In leau of 10 years, Godsmack will be releasing a 10th anniversary box set sometime this year. The box set will include studio albums, acoustic exclusives, and a DVD featuring live footage from their 2004 acoustic show in Las Vegas as well as mini documentaries about the creation of each of their albums. It will be 10 years to the date on July 28th, 2007 since their first album release, All Wound Up. No release date has been set for box set, but details are sure to follow.

The Fall Of Troy just released Manipulator a few weeks ago and yet they’re already speaking up about their next album, Phantom On The Horizon. Drummer, Andrew Forsman, made a statement about Manipulator, ?We definitely wanted to explore a little more of the song-writing aspect than just putting a bunch of crazy riffs together. I mean, obviously, we?re getting older always. I think–definitely, we didn?t want to do the same album we did last time.”

Manipulator was produced by Matt Bayles and it looks like he’ll be producing their next album Phantom On The Horizon. ?Working with him was great, he?s just an awesome dude?he won?t let you suck?when we heard he was interested, we were really happy. I think we?re going to do our next album with him and he?ll probably be a bit more involved in the songwriting,” quotes Forsman.

Specifically detailing Phantom On The Horizon, ?We?ve done some demos of those songs but I think we?re going to go through and change them up a little. the plan is to redo the Ghostship Demos and we?ll probably end up writing a couple more songs, we?ve been writing a little bit right before we left [for the Deftones tour].?

No date has been released for Phantom On The Horizon, but you can look forward to another album by The Fall Of Troy in the not so distant future. It’s rare that a band looks forward so quickly after a release, but at the same time dedication and determination is proof. As for now enjoy the beauty behind Manipulator and prepare yourself for Phantom On The Horizon.

Craig Owens, lead singer of Chiodos, gives us an update on the progress of their upcoming album, Bone Palace Ballet, as well as him being featured on the upcoming The Devil Wears Prada album. Read more in his post below:

i am safely here in Lexington, Kentucky writing and recording the new Chiodos record Bone Palace Ballet. we have been here for a week now, and will be until around June 25th. we couldn’t be having more fun if we tried, and everything is coming along so beautifully with the new record. a masterpiece from/in our own minds.

i am currently reading Chucky P’s(Chuck Palahniuk) new book “Rant”, which I believe to be his best novel so far. i suggest that you go pick it up from your local bookstore (preferably a locally owned bookstore) and indulge for a bit.

today, i drive to indiana to see my entourage(the devil wears prada), and to sing a bit on their new record(which by the way, rules!).

so to close this novel of a news post…

have a great memorial weekend everyone, and smile twice for me today!

craig.

As I Lay Dying has given us new light on their upcoming album, such as the title, An Ocean Between Us, and a new bass player. Read more in their post:

We just got back from our recent tour and it’s good to be home where we’ll start hearing the final mixes for our new record. The new album is called “AN OCEAN BETWEEN US” and it is currently being mixed by Colin Richardson. It’s been a great experience working with Colin. So far he’s done a great job and I know it’s not easy trying to make all of us happy! For those of you who haven’t heard, the ablum was produced by Adam D. out here in our home town of San Diego. We also want to thanks Adam for the long days and nights that he put into this recording.

Regarding the new CD… I know a lot of you have been asking what is going on with the bass guitar. So, to make it official (and clear up any rumors), here’s the story:

While we were writing for the new CD, Clint decided that it was time for him to pursue a career that he will be doing for the rest of his life. He got married about a month ago and now he’s going to school to prepare for new things at home. All of us are very happy for him and we had a great time at his wedding last month.

The situation was good timing for all of us. We were between tours and writing the new material. The four of us (Phil, Nick, Jordan and I) felt good about songwriting since nothing in that process would change whether Clint was in the band or not.

Shortly after we had finished writing, we had a chance to finish trying out new guys. Josh Gilbert ended up not only being the tightest bass player with the best voice, but he also has become a good friend in the time that we’ve spent with him on tour together. Josh played and sang phenomenally on the new recording and it feels good to have the person performing on our record be the same person who will be singing those songs live.

-tim

Element Eighty has announced that they will be returning to the rock world despite calling it quits. They have begun to work on a new studio album with the hopes of 2008 release date. They also hopes to start touring this December.

Trent Reznor has made it very clear his thoughts and feelings about the major record companies and he isn’t the only taking this stand. Recently in an editorial Bob Lefsetz had very similar feelings.

Lefsetz goes into detail on why to not sign with a major recording label. With such reasons as “They Tell You What To Do”, “They Don’t Pay”, “They Just Care SOMETHING Hits”, and “They Specialize In Saying No”. You can read his complete editorial right here.

Read Trent Reznor’s blog thoughts
Read Trent Reznor’s interview

Theory Of A Deadman has posted a blog on the update of their new album. They say that the written process is almost complete and they how to hit the studio very soon. Read more:

Hey Everyone,

It’s the Theory boys here, we just wanted to update our loyal fans
about all that’s going on with us. The new record is almost written
and we should be headed into the studio very soon. We are so excited
for all of you to hear it. The songs are turning out great! On
another note, Brent Fitz will no longer be the bands’ touring
drummer, the band and him have parted ways. We will always remain
friends with Brent forever. Theory of Deadman will always do what’s
best for our fans, and we always want to put out the best records
and have the best shows possible. This Theory record is going to be
the best yet. Thanks for all of your unwaivering support!
Love you guys. Rock and Roll!

REM will begin working on their new album next week with producer Jacknife Lee (Bloc Party and Kasabian) in Canada. “We are psyched to work with Jacknife Lee,” bassist Mills said in a press release. “We’ve got a great batch of songs, and can’t wait to put them down.” “R.E.M. are consistently one of the Great Bands, if not the greatest,” Lee said in the statement. “The new songs they’ve written are some of their most exciting and visceral yet. They’re a beacon for any band wishing to remain honest and challenging.”

Their album will begin recording in Vancouver and will be completed in Ireland, where they will be playing a few live shows. This album will contain new music and is a follow up to their 2004’s Around The Sun. They are currently scheduled to play everyday June 30th through July 4th in Dublin, Ireland, all at Olympia Theatre. Lead signer Mike Stipe noted, ?Returning to Dublin for our live rehearsal this summer provides the great start we need for our next album?s work,?. ?I intend to hit the ground running.? Mills says the band chose the Olympia, an historic music hall built in 1879, because of all the great shows they?ve seen there over the years: ?From the Waterboys to Lou Reed. I am thrilled to play at this wonderful venue, and in front of some of the best fans in the world.? Further details will come in time.

Trent Reznor was recently interviewed by an Australian newspaper about his blog post. You can read the complete interview here.

After 18 months since their last release 311 plans to release a new studio album this fall. ?Morale is really high right now,? frontman Nick Hexum tells Billboard.com. ?We needed a break, we?ve been working so hard and long. So, everyone has been doing their own thing. I?ve been traveling andfishing, doing things I do to relax. Now everyone is really jonesing to get back to our primary purpose, which is 311.?

He also said ?We don?t know when it?s going to be done. We?re not going to make any deadlines and promises, but it?s time we slightly reinvent ourselves.? Hexum also mentioned a conversation he had with his brother Chad, drummer, about their follow up to Don’t Tread On Me, ?Chad and I were having a conversation of combining dance hall and funk, a tiny bit like ?All Mixed up? but much more syncopated. I?d say that the funky, tight, high-energy stuff will come along but I?ve also been doing a lot of really complex finger picking on acoustic guitar in the style of Michael Hedges. But it?s taking influences from all over. It goes from hard rock like System Of A Down to Taproot to Wilco. I?m loving their new album. It?s all over the place with our influences. And, we always love reggae.?

Their summer tour kicks off on June 21st in Tucson, AZ. The band mentioned that a few songs are in the mix, but they can’t guarantee that any will hit the stage just yet.