... 1996, the legendary debut from guitarist Ronnie Montrose and an unknown screamer by the name of Sammy Hagar was released this week in 1974!

... 1997, SLAYER cans drummer John Dette. He is replaced by none other than Paul Bostaph, who left shortly after the recording of Undisputed Attitude, announcing his desire to pursue "less heavy" music.

... 1997, EXODUS announces that they will be performing a reunion show...WITH original vocalist Paul Baloff

... 1997, drummer Greg Hall rejoins SACRED REICH.

... 1997, a new band called HIDE is revealed sporting former AT THE GATES vocalist Tomas Lindberg

... 1998, OZZY OSBOURNE readies a tour of Australia announcing that his backing band is Zakk Wylde on guitar, Mike Inez on bass, Randy Castillo on drums and John Sinclair on keyboards. ... 1998, hope for a full blown CRIMSON GLORY reunion is off as singer Midnight has not returned to the fold, having been replaced by the unknown Wade Black.

... 1998, IRON MAIDEN announce that their new album, Virtual XI, will feature cover and booklet combining the three things the band are most into - football, computer games...... and of course Eddie.

... 1998, NAPALM DEATH re-sign to Earache.

... 1998, producer Mike Clink is spending time "helping Axl" with the new GUNS N’ ROSES

... 1998, ex-QUIREBOYS vocalist Spike releases his first solo album, Blue Eyed Soul

... 1998, HATEPLOW is formed featuring MALEVOLENT CREATION guitarist Phil Fasciana and former CANNIBAL CORPSE guitarist Rob Barrett

... 1998, STRATOVARIUS releases Vision Of Europe: Live.

... 1998, Australia’s ABOMINATOR recruit ex-BESTIAL WARLUST/CORPSE MOLESTATION vocalist, Damon Bloodstorm.

... 1998, Vlad Dracul, singer of AGATHODAIMON, is trapped in his homecountry of Romania asauthorities refuse him the permission to leave the country

... 1999, it is announced that the NEW lineup of IRON MAIDEN consists of Bruce Dickinson (Vocals), Steve Harris (Bass), Dave Murray (Guitar), Adrian Smith (Guitar), Janick Gers (Guitar) and Nicko McBrain (Drums). Dickinson tells BW&BK; the obvious goal: "To put Maiden back as the best heavy metal in the world, bar none."

... 1999, VOIVOD vocalist Eric Forrest, with the aid of two canes, attends a BLACK SABBATH show in Toronto as a guest of PANTERA. It was his first public outing since being released from hospital.

... 1999, BILLY SHEEHAN is inducted into the Hollywood Rock Walk on Sunset Blvd. along with fellow bassist's Tim Bogert, Stanley Clarke, Lee Sklar, Tony Levin, Larry Graham and Bootsy Collins.

... 1999, METALIUM is formed.

... 1999, MANOWAR live album, Hell On Stage, sells 40,000 units in it’s first week and enters the German Top 100 album charts at position 18.

... 1999, DUB WAR officially split up.

... 1999, PANTERA bassist Rex joins DOWN.

... 2000, HELLOWEEN ink a deal with Nuclear Blast.

... 2000, DEMONS & WIZARDS self-titled debut hits #1 on the Greek album charts.

... 2000, Paul Allender rejoines CRADLE OF FILTH

... 2000, TED NUGENT officially signs with Spitfire.

... 2000, RATT are dropped by their label, Portrait.

... 2000, to avoid legal proceedings, SIGNS OF LIFE change their name to SIGNS.

... 2000, DODHEIMSGARD change their name to DHG.

... 2000, InsideOut Music America add PLATYPUS to its portfolio.

... 2001, THE CROWN announce that singer Johan Lindstrand has left the band.

... 2001, BLACK SABBATH announce they will headline the 2001 Ozzfest Tour, despite having played what were billed as farewell gigs more than a year before.

... 2001, TESTAMENT announce they are reworking some older material from The Legacy and The New Order, with former guitarist Alex Skolnick, for a limited edition release called First Strike Is Deadly.

... 2001, SIXTY WATT SHAMAN announce their new drummer, Texas-based Kenny Wagner.

... 2001, HIRAX hire lead guitarist Justin Lent from punk thrash band CLUSTERFUX.

... 2001, FRICTION ink a deal with Z Records.

... 2001, IAIN ASHLEY HERSEY inks a deal with Frontiers/Now & Then.

... 2001, STREET LEGAL announce that guitarist Ken Ingwersen has left the band.