It snowed 8 inches in NYC on Monday, but we got back from the Scion Rock Fest in Atlanta just in time to deliver you our usual drudge report. Can you imagine if we’d been stranded? No MetalSucks for two days. What would you have done? Contemplate these noteworthy events of the week as you get ready to enjoy your weekend (65 degrees Sunday in NYC!):

• Mastodon release early contender for best metal video of ’09.
• Watchmen got metal… or not.
• We spoke with NEMHF founder Scott Lee.
• Lamb of God and God Forbid make strong Soundscan debuts.
• We looked at new releases from Hatesphere, Wolves in the Throne Room, Abacabb, Centaurus-A and General Surgery.
• Chimaira released a new single and a super-duper-deluxe pre-order.
• We waxed ecstatic about the weed in Atlanta… oh yeah, and some bands played at the Scion Rock Fest too.
• Doc Coyle struck back at the Internet.
• MetalSucks got nominated for a Metal Hammer “Web of Death” Award!

On April 17 and 18, America’s premiere metal fest, the New England Metal and Hardcore Festival, will enjoy its eleventh year of existence, with acts like Lamb of God, All That Remains, Suffocation, Napalm Death, The Haunted, Kylesa, Shai Halud, IWRESTLEDABEARONCE, and about a gajillion others all playing sets within 48 hours. Which, needless to say, is the very definition of “awesome.”

We recently had the chance to e-mail some questions to festival founder Scott Lee. After the jump, get Scott’s thoughts on the creation of the festival, all the work it takes to make the fest happen every year, his other career as a band manager, his clothing line, and more.

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