I haven't! But now I want to. Will get my hands on it.

I have to make what for me is a huge confession. I went to see Slipknot tonight and actually didnt completely hate it. Ive seen them twice at festivals before and thought they complete and utter **** but decided to give them at least one chance to impress me in an indoor gig and even though I'm still not entirely convinced and did slip out for a few pints they were a lot better than I thought they were going to be.

I've seen both Slipknot and Stone Sour live, and although I'm not a fan of either, I can also say that I didn't find their live shows to be that bad at all.

Saw 36 Crazy fists, they put on a sweet show. I also saw Silverstein, not a fan at all.

Ive seen Slipknot twice at festivals and thought it was complete and utter nonsense but as I don't like to judge bands based on festival performances if I can help it I gave them another chance and yeah, I wont be calling myself a big fan or anything but they werent too bad. I was surprised.

They completely skipped NZ - I was desperate enough to sign a petition for them to come here. :(

On the bright side, Iron Maiden is coming to NZ for the first time since 1992.

The next few months are looking pretty bloody rosy for me:

- Fat Freddy's Drop (7th Nov)
- Buzzcocks (14th Nov)
- Lightning Bolt (24th Nov)
- Mono (3rd Dec)
- Camera Obscura (18th Jan)
- ISIS (16th Feb)
- Faith No More (18th Feb)
- Meshuggah (4th Mar)
- Pixies (12th Mar)

Might not be able to make it to the Buzzcocks since it's in the middle of exams.

I'm roadtripping it to Wellington for the Homegrown Music Festival (already got tickets). I have a sneaking suspicion that Fat Freddy's Drop will be coming (pending next announcement). Headliners are The Feelers, The Datsuns, Salmonella Dub, Cut Off Your Hands, Liam Finn, The Black Seeds, Goodnight Nurse and Pluto. Minor acts are The Mint Chicks, Minuit, Katchafire, Opensouls, Bang! Bang! Eche!, The Checks, Motocade, Antiform, Midnight Youth, Ladi6, Sunshine Soundsystem, Tim Phin, Dane Rumble, Dick Johnson, Luger Boa, Nick D and Aural Trash.

I've been to the annual Big Day Out twice before and I'm waiting for the second announcement before I buy a ticket to this one. So far the headliners are Muse, Kasabian, Lily Allen, The Decemberists, Groove Armada, Rise Against, The Mars Volta and Peaches. Minor acts are Calvin Harris, Dizzee Rascal, Mastodon, Ladyhawke, Girl Talk, The Horrors, Powderfinger, Eskimo Joe, The Temper Trap, Karnivool, Kora, Minuit, Dimmer, The Checks, Gin Wigmore, James Duncan and PNC.

Jakob is planning a NZ tour in Nov/Dec too - I'll definitely jump on that.

WHY? in November, I probably won't have anything to live so for after that.. there's an Atlas Sound show near here I wanna go to as well but I'll probably have to pass.

WHY? is coming here in December as well - I really need to check them out sometime.

Seltzer you are so lucky, Fat Freddy's Drop, Pixes, and Buzz****s (among others) are all awesome