It’s official, Black Sabbath confirm their split after nearly 50 years. The legendary metal band, fronted by Prince of Darkness Ozzy Osbourne, quit after 49 years. The band, who released 19 studio albums over the span of their career, confirmed the end through Facebook. Black Sabbath finished their farewell tour on February 5 in Birmingham, but rumours began to spread after ‘The End Tour’, that they’d still continue. But on March 7 the band announced on Facebook “#TheEnd” along with a picture of the band’s logo and the dates ‘1968 – 2017’ as a final nail in the coffin.

Mark Lanegan Band announce their new album Gargoyle, is to be released on April 28^th. Gargoyle is set to include collaborations from friends Josh Homme and Greg Duli. The release of Gargoyle will be supported by a European tour starting in June and then through summer with various UK dates.

Music venues, pubs and restaurants are to receive help from the 2017 Budget. The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Philip Hammond, announced a £300million fund for local councils to offer relief to the worse-hit businesses. Such venues, however, are facing a big rise in business rates, some more than 25% increase.  The 2017 Budget ‘help’ is more like ‘sticking a plaster’ over a damaged situation, as rising business rates are more damaging to small business.

Kool Keith and Dan The Automator’s 1996 Dr. Octagon album Octagonecologyst is to be reissued as 3xLP box set in May. The rapper/instrumentalist is celebrating the 20^th anniversary of his highly credited avant-garde album. The reissue will feature previously unreleased tracks. Keith and Dan are set to perform tracks from the album at the 2017 Soundset Festival that takes place on May 28.

The Shins are giving away their first tour van in a fan contest. To be in with a chance of winning, entrants must submit covers of songs from The Shins upcoming Heartworm album. The prize up for grabs is a 1990 Forde 350 Clubwagon that the band first toured in.

Do Make Say Think announce their new album, Stubborn Persistent Illusions. It will be the post-rock veteran’s first album for 8 years since 2009’s Other Truths. The Canadian band accompanied the announcement by sharing two tracks from their upcoming album; ‘Bound’ and ‘Boundless’ are available now.