Metallica, Black Sabbath and Slipknot Tour?

None of this is confirmed, but Artisan News has put together a series of video clips that hint at the possibility of this massive festival tour. Read more and check out the video here.

Motley Crue Ponder Retirement

(Gibson) Motley Crue founder Nikki Sixx says the band is starting to think about calling it a day, but not for a few years.

Sixx's revelation came a day after vocalist Vince Neil admitted he was starting to ponder life after the Crüe's impending Las Vegas residency in February.

"I'm sitting on my yacht, contemplating my future, and I'm not sure it will be with Mötley Crüe after Las Vegas," Neil told the Las Vegas Sun. "Great things are coming up and pushing me in another direction." more on this story

Watch Guns N' Roses Rock Los Angeles

(hennemusic) Guns N' Roses rolled into Los Angeles Wednesday for a show at The Forum and some videos have been posted online.

The gig is one of the final US shows on the "Chinese Democracy" tour; the North American leg winds up on New Year's Eve in Las Vegas.

The L.A. concert was made available as the first of two GNR pay-per-view events through iClips; the next one comes up December 30 from Vegas.

Learn more and watch some videos from the show here.

Steven Tyler's Oprah Interview Preview

(hennemusic) Steven Tyler is helping Oprah Winfrey launch her new series, Oprah's Next Chapter.

The pair sit down for an interview at Tyler's New Hampshire home, recorded this past September, for the series' 2-hour premiere on Sunday, January 1 from 9-11 p.m. on OWN TV.

In a preview of the episode, Tyler speaks with enthusiasm at the level of talent he's witnessed during the American Idol auditions process. "Half these kids that we send home," says Steven, "are twice as good as Janis Joplin was when she she snag her first note. Or I was. I look at these kids and I go, 'Oh, my God, I really sucked.' I would have gotten thrown off the show. All these kids need is 2 to 3 years of clubs and they could be as good as anyone out there." Check out the preview here.

KISS Kruise Announced

(hennemusic) KISS have announced details for their 2012 KISS Kruise, the second in the series which was launched this past fall.

It's a Halloween 2012 adventure, sailing on October 31 from Miami to Great Stirrup Cay in the Bahamas.

The 4 night cruise includes many of the features of the 2011 edition, including an indoor KISS show, an outdoor acoustic KISS performance, a KISS Q&A, KISS-hosted activities, costume contests and theme nights, among other things. more on this story

Steve Jobs To Be Awarded A Grammy

(Gibson) Late Apple co-founder Steve Jobs will be awarded a posthumous Grammy award in February for his contributions to the entertainment industry, particularly with regard to innovations such as iTunes and the iPod.

In addition to his visionary work at Apple, Job was a lifelong Bob Dylan fan and – as reported in Walter Isaacson's recent biography – a guitarist. The Recording Academy's president and CEO Neil Portnow said the 2012 Trustee Award honorees – Jobs, bandleader Dave Bartholomew, engineer Rudy Van Gelder – as well as Lifetime Achievement Award honorees The Allman Brothers, Glen Campbell, Antonio Carlos Jobim, George Jones, the Memphis Horns, Diana Ross and Gil Scott-Heron, offered a variety of brilliance, contributions and lasting impressions on culture. "It is an honor to recognize such a diverse group of individuals whose talents and achievements have had an indelible impact on our industry," Portnow said.

Apple's pioneering contributions to the music industry and recording field were recognized with a technical Grammy in 2002. more on this story

Metallica Issue Video Recap of 2nd Anniversary Show

(hennemusic) Metallica have release a video summary of night no. 2 of their recent 30th Anniversary shows. The band rocked four shows over a week-long series of fan club-only concert at the Fillmore in San Francisco earlier this month.

Just as with Monday night's opener, the band were joined by many special guests, including former Metallica bassist Jason Newsted, Lou Reed, Kid Rock, Marianne Faithfull, Mercyful Fates's King Diamond, Hank Shermann, Timi Hansen and Michael Denner, Ray Haller (Sweet Savage) and John Bush (Armored Saint).

Metallica rocked a 20-song set that included covers, some Loutallica, and the debut of a second previously-unreleased "Death Magnetic" track, "Just A Bullet Away" (which has since been released on the "Beyond Magnetic" EP). Check out the video recap here.

Bob Dylan App Released

(Gibson) Bob Dylan news via the iPhone? That's a reality today, as software designer This Day in Music Apps has launched a new downloadable application featuring all things Bob Dylan for the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. Running $2.99, This Day in Bob Dylan presents information about the artist's biography, catalog and historical details on-demand.

Consumers may bring up Dylan facts for each day of the year, from recording dates to past live events to career highpoints. This Day in Bob Dylan's song guide presents notes about songs from Dylan's first 12 studio albums.

And, think you know everything about the Gibson J-200 player? Test your skills with an interactive trivia game. More goodies include information on industry awards, recording dates, show set lists, a free Dylan ringtone and Bob Dylan wallpaper. Get the app here.

Girl On Fire Announce Tour With Burn Halo and Hell or Highwater

(CM) Girl On Fire will hit the road January 12th with Burn Halo (featuring former members of 18 Visions) and Hell or Highwater (featuring former members of Atreyu) in support of their Hollywood Waste debut EP, Revenge.

"We can't tell you how happy we are to get back out on the road so soon, and with two amazing bands," says vocalist Austin Held. "The tour will be a trip through most western states, so east coast friends hang tight because we will get out to hang with you all soon! For now, please check out the new tour dates on our Facebook page and please don't forget to check out Burn Halo and Hell or Highwater. We will see you very soon!"

Following these dates, the band will head back into the studio to put the finishing touches on their full-length debut which will be hitting stores in Spring of 2012. more on this story

Caliban Release Memorial Video

(CM) Caliban has released their new music video for the song "Memorial," the first single from their forthcoming album.

With an eerie story line tying together images of a child and what seems to be the workings of a religious cult, "Memorial" is the first song to be revealed from the forthcoming album, I Am Nemesis .

Slated for a February 28, 2012 release via Century Media Records, guitarist Marc Görtz says, "The album breaks new soil without forgetting our roots. There are new influences such as shimmering guitar melodies and technical grooves with Meshuggah-like heaviness." Check out the video here.

Our Lady Peace Return With New Song

Our Lady Peace have released a new digital single this week for the song, "Heayweight," at iTunes with the other digital music providers releasing the song January 3, 2012.

"Heavyweight" is the first single from Our Lady Peace's forthcoming album, scheduled for release in Spring 2012.

In a note posted to fans at www.ourladypeace.com, the group writes, "We feel that this is our most compelling recording since we formed this band. It's the record we've been trying to make for many years now. We now understand that the struggle to get here was not in vain." More details about the new album, which is currently being recorded with producer Jason Lader in Toronto and Los Angeles, will be released in the New Year.

Check out the Lyric Video for the new song here.

Korn's Munky Took Different Path With Fear and the Nervous System

(Gibson) Korn's new dubstep collaboration album The Path of Totality recently debuted in the Top 10 of the Billboard 200, but for those who can't get enough of guitarist James "Munky" Shaffer, the debut album by his side project Fear and the Nervous System is out now.

Shaffer went to great pains to distinguish Fear and the Nervous System from Korn, telling I Heart Guitar, "I think people are expecting a lot of Korn-sort of sounding riffs, and I purposefully used a lot of six-string guitars – all six string guitars actually – on the record, and alternate tunings and different things to make sure I wasn't sounding like that."

Shaffer used many un-Korn-like instruments on the record, including a baritone guitar, a Gibson Thunderbird, and a Gibson Les Paul BFG. "It's really cool," Shaffer said. "It's got a humbucker in the bridge position and then a P90 in the neck position. I used that on a lot of the tracks."

Although Shaffer would like to take the outfit out on the road, that won't happen until the various members can coordinate their schedules. The lineup includes drummer Brooks Wackerman, Repeater vocalist Steve Krolikowski and Faith No More bass player Billy Gould. "We'll see what happens," Shaffer said. "We'll just let people kinda discover it on their own. Really, the hardest thing about touring is scheduling, because everybody who played on the record has other band obligations."

Sammy Hagar Posts Christmas Video

(hennemusic) Sammy Hagar has posted a holiday greeting to fans. The Red Rocker had a productive 2011, turning out his autobiography, "Red: My Uncensored Life In Rock," and "Chickenfoot II," the sophomore release by Chickenfoot.

Hagar also hosted a hugely successful series of concerts as part of his annual events in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.

Chickenfoot head to Europe next month to play a week of shows on their Road Test Tour, and are already talking about plans for a more complete tour in summer 2012. Check out the video greeting here.

Red Hot Chili Peppers Tour Selling Out

Red Hot Chili Peppers keep selling out shows on their upcoming I'm With You World Tour.

Sold out markets thus far include: Duluth, GA; Los Angeles, CA (2 Shows); New Orleans, LA; Oakland, CA; Orlando, FL; San Diego, CA and Sunrise, FL.

Due to overwhelming demand, second shows have been added on February 18th in Oakland, CA and the sold out February 27th date in Los Angeles, CA. more on this story

Historic Frank Zappa Show Gets Four-Disc Release

(MSO) In October 1971, Frank Zappa & The Mothers Of Invention performed two full-length shows on one night at New York City's famed Carnegie Hall. For the first time ever those recordings are available for pre-order now on a four-disc set via Vaulternative Records and the Zappa Family Trust (www.zappa.com).

Carnegie Hall celebrates a one-night musical marathon--two shows (7:30 and 11:30) with ticket prices ranging from $3.50 to $6.00--featuring FRANK ZAPPA (lead guitar, vocals) with Mark Volman (vocals, percussion); Howard Kaylan (vocals); Ian Underwood (keyboards, alto sax); Don Preston (keyboards, gong); Jim Pons (bass, vocals); and Aynsley Dunbar (drums). The package is accompanied by extensive liner notes in which GAIL ZAPPA describes these shows as "recorded Live in glorious MONO," they "represent the ONLY time Frank Zappa, with or without the Mothers of Invention, appeared at Carnegie Hall. Promoter Ron Delsener, who had to convince the venue's booker that Frank Zappa was "a very accomplished classical musician of several wind instruments like the cello, viola and harp," says "enjoy genius and smile, Frank is smilin' at you."

The four-disc set launches with the evening's openers, The Persuasions--the a cappella group whose first album was recorded by Frank Zappa in 1970. The Carnegie Hall album kicks off with "Call Any Vegetable" from the 1967 Absolutely Free album and includes "Peaches En Regalia," a 30-minute version of "King Kong" and other Frank Zappa & The Mothers of Invention compositions. more on this story

Rik Emmett Plays Along With Neil Peart on Rush Classic

Rik Emmett of Triumph sang and played guitar in a unique "virtual collaboration" of the Rush song 'Red Barchetta' with Neil Peart for a forthcoming release. We were sent these details along with a link to a preview:

Rik performed as a guest artist with fantasy rock band "Sonic Elements" on a cover of the song "Red Barchetta" which features drums performed by legendary Rush drummer Neil Peart via a music software sample library called "Neil Peart Drums" by Sonic Reality.

Here's what Rik Emmett had to say about the project: "It was such a great day in the studio, jamming out to Neil's incredible tracks, getting to play virtual 'basement band' and laying down my versions of Geddy & Alex parts. I felt like I had been transported back to 1980 for an afternoon. 'Red Barchetta' is one of my absolute fave RUSH songs… like an exciting, Ray Bradbury-esque SF short story, told by a progressive rock band… so to get a crack at it, with the actual drum takes that Neil performed, was an 'artistic' challenge - almost like accepting a dare." Says Emmett "This is like "Rock Band" for the seriously, deeply committed." more on this story

The Last Of Our Kind Eye Preview New Album Track

Mediaskare will release The Last Of Our Kind's debut album 'A Diamond In The Rough' in early 2012.

The band recently completed work on the album with producer Cameron Mizell (I See Stars, Sleeping With Sirens) at Chango Studios in Casselberry, FL. A track titled "Deal With It" from the album can be listened to on the band's Facebook page located here.

"All of us have always been fans of the bands on Mediaskare, so naturally we were all super excited when they sent us an offer," said guitarist/vocalist Mat DeCesare. "We wanted a label that would push us to new heights with 100% no nonsense dedication. Mediaskare shared a mutual vision for the direction of our band. Their ability to relate to us made us finally feel like we found where we belonged. We couldn't be happier to be a part of the Mediaskare family." more on this story