Metallica Wanted To Fire Lars?

The new album is set to be released on October 21st in North America (a day before in Europe) and is the band's first album release since the death of bass player Paul Gray. But the band has been posting streams of some of the album's tracks online ahead of next week's release.

On Wednesday, the band premiered the song "AOV" on the special website they set up to promote the new album and later in the day the track was moved to YouTube as they premiered the song "Killpop" on the site.

These tracks join "XIX" and "Sarcastrophe" which were also released as YouTube streams this week, as well as the track "Custer," which was added to the streaming video site last week.

In a statement, the band say: "Exodus sends their deepest sympathy to the loved ones of their fan Gustavo Molina who died shortly after their show in Buenos Aires, Argentina on October 13, 2014.

He was in Mexico on tour with White's solo band. The former White Stripes leader and his record label announced yesterday, "Out of respect for Ikey, the remaining shows of the Jack White Tour in Mexico have been cancelled."

Now Nasty Little Man PR issued the following statement revealing the cause of death: "The coroner has determined that Ikey Owens died from a heart attack the morning of October 14 at approximately 4 am. The only drugs found in his room were a small amount of marijuana.

"Ikey, born Isaiah Randolph Owens, was a GRAMMY award-winning artist best known for his work with Jack White, the Mars Volta, De Facto and Free Moral Agents, among others. He was a beloved member of the music community as well as his hometown of Long Beach, CA."

One member of the Long Beach music scene, Rival Sons frontman Jay Buchanan wrote the following tribute to Ikey on Facebook: "It is with a heavy heart that we celebrate the life and passing of a dear friend, Ikey Owens. Too much to get into, really.

"Always encouraging of whatever new musical pursuit I was onto, he was one of those guys that read a bit like a character in a good book or old movie. He was just into it. Always into it and down for the crown.

In Long Beach, he was one of us that made it out and we all looked on him with a sense of pride. In his time off he labored to produce new talent and was always down for an impromptu jam.

"While he laid the keys on our latest record in Nashville this last winter we had the chance to catch up and talk about the future and it always felt good to talk about the future with Ikey because it was all about expansion.

"Our first day of tracking!" he exclaimed with the hashtag #incubusnewalbum. In the clip, drummer Jose Pasillas can be seen laying down a drum track while a jangly electric guitar rhythm is heard alongside him.

The news comes after first indications that the wheels were turning for new Incubus material back in July. Einziger told Radio.com that he and frontman Brandon Boyd were "scheming" and in the process of creating new music together.

"You know everybody's got a lot of things going on but we're slowly bringing out focus back to the band and everybody's excited about it because we've had enough time away from it to where it's exciting for everyone," he said. "There's definitely some really great stuff coming."

He says: "We're starting to demo, starting to get some ideas for the new record. We're starting to have that discussion, which is exciting. But that'll be a while, probably not until late this year, early next year when we start reviewing some of that stuff. So that's something that's definitely in the works."

He left when the Metal God returned to the fold but insists the split came at the right time - and says he discovered he was out of the group via email.

He tells Uber Rock: "I always knew the reunion would come some day, but I've said it before, I wasn't upset - I really was ready to be out. Looking back now, if Halford's name had have been on Jugulator, it would probably have been hailed as a masterpiece.

"I had just finished recording Iced Earth's Glorious Burden when I told my wife, 'I almost wish Judas Priest would fire me,' because I'd never have quit. I got home and I got the email."

She tells the BBC's Radio 6 Music: "There are so many of them that are about me: Siamese Dream, Bodies and Today. He stopped writing about me and then he stopped making hits.

"There's one on Siamese Dream called Spaceboy that's about his brother, but the rest are all pretty much about me." Love also claims her relationship with Nine Inch Nails frontman Trent Reznor was the inspiration behind another Pumpkins' track.

It was recorded to mark the 30th anniversary of the record's release - a second clip will launch towards the end of the month. Shermann says: "With the overwhelming feedback from last year's Melissa 30-year anniversary video, it was obvious we were going to do the same with Don't Break The Oath.

"We think the fans like to see how it's really played by the original guitar players, so we tuned and tweaked the guitars and amps as we did back in 1984. This is as close as you'll get."

Meanwhile, Mercyful Fate frontman King Diamond is working on remastering some of the band's material for a compilation project. The singer said: "I don't like the versions which are out - I think they have been crushed to death and a lot of the original sounds have been squashed.

The band has also announced a North American tour that will be starting this week, while they will also be playing the E4 festival in Mexico on December 6.

Frontman Wes Scantlin, along with guitarist Matt Fuller, bassist Michael A. Grajewski and drummer Dave 'Chilli' Moreno, are also working on their next album which will launch next year.

He says: "The recent UK tour has been the most fulfilling experience. The recent show at Gloucester Cathedral opened up a new chapter for us. It gave us the opportunity to set the music in an ornate, beautiful environment - and it has been an unforgettable experience for us.

"With this in mind, Anathema is proud to announce a series of cathedral concerts that will shed a whole new light on the music and live experience of the band. The experience of Gloucester shall be enhanced - culminating in a very special finale in our home town at the Liverpool Anglican Cathedral."

Previous recipients of the Inspiration Award include Rory Gallagher, Jon Lord, Steve Marriott, Ronnie James Dio, John Bonham, Syd Barrett, Mick Ronson and Phil Lynott.

"In 1965 and '66, our brothers across the pond were making a lot of beautiful noise, and we attempted to create our own magical sound out here on the west coast", say Robby Krieger and John Densmore.

"It's really nice to see them now turning around, coming back here to L.A., and recognizing what the four of us accomplished together on a beach in L.A. To receive this award on our own soil, from the Brits, is an honor, and we take it as a sign of respect, so--thank you, from us and on behalf of our fallen brothers, Jim and Ray."

Last September as Hail To The King rose to top the album charts, Machine Head mainman Flynn scoffed at the band's achievements and suggested they were ripping off other acts.

But now Flynn tells Metal Hammer: "Oh man, I just feel that bands should be accountable to each other and if someone's not pulling their weight, say it. What's wrong with that? It's not out of hatred. It's out of love. Try harder, motherf***er"

Flynn's lengthy rant on Machine Head's Facebook page described A7X's album as "a covers album" adding "who knew that re-recording Metallica, Guns N' Roses and Megadeth songs could be such a worldwide hit?"

He tells The Rock Pit: "Basically what happened with the Internet was that the money machine was eliminated. When the money machine was eliminated, all these people who had nothing to do with the music, and who used to make millions of dollars, started to do something else. Then everyone went, 'It's fine, bands are still signed.'

"But it's not. The reasons bands were signed and new acts could get a shot was because people thought they could make money from these bands. So the fans got to hear new music while the machine was going around investing a million and getting 10 million back. Now when there's no return, no new bands are being signed or exposed and no record labels are acting like they did before.

Faulkner tells Backstage Axxess: "I'm never in the same place for more than a month or so, because we've always got promotions, recording or writing to do - there's always something going on every few months.

"So I've become a bit of a heavy metal vagabond. I think I'm young enough to do that and I don't have to settle down here too much. And just being a part of Priest, you're learning so much about the industry outside of playing guitar. I welcome the challenge."

F.E.A.R. (Face Everything And Rise) launches on January 27 via Eleven Seven Music and Horton says the record will feature heavy and dynamic tracks.

He tells Bring The Noise: "We've got a bit of modern, heavy stuff, a couple of old things and some dynamic songs. We went in with the idea of doing a heavy record, but we just can't keep our focus on one thing.

"We have Attention Deficit Disorder when it comes to that, so we just went where the music took us - we're really happy with how it came out."

They're about to head out on a 17-date UK and Ireland tour, which kicks off on October 27 in Dublin - but they've wasted no time in naming more dates after the success of their self-titled debut album which launched earlier this year.

The band have also announced plans to restrict the re-sale of tickets for the upcoming dates. They say: "Certain measures have been put in place to try and protect fans seeking to buy tickets at face value. These include printed identification on tickets and a limited allocation of four per order and two in London."

The metal outfit have revealed that they will record their shows at Hovet in Stockholm on November 6 and Scandinavium in Gothenburg the following night.

Footage will be used for a DVD, Blu-ray and live album package due next year. It will be their first live offering since 2005's Used and Abused... In Live We Trust.

Among the items up for grabs are a pair of red snakeskin-effect flares and a pair of Dolce & Gabbana silk trousers. He's also selling a black and white costume from their live gigs in 2005/2006.

The description reads: "Your chance to look like a rock star at the next The Darkness gig - also ideal for job interviews. If you want to upstage the bride, wear it to a wedding. Send off a departed loved one with some panache by wearing it to a funeral. Just wear it!"

The band is recording with producer GGGarth Richardson (Rage Against The Machine/Biffy Clyro/Rise Against) on the follow-up to their 2013 album Nine Lives. The album, the Finns' sixth, is due for release through Spinefarm Records early in 2015.

Frontman Mikko Von Hertzen has recorded a studio update for us, to clue us in on the progress of the recording session. And Mikko's top-notch Steven Tyler and Jon Bon Jovi impressions are a nice little bonus. Watch it

Asked what advice he would give to his 21-year-old self, Ozzy replied: "Don't do drugs. [But I would tell a 30-year old Ozzy] take more drugs. [Laughs]"

"I did what I did when I was 21 and I did what I did when I was 30. But now, I feel better today than I've done in a long time. I'm 66," says Ozzy. "I work out, I exercise a lot, I go for regular physicals. Call me a hypochondriac, and I don't care. I don't smoke anymore, I don't do drugs anymore, I don't drink booze anymore. And I think that says a lot for why I'm [still] here. There's no mysterious hex from Satan�"

"To be honest, I really love being sober," he adds. "People who never smoked pot in their lives think, at my age, a joint wouldn't hurt. But it's the other way around. I've been doing dope and booze since I was about 14. To be clear-headed, and be okay with being okay."

It's a glitchy, lo-fi visual where the band casually plays the song - a big contrast from their futuristic way of dropping their new album, Songs of Innocence, onto everyone's iClouds. But that's likely what they wanted to go for, especially in the light of backlash.

It makes sense too, considering U2 still consider themselves to be punk, that they'd go with a more homemade feeling video for a song that honors the late Ramone. During their first interview after the album's release, Bono told CBS Radio's KROQ that "The punk rock thing to do is annoy people and get in their faces."

The singer played the project's lead single, "Detroit Made", plus his 1978 classic, "Hollywood Nights." "Detroit Made" was written by John Hiatt and originally released on his 2011 album, "Dirty Jeans And Mudslide Hymns."

Seger will launch a North American tour November 19 in Saginaw, Michigan, with shows scheduled through to February 2015. The J. Geils Band will appear as a special guest in select markets.

Due November 17 (Nov 18 in North America), "The Art Of McCartney" features a variety of artists joining the former Beatle's long time band to perform songs from the bassist's legendary songwriting catalog.

We Came As Romans singer Dave Stephens says: "We chose to cover Taylor Swift's Trouble because we all like the song and had a vision of how to make it our own style.

"Beyond that, it's a cry for attention. We hope Taylor Swift will notice us now since we're all in love with her." Available on November 17 via Fearless Records, Pop Goes Punk Volume 6 features contributions from Youth In Revolt, August Burns Red, Palisades, Knuckle Puck and others.

Devin says: "The main version of the album Dark Matters has a dialogue throughout and the three episodes we're airing are intended to preface that story so it makes a modicum of sense.

"Episode 2 gives an insight into why Ziltoid is so childish, but ultimately it's just something we had fun with. Plus you finally get to see Herman, the Planet Smasher.

The British band will issue an EP of previously unreleased tracks on November 17 via Nuclear Blast. Entitled Surgical Remission/Surplus Steel, it includes songs recorded during the sessions for Surgical Steel which didn't make the final version of the album.

Frontman Jeff Walker says: "Let's call this, 'Tying up loose ends.' We thought we'd make the tracks available just in case you didn't buy the digipak, didn't buy the Japenese import, or the magazine issue with the flexidisc."

The album's all-star lineup of guests also includes Steven Van Zandt and Joe Bonamassa. Hindsight will will be released on limited edition 180 gram double vinyl (1000 copies only), CD and digital download.

In what is his 30th year as a solo artist, Barnes says: "These songs are important to me. I wouldn't go out there and change the essence of the songs.

"But I didn't bring in all these great artists to tell them what to do. I'm actually working with them because I'm learning from them. It was like, 'What are we going to do with this and have fun with it?' They sound like new songs now and they're fresh to sing."

Bassist Oz Craggs says: "We've done super heavy stuff to weird ambient stuff but this time, we just wanted to put it all together and not worry about doing anything outside of making something we're all proud of.

"No agendas, no worrying about what other people will say. Even in the making of the album, we've taken the risk of making a big sounding album for the first time, using techniques that previously we'd avoided through either fear or not knowing whether or not it's the right thing to do. This time was just about making the best Feed The Rhino album anybody has ever heard."

Buck & Evans were recently voted into the European Blues Challenge shortlist by readers of The Blues Magazine. They responded: "A big thank-you to those who voted for us in the first place - we had no idea. How cool! And a big-thank you in advance to those who vote for us to proceed to the next level."

He tells Digital Tour Bus: "Usually on most buses this is a disaster zone, because you can shut this door and nobody sees. But we like to keep this pretty damn clean. Everybody's shoes go here. And if they don't put their shoes here, I'm gonna toss them in the f***ing garbage."

Hermida adds that the band are obsessed with PS4 game UFC, although he admits he is "terrible" at it. Suicide Silence released new album You Can't Stop Me earlier this year. It is the band's first record to feature Hermida on vocals.

The story of our single started when our guitarist Mark Bogert came into the studio with a demo for a new album track, already entitled: "Running Away" (which is unusual, because the working titles of our songs rarely become the final titles). We started working on it, and our keyboard player Gerben Klazinga had some ideas about the melodies.
Mark had a specific idea about the chorus: "Running - I'm Running..." Since we already had a basic melody which was also quite strong, I thought: we not take the best of both worlds and try to fit in both ideas? Which is what we ended up doing: Mark's idea was turned from chorus into a finale. The change of melody adds power to the song, and gives it a great ending.

Then came the part of finalising the lyrics, which is my department. I definitely wanted to keep in the Running Away part, which goes well with the frantic-paced music. It gives an impression of speed.

At the same time, it reminded me of our visit to New York during our 2012 USA tour, and especially how overwhelming the number of people in the streets can be, the size of everything.

So I was imagining what it must be like for someone who fears crowds like these, to go jogging in an intimidating environment like this, how his jogging turns into running, faster and faster, to outrun his fears, boosted by the adrenaline, combined with the surreal effect of the lights of the night life, turning night into day. This song is like the pace of New York: it never stops, it goes on like our terrified jogger, faster and faster...