Ex-THEATRE OF TRAGEDY frontwoman Liv Kristine Espenaes Krull has slammed her former bandmates over her dismissal from the group, saying that she learned of their plans to carry on without her via an e-mail and insisting that nobody from the band has called her to personally inform her about their decision to begin looking for a new singer.

In a press release issued Tuesday (August 26) to officially announce Liv's departure from the group, the remaining members of THEATRE OF TRAGEDY insisted that the split was due to "differences of opinion that cannot be bridged, and completely incompatible sets of ideas for the band's further development," before concluding their statement by saying that "there is no animosity from the band towards Liv," and wishing her "all the best with her work."

"I'm totally surprised and shocked by these news, which I received via [the] Internet," Liv said in a statement released Wednesday (August 27). "Until now, nobody from the band has called me personally to inform me about their decision. I have only received an e-mail saying that I'm excluded from the band. I feel betrayed and deceived by my own band members. This decision was NOT made by me, and I am not going to let our fans down!"

As previously reported, Liv Kristine has teamed up with members of the German band ATROCITY (fronted by Liv's husband Alexander Krull) (photo) in a brand new group called LEAVES' EYES. LEAVES' EYES recently spent time at Alex's Mastersound studios in Stuttgart/Fellbach, Germany recording their first original songs, to be released in late 2003/early 2004 through an as-yet-undetermined label.

In addition to THEATRE OF TRAGEDY and LEAVES' EYES, Liv is currently involved in a pop project dubbed simply LIV KRISTINE. Two MP3 clips recently produced by Alex at Mastersound studios are available for download from Kristine's web site. Check them out: "The Woman in Me" (mp3), "U R the Night" (mp3).

The first four dates of SEVENDUST's upcoming tour with STAIND and LO-PRO have been announced. They are as follows:

Sep. 27 - Camden, NJ - Tweeter Center
Sep. 30 - New York, NY - Roseland Ballroom
Oct. 05 - Charlotte, NC - Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
Oct. 07 - Atlanta, GA – Tabernacle

As previously reported, SEVENDUST will embark on a 14-date acoustic tour in support of their upcoming album, "Seasons". The trek will kick off September 3 in Chicago, and each stop will also include a listening party for the new set and a Q&A with band members. The fan deemed to have asked the best question at each venue will be invited to sit on stage with the hard rock act during the performance segment.

SEVENDUST's fourth album, "Seasons", is due on October 7 through TVT Records. The first 150,000 CDs will include a bonus DVD that features the making of "Seasons", interviews with the band, and studio and acoustic performances. The band's new single, "Enemy", can currently be downloaded here.

MARILYN MANSON will embark on a headlining U.S. tour starting October 10 in Los Angeles. The 15-date run, which will include a mix of theaters and auditoriums, is scheduled to conclude on November 1 in New Orleans.

MARILYN MANSON will be touring in support of his latest release, "The Golden Age of the Grotesque", which debuted at No. 1 on The Billboard 200 chart in late May with a relatively unimpressive first-week tally of 118,000. After fifteen weeks of release, the album is sitting at No. 160.

MARILYN MANSON tour dates:

Oct. 10 - Los Angeles, CA @ Greek Theater
Oct. 12 - San Francisco, CA @ Warfield Theater
Oct. 14 - Denver, CO @ Filmore
Oct. 16 - Minneapolis, MN @ Wilkens Auditorium
Oct. 17 - Chicago, IL @ Aragon Ballroom
Oct. 18 - Milwaukee, WI @ Eagles Ballroom
Oct. 20 - Hamilton, ONT @ Copps Coliseum
Oct. 22 - New York, NY @ Roseland
Oct. 23 - Boston, MA @ Orpheum
Oct. 25 - Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club
Oct. 26 - Philadelphia, PA @ Tower Theater
Oct. 28 - St. Louis, MO @ Freakers Ball
Oct. 30 - Kansas City, MO @ Freakers Ball
Oct. 31 - Dallas, TX Smirnoff Amphitheater
Nov. 01 - New Orleans, LA @ Voodoo Island

BRIDES OF DESTRUCTION, the new band featuring MÖTLEY CRÜE bassist Nikki Sixx, L.A. GUNS guitarist Tracii Guns, vocalist London LeGrand, and drummer Scot Coogan (ex-PAUL GILBERT, ONI LOGAN/ROWAN ROBERTSON, SINÉAD O'CONNOR), are in the process of mixing their debut album with producer Steve Thompson (KORN, METALLICA, GUNS N' ROSES) for a tentative February 2004 release. "The record is halfway done being mixed [and it] FUCKING SOUNDS INSANE," Guns wrote in a recent online posting. "Steve Thompson gets the big bucks and now I definitely know why."

The as-yet-untitled CD, which will feature contributions from previous members John Corabi (ex-MÖTLEY CRÜE, UNION) and Kris Kohls (ADEMA), will contain album-quality demos recorded during the pre-production sessions for what was supposed to be the group's "proper" full-length debut. The band have already secured a Japanese deal with Universal and are said to be finalizing an agreement with an as-yet-undisclosed label for the European and American territories.

Although Sixx had previously indicated that the group is unlikely to tour in support of the forthcoming album, Guns claims that, "depending on MÖTLEY CRÜE's schedule, the BRIDES will surely do some live dates after the release of the CD (including Nikki, myself, London, Coogie and possibly Gilby [Clarke, ex-GUNS N' ROSES] playing guitar as well). Sounds good to me."

MACHINE HEAD have finalized the track listing for their new album, "Through The Ashes Of Empires", tentatively set for an October 13 European release through Roadrunner Records.

The follow-up to 2001's "Supercharger" will include the following cuts (final sequence):

01. Imperium
02. Bite The Bullet
03. Left Unfinished
04. Elegy
05. In The Presence Of My Enemies
06. Days Turn Blue To Gray
07. Vim
08. All Fall Down
09. Wipe The Tears
10. Descend The Shades Of Night

A special limited double-CD edition of "Through The Ashes Of Empires" will contain "a bunch o' shit that only 'hardcore' MACHINE HEAD fans will appreciate," according to mainman Robert Flynn, including six demo tracks recorded during the pre-production sessions for the new album and a live video for "The Blood, The Sweat, The Tears".

The CD, which was originally scheduled to be mastered on August 15, is still being mixed in England by Flynn and producer Colin Richardson. "[We're] still wrapping up a couple of songs," Robert wrote in an online posting. "We went a little over time on the mixing *cough*, in no small part because of me *cough, cough*, and Colin *cough, cough, cough*. Not to worry, my metal maniacs, the metal is flowing like molten hot lava. We wrap up in a few days, and master on the 31st of August. For sure!"

In addition to completing the mixing sessions for the new album, Flynn has been conducting press interviews with various European publications over the past couple of weeks, and "the feedback to 'Through The Ashes Of Empires' has been really positive so far," he said. "Did a playback session for the press, and everyone was really stoked, calling it a comeback and shit. Did another playback for press, [Roadrunner] street team-ers, and contest winners at a rad Metal club in London called The Intrepid Fox. People were pretty much freaking, really good reaction. Hollerin' that it sounds like (as we say in MH) the B-word. I chock that up to the free drinks at the open bar... you know... the more you drink, the less we stink. LOL

"The coolest comment I heard, was from a kid who, when talking about the melodic stuff on the record said, 'I never doubted that you we're capable of making a record like this, I just never thought you would.' Thanx!... er... Actually I thought it was a great, incredibly honest comment, and it meant a lot."

MACHINE HEAD will shoot a video for "Imperium" in mid-September. The group's European headlining tour, the support acts for which have yet to be announced, will kick off on November 4 in Paris, France. The band are currently seeking a North American record deal following their recent split with the U.S. branch of Roadrunner Records.

Texas metalheads BYFIST, who feature in their ranks former REVEREND members Davey Lee and Nacho Vara, have lined up the following gigs during September/October:

Sep. 14 – Houston, TX @ 19th Hole (w/ SHADOWKEEP)
Sep. 19 – San Antonio, TX @ Sam's (w/ SHADOWKEEP)
Oct. 17 – Corpus Christi, TX @ Zero's

BYFIST will release their new CD, "Preserving The Past", in September through Metalage Records. A full-length MP3 of the track "Guaranteed Death" can be downloaded from this location.

THE GENITORTURERS frontwoman Gen has landed a new gig as the regular music correspondent for "The Spot", a new, weekly half-hour entertainment news show airing in the time slot immediately after "Saturday Night Live" in the Tampa Bay/St. Petersburg area. "The Spot" will make its debut on WFLA-TV (NBC) on September 13 and will appear weekly on Saturday nights thereafter.

According to an official press release, Gen was hired by show in order "to lend the appropriate added edge to the program. Gen's a proven entertainer, is dynamite in front of the camera, and will guarantee through her incisive interviews that 'The Spot''s music features won't be soon forgotten."

"The Spot"'s premiere on September 13 is expected to make a strong impression with viewers as it will include cutting-edge coverage on the areas best clubs, music events and extreme sports. The initial show will also include an introduction to the shows co-host Gen, with a feature on her band THE GENITORTURERS (also featuring former MORBID ANGEL bassist/vocalist David Vincent).

"The Spot" will be hosted by former "Real World" cast member Lindsay Brien, also formerly of CNN's "Headline News" entertainment reports. WFLA is a Media General Station, which also owns The Tampa Tribune and tbo.com.

Germany's KINGDOM COME, led by frontman Lenny Wolf, will enter the studio on August 28 to begin recording the follow-up to last year's "Independent", tentatively due in early 2004 through UlfTone Music.

Says KINGDOME COME's webmaster Marko (who also happens to be Lenny's brother), "For me personally the upcoming album is already the best [KINGDOM COME] ever! As the last record 'Independent' already took new directions through songs like 'Mother' or 'Religion Needs No Winner', the new record will take it even further! From very atmospheric to guitars from hell. A combination I have not heard like this before, it's not like THIS or THAT, it's more like .... you gotta check it yourself! A development I would not have expected."

KINGDOM COME are hoping to hit the road before Christmas. Exact dates and venues will be announced during the coming weeks.

Finnish atmospheric doom metallers SILENTIUM have confirmed the departure of singer Maija Turunen following the release of their third album, "Sufferion - Hamartia of Prudence".

"Due to unexpected conditions, we had to reconcider our situation concerning our new supposed-to-be female vocalist Maija Turunen and because of this, we were forced to give up the talented young singer," keyboardist Sami Boman said in an official statement. "We are all very sorry for this. Maija is a great person, and reasons for this event are completely not depending on her. Maija has been replaced by Anna Ilveskoski, who has already sung choral parts on our latest recording: 'Sufferion - Hamartia of Prudence'."

As previously reported, "Sufferion - Hamartia of Prudence" was recorded at Sundicoop Studio in Savonlinna, Finland and was produced by NIGHTWISH mainman Tuomas Holopainen. Available in Finland through Spikefarm Records, the CD features a guest appearance by former LULLACRY and current SOULGRIND frontwoman Tanja Kemppainen.

The Jagermeister Fall Music Tour is coming, and heavy metal icons, SLAYER, will lead the assault! Produced and promoted by Clear Channel Entertainment, the tour will let loose on October 8th in Minneapolis, MN and finish up in Los Angeles on November 29th.

SLAYER's recent release of their live DVD, "War at the Warfield" (American Recordings/UME), debuted at #3 on the Billboard charts in its first week. Their highly anticipated box set, "Soundtrack to the Apocalypse" (American Recordings/UME), due out on November 18, 2003, commemorates SLAYER's 20th anniversary as the undisputed thrash/punk/metal kings and will include classic SLAYER tracks taken from their vast catalog, as well as demos, live tracks and other rarities spanning their incredible career.

"SLAYER has never done a sponsored tour, mainly because we never thought anyone was worthy enough to have their name along side ours," said guitartist Kerry King. "But now, with Jagermeister willing to jump on board, we will conquer the US like no one has seen before!"

Tom Araya, the singer of SLAYER, says this of the relationship: "SLAYER and Jagermeister ... Jagermeister and SLAYER ... Slagermeister! No matter how you say it, drink, pit and slay responsibly!"

"Jagermeister is thrilled to be working with SLAYER," concurs Rick Zeiler, Director of Marketing and Brand Development for Sidney Frank Importing Co., Inc., the importers of Jagermeister. "We've been huge fans of the band for many years and to have them on our tour is a dream come true."

HATEBREED will be the main support act on the tour. HATEBREED has sharpened its teeth at Tattoo the Earth 2000, toured with EARTH CRISIS, AGNOSTIC FRONT, ENTOMBED, SOULFLY, MOTORHEAD, and DANZIG, and inspired mosh pits that consumed thousands of fans at Ozzfest 2002. Now the Connecticut-based band, with its decibel-defying mix of metal and hardcore is taking on the Jagermeister Music Tour.

Rounding out the bill will be Sweden's ARCH ENEMY. With the release of its latest album, "Anthems of Rebellion", ARCH ENEMY proves that it is among the finest examples of a pure metal band, and singer Angela Gossow growls and screams her way through some of the hardest songs out there today with sheer aggression.

Clear Channel Entertainment will produce and promote the tour, continuing its three-year relationship with the Jagermeister Music Tour. Says Rich Levy, Vice President of Booking/ National Sponsorships, "We at Clear Channel Entertainment are proud to be involved in the continuing growth of the Jagermeister Music Tour. This year's tour with SLAYER is taking things to another level. It is always great to work with a brand that has an ongoing commitment to music as a marketing strategy and Jagermeister continues to be a leader in the field."

In the tradition of the Jagermeister Music Tour, ticket holders can expect plenty of bang for their bucks including great Jagermeister raffle prizes and giveaways like the 2003 Jagermeister Compilation CDs with live and unreleased tracks from SLAYER, (HED) PLANET EARTH, DROWNING POOL, DOWN, OTEP, SYSTEMATIC, BREAKING BENJAMIN, and others as well as plenty of Jagermeister shirts, hats, and more. Other prizes and giveaways from sponsors include customized Jagermeister guitars from Schecter Guitars, customized Jagermeister amplifiers from Peavey Electronics, and Jagermeister drums by Tama Drums.

Each performance will feature a local opening act sponsored by the Jagermeister Band Program, the highly touted program designed to seek out and promote up-and-coming talent. Fans will also be treated to world premiere freestyle motocross footage from members of Metal Mulisha. And of course, the world-famous Jagerettes will be on hand along with the Jagermeister Buses, making sure everyone is having as much fun as humanly possible.

AC/DC's "Live At Donington" concert video, originally issued on VHS in 1992, will receive its long-awaited DVD release through Epic on November 11, according to Billboard.com. A two-hour DVD chronicling an Aug. 17, 1991, show at the famed outdoor U.K. venue, "Live At Donington" will be packaged in a deluxe digi-pack with a 12-page color booklet.

The DVD will be packed with extra features, including a director's cut by original filmmaker David Mallet, a remastered stereo audio track and 5.1 Surround mix, and the option to view several songs with a close-up view of guitarist Angus Young.

In other news, Epic's reissues of AC/DC's back catalog will continue on October 7 with a vinyl boxed set collecting all 15 albums in the series. The albums will also be available individually on remastered 180-gram vinyl. The 1997 AC/DC boxed set "Bonfire" has also been remastered and will be released September 9.

The track listing for "Live at Donington" is as follows:

01. Thunderstruck
02. Shoot To Thrill
03. Back In Black
04. Hell Ain't a Bad Place To Be
05. Heatseeker
06. Fire Your Guns
07. Jailbreak
08. The Jack
09. Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap
10. Moneytalks
11. Hells Bells
12. High Voltage
13. Whole Lotta Rosie
14. You Shook Me All Night Long
15. T.N.T.
16. Let There Be Rock
17. Highway to Hell
18. For Those About To Rock (We Salute You)

German thrashers DESTRUCTION have posted six cuts from their forthcoming CD, "Metal Discharge", in streaming Real Audio format at their official web site. Check them out here.

The tracks available for listening are as follows:

01. The Ravenous Beast
02. Metal Discharge
03. Mortal Remains
04. Desecrators (Of The New Age)
05. Savage Symphony Of Terror
06. Vendetta

As previously reported, a limited-edition version of "Metal Discharge" (view cover here) — due on September 22 through Nuclear Blast Records — will include a bonus CD featuring demo material, cover tunes and a unreleased version of the DESTRUCTION classic "Bestial Invasion". The album marks the recording debut with the group of new drummer Marc Reign, who replaced Sven Vormann in 2001.

Former DEEP PURPLE/BLACK SABBATH singer Glenn Hughes will embark on a short tour of Spain in late September.

Confirmed dates are as follows:

Sep. 25 – Gamma - Murcia, SPA
Sep. 26 – Macumba - Madrid, SPA
Sep. 27 – Gares - Pamplona, SPA
Sep. 28 – Bikini - Barcelona, SPA
Sep. 30 – Roxy - Valencia, SPA

In other news, HUGHES TURNER PROJECT (HTP), Glenn's collaboration with ex-RAINBOW/DEEP PURPLE singer Joe Lynn Turner, will hit the road again in early 2004, beginning in Japan and followed by Europe in the spring. The band will be touring in support of their sophomore album, "II", due on September 29 through MTM Music.

Germany's REBELLION, featuring former GRAVE DIGGER members Uwe Lulis (guitar) and Tommi Goettlich (bass), have officially parted ways with drummer Randy Black (ANNIHILATOR). The split, which was announced on the band's web site, came about as a result of Black's decision to join fellow German power metallers PRIMAL FEAR, thereby leaving him little time to focus on his other projects.

REBELLION, who claim they found out about Black hooking up with PRIMAL FEAR through fan postings in the guestbook section of their web site, are currently seeking a replacement drummer. All interested parties can contact the band at Uwe@rebellion.st.

The group, who released their second album, "Born a Rebel" (Drakkar Records/BMG) in April, are tentatively planning on embarking on a headlining tour in the fall.

Former ANTHRAX frontman Neil Turbin was recently at Jet City studios in Los Angeles laying down backing vocal tracks for the new AMSTERDAM album, "Suffering". Neil sings on the track "Mistaken", featuring Tracy G. (ex-DIO, WWIII) on lead guitar, Paulie Mervosh on drums and Ronnie Borchert on guitar and vocals.

Turbin issued his solo debut, "Threatcon Delta", in early August through Middle Finger Records in association with Metal Mayhem Music. Among the featured guests on the CD are guitarists Mitch Perry (MSG, HEAVEN, TALAS), Kurt James (DR. MASTERMIND, DRIVER, STEELER, BLACK SHEEP), keyboardist Claude Schnell (DIO, ROUGH CUTT, HUGHES/THRALL), and bassist Sandy Vasquez (BLOODLUST).

DARKEST HOUR have issued a statement clarifying recent reports that their van was broken into while the group were on tour with ATREYU, GOD FORBID and UNDEROATH.

The group's statement reads as follows:

"To dispel any rumors that might be floating around about the DARKEST HOUR robbery, here is the situation: On Thursday, August 21 our van was broken into outside of Club Rockitt, in Toronto, Canada. The person or persons smashed our windows and went through all our bags during the show. They stole the band safe and all our cash, not just travel cash, but money we owed to many people who work hard for us, including T shirt companies, our soundman, our booking agent, and various record labels (ATREYU's van was also broken into and they lost some personal items as well). Any band or person who has been on tour will tell you that carrying money on you is a risk that everyone has to take. That being said, this is probably one of the hardest things we as a band have ever had to deal with. When you live on tour you count on that money for survival. We can't thank enough the other bands on the tour (ATREYU, GOD FORBID, and UNDEROATH) for all their help and donations. With out them we would not be able to finish the tour or even begin to drag our selves out of the serious debt we are now in. We also want to thank the tons of kids who have been donating at the shows. Please continue to come out and give us your support!"

Swedish grindcore merchants NASUM have been forced to cancel their participation in the Morbide Festspiele vol 6,66 in Bischofswerda, Germany on September 6.

"There has been a big misunderstanding concerning the conditions for our appearance," reads a post on the band's web site. "It's really sad because we wanted to do the show but it's impossible. We hope you all have a good festival anyway and we'll see you on the upcoming tour instead!"

NASUM's most recent CD, "Helvete" (Swedish for "Hell"), was recorded at Sweden's Soundlab Studios and features guest appearances from Shane Embury (NAPALM DEATH) and Jörgen Sandström (ENTOMBED, THE PROJECT HATE, ex-GRAVE).

Kat Main of Pennsylvania's The Express-Times reports that "Eighties rock icons DEF LEPPARD proved that their music is the rock of ages Tuesday night [August 26] at the Allentown Fairgrounds.

"Playing for crowds of mothers, fathers, grandparents and children, the band — even though a little long in the tooth — eventually brought the crowd to a frothing intensity.

"Opening with 'Let it Rock' from the 1983 record 'Pyromania', the hair metal icons burst on stage with a dizzying light show.

"But that wasn't enough to warm up the crowd, at first.

"After two songs and a few guitar solos, the crowd of all ages began to pump its fists and itching hands formed in the traditional rock 'n' roll 'devil horn' salute.

"Just when the crowd really started to get pumped, DEF LEPPARD took it down a notch with it's rock ballad 'Bringin' on the Heartbreak' which included an instrumental departure from Joe Elliott's vocals and a drum solo from Rick Allen.

"Accompanied by his band mates and a brilliant show of lights, Allen's drum kit appeared as a bright spot of liquid metal on the no frills stage." Read more.

Jimi Hendrix has been named the greatest guitar player by Rolling Stone magazine in a poll to discover the greatest guitarists of all time.

Hendrix received a glowing tribute from WHO guitarist Pete Townshend, who wrote that he "made the electric guitar beautiful," according to Reuters.

Townshend recalled that one of Hendrix's shows was "so profoundly powerful" that he found himself holding hands with fellow devotee and guitarist Eric Clapton.

Allman was hailed by the magazine for transforming "the poetry of jamming" with THE ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND, the Atlanta rock group he founded with younger brother Gregg in 1969.

One of the only females in the top 100, Joni Mitchell, was at 72 and 80's rock chick Joan Jett was at 87.

Top 10 guitarists of all time, according to Rolling Stone magazine:

01. Jimi Hendrix
02. Duane Allman
03. B.B. King
04. Eric Clapton
05. Robert Johnson
06. Jimmy Page
07. Keith Richards
08. Chuck Berry
09. Stevie Ray Vaughn
10. Ry Cooder

The survey is featured in the next issue of Rolling Stone, which hits the streets on Friday (August 29). The No 100 spot went to Kim Thayil of the now defunct Seattle rock band SOUNDGARDEN. Townshend himself was No 50.

Wire Image has photos of the reunion of IGGY POP and two of the original STOOGES at DTE Energy Music Theater in their hometown of Detroit, Michigan on Monday, August 25. Check them out here. The concert, originally scheduled for August 14, was postponed after the electricity went out in the area as a result of the massive blackout which hit N.Y., Canada and parts of the Midwest.

Hellraising rocker Tommy Lee was so desperate to woo actress Shannon Doherty in a plush California eatery, he bought her two sexy thongs.

The former MÖTLEY CRÜE drummer — ex-husband of "Baywatch" babe Pamela Anderson — began his quest to date the brunette by sending an expensive bottle of champagne to her table at the Malibu restaurant, according to Britain's Daily Star.

After this romantic gesture failed, the heavily tattooed rocker ran across the road to a sexy lingerie store — and swiftly returned to give the "Beverly Hills 90210" star two gift-wrapped thongs with his phone number on the outside of the box.

In other Lee-related news, Tommy is scheduled to appear on an upcoming episode of MTV's "Punk'd". The exact air date has yet to be announced.

SATYRICON, DARKTHRONE and GORGOROTH will be featured in an upcoming documentary about the Norwegian black metal scene The initial footage for the film will be shot at the upcoming Hole In The Sky festival, a three-day event set to take place August 28-30 in Bergen, Norway. No further information is available at this time.

TOOL drummer Danny Carey has lined up three drum clinics for the eager minions of his rhythm nation. The first class is scheduled for September 16 in Overland Park, Kansas. Click here for complete information about the gathering. A September 20 clinic (with EMERSON, LAKE & PALMER drummer Carl Palmer) in Farmingdale, New York, and a September 21 class in Philadelphia also are on Carey's calendar.

A brand new MOONSPELL track, titled "In And Above Men", has been posted online in MP3 format at this location. "In And Above Men" comes off the Portuguese group's forthcoming album, "The Antidote", due on September 29 through Century Media Records. The follow-up to 2001's "Darkness And Hope" was recorded at Finnvox Studios in Helsinki, Finland with producer Hiili Hiilesmaa (H.I.M., SENTENCED, AMORPHIS). MOONSPELL recently shot a video for the track "Everything Invaded" with director Tiago Guedes, who had previously worked with the group on the clip for "Nocturna" (off "Darkness And Hope").The band, who utilized the services of AMORPHIS bassist Niclas Etelävuori during the recording sessions for "The Antidote", have since recruited Aires Pereira (ex-MALEVOLENCE) as the temporary replacement for recently departed bassist Sérgio Crestana.

SUPERJOINT RITUAL frontman Philip Anselmo has posted two more tour "Tour Diary" entries on the group's official web site:

"August 23th - I'm engulfed in boxing. One on one. I can't stand many sports in general, for different reasons. Just boxing & NFL football. I hate Coors Lite. I hate Bud Lite. Lite. Light. Beer flavored water. Crap. However, I do like Amstel Light. I don't really know why. I like Heineken, St. Pauli Girl, Becks, Chimay Ale, etc... Heavier beers. Prostate infections in a bottle. Tonight SUPERJOINT RITUAL is finishing its Texas run. Some places we've played before some towns we hadn't. Every show was fucking brutal. Hot as fuck, but those damn kids kept coming. Mother fucker! The energy level of those crowds in Texas is destructive. The people definitely know the 1st album extremely well. The new album 'A Lethal Dose of American Hatred' is very surprising to me. Yes a lot of the people know it. (I fucking knew it!) Actually a lot of people are buying it. When we play certain songs, the crowd does exactly what I imagined when I wrote certain parts in certain songs. I envisioned their enthusiasm when we play. I see love in those swollen eyes. These motherfuckers are truly loving S.J.R. (Thanks!!) And personally, to the fagito that scribbled 'New Found' something on the side of our bus, you, my friendless, must feel incredibly alone. I've said it once and I'll say it again, I have absolutely NO bad blood with my former bandmates. Those years with PANTERA are some of the best years of my life. I wish them nothing but the best of luck. I hope they get their record out soon because the world needs more good metal. So honestly, some dumb ass fan scribbling their name on the side of our bus is a piece of tastelessness Vince and the boys would want to avoid. By the way, Texas fucking rules! You fuckers are so loyal and dedicated it's amazing. I'll be talking to you all real soon."

"August 26th - Had a couple of days off. Damn I was tired. On the 2nd day, I did some 'Heavy Metal' show for MTV2. Like I told them, they're really gonna have to do their homework if they're going to put together a REAL heavy metal/hardcore TV show. I know for a fact that VENOM, CELTIC FROST, IMMORTAL, etc. have videos that I could've played if given the chance. They gave me a VERY limited list to pick from (for mostly political reasons for sure). However, all and all, they had some decent stuff and the show will probably turn out o.k. But, in reality, the selections could have been better, not my fault. I couldn't sleep much at all last night and read an entire book about Betty Beets and her murderous ways. She was the Texas Black Widow Killer. 31 or so chapters. I devour True Crime literature.

"On a personal level, this goes out to a group of people who really means a lot to me. And their talking petty bullshit. Grow up, guys. Endorsements aren't the end of the world. Please be more professional. I'm going to be successful for as long as I'm around. I feel your fears. I've tried hard to be as cool as possible, especially as of late in the press, and let bygones be bygones. That's how the world turns fellas. Forgive and move on. I have.

"And to all the SJR fans who came out on the Texas run, all I can say is Thank You from the core of my heart. To all the longhairs, skinheads, anarchists, punks, and people of all walks of life who support what we do, HAIL!"

Wire Image has 135 (!) photos of IRON MAIDEN performing live at the Long Beach Arena on Monday, August 25. Check them out here.

IRON MAIDEN's forthcoming album, "Dance Of Death", is due on September 9 (a day earlier internationally) through Columbia Records.

Sweden's MARDUK have announced the details of the Latin American/Mexican leg of their World Funeral 2003 tour, set to take place in October. Unfortunately, "there will be no North American tour [for MARDUK] this year," reads a post on the band's web site. "MARDUK got an offer to do the Blackest of the Black tour with DANZIG, [SUPERJOINT RITUAL, DEVILDRIVER, MORBID ANGEL and BEHEMOTH,] but had to decline, since the INS [Immigration and Naturalization Service] still haven't given their permission for the band to enter the country."

MARDUK Latin American/Mexican Tour 2003:

Oct. 02 – Brasília, BRA @ TBA
Oct. 03 - Belo Horizonte, BRA @ TBA
Oct. 04 - São Paulo, BRA @ TBA
Oct. 05 - Curitiba, BRA @ TBA
Oct. 06 - Porto Alegre, BRA @ TBA
Oct. 07 - Buenos Aires, ARG @ TBA
Oct. 08 - TBA
Oct. 09 – TBA, CHL
Oct. 10 – TBA, CHL
Oct. 11 – Santiago, CHL @ TBA
Oct. 12 – TBA, CHL
Oct. 13 – TBA, COL @ TBA
Oct. 14 – Bogotá, COL @ TBA
Oct. 15 - San Jose, COS @ TBA
Oct. 16 - Mexico City, MEX @ TBA
Oct. 17 - Aguascalientes, MEX @ TBA
Oct. 18 - San Luis Postosi, MEX @ TBA
Oct. 19 - Monterrey, MEX @ TBA

Check out a poster advertising the Brazilian portion of the upcoming tour here.

Fuse is looking for Rob Zombie fans to come to the taping of Fuse's live show "IMX" this Thursday, August 28 — when Zombie will be a guest on the show.

If you're in the New York City area and available from 4:30-7:30 p.m., between the ages of 15-25 and willing to be in a LIVE audience panel for "IMX" (@ 11 Penn Plaza studio), contact Stacy @ 212.324.3461 and leave your telephone number. Seating will be made available on a first come, first served basis.

CONVERGE have been forced to cancel their previously announced European tour scheduled for September 27-October 4 "due to scheduling conflicts, financial limitations, and lastly time limitations," according to an official statement. "Apologies to all of our European supporters who were looking forward to this appearance. We hope to reschedule the shows as soon as possible. Since we have already scheduled this time for touring, CONVERGE will head out in the U.S. for some exclusive dates." Support on the American tour will reportedly come from A LIFE ONCE LOST.

San Francisco Bay Area metallers SKINLAB, who had previously announced plans to take a hiatus following the completion of their recent West Coast mini-tour, have been asked to join the Jagermeister trek (headlined by SLAYER) for a week-and-a-half's worth of dates in early November. "This has come to us as a total shock!" SKINLAB frontman Steev Esquivel said in a statement. "It's a childhood dream come true!! We we're just saying to ourselves the other day… FUCK if we could only go on tour with SLAYER!! Then BAM, the phone rings, and it's Jagermeister telling us to get ready cuz we're going on tour with SLAYER!! All I can say is HOLY FUCKIN DIVER! Time for the monster to wake the fuck up!"

The Jagermeister tour will feature SLAYER, HATEBREED and ARCH ENEMY for the duration of the trek, with several other acts filling the opening slot at various points of the tour.

Jagermeister tour dates (subject to change):

Oct. 08 - Roy Wilkins Auditorium - St Paul, MN (w/ HEMLOCK)
Oct. 10 - Live - Davenport, IA (w/ HEMLOCK)
Oct. 11 - Memorial Hall - Kansas City, KS (w/ HEMLOCK)
Oct. 12 - The Pageant - St. Louis, MO (w/ HEMLOCK)
Oct. 14 - Newport Music Hall - Columbus, OH (w/ HEMLOCK)
Oct. 15 - Electric Factory - Philadelphia, PA (w/ HEMLOCK)
Oct. 17 - Palladium - Worcester, MA (w/ DRY KILL LOGIC)
Oct. 18 - Roseland - New York, NY (w/ DRY KILL LOGIC)
Oct. 19 - Nation - Washington, DC (w/ DRY KILL LOGIC)
Oct. 21 - State Theatre - Portland, ME (w/ DRY KILL LOGIC)
Oct. 22 - Mid Hudson Civic Center - Poughkeepsie, NY (w/ DRY KILL LOGIC)
Oct. 24 - Agora Theater - Cleveland, OH (w/ SWORN ENEMY)
Oct. 25 - Harpo's - Detroit, MI (w/ SWORN ENEMY)
Oct. 26 - Metropol - Pittsburgh, PA (w/ SWORN ENEMY)
Oct. 28 - Egyptian Room - Indianapolis, IN (w/ SWORN ENEMY)
Oct. 29 - Aragon Ballroom - Chicago, IL (w/ SWORN ENEMY)
Oct. 30 - Eagles Ballroom - Milwaukee, WI (w/ LAZY AMERICAN WORKERS)
Oct. 31 - Orbit Room - Grand Rapids, MI (w/ LAZY AMERICAN WORKERS)
Nov. 01 - Headliner's - Toledo, OH (w/ LAZY AMERICAN WORKERS)
Nov. 02 - Bogart's - Cincinnati, OH (w/ E.TOWN CONCRETE)
Nov. 04 - The NorVa Theater - Norfolk, VA (w/ EPOXY)
Nov. 05 - The Tabernacle - Atlanta, GA (w/ E.TOWN CONCRETE)
Nov. 07 - Mars Backstage - West Palm Beach, FL (w/ E.TOWN CONCRETE)
Nov. 08 - Masquerade - Tampa, FL (w/ E.TOWN CONCRETE)
Nov. 09 - House of Blues - Orlando, FL (w/ E.TOWN CONCRETE)
Nov. 11 - Verizon Wireless - Houston, TX (w/ SKINLAB)
Nov. 12 - Next Stage - Grand Prairie, TX (w/ SKINLAB)
Nov. 13 - Sunset Station - San Antonio, TX (w/ SKINLAB)
Nov. 14 - Austin Music Hall - Austin, TX (w/ SKINLAB)
Nov. 16 - Denver Coliseum - Denver, CO (w/ SKINLAB)
Nov. 17 - Salt Air - Salt Lake City, UT (w/ SKINLAB)
Nov. 18 - House of Blues - Las Vegas, NV (w/ SKINLAB)
Nov. 20 - Mesa Amphitheater - Mesa, AZ (w/ OTEP)
Nov. 21 - 4th and B - San Diego, CA (w/ OTEP)
Nov. 23 - The Warfield - San Francisco, CA (w/ OTEP)
Nov. 25 - Moore Theater - Seattle, WA (w/ FIVE FOOT THICK)
Nov. 26 - Roseland - Portland, OR (w/ FIVE FOOT THICK)
Nov. 28 - Ventura Theater - Ventura, CA (w/ OTEP)
Nov. 29 - Universal Amphitheater - Los Angeles, CA (w/ OTEP)