• Metal is gaining in popularity, finding new fans and converting the unbelievers. (OK, that was a bit too heavy on the metal lingo, wasn't it?) Now that metal is finding its way into hip stores and trendy indie labels, listeners need to investigate some predecessors and roots. Stylus' metal primer lands just in time for people to rediscover classics like Slayer's Reign in Blood and Immortal's Pure Holocaust. (Stylus)

• Sticking with metal, this piece at Metal Maniacs is incredible. Hip hop beefs have nothing on what Moritician's Will Rahmer had to say to the folks at Blabbermouth. Go to the story, I won't bother reprinting any portions here. Let's just say it covers evading the police, a Polish prison and a few threats of violence. (Metal Maniacs)

• David Mays and Ray Scott were able to escape keep The Source's new board of directors from ousting the duo. (NY Post, via Hip Hop Music)

• At this very moment, Amazon.com's top selling CD is Thelonious Monk Quartet with John Coltrane at Carnegie Hall (Live) and iTunes' top album is The Strokes' First Impressions of Earth. The Monk/Coltrane album isn't even in iTunes' top 100, while The Strokes' album is #14 at Amazon.com. Is there a greater point? Probably not, but I would have expected both albums to appear on both charts.