Video footage of the "Inmate Idle", a locked-up version of "American Idol", which was judged by Alice Cooper and Sheriff Joe Arpaio, has been posted online at AZCentral.com. Six prisoners at Arizona's Maricopa County Jail were voted through to the afternoon's live performance contest finale. Inmates built the set for the final showdown, and 10,000 prisoners were expected to cast ballots for their favorite convict.

According to The Arizona Republic, the winner was Corey Brothers, 36, who is serving time for violating probation. Brothers said singing had always been a love of his, but he never actually expected to win. In fact, his assessment of his performance of "My Girl" was that he "did OK."

"Now he's got at least a thought that there's something else to do," Cooper said.

The "con"-test was organized to boost morale and give inmates a positive way to spend their idle time. More than 100 men and women auditioned for "Inmate Idle" over the past three weeks, according to the sheriff's department.

Source BBM

Reunited MALICE have been confirmed for the 2007 edition of the Headbangers Open Air festival, set to take place July 12-14 in Brande-Hörnerkirchen, Germany. The festival billing is shaping up as follows (in alphabetical order):

AVENGER
BEYOND FALLEN
BULLET
CANDLEMASS
HALLOWEEN
HOLLOW GROUND
KAOS
KILLINGSWORTH
KNIGHT ERRANT
MALICE
MARSHALL LAW
MOONSORROW
PARAGON
RAGE
RAVEN BLACK NIGHT
SILVER FIST
SINNER
SIXTH ALLOY
THE BLACK
VENGEANCE
WARNING SF
WOLF
WRETCH

MALICE — whose current lineup includes the three original guitar slingers (Mick Zane, Jay Reynolds and Mark Behn) alongside Pete Holmes (BLACK 'N BLUE, MICHAEL SCHENKER) on drums and newfound vocal sensation Brian Allen — is currently in negotiations with several labels and a record deal appears to be "imminent." Reynolds previously stated that the new MALICE material would be "heavier than ever." New MALICE vocalist Brian Allen is doing double duty as frontman for LAST EMPIRE, which is currently putting the finishing touches on its new CD. Meanwhile, drummer Pete Homes has been moonlighting with Mandy Lion and WWIII. Jay Reynolds recently completed a U.S. tour with METAL CHURCH, while Mick Zane and Mark Behn are in Los Angeles writing and demoing the new MALICE album.

Source BBM

EDGUY frontman Tobias Sammet has set "The Scarecrow" as the title of the third installment of his AVANTASIA solo project. The album is being produced by Sascha Paeth, who also played the rhythm guitar on the CD. The drums were laid down by KISS/ALICE COOPER drummer Eric Singer and the bass is being handled by Tobias himself.

Commented Sammet: "I am right now in the studio doing some vocal sessions. In about two weeks I am going to fly to England to work with a friend of mine on some vocals.

"Fans and record companies who are interested always ask me for the names of my guest musicians. I want you all to know that I am blessed to work with the best musicians, but I don't believe in making names more important than the music itself. I am working with some childhood heroes of mine and most important, with great personalities, true friends, and the greatest musicians you can think of.

"Producer Sascha and I just checked some new recordings and I have the feeling, that this is the strongest stuff we have ever worked on. It's hard to describe the material in a few words — it sounds very powerful, bombastic, very organic and alive. People who loved especially AVANTASIA Part 1 will love this one, although this time there is a lot more variation in style on there as well. Of course it's a metal album, but we even didn't stop at including some Celtic world music elements. But all that matters to me is that the music has to touch the soul and I swear to God: This material goes straight to your soul, because that's where it comes from. Sounds cheesy, but it's true. I am giving you my everything with this record and you will hear that in late summer!"

Source BBM