'The Big 4' To Come To NYC

East coast metalheads rejoice! The Big 4, otherwise known as Metallica, Anthrax, Slayer and Megadeth, have announced a New York date as part of their historic reunion concert, their second U.S. show after last month's gig in Indio, CA. The thrash legends will descend on Yankee Stadium on September 14. Tickets go on sale May 6 at Ticketmaster.

Metallica To Make New Album With Rick Rubin

Metallica will be teaming up with producer Rick Rubin again for their next album, a follow up to 2008's Death Magnetic, according to bassist Robert Trujillo. In an interview with 93.7 KCLB Rocks! Radio Trujillo explained the group's relationship to Rubin, who they believe has a "zen guru spirit."

"Yeah, I love working with Rick. Rick, to me, he's sort of a Zen guru spirit that Metallica needs right now, he said. "Not to say that we need it, because we're getting along incredibly well, we're really excited to write some new music. There's no shortage of riffage in Metallica world right now. And I think it's only gonna get better."

Before heading back into the studio though, the band will playing a few more special shows. "The Big Four" dates with fellow thrash legends Slayer, Megadeth and Anthrax will take place in Europe, South America and Southern Asia, and India.

Read the full story at Spinner.

Marilyn Manson Drummer Quits Band

Marilyn Manson drummer Ginger Fish has announced his departure from the band. Fish' whose real name is Kenneth Robert Wilson, has been with the band for over 15 years, and has played on six of Manson's seven albums.

Fish released a statement about his departure. “I have decided to step down as a member of Marilyn Manson and see where my life, and the knowledge of my availability cares to take me," he wrote.  "I can't stand by to watch opportunities pass me by simply because the knowledge of my availability wasn't clearly expressed by me. I wish my brothers well, and I expect nothing but great things from them."

The drummer took his name from actress Ginger Rodgers and serial killer Albert Fish. His departure from the band leaves only Manson and bassist Twiggy Ramirez as part of the quintet that collaborated on the concept trilogy of 1996's Anti-Christ Superstar, 1998's Mechanical Animals and 2000's Holy Wood (In The Shadow Of The Valley of Death). Marilyn Manson is currently working on a follow-up to 2009's The High End Of Low.

Album Review: Verse The End

On their debut EP Heavy Hearts And Counterparts, Nyack, New York-based quintet Verse The End bring together the often disparate worlds of pop, rock and metal. Combining pop melodies, crushing riffs and metallic power chords, the band creates a sound reminiscent of Killswitch Engage and Jimmy Eat World, or the Foo Fighters at their heaviest.

Double time bass drums abound on "Garden State Romance," while gentle piano keys glide alongside gargantuan guitars and retching screams on "Misery Missouri." Soaring harmonies and winding riffs mark "Scratching The Surface," which also incorporates a bit of synthesizer.

"Ripe With Envy," the EP's last track, switches up the formula slightly, shifting tempos from waltz-style swing to driving aggression. Lyrically the band consistently turns to themes of betrayal, heartbreak and other heavy-hearted material. "Seeing you with him/Has me exposed/Feeling diposed," vocalist Michael Berean sings on "Ripe With Envy" while "Garden State Romance" offers a similarly dim view of romance. "Just when I thought/You were something/Something I could hold onto/I'm finding mistakes/And fault lines."

 While the tracks can occasionally sound a little samey, Heavy Hearts and Counterparts is a hard, hooky gem that showcases a talented band with plenty of potential to become the next big thing.

4/5