Wow, 2013. So do you like to call it 20-13 or Two Thousand Thirteen. I like the former, personally. Sounds less old….So while I was away, Stone Sour frontman Corey Taylor told Billboard.com the group is planning a world tour in 2014 during which the band will spend two nights in each city and perform both halves of its House Of Gold And Bones double album in their entirety. Taylor elaborated to us on the plan: “We play Part 1 top to bottom, next night Part 2 top to bottom, and there’s a pretty elaborate stage thing that we’re cooking up right now. And then once we do that, we’re gonna film everything and try to put together a very comprehensive DVD set that will kind of tide the fans over while we start work on what I want to do, which is two movies.” No word on when those dates will roll out. It’s a year away, after all…..A couple who performed Metallica‘s “Master Of Puppets” with the wedding band at their own 2010 wedding reception have taken their obsession with the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame metal legends one step further. According to Loudwire, Dennis Ortiz and Annette Ortiz-Diaz have announced the birth of their son, Dax Orion Diaz. “Orion” is the name of the classic instrumental track from the 1986 Master Of Puppets album that was the last great recorded showcase for late bassist Cliff Burton, who died that year. The couple have made a Metallica-flavored video announcing Dax’s birth. Their wedding video became a viral sensation after it was posted online. Both Dennis and Annette are professional musicians who have played in a number of bands, with Dennis even spending time in a Metallica tribute act called Trapped Under Rice.The couple got a chance to go onstage at Metallica’s 30th anniversary shows in San Francisco last December, where drummer Lars Ulrich played their wedding video before they got to perform “Blackened” with the band.Metallica is working on its next album, which will be released sometime in 2014 through the band’s newly launched Blackened Recordings. Search YouTube for the vids if you care….Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi — who was diagnosed with cancer nearly a year ago — posted a year-end message on his official website this week, writing, “What a year! Certainly not the one I was expecting. Thanks to you all for your massive help and support; it was very encouraging. I’m still working on the (new Sabbath studio) album and managed to play three shows. Not bad given the news a year ago.”…In case ya missed watching the Kennedy Center Honors on Dec 26, footage has surfaced online of Foo Fighters performing the Led Zeppelin classic “Rock And Roll”– with frontman Dave Grohl on drums and drummer Taylor Hawkins on lead vocals — at the event in Washington, DC where Zeppelin and others were honored for their contributions to the arts. The December 2nd show was broadcast on CBS last week and also featured musical tributes to Zeppelin from Kid Rock, Lenny Kravitz, and Heart‘s Ann and Nancy Wilson, plus a speech about the band by President Barack Obama. Other talents being honored included Buddy Guy, ballerina Natalia Makarova, actor Dustin Hoffman, and late-night TV host David Letterman. (Spin)….Queens Of The Stone Age have posted a “mockumentary” online, possibly inspired by the classic rock satire This Is Spinal Tap, in which they give fans a behind-the-scenes peek into the making of the band’s sixth album, which is due out in early 2013. The nine-minute segment is called “Secret Of The Sound.” The new Queens disc will follow up 2007’s Era Vulgaris. (Blabbermouth)….Lostprophets’ frontman Ian Watkins will remain in jail in Wales at least through his next scheduled court appearance set for March 11th. He, along with two females, has been charged with multiple charges including conspiring to rape a 1-year-old girl, two incidents of “sexual touching” involving young children and the possession and distribution of both “indecent images of children” and “extreme animal pornography.” Watkins was hit with these charges on Dec. 19 as he appeared before Cardiff Magistrates’ Court, where he and two other females allegedly involved were denied bail. One of the unnamed females, 20, has not been charged with conspiracy to rape, although she faces all other charges. I knew the band when they were first coming around, and this really shocked the hell out of me. I had heard things over the years about Ian, but the band had sort of disappeared until recently. I even did a phoner with Ian to catch up on what the band was up to back in August. He seemed like a changed person during our conversation, I must say. Meanwhile, the rest of the band issued this statement back on Dec 19th when the charges came to light. “Following charges made today against Ian Watkins, we find ourselves in a state of shock. We are learning about the details of the investigation along with you. It is a difficult time for us and our families, and we want to thank our fans for their support as we seek answers.” Jamie, Lee, Luke, Mike and Stu. Hang in there fellas and find a new singer!….Green Day announced they have slotted in some tour dates to begin in late March. See them in Road Rage….Sad news to report to Ministry fans. Ministry and Rigor Mortis guitarist Mike Scaccia has died at the age of 47 after collapsing onstage at a performance in Fort Worth, Texas, on Saturday night, Dec 22nd. The musician had been performing with thrash metal veterans Rigor Mortis at the Rail Club when he suddenly fell to the ground after suffering a heart attack. Classic Rock magazine reports that one of the band’s members returned to the address the crowd, stating only, “It doesn’t look good.” Scaccia was rushed to the hospital, but passed away soon after. A fundraiser is planned to benefit Mike’s family in the coming weeks. (Thanks Loudwire.)
