Guitar virtuoso Joe Stump (HOLYHELL, REIGN OF TERROR) has issued the following update:

"I've compiled quite a bit of high-quality concert video footage over the last several months, so some type of full-on concert DVD of my solo stuff will be released before the end of this year. It'll be a two-DVD package. DVD one will be me performing tracks from [Stump's latest solo album] 'Virtuostic Vendetta' in a combination performance/instructional type of thing, and the second DVD in the package will be a full concert with maybe some bonus clinic and bootleg concert footage in there as well."

Three-camera video footage of Joe Stump shredding the axe at a guitar showcase at Sam Ash in Cincinnati, Ohio in June 2010 can be viewed below.

Stump's latest solo album "Virtuostic Vendetta", was released in April 2009 via Lion Music.

Commented Joe, "On this record, I kind of went back and re-introduced myself to myself. Two of my early albums, 'Guitar Dominance' and 'Supersonic Shred Machine', were real favourites among my fans, and this new record is quite similar in that it's fairly diverse with a cool mixture of tunes stylistically, but it all has my stamp on it. I'd like to think it's my best overall effort as every aspect of this record is better than anything I've ever done — playing-wise, guitar tones, compositions, production — it's all steps beyond any of my past releases . It's also a very entertaining and listenable record considering there are no vocals."

According to a press release, a strong Ritchie Blackmore (BLACKMORE'S NIGHT, ex-DEEP PURPLE) vibe is prevalent on the LP, indeed inspiring one track title "Blackmore's Boogie" as well as an original ode to the RAINBOW classic "Gates Of Babylon" in "The Dance Of Kashani". To his credit, Joe doesn't shy away from hiding his influences. "I never claimed to be re-inventing the wheel," he said. "I just take the great influence of all my heroes Blackmore, Yngwie, Bach, Vivaldi, Gary Moore, Jimi Hendrix, Uli Jon Roth, Schenker, Paganini and try to craft my own thing with it. I love guitar and I always try to make records that guitar fans and hard rock/metal fans will love as well."

Yet there is more on offer than the neo-classical influence such as "Old School Throwdown", which is a nod to players such as Hendrix, Frank Marino and Robin Trower. Joe also throws down thanks to his influences with the use of subtle phrases from well known classics which the keen ear will spot in a few places.

"Virtuostic Vendetta" recording lineup:

Joe Stump - Guitar
Jay Rigney - Bass
Jay Gates - Drums

"Virtuostic Vendetta" track listing:

01. Chasing The Dragon
02. Pistol Whipped
03. The Dance of Kashani
04. Fire and Brimstone
05. The Beacon
06. Blackmore's Boogie
07. Old School Throwdown
08. Allegro #2 in A Minor
09. Trigger Happy
10. Symphonic Pandemonium
11. The Witching Hour
12. Strat Sorcery

Influential Greensburg, Pennsylvania-based heavy music act ZAO has commenced work on material for its next studio album, which the band plans on releasing through its own label. The group explains, "The music industry has made enough money off of bands and wasted it. Why not put it out ourselves and sink the 'profits' back into future releases?"

Regarding the progress of the songwriting sessions for the next CD, ZAO states, "We are writing, we have been exchanging songs. We have tossed songs that are 'too standard for ZAO,' we are trying new things. It's liberating. We are doing our best to get Russ [Cogdell, guitar] on the album (as we tried with [2009's] 'Awake?'). Needless to say, we are taking our time because we can.

"So as of right now, ZAO is writing, self-managing and planning on self-releasing."

"Awake?", the latest album from ZAO, sold around 2,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release, according to Nielsen SoundScan. The CD debuted at No. 19 on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart, which lists the best-selling albums by new and developing artists, defined as those who have never appeared in the Top 100 of The Billboard 200.

Released in May 2009 via Ferret Music, the follow-up to 2006's "The Fear Is What Keeps Us Here" was recorded in Latrobe, Pennsylvania (near Greensburg); Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Encinitas, California; and San Marcos, California. AS I LAY DYING frontman Tim Lambesis and Daniel Castleman headed up the proceedings, along with ZAO's Scott Mellinger.

ZAO's "Where Blood & Fire Bring Rest" was hailed as "one of the most the most influential albums of 1998" by Alternative Press magazine. That album, which introduced frontman Dan Weyandt to the heavy music scene, and follow-up "Liberate te ex Inferis", which introduced guitarist and songwriter Mellinger, continue to be cornerstone albums to a new generation of bands drawing influence from ZAO's dark, passionate and creative music.

LIVING LOUD , which features legendary bassist Bob Daisley — of OZZY OSBOURNE, URIAH HEEP, GARY MOORE, BLACK SABBATH and RAINBOW fame — alongside Australian superstar Jimmy Barnes, the DEEP PURPLE duo of guitarist Steve Morse and keyboard player Don Airey plus URIAH HEEP drummer Lee Kerslake, is working on material for its long-awaited second album. Barnes tells Australia's Undercover, "Bob Daisley and Steve Morse are actually getting together to write some stuff and then they are going to send it to me to write vocals."

LIVING LOUD's self-titled 2004 debut created a stir as it included re-worked versions of the Daisley/Kerslake co-composed OZZY OSBOURNE "Blizzard of Ozz" staples "Mr. Crowley", "I Don't Know" and "Crazy Train", originally from the "Blizzard Of Ozz" album and "Over The Mountain", "Flying High Again" and "Tonight" from the 1981 album "Diary Of A Madman".

STONE TEMPLE PILOTS/ex-VELVET REVOLVER frontman Scott Weiland will launch his new men's clothing line, Weiland For English Laundry, in Canada with a live appearance today (Sunday, August 29) at The Bay on Queen Street in Toronto, Ontario. ExploreMusic's Alan Cross will sit down with Weiland and will talk rock 'n' roll fashion, all things STP and much more. The interview will start promptly at 2:30 p.m. and will be followed by an English Laundry fashion show.

Weiland for English Laundry, a collaboration with English Laundry designer Christopher Wicks, debuted at the MAGIC trade show in August 2009. The collection features rock-inspired wovens, vests, t-shirts, pants, hats, ties and scarves. Weiland for English Laundry blends the classic style and high quality of English Laundry with the design flare of the iconic, fashionable STP frontman.

"From early on, I was inspired by rock icons like David Bowie and Keith Richards who helped in molding my personal sense of style," said Weiland.