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Ronnie James Dio, the diminutive Italian heavy metal legend with a voice of thunder, lost his six-month battle with stomach cancer today, May 16th, at the age of 67. One of the longest-performing musicians in the heavy metal and rock music genres, Dio was the legendary voice of Rainbow, Black Sabbath, his own band (Dio), and the Black Sabbath offshoot Heaven & Hell. Still at the top of his game when he was diagnosed with cancer, and with more tours and albums planned, Dio's death leaves a void in heavy metal that will possibly remain unfilled forever.

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Joey Belladonna

The lead vocalist drama of thrash metal originals Anthrax took another turn, as the band announced that they have rejoined forces with Joey Belladonna, the singer from their "classic" era (1984-1992). It's the latest turn that has now seen three names in the vocalist position over the last 10 months - Dan Nelson, John Bush, and now Belladonna. It's been seven years since the last Anthrax CD (2003's We've Come For You All), and if history is any judge, it will be another seven years until we hear new Anthrax.

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Operation: Mindcrime II

With 2006's Operation: Mindcrime II (Rhino Entertainment), Queensrÿche ask the question: How do you follow brilliance? After releasing what is widely considered one of the finest heavy metal albums of all time (1988's Operation: Mindcrime), the temptation to rest on their laurels must have been overwhelming. But there are more stories to be told, and as Nikki the drug addict and convicted murderer is released from prison, he's got one thing on his mind: "I'll kill the bastard."

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Reign in Blood

Untouched, unparalleled and unprecedented, Slayer set the bar higher than ever thought possible with 1986's Reign in Blood (Def Jam). The culmination - but more importantly, the refinement - of the two albums that preceded it, Reign in Blood was so influential that it defined Slayer's career and image, spawned at least two other subgenres of heavy metal, and remained so popular among the band and fans that eighteen years after it was released, was played live in its entirety, with the band being drenched in fake blood at the climax.

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Fate of Norns

Amon Amarth's fifth full-length album, 2004's Fate of Norns (Metal Blade) continues the evolution of their sound, from standard melodic death metal into the icy landscapes that would see them become the undisputed kings of the Viking metal mountain. While not as refined as the two albums that would follow it, Fate of Norns is nonetheless an important stepping stone in Amon Amarth's career, and contains plenty of cuts that have become regular fixtures in the band's live shows.

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American Carnage

Since Megadeth have been performing Rust In Peace from start to finish on their "Rust In Peace 20th Anniversary Show", their live set probably won’t offer too many surprises. However, Slayer have never played Seasons In The Abyss before, meaning that songs like "Spirit in Black" and "Temptation", which have never been played live, will get their debuts, two decades after they were first written. It's the second time Slayer have played a full album before; the last time they did was to celebrate the 20th anniversary of 1986's Reign In Blood. The live shows from that tour culminated in the band being drenched with fake blood during "Reign In Blood", leaving the door open for a similar thematic element to their American Carnage shows. 

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American Carnage

Thrash metal legends Megadeth and Slayer have announced that they will each play their respective classic albums Rust In Peace and Seasons In The Abyss in their entireties, as the bands co-headline the rescheduled American Carnage tour. Both albums being released in 1990, this year marks the twentieth anniversary of the release of both albums. The tour also heralds the twentieth anniversary of the original Clash of the Titans tour, which saw Megadeth and Slayer share the stage with fellow thrashers Testament in Europe. The American Carnage tour will be the first time since 1990 that all three bands have shared the stage, and the first time that that lineup will play North America. No word yet on whether Testament will follow suit and play one of their full albums, but we can only hope.

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Secret of the Runes

As with all of Therion's later work, Secret of the Runes (2001, Nuclear Blast) is a lush, exquisitely-crafted piece of art. Guitarist, keyboardist, percussionist, lyricist, songwriter and former vocalist Christofer Johnsson shows an ambition to look at Therion's albums as less a collection of songs, and more like pieces in a jigsaw puzzle. In the case of Secret of the Runes, the puzzle is an intricate and vivid picture of Norse mythology, from creation of the world to its destruction. While this is lofty enough in its own right, Therion do the improbable and make music to match.

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Liebe ist für alle da

Industrial metal titans Rammstein have released a music video for their song "Haifisch". It's the third single from their 2009 album Liebe ist für alle da (which is German for "Love is there for everyone"). There, now you can charm German people. 

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