This week's episode of "Headbangers Ball" features no video premieres, no exclusive live footage, nothing you haven't seen before if you're a regular viewer. So why should you tune in? 'Cuz this is the show you dudes programmed all on your own. We've tallied your votes for best videos of the year, and on Saturday we'll run your top 10 choices from 2 to 3 a.m. EST, ending the show with your favorite metal vid of 2008.

Due to the diverse demographics of our viewers, your final 10 doesn't exactly mirror ours, which is why we've included a separate list of our own favorite videos of 2008. If you can't wait until tomorrow night to see who won, click "more" to read both lists and watch the top five vids on each. Read more...

With Gigantour 2008, Megadeth frontman Dave Mustaine tapped into the independent market a little bit and cobbled together a fierce, bill that featured Megadeth, In Flames, Children of Bodom, Job For a Cowboy and High on Fire. It seemed like a good move -- one that verified Megadeth's importance in the lineage of heavy metal and made Mustaine look pretty savvy. Read more...

Sure, that's Lemmy, but can you ID the other folks in the pic?; photo by Nancy McDonald

Just three days left until MTV2 launches it's 20th Anniversary of "Headbangers Ball" celebration. In the spirit of old-school headbanging, we've got some vintage photos for you that'll either make you feel really, really old or really young.

Either way, tune in to "Headbangers Ball" Saturday from 11 p.m. to midnight EST and catch the on-air premiere of Divine Heresy's "Bleed the Fifth." Then chill for the rest of the weekend before we launch a week of what Spinal Tap might call "Heavy Metal memories." Read more...

Aw, c'mon. We would never really strangle a little girl -- unless you didn't put your brains in gear and choose an act from last week to return to the next "Headbangers Ball." You've got a tough choice to make (not the thing about the little girl... we know you're do the right thing). There are some pretty righteous videos in the running, including the Architects "Always," which was an exclusive for the "Ball."

As always, past winners and old videos are not eligible. In other words, pick exclusively from the list below and only select one act. Feel free to include a description of why your choice should win. The best entries will be quoted when we announce the winner. Only one vote allowed per IP address. The polls are open now through Wednesday at 3 p.m. Click "more" to see the list of this week's contestants: Read more...

In part two of our exclusive new interview with Avenged Sevenfold about their new DVD and CD set, "Live in the LBC & Diamonds in the Rough" (out today!), we talk to the boys about touring with Iron Maiden, their cover of Pantera's "Walk," the b-side "Tension" and the tours they'll embark upon when singer M. Shadows' voice is fully healed. As widely reported, Avenged Sevenfold were recently forced to cancel a co-headlining tour with Buckcherry because Shadows was suffering vocal fatigue. Click "more" to watch the interview clips: Read more...

photo by Jon Wiederhorn

Okay, boys and girls -- or as Brooklynites like Pete Steele put it, goyels -- it's time to vote for your favorite new video from last week's show to return this week. Or as we like to say in campaign land, your vote counts.

On our last show, we had some pretty-bad-ass premieres including Children of Bodom's "Smile Pretty For the Devil," "Avenged Sevenfold's "Unholy Confessions" (from their new DVD and CD combo "Live at the LBC & Diamonds in the Rough") Five Finger Death Punch's "The Way of the Fist" and Unleashed's "Black Horizon."

Chose one or pick another new video from last week. Remember, if you don't pick from the list below, your vote won't count. Also, only one selection per IP address. Voting runs from now until Wednesday afternoon at 3 p.m. EST. Click "more" to see all of this week's choices: Read more...

Just one day to go before Avenged Sevenfold drop the mother lode. So get in line now to pick up a copy of the band's new DVD and CD, "Live in the LBC & Diamonds in the Rough." To whet your appetite, here's some new footage we shot of the band talking about the difference between their last DVD, "All Excess," and the new release, the excitement of hometown shows, the new b-sides, covering Iron Maiden and more. Click "more" to watch. Read more...

Before you rush out and buy the new Avenged Sevenfold DVD and CD "Live in the LBC and Diamonds in the Rough" (out September 16), check out this live clip of "Unholy Confessions" from the package. And watch it on the big screen on Saturday's "Headbangers Ball," which, this week, starts at it's new time, 11 p.m. And now, here's guitarist Zacky Vengeance telling us a little bit about the clip.

"This is the first time I’ve ever really got to see A7X in action as our fans, family and friends get to. It was honestly a magical night to headline the arena that I saw my first ever concert at 18 years prior. Seeing the girls dance to 'Scream' on the DVD was a particular treat, as my back was towards them while I was playing. I've been in the band since day one and, watching this, I realized that I am also one of the biggest fans of my friends and bandmates onstage beside me. I hope you all enjoy it as I have. O doyle rulz."

Click "more" to watch "Unholy Confessions (live)". Read more...

Starting this week, 'Headbangers Ball' will start one hour earlier, leaving you plenty of time to catch the show then head out and paint the town black. So, remember to tune in at 11 p.m. EST instead of midnight and catch the sickest, heaviest and most eclectic hour of metal on television.

This week's show includes premiere's of Five Finger death Punch's "The Way of the Fist," the new Unleashed video "Black Horizon," Avenged Sevenfold's "Unholy Confessions" from their upcoming live DVD and a special surprise that should make the Children quite happy. So, set your schedules or set your Tivo. Just don't forget. Saturday, 11 p.m. "Headbangers Ball". See you there.

Used to be, bands would only put out a live video every three to five years. Now, that's as much time as many groups spend between albums and the DVDs are coming with every release -- or even faster.

Just last July, Avenged Sevenfold released the DVD "All Excess" and now they're getting ready to drop another one. On September 16, the band will issue the DVD and CD package "Live in the LBC & Diamonds in the Rough," The live DVD features the band’s April 10th hometown show at the Long Beach Arena headlining the Rockstar Taste of Chaos tour, while the CD contains previously unreleased b-sides recorded during the making of Avenged Sevenfold, plus various covers, and other never-before-heard material. The DVD was directed by Core Entertainment's Rafa Alcantara, who also worked "All Excess."

The CD includes covers of Iron Maiden's "Flash of the Blade" and Pantera's "Walk." The disc also features "Demons," "Girl I Know," "Crossroads," "Until the End," "Tension," "The Fight," "Dancing Dead," " Almost East (remix) and Afterlife (Alternate Version).

The DVD features: "Critical Acclaim," "Second Heartbeat," "Afterlife," "Beast and the Harlot," "Scream," "Seize the Day," "Walk," "Bat Country," "Almost Easy," "Gunslinger," "Unholy Confession" and "A Little Piece of Heaven.

Click "more" to watch a preview of the DVD. Read more...