This Sunday, November 23, fans' 15-year wait for Guns N' Roses' Chinese Democracy will finally come to an end. But there's one particular fan -- and former touring partner -- who's "not losing sleep waiting" for its arrival: Metallica's James Hetfield.

John McCain isn't doing so well these days, but a few other old-timers had a triumphant week on SPIN.com: Metallica kicked off their world tour, Eminem rapped about hip-hop, and a little band named Guns N' Roses (ever heard of 'em?) released their first single since Ally McBeal was on TV.

If the opening night of Metallica's world tour in Glendale, AZ, Tuesday was any indication, rock's not dead. Check its pulse, and you'll hear the double-bass drumming of Lars Ulrich.

As you get ready to celebrate Columbus Day, check out our scoop on Green Day's next full-length and Metallica's upcoming tour, and listen to exclusive new tunes from Manchester Orchestra, Minus the Bear, and others. Plus: Get more of the best from the past week:

Fans behind the chart-topping success of Metallica's new record, Death Magnetic, certainly have reason to be excited for the quartet's forthcoming North American tour, as the band will be playing "a lot of new songs" from the record, drummer Lars Ulrich to

First Lieutenant Donald Dresch defines himself by his strengths. A proficient six-string bass player with a knack for economics, Lt. Dresch has brought his talents with him to each military station.