German guitarist Axel Rudi Pell has released the following statement regarding the passing of legendary heavy metal singer Ronnie James Dio (DIO, HEAVEN & HELL, BLACK SABBATH, RAINBOW, ELF):

"Ronnie was and ever will be one of my heroes. I remember when he said, 'Axel, my son, let me hug you,' at the beginning of last year's HEAVEN & HELL German tour, where we'd been the special guests.

"It was such a great honor for us to open for them and we really enjoyed the tour.

"I met Ronnie a couple of times during the last ten years and he always was very friendly and nice to me, my wife and my band...

"Ronnie... thank you so much for all your music, lyrics, inspirations and friendship. You will live on forever in my heart and in my music.

"Someday we will meet in Heaven or Hell..."

Drummer Simon Wright (DIO, AC/DC, RHINO BUCKET) has released the following statement regarding the passing of legendary heavy metal singer Ronnie James Dio (DIO, HEAVEN & HELL, BLACK SABBATH, RAINBOW):

"[On Sunday] I lost my best friend. He was like a father to me.

"I tried so hard to help him win his battle; I was right there with him.

"He said to me one day, 'We're a team and we're gonna beat this.'

"I know he loved you all and was helped by your cards and prayers.

"I am having a very tough time writing this, and I want you all to know I feel lucky and blessed to have known him.

"Now, he has no more pain.

"I miss him so much."

Guitarist Dino Cazares of Los Angeles cyber metallers FEAR FACTORY has issued the following update:

"We were on our way to Boise, Idaho for a day off when [Tuesday] morning [May 18] about 8:45 our bus driver fell asleep at the wheel. He swerved to the opposite side of the road. Most of us woke up when we felt the bus on the rumble strips then the dirt. He woke up in time to swerve back onto our side of the road and pull over . Thank god there was no oncoming cars or 18-wheelers on the road. Everyone is fine, just a little nervous."

FEAR FACTORY kicked off the second leg of its American "Fear Campaign" tour on May 14 at The Rialto Theater in Tucson, Arizona. The trek, also featuring PRONG, THY WILL BE DONE and SILENT CIVILIAN, will visit twenty cities before it concludes at The Trocadero Theater in Philadelphia.

After two years of silence, Dutch death metal force PROSTITUTE DISFIGUREMENT is back with a new lineup. Vocalist Niels van Wijk has rejoined the band for the first time since departing right after the recording of the "Deeds of Derangement" album while the lead-guitar slot has been filled by Danny Tunker (DETONATION, THE SATURNINE).

PROSTITUTE DISFIGUREMENT 2010 is:

Niels Adams - Vocals
Danny Tunker - Guitar
Niels van Wijk - Guitar
Patrick Oosterveen - Bass
Michiel van der Plicht - Drums

The new PROSTITUTE DISFIGUREMENT lineup will make its live debut at the Death Feast Open Air festival, set to take place June 10-12, 2010 in Hünxe, Germany. New material is also being written.

Pomona, California’s BONDED BY BLOOD have released a new track from their forthcoming album, Exiled To Earth entitled 'Blood Spilled Offerings'. According to an official press release the song "is a charging juggernaut of a song that gives a look at the inner workings of the Crong. They are the alien race that have taken control of future Earth in the band's original sci-fi tale. 'Blood Spilled Offerings' is another taste of what Exiled to Earth has to offer. Nothing but heavy ear shattering music."

'Blood Spilled Offerings' and another new track, 'Prototype: Death Machine', are available for streaming at this location.

Former DEEP PURPLE keyboardist Jon Lord has released the following statement regarding the passing of legendary heavy metal singer Ronnie James Dio (DIO, HEAVEN & HELL, BLACK SABBATH, RAINBOW):

"I would like, along with my wife and daughters, to express my sadness at the passing of Ronnie Dio.

"[Ronnie was] a friend of many years standing and a truly delightful man. His voice was an instrument of power and of beauty, and was a seminal influence in rock music. His loss is even more devastating when considering how much more he would have had to offer us.

"My heart goes out to dear Wendy [Ronnie's wife/manager], and my thoughts are also with Roger [Glover, DEEP PURPLE bassist] and Ritchie [Blackmore, ex-DEEP PURPLE/RAINBOW guitarist], who were so close to him for so long.

"I will always cherish the memories of those remarkable nights at The Royal Albert Hall in September 1999 when, sitting on the stage with all the massed musicians of DEEP PURPLE, the London Symphony Orchestra et al, Ronnie sang Roger's lovely song 'Sitting in a Dream' and brought us smiles and tears, and goosebumps as big as they come.

"I shall forever connect that song with that moment and with Ronnie.

"Rest in peace, my friend."

Hard-hitting Danish four-piece THE BURNING is getting ready to enter the studio with producers Tue Madsen (SUICIDE SILENCE, HEAVEN SHALL BURN, SICK OF IT ALL) and Jacob Bredahl (HATESPHERE, PURIFIED IN BLOOD) to record its as-yet-untitled third album for a late 2010 release via Massacre Records.

Commented singer Johnny Haven: "Tue Madsen has a indoor pool at his house that he has been doing some drum recording in, and it sounds exactly like we want it to, and since his studio is right next to Jacob Bredahl's studio, and since he is going to record the guitars, bass and vocals, the two of them just seem like the best choice for us.

"For the first time ever we wrote more songs than we needed for the album, and out of the 17 we wrote, the 11-12 best are going on the album.

"More than ever before it really shines through that the backbone of this band's songwriting is composed and heavily inspired by the albums that bands like PANTERA, MACHINE HEAD, SEPULTURA and HELMET released during the mid-'90s. And where the songs on the two previous albums were composed of an equal mix of death metal, thrash, groove and hardcore, the new songs are instead driven forward by simple, heavy, groovy midtempo riffs and some of the most rock-inspired choruses this band has ever written. Everything still sounds like THE BURNING and even though we have toned down the death metal influences, and have almost no growls on the new album, we feel like this album might be the most aggressive and heavy we've ever sounded."

DEEP PURPLE bassist Roger Glover has released the following statement regarding the passing of legendary heavy metal singer Ronnie James Dio (DIO, HEAVEN & HELL, BLACK SABBATH, RAINBOW, ELF):

"A huge part of my life just disappeared. Words are not enough, emotions are too much.

"My sincere condolences to Ronnie's family and friends."

Glover and DEEP PURPLE drummer Ian Paice produced ELF's first album, and ELF toured all over the world as the support act for DEEP PURPLE.

Ronnie James Dio was the featured singer on the tracks "Love Is All", "Homeward" and "Sitting In A Dream" on Glover's 1975 album, "The Butterfly Ball".

One of the final recordings from legendary heavy metal singer Ronnie James Dio (DIO, HEAVEN & HELL, BLACK SABBATH, RAINBOW), a rough-mix version of a track titled "Metal Will Never Die", has surfaced on YouTube and can be streamed below. (Note: This particular version of the song was posted on YouTube after it originally aired on Eddie Trunk's radio show.) The cut is expected to appear on "Bitten By The Beast", the forthcoming solo album from Dio's cousin, David "Rock" Feinstein from THE RODS and ELF. The nine-song CD will eventually see the light of day via Niji Entertainment Group, the company run by Ronnie James Dio's wife/manager Wendy Dio.

"Bitten By The Beast" recording lineup:

* David "Rock" Feinstein: Guitar, Bass, and Vocals
* Nate Horton: Drums

Guest appearances:

* Ronnie James Dio: Vocals
* Carl Canedy: Drums
* Garry Bordonaro: Bass

"Bitten By The Beast" track listing:

01. Smoke On The Horizon
02. Evil In Me
03. Break Down The Walls
04. Metal Will Never Die (feat. Ronnie James Dio)
05. Kill The Demon
06. Rocks Boogie
07. Give Me Mercy
08. Run For Your Life
09. Gambler Gambler

"Brush-fires of the Mind", the debut album from ICED EARTH guitarist/mainman Jon Schaffer's new project/solo album called SONS OF LIBERTY, will be released on July 13 via Century Media Records.

The web site for SONS OF LIBERTY has been launched at this location. On the web site, visitors are able to download and listen to "Brush-fires of the Mind" for free. You can now also purchase a high-resolution version of the album for only $7.99 via PayPal.

"My desire is for SONS OF LIBERTY to become part of a much larger movement that is happening around the world," Schaffer said in a statement. "This new website will be a think-tank containing lots of interesting web links, book and movie recommendations, and much more. This will be an ongoing process, so check back often."

He added, "This is about the message and not the messenger. This is a project that I encourage you to copy and share with your friends.

"I care very much about what is happening in our world. We've been steamrolling down this road for a long time, so I assure you this is not a politically biased message. I'm hoping to set a few brush-fires in the minds of the listeners with this one. So please, check it out, do the research and get involved!

Swedish death metal legends GRAVE will release their new album, "Burial Ground", on June 14 via Regain Records.

"Burial Ground" track listing:

01. Liberation
02. Semblance In Black
03. Dismembered Mind
04. Ridden With Belief
05. Conquerer
06. Outcast
07. Sexual Mutilation
08. Bloodtrail
09. Burial Ground

The song "Liberation" is now available for streaming at this location.

Powerhouse Norwegian vocalist Jorn Lande (MASTERPLAN, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, ARK, THE SNAKES) has released the following statement regarding the passing of legendary heavy metal singer Ronnie James Dio (DIO, HEAVEN & HELL, BLACK SABBATH, RAINBOW):

"Ronnie James Dio has passed away and my sorrow runs deeper than words can describe.

"When the world became a colder place, Ronnie was a symbol of fire and honesty. His magic will forever stay with me, and inspire me to go on.

"My thoughts go to his wife Wendy, his family and friends, in their devastating loss.


"I will honor Ronnie's memory, and he will always live in my heart and music."

MASTERPLAN vocalist Jorn Lande has a vocal capability that is world-class, distinctive, rich and spanning a large range. As such, the man is in high demand since he has guested or sung for such bands as MILLENIUM, ARK, THE SNAKES and many others. He is also a well-known solo artist with several albums under his belt, beginning with his 1999 debut, "Starfire".

Jon Oliva (mastermind of SAVATAGE and JON OLIVA'S PAIN, co-creator/songwriter of the TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA) has released the following statement regarding the passing of legendary heavy metal singer Ronnie James Dio (DIO, HEAVEN & HELL, BLACK SABBATH, RAINBOW):

"Two days have passed and I still cannot come to grips with the tragic passing of Ronnie James Dio.

"My heart is sad once again.

"I have always considered Ronnie as a God, a hero, a pioneer, a legend, and one of the nicest people I have ever met.

"Ronnie gave SAVATAGE their first break when he took us on tour so many years ago. We were so young and did so many stupid things on that tour. But Ronnie let it all go, and took care of us.

"The world has lost more than an icon...we lost so much more than that this past Sunday.

"I can't properly express my sadness.

"Thank you, Ronnie, and for all you have given us as a musician, but most of all for your sweet and caring soul. You will be missed, and we will celebrate your life forever."

Former IRON MAIDEN/WOLFSBANE frontman Blaze Bayley has released the following statement regarding the passing of legendary heavy metal singer Ronnie James Dio (DIO, HEAVEN & HELL, BLACK SABBATH, RAINBOW):

"Very saddened by the news of the passing of Ronnie James Dio. He was the inspiration for me to start singing and join a metal band after seeing him perform in Birmingham Odeon many, many years ago on the 'Holy Diver' tour.

"My thoughts are with Wendy [Ronnie's wife/manager] and the family.

"On the few occasions I met Ronnie, he was an absolute gentleman, hero and superstar and an example to us all.

Thank you, Ronnie, for your wonderful work.

"Rest in peace."

Former DEEP PURPLE keyboardist Jon Lord will perform at the Nidarosdomen cathedral in Norway along with The Lord Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Torodd Wigum, on Sunday evening, May 23. Lord will be joined by Martin Axenrot and Martin Mendez of OPETH, with Steve Balsamo, who played and sang the role of Jesus in the musical "Jesus Christ Superstar". Nathalie Lorichs (OPETH's "Coil") will do the female vocals.

Jon Lord has just released a new classical CD, "To Notice Such Things", which will have its Scandinavian premiere at this weekend's event. According to a posting on OPETH's web site, "We will also hear beautiful pieces from his solo career, together with a couple of rearranged DEEP PURPLE songs, including 'Child in Time' with a children's choir for extra goosebumps effect! Definitely a night to remember!"

The lineup for the performance will be as follows:

* Jon Lord - Piano/Organ
* Steve Balsamo - Vocals (Jesus Christ Superstar)
* Nathalie Lorichs - Vocals (Opeth)
* Karina Hanssen - Choir
* Martin Axenrot - Drums (Opeth, female singer on the track Coil)
* Martin Mendez - Bass (Opeth)
* Magnus Johansen - Keyboards (V Before U)
* Lord Chamber Orchestra conducted by Torodd Wigum
* The Choir Children of Time conducted by Elen Cath Furunes

ANTHRAX drummer Charlie Benante has released the following statement regarding the passing of legendary heavy metal singer Ronnie James Dio (DIO, HEAVEN & HELL, BLACK SABBATH, RAINBOW):

"The first time I heard Ronnie James Dio, I thought he was a large person, The voice was so huge. It was RAINBOW and he was the singer. I was a fan of his from then on. I followed him with RAINBOW, SABBATH, DIO, etc. From 'Man on the Silver Mountain', 'Heaven and Hell', 'Rainbow in the Dark'... the songs are endless. The sound of his voice with those bands was always so perfect. It was his god-given instrument. He was true metal and the creator of the metal hand sign. Thank you for the music. He was divine."

Los Angeles-based traditional metallers WHITE WIZZARD have released the following statement regarding the passing of legendary heavy metal singer Ronnie James Dio (DIO, HEAVEN & HELL, BLACK SABBATH, RAINBOW):

"Ronnie James Dio will always be.

"Ronnie can never die.

"From the depths of the soul came a voice the earth will only know once, but the universe will know forever. His words were of magic and the fantastic while always laced with a sense of hope and positivity.

"In a world of so many difficult realities, Ronnie helped us all escape into his world... one filled with magic and a surreal sense of never losing the child within. He is forever an example of the free spirit of life and imagination. His soul is now forever stardust... the magic in his heart lives on because he believed in the energy and light he channeled, and there is something infinite in the knowing that his music will live forever.

"This life is an adventure... and Ronnie James Dio lived it to the fullest with a passion for his craft and with a drive to deliver the best performances and experiences to his fans worldwide. Even in his last performances with HEAVEN & HELL, he was always on fire with that big aura of light that surrounded him.

"The earth lost a very important soul today... but his energy is all around us now and universal. Death can never take that away."

"Access Hollywood" conducted an interview with JUDAS PRIEST frontman Rob Halford on April 17, 2010 at the Los Angeles presentation of the 21st annual Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) Media Awards at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza.

The GLAAD Media Awards recognize and honor media for their fair, accurate and inclusive representations of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community and the issues that affect their lives.

When asked why GLAAD is an important organization, Halford replied, "We're still on a long journey, there's still a lot of struggle going on, there's still a lot of things that need to be done to bring the equality that I feel is the human thing to do. So this event really brings that into focus, along with a lot of other things that are going on here tonight."

He added, "I think [pop singer] Ricky [Martin] was really eloquent with the statement that he made about the reason why he held back [on announcing that he was gay]. At the end of the day, you're dealing with a very personal and private issue. You're surrounded by people that love and care for you, that only have your best interests at heart, but you end up leading a kind of a double life, which was the case for Ricky, was the case for myself, for Elton [John], for George [Michael]. What he did was incredibly important for himself and I think also for the community that mostly focuses on Ricky's work, the Latino community. So, one way or another, we seem to be covering all the territory. I'm in the rock and metal, Ricky's in the pop/rock, so is Elton and George, and a number of other people. So I think every moment when you take that big step forward is incredibly valuable."

Hosts for the Los Angeles GLAAD Media Awards (which also took place in New York on March 13 and is scheduled to be held in San Francisco on June 5) were actress Candis Cayne and actor Wilson Cruz ("He's Just Not That Into You"), with Tom Ford and Benjamin Bratt among the other guests and presenters.

In an August 2008 interview with The Dallas Morning News, Halford — who revealed he was homosexual during a 1998 appearance on MTV — explained why he believes that he's the only man capable of fronting JUDAS PRIEST.

"To be brutally honest, 'Jugulator' and 'Demolition' [the two PRIEST albums made with Tim 'Ripper' Owens as frontman] were affected by my not being in the band, much like when Bruce Dickinson went away from IRON MAIDEN, the way VAN HALEN [was] affected when David Lee Roth left," Rob was quoted as saying. "But I don't think a straight man can do my job in JUDAS PRIEST. I've never said that before. I'm sorry, but they can't."

In a subsequent interview, Halford attempted to clarify his remarks, stating, "I was talking about the performance in terms of what a frontman can do . . . I just think there's different interpretations of what you do, and that was just like a broad-based comment that can be taken however it wishes to be taken."

He added, "When you're doing an interview and you have, like, hundreds or thousands of words and, like, three or four words are taken out of context...

"I think [my quote in The Dallas Morning News] was taken out of context."

When asked in a December 2009 interview with the Dallas Voice if he has a particularly gay audience, Halford said, "I have my gay metalhead fans all over the world. Sometimes they are so obvious from stage but it's still a wonderful surprise."

Regarding how it has been since he came out more than 10 years ago, Halford said, "It gives me a lot of comfort and it was a weight off my shoulders. There is a lot of phobia in metal music, but me coming out chips away at that wall, bit by bit. It just crossed my mind that I had no negative feedback. Fans were cool, and that speaks volumes for the better world we're in. We have come forward by leaps and bounds."

EDGUY/AVANTASIA frontman Tobias Sammet has released the following statement regarding the passing of legendary heavy metal singer Ronnie James Dio (DIO, HEAVEN & HELL, BLACK SABBATH, RAINBOW):

"[On Sunday] I [was] informed about the sad news of Ronnie James Dio's passing. It is impossible to find any words for what went through my head and what Ronnie means for me as a vocalist, and as a fanboy too. He gave us so much enchanting music, poetic lyrics and great vocals. To me he was the epitome of the perfect heavy metal vocalist.

"With EDGUY we have had the chance to share the stage with Ronnie on several occasions and so I've been given the opportunity to meet him about ten years ago. He was a very nice person with a tremendous charisma who made you feel very appreciated in his environment. I wanted to have him on several AVANTASIA albums but the schedule never allowed it; he was always busy, always had many things on his schedule, a real workaholic and full of visions and enthusiam.

"Ronnie, you will always be remembered as one of the biggest vocalists in the history of music! Rock'n'roll will never forget you — rest in peace!"

Guitarist Doug Aldrich (DIO, WHITESNAKE) has released the following statement regarding the passing of legendary heavy metal singer Ronnie James Dio (DIO, HEAVEN & HELL, BLACK SABBATH, RAINBOW):

"I'm going to miss him so much.

"We lost a giant [on Sunday]...

"Just broken today.

"I was blessed to share some music with him, but mostly, I am thankful his friendship.

"Ronnie was a good-hearted, caring man. He brought so much happiness through his music.

"Thank you, Ronnie, for the gifts you shared with us.

"Ronnie made magic and Ronnie was and will always be golden.

"Goodbye, Ronnie. Love you forever."

Guitarist Jeff Waters of Canadian thrash metal veterans ANNIHILATOR has released the following statement regarding the passing of legendary heavy metal singer Ronnie James Dio (DIO, HEAVEN & HELL, BLACK SABBATH, RAINBOW):

"[Ronnie] was a super-nice person, uniquely talented and has left us all with great music. In a way, it will strange to live and work in a world and business where Ronnie James Dio is no longer on tour, at the festivals, putting out his music.

"You will never be forgotten and will live on in the music of so many others.

"Stand up and shout."