Metallica Launching Music Festival

But fans shouldn't expect Ozzfest as the diverse lineup features a hand selected eclectic group of performers including Avenged Sevenfold, Arctic Monkeys, Modest Mouse, The Gaslight Anthem, Cage The Elephant, F**ked Up, Best Coast, Hot Snakes, Titus Andronicus, Gary Clark Jr., Lucero, The Black Angels ,The Sword, A Place to Bury Strangers, Liturgy, and Roky Erickson. more on this story

Black Sabbath Replace Bill Ward Rumor Leads To Online Backlash

(Nightwatcher's House Of Rock) Rumors were swirling around the Internet yesterday suggesting that Black Sabbath have replaced original drummer Bill Ward with Tommy Clufetos from the Ozzy Osbourne band.

These rumors have not been confirmed by the band or management. However fans are rallying around Ward and have launched a new Facebook page dubbed 1,000,000 Black Sabbath Fans Say Yes To Bill Ward.

Drummer Bill Ward is currently in a public battle with his old mates "unless a "signable contract is drawn up" he stated recently and has refused to join the rest of the band. more on this story

Aerosmith Plan US Tour

(hennemusic) Aerosmith will kick off their US tour in June. Guitarist Joe Perry confirmed the news via Twitter, adding that tickets will go on sale in March.

The tour will be in support of Aerosmith's new album, which they've been working on with producer Jack Douglas.

"It definitely has a feel like some of the early stuff," Joe said recently. "We've tried to bring that back. People are always asking for something that sounds like the old stuff, but you can't rewrite 'Mama Kin' or 'Same Old Song and Dance.' All you can do is go in and start from the same place you started when you made those records. So we just went in with Jack Douglas and we all worked on the record. There's a song or two that the band helped write, and Tom (Hamilton) wrote and Brad (Whitford) has a track on there. So from that point of view, it's a lot more like an early Aerosmith record." more on this story

Deftones' Chi Coming Out of Coma

(Rock News Desk) Deftones' Chi Cheng has shown the first signs that he could be coming out of his three-year coma. The bassist, 41, was severely injured in a car accident in November 2008, and he's been in a coma ever since.

Doctors had to remove parts of his brain to keep him alive. After seven months he was taken off life support. In 2011 he was moved to an experimental research facility in New Jersey, where he's been receiving specialist care and daily treatment which have cost over $500,000 so far – and isn't covered by health insurance.

But earlier this week Cheng's family released a video clip proving the attention was worthwhile. Previously he'd only been able to make sounds from his throat as if he was talking. Now he can raise his legs from his bed when asked – a sign he's able to process the request and respond. more on this story

Dir En Grey Pull Out of Still Reckless Tour For Medical Reasons

Dir En Grey have been forced to cancel their upcoming 2012 U.S. tour dates on The Still Reckless Tour due to frontman Kyo's throat condition.

MSO sent over these details: Unfortunately under recommendation of frontman KYO's physician after extensive examination of his vocal chords, Dir En Grey has regretfully cancelled their participation in "The Still Reckless Tour" and solo shows scheduled between March and April 2012.

The band has released the following statement to their fans and those involved in the tour: "To our fans as well as the other bands and staff involved in the tour we extend our sincere apologies. We ask for your understanding that this was an extremely difficult decision to make. Thank you all for your continued support, which is deeply appreciated." more on this story

Flyleaf Recording New Album

(Banana 101.5) Flyleaf vocalist Lacey Sturm recently unveiled that the band is currently at work on a new album that will be out later this year.

In a new interview with Noisecreep, Flyleaf singer Lacey Sturm revealed that she is ready to get back to work after giving birth to her first child in April 2011:

"The rest of Flyleaf have been in Los Angeles working with Howard Benson, and I'm going to meet up with them in February to start my vocals. I'm actually bringing my son with me, so I'm really excited. But I'm not sure what the deadline is like in terms of the album release date and all that. All I know is that it will come out this year [laughs]." more on this story

Taproot Set New Album Release

(Banana 101.5) Taproot are back with their sixth full-length record, 'The Episodes', which they have just announced will hit stores this spring.

Taproot will follow-up their 2010 album 'Plead the Fifth' with 'The Episodes' on April 10th. Tim Palatan produced the album — as he did the former — that the band has been developing for nearly six years. Bassist Phil Lipscomb explained:

"I think our fans have come to expect the unexpected from us. Having written the story for this album before the music, this record sounds more like a soundtrack than a typical album, with the songs flowing together and taking you on a journey." Check out video and get a taste here.

Genesis Star Posed As A Roadie at Led Zeppelin Reunion Gig

(Rock News Desk) Former Genesis guitarist Steve Hackett has revealed how he ligged his way into the 2007 Led Zeppelin reunion show – by pretending to be Yes bassist Chris Squire's roadie. And he admits he feels the need to rehearse more often as he gets older.

"I was at the Led Zep reunion gig at the O2 and it was incredibly loud. Chris Squire was doing a thing with Keith Emerson there that night and I only got in by being Chris's roadie. I just picked up his bass and walked in with him. But that gig was so loud. I dare say on stage they were all wearing in-ear monotirs, but the guy mixing out front gave us an idea of what that band were all about. Instant thunder - the volume added to the mythology of the band."

Hackett is preparing to start work on a second Genesis Revisited album and his collaboration record with Squire will be released in May. Check out a great interview with Steve for all the details here.

Paul McCartney and Elton John To Rock The Queen

(Gibson) A host of pop superstars, including Paul McCartney, Elton John and Tom Jones, will play at the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Concert.

The Daily Express reports that Sir Paul will headline the concert – celebrating 60 years of Queen Elizabeth II's reign, on Monday, June 4 in London.

The Queen, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and the Prince of Wales will be in attendance at the prestigious celebration event. more on this story

Soilwork and Arch Enemy Classic Rock Supergroup

Bjorn "Speed" Strid from Soilwork and Sharlee D'Angelo from Arch Enemy have formed a new classic rock group called The Night Flight Orchestra.

The band is currently recording the album which will be released in June 2012 by Coroner Records.

The label sent over this info: "The Night Flight Orchestra" started like so many others as an innocent yet serious drunken idea when Björn Strid (Soilwork) and David Andersson (Mean Streak, Soilwork session player) were on the road together somewhere in North America in 2007. more on this story

Johnny Cash Museum Planned

(Gibson) A museum dedicated to the life, legends and music of Johnny Cash is being planned in Nashville, Tennessee. The establishment is set to open later this year, according to the Associated Press.

The man behind the museum is Bill Miller, who collect's Cash memorabilia and operates a Cash website. The museum is planned to open in the Lower Broadway, tourist-friendly section of Nashville, "right in the middle of the hubbub," according to John Carter Cash, Johnny's son. The institution will feature a number of items from The House of Cash, a Johnny Cash museum that was located in nearby Henderson, Tennessee, until 1999.

"He's been an incredible supporter of my dad and one of the largest collectors of memorabilia," said Cash's daughter, Rosanne Cash, about Miller. "If anybody has the whole structure to put up a museum, he does. So I have a lot of trust in him and I think it's great at this point. I think he'll do something with dignity and class that's historically important, not some kitschy thing. I'm very interested in seeing what he does." more on this story

Gwar Plan More North American Destruction

Gwar have announced a second leg to their Spring "Return of the World Maggot Tour," which will also feature Kylesa, Ghoul and Legacy of Disorder.

This leg kicks off April 13th in San Antonio, Texas and wraps up April 28th in Allentown, PA.

"These press releases usually go something like this--", said bellicose front-thing Oderus Urungus. "There is a general statement about what Gwar is up to, then I say something stupid, then it goes to a list of the shows and a bunch of links. That's what's happening right now. We really have to work harder to make these things more interesting." more on this story

Demon Hunter Set True Defiance Release

Solid State Records have set an April 10th release date for Demon Hunter's sixth full-length album, True Defiance. We were sent these details:

True Defiance was produced by Aaron Sprinkle (Anberlin, Emery) and mixed by Jason Suecoff (All That Remains, Trivium).

"This record is without a doubt our most aggressive," says vocalist and band co-founder Ryan Clark. "Every Demon Hunter record must be a step up from the last. I know that's a goal for every band, but it seldom works that way - especially today, especially in metal. It seems like most bands' prime years are long behind them. I refuse to let that be the case for us." more on this story

Allman Brothers InTheStudio for Eat a Peach 40th Anniversary

This week the North American syndicated rock radio show InTheStudio The Stories Behind History's Greatest Rock Bands celebrates the 40th Anniversary of The Allman Brothers Band Eat a Peach.

InTheStudio is syndicated on over 50 radio stations throughout North America. The Allman Brothers Eat a Peach./ InTheStudio program will air the week of February 6th.

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. The Allman Brothers Band were one, if not the most influential American band in rock in 1971 & 72. Their success ushered in a generation of great southern rock music, but not without suffering a massive personal and professional loss during the recording of Eat a Peach. Show producer and host Redbeard asks Gregg Allman and Dickey Betts what impact Duane's untimely death had to Eat a Peach. Dickey Betts explains, "You know the Eat a Peach record was pretty strange to us 'cause, that's when Duane was killed, right in the middle of that recording. We kinda went through a whole lotta stuff."

Gregg Allman continues, "That (Duane's death) changed the arrangement of the songs. It was like two different projects. We used some of it on each one. It was a strange time back then." Check it out here.

Escape the Fate and Attack Attack! Tour

(ESM) Escape the Fate and Attack Attack! are teaming up to co-headline the This World Is Ours Tour.

The trek, which features support from The Word Alive, Secrets and Mest, will kick off April 5th in Buffalo, NY and wind down on May 16th in Vancouver, BC.

Attack Attack!'s recently released third album, This Means War, landed at #11 on Billboard's Top 200 Chart in its debut week while Escape The Fate are currently in the midst of recording a new album, their second with producer John Feldmann (The Used, D.R.U.G.S.). more on this story

Explosions In The Sky Set For North American Tour

Explosions In The Sky have announced North American headline tour dates this April.

This follows news of the band's appearances at the Coachella and Sasquatch festivals this year.

The new shows expand on an itinerary that has included Explosions In The Sky's biggest ever headline dates–from New York's Radio City Music Hall to last month's performance at London's Brixton Academy–and a debut performance on The Late Show With David Letterman. more on this story

Two Door Cinema Club Spring Tour Coming

Two Door Cinema Club will follow up their headlining slot on the NME Tour in the UK with a North American tour this spring.

Two Door Cinema Club will make their return to the North American stage on May 31st at the House of Blues in Dallas, Texas, wrapping up on June 12th in Baltimore, Maryland at Rams Head Live.

The Northern Ireland based trio have spent the past few weeks in Los Angeles, California writing and recording new songs for their sophomore album which is due for release later this year. more on this story

The Kills To Stream 10th Anniversary Show This Weekend

The Kills will celebrate their 10th anniversary as a band on Saturday, February 11th, with a very special performance at NYC's Terminal 5 which will be live streamed on MTV Hive, as part of its "Live in NYC" music series.

The Kills will also be performing "The Last Goodbye" off their most recent offering Blood Pressures (Domino) on Thursday, February 9th on Late Show with David Letterman.

The band recently released a video for "The Last Goodbye," directed by Oscar nominated actress Samantha Morton. Tune into the live stream here.

Otherwise Announce Pop Evil Tour Dates

Otherwise will be hitting the road with Pop Evil for a North American tour that kicks off next week in addition to various festival appearances.

The month-long run will kick off Feb 17th in Muncie, IN, taking the group throughout the Midwest and wrapping up in Hagerstown, MD, March 17th.

In addition to the Pop Evil dates, Otherwise has been added to the lineup at this year's Rock On The Range Festival. more on this story