Veteran hard rock/metal drummer John Tempesta (EXODUS, TESTAMENT, HELMET, WHITE ZOMBIE, ROB ZOMBIE) has commented on his latest gig — sitting behind the kit for U.K. rockers THE CULT.

Tempesta will be joining THE CULT principals Ian Astbury (vocals) and Billy Duffy (guitar), along with Chris Wyse (who performed on "Beyond Good and Evil", and has worked with Ozzy Osbourne and Jerry Cantrell since), on the band's upcoming tour, tagged "A Return To Wild", which will cover 19 cities launching at the legendary Fillmore in San Francisco on March 1 and winding up at Nokia Live in New York City. The new lineup will make its debut this Friday (Feb. 24) when they perform on "The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson" on the CBS-TV network.

Said Tempesta: "[I am] excited to be playing with one my favorite bands and I'm very honored to be performing with them live. I look forward to meeting all of you CULT fans out there... See you on tour!!!"

Original CHIMAIRA drummer Andols Herrick, who recently returned to the group after leaving the band in late 2003, has issued the following update:

"I thought I'd give you all an update on everything I've been doing during my first five weeks back in CHIMAIRA. I'm at the practice space six days a week, either doing partial band practices, working on my own endless drumming exercises, or both. I'm at a point where I'm really feeling comfortable playing the new songs. It's cool because it's like jamming covers you love, since I was always so into the self-titled record! I feel like a lucky fan when playing those songs. There's going to be a nice mix of older and newer songs when we hit the road, so I'm really looking forward to it! Other than playing drums, I'm still indulging in my other passion, pounding the iron at the gym (and of course eating like a fat pig)! My number one goal before heading out again is to squat 225 pounds for 10 reps, and I'm pretty damn close! I may not be anywhere near as talented as a lot of metal drummers, but I bet I could out-lift most of them!"

Upcoming CHIMAIRA shows:

Mar. 18 - New Haven, CT - Toad's Place *
Mar. 19 - Sayreville, NJ - Starland Ballroom *
Mar. 20 - Norfolk, VA - The Norva *
Mar. 21 - Baltimore, MD - Recher Theatre *
Mar. 22 - Providence, RI - Lupo's *
Mar. 23 - Buffalo, NY - The Icon *
Mar. 24 - Toronto, ON - Kool Haus
Mar. 25 - Toledo, OH - Club Bijou
Mar. 31 - Cleveland, OH - Peabody's Down Under

* Supporting CHILDREN OF BODOM

Atlanta's MASTODON have recorded a cover of METALLICA's "Orion" for Kerrang! magazine's forthcoming 20th anniversary tribute to METALLICA's "Master of Puppets" CD. A number of other top metal acts are expected to contribute to the compilation, including MACHINE HEAD, who have recorded a version of "Battery" for the occasion.

MASTODON are currently working on the follow-up to 2004's "Leviathan", tentatively titled "Blood Mountain". The CD, which is expected to surface this summer, will be the band's first for new label Warner Bros.

In a recent interview with Decibel magazine, MASTODON guitarist Bill Kelliher had the following to say about the upcoming CD: "We're thinking of 'Blood Mountain' as a metaphor for the mountain-climb we're about to embark on with Warner, the next year of touring and all the mythical creatures and shit we're going to meet along the way like tree people and three-headed dogs.

"We have about five solid songs together right now," he continued. "It's still the same formula but we have a lot more influences we're bringing into the music. We've been listening to newer KING CRIMSON and Brann [Dailor; drums] — who also writes a few riffs — has added some spacey, guitar delay parts and Brent's [Hinds; vocals, guitar] got some crazy , chickin' pickin' licks and surf rock/country/bluegrass/metal riffs going on. There are also really long, 'Hearts Alive'-type, teched out songs as well. It's kind of the next step for us, a progression of what we've been doing."

CHROME DIVISION (photo), the Norwegian five-piece featuring DIMMU BORGIR frontman Shagrath (on guitar) (photo), have inked a deal with Nuclear Blast Records. The band entered Panzer studio in Oslo on December 4, 2005 to begin recording their debut album, tentatively due late summer. Two videos from the CD will be shot with acclaimed director Patric Ullaeus of Sweden's Revolver Film Company, who has previously worked with DIMMU BORGIR and LACUNA COIL, among many others. A tour will follow the album's release before the end of the year.

CHROME DIVISION's official bio reads as follows: "Shagrath is well known from his band DIMMU BORGIR, and everybody knows that he have his soul on the devils left hand. But not everybody knows that there's a different side to this guy. He has his heart for dirty rock and roll. Until now, this was an unexposed side to him. During the summer of 2004 he summoned his long time friends Lex Icon of THE KOVENANT and Luna of ASHES TO ASHES on drums and bass guitar, respectively. Suddenly they were trio. During months of rehearsing and beer drinking, the band took shape. CHROME DIVISION was formed.

"Then came the task of finding the right vocalist. They needed a frontman with a real in-your-face attitude. Several guys were considered, but none could meet the demands. Then Luna contacted Eddie Guz, from the rock 'n' roll band THE CARBURETORS. January 2005 this sneering bulldog entered the rehearsing place, and he fitted the band like a glove. Furthermore he was the only one who had long time experience in the field of rock 'n' roll.

"On this point they were close to perfect. It was only missing that last ingredient. And for the extra hot spice Ricky Black was dragged in. And from day one he delivered amazing guitar bending solos.

"From this point it was evident that CHROME DIVISION was to be more than just a side project. From now on they were like a force, spawning stripped down groovy rock’n roll, with a primitive attitude. Strongly determined to go their own ways. To put it short, the label they have put on themselves is doomsday rock 'n' roll.

"A slight drawback was in summer 2005 when Lex Icon had to leave the band. No hard feelings, but there were circumstances that made him unable to rehearse. However the replacement was imminent. Tony from the singular band MINAS TIRITH, came pronto. He's a steady and deadly precise drummer. So the band continued even stronger."

CHROME DIVISION lineup:

Shagrath - Guitar
Luna - Bass
Eddie Guz - Vocals
Ricky Doom - Guitar
Tony White - Drums

CHROME DIVISION have uploaded full-length MP3s of five unmastered tracks on their official web site. The songs available for download at this location are as follows:

01. Serial Killer
02. Breath Easy
03. The Angel Falls
04. Here Comes Another One
05. Break Of Dawn

For more information, visit www.chromedivision.com.

Norway's MORTIIS will be featured on an episode of the Norwegian television show "Lydverket" on Wednesday, March 1.

The subject of the program is masks and images in rock music and MORTIIS' prosthetic-enhanced frontman made the band an obvious choice for the program. Noted for his unique image, the frontman of the same name began wearing a full mask as part of the full MORTIIS concept. "Lydverket" captures Mortiis years later as the concept has evolved and Mortiis has begun removing the mask during live shows.

The "Lydverket" crew followed MORTIIS for nine months, filming and interviewing the band numerous times on tour in England and Norway and at photo shoots.

"Lydverket" (Norwegian for "soundworks") is Norway's biggest and most respected music program with an average of 150,000 viewers and airs on the country's largest channel.

The episode will also include SLIPKNOT, KISS' first manager Bill Aucoin, and ALICE COOPER, among others.

This episode of "Lydverket" will first air on NRK1 on Wednesday, March 1 at 23.10 (11:10 p.m.) and will re-play on NRK2 Sunday, March 5.

Check out a short clip from the "Lydverket" episode at this location.

MORTIIS is currently working on new material. A follow-up to last year's "The Grudge" is planned for this year.

German death metallers NECROPHAGIST will be teaming up with ION DISSONANCE, ARSIS and ALARUM for a Canadian tour between June 1 and June 10. Confirmed dates are as follows:

Jun. 01 - Quebec (QC) - TBA
Jun. 02 - Montreal, Quebec (QC) - Club Soda ***
Jun. 03 - Quebec City, Quebec (QC) - Campus Charlesbourg ***
Jun. 04 - Jonquiere, Quebec (QC) - Cote Cour
Jun. 05 - Dolbeau, Quebec (QC) - Chevaliers Colomb
Jun. 06 - Ottawa, Ontario (ON) - Mavericks
Jun. 07 - Ontario (ON) - TBA
Jun. 08 - Ontario (ON) - TBA
Jun. 09 - Sudbury, Ontario (ON) - Serbian Hall
Jun. 10 - Rouyn-Noranda, Quebec (QC) - Petit Theatre

*** w/ DISFEAR, MISERY INDEX, MESRINE, STRONG INTENTION

As previously reported, NECROPHAGIST recently parted ways with guitarist Christian Münzner due to "scheduling conflicts." The band are currently seeking a replacement. Interested parties can send bio and link to MP3 samples to get an audition to guitarist@necrophagist.de.

NECROPHAGIST will undertake a U.S. tour in April/May prior to their previously announced concerts in Canada. The band will play approximately 30 shows covering the entire country, including an appearance at this year's Maryland Deathfest, which set to take place May 27-28, 2006 at the Sonar in Baltimore. Tour dates, venues and support acts will be announced soon.

NECROPHAGIST's most recent album, "Epitaph", was issued in 2004 via Relapse Records.

According to News.com.au, American punk rock icon and writer Henry Rollins was reported to the National Security hotline during his recent Australian tour because of a book he was reading on a flight to Brisbane.

A furious Rollins was informed he was "nominated as a possible threat" for reading "Jihad: The Rise of Militant Islam In Central Asia", writes Kathy McCabe.

The incident happened on a flight from Auckland on the recent Big Day Out tour.

Rollins told Australian fans during his tour that he received a letter from a "nice woman" who worked "in one of those government areas that deals with anti-terrorism matters."

He posted the letter on his web site.

"Please tell your Government and everyone in your office to go fuck themselves. Baghdad's safer than my hometown and your PM is a sissy," he wrote.

New Jersey-bred maniacal metallers THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN are currently writing material for the group's fourth studio LP, the follow-up to 2004's "Miss Machine". The writing process has been stymied, as guitarist Ben Weinman's been sidelined for close to two months.

Bassist Liam Wilson told MTV News that the band could be back in tour mode by April, but there are no definite plans yet. For the time being, he says DILLINGER will continue crafting fresh tracks for the forthcoming disc, which they hope to have out by the fall.

"I'd say there are three songs finished," he told MTV News. "It's kind of an intense writing process, and the stuff we have so far is pretty detailed. We're spending a lot more time on the individual parts, and it's building slowly. But once you've got the ball rolling, it takes off."

Wilson added that he hasn't heard about DILLINGER being on this summer's Ozzfest, beyond some of the speculation that's been surfacing online in recent weeks.

"Would we do it? Maybe, but if we have to pay to be on it, chances are we won't," he told MTV News. "If we did do it, like anything else, it would be on our terms."

Two DILLINGER DVDs are in the works: one featuring pre-"Miss Machine" material and videos and another filled with footage captured during the making and touring in support of "Machine". He doesn't know when those two projects will materialize.

THE CULT frontman Ian Astbury was recently asked by a fan on the band's official message board if it's true that while recording their last studio album, 2001's "Beyond Good and Evil", they titled one of the demos "Bring Me the Head of Dave Grohl". "Yes, [it's] true," Astbury replied. "It all started with comments that [Dave] Grohl [ex-NIRVANA drummer and current FOO FIGHTERS frontman] had made about coming to see THE CULT on a dare that appeared in Alternative Press. He went on to say that 'overproduced' music like that made him want to shoot himself."

Astbury added, "I have no problem with David or the FOOs... What ev's..."

Astbury also addressed the label problems THE CULT encountered while recording — and shortly after the release of — "Beyond Good and Evil" that eventually led to the band's lengthy hiatus (THE CULT were signed at the time to Lava/Atlantic, led by Jason Flom).

"The Atlantic demise is simple: greed and confusion," Astbury explained. "They wanted the new AEROSMITH (confusion) ... Greed: While 'Beyond Good and Evil' was being released, people were negotiating their share of the AOL takeover of Time Warner. When general staff recieved this information, they realized their days were over, hence why work a CULT/Lava album?!... We had little or NO tour support [and] vitually NO media support. [It had] nothing to do with 'Beyond Good and Evil' not being a potential platinum album. I spent two weeks discussing an AMAZING video treatment with the director Wiz [MARILYN MANSON, CRADLE OF FILTH, SMASHING PUMPKINS], [only] to be told it was not commercially acceptable to the Lava video department. We ended up making a terrible video clip forced by time (also by this point I was less than enamored with anyone involved). During the making of 'Beyond Good and Evil', I was asked by A&R reps to change lyrics and Bob Rock [producer] was asked to present a certain production value that would be commercially viable... Needless to say, I did not comply and fought all the way to the hiatus."

THE CULT's upcoming tour, tagged "A Return To Wild", will cover 19 cities launching at the legendary Fillmore in San Francisco on March 1 and winding up at Nokia Live in New York City. Joining principals Astbury and Billy Duffy (guitar) on the trek will be Chris Wyse (who performed on "Beyond Good and Evil", and has worked with Ozzy Osbourne and Jerry Cantrell since) and drummer John Tempesta (EXODUS, TESTAMENT, HELMET, WHITE ZOMBIE, ROB ZOMBIE). The new lineup will make its debut this Friday (Feb. 24) when they perform on "The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson" on the CBS-TV network.

According to RollingStone.com, KORN bassist Reginald "Fieldy" Arvizu, 36, will marry his girlfriend of five years, Deena Beber, 22, on May 16. The waterfront wedding will take place at the St. Regis Monarch Beach Resort in Dana Point, California. This is the second marriage for the bassist and the first for Beber.

As previously reported, Fieldy recently told MTV News that he is currently working on a new solo project. "It's heavy, man," he said. "It's gonna be totally the flipside of FIELDY'S DREAMS [Fieldy's 2002's solo rap album FIELDY'S DREAMS' 'Rock N Roll Gangster']."

The project, which won't be called FIELDY'S DREAMS, is being helmed by "Rock N Roll Gangster" producer Polarbear.

"I've got about eight songs, instrumentals with hooks in them," Fieldy told MTV News. "I'm singing and it's just more heavier hardcore, not really like the goofy, funny rap thing."

A release date for the album has not yet been announced.

KORN are currently rehearsing for their twenty-six-date North American tour, which kicks off February 24 in Bakersfield, California.

Canadian deathcore act BLOODSHOTEYE will be teaming up with CANNAE and as-yet-undisclosed "guests" for a Canadian tour beginning mid-March. Confirmed dates are as follows:

Mar. 17 - London, ON @ The Embassy
Mar. 18 - Windsor, ON @ 1214
Mar. 19 - Chatham, ON @ Riverplace Banquet Center
Mar. 21 - Hamilton, ON @ The Underground
Mar. 22 - Brampton, ON @ Club Hype
Mar. 23 - St-Catherines, ON @ The Red Square
Mar. 24 - Burlington, ON @ Burlington Lions Club
Mar. 25 - Toronto, ON @ The Reverb
Mar. 26 - Sudbury, ON @ Sudbury Arts Council
Mar. 27 - Peterborough, ON @ The Red Dog
Mar. 28 - Trois-Rivieres, QC @ Rock Café le Stage
Mar. 29 - Montreal, QC @ Club Saphir
Mar. 30 - Quebec, QC @ L'Arlequin
Mar. 31 - St-Hyacinthe, QC @ Salle le Louvre
Apr. 01 - Sherbrooke, QC @ Église Immaculé Conception (w/ NEURAXIS)

BLOODSHOTEYE will also be performing at the TerrorFest in Toronto on July 14. A poster for the tour can be viewed at this location.

BLOODSHOTEYE recently completed work on their sophomore album, "An Unrelenting Assault", for a spring release via Galy Records. Produced by J-F Dagenais (KATAKLYSM, MISERY INDEX), the CD features vocal production by D. Randall Blythe (LAMB OF GOD) and was mastered by Alan Douches (GOD FORBID, UNEARTH). Guest appearances include Alex Erian (DESPISED ICON) on the track "The Last Laugh".

According to ClassicRockRevisited.com, late QUEEN frontman Freddie Mercury has been immortalized in plastic by NECA (National Entertainment Collectibles Association), which plans to release the 18-inch-tall figure in late May. The designers portrayed Mercury as he was at QUEEN's famous Wembley Stadium concert in 1986, complete with short hair, moustache, and yellow jacket, as well as a microphone and a mic stand. There will also be a musical component to the figure, but no further information about that has been announced. Mercury died of AIDS in November 1991.

QUEEN guitarist Brian May saw a prototype of the action figure, and he wrote on his official BrianMay.com web site, "I think the likeness is amazing... it looks like a real tiny version of Freddie... quite uncanny."

QUEEN and current frontman Paul Rodgers will kick off a North American tour in Miami in March 3.

GOTTHARD's latest effort, "Lipservice", has been certified platinum in Switzerland for sales in excess of 40,000 copies (official certification date: January 29, 2006). The ceremony took place in Zürich during the 'PISA Finals." The CD is reportedly approaching double-platinum status.

"Lipservice" was released in Europe last June via G.Records/Nuclear Blast.

3FACED, the new Southern California-based band featuring guitarist/vocalist Patrick Kennison (formerly of UNION UNDERGROUND) and bassist Marty O'Brien (TOMMY LEE, DISTURBED, STATIC-X), took home the award for "Best Alternative Act" at the first annual "Southern California Music Awards". The band were also nominated in the "Best Song" category for their track "I Am". They also performed at the event in front of a sold-out crowd of 1,200 at the historic Warner Grand Theater in San Pedro, California.

In other 3FACED news, the band entered the studio a few days ago to begin recording four new songs with producer/former EVANESCENCE guitarist/songwriter Ben Moody.

For more information, visit www.3Faced.net.

Danish death metal band COMPOS MENTIS have completed work on their sophomore album, "Gehennesis", tentatively due later in the year via an as-yet-undetermined label. The complete track listing for the CD is as follows:

01. The Drunken Diamond
02. The Mind's Eye
03. In the Womb of Winter
04. Portrait of an Attempted Escape
05. Downfall
06. My Suicidal Valentine
07. Faustian
08. Circle of One
09. Tale of the Shadow
10. In the Heart of the Diamond's Secret

Download an audio clip of the track "The Drunken Diamond" at this location.

Commented the band: "Compared to our previous effort, 'Fragments of a Withered Dream', the material on the coming album is faster and more intense and as far as the production goes, it is way heavier! Furthermore, a choir with 45 singers paid us a visit in the studio to record som parts for a few of the songs, and the result turned out very grandiose — look forward to hearing it!"

COMPOS MENTIS' debut album, "Fragments of a Withered Dream", was released in January 2003 via Lost Disciple Records.

Swedish death metallers NOMINON have signed a deal with Poland's Agonia Records to release a vinyl version of their collection of unreleased or hard-to-get tracks, entitled "Remnants of a Diabolical History". The LP will be released in a limited edition of 500 copies in April.

"Remnants of a Diabolical History" (view cover artwork here) contains eleven tracks that previously hadn't been released on the CD format. The artwork was created by Chris Moyen, the CD layout by E of Cold Seed Creations. The material was mastered by T. Stjerna at Necromorbus Studio.

"Remnants of a Diabolical History" track listing:

01. Blaspheming the Dead (Prev. unreleased version)
02. Invocations (from the 7" EP)
03. Live for Violence (prev. unreleased VOIVOD cover)
04. Cemetery of Life (from Promo '97)
05. Servants of The Moonlight (prev unreleased re-recorded version)
06. Diabolical Bloodshed (prev. unreleased)
07. Spit on Your Grave (WHIPLASH cover, from the LP 12")
08. Blessed by Fire (from the 7" EP)
09. Genocide (prev. unreleased version)
10. Decomposed (REPULSION cover, from the Cass-EP 2003)
11. Sodom's Fall (from Promo '97)

NOMINON's latest album, "Recremation", was issued last year via Konqueror Records (CD) and Blood Harvest Records (12-inch vinyl). The album was recorded and mixed at Necromorbus Studio in Stockholm with engineer Tore Stjerna. A video for the track "House of Flies" was shot during the band's European tour with VITAL REMAINS in September/October 2005.

Swedish death metallers NECROPHOBIC have posted the following stuio update on their official web site:

"Last Saturday, February the 12th, Fredrik Folkare started to mix the new album and yesterday, we all got the first basic mixdown to listen to. Now, we will decide what we want to change, sound-wise and level-wise to proceed for next mixdown, which hopefully will be the final."

As previously reported, NECROPHOBIC have inked a deal with Regain Records for the release of their fifth album, "Hrimthursum". The follow-up to 2002's "Bloodhymns" was recorded at the Dark Voodoo Studio with engineers Anders Bentell and Fredrik Folkare (guitarist and producer of UNLEASHED) and is tentatively due later in the year.

"Hrimthursum" (a word taken from the old Norse mythology which means "The Frost Giants") will feature the following track listing (in no particular order):

01. Slaughter of Baby Jesus
02. Branded by Light, Enlightened by Darkness
03. Eternal Winter
04. The Crossing
05. I Strike with Wrath
06. Vril
07. Sitra Ahra
08. Bitter Cold Blizzard
09. Serpents (Beneath the Forest of the Dead)
10. Age of Chaos
11. Death Immaculate
12. Black Hate

NECROPHOBIC had previously performed the track "Branded by Light, Enlightened by Darkness" at the Party.San Open Air festival in Germany.

Starting on February 24, AOL Music will be offering a free download of a new CANNIBAL CORPSE track, entitled "Maniacal", taken from the group's upcoming album "Kill". The song will be exclusive to AOL until March 24.

As previously reported, two songs from "Kill" — "Make Them Suffer" and "Necrosadistic Warning" — have been made available for listening at this location.

"Kill" is scheduled for release on March 27 via Metal Blade Records. The CD was recorded at Mana Studios in St. Petersburg, Florida with producer Erik Rutan (MORBID ANGEL, HATE ETERNAL). The track listing is as follows:

01. The Time To Kill Is Now
02. Make Them Suffer
03. Murder Worship
04. Necrosadistic Warning
05. Five Nails Through The Neck
06. Purification By Fire
07. Death Walking Terror
08. Barbaric Bludgeonings
09. The Discipline Of Revenge
10. Brain Removal Device
11. Maniacal
12. Submerged in Boiling Flesh
13. Infinite Misery

CANNIBAL CORPSE recently announced the addition of guitarist Rob Barrett as a permanent replacement for guitarist Jack Owen, who left the band in 2004. Barrett, who played with the group from 1993 to 1997 and appeared on "The Bleeding" and "Vile" albums, has contributed one song to "Kill".

CANNIBAL CORPSE have been confirmed for the Sounds of the Underground tour, set to take place in July/August.

Sammy Hagar will be Alice Cooper's special guest on Cooper's radio show "Nights with Alice Cooper" airing on Wednesday, February 22. The program is a classic-rock format and is nationally syndicated on the United Stations Radio Networks. Air times differ, so make sure to check out NightsWithAliceCooper.com for more information.

As previously reported, a Sammy Hagar-themed cruise is currently being planned for April. The cruise would leave from Los Angeles and make its way down to Cabo San Lucas. Details have not been confirmed yet but there are rumors of "killer entertainment" on the way to Cabo and a private SAMMY AND THE WABOS show at the Cabo Wabo Cantina for people who have purchased this package.

The first U.S. outpost of Sammy Hagar's Cabo Wabo Cantina has been named a top location. The hospitality industry trade magazine Nightclub & Bar compiled a list of the Top 100 bars and clubs in the U.S., and Hagar's operation in Lake Tahoe, Nevada, made the list. The honor will be officially presented at the Nightclub & Bar/Beverage Retailer Beverage And Food Convention & Trade Show in Las Vegas in March.

Hagar has plans to open several more Cabo Wabo locations across the U.S. He's got one due in St. Louis in spring 2007.

NEVERMORE guitarist Jeff Loomis will make a guest appearance on the new solo album from Pamela Moore, the voice of "Sister Mary" from QUEENSRŸCHE's legendary concept album "Operation: Mindcrime". Neil Kernon (QUEENSRŸCHE, NEVERMORE, CANNIBAL CORPSE, DEICIDE) recently finished mixing the effort, which he has been producing on and off (based on Pamela's touring schedule with QUEENSRŸCHE) since early July last year.

Commented Kernon: "Originally, Jeff wasn't available in our initial session time slot to do the rhythm tracks, so we decided to try to catch up with him later in the year (this last December in fact, after NEVERMORE's touring also wound down) so he could do the solo guitars. We sent him the material early so he could go over it and he dug it so much that we ended up making the decision to re-record the rhythm guitars with him as well, and gave us the inimitable Loomis groove on the tracks. Wonderful job all round actually. I think there will be many people out there that will really enjoy what he gave to this project.

"At one point in the proceedings Warrel [Dane, NEVERMORE frontman] was also very kindly going to make a guest appearance on a track, but in the end scheduling didn't allow it to materialise. Thanks for your interest anyway, Warrel!"

KINGDOM OF SORROW, the new project featuring HATEBREED frontman Jamey Jasta and CROWBAR guitarist/vocalist Kirk Windstein, have uploaded a track entitled "Buried in Black" at this location. The song comes off the group's debut album, tentatively due this spring through an as-yet-undetermined label. The CD was recorded at Planet Z studios in Massachusetts with producer Zeuss (HATEBREED, SHADOWS FALL) and will reportedly include 13 tracks plus a cover of MOTÖRHEAD's "No Class". "Buried in Black" will also be included on the upcoming third installment of the "MTV Headbanger's Ball" compilations, entitled "MTV Headbanger's Ball - The Revenge", due on April 11 via Roadrunner Records.

Jasta had previously stated about the KINGDOM OF SORROW debut, "This is seriously going to blow people's minds! Steve Gibb from CROWBAR (formerly of BLACK LABEL SOCIETY) [flew] up from Miami to rip some solos and leads on a few tracks. We are also going to have two INSANE guest appearances that will definitely shock and excite people. . . Kirk is singing with me as well as playing the bass and guitar on the album, and we have both been writing and bringing ideas to the table. It's been killer!"

Norwegian metallers GRIFFIN have announced the addition of lead guitarist Roar "Emperoar" Naustvoll to the group's ranks. "This 18-year-old virtuoso fits perfectly into the band, and we look forward to introduce him to you properly on the forthcoming tour," the band write on their web site. "For this tour, we have hired Alessandro Elide from the excellent band MANIFEST to do the drumming. No one could do the job better. This semi-Italian maestro is capable of playing anything, and right now we have our hands full with just trying to keep up with his excellent playing. This is because our own drummer Marius is becomming a father for the second time in May. The studio for the recording of our fifth album has been booked in September. The album will be recorded in Godt Selskap, and mixed/mastered in Los Angered Recordings by Andy LaRocque."

GRIFFIN released their fourth full-length album, entitled "Lifeforce", in August via Massacre Records. The Japanese and European editions of the album contain a bonus track called "Unforgiver", featuring KING DIAMOND's Andy LaRocque on lead guitar.

The follow-up to 2004's "No Holds Barred", "Lifeforce" was recorded at Godt Selskap studios in Trondheim, Norway and was mixed by LaRocque at his Los Angered Studio in Gothenburg, Sweden.

GRIFFIN, who recently enlisted vocalist Rolf Bakken to front the group following the departure of Pete Beck, will be supporting KING DIAMOND on a European tour beginning on May 9 in Poland. Exact cities and dates will be announced soon.

The Des Moines Register recently conducted an interview with former MARILYN MANSON and current NINE INCH NAILS/A PERFECT CIRCLE bassist Jeordie White (a.k.a. Twiggy Ramirez). A few excerpts from the chat follow:

On playing with MARILYN MANSON:

Jeordie: "My days with Manson were such a roller coaster, kind of a coming-of-age thing, that it almost seems like a dream," he said. "I don't remember much of it to be honest."

Q: You've served with Manson, Maynard James Keenan (A PERFECT CIRCLE) and Trent Reznor, three of the most extreme and demanding singers/bandleaders of metal. How do you do it?

Jeordie: "I do play with probably three of the best people at what they do in that genre, but these are just people I know, they're just friends that I've met through the business. . . . I think now as everyone's getting older it's a lot easier, and people's egos are at rest. . . . It's pretty relaxed, actually."

Q: How bad a boy were you in the '90s?

Jeordie: "You just forget about taking care of yourself and just being a good person and being nice to people around you. One's ego can get so inflated and get so crazy and full of this power that you think that you have, you just do stupid things. At the time I didn't think I was doing anything wrong. I don't have any regrets, really. But I wouldn't act the way I acted then, now. Never in a million years. I see people in other bands — this makes me feel old, kind of — I see people in other bands coming up, looking and behaving only a tiny, tiny percentage of the way I did. I was way more ridiculous. Much, much bigger of an (bleep). These guys are idiots. I think I can say that 'cause I was worse."

Q: So these days you're sober and . . . ?

Jeordie: "I'm not sober. I'm clean. I just got off tour and I decided not to drink for a couple of months. It's definitely a cleansing thing. I understand the sober lifestyle. I understand why people could get sober. I'm not totally sober now, but in comparison to how things used to be I would say I'm pretty sober."

Q: Do you ever miss the days of Twiggy, the dresses, the shock, the theatricality?

Jeordie: "I miss it sometimes. There's a lot of parts of my life that I like so much better now. One of the reasons I'm not in (MARILYN MANSON) anymore is that I started to feel a little ridiculous. . . . The time period I was in that band I meant it, all the theatrics onstage, all the characters, so to speak, without sounding too stupid or pretentious. The Twiggy Ramirez character was real. And then it began to start to feel like Gene Simmons or something. 'Oh, I gotta put my dress on to go play.' If I were to do that again I probably wouldn't be that same person. I wouldn't just do the KISS reunion and throw the dress on and smear my makeup and start doing a bunch of drugs."

Q: What's your plan post-NAILS?

Jeordie: "If the opportunity arose to do a record with MANSON, I'd do it, under the right circumstances. With APC I'd like to. I'd like to do my own record, which I've been working on over the last couple years. . . . It just seems like every plan that I've had in the past usually changes to another outside opportunity that was unexpected. I didn't ask or look for A PERFECT CIRCLE or NINE INCH NAILS. . . . It's just something that knocked at my door: OK, sure."

MURDERDOLLS frontman Wednesday 13 will playing a special show on Saturday, April 1 at the Hardknox Shock festival at The Ridglea Theatre in Forth Worth, Texas. Also appearing on the bill will be JACKNIFE and HILLBILLY ORCHESTRA (who are reportedly signed to ex-PANTERA drummer Vinnie Paul's label, Big Vin Records).

Wednesday 13 will enter the studio on February 26 to begin recording the follow-up to last year's "Transylvania 90210: Songs of Death, Dying, and the Dead". Over 30 songs have been written for the as-yet-untitled album, including "Buried With Children", "My Home Sweet Homicide", "Morgue Than Words", and "Till Death Do Us Party". Wednesday will be handling the production duties once again for a tentative late spring worldwide release on a soon-to-be-announced new label.

Commented Wednesday: "Rumors are flying, and a lot of people have us written off, and think we're down for the count, due to our recent split from Roadrunner Records and the cancellation of THE 69 EYES tour. Well, let me just say that they couldn't be more wrong!!! All is alive and well here in Camp 13, and this is shaping up to be the best-looking year for us so far. We will be announcing our new record label home very soon, which were very excited about, so stay tuned for that.

"As far as the new album, it's a little early to say exactly what the end result will be. I can certainly say this will not be 'Transylvania Pt. 2', in fact, I think it will be the exact opposite. The new tracks are fast, fun, and dumb, and I'd say a little more reminiscent of my earlier days with FRANKENSTEIN DRAG QUEENS, but with a new twist. I'm really approaching it with a 'less is best' attitude."

Danish hard rockers D-A-D are hard at work on the third video from their latest album, "Scare Yourself". The clip, for the song "Lawrence of Suburbia", will mark the first time the band have used a fully animated video for one of their tracks since "ZCMI" from the 1989 album "No Fuel Left for the Pilgrims".

The group's ninth studio album, "Scare Yourself" topped the album chart in Denmark upon its release in May 2005.

D-A-D's previous CD, "Soft Dogs", was officially certified gold (25,000 copies sold) in Denmark within four days of its release in February 2002. The album had shifted 32,000 copies domestically less than a week after it was issued.

CRONIAN (formerly ION), the Norwegian/Swedish project featuring BORKNAGAR members Oystein G. Brun (guitars and programming) and Vintersorg (vocals and programming), will release their debut album, "Terra", in the U.S. on April 18. The CD will arrive in Europe on March 27 via Century Media Records. Songtitles set to appear on "Terra" include "Cronian", "The Alp", "Iceolated" and "Nonexistence". The CD was mastered by Dan Swanö at Unisound.

According to a posting on MY DYING BRIDE's official web site, the band have spent the winter months writing material for a new album, to be recorded in April. A late 2006 release is expected.

MY DYING BRIDE's second DVD, "Sinamorata", was released in August via Peaceville. The disc included a video for the track "The Blue Lotus" (directed and conceived by David Palzer), live footage (12 songs) shot on November 2, 2003 in Antwerpen, Belgium, as well as backstage extras, the "Prize of Beauty" promotional clip, two videos made by MY DYING BRIDE fans ("Hope the Destroyer" and "My Wine In Silence") and a photo gallery featuring fan-created artwork inspired by the band's music.

MY DYING BRIDE's eighth studio album, "Songs of Darkness, Words of Light", was released in February 2004 through Peaceville Records. The follow-up to 2001's "The Dreadful Hours" was recorded and mixed at Academy Studio in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire with producer Mags.

Norway's THEATRE OF TRAGEDY will travel to Nürnberg, Germany next weekend to shoot a video for their new single, "Storm". The clip will be produced by AVA Studios and will be shot at an old vault. According to a posting on the group's web site, "windmachines will be heavily used and abused."

"Storm", the single, will be released as a special digipack in Europe on February 27 and in Germany on February 24 via AFM Records/Soulfood.

"Storm" single (view artwork at this location) track listing:

01. Storm (album version) (audio sample)
02. Begin & End (album version) (audio sample)
03. Beauty in Deconstruction (unreleased track)
04. Storm (Rustflower Inc. tornado mix)

THEATRE OF TRAGEDY's new album, "Storm", will be released in Germany and Switzerland on Friday, March 24 via AFM Records. The rest of Europe will follow on Monday, March 27. A U.S. release date will be announced later. The CD was produced by Rico Darum and mixed by Greg Reely (PARADISE LOST, FEAR FACTORY, FRONT LINE ASSEMBLY, SKINNY PUPPY, etc.) at The Green Jacket studios in Richmond, B.C., Canada. The limited edition will have one bonustrack called "Highlights". More soundclips will follow soon.

THEATRE OF TRAGEDY's new album will be the group's first to feature singer Nell (THE CREST), who replaced Liv Kristine Espenaes Krull (currently in LEAVES' EYES) in early 2004.

As previously reported, Norway's GOTHMINISTER have been confirmed as the support act for THEATRE OF TRAGEDY on their upcoming European tour. GOTHMINISTER will appear on all shows except the Norwegian dates. Germany's CATASTROPHE BALLET will be additional support on the Hannover and Frankfurt shows. A complete list of currently confirmed tour dates can be found at this location.

Savannah sludge rockers KYLESA have issued the following update:

"Drummer tryouts went really well — thanks to everyone who made the trek to Savannah. Since the dawn of KYLESA, it was our intention to have two drummers but at the time it didn't pan out. Finally, after five years it has become a reality and two new members have been added to play drums: Jeff Porter from Detroit and Carl McGinley of Savannah (who also drums for the UNPERSONS). We feel that this is our strongest line up as of yet and new and old songs are coming along great."

KYLESA recently wrapped up touring, both in the U.S. and abroad, in support of their Prosthetic Records debut, "To Walk A Middle Course". After touring alongside the likes of 3 STAGES OF PAIN, COLISEUM and TORCHE, KYLESA are now concentrating on writing new music for the next record.

KYLESA's "To Walk A Middle Course" was produced by Alex Newport (MELVINS, AT THE DRIVE-IN, NAILBOMB, THE LOCUST).

According to The London Free Press, ALICE COOPER, KIM MITCHELL and STYX have been confirmed for Rock the Park III, set to take place July 20-22 at Harris Park in London, Ontario, Canada. Sources say Canadian rockers LOVERBOY and U.S. star EDDIE MONEY are also likely to play the classic rock festival. More acts will be announced soon.