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

New Van Halen Music Coming- Vince Neil Accused of Assaulting Woman- Dio Memoirs- Vince Neil Slams Nikki Sixx- Dresden Dolls Return- Corey Taylor- more

This week's top Day in Rock Digest stories: A Van Halen fan had a chance encounter with David Lee Roth this past weekend at the the 145th annual Scottish Gathering & Games in Pleasanton, California. The fan details the encounter for the Van Halen News Desk which includes this passage: "I then asked him if he was still with VH and if they were doing anything more. He gave me a knowing smile and said, 'You'll be hearing from us in the next 7-8 months'. He seemed very sincere… almost like it was a promise. " Read the full account here

Motley Crue frontman Vince Neil is in more water in Las Vegas. He was recently arrested for a DUI and now he is being investigated for allegedly assaulting a woman in an elevator at the Hilton Resort. Jam! reports: The alleged victim, who has asked to remain nameless, claims the Motley Crue singer lashed out unprovoked at her when she found herself in the wrong elevator as she headed back to her suite at the hotel on Sunday night. more

The Hilton hotel resort in Las Vegas has cleared Motley Crue's Vince Neil of allegations that he attacked a woman in an elevator on Sunday night. Hotel Executive Vice President Ken Ciancimino tells WENN, "After reviewing surveillance video and interviewing witnesses, we've concluded that her allegations against Vince Neil are completely unfounded.... We also understand that the local authorities have deemed her allegations to be without merit." more That last claim is countered by the LVPD in another report: "He is listed as a suspect in a misdemeanor battery," Officer Barbara Morgan tells E! News. "As far as it's concerned it's an open investigation." However, no charges have been filed and Neil remains free more

In related news, Vince Neil reportedly slams Nikki Sixx for allegedly "portraying himself as the Messiah" and "loving the whole fame thing" in his new "autobiography". more

Wendy Dio is shopping Ronnie James Dio's memoirs with the help of an agent. Apparently, he had completed most of his memoirs before his death. "I'm just going to finish the end parts of it," Wendy said. "It's actually [intended as] a three-book deal – the memoirs of Ronnie, a book of illustrated lyrics, and a photo book." more

There can be no Pantera without Dimebag. "I would not want to tarnish the Pantera name," Frontman Phil Anselmo tells Billboard. "Vinnie himself said a long time ago that if you take any one of us out of the equation and it's just not Pantera anymore, so I guess I'm just gonna stick to that. And as far as Vinnie and I go, there's a big bridge that both of us would have to cross, and that's an entire subject on its own, before we could even consider making music together." more

Alice in Chains singer and guitarist William DuVall tells Billboard.com he can't imagine that there won't be another album. "It would be fairly safe to say that you don't come this far and do all this work just to stop for another 15 years," says DuVall, who joined the band for its 2006 resurrection. more

Jon Schaffer has announced an eclectic, fan-favorite set list for Iced Earth's upcoming limited-engagement U.S. tour. "I wanted to give fans something really special," Schaffer said. "So I put together songs that include some we've rarely played live before, and at least one that reaches back to our first album. Even long-time fans of Iced Earth are going to be surprised." more

Two Cow Garage will release a limited edition EP on September 10th. The A-Side can be found on the full length record, "Sweet Saint Me", due out by the end of October. more

Beatallica, who have made a name for themselves by combining The Beatles with Metallica, say that they are hated by more Metallica fans than they are by the Beatles fans more

Dark Funeral continues to lose members as the group has now parted ways with drummer Nils Fjellstrom. more

Blind Guardian has announced the North American portion of their "Sacred Worlds And Songs Divine 2010 World Tour." The trek will feature support acts Holy Grail and Seven Kingdoms. more

On this date in 1956, Elvis Presley made his first appearance on The Ed Sullivan show, performing "Don't Be Cruel," "Love Me Tender" and "Ready Teddy" from the CBS TV Studios in Los Angeles. Find out what else happened on this date in music history here

Hollywood Reporter reports that Daily Variety is embroiled in heated litigation with California punk rock band the Vandals, whose bass player happens to be an attorney. The dispute began in 2004, when the Vandals released their 10th album, "Hollywood Potato Chip," which included the band's name in lettering made to look like the trademarked Daily Variety logo. more

The Dresden Dolls are finally returning to the stage for their first tour after a three year break for solo records and hanging out with Neil Gaiman. more

The Steve Miller Band are to have their classic 1976 album Fly Like An Eagle reissued by Demon Music on October 4. According to Classic Rock their will be a bonus track and a deluxe edition will include a DVD. Details here

In a new interview with Spin, Corey Taylor says of Stone Sour's new album, Audio Secrecy, "It's a very honest album for me. For the longest time I felt compelled to talk about how angry I was about certain things. But I can't be that guy. It made sense 10 years ago because it still was very fresh. But now I'm singing about the things that I've gone through in the last five years — the different relationships I've been in, the end of my first marriage, my new marriage. Also, it's not just romantic relationships, but relationships with friends that I've seen change for the worse over the years, and how you try to close that gap but you can't relate to them anymore. These are people that you grew up with, people that you've known half your life, and to see how they're becoming less and less recognizable. It's very much about how long it's taken to wash the dirt off my hands." more

Trap Them are set to head into Kurt Ballou's (Converge) Godcity studio next week to start working on their new album. This new album will be their Prosthetic Records debut release. more

The Strokes set for New York homecoming gig this Sunday (Sept 12) Band to play special invite-only show for Tommy Hilfiger's 25th anniversary more

According to Variety, KISS' Gene Simmons will keynote the American Music Conference presented by Variety and Dick Clark Prods. more

Tyr have been confirmed as the next act to be taking part in the 70000 Tons of Metal cruise ship festival. more

Gwar have announced a long list of additional dates for thier annual North American tour. The tour kicks off on October 2nd, 2010 in Baltimore and runs until December 6th ending in Minneapolis. more

Sandy Denny - the guest voice on Led Zeppelin's classic 'The Battle Of Evermore' - is the subject of a massive new box set comprised of 19 CDs. Titled simply Sandy Denny, the box set is due out via Universal Music Catalogue on October 4th in the UK and November 9th in North America more

Pretty Boy Floyd will be co-headlining one of Sweden's largest rock music festivals, the massive Stockholm Rockout 2010 this Friday night on September 10th on the first day of the huge two-day event. more

Michael Monroe, iconic rock'n'roll frontman and founding member of Hanoi Rocks, has entered into a recording agreement with Universal Music. more

Every Time I Die, Trap Them, and Howl will team up for a month-long U.S. tour this fall dubbed "Sh*t Happens: The Tour." more

Epica guitarist Mark Jansen launches new band Mayan; Video trailer available and more info here
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Metallica Announce New Release

Metallica have announced the release of a special 8-song live EP to celebrate the last leg of their epic World Magnetic tour. Here is what the band had to say about it on their official site:

We're getting psyched up for our return to Australia and New Zealand next week . . . it's been six long years since we've visited and we're ready to throw down! The nice people at Universal Music were so darn excited that they actually suggested that we release something special to commemorate this last run of World Magnetic tour dates, so . . . ta-da . . . we present the "Six Feet Down Under" limited edition EP! Coming to Trans-Tasman record stores and right here at the Metallica.com Store on September 20.

Here's the story . . . the collective brain trust came up with what we thought might be a kinda fun idea . . . how about some live recordings from each time we have been lucky enough to visit the area? It was all well and good until we realized that we did not start making multi-track recordings of every show until 2004 . . . oops! But you guys, the fans, came to our rescue with some pretty decent bootleg options and we trimmed those down to two songs from each tour in 1989, 1993, 1998, and 2004. In digging a little deeper, it occurred to us that we had tracks that had never before been released as "live b-sides" (we're not counting the bonus songs on i-Tunes, okay?) and that that added to the adventure of pulling it all together. Be gentle with us . . . a few of these songs are, well, we'll say "rough," which may be an understatement!! They do, however, capture the live moments and hopefully you'll have as much fun listening as we did playing on those nights. - tracklisting

Mike Portnoy Says Not To Blame Avenged Sevenfold for His Split With Dream Theater

Mike Portnoy has updated fans again about his decision to leave Dream Theater and he tells them not to blame the move on his current band Avenged Sevenfold.

Here is his new statement: "I BEG of the fans to please NOT hold (Avenged Sevenfold) responsible for MY decision... they are just as shocked as you guys.

"I had been contemplating this and desiring a "break" (not split) as long ago as last year... everything else is fully explained in the press release... thank you all for your support and understanding... this is the hardest thing I've ever done..." - You can read his detailed original statement here

Ozzy and Halford Tour

Two legends of heavy metal are teaming up for a fall tour. Ozzy Osbourne has recruited Judas Priest frontman Rob Halford to join him on a month long arena tour.

The first leg of arena dates will mark Ozzy's first headlining North American tour since 2007's trek for his Black Rain album. He is touring in support of his new album, "Scream".

Rob Halford will be touring in support of 'Halford IV - Made Of Metal,' the new album from Halford which hits stores later this month. - more on this story

The Alarm's Mike Peters to Front Big Country Reunion

Mike Peters of The Alarm has signed on to front Big Country as the classic 80s band reunites for a short run of shows early next year.

Peters will take the place of Stuart Adamson who committed suicide in Honolulu, Hawaii, in 2001.

Bass player Tony Butler said: "To play again as Big Country was something that was only going to happen if we could find someone who could compliment the band and sing the songs in the way they need to be sung; with heart and soul. Mike Peters from The Alarm has stepped in to fill the premise for a few shows. It's about time the songs got another airing, and we think Stuart would be pleased too." - more on this story

Control Denied Debut Revisited

(PR) Control Denied's legendary first album 'The Fragile Art of Existence' will get the deluxe re-issue treatment through Relapse Records this fall.

'The Fragile Art of Existence,' originally released in 1999 to critical acclaim, has been re-mastered, re-packaged and features liner notes from Control Denied drummer Richard Christy, never-before-seen photographs, as well as over an hour of previously unreleased demo and rehearsal tracks.

Two versions of 'The Fragile Art of Existence' re-issue will be available starting October 26th. The worldwide version is a two-CD set including the original album plus a bonus CD of early demo material. - more on this story

Phil Anselmo Wants Deluxe Reissue of Pantera's Vulgar Display of Power

2012 may see a deluxe reissue of Pantera's epic "Vulgar Display of Power." Gibson reports: In preparing the deluxe reissue of Pantera's 1990 album Cowboys From Hell, singer Phil Anselmo discovered some surprising things about the metal band's major label debut. "It had definitely been a long while since I sat down and listened to Cowboys From Hell from front to back," Anselmo told Billboard.com. "Basically it was trickier where I thought things might be simplified. We would build these massive intros into songs, and the solo sections, the way they were written was just very, very, very clever. And I can see very clearly how we upped the production. It's been quite an experience."

The new, three-disc edition of Cowboys will feature a remastered edition of the original album, a disc of demos and a disc of live material. Anselmo said he hopes another Pantera album, 1992's Vulgar Display of Power, will get the same treatment on its 20th anniversary.

"I guess we have to wait 'til 2012, but I've got my fingers crossed," he said. "I think if you ask your average Pantera fan what their favorite Pantera record would be, nine times out of 10 it's Vulgar, so it would certainly make sense." - more on this story

Jimmy Page Won't Release Autobiography While He Is Still Alive

If you are holding out hope for Jimmy Page to release an autobiography, you will have to wait until the Led Zeppelin legend dies for such a book to be released. Gibson reports:

Jimmy Page would like to write his autobiography, but he doesn't want it published during his lifetime. Speaking to The New York Times about his soon-to-be-published photo book, Jimmy Page by Jimmy Page, the legendary guitarist said he's more interested in pictorial documents, as opposed to the written word, at this point in his career.

"I thought that a career in pictures was really the best way to do it at this stage," Page said, "but I wouldn't discount the idea of an autobiography. This is usually my defense: When publishing people say, 'How about writing a book?', I say, 'Yes, I've thought about it, but I'd like a book that came out posthumously.' That's probably as good as it's going to get: this visual documentary, and then possibly, if I ever get around to it, doing a book that comes out posthumously." - more on this story

Jack White Produces New Wanda Jackson Album

Jack White was behind the nobs for The First Lady Of Rockabilly's new album, The Party Ain't Over.

Third Man and Nonesuch Records will release of the Jack White produced new album from Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Wanda Jackson on January 25, 2011.

With a remarkable career that began in 1955, Jackson, credited with being the first woman to ever record a rock and roll song - "Let's Have a Party" in 1958 – was convinced by her friend Elvis Presley to cross over from country to rock and rockabilly music. Now known around the globe as "The Queen Of Rock" and "The First Lady Of Rockabilly," Jackson will be honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2010 Americana Music Awards in Nashville tonight, September 9th. The award – in the category of Performance – will be presented to her by Jack White. - more on this story

Disturbed Debut Strong Across the Globe with Asylum Despite Drop in Sales

We told you yesterday that Disturbed's new album would debut at No. 1 on the American album charts. The album also had a strong showing across the globe where it debuted at #1 in New Zealand, #2 in Australia, #4 in Germany, #3 in Austria and #7 in the UK.

According to Reprise Records, Asylum is the band's fourth consecutive studio album to debut at No. 1, a feat achieved by only two other rock groups in history: Metallica and the Dave Matthews Band.

However, with first week sales of only approximately 179,000 copies, their sales are down significantly from their previous releases. Their last album, "Indestructible," had first week sales of approx 253,000, 2005's "Ten Thousand Fists" had first week sales of approx 238,000 and 2002's "Believe" had first week sales of approx 284,000. - more on this story

Five Finger Death Punch Announce Godsmack Off Dates

Five Finger Death Punch have announced a number of special headlining shows that will take place during their already announced tour with Godsmack.

Here is the PR on the tour and the full tour routing: Five Finger Death Punch continues their hard rock dominance this fall on a massive tour with Godsmack.

"The Oracle 2010" tour is easily one of the most exciting events to come along this year as these two rock titans unite to bring fans a spectacle that they will remember for a lifetime. - more on this story

Mike Portnoy Quits Dream Theater

Mike Portnoy dropped a bombshell on Dream Theater fans on Wednesday, announcing that he is leaving the group after 25 years.

Portnoy is currently playing with Avenged Sevenfold, taking the place of drummer James "The Rev" Sullivan who was found dead in his home last December.

Both Dream Theater and Portnoy have issued statements about splitting (you can read both in full below) but Portnoy summed us his reasons for leaving by saying, ""After having had such amazing experiences playing with Hail, Transatlantic and Avenged Sevenfold this past year, I have sadly come to the conclusion that I have recently had more fun and better personal relations with these other projects than I have for a while now in Dream Theater" - both statements