News about UFO, Kiss, L.A. Guns, Motley Crue, Jizzy Pearl, Steelheart, Shy, Cosmic Sphere, Fates Warning, Oratory, Beholder, Wizards, Nevermore, Paradise Lost, Sentenced, Cathedral, S.O.D., Kreator, Machine Head, Sixty Watt Shaman, Rollins Band, Lacuna Coil, Incubus, Gandalf, Thyrfing, Primordial and Immortal.

UFO have finished recording a new album called Sharks, with producer Mike Varney. It will be out at the end of the summer. The band hope to tour later this year. In related news, a new UFO tribute album has been released through SFM in Europe. It’s called Only UFO Can Rock Me - A Tribute and features appearances from Paul DiAnno (Iron Maiden / Killers), Bernie Shaw (Uriah Heep), Phil Campbell (Motorhead), Lea Hart (Fastway), Bernie Torme (Gillan), Nicky Moore (Samson) and many more.

Kiss has "parted ways" with Mercury Records, after a relationship that’s lasted more than 25 years.

Rock Fest 2002 Tour includes Dokken, Ratt, Warrant, Firehouse and L.A. Guns and starts on June 20th, 2002, at the Red River Valley Fair in Fargo, ND.

L.A. Guns have finished recording their new album with producer Andy Johns. The album will be a late summer release through Spitfire.

Motley Crue are being sued by former producer Tom Werman, who claims the band owes unpaid royalties. He’s suing for $400,000 plus costs.

On June 1st, Jizzy Pearl (Love/Hate, L.A. Guns, Ratt) will have his new book, Angst For The Memories out. Here is what Jizzy says about it: "At long last my second book, Angst For The Memories, is finally here! Much fiendish imagination and creepiness has gone into the writing of this so I hope you’re prepared! My official release will be June 1st but I’m letting all of you know first hand so you can get your crusty mitts on it sooner! I will personally autograph the first 100 sold so get your orders in ASAP! I want to thank you for your support and for giving a shit about art and reading and most of all ME! Thank you again, enjoy! J".

Steelheart are releasing a three song CD from the compilation of material gathered for their Live! MTV Unplugged performance that they did in Japan. The disc will be available to mailing list members first.

Shy will release their comeback album, Unfinished Business, on August 23rd through Z Records in Europe and through Marquee Avalon in US, Japan and southeast Asia. The band’s line-up is: singer Tony Mills, guitarist Steve Harris, bassist Roy Davis, keyboardist Paddy McKenna, and drummer Bob Richards (Asia / Adrian Smith).

Cosmic Sphere is a new Finnish / Swedish metal band featuring guitarist Lars Chriss (Lion’s Share), guitarist Antti Wirman (Warmen/Craydawn), bassist Tapio Oksanen (Craydawn), and drummer Kristian Enqvist (Rising Faith). The band’s debut album should be recorded later this year.

Mike Portnoy has a new project with Kevin Moore, Sean Malone, Jim Matheos and Daniel Gildenlow.

Fates Warning will release a DVD in October. The set will feature exclusive live footage and rare videos.

Oratory’s Beyond Earth was released on May 20th in Portugal on Recital Records and will be out elsewhere next month from Limb Music. It’s a concept album and it was produced by Uwe Lulis (Grave Digger / Rebellion).

Beholder has ended the recordings of the second studio work, Wish For Destruction that will be out within Autumn of this year.

The fourth album of Wizards, The Kingdom will be released this month.

Nevermoreare expected to start work on a new album, entitled Enemies Of Reality later this year with producer Andy Sneap. The band will also cover Ride The Lightning on an upcoming Metallica tribute album, due out later this year on Nuclear Blast.

Paradise Lost have signed a deal with Gun/BMG, who will release their next, as yet untitled studio album later in the year.

Sentenced’s The Cold White Light has entered the Finnish charts at #1 and the German charts at #45. The album is also available on LP through Century Media. The new video No One There is ready and will hit your TV channels soon.

On July 1st, Cathedral will start recording their seventh album. It will be called Songs Of Praise and it will be released later this year by Dream Catcher. Artwork for the album has been once again commissioned to original Cathedral artist, Dave Patchett.

S.O.D. frontman Billy Milano has officially fired guitarist Scott Ian and drummer Charlie Benante. Milano is trying to revamp S.O.D. by holding talks with ex-Fear Factory duo Dino Cazares and Raymond Herrera.

Kreator will release a live album later this year, called Live Kreation (Revisioned Glory).

Ahrue Luster has left Machine Head, on the eve of their upcoming European tour. The band have temporarily brought in guitarist Phil Demmel.

Sixty Watt Shaman have recently completed work on their second album, Reason To Live. The album is due out in August of 2002.

Rollins Band will release on June 24th a live album entitled The Only Way To Know For Sure.

Lacuna Coil’s new album is titled Comalies and will be out in September by Century Media.

Incubus releases a live DVD called The Morning View Sessions on May 28th in America. The 12-tracker was filmed at a special show in Sony Studios, New York last October.

Gandalf have split up after nine years. Wicked World Records have issued the following statement: "It’s with sorrow and regret I write this following statement. After nine years of hard work and dedication one era has come to an end. Under the circumstances I find it impossible to continue being the leader for the band I have put my whole heart and soul into. Too much stress and bullshit has made it not to be fun to play in this band anymore. And if it’s not fun to play then what’s the point of continuing. I want to thank everyone who has supported Gandalf over the years but life goes on. I have some very nice memories from the years with this band but lately those good times have been overshadowed by the bad. It’s under circumstances like these I have grown to see no future for Gandalf and have thereby taken necessary actions for a better future. There was an unwritten bond between our singer Jari and our guitarist Timo that if anyone of us leaves then the band can’t continue. Well, I have left the band I formed. Right now I will reevaluate my relationship with the music business and undertake necessary action in order to start enjoying life again. To cite Petri Walli (RIP) from Kingston Wall: ’Something new borns when something old dies’. Gandalf RIP - 1993-2002."

On June 24th, Thyrfing will release their Vansinnesvisor on Hammerheart Records.

On June 17th, Primordial will release their fourth album Storm Before Calm through Hammerheart Records.

Immortal’s new axeman is Saroth, who, in addition to Immortal, also plays bass for swedish Pain together with Horgh for their live shows.