Metallica: ''Lulu' is one of the best things we've ever done'

Kirk Hammett also describes the project as mainly 'an artistic endeavour for ourselves'

Metallica have said that they believe 'Lulu', their forthcoming collaboration album with Lou Reed, is "one of the best things they've ever done".

'Lulu', which is based around German playwright Frank Wedekind's 1913 play about the life of an abused dancer, is due for release on October 31, with the North American release following a day later on November 1.

Leonard Cohen prepares new album with help of son Adam

Leonard Cohen has been working on his first album in seven years, with the help of his son Adam.

Slated for release later this year, the as-yet-untitled album could feature songs debuted on the musician' s world tour, which finished last year.

Adam told the BBC he had been helping his 77-year-old father in the studio.

"I was asked in some consultant capacity on a few occasions and I'm very happy to listen to what's being created and be asked for my opinions."

However he has discounted rumours of a possible father / son collaboration.

This week's new releases

• Ryan Adams, Ashes and Fire 
  Following a detour into heavy metal (2010's Orion), as well as a pair of records with his group The Cardinals, Ryan Adams returns with his first solo studio album under his own name in four years. Norah Jones provides piano and backing vocals, and Benmont Tench (Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers) also guests on the Glyn Johns-produced country-rocker Ashes & Fire, Adams' first LP on Capitol Records (via his own label, PAX AM).
   
• Lauren Alaina, Wildflower
  
• Bella Novela, The Archeress
  

Sonic Youth's Kim Gordon and Thurston Moore Announce Split

Sonic Youth's Kim Gordon and Thurston Moore have announced the end of their 27-year marriage. The split leaves an uncertain future for the pioneering alternative rock band, who formed three decades ago and have fall tour dates planned.

A statement from their rep at Matador Records reads, "Musicians Kim Gordon and Thurston Moore, married in 1984, are announcing they have separated. Sonic Youth, with both Kim and Thurston involved, will proceed with its South American tour dates in November. Plans beyond that tour are uncertain. The couple has requested respect for their personal privacy and does not wish to issue further comment."

Gordon, 58, and Moore, 53, have a 17-year-old daughter Coco.

The Rolling Stones - Sympathy For The Devil

Album: Beggars Banquet

Year: 1968 

Genre: Rock

Length : 6:18

Write Jagger/Richards

Producer Jimmy Miller

[Review] Trash Talk - Awake EP

Trash Talk

Awake

True Panther; 201

Despite their wall of noise, Trash Talk work best in miniature. The Sacramento quartet (andOFF! tourmates) wield such an in-your-personal-space presence and messy, spastic forward push that it can be hard, as a viewer or listener, to give them back the energy they deserve. When watching their shows-- during which they often repurpose bottles, mic stands, and garbage cans as projectiles-- it's thrilling when they unplug, and you're still locked in and protecting your head.

Death Cab for Cutie Balance 'Bummer' Songs With Festive Mood at Tiny L.A. Show

"I love bummer songs," Ben Gibbard said with a smile last night, talking from a small stage in Santa Monica, California during a break in an intimate Death Cab for Cutie performance taped for KCRW-FM. In an onstage interview, DJ Anne Litt responded, "You've written a lot of them, right?'

He certainly has, as the band's 10-song set fully demonstrated. The performance drew heavily from Death Cab's newest album Codes and Keys, released in May. For an audience of barely 150 guests, the quartet unfurled layers of sound and feeling while squeezed onto the corner stage at engineer-producer Bob Clearmountain's Berkeley Street Studio. The show was taped for broadcast and online video streaming November 1st.