Despite widespread speculation to the contrary, KORN is not quite looking for a new musical direction on its next release. While the band is collaborating with famed dubstep DJ Skrillex and others for an upcoming EP, singer Jonathan Davis told The Pulse Of Radio that a full-blown change in the band's musical style isn't in the cards. "I don't think it was us looking for a new direction," he said. "It was just something that I stumbled upon when I stumbled upon dubstep and first heard Skrillex and a lot of different dubstep DJs. I loved the heaviness of it, and so we decided to make this EP and to go in that direction for a couple of songs, and then I'm sure we'll go back and do a regular record."

The EP is due in May and follows up last year's album "Korn III - Remember Who You Are", which marked a return to the band's early sound.

Guitarist Richard Ebisch has left Dutch thrashers LEGION OF THE DAMNED. He says in a statement, "I am very grateful for having achieved so much with LEGION OF THE DAMNED, but after having played in bands for so many years and having toured numerous times, I decided to leave the band after careful deliberation. Because of health issues, it was no longer possible for me to continue at this pace.

"I would like to say thank you to the fans and the LEGION OF THE DAMNED guys and wish them, and their new guitarist, all the best for the future."

Vocalist Maurice Swinkels, who has played in LEGION OF THE DAMNED with Richard for more than 16 years, comments: "We recently successfully ended Sweden Rock Cruise and have a lot of other great festivals planned ahead such as Graspop Metal Meeting, Nummirock in Finland, Metalcamp, Bang Your Head!!! and With Full Force. We didn't really notice anything or felt like this is going to end somewhere for Richard. During Kettersach Festival last weekend Richard announced that he would still do Paaspop this upcoming weekend, but call it an end after that. It will be a great lost for us, but we accept his decision, of course."

He continues, "Even though this came out of blue for us, we have no intention on cancel any of the planned festivals. Who is going to replace Richard Ebisch is still a question unanswered, but hopefully we will have this answered as soon as possible as well. One thing is for sure: after Paaspop, Finnish metal fest Nummirock is next in line and we will be there stronger than ever!"

Bassist Harold Gielen states: "It's really sad that Richard decided to leave the band, but it's his decision to end his carrier as a musician and we have to accept it as it is. I am really happy to be part of the LEGION family, and shared the stage with Richard for five years. I have to thank him as well for all the fun and musical influences we shared. Richard is a great guitar player with an own style, and I wish him all the best with his future plans."

Drummer Erik Fleuren, who has also played in LEGION OF THE DAMNED with Richard for more than 16 years, comments: "Bandmembers leaving the band was always something that happened in other bands, not with LEGION OF THE DAMNED. We are like brothers, shared joy and happiness as well as disappointment and sadness together. It was always the four of us, but that's also part of being in a band that it might end somewhere or that someone leaves at a certain point, we have to accept it. We will miss Richard and I wish him all the best in the future."

Reunited heavy metal band SLEEPY HOLLOW is putting the finishing touches on its new album, "Skull 13", for a fall release via Pure Steel. The CD is being recorded primarily at No Oulet Studio in Chester Springs, Pennsylvania with producers Steve Stegg and Eric Fisher.

Commented the band: "This, to say the very least, has been a very non-traditional recording experience, with the guitars being recorded first then drums then vocals then bass and more guitars. However, the production at this stage is amazing.

"We should have all of the recording completed in the next two weeks and final mix and mastering the following week. This recording is practically mixing itself."

A tour of Europe, as a support act, is on tap for 2012, including an appearance at the Swordbrothers Festival in Andernach, Germany.

SLEEPY HOLLOW is:

Bob Mitchell - Vocals
Steve Stegg - Guitar
Steve Brink - Bass
Tom Wassm

I.C.S Vortex has officially announced his return to BORKNAGAR.

To mark this grand cooperation between Vintersorg and I.C.S. Vortex, the organizers of the Inferno festival have revealed that BORKNAGAR will headline the 2012 edition with both vocalists on stage.

Over the past months, there has been a wide array of rumors and speculations about I.C.S Vortex' involvement with BORKNAGAR, so now it's time for us to bring this out from the dungeons and into the plains of clarity: Vortex is back as a permanent member of BORKNAGAR. Vortex will handle the bass as well as doing vocals together with Vintersorg.

I.C.S. Vortex was re- introduced to BORKNAGAR in 2010 after a 10-year break with his participation on "Universal" as guest vocalist, and also stepped up to help out the band on a tour of South America that was later canceled. After this the rumors and speculations have been many, and this is the confirmation that so many have hoped for.

I.C.S Vortex comments: "I am chuffed and proud to be part of the BORKNAGAR universe once again. Hailing the dawn of a new era, I lionize their splendorous glare."

BORKNAGAR mainman Øystein G. Brun comments: "Even though Mr. Vortex has been absent from the band for almost a decade due to other musical endeavors, he has always remained a good, loyal and supportive friend of the band. Personally, I have always had a feeling that our paths would cross again — and now they do. I would like to welcome Mr. Vortex back in the fold, and I am really excited to get another opus done with the strongest lineup BORKNAGAR has ever had. Just imagine the musical potential having two of the best and most renowned vocalists in the scene in the same band. This is surely a huge step forward and another exciting chapter in the musical legacy of BORKNAGAR — and I feel like a lucky bastard being part of this. The new album will surely knock your socks off and set some new standards in the world of metal!"

Adds Lars A. Nedland: "Vortex and Vintersorg in the same band! Can you imagine the possibilities here? Can you imagine the choirs? The vocal duels? The sheer musical potential? Let me tell you: If you are a BORKNAGAR fan, these are exciting times."

Vintersorg adds: "The Vortex has made a touchdown in the BORKNAGAR camp again. It feels very inspiring just to think about starting to shape vocal lines with this in mind. Time to make some epic music!"

Drummer David Kinkade comments: "Nothing can describe the potent amount of excitement that has been flowing through my veins since this became a reality for BORKNAGAR. Having two of the most talented, unique and well-rounded singer/musicians that I've ever known….now together in the same band. The creativity behind this effort is off the chart. Be ready. Limits don't exist."

Jens F. Ryland comments: "What more is there to say? I can now lean back and enjoy the ride!"

BORKNAGAR recently signed a new worldwide recording deal with Century Media Records. The band's new album is scheduled for an early 2012 release.

California deathcore masters SUICIDE SILENCE are currently mixing their new album, "The Black Crown", tentatively due in July via Century Media Records. The CD was recorded with heavyweight producer Steve Evetts (THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN, EVERY TIME I DIE, HATEBREED) and will feature the following songtitles, among others: "Human Violence", "Cancerous Skies" and "Fuck Everything".

AOL's Noisecreep ran into SUICIDE SILENCE singer Mitch Lucker at the Revolver Golden Gods Awards this past Wednesday and asked him about the band's forthcoming album.

"'The Black Crown' is our most mature, well-produced, and well-written record as a band," Lucker said. "People should come see us play songs from it live on [this summer's Rockstar Energy Drink] Mayhem [Festival] this summer, or buy it when it comes out!"

Lucker also revealed that "The Black Crown" will be SUICIDE SILENCE's third and final release for longtime label Century Media Records. Lucker noted that the band will be free agents after the release of this album.

On June 29, 2010, SUICIDE SILENCE reissued the "No Time To Bleed" album in the U.S. as a special "body bag" edition featuring a bonus DVD containing never-before-seen live performance footage.

"No Time To Bleed" sold 14,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 32 on The Billboard 200 chart. The effort was made available on June 30, 2009 in a number of different versions.

Spanish black/death metallers NOCTEM will release their sophomore album, "Oblivion", on June 13 via Rising Records. A "signed limited tour edition" of the CD will be made available in Spain on May 24.

The follow-up to 2009's "Divinity", "Oblivion" was recorded at Ultrasound Studios 2 in Portugal with producer Daniel Cardoso (ANGELUS APATRIDA, AVA INFERI, ANNEKE VAN GIERSBERGEN) and features cover artwork by by Marcelo Vasco, the Brazilian designer who previously worked on "Divinity" as well as with bands like DIMMU BORGIR, DARK FUNERAL, SATYRICON, BELPHEGOR, GORGOROTH and many more.

According to a press release, the second part of the trilogy that started with "Divinity" will be "the hardest, fastest and darkest opus from NOCTEM to date." The CD will be a "logical progression of the last album, full of new nuances and based in a darker sound and a more complex composition."

"Oblivion" track listing:

01. Popol Vuh
02. The Arrival Of The False Gods
03. Universal Disorder
04. Abnegation And Brutality
05. Invictus
06. Sons Of Hun-Vucub
07. Seeking The Ruin Of Souls
08. Unredemption
09. Q'uma'rka'aa'j
10. A Borning Winged Snake
11. Oblivion

The song "Invictus" can now be str

German power metal band LANFEAR has set "This Harmonic Consonance" as the title of its sixth album, due later in the year.

Commented the group: "No joke: [This is] the heaviest LANFEAR album until now. Some pretty fast tracks but also the very first doom song in our history! The end result will blow your heads off! You can definitely achieve a natural and authentic production without sounding as if the recording sessions were held in a garbage can!"

Broken Heart Syndrome, the new album of Alex Beyrodt's VOODOO CIRCLE, was released in February, but will now receive its release as limited deluxe vinyl edition (180-gram black double-vinyl in gatefold sleeve) on May 13th.




Mat Sinner (also PRIMAL FEAR, SINNER): “We are still overwhelmed by the huge success of “Broken Heart Syndrome”. The feedback we receive is just incredible. Therefore we are really happy that the album will now be made available on vinyl, perfectly suiting the musical vibe of “Broken Heart Syndrome”.

Alex Beyrodt (also Primal Fear): “There were many requests from all over the world for Voodoo Circle vinyl, and now it becomes reality. This is something special for us as well, because the roots of Voodoo Circle are clearly in the '70´s and early '80´s – a time when enjoyment of music was closely connected with the vinyl format.”

In September, Voodoo Circle will start their highly-anticipated European tour.

Metal On Metal Records has announced the signing of the Boston power/thrash veterans MELIAH RAGE. The band is currently putting the finishing touches on its seventh studio album, entitled "Dead To The World", for a July release to coincide with the band's first in 21 years visit in Europe.

Commented MELIAH RAGE: "It's official — we have signed with Italy's Metal On Metal Records! After going through a courting process with a few labels from around the globe, we are psyched to be working with Metal On Metal. Jowita and Simone (label heads) are true professionals, full-on metalheads, and the real deal, and we're looking forward to the journey ahead.

"We're currently wrapping things up in the studio on our next full-length, 'Dead to the World', slated for a July release. This will coincide with our first visit to Europe in over 20 years as we hit the Headbangers Open Air festival in Germany in late July, and we'll be looking to return for a proper tour in the fall/winter."

embers of KAMELOT have released the following statement regarding the departure of the band's frontman, Roy Khan:

"With a heavy heart, we can now announce that Roy Khan has chosen to leave the band. We wanted to give him ample time for this kind of decision, due to his recent burnout and also the amount of amazing times we have shared with him in KAMELOT. We respectfully accept his resignation from the band and wish him the best in his future endeavors. The timing is actually good since we feel the uncertainty the fans have had can now be laid to rest and the band can move on to finding a new singer."

"The tour is going great so far and the fans have been amazing throughout this entire process," adds keyboardist Oliver Palotai.

With the new tour already in progress, KAMELOT has already begun the search for a new vocalist. "I have a few guys in mind," says KAMELOT founder Thomas Youngblood. "And as you can imagine, it is a very important decision. There are some amazing singers that have already contacted us on this but we will take our time to find the right person."

Due to the overwhelming success of the recent shows in South America, KAMELOT is in the process of booking new shows in Europe in November/December.

OZZY OSBOURNE has landed at position No. 5 on this week's Billboard.com "Hot Tours" rankings with over $2.4 million in ticket sales from three venues on the South American leg of his ongoing worldwide tour — Estadio GEBA, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Movistar Arena, Santiago, Chile; and Gigantinho, Porto Alegre, Brazil.

IRON MAIDEN ranks No. 7 this week with a single performance on March 18 at Foro Sol in Mexico City drawing a crowd of 47,489 with box office grosses topping the $2 million mark.

Artist/Event: OZZY OSBOURNE
Gross Sales: $2,400,093
Date: March 26-30
Venue/City/State/Country: Estadio GEBA, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Venue/City/State/Country: Movistar Arena, Santiago, Chile
Venue/City/State/Country: Gigantinho, Porto Alegre, Brazil
Attendance: 30,957
Capacity: 46,499

Artist/Event: IRON MAIDEN
Gross Sales: $2,037,580
Date: March 18
Venue/City/State/Country: Foro Sol, Mexico City
Attendance: 47,489
Capacity: 52,036

2010 marked the 20th anniversary of U.K. doom metal legends MY DYING BRIDE. To commemorate two decades of doom and gloom from the elite British act, the band embarked upon a special project to re-work familiar melodies and themes from its extensive catalogue into long, flowing symphonic compositions, incorporating new vocals and passages from vocalist, Aaron Stainthorpe. These arrangements have been brought to life in co-operation with keyboard maestro Johnny Maudling (of BAL-SAGOTH fame), as well as a clutch of talented classical musicians, and shared vocals courtesy of professional opera singer Lucie Roche. The collection — titled "Evinta" — will be released on May 31 via Peaceville Records as a two-disc set and deluxe three-disc edition with 64-page book inspired by MY DYING BRIDE's illustrious recordings of the past two decades.

"Evinta" track listing:

Disc 1

01. In Your Dark Pavilion
02. You Are Not The One Who Loves Me
03. Of Lilies Bent With Tears
04. The Distance, Busy With Shadows
05. Of Sorry Eyes In March

Disc 2

01. Vanité Triomphante
02. That Dress And Summer Skin
03. And Then You Go
04. A Hand Of Awful Rewards

Disc 3 (deluxe edition only)

01. The Music Of Flesh
02. Seven Times She Wept
03. The Burning Coast Of Regnum Italicum
04. She Heard My Body Dying
05. And All Their Joy Was Drowned

Commented the band: "'Evinta'. A project almost 15 years in the making. An idea that has sat smoldering and never really had a reason to burn alive until now. Nine albums worth of darkness recreated anew to mark 20 years of MY DYING BRIDE. Music arranged to the soundscapes of sorrows past. Finally the 20th anniversary allows us to release this music in a form it has been desperately, woefully waiting for. Enjoy the darkness."

MY DYING BRIDE has been the leading light of doom metal since the debut album, "As the Flower Withers", was released on Peaceville Records back in 1992. Influenced by acts such as CELTIC FROST and CANDLEMASS, the band's heavy atmospherics have carved a huge worldwide following over the years, as it remains a pinnacle of the genre.

German power metallers PRIMAL FEAR have issued the following update:

"Just a short hello from the pre-production of the new PRIMAL FEAR album. We've written 15 songs so far and are thrilled and excited about the new stuff so far. But we can already promise to deliver a pure PRIMAL FEAR album with all the trademarks, heavy riffs and melodies our loyal fans want to hear, spiced with a splendid musical journey and garnished with two outstanding ballads. We will start with the drum recordings soon!

"And now it's your time. The new PRIMAL FEAR album has no title so far. If you have any suggestion, write us! The best three options will receive a very special PRIMAL FEAR package!"

live DVD, "Bloodbath Over Bloodstock", on April 25 via Peaceville Records. The deluxe mediabook-packaged set will feature BLOODBATH's August 2010 performance from the Bloodstock festival — one of the U.K.'s leading metal events — consisting of songs from the critically acclaimed "The Fathomless Mastery" (2008) album, as well as other classics and fan favorites. The full package will also include a 16-page booklet and a wealth of extras, featuring bonus footage taken from Germany's Party.San Open Air festival in 2008 and extensive band member interviews.

"Bloodbath Over Bloodstock" was filmed by The Dark Box, a U.K.-based production company that specializes in providing services for the music industry.

"Bloodbath Over Bloodstock" track listing:

Bloodstock:

01. Ways To The Grave
02. Soul Evisceration
03. Process Of Disillumination
04. Iesous
05. Breeding Death
06. Mouth Of Empty Praise
07. Mass Strangulation
08. Cancer Of The Soul
09. Mock The Cross
10. Like Fire
11. Outnumbering The Day
12. Eaten

Party.San Open Air:

13. Blasting The Virginborn
14. Bathe In Blood
15. Weak Aside
16. So You Die
17. Cry My Name

* The Interview: Recorded in Stockholm, Sweden

Check out the "Eaten" performance clip from the "Bloodbath Over Bloodstock" DVD below.

Norwegian singer Roy Khan (full name: Roy Sætre Khantatat) has officially announced his departure from the American melodic metal band KAMELOT. His statement on the matter follows below.

"Dear fans and friends,

"There have been a lot of speculations around why I am not touring with KAMELOT and I want to make a statement although it may not prevent further guessing as to what's actually going on. It is a fact, however, that I told the guys in the band already last fall (well after my burnout) that I was leaving the band. Naturally enough, they were shocked (as was the label and everyone else working with KAMELOT). In addition to risk of dropping ticket sales, they wanted to give me time to think things over, and so I did. My decision still stands; it is finished.

"I am currently spending time with my family in Norway taking it easy and wondering profoundly what the future is going to bring. Communication with the outer world has been so and so, but I have had several talks with Thomas [Youngblood, KAMELOT guitarist/mainman] along the way, although I am still called in sick.

"I am terribly sorry that my decision is affecting so many others and I want you to know I wish the band and associates all the best for the future and that I enjoyed every second in the spotlight. How could I not?! They were nourished by the best fans in the world!

"I am eternally thankful for everything you and KAMELOT have given me and equally sorry that it has to end here. The good news is; God was there after all...

"Love you to death!!!"

MEGADETH's vital, platinum-certified album, "Peace Sells... But Who's Buying?", has been digitally remastered for the first time and expanded for a commemorative 25th-anniversary release in multiple configurations on July 12 by Capitol/EMI. All of the versions, including a 2CD lift-top box, digital album, and a deluxe 5Disc+3LP box set, include a previously unreleased 1987 concert from the band's first world tour and new liner notes written by MEGADETH's Dave Mustaine and METALLICA's Lars Ulrich. The deluxe box set also includes previously unreleased and rare mixes of the album's tracks and hi-res audio for the remastered album and concert, as well as an expanded 20-page book, plus 8"x10" photos and reproductions of vintage MEGADETH memorabilia. The cover of the box uses a new, unique process of lenticular 3D which reinterprets the original cover, creating the illusion of MEGADETH's Vic Rattlehead character jumping out of the art.

Released in 1986, "Peace Sells... But Who's Buying?" was MEGADETH's second album and the band's first Capitol/EMI release. The acclaimed album thrust MEGADETH into the international spotlight, and it remains a powerful thrash metal staple.

In his liner notes for the new edition, Dave Mustaine reflects on writing the album's title track: "I had written other lyrics by now, but there was something different about 'Peace Sells' because it told my story about my faith; my beliefs; my distrust of government; my work ethic; my integrity. This was MY song."

"If there's a new way, I'll be the first in line"

"Amen!," continues Mustaine. "I was so tired of not shaving, not bathing, not eating, not having a home, a companion, NOTHING. Yeah, I'll be the first in line, but it had better work this time. Well, it was working, thank God, just fast enough for what I needed, but not nearly as fast as I would hope."

"Whether you heard this record for the first time in 1986, or you hear this record for the first time today or tomorrow, 'Peace Sells' is a great heavy metal album," writes Lars Ulrich in his liner notes for the new edition. "Nothing more, nothing less. It has stood the test of time. And will continue to do so."

Dave Mustaine pioneered the hugely successful MEGADETH after his departure from METALLICA. Beginning with the band's 1985 debut album, "Killing Is My Business... And Business Is Good!", and evolving through a shifting series of lineups, MEGADETH has crafted a dynamic, intelligent style that combines the aggressiveness of thrash metal, the improvisational nature of jazz, and cynical, articulate, politically-charged lyrics into an innovative mix that has built a rabid worldwide following.

For nearly three decades, MEGADETH has taken heavy metal into the future — musically, lyrically, and culturally. The band has enjoyed great success on Billboard's album and single charts, including three Top 10 titles on the Top 200 Albums chart and four Top 10 Modern Rock singles, "Almost Honest", "Trust", "Breadline", and "Crush 'Em".

With defiance and grace, through unusual quality and intelligence, MEGADETH has raised a generation on a diet of truth serum and bitter pills. Instead of being kicked to the curb for their insolence, they've been rewarded with nine Grammy Award nominations, six gold, five platinum, and one double platinum albums, and three gold-certified DVD releases, in addition to last year's double platinum concert DVD, "The Big 4: Live From Sofia, Bulgaria".

MEGADETH is currently on tour in Europe. On April 23, MEGADETH will again join forces with METALLICA, SLAYER, and ANTHRAX for The Big Four Festival in Indio, California, and The Big Four have confirmed several European shows for July. MEGADETH will also play more than 20 North American dates in July and August on the Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival with DISTURBED, GODSMACK, MACHINE HEAD, IN FLAMES and TRIVIUM.

"Peace Sells… But Who's Buying?" track listings:

2CD / Digital (Booklet with liner notes by Dave Mustaine and Lars Ulrich):

Disc 1 (original album, remastered)

01. Wake Up Dead
02. The Conjuring
03. Peace Sells
04. Devil's Island
05. Good Mourning / Black Friday
06. Bad Omen
07. I Ain't Superstitious
08. My Last Words

Disc 2 (previously unreleased 1987 concert)

01. Wake Up Dead
02. The Conjuring
03. Bad Omen
04. Rattlehead
05. Killing Is My Business... And Business Is Good
06. Looking Down The Cross
07. My Last Words
08. Peace Sells
09. These Boots Were Made For Walkin'
10. Devil's Island
11. Mechanix
12. Last Rites / Loved To Deth
13. Good Mourning / Black Friday

Deluxe 5Disc+3LP Box Set

* Two 8x10 photos / two 8 ½ x 11 reproduced vintage concert flyers / one reproduced vintage ticket stub / 20-page book with liner notes by Dave Mustaine and Lars Ulrich

Disc 1 (original album, remastered - tracklist above)

Disc 2 (Dave Mustaine mixes & masters for 2004 album reissue - tracklist above)

Disc 3 (Randy Burns mixes, remastered)

01. Wake Up Dead [previously released as bonus track on '04 reissue]
02. The Conjuring [previously released as bonus track on '04 reissue]
03. Peace Sells [previously released as bonus track on '04 reissue]
04. Devil's Island [previously unreleased]
05. Good Mourning / Black Friday [previously released as bonus track on '04 reissue]
06. Bad Omen [previously unreleased]
07. I Ain't Superstitious [previously unreleased]
08. My Last Words [previously unreleased]

Disc 4 (previously unreleased 1987 concert – track listing above)

Disc 5 (hi-res audio: original album + previously unreleased 1987 concert - tracklists above)

LP 1 (original album, remastered – track listing above)

LPs 2 & 3 (previously unreleased 1987 concert – track listing above)

Keith Matheny of The Desert Sun recently conducted an interview with SLAYER guitarist Kerry King. A few excerpts from the chat follow below.

On the decision to hire Gary Holt (EXODUS) as the initial temporary replacement for SLAYER guitarist Jeff Hanneman, who is recovering from an infection thought to have been caused by a spider bite:

Kerry: "Gary was a no-brainer. When I was getting ready to ask him, my only fear was that he would say no. He's perfect. I've known him for 25 years."

On SLAYER's 30th anniversary:

Kerry: "It's definitely been a long ride. It's great to be able to still go up there and still be relevant, and have a recycling of fans — the older people still come, and now they come with younger siblings or their kids."

On the possibility of retirement:

Kerry: "I remember people started hitting us up after 'Christ Illusion' — 'How long do you plan to keep going?'

"We are making relevant, good music. We're still putting on good shows and having fun. That's what it's all about."

On attempting to build on the intensity and shock value with each new album:

Kerry: "The trick is finding things that are interesting to write about that we haven't covered yet. There's always going to be war, odd religious things going on in the world. It's just picking the right things and making it compelling in that SLAYER way."

On this coming Saturday's (April 23) "Big Four" show in Indio, California featuring SLAYER alongside METALLICA, MEGADETH and ANTHRAX:

Kerry: "METALLICA has such a wide range of fan base; they get people who would never consider coming to one of our shows — or MEGADETH or ANTHRAX, for that matter. I guess it's cool for the three of us to get exposure to those fans. Maybe they'll like us, too."

"I've always lived in California, so that show is definitely important to me.

"The war face will be on. I don't want to suck in front of my friends."

Aniruddh "Andrew" Bansal of Metal Assaultconducted a short interview with JUDAS PRIEST drummer Scott Travis at the third annual Revolver Golden Gods Awards, which took place last night (Wednesday, April 20) at Club Nokia in downtown Los Angeles, California.

On whether he's as shocked as everyone else at original JUDAS PRIEST guitarist Kenneth "K.K." Downing's decision to leave the band:

Scott Travis: "Oh yes, I sure am. Everyone has been asking me about it, but then K.K. is a legend, so I do expect everyone to ask me about it."

On what this means for PRIEST to embark on a "farewell" tour:

Scott Travis: "I think we'll go as long as we want to go. It's up to everyone in the band. It's a five-member unit and I'm going to hopefully rock when PRIEST decides to give it up. I want to stick around and do what I can do. We're all lucky to do this to begin with. It's a gift to be able to make music, travel the world, meet fans and do everything else."

On what he plans to do after PRIEST's final tour:

Scott Travis: "I don't know, I'm just going to continue rocking my guts out like I do and hopefully something will come around the corner and I'll keep rocking."

Downing released a statement earlier today blaming his departure from JUDAS PRIEST on "an ongoing breakdown in working relationship between myself, elements of the band, and the band's management for some time." He added that he "decided to step down rather than to tour with negative sentiments as I feel that this would be a deception to . . . our cherished fans."

JUDAS PRIEST members had previously stated that their "Epitaph" tour would be their last, but that they would continue recording, with a new album due for release next year.

The tour begins in Holland on June 7 with a series of dates scheduled throughout Europe this summer. They will then hit Brazil and Mexico in the fall. There has been no word on a U.S. leg of the tour.

Benjamin "Benji" Baudelot of Rock Hard, the leading monthly metal magazine in France, spoke to JUDAS PRIEST singer Rob Halford earlier today (Thursday, April 21), just one day after it was announced that the band's original guitarist, Kenneth "K.K." Downing, was retiring from the group.

"K.K. leaving was his own decision, for the reasons he made public on his web site [earlier today]," Halford said.

"We had a fantastic time together on the 'Nostradamus' tour... [But] K.K. has his own life to live and we can't force him to do anything he doesn't want to do.

"He told us [of his decision to leave JUDAS PRIEST] before Christmas time. Personally, I thought this could be the end... Emotionally, for me, it's been very, very difficult…

"When K.K. said he was thinking of retiring, Glenn [Tipton, PRIEST guitarist] was the first guy to send him a personal email to say, 'Ken, I hope you're OK. If there's anything you need, just let me know.' We kept the door open all this time in case Ken changed his mind, but the clock was ticking."

When asked about the remaining JUDAS PREST members' decision to go ahead with their previously announced tour plans with a replacement guitarist — 31 year-old British guitar player Richie Faulkner (LAUREN HARRIS, DIRTY DEEDS) — Halford said, "K.K. can never be replaced; he's unique, and we didn't want any kind of K.K. copycat. Richie Faulkner came to Glenn's house to jam, and Glenn simply told me he was absolutely brilliant."

Former MEGADETH guitarist Marty Friedman, who moved to Japan in 2003, asked his "good friend" Steve Lukather to do a little jam with him, a short arrangement of one of Marty's all-time favorite Japanese songs, "Sukiyaki". Friedman says, "Japan has always been, and will always be, a unique, wonderful and inspiring place for both of us."

Check out the resulting track in the YouTube clip below.

Friedman recently announced plans to auction all of his guitars from the MEGADETH era and donate 100 percent of the proceeds to Japanese earthquake relief efforts. He said in a statement, "I have NEVER sold ANY of my guitars before; this is the only way these guitars will leave my possession. I urge you to please spread the word and most of all BID HIGH. You will be putting a huge deposit in the 'karma bank' and have some pretty cool guitars to show for it. DO IT!"