Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth, Anthrax American Tour- Down Tour- Let Ozzy Die- Underoath and Thursday Split- DMB Festivals- Frank Metal Sinatra- St Paddy's Day KISS- more

On this day in 1983, The Allman Brothers bassist Lamar Williams died of lung cancer age 34. He joined the band in 1972 after the death of original bassist Berry Oakley. Find out what else happened on this date in music history here

Original Black Sabbath Talking Reunion

(hennemusic) In a new interview with ABC News Radio, Ozzy Osbourne says the original Black Sabbath members "are in the talking process" regarding a reunion, which will include the recording of a new studio album.

Osbourne stressed, however, that nothing is definite yet, in part because of the pressure the four of them will face if they make a new record. "The problem that we have," said Ozzy, "is that if we do an album and it's anything less than where we left off, it's gonna be a big anticlimax."

Any Sabbath reconnection is going to be a while, anyway, as Ozzy continues to work his "Scream" album with, what seems to be, an endless world tour. more on this story

Axl Rose The Villain of the Year?

(hennemusic) On Monday, U.K. magazine New Musical Express (NME) announced the nominations for this year's NME Awards ceremony, and Guns N' Roses made the final cut.

Not for "Best International Band." Not for "Best Live Band." No. GNR leader Axl Rose has been named a finalist in the "Villain Of The Year" category.

Fairly obvious, given GNR's string of troubled UK appearances at the Reading and Leeds music festivals last August. more on this story

Korn Working on Next Album

(Gibson) Korn have already begun work on a follow-up to Korn III: Remember Who You Are, which was released only six months ago. Guitarist James "Munky" Shaffer broke the news to zoiksonline.com.

"We have probably three songs we wrote a couple two three months ago," Shaffer said. "We went into the studio, we wrote some songs, Jon [vocalist Jonathan Davis] demoed the songs on his computer, and then we took them into the studio and played them live and tweaked them a little bit. Then we put those down and recorded them."

Shaffer said one of the tracks reminds him of Soundgarden and the Seattle sound, while the others are more experimental. "We're definitely moving forward, we'll probably start recording in April to try and fine tune this sound we're developing," he said. more on this story

Bret Michaels Heart Surgery A Success

(hennemusic) Officials at a Phoenix hospital say rocker Bret Michaels' surgery to close a hole in his heart was successful.

The AP reports a surgical team at St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center in Phoenix performed the procedure Monday.

A hospital spokeswoman says Michaels is recuperating and remains in the hospital's intensive care unit for observation. more on this story

Panic! At The Disco Release First Video From New Album

Panic! At The Disco have released a video for their new single "The Ballad of Mona Lisa."

The song comes from the band's new album "Vices & Virtues" will be released March 29th, but fans can get the single next Tuesday, February 1st.

The video for, "The Ballad of Mona Lisa" was shot in Los Angeles with director Shane Drake and will be released shortly. Drake previously directed the group's music videos for "I Write Sins Not Tragedies" and "Nine In The Afternoon". Check it out

Social Distortion Spring Tour

Social Distortion will be hitting the road this spring for a North American tour with support from Chuck Ragan and Sharks.

The new tour will kick off on April 26th in Albuquerque, NM and is in support for the group's brand new album Hard Times and Nursery Rhymes.

Social Distortion kicked off their West Coast tour last week with three consecutive sold-out shows in Las Vegas. Despite a struggling time for tours in general, the Orange County legends have already sold-out most all of the shows on their current tour. more on this story

Slash Not Worried About Guns N' Roses Rock Hall Nomination

(Gibson) Next year, Guns N' Roses will be eligible for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame – because it will have been 25 years since their debut release. Former GN'R guitarist Slash doesn't have his tux picked out yet, but that doesn't mean that he hasn't given the idea thought.

"I didn't realize it was so soon," he told Spinner.com. "First, we have to actually get inducted. I know we'll be eligible, but with the way that the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is sort of hit or miss with rock bands, there is a possibility that we won't get nominated next year."

Slash has been part of past years' induction ceremonies, including when he helped put Van Halen in the Hall as a member of Velvet Revolver. Although Slash would be honored by an induction, he's not focusing on if it will – or won't – happen in 2012. "If they're gonna pass you over, I don't think it's worth worrying about too much," he said. "But at the same time it's nice to be recognized by your peers, so yeah, everybody wants to be mentioned. But if they don't mention you, you can't take it too seriously because they miss a lot of really important people every year." more on this story

Clapton's Layla Turning 40 in Style

Eric Clapton's classic Layla is turning 40. Universal is celebrating the milestone with the March 29, 2011 release of Derek and the Domino's Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs: The 40th Anniversary Deluxe Edition

The set will feature the original double-disc album in both digital and vinyl formats, expanded to include newly remastered tracks. Here is the official word with all the details: In the world of rock there are recordings that truly resonate in historical importance and continue to cast an enduring shadow of influence. Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs is one of the most steadfastly revered musical treasures of its era. Its famous title track is still hailed as an essential rock guitar anthem, a signature tune of rock's leading guitar hero, Eric Clapton.

Recorded in 1970 by Derek and the Dominos, the group was comprised of Clapton and top American session musicians. Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs music offers a timeless blend of rock, electric blues and Southern gospel influences that has shaped generations of roots-oriented musicians. more on this story

Billy Joel Coming Home on CD/DVD and Blu-Ray

Legacy Recordings have announced a March 8th release for Billy Joel - Live at Shea Stadium, a full-length music film of Billy Joel's historic shows in July 2008 marking the last-ever concerts at rock's first great arena venue.

Billy Joel - Live At Shea Stadium will be available in a CD/DVD set as well as a stand-alone DVD and stand-alone Blu-ray Disc.

The full-concert companion to the acclaimed Lionsgate documentary "The Last Play At Shea," Billy Joel Live At Shea Stadium features more than two hours of Billy and his band offering definitive, and often transcendent versions of hits, rarities, deep catalog, personal favorites and crowd-pleasing surprises including duets with guest artists Paul McCartney ("I Saw Her Standing There," "Let It Be"), Tony Bennett ("New York State of Mind"), Garth Brooks ("Shameless") and John Mayer ("This Is The Time") along with exclusive DVD/Blu-ray bonus performances with Steven Tyler ("Walk This Way"), Roger Daltrey ("My Generation") and John Mellencamp ("Pink Houses"). more on this story

Sonic Youth Release Mixtape

(Gibson) Sonic Youth have released a free-to-stream mixtape for fans on the band's website.

The streaming audio – complete with old-school cassette graphics – features unreleased tracks from the band's upcoming Simon Werner a Disparu soundtrack album, as well as an acoustic version of "Star Power" from the TV show Gossip Girl, Daydream Nation demos and other rarities.

Frontman Thurston Moore has had a public love affair with cassettes for years, and even edited the book, Mix Tape: The Art of Cassette Culture.
more on this story

Jackson Browne Announce Second Leg for His Solo Acoustic Tour

Jackson Browne has added a second leg to his 2011 Solo Acoustic Tour with shows in Canada starting March 25 in Victoria, BC.

The Canadian itinerary runs through April 18, and is followed by several Midwestern dates in the US.

Jackson Browne's 2011 solo acoustic tour begins its first leg next month in California. Playing guitar and piano, he will perform songs from his entire body of work, with varying set lists each night. more on this story

Change of Plans for Duff McKagan's Loaded

(hennemusic) Duff McKagan's Loaded has made a few changes to its upcoming new album.

Originally, the disc was going to be called "The Soundtrack"; it's now been changed to "The Taking."

The record was also set for a March release date, but that has changed, too: it'll now be out April 19. more on this story

Funeral For A Friend Set New Album Release

Funeral For A Friend will release their brand new album, Welcome Home Armageddon, in the U.S. on March 15th, 2011.

A new track cut from Welcome Home Armageddon, 'Front Row Seats to The End of the World', is available for download now at ProjectRodney.com here

"On Welcome Home Armageddon, we truly stretched ourselves creatively," states vocalist Matthew Davies-Kreye. "We were obviously taken aback when Darran [Smith, former guitarist] left the band, but his choice allowed us to explore new territory musically, we just went in any and every direction we wanted to. The changes to our line-up reignited our passion, kicked our asses and made us work harder for this band than we've ever done before." more on this story

Robert Plant To Turn Back To Songwriting for Next Band of Joy Album

(Gibson) With his latest album and touring project, Band of Joy, Robert Plant has been focused more on the performance side of things rather than on the writing of the music.

The album, released last fall, featured traditional tunes or songs by other writers and the same has gone for the tour so far – although it also has included refashioned Led Zeppelin material and Plant solo songs.

But, Plant says that it's all going to change with the next Band of Joy album: "We're talking, we have to write songs now. It's all very well celebrating other people's songwriting, and I know there are other artists who have had an entire career; whether it be Elvis [Presley or [Frank] Sinatra, or a lot of the country artists who never write. But we've got to be heading that way soon." more on this story

Country Joe? Vince Gill and John Hiatt Guest on New Joe Bonamassa Album

Blues rocker Joe Bonamassa is going just a little bit country on his new solo album, Dust Bowl, with guest appearances from Vince Gill and John Hiatt. Don't worry it is still Joe. Here is the official word:

Joe Bonamassa will release his twelfth full-length solo album, Dust Bowl, on March 22, 2011. This is Bonamassa's ninth studio release on his own J&R Adventures label, which he created with longtime manager Roy Weisman. Dust Bowl was produced by Kevin "Caveman" Shirley (Black Crowes, Aerosmith, Led Zeppelin) making it their sixth collaboration in five years. Shirley most recently produced Bonamassa's 2010 release Black Rock, which debuted at #1 on Billboard's Blues Chart and #39 on the Top 200, and the 2010 debut album from Black Country Communion, Bonamassa's English-American rock band with Glenn Hughes (Deep Purple), Jason Bonham (Led Zeppelin, Foreigner) and Derek Sherinian (Dream Theater, Billy Idol).

Dust Bowl was recorded in sessions at Black Rock Studios in Santorini, Greece, Ben's Studio in Nashville, TN, The Cave in Malibu, CA and The Village in Los Angeles, CA. It combines the gritty, blues-based tones of Bonamassa's first albums with the fluid, genre-defying sounds he's mastered in the years since and adds a dash of country from Joe's collaborations with the best of Nashville including legends Vince Gill and John Hiatt. more on this story

Don Henley Going Country

(Gibson) Eagles founder Don Henley is recording an album of country covers in Nashville with producer and drummer Stan Lynch (formerly of Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers), according to fan site L&M's Eagles Fastlane.

Rumor has it that Henley will collaborate with many heavy-hitting country stars on the album, although no names appear to have escaped the studio walls thus far.

Henley has dabbled in country before in the form of "Walk Away Joe," collaboration with Trisha Yearwood, and the Eagles were the subject of a country covers album called Common Thread in 1993 that featured Yearwood, Vince Gill, Travis Tritt, Alan Jackson, Clint Back, Tanya Tucker, Little Texas, Diamond Rio and others. more on this story

Singled Out: The Shadow Theory / Psychotic Waltz

The Shadow Theory release their brand new album, "Behind the Black Veil," today and to celebrate Devon Graves takes us back a little to give fans the inside story to a classic song from Psychotic Waltz. Here is the story:

"I Remember" by Psychotic Waltz - I chose to write about this song because it really sticks in my mind how it came about. When I was 17 years old, I sang in a garage cover band called FaultLine. We played current hits of the day and classic rock. I wasn't particularly into the band, but I was talked into singing in a "why not?" sort of mentality. In our time together we also wrote two or three originals. One of which was called "A Social Grace". It sounded kinda like Iron Maiden actually. It was in a fast 4/4 tempo and the vocal melody was sung up very high. I was not particularly thrilled with the song for some reason. Then one day I was just walking home and I began to think about that melody. In my mind, I transposed the melody down an octave and imagined singing it over a Jethro-Tull-ish acoustic arrangement in a ¾ swing time. I could clearly hear a new chord change under the melody and I kept singing it in my mind over and over until I got home. I immediately took my acoustic guitar and raked out the new chord structure almost instinctively. My hands just went to the exact right chords, even one chord which to this day I still don't know what it is, but my hand just went right to it and it sounded just as it did in my mind. It came out of me just like magic, with virtually no effort on my part. The old lyrics no longer fit to the sound so I immediately wrote new lyrics on the spot.

"I remember a story of great battles won
And the tales of our heroes who died by the gun
While the rest looked and smiled at the freedom they've won
But the weight of the chains slows the run…"

I finished that song in one sitting. This is the first song I ever wrote in my imagination. That is to say that the song wrote itself and played in my head like a radio. I didn't really write it, I learned it I guess you could say. It wrote itself.

Another interesting part of that songs development came a few years later when I brought that song into Psychotic Waltz. I was living at Wards house at the time, sleeping on his couch. I had a dream one night that I had a little 45rpm single of "I Remember" and I played it on a record player (anyone know what that is?). The strange thing about it was during the last verse, there were these harmonies (or counter melodies rather) being sung, which I had not written for the song, but they were there on the record. I thought it sounded beautiful. So when we recorded the song in the studio, I added these harmonies on the last verse which I heard in the dream. The funny thing about it is, we actually pressed a 45rpm single of "Only In a Dream" to promote the first Psychotic Waltz album A Social Grace. The B side is "I Remember". When I played the "I Remember" side of the record, and when it got to the last verse and I heard those harmonies it brought tears to my eyes. I realized that I dreamed this exact moment and that dream had helped create what I was listening to. It could be perhaps the reason this song is so special to many Psychotic Waltz fans can be attributed to the magic by which it was created. As if it somehow was born under its own will. As I write this so many years later, I notice for the first time the significance of the title on the A side of the record. Haunting.

Now check out some music from The Shadow Theory's brand new album right here!

Download Fest To Offer Something For Everyone

(Rock AAA) Andy Copping reckons the latest installment of bands to the Download bill contains something for everyone – but he stresses there are plenty more still to come.

Added to the bill last night were Pendulum, Alice Cooper, Bullet For My Valentine, Danzig, The Cult, Gwar, Gaslight Anthem, Thin Lizzy, Alter Bridge, Korn, Clutch, Buckcherry, FM, Mr Big, Black Veil Brides, The Damned Things, Escape The Fate, Hollywood Undead, Rise To Remain and Masters Of Reality.

The new bands join System Of A Down, Linkin Park, Avenged Sevenfold and Rob Zombie – who were already confirmed for the June festival – with a third headliner yet to be announced. more on this story

Foo Fighters Documentary To Coincide With New Album Release

(hennemusic) We're gonna see a whole lotta Foo in 2011. Alongside the band's as-yet untitled seventh full length studio album, due out this spring, the Foo Fighters will be the subject of a new documentary (hey, every band is getting one these days – they've replaced videos as 'the' hot item).

The rock doc, produced by Spitfire Pictures and directed by Academy Award winner James Moll (The Last Days, Running The Sahara), will chronicle the entire history of the Foos, from the cassette demos leader Dave Grohl recorded during his tenure as Nirvana's drummer through their ascent to their Grammy-winning, multi-platinum, arena and stadium headlining status as one of the biggest rock bands on the planet.

This chronicling of the Foos' triumphs and tragedies will culminate in an in-depth behind the scenes perspective on the making of the new album: A process in which the band pushed itself forward by going back to basics and recording in Grohl's garage completely on analog tape. more on this story

Lemmy Loves Lemmy

(Gibson) Lemmy Kilmister recently said that he's pleased with the final result of a new documentary about himself. The Motörhead frontman shared his thoughts with Billboard.com.

"Well, it's not too embarrassing," he said. "I didn't have to leave the [expletive] theater before the lights came on, so it's OK. I learned I look a lot older than I thought I did, but it's... pretty good."

The movie, which has played at film festivals and in theaters around the world, will be released on DVD and Blu-ray in the U.S. on February 15. The two-disc release will feature many special features, including one titled "The Sweet Side of Lemmy." "It's quite good, actually," he said. "I think the extra bits are just as good as the movie." more on this story

Beady Eye Set American Release Date

Liam Gallagher's new band, Beady Eye, have announced a March 1st North American release date for their debut album.

According to Dangerbird Records, the album, Different Gear, Still Speeding, features 13 brand new songs written by the band and recorded at RAK Studios in London last fall with Grammy Award-winning producer Steve Lillywhite (U2, Dave Matthews Band, The Smiths).

In addition to the U.S. and Canadian releases on Dangerbird Records, Different Gear, Still Speeding will be released worldwide outside of North America on the band's own Beady Eye Records, and boasts "The Roller" as its first official single. more on this story

Black Country Communion Going High Voltage

(Noble) Black Country Communion will perform on the Main Stage at the High Voltage Festival on Sunday July 24th in London's Victoria Park.

High Voltage will be the band's only UK festival appearance during the summer of 2011.

Other bands confirmed for High Voltage include Judas Priest, Dream Theater, Jethro Tull, and the Michael Schenker Group. more on this story

Suede To Play Three Albums Live

(Gibson) Suede will celebrate the remastered and expanded release of their entire studio catalog with a three-night run at the Brixton O2 Academy in London, playing their first three albums on consecutive nights.

The band will perform Suede on May 19, Dog Man Star on May 20 and Coming Up on May 21.

The lineup for the shows will consist of Brett Anderson, Mat Osman, Simon Gilbert, Richard Oakes and Neil Codling. Bernard Butler, who left Suede after Dog Man Star, is not expected to participate in the shows but has been kept in the loop regarding the bonus material for the reissues more on this story

God's Birthday

On this day in 1971, Grace Slick of Jefferson Airplane gave birth to a daughter, naming her God, she was later re-named China. Gibson takes a look back: It's one of the great rock and roll stories and one that's been regularly confirmed and disputed ever since that January day in 1971 when Jefferson Airplane's singer Grace Slick gave birth to a daughter. The story goes that Paul Kantner (the band's guitarist) and Grace's baby was named 'god' in a flash of Grace Slick humor in the hospital.

Here's how Grace remembers events in her autobiography Somebody to Love? A Rock-and-Roll Memoir: "As I held my newborn baby in my arms, a Spanish nurse came into my hospital room to attend to antiseptics and linens. She was holding a framed certificate that looked like a high school diploma, and she said, 'We give these to all the new mothers. You see, it says where she was born, what time, and the name of the baby goes here.' She pointed to an empty line in the document. 'What is your baby's name?' she asked. I noticed a crucifix around her neck and spontaneously said, 'god. We spell it with a small 'g' because we want her to be humble.'"

Slick obviously found her joke amusing, as she continues: "The nurse asked me to repeat what I'd said. I obliged her. After hearing it a second time, deciding that the blasphemy was real, she haltingly entered "god" on the parchment, probably expecting to go through life repeating novenas for her participation in this profanity. When she was through filling in the irreverent name, she ran to the telephone to call Herb Caen, the San Francisco Chronicle newspaper columnist ... He published the information about the birth and the supposed appellation Paul and I had chosen..." more on this story

Epigene Announce Multi-Genre Double Album Rock Opera

Epigene has announced the April 5th release of A Wall Street Odyssey: The City, The Country And Back Again.

The double album set is a rock opera and a soundscape encompassing numerous genres from pop to progressive, psychedelic folk, electro clash, new wave and beyond.

The hero of the story is Yossarian (inspired by the main character of Joseph Keller's seminal novel Catch 22), who stages the scene as an overworked Wall Street investment banker. We meet Yossarian at his high stress job which destroys him physically, emotionally and spiritually. more on this story

Mike Oliviero Joins Venice Queen

Mike Oliviero (ex-Written In Blood, Vainglory) sent over word that he is the new drummer for Venice Queen.

Venice Queen won the Radio Fox Seeds competition in 2009 and have been touring since then and they are about to go back in studio with the new drummer for the new upcoming album.

"We are honoured to have Mike as our new drummer and we welcome him to the family. His style and work ethic will be a great asset for the band and for our future plans" Band's Facebook

Three Days Grace Hitting The Road with My Darkest Days

Jive announced that Three Days Grace will kick off their 2011 U.S. tour in Seattle, WA on March 23rd at the Showbox SoDo.

Fellow Canadian rock band My Darkest Days has been tapped as the opening act.

This past year Three Days Grace brought their live act to fans with three successful North American tours promoting their latest album, Life Starts Now, which debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard Top 200 chart. more on this story

The Gun Show Discontentment is Coming in March

(PR) The Gun Show's debut full-length album Discontentment, is set to hit stores on March 22nd.

To support the album, the band will be hitting the road beginning next month with no stopping planned.

Recorded in late 2010 with producer Brian "Bone" Thorburn (Haste The Day), the album features a guest appearance by A Plea For Purging's Andy Atkins on the track "Negligence". more on this story