Rock Report February 8, 2012
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A source has told MetalTalk.net that the three remaining original members of BLACK SABBATH have recruited Tommy Clufetos, who plays drums in singer Ozzy Osbourne's solo band, to sit behind the SABBATH kit for the foreseeable future. The source added that manager Sharon Osbourne has effectively "fired" founding drummer Bill Ward, who announced last week that he could not participate in the recording sessions or tour plans due to his unhappiness with the contract he was offered. More and more
In the meantime, Bill Ward's son Aron Ward has posted a lengthy statement on the BlackSabbath Fans Facebook Page. It reads in part as follows: "The press is spinning this s*** storm to read as if my dad has quit. This is not true. The guys know that. That's why they said the door is always open. My dad hasn't 'declined' playing with Black Sabbath or 'threatened' to pull out of this reunion. As he stated his bags are packed and he's ready to go. He say's it loud and clear, he definitely wants to play on the album and he definitely wants to tour. I know if they sort this s*** out you guys won't be disappointed.” More and more
KILLSWITCH ENGAGE have announced that they have filled the singer vacancy in the band and they have done so with a familiar face: original vocalist Jesse Leach. Leach sang on the band's first self-titled album, which came out in 2000, and on their 2002 effort "Alive Or Just Breathing". Leach left the band in 2002. The band revealed that Leach auditioned for the job he once held and pretty much blew everyone away and then some. The band stated, "After much deliberation and careful consideration, we are pleased to announce that Jesse Leach has rejoined KILLSWITCH ENGAGE. Our job was to find the best person to fill Howard's shoes: a decision based on talent and not familiarity."
The band further said, "Truth be told, Jesse blew us away in auditions. The room seemed charged with electricity. He commanded both new and old material, and proved, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that he wanted to do this. The choice became very clear and apparent." More and more
Season ten of VH1 Classic's "That Metal Show" kicks off on Saturday, March 31 and featured guests include IRON MAIDEN's Adrian Smith (making his first appearance on the program), METALLICA's Lars Ulrich, MOTÖRHEAD's Lemmy Kilmister, Alice Cooper and former METALLICA bassist Jason Newsted. More
ADRENALINE MOB — the band featuring drummer Mike Portnoy (DREAM THEATER, AVENGED SEVENFOLD), SYMPHONY X frontman Russell Allen and guitar virtuoso Mike Orlando (SONIC STOMP) — has announced the addition of DISTURBED bassist John Moyer to the group's ranks. Moyer will make his live debut with ADRENALINE MOB on March 12 at Hiro Ballroom in New York City. More and more
According to The Pulse Of Radio, DEFTONES bassist Chi Cheng is showing more signs of emerging from a semi-comatose state to a semi-conscious state, over three years since he was gravely injured in a November 2008 car crash. Cheng is now able to move his leg on command but is still otherwise unable to move or speak aside from grunting noises that he began making in October. More
Tuesday was the release date for VAN HALEN’s new album, A Different Kind Of Truth, and also a new special called The Whole Truth: The Howard Stern/Van Halen - which is essentially a five-hour uncensored history of Van Halen - aired on The Howard Stern Show…the good, the bad and the ugly. You will not hear any of the band’s new music on this. It’s entirely for Van Halen fans who like Stern and want to relive the band’s past drama, for some reason. (Beware some NSFW language in the following)
A two-minute behind-the-scenes look at opening weekend of "Mötley Crüe In Sin City" has been posted online
Blistering.com recently conducted an interview with bassist/vocalist Mike Dean of CORROSION OF CONFORMITY. More
BackstageAxxess.com conducted an interview with POISON drummer Rikki Rockett More
TWISTED SISTER frontman Dee Snider recently spoke to Artisan News about his upcoming appearance on NBC's "The Celebrity Apprentice", which is scheduled to premiere February 12 at 8 p.m.
EspyRock recently conducted an interview with STAIND frontman Aaron Lewis. Here
The Great Southern Brainfart recently conducted an interview with ANTHRAX guitarist Rob Caggiano. Here
On February 28, EMI will release Immersion and Experience editions of Roger Waters' opus, Pink Floyd's The Wall, as the final installment of the recent Why Pink Floyd? reissues and extended releases.
