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."

NECROPHAGIA have parted ways with PANTERA frontman Philip Anselmo and have revamped their line-up with the addition of Iscariah (ex-IMMORTAL, bass), Frediablo (GORELORD/WURDULAK, guitars), Fug (WURDULAK, guitars), and Mirai Kawashima (SIGH, keyboards). The band—completed by mainman Killjoy and drummer Wayne Fabra—will shortly begin recording their new album, The Divine Art Of Torture, for a Halloween released through Season of Mist Records. Among the tracks set to appear on the forthcoming CD are:

01. Rue Morgue Disciple
02. Blaspheme the Body
03. Tombs Of Uncreation
04. Flowers of Flesh and Blood
05. Faceless

Killjoy describes the new material as "very heavy, violent and horror-filled. It is in many ways a homage to Brazilian director Jose Mojica Marins, aka Coffin Joe. His films are extremely blasphemous and his visions directly influenced the mood for writing The Divine Art Of Torture. NECROPHAGIA also plans to work with Mr. Marins on a video, as well as appearing on some new kult horror/gore DVDs which will be announced shortly."

Here are the sales figures for PANTERA's full-length studio albums in the US for the week ending February 17th, according to Soundscan (as reported by Metal Sludge):

Cowboys From Hell - 1,284,564 *
Vulgar Display Of Power - 1,770,521
Far Beyond Driven - 1,302,417
Great Southern Trendkill - 754,988
Official Live: 101 Proof - 571,819
Reinventing The Steel - 565,978

* Does not include sales made prior to the introduction of the Soundscan system back in 1991.