Randy Blythe, the singer for US metal band Lamb of God, had manslaughter charges against him dropped in a Czech court today following a trial over a fan's death at a concert in Prague three years ago.The prosecution had accused 42-year-old Blythe of pushing Daniel Nosek, 19, off the stage, causing him to hit his head, after which he was taken to hospital, where he died several weeks later.Judge Thomas Kubovec at Prague Municipal Court ruled that Blythe's actions did not constitute a crime and directed the prosecution to a civil court if they wished to apply for compensation.The prosecution immediately appealed against the judge's decision to the Czech High Court.Blythe, who was charged with causing an injury leading to death, admitted to shoving a fan off the stage during the 2010 Prague show but said he believed the person was unharmed.He said he did not learn of Nosek's death or the prosecution over the incident until police arrested him at Prague airport when the band returned for another gig in June last year.Blythe was released on bail and travelled back to the United States, but returned for his trial. He would have faced up to 10 years in prison if convicted.According to Czech news site Novinky, earlier in proceedings Blythe had said: "If I thought that I was guilty, I would admit it."I still believe that I acted reasonably to protect myself, our gear and the audience."If I am guilty I will take it like a man."Thomas Hryvnia, defending, said that the fault lay with the crowd control staff, according to Novinky."If they had done what they were supposed to, people would not be on stage and this would never have happened."Blythe this afternoon thanked fans for supporting him.Posting a message on his Instagram page he said: "I have been found not guilty & acquitted of all charges against me. I am a free man."Please remember the family of Daniel Nosek in your thoughts & prayers in this difficult time. I only wish for them peace. Thank you for your support."Messages of congratulations and relief flooded Lamb of God's Twitter feed, with the band simply writing: "Randy is finally free"

Nearly a month after his trial was adjourned because of an ill witness and other factors, Lamb of God singer Randy Blythe returned to a Czech courtroom earlier today (March 4) to resume proceedings. Along with testimony from a female fan and a security guard, who were both present at the 2010 Lamb of God concert where a fan allegedly suffered fatal injuries, two psychologists also took the stand to give expert opinions on Blythe’s personality.

According to multiple sources, a female fan, 19, offered her testimony to the court, stating that she witnessed Blythe lift Daniel Nosek by the shoulders, pushing the fan off the stage with two hands, causing Nosek to fall backwards into the crowd. The teen claims that she was standing in the front row during the 2010 concert, and when Nosek was pushed from the stage, the Czech crowd parted, resulting in Nosek crashing down onto the floor. Two security guards, who worked the fateful Lamb of God show, also took the stand. One guard testified that he did not see Blythe push anyone off the stage during the show, while the other venue employee, who was working the door, saw Nosek being helped out of the venue by two individuals before an ambulance arrived 5-10 minutes later.

As mentioned above, two psychologists also gave testimony with intent to present findings on the character of Randy Blythe. Though one of the psychologists claimed Blythe could possibly be labeled as antisocial, citing past instances where the singer was fined for speeding and public disobedience, another psychologist found that Blythe didn’t possess several traits needed for an antisocial personality disorder diagnosis.

Stone Sour‘s ‘House of Gold & Bones’ period of their career is becoming more and more impressive as its multidimensional aspects continue to be revealed through various mediums. Along with the concept taking form of a double album, ‘House of Gold & Bones’ is taking shape as a four-issue comic book series created by frontman Corey Taylor. Pieces of the first and second comic have already been revealed, Check out a terrifying taste of issue No. 1 along with a pair of covers for issue No. 3. (link below...cut and paste into browser)

Written entirely by Stone Sour / Slipknot vocalist Corey Taylor, the ‘House of Gold & Bones’ comic book series is inspired by the Stone Sour double album of the same name, ‘Part 1′ of which was released on Oct. 22 of last year. ‘House of Gold & Bones Part 2′ is scheduled to drop on April 9, with the record’s first single, ‘Do Me a Favor,’ having already been unleashed for your listening pleasure.

As for the comics, the series tells a gripping story. “Trapped in an alternate reality,” begins an official description, “the Human must make his way to the House of Gold & Bones as he is chased by a crazed mob, and taunted by mysterious ally, Allen. What the Human discovers on his journey will be his salvation . . . or his destruction.”

http://loudwire.com/corey-taylor-house-of-gold-bones-comics-reveal-issue-no-1-pages-issue-no-3-cover-art/

Stone Temple Pilots have parted ways with lead singer Scott Weiland. The group announced the decision this morning in a single sentence press release: “Stone Temple Pilots have announced they have officially terminated Scott Weiland.” STP reformed in 2008 after a five year hiatus and toured heavily through last year. It’s unclear if they plan on carrying on with a new vocalist.

By apparent coincidence, Rolling Stone spoke with Scott Weiland late yesterday and he denied all rumors that he had been fired from the band. “STP has not broken up,” he said.  “I haven’t quit. I haven’t been fired.” The rumors began a couple of months ago when Slash said in an interview that STP had fired Weiland.

“Slash doesn’t know anything about STP,” Weiland countered yesterday. “We’re talking right now about when we want to tour next.”

Weiland is launching a solo tour next month that will focus almost entirely on material from the first two STP albums, but he insisted the band very much remains a priority. “My personal feeling is that we need some new blood in the band,” he said. “We’ve been playing the same greatest hits set since we got back together. I’d like to make a new record. It will breath new life into the group.”

He does acknowledge the group has been going through a rocky period. “There were some hurt egos,” he says. “But that’s the way it is.  No one has ever fired anybody in STP. We’re like a family. It’s also a partnership. I started the band. We’ve always kept things going. We’ve taken time off before. They’ve done their own projects and I fully support that. No one has been fired and I haven’t quit. That’s all hearsay.”

Rolling Stone reached out to a spokesperson for Weiland about the band’s statement and will update this story when we get more information. Check back soon for an extended interview with Weiland about his upcoming solo tour, his desire to return to Velvet Revolver and why he feels reputation as a difficult bandmate is undeserved.

Dave Grohl = BUSY!! After tirelessly working on his Sound City documentary, laying down the drum tracks for the upcoming Queens Of the Stone Age album, all the while preparing to induct Rush into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, it seems the Foo Fighters have been activated once again.

Speaking before last weeks BRIT awards in London, Grohl said, "I return to Los Angeles tomorrow to start work on a Foo Fighters record," adding that the new material would be released "eventually".  

It would be the Foo Fighters' eighth studio full-length, and the first since 2011 album Wasting Light, which included such singles as "Rope" and "These Days."

Little by little, Rob Zombie has been leaking out details about his forthcoming album, ‘Venomous Rat Regeneration Vendor.’ We’ve already got the April 23 release date and the album art, which was delivered via an online puzzle. Now, the full track listing for the disc has been revealed, and the song titles are quite intriguing, to say the least.

Zombie had previously announced that ‘Dead City Radio and the New Gods of Super Town’ would be the lead single from the album and that it stood alongside such tracks as ‘Gong Gang Gong De Do Gong De Laga Raga,’ ‘Lucifer Rising,’ his band’s cover of Grand Funk Railroad’s ‘We’re an American Band’ and ‘Behold! The Pretty Filthy Creatures.’ Now, the entire track list is out and posted below.

The rock icon stated of the new album, “I think for the first time this new album perfectly merges the old days of White Zombie with the future of what I am doing now. I think fans of both will agree this is the perfect combo of both worlds.”

Zombie’s tour itinerary is currently empty. However, he is expected to appear at the 2013 Revolver Golden Gods ceremony in May in Los Angeles where he’ll receive the Golden God Award for embodying the spirit of hard rock and metal.

Rob Zombie’s ‘Venomous Rat Regeneration Vendor’ Track Listing:

‘Teenage Nosferatu P–sy’
‘Dead City Radio and the New Gods of Supertown’
‘Revelation Revolution’
‘Theme for the Rat Vendor’
‘Gong Gang Gong De Do Gong De Laga Raga’
‘Rock and Roll (In a Black Hole)’
‘Behold! the Pretty Filthy Creatures’
‘White Trash Freaks’
‘We’re an American Band’
‘Lucifer Rising’
‘The Girl Who Loved The Monsters’
‘Trade in Your Guns for a Coffin’

Trent Reznor has stayed busy in the four years since Nine Inch Nails’ farewell tour. In November, Trent Reznor broke the news that the band is working on new material. “All signs point to yes,” he said. “There are some things in the works.”

Today on his website, Reznor confirmed he is rebuilding Nine Inch Nails with an almost entirely new lineup, including bassist Eric Avery (formerly of Jane’s Addiction), guitarist Adrian Belew (King Crimson), keyboardist Alessandro Cortini (NIN), keyboardist Josh Eustis (Puscifer, Telefon Tel Aviv) and drummer Ilan Rubin (NIN, Lostprophets).” “Nine Inch Nails are touring this year,” Reznor writes. “The first shows will begin this summer, followed by a full-on arena tour of the U.S. this fall and lots of other dates worldwide to follow through 2014.”

Reznor revived the project while working with the King Crimson guitarist. “I was working with Adrian Belew on some musical ideas, which led to some discussion on performing, which led to some beard-scratching, which (many steps later) led to the decision to re-think the idea of what Nine Inch Nails could be, and the idea of playing a show. Calls were made to some friends, lots of new ideas were discussed, and a show was booked – which led to another, which somehow led to a lot of shows.”

Reznor has a full plate: his other band, How to Destroy Angels – his project with wife Mariqueen Maandig, Rob Sheridan and Atticus Ross – releases its new album March 5th and will tour in April.

Despite NIN’s “Wave Goodbye” tour, Reznor maintains the band never ended. “I never said that that wasn’t going to happen, just that it couldn’t go on as it was,” he told Rolling Stone. “Having a few years doing other things, I’ve enjoyed [them] and I’m enjoying doing How to Destroy Angels, and there will be a place for stuff that falls in the Nine Inch Nails column of things. It’s a different kind of work.”

In this day and age in the music industry, it’s hard for bands to keep songs under wraps before their official release. Disturbed singer David Draiman‘s new band Device are no exception, with the first single ‘Vilify’ off their self-titled debut hitting YouTube today (Feb. 17).

Draiman himself acknowledged the leak via a Twitter post, even including the YouTube link for his fans to hear the song. “It’s out there, so I might as well share it,” tweeted the singer in his usual all caps.

As for the song itself, ‘Vilify’ features the rapid-fire vocals Draiman has delivered with Disturbed for more than a decade. Musically, the aggressive tune boasts industrial rock and electronic elements, as Draiman first indicated when he began talking about the direction of Device’s music.

Lyrically, Draiman sings of a relationship gone bad, with a chorus that declares, “When you vilify / You begin to nullify / Everything that we’ve ever done / You’re f—ing with my head.”

All told, Disturbed fans will likely embrace ‘Vilify,’ as it incorporates Draiman’s trademark vocals while adding a fresh sound to his repertoire. The leak of the song should only increase anticipation for Device’s self-titled debut album. The disc drops April 9 and features such guest musicians as Black Sabbath’s Geezer Butler, System of a Down’s Serj Tankian, Avenged Sevenfold’s M. Shadows and Halestorm’s Lzzy Hale, among others.

‘Vilify’ officially hits radio on Tuesday, Feb. 19, but, with Draiman’s permission, you can listen by copying and pasting the link into your browser.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iPmaf7CWXyw&feature=player_embedded

Lamb of God frontman Randy Blythe has checked in with fans upon his return to the United States after his manslaughter trial in the Czech Republic was put on hold.

Blythe posted a series of messages on his Intragram account on Tuesday which detailed what he has been through and what comes next in the case. Read his posts below:

"I am back in Richmond, VA here in the U.S. of A., and I am certainly glad to see my home & friends here. But I shall return to Prague for the end of my trial, March 4 & 5- hopefully it will finally be settled. The judge told me I did not have to return for the end of the trial, but my head and my heart will remain in Prague until I see this thing through. Prague has built a strange place for itself in my heart- it is a beautiful place, one I have gotten to know rather well, and even love to a degree. But it is a city of contrasts for me, for I see Prague's beauty through a lens of tragedy. The city and what brought me there will always remain with me for the rest of my life. I must pay attention to the nature of this dichotomy, and learn it's lesson, no matter what happens. An old angel in front of a spray painted wall- it's perfect.

"Nothing has just one side to it, and I believe it is a mistake to judge things immediately by exterior appearances alone. For example, take this clock. Prague has many, many, many towers and clocks, including the astronomical one in Old Town Square. The astronomical clock is one of the coolest clocks I have ever seen- people from all over the world gather every hour to watch it strike the hour, with all it's mechanized statues popping out and spinning around- it's basically a gigantic version of the world's coolest cuckoo clock. Prague has many other cool clock towers as well. Someone might look at this tired old clock and say "Ugh! Tear that thing down! Why would you have that clock when there are so many others here that are so pretty?" But to me, this clock is beautiful. It holds a strange place in my heart, like Prague itself.

"The clock in beautiful to me, because in there, in Pankrác Prison, it was the only way I had to tell time for a long while.

"After my last day in court recently, my wife, a friend, and I took the subway over to Pankrác. I needed to see it, to take pictures, to look at what was my home for over a month. It was a strange feeling returning there, and I think some wouldn't do it. I don't know- my trial is not over yet. I could return to a cell behind these walls. But I just wanted to see the place. The outside is nothing like the inside- once again, the dichotomy of my life in Prague. This is a beautiful row of birch trees planted alongside the outer wall of this 123 year old prison. On the other side is another world.

"We walked the entire perimeter of the prison, through neighborhoods with nice gated houses and grim looking apartment high rises. I kept looking for my cell until I found it- it is the tiny square you see in the middle of this picture. That was my last cell, on the top floor, where I could look out and see where I took this picture from. I used to stare at the apartment building i took this picture from and wonder what was happening in there. Most of the time I was in the basement though, and the view from my cell window looked something like this picture, without as much sky. Without much of a view, I had to look inside myself. Dichotomy.

"Pankrác is a grim place, but I kept my spirits up in there. If I felt sorry for myself, I quickly reminded myself that there are many in the world who would be grateful to have the food I had, to escape a war-torn homeland in exchange for three hits and a cot, even in a prison for a bit. Suddenly being thrown into a foreign prison wasn't fun, but it wasn't the worst thing that could happen to a man. I had food, clothes, and shelter. Remain grateful for what you DO have, not resentful over what you DON'T.

"We finished walking and got on a subway back to the center of Prague. I was glad I came to look at the prison. I would love to have a camera in there- it's amazing inside, in a really messed up way. I do not know what the future holds for me- maybe I will return to behind these walls- but I do know that I have to do the right thing as my conscious dictates. For me that is going back to finish the trial, as I said I would. The family of the young man who is dead is in court everyday, along with mine. They have shown remarkable kindness by not attacking me in the press or anywhere else. It must be very difficult for them to look at my face, regardless of my guilt or innocence. They have behaved honorably, and so shall I. I will do my best to give them the answers they deserve. I ask people not to judge the family of this young man for wanting these answers- their family has lost a son- who would not want answers? I'm not so sure I would have displayed the class and reserve they have if the tables were turned. Remember, no story has just one side. Try to look at everything from different angles, to not make snap judgements. Put yourself in another's shoes for a second. Otherwise we all just remain in a prison of our own making. Thanks for all your support. I will put up some cheerier pictures soon, I promise."

Blythe's trial is scheduled to resume on March 4th.

'The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here' .....is the title of the band’s new album, on target for a May release, just in time for their summer tour and festival dates.

The band is already off to a huge start with ‘The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here’ album, with the lead single ‘Hollow‘ climbing the charts. The group recorded the disc in Los Angeles with producer Nick Raskulinecz.