Metal File's Iann Robinson is out again this week — on tour with his band, Puny Human — but the rock never sleeps, so on with the show:

Pantera guitarist Dimebag Darrell and drummer Vinnie Paul have named their new band Damageplan. The group, whose debut album is due January 27, also features singer Patrick Lachman, who used to play guitar in Halford. The album, tentatively titled New Found Power, was recorded at Darrell's home studio and was produced by Darrell and Paul along with Sterling Winfield (Pantera, Mercyful Fate). Guests include Slipknot's Corey Taylor Zakk Wylde. ... A CD and DVD documenting the second Music as a Weapon tour will be released November 18. The spring tour featured Disturbed, Taproot, Chevelle and Unloco. Songs on Music as a Weapon II were recorded at the May 3 tour finale in Chicago, Disturbed's hometown. Tracks include Disturbed covering Metallica's "Fade to Black" and Chevelle's "Forfeit." ...

Hatebreed have posted three songs from their upcoming The Rise of Brutality on their Web site. Fans can hear streaming versions of "Live for This," "This Is Now" and "Doomsayer." The disc, recorded at Planet Z studios in Massachusetts with producer Zeuss (Shadows Fall, Sworn Enemy), is due October 28. ... Although he's once again a full-time member of Slayer, Dave Lombardo continues to work with other projects. He's still in Mike Patton's Fantômas, and his Grip Inc. will release their first album in four years, Incorporated, in early 2004. ... Swedish pugilists Carnal Forge will start recording their fifth album in February with an eye on a summer release date. ...

Clawfinger guitarist Erlend Ottem has quit the band to focus on working as a software specialist. "I will never forget the precious experience made as a bandmember of Clawfinger," he said in a statement." Bård Torstensen has decided to handle all guitar duties from here on, so Ottem will not be replaced. ... Eighties doom metal merchants Trouble will perform three shows in their hometown of Chicago before heading to Stockholm, Sweden, to record a live DVD. The warm-up gigs will be held at three clubs on November 7, 14 and 15. In August, the band recorded the EP Unplugged, which features acoustic versions of five old songs alongside two new tunes. The band will head back into the studio before the end of the year to record a new album, Seven, with producer Vincent Wojno. ...

—compiled by Jon Wiederhorn

• Pantera
• Disturbed
• Hatebreed
• Slayer
• Clawfinger