We empathize with anyone who wouldn't want to visit Mexico right now. All this talk of swine flu's got us paranoid about even leaving the office, let alone hoping on a plane bound for Cancun. Seems we're not the only ones. Its Tuesday morning, and the metal news starts now.

+ You wouldn't imagine anything could scare the likes of revered Norwegian black metallers Mayhem. They've got a bassist named Necrobutcher, after all. But according to Blabbermouth, this whole swine flu scourge has got the band thinking twice about going to Mexico.

Mayhem were scheduled to play three dates (May 1 through May 3) in Mexico, but have postponed that trek because of the vomit-inducing pandemic. The band cites "the recent outbreak of swine flu in Mexico" as the reason for the tour's postponement, but "rest assured, we are already working on finding new dates so that we can get over there and spread our plague."

Let's hope the swine flu doesn't affect Mayhem's upcoming North American tour, which gets underway May 21 in New York, and will feature openers Marduk, Cephalic Carnage, Cattle Decapitation, and Withered.

+ We caught the premiere episode of VH-1's 'Daisy of Love,' and were reminded that Dope released a new album, called 'No Regrets,' last month. One of the contestants vying for Daisy de la Hoya's affections on the program is Dope bassist Derek "Tripp" Tribbett, brother of Mudvayne and HellYeah guitarist Greg Tribbett. Sweet way to get some promo for the new album, bro.

+ In related news, HellYeah are reportedly working on their next record. Former Pantera drummer Vinnie Paul Abbott tells the Dallas Observer that HellYeah will be back in the studio on May 15, and will start work on the follow-up to their 2007 self-titled debut. While free agents for the time being, VP says the band's old label, Epic, "[are] practically begging us to come back."

+ Within Temptation continues to write and record material for their next LP. According to Blabbermouth, the band will be taking a break from the road this year to finish the effort, which they want to have in stores in early 2010. Meanwhile, Within Temptation has already booked 17 shows for next spring, which will be intimate, mostly-acoustic gigs. Alas, all 17 dates are booked in The Netherlands and Belgium.

+ 'Almost Home' will be the name of Evergreen Terrace's next album. The boys are down in Orlando, Florida, with producer Jason Suecof, where they are putting the finishing touches on the set. The album will be released this September.

+ Those recent rumors suggesting that Megadeth and Slayer would be touring together ended up being true. Unfortunately, according to Lambgoat, the tour will not be touching U.S. soil. In June, both bands will be sharing the same stage under the touring banner "Canadian Carnage." Machine Head and Suicide Silence will be opening on all four dates. Let's hope the trek goes so well they'll bring it stateside.

+ Canada's own 3 Inches of Blood have teamed up with Nike 6.0 to create a new sneaker the Blood Oncore High. The kicks go on sale Friday, and, admittedly, they look kind of rad. We just wish they'd make some Watain sneakers, already.

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