BLACK LABEL SOCIETY frontman Zakk Wylde has released the following statement regarding the departure of drummer Craig Nunenmacher:

"Craig Nunenmacher has resigned as BLACK LABEL SOCIETY's drummer. We are sorry to see him leave. We wish Craig well in his new endeavors and have the utmost love and respect for him."

Roadrunner Records recently re-signed BLACK LABEL SOCIETY exclusively for the European territory. The band's as-yet-untitled studio album is due for release this summer.

BLACK LABEL SOCIETY is preparing to enter Zakk's newly completed mountain-top recording studio to record its latest slab of uncompromising, unfiltered, and unrestrained rock and roll. Recording is slated to start later this month and with the new flexibility of having a studio literally outside his home, Wylde expects to deliver his best material yet. "With the home studio I have this flexibility when inspiration hits to lay down new ideas at anytime — day or night — for re-recording later," he says. "This freshness should prove inspiring — and some of these first takes might even make it on the album," he enthuses.

Zakk continues, "I'm ready to work with our BLACK LABEL brothers and sisters at Roadrunner in Europe! They share the same Strength, Determination, Merciless, Forever attitude as BLACK LABEL SOCIETY does so it only seems natural to continue working together!"

Zakk's new studio was built by Zack Fagan of Under The Wire, a Studio City, California-based company which specializes in the installation of commercial and private recording studios and post-production complexes.

E1 Music recently announced the addition of BLACK LABEL SOCIETY to its rock and metal roster. The two-album deal covers North America exclusively.

Atlanta-based extreme metal quintet DAATH has commenced work on the follow-up to last year's "The Concealers" for a late 2010 release via Century Media Records.

Commented the band: "Unpredictability and chaos are two themes defining the times we live in. Everything about DAATH's career has been married to these themes. We've accepted them as beautiful and have learned to love the ride. Despite the chaos there is one thing that is for certain: we will always be pushing the boundaries of what we do.

"This fall we will bring you a record you are not expecting to hear from us. This venture will have more to offer than our previous efforts.

"We are committed to always improving our sound, our songs, and our playing. It will not be said that our next record will be the most brutal sound we've created yet, or that it's going to be the our heaviest to date. That would be cliché. What you can expect to hear are really catchy, intense songs with soaring riffs that will encourage one to hit the repeat button. Arena-sized choruses that will remain in your head whether you like it or not. Innovative, ground-breaking solos. Bashing — blasting — yet dynamic drumming. An uncompromised low end paired with unique synth work. Collectively, these elements direct the left turns we have always chosen to take. This will not be 'The Hinderers Part II', 'The Re-Concealers', or 'The Conhinderers'. This will be a brand new sound.

"Many important facts have happened over the past year. The first being that we put out 'The Concealers', which we consider to be the first true DAATH record. The second fact being that we toured without [drummer] Kevin Talley. Kevin needed a sabbatical in 2009 and we gave it to him. We took some fantastic fill-ins and had some legendary times. Each one of those tours was great in their own regard. We played in front of some brand new audiences in brand new places and hung out with some of our closest friends. We learned our songs go beyond who is in the band. We also learned we prefer to play them with Kevin.

"To clear up any confusion, Kevin Talley is still in DAATH.

"Another highlight from the past few months is [guitarists] Emil Werstler and Eyal Levi signing a deal with Magna Carta Records to do a series of instrumental releases. Joined by drummer Sean Reinert of CYNIC, artistic limits were pushed into territories only previously dreamed of.

"There's an element of boundary-less music on the first Levi / Werstler release (due out spring 2010). We've never had the chance to really explore this with DAATH. What was learned from doing this record is the need to be making music which pushes our boundaries constantly.

"The next few years will be marked by many releases from our camp via DAATH and Levi / Werstler; as well as various projects still in the planning stages.

"There is too much music in each of our psyches to be limited to one album every two years. This may work for some artists, but not for us.

"While this recent undertaking may seem elaborate and obscure; we assure DAATH fans on every level, we have total control of our art.

"We look forward to bringing you the album of our collective career this fall."

VELVET REVOLVER / ex-GUNS N' ROSES guitarist Slash has contributed a guitar solo to the forthcoming solo album from ALTER BRIDGE frontman Myles Kennedy. "As always, he knocked it out of the park!" Myles states. "They don't call him one of the best guitarists of all time for nothing."

Slash recently announced via his MySpace page that he has tapped Kennedy as the lead singer for his upcoming solo tour, which will take place this spring following the release of Slash's self-titled solo debut. Slash wrote, "Myles sang a killer track on the record and I think he is by far one of the best rock and roll singers out there today. I'm really honored and proud to be working with him. I will announce the other band members shortly."

Slash's solo album is due out on April 6 and features a guest vocalist on every track, including Ozzy Osbourne, M. Shadows, Kid Rock, Chris Cornell, Dave Grohl, Fergie and others in addition to Kennedy.

Kennedy was the frontrunner to sing with a possible LED ZEPPELIN offshoot band in 2008, although that project ultimately never got off the ground. ALTER BRIDGE guitarist Mark Tremonti told The Pulse of Radio that he's not surprised that other artists are interested in working with Kennedy. "There's been a few people on his tail, you know, which makes me think that we made the, definitely the right decision on Myles in the first place," he said. "I think he's one of the most talented guys I've ever known."

Slash, meanwhile, added that the routing of his solo tour is underway, adding, "I want all my fans to follow me on Twitter and tell me what city/country they're from and to tell all their friends and family in that city/country, who are fans, to do the same. I want to get a really good idea on where my fans are, even the obvious major cities and focus the tour around that."

The former GUNS N' ROSES guitarist played a benefit to raise money for victims of the Haitian earthquake on Thursday night (February 4) in Los Angeles.

MEGADETH founder and frontman Dave Mustaine has announced the return of original bassist David Ellefson (1983-2002) to the iconic multi-platinum group. This reunion is appropriately timed to MEGADETH's upcoming historic month-long "Rust In Peace" 20th anniversary tour which launches March 1 in Spokane, WA. At these incredibly special shows, MEGADETH will play their landmark, genre-defining 1990 album "Rust In Peace" in its entirety, in addition to other MEGADETH favorites.

"This shows the power of brotherly love and forgiveness," Mustaine says. "David Ellefson belongs in MEGADETH. Next we are going to show you the power of getting your asses kicked...HARD!"

David Ellefson concurs: "This is a huge moment for all of us, band and fans alike. It is a great celebration of the music from one of the biggest landmark albums of our career."

Ellefson will join Mustaine and MEGADETH band members Shawn Drover (drums) and Chris Broderick (guitar) on tour in support of the group's current CD, "Endgame", which has received some of the highest critical accolades of the band's career.

"We'd like to thank James Lomenzo for several years of loyal service on the bass, and wish him the very best," Mustaine adds.

Comedian/actor Brian Posehn will release his brand new stand-up comedy album, "Fart And Wiener Jokes", on April 27 via Relapse Records. The follow-up to his "Live In: Nerd Rage" debut was recorded at various live gigs across the U.S. during 2009. The record will also include two musical tracks, "More Metal Than You" and a cover of the KENNY ROGERS classic "The Gambler". Posehn recorded these songs with the help of a number of "metal" all-stars, including Scott Ian (ANTHRAX), Jamey Jasta (HATEBREED, KINGDOM OF SORROW), Mark Morton (LAMB OF GOD), John Tempesta (EXODUS, THE CULT), Russ Parrish (STEEL PANTHER), and more.

In other news, Posehn will be headlining club shows throughout the month of February. He is currently booked for multiple shows in Louisville, Kentucky and Peoria, Illinois with a special one-off show in Flint, Michigan. Posehn will also co-headline the 2010 Relapse Records SXSW showcase along with metal legends VOIVOD on March 17 in Austin, Texas.

KORN will embark on a cross-Canada tour this spring, beginning March 29 in Vancouver, and ending April 6 in Toronto. One of America’s hottest new hard rock bands, FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH, will be providing support on all shows, as well as upstarts STILLWELL.

Tickets for all dates will be on sale to the general public on Saturday, February 20. Fans will be able to purchase tickets in presale starting Friday, February 12.

KORN will be debuting material from its upcoming ninth studio album, tentatively titled "Korn III - Remember Who You Are". The CD marks the return of producer Ross Robinson, who worked with KORN on the band's first two releases, "Korn" and "Life is Peachy".

The dates are as follows:

Mar. 29 - Queen Elizabeth Theatre, Vancouver BC
Mar. 31 - Big Four Building (Stampede Grounds), Calgary AB
Apr. 02 - Agribition, Regina SK
Apr. 03 - Winnipeg Convention Centre, Winnipeg MB
Apr. 06 - International Centre Arrow Hall, Toronto ON

Poland's newly resurrected modern technical death metallers DECAPITATED have been confirmed for this year's FortaRock festival, set to take place July 3, 2010 at Park Brakkestein in Nijmegen, Holland.

The festival billing is shaping up as follows:

BEHEMOTH
BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME
DECAPITATED
ENSIFERUM

For more information, visit www.fortarock.nl.

SOTHIS: “Of Night and Silence” Video Released – February 04, 2010 “Of Night and Silence,” the new music video from Los Angeles-based black metallers SOTHIS, can be viewed below. The video was shot in Los Angeles with Csaba Fikker as Director of Photography and was directed and edited by the band’s vocalist Drogoth, who also handled all of the visual effects. “Of Night & Silence” is the opening track of SOTHIS’ debut album “De Oppresso Liber” which was tracked in Los Angeles and mixed by KING DIAMOND guitarist Andy LaRocque at his Sonic Train Studios in Varberg, Sweden. SOTHIS vocalist Drogoth commented regarding “Of Night and Silence”: “After making the “De Oppresso Liber” video, the band wanted to make a video for another song from the same album, but do something a bit more affordable without compromising quality. I came up with the concept for the “Of Night and Silence” video because I felt that this song had great energy and perfect pacing for this type of concept. “ SOTHIS is currently completing writing for their sophomore release and is scheduled to hit the studio this Spring for a release in late 2010. For more information, visit the band’s myspace page: www.myspace.com/sothis.

Bassist Tony Campos (STATIC-X, ASESINO, MINISTRY) has joined ATTIKA, the Los Angeles-based band which describes its musical style as "extreme rock/metal." The group is currently working on its debut album for a 2010 release.

According to a press release, "ATTIKA is a very aggressive rock band with groove, ripping guitar solos and a singer ready to kick the world of rock in the teeth. With influences ranging from BLACK SABBATH, GODSMACK, PANTERA, and ALICE IN CHAINS, ATTIKA is set to take the genre by storm."

ATTIKA is:

Jay Rexx - Vocals
Rusty - Guitars
Tony Campos - Bass
Danielmark - Drums

Upcoming ATTIKA shows:

Feb. 13 - Rainbow Bar & Grill - West Hollywood, California
Feb. 28 - Galaxy Concert Theatre - Santa Ana, California

For more information, visit www.myspace.com/atticafreakshow.

MÖTLEY CRÜE/SIXX A.M. bassist Nikki Sixx has posted the following message on his MySpace blog:

"Years ago an unauthorized biography called 'An Education in Rebellion' was written about me without my approval or support. It was never endorsed. In fact, I disapproved and considered legal action because I felt fans were getting ripped off by being sold a book without my involvement.

"I feel fans have bought it under the assumption that I approved of it because the writers have collected interviews from people that make it seem relevant. These people who were interviewed have told me afterwards that they had no idea that their conversations were being used for an unauthorized book.

"I want to say that I do not, now or ever, approve of people riding the coattails of other people's hard work and personal lives — this is criminal, in my opinion. This is no different than what the paparazzi does or the gossipy crap that perches like vultures on our newsstands with magazines like the National Enquirer.

"The writer and publisher are now 're-releasing' the book with updated information based on my success with MÖTLEY CRÜE, SIXX: A.M., 'The Heroin Diaries' and other ventures I'm involved in. It's scummy at best, to be honest. My attorneys have already sent them legal letters directing them to stop, but they know the loopholes and how to get around them.

"Believe it or not, the law allows anyone to write a book about anyone else without getting proper permission, which is really crazy, because my fans think this was endorsed or approved by me, and it's not.

"This is sad. These people are now partnering up with a company to sell ownership rights to the book's master rights, even though they are my life rights — again, bordering on scum.

"As a fan of music, I do not buy anything unauthorized, because I know, unless the artist signs off on it, it's hearsay, gossip, and made up to pad the pockets of the writers, publishers, etc.

"Their website gives people the false impression that these 'auctions' have the fans buying some portion of revenues that go to artists or songwriters. In my case, at least, nothing could be further from the truth. Nothing comes to me or my family. It's hurtful.

"It's this kind of thing that makes me even more excited to do the 'Sixx Sense' radio show.

"I look forward to shining a spotlight on issues like this one — issues that go unnoticed and issues that may otherwise slip through the cracks.

"In the end, I worry about the fans being ripped off. I cannot (nor can any of my friends in the public eye) stop these bottom feeders.

"If you want to know about MÖTLEY CRÜE, get 'The Dirt'. If you want to know about band members, get their individual books, but don't support this type of behavior on this or any artists....

"They say they're excited to share this with fans and that may be so, but if it's not about the money... then donate it to charity."