This Week's Top stories

Here are the top stories from this week's Day in Rock and the top Day in Rock digest stories

Metallica Baby Kick Remix- Steven Adler Begins Album- Blink-182 CD Next Spring- Devildriver Emergency- View Assault Trial- Patrick Stump CD- A Beatles Top 10?- more

A look back at the top rock stories of the week of November 19th: There was a video going around the internet of Metallica guitarist Kirk Hammett accidently kicking a beach ball into a baby at a recent show, and yet nobody took the time to edit a remix with funny sound effects. That's where Metal Injection comes in. Check it out here. Happy Birthday Kirk!

Bon Jovi gave Taylor Swift a swift kick out of No. 1 on the Canadian album charts. more

Former Guns N' Roses drummer Steven Adler has revealed that his band Adler's Appetite will begin pre-production of their new CD tomorrow with Cinderella's Fred Coury. Adler's Appetite have also confirmed the first batch of dates for a 2011 European tour. The band has already confirmed dates in the UK, Spain, The Netherlands and France.

Escape the Fate have revealed a long list of tour dates for its forthcoming North American tour with Alesana, Motionless In White, Get Scared and Drive A more

Bookmakers cut odds that The Beatles will takeover the entire UK Top 10 William Hill now offering 8/1 that the Fab 4 will dominate the charts more

As They Sleep, has posted a brand new track, "The Unseen", on their official MySpace and Facebook pages, ahead of the release of their Solid State Records debut, Dynasty, next week. more

An online gossip rag has stoked a little controversy after some footage surfaced of The Aquabats' frontman MC Bat Commander launching a child into a crowd surf. The band has done this frequently over the years and always with the permission of parents more

Cody Vaillant, lead singer of the band Love Candy and his drummer Scott Bevilacqua spent the night behind bars in a Kenora, Ontario jail on Wednesday November 10th after a search of their vehicle uncovered 17-grams of magic mushrooms, 58-grams of marijuana, $7,000 cash and other drug paraphernalia. more

Immortal will play a handful of U.S. shows in February with support from Absu. more

Blink 182 will be headed to the UK for a run of dates in July of 2011. The dates should come shortly after the release of the band's promised new album. Dates here

Death Angel have announced the second leg of North American tour dates in support of their latest release, Relentless Retribution. These come in addition to their upcoming headlining run next January/February with Lazarus A.D., Early Man, Bonded By Blood, and Hexen. more

Kasabian to close Isle Of Wight Festival 2011 Band to headline Sunday (June 12) of the event more

Chickenfoot have fourteen new songs in the works according to Joe Satriani more

The Deftones have announced three more shows for its current world tour. The three new dates are to take place in South East Asia hitting Thailand, Singapore and the Philippines. more

KROQ Los Angeles has announced the lineup for their annual Almost Acoustic Christmas show on December 11 and 12 at Gibson Amphitheater. Acts confirmed so far include A Day To Remember, Anberlin, Bad Religion, Jimmy Eat World, My Chemical Romance, Phoenix, Social Distortion, The Black Keys, Vampire Weekend, Brandon Flowers more

Frontiers Records announce the European release of Mr. Big's new studio album entitled 'What If...' on January 21st 2011. more

Frightened Rabbit have joined Atlantic Records more

End Of A Year, Tigers Jaw, and Basement will tour the UK together this winter. more

Dangerous Toys has schedule a reunion show on Friday, December 4th at Red Eyed Fly in their hometown, Austin, TX. more

Blink-182 now has a target date for the release of their new album. Mark Hoppus tells fans: We've been busy with new songs and ideas, and some tracks are very near complete. In rough terms, I'd say we're working with the better part of ten or so songs at this point. There's still a long to way to go before the album is done, but already it seems like the songs are both taking a step even further than we took on the last album, while also going back to the sound of some of the earlier albums. We have a date for the completion of the album. We want to deliver the record in April or May, for release very soon afterward. That's our goal. more

Devildriver bassist Jon Miller has issued the following update: "To all of the DevilDriver fans who will be attending the remaining dates of our current fall/winter European run, it is to my dismay that I will not be able to finish the tour due to a family emergency." more

Jean Paul Toulon of pre-school punks Old Skull and later, crust-punk outfit Planned Collapse, has passed away sources report. Few details have been released about the cause of death, but the news has been confirmed through Scott Sturgeon of Star f***ing Hipsters. more

Ryan Adams Celebrates Ninjas, Cigarettes, Sex and Pizza on New Album Ryan Adams is set to return with a new double disc on December 14 called Cardinals III/IV. Listen to some teaser sounds here

Arthur, which features all three members of MxPx and former MxPx tech Neil Hundt, have announced plans to release a new album Watch the Years Crawl By on November 30, 2010. December 7th more

Fall Out Boy's Patrick Stump tells MTV that he'll be releasing his solo album, Soul Punk, in February 2011 more

The View's drummer Steven Morrison has appeared in Dundee Sheriff Court accused of "repeatedly" kicking and punching a man in the city last month. NME reports that Morrison, 23, appeared alongside co-accused Bryan Murphy, 26. more

Legion Of The Damned has revealed the final tracklisting for its forthcoming studio album. The album, titled 'Descent Into Chaos,' is set for release on January 7, 2011 more

Origin will enter Chapman Recording Studios in Lenexa, Kansas today with long-time engineer Robert Rebeck to record their Nuclear Blast debut. more

The Waylons have released the newest song in their continuing series of single releases. "Safe" is available for FREE download for a short time, and follows "Everyone Talking" in the series. Get it now on the Waylons' site

Sufjan Stevens will perform on Jimmy Fallon tonight.

You can stream all 26 tracks 3CD deluxe reissue of Control Denied's The Fragile Art Of Existence here

The San Francisco Symphony Orchestra is at it again. First they did a collaboration with Metallica (S+M, anyone?), and they've collaborated with Green Day, and now? They've paired with, perhaps, the most fitting performer: Rufus Wainwright. more

The Hush Now is in the giving spirit. The group has release a free holiday single yesterday, aptly titled "On Holiday," which you can download here

This Or The Apocalypse, Deception Of A Ghost, and An Early Ending will be touring together this winter. more

(hed)p.e. has revealed the dates for its forthcoming tour of Japan. more

Ex Deo, led by Kataklysm frontman Maurizio Iacono, has announced plans to begin work on their next album. more

Eluveitie will embark on a North American headlining tour in February 2011. Support on the trek will come from 3 Inches Of Blood, Holy Grail and System Divide. more

Hibria has revealed the tracklisting for its forthcoming studio album, titled 'Blind Ride.' 'Blind Ride' is set for release on January 26 through King Records in Japan more

A video/slideshow has surfaced on Youtube of a studio recording of The Gaslight Anthem covering Fake Problem's "Song For Teenagers". more

Within Temptation have set "The Unforgiving" as the title of their new album, tentatively due in March 2011. The conceptual effort is said to be be based on a comic-book series written by Steven O'Connell (BloodRayne, Dark 48) and will feature characters and scenery by comic artist Romano Molenaar (Witchblade, Darkness, X-Men). more

Current/former members of Soilwork, Revamp, After Forever, Orphanage, Pleurisy will participate in the third annual "Winter Metal Symphony" show (formerly "Christmas Metal Symphony"), set to take place January 22, 2011 at 013 in Tilburg, The Netherlands. more
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Van Halen Denials

Although it's been widely reported that Van Halen will release a new album and embark on a huge tour in 2011, a spokesman for the band is saying that is not the case. Speaking on behalf of the band, Larry Solters told MelodicRock.com that, "none of it was true."

The official word from Van Halen is, "no new album on the books" and "no new tour on the books." However, Solters did reveal that the band's current lineup (David Lee Roth, Eddie Van Halen, Alex Van Halen and Wolfgang Van Halen) have spent time together "working on stuff."

Earlier reports from various sources (including Van Halen manager Irv Azoff) have indicated a massive 2011 tour for Van Halen that would cross North America, Europe and Australia. But fans will have to wait from the official announcement from the band to know if this is true. -

Metallica Address Kid Kicking Accident

Most rock fans have read reports or watched online video of a recent incident at Metallica's concert in Sydney, Australia where guitarist Kirk Hammett accidentally kicked a child in the head. Now the band has offered their side of the story:

In the whacky world of rock'n'roll, sometimes stuff happens which looks even weirder than it really is! And with context being vital in these situations, we just wanted to address something which happened on the tour the other night regarding a large beachball, a band member's foot and a little girl. Some of you will have seen on youtube (or read in some reports) that Kirk knocked a small child offstage by kicking a beachball at her.

That little lady is the daughter of the stage manager and dressing coordinator, who are fortunate to travel as a family on this tour. She was thoroughly enjoying watching the beachballs drop from the rafters, Kirk was thoroughly enjoying kicking the beachballs off the stage and back into the crowd as has been done every night on the tour, and neither of them saw the other. The poor wee one happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. She wasn't hurt. She didn't go "flying several feet into the audience." And Kirk and she remain good buddies. It's very cool that everyone showed concern and support though, so we just wanted to say "it's all good" and thanks for asking. -

Sebastian Bach Misbehavior Denied By Witness

(hennemusic) It's interesting what happens when the dust settles on a relatively private-made-public incident: more information surfaces that can often change people's initial perception about things.

The Toronto Sun reports that a close friend of Sebastian Bach has come to the defense of the former Skid Row frontman, disputing much of what's been said about Sunday night's events in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada.

Bach, 42, was charged early Monday with assault, mischief and possession of marijuana after a glass at Riley's Olde Towne Pub was broken and the owner, Jim Kakouros, was bitten on the hand. Judd Smoke was with Bach Sunday night and said many of the allegations against Bach - including statements that Bach demanded star treatment and heckled and cursed at staff - aren't true. - Read his blow by blow here

Dream Theater Pick New Drummer

(Rock AAA) Dream Theater have chosen a replacement for drummer Mike Portnoy, who sensationally quit the band earlier this year.

The prog metal outfit will name their latest member soon, and begin recording a new album in January.

Meanwhile, Portnoy has revealed that his departure from the band he formed and named left him "heartbroken." But he feels he had no choice because the outfit were experiencing advanced symptoms of burnout – with one member refusing to spend any time backstage with the others. - more on this story

Rush World Tour Rolls On in 2011

(hennemusic) Rush has confirmed they will be extending the Time Machine Tour and coming to Europe this spring.

Also confirmed today, the Time Machine tour will return to North America for a selection of dates between March and July, primarily with Rush performing in markets not played on the previous tour run this summer.

The confirmed date include Rush performing in Ireland for the first time ever. More additional European announcements to come. - more on this story

Iron Maiden Announce More Final Frontier World Tour Dates

As promised Iron Maiden has now confirmed more European shows for their The Final Frontier World Tour 2011, with a further promise of more dates to come.

The dates take place next May and June on the continent and according to the band's official website:

These German, Dutch and French shows follow on from the band's recently announced 'Around The World In 66 Days' tour in Ed Force One, and denote the start of the European - and final - leg of The Final Frontier World Tour 2011 culminating with a series of arena dates around the UK which ends at the London O2 Arena in August. - more on this story

Lollapalooza International

While the Lollapalooza tour faltered due to lack of interest from ticket buyers in North America and the road show was converted to annual one-off event in Chicago, Perry Farrell is once again taking the show on the road with the launch of the first Lollapalooza International in an area of the world renowned for music festivals: South America.

The first Lollapalooza International will take place in Santiago, Chile on Saturday, April 2 and Sunday, April 3, 2011 at O'Higgins Park.

No line-up details have been announced yet, but we did receive a Q&A with Lollapalooza founder Perry Farrell - here

Stratovarius Member Fighting Cancer

Terrible news came from the Stratovarius camp on Thursday, one of their members is battling cancer. Jens Johansson issued the following statement: Dear Stratovarius fans, I am afraid we have some quite terrible news. News of the worst imaginable kind. It's about our friend and [German] drummer Jörg Michael.

Jörg has cancer. He recently discovered a lump on his neck, went to the doctor, they decided to operate, and found what they call 'a malignant thyroid neoplasm.' They took out his whole thyroid just to have the best chance to get everything out. He will also have to undergo a regimen of radiotherapy.

He is a fighter. We have all talked to him and it's clear that this guy is not down for the count. He and his team of German doctors are pissed off and ready to kick ass, and I would not want to be a little cancer cell on these guys' s*** list.. believe me. - more on this story

Dio Scores Highest Chart Debut of the Soundscan Era

(Chipster) Ronnie James Dio's popularity is greater than ever, as clearly proven by the strong chart showing of the recently released, 'Dio at Donington.'

The first-ever release from the newly formed Niji Entertainment Group, 'Dio at Donington' scanned a total of 5,836 units in its first week, resulting in Dio's best Billboard charting debut ever in the Soundscan era.

As a result, the album - which features a pair of vintage, kick-ass Dio concert performances from 1983 and 1987 - will debut at #98 on the Billboard Top 200 Album Chart. Additionally, Dio went from #5 to #1 (with a bullet) on the CMJ Loud Rock Radio Chart this week. -

Queen Rock the Prince

(hennemusic) Queen rocked the first Prince's Trust Rock Gala in more than 20 years, Wednesday night at London's Royal Albert Hall.

The BBC reports Brian May and Roger Taylor performed with a variety of singers, including Midge Ure ("Seven Seas Of Rhye") and Keane's Tom Chaplin ("It's a Hard Life").

Chaplin described Queen as the "heroes of my youth. I have notions of being a weirdly flamboyant frontman, and my voice is in the same register as Freddie's was - it's such a buzz to be backed by the actual band themselves. - more on this story

Bret Michaels GQ For Science

(Gibson) A new ad campaign is gearing up to team rock stars such as Bret Michaels and Debbie Harry with award-winning scientists. The "2010 Rock Stars of Science" ads will begin running in the December issue of GQ magazine, according to USA Today.

The campaign, sponsored by the Geoffrey Beene Foundation, aims to bring greater visibility to today's great scientific minds. ResearchAmerica! polls have indicated that more than half of the public can't name a living scientist.

So, the new effort pairs Nobel Prize winner Elizabeth Blackburn, cancer researcher Craig Thompson and surgery professor Mehmet Oz (better known through his television show as Dr. Oz) with music celebrities such as Poison's Michaels, Blondie's Harry and rap/pop producer Timbaland. - more on this story

The Strokes Finish New Album

(Gibson) The Strokes have finished recording their fourth album. The announcement came via frontman Julian Casablancas' Twitter account: "Still not going to be out for a few months – mixing, etc, but JUST finally finished it yesterday actually!?"

The album, which has not yet been given a title, will be the New York rockers' follow-up to First Impressions of Earth, released almost five years ago in January of 2006. Making the album hasn't been the easiest process for the band. "There is disagreement as to whether the songs are ready," Casablancas told Spin last year. "Some of the band think they are and others don't. I'm somewhere in the middle."

The band were able to come together and started recording in March of this year with Beck and White Stripes producer John Chicarelli. Casablancas said that fans should expect the new album to sound similar to the previous one, before admitting, "I may try to funk it up a little bit." -

Kid Rock To Play Thanksgiving NFL Halftime Show

Kid Rock announced on Wednesday that he will take the stage for the 2010 United Way Thanksgiving Halftime Show during the first game of the NFL's tripleheader when the Detroit Lions host the New England Patriots on Thursday, November 25 at 12:30 PM ET on CBS.

This special halftime event will feature a live performance of Kid Rock's new song and album title track Born Free released on the Atlantic Records label. Kid Rock has a history of giving back to the community, which includes time spent visiting and performing for troops overseas. More than 1,000 people will participate in the halftime show, including members of the National Guard and their families. - more on this story

Watch Bruce Springsteen Rock Jimmy Fallon

(hennemusic) Bruce Springsteen made his only scheduled live tv performance this year on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon Tuesday night, to celebrate the simultaneous releases of Springsteen's "The Promise" 2-CD set and "The Promise: The Darkness on the Edge of Town Story" 6-disc set.

Springsteen first appeared during Fallon's performance (as Neil Young) of 9-yr old Willow Smith's "Whip My Hair..." A solid interview session with Bruce followed, later joined in on by E Street guitarist Steven van Zandt.

And then…music: Springsteen, van Zandt and pianist Roy Bittan sat in with The Roots for two songs from the new collection: "Because The Night," the song Bruce gave to Patti Smith, and the first single, "Save My Love." - check it out here