Shit’s going Down. One of the greatest supergroups of all time are back, and they’re on the cover of the new issue of Metal Hammer! Plus, a free CD, a free Lacuna Coil bonus mag, Metallica, Motley Crue, Meshuggah, Slash, Gojira, Slayer and much, much more! Order your copy now!

Something’s brewin’ in New Orleans…and it’s a goddamn monster. DOWN are back on the cover of Metal Hammer, and best of all, they’re finally getting ready to unleash some new material! Fuck yes! We travel all the way to New Orleans itself to rendezvous with a Phil Anelsmo reborn and find out the truth behind the most ambitious project yet from one of the greatest supergroups of all time. Also in our brand-spanking-new issue, we’re giving away a mega free 24-page LACUNA COIL special, detailing the storied career of one of the biggest bands in metal and unveiling their incredible history, from recovering from the critical mauling of their career to the effect that the passing of Type O Negative legend Pete Steele had on Cristina and the boys.

Plus, because we’re still recovering from a hangover of festive cheer, we’re also giving away a free 2012 PREVIEW CD featuring the bands that we think will be smashing your world to bits over the coming 12 months, including LAMB OF GOD, CANNIBAL CORPSE, ORANGE GOBLIN, ANIMALS AS LEADERS and more! It all ties into our massive 2012 preview feature, featuring interviews with the likes of AVENGED SEVENFOLD, SABATON, COHEED AND CAMBRIA, WHILE SHE SLEEPS, GOJIRA, MESHUGGAH, THE DARKNESS, SOULFLY and every total legend, plucky n00b and underground veteran we’re backing to make 2012 a memorable one.

While we’re certainly looking forward, there were more than a few things that rocked our world in 2011 – not least the epic DIMEBASH event in LA, put on in memory of the legendary DIMEBAG DARRELL and featuring appearences from members of GUNS N’ ROSES, ANTHRAX, BLACK SABBATH, DISTURBED and more!

And, MÖTLEY CRÜE’s epic UK tour with British rock icons DEF LEPPARD and LA favourites STEEL PANTHER! Hammer got to hang out with Crüe backstage in Nottingham during the trek, diving headfirst into the chaos that comes with one of the biggest rock ‘n’ roll tours in history, grilling the band on whether they’ve gone all soft on us in recent times – and riding drummer Tommy Lee’s show-stealing 20-foot drum rollercoaster in front of 10,000 people! All in a day’s work…

Need more legends? We chat to the one and only Biff Byford, getting the SAXON frontman to open up and reveal the albums that changed his life, as well as get the skinny on why Blaze Bayley’s WOLFSBANE are back to save the world and bring the metal once again. Oh, and we got IRON MAIDEN guitarist Adrian Smith to talk to us. The interviewer? Only former SIKTH frontman Mikee Goodman! Turns out the two are finally ready to bring their epic new PRIMAL ROCK REBELLION project to the world. Nice.

If you’re hungering for some new blood, HUNTRESS, RED MIST DESTRUCTION, HOSTILE, DEADLY CIRCUS FIRE and RED ENEMY head up some of the exciting new talent we’re stoked to be bringing you as 2012 kicks off with a bang, and we grab some time with fellow heroes of modern metal in ANIMALS AS LEADERS and MOTIONLESS IN WHITE. Two very different bands, but both equally rocking our world.

We also talk politics with blistering, politically-charged death-grinders LANDMINE MARATHON, chat tatts with metalcore crew A DAY TO REMEMBER and confront the Apocalypse itself courtesy of DEVILDRIVER frontman Dez Fafara, DEVIN TOWNSEND and KILLING JOKE frontman Jaz Coleman.

And, as always, we bring you the very best coverage of the world of extreme, as SUBTERRANEA gets its Occult on with the awesome ANCIENT VVISDOM and THE DEVIL’S BLOOD, welcomes the return of Gaahl with GOD SEED and celebrates PENTAGRAM finally reaching our sacred shores.

Finally, we review the releases that are already making this year one to remember, as we look over the latest efforts from LAMB OF GOD, METALLICA and LACUNA COIL, as well as review the brilliant MACHINE HEAD arena tour and our epic latest instalment of DEFENDERS OF THE FAITH – featuring TRIVIUM, IN FLAMES, GHOST, RISE TO REMAIN and INSENSE!

We told you it was already looking like a blinder. Here’s to 2012!