The following message was posted from Portnoy’s Twitter:

“Mike Portnoy & John Sykes: 2/3 of the three headed musical beast coming soon!”

In a single, flooring, gutpunch-to-uppercut combination, drummer Van Williams and guitarist Jeff Loomis announced their departure from Seattle metal titans Nevermore.

Wow, within 24 hours, the power metal world received these two bombshells!

Holt will join Slayer for the five dates of the Australian Soundwave Festival, which will no doubt flood YouTube with fan videos in the weeks to come. And way to get a guy who was also a founding/staple member of their own band; I couldn’t be more pleased had it been Eric Peterson.

Okay, so we’ve ripped on White Wizzard a little bit on this site. We’ve shown more preference for Holy Grail, but have definitely dropped some love for WW here and there. The thing we make fun of most is their seemingly-perpetual lineup changes, and now that vocalist Wyatt Anderson is back for the young band’s fourth year, they have technically reunited, for fucksakes. Oh well, “The Screamin’ Demon” actually has sweet pipes, and I think a little continuity between albums will be a good thing. Read the full press release here.

Looks like Robin and Tymon will return to Exivious, with Paul and Sean planning for a new Cynic release in 2011, as well as another remixed re-release of “Focus”.

An updated stock with more consistency, a simpler ordering process, and even tracking info will be online before 2010 is out.

THE SWORD has recently canceled their European tour dates, and now regretfully reports that the remainder of US dates are indefinitely postponed. This is unfortunately due to drummer Trivett Wingo’s departure from the band.

Following their release of the impressive “Exiled to Earth”, Jose Barrales has unfortunately chosen to part ways with BONDED BY BLOOD. For the upcoming tours which will round out 2010, they have recruited Mauro Gonzales from MUTANTS OF WAR.

Read the official press release which confirms the cancellation of the 2010 North American tour.