MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL OF OUR READERS!

Hopefully by the time you’re reading this you’ve already unwrapped your Watain box set, salivated over your Europe Blu-Ray, thanked the rellies for those Download tickets and cranked Ghost up to 10!

We hope you got exactly what you wanted in terms of bona fide rock and metal treats and that you can find time to have a blast on Rocksmith in between the turkey, festive films and snoring uncles.

Christmas is a time for giving and we’re pretty much convinced that the rock and metal world has given its all in 2013 – with what looked like being a quiet year delivering some stunning debut albums, incredible live events from arena veterans and even a new Sabbath album.

All this week we’ll be looking back on the very best of 2013 with the annual RUSHONROCK ROLL OF HONOUR. So look out for your fave DVDs, reissues, gigs and albums of the year – it all kicks off on Friday with our Critics’ Picks.

All the best – Simon (editor, RUSHONROCK).