... 1997, DREAM THEATER sent their fan club more pieces of the treasured Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club sessions (aka A Change Of Seasons) - included on the CD were covers of U2’s ‘Red Hill Mining Town’, RUSH’s ‘Tears’ and METALLICA’s ‘Damage Inc.’ (with former NAPALM DEATH vocalist Barney Greenway).

... 1997, longtime death metal producer Scott Burns, quits Morrisound studios.

... 1997, MALHAVOC’s James Cavalluzzo and producer Dave Olgilvie are sent down to New York City to work on the MOTLEY CRUE release, Generation Swine.

... 1997, RATT guitarist WARREN DE MARTINI releases his solo debut, Crazy Enough To Sing To You, in Japan.

... 1997, SODOM releases a best of in Germany called Ten Black Years.

... 1997, the title of W.A.S.P.’s forthcoming reunion record (featuring Chris Holmes and Blackie back together) is revealed - it’s Kill, Fuck, Die.

... 1998, ROBERT PLANT and JIMMY PAGE begin work in London with producer Steve Albini for a record due out in the spring. Page is quoted in saying the record won’t be like it’s predecessor, 1994’s No Quarter - ‘the electric guitars are firmly in place’

... 1998, it’s official: according to BLACK SABBATH’s management, Sabbath are planning to release the live-album together with a tour. Two headlining gigs at festivals in Europe and a headlining tour of North America are planned. Nothing is said about a studio album.

... 1998, KISS begin work on Psycho Circus in Vancouver with producer Bruce Fairbairn. Psycho Circus is the first studio album from the original lineup of Kiss since 1979’s Dynasty.

... 1998, rumour suggest that the BULLETBOYS have reformed.

... 1998, TNT = RIP.

... 1998, BURZUM jailbird Varg Vikernes, currently serving a 21-year sentence, is now being sued for over two million dollars by the various Norweigian churches he helped burn down a few years back.

... 1999, DREAM THEATER vocalist James LaBrie has renamed his solo project MULLMUZZER and begins recording vocals in Toronto with legendary producer Terry Brown (RUSH)

... 1999, sources close to the band say that IRON MAIDEN are truly unhappy with singer Blaze Bayley’s work as a lead singer. After a recent show in Buenos Aires, guitarist Janick Gers told friends: "I can't stand it anymore!" Sources say that the band has contacted BRUCE DICKINSON to discuss a possible reunion and a world tour. 1999 is the 20th anniversary of the official "birth" of Maiden and sources say that that Blaze Bayley won't be there for the celebration.

... 1999, BON JOVI record the song, ‘Real Life’, for the soundtrack to the movie EdTV.

... 1999, UFO replace Michael Schenker with new guitarist Jeff Kollman.

... 1999, METALLICA announces that they will be performing live with composer MICHAEL KAMEN and the SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY. The collaboration is set to take place on April 21 and 22 at Berkeley's Community Theater.

... 1999, Logan Mader parts company with SOULFLY.

... 1999, the reformed METAL CHURCH sign to Nuclear Blast America

... 1999, Metal Mental Meltdown™ is the name of the world's first Heavy metal trivia board game, set to launch in the summer.

... 2000, the legendary Metal For Muthas compilations from 1980 are re-issued for the first time on CD through Sanctuary.

... 2000, Canada's SLAVES ON DOPE have inked a deal with Columbia/Sony.

... 2000, according to Rolling Stone Magazine, AC/DC's Back In Black stands as the 9th best selling album of all time.

... 2001, OVERKILL announce that their new guitarist is Derek Tailer.

... 2001, NOTHINGFACE bassist and founding member Bill Gaal decides to the leave the band to pursue a career in engineering and record production.

... 2001, CENTURIAN announce a new bass player and vocalist, Jerry Brouwer, and new guitarist, Oscar van Paradijs.

... 2001, Tee Pee Records sign the J.J. PARADISE PLAYERS CLUB.

... 2001, Z Records sign HUMANIMAL to a worldwide deal.

... 2001, INCANTATION ink a deal with Necropolis.

... 2001, former HATE ETERNAL drummer Tim Yeung joins AGIEL.

... 2001, DYING FETUS bassist/vocalist Jason Netherton leaves the band on good terms due to numerous personal reasons. Replacements are bassist Derek Boyer (DEPRECATED) and vocalist Vince Matthews (SADISTIC TORMENT/AUTUMN DAWN/MUCOUS MEMBRANE).