November News Bytes

• According to the Los Angeles Times, RUSH drummer Neil Peart has bought a home in Santa Monica, California for $4.95 million.The6,200-square-foot, two-story house was built in 2001. The step-down living room adjoins a music room. French doors off the dining room lead to an outside courtyard. A double-sided fireplace in the master suite opens to both the bedroom and bathroom. The basement includes a media room, a wine cellar and a wet bar. There are a total of five bedrooms and 61/2 bathrooms.



• SYMPHONY X and ICED EARTH will join forces for a North American co-headlining tour in early 2012. The 30-plus-date trek will kick off on January 31 in Hartford, Connecticut and conclude on March 11 in Clifton Park, New York. Support on the trek will come from WARBRINGER."I'm excited to tour with SYMPHONY X," ICED EARTH founder Jon Schaffer said. "They're phenomenal musicians and very cool guys. This co-headliner tour will be a great experience for the fans. It is also way overdue for us to play a proper tour of North America. Get ready!"SYMPHONY X guitarist Michael Romeo added, "We are very excited about the upcoming North American tour with ICED EARTH. We first met Jon and the guys a few years back and they were really cool. When the idea of a co-headline tour surfaced, we thought it would be awesome. The fans can expect a night of great music from both bands. We look forward to seeing you all real soon!"