New Names Rumored For 'Metal All-Stars' Tour

** October 24 UPDATE**: Gabe Reed Productions and Kendra Helms Media, the producers of the previously announced Metal All-Stars tour, have released the following statement to BLABBERMOUTH.NET:

"Inaccurate and unconfirmed reports were published yesterday on various Internet outlets regarding the upcoming Metal All-Stars European tour and its talent lineup, in particular SLAYER's Tom Araya. None of this information was issued by Gabe Reed Productions, Kendra Helms Media or the Metal All-Stars organization.

"Mr. Araya is not performing with the Metal All-Stars — he and SLAYER have nothing to do with this tour and the use of SLAYER's logo as well as the logos of other artists in the fraudulent advertisement was wholly unauthorized. The bands listed have nothing to do with this or any Metal All-Stars tour that features metal legends performing outside their individual bands.

"The Internet reports also contained information about the Metal All-Stars lineup and European dates that are not confirmed and still being negotiated.

"The producers of Metal All-Stars very much look forward to bringing a great Metal All-Stars lineup to European metal fans and will announce the correct lineup, dates and other information on the tour's official web site — www.metalallstars.com — when it all has been confirmed. An official announcement of the lineup and confirmed dates will be officially announced shortly and exclusively at www.metalallstars.com and at the official Metal All-Stars Twitter (@metalallstars) and Facebook (Metalallstarsofficial) pages."

Former MEGADETH guitarist Marty Friedman has also released a statement claiming that "he know[s] nothing about" the "Metal All-Stars" tour, and he has denied knowing the tour's promoter or why the promoter is using [Marty's] name" to promote the "Metal All-Stars" tour. Marty added that he is "not involved in this tour whatsoever."

The original article follows below.

Gabe Reed Productions and Kendra Helms Media have joined forces to create the Metal All-Stars tour, which will hit Europe in March/April 2014. The Metal All-Stars tour will feature "some of the biggest contributors to the heavy metal genre along with some of the most technical musicians in the industry," according to a press release.

So far, the following European dates have been announced:

April 03 - Stockholm, SWE @ Hovet
April 05 - Riga, LAT @ Arena Riga
April 06 - Helsinki, FIN @ Hartwal Areena
April 08 - Saint Petersburg, RUS @ SK Yubileyny
April 09 - Moscow, RUS @ Stadium Live

Metal All-Stars will be offering unique items and experiences to be auctioned off in order to raise funds for Ride For Dime. Ride For Dime Inc., a 501 (c) 3, charitable organization, honors the lives of guitar hero and friend, "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott (PANTERA),Jeff Thompson, Nathan Bray and Erin Halk. Ride For Dime has proudly given back to charities that were of interest to Darrell during his life as well as charities he would have been proud to be a part of, like Little Kids Rock, Toys For Tots, IAVA and many more. Ride For Dime was formed in 2010 and began funding its own Ride For Dime Scholarship Fund.

Originally formed in Arlington, Texas, in 2005 by Darrell's friends and family, the organization has now grown to having six nationwide chapters. Each chapter holds its own event, and all proceeds go directly to the Ride For Dime Scholarship Fund. Their current chapters include: Texas, Philadelphia, Chicago, Florida, Wisconsin, Nashville, Minnesota and the U.K.

Artists scheduled to appear:

* Rob Halford (JUDAS PRIEST)
* Tom Araya (SLAYER)
* Philip Anselmo (PANTERA, DOWN)
* Marty Friedman (MEGADETH)
* Nick Menza (MEGADETH)
* Joey Belladonna (ANTHRAX)
* Max Cavalera (SOULFLY, SEPULTURA)
* Udo Dirkschneider (U.D.O., ACCEPT)
* Brian Fair (SHADOWS FALL)
* Jon Donais (ANTHRAX, SHADOWS FALL)
* Matt Bachand (SHADOWS FALL)
* Jasin Todd (SHINEDOWN)
* Aaron Rossi (MINISTRY)
* Conrad "Cronos" Lant (VENOM)
* Ross "The Boss" Friedman (MANOWAR)