The weeks that was with Beez (metal definitely included).

1.Get well soon, Ronnie.
Everyone’s well-wishes are with Mr Ronnie James Dio and his family. Get well soon, fella! Leave your messages of support here!

2. Explosions r00l!
With Rammstein visiting our shores in February and Kiss coming over in May, arenas up and down the UK are going to feel like the Blitz! Achtung motherfuckers!

3. Opposites attract.
The thought of Anthrax men teaming up with members of Fall Out Boy and ETID vocalist Keith Buckley sent most of you into spasms of “that’s not metal” on here and our Facebook but this could definitely be something decent. With Anthrax not fully funtional at the current point in time and with two hardcore kids who’ve never had the chance to let their inner-circle pit out with one of our (well, mine and Gill’s) favourite singers around, this could be one supergroup that really nails it.

4. The Dimebag Darrell Tribute CD that comes with MH200 owns.
Nothing will prepare you for this. You may have read about online about some of the bands and Pantera tracks that they are covering and there’s still a few surprises up our sleeves but NOTHING will prepare you for this monster. We listened to the finished product for the first time this week and every band have brought something hard and heavy to the table. Get ready to shit your cock off.

5. The New Soulfly album sounds promising.
Max first made noises that the album was going to sound like a cross between ‘Reign In Blood’ and Minor Threat. Tick and tick. Now, it’s looking likely that the album is going to feature guest spots from Dillinger Escape Plan’s Greg Puciato and Prong’s Tommy Victor. It’s not being mentioned amongst the big hitters for 2010 but this could be an ass-kicker.

6. California was the place to be last weekend.
Deftones benefit for Chi Cheng featuring appearances from members of Metallica, Children Of Bodom, System Of A Down, Dillinger Escape Plan, Far, Suicidal Tendencies and more. Oh. My. Word.

7. Rob Zombie has returned to form.
More of this to come. We wouldn’t want to spoil you before you’ve had your dinner now, would you?

8. Death and black metal had a killer 2009.
Subterranea and reviews editor Jonathan Selzer popped in to the podcast share his top 20 albums of 2009 with us. None more black. Click here to subscribe to the Metal Hammer Podcast on iTunes!

See y’all next week!