White Noise: News on Slipknot, Mudvayne, Ozzy Osbourne, Shadows Fall, Kiss and More

Ozzy Osbourne performed at BlizzCon over the weekend, and now we're even more confused. For weeks now, there has been some question over whether Zakk Wylde was still Osbourne's guitarist. The answer was supposed to come over the weekend, when Osbourne was to perform at the Anaheim Convention Center ... a gig Wylde still thought he was going to be a part of just last month, after comments Ozzy made during an interview, that his music was started to sound too much like Black Label Society. But this weekend, Wylde was in the state of Washington, not Anaheim. Instead, Ozzy had someone else playing with him. But is Zakk out? While it would seem he is, nothing has been made official. It's White Noise, and we're just as confused as you are.

+ Ozzy Osbourne rocked the assemblage of nerds at this year's BlizzCon over the weekend, with help from a new guitarist and a new drummer. Of course, kitman Mike Bordin couldn't make it, because he's on tour in Europe with Faith No More. So drummer Tommy Clufetos filled in for him. More attention was paid to the guitarist slot, following recent remarks from Osbourne that he was auditioning someone from Greece to take over for Zakk Wylde. Gus G,. who plays in Greek metal outfit Firewind, appeared with Osbourne during the performance; Wylde, a press release states, wasn't able to make it because of his current touring commitments. But the truth of the matter is, Wylde was on the same coast, a quick plane ride away from Anaheim, and was still not asked to make it happen. According to a press release, "Ozzy loves the challenge of working with new musicians and is enjoying the sound and energy that this band has been producing in rehearsals this week." We know this is a sensitive issue, but someone needs to clear this situation up. Ozzy? The ball is in your court.

+ Meanwhile, Zakk Wylde was transported to a local hospital on Aug. 19 in Missoula, Mt., and received treatment for a blood clot. According to a posting on Zakk's official Twitter account, he will be receiving further treatment for his condition. No other information was made available.

+ According to Ticketmaster, the Aug. 26 date of the Pedal to the Metal Tour, set for Reno, Nev., has been canceled. No word on why the event was nixed, or whether other dates will be affected. The tour features Mudvayne, Black Label Society, Bury Your Dead, Suicide Silence and more.

+ Former Dead and Divine drummer Ryan 'Legs' Leger has been enlisted by Buffalo's own Every Time I Die for their upcoming tour, which kicks off Sept. 8 in Minneapolis. Leger first performed with the band on Saturday in Michigan, and, according to the band, "absolutely killed it."

+ Kiss have added a second Kiss Alive! 35 concert at Detroit's Cobo Arena. On Sept. 25 and Sept. 26, the band will be playing through their 'Alive' LP, which was recorded in 1975. "The band will come full circle to reprise that classic recording at these September shows, this time returning with brand new staging, costumes, pyro and more," the band says in a statement.

+ Sonic Syndicate have a new singer in 23-year-old British frontman Nathan James Biggs. He takes over for Roland Johansson, who left in March due to "personal reasons." The band said that it went with Biggs because "personal chemistry was absolutely the most important factor in our decision. You have to be able to spend time with one another."

+ Slipknot had to cancel its headlining gig Saturday at Seattle radio station KISW 99.9 FM's Pain in the Grass 2009 show in Auburn, Wash., and Sunday night's gig in Kennewick, Wash., after drummer Joey Jordison took ill and had to be treated at the hospital. Jordison is expected to make a full recovery, and the extent of his malaise is not yet known.

+ New York's Gwynbleidd will issue their debut LP, 'Nostalgia,' on Oct. 27. The effort features eight tracks, including 'Egress,' 'Stormcalling' and 'Stare Into The Sun.'

+ Shadows Fall fans can now pre-order the band's forthcoming album, 'Retribution.' The album is available as a limited-edition CD/DVD, as a vinyl release and a limited deluxe box set, with a T-shirt, poster, patch and a fan club laminate.

+ This is mildly amusing.