RM ROUNDUP: DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN, ALICE IN CHAINS, DEFTONES, SOUNDGARDEN, HIGH ON FIRE... 9:52pm, 5 Mar 2010

On the day of DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN's London shows - DILLINGER DAY, as it was known - I remember sitting in the office, exchanging a series of ever more excited texts from Dan about his interview with Liam and Jeff, and how psyched he was for the show he was queuing for, their date at the Camden Barfly. So I'm pleased to finally be able to mail you guys our new interview with the boys, plus Dan's review of the show with EXCLUSIVE shots from Pearl. When this album drops later in the month, you're going to be wiping us off the walls.

Elsewhere, SOUNDGARDEN's first material in years will be... a reissue, PETE WENTZ shaves again and 65DAYSOFSTATIC have a zen week. ALICE IN CHAINS finish their story, THE POSTMAN SYNDROME finish their album, DEFTONES finish their tracklist. (DAMN) THIS DESERT AIR tease us, CAESARS ROME wow us, THE AUTOMATIC impress us, and PG. LOST continue to be everything we want and more. And we finally get together some contests for you, courtesy of HIGH ON FIRE and OUTCRY COLLECTIVE.

Click here for the RM Mailer.

…posted by Ruth Midget

RIP Mark Linkous 1:19am, 11 Mar 2010

Mark Linkous, best known as the leader and only permanent member of Sparklehorse, passed away on 6th March. He was 47.

"It is with great sadness that we share the news that our dear friend and family member, Mark Linkous, took his own life today. We are thankful for his time with us and will hold him forever in our hearts. May his journey be peaceful, happy and free. There’s a heaven and there’s a star for you." reads an statement on Linkous' official website.

Following the end of his previous band, cult indie favourites Dancing Hoods, Linkous formed what would become Sparklehorse. The band released several acclaimed albums, including 1995 debut Vivadixiesubmarinetransmissionplot, and Good Morning Spider, the latter dealing with (amongst other things) his accidental overdose while on tour with Radiohead in 1996. Linkous was also a reputable producer, responsible for albums by Nina Persson and Daniel Johnston

Linkous died following a period of "personal problems", and at the time he was staying with friends in Knoxville. After drunkenly exchanging a series of text messages with an unknown person, he told his friends he was going for a walk, then committed suicide by shooting himself in the chest.

At the time of his death, Linkous had completed most of the work on a new record, and was in town to set up a studio to finish recording.

…posted by Ruth Midget

Melvins play the Bride 1:04am, 11 Mar 2010

First details have emerged of the 18th studio album from the stalwart godfathers-to-pretty-much-every-genre-depending-on-which-mag-you-read, Melvins.

The Bride Screamed Murder is due on 1st June through Ipecac Recordings. That's the artwork on the left there.

The album retains the lineup of Coady Willis and Jared Warren (Big Business, along with Dale Crover and Buzz 'King Buzzo' Osborne. Other than that, there's few details, apart from that it features a song Osborne wrote in the 90's, and of course the youtube footage.

The band will also be releasing a split with Isis at some point later this year.

…posted by Ruth Midget

Soulfly Omen delayed 12:50am, 11 Mar 2010

Soulfly's new album Omen has been put abck to 25th May through Roadrunner for reasons unknown.

Console yourself with this: 'Lethal Injection' live in Florida.

…posted by Ruth Midget

Lostprophets additional date 12:07am, 11 Mar 2010

Lostprophets ahve announced an additional headlining show at the 2010 Camden Crawl. They play the Roundhouse on 2nd May, with support provided by The Blackout.

Their upcoming UK shows now look like this:

Wednesday 28 April BOURNEMOUTH O2 Academy
Friday 30 April FOLKESTONE Leas Cliff Hall
Saturday 1 May CARDIFF International Arena
Sunday 2 May LONDON Camden Crawl at the Roundhouse

New single 'For He's A Jolly Good Felon' is out on 5th April through visible Noise.

…posted by Ruth Midget

Rival Schools label in the works 12:02am, 11 Mar 2010

Yay! According to Rock Sound, Rival Schools are in the final stages of sorting out a deal with Photo Finish for the release of their first album since United By Fate in 2001.

In the meantime, Walter Schriefels releases his debut solo album An Open Letter To The Scene on BSM next month.

…posted by Ruth Midget