Metal Singer Stabbed To Death- Nevermore Brain Surgery- Rammstein North American Tour- Vadar Lose Member- Strokes MSG- Motorhead Chart- Alexisonfire- more

(Hed)P.E. and Mushroomhead will go "Hed To Head" this spring as part of a co-headlining tour more

Slash Confirms Corey Taylor Velvet Revolver Rumors

(Rock News Desk) Slash has admitted the rumours about Corey Taylor being involved with Velvet Revolver are true – but a final decision has yet to be made.

The guitarist had been avoiding making any comment on the gossip, while the Slipknot and Stone Sour frontman simply said: "To be continued."

Now it seems that's an accurate picture of the situation: due to Slash's touring commitments the band ran out of time to decide whether to bring Taylor on board as replacement for Scott Weiland, who was sacked in 2008. Read what Slash had to say here

Metallica's Lost Sessions To Remain Lost

Lars Ulrich has ended speculation that Metallica would use some of their "lost" recordings from their sessions at the Presidio a decade ago, on their new recording project.

BW&BK reports that Ulrich said that the band bypassed the Presidio recording on their last studio album and have no desire to "wade through" it for their current project.

Says Ulrich, "There's certainly no plans right now. The Presidio was a real awkward time as we were kind of getting our feet wet again and when we were doing the whole Death Magnetic stuff, we didn't go back and wade through hours and hours of Presidio stuff to try and see what could be resurrected." Read the BW&BK report here

Dimebag's Murder Helped Bring Big Four Together?

(Gibson) Megadeth frontman Dave Mustaine was recently interviewed about the upcoming Big Four performances by Noisecreep. The guitarist was asked why, so far, there's only been one U.S. Big Four show scheduled (April 23 in Indio, California). "That, I don't know," he said. "But I do know this – and it's not me speaking on behalf of any of the Big Four collectively or individually – it started off as one date before, and then it ended up being several. So I would say for people that pray, do so. For people that don't, start."

Mustaine goes on to say that he feels responsible for keeping apart the bands in the Big Four (who also include Metallica, Slayer and Anthrax). "I think a lot of it was contingent on me, because [in the '80s and '90s] I was going through a lot of personal stuff that really put an unnecessary wall between all of us," he said. "A lot of it has been publicized, a lot of it wasn't. Most of it was the much heralded and worn stories of drugs and alcoholism."

Mustaine also said the bad blood stemmed from his use of black magic and witchcraft, which he had gotten into when he was young. It was the death of a fellow metal guitarist that changed his life. "I had practiced black magic and was friends with Satan, so those things kind of happen when you make bad choices," he said. "And once I started looking at things differently – once [Pantera guitarist Dimebag Darrell Abbott] had been murdered, unfortunately – it helped me put things in perspective between all of us in the Big Four." more on this story

Grammy's Excuse For Snub of Late Slipknot and Type O Negative Members

(Rock News Desk) Grammy awards organizer Neil Portnow has commented on the absence of Slipknot bassist Paul Gray and Type O Negative singer Peter Steele from the ceremony's In Memoriam video presentation.

He explains: "It's a sad job, but we keep a list of when we lose people in the industry. This past year we had over 300 people pass, so we had to make a selection."

"You can't get everybody in there and we try to have a broad representation of genres and generations." more on this story

Blink-182 Eye Summer Album Finish

(Gibson) It's been nearly eight years since Blink-182 released an album, but drummer Travis Barker says that the band have completed five new songs and that fans can expect them to wrap up their new album this summer.

"I think we'll turn in our album in June or July, honestly, and, I mean, the stuff's awesome," Barker told MTV this week. "It's coming close, to the point where these are completed songs and they're not going to change. These are album versions … I wish I could play everyone the songs now. Like I said, they sound awesome."

There have been plenty of roadblocks along the way to a new Blink-182 album. The band went on "indefinite hiatus" in 2005 and weathered the death of producer Jerry Finn and Barker's near-fatal plane crash in 2008. Of the long delay, Barker explains, "You know, it's hard, because we would get home from a tour, and then Tom [DeLonge]'s side project would go out, his side project comes back, he's back now, he's ready to get in the lab, [and] I'm about to say, 'Peace out, I'm about to do my thing.' So it's like, when we're in a room together for more than a month or two, it's gonna really happen. more on this story

Rod Stewart Plans Tour With Stevie Nicks and Album With Jeff Beck

(Gibson) Rod Stewart is currently preparing himself for two major projects this year: A tour with Fleetwood Mac's Stevie Nicks and a new album with old pal Jeff Beck.

Stewart and Nicks will sing together during the shows on their upcoming tour. Nicks may be used to plenty of rehearsals, but not the more "ad hoc" Stewart, who told Rolling Stone, "In the Faces, we never rehearsed. I always like there to be the element of risk in any show. When things go wrong, I love it. We'll have to meet in the middle."

Stewart and Nicks' Heart & Soul Tour begins March 20 in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida and wraps up on April 16 in Hollywood. more on this story

Kings of Leon, Death Cab For Cutie, My Morning Jacket Story Tellers

Death Cab For Cutie, Kings of Leon and My Morning Jacket are all set to appear on the 15th season of Vh1 Storytellers.

They will join the less rockin' artists like Cee Lo Green, Maxwell, and Ray LaMontagne.

Here is what the network had to say about the show: The "VH1 Storytellers" music specials focus on the anecdotes, artistic musings and stories that inspired the artists and their music. These performers aren't afraid to tell all as they expose the most intimate details of their creative process for the audience. Kings of Leon will kick off the new season of "VH1 Storytellers" beginning this May. more on this story

Jason Bonham Hitting the Road With Paul Rodgers

(Rock AAA) Paul Rodgers, formerly the voice of Free, Bad Company, The Firm, The Law and Queen, has announced details of his upcoming solo tour of the U.K.

For the ten-date run in April, Rodgers will be joined by Heart guitarist Howard Leese, bassist Lynn Sorenson, and drummer Jason Bonham, who recently completed a set of shows with Black Country Communion band mates Glenn Hughes and Joe Bonamassa

"Jason played with [Aerosmith's] Joe Perry and myself in L.A. recently," said Rodgers, "and was so hot, that I asked him to join us for the U.K. tour." more on this story

Slayer Recruit Exodus Guitarist

(Gibson) Even a flesh-eating virus can't stop Slayer. With Jeff Hanneman out of commission for the foreseeable future (Slayer announced Monday that he had contracted the illness from a spider bite), the metal titans will continue to tour with a replacement guitarist.

The band have revealed that Hanneman's temporary replacement will be Gary Holt, of the San Francisco-based Exodus. A few years ago, Slayer toured with Exodus, who formed in 1980 and once included Metallica's Kirk Hammett, according to NME.com.

Holt will join Slayer for the rest of their Australian tour and until Hanneman makes a full recovery. "After everything that's happened we all agreed that we just can't let our fans down again," Slayer's Kerry King said in a statement. "Jeff is totally on board with the decision, so we will tour as planned. We can't pinpoint what day he'll be back, but it will be as soon as he possibly can." more on this story

Jackson Browne, Alice Cooper, Crosby & Nash Benefit Concert

Jackson Browne announce on Wednesday that he is teaming up with Alice Cooper to put together an all-star line-up of musicians for a benefit concert to take place at the Tucson Convention Center, (who have donated the building), on Thursday, March 10, 6 p.m. Here is the official word from the Browne camp with the details:

The event is a fundraiser for the non-profit Community Foundation for Southern Arizona, benefiting the newly established Fund for Civility, Respect, and Understanding.

The Fund will support individuals and families affected by the January 8th shooting in Tucson, and more. more on this story

Lenny Kravitz Talks Black and White America

(Gibson) Lenny Kravitz's new album – Black and White America – will arrive in stores this summer, and he tells Billboard that the 12-song disc is "probably the most up album I've ever done."

"It's really well-rounded as far as my influences come from, why I love music, and what I grew up listening to," Kravitz said. "It's really raw."

As for the album's title, Kravitz (who is biracial, with a black mother and a white father) said, "It's my life. I grew up in an environment where I was in between a so-called black and white world. My life has always been about contrasts, and it reflects on not only my life and what I've gone through with my parents and what I saw growing up, but also where we are now as far as this country, and accepting these kind of changes where we now have an African-American president … All the records are personal, so I can't say this one is more personal than the others, but I think it tells more of my story. I think it'll give people a little more insight into me and my life." more on this story

Ratt Member Slams Frontman For Butchering Ratt Music

(Rock News Desk) Ratt drummer Bobby Blotzer has exploded with rage at singer Steven Pearcy and says he's tired of having to "rebuild the band" after every fallout.

The Sunset Strip sleaze rockers have a notoriously stormy relationship, with their current status unclear after they appeared to implode despite the success and acclaim of 2010 album Infestation. Even if they do regroup, it would appear bassist Bobby Crane won't be invited back.

Pearcy has embarked on a solo tour and Blotzer has taken the opportunity to fire a broadside via his Facebook page. He writes: "Congrats to the Stephen Pearcy solo band adventure on the first show for his huff 2011 tour, and the lucky 52 people who got to hear Ratt's music butchered. more on this story

Dillinger Escape Plan and Deftones Tour Dates

Dates for The Dillinger Escape Plan and Deftones North American Tour have been announced.

The trek is set to kick off on April 14th in Seattle and criss cross the continent to conclude on June 13th in San Francisco.

The Dillinger Escape Plan are touring support of last year's "Option Paralysis" album. more on this story

Don't Call It A Reunion Of The Cars

(Gibson) In a new interview with Rolling Stone, The Cars talk openly about their new record, with frontman Ric Ocasek saying, "This is not a reunion – it's more like a conjunction … I never thought I'd make another Cars record [because of] the past, personalities, and [bassist Benjamin Orr's] passing away [in 2000]."

Whatever you want to call it, The Cars are back together and in mid-March will be releasing their first new album in nearly 25 years – called Move Like This.

Ocasek says it all happened because he had written a bunch of new songs that he really liked and he thought to call up his former bandmates to see about fleshing them out. more on this story

Lost Bob Dylan Coming in April

Legacy Recordings have set an April 12, 2011 release date for the digital, CD and vinyl of the first stand-alone release of Bob Dylan In Concert Brandeis University 1963.

A previously unknown live recording of a 21-year-old Bob Dylan taped at the Brandeis First Annual Folk Festival in Waltham, Massachusetts on May 10, 1963, Bob Dylan In Concert - Brandeis University 1963 captures the rollicking wit, deadpan delivery and driving intensity of the young artist's on-stage persona in an assortment of end-of-the-world songs -- none of them commercially available at the time -- performed in front of an appreciative audience two weeks prior to the release of The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan (May 27, 1963).

The Bob Dylan In Concert - Brandeis University 1963 concert tape was discovered recently in the archives of the noted music writer and Rolling Stone co-founder Ralph Gleason, where it sat on a shelf for more than forty years. "It had been forgotten, until it was found last year in the clearing of the house after my mother died," said Toby Gleason, Ralph's son. "It's a seven inch reel-to-reel that sounds like it was taped from the mixing disc." more on this story

Blur Recording New Music

(Gibson) Blur guitarist Graham Coxon has confirmed that his Brit-pop band have been recording new material. Coxon told NME that the four-piece often get together and "switch a tape recorder on."

"Every now and then we like to meet up and record a few things," he said. "We just do stuff when we feel like it."

Although Coxon guaranteed that he, Damon Albarn, Alex James and Dave Rowntree would continue the practice, he warned fans not to expect a new album from the band anytime soon. more on this story

Death Cab for Cutie Announce New Album and Live Dates

Death Cab for Cutie have set a release date for their new album and also announced a string of live appearances.

Death Cab for Cutie's new album, "Codes And Keys" is set for release on May 31st.

The will herald the album's release with a series of live shows in and around their native Pacific Northwest. The dates begin with a pair of Canadian concerts, slated for May 24th at Edmonton, Alberta's Shaw Conference Center and May 25th at Calgary, Alberta's famed Stampede Corral. more dates

Sebastian Bach To Hit The Studio Next Week

(Rock AAA) Sebastian Bach had only just finished making the announcement of his signing with the Italian-based label this week, as well as news that he plans to have an album completed and ready to release this summer, when he posted that he'll be in the studio this coming Monday to get to work on the project.

"Just had the greatest talk with my Producer Bob Marlette," Bach wrote to fans via Facebook on Wednesday.

"We are on exactly the same page with the new CD! He agrees with me that tracks 1-7 out of the 13 Demos are pretty much done, I have lived with these songs for over a year now & the songs have to be real good if I'm still digging them a year later!... We start the next record in Los Angeles CA THIS MONDAY" more on this story

When Bob Dylan Walked The Line With Johnny Cash

On this day in 1969, Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash recorded duets for Dylan's Nashville Skyline album at CBS Studios in Nashville. "Girl from the North Country" would appear on the album. Gibson takes a look back: When Bob Dylan's music career was in its infancy, Johnny Cash was one of his most ardent and vocal supporters. At the time, he was probably Dylan's most famous fan, coming from the world of country music and not the folk scene.

When The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan was released in 1963, the country music legend heard it and became enthralled by Dylan's songwriting. He wrote Bob – a fellow Columbia recording artist – to tell him how much he loved the record. A grateful Dylan wrote back, telling Cash how he had grown up on his music. The pen pals soon would become good friends.

They met a year later at the 1964 Newport Folk Festival, where they were each on the bill. After their sets, Dylan hung out with Cash at his hotel room, with June Carter Cash, Joan Baez and Jack Elliot. As a sign of admiration, Cash gave Dylan his acoustic guitar. more on this story

This Or The Apocalyspe, In The Midst Of Lions, Your Memorial Tour

This Or The Apocalyspe, In The Midst Of Lions, Your Memorial, and No Bragging Rights are heading out on a North American Tour.

The tour begins on March 6th in Steger, IL and comes back around to end in Springfield, IL on March 23rd. more on this story

Zakk Wylde's Strength, Determination, Merciless, Forever

(hennemusic) Zakk Wylde sat down for a photo shoot and Q&A session during the Black Label Society UK tour, discussing things like their passionate fan base, his health issues, and, Zakk explains his mantra: "Strength, Determination, Merciless, Forever."

"The whole motivation is adversity," explains Wylde. "Life's a mountain; the Black Label way is we're either going to through it, around it, over it, underneath it or dismantle it."

In other BLS news, Zakk recently teamed up William Shatner to record a cover of the Black Sabbath classic "Iron Man," for Shatner's upcoming new album, "Seeking Major Tom," due out later this year. Check out the interview here

Slam Dunk For Less Than Jake and Reel Big Fish

(Rock AAA) Slam Dunk Festival celebrates its tenth year with the announcement that Less Than Jake and Reel Big Fish will fill the headline slots, appearing for the first time together in the UK

In a statement on the official website for the event, Less Than Jake drummer Vinnie Fiorello said: "I originally heard about Slam Dunk from (last year's headliners) New Found Glory.

"We're stoked to be able to play with our great friends in Reel Big Fish."
Joining them on the bill will be, 3OH!3, We Are The Ocean, Framing Hanley, Deaf Havana, The Starting Line 3OH!3, MC Lars and Mayday Parade, with more acts tyo be announced in the coming weeks more on this story

Wanna Own Ace Frehley's Corvette?

(hennemusic) Original KISS guitarist Ace Frehley's brother-in-law looks to unload Ace's 1978 Chevrolet Corvette Pace car on eBay.

Here's the description of the package: "This 1978 25th Anniversary Limited Edition Indy Pace Car has been given a whole lot of family love! The original owner is my brother-in-law Ace Frehley, former lead guitarist of KISS. Ace purchased this car new in 1978 in the likeness of his spaceman makeup. Two years later, Ace gave me the car as a gift for my high school graduation. So this car is not only gorgeous, it has a really cool history for any Ace fan or collector.

The car is in excellent condition and has always been garaged and gently driven. Also included is one of Ace Frehley's personalized autographed Epiphone guitars. A photo of Ace with the car will be given to the winning bidder." More of a Paul Stanley fan? He's got a car listed too

Boris Releasing Two New Albums in April

We got this exciting news for Boris fans: The band has announced not one, but TWO all-new full length albums to be released on April 26th. Here are the blurbs for both:

Boris - Attention Please - LP/CD/digital: Boris are widely known for their ability to breach styles and stretch sonic boundaries of all that is heavy, psychedelic, droning and downright cathartic. But, Attention Please is more like a complete redefining of their potential in several ways. First and foremost, it is the first album on which all vocals are sung by lead guitarist, Wata. While she has previously sung on a couple of songs for singles and her solo outings, the entire 10-song album features her intimate, multifaceted vocal style. Secondly, the songs on Attention Please have a sultry, intoxicating catchiness to them. It's melodic without sounding pop. It's psychedelic without sounding dated. It's heavy without relying on barre chord riffs.

Boris - Heavy Rocks - LP/CD/digital: Boris has earned its rabid cult following for their ability to expertly harness music as power. Be it psychedelic metal, colossal drone, blistering punk or distortion-ravaged shoegaze, a Boris song is an exploration of sound as physical mass. The Japanese trio's classic 2002 album, Heavy Rocks is a landmark of their mastery. So, it's fitting that the group's new album sharing the same title and very similar artwork to that disc, Heavy Rocks (2011) seeks to redefine "heavy" music in a culmination of the band's tireless efforts over the past two decades. This year's Heavy Rocks is beyond heavy, it firmly establishes Boris as a pillar of innovation and integrity in guitar-based music. more on this story

Antagonist and Picture It In Ruins Little 2 Tour

Antagonist are hitting the road in March with Picture It In Ruins for the Little 2 Tour.

The west coast/southwestern kicks off on March 18th in Green River, Wyoming and wraps on April 2nd in Albuquerque, NM.

Antagonist are also playing with Arsonists Get All The Girls this Saturday at the Cobalt Café in Canoga Park, CA. Antagonist are supporting, "The World In Decline." more on this story

Bad News From Withered Hand

Bad news, Withered Hand's debut album, Good News, will now be released March 15 on Absolutely Kosher instead of March 1 as originally scheduled due to a manufacturing delay.

The album will be made available digitally, as a single CD and as a limited edition two-disc box set.

The deluxe edition will include the album coupled with a disc comprised of both of Withered Hand's previously released EPs, You're Not Alone and Religious Songs, along with previously unreleased tracks. The discs will be housed in a hand numbered and decorated box limited to 200 and will be accompanied by buttons, stickers and a signed note and drawing from singer and visual artist Dan Willson himself. more on this story

The Swellers Recording With Black Flag's Bill Stevenson

The Swellers are hitting the studio with legendary musician/producer Bill Stevenson to record their sophomore album.

Stevenson—of Descendents, All, and Black Flag fame—has also produced albums for bands including Rise Against, NOFX, and Less Than Jake, among other punk rock heavyweights. The as-yet-untitled album is set for a summer 2011 release.

"I couldn't be more excited to produce The Swellers' next album," says Stevenson. "I met these guys in 2007 when they toured with my band, Only Crime. We all became fast friends and kept in touch over the years. Even four years ago, their live show impressed the hell out of me, and I knew that I wanted to work with them on an album one day. Together, I think we can push their music to the next level and help them reach a broader audience. I can't wait to get started!" more on this story

Backwoods Payback and Lo Pan Tour

Backwoods Payback are hitting the road in March with labelmates Lo Pan for a 17-date U.S. tour.

The trek will begin March 9 in Baltimore, Maryland and will include two appearances as part of this year's SXSW music conference in Austin, Texas.

Comments guitarist/vocalist Mike Cummings of the new record and upcoming dates: "The new, as yet untitled, record is dark and ugly, but smooth in all the right places. I think live is where these songs are going to hit the hardest. We've been doing this for long enough that each stop on a tour isn't just a show anymore. It's a full blown party; a gathering of friends old and new. This tour should be no different, save for the fact that now we are flying the Small Stone flag, and are stoked to be doing so!" more on this story

Serj Tankian Announces Imperfect EP

System Of A Down frontman Serj Tankian has announced the March 1st release of the digital only Imperfect Remixes EP.

The lead single, "Goodbye - Gate 21," is a new remix and features Tom Morello (Rage Against The Machine, Audioslave) on guitar. Look for an accompanying music video in the near future.

Additionally, the EP features remixes of tracks off his most recent solo release, Imperfect Harmonies. more on this story