Detritus
Issue #270
Week of May 17, 2004
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*** CAST OF CHARACTERS ***
*
Tim Wadzinski, Editor
tsw512@...

Steve Shumake
vongoober@...
http://listen.to/vongoober-radio/

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*** LET IT BE KNOWN ***
*
-I was shocked to get a press release yesterday that said Lizzy Borden
guitarist Alex Nelson was killed earlier this week in a car crash. He
was a great player, and 2000's comeback album DEAL WITH THE DEVIL was
awesome and I was looking forward to more. We here at Detritus send
out our condolences to Alex's family. See below for the full press
release. R.I.P.

-In a much lighter vein, I'm dutifully trying to get to the bottom of
my unread magazine pile. Right now I'm knee-deep in issue #64 of the
UK's _Classic Rock_ (from March '04) and it's got a friggin'
*hilarious*, lengthy David Lee Roth interview. There's also a Probot
review that's different 'cuz so far it's the only unflattering one
I've read.

-METALOGY update: I still think the Judas Priest box set's disc
packaging is kinda chincy, but 1) the tunes are great, 2) it's nice to
have the live DVD, and 3) the booklet is a breezy-yet-informative
read. I consider myself a fairly knowledgeable Priest fan, but I
learned a few things.

-In my current playlist: Wolf - EVIL STAR, Mob Rules - AMONG THE GODS,
Leash Law - DOGFACE, Various - SPIN THE BOTTLE: AN ALL-STAR TRIBUTE TO
KISS, MCM - RITUAL FACTORY, Force Of Evil - s/t, Tiwanaku - PROMO DEMO
CD, Hatework - TRASH 'N' ROLL.

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*** PRESS RELEASE #1 ***
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-Screaming Ferret Wreckords Unveils Plans To Release New Anvil Studio
Effort And Several Key Catalogue Titles This Summer

Over the past few years, Screaming Ferret Wreckords, LLC has aligned
itself with budding new artists, as well as a selection of traditional
metal bands in an effort to reintroduce lost classics to the audience
of the New Millennium. The label is now proud to present a campaign to
introduce Toronto, Ontario legends Anvil to the new generation of
metal fans. The campaign includes the domestic reissue of several
catalogue titles (some of which are either out of print or never
before available in the US), as well as the brand new studio album
Back To Basics.

For over 2 decades, Anvil has been a band that firmly understood that
Metal should not be taken completely seriously. The band's brand of
anthemic metal fuses intense, piercing metal with witty social sarcasm
to create a unique brand of music rarely seen and never equaled. Back
To Basics, produced by renowned Canadian metal mastermind Pierre
Rémillard (who had produced 2 previous Anvil albums, as well as 4 from
Cryptopsy, and titles from Gorguts, Quo Vadis, and Kataklysm) is
described by frontman/guitarist Steven "Lips" Kudlow as "a great
pounding feel, like Accept meets Ozzy's Bark At the Moon."

The tracklisting includes:

Fuel For the Fire
Can't Catch Me (When My Pants Are Down)
Keep It Up
Go Away
Song of Pain
Bottom Feeder
You Get What You Pay For
Cruel World
The Chainsaw
Fast Driver

The Back To Basics cover art available for viewing here:

http://www.geocities.com/tgalloca/basics_big.htm

Screaming Ferret Wreckords will soon be releasing seven classic Anvil
albums; discs that defined and secured the band's status in the true
heavy metal elite. Titles include three currently out-of-print
releases: 1987's Strength Of Steel (which featured such classics as
"Concrete Jungle", "Straight Between The Eyes", and "Mad Dog", the
song that yielded a quite humorous video that received recurrent
airplay on MTV's original Headbangers Ball program), 1988's Pound For
Pound (featuring "Blood On The Ice" and "Toe Jam"), 1989's Past &
Present Live (a brilliant live set capturing such seminal Anvil
anthems as "Forged In Fire", "Metal on Metal", "March of the Crabs",
and "Mothra"). SFW is also releasing a number of titles that never
received a proper United States release, including 1991's Worth The
Weight, 2001's Plenty Of Power, 2002's Still Going Strong, and the
special 1999 Anthology of Anvil, the perfect introductory piece to the
manic, semi-insane world of Anvil.

Lips is shocked and thrilled with this development in the band's
career:

"I can't believe after a quarter of a century we will finally be
released to the unsuspecting American audience. I've never understood
after all these years why Anvil has done so little in the United
States in the way of getting our recordings released, as well as
touring. It is a true tragedy if not a crime! For those people who
have never heard of us, it might be a surprise to find out we've been
recording music before the existence of what was once called Heavy
Metal, and to be more exact NWOBHM (New Wave of British Heavy Metal).
Our first album came out in 81, however all the tracks on it were
written over a long period of time, some dating back as far as 73 or
74! This new opportunity to release new and back catalog would not
have come true if it weren't for the bravery and dedication to true
metal by Screaming Ferret Wreckords. We have been pleasing European
audiences for years and hope with all our might that we can do the
same in America."

Anvil is soon embarking on a two-month European tour and plan to
perform North American shows over the summer. The first date booked is
the Gates of Hell 2004 Festival on July 24th at the FunHaus in
Toronto, Ontario alongside such Canadian metal legends as Razor and
Exciter.

Anvil joins a proud group of classic metal bands, like Nuclear Assault
and Meliah Rage, who have experienced rejuvenation and renewed
interest through the work and partnership with Screaming Ferret
Wreckords, LLC, an organization designed to further expose new talent
and to introduce groundbreaking classics to a new audience.

http://www.anvilmetal.tk/
http://www.screamingferret.com/

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*** PRESS RELEASE #2 ***
*
-Fates Warning Update From Jim Matheos

Time for a long overdue update... Ray, Mark, and I will meet this
weekend in Connecticut to start recording our tenth studio release,
tentatively titled FWX. After the drums are recorded we'll start
tracking guitars, bass, keys and vocals at my studio. Final mixing is
scheduled for late June. If we stick to that schedule Metal Blade
tells me that we'll make an October release.

Here's the track listing, see if you can guess which ones are still
just working titles:

Left Here
Song 6
River Wide Ocean Deep
Another Perfect Day
Dmin pt1 and pt2
Song 10
Song 8
Stranger (with a familiar face)
Wish

Finally, yes it's true Mark will be leaving the band after this
recording. Mark has been a big part of our sound for the last fifteen
years and his contributions will be missed. But, I think it's fair to
say, both sides feel it's time for a change. No decision on a
replacement yet.

I'll try to give another update as the recording progresses.

http://www.fateswarning.com/

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*** PRESS RELEASE #3 ***
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-Beast Week On Sirius Radio -- Win Books, Enjoy 5,000 Metal Moments

[Note: We originally received this a few days ago. - Tim]

As summer's hot winds blow the acrid scent of heavy metal across the
land...

Tonight kicks off Beast Week on Sirius Radio -- tune your friendly
satellite receptor to the Hard Attack channel 27 tonight at 7PM for an
engaging interview with yours truly and a chance to win a copy of
SOUND of the BEAST: The Complete Headbanging History of Heavy Metal.
Details on daily giveaways and entry form here (you don't have to be a
suscriber to win):

http://www.siriusradio.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=Sirius/Page&c=Contest&\
cid=1083868828542

For a new look behind the book, Suite101.com recently posted a long
and exhaustive interview into the forces that created SOUND of the
BEAST. It'll leave you panting:

http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/17512/108167

And check out the official site http://www.soundofthebeast.com/ for a
FREE chapter download from the expanded and revised paperback edition
of the book -- including topical info on the use of heavy metal to
"soften up" Iraqi detainees, believe it or not.

http://www.soundofthebeast.com/news.html

Meanwhile, work continues on the British, German, and Czech editions
of the book forthcoming later this year. In the meantime, pick up a
copy or an extra copy of the book and enjoy over 5,000 of history's
most metal moments. Thanks to everyone for writing and reading -- keep
in touch and keep your books by the bedside,

BEAST WISHES!

Ian Christe

"The best, most knowledgeable and all-encompassing book you're likely
to find." -- KNAC.com

"The first book to chart the vector of not just metal's origins, but
the myriad mutations through which it continues to infect the planet."
-- LA Weekly, Best of 2003

"If you're into any form of metal whatsoever, Christe's bible is
required reading on all fronts" -- BW&BK

"A damn good job." -- Revolver

"Renewed my faith." -- Metal Maniacs

"At the end of the day, SOUND of the BEAST stands, banging head and
denim-bedecked shoulders, above anything of its ilk." -- Infernal
Combustion

"The content, frankly, is top-notch." -- DigitalMetal

"Few books on heavy metal music can compare." -- Publishers Weekly

SOUND OF THE BEAST book site: http://www.soundofthebeast.com/

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*** PRESS RELEASE #4 ***
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-"Roadkill" Available On DVD July 13, 2004 Through Eclectic DVD

"You can either become a hockey player or take up a life of crime. And
I have weak ankles, so there you go" – Russel the Serial Killer

OAKS, PA -- Eclectic DVD and Video Service Corporation are pleased to
announce the home viewing release of Roadkill for US distribution on
DVD.

This classic Canadian film directed by Bruce McDonald (Hard Core Logo)
and written by Don McKellar (Last Night, Highway 61, Thirty Two Short
Films About Glenn Gould) stars McKellar and Valerie Buhagiar. It's the
story of a girl who travels to northern Ontario to track down a band,
learns to drive, and meets an aspiring serial killer and Joey Ramone.

Featuring music by The Ramones, Nash the Slash, Cowboy Junkies, Graeme
Kirkland and the Wolves, The Leslie Spit Tree-O, The Razorbacks, &
Stompin' Tom Connors.

Roadkill was nominated for two Genie Awards and won the 1989 Toronto
Film Festival Best Canadian Film award.

Special Features:

· Interactive menus/scene index
· Cast and crew bios
· 4x3 letterbox edition
· 2 Short Films by Bruce McDonald: Elimination Dance & Fort Goof

"Raw, primal, musical and funny" – jam! Movies

"Roadkill has its fun bits, as well as meaningful ones, plus a good
soundtrack and some lovely cinematography." – efilmcritic.com

DVD
Street Date: July 13, 2004
Retail Price: $19.95
Sound: 2.0 stereo mix
Running Time: 85 minutes

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*** PRESS RELEASE #5 ***
*
-Sound Riot Records New Releases

MEMORIZED DREAMS
"Theater of Life" CD SRP.028
Out in April 16, 2004
(Melodic Power Metal from Norway)

OVERVIEW:
Provided with a clear and powerful production, "Theater of Life"
contains an impressive "punch" through the creative potential of the
band. Within this album they cover the whole pallet of the Power
Metal, great vocal lines, voluminous yet never exaggerated choir
arrangements, orchestral elements, touching piano, female vocals, epic
feelings, shredding double bass drums, and mid- to fast paced tracks.
The balance between the heavy guitars and melodies makes this album so
fascinating, including the refrains that you can sing along almost
immediately. With "Theater of Life" you will find everything that you
could wish for, a Melodic Power Metal with a freshness, which nothing
compares to what is coming out in the Norwegian scene.

SELLING-POINTS:
• Olaf Hayer of Luca Turilli & Dionysus as lead vocal on one song!!!
Vocals recorded at the famous Gate Studios (Rhapsody, Kamelot).
• Featuring Olav Skei of Divided Multitude on Drums.
• Guest musicians from Trondheim's Symphonic Orchestra on choirs,
cellos and violins.
• Top quality production recorded and mixed at Skansen Studios from
Norway (The 3rd And The Mortal, Atrox, Griffin).
• Mastered by Tommy Newton at Area 51 Studios from Germany (Helloween,
Kamelot, Victory).
• Artwork by JP Fournier (Edguy, Avantasia).
• 8,5 out of 10 in Rock It! mag from Germany

SOUNDCLIPS AVAILABLE IN:
http://www.memorized-dreams.tk/

VICIOUS
"Vile, Vicious & Victorious" CD SRP.027
Out in March 22, 2004
(Swedish Thrash/Death Metal)

OVERVIEW:
Vicious from Sweden play a convincing mixture of Thrash Metal and
Melodic Death Metal by mixing the best elements of both genres, which
means they deliver an angry, heavy and well-played music with some
melodic leads (the trademark of the Gothenburg-sound) and the harsh
vocals. The result is their energetic and incredibly intense debut,
which together with the powerful production of Underground Studios is
totally crushing. Nine intoxicating songs that will make everyone
crave for more. Fanatics of the all-destroying Swedish Thrash/Death
Metal will find an album of aggression, precision, melodic leads,
groove and simply METAL here!

SELLING-POINTS:
• Top quality production.
• Featuring Henrik Wenngren of Skyfire on vocals.
• Guest appearances: P. Kuusisto (Carnal Forge), M. Söderman (Lost
Souls) and Tony Freed (Godhate/Throneaeon).
• Recorded and mixed at The Underground Studios (Carnal Forge, Terror
2000, Ebony Tears)
• Mastered by Peter In de Betou (Hypocrisy, Amon Amarth, Darkane)
• Artwork and CD design by Metalarts.

SOUNDCLIPS AVAILABLE IN:
http://www.viciousonline.tk/

NEXT RELEASES:
UNCHAINED
"Unchained" CD
(out in May 2004)
Melodic Metal from Sweden. The Iron Maiden from 21th century!
http://www.unchained-sweden.tk/

GHOST MACHINERY
"Haunting Remains" CD
(out in June 2004)
Neo-classical Power Metal from Finland. Featuring Pete Ahonen of
Burning Point.
http://www.ghost.tapsanet.net/

SOUND RIOT RECORDS LDA
P.O. Box 243
2500 Caldas da Rainha
Portugal
Email: soundrioteurope@...
http://www.soundriot.net/

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*** PRESS RELEASE #6 ***
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-Dofka News - Sabbath Tribute CD And More!

Greetings all,

The band has finally settled in the new studio. Other than trying to
catch the bat that lives there, all is well. Recording for the new
Dofka CD is underway. Scot is 99.9% done with all of his vocal tracks,
guitars and bass are being tracked as you read this.

Also the domain http://www.dofka.com/ is down until the end of July.
Sorry? You can still get to the Dofka site at
http://www.dofkamusic.homestead.com/DOFKAHome.html or the Dofka -
Toxic Wasteland site at http://www.geocities.com/dofka1/ .

You can check out a killer Sabbath Tribute CD with Dofka covering
"N.I.B." Here's the detailed info!

Cleopatra Records imprint Magick Records will release a new Black
Sabbath tribute album, Evil Lives: A True Metal Tribute To Black
Sabbath, on June 1st.

The tracklisting:
1. Iced Earth - "Black Sabbath"
2. Primal Fear - "Die Young"
3. Jag Panzer - "Children Of The Sea"
4. Racer X - "Children Of The Grave"
5. Lynch/Neil - "Paranoid"
6. Icarus Witch - "Falling Off The Edge Of The World"
7. Forever Say Die! - "Sabbath Bloody Sabbath"
8. Order Of Nine - "Disturbing The Priest"
9. Steel Prophet - "Neon Knights"
10. Agent Steel - "Hole In The Sky"
11. Dofka - "N.I.B."
12. Twisted Tower Dire - "Glory Ride"
13. October 31 - "Danger Zone"

Metal Salutes All. You Will Be Hearing More From Us!

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*** PRESS RELEASE #7 ***
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-Thundertrain @ Paradise - Tickets On Sale Now

WED. JULY 14, 2004 - THUNDERTRAIN @ THE PARADISE

Raise some hell with Thundertrain as they return home with their
all-original 1974-1979 lineup. Mach Bell, Steven Silva, Cool Gene
Provost, Ric Provost and Bobby Edwards! Tearing it up together in
Boston for the first time in decades.

Thundertrain will be joining Reddy Teddy and the Fox Pass crew for a
rock 'n' roll throwdown at the world famous Paradise Rock Club in
Boston. Tickets for this unbelievable Special Event will go fast.

The Paradise will double as the scene of the simultaneous CD Release
Party for the ultimate Boston rock'n'roll album: Thundertrain - HELL
TONITE! Exclusively on Gulcher Records.

THE PARADISE ROCK CLUB PRESENTS
"Return To Kilsyth Manor"
Reddy Teddy
w/ Jon Macey and The Score

Guest Starring:
Thundertrain
and suprise guests...

Wednesday, July 14 at 9:00PM
Doors at 8:00PM
Tickets $15.00
This is an 18+ show
ON SALE NOW @ NEXT TICKETING
http://www.nextticketing.com/paradise

THUNDERTRAIN HELL TONITE!
On Tour and CD Release Party dates:

TUES JULY 13 - WORCESTER - LUCKY DOG MUSIC HALL 21+
Thundertrain & Rock Possible
WED JULY 14 - BOSTON - THE PARADISE ROCK CLUB
Thundertrain @ 9pm! plus Reddy Teddy, Jon Macey & the Score
FRI JULY 16- Mystery Venue* -
An Intimate Evening with Thundertrain & Friends!
SAT JULY 17 - SALEM MA - DOC RYANS 21+
Thundertrain & Rock Possible
SUN JULY 18 - ASHLAND MA - VFW HALL - ALL AGES SHOW!
4pm-10pm Hometown Grand Finale & Weenie Roast
Thundertrain & The British Yankees & special guests: Blue Hornets

GET MORE soon to be announced
Thundertrain tour dates and info*:
http://thundertrain.com/tour.htm

GET MORE Thundertrain News:
http://www.thundertrain.com/hotline.htm

THUNDERTRAIN LIVE
Reprinted from THE NOISE Nov. 2003

This is the reunion tour of Boston's premier underground hard rock
band of the '70s, equally beloved by punks and metalheads at The Rat,
where they reigned... They launch into "Frustration" and I am blown
away. I was expecting cheesy hair metal but these guys are the real
thing, 100% unadulterated rock and roll, playing with the energy and
conviction of teenagers. Mach Bell puts the "front" in "frontman" --
he's wearing an outrageous get-up of shiny black pants tucked into
cowboy boots, a big plaid jacket with rhinestones and bug eyed
sunglasses. His blonde hair's flying as he bounces off amps and lets
loose with his powerful voice (he also sang with the Joe Perry
Project). "Forever and Ever" is a mid tempo boogie rock number with
slide guitar from original axe man Steven Silva, who sports long hair
under a cowboy hat, denim and tattoos. Brothers Gene and Ric Provost
on rhythm and bass provide a rock solid foundation for Silva's
squealing yet never self indulgent solos, Mach's throaty wails and the
intense drums... Then they wow us with "Hot For Teacher" (not the Van
Halen song) and "Cindy is a Sleeper," and the crowd is lapping it up.
This is definitely one of my top live shows of the year. (Laura
Markley)

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*** PRESS RELEASE #8 ***
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-Lizzy Borden Guitar Player In Fatal Auto Accident May 17th

HOLLYWOOD (May 18, 2004) -- It saddens me to convey that Alex Nelson,
guitarist for metal band Lizzy Borden, perished in a head-on collision
the afternoon of May 17th, 2004.

Alex Nelson joined Lizzy Borden, after replacing Tony Matuzak, on
guitar before the recording of The Murderess Metal Roadshow. Alex
maintained his place in the band and went on to tour with Lizzy all
over the world. He loved the music and loved the band, but most of all
he loved life.

Alex will be truly missed by all that had the gift of his friendship.
We shall miss him dearly, as he was just starting his new life with
his wife Angel Nelson. Recently moving to Palm Springs, the couple had
purchased their new home and starting a rental business for the condo
they had also purchased. They were living their dream life together
only to end in a heartbreaking tragedy.

This Sunday the band Starwood (all Lizzy Borden members, including
Lizzy) will be performing at the House of Blues on Sunset Strip. They
will be performing a few Lizzy Borden songs in tribute to their lost
brother.

To send your condolences and support please mail to:

V.Q. Promotions
C/O Angel Nelson
4415 W. Verdugo Ave., Ste B
Burbank, CA 91505

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*** PRESS RELEASE #9 ***
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-Black Sabbath To Play Ozzfest 2004 - Sort Of

[Note: This is a Reuters release that was reprinted in issue #1160 of
Joe Siegler's Black Sabbath Mailing List. See Black Sabbath Online at
http://www.black-sabbath.com/ for more. - Tim]

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) -- British heavy metal pioneers Black Sabbath
will reunite for the first time since 2001 for Ozzfest, which begins
July 10 in Hartford, Conn., a spokeswoman for the annual road show
said on Tuesday.

Ozzfest co-founder and headliner Ozzy Osbourne will revisit such hard
rocking classics as "War Pigs" and "Paranoid" along with guitarist
Tony Iommi and bass player Geezer Butler. But original drummer Bill
Ward will be replaced by Mike Bordin, who backs Osbourne on his solo
gigs.

Along with three-quarters of the original Black Sabbath, Ozzfest will
also feature four-fifths of the original Judas Priest, and such acts
as Slayer, Dimmu Borgir, Superjoint Ritual (featuring former Pantera
singer Phil Anselmo) and Zakk Wylde's Black Label Society.

Black Sabbath, with Ward on board, last played live during the 2001
version of Ozzfest, but plans to play its own shows afterwards were
canceled because Osbourne had to finish work on his solo album.

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*** PRESS RELEASE #10 ***
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-Z Online Store Revamped And Online!!!

The Z Records online store has been given a facelift and been
officially relaunched today!!!

New titles available inc. War & Peace - The Walls Have Eyes and King
Karma - s/t.

Check it out at http://www.zrecords.net/ .

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*** PRESS RELEASE #11 ***
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-Z Rock 2004 Update

CANADIAN ACT ADDED TO Z ROCK 2004 LINEUP

Canadian Rockers Gypsy Rose have been confirmed for Z Rock 2004
completing the lineup for this year's show. The fully confirmed lineup
for Z Rock 2004 on September 19th in Liverpool is as follows....

WAR & PEACE [feat. Jeff Pilson of Dokken]
GYPSY ROSE
JESSE DAMON [Silent Rage]
MITCH MALLOY
ADAM BOMB
ENZIGN
TORINO [Liverpool based act reformed for one off appearance]

Tickets are now on sale priced at Ł20 each [booking fee will apply]
via the following credit card hotlines:

T: +44 [0] 1484 643392
T: +44 [0] 1782 522370
T: +44 [0] 1489 603549

and also from the Royal Court Theatre Box Office, Liverpool and X
Records Bolton.

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*** FLAMES FROM THE LAKE ***
*
by Sean P. Gahgan (lof@...)

-Happy Metal May to you all from the Lake of Fire!!! I'd like to let
you all know about two CDs spinning around in the Lake for the past
couple weeks. No formal review just some overall comments. I have to
be honest and say how disappointed I am with the new W.A.S.P. CD, THE
NEON GOD: PART ONE - THE RISE. I have just about everything W.A.S.P.
has put out (except K.F.D., didn't care for that one) and think that
THE CRIMSON IDOL and THE HEADLESS CHILDREN are Blackie Lawless'
strongest works to date. My problem with his latest offering (actually
the last two or three CDs) is they all sound the same. There is no
diversity or originality. THE CRIMSON IDOL is one of my favorite
Concept CDs of all time and there are many parts of THE RISE that
sound way too similar. The story by itself is interesting and thought-
provoking but the accompanying music just sounds like the same thing
Blackie has been regurgitating for the past couple years. It pains me
to say all of this 'cause I like Blackie's style and intensity; for
all that has been written and said about him, I would love to sit down
and pick his brain and find out what really makes the man tick. I just
can't get into this CD no matter how hard I try.

-On a more positive note, I have also been listening to the new Jorn
CD, OUT TO EVERY NATION. Jorn Lande is a fabulous singer with the
lungs of Dio, range of Coverdale, and soul of Lou Graham. This is his
third solo CD (STARFIRE, WORLDCHANGER) and is a very strong offering.
It has a solid production job and some good quality songs. "Vision
Eyes," "Out To Every Nation," "Something Real" and "When Angels Wings
Were White" are standout tracks and show how Jorn has evolved as a
songwriter. My only complaint is, with the quality of songs he
provides on each CD, he always seems to provide one or two real
clunkers. The lyrics for "Rock Spirit" are so cheesy I had to check
two or three times to make sure he was responsible for writing them.
With that aside, if you like anything Jorn has previously done you
should like this. I have enjoyed his solo recordings, his work with
Ark, and now with Masterplan, I do believe he still has his best work
ahead of him. He is tremendously talented and has yet to create his
definitive collection of songs that will highlight his career.

-Random thoughts for the week... I can't wait to hear Soul Sirkus, the
new band including the talents of the most versatile voice in Rock 'N'
Roll, Jeff Scott Soto, one of the most versatile guitarists (and my
personal favorite) Neal Schon, superstar skin beater Deen Castronovo
and the most underrated bass player/guitarist/singer in music, Marco
Mendoza -- this band is gonna be unbelievable!... Yippee, Black
Sabbath at Ozzfest; here's hoping for some more Judas Priest off-
dates!... Wow, Richard Christy has decided to leave Iced Earth in
favor of pursuing his dream job of working on "The Howard Stern Show!"
He is one of the ten finalists to try out for Stuttering John's job,
and Bobby Jarzombek (Halford/Riot) is taking over for him. The
listeners will have the opportunity to vote for Stuttering John's
replacement so we should all back up Richard on this one.

-R.I.P.: Alex Nelson (Lizzy Borden) died in a head-on collision on May
17, 2004. I have met and seen Alex on many occasions and in my opinion
was the best guitarist Lizzy ever had. My condolences go out to his
friends and family.

-Quote of the Week: "Music is the art which is most nigh to tears and
memory." -- Oscar Wilde

-Song of the Week: "Vision Eyes" by Jorn

-Playing in the Lake of Fire this week: OUT TO EVERY NATION by Jorn,
THE RAGING FIRE by Seventh Key, GOTTHARD by Gotthard, and THE INNER
CIRCLE by Evergrey.

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*** REALM OF SHRED ***
*
by Neal Woodall (MysticX10@...)

-Last week I mistakenly referred to the new Spastic Ink CD as INK
COMPLETE; actually that is their debut, the new CD is called INK
COMPATIBLE (see review this issue).

-Metal Sludge has done it again with some hilarious interviews with
Tony Harnell and Paul Gilbert, check them out at
http://www.metal-sludge.com/ .

-Gary Moore's new CD will be called POWER OF THE BLUES and will
feature Bob Daisley on bass and drummer Darrin Mooney. Co-produced by
hard rock/metal legend Chris Tsangarides, the CD should be out June
6th. As you can probably tell from the title, this will be a bluesy
affair similar to STILL GOT THE BLUES and AFTER HOURS. I know Gary is
52 now but I sorely miss his hard rock days; listening to WILD
FRONTIER and VICTIMS OF THE FUTURE recently was a bittersweet reminder
of how incredible a player this man was -- he is still great, of
course, but IMO the fire is not as prevalent in his playing now. I
watched his latest DVD LIVE AT MONSTERS OF ROCK and feel it doesn't
measure up to LIVE IN THE EMERALD ISLES and LIVE IN STOCKHOLM. Still,
if you are a fan of excellent blues playing I'm sure there will be
much to love about Gary's new CD. Everything must change, I guess...

-Metal Church has a nice Web site up at http://www.metalchurch.com/
(what else?) -- looking forward to their new one THE WEIGHT OF THE
WORLD coming out July 26th; with Jay Reynolds from Malice on second
guitar, it should be interesting to hear, not to mention to see
performed live at the BW&BK 6-Pack Weekend!

-Been checking out the latest Seventh Key CD THE RAGING FIRE -- not a
shred oriented disc but worth a mention because the production,
songwriting, vocals and guitar work are top-notch, really exceptional
AOR.

-In the rant department, quality bands continue to make videos that
many of their fans cannot see; I assume this is due to mass preference
for crap, although it may just be that the programmers are unaware
that there is any interest in them. Drop a note to MTV2, Fuse, VH1
Classic, etc., and suggest they play some Pagan's Mind, Sinergy, Rage,
Jag Panzer -- stuff like that -- anything to give deserving bands a
bit of recognition so we don't have to put up with shit like Slipknot
for the rest of our days! OK, rant over...

-_Guitar Player_ magazine has a contest going on to be the "World's
Next Guitar Hero" -- send them a CD-R or MP3 of your best playing by
May 31. Details at http://www.guitarplayer.com/ .

-On the playlist this week - Spastic Ink: INK COMPATIBLE (got it right
this time!), Seventh Key: THE RAGING FIRE, Evergrey: THE INNER CIRCLE,
Ohm: "LIVE" ON KPFK 90.7 FM, UFO: YOU ARE HERE, TNT: MY RELIGION,
Vinnie Moore: TIME ODYSSEY. Vintage pick of the week: Frank Marino:
LIVE.

-Until next week, remember to request those videos!!!

*
*** REVIEWS ***
*
SEVENTH KEY - THE RAGING FIRE (B+) InsideOut Music America, 2004
11 tracks, RT: 58:38, multimedia section
[ http://www.billygreer.com/ ]
[ http://www.insideoutmusic.com/ ]
[ info@... ]
Perspective: I have the first Seventh Key CD which was produced great
and had some good performances on it but overall I thought the songs
lacked a bit. I have been a fan of Mike Slamer forever and have
followed his career from City Boy to Streets and all of his production
work. I am familiar with Billy Greer's work in Kansas and Streets as
well. Review: This is a great melodic rock release, plain and simple.
What was missing from the first CD is definitely present on THE RAGING
FIRE. Part of the problem/remedy was that on the first CD, four or
five of the songs were reworked Kansas songs from the early '80s. On
this release all of the songs are new collaborations between Billy and
Mike. And just as in Streets, this proves to be a magical writing
team. Slammer is a monster guitar player and a fabulous producer. It's
a crime that he does not have more releases to his name, but he is
content to wear the producer's hat -- and wear it well he does. The
sound here is awesome, big drums, in-your-face guitars and perfectly
blended vocals that sum to an audio punch. Slammer's lead playing is
phenomenal and he is the master of the tastefully constructed guitar
solo. The solos in "The Raging Fire," "Should Have Been You," and "You
Cross The Line" are incredible. The latter song is my personal
favorite on the CD; it's a slower atmospheric builder with a powerful
chorus. Mike's glassy, sustaining sound beautifully rings out on these
well-articulated and structured solos; the guy is just so talented. As
far as Billy Greer goes, what can I say... He has an awesome melodic
voice and along with Mike they write some well-constructed,
melodically grooved hard rock! His vocal performance on THE RAGING
FIRE seems more inspired and passionate than on the debut self-titled
Seventh Key. There is a good selection of mid-paced, slow and up-tempo
songs in good running order that allows the CD to flow from start to
finish. About my only complaint is that some of the lyrical content
could be considered cliche, but the melodies are so well-written and
performed this can be easily overlooked. The CD also includes a video
for "Always From The Heart" and a 10-minute interview with Billy and
Mike which is pretty cool. Summary: If you own Seventh Key's debut and
like it, you will love this. It improves on everything that the debut
was lacking. Awesome edgy melodic guitar solos, well-crafted melodies
and assembled songs with top-notch vocals and production. This one
keeps growing on me with each listen. A must for fans of Streets, Mike
Slammer, Billy Greer, or melodic rock in general. - Sean P. Gahgan
(lof@...)

SPASTIC INK - INK COMPATIBLE (A) EclecticElectric, 2004
9 tracks, RT 58:13
[ http://www.spasticink.com/ ]
From the twisted genius of Ron Jarzombek comes this new masterpiece of
incredibly off-the-wall technical metal sure to delight fans who
appreciate music that refuses to play by the rules. Just so it's
crystal clear, Spastic Ink do not play traditional melodically
structured compositions; rather, what they do is turn the arrangements
"inside-out," mixing superb virtuoso playing with abrupt time and key
changes, bizarre interludes and Zappa-like humor. The theme of the CD
is the strange and often frustrating world of computers, but you don't
have to understand the references to enjoy the wild ride Spastic Ink
has in store for you. Ron Jarzombek is a master guitarist, quite
frankly one of the best technical players you are likely to hear.
There are many guest performances on the CD, including appearances by
such progressive giants as Marty Friedman, Daniel Gildenlöw (Pain Of
Salvation) and Jens Johansson, but the core band consists of brothers
Ron and Bobby Jarzombek along with WatchTower vocalist Jason McMaster
and bassist Pete Perez from Riot. What you'll find is musicianship
that is every bit the equal to any jazz-fusion or progressive outfit
you care to name, with playing that is so intricate and tight you'll
wonder how it is possible. This is one of those releases offering
something new to experience every time you listen, and you will have
to listen repeatedly to fully appreciate what is going on here. A few
of my favorite tracks include "Words For Nerds," featuring some of the
best shred since Jason Becker stunned us with PERPETUAL BURN, "Read
Me," which will likely make even accomplished guitarists feel lacking
in capability, and the 12-minute epic "A Chaotic Realization Of
Nothing Yet Misunderstood," a piece which pushes the envelope of
progressive metal into all sorts of weird shapes. Overall, this is
music that will appeal to a select few, most notably musicians and
those who are already fans of Spastic Ink, WatchTower and Ron
Jarzombek; I suspect that if you are searching for something creative,
challenging and different to wrap your ears around, INK COMPATIBLE
will fulfill your expectations and then some. Mind blowing... - Neal
Woodall (MysticX10@...)

*
*** OUT ***
*

=====
Detritus Rock/Metal e-zine
"Rock Hard With A Purpose"
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/detritus/




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