Friday 3rd February 2012
Metal titans ICED EARTH and thrash icons SEPULTURA are the latest additions to BLOODSTOCK OPEN AIR 2012, joining an already stellar line up that includes headline sets from ALICE COOPER and BEHEMOTH, as well as exclusive appearances from WATAIN, special guests DIMMU BORGIR, HATEBREED, BLACK DAHLIA MURDER & many more.

ICED EARTH were born in 1985, formed by Jon Schaffer – a determined, street-tough kid with the drive to create a band to make his heroes Judas Priest, KISS, and Iron Maiden proud. The band released its riff-heavy self-titled debut album in 1990 and never looked back. Nine studio albums – considered masterpieces of metal – cemented the band’s reputation for crafting exceptionally well-made music, the centerpiece of which being Schaffer’s trademark rhythm guitar style and powerful, in-your-face lyrics that often combine themes of self reliance, a healthy distrust of authority, history, and science fiction. He says:

"We are looking forward to returning to Bloodstock in 2012, our second time after 2008. The UK shows we played on our World Dystopia Tour last fall were some of the best on the tour and we cannot wait to bang our heads with the UK minions again!"

Over the years, Schaffer has surrounded himself with some of the finest musicians in the world – including famed vocalists Matt Barlow, Tim Owens, and now Stu Block – to help bring his musical visions to life. This summer Schaffer brings this vision to BLOODSTOCK once more, for their only UK show of 2012, and one of the highlights of the metal festival calendar.

SEPULTURA is one of the major names in metal history. From their humble beginnings 27 years ago, these Brazilians went on to create a legacy, influencing a whole generation of younger bands and becoming a true institution. Despite rough times due to significant line-up changes, nomadic relationships with record labels and various changes in the overall musical environment, SEPULTURA have never backed down, continuously following their path, always re-emerging stronger than ever before.

At their only UK show of 2012, SEPULTURA will remind the BLOODSTOCK crowd why they are South America’s biggest metal export, with a classic set featuring timeless anthems such as “Arise”, “Beneath The Remains”, “Troops Of Doom” “Refuse/Resist”, “Territory” and many many more.

With tickets selling faster than ever before, BLOODSTOCK 2012 is destined for a sell-out this year. Over 100 bands - the majority of which are exclusive appearances - and a ticket price of only £115 for four days of metal magic INCLUDING camping - BLOODSTOCK offers metalheads the most attractive ticket in the UK. Get yours now from www.bloodstock.uk.com

Friday 3rd February 2012
The Duke Spirit a headline tour for March 2012, following the release the band’s critically acclaimed album ‘Bruiser’.
The five piece from London; Liela Moss, Toby Butler, Luke Ford, Olly Betts and Marc Sallis; have been touring in support of their new record, including a sell out show at London's Scala and an electrifying album launch show performed in the middle of a professional boxing ring.

Bruiser is the third album from The Duke Spirit, following on from their much lauded debut Cuts Across The Land and 2008’s Neptune.

The Duke Spirit have had a few adventures collaborating with the fashion world also — designers Philip Lim and the late Alexander McQueen called Liela their muse.

They have also announced their own headline run for March 2012:

1-Mar-12 Manchester Ruby Lounge
2-Mar-12 Leeds Cockpit
3-Mar-12 Glasgow King Tuts
5-Mar-12 Bristol Fleece
6-Mar-12 Brighton Komedia
7-Mar-12 London Koko

Friday 3rd February 2012
The Milk have announced details of a mammoth twenty-eight-date UK tour throughout March. The tour begins in Canterbury on 1 March, includes the band’s biggest headline show to date at London’s Scala on 4 April. The tour is rounded off with a show at Chinnerys in their hometown of Southend.

The Milk are quickly earning a reputation as one of the UK’s most exciting live bands. They were even nominated for Best Breakthrough Artist at the UK Festival Awards this summer, going up against the likes of Bruno Mars and Jessie J. In London alone, the last year has seen The Milk perform rammed-out headline shows across the likes of Hoxton Bar & Kitchen, Dingwalls, The Jazz Cafe, XOYO and Camden Barfly, predominately whilst still unsigned. With a new single scheduled to coincide with the tour, the band’s first extensive UK tour will see them preview songs from their forthcoming debut album, to be released through Sony, which has been produced by celebrated DJ and remixer Brad Baloo (The Nextmen).

“Pure fire and skill…an immersive experience you don’t want to end” Guardian
"This is the next band you all should be paying attention to" NME

The tour dates are as follows:
March 1 Canterbury The Farmhouse
March 2 Brighton Green Door Store
March 4 Bournemouth 60 Million Postcards
March 5 Southampton Joiners
March 7 Oxford Jericho
March 8 Bristol Start The Bus
March 9 Bath Moles
March 10 Gloucester Guildhall
March 12 Cardiff The Globe
March 13 Doncaster Leopard
March 14 York Stereo
March 16 Leeds Nation of Shopkeepers
March 17 Stoke Sugarmill
March 18 Birmingham The Rainbow
March 19 Sheffield The Plug
March 21 Nottingham Bodega
March 22 Manchester Deaf Institute
March 23 Liverpool Shipping Forecast
March 24 Preston 53 Degrees
March 26 Middlesbrough Westgarth Social Club
March 28 Edinburgh Electric Circus
March 29 Glasgow King Tuts
March 30 Aberdeen Tunnels
March 31 Dundee Doghouse
April 2 Newcastle Cosmic Ballroom
April 3 Norwich Open
April 4 London Scala
April 5 Southend Chinnerysbr>

Thursday 2nd February 2012
London based metal superstars DRAGONFORCE have revealed details of their forthcoming new album. Entitled “The Power Within”, the ten track monster is the bands fifth studio album, and first with new singer Marc Hudson in the fold.

DragonForce guitarist Herman Li said,
“The last two years have been the most fun we ever had making an album. Through writing, jamming and touring together, we have built this incredible energy and it has been fully captured on the new album.

“This time around we’ve really brought our metal side to the surface and made some of the best music of our career. From the fastest song we’ve ever recorded to the slower songs, and some things you would never expect from us, this is by far the most diverse DragonForce album yet.”

“The Power Within” will be released in the UK on April 15th via the band’s own Electric Generation Recordings, distributed by Essential Music.

Li added, “This is an exciting new era for DragonForce with Marc joining the band, so we figured this was an ideal time to take full control of our own destiny and establish our own record label for Europe. It’s all hands on deck running it, but a great buzz”!

The full tracklisting is as follows:

The Power Within
1. Holding On
. Fallen World
3. Cry Thunder
4. Give Me the Night
5. Wings of Liberty
6. Seasons
7. Heart of the Storm
8. Die By the Sword
9. Last Man Stands
10. Seasons (Acoustic Version)

There will also be a Digital & Vinyl Version featuring Bonus Tracks “Cry Thunder (Live Rehearsal)”, “Heart of the Storm (Alternative Chorus Version)” and “Avant La Tempête (Instrumental)”, plus an exclusive box set featuring:

CD Version
Access Code for Bonus Material plus
DragonForce Flag,
DF Flashlight/Bottle Opener,
Set of 6 DF Beer Mats featuring band cartoons by Frederic Leclercq.

A small number of very lucky fans will have their first chance to hear new songs from the album at an exclusive sold out show at London’s 100 Club on February 16th 2012.

Thursday 2nd February 2012
Thin Lizzy have announced additional UK dates to their 2012 tour schedule.

The legendary rockers, due to phenomenal demand, will play 7 additional dates in May.

The lineup, feature vocalist Ricky Warwick, bassist Marco Mendoza and guitarist Damon Johnson alongside Classic Thin Lizzy members Scott Gorham, Brian Downey and Darren Wharton have gone from strength to strength since announcing their return in May 201O

Currently blowing away fans with 13 dates across the UK during January and February, Scott Gorham commented “The response has been amazing – there are some towns we haven’t played with this line up and demand for us to play there means we can add more shows – so here you are!!’

The band, who have not released a studio album since 1983's 'Thunder And Lightning', indicated earlier this year that they are considering recording new material together. Were this to happen, it would mark the first new music the band had released since the death of front man Phil Lynott in 1986.

Thin Lizzy will play:

MAY 2012
Wed 16 GUILDFORD, G Live 0844 7701 797
Fri 18 LIVERPOOL, O2 Academy 0844 477 2000
Sat 19 EDINBURGH, HMV Picture House 08448 444 747
Sun 20 MIDDLESBROUGH, Empire 01642 253 553
Tue 22 NOTTINGHAM, Rock City 0845 413 4444
Wed 23 NORWICH, UEA LCR 01603 508 050
Thu 24 BOURNEMOUTH, O2 Academy 0844 477 2000

Tickets are on general sale from 9am, Friday 3rd February. Priced £26.00 plus booking fee and are available from www.bookingsdirect.com* or the 24hr Ticket Hotline 0844 338 0000* and venue box offices.

For more information and VIP Package details go to: www.thinlizzyband.com

Special Guests on these dates will be BLACK SPIDERS and THE TREATMENT.

Thursday 2nd February 2012
PARADISE LOST are now unveiling the cover artwork for their much anticipated new studio album “Tragic Idol” set to be released on April 23rd, 2012 in Europe via Century Media Records. The album's artwork was designed by Parisian designer Valnoir (www.metastazis.com), who has not only worked on this band's release, but also with artists such as Morbid Angel, Laibach, Ulver, Watain and more than 150 others.

Furthermore the band will be touring the UK this April performing tracks from their forthcoming album “Tragic Idol”. To celebrate the event PARADISE LOST will have a very limited number of VIP tickets available (10 per show) which you can purchase online on Wed 1st February 2012 from the band’s website www.paradiselost.co.uk Nick Holmes comments on the tour as follows: "This is a pretty extensive UK tour for us, I'm speechless and excited. It's nice to know there's a WH Smith in every town we play"

Here are the dates:
16.04 Cardiff – Great Hall 2
17.04 Southampton - The Brook
18.04 Folkestone - Quarterhouse
19.04 Colchester - Arts Centre
20.04 Stoke - Sugarmill
22.04 York – The Duchess
23.04 Glasgow - King Tuts
24.04 Sheffield - Corporation
25.04 Wolverhampton - Slade Rooms
26.04 Nottingham - Rescue Rooms
27.04 Manchester - Club Academy
29.04 London - Scala
30.04 Norwich - Waterfront

Tuesday 31st January 2012
Bath-based 5 piece Decade spent 2011 honing their craft on full UK tours with D.R.U.G.S, Forever The Sickest Kids and Set Your Goals. A summer full of festival slots at Sonisphere, Slam Dunk, Hub and Make A Scene led to the release of debut single ‘The Doctor Called (Turns Out I’m Sick As Fuck)’ on Slam Dunk Records which received heavy rotation on Scuzz TV, as well as a hoard of press coverage from Kerrang!, Rock Sound and a host of blogs and fanzines.

Decade are now ready to unleash the eagerly anticipated self titled follow up to their debut EP, eschewing the beatdowns and gang vocals of former releases to
concentrate on creating a uniquely British style and sound for a new generation of UK music fans in the vein of Hundred Reasons, Jimmy Eat World, Four year Strong and Brand New. The EP is now streaming for the week on the Rock Sound website.

Set for a February 13th release with a video for lead single ‘Never Enough’, Decade hit the road in February 2012 for their first ever UK headline tour to showcase their new material and their focused, explosive live show.

Catch them on the following dates:
10th Feb – Meze Lounge – Newport
11th Feb – Thekla – Bristol
12th Feb – 12 Bar – Swindon
13th Feb – The Barfly – Camden
15th Feb – The Flapper – Birmingham
16th Feb – Dry Bar – Manchester
17th Feb – The Picket – Liverpool
18th Feb – The Cockpit – Leeds
19th Feb – Liberties – Middlesbrough
20th Feb – The Riverside - Newcastle

Tuesday 31st January 2012
MALEFICE have been added to the upcoming Rise To Remain and Heaven Shall Burn UK tour, which kicks off in Birmingham on March 7, 2012.

DALE BUTLER comments:
“To say we're looking forward to bringing the new sound, new show, new Malefice out on the road would be a massive understatement. There's a whole new side which has been developing since the end of last year, and when you hear the recent track recorded with Marcus Hahnemann for Jagermeister next week, you'll see just what we mean.”

Catch them at

Rise To Remain + Heaven Shall Burn + MALEFICE

March 2012

7th BIRMINGHAM – Academy 2
8th PORTSMOUTH – Wedgewood Rooms
10th NORWICH – Waterfront
11th LIVERPOOL – Academy 2
12th GLASGOW – Garage
13th YORK – Fibbers
14th MANCHESTER – Academy 3
16th BRISTOL – Fleece
17th LONDON – Islington Academy
18th READING – Sub89

Tuesday 31st January 2012
At the end of 2009 Baddies returned to their hometown of Southend having travelled across Europe to Japan and Australia, and then back again. With an endless list of dates behind them, Reading, Glastonbury, Pukkelpop and Roskilde festivals (to name a few) playedand their debut album campaign coming to an end, the band took their time to carefully construct album number two: Build.

Behind the scenes at the production helm of the record is a close friend of the band, producer Sean Genockey (Futureheads, Reuben, Manic Street Preachers, Starsailor). Build is an organic progression from Baddies first full length ‘Do The Job’, keeping hold of all the sonic elements that define the bands character whilst exploring new territories and developing their musical personality. Their direct and spikey post-punk has been sharpened with maturity and experience resulting in an overwhelming assault on the senses.

Baddies debut album ‘Do The Job’ was a success and most of it achieved off their own backs. It sold over 10,000 copies worldwide, with the band playing 32 major festivals the year of its release. That’s more festivals than any other band, anywhere in Europe, managed that year. They impressed radio as well and ended up doing live sessions for Huw Stephens at BBC Radio1 and John Kennedy at XFM.

The first single to be taken from ‘Build’ is ‘Bronto’, a song that impacts immediately with infectious and punchy vocal hook and hypnotizing synths. The track is being given away for nothing so follow the below links to get your first taste of the returningBaddies:

FEBRUARY
03 The Green Room, Welwyn Garden City
04 Aldershot, West End Centre
06 Southampton, Joiners
07 Leeds, Escobar
08 Manchester, Alter Ego
09 New Slang, Kingston
10 Southend, Chinnerys

MARCH
05 London, Garage (Upstairs)
16 London, Koko (Club NME)

Tuesday 31st January 2012
Having played over 100 gigs in 2011, The Minutes show no sign of slowing down in 2012, as they announce their first full UK tour in support of their debut album 'Marcata' and the new single 'Heartbreaker'.

'Heartbreaker' is 127 seconds of righteous fury that has already established itself as a firm favourite in their live set. Having thrilled audiences across Ireland, the UK and Europe – the Dublin band, possibly the hardest rockin' power trio currently extant in rock 'n' roll; will bring their adrenalin fuelled, ramped up, amped up show to the following cities:
February 22nd - The Barfly, London

February 23rd - The Prince Albert, Brighton
February 24th - The Thekla Top Deck, Bristol
February 25th - Rock City (club), Nottingham
February 26th - Sound Control, Manchester
March 21st - Stereo, York
March 22nd - King Tuts, Glasgow
March 23rd - Electric Circus, Edinburgh
March 24th - Cafe Drummonds, Aberdeen
March 27th - Central Station, Wrexham on
March 28th - Academy 3, Birmingham
March 29th - Take 5 @ The Crypt, Norwich
March 30th - The Corner House, Cambridge.

The band will be playing the Eurosonic Festival in Holland in January, and will be over in the States for a run of shows at SXSW in March.

Tuesday 31st January 2012
Devonian roots-punk ensemble, Crazy Arm, embark on a short UK stint 'The Leap Of Faith tour' in March alongside good friends, Apologies I Have None and Great Cynics. They also hook up with Indiana US country singer, Austin Lucas, for a couple of shows, with Crazy Arm appearing as Austin's backing band on a number of songs.

The band's second album, 'Union City Breath', was released in October last year. Much like its predecessor, 'Born To Ruin', it has been very well received nationwide and throughout mainland Europe by fans and critics alike. Produced and engineered by Peter Miles (The King Blues, The Computers, Sonic Boom Six), the album is a triumph of punk rock energy, alt. country vitality and rabble-rousing honesty.

Not easy to categorise, and all the better for it, Crazy Arm's sound is an accumulation of decades of influence and inspiration: rooted in hardcore/punk, '60s protest folk/country and Springsteen-esque classic rock'n'roll. They combine this with a grass-roots political overview that embraces anti-war, anti-fascist and pro-community activism.

FEBRUARY 2012
29th - White Rabbit, Plymouth (with Austin Lucas + Apologies I Have None + Great Cynics)

MARCH 2012
1st - Croft, Bristol (with Austin Lucas + Apologies I Have None + Great Cynics)
2nd - The Hydrant, Brighton (with Apologies I Have None + Great Cynics)
3rd - Firebug, Leicester (with Apologies I Have None + Great Cynics)
4th - Fighting Cocks, Kingston (with Apologies I Have None + Great Cynics)
5th - Norwich (with Apologies I Have None + Great Cynics)

Friday 28th January 2012
We are thrilled to announce the following bands will be performing at Hevy Music Festival 2012:

Converge (UK Exclusive)
Will Haven (UK Exclusive)
Protest The Hero
Deaf Havana
A Wilhelm Scream
Verse (re-union UK Exclusive)
The Chariot (UK Exclusive)
Deez Nuts
Set Your Goals
Trapped Under Ice (UK Exclusive)
Pianos Become The Teeth (UK Exclusive)
Balance and Composure
Sharks
Last Witness
Crocus

There are over 60 bands still to be announced in the forthcoming months, including our MAIN STAGE HEADLINERS!! Get excited....

Returning for our 4th year, Hevy is back in 2012 to own your summer! Taking place at our home of Port Lympne Wild Animal Park in Kent, we will be unleashing over 80 incredible bands across 4 stages, with a ferocious line-up covering all corners of Hardcore, Punk, Metal and Rock.

Over the last few years Hevy has seen monstrous performances from some of the greatest bands on the planet including The Dillinger Escape Plan, Glassjaw, Four Year Strong, Gallows, The Bronx, Architects, Comeback Kid, Funeral For A Friend and Fucked Up as well as bringing the most exciting new bands to a festival stage, often for the first time, with insane appearances from Trash Talk, Defeater, Ceremony, Touche Amore, Title Fight, La Dispute, Your Demise, While She Sleeps, Lower Than Atlantis, Deaf Havana, More Than Life and countless more....

Friday 27th January 2012
With an incredible line up boasting SKINDRED, THERAPY? and BLACK SPIDERS it’s no wonder the JAGERMEISTER MUSIC TOUR 2012 is selling out fast. So fast in fact, that due to overwhelming demand, the Glasgow Show on April 11th has been upgraded from the O2 ABC to 02 Academy, and the Bristol show is now totally sold out.

As if the incredible line up on offer isn’t enough, JAGERMEISTER are treating ticket holders - who have only had to pay £5 - to an awesome local support at each show.

Opening at the 02 Academy in Leeds on 10th April are experi-mentalists HAWK EYES, who say:

“We are extremely happy to be joining the Jager tour in our home town. Having listened to these bands in our youth, we never thought that one day we would be sharing a stage with them. It's an honour to open up what promises to be a sterling night.”

In Newcastle, York metallers GLAMOUR OF THE KILL look forward to kicking off proceedings on the 12th April:

“We are really excited to be joining up with the bands in Newcastle on this years Jagermeister tour! The line up is mind blowing and Skindred never fail to impress with their live show. We will be in the studio writing our second album which is sounding HUGE. We canst wait to unleash these new songs to you guys, so lets raise those glasses high and party hard Newcastle!”

On Friday 13th April, Londoners THE DEFILED escape from the studio to bring their industrialised metal to Brixton to warm up the 5000 strong crowd. Keyboard player The AvD says:

“We have been in the studio for the past month or two concentrating on writing and demoing tracks for our new album, so when we got the call to open up the Brixton date of our beloved Jagermeister tour, we could not say yes fast enough! I got to see Therapy? at Sonisphere 2010 and they absolutely killed it, as for Skindred... They are immaculate live every time! We are definitely looking forward to hanging out all night and making a proper night of it because right after that... it's back to the isolation of our dark studio!”

In Bristol, TURBOWOLF start the last day of the party, with vocalist/synth player Chris Georiadis warning:

"This gig is gonna be awesome! We can't wait to make a huge amount of noise and tear the place down with some furious psychedelic punk grooves. Let's do this!"

A support for the upgraded Glasgow show will be announced soon.

Catch the Jagermeister Music Tour 2012 at the following venues:
Tuesday 10th April - O2 Academy Leeds - LAST FEW TICKETS LEFT
Wednesday 11th April - O2 Academy Glasgow - UPGRADED VENUE!
Thursday 12th April - O2 Academy Newcastle - LAST FEW TICKETS LEFT
Friday 13th April - O2 Academy Brixton - LAST FEW TICKETS LEFT
Saturday 14th April - O2 Academy Bristol - SOLD OUT

Tickets for the 2012 Jägermeister UK Music Tour are just £5.00 (adv) per person thanks to Jägermeister subsidising admission so that fans can attend the tour for an incredible one-off ticket price.

Thursday 26th January 2012
Rich Robinson is set to release his second solo album ‘Through A Crooked Sun’ on March 26th 2012 through Circle Sound.

‘Through A Crooked Sun’ is the follow up album to ‘Paper’ and see’s Rich’s use of the term ‘sun’ as a metaphor to examine his life. “I was living this life that was askew. My relationships with the people that were supposed to be my closest seemed damaged. My marriage was not a good fit for either of us and we weren’t facing up to that. Though I love my brother, the fact that my working environment can be challenging has been well chronicled. Nothing was working like it should have been, but by many people’s standards, it was a dream come true.” It would take an unexpected (at least by Rich) band hiatus, financial difficulties and most devastating of all, a painful divorce to push him to the point of re-evaluation.

‘Hey Fear’, the lead single from the album, looks at the duel nature of fear. “Fear can be a healthy, natural, protective response to your environment, but it can also be debilitating,” says Rich. “In many ways, continuing the unhappy life that I was leading was a response to the fear of what lay beyond it.” The song recognizes that, though fear will remain a part of one’s everyday life (“Hey there fear/You’ve been there for me/A familiar voice/In a raging sea”), it cannot be dispatched by flailing away at it, but by embracing a quiet mind and a more simple life. “I wanted this song to be sparse to represent simplicity, and then add in the more frenetic production at the end to represent the onset of fear,” Rich says.

Rich is an American musician and a founding member of the rock n roll band The Black Crowes. Over the course of 9 album the band has delivered hit after hit including ‘Twice As Hard’, ‘She Talks To Angels, ‘Remedy’, ‘Wiser Time’ and ‘High Head Blues’. The band has sold over 30 million albums worldwide and is listed at 92 on VH1’s 100 greatest artists of hard rock.

‘Through A Crooked Sun’ finds the musical gifts that have propelled a major career fully intact, but joined this time by a more sentient, holistic outlook: that of a father, a son, a husband, a spiritual being, a musician, fully integrated and more comfortable than ever in his body, mind and soul. See Rich play live at the below dates this February:

Dates:
Wednesday 8th February : Southampton, Brook
Thursday 9th February : Wrexham, Central Station
Friday 10th February : Shropshire, The Ironworks
Saturday 11th February : Leeds, Brudenell Social Club
Sunday 12th February : Glasgow, King Tut’s
Monday 13th February : York, Fibbers
Tuesday 15th February : Bristol , Fleece
Wednesday 16th February : London, Islington Academy

Thursday 26th January 2012
Following the release of their incredible album ‘AVALANCHE UNITED’ in October 2011 and a successful run of headline shows in December, the Brooklyn quintet return to the UK in 2012 to tour with their friends and peers, Brand New and label-mates The Xcerts.

Rapidly selling out, this highly anticipated tour will be one to remember. Preceded by a small run of headline European dates with The Xcerts in support, full details are as follows:

FEBRUARY – European headline shows
1 Vienna Arena, Austria
2 59 to 1, Munich Germany
3 Kofmehl, Solothurn, Switzerland
4 Ex Haus, Trier, Germany
5 Logo, Hamburg, Germany

FEBRUARY – SUPPORTING BRAND NEW
8 O2 Academy Bristol
9 Manchester Academy SOLD OUT
10 Southampton Guildhall
11 London Roundhouse SOLD OUT
12 London Roundhouse
14 O2 Academy Glasgow
15 O2 Academy Birmingham
16 O2 Academy Newcastle
17 University Great Hall, Cardiff

The release of ‘AVALANCHE UNITED’ through new home Xtra Mile Recordings, was met with universal acclaim. Addictively melodic and blisteringly raw to its very core, the album was produced by the band, and executive produced and engineered by Avalanche’s prolific drummer Brett “The Ratt” Romnes, and mixed by Machine (Fall Out Boy, Every Time I Die, Four Year Strong). Featuring 12 anthemic songs, including ‘Brooklyn Dodgers’, the bold ‘Holy Fuck’, the epic and somber ‘Dead Friends’ and ‘The Gravedigger’s Argument’ featuring Anthony Raneri from Bayside. Throughout, Caruana’s distinctive voice drips with defiance, humor and proud vulnerability as he sings about hope, heartbreak, death, defying adversity and the bonds between family, lovers and friends.

Coinciding with the Brand New tour dates the release of the life affirming, feel-good single ‘Brooklyn Dodgers.

Thursday 26th January 2012
Rock Sound is hugely excited to announce that trailblazing punk godfathers HOT WATER MUSIC will play a tiny show at the Old Blue Last in London on 2nd May. Hand-picked support comes from Sharks and Hildamay. Tickets go onsale Monday 30 January at 11am.

This will be the Gainesville pioneers’ only UK show before the release of their as-yet untitled eighth album, due out in summer on Rise Records.

"The UK was one of the first places outside of the US to support us, and it has continued to be one of our favorite spots on tour,” says Hot Water Music bassist Jason Black. “It's an honor to be recognised not only so far from home, but in a place where so many bands that influenced us have been from. With that said, we're very excited to celebrate the upcoming release of our new record with what is sure to be a mental gig at The Old Blue Last. See you there!"

"Does Hildamay like Hot Water Music?” asked Hildamay singer Tim Lawrence. “Does a bear shit in the woods?! Listen – they are one of the major inspirations for our band. We totally appreciate Rock Sound giving us a show with our peers.”

Tickets are £15 in advance from www.musicglue.net/rocksound from Monday January 30 at 11am, and entry is strictly 18+.

Wednesday 25th January 2012
The Popes return with their new album in March 2012 – the follow up to 2009’2 critically acclaimed “Outlaw Heaven”. “New Church” is the band’s strongest album to date - from punked up blitzkreig of opener “Storming Heaven” to the rousing Celtic tones of “How Many Bullets”, from the feelgood anthem that is “Alice” to the Bond theme-esque vibe of the brooding “In A Broken Dream”. The album also features as stunning guest slot from Howard Marks on “Throw Down Your Aces”. The album was produced by The Popes.

The band are an established live draw. March 2012 will see them on a full UK tour as main support to The Stranglers. With festivals and further dates to follow later in the year.

Shane MacGowan formed The Popes to record his album 'The Snake' in 1994 after leaving The Pogues. The band released two studio albums and a live album with Shane but have gone onto record a further three albums with Paul (Mad Dog) McGuiness taking charge of lead vocals. “New Church” is the bands fourth album. The current line up of The Popes are Paul (Mad Dog) McGuinness - Guitar and Vocals, Charlie Hoskyns - Guitars and Backing Vocals, Will Morrison - Drums and Backing Vocals, Dave Allen – Fiddle and Backing Vocals, Jim McAllister – Bass and Backing Vocals and Whiskey Mick – Mandolin and Backing Vocals. Full UK dates (with The Stranglers) below – all March 2012:

Thursday 1st Leeds O2 Academy 0844 477 2000
Friday 2nd Dunfermline Alhambra 0844 499 9990
Saturday 3rd Glasgow O2 Academy 0844 499 9990
Monday 5th Liverpool O2 Academy 0844 477 2000
Tuesday 6th Nottingham Rock City 0845 413 4444
Thursday 8th Cambridge Corn Exchange 01223 357 851
Friday 9th London Roundhouse 0844 482 8008
Saturday 10th Birmingham O2 Academy 0844 477 2000
Sunday 11th Exeter Phoenix 01392 667080 – (Headline)
Monday 12th Oxford O2 Academy 0844 477 2000
Tuesday 13th Portsmouth Pyramid 02392 824 355
Wednesday 14th Bedford Esquires www.bedfordesquires.com (Headline)
Thursday 15th Lincoln Engine Shed 0844 8888 766
Friday 16th Brighton Dome 01273 709 709
Saturday 17th Bristol O2 Academy 0844 477 2000
Monday 19th Leamington Spa Assembly 0844 854 1358
Tuesday 20th Guildford G Live 0844 770 1797
Wednesday 21st York The Duchess 08444 77 1000 (Headline)
Thursday 22nd Newcastle O2 Academy 0844 477 2000
Friday 23rd Sheffield O2 Academy 0844 477 2000
Saturday 24th Manchester Academy 0161 832 1111

Wednesday 25th January 2012
Brighton-based duo Laura-Mary Carter and Steven Ansell will return this year with their 3rd album ‘In Time To Voices’ out on March 26th and a new single ‘Cold’, released on March 19th via V2/Co-Operative Music. The band will also be hitting the road throughout the UK for an April and May tour.

Since the release of their debut almost 4 years ago, the duo have embarked on a gruelling, unrelenting tour schedule, seeing them travel the four corners of the globe and earning them an international fanbase. However the life on the road can have its side-effects as Steven speaks of some of their more troublesome moments :

‘”From getting arrested after spending a night drinking in a biker den, Laura fighting bouncers....twice, to the two of us breaking up onstage or having a giant fight in Prague and me getting found in the street robbed by two prostitutes. Oh and there was that time where we were invited to a hotel demolition party in Paris where we broke into Keith Richards’ room and totalled it. These stories are all on the record. I guess being only two people spending more than 300 days a year together makes you kind of...volatile. Modern bands seem way too clean-cut and sensible to us anyway.“

The new album ‘In Time To Voices’, released March 26th was recorded at The Motor Museum in Liverpool, continuing their successful partnership with Mike Crossey (Arctic Monkeys/Foals/Tribes) who co-produced the album with them.

The record sees Blood Red Shoes come of age musically, building on their punk rock roots and moving into an ambitious, three-dimensional new sound that encapsulates heavy rock as much as it does as sweeping, melancholy soundscapes and classic songwriting drawn from the likes of Black Sabbath, Fleetwood Mac, Led Zeppelin and The Rolling Stones.

Laura-Mary, sheds some light on the new, ambitious approach taken this time around:

”With this album we totally threw out the rulebook of how we write and record. We decided we wanted to make a really ambitious record, not something which reflects our live show but something which is only limited by our imaginations and not by how many instruments we use onstage. We figured the best way to push ourselves forward was to write the best possible songs and melodies we could - once you have that as your foundation, you have the freedom to go anywhere with the sounds you use. We feel like a totally different band now. We feel like we're shooting for the stars.”

The first single ‘Cold’ to be taken from their forthcoming long-player, sees Blood Red Shoes unleash a their most bold and defiant track to date, with Laura-Mary's confident vocal delivery set alongside a hyperactive drum groove and a truly anthemic chorus.

On the track, Laura-Mary says:
“Steven started playing this weird drum beat in a soundcheck and I wanted to make it into a song, so I found this mean riff to play over it. It has this hip-hop groove which is something we'd never tried before.”

FULL TRACKLISTING
· In Time To Voices
· Lost Kids
· Cold
· Two Dead Minutes
· The Silence And The Drones
· Night Light
· Je Me Perds
· Stop Kicking
· Slip Into Blue
· Down Here In The Dark
· 7 Years

Touring heavily throughout 2011, this year sees the band back on the road with no signs of slowing down with a full worldwide tour planned and UK dates confirmed, detailed below:

FULL UK DATES

APRIL
27th Concorde 2, Brighton
28th Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth
29th 02 Academy 2, Oxford

MAY
1st Trinity, Bristol
2nd Waterfront, Norwich
3rd Heaven, London
4th HMV Library, Birmingham7
5th Academy 2, Manchester
7th Zanzibar, Liverpool
8th Cluny, Newcastle
9th Tunnels, Aberdeen
10th King Tuts, Glasgow
12th The Cockpit, Leeds
13th Rescue Rooms, Nottingham

Wednesday 25th January 2012
Erik Chandler is the bassist of Bowling For Soup, an avid cook, a pioneer of poor spelling and now the frontman of his own band.

Erik will be heading to the UK this March for the annual Bowling For Soup acoustic tour and along with his BFS duties will be performing a solo set comprised of material from his forthcoming album and current EP, Writing the Wrongs.

After a 17 plus year career with BFS, touring the world multiple times, selling more than 2 million albums and playing in front of hundreds of thousands of people, Chandler has found himself with what he considers a unique opportunity. In his own words, “I’m extremely fortunate to be at a point in my career where the band is still going strong, but I have the chance to work on my own music again. I’ve been waiting for years to do this, but there was never really any time.” With BFS coming off the road after touring for their 11th studio album, Fishin’ For Woos, Chandler found the time.

In March of 2011, Erik hunkered down with producer/musician Linus of Hollywood (Size 14, Nerf Herder, Palmdale) for two quick weeks. Later the two enlisted mixer/drummer Tom Polce (The Loveless, Letters to Cleo) to put the finishing touches on what turned out to be an amazing collection of songs.

Erik’s solo work is quite far removed from the style he is perhaps best known for as part of Bowling For Soup, so for many it will be a pleasant surprise to hear where the music of his listening past has carried his personal writing style. He considers the Alternative/Indie music of the 80s and 90s his “golden age” of Rock and Roll. Drawing from influences such as The Replacements, Elvis Costello, R.E.M., The Lemonheads and Fastball, to name a few, Erik believes his new project brings something new, yet not unfamiliar, to the current table of Rock music.

Erik will also perform a solo set on the People On Vacation (featuring Jaret of Bowling For Soup fame) headline show at London’s Borderline on March 25th.

TOUR DATES

JARET & ERIK ACOUSTIC TOUR DATE
MARCH
Mon 26 - Northampton Roadmender
Tue 27 - Glasgow King Tuts
Wed 28 - Manchester Club Academy
Thu 29 - York Duchess
Fri 30 - Birmingham Academy
Sat 31 - Southend Chinnery's
APRIL
Sun 1 - London Koko

PEOPLE ON VACATION - HEADLINE DATE
POV will play their first ever UK headline.
+ Erik Chandler (solo)

MARCH
Sun 25 - London Borderline

Wednesday 25th January 2012
Nottingham's six stage indoor festival, Hit The Deck, have announced their second wave of line-up additions for the 22nd April event. The latest bands on the bill are; Cancer Bats, Rolo Tomassi, I Am The Avalanche, Bat Sabbath, Bury Tomorrow, The Dangerous Summer, TRC, Heights, Spycatcher, Straight Lines, Verses, William Bailey (acoustic), Campus, Arse Full Of Chips and Perry Bryan (acoustic).

Here's what a few of the new faces on the lineup have to say about their additions...

"We're so fucking stoked we're playing Hit The Deck again! Last year was fuckin way too nuts for us to stay away. We need way more stage dives to top last year. Round two jumping off the bar! After the gig we"ll have a massive cheesey chip hang at the hole in the wall chip shop!" - Liam Cormier, Cancer Bats

"We're really excited to be playing this year's Hit The Deck festival. The line up looks fantastic and we can't wait to catch up with bands like Cancer Bats. We always love playing in Nottingham and expect this to an incredible day and show." - Eva Spence, Rolo Tomassi

"We are fully stoked to be a part of the festival. Nottingham is the only show of the Brand New tour that we are not playing, so its nice to make up for that. Also it will be nice to finally share the stage with out labelmates, Straight Lines. Stoked to hang with man Soupy from The Wonder Years, happy they've been doing so well!" - Vinnie Caruana, I Am The Avalanche

Hit The Deck promoter Amy Biggin, adds. "We're really excited to be bringing back Cancer Bats to Hit The Deck and welcoming I Am The Avalanche to Nottingham for the first time, and I’m sure Rolo Tomassi & Bat Sabbath are guaranteed to be crazy! "

Hit The Deck 2012 takes place on April 22nd 2012 at Nottingham's Rock City, Rescue Rooms, The Forum and Stealth venues.

Bands already announced and scheduled to appear at Hit The Deck 2012, are: Kids In Glass Houses, Deaf Havana, The Wonder Years, Of Mice & Men, We Are The In Crowd, The Swellers, Every Avenue, Shadows Chasing Ghosts, Wolves Like Us, Yashin, Silent Screams, Imperial Leisure, Blackstorm and Juinius, with many more still to be announced.

Speaking of his bands headlining slot of Hit The Deck, Kids In Glass Houses frontman, Aled Phillips, says, "We're stoked to be headlining Hit The Deck, it will probably be our first festival of 2012 so we'll be ready to smash it. We heard great things about this years festival and know next year will top it!"

Wednesday 25th January 2012
Teutonic metalheads EDGUY return to the UK in February in support of their recent “Age Of The Joker” album. Larger than life frontman TOBIAS SAMMET expresses his happiness at returning to England:

“I don't wanna kiss ass but I love England. I love tea, I love British humour, I love British football! Not so much Manchester United! I love the English mountains, the English rivers and even more so the English trees. I love the alleys and the willow, the British sparrow and the English castles. I love Iron Maiden and Kiss, although I know Kiss has got nothing to do with England, but I make an exception here. I love London and Essex, I love Robin Hood and his merry men, I love the Nottingham caves, Michael Praed. To cut a long story short: I love the way England looks and more so the way it smells. It's a scent of love, of life, a scent of freedom and tradition. It feels great to be back to play in England, I am thrilled with anticipation, and I don't say that about every place we go. I remember we played a place in Austria a long time ago and it kind of left me cold in advance. In fact I can't make up my mind about who should feel more privileged: England or Edguy? I guess England, but Edguy stands right next to that on position number two. I highly recommend everyone to come to the shows because not only you will have the thrill of your lifetime, it's also important for us to make the tour remunerative! Big time!”

Catch EDGUY at the following shows:

Feb
2 Manchester Club Academy
3 Birmingham The Library at HMV Institute
4 London O2 Academy Islington

Wednesday 25th January 2012
Roadrunner Records is delighted to welcome Pennsylvania-based hard rockers Halestorm to the family and announce the release of their brand new album!

Formed by frontwoman Lzzy Hale and her brother, drummer Arejay Hale, Halestorm has been hailed an incendiary new force in modern hard rock. Debut album “Halestorm” made a top 5 debut on SoundScan’s “Hard Music” chart upon its 2009 release, simultaneously bursting into the top 40 on the Billboard 200. The album subsequently sold more than 300,000 copies in the USA and half a million cumulative tracks. Produced by Howard Benson, the album earned extensive acclaim for its infectious hard rock anthems, sexy hooks, and rough-and-tumble grooves.

The new album will be titled “The Strange Case Of…” and is heralded by the electrifying new single, “Love Bites (So Do I)”. The single – as well as three other highlights from “The Strange Case Of…” – will be featured on Halestorm’s forthcoming EP, “Hello, It’s Mz. Hyde” which will be available in the UK from February 5 at all leading digital retailers. The track listing will be:

1. Love Bites (So Do I)
2. Rock Show
3. Daughters Of Darkness
4. Here’s To Us

The complete album “The Strange Case Of…” will then follow in a physical and digital format on April 9. Eager fans can get a sneak preview of the EP online now at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=18CsONbjOFE#!. Those who buy the EP from iTunes can later purchase the album at a discounted price, as part of their ‘Complete Your Album’ promotion. The album will contain the songs:

1. Love Bites (So Do I)
2. Mz. Hyde
3. I Miss The Misery
4. Freak Like Me
5. Beautiful With You
6. In Your Room
7. Break In
8. Rock Show
9. Daughters Of Darkness
10. You Call Me A Bitch Like It’s A Bad Thing
11. American Boys
12. Here’s To Us

Working again with producer Howard Benson, “The Strange Case Of…” was recently named among Revolver’s “Most Anticipated Albums Of The Year.” “Led by one of our favorite rocker babes, singer-guitarist Lzzy Hale, (Halestorm) promise a more personal album for their follow-up,” the magazine noted. “But don’t expect them to get all sappy on us. There should still be more than enough of the band’s now signature raucous attitude and righteous riffs for any headbanger to get off.”

Soon to hit the road again, Halestorm are poised to embark on a European tour next month alongside labelmates Shinedown. The UK dates are on sale now and run as follows:

Wed 8th Feb - LONDON Roundhouse
Thu 9th Feb - NOTTINGHAM Rock City
Fri 10th Feb - NEWCASTLE O2 Academy
Sun 12th Feb - BRISTOL O2 Academy
Mon 13th Feb - LEEDS O2 Academy
Tue 14th Feb - MANCHESTER Academy 1
Thu 16th Feb - GLASGOW O2 Academy
Fri 17th Feb - BIRMINGHAM HMV Institute

True road warriors, Halestorm honed their chops via countless North American gigs with the likes of Shinedown, Avenged Sevenfold, and Disturbed. Last year also saw the band travelling the country on the blockbuster “Avalanche Tour 2011,” joining such hard rock luminaries as Stone Sour. Not one to rest on her laurels when the band snatched some time off the road though, you can hear backing vocals from Lzzy on the new Black Stone Cherry album ‘Between The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea’ (on the tracks ‘Such A Shame’ and ‘Won’t Let Go’) and Mike Portnoy’s Adrenaline Mob album ‘Omertá’ (on ‘Come Down’).

“The Strange Case Of…” marks Halestorm’s first release since last year’s “ReAniMate: The CoVeRs eP,” which saw the band putting their unique stamp on a diverse collection of classic songs, including tracks by Guns N’ Roses, The Beatles, Heart, Temple Of The Dog, Skid Row, and Lady Gaga. Halestorm also unleashed their first live CD/DVD, “Live In Philly 2010,” featuring such tracks from their debut as “It’s Not You,” “Familiar Taste Of Poison,” and the rock smash “I Get Off.”

Tuesday 24th January 2012
Metallica are set to release their Beyond Magnetic EP on CD on January 30th 2012. Previously available only on iTunes, it features four previously unreleased songs, which were originally a gift to Metallica’s Metallica Club members to enjoy immediately after the band played them at their fan club shows in December 2011. The band said “We've been feeling all the love and positive vibes beyond our wildest expectations on the mp3 side, so we decided to go "old school" (!!) and also release those four songs on a CD”

They continued, “During the Death Magnetic album sessions in 2007 and 2008, we originally recorded 14 songs. When it came time to pick the songs for the final album, we decided on 10 songs that you’ve all come to know over the last three years,” said the members of Metallica. “Some of you may have heard bits and pieces of those other songs on ‘Mission Metallica’ (remember ‘Mission Metallica’?!) or heard rumors about them during the recording process, and wondered, ‘What ever happened to those other four songs???.’ We kept them in the vault and decided to pull them just for this special celebration, so here are the four leftover tracks from the Death Magnetic sessions. They are ROUGH mixes, unfinished to their original degree of mixing from March ’08. These four songs were released as gift to our closest fans, the members of our Fan Club, to enjoy. Now they're being made available to you.”

Metallica celebrated its 30th anniversary as a band in December last year, performing four shows at the Fillmore Theatre in San Francisco, CA, exclusively for members of their fan club, the Metallica Club. There were no repeats in the set lists for the four night stand, aside from the established show closer of “Seek & Destroy,” playing close to 80 different songs. Each night at the Fillmore was hosted by comedian Jim Breuer and opened by the Rebel Souls Brass Band performing Metallica songs. This was followed by fan club winners invited on stage to play “Crash Course Trivia” and “Name That Riff” games where they were able to win exclusive 30th anniversary prizes and memorabilia.

Metallica also invited many special guests relevant to their 30 years to the stage to perform with them. The list of guests included Apocalyptica, Armored Saint, Geezer Butler, John Bush, Bif Byford, Jerry Cantrell, Nick “Animal” Culmer, Glenn Danzig, Death Angel, King Diamond, Diamond Head, Marianne Faithfull, Lloyd Grant, Rob Halford, Ray Haller, Pepper Keenan, Kid Rock, Laaz Rockit, John Marshall, Jim Martin, Mercyful Fate, Ron McGovney, Dave Mustaine, Jason Newsted, Ozzy Osbourne, Rebel Souls Brass Band, Lou Reed, Bob Rock, Gary Rossington, and Hugh Tanner. Each night the finale featured all the evening’s guests joining the band on stage to perform “Seek and Destroy.”

BEYOND MAGNETIC TRACKLISTING
1. Hate Train
2. Just A Bullet Away
3. Hell And Back
4. Rebel Of Babylon

About Metallica: Formed in 1981 by drummer Lars Ulrich and guitarist and vocalist James Hetfield, Metallica have become one of the most influential and commercially successful rock bands in history, having sold 100 million albums worldwide and playing to millions of fans the world over. They have scored several multi-platinum albums, including 1991’s Metallica (commonly referred to as “The Black Album”), which is the best selling album in history of Soundscan scanning almost 15.7 million albums in the United States alone. Their latest album, Death Magnetic, was certified platinum just six weeks after it debuted atop the Billboard Top 200 Album chart in October 2008. Metallica have also garnered numerous awards and accolades, including nine Grammy Awards, two American Music Awards, and multiple MTV Video Music Awards, and were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in 2009.

Metallica will headline the 10th Download Festival at Donington Park on Saturday 9 June 2012, with an exclusive UK performance of their best selling, No. 1 album Metallica, more commonly known simply as ‘The Black Album’. "The Black Album" was #1 in over 25 countries and spawned an incredible five hits: ‘Enter Sandman’, ‘Sad But True’, ‘Wherever I May Roam’, ‘Nothing Else Matters’ and ‘The Unforgiven’. The album has sold over 25 million copies worldwide. Metallica is one of the most successful acts in music history, selling over 100 million albums.

Wednesday 25th January 2012
RECKLESS LOVE, the flamboyant Finnish outfit, last seen on a headline UK tour in December 2011, have started the new year with a bang – confirming latest single ‘On The Radio’ for February 20th (a track from their second ‘Animal Attraction’ album, out now via Spinefarm Records) and announcing a run of UK dates spanning February, March & April.

This digital single also features the track ‘Push’, previously unavailable in the UK, while the accompanying video was partially filmed in Los Angeles and is very much in keeping with the band’s ‘glass half full’ approach to both music and life in general.

The full list of dates is as follows…

FEBRUARY 2012

2nd - The Garage, London (HMV ‘Next Big Thing’ event in conjunction with Spinefarm Records; support comes from label-mates Jettblack & The Treatment). *

On Tour With Black Veil Brides:

MARCH 2012
24TH- Wolverhampton, Civic Hall
25TH - Newcastle, The Cluny*
26TH - Dublin, Academy
27TH - Glasgow, Barrowlands
28TH - Edinburgh, HMV Picture House
29TH - Leeds, O2 Academy
30TH - London, O2 Academy Brixton
31ST - Southampton, The Cellar*

APRIL 2012
1ST - Bristol, O2 Academy
*Headline shows

Tuesday 24th January 2012
The Blackout will be support to Blink 182 on four dates of the UK Arena tour:

“We are stoked to be on this blink-182 tour! We know a lot of people were disappointed with the shows being cancelled last year, but with the additions that have been made to the bill this time round, it's hard not to be even more excited!

We are looking forward to getting out and supporting such an iconic band! See you in the pit!!!” The Blackout

DATE BELOW:
07 JULY Bournemouth BIC
10 JULY Cardiff Arena
11 JULY Nottingham , Arena
12 JULY Liverpool , Arena

Tuesday 24th January 2012
BLOODSTOCK OPEN AIR has added another two fantastic acts to a line up already boasting the top names from the world of metal. The deadly double dose announcement comes in the form of Floridian death metal behemoths NILE and Norwegian Black Metal Legends MAYHEM, who both make their BLOODSTOCK debut.

With four critically acclaimed albums, a few EPs and several world tours under their belt, NILE has raised the bar for extreme metal bands musically, lyrically and conceptually. Guitarist/vocalist Karl Sanders says:

“The members of Nile are eagerly looking forward to our first-ever appearance at Bloodstock this year. Let Metal Take Place!“

Boasting withering live performances that are nothing short of legendary, expect NILE to deliver one of the most crushing sets of the weekend.

When it comes to the definitive history of black metal, MAYHEM’s name is at the forefront. Through the church burnings, murder, imprisonments and myopic teenage nationalism, MAYHEM has endured and survived, turning the circus-like atmosphere into a sustained musical career, in the studio and more importantly, on stage, without losing any of their spit and bile along the way.

With a live show oozing evil and darkness both sonically and visually, MAYHEM’s only UK show of 2012 will leave CATTON HALL in a bloody mess, and all the better for it.

Tuesday 24th January 2012
IN SOLITUDE will join AMON AMARTH and Grand Magus on their Spring tour that kicks off in Glasgow on March 13, 2012.

The Swedish outfit return after destroying at their debut UK show at Live Evil in October 2011 and catching the eye of labelmates Amon Amarth who were looking to bring an intense package to the UK and Ireland.

IN SOLITUDE has been declared "one of the hottest new metal acts around" by Decibel Magazine while Metal Hammer described the band as "Structurally and melodically complex, densely layered yet dynamic and fluid, often enthralling, always engaging, this is a metallic Feast."

The band's Metal Blade debut, The World.The Flesh.The Devil was released on May 20th and stands as a "trad-metal charge of Iron Maiden with doom metal's ironclad grey" according to Kerrang! Magazine.

Additionally, Terrorizer heralded The World.The Flesh.The Devil as their "album of the month" in issue #210.

See them here:
AMON AMARTH + Grand Magus + IN SOLITUDE
March 2012
13th GLASGOW - ABC
14th BELFAST – Mandella Hall
15th DUBLIN – Vicar Street
16th WOLVERHAMPTON – Civic
17th PRESTATYN – Hammerfest @ Pontins (not Grand Magus, In Solitude)
18th CARDIFF – Solus

Tuesday 24th January 2012
BULLETS AND OCTANE return to the UK for a headline tour this Spring, plus guests FALLING RED on all dates except Sunderland.

March
Wed 21 Grimsby Yardbirds
Thu 22 York Fibbers
Fri 23 Sunderland Independent
Sat 24 Manchester Academy 3
Sun 25 Bristol Area 81
Mon 26 Cardiff Bogiez
Tue 27 Birmingham Ballroom
Thu 29 Southampton Joiners
Fri 30 London Underworld
Sat 31 Sheerness Ivy

Bullets And Octane are a punk/hard rock band originally from St. Louis, Missouri and now based in Southern California. The band has been touring in Europe and North America since 1998, supporting Avenged Sevenfold, Stone Sour, Social Distortion, Bad Religion, Eagles of Death Metal and Flogging Molly amongst others along the way, as well as headlining their own shows and performing at festivals including DOWNLOAD 2006.

Following the release of the ‘B-sides and Live’ EP last year, the band are currently working on new material due out later in 2012.

Tuesday 24th January 2012
Fans that have seen Unearth live on their recent trips to Alaska, Japan and on their US and Canadian tour with Chimaira, may have noticed a new face on stage. The guy behind the kit has been none other than up-and-coming drummer, Nick Pierce.

Nick Pierce is a self taught drummer who's been playing since age 10. He grew up playing for local bands in the Seattle/Tacoma area (Culling the Weak, Eterna Nocturna, Embalmed) as well as LA based band The Faceless. Nick first sat in behind the kit for Unearth in May of 2011 during their two show trip to Alaska. Unearth discovered Pierce on YouTube where he had been covering Unearth songs, among many other bands, on a series of videos on his YouTube channel http://www.youtube.com/user/blastbeatshaman .

Vocalist Trevor Phipps adds: "Nick is a beast of a drummer and a great guy to hang with. I look forward to jamming with him around the world for years to come." Guitarist Buz McGrath compliments Pierce and says he has a "Great attitude, energy and the knowledge that we can throw the most insane riffs at him and he can create and adequately perform next level beats for said riffs makes it a little easier to sleep at night."

Nick Pierce shares his excitement about joining Unearth: "I've been a fan of Unearth for many years and I'm excited to shred with a great group of guys and support our fans."

Sunday 22nd January 2012
South African rockers Seether are set to return to the UK with a brand new studio album, “Holding Onto Strings Better left To Fray”. The band are also set to tour the UK in March 2012.

“Holding Onto Strings Better Left To Fray” was released to widespread critical acclaim in the USA in May 2011. The debut single from the album, “Country Song”, spent an amazing 11 weeks at #1 (on Active Rock radio) over the course of the year and recently achieved Gold status for sales of over 500,000 units digitally by the RIAA. The song was the #1 most played song at Active Rock radio for the year 2011, outdistancing such acts as Foo Fighters, Staind and the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Total active rock spins were 52,361, outdistancing the next closest song by almost 10,000 spins. 83,000 spins across all rock formats for the year 2011. The song is also the #1 Active Rock Song of the Year in Canada. Seether was named the #1 Active Rock Artist and the #1 Heritage Rock Artist of 2011 by Billboard as well. Holding Onto Strings Better Left To Fray was released in May and debuted at #2 on the Billboard Top 200 and is the band’s highest album premier to date. The album has scanned over 250,000 copies since its release to date. The band’s next USA single “Tonight” has also gone No 1 on Active Rock Radio – the first time the band has had consecutive #1 singles at the format.

Seether has spent most of 2011 out on the road in support of their latest release and look to continue the trend in 2012. The Houston Press raved about Seether’s live show "…Seether put on a heartfelt, stripped-down performance that didn't leave fans wanting.” The band will resume touring internationally early next year making stops in Asia, Australia and Europe. These dates mark a triumphant return for the band as it has been over two years since the band has performed in these territories.

Looking back on Seether's career path, it's not surprising that the band has progressed to this juncture. The band has sold millions of albums to date worldwide and are mainstays in the touring circuit averaging more than 275 performances per year. Originally founded in Johannesburg, South Africa, by Shaun Morgan and Dale Stewart, Seether made its initial impact on worldwide hearts and eardrums with 2002's Disclaimer. The album's first single, "Fine Again" was a pensive ballad that resonated with fans worldwide. Seether gained nationwide live exposure with a spot on that year's Ozzfest tour. Seether rerecorded the acoustic track "Broken" as an electric version featuring Evanescence vocalist Amy Lee. "Broken" became a massive international hit for the group. In 2004, Seether remixed and remastered Disclaimer, adding eight new songs and new cover art to create the two-disc set Disclaimer II, which went Platinum. In 2005, Seether released Karma & Effect, which is certified gold and followed that release up in 2007 with the now Platinum Finding Beauty In Negative Spaces. The album was reissued in 2009 with a cover of George Michael's "Careless Whisper," and became another successful single release for the band. The band currently have 453,000 MySpace Friends and 1.7 million Facebook fans. Seether have sold over 4 million albums worldwide to date….

Tour Dates 2012

Jan. 28 Bangkok, Thailand Silverlake Festival
Feb. 1 North Perth, Australia Rosemount Hotel
Feb. 2 Adelaide, Australia Fowlers
Feb. 4 Melbourne, Australia HIFI Bar
Feb. 5 Sydney, Australia The Metro
Feb. 7 Brisbane, Australia The HiFi
Feb. 10 Auckland, New Zealand Logan Campbell Theatre
Feb. 13 Moscow, Russia Milk Club
Feb. 15 St. Petersburg, Russia Zal Ozhidaniya Club
Feb. 16 * Helsinki, Finland Old Ice Hall
Feb. 18 * Stockholm, Sweden Radio Bandit Awards
Feb. 19 * Copenhagen, Denmark Vega Main Hall
Feb. 21 * Berlin, Germany Columbiahalle
Feb. 22 * Hamburg. Germany Sporthalle
Feb. 24 * Antwerp, Belgium Trix
Feb. 25 * Zwolle, Netherlands Ijsselhallen-Zwolle
Feb. 26 Amsterdam, Netherlands Melkweg
Feb. 27 * Offenbach, Germany Stadhalle
Feb. 29 * Munich, Germany Zenith
Mar. 1 * Vienna, Austria Gasometer
Mar. 2 Graz, Austria PPC
Mar. 3 * Karlsruhne, Germany Europhalle
Mar. 4 * Winterthur, Switzerland Eulachhalle
Mar. 6 * Paris, France La Bataclan
Mar. 7 * Dusseldorf, Germany Mitusbishi Electric
Mar. 9 * Edinburgh, Scotland HMV Picture Houe
Mar. 10 Glasgow, UK Garage
Mar. 11 * Manchester, UK Manchester Academy
Mar. 12 * Birmingham, UK O2 Academy
Mar. 14 * Bristol, UK O2 Academy
Mar. 15 * London, UK Apollo Hammersmith
Mar. 17 Istanbul, Turkey Babylon
Mar. 21 Milan, Italy Rock N Roll Club

* Playing with 3 Doors Down

Friday 20th January 2012
Kerrang! regret to announce that Sum 41 have been forced to pull out of the upcoming Kerrang! Tour Sponsored By Relentless Energy Drink. The rest of the line-up remains unaffected.

Frontman Deryck Whibley has been suffering from a recurring back injury and will not be well enough to perform on the 11-date UK and Ireland tour, which is set to kick off on February 4 at Dublin Academy.

“I feel really terrible about letting down the fans,” says Deryck. “I injured my back about eight months ago and the doctors are saying that I could be in a wheelchair. So, as much as I wanted to be able to do it, I’ve got to look at reality, and for the first time I’ve got to listen to somebody else and not just myself. We’re all really upset about this; we’ve had such a great relationship with our UK fans. We were really looking forward to thistour.”

“Kerrang! are really gutted to lose Sum 41 from what will be an unforgettable tour,” says Kerrang! Editor James McMahon. “Let’s be honest, the news totally blows. However the tour must go on and we’re chuffed to say we’ve found a more than worthy replacement. We’re absolutely delighted to announce that The Blackout have offered to step up to the plate and will be taking to the stage with New Found Glory, letlive. and While She Sleeps in February.”

“We’re delighted to step in for Sum 41 at the last minute!” says The Blackout’s co-vocalist Sean Smith. “We’ve played the tour once before [in 2010] and we know what a total laugh it is. But hopefully Sum 41 fans won't try and murder us! This should be a really, really great tour and we’re all really excited to watch the other bands every night.”

Deryck Whibley talks more about his injury and withdrawal from the tour in next week’s Kerrang! [on sale January 25], while The Blackout also speak about what they’ve got planned for their slot.

The Kerrang! Tour Sponsored By Relentless Energy Drink dates are as follows:

February

04 Dublin Academy
05 Dublin Academy
07 Southampton Guildhall
08 Norwich UEA
10 Bristol O2 Academy
11 Cardiff University Great Hall
12 Newcastle O2 Academy
13 Glasgow O2 ABC
15 Manchester Academy
16 Birmingham O2 Academy
17 London Roundhouse

Friday 20th January 2012
DON BROCO are heading out on tour with Four Year Strong, kicking off at Brighton’s Concorde on 25th January and culminating at London’s Koko on 1st February.

25-Jan-12 Brighton Concorde
26-Jan-12 Birmingham HMV Institute
27-Jan-12 Leeds Met University
28-Jan-12 Glasgow Garage
29-Jan-12 Manchester Academy 2
30-Jan-12 Norwich Waterfront
31-Jan-12 Portsmouth Wedgewood Rooms
1-Feb-12 London Koko

In May, their single ‘Beautiful Morning’ was added to the BBC Radio 1 Introducing Playlist, which led to the band being selected to perform on the BBC Introducing Stage at this year’s Reading & Leeds. Their debut Mini-Album, ‘Big Fat Smile’ received rave reviews from the likes of Kerrang (KKKK) and Rocksound (8/10). As well as securing support from XFM, Kerrang! Radio & Q Radio, the lead single ‘Beautiful Morning’ has enjoyed significant video airtime on Kerrang! TV, Scuzz, NME TV & Lava. The Don Broco boys have been highly tipped for 2012, with their debut album due for release later this year.

Friday 20th January 2012
Get ready for Imperial Leisure’s next outrageous cava-drenched skank-a-thon across the UK in March and April. The tour will celebrate the release of Imperial Leisure's latest fan-funded album 'Death To The One Trick Pony' - a happy fusion of ska, punk, and hip hop featuring their cheeky lyrics and trademark high octane sound.

‘Death To The One Trick Pony’ is the band’s sophomore album release that includes last year’s ghoulish single ‘Dead Model’ and the band’s latest single ‘London To Brighton’. Released in support of BHSA (Brighton Hove Skate Park), ‘London To Brighton’ is a prime example of the band’s catchy and high-energy vibe. You can watch the video here.

Death To The One Trick Pony will be released on 26th March 2012 on Steamroller with the band touring the UK throughout March and April in support of the release.

Tour Dates March-April 2012:
22.03.12 London Xoyo
23.03.12 Brighton Green Door Store
24.03.12 Southampton Joiners
28.03.12 Sheffield Uni – Fusion
29.03.12 Birmingham HMV Institute
30.03.12 Milton Keynes Sno!zone
07.04.12 Kettering The Prince of Wales
19.04.12 Glasgow King Tut’s
20.04.12 Middlesbrough Westgarth FC
21.04.12 Manchester Roadhouse
22.04.12 Nottingham Hit The Deck Festival
26.04.12 Plymouth Ride Café
27.04.12 Exeter The Hub
28.04.12 Bristol Thekla

Friday 20th January 2012
SWOUND! will release debut full-length ‘Into The Sea’ on 5th March, 2012 through their own label The Grelmin Corporation. To celebrate its release, the band will be playing a pair of special album release shows. One in London and one in Nottingham. Singer/guitarist Joe says of the gigs - “As we've been on tour constantly for the last three months we decided to do a couple of small but special shows to coincide release of Into The Sea. One in our hometown of Nottingham and one in London where we'll try to fit the intensity of a 25 date tour into just two gigs. Just imagine the greatest gig of all time. These will come very close to that.”

The album ‘Into The Sea’ draws heavily on the Swound!’s love of 90s guitar bands such as Nirvana, Pixies, Weezer and Pavement. It was self-produced, then mixed by the legendary Chris Sheldon. The package will also contain an accompanying DVD which includes a feature length documentary of the recording process, entitled ‘Whatever Happened, Happened.’

Brothers Joe and Tom Staszkiewicz, originally from the Isle of Man formed a band at University. The band built up a strong local following but something wasn’t right. In 2007, Rowan and Lloyd Staszkiewicz joined the lineup. This made Nottingham based Swound! a four piece band of real brothers. Their first single together ‘What’s Your Poison?’ gave the band press and radio coverage and a session at Maida Vale Studios with Rob Da Bank. A few singles later and Swound! were invited to play Radio 1’s Big Weekend. They were the first unsigned band to contribute a track to USA’s crossover kid’s phenomenon ‘Yo Gabba Gabba!’ (and one of only two British bands ever).

LIVE DATES –
5th March Barfly London
15th March Rock City Nottingham

Thursday 19th January 2012
Century Media Records are proud to announce the signing of internationally-renowned metal band Fozzy. The brainchild of Chris Jericho and Rich Ward, Fozzy was formed a decade ago out of a passion for hard rock and heavy metal and has transformed into one of North America’s most electrifying bands.

“We are so excited and honored to be part of the Century Media family,” says Chris Jericho, an entertainment icon who has achieved legendary status as one of the WWE’s most acclaimed superstars, penned two New York Times best-selling autobiographies, and was a finalist on ABC’s hit television show Dancing with the Stars in 2011. “Fozzy finally has a record company with the firepower and worldwide influence we need and deserve to rise to the next level – Century Media is the perfect home for Fozzy, and we are stoked to release the masterpiece album of our career and conquer the world… and elsewhere!”

Chris Jericho will discuss Fozzy’s signing to Century Media Records tomorrow morning at 9am PST (Thursday, January 19, 2011) on the legendary Los Angeles radio station 95.5 KLOS, where he’ll appear live on the Mark and Brian morning show. To listen live on the internet from around the world, click here.

Fozzy – lead singer Chris Jericho, guitarist Rich Ward, drummer Frank Fontsere, bassist Paul DiLeo and guitarist Billy Grey – will release their Century Media debut worldwide in summer 2012. The album will be the follow-up to their acclaimed 2010 release Chasing The Grail, which saw them tour 15 countries around the world and perform in cities from Los Angeles to Lichtenvoorde, including an appearance alongside metal’s Big 4 – Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth and Anthrax – on the Knebworth Sonisphere, and a string of dates on the 2011 Rockstar Energy Drink Uproar Festival headlined by Avenged Sevenfold.

“There are very few musicians I respect more than Rich Ward, and I couldn’t be prouder of bringing him home to Century Media Records, the label that introduced me to Stuck Mojo in 1995,” says Century Media Records product manager Paul Gargano. “Chris is one of the most captivating entertainers and electrifying frontmen I know, and Fozzy have emerged as one of the best-kept secrets in hard rock and metal over the years – now it’s time to let the secret out…”

“Shortly after my 12th Birthday, while air-guitaring to Iron Maiden, I decided that when I grew up, I wanted to ‘pay my bills’ by playing guitar,” says Ward. “In 1995, Century Media Records allowed this seemingly unreachable goal to become a reality with my band Stuck Mojo. When that relationship came to an end in 2001, I continued making and releasing music with several different bands, through several different record companies. There was only one common thread in all my experiences with these other organizations – I wished they were more like Century Media. “The truth is, like any ‘first’ relationship, it's tough to get a real perspective of how good it really is until you've had other relationships to compare it to. After having lots of opportunities to gain some perspective, I am honored to return to Century Media Records as they become the home for Fozzy's music. I'm so grateful to be able to play music for a living, and it is a privilege to continue my career with the label that gave me my start.”

Thursday 19th January 2012
Straight Lines have just been added to the forthcoming Presidents of the USA UK shows. Dates are as follows:

Thursday - 08-Mar-12 - UK - Bristol O2 Academy
Friday - 09-Mar-12 -- UK - Wolverhampton Wulfrun Hall
Saturday - 10-Mar-12 -- UK - Manchester Hmv Ritz
Sunday - 11-Mar-12 -- UK - Glasgow O2 Abc
Friday - 16-Mar-12 -- UK - London Hmv Forum

The bands single 'Half Gone' was premiered on BBC 6music late last week and we have just unveiled the video. If you would like to feature it on your website, you can watch the video and grab the embed code here: http://youtu.be/Ddf_xJRFlBo or alternatively drop me an email and I can send you the video file to upload to your channel/website.

The band will shortly be out on the road with Canterbury at the following shows. If you wish to attend a show please drop me an email and I will arrange guestlist.

JANUARY
26th - Clwb Ifor Bach, CARDIFF
27th - Sin City, SWANSEA
28th - The Hydrant, BRIGHTON
29th - The Cavern, EXETER
31st - Joiners, SOUTHAMPTON

FEBRUARY
1st - Central Station, WREXHAM
2nd - Slade Rooms, WOLVERHAMPTON
4th - Corporation, SHEFFIELD
5th - Cockpit, LEEDS
6th - ABC 2, GLASGOW
7th - Sound Control, MANCHESTER
9th - Kings College, LONDON

Wednesday 18th January 2012
The Black Keys embark on a sold out tour of Europe in January and February to coincide with the release of their critically acclaimed new album, El Camino, including dates in Nottingham, Edinburgh, two in Manchester, and three at London’s Alexandra Palace (see below for details). Released to widespread critical acclaim in December on Nonesuch Records, El Camino debuted at # 2 on the Billboard Top 200 and has already been certified Silver in the UK, Gold in Australia, and Platinum in Canada. Produced by Danger Mouse and The Black Keys, the 11-track album was recorded in the band’s new hometown of Nashville during the spring of 2011. El Camino includes the hit single ‘Lonely Boy’, the video for which has been viewed over six million times on YouTube, as well as the forthcoming ‘Gold On The Ceiling’, which will be released on March 5.

Describing the sound of the album, drummer Patrick Carney tells Rolling Stone, “Every record, we figure out the mood and stick with that. With Brothers, we were listening to a lot of hip-hop and old R&B and drawing from that. This is the first record we’ve made where it’s all rock & roll.” And in an interview with Spin singer/guitarist Dan Auerbach says, “I’ve never been into guitar solos. I really like when every instrument in the band is a rhythm instrument. This record has a lot of that going on – guitar, bass, drums, and keyboards all working together as a rhythm instrument. But unlike Brothers, which has more of these slower songs with an open feeling, [the new LP] is definitely fast.”

El Camino follows the most successful two years in The Black Keys’ career. In May 2010 they released their breakthrough album, Brothers. It won three Grammy Awards and an MTV Video Music Award, and topped numerous year-end lists. Brothers, which included the hit singles ‘Tighten Up’ and ‘Howlin’ for You’, has been certified Gold in the US and UK, and Platinum in Canada. Worldwide sales are now over one million and counting.

The Black Keys – Akron, OH natives Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney – released their debut album, The Big Come Up, in 2002, followed by Thickfreakness (2003) and Rubber Factory (2004). In 2006 they signed to Nonesuch Records in the US and released their fourth album, Magic Potion, which was followed by the Danger Mouse-produced Attack & Release in 2008. El Camino is the first Black Keys album Nonesuch released worldwide.

European Tour Schedule – January & February 2012
Mon Jan 23 Lotto, Antwerp, Belgium
Tue Jan 24 Zenith, Lille, France
Wed Jan 25 Zenith, Paris, France
Fri Jan 27 Sporthalle, Hamburg, Germany
Sat Jan 28 Arena, Berlin, Germany
Mon Jan 30 Alcatraz, Milan, Italy
Tue Jan 31 Maag Hall, Zurich, Switzerland .
Wed Feb 1 Klokgebouw, Eindhoven, Holland
Fri Feb 3 Capital FM Arena, Nottingham, UK
Sat Feb 4 Corn Exchange, Edinburgh, UK
Mon Feb 6 Apollo, Manchester, UK
Tue Feb 7 Apollo, Manchester, UK
Thu Feb 9 Alexandra Palace, London, UK
Fri Feb 10 Alexandra Palace, London, UK
Sat Feb 11 Alexandra Palace, London, UK

Wednesday 18th January 2012
The Truth: HAWK EYES are from Leeds, Englandshire. They consist of Paul Astick (vocals / guitar), Rob Stephens (guitar), Ryan Clark (bass) and Matt Reid (drums), and have done so in some form or another since 2005. Well, since drummer Matt joined from Whores Whores Whores anyway.

One of those previous so-called ‘forms’ was Chickenhawk, whose gruesomely complex ‘Modern Bodies’ album of 2010 cheerily brutalised a not-so-innocent generation of grumpy grunged-up kids as they toured the known universe with Alexisonfire, We Are The Ocean and The Computers. Unfortunately all this cheery brutalisation came at a cost – a good doctor told singer Paul that his traumatic vocal stylings were doing unspeakable damage to his throat. He had to calm it down or get the heck off the back of the rock bus. So he calmed down. Relatively speaking.

The end of 2011 saw the renamed and reconstructed HAWK EYES foursome setting out their stall for future ever-so-slightly-mellower chaos with a nomination for Best Hard Rock Act at the Artrocker awards, touring fun with Turbowolf, The James Cleaver Quartet and Ginger Wildheart (though not all at the same time, you understand) and the release of the five-track ‘Mindhammers’ EP on Brew Records, a manically precise fusion of ferocious melodies and vivacious riffs which spewed forth comparisons with Foo Fighters, QOTSA, Alice In Chains and the epically heavy monstersound of Faith No More.

All extremely true, and all very indicative of a band growing up and rolling with the melodic punches. And the ‘Mindhammers’ template is refined and rewired on ‘Ideas’, HAWK EYES’ debut album which is sleek and modern and hardcore and suitably post-post-everything, but also cosmic and mischievous and never averse to (ab)using a classic riff here or there, as you may well expect from a band who blithely speak of their own album thusly: “The process of recording was intense and at times it felt like we wouldn't come through it in one piece. It’s a collection of stories about:

Disappointment
Adversity
Suspicion
Pride
False idols
Broken promises
And Partying.

It’s not a negative album, it’s pragmatic. Basically, we're all going down together, and we love to party!"

There’s some really quite nasty growling going on in this album as well. Just don’t tell the doctor…

The Tracklisting: 1. ‘Witch Hunt’ / 2. ‘Skyspinners’ / 3. ‘Yes Have Some’ / 4. ‘Headstrung’ / 5. ‘You Deserve A Medal’ / 6. ‘Hollywood Sweatshop’ / 7. ‘The Meeting’ / 8. ‘Milk Hog’ / 9. ‘Kiss This’ / 10. ‘Bears By The Head’ / 11. ‘Bees’

Wednesday 18th January 2012
Fast-rising Poughkeepsie quintet, We Are The In Crowd, have announced their first headline dates in the UK for April. The band, currently touring the UK as support to All Time Low, play the following venues. Support comes from Every Avenue.

ARPIL
13: BRIGHTON, Concorde 2
15: NORWICH, Waterfront
16: CARDIFF, Solus
17: LIVERPOOL, Academy 2
18: GLASGOW, King Tuts
19: ABERDEEN, Lemon Tree
20: NEWCASTLE, Academy 2
21: MANCHESTER, Academy 3
22: NOTTINGHAM, Hit The Deck Festival
24: LEEDS, Cockpit
25: BIRMINGHAM, Academy 2
26: LONDON, Islington o2 Academy

Wednesday 18th January 2012
Known for such landmark releases as the gold-certified De-Loused In The Comatorium and Frances The Mute and 2008's The Bedlam In Goliath which featured Best Hard Rock Performance Grammy winner "Wax Simulacra," The Mars Volta returns in epic and unexpected fashion with its sixth album: Noctourniquet which will be released March 26 by Warner Bros.

While Noctourniquet was, in typical Mars Volta fashion, written by Omar Rodriguez-Lopez and Cedric Bixler-Zavala and produced by Rodriguez-Lopez, the 13-track album explores musical territories previously uncharted in the duo's 20 or so years of creating music together. The spectrum of musical and emotional textures conceived and created by Rodriguez-Lopez on Noctourniquet ranges from the opening bombast of "The Whip Hand" to the menacing crawl of "The Malkin Jewel" punctuated throughout by hypnotic melodies and borderline electro-ambient washes, most notably in the epic "In Absentia." The bold diversity of the new material combined with Rodriguez-Lopez's assured producer's hand guiding The Mars Volta's most confident and refined performances to date make Noctourniquet an early contender for this year's most challenging and rewarding listen.

As with previous Mars Volta efforts, Bixler-Zavala's lyrics trace a narrative journey with a defined protagonist, this time inspired by disparate elements including '80s UK alt-rockers The Godfathers, Superman comic nemesis Solomon Grundy and the Greek myth of Hyacinthus.

Noctourniquet was performed by The Mars Volta lineup of Omar Rodriguez-Lopez, Cedric Bixler-Zavala, Juan Alderete de la Pena, Marcel Rodriguez Lopez, and Deantoni Parks.

Wednesday 18th January 2012
Columbus, OH’s Attack Attack! have announced their third album This Means Wars will be released January 16 2012 via Rise Records. Having sold over 200,000 records in the US alone and toured non-stop, including a spot as a main stage headliner on the Vans Warped Tour this year, Attack Attack! have become a force to be reckoned with.

The Means War is the bands heaviest and catchiest records to date. Building on the unique mix of metal and pop that catapulted them to the forefront of the scene. This Means War is a concept record, about war and the emotions that it has over those involved who are fighting against everything and everyone.

This Means War album tracklisting:
The Revolution
The Betrayal
The Hopeless
The Reality
The Abduction
The Motivation
The Wretched
The Family
The Confrontation
The Eradication

Attack Attack! will be over in Europe, March 2012 to support the new record

Saturday 3-Mar-12 UK Bristol Cooler
Sunday 4-Mar-12 UK Leeds Cockpit
Monday 5-Mar-12 UK Glasgow Cathouse
Tuesday 6-Mar-12 UK Manchester Sound Control
Wednesday 7-Mar-12 UK London Underworld
Thursday 8-Mar-12 UK Tunbridge Wells Forum
Friday 9-Mar-12The Netherlands Utretcht Tivoli de Helling
Saturday 10-Mar-12 Germany Cologne MTC
Sunday 11-Mar-12 Germany Hamburg Headcrash

Tuesday 17th January 2012
Meshuggah will release ‘Koloss ‘on March 26th 2012 through Nuclear Blast Records. The album will see a return of the math metal gods and will be their first studio release since 2008’s critically acclaimed masterpiece ‘Obzen’.

“As always, we try to take our music in a slightly different direction with each album and with KOLOSS we feel that we really nailed what we were going for. Organic brutality, viscera and groove all crammed into a 54-minute metalicious treat, best avoided by the faint of heart!!” – Thomas

Meshuggah have also confirmed a full headline UK tour in April 2012 in support of their highly anticipated new album due out early next year.

Meshuggah formed in the late 1980’s in Umea in Sweden. After releasing their debut EP in 1989 the band signed to Nuclear Blast and released their full length debut album, “Contradictions Collapse”, in 1991. The new studio album will be the bands seventh, previous releases including the 1998’s legendary “Chaosphere”. The band are an established live draw, having played numerous festival worldwide (including main stage at Ozzfest) and toured the USA with Tool on two separate occasions.

"Alive" comprises several live cuts on DVD, taped during various shows on their North American / Canadian tour with CYNIC in 2009 and the Loudpark festival in Tokyo 2008. This is rounded off with lots of backstage stuff, an insight into drum and guitar work plus videoclip material! The additional CD boasts the same 12 live tracks.

Full dates as follow:
Thurs 12th Bristol O2 Academy
Fri 13th Wolverhampton Slade Rooms
Sat 14th Nottingham Rock City
Sun 15th Glasgow Garage
Tue 17th Manchester Academy
Wed 18th Norwich Waterfront
Thu 19th Brighton Concorde 2
Fri 20th London Electric Ballroom

Tickets £15.00 except London £17.50 (subject to booking fee). Please see dates for purchasing websites.

The DVD “Alive” is available through Nuclear Blast records now

Meshuggah’s brand new studio album will be available through Nuclear Blast Records early 2012

Tuesday 17th January 2012
THE ANSWER have confirmed the release of a brand new single / video for February 20th; titled ‘Nowhere Freeway’ and taken from the quartet’s latest / third studio album, ‘Revival’, the song – a duet with Saint Jude vocalist Lynne Jackaman – is the follow up to the ‘Vida (I Want You)’ single, and will be available as a three-track digital download.

The full track-listing will be:-
1) Nowhere Freeway (feat. Lynne Jackaman)
2) Battlecry (a previously unreleased studio recording, originally put to tape during the ‘Revival’ sessions in the US but only recently finished off)
3) Nowhere Freeway (live acoustic – iTunes bonus track )

Tracks 1 + 2 are produced by Chris ‘Frenchie’ Smith and mixed by Chris Sheldon.br>
>The Answer have filmed a video for ‘Nowhere Freeway’, with Lynne Jackaman taking a guest role.

ON THE live front, the band recently completed a run of dates in Europe Special Guesting with Whitesnake, and they will shortly be departing for a series of European headline shows, which will see them visiting Spain, France, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Belgium, The Netherlands & Greece.

After this, they fly to Japan for a headline appearance in Tokyo, before heading out on a full tour of the UK & Ireland alongside The Union, with The Answer closing all of the shows; these are as follows:-

MARCH
2nd – Dublin, Whelan’s
3rd – Belfast, Mandela Hall
4th – Cork, Cyprus Avenue
6th – Leeds, Cockpit
7th – Glasgow, Garage
8th – Aberdeen, Lemon Tree
10th – Wolverhampton, Wulfrun Hall
11th – Nottingham, Rock City
12th – Newcastle, 02 Academy
13th- Manchester, Academy 2
15th – London, Electric Ballroom
16th – Bristol, Academy 2
17th – Brighton, Concorde 2

An opening act for the tour will be announced shortly.

Tuesday 17th January 2012
Following the band's hugely successful debut European tour last year, RIVAL SONS are returning in 2012, performing around the UK with BLACK STONE CHERRY in March, followed immediately by their own headlining European tour.

RIVAL SONS drummer MICHAEL MILEY comments:
"Hell ya! Europe here we come again! We are so stoked to be coming back so soon. The autumn tour was epic; so good to share our music and meet you all. See you soon and bring 10 friends this time. Peace!"

See RIVAL SONS on tour in Europe at the following shows:

RIVAL SONS w/ BLACK STONE CHERRY
Mar. 11 - Norwich, UK - UEA
Mar. 12 - Nottingham, UK - Rock City
Mar. 14 - Birmingham, UK - O2 Academy
Mar. 15 - Liverpool, UK - O2 Academy
Mar. 17 - Sheffield, UK - O2 Academy
Mar. 18 - Manchester, UK - Academy
Mar. 19 - Newcastle, UK - O2 Academy
Mar. 21 - Edinburgh, UK - HMV Picture House
Mar. 22 - Aberdeen, UK - Lemontree
Mar. 23 - Inverness, UK - Ironworks
Mar. 24 - Glasgow, UK - O2 Academy
Mar. 26 - Bristol, UK - O2 Academy
Mar. 27 - Southampton, UK - Guildhall
Mar. 28 - London, UK - HMV Forum

RIVAL SONS
Mar. 30 - Hamburg, Germany - Uebel & Gefährlich
Apr. 02 - Stockholm, Sweden - Debaser Medis
Apr. 03 - Oslo, Norway - John Dee
Apr. 04 - Bergen, Norway - Garage
Apr. 06 - Gothenburg, Sweden - Sticky Fingers
Apr. 07 - Copenhagen, Denmark - Vega Small Hall
Apr. 08 - Schijndel, Netherlands - Paaspop Festival
Apr. 09 - Brussels, Belgium - AB Box
Apr. 11 - Paris, France - Fleche D'Or

Tuesday 17th January 2012
America's reigning kings of brutality, CANNIBAL CORPSE, will unleash their twelfth studio offering this March via Metal Blade Records. Aptly titled Torture, the follow-up to 2009's Evisceration Plague offers up 12 tracks of maniacally precise, soul-searing death metal. Torture was again produced by Hate Eternal's Erik Rutan at his own Mana Recording Studio in St. Petersburg, Florida as well as Sonic Ranch in Tornillo, Texas, and features the maniacal cover art by longtime CANNIBAL CORPSE artist, Vincent Locke.

While Torture marks the latest progression in the band's sound, it also witnesses a return to what drummer Paul Mazurkiewicz accurately terms "the frenzied attack of Butchered At Birth (1991) or Tomb Of The Mutilated (1992)," infusing the band's advanced musicianship with the raw savagery that haunted their earlier releases, and in the process conceiving the definitive CANNIBAL CORPSE record. Adds bassist Alex Webster on the outcome of the record: "We're extremely happy with how Torture turned out. Erik Rutan did an amazing job with the production, and the songwriting and performances may be our strongest yet. We can't wait until our fans get to hear the whole thing!"

Torture Track Listing:
01. Demented Aggression
02. Sarcophagic Frenzy
03. Scourge of Iron
04. Encased in Concrete
05. As Deep As the Knife Will Go
06. Intestinal Crank
07. Followed Home Then Killed
08. The Strangulation Chair
09. Caged…Contorted
10. Crucifier Avenged
11. Rabid
12. Torn Through

As a precursor to the release, CANNIBAL CORPSE will headline the Metal Hammer Destroyers Of The Faith tour in the UK along with Triptykon, Enslaved and Job For A Cowboy

METAL HAMMER DESTROYERS OF THE FAITH TOUR 2011
CANNIBAL CORPSE + Triptykon + Enslaved + JOB FOR A COWBOY

March 2012
7th BRISTOL – O2 Academy
8th GLASGOW – O2 ABC
9th MANCHESTER – Academy
10th LONDON – HMV Forum
11th BIRMINGHAM – HMV Institute

Torture will be released in the UK on March 12, 2012

Tuesday 17th January 2012
BUILDING ON the success of their debut studio album, ‘Get Your Hands Dirty’, 2011 saw Jettblack taking part in an extensive UK tour with Fozzy as well as playing a co-headline show in London with legendary Swedish rockers, The Electric Boys.

However, the main focus for the band was the recording of their second album…

Indeed, 2012 promises to be a big year for the four-man outfit, with the new record lined up for spring of this year, preceded by a single & video. Chances are, a few songs from the new album will be premiered on February 2nd, when JB play an HMV ‘Next Big Thing’ night at the Garage in London (February 2nd), lining up alongside fellow Spinefarm artists, Reckless Love & The Treatment.

Then, in March, Jettblack will join up with Valient Thorr for a European tour that includes 3 dates in the UK.

SHOWS AS FOLLOWS: -

February 2012
2nd - The Garage, London; HMV / Spinefarm night w/Reckless Love & The Treatment

April 2012
8th - Moho Live, Manchester w/ Valient Thorr
9th - Fibbers, York w/ Valient Thorr
10th - Rescue Rooms, Nottingham w/ Valient Thorr

Tuesday 17th January 2012
Rising punk rock band The Menzingers create a rousing sound featuring crashing power chords, rock steady drumming and anthemic sing-along choruses alongside powerfully poetic everyman lyrics. The group is set to release their Epitaph Records debut album On The Impossible Past this February 20th. Fans are invited to pre-order the album by going to www.themenzingersstore.com.

On The Impossible Past was recorded at Atlas Studios in Chicago with longtime collaborators Matt Allison (Alkaline Trio, The Lawrence Arms) and Justin Yates. While the record retains all the raucous spirit of the band's earlier efforts sonically, it's a monumental step forward. "I think that 'Gates' is one of the most mature songs on the album," guitarist/vocalist Tom May explains, referencing the tender rock song sung by Barnett that truly transcends genres. "I hope it surprises people because it's not a straight-forward punk song with gang vocals or anything like that but it still definitely sounds like us."

It’s undoubtedly been an exciting time for The Menzingers, touring with acts like Against Me! and The Gaslight Anthem as well as playing their own headlining shows to enthusiastic audiences and the band wouldn't change it for the world. "I get a lot of personal emails that say something to the effect of 'my girlfriend broke up with me or my dad died and I listen to your music and it makes me feel really good' and that validates what we're doing and the time and effort we put into the new album," May summarizes. "When people hear the songs from On The Impossible Past, I just hope people can relate to it and it makes them feel the way we do when we sing it."

Monday 16th January 2012
Tracklisting:
1) System...
2) ...Meltdown
3) Sssnakepit
4) Search Party
5) Arguing With Thermometers
6) Stalemate
7) Gandhi Mate, Gandhi
8) Warm Smiles Do Not Make You Welcome Here
9) Pack Of Thieves
10) Hello Tyrannosaurus, Meet Tyrannicide
11) Constellations

A Flash Flood Of Colour is the new album by Enter Shikari. It’s an urgent state-of-the-world address, an impassioned call to arms, an empowering liberation transmission aimed at the head, heart and hips. It’s an album about community, about love and friendship, about self-determination and self-respect. And if we might be so bold, in simple terms, it’s the first great album of 2012.

Co-produced by the band and Dan Weller (Young Guns, Gallows) in Bang Saray, Thailand and London, England during May/June 2011, and mixed in Vancouver, Canada by Mike Fraser (AC/DC, Metallica, Biffy Clyro), A Flash Flood Of Colour is Enter Shikari’s third full-length studio album, the follow-up to 2009’s acclaimed Common Dreads. An incandescent snapshot of the modern age – of globalisation and recession, repression and protest, commerce and control, activism and engagement – it’s music for a newly jolted generation, a soundtrack for the mosh-pit, the dance floor and the front lines.

A Flash Flood Of Colour is 11 tracks of adrenalised, beats-heavy punkrockdubstephardcoremetalambienttechnonoisecore, custom-built to shake foundations. Preceded by first single Sssnakepit, a mind-melding amalgam of old school drum and bass and thrillingly propulsive disortopunk riffing which Zane Lowe immediately hailed as his Hottest Record upon its September release, it's an album which distills the sound and fury of the modern world into a compelling, unified, slamming and utterly vital whole.

From the stirring wake-up call of opening track System… ('Our generation's got to fight to survive...') through to the atmospheric, emotive kiss-off of Constellations (both an optimistic signpost to a brighter tomorrow and Rou’s open-hearted ‘thank you’ to the people, books, records and films that have shaped and guided Shikari on their journey thus far), A Flash Flood Of Colour throws up a dizzying, kaleidoscopic range of moods, tones and hues.

Monday 16th January 2012
THE TREATMENT have announced five UK dates for early February 2012, the majority of which are rescheduled from the band’s ‘Medication To The Nation’ UK headline tour in December of last year. Unfortunately, some of these shows had to be postponed due to vocalist Matt Jones falling ill, but Matt has now made a full recovery and the band is ready to return to the fray once more…

The list of dates is as follows:-

FEBRUARY 2012
1 – The Boileroom, Guildford
2 – The Garage, London (HMV ‘Next Big Thing’ night with fellow Spinefarm artists Reckless Love & Jettblack)
03 – Corporation, Sheffield
07 – Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff
09 – The Slade Rooms, Wolverhampton

These shows follow in the wake of an ultra-busy 2011, which saw the band signing to Spinefarm, releasing their debut single / video (‘Drink, F**k, Fight’) and album ‘This Might Hurt’ (both on the Spinefarm label), touring Europe with Alice Cooper, making a Halloween appearance with Skindred & Therapy (at the O2 Academy in Birmingham), guesting with Motorhead in Belgium, returning to the sold-out Hard Rock Hell event in Prestatyn, North Wales, then rounding off the year with their first ever UK headline run under the ‘Medication For The Nation’ banner.

DESPITE BEING fresh-faced youngsters, The Treatment have influences drawn largely from the classic names of the hard rock genre – the likes of AC/DC, Thin Lizzy, Def Leppard, Aerosmith & Guns n’ Roses; add to this a deep and collective regard for the works of the Clash, the Pistols and early Dr Feelgood, and you have a band who may look as though they’re barely into long trousers, but whose music is all about big hooks and confident swagger.

Monday 16th January 2012
After releasing one of last year’s most highly touted punk albums, Boston’s MAKE DO AND MEND are returning to the UK for a tour.

Sun 20 May- The Forum, Tunbridge Wells
Mon 21 May- The Hydrant, Brighton – England /
Tues 22 May- Joiners, Southampton – England
Wed 23 May- The Fleece, Bristol – England
Thurs 24 May- Old Blue Last, London – England
Fri 25 May- The Peel, Kingston – England
Mon 28 May- Sub 89, Reading – England

All tickets £10.00
Album, End Measured Mile and EP Part & Parcel are available now.

Monday 16th January 2012
Hildamay will be giving their fans a gift this Valentines day with the release of 'The Lights'. The track is the first to be taken from the bands forth coming debut album, which will be released via A Wolf At Your Door Records this summer.

Hildamay continue to add more gigs to their already hectic year as they announce their latest tour supporting Set Your Goals this May, along side Spy Catcher and Make Do And Mend.

May 20th - Tunbridge Well, Forum
May 21st - Brighton, Hydrant
May 22nd - Southampton, Joiners
May 23rd - Bristol, Fleece
May 25th - Kingston, Peel

Hildamay wil alsol be hitting the road as main support for Sonic Boom Six followed by a mammoth 24 date UK tour with Max Raptor.

Sonic Boom Six w/ Hildamay main support
Feb 7th - Leeds, The Cockpit
Feb 8th - Birmingham, The Ballroom
Feb 9th - London, Barfly Camden
Feb 10th - Southampton, The Joiners
Feb 11th - Nottingham, Rock City
Feb 12th - Norwich, Waterfront

Hildamay/Max Raptor Tour
Feb 23rd - Exeter, The Cavern
Feb 24th - Truro, Buntors
Feb 25th - Llanelli, The Kazbar
Feb 26th - Bristol, 02 Academy 2
Feb 27th - Guildford, The Boileroom
Feb 29th - York, Stereo
Mar 1st - Wrexham, Central Station
Mar 2nd - Coventry, Kasbah
Mar 3rd - Nottingham, Rock City
Mar 4th - Sheffield, 02 Academy 2
Mar 6th - Bath, Komedia
Mar 7th - Newcastle, 02 Academy 2
Mar 8th - Glasgow, Stereo
Mar 10th - Northampton, The Penny Whistle
Mar 11th - Birmingham, 02 Academy 3
Mar 12th - Cardiff, Clwb Ifor Bach
Mar 13th - Southend, Chinnerys
Mar 15th - Derby, The Venue
Mar 16th - Swansea, Sin City
Mar 17th - Sheerness, The Ivy Leaf
Mar 18th - Southampton, Takedown 2012
Mar 19th - Cambridge, Portland Arms
Mar 21st - Liverpool, 02 Academy 2
Mar 22nd - London, Barfly

Monday 16th January 2012
South African rockers Seether are set to return to the UK with a brand new studio album, “Holding Onto Strings Better left To Fray”. The band are also set to tour the UK in March 2012.

“Holding Onto Strings Better Left To Fray” was released to widespread critical acclaim in the USA in May 2011. The debut single from the album, “Country Song”, spent an amazing 11 weeks at #1 (on Active Rock radio) over the course of the year and recently achieved Gold status for sales of over 500,000 units digitally by the RIAA. The song was the #1 most played song at Active Rock radio for the year 2011, outdistancing such acts as Foo Fighters, Staind and the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Total active rock spins were 52,361, outdistancing the next closest song by almost 10,000 spins. 83,000 spins across all rock formats for the year 2011. The song is also the #1 Active Rock Song of the Year in Canada. Seether was named the #1 Active Rock Artist and the #1 Heritage Rock Artist of 2011 by Billboard as well. Holding Onto Strings Better Left To Fray was released in May and debuted at #2 on the Billboard Top 200 and is the band’s highest album premier to date. The album has scanned over 250,000 copies since its release to date. The band’s next USA single “Tonight” has also gone No 1 on Active Rock Radio – the first time the band has had consecutive #1 singles at the format.

Seether has spent most of 2011 out on the road in support of their latest release and look to continue the trend in 2012. The Houston Press raved about Seether’s live show "…Seether put on a heartfelt, stripped-down performance that didn't leave fans wanting.” The band will resume touring internationally early next year making stops in Asia, Australia and Europe. These dates mark a triumphant return for the band as it has been over two years since the band has performed in these territories.

Looking back on Seether's career path, it's not surprising that the band has progressed to this juncture. The band has sold millions of albums to date worldwide and are mainstays in the touring circuit averaging more than 275 performances per year. Originally founded in Johannesburg, South Africa, by Shaun Morgan and Dale Stewart, Seether made its initial impact on worldwide hearts and eardrums with 2002's Disclaimer. The album's first single, "Fine Again" was a pensive ballad that resonated with fans worldwide. Seether gained nationwide live exposure with a spot on that year's Ozzfest tour. Seether rerecorded the acoustic track "Broken" as an electric version featuring Evanescence vocalist Amy Lee. "Broken" became a massive international hit for the group. In 2004, Seether remixed and remastered Disclaimer, adding eight new songs and new cover art to create the two-disc set Disclaimer II, which went Platinum. In 2005, Seether released Karma & Effect, which is certified gold and followed that release up in 2007 with the now Platinum Finding Beauty In Negative Spaces. The album was reissued in 2009 with a cover of George Michael's "Careless Whisper," and became another successful single release for the band. The band currently have 453,000 MySpace Friends and 1.7 million Facebook fans. Seether have sold over 4 million albums worldwide to date….

Seether is Shaun Morgan (Guitars/Vocals), Dale Stewart (Bass) and John Humphrey (Drums).

Tour Dates 2012

DATE CITY, STATE VENUE
Jan. 28 Bangkok, Thailand Silverlake Festival
Feb. 1 North Perth, Australia Rosemount Hotel
Feb. 2 Adelaide, Australia Fowlers
Feb. 4 Melbourne, Australia HIFI Bar
Feb. 5 Sydney, Australia The Metro
Feb. 7 Brisbane, Australia The HiFi
Feb. 10 Auckland, New Zealand Logan Campbell Theatre
Feb. 13 Moscow, Russia Milk Club
Feb. 15 St. Petersburg, Russia Zal Ozhidaniya Club
Feb. 16 * Helsinki, Finland Old Ice Hall
Feb. 18 * Stockholm, Sweden Radio Bandit Awards
Feb. 19 * Copenhagen, Denmark Vega Main Hall
Feb. 21 * Berlin, Germany Columbiahalle
Feb. 22 * Hamburg. Germany Sporthalle
Feb. 24 * Antwerp, Belgium Trix
Feb. 25 * Zwolle, Netherlands Ijsselhallen-Zwolle
Feb. 26 Amsterdam, Netherlands Melkweg
Feb. 27 * Offenbach, Germany Stadhalle
Feb. 29 * Munich, Germany Zenith
Mar. 1 * Vienna, Austria Gasometer
Mar. 2 Graz, Austria PPC
Mar. 3 * Karlsruhne, Germany Europhalle
Mar. 4 * Winterthur, Switzerland Eulachhalle
Mar. 6 * Paris, France La Bataclan
Mar. 7 * Dusseldorf, Germany Mitusbishi Electric
Mar. 9 * Edinburgh, Scotland HMV Picture Houe
Mar. 10 Glasgow, UK Garage
Mar. 11 * Manchester, UK Manchester Academy
Mar. 12 * Birmingham, UK O2 Academy
Mar. 14 * Bristol, UK O2 Academy
Mar. 15 * London, UK Apollo Hammersmith
Mar. 17 Istanbul, Turkey Babylon
Mar. 21 Milan, Italy Rock N Roll Club

* Playing with 3 Doors Down

Monday 16th January 2012
The only rapper that matters, HYRO DA HERO is thrilled to announce his UK tour dates!

All tickets are on sale now and if you haven't bought yours yet, you better be quick!

The new dates are as follows:

February 2012
7th Cardiff, Ifor Bach
8th Manchester, Club Academy
9th Glasgow, King Tuts
10th Sheffield, Corporation
11th Leeds, Cockpit
12th Stoke, Sugarmill
13th Birmingham, VUDU
14th Milton Keynes, Crauford Arms
15th Nottingham, Rescue Rooms
16th Norwich, Waterfront
17th Tunbridge Wells, Forum
18th London, Borderline
19th Bristol, Thekla

All tickets are on sale now and are priced £8.50 regionally and £9.50 in London. Hyro will be joined on tour by Marmozets and Asteroid Boys.

Hyro is currently working on a new mixtape and hopes to be able to unleash it on your ears shortly. So stay tuned to www.hyrodahero.com for more information!

Seasons come and go. Trends pop and deflate. Careers rise and fall. Genres of music live and die. Once in awhile, an artist steps up who doesn't quite follow the cycle. He doesn't pay heed to "What's cool." He doesn't give a shit about "Who's hot." He doesn't follow the zeitgeist but, rather, the zeitgeist follows him.

Hyro Da Hero spins his own cycle of hip hop on his debut album Birth, School, Work, Death. Hyro loads rock 'n' roll attitude into explosive, engaging and enthralling rap music. With the crunch of a power chord and the snap of a rhyme, the Houston-bred Los Angeles-based MC spits pure fire. Produced by Ross Robinson—the man behind Korn and Slipknot legendary debuts—Birth, School, Work, Death sounds like revolution. Featuring contributions from members of At the Drive-in and Blood Brothers, this is hip hop like you've never heard.

About his enigmatic sound, Hyro comments, "I always look to the underground. That's where the honesty comes from. Genuine rap and rock go hand-in-hand, but no one has done it like this. It's raw, and it's real."

Since its release in early 2011, Birth, School, Work, Death has solidified Hyro Da Hero as rock 'n' roll's most daring impresario outlaw. He invaded the United Kingdom first as Radio 1 embraced "Ghetto Ambiance" and Kerrang! Magazine lauded the record as "One of the Top 50 Albums of 2011" and nominated Hyro as "Best International Newcomer" at the annual Kerrang! Awards.

Monday 16th January 2012
Indie rock band, Canterbury are about to head out on a UK headline tour for January/February 2012.

Strong fixtures on the touring circuit for sometime, the band have shares the stage with many UK and US bands, this headline run sees them hitting 14 cities between 20th January and 9th February 2012. Support for the tour comes from Proxies & Straight Lines.

Canterbury’s debut album ‘Thank You’ has had over 40,000 downloads to date & established the band with a strong fanbase early on. Their second album, recorded in Devon by Peter Miles (Futures, We Are The Ocean) is set for release in the Summer of 2012. The first single from it ‘More Than Know’, (released late 2011) had huge support from Q, Kerrang TV and Radio 1. Their second single, ‘Ready Yet?’ has just had a first play with radio and is set to push the band to the forefront of the indie/rock crossover.

Fri 20-Jan Dublin Academy 2€ 13.00
Sat 21-Jan Belfast Speakeasy £10.00
Thu 26-Jan Cardiff Clwb Ifor Bach £7.00
Fri 27-Jan Swansea Sin City £7.00
Sat 28-Jan Brighton The Hydrant £7.00
Sun 29-Jan Exeter Cavern £7.00
Tue 31-Jan Southampton Joiners £7.00
Wed 01-Feb Wrexham Central Station £7.00
Thu 02-Feb Wolverhampton Slade Rooms £7.00
Sat 04-Feb Sheffield Corporation £7.00
Sun 05-Feb Leeds Cockpit £7.00
Mon 06-Feb Glasgow ABC 2 £7.00
Tue 07-Feb Manchester Sound Control £7.00
Thu 09-Feb London KCLSU £8.00

Thursday 12th January 2012
London based melodic-punks, Apologies, I Have None release their hometown-tale filled debut album on Monday 19th March.

Named after a line in a Grade song (‘The Tension Between Stillness And Motion’), the quartet, made up of Dan Bond (vocals/guitar), Josh McKenzie (vocals/guitar), PJ Shepherd (bass) and Joe Watson (drums), have spent the last few years honing their craft, releasing a series of EP's and splits and touring with the likes of I Am The Avalanche, Hostage Calm, Samiam and Crazy Arm in the process.

Now, the time has come for their debut full-length, named as a nod to some of the album’s track titles and subject matter, ‘Holloway or Anywhere’, ‘The 26’ and ‘Sat In Vicky Park’, for example. Produced by Peter Miles (The King Blues, Tellison) in his secluded studio in Devon - ‘London’, is a collection of infectious songs about love, life, death and lessons learnt.

View the video for album opener, ‘60 Miles’, directed by Joe Spray, below:
http://www.vimeo.com/apologiesihavenone/60miles

‘60 Miles’ can also be downloaded for free at: http://apologiesihavenone.co.uk/

Catch the band live at the following venues, in the run up to the release of ‘London’:

JANUARY
31: LONDON, Old Blue Last (w/ Man Overboard)

FEBRUARY
29: PLYMOUTH, White Rabbit (w/ Austin Lucas)

MARCH
01: BRISTOL, The Croft (w/ Austin Lucas)
02: BRIGHTON, The Hydrant (w/ Crazy Arm)
03: LEICESTER, Firebug (w/ Crazy Arm)
04: KINGSTON, Fighting Cocks (w/ Crazy Arm)
05: NORWICH, Karma Cafe (w/ Crazy Arm)
17: MANCHESTER, Manchfester 2
18: NEWCASTLE, The Central
19: LEEDS, Santiagos
20: BIRMINGHAM, The Flapper
21: PORTSMOUTH, Edge Of The Wedge
22: LONDON, Old Blue Last

Thursday 12th January 2012
Canada's Dead And Divine will be in the UK for 2 tours starting on Feb 9th. First up the band will take to the road with Heart In Hand and then barrel straight into their next tour with Norma Jean and The Chariot.

Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to see Dead And Divine play their latest and greatest material from their 3rd album 'Antimacy.'

Heart In Hand Tour
Feb 09 - Mansfield, Club Fist
Feb 10 - Milton Keynes, Craufurd Arms
Feb 11 - Margate, West Coast Bar
Feb 12 - London, Camden Barfly
Feb 13 - Torquay, 27 Club
Feb 14 - Yeovil, Liberal Club
Feb 15 - Cheltenham, 2 Pigs
Feb 16 - Stoke On Trent, The Undergroud
Feb 17 - Manchester, Deadbolt
Feb 18 - Leeds, The Well
Feb 19 - Glasgow, Classic Grand
Feb 20 - Middlesbrough, Liberties
Feb 21 - Leicester, Lock 42
Feb 22 - Peterborough, Club Revolution
Feb 23 - Brighton, Hydrant

Norma Jean/The Chariot Tour
Feb 26 - Cardiff, Cardiff Uni CF10
Feb 27 - Birmingham, 02 Academy 2
Feb 28 - Glasgow, 02 ABC 2
Feb 29 - Dublin, The Village
Mar 01 - Belfast, The Limelight
Mar 02 - Sheffield, Corporation
Mar 03 - London, Camden Underworld

Thursday 12th January 2012
RIVAL SONS w/ BLACK STONE CHERRY
Mar. 11 - Norwich, UK - UEA
Mar. 12 - Nottingham, UK - Rock City
Mar. 14 - Birmingham, UK - O2 Academy
Mar. 15 - Liverpool, UK - O2 Academy
Mar. 17 - Sheffield, UK - O2 Academy
Mar. 18 - Manchester, UK - Academy
Mar. 19 - Newcastle, UK - O2 Academy
Mar. 21 - Edinburgh, UK - HMV Picture House
Mar. 22 - Aberdeen, UK - Lemontree
Mar. 23 - Inverness, UK - Ironworks
Mar. 24 - Glasgow, UK - O2 Academy
Mar. 26 - Bristol, UK - O2 Academy
Mar. 27 - Southampton, UK - Guildhall
Mar. 28 - London, UK - HMV Forum

Thursday 12th January 2012
A perilous ride into a foreboding, enchanting dreamscape, London-based sisters Colette and Hannah Thurlow -otherwise known as 2:54- have delivered one of the most thrilling releases of the year, in the form of debut 4-track EP, 'Scarlet'.

Fans of their limited seven-inch-only single, 'On a Wire' (which sold out instantly when released on talked-up indie label House Anxiety this spring) will have expectations incinerated within the first spin of 'Scarlet', their first release on Fiction Records. The duo make a vertiginous leap into a whole new world, expanding their vast, darkly cinematic sound, and tapping a bloodline -spanning all manner stoner-rock and punk and deities- in vital new form that instantly places them alongside the finest atmospheric pop experiments of Tomorrow. Proceedings are given an added thrust this time with the arrival of luminaries such as mixer Alan Moulder (Smashing Pumpkins, Nine Inch Nails) and Mercury-winning producer Rob Ellis (PJ Harvey, Nick Cave).

The A-side title track -their first proper single and the first taste of their upcoming album- refines their distinct stratum of brimstone pop to perfection; the sisters’ unerring instinct for gorgeous melody and effortless hooks is cast against lacerating guitars, bludgeoning rhythms and spacey, dive-bomb dynamics. The other three B-side tracks –some of the very first 2:54 material to be written, and recorded in a burst over three days– similarly pulse and pound with a noir magic in their veins. 'Wait/Awake' builds tension through Hannah’s ominous guitar work and Colette’s serpentine call, before fully taking flight in the majestic, pining chorus. The thunderous 'Got A Hold' swoops them into woozy, intoxicating territories with one of their most seismic soundscapes to date dropping out three quarters of the way through for a cliffhanger few seconds, to exhilarating effect. The meditative finale 'Dawn', on the other hand, explores another element of the band altogether, as they turn out a climactic, slow-burning epic to close out the EP in fittingly enigmatic fashion.

The band headed out on their own tour in November to celebrate the EP's release -culminating in their biggest headline show to date at London's Corsica Studios on 9th November- and then as main support to The Big Pink on their highly-anticipated comeback tour, by personal invitation of the band. Having cast quite a spell over audiences while touring with the likes of Warpaint, Wild Beasts, Melissa Auf der Maur and Yuck, as well as many-a buzz festival slot this year, anticipation is high surrounding their return to the road this winter.

TRACKLISTING
1. Scarlet
2. Wait/ Awake
3. Got A Hold
4. Dawn

UPCOMING LIVE DATES:

Febrary (with The Big Pink)
8 – Bristol Thekla
9 – Portsmouth Wedegwood Rooms
10 – Nottingham Rescue Rooms
12 – Liverpool O2 Academy
14 – Glasgow King Tuts
15 – Manchester Academy
16 – Birmingham HMV Library
18 – Brighton HMV Library

Wednesday 11th January 2012
As Californian pop-punks ORANGE prepare to support ska-punk legends Reel Big Fish across the UK and Europe this month, the band's singer Joe Dexter has revealed he refuses to let his ongoing battle with Cystic Fibrosis stop him from pursuing a successful music career.

Cystic Fibrosis is an incurable condition which affects the lungs and sufferers can have difficulty breathing and frequent infections. Singing, travelling and performing every night may not seem to be an ideal way of life for someone affected by the illness, but Joe's relentless determination to carve a career for himself in the music industry has enabled him to make his situation work well for him. In fact, in a BBC interview, he revealed his singing has actually helped him with his breathing. "I find after a good hour or more of singing my lungs are a lot clearer and i can breathe more easily. Maybe i've found a miracle cure for Cystic Fibrosis!" Joe also has to endure asthma and diabetes but refuses to let his health affect both his quality of life and his career. "Touring can be hard on me and my lungs, especially being the singer and front-man, but the fear of dealing with CF has never stopped me from doing a single thing in life so far and i don't intend to start now. If i can inspire just one single kid with this illness, then i'll have done alright".

In addition to working on a new Orange album, scheduled for release later this year, Joe has signed a major music publishing deal with Benair-Churchill Publishing and is in the process of writing songs for movies as well as numerous US commercials. He also hosts a popular web series, RockCoach, where he answers viewers' questions and gives advise on all aspects of the music business and performing.

Orange's month-long tour with Reel Big Fish kicks off on January 25th at Norwich Waterfront and takes the band across the UK and Europe as main support to the renowned ska-punk band. Since their formation in 2001 Orange have toured relentlessly and won praise from the punk rock community, scoring opening slots on tours with Zebrahead, Bowling For Soup, The Misfits, UK Subs and The Adicts. This will be the first time the band have moved up to a main support slot and the band are thrilled that the opportunity comes from a band they respect so much. "This is why we've spent 11 years driving 14 hours to play to nobody!", laughs Joe, "This is why we've spent every penny we had just to tour. This is why we took having beer, spit and God knows what else thrown at us in the early days. It's all lead us to this and we couldn't be happier."

TOUR DATES:
1/25/12 – Waterfront – Norwich UK
1/26/12 – Pyramid Centre – Portsmouth UK
1/27/12 – O2 Academy 2 – Birmingham UK
1/28/12 – Rock City – Nottingham UK
1/29/12 – Corporation – Sheffield UK
1/30/12 – University – Newcastle UK
1/31/12 – Garage – Glasgow UK
2/1/12 – Academy – Leeds UK
2/2/12 – Academy 2 – Manchester UK
2/3/12 – Academy – Liverpool UK
2/4/12 – Sub 89 – Reading UK
2/5/12 – Cardiff Uni Solus – Cardiff UK
2/6/12 – Pavilion – Falmouth UK
2/7/12 – Westlands – Yeovil UK
2/8/12 – Hippodrome – Kingston Upon Thames
2/9/12 – Shepherds Bush – London UK
2/11/12 – Dynamo – Eindhoven Netherlands
2/12/12 – Sputnikhalle – Munster Germany
2/13/12 – Knust – Hamburg Germany
2/14/12 – Batschkapp – Frankfurt Germany
2/15/12 – Lucerna Music Box – Prague Czech Rep
2/16/12 – Flex – Vienna Austria
2/19/12 – Usine – Geneva Swtizerland
2/20/12 – Abart – Zurich Switzerland
2/21/12 – Luxor – Cologne Germany
2/22/12 – Cassipeia – Berlin Germany
2/23/12 – La Laiterie – Strasbourg France
2/24/12 – Boule Noire – Paris France

This year is set to be ORANGE's busiest and most successful year to date. They released the “Dead Sexy” EP in Oct 2011 to coincide with their UK tour with Bowling For Soup and their next release, a full-length follow-up album to 2010's "Pheonix", which will feature a track co-written by Shawn Harris from The Matches.

"2012 is the Year of the Orange! We're going to sign a new deal, release our best album yet and then use the money to genetically engineer real Pokemon!" Considering the medical obstacles Joe has successfully overcome and his unstoppable drive, positivity and focus, there's a distinct chance we'll be seeing real Pokemon running along the streets in the near future....you have been warned!

Wednesday 11th January 2012
SUPERBALL MUSIC is pleased to announce the signing of highly acclaimed musician Matt Skiba’s new solo venture-- MATT SKIBA AND THE SEKRETS. Skiba, most well known for his role as founding member of the punk rock group ALKALINE TRIO, has teamed up with other name players for the project including MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE drummer Jarrod Alexander and AFI Bassist Hunter Burgan. “Creating a record on my own and deciding who plays and how the songs were structured, it was fun to do. I love working with my band-mates in Alk3 but to make a rock record that was just mine was something that I wanted to do,” explains Skiba. With various musical influences contributing to the overall sound, the result is dancy, catchy rock in the vein of ALKALINE TRIO with elements of 80’s post punk.

Superball Music, home to DREDG, …AND YOU WILL KNOW US BY THE TRAIL OF DEAD and a number of other artists is very excited to announce the pairing with MATT SKIBA AND THE SEKRETS. Label head Thomas Waber commented, “I am pleased and excited to welcome Matt Skiba to the Superball Music family. We have all been fans of the Alkaline Trio for a long time, so working with Matt is going to be a real honor!”

Matt Skiba also commented on the union: "I am so delighted to be working with Superball Music. It was extremely important for the MATT SKIBA AND THE SEKRETS project to find the proper home. I am honored and ecstatic to have found a label that is as enthusiastic about this project as I am. I am very thankful to have Superball in my corner and look forward to the growth of our relationship and to the growth of this project."

Babylon, the MATT SKIBA AND THE SEKRETS Superball Music debut, is set for release in early 2012.

Wednesday 11th January 2012
THE DEVIL IN YOUR HEART is a high five to the inconsolable in all of us, a celebration of triumph and relief, born through the eyes and ears of three musicians who had to go there to come back. THE DEVIL IN YOUR HEART is the fist pumping new album from London alt-rockers, Zico Chain set for release on 2nd April 2012.

“As soon as I screamed those lyrics, I knew right then that I had the album title,” says vocalist and bassist Chris Glithero. “It encompassed every feeling I’d had during the making of this record”.

“The title sounds like a negative,” adds drummer Oli Middleton, “but this album is about wisdom, and it’s relentlessly optimistic”.

THE DEVIL IN YOUR HEART is a self produced labour of love. Having given up everything to pursue the unknown, the band bedded down in various derelict buildings around the UK and began recording.

“We never went near a studio. We were sat in an empty house in winter, with ants everywhere and no heating, but our amps were still buzzing and we were talking about how we could find a way to record an orchestra” adds Chris.

The band realised every seemingly impossible ambition and went on to work with award-winning string arranger Audrey Riley, whose impressive resume includes collaborations with rock giants such as Muse and Foo Fighters.

The result is a self-made and self-funded lap of honour, an achievement of truly epic proportions. Armed with their hard earned formidable live reputation and their relentless DIY ethics, it’s almost impossible to imagine ZICO CHAIN not climbing to the greatest heights and beyond in 2012.

THE DEVIL IN YOUR HEART track listing is as follows:
1)EVASION
2)THE REAL LIFE
3)NEW ROMANTIC
4)MERCURY GIFT
5) A THOUSAND SPLENDID SUNS
6)OUR EVIL
7) CASE# 44PQ_110807
8)BLACK TURNS WHITE
9) PERFECT HIGH
10) MORE THAN LIFE
11) I AM THE SILENCE

ICO CHAIN will be tearing up venues across the UK with their headline tour. Full dates as follows:
FEBRUARY
Tuesday 28.02.12 FIGHTING COCKS Kingston (18+ show) Doors 7.30pm
MARCH
Thursday 1.03.12 WATERSHED Newport Pagnell
Friday 2.03.12 York Fibbers
Saturday 3.03.12 Huddersfield Parish
Saturday 5.03.12 Brighton Hydrant
Wednesday 7.03.12 Manchester Dry Bar
Thursday 8.03.12 Harlow Square
Friday 9.03.12 Weymouth Finns Rock Pub
Saturday 10.03.12 Nottingham Rock City
Sunday 11.03.12 London Nambucca
Tuesday 13.03.12 Birmingham Flapper
Wednesday 14.03.12 Leeds The Well
Thursday 15.03.12 Derby The Vic Inn
Friday 16.03.12 Coventry Kasbah
Saturday 17.03.12 TBC

Tickets available at www.ents24.com unless otherwise stated

Lead single ‘New Romantic’ is fast becoming an industry favourite after a sold out album listening show in London December 2011. It will be released exclusively on Metal Hammer magazine’s February edition.

Wednesday 11th January 2012
Thirty-five years on from the release of their debut, Rattus Norvegicus, ‘Giants’ is the Stranglers’ seventeenth album and, just as the latter day successes of the group’s last two titles, ‘Norfolk Coast’ (2004) and ‘Suite XVI’ (2006), this more recent return to the studio has once again produced another collection of sterling Stranglers tracks. Quirky and diverse, the music presented on ‘Giants’ avoids the formulaic and the stale: for the first time since 1980, there is an instrumental and the group, better known for their waltzes, also reveal their take on another dance form, the tango! As always strong melodies and unusual time signatures are high on the agenda, all underpinned by those trademark Stranglers bass lines and keyboard runs. Lead vocals are shared between JJ Burnel and Baz Warne.

It’s a few years since the last album release but the Stranglers have been keeping extremely busy on the live circuit, with constant global touring commitments and high demand from the major festivals, including appearances at Glastonbury, T in the Park, V Festivals, Hyde Park and Isle of Wight in the UK and their counterparts across Europe and beyond.

THE STRANGLERS ‘GIANTS’ UK TOUR DATES

1 March Leeds O2 Academy
2 March Dunfermline Alhambra
3 March Glasgow O2 Academy
5 March Liverpool O2 Academy
6 March Nottingham Rock City
8 March Cambridge Corn Exchange
9 March London Roundhouse
10 March Birmingham O2 Academy
12 March Oxford O2 Academy
13 March Portsmouth Pyramids Centre
15 March Lincoln Engine Shed
16 March Brighton Dome
17 March Bristol O2 Academy
19 March Leamington Spa Assembly
20 March Guildford G-Live
22 March Newcastle O2 Academy
23 March Sheffield O2 Academy
24 March Manchester O2 Academy

Wednesday 11th January 2012
Already a fan favourite from being test-driven on the band's sell-out October '11 UK & Ireland tour, and tackling the unlikely (for a musical context) subjects of climate change denial and Arctic continental shelf mapping, 'Arguing With Thermometers' is the second proper single to be taken from Enter Shikari's forthcoming album 'A Flash Flood Of Colour'.

'Arguing With Thermometers' was recorded - along with the rest of 'A Flash Flood Of Colour' - in Bang Saray, Thailand by the band & co-producer Dan Weller, and mixed in Vancouver by Mike Fraser. A video for the track was filmed in New York's Bronx district during the band's recent six week US tour and will be available for viewing in due course.

'A Flash Flood Of Colour' is Enter Shikari's third studio album and is released in the UK on Monday 16th January. Enter Shikari play a run of three VERY intimate release party shows in the week of release, along with a pair of inshore signing sessions :

Monday 16th - London - Borderline
Tuesday 17th - Kingston - Hippodrome
Wednesday 18th - Leeds - Cockpit
Thursday 19th - HMV Leicester (instore signing)
Friday 20th - HMV St Albans (instore signing)

A proper run of UK shows is already on sale for MARCH -
Saturday 17th - Edinburgh - Corn Exchange
Sunday 18th - Hull - University
Monday 19th - Manchester - Apollo
Tuesday 20th - Wolverhampton - Civic Hall
Thursday 22nd - Plymouth - Pavilions
Friday 23rd - London - Hammersmith Apollo

Monday 9th January 2012
Equal Vision Records is excited to announce that Say Anything will release their fourth studio album, Anarchy, My Dear, produced by Tim O'Heir (Say Anything, Sebadoh, Superdrag), on March 12th, 2012. Say Anything has been making odd, unclassifiable indie rock music since they were 14 or 15 years old, playing strangely literate and loud rock, characterized by what one might imagine if Larry David fronted a Fugazi cover band with the members of Queen. Not that that's a stretch or anything. The tracklisting is below.

Anarchy, My Dear is, in its purest sense, a form of propaganda--an intense expression of frontman Max Bemis' love for the idea of anarchy--and even the album's artwork reflects his passion: "We thought we could best represent what the album means by using the symbolism of a burning flag stitched onto an actual flag. The image represents a championing of the 'cause' of struggling against the rules and regulations that dictate our thinking." Continues Bemis, "Anarchy, My Dear is our first attempt to write a true 'punk' record; thematically speaking, it's a collection of songs about subverting society and destroying the boundaries humankind has placed upon ourselves both physically and in our minds. Coincidentally, it also happens to be the first record we've made in years where we had total freedom to explore our 'edgier' side and present a raw picture of what the band is truly about onstage."

Filled with thought-provoking, idiosyncratic lyrics, Anarchy marks a breakthrough in Say Anything's genre-defying evolution. Hailed by Alternative Press as one of the most anticipated albums of 2012, the music has a newfound vintage, glam-rock feel, complete with an urgent punch of anthemic choruses and ferocious energy. SPIN Magazine declared that the first single, "Burn A Miracle," is "one of the more schizophrenic and toothsome pop-punk outbursts frontman Max Bemis (or maybe anyone for that matter) has shared to date. It's a beast. Have a listen." "Admit It Again," a take-no-prisoners critique on contemporary "indie" culture is a follow-up to fan-favorite track "Admit It," off their 2004 album, ...Is A Real Boy. "So Good," "Night's Song," and "Overbiter" feature guest vocals from Sherri DuPree (Eisley), her haunting, ethereal voice providing a contrast to Bemis' snarling onslaught, while the hammered dulcimer backed ballad "Peace Out" touches on the album's theme of self-empowerment and rebellion amidst a contradiction-filled society.

Anarchy, My Dear Tracklist:
01. Burn A Miracle
02. Say Anything
03. Night's Song
04. Admit It Again
05. So Good
06. Sheep
07. Peace Out
08. Overbiter
09. Of Steel
10. Anarchy, My Dear
11. The Stephen Hawking

Monday 9th January 2012
Hailing from the celebrated music scene in Bergen, Norway - Casiokids have spent the last 12 months playing shows across North America, Europe, Mexico and Russia including being hand-picked by fellow Norwegians A-ha to support them on their last tour.

Whereas their past releases have been recorded quickly in unusual locations such as guitarist Fredrik Vogsborg's father's office, the hallway of the Bergen Jazz Association, and an old canteen, ‘Aabenbaringen Over Aaskammen’ came to fruition within the band’s rehearsal space at the newly established Bergen Kjøtt (a converted old abattoir also home to Datarock and Røkyskopp).

The tracks were also recorded at the band’s own pace, all within the same timeframe. As a result, the record is much more cohesive than their collection of previous singles and unlike anything Casiokids have released thus far. The record also features guest appearances from of Montreal members.

See Casiokids live in the UK:

January
19th Birmingham, Hare & Hounds
20th Manchester, Deaf Institute
21st Glasgow, Captain's Rest
22nd Newcastle, Cluny
24th London, Cargo
25th Cambridge, Portland Arms
26th Bath, Moles
27th Tunbridge Wells, Forum
28th Canterbury, Farmhouse

Monday 9th January 2012
Tantrum To Blind are a female fronted four-piece hailing from Stockholm, Sweden. Founded in 2008 at the Stockholm Conservatory of Music amidst a world of jazz and sophistication, they stood out from the crowd united by their love for rock music, a genre most other students considered less intellectual. They were happy to prove their contemporaries wrong, creating a honed and intelligent blend of electronic samples, crushing rock riffs, soaring melodic-pop choruses and racing guitar hooks in the vein of Young Guns, Tsunami Bomb and Millencolin.

They quickly caught the ear of MTV Nordic who featured them in a TV commercial campaign and, following the self produced recording of debut album ’WALK OUT’ in 2010, went on to back the band as their Artist Of The Month in 2011 with daily showcases on the MTV channel. Three singles from ’WALK OUT’ were all snapped up by the two main Swedish radio channels and a distribution deal with Warner Music followed soon after. The release of the debut album was supported by an extensive 30+ date tour of Sweden, and the debut video for ”Get Get Get” was given plenty of airtime by MTV.

The success of their intense sound combined with an energetic live performance and attitude sees the band making their first ever trip across the North Sea to leave their native land behind and show the UK what it’s been missing out on this March, with a brand new EP dropping soon.

March 2012 tour dates supporting Yashin – tickets on sale now.

Friday 9th March - Newcastle Northumbria University
Saturday 10th March - Glasgow, The Arches
Sunday 11th March - Carlisle, Brickyard
Tuesday 13th March - Norwich, Waterfront Studio
Wednesday 14th March - York, Fibbers
Thursday 15th March - Sheffield, Corporation
Saturday 17th March - Manchester, Club Academy
Sunday 18th March - Birmingham, O2 Academy
Wednesday 21st March - Cardiff, CF10
Thursday 22nd March - Exeter, The Cavern
Friday 23rd March - Southampton, Joiners
Saturday 24th March - London, Underworld
Sunday 25th March - Reading, Sub 89

Monday 9th January 2012
VERY OFTEN, musicians – especially established ones – like to remain within their musical comfort zone, preferring to walk the tried an’ tested path rather than breaking out in search of pastures new. Primal Rock Rebellion don’t fit that bill.

The brainchild of Adrian Smith and Mikee Goodman, UK musicians with different stories to tell, this is a fresh new project that manages to be both reassuring and unexpected at one and the same time…

On the one side, there’s Adrian, a key member of the Iron Maiden set-up, a band he first joined back in 1980; and since that time, Maiden has gone on to become one of the biggest hard rock bands the world has seen, playing to vast and staunchly committed crowds all over the world, opening exciting new doors in parts of the globe many people will never even have heard of! Their last studio album, ‘The Final Frontier’, hit the No 1 slot in over 28 countries!

With Maiden’s reputation having been forged through their ability to blend well-crafted vocal & guitar melodies with the sheer brute force of prime heavy metal, it will surely come as no surprise that the debut Primal Rock Rebellion album, ‘Awoken Broken’, delivers fully on both fronts, but with an extra nod to the underground, the alternative and the downright edgy – an aspect of the music that is enhanced from start to finish by the presence of one-time SikTh frontman / lyric-writer / spoken word maestro, Mikee Goodman.

With SikTh now universally lauded as one of the major inspirations of the new ‘Djent’ movement, it’s perfect timing for Mikee to return to the music scene in full force, following that band’s decision to take
a break after their second ‘Death Of A Dead Day’ album back in 2006; Mikee’s unique vocal approach – an arresting, signature blend of spoken word plus a wide variety of vocal tones (some dark and disturbing, others that owe a debt to the world of animation) was very much a part of what made SikTh stand out from the chasing pack, and fans will be delighted to know that his key vocal mannerisms have been both retained and honed for Primal Rock Rebellion, in a form tightly bound to the structure of the songs themselves.

Yes, there are spoken word elements, and yes, there are more extreme vocal moments peppered throughout the tracks, but generally speaking, this is a more mature and experienced Mikee, showcasing a strong, melodic voice plus an impressive vocal range, using the more ‘adventurous’ end of his repertoire as a way of providing contrast and effect.

In essence, Primal Rock Rebellion is the meeting of different minds, different mentalities and different musical backgrounds, but the end result is very much a cohesive, self-produced whole… albeit one that reflects the individual talents of the musicians involved: Adrian provides the guitars, the bass and the advanced song-writing skills – the sense of drama, of light and shade, of music designed to stir the senses, all of them.

Right from the start, it’s been very much a labour of love…

Adrian: “It was great working at my own pace and in my own studio with no time constraints. I think during the making of this album I went around the world twice with Maiden, working on the project in between. In the process, it allowed for a bit more of an experimental approach.”

Meanwhile, Mikee goes head to head with this renowned player as a full writing & production partner, adding new (sometimes surprising, often experimental) layers to the tracks, and ensuring that the music glistens with an inherent contemporary sheen.

Mikee: "Adrian inspired me in many ways. I learnt the importance and the power of choruses in songs. Adrian also gave me a lot more belief in myself melodically. I think we pulled each other out of our comfort zones, creating something fresh and exciting along the way. We co-produced the album together, and the whole recording process was very relaxed – no deadlines, just honing the songs naturally as we recorded them, a new experience for both of us.”

IN ADDITION to the Primal Rock Rebellion pair, there are backing vocals on three of the tracks (delivered by Tarin Kerry, discovered by Mikee while he was acting as producer for a band she was in), viola on the bulk of the songs (provided by Abi Fry of Bat For Lashes), plus original SikTh member Dan ‘Loord’ Foord on drums.

‘Awoken Broken’ was produced by Adrian and Mikee, and mixed by Simon Hanhart , whose previous credits include everyone from Tin Machine to Saxon. The album features 12 tracks top to tail, and it will be available on digi-pak CD, digital download and double coloured vinyl in gatefold sleeve. The track-listing runs as follows:-

1. No Friendly Neighbour 4.53
2. No Place Like Home 3.06
3. I See Lights 4.59
4. Bright As A Fire 6.21
5. Savage World 3.38
6. Tortured Tone 5.08
7. White Sheet Robes 5.16
8. As Tears Come Falling From The Sky 0.47
9. Awoken Broken 4.58
10. Search For Bliss 4.13
11. Snake Ladders 4.43
12. Mirror and the Moon 5.04

Monday 9th January 2012
BLOODSTOCK OPEN AIR starts the year with another fabtastic announcement for its 2012 event at Catton Hall this summer, confirming Floridian death metal legends DEICIDE’s only UK show of the year.

Always at the forefront of the death metal movement, DEICIDE was an original pioneer of the brutal sound and imagery associated with the Florida death metal scene. In 1987, Glen Benton and Steve Asheim teamed to launch one of the most talked about, controversial and venomous crusades in metal history and have since risen to

International notoriety, releasing two of the highest selling death metal albums of all time.

DEICIDE quickly became known for their technical yet brutal sound as much as the rumors that surrounded them. After famously marching into the office of Monte Conner (Roadrunner Records) and demanding “Sign us, you fucking asshole!” the band went on to create the definitive sound of 90s death metal thanks to their ability to play technical solos at blazing speeds with overlapping riffs. DEICIDE also created an astounding ten studio albums that have changed the face of the extreme metal scene.

Now they bring their blasphemous brutality to BLOODSTOCK for the first time, offering the only chance to catch them live in the UK this year.

BLOODSTOCK OPEN AIR have also revealed details of a deposit scheme, having teamed up with online ticket agent SEETICKETS to offer fans an easy way to pay for their BLOODSTOCK festival tickets for 2012. Sign up by no later than 1st March to pay for your weekend camping ticket in 3 easy instalments, starting from £36.25 + booking fee.

With a line up including headline sets from ALICE COOPER and BEHEMOTH, Norwegian Black Metal superstars DIMMU BORGIR's only UK show of 2012, as well as over 100 bands including ANVIL, PARADISE LOST, WATAIN, ORANGE GOBLIN, THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER and Swedish metal merchants GRAND MAGUS, there is no more metal place in the UK than BLOODSTOCK OPEN AIR.

Monday 9th January 2012
It is with regret that Rise To Remain announce that they have parted company with their bass player Joe Copcutt and drummer Pat Lundy on the eve of their first American tour. As a result they will no longer be able to take part in the shows as planned supporting Machine Head. The band apologise to all their US fans but would like to assure them that they will be playing shows there very soon.

New members will be announced in due course. In the meantime Rise To Remain would like to thank Joe and Pat for their contribution to the band’s success and wish them well with all their plans for the future.

Rise To Remain will head back out on the road in the UK and Europe as previously announced in March on their headlining tour with German metallers Heaven Shall Burn in support.

MARCH 2012
7th Birmingham, 02 Academy 2
8th Portsmouth, Wedgewood Rooms
10th Norwich, Waterfront
11th Liverpool, 02 Academy 2
12th Glasgow, Garage
13th York, Fibbers
14th Manchester, Club Academy
16th Bristol, Bierkeller
17th London, 02 Islington Academy
18th Reading, Sub 89

Saturday 7th January 2012
Never a band to repeat itself, the songs on “Dark Adrenaline” are undeniably LACUNA COIL, but feel more complete than the band’s 2009 release “Shallow Life”.

There is a fluidity and maturity to the new songs that show a band that is willing to branch out while still staying true to their sonic roots.

The first single, album opener “Trip the Darkness” bursts with heft and passion. The song, about facing your darkest hours without fear, introduces a theme that runs throughout the album. Vocalist Cristina Scabbia explains, “We realized that the lyrics were about sadness, rage and anger, but also power, self esteem and excitement.“ If you haven’t seen the video please check it out here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VTT6picaCoQ

The band once again teamed up with producer Don Gilmore (Linkin Park, Duran Duran, Avril Lavigne, Bullet For My Valentine) to record “Dark Adrenaline”, with the initial tracking taking place at bassist Marco Coti Zelati’s studio with Cristina & Andrea, the vocalists. Guitarists Cristiano Migliore and Marco Biazzi and drummer Cristiano Mozzati then came and fleshed out the songs, breathing life into them. You ‘ll find that even the band’s cover of R.E.M.s “Losing My Religion” feels truly at home in the LACUNA COIL songbook.

The band played an extensive UK headline tour in November 2011 and we next expect to see them back here, live, during the summer at the festivals, they are due to head to the US in a few weeks to begin the Gigantour before taking ‘Dark Adrenaline’ across the globe!

Friday 6th January 2012
Lostprophets follow a long bout of touring, writing and recording to bring you their fifth studio album entitled ‘Weapons’, which is out through Epic on April 2nd.

The band are set to release a free download of a new track entitled ‘Better Off Dead’ this Friday (6/1) via http://www.facebook.com/lostprophets . Radio 1’s Zane Lowe has made ‘Better Off Dead’ his ‘Hottest Record In The World’ and will give it a first play this Friday at 8.40am from his temporary breakfast show slot.

More information on the album to follow plus exclusive tour news.

Friday 6th January 2012
The wait for new music from The Used is over! Head over to http://www.KROQ.com now to hear the first single “I Come Alive” taken from the upcoming album "Vulnerable" out March 27th via their own label Anger Music Group partnered with Hopeless Records. The debut single will be available for purchase January 17th on iTunes.

With over 3 Million albums sold worldwide, The Used continue to create music that they stand behind 100%. "'I Come Alive' was the first song completed once we began writing this record. It sets up the album really well and I like how diverse and theatrical it is”, says front man Bert McCracken.

The band chose to go back in the studio with Jon Feldman who had accompanied them on 2007’s Lies for the Liars, 2004’s In Love And Death, 2003’s Maybe Memories and their debut self-titled album from 2002. Bassist Jeph Howard said working with Feldman on this album “was very positive. We really went out and expanded on this album. I’m excited for it to be more then a typical Used record.”

Full track listing and cover art will be released later this month.

The band will be performing at Soundwave Festival in Australia next month. For dates and more information on The Used, check out: http://www.TheUsed.net

Thursday 5th January 2012
Rising punk rock band The Menzingers create a rousing sound featuring crashing power chords, rock steady drumming and anthemic sing-along choruses alongside powerfully poetic everyman lyrics. The group is set to release their Epitaph Records debut album On The Impossible Past this February 20th. Fans are invited to pre-order the album by going to http://www.themenzingersstore.com

On The Impossible Past was recorded at Atlas Studios in Chicago with longtime collaborators Matt Allison (Alkaline Trio, The Lawrence Arms) and Justin Yates. While the record retains all the raucous spirit of the band's earlier efforts sonically, it's a monumental step forward. "I think that 'Gates' is one of the most mature songs on the album," guitarist/vocalist Tom May explains, referencing the tender rock song sung by Barnett that truly transcends genres. "I hope it surprises people because it's not a straight-forward punk song with gang vocals or anything like that but it still definitely sounds like us."

It’s undoubtedly been an exciting time for The Menzingers, touring with acts like Against Me! and The Gaslight Anthem as well as playing their own headlining shows to enthusiastic audiences and the band wouldn't change it for the world. "I get a lot of personal emails that say something to the effect of 'my girlfriend broke up with me or my dad died and I listen to your music and it makes me feel really good' and that validates what we're doing and the time and effort we put into the new album," May summarizes. "When people hear the songs from On The Impossible Past, I just hope people can relate to it and it makes them feel the way we do when we sing it."

Thursday 5th January 2012
SWOUND! will release debut full-length ‘Into The Sea’ on 5th March, 2011 through their own label The Grelmin Corporation. The album draws heavily on the Swound!’s love of 90s guitar bands such as Nirvana, Pixies, Weezer and Pavement. It was self-produced, then mixed by the legendary Chris Sheldon. The package will also contain an accompanying DVD which includes a feature length documentary of the recording process, entitled

‘Whatever Happened, Happened.’

Brothers Joe and Tom Staszkiewicz, originally from the Isle of Man formed a band at University. The band built up a strong local following but something wasn’t right. In 2007, Rowan and Lloyd Staszkiewicz joined the lineup. This made Nottingham based Swound! a four piece band of real brothers. Their first single together ‘What’s Your Poison?’ gave the band press and radio coverage and a session at Maida Vale Studios with Rob Da Bank. A few singles later and Swound! were invited to play Radio 1’s Big Weekend. They were the first unsigned band to contribute a track to USA’s crossover kid’s phenomenon ‘Yo Gabba Gabba!’ (and one of only two British bands ever).

The band then embarked on their most ambitious project to date: Challenge Swound!, in support of their single ‘Predator 3’ where the public were asked to challenge the brothers to do anything they could think of. They made the national press with features in The Guardian, Kerrang! and Rock Sound whilst the band worked through completing hundreds of challenges including ‘The Great Mosh Challenge’, ‘100 Meter World Record Challenge’ and ‘3 Man Skateboard’.

Explosive choruses, unique guest vocalists (including a dentist from Alabama who also starred in IMDB’s lowest rating film ever), themes of time travel and recurring references to the TV program ‘Lost’ make this album a vivacious and eclectic delight that you can’t help but find yourself singing along to.

Thursday 5th January 2012
"To our family, friends and fans: We have decided to continue on without Howard Jones as the singer of Killswitch Engage. We love Howard and are thankful for the nine years that we've had him in the band. Out of respect for everyone involved we will not be discussing the specific reasons behind this decision. Howard is a part of our family and always will be, and we wish him well. He has left big shoes to fill, so we certainly have our work cut out for us to find the next singer of Killswitch, something we plan on making priority #1 going forward. Most importantly, thanks to all of you for all the support throughout the years and for sticking by us for all this time. We really do appreciate it and we very much look forward to having a new record for all of you in the not too distant future that we can all be proud of. Sincerely, Adam, Joel, Mike & Justin."

Wednesday 4th January 2012
Columbus, OH’s Attack Attack! have announced their third album This Means Wars will be released January 16 2012 via Rise Records. Having sold over 200,000 records in the US alone and toured non-stop, including a spot as a main stage headliner on the Vans Warped Tour this year, Attack Attack! have become a force to be reckoned with.

The Means War is the bands heaviest and catchiest records to date. Building on the unique mix of metal and pop that catapulted them to the forefront of the scene. This Means War is a concept record, about war and the emotions that it has over those involved who are fighting against everything and everyone.

This Means War album tracklisting:

1. The Revolution
2. The Betrayal
3. The Hopeless
4. The Reality
5. The Abduction
6. The Motivation
7. The Wretched
8. The Family
9. The Confrontation
10.The Eradication

Attack Attack! will be over in Europe, March 2012 to support the new record

Saturday3-Mar-12 UK Bristol Cooler
Sunday 4-Mar-12 UK Leeds Cockpit
Monday 5-Mar-12 UK Glasgow Cathouse
Tuesday 6-Mar-12 UK Manchester Sound Control
Wednesday 7-Mar-12 UK London Underworld
Thursday 8-Mar-12 UK Tunbridge Wells Forum
Friday 9-Mar-12 The Netherlands Utretcht Tivoli de Helling
Saturday 10-Mar-12 Germany Cologne MTC
Sunday 11-Mar-12 Germany Hamburg Headcrash

Wednesday 4th January 2012
Having ended 2011 supporting Funeral for a Friend and The Subways; STRAIGHT LINES are now ready to welcome in 2012 with the release of their new single ‘Half Gone’ and a UK tour with southern rockers Canterbury. Straight Lines spent much of last year writing and recording their second full length record ‘Freaks Like Us’ which is set for release in April. ‘Half Gone’ is the first single to be taken from the album being released on 13th February through Xtra Mile Recordings (Frank Turner, Against Me!, Far…).

As with the band’s first album, ‘Freaks Like Us’ was recorded by the band’s bassist and producer Todd Campbell. The single is an infections nugget fraught with frustration and passion that bridges the gap between the band’s debut album and their new material. ‘Half Gone’ will also feature the B-sides ‘Watch It Blow Away' and 'Half Gone (acoustic)'.

Catch the band on tour in January and February with Canterbury at the following shows:

JANUARY
26th - Clwb Ifor Bach, CARDIFF
27th - Sin City, SWANSEA
28th - The Hydrant, BRIGHTON
29th - The Cavern, EXETER
31st - Joiners, SOUTHAMPTON

FEBRUARY<
1st - Central Station, WREXHAM
2nd - Slade Rooms, WOLVERHAMPTON
4th - Corporation, SHEFFIELD
5th - Cockpit, LEEDS
6th - ABC 2, GLASGOW
7th - Sound Control, MANCHESTER
9th - Kings College, LONDON

Wednesday 4th January 2012
Roadrunner Records is delighted to welcome multi-platinum rock band Shinedown to the family, for all territories excluding the USA (where they remain with Atlantic). In addition, Roadrunner and Shinedown are excited to announce the much anticipated release of their new album, titled “AMARYLLIS”. “AMARYLLIS” will arrive in stores and at all digital retailers on March 26, 2012.

The first chance for fans to hear the “AMARYLLIS” recordings will be the eagerly awaited new single, “Bully” – coming to radio soon! The track is Shinedown’s first new music since seeing all six singles from 2008’s “THE SOUND OF MADNESS” go to #1 on the US rock radio chart.

Shinedown frontman Brent Smith comments, “I’ve always seen Shinedown as its own entity – this living thing that’s been growing and developing and evolving over the past 10 years. During the recording, the vision of what Shinedown is and where it’s going became completely clear. ‘AMARYLLIS’ is the manifestation of that vision, the centerpiece of what Shinedown is. It reflects on everything we’ve done and where we’re heading. It’s a message of empowerment, perseverance, and inspiration that I think speaks to fans that have been with us since the beginning as well as those who are just learning about who we are and what we’re about. I can’t wait for the world to hear it.”

Recorded at Cavallo’s Lightning Sound studios outside of Los Angeles and a pair of Hollywood landmarks, Ocean Way Recording and Capitol Studios, “AMARYLLIS” sees Shinedown joining forces once more with multiple Grammy Award-winning producer Rob Cavallo (Kid Rock, Green Day), who previously collaborated with the band on 2008’s record-breaking “THE SOUND OF MADNESS.” That album proved Shinedown’s mainstream breakthrough, debuting at #8 on the Billboard 200 before spending 120 consecutive weeks on the chart.

Shinedown supported “THE SOUND OF MADNESS” with a wide range of live TV appearances, including performances on ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live!, NBC’s The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and The Today Show, CBS’ The Early Show, and the 2010 NHL Awards show. In 2009, the band received an American Music Award nomination for “Best Alternative Rock Band.”

The band return to the UK for a handful of headline dates in February, with Halestorm supporting. Shows are as follows:

Wed 8th Feb - LONDON Roundhouse
Thu 9th Feb - NOTTINGHAM Rock City
Fri 10th Feb - NEWCASTLE O2 Academy
Sun 12th Feb - BRISTOL O2 Academy
Mon 13th Feb - LEEDS O2 Academy
Tue 14th Feb - MANCHESTER Academy 1
Thu 16th Feb - GLASGOW O2 Academy
Fri 17th Feb - BIRMINGHAM HMV Institute

Wednesday 4th January 2012
Enter Shikari reveal a still from their forthcoming video for the track 'Arguing with Thermometers' taken from their third album 'A Flash Flood Of Colour'- released January 16th.

The video was filmed in New York's Bronx district on a rare day off during the band's six week North American tour. 'Arguing With Thermometers' will receive its debut radio airing this Thursday - 5th Jan - from Zane Lowe who stands in for Chris Moyles on BBC Radio One's Breakfast Show this week. Keep an eye out for the video going live soon!

Wednesday 4th January 2012
Having played over 100 gigs in 2011, The Minutes show no sign of slowing down in 2012, as they announce their first full UK tour in support of their debut album 'Marcata' and the new single 'Heartbreaker'.

'Heartbreaker' is 127 seconds of righteous fury that has already established itself as a firm favourite in their live set. Having thrilled audiences across Ireland, the UK and Europe – the Dublin band, possibly the hardest rockin' power trio currently extant in rock 'n' roll; will bring their adrenalin fuelled, ramped up, amped up show to the following cities:

February 23rd: The Prince Albert, Brighton
February 24th. The Thekla Top Deck, Bristol
February 25th. Rock City (club), Nottingham
February 26th Sound Control, Manchester
March 22nd King Tuts, Glasgow
March 23rd Electric Circus, Edinburgh
March 24th Cafe Drummonds, Aberdeen
March 27th Central Station, Wrexham on
March 28th Academy 3, Birmingham

March 30th, The Corner House, Cambridge.

The band will be playing the Eurosonic Festival in Holland in January, and will be over in the States for a run of shows at SXSW in March.

Their debut album 'Marcata' is released on Model Citizen Records through PIAS on January 30th on CD and download.

Wednesday 4th January 2012
The expression ‘an old soul in a young body’ has been attached to Anja Plaschg, aka Soap&Skin, more than once and as she releases her new mini-album, Narrow, entirely self-played and produced, she again sounds wise beyond her years. The teenage wunderkind whose 2009 debut album Lovetune for Vacuum charted across Europe attempted to look twice her age in the cover portrait, and if she didn’t quite pull it off she certainly made a convincing widow in weeds.

But since her initial success Plaschg has come to know real sadness, not just its verisimilitude. Her father died suddenly of a stroke in July 2009 and her response, the traumatic, cathartic wail ‘Vater’, is as openly emotional and intense as pop music gets, an outpouring of genuine pain in the face of death. The vocals are unsettling and eerie, while the piano-led arrangement, owing more to modern classical than run of the mill singer-songwriters, slips into appropriately dissonant and discomfiting areas. Though sung in German the emotions expressed are identifiably beyond language. Yet even this harrowing love song to a dead parent concludes with a moment of levity, a clipped note that echoes and mocks the ‘everlasting chord’ that concluded the Beatles’ ‘A Day In The Life’. It’s strangely intimate, like a little window into their relationship.

A touching and rigorously purified cover of "Voyage Voyage", a global Europop smash back in the eighties for the curiously named (and coiffed) chanteuse Desireless, follows. Soap&Skin takes what was once a melancholic example of French disko and turns it eastward, its wistfulness now turned into mittel-European gloom. Though it was a hit here untranslated, British audiences are largely unaware of just how familiar the song is in Europe, the stuff of drunken singalongs at chucking out time. Plaschg’s version makes Susanna and the Magic Orchestra’s stark reworkings of hard rock classics sound like hard rock, so bleak is it. It suits her.

‘Deathmental’, with its crashing programmed stabs and gothic lyrical imagery, offers a few minutes of genuine sonic violence. The deceptively slight lullaby "Cradlesong" might lure the listener in with its wonderfully lulling melody, yet its lyrics proffer a distressingly sleepless night. The first single ‘Wonder’ is an easier way into Plaschg’s world, a stark ballad carried by unearthly multi-tracked harmonies and a beautiful string arrangement. Next to it the gentle, brief ‘Lost’ suffers stoically while the stately, elegant ‘Boat Turns Toward The Port’, built round a loop of what sounds like an old typewriter (or perhaps a shop till), is over before a listener can decode it, otherworldly and tantalizingly out of reach. The orchestral force of the harried farewell aria ‘Big Hand Nails Down’, both intimate and expansive, cries out for a widescreen grand finale, a close-up twenty feet wide.

Still only twenty one, Plaschg still retains the fearlessness of youth, and if Narrow is more vulnerable than her debut then it’s proof that self-doubt comes with experience. The young Austrian remains a talent to be mentioned alongside Kate Bush and fellow farm girl Polly Jean Harvey.

Tracklisting:
1. Vater
2. Voyage Voyage
3. Deathmental
4. Cradlesong
5. Wonder
6. Lost
7. Boat Turns Toward The Port
8. Big Hand Nails Down

Tour dates now announced and on sale:
Feb 10 Vienna Arena (www.arena.co.at)
Feb 12 Berlin Volksbühne (www.volksbuehne-berlin.de)
Feb 15 Linz Posthof (www.posthof.at)
Feb 16 Graz Orpheum (www.spielstaetten.at)
Feb 19 Saint Malo La Route Du Rock Chapelle St.Sauveur (www.laroutedurock.com)
Feb 27 Munich Freiheiz (www.freiheiz.com)
Feb 28 Luxemburg Kulturfabrik (www.kulturfabrik.lu)
Apr 11 London Scala (www.scala-london.co.uk)
Apr 17 Paris Le Trabendo (www.trabendo.fr)
Apr 18 Brussels Ancienne Belgique (www.abconcerts.be)
Apr 20 Rotterdam Motel Mozaique Schouwburg (www.motelmozaique.nl)
Apr 21 Hamburg Kampnagel (www.kampnagel.de)
May 4 Dornbirn Spielboden (www.spielboden.at)

Tuesday 3rd January 2012
Buffalo’s magnificently brutal metallic punk ensemble Every Time I Die are set to unleash brand new album titled Ex Lives this March 6th 2012 via Epitaph Records. The new album was produced by renowned heavy rock producer Joe Baressi (The Melvins, Queens of the Stone Age, Parkway Drive) and offers an unrelenting onslaught of ingeniously composed and furiously executed cathartic hardcore.

This is the band’s highly anticipated follow up to 2009’s raging masterwork New Junk Aesthetic which Absolute Punk heralded as a musical “weapon of mass destruction” and Allmusic.com described as “the group further refining its signature approach with a new sonic clarity - energized and passionate, delivering its blend of old and new sounds with a directness that gives the ferocious music an unusually broad appeal.”

Every Time I Die’s new album Ex Lives is currently available for pre-order at: www.ex-lives.com.

You can now watch a video for the song “Underwater Bimbos From Outer Space” from the new album. The powerful clip was directed by the band’s vocalist and lyricist Keith Buckley and features a barrage of startling visceral images which perfectly match the raging brutality of the track. As Buckley explains, “In order to write lyrics I had to pay attention to the defeatism that the music suggested. To compile this video I had to acknowledge the masochism I wrote of to myself. You don’t get rewarded for your faith and you don’t get celebrated for your heroism. Just when you find yourself attached, you have lost it. Everything is borrowed. C'est la vie.”

To see the video for “Underwater Bimbos From Outer Space” just go to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1gi_aOe334

Ex-Lives Track Listing:

1 Underwater Bimbos From Outer Space 02:43
2 Holy Book Of Dilemma 01:49
3 A Wild, Shameless Plain 01:49
4 Typical Miracle 02:25
5 I Suck (Blood) 02:55
6 Partying Is Such Sweet Sorrow 03:12
7 The Low Road Has No Exits 02:51
8 Revival Mode 03:46
9 Drag King 04:11
10 Touch Yourself 02:17
11 Indian Giver 04:09
12 Grudge Music (bonus) 02:24
13 Business Casualty (bonus) 02:45
14 Starve An Artist, Cover Your Trash (bonus) 02:53

Catch Every Time You Die’s patented brand of rock and roll mayhem live when they take their beloved brand of punk infused metal mayhem on the road, joined by Los Angeles based hardcore stage diving aficionados Terror. ETID will follow the tour by spending their summer adding some of their patented punk infused metal to the annual Van’s Warped Tour in the USA. Expect UK and European dates soon!

Tuesday 3rd January 2012
British Metal heavyweights Beholder have announced The BLACK FLAG UK TOUR set for March showcasing an array of new material alongside tracks from Beholder’s previous 2 releases in a full length headline show. In true Beholder style this promises to be one of the most genuinely hard hitting underground tours for 2012.

Momentarily turning away from the industry standard practice of generic support slots the band will be looking to local supports and giving them the platform that is required within the UK Metal Scene– details are all to be found on our official sites but names thus far include WARLORD UK, ANIHILATED, SANITY BURNS, HAERKEN, UNDER BLACKENED SKIES and many more.

BLACK FLAG UK TOUR

Birmingham Roadhouse – Thurs 1st March
Mansfield Intake – Fri 2nd March
Nuneaton Queens Hall – Sat 3rd March
Stoke Green Star – Sun 4th March
Glasgow Ivory Blacks – Fri 9th March
Selby Riverside – Sat 10th March
Merseyside Revolver – Fri 16th March
Grimsby Yardbirds – Sat 17th March
Blackpool The Tache – Fri 30th March

Beholder will also be taking part in the Anti Discrimination March during the day.

Maidstone Pandemodium Club – Sat 7th April
Exeter Cavern – Sun 8th April
Bristol Fleece - Mon 9th April

Tuesday 3rd January 2012
Iron Maiden guitarist Adrian Smith and former SikTh front-man Mikee Goodman have joined forces for a brand new studio project called Primal Rock Rebellion.

The forthcoming album fuses together two very different approaches to music - Mikee's unique vocal tones and dark, yet colourful lyrics, and Adrian's instantly recognisable guitar melodies and song writing prowess. Adrian also plays bass throughout the album! All songs were co-written by Adrian and Mikee as individual pieces of work and recorded in creative windows of opportunity.

Adrian comments "It was interesting doing this album with Mikee not least because we have quite different influences. I was really pleased with the way it turned out. It has a really fresh feel to it."

Mikee explains "This album takes you on a really deep and colourful journey, lyrically and musically. Adrian and I were both very open to experimenting with each others' musical styles and influences, which we feel created something new and exciting.

Session musicians who also contributed to this forthcoming album include Abi Fry of Bat For Lashes, plus original SikTh member Dan 'Lord' Foord on drums, amongst others. The resulting album, is due for simultaneous worldwide release on Spinefarm Records on 27th February 2012.

To hear the track I SEE LIGHTS from the forthcoming album, go to their website http://www.primalrockrebellion.com where you can download it for free. Further announcements will be made soon.

Tuesday 3rd January 2012
Dead Wolf Club specialise in loudness, quietness, darkness and light.

These 4 sonic teenage tykes met on a plane heading for Paris and hail from Tintagel home of King Arthur and Merlin. Their songs deal with the inner struggle and turmoil of mortality and the fire we need to keep burning in order to survive, mainly through the clashing of a broken down relationship with a cherry 2000 and probing into the schizophrenic mind of Philip K Dick.

Building themselves a reputation as a vitriolic live band, from the debris of smashed guitars Dead Wolf Club rise to present their debut album.

The band draws their bulk of influences from knitting, tea, comics, cardigans, Nintendo consoles and the crumbling city that is London.

The album encapsulates the two years John, Alwin and Martha have known each other and their joint love of pop melodies alongside loud guitars colliding against a punk ethos. Martha, John and Alwin encapsulate, on their record, a perfect pop dynamic that works aggressively against a backdrop of frantic guitars, delay pedals and often delicate yet intricate drumming.

In a time when style and posturing seems more important than the actual art of songwriting, Dead Wolf Club are somewhat attempting to break that trend. We’re not sure why they’re so angry mind. A lot of that anger points to a dissatisfaction with the an ever disillusioned London, with News at Ten & Not What it Seems somewhat if not wholly influenced by loneliness, longing for goodness and the unfairness and economic struggle that encompasses the western world currently.

Despite their angst, they switch between dark and light at ease and don’t allow themselves to get pigeonholed with one sound. And maybe to t heir detriment, Dead Wolf Club will not pander their sound to anyone or any trend.

There main wish for their music to align the planets so that there is World Peace and Order forever.

Catch them at these venues on their debut album tour-

February 2012
1st Lincolnshire Horncastle Old Nicks Tavern
2nd Leicester Lock 42
3rd Doncaster Social Bar
4th Inverness Ironworks
5th Leeds Brudenell Social Club
6th Coventry Kasbah
7th Manchester Night and Day
8th Bristol Louisanna
9th London Gallery
11th Southampton Joiners Arms
12th Scotland Kilmarnock Festival

Wednesday 21st December 2011
BLEEDING THROUGH is back with their 6th full length entitled "THE GREAT FIRE" which hits stores January 30th. Already at legacy status years ago, Bleeding Through continues where they've always been: fast and heavy. Their no bullsh*t approach has always been appreciated by fans and critics. Never succumbing to trends or gimmicks, Bleeding Through will always be true to the underground metal scene.

Listen to "Faith in Fire" here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5LoxCwXMqqE .

Track list:
1. The March
2. Faith In Fire
3. Goodbye To Death
4. Final Hours
5. Starving Vultures
6. Everything You love Is Gone
7. Walking Dead
8. The Devil And Self Doubt
9. Step Back In Line
10. Trail of Seclusion
11. Deaf Ears
12. One By One
13. Entrenched
14. Back To Life

Wednesday 21st December 2011
Nottingham's Hit The Deck Festival is back, returning for a second year following the success of last year's event, which saw the likes of Underoath, The Blackout, Young Guns, Cancer Bats and and many more grace Nottingham's best venues for a day packed full of high quality rock, hardcore, punk and metal

Hit The Deck 2012 takes place on April 22nd 2012 at Nottingham's Rock City, Rescue Rooms, The Forum and Stealth venues.

Speaking of this years event, promoter Amy Biggin, says. "We’re really excited to be announcing the first wave of bands for Hit The Deck 2012. As well as the bands we’re also really excited about bringing on board a new venue The Forum, so we now have a six stages across four venues. Hit The Deck is getting BIGGER!"

Confirmed to appear at Hit The Deck 2012 so far, are: Kids In Glass Houses, Deaf Havana, The Wonder Years, Of Mice & Men, We Are The In Crowd, The Swellers, Every Avenue, Shadows Chasing Ghosts, Wolves Like Us, Yashin Silent Screams, Imperial Leisure, Blackstorm, Juinius and many more to be announced in the coming weeks.

Speaking of his bands headlining slot of Hit The Deck, Kids In Glass Houses frontman, Aled Phillips, says, "We're stoked to be headlining Hit The Deck, it will probably be our first festival of 2012 so we'll be ready to smash it. We heard great things about this years festival and know next year will top it!"

Tuesday 20th December 2011
In 2009, Miike Snow released their self-titled debut album much to the acclaim of critics and fans around the world and went on to perform at sold-out shows and festivals across the world. Miike Snow's 'Animal' found it's way into movies, commercials, dance floors and hearts, to became the ode of a generation. On March 26th 2012, Miike Snow are set to release one of the most highly anticipated follow ups, Happy To You on Columbia Records.

On their sophomore effort, Andrew Wyatt, Christian Karlsson and Pontus Winnberg draw from some of the most influential moments in pop, rock and electronic music to create a sonically grandiose and haunting sound, an opus extending into the deep, dark and magical crevices of a wild imagination. Alongside all the fine-tuning and familiar sounds, Miike Snow's new album also features full orchestras, brass sections and marching bands.

On making the new record and the evolution of Miike Snow's sound, Pontus Winnberg states, "Before this album, we were an idea. This time we were a band. And this time, we had paid our dues – we’d toured in 27 countries for 18 months. When we came in to make "Happy To You", we came in as a unit, and emotionally for us that makes a huge difference. And hopefully you can hear it."

Recorded in various studios throughout Sweden and self-produced by the band, Miike Snow's follow up is a complete and cohesive response to their widely well-received debut album. Swedish artist and director Andreas Nilsson has signed on for the campaign to visually bring the idea of what the Jackalope represents and Miike Snow's vision for the future to fruition. The first preview track, 'Devil's Work', from Happy To You, finds the band weaving their signature balladry with anthemic dance rhythms and triumphant horns and snares.