For more than six months now, the future of the Deftones has been in something of a state of limbo. Bassist Chi Cheng has remained under a hospital's care ever since he was involved in a car accident back in early November, smack dab in the middle of the recording sessions for the D-Tones' long-awaited album, 'Eros;' he has been in and out of consciousness, and staving off infections related to his injuries. Chi has made little progress in his fight, and there has been little in the way of official news regarding what's next for the Deftones, until now. The band has issued a statement on what they're doing next, and it may surprise you. This morning, we also have some news on a possible Soundgarden reunion, and we're bringing you a link to some new music from Five Finger Death Punch. It's White Noise, bringing you up to speed on all things metal.

+ In a statement issued yesterday, the Deftones admitted that often, "it feels as if we're no closer to knowing what is ultimately going to happen to [bassist Chi Cheng] as he continues to" recover from the accident, and "whenever we have significant information regarding his condition, we will share it with all of you." As for 'Eros," the Deftones have decided to start anew and are tracking an entirely new album. "The songs recorded for 'Eros' are very special to us as they are the latest with Chi (and we certainly hope not the last); they have history and significant meaning to us," the band says. "However, as we neared completion on 'Eros,' we realized that this record doesn't best encompass and represent who we are currently as people and as musicians." The band promises the songs will see the light of day eventually, but "we collectively made the decision that we needed to take a new approach, and with Chi's condition heavy on our minds while doing so."

The band added that they returned "to the studio to do what we felt was right artistically. Our inspiration and unity as a band is stronger than it has ever been before and we needed to channel that energy into our music, and deliver to our fans what you rightly deserve: the best Deftones record that we can make. The decision to hold off on releasing 'Eros' has no connection with Chi's condition or anything associated. This was, and is, purely a creative decision by the band to write, record, and deliver an amazing product. As a result, we feel like this is the best record we've ever written. And although Chi is not playing bass with us [Edit note: former Quicksand bassist Sergio Vega is filling in], his presence is dramatically felt in our hearts and on our minds every day when we step into that studio, and you will feel it in the music."

+ Want to hear something new from Five Finger Death Punch? Well, Metal Insider scored an exclusive first-listen to one of the band's new tracks, "Burn it Down," which will appear on the Punch's forthcoming album 'War Is the Answer.' The disc will hit stores October 6.

+ The Van Halen News Desk is reporting that, while an official release date's yet to be announced, the "Guitar Hero: Van Halen" video game will be released in November or December. Fans hoping to see ex-bassist Michael Anthony or former singer Sammy Hagar in the game as avatars will be bummed, as both have been cut from the title.

+ Fans have been hoping for a Soundgarden reunion for years now and, at this point, if the band were to reconnect, it wouldn't surprise us. In recent months, there's been a lot of talk that the grunge kings would be teaming up again for a tour next summer, but the band's members have yet to confirm or deny said rumors. But Shinedown singer Brent Smith is. He says that "someone specifically in their organization" told him that the reunion is happening. As MetalSucks puts it, we'll believe it when it comes from Kim Thayil's hairy lips.

+ They've been a band for about a week, and already, The Fallen (the band featuring three of Evanescence's original members and "American Idol" alum Carly Smithson) has been forced to change its name to We Are The Fallen. The band received a cease-and-desist notice from attorneys for a Philadelphia-band by the name of The Fallen, and changed its name.

+ Arch Enemy's forthcoming Andy Sneap-produced LP will be called 'The Root Of All Evil,' and it will be in stores October 6. According to guitarist Michael Amott, the album's tracks had been written years ago, and took a long time to record. "Everyone in the band did a killer job on it - especially Angela [Gossow]'s vocal performance is astoundingly intense and brutal and it was also cool to hear Sharlee [D'Angelo] lay down some great bass tracks on the early songs. The production and mix is crushing and heavy as hell - it really makes these old songs shine. It sounds like a brand new thing!"

+ In a recent interview, Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry said he's recovering nicely from his recent knee surgery, and is looking forward to the band's summer tour with ZZ Top. "This will be the first tour in three years where I'm not playing in pain so I'm pretty excited," Perry said.

+ It Dies Today's new album, 'Lividity,' will finally surface September 15. The disc is expected to include a cover of Duran Duran's 'Come Undone' and Alice In Chains' 'Them Bones.'"

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