Former ALICE IN CHAINS guitarist Jerry Cantrell, PANTERA guitarist Dimebag Darrell, NICKELBACK guitarist/singer Chad Kroeger, and DEFAULT frontman Dallas Smith have had reportedly had discussions about a future all-star collaboration. However, the combo hasn't gotten past the talking stage, according to Cantrell.

"Chad and I have talked about doing something, but we haven't really taken it any further than that," said the guitarist. "So, of course I'd love to do something with Darrell, anytime."

Former OZZY OSBOURNE/MOTLEY CRUE drummer Randy Castillo reportedly passed away yesterday due to complications stemming from his long-running battle with cancer. Castillo was 51 years old.

MOTLEY CRUE bassist Nikki Sixx posted the following message at www.motley.com following Randy's death: “You used to joke around with me all the time, saying that we had 'dented halo's'. I'll miss you my friend, and I love you.”

Prior to his passing, Castillo was reportedly working with ex-ALICE IN CHAINS bassist Mike Inez and an undisclosed guitarist in a new project, which was in the process of writing music and checking out prospective singers.

It was only this past November that Castillo proclaimed himself to be “100% back, strong & kicking” in an interview posted at CRUE's official web site. The drummer seemed to be particularly excited about the new band and called the experience of working with Inez “very refreshing and satisfying”.

Castillo's recording career began with the 1984 LITA FORD album Dancin' On The Edge, after which the drummer joined OZZY OSBOURNE for a total of five albums—1986's Ultimate Sin, 1989's No Rest For The Wicked, 1990's Just Say Ozzy, 1991's No More Tears, and 1993's Live & Loud.

Castillo underwent emergency surgery after suffering a ruptured stomach ulcer in the weeks following the completion of the most recent MOTLEY CRUE album, 2000's New Tattoo. He was subsequently replaced in CRUE's touring line-up by HOLE drummer Samantha Maloney.

Randy learned that he had cancer shortly after the above-mentioned operation, and immediately began an intensive radiation-and-chemotherapy program. Subsequent messages from Castillo indicated that his condition was improving, with one such posting, back in April of 2001, stating in no uncertain terms that the drummer had "won the battle against the big C!"

Rest in peace, Randy. You will be missed.

Despite reports to the contrary, former ALICE IN CHAINS guitarist Jerry Cantrell has yet to secure a deal for the release of his long-completed sophomore solo offering, Degradation Trip, Vol. 1 and 2, making it unlikely that the recordings will see the light of day until March at the earliest. Produced by Toby Wright and featuring performances by former FAITH NO MORE/KORN drummer Mike Bordin and OZZY/ex-SUICIDAL TENDENCIES bassist Robert Trujillo, the follow-up to 1998’s Boggy Depot will tentatively contain the following track listing:
Disc One
01. Psychotic Break
02. Bargain Basement Howard Hughes
03. Owned
04. Angel Eyes
05. Solitude
06. Mother Spinning In Her Grave
07. Hellbound
08. Spiderbite
09. Profalse Idol
10. Feel The Void
11. Locked On
12. Gone

Disc Two
01. Castaway
02. Chemical Tribe
03. What It Takes
04. Dying Inside
05. Siddhartha
06. Instrumental
07. She Was My Girl
08. Pig Charmer
09. Anger Rising
10. SOS
11. Give It A Name
12. Thanks Anyway
13. B1/32.

In other Cantrell news, the guitarist has agreed to perform with Atlanta’s COMES WITH THE FALL (who toured with Cantrell earlier in the year) at the latter group’s appearance at the El Rey Theater in Los Angeles on Tuesday, October 9th to benefit the victims of the recent tragedy in New York City. According to an official statement from CWTF, Cantrell has “expressed a strong desire to learn some of the new songs from the forthcoming CWTF album, so, in what may prove to be a once-in-a-lifetime event, we will be performing material off of both The Year Is One and Degradation Trip in one continuous set as one band!! Should be a memorable evening indeed. We hope all of you on this end of the country will be able to join us in the names of all who died, all who are missing, and all of us who are still here, lucky enough to be able to enjoy all the pleasures and possibilities life has to offer…". Source: BLABBERMOUTH.NET