FACT or FICTION

You've probably seen this column idea at other sites. We thought it would be cool to do it for the various metal rumors floating around the Internet.

1. The classic "Among the Living" lineup of Anthrax — Joey Belladonna (vocals), Frank Bello (bass), Dan Spitz (guitar), Scott Ian (guitar) and Charlie Benante (drums) will record an new song or two, but break apart before any full CD is released. FACT or FICTION?

1Evil1 - FACT: Belladonna will want more money and Scott will kick him out. The band will then realize what an integral part John Bush plays with them and ANTHRAX will put out a new cd with him.

EC - I honestly don't see them getting that far. I don't believe that band will get into a studio together. I think you are basically just seeing a band that was hellbent on getting on an Ozzfest type gig and will do whatever it takes to get there. I know in the past that Sharon Osbourne has had problems with John Bush and is perfectly fine with the rest of the band. This is a FACT that they will break apart before a "reunion" album is recorded.

Ken - FICTION: I think the response to this lineup will repair the amount of disinterest the band has faced in recent years. Joey Belladonna can still sing those classic numbers and I think this is what the fanbase clamors for. Granted, Bush was very good on some things, but he could not get me won over on the vintage stuff.

Nailer - FICTION: I'd say there will be a record, videos and possible DVD shoot. Had a dream the other day that I was in attendance backstage talking with one of the guys from the band. I'll tell ya twice when deja-vu hits, baby. Tap into the wishes of Fate, that indifferent bitch.

Veritas - FICTION - I don't think this reunion will last for forever, but I would be surprised if they didn't release at least one album. On Headbanger's Ball they seemed pretty happy to be back together.

2. Now that the "classic" lineup of Anthrax has reunited, current vocalist John Bush will be completely out of the group by year's end and back into Armored Saint. FACT or FICTION?

1Evil1 - FICTION: He will be asked to rejoin ANTHRAX. ARMORED SAINT will still R.I.P.

EC - FICTION. Bush runs the show. Say what you want but he has really stepped up as a leader of this band. I think he has simply "moved over" to allow the band more exposure in an attempt to get the band back to it's 80s status. Once that happens Bush will resume all activities with the group.

Ken - FACT: I think so, but I don’t remember Saint having a large enough impact on metal for more than a small cult following to even care.

Nailer - FACT: Armored Saint will start up again with John and Joey and make an album with some cool lyrics that I'll burn into the recesses of my brain like a nugget of knowledge to use on that odd occasion that warrants it, like: "The pain starts when the quaalude ends."

Veritas - FACT: Regardless of how long this reunion lasts (my esitmate: about a year, maybe two) I think Bush is done with Anthrax for good - he's better off in Armored Saint anyway.

3. With the reunion of German power rockers Accept now a reality, the band will go further than just touring and will record a new album together. FACT or FICTION?

1Evil1 - FACT: They will record a new album but will not tour in support of it. It will be a mediocre album that will fall to the cutout bin in 2 weeks and EC will buy them all up to distribute online.

EC - FACT! Accept are getting along fine, the UDO albums aren't quite as creative as they could be, and Herman Frank isn't getting any notoriety in Moon Doc and Victory.

Nailer - FICTION: You got your balls to the wall, man...balls to the wall...break your chains and show me the sign of victory...lets plug a bomb in everyone's ass...we're gonna fight for the right to party...gang chants rule the Earth and never will that greatness be achieved ah-GAIN...God bless ya.

Veritas - FICTION: This reunion will be great for the lucky fans that get to see them play one last time at Wacken or another festival... but then Udo will stick with his solo project.

4. With the release of their new album, Corrosion Of Conformity will hit their biggest peak yet, with this album selling more copies than their previous efforts. FACT Or FICTION?

1Evil1 - FICTION: As much as I would like to see this happen, COC will remain almost an underground band due to the timespan between releases and the abundance of albums being released that are just plain better.

EC - FICTION. Why? The new COC record is a turd.

Nailer - FACT: They'll notch up a few more CDs in sales, and Woodroe will make the cover of People magazine as one of the 50 Most Beautiful Rockstars replacing the guy from Matchbox 20. This honor will hang like an albatross around his neck and he'll go into seclusion from the abuse King Fowley heaps upon him.

Veritas - In the Arms of God was an excellent release and after their tour with Motorhead is through, COC will find themselves more popular than ever.

5. The current Motley Crue tour will implode before it makes it to Australia in December with Motorhead? FACT Or FICTION?

1Evil1 - FACT: It will implode and Mick Mars will finally become stiff as a board and the CRUE will have to haul him around like a cardboard cutout.

EC - FICTION. I think the band is really starting to gell again. I think they have learned from past mistakes and are ready to accept the FACT that they aren't quite the superstars they once were. Egos are in check, wallets are still loaded, and management is still on their toes. The 'Crue is rock solid.

Ken - FICTION: These guys seem to be having a great time and working together well. If it happens however they deserve whatever comes from it, for this was being done right and kicked some serious ass. Look at all the positive reviews (especially mine under Road Reports on this very website – shameless plug hahaha)

Nailer - FACT: That's a long time, but they're selling tickets and making enough green that once the slapfest starts between rocker Tommy and rocker Vince their handlers will step in and cool everybody's jets with champagne and dirty pussy.

Veritas - FACT: Something is bound to happpen to one of these unpredictable rockers by then that'll screw things up.

6. With Ian Christe's recent power metal article in the new Guitar World and the new Ozzfest lineup with Iron Maiden, the traditional genre will finally start seeing an upswing success and sales in the US. FACT Or FICTION?

1Evil1 - FACT: Everything comes full circle and metal has been climbing its way back into the hearts of Americans. With Nu Metal on the downfall traditional metal will make its come back.

EC - FACT. Power metal is slowly finding a home here in the states. Rather obscure bands like Paragon years ago were hard to find even as imports. Now their new record is in the stores along with other notable power staples like Dungeon, Kamelot, Stratovarius, Demons & Wizards, Domain, etc. Hammerfall and Edguy are doing a tremendous run through the US this summer, further solidifying a power metal prescence here.

Ken - FACT: Much of the nu-metal and especially the current US speed/death is becoming boring. You never know who you are listening to if you can even make a full listen. Traditional metal today is best thought of us the classic rock to the kids who listen to that stuff. Many are giving it a glance in the vacancy of original stuff in their favored genres.

Nailer - FICTION: The new Priest is a dud, Maiden fans want "The Trooper", there isn't enough traditional bands making waves on the charts and I don't see a bunch of classic-styled bands getting signed. "You don't need a weather man to know which way the wind blows."

Veritas - FICTION: It would be nice, but it's not enough...

7. Megadeth will be eventually added to this year's Ozzfest despite what Mustaine has said in print. FACT Or FICTION?

1Evil1 - FICTION: GIGANTOUR will 'Rattle Your God Damn Head'!!!!

EC - FICTION. I think this "Davefest" will give him enough ego boost.

Ken - FICTION: Megadeths Gigantour will sate the need for US Based Festivals in Mustaines mind. Plus since he is joining forces with progressive and power metal greats alike, this will be popular among a different level of fans.

Nailer - FICTION: Dave wants his own Ozzfest with Gigantour. Good for him. He should challenge the status quo regularly as we all should, but don't.

Veritas - With Gigantour announced, there is no way this can be possible.

8. On the Iron Maiden show for Ozzfest, a one night only event will be planned showcasing Paul Dianno doing guest vocals on a few songs. FACT Or FICTION?

1Evil1 - FICTION: This will never ever ever ever happen! Dianno has his own thing and that is his focus.

EC - FICTION, although I think this could really go either way. The reunion thing is really hot right now. I just don't see Bruce "laying down" for anyone.

Ken - FICTION: I don’t think Dianno is allowed in the US. Visa issues, and I also cant see Bruce willing to step aside for a number or two. He has sang Wrathchild and Sanctuary for decades now, why stop. The fans want Dianno, they can buy the DVD they are supporting.

Nailer - FICTION: They won't let him onstage nor would they let Blaze near a mic. Bruce was, is and always will be The Man. If anybody sings with them it will be a confused Ozzy walking out early to Number of the Beast.

Veritas - FICTION: Paul has said some things in the past and I highly doubt Bruce & co. have the desire to work with him

9. Ozzy Osbourne appeared on XM Radio's "Opie and Anthony" radio show Monday morning (March 21). When asked about recent rumors of plastic surgery and what he had done, Ozzy replied, "I had my dick shortened". Ozzy shot down the rumors and said "I don't know where they get this shit from." Ozzy had plastic surgery to look younger? FACT Or FICTION?

1Evil1 - FICTION: Has anybody seen him?? The man doesnt look young. I also don't think he could sit still enough for any operation and think of the amount of drugs it would take to effect this man to knock him out for surgery, no doctor could use that much on one person.

EC - FICTION. I really don't think he cares what he looks like. If he is willing to go on cable television and make a complete jackass out of himself and his family then it is clearly obvious personal upkeep is not a priority.

Ken - FACT: I am thinking Ozzy would look far worse from the drugs he partook in over the years. Look at Keith Richards for example. Unless Ozzy stays younger looking because of some deal with the devil. You never know, hahaahaha.

Nailer - FACT: Sharon probably looked at his saggy ass scraping the floor one night and said, "C'mon, Dad-dy, just a nip and tuck for Mummy."  Ozzy wakes and "BAM!", 10 years younger; same crazy.

Veritas - FACT: With everything he's been through, I just thought he'd aged exceptionally well until now.

10. With Ozzy Osbourne slowly slipping from his "icon" status, the next face to represent metal will be Rob Halford. FACT Or FICTION?

1Evil1 - FACT: It seems Halford is the most suited for the position but one difference is that Ozzy kept putting out good music. Halford is struggling in this aspect as time goes on. Unfortunatly it seems like there is no clear standout to represent metal. All the 'icons' are past their prime and would not last long enough to represent metal for years to come. We need a fresh face to come up from the ashes and take the metal world by storm like ozzy did after leaving Sabbath, someone who could be the hero of metal and represent it for years to come...Is there anybody out there??

EC - FICTION. Who the hell can see Halford's face when he has it that close to his ankles?!?

Ken - FICTION: I don’t see Ozzy slipping from Metal Icon status and I don’t see Sharon letting this happen. She runs the show and will keep him mainstream metal icon for a long time. As far as Halford, he is always been the Metal God and he still has some more years to show it.

Nailer - FICTION: He's one of the best out there as I mentioned in Jugular column #57 (shameless plug!), but Metal gets attention from outsiders based on the preconceived notions of evilness and darkness. The next big metal rep will be an anti-hero who scares normal folk.

Veritas - FICTION: He deserves it, but unfortunatly it might be tough for some in the mainstream audience to identify with him because oh his sexuality. It's really a shame.