GrumpyRocker

The ink is barely dry on Mike's chat with Grumpyrocker, but written before, during and after the interview, Jimbo reveals his thoughts on Mike Marlin's second album Man on the Ground.

2011 was an amazing year for Mike Marlin, he released his debut album Nearly Man, turned 50 and was featured as HMV's 'Next Big Thing' - he also appeared in Jimbo's top albums of 2011, but that aside Mike was more than willing to answer Jimbo's questions about music, life and a little insight into his new album Man on the Ground.

Now anything that is free in this current age of austerity is warmly welcomed, so when news reached us at Grumpyrocker that Young Astronaut's debut album Fawn was available to download for free, we felt it only fair to share it with you all. The full news release is after the jump as well as the link to where you can get your hands on an album described as being between "Ben Howard, Frank Turner and a young Radiohead".

For those not aware of Slovenia's Elvis Jackson we are not talking about famous ex-pop stars brought back from the dead, but some rather interesting ska post-punk fusion rhythms. Full details of their UK tour is after the jump as well as the rather excellent video for single Street 45.

When Juan Zelada's debut album High Ceilings and Collarbones arrived in the office, d-jaysea got very excited and wittered on about mini-discs and tapes, so to keep him quiet we handed it to him to review.

If progressive and at times atmospheric death metal is something that grabs your attention, then you may well be interested in news from Basick Records that 7 Horns 7 Eyes have confirmed the track listing for their debut album Throes of Absolution which is out on 23 April 2012 and detailed in full after the jump.

And alas we're going to have to wait until September. Yes The Gathering - perhaps continental Europe's finest band - have announced that the new album will be released later this year. And while September is far off, at least there will be a new single in May.

We are still working on the new record. We will release a new single in May, the album will be released in September. More info as soon as possible!

In the meantime you still can listen to ‘Heroes For Ghosts’, our 11 minute opus magnus which will be on the new album as well! And it is still possible to download it for free at http://thegathering.bandcamp.com/

Check out the band's official website for the latest news. And do check out Heroes for Ghosts, the official Grumpyrocker best song of 2011.

At the risk of failing Harry's guide to 'Beware of False Metal', news reaches my goodself that American progressive-deathcore band Veil of Maya are about to release a new album. Technically they have already failed on two points, but if you're curious and want to put Harry's post to the test have a look after the jump at more details and a link to a couple of videos.

For a band who were one of the major indie bands in the late 1980s, with the iconic George Best cover and named debut album, The Wedding Present have always been seen as David Gedge's baby and all those years later that still hasn't changed. As The Wedding Present gear up to release their 9th studio album, Gedge is assisted by Graeme Ramsay (who's been around a bit), Pepe le Moko (who's not been around that long) and Charlie Layton (the newest member who's just picked up the sticks), with more details of what's happening to The Wedding Present in 2012 available after the jump.

Line 6 has announced a forthcoming update to the POD HD range of guitar modelling systems. The update adds a new Marshall guitar model and finally adds bass and vocal amp support.

Other features include enhanced functionality for use with Variax modelling guitars.

At this rate Line 6 might actually have a finished product deserving of release a couple of years after the POD HD was actually released.

Click through for the full POD HD firmware 2.0 press release.