Metal and rock have long been male dominated, but this has not stopped some determined, hard rockin’ women moving forward and making their way in the industry, be that as part of a band- like Rayna of Coal Chamber or Marta of Bleeding Through or as solo artists- like Melissa Auf Der Maur or Juliette Lewis.

Today, March 8th, is International Women’s Day and so we have decided to honour this by celebrating the women past and present who have graced Roadrunner albums by loading a selection of their videos in the Roadrunner Recommends video playlist.. Check them out!

International Women’s Day began in 1909 to raise the political and social awareness of the struggles of women worldwide. This year, the Red Cross are using International Women’s Day to highlight the hardship displaced women endure. The displacement of populations is one of the gravest consequences of today’s armed conflicts. Women displaced by armed conflict – often living alone with their children – are frequently exposed to sexual violence, discrimination and intimidation. You can get more information of the Red Crosses campaign

DOMMIN checked in over the weekend with another tour update from their shows in mainland Europe with Lacuna Coil. Below, Kris fills us in on how things went for the guys when they were in Bologna and Rome. Today sees the band swap tours and head out to support H.I.M for their European shows before making their way back here to the UK. By the sounds of things, Kris will be missing Italy when he leaves…

We have a 3 hour drive to Bologna. When we arrive its a very unassuming place. In fact we drove in circles for a good 15 minutes trying to find the venue. It resembles a warehouse from the outside. I feel pretty burnt out this night. I’m not sure what it is. I know we just had a day off, but there certainly wasn’t much rest on that day. I could really use a day to do a little bit of nothing. I think the other guys might be feeling the same.

I go onstage feeling tired, maybe even a bit sluggish. I don’t have the same jumpy nerves I usually do on stage. Perhaps I’m just becoming more comfortable. All I know is that it worked…whatever it is. I ended up having my best show of the entire tour. I played and sang better tonight than any other night. Perhaps it was because the excitement didn’t overwhelm my focus. The Bologna fans were amazing! They gave me all the energy I would ever need to get through a set. Its only the second show in Italy but I’m wondering if this will be the trend at Italian shows. We don’t stay in Bologna that night. We leave the show early to reach the next destination that night.

We make the 4 or 5 hour trip to Rome. We start the first of the “Back To The Future” trilogy to keep us entertained. I had never realized how over-acted and more “kid-targeted” that movie was until seeing it back to back with the first, and best of that trilogy. We arrive in Rome at 3:30 AM. We have plans to get in a bit of tourist activity the next morning before heading to the venue. There is so much I want to do.

Rome has always been the place I desired most to visit. But I was determined NOT to do the 2 hour drive-by tour. We picked 3 things to do in 4 hours time. Which is still too short. But how do you come all the way to Rome and not spend SOME time looking around. We get dropped off at the Coliseum. From there we visit, or more like pass by, the Forum and head to the Fountain. The amount of history here is amazing. Everywhere you look and everywhere you walk, there is such a rich history. The only disappointing thing for this tourist is how many precious things were destroyed by the citizens. Perhaps it was by necessity, I’m not sure. But many of the reasons that there are mere ruins left is because the materials were used to build houses and various other things. I suppose the thought of preserving the history while living in it didn’t really cross the mind. But its beautiful all the same.

After a small meal and some gelato, it was time to get to the venue. And for the 3rd time in a row, the italian fans were lovely. Much like Bologna, these fans didn’t need any direction or prompting when to clap or sing along. They were all over it. I think at the end of the show, we signed more things and took more pictures than we had on the entire tour. I can’t imagine how it would have been had more people understood my English announcing our presence at the merch booth. Thanks to the Romans!

If the final and last show in Treviso ends up as good as all the other shows it Italy, then I think it is safe to say that we’ll be welcomed back. And that makes me happy. Because Italy is definitely a place I would love to spend more time in. I think the land and the people are capturing a piece of my heart.

Dommin’s debut album Love Is Gone is in stores now. Pick it up online HERE.

In addition to the support dates with H.I.M in the UK, Dommin will play a HEADLINE show at London’s Borderline on March 21st. Tickets available HERE.

Today is the day to stand up for Rock n Roll! Today NO GUTS, NO GLORY, the stonking new album from AIRBOURNE hits stores!!

As Metal Hammer recently commented in their 8/10 review of the album, it’s an album of “…undeniably catchy rock music, infused with kind of roguish charm that would draw a nod of approval from that king of incorrigibility himself Bon Scott….There is simply no let up, either in terms of quality, catchiness and non-stop rocking…”

In the clip below, which is part 1 of a 2 part track by track run through of the album, brothers Ryan and Joel give you an idea of what you can expect from No Guts, No Glory…

You can pick the album up online HERE. The band hit the UK on a headline tour at the end of the month. Check dates and pick up tickets over at our TOURS PAGE.

Head on over to RockSound.tv now to check out some killer live galleries from KISS and MACHINE HEAD!

If you head HERE you will be able to see pics from Kiss’ intimate show at London’s Islington Academy. The band put on a show for die-hard fans at the 800 capacity venue whilst they were in town for press ahead of their May Arena tour, and what a treat it was to see such a massive band in such a tiny venue!

Check out the dates for the tour, which kicks off May 1st in Sheffield HERE, at our Tours Page.

Next up are the shots from Machine Head’s brutal set at Manchester Apollo back on the 25th Feb. At a volume that shook the venue to it’s foundations, the Bay Area thrashers gave attendees the metal highlight of the year thus far. Get a taster HERE.

This time last week BLEEDING THROUGH were still in the UK on the Black Procession tour. Whilst they were here, we sat down with them to talk about their return to the label to release their forthcoming Self Titled album. In this first part of the interview, we learn about the band’s writing of the album and why, like label mates Hatebreed, they chose producer Zeuss to work with them on the record.

‘Bleeding Through’ hits the shops on April 12th. Pre-order online HERE.

If you click on the player below, you will be able to check out the video for the title track from MELISSA AUF DER MAUR’S new album Out Of Our Minds which is due to hit a store near you on May 3rd.

The album is available for pre-order now- pre-order it up online HERE– and Melissa will head into the UK on April 17th to play a show at Cargo, London. Tickets are available from THIS LOCATION.

We recently sat down to chat with Melissa about the album, so watch this space for that video interview coming your way soon!

DOMMIN main man Kris has checked in from the road in Mainland Europe once more. Check out his latest blog below, where he talks about not only his show with Lacina Coil, but about bumping into two other Roadrunner bands along the way!!

As we leave Switzerland, we pass through some of the most beautiful scenery and landscapes of the entire European tour. To our right and left we see snow capped mountains, dense forests, cascading waterfalls, and below, these small picturesque towns. We cross over into Milan. Its expected to be the biggest show of the tour in the home town of Lacuna Coil.

We get to the venue. Its a 1800 capacity place and the biggest stage we’ve ever played on. On one hand, I’m hoping we get to utilize the stage. On the other hand, being a front man that is forced to be stationary in front of the microphone stand makes stages like this a bit daunting. However the thought of being able to really move freely when not singing is exciting. We are so used to these stages where little to no movement is possible. This feels like a real dose of freedom.

I see Lacuna being bombarded with guests, friends and family. Hometown shows are always a little crazy. I made sure to leave Lacuna alone because you can tell they were being pulled in a hundred different directions. Other than hometown shows, any shows in Los Angeles or New York are a bit crazy as well because of all the music industry people that come. I guess its good that we usually can knock out the industry/hometown show in one night being from Los Angeles. It always takes us away from our fans a bit because we have so many things to tend to.

We hit the stage in Milan and its one of the first times we have gotten a reaction like this. Its normal to have cheering when the lights go out and we walk out on stage. This time I walked to the front of the stage and a second wave of excitement from the audience was invigorating. There were people singing every word to every song.

We get into the set and its a very cool feeling being able to move so freely on stage. I wanted to be able to walk to Billy’s mic stand when I remembered he is the last guy in the band to be getting over a cold. I think I’ll pass on that this time. It was a good time and a good night. We made our way to the merch area and for one of the first times, it was a little scary in an unstable way. People were excited and unknowingly being rude to others. There was a bit of shoving. Things could have gotten out of hand. I think we may be getting to a point where we need to make sure we are in a bit more of a controlled space when we meet fans and friends, for our safety and theirs.

The next day was a day off in Milan. I went with a couple of guys to the Cathedral in Milan and the gallery just next to it. Later that night, we returned to the same venue as the night before to see Airbourne. I regret that we didn’t arrive early enough to see Taking Dawn. Airbourne put on a great show. It was like AC/DC on methamphetamines. It was such high energy and the Milanese loved them. It was kinda cool to be in the building with 2 other Roadrunner bands knowing you’re all on a common road sharing common experiences.

We hit the Rock ‘N’ Roll Bar later that night and enjoyed hanging out together and with Justin from Airbourne as well. I left around 2AM back to the hotel. Most of the guys stayed behind and I’m pretty sure they were out until nearly sunrise. We play Bologna tomorrow. We are practically just passing through. We play the show and leave early straight to Rome. Its going to be a long day. I’m glad I’m back at the hotel at a decent hour. The others…they’ll be hurting.

The band are out in Europe to promote their album Love Is Gone here in the UK. They will be back here in a week or so to support H.I.M and to play a small headline show in London at The Borderline on March 21st. Tickets for the headline show are on sale now (get them HERE).

Pick up Love Is Gone online HERE.

If you’ve read anything about Las Vegas rockers TAKING DAWN chances are you’ve learned about the band’s affinity for 80s metal, but what you might not have counted on and should is vocalist/guitarist Chris Babbitt’s love of early Black Sabbath as well as some other classic British metal bands.

While the Las Vegas quartet’s squalling guitars, high-ranged vocals and in-your-face aggression and energy may be reminiscent of the hair metal hayday, the young guns cite that Birmingham’s progenitors of heavy metal are indeed at the root of their musical lineage.

With the band having recently released their debut album Time to Burn digitally here in the UK, their CD release imminent (Time To Burn will hit stores on April 12th) and their first visit to these shores with label mate’s Airbourne moving ever closer, those folks over at our NYC office sat down with Babbitt to discuss their recent “Changes”…

Revelates Babbitt, “Actually you know what, [“Changes”] — that’s the only song I don’t like by them. Fuck man, that and “FX” — that’s the only Sabbath tune you’ll ever see me skip.” And though he starts with some negativity, Babbit profoundly explicates the love he holds for “his favorite band ever.”

“My dad was playing [Sabbath] since I was in the cradle, so I was gonna love it whether I liked it or not.” And love it he did. “We Sold Our Souls For Rock & Roll – that was the first record I ever bought. I went out and bought it [myself] when I was way young.” But why start with the greatest hits? “Right off the bat I wanted all the [good] stuff. I listened to all the records all the time, but usually my dad popped in the We Sold Our Souls tape, and when you’re hanging with your friends you want to play them all the best shit cuz you want them to get into it too, but then “Changes” pops up.” Pausing, Babbitt shakes his head, but continues, “By the time I turned 12 I had every Sabbath record you could – evenSeventh Star and all the Iommi stuff that wasn’t really Sabbath — I had all that shit.”

Casual or die-hard, any fan of the band knows that the purveyors of the down-tuned blues have gone through their share of transformations – replacing singers, experimenting with instrumentation, etc. And without missing a beat, Babbitt tackles the ultimate question: “Ozzy’s easily my favorite.” The singer matter-of-factly quips, “I don’t like the Gillan stuff even though I love, LOVE Deep Purple. There’s one tune on there that’s ok, but as a whole it’s a failed artistic endeavor. I love Dio and the Sabbath shit with Dio reaffirms them so much more as the ultimate fathers of heavy metal, because they start in the late 60s/ early 70s defining everything prior to everyone, and then redefining in the 80s.”

Excitedly continuing as if ready to discuss Sabbath his whole life, Babbitt spews out more adoration: “Favorite record is Sabbath Bloody Sabbath, but I jump around. Masters of Reality is the shit. Vol. 4 is unstoppable, but I feel they’re most progressive on Sabotage and Sabbath Bloody Sabbath.” And for Taking Dawn, the proto-metal influence doesn’t stop there. Starting with Deep Purple, Babbitt continues, “I listen to so much Purple. You can go easy and sayMachine Head like most people do, it’s a killer record, but Battle Rages On is a big one too.”

Moving into NWOBHM territory, the frontman shares his love of Maiden and then some. “All Maiden – except the Blaze stuff. The Blaze shit had some good songs, he’s just not a good singer. Obviously love Metallica, I love all Ozzy’s solo shit.” And not as obvious, Eminem. “I love Eminem to death. I know every lyric to every single fucking record he ever put out. He does have clever shit. He’s very, very lyrical. I think it’s clever. It’s probably why I say so many words so fast in our faster tunes.”

But the hair metal likeness mentioned in numerous reviews of these upstarts’ debut record Time to Burn had to come from somewhere, and as Babbitt name-checks Skid Row and Def Leppard, we completely understand. But as for the ’80s’ label branded onto his band, Babbitt challenges, “If it’s big and catchy, or just big with those drums and those guitars, you’re not gonna hear a song that has a faster version of a Ritchie Blackmore riff or fucking Ted Nugent riff. But, “Fight ‘Em With Your Rock” is more akin to ”Cat Scratch Fever” than anything fucking Bang Tango did. We’re gonna be misperceived all day long – that’s what people like to do,” affirms the frontman. “They like to throw you into pigeonholed little genres where they immediately demean the value of the music.”

Genres aside, we ask Babbitt what it is about his record that might be lost in the critical eye. “It’s real. It’s not worthless. It kicks your fucking ass and I don’t know anybody who doesn’t like it. It’s genuine. The guitars are shredding, there’s songs for fun, there’s songs to kick your ass, and there’s songs for substance, everything’s on there. It covers range and it’s a rock record that ‘s been missing for a long time to have been put out by a rock band.”

Time To Burn is available on all digital platforms NOW. Pre-order on CD HERE.

The first single from SLASH’S impending Self Titled album will be By The Sword, a track featuring Wolfmother’s Andrew Stockdale on vocals. The track will be made available as a digital single.

By The Sword was premi

RATT are set to release a digital special edition of their forthcoming BRAND NEW album INFESTATION, which is due to hit stores here in Blighty on April 19th.

The special edition will feature 4 bonus tracks, making the full track listing as follows:

Eat Me Up Alive
Best of Me
A Little Too Much
Look Out Below
Last Call
Lost Weekend
As Good as it Gets
Garden of Eden
Take a Big Bite
Take Me Home
Don’t Let Go

Bonus tracks:
Scatter
You Think You’re Tough (Live)
Tell The World (Live)
Way Cool Jr (Live)

You can now pre-order the standard CD version of the album online- simply CLICK HERE.

Fancy hearing a track from the new album? Then simply click on the player below to hear ‘Best Of Me’.