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11/18/2009:
DIO hospitalized:
"According to Ronnie James Dio’s wife and manager, Wendy, the singer has been hospitalized. She did not go into details. However, the dates are not being rescheduled, and ticket holders should return to the point of purchase and get refunds."
The Staff at Blast Magazine would like to wish Ronnie a speedy recovery.

11/17/2009:
Blast Updates:
Updates include CD reviews of: Hardlein – ‘Down In The Fire’, Felony – ‘Helltown Hotel’, SGT. Roxx – ‘Weapon Of Miss Distraction’, Strike Twice – ‘S/T’.

Aerosmith Up For A Daytime Emmy:
Or they might as well be up for one! Here is the latest in the ever growing sage. AEROSMITH guitarist Joe Perry says estranged singer Steven Tyler's surprise guest appearance at his Joe Perry Project concert Tuesday night (November 10) in New York "really didn't change anything in my mind" about the status of their band.
Tyler joined Perry and company for an encore rendition of Aerosmith's 'Walk This Way', telling fans before the song that "I want you to know that I'm not leaving Aerosmith."
Now, Perry tells Billboard.com that Tyler "never said he was leaving the band" but further explains that the singer "said he wanted two years off to do his other projects," which is where things become problematic.
"Aerosmith wants to work," says Perry, who Tweeted earlier in the week that the band was "positively looking for a new singer to work with." He adds, "the band's been playing together for 40 years. It's a really powerful rock band, and I don't want to see it just go to waste and I don't think any of the other guys do, either. We're gonna work and we're gonna do something -- I'm not exactly sure what yet, but the band's too good to let it sit around. We're not going to wait for Steven."
Perry says he's had one conference call during the past week with bandmates Brad Whitford, Tom Hamilton and Joey Kramer, but they have not made any firm decisions about anything -- including working with another singer while Tyler is pursuing his outside endeavors. "We're waiting for things to kind of settle down, and then we'll figure out what we're gonna do. Anything is possible," the guitarist says.

11/11/2009:
Tyler Speaks!:
Vocalist Steven Tyler seems to have quashed the rumors and assorted babble that he had quit Aerosmith by joining The Joe Perry Project on stage on November 19th in New York City at the Fillmore. They performed the Aerosmith classic 'Walk This Way', preceded by an announcement from Tyler that he has not left the band.

11/7/2009:
Tyler Quits Aerosmith:
Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry said today that singer Steven Tyler quit the band following a recent concert in Abu Dhabi.
Bassist Tom Hamilton told the Boston Herald’s Inside Track that there is dissension among the “Bad Boys From Boston,” but that he hopes things can be worked out. He dismissed a report that guitarist Brad Whitford discussed the possiblity of Aerosmith finding a new frontman.
However, Perry told the Las Vegas Sun today that he believes Tyler is history.
“Steven quit as far as I can tell,” Perry said from his Boston home. “I don’t know anymore than you do about it. I got off the plane two nights ago. I saw online that Steven said that he was going to leave the band. I don’t know for how long, indefinitely or whatever. Other than that, I don’t know.”
Part of the problem, he says, is that Tyler doesn’t return his phone calls.
“He’s notorious for that,” Perry said. “That’s one thing I’ve learned to live with. I try to overlook it. I like to pick my battles. Frankly, the last few months I’ve been wanting not to rock the boat. I don’t want him canceling any more gigs. We really wanted to do these last four. We just kind of didn’t want to call him out or anything and get him anymore pissed off, for whatever reason. So we just let things lie. So we did the gigs and, like I said, I got off the plane and saw this online. That’s how I know about it.”

10/27/2009:

ANNOUNCE NO GUTS, NO GLORY AS TITLE OF SECOND ALBUM FOR ROADRUNNER RECORDS RELEASE DATE SET FOR FEBRUARY 23 BAND TO TOUR AMERICA IN APRIL:
New York, NY - Australian rockers Airbourne are pleased to announce No Guts, No Glory as the title of their second album for Roadrunner Records. The album is set for release on February 23, 2010. No Guts, No Glory was recorded in Chicago with noted producer Johnny K (Disturbed, 3 Doors Down, Staind). The band relocated from their shared home in Warrnambool and moved into K’s spacious studio to record the album.
Frontman Joel O’Keefe says, “Working with Johnny was great, he's one of the boys. We basically just set up all the gear, chucked a few mics around and went for it! Good times!” Brother and drummer Ryan confirms the precarious microphone placement, “With this album, we threw the mics all over the building, left the doors and windows open and pressed record!"
Airbourne, known for their adrenalized, “work hard, play harder” style of rock, will embark on a two-month European tour in early February that will span two months and kick off with several UK dates. The band will commence US touring of major markets beginning in April. They will live on the road through the summer.
No Guts, No Glory follows up the band’s 2008-released debut, Runnin’ Wild, which went on to scan upwards of 250,000 units worldwide and earned the band heaps of critical accolades. Here’s a sampling of what the press had to say about Airbourne:
“Runnin' Wild, Airbourne's debut, is a smorgasboard of sledgehammer riffs, crass sex puns, and boozy sing-alongs.” –Spin
“The latest thunder from Down Under” –Billboard
“This fearsome Aussie foursome ...never stray from their ‘have a good time, all the time’ message.” –Revolver
“Airbourne are completely about having fun, sweating, drinking, and playing their hearts out until you collapse into a heap.” –Hit Parader
“Unabashedly fun and ballsy.” –ARTISTdirect.com

PREPARE FOR AN INFESTATION! LEGENDARY HARD ROCK ICONS ANNOUNCE
‘INFESTATION’ AS TITLE OF NEW ALBUM DUE MARCH 2010 THROUGH LOUD & PROUD/ROADRUNNER:
New York, NY: Legendary hard rock icons RATT announced today that Infestation will be the title of their next album, due out in March 2010 via Loud & Proud/Roadrunner Records. Infestation is the band’s first studio album since 1999. The band, consisting of longtime members Stephen Pearcy, Warren DeMartini and Bobby Blotzer, new guitarist Carlos Cavazo (formerly of Quiet Riot) and Robbie Crane on bass, worked with producer Elvis Baskette (Chevelle, Incubus, Limp Bizkit). This collaboration marks the very first time in their storied career that RATT have recorded outside of Los Angeles. The band lived together at Elvis’ Virginia studio while recording ‘Infestation’.
RATT have enjoyed a rich, impressive and certainly long-lasting legacy through the years, having made their mark in the 1980s with 5 consecutive multi-platinum albums, including ‘Out of the Cellar’, ‘Invasion of Your Privacy’ and ‘Dancing Undercover’. With 1984’s mega-platinum debut Out of the Cellar celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, the band is looking forward to starting a new chapter with new music to complement the impressive legacy they have established over two-plus decades. Ratt will embark on a world tour in 2010.
Ratt Banner

10/12/2009:
Blast Fragments:
♫Alice Cooper official website has issued the following update:”Yes, that’s right all of you Sick Things! Alice's new single "Keepin' Halloween Alive" is on sale at all October shows. This is a limited edition, vintage Halloween pressing, and after October it goes away until next year, so get yours now! The art work will change every year, so be sure and collect them all.
♫George Lynch recently stated that it looks like an original Dokken tour with Lynch Mob opening is a go. (Editor’s note: Outside of Lynch this has not been confirmed by Don, Jeff, or Mick.)
♫According to Zakk Wylde look for a new Black Label release in 2010.

10/09/2009:
HELIX singer Brian Vollmer has issued the following update:
"Like the TOM PETTY song says, '…the waiting is the hardest part…' The new Helix CD Vagabond Bones is now mastered. The next step is to have it pressed. We expect the CD masters/artwork to be sent out Monday . Three weeks later we hope to have product in our hands. The official release date for the CD in Canada on Universal/Fontana is November 17th, the day before we leave for four days in the Canadian Maritimes.
Every time I do an album (and I’ve been doing them since 1979) it’s like going down a long tunnel and getting spit out at the other end. Our first album Breaking Loose, was recorded at Springfield Sound in the late '70’s and produced by Bob Morton. The studio was owned by Brian Ferryman who went on to manage Micelle Wright. The studio itself was a renovated schoolhouse. Everything was done on 24 track, two-inch tape, and if you had the money you would back up the tapes with “safeties”. We ate/slept/lived at the studio for the whole two weeks the album was being recorded, and you had two weeks to get everything done. As much as possible was planned out in advance, although trying to put a stopwatch on creativity didn’t always work.
On Vagabond Bones we were working under a self-imposed deadline of having the CD out for the fall of 2009. The writing relationship between Sean (Kelly) and I developed when Sean joined the band this past spring. At the same time my writing relationship with Gord Prior came to an end as he could not commit to the project, so Sean and I began writing with each other and quickly hit it off. When Sean got the job as the new guitar player for Nelly Furtado we made a pact between the two of us to finish the new CD before he had to take off on tour. We went right down to the wire last week, but in the end victory was ours and everything was finished by the time Sean got on the plane for Europe.
We really lucked out with the talented people we were able to involve on the project. From the recording to the artwork, the team we assembled did a remarkable job on a shoe-string budget. I’m very proud of this piece of work. I hope the fans will enjoy it as much as I did recording it.
We are now taking advance orders through the Planet Helix website. The CD will officially not be ready until the end of October, but if you order now we will get your order ready to ship the moment the CD arrives. Be the first on your block to own one. Every CD comes signed by me."

Vagabond Bones tracklisting:
'The Animal Inside (Won’t Be Denied)'
'Go Hard Or Go Home'
'Vagabond Bones'
'Monday Morning Meltdown'
'When The Bitter’s Got The Better Of You'
'Hung Over But Still Hanging In'
'Best Mistake I Never Made'
'Make 'Em Dance'
'Jack It Up'

9/19/2009:
Send In The Clowns:
Vinnie Paul Abbott (PANTERA, HEALLYEAH), Paul Shortino (QUIET RIOT, ROUGH CUTT), Ira Black (VICIOUS RUMORS, LIZZY BORDEN, HEATHEN, METAL CHURCH) and Tyler Burgess (bassist for SHORTINO band) have recorded a cover version of the classic song "Send In The Clowns", to be used as the new opening for comedian Carrot Top's stage show at the Luxor in Las Vegas, Nevada. The music for the track — which was popularized by Frank Sinatra and Barbara Streisand and written by Stephen Soundheim — was laid down at Hit Track Studio in Las Vegas.
According to the Las Vegas Sun, Carrot Top "heard this song randomly (how else?) when surfing his car stereo a few months ago while stopped at a traffic light on Spring Mountain Road and Jones Boulevard. He thought of the moment in his show where he refers to himself as a 'mean clown' and imagined that song in the hands of some of his heavy-metal buddies. He first asked Shortino to take part, and the project quickly came together as Shortino summoned Black, Paul and 18-year-old session player Tyler Burgess on bass."
"Send In The Clowns" was reportedly recorded with a modern twist; it starts out traditionally and then explodes into a balls-out rocker."
Commented Dan O'Leary, Carrot Top's tour manager, "Vinnie Paul surprised everyone when he arrived with a posse of clowns. They were all decked out from head to toe in full clown outfits and elaborate masks, including Vinnie himself."
A video for the song — which should be ready in three to four weeks — is also in the works.

9/16/2009:
Megadeth Announce Headline Tour In The U.S.
New York, NY: Megadethare proud to announce that they will be embarking on a headline tour, their first in support of their latest album, ENDGAME.The ENDGAME tour will feature Machine Head, Suicide Silence and Arcanium in support slots from November 14 through December 3. Warbringer will replace Machine Head on the bill, beginning on December 5. Megadeth’s twelfth studio release, ENDGAME, will be released on September 15, to much fanfare, with early praise for the record flooding in, including a nod from the prestigious New York Magazine, which dubbed the record a “Want to Hear” pick, while the band had chats with RollingStone.com, Decibel, Revolver,Guitar World, AOL Noisecreep, Thrasher, among a host of others.
Fans and critics alike are deeming this Megadeth’s best, most visceral record of the decade. Known for their ferocious, unforgettable and brain-scarring live shows, the band will co-headline another throng of dates with fellow metal icons Slayer in Canada, beginning on November 8 and running through November 13, and will subsequently lay waste to venues in the States.
The band will also cap off their incredibly anticipated release week with a live performance on “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon” on September 17.
Dates for the ENDGAME tour are as follows:
Nov. 14 – The Orbit Room – Grand Rapids, MI
Nov. 15- Peoria Civic Center – Peoria, IL
Nov. 17 – Eagles Ballroom – Milwaukee, WI
Nov. 18 – The LC Pavilion – Columbus, OH
Nov. 20 – Madison Theater- Covington, KY
Nov. 21 – The National – Richmond, VA
Nov. 22 – Valarium – Knoxville, TN
Nov. 23 – The Fillmore – Charlotte, NC
Nov. 25 – Revolution – Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Nov. 27 – Hard Rock Live – Orland, FL
Nov. 28 – House of Blues – Myrtle Beach, SC
Nov. 30 – The Pavilion at Concrete Street – Corpus Christi, TX
Dec. 1 – Sunken Gardens – San Antonio, TX
Dec. 2 – Palladium Ballroom – Dallas, TX
Dec. 3 – Bricktown Events Center – Oklahoma City, OK
Dec. 5 – The Beaumont – Kansas City, MO
Dec. 6 – Pop’s – Sauget, IL
Dec. 7 – Great Hall at River Center – Davenport, IA
Dec. 8- Fargo Civic Auditorium – Fargo, ND
Dec. 10 – Shrine Auditorium – Billings, MT
Pre-sales begin September 15 at 10 AM, while regular on sales to the general public start the same time on September 18. For further information about the tour, additional dates and ticketing, check www.megadeth.com regularly.