During a recent conversation with Down bassist Rex Brown -- also known for his time with the legendary Pantera -- Noisecreep asked what he thought about the tragedy in Haiti, and how the government's handling of the situation has differed from the actions in the aftermath of Katrina.

The Texas native may not have grown up in the shadow of the Big Easy, but his brothers and bandmates down New Orleans way were hit hard -- and are still healing from the blow that crippled their city. It's not entirely accurate or fair to compare the events that befell New Orleans with the fresh wounds of Port-Au-Prince, but as Brown drew parallels between the two, it became clear that he has come to see the U.S. government in a very negative light, indeed.

One of the first shows A Storm of Light played after forming a couple of years back was in Brooklyn, N.Y., opening for San Franciscan post-metal giants Neurosis and a then less-well-known Georgia band called Mastodon. "That was kind of intimidating," singer and guitarist Josh Graham told Noisecreep. It wasn't so much that he was playing on the same bill as two lauded peers -- one of which, Neurosis, employs him to do live visuals. He just wasn't confident in his singing abilities. "It was the first show I had done in any band where I was singing since I was like 20."

Graham admitted he doesn't think he's a natural singer, saying "No, I'm not, but I'm getting better with every record, and all the touring we're doing is helping me be a better singer. I'm actually thinking of taking some lessons pretty soon."

Legendary shredder Slash has partnered with Guitar Center for the Guitar Center Presents Your Next Record With Slash promotion, where an emerging, unsigned band will have the chance to record a three-song EP with producer Mike Clink, who's worked with Guns N' Roses, Mötley Crüe and Megadeth, as well as have Slash write, record and perform on the winner's single. "I'm really looking forward to discovering a new and talented rock and roll band, and producing something indelible with teeth," Slash told Noisecreep

Bands can submit music from now through April 30 at www.yournextrecord.com. The prize package also includes a management development deal with the Collective, who in addition to Slash, also manage Linkin Park and Avenged Sevenfold; the single featured on iTunes; worldwide distribution through Tunecore; a $10,000 Guitar Center shopping spree; gear and endorsement deals from Ernie Ball Music Man; an opening slot on Slash's Monster Energy Bash; and an editorial feature in Guitar World. Christmas is coming early for axe slingers this year!

When a crowd requests an encore, it's usually a comforting compliment for the band playing. But when that band has run out of material to play, it can also be awkward -- which was the visible feeling Javelina members had when they played Fontana's on Feb. 2.

The Philadelphia-based sludgers cannonballed through a hell of a powerful, yet short set. It was so good that it sent the crowd into a frenzy. The entire 150-capacity basement screamed, "One more song!" and "Do it again!" which left the four-piece with no choice but to just play one more tune.

Arch Enemy guitarist Christopher Amott has released two out of three albums from Armageddon, the ever-shifting project he began in 1997 that never released music outside of Japan and Korea. Rather than allow the albums to be lost in time, Amott wanted to expose them.

"I put a lot of work into them when I did them, so I don't want it to go to waste," Amott told Noisecreep about the decision to release the material now and in the U.S. and Europe, finally. 2000's 'Embrace the Mystery' and 2002's 'Three' are the albums that were issued; 1997's 'Crossing the Rubicon' will not be released until rights issues are cleared.

Trivium's music video for the song 'A Gunshot to the Head of Trepidation' is the third single from their second album entitled 'Ascendancy,' which was released in 2005.

In one of those moments that make us wonder if it's April Fools Day, Megadeth frontman Dave Mustaine has announced that original bassist Dave Ellefson is back in the band and will embark on Megadeth's month-long 'Rust in Peace' 20th Anniversary Tour, which begins March 1 in Spokane, Wash. and runs through March 31 in Hollywood, Calif. The shows will feature Megadeth performing 1990's 'Rust in Peace' in its entirety. Megadeth will be joined on all dates by Testament (performing their first album 'The Legacy' in full) and Exodus.

The reunion comes as a bit of a surprise, because after Ellefson left the band in 2002, he and Mustaine became entangled in an ugly battle over band royalties and rights to the group's name. In 2004, Ellefson filed an $18.5 million lawsuit against Mustaine, which was dismissed on Jan. 13, 2005.