this is from an e-mail from http://www.metalupdate.com

OMEN
former vocalist J.D. Kimball passed away on October 3rd after a three
year
battle with cancer

THE HAUNTED
original vocalist Peter Dolving has returned to the fold replacing
Marco
Aro

DIO
about two weeks ago Ronnie James Dio had an accident while gardening,
severing his thumb - the good news is that doctors were able to
re-attach
it and Ronnie is on the road to recovery

ANNIHILATOR
drummer Randy Black (Primal Fear) is no longer working with the band -
Mike Mangini, who previously played on Annihilator’s ‘Set The World On
Fire’, has been recruited to play drums on the new CD

SOULFLY
the lineup for the recording of the band’s fourth album includes
drummer
Joe Nunez, guitarist Mark Rizzo and former Megadeth bassist Dave
Ellefson

VOMITORY
Bassplayer / growler Erik Rundqvist has abandoned vocal duties to
concentrate solely on bass guitar – the search for a new vocalist is
underway

SECRET SPHERE
the band has parted ways with drummer Luca Cartasegna due to musical
differences

AMARANTH RECORDINGS
this new label has been launched by Davide Tiso of Ephel Duath to focus
on
post-rock, dark-wave, jungle, post-hardcore and electronic – releases
will
be promoted and distributed by Code666

NEW SIGNINGS
Nuclear Blast: Death Angel, Edguy
Noise Records: Lake Of Tears, Silent Force
Screaming Ferret Wreckords: Gorman Prophecy
Seamiew Records: Tripswitch
Comatose Music: Severed Remains
Code666: Canaan
Vendlus Records: Especially Likely Sloth, V:28