Yesterday, it was revealed that Van Halen were postponing over 30 previously announced dates this Summer. An official explanation for the sudden change of plans has still not been given. However, according to TMZ, the reason is simple: they’re just burned out.

“They want to make sure their concerts are not a routine … they want every performance to be special,” an unidentified source tells TMZ. The same source claims that Van Halen’s current schedule was “too much, too fast” for them and that they need time to “re-charge their engines.” This comes shortly after Rolling Stone heard from insiders that “The band is arguing like mad. They are fighting.” TMZ’s sources, though, say that reports of any feuds are “total B.S.”

Granted, Van Halen have been doing their fair share of touring in support of their latest album A Different Kind Of Truth. And it’s easy to get burnt out fast while on the road. However, it still seems fishy that Van Halen would postpone over half of their tour so suddenly and without any official reasoning given. Plus, it’s not like the Van Halen brothers and David Lee Roth have always gotten along in the first place. We could speculate multiple theories (maybe they are butting heads constantly, but just need a little time to cool off before getting back on the road?), but we’re sure more is going to develop soon.

Headbangers’ Brawl is a weekly column where Metal Insider’s contributors take a moment to debate and analyze two opposing sides of a topical issue occurring in the world of metal and/or the music industry.

It’s been less than 24 hours since Black Sabbath “commented” on Bill Ward’s statement confirming his departure. And not only are fans still sour over the news, but the band have actually found a way to further upset them. How, you ask? Well, take a look at Sabbath’s newly launched website. As you can see, Ward has been completely removed from most of the site’s old group photos (besides the ones featuring on the site’s history page).

As you can imagine, many of Ward’s supporters (including Tony Conley, the page administrator for “1,000,000 Black Sabbath fans say yes to Bill Ward” Facebook page) are outraged by Sabbath’s actions. So with that in mind, Bram and Zach debate whether Black Sabbath have committed the ultimate sin by cutting out Ward’s appearance in classic photos.

Zach: Ok, so I think a lot of people might give me shit for saying this, but… I don’t think Sabbath are in the wrong in regards to cutting Ward out of the photos. Does it suck? Yeah, just like how it sucks that Ward isn’t going to be on stage with Sabbath tomorrow evening. But the sad truth is that the guys you see in most of the website’s picture are the members you will be seeing this Summer onstage. I almost think it would have been false advertising if they kept Ward in the pictures. I’d have more of an issue if they had replaced Ward’s image in the vintage pictures with the “substitute drummer” (connect your own dots), similar to what Van Halen did in Guitar Hero.

Bram: Yeah, and we all know how much shit Van Halen got for photoshopping Michael Anthony out of album covers on their website. Eventually they went back to using Anthony instead of Wolfie. What pisses me (and, y’know, everyone) off about this is that they’re fucking with legacy. The pictures they’re photoshopping Ward out of are old pictures that clearly had him in them. While it’s not like everything is transparent and laid out there, it’s pretty obvious that this is about money. We don’t know what Ward’s demands were, but even if they were unreasonable, it’s childish, petty and immature to pretend he never existed within the band. (more…)

Ghost have been creating a lot buzz for themselves with their debut album Opus Eponymous, especially following their opening stint for Mastodon and Opeth. So it shouldn’t be too surprising that numerous labels have been seeking out the mysterious Swedish doom group (who were previously signed to Rise Above Records, an imprint of Metal Blade) at recent shows. But rumor has it that Papa Emeritus and the Nameless Ghouls have already found a new label home.

According to Crazed Hits, Ghost have signed a deal with Seven Four Ent., a new label founded by former Warner Bros. Records Chairman/CEO Tom Whalley. As of now, though, the deal has not been officially announced. However, if this is indeed true, then Ghost will likely be the label’s first signing. It’s hard to deny that Ghost have gained a cult following over the past year. Hell, even some of metal and hard rock’s biggest names have been showing them lots of love. With that in mind, we’re a little surprised to see a band with lots of potential to grow work with a brand new label (that’s also an imprint of Universal Republic Records). But with a new album on the horizon, maybe the new deal will give Ghost the push they need to becoming the even bigger, more theatrical band they want to be. And it’s pretty apt that the label’s an offshoot of Universal, who have had amazing success with another buzzworthy European metal act, Volbeat.

You’ve likely already heard a few songs off of Six Feet Under’s new album Undead, including the first single “Formaldehyde.” And this Tuesday (May 22), fans will get to pick up Undead for themselves. Well actually, we don’t have to wait for five days to hear it.

That’s because Decibel is currently streaming the death metal legends’ new album in its entirety online. We ourselves just started listening to Undead, which marks the band’s first with its new lineup (including ex-Chimaira guitarist Rob Arnold and drummer Kevin Talley). But so far, the album sounds pretty damn brutal. So go ahead and listen to Six Feet Under’s Undead, due out on May 22 via Metal Blade Records, in its entirety over at Decibel.

Back in March, Danzig announced a handful dates to coincide with his Bonnaroo appearance. Some of these shows will be billed as “Danzig Legacy” (where Danzig performs sets of Samhain, Misfits and solo material) while others will simply feature ex-Misfits guitarist Doyle Von Frankenstein as a special guest. And now it would appear that Kyng will be opening on these special dates.

“We are happy to announce that Kyng will be direct support to Danzig May 26th thru June 7! Dates to be posted shortly,” Kyng revealed via their Facebook page. The hard rock trio have been having one hell of a year so far, having been on the road with Clutch and Hellyeah, and will soon be performing at Metallica’s Orion Music & More. And getting the chance to open for Danzig even for a few shows (especially for shows where he’ll be performing “Legacy” sets) will further expose Kyng to a larger audience. (more…)