Kicking off the new year, Dave Mustaine and his Megadeth entourage are hitting the studio to begin work on an album due out later next year. For those who can’t wait for the new release, check out Megadeth.net. For a monthly fee, subscribers receive access to band-related treats.

In other metal news, Slash plans to release his second solo effort next summer. The former Guns N’ Roses guitarist recently played a surprise show at the Barfly in Los Angeles, MTV News said.

For a six song rock out, Slash was joined by singer Rod Jackson, former Dad’s Porno Mag and Alice Cooper guitarist Ryan Roxie, bassist Johnny Griparik and drummer Matt Laug.

Through the Grapevine

Aside from Slash’s sophomore effort, Geffen Records has big plans for other former GNR members. Duff McKagan will release another solo album, due out in January.

A new Guns N’ Roses album is also scheduled for the near future, but after four years of being in the “writing phase,” who knows when the work will actually make it to the public.

If the new material isn’t ready for release in 1999, Geffen may simply release a live album.

Even if a new album does surface, it may be just another “Spaghetti Incident?,” in which case, bah humbug. The masses have an “appetite for destruction.”

In order to get citizens more involved with protecting America’s wild forests, Peter Buck is teaming up with the Washington Wilderness Coalition for a public service announcement to be shown on VH1 and CNN.

“The partnership with WWC began in September when R.E.M., Pearl Jam and Chris Cornell sent a meeting request to Vice President Gore to discuss protection for America’s disappearing forest,” a press release said. Viewers and anyone interested can get involved with the Washington Wilderness Coalition by calling 1-877-2-ACT NOW.

Sean “Puffy” Combs contributed “multi-millions” to help revive a New York-based publication called “Notorious.” The magazine was published only four times until July 1998, according to MTV News. The first new issue will feature “The 25 Most Notorious People of ’98.”

Creed fans can head to Wal-Mart Dec. 12 for a live performance of the band via the store’s in-store radio network, MTV News said.

The band will perform at House of Blues in Orlando, Fla., at 8 p.m. central time as part of Wal-Mart’s Live Concert Series. Creed will be interviewed on the program, and opening act Finger Eleven will also perform.

Adam Jonas is a freshman in pre-architecture from Ames.