SICK OF IT ALL TO SUPPORT HATEBREED, AFI

After having worked hard the past 20 years to make SICK OF IT ALL one of the most influential artists in hardcore music, the band is not slowing down in the least with tons of exciting announcements to unveil! The group will be touring in support of its upcoming tribute album, 'Our Impact Will Be Felt'. This incredible album features bands such as RISE AGAINST, BLEEDING THROUGH, BOUNCING SOULS, SEPULTURA, and HATEBREED covering their favorite tracks that SICK OF IT ALL has recorded in the past 20 years and will be in stores on February 3, 2007 via Abacus Recordings.

SICK OF IT ALL will be direct support on tour with HATEBREED in December and AFI in February. The dates so far are as follows:

HATEBREED w/ SICK OF IT ALL:

Dec. 26 - Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club
Dec. 27 - Philadelphia, PA @ Electric Factory
Dec. 28 - New York, NY @ Roseland Ballroom
Dec. 29 - Buffalo, NY @ TBA
Dec. 30 - New Haven, CT @ Toad's Place

AFI w/ SICK OF IT ALL:

Feb. 05 - New Orleans, LA @ House Of Blues
Feb. 09 - Columbus, OH @ Newport Music Hall
Feb. 11 - Cincinnati, OH @ Bogarts
Feb. 15 - Tulsa, OK @ Cain’s Ballroom

SICK OF IT ALL is currently compiling material for a DVD that will be released early next year and is inviting fans to be apart of it by submitting their own video footage of the band.

SICK OF IT ALL continues to have one of the most energetic and engaging live shows in music today and your live footage of the band will help capture that on their DVD! If you have high-quality live footage of the band, specifically from:

* 20th anniversary show in NYC @ BB Kings
* CBGBs last show w/ AGNOSTIC FRONT
* The Roxy in Los Angeles, CA May 2006
* Santiago, Chile in September 2006
* Any other recent shows from 2006

Please e-mail info@abacusrecordings.com for more information on how you can submit your footage and in return receive limited SICK OF IT ALL vinyl, and other product that will make it well worth your while!

Check out these video shot by fans that are online now: Video#1, Video#2.

KISS: AUTOGRAPHED BANNER BEING AUCTIONED FOR CHARITY

A rare autographed KISS banner is being auctioned off as part of MusiCares online Grammy charity auction through December 7. The banner is 46' X 60' and there were only 25 of these banners created by ProStars. This is number two of that very limited edition. To bid on the banner, visit this link.

MusiCares provides a safety net of critical assistance for music people in times of need. MusiCares' services and resources cover a wide range of financial, medical and personal emergencies, and each case is treated with integrity and confidentiality. MusiCares also focuses the resources and attention of the music industry on human service issues that directly impact the health and welfare of the music community.

About The Banner:

* Size: 46' X 60'
* Material: Silkscreen on canvas
* Color: Full-color
* Presentation: Unframed
* Numbered: Limited-edition; number 2 of 25
* Condition: New/excellent
* Signatures Include: Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, Eric Singer and Tommy Thayer on front in silver

STARKWEATHER WELCOMES BACK GUITARIST BILL MOLCHINOW

Philadelphia-based hardcore/metal act STARKWEATHER has announced the return of guitarist Bill Molchinow to the group's ranks. Molchinow played all the solos on the band's version of 'Hushabye', which appeared on the 'Definitely Not the Majors' compilation in 1996.

Commented guitartist Todd Forkin, 'After e-mailing back and forth with Bill over the last couple of months and sharing files of the new songs, we asked Bill if he would be interested in recording some of his guitarwork in his hometown of San Diego. After hearing his rough solo ideas it became obvious to us that we needed to get Bill back to the East Coast and into Deadverse Studio with Alap. On November 10 and 11 we loaded all of my guitar gear back into Deadverse, Bill warmed up, and in the next 7 or 8 hours he proceeded to blow our fucking minds. Imagine an odd mix of Holdsworth, Thordendal, Azagthoth, and Jeff Loomis and you have some idea of where Bill is coming from. Being a more traditional shred guitarist, it was amazing to watch Bill adapt to the dissonant racket we've created and add not only technically mind-blowing solos, but scraping textures, and chaotic arpeggiation as well. As a guitar player it was a humbling experience.

'Far from being a one off performance, Bill will be playing on our next full length as well. We just completed the final song for the next album and it looks like the thing is gonna clock in at about 75 minutes. I believe there are 8 songs for the next album, each with an average running time of about 10 minutes. It's difficult to say at this point what the stuff sounds like, but I like to think of it as a sick mixture of GORGUTS, KING CRIMSON, THOUGHT INDUSTRY, RADIOHEAD, and all the other bands listed as our favorites on our MySpace page.'

Candlelight Records has set a January 23 North American release date for STARKWEATHER's 'Crossbearer/Into the Wire'. This two-CD reworking of STARKWEATHER's early albums additionally features bonus material previously limited to rare singles, compilations, outtakes and hidden-away tapes from the band's numerous recording sessions.

BLITZKRIEG, SINNER, POWER QUEST CONFIRMED FOR U.K.'S BLOODSTOCK INDOOR FESTIVAL

NWOBHM (New Wave of British Heavy Metal) legends BLITZKRIEG, Germany's SINNER and Anglo-Italian melodic power metal band POWER QUEST have been confirmed for the Bloodstock Indoor Festival, set to take place Saturday, September 1, 2007 at the Derby Assembly Rooms, Market Square, Derby, England.

For more information, visit www.bloodstock.uk.com.

BLITZKRIEG supported German metal queen DORO on her U.K. dates in early November.

BLITZKRIEG's most recent album, 'Sins and Greed', was released in July 2005 via Metal Nation Records. The follow-up to 2002's 'Absolute Power' was recorded at Trinity Heights Studios in Newcastle Upon Tyne (U.K.) and features bass player Paul Brewis, who replaced Andy Galloway in early 2004. In addition, the CD marks Ken Johnson's first studio album following his performance on 'Absolutely Live'.

BEFORE THE DAWN BEGINS RECORDING NEW ALBUM

Finnish dark metallers BEFORE THE DAWN entered the studio on November 21 to begin recording their fourth album, 'Deadlight', tentatively due in early 2007 via Stay Heavy Records. A studio diary has been launched at this location. On February 14, the 'Deadsong' single will be released featuring the following track listing:

01. Deadsong
02. Bitter End (PLACEBO cover)
03. Gehenna (old song re-recorded and mixed)

In other news, BEFORE THE DAWN's touring lineup (with the exception of keyboardist Joel Mäkinen, who is no longer involved with the band) has been upgraded to 'permanent member' status. The group's current formation is as follows:

Tuomas Saukkonen - Vocals, Guitar
Juho Räihä (GLORIA MORTI) - Guitar
Lars Eikind (WINDS) - Bass, Vocals
Aatu Mukka â€" Drums

BEFORE THE DAWN toured in Finland and the Baltic States in September/October with MOONSPELL, INSOMNIUM, EMBRAZE and DAWN OF SOLACE (which is another one of Tuomas' bands).

BEFORE THE DAWN's latest album, 'The Ghost', was released this past summer via Locomotive Music. The CD was recorded and mixed at Villvox studios during the fall and early winter 2005 by Aleksanteri Kuosa. Mastering duties were handled by Minerva Pappi at Finnvox studios.

VESANIA ISSUES POST-TOUR UPDATE

Polish black metal masters VESANIA, whose lineup includes Orion (BEHEMOTH) and Daray (VADER), have posted the following message on their official web site:

'We recently returned from another collection of shows that took us through Scandinavia with CRYPTOPSY, ABORTED, VISCERAL BLEEDING; and then through Poland on the Polish leg of the Blitzkrieg IV Tour with VADER, TRAUMA and AZARATH.

'The Scandinavian tour was a further opportunity for us to perform in places we've never ventured before. The highlight of the tour was undoubtedly Finland, an experience that we're going to remember for a very long time.

'In general, the tour provided many unforgettable moments, great company and a tonne of strengthening and motivating energy. Another experience and another step forward for the band with the final show being an important milestone in the history of VESANIA... and not only our history â€" just check out the picture!

'Blitzkrieg IV was another chapter altogether. The expectations we had were really hard to define as a place on the bill with VADER doesn't necessarily guarantee good shows. Whilst it was a great honour, we knew that in order to be well received we had to put in a lot of hard work. Fortunately, all of our anxiety dissipated on the very first day. The audience, including guests, was nigh on 1000 and the response was just unbelievable and this evening set the tone for the rest of the tour. This enormous energy that we receive from you all is the reason for us showing up on stage every evening and it means a real lot. We're growing stronger as a band thanks to your hunger for our music. Thank you all so very, very much for everything. We needed this dose of inspiration and emotion before undertaking the next album.

'By the way, news about the new stuff will be coming soon so stay tuned. We'd also like to apologise regarding the show in Opole where we've been banned. Unfortunately, not all things are within our control...

'To sum things up, 'God The Lux' turned out to be a breakthrough for us as an album but also on the live front as well. We hit the road for this album with The Domination Tour in February 2006 closely followed by Metalmania and the God The Black Eastern European Tour (headlining) in March, the Scandinavian/European Tour in August/September and finally Blitzkrieg IV. All in all, close to 80 shows! This is a good result and we made it through! Big thanks must go to the Massive Music agency for allowing us the opportunity to be such an active band. Further shows will follow the forthcoming album â€" see you soon, take care!'

FAIRYLAND TO SUPPORT KAMELOT AND LEAVES' EYES IN EUROPE

French symphonic metal band FAIRYLAND has been confirmed as the opening act for KAMELOT and LEAVES' EYES on the following European dates:

Mar. 29 - De Boerderij - Zoetermeer, NETH
Mar. 30 - Plato, Helmond, NETH
Apr. 03 - Zeche, Bochum, GER
Apr. 05 - Elysee Montmartre, Paris, FRA
Apr. 06 - Hofterloo, Antwerp, BEL
Apr. 07 - Z7, Pratteln, SWI
Apr. 08 - Capitol, Offenbach, GER
Apr. 10 - Hirsch, Nürnberg, GER
Apr. 12 - Masters Of Rock Cafe, Zlin, CZR

FAIRYLAND recently inked a deal with Napalm Records. The group's new album, 'The Fall of an Empire', which is already available in Japan, will be released in other parts of the world in early 2007, accompanied by the reissue of the band's 'Of Wars in Osyrhia' debut (2003).

SMASHING PUMPKINS DRUMMER CHECKS IN FROM STUDIO

According to MTV.com, SMASHING PUMPKINS drummer Jimmy Chamberlin has updated fans of the reunited rockers on the progress of the band's comeback album in a post on the PUMPKINS' MySpace page. 'We are moving along nicely in the studio,' the drummer wrote. '[Mainman Billy Corgan] pulled off a magnificent guitar symphony last night and it is still ringing in my ears this morning. Eight guitars resonating in one big harmonic handshake. ... Today we will be working on vocals and solos. Tomorrow, who knows?'

The PUMPKINS' forthcoming LP, which is being produced by Roy Thomas Baker (QUEEN, THE CARS), is slated for release next year.

Corgan announced the reactivation of the SMASHING PUMPKINS last year. Aside from himself and Chamberlin, it is unknown whether original guitarist James Iha, original bassist D'Arcy Wretzky or latter-day bass player Melissa Auf der Maur will be involved in the project.

No title has been revealed for the new PUMPKINS album, the first since 2000's 'MACHINA/The Machines of God'.

Corgan debuted several new songs at a low-key show with WHO guitarist Pete Townshend on November 7 in Los Angeles.

DIMEBAG APPAREL COMING SOON TO HOT TOPIC STORE NEAR YOU

Coffin Case has teamed up with Dime Hardware to offer exclusive 'Dimebag' Darrell Abbott apparel â€" coming soon to select Hot Topic stores. Three exclusive Dimebag Darrell designs are scheduled at this time. Also, Guitar Center is now carrying the first of a series of blood-curdling effects pedals by Coffin Case.

The Blood Drive pedal features a classic rich analog distortion and warm boost circuit, but with more gain and tonal control for modern sounds as well as your favorite tones from times past! Guitarist extraordinaire John 5 (ROB ZOMBIE, ex-MARILYN MANSON) gives it a 'five-skull rating.'

Coffin Case is a music products company that brought the underground revolution to musicians with the coffin-shaped guitar case. The following years saw a rapid succession of new, innovative, and award-winning products for guitarists, bass players, and drummers, working both on stage and in the studio. Today, Coffin Case continues to introduce more industry 'firsts,' such the Black Kross Skullplate, and receive acclaims from both critics and musicians worldwide.

Visit www.coffincase.com for more information.

SEBASTIAN BACH GUITARIST 'METAL' MIKE CHLASCIAK REPORTS FROM THE ROAD

Guitarist 'Metal' Mike Chlasciak (SEBASTIAN BACH, HALFORD, PAINMUSEUM) has posted the second installment of his tour diary covering Sebastian Bach's trek as the opening act for GUNS N' ROSES. An excerpt follows: 'There was a bit of hectic rescheduling and re-re-rescheduling when it came to our performance in Puerto Rico. Just a bunch of logistical nightmare, but we are very happy that we made the trip and went to play for everyone. The night before the show there, myself and (other) Bach guitarist Johnny Chromatic took a night out at a town. In pure rock 'n' roll fashion, first it's a stop at a local liquor store, then a long walk across town to see what trouble finds us. Eventually we took a car to old town San Juan, where all the bars are. This trip came in very handy, as after our performance next day, Baz, Axl, his girlfriend, Axl's beautiful assistant, Vanessa, myself and Johnny ended up at one of these bars shooting pool and drinking a little too much. People kinda freaked out when they saw none other than Axl Rose walk right into a local bar in Puerto Rico, but that's rock 'n' roll. The night for me ended at 6 a.m.; woke up with a hangover. I was met with the news that almost everyone else came back to the hotel at 11:30 a.m. That's 11:30, everyone! Can't tell you what happened between 6 a.m. and 11:30 a.m., as I wasn't there, and the stories that I heard are probably not for these pages, ha.'

Read the rest of the diary at this location.

OFFICIUM TRISTE, MEMORY GARDEN CONFIRMED FOR GERMANY'S DOOM SHALL RISE FESTIVAL

Doom Shall Rise, the world's biggest festival exclusively dedicated to doom metal will go into its fifth round. The 2007 edition will once again take place at the Chapel in Göppingen, Germany and the dates are April 27 and April 28. The following bands have been confirmed so far:

CENTURIONS GHOST (UK)
DREAMING (Germany)
EARTHRIDE (USA)
FAITH (Sweden)
FORSAKEN (Malta)
LOW MAN'S TUNE (Germany)
MAEL MORDHA (Ireland)
MEMORY GARDEN (Sweden)
OFFICIUM TRISTE (Netherlands)
OUR SURVIVAL DEPENDS ON US (Austria)
SERPENTCULT (Belgium)
STEREOCHRIST (Hungary)
THE LAST SUPPER (Germany)
THE GATES OF SLUMBER (USA)

More acts will be confirmed soon.

For more information, visit www.doomshallrise.de.

VELVET REVOLVER IN PRE-PRODUCTION WITH BRENDAN O'BRIEN

VELVET REVOLVER is currently in pre-production for its long-awaited sophomore album with producer Brendan O'Brien. O'Brien has produced or mixed most of the major rock bands of the past 20 years, including PEARL JAM, SOUNDGARDEN, RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE and AUDIOSLAVE. 'Things are moving quick now, and we are all very excited,' drummer Matt Sorum said in an online posting. 'Rome was not built in a day so I believe everyone will be very happy when [the new CD is] finished.'

VELVET REVOLVER's sophomore album has a working title of 'Libertad'. The band's 2004 debut, 'Contraband', was certified double-platinum for sales in excess of two million copies in the United States.

MANNHAI: PENTAGRAM TRIBUTE SPLIT SINGLE AVAILABLE

MANNHAI, the Finnish group whose current lineup includes singer Pasi Koskinen (ex-AMORPHIS, AJATTARA), has issued the following update:

'MANNHAI has a brand new PENTAGRAM tribute 7' split single with Finnish doom metallers REVEREND BIZARRE out! Both of the bands do one PENTAGRAM cover song on this vinyl released by The Church Within Records. Jürgen Hendlmeier has produced MANNHAI's version of the '70s classic 'Forever My Queen' at Kick out the Jams! studios.

''Under the Sign of the Wolf' single is sold at least at Doom-Dealer and of course at forthcoming MANNHAI gigs. Only 1,000 copies printed, so be quick!'

MANNHAI's latest CD, 'Hellroad Caravan', was released in continental Europe on June 26 via Dockyard 1. The CD, which was issued in Finland on February 15, was recorded at Jive Studios in Helsinki and was described by the band as 'heavier and more guitar-driven' than the group's previous album, 2004's 'The Exploder'.

MANNHAI's 'Spaceball' single entered Finland's national single chart at position No. 1 back in January.

BYZANTINE PREPARES TO RECORD NEW ALBUM

West Virginia's forward-thinking metal band BYZANTINE will tentatively enter the studio December 8 to record the follow-up to 2005's '...And They Shall Take Up Serpents'. They will then take a break from the recording process to support GOD FORBID for two weeks on a tour package also boasting GOATWHORE, MNEMIC and ARSIS. Upon completion of the tour, BYZANTINE will return to the studio to finish recording. Production this time around will again be handled by Aaron Fisher and BYZANTINE for the yet-untitled full-length, due for a 2007 release through Prosthetic Records.

'We have so far 11 songs in the bag and most likely will have 15 penned by the time pre-production starts,' vocalist/guitarist OJ Ojeda previously stated. 'Normally we write 10 and use 10, but riffs are flowing like mad and all four of us are writing material this time, which has been very interesting. All I can say is if this album doesn't kick our first two albums' asses, something is wrong! Some songs are pure thrash, some songs are off time as hell and some songs are depressing and dark. This album WILL be our finest effort.'

In other news, BYZANTINE will appear on the upcoming EYEHATEGOD tribute record, 'For The Sick: A Tribute to Eyehategod', performing the track 'Shoplift'. The record is currently slated for a Feb. 20 release through Season of Mist.

BYZANTINE on tour:

Dec. 01 - Charleston, WV â€" The Sound Factory

With GOD FORBID, MNEMIC, GOATWHORE, ARSIS:

Feb. 02 - Atlanta, GA - The Masquerade
Feb. 03 - Greenville, SC - The Handlebar
Feb. 04 - Jacksonville, FL â€" Thee Imperial
Feb. 05 - Ft. Lauderdale, FL - Culture Room
Feb. 06 - Orlando, FL - Backbooth
Feb. 07 - St. Petersburg, FL - The Garage
Feb. 09 - Covington, KY - The Mad Hatter
Feb. 10 - Nashville, TN - The Muse
Feb. 11 - Springfield, VA - Jaxx
Feb. 12 - Charlotte, NC - Tremont Music Hall
Feb. 14 - Huntington, WV â€" Huntington Music Hall
Feb. 16 - Poughkeepsie, NY â€" The Chance
Feb. 17 - Rochester, NY - Penny Arcade

OMNIUM GATHERUM BEGINS RECORDING NEW ALBUM; STUDIO DIARY LAUNCHED

Finnish death metallers OMNIUM GATHERUM entered Southeast Studios in Karhula, Finland on November 6 with producer Teemu Aalto to begin recording their third album, tentatively titled 'Stuck Here On Snake's Way'. So far, the drums have been recorded, according to a posting on the group's web site. A studio diary following the band's progress has been launched at this location.

OMNIUM GATHERUM recently inked a deal with Candlelight Records. The band recently uploaded two new tracks to its MySpace profile. The songs â€" 'A Part of God' and 'Undertaker' â€" are taken from the group's latest promotional recording, which the band used to procure its new record deal. The demo marks the first material recorded with brand new OMNIUM GATHERUM vocalist Jukka Pelkonen, who joined the group in May.

OMNIUM GATHERUM parted ways with Nuclear Blast Records last year. The band's latest album, 'Years in Waste', was released in the U.S. in March 2005. The follow-up to 2003's 'Spirits and August Light' was recorded at Sonic Pump studios in Helsinki, Finland with producer Nino Laurenne and engineer Teemu Aalto.

SEBASTIAN BACH: ACOUSTIC VERSION OF NEW SONG POSTED ONLINE

Former SKID ROW frontman Sebastian Bach has issued the following update:

'Last Tuesday [Nov. 7], we went to WCCC Radio in Hartford, CT at 2 in the afternoon the day of show to perform three songs live, acoustic, in the studio. We did 'Little Wing' [JIMI HENDRIX cover], 'I Remember You' [SKID ROW], and the brand new song 'By Your Side'. It is always with some amount of trepidation that I enter into these situations live on the radio 'without a net,' not knowing the surroundings or how good the sound is gonna be. Well, I am happy to say that the session went great and I am real happy with how the sound went out on the air live all over Connecticut. Check out 'By Your Side' acoustic version [at this location]... the album version is not acoustic but I am really digging how Metal Mike and Johnny Chromatic pulled this song off without drums or bass. This song was written by [producer] Roy Z [HALFORD, BRUCE DICKINSON] and myself and will be on the new record coming out in 2007!'

Upcoming SEBASTIAN BACH tour dates (supporting GUNS N' ROSES, unless otherwise noted):

Nov. 13 - Baltimore, MD @ 1st Mariner Arena
Nov. 15 - Toronto, ONT @ Air Canada Centre
Nov. 16 - Whitby, ONT @ Johnny B's (headline show)
Nov. 17 - Ottawa, ONT @ Scotiabank Place
Nov. 18 - Quebec City, QC @ Colisee Pepsi Arena
Nov. 24 - Cleveland, OH @ Quicken Loans Arena
Nov. 25 - Auburn Hills, MI @ The Palace of Auburn Hills
Nov. 26 - Toledo, OH @ Headliners (headline show)
Nov. 27 - Chicago, IL @ Allstate Arena
Nov. 28 - Sauget, IL @ Pop's (headline show)
Nov. 29 - Milwaukee, WI @ Bradley Center
Dec. 01 - Ames, IA @ Hilton Coliseum
Dec. 02 - Minneapolis, MN @ Target Center
Dec. 04 - Winnipeg, MB @ MTS Centre
Dec. 06 - Calgary, AB @ Pengrowth Saddledome
Dec. 07 - Edmonton, AB @ Rexall Place
Dec. 09 - Spokane, WA @ Big Easy Concert House (headline show)
Dec. 10 - Everett, WA @ Everett Events Center
Dec. 11 - Portland, OR @ Rose Garden Arena
Dec. 13 - Fresno, CA @ Save Mart Center - Cal State U
Dec. 14 - Chico, CA @ Senator Theatre (headline show)
Dec. 15 - Oakland, CA @ Oakland Coliseum
Dec. 17 - Universal City, CA @ Gibson Amphitheatre @ Universal CityWalk
Dec. 19 - Universal City, CA @ Gibson Amphitheatre @ Universal CityWalk
Dec. 20 - Universal City, CA @ Gibson Amphitheatre @ Universal CityWalk
Jan. 10 - Sacramento, CA @ ARCO Arena T
Jan. 11 - Bakersfield, CA @ Rabobank Arena
Jan. 13 - Reno, NV @ Reno Events Center
Jan. 16 - San Diego, CA @ iPayOne Center

DEEP PURPLE FRONTMAN: AUSTRALIAN TOUR DATES ANNOUNCED

DEEP PURPLE frontman Ian Gillan will embark on a solo tour of Australia in late January in support of his 'Gillan's Inn' album. Confirmed dates are as follows:

Jan. 19 - Melbourne, AUS @ The Palace
Jan. 20 - Sydney, AUS @ Salinas
Jan. 21 - Sydney, AUS @ Revesby Workers
Jan. 23 - Newcastle, AUS @ Panthers
Jan. 25 - Wollongong, AUS @ Shelly's
Jan. 26 - Brisbane, AUS @ The Arena
Jan. 27 - Tweed Heads, AUS @ Twin Towns Services
Jan. 28 - Penrith, AUS @ Evan Theater

Gillan recently completed a five-week North American run to promote 'Gillan's Inn', which he released to celebrate 40 years in the music business. The CD, which came out in April, spans the four decades of Gillan's professional life and features some of his friends as guest performers, including his mates in DEEP PURPLE, the GOO GOO DOLLS, and singer-guitarist Jeff Healey, among many others.

'Gillan's Inn' is a DualDisc, and the DVD side has a track-by-track commentary from Gillan, along with scenes from the recording sessions, rare live footage, and other extras.

DEEP PURPLE recently resumed its two-year-long world tour behind its latest album, 'Rapture of the Deep'.

QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE TO PLAY FREE SHOW IN NEW YORK THIS MONDAY

According to Billboard.com, QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE is one of the bands that will play free shows Monday (Nov. 13) to celebrate the launch of Microsoft's new Zune digital audio player. QOTSA will perform in New York. Also scheduled to perform are RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS (Los Angeles) and and T.I. (Atlanta). Venues will be announced on Monday by local blogs and media.

On Thursday (Nov. 9), Microsoft agreed to share revenue from Zune sales with record labels and artists. Forcing the issue was Universal Music Group, which at deadline is the only label named in the program. UMG refused to license its music to the Zune unless it could receive a percentage of each device sold, in addition to standard music licensing fees for downloads and subscriptions.

Read more at Billboard.com.

DIMEBAG INDUCTED INTO HARD ROCK CAFE DALLAS WALK OF FAME: PHOTOS AVAILABLE

John Austin of the Star-Telegram has issued the following report:

The Dallas Hard Rock Cafe added a star honoring slain guitar player 'Dimebag' Darrell Abbott to its walk of fame in a ceremony Thursday night (Nov. 9).

Abbott, along with his brother, drummer Vinnie Paul Abbott, were part of PANTERA, one of the most acclaimed metal bands of the 1990s.

The brothers were performing with DAMAGEPLAN, a band they formed after leaving PANTERA, when Darrell Abbott was fatally shot onstage in Columbus, Ohio, on Dec. 8, 2004. He was 38.

The guitarist lived in Dalworthington Gardens at the time of his death and is buried in Arlington.

After the star unveiling, Vinnie Paul Abbott and Darrell's longtime companion, Rita Haney, presented the Dean guitar Darrell Abbott used on PANTERA's '101 Proof' tour. [See photo at this location.]

Last year the pair presented another guitar 'Dime' had owned to the Hard Rock cafe in San Antonio, according to a report in the San Antonio Express-News.

Other musicians with stars in the Dallas walk of fame include Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis and Texas trio ZZ TOP.

Check out more pictures at the Star-Telegram.

DARKEST HOUR FORCED TO DROP OFF SOILWORK TOUR

Washington D.C.-based metallers DARKEST HOUR have issued the following statement:

'We are sorry to announce that we must cancel our upcoming shows in Pittsburgh, Rochester, and Detroit on our curent tour with SOILWORK, MNEMIC, and THREAT SIGNAL. One of the us has a serious health issue that must be addressed immediately. We apologize to all the fans and the other bands, but when you're on tour forever health has to come first. We will see everyone in the U.K. [with BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME and MISERY SIGNALS] next month and everyone in the U.S. with a new record next year.'

The affected dates are as follows:

Nov. 09 - Rex Theatre - Pittsburgh, PA
Nov. 10 - The Penny Arcade - Rochester, NY
Nov. 11 - Harpo's - Detroit, MI

Pittsburgh, PA-based label A-F Records last month issued a collection of DARKEST HOUR's early recordings prior to the band's signing with Victory. Entitled 'Archives', the set marks DARKEST HOUR's ten-year anniversary and features over an hour of rare and unreleased material, including the band's recordings as early as 'The Misanthrope' EP, recorded in 1995 while the members were in high school. It continues the band's output with 'The Prophecy Fulfilled' from 1997 and singles from vinyl as late as 1998.

THE ABSENCE PULLS OUT OF ENTOMBED TOUR

Tampa, Florida's THE ABSENCE has issued the following update:

'We regretfully announce THE ABSENCE will be pulling out of the ENTOMBED, DISMEMBER, GRAVE tour this December because of several unresolved problems with our booking agent. We apologize to all the fans that were looking forward to those dates and promise to see you again soon!

'In other news, we are super excited to announce that we are going into Mana Studios (Florida) at the beginning of the year to track the new record. Taking control of production this time around will be Swede Jonas Kjellgren (SCAR SYMMETRY, CARNAL FORGE). The record will also be mixed by Jonas at his studio Black Lounge (Sweden). We are all huge fans of his work and are anxious to hear what he does with THE ABSENCE!'

THE ABSENCE's debut album, 'From Your Grave', came out in September 2005 via Metal Blade Records.

DREAM EVIL'S 'UNITED' SEES CHART ACTION

DREAM EVIL's 'United' album has hit the Swedish official album charts at position #24, the Swedish metal charts at #3 as well as the Greek album charts at position #41 (now up to #28).

On December 13, Sweden's DREAM EVIL will make its U.S. live debut when it headlines the Century Family's third annual Christmas Balls show at The Key Club in Hollywood. Tickets are on sale now. More performances will be announced in the coming weeks.

Commented Peter Stalfors (bass): 'Ever since we released our first album, 'DragonSlayer', we hoped to have the opportunity to perform in the U.S. Over the years, we received tons of mails from fans all over North America, and now at last we have the opportunity to give at least some of you a chance to see us. We are really excited about this and look forward to see you at the Key Club in Los Angeles, when it's finally time to show the U.S. what we’ve got. We will play songs from our new album, 'United', along with a ton of oldies as well, so we hope you are ready for a full-on metal onslaught.'

'United' was recorded at Sweden's famed Studio Fredman with DREAM EVIL guitarist and legendary producer Fredrik Nordström (ARCH ENEMY, OPETH, AT THE GATES). The limited-edition first pressing of 'United' includes a bonus second CD containing five exclusive, brand new songs.

DREAM EVIL recently completed a video for the new album's opening track, 'Fire! Battle! In Metal!', with renowned director Patric Ullaeus (DIMMU BORGIR, LACUNA COIL). The clip can be viewed at this location.

CELTIC FROST BASSIST SAYS 'MONOTHEIST' COULD HAVE BEEN 'HEAVIER AND DARKER'

Metal-Rules.com recently conducted an interview with CELTIC FROST bassist Martin Eric Ain. A few excerpts from the chat follow:

Metal-Rules.com: We featured an interview with Tom [Fischer] back in the spring and he said, 'We cannot possibly continue if everyone thinks CELTIC FROST is superfluous in today's world.' Now with the album being out for several months how has the reaction from fans and press been?

Martin: Generally speaking, it has been really amazing. It's been more than what we would've expected. We got some really strong and really intense responses from people that got really touched by the music that we created, by this new album. For us, this is very much a compliment. Something that we very much cherish. As I said before, it's more than we expected.

Metal-Rules.com: [Does] this mean that there will be another CELTIC FROST album?

Martin: Yes. I mean, definitely. Already before we had this album finished, we had to decide at one point to let this go. This entity is what it is and we're not going to let it rest, we could continue for another 10 years, but I still think it could have been heavier and darker. We already realized that ourselves when we were finished with the recording. A song like 'Totengott' was added basically at the last minute. We were still bristling with ideas and we still do so right now. It won't take four years for the next follow-up. My guess, an educated guess but it's still a guess, because being 39 if there's one thing I learnt, that I am not Nostradamus and I can't predict the future. So I think the next record will come quite fast and will be heavier but we'll have to see.

Metal-Rules.com: Have you been happy with the way Century Media has been getting behind the group and new album?

Martin: Absolutely. Century Media has been doing a great job, an excellent job. I think we really got lucky that we have them as a licensing partner. So far no complaints, of course there has been minor things, but you have to realize that you are working with this large corporation. They are still independent, but they are a worldwide corporation, so you will have minor communication problems, and all around the world you can never get everything into place. It's been the best experience I've ever had in this business so far, and there are a lot of great people working at Century Media. A lot of great people that have put a lot of effort into getting this album promoted and getting CELTIC FROST to where we are right now. I'm really happy and thankful. I'm really sorry only to have to give you positives now (laughs). Maybe you would like to have some nitty gritty?

Metal-Rules.com: Were you nervous about taking the stage again with CELTIC FROST after so many years?

Martin: Not after. Beforehand I was nervous. Now I think we're getting better and better, and tighter and tighter, and more to the point, and realizing more what this is about. Just like we did when we started working on the album. Of course, I was what you might say focused and nervous about playing those monster festivals that we've never played before. I didn't know what to expect. Having done that, I have to say it was a great experience. Definitely worthwhile, something that made everything we've been doing over the last couple of years worthwhile and I'm really thankful that we were able to do so. That we were graced with so much interest after such a long time. I think this is not something one can take for granted. Neither is doing a 47-date tour of North America. Definitely something we are looking forward to and we are focused on.

Read the entire interview at Metal-Rules.com.

KITTIE: GENESSEE COLLEGE ROCKFEST APPEARANCE CANCELLED

Canadian all-girl metal band KITTIE has issued the following update:

'We regret to inform all of our fans in the upstate [New York] area that our show at the Genessee College Rockfest this Friday, November 10th has been cancelled.

'The band was asked to play a few weeks ago by representatives of the college, but attempts to contact them after the invitation was extended were met by silence. We finally were informed that they had no idea KITTIE was to be playing their show and there was some sort of communication breakdown that lead to much confusion on their part. Someone obviously overstepped their boundries by inviting us to play and then back pedaled at the expense of our fans and our band.

'We apologize profusely for this cancellation, but unfortunetly that is what we get for dealing with unprofessional people. Apparently the same thing happened to DISTURBED a few years ago at the same college, which resulted in the same sort of miscommunications and ultimate cancellation.'

As previously reported, KITTIE has set 'Funeral for Yesterday' as the title of its new album, due on February 20, 2007 via the group's own Kiss of Infamy record label. Check out the cover artwork at this location.

KITTIE's new CD was recorded at Retromedia Studio in Red Bank, New Jersey with producer Jack Ponti, who has previously worked with BON JOVI, SKID ROW, and ALICE COOPER. Songtitles set to appear on the new album include 'Never Again', 'Funeral for Yesterday', 'The Change', 'Breathe', 'Last Goodbye', 'Slow Motion' and 'Flowers of Flesh and Blood'. The band recently finished mixing the effort with producer Kevin Shirley (IRON MAIDEN, DREAM THEATER).

KITTIE's downloadable EP, entitled 'Never Again', was released in February through Rock Ridge Music. iTunes is offering an exclusive four-track version of the EP, which includes the bonus track 'Everything That Could Have Been'.

KITTIE has sold more than a million records since the release of its debut, 'Spit', in 2000. That album was followed by 2001's 'Oracle' and 2004's 'Until the End', with several EPs in between.

THE HAUNTED LAUNCHES YOUTUBE VIDEO CHANNEL

Swedish thrashers THE HAUNTED have launched their own YouTube video channel at this location.

THE HAUNTED's video for the song 'The Flood' has been posted online at this location. The clip was directed by Roger Johansson (ARCH ENEMY, HAMMERFALL, SOILWORK) in Sweden. The track comes off the new THE HAUNTED album, 'The Dead Eye', which came out on Oct. 31 via Century Media Records. A 'making of' feature for the 'The Flood' video can be viewed here. An e-card featuring two tracks from the CD â€" 'The Medication' and 'The Drowning' â€" can be accessed at this location.

THE HAUNTED will embark on a U.S. tour alongside DANZIG and labelmates LACUNA COIL later in the month.

SEBASTIAN BACH: LIVE VIDEO OF NEW SONG AVAILABLE

A video clip of former SKID ROW frontman Sebastian Bach performing a new song during his band's October 29, 2006 performance in San Juan, Puerto Rico as the opening act for GUNS N' ROSES has been posted online at YouTube.com. Additional video clips from Bach's San Juan performance can be found at this location.

Contrary to published reports, Sebastian Bach â€" who recently completed work on a new studio album, entitled 'Angel Down' â€" is not actively seeking a new label home.

'I am not 'shopping' my new record to anyone,' Bach told BLABBERMOUTH.NET on Oct. 13. 'I have not played a note of my new record to anyone but my new manager [Rick Sales of Sanctuary Artist Management).

'What happened with Artemis is that they bought the Spitfire catalog [Spitfire issued Sebastian's last solo release, 'Bring 'Em Bach Alive', in 1999], and at the same time we received serious interest from one of the biggest labels in the world. All of this happened without either label hearing a note of the new record. We are deciding which label is the best to sign with at this very moment.'

'Angel Down' was produced by Roy Z. (HALFORD, BRUCE DICKINSON, JUDAS PRIEST) and features such cuts as 'Stuck Inside', 'American Metalhead', 'By Your Side' and 'Take You Down With Me'.

Sebastian's current touring/recording lineup consists of the following:

Sebastian Bach - Vocals
Metal' Mike Chlasciak (HALFORD, PAINMUSEUM) - Guitar
Steve DiGiorgio (SADUS, ex-DEATH, TESTAMENT) - Bass
Bobby Jarzombek (ICED EARTH, HALFORD) - Drums
Johnny Chromatic â€" Guitar

KILLSWITCH ENGAGE: 'MY CURSE' VIDEO POSTED ONLINE

An early leak of the KILLSWITCH ENGAGE video for the track 'My Curse' is now available for viewing at YouTube.com. The clip was shot last month with director Lex Halaby, who has previously worked with MUDVAYNE and IN FLAMES, among others.

As previously reported, a brand new KILLSWITCH ENGAGE track, entitled 'For You', is available for free download at this location. Both songs come off the New England metallers' upcoming album, 'As Daylight Dies', due on November 21 via Roadrunner Records. An e-card for the CD can be accessed at this location. The e-card includes graphics designed by bassist Mike D'Antonio, special offers for pre-ordering the album, a complete list of KILLSWITCH ENGAGE's upcoming tour with ALL THAT REMAINS, HATEBREED, BURY YOUR DEAD and 2 CENTS, three different AIM icons, and two of the album's songs.

ALICE COOPER IS THE TOP CLASSIC ROCK GOLFER IN NEW SURVEY

Launch Radio Networks reports: Alice Cooper has been named the top classic rock golfer in a new survey in Golf Digest. The magazine ranked the musicians who are the best players, and Cooper came in at No. 11 on the list, in a tie with British singer-songwriter Lloyd Cole. YES drummer Alan White scored a No. 14 placement, while the Top 40 also included DOORS guitarist Robby Krieger, MOODY BLUES bassist John Lodge, and former EAGLES guitarist Don Felder. Jazz saxophonist Kenny G is No. 1 on the 'Top 100 In Music' list.

Cooper told Launch that golf is so popular among his peers because it helps musicians get going while on the road. 'It gets you out of the hotel rooms when you're on long tours,' he said. 'It's something to look forward to. You do the show. The next morning, what are you gonna do? Sit in the hotel room all day? No, you get to go out and hit the golf ball around. But it's certainly nothing that I would... I would never give up rock-and-roll for golf.'

Also on the Golf Digest 'Top 100 In Music' list, which hits newsstands on Tuesday (November 7), are these folks, who apparently need to improve their game â€" ex-PINK FLOYD singer-bassist Roger Waters, EAGLES singer-guitarist Glenn Frey, Stephen Stills, Bob Dylan, Steve Miller, Eddie Van Halen, Neil Young, TUBES leader Fee Waybill, Meat Loaf, Eddie Money, and singer-guitarist Robin Zander from CHEAP TRICK, among others. AEROSMITH frontman Steven Tyler had a very low placement, but he's listed as being new to the game.

BLACK SABBATH GUITARIST ATTENDS 'GUITAR HERO II' LAUNCH IN LONDON

According to a posting on BLACK SABBATH guitarist Tony Iommi's official web site, Tony was at the Gibson Guitar Studios in London Wednesday night (Nov. 1) for the launch of the new Sony Playstation 2 game 'Guitar Hero II'. The game features the BLACK SABBATH track 'War Pigs' and two fearless members of the event's organizing team even got up on stage to perform the track along to the game in front of the song's creator. Tony was there to see his daughter, Toni-Marie, and her band LUNARMILE, who were performing at the event.

As previously reported, Iommi and fellow original SABBATH members Geezer Butler and Bill Ward are reuniting with vocalist Ronnie James Dio, who replaced Ozzy Osbourne in the band in 1979, under the moniker HEAVEN AND HELL. The new group, named after the first post-Osbourne SABBATH album, will hit the road in early 2007. In addition, according to Ozzy, a BLACK SABBATH tour with Osbourne, Iommi, Butler and Ward will kick off late 2007 to coincide with the group's first new studio album featuring that lineup since 1978's 'Never Say Die!'

RARE DIMEBAG 1982 GUITAR PICK SOLD FOR $340 ON EBAY

A rare 1982 'Dimebag' Darrell Abbott (PANTERA, DAMAGEPLAN) guitar pick from a Junior High School talent show was sold on eBay for $342.51. The seller apparently bought the pick awhile back from someone who went to school with Darrell. The auction also included the talent show flyer and clipping, as pictured at the eBay auction page.

Abbott was shot to death just moments into a DAMAGEPLAN concert on December 8, 2004 at a Columbus, Ohio club. His killer, a disturbed 25-year-old ex-Marine, was slain by a police officer at the scene.

Launch Radio Networks reports: Paul Stanley's in the midst of a solo tour in support of his new album 'Live To Win', and things are going really well. Stanley and the house band from the 'Rock Star' reality TV show have been playing songs from throughout his career, with fans responding enthusiastically for all of them. Stanley told Launch that it's gratifying to know people are enjoying it as much as they seem to be. 'The great thing about doing a solo tour is that people are there, clearly, to see you, and to hear your contribution to their lives, and also to the band that you're affiliated with,' he said. 'So when we're playing things from 'Live To Win' and people know them, or when we're playing stuff from my first solo album, or even the obscure KISS songs we do, it's just very, very gratifying, you know, 'cause they're all my songs, and it's great to know that they connect with people so well.'

'Live To Win' came out on October 24, and it sold just under 17,000 copies in the United States during its first week of release to land at position No. 53 of The Billboard 200 chart.

Stanley hits the Palace Theatre in Greensburg, Pennsylvania tonight.

Stanley is also promoting the release on DVD this week of 'Kissology: Volume One 1974-1977', which has rare and unreleased live footage from the band's early days.

CIRCUS OF POWER FEATURED IN 'PASSION & BROTHERHOOD' PREVIEW

A preview of director Drew Stone's new film 'Passion & Brotherhood', featuring a couple of shots of CIRCUS OF POWER, has been posted online at YouTube.com. The band appears in the film from Austin, Texas performing 'Heart Attack' as the soundtrack to the 'Urban Street - Bike Warriors All-Star' segment. Live footage of the band is intercut with the world's top street motorcycle stunt riders, including Kyle Woods and Chris 'Teach' McNeil.

CIRCUS OF POWER's first New York City show in over 12 years on Sept. 27, 2006 was filmed for the upcoming CIRCUS OF POWER long-form DVD, 'Got Motor? Swamp Boogie In The Big City', due out in 2007 through Renegade Distribution. The DVD will include classic performances throughout the band's career as well as new footage documenting the band's '20th anniversary' shows. An early 2007 release through Renegade Distribution is expected.