WHAT:                 DimeBash 2011 – Fellow musicians pay homage to one of metal’s beloved fallen heroes by performing songs either written by or that were an inspiration to Dimebag Darrell.  All proceeds from the event will benefit the Ronnie James Dio Stand Up & Shout Cancer Fund.  

All-American anthemic rockers Drowning Pool announced today that they will be parting ways with their current singer, Ryan McCombs. The hard working Texas band, who has worked with 3 singers in their 10 year career, issued the following statement:  

This is THE BIG ONE! This December, 20 years after Michael Allred’s independent comics icon was introduced to the world, a celebration of all things Madman will take the form of a gigantic 11 x 17 hardcover! The MADMAN 20TH ANNIVERSARY MONSTER HC will include an all-new MADMAN story from Allred, as well as contributions from an impressive list of industry giants such as Darwyn Cooke, Frank Quitely, Jeff Smith, and Erik Larsen.  

Old school thrash metal that is dynamically composed and injected with maximum groove, Juggernaut from Chicago thrashers DEGRADATION delivers the goods with authenticity and conviction. This is as real as it gets, folks. Experience the full frontal assault for yourself by contacting ClawhammerPR@gmail.com.  

Multi-platinum rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers will launch the North American leg of their I’m With You World Tour in January. Tickets for six shows go on sale on December 3rd (see below for routing) with more shows and ticket on-sale dates to be announced in the coming weeks. The 2012 arena tour will be the band’s first full-scale tour of the U.S. since 2007 when they hit the road in support of 2006’s Stadium Arcadium.  

Chaos Records is making a special slimcase edition of new ZOMBIEFICATION EP Reaper’s Consecration available for 500 of its Mexican fans. A vinyl MLP edition also limited to 500 copies will be released worldwide. Both editions are set for an early 2012 release.  

Mexican extreme metal label Chaos Records has announced a December 5th release date for BLOOD MORTIZED’s Bestial EP. This is old style, dirty-rotten-unpolished Swedish Death Metal the way it was truly meant! Bestial is a 4 track EP of supreme crushing Swedish death metal with collaboration with members and ex-members of CRYPT OF KERBEROS, AMON AMARTH, MALFEITOR and STIGMATA.  

Abyss Records is pleased to announce the recent signing of Sweden’s Carnivore. Plans are in place for the label to re-release a limited edition version of the band’s EP Faces of Death in early 2012. Carnivore is set to enter the studio in December of this year to record their full-length debut, which will be out sometime next year.   

    MASTODON are currently blazing a path across the North American continent in support of their wildly acclaimed new album THE HUNTER, which features the hit single, “Curl of the Burl.”  

The iron fist of the underground returns with their most vicious effort to date! Death metal veterans VORE are about to unleash the long-awaited follow up to 2005’s Maleficus upon the huddled masses. Entitled Gravehammer, VORE’s newest release sees the band’s battle-ready brand of death metal taken to a new level of intensity and aggression.  

Ticketmaster, a Live Nation Entertainment company, announces Holiday Ticket Deals, the company’s largest ticket promotion of the year. Throughout the United States and Canada, Ticketmaster has worked with artists, venues, theatres and teams to secure over 2500 participating events, each deal providing between 25-50% off of the ticket price. The two week sale ends December 4th at midnight.