This week saw MEGADETH finish off a SOLD OUT UK tour, and what a tour it was. If you caught one of the shows, you will know what metalic delights Dave Mustaine and crew served up to the adoring crowds. With a set list that included classics such as ‘Wake Up Dead’, ‘Hangar 18’, ‘Peace Sells’ and ‘Holy Wars’ as well as tracks off their latest and critically acclaimed offering ‘United Abominations’ (in stores now!) it was never going to be anything short of killer, but add on to that spellbinding performances from the band and you have shows that were nothing short of some of the most memorable the band have ever put on in their history. Don’r believe us? Check out some of the reviews that have started to come in…

“Megadeth circa 2008 remains a force to be reckoned with…The band, complete with Shawn Drover on drums, bassist James Lomenzo and this year’s new recruit, Chris Broderick, on lead guitar, sound almost as fresh as they did over 20 years ago, when they were justifiably lauded as one of thrash metal’s ‘big four'” MANCHESTER EVENING NEWS

Our boys from Massachusetts SHADOWS FALL have recently launched a new UK & Europe online merch store. Which is nice! Always cool to have somewhere to go to pick up a shirt- we all know that sinking feeling when you plod up the merch desk at a show only to realise you only have enough cashola on you for a shirt OR beer!

You can check out what the guys have on offer HERE

And if that’s not enough, they also invite you to comment on their MySpace bulletin should you have seen any merch anywhere that doesn’t seem to be available on there and they will look into adding it to the selection available. Top dollar. Head to THE BULLETIN if you have a suggestion.

Shadows Fall’s current album THREADS OF LIFE is in stores NOW.

MADINA LAKE released their digital single HOUSE OF CARDS this week (check out the video at their ARTISTS PAGE) and in a recent interview, bassis Matthew spoke to CMU DAILY about the inspiration behind the track:

It’s about how sometimes we weave a web of lies out of our lives for whatever reason, most likely fear, and how all it could take is one of them to surface and tear your life apart.

and he continues

For our latest single, we generally hope to solidify that we are a rock band with no sub-genre attached, not something trendy, or flash-in-the-pan, but something that plans on being around for a long time.

If you head to their ARTISTS SECTION, not only will you be able to check out the video for the upcoming KILL HANNAH single LIPS LIKE MORPHINE (available digitally from March 17th) but you can also check out another track from upcoming album ‘UNTIL THERE’S NOTHING LEFT OF US’, a killer track called ‘KENNEDY’.

KILL HANNAH will be gracing our shores later this month as main support on the Aiden tour. You will be able to catch the guys at the following venues:

Fri 28th Mar – Portsmouth Pyramid Centre
Sat 29th Mar – Cardiff Solus
Sun 30th Mar – Bristol Academy
Mon 31st Mar – Dublin Spirit 57
Tue 1st Apr – Glasgow Garage
Wed 2nd Apr – Manchester Academy 2
Thu 3rd Apr – Oxford Academy
Fri 4th Apr – Norwich UEA
Sat 5th Apr – Nottingham Rock City
Mon 7th Apr – Birmingham Academy 2
Tue 8th Apr – Leeds Cockpit
Wed 9th Apr – London Astoria
Thu 10th Apr – Brighton Concorde 2

You can pre order both the single and the album HERE

OK so do you want the good news or the bad news first? Always best to get the bad news out of the way first IMHO so here it is…

Due to a problem at the manufacturing plant, KIDS IN GLASS HOUSES‘ debut single ‘EASY TIGER’ has been delayed by a week. You will now be able to have this digital file and / or shiney limited edition signed 7″ picture disc in your sweaty mits from the 17th MARCH.

However, I can confirm that it will indeed be worth the wait. Look at it. Have you ever seen anything quite so sexual in vinyl form??! And if you are yet to hear this track, head HERE to view the video. An aural and visual treat.

You can pre-order your copy of the single at HERE. ‘Easy Tiger’ is taken from the bands debut album ‘SMART CASUAL’ which is die for release on MAY 26th.

NICKELBACK scored a hat-trick of achievement this week. As if riding high in the UK singles chart at number 2 was not reason enough to smile, our Canadian homies have also:

Congrats to the guys!!

If you have not yet checked out Rockstar, then head to the NICKELBACK ARTISTS PAGE where you can chcek out the video, which stars amongst others Gene Simmons (Kiss), Kid Rock and some Playboy bunnies… Also there are the other promo vids from ‘All The Right Reasons’, which is in all good record stores NOW!

Being in a band. it’s all first class travel, women, booze and goodtimes eh?

Well, it’s not as glam as you would think and as AIRBOURNE

TRIVIUM are currently in the studio laying down demos for their 3rd Roadrunner release, which is tentitivly scheduled to hit the shelves later September 2008.

Matt has posted an update on progress on the bands MySpace blog:

We’re so happy with the new material. It’s our strongest material to date; it encompasses everything that is Trivium to the four of us.

You can read his full blog HERE.

KILL HANNAH release their single LIPS LIKE MORPHINE digitally on March 17th, and if you head HERE you will see we have loaded the video for this

ATREYU are planning to make a web