Why is March so awesome? No, it’s not because of March Madness, nor because we can get sloppy drunk on St. Patty’s Day even if we’re not Irish. You see, the next four weeks will be awesome because (drum role please)…MARCH IS METAL MONTH!

For the third year in a row, EMI and the associated heavy labels they distribute (such as Century Media, Nuclear Blast, Earache, Candlelight, Season of Mist, Willow Tip, Prospect Park) are declaring that March Is Metal Month. Throughout the entire month, these labels will be teaming up with retail stores and metal websites (including yours truly) to provide you the fans with new releases and amazing prizes. And it’s all done to simply celebrate the genre we all so dearly love.

First, they’re supplying retail stores with this year’s March Is Metal CD sampler, featuring pre-release tracks from Winds of Plague, Cradle of Filth, Agnostic Front and Kill Corps. Plus, retailers will be selling along with the sampler a limited edition T-shirt designed by artist/show promoter/former sweet beard-haver Rich Hall. But wait, there’s more… Metal Insider will not only be interviewing bands and labels participating in March Is Metal campaign, but also will be giving away some amazing box set prizes!

So come back to the site over the next few days to find out who we’ll be speaking with, what metal treasures will be giving away and how you can get your hands on these amazing prizes. Plus, check in with our bros at MetalSucks and Metal Injection to see what they’ll be doing to celebrate the most metal month of all.