NEW SITE CHANGES!

You may have noticed that over the past few months quiet changes have been made to the site. First we gave you new artist pages. Check out your favorite and you'll find widgets, videos, music, and much more. Plus they look great.

A few weeks back we also updated our Artists page. You'll see highlighted artists up top in blue. These change as artists are updated with news, video, and music. This is a great page to make your first port-of-call after the news section!

Today we've relaunched three other pages. Music and Video are all new. You can now embed all of our music and video posted to the site in your blog, web site, or MySpace/Facebook profiles. At the right of these pages you'll see charts driven by what YOU do on our site. You can also leave comments at all songs and videos, rate them, and favorite them in our new profile system (more on that in a sec).







 

The Releases page has gotten a huge makeover. Every album now has its own home page where you can see the available tracks, rate it, leave a review, or comment on others' reviews. Snazzy huh?

Finally, we just launched our new profile pages. If you're a subscriber to our email newsletters, you can log in, add your own picture, keep track of the latest updates on our site (and partner sites), follow your favorite videos and music, and tell us what bands you want to hear about.

Of course, many of these new features require that you be a member of the site to use them, so please join today!

We are, of course, in a beta phase and need your help to make the site work the best for YOU. If you see any problems or want to suggest changes to the new features, please send an email to webmaster@roadrunnerrecords.com with "NEW SITE REPORT" in the subject line. If you receive an error, please be as detailed as possible, including what page you were on, what browser you are using, and copy any error message you receive into the body of the email.

Please feel free to leave comments here below!

Cheers!

Jeremy Rosen

GET THRASHED

The history of metal would be sorely diminished without Thrash. Metallica, Megadeth, Pantera, Slayer, Anthrax, Suicidal Tendencies, and much deeper into the underground all changed what we view as metal today. Enter Rick Ernst, for years with Headbangers Ball, freelance director and producer and current video head at Roadrunner Records, and Rat Skates. Maybe you know him from Overkill. If you think you know anything at all about Thrash you should.

This week both join Bob Nalbandian to talk about their documentary film "Get Thrashed" now out on DVD. They hit up all the bands mentioned above, plus a ton more featured in the film. You'll run backwards and forwards through the history and future of Thrash.

1. Subscribe at iTunes.
2. Click the download button at the top right of the Skull Sessions page.
3. Stream the episode from the music player in the middle of the Skull Sessions page.
4. Check our Skull Sessions podcast feed.
5. You can listen to all of our episodes straight from the stream at www.RoadrunnerRecords.com

ARE YOU A GROUPIE?

Bob takes a break from debate this week to answer the voluminous amount of email from Skull Sessions fans. Listen up to hear if he answered you. Also, get your chance to win a Dave Ellefson signature Peavey bass guitar by guessing the identity of 10 metal riffs.

1. Subscribe at iTunes.
2. Click the download button at the top right of the Skull Sessions page.
3. Stream the episode from the music player in the middle of the Skull Sessions page.
4. Check our Skull Sessions podcast feed.
5. You can listen to all of our episodes straight from the stream at www.RoadrunnerRecords.com

TEN TEN TEN TEN TEN TEN TEN TEN TEN TEN

Do you think you're a high flyer after 9 episodes of the Skull Sessions? Boy, get ready to say "I'm A Loser" because this is Skull Sessions Episode 10! This episode is too hot to handle and will be the reason you love to love the Skull Sessions. Are you hot 'n' ready? Here come host Bob Nalbandian, returning guest Martin Popoff (author of UFO: Shoot Out The Lights), and rock music heavyweight Brian Brinkerhoff. They're doing it all for you as they explore UFO from 1970 through 2006.

1. Subscribe at iTunes.
2. Click the download button at the top right of the Skull Sessions page.
3. Stream the episode from the music player in the middle of the Skull Sessions page.
4. Check our Skull Sessions podcast feed.
5. You can listen to all of our episodes straight from the stream at www.RoadrunnerRecords.com

Brian Brinkerhoff has been involved in the music business for several years as a rock journalist for magazines such as Kerrang! as well as a managing partner with Vis-a-vi Music Management in the '90s, E-Music, and Walt Disney Publishing where Brian signed the entire Bad Company back catalog. Brian's also had an extensive relationship with several of the members of UFO for several years and is and always will be a die-hard rock & metal fan!

AEROSMITH AEROSMITH AEROSMITH

Join Bob and show regulars Roadrunner A&R head Monte Conner and author Martin Popoff for a fast-paced race around the work of Aerosmith. Deliberation, disputation, and debataration occur as the three cover the American hard rock veterans' entire back catalog and do some psychic reading on the band's future.

There are five ways for you to get your regular consumption of metal awesome:

1. Subscribe at iTunes.
2. Click the download button at the top right of the Skull Sessions page.
3. Stream the episode from the music player in the middle of the Skull Sessions page.
4. Check our Skull Sessions podcast feed.
5. You can listen to all of our episodes straight from the stream at www.RoadrunnerRecords.com

GET THRASHED

The history of metal would be sorely diminished without Thrash. Metallica, Megadeth, Pantera, Slayer, Anthrax, Suicidal Tendencies, and much deeper into the underground all changed what we view as metal today. Enter Rick Ernst, for years with Headbangers Ball, freelance director and producer and current video head at Roadrunner Records, and Rat Skates. Maybe you know him from Overkill. If you think you know anything at all about Thrash you should.

This week both join Bob Nalbandian to talk about their documentary film "Get Thrashed" now out on DVD. They hit up all the bands mentioned above, plus a ton more featured in the film. You'll run backwards and forwards through the history and future of Thrash.

1. Subscribe at iTunes.
2. Click the download button at the top right of the Skull Sessions page.
3. Stream the episode from the music player in the middle of the Skull Sessions page.
4. Check our Skull Sessions podcast feed.
5. You can listen to all of our episodes straight from the stream at www.RoadrunnerRecords.com

IT'S THE METAL STATE OF THE UNION!

Hope everyone enjoys the new Skull Sessions logo designed by Mike D. of Killswitch Engage. Let us know what you think in comments.

--

It's the metal state of the union as Chris Akin (co-host of The Classic Metal Show), Darryl Keck (author of the new book Metal Generation) and Bob Nalbandian duke it out over the realities of contemporary metal.

The three hit upon myriad topics including the variety present in today's metal, calssic bands still riding high atop multi-million grossing tours, the possible return of 80s metal to the scene, and a plethora of more metal greatness.

The Classic Metal Show can be heard on Saturday nights at www.theclassicmetalshow.com and is at the top of internet metal radio today.

For more information on Keck's Metal Generation (High Volume Press), hit up his web site at www.highvolumepress.com. You won't be disappointed.

There are five ways for you to get your regular consumption of metal awesome:

1. Subscribe at iTunes.
2. Click the download button at the top right of the Skull Sessions page.
3. Stream the episode from the music player in the middle of the Skull Sessions page.
4. Check our Skull Sessions podcast feed.
5. You can listen to all of our episodes straight from the stream at www.RoadrunnerRecords.com

GOD LISTENS TO SLAYER!

There are three ways to access this podcast!
1. Subscribe at iTunes.
2. Click the download button at the top right of the Skull Sessions page.
3. Stream the episode from the music player in the middle of the Skull Sessions page.

SLAYER! The Early Years: On this second episode of the Shockwaves Skull Sessions, host Bob Nalbandian is joined by author/journalist Joel McIver and Doug Goodman. Joel is the author of the brand new book The Bloody Reign Of Slayer (Omnibus Press 2008) and Doug Goodman was Slayer's original tour manager from Show No Mercy/Hell Awaits era. Doug and Nalbandian share some classic stories about SLAYER from their very early years that are revealed for the first time in Joel's new book including the band's first club shows in Orange County as well as some great road stories told by Doug! This is a must listen for any fan of SLAYYERRR!!!

JOEL MCIVER:

Joel McIver is an author, journalist, book and magazine editor and album compiler. He's written 11 books and lives for Bay Area thrash, Swedish death metal and British grindcore but isn't just a drooling headbanger, taking in hip-hop, jazz, downtempo, classical and funk along the way. He writes or has written for music mags such as Record Collector, Metal Hammer, Total Guitar, Kerrang!, Classic Rock, Bass Guitar and Future Music. He writes about films for DVD Review magazine and is an occasional talking head on music TV, as well as appearing on radio from time to time.

Books By Joel McIver:
The Bloody Reign Of Slayer (Omnibus, 2008)
Sabbath Bloody Sabbath (Omnibus, 2006)
Sex Pistols: The Making OF THe Great Rock 'N' Roll Swindle (MQ Publications, 2006)
The Making Of The Red Hot Chili Peppers's Blood Sugar Sex Magic (MQ Publications, 2005)
No One Knows: The Qeens Of The Stone Age Story Omnibus, 2005)
Extreme Metal II (Omnibus, 2005)
Justice For All: The Truth About Metallica (Omnibus, 2004)
Nu-Metal: THe Next Generation Of Rock And Punk (Omnibus, 2002)
Slipknot: Unmasked (Omnibus, 2001)
Extreme Metal (Omnibus, 2000)

DOUG GOODMAN:

Doug Goodman tours the world with whoever will pay him as a tour manager and a tour accountant. His first tour was in 1984 in Tom Araya's Camaro, and 3000 shows later, it's still among his favorites. Doug has toured with band's as diverse as Ben Folds Five, Cannibal Corpse, Jewel, Steve Earle, Beck, Smashing Pumpkins and Green Day; but none were, or are, as heavy as Slayer. When he's not on the road he and his wife, Michele, can be found watching a baseball game at Dodger Stadium.

 

ARE YOU A GROUPIE?

Bob takes a break from debate this week to answer the voluminous amount of email from Skull Sessions fans. Listen up to hear if he answered you. Also, get your chance to win a Dave Ellefson signature Peavey bass guitar by guessing the identity of 10 metal riffs.

1. Subscribe at iTunes.
2. Click the download button at the top right of the Skull Sessions page.
3. Stream the episode from the music player in the middle of the Skull Sessions page.
4. Check our Skull Sessions podcast feed.
5. You can listen to all of our episodes straight from the stream at www.RoadrunnerRecords.com

AEROSMITH AEROSMITH AEROSMITH

Join Bob and show regulars Roadrunner A&R head Monte Conner and author Martin Popoff for a fast-paced race around the work of Aerosmith. Deliberation, disputation, and debataration occur as the three cover the American hard rock veterans' entire back catalog and do some psychic reading on the band's future.

There are five ways for you to get your regular consumption of metal awesome:

1. Subscribe at iTunes.
2. Click the download button at the top right of the Skull Sessions page.
3. Stream the episode from the music player in the middle of the Skull Sessions page.
4. Check our Skull Sessions podcast feed.
5. You can listen to all of our episodes straight from the stream at www.RoadrunnerRecords.com

IT'S THE METAL STATE OF THE UNION!

Hope everyone enjoys the new Skull Sessions logo designed by Mike D. of Killswitch Engage. Let us know what you think in comments.

--

It's the metal state of the union as Chris Akin (co-host of The Classic Metal Show), Darryl Keck (author of the new book Metal Generation) and Bob Nalbandian duke it out over the realities of contemporary metal.

The three hit upon myriad topics including the variety present in today's metal, calssic bands still riding high atop multi-million grossing tours, the possible return of 80s metal to the scene, and a plethora of more metal greatness.

The Classic Metal Show can be heard on Saturday nights at www.theclassicmetalshow.com and is at the top of internet metal radio today.

For more information on Keck's Metal Generation (High Volume Press), hit up his web site at www.highvolumepress.com. You won't be disappointed.

There are five ways for you to get your regular consumption of metal awesome:

1. Subscribe at iTunes.
2. Click the download button at the top right of the Skull Sessions page.
3. Stream the episode from the music player in the middle of the Skull Sessions page.
4. Check our Skull Sessions podcast feed.
5. You can listen to all of our episodes straight from the stream at www.RoadrunnerRecords.com

FRESHMAN YEAR METAL: CLASSES START NOW

We've got a great episode for you this week, but first a couple of housekeeping items.

First, don't forget you can listen to all of our episodes at RoadrunnerRecords.com.

Second, there are now four ways for you to get your regular consumption of metal awesome:

1. Subscribe at iTunes.
2. Click the download button at the top right of the Skull Sessions page.
3. Stream the episode from the music player in the middle of the Skull Sessions page.
4. Check our Skull Sessions podcast feed.

Metal 101 class is in session! Prepare to get schooled with sharp points and huge riffs as Skull Sessions Episode #7 runs you through a crash course in brain surgery (i.e. the recording industry). Host Bob Nalbandian is joined by Robert Bolger, director of the upcoming documentary film "Behind the Suit and Tie" and David Ellefson, current bassist for F5, Temple Of Brutality, Iron Steel and formerly of Megadeth. The three have a profound, in-depth discussion regarding the current state of the recording industry. From analysis of the future of the business as it pertains to the artist, the record label, and the fan to the pros and cons of downloadable music, you'll be impaled with an education you can't forget.

DAVID ELLEFSON

David Ellefson is currently out on the road with F5 as a part of the Rock and Roll Fantasy Camp along with Extreme and King's X and preparing for the release of the upcoming F5 record entitled The Reckoning due out on August 19, 2008. Contact: www.DavidEllefson.com

ROBERT BOLGER

Robert Bolger is currently shopping for distribution for his upcoming documentary film that takes you inside the metal music industry entitled Behind the Suit and Tie. Contact: www.Behindthesuitandtie.com

THUNDER AND LIGHTNING: THE THIN LIZZY EXPERIENCE

Don't forget to leave us ratings on iTunes!

This is it. The Legend of the Black Rose. The Whiskey in the Jar. The definitive discussion on Irish hard rock kings, Thin Lizzy. Join Bob Nalbandian, Metal Blade Records CEO and Founder Brian Slagel, and rock music journalist-connoisseur Jon Sutherland for an extraordinary discussion around one of the greatest hard rock bands ever. This 90-minute conversation ranges across the band's entire history. You'd be a fool to miss it.

As always there are three ways to access this podcast!
1.