Blink-182 Cancel Tour Dates For Medical Emergency

The May 10th and 11th concerts at the Winstar Casino in Thackerville, OK have been rescheduled for September 13 and 14, 2012. All previously issued tickets will be honored on the new dates respectively. more on this story

Metallica Frontman Addresses Megadeth Collaboration Idea

(Classic Rock) Metallica frontman James Hetfield says speculation about a studio collaboration between his band and Megadeth is crazy talk on the part of Dave Mustaine. He wishes his ex-bandmate wouldn't keep making such statements to the press – but believes there's no malice involved when he does.

His comments appear in a special edition of Metallica fan magazine So What, created by Classic Rock's sister publication Metal Hammer to mark the thrash giants' 30th anniversary. In the feature he discusses rekindling his relationship with Mustaine, who was fired in 1983, but in 2009 was invited to Metallica's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction. "I think especially with Dave, with all of his struggles," says the frontman. "I see him healthier now. I see him as less of a bitter guy.

"But I do see a lot of stuff in the press with him talking about jamming with us and making an album. All this other crazy stuff," he said. "I read it and say to myself, 'Hold on. This is the Dave that we kind of wanted to forget about. You know, the big mouth that wants to just go-go-go.' A lot more here.

Jimi Hendrix Estate Vs Biopic

Earlier this week a report originated out of Ireland that a new biopic of Jimi Hendrix was being planned and would star Outkast's Andre 3000. But now the Hendrix estate has issued a statement making clear they are not involved in any such film and have not given permission for it. Here is what they had to say:

Various media outlets have recently published accounts that indicate a feature length Jimi Hendrix biographical film is nearing production. Experience Hendrix, LLC, the family-owned company entrusted with safeguarding the legacy of Jimi Hendrix and administrator of the Jimi Hendrix music and publishing catalog has made it known many times in the past that no such film, were it to include original music or copyrights created by Jimi Hendrix, can be undertaken without its full participation.

Experience Hendrix CEO Janie Hendrix, sister of Jimi Hendrix, and the EH board have not ruled out a "biopic" in the future though producing partners would, out of necessity, have to involve the company from the inception of any such film project if it is to include original Jimi Hendrix music or compositions. Read the original report from Ireland that sparked this response.

Gene Simmons' Wife Vs Groupies

(Classic Rock) Shannon Tweed has declared war on Kiss groupies after realizing how bad their behavior could be once she'd seen them in action on her own TV show.

She stars in Gene Simmons Family Jewels with her husband and their two kids. But it wasn't until she'd seen the more extreme Kiss fans in action that she decided to take action of her own.

"I never noticed it much before our TV show. You know, you're living your life and you just don't notice as much. But when the reality show kicked in, looking at so much of the footage, I started seeing things that were not so cool," Tweed tells Noisecreep. "You think most of what you hear is just bravado – but then you see it on tape and it is very real and something has to give. Why all of this groupie talk? Is she promoting a product?

Steven Tyler Thrilled With New Album

(hennemusic) Steven Tyler was the featured guest on The Late, Late Show with Craig Ferguson Tuesday night.

Steven then updated fans on the new Aerosmith album. "We just finished an album with Jack Douglas that is beyond my wildest expectations," said the singer. "Aerosmith is back."

"I mean, he [Joe Perry] plays his ass off, Tom [Hamilton] Joey [Kramer] and Brad [Whitford] play so good. Everybody's sober," adds Tyler. "It comes out in September." Watch the clip here.

Vinny Appice Thinks Bill Ward Should Do Black Sabbath Reunion Tour

(Classic Rock) Drummer Vinny Appice believes the Black Sabbath reunion is descending into a soap opera and insists Bill Ward should be behind the kit for what's likely to be their last tour.

The band last year announced they were regrouping as the original lineup of Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Ward, and had begun work on their first album together since 1979. Later Ward announced he didn't feel able to participate because he wasn't being offered a contract he regarded as "signable."

Speculation increased that Appice, who played with Black Sabbath when Ronnie James Dio fronted them, and later appeared in offshoot band Heaven and Hell, would replace Ward. But he's previously stated he was never asked – and now insists Ward is the only man for the job. He has a lot to say, read it here.

Korn Map Out Tour Dates

Korn will be hitting the road next month for a string of North American tour dates which will hit the Northeast, Midwest and Canada.

The dates will kick off with a festival appearance at the Montebello Festival on June 15th and will wrap on June 30th at the Boonstock Festival.

Openers on the tour include Korn frontman Jonathan Davis DJing as his alter ego J Devil, as well as dubstep talent Sluggo. more on this story

Jimmy Page Photo Makes National Portrait Gallery History

(hennemusic) A 2009 photo print of Jimmy Page has become the 100,000th portrait to be archived by the National Portrait Gallery in London.

The signed, limited edition print of Page, photographed in 2009 by Ross Halfin, was recently donated to the Gallery by Dave Brolan on behalf of the legendary guitarist.

The photograph forms part of a limited edition portfolio of five images of the rock star signed by the photographers and the sitter. More including the photo here.

Gregg Allman's Last Words To Duane Was A Drug Lie

(Classic Rock) The last conversation between the Allman Brothers was an argument over cocaine, singer Gregg Allman has revealed.

He stole drugs from guitarist Duane then lied about it the morning before his older sibling died in a motorbike crash in 1971, aged 24. And in his book My Cross to Bear, the musician admits he'll never forgive himself.

Allman explains he'd given Duane $100 to buy him a gram of coke, but the drug didn't arrive. In retaliation he went to his brother's house the next day, let himself in and located his stash. The singer "poured out about half a gram and snorted it up."

When he got home an angry Duane called him and accused him of stealing. He writes: "That last thing I ever said to my brother was a f***ing lie, man: 'No, I did not,' I told him." more on this story

Members of Journey, Aerosmith, Ozzy, Black Sabbath To Tribute Van Halen

Take Your Whiskey Home: A Tribute to Van Halen 1978 - 1984 is set to be released on July 10th, 2012 by Versailles Records.

The album is set to feature covers featuring Jeff Scott Soto (Journey), Jake E. Lee (Ozzy Osbourne Band / Badlands), Jimmy Crespo (Aerosmith), Stephen Pearcy (RATT), Frankie Banali (Quiet Riot), Vinny Appice (Black Sabbath / Heaven & Hell / DIO), Rowan Robertson (DIO), American Dog (featuring members of Dangerous Toys / Salty Dog), and others.

The album will feature members of newer rock acts including Leaving Eden, Takara, Richard Kendrick, Electric Sister, Iconic Tonic, Bugsy Parker, Erling Solem, Inside Moves, Touch 2 Much, Steve Pugh, Adventures of Leonid, Fair Warning, MYSTIC FORCE, American Hellbilly, Skyscreamers, Lee Thompson, Fan Halen, Marko Pukkila, Andy Endberg, Martian Honey, Fran and the Love Buzzards, Sinful Lilly, and Loaded Gun.

Slash Kicks Off This Season of Guitar Center Sessions

Former Guns 'N Roses guitarist Slash will be the featured guest on the season three premiere of Guitar Center Sessions.

Guitar Center Sessions featuring Slash with Myles Kennedy and The Conspirators airs on May 18, at 9pm in 2D hi-definition on Directv's The Audience Network (channel 239) and in 3D on Directv's n3d .

Guitar Center Sessions is hosted by music journalist Nic Harcourt and features live performances and interviews. This season will feature Megadeth, Switchfoot, Alanis Morissette, All American Rejects, and more. See who else is on this season and when they will be on.

Anthrax Modeling Mayhem Set After The Ramones

Anthrax are gearing up to headline the second stage at this summer's Mayhem Festival tour. Their camp sent over word of what fans can expect from them on trek.

Anthrax's Charlie Benante, "We decided to pattern the Mayhem set on the kind of shows The Ramones used to do: a high-energy, non-stop barrage of hit, hit, hit, hit, hit. No lulls, no filler, totally in your face. We're going to be playing a supersonic-paced set loaded with the best of our best."

"We really like the idea of not 'playing to seats,'" added Scott Ian, "and we want our crowd to have the freedom to move around, to go crazy with us. Plus, we've been on the road together now for about two years, so we're tighter as a band than we've ever been. Our Mayhem set will be a fun, fast and furious 45-minutes, so they'd better have the EMTs on hand."

Rush Producer Comments On New Album

(Classic Rock) Rush producer Nick Raskulinecz admits he had to fight against his own passion for the band in order to get the best out of them in the studio. But the results – their upcoming release Clockwork Angels – was worth the effort, he believes.

"Yes, I'm a Rush fan. I f**king love Rush. But if I let that get in the way I'm not doing my job. I can't let that taint my objectivity as a producer," Raskulinecz tells MusicRadar. "Sometimes it's hard, especially when you become friends. Things get more emotional when you know the guys. But you have to do what you're supposed to do, with the right amount of passion.

"I do just that. I feel this music. I feel it in my heart. There were definitely moments when I had to walk in the room and tell Alex Lifeson that his guitar part could be better. There were other times I would stand in the drum room with Neil Peart, a drumstick in my hand, and I'd talk to him about certain fills and licks. Same thing with Geddy – I just did it." more on this story

Pendragon DVD/Blu-Ray Delayed

The release of the new Pendragon live DVD and Blu-Ray, Out Of Order Comes Chaos, has been postponed.

The release marks the band's first release on Blu-ray and is now set to be released on June, 18th in Europe and June, 19th in USA.

'Out Of Order Comes Chaos' contains a show recorded in Katowice during the Polish leg of the tour promoting the band's most recent album "Passion". DVD / Blu-Ray also includes bonus features: "...Some of the Chaos" video documenting the band's life on tour, "...Some of the Order" video featuring behind the scenes footage filmed on the day of the DVD/Blu-Ray recording, an interview with Nick Barrett and more. more on this story

Liverpool Music Documentary Coming

(Gibson) A film documentary chronicling the rise of Liverpool as a music mecca is nearing completion, Beatles historian Bill Harry has reported.

Speaking to Beatlesnews.com, Harry said, "Garry Popper, a documentary producer and fellow Liverpudlian, approached me in 2008 with his concept of a film about the Mersey music scene and its origins. …When my book, Liverpool – Bigger than the Beatles, was published, it became obvious that the documentary should cover the music scene from the '50s to the present day. Sound City's managing director Dave Pichilingi was brought in as Associate Producer dealing with the music scene from the '70s onwards."

Titled The City That Rocked the World, the film will be shown in theaters and as a television special, and will be released as a DVD. One goal of the filmmakers was to look deeper than The Beatles, at worthy artists who hadn't been recognized internationally. "This is the first dynamic film of why Liverpool became known as 'The World Capitol of Music' in the Guinness Book of Records," Harry said. more on this story

B Sides

Metallica's Summer Vacation Tour Full Kick Off Show Video Online

(hennemusic) Metallica opened their 2012 European Summer Vacation Tour in Prague on Monday night.

The event – at the city's Synot Tip Arena - marked the first time Metallica performed their 1991 self-titled ("Black") album in its entirety.

The band delivered their album classic with a twist: they played the songs in reverse order, closing their regular set with "Enter Sandman."

Video of the full Prague concert has surfaced, watch it here.

Singled Out: Unleashed's Odalheim

Today Unleashed vocalist and bassist Johnny Hedlund tells us about the title track to their new concept album, Odalheim. Here is the story:

Odalheim is the title track of our first conceptual album. It is also a book I have been working on for almost 7 years and never seem to have the time to finish. So we decided to release the "Chapters" as songs on this new album. In fact, the idea behind Odalheim came to me long before the idea about the book but it never took this form until now. I have always had an urge to continue the Viking tradition with something more than just a number of songs about the past, present and future. And more like a story line. The reason for this is the word "mythology" that is often used to describe any and all things Viking. My personal views of this is that the "Norse mythology" is about sagas and…. "mythology" mostly. Not necessarily the "tradition" like it is performed today. The tales of the Norse Mythology ends with Ragnarök and very little is written about what happens after the end of the world. There are a few ideas written down of course in the doctrine….but again….very little.

Unleashed introduced the Viking traditions and values into death metal music back in 1989. We are of course heavily influenced by the Norse tales of old but we also acknowledge the fact that it is the "tradition" that keeps it all alive and that will carry on what's important to the next generations. Therefore, Odalheim is all about the Midgard Warriors that survive Ragnarök and carry on the Viking tradition into the new world. (I call this new world Odalheim). Odal- is the runic letter O, and means land you inherit from your fathers. Heim- means world. So "Inherited World" would be the correct translation.

In the early stages of this new world…..(looking much like the previous one although things are not the same of course in the aftermath of the Fimbulwinter) The Midgard Warriors are constantly fighting the armies of White Christ (the political and religious power of the world) The Midgard Warriors lose greatly in the first couple of battles against the enemy until they finally decide that the only way to survive in the long run is to gather the Battalions of the world. And build an army big and strong enough to go against White Christ in the final stand. The set out on a journey across the world for a number of years, (just like their forefathers the Vikings) to gather the Battalions. Through Scandinavia, North America, Central America and from the very south of the European wastelands to finally march up north again for the final great war of our time. (song nr 11; The Great Battle of Odalheim).

On the fields of Upsala is where the great battle of our time will take place. The outcome of the battle, will show on the next album in two years or so….

Hail Odin!
Johnny

Hearing is believing. Now that you know the story behind the song, listen for yourself and learn more about the album right here!

Watch Robert Plant Debut His New Band

(hennemusic) Robert Plant returned to live action Tuesday night and debuted his new band in the process.

Robert Plant Presents Sensational Space Shifters played their first show at the Gloucester Guildhall in Gloucester, England.

Sensational Space Shifters includes Band Of Joy singer Patty Griffin, Strange Sensations alumni Justin Adams on guitar, keyboardist John Baggott and bassist Billy Fuller, plus drummer Dave Smith and Juldeh Camara. Watch video here.

1993 Video Interview with Depeche Mode Debuts Online

Warner Brothers just posted an unreleased video interview with Depeche Mode from 1993, as part of their From The Vaults series on The Warner Sound.

Radio DJ Paul Gambaccini interviews the members of Depeche Mode at home and in the studio in episode 1 of this exclusive documentary footage for this new series.

From The Vaults is the weekly unveiling of the documentaries, interviews, and performances unearthed from the Warner library. Watch episode one here and episode two here.

Jack White's Spaced Out Dream

(Gibson) Jack White's latest ambition is to have music played - on vinyl - in outer space. In an interview with Interview magazine, the former White Stripe told astronaut Buzz Aldrin he's working on a "secret project" to achieve that goal. The song he has in mind, "A Glorious Dawn," features lyrics written by world-renowned physicist Stephen Hawking that pay tribute to the late astronomer Carl Sagan. The song was released on White's Third Man Records label in 2009.

"That's one of the records that I'm proudest of having released," White told Aldrin. "Carl Sagan was a huge influence. We want to launch a balloon that carries a vinyl record player, and possibly that Carl Sagan record, and figure out a way to drop the needle with all that turbulence up there and ensure that it will still play."

White went on to say he was saddened by the breakup of The White Stripes, but felt the split was necessary. "I didn't want to go out and make solo records if The White Stripes still existed," he said. "I thought that people would be too confused by the two ideas and a lot of people wouldn't be able to get their head around it." more on this story

Bret Michaels Thanks Hospital For Saving His Life

(hennemusic) The Phoenix hospital that saved Poison frontman Bret Michaels' life is being thanked by the rocker as part of the hospital's 50th Anniversary.

In April of 2010, after experiencing a life-threatening brain hemorrhage, Michaels was rushed to Barrow Neurological Institute at St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center in Phoenix for treatment.

In a new video posted to Barrow50.org, Michaels shares his gratitude to the staff and hospital for all their efforts during that critical time. "I want to thank all of my good friends [at Barrow] for saving my life," says Bret. more on this story

Mars Attacks Overkill and Angelus Apatrida

Bobby "Blitz" Ellsworth of Overkill and Guillermo Izquierdo of Angelus Apatrida are the featured guests on the latest episode of the Mars Attacks podcast.

Blitz discusses Overkill's new album The Electric Age, the uniqueness of the band's current lineup, what it was like to be honored in Decibel Magazine, among other things.

Among the items discussed with Guillermo are his band's new album The Call, being the only band from Spain in any genre that can tour Europe, advice David Ellefson gave the band while opening for Megadeth, etc.

During the episode you'll hear snippets of songs by Overkill, Angelus Apatrida, Crisix, Bonded By Blood, Gojira and Huntress. Listen here.