GrumpyRocker

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.

You might argue that there was a Leeds obsession last year on Grumpyrocker and although I promised I would try not to fall into that trap this year, what should fall across our lap, but Leeds band Holy State. Whilst trying to avoid any clichéd references, Jimbo was dispatched with a cup of Yorkshire Tea in hand to provide his thoughts on Holy State’s new single Dial ‘M’ for Monolith.

Zoe White Chambers, not a name many of you will have heard, but as lead female vocalist of the Cornish trio who make up Auction for the Promise Club, she could well be about to launch the band into the conscious of the indie music listening nation. With an uncanny nack of sounding like Ellie Goulding, details of their debut EP, where you can catch them live and a video of their new single Under China are available after the jump.

Bloodloss might well be a new name in terms of metal bands, but with debut mini album out in March, there's plenty of time to grow accustomed to these five lads from South London. With more details of debut mini album The Struggle and a link to track This Still Remains after the jump, you'd be mad not to click on full story.

Just a very quick news item to highlight that after the critical acclaim of their debut EP the "Bahraini/Austrian/Londonian" duo Straylings; in anticipation of their debut album Entertainment on Foreign Grounds due out in March, are making an early live showing at the Camden Barfly this Saturday (14th January). Tickets are available on the door or a little cheaper via this link.

If you want to check out a quick sample of what the Straylings offer then head over to Soundcloud and check out Carver's Kicks.

Last year we brought you a little of the emerging work of ¡Forward, Russia!'s guitarist Whiskas solo career under the moniker Honour Before Glory. In preparation for debut full length album This is Broken Lines, Honour Before Glory are about to release a new EP, read more details after the jump as well as a link to a rather special video.

Jimbo's first review of 2012 finds him tackling High Wycombe's This is Freedom and their new EP Welcome Home, although Jimbo seems to have poured water on the open fire and turned off all the lights and isn't in the mood to welcome anyone home.