.... 1996, VOIVOD drummer Michel Langevin and guitarist Denis D'amour return

from a jam session with METALLICA bassist Jason Newsted in California.

.... 1996, it is announced that THE ALMIGHTY will be splitting up after

touring in support of their latest record, Just Add Life.

.... 1997, CMC signs JUDAS PRIEST.

.... 1997, the IRON MAIDEN biography Infinite Dreams is released.

.... 1997, DEARLY BEHEADED replace guitarist Phil Stevens with Darren Hough.

.... 1998, COVENANT release Nexus Polaris.

.... 1998, HOLLOW releases Modern Cathedral.

.... 1998, after 15 years FAITH NO MORE break up, the decision among them

being mutual, allowing each member to pursue many side projects.

.... 1998, Olympic Records has difficulty releasing the Legend Of A Madman -

A Tribute To Ozzy CD - Ozzy?s management insist that if the label ?uses his

name or likeness, Olympic will be sued.?

.... 1998, TROUBLE reform with vocalist Kyle Thomas (FLOODGATE/ex-EXHORDER).

.... 1998, former SEPULTURA frontman Max Cavalera debuts his SOULFLY album.

.... 1998, MARDUK releaes Nightwing.

.... 1998, rumours of a FASTWAY reunion are squashed - original singer Dave

King never even new about it as he's busy with his own band, FLOGGIN'MOLLY,

an Irish Folk Punk band.

.... 1998, the second series of McFarlane's KISS Ultra Action figures, the

Psycho Circus figures are released.

.... 1998, PEARL JAM temporarily recruit SOUNDGARDEN drummer Matt Cameron.

.... 1999, Dan Swano?s ODYSSEY project is released.

.... 1999, INTERZONE, featuring ex-SACRIFICE members release Cydonia.

.... 1999, IN AETERNUM release Forever Blasphemy.

.... 1999, GAMMA RAY's singer/guitarist/frontman Kai Hansen suffers minor

throat problems resulting in the cancellation of two of the band's German

dates.

.... 1999, DEATH mastermind Chuck Schuldiner cans bassist Scott Clendenin in

the midst of recording the CONTROL DENIED album. He?s replaced with Steve

DiGiorgio.

.... 1999, MR.BIG guitarist PAUL GILBERT opts to pursue his solo career and

is replaced by RICHIE KOTZEN.

.... 1999, MICHAEL SCHENKER recruits STEELHOUSE LANE vocalist Keith Slack to

replace John West.

.... 1999, TROUBLE announce that they will be reuniting with their

ex-vocalist Eric Wagner for the Stoner Hands Of Doom Festival in Washington

D.C on August 14th.

.... 1999, HAMMERFALL part ways with drummer Patrik Rafling.

.... 1999, STRATOVARIUS ink a new deal with Nuclear Blast.

.... 1999, former EXTREME bassist Pat Badger joins Jason (SAIGON KICK)

Bieler's new band, SUPERTRANSATLANTIC.

.... 1999, BAD COMPANY?s reunited original lineup book a North American tour..

.... 1999, MOTÉRHEAD release Everything Louder Than Everyone Else.

.... 1999, the five members of AEROSMITH visit shooting victim Lance Kirklin

in a Colorado hospital before their show in Denver that evening. The band

dedicates 'Living On The Edge'to the student, who was one of 28 wounded and

13 killed during the Columbine High School shooting spree in Littleton,

Colorado on April 20.