Heather MacDonald of Fantasticsmag recently conducted an in-depth interview with former Elektra and Geffen Records A&R executive Michael Alago, who "discovered and nurtured METALLICA" in addition to signing such acclaimed acts as WHITE ZOMBIE, METAL CHURCH, SPEEDEALER and LOCAL H. You can read the entire piece online at this location. A couple of sample pages are available below.

Alago worked in the music industry for nearly two decades as producer and talent scout. Known and respected by most of the major labels for his expertise in a variety of musical genres, Alago discovered METALLICA and worked with a diverse group of artists that includes Michael Feinstein, Johnny Rotten, WHITE ZOMBIE and Nina Simone.

Alago left the music business in the summer of 2003 to concentrate on another life-long passion — photography. Working initially with a Polaroid camera, Michael began a series of stark male portraits that is still ongoing.

Michael has exhibited in New York, Paris, Berlin, San Francisco, Pittsburgh, San Diego, Montreal and Toronto and continues to photograph "rough gods" wherever he may find them.

Video footage of SLAYER performing the song "Seasons In The Abyss" on October 19, 2009 at Studio Coast, Shin Kiba, Tokyo, Japan can be viewed below (courtesy of "shawnjnewell").

SLAYER will perform on ABC-TV's "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" on Wednesday, November 4 (which will actually air the morning of Thursday, November 5).

30-second, reduced-quality audio samples of all the tracks that appear on SLAYER's upcoming album, "World Painted Blood", can be streamed on Amazon.fr.

"World Painted Blood" is scheduled for release on November 3 via American Recordings. The CD will initially ship with four special collector's edition covers. Each of the four covers will display one-fourth of a provocative continental map illustrated with human skulls and bones; when placed together, the four images form a complete and grisly map of the world.

All four of the initial CD packages will include a special blood-red, see-through top panel with the map displayed beneath it.

"World Painted Blood" was recorded in Los Angeles over two time periods, during October 2008 and then between late January and March 2009. The CD was produced by Greg Fidelman, who's spent time in the studio with METALLICA, THE GOSSIP, THE (INTERNATIONAL) NOISE CONSPIRACY, SLIPKNOT and others, and executive-produced by longtime SLAYER colleague Rick Rubin, who suggested Fidelman for the project.

Video footage of guitarist Warren DeMartini of Californian rockers RATT laying down a solo on the band's new song "Lost Weekend" at a studio in Virginia Beach, Virginia in June 2009 can be viewed below.

RATT's first studio CD in 10 years was produced by Michael "Elvis" Baskette, whose credits include PUDDLE OF MUDD, CHEVELLE, SALIVA, LIMP BIZKIT, ALTER BRIDGE and THREE DAYS GRACE, to name a few. Tentatively due in January 2010 via Loud & Proud/Roadrunner Records, the effort — which has been described by singer Stephen Pearcy as a cross between 1984's "Out Of The Cellar" and 1985's "Invasion Of Your Privacy" — marked the first time the band had stepped outside of Los Angeles to track a new CD in 20-plus years.

RATT and EXTREME recently teamed up to bring you this summer's most rockin' tour lineup. The tour, which featured sets from both bands with RATT closing, kicked off on July 12 in Amarillo, Texas and ran through August 7 in Hampton Beach, New Hampshire. In celebration of the 25th anniversary of their landmark debut "Out Of The Cellar", RATT played the album in its entirety.

Over the past two years, RATT has toured the world in support of their releases "Tell The World - The Very Best Of Ratt" and their first-ever DVD, "Videos from the Cellar - The Atlantic Years". During this time, the current lineup of Stephen Pearcy, Warren DeMartini, Bobby Blotzer, Robbie Crane and Carlos Cavazo played shows in Australia, Colombia and Peru for the first time in their careers.

Jason Saulnier of the "Good Time Metal Oldies" radio show conducted an interview with Cam Pipes and Shane Clark of Vancouver, British Columbia metallers 3 INCHES OF BLOOD on October 14, 2009 at the Paragon Theatre in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. Watch the nine-minute chat below.

"Good Time Metal Oldies" airs Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. EST on CIFA 104.1 FM in Nova Scotia and Tuesday nights at 9:00 p.m. EST on 95X in the Republic of El Salvador.

3 INCHES OF BLOOD has scheduled a special headlining show in memory of the band's fallen friend and ex-bass player Brian Redman. This event is set for Saturday, November 7 at Hell's Kitchen in Tacoma, Washington.

Commented the group: "We are happy to be paying tribute to our lost friend and former bandmate, Brian Redman. This show is about honoring Brian's memory and celebrating his life. We want everyone to enjoy this show, have fun and remember the good we all had with Brian because he always knew how to have a good time and we're confident that he would have wanted it that way."

Show details:

Saturday, November 7
Hell's Kitchen
3829 6th Avenue
Tacoma, WA

Openers: THE JET CITY FIX, GLIMPSE

Redman died on September 26 in a motor vehicle accident near his home in Tacoma, Washington.

3 INCHES OF BLOOD previously stated about Redman, "Brian was an outgoing and charismatic person who was great friends with most people he met. We couldn't help but smile or laugh when he was around. He had such a likable personality but also had a knack for putting serious things into perspective.

"While in the band, Brian played a big part. He joined the band shortly after signing a big record deal, and endured the turmoil that followed after recording our 'Advance and Vanquish' album. For a time, the band's future was uncertain, but Brian was unwavering in his desire to play this music with us. He was loved by many and enjoyed life to the fullest.

"Goodbye, Brian, our fallen brother. You will be greatly missed."

Brian Redman was in 3 INCHES OF BLOOD between 2004 and 2006 and appeared on the band's 2004 album, "Advance and Vanquish" (Roadrunner).

David Ellefson (MEGADETH, F5, HAIL!) and Jerry Only (MISFITS) were interviewed for this week's "The Metal File" podcast from Montreal's CHOM-FM. You can stream the show online at this location.

In addition to numerous gold and platinum records and seven Grammy-nominated works, Ellefson is the author of the book "Making Music Your Business" and has two metal bass guitar instructional DVDs through Rock House Method entitled "Metal Bass Vol. 1" and "Vol. 2". He is also a featured bass clinician, keynote speaker and panelist on the subject of music and the music industry.

The legendary MISFITS will return this Halloween with two brand-new songs, marking the first new original material from the horror rock icons in a decade! The release also marks their first new studio recordings since 2003's "Misfits Project 1950" covers album.

The limited-edition 12-inch LP maxi-single showcases a new cover painting rendered by Arthur Suydam (of Marvel Zombies fame) who has rendered the MISFITS world-famous "fiend skull" icon in homage to the zombie films of George A. Romero. The artwork is appropriately suited as both new songs ("Land of the Dead" and "Twilight of the Dead", written by MISFITS founding member Jerry Only), were inspired by the acclaimed director's living dead series.

Corey Taylor, lead singer of SLIPKNOT and STONE SOUR, co-hosted the "6 O' Clock Rock Report" with Todd and Danger on the 99.3 The Fox radio station before the band's October 15, 2009 concert in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Watch video of his appearance in three parts below.

In a recent interview with ARTISTdirect.com, Taylor was asked if it becomes easier to sift through the darkness as he gets older. "Oh yeah, absolutely!" he replied. "You can compartmentalize a little better. You don't just hone in on one thing and feel like that defines you. I know a lot of guys who get very one-dimensional because they just exist in that plane. Whereas the older you get, the more you feel like you understand yourself — you know your limits, you know your boundaries and you know how far you can take it. The darkness comes when you realize there are so many lines you can cross. That's really what it comes down to. The more you know yourself, the more you can go there. I think that's why it's gotten easier for me to do that."

When asked what he wants people to take away from his new solo project, THE JUNK BEER KIDNAP BAND, Taylor said, "Everybody is multi-faceted and multi-dimensional. I don't want to be that cardboard cutout rock star. I never have, and I never will. I want to be the guy who wants to have it all. I want to be David Bowie. I want to be Trent Reznor. Those are the things I aspire to be. At the end of the day, I merely want to be a great songwriter who has no fear when it comes to that stuff. The older I've gotten, the better my writing's gotten — the more I take risks and say more than I've ever said in the past."

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Seattle metallers NEVERMORE have finished recording their new album, "The Obsidian Conspiracy", for an early 2010 release via Century Media Records.

The drum tracks for "The Obsidian Conspiracy" were completed in the group's hometown of Seattle with SOILWORK guitarist Peter Wichers, who previously worked with NEVERMORE's Warrel Dane on the singer's solo debut, "Praises to the War Machine". Longtime friend and collaborator Andy Sneap (MEGADETH, ARCH ENEMY, EXODUS, MACHINE HEAD) will once again be handling mixing duties.

The following songs (among others) were laid down during the recording sessions for the follow-up to 2005's "This Godless Endeavor":

* "Emptiness Unobstructed"
* "Without Morals"
* "And The Maiden Spoke"
* "Termination Proclamation"
* "The Obsidian Conspiracy"
* "The Blue Marble and the New Soul"
* "She Comes in Colors"
* "The Day You Built The Wall"
* "Poison Throne"
* "Beautiful Mistake"
* "Crystal Ship" (THE DOORS cover)
* "Transmission" (THE TEA PARTY cover)

According to Dane, the song "And The Maiden Spoke" "is going to blow your minds; it's twisted, progressive lunatic fringe riffing with vicious hooklines."

He added: "These songs are full of newfound rage, lyrically and musically. Jeff Loomis has come up with some amazing new riffs that will no doubt please old and new fans alike. Also, I think the combination of Peter and Andy will result in something very, very special."

The German edition of Metal Hammer magazine conducted an interview with Jeff Loomis at this year's Wacken Open Air festival, which was held July 30 - August 1, 2009 in Wacken, Germany. The chat can now be viewed at this location.

When asked if his instrumental solo album, "Zero Order Phase" (which was released in September 2008 through Century Media Records), affected the musical direction of the new NEVERMORE material, Loomis replied, "I wanted to do an instrumental CD for so long, just because I'm a fan of that style of music, and I finally had that opportunity. But I think that with the new NEVERMORE, it still sounds like the band, but I think I'm giving Warrel [Dane, vocals] a little bit more room this time around for more vocals rather than all the notey, kind of complex stuff and all that, so this time around it's just a little bit more wide open musically for him to really be able to do whatever he wants vocally this time around. So we'll see what happens. It's gonna be an interesting album for us, for sure.

(Thanks: Bessi)

The all-star band HAIL! — comprised of bassist David Ellefson (MEGADETH, F5), singer Tim "Ripper" Owens (JUDAS PRIEST, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, ICED EARTH), guitarist Andreas Kisser (SEPULTURA) and newly announced sticksman Paul Bostaph (TESTAMENT, SLAYER, EXODUS, FORBIDDEN) — will be the first-ever international heavy metal act to play live in Lebanon. On November 20, HAIL! will perform at Hektic Hall in the capital city of Beirut.

"Breaking ground on an international level is what HAIL! is all about," explained manager Mark "Abba" Abbattista.

"When we first started discussing the idea of HAIL!, we wondered how far we could actually push the reality of a dream. Anybody can come up with a good idea, but to create a model that no one else has ever before conceived and then to execute that plan to the level that we have makes our chests swell with pride."

David Ellefson added, "This truly is a monumental occasion — to do something for the first time ever is a rare and special opportunity. I can't believe that it was 25 years ago, but remember how astounding it was when IRON MAIDEN went behind the Iron Curtain and played in the Eastern Bloc? I relate it to that and I am thrilled to be a part of something that has this kind of historic significance."

When confronted with any possible political backlash, Abbattista spoke from personal experience. "None of us are strangers to the world," he said. "MEGADETH played one of the first concerts ever in Northern Ireland years ago, Ripper is in Paraguay today, SEPULTURA has broken ground all over Asia, the Middle East, South America, even Africa and I was involved in a project called Music Bridges which was the first time Americans had been allowed in Cuba in almost fifty years. Obviously, we are aware of the ongoing tensions throughout the Middle East but we have learned from our previous experiences that music transcends all the boundaries that geography, language, religion and politics create."

Ellefson continued: "We're just a fun-loving metal band; we have no agenda. We all come from very different backgrounds and no matter where we are playing, everybody in the building shares the same music. Music is the message. We all love the same music and that's the beauty of unity…that's the beauty of HAIL!"

Asked how Bostaph came to play with HAIL!, Ellefson replied, "After Jimmy DeGrasso became unavailable due to his touring commitments with ALICE COOPER, Roy Mayorga came aboard and just slammed for us. His playing throughout the Scandinavian dates was unbelievable, but now he's heading back into the studio with STONE SOUR, so he's unavailable for the next round of shows. We immediately thought of Paul. With Alex Skolnick out playing with TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA a small window opened in the TESTAMENT schedule where Paul became available and we jumped at the opportunity."

Kisser chimed in, "Come on, he's Paul Bostaph! Think about it, he's played with three of the greatest thrash bands of all-time, SLAYER, TESTAMENT and EXODUS. What symbolizes more of the spirit of HAIL! than that?! It's an honor to play with him."

Ripper added, "Our goal is to make every HAIL! show a special once-in-a-lifetime event. We strive to make every show different and no two shows have been the same. Look at our set lists on this last run; we must have played 15-20 new songs and half of them we never even rehearsed! I even played a guitar solo one night! We had guest jams with friends from DIMMU BORGIR, MERCYFUL FATE, GORGOROTH, MESHUGGAH, DRAIN STH, KING DIAMOND and we want every fan to know that what they experience at a HAIL! concert will never happen again. We will continue to keep it fresh and exciting and playing with Paul will certainly do that."

Bostaph shared his excitement: "To play with Tim, Andreas and Dave? Talk about an honor, these guys are metal gods! I thought it was super-cool when I first heard about HAIL! and what they were doing. Now to be a part of it is amazing. I'm really looking forward to it and can't wait."

Video footage of HAIL!'s September 7, 2009 concert at the Rock in Copenhagen, Denmark can be viewed below (courtesy of "Metalex1982").

For up-to-the-minute news on HAIL!, visit the band's new web site at www.myspace.com/hailofficial.

KNIVES OUT!, the new Baltimore, Maryland-based project featuring current/former members of HELLYEAH, NOTHINGFACE, DOG FASHION DISCO and POLKADOT CADAVER, has issued the following update:

"We are very proud to say that we have finally finished our [debut full-length] record. We are extremely proud of this album and feel that it represents exactly what our vision was when we started the band. There will be big announcements soon about management/label/tours etc. Stay tuned. KNIVES OUT! is planning on a big year in 2010.

Five songs from KNIVES OUT! are available for streaming on the group's official MySpace page.

Formed last year, the band says, "It isn't pretty and it isn't safe. In a world of copy cat bands KNIVES OUT! stands up to deliver to the world a breath of fresh air to a stagnant, plagiaristic genre. Go hard or go home...horns up and KNIVES OUT!"

KNIVES OUT! is:

Todd Smith (DOG FASHION DISCO, POLKADOT CADAVER) - Vocals
Jasan Stepp (DOG FASHION DISCO, POLKADOT CADAVER) - Guitar
Tommy Sickles (NOTHINGFACE) - Drums
Dave Cullen (POLKADOT CADAVER) - Bass
Tom Maxwell (HELLYEAH, NOTHINGFACE) – Guitar

Video footage of MÖTLEY CRÜE drummer and METHODS OF MAYHEM mastermind Tommy Lee in the studio laying down tracks for METHODS OF MAYHEM's new album can be viewed below.

METHODS OF MAYHEM's "Public Mayhem" album collaboration project was launched on October 5. Lee and METHODS producer Scott Humphrey posted isolated instrument tracks, or stems, from the upcoming album on the web site ThePublicRecord.com. Anyone with a great musical idea is invited to play a part in helping to achieve true "Public Mayhem", i.e. collaborate on the album. A wide range of formats are available to work with, including RiffWorks, WAV, Logic, GarageBand, Pro Tools and the Four Track 3.0 iPhone application. Participants will also have a chance to perform with METHODS OF MAYHEM at their record-release show.

"Public Mayhem" is set for release in early 2010.

A charitable donation will be made on behalf of all participants to the MusiCares Foundation. Established by The Recording Academy in 1989, MusiCares provides emergency health and human services and addiction recovery resources to music people in need. Whether artists or other industry professionals, MusiCares is there with a safety net of support for those who have given the gift of music to our lives.

Following the launch, video and sound updates are being posted at ThePublicRecord.com featuring submission highlights and weekly giveaways for the best audio and video entries.

METHODS OF MAYHEM earlier in the year inked a worldwide deal with Loud & Proud Records, a Roadrunner Records imprint focusing on established artists.

In an interview with TuneLab.com, drummer Will Hunt (EVANESCENCE, STATIC-X, DARK NEW DAY, TOMMY LEE) — who played on the new METHODS OF MAYHEM CD — stated about the album, "People are gonna be very surprised when they hear that record. It's very different than anything [Tommy's] done. It's still very cool, there's some very melodic, commercial stuff on it, but the bulk of the record is very heavy, grungy, DEFTONES-sounding stuff. And it's just really cool."

Lee formed METHODS OF MAYHEM in 1999 after he left MÖTLEY CRÜE. The all-star project collaboration with rapper TiLo featured input from LIMP BIZKIT's Fred Durst, THE CRYSTAL METHOD, Kid Rock, Snoop Dogg, and Mix Master Mike. After signing to MCA, METHODS OF MAYHEM issued its self-titled debut LP in late 1999.

WSLS 10 reports: State Police and University of Virginia Police say they are stopping the ground search for missing Virginia Tech student Morgan Harrington and investigating the state she was in before she disappeared this past Saturday.

At a news conference in Charlottesville Wednesday afternoon, investigators said they believe that Harrington was on the grounds of the John Paul Jones Arena (JPJA) until at least 9:30 p.m. this past Saturday. Harrington was there with a group of friends, attending the METALLICA concert.

Police believe Harrington left her friends to go to the bathroom and somehow ended up outside JPJA. There was no re-entry allowed on the night of the concert. Investigators say Harrington got in contact with her friends, and told them she would either get in touch with them later or find another way home.

Investigators said a passer-by found Harrington's purse between the arena, and the UVA athletic fields in a small parking lot. Investigators said they not find signs of a struggle, but are treating the case as a criminal investigation.

Police also said they checked surveillance video from JPJA and the surrounding area, but it has not helped their investigation.

Investigators plan to release information about a reward as early as Thursday. It will be a minimum of $50,000.

Steven Seaweed of 107.7 The Bone, the San Francisco Bay Area's rock station, conducted an interview with legendary AEROSMITH guitarist Joe Perry on October 14, 2009. Watch the chat in eight parts below.

AEROSMITH played their first shows since early August, when an injury to singer Steven Tyler ended the band's summer tour, on Sunday (October 18) in Honolulu and Tuesday (October 20) in Maui, Hawaii. The Maui gig was done partly to settle a class-action lawsuit filed by enraged fans when the band canceled a 2007 concert there. The shows come during a tense time for the veteran act, with Joe Perry claiming in recent interviews that Tyler has not spoken to the rest of the group since breaking his shoulder in a fall from a stage in Sturgis, South Dakota two months ago.

Perry, who released a solo effort called "Have Guitar, Will Travel" earlier this month, has indicated in recent interviews that Tyler is holding up AEROSMITH's future plans, including the recording of a new album. Perry told the Associated Press that Tyler has "got to get his act together."

The Honolulu Advertiser saw no sign of tension between Tyler and Perry on Sunday night, adding that Tyler "took every opportunity to sidle up next to Perry . . . and declared he 'loved' the guys in the band. If there was any discomfort between the two, or any of the band, it didn't show on stage or in the music."

Perry will hit the road next month in support of his CD, taking along his JOE PERRY PROJECT touring band.

Newly announced Joe Perry tour dates (subject to change):

Nov. 10 - New York, NY - Fillmore New York at Irving Plaza
Nov. 11 - Sayreville, NJ - Starland Ballroom
Nov. 14 - Boston, MA - House of Blues
Nov. 15 - Clifton Park, NY - Northern Lights
Nov. 19 - Windsor, ON - Colosseum at Caesars Windsor
Nov. 21 - Indio, CA - Fantasy Springs Casino

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Original KISS guitarist Ace Frehley says that he would have "no problems" with attending the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame induction ceremony with his former bandmates. He tells the Artisan News Service, "We're all on speaking terms. [We] don't have any bad blood between us. I really had to let all the negative energy go years ago — for my own sanity and personal health. I move forward. If there's negative people around me, I distance myself from them. So I don't have a problem with those guys and I don't see a problem accepting an award with them."

KISS and the RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS are among the first-time nominees for induction into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. Also included for the first time on the list of a dozen nominees are GENESIS, THE HOLLIES, LL COOL J and Jimmy Cliff. Returning for another shot at the Hall are the STOOGES, ABBA, THE CHANTELS, DARLENE LOVE, LAURA NYRO and DONNA SUMMER. Five of the 12 will be chosen for induction, with their names revealed in January and the 25th annual ceremony set to take place on March 15 at the Waldorf Astoria hotel in New York City.

KISS has been eligible since 1999, but has been passed over several times by the Hall's nominating committee, leading to tension between the band and the Hall.

If KISS does get in, it is not clear who would be inducted alongside remaining original members Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons, although it's almost certain that fellow founders Peter Criss and Frehley would be invited.

The Hall of Fame will celebrate its 25th anniversary with two concerts on October 29 and October 30 at Madison Square Garden in New York. Among the acts scheduled to perform are U2, METALLICA, BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN, ERIC CLAPTON, SIMON & GARFUNKEL and others.

MEGADETH's "predictably unpredictable" Artist Personal Experience radio station, "Megadeth Radio", is now available for streaming using the widget below.

MEGADETH guitarist/vocalist Dave Mustaine has complete creative control in the programming of his 24-hour channel, which features interviews, news, personal commentary, and playlists of his favorite music.

The multi-platinum, Grammy-nominated rockers follow hot on the heels of A.P.E. stations "Radio Weezer", "Christina Aguilera Radio" and "Eagles Radio Hosted by Joe Walsh".

"Megadeth Radio" is set to become the destination of choice for both the band's fans as well as anyone who appreciates hard-rocking radio, and will be distributed across Clear Channel Radio's "iheartradio" network (www.iheartradio.com), which includes hundreds of local radio web sites; the popular iheartradio mobile app, which has been downloaded by 3.5 million people; widgets; and www.megadeth.com. Just like the other A.P.E. stations, fans can participate in "Megadeth Radio" by emailing their comments to megadeth@aperadio.com or calling 1-866-686-1010.

Says Mustaine, "MEGADETH has been on the forefront of music for over 25 years. Now we're breaking ground in radio. We're giving metalheads everywhere a look inside and an opportunity to see what influences our world and music."

When the public tunes into "Megadeth Radio", they'll hear selected playlists of some of the band's favorite songs, including artists such as AC/DC, ARCH ENEMY, BLACK SABBATH, SUICIDAL TENDENCIES, KILLSWITCH ENGAGE and many more. Interviews and eclectic stories told by the band members will punctuate the programming, including Mustaine talking about his younger days (and trading pot to a record store clerk for albums), METALLICA, his writing process and more. The station is a hard-rocking outlet unlike any other, and attractive to all fans of innovative audio entertainment.

Former KISS drummer Peter Criss recently spoke to Elizabeth Cohen of CNN out about the stigma of being a man battling breast cancer. Watch excerpts from their chat below.

Criss, who discovered a lump in his left nipple in December 2007, told Reuters.com men need to get over their perception that breast cancer is a woman's disease.

"It can happen to you, and when it does, if you don't deal with it right away, with your 'dude' and your metal and your tattoos, you'll go in the box and we'll see you."

Criss, who is currently working on an autobiography as well as a new rock album, said his bout with cancer had affected his songwriting.

"My lyrics are not so deep and dismal," he said. One of the tracks on the album, expected next spring, is called "Hard Rock Knockers".

Regarding the fact that his old KISS bandmates, Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons, are currently on a North American tour of arenas with two new band members, one in the make-up of Criss' "Catman" character and the other as ex-guitarist Ace Frehley's "Spaceman," Peter said, "You want to put two clones up there in our makeup, that's great. Must I keep putting spandex and makeup on at 70 — I don't think I really want to do that."

Tim Cashmere of Undercover conducted an interview with MEGADETH mainman Dave Mustaine during the band's recent tour of Australia with SLAYER. The 19-minute chat can be viewed at this location. It is also available for streaming in audio format using the player below.

MEGADETH's new album, "Endgame", has sold around 76,000 copies in the United States since its release five weeks ago. The CD currently sits at position No. 142 on The Billboard 200 chart.

"Endgame" sold 45,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 9 on The Billboard 200 chart.

MEGADETH's previous CD, "United Abominations", opened with around 54,000 copies in the U.S. to debut at No. 8. This was more than the 46,000 first-week tally registered by its predecessor, "The System Has Failed" (which landed at No. 18 on The Billboard 200 chart), and was a bit less than the 61,000 opening number of 2001's "The World Needs A Hero" (No. 16).

"Endgame" was recorded at MEGADETH's brand new, self-built studio in San Marcos, California — Vic's Garage — which was named after the legendary and iconic Vic Rattlehead character. The CD was helmed by Mustaine and British producer Andy Sneap (EXODUS, NEVERMORE, ARCH ENEMY, MACHINE HEAD).

Finnish/Swedish symphonic metallers NIGHTWISH have issued the following update:

"NIGHTWISH is showing respect for Finnish singer/songwriter veteran Jaakko Teppo by recording his song 'Hilma ja Onni' in Finnish.

"Jaakko Teppo is well known in Finland of his humorous protest songs associated with the labor movement. 15 years ago, a serious illness forced Jaakko Teppo to withdraw from the stages. Today many of the brightest stars in Finland are honoring Jaakko Teppo's legacy for Finnish music culture by recording his songs on tribute album 'Pörsänmäen Sanomat'.

"NIGHTWISH's rendition of 'Hilma ja Onni' [hear audio below] is available on iTunes and CDON.com and the album 'Pörsänmäen Sanomat – Tribuutti Jaakko Tepolle' can be ordered through www.fanzone/jaakkoteppo.

"The profit of the sales is directed to Jaakko Teppo."

NIGHTWISH will release an eight-CD box set, "Lokikirja", on November 18. The package, which is now available for pre-order at the band's official webstore, features the following recordings:

* Angels Fall First (Remastered)
* Oceanborn
* Wishmaster
* Over The Hills And Far Away
* Century Child
* Bless The Child
* Once
* Dark Passion Play

NIGHTWISH played a special homecoming show on September 19 at the sold-out, 11,000-capacity Hartwall Arena in Helsinki to mark the end of the band's colossal "Dark Passion Play" world tour. Support at the gig came from APOCALYPTICA.

NIGHTWISH is not expected to play any more shows until the release of the band's next studio album, which will arrive in 2011.

NIGHTWISH's previous concert at the Hartwall Arena in October 2005 was recorded and released as the highly successful "End Of An Era" DVD.

"Made In Hong Kong (And In Various Other Places)", the most recent CD/DVD from NIGHTWISH, entered the German Media Control chart at position No. 15. It also opened at No. 2 in Finland and dropped down to No. 5 in its second week of release.

Released on March 13 via Nuclear Blast Records, "Made In Hong Kong (And In Various Other Places)" contains a DVD documentary (with a running time of approximately 45 minutes) of NIGHTWISH's world tour in support of the band's latest album, "Dark Passion Play", as well as a CD featuring live recordings from the trek. The documentary footage was directed by Ville Lipiäinen.

According to FMQB, the first single from THEM CROOKED VULTURES — which consists of FOO FIGHTERS frontman Dave Grohl on drums, QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE singer/guitarist Josh Homme and LED ZEPPELIN bass player John Paul Jones — is called "New Fang" and it will arrive at radio stations on Monday, October 26. The band's self-titled debut album will be in stores on November 17 via Interscope Records.

Quality fan-filmed video footage of THEM CROOKED VULTURES performing the song "New Fang" on October 11, 2009 at the House of Blues in Boston, Massachusetts can be viewed below (courtesy of "HowellKenny").

THEM CROOKED VULTURES officially kicked off its first North American tour on October 5 in Nashville. The group has been the subject of furious international buzz since making its official live debut on August 9 in Chicago.

FOO FIGHTERS drummer Taylor Hawkins told The Pulse of Radio he's heard the VULTURES' record and likes it. "It's really great," he said. "I'm really proud of Dave, and I think he's having a real blast not having to shake his booty at the front of the stage for a while, you know?"

THEM CROOKED VULTURES taped a performance for the Austin City Limits TV program on September 30.

Several short clips of both live and studio performances by the trio have already surfaced on YouTube.

Just in time for Halloween, Orange County hard rock veterans ATREYU have teamed up with video game creator Jason Oda ("Dropkick the Faint") for the first-person shooter "Metalhead Zombies", which fans can play on the band's MySpace page.

Biting a fleshy chunk from "Night of the Living Dead" and "Resident Evil", "Metalhead Zombies" arms gamers with a firearm, then sends them out into a barren wasteland filled with lumbering zombies looking for lunch. Splatter enough of the undead and advance to the next level. But beware. You'll run out of ammo if you don't stop at the beams of light to buy new weapons and reload. The soundtrack for the "Metalhead Zombies" features "Stop! Before It's Too Late…", first single "Storm to Pass", and it marks the debut of a new song, "Gallows", the hard-hitting and intensely personal song from lead singer Alex Varkatzas. There's one catch, only the blood-soaked survivors that reach level six will have a chance to feast their ears on the new track.

After slaying a few zombies, fans can catch up with ATREYU during an exclusive October 21 webcast on ATREYU's MySpace. The band will answer questions from fans submitted through a chat window on the web page and will play a song from "Congregation Of The Damned". The broadcast will take place at the band's soundcheck at the Verizon Wireless Theatre in Houston, Texas.

In support of "Congregation Of The Damned", ATREYU shot a series of webisodes documenting not only their thoughts on the new record, but also looking back at where the band's career has taken them over the course of the last 10 years. The fifth webisode was released on Tuesday, October 20.

On October 26, the day before the long-anticipated release of "Congregation Of The Damned", ATREYU will be the featured guest on the syndicated radio program "Rockline", which starts at 11:30 p.m. EST/ 8:30 p.m. PST.

To hear the show on the Web, go to RocklineRadio.com and click on "listen live." The call-in number to ask the band a question live is 1-800-344-ROCK (7625).

In celebration of the release of the album on October 27, ATREYU will present a live webcast of their entire concert from The National in Richmond, Virginia. Before the show, cameras will follow ATREYU throughout the day, catching them on their tour bus, backstage before the show, and finally on stage for the concert.

ATREYU are on tour with HOLLYWOOD UNDEAD through November 21, playing their final show in Los Angeles.

The band will sign copies of "Congregation Of The Damned", which has been selected as the exclusive Amazon.com "Deal of The Day" on October 27, for fans that purchase the album the week of release at shows in Richmond, Virginia (October 27), New York City (October 29), Baltimore (October 30) and Philadelphia (October 31).

"Congregation Of The Damned", produced by Bob Marlette (OZZY OSBOURNE), mixed by Rich Costey (THE MARS VOLTA, SYSTEM OF A DOWN, RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE) with select tracks mixed by Noah Shain (ENDLESS HALLWAY, SONNY), is the follow-up to 2007's "Lead Sails Paper Anchor", which was fueled by the Top 5 Active Rock hit "Becoming The Bull" and the #2-charting Alternative Rock hit "Falling Down".

2010 is shaping up to be another big year for Uncle Ted as Pursuit Channel welcomes the addition of "Ted Nugent Tooth, Fang & Claw TV" to its ever-expanding 2010 programming line-up.

The show will document and deliver the way the Nugent family and millions of other American families hunt, fish, trap and shoot in a real, raw, intense and pure hunting lifestyle.

Pursuit Channel is the only outdoor network delivered in DirecTV's basic package, channels received by every subscriber regardless of their level of service.

"Ted Nugent Tooth, Fang & Claw TV" can only be found on Pursuit Channel.

For information on how you can get it in your home, call 334-335-6926 or visit www.pursuitchannel.com.

FunnyOrDie.com has uploaded video footage of Canadian metal legends ANVIL teaching you how to play drums and how to react to a home invasion. Watch the clip below.

ANVIL is set to launch its first major tour in more than a decade — "The Anvil Experience" — a full-on, 30-date North American trek in support of "This is Thirteen" and "Anvil! The Story of Anvil". The tour kicks off in earnest on January 7, 2010 in the city of rock 'n' roll, Cleveland, Ohio, will include dates in New York and Los Angeles, and will culminate in Vancouver on February 13.

But this will not be any ordinary concert tour, as audience members will be treated to a screening of "Anvil! The Story of Anvil", before the group will take the stage for a set of heavy ANVIL classics.

And if that's not enough metal for you, well, the lads are prepared. For the serious metalhead, a limited number of 50 "VIP Anvil Experience" packages will be made available for each show, which includes a ticket to the concert, a copy of the "This Is Thirteen" CD, a copy of the "Anvil! The Story of Anvil" DVD, a fanny pack (a constant fashion companion of Reiner's, as seen in the film), and a meet-and-greet with the band.

For a list of dates, visit www.myspace.com/anvilmetal.

ANVIL's re-release of the group's latest album, "This is Thirteen", sold around 1,400 copies in the United States in its first week of release, according to Nielsen SoundScan. The CD landed at position No. 19 on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart, which lists the best-selling albums by new and developing artists, defined as those who have never appeared in the Top 100 of The Billboard 200.

"This is Thirteen" was finally given proper national distribution on CD and vinyl on September 15 via VH1 Classic Records. The collectible double vinyl LP boasts newly re-recorded versions of ANVIL classics "Metal on Metal" and "666". The album, originally recorded in 2007 and produced by Chris Tsangarides (JUDAS PRIEST, THIN LIZZY), was primarily available directly from the band via their web site and at their concerts.

Swedish metallers ENTOMBED performed as a five-piece for the first time in years on October 17, 2009 at Arenan in Stockholm, Sweden, with the band's bassist Nico Elgstrand playing second guitar for this one gig only. Handling the bass duties for the Stockholm show and the rest of ENTOMBED's current tour with AMON AMARTH was Victor Brandt (TOTALT JÄVLA MÖRKER, AEON, ex-SATYRICON), who is filling in temporarily while Elgstrand takes some time off to focus on other affairs.

Check out video footage from the concert below (courtesy of Demonia's Blogg).

ENTOMBED's latest album, "Serpent Saints - The Ten Amendments", was released in the U.S. on July 31, 2007 via Candlelight/Threeman Recordings. The 10-song effort marked the group's first release with drummer Olle Dahlstedt (ALPHA SAFARI, ex-MISERY LOVES CO.), who replaced Peter Stjärnvind in 2006. Mastering duties were handled by Soren Elofsson at Cosmos Mastering in Stockholm, Sweden.

"Serpent Saints - The Ten Amendments" entered the Swedish national chart at position No. 3. This was the highest chart position in the band's career.

Ray Davies from THE KINKS will join METALLICA for their October 30, 2009 performance at Madison Square Garden as part of the 25th-anniversary celebration of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Also scheduled to appear with the San Francisco heavy metal giants is legendary BLACK SABBATH singer Ozzy Osbourne.

U2, BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN & THE E STREET BAND, SIMON & GARFUNKEL and CROSBY, STILLS, NASH & FRIENDS are among the other stars who will come together on October 29 and October 30 for two unique concerts in honor of the Rock Hall. The shows, presented by American Express, will be packed with guest stars and unique collaborations designed to tell the story of rock and roll.

Each night will feature entirely different lineups, with artists performing their own songs and the music that inspired them — tracing the history of genres ranging from soul to hard rock. All proceeds raised will go towards creating a permanent endowment for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation and Museum.

"Twenty-five years ago a group led by legendary Atlantic Records founder Ahmet Ertegun created this foundation to recognize and celebrate the music and careers of artists whose music helped shape and define our generation," said Jann Wenner, Founder and Chairman of Rolling Stone and Chairman of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation. "These once-in-a-lifetime concerts are designed to celebrate the artists and their music."

A creative team of Tom Hanks and his producing partner Gary Goetzman, Wenner, singer-songwriter Robbie Robertson, Academy Award-winning screenwriter, director Cameron Crowe and several others will work with the artists to curate the show through the live performances and filmed segments. Joel Gallen, the producer/director behind the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremonies and the MTV Movie Awards (1995-2006), will direct the show and oversee the 25th anniversary celebration along with the creative consultants.

Performing on October 29 will be:

BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN & THE E STREET BAND
SIMON & GARFUNKEL
CROSBY, STILLS, NASH & FRIENDS
PAUL SIMON
STEVIE WONDER

Performing on October 30 will be:

ERIC CLAPTON
ARETHA FRANKLIN
METALLICA
U2

METALLICA played "Master Of Puppets" and "Enter Sandman" at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony on April 4, 2009, with the band's former bassist Jason Newsted and his replacement, Robert Trujillo, both taking part in the performance (the group played as a five-piece). They also led a "surprise jam" at the end of the night consisting of "Train Kept A Rollin'", with RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS' Flea, LED ZEPPELIN's Jimmy Page, AEROSMITH's Joe Perry and Jeff Beck.

METALLICA was inducted by RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS bassist Flea.

(Thanks: www.chileanhorsemen.cl)

Frontiers Records will release a new live DVD and CD by legendary vocalist Jeff Scott Soto (TALISMAN, JOURNEY, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, W.E.T.) in December. Entitled "One Night in Madrid", the set was filmed at Sala Heineken in Madrid on April 18, 2009 in front of an intimate and enthusiastic audience. Jeff pulled no punches and performed an exhilarating show featuring tracks from many of his albums as well as showcasing new songs from "Beautiful Mess", including "Mountain", "Testify", "Our Song", "Hey", "Broken Man" and the wonderful "Gin & Tonic Sky". This is the complete show, with a DVD packed full of extras, including all of Jeff's solo videos, a special tribute to his dear friend Marcel Jacob (TALISMAN) and loads of tour footage in the form of "Goofballs!". In addition to the DVD, a double CD is also available.

Frontiers Records has set a November 6 European release date (November 24 in the U.S.) for the self-titled debut album from W.E.T. as a special CD/DVD package.

Featuring the immense talents of Jeff Scott Soto; guitarist/songwriter Erik Martensson (ECLIPSE) and keyboardist Robert Sall (WORK OF ART), "(W)ork of art (E)clipse (T)alisman" was written and recorded over the last 12 months and features the best elements of the three bands the principal artists have been involved in.

Frontiers Records released "Beautiful Mess", the latest solo album from Jeff Scott Soto, in the USA on April 7.

To coincide with the European release of "Beautiful Mess", Jeff and Frontiers decided to re-release Soto's second and third solo albums, "Prism" and "Lost In The Translation". Both titles were made available on February 20 in luxury digipack format with autobiographical notes written by Jeff himself. Each of the reissues includes updated cover art and bonus tracks. In addition, a bonus DVD was included featuring the full-quality videos for "21st Century", "Gin And Tonic Sky", "Hey", a specially filmed piano version of "Gin And Tonic Sky" and live footage recorded at Jeff Scott Soto's exclusive appearance at the Firefest show in Nottingham, U.K. on October 25, 2008.

Barry Anderson of Metal Storm conducted an interview with guitarist/vocalist Adam "Nergal" Darski of Polish extreme metallers BEHEMOTH when the band played Nottingham, England on October 19, 2009.

"Evangelion", the latest album from BEHEMOTH, spent four weeks on the official chart in the band's home country, coming in at the #1 spot three weeks in a row after debuting at #2, just behind MICHAEL JACKSON.

In a recent interview with Decibel magazine, Nergal and bassist Orion (real name: Tomasz Wróblewski) both admitted that they have given serious consideration to moving away from Poland. "The more places we see, the less connected we feel with the place we live in," Wróblewski said. "All of them seem more attractive than Poland. But you get used to a place where you live, and it's kind of hard to move. But it's possible, yes."

"I'm always thinking about it," Darski admitted. "I was just in New York for a few days, and I was thinking about it then. I mean, I'm rooted here, right? I've got my family here; I've got a nice apartment; I've got a few friends. And I was born here. But I would have no problems to live my life a few months in Poland and maybe a few months somewhere else. If one day I fall in love in Portugal or Brazil, I'm not gonna think twice. I'll buy an apartment in one of those countries and just move there and try to live a normal life."

Darski continued, "I can't understand why people come to Poland and say, 'Oh, this country is so nice and the people are so cool.' I tell them, 'No — these people are not cool. It's just a façade. They just pretend. Deep in their hearts, they are evil human beings.' You see, people in this country are very backward-thinking and very conservative. People who don't grow up here don't know the reality, and they will never find out."

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NIGHTWISH singer Anette Olzon is currently in Stockholm, Sweden creating songs for her upcoming solo album with Swedish producers Stefan Örn and Johan Glössner. She writes on her official blog, "Today we just did some first recordings on two more songs and its just so we can go home and listen and make changes in lyrics, etc. We also started working on two more ideas and I like the fact that we have done some different songs when it comes to tempo, etc. In the end, I want 10 or 11 songs and it's good if we have at least 15-16 to choose from when that day comes."

Olzon's forthcoming solo album will be co-produced by Swedish producer/songwriter Anders Bagge, who has previously worked with MADONNA, CELINE DION, JANET JACKSON and JESSICA SIMPSON, among others. He is also one of judges on the Swedish TV talent competition "Idol" and a producer of the TV series "Made in Sweden".

Olzon performed on August 13, 2009 with the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra at a special concert in Stockholm, Sweden as part of the Stockholms Kulturfestival (Stockholm's Culture Festival). According to Anette, "The evening [was] in the theme of Sweden-Finland and it [was] called Suomi Safari. There [was] a big symphonic orchestra, choir and more soloists that have something to do with Finland."

POISON singer Bret Michaels will take part in "Celebrity Moments With Kodak" tomorrow (Thursday, October 22) at 155 5th Avenue (between 21st & 22nd Ave) in New York City from 12 noon to 2 p.m. as part of his appearance on the new season of Donald Trump's "The Celebrity Apprentice". He is in competition with other celebrities, like baseball player Darryl Strawberry and comedian Sinbad, to see who can raise the most money. Also on hand for this event will be retired sprinter and four-time Olympic gold medal winner Michael Johnson, ex-Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, Australian celebrity chef Curtis Stone and former wrestler Bill Goldberg.

Crowds will be huge, so get there early.

Michaels was seen selling hamburgers to passers-by for $100 or more a piece on Monday, October 19 at 9 E. 53rd St. in New York City.

Season 3 of "The Celebrity Apprentice" is scheduled to air in March 2010.

The celebrities compete in business-driven tasks around New York City using their fame, rolodexes and their business acumen to win weekly tasks, while ultimately battling with each other to stay out of the boardroom and avoid hearing those dreaded words "You're Fired!" They are subjected to long hours, grueling mental challenges, personality clashes and intense scrutiny — all without the help of their regular support system of agents, managers and personal assistants.

Heavy metal legend Ronnie James Dio (HEAVEN & HELL, DIO, BLACK SABBATH, RAINBOW) will be at the Brittany Foundation, corner of Sierra Highway and Anthony Road in Agua Dulce, California, Saturday, November 7 from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. raising money to get his wife/manager Wendy Dio out of her cage.

Come down and see Ronnie — a handshake is $10, an autograph is $25, and a photograph taken with Ronnie is $50. All proceeds go to benefit the Brittany Foundation.

Brittany Foundation volunteers are going on "lock-down" in the kennels with some of its adoptable dogs for a 24-hour period. Volunteers will live for one day how these dogs live every day. Freedom for breaks, food, etc., can only be taken when time has been sponsored / purchased for that individual. Donations can be made via PayPal or with a check. Freedom for these volunteers can also be purchased at the Open House on Saturday, November 7 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For more information, visit www.brittanyfoundation.com.

EX DEO, the Ancient Roman-themed arsenal led by KATAKLYSM frontman Maurizio Iacono, recently returned from a succesful trek in Europe and is now preparing to take on North America alongside ENSIFERUM, HYPOCRISY and BLACKGUARD. Plans are also underway for the band to film a video for the song "In Her Dark Embrace". The clip will once again be shot by renowned director Ivan Colic and producer Stanimir "Staca" Lukic (MOONSPELL, KAMELOT, DEATHSTARS, TYPE O NEGATIVE) in Belgrade, Serbia. The filming will take place in early January 2010 and will be released in the month of Mars (March) to celebrate Mars, the ancient Roman god of war.

Commented Iacono: "The first video clip we did was for the title track 'Romulus'. It was an epic venture into the beginning of Rome's birth and mythology and served as more of an introduction to the story. This time we're going to do a video that will turn everyone on their heads. 'In Her Dark Embrace' will depict a Roman battle scene. We're not going for airplay here, we're going for what Rome was: the most brutal and efficient war machine that ever walked the earth. If it's blood the people want, it's blood they will get. I can't wait to get this done."

"Romulus", the debut album from EX DEO, sold around 600 copies in the United States in its first week of release, according to Nielsen SoundScan. The CD landed at position No. 90 on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart, which lists the best-selling albums by new and developing artists, defined as those who have never appeared in the Top 100 of The Billboard 200.

Released on June 19 (Europe) and June 30 (North America) via Nuclear Blast Records, "Romulus" was recorded with producer (and KATAKLYSM guitarist) Jean-Francois Dagenais (MISERY INDEX, DESPISED ICON, MALEVOLENT CREATION).

EX DEO's video for the song "Romulus" can be viewed below. The clip was shot in March in Belgrade, Serbia with Lukic.

HATE AMMO — the Umeå, Sweden-based band featuring members of NAGLFAR, ASSAILANT, LIVE ELEPHANT, THOSE WHO BRING THE TORTURE and BONE GNAWER — has parted ways with bassist Olov Norberg due to "personal issues" and has replaced him with Olov Jansén. According to the group, Jansén is "a guy here from our hometown, [with] his roots firmly planted in thrash metal."

Jansén will make his live debut with HATE AMMO on November 14 at Scharinska in Umeå.

HATE AMMO recently inked a deal with Mortal Music Inc., the label founded by SOIL bassist Tim King and TWELFTH GATE's Rob Such.

The group's forthcoming debut album, for which a release date has not yet been announced, will feature the following track listing:

01. Far Beyond Hatred
02. I.U.W.E.
03. Rise Up
04. Narc
05. Seeds
06. Monday Morning
07. Psychotic Episode
08. P.O.V.
09. Destroy, Enemy, Police
10. When The Tide Begins To Rise

Check out the cover artwork below.

HATE AMMO was scheduled to film a video last month with the Standard Street Team. More information will be made available soon.

HATE AMMO made its live debut on November 15, 2008 at Hamnmagasinet Metal Galaxy in the band's hometown.

The group consists of the following musicians:

Peder Sundqvist - Vocals
Ronnie Björnström - Guitar
Henke Mikaelsson - Guitar
Olov Jansén - Bass
Morgan Lie - Drums