ACCEPT bassist Peter Baltes has slammed the version of the band's classic song "Balls to the Wall" that appears on the newly issued "VH1 Metal Mania Stripped Volume 3" CD as "the biggest piece of garbage I have ever heard."

Even though the acoustic version of "Balls to the Wall" that appears on "Stripped" is credited to ACCEPT, it turns out that the legendary German heavy metal band never recorded an "unplugged" rendition of the track. Instead, it turns out that this particular recording was made by U.D.O., the German heavy metal group fronted by former ACCEPT singer Udo Dirkschneider.

Upon hearing the "Balls to the Wall" recording that came out earlier this week on the "Stripped" CD, Baltes said, "I checked out the 'acoustic' version of 'Balls'. This is about the biggest piece of garbage I have ever heard. I call this butchering a true piece of metal history to pieces just to be on a stupid compilation album that nobody will buy anyway. I guess, when you are desperate enough some do anything to make a buck."

Longtime ACCEPT manager Gaby Hoffmann, who is married to the band's guitarist, Wolf Hoffmann, stated: "The fans always know exactly what is going on and that is most important for me..... and thanx to friends like you — the truth will always remain! Thank you for everything!"

"VH1 Classic Metal Mania Stripped Volume 3" is actually the fourth release in the successful "Stripped" series following "Volume I: The Ballads", "Volume 2: The Anthems" and the "Metal Mania Stripped Across America Live!" DVD.

"VH1 Classic Metal Mania Stripped Volume 3" details here

Source Schlared

Geoff Boucher of the Los Angeles Times reports that David Lee Roth, VAN HALEN's frontman for the band's first decade, said Thursday (March 8) he will not attend the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ceremony because event officials have turned down his repeated overtures to perform.

"I don't make speeches for a living; I sing and dance for my dinner," Roth said, adding that the decision to skip the event "rips my heart out."

The Hall of Fame's event organizers plan for VELVET REVOLVER to perform some VAN HALEN classics, much as METALLICA stood in last year to play BLACK SABBATH songs while that band's members watched from the audience. "So it appears this is a television producer's decision," Roth said.

The choice of VELVET REVOLVER was in response to a sticky situation as far as what lineup of VAN HALEN could take the stage to perform with Roth. VAN HALEN's revered guitar hero, Eddie Van Halen, and his brother, drummer Alex, had already sent signals that they would not be in New York. The Van Halens have been in lock-down mode since their plans for a summer reunion tour with Roth collapsed last month. Roth said he last spoke to Eddie Van Halen's camp a week ago, and he said he could not determine the truth about reports that the guitarist is seeking help for alcohol problems.

"Ed is indisposed and working toward a better future here," Roth said. "If Ed ever dries up, this is going to be a stadium act, man.... What's happening here with this [New York event] is part and parcel of the same spiral that screwed up the tour."

Source Los Angeles TImes

VAN HALEN guitarist Eddie Van Halen has released the following statement:

"I would like VAN HALEN fans to know how much I truly appreciate each and every one of you. Without you there is no VAN HALEN.

"I have always and will always feel a responsibility to give you my best. At the moment I do not feel that I can give you my best. That's why I have decided to enter a rehabilitation facility to work on myself, so that in the future I can deliver the 110% that I feel I owe you and want to give you.

"Some of the issues surrounding the 2007 VAN HALEN tour are within my ability to change and some are not. As far as my rehab is concerned, it is within my ability to change and change for the better. I want you to know that is exactly what I'm doing, so that I may continue to give you the very best I am capable of.

"I look forward to seeing you in the future better than ever and I thank you with all my heart."

Source BBM