A new independent record store initiative dubbed Metal Club has launched and will release exclusive vinyl to participating stores. So far releases include Metallica, Pantera, Queens of the Stone Age, The Damned Things and this rad hexagonal picture disc from The Sword (pictured above).

The Music Monitor Network, largest of the independent record store coalitions with stores in both the US and Canada –is proud to announce the launch of Metal Club. Metal Club is a group of record stores throughout the US and Canada that work to connect the vibrant metal community with their local record store. Fans will be able to visit their local Metal Club store for special metal promotional pieces, exciting in-store events, and a series of exclusive Metal Club releases.

Visist MyMetalClub.com for updates and more info.

The standard 3 disc set of Pantera’s Cowboys From Hell will be released tomorrow, but later this year the band will be releasing The Ultimate Edition and another special edition which will be a walk down memory lane for Pantera fans. Also I think the band should know that not all of their fans where XL shirts.

Record Store Day 2010 taking place on April 18th is rapidly approaching and the release listing is finally available. Many of the releases are exclusives and will sell out fast. Our recommendations of what vinyl to pick up are below as well as pressing information if available.

This past weekend I checked out the Renegade Craft Fair in Brooklyn. One thing that caught my eye were the pillows made out of old metal t-shirts including Slayer, Pantera, Iron Maiden and more by a company called Dang Lorang. Perfect gift for your girlfriend thats a metalhead but still likes a pile of throw pillows on the couches and bed. Cool idea, good luck selling the Family Values one though, that tour line up (Limp Bizkit) always sucked.

Buy these here. More photos after the jump. I didn’t include the Kiss pillow because I am sure they have made pillow cases for years so this is nothing new for them.