on their bandcamp page. The Demo was recorded in Richmond, Virginia by Landphil and Mastered by Mammoth Sound.

Iron Reagan will be playing their first show this Sunday in Richmond, VA at Strange Matter with Weekend Nacho's, Full of Hell and others. Check out the demo here.



Angels & Airwaves Change Tour Date
Angels & Airwaves' sold-out show on January 26 at the Music Box in Los Angeles has been moved to January 23 at the Avalon in Hollywood.

A limited number of additional tickets for the Avalon will go on sale on January 18 at 10 am PT.

AVA is preparing to kick off a busy two weeks that will include five intimate Southern California tour dates, plus TV and Web performances.

The band will start with a show at House of Blues in Anaheim on Sunday, January 22, followed by the Avalon and then Velvet Jones in Santa Barbara on January 25 and the Belly Up in Solana Beach on February 1. A fifth show was recently announced for the Glass House in Pomona on February 2

At 3:00 pm PST on Tuesday, January 24, fans are invited to take a virtual front row seat when AVA performs at the "Red Bull Sound Space at KROQ" via www.kroq.com/soundspace



Dr. John Recruits Black Keys Member to Produce New Album
(Gibson) Dr. John has recruited The Black Keys' Dan Auerbach to produce his next album. The album, to be called Locked Down, will be released in April.

Auerbach said that Dr. John "inspired me every single day we were in the studio together: musically, spiritually, cosmically ... something special seemed to be happening and everyone involved could sense it. For my money, Mac's [Mac Rebennack is the Dr.'s real name] one of the greatest who ever was and who ever will be ... I'm so honored to have had this opportunity to work with him."

Dr. John's kids introduced the roots music legend to The Black Keys' music and he and Auerbach worked with a group of young musicians at his own studio in Nashville. more on this story




Coldplay Scored Top Rock Album of 2011
(Gibson) Coldplay only released their fifth album Mylo Xyloto in October but managed to top the 2011 U.K. rock album sales chart by some distance.

NME.com reports that according to The Official Charts Company in the U.K., Coldplay had the biggest-selling rock album of last year with Mylo Xyloto, at over 900,000 copies sold.

Noel Gallagher's debut solo album wasn't too close to Coldplay's record, but it did come in second with 500,000 units sold. Trailing Gallagher were Florence and the Machine, Foo Fighters and Mumford and Sons. more on this story




The Boxer Rebellion North American Headline Tour Details
The Boxer Rebellion will be hitting the road this Spring for a North American headline tour.

Beginning on Friday, April 6, in Tucson, AZ, at Club Congress, the tour will take in nights at notable venues across the U.S. and Canada such as The Parish in Austin, TX, on Tuesday, April 10, Music Hall of Williamsburg in Brooklyn, NY, on Friday, April 27, The Great American Music Hall in San Francisco, CA, on Tuesday, May 15, and El Rey Theatre in Los Angeles, CA, on Friday, May 18.

After the tour's completion, the band will also be making a very special appearance in Mexico City, Mexico, on Saturday, May 19. more on this story



Dropkick Murphys Add St. Patrick's Day North American Tour Dates
Dropkick Murphys have added two additional Boston shows to their annual St. Patrick's Day North American Tour.

The new dates will take place on Wednesday, March 14 at House Of Blues and Sunday, March 18 at Brighton Music Hall.

On March 6, Dropkick Murphys will release the Going Out In Style: Fenway Park Bonus Edition CD--an expanded version of the critically acclaimed Going Out In Style--on the band-owned Born & Bred Records more on this story



Jeff Loomis Releases Details About New Album and NAMM Appearances
Former Nevermore guitarist Jeff Loomis has locked himself in the studio for the past few months perfecting his sophomore solo record, to be released later this year and has announced some details.

After his departure from Nevermore and the release of his solo debut -- Zero Order Phase in 2008 -- fans have been craving a new album. With a number of influential musicians appearing on the upcoming release, Jeff Loomis is more than ready to deliver.

Details on two NAMM appearances have also been announced. JEFF LOOMIS comments: A couple of years ago I achieved my childhood dream of releasing a solo album. With the releasing of my second record coming up, I'm proud to announce another dream come true...or should I say dreams...Marty Friedman, Tony MacAlpine and Chris Poland have all done guest solos for it. These guys must have given me hundreds of blisters on my fingers when I was a kid trying in vain to emulate their work. Hell, I'm still trying to figure out some of their solos. To have three guitar players that I looked up to as a young player and still hold in such high regard is simply amazing. I can't thank those guys enough. more on this story



Diamond Plate To Rock With Anthrax
Diamond Plate will play their very first shows outside of North America with three concerts in the UK this March.

Diamond Plate are due to support Anthrax at two special shows in March in London and Oxford, followed by a main stage slot at Hammerfest in Wales.

Diamond Plate lead guitarist Konrad Kupiec comments: "We couldn't be more honored to announce that our first UK appearances will be supporting the legendary Anthrax. Playing in the UK and playing with one of our biggest idols seemed like two separate goals this early in our careers; to see them happen together so soon is almost surreal and we're excited as hell. more on this story



Vampires Everywhere! Enter The Studio
Vampires Everywhere! are entering the studio to begin working on their sophomore album which will be released by Hollywood Waste Records.

The band has spent the last few months in pre-production for their sophomore effort and Michael Vampire reveals who will be teaming up with the band for this release, as well as the musical direction of the upcoming album:

"We are excited to announce that we entered the studio yesterday to start recording our second album for Hollywood Waste Records!! We will be co-producing the record with Mike Sarkisyan & Tommy Decker from Grammy nominated alternative-metal band Spineshank and we couldn't be more pumped about it. We're changing it up a bit from the last album but our fans will still love it. The new record will be darker and more message driven and will abandon ALL autotune effects! I want this record to have a 90's industrial shock rock feel with a mixture of 2012 technology. We plan on releasing the record around Van's Warped Tour. See you there!!" more on this story


Dave Alvin's Eleven Eleven Expanded
Yep Roc Records have set an April 17th release date for an expanded edition of Roots rocker Dave Alvin's album Eleven Eleven.

The expanded edition of Eleven Eleven boasts nearly three hours of music and will include two previously unreleased bonus tracks, "Signal Hill" and "Never Trust A Woman," a live performance DVD, a live recording of Eleven Eleven, and a repackaging of the original full-length album. Alvin hits the road this spring in both the U.S. and the U.K.

"Starting in May 2011, my great band, The Guilty Ones and I hit the highways and performed in every bar, theatre and joint that we could get into across America," says Dave Alvin. "As you might guess, I love playing with this band and I think it shows in the live performance that was recorded last summer at The Ark in Ann Arbor. I'm happy to be able to release this to you on DVD in a new swanky package of Eleven Eleven. We'll be back on the road in both the U.S. and the U.K. soon. Look forward to seeing you out there." more on this story


Ned Evett Releases New Adrian Belew Produced Album
(Kayos) Ned Evett has released his sixth solo album, Treehouse, which was produced by Adrian Belew.

Ned Evett is the winner of the 2003 North American Rock Guitar competition (which resulted in a PBS documentary). He opened for Joe Satriani (who calls Ned "a monster guitarist") on a mammoth six month international tour that started in 2010. Trained classically, he plays his own invention, a fretless glass guitar, in a unique fingerpicking style (no guitar picks were used in the building of this Treehouse).

The compositional prowess exhibited by Ned Evett on Treehouse is proof positive he is so much more than the brilliant guitarist upon which he's made his reputation. His goal going in was to spotlight his unique vocals and songwriting. Consider that goal accomplished. Evett has reached way down deep into the heart of human emotion, chronicling his relationship with the open road and the losses sustained in an effort to create such a profound work. "Don't Despair," for instance, contains a universal message tinged with regret yet with hope for the future.

One-Liners Today!

Axl talks jury duty plus latest from Alice in Chains, Foo Fighters, Riot, Zakk Wylde, NIN, Journey, Bulletboys, Kate Bush


Axl Rose has said he enjoyed his experience of jury duty. The Guns n’Roses frontman spent four days following a trial and found it “relatively painless.” He reports: “I was fortunate that everyone in the courthouse and jurors were all really great. Plus I got to see daylight from a different prospect.” It’s assumed he managed to turn up in time each day.

Jerry Cantrell’s health problems are behind delays to the new Alice in Chains album, their second with singer William DuVall after their triumphant 2009 comeback Black Gives Way to Blue. The guitarist says: “I had shoulder surgery. I had to get some bone spurs and torn cartilage taken care of, so that put me back a little. But we’ve been writing through the whole process.” The new record is due in the second half of the year. (Rolling Stone)

Dave Grohl says the music industry wouldn’t be in so much trouble if record labels insisted on releasing albums as good as pop singer Adele’s current record. The Foos frontman explains: “Everyone’s so shocked that it’s such a phenomenon. I’m not. You know what that record’s huge? Because it’s fucking good and it’s real. Now imagine if all records were that good. Do you think only one of them would sell? Fuck no – all of them would. The music business would be on fire.” (Billboard)

Riot‘s reunion shows may take place without Mark Reale after the guitarist was forced back into hospital with Crohn’s disease, which he’s been fighting for most of his life. The band say: “We ask fans and friends to pray for Mark’s speedy recovery and to support us in our efforts to bring you the Riot reunion shows that have been so long in the making. Your good wishes will make it to his bedside until he is able to return to the stage.”

Zakk Wylde says his dad’s retirement and subsequent boredom taught him the importance of having something to get out of bed for in the morning. The Black Label Society mainman recalls: “When my dad retired from General Motors, that was the worst thing that ever happened to him. He was lost. Once he got a job up at a gas station, and he was back talking with people again, he had a reason to get up. I’m grateful for everything I have – I don’t need a tragedy to happen to realise how blessed I am.” (AU Review)

Trent Reznor admits he’s playing call-my-bluff with his creative talents over the potential of a new Nine Inch Nails album. He says: “My voice as a songwriter feels like it needs to speak up. I think I have something to say that feels unique to who I am right now. It’s all kind of hypothetical right now – when I sit down with a notebook and a mini-recorder is when my bluff will be calles, and then it might not happen at all.” (NME)

The first wild grey wolf in California for 80 years has been named Journey after the rock band. The animal was tracked by scientists over an 800-mile trip from Oregon until it decided to settle down and is now establishing its own territory. Conservation group Portland Wild ran an online contest to give it a name, and Journey was chosen because the spirit of Don’t Stop Believin’ applies to the wolf’s importance to natural heritage.

The Bulletboys reunion looks to have imploded after their show in Hollywood on December 30. Drummer Jimmy D’Anda has lashed out at frontman Marq Torien, saying: “He wants to continue without the original members so he can maintain control of the name. His contract states the guys and I are on a trial basis for a year, then if he thinks we’re deserving we can buy a portion of the name. That’s unacceptable. Either we’re a band or we’re not.” But Torien replies: “Contrary to what Jimmy says I am more than willing to share everything equally. The original members sold out the group and the name 18 years ago. Despite their sellout, my fair and equal offer remains on the table. I hope to work this out where everybody can be happy.”

The Kate Bush fan who flew to her home from the US with an engagement ring, hoping to marry her, has been deported from the UK. Frank Tufaro, 32, broke into Bush’s home in Devon while she was away, and was arrested after neighbours contacted the police. Detained under the Mental Health Act, Tufaro stated he hadn’t intended to break in, adding: “It was so bitter and cold – I’ve never broken a law in my life but I decided to break a window pane and let myself in so I wouldn’t freeze to death. I was inside for about eight minutes before I realised I had to leave.” The Border Agency says: “A 32-year-old man was removed from the UK to the United States. The incident which led to his arrest is purely a police matter.”

Today's Day In Rock

Van Halen Make Top 20 Debut
(hennemusic) Van Halen's new single "Tattoo" has debuted in the Top 20 on the Billboard radio charts.
Billboard reports "Tattoo" – the first track from the band's "A Different Kind Of Truth" album, due February 7 – enters the Billboard Rock Songs chart at #16.

The song arrives with 4.6 million first-week audience impressions on 78 stations, according to Nielsen BDS. more on this story



Aerosmith's Joe Perry and Steven Tyler To Rock Leno This Week
(hennemusic) Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry has confirmed that he and Steven Tyler will play The Tonight Show with Jay Leno this Friday, January 20.

The pair will be joined by bassist and American Idol judge Randy Jackson for the performance.

Perry confirmed the information via Twitter last Friday, in response to a fan inquiry. Joe also said he'll be on the Tonight Show again on Monday, January 30. more on this story

Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder Fighting For His Domain
(hennemusic) This is what happens when you forget to renew your website domain. Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder is fighting to regain control of the web domain eddievedder.com, according to Fusible.

A complaint (WIPO Case Number: D2012-0035) was filed last week with the World Intellectual Property Organization over the domain name.

According to WHOIS records, Fusible reports Pearl Jam owned the domain name back in the mid-2000s up through late 2010, when the name switched over to Whois privacy. more on this story



Head Open To Korn Reunion
(Gibson) Former Korn guitarist Brian "Head" Welch said that enough time has passed that he would keep an "open mind" about reuniting with his former bandmates. Head recently spoke to Legendary Rock Interviews, about his feelings about Korn.

When asked about getting back together with Jonathan Davis and the gang, Head replied: "You mean like a big, classic rock, Motley Crue reunion tour thing? [laughs] It would have to be a situation where we all agree on things and be for a real purpose and some concrete, higher-power reason. I'm happy right now doing my stuff and I feel really content doing it and those guys are really busy and content doing their thing. I have no plans to do such a reunion, but if it were for the right reasons and we all felt the same way about it I would definitely keep an open mind about it."

Head went on to say that he's on good terms with the guys in Korn, on a personal level. "I am very happy for those guys and proud of that music and totally past the point of holding an ill will for any of them," he said. "I just hung out with Jonathan and his wife the whole night a few months back and hung out with Fieldy sometime after that when I was out on tour with my band. It is without a doubt all good. I have nothing but good vibes for them and I'm sure we will always stay in touch." more on this story



Five Finger Death Punch and Soulfly Tour
Soulfly let it unofficially slip that they are teaming up with Five Finger Death Punch for a North American tour this spring.

Loudwire has the details: Although no official word from Five Finger Death Punch just yet, Soulfly posted the dates on their website, listing Five Finger Death Punch as part of the tour.

The dates kick off in mid-March and run through April, with possibly more dates to come. More including the dates.



Soundgarden Accidentally Leak Download Festival Lineup
(Rock News Desk) Soundgarden have accidentally revealed more details about the 2012 Download Festival bill than they were supposed to when they confirmed their own appearance at the iconic UK event.

The Seattle outfit revealed Little Angels have reformed for the festival's tenth anniversary while Machine Head, Biffy Clyro, Anthrax, Trivium, Lamb of God, Devin Townsend Project, DevilDriver, Ugly Kid Joe and August Burns Red are already signed up.

When Soundgarden announced they'd be appearing at the three-day festival, a band representative uploaded a picture of an early-stages promo poster to their Facebook page, which gave away more than organisers Live Nation intended. more on this story



L.A. Guns Reteam With Andy Johns For New Album
(Gibson) The Phil Lewis-led L.A. Guns – not to be confused with the Tracii Gunns version – have signed with Cleopatra Records and will begin recording a new album with legendary producer Andy Johns.

In addition to his work with Led Zeppelin, Andy Johns co-produced Van Halen's For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge, Joe Satriani's The Extremist and Chickenfoot's debut. He also produced the last three L.A. Guns albums.

The album will be released on CD and vinyl as well as a digital version with iTunes-exclusive tracks. The band is planning a nine-month world tour to support the album.

The current L.A. Guns lineup is Lewis, Steve Riley, Stacey Blades and Scotty Griffin. "We've been waiting a long time to get back in and record," Lewis says. "Our last album, Tales From the Strip, was incredibly well-received and we're looking forward to putting out something even better! With today's uncertain musical landscape, it's great to have a label like Cleopatra Records behind us. We've been friends with Brian Perera (Cleopatra Records owner and founder) for a long time, and are really looking forward to working together on this and many more projects with him in the future." more on this story




Marilyn Manson Replaces Chris Vrenna
(Banana 101.5) Marilyn Manson recently waved goodbye to drummer Chris Vrenna, who left the band to focus on other projects.

The band has decided to move forward with veteran rock drummer Jason Sutter as the man behind the kit.

His first gig with the band will be during Manson's appearance at the Soundwave Festival next month. more on this story



Megadeth's Dave Ellefson to Release New Book
Megadeth co-founder Dave Ellefson has announced the Spring release of "Unsung," his brand new book featuring original lyrics and images never before published.

His site had these details: Dark, light, inquisitive and inspirational, "Unsung" expresses a uniquely diverse side to David's creativity. He enthuses that, "as a musician, my past lyrical work has always been set to music. But, with this new book I set out to explore a new medium using both words and images as the canvas for an exciting new mosaic of storytelling."

"Unsung" is also David's first venture into the realm of self-publishing. As a result, he encourages the reader to utilize these original lyrics under license from him for their own songs. In this manner, song-writers of all levels can actually become a co-writer with David. This is truly an innovative way for fans and musicians to co-create with one of Metal music's most iconic and inspirational artists! more on this story



Inside AC/DC's Bon Scott Era From Mark Evans
Former AC/DC bassist Mark Evans is sharing more insights from his new book Dirty Deeds: My Life Inside/Outside Of AC/DC.

On writing his book Dirty Deeds: "The band tends to be a little secretive. They're private sort of guys. And it's just paying back all the support from over the years and for people who ask me what it was like to be in the band. So yeah, I just wanted to put fans in the band like it was back in the Bon Scott days. We had a whole lot of fun, let me tell you."

On recording classic AC/DC albums like Let There Be Rock: "From the week I joined them, we'd be doing six, seven, eight gigs a week. So our scheduling was really tight, and we didn't have a lot of time. To record the albums, or at least the ones I was involved with, T.N.T., which was half of the international version of High Voltage, Dirty Deeds, and Let There Be Rock, all those albums, there was only two weeks put aside for each album to record." more on this story



Abigail Williams' New Album Streaming In Full
Abigail Williams are streaming their third album full-length album, Becoming, online in full ahead of the January 24th North American release.

The LP will be available for streaming from now until the album's release next week, you can check it out here.

Becoming was recorded in various warehouses throughout Los Angeles, with the lineup for the album including returning guitarist Ian Jekelis, studio drummer Zach Gibson (ex-The Black Dahlia Murder) and as always, vocalist/guitarist Ken Sorceron, who handled all mixing, mastering, production and engineering duties.



Alice in Chains & Friends Fantasy Football League Auction
(hennemusic) The Alice in Chains & Friends Fantasy Football League launched its 3rd annual charity auction on eBay last Friday morning.

The ten-day-long auction includes collectible items donated by league participants such as custom-made black denim pants, jacket, and studded belt worn by Jerry Cantrell during the Alice in Chains Blackdiamondskye Tour.

Plus a glove personally worn and autographed by Randy Wolf; a Mad Men script signed by the cast of the show, autographed items from Vinnie Paul, Duff McKagan, Heart's Ann Wilson and more. more on this story


Jeff Scott Soto To Deliver Damage Control in March
(Gibson) Vocalist Jeff Scott Soto's fifth studio album, Damage Control, will be released on March 23 in Europe and March 27 in North America.

Soto describes the album as heavy, AOR, hard rock with a focus on riffs and melodies. "I feel Damage Control is more of a return to what my fans would expect to hear from me," Soto says. "It's a perfect blend of my first two solo albums with Frontiers Records; Prism and Lost in the Translation, but also mixes in some of my favorite moments of my past bands such as Talisman and Soul SirkUS."

In addition to his current bandmates, the album features appearances and co-writing collaborations by guests including Jamie Borger and Nalley Påhlsson of Treat, Casey Grillo of Kamelot, Joel Hoekstra of Night Ranger and Y&T founder Dave Meniketti. On the latter, Soto says "Y&T drummer Mike Vanderhule played drums on a track and suggested I bring Dave on but, as he is a long time friend and one on the 'wish list' of people I would have loved to have, I didn't want to get an excuse that he was too busy or not interested, to my surprise I got neither... he was willing to do it and I was not only grateful but beyond pleased to work with another musical hero!" more on this story




KISS' Peter Criss Receives Drum Legend Award
(hennemusic) Original KISS drummer Peter Criss was honored Saturday night with the Drum Legend award during the grand finals of Guitar Center's annual Drum-Off event.

The Drum Legend induction, at Club Nokia in Los Angeles, honors icons in the drum world that have paved the way for today's drummers. The award is given to those that have made significant contributions to the craft and have hugely influenced players by their style and illustrious musical career.

Past inductees include John Bonham, Billy Cobham, Nicko McBrain, Steve Smith, Dave Garibaldi, Alan White, and Greg Errico. Read Peter's reaction here.



Jon Anderson and Rick Wakeman In The Studio for Yes Classic
Jon Anderson and Rick Wakeman are 'InTheStudio' for the 40th anniversary of YES' Fragile.

Of special note to fans, this interview contains a segment where Jon Anderson discusses how 'Roundabout' was written.

Jon Anderson also remembers, "Probably around Fragile was the time that I started to become a little bit more like a director. They use to call me 'Napoleon'. They never told me to my face (chuckles). It didn't matter, I didn't care, as long as it was happening. Later I learned the word 'catalyst'."

InTheStudio is syndicated on over 50 radio stations throughout North America. YES- Fragile/ InTheStudio show will air this week but you can stream it online here.



Michael Lee's Death Sparks Little Angels Reunion
(Rock News Desk) The seeds for Little Angels' reunion were sown at the funeral of former drummer Michael Lee, say the band. The Scarborough outfit last night confirmed they'd got back together and will play at this year's Download festival in Donington, UK, in June.

They split after a farewell tour in 1994, and didn't gather again until Lee's memorial service. He'd left the Angels in bad blood in 1991 after his bandmates discovered he'd secretly auditioned for the Cult. He toured the world with Ian Astbury's outfit and went on to play with Page and Plant, among many others. He died of an epileptic seizure in November 2008 at the age of 39.

Now Jepson, Bruce and Jimmy Dickinson, Mark Plunkett and Mark Richardson are raring to go once again – although they haven't said how far their plans have progressed. more on this story



Murder Death Kill and Hammerfist Tour
Murder Death Kill are teaming up with Hammerfist for a tour of the West Coast of the U.S. next month.

The tour is set to kick off on February 5th in Fresno, Ca and will wrap up on February 13th in San Francisco.

Murder Death Kill's music video for their track "Abomination", which was directed by Scott Hansen (Whitechapel, Evergreen Terrace), is set to debut later this week. more on this story



Gibson Announce Donovan NAMM Appearance
(Gibson) Folk-rock legend Donovan will be making an appearance at the Gibson Guitar booth at the 2012 NAMM Show. Donovan is planning to stop by the booth (#303AB) at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California.

Donovan is teaming up with Gibson to locate his prized J-45 guitar (seen in the photo), which was stolen from him. It's the instrument that the new Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee used to write many of his hits, which include "Sunshine Superman," "Mellow Yellow" and "Hurdy Gurdy Man."

Donovan will join many other world-renown artists, including Joe Bonamassa, Dave Navarro and Brian Wilson, who are making appearances at the Gibson booth during the NAMM show. For a full schedule of events, click here.





Exhumed and Anaal Nathrakh Tour
Exhumed are teaming up with Anaal Nathrakh for a short tour of the UK this March.

The trek follows Exhumed's tour of Brazil with Aborted and the Grind Over Europe Tour 2012 with label-mates Rotten Sound and Magrudergrind.

Exhumed are touring in support of their latest album, All Guts, No Glory, which was issued last year by Relapse Records. more on this story



Cannibal Corpse Set New Album Release
Metal Blade have set a March 13th North American release date for Cannibal Corpse's twelfth studio album, Torture.

Torture was again produced by Hate Eternal's Erik Rutan at his own Mana Recording Studio in St. Petersburg, Florida as well as Sonic Ranch in Tornillo, Texas, and features the maniacal cover art by longtime Cannibal Corpse artist, Vincent Locke.

While Torture marks the latest progression in the band's sound, it also witnesses a return to what drummer Paul Mazurkiewicz accurately terms "the frenzied attack of Butchered At Birth (1991) or Tomb Of The Mutilated (1992)," infusing the band's advanced musicianship with the raw savagery that haunted their earlier releases, and in the process conceiving the definitive Cannibal Corpse record. Adds bassist Alex Webster on the outcome of the record: "We're extremely happy with how Torture turned out. Erik Rutan did an amazing job with the production, and the songwriting and performances may be our strongest yet. We can't wait until our fans get to hear the whole thing!" more on this story



Evergrey Release A Decade And A Half of Music Today
SPV/Steamhammer have released Evergrey's long awaited two disc greatest hits collection, "A Decade And A Half".

The exclusive deluxe package features previously unreleased songs, live tracks and an extensive booklet.

Since The Band Arrived On The Scene With Their First Album In 1998, Progressive Melodic Metallersevergrey Have Brought Out Eight Studio Albums And One Live Release. more on this story



Riot Guitarist Remains Hospitalized
Riot have issued this health update about Mark Reale: Due to complications arising from treatment for Mark's illness, he remains hospitalized in San Antonio and will not be healthy enough to appear as scheduled. Mike, Tony, Bobby and Don have, at the strong urging of Mark's family, decided to perform the shows without Mark on guitar.

We are receiving updates on his condition several times daily, and Mark is currently undergoing procedures to stabilize him. His father, in addition to several dedicated friends of the band and the family, are at Mark's side constantly as doctors work to restore him to health. In accordance with the family's wishes, no further details are being released at this time.

While we are saddened by these developments, Riot's music has been Mark's lifeblood for over 30 years. We have struggled with idea of performing without him, and we are continuing to prepare with heavy hearts, but the entire Riot organization has agreed on the importance of bringing our music to the fans who have supported us for so long. more on this story



Warbringer To Tour With Iced Earth and Symphony X
(CM) Warbringer will hit the road later this month with Iced Earth and Symphony X for a North American tour.

In regards to this upcoming trek, the band comments: "It's a new year and we're looking forward to getting back out there and touring the US and Canada, especially getting back to some of the markets we didn't hit on the headline tour.

"These will be big shows and a long tour and we're excited to share the stage with Iced Earth and Symphony X, and performing for some of their fans who may have not seen Warbringer yet."

LEGACY RECORDINGS CELEBRATES SCORPIONS WITH STATESIDE RELEASE OF TWO NEW TITLES:

Legacy Recordings is proud to announce the domestic release of two essential new titles from the seminal metal band Scorpions: Comeblack, a new album of classic rock covers and fresh performances of signature repertoire recorded earlier this year, and Get Your Sting and Blackout - Live in 3D, available on Blu-ray disc, an 11-camera 3-D concert film recorded in Saarbrucken, Germany on April 15, 2011 during Scorpions current farewell tour. Launched by guitarist Rudolf Schenker in 1965, Scorpions forged metal, rock and pop into a sound that's come to signify an entire genre through hard rock anthems like "Rock You Like A Hurricane" and hits like "Send Me An Angel," "Wind of Change" and "Still Loving You," selling more than 100 million records in the process.
Last year, Scorpions announced that the group's Get Your Sting and Blackout tour, an epic ongoing worldwide rock 'n' roll odyssey in support of 2010's Sting in the Tail, would be the group's last before retirement. The tour is slated to run through 2012 with a string of historic farewell blowouts and festival performances scheduled Europe culminating with shows at the Wacken Open Air festival (August 4, 2012) and Munich's Olympiahalle (October 13, 2012).
Wanting to create a truly memorable concert film to do justice to power of the live show and the high energy emotional impact of the final tour, Scorpions chronicled the sold-out concert on April 15, 2011 in Saarbrucken, Germany with a state-of-the-art 3D production. Helmed by director Gerd F. Schultze (who's worked on 3D films with Michael Jackson, Bryan Adams, Joe Cocker, Carlos Santana and German superstar Peter Maffay), Get Your Sting and Blackout - Live in 3D puts the viewer into the VIP box at the ultimate Scorpions concert. In addition to 100 minutes of pure Scorpions music, Get Your Sting and Blackout - Live in 3D includes more than half-an-hour of behind-the-scenes bonus material.
"The preview audience was absolutely euphoric and stunned by the intensity and the never-before-witnessed power and intimacy in which they were able to experience the Scorpions' fantastic concert," said Gerd Schultze following a theatrical screening of the film. "The people left the screening with a completely new and never-before-seen concert experience and wanted to watch it all over straight away. Part of the reason is, that we have managed to create an unbelievable 3D depth with a specially developed method, which is very pleasant to watch. Using the new camera technology, we managed to translate 3D in the cut and montage technique in a style that will meet the expectations of a first class product even in ten years time. It makes you feel like you're sitting in the VIP lounge amidst the audience through this 11 camera 3D concert staging and its monstrous 5.1 surround and stereo sound. At the same time, The Scorpions perform their unbelievably powerful and visually unique show with all their hits live in your living room. This is pure dynamite ... fasten seat belts and take off ... into the third dimension."
"Saarbrucken was a very good choice," wrote the band in a press statement, "our fans were simply sensational and gave us the chance to thank them for their many years of support."

Get Your Sting and Blackout - Live in 3D - Blu-ray. The Set List: Intro, Sting In The Tail, Make It Real, Bad Boys Running Wild, The Zoo, Coast To Coast, Loving You Sunday Morning, The Best Is Yet To Come, Send Me An Angel, Holiday, Raised On Rock, Tease Me, Please Me, Dynamite, Kottak Attack, Blackout, Six String Sting, Big City Nights, Still Loving You, Wind Of Change, Rock You Like A Hurricane, When The Smoke Is Going Down.

At some point during the Get Your Sting and Blackout tour ("We can't remember the day, the month or the hour"), Scorpions, enjoying the success of Sting in the Tail and the emotional rejuvenation of the farewell tour ("Screaming fans everywhere we went!") decided to record one last classic album. "The idea to go back to the studio was born out of pure excitement," said the band who cut an album mixing covers of rock 'n' roll standards that informed and inspired the Scorpions alongside new productions and performances of the songs in the band's core catalog that have proved the most meaningful to the members.
The result, Comeblack, is, according to the band, "an encore for our die-hard fans, to thank them for all the support for so many years. At the same time, this is a tribute to legendary bands from the sixties, like the Beatles and the Rolling Stones, who have inspired us to follow our dreams. We hope you like it as much as we do... Rock on and ... Comeblack."

Scorpions - Comeblack - tracklisting: Rhythm of Love, No One Like You, The Zoo, Rock You Like A Hurricane, Blackout, Wind of Change, Tainted Love (Gloria Jones/Marc Almond), Children of the Revolution (T. Rex), Across the Universe (The Beatles), Tin Soldier (Small Faces), All Day and All of the Night (The Kinks), Ruby Tuesday (The Rolling Stones).
WebLinks: www.the-scorpions.com / www.legacyrecordings.com.