Slash speaks about his favourite guitar riff

Slash speaks exclusively to MusicRadar about his favourite riffs, what makes a killer riff and which of his own riffs he likes the best.

METALLICA Guitarist Interviewed On 'The Metal File'; Audio Available

Metallica guitarist Kirk Hammett was interviewed last night (Saturday, September 19) for this week's "The Metal File" podcast from Montreal's CHOM-FM. You can stream the show online at this location.

METALLICA drummer Lars Ulrich has disputed reports that the band is assembling a tour that would feature the "Big Four" of the 1980s underground thrash metal scene — itself, SLAYER, MEGADETH and ANTHRAX. In an interview with Nudge at Dayton, Ohio radio station 103.9 The X, Ulrich said, "I think it would be a super-fun thing to do. It's something that I would definitely support. It's something that I would love to encourage. It's something I love to be very proactive in putting together. But right now . . . it's not something that's like hush-hush being worked on behind the scenes or anything like that. I read some of those Internet sites myself once in a while, and it's not something that's going down, but it's something that I would be totally for at some point if it could happen. And we would love to be a part of that at any level possible."

Ulrich added that he believes the idea originated at a London party last March, where "a bunch of us were sitting around way later than we should have been sitting around (having) a bunch of very heavily red wine-induced conversations . . . And the idea of doing that at some point came up in that conversation."

Ulrich's comments, however, directly contradict those of METALLICA bassist Robert Trujillo, who told Metromix that work was moving forward on just such a tour, although he cautioned, "It's not a sealed deal. We're working on it."

METALLICA kicked off its latest North American trek on Monday (September 14) in Nashville.

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Slash dreams of Velvot Revolver

According to a posting on Velvet Revolver guitarist Slash's Twitter account, the remaining members of the band took part in a meeting earlier today (Wednesday, July 15) and it "went great." He adds, "[We] still haven't found a singer, but the dream is alive and well."

A spokesperson for Sanctuary Artist Management, which represents Velvet Revolver, shot down Internet rumors in March 2009 that VR had picked Gord Prior, a singer with a Canadian-based band called BLU BONES, as its new lead singer.
According to management, Prior was sent tapes of two new Velvet Revolver instrumental tracks and asked to write words and melodies and to then sing over the music.

"But he's just one of numerous singers that tapes went out to," the spokesperson told MusicRadar.com. "Gord submitted his demos just like everybody else. He wasn't even asked to come in and do a formal audition. I don't know why these videos [on YouTube] get out there, but that's just the nature of the Internet."

There's been little news out of the Velvet Revolver camp lately regarding a new singer for the band, although auditions have reportedly been ongoing. Bassist Duff McKagan told The Pulse of Radio in February that the group has been a little frustrated with the submissions they've gotten and even wondered if they would ever find the right guy. But McKagan also said that things had taken a positive turn. "In [the first couple of months of 2009], we got three guys in that were all really good — like, far and above, more fitting than the rest," he said. "So I can say this much: we're headed in a very positive direction, and you might be hearing something soon."

Velvet Revolver has been searching for a new vocalist since dismissing Scott Weiland in April 2008.

Although several names have been rumored online, the only singer known to have auditioned with the band is ex-SPACEHOG frontman Royston Langdon.

Velvet Revolver also parted ways with RCA Records late last year and has not announced a new deal yet.

Duff McKagan's side band, LOADED, issued its third album in April, while McKagan continues his career as a columnist at SeattleWeekly.com and a financial columnist at Playboy.com.

Velvet Revolver guitarist Slash is working on a solo album, while drummer Matt Sorum recently launched a clothing line and store.