When we left off with Part 1 of my Knotfest coverage, my 11 year-old son Jesse and I were crashed at the local Days Inn, worn out by a jam-packed day of killer heavy metal featuring stellar performances by Carcass, Hatebreed, Anthrax, Danzig, and live debut of the new lineup from Slipknot themselves.

Day two commenced around 11:00AM with a quick swing through the Taco Bell next door for some much-needed (and way cheaper than venue prices) grub to fuel the first part of the day. Then we were off to the ten minute drive to the parking lot and a reprise of the 20 minute climb to the actual venue itself. Conspicuously absent were the “salvation by any means necessary” religious protestors from day one. It was Sunday, after all. Or maybe they just heard all of the killer metal wafting out on day one and saw the light, threw down their signs and came to the dark side. I’m choosing to believe the latter.

Maggots rejoice: Slipknot has just announced that they will be bringing their massive Knotfest back to America. The 3-day event will take place at San Manuel Amphitheater (formerly known as Glen Helen Pavilion) in San Bernadino, CA this year on October 24, 25 and 26.

In addition to Slipknot headlining both Saturday and Sunday nights, the festival will feature over 60 bands including a “who’s who” of metal. Some of the acts scheduled to appear include: Danzig, Anthrax, Five Finger Death Punch, Volbeat, Killswitch Engage, Testament, Black Label Society, and many more. Tickets go on sale to the general public on Friday, July 11, 2014 with pre-sale being offered from 8-10am on Monday, July 7, 2014.

Tonight is the live telecast of the 56th Annual Grammy Awards and while I typically dislike 99.9% of the music represented at this awards show, I will still tune in. It’s the one time of the year where I find out “who the fuck are those people” who dominate the current pop charts. Here’s the thing: If you’re not Madonna/Lady Gaga (same thing) or now Katy Perry (who I still call Cat-y Perry) or Beyonce (Mrs. Carter if you’re nasty), then I probably don’t know the hell you are and if I do, I’m probably baffled as to why anyone would consider you relevant.

Anyhow, all this to say, I have always felt and will likely always feel like the Grammys are complete bullshit.

So, why bother writing about the Grammys? Well, first, there’s the whole Metallica thing — I was a fan well before the Black Album was even conceived and was around for their first Grammy performance, so I’m looking forward to seeing them. Second, and most importantly, I’m psyched that King Diamond – and by King Diamond I mean King himself, not his band — has been nominated this year (the band was nominated in 2008 for “Never Ending Hill,” but lost to Slayer). King’s nomination, in the Best Metal Performance category, comes from his guest appearance on Volbeat’s song “Room 24.”