Thursday Tracks: HIM, Priestess, Marina and the Diamonds, Demi Lovato

Tuesday Tracks just didn't happen this week, so here's Thursday tracks, as I showcase four of the hottest songs around just now.

First up on Thursday tracks this week is the return of Finnish love metal superstars HIM. The band's seventh album "Screamworks: Love in Theory and Practice" hits shelves (and download sits) on February the 8th and looks set to be their best yet if lead single "Heartkiller" is anything to go by.

HIM - Heartkiller

Secondly this week are Canadian stoner metal architects Priestess. Second album "Prior to the Fire" is out on February the 1st, having already seen a limited release in Canada at the tail end of last year. Following on from the brilliant "Hello Master", here's a taster with the excellent "Raccoon Eyes"

Priestess - Raccoon Eyes

24 year old Welsh singer-songwriter Marina Diamandis, aka Marina and the Diamonds has been making waves for a while now with a couple of EPs and singles already released and coming in runner up in BBC's Sound of 2010 poll, hings are starting to look up. Debut album "The Family Jewels" is due for release on February 22nd, and is preceeded next week by the brilliant "Hollywood" single. It might take a couple of listens, but you will love it.

Marina and the Diamonds - Hollywood

Finally this week is Disney teen princess Demi Lovato, and one of the most surprising songs of the year. Due for release on February 15th, and co-written by self confessed metalhead Lovato, "Remember December" is a spiky rock song with pop sensibilities aplenty shining through. An unexpected pleasure, and a song that will stick in your brain for quite sometime.

Demi Lovato - Remember December

Monday Mashup

After a week of problems with uploading and stuff, Melody and Drama returns with the Monday Mashup. Classic songs as you've never heard them before.

These tracks really take very little explaination, just enjoy.

Iron Maiden vs The Monkees - Trooper Believer

Queen vs Outkast - Hey (We Will Rock) Ya!

Apologies

Updates coming soon. Having some uploading problems.

Nine Inch Nails - Free DVD!

The lovely people at This One Is On Us - a pretty damn great Nine Inch Nails fansite have released "Another Version of the Truth: The Gift" a completely gratis DVD (with Blu-Ray coming soon).

The DVD features some frankly excellent live footage, great sound, and is well worth the download. Cheers guys

Download Here

There is a Friday megapost coming tomorrow featuring Monday Mashup, Tuesday Tracks, The Young and the Restless and Friday Remix Corner! 8 tracks, all free to sample from Melody and Drama. Stay tuned.

Friday Remix Corner: Kasabian, Delphic, Regina Spektor, The Strokes

It's Friday remix corner here on Melody and Drama, as we take an alternative look at some of the best known bands.

First up is Kasabian, and superstar DJ Zane Lowe's reworking of their new single "Vlad the Impaler". A warped take on an already bizarre song, check it out.

Kasabian - Vlad the Impaler (Zane Lowe Remix)

Next up is hotly tipped Manchester collective Delphic, who's new single "Doubt" is given a dark electronic reworking by Cryptonites.

Delphic - Doubt (Cryptonites Remix)

Piano toting New York singer songwriter Regina Spektor has been passing off quirky pop tunes for a number of years now, and mcDj's bizarre interpretation of "Us" is a brand new look.

Regina Spektor - Us (mcDj Remix)

Finally it's The Strokes. This is a drum n bass version of "Reptilia. Nuff said.

The Strokes - Reptilia (Remixed by Zagk Gibbons)

The Young and the Restless: New Device, Poppy and the Jezebels, Young Guns

Right, let's ignore the fact I called yesterday's post Tuesday tracks when it was clearly Wednesday, we'll call that an oversight and get onto todays music, from three young, up and coming bands who really need to be heard.

First up are New Device, a straight up rock band from South East England who formed in London in 2007. They've steadily built up a following around the UK, and recently blew joint headliners Heaven's Basement and Dear Superstar clean off the stage on a UK tour. Their debut album, "Takin' Over" is available now, and you can test out a couple of tracks below. Make sure you buy the record.

New Device - In the Fading Light
New Device - Takin' Over

Secondly today are Birmingham's Poppy and the Jezebels. Four teenage girls who met at school in 2005/6 and have formed a quirky, effervescent girl band all of their own. A string of singles and a fantastic EP already under their belts, the girls release their debut album later this year. Check out the tracks below before taking a look into their back catalogue.

Poppy and the Jezebels - Frank Chevallier
Poppy and the Jezebels - Rhubarb and Custard (Live Almost Acoustic)

Finally today are High Wycombe's Young Guns. Fresh from supporting Lostprophets around the UK, they're currently touring on the Kerrang Relentless Energy Drink tour and by all accounts tearing the tour up. Their debut EP "Mirrors" was a minor iTunes hit last summer, and they have another EP scheduled for this summer. Make sure to check out the two tracks here.

Young Guns - The Weight of the World
Young Guns - Winter Kiss

Tuesday Tracks: Alkaline Trio, Amy MacDonald, Hadouken, Lostprophets

Alkaline Trio release their new album "This Addiction" in February, promising a sound harking back to their punk rock roots. The first single, the album's title track certainly seems to showcase this.

Alkaline Trio - This Addiction

Scottish singer-songwriter Amy MacDonald returns with her second album, as yet untitled on March 8th. If you don't fancy waiting that long, here's a taster, with first single "Don't Tell Me That It's Over"

Amy MacDonald - Don't Tell Me That It's Over

Hadouken!'s sophmore effort "For the Masses" is unleashed later this month, and has been preceeded by the frankly brilliant single "Turn the Lights Out". The London techno-punks have turned up the heat with this storming track.

Hadouken! - Turn the Lights Out

It's hard to believe that Lostprophets' forthcoming album "The Betrayed" is their fourth full length, but the Welsh band continue to turn out quality tunes. "Where We Belong" is one of their trademark catchy rock tracks that will lodge in your head for days.

Lostprophets - Where We Belong