Tarja Week: Our Great Divide and Boy and the Ghost

antiMusic reports: Tarja Turunen made her mark on the world as the frontwoman of Nightwish. Now she strikes out on her own with her solo debut 'My Winter Storm'. The album soared to the top spot in her native Finland and went gold in one day! To celebrate the upcoming US release of the album we asked Tarja to pick her favorite tracks from the disc and tell us a little about them. Today she tells us about "Our Great Divide" and "Boy and the Ghost".

Our Great Divide: In my career I have performed several great ballads. I love ballads and I was looking for a song where I could feel myself free and flow with the music. Anders and Mattias played me an amazing melody and I added my touch to some parts of the song. We wrote the lyrics with Hanne during beautiful sunrises in Ibiza. It started as a love song...but I cannot say where it ended.

Boy and the Ghost: The song represents the dark spirit of the album. BATG grows little by little in an unexpected way that becomes massive and mind blowing. It has a strange and mysterious story in its lyrics. Music flows like in a musical. Is the best companion to Sing For Me. Like two parts of a same song, both in music and lyrics.

The CD hits US stores on Feb 26th but you can preview tracks and learn more - right here!

GNR Finish CD?

antiMusic reports: The latest rumor swirling around Guns N' Roses is that the long over-due "Chinese Democracy" is complete and with the label but a new battle has emerged that is causing further delay.

We don't know how much stock to put into third or fourth generation rumors, but the word on the street is that Axl has turned in the CD to Geffen at long last but no release date is in sight because Axl and the label can not agree on the marketing of the album.

Are we closer to Chinese Democracy? We have no idea but we are hopeful. We have yet to hear back with the official denials or "no comment" from the GNR or Geffen camp but we'll keep you posted on what we hear officially or hearsay. Again this is all but rumor at this point , besides rumors are more fun than official news anyway. -

Radiohead Top Chart, Announce American Tour Cities

PR reports: With In Rainbows having debuted today at No. 1 on the U.S. charts, RADIOHEAD has confirmed the cities to be visited on the band's upcoming North American tour.

The tour will take place in two segments, one prior to and one following the recently announced summer tour of the UK and Europe.

The cities IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER are: Atlanta, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Cleveland, Dallas, Houston, Indianapolis, Los Angeles, Miami, Montreal, New York, Philadelphia, San Diego, San Francisco, Santa Barbara, Seattle, St Louis, Tampa, Toronto, Vancouver and Washington DC * Exact dates and venues will be announced at a later date. -

Marilyn and Twiggy Reunite

PR reports: Marilyn Manson and Twiggy Ramirez Have Reunited. The duo that started it all, are back together to finish where they left off. The two who co-wrote Antichrist Superstar, Mechanical Animals, and Holywood will be sharing the stage once again.

Joining Manson and Twiggy onstage for the U.S. leg of the Rape of the World Tour will be Chris Vrenna, Rob Holliday, and Ginger Fish. Tim Skold has amicably split with Manson, but future collaborations aren't being ruled out between the two.

Expectations for the upcoming tour are best described by quoting one of Manson's most infamous lyrics, "Everyone will suffer now". Looks like the sh*t is gonna hit the FANS. - dates

Sony Dropping Idols Like Crazy

Contact Music reports: KATHERINE MCPHEE has become the third AMERICAN IDOL contestant to be dropped by a record label in the space of three weeks.

MCPhee has parted ways with RCA following the release of just one album, an eponymous disc which hit number two on the U.S. albums chart last year (07).

But MCPhee, who is moving into acting with roles in two upcoming Hollywood movies, is not alone - American Idol winners Taylor Hicks and Ruben Studdard have both recently been let go by label J Records. - more music news

Avril Settles Song Theft Suit

Jam! reports: Punky pop star Avril Lavigne has reached a settlement in a lawsuit that accused her of plagiarizing her summer hit single, "Girlfriend."

As a result, claims that '70s rock band the Rubinoos were ripped off have been dropped. Songwriters Tommy Dunbar and James Gangwer charged that Lavigne's boppy track sounded suspiciously like their 1979 single, "I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend."

Rubinoos lawyer Nicholas Carlin says a confidential settlement has been reached but could not comment further - more on this story

Type O Negative Special Editions

Metal Underground reports: Just in time for Valentine's Day, goth/rock legends TYPE O NEGATIVE have announced the February 12 release of two special editions of their acclaimed new album "Dead Again".

The deluxe CD version will contain a bonus DVD with exclusive live performances, interviews and studio videos. The discs will be repackaged in a special red cover. A limited-edition triple-vinyl box set will also be released and features "Dead Again" on high-quality 180-gram vinyl. The vinyl box set will contain the bonus DVD, along with an exclusive t-shirt and mp3 files of the album.

TYPE O NEGATIVE drummer Johnny Kelly and guitarist Kenny Hickey will take part in several signing sessions during this year's NAMM show (National Association of Music Merchants), which runs from January 17 to January 20 at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California. - more on this story

Shins Star Escapes Domestic Assault Charge

Gigwise reports: Shins star Marty Crandall and his girlfriend will not face charges following an argument in a Sacramento hotel, local police have confirmed.

Crandall and his girlfriend, Elyse Sewell, star of US television fashion show America's Next Top Model, were both taken into custody last Friday (January 4th) after police were called to the hotel by staff.

Paul Durenberger, supervisor for the domestic violence unit at Sacramento County district attorney's office, told Oregon live that following analysis of police reports "there was no way the D.A. could prove a charge against either one of them." - more on this story

Zeppelin Meeting This Month

Contact Music reports: LED ZEPPELIN bassist JOHN PAUL JONES has fuelled speculation the legendary band will embark on a world tour by admitting there's a band meeting later this month (Jan08).

The veteran rockers have so far refused to confirm rumours of a 2008 reunion tour, following their triumphant live return at a benefit concert in London last month (Dec07).

But Jones admits the Stairway To Heaven group will meet to weigh up their options in the coming weeks. - more on this story

Game Vs LAPD

Contact Music reports: The Los Angeles Police Department may be held in contempt of court for allegedly withholding $40,000 (GBP20,000) belonging to rapper THE GAME.

Police seized the money following a firearms incident at a basketball game in February 2007 during which The Game - real name Jayceon Taylor - is accused of hitting a player on the opposing team before threatening to shoot him. In November (07), a judge ruled the hip-hop star is entitled to be given back the $40,000 taken by authorities from his Glendale, California home in May (07).

And now a Los Angeles Superior Court judge has set a hearing for 22 January (07) to decide whether the LAPD should be held in contempt of court for holding onto the money. - more on this story

Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds Set Release

Gigwise reports: Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds have announced the tracklisting for their latest album, 'Dig Lazarus Dig!!!'

The band have also confirmed that the LP, which is out in the UK on March 3rd, will be released in America on April 8th.

As previously reported, 'Dig Lazarus Dig!!!' was recorded last summer at State of the Ark studios in Richmond and was co-produced with Nick Launay. - more on this story

Lars Talks About New CD

Rockdirt reports: Lars Ulrich spoke to Revolver magazine about Metallica's forthcoming ninth studio album, tentatively due in the spring via Warner Bros. Records. "This stuff is certainly a lot more dynamic and a lot more varied than the last couple of go-rounds," the drummer said.

"There's a lot of light and shade in these songs. There's heavy, fast, nutty stuff, and then there's some slowdowns and musical interludes. It's pretty different from 'St. Anger', and it's pretty different from the 'Load' stuff. This stuff is not the one-dimensional punch in the face that 'St. Anger' was. This is probably a little more like those couple of albums back there in the decade that begins with an '8.'"

Asked whether the album's material represents a return to the "old school," Lars replied, "I hate to be that specific, because six months from now people are gonna go, 'What the fu**? Lars lied to us!' But it feels that way to me. It's been no secret that Rick [Rubin, producer] suggested to us that we use a couple of those records as reference points - more on this story

Drew Glackin RIP

PR reports: Drew Glackin, instrumentalist and bassist for The Silos passed away suddenly on Saturday, January 5th. According to his band, he was unaware of an overactive thyroid condition that led to severe heart damage. He was surrounded by family and friends during his final days.

His bandmates had this to say, "Drew was adored around the world and his larger than life spirit and contagious jovial energy touched everyone he met, everywhere he went. He was a musician of the highest talent and made his mark in countless bands, record albums, and many thousands of live performances. He will be sorely missed and the memories of his music, his great humor, and his magnanimous generosity of spirit and love will be with us forever." - more on this story

Sunny Day Sets Fire Preview

PR reports: On February 26, the ever-effervescent psych-pop band Sunny Day Sets Fire will release the Stranger / Remix EP (IAMSOUND) featuring remixes by CSS, XXXChange from Spank Rock, Diplo and The Cool Kids. With members hailing from Italy, Hong Kong, the UK and Canada, it's no surprise that the now London-based group's sound is as diverse and eclectic as it is.

Their music is a refreshing take on psychedelic and experimental pop -- colorful, inventive and yet still catchy enough for everyone to enjoy. With an eye firmly focused on the soaring beauty of classic pop moments, the music of Sunny Day Sets Fire reflects their shared loves – 60's psych, the Beach Boys, classic Sun rock 'n' roll and far beyond.

Be on the lookout for the band in New York, Los Angeles, and at SXSW. The main track, "Stranger," is a sneak peek from their forthcoming full-length, coming out later this spring, and - you can check it out here

Dimebag's Ex Blames Phil Anselmo For His Murder

Rockdirt reports: In an interview with Guitar World magazine, slain guitarist Dimebag Darrell Abbott's girlfriend of 20 years, Rita Haney, is pointing fingers at Panetera singer Phil Anselmo for causing Dimebag to be murdered on stage on December 8, 2004 in Columbus, Ohio by deranged gunman Nathan Gale.

"If Phil Anselmo hadn't quit Pantera, Darrell wouldn't have been playing in that sh**hole where that guy could get to him," Haney fumed in the mag's March 2008 issue, on sale January 15th.

She also didn't have kind words for the lead singer of the band Dimebag was playing with that night, Damageplan. "I remember in his final days, Darrell was calling me a lot and he told me that he didn't know what to do about [vocalist] Pat Lachman," Haney explained. - more on this story

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