Zenbu Media’s decision to shutter both Metal Maniacs and Metal Edge back in February was, for lack of a more poetic term, a total bummer. A lot of us grew up with those magazines; but beyond sentimental value, I think it’s just good to have as many different metal media outlets as possible. Just like it’s good to have as many different “actual” news outlets as possible; I’m all for multiple viewpoints, y’know?

So I’m glad to hear, per SMN, that “Mike Riddick, owner of Metalhit.com, stepped in to take over the development and operation of the new format for METAL MANIACS online.” In addition to the interviews, reviews, message boards, etc. that you would expect from Metal Maniacs (or any decent metal website), MM Online “will feature an Mp3 store with a catalog of more than 12,000 underground extreme metal songs from various bands and labels around the world.” Which is potentially very cool.

The new site is currently scheduled to launch in September at this URL. Clearly, it won’t be as cool as MetalSucks, but then, nothing ever is. Nudge nudge wink wink.

-AR