The time has scome to start agonising over who you're going to see & who you're going to miss, as Download organisers have announced the stage times for this years festival. You can check them out by heading here: http://www.downloadfestival.co.uk/line-up/all

Let's hope there isn't too many clashes for you all!

Who wants to be in with a chance of winning one of the last two rooms for this years Hard Rock Hell?

Bloodstock Open Air festival have added French metal titans Gojira to this years event as a UK festival exclusive.

The vocalist from an award-winning heavy metal band has been accused of trying to hire an undercover detective to kill his estranged wife..... The San Diego County Sheriff's Department revealed Tim Lambesis, from group As I Lay Dying, was arrested on Tuesday over the allegations. An official statement said detectives received information that the 32-year-old had solicited someone to kill his wife. It said a task force from several law enforcement agencies quickly launched an investigation that led to the arrest - but the department would give no further details. Formed in San Diego in 2000, the band's 2007 album, An Ocean Between Us, reached number eight on the US Billboard's charts, with one track nominated for a Grammy for top metal performance. The group also picked up the Ultimate Metal God gong at the MTV2 Music Awards the same year. All five members of As I Lay Dying are Christians, which Lambesis discussed in an entry on the band's official Myspace page. "Many of our songs are about life, struggles, mistakes, relationships and other issues that don't fit entirely in the spiritual category," he said. "However, all of these topics are written about through my perspective as a Christian."

SOULFLY are pleased to announce that they have inked a deal with Nuclear Blast Entertainment, a new division of Nuclear Blast formed by Nuclear Blast owner Markus Staiger and former Roadrunner A&R chief Monte Conner. SOULFLY will enter the studio this month to begin recording their as-of-yet-untitled ninth studio album. The record will be produced by the world-renowned Terry Date, who is known for his work with such bands PANTERA, DEFTONES and SOUNDGARDEN among many others.

"I'm really excited to be signing SOULFLY to Nuclear Blast Records”, commented legendary frontman Max Cavalera (SEPULTURA, CAVALERA CONSPIRACY). On top of it, we're going to be reunited with Monte Conner who I've worked with for over 20 years at Roadrunner.  SOULFLY 's new album is going to be recorded in Seattle with the great producer Terry Date, and it's going to come out later in the year through Nuclear Blast worldwide.  Keep it metal!"
 
"It feels so right to be reunited with Max Cavalera”, added Monte Conner. “He is the second artist I signed and we've made 17 albums together over the years, including several metal classics. Max's voice remains just as unique and powerful as the day I met him and I felt the last SOULFLY album Enslaved was his strongest work since the band’s Gold-selling debut. I am honored to call him a friend and to continue to be a part of his mission".



Finnish metal superstars CHILDREN OF BODOM have just released the lyric video of the first single 'Transference', taken from their upcoming album 'Halo Of Blood'. Check it out here. Mastermind Alexi Laiho states: "Transference is a straight up CHILDREN OF BODOM to the core type song and therefore was a good pick for a video and obviously is one of our favorite tracks.  It always had an evil vibe to it which I wish I knew how to explain because it still gives me chills… Enjoy!”
 
The band have also released the first part of a series of track-by-track videos! Let them give you further information on the idea behind the first three songs:
 
Waste Of Skin
Halo Of Blood
Scream For Silence

CHILDREN OF BODOM recorded 'Halo Of Blood' at Finland's Danger Johnny Studios (in a top secret, undisclosed location in Helsinki) with recording engineer Mikko Karmila, who worked on the 'Hatebreeder' (1999), 'Follow the Reaper' (2000), and 'Hate Crew Deathroll' (2003) albums. The album was produced by the band and Mikko Karmila, Keyboards recorded by Janne Wirman and vocal production by Peter Tägtgren. 'Halo Of Blood' was mixed at Finland’s famed Finnvox Studios.

German dark metal quintet AGATHODAIMON entered Kohlekeller Studios in February with producer Kristian "Kohle" Kohlmannslehner to begin recording its new album, "In Darkness", for a June 28 release via Massacre Records. The follow-up to 2009's "Phoenix" will feature cover artwork by Hicham Haddaji of Strychneen Studio. Commented AGATHODAIMON guitarist and vocalist Sathonys: "We're sure 'In Darkness' has a lot of killer songs, and we did step into the right direction — though it's also a step backwards. Back to the roots, to be clear. "We collectively felt that 'Phoenix' reached a point that's as far as we can go, without denying our roots. So we summoned the spirit of the old times (of course without trying to pretend it's 1995). "We've put focus on the atmosphere and got rid of elements which did not fit to our vision. "To summarize, I'd say it's less technical, but more dense, coming rather from the heart than our heads. This sounds strange maybe, but you'll get it once you'll hear the first songs. "Speaking of new songs, 'In Darkness' also features 'old' material, back from when our Romanian vocalist Vlad was still around. But don't worry, it's a history lesson that won't sound outdated. Actually, there's a re-recording of 'Dusk Of An Infinite Shade', something we actually worked on many years ago, but back then skipped the idea because it didn't seem to match with the other material. It simply did not sound right. But now, it turned out that it was a great preparation to get in the mood and to set the sails to embark on a journey... 'In Darkness'."

Finnish metallers KALMAH will release their new studio album, "Seventh Swamphony", on June 17 via Spinefarm Records. The follow-up to 2010's "12 Gauge" was recorded at Tico-Tico Studios in Kemi, Finland, and was mixed and mastered at Fascination Street studios in Örebro, Sweden by Jens Bogren (OPETH, SOILWORK, PARADISE LOST). The new CD will feature cover artwork by Juha Vuorma, who worked on the first three KALMAH albums as well as releases from USURPER, METUJA, DEATHMARCHED and ALTARS OF DESTRUCTION. The CD's first single, "Seventh Swamphony", is scheduled for digital release on May 6. After 15 years together, with six full-length albums under their collective belt, 2013 sees the Finnish musicians delivering album No. 7 — an eight-track release showcasing this Oulu outfit's trademark frantic, yet melodic death metal style, tempered here by a newfound "epic mournfulness." Commented KALMAH lead guitarist Antti Kokko: "This album marks a milestone in our careers. We have a new keyboard player, which has given a fresh edge to the music, and we are, of course, very satisfied with the new material. That is why we wanted to give the songs the best possible chance without compromise; we feel very lucky and privileged to have worked with Jens Bogren."

The incredibly sad news has broken that Jeff Hanneman of Slayer has passed away at the age of 49.

The band have made the following announcement via their official Facebook page:

'Slayer is devastated to inform that their bandmate and brother, Jeff Hanneman, passed away at about 11AM this morning near his Southern California home. Hanneman was in an area hospital when he suffered liver failure. He is survived by his wife Kathy, his sister Kathy and his brothers Michael and Larry, and will be sorely missed.

Our Brother Jeff Hanneman, May He Rest In Peace (1964 - 2013).'

Everyone at Soundshock is shocked and saddened by this terrible news and send condolences to the members of Slayer and all family and friends affected.

Doom metallers Conan have signed to Napalm Records/Spinning Goblin. The trio from Liverpool signed with the Austrian label after releasing brilliant debut full-length album ‘Monnos’ on Dutch label Burning World.

The move comes as Napalm have moved further and further into stoner and doom metal territory, with the likes of Monster Magnet, Karma To Burn and Candlemass all appearing on their roster in the last four years.   

Conan released a statement on the new deal yesterday: