Often dubbed the “Misfit of Scottish Festivals” the Wickerman is once again set to sizzle on the 25th & 26th July. The Solway Coasts most warmly regarded event has finalised its musical line-up and on-site entertainment. Artistic Director Sid Ambrose has provided a Hot Picks A-Z guide for the weekend of cult celebration.

Two of the UK’s finest up and coming bands are joining musical forces this summer with a fantastic 20 date tour all over the UK.

It’s only 6 weeks to go until this Summer’s hottest festival Creamfields, and the team behind the UK’s No.1 Dance festival are pleased to announce more acts to the allstar line up.
 

So there i was at work on Monday 1st July 2008, 9am as usual, i checked my email to find.......I was one of only a handful of people who will sing 'Heaven Can Wait' Live on Stage with IRON MAIDEN.
I could not believe it, My favorite Band of all time and little old me?

The award winning Cream is preparing for another momentous Summer season with what can only be described as a world beating line up of 16 parties with Paul van Dyk returning to Amnesia’s helm as exclusive resident.

SPV Records release AXEL RUDI PELL 'Live Over Europe' a double DVD on 25th February in celebration of Pell’s outstanding show at the Rock Hard Festival in 2007.  The 75-minute concert features the Axel Rudi Pell Band performing haunting versions of classic tracks, including ‘Strong As A Rock’, ‘Tear Down The Walls’, ‘Mystica’,

MAGNUM’s “Wings of Heaven Live” will be released by SPV on 25th February 2008, 20 years after Wings of Heaven’s original release in 1998, when it reached number 2 in the UK album charts and spawned three top-30 singles. 

Following the success of their second full length album, ‘Termination Bliss’, Deathstars are set to release a deluxe edition of the album on January 14th and undertake a full UK tour this January/March with Korn. The tour sees the Swedish  ‘Death-glam core cyber sex rockers’  open for Korn on 11 dates in January and March as well as two headline dates in Sheffield and Norwich.

Vocalist Matt Barlow has returned to US metal legends ICED EARTH, replacing Tim 'Ripper' Owens who recorded 2 albums with the band following Barlow's departure in late 2003. ICED EARTH mainman/guitarist Jon Schaffer has issued the following statement:

"Hello, dear friends!

San Diego Metalers As I Lay Dying are returning to UK shores once again in March 2008 for 5 dates. Supporting on all dates are Florida's own Evergreen Terrace.

QUIET RIOT drummer Frankie Banali has confirmed the passing of the group's singer, Kevin DuBrow, at the age of 52.Banali's official website reads: "I can't even find words to say. Please respect my privacy as I mourn the passing and honor the memory of my dearest friend Kevin DuBrow."

36 Crazyfists have announced a UK Tour supporting British Metallers Bullet For My Valentine, along with three headline dates with Skindred, the other support act for Bullet For My Valentine.

German power metallers GAMMA RAY have inked a deal with Steamhammer/SPV. The group's new album, "Land of the Free II" is scheduled for release in on November 19.

Edsel Records (through Demon) are releasing a box set of all eleven singles by Gillan together with a bonus DVD of promo videos.   The box set will contain 11 CD-sized replicas of their original 7” sleeves, plus a DVD containing seven promo videos.  It will be released on 22nd October.  This box set follows the successful release of the Ian Gillan and Gillan re-mastered albums earlier this year

TARJA TURUNEN, the exceptionally gifted singer, has signed to Universal Music on an exclusive worldwide basis.   Tarja rose to prominence as the  voice and the face of Finnish outfit Nightwish, with her unique tones and striking stage presence having played a key role in the international success of that band.