METAL MANIACS & METAL EDGE Cease Publication

According to a mass e-mail sent out yesterday (Tuesday, February 3) by Liz Ciavarella, editor of Metal Maniacs magazine, both Metal Maniacs and its sister publication Metal Edge have shut their doors effectively immediately. “The exact reasons are still a little hazy but it appears that no one is immune to the crashing economy,” Liz writes. “We've been told we are on 'hiatus,' which means the coffin hasn't been shut just yet. Our ad honcho, Dov Teta, and I are scrambling for a potential solution, and with any luck, I hope to be sending a far less grim e-mail in the not-so-distant future. For now though, the March/April 2009 edition [of Metal Maniacs] (KREATOR cover on sale February 24) will be the last published issue (no goodbye issue, unfortunately).”

Metal Edge and Metal Maniacs, two of the leading heavy metal magazines in the U.S., have been publishing for 24 years and 19 years, respectively. The two publications were acquired by Zenbu Media in February 2007.

Covering bands across the hard rock spectrum — from classic metal to thrash to punk — Metal Edge is considered a leading voice in the mainstream metal media. In existence since 1985, Metal Edge was published twelve times a year — providing in-depth coverage of current musical acts, including band profiles, news of the latest releases and coverage of the biggest tours.

Metal Maniacs has given exposure to the best underground metal bands. Scouring the globe for the greatest unheard-of artists, Metal Maniacs has, for nearly 20 years, provided one of the few outlets for these acts and a way for fans to unearth the greatest unheralded hard rock outfits.

Source: Blistering.com