Arsis frontman James Malone must be getting pretty sick of revamping the band's lineup. In September, bassist Noah Martin quit to go back to college, and now guitarist Ryan Knight has joined The Black Dahlia Murder, replacing John Kempainen, who left suddenly last month to spend more time with his family. Read more...

Ex-Black Dahlia Murder guitarist John Kempainen, photo by Jon Wiederhorn

Touring in a rock band just ain't what it used to be. With zoning restrictions at play and real estate prices through the roof, it's getting harder to get gigs at decent places, show attendance and merch sales have dropped with the nosediving economy, the dawn of filesharing has rendered album royalties nonexistent, and now many labels want a cut of touring and merch profits, meaning bands have to tour all year long just to pay the rent at apartments and homes they're hardy at. No wonder a growing number of musicians are throwing in the towel.

On November 29, The Black Dahlia Murder lost guitarist John Kempainen, who had been with the group since 2002 and appeared on the band's debut full-length, 2003's Unhallowed. Apparently, Kempainen quit on the eve of a tour launch with Misery Index and Soilent Green and the band has carried on as a four-piece. According to the band's label, Kempainen was tired of being on tour for ten months out of the year and wanted to spend more time with his friends and family. Read more...

photo by Jon Wiederhorn

The day after those colorful fireworks lit up the sky, we had our own explosions on "Headbangers Ball," with debuts of Lair of the Minotaur's "War Metal Battle Master," Municipal Waste's "Sadistic Magician," and Lamb of God's "Walk with Me in Hell" (from their new DVD of the same name). Now, we're asking you to pick one of 'em -- or some other new video we played -- to return for next week's program.

The rules are simple. Submit your choice from the list below by 2 p.m. on Wednesday, July 9. Feel free to include a comment, which may be published when we announce the winner. Past "Your Vote Counts" winners are not eligible, which is why last week's victor, Cryptopsy and Black Dahlia Murder have not been included on the last. Viewers who vote more than once will be disqualified. Click "more" to see this week's choices: Read more...

Normally, we write something a little snarky when musicians appeal to their MySpace readers to choose their video for "Your Vote Counts," but since the new Black Dahlia Murder clip for "Everything Went Black" is so rippin', we'll spare them the public humiliation and consider it a public service to re-air the new video. Despite its excellence, the victory didn't come without a serious challenge from The Dillinger Escape Plan, who called on their MySpace readers to vote "Black Bubblegum" a return trip to the Ball. But the cry came too late and, as the deadline hour hit, it was Detroit's Black Dahlia that emerged triumphant, much to the relief of their fans.

"If I don’t see Trevor and the boys next week I’m gonna %uck $hit up!!" ranted Kim666. "TBDM. Everything Went Black. There is no other logical choice." Read more...