June 21st see’s GRAND MAGUS release their new album Hammer of the North and we could not be more excited- especially when we sit and watch the new video for the title track from the album, which we present to you now!

If you like your metal heavy, groove laden and a little bit mythical then this bad-boy is for you!!

Click on the player below to view the video NOW! And if you want to pre-order the album, you can do so HERE.

DELAIN are set to release their debut album Lucidity’ here in the UK on July 26th. This follows the UK release of their current album April Rain which was released back in February of this year (click HERE to buy online).

The tracklisting for the release is as follows:

1.Sever
2.Frozen
3.Silhouette Of A Dancer
4.No Compliance
5.See Me In Shadow
6.Shattered
7.The Gathering
8.Daylight Lucidity
9.Sleepwalkers Dream
10.Day For Ghosts>br> 11.Pristine

You can pre-order this online now HERE.

Delain will be back in the UK this coming August to play Sonisphere Festival.

Yesterday we brought you the news that Ronnie James Dio- metal legend and vocalist with Heaven & Hell– had passed away May 16th after losing his battle with cancer. It was devastating news to all who knew him and tinged the hearts of metal fans worldwide with sadness.

This morning we received the following tribute to Ronnie from the man who signed Heaven & Hell to Roadrunner Records, Derek Oliver. His words will ring true with all who knew him and/or admired him…

“THE TRAGIC news of the passing of Ronnie James Dio has come as a terrible shock to many of us. Ronnie’s presence, since the early 70s, on the international rock scene has become iconic– no matter who else failed us Ronnie was always there, singing better, looking better, working harder and continually building his reputation as one of the most respected men in rock. So, it does come as a seismic shock to realise that he is no longer with us – the flame of his experience and deep integrity has left us, just at a time when he was experiencing yet another career highlight with the mighty Heaven & Hell.

Sure, there are louder, perhaps more flamboyant frontmen in this business but Ronnie’s ambitions were always solely focussed on that voice. Look at photos of him in Elf (his pre Rainbow band) and recent Heaven & Hell pictures, and you’ll see a man who cared not one jot for the glamour and glitter of a preening vocalist. For Ronnie it was all about the music and his own personal beliefs. He wouldn’t do anything that he wasn’t 100% satisfied was the right thing to do, and to hell with the consequences.

I met Ronnie several times over the years, backstage here, backstage there, in passing at various functions and at times of great turmoil but one thing is for sure, he never walked past without a greeting or a friendly shake of hands. My wife once met up with him about a painting she was preparing for his Hear N’ Aid project and before talking he insisted on looking for and carrying a chair from another room for her to sit on. It may sound simplified but Ronnie’s caring and compassion for his fellow man was always at the forefront of his modus operandi and that I believe is why he connected with so many rock fans – even fans who may never have had the opportunity to actually meet him in such a personal way.

Ronnie’s voice was a testament to both his passion and power. Although he had been singing since the early sixties it wasn’t until his tenure with Elf and his subsequent liaison with Ritchie Blackmore and Rainbow that his true importance was fully realised. Indeed, 1976’s triumphant ‘Rainbow Rising’ album accelerated him into the upper echelons of rock vocalists, bringing together a career defining sound that literally stopped rock fans in their tracks. The Black Sabbath ‘Heaven & Hell’ album, issued in 1980, became yet another highlight of his career and so was his first solo album, ‘Holy Diver’ released in 1983. That’s three of the world’s most influential hard rock albums, all recorded within the space of just eight years. I believe – in fact I know – that Ronnie never once rested on his laurels during his entire career, always pushing forward to the next level of achievement, breaking down boundaries and making music that is still fresh and crucial.

It was with great pride that I, together with the rest of the Roadrunner team, worked with Ronnie and the other members of Heaven & Hell, releasing ‘The Devil You Know’ album. As a label we were all extremely motivated by not only the band’s music but also by their professionalism – especially Ronnie’s, his positive attitude, enthusiasm and drive was a key ingredient to the project’s existence and subsequent success. Having caught the band’s debut live gig at Radio City Music Hall in New York City back in 2007 it was clear that Ronnie and the rest of the band were not relying on past glory, preferring to forge new paths to musical posterity. It was Ronnie, in particular, who seemed totally reignited by this reconvening of familiar faces, singing with a magnificence that was truly inspiring. He looked great too – much had been written about his advancing years but the man I saw on stage that night could have run rings around the current crop of upstarts and yet his aura of stateliness remained fully intact. And what a voice he still had; determined, forceful and totally faultless.

Prior to Roadrunner actually signing the band and after witnessing them in concert at a series of live shows, one of the management team called me in to their office and let me hear the album in its entirety. It was a moment of crystal clarity. This wasn’t music created by old timers but by experienced men who were out to prove that they could create new music to not only shake foundations but also to build a fresh path to something indelibly impressive. When the track ‘Bible Black’ came into view, from its fairy tale opening (classic Dio in the grand tradition) and onto the elephantine riff, it was clear that this record would satisfy on every level. Another milestone for Ronnie and confirmation that his voice would continue to exert a massive influence on the hard rock scene. His voice was as good as, if not better than, earlier career highlights.

Ronnie was a real gentleman, in the truest sense of the word, a man with an instantly identifiable voice who could move mountains and sooth hearts all in the same breath. He will be sadly missed by not only those of us who were lucky enough to come into contact with him but by all those who marvel at his vocal ability. Myself and all the staff at Roadrunner Records extend our deepest sympathies to his devoted wife Wendy, their family and friends. Ronnie James Dio – a pure voice with a pure heart.

Derek Oliver,
For, and on behalf of, Roadrunner Records”

It is with a heavy heart that we here at Roadrunner UK post the news that yesterday (May 16th) at 7.45am, HEAVEN & HELL vocalist Ronnie James Dio passed away after losing his battle with cancer. Having worked with Dio during the promotion of ‘The Devil You Know’, we came to know Ronnie as not only the heavy metal legend, but also as a warm hearted, genuine, fun person and we are deeply, deeply saddened to hear of his passing. We send our deepest sympathies to his family, band-mates and friends and especially to Wendy Dio.

It was Wendy who yesterday broke the news of Ronnie’s passing, posting the following statement on the Official Dio Website:

“Today my heart is broken, Ronnie passed away at 7:45am 16th May. Many, many friends and family were able to say their private good-byes before he peacefully passed away. Ronnie knew how much he was loved by all. We so appreciate the love and support that you have all given us. Please give us a few days of privacy to deal with this terrible loss. Please know he loved you all and his music will live on forever”.

Today, band-mate and guitarist Tony Iommi posted a statement on his website voicing his “total shock” at Ronnie’s passing:

“I just can’t believe he’s gone. Ronnie was one of the nicest people you could ever meet, we had some fantastic times together. Ronnie loved what he did, making music and performing on stage. He loved his fans so much. He was a kind man and would put himself out to help others. I can honestly say it’s truly been an honor to play at his side for all these years, his music will live on forever.” (

Ronnie’s musical legacy obviously encompasses not only his work with Heaven & Hell, but also Elf, Rainbow, Black Sabbath and his own band Dio. His career includes three truly classic Metal albums – Rainbow ‘Rising’, Black Sabbath ‘Heaven And Hell’ and Dio ‘Holy Diver’. As well as being heralded as one of (if not the) most powerful voice in heavy metal, he is also widely credited with originating the ‘devil horns’ hand gesture many of us hold aloft at the gigs we attend.

It was late last year, shortly after we last saw Ronnie at Sonisphere, that Wendy informed us and his fans that Dio had been diagnosed with stomach cancer. We all looked to the future and Ronnie making a full recovery and heading back to the UK for High Voltage. None of us believed that someone so full of life and passion could be struck down so cruelly. It’s a devastating loss.

Goodnight Ronnie James Dio. Rest In Peace.
July 10, 1942 – May 16, 2010.

Yesterday also saw the death of another heavy metal legend- Debbie Abono, who lost her battle with cancer. She was 80 years old. Debbie was not someone in the limelight and may not be known to many, but she was the managerial and promotional powerhouse behind such bands as Possessed, Exodus, Vio-Lence and Skinlab and one of the first female heavy metal managers. She was very highly regarded in the heavy metal community and very close to many in the Bay Area scene. Our sincere condolences go out to her family and all who knew her.

Not only is BLEEDING THROUGH’S Marta Peterson one of the few women we have on the label, she is also one of the few keyboard players we have too, so when she was in London with the band supporting Machine Head on their last UK headline tour, we sat down to chat to Marta about how she came to play keys and end up in one of the most brutal metal bands, and what it’s like being a gal in a male dominated genre…

Roadrunner UK: How old were you when you first got into music and playing keyboard?
Marta Peterson: My first experience with playing anything happened when I was 4. My parents had bought an old upright piano and had put my 8 year old sister in piano lessons. I’d go along to drop her off at the lessons and I guess at one point I asked my mom if I could take lessons too, so then they’d just drop us both off. My sister stopped taking lessons but I continued to like it. I played on that piano for years and years- until I was a teenager. I’d always wanted to do it, it was always my decision – I was never forced to take lessons. I wanted it!

RR UK: Who were your main influences when you were learning?
MP: For a long time I listened to whatever my older sister listened to- Nirvana, Metallica, The Misfits. But I never really related what I played with that music until later. I played regular piano lesson music and classical music. When I got to high school I started playing with the jazz band and I’d fill in playing for the choir; that’s when I started to play more current music.

RR UK: How did you progress from piano lessons onwards?
MP: In high school I played with the jazz band, dixie band, choir, anything that required playing the piano and singing. But I never really thought of playing in a [rock] band. There weren’t people in my town playing metal so much – it’s a small town!

RR UK: When did you realise you could marry piano playing with the rock music you listened to?
MP: Honestly, Bleeding Through was a big influence in that. I bought Portrait of a Goddess (BT’s second album, released in 2002) and thought “This is awesome, I love this music, there’s a fucking keyboard in there!” Genuine story, that’s when I realised that was what I wanted to do. I wanted to play keyboard in that band!

RR UK: Which metal bands featuring keyboard players really stand out for you?
MP: Dimmu Borgir. That guy’s a mad genius, he’s obviously brilliant. And Cradle of Filth as well. They’re keyboard-driven and I remember being heavily influenced by them when I was a teenager. Even outside of metal, bands like Muse, or even Elton John, is cool to me.

RR UK: What’s your practice regime?
MP: I don’t practise as much as I should because I don’t have a teacher to answer to! I don’t really practise on tour because we’re playing every night- there’s not even enough time to forget what you’re doing. I still play when I’m at home. I have a keyboard that’s more like a piano at home. I get all my classical books out and see if my fingers are still agile enough! I still get absorbed in those long classical pieces.

RR UK: How many keyboards do you own? What have you got?
MP: I have a Korg Triton Extreme- that’s the one I usually take out on tour. I have a really beat-up Triton Studio. I flew over to Europe a few times with that before I realised that keyboards get totally thrashed when you travel with them! And I have one at home that’s not mine – it’s my boyfriend’s – it’s like a piano / keyboard thing.

RR UK: You mentioned the piano from when you were a kid, but what was the first piano you got that was truly yours?
MP: Well, when I was in high school, my parents gave me an option – it seemed like an option although I’m sure my mom used her persuasive powers- they offered me a car or a baby grand piano. I was happy driving some crappy car already, so at my parents’ there’s a Kawai baby grand, and I still go home and play that. Even though it’s not at my place I still feel like that’s mine. When I grew up it was like “Do your homework, or play the piano,” so I would just play. I was pretty good at getting my homework done anyway! My parents have always loved that I play music. I’m the only one in my family that plays anything and they’ve always been incredibly supportive. Even when I quit college to join a metal band, they were like “That’s great! Go for it!”

RR UK: What’s it like being a woman in metal – a really male-orientated genre of music?
I suppose it’s natural that it’s mostly male-dominated. Women have a tendency to not like things that are so aggressive – we’re more motherly and sensitive. That’s not to say that we can’t be aggressive or brutal or whatever, but I think it’s fairly natural that there are less women that listen to metal. It’s never going to be an equal balance. I don’t have some ridiculous fantasy that it’s going to even out one day! I don’t think I should have to prove myself, I’m here because I like it, not because I think it’s cool or that I’m a rarity. I think people can assume whatever they want to assume, but come see us play – I’m there for the right reasons, I want to be there, I love what I do and I would still like it if I was a boy or a girl. There’s very few people who have had issue with me being a female [in metal] – more often than not it’s someone working at a club, security or something, who assume that I’m not what I am, that I’m a girlfriend or a wife or a groupie. That’s when I get frustrated, when people assume. It’s fun to see the look on their face when they see me go on-stage!

Bleeding Through’s current album Bleeding Through is in stores now. You can pick it up online HERE.

On May 7th, DOMMIN played Irving Plaza in New York City and photographer Lilly Ryden got some great shots of their performance for us.

You can see them over at the bands Artist page– just click on the image below!

Dommin will be back in the UK for this years Download Festival. Catch the band on the Sunday at the festival, where they will showcase tracks from d

KO퐌¿N have revealed the artwork for their forthcoming album ‘Korn III – Remember Who You Are’, which will be released in the UK on July 12th.

Korn are hailing the forthcoming album as a return to their roots. Jonathan Davis explains:

“This album is a reflection of us being a band since 1993. We worked hard on the previous records, and we experimented a lot. For Remember Who You Are, the four of us got together in a small room with the intention of writing an old school Korn record. This album is a perfect mixture of everything we’ve done, and this version of the band is the best ever.”

You can pre-order the album online now at this location HERE. Click the player below to hear first single Oildale (Leave Me Alone) which will be available as a digital single from JULY 4th.

MADINA LAKE have sandwiched some intimate headline shows between their forthcoming festival dates this coming August!

Following on from their mammoth sell out tour of the UK last month, this will be an opportunity for fans to

June 21st will see legends LYNYRD SKYNYRD release their live CD and DVD ‘Live From Freedom Hall’ and so to give you a taste of what it to come from this live treat, here we bring you their performance of “Gimme Three Steps” taken straight from the upcoming DVD.

The magical performance features the band’s last stand with late keyboardist Billy Powell and late bassist Ean Evans. Stay tuned for more from these cultural icons and Rock & Roll Hall of Famers coming soon.

Current album GOD AND GUNS is in stores now and can be picked up online HERE.

KIDS IN GLASS HOUSES have revealed the video for forthcoming single Undercover Lover (feat. Frankie Sandford) exclusively over at The Sun Online!!!

Point your mouse in THIS DIRECTION to get your first look at Aled and Frankie performing the track together!!

The single will be available digitally from June 13th on all the usual platforms. Album DIRT is available now- Click here to buy online