Download Festival 2012.

Download are now one short of the big four as 14 new bands are added to their 2012 bill. Megadeth immediately leaped out of their latest release, joining fellow thrash heroes Metallica and metal gods Anthrax on what’s shaping up to be quite a stellar line up across the June 8-10th weekend. Joining Mustaine’s metal mongers in the latest 14 are Slash featuring Miles Kennedy, Rise Against, Steel Panther and many more.
The legendary riff lord and ‘Vunter Slaush’ himself, Slash returns to the Download stage for the third time, bringing with him Alter Bridge frontman Miles Kennedy for whats sure to be another astonishing solo set. Melodic hardcore punk group Rise Against, glam rockers Steel Panther, punk four-piece Billy Talent and US heavy metallers Black Label Society are all announced, with the desert rock giants Kyuss Lives! reincarnating the legendary and highly influential stoner rock band Kyuss. Five Finger Death Punch bring their own brand of unrelenting melodic aggression, followed by industrial metal 4-piece Fear Factory and progressive djent metallers Periphery. Yorkshire rockers Terrorvision and Ginger Wildheart also join the grammy nominated metalcore group As I Lay Dying and Finnish glam metal band Reckless Love on what’s certain to be one of the biggest weekends on  2012′s rock calendar.
The other big news in this midweek announcement is the extension of the deadline for weekend arena ticket sales at 2011 prices. Originally scheduled to closed on Monday 30th January, fans will be pleased to discover that prices will remain the same until midday tomorrow at which point all ticket types will go off sale, returning at 5pm and increasing to 2012 prices at £155 plus fees.
Tickets are available now from Downloadfestival.co.uk

Mastodon - Dry Bone Valley.

Sludge metal monsters Mastodon have just released their brand new animated video, and let us say, it’s one hell of a trip. The newly premiered video for the Atlanta based bands track ‘Dry Bone Valley’ is a mix of live action and animated footage directed by fine artist Tim Biskup, that dazzles and confuses. You could quite honestly call this video a psychedelic rainbow nightmare and not be too far from the truth.
Mastodon are on tour next month with dates including:
February 5th, O2 Academy, Bristol.
February 6th, Manchester Academy.
February 7th, Barrowlands, Glasgow.
February 9th, UEA, Norwich.
February 10th, HMV Institute, Birmingham.
February 11th, O2 Academy, Brixton.