GUNS N' ROSES Says Band Was Caught 'Off Guard' By FINCK's Decision To Rejoin NINE INCH NAILS

GUNS N' ROSES has issued a statement regarding the recent announcement that the group's guitarist Robin Finck was rejoining NINE INCH NAILS for NIN's upcoming world tour.

Finck toured with NINE INCH NAILS between 1994 and 1997 in support of "The Downward Spiral" and again between 2000 and 2001 behind "The Fragile". He played with GUNS N' ROSES on both that band's 2006 tour and the still-unreleased "Chinese Democracy" album.

Commenting on Finck's current status in GN'R, Axl Rose and company have posted the following message on the band's official web site:

"Robin's plans caught everyone in GUNS, as well as our fans, a bit off guard.

"Really, Del James' [longtime Axl Rose associate] private e-mail that someone took upon themselves to post publicly is the best way for us to address things at this time: 'Only Robin knows what Robin's doing.'

"Neither we nor management, etc., know any more in this regard and we prefer not to speculate or offer opinions at this time.

"Robin's Robin. We're in negotiations for the release of Chinese Democracy and things are going well.

"When we begin to put tour plans together, we'll see where things are. Until then, Robin's touring with NIN and we're working with management on our game plans.

"Our thanks to those who continue to show their support."

In addition to Finck and frontman Trent Reznor, the rest of NINE INCH NAILS' touring lineup includes new bassist Rich Fownes, plus returning keyboardist Alessandro Cortini and drummer Josh Freese.

The tour kicks off on July 25 in Pemberton, British Columbia at the inaugural Pemberton Festival, with dates confirmed so far through early September.

The band has also been confirmed as one of the headliners for this year's Lollapalooza festival, scheduled for August 1-3 in Chicago.

NINE INCH NAILS will be touring in support of "Ghosts I - IV", which Reznor made available on March 2 in a variety of digital and physical configurations, ranging from a free download of nine tracks to a $300 "ultra-deluxe" limited edition.

Source: Blabbermouth.net

JUDAS PRIEST: 'Nostradamus' Title Track Posted Online

The title track of JUDAS PRIEST's double disc concept album, "Nostradamus", can be streamed below.

"Nostradamus" is scheduled for release via Columbia Records on Monday, June 16 in Europe, and a day later in the U.S. on Epic Records.

Long in the works, "Nostradamus" takes epic storytelling to a whole new level, as it recounts the life of this mysterious, world-known 16th century French prophet.

Some of the events that Nostradamus experts have interpreted as his predictions include the great fire of London in 1666, the rise of Adolf Hitler, and most recently, 9-11, among countless other renowned events.

"As in any concept piece, the lifeline needs to be of a solid source, taking the music over many levels of interest and perception," points out singer Rob Halford. "'Nostradamus' contains new frontiers explored and defined. The sense of adventure and the journey we undertook bringing the man’s life alive with metal was a real labour of love."

As with all new PRIEST releases, the group — singer Rob Halford, guitarists Glenn Tipton and K.K. Downing, bassist Ian Hill, and drummer Scott Travis — will embark on a mammoth worldwide tour in support of "Nostradamus".

PRIEST will be performing at the 2008 Download Festival — on a bill also featuring KISS — which will serve as a "homecoming" of sorts for the group, as they performed at the first-ever Monsters of Rock festival at Donington Park in 1980.

"The 'Nostradamus' album — above all others — is perhaps the one I'm most proud of," says Tipton. "Whilst in essence and character still very much JUDAS PRIEST, it has afforded the opportunity to explore areas of classical and operatic dimensions that the band normally wouldn't. As a guitarist and writer it has inspired me to greater heights and opened new doors to intrigue and passion. From start to finish, it will take you through a magical experience filled with light, shade, drama, melody and emotion that reflects this unique man and his life."

"For me, 'Nostradamus' has been a musical journey without comparison," adds Downing. "The intrigue and mystery that surrounds this revered man has expanded my perception of heavy metal to the highest plateau and enabled me to reach the outer limits of my imagination and transport unique feelings and emotions to the instrument that allows me to express myself."

In addition to the regular jewel case double CD version of the album, collectors will undoubtedly be interested in hunting down a copy of a deluxe double CD housed in a 48-page hardbound book package. But that's not all — a super deluxe box-set version will also be available with triple vinyl, the double CD, an expanded booklet and a poster.

As to why they chose to make a concept album about Nostradamus, Tipton explains: "We didn't — he chose us. We feel it was meant to be!"

"Nostradamus" track listing:

01. Dawn of Creation *
02. Prophecy
03. Awakening *
04. Revelations
05. The Four Horsemen *
06. War
07. Sands of Time *
08. Pestilence And Plague
09. Death
10. Peace *
11. Conquest
12. Lost Love
13. Persecution
14. Solitude *
15. Exiled
16. Alone
17. Shadows In the Flame *
18. Visions
19. Hope *
20. New Beginnings
21. Calm Before the Storm *
22. Nostradamus
23. Future Of Mankind

* Intro pieces of music/interludes going into the main track

DEF LEPPARD: Indian Shows Postponed

DEF LEPPARD has issued the following update:

"We are sorry to report that due to unforseen circumstances, the two Indian shows that were supposed to take place in Bangalore and Mumbai on May 16 and 18 have been postponed. At this moment, the band is working on rescheduling these shows for dates in the fall. Our apologies to all our fans in India!"

Audio samples of all 11 tracks that are set to appear on DEF LEPPARD new album, "Songs From The Sparkle Lounge", are available on Amazon.com.

DEF LEPPARD's 14th studio album, "Songs From The Sparkle Lounge" is scheduled for release on April 29 in North America, April 30 in Japan and May 5 in the UK. The Japanese version of the CD will include a bonus track and a bonus DVD with behind-the-scenes interviews and music videos. The CD will be a limited edition featuring the new deluxe SHM-CD (Super High Material CD) format which is playable on standard CD players.

"Songs From The Sparkle Lounge" will be the band's first LP since last year's "Yeah!", which was a collection of covers of songs by artists who had influenced the band. Their most recent studio album of original material was 2002's "X".

For more information, visit CDJapan.co.jp.

Guns N' Robin

Robin's plans took everyone in Guns a bit off guard as well as our fans.

Really, Del James' private email that someone took it upon themselves to post publicly is really the best way for us to address things at this time. "Only Robin knows what Robin's doing."

Neither we or management etc. know anymore in this regard and we prefer not to speculate or offer opinions at this time.

Robin's Robin. We're in negotiations for the release of Chinese Democracy and things are going well.

When we begin to put tour plans together we'll see where things are at. Until then, Robin's touring with NIN and we're working with management on our game plans.

Our thanks to those who continue to show their support.

Guns N' Roses


Source(s): http://www.gunsnroses.com/

GUNS N' ROSES WILL NOT BE APPEARING IN ANY REALITY TV SHOW

by Del James/Guns N' Roses.com

GUNS N' ROSES WILL NOT BE APPEARING IN ANY REALITY TV SHOW Despite rumors floating around the Internet, Guns N' Roses will not be appearing on any reality TV program to promote their forthcoming album, Chinese Democracy, or for any other reason. The reality TV rumors started a little while ago and have taken on an Internet life of their own, but there is no truth to any of this.

WHITESNAKE's COVERDALE, ALDRICH Perform Acoustic Set In NY

WHITESNAKE's David Coverdale (vocals) and Doug Aldrich (guitar) performed a special acoustic set last night (Thursday, April 10) in front of an invite-only crowd at The Cutting Room in New York City to celebrate the release of the band's new album, "Good To Be Bad".

The setlist was as follows:

01. Gimme All Your Love
02. Can You Hear The Wind Blow
03. All I Want All I Need
04. Lay Down Your Love
05. Fool For Your Lovin'
06. Deeper The Love
07. Ain't No Love In The Heart Of The City
08. Here I Go Again

Photos and a review can be found at PiercingMetal.

WHITESNAKE will release "Good To Be Bad" through SPV/Steamhammer in Germany on April 18, the rest of Europe on April 21 and in North America on April 22. In addition to the regular jewel-case version, a limited-edition two-disc set will contain an extra CD in a cardboard sleeve, as well as a poster, photocard and sticker.

The track listing for the limited-edition two-disc version of "Good To Be Bad" is as follows:

CD (jewel case):

01. Best Years (5:16)
02. Can You Hear The Wind Blow (5:02)
03. Call On Me (5:01)
04. All I Want All I Need (5:42)
05. Good To Be Bad (5:13)
06. All For Love (5:14)
07. Summer Rain (6:15)
08. Lay Down Your Love (6:01)
09. A Fool In Love (5:14)
10. Got What You Need (4:14)
11. 'Til The End Of Time (5:32)

Bonus CD (cardboard sleeve):

01. Summer Rain (acoustic version) (5:21)
02. All I Want All I Need (radio edit) (3:58)
03. Take Me With You (live version) (7:51)
04. Ready To Rock (enhanced video) (4:19)

Commented frontman David Coverdale: "The new album contains all the elements I enjoy about WHITESNAKE, and more. I can hear moments that take me back to the bluesy, early years of the band all the way through the band's musical history to fully embrace the more electric aspects of where we are now, as a band. I'm thrilled with it and can hardly wait to unleash it on an unsuspecting public! If this is indeed the last WHITESNAKE studio record, then I'm happy to finish like this. It was a labor of love making this record...a joy... and I'm still enjoying listening to it. Can't be bad!"

The new songs, written by Coverdale and guitarist Doug Aldrich (who also co-produced the album with Coverdale and Michael McIntyre) provide a good balance of eight rocking tracks and three ballads. Coverdale feels it's the first "real" WHITESNAKE album in almost 20 years, commenting "It's very butch. Very muscular..."

THIN LIZZY, LION'S SHARE Confirmed For Sweden's ROCKWEEKEND Festival

THIN LIZZY and LION'S SHARE have been confirmed bands for the Rockweekend festival, set to take place for July 18-19 at Kilafors Herrgard in Kilafors, Sweden.

The festival billing is shaping up as follows:

ALICE COOPER
ARCH ENEMY
BABYLON BOMBS
BLOODBOUND
DAWN OF SILENCE
ENTOMBED
EUROPE
FIREWIND
GASOLINE QUEEN
H.E.A.T
HELLOWEEN
LION'S SHARE
MUSTASCH
PAUL DI'ANNO
SOILWORK
STEEL ATTACK
THIN LIZZY

For more information, visit www.rockweekend.se.