Split Lips & Circle Pits: Gama Bomb, Double Dragon, Defiance

NOT EVERYTHING IN LIFE IS FREE, BUT GAMA BOMB IS: Reported this week, Ireland's finest, Gama Bomb, will be releasing their upcoming album for free on Nov. 5. Titled 'Tales From the Grave in Space' and being released on Earache Records, the album will be available for download directly from the label's site.

Lead vocalist Philly Byrne states, "It doesn't matter who you are, where you live or whether you're skint or loaded right now -- on Nov. 5 you can have our album for free, no questions asked." We don't plan on asking any questions, we just plan on enjoying.

NOT THE VIDEO GAME, THE BAND: For Adelaide, Australia's Double Dragon, they'll be embarking on the chance of a lifetime as opening support on select Australian dates with longtime Thrash acts Slayer and Megadeth this coming October. Currently on Truth Inc. recordings, the band will wrap up the support dates to later head back into the studio for their forthcoming sophmore release with just enough time to follow on an upcoming run with Chimaira in January 2010. With all these amazing support slots, it'd be foolish not to keep these guys on our radar, so we hope to have more news for you on the band soon.

'THE PROPHECY' IS ALIVE: With a small break of 15 years, reunited thrashers Defiance are back on the map and releasing their forthcoming release on Oct. 19. Hailing from Oakland, Calif., the album titled 'The Prophecy' is set to be released on Candlelight Records next month and already revealed online is the cover artwork created by Travis Smith (Nevermore, Opeth).