Big 4 of Thrash Update- Metal Singer Murder Case- Pantera Sevenfold Jam- Underoath Illuminatour- Queen HD- Anthrax Priest- Motorhead- Bret Michaels- iCloud- more

According to Digital Spy, Poison singer Bret Michaels has been confirmed to replace Jerry Seinfeld at the upcoming charity golf tournament to benefit the St Jude's Children's Research Hospital. more more on this story

KK Downing Explains Why He Quit Judas Priest

(Rock News Desk) KK Downing quit Judas Priest over a breakdown in the relationship between his bandmates and management, he has revealed. And the metal gods have hinted that, now the guitarist has gone, they may reconsider plans to end their touring career.

Following the band's statement about his departure, Downing says: "It is much regret that I will not be with you this summer. But there has been an ongoing breakdown in working relationship between myself, elements of the band, and the band's management for some time.

"Therefore I have decided to step down rather than tour with negative sentiments. I feel it would be a deception to you, our cherished fans." more on this story

More Dave Matthews Band Caravan Festival Dates Announced

We have good news for Dave Matthews Band fans on both coasts; the Dave Matthews Band Caravan is heading your way this summer as the group have announced the next two stops for their summer music festival.

The Dave Matthews Band Caravan will hit New York City's Governors Island on August 26, 27 and 28 and The Gorge Amphitheatre in George, WA on September 2, 3 and 4. The events will feature a diverse lineup of musical talent performing on multiple stages during the day and a full set by headliners Dave Matthews Band each night.

In addition to Dave Matthews Band, the lineup for the Governors Island event will include Dispatch, The Roots, Gogol Bordello, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, Josh Ritter & the Royal City Band, Robert Randolph and the Family Band,Béla Fleck and the Flecktones, The Head and the Heart, Vieux Farka Touré, David Wax Museum and many more to be announced soon. Governors Island, a 172-acre island in the heart of New York Harbor, is only 800 yards from Lower Manhattan and even closer to Brooklyn. more on this story

Blink-182 Backlash

(Rock News Desk) Mark Hoppus has reacted to the angry backlash after Blink-182 postponed their European tour for a year because they didn't want to play new tracks without being able to sell the related album to their fans.

He says: "We made a promise not to tour until the new album came out, so we can bring you a much better show with new material.

"We don't want to be one of those bands who rests on former success and keep playing the same songs over and over – we want to tour new songs." more of today's rock news stories

Why Slayer's Araya Didn't Join Big 4 Jam

(Rock News Desk) Slayer frontman Tom Araya refused to appear with Metallica, Megadeth and Anthrax on the Big 4 live jam of Am I Evil because he doesn't think the song represents the spirit of the thrash giants.

The moment fans had been waiting to see since the movement began in the early 1980s took place at Sofia in Bulgaria last year and was broadcast to cinemas across the world.

"When they told me they wanted to do Am I Evil, to me it just didn't represent the Big 4. It didn't represent what we do as bands. We play heavier than that," Araya tells the LA Weekly. "Metallica's song The Four Horsemen was what I was hoping to hear. If they'd said, 'Hey, we want to do that,' I would have been on it. It's very representative of the bands. That's what we're doing – the four horsemen are riding." more on this story

Jon Oliva's Pain Reacts To Matt LaPorte's Death

(Rock News Desk) The frontman of Jon Oliva's Pain has revealed his shock and sadness at the sudden death of guitarist Matt LaPorte, who was 40 when he passed away on Wednesday.

And Oliva says it's even more hard to bear because he believes his brother Criss, who died in a car crash in 1993, used LaPorte to channel his art. The brothers founded Savatage in 1978 and it didn't last long after the younger sibling's tragic death. Jon went on to form JOP, and recruited LaPorte in 2004, although the pair's friendship went back much further.

Jon Oliva says: "It is with great heartache and sorry I relay the passing of our dear friend, bandmate, guitarist and brother Matt. He passed away at home shortly after 6pm on Wednesday. No information regarding his cause of death is available. more on this story

Anthrax and Beastie Boys Wanted To Team Up

(Rock News Desk) Anthrax planned to have the Beastie Boys appear in the 1987 spoof rap track I'm the Man, credited with kickstarting the rap-metal genre.

But the thrash outfit's drummer Charlie Benante reveals the two bands just couldn't find the time to get into a studio together. Benante tells Rolling Stone: "Originally the Beasties were going to do the rap on I'm the Man. But we had conflicting schedules and couldn't get it together, so we just ended doing it."

Four years later Anthrax covered Public Enemy's track Bring the Noise, featuring the rap act's Chuck D, and that release cemented the relationship between the two genres. more on this story

Rob Zombie Hires Former Marilyn Manson Fish

(Rock AAA) There's been a drummer change in the Rob Zombie camp. "New drummer is Ginger Fish. The band just got even weirder," wrote Zombie on Twitter Thursday.

Former Marilyn Manson drummer Fish joins the band as Joey Jordison has returned to his regular drum chair with Slipknot.

Fish played a few US shows with Zombie in February while Jordison toured the UK with his other band, Murderdolls. more on this story

Nevermore Loses Two Members

Century Media sent over word about a lineup change for Nevermore: guitar player Jeff Loomis and drummer Van Williams have announced their departure from the group.

The two have released a joint statement: "In a mutual decision Jeff Loomis and Van Williams have decided to leave Nevermore. The time has come to pursue our own paths from the group. Due to internal struggles and ongoing issues within the band, we feel it is our time to move on. We would like to thank all of our fans around the world for their years of love, support and enthusiasm. This was not an easy decision but a very necessary one at this point, may we all meet again someday, somewhere in time."

Loomis and Williams had been with Nevermore since the band's first album, 1995's self titled, Nevermore. Nevermore recently announced that they would be cancelling their planned tour with Symphony X. No information regarding additional confirmed tour dates is known at this time.

Clutch Summer Tour With Corrosion of Conformity

Clutch have announced a summer headlining tour that will take place this July where they will be supported by Corrosion of Conformity.

The tour will kick off with two special shows in the New York area. The first show is on July 20th at the Brooklyn Bowl in Brooklyn, NY.

The following evening Clutch will be playing a special show in New York City aboard The Temptress Cruise ship on the Hudson River as part of the "Rocks off Boat Cruise Series". more on this story

Nothing Is Wrong For Dawes

Dawes sophomore album, Nothing Is Wrong, is set for a June 7, 2011 release by ATO Records.

Nothing Is Wrong is the follow-up to the band's 2009 debut, North Hills (featuring their breakout anthem, "When My Time Comes")

"We didn't change up our approach too much and yet we were able to create something that I feel has a new identity from our first record," Goldsmith says. "It's definitely taking a step in a direction and at the same time, it's maintaining what it needs to maintain." more on this story

2011 Record Store Day Was the Biggest Yet

Nielsen SoundScan have released the sales data for this year's Record Story Day which took place on Saturday, April 16, 2011. For their accounting, Nielsen SoundScan included sales figures are for the entire week, Monday-Sunday (week ending April 17, 2011) in the U.S.

Their conclusions: 2011 is the most successful Record Store Day yet and independent record stores sold 13% more albums in 2011 vs. 2010 for the week of Record Store Day.

Album sales at independent record stores increased more than 39% over the prior week. Vinyl album sales increased more than 220% at independent record stores. Independent record stores sold nearly 84% of all Vinyl LPs last week. more on this story

Sex Pistols Has Most Collectable Vinyl

(Rock News Desk) Rare copies of the Sex Pistols' single God Save the Queen are the most valuable of all time, say vinyl experts.

The seven-inch record was produced by A&M Records in 1977, but the punk icons were dropped by the label before its release and almost all discs were destroyed.

The few which survived are worth £8000 each, says Record Collector magazine, topping a list of the 51 best investments for collectors. more on this story

Twin Atlantic Set Digital Release

Twin Atlantic have announced a May 3rd North American digital release of their latest effort called Free.

Free was recorded at Red Bull Studios in Santa Monica, CA with producer Gil Norton (Foo Fighters, Pixies, Jimmy Eat World).

In describing the new batch of songs, frontman Sam McTrusty explains, "We wanted there to be a brutal honesty in the lyrics. There are love songs and relationship songs, there are some with a party vibe, and there are some that are weird, heavy and grungy pop songs." more on this story

Singled Out: Southeast Engine's Adeline of the Appalachian Mountains

Today Adam Remnant from Southeast Engine tells us about "Adeline of the Appalachian Mountains" from their brand new album "Canary". Here is the story:

"Adeline of the Appalachian Mountains" is a song about a twin brother and sister living in Southeast Ohio during the early 30's who find hope in their future through one another and through the change that was occurring across the country at that time.

This song was initially inspired by a local documentary called A Forest Returns, which is about the devastation of old growth forest in Southeast Ohio and the creation of the Wayne National Forest in the 30's with FDR's presidency and WPA programs. Anyone who lives in Southeast Ohio or who has ever visited the area knows that it is geographically defined by the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains and an abundance of trees. Scenes from the documentary showed that in the 20's and early 30's the landscape was almost completely barren from years of logging the old growth forest for industry until FDR put young men to work through the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps) in order to bring the natural landscape back to the area. Trees were planted throughout the area, and the landscape was left alone so that mother nature could return - much of the forest just regrew naturally. The documentary also chronicles the life of the ever endearing Ora Anderson throughout this period and includes his wonderful narration.

This small history lesson affected me greatly, as it determined the landscape that I currently live in at my home in Athens, Ohio. The other element of the song is the character "Adeline," who is inspired by my wife. I always liked the idea of your lover being your "twin," or your other half. Of course, "Adeline" does not suggest romantic love between the first person and and his sister Adeline, but it is a sort of inside knowledge between my wife and I, and the song is full of details that are specific to her. I always liked the idea of having little inside private references to people close to me dressed up in a song for public consumption - it allowed the song to feel social and personal simultaneously, which I'm always striving for. Although the song is set in the context of Southeast Ohio in the 30's, it ultimately became a personal tale for me about my wife and I weathering our own storms here today and how our connection helps us endure.

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

Gomez Summer Tour Plans

Gomez have mapped out some of their summer tour plans with the announcement of their initial tour dates with more on the way.

Gomez will be touring in support of their seventh studio album, Whatever's On Your Mind, which is due on June 21, 2011 on ATO Records

With a performance in the Dave Matthews Band Caravan and a stop at NYC's Terminal 5, the band will be making their way through a multitude of cities for their July run of dates. more on this story

More Fans Join Pantera Reunion Facebook Campaign

(The Metal Den) 3,000 fans on Facebook have now joined the effort in calling for a one-off reunion/tribute concert (or a series of US dates) with the surviving members of Pantera.

That would include surviving former Pantera members vocalist Philip H. Anselmo, bassist Rex Brown and drummer Vinnie Paul Abbott.

Despite the ongoing rumor in the press recently that fans wanted the band's legendary former lead guitarist, Dimebag Darrell Abbott, who was shot and killed on stage in Dec/2004, replaced in a new Pantera band reformation, the Facebook Pantera Reunion Tour Cause wants to make it clear that they do not support the idea of replacing Dime, for nobody could ever truly replace the late great guitar God. more on this story

Jucifer Kicking Off New Tour Leg This Week and Releasing Nadir

(Rogue) Jucifer are heading overseas this week for headlining shows throughout Europe and the Russian Federation.

Included in the tour are appearances at Poland's Asymmetry Fest alongside Godflesh, Electric Wizard, Weeedeater and Yakuza, as well as Durbuy Rock Festival in Belgium with Triptykon, Septic Flesh, Leaves Eyes, The Haunted and Korpiklaani.

The band is also preparing for the first official release of its doomed-out 1994 four track EP 'Nadir', previously available only on home duped cassettes. more on this story

Will Augustana Steal Your Heart?

Fans can get a little taste of Augustana's new self-titled album by checking out the new music video for the album's new single "Steal Your Heart."

Fronted by vocalist/lyricist Daniel Layus, Augustana is set to release their third album via Epic Records next Tuesday, April 26th, 2011.

Augustana will hit the road this May for their first tour in support of the release. The tour will kick off May 12th in Dallas, TX then cross the country before finishing in San Diego on June 17th. Check out the new video here

Kevin Devine Announces New Singles

Kevin Devine is adding the finishing touches to his next solo effort, Between The Concrete And Clouds, due this fall, but you don't have to wait until them to get new music.

Devine's two new 7'' singles "Luxembourg" and "Part of the Whole" are due May 17 via Academy Fight Song Records. Recorded, produced, and mixed in Los Angeles over just two days in January by Rob Schnapf (Beck, Elliott Smith, Guided by Voices), all instrumentation on the singles was played by Devine (except for drums, performed by Ben Homola of Bad Books).

Devine will test-drive his new material on the west coast at residencies in two cities: Los Angeles and Portland. Titled "An Evening With Kevin Devine and Friends," the shows will take place at Hotel Café (May 11, 18, 25) in L.A. and at Crystal Hotel and Ballroom in Portland (free shows May 29-June 4), and feature a rotating cast of guests and musicians, along with some surprises.

Gwar Explains Why Their Sex Bribe Worked

This emerged from the Gwar camp yesterday and with Gwar you know it's gonna be fun! Enjoy: As the "cream" of the metal world began to awake from the orgy of booze and drugs that followed Wednesday night's Golden Gods Awards, Gwar fans everywhere rejoiced as the two-time Grammy losing shock rock masters did not lose to Sevendust.

Lead Singer's Oderus Urungus' promise to have sex with anybody who voted for GWAR (who were up against Rammstein, Sevendust, Iron Maiden, Megadeth and Avenged Sevenfold in the category "best live show") apparently succeeded in garnering the band enough votes for Oderus to immediately begin bragging about. Said the warty front-fag-

"Sure Rammstein won, so what? The important thing is that we did not lose to Avenged Sevendust. They didn't win, so we didn't lose." more on this story

Pale Announce Dangerous New Album

Pale have announced a June 21st release date for their new album, In The Time Of Dangerous Men.

The new effort was produced by Steve Christensen (Destiny's Child, Clay Walker), who scored a Grammy last year for his work on Townes—A Tribute to Townes Van Zandt by Steve Earle.

In The Time Of Dangerous Men was recorded during a two-month period last year when the band was sequestered at their label's beach house in Crystal Beach, Texas. more on this story

X Japan Plan European Live Debut

(HER) For the first time ever, X Japan will bring its show to Europe with four special concerts set to take place in London (June 28), Paris (July 1), Amsterdam (July 2), and Berlin (July 4).

The London show was originally scheduled for the O2 Academy, and the Berlin venue was Huxleys, but with both of those shows selling out in about 30-minutes, the show's promoters have moved the concerts to larger venues. More X Japan concerts are currently being confirmed around the globe an will be announced shortly.

"We are all so excited to finally come and play in Europe," said Yoshiki, X Japan's leader/drummer/pianist/songwriter. "Because we've never played Europe before, we didn't know how many fans we had there, so we're so excited to have this kind of support." more on this story

Radio Moscow Kick Off Spring Tour Today

Radio Moscow kick off the first leg of their spring U.S. tour tonight (Friday, April 22) in San Francisco,

The trek includes a stop in Austin, TX (on April 29) where the trio will perform amongst the featured acts at the fourth annual Austin Psych Fest and share the stage with The Black Angels, Roky Erickson and more.

The second leg of the Radio Moscow tour will begin on May 17 in Chicago, IL and run through May 28 hitting stages in St. Paul, Kansas City, Denver, Salt Lake City, Seattle, Portland and more along the way. more on this story

Escape The Fate Spring Tour

Escape The Fate have announced a string of Spring dates that includes select headlining and radio shows kicking off on May 12th in Kearny, NE.

At press times it looks like the trek is set to kick off on May 12th in Kearney, NE with announced dates taking them through to an appearance at the Rocklahoma festival on May 29th.

Escape The Fate will touring in support of their self-titled album and Issues Remix EP and promise more tour dates to come. more on this story

The Black Rabbits To Flip the Hypno Switch in June

The Black Rabbits have announced a June 21, 2011 release of their debut full-length, "Hypno Switch" (produced by Stan Lynch of Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers fame and Billy Chapin), via Rock Ridge Music.

Of the signing with the label, band lead vocalist Jetson Black says: "We're really excited to be working with Rock Ridge on the release of our debut album. They are a very down-to-earth group of people and we're glad to be a part of their tribe."

Says Rock Ridge Music CEO Tom Derr: "Stan and Billy called and said, 'We've got a band for you.' It took me 30 seconds to realize they were correct. That, coupled with the vision of The Black Rabbits -- we were in." more on this story