Former Megadeth bassist James Macdonaugh is to play with SpeedKill/Hate when the US extreme metalheads tour America shortly, as part of the ‘Metal Crusaders’ package.

Eddie Marsh, formerly bassist with Lionsheart and Seven Deadly Sins, has joined young UK metalheads Gripshift.

A Dozen Furies have split up. The band were part of the 2005 US Ozzfest touring bill, after winning a ‘Battle Of The Bands’ contest. They released one album, ‘A Concept Of Fire’. It seems they’ve now grown apart.

The Black Dahlia Murder have a new rhythm section. Drummer Pierre Langois and bassist Bart Williams are now full-time members of the band.

Cradle Of Filth are to release their new album through Roadrunner in September. It’s to be called ‘Thornography’.

Legendary death metalheads Autopsy are to release a double disc DVD next month through Peaceville. It’s to be called ‘Dark Crusades’.

A website has been set up to aid Love mainman Arthur Lee, who’s battling against leukemia. This is to help pay for Lee’s ongoing treatment.

Billy Talent will have a new album in the shops during late June. Released by Atlantic, it will be called ‘Billy Talent II’.

Slayer will now release their new, as yet untitled album in July. Produced by Josh Abraham, they hope to precede this with a digital release on June 6. Among the 11 tracks on the album are ‘Eyes Of The Insane’, ‘Cult’, ‘Catalyst’, ‘Jihad’ and ‘Catatonic’.

Evanescence will finally release their new album in August. It’s to be called ‘The Open Door’.