Mid-December — perfect timing to post a guest blog from a band called End of a Year. Never heard of ‘em? They’re a Cohoes, New York punk band with hardcore leanings that claim they sound like a “garbage truck dropped off the Empire State Building.” Cool description even if that tag applies more accurately to someone like Coldworker.

Well anyway, End of a Year frontman Patrick Kindlon has some firm opinions about partying on the road. And he’s got some criteria that wannabe partiers should keep in mind. Click “more” to read his party primer: (more…)

With Gigantour 2008, Megadeth frontman Dave Mustaine tapped into the independent market a little bit and cobbled together a fierce, bill that featured Megadeth, In Flames, Children of Bodom, Job For a Cowboy and High on Fire. It seemed like a good move — one that verified Megadeth’s importance in the lineage of heavy metal and made Mustaine look pretty savvy. (more…)

Sicko technical death metal band Origin swung through Club Rebel in New York in October and Metal Injection were there to film three songs, “The Aftermath,” “Staring From the Abyss” and “Perversion of Hate.” The Kansas-based band are done touring for 2008, so if you can’t wait until next year click “more” and loop the clips to play over and over and over — preferably all at the same time. (more…)

Ozzy Osbourne may have been the Prince of Darkness since 1979 (as he asserts in that “World of Warcraft” commercial), but we all know Sharon’s the true Duchess of Devastation.

Mum Osbourne struck again on Saturday on the set of the reunion special of VH1’s “Rock of Love: Charm School.” TMZ reported that mom Osbourne allegedly got angry with contestant Megan Hauserman for talking s–t about her husband, Ozzy; she ran across the stage, grabbed Hauserman by the hair and pulled her hair and scratched at her until security separated the two. (more…)

For the second time this year, Machine Head guitarist Phil Demmel has collapsed onstage while performing. This time, Demmel fainted during the second-to-last song of the band’s set Friday night in Sheffield, England.

“After considering the seriousness of Phil’s health condition, we all feel that skipping these last two shows [in Antwerp, Belgium and Luxembourg] is the best thing to do,” bassist Adam Duce said in a statement. “It’s a bummer to end this tour like this after doing nine amazing weeks and three continents with Slipknot, but getting Phil back to the States to get checked out is the most important thing right now. Our sincerest thanks to Slipknot and Children of Bodom for their support and understanding.We understand that it’s a big disappointment to the fans, and Phil is very sorry about it, but we all feel that his health and safety is most important at this time.”

Click “more” for the rest of the story and to watch Machine Head perform Iron Maiden’s “Hallowed Be Thy Name” live. (more…)