--Lars Ulrich Says Metallica's New Album Is "Heavy," "Energetic," "Crazy"

Metallica's Lars Ulrich is promising fans that the band's next album will definitely have guitar solos, just "in case anybody was wondering."  But in addition to his tongue-in-cheek assurance, the drummer also gave "Metal Hammer" a brief update on the metal act's upcoming album.  He says the stuff they've banged out so far felt heavy, energetic, loud, fast, rocking and "crazy."  Ulrich adds that the new material also "sounds like a continuation" from where they left off on 2008's "Death Magnetic."  However, he says they're not sure how much Rick Rubin will be involved this time around.  Ulrich says they're constantly "in touch" with the producer, but he says for now they'll just have to "see where it goes."  Metallica's still-untitled follow-up to "Death Magnetic" is expected to be released in 2014.


--Def Leppard Releases Studio Recording Of Concert Medley

Def Leppard is taking a component of their live show into the studio.  The group has released a studio version of the acoustic medley they performed this year on their "Rock of Ages" tour.  Frontman Joe Elliott tells Noisecreep.com the band decided to change up that portion of their show for their 2012 trek, and what they came up with "just grew into a really magical experience every night."  He says the band really enjoyed performing the medley and it was "so well received" by the audiences that they decided to make a studio recording of it.

The medley runs seven-and-a-half minutes, and features portions of the songs "Where Does Love Go When It Dies," "Now," "When Love and Hate Collide," "Have You Ever Needed Someone So Bad," and "Two Steps Behind."  The track, simply titled "Acoustic Medley 2012," is available from iTunes now.


--Rush's "2112" Reissue Includes Bonus Tracks, Comic Book, Other Extras

Rush has taken an elaborate approach to their latest reissue of their landmark album "2112."  The group is offering three versions of the release.  The "deluxe edition" includes the remastered CD that includes three live bonus tracks, along with a video on DVD or Blu-ray, featuring an interactive digital comic book and photo gallery.  The comic book is formatted to be viewed on a widescreen TV while listening to the album.  The photo gallery boasts previously unpublished photographs as well as drummer Neil Peart's handwritten lyrics for the album.  Meanwhile, the "super deluxe edition" contains the CD and Blu-ray disc along with a 40-page, hardbound comic book, a 24-page book of additional artwork, lyrics, unreleased photos, and new liner notes.  In addition, fans can also enjoy some of the extras without the CD.  The two books are also available digitally as an iBook, which includes samples of the album cuts and "deluxe edition" bonus tracks.  Rush's new "2112" material is in stores now.

The latest release is the fourth reissue of the Canadian band's 1976 album.  A 1993 remastered edition is no longer in print.  A 1997 reissue of "2112" also included remastered artwork.  The album received another remastering last year for the "Sector" box set of Rush's albums released through Mercury Records.


--Springsteen Earns More Praise For "Wrecking Ball"

Bruce Springsteen is making the cut in another year-end survey.  The title track to his album "Wrecking Ball" is ranked 15 in "Billboard's" "20 Best Songs of 2012: Critics' Picks."  The publication says the track "proved that the fire was back" as "The Boss soldiers on, fists clenched, and hollers 'Bring on your wrecking ball!,'" adding that it should satisfy anyone "who thought his last few albums underwhelmed."  Usher's break-up song "Climax" tops the list.  It's praised for "its immaculate production and tender vocal performance," which "Billboard" says "washed away any sadness from listeners."

Springsteen's album "Wrecking Ball" also made the "Billboard" list of the "10 Best Albums of 2012: Critics' Picks," landing at number seven.  The disc topped "Rolling Stone's" list of the "50 Best Albums of 2012," and also brought Springsteen three Grammy nominations including a bid for Best Rock Album.


--S.S. Coachella To End First Trip, Set Sail Again Today

The S.S. Coachella is scheduled to head out to sea again today.  The festival-on-water started its maiden voyage on Sunday with a ship full of musicians and fans making their way to the Bahamas.  The boat is set to return to Fort Lauderdale, Florida today, and will then head out again for Jamaica with many of the same musicians and some new fans on board.  British alt-rockers Pulp are leading the inaugural lineup, which also includes Hot Chip, Yeasayer, Girl Talk, James Murphy, Sleigh Bells and more.  The S.S. Coachella is scheduled to dock again in Florida on Sunday, December 23rd.  More information about the concert cruise is available at SS.Coachella.com.


--Today's Birthdays

Loverboy keyboardist Doug Johnson is 55.
HIM bassist Migé Amour is 38.


--Today In Rock History

In 1975
Ron Wood joined The Rolling Stones.

In 1984
Bob Geldof's famine relief group, Band Aid, got a Gold record for the single "Do They Know It's Christmas."

In 1987
Ron Wood opened a nightclub in Miami Beach, called "Woody's on the Beach."  He launched the club by performing two shows with Bo Diddley.

In 1993
Former Byrds and Firefall drummer Michael Clarke died of liver failure at his home in Florida.  He was 47.

In 2003
The man who had been caught impersonating Creed guitarist Mark Tremonti was sentenced to 25 months in prison.  Kevin Eckenrod was arrested earlier in the year while kissing a fan who thought she was with the rocker, and he was charged with stealing more than a thousand dollars.

In 2005
Kid Rock was among those attending Elton John and partner David Furnish's collaborative bachelor party in London, two days before the British couple's civil union ceremony.

In 2010
Carlos Santana married drummer Cindy Blackman in a ceremony in Maui.  Blackman is best known for her work with Lenny Kravitz.  It was the second time down the aisle for Santana, whose 34-year marriage to his first wife, Deborah, ended in divorce in 2007.

In 2011
Bon Jovi's Jon Bon Jovi posted a photograph of himself on Twitter to refute a Twitter hoax claiming he had died.