myrnamcgail: March 2012

Saturday, March 31, 2012

Dimmu Borgir Release Live DVD; Plus Led Zeppelin, Brujeria, & More News That Rules, In Metal File

'It shows the intense live side of the band, as opposed to the perfection and the cleanness of how we sound on our albums,' guitarist says.
By Chris Harris

On October 14, <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/borgir_dimmu/artist.jhtml">Dimmu Borgir</a>Dimmu Borgir — who just happen to be <a href="/news/articles/1593780/demi-lovato-metalhead-metal-file.jhtml">Demi Lovato's favorite black-metal band</a> — will release a a three-disc DVD/CD set called "The Invaluable Darkness," the band's first visual offering since 2002's "World Misanthropy." Boasting live footage shot last year, during gigs in Norway, Germany and England, "The Invaluable Darkness" demonstrates the unbridled furor of seeing Dimmu live, guitarist Silenoz said. "It shows the honest rawness and atmospheric darkness of our concerts," the Norwegian told Metal File last week, after <a href="/news/articles/1596201/in-this-moment-make-the-dream-a-reality-metal-file.jhtml">dismissing recent online rumors that his band's next LP would be coming out through Roadrunner Records</a>. "Basically, it shows the intense live side of the band, as opposed to the perfection and the cleanness of how we sound on our albums. It's just a different side to the band, basically." Dimmu Borgir began thinking about "The Invaluable Darkness" two years ago, but didn't start capturing footage until last summer, Silenoz explained, adding that the band will use its current stint on the Blackest of the Black Tour — which got underway Thursday night in Miami Beach, Florida, and also features the tour's founder, Danzig, along with <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/moonspell/artist.jhtml">Moonspell</a>Moonspell, <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/winds_of_plague/artist.jhtml">Winds of Plague</a>Winds of Plague and Skeletonwitch — to promote the DVD. Dimmu Borgir will not, however, use the tour to write material for their next LP. "It's our first time on Blackest, but Glenn [Danzig] had wanted to bring us out before [on the tour], but we weren't available until now," Silenoz said. "We've done Ozzfest before, but we're looking forward to this tour more. We did the main stage on Ozzfest, playing in f--_ing broad daylight. This tour will let us play in bigger places, but at the same time showcase more of what the band's about, visually. We are going to concentrate on the tour for now. Some years ago, we tried putting [material] together on the road, but once we got home, we listened back to it, and were like, 'What the f--- is this?' So, we just scrapped it all. We find it's so much better to totally focus on one thing at a time, and then, when that's over, you move on to the next [thing]. We don't really feel like we need to rush things, anyway, so we'll just take our time, and it's going to be what it's going to be." Dimmu Borgir hope to reconvene in late December to begin writing the follow-up to 2007's diabolically titled In Sorte Diaboli. "We have some ideas floating around already, but we haven't arranged any material yet," he said. "We'll start doing that once the touring for this DVD is over." The band's frontman, Shagrath, is also due to marry soon — he's engaged to actor Nicolas Cage's ex-girlfriend, Christina Fulton, so that may have an effect on when Dimmu finish their next album, which Silenoz said could be out this coming spring. "I'm sure [Shagrath] won't let anything get in the way [of] the band — I think, I hope," the guitarist said. "We don't need a Yoko [Ono] situation." While Dimmu have been at it going on 15 years now, Silenoz said he doesn't think their forthcoming material will be much of a departure from their previous black-metal offerings. "And we have always been about more than just that term, 'black metal,' " he said. "Luckily for us, the older you get, the less concerned you get with the categorization and putting labels on your music. Things start getting more and more limitless with us, and we know that we operate within certain frames. But we try not to analyze things too much, because it's just going to be working against you in the end. When we write new stuff, we don't think about what we should write — we just get together, and put material together, and if we like it, we keep it. That's the formula, if we even have a formula." Dimmu Borgir are definitely getting older — guitarist Galder will be missing Blackest because of a recent addition to his family, and <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/susperia/artist.jhtml">Susperia's</a>Susperia's Cyrus will be filling in for him; while former <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/vader/artist.jhtml">Vader</a>Vader drummer Dariusz Brzozowski takes over for Hellhammer, who had to leave the band in 2007 after sustaining a neck injury that's now limited the use of his right arm. As Dimmu has gotten on in years, Silenoz admits they have failed to keep pace with some of the more extreme black-metal acts that have followed in their wake. "We helped open doors for the more extreme bands out there," Silenoz said. "I'm sure we helped open doors for bands like Watain, [insomuch as] people that had maybe started listening to us first then went on to the more extreme stuff. Let's face it — we're not as extreme as Watain and other bands like that, but we're fine with that." The Blackest of the Black Tour continues through November 10 in San Francisco. The rest of the week's metal news: Dimmu's tourmates on Blackest, Winds of Plague, have announced ex-Azusa drummer Art Cruz has joined their ranks — he replaced Jeff Tenney. According to the band's blog, "Art has already added a new spark to the band and has provided us with a solid backbone that will allow us to continue our rampage stronger than ever." ... What the world really needs is another <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/led_zeppelin/artist.jhtml">Led Zeppelin</a>Led Zeppelin box set, so, on November 4, Rhino Records will issue the Led Zeppelin Definitive Collection Mini LP Replica CD box set. For just $200, you'll get 1969's Led Zeppelin, 1969's Led Zeppelin II, 1970's Led Zeppelin III, 1971's Led Zeppelin IV, 1973's Houses of the Holy, 1975's Physical Graffiti, 1976's Presence, 1976's The Song Remains the Same, 1979's In Through the Out Door and 1982's Coda, as mini-LP replicas, with artwork from the original U.K. LP sleeves. Now, you know what you can get your dad for Christmas. ... Former <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/killswitch_engage/artist.jhtml">Killswitch Engage</a>Killswitch Engage frontman Jesse Leach and current Killswitch Engage guitarist Adam Dutkiewicz have teamed up for a new project they're calling Times of Grace, and they've already started working on material for their debut album. According to Leach, "We have two songs to go and we will be finished with all of the vocals. Adam has taken lead vocals in three songs as of yet and he is doing a great job. We also worked on a track yesterday that is so epic — we trade vocals and do two different melodies at the same time. This album went from a melodic metal album to an epic mix of metal/rock/pop/shoegaze and punk. So all of your metal expectations will be incorrect — we are pushing genre boundaries." To quote "Meet the Parents," we'll look forward to that, Greg. ... The Funeral Pyre and Early Graves will be hitting the road together next month, starting November 7 in South Lake Tahoe, California. Dates are booked through November 21 in Hollywood. ... The latest incarnation of Brujeria, which features <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/carcass/artist.jhtml">Carcass</a>Carcass frontman Jeff Walker and <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/napalm_death/artist.jhtml">Napalm Death's</a>Napalm Carcass's Shane Embury, have lined up several U.S. dates for this winter. The band will begin its brief trek November 28 in Denver, and wrap things up in Dallas on December 7. ... <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/demiricous/artist.jhtml">Demiricous</a>Demiricous will be touring with the Gates of Slumber starting November 9 in Denver, for a jaunt that's scheduled to run through December 6 in Indianapolis. ... Nearly three years after <a href="/news/articles/1518428/roadrunner-holds-all-star-anniversary-bash.jhtml">Roadrunner Records' Roadrunner United concert</a>, which took over the Nokia Theater in New York's Times Square, the label is now releasing footage from that special night as "Roadrunner United: The Concert." The DVD, which hits stores December 9, will boast two discs and 24 live tracks, including <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/life_of_agony/artist.jhtml">Life of Agony's</a>Life of Agony's "River Runs Red," <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/king_diamond/artist.jhtml">King Diamond's</a>King Diamond's "Abigail," Killswitch's "My Last Serenade," <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/type_o_negative/artist.jhtml">Type O Negative's</a>Type O

Denise Richards Desiree Dymond Diane Kruger Dido

Will Black Keys Team Up With Ke$ha? First They Want Jim Nabors

The duo sat down with MTV News in Berlin to discuss a pair of unlikely collaborations.
By James Montgomery

Theirs is a relationship that has spanned time and Twitter, <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/keshasuxx/status/77286418598211584" target="_blank">seafood</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/keshasuxx/status/157523381602889728" target="_blank">shaving</a>, but over the years, the unlikely bond between the <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/black_keys/artist.jhtml">Black Keys</a> and <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/id_3213641/artist.jhtml">Ke$ha</a> has grown to become something more: a genuine friendship, marked with the occasional trespassing charge. <div class="player-placeholder right" title="Would The Black Keys Ever Collaborate With Ke$ha?" id="vid:731631.id:1678505" width="240" height="211"></div> "We're friends with her, we've known her since way before she was famous, before she was even a singer, I guess," Keys drummer Patrick Carney told MTV News. "When she was 16 years old, she used to sneak into our shows. We kind of became friends with her by kicking her out of our backstage room, over and over again. She actually has snuck into shows in L.A., San Diego, Coachella ..." "She snuck in and [got] kicked out of one show, like, five times," frontman Dan Auerbach added. "[She] snuck in through the kitchen. I don't know if she's such a big fan; she just likes breaking the rules." So, when MTV News sat down with the 'Keys in Berlin during the premiere of their <a href="/news/articles/1678662/black-keys-gold-on-the-ceiling-music-video.jhtml">"Gold on the Ceiling"</a> video, we had to ask if their friendship with Ke$ha would take the next step: an actual musical collaboration. It's not all that far-fetched, considering both Ke$h and Auerbach live in Nashville ("I see her every once in a while flying by in her T-Top [convertible]," Auerbach laughed), and recently, the glittery one has logged studio time with <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/keshasuxx/status/160846424609787906" target="_blank">the Flaming Lips</a>. So, could we see a team-up on the next Black Keys album? "I guess, I don't know," Carney said. "We don't really do that many collaborations, really." OK, so if a Ke$ha collabo isn't in the cards, just who would the 'Keys like to work with next? Well, as it turns out, they've got their eyes set on landing a very big star for the next record ... even if they mistakenly believe he's deceased. "We both want to work with Jim Nabors very badly, but apparently he's not with us anymore," Carney said. Oh, <a href="http://www.jimnabors.com/" target="_blank">but he is.</a> Which means that, much like Nabors, the dream is alive. The Ke$ha collabo? Eh, probably not so much. Should the Black Keys hit the studio with Ke$ha? Leave your comment below!

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MTV First: The Black Keys' 'Gold On The Ceiling'

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Mary J. Blige - The Living Proof (From The Motion Picture The Help)

The Living Proof (From The Motion Picture The Help)

Artist: Mary J. Blige
Label: Interscope
Director: Dabling Harward
Album: The Public Eye [Original Motion Picture Soundtrack]

Source:
http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?artist=854&vid=742481

Carla Campbell Carla Gugino Carmen Electra Carol Grow

'Titanic' Looks 'Spectacular' In 3-D, James Cameron Says

Film's 3-D conversion 'takes it to a whole different level,' director tells MTV News at U.K. premiere of re-release.
By Kevin P. Sullivan, with reporting by Vicky Nwosu-Hope

James Cameron and his wife at the "Titanic 3D" premiere
Photo: Getty Images

Nearly 15 years after "Titanic" became the biggest movie ever to grace the silver screen, director James Cameron has expanded his blockbuster into the third dimension.

On April 4, "Titanic" sets sail in 3-D after a painstaking conversion that Cameron believes enhances the picture's overall effect. MTV News spoke with the director in London, on the red carpet for the U.K. premiere of the re-release, which hits theaters days before the 100th anniversary of the ship's sinking.

"It's really a dream come true to get this film back into cinema because it just has a whole different effect on people when they take three hours out of their life to just sit and have the unbroken experience and let the story take them along," Cameron said. "It can be quite a profoundly emotional experience, and you're not going to get that watching it on video. The 3-D just enhances the whole thing. It takes it to a whole different level. "

Cameron decided to begin the process in 2005, while he was prepping his next ambitious project, "Avatar."

"I was pretty convinced at that time that 3-D was really going to transform the cinema experience. I wanted cinema owners, the exhibitors, to embrace the conversion to digital projection, so that there'd be a place to show 3-D movies," Cameron said. "I was thinking of 'Avatar,' but I was also saying, 'Look, we can do films like "Titanic." We can take "Jaws," "Star Wars," whatever your favorite movies are, we can convert them to 3-D and give them a whole new life.' So we started doing test to see what a conversion of 'Titanic' would look like. We did a minute and a half of it, and it looked spectacular. "

The 3-D re-release offered Cameron the opportunity to reflect on what made "Titanic" a worldwide sensation. Cameron said he feels that it didn't have everything to do with the movie's young star Leonardo DiCaprio.

"Women could relate to it, not just because of the Leo-mania thing, but because a lot of young women struggle with the sense of identity in societal expectation. The character of Rose was really written very much about those ideas," Cameron said. "I think it was a simplification after the fact that [DiCaprio] is why women were so attracted to the movie."

Check out everything we've got on "Titanic."

For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.

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'Titanic 3D' Premiere

Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1681970/titanic-3d-premiere-james-cameron.jhtml

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Volcanic Ash Can't Stop Metallica On European Tour

Band has been traveling by boat and bus to make it to all the shows.
By Eric Ditzian

All week long, we've been hearing about how <a href="/news/articles/1637402/volcanic-ash-disrupts-travel-plans-for-miley-cyrus-usher-adam-lambert.jhtml">Iceland's Eyjafjallajökull volcano has disrupted pop culture</a>. With airports shuttered across Europe, the "Iron Man 2" premiere has shifted from London to Los Angeles, Miley Cyrus couldn't make it to the London red carpet for "The Last Song," and Adam Lambert had to cancel a planned promotional trip across the pond. You know who the erupting volcano couldn't stop? Metallica! In the midst of a European tour, the band has been traveling by boat and bus to ensure no shows are missed. To make a concert in Riga, Latvia, on Saturday, the band traveled 28 hours to accomplish what a plane would have in just two hours. "I just could not relax, thinking, 'Wow, those buses have changed a lot since we traveled,' " lead guitarist Kirk Hammett told reporters, according to <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100421/ap_en_mu/eu_lithuania_volcano_metallica" target="_blank">The Associated Press.</a> "They are so much more comfortable. You see, we did not use this means of transportation for more than two decades since the tragedy." Metallica bassist Cliff Burton was killed during a European tour in September 1986, when the band's bus skidded and flipped over multiple times in Sweden. "When we boarded the bus again this week and had to travel overnight, I realized that those bad memories are still here. I still haven't overcome the fear of buses," Hammett said. "But the show must go on." To get to Riga, the band took a bus from Oslo to Stockholm, then hopped a cruise ship headed to the Latvian capital. Onboard the ship was a contingent of surprised Metallica fans. One of those fans, a 23-year-old named Liga Viskinte, told the AP that singer James Hetfield and bassist Robert Trujillo hung out in the ship's karaoke bar, drinking beer and taking in a passenger's version of "Whiskey in the Jar." Currently in Lithuania, Metallica are planning to take a 13-hour train to Moscow on Thursday for a two-night stand (unless, that is, travel restrictions are lifted by then). From there, the tour will pick up again May 11 and hit cities like Belfast, Lisbon, Madrid and Prague, before wrapping up in Istanbul on June 27. "It would take a really great force to stop us," Hammett said of continuing the tour, adding that no one was sure how they'd be getting back to America after the shows in Russia. "But we'll figure it out somehow." What do you think of Metallica's dedication? Let us know in the comments below!

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Source:
http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1637524/volcanic-ash-cant-stop-metallica-on-european-tour.jhtml

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Photos | Gwen Stefani, Mary J. Blige, More Celebrate Fashion In New York

Gwen Stefani, Mary J. Blige, More Celebrate Fashion In New York

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Wiz Khalifa And Snoop Dogg's 'Mac & Devin' Jams NY

Monday's New York concert promotes 'Mac & Devin Go to High School' soundtrack, due December 13.
By Rob Markman

Never mind that there's almost a 20-year age difference between <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/wiz_khalifa/artist.jhtml">Wiz Khalifa</a> and his big homey <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/snoop_dogg/artist.jhtml">Snoop Dogg</a>: On Monday night, the smoked-out duo stood on equal ground for the first time, as co-headliners at New York City's Terminal 5. <div class="player-placeholder right" title="Wiz Khalifa Says Performing With Snoop Dogg Is 'Amazing'" id="vid:717293" width="240" height="211"></div> The Cali rap vet and <a href="/news/articles/1644383/wiz-khalifa-is-mtv-news-hottest-breakthrough-mc-of-2010.jhtml">MTV News' Hottest Breakthrough MC of 2010</a> were in the Big Apple to promote the soundtrack, set for release December 13, to their upcoming film, <a href="/news/articles/1673119/wiz-khalifa-snoop-dogg-high-school-soundtrack.jhtml">"Mac & Devin Go to High School."</a> After openers Chevy Woods and YG warmed up the crowd, Snoop walked out to his 2009 single "I Wanna Rock." Dressed in all black, with black shades and two braids in his hair, Tha Doggfather shuffled across the stage flanked by three curvaceous female dancers, who started out in Adidas tracksuits but had stripped down to skimpy lingerie by the time Snoop performed Akon's uncensored "I Wanna F--- You," three-quarters of the way through his set. Snoop's half-hour solo portion of the show was filled with classics like Dr. Dre's "Nuthin' but a 'G' Thang" and "Next Episode" as well as his own "Bitch Please" and "Who Am I? (What's My Name?)" Wiz emerged later to perform his newer rap favorites. Starting with "Cabin Fever," Khalifa bounced across the stage chanting, "If you see her, point her out," acknowledging all the "bad bitches" in the crowd. Most of Wiz's performance was centered around mixtape material. The Taylors gave overwhelming approval and applause as Cap ran through "Gang Bang" and Kush & Orange Juice faves "Never Been" and "In the Cut." A brief intermission followed, during which scenes from "Mac & Devin Go to High School" played on the venue's big screen. Snoop and Wiz then returned, this time together, performing in tandem and passing joints to and fro. First up was <a href="/news/articles/1656139/wiz-khalifa-and-snoop-doggs-that-good-video-hits-net.jhtml">"That Good,"</a> the initial collaborative "Mac & Devin" leak, on which Snoop dubs the stoner duo "the new Cheech and Chong." From there, the Dogg launched into his classic "Gin & Juice" while Khalifa served up some ad-libs. Wiz encouraged his young Taylors to show the elder Snoop love, while the Dogg asked the crowd to congratulate the Pittsburgh breakout on his recent <a href="/news/articles/1675194/grammy-nominations-2012-kanye-west-adele-bruno-mars.jhtml">Grammy nomination</a> for Best Rap Performance, and the audience happily obliged both requests. Though the two rocked solo songs like "Drop It Like It's Hot" and "On My Level," by the time Snoop Dogg and Wiz Khalifa reached the show-closing <a href="/news/articles/1672930/snoop-dogg-wiz-khalifa-young-wild-and-free.jhtml">"Young, Wild & Free,"</a> their onstage chemistry was undeniable. Though there are a number of years between the two MCs, the duo proved that when it comes to rocking crowds, age ain't nothing but a number. Have you seen Snoop Dogg and Wiz Khalifa live? Share your review in the comments!

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Photos | MTV Buzzworthy Blog: How Our Favorite Pop Stars Celebrated New Year's

MTV Buzzworthy Blog: How Our Favorite Pop Stars Celebrated New Year's

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Metallica - I Disappear

I Disappear

Artist: Metallica
Label: Hollywood Records
Director:

Source:
http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?artist=995&vid=9323

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Photos | 2011 Pre-Grammy Celebrations

2011 Pre-Grammy Celebrations

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/photos/2011-pre-grammy-celebrations/1657727/5687439/photo.jhtml

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War Of The Five Kings: Stannis Baratheon

Joffrey Baratheon. Robb Stark. Balon Greyjoy. Renly Baratheon. Who are we missing in the War of the Five Kings? Well, in my opinion, we're missing the big one: the new guy on the street, the man some have called Azhor Azhai Reborn. The final king to enter the ring, ladies and gentlemen, is... Know Your [...]

Source: http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2012/03/30/game-of-thrones-stannis-baratheon/

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Friday, March 30, 2012

John Mayer And Giada De Laurentiis Deny Romance Rumors

'There is not a sliver of truth to Star magazine's story,' married Food Network star says in a statement.
By Jocelyn Vena

<a href="/music/artist/mayer_john/artist.jhtml">John Mayer's</a> little black book is already full of A-listers. (see: <a href="/news/articles/1651274/taylor-swift-grilled-about-jake-gyllenhaal-john-mayer-on-ellen.jhtml">Taylor Swift</a>, <a href="/news/articles/1632945/jessica-simpson-talks-about-john-mayer-on-oprah.jhtml">Jessica Simpson</a> and <a href="http://hollywoodcrush.mtv.com/2010/01/20/john-mayer-on-breaking-up-with-jennifer-aniston-it-was-one-of-the-worst-times-of-my-life/">Jennifer Aniston</a>), but one married TV chef is denying rumors of an affair with the singer/songwriter. Food Network star Giada De Laurentiis issued a statement Wednesday (November 10) refuting a <a href="http://www.starmagazine.com/john_mayer_giada_de_laurentiis/news/17556" target="_blank">Star magazine</a> report that she and the Grammy winner recently had a hotel tryst in New York. "It is a shame a media outlet such as Star needs to rely on disgraceful lies and hide behind false anonymous 'sources' in order to entertain their readers. When the Star reporter approached Giada De Laurentiis on Sunday, while she was co-hosting a children's cancer fundraiser, Giada responded unequivocally that she did not see John Mayer when she was in New York for the Food and Wine Festival," the lengthy statement to <a href="http://www.usmagazine.com/celebritynews/news/tv-chef-i-didnt-sleep-with-john-mayer-20101011" target="_blank">Us Weekly</a> reads. "Furthermore, contrary to the claims of an anonymous 'source,' at no time did Giada step foot in the Gansevoort Hotel. "Giada indeed met John Mayer briefly at a charity event in 2007 but has not seen him since. To be clear, they are not friends and cannot even go so far as to call John Mayer an acquaintance," the statement continued. "There is not a sliver of truth to Star magazine's story. It is unfortunate Star would publish these malicious untruths without reporting the fact that Giada was with her husband Todd that weekend in New York, along with their family and friends. Giada De Laurentiis and her family deserve an apology and we demand an immediate retraction." For his part, Mayer also denied the romance rumors in a much shorter statement: "The claims are absolutely ridiculous." Do you think there's any truth to the rumors? Share your thoughts in the comments!

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Source:
http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1651962/john-mayer-and-giada-de-laurentiis-deny-romance-rumors.jhtml

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Photos | 2012 Grammy Nominees

2012 Grammy Nominees

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Chris Cornell Filling In For Robert Plant On Led Zeppelin Tour? That's News To Him

'I have not been approached to fill in for Robert Plant on the Zeppelin tour, but that isn't to say I won't be,' singer says.
By Chris Harris

Former <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/soundgarden/artist.jhtml">Soundgarden</a>Soundgarden and <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/audioslave/artist.jhtml">Audioslave</a>Audioslave frontman <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/cornell_chris/artist.jhtml">Chris Cornell</a>Chris Cornell has spoken out for the first time about rumors that he's been asked to fill in for <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/plant_robert/artist.jhtml">Robert Plant</a>Robert Plant on a proposed <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/led_zeppelin/artist.jhtml">Led Zeppelin</a>Led Zeppelin reunion tour. The trek would feature original guitarist Jimmy Page, original bassist John Paul Jones and Jason Bonham taking over on drums for his late father, John Bonham. Cornell has been mentioned — along with <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/foo_fighters/artist.jhtml">Foo Fighters</a>Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl, former <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/van_halen/artist.jhtml">Van Halen</a>Van Halen frontman <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/hagar_sammy/artist.jhtml">Sammy Hagar</a>Sammy Hagar, <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/white_stripes/artist.jhtml">White Stripes</a>White Stripes mastermind Jack White and <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/alter_bridge/artist.jhtml">Alter Bridge</a>Alter Bridge's Myles Kennedy — as a potential Plant fill-in. Plant has already said that he wouldn't take part in the tour. <div style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; float: left;"> <embed src="http://media.mtvnservices.com/mgid:uma:video:mtv.com:314096" width="256" height="223" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" flashVars="configParams=instance%3Dnews%26vid%3D314096" allowFullScreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" base="."></embed></div> "I have not been approached so far to fill in for Robert Plant on the upcoming Zeppelin tour, but that isn't to say I won't be," Cornell told MTV News. "I've heard that from about 200 people now, and it might be one of those situations where it's just an online rumor or it might be true. But if you see anyone from Led Zeppelin around, let me know. I think I should actually fill in for Jimmy Page on the Robert Plant/ Alison Krauss tour." Cornell's denial comes just a day after <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/aerosmith/artist.jhtml">Aerosmith</a>Aerosmith guitarist <a href="http://aeronewsdaily.com/blog/2008/10/31/aerosmith-guitarist-says-page-trying-to-motivate-plant-to-return-to-zeppelin/" target="_blank">Brad Whitford confirmed reports</a> that frontman Steven Tyler recently met with Zeppelin for an impromptu jam session. "They did it for fun," Whitford said during an appearance on the syndicated show "Todd N Tyler Radio Empire." "I actually think Jimmy wanted Steven to come over and play a little bit because I think he was trying to light a fire under Robert." Rumors of a Zeppelin reunion tour have abounded since the iconic band played <a href="/news/articles/1576186/led-zeppelin-give-fans-a-whole-lotta-love-at-reunion-show.jhtml">a single reunion set</a> last year at London's O2 Arena. <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/twisted_sister/artist.jhtml">Twisted Sister</a>Twisted Sister frontman Dee Snider added fuel to the fire last month when he revealed that the group was thinking of touring, with or without Plant. <a href="http://newsroom.mtv.com/2008/10/13/another-led-zeppelin-rumor-almost-debunked/">According to Snider</a>, the rest of the band told Plant, " 'We're all rehearsed, we're ready to go. Here's a gazillion dollars on the table. If you don't do it, we're going out with this kid [Myles Kennedy].' " "And he can sing the sh-- out of Zeppelin," Snider added. "They're going to hope that Robert, at the last minute, will go, 'OK,' and step in." In a recent interview, Jones told BBC Radio Devon that a new singer was being sought to take over for Plant. "We are trying out a couple of singers," he said. "We want to do it. It's sounding great, and we want to get on and get out there." But Jones insists that he, Page and Bonham aren't interested in finding a Plant clone. "It's got to be right," he said. "There's no point in just finding another Robert. You could get that out of a tribute band, but we don't want to be our own tribute band. There would be a record and a tour, but everyone has to be onboard." Of course, even if Zeppelin were to approach him, Cornell might be too busy to take over vocals for the band. His upcoming <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/timbaland/artist.jhtml">Timbaland</a>Timbaland-produced solo LP, <a href="/news/articles/1596730/chris-cornell-debuts-timbaland-produced-track-on-tv-show.jhtml">Scream,</a> will be released within the next few months. Cornell told MTV News last month that some of his fans might consider Scream something of a departure, but he doesn't see it that way. "It makes me happy that there's this perception that I have a group of fans that I'm now sort of throwing a curve at and what their reaction will be," he said. "But I've been in this situation so many times already. When I put out [1999's] Euphoria Morning, my main goal was to create an album that sounded like nothing I'd done in Soundgarden, and I did that. I also had that with Temple of the Dog, where I showed up with songs that weren't necessarily riff-based. And then, of course, the pairing of me and members of <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/rage_against_the_machine/artist.jhtml">Rage Against the Machine</a>Rage Against the Machine had everyone sort of speculating about what that would sound like. "It feels like I've done this so many times that when it's presented to me as being a departure, I feel that's a misconception," he added. "I feel like that's my theme at this point."

Ashley Tisdale Asia Argento Aubrey ODay Audrina Patridge

Titanic 'Still Sinks' In 3-D, James Cameron Confirms

'Jack still dies,' director says of the 3-D re-release which he says 'reinvents' the 1997 flick.
By Kevin P. Sullivan

James Cameron
Photo: MTV News

When "Titanic" hits the big screen again on April 4, the ship will be changing course and heading directly into the audience. Director James Cameron has been one of 3-D's biggest proponents for years now and has suggested in the past that any film is open for a three-dimensional makeover. It only makes sense, then, that he put his money where his mouth is and converted his own "Titanic."

Cameron spoke with MTV UK about the process and why the real reward of the re-release is the chance to see his blockbuster on the silver screen again after 15 years.

The director insisted that the movie remains as it was back in 1997, except for the added dimension. "It ends the same way. The ship still sinks. Jack still dies. Oops, I hope I didn't spoil it," he said.

As Cameron has said before, he believes that the 3-D element of the re-release plays a supporting role. He simply wants people to see "Titanic" as it was meant to be seen: in a theater. "I think the first thing you should think of, the most important thing, is that you're going to see it in a movie theater, which is really fundamentally different for anyone who is under a certain age. It hasn't been in a theater for 15 years, so people know it from video. But they haven't taken that ride where you commit to the three hours, and you're going to go on that emotional rollercoaster, and you're going to come out of the end of the movie in a certain mental, emotional state. It's very different."

That isn't the say that the 3-D doesn't add anything. Cameron sees the conversion as a way to reinterpret the experience. "The 3-D is a kind of way of doing that, a way of reinventing the film, and the 3-D does add something to the experience that was never there before, an immediacy, even an intimacy, which is interesting."

Luckily for Cameron, he had originally shot "Titanic" in a way that was conducive to a 3-D conversion. "Even though I wasn't shooting it as a 3-D movie 15 years ago, my particular style is to use wider lenses and to wrap the actors in the scenery," Cameron said. "Because the ship — I don't like to use the term that it was a character — but the environment was constantly informing what was happening, the elegance, the beauty of the ship, the gilt-edged luxury juxtaposed with steerage third class. All those themes are really manifested in the physicality of the ship. The style of seeing all of that when you convert it to 3-D, it just has this lucidity. You just feel like you're there."

Are you planning on seeing the 3-D re-release of "Titanic"? Leave your comment below!

Check out everything we've got on "Titanic."

For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.

Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1682072/titanic-3-d-james-cameron.jhtml

Ciara Cindy Crawford Cindy Taylor Cinthia Moura

Usher's Next Album 'Soulful, Catchy,' Taio Cruz Teases

'He always wants there to be the soul in there,' Cruz tells MTV News about his 'Without You' collaborator.
By Jocelyn Vena, with reporting by Matt Elias

<a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/usher/artist.jhtml">Usher</a> is hard at work on his next album. Set to work with fellow hitmaker <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/cruz__taio/artist.jhtml">Taio Cruz</a>, the two already cooked up some magic with their <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/guetta_david/artist.jhtml">David Guetta</a> anthem <a href="/news/articles/1670301/usher-david-guetta-without-you.jhtml">"Without You,"</a> and it seems they are hoping to recapture that spirit for Usher's follow-up to 2010's Raymond v. Raymond. <div class="player-placeholder right" title="Taio Cruz's Collabo With Usher Is A 'Secret'" id="vid:717257" width="240" height="211"></div> "I saw Usher a few times, but I spoke to him at length at David [Guetta]'s house when we were in Ibiza [Spain]," he told MTV News in L.A. after his Jingle Ball set. "He has very specific ideas of where he wants to go musically and sound-wise." Given that Usher has never shied away from exposing a bit of himself in his music, while also keeping the party going, Cruz wants to make sure they can connect the mind, body and soul for this next release. "He always wants there to be the soul in there," he explained. "I'm kind of, not the opposite, but I'm always like, 'Let's get straight to the point and be really clear with the message and be simple.' "So we try to match those two worlds together: being soulful and, at the same time, catchy," he added. Cruz can't yet discuss what they're working on: Besides "Without You," he said, "Everything else is secret." Usher said he was drawn to the <a href="/news/articles/1674782/usher-david-guetta-without-you.jhtml">Guetta hit</a> because he connected to it emotionally, explaining to MTV News recently what an important part that plays in his musical philosophy. "I think the world wanted a record like that. That [song] really spoke to the journey that I've actually been on in the last three years," he said. "Traveling all around the world, music sounds different. There's many different genres, and when you see R&B and pop and house, as well as electronic, come together, that's the reality of what music is." <div style="background-color:#000000;width:428px;"><div style="padding:4px;"><embed src="http://media.mtvnservices.com/mgid:uma:video:mtv.com:713197/cp~vid%3D713197%26uri%3Dmgid%3Auma%3Avideo%3Amtv.com%3A713197" width="420" height="236" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowFullScreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" base="." flashVars=""></embed></div></div>

Giulianna Ramirez Grace Park Gretha Cavazzoni Gwen Stefani

Jessica Simpson 'Enjoying Being Engaged'

Singer tells Lucky magazine she and Eric Johnson haven't started shopping for their wedding: 'I have not put a single dress on.'
By Jocelyn Vena

<a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/simpson_jessica/artist.jhtml">Jessica Simpson</a> sparkles on the December cover of <a href="http://www.luckymag.com/magazine/2011/12/jessica-simpson" target="_blank">Lucky</a> magazine, and while she may not be dishing on <a href="/news/articles/1673485/jessica-simpson-pregnant.jhtml">becoming a mom</a> in the issue, she does open up about planning her wedding, letting everyone know she's in no rush to walk down the aisle. "I haven't started shopping for our wedding yet," she tells the magazine. "When I got engaged, everyone thought I would get married immediately, but I have not put a single dress on, and by the time this comes out, I will not be married! We're just enjoying being engaged right now, and that's honest." <a href="http://www.mtv.com/photos/thumbnails.jhtml?fid=1673490&view=thumb">Photos: Jessica Simpson's budding baby bump!</a> Simpson and former football player <a href="/news/articles/1652269/jessica-simpson-from-newlyweds-to-newly-engaged.jhtml">Eric Johnson</a> got engaged last year, and on Monday, she broke the news that the couple is expecting their first child together. "When I met him, I just felt so comfortable with myself and where I was in my life that if he didn't want to be part of it, he didn't have to be," she explains about her feelings on love when she and Johnson first started dating. And she says that these days, she's driven by a whole new set of ambitions — none of which has to with life as a celebrity. "I'm not looking for more fame or money," the mom-to-be adds. "I am very secure in those areas." The singer/actress/mogul also talks a bit about the chatter around her figure, saying that despite any criticism she might receive for her curves, "I like the way I look." "Everybody fluctuates, but I'm open about my weight, and I'm still confident. I didn't cry about it too much," she explains. "I got so much scrutiny for putting on extra pounds, but I think that the decision not to make myself anorexic was actually great for branding. Because when you're really, really skinny, not everybody can relate to you. All kinds of women started coming up to me and saying what an example I was setting by not constantly dieting."

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Jessica Simpson's Budding Baby Bump

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Jessica Simpson

Source:
http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1673602/jessica-simpson-pregnant-engaged-lucky-magazine.jhtml

Janet Jackson January Jones Jennie Finch Jennifer Aniston

Jessica Simpson's Dad Tweets Congrats To Newly Engaged Daughter

'May they have a lifetime of joy and happiness,' Simpson wrote over the weekend.
By Jocelyn Vena

<a href="/news/articles/1652213/jessica-simpson-engaged-to-eric-johnson.jhtml">Jessica Simpson is getting</a> plenty of well-wishes since announcing her engagement to football player Eric Johnson over the weekend. And though we hope he congratulated her in person first, Joe Simpson also shared his happiness for his daughter on Twitter. "So very happy for Jess and Eric," he <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/PapaJoeSimpson/status/3930038940475392" target="_blank">wrote</a> on Sunday night. "May they have a lifetime of joy and happiness." <div class="player-placeholder right" title="Jessica Simpson And Eric Johnson Engaged" id="vid:597457" width="240" height="211"></div> Simpson flashed her engagement ring on Saturday, at an appearance at Dillard's in Overland Park, Kansas. <a href="http://www.usmagazine.com/stylebeauty/news/pic-see-jessica-simpsons-stunning-engagement-ring-20101411" target="_blank">UsMagazine.com</a> reported that the ring is a ruby surrounded by two diamonds, designed by celebrity jeweler Neil Lane. Johnson reportedly popped the question on Thursday. They confirmed the news in a statement, "Yes, we are excited to confirm that they are engaged!" Simpson's brother-in-law, Pete Wentz, has talked about Johnson, noting that the NFL player puts a smile on Jessica's face. "He's a really smart guy, and Jessica really loves him," Ashlee's husband told <a href="http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20442126,00.html" target="_blank">People.com</a>. "I think that's the most important thing, seeing her happy." Simpson and Johnson have been dating since May. The pop star recently shared her upcoming Thanksgiving plans and revealed she and her athlete fiancé would spend the holiday together. "We're all gonna be in New York," she told People last month. "I'm gonna be on a [Macy's parade] float. It's not always the best way to spend a Thanksgiving, but it's a great way to celebrate. So, maybe I'll just have all families on the float." And while <a href="/news/articles/1652083/jessica-simpson-insists-shes-happy-for-engaged-nick-lachey.jhtml">Simpson has sent her congrats to Nick Lachey</a> on his recent engagement to Vanessa Minnillo, Lachey has yet to comment on his ex-wife's engagement.

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Lovebirds: Jessica Simpson and Eric Johnson

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Jessica Simpson

Source:
http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1652218/jessica-simpsons-dad-tweets-congrats-to-newly-engaged-daughter.jhtml

Estella Warren Esther Cañadas Eva Green Eva Longoria

Eminem - Superman

Superman

Artist: Eminem
Label: Aftermath
Director: Paul Hunter

Source:
http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?artist=502642&vid=740153

Anne Marie Kortright April Scott Arielle Kebbel Ashanti

Photos | The Men & Women Of 2010

The Men & Women Of 2010

Halle Berry Hayden Panettiere Haylie Duff Heidi Klum

Happy Birthday, Lady Gaga! 26 Letters For 26 Years

For Mother Monster's big day, here's an A-to-Z guide for all things Gaga.
By Vaughn Trudeau Schoonmaker

<a href="/music/artist/lady_gaga/artist.jhtml">Lady Gaga</a> turned 26 years young on Wednesday (March 28), and to help celebrate, MTV News drew up a handy A-to-Z guide touching on some of the most exciting things to come from Mother Monster. Read on and share your birthday wishes for the pop princess! A: April 27. On that day, Gaga will launch what's sure to be one of the year's most spectacular spectacles at the Olympic Stadium in Seoul, Korea, which brings us to ... B: ... <a href="/news/articles/1658379/lady-gaga-atlantic-city.jhtml">Born This Way Ball</a>! We were there when Gaga announced the name of the tour in Atlantic City, New Jersey, last year, and it has been hinted that we can expect an <a href="/news/articles/1675649/lady-gaga-born-this-way-tour.jhtml">"electro pop opera."</a> She had us at "opera." C: Castle. Mother Monster tweeted an image of the <a href="/news/articles/1678676/lady-gaga-born-this-way-stage.jhtml">stage design</a> for the tour, and the elaborate gothic castle has us excited. D: "Dark." Gaga's former creative director, Laurieann Gibson, opened up just last week about why she parted ways with the pop star, telling <a href="http://www.etonline.com/music/120256_Lady_Gaga_s_Former_Choreographer_Laurieann_Gibson_Details_Split/index.html" target="_blank">"ET Canada"</a> that Gaga's ideas "got a little dark for me creatively." E: <a href="/news/articles/1674731/lady-gaga-elton-john-duet.jhtml">Elton John</a>. The godmother to John's adopted son, Gaga has teased a duet with the "Rocket Man" singer for her next album. F: <a href="http://www.mtv.com/videos/news/717202/lady-gaga-has-the-title-and-concept-for-her-next-album.jhtml">Fernando Garibay</a>. The musical director behind Born This Way told MTV News that the new album already has a title and concept. G: Gothic. Veils, brooches and lots of black: Gaga has adopted a gothic theme for her tour, but also in her fashion choices. H: "Heavy Metal Lover." This jam has been begging for radio play; at the very least, the BTW cut should make it to the tour set list. I: Inez & Vinoodh. The Dutch photography duo were heavily involved in the spectacle surrounding Gaga's "Yoü and I" video, crafting awesome fashion clips after the official music video. J: Joanne. Lady Gaga's parents recently opened this Italian trattoria, named for Gaga's late aunt, on New York City's Upper West Side. K: Kinney, as in Taylor Kinney. The beautiful man who played Gaga's love interest in the "Yoü and I" video is rumored to be her real-life love interest too. L: Luc Carl. Gaga must still be on good terms with her ex-BF, because she recently tweeted a shout-out to him when he published his new book, "The Drunk Diet." M: Monster Pit. The special enclosed space within the Born This Way Ball stage where lucky Monsters who line up for hours, even days, before the show will be able to take in the concerts. N: Nicola Formichetti. The singer's new creative director will be her co-HBIC for the foreseeable future. O: Oprah. The talk-show queen is Gaga's new BFF, pretty much. She even tapped the OWN network boss to interview her not long after they launched Gaga's anti-bullying-focused <a href="/news/articles/1681289/lady-gaga-oprah.jhtml">Born This Way Foundation</a> together. P: Piano. One of the best parts of the Monster Ball was when Gaga would slow things down, chatting with the crowd and showing off her raw talent at the piano. Q: Quinceañera. Gaga's one-word Twitter response to a Little Monster who asked how she would celebrate her 26th birthday this year, never mind that it's the kind of party reserved for 15-year-olds. They grow up so fast. R: Red Wine. Widely known to be Mother Monster's alcoholic beverage of choice, alongside whiskey and beer. S: "Stuck on F---in' You." This unreleased and unedited track was leaked by Gaga herself as a Christmas gift to her Little Monsters. She recorded the naughty song on her tour bus last go-round. Can we get another? T: Tea. Gaga's non-alcoholic beverage of choice, about which she recently tweeted a lesson she learned: #KettlesAreForTeaNotFashion. U: Unicorns. The mythical creatures may not exist, but Gaga swoons for them, and why not? Fantasy is as important to her as reality. V: Video Music Awards. Is it too early to begin the campaign for her to blow our minds again at the 2012 VMAs? We'd even settle for <a href="http://www.mtv.com/videos/news/686557/the-born-this-way-vma-win-means-the-most-to-lady-gaga.jhtml#id=1669870">Jo Calderone</a> again. W: Wigs. Her supply is never-ending and will likely continue to fascinate us right on through her 26th year. X: <a href="http://www.ladygagaxterryrichardsonthebook.com" target="_blank">"Lady Gaga X Terry Richardson."</a> Amazing photo book. Seriously, check it out. Y: Yuyi. Will the mermaid join Gaga on tour this year? As long as the tour bus is sea-creature-friendly. Z: Z100 Jingle Ball. In December, Gaga performed a short-but-captivating set at New York City's Madison Square Garden that gave us a peek at what's to come on the Born This Way Ball.

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The Evolution Of: Lady Gaga

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Lady Gaga

Source:
http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1681920/lady-gaga-26-birthday-letters.jhtml

Catherine Bell Chandra West Charisma Carpenter Charli Baltimore

Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer And Anthrax Make Big 4 History

The four thrash founders shared the stage together for the first time in the U.S. on Saturday.
By Ryan J. Downey

INDIO, California — One week after indie hipsters and pop enthusiasts stood on the same desert ground for the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, an estimated 55,000 metal fans watched "The Big 4" of thrash share a U.S. stage together for the first time. "This is history tonight and you're part of it," Metallica frontman James Hetfield told the crowd Saturday at the Empire Polo Fields in Indio, California. "Anthrax, Megadeth, Slayer and Metallica as one — with you!" As members of all four bands gathered together toward the end of Metallica's set to perform the Diamond Head classic "Am I Evil?," fans roared. The group of friends, sometime rivals and ex-bandmates embraced one another affectionately and shared wide smiles. They've sold millions, popularized the thrash style and have long been hailed as "The Big 4" by the press and fans. They've shared members: Megadeth main man Dave Mustaine was part of Metallica's early lineup; Slayer's Kerry King was once in Megadeth. All of the bands except New York's Anthrax originated in Southern California. The Big 4 played festivals together last year across Europe and the subsequent "Big 4 Live in Sofia, Bulgaria" DVD was certified double platinum. They've joined up in various combinations in the past in the U.S., but Saturday marked the first time that all four played the same show in America. "We just wanna take the time to say 'thank you' to all of you metal fans out there who have supported all the bands — not only the Big 4, but the big however many out there," said Hetfield. "There's a lot of great bands out there and we'd like to celebrate all of them. And especially the Big 4, getting out here and jamming, just saying 'thank you' to the world of metal fans for just giving us your support, giving us your heart and giving us your passion, man, 'cause that's what it is for us." Hetfield, Mustaine and Anthrax guitarist Scott Ian all referred to the event as "history" during the seven-hour concert. The backstage area was packed with members of bands like Alice in Chains, Sum 41, Dream Theater, New Found Glory, Throwdown and Fireball Ministry along with former MTV "Headbanger's Ball" host Riki Rachtman, MMA fighter Josh Barnett, comedian Brian Posehn and all three hosts of VH1 Classic's "That Metal Show" — Eddie Trunk, Don Jamieson and Jim Florentine. Anthrax kicked off the show in the late afternoon with a set that drew heavily from their classic 1987 album, Among the Living. Singer Joey Belladonna busted out his signature headdress for a rousing "Indians" during which Ian demanded the crowd mosh more enthusiastically for the "war dance" breakdown. Their set included a few songs from their first two albums as well as two covers that have long been staples for them, Joe Jackson's "Got the Time" and Trust's "Anti-Social." Belladonna, Ian, drummer Charlie Benante, bassist Frankie Bello and lead guitarist Rob Caggiano wore black T-shirts featuring Anthrax's pentagram "A" symbol intertwined with an American flag, presumably in tribute to the Big 4's first American appearance together. (Once upon a time, the guys in Anthrax famously took pity on a starving Metallica in New York City and gave them food and drink.) Anthrax didn't touch anything from when John Bush sang for the band, but they did offer a preview of their forthcoming album (their first with Belladonna since 1990) with "Fight 'Em 'Til You Can't," a new song they've been playing live since late last year. Belladonna paused to remember "people that we miss" — the late Ronnie James Dio and Pantera guitarist "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott — and led the crowd in a huge sing-along to their comic book-inspired set-closer, "I Am the Law." Ironically, an airplane flew overhead advertising the upcoming Mötley Crüe and Poison tour — two bands the thrash movement was very much reacting against when it arose in clubs in the early '80s with an emphasis on aggression, speed and musicianship over image, commercial appeal and flashiness. Fans at the Big 4 show wore T-shirts representing all four bands as well as groups like D.R.I., Nuclear Assault and Coroner. Megadeth opened with one of the biggest radio hits of their career, "Trust," which is still harder in sound than most anything the "hair metal" scene ever offered. Brandishing a double-neck guitar, Mustaine led the band into "In My Darkest Hour" (the music of which was inspired by the 1986 death of Metallica bassist Cliff Burton), which was followed by a huge chant of "Megadeth! Megadeth! Megadeth!" Bassist and co-founder David Ellefson was right by Mustaine's side throughout, backed skillfully by drummer Shawn Drover and lead guitarist Chris Broderick. Although Mustaine is famously quotable in interviews, Megadeth let their technically complex but often brazenly melodic take on thrash do most of the talking as the band's leader traded solos with Broderick and the crowd sang along with songs like "Hanger 18" and "Wake Up Dead." The vicious and old-school-sounding "Headcrusher" from the band's most recent album sat alongside catalog hits like "Sweating Bullets," "Symphony of Destruction" and "A Tout le Monde." The opening bass line to "Peace Sells" was used as the intro for MTV News reports for years but it's the song's chorus that really lit a fire with the crowd as band mascot Vic Rattlehead lumbered about the stage and the audience shouted the lyrics. Following "Holy Wars," Mustaine left the stage with his signature closing line: "You guys have been great... And we have been Megadeth." Slayer stormed the stage with the title track from their newest slab of aggressive bleakness, World Painted Blood. Although health problems now prevent frontman Tom Araya from literally headbanging, the physicality on display from guitarist Kerry King and drummer Dave Lombardo was undeniable. The hot desert sun gave way to darkness while the band played; fitting, considering most Slayer lyrics. Araya screamed "War!" as they launched into 1990's "War Ensemble" followed immediately by "Postmortem" and "Raining Blood" from their 1986 thrash masterpiece, Reign in Blood. Slayer dug into their 1983 debut album, Show No Mercy, for the song "Black Magic," and overall, the set spanned their entire career, including "Silent Scream," "Seasons in the Abyss," "Dead Skin Mask" and more. Exodus guitarist Gary Holt has been touring with the band as a fill-in for Jeff Hanneman, who is recovering from surgery on one of his arms. Holt is a thrash legend in his own right but the crowd roared when Hanneman made a surprise appearance for Slayer's last two songs, "South of Heaven" and "Angel of Death," which featured an extended double-bass drum break from Lombardo. Speaking of legends, all four bands have many successes to celebrate, but Metallica clearly have earned their headlining slot. Their 1991 self-titled "Black Album" has sold over 15 million copies in the U.S. alone, and their appearance at the Big 4 event boasted fireworks, fire, a two-story stage and an extra video screen that were all absent during the previous three acts' performances. Composer Ennio Morricone's "The Ecstasy of Gold" from "The Good, The Bad and The Ugly" announced Metallica's arrival to the stage as it has consistently for several years. Four of the first five songs of the two-hour set were from 1984's Ride the Lightning: "Creeping Death," "For Whom the Bell Tolls," "Fade to Black" and the title track, which was co-written by Dave Mustaine. There were several solos from lead guitarist Kirk Hammett, whom Hetfield has taken to calling "The Ripper," between songs. Bassist Robert Trujillo had several chances to shine, as well, particularly during the rarely played "Orion," which Hetfield dedicated to late bassist Cliff Burton. With the exception of a couple of songs from the well-received Death Magnetic album, "Fuel" was the only post-"Black Album" song aired, with a heavy emphasis on Lightning and 1986's Master of Puppets. There was, of course, "One" from ... And Justice for All as well as the opening track, "Blackened." The crowd roared their approval of the group's catalog (even singing along with guitar solos) throughout the Metallica set, and their energy never waned. The set included many fireworks, both figuratively and literally. One of Hammett's aforementioned solos transitioned nicely into the ballad "Nothing Else Matters." As Hetfield held out the note from the solo it led right into "Enter Sandman." It was a series of transitions that longtime Metallica fans welcomed with warm familiarity. As the road crew spent some time getting things ready for the Big 4 jam, Hetfield addressed the crowd with a heartfelt speech about the bands' three decades in heavy music. "Can you believe it? Thirty years, man," he said. "I don't know how many of you have been around that long, you know?! It doesn't matter; you're here right now to see the Big 4, and we're getting this prepared for a big jam, all right? It's pretty important." After "Am I Evil?" Metallica jumped back to their 1983 debut, Kill 'Em All, for "Hit the Lights" and "Seek and Destroy," which has been their set closer for the past few years. Giant beach balls emblazoned with the Metallica logo dropped onto the crowd and were kicked back and forth. As Metallica took their bows and said their goodbyes, drummer and band co-founder Lars Ulrich teasingly dubbed the event the "first" of Big 4 shows in America.

Busy Philipps Cameron Diaz Cameron Richardson Camilla Belle