This past weekend, Killswitch Engage headlined the second stage of the New Jersey Skate And Surf Fest in Asbury Park, New Jersey, USA. What was the word? A complete report from a to-remain-unnamed Roadrunner employee reads as follows: “Ahhh, what can I say about the New Jersey Skate & Surf Fest? Well, it was in New Jersey – Asbury Park , NJ. Now, while it may seem redundant to call any particular town in the Garden State “the armpit of the universe”, Asbury Park is quite possibly the fungus that is growing in that armpit. It is the urban equivalent of the ghost towns of the Old West, complete with half-constructed buildings, dilapidated homes and an eerie sense of unrest. Either that or I had some bad sushi for lunch and it just made me bitter. Anyway, S&S wasn’t about the scenery or lack of, it was all about the jailbait. Yup, I done gone went and said it. The Asbury Park Convention Center was a pedophiles dream, complete with perky little girls in various forms of (un)dress. It was friggin’ cold there, right up on the water with the rain and the wind but does that stop the yunguns’ from showing off their bigguns’? I don’t think so. For the love of god, women, put some clothes on! But I digress. The New Jersey Skate & Surf Festival was all about the music . . . and lots of it. This year saw the most varied bill this particular event has ever assembled. Indie stalwarts Coheed & Cambria, major label headbanger Andrew W.K., next-big-thing Thursday, pop-punk grandaddies Goldfinger and flavor-of-the-moment The Used all represented in fine style. A cadre of local bands also showed their stuff and reaffirmed faith in the idea in that there is always good new music on the horizon. Ultimately though, I was there for one reason and one reason only – Killswitch Engage. By far the heaviest band to play the three day sold-out festival, Killswitch took the stage in the center hall at about half past eight, opposite Andrew W.K.. How did Killswitch fare? Well, quite frankly I think they scared some of the kiddies. As twee little indie kids parted like the Red Sea, the metal faithful hurled their bodies into the pit. As their set went on and they blasted through song after blistering song from Alive Or Just Breathing and their self-titled debut alike, kids from the other two stages emptied into the center hall to mosh along with KsE. But how was the band you ask? They were en fuego! Adam, playing both guitar and tambourine, riled the crowd while Mike D and Joel both pulled out their most metal rock poses. Howard, a stalking ball of sweat and pure unbridled energy, was the spark that set the room on fire. But for all of their intensity, the coolest thing about their show by far was the fact that Killswitch Engage actually look like they ENJOY rocking your world. The music speaks for itself and the band doesn’t feel the need to scowl and shout “fuck” a thousand times to prove they are as hard as nails – they just plain are.” FOR PICS FROM THE NIGHT, CHECK OUT KILLSWITCH ENGAGE’S PHOTO GALLERY.

In addition to the upcoming UK tour dates with Spineshank, you can also catch Chimaira doing a very special one-off show! The band have just announced the following extra date: 27/05/2003- Soundhaus, Northampton

Have you been watching the new Sky channel Scuzz? Seems like each week the selection numbers for videos change, so please be sure to check your choice on the Scuzz website before voting, else you might not get what you wanted! This week’s Roadrunner numbers are: Sinch ‘Something More’ #032 Stone Sour ‘Bother’ #037 Stone Sour ‘Get Inside’ #012 After 10 p.m. Slipknot ‘Wait & Bleed’ #002 Dry Kill Logic ‘Nightmare’ #003 Killswitch Engage ‘Fixation On The Darkness’ #004 Also, please note that all videos DO actually have 3 number selection codes. We’re received a few emails in about this, telling: “If you vote with a wrong number, the Sky system doesn’t seem to let you know you got it wrong, and then your call is wasted and you don’t get to see what you wanted!” Just so ya know…

Not one, but two CDs. We are talking about a special limited edition double CD version of the forthcoming Type O Negative album ‘Life Is Killing Me’. This special double CD will be released the same day, June 16th, as the single CD version but stores will only be able to order it on their initial stocking of the album! So once that runs out, that’s it. No more double CD. The tracklisting for the special bonus CD will be as follows: 1. “Out Of The Fire (Kane’s Theme)” Previously unreleased. 2. “Christian Woman (Butt-Kissing, Sell-Out Version)” Taken from the deleted “Christian Woman” single. 3. “Suspended In Dusk” Taken from the deleted “Bloody Kisses” digipak and the deleted “Christian Woman” single. 4. “Blood & Fire (Out Of The Ashes Mix)” Taken from the deleted “My Girlfriend’s Girlfriend” single and the Mortal Kombat soundtrack. 5. “Black Sabbath” Taken from the album Nativity In Black: A Tribute To Black Sabbath. 6. “Cinnamon Girl (Extended Depression Mix)” Taken from the deleted “Cinnamon Girl” single. 7. “Haunted” (Per Version) Previously unreleased.

some current notes of interest from the studio this week: 36 Crazyfists They start pre-production of their second Roadrunner release on May 1st up in Portland, Oregon with producer James Wisner. The recording of this beast will take place in Florida come mid-May. Where in Florida? Nobody really knows just yet…rumour has it somewhere near Tampa Bay. Chimaira Ahhh, Did You Know? The UK & Japanese version of The Impossibility Of Reason will be same as the U.S. release, but will contain one most honourable bonus track, “Army Of Me.” All releases will be simultaneous (May 12th or 13th, pending on where you live). Coal Chamber Track listing for the upcoming b-sides album Giving The Devil His Due is almost complete, may have fully confirmed listing as soon as this week. In fact, Dez is scheduled to hit the studio to record vocals for an unfinished track from the Chamber Music sessions later this week. Deathride Speaking of Dez, he and the rest of new project Deathride are still out in L.A. sharing one hotel room whilst recording their debut effort. Ross Hogarth (Coal Chamber Dark Days) is producing, and last week was spent on guitars. Vocals should happen this week. Dirty Americans “Dude, this band fuckin’ kicks ass,” tells the man behind The Production Gospel According To Dave, listening to the D-Am rough mixes at his desk whilst enlightening us with this update. In fact, rough mixes of the full album are in and currently making the rounds for approvals. “They fuckin’ rock…” doubleDrive Their debut album hit the streets on Monday… Did you know there is a Japanese version of this release – same as the U.K. version ceptin’ it contains two most honorable bonus tracks, “Fed Up” and “Big Shove 2″…”Big Shove 2” being one second longer than original version (among other changes). Ether Seeds Debut album scheduled to hit streets on June 16th. Ahhh, will be Japanese version of this too. Once again, same as U.K. version but with two most honourable bonus tracks, “Remedy” and “Stalker’s Love Song.” goneblind Debut full length is basically complete. It’s all mixed, and should be mastered later this week in NYC with George Marino. Title of the album, Channels Of Communication. Ill Nino Currently in a studio in Hoboken, New Jersey with producer Bob Marlette. Drum tracks are done. Recording officially started on April 15th, and could quite well be complete prior to the US Memorial Day weekend. Nickelback They are officially in the studio, and that’s a fact. 4 to 5 songs fully complete, some mixing to start this week. Band is producing the new album, Randy Staub is mixing. Red Tape The boys outta Sacto, Cali started recording their newest propaganda last week out at NRG studios in L.A. Yes, they are officially recording. And they should be officially finished recording by the end of May. Spineshank Album has been mastered. Album is complete. In fact, advance copies of the CD – Self Destructive Pattern – should be in come early May (July 14 release date). The very first CD-R of the new album hit this office only yesterday… all walking past this office yesterday were met with the new sounds of Spineshank belting out the stereo. Type O Negative Their upcoming Life Is Killing Me album was being mastered April 28. There will be a special limited double CD UK edition of this album… more info to come.

Tomorrow night, the Radio 1 Rock Show will re-broadcast the Live BBC Maida Vale session that the Murderdolls recorded back in November last year. Listen in for the following songs: ‘She Was A Teenage Zombie’ ‘Die My Bride’ ‘I Take Drugs’ and ‘Dead In Hollywood’! Next week on the Rock Show you’ll have the chance to hear the forthcoming new Murderdolls single ‘White Wedding’ in a world exclusive play! Did you know? ‘White Wedding’ is a cover of the 1980’s Billy Idol song! The tracklisting for the single will be as follows: 01. White Wedding 02. I Love to Say Fuck 03. I Take Drugs And it will include the video to ‘White Wedding’ as an enhancement! Look for ‘White Wedding’ in stores this summer. More to come…

Did you think you’d seen all the live shots of Killswitch Engage we had from the recent tour? You are incorrect… we’ve just added up a few more HERE. Check out guitar gods Adam & Joel, a bellowing Howard, Mike throwing the horns, and Tom beating the hell outta the drums!

Chimaira’s awesome new album, ‘The Impossibility Of Reason’, is released on 12th May and we’ve teamed up with Metal Hammer to give you the chance to hear the entire record waaay in advance of it going on sale! Sign up for your free virtual ticket to the ‘The Impossibility Of Reason’ listening party at: http://www.metalhammer.co.uk/chimaira/. And don’t forget, you can get yourself a bundle of free Chimaira stickers right now in our FREE SHIT section too! Crank it up.

Five Friday Facts For doubleDrive… 1. New album ‘Blue In The Face’ is out on Monday. 2. You can hear new song ‘Imprint’ HERE in our music section. 3. Kerrang! sez: “…a fine debut from a band with a bright future ahead of them – KKKK” 4. ‘Blue In The Face’ was produced & mixed by the man behind Guns ‘n’ Roses ‘Appetite For Destruction’, Michael Barbiero. 5. doubleDrive’s Peavey rep is ex-Megadeth bassist Dave Ellefson.

If you’re looking for tickets to see Spineshank & Chimaira in the UK during June, you can buy your tickets online HERE. See you down the front!