According to a posting at the official web site of Seth Putnam, the ANAL CUNT frontman has been hospitalized in a coma. "Further rumors and speculation as to his condition at this point, are just that, rumors and speculation — no one, not even the doctors are certain of what Seth's outcome will be," the posting adds. "Family members thank all of the fans who have expressed their sympathy for Seth's situation, and ask that you respect their privacy at this time. They have promised to update me with any new information."

UPDATE: The above quote/statement has been removed from www.sethputnam.com by Seth's webmaster. An official statement may follow later on.

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ABC ePrep is reporting that METALLICA, AC/DC, GUNS N' ROSES, DEF LEPPARD, AEROSMITH and VAN HALEN are among the bands featured on Q magazine's new list of the Top 50 Bands Of All Time. The British magazine used a formula to come up with the results for the list. Each band was rated with a point system that measured the sale of their biggest album, the scale of their largest headlining show and the total number of weeks spent on the U.K. album chart.

Q magazine's complete Top 50 Bands Of All Time list is as follows:

01. PINK FLOYD
02. LED ZEPPELIN
03. ROLLING STONES
04. U2

The first annual Finnish Metal Expo will take place at Kaapelitehdas, in Helsinki on January 28-29, 2005. Finnish Metal Expo, FME for short, gives the opportunity for businesses working within metal music to display their products and expertise, make new contacts, check out new talents and most important of all, get fresh impressions and ideas.

For the fan, FME gives an excellent chance to get an overview of the Finnish metal industry. One can hear the record labels' latest releases, see the hottest up-and-coming bands perform live, witness the latest technology from equipment manufacturers, get inspired by instrument clinics, see up-to-date mercha ...

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QUIET RIOT, the band who introduced the world to their chart-topping album "Metal Health", are back after an eighteen month absence. Driven by vocalist Kevin DuBrow and powered by drummer Frankie Banali, both QUIET RIOT founding members, the band is now fueled by longtime QUIET RIOT contributing bassist Chuck Wright and energized with BEAUTIFUL CREATURES guitarist Alex Grossi.

QUIET RIOT have entered into an equitable and legal agreement with bassist Rudy Sarzo, now with DIO, making it possible for the continuation of the group. Former guitarist Carlos Cavazo has chosen not to participate. Ever ...

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WINTERSUN, the Finnish band featuring former ENSIFERUM singer/guitarist Jari Mäenpää, have parted ways with guitarist Oliver Fokin. "Oliver has decided that he can't contiune in WINTERSUN as a guitarist, because his time is filled with other activities/jobs," the band write on their web site. "So WINTERSUN is looking for a guitarist and a synthplayer, but we are mainly looking for Finnish members."

WINTERSUN's self-titled debut album was released last month through Nuclear Blast. The band's music has been described as a mix between early AMORPHIS, CHILDREN OF BODOM, FINNTROLL and ENSIFERUM.

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DYING FETUS have parted ways with vocalist Vince Matthews. "This action was taken due to a number of musical, professional, and personal reasons that we feel do not need elaboration at this time," the band write on their web site. "However, Vince remains a longtime friend of several DYING FETUS members and we wish him the best of luck in the future. This change will not affect any of our present tour plans. We intend to continue with our current four-piece lineup, and we will handle the vocals accordingly (something we have done many times, as our Canadian fans already know)."

DYING FETUS have been confirmed as main support on GWAR's "Mock The Vote Tour 2004" beginning on October 25 in Richmond, VA. Also appearing on the bill are ALL THAT REMAINS. A complete list of currently confirmed tour dates can be viewed at this location.

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German melodic metallers MOB RULES have parted ways with guitarist Oliver Fuhlhage. "Oliver left the band for new horizons in private and professional matters," the group write on their web site. "Having eight great years with him, his performance on the strings pushed us forward and we'd like to have him a great time and say: All the best for your future! Hope to see you at one of our next shows. No doubt about having a friendship, for these eight years really burned in into our band feeling."

Replacing Fuhlhage in the group's ranks is Sven Lüdge. "This great dude is a real booster in both ways for the band: as a human being and, of course ...

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According to the Rock N Roll Experience web site, MONSTER MAGNET bassist Jim Baglino was arrested following the band's September 30, 2004 concert in Lancaster, PA after accidentally injuring an audience member with his instrument. Baglino told the web site, "We had a really crazy show and there was no barricade and I swung my bass and hit a guy in the head and the next thing I knew he was being carried out and was bleeding, and after the show I was a ...

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The new ANGRA album, entitled "Temple of Shadows", has sold over 20 thousand copies in Japan in its first week of release, according to a posting on the group's web site. The CD was also one of the highlights in the October 2004 issue of Burrn! magazine, where it earned some of the publication's highest ratings (91, 89 and 87 points out of 100).

In other news, ANGRA's Aquiles Priester is featured on the cover of the Brazilian edition of the Modern Drummer magazine. The musician opens the vault and reveals all the details ...

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HATEBREED singer Jamey Jasta has been tapped to record a guest appearance on the new NAPALM DEATH album, tentatively titled "The Code Is Red...Long Live The Code". The CD, which is currently being recorded at Foel Studios in mid-Wales, is expected to surface in early 2005 via Century Media Records. Songtitles set to appear on the album include "Instruments Of Persuasion", "Morale", "Striding Purposefully Backwards", "Climate Controllers", "Sold Short", and the projected title track.

NAPALM DEATH will be releasing their Century Media Records debut, "Leaders Not Followers: Part 2", on October 5. U.S. fans can expect to see the band late October through November with CANNIBAL CORPSE, KATAKLYSM and GOATWHORE. For tour dates, visit the Century Media web site at this location.

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