So, May 24th is the release date. April 30th is the start of the US tour. BUT, when are you going to start hearing new music from Slipknot? Technically, the first chance you will have to hear any new Slipknot will be off a video game. The upcoming PS2 game MTX: Mototrax will contain an early recording of a song titled “Don’t Get Close”. Also included in the game is an unreleased instrumental version of í¢ä‰åñThe Heretic Anthemí¢ä‰åŒ and the í¢ä‰åñWait And Bleed,í¢ä‰åŒ along with 21 other vocal tracks and 12 instrumental tracks to fuel the fast-paced racing and freestyle action in the game (how is THAT for wording?). Players can choose to have an instrumental soundtrack, one with vocals or a combination of the two. Outside of Slipknot, some of the featured artists and tracks on MTX: Mototrax are: A.F.I. í¢ä‰åäóì í¢ä‰åñThe Nephilimí¢ä‰åŒ Black Label Society í¢ä‰åäóì í¢ä‰åñDoomsday Jesusí¢ä‰åŒ The Descendents í¢ä‰åäóì í¢ä‰åñEverything Sucks Todayí¢ä‰åŒ The Distillers í¢ä‰åäóì í¢ä‰åñDismantle Meí¢ä‰åŒ Disturbed í¢ä‰åäóì í¢ä‰åñIntoxicationí¢ä‰åŒ Dope í¢ä‰åäóì í¢ä‰åñBurní¢ä‰åŒ Faith No More í¢ä‰åäóì í¢ä‰åñDigging The Graveí¢ä‰åŒ Jet í¢ä‰åäóì í¢ä‰åñTake It Or Leave Ití¢ä‰åŒ Metallica í¢ä‰åäóì í¢ä‰åñMotorbreathí¢ä‰åŒ The Misfits í¢ä‰åäóì í¢ä‰åñ20 Eyesí¢ä‰åŒ Pennywise í¢ä‰åäóì í¢ä‰åñNow I Knowí¢ä‰åŒ The Stooges í¢ä‰åäóì í¢ä‰åñFunhouseí¢ä‰åŒ Thrice í¢ä‰åäóì í¢ä‰åñArtist In The Ambulanceí¢ä‰åŒ note to you: A three-minute Slipknot video will be included in MTX: Mototrax as well as a secret character and bike designed by the band. A special cheat code to unlock the secret character will be placed on the band’s upcoming album. one last note: new Slipknot music outside of the game coming sooner than you’ll see Slipknot live.

Slipknot are set to start mixing the new album at the end of this month/beginning of next month. All the tracks have been laid down and all reports coming from the studio are that the 9 are very fucking happy with their sessions in the mansion. “í¢ä‰åŒ_ some really good slow stuff, and some good three-part harmonies in us. But at the same time, we’ve still got the metal, the same double bass and percussion, the same crazy noises coming out of Sid and Craig. Not to mention, this is probably the best guitar playing that Mick and Jim have ever done. This album has everything, and it will, I hope, become everything. Right now, it’s probably the best thing I’ve ever heardí¢ä‰åŒ_The fire’s there, the darkness is there, and the craziness is there, but it’s also mature, and it’s sonically the best-sounding thing we’ve ever done. We’re taking a lot more chances, but still staying true to what we do, borrowing not only from our metal roots, but from our rock roots, and our Pink Floyd roots. You can hear influences of everyone from Slayer to Amen to King Crimson.” – Corey Taylor The band are due to film their first video for the album in early March. They have already completed a preliminary photo shoot, and plans are afoot for more to come. As previously mentioned, the Jagermeister tour kicks off in the States next month. Slipknot will be touring with the mighty Chimaira and Fear Factory from the 30th March starting in Orlando, Florida. Keep an eye on www.slipknot1.com in the run up to the album’s release (which is currently scheduled for 24th May) as there will be regular updates in the weeks to come!

The latest 2 classic 2-for-the-price-of-1 double pack CD’s are released on Feb 23rd: Biohazard ‘Urban Discipline + No Holds Barred’ Seminal 1992 release from the Brooklyn bruisers that brought New York Hardcore to the masses plus 1997 live recording from Germany including all their classics. Vision Of Disorder ‘Vision Of Disorder + Imprint’ First two studio releases (1996, 1998) from the influential Long Island Metalcore quintet who have heavily inspired the likes of Killswitch Engage & Thrice. Both will be available for around 퉌£10.99 from HMV, Virgin & your local official ‘Roadrage’ store.

Head over into the FEAR FACTORY artist section for the unveiling of the brand new Fear Factory artwork for forthcoming album ‘Archetype’ – due out April 19th. Did you know? Today marks the day the ‘Archetype’ advance CDs arrived in the office. The very first day all here got to hear the killer new FF music. Oh yes.

We are pleased to confirm that SLIPKNOT will be appearing as special guests to the mighty METALLICA on Friday 25th June at the DUBLIN RDS Arena. Other guests may still be added. Tickets are 63.50 euros seated, or 60.50 euros general admission.

A pat on the back to those working in the Nickelback radio department, for we can happily tell you that ‘Feelin’ Way Too Damn Good’ is now on the ‘B’ playlist at Radio 1, and is also on the playlist at Virgin Radio! And, from later on today, you can check out the new Nickelback video online exclusively at AOL UK on the Music Main page. Watch out for a special Nickelback feature on the welcome screen on Monday too!

www.36crazyfists.com/ecard/. Check it out, check it out. next stop, Alaska…

Ill Nino is still out on the road in the US with Sevendust, and will be till the end of the weekend. After that, looks like that band will be taking a couple weeks off, and then most likely heading out on a headline run (details to come once known, and confirmed). Till then, we ask you to adjourn to our VIDEO page for the latest piece from the Ill Nino video library, “This Time’s For Real.” Also, amongst your travels, check out Ill Nino’s PHOTO GALLERY for pics from the band’s show this past weekend, on Valentine’s Day in Grand Prairie, Texas (ain’t that sweet???).

Chimaira 16-02-2004 Belfast Limelight “Just home from one of the best metal gigs in a long time, Every Time I Die were the first band on, stupidly not expecting anything big I stayed back just to be hit by a wall of noise. Every Time I Die were very good even without the Limelights full PA system some very good music indeed. Chimaira came on stage and to my complete dismay there was one missing. Why was Mark Hunter playing the guitar? Thankfully all my questions were answered after the intro. Chimaira ripped through a completely blinding set, completely outstanding one of the best live bands I have ever seen, and them with one guitarist down! Near the end of the set Mark informed us that he was called the Metal Moses, he explained that Moses parted the Red Sea and he parts the metal sea (or something like that), and with that each member of the crowd chose a side of the room and when the song kicked in we went mental. Even with the guitarist from Every Time I Die helping out on vocals for one song (Indifferent To Suffering) followed by a stage dive! They played all the essential songs Cleansation, Sp Lit, Power Trip and just about everything else they could. There was a downside to the night though but it had nothing to do with Chimaira, it was just silly me lost one of my favourite T-shirts while crowed surfing, and I accidentally kicked a security guard in the face while coming off the front of the crowd, after I apologised to him and he was pretty cool about it! There was also an amazing drum solo and a jam session where they just winged it! Over all a good night was had by all! One last thing I would like to thank Chimaira for playing when most bands would have just cancelled and not even let us know so if any one in Chimaira is reading this THANK YOU.” Brendan Grimley

“Went to see CHIMAIRA in Dublin on Sunday night……Fuckin amazing!!! Couldn’t get over how good they were, and as for the new drummer, he pulled off a 5min+ drum solo, blew us all away. That whole “Parting the Metal Sea” thing was vicious. Came out of it with quite a nice shiner!! They did a Stone Temple Pilots cover as well if you believe that, rocked the place! 퉌æOver all, one hell of a nite!! Can’t wait to see them in the summer!! 퉌æ Ronan