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In Search Of...The Best Underground Metal Songs

The vast, expansive world of underground metal can leave even the most persistent headbanger’s music collection lacking of many of the industry’s finest songs. With the depths of MySpace and the many other music sites which lend themselves to the exploration of one’s musical tastes, it can be a bit overwhelming trying to dig up the finest metal gems. Moreover, some metal fans so deeply embed themselves in one sub-genre that they might be missing some truly great stuff. This brief guide is intended to give you, the metalhead, a reference to some of those songs that “make” an album, that rattle around in your head for hours, and that warrant a deeper exploration of a band’s entire body of work. Furthermore, newer metalheads will find a few older songs from current big-name artists that are worthy of tracking down. More...

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Disturbed Reveal New Album Details

Billboard.com reports: Heavy, dark and “pissed-off” are the operative terms for DISTURBED’s new album, according to frontman David Draiman. Draiman tells Billboard.com that the quartet is about 12 songs into the set, which DISTURBED is producing itself in Chicago.

Tentatively titled “Indestructible,” it’s due out in the spring of 2008 via Warner Bros. “We’re probably going to track 15 (songs), and we’ll put 12 on the record,” Draiman says.

The album’s tone, he adds, is directly inspired by “a f*cked-up couple of years” in his personal life — including a motorcycle accident, a garage fire that destroyed his truck and motorcycle, and “a number of bad relationships.”

“When we first discussed what we were going to be shooting for, vibe-wise, on the record,” Draiman recalls, “I said, ‘Guys, listen, my head is in a really in a f*cked-up place. Give me the nastiest, darkest, most brutal sh*t you can throw at me, and I’ll write to it.’”

His bandmates delivered. “Mikey (Wengren, DISTURBED’s drummer) is playing faster and more furiously than ever, with more polysyncopation. Danny (Donegan) is soloing even more frequently, and the riffs are just brutal and honest and dark.

“It still has those big, melodic elements that were brought out” on DISTURBED’s last two albums, “but it seems to hearken more to the extra syncopation and added rhythms and the dark, primal nature” of 2000’s “The Sickness,” he observes.

Some of the songs Draiman expects to be on “Indestructible” include “The Night,” “Inside the Fire,” “Deceiver,” “Run,” “Enough” and “Tom.” The group has also recorded a version of FAITH NO MORE’s “Midlife Crisis” but isn’t sure if it will make the final cut or not.

“This Moment,” DISTURBED’s contribution to the “Transformers” soundtrack, will definitely not appear on the new album, according to Draiman.

Touring will follow the new album’s release, with Draiman predicting a run of European festivals first — although it might be preceded by a short promotional trip through North America. There will also be a Music As a Weapon IV tour during the cycle, though the timing for that has not yet been determined.

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Embryonic Devourment Sign To Deepsend Records

EMBRYONIC DEVOURMENT have announced their signing to Deepsend Records. The band will release their new album, Fear of Reality Exceeds Fantasy, through the label in early February.

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Gwar Frontman To Host "Get In The Ring"

Oderus Urungus, frontman for US gore-metallers GWAR, has been confirmed as compere of Metal Hammer's Get In The Ring II.

Taking place at London's Kentish Town Forum on December 11, GITR is back for another four round rock and metal championship. The live battle will feature Caveman death metallers Goat The Head, Huddersfield thrashers Evile, Swedish metallers Engel and British hardnuts Viking Skull.

For your chance to bag a pair of tickets, simply email us the answer to the following question:

Which band had a song called 'Get In The Ring'?

a) Metallica
b) Megadeth
c) Guns N Roses

Email us at metalhammer@futurenet.co.uk, and donÂ’t forgot to put GITR in the subject line

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Nevermore Frontman Continues Solo Album

NEVERMORE frontman Warrel Dane has issued an update on his upcoming debut solo album, which is tentatively due in early 2008. Dane has written about eight tracks with former SOILWORK guitarist-turned-producer Peter Wichers and has also collaborated with ex-HIMSA guitarist Matt Wicklund on a few songs.

Stated Dane: "Hello from Nashville! Matt Wicklund is starting guitar tracks today [Wednesday, October 31]. Peter is pretty much done with most of his guitar parts. Things are starting to shape up. I'm having a great time getting to know the locals here.

"One thing that just made me want to die from laughter... I'm at Jack In The Box getting breakfast and these two old guys with accents so thick you could cut them with a knife are sitting next to me, totally drunk at about 10 am, bitching about how their wives can't cook, 'nothing gets cooked in my house unless she does it, but ya know what I can cook a hot dog..... damn, all you gotta do is boil water...well, I'll tell ya what, I can still cook a hamburger when she passes out.' I almost fell off my chair..."

In a September 2006 interview with Metal-Rules.com, Dane stated about the upcoming solo CD, "I've been working on it for like the last year off and on, just writing songs with Peter Wichers, and at some point we'll finish them then go in the studio . . . It doesn't sound like NEVERMORE, and I think, you know, if it did, there wouldn't be much point in doing a side project. If it sounded like NEVERMORE I think it would be a little redundant . . . Of course it's metal! Kind of like metal-infused hard rock, I think. It's different and it's a chance for me to explore myself — explore myself in other ways! [laughs] Well, for me, and for Peter from SOILWORK as well, it was kind of a chance for us both to 'step outside the box,' because people expect a certain thing from both those bands and with this we don't have to fulfill any expectations. We can do whatever we want."

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Helloween Enter Swedish Charts

HELLOWEEN's twelfth studio album, "Gambling with the Devil", has entered the Swedish chart at position No. 34. The CD also landed on the International Album Chart in Japan at No. 3.

The regular "Gambling with the Devil" album consists of eleven songs (plus an intro, spoken by SAXON's Biff Byford) with a total playing time of 57 minutes and 40 seconds. For their many faithful fans, there is also a limited first edition (40,000 units in a digipak with an embossed and stamped slipcase to be released in Europe, and 10,000 units in a jewel case in the U.S.) with a bonus CD featuring two extra tracks, the video for the first single "As Long As I Fall", and a "making-of" of the video, including interview sequences. As a special highlight, the first edition includes a scratch ticket with an exciting puzzle, as described in detail on the HELLOWEEN homepage. The solution to the puzzle allows you to register at Helloween.org and take part in a draw with a sensational first prize: The lucky winner will receive a trip for two to a HELLOWEEN show in America — including flight, accommodation at the band hotel, backstage tickets, and, of course, a personal meeting with the band! There are also signed Gibson/Epiphone guitars and great fan packs to be won.

Under the direction of producer Charlie Bauerfeind, HELLOWEEN recorded a total of 16 songs at the Mi Sueno studios in Tenerife. The focal point of this diverse album is a three-part epos consisting of the chapters "The Bells of the Seven Hells", "Falling to Pieces" and "I.M.E.", which represent the ambiguous album title that thematically covers all the songs. "At the end of the day, life is a gamble with the devil," singer Andi Deris explains. The cover artwork was designed by Martin Häusler ("Keeper of the Seven Keys – The Legacy" and "Live on 3 Continents") again.

The "Hellish Rock" tour of Europe is scheduled to start in mid-November 2007, supported by top act GAMMA RAY. Apart from a few festival appearances, this will be the first joint tour by HELLOWEEN and GAMMA RAY.

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Behemoth And Krux Confirmed For Inferno Festival

BEHEMOTH and KRUX are the latest acts confirmed for the 2008 edition of the Inferno Festival which is being held in Oslo, Norway from March 19th-22nd at the following venues: Rockefeller, John Dee, Sentrum Scene, Garage, Maiden and Rock In. The confirmed lineup is now as follows: SATYRICON (headliners), DESTRUCTION TULUS and SHINING. The full schedule will be announced at their kick-off in January. The tickets for the 2008 edition of the festival are now available.

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Krisiun To Release New Album Next Summer

Brazilian death metal titans KRISIUN have issued the following update:

"Krisiun just finished the seventh leg of the AssassiNation world tour in one year and ten months the band did over 250 shows in 25 countries around the world spreading the most vicious and brutal death metal. Krisiun would like to thank all the crazy mother fuckers which showed up at the shows and also all the promoters which made it possible. Also thank all the bands which toured together on these tours.

The band still will do a few shows in South America:

November
24 - Curitiba, Brazil - Opera 1

December
7 - Buenos Aires, Argentina - El Teatro (with BRUJERIA)
9 - Porto Alegre, Brazil - Bar Opinião

After this the band will start working on the new record schedule for release in the summer 2008."

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Lamb Of God Drummer Reveals 2008 Plans

LAMB OF GOD drummer Chris Adler has issued the following update:

"I've been enjoying some time at home. Ozzfest was a great time for us. Killer opportunity playing in front of some massive crowds and beat them mercilessly with our nasty noise.

"Our last show of that tour was a headline gig in Richmond. This was cool as it had been since the middle of the writing process for 'Sacrament' since we had delivered a hometown show (you can see that show in the 'Sacrament' DVD).

"We have been fortunate to tour the world several times on 'Sacrament', but it has kept us away from home for what seemed like forever and it was good to be back. A lot of our friends came out to support and it was a great homecoming.

"Took some time to adjust to sleeping in stationary bed and to get back on a normal schedule. I think I've finally adjusted — perfect timing — we leave for the UK in three days!!!

"For a while I was rehearsing on my own every day, but early this month I broke the middle toe on my right foot. Badly. The x-ray showed the bone snapped all the way across. You see, I was deep in training for a UFC fight and snapped it breaking concrete slabs.

"Not quite. I wish I had a good story, but it's actually pretty pathetic. I slammed it on the leg of the bed in the middle of the night coming back to bed from taking a leak.

"I haven't played drums in weeks. Probably the longest I have gone without playing since we started the band. Very awkward for me as I'm pretty neurotic about rehearsing. I think it's been good for me though. I really needed some chill time and the time away has made me really hungry to play.

"During the down time, I did all kinds of crap. Joe from GOJIRA came and stayed with me for a week and then the band came in for a week of rehearsals. Hung with those guys a lot as they prepared for their tour. Lots of work on my house and I also got really into the 360 game Bioshock. Other than drunken matches of Guitar hero on the bus I never play video games anymore, but with my toe elevated and on ice there was only so much I could do. Cool game.

"So, we are scheduled to leave Friday for the UK tour with HEAVEN AND HELL.

"HEAVEN AND HELL! Are you kidding me?

"We are incredibly fortunate to have this opportunity and I personally can't wait. I'm also a big fan of Jon Schaffer's [ICED EARTH] writing, playing and perseverance.

"I've been an ICED EARTH fan for years. I met him and Tim Owens years back during a taping of 'Headbanger's Ball' at MTV and I'm excited to hang and talk shop with him again as well.

"That's a funny story itself. We showed up at MTV for the taping at 8:30am. They always have the metal bands come in at ungodly hours, probably in hopes of everyone being chill and less hostile or whatever. Willie and Randy 'outsmarted' them. Instead of calling it an early night beforehand, they pulled an all-nighter. By the time we arrived, they were so in the bag they could barely speak. You could see in that episode that Willie is sitting in the back holding a 40oz. in a brown bag! Every time Jamey would announce the next video Willie would yell from the back 'F Yeah!' or 'Those dudes suck!' and we'd have to shoot the segment again! Randy kept screaming 'The Rippaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!' (referring to Tim) in his highest falsetto. It took forever, but I think the humor in it won out.

"Anyway, I gotta go get ready to rock. I hope rehearsal goes well — I'm sure you'll hear about it somehow if it doesn't. I'll keep up here and there from the tour and let you know more about the December US tour as it approaches. I know it will be our last for a long time.

"We plan on taking the entirety of 2008 to reconnect, get hungry and write. Plans never seem to be set in stone with a band, but the idea would be to bunker down with no shows for the year. The next album must be more intense than anything we've done and we don't want any distractions.

"There's something amazing on its way to punctuate the end of the 'Sacrament' cycle. You will hear about it in the next few days, it's been in the works for a while and it's no less than revolutionary. It's crazy actually — you'll see and be the judge soon enough. We are all very excited about this surprise."

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Led Zeppelin Reunion Show Postponed

According to RollingStone.com, LED ZEPPELIN's November 26 reunion concert has been pushed back to December 10 because guitarist Jimmy Page fractured his finger. The injury, which he sustained this past weekend, will make him unable to play guitar for the next three weeks. "I am disappointed that we are forced to postpone the concert by two weeks," Page said in a statement. "However, LED ZEPPELIN have always set very high standards for ourselves, and we feel that this postponement will enable my injury to properly heal, and permit us to perform at the level that both the band and our fans have always been accustomed to." Tickets bought for the original show will be honored on the new date, and refunds will also be available.

The show, a memorial for late Atlantic Records co-founder Ahmet Ertegun, will also feature performances by Pete Townshend, Bill Wyman, and FOREIGNER.

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Everytime I Die Jimmy Kimmel Footage Posted

Buffalo, New York-based band EVERY TIME I DIE was the featured musical guests on ABC-TV's "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" last night (Wednesday, October 31). Watch the performance below.

As previously reported, EVERY TIME I DIE sold almost 14,000 copies of its new album, "The Big Dirty" (Ferret Music), in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 41 on The Billboard 200 chart.

"The Big Dirty" was produced by Steve Evetts and is "the CD you would compile if asked to make a mix of the best EVERY TIME I DIE songs you haven't heard yet," the band writes in the press release. "Ten-plus tracks that tore from our filthy hands like the creature that jumped out of that dude's stomach in 'Alien'." More...

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Avian Working On New Album

AVIAN, the melodic metal band featuring singer Lance King (BALANCE OF POWER, PYRAMAZE) and guitarist Yan Leviathan, has set "Ashes and Madness" as the title of its new CD, tentatively due in early 2008.

Commented Yan: "I have three songs I have to get done by Monday so that when Bill Hudson [CELLADOR] arrives to do his solos, he won’t be doing them to only a click track.

"The songs are coming together very nicely, we are setting down a very solid foundation which I feel will make 'Ashes and Madness' a great CD. Lance will begin vocals next week and we hope to have everything mixed and ready to go by mid-December.

According to the group, "Mattias Norén [EPICA, EVERGREY, INTO ETERNITY] has once again handled all of the art duties and he has done a killer job constructing a visually stunning 16-page booklet."

Yan Leviathan assembled AVIAN after being inspired by GAMMA RAY's performance at the ProgPower USA III festival.

Lance King is a well-respected and seasoned vocalist who has received critical acclaim and the support of legions of fans from his work in such bands as BALANCE OF POWER, GEMINI and PYRAMAZE.

AVIAN's debut album, "From the Depths of Time", was released in 2005.

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Crematory Confirmed For Wacken Open Air

German gothic metallers CREMATORY have been confirmed for next year's installment of the Wacken Open Air festival, set to take place July 31 - August 2, 2008 in Wacken, Germany. The festival billing is shaping up as follows:

IRON MAIDEN (headliners)
CARCASS
HATEBREED
CHILDREN OF BODOM
AVANTASIA
KREATOR
AT THE GATES
CREMATORY
SONATA ARCTICA
SALTATIO MORTIS
THE BONES
EXCREMENTORY GRINDFUCKERS
KRYPTERIA

CREMATORY will release its new album, "Pray", on February 1 via Massacre Records. The CD was produced by the band itself at the Kohlekeller Studios with additional assistance from longtime collaborator Christian "Kohle" Kohlmannslehner. The track listing for the effort is as follows:

01. When Darkness Falls
02. Left the Ground
03. Alone
04. Pray
05. Sleeping Solution
06. Just Words
07. Burning Bridges
08. Have you Ever
09. Remember
10. Say Goodbye

A German tour under the banner "Pray Over Germany" will kick off in May 2008 and will be followed by festival appearance all across Europe.

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Dimmu Borgir Accuses Rapper Of Stealing Music

According to Bild.de, Norwegian symphonic black metallers DIMMU BORGIR are threatening to sue German rapper Bushido for allegedly using the melodies from DIMMU BORGIR's songs on his albums without permission.

DIMMU BORGIR manager Yvette Uhlmann stated: "The band was contacted via the Internet and was told that Bushido had stolen the melody of their song 'Mourning Palace' and that he used it in his song 'Mittelfingah'. Since we were not contacted by Bushido through proper channels and told about his desire to do this, it is clear that Bushido has seriously infringed our intellectual property rights."

DIMMU BORGIR is now seeking compensation from Bushido and will file a lawsuit against the 29-year-old rapper if the two parties fail to come to an agreement.

DIMMU BORGIR guitarist Silenoz is quoted as saying: "If the German rapper in question does not agree to compensate us adequately, we will sue him! Whoever crosses us will face serious consequences."

Lawyers for DIMMU BORGIR and Bushido are currently negotiating a possible settlement.

Bushido has declined to comment on the case.

Although only one track from DIMMU BORGIR is mentioned in the Bild.de article, there are in fact two songs from each artist that are at the center of this dispute. Listen to the tracks below and form your own opinion as to whether DIMMU BORGIR has a valid case. More...

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Dio Apologizes To Def Leppard

Komodo Rock recently conducted an interview with legendary heavy metal vocalist Ronnie James Dio (DIO, BLACK SABBATH, RAINBOW, HEAVEN AND HELL). A couple of excerpts from the chat follow:

Komodo Rock: So with it having gone gold there has been talk of maybe a new studio album from HEAVEN AND HELL next year. Is that something that could happen?

Dio: Yes, we have decided to do that. When it would be, I couldn't tell you. This is the last part of the tour after about 9 months on the road. It's time for us to take a little breather. When the time is right we will get together and start writing for the next album, but as far as the release date goes it will probably be later next year.

Komodo Rock: Does that mean that you won't be going back to the solo DIO stuff for a while then?

Dio: I will. I plan on doing some touring around March or April. Sometime like that. I want to keep a hand in on that one. I love this band that I play with as well, and it's another career, another career with a lot of great music as well. You will see that a lot in the shows that we do play. When people ask if we are going to be doing any DIO material. That's always a nice compliment. But of course we don't. It would be wrong to do that. It's nice to know though that people don't forget and it's something that they want to hear again so much like we are doing with SABBATH now those songs live forever and they become kinda classics of their own. There is always that path to go down and I will.

Komodo Rock: With touring with DIO, the band, and recording another album next year does that mean there is unlikely to be another HEAVEN AND HELL tour next year?

Dio: I don't know if there will be one next year. It depends on how long it takes us to do what we do. When you do an album you have to tour with it. When it is I don't know but I'm sure we will.

Komodo Rock: So it will be a tour when the album is ready?

Dio: Yeah. When we have that all finished and we can take our time and do a proper job of it then touring will certainly be in the offing.

Komodo Rock: Taking time and getting things just right is obviously important to you?

Dio: Oh, yeah. We are always on top of that anyway. We refuse to play badly in concert and we refuse to put out a bad album as well. What we write will be what makes us happy, and usually what makes us happy is what people want to hear from us. I don't know how much time we will need. Sometimes you can take too much time. You can just wallow around and all of this should be perfect and that should be perfect. You have to have the ability to know when naturalness has to take over because everything isn't perfect, because if it's too perfect then that is what it sounds like. It has no heart. It has no soul. So we know very well how long it will take us and how long it should take us to do it. We are not going to go for the perfectionist, but we do have enough time certainly to give ourselves some choices.

Komodo Rock: You've had press recently regarding Vivian Campbell [referring to a video tape that surfaced of Ronnie telling a fan that he hoped Vivian "fucking dies" and calling Vivian's current group DEF LEPPARD "a fucking rock band for you to fucking have diarrhea with."]. Is that something that you are quite passionate about?

Dio: No, I'm not passionate about it. I think that the lowly vermin that captured that on his cell phone at a moment when you are saying something that perhaps you would never say to the press, or something that you didn't really mean that much, but you know, sometimes situations dictate what you say. And once again that was something that was completely off the record. Apparently I said something bad about the band as well, about DEF LEPPARD, and once again all of things that were said were said in the heat of the moment. No reference to them at all, and I would like to apologize to those guys. I like them. It wasn't fair to them, but as far as Vivian goes, all I can say is check out the source, and then see what that source has been saying and sometimes you reply. Most of the time I have been taking the high road on all of it and I have not said anything on it. I have praised Vivian so much and I think that he deserves praise for as great as he played, but you know that was just a retort to the things that he had said about me first, and once again in an unguarded moment, I feel that I was very unfair, but I said what I said. But I am not passionate about hating him, no. I have better things to do with my life than to think about revenge or being a horrible person. Of course I don't want him to die! What I said was, once again a heat of the moment thing. Those things cannot be explained unless you speak to the source which is me, I guess, like you are doing. So no, I have no passion about that whatsoever.

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Linkin Park Aid California Relief Effort

The Pulse of Radio reports: LINKIN PARK is working to help Southern California recover from the recent wildfires that devastated the region through its charitable organization, Music For Relief. According to MTV.com, the band has contributed $50,000 to Direct Relief International, a non-profit organization based in Santa Barbara that has been providing medical supplies to victims of the blazes. LINKIN PARK bassist Dave "Phoenix" Farrell said in a statement, "The wildfires are an unfathomable tragedy. Being able to help victims of a natural disaster like the wildfires is exactly why Music for Relief was founded."

LINKIN PARK guitarist Brad Delson told The Pulse of Radio that fans can also help by making their own contributions through Music For Relief online: "It's MusicForRelief.org, and you can get all the information you need to help make a contribution that will go to help relieve suffering among victims of natural disasters."

Music For Relief was started by LINKIN PARK to help victims of the 2005 Asian tsunami. The organization has also contributed to relief efforts for Hurricane Katrina and other emergencies, and has also launched awareness campaigns about climate change.

LINKIN PARK is currently on tour throughout Asia and is expected to return for another U.S. tour in February of 2008.

The California-based group is supporting its third full-length album, "Minutes to Midnight", which was released last May.

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Internal Suffering Deny Break Up Rumours

INTERNAL SUFFERING want concerned fans and friends to know that the rumors of a possible break-up are totally NOT true. Despite soon-to-be-announced line-up changes, the band are still going strong after 11 years in the scene.

Needless to say, the band's musical style will remain unadulterated and will continue bringing our distinctive brand of brutal death metal to the masses for many more years to come.

"We would like to thank our fans and friends for bearing with us during these changes, and know that great things will come for Internal Suffering in the future."

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Ayeron Reveal Tracklisting, Release Date

It has been confirmed that the forthcoming AYREON rock opera, entitled 01011001, is now finished and will be in stores end of January 2008. Release dates include: January 25th - Germany, Austria, Switzerland, January 28th - Europe, January 29th - US and Canada. Other territories and labels TBA.

The album will feature the following tracklisting:

CD1 - Y:
'Age Of Shadows' (incl. 'We Are Forever')
'Comatose',
'Liquid Eternity'
'Connect The Dots'
'Beneath The Waves':
(a) 'Beneath The Waves'
(b) 'Face The Facts'
(c) 'But A Memory...'
(d) 'World Without Walls'
(e) 'Reality Bleeds',
'Newborn Race'
(a) 'The Incentive'
(b) 'The Vision'
(c) 'The Procedure'
(d) 'Another Life'
(e) 'Newborn Race'
(f) 'The Conclusion'
'Ride The Comet'
'Web Of Lies'

Disc 2 - Earth
'The Fifth Extinction'
(a) 'Glimmer of Hope'
(b) 'World of Tomorrow Dreams'
(c) 'Collision Course'
(d) 'From the Ashes'
(e) 'Glimmer of Hope' (reprise)
'Waking Dreams'
'The Truth Is In Here'
'Unnatural Selection'
'River of Time'
'E=MC2'
'The Sixth Extinction'
(a) 'Echoes On The Wind'
(b) 'Radioactive Grave'
(c) '2085'
(d) 'To The Planet Of Red'
(e) 'Spirit On The Wind'
(f) 'Complete The Circle'

As previously reported, the album officially features the most guest musicians mastermind Arjen Lucassen has ever had on one of his productions. The complete guest list, in no particular order, is as follows:

Forever: Daniel Gildenlow (PAIN OF SALVATION), Tom Englund (EVERGREY), Hansi Kursch (BLIND GUARDIAN), Anneke van Giersbergen (AGUA DE ANNIQUE), Jonas Renkse (KATATONIA), Bob Catley (MAGNUM), Jorn Lande, Floor Jansen (AFTER FOREVER), Steve Lee (GOTTHARD), Magali Luyten (VIRUS IV)

Man: Ty Tabor (King's X), Simone Simons (EPICA), Liselotte Hegt (DIAL), Phideaux, Marjan Welman, Wudstik, Arjen Lucassen

Guest Keyboardists: Tomas Bodin (THE FLOWER KINGS), Derek Sherinian (PLANET X), Joost van den Broek (AFTER FOREVER / STAR ONE)

Guest Guitarists: Michael Romeo (SYMPHONY X), Lori Linstruth (ex-STREAM OF PASSION)

Drums: Ed Warby (GOREFEST)
Flute: Jeroen Goossens (FLAIRCK)
Violin: Ben Mathot (DIS)
Cello: David Faber

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Autumn Cancel This Weekends Shows

Dutch female-fronted gothic metal band AUTUMN was recently forced to cancel its previously announced German headlining tour and appearance at the Metal Female Voices Fest in Wieze, Belgium due to "serious health problems" suffered by the group's lead singer, Nienke De Jong.

Nienke De Jong has since issued the following update on the matter:

"The past few weeks I've been working on my recovery, trying to get back on my feet. I am happy to say that the effort is starting to pay off, I'm gradualy feeling better and better.

"The show at the Goudvishal next weekend (November 4) is yet still a bit too early at this stage, so unfortunately I won't be able to make it, for which I'm very sorry....to say the least.

"But on a more positive note: if things keep progressing like this, I hope to make it to the next show on the 17th (Lelystad). So, I will keep you guys posted and see you real soon!

"Last but not least: thank you for all your kind messages! It's comforting to know that so many people care!!!"

AUTUMN recently released the video for its song "Satellites". Watch it below. The track comes off the band's latest effort, "My New Time", which entered the Dutch album chart at position No. 72.

Produced by Arno Krabman at Graveland Studio and mixed by Jochem Jacobs at Split Second Sound Studio, "My New Time" is described as "a powerful, heavy yet melodic album which will impress gothic rock/metal fans all over the world!" More...

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Flotsam And Jetsam Announce Tour Dates

Thrash metal legends Flotsam and Jetsam have announced the following dates in Europe and California:

14 Dec 2007 20:00
The Jumping Turtle San Marcos

15 Dec 2007 20:00
Whisky a go go Hollywood, California

1 Mar 2008 20:00
Hedon Zwolle,Netherlands

2 Mar 2008 22:00
Dynamo Eindhoven,Netherlands

3 Mar 2008 22:00
Mephisto Barcelona.Spain

4 Mar 2008 22:00
K17 Berlin,Germany

5 Mar 2008 22:00
Roxy Flensburg,Germany

6 Mar 2008 22:00
Transilvania Erstfeld,Switzerland

7 Mar 2008 20:00
Viper Room Vienna.Austria

8 Mar 2008 22:00
A38 Budapest,Hungary

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Kilians Red Disband

Promising young Swindon (England) metal band have announced their end. This comes as a huge blow to the Swindon metal scene as Kilians Red were a strong part and influenced many bands in the area with an inspiring subtle way of keeping metal live in a town where metalcore, emo, screamo and hardcore are the main flavours.

Kilians Red seemed to be doing really well for themselves until bassist Joe Bishop departed at the end of June and vocalist Tom Norris also left the group, just over a month ago. Though Kilians Red announced they'd be looking for another bassist and singer, guitarist Dan Carter followed suit and left join Morbid Remains. Founding/ ending members Jon Jones and Alex Mason have not issued a statement regarding the end of the bandor what they plan to do next but more likely than not, they will surface together in a new outfit.

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Seregon To Support Amen In Bristol

British up and coming thrashers Seregon have been confirmed as support act for Amen in Bristol this sunday. Other support acts include 7 Crowns, The Inbreds and Speedranch. The doors open at 7;30pm and cost £10 in advance.

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Former Overkill Guitarist Wins "Ask Trump" Contest

Veteran heavy metal musician Joe Comeau (ANNIHILATOR, OVERKILL, LIEGE LORD, RAMROD, TAD MOROSE) has won the "Ask Donald Trump" contest on The Trump Blog where he got an opportunity to ask the billionaire real estate developer Donald Trump a question and have it personally answered.

According to The Trump Blog, Joe Comeau lists his previous occupations as "Banker, limo/taxi driver, travel agent, food services worker, construction, retail sales, online sales . . . should I continue?"

Currently, Joe is an international recording artist who has recorded eight studio albums, played on various other recordings and has toured extensively throughout the world. His main genre is heavy metal.

"It is in my blood and it fuels that which I do," Joe says, "always has and always will!"

But music is not the only thing that motivates him. He has always been interested and excited about investing, finance and the real estate markets. He has been studying investing for a few years now and is definitely "amped up to be studying at Trump University!"

"It just goes to show that you should never judge a book by its cover," Joe says. "Keep your mind open. Think about this . . . the next time you are in line at the store, the heavy metal musician standing next to you might just end up being your next business partner!"

Comeau is currently working on material for the next album from the Swedish metal band TAD MOROSE, whom he joined in March 2006. He is also "finishing up post-mixing and editing a new EMERSON, LAKE AND PALMER live CD release from New York in 1978," which is due out for Christmas.

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Isis Confirmed For Roadburn Festival

Post-metal icons ISIS have been confirmed as the headliner of the Friday Roadburn Festival date — April 18, 2008 — at the 013 Club in Tilburg, The Netherlands.

Currently celebrating their 10th anniversary as a band, the Boston-to-Los Angeles transplants will help fans take part in their milestone anniversary by releasing their entire catalog in one deluxe 12 vinyl-LP box set, and their headlining slot at Roadburn 2008.

Throughout the years, ISIS have maintained their position in the vanguard of post-metal by consistently exploding the idiomatic strictures that have defined heavy music with each successive release. Roadburn reveres ISIS and feel they warrant discussion alongside such established pioneers as NEUROSIS and CELTIC FROST.

Roadburn Festival organizers have also announced that Swiss post-metal stalwarts KRUGER will play the Saturday Roadburn date — April 19, 2008.

The 13th annual Roadburn Festival will take place April 18-19, 2008. Also scheduled to appear on the Friday Roadburn date are WITCHCRAFT, TONY MCPHEE'S GROUNDHOGS, BABY WOODROSE, DANAVA, MOS GENERATOR, BLOOD OF THE SUN, GENTLEMAN'S PISTOLS, LA IRA DE DIOS, ZONE SIX and CHURCH OF MISERY, among others.

Seminal avant-garde/metal pioneers CELTIC FROST are confirmed as the main headliners, playing Saturday, April 19, 2008. YEAR OF NO LIGHT, ELECTRIC WIZARD, CULT OF LUNA, ACID MOTHERS GURU, THE HEADS, KONGH, LESBIAN, MY SLEEPING KARMA, ELECTRIC ORANGE and NADJA, amongst others, will also play the Saturday Roadburn date.

There will also be two additional dates added to Roadburn 2008: Thursday, April 17 [Roadburn's Pre-heat], and Sunday, April 20 [Roadburn's Afterburner — Kentucky's THE GLASSPACK will play an exclusive show, making their European debut]. The Roadburn Festival is currently talking to David Tibet/CURRENT 93 about a very special curated evening at the festival's main-hall on the Sunday, April, 2008. More info will follow shortly.

Originally a spin-off of the Roadburn web site, the Roadburn Festival has emerged as an event in its own right — it was even nominated for the prestigious "Festival Of The Year" award in the Netherlands this year. Roadburn brings together bands, fans and media from around the world. Despite its international acclaim, Roadburn retains an underground vibe and ethics, but with seriously big-league production values.

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Cloudscape Issue Studio Report

Swedish progressive metallers CLOUDSCAPE have issued the following update:

"Mike Andersson and producer Pontus Lindmark were interviewed by Anders Sandvall for www.metal-rules.com during Mike's last day in the recording studio. They talked about the new album and about the recording process in general. This interview is online here."

"Cloudscape will perform live tonight (November 1st) in the Swedish town Jönköping as support to PAGAN'S MIND and JORN LANDE."

"All info about this event and tickets can be found here."

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Obituary Confirmed For Bang Your Head Festival

Legendary Florida death metallers OBITUARY have been confirmed for next year's Bang Your Head!!! festival, set to take place June 27-28, 2008 at Messegelände in Balingen, Germany. The festival billing is shaping up as follows:

AGE OF EVIL
AGENT STEEL
BREAKER
CONTRACRASH
ENSIFERUM
FORBIDDEN
GRAVE DIGGER
GREAT WHITE
KORPIKLAANI
LIZZY BORDEN
OBITUARY
ONSLAUGHT
RAGE
SAXON
TANKARD
TRAMP'S WHITE LION
TYR
YNGWIE MALMSTEEN'S RISING FORCE

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Megadeth Meet Proud Insulting Fan

MEGADETH mainman Dave Mustaine has issued the following update:

"Droogies!

If there are ever going to be any more meet and greets, it will be traced back to this story.

I was just meeting the gracious and always polite Japanese fans, and some girl made sure to tell me that she proudly posted a bad review of our show last night. I was pretty surprised at how rude she was, and how mean it is to go up to someone and say, "I posted a bad review of your show last night," like I am supposed to thank her.

She blamed our sound man, and I was just so surprised at someone getting a chance to meet a band they like, and the first thing out of their mouth is a comment like that.

Good thing that she is wrong and too bad that she ruined it for the rest of the fans that were at the meet and greet. I can only wonder; what is it that she was trying to accomplish? Its like, 'Dave, I just clogged your toilet! Aren't you proud of me?'

At least they both have one thing in common..."

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Shadows Fall Issue Video Update

SHADOWS FALL singer Brian Fair has issued the following update:

"Back in September we asked all of you to send in photos of a personal hero for inclusion in our video for 'Another Hero Lost'. That video ended up not working out so we are shooting a new one shortly. In the meantime we wanted to thank everyone who sent in the photos and the inspiring letters that came with them. We really wanted to share all of these photos with you so we have teamed up with www.fliptrack.com to create an exclusive SHADOWS FALL 'Another Hero Lost' slideshow. You can check it out here. Once you are done, you can create your own slideshow using our song and background to share with your friends."

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Face Down Part Ways With Guitarist

FACE DOWN, the reactivated Swedish outfit featuring former THE HAUNTED singer Marco Aro, has parted ways with guitarist Joacim Carlsson. Joacim's statement on the matter reads as follows:

"So, all things must come to an end and this is the end of the FACE DOWN road for me."

"For the past months my interest and motivation has waned considerably and finally I came to the tough conclusion that I shouldn't be in a band when I can't dedicate myself 100%. Since neither I nor the band want to do things half-assed, the best solution for everybody is for me to step down from my position as guitar player of FACE DOWN. Simple as that."

"Needless to say, there will be no mud-slinging or harsh words from either party, as this is a mutual decision."

"I wish the guys the best of luck with the new album (like they need it, they have the talent to make it happen)." More...

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Manowar To Perform Entire First Six Albums Live

MANOWAR has confirmed that it will perform the band's first six albums in their entirety at next year's Magic Circle Festival, set to take place July 9-12, 2008 in Bad Arolsen, Germany. The event will feature four days of metal, 20,000 free beers, 20,000 free copies of the new MANOWAR single and four custom-built choppers owned by MANOWAR members to be given away.

MANOWAR is scheduled to perform on the Friday evening of the festival, where they will play "Battle Hymns", "Into Glory Ride" and "Hail To England". The following night, the band will play "Sign Of The Hammer", "Fighting The World" and "Kings Of Metal". This set will also feature, for the first-time, a rendition of "The Crown And The Ring (Lament Of The Kings)", which will feature the original choir and orchestral performance that has never been seen before.

Tickets for the four-day event are priced at $115.00 (80 euros) and can be purchased at this location.

For more information, go to www.magiccirclemusic.com.

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Battlelore Cancel Finnish Gigs With After Forever

BATTLELORE's previously announced Finnish gigs with AFTER FOREVER — November 19 at Nosturi in Helsinki and November 20 at Klubi in Tampere — have been cancelled by the promoter. No further information is currently available.

BATTLELORE is currently working on material for its fifth album, tentatively due next summer. "At the moment it seems that there will be bigger, more epic parts in the vein of 'Sword's Song' but also more harder, heavier parts in the vein of 'Evernight'," stated vocalist Tomi Mykkänen. "I'm quite sure that you fans won't be disappointed with this one."

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Waysted Won't Perform At Next Year's Z Rock Fest

WAYSTED, the reunited mid-'80s British heavy metal outfit led by UFO bassist Pete Way (hence the spelling of the group's name), has issued the following statement:

"After yesterday's announcement by Z Records that WAYSTED would be appearing at next year's Z Rock [festival], WAYSTED management would like to set the record straight that the announcement, even though it may have been made in good faith, was premature — and that WAYSTED will not be appearing at Z Rock next April. This was one of a run of shows which were pencilled in but never confirmed by the band, due to other commitments which were also in the pipeline for around the same time.

"WAYSTED will be touring in 2008 in support of their new album, 'The Harsh Reality', the dates of which will follow soon, but please note that until the shows are listed on tour dates page of the WAYSTED website, they are not to be taken as conclusive."

WAYSTED released its new album, "The Harsh Reality", on October 29 via U.K.'s Livewire Records. The CD featured the band's "classic" lineup of Pete Way, Fin (vocals), Chris George (guitar) and Paul Haslin (drums).

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Jon Oliva's Pain Begin Recording New Album

Drummer Christopher Kinder of JON OLIVA'S PAIN, the band led by SAVATAGE mastermind Jon Oliva, has issued the following update:

"Last Monday we arrived at the world-famous Morrissound studios [in Tampa, Florida] to begin loading in drums and bass. The atmosphere here is relaxed and inspiring... and we needed as much of that as humanly possible."

"After about three hours of setting up and checking tones, we began the process of recording 14 songs for the new [JON OLIVA'S PAIN] album. Most of them will make it on the actual CD and others are bonus tracks required for different regions of the world and releases (we know, that sucks!). Tom Morris, our most patient and competent engineer, dialed in my drums and Kevin's bass tones in no time flat. Honestly, the drums and bass have the biggest, fattest, warm and punchiest tones yet. A lot of that is due to the fact that we will be recording in high-definition CD quality... a huge jump from the process used on 'Maniacal Renderings'. And as this is the foundation for the rest of the CD, it was a relief to hear such pleasant and exciting sounds coming from the studio speakers.... Crushing and mammoth would be an understatement, and the smile on Tom's face said it all! We managed to get two songs down to tape on day one... and planned to spread the rest of remaining 12 songs over the next two days." More...

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Overdrive Reveal New Album Details

Swedish '80s metallers OVERDRIVE are currently at Sound Palace Studios mixing their new album, "Let The Metal Do The Talking". The group's first LP in 24 years is scheduled for release in January 2008 on Lion Music. The band's two previous studio albums — "Metal Attack" (1983) and "Swords And Axes" (1984) — were re-issued by High Vaultage in 2003.

Commented the band: "We have now started mixing the new album, 'Let The Metal Do The Talking', with producer Johan Blomström (BLINDED COLONY, CALM, KAPTAIN SUN) and it's going great! He's captured the good old '80s essence of the band, but still provided freshness and power to the production. Old fans won't be disappointed and hopefully we'll find a new generation of fans, too."

OVERDRIVE's current lineup includes original members Janne Stark (guitar), Kjell Jacobsson (guitar), Kenth Ericsson (bass) and Kenta Svensson (drums) plus former UNCHAINED singer Per "Perilo" Karlsson, who joined the band when they reformed in 2004. More...

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Decapitated Singer 'Showing Some Progress'

Two members of the Polish extreme metal band DECAPITATED — Vitek (real name: Witold Kieltykaand; drums) and Covan (real name: Adrian Kowanek; vocals) — were seriously injured in a road accident earlier in the week involving DECAPITATED's tour bus and a truck carrying wood in Gomel, on the Russia/Belarus border. Both musicians reportedly sustained serious head injuries as a result of the accident.

One of Covan's family members issue the following update:

"Covan and Vitek are still at the hospital in Novozybkov, Russia, where they were taken to following the accident. Despite the rumors, they are not in Moscow. Their families are currently trying to decide the best possible city and hospital to take them to next for additional medical attention.

"Covan is showing some progress, but unfortunately, there have been no signs of improvement on Vitek's condition. The familes of Covan and Vitek appreciate everyone's concern on the matter, but please do not spread any more uncomfirmed rumors or information on the Internet. More details will soon be released."

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Burial Hordes Sign With Pulverised Records

Pulverised Records has announced the signing of the "unholy black metal" band BURIAL HORDES from Greece. According to a press release, "this filthy black metal creature was spawned in 2001 and had since released several demos and a promotional CD with their blend of fast attack and uncompromising black metal." Previously signed to Australia's Asphyxiate Recordings for a full-length album, the group is expected to release a new effort sometime next year.

BURIAL HORDES is:

Cthonos - Vocals
Necrotormentor - Guitar/Bass
Psychaos - Guitar/Bass
Impaler - Drums

For more information, visit their Myspace page.

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Darkane Guitarist Fascinated By Nikki Sixx

Guitarist Christofer Malmström of the Swedish thrashers DARKANE has issued the following update:

"I'm sitting with my laptop in my couch with the wife. She's watching a Swedish version of 'Top Model', so I thought I just might write whatever comes out (everything is better than watching that show).

"I've been reading Nikki Sixx's 'The Heroin Diaries' lately and I don't know what it is, but that man fascinates me. It's probably that I had a vision what is what like being a rock star in the '80s, and then when I got to read 'The Dirt' and 'The Heroin Diaries' it was so much more tragical than what it looked like in my innocent teenage rock magazines.

"If you have the chance you should read it... it's really facinating!

"Yesterday me, Peter and Andreas went to see DIMMU BORGIR in Lund, Sweden. The show was cool and we got a little chat with Galder backstage afterwards. He and the rest of the band were really cool.

"We have started to move into a new rehearsal room that we hope to build as a studio. We are looking into the possibilities to rent the top floor in the building as well, and then our dreams will come true. We hope we can build the studio so that Peter and Klas can work as studio technicians for a living, and we can record the new DARKANE album and mix the last of the live DVD sound. There has been so much stuff going on to delay our work, but now things looks a little brighter.

"I had a 'one-man guitar show' at Dunkers Kulturhus last week. About 130 people showed up which was very cool considering that I expected about 30. I played the guitar to DARKANE and NON-HUMAN LEVEL songs, and the reactions from the audience was very positive. We had a few cameras rolling, so I might put up a song or two when I have edited the result."

DARKANE recently announced the addition of Jens Broman (CONSTRUCDEAD, THE DEFACED) as the group's new lead vocalist.

According to Malmström, Jens — who will also continue to sing in CONSTRUCDEAD and THE DEFACED – "grew up in Glumslöv, south of Helsingborg (a good friend of Björn Strid from SOILWORK), but now lives in Stockholm. His live debut with us will take place in three weeks at the ProgPower Scandinavia festival in Copenhagen, Denmark on November 10.

"We've been rehearsing hard lately and are very excited to work together with Jens. He has a huge vocal diversity and we are pretty sure that DARKANE fans won't be disappointed.

"We had our interests set on Jens at a very early stage and would like to thank all the people who showed their interest in joining DARKANE as our vocalist. We wish you all the success in the future, and we’d also like to congratulate Peter [Wildoer, drummer] and [his longtime girlfriend] Erika for getting engaged a few weeks back."

DARKANE drummer Peter Wildoer revealed last month that the band would start recording its fifth record this winter. "We have about nine songs ready," he said. "We were hoping to enter the studio earlier but in typical DARKANE bad luck, our studio got flooded and badly damaged. So now we're looking for a new location for the studio and as soon as we find that we need to rebuild the studio which takes a lot of time. Hopefully we will start recording around Christmas (fingers crossed)."

DARKANE's upcoming DVD was shot in May 2006 in the band's hometown of Helsingborg, Sweden.

The band last year completed a European tour in support of their fourth album, "Layers of Lies", available now on Nuclear Blast Records. It is the follow-up to the band's third studio CD, "Expanding Senses", which was released in 2002.

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System Of A Down Drummer Launches Comic Store

With multi-platinum rock band SYSTEM OF A DOWN currently on hiatus and his SCARS ON BROADWAY project with SOAD's Daron Malakian in the early stages, drummer John Dolmayan will fulfill his other passion of comic books and collectibles by launching Torpedo Comics, an exclusively Internet-based retail store. Torpedo Comics goes live tomorrow, Thursday, November 1, and will boast some 15-million items — comic books, toys, graphic novels, trade paperbacks, superhero action figures and other comic book-related memorabilia, ranging in price from 99 cents to six figures.

If you're a collector, a comics voyeur, or just looking for a unique holiday gift, be sure and peruse the virtual pages of Torpedo Comics, as Dolmayan has something up there for everyone in every price range.

* If you're a vampire buff or a fan of the new smash hit film "30 Days of Nights" starring Josh Hartnett, Torpedo Comics offers the original graphic novel that the film is based on. Sold elsewhere for about $75, Torpedo is discounting the full-color, hard-cover book for $55.

* "Star Wars" toy collectors — you can own the FAO Schwartz Exclusive Imperial Shuttle Tyderium for only $149 — it's selling on eBay for $225.00.

* Currently, the priciest item available at Torpedo Comics is the Young Allies, issue #1 comic book. This particular item is acknowledged as the one in the best condition on the planet, and can be yours for only $75,000.

Dolmayan, who has been collecting comic books since he was 12, houses Torpedo Comics' inventory in a just-completed 30,000-square-foot warehouse in Las Vegas, NV where he now lives. He employs a staff of 25 who catalogue and care for rare items like Sensation Comics issue #1 (the first solo series featuring Wonder Woman), just about every key issue of Marvel and DC comics including Marvel Comics' issue #1, multiple copies of Giant Size X-Men #1, plus superhero action figures from Marvel, X-Men, Superman, and Batman titles. Torpedo Comics will also offer original comic art, created between the 1940s and the present, by some 150 different artists, including Jim Lee, Art Adams, Bernie Wrightson, and Alejandro Gaza.

Dolmayan incorporated his love for comic books into the drum kit that he played during SYSTEM OF A DOWN's 2006 tour. Dolmayan contacted 22 of his favorite comic book artists, including Jim Lee, Simon Bisley, Kevin Eastman, Neal Adams and Bill Sienkiewicz, were each sent various pieces of the drum kit onto which they drew original illustrations.

As for Dolmayan and Malakian's SCARS ON BROADWAY venture, the two are writing and recording their debut album which is intended for a summer 2008 release.

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Slash David Letterman Appearance Available Online

VELVET REVOLVER guitarist Slash recently appeared on The Late Show With David Letterman to discuss his autobigraphy, simply entitled Slash. The segment can be viewed below: More...

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Aerosmith To Work On New Material During Winter

AEROSMITH road warrior John B. has issued the following report:
"Steven (Tyler - vocals) will be heading to London at the end of the week to take part in the great magazine Classic Rocks annual award dinner. Aerosmith are up for show of the year. Let’s hope ST brings home some hardware for that unbelievable Hyde Park monsoon extravaganza. No doubt Ross Halfin will be at the Demon’s table buttering his rolls and refilling ST’s water glass. He’s no fool!

Joe (Perry - photo left by John B.) took time out of his vacation to help Guitar Hero celebrate the release of their new game. Joe spent last Sunday in the big apple signing autographs at Game Stop’s 33rd and Broadway store. That was a blast! What a cool store and the staff were very accommodating. After that Joe played at the Guitar Hero private event down in the Lower East Side at a club called the Anexx. The place held 250 tops. Joe played with his sons Tony and Adrian’s band Tab the band. This was far from the Partridge family folks! The band cranked up some old Aero tunes and dug deep into Joe’s back catalog of solo stuff. They even did a few covers as well as a TAB song. The show was shot by Aerosmith’s video director Casey Thibeault and will be available to be seen on the web real soon.

Joe seemed to be having a great time and even mentioned that he would someday like to take this outfit on the road to play for all the fans across the country. First Aerosmith has to get back in the studio and get crackin’ on some new material which they will be working on all winter."

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Ozzy Talks About Illegal Downloading

OZZY OSBOURNE spoke to Cameron Adams from Australia's Herald Sun recently about a number of topics including his current album Black Rain. While Black Rain made No. 3 on the US Billboard charts, like everyone else, Osbourne is battling lower sales in the modern era.

"I've been suffering terribly from people downloading it. If they don't find something to stop it, people won't be able to make records. There won't be any new bands. How are they going to survive?

"I'm an old-timer, I've been doing it 40 years now, but new bands are going to suffer. It's ridiculous, you could be doing it for nothing.

"Sharon said I'd be astounded to find out how many bands are touring because you can download a record but you can't beat a rock show.

"I've never done in a long time as many live shows as I'm doing now. This year I've done 90 shows.

"I mean, I ain't getting any younger. Sharon says to me 'Just stand there'. I can't just fucking stand there! I'm a moving target. People would aim their can of beer at my head!"

Osbourne says playing live is a better high than any drink or drug.

"I never used to drink to go on stage, I used to do it after I'd done my work. I was probably still pissed from the night before. To be honest with you, it's as interesting for me to be sober as it was for me when I was getting drunk."

Though Osbourne is still enjoying his current workload ("My job is to get that crowd going nuts. I'll do anything I can to do that. I go to see them as much as they go to see me") he's not entertaining the notion of retirement.

"I did try that but I've still got life in my bones. I'm still selling lots of records. If there comes a day when I'm playing to empty clubs, what's the point after I've done what I'm doing? It seems to be getting bigger and bigger.

"I've been doing it at the level I'm at now for a lot of years. There have been ups and downs along the way, like any career, but I've survived it physically and professionally. All I know is I'm here today.

"I'm either incredibly lucky or a survivor. To survive you don't have to be strong. A lot drank and used more drugs than I did. Some are dead. Then there are some who didn't do as much drugs and alcohol as I did. Some lived, some died. I've always said that when I die it won't be from natural causes, it'll be some rare bird who's s--- on me and given me some disease no one's heard of."

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