Metallica showered with platinum and gold

Metallica showered with platinum and gold

In reviewing the RIAA Gold and Platinum certifications for December, it's obvious that Taylor Swift is having a great end of 2012, but that statement would also apply to Metallica.

The band upped their platinum album totals on two of their classics, with Metallica (the Black Album) getting its 16th Platinum certificate signifying 16,000,000 copies sold while Ride the Lightning receive its 6th. They also received six gold certificates for passing 500,000 digital downloads of individual songs and two gold certificates for songs that exceeded 500,000 downloads as ringtones.

Other veteran artists receiving certifications in Decemeber were the Rolling Stones going gold with Grrr!, Elton John getting platinum for over one million downloads of Your Song, and Tears for Fears receiving gold for digital downloads of their single Shout.

Decembers awards to veteran artists:

Multi-Platinum Album (500,000 units sold)
•Metallica - Metallica (16x Platinum)
•Ride the Lightning - Metallica (6x Platinum)

Gold Album (500,000 units sold)
•Grrr! - Rolling Stones

Digital Platinum Single (1,000,000 units sold)
•Your Song - Elton John (also awarded Gold for first 500,000)

Digital Gold Single (500,000 units sold)
•Shout - Tears For Fears
•Nothing Else Matters - Metallica
•Fade to Black - Metallica
•The Unforgiven - Metallica
•For Whom the Bell Tolls - Metallica
•Master of Puppets - Metallica
•The Day That Never Comes - Metallica

Mastertone Gold Song (500,000 ringtone downloads)
•Enter Sandman - Metallica
•One - Metallica

DIO The Singles Collection coming soon

DIO The Singles Collection coming soon

After leaving Black Sabbath, the legendary Ronnie James Dio formed the self-titled super group with a string of seminal releases that continue to influence the hard rock and heavy metal worlds to this day.

This Complete Singles Collection gathers all of the band's classic singles on Vertigo/Universal in replicas of the original release, a DVD featuring all of the corresponding promo videos, plus a book featuring the complete Vertigo discography.

This classic singles box set includes tracks from DIO's most iconic albums such as 'Holy Diver' which was hailed by critics as DIO's best work and a classic staple in the heavy metal genre. As well as the equally critically acclaimed album 'The Last In Line' which features the massive hits 'The Last In Line' and ' We Rock' which was the first DIO album to be certified Platinum, achieving the feat on February 3, 1987.

Ronnie James Dio voice was hailed as one of the most powerful in heavy metal giving the band an iconic sound, He often ranks as one of the greatest rock vocalists of all time in various online polls and lists. Which has allowed DIO music to stand the test of time and still be some of the most loved rock and heavy metal tracks to date.

CD 1
1. Holy Diver 5:51
Bonus Tracks
2. Evil Eyes
3. Don't Talk To Stangers
CD 2
1. Rainbow In The Dark
Bonus Tracks
2. Stand Up and Shout (Live at Castle Donnington, UK August 20th 1983)
3. Straight Through The Heart (Live at Castle Donnington, UK August 20th 1983)

CD 3
1. The Last In Line
Bonus Tracks
2. Stand Up and Shout (Live at Castle Donington, UK August 20th 1983)
3. Straight Through The Heart (Live at Castle Donington, UK August 20th 1983)

CD 4
1. We Rock
Bonus Tracks
2. Holy Diver (Live at Castle Donington, UK August 20th 1983)
3. Rainbow In The Dark (Live at Castle Donington, UK August 20th 1983)

CD 5
1. Mystery
Bonus Tracks
2. Eat Your Heart Out (Live at Spokane Coliseum, Spokane, USA July 24th, 1984)
3. Don't Talk To Strangers (Live at Spokane Coliseum, Spokane, USA July 24th, 1984)

CD 6
1. Rock N Roll Children
Bonus Tracks
2. We Rock (Live at Spectrum, Philadelphia, USA, September 13th, 1985)
3. The Last In Line (Live at Spectrum, Philadelphia, USA, September 13th, 1985)

CD 7
1. Hungry For Heaven
Bonus Tracks
2. King of Rock N Roll (Live at Spectrum, Philadelphia, USA, September 13th, 1985)
3. Like the Beat of a Heart (Live at Spectrum, Philadelphia, USA, September 13th, 1985)

CD 8
1. Like the Beat of a Heart (Live at Spectrum, Philadelphia, USA, September 13th, 1985)
Bonus Tracks
2. We Rock (Live at Spectrum, Philadelphia, USA, August 25th, 1984)
3. Holy Diver (Live at Castle Donington, UK August 20th, 1983)

CD 9
1. Hide In The Rainbow
Bonus Tracks
2. Hungry For Heaven
3. Shame On The Night
4. Egypt (The Chains Are On)

CD 10
1. I Could Have Been A Dreamer
Bonus Tracks
2. Night People
3. Sunset Superman

CD 11
1. All The Fools Sailed Away
Bonus Track
2. Overlove

CD 12
1. Hey Angel
Bonus Tracks
2. Why Are They Watching Me
3. Rock N Roll Children
4. Mystery

CD 13
1. Jesus, Mary and the Holy Ghost
Bonus Tracks
2. Straight Through The Heart
3. Shame On The Night

CD 14
1. King Of Rock N Roll (Live at Sports Arena, San Diego)
Bonus Tracks
2. Rainbow In The Dark (Live at Sports Arena, San Diego)
3. Sacred Heart (Live at Sports Arena, San Diego)
4. Time To Burn
5. Rock N Roll Children (Live at Sports Arena, San Diego)
6. Long Live Rock N Roll (Live at Sports Arena, San Diego)
7. Man On The Silver Mountain (Live at Sports Arena, San Diego)
8. We Rock (Live at Sports Arena, San Diego)

Psy to make nutty Super Bowl ad

Psy to make nutty Super Bowl ad

Psy will make his commercial debut this February when Wonderful Pistachios features him in their Super Bowl ad.

Wonderful Pistachios made the announcement today, confirming that international pop sensation, Psy, will star in the brand's first-ever Super Bowl spot, airing during the big game on February 3.

This newest installment in Wonderful Pistachios' iconic 'Get Crackin'' ad campaign will also be the first time the 'Gangnam Style' rapper has ever been featured in a U.S. television commercial.

Previous characters that have made an apparence in the 'Get Crackin'' campaign include boxer Manny Pacquiao, rapper Snoop Lion, Homer and Bart Simpson and even Internet memes Honey Badger and Keyboard Cat.

'The Wonderful Pistachios brand is fun, just like me,' said Psy, 'Also, I love pistachios and I look good in green.'

Psy hit the international music scene last year when his parody-style music video 'Gangnam Style' went viral, recently becoming the first YouTube video to break a billion views.

'The Super Bowl is the most widely watched sporting event of the year, 'Gangnam Style' is the most-watched YouTube video, and Wonderful Pistachios is the top-selling snack nut item on the market,' said Marc Seguin, Paramount Farms vice president of marketing. 'It's a powerhouse combination.'

Directed by Grammy-Award-winning director Mathew Cullen, the official Psy 'Get Crackin'' commercial will debut during Super Bowl XLVII.

There is information on the company's Facebook page about how North American fans can get in on the action by uploading a picture of how they 'Get Crackin' Gangnam Style'' for a chance to win a 12-month lease of a 2013 Mercedes Benz SLK 250 ' the same model convertible driven by the now notorious 'Yellow Suit Guy.'

Arctic Monkeys to play Benicassim 2013

Arctic Monkeys to play Benicassim 2013

It has been announced thatbArctic Monkeys will now join The Killers and Queens Of The Stone Age as one of the headliners for this year's Benicassim. 

The band, who are currently recording their fifth studio album, previously headlined the event in 2011.

The festivities will take place in Spain between July 18 and 21. 

Alex Turner and the boys join the likes of The Killers, Queens of the Stone Age, Jake Bugg, Azealia Banks, Palma Violets, Echo Lake, Splashh and Swim Deep.
 

Damon Albarn's bikes stolen 30 times

Damon Albarn's bikes stolen 30 times

Damon Albarn is reportedly vehemently against putting locks on his bicycles.

It is rumoured that the 44-year-old Blur musician has had 30 bikes stolen in the past few years.

Apparently Damon's aversion to locks makes his stunning two-wheelers even more attractive to thieves.

'Damon's wild for having his bikes nicked,' a source told British newspaper The Sun.

'He always buys old-school style racers that cost about £600 a pop. He's spent around £18,000 since 2007 getting his stolen bikes replaced. It's all because he can't be bothered to use a lock.'

Damon always gets his bikes from the Halfpipe shop in West London.

The people who work there are astounded by his resistance to employing basic security measures on his property.

'Staff asked him to use a lock but he said, 'I can't be ar**d',' the insider said.

'They even offered a lock installed with satellite tracking technology but he refused it.'

Emeli Sande, Mumford & Sons and Alt J lead the way at BRIT Awards

Emeli Sande, Mumford & Sons and Alt J lead the way at BRIT Awards

Muse, Plan B, Rita Ora, Jessie Ware, Ben Howard, Coldplay, Paloma Faith and Olly Murs all receive two nominations. 

Rolling Stones nominated for British Live Act - the only band to be recognised in both the first BRIT Awards and in 2013's list.

Muse, Robbie Williams, Emeli Sande, Mumford & Sons, Ben Howard and One Direction confirmed to perform at the Awards ceremony.

With the main ceremony less than six weeks away, The BRIT Awards 2013 with MasterCard announced the full list of nominations today during a prestigious launch event at the Savoy Hotel, London. British bands Mumford & Sons, Alt J and singer songwriter Emeli Sande lead the way with three nominations each. 

The 2013 nominations reflect an incredibly exciting year in British music, both at home and abroad, featuring a list of unique and talented artists who are now in the running for a highly coveted BRITs statue, designed this year by Damien Hirst. The winners will be announced at The BRIT Awards 2013 with MasterCard, which will be held at The O2 Arena in London on Wednesday 20th February and broadcast live, exclusively on ITV1. 

Topping the list of nominations is Emeli Sande who, after winning the 2012 Critics' Choice Award, appears in three categories: British Female Solo Artist, British Single and MasterCard British Album of The Year. 

British folk rock band Mumford & Sons, who won the 2011 MasterCard British Album of the Year Award, have been nominated for British Group, British Live Act and MasterCard British Album Of The Year, whilst Alt J are nominated for British Breakthrough Act, British Group and MasterCard Album Of The Year. 

The Rolling Stones will face fierce competition in the reinstated British Live Act category against Coldplay, Muse, Mumford & Sons and The Vaccines. The last time the legendary British band were nominated was in 1996 and they are the only act to be nominated in both this year's awards and at the first BRIT Awards in 1977.

The British Female Solo category will see double nominees Jessie Ware and Paloma Faith go up against Emeli Sande and the late great Amy Winehouse, whose album 'Lioness: Hidden Treasures' was released on December 2nd 2011 and went to Number 1 in the Official UK Album Chart. 

International superstar Rihanna, who already owns a Vivienne Westwood and Sir Peter Blake BRIT statue from 2011 and 2012 respectively, could be set to increase her collection of British art if she takes home her third International Female Award in a row, after being nominated in the category with Alicia Keys, Cat Power, Lana Del Rey and Taylor Swift. Damien Hirst has become the third British creative to put his unique stamp on the iconic BRITs trophy. 

As previously announced, the BRIT Awards will recognise War Child's incredible work by honouring them with the first Special Recognition Award, which will be presented during the Awards ceremony on Wednesday 20th February. 

The brand new BRITs Global Success Award, which highlights the phenomenal achievement British artists have had internationally in 2012, will also be presented at this year's Awards ceremony. The recipient will be the act with the highest international sales during the 2012 calendar year. These figures exclude UK sales. 

The nominations were officially revealed by Nick Grimshaw at the Savoy Hotel in London tonight. The evening featured performances from Jessie Ware and the winner of the 2013 Critics' Choice Award, Tom Odell. Tom was presented with his 2013 Critics' Choice Award by the 2012 winner, Emeli Sande.

A number of artists who will be performing at the BRIT Awards were also announced at the Savoy, namely Muse, Robbie Williams, Emeli Sande, Mumford & Sons, Ben Howard and One Direction. Further announcements about performers will be made in the coming weeks. 

Wednesday 20th February 2013 at The O2 Arena, London 
Exclusively broadcast live on ITV 1 - Presented by James Corden
@BRITAwards #BRITs2013

The BRIT Awards 2013:

British Breakthrough act Top 5 selected by Voting Academy. 
Winner identified by public vote promoted by brits.co.uk and BBC Radio 1. 

Alt-J Infectious Music 
Ben Howard Island / Universal Music 
Jake Bugg Mercury / Universal Music 
Jessie Ware Island / PMR / Universal Music 
Rita Ora Columbia / Roc Nation / Sony Music

British Female solo artist 
Amy Winehouse Island / Universal Music 
Bat for Lashes Parlophone / EMI Music 
Emeli Sandé Virgin / EMI Music 
Jessie Ware Island / PMR / Universal Music 
Paloma Faith RCA / Sony Music

British Group 
Alt-J Infectious Music 
Mumford & Sons Gentlemen of The Road / Island / Universal Music 
Muse Helium 3 / Warner Bros / Warner Music 
One Direction Syco / Sony Music 
The xx Young Turks / XL / Beggars

British Live Act 
Coldplay Parlophone / EMI Music 
Mumford & Sons Gentlemen of The Road / Island / Universal Music 
Muse Helium 3 / Warner Bros / Warner Music 
The Rolling Stones Polydor / Universal Music 
The Vaccines Columbia / Sony Music

British Male Solo Artist 
Ben Howard Island / Universal Music 
Calvin Harris Columbia / Sony Music 
Olly Murs Epic / Sony Music 
Richard Hawley Parlophone / EMI Music 
Plan B 679 / Atlantic / Warner Music

Brits Global Success Award 
The winner of this Award will be announced at the Show on Wednesday 20th February.

British Producer Of The Year In association with The MPG Awards. 
Identified by a panel overseen by MPG. Damon Albarn Jake Gosling Paul Epworth

British Single 
Top fifteen British singles based on the biggest sales success in 2012. With Capital FM and iTunes. 
Adele Skyfall XL Recordings / XL / Beggars 
Alex Clare Too Close Island / Universal Music 
Coldplay & Rihanna Princess of China Parlophone / EMI Music 
DJ Fresh Ft Rita Ora Hot Right Now Ministry of Sound / Ministry of Sound Group 
Emeli Sande Next To Me Virgin / EMI Music 
Florence & The Machine Spectrum Island / Universal Music 
James Arthur Impossible Syco Music / Sony Music 
Jessie J Domino Island / Lava / Universal Music 
Labrinth Ft Emeli Sandé Beneath Your Beautiful Syco Music / Sony Music 
Olly Murs Ft Flo Rida Troublemaker Epic / Sony Music 
Rita Ora Ft Tinie Tempah R.I.P. Columbia / Roc Nation / Sony Music 
Rizzle Kicks Mama Do The Hump Island / Universal Music 
Robbie Williams Candy Island / Universal Music 
Rudimental Ft John Newman Feel The Love Asylum / Black Butter / Warner Music 
Stooshe Black Heart Future Cut / Qworks / Warner Bros / Warner Music

Special Recognition Award War Child
critics' choice In association with War Child. 
Identified by a panel made up of media music critics. 
Tom Odell Columbia / Sony Music (Winner) 
AlunaGeorge Island / Universal Music 
Laura Mvula RCA / Sony Music

International Female Solo Artist 
Alicia Keys RCA / Sony Music 
Cat Power Matador / XL / Beggars 
Lana Del Rey Polydor / Universal Music 
Rihanna Def Jam / Universal Music 
Taylor Swift Mercury / Universal Music

International Group 
Alabama Shakes Rough Trade / XL / Beggars 
The Black Keys Nonesuch / Warner Music 
Fun Atlantic / Fuelled By Ramen / Warner Music 
The Killers Vertigo / Universal Music 
The Script Epic / Phonogenic / Sony Music

International Male Solo Artist 
Bruce Springsteen Columbia / Sony Music 
Frank Ocean Def Jam / Universal Music 
Gotye Island / Universal Music 
Jack White XL Recordings / XL / Beggars 
Michael Buble Reprise / Warner Music

Mastercard British Album Of The Year 
Supported by The Sun Bizarre Column. 
Alt-J An Awesome Wave Infectious Music 
Emeli Sandé Our Version Of Events Virgin / EMI Music 
Mumford & Sons Babel Gentlemen of The Road / Island / Universal Music 
Paloma Faith Fall To Grace RCA / Sony Music 
Plan B Ill Manors 679 / Atlantic / Warner Musi
c

Demi Lovato 'staying in sober living facility

Demi Lovato 'staying in sober living facility

Demi Lovato has reportedly been staying in a sober living facility for more than a year.

The former Disney star checked into rehab in 2010 to be treated for 'emotional and physical issues', including eating disorders and self-harming. She has been open about her struggle to get her life back on track and hopes that by speaking out about her life she will become a role model for young girls.
According to TMZ, Demi is so determined not to slip back into her old ways she has called a 'spartan sober living facility' home for more than 12 months.
'After going to rehab, the 20-year-old seemed better, but ultimately felt she needed the support and guidance from counsellors and other addicts who understood her situation,' the site reports.
In line with this, the star decided to move into the specialist home to ensure she had all the help she needed. 
The property is thought to be in Los Angeles, where Demi also has her own home.
Demi joined the judging panel of the US X Factor this year, alongside Simon Cowell, Britney Spears and L.A. Reid. 
She thoroughly enjoyed being involved with the programme but apparently understood the change in routine might threaten her recovery. Due to this, she apparently went back to the sober house after every X Factor shoot.
Last year, Demi spoke openly about the steps she has taken to ensure she remains healthy.
'I make time for myself and meditate,' she said. 'I've spent the past two years getting over an eating disorder and issues like self-harming and bipolar disorder. I have to work on this stuff every day. I'm reminded of that whenever I eat or feel down.'