It was December 19th 2009, 6:30 pm and snowflakes were falling on West 34th street in New York City. However, the snowstorm outside was nothing compared to the storm brewing on 7th floor of the Manhattan Center. Ring Of Honor Wrestling was in town for “Final Battle 2009” and while the fans got revved up for the last ROH show of the year I was getting ready for my first ROH show ever.  

In the January 2010 issue of Decibel (Mastodon cover), Funebrarum’s Matt Medeiros picked his Top 5 old school death metal releases of 2009. Two of the five spots went to Ibex Moon releases: Asphyx’s Death…The Brutal Way at #1 and Goreaphobia’s Mortal Repulsion at #5. In the same issue Death…The Brutal Way made Decibel’s Top 40 Albums of 2009 list, landing at #20. Finally, in the CD review section, Avulsed’s Nullo (The Pleasure of Self Mutilation) received a score of 8/10.  

All That Remains has released a harder more explosive version of their previous released video ‘Forever In Your Hands’., which includes clips of their most recent Hard Drive tour, where they headlined. Expect this to be much harder than the earlier radio friendly version.  

IMAGE UNITED, the six-part crossover written by Robert Kirkman and featuring Image Founders Erik Larsen, Rob Liefeld, Todd McFarlane, Whilce Portacio, Marc Silvestri and Jim Valentino, makes its second coming to comic stands this Wednesday with a pre-release, distribution-level sell out!  

As one of the brightest, rising stars in the metalcore world, The Devil Wears Prada has been named 2009’s Band of the Year by Alternative Press. The band will grace the cover of AltPress’ February 2010 issue, on stands January 5. With vocalist Mike Hranica having been featured on the cover of the magazine’s Warped Tour August issue, this is the second time in less than a year that TDWP has been on the cover of AltPress.  

Nick Oliveri has taken his “Death Acoustic” tour to Australia, New Zealand and Europe, now he is heading home with a run of solo shows across the United States east coast during January / February and west coast dates set to follow shortly after. Catch Nick in intimate, solo mode at :  

RAMMSTEIN debut their latest video for “Ich Tu Dir Weh” today on http://visit-x.net/rammstein/ (visit at your own risk, as entrance to minors is forbidden in Germany and access restrictions may apply for other countries as well).  

Legendary Punk and Metal Icon Eerie Von To Make Special Appearance in New York On Friday January 8th, 2010, punk legend Eerie Von (Danzig, Samhain) will make a special in-store appearance at New York’s Generation Records in support of his new photography book Misery Obscura: The Photography of Eerie Von (1981-2009).  

After just one day in stores, Bill Willingham’s first Angel issue has sold out, and IDW Publishing will rush a second printing to market. Angel#28 is the first issue featuring multiple EisnerAward-winner Willingham as the writer, and kicksoff a new six-issue storyline, entitled “The Crown Prince Syndrome.” The second printing of Angel#28 will be available on January 6th, andwill feature an all-new cover by Brian Denham.  

CHEW, the highly acclaimed new series by writer John Layman and artist Rob Guillory, has begun its second story arc, “International Flavor” with yet another complete distribution-level sell out!  

Jeff B. Becerra of the legendary POSSESSED has given his stamp of approval to Brazil’s HEADHUNTER DC whose new album God’s Spreading Cancer will be released through Ibex Moon Records on January 19, 2010. Becerra had this to say about the long-running act.  

Borknagar, Norway’s progressive metal band is gearing up to release their eighth studio album entitled UNIVERSAL, out March 2nd in North America. The album will be available in four different formats including regular jewel case CD, limited digipack (including bonus disc), CD box with extras and gatefold LP with double vinyl.