Norwegian symphonic black metallers DIMMU BORGIR have recruited NILE's Tony Laureano as a session drummer for the duration of Ozzfest 2004 after the group's Danish skinsman, Reno Kiilerich (PANZERCHRIST, EXMORTEM, VILE), was unable to obtain a U.S. work visa in time to join the band on the road. No further information is currently available.

Capitol Records recording artist OTEP will report from the road during this summer's Ozzfest tour on XM Satellite Radio, the nation's leading provider of satellite radio. OTEP will be touring in support of their sophomore release, "House of Secrets", the eagerly awaited album from the acclaimed dark metallists, in stores on July 27.

The band's lead singer (and namesake) Otep and bassist Evil J will file reports on XM Radio each week during the tour. Armed with a digital tape recorder, the band will collect political opinions and personal views from artists, crew members, and fans at Ozzfest.

The segments — called "The Front Line" — will give XM listeners a rare, first-hand perspective of life on the road as OTEP travels across the country.

"The Front Line" will appear on "XM Liquid Metal", XM's 24-hour uncensored hard-metal channel, as well as the hard-alternative-rock channel "Squizz" and hard-rock channel "Boneyard".

"Every day a statement is made, from the hair styles we choose, to the music we listen to, to the books we read, to the people we date, to the cars we drive, to the clothes we wear," explained Otep in a press release. "Everyone makes a statement, and this is no different. In fact, its probably one of the most important things we can do: to speak out, to have a voice, to have an opinion, to be informed, to be involved, to celebrate our democracy with a festival of support or dissent. I am very honored to be working with XM Radio and 'Liquid Metal' this summer to be a part of the new American movement of provoked, passionate citizens."

Norwegian extreme metallers DISIPLIN, featuring ex-members of MYRKSKOG and EVILIZER, will premier five songs off their forthcoming album, "Quimbanda", at the Hole In The Sky festival, a four-day event set to be held August 25-28, 2004 at three different venues in Bergen, Norway. The new tracks scheduled to be performed at the festival are "Feed The Fucker To The Dogs", "Anti-Life", "Chaos From Order", "Quimbanda" and "The Arsonist Academy". "We are looking forward to playing the festival and sharing the stage with so many great bands," stated DISIPLIN guitarist General K. "You can rest assured that the show will be a fanatic display of orthodox devil worship!"

DISIPLIN's sophomore album, "Quimbanda" is tentatively due in early 2005 though Moonfog Records. The follow-up to the group's 2003 self-titled debut will be recorded in August.

Century Media Records has set an October 5 North American release date for NAPALM DEATH's follow-up album to the "Leaders Not Followers" EP, the long-awaited collection of covers entitled "Leaders Not Followers 2". The album features an appearance on two songs by Jim Whiteley, the band's original bass player on the B-side of the legendary "Scum" album.

As previously reported, "Leaders Not Followers 2" will include the following cuts:

01. CRYPTIC SLAUGHTER - "Lowlife"
02. THE OFFENDERS - "Face Down In The Dirt"
03. DEVASTATION - "Devastation"
04. HELLHAMMER - "Messiah"
05. ANTI CIMEX - "Victims of a Bomb Raid"
06. WEHRMACHT - "Fright Night"
07. DISCHARGE - "War's No Fairytale"
08. SIEGE - "Conform"
09. MASTER - "Master"
10. INSANITY - "Fire Death Fate"
11. KREATOR - "Riot of Violence"
12. ANTI CIMEX - "Game of the Arseholes"
13. MASSACRE - "Clangor Of War"
14. ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT - "Dope Fiend"
15. DIE KREUZEN - "I'm Tired"
16. SEPULTURA - "Troops of Doom"
17. THE DAYGLO ABORTIONS - "Bedtime Story"
18. AGNOSTIC FRONT - "Blind Justice"
19. HIRAX - "Hate, Fear and Power"

An "unmixed" version of NAPALM DEATH's cover of KREATOR's "Riot Of Violence" has been posted online in MP3 format at this location.

NAPALM DEATH have been confirmed to support CANNIBAL CORPSE on a month-long U.S. tour beginning in late October. Also appearing on the bill are VADER, GOATWHORE and KATAKLYSM.

THE KNELL, an Israeli doom/death metal band in the vein of early ANATHEMA and MY DYING BRIDE, have reformed. Formed in 1998, the group decided separate ways just a day before a scheduled concert with ORPHANED LAND. A few weeks ago, THE KNELL decided to resume activity, and are currently working on new material.

For a sample of THE KNELL's music, click here.

Chicago prog/power metallers ION VEIN have signed a two-album deal with the U.K.'s Now and Then Records. The group's "Reigning Memories" CD is scheduled for release in Europe and the Far East in late August/early September. "We couldn't be more excited!" the band write in a statement. "Label president Mark Ashton has been a big fan of the album for quite some time now and we're very happy to have Now and Then behind us so we can finally reach a wider audience. In addition, we have started demoing songs for the new album. The first three tracks, entitled 'Enough', 'Against the World', and 'In the End', have been tracked with some vocals bits left to do along with bass guitar. The plan is to send these tracks out to some key people for feedback while we continue writing. Two more songs have been written and things are going quite well, we think you'll be happy with the 'heavy' progression we've made since 'Reigning Memories' was released!"

LEASH LAW guitarist Emo Mowery (TIWANAKU, ex-NOCTURNUS) has issued the following update:

"As most of you already know our drummer Mr. Richard Christy has taken the place of Stuttering John of 'The Howard Stern Show'. All of us in LEASH LAW and TIWANAKU are very happy for him as he is living his dreams! We would never be the ones to stand in the way of Richard's or anyone's dreams for that matter!! We have stood by him to the fullest and at 200% through the whole auditioning process and will continue to stand by him in the days to come. He is and always will be our good friend — CREETCHURD. CONGRATULATIONS RICHARD!!!!!

"Richard has decided to move to New York permanently. In the beginning it was thought that he was going to go there and do his job for three months and then come back to Florida but he has decided to go there, to stay, whether the job lasts three months or more. We totally respect his decision!! After talking with him and the rest of the band/s we have decided that it is now in our best interest to find a replacement drummer for both of the bands. We hate to have to do this but, as the old saying goes, 'A band's got to do what a band's gotta do.' Richard has offered to keep recording with us and we have, of course, gladly accepted that, as long as we cannot find a replacement. Thanks Richard!

"We have had interest from some drummers ever since the news was out about Richard leaving ICED EARTH and then getting the gig with Stern. Auditions have commenced as of last Saturday with some very good results. We wish to audition anyone else out there that may be interested in tearing it up with LEASH LAW AND TIWANAKU. Yes we are looking for 'one' drummer for both of our bands so the best man will join two bands. If any of you crazy ass drummers out there are interested you can email us at redkenyi@tampabay.rr.com

"Come show us what you got!!!!!!!

"Thanks to ALL of the metal community and everyone else for supporting Richard and his dream!!!! He deserves it!!"

TOOL/A PERFECT CIRCLE frontman Maynard James Keenan and RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS bassist Flea have been added to the lineup of artists scheduled to perform at The Axis of Justice concert on July 17 at the Avalon in Los Angeles. Also set to appear are SYSTEM OF A DOWN singer Serj Tankian, AUDIOSLAVE's Tom Morello and Brad Wilk, JURASSIC 5, PETE YORN and RAY WITTER, among others. The nonprofit organization, founded by Tankian and Morello, works toward bringing together artists, fans and political groups to fight for social justice.

Two tracks from the forthcoming JAG PANZER album, "Casting the Stones", have been posted online at the group's official web site. The songs available for download are "Battered & Bruised" (mp3) and "Legion Immortal" (mp3).

As previously reported, "Casting the Stones" is scheduled for release in October through Century Media Records. Said to be "a more aggressive version" of 2001's "Mechanized Warfare", "Casting the Stones" was recorded in part at Tampa's Morrisound Studios with producer Jim Morris and will feature artwork by Mattias Noren.

"Casting The Stones" track listing:

01. Feast Or Famine
02. The Mission (1943)
03. Vigilant
04. Achilles
05. Temptest
06. Legion Immortal
07. Battered & Bruised
08. Cold
09. Starlight's Fury
10. The Harkening
11. Precipice

MURDERDOLLS frontman Wednesday 13 has abandoned plans to utilize Floridian "grave rockers" DEATH BECOMES YOU as his backing band during his upcoming U.S. and European solo tour dates. "The reasoning why they will not be joining me is not anything bad nor personal," Wednesday writes on his web site. "I never said that DEATH BECOMES YOU would be with me permanently. They were only my backing band for the 'Graveyard A Go-Go Tour', and with hopes that we could continue on future shows, but I never made any promises. I will be doing a lot more live shows than I originally planned throughout 2004-2005, as well as recording my solo album, and I wanted to assemble a permanent band. DEATH BECOMES YOU and I are 12 hours apart, which makes rehearsing extremely difficult. I wish their was an easy solution to this, but we are just too far apart to make things work on a full time basis and the fact that DBY is their priority. I would need the commitment of DEATH BECOMES YOU full time and that would mean they would have to put their band on hold and relocate to North Carolina. This is something I would never ask them to do. Also, I'm not working on a big budget and I am funding everything myself. Take MURDERDOLLS for example: MURDERDOLLS would have never happened if Roadrunner Records wasn't footing the bill on traveling expenses, because we all lived in different states. DEATH BECOMES YOU did a great job on the 'Graveyard A Go-Go Tour' and I'm glad you all got to discover their band. I hope you will keep supporting them."

With regards to his new solo band lineup, Wednesday 13 writes, "I have assembled a new cast of ghouls, some good friends locally here in my town. These guys will be playing on my solo record and joining me on the upcoming live shows as well. I have began working with the plastic-haired, plastic-faced 'Ikky', formerly of FRANKENSTEIN DRAG QUEENS. Kid Kid on bass, formerly lead vocalist and creator of LUNATIC CANDY KREEP. Completing the line up is Ghastly on the drums, a stitched-up cadaver that you will surely 'die' for. The first show with the new line up will be in the US in August, see the tour dates for more info. Expect a different show altogether than the last time around. A different set list, a different look, and I've got a few new tricks up my sleeve...so look out.

"I will be entering the studio in two weeks to begin recording my solo record. I have got some great tunes written for the album and I promise that you will not be disappointed."

Upcoming WEDNESDAY 13 tour dates:

Aug. 14 - Rock Hill, SC @ The Money

"Look What The Bats Dragged In" European tour:

Nov. 03 - Wales, Cardiff, UK @ Barfly
Nov. 04 - Exiter, UK @ Cavern
Nov. 05 - London, UK @ Islington Academy
Nov. 07 - Manchester, UK @ Academy 3
Nov. 08 - Birmingham, UK @ Academy 2
Nov. 09 - Glasgow, SCO @ King Tuts
Nov. 10 - Belfast, IRE @ Lime Light
Nov. 11 - Dublin, IRE @ Music Centre
Nov. 13 - Brighton, UK @ Concorde 2
Nov. 14 - Utrecht, NETH @ Helling
Nov. 15 - Brussels, BEL @ Botanuiqe
Nov. 16 - Tilburg, NETH @ 0-13
Nov. 17 - Colchester, UK @ Arts Centre
Nov. 18 - Liverpool, UK @ Barfly

Japanese tour 2005:

Jan. 11 – Osaka, JPN @ Club Quattro
Jan. 12 – Tokyo, JPN @ Club Quattro

GOATSNAKE will be issuing an EP of new material in August through Southern Lord Records. Titled "Trampled Under Hoof", the CD and LP/vinyl will contain three brand-new songs with Scott Reeder (KYUSS, THE OBSESSED) on bass and two rare cover versions of songs originally written and recorded by SAINT VITUS and BLACK OAK ARKANSAS. Southern Lord will also be reissuing GOATSNAKE's debut album, "1", in September along with the "Dog Days" EP on one CD. Extensive liner notes, photos, killer packaging and bonus tracks will make this an essential collection.

Steven Hepker of The Jackson Citizen Patriot reports that a judge Friday transferred to Muskegon County a defamation suit by rocker Ted Nugent against the Muskegon Summer Celebration.

"I'd like to hear the case because it sounds interesting," Jackson County Circuit Judge Charles Nelson told attorneys. "But I can't."

Summer Celebration officials canceled a contract with Nugent to perform last summer after a pair of disc jockeys in Denver claimed he made a racial slur in a radio interview May 5, 2003. The DJs cut short the live interview, which was conducted by phone. Read more.

Greece's ROTTING CHRIST have amicably parted ways with longtime guitarist Costas due to "personal reasons." A replacement guitarist has yet to be announced. Costas' final appearance with ROTTING CHRIST will take place on July 24 at Anhembi in São Paulo, Brazil as part of the Masters Open Air Festival. Other groups set to perform at the festival include URIAH HEEP, NEVERMORE, OVERKILL, BLAZE and CIRCLE II CIRCLE.

As previously reported, ROTTING CHRIST have set "Sanctus Diavolos" as the title of their new album, tentatively due in September through Century Media Records. The follow-up to 2002's "Genesis" was produced by ROTTING CHRIST guitarist/vocalist Sakis Tolis at SCA Studios in Athens and was mixed by Fredrik Nordström at Studio Fredman in Gothenburg, Sweden.

Courttv.com reports that Jimi Hendrix's brother, Leon Hendrix, has teamed up with seven of the 11 beneficiaries of Jimi's multimillion-dollar estate to remove Jimi's stepsister Janie Hendrix as head of the estate on grounds that she used the inheritance as her own personal playground.

For example, Janie spent $3 million creating a record label for her husband and recording three of his gospel albums, Leon's suit alleges.

"I want Janie's credit card to be taken away," said attorney David Osgood, who is representing the seven beneficiaries. "Janie has spent money into oblivion. They will tell you that the income over the past few years earned them $47 million, but what they won't tell you is that they spent $48 million, which is a huge net operating loss."

The plaintiffs also assert she has done a terrible job managing the estate.

"They attempted to put out a fan magazine, but since it wasn't done correctly, no one bought it," Osgood said. "There was an unsuccessful Web site and a surplus amount of bonuses set to help Janie and her cohorts." Read more.

Netherland-based aggressive metal/hardcore band TRANSMISSION0 will release their debut album, "0" (Zero), on August 24 through Go Kart Records.

"0" was completely created (recorded/mixed) at the band's own Behind Green Door Studios in Tilburg, The Netherlands with guitarist Mischa van Rodijnen serving as both album producer and mixer. "At first it didn't look as if we would ever really start this band," says bassist Dave van Beek of the album and the band's early formation. "After the break up of our former band (REVEAL), Mischa and I decided we wanted to start a dark, heavy and atmospheric band. And it took us three years to get everything to our liking in place."

Originally planning to work with small European indie Garden of Exile Records, TRANSMISSION0 switched paths earlier this year when recordings by the band were received by long-respected U.S. label Go Kart Records. More known for punk rock, in which the label is home to THE MEATMEN, BUZZCOCKS, G.B.H., LUNACHICKS, TEN FOOT POLE and the recent reissue of PIGMY LOVE CIRCUS (featuring TOOL drummer Danny Carey), the two agreed to align together. Three months of work would find "0" completed and ready for the worldwide stage.

"I cannot express really how happy I am with the result, especially considering we have done it all on our own." says van Beek. "We didn't have a producer or really expensive studio equipment. It was just us and the stuff we had at that moment. We are really proud of this album."

Described as a mix of ISIS, NEUROSIS, MASTODON and CAVE-IN, "0" features the following track listing:

01. Journey
02. vs Vampire
03. San Miguel
04. **
05. The Return
06. U-boot
07. Dust Like Sand
08. Ether
09. Serenity
10. ***

Go Kart Records is distributed exclusively in the U.S. and Canada by Koch Entertainment and Plastichead Music Distribution for all European territories.

Belgian black metallers GORATH have signed a deal with Black Owl Records. The group will enter the studio this summer to begin recording their full-length debut, "Elite", tentatively due in the fall. "The new record will contain mostly older songs, around three new anthems and something rare," according to an official press release.

In other news, GORATH's split CD with Italy's TOD, "Haunting the December Chords", will be reissued through the Italian label Eyes Of The Dead Productions. The album, which originally came out in 2003, will be made available in a limited edition of 666 hand-numbered copies.

For more information on GORATH, visit the band's official web site.

LIVING LOUD, the new "supergroup" consisting of Bob Daisley (OZZY OSBOURNE, RAINBOW, URIAH HEEP) on bass, Steve Morse (DEEP PURPLE, KANSAS, DIXIE DREGS) on guitar, Don Airey (DEEP PURPLE, RAINBOW) on keyboards, Lee Kerslake (URIAH HEEP, OZZY OSBOURNE) on drums and Jimmy Barnes (COLD CHISEL) on vocals, will have their CD and DVD released through EMI International in three formats: The original studio CD with two bonus live tracks ("Crazy Train" and "Good Times"), the DVD, or a DVD/CD double-pack titled "Loud & Live". The DVD will be available in PAL and NTSC formats, and will feature two bonus tracks not found on the CD ("Gimme Some Lovin'" and "Good Times"). Exact release dates have yet to be confirmed. In addition, negotiations are in place with iTunes to release a recording of the group's entire April 26 show in Sydney exclusively in the coming weeks.

LIVING LOUD's debut album was recorded in Florida at Greg Rikes studio with producer Darren Schneider, who has worked with DEEP PURPLE, MATCHBOX 20 and CREED. The keyboards were subsequently laid down and at AIR studios in London, where the entire affair was mixed. The album includes five new original songs written by Steve, Jimmy, Lee and Bob, along with several cover versions of various OZZY OSBOURNE classics.

A brand-new PYORRHOEA track, entitled "Anal Arousal", has been posted online at this location.

"Anal Arousal" comes off the Polish death/grind band's debut CD, "Desire For Torment", due later this year through in conjunction with the fourth issue of Thrash 'em All magazine.

PYORRHOEA are said to be one of the most brutal bands on Polish scene, mixing grindcore and death metal influences. "Desire For Torment" was recorded at Hertz Studio and was mastered by Bartosz Trojanowski. The band's lineup consists of well-known musicians from such bands as HATE, VESANIA and DEVILYN.

"Desire For Torment" (view cover here) track listing:

01. Slave
02. Excrements On Your Face
03. Masskill Symptom
04. Bondage Punishment Torture
05. Suicidal Masturbation
06. Anal Arousal
07. Addicted To Killing
08. S.W.Y.T.E.Y.O.S.
09. Consume You
10. Desire For Torment
11. Chainsaw Dance
12. 0108
13. Hung On A Hook
14. Dead Orgy Scene

All week long, you can listen to Three Ring Radio's exclusive interview with the guy who took the swing at Glenn Danzig (Image#1, Image#2). NORTH SIDE KINGS singer Danny Marianinho will speak to Three Ring Radio (web site) about his altercation with Glenn following DANZIG's performance in Tuba City, Arizona on July 3. "Was it a set-up? A lucky punch? Hear the evidence... decide their fate," reads an official press release. Also set to appear is former DANZIG employee Hart Fisher.

Scheduled air times (www.radiofreesatan.com):

Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday: 12:00 a.m., 8:00 a.m., 4:00 p.m.
Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday: 2:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m., 6:00 p.m.

Finnish female-fronted gothic heavy rock act LULLACRY have uploaded a bunch of new promotional photos at this location.

As previously reported, LULLACRY are scheduled to release a new EP, "Fire Within", on August 23 through Century Media Records. The CD features two new songs, "Fire Within" and "The #1 Rebel", plus two remakes of earlier LULLACRY tracks, and a cover of W.A.S.P.'s "L.O.V.E. Machine". Download a short MP3 sample of the title track at this location. The lyrics to the song can be viewed here.

LULLACRY will support NIGHTWISH on their North American tour beginning in mid-August.

KILLSWITCH ENGAGE will embark on a headlining tour from August 17 to September 17 with FROM AUTUMN TO ASHES, EIGHTEEN VISIONS and 36 CRAZYFISTS opening, playing cities all over the United States.

In addition, from late October 27 through mid-December, KILLSWITCH ENGAGE will tour with SLAYER on the latest incarnation of the highly successful Jagermeister Tour. Vocalist Howard Jones says of the Jager trek, "Every band that has any kind of metal influence owes at least part of their existence to SLAYER. To get a chance to play with AND see them every night on the Jager tour is like the first time you eat chocolate...SWEET. This is going to be a tour to remember, bring your dancing shoes kids!"

KILLSWITCH ENGAGE are currently preparing to film the video for their newest single "The End of Heartache", which will be the first single on the up-coming "Resident Evil 2" soundtrack, due August 31 through Roadrunner Records.

Contrary to a statement by former SAVATAGE vocalist Zack Stevens (CIRCLE II CIRCLE) published by the Greek webzine Metal-Realm.com, singer Damond Jiniya is still an active member of SAVATAGE, the group's management has confirmed to BLABBERMOUTH.NET. "There are no changes in anything that has to do with SAVATAGE," the band's vocalist/mastermind Jon Oliva said in a statement. "We are currently working on new music."

As reported here earlier today, Stevens disputed a previous statement by SAVATAGE guitarist Chris Caffery that the group's next studio album would feature contributions from three singers — Jiniya, Jon Oliva and Stevens. "I don't think there will be three singers," Stevens told Metal-Realm.com. "I really don't think Damond is part of it anymore. To tell you the truth, from what I've seen, it's over. It's just gonna be either Jon, or Jon and me. It could be just Jon, but I really don't think Damond is in the picture anymore. I've just been hearing conversations, I just don't think it really worked out. That's me, that's my opinion for the conversations that are going around...could be wrong, but it won't be three singers."

LAST CRACK have been confirmed to headline the second stage at the JJO Band Camp on July 24 in Madison, WI. The first annual JJO Band Camp, presented by Budweiser True Music and 94.1 WJJO, will take place at Willow Park, just behind the Alliant Energy Center. The show starts at noon, and LAST CRACK will take the stage before the last band of the night. Featured on the bill are DAMAGEPLAN, SALIVA, DROWNING POOL, DOPE, FLAW, SKILLET, DROPBOX, ATOMSHIP, DRIVER 13 (featuring former LAST CRACK vocalist Shawn Anthony Brown) and more. Tickets are $26 for the all-day event and tickets can be purchased at all Ticketmaster outlets or online at this location. For more information, go to www.wjjo.com or see the article in Maximum Ink music magazine at this location.

LAST CRACK's current lineup consists of the original line-up minus drummer Phil Buerstatte. New drummer Chris Havey was previously in the second incarnation of the band, circa the "Runheadstartscreaming" CD (1993-94).

After a nearly 1 ½-year break, the German industrial crossover band MEGAHERZ have returned in a big way. A new lineup, label, album and tour are currently in the works. A complete new song, featuring the band's new vocalist, is currently available for listening at the group's web site. Check it out here. More information will be made available soon.

As previously reported, former MEGAHERZ members, Alexx Wesselsky and Noel Pix, recently decided to start a new project that retained all the heavy guitars and pounding bass lines of their old band while incorporating more industrial electronic elements. Calling themselves EISBRECHER ("Ice Breaker"), the group's self-titled debut album reached position No. 13 on the Deutschen Alternative Top 20 (DAT) Chart. "Eisbrecher" was released in the U.S. last month through Dancing Ferret Discs.

SILVER, the band featuring singer Gary Barden (MSG, STATETROOPER, PRAYING MANTIS), guitarist Michael Voss (DEMON DRIVE, CASANOVA, MAD MAX, ex-BONFIRE), and keyboard player Don Airey (DEEP PURPLE, ex-OZZY OSBOURNE, WHITESNAKE, GARY MOORE), have inked a deal with MTM Music. The group are currently working on the follow-up to their debut album, "Dream Machines" (2002), for an October release. Entitled "Addiction", the CD will reportedly feature "classic melodic hard rock" based around "a strong feel for melodies combined with perfect musicality of top-notch artists," according to a press release.

RESPONSE NEGATIVE, the Florida-based death/thrash metal band featuring former OVERKILL/GRIP INC. guitarist Bobby Gustafson, have posted their video for the track "Carnivorous Lust" at this location.

"Carnivorous Lust" comes off the group's recently completed five-song EP, which was recorded at Studio 13 with producer Jeremy Staska and mastered by Mike Fuller.

The complete track listing for the EP is as follows:

01. All Out War
02. Silent Son
03. Etched in Sickness
04. Carnivorous Lust
05. Faithless

RESPONSE NEGATIVE's next live appearance will take place on Friday, July 16 at the The Kelsey Club in Lake Park (near West Palm Beach), Florida. Also set to perform are 5 BILLION, INDORPHINE, STILLKEPT, SAQ and ABSOLUTE ASYLUM.

Mike Doherty of The Globe and Mail reports that an Ontario-based artist has opened a gallery in Toronto dedicated to the work of JUDAS PRIEST. The show "Electric Eye", a fundraiser for Toronto's Sis Boom Bah gallery, features 49 works in various media by 49 artists, each of whom was assigned a song by Birmingham's heavy-metal pioneers.

The band's outsider status attracted them to Matt Crookshank, the exhibit's 28-year-old curator, who runs the gallery with fellow artist Jeannie Papas. Crookshank remembers his formative years in Chatham, Ont.: "It was metal or die." These days, Crookshank works in commercial computer animation helping to make the Pillsbury Dough Boy giggle. Nonetheless, he sees the recently relocated Sis Boom Bah as an "underdog gallery," and "Electric Eye" is an opportunity for him to exploit heavy metal's oppositional qualities. "A lot of the artists hate JUDAS PRIEST," he enthuses. "I especially enjoy when they don't like the song [or] they don't like the band, because it forces them to do something uncomfortable -- it gives you something to fight with. I always feel that a bit of struggle and a bit of discomfort [produces] really good things, like diamonds come from crushed coal." Read more.

Ryan Heffernan of Staten Island Advance reports that a Staten Island woman who spent $1,300 on backstage passes — with the promise of meeting Steven Tyler and other members of the band AEROSMITH — was left to "dream on" after the band canceled its Atlantic City concert and its fan club went belly-up.

Diane Creazzo purchased tickets for herself and a friend for the Velvet Rope Experience — which promised a backstage tour, guaranteed seats in the first few rows, and a pre-show party — through the Web site of the Aero Force One fan club, www.aeroforceone.com. The concert, scheduled for the Trump Taj Mahal on June 12, was canceled after Tyler fell sick.

"I thought this would be a nice thing to do," Ms. Creazzo said, "We're huge fans of AEROSMITH and have always wanted to get backstage to see them."

But the fan club's song and dance about the allures of the backstage experience, which cost $650 a ticket, turned into a complete no-show after FansRULE, the club's parent company, shut its doors in mid-June, leaving fans without refunds. Read more.

Ex-HEAVENLY members Frédéric Leclercq (guitar), Pierre-Emmanuel Pélisson (bass) and Maxence Pilo (drums) have decided on SUXEED as the name of their new band. The group, which is completed by Danish singer Søren Nico Adams (STARRATS), have completed work on a seven-song demo, which they are currently using to procure a record deal.

"The rehearsals with our singer Nico have been fantastic," the band write in a statement. "He's really the man we've looking for. We worked the vocals over the music we already had, and it sounds great!"

Two of the demo tracks can currently be downloaded from the band's newly launched web site:

01. Own Skin (mp3)
02. Driven (mp3)

SUXEED are planning on announcing several live dates during the coming months. "However we need a rhythm guitar player for that," the group write. "So if you think you got the experience, skills and attitude, send us an email at suxeed@suxeed.net!"

Irish "dark metal" band PRIMORDIAL have set "The Gathering Wilderness" as the new working title of their fifth studio album, tentatively due in early 2005 through Metal Blade Records. "I must say in the last month things have been coming together better then before and the songs are becoming clearer and clearer for all of us," PRIMORDIAL vocalist Alan Nemtheanga said. "Of course one thing that has hit us all hard lately was the death of Quorthon [BATHORY]. Really this was one Internet rumor I hoped was not true. Of all the bands, BATHORY was the one that taught us you could be different, go against the grain and made us want to follow that path. May the Gods treat you well brother."