GrumpyRocker

POD HD users were looking forward to getting hold of firmware 2.0 this week - which includes new bass/mic functionality along with a new guitar amp and plenty of goodies for Variax users. However a more serious problem has recently reared its ugly head - that of ear-damaging sound spikes when using the PC editor.

Line 6 has really been on the ball though and already has a fix out there. You'll need to update HD Edit on your PC and the firmware of your POD HD500.

Details and link below.

POD HD500 Flash Memory v1.43 and POD HD500 Edit v1.08
These updates address a bug which allows invalid data to be introduced to presets. In rare instances recalling presets containing invalid data may cause intermittent high volume events, as reported by a small number of POD HD500 users. We are targeting updates for POD HD Pro, POD HD, and their respective editors in the weeks following. For more information regarding these updates please read the detailed release notes at: http://line6.com/software/.

Iron Maiden have announced plans for another retro tour - this time recreating the Maiden England movie - that means a set and songs drawn from the Seventh Son of a Seventh Son tour. For many of us that's the band's best album.

Of course Seventh Son tracks are still part of the band's regular set, but in recreating that set we should get to hear some old favourites not played for quite a while such as Still Life and Die With Your Boots On.

Tour dates have been announced for North America so far. Alas as usual we Brits get the shitty end of the stick from our greatest musical export - we'll have to wait until 2013.

Click through for the full announcement and dates.

The other day we brought you news of Indian progressive rockers Skyharbor so in keeping with that international theme, we now bring you news of Dubai based progressive rockers Absolace. Fractals is Absolace's second album and you can read more about the release as well as a link to the cracking album track Chroma Mera.

Normally you'd find me spending time on here either bringing you news on up and coming releases, tours or the staple album / single reviews that our loving music PR companies keep us occupied with. However, rewind two years and you'd have found me on the sadly defunct Ukmusicreview website. It was through a fellow reviewer on there, that I found and fell in love with Sleigh Bells. In fact as it was December 2010, it was an amusing time to discover them and their debut album Treats.

On the 20 February 2012, Sleigh Bells release their second album Reign of Terror and if you read after the jump you'll be able to watch the video for Comeback Kid and listen to the Soundcloud track Born to Lose, both featuring on Reign of Terror.

Indian progressive metal isn't a phrase you often hear, but after four years in the making Skyharbor are about to release their debut album Blinding White Noise: Illusion and Chaos on 23 April 2012 through Basick Records. More details of the release and a link forthcoming album track Maeva are available after the jump.

Yes we are fully aware that Record Store Day 2012 isn't until 21 April 2012, but when news reached Grumpyrocker Towers that there is going to be a special T-Rex release, then early excitement means that it is difficult to keep to yourself. Not only that, but that the Record Store Day release is a mere prelude to super de dooper, special deluxe (sadly not by Peter T Hooper) re-release of their debut and highly influential album Electric Warrior. To release all the tension of finding out exactly what is on offer then read more after the jump.

Mr Tom are a new four piece band from the New Forrest and have decided to take their musical lead from the likes of Foals and Two Door Cinema Club. If you want to hear a little something from Mr Tom then read more after the jump, listen to debut single Feet Hit the Floor, read details of their UK tour and click on a link to a free download of track Forget What Your Mother Said.

Ah love is in the air at Grumpyrocker towers...at the risk of turning one less than grumpy, news reaches our ears that we felt we had to share with you. Those loveable rascals the Super Happy Fun Club (read d-jaysea's review of their debut album here) have released a free single just in time for Valentine's Day with more details after the jump.

I can't be the only one dismayed by the goings on behind the scenes with the Black Sabbath reunion. It's clear that Bill Ward isn't being treated fairly - and not for the first time.

Sharon Osbourne has denied she's to blame - but her track record isn't good in this regard - just look at the way Ozzy band members Bob Daisley and Lee Kerslake were treated. Both had their contributions to early Ozzy albums deleted and re-recorded - a spiteful move by Sharon following the musician's litigation for fair payment for their work.

Anyway I could rant all day about Sharon's spiteful treatement of other musicians, but I've something more entertaining here for you in the form of a guest post from Dawsons Music's Tahera Dudhwala who delves deeper into the mystery over Bill Ward's treatment.

The moment I hear someone mention The Stranglers I immediately hear the dirty grunt of Peaches and I'm launched into childhood memories of Keith Floyd - for those unaware Keith Floyd was arguably the first TV chef personality, spending most of the show knocking back the odd bottle (or more) of wine most of which was never intended for the pot, but the soundtrack that exited out many of the 'Floyd on..' series utilised an acoustic version of Peaches. However, The Stranglers are more than Peaches and 2012 finds the current lineup about to release a new album called Giants and embark on a full UK tour (where you can also catch Mike Marlin supporting). Details of that and a sneak preview of single Time Was Once on My Side after the jump.