Nevermore guitarist Steve Smyth has been forced to pull out of the band’s US tour with In Flames. This is because he’s suffering from severe kidney problems, and is being temporarily replaced by Jag Panzer‘s Chis Broderick. This is the second medical blow to hit Nevermore, with bassist Jim Sheppard also forced to sit out […]

Stone Sour are to call their second album ‘Come What May’. Expect a release in August.

Bullet For My Valentine are to support Guns n’ Roses, when the latter play the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York. The dates happen on May 12, 15 and 17.

Venom, Death Angel, Onslaught and Sodom are teaming up for two shows in Tokyo. Under the banner of ‘Thrash Domination’, they play in the city on September 16/17.

Ozzy Osbourne is to headline a special Prince’s Trust show in the Tower Of London on May 20. This is to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the charitable organisation.

Despite the previous announcement from Candlemass singer Messiah Marcolin that he was quitting the Swedish band, it now seems that may not be the case. Candlemass claim that he’s been suffering from what’s described as ‘severe pre-recording psychosis’, and that he will be on their new, as yet untitled record.

US metalheads SpeedKill/Hate have signed to Escapi Music. However the band (featuring current and former members of Overkill) have confirmed that former Megadeth bassist James MacDonaugh will not be joining them for the upcoming US ‘Metal Crusaders’ tour.

Upstart rock act Clap Your Hands Say Yeah is eyeing a late fall/early winter release for its sophomore album. The quintet has tested many songs on the road and has finished writing the material for the as-yet-untitled set.

Minneapolis buzz band Tapes ‘N Tapes has signed with XL Recordings, which will release its debut album, “The Loon”, on July 25.The band will kick off its first U.K. tour May 18 in London. An extensive summer North American tour is also in the works.

The following update has been posted at Hammerfall‘s official website:“As usual, the album will contain around ten songs. Some of the completed ones are: ‘Dark Wings, Dark Words’, ‘Carved In Stone’, ‘Titan’, ‘Shadow Empire’, ‘Threshold’, ‘Rebel Inside’.Says (guitarist) Oscar (Dronjak): “The music is very varied and ranges from six year-old material to freshly written stuff. […]