San Francisco thrash metal icons Testament are currently in the throes of recording their new record, according to updates from the band. With only the drum tracks to go on, guitarist Eric Peterson is already excited. “Drum tracks completed on 4 songs. It’s gonna be the fastest and most outta control drum record we’ve done. Visual clips coming soon!”
New Dream Theater drummer Mike Mangini is very confident in his position as Mike Portnoy’s replacement.
In a recent interview with Radio Metal, Mangini was asked what he felt hearing that John Petrucci and Portnoy, both founding members of the band, had said that they would definitely work together in the future:
Paul Rogers recently commented on the possible future of legendary rockers Bad Company, telling Backstageaxxess.com’s Gus Griesinger, “You know Gus, anything is possible.”
The 2011 Devonrox festival has been cancelled. According to NME, the festival, which was to take place at Devon, UK’s Powderham Castle on August 6th and 7th, had less-than desirable ticket sales so far, and the financiers backed out.
Metal has a home, and it is Birmingham, UK. The town spawned countless metal bands of all sorts of genres over, including Black Sabbath, Judas Priest and Napalm Death, and is celebrating that history this summer.
The aptly-named “Home of Metal” is a collection of exhibits and events on the slew of metal bands that saw their birth in the former dreary city, its factories and crappy weather possibly inspiring the heaviness of their music.
According to Gibson Lifestyle, the second volume of the charity compilation three-CD set, Live from Nowhere Near You, is to feature members of Pearl Jam, Queens of the Stone Age, and The Shins. Musicians from the Strokes, Modest Mouse and Wilco have also contributed to this package, which benefits Outside In, a Portland, Oregon non-profit organization that provides counseling and aid to homeless young people and children.
Second Time Around EP, produced by the legendary Jim Wirt (Incubus, Hoobastank), basks in rave reviews. Wirt, whose time in the studio with Modena was a mutually considered a raving success was thrilled with the turn out of the single’s video and how it represented the song. “Great looking video…. I am really honored that I was chosen by this band to produce their debut release! I am SO fucking proud of these guys.”
Bon Jovi guitarist Richie Sambora has been in rehab since April, when he checked in “for exhaustion and to regain his sobriety.” That decision was supported by the band, who tapped Phil X, formerly of Triumph, to fill in on their tour at the time.
The ex-Oasis members that comprise Beady Eye will be shooting the video to their upcoming single “The Beat Goes On” at their performance at the Isle of Wight festival this weekend.
Michael Jackson’s jacket from the iconic music video for “Thriller” will be going up for auction later this June as part of Juliens Auctions Music Icons Exhibition. The auction, which will be held in Beverly Hills, California, will also include memorabilia from artists such as The Beatles, Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Kurt Cobain, Madonna, Frank Sinatra, Garth Brooks, The Grateful Dead, Ozzy Osbourne, Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, The Ramones, Elvis Presley, Fleetwood Mac, Justin Bieber, Lady Gaga and others.
