Packed with exclusive content the highlight for fans of frontman Dani Filth and his crew is a free download of new track Lilith Immaculate – almost two months before its official release.

Darkly, Darkly, Venus Aversa is the band’s ninth studio album and in the words of Cradle’s infamous frontman Dani it is: “Without doubt the fastest and most brutal album we’ve created to date. As an acquaintance of the band so aptly noted, this is like ‘Iron Maiden on crack in a graveyard of angels!

“This album is Cradle at our most sinister and darkened fairytale. It’s a gothic horror themed slay-ride of fervour and perversion. Yet amidst the orchestral melodrama and lush, cinematic production, there sits stalwart a ravening beast of furious riffing, flesh ripping vocals and monstrous, unstoppable percussion.”

Darkly, Darkly Venus Aversa is released on November 1 and fans can download their free track by going to www.peaceville.com/cradleoffilth and heading to the new mini site.

Click on the Self Made Man page link above to read why there’s no copy of Maiden’s new number one album on his iPod – but you might find the odd bit of Saxon and a touch of Leppard.

With a Top 20 UK and Top 40 US solo album under his belt and the debut record from supergroup Black Country Communion due later this month the New Yorker has never been busier.

But Bonamassa, who has released 10 records in 10 years, insists the well is not about to run dry and fans can expect a deluge of new material next year. “I take very few days off,” he joked when rushonrock sought to uncover the secret of the axe hero’s ability to combine quantity with quality.

“Between October and mid-December I’m on the road promoting the Black Rock record and then I’ll have three and a half weeks at home chilling out and spending time with friends and family. That’s enough of a holiday for me.

“In January we’ll finish off the next solo record which we started working on last month.

“And after that it may well be that I go back into the studio with the Black Country guys. The music’s been well received so far and we can’t ignore that.

“I’m busy but it’s fun. It’s all about surprising my fans and not getting stale. Whenever we come out with something we want the fans to be excited!”

Look out for a full interview with Bonamassa here soon and don’t forget to catch him on the road in the UK throughout October.

Well now we’ve decided to celebrate one of the tunes of the year by delivering the video clip for the standout song on concept album Warp Riders. Expect a full review next week as we pit The Sword against Iron Maiden in a good old fashioned riff-off but don’t forget the whole of Warp Riders is streaming now at: www.myspace.com/thesword

It owes more than a little to Queensryche’s career defining concept classic Operation: Mindcrime and guitarist/lead vocalist J.D. Cronise admits as much when he explains the lineage of his latest brainchild.

“I’m pretty sure the first concept album I ever heard was Operation: Mindcrime by Queensrÿche when I was a kid, which I was way into,” he said.

“Even though I never really understood the whole story, I was nonetheless enthralled by how the album created its own world. I wanted to create a setting for our songs that would be unique and different, but still a place where epic sagas unfold in proper Sword fashion.”

He added that inspiration took hold from: “Lots of things … the legend of Atlantis, old Heavy Metal magazines, the films of René Laloux, a childhood dream, and The Teachings of Don Juan by Carlos Castaneda to name a few.” Heavy stuff – literally!

Enjoy this video and enjoy Warp Riders – that’s an order.

Tres Brujas

The Sword | MySpace Music Videos

Stadium rock giants Linkin Park are heading to the North East later this year on the back of brand new album A Thousand Suns.

The US band has sold more than 50 million records worldwide and won two Grammys since bursting onto the nu-metal scene with debut album Hybrid Theory a decade ago.

And after announcing four UK arena dates earlier this year Linkin Park have now confirmed they will play Newcastle’s Metro Radio Arena on Friday November 5.

“It’s safe to say fans can expect fireworks from one of the hottest bands on the planet,” said a spokesman for the band.

November will be the first time in three years that Linkin Park have toured the UK and A Thousand Suns, due for release next month, is tipped to go straight to number one.

Each of the band’s previous two albums have topped the album charts on both sides of the Atlantic with 2007’s Minutes To Midnight also hitting the number one spot in Germany, Japan and Australia.

Having honed their nu-metal sound to appeal to rock audiences the world over, the Californians have become famous for pushing the boundaries musically – famously collaborating with Jay-Z on the Collision Course record.

Last year saw the band team up with renowned composer Hans Zimmer to pen the soundtrack for the film Transformers: Revenge Of The Fallen.

And earlier this year Linkin Park released a new song, Not Alone, for the Haiti Earthquake Appeal. Renowned for their charity work the band has supported victims of Hurricane Katrina and the Indian Ocean tsunami in the past.

According to the band A Thousand Suns will be another ‘genre-busting’ release and the new album will be based around a concept first conceived by a friend in 2008.

Linkin Park’s latest world tour will kick off in the Argentine capital, Buenos Aires, on October 7 and heads to the UK the following month.

Originally limited to four dates – in Manchester, Birmingham and London – the British leg of the A Thousand Suns trek has been extended to take in Newcastle due to phenomenal demand for one of the hottest shows in town.

And Linkin Park are the third US stadium band this year to add Tyneside to their touring itinerary after Kiss and 30 Seconds To Mars both announced they would play the Arena weeks after the original tour dates had been released.

Tickets go on sale 9am Friday 20th August priced at £40.00 adv (+ 50p charity donation) subject to booking fee and are available from www.livenation.co.uk

Our sneak preview copy of Zodiac Mindwarp’s first new studio album for five years has been enjoying constant rotation ahead of its September release.

And the original Tattooed Beat Messiah looks like he’s warming up nicely for back-to-back supports with old buddy Alice Cooper around Halloween. New album We Are Volsung is typical Zodiac and we’re glad to report he hasn’t left his Love Reaction behind. This bunch of sleazy, sassy retro rock renegades should be welcomed back with open arms and we’re hoping the Alice shows are simply the start of a period of heavy touring in 2010/11.

Look out for a full review of the new record next month and stay posted for an exclusive interview right here very soon.

Following Fables’ shock split earlier this year, the Newcastle-based guitarist has been writing songs with artists the world over.

And now Twiggy (pictured back, middle) is hooking up with famed hitmaker Holly Knight within spitting distance of the notorious Sunset Strip. “It’s a very exciting time for me and I’ll have more to say soon,” said the Geordie star, who jetted off to the US earlier today.

“I’ve been working with Holly for a while now and I can’t wait to see where this goes.”

Knight wrote The Best – the song made famous by Tina Turner – and has penned hits for Heart, Meat Loaf, Kiss and Pat Benatar among others.

Fables Last Stand called time on their career earlier this year when Twiggy and frontman Richard McMahon signed off with an exclusive acoustic performance opening up for the Quireboys.

McMahon has been holed up on the studio penning tunes for his solo debut The Illustrated Man – due in 2011 – while drummer Phil The Beat has taken up a full-time seat with The Karma Heart, formerly known as Remedy.

Look out for a full interview with Twiggy here soon when we’ll hear all about his LA adventure and his big plans for the future!

The one-off London o2 Arena event is gathering pace with new Roadrunner signings Revoker another of the new names added to a bill featuring Korn, Skindred and the man himself, Ozzy Osbourne.

Headlining Ozzfest’s second stage will be northern gloom kings Paradise Lost and frontman Nick Holmes said: ”It’s a great privilege to play at Ozzfest in our home country. We were lucky enough to tour South America with Ozzy in the 90s. It was an amazing experience although I contracted salmonella poisoning from undercooked Fajitas and nearly died. Hopefully we will have more luck this time!”

Jamie Mathias, lead vocalist/guitarist with Revoker, added: “It feels amazing to be able to play this year’s Ozzfest and be part of such a great line-up. Everything this year is going so great for the band and this is the perfect opportunity to show the UK what we’re made of.

“We’re currently in the studio recording our debut album so it’ll be good to get out there and play some of the tracks which will rip your heads off. Don’t miss this years Ozzfest!”

Pete Spiby from the Black Spiders is just as stokes to be hitting the os after supporting Ozzy at his London Roundhouse show earlier this year. ’1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7…..it’s awesome to be asked to play at Ozzfest, an honour in fact,” he said.

“We’re still getting over how awesome it was to be chosen by Ozzy, to support him at the Roundhouse. He was on top form, incredibly friendly, funny as f@*k and really encouraging.

“He gave us some great advice and then showed us how it was done. It was an amazing show, he’s still the best. This is gonna be one of the very best shows, certainly something for everyone to remember. Heavy Metal is still top of the class!!’

Jettblack drummer matt Oliver added: “We’re thoroughly excited to be added to the Ozzfest bill. It’s an honour to play alongside the Prince of Darkness and we’re looking forward to adding our own shade of black to an epic line-up!”

After a day of music and mayhem, the truly dedicated are welcome to join the official aftershow celebrations. The Metal Hammer Ozzfest Meltdown will take place at the Indigo2, from 10.30pm-2am. DJs from Metal Hammer will be blasting out hard rocking anthems to keep the post-fest party going, with karaoke for the budding performers amongst the crowd.

What’s more, the party doesn’t have to end at the o2! There will be free Thames Clipper boats sailing to central London from the o2 for all those who attend the aftershow with full bar and more loud rock being pumped out until they dock in central London. Tickets are available now from http://www.kililive.com, 0844 871 8803 and usual outlets.

The 2010 package will be the first UK Ozzfest show in over five years and is also the first time the O2 features a general admission format on the lower bowl; GA ticket holders will be able to choose between watching the show from seats, or the specially enlarged standing area. Top level tickets will also be available offering the usual seating.

OZZFEST UK 2010

OZZY OSBOURNE

KORN – MURDERDOLLS – STEEL PANTHER – SKINDRED -

PARADISE LOST – JETTBLACK – BLACK SPIDERS – REVOKER

18.09.2010             OZZFEST 2010        O2 Arena      Greenwich, London

Tickets are available from 0871 230 5595, www.kililive.com and usual outlets.

The death metal legend has been hospitalised and it looks like the band won’t be back on stage until late 2010 or early 2011.

“I’d like to announce that Behemoth won’t be able to tour for the foreseeable future,” said Nergal.

“I don’t wanna bore you with details here, but I’m sick and am receiving some serious medical treatment.

“It’s gonna take another few weeks or more for full recovery, and so we have been forced to cancel all the Behemoth shows in August, planned dates in Russia and Baltic States for September and October and our American tour in November.

“I know how much it sucks but health comes first. I can assure all of you that when we return I’ll be stronger than death and we’ll reschedule every tour as soon as logistics allow.

“I feel good and strong and my mind is focused. I’ve got my loving woman by my side, my band mates, friends (never thought there are so many, haha), management, agents and label people are giving me massive support.

“I can’t ask for more but a little patience now. The fact that we won’t be touring for the next few months doesn’t mean we’ll hibernate. Behemoth will be active on several other levels. In upcoming days you can expect the premiere of our newest video, Alas, Lord Is Upon Me which is by far the sickest fuckin’ thing we’ve ever done!

“The Evangelia Heretika DVD is coming out as scheduled in November this year. Also, check out our Webstore that opens for international markets in upcoming weeks. This is it for now. Stay tuned!”

And we’re pretty sure Anywhere But Here will maintain an upward curve which has seen the Give It A Name tour favourites win an army of frenzied fans on this side of The Pond.

Singer Derek Sanders said: “We really just wanted to follow our own path on this record and not worry about if we fit in anywhere. The songs are much more structured than we’ve done in the past.”

2007 saw the release of debut album A Lesson In Romantics – which set the tone for Mayday Parade’s bouncy pop-punk sound and went on to sell more than 100,000 copies in the US alone.

The band released their largely autobiographical second studio album Anywhere But Here in the US a year later. Produced by the acclaimed David Bendeth (Paramore, The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, Underoath), the album debuted at number 31 on the Billboard Top 200 and enjoyed huge support from US radio.

Mayday Parade first graced the UK in 2008, playing on the Give It A Name festival alongside the likes of Paramore and All Time Low. In April 2010, the band returned to the UK in support of Madina Lake on their nationwide tour.

Anywhere But Here is released on September 27 with the lead single of the same name released a week earlier. The band play the following UK dates with The Maine:

Birmingham Academy 2 – Thu 30 Sep

Cardiff Clwb Ifor Bach – Fri 1 Oct

Nottingham Rescue Rooms – Sat 2 Oct

Newcastle Academy 2 – Sun 3 Oct

Glasgow Garage – Mon 4 Oct

Leeds Cockpit – Tues 5 Oct

Manchester Academy 3 – Wed 6 Oct

London Islington Academy – Fri Oct 8

Yeovil Orange Box – Sat 9 Oct

Brighton Audio – Sun 10 Oct