Today's Day in Rock Stories

Phil Rudd Admits To Mistake With AC/DC

The announcement comes after Reznor promised new material was on the way before the end of 2016. He says: "It's an unfriendly, fairly impenetrable record that we needed to make. It's an EP because that ended up being the proper length to tell that story."

Both images feature four band members merged into one multi-faceted head, with the face on the left sticking its tongue out. The comparison was flagged by fans almost as soon as the Hardwired sleeve art was revealed, prompting Crowbar leader Kirk Windstein to say: "I seriously doubt that any member of Metallica stole this idea from us. Any way you slice it, it's a cool cover idea."

Now Dimitri Scheblanov of the Herring & Herring agency tells Decibel: "It was pretty shocking that there was such a similar looking thing. But I had never heard of the band or the music. It was also interesting that it was another metal act. I still haven't listened to it, unfortunately.

"We went out to Minneapolis to see Metallica play. When we were at the afterparty with the band, somebody brought up the Crowbar thing. Everyone was like, 'Who the f*** is Crowbar?'

Copping admitted at this year's Download festival that he'd love the reunited Guns N' Roses to make an appearance at Donington in 2017, but the festival recently confirmed Aerosmith, System Of A Down and Biffy Clyro as headliners for next year.

And Axl Rose, Slash and Duff McKagan's reunited Guns N' Roses will play at the Olympic Stadium on June 16. Asked why Guns N' Roses couldn't be signed up as 2017 Download headliners, Copping tells the That's Not Metal podcast: "It's very, very simple. We'd been talking to Guns N' Roses when it was first being mooted that Duff, Slash and Axl were talking about getting back together.

Azoff and GMR are locked in a legal battle with the Radio Music Licensing Committee, which represents radio stations in the US. Azoff's GMR holds the rights to a string of top acts and is demanding that radio stations pay more for the right to play their clients' music. GMR is warning US radio stations that they will face legal action if they play any songs by GMR artists after January 1, 2017, without agreeing to the firm's licensing terms.

GMR's decision to name Anthrax among the long list of songs in its repertoire is misleading, the band says, because they are not represented by Azoff's firm and that the only song in their name that is included is their 1999 cover of Metallica's Phantom Lord.

Anthrax say: "Dear Mr Azoff. As artists and songwriters, we certainly appreciate anyone's efforts to see that we are paid a fair wage for the use of our music, 'fair pay for fair play,' as your lawsuit against the Radio Music License Committee states.

"As a result of your suit, our understanding is that as of January 1, 2017, more than 10,000 US-based radio stations could be fined if they program songs written by a songwriter represented by your company, Global Music Rights, without first obtaining the proper license. We certainly understand and respect that.

CamRate asked 2000 Brits to name their favorite actors and musicians, with Adele being named top of the women's category, followed by Kate Bush in second place.

A spokesperson from CamRate says: "In 2016 the UK is as mad about celebs as ever. We love to love them, too. Celebrity culture is a big part of modern life for most and we are all influenced by the works of these great public figures."

But unlike the historic performances in 2010 and 2011, Mustaine wants each of the leading acts to be given what he calls an "even shot" in front of fans. He tells Eddie Trunk on SiriusXM (via Blabbermouth): "If the conditions were right I think it would be great - when it's just the four of us.

"If you do the Big Four and you've got four or five little opening bands, that takes away from the phenomenon. We should all have relatively similar set times, we should all have relatively similar staging - really allow the four of us to be presented as equals and see where the chips lie."

He'll be promoting his debut solo album, The Long Road Home, which is due out on February 17. Fans can get tickets for the in-store events by pre-ordering his album either through Crash Records or Banquet Records.

Worsnop released a video for his single Mexico last month - a concept which he'd envisioned while drunk at a bar in Columbus, Ohio. He told TeamRock: "That first verse just jumped right out of my eighteenth glass of Jameson and right into my mind. I immediately excused myself and waited for the lightning to strike. I then proceeded to pace outside the bar singing into my phone until the song was done, which was probably about 20 minutes later."

The Porcupine Tree producer and Israeli songwriter announced their record earlier this year, which marked Wilson's return after he'd departed in 2014. He described the work as "a return to the full partnership that made the first two albums such firm favourites with fans."

The lineup is rounded out by drummer Tomer Z and keyboardist Eran Mitelman on the record, while the string sections were performed by the London Session Orchestra.

Anderson Rabin Wakeman recently completed their first-ever tour, which took in North America, with further dates in the UK and Europe to follow next year.

They're also working on new music with a band that includes bassist Lee Pomeroy and drummer Louis Molino III. Portnoy tells UCR: "I got to see Rick and Trevor a few days ago. We did a radio show together and it was good seeing those guys. I haven't seen the show. I'd love to, but I just haven't been around when they were playing."

The acclaimed drummer adds: "I'm kind of upset that the didn't call me! I was waiting by the phone for that gig� I would have loved to have played with those guys."

The Seattle rockers closed out their 2016 live schedule on December 16 as they wrapped up a fall US tour with guests Armored Saint and Midnight Eternal.

Look At Yourself will mark Emmure's first new material since frontman Frankie Palmeri revealed a new lineup featuring bassist Phil Lockett, guitarist Josh Travis and drummer Josh Miller.

This week, Emmure announced they were cancelling their 2017 European tour due to a delay in releasing the album. The dates will be rescheduled in due course.

The band said: "It is with our most sincere apologies that we will need to cancel the upcoming Torch The Earth tour. Upon the initial planning of this tour our goal was to return to Europe in 2017 pairing a new record with the tour.

Hunting tells From Hero To Zero: "A lot of bands, aside from Metallica or Beyonce or people who come out of the gate selling 800,000 copies the first day, we have to tour.

"We're kind of, basically, travelling t-shirt salesmen. And it's okay, because it takes us to amazing places in the world and we love seeing other cultures and having other foods and seeing how the rest of the world lives.

The record will now hit shelves on January 20 to avoid clashing with their schedule - and the band will play a run of in-store shows in the UK to support its launch.

Frontman Carter says: "Due to the fact we were offered the Biffy Clyro European tour and it clashes with the planned release of our album, we have decided to move our release date one week earlier.

"You will all receive your pre-orders one week earlier than planned and this way we are able to play a few shows in the UK for release week so that we can meet as many of you as possible and sign your records and play you some new songs and hopefully warm up the cold January days!

The limited-edition souvenirs are to be delivered to those who've streamed the most Korn tracks over the past year. Jonathan Davis and co are currently touring the UK in support of the follow-up to 2013's The Paradigm Shift, which was launched in October.

The frontman recently said of the band's writing process: "I need to have a song completely done. I guess I'm a little diva when it comes to that stuff - it dictates what I'm going to be feeling, emotions, everything. I need that.

Frontman David Gunn says they band were "singled out" and searched every time they tried to re-enter the building. He says: "During this process they let us know that they don't do this to other groups and that essentially they were singling us out.

"After informing them that a few people in the group are licensed to carry for security measures we were still not allowed to come onto their property with protection. Michigan is an open carry state. We've made this stand completely clear.

Bowness says: "You Wanted To Be Seen is about someone at their most weary and emotionally withdrawn. It's very much a self-reflective 'dark night of the soul' lyric.

Earlier this year, Immortal confirmed they'd completed the writing of their as-yet-untitled ninth studio album. They said: "This will be our darkest and coldest album in a long time - with massive majestic riffs, grim frostbitten vocals and tales from our mighty realm. Fast and furious tracks, epic tracks and longer playtime than any of our previous albums.

"The last year we have completed all the new songs and look forward to record our most passionate album in a long time. The songwriting process has been awesome and we are soon ready to start the recordings.