This morning, when I woke up at 6 AM to start writing this very column, it was still dark. The sun hadn't even started peaking out over the horizon, and all you could hear was the sound of garbage trucks crawling through my neighborhood and collecting everyone's recyclables. And then, it dawned on me: The summer is officially over. I've been getting up this early for months, and ever since the spring, it's always been at least light out when I pull myself out of bed. But this morning, darkness. It reminded me of when I was a kid. I'd wake up for school, and it was always dark out. For some reason, I'm having an especially difficult time coming to grips with the fact that summer is winding down this year, probably because we didn't really get much of a summer in 2009. Anyways, we've got a ton of news to bring you this morning, so let's get started.

+ Kudos to Blabbermouth for this one. The site got a Greek guy to translate Firewind guitarist Gus G.'s latest interview in the Greek edition of Metal Hammer, and Gus reveals a ton about how he wound up playing for Ozzy Osbourne. He claims he was first contacted by Ozzy's bassist, Rob 'Blasko' Nicholson, about playing for the self-proclaimed Prince of Darkness. He recalls his first jam sessions with Ozzy's band, and he talks about Zakk Wylde, the man he's presumably replaced. "Zakk is a tremendous guitar player, just like all the guys that have played with Ozzy," Gus says. "In fact, Zakk is my favorite Ozzy guitar player ever and my biggest influence of them all! It's quite an honor for me to step into his shoes."

+ Dokken will be featured in a new commercial for Norton Internet Security 2010. The spot likens Dokken to a virus, and a store-bought chicken to a computer. Then, the ad warns people to not "allow heavy metal bands to have their way with your chicken." The commercial is actually quite amusing, and the Dokken dudes are actually looking quite good for their age.

+ Dimmu Borgir may have just lost two members, but they're not going to let it slow them down. "We're more than halfway into [the songwriting process for our new album] at this point, and to say we're excited about this material would be an understatement," the band says in a statement. "There will be an orchestra and a choir which we still have to pick out, but judging from what we have so far and what is brewing, it's going to sound absolutely massive and heavy, dark and epic!"

+ A 23-year-old man was stabbed in the leg on Sept. 5, during the last stop on Mötley Crüe's Crüe Fest 2 in Darien Lake, N.Y. According to reports, the man intervened in a fight at the show, and "suddenly felt something warm on his leg, touched it, and then saw the blood." He was carried out of the pit, and treated for his injuries. Police are still investigating the matter.

+ The PRP is reporting that Cave In have started sifting through their archives, with hopes they'll be able to cull together a new rarities collection for release next year. The career-spanning set will likely feature a rare track called 'Inflatable Dream.'

+ Krallice have finished the recording of their forthcoming LP, 'Dimensional Bleedthrough,' which will be in stores Nov. 10. The disc will likely feature seven songs, including 'Aridity,' 'Intraum' and 'Monolith Of Possession.'

+ Exhult have lost frontman Luc Giguère. The band says the split was mutual, and he will be replaced by Sebastien Croteau, former frontman for Necrotic Mutation.

+ Enthroned have also lost guitarist Nguaroth and drummer Ahephaim, who left the band citing "a lack of time and availability." The band already has new members in drummer Garghuf and guitarist Neraath.

+ Six months ago, former Black Dahlia Murder drummer Cory Grady joined the Classic Struggle. Needless to say, it didn't work out. He's now quit the band. "My heart just wasn't in it, and s--- just wasn't clicking," he says. "There's no hard feelings, and I wish them the best of luck."

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