On the last day of the Circle Of The Oath tour, AXEL RUDI PELL and the band received in front of a sold out Zeche in Bochum, Germany a gold award for over 10,000 sold 'Run With The Wind' singles in Sweden.

Five sold out shows - among these are an attendance record at the Z7 in Pratteln, Switzerland - plus three sold out consecutive shows at the Zeche in Bochum in front of over 12,000 enthusiastic fans make the Circle Of The Oath Tour the most successful Axel Rudi Pell tour ever!

According to a post on OPETH's Facebook, singer Mikael Åkerfeldt was in a car accident and "was rushed to the hospital" prior to the band's show at the Myth in Maplewood, Minnesota last night (May 7th). No other details his condition have been given although online reports say Åkerfeldt broke his arm and is said to be doing fine and expected to return to the tour shortly.

As SLASH (VELVET REVOLVER, ex-GUNS N' ROSES) gears up for the May 22 release of his second solo studio album Apocalyptic Love, he's announced a run of headlining shows in North America kicking off July 12th and wrapping August 4th with up-and-coming Canadian group MONSTER TRUCK supporting.

An exclusive fan pre-sale begins this Wednesday, May 9th at 10 AM at Slashonline.com, and will feature packages including VIP meet and greets, and rare merch items such as signed guitars. Slash and his band. Myles Kennedy and The Conspirators, are currently touring the US, a mix of headlining dates and festivals (Carolina Rebellion, Rock On the Range, Rocklahoma).

Former INTO ETERNITY guitarist and "ambassador of Saskatchewan metal" Rob Doherty has suddenly passed. He played on the band's 2004 album Buried In Oblivion. Into Eternity mainman Tim Roth says that "he was a special part of our band. Our condolences go out to all of Rob's family and friends, and to all those, who Rob's music touched."

Doherty's band mates in FINAL DARKNESS issued the following statement: "It is with incredible sadness that we must say good bye to our brother Rob - you will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved you...thank you for being a part of our lives. May you find peace my friend..."