Image Comics announced today that critically acclaimed series THE SWORD by the Luna Brothers will get a double-sized send off. THE SWORD #24 is increasing its page count to 40 pages, with a cover price of $4.99.   “Like GIRLS #24, we absolutely needed more pages to tell the final issue of The Sword,” said artist Jonathan Luna. “We were trying to fit it all in 22 pages, but there’s just so much to tell.  

Mike Patton (Faith No More, Peeping Tom, Tomahawk) unveils Mondo Cane, his Italian language rock-meets-orchestra hybrid, on May 4 via Ipecac Recordings.  

Springtime receives a dark lining as the long-awaited tome The Gospel of Filth: A Bible of Decadence and Darkness oozes its way into neighborhood and online shops worldwide on March 8, 2010!  

The Melvins release The Bride Screamed Murder on June 1 via Ipecac Recordings with a U.S. tour launching the same day in San Diego and including a stop at the Bonnaroo Festival. The Bride Screamed Murder is the third release featuring Buzz Osborne, Dale Crover and Big Businesses’ Coady Willis and Jared Warren.  

Paul Johnstone may have died, but not only is he better now, he’s resumed the mantle of ShadowHawk in SHADOWHAWK, an all-new series arising from the pages of IMAGE UNITED written by DAN WICKLINE with art by TONE RODRIGUEZ.  

Legendary Philadelphia extreme metal act, Goreaphobia will join Kult Of Azazel, Bloodfeast and Anal Cunt as one of the headliners of this year’s March Metal Massacre Fest in Reading, PA. Featuring over a dozen brutal bands, the show will take place at The Silo Nightclub on March 27th.  

So, the guys return with some juicy news and interviews. Voice actor Rick Wasserman is on the show discussing Planet Hulk and reveals his roll in an upcoming animated series. Also, Director Chris Nolan and the Superman movie revamp… is he or isn’t he? Find out this week on “The Fortress” Podcast: Play in new window | Download  

Piercing vocals, blazing guitar work, and endless excitement defined HammerFall’s show at Irving Plaza in New York this past Sunday, March 7, 2010.  

Deftones has revealed their official video for the song, “Rocket Skates”, here. One tweet will grant you exclusive access to a download of the HD video. “Rocket Skates” is the first track released off of the forthcoming album, Diamond Eyes available May 18th, and can be purchased on iTunes here.  

I had the opportunity to interview Oscar Dronjak, guitarist of HammerFall, before their show at Irving Plaza in New York on March 7th.  

Join the Hordes of Chaos and go fly the Flag of Hate with Kreator on the Hordes of Chaos North America Tour Part 2.  

The riffage and snarling vocals of Matt Pike, grooving bass of Jeff Matz, and pounding drum work of Des Kensel makes Snakes For The Divine a phenomenal listen from start to finish.