Slash Sneaks Conan On Leno Show- Rush Tour- Aerosmith Stadium Gig- Paramore Weezer Duet- Despised Icon Split- Stoned TV Docs- New Zappa CD and more

According to Deep Purple fan-site The Highway Star, on April 20th, EMI will release a two-CD set called Singles & E.P. Anthology '68-'80. more -

Lost Dimebag Track Featuring Zakk Wylde Released

(Rock Radio) Metal Hammer magazine has released a lost track by late guitarist Dimebag Darrell Abbott. The track was recorded by the Pantera axeman, who was shot dead on stage in 2004, with his friend Zakk Wylde of Black Label Society and Ozzy Osbourne fame.

It was produced by Slayer's Dave Lombardo and appears on the CD packaged with the latest Metal Hammer, available now.

Lombardo says: "Dime's girlfriend Rita told be about the song, about Zakk Wylde and him getting together and ending up drunk. I put it into Pro Tools and trimmed the edges and made it shine a bit – but the true producer and engineer was Dime. The sounds you hear are the ones he recorded. It was an honour to work on something that no one has ever heard – to be the first one to listen to it." - more on this story

Metallica Touring Through November

Today we have good news and bad news for Metallica fans. Whether it is good or bad news really depends on where in the world you reside. The good news is that Metallica plans to keep touring this year through November and will include a leg in New Zealand and we assume Australia. The bad news is for North American fans, because the band had yet to mention any plans to play there homeland, but we remain optimistic as there is plenty of time between now and November.

This week Stuff.co.nz had this report about Metallica's touring plans: During a recent press conference in Bogota, Colombia, Lars Ulrich, of American heavy metal band Metallica, indicated the group would perform in New Zealand.

When asked about Metallica's plans, Ulrich replied: "We're staying out and doing dates up until November; in Australia and New Zealand is where we're heading in November, and then, after that, we're going to take a little bit of chill time ..." - Read the Stuff report

MGMT Spring Tour

This Spring MGMT will set out on a tour of North America in support of their sophomore release Congratulations, in stores April 13, 2010.

U.S. tour dates kick off with a pair of back to back, sold-out shows at San Francisco's legendary Fillmore on April 12 and 13. The band returns to Indio, CA on April 17 to deliver another memorable performance at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival.

Following their first festival debut of the year, the band will continue touring through out the summer, also performing at Bamboozle on May 2nd and Lollapalooza on August 8th - more on this story

Slayer To Headbang No More

Slayer frontman Tom Araya is unable to headbang after doctors put a titanium plate in his neck to stop the pain caused by years of stage performance.

The thrash legends were forced to cancel a UK tour twice after the singer and bassist began to experience severe pain, resulting in a serious operation at the back of his throat.

But he says he feels much better and is looking forward to getting back on stage – although his days of headbanging are now behind him. Araya tells Noisecreep: "I feel good. I've been sitting around for about five months now, taking care of myself. Right after the surgery I knew the issue was fixed. I'm really excited and anxious to get together with the guys and start rehearsing again." - more on this story

Bruce Springsteen and Ian Hunter Guest On Alejandro Escovedo New Album

Alejandro Escovedo Delivers 'Street Songs Of Love' On June 29th On Fantasy Records/Concord Music Group. Texas Troubadour's New Album Produced by Tony Visconti and Features Guests Bruce Springsteen and Ian Hunter.

"It ended up being an album about love, the pursuit of a feeling that is forever elusive, mysterious, and addictive," said Alejandro Escovedo of his epic new album Street Songs of Love. Long one of America's most admired poet-rockers, Escovedo's sometimes tortured path to 'Street Songs,' a record that decisively fulfills all expectations, has been full of twists, turns, hard landings and well earned hard truths.

For Streets Songs of Love, Escovedo once again collaborated with producer Tony Visconti (T. Rex, David Bowie, U2, Morrissey) and chief songwriting partner Chuck Prophet. The album's 13 tracks seemingly distill every broken heart and pierced dream into a determined, soulful, glorious celebration of survival, liberation and ultimate salvation. - more on this story

Umphrey's McGee Are Now Game With Rock Band Release

Umphrey's McGee will be launching their song "1348" on the Rock Band Network this week. This marks the first release by the band in any video game, and the progressive-rock influenced music proves to be a great fit.

Umphreys McGee has been working with former Harmonix Music Systems employee and current Rock Band Network freelancer Andrew Buch. Buch is working on several songs for the program, including 1348 and Miss Tinkles Overture." "1348" is the first of these songs to be made available, with plans for others to follow shortly.

Buch, whose mind-numbingly difficult "Trippolette" is one the top-five best-selling launch songs on the Rock Band Network, has worked on several games in the Guitar Hero and Rock Band franchises and was a likely choice to prepare the music of Umphrey's McGee for the game. Samples of his work can be found on his website www.andrewbuch.com, including video footage of both Umphrey's McGee's music and "Trippolette" running in-game. - more on this story

Refused Classic The Shape of Punk to Come Revisited and Expanded

Epitaph Records has announced plans to release a Deluxe Edition of one of the most influential hardcore albums of all time, The Shape of Punk to Come, from groundbreaking Swedish band Refused on June 8.

The Deluxe Edition of The Shape of Punk to Come will be released as a three disc collection that will include the essential full-length CD, a never-before-released mind-blowing live album and the classic yet bittersweet documentary Refused Are F**king Dead on DVD.

Refused's most critically acclaimed and final album exploded on the scene with the jaw-dropping hardcore anthem "New Noise," which Rage Against the Machine guitarist Tom Morello once described as "one of the great rock jams of all time" (Filter, 2006), and helped change the game forever influencing a range of genres still to this day. - more on this story

L.A. Guns Shrinking Violet Deluxe

Tracii Guns' version of L.A. Guns are releasing a deluxe reissue album on May 25th, here is the 411: L.A. Gun's "Shrinking Violet" is the debut signing of guitar virtuoso, Steve Vai's Favored Nation's newest Hard Rock/Metal division, Favored Nations/Jibboom.

This "Shrinking Violet" Deluxe Reissue also includes live, never before heard bonus tracks, featuring some of the bands biggest hits including "Rip And Tear," "Never Enough," "One More Reason" and "The Ballad of Jayne", completely repackaged with smokin' new artwork.

Over a year ago, Vai brought industry vet Dean Schachtel on board as Favored Nations Entertainment's GM. With Schachtel's Hard Rock and Metal background, it made perfect sense to start a new division at the company for Hard Rock and Metal artists. The tech-savvy Schachtel soon established a Facebook page for the label, which led to a correspondence with Tracii Guns and eventually the signing of L.A. Guns to Favored Nations/Jibboom. L.A. Guns may possibly be the first band signed through Facebook! - more on this story

Ike Reilly Kicking Off Hard Luck Stories Tour With Performance With Shooter Jennings

Hot on the heels of his sold-out Twin Cities residency and his Schuba's residency in Chicago last month, Ike Reilly is taking his "Hard Luck Stories" on the road, with eight shows announced now and more to come. (See tour dates below.)

Kicking off the tour is a special performance with pal, Shooter Jennings, in Chicago. This rare co-bill will showcase the two good friends, who will each play ferocious sets with their respective bands and join each other for a song or two. Reilly and Jennings' duet, "The War On The Terror And The Drugs," from Reilly's new album "Hard Luck Stories," is getting considerable airplay around the country, and you can hear Jennings sing Reilly's song, "California Via Tennessee," on the new Jennings recording "Black Ribbons."

It has also been announced today that the Ike Reilly Assassination will be performing at Lollapalooza on August 8, 2010. In addition to the upcoming tour dates, Ike will be busy in the radio realm as well: he is scheduled to perform at the WXPN Non-Comm Conference on June 4, 2010. - more on this story

Amanda Palmer Finally Escapes Roadrunner, Offers Free Song in Celebration

After a long legal battle with her label Roadrunner Records to get dropped, Amanda Palmer announced yesterday that she has been released from her contract.

In celebration, Amanda is very pleased to be able to – for the first time since the year 2003 – offer you a brand new and previously unreleased song for download from her house to yours….legally and free of charge. To download the song, read the lyrics and more, - click here.

Daath Guitarists Set Release For Their New Project

Daath guitar titans, Eyal Levi and Emil Werstler, will unleash their new all instrumental collaboration, Levi/Werstler Avalanche of Worms on Magna Carta Records on April 20th. The duo has teamed with legendary drummer Sean Reinert (Cynic, ex-Death) to deliver a commanding sonic statement.

Both accomplished guitarists, their interplay allows Levi's compositional style and Werstler' virtuosic guitar abilities to complement each other fully. Reinert proves yet again to be unparalleled in his intensity and musicality on drums.

This unique alchemy prevents this album from being classified under any one genre. "We work in metal but the vibe of this is just coming from somewhere else," Werstler says. "It's hard to put your finger on what it is." - more on this story

Japan's Biggest Rock Band to Play Lollapalooza

They are the biggest rock band in Japanese history. They've sold more than 30-million units worldwide. They've sold out Japan's 55,000-seat Tokyo Dome 18 times...so far. Their look was the direct inspiration for today's Anime.

Yoshiki, the band's leader, songwriter, drummer and classically-trained pianist, was commissioned to compose and perform a piano concerto for the Emperor of Japan to help celebrate the Emperor's 10th year on the throne.

Their song "I.V." was written for the 2007 international blockbuster horror film "Saw IV," and played over the film's closing credits. They are the first-ever Japanese band to play Lollapalooza's Main Stage, and will play August 2010 at Grant Park in Chicago. Their first U.S. release is set for this summer. Even with all of this success, you may have never heard of them. But that's about to change. - They are X Japan.

Clinging To The Trees Of A Forest Fire Announce Equally Long Album Title

Clinging To The Trees Of A Forest Fire have announced the title of their upcoming Prosthetic Records' debut. The album will be called, "Songs of Ill Hope and Desperation," and is due this spring.

The album was recorded by Dave Otero at Flatline Audio (Cephalic Carnage, Catheter, Cobalt) and the band promises their most dynamic, bleakest, and dirtiest material to date.

Clinging To The Trees Of A Forest Fire formed and released an EP ("Harmonies From Bleeding Mouths") in 2006, and released their first full-length, "Omega Drunk On The Blood Of Alpha" in 2008 on Debello Recordings. - more on this story

Hooray For Earth Hitting The Road

Hooray For Earth will showcase songs from their new EP MOMO (Dovecote, June 1) across US stages this summer on a not-to-be-missed tour with Florida rockers Surfer Blood (Kanine) and New Yorkers The Pains of Being Pure at Heart (Slumberland).

Hooray For Earth will first play a couple special shows in their dual hometowns, New York City and Boston, before hitting the road in June.

This tour celebrates Hooray For Earth's recent signing to Dovecote Records, and the release of their highly anticipated MOMO EP - available everywhere June 1st digitally, on CD and special CLEAR VINYL! - more on this story

Mason Reed Presents

Singer-songwriter Mason Reed calls Tucson home now, but his heart is still very much in the Los Angeles area as evidenced by his planned "Mason Reed Presents" show series to take place Friday nights at Enterprise Fish Company in Santa Monica.

Kicking off the partnership, Reed will be performing on April 16, 2010, as part of a "Mason Reed and Friends" bill which also includes Elle King, D. Henry Fenton, and other special guests. Future nights, even when he doesn't play, will be curated personally by Reed and will serve as an off-shoot to his internet series, "Legends of La La" (www.legendsoflala.com), which he co-writes with filmmaker Matthew Arnold.

Says Reed: "Because of shooting 'Legends of La La,' I have been able to meet some spectacular artists. When the Enterprise Fish Company contacted me about doing a Friday night gig there, I thought it would be a perfect place to showcase this talent that I'm fortunate enough to be surrounded by. These are some of the best up and coming songwriters in LA. The only condition I had is I get to pick the artists." "Mason Reed Presents" is sponsored by Pabst Blue Ribbon, and there will be PBR and Jack Daniels specials, great tunes, and a very cool vibe every Friday night. - more on this story

Heaven Shall Burn Rolling Out Album Details

As promised, Germany's hardcore death metal hybrid, Heaven Shall Burn, has begun to reveal the track list for the forthcoming record, Invictus, on Century Media Record's Facebook profile.

Every day this week, the band will post new pieces of background information about each song from the new album. A brand new track from Invictus will premiere on the band's MySpace page on Friday, April 9th.

Invictus is set to release in North America on June 8th, courtesy of Century Media Records. It is the third part of the "Iconoclast" story, following the 2008 release, Iconoclast (#21 in the German Media Control Charts), and the 2009 DVD, Bildersturm (German DVD Charts #3, album charts #54, Austrian DVD Charts #9). - Myspace link

Gong Announce Three Exclusive Concerts

After the success of their 2009 40th Anniversary UK tour and the critically acclaimed album "2032", Gong, the legendary progressive/psychedelic rock band will return to the UK in September 2010 for three exclusive concerts in Glasgow, Manchester and London, support for these concerts will come from very special guests Nik Turner's Space Ritual.

The forthcoming UK concerts will once again reunite core GONG members, including original founding member Daevid Allen(Guitar & Lead Vocal), Steve Hillage (Lead Guitar), Gilli Smyth (Space Whisper and Poetry), Miquette Giraudy (Synthesizer), Chris Taylor (Drums), Dave Sturt (Bass) and Ian East (Sax and Flute).

Described as exhilarating, compelling and other worldly, GONG's 2009 "2032" album represented the first time Hillage has recorded with original Gong founder, Daevid Allen, since 1974's "You" album. - more on this story

Bonded By Blood Preview New Concept Album

Bonded By Blood recently completed recording their new album, Exiled To Earth, and have posted a brand new track online.

Bonded By Blood vocalist Jose Barrales comments: "Exiled To Earth will destroy you! 'Prototype: Death Machine' is a sign of things to come. BBB will demolish YOU!"

Exiled To Earth is set 600 years in the future and tells the tale of the Crong, an alien race who were sent to Earth long ago with one goal: global domination. A skilled group of warriors must now face the impossible and overthrow the Crong to take back our planet. - more on this story

Raintime's New Album Coming This Month

Raintime's 3rd album "Psychromatic is set to be released on April 26th in Europe (excluding UK) via Lifeforce Records.

Having played the legendary Prog-power Festival USA and being nominated as one of the "best opening acts" who ever played it, Italy's Raintime already left their mark on the world of metal and gained worldwide attention. 2010 sees the release of the band's 3rd album.

"Psychromatic" is right in between melody, power and technical mastery. Just think of In Flames' melo-death spirit combined with the energy of Evergrey, the aggression of Children Of Bodom, the technical prowess of Dream Theater and the epic songwriting skills of US Heroes Black Symphony. Beside some noticeable parallels, Raintime strive to find their own way through the energetic world of holistic metal.…and they succeed! - more on this story

Breach The Void To Bring In The Monochromatic Era in Roctober

Breach The Void (previously known as Etna) debut album "The Monochromatic Era" will be released by Coroner Records on 11th October 2010.

Breach The Void born from the genial mind of the drummer Alex Anxionna (former Sybreed), who presents the forthcoming album as a glacial modern metal platter featuring a strong impact and dreaming melodies. "The Monochromatic Era" was mastered at Antfarm Studio by Tue Madsen (Dark Tranquillity, Mnemic, The Haunted).

Breach The Void went to Sweden to shoot their first official video for the song "Propagate" from their forthcoming album entitled "The Monochromatic Era". The video was directed by Jakob Arevarn (Adept, Carnal Forge, Dead by April). The making of the video will be available soon. - more on this story

Introducing Legend Of The Fall

Today we received news about an up and coming band we may be hearing a lot about in the future called Legend Of The Fall, who just completed recording a new EP and are previewing two tracks from the effort on their website. You can check that out here.

In related news, here is a big announcement from the band's new management: New Ocean Media (NOM), announced today the firm's exclusive management representation of Legend Of The Fall for all aspects of the band's endeavors.

Legend Of The Fall, is comprised of five brothers ranging in age from 14 to 21 from Ridgefield Park, NJ. The band has been playing together since 2007 and has self released 2 CD's. The band just finished recording a new E.P. at Soundmine Recording Studio in East Stroudsburg with Dan Malsch (Forever The Sickest Kids, Framing Hanley, Bigwig, Naked Brothers Band, Tantric). - more on this story

Kaiser Cartel Going Soph

Boy-girl duo Kaiser Cartel will be following up their successful debut album March Forth with a darker, more experimental collection entitled Secret Transit (June 8th).

Produced by Matt Hales (aqualung) and recorded in an old folkloric church around London, the styles and sounds explored on this album run the musical gamut – from the road trip-perfect first single "Ready To Go" to the Kate Bush-evoking ethereal opening track "Riverboat Dream" to the melancholy folk-tinged "Minefield," there is something for everyone.

Courtney Kaiser and Benjamin Cartel began writing songs together in 2004, creating a musical partnership crafting luscious harmonies and infectious melodies. Prior to forming Kaiser Cartel, Courtney toured as a back up singer for John Mellencamp and both of their desires for creative variability currently finds Benjamin additionally fronting his self-titled side project band and Courtney occasionally moonlighting for Sean Lennon's band as well as lending her vocals to choral arrangements on the upcoming Sufjan Stevens' album. - more on this story

Shred For Your Life

The 6th annual "Shred For Your Life" Guitar Battle will take place on April 17th at Webster Hall. From its humble beginnings in the back of Max Fish in 2005, to Santos Party House in 2008, musician/artist Marc Razo's "Shred For Your Life" has been challenging 13 to 54 year olds to shred their best for the past 5 years and will take the show to it's biggest venue yet with this year's battle taking place in the Grand Ballroom at Webster Hall on April 17th.

In addition, this year "Shred For Your Life" has secured some of the coolest and shred worthy judges including Andrew W.K., Justin Theroux (actor/writer Tropic Thunder, Iron Man 2), and Jaleel Bunton (TV On The Radio). Past judges have included actor/comedian David Cross (Arrested Development/Mr. Show), Nick Zinner (Yeah Yeah Yeahs), and Ray Barbee (Skateboard Legend/Musician) among others.

This isn't just a guitar nerd-fest; "Shred For Your Life" is all about having an awesome time. It's for everyone from the insane shredder to the kid who likes to bop his head to the music. This year's head to head battle featuring the best guitarists of all ages and genres is sure to be the biggest and baddest yet. - more on this story

NoEX Records Ink Numb Incision

On Monday evening, a young band that has been rapidly gaining Virginia fans attention, took one more step toward their future as Numb Incision signed onto innovative indie label, NoEX Records.

Numb Incision is a five piece metal band from Orange Virginia. NoEX Records CEO and founder Jay Burton met this young group two years ago at a battle of the bands. "Ever since there has been something about this groups energy and talent that kept me interested", stated Burton. Over that time the band has hardly been sitting around. Numb Incision currently has a self titled and produced 4 song Demo CD, T-shirts and miscellaneous merchandise for sale at all of their events.

Some of their recent performances have been for local charities and benefits to help support the community. (Including a show at Walter Reed Hospital for our Wounded Warriors). They have also performed shows to growing crowds around the area at venues such as KC's Music Alley, Qballs Café, and Alley Katz. The band won the 2009 Culpepper Battle of The Bands and placed second for the judges and first in fan votes at the 2009 Lake of The Woods Battle. - more on this story

Singled Out: Anchored's Dirty in Texas

Welcome to Singled Out! where we ask artists to tell us the inside story of their latest single. Today Anchored frontman Brandan Narrell tells us about "Dirty in Texas" from their forthcoming album "Listen To This". We now turn it over to Brandan for the story:

For years there was talk between myself and friends about me writing a song that could encompass the lone star state. It is a state of great pride and has an attitude of its own. Everyone knows a Texan from hello, just merely by the accent alone. The big question that I kept asking myself was "how am I gonna write a song good enough about Texas that won't get my ass kicked or be a letdown to TEXAS and TEXANS". If you've been here you know what I'm talking about. So, after a lot of late nights, bar fights, strippers, and booze I called a good friend of mine named Geoff Byrd and pitched the idea to him. We went back and forth by phone, me being in Dallas and him being in Oregon over musical ideas for the song. When it came to lyrics, I grabbed a notebook and wrote down four pages of just words that I felt describe Texas from what I've seen being in the local music scene for 12 years and just driving, walking, partying, etc. We wrote the song in 2 nights…Geoff and I couldn't believe how the words and music poured out of us so swiftly considering the task we knew it would be, but, that's Texas for ya…it gets in ya and won't spit you out until you've got your point across that it sees fit. Texas is a big state and there's always A LOT going on….you'll never get bored from border to border. Lines like 'kickin up dust" and "raising hell" is what you can expect here even on a Tuesday night or a Sunday afternoon. Friday and Saturday you better wear a helmet or be a tough son of a bitch. The other side of Texas is the best looking women around. I've seen out of towners come here, go to strip bar, and drop more cash than if they were in Vegas. So, wrapping all of that kind of stuff into a song was a challenge in making it make sense to the rest of the world. In the third verse it talks about "boy's drivin 2 tons, girls ridin shotgun". Drive down any road in Texas and you'll see for yourself…and probably want to hop in that truck. Also the "cowboys" are brought up….I wrote it as a double meaning…for one we have the best damn football team around…hence "Americas team" and two, if you disagree, the other "cowboys/rednecks" will make you understand that fact and trust me, they are tough as nails between 2am and 2pm…haha. Football is a very serious pride sport in Texas and that is why we made sure to do some scenes in the video on a football field. When you see the video just remember….that's a high school football stadium, so you can gather what colleges and the sacred "Cowboys Stadium" can hold. In my opinion, the song and video speak for themselves about Texas and I hope the world loves listening and watching. It was an honor for me…EVERYTHING IS BIGGER HERE, AND GOD BLESS TEXAS!!!

Hearing is believing. Now that you know the story behind the song, listen for yourself and check out the video here and then learn more about the album (which is coming later this spring), the group and grab their current tour dates with Saliva - right here!