Win a signed Slipknot Guitar! Fancy yourself as the new Mick Thomson or Jim Root ? Wanna riff & shred with the best ? Well we’ve got an amazing Ibanez guitar, signed by all the members of Slipknot to giveaway courtesy of playrecord.net. CLICK HERE TO ENTER SLIPKNOT – BEFORE I FORGET – OUT NOW

Last night saw the third Metal Hammer awards ceremony, and we’re proud to say that we (Roadrunner) scooped two awards. Best live band for Slipknot and Best Metal Record label. Full list of winners are: Best UK Band: Lostprophets Best Live Band: Slipknot Best International Band: The Used Best Underground Band: Meshuggah/Mastodon Best Metal Record Label: Roadrunner Incoming Award For Best Newcomer: Nightwish Best Video: My Chemical Romance ‘Helena’ Riff Lord Award: Zakk Wylde Shredder Award: Herman Li, Dragonforce Best Metal Band: Anthrax Best album: Judas Priest ‘Angel Of Retribution’ Icon Award: Ville Valo The Spirit Of Hammer: Black Sabbath The Golden God Award: Lemmy Highlights of the evening, include Trivium’s awesome live performance, with backing vocals from 1,000 screaming fans, Lost Prophets being booed, and riding on Brian’s (3 Inches of Blood) back as he ran up 3 flights of stairs at the after-show. We would like to say a big thanks to all those who voted for us. m/ m/ ROCK ON!

This weekend saw ROADRUNNER take over DOWNLOAD. With double the amount of artists than any other label, 10 in total, this years Download festival was destined for great things from the offset. In addition to this it was the first year that the festival completely sold out. (I’d personally like to think this had something to do with amount of roadrunner bands, but hey, I’m slightly biased) The bands were as follows: WEDNESDAY 13 TRIVIUM SLIPKNOT KILLSWITCH ENGAGE CHIMAIRA CALIBAN 3 INCHES OF BLOOD STILL REMAINS EVERYTIME I DIE OPEN HAND Although initially marked as playing on the Napster stage, Trivium were moved up to the Main Stage, this was arguably the best decision made by mankind ever. Although it was an early slot (11am), the Main Stage was packed and kids were literally sprinting to get to the stage. (For some of them it seemed this was the most amount of exercise they have ever exerted in their entire lives). The band totally dominated the crowd and the stage, and when Matt (singer) uttered the fatal words “I wanna see mother fuckin’ circle pits” all hell broke loose. If you missed it, you truly missed out. It was the most mental crowd i’ve ever seen, but then I saw Caliban. This was truly a site to behold, the band were amazingly tight, and full of energy. However, the highlight was when the band unleashed their signature “wall of death”. For those who are unfamiliar with this, it basically involves the audience splitting into two sides and then running at each other at great speed. Although i’ve seen this before this time the entire crowd did it. Despite the tent being completely rammed all of a sudden there was a line from the front to the back of the tent were the kids had separated into two crowds. As Andy (lead singer) counted down you see the excitement building on peoples faces. The tune dropped and so did many of us. The entire tent became a huge pit a sea of flying bodies. Fuckin’ A. More updates on the events at download tomorrow. If you’ve got any great download pics, why not share with us, simply send them to US

In celebration of Roadrunner’s 25 Anniversary, we are releasing an ‘All Stars’ album…and more confirmations on this release are in. Press release on the news as follows: ROADRUNNER “ALL- STARS” ALBUM, PROGRESS INCLUDES A NEW CAPTAIN AND NEW TEAM MEMBERS! New York, NY – Roadrunner Records has advanced in the process of putting together the groundbreaking “Roadrunner All-Stars” record to mark the label’s 25th Anniversary. The full-length release will contain original musical collaborations between past and present Roadrunner artists. Approximately 50 musicians are expected to participate in this record, making it a most elaborate collaboration project. Four central musicians have been chosen to produce and write all the songs. Previously announced were Joey Jordison (Slipknot), Dino Cazares (ex-Fear Factory/Brujeria) and Robert Flynn (Machine Head). The fourth writer/producer has recently been selected – 19 year-old metal prodigy Matt Heafy will take the lead of the fourth team. His band, Trivium, has been called “.the valedictorian(s) of the 2005 metal class” by HIT PARADER Magazine. “It blew my mind to be asked to participate on this album and write a few tracks,” says Heafy “It’s an amazing honor to be able to record with artists that I used to emulate and listen to growing up.” These four musicians will not only play on the songs they have written but also assemble a unique team of Roadrunner artists to appear on each track. Notable progress has been made in Jordison’s, Cazares’ and Flynn’s teams. Music has been laid down, but vocals have yet to be added. The vocalists for the tracks have not been confirmed as of yet. The artists that have contributed to the tracks recorded thus far are: Rob Barrett (Malevolent Creation) Matt Baumbach (Vision Of Disorder) Dino Cazares (Fear Factory/Brujeria) Steve DiGiorgio (Sadus) Matt DeVries (Chimaira) Marcelo Dias (Soulfly) Robert Flynn (Machine Head) Rhys Fulber (Fear Factory/Front Line Assembly) Paul Gray (Slipknot) Andols Herrick (Chimaira) Steve Holt (36 Crazyfists) Joey Jordison (Slipknot) Andreas Kisser (Sepultura) Logan Mader (Machine Head) Roy Mayorga (Soulfly) Dave McClain (Machine Head) James Murphy (Obituary/Disincarnate) Tommy Niemeyer (Gruntruck) Nadja Peulen (Coal Chamber) Dave Pybus (Cradle Of Filth) Souren “Mike” Sarkisyan (Spineshank) Acey Slade (Murderdolls) Jeff Waters (Annihilator) Jordan Whelan (Still Remains) Christian Olde Wolbers (Fear Factory) Futher contributions to the album are also expected from: Corey Beaulieu (Trivium) Mike D’Antonio (Killswitch Engage) Johnny Kelly (Type O Negative) Andy LaRocque (King Diamond) Tom Holkenberg (Junkie XL) Josh Silver (Type O Negative) Though no vocals have been recorded as yet, vocalists scheduled to appear on the album are: Glen Benton (Deicide) Keith Caputo (Life Of Agony) Max Cavalera (Soulfly) King Diamond (Mercyful Fate/King Diamond) Dez Fafara (DevilDriver/Coal Chamber) Dani Filth (Cradle Of Filth) Matthew K. Heafy (Trivium) Mark Hunter (Chimaira) Howard Jones (Killswitch Engage) Brock Lindow (36 Crazyfists) Jesse Leach (ex-Killswitch Engage) Daryl Palumbo (Glassjaw) Peter Steele (Type O Negative) John Tardy (Obituary) Kyle Thomas (Exhorder/Floodgate) The project is being overseen by longtime Roadrunner A&R man Monte Conner. “I feel like Dr. Frankenstein, combining various musicians to form all these different monsters,” says Conner. “It’s an incredible amount of work but I am having the time of my life doing it. In the end, it will sound like a cohesive record. So far, Joey, Robert and Dino have all really worked their asses off, taking this project as seriously as they would their own bands. I am quite indebted to them. They’ve all done an unbelievable job.” Mixing duties will be handled by legendary hard rock producer, Colin Richardson. The album is tentatively scheduled for release in the Fall of 2005.

Ill Nino’s upcoming release One Nation Underground… is currently being mixed in the great state of New Jersey. For more detail, frontman Cristain Machado checks in with the following: “WOW. What a week of chaos (mixing, mastering, last minute touch ups, 420). The good news is that the new ILL NINO record is almost complete. As I type, Dan Korneff is giving his final yet magical touches to the last two songs remaining. Dave (Chavarri), Eddie (Wohl), Dan (Korneff), and I have literally been working 15 hour days to make sure this record is the most intense and conceptual NINO release to date. Overall, we have been having a great time. Making a record is still a lot of hard work but nevertheless, we all find the time to throw a good mother joke here and there. Humiliating each other to pass the time seems to be the popular thing to do nowadays. Your mother’s so fat…she… “There is no doubt in my mind that all of the ILL fans out there are going to be very proud of this record. The entire band is very psyched about how fucking killer the music and lyrics are turning out. All of the Roadrunner Records staff has been giving us nothin’ but love and are doing an amazing job. Not only have they encouraged complete creative expansion, but they also agreed on having Scrap 60 (Anthrax, Ill Nino, Cradle of Filth, Bleeding Through) produce the band. They were involved in the making of our first release, Revolution.Revolucion. and understood the band like no one else ever has. Bottom line, on this record we fucking exploded. We didn’t give a fuck about anything other than being what ILL NINO should be: Brutal, intense, cultured, obscure, and slightly demented. I won’t waste your time trying to explain the overall concept of the record. The music will speak for itself. After all, that’s all that really matters.” What else from the world of Ill Nino? Drummer Dave Chavarri joins guitarist Ahrue in the band as being the only two members without _____ (fill in the blank). “Yes, I’ve cut my dreds,” tells Chavarri. “Everyone’s been sending me e-mails, asking if I’ve cut my dreds. Well after almost 7 years of dreds, I felt I needed a change, and it was time to cut them off.” Now you know…you can check out a pic of Dave sporting his new cut in the band’s PHOTO GALLERY. Ill Nino One Nation Underground… coming late September

We’ve just put up the brand new A Life Once Lost – HUNTER ecard – check out 2 new tracks from HUNTER before it hit streets June 27th! Spread the good word and send this to your friends: CLICK HERE

MADBALL ‘LEGACY’ is complete. The first full studio album from Madball in 5 years is almost in your hands. Check out a free mp3 for ‘For My Enemies’, rerecorded for ‘LEGACY’. Keep checking back, we’ll have their video track ‘Heavenhell’ up soon. Check out ‘For My Enemies’ by CLICKING HERE

Fear Factory are currently workin on their forthcoming album ‘Transgression’. Slated for an August release, the band commenced recording in May, and the album will feature guest musicians such as Billy Gould from Faith No More and Mark Morton of Lamb Of God. Check out this video of them rehearsing the new material.

BETZEFER – Down Low is out now, and already it’s receiving great reviews. Click here to read the review courtesy of ROCK ON THE WEB If you like the sound of it, why not check them out on their UK tour supporting Chimaira, dates are as follows. 14/06/05 – Underworld (London) 15/06/05 – Zodiac (Oxford) 16/06/05 – Arts Centre. (Colchester)

ON THE ROAD UPDATE FROM MACHINE HEADS – ROB FLYNN “Hey Fuckers!! The Head played Denver, CO last night. Unfortunately, Devildriver had to cancel, so we and It Dies Today played longer sets. But let me just say… good lord… honest to god… and holy SHIT!? This was seriously one of the most amazing shows we’ve ever played in the U.S…. super violent pit… and they would not stop chanting “Machine Fuckin’ Head”… chanting it during the acoustic part of “Descend” and shit (?)… fucking mind blowing! Denver, you fuckers RULE! Coming up on the home stretch here, we’re really looking forward to playing Salt Lake, Spokane (our first time!), Seattle, and the mighty Portland on Friday night. Should make for a raging last night of tour celebration from hell. Fuck Yeah! I’ll have a more in-depth update soon… -Flynn P.S. í¢ä‰åäóì DVD is officially dropping Aug. 15th.” The full tracklisting for the ELEGIES DVD is as follows. TRACK LISTING: 1.. Intro 2. Imperium 3. Seasons Wither 4. Bulldozer 5. Old 6. Days Turn Blue to Gray 7. The Blood, The Sweat, The Tears 8. Ten Ton Hammer 9. The Burning Red 10. In the Presence of My Enemies 11. Take My Scars 12. Descend the Shades of Night 13. Davidian 14. Covers Medley 15. Block The DVD features a 90+ minute concert, Behind-the-scenes footage, making of “Imperium” featurette, Interviews, videos for “Imperium” and “Days Turn Blue to Gray”