Barbecue? Check. Meats? Check. Booze? Check. Fireworks we scored over the weekend in New Jersey, because they're illegal in New York? Check. Sounds like we're ready for the Fourth of July weekend. Are you? The gang here at Noisecreep loves July Fourth, so much so that it's our favorite holiday, because, let's face it, Independence Day is rather metal. We basically spend an entire weekend remembering the whooping we handed to England more than 230 years ago. We commemorate our freedom by downing brews, grilling hickory-slathered animal parts and blowing stuff up. And we even get a day off before the festivities begin. Of course the weekend sucks if you're traveling, like some of us will be doing. Here's hoping you won't get stuck in any traffic jams this weekend, and that you'll have a safe and memorable holiday weekend. Thanks once again for stopping by our site, and remember to check back every morning for White Noise, where you'll get all the latest metal news.

+ Here's some potentially worrisome news. Last night's Aerosmith gig in Cincinnati, Ohio, was postponed "due to an injury within the band," according to a spokesperson for the Riverbend Music Center, where the band was scheduled to perform last night. A publicist for the band did not know which band member sustained the injury in question, and would not discuss the matter further with Noisecreep, other than to say the rescheduled date would be announced soon. It is unclear whether any more dates on the band's summer tour with ZZ Top will be affected. The tour's next stop is set for July 3 in Hershey, Pa.

+ So, this sounds like it could be awesome. Queens of the Stone Age frontman Josh Homme is working with Led Zeppelin's John Paul Jones and the Foo Fighters' Dave Grohl in a Los Angeles recording studio on material for a new album. Not much is known about the project, but in a recent interview, Homme's wife, Brody Dalle, called the band "pretty f---ing amazing. Just beats and sounds like you've never heard before." Rumor has it Homme's also been trying to enlist Faith No More's Mike Patton for the project. Obviously, we'll be bringing you more on this as it develops.

+ Mercyful Fate's "Evil" is one of the playable tracks on 'Guitar Hero: Metallica,' but before that could happen, the band had to re-record the song, as the original masters were no longer available. The band also re-tracked "Curse of the Pharaohs," and now, both songs are available for purchase on iTunes.

+ Dysrhythmia is streaming its forthcoming album, 'Psychic Maps.' The record will be in stores July 7.

+ Slipknot frontman Corey Taylor and Anthrax guitarist Scott Ian have been tapped to host this year's Kerrang! Awards, which will be held in London on August 3. "When I was asked to co-host the Kerrang! Awards my response was very simple: when and where?," Taylor says. "Even though I don't stand a chance in hell of keeping up with the mighty Scott Ian, I plan to hold my own in the only way I know possible... through sheer determination and large amounts of coffee."

+ Dates for the upcoming Down and Melvins U.S. tour have been released. The trek will also feature openers Weedeater, Danava, and Evil Army and kicks off August 11 in Seattle, Wash. with dates booked through September 26 in Mokena, Ill.

+ This video is just hilarious, from Metalsucks of course.

+ Greymachine, the new band featuring Justin Broadrick and Diarmuid Dalton of Jesu and Godflesh, Isis' Aaron Turner, and Dave Cochrane from Head of David, has scheduled an August 4 release date for their debut disc, 'Disconnected.'

+ Divine Heresy drummer Tim Yeung will be rejoining his old bandmates in Vital Remains for two special shows this weekend. The band plays July 4 at the Arena in Philadelphia, and July 5 at BB Kings in New York with Deicide.

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