The drummer issues on Black Sabbath’s new album, 13, apparently ran deeper than co-founder Bill Ward’s decision to drop out of the reunion over what he said were contractual issues.

Tommy Clufetos, the drummer in Sabbath frontman Ozzy Osbourne’s own band, was targeted to take over the stool, but producer Rick Rubin ultimately selected Rage Against The Machine’s Brad Wilk — which Osbourne tells Billboard left him “pissed off.”

“The way it was dealt with wasn’t very fair on Tommy. Rick Rubin just didn’t want to work with him for reasons I don’t know. He’s a great drummer, and he’s been with me for awhile now and I just felt that nobody discussed the decision about Brad to me, and it’s not fair to Tommy. Tommy was promised the album… It’s not because he was my drummer and my ego wanted him. It was just the fact the way it was dealt with. It just got me a bit, it got me pissed off about it. It’s alright now. He’s a great drummer. I don’t know what the problem was.”

Osbourne does, however, feel that Wilk “did a good job. I don’t have anything bad to say. He’s a very nice guy.”

Via e-mail, Rubin explained that “Brad is a muscular drummer with great feel and understands the groovy nature of their music — Rage Against the Machine is a groovy rock band, not a metal band — so it was worth a try. When they played together the first time, it was obvious he would do a great job in the seat Bill left vacated. Bill’s a great drummer and I’m sure it would have been an amazing album with him. We all wanted him to participate.”

Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith — who’s played on Rubin-produced sets by the Dixie Chicks, Kid Rock, the Avett Brothers, Jake Bugg and the upcoming solo debut by Sugarland’s Jennifer Nettles — says he was also hoping for a shot on “13.”

“When Rick didn’t call me for the Black Sabbath thing, I gave him a hard time about it,” Smith says. “I was like, ‘Come on!’ He’s like, ‘No, I got Brad Wilk from Rage playing on that.’ I had to tell Brad I was a little jealous, a little drummer envy that he was playing with Sabbath. But I heard the record. It’s really good, fuckin’ heavy as fuck. Brad did a great job, I have to say. He did a great job. The band’s swingin’.”

source: billboard.com

Thanks to all who came to my signing at the grand opening of Gr8 Soundz Music in Hellertown PA Saturday. Amazing turn out and was great meeting you all. When my 2nd book comes out in Sept hope to come back through again if not sooner. Also to those in the Allentown PA area WZZO is no longer airing my show. This is their decision and had nothing to do with me. Please let them know how you feel. Thanks.

3 episodes of the all new TMS have now aired. Hope you all enjoyed Rex Brown, Sebastian Bach, Vinny Appice and Danko Jones on our Metal Modem. This episode repeats all week on VH1 Classic and can now also be seen online if you don’t get VH1C. All episodes on my site as well as www.thatmetalshow.vh1.com As you can see we have a ton of new features we are rotating in and out in this new season. Trying new stuff and keeping things fresh. All the feedback is welcome and appreciated. Another all new episode this Saturday with two first time guests; Def Leppard’s Rick Allen, and Jake E Lee! Jake was one of our top Whatever Happened To’s for ages and I put a lot into tracking him down and getting him on the show. You will hear some of his story this Saturday for the first time on TMS! This is a great one I think you guys will love.

Huge response to the interview with Vivian Campbell I did this past Friday on the Q104.3 show. Remember this show airs on all affiliate stations and online outlets this coming weekend. Stations all listed on this site. Also members of the site will hear this show On Demand starting next week.

Headed to NYC now. Join me LIVE today 6-10P ET on SiriusXM channel 39 for Trunk Nation. Music & talk that Rocks!

A creative collaboration between masters of the macabre Rob Zombie and preeminent haunted house producer Steve Kopelman, the fully immersive haunted house experience will feature three attractions based on Zombie’s own horror films: Lords Of Salem, Total Black Out, The Haunted World Of El Superbeasto 3D, and Haunt Of 1,000 Corpses. The shocking–and sometimes disturbing–fright attractions will offer a three-dimensional experience with animatronics and effects, a maze that is the ultimate definition of claustrophobia and fear, sudden chills and startling thrills, and salacioushumor that will make one scream with fright and laughter.

As if these sinister attractions weren’t enough, Rob Zombie’s Great American Nightmare will also feature 15 nights of music from top national and regional artists in the indie/punk, EDM, metal, rock and Latin genres including Andrew WK, BL3ND, Blood On The Dance Floor, Dirtyloud, Dirtyphonics, Doctor P, Emilie Autumn, Evol Intent, Fei-Fei, Goldfinger, Heavygrinder, Kottonmouth Kings, Metalachi, One More Time, Ozomatli, Reel Big Fish, Terravita, The Used, Twiztid, William Control, Zomboy, and many more.

In addition to music, one special night will also feature the outrageous pro wrestling sensations Lucha Libre USA. Look for details about the music performance schedule–including additional major headlining acts–to be announced on June 29th and visit www.GreatAmericanNightmare.com for details.

“This is it! The ultimate badass Halloween experience! No one will walk away disappointed,” says Zombie. “I am thrilled to bring The Great American Nightmare to California and begin a reign of bloody terror!”

The FEARplex for Rob Zombie’s Great American Nightmare will include 150,000 square feet of horror and entertainment and is not geared towards young children or the faint of heart. Patrons should be prepared for maximum scares!

At Rob Zombie’s Great American Nightmare, patrons will sequentially enter three different attractions, each completely different in look, theme and effects:

Lords Of Salem In Total Black Out: This harrowing attraction–based on Zombie’s 2012 The Lords Of Salem independent horror film–is designed to twist the mind. It will accentuate some senses while limiting others. Fear of the dark, claustrophobia, and fear of the unknown will be preyed on as the visitor attempts to traverse this sixty-degree maze.

The Haunted World Of El Superbeasto 3D: Utilizing Chromadepth glasses, this innovative attraction will take the patron right into the middle of the irreverent world of Rob Zombie’s El Superbeasto2009 animated exploitation musical horror comedy film based on the comic book series of the same name. The attraction’s unique surprise entrance, brilliant colors, sudden chills and startling thrills, and salacious humor will make one scream with fright and laughter.

Haunt Of 1,000 Corpses: This terrifying attraction pays homage to the 10-year anniversary of the exploitation horror film House Of 1,000 Corpses, directed by Rob Zombie. This extreme, traditional haunted house will take visitors on a walking journey through a recreation of the film’s “Museum of Monsters & Madmen” along with an expanded “Murder Ride,” confronting notorious serial killers along the way. This high impact, highly detailed attraction will use state of the art animatronics, video effects, costuming, sound, scents and lights.

“Having produced haunted attractions for over 30 years, I have never been more excited about a project than I am with The Great American Nightmare. To produce an event with partners like Rob Zombie, Kevin Lyman, John Reese and Andy Gould is a dream come true. This no-holds-barred first year event is destined to change the haunted house landscape for years to come and I am ecstatic to be a part of it,” says Nightmare producer Steve Kopelman.

The Great American Nightmare Monster Midway will offer outdoor screenings of classic horror films, a DJ, food vendors, beer, wine and spirits, and much more, with freak show characters roaming throughout the grounds each night.

Nightmare music co-producer Kevin Lyman admits, “Rob Zombie’s Great American Nightmare is going to be so terrifying, you won’t catch me in any of the three haunted houses! For those of you who are scaredy cats like me, there will be plenty of other attractions that are guaranteed to entertain, including a special concert each night.”

“Great American Nightmare is one of the most exciting projects I have ever been associated with,” says Nightmare music co-producer John Reese. “The opportunity to work with the genius that is Rob Zombie is awe inspiring. This is set up to be one of the CAN’T MISS EVENTS OF THE YEAR!”

Tickets for Rob Zombie’s Great American Nightmare are available starting at only $30 beginning Saturday, June 29th at www.GreatAmericanNightmare.com. Each ticket includes access to all haunted house attractions, concerts and midway activities. Tickets will also be available for purchase onsite at the Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival San Bernardino show at San Manuel Amphitheater (June 29th) and during the Los Angeles County Fair at Pomona Fairplex (August 30-September 29). VIP packages will also be available for purchase at www.GreatAmericanNightmare.com.

Hours for Rob Zombie’s Great American Nightmare will be 6:30 PM until 11:00 PM on Thursdays and Sundays, 6:30 PM until 1:00 AM on Fridays and Saturdays.

The Fairplex is located at 1101 W. McKinley Avenue in Pomona, CA, centrally located in the heart of Southern California. The Fairplex is also home to the LA County Fair, the largest county fair in the world.

L.A. Music Blog: [That Metal Show] hit record numbers with the Season 12 premiere. What do you attribute to the show getting such high viewership this season?

Eddie: I think that mainly it was because people were missing the show so much. We were off the air for the longest period of time without new episodes before these new shows started a few weeks ago, and I think that played a big part in it. You know the old saying that absence makes the heart grow fonder? I think that’s what it was. Even though the show was still on countless times as repeats, I think people started to get really frustrated because there were no new shows.

If it was up to me, we’d be doing them every night, but it’s not. It’s up to the network, and they control the budgets and they control those decisions. So unfortunately we don’t do these shows nearly as often as I wish that we would. We [also] have a whole new set and a relaunch of the show that I think a lot of people were curious about. And Jason Newsted was a great first guest. He’s a guy that hasn’t been on TV in a long time, and I think he was a great way to reintroduce the show, too.

L.A. Music Blog: After reflecting back on 100 episodes, is there any single interview or show that sticks out as your favorite or most memorable?

Eddie: There’s certainly a few. I think one of the greatest shows we ever had was Brian Johnson of ACDC because, needless to say, he’s the singer in one of the biggest bands in the world, but he also is just a great guy. No B.S. about him — what you see is what you get.
Sammy Hagar and Michael Anthony are a couple guys who are always a blast to do interviews with. I love the real people. And what I mean by that is I love artists that don’t come with this certain air about them, that don’t come with their guard up, that say “Don’t talk to me about this” or “Stay away from this.” They want to come, they get the spirit of the show, they want to mix it up and have some fun with you, and they’re not so hypersensitive that you can’t say this or say that.

Rob Halford is always great. The late Ronnie James Dio, of course, who was one of my great friends, was always great as well. Lars Ulrich is always great. The other big stuff that comes to mind immediately is Steve Harris, who had eluded me for a long time, and we finally got on. The icons of the genre that we deal with. I mean, any time you’re sitting next to them and you’re lucky enough to have them on the show, it’s really special.

L.A. Music Blog:” I know that you’re all about the classics. Do you also pay attention to the new, more up-and-coming bands in the genre?

Eddie: I’ll tell you what — I do, actually. And there’s a number of bands that I really like that are new bands. I think that what people sometimes forget is that our show is on VH1 Classic. Sometimes people overlook the second word in that: classic. The entire network is based on classic artists and classic music — that’s exactly what it’s built on. You wouldn’t go to ESPN Classic or a classic rock station to hear new bands, so we can’t feature that much new stuff on the show, but that doesn’t mean that any of us don’t like new music.

If anyone has ever listened to my radio show over the 30 years I’ve done it, new music is an incredibly important part of what I do. That being said, in the show, we have many ways that we feature new bands. As a matter of fact, in this new season we have Ben from the Dillinger Escape Plan on, and we’ve got Johan from Amon Amarth on. We’re doing this new feature called Metal Modem” where we’re incorporating them in, so we find our ways to talk about, when and where we can, new music. But we also have to be conscious that we work for a network called VH1 Classic, and at the end of the day, most people want to see the icons of the world.

There are plenty of new bands that I like, and if you watch the show we find many ways to at least get these bands mentioned, even if it’s just wearing their t-shirt. It’s funny when I hear people say, “Why don’t you have obscure bands on?” And my answer to that is obscure doesn’t exactly equal TV ratings. Obscure is not something a TV executive wants to hear. It has to be a balancing act. But there’s new stuff that I like. There’s this band out of Canada called Monster Truck, and I like this band out of LA that I first mentioned on the show two years ago called Rival Sons.

Read more at L.A. Music Blog.

[As] a seasoned metal journalism veteran, Trunk began his career in radio, spent time working for Megaforce records in the late 80’s and has recently celebrated 30 years with Q104 in New York City. He is also an established metal historian and author and has completed his new book, a sequel to his first bestseller, Eddie Trunk’s Essential Hard Rock and Heavy Metal.

“It’s a continuation of the first book and it has all new bands and histories, discographies and photos and it’s simply titled Eddie Trunk’s Essential Hard Rock and Heavy Metal Volume II. I started as a writer and even while going into radio and television, I have continued to write. I actually just got to see it before going to press and I know we will have a book tour planned as well.”

All of Trunk’s passion for metal is what lead him to That Metal Show. The show has been integral in helping keep metal in the United States alive. Trunk thinks that it is important to be as diverse as possible in the field which is why he has stayed with radio in addition to the show and has worked so hard to make TMS a success.

“Right now, the scene and rock in general is fairly healthy, but it is not as healthy as people may think and there is so much more to be done to get the word out. There are still a ton of bands that really struggle and just because you had a hit record in the 80’s doesn’t mean you are set for life like so many people would think. The touring market is very competitive and we are in an age where people are not paying for music so while there are some encouraging signs, we still have a long way to go,” he said.

With that said, it stands that TMS has been a big factor in helping fans keep up with artists that may not be as visible as they once were. For example, the last season featured guitarist John Sykes, a revered player that not many people have been able to keep up with. This new season will also feature some familiar faces that fans have been wondering about like Tom Keifer, Jake E. Lee, and members of KIX, who recently released a live album through Frontier’s Records.

“I hope that I can help create awareness of these artists and put them and their careers in a respectful light. Good journalism is about asking good questions, going in depth, and treating the artist with class and respect. I am lucky that people care about what music I play and what guests we have on the show and I think we should try to shine light where we can,” Trunk said.

Read more at KNAC.com.

LIVE radio show tonight at 11PM ET on Q104.3 FM NYC and streaming live FREE at www.q1043.com or by using the free iheartradio app. Metal Lists author Howie Abrams will be hanging out and Def Leppard guitarist Vivian Campbell will be calling in to discuss music and his recent cancer diagnosis. Viv interview should be around Midnight. Remember this is the same show that airs on all affiliates next weekend as well. Also will play more new Sabbath and much more. 11P-2A LIVE tonight!

Also live this Monday for Trunk Nation 6-10P ET on SiriusXM 39. Been a while since we were guest free on this show and we have much to play and discuss and catch up on. We have had some incredible guests in studio lately and I have been flooded with requests for this show to replay and be available with the On Demand app on SiriusXM. I GREATLY appreciate the support and have asked the company many times, but no real response yet. YOU guys are the customers so I would ask them. Has nothing to do with me at all. Thank you again.

Tomorrow marks the 100th episode of That Metal Show when an all new episode premieres at 11P ET on VH1 Classic. When I first put this show together with VH1C back in 2008 I was just thrilled to get the Pilot made! To be here 5 years and 100 shows later and stronger than ever is truly a testament to YOU all around the world that watch and continue to support the show. Of course I wish we did new shows so much more often, but again, most important is we are still doing it and you are still watching it with new fans coming on board all the time. So many artists and fans have said congrats and it means so much, truly. Nothing really special in the episode to mark it being 100 besides a mention or two, but it’s a great all new one with Sebastian Bach, Rex Brown and Vinny Appice. Hope you like it and here’s to hopefully another 100 (and in less than 5 more years..haha).

Happy Fathers Day to all the fellow Dad’s this weekend!

The show is hosted by radio/TV personality Eddie Trunk and comedian/TV personalities Don Jamieson and Jim Florentine. The guests for this week’s episode are Kill Devil Hill/Pantera bassist Rex Brown and legendary front man Sebastian Bach. A sneak peek of the 100th episode is available online and can be viewed here.



The episode features Brown discussing his Pantera years while promoting his recently released book Official Truth, 101 Proof: The Inside Story of Pantera. Sebastian Bach joins in on the conversation while promoting his latest DVD/CD Abachalypse Now. The episode also features a Metal Modem session with Danko Jones, the always-popular Stump the Trunk and another TMS Top 5 as the guys argue over the Top 5 Comeback Albums.

The remaining episodes for Season 12 guests and airdates are:

6/22 – Jake E. Lee and Rick Allen
6/29 – Queensrÿche (Scott Rockenfield & Todd La Torre) and Dave Mustaine
7/6 – Rob Zombie & John 5 and Tom Keifer
7/13 – Scott Gorham & Ricky Warwick and Neil Fallon

The group is touring in support of its critically acclaimed new album, Sacrifice, but promises to play all of the fan favorites from its 30-plus-year catalog, including tracks like Denim & Leather”, Wheels Of Steel, Ride Like The Wind, Motorcycle Man and Heavy Metal Thunder, all of which have cemented the band’s legendary status. All videos have over 8 million collective clicks on YouTube and the band has sold over 12 million albums.

North American Saxon fans will also have the option for a rare opportunity to meet-and-greet with the band, a limited number of VIP packages are available at Saxon747.com.

Comments Saxon’s Biff Byford: “We’re really glad to anounce a new tour of North America and Canada with the Sacrifice world tour! The album has done fantastic around the world! We can’t wait hit your shores with the Saxon invasion with very special guest Fozzy. It should be a fantastic tour for all metalheads. We have been friends with Chris Jericho for years, so there has never been a better time to hook up with Fozzy for a tour that will take us from the East Coast to the West Coast and finally winding up in the Great White North.”

Adds Fozzy’s Chris Jericho: “After our highly successful U.S. tour last summer on Uproar, we’ve been chomping at the bit for the right opportunity to return to North America… and now it has arrived! To tour with the legendary Saxon is a metal dream come true and the perfect way to satisfy all of our AMAZING fans in the U.S. and Canada and to make tons of new ones in the process. Get ready for Sacrifice And Sin…we’re gonna tear your heads off and leave you screaming Fozzy, Fozzy, Fozzy!!”

Opening support on the tour will be Halcyon Way.

Saxon/Fozzy tour dates:

Sep. 12 – Patchogue, NY @ The Emporium
Sep. 13 – New York, NY @ BB King Blues Club & Grill
Sep. 14 – Montreal, QUE @ Corona Theater
Sep. 15 – Toronto, ONT @ The Phoenix
Sep. 17 – Reading, PA @ Reverb
Sep. 18 – Cleveland, OH @ Peabody’s
Sep. 19 – Dayton, OH @ McGuffy’s
Sep. 20 – Flint, MI @ Machine Shop
Sep. 21 – Joliet, IL @ Mojoe’s
Sep. 22 – Milwaukee, WI @ The Rave
Sep. 26 – Dallas, TX @ House Of Blues
Sep. 27 – San Antonio, TX @ Backstage Live
Sep. 28 – Houston, TX @ House Of Blues
Oct. 1 – Tempe, AZ @ Club Red
Oct. 2 – Long Beach, CA @ Gaslamp
Oct. 3 – Ramona, CA @ Ramona Mainstage
Oct. 4 – Los Angeles, CA @ House Of Blues
Oct. 5 – Corona, CA @ M15
Oct. 6 – San Francisco, CA @ DNA Lounge
Oct. 8 – Seattle, WA @ Studio Seven
Oct. 9 – Portland, OR @ Mt Tabor
Oct. 10 – Vancouver, BC @ The Venue

Industry sources suggest the group’s new 13,released on Tuesday (June 11th), may sell over 120,000 copies by the end of the tracking week on Sunday, June 16th.

Black Sabbath’s 13 is the band’s first studio album with singer Ozzy Osbourne since 1978′s Never Say Die!. The band has just one top 10 album thus far, 1971′s Master of Reality, which reached number eight.

source: billboard.com

Di’Anno’s comments came during a press conference in Argentina last month. The singer was in the middle of a solo tour of the South American country.

A member of the audience questioned Di’Anno about his rumored drug use and asked whether it contributed to his departure from Maiden.

Di’Anno raged, “Where the fuck do you people get this from? I left Iron Maiden because they were going too heavy metal, and Iron Maiden is a money-making machine, and I don’t give a fuck about it. It was not about drugs; it was nothing like that.

Me and Steve [Harris]… I [wrote] the song Killers, Steve had [what he thought] were better songs. I thought his songs were shit. Nothing to do with drugs; nothing whatsoever. Check your facts or otherwise this interview is over… I hate that! I fucking hate that!

Because people… You say something but you don’t know. Well, I’m telling you. Iron Maiden is Steve Harris’ band. It doesn’t matter about anybody else – whether it’s Dave Murray, Clive [Burr], me… it’s Steve Harris’ band and all it is is money, money, money, money – nobody else counts.

And I wrote fuckin’ 20-times better songs than his, but I only got one song on the Killers album because it’s Steve’s – he must have this. Fuckin’ Adolf Hitler. I’m not interested. So there you go.

But you need to take drugs when you’re with Iron Maiden because they’re so fucking boring. And the only drugs were aspirin, because Steve [making hand gesture as if someone is speaking into his ear]… Fuckin’ headache.”

Watch video from the press conference below.

[Ed's note: The above opinions do not reflect nor represent those of Eddie Trunk or EddieTrunk.com]

source: blabbermouth.net