The final night of MEGADETH's historic month-long "Rust In Peace" 20th anniversary tour has been captured for the upcoming "Rust In Peace Live" Blu-ray, DVD and CD, due out September 7 on Shout! Factory.

On March 31, 2010, at this incredibly special show at the legendary Hollywood Palladium, not far from where Dave Mustaine formed the band in 1983, MEGADETH played their landmark, genre-defining 1990 "Rust In Peace" album in its entirety, in addition to other MEGADETH favorites. "Rust In Peace Live" also marks the return of original bassist David Ellefson (MEGADETH 1983-2002) to the iconic multi-platinum group after eight years. Ellefson (bass), joins Mustaine (lead vocals, guitar), Shawn Drover (drums) and Chris Broderick (guitar).

"Rust In Peace Live" features the entire "Rust In Peace" track listing, including all-time classics "Holy Wars...The Punishment Due" and "Hangar 18" along with bonus fan favorites from various other MEGADETH releases such as "Symphony For Destruction", "Peace Sells" and "Skin O' My Teeth".

MEGADETH founder/frontman/guitarist Dave Mustaine explains, "We are pumped to be able to share the 'RIP Live' concert with you all around the world. The anniversary and David Ellefson coming back was better than a facelift and a bottle of Viagra for old [MEGADETH mascot] Vic."

The 80-minute "Rust In Peace Live" DVD (5.1 Dolby Surround 16:9 Widescreen) and Blu-ray (5.1 DTS Master Audio 1080p High Definition) were directed by Kerry Asmussen (GREEN DAY, JAY-Z, Coachella). The DVD and Blu-ray will also include behind-the-scenes footage, including a rare glimpse of the band rehearsing in their dressing room as they prepare to take the stage.

"Rust In Peace" is considered one of the best metal albums of all time by fans and critics and debuted at #23 on the Billboard Top 200 Album Chart in the U.S. and #8 in the U.K. The album showcased a much tighter sound, with Mustaine's writing style adopting a rhythmically complex progressive edge, prompting All Music Guide to cite "Rust In Peace" as "MEGADETH's strongest musical effort." The album received Grammy nominations in 1990 and 1991 for "Best Metal Performance." Emphasizing the massive impact of "Rust In Peace" in the July 2010 issue of Guitar World, writer Richard Bienstock calls it "one of the pinnacles of the first wave of thrash metal." He continues, "A defining quality of MEGADETH's sound — and the one that perhaps most sets them apart from their 'Big Four' thrash brethren, METALLICA, SLAYER and ANTHRAX — has always been the band's fiery mix of speed-metal ferocity and progressive instrumental virtuosity… nowhere has this combination been displayed better than on 'Rust In Peace'."

The full track listing for the "Rust In Peace Live" CD, DVD and Blu-ray is as follows:

"Rust In Peace" Live:

01. Holy Wars...The Punishment Due
02. Hangar 18
03. Take No Prisoners
04. Five Magics
05. Poison Was The Cure
06. Lucretia
07. Tornado Of Souls
08. Dawn Patrol
09. Rust In Peace...Polaris

Bonus Content:

10. Skin O' My Teeth (Countdown To Extinction)
11. In My Darkest Hour (So Far, So Good…So What!)
12. She-Wolf (Cryptic Writings)
13. Trust (Cryptic Writings)
14. Symphony Of Destruction (Countdown To Extinction)
15. Peace Sells (Peace Sells…But Who's Buying?)
16. Holy Wars – Reprise (Rust In Peace)

According to an August 24, 2010 tweet from the French branch of Roadrunner Records, the label has set an October 11 French release date for "Diary Of A Mad Band", the long-awaited new DVD from DOWN — the acclaimed New Orleans band featuring CORROSION OF CONFORMITY guitarist/vocalist Pepper Keenan, drummer Jimmy Bower (EYEHATEGOD, SUPERJOINT RITUAL guitarist), bassist Rex Brown (ex-PANTERA), guitarist Kirk Windstein (CROWBAR), and vocalist Philip Anselmo (SUPERJOINT RITUAL, ex-PANTERA). Meanwhile, Amazon.com is listing an October 5 U.S. release date for the disc, which will feature footage of DOWN members "tearing up Europe" — literally and figuratively — on their first European tour. This special DVD/CD collection contains over 130 minutes of live video material and a full, never-before-released concert. (Note: The CD is different from the DVD.)

In a July 2010 interview with Altsounds, Windstein stated about the forthcoming DVD, "It's basically our 2006 reunion tour in chronological order, when we decided to put the band back together and make it a proper band. It starts in Hamburg, Germany, which is the first show, then through to Download, which actually wasn't the last show 'cause we also did one in Ireland, but other than that, it's in chronological order; it's one song from each of those shows. It's not like a PANTERA behind-the-scenes [collection of clips], with everybody cutting up and drinking, titties-everywhere kinda thing, because we could never top that 'cause Dime [late PANTERA guitarist 'Dimebag' Darrell Abbott] was a genius when it came to stuff like that. We made more of a Seventies-style rock and roll kind of movie like the ones I grew up watching, a lot more along the lines of 'The Song Remains The Same' by LED ZEPPELIN or 'Let There Be Rock' by AC/DC. It's a movie."

According to The Pulse of Radio, APOCALYPTIC's new album, "7th Symphony", contains a credit for former EVANESCENCE songwriter and guitarist Ben Moody in the liner notes. Although no songs by Moody appear on the record, APOCALYPTICA member Eicca Toppinen revealed to The Pulse of Radio that he did work with Moody — and almost worked with a superstar guest vocalist. "I did some songwriting with him," Toppinen said. "We wrote two songs together and one of those songs was really in the picture for the last minute. We had a great singer for that, but suddenly the singer's schedule didn't allow him to appear on the record, and it was Maynard (James Keenan) from TOOL. We still have those songs in the pocket, we might release those at some point."

According to The Pulse of Radio, PEARL JAM guitarist Stone Gossard confirmed to Billboard.com that the band will appear at Neil Young's annual Bridge School Benefit concert on October 23 and October 24 in Mountain View, California. The gig will also serve as an unofficial 20th anniversary show for PEARL JAM. Gossard said, "The only thing we've got going on in October is Bridge School, which is really special. So that's our 20th anniversary, which is fitting. It's perfect: not too blown up. It's not about us, it about all those kids that are on stage with you and about Neil Young and his commitment, his influence."

Gossard told The Pulse of Radio a while back that nearly two decades into its career, PEARL JAM was in a good place. "This is a good time for us, for sure," he said. "We're all happy to be alive, happy to have our friendships and our sort of brotherhood intact and that we're still sort of bosses of our own business, and we get to make records together and go out and tour and write songs and . . . I don't know, it feels like we're really in a nice spot right now, and life's good."

No acts have been officially announced yet for the benefit. The event raises money for the Bridge School, which assists children with severe physical impairments.

Other acts rumored to perform this year include NICKELBACK, ALICE IN CHAINS and ELTON JOHN.

PEARL JAM's appearance will be their first at the event in four years and eighth overall, going back to 1992.

Gossard is also pleased to see PEARL JAM drummer Matt Cameron doing shows with his reunited former band, SOUNDGARDEN, saying, "I'm looking forward to seeing some more SOUNDGARDEN shows. I hope that that's part of the mix of next year. Matt getting out there and playing some dates with SOUNDGARDEN would make the world so happy. They're crushing and the songs are so great."

Gossard himself is on the road with his other band, BRAD, which just released its fourth album, "Best Friends?"

TRIPTYKON/ex-CELTIC FROST mainman Tom Gabriel Fischer has posted the following message on his official blog:

"I had waited 30 years for this.

"It is not a coincidence that TRIPTYKON practices in a rehearsal room decorated with ANGEL WITCH photos and record sleeves. The importance of ANGEL WITCH's music with regard to my own path cannot be overstated. Hearing ANGEL WITCH's groundbreaking and utterly dark 'Baphomet', on the legendary 'Metal For Muthas' compilation in 1980, was a revelation beyond any description. As was ANGEL WITCH's eponymous debut album, that same year. It hardly ever left my record player. Kevin Heybourne's songwriting and playing style in ANGEL WITCH spoke to me far beyond most other music I had ever heard, and it became — along with BLACK SABBATH's 'Vol. 4' and VENOM's 'Welcome To Hell' — a most crucial inspiration which eventually encouraged me to try and form my own group. These were the very roots of HELLHAMMER.

"I couldn't help reflecting on all of these things, of course, as I was standing at the side of Jalometalli Festival's second stage some time after midnight on August 15, 2010, watching ANGEL WITCH perform shortly after we in TRIPTYKON had finished our own set on the other stage. I had wished fervently to see ANGEL WITCH live when I was a teenager during the NWOBHM years of the early 1980s; alas it never became possible. ANGEL WITCH, not unlike CELTIC FROST, subsequently traversed a variety of musically contradictory and inconsistent periods. But now, all this time later, what had already transpired by means of reports from friends in the scene in recent years was confirmed beyond any doubt. I was witness to a concert by an intoxicatingly revitalized, spirited band. Iconic songs such as 'Baphomet' or 'Angel Of Death' radiated a staggering, modern darkness and heaviness.

"Kevin himself was most gracious and patient in enduring my pathetic fanboy worshipping after the concert, and I am deeply indebted to ANGEL WITCH's Will Palmer for making all of this even possible in the first place. It meant the world to me. I have become a musician in my own right in the many years since 'Metal For Muthas', but as I stated recently onstage in London, I owe infinitely much of it all to ANGEL WITCH."

Atlanta-based quintet DAATH will release its third, self-titled full-length album on October 26 via Century Media Records. Drummer Kevin Talley (ex-CHIMAIRA, DYING FETUS) began laying down his tracks in Atlanta on June 7 with renowned producer Mark Lewis (ALL THAT REMAINS, TRIVIUM, DEVILDRIVER) and co-producer Eyal Levi (guitar) at the helm.

Commented guitarist Emil Werstler: "I've been listening to the final master of this record for a couple of days now.

"It is hard to believe that the task has been in process since March. In retrospect, I will say that more sacrifice was put into this record than anything I've ever been involved in. The content is EXTREMELY dark, distraught, and completely honest. The timing is appropriate as well considering how lacking music has been in the creative department for the last year or two.

"I'm not hinting that we are going to become some pop culture phenomenon. We have no interest in that. As long as someone completely hates it, loves it or is moved in anyway be it positive or negative, our job is done. We have no interest in middle ground. You would have to be deaf to not hear that."

"Daath" track listing:

01. Genocidal Maniac
02. Destruction/Restoration
03. Indestructible Overdose
04. Double Tap Suicide
05. The Decider
06. Exit Plan
07. Oxygen Burn
08. Accelerant
09. Arch {Enemy} Misanthrope
10. Manufactured Insomnia
11. A Cold Devotion
12. N.A.T.G.O.D.
13. Terminal Now

STONE SOUR and SLIPKNOT frontman Corey Taylor is a singer, a songwriter and is soon going to be a published author as well. What other fields can he conquer? Well, he does some pretty decent acting in STONE SOUR's new video for "Say You'll Haunt Me" (see below), and The Pulse of Radio asked the singer a while back if he had interest in acting in movies. "I have no aspirations to really get into acting, you know," he said. "I mean, it's something that — I've always wanted to write for movies, you know, I've always wanted to write a screenplay and I've written a couple in the past and what not. But yeah, if it happens, it happens, you know. It's not something that I pursue."

Despite being the singer for two well-known rock bands, surprisingly Taylor told The Pulse of Radio he hasn't met many actors personally. "Well, I kind of met Seth Green," he said. "We passed each other at the VMAs a couple of years ago. And he kind of — and I was in full SLIPKNOT rig, so he was just kind of like, 'Hey...' you know? And I'm a short guy but I'm still like a good foot above him, so it was like — but it was still, I was like, 'That's Seth Green right there, dude, that's awesome!' You know?"

Taylor revealed earlier this week to Attention Deficit Delirium that he has written a book about the Seven Deadly Sins, which he hopes to have published by next spring.

The singer is currently on the road with STONE SOUR as part of the Uproar festival tour, with the band's new "Audio Secrecy" album set to arrive on September 7.

A new SLIPKNOT concert DVD titled "(sic)nesses" will surface a few weeks later, on September 28.

Universal Music will release "The Big Four: Live From Sofia, Bulgaria"DVD and Blu-ray containing footage of the June 22, 2010 Sonisphere cinecast from the Sofia, Bulgaria leg of the touring rock festival featuring the "Big Four" of 1980s thrash metal — METALLICA, SLAYER, MEGADETH and ANTHRAX. The DVD hits the streets on October 15 in Northern Europe, October 18 in most of the rest of the world, October 19 in North America and the full shows from all four bands will be included in the two-disc set along with behind-the-scenes and interview footage. In addition to the two-DVD set and the corresponding Blu-ray, there will be a limited-edition "super deluxe" box set including the DVD set, five CDs with ALL the music, a 24-page booklet, a poster, photos of each band, and a "Big Four" guitar pick.

METALLICA was joined onstage during the show by members of MEGADETH, SLAYER and ANTHRAX for a performance of the DIAMOND HEAD song "Am I Evil?"

METALLICA frontman James Hetfield, MEGADETH singer/guitarist Dave Mustaine and ANTHRAX vocalist Joey Belladonna took turns singing the song, which has been a part of METALLICA's live set for decades. The event marked the first time that Dave Mustaine had performed onstage with METALLICA since April 9, 1983. An original member of the band, he was fired just weeks before METALLICA recorded its debut album, "Kill 'Em All".

Mustaine, who was replaced by Kirk Hammett, went on to form MEGADETH and achieve worldwide success on his own.

He still harbored a grudge against METALLICA, however, with some of his feelings coming out in an intense scene with drummer Lars Ulrich in the 2005 documentary "Some Kind Of Monster".

According to Billboard.com, the Sonisphere cinecast from Sofia was beamed via satellite in HD to cinemas and was seen by more than 100,000 fans. It was distributed globally into hundreds of cinemas by New York-based BY Experience.

In the U.K. it was screened in 79 cinemas. "At the Odeon in Leicester Square in London there was a mosh pit, and at the end of the show they had a stage invasion, which is just phenomenal to even think about," promoter Stuart Galbraith told Billboard.com.

METALLICA track listing:

01. Creeping Death
02. For Whom The Bell Tolls
03. Fuel
04. Harvester Of Sorrow
05. Fade To Black
06. That Was Just Your Life
07. Cyanide
08. Sad But True
09. Welcome Home (Sanitarium)
10. All Nightmare Long
11. One
12. Master Of Puppets
13. Blackened
14. Nothing Else Matters
15. Enter Sandman

Encore:

16. Am I Evil? (with the Big Four)
17. Hit The Lights
18. Seek and Destroy

SLAYER track listing:

01. World Painted Blood
02. Jihad
03. War Ensemble
04. Hate Worldwide
05. Seasons In The Abyss
06. Angel of Death
07. Beauty Through Order
08. Disciple
09. Mandatory Suicide
10. Chemical Warfare
11. South of Heaven
12. Raining Blood

MEGADETH track listing:

01. Holy Wars... The Punishment Due
02. Hangar 18
03. Wake Up Dead
04. Head Crusher
05. In My Darkest Hour
06. Skin O' My Teeth
07. A Tout Le Monde
08. Hook In Mouth
09. Trust
10. Sweating Bullets
11. Symphony Of Destruction
12. Peace Sells/Holy Wars Reprise

ANTHRAX track listing:

01. Caught In A Mosh
02. Got the Time
03. Madhouse
04. Be All, End All
05. Antisocial
06. Indians/Heaven And Hell
07. Medusa
08. Only
09. Metal Thrashing Mad
10. I Am The Law

IRON MAIDEN's new album, "The Final Frontier", sold 63,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to enter The Billboard 200 chart at position No. 4.

IRON MAIDEN's previous album, 2006's "A Matter Of Life And Death", opened with 56,000 units to land at No. 9. This was a notable increase from the 40,000 first-week tally registered by its predecessor, 2003's "Dance of Death" (which debuted at No. 18 on The Billboard 200 chart), and that of "Brave New World", which moved 38,000 copies in June 2000 to land at No. 39 on The Billboard 200 chart.

"The Final Frontier" has registered the following first-week chart positions so far:

Norway: #1
Finland: #1
United Kingdom: #1
Sweden: #1
Switzerland: #1
Canada: #1
Netherlands: #2
Australia: #2
Ireland: #3
USA: #4
Belgium: #6

"I Need You", a brand new solo song from DREAM THEATER singer James LaBrie, can be streamed using the audio player below (courtesy of Revolver magazine). The track comes off LaBrie's new solo album, "Static Impulse", which will be released on September 28 (one day earlier internationally) via InsideOut Music. The CD marks LaBrie's first solo effort in over five years and is sure to please his legion of diehard fans, as well as win over many new devotees in the process.

"Static Impulse" track listing:

01. One More Time (4:16)
02. Jekyll Or Hyde (3:46)
03. Mislead (4:18)
04. Euphoric (5:09)
05. Over The Edge (4:20)
06. I Need You (4:11)
07. Who You Think I Am (3:57)
08. I Tried (3:58)
09. Just Watch Me (4:18)
10. This Is War (4:30)
11. Superstar (3:32)
12. Coming Home (4:29)
13. Jekyll Or Hyde (demo) (3:48) *
14. Coming Home (alternate mix) (4:23) *

DEICIDE/ex-CANNIBAL CORPSE guitarist Jack Owen has joined the Buffalo , New York-based death metal band GRAVE DESCENT. According to a press release, "Jack is still in DEICIDE; he is a member of both bands. Having his roots in Buffalo and being friends with the guys, it only seemed logical when Dennis John Glinski (vocals) contacted Jack about the second-guitarist opening. Jack will share leads with Mike Green as well as co-write songs. This, really, is a reunion of metal as these guys (including Rich Ziegler, bass) have all shared the stage together in the Buffalo bands: TIRANT SIN, BEYOND DEATH, LEVIATHAN."

GRAVE DESCENT will enter Watchmen Studios in September to record new original material for an upcoming CD release.

Formed in the summer of 2009, GRAVE DESCENT "combines horrific lyrics with a massacre of old-school riffs, death and doom to bring forth their brutal sound," according to a press release.

GRAVE DESCENT is:

* Dennis John Glinski (TIRANT SIN, MAYHEMESIS, CARNAL DISSECTION) - Vocals
* Mike Green (LEVIATHAN) - Guitar
* Jack Owen (CANNIBAL CORPSE, DEICIDE, BEYOND DEATH) - Guitar
* Rich Ziegler (TIRANT SIN, MAYHEMESIS, CARNAL DISSECTION) - Bass
* Dave Riccio (STONEHED, R.U.L.E.) - Drums

An e-card for "Sahg III", the third album from SAHG — the Norwegian heavy rockers who feature in their ranks current/former members of GORGOROTH, MANNGARD and AUDREY HORNE — is available at this location. The CD will be released on August 30 through Indie Recordings.

"Sahg III" track listing:

01. In Through The Eye
02. Baptism Of Fire
03. Mortify
04. Hollow Mountain
05. Mother's Revenge
06. Downward Spiral
07. Shadow Monument
08. Burden
09. Denier
10. Spiritual Void

Just one day after confirming that he has been tapped by Norwegian symphonic black metallers DIMMU BORGIR to replace bassist/clean vocalist ICS Vortex on the band's upcoming ninth album, "Abrahadabra", and world tour, Swedish multi-instrumentalist Snowy Shaw (real name: Tommie Helgesson; THERION, DREAM EVIL, KING DIAMOND, MERCYFUL FATE, MEMENTO MORI, NOTRE DAME) has announced his departure from the group and return to Swedish progressive/experimental metallers THERION.

Christofer Johnsson, the creative force behind THERION, has released the following statement to BLABBERMOUTH.NET:

"We are very happy to announce that Snowy has rejoined THERION. We welcomed him back with open arms, and we will now be making a mix between the new show we had planned, and the last one which involved Snowy. We think the merger between the two concepts will be incredible, and we look forward to taking the band's live performance to the next level."

METALLICA's official web site has been updated with the following message:

"From Bulgaria to your local theatre to your living room or wherever you might enjoy a little live metal on the screen...

"You may have heard us say something about a DVD at the end of the satellite broadcast or read it in the Internet rumor mill . . . It's true, there will be a DVD release of the 'Big Four' show from Sofia, Bulgaria!! We had such an awesome time hanging with ANTHRAX, MEGADETH and SLAYER and the cameras were already rolling, so why not?

"Here's the scoop: The DVD hits the streets on October 15 in Northern Europe, October 18 in most of the rest of the world, October 19 in North America and the full shows from all four bands will be included in the two-disc set along with behind-the-scenes and interview footage. In addition to the two-DVD set and the corresponding Blu-ray, there will be a limited-edition 'super deluxe' box set including the DVD set, five CDs with ALL the music, a 24-page booklet, a poster, photos of each band, and a 'Big Four' guitar pick.

"The clever title of the DVD is 'The Big Four: Live From Sofia, Bulgaria' (yes, that's really it!!) and you if you're interested in the box set, we'll have a pre-order in the METALLICA store for you shortly."

"The Big Four: Live From Sofia, Bulgaria" DVD and Blu-ray contains footage of the June 22, 2010 Sonisphere cinecast from the Sofia, Bulgaria leg of the touring rock festival featuring the "Big Four" of 1980s thrash metal — METALLICA, SLAYER, MEGADETH and ANTHRAX.

Norwegian gothic metallers TRISTANIA have issued the following update:

"Last summer, Østen [Bergøy, vocals] announced that he had decided to take some time off from TRISTANIA to devote his time and attention to the new family members expected in August. A year on, it has become obvious that the time, dedication and efforts of fatherhood makes it hard to continue as a full-time member. Due to this, Østen recently informed the band that he sees no other option than to make his decision a permanent one. TRISTANIA has asked Kjetil Nordhus (HEAD DISCO, ex-GREEN CARNATION, ex-TRAIL OF TEARS), who was engaged as Østen's temporary stand-in, to replace Østen on a permanent basis, and Kjetil has accepted the offer."

Commented Østen: "I think it was about a year ago I announced that I was taking a break from TRISTANIA to be with my girlfriend and the twins she was carrying. As some of you might recall, I promised that this break was just temporarily and that I would be back within a year or so.

"I am sorry to say that I have to break my promise. I never intended to, but the time I have spent with my family has made it obvious that it is impossible for me to combine playing an active part in TRISTANIA with playing an active part in my children's life. Based on these conclusions I have decided to leave the band. It has been the best ten years of my life, a wonderful experience.

"It is hard to write this without getting sentimental. I will miss you all.

"I do not feel that I am fleeing a sinking ship — the current lineup in TRISTANIA is the strongest ever in my opinion — the new album is a killer and with Kjetil and Gyri aboard — the band seems to have the motivation for serious touring to get the music out to stages all over the world.

"I want to wish TRISTANIA the best of luck in the future.

"Thank you all for your patience and your dedication and for the good times."

TRISTANIA guitarist/harsh vocalist Anders Høyvik Hidle ahd the following to say regarding Østen's departure: "It was with a great deal of sadness I received the news from Østen when he informed us that he'd realized it was impossible for him to return to the band.

"Østen has been one of my closest friends for the last 15 years and I love him as a brother. I was the one who asked him to work with us in the first place — first as a guest and later as a full member. The years we've shared together in the band have been amazing. At the same time I admire him for being true to himself and I completely understand that it would be impossible for him to combine his role as a father for his one-year-old twins with an active role in TRISTANIA, especially considering the extensive touring and other activities we are planning with 'Rubicon'.

"Even though it's a sad thing for us to know that Østen will stay home when we're doing tours in the future, it is great news that Kjetil has accepted to become a full-time member.

"Kjetil was the first person that came to my mind when Østen first told me about his babies, and I'm really glad he accepted our offer. In my eyes he is the perfect replacement for Østen."

"I've known Kjetil for almost ten years, and he truly is a great guy. As a singer he is impressively professional."