The Associated Press reports that the death last month of Kevin Dubrow, lead singer for the 1980s heavy metal band QUIET RIOT, has been ruled an accidental cocaine overdose.

Clark County coroner spokeswoman Samantha Charles confirmed the cause Monday (December 10) after toxicology results were received.

Dubrow was found dead Nov. 25 at his Las Vegas home. He was 52.

QUIET RIOT was perhaps best known for its 1983 cover of "Cum on Feel the Noize". The song, featuring Dubrow's powerful, gravelly voice, appeared on the band's album "Metal Health" — which was the first by a metal band to reach No. 1 on the Billboard chart.

DuBrow recorded a solo album in 2004, "In for the Kill", and the band's last studio CD, "Rehab", came out in October 2006.

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Rumor has it that the creative forces behind the classic WINTERS BANE Heart Of A Killer album (1993) - vocalist Tim "Ripper" Owens (ICED EARTH, ex-JUDAS PRIEST) and guitarist Lou St. Paul (FIRES OF BABYLON) - have reunited and writing has commenced on a new Winters Bane record, with Wendy Dio of Niji Management currently soliciting offers from interested labels. Word also has it that Winters Bane would plan to tour extensively in support of this album.

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On TAKE COVER, Queensrÿche - who rarely perform anything besides their distinctive original material - pays tribute to some of their musical idols and favorite songs with a diverse 11-song covers compilation. On selections mining tracks from Pink Floyd to Black Sabbath, Buffalo Springfield to Broadway and more, the collection offers a new perspective on a band best known for the intense creative theatricality of their thinking man's hard rock/metal.

Acclaimed lead singer Geoff Tate says the project gave them a chance to kick back and have some fun. “During sound checks, Stone and Michael like to play 'name that riff,' and sometimes the whole band jo ...

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1955 - 2007

QUIET RIOT drummer Frankie Banali has confirmed the passing of the group's singer, Kevin DuBrow, at the age of 52. In an e-mail to Spain's The Metal Circus, which had requested a comment from Banali on the rumors of DuBrow's death, the drummer wrote, "I can't even find words to say. Please respect my privacy as I mourn the passing and honor the memory of my dearest friend Kevin DuBrow." UPDATE: The same statement can now be found on Frankie Banali's official web site.

Michael Politz of The Vegas Eye reported earlier today that DuBrow was found dead in his Las Vegas home on Sunday, November 25. According to Politz, DubRow — wh ...

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JUDAS PRIEST's official web site has been updated with the following message:

"The JUDAS PRIEST machine will be rolling out on the road again next year. The tour starts in June 2008 — dates to be announced shortly! Please note that only when dates are announced here on our website are they actually official and confirmed!!"

As previously reported, JUDAS PRIEST is among the bands who are rumored to be ...

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KING DIAMOND's North American headlining tour — which was scheduled to launch March 23 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, and run through May 8 in Houston — has been cancelled due to a herniated disc.

"I can't sit down, even on my couch, for more than a few minutes," King recently told

MEGADETH mainman Dave Mustaine's new Legends Cup Coffee is now available for purchase online. Mustaine says: "I have personally selected this coffee fr ...

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MANOWAR director Neil Johnson — who is responsible for overseeing all of the band's DVDs and music videos — has posted a video message explaining why paying $117 (80 euros) to attend the group's Magic Circle Festival in Germany next July should be considered a bargain. Watch the clip below.

Magic Circle Festival 2008 will be held in Bad Arolsen, Germany from Wednesday, July 9 to Saturday, July 1 ...

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Texas-based mythological occult metal outfit ABSU has announced the signing of a new contract agreement with Candlelight Records. Drummer/mastermind Proscriptor says of the deal, "With the launch of the new ABSU lineup (members Aethyris and Vastator) and a new studio album in the works, I felt it was time to re-evaluate the career path of the band. Candlelight's expanding growth, as an ...

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