SLIPKNOT bassist Paul Gray is joining HAIL… the super-group of sorts which also features SEPULTURA guitarist Andreas Kisser, TESTAMENT/former SLAYER drummer Paul Bostaph, and former JUDAS PRIEST/ICED EARTH screamer Tim “Ripper” Owens. He replaces David Ellefson who left to rejoin MEGADETH. Tour dates to be announced soon.
ARMS OF THE SUN is the new band featuring former PANTERA/current DOWN bassist Rex Brown. A few tracks are posted on their MySpace page which is www.MySpace.com/ArmsoftheSun
Speaking of bass players, former METALLICA bassist Jason Newsted has apparently taken up painting. His first art show will go down in San Francisco May 6th-June 27th.
New LIMP BIZKIT material should surface later this summer. The 18-tracked effort will reportedly be entitled “Gold Cobra”.
GODSMACK screamer Sully Erna wants you to know that the bands sound is now “more mature”. Whatever that means.
Congrats to BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE screamer Matt Tuck who welcomed a baby boy into the world March 25th. Says Tuck, he really reacted to SLIPKNOT’s “Heretic Anthem” disc while in the womb so he should turn out okay.
And finally . . . Checking the “That Never Happens Around Here” files we see RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE guitarist Tom Morello and SYSTEM OF A DOWN drummer John Dolmayan jumping on stage with CYPRESS HILL for a rousing rendition of their new song “Rise Up”. Look for it to air on Jimmy Kimmel’s show Monday April 19th.