According to The San Diego Union-Tribune, AS I LAY DYING frontman Tim Lambesis, who is accused of trying to hire a hitman to kill his estranged wife, pleaded not guilty earlier Thursday, May 9 to a felony charge of solicitation of murder and was ordered held on $3 million bail. He faces nine years in state prison if convicted.
At Lambesis‘ arraignment in Vista Superior Court in Vista, California, Deputy District Attorney Claudia Grasso said that the musician told someone at a gym that he wanted his wife dead. He allegedly met with an undercover agent posing as a hitman, who asked Lambesis if he wanted his wife gone, and Lambesis replied, “Yes, that’s what I want.” Lambesis then gave the agent an envelope containing $1,000 in cash with detailed instructions — including pictures of his wife, her address and the code to get through a gate and dates when the “hit” could take place; when he had his children, saying that would be his alibi on how to kill his estranged wife.
The prosecutor argued at the arraignment — which was attended by Tim‘s family, fans, AS I LAY DYING manager and band lawyer — that Lambesisbe held on $20 million bail, but his defense attorney countered that the amount was unreasonable.

 
San Diego, California News Station – KFMB Channel 8 – cbs8.com

The first photographic look at METALLICA‘s upcoming 3D feature film,“Metallica Through The Never”, can be found at the Entertainment Weekly web site.

“Metallica Through The Never” will now come out on September 27 and not August 9 as originally announced. The film will be digitally remastered into IMAX 3D and play for one week exclusively in IMAX theaters in North America before expanding into additional theaters on October 4. The film stars the band, thousands of its fans and acclaimed young actor Dane DeHaan in a story that follows a member of METALLICA‘s road crew — played by DeHaan — who is sent on a mission during the band’s concert that turns his life upside down.

Drummer Lars Ulrich said in a statement, “IMAX! It doesn’t get bigger or cooler than that! For four guys in a rock band of average height, to get a chance to unleash their 3D film on IMAX screens the size of buildings across the country is a mind-blowing thought . . . this should amount to an unprecedented, unique and truly next level experience.”

Ulrich told The Pulse Of Radio that making a feature film was possibly the most challenging project METALLICA had ever undertaken. “There are just so many people involved, and it’s just a little unusual for us to have this many people involved, and everybody’s got an opinion, and there’s just a lot of pieces to this kind of puzzle, and it can sometimes get a little overwhelming or bewildering,” he said. “But I think we have a movie on our hands that’s gonna be really cool, and it’s gonna blow people away, and it certainly is unique, that I can tell you.”

MEGADETH’s new song “Kingmaker” will make its online debut shortly. The track will be unveiled by one lucky fan who will be chosen to premiere the song on his or her personal Twitter feed.

For more information, go to http://rockmytrack.com/world.html

The message of “Trenches” applies to the world of art as well as the world of sports, the military, or anyone struggling with the economic downturn, likePOP EVIL‘s home state of Michigan.

“It’s about our battles,” vocalist Leigh Kakaty says. “Not focusing on the things we can’t control, if we really want to be a band that stands the test of time we have to write the music that connects. We have to dig our way out of the trenches.”

The version of QUEENSRYCHE featuring singer GEOFF TATE just released a new album last week called “Frequency Unknown” . . . and it has been getting SLAMMED by fans. So, Geoff has decided to EMBRACE that.

He’s launched a contest called “Best Video Rant”, which will determine the person who HATES the album the most . . . and REWARD THEM.

If you hate “Frequency Unknown” and want to participate, here’s what you do:

1. Make a YouTube video of yourself ranting about the album. The only catch is that you must give your full name on camera.

You have to start your rant by saying, quote, “My name is [your REAL first and last name], and this is my video submission for the Queensryche ‘Best Rant” contest.”

2. Include a link to CleoRecs.com in the description.

3. Your rant can ONLY be about the “Frequency Unknown” album, and they say, quote, “Please limit your rants to the music and production of the album . . . personal attacks / personal threats on Queensryche band and family members will not be tolerated.”

The deadline is May 10th.

According to the press release, the winner will get, quote, “an all-expenses paid trip to Seattle to see Queensryche on June 29th, along with V.I.P. special guest seating, meet-and-greet passes for after the show . . .

“And a merchandise package worth $250 that you can feel free to either burn, or wear in style!”