Avenged Sevenfold Drug Overdose- AC/DC Scam Arrest- Dio, Paul Gray Tributes- Vertical Horizon Lose Member- Beck, Metallica, Wylde Jam- McCartney Tributes Ozzy- more

Producer Kevin Shirley says that Journey are almost done recording their new album which should be ready for early 2011 release more -

Aerosmith Snub May Cost Big Time

When Aerosmith decided to skip western Canada on their upcoming North American summer tour, they unleashed the wrath of the people who lost money when the band pulled out of their 2009 tour. They may now pay a big price for the snubbing.

Last years trek, which included five dates in Western Canada, was cancelled after Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler fell off the stage at the Sturgis Rally. This year's tour only includes one date stop when they hit Toronto on August 17th.

QMI Agency reports that Keystone Entertainment Group Ltd. is seeking $6 million in damages over the band's cancelled tour of the prairies and Vancouver last August, and its refusal to schedule new dates. - Read their full report for the details here

Deftones' Chi Cheng Showing Signs of Improvement

We were sent over an update on Deftones star Chi Cheng's health condition and it is good news. Here is the announcement: At Chi Cheng's routine checkup on May 19th, 2010, it was apparent to Dr. Joseph Nguyen, who has followed his progress for the past 8 months, that there was marked improvement. He wrote in his progress notes that Cheng was "showing signs of improved Neuro Function and improved alertness at this time. Increased Response to Verbal Stimuli. Directed Movement, with purpose seen and observed." Amazing report for Cheng, who was involved in a car accident November 3rd, 2008 and spent much of the last 18 months in a semi-conscious state.

According to Cheng's sister, Mae, Nguyen's reaction as soon as he walked into the room and saw her brother was profound. "When he came in, he took one look at Dai [Cheng] and was floored. He couldn't believe it. He saw a man waking up," This coming after the beginning phases of a very specific 'wake up' protocol that was implemented in mid January 2010.

Dr. DeFina, Chief Scientific Officer and founder of International Brain Research Foundation (www.ibrfinc.org) along with Dr. Jonathan Fellus, director of Brain Injury Services at the Kessler Institute, got Cheng started on the groundbreaking protocol that applies already approved medications, electrical stimulation and nutraceuticals to the patient as a virtual cocktail that has had a dramatic impact on his patients. So dramatic that DeFina has an 84% success rate in waking up patients from minimally conscious states or vegetative state comas. The national average for patients emerging from these states is 3 – 7%. - more on this story

Ratt Star Arrested

Metal Sludge received a tip off from "inside sources" Ratt drummer Bobby Blotzer was recently arrested for a DUI.

After a little research they were able to obtain the public records that show Blotz was indeed arrested.

The rumor we heard was there was an arrest over Memorial Day weekend at Lake Havasu in Arizona and Bob was at the 'wheel' of a boat. Turns out, that this arrest information shows exactly that. - Check it out at Metal Sludge

Hughes, Bonham, Bonamassa Supergroup Black Country Communion Announce Album Details

Black Country Communion, the new supergroup featuring Glenn Hughes (Deep Purple Black Sabbath, Trapeze), Jason Bonham (Led Zeppelin), Derek Sherinian (Dream Theater) and blues hero Joe Bonamassa, today confirmed the track listing and release date of their debut album "Black Country".

Released by Mascot Records in the UK and the rest of Europe on Monday September 20th, followed by a North American release through J&R Adventures on Tuesday September 21st, the album was produced and mixed by Kevin Shirley (Black Crowes, Aerosmith, Led Zeppelin), and mastered by the legendary Bob Ludwig.

All songs are sung by Glenn Hughes, with the exception of Song Of Yesterday and The Revolution In Me which are both sung by Joe Bonamassa. Hughes and Bonamassa share lead vocals on Sista Jane and Too Late For The Sun. Also included is a new version of Medusa, the rock classic Hughes originally recorded with his first band Trapeze. - tracklisting

Stone Temple Bonus

Stone Temple Pilots have announced that anyone that purchases a ticket online in the first two weeks of on sale for Stone Temple Pilots' upcoming tour, will receive a code for an exclusive bonus audio download of their recent "Live in Chicago" concert.

Pre-sale tickets will be available at the band's official website, www.stonetemplepilots.com. Tickets go on sale to the general public, beginning Saturday, June 12th.

Stone Temple Pilots will kick off the tour on Tuesday, August 10th at Denver, Colorado's world-famous Red Rocks Amphitheatre and then travel North America through early September (see attached itinerary). Joining Stone Temple Pilots will be special guests Cage the Elephant. - more on this story

My Morning Jacket To Play Each Of Their Albums in Full At Special Shows

My Morning Jacket have announced that New York City's Terminal 5 will the venue for a historic five night run of shows where the band will perform one of their albums in its entirety on each night.

The stint will kick off on Monday, October 18th with a performance of the Jacket's debut, 1999's The Tennessee Fire, and will be followed chronologically by their other four full-lengths, ending with 2008's Evil Urges on Saturday the 23rd.

After the given album is performed each night, the audience will be treated to a mix of favorites from the band's catalog as well. The series of shows are sure to put a magnifying glass over the chameleonic band's history, highlighting their remarkable tendency to perpetually evolve. - more on this story

Scorpions Farewell to America Starts Next Week

Scorpions will bring their "Get Your Sting And Blackout" farewell world tour to America starting next Friday, June 18 in Holmdel, NJ.

The German rockers will be bring their heavy, full-on, electrically charged energy to major cities across the U.S. including Detroit, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Atlanta, Miami, Phoenix, Los Angeles, Denver and many more as they celebrate the success of their latest and final album STING IN THE TAIL. Special guests on the tour will include Vince Neil, Cinderella, Great White, Dokken, Ratt and Tesla supporting along the way. The full tour itinerary is below.

Released March 23 via Universal Music Enterprises, Sting in the Tail entered the Billboard Top 200 charts at #23, marking the band's highest chart debut in over 20 years. In their home country of Germany the album has reached Gold status. "Raised on Rock"--the album's anthemic first single--claimed the #1 spot at classic rock radio for weeks and adds to their remarkable list of hits including "Rock You Like A Hurricane," "Wind of Change" and "No One Like You." The band's next single "Sting in the Tail"--going to radio June 21--is all about attitude. Lead singer KLAUS MEINE wails "I'm driving out of town, just follow my heart/I think I'm gonna be a rock 'n' roll star/The girls would go mad, I'd give 'em all I can give/If I had a cheap guitar and one dirty riff." - more on this story

William Control Banned

iTunes has banned William Control's new single "I'm Only Human Sometimes" because they found the provocative artwork unsuitable for minors.

Victory records has released the video for the track which comes from William Control's sophomore album, Noir.

According to the label, "night-clubbing, nicotine-stains and girl-on-girl action mixed with roofies and missing body parts sets the stage for this psycho-sexual masterpiece." You can view the video online BUT you have to be an adult and they make you post about it on Facebook, Twitter etc. With that said, you can check it out - here

OK Go To Make History This Weekend

OK Go will make Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival history this weekend by being the first band to premier a new video at the event.

The band have announced that they will premiere their latest video, "End Love," at the Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival this Saturday, June 12th, at the Lunar Stage at approximately 1:20 p.m. EST - just before the USA/England World Cup game.

"End Love" will be the first video ever to premiere at the festival. OK Go, who play Bonnaroo this Friday. The new video will go live next Tuesday, June 15th, at www.okgo.net. OK Go encourages fans to check it out and embed it wherever they please. - more on this story

Pete Yorn and Frank Black's Impromptu Five Day Recording Session To Be Released

Pete Yorn has announced that his new Frank Black (The Pixies) produced album will hit stores on September 28th on Vagrant Records.

Yorn's forthcoming album, a self-titled volume with a plain black cover, was recorded on the spur-of-the-moment, in the summer of 2008. Yorn was in the middle of making Back & Fourth in Nebraska when he got an email from Black suggesting that they record some tunes. Intrigued by the notion of experimenting with Frank, Yorn hopped a plane to Salem, OR, where the two set up an impromptu studio. They recorded the album in a mere five days - even though the singer-songwriter-guitarist came down with the flu two days into the process. "Frank didn't give a sh*t about getting sick, so we stayed in the flow," recalls Yorn. "He has an incredible ability to distill a song down to its core."

Frank recalls, "Pete told me he wanted to better define himself as an artist. I think he just wanted to rock out. But as we headed down a path of realization I stripped him down a whole bunch. We battled in the best sort of way. I tried to get the session into a fearless and raw place, and to his artistic credit Pete took his songwriting to a fearless and raw place. This listener will find his or herself sitting right next to Pete on the couch. And the record totally rocks out." - more on this story

Aerosmith Offspring TAB the Band Announce Special Show Tonight

TAB the Band featuring Adrian and Tony Perry, sons of Aerosmith legend Joe Perry, have announced a special acoustic show that will take place tonight for LIVE @ BEST BUY at the Union Square location in New York City.

From there, they will heads across the pond to play a series of shows in the UK, including the Download Festival this weekend and a gig with Stone Temple Pilots in Dublin and followed by opening for Aerosmith the O2 Arena. Dates included below.

Sirius Radio's Little Steven's Underground Garage recently heralded TAB as the show's host, Steven Van Zandt (legendary guitarist and part of Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band, cast member of The Sopranos) named "Run Away" the "Coolest Song in the World" for the week of June 6th. In addition, TAB has been heard on Howard Stern, HBO's Entourage, CBS' CSI: NY, FX's The Riches, Fuel TV, ESPN, among others. TAB also served as host of mtvU's Deans List. - more on this story

We Came As Romans Join The Scream It Like You Mean It Tour

We Came As Romans have joined the line-up for the inaugural Scream It Like You Mean It tour.

The trek will also feature Silverstein, Emery, Dance Gavin Dance, I Set My Friends On Fire, Sky Eats Airplane, Ivoryline, and Close To Home.

The tour kicks off July 8 in Sayreville, NJ with special date where this lineup will be joined by the Back to the Roots tour which features The Devil Wears Prada, Miss May I, and Your Demise. - dates

Hellyeah For NASCAR

Hellyeah featuring Vinnie Paul (Pantera, Damageplan), Chad Gray and Greg Tribbett (Mudvayne), Tom Maxwell (Nothingface) and Bob Zilla (Damageplan) are going NASCAR for the Fourth of July.

HELLYEAH has partnered with Stratus Racing to premiere the new Nascar Nationwide Cot (car of tomorrow), which will be wrapped with the Hellyeah logo, at Daytona Raceway over the Fourth of July weekend.

Fans are being offered a once in a lifetime experience to watch the Hellyeah-wrapped #73 Car from the Pit for its Daytona race on July 2, 2010. Those who purchase the package will watch the race from that special vantage point with the members of HELLYEAH and the Stratus Racing crew. Only 20 packages will be sold in total and they're currently available for purchase at - www.stratusracinggroup.com.

Singled Out: Kevin Hammond's Broken Down

Welcome to Singled Out! where we ask artists to tell us the inside story of their latest single. Today Kevin Hammond tells us about "Broken Down" from his self-titled EP. We now turn it over to Kevin for the story:

I wrote "Broken Down" about two of my good friends, Amy and Rob. Rob was an amazing guitar player and all around great guy to be around and jam out with in my highschool years. After highschool Rob was in tragic motorcycle accident that took his life and affected everyone. The whole thing was a bit sureal to me and still is. When amy came to me and I saw the look in her eyes it really hit something deep in me. I had never seen the look she gave me in anyones eyes before or since, and later inspired the lyrics "look into her eyes you can see that something's missing".. I think once you know the basic story the lyrics speak for themselves. This song is totally dedicated to Rob and to Amy. I hope that this song will relate and comfort anyone who has experienced something like this. I kinda like to think that rob will live through this song forever.

Hearing is believing. Now that you know the story behind the song, listen for yourself and learn more about the album - right here!

Adelitas Way Announce Tour with Halestorm

Adelitas Way are hitting the road with Halestorm in July for a tour across the Midwestern U.S.

Here is the announcement: Adelitas Way's Virgin Records debut album has garnered success with its current anthemic single, "Last Stand", paving the way to the mainstream. Plus, the group's explosive first single, "Invincible", can be heard as the WWE Superstars theme song and has been featured in trailers for the motion picture "The Losers," as well as on promo spots for CSI Miami.

Led by frontman Rick DeJesus, the band is grounded by native Californian drummer Trevor Stafford and New-York bred bassist Derek Johnston and includes guitarists Keith Wallen and Creighton Bibbs. It isn't easy to assemble such a diverse crew—with influences ranging from indie-rock to hardcore to classic rock—but it seems to be paying off as DeJesus explains, "It took a while to find this ideal lineup, where we all want the same thing. And everything finally feels right." - more on this story

Porcupine Tree Announce Auction For Friend In Need

(Submitted News) Porcupine Tree are auctioning rare items on eBay in the UK to help friend and former Japan bass player Mike Karn fight cancer.

Mike was recently diagnosed with the advanced stages of cancer and had previously played in the band Japan with Porcupine Tree keyboardist Richard Barbieri.

Money raised by selling Porcupine Tree and Steven Wilson rarities on eBay is being donated to the fund, including two copies of the special edition red cover version of "Anesthetize" (with 120 page book, DVD, Blu-Ray and 2 audio CDs) which is limited to just 1,000 worldwide.
The auction is here or you can make a direct donation - here

Destruction Return to Nuclear Blast Records For Their Forthcoming Album

Destruction is hard at work on their new studio album which they hope to release in January. The band has just announced that they have returned to Nuclear Blast Records who will release the new effort.

Destruction mainman Schmier tells fans, "Sometimes I really hate the business side of my job, we have been thru some very difficult decisions in the last couple of months. Now after some weeks of hard work, I can proudly announce that Destruction is back with Nuclear Blast Records! We really wanna thank AFM Records for the great co-operation in the last years! Cheers for supporting all our craziness, I know it wasn't always easy folks!

"Going back to NB feels like coming back home now, working with old friends is one of the biggest achievements you can have in this music business known as a 'shark tank'! Almost eleven years ago, Markus Staiger and his label made it possible for Destruction to come back in a strong way, those were some of the best years the band ever had! - more on this story

Ernie Halter' Tributes His Home Town With New Album

Ernie Halter's new album, "Franklin & Vermont," will hit stores on June 29, 2010, via Rock Ridge Music. Featuring 11 tracks – nine originals and two covers – the album was recorded with engineers Spenser Bishop and Carson Liccardi at MixOne Sound in Mission Viejo, CA.

In addition to playing most of the instruments on the record, this is also Halter's first self-produced album. Halter says, "Many people love the early recordings for their laid back, raw, acoustic vibe, and I wanted 'Franklin & Vermont' to be a studio record with the same soul. It's easy to lose something in translation, easy to lose the magic of a live performance when it comes to making a record. But for the first time, I feel like I really got it."

"Franklin and Vermont" is named for two cross streets in the quiet Los Feliz neighborhood of Los Angeles where Halter lives. "I wanted the record to carry with me a piece of home, since I spend so much time on the road," he says. It is the happiness he finds in the slow pace of his community that brought him to the studio, desiring to capture his newfound peace in this new collection of songs. - more on this story

New Politics Say Yeah Yeah Yeah To RCA Album Release

You may have heard New Politics first single "Yeah Yeah Yeah," and if you like what you hear we have good news for you: The band has announced that RCA Records will release their self-titled debut album on July 13th.

Here is the announcement: Produced by Dave Sardy (Band of Horses, Cold War Kids, Johnny Cash, LCD Soundsystem, The Rolling Stones, Spoon, Wolfmother) and recorded in New York and Los Angeles, New Politics pulses with frenetic energy, dynamic beats and smart lyrics.

New Politics Publicity Photo Fresh off their first US tour, New Politics have been heralded for their incredible live show, which features front man David Boyd doing flips, headstands, and breakdancing. New Politics will be hitting the road again this summer to support their debut release. - Watch the Yeah Yeah Yeah video here

Vampires Everywhere! Announce Shows with The Murderdolls and Tour with Black Veil Brides

The Murderdolls have tapped Vampires Everywhere! to open for them at their ubber rare live appearances coming up new week. The group have announced a nationwide North American tour alongside Black Veil Brides this summer

You can see together at The Glasshouse in Pomona, CA on Tuesday, June 15th and The Key Club in Los Angeles, CA on Thursday, June 17th.

Vampires Everywhere! are currently holed up in their hometown of Los Angeles with acclaimed producer Fred Archambault (Avenged Sevenfold, Deftones) so look for this new offering to be released sometime this fall. - more on this story

Soilwork Get Comp'd For Japan

Soilwork have announced the release of a compilation album entitled "The Sledgehammer Files" on June 30th via Marquee/Avalon Records in Japan.

The band commented by saying: "We're proud and stoked to unleash the first ever official collection of classic SOILWORK tunes! The only way we could imagine our 'Best Of' album was as a complete chronological retrospective, and that's exactly what The Sledgehammer Files is, from the raw 'n relentless Steelbath Suicide days to the modern majesty of Sworn To A Great Divide.

"We made sure to include the lyrics and cover art for each album, rare promo and live shots from each era, and a bonus DVD with most our official videos. Topped off with re-mastered songs from the first two albums and a new mix of 'Exile', this package is 100% SOILWORK!" - Check out the tracklisting here

Exumer Lineup Change

Exumer have announced a lineup change. The band have parted ways with guitarist/second vocalist Paul Arakaki and session drummer J.P. Rapp.

Guitarist H.K. and drummer Matthias Kassner, who were both recruited for Exumer's last European tour, have joined the band on a full-time basis.

Commented vocalist Mem V. Stein: "It has been an amazing two years for us since our reformation in 2008. We have been able to play all the festivals and shows we wanted to in the past two years, even without label or industry backing. We are now looking forward to return to Europe in the fall and are excited to appear at this year's Way Of Darkness festival [in early October in Lichtenfels/Germany]. - more on this story

Norris Plan New Album Release This Year

Norris will release their new album later this year on Year of the Sun Records and are currently streaming tracks from their "Bone Crusher" EP online.

"After years of going it alone in the Canadian music scene, Norris is looking forward to working with a label that is excited about our music as we are. It feels good to have the backing of a label that has been in the game for eight years and has staff that consists of individuals who have been in bands that play heavy music and who understand what it's like to make sacrifices to pursue something you love and believe in," commented Norris drummer Josh Hogan. "We are very proud of our new album, and with the help of Year of the Sun we plan on reaching new fans of extreme music that will appreciate our honest take on metal."

"I think that when you look at a band like Norris you get a sense that the members are really trying to challenge themselves and that makes their music a really exciting and intriguing experience," states Year of the Sun president C. Benner. "We've always taken pride in putting out bands that are slightly off the beaten path and with Norris they really bring a unique vision to the table. If you thought their previous work was heavy, wait until this new record drops. It's going to be something else." - Myspace link

The Contortionist Finish New Album

Good Fight Music have announced that The Contortionist has finished recording their label debut, Exoplanet.

The new record is due in stores on August 31st, 2010, and was produced by Unearth's Ken Susi.

"Writing and recording the new album has been a huge learning experience for all of us," affirms guitarist Robby Baca. "The past few months have been the most fun and the most stressful times in our lives, but it's awesome to see the whole project come together. Working with Ken Susi was a great experience. He's an awesome dude and a great engineer. We can't wait to journey to Exoplanet!" - more on this story

Negligence Going Soph This Summer for Metal Blade

Negligence is eyeing a late summer release for their sophomore album, "Coordinates Of Confusion." The band just inked a new deal with Metal Blade Records for the release and is currently mixing the effort.

The band said of their new deal, "We are very, very proud to become a member of one of the greatest metal record labels in the world and will proudly carry the flag of true metal enthusiasts and metal gurus which is Metal Blade Records!"

Metal Blade sent out this rundown on the group: Negligence was formed in 2000 by Dyz and Jey, two excellent Slovenian guitarists who shared the same passion for music and decided to start working together. They soon found a proper and stable lineup and played lots of shows in their homeland, including a gig at the infamous Metalcamp festival. Between 2003 and 2005 they also released three unnamed demos. - more on this story

Holy Grail To Get Brutal With Exodus

Holy Grail will be hitting the road in August and September supporting thrash legends Exodus on the "March of Brutality Tour."

Holy Grail frontman James Luna had this to say of the trek: "Exodus are longtime favorites of mine and the other HG guys. Ever since I first saw the video from their 'Ultimate Revenge For Disco' show at Studio 54- I was totally hooked! Not to mention, 'Bonded By Blood' is one of my favorite thrash albums! I probably don't need to say it but me and the guys are pretty 'effin stoked to tour with Exodus and big thanks to them & Gary Holt for asking us out. It's going to be a great thrashy end to summer 2010, we can't wait! Shred on!!" - more on this story