June 24 marks the release of "Cover Metal Now," described as J-pop's first ever heavy metal cover album. The collection features unexpected renditions of 10 top-selling hits, such as GReeeeN's "Aiuta" and Ayaka's "Mikazuki."

The covers are performed by the trio Dr. Metal Factory, which was temporarily formed for just a week to record this album. The group's vocalist is Nobuo Yamada, also known as NoB of the band MAKE-UP that became famous for the "Saint Seiya" theme song "Pegasus Fantasy." He is joined by Shara (formerly of EARTHSHAKER) and HAL氏.

A recent Oricon survey asked 300 high school girls, "Which female celebrity do you consider to be a fashion leader?"

The #1 answer was pop superstar Namie Amuro (31), noted for her cute and stylish appearance. One girl explained that Amuro always wears fashionable items in her music videos and television appearances.

At #2 was Becky (25), whose fashion tends to be full of color and originality. "Her clothes range from slightly strange to pretty, but no matter what she wears, she ends up looking stylish," one girl said. Another expressed her respect for Becky's individuality.

1. Namie Amuro
2. Becky
3. Karina
4. Ayumi Hamasaki
5. Tsubasa Masuwaka

Dreams Come True member Masato Nakamura (50) and his wife, former HIGH and MIGHTY COLOR vocalist Maki Onaga (21), are now expecting their first child. The couple married in June 2008, only a few months after they first met.

Nakamura's record label confirmed that Maki is indeed pregnant, though the company declined to give any more details than that. Nakamura acknowledged the news reports in his own blog as well, but also said that he could give no more information at the moment.

Publisher Shueisha has revealed that Erika Toda's (20) upcoming photobook "Vivace" will have an unusually large print run for its first edition - 100,000 copies. Lately, it is said that typical photobooks have initial print runs of several thousands, with the most popular actresses and idols topping out at about 50,000.

However, Shueisha is confident that Toda can sell plenty of books, given her popularity among both men and women. Males frequently see her in gravure and idol magazines, while young women view her as a leader among fashion models.

In fact, the photobook emphasizes her connection to fashion, essentially doubling as a catalog for popular brand CECIL McBEE, which was the top-selling brand at Shibuya 109 for six straight years starting in 2000. Toda was photographed in Rome and Tokyo wearing only CECIL McBEE apparel, with a focus on the brand's new spring and summer products. The clothes also include a few that Toda designed herself. Shueisha is even bundling the photobook with a special booklet for placing orders for many of the items.

The photobook goes on sale May 1 and should appeal to the younger generations with a price tag of only 980 yen.

In response to recent reports that X Japan bassist HEATH has left the band, the group's production management committee has publicly stated that the news is not true. The committee acknowledged that HEATH had proposed his own departure, but they said that nothing has been approved.

The committee reaffirmed that the band's Tokyo Dome concerts on May 2-3 will go on as planned. They said that leader Yoshiki has no intention of making HEATH leave the band, and they also denied that there is talk of recruiting a substitute bassist for the shows.