Bloodsimple drummer Chris Hamilton has left the band, for undisclosed reasons. No replacement has been named so far.

Alabama Thunderpussy have a new frontman. He’s Kyle Thomas, previously with Exhorder. The band intend to start work shortly on an album.

Drummer Robin EngstrГ¶m of Swedish metallers Morgana Lefay announced his departure from the band due to “personal differences.” The band’s new drummer is Pelle Г…kerlind (Lednote, Rock Tools and live session drummer with Blood Bound).

Audioslave have canceled their entire European tour including a slot at the Carling Weekend Festival in Reading and Leeds. No official statement has been published by the band (who are expected to be releasing a new album later this year). The follow up to 2005’s Out of Exile has a working title of Revelations.

Congratulations to Finland’s Lordi on winning the Eurovision Song Contest this year. They are the first Finnish entry to do so.

King’s X have moved swiftly to deny reports that they’re about to split up. The Texan trio have no intention of so doing.

Chrome Division, who include Dimmu Borgir frontman Shagrath on guitar, release their debut album in August. It’s called ‘Doomsday Rock ‘N’ Roll’ and is on the Nuclear Blast label.

Veteran British metalheads Xentrix and Onslaught are to headline a bill being dubbed ‘A Night Of British Thrash’, This happens at Bradford Rio’s on June 3, with the rest of the line-up being young bands Evile, Pitiful Reign and Headless Cross.

Capdown are to release a new album later this year. The ska punks are calling it ‘Wind Up Toys’, but so far they’ve not signed a label deal.

Pretty Maids are currently in the studio working on the long-awaited follow-up album to 2002’s ‘Planet Panic’. The album will be the Danish band’s first release to feature former Royal Hunt, Kingdom Come and Furious Trauma drummer Allan Tschicaja, who replaced Michael Fast in April. Some tentative song titles already revealed for the album include […]