Jason Newsted Plans Spring Album Release

We got this fricking EP, only four songs, to number one on iTunes for two weeks out of my garage with me and three other dudes. We are competing with big companies and bands that have full albums out; that's pretty cool. That's saying something. My answer to your question is to let the music do the talking. There are no digs to anyone and there is nothing negative. Let's just f**king rock. Read the full interview here.

Marilyn Manson Vs Fake Fiance

(Banana 101.5) Earlier this month, Marilyn Manson reached out via his lawyer demanding a public apology from Seraphim Ward (real name Yolanda Tharpe) for spreading false stories about him in the press.

Now that that hasn't happened, he's following through on a defamation lawsuit against Ward.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, the complaint was filed Tuesday (Jan. 29) in Los Angeles Superior Court. Manson claimed he was the target of "a months-long campaign of defamation and harassment." It's also stated that Manson does not know Ward, whose occupation is listed as musician and independent occult filmmaker in the complaint.

Ward's claims first got attention when she stated in a widely circulated story that she was engaged to the rocker.

Though Manson and his representatives denied he even knew Ward, that apparently didn't stop her from continuing to make claims concerning Manson, including accusations that he is 'pro-Nazi' and racist. More details here.

Killswitch Engage Release First Single From New Album

(Banana 101.5) Killswitch Engage have unleashed the first single from their 2013 album 'Disarm the Descent,' which features the return of original lead singer Jesse Leach.

KsE are set to release 'Disarm the Descent' their first album since parting ways with singer Howard Jones nearly a year ago, on April 2nd.

After much touring and some leaked previews of the forthcoming Killswitch disc, we finally have our first official release from the band's sixth studio album.

You can now listen to the hard-hitting, riffed-out single, 'In Due Time,' ahead of it's February 5th release using the player here.

Metallica To Headline Golden God Awards and Receive Dio Honor

(hennemusic) Metallica are set to headline the 5th annual Golden God Awards on May 2nd in Los Angeles and the veteran metal band will also be the recipients of the Ronnie James Dio Lifetime Achievement Award.

"Since the Revolver Golden Gods Awards is fast becoming THE most rocking awards ceremony in the hard rock world, we are beyond psyched to be at the receiving end of this shout out and in the distinguished company of Rush, Lemmy, Ozzy and Motley Crue," said Lars Ulrich.

"I was hanging out and presenting at the shenanigans two years ago and the energy in the room and the vibe backstage was beyond f**king cool, so Metallica is chomping at the bit to partake in this year's event. Once again, we are honored to be recognized as achievers (!!) and we can't wait to get up and jam onstage and sweat for and on everybody gathered."

The Golden God Award, which is given to one special honoree a year who embodies the spirit of hard rock and metal, will go to Rob Zombie.

The Riff Lord Award, given each year to a legendary guitarist in the field of hard rock and heavy metal, will be presented to Black Sabbath's Tony Iommi. more on this story

Bret Michaels Previews New Album

(hennemusic) Bret Michaels is gearing up for the March 26 release of his new solo album, "Good Songs & Great Friends" and is offering fans a preview of the track, "You Know You Want It".

The project brings together the friends that Michaels has made along the way with some of the songs that have shaped all of that success.

Featuring artists from a variety of genres and generations, "Good Songs & Great Friends" includes a live duet with Jimmy Buffett ("Margaritaville"), a cover of "Sweet Home Alabama" with Gary Rossington, Rickey Medlocke and Peter Keys from Lynyrd Skynyrd playing on the track, and new versions of some of Poison's biggest hits, including the remake of "Every Rose Has Its Thorn" with Loretta Lynn.

Bret is joined by Joe Perry of Aerosmith, Michael Anthony of Van Halen/Chickenfoot, Leslie West of Mountain, Ace Frehley of Kiss/Frehley's Comet, and others. more on this story

Head Talking Korn Reunion Slow

(Gibson) Former Korn guitarist Brian "Head" Welch is set to rejoin the metal band when the guys play Rock on the Range 2013, which happens May 17 through 19 at Columbus Crew Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. While the band has yet to figure out an exact set list for the show, Welch thinks he knows what they're going to play.

"Obviously, all the hard-hitting, energetic classics, where people lose their mind -- those will definitely be there," he told Rolling Stone. "Because those are the funnest ones to play."

Rock on the Range won't be Welch's only appearance with Korn this year. He's also scheduled to play two gigs with the band in Germany this year at the Rock am Ring and Rock im Park festivals on June 7 through 9, in the cities of Nürburgring and Nürnberg.

Welch says that while he's enjoying his time back with Korn, he's not really thinking about rejoining the band for good. Yet. "We're going slow," he said. "We're hanging out when I've got time…but I'd say anything is possible right now." more on this story

KISS Celebrate 40th Anniversary

(Classic Rock) KISS have marked their 40th anniversary by thanking fans for their support through the decades – and frontman Paul Stanley has admitted he only wanted five years of success from the band.

They played their first-ever show on January 30, 1973, in a New York club, after Stanley and Gene Simmons decided to move on from previous band Wicked Lester. They were paid $50 for the appearance in front of an audience of less than 10 people.

The bassist says: "Wicked Lester had just finished its album. Though we had a real recording contract with a major label, and though we had finished an entire album, we were depressed – it just wasn't what we had envisioned.

"We tried firing the other three guys but some wouldn't leave. So we quit. We started again with a vision: 'Let's put together the band we never saw on stage." more on this story

Rob Zombie Releasing New Album in April

(hennemusic) Rob Zombie will release his new studio album, "Venomous Rat Regeneration Vendor", on April 23rd.

The project will be released on veteran rock manager Andy Gould's newly-formed label, T-Boy Records (via Universal Music), which will serve as an umbrella label releasing new music and albums from established hard-rock bands with major followings.

Gould has managed Rob Zombie since his days in White Zombie. Gould's track record includes sales exceeding 15 million worldwide and seven Grammy nominations with Zombie including securing deals for Rob to become one of only a handful of people to have unprecedented success for six feature films as the writer and director. more on this story

Caggiano's Heart Was Not Longer In Anthrax

(Classic Rock) Rob Caggiano says one of the main reasons he left Anthrax was the band had never been a creative outlet for him.

He admits his heart just wasn't in it any more – and he feels good about the decision he made, despite former bandmate Scott Ian's belief that it was a mistake.

Caggiano announced his departure earlier this month after 12 years with the thrash giants. Now he reports he'd been increasingly unhappy in recent months.

He tells ProSound Network: "My heart simply wasn't in it anymore. I had a blast playing with those guys, and they will always be family to me. But outside of my guitar solos and production work, Anthrax was never a creative outlet for me. more on this story

Orgy, Vampires Everywhere and Davey Suicide Tour Announced

Orgy have announced the first North American leg to their headline "Wide Awake and Dead" Tour.

The month long leg will also feature support acts Vampires Everywhere and Davey Suicide. The band expects to the second leg dates soon and will visit Europe this summer.

The tour leg is set to kick off on March 2nd in Phoenix, Az and will conclude on April 2nd in Lincolnshire, IL.

Orgy are currently in the studio working on new music. The released 'Grime of the Century' last fall which was their first single since reforming. more on this story

The Darkness Hope to Release New Album Next Year

(Gibson) The Darkness released their third album, Hot Cakes, in August of last year. It was their first album since 2005, following the band's split, and subsequent reunion in 2011.

But in an interview with Billboard, guitarist Dan Hawkins promises that album number four isn't that far off: "I think it's important the next album comes out quickly […] This year we'll be touring (to support Hot Cakes) and writing, then early 2014 we'll hopefully be recording it or continuing to write it, and get it out later that year."

As far as the musical direction of the next album, Dan says: "I think we want to get even more old school. We want to make it even more of a performance record. We just want to be really brave and try to do something as live as humanly possible, warts and all. We've lost a bit of that in music today."

The band seems more committed than ever to making music and putting on a great show for their fans. As Dan says "What's the point of being in a rock 'n' roll band if you don't take it to 11? Now the music is on 11, the gigs are on 11 but the drug intake is on, like, zero to one. That's how it should be." more on this story

Crosby, Stills and Nash Teaming Up With Wynton Marsalis

(Radio.com) Crosby, Stills and Nash are planning to literally jazz things up at an upcoming event. The trio will collaborate with Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra for "The Crosby Stills & Nash Songbook."

"Individually and collectively, David Crosby, Stephen Stills and Graham Nash are influential and important figures in American music," Marsalis said in a press statement. "Their music is rooted in American folk, pop and blues traditions and their experiments with form, harmony and orchestration will make for a natural collaboration."

Crosby, a noted jazz fan said, "Wynton Marsalis, who has become America's musical hero and ambassador to the world in the tradition of the great Louis Armstrong, has offered us the chance to make music with the Jazz at the Lincoln Center Orchestra. These are musicians who have spent their whole lives becoming the very best in the world at what they do. We are excited and fascinated with this merging of musical streams and looking forward to a night to remember." more on this story

Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds Releasing DVD and Blu-Ray

Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds have set a February 26th release date for "International Magic Live At The O2."

The release will be offered in three different formats including in a video download version, 2 disc DVD version and Blu-ray with an exclusive bonus CD.

The main concert on the release was captured on Feb 26, 2012 during the band's concert at London's O2 Arena.

Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds live at London's O2 on, the biggest Arena show Noel's band have played to date. "International Magic Live At The 02" will be available

The DVD also will feature Noel Gallagher Live At The Mod Club Toronto, which took place on November 5th, 2011 as well as "Ride The Tiger," which is a 20 minute film includes three of Noel Gallagher's "High Flying Birds" videos – directed by Mike Bruce. more on this story

Corabi Thru With Motley Crue

(Classic Rock) Former Motley Crue singer John Corabi says he's "done" with trying to keep in contact with his ex bandmates.

He feels he's done everything he can to keep their friendship – and reveals the last straw came when drummer Tommy Lee blanked his son.

He's also offered a new account of how he came to leave the band, saying he'd felt out of place and unsupported for years before he paved the way for Vince Neil's return.

Corabi tells The Great Southern Brainfart: "I hung out with those guys every day for five years – and I haven't seen them more than five times in the last 15 years. That bothered me more than anything. I thought those guys were my friends and that's what I miss. I was more bummed out over the loss of our brotherhood than anything.

"Those guys are just the kind of people that will embrace you when you're in their circle. They've had so many buzzards and vultures picking at their bones that when they see me calling them, I bet they immediately think, 'What does he want?'"

The singer says he concluded there was no relationship to save when his son's band signed a record deal. more on this story

Martin Popoff Releasing Rush Book

(hennemusic) Author Martin Popoff is timing Rush's upcoming induction into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame with the May 15th release of a new book, "Rush: The Unauthorized Illustrated History."

The book's description reads, in part: "Now, for the first time, Rush is treated to the epic visual celebration they so richly deserve in a beautifully designed and profusely illustrated history following the band's entire career.

A chronological overview history spans the band's career from 1968 to today. A complete Rush discography chronicles all their albums, from the debut album to 2112, Moving Pictures and Signals to Grace Under Pressure, Vapor Trails, and more.

The text is complemented by album reviews written by well-known music journalists from around the globe, commentary from fellow musicians, a discography, tour dates, and hundreds of photographs and pieces of memorabilia, including picture sleeves, gig posters, rare vinyl, handbills, ticket stubs, and much more." more on this story

Bon Jovi In No Rush For Rock Hall

(Radio.com) Bon Jovi is eligible for entry into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame this year. Coincidentally, Bon Jovi has the night off before their April 19th show in Los Angeles, the same day the nominations are announced.

According to drummer Tico Torres, the band isn't feeling any pressure to be inducted. "It's an ongoing thing," Torres said.

"There's a long list of great bands that need to go in there, and only a few can go in every year. It's something that even being nominated is an honor." more on this story

Corey Taylor Discusses Stone Sour's New Comic Path

(Radio.com) "They sent me a pass for ComicCon Chicago. I was like, 'Wait, I don't even rate San Diego?" laughs Stone Sour's Corey Taylor about Dark Horse Comics sending him to the lesser known of the two popular annual conventions.

With the first release already in stores and the second set to debut this spring, Stone Sour will unveil their latest masterpiece; the second of the two-part album and adapted comic book series titled House of Gold & Bones Pt 1 & 2. According to the frontman turned author, Taylor says the two albums are meant to be played back to back, creating a cohesive, linear story. This story, he decided during the writing process, would make for an exciting comic book.

Unlike Coheed & Cambria's ongoing Armory Wars comic series, the Taylor-penned House of Gold & Bones will be limited to a four-part monthly mini-series with its first issue hitting shelves in tandem with the release of the House of Gold & Bones Pt 2 album this Spring.

The comic centers around a "human" trapped in an alternate reality. As he makes his way to the House of Gold & Bones, he's chased by a crazed mob, and taunted by a mysterious ally. According to the band's website teaser, "What the human discovers on his journey will be his salvation . . . or his destruction."

"It was always in the back of my mind while I was writing the short story that accompanies the albums that this could be a comic," explains Taylor in an interview with Radio.com, recalling how his big mouth got him "in trouble." more on this story

Drowning Pool Releasing First Album With Their Latest Singer

(Classic Rock) Drowning Pool will release fifth studio album Resilience, their first with new frontman Jasen Moreno, on April 2, it's been confirmed.

They'll back the launch with a UK tour which also features Fozzy and Welsh upstarts Revoker.

Guitarist CJ Pierce says: "We cannot begin to tell you how excited we are to be heading out on the road again. Come hang out and have a drink with us. Let's listen to some loud rock music. Look forward to seeing each and everyone of you at the show!"

Moreno was hired last year after the departure of Ryan McCombs. One of the reasons Drowning Pool chose him was his ability to deliver material from their debut album, Sinner, which hadn't been performed since the death of original frontman Dave Williams in 2002. more on this story