Guns N' Roses Set For Intimate Venue Tour

Six shows confirmed so far including the historic return to The Ritz (now Webster Hall), 24 years after the filming of their "Live At The Ritz" – the MTV concert continues to be one of the most sought after trades in bootleg circles, according to the announcement. more on this story

New Van Halen Songs Originated In The 1970s

(hennemusic) While David Lee Roth returned to Van Halen a few years ago for their 2007/08 reunion tour, it's the February 7 arrival of "A Different Kind Of Truth" that really seals the deal that both Roth and Van Halen are back and the material on the album is also a blast from the past according to Roth.

"It's material that Eddie and I generated, literally, in 1975, 1976 and 1977," Roth tells the Los Angeles Times. "Usually fellas in our weight division will kind of gamely — or ironically, wink, wink — try to hail back to it [but] keep a safe, mature distance from it."

Instead, Roth said, he and the band have tried to do a sort of collaboration with their past. They can't be the same people — too much has changed — but Roth said there's interesting experimentation in the era-spanning synthesis of self. more on this story

Anthrax's Scott Ian Hospitalized and Benante Leaves Tour

A veteran member of Anthrax was hospitalized this weekend while another veteran member has been forced to pull out of their current tour due to a family emergency.

Loudwire reports that Anthrax guitarist Scott Ian is battling a severe viral infection that caused him to be hospitalized in Los Angeles.

In addition, the band also has announced that drummer Charlie Benante has left the tour to be at the bedside of his terminally ill mother in New York. more on this story

Aerosmith Almost Done With New Album and Plan Summer Tour

(hennemusic) Aerosmith are putting the finishing touches on their first studio album in 8 years, and preparing to return to the road this summer, says guitarist Joe Perry.

"We're in the middle of a bunch of stuff," Perry tells the QMI Agency. "I'm out here [Hollywood] finishing up the Aerosmith record that we started last summer. Hopefully we'll have it done in the next month or so."

"And we're definitely touring this summer. We're gonna put tickets on sale in February or March and we're going on the road in June. Everybody's lined up. We're ready." more on this story

Retro Style KISS Dolls Coming

(Gibson) For those of you who missed out on the original line of KISS action figures introduced in 1977 by the Mego toymakers, this is for you. Figures Toy Company has announced a line of KISS action figures made in the image of those collectibles, according to Blabbermouth.

In addition to recreating the original 12-inch toys that were popular in the late '70s, Figures will produce the four original KISS members (Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, Ace Frehley and Peter Criss) in 8-inch versions.

"Our first release will have the retro look from the 1970s, but future releases will cover all time periods in KISS's almost-40-year musical career from 1973 to 2012," said Figures CFO Paul Balasco. The next editions in the works will feature the band in the Sonic Boom, Dressed to Kill and debut album eras. Both editions, which feature the band's Love Gun-era looks, will be available starting in March. more on this story

Iron Maiden May Tour This Year

There is some good news for Iron Maiden fans. The band is planning to tour at some point this year. Though the plans are not yet firm.

Loudwire reports: In a recent interview at the 2012 NAMM convention in Anaheim, Calif., Iron Maiden drummer Nicko McBrain told 96.7 KCAL Rocks that the band has a tour in their sights.

When asked what's going on with the band, McBrain said, "Well, we're taking some time off and we're gonna go back out on tour sometime this year. We're not sure yet when." He went on to say that it probably won't be a world tour this time around, only a "little tour" and a "short run." "We're not sure yet when," reiterated McBrain. more on this story

Iwrestledabearonce Road To Metal Fest Tour

Iwrestledabearonce are set to headline the "Road To Metal Fest" which will feature support from Molotov Solution, Glass Cloud and The Greenery.

Kicking off on April 16th in Oklahoma City, OK the string of dates will lead into New England Metal and Hardcore Festival on April 21st and continue on until wrapping up in Flagstaff, AZ on May 1st.

"We're super excited about this tour and the opportunity to play New England Metal and Hardcore Fest again!" Says Iwrestledabeatonce guitarist Steven Bradley. The New England Metal and Hardcore Festival is the largest, longest running and most successful metal festival in the United States. It has presented some of the biggest and up-and-coming artists in the metal and hardcore music genres over the past 13 years. "A lot of these shows are in venues we missed in 2011, so can't wait to party with all you folks for the first time in a while. Come hang out with us and let's make mistakes!" more on this story

Motorhead Release Limited Edition Motor-Bag

(Gibson) Motorhead are putting out a limited-edition package that may contain all the motormadness any fan could want.

The Motör-Bag is available online via www.merchdirect.com/Motorhead and is limited to 4,000 copies worldwide. You get a Motörhead messenger bag, and inside you will get two double-vinyl LPs of live shows not available anywhere else.

You also get a laminate pass and a piece of The Wörld is Yours 2010-11 stage backdrop, mounted and numbered. more on this story

Celebrate Rush Day on 2-1-12

(Gibson) Last year, we were able to ring in "National Metal Day" on 11-11-11. Just a few months later, it's already time for another music holiday – "Intergalactic Prog Metal Day" or "Rush Day" on 2-1-12, according to BraveWords.

In celebration of Rush, their landmark album 2112 and all of the bands that have been influenced by Rush ever since, various radio stations, music stores and websites have special events planned.

"Rush's 2112 is probably the first album that can rightfully be called progressive metal, so it's only appropriate we blast the album from the rooftops, from our cars, from our iPods, from everywhere, to celebrate this landmark album and Rush's incredible longevity and lasting influence," said Jeff Wagner, author of Mean Deviation: Four Decades of Progressive Heavy Metal. more on this story

Ian Anderson Plans Jethro Tull Thick As A Brick Tour

(Gibson) Jethro Tull singer and flautist Ian Anderson is honoring the 40th anniversary of the album Thick as a Brick by playing the entire album live in concert. It's the first time the progressive rock epic has been performed live in its entirety since 1972, according to Ultimate Classic Rock .

However, the tour is credited to Anderson as a solo artist and not Jethro Tull as a band. The frontman recently explained why he decided to present the Thick as a Brick tour this way.

"Back in 1972, when I tried to play Thick as a Brick live on stage in the USA, it turned into the tour from hell," he said. "I decided never to do that again." more on this story

Joe Satriani 3D Movie and Soundtrack Details

Joe Satriani has released details about his upcoming concert film that is hitting theaters and the song listing for the film's soundtrack.

The live-concert film, 'Satchurated: Live in Montreal,' will be shown in both 2D & 3D HD at theaters across North America on March 1st and the soundtrack will be released on April 10, 2012 through Epic Records

Satchurated was filmed live during Satriani's "The Wormhole Tour", supporting his studio album Black Swans and Wormhole Wizards at the Metropolis in Montreal, Canada. The December 12, 2010 concert was filmed by Grammy and Emmy award-winning concert filmmakers Pierre and Francois Lamoureux. Satchurated: Live in Montreal will be released to select theatres throughout the country on March 1, 2012 for a limited engagement. more on this story

Analog Man Joe Walsh Stuck In A Digital Age

(Gibson) Joe Walsh is done with his new solo album, Analog Man. It is set for a release in May or June and will be his first solo set since 1992's Songs for a Dying Planet.

In a new interview with the San Diego Reader about the upcoming album, Walsh seems more concerned with technophobia. Of the album title, he says: "I just decided I better get with it. After all, it is the digital age. Back when it was all analog, we used to go in the studio, and studios had knobs. We used to turn knobs and say, let's see what this does. Now, we have a mouse. We [the members of the Eagles] spend hours yelling at our computers. My son comes in and he says: Dad, you're really stupid.

"I was at a Lakers game last night, and everybody there was texting. Now and then they'd look up and check the score." more on this story

Anthrax, Savage Messiah, Cerebral Bore For Hammerfest IV

Savage Messiah have confirmed that they are taking part in this year's edition of Hammerfest, which set from 15th - 18th March in Prestatyn, Wales.

Having already performed at the festival before, Savage Messiah are now the latest band to be confirmed for Hammerfest IV, joining a line-up that includes the likes of Anthrax, Skindred, Amon Amarth, Cerebral Bore and more.

Savage Messiah frontman David Silver comments: "It's fantastic for the band to have been asked back to Hammerfest for the second time - we had a great time last time, but now with a new album to promote, it's going to be even better!! We're on late, but that's not going to matter - we'll be getting the final circle pits of the festival going and we're looking forward to kickin' ass!!!" more on this story

Original Captain Beefheart Bat Chain Puller Album Coming From Zappa Family Trust

MSO sent over word that The Zappa Family Trust is making the legendary Captain Beefheart album Bat Chain Puller available in its original format for the first time ever.

Recording for the album began in 1976 and was completed but was never released on Frank Zappa's label that Beefheart was signed to at the time, due to "all the usual financial difficulties in the proverbial record business, including breach of contract with the artist, lawsuits with artist management and distribution for the label," according to sources.

Different recordings of some of the songs were released elsewhere, but this will be the first time Captain Beefheart fans will be able to hear the album the way it was intended. The release is available for pre-order here and shipping is planned for the week of February 13. more on this story

Jeff Loomis Guests on 7 Horns 7 Eyes Album

Jeff Loomis (ex-Nevermore) makes a guest appearance on 7 Horns 7 Eyes debut full-length album, Throes Of Absolution.

Century Media Records have announced a April 24th, 2012 release date for the album in North America.

In regards to the state of the band and their upcoming release, guitarist Aaron Smith comments: "7H7E has been on quite a journey since we embarked on recording this album, full of some big ups and downs-- not the least of which being signed to Century Media/Basick Records, enduring a front-man change, re-recording all the album vocals, and sharing the stage with some great bands...and let me tell you-it feels amazing for us to know that we finally get to release this thing out into the world. Many of our fans have waited patiently for years for this record to drop, likely wondering at times if it ever even will, and we can't thank them enough for sticking by us. Here's to our fans and to 2012 being a great new year for 7 HORNS 7 EYES! See you on the road!"

Vintage Blue For Valentine's Day

Vintage Blue have set a February 14, 2012 release date for their debut full-length record, Strike the Mics.

For the Strike the Mics sessions, Vintage Blue enlisted grammy-nominated producer Jamie Candiloro (The Eagles, Luscious Jackson, Willie Nelson, Ryan Adams).

"To a man, Vintage Blue believes the music on our album is truly us," says singer/lead guitarist Bassett. "It speaks to our lives, our loves and our passion. We truly love what we gained from the process and look forward to making music for many more years to come. We could not be more excited to have listeners get to know the guys behind the sound." more on this story

SPV / Steamhammer Tribute Riot's Mark Reale

SPV / Steamhammer has released a statement about the recent death of Riot guitarist and founding member Mark Reale. The label had this to say: With deep sadness we have to say goodbye to one of the most underrated guitar players and composers on this planet: Mark Reale.

With albums like "Fire Down Under" or "Thundersteel" he created timeless metal music which will stand the test of time for many more decades.

Last years studio album "Immortal Soul" on remains his legacy, and what an album it was: RIOT were back for the attack! more on this story

Steve Vai Receives Les Paul Award

(hennemusic) Steve Vai was honored with the prestigious Les Paul Award at the 27th annual Technical Excellence & Creativity Awards on January 20th in Anaheim, CA as part of the NAMM 2012.

The Les Paul Award is an annual prize given to a musician/recording artist whose work has epitomized the marriage of music and technology.

The 2011 honor was co-presented to Vai by Les Paul's son, Russ Paul, and bassist Billy Sheehan. Check out video here.

Singled Out: Mariana's Trench's Haven't Had Enough

Today Ian from Mariana's Trench tells us about the video for their song "Haven't Had Enough" from their recently released album "Ever After". Here is the story:

"Haven't Had Enough" is our first video released from our latest album 'Ever After.' The album itself is a concept album that is one continuous piece from beginning to end, meaning that each song on the album is joined together with interludes. The album theme is that of a dark fairy tale, kind of Tim Burton-esk.

Like the album, our videos for 'Ever After' are all going to follow a concept and will be centered around a dark fairy tale. In the video for "Haven't Had Enough," the band gets trapped in the fairy tale world by the evil Queen and we essentially become her pawns, unbeknown to us of course! (Look at me, I used unbeknown in a sentence and I'm a drummer, not bad...) We are manipulated by the Queen and tossed between her worlds but with the snap of her fingers, our minds are erased and we're back to the beginning yet again. Kind of like most of my relationships.

We go from Old France to a 50s diner to Ancient Egypt to Zombie Land and end up in the end in an unknown Toy Land. To see what happens to us in the end, your just going to have to check out the video... right here!