APPARENTLY THERE IS A WORLD OUTSIDE OF METALLICA

While we were busy paying homage to the world’s biggest metal band yesterday, turns out some other kind of important stuff actually happened too. Who’d’ve thunk it?

Scar Symmetry announced that vocalist Christian Älvestam has left the band. This makes me very sad. While guitarists Jonas Kjellgren and Per Nilsson may be the primary creative force behind the group, Älvestam is an amazing and diverse vocalist who will be missed. Holographic Universe will certainly end up in my year-end top albums list for 2008, so hopefully the band can find a suitable replacement and finally play these songs on the road.

The Haunted are streaming all of their new album Versus on their MySpace page. Go listen!

Children of Bodom have a new video for “Smile Pretty For the Devil.” Alexi might be writing the same song over and over, but shit, it’s a great song!

Dark New Day drummer Will Hunt says “There WILL BE NEW DARK NEW DAY AVAILABLE BEFORE CHRISTMAS 2008.” We hope so! Clint Lowery joined the band for a one-off show in Marietta, GA since his Sevendust show had been canceled by Hurricane Ike. Good to know things are peachy between Clint and DND.

Avenged Sevenfold post “Scream” from their recently released live DVD.