The Eddie Van Halen store has released a commemorative shoe, the 1978 High Top, honouring the occasion of Eddie’s groundbreaking debut to the world stage with the release of the first Van Halen album, some 40 years ago. Adding to the growing collection of footwear offered by the EVH™ brand, the 1978 High Tops are a black and white classic high-top sneakers. The outer side features a live photo of Eddie Van Halen playing guitar on the first world tour, and the inner side of the shoe has 1978 prominently displayed in a circular badge. The Eddie Van Halen logo appears on both the tongue of the shoe and on the back sole, and the back panel features his signature white with black striped pattern.
 
The 1978 High Tops and additional apparel/merchandise can be purchased at:
http://www.EddieVanHalenStore.com

Industry, Media, Policy, Academic and Creative Forces Unite To Create A New, Tony Iommi-endorsed Convention On The Global Impact Of Heavy Metal Music

World-first event to include delegates from Afghanistan, India, Lebanon, Nepal, Syria, Singapore, and more

Friday 22 & Saturday 23 March At Rich Mix -  (35-47 Bethnal Green Road, London E1 6LA)

Tickets On Sale Now At http://www.worldmetalcongress.org

The inaugural World Metal Congress will be held on March 22nd and 23rd.

Representatives from every field will come together to discuss, promote, and celebrate the incredible success and scale of heavy metal music from India to South Africa to Singapore and beyond through panels, documentary film premieres and live music showcasing the unparalleled global impact of one of Britain’s greatest cultural exports.

Conceived by ex-Metal Hammer editor and Twin V Ltd. founder Alexander Milas in partnership with Dr. Lina Khatib of world-renowned policy institute Chatham House, University of Central Lancashire’s Dr. Niall Scott and independent promoter Josh Retallick of Old Empire, the aim of w\m/c is to connect the global metal community.

“This is a world-first,” says Milas. “In these troubling times the fact that this music resonates with people of every colour and culture and creed is an incredibly special thing, and we want to shout that from the rooftops. With the w\m/c we’re creating a unique forum to help bring that truly global community together, and we’ve already had a phenomenal response.”

“I’m really pleased to hear that the World Metal Congress will be taking place in the UK,” says Tony Iommi, the founding guitarist of Black Sabbath. “The metal community is huge but rarely gets the recognition it deserves. My best wishes for a successful event.”

Created with the support of Arts Council England, an industry-facing conference on day one will feature key decision-makers from labels, festivals, media, and the artists themselves including BBC Radio 1, Wacken Festival, Music For Nations, Vice, and Barney Greenway of Napalm Death among many others.

“Human rights and universal artistic licence are tightly intertwined,” says Greenway. “Breaking tired old stereotypes, celebrating free creative expression without borders and confronting and debating challenging ethical band decisions continues to be an absolute must.”

Day two presents documentary films highlighting metal’s triumph over adversity and a live gig from Singapore’s Wormrot, one of global metal’s true success stories, with much more to be revealed in the coming days.  

A full programme of events will be announced in the near future through www.worldmetalcongress.org