Jerry Montano, the former bassist of Nothingface, Hellyeah, and Danzig is to sue country singer John Rich after the two had an altercation at a hotel recently. Montano claims that Rich became violent and belligerent over a girl, which led to the incident between the two. Montano claims he is suing for an undisclosed amount relating to cuts, permanent scarring, scrapes, swelling and bruising to his lips, jaw, face, teeth and nose. The bassist had apparently previously been warned of Rich’s behaviour when drunk.

Ozzy Osbourne, solo artist and lead vocalist of heavy metal band Black Sabbath, won the award in honor of his long career, which has spanned four decades.

Past recipients of the accolade include Alice Cooper, Lemmy and Jimmy Page. Guitar legend Slash, the former Guns N’ Roses guitarist, presented the award. He also received the Marshall “11″ award “for his services to balls-out guns-blazing rock n’ roll”. Earlier, Osbourne and Slash enjoyed afternoon tea together at the Dorchester Hotel in London. The rock and roll stars showed their softer side as they shared tea and cakes ahead of the big night.

Osbourne joked about his award saying: “I hope I don’t die on the way home.” Speaking about his nomination award before the ceremony, Osbourne said: “I couldn’t be happier to know that Classic Rock haven’t written me off! Seriously, it’s a great honor and I’m looking forward to going to my first Classic Rock Awards. Can’t wait to see you there.”

Earache Records has posted the following message online:

“In recognition of a music genre that has spawned some of the most original and talented bands hailing from every corner of the globe, Earache Records is proud to announce the release of Worldwide Metal.

“Celebrating the diversity of metal in all of its forms, Worldwide Metal is the ultimate collection of the fastest, heaviest and most brutal metal tracks to rock this planet. Offering 5 CDs of pure metal mayhem plus a fully playable PC game - all for the price of one CD - this collection consists of over 80 tracks from some of the most legendary and inspirational bands of all time.

“Worldwide Metal includes both old school favourites and some of the best new talents to hit the scene. The 5 CDs are split into territories according to artists and include USA (2 discs, featuring DEICIDE, MORBID ANGEL, MUNICIPAL WASTE, BONDED BY BLOOD and more), UK (featuring CARCASS, NAPALM DEATH, CATHEDRAL, IRON MONKEY, AKERCOCKE, EVILE, GAMA BOMB and more), Europe (featuring VADER, DECAPITATED, LINEA 77, EPHEL DUATH and more) and Scandinavia (featuring AT THE GATES, ENTOMBED, THE HAUNTED, MORTIIS, CULT OF LUNA and more). WORLDWIDE METAL also marks the Earache debuts of IGNOMINIOUS INCARCERATION, THE BOY WILL DROWN and OCEANO.

“On top of having over 5 hours of extreme metal on 5 CDs, Worldwide Metal also includes a fully playable PC version of “Earache Extreme Metal Racing”! Originally released on the PlayStation 2 games console, “Earache Extreme Metal Racing” blasts its way onto PC for the first time and remains the first and only death metal-themed computer game. In this full game, ten Earache bands race their vehicles in a gruesome fight for supremacy. One or two players crush and kill their way through totally twisted racetracks to the soundtrack of 3 hours of ear-splitting death metal and grindcore, with rare video clips included as unlockable bonus content.

“Perhaps one of the best things about this killer collection is the price - this box set of 5 CDs plus a PC game will be sold for the price of just one CD! Due to be released on 24th November, Worldwide Metal is the perfect purchase for any collector and an ideal Christmas present for any self-respecting metalhead.”

Blabbermouth.net reports: According to The Smoking Gun, a 24-year-old Wisconsin man allegedly became so incensed by a lackluster karaoke performance of DIO’s classic song “Holy Diver” that he assaulted the singer and a second man, police charge. According to a River Falls Police Department report, Kyle D. Drinkwine throttled singer James Mischler, 28, and his friend Cyrus Kozub, 29, on November 7 “over one’s ability to sing karaoke.” Though cops did not specify which song set Drinkwine off last week, Kozub told The Smoking Gun that Mischler was performing “Holy Diver”. Following the assaults, police apprehended Drinkwine after a short foot chase. A subsequent Breathalyzer test recorded his blood alcohol content at .169, more than twice the state limit.

Kyle D. Drinkwine was charged last Thursday in Pierce County Court with a felony count of aggravated battery and a misdemeanor count of battery. He was released on a $3,000 signature bond and is scheduled for a preliminary hearing November 19. The charges have a combined maximum penalty of three years in prison.

Children Of Bodom is teaming up with the death metal legends Cannibal Corpse and fellow Finns Diablo for a full scale European tour. Here’s the first batch of confirmed tourdates. More TBA.

Feb. 01 Erfurt , D - Stadtgarden
Feb. 03 Munchen, D - Backstage
Feb. 07 Budapest, HU - Syma Hall
Feb. 08 Wien, AUT - Gasometer
Feb. 10 Milan, IT - Alcatraz,
Feb. 12 Amsterdam, NL - Paradiso
Feb. 19 London, UK - Forum
Feb. 26 Oslo, N - Sentrum Scene
Feb. 27 Stockholm, S - Tyrol