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"Record stores are where our musical education began and was subsequently nurtured and shaped, playing a huge role in who we are as musicians today," explains Metallica. "Since this special day's inception back in 2008 with ten exclusive releases, the celebration has spread worldwide and expanded to almost 350 unique offerings from a wide variety of artists this year.

"It's important for us to support this cause and encourage music fans everywhere to experience the exciting, inspiring, nostalgic journey through the world of music stores that we were fortunate enough explore in our formative years."

Hundreds of fans turned up at Cardiff Airport recently to see the group's jumbo jet arrive and stocked with gear for the 2016 run in support of 2015's double-album, "The Book Of Souls."

Ed Force One will be piloted by singer Bruce Dickinson. Iron Maiden kick off the 2016 shows with three US concerts starting tonight, February 24 in Fort Lauderdale, FL.

Havok still finds himself explaining how Blaqk Audio is different from AFI. "The obvious difference is that it is completely inorganic," says Havok. "Blaqk Audio is pure electronica whereas AFI uses organic instruments. There's drums and bass and guitar and there's none of that in Blaqk Audio."

Of Mice & Men frontman Austin Carlile is receiving ongoing treatment for genetic disorder Marfan syndrome, which causes problems with bones, nerves and other tissues. But he confirms the band will begin recording the follow-up to Restoring Force next month.

He says: "It's been an extreme past half year of broken ribs, head, hips, and tour dates. After initial surgeries, followed by more medical exams and tests, and physical therapy multiple times a week, the last few months have been a real hurdle for me mentally and physically.

"Now that we've reached the other side, I'm ready to get the relentless machine that is Of Mice & Men back on track. It will start in March with two and a half months in the studio recording our new album.

Meanwhile, the Sheffield outfit have been rehearsing with a choir for the Teenage Cancer Trust fundraiser show at London's Royal Albert Hall on April 22. They'll be backed by a full orchestra during their headline set.

Saxophonist Peter 'JR' Wasilewski says: "The London Astoria was always a special place for us. For a certain time it almost felt like a homecoming every time we played there.

Fallon is also set to tour the UK and Europe in April in support of the release - with his bandmate guitarist Alex Rosamilia, The Horrible Crowes' Ian Perkins, and Molly & The Zombies bassist Catherine Popper as his back-up band.

Iggy performed "The Jean Genie" and "Tonight" (via Pitchfork). Speaking about the song "Tonight," Iggy told the audience, "It's a wonderful, elegant song with a deceptively simple lyric, and I think it's the right lyric for right now and for tonight."

Jones joined Iggy at the halfway point to lend her vocals to the cover. "Everyone will be alright tonight," Jones sang, the lyrics taking on a more meaningful quality, considering she announced in mid-September 2015 that her cancer had returned.

Produced by Brendan O'Brien, the project sees sole original member vocalist/guitarist Andrew Stockdale record the band's fourth record and follow-up to 2014's "New Crown."

The future of the band remains in doubt following the death of bassist Jimmy Bain in January. He passed away just as they began promoting the release, and was later found to have been suffering from cancer.

And all three bands appear on the EP, along with previously unreleased Crossfaith track Dance With The Enemy and their recent collaboration with Skindred's Benji Webbe.

Crossfaith frontman Kenta Koie says: "The Xeno world tour is about to kick off in Europe and the UK and we're bringing some sick bands with us, so we thought we'd give you all some tunes.

Collen tells Alternative Nation: "It reminds me of early Led Zeppelin - it's got a feel like that. I didn't really expect that. I thought it was going to be more subdued, a bit of groove and blues. But it turned into this other thing. It's got elements of Zeppelin, Def Leppard, STP, only it's this soulful, funky, rock thing."

The band also filmed performances of two songs from their forthcoming album Kentucky. These will be released in the coming weeks, while the album is out on April 1, and can be pre-ordered now.

It was purchased by UK collector Paul Fraser at Heritage Auctions in Dallas, Texas. Heritage Auctions director Gary Shrum tells the BBC: "This is the largest lock of John Lennon's hair ever offered at auction and this world record price is a lasting testament to the world's more than 50-year love affair and fascination with Lennon and the Beatles."

The new album was recorded at Boot Hill Studio in Corinth, TX and Valve Studios in Dallas, TX with producer Sterling Winfield (Pantera, Hellyeah, Damageplan).

Big Dad Ritch had this to say about the effort,t "Dark Side of Black is our heaviest album to date for sure. We've learned a lot having made four full-length albums prior. We're trying to use that knowledge we learned to make an album that can maintain what Ride On and Peacemaker bring to the table, yet we wanted it to lend itself more to the power that is the RED DIRT METAL of Rollin and Pride of Texas. So it feels like Pride meets Peacemaker. Top shelf THC meets bottom shelf liquor..."

Drummer Timmy Braun reflects on the challenges he faced recording the album, "About Dark Side of Black, I have never had such a difficult time completing an album in my life," begins Braun. "I say that because my first session I had just got out of the hospital. It was difficult for me to walk let alone play a drum kit. After being in bed for literally two weeks I felt a bit out of shape. Then for the second session my hand was swollen to almost twice its size because of an injury! I couldn't make a fist let alone play a drum kit. However, I'm hoping the vibe I was able to create will have a special flavor that I wouldn't have been able to offer had my life been in order, per say. In other words, tough times make for better art!"

Guitarist Cord Pool adds, "Between tweaking our writing style and being influenced by personal things, Dark Side of Black leads the listener a step closer to the darker and heavier side of what we have to offer."

Texas Hippie Coalition will kick off their "Dark Side of Black" tour, will with support from Sons of Texas, on April 29th in Shreveport, LA and visit a total of 26 cities before ending at River City Rockfest on May 29th.

Bowling For Soup will team up with Steel for shows in London, Cardiff, Manchester and Birmingham, beginning with a date at London's world famous SSE Arena Wembley.

Bowling For Soup's frontman Jaret Reddick had this to say, "Man...BFS and Steel Panther has been a dream line up for me for a long time! And now it is a reality in our favorite country in the world to play!

"To say we are stoked is an understatement! I can't imagine the amount of face melting hilarity in store for the UK peeps, but I'm definitely ready for it all!"

The band say: "We're very excited to present a preview track from our forthcoming album Threnodies as well as the cover artwork. The artwork and layout were created by Colombian, Berlin-based artist Daniel Correa Mejia. We were mesmerised by his paintings and decided that his work fits perfectly with our music.

Vocalist Saller says: "We're so incredibly excited to be a part of the Spinefarm/Search & Destroy family. We've been crafting this album for two years and can't wait to share it with the world."

Smith spans Nirvana's discography, segueing through each album's tracklist with impressive timing and accuracy. He showcases a talented understanding of the rhythms that made the band so famous. Not only does he have a camera recording his performance, but he also set up a camera on his bass drum to capture his footwork.

My Girl was originally called Dance With Me and it was going to be about doing things while you still have the life left in you to do them. Actually, the original version was probably a more interesting concept for a song than My Girl but for some reason I couldn't make it come together.

I guess that was the problem. I was trying to "make it" come together and that approach never works very well for me. I was having trouble finishing the lyrics. One day I decided to record the guitar part on my iphone so that I could take the song around with me.

I was walking through my neighborhood in Crown Heights, singing along to the song on my headphones and trying out different lyrics and different phrasing. It hit me while I was crossing the street.

At that moment I was paying more attention to looking out for cars than writing song lyrics. As I hustled across the street was sort of singing under my breath and subconsciously I blurted out "my girl! She takes good care.... My girl.. Flowers in her hair."

I fell in love with that lyric and how simple it was. I felt like other people could probably vision the woman I was talking about. From then on the lyrics were easy because I dropped the complicated "concept" approach and just went with what seemed to be flowing out of me at the time. I guess I was happy that day.

He released the following statement on his website explaining his decision, "Regretfully, I've decided NOT to participate in the 2016 HoF induction ceremonies. I appreciate the award and I want to thank all of you who voted and finally made it happen.

"Many of you will be disappointed and that's understandable. Quite frankly, I'm disappointed as well. There comes a time when you need to make a decision based on what's best for you without worrying about the consequences and this it that time.

"Every idea or suggestion I offered about how it could work musically was either rejected or changed by the shows producers. Together with the fact that while I sent those same emails to the group, the only reply I ever received back from them was a very snarky 'Take a chill pill dude!' Whoa! Really?

The track comes from their forthcoming album "Us And The Night" which will be released on March 11th. Video directors Martin Landgreve and Magnus Jonsson had this to say about the video, "To make music videos were The Gaucho boys' childhood dream, so to make a video for childhood idols 3 Doors Down is incredible. When Republic Records first reached out to us with this project, we called RJ Mitte right away! Explained the project, our idea for the song and he was ecstatic!

Turns out RJ is a big 3 Doors Down fan himself, and told us a few memorable stories from his life that were defined by 3 Doors Down. RJ is a born actor, and probably the best we've worked with. He brings a lot to the table and he's just as cool and rock 'n' roll as 3 Doors Down themselves-couldn't have been a better choice for the role!

"Overall a kick ass song, with a fun and twisted video that leaves you wondering. Making this video was a great experience and everyone in and around the team was amazing!"

RJ Mitte had the following to say, "I had a great time filming this video, and it was great day of shooting with people I consider my friends. Doing music videos are like mini movie sets and you have to connect with the music as well as the director and the team behind the scenes in order to tell the story the way the band envisioned.

"Up by popular demand," says Roth. "Unlimited binge positive fun for the whole family & beyond�" The web series resurfaced recently when the singer launched a new website on February 7 at davidleeroth.net after his social media sites went dark at the end of January 2015 without explanation.

The band will take the stage on the late night talk show for their first live network television appearance in 16 years to perform their single "Memory," a track that comes from their forthcoming album "We Can Do Anything", which will be released on March 4th.

The band plan on playing their third album Regular Urban Survivors in full to celebrate its 20th anniversary. Bassist Leigh Marklew says: "Regular Urban Survivors is an album that needs to be celebrated.