Vincent McAllister (pictured,left),guitarist and founding member of seminal 70s/80s metal band PENTEGRAM has passed on.Although relatively obscure to most metal heads,McAllister' guitar work was highly respected and influential for bands such as ST. VITUS and TROUBLE.He was 51.

Electro-Goth pioneer Gary Numan returns with his first studio release in five years,"Jagged".The first single "A Dark Place" marks Numan' first top ten charting since his 80s classic "Cars". A 14 date UK tour is scheduled for Fall 2006.

After the embarrassing House of a Thousand Corpses,and the equally disasterous Devils Rejects,the brainiacs in Hollywood have signed Rob Zombie on to direct a remake of the classic HALLOWEEN.Deeper into the re-hash cesspool we go.If you really want some family fun,check out CANNIBAL HOLOCAUST or I AM VENGENCE.Hooray for Hollywood.

ANDROID LUST,featuring vocalist/multi-instrumentalist Shikee(pictured),are currently embarking on their first tour of Japan,set for Fall 2006.The band is also putting together a live compilation DVD of performances from various U.S. and European concerts.

The new hot rods on the street,FIREBALL MINISTRY,are in the studio recording the follow-up to their 2005 break through "Their Rock Is Not Our Rock".Being hailed by critics worldwide as "the band to watch for" in 2007,they have already been billed along side MOTORHEAD,DANZIG,and VELVET REVOLVER.Gotta love it.

German multi-instrumentalist Jari Maenpaa aka WINTER SUN has signed with Nuclear Blast Records,and scheduled to release his first CD with the label in Fall 2006.Considered a brilliant musician and producer,Maenpaa' recording studio is rumoured to be constantly being updated with the absolute top of the line production technology.WINTER SUN influences include MORTIIS,SLAYER,KRAFTWERK,BACH,BRAHMS etc....YYYYiiiiippppppeeeee

Dean Basses introduces The Demonator Signature Bass.Designed by GENITORTURERS bassist Evil Dave,who is currently on tour with MORBID ANGEL,filling in temporarily for bassist/vocalist Steve Tucker

Gen and her GENITORTURERS are in pre-production for their first release since 2004.A long overdue NY performance will hopefully be part of the bands 2007 tour dates.Crack that whip.

UK Grindcore icons CARCASS have released a best of collection approprietly titled "Choice Cuts"(Earache Records).Released in Europe in 2004,the album has finally been distributed through Nuclear Blast here in the states.Featuring "Exhume to Consume",Swarming Vulgar Mass of Infected Virulency",and "Buired Dreams",the album also features the complete legendary BBC Peel Sessions.Review coming soon.