Megaforce has set an August 8 release date for the two-disc DVD from the legendary San Francisco Bay Area thrash metal band Vio-Lence, entitled “Blood and Dirt“. The DVD is produced and directed by Jerry Allen of Metallian Productions.

Guns n’ Roses have confirmed that their new guitarist is Ron Thal, formerly with New York band Bumblefoot. He’s replaced Buckethead.

Frontiers Records has announced the European release of Shark Island‘s highly anticipated new album, “Gathering of the Faithful”, on July 7.

Leaf Hound are to headline The Metal Brew festival at the Mill Hill Rugby Club in London on July 22. Also on the bill are Firestorm, Crowning Glory, Devulfish, Aghast, Godsized, Chordless and None The Less.

Finland’s Nerlich have inked a deal with OSM Records. The band, who were formed in the fall of 2003, play “old-school skull-crushing death metal,” according to a press release. Nerlich have just finished recording their new album, which will be titled “Defabricated Process”. A December 2006 release is expected.

Skindred are to headline this year’s Uxfest, which happens at the Islington Academy and Islington Bar Academy in London on August 6. There will be 21 bands in all, on two stages. Other names confirmed so far are Bring Me The Horizon, Head-On, Biomechanical, Fireapple Red, Engel and PDHM.

Entombed drummer Peter Stjarnvind has left the band, to concentrate on his other project, Nifelheim. Temporarily, at least, his place is being taken by Olle Dahstedt.

Florida punks Hot Water Music have split up. After a decade together, the foursome have decided to go their separate ways, and will announce various new projects soon.

Sufjan Stevens is due to release ‘The Avalanche’ – an album of material culled from the sessions for his ‘Illinois’ record.‘Illinois’ was originally conceived as a double album but, as the project developed, the album became a single. The left-over tracks have been collected together on ‘The Avalanche’, which is due to be released on […]

Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke is set to release a solo album in July. Рўhe album will be called ‘The Eraser’ and will be produced by long-time band producer Nigel Godrich. XL – the White Stripes UK label – would put out the album.