Former Led Zeppelin pair Robert Plant and Jimmy Page at to get back together onstage for a performance at the Montreaux Jazz Festival. They play on June 30.

Norwegian trio Communic are to release a new album through Nuclear Blast on May 22. It’s called ‘Waves Of Visceral Decay’.

Tarja Turunen, the former Nightwish singer, is to release a Christmas album at the end of the year. The English title is ‘Breath From Heaven’, and this will be on the Universal label. Recording will happen during the Summer, with producer Esa Nieminen.

Nevermore bassist Jim Sheppard has been forced to pull out of the band’s upcoming US tour with In Flames. This is because he’s receiving treatment for Crohn’s Disease. His place is to be taken by ex-Megadeth man James Macdonaugh.

Slipknot‘s Sid Wilson is to release a solo album in June. To be called ‘The New Leader’, this will be under the project name of DJ Starscream. Wilson himself describes the style as a ‘mosh up’.

Lamb Of God are to call their new album ‘Sacrament’. Produced by Machine, it should be out during the late Summer.

Clutch, Soil and Blindside are to play the Camden Underworld in London on June 7.

The Answer are to play the Kingston Peel on May 19. Also on the bill are Pig Iron, Steranko and Coda.

Black Sabbath, Diamond Head, Motorhead, Misfits and Thin Lizzy are all featured on the upcoming compilation ‘Full Metal Garage – The Songs That Drove Metallica’. This double CD, released on June 26 by Sanctuary, features the original versions of songs covered by Metallica. Other bands featured are Lynyrd Skynyrd, Blue Oyster Cult, Discharge, Anti Nowhere […]

36 Crazy Fists are to warm up for their appearance at the Download Festival, with a show at the Sheffield Corporation on June 9.