Attention, Massachusetts metalcore fans: There's a new Shadows Fall album coming out next week -- which explains what their vocalist Brian Fair was doing in the AOL studios for this week's ''Creep Show.' In addition to plugging the record, 'Retribution' -- the first to be issued on Shadows Fall's own Forever Black Industries label (with distribution through Ferret) -- Fair contributed greatly to the rest of the podcast, chiming in with witty and insightful comments about the week's top news stories and album releases.

He was joined for the show by the rest of the panel, which featured Noisecreep editor Seth Werkheiser, lead writer Amy Sciarretto, news columnist and writer Chris Harris and 'Nights With Alice Cooper' producer and freelance journalist Katherine Turman.

Topics of conversation included Dimmu Borgir's decision to fire two members for selling band merchandise over the web, cementing the notion that, as Harris puts it, "Black metal drama just isn't what it used to be." The panelists also discussed the power of PETA and size of Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry's penis, talked more about the supergroup Them Crooked Vultures and pondered the possibility of a new Thrash of the Titans Tour that would feature Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer and Anthrax.


When they were done discussing the week's news, the ''Creep Show' panelists dissected Black Anvil's new release, 'Time Insults the Mind,' and also dug their claws into new offerings by Insane Clown Posse, Chevelle and Celan.

Then, the star of the proceedings, Fair, talked about Shadows Fall's performance on 'Late Night With Jimmy Fallon,' why 'Retribution' is the most raw, aggressive Shadows album since 2004's 'The War Within,' how Pro Tools is ruining metal and how running their own label is more rewarding and lucrative than being on a major label. Fair also recalled the time when producer Jason Suecof broke two toes stage diving in his wheelchair at a Shadows Fall show, and why he disses the local sports team in every town Shadows Fall play.

More From Noisecreep