Detritus
Issue #281
Week of August 2, 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 ***
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-Stop everything, scroll down to Press Release #12 about Queensryche,
and then come back here. I'll wait. <pause> OK, so, wow. It looks like
MINDCRIME II is really on the way! Ten years ago I would've greeted
this news with a big smile and an exclamation of, "They're back after
their short bender! Killer!!" But now...??? Do we even want the guys
to attempt this in 2004??? After a decade-plus slump I'm not sure I
want them messing with the MINDCRIME legacy. Yes, they created it and
they obviously have every right to do whatever they want, but I am so
jaded now I can't possibly see the sequel holding a candle to the
original. (As some friends and I were saying, "Will this be closer to
'Caddyshack II' or 'The Empire Strikes Back'?") And now BraveWords.com
has additional information that a MINDCRIME movie is in the works!
(Read it at http://www.bravewords.com/news.html?id=16371 .) Crazy,
crazy stuff... Caught me totall off guard.

-The other recent big news is Tuff mainman Stevie Rachelle has "come
out" regarding his status as the mastermind behind Metal-Sludge.com.
Check out his lengthy, cool post detailing his reasons at
http://www.metalsludge.tv/ . Takes some balls, I gotta say!!! Thanks
to Jim Flak for turning me on to this bit.

-New CD shop alert! Longtime Detritus reader Melwyn Crews has a brand
new online store called Dynasty Metal Music that we'd love for you
guys to check out and patronize. The hype: "Specializing in melodic
hard rock, power and progressive metal, we will be carrying import
CD's and DVD's, some US and independent releases, limited editions and
rare items. There will be new items and new releases listed every
week." It's a killer looking site and that's no b.s.! Check it out at
http://www.dynastymetalmusic.com/ .

-One last bit of business... Steve and I have been busy loading up the
Links section at the Yahoo! Groups site. Check out all the new stuff
at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/detritus/links/ .

-Now in my current playlist: Michael Schenker Group - WORLD WIDE LIVE
2004 (DVD), Starwood - IF IT AIN'T BROKE, BREAK IT!, Scorpions -
UNBREAKABLE, Dokken - HELL TO PAY, Heaven & Earth - A TASTE OF HEAVEN,
Lacuna Coil - COMALIES, Mountain - ERUPTION, and Warrant - UNDER THE
INFLUENCE. - Tim

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*** PRESS RELEASE #1 ***
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-Dimmu Borgir & In Flames - "Best Metal Videos Of The New Millennium"

MTV2's "Headbanger's Ball" and Revolver magazine are teaming up to
compile a list of the "Best Metal Videos of the New Millennium," as
selected by the fans.

Metalheads are being asked to choose their favorite videos, two of
which are Nuclear Blast Artists!

Dimmu Borgir - "Progenies Of The Great Apocalypse" - Directed by
Patric Ullaeus

In Flames - "Cloud Connected" - Directed by Patric Ullaeus

The winning videos will air Saturday, August 21 at 10 p.m. during
"Headbanger's Ball."

Dimmu Borgir and In Flames will be featured in the October issue of
Revolver, on stands August 24th.

Go to: http://www.mtv.com/onair/mtv2/headbangers_ball/best_metal/ to
cast your vote!

See Dimmu Borgir on the main stage of OZZFEST 2004!

Dimmu Borgir's latest opus, Death Cult Armageddon, released in
September 2003, has sold over 60,000 copies in the 10 months it has
been out with an average of 2,000 copies per week according to Nielsen
SoundScan.

"Norwegian black metal ambassadors make inroads in America" - Rolling
Stone.com

See In Flames at two rare U.S. appearances!
September 26, 2004 - Roxy - Los Angeles, CA
September 29, 2004 - C.B.G.B. - New York, NY

In Flames' latest album, Soundtrack To Your Escape, released on April
6th, 2004 has sold over 48,000 copies to date and still selling
strong!

"KKKK" - Kerrang!

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*** PRESS RELEASE #2 ***
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-Lacuna Coil Hits The Billboard Top 200

First artist in burgeoning independent label's history to enter famed
album chart

LOS ANGELES -- After 92 weeks, Comalies, the acclaimed third album
from Italian sextet Lacuna Coil -- a group that Reuters news service
recently declared to be "on the verge of a major breakthrough" -- has
cracked the Billboard 200, the magazine's weekly tally of the
country's top-selling albums.

Originally released on October 29, 2002, Comalies -- which shattered
the 100,000 sales mark two weeks ago -- achieved its best weekly sales
mark to date from July 19-25, logging 5,818 copies sold, according to
SoundScan. The album -- #194 on this week's chart -- has sold more
than 17,000 copies in the last month alone, and marks the first-ever
Billboard 200 appearance in the history of the group's label, the Los
Angeles-based independent Century Media Records.

"It's a testament to our philosophy of believing in a band and working
them from the ground up," says Phil Hinkle, Century Media's director
of A&R. "In an era where artist development seems to be an
afterthought, it's exciting to be a part of such a natural, organic
success story."

In large part, Comalies' robust sales can be attributed to Lacuna
Coil's Ozzfest performances. Of all second-stage acts, the group is
being outsold by only Slipknot and Atreyu, both of which have released
new albums within the last two months. In addition, current single
"Swamped" is enjoying heavy commercial radio airplay nationwide -- the
track is #40 on this week's R&R Active Rock chart -- as well as steady
video play on both MTV2 and Fuse. The song will be included on the
soundtrack to the upcoming Sony Pictures film "Resident Evil:
Apocalypse" and featured in the forthcoming Activision video game
Vampire: The Masquerade -- Bloodlines.

Aside from Ozzfest, Lacuna Coil will be playing select "off-fest"
shows throughout August. That month, the group will also deliver three
acoustic in-store performances at select Borders Music locations. A
new album will surface in 2005.

The flagship label of the Century Family, Century Media Records was
founded in 1988. Its American branch opened three years later. With
nine offices around the globe, the label employs more than 150 people
worldwide. Featuring a rich catalog of such influential acts as Iced
Earth, Opeth and Stuck Mojo, the label's leading artists today also
include Shadows Fall, God Forbid and Nevermore. Distributed
domestically by Caroline, Century Media's American branch has
experienced unprecedented growth in recent years. Comalies is the
label's second release to cross the 100,000 sales mark; the other is
Shadows Fall's 2002 recording, The Art of Balance. That group's new
album, The War Within, will surface this September.

http://www.lacunacoil.it/
http://www.centurymedia.com/

Lacuna Coil On Tour:

7/29 - Shoreline Amphitheater - San Francisco, CA (Ozzfest, 12:00 p.m.
set)
7/31 - Hyundai Pavilion - San Bernardino, CA (Ozzfest, 12:30 p.m. set)
8/2 - Marquee Theater - Tempe, AZ w/ Superjoint Ritual, Devildriver
8/3 - Journal Pavilion - Albuquerque, NM (Ozzfest, 1:30 p.m. set)
8/5 - Smirnoff Music Center - Dallas, TX (Ozzfest, 2:00 p.m. set)
8/6 - International Ballroom - Houston, TX w/ Superjoint Ritual,
Devildriver
8/7 - Verizon Wireless Amphitheater - San Antonio, TX (Ozzfest, 9:30
a.m. set)
8/9 - The Club - Wichita, KS w/ Superjoint Ritual
8/10 - Verizon Wireless Amphitheater - Kansas City, KS (Ozzfest, 9:55
a.m. set)
8/12 - UMB Pavilion - St. Louis, MO (Ozzfest, 10:20 a.m. set)
8/13 - Quad City Live - Davenport, IA w/ Atreyu, Hatebreed, Lamb Of
God, etc.
8/14 - Alpine Valley Music Theater - East Troy, WI (Ozzfest, 10:45
a.m. set)
8/15 - Riverside Ballroom - Green Bay, WI w/ Superjoint Ritual,
Devildriver
8/17 - DTE Energy Center - Detroit, MI (Ozzfest, 11:10 a.m. set)
8/18 - Borders Music #1 - Ann Arbor, MI (7:00 p.m. free acoustic
performance)
8/19 - Blossom Music Center - Cleveland, OH (Ozzfest, 11:35 a.m. set)
8/20 - Blue Cat - Bellefontaine, OH w/ Superjoint Ritual
8/21 - Tweeter Center - Tinley Park, IL (Ozzfest, 12:00 p.m. set)
8/22 - Machine Shop - Flint, MI w/ Superjoint Ritual, Devildriver
8/23 - Borders Music #58 - Chicago, IL (7:00 p.m. free acoustic
performance)
8/24 - Verizon Wireless Music Center - Indianapolis, IN (Ozzfest,
12:30 p.m. set)
8/26 - Tweeter Waterfront - Camden, NJ (Ozzfest, 1:30 p.m. set)
8/27 - Jaxx - Springfield, VA w/ Superjoint Ritual, Devildriver
8/28 - Post Gazette Pavilion - Pittsburgh, PA (Ozzfest, 2:00 p.m. set)
8/30 - Borders Music #94 - Bridgewater, NJ (7:00 p.m. free acoustic
performance)
8/31 - Alltel Pavilion - Raleigh, NC (Ozzfest, 9:30 a.m. set)
9/2 - Tampa Bay Amphitheater - Tampa, FL (Ozzfest, 9:55 a.m. set)
9/4 - Sound Advice Amphitheater - West Palm, FL (Ozzfest, 10:20 a.m.
set)

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*** PRESS RELEASE #3 ***
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-New Starwood Album Gets 5 Star Mark On RocknWorld.com!

Starwood's debut release "If It Ain't Broke, Break It!" received a 5
star rating on RocknWorld.com's review section (
http://www.rocknworld.com/5s/2004/starwood.shtml ). Other bands to
have reached the 5 star rating recently are The Darkness, Sparta, HIM,
and The Vines. The band was also featured in the Day In Rock section
by AntiMusic ( http://www.antimusic.com/dayinrock/04/july/27.shtml )
where they occasionally highlight a standout CD on the day of release.
The last CD featured was The Cure's new self-titled album.
Congratulations guys!

Here are some other links to reviews to check out:

Epinions
http://www.epinions.com/content_148019187332

Metal Exiles
http://www.metal-exiles.com/modules/news/article.php?storyid=329

You can vote for Starwood on Yahoo.com Internet radio HERE:
http://launch.yahoo.com/artist/default.asp?artistID=1105486

Be sure to check out the band's new site at
http://www.starwood-band.com/ .

MP3 - "Won't Back Down"
http://www.metalblade.com/bands/starwood/wbd.mp3

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*** PRESS RELEASE #4 ***
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-Fates Warning Update From Ray Alder

"We went into this record being as creative as possible, and we worked
really hard. We were facing some big changes that made the writing and
recording a long, arduous process. The result is a record that is a
lot heavier than past records. It's also more technical than any other
record we've done."

Fates Warning has also announced the track listing for the FWX:

1. Left Here
2. Simple Human
3. River Wide Ocean Deep
4. Another Perfect Day
5. Heal Me
6. Sequence # 7
7. Crawl
8. A Handful Of Doubt
9. Stranger (With A Familiar Face)
10. Wish

FWX is scheduled for release on October 5th, 2004.

http://www.fateswarning.com/

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*** PRESS RELEASE #5 ***
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-Mitch Malloy Tickets For Exclusive SE/London Gig Now On Sale!

Monday September 13th
MITCH MALLOY (Acoustic show) + SACRED HEART (Acoustic set)

A chance to catch one of the finest voices in rock in an acoustic show
not to be missed. Plus support from SACRED HEART who will appeal to
fans of quality melodic rock a la WHITESNAKE, DEF LEPPARD et al.

http://www.mitchmalloy.com/
http://www.sacredheartband.com/

Doors open 7.45pm, music 8.30-11pm

Tickets only £7

Credit card bookings can be made on - 0870 900 9229
Box office open 9am - 5pm Monday-Friday

Pay by cheque (no booking fee) with cheques made payable to 'Bees
United' and add 80p for recorded first class postage within the UK. To
pay by cheque or reserve tickets e-mail papa_bear70@... or
call (07952) 378271.

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*** PRESS RELEASE #6 ***
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-Sanctuary: Best In Metal!

The News from Metal-Is, Noise, Mayan and T&T Records

MEGADETH - Making of a Cover

Did you know that the cover of the upcoming Megadeth studio album "The
System Has Failed" was airbrushed? Have a look on the step-by-step
documentary which shows the creative process of making this new
masterpiece.

http://208.203.139.81/megadeth/default.shtml
http://www.mikelearn.com/megadeth/mega_01.html

CANS - Win Original Text Sheet!

We're raffling the original text sheet of the song 'Silent Cries'
among the visitors of the 5 concerts in Sweden and Germany. All you
have to do is send us the CANS setlist. Be there, enjoy it and win!

http://208.203.139.81/cans/btg/raffle.shtml
http://208.203.139.81/cans/btg/cd.shtml
http://208.203.139.81/cans/default.shtml

SILENT FORCE - Vote For The Setlist!

Now it's up to you to vote for the Silent Force selist for their gig
on Friday the 13th (!) of August with CANS in Bochum.

http://208.203.139.81/silentforce/default.shtml
http://208.203.139.81/cans/default.shtml

Click and vote now!
http://208.203.139.81/silentforce/worlds/poll.asp

Listen to 'Ride The Storm'!
http://208.203.139.81/news/sf.asp

Upcoming releases (Europe):

30.08. Lake Of Tears - Black Brick Road
13.09. Megadeth - The System Has Failed
20.09. W.A.S.P. - Neon God #2
20.09. Silent Force - Worlds Apart
20.09. Seven Witches - Year Of The Witch

http://www.noiserecords.com/default.shtml

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*** PRESS RELEASE #7 ***
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-Opiate For The Masses Completes Debut Full-Length Album 'The Spore'

Band Joining East Coast Dates On The Vans Warped Tour

An explosion of activity is occurring in the world of the Phoenix, AZ-
based rock band Opiate For The Masses in summer 2004. The band just
finished recording its full-length debut album 'The Spore,' it is
participating in several major U.S. tours including the Vans Warped
Tour and endorsement deals are on the table. The Opiate For The Masses
wave is just beginning to crest!

Opiate For The Masses -- vocalist Ron Underwood, lead guitarist Andy
Gerold, guitarist/keyboardist/programmer Jim Kaufman, bass guitarist
Ryan Head and drummer Elias Mallin -- will release 'The Spore' this
fall on the band's own label.

Kaufman produced 'The Spore,' and he also recently finished the Pro
Tools engineering for the new Helmet album scheduled for release this
fall on Interscope. The production for 'The Spore' also included
engineer Chris Holmes (Helmet, Weezer, John Frusciante), vocal
producer Mark Renk (Helmet, Avenged Sevenfold) and A&R executive Shiva
Baum, who has worked with producer Rick Rubin, VAST and others.
Tracking for 'The Spore' was completed at two Los Angeles-area
studios: legendary producer Dave Jerden's El Dorado Studios in
Burbank, as well as Kaufman's studio in Laurel Canyon built by
renowned studio designer Steven Kline.

The mixing of 'The Spore' will be completed after Opiate For The
Masses storms the Eastern United States as part of the 10th
anniversary edition of the Vans Warped Tour. The band is on the tour
July 28 through August 8, which hits New York City, Miami, Atlanta,
Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.

The Vans Warped Tour is just the latest high-profile concert trek for
Opiate For The Masses. This summer has also included runs with Orgy
and Avenged Sevenfold and a Sauza Tequila-sponsored tour including
Seether and Finger Eleven. Opiate For The Masses also earned an
endorsement deal with Jagermeister. The song "Heaven" used in the
'Galerians:Rion' film is creating a stir in the Japanese anime world.

Expect to see Opiate For The Masses near you very soon because the
band has signed with Andrew Goodfriend at booking agency giant The
Agency Group.

"The guys are thrilled at all the enthusiasm and activity that has
been happening to us," says Underwood. "We're extremely proud of the
songs and production of our new album 'The Spore.' The band is even
more excited to share it with our fans as well as the extensive
touring that we will do to ensure that this music gets the exposure
that it deserves. Opiate For The Masses is a name that people will be
hearing a lot in these next few years."

The Vans Warped Tour dates with Opiate For The Masses include:

Wednesday, July 28th - Atlanta, GA - Hi-Fi Buys Amphitheater
Thursday, July 29th - Orlando, FL - Central Florida Fairgrounds
Friday, July 30th - Tampa, FL - Vinoy Park
Saturday, July 31st - Miami, FL - Hi-Fi Buys Amphitheater
Sunday, August 1st - Jacksonville, FL - Jacksonville Fairgrounds
Monday, August 2nd - Charlotte, NC - Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
Tuesday, August 3rd - Virginia Beach, VA - Verizon Wireless
Amphitheater
Wednesday, August 4th - Washington, DC - Nissan Pavilion
Thursday, August 5th - Pittsburgh, PA - Post-Gazette Pavilion
Friday, August 6th - Philadelphia, PA - Tweeter Center @ Waterfront
Saturday, August 7th - New York, NY - Randall's Island
Sunday, August 8th - Englishtown, NJ - Raceway Park

http://www.opiateforthemasses.com/

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*** PRESS RELEASE #8 ***
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-Iced Earth's The Blessed And The Damned Career Retrospective Released
July 27, 2004 By Century Media Records

Century Media is proud to bring ICED EARTH fans the first-ever
"Greatest Hits" collection from one of the scene's leading metal acts.
This double CD compilation contains 23 tracks featuring over two hours
of remastered material spanning the band's Century Media career.
Russian fantasy artist Leo Hao (Blind Guardian, Iced Earth) has
created an original piece of art allowing either angels or demons to
gloriously grace the cover. The Blessed And The Damned contains a 20-
page deluxe booklet that includes lyrics and extensive biographical
liner notes by former Century Media publicist Loana dP Valencia.
Detailed herein is an introduction to where Jon Shaffer and ICED EARTH
are today by taking a look back at where they have been: Jon's early
days beginning with Black Sabbath and Kiss records at age four, his
decision to dedicate his life to music, his first guitar, his move to
Tampa, Florida at age 16, the first incarnation of ICED EARTH and how
they overcame obstacles, failures and successes. Each album is
discussed in detail including what at the time was happening to the
band and includes commentary from mastermind Jon Schaffer.

"A musician's autobiography is his music - everything else is only a
footnote. Throughout the course of nine albums and one EP, Jon
Schaffer has offered us - his fans - interpretations of the truths in
his own life. In this compilation, each song leads you through his
understanding of his [Jon Schaffer's] struggles, disappointments, joys
and his triumphs." - Loana dP Valencia taken from The Blessed And The
Damned booklet.

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*** PRESS RELEASE #9 ***
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-WOA Newsletter August 2004

All confirmed bands so far (in alphabetical order):

AFTER FOREVER + AMON AMARTH + ANTHRAX + ARCH ENEMY + ARTEFACT + ASTRAL
DOORS + BAL-SAGOTH + BRAINSTORM + BOEHSE ONKELZ + CANNIBAL CORPSE +
CATHEDRAL + CHILDREN OF BODOM + DEATH ANGEL + DESTRUCTION + DIO +
DIONYSUS + DISBELIEF + DORO feat. Metal Classic Orchestra + special
guests Udo Dirkschneider & Blaze Bayley + DR. ROCK + EKTOMORF +
ELÄKELÄISET + ENGINE OF PAIN + EVERFEST + FEINSTEIN + GRAVE DIGGER +
GRIFFIN + GUN BARREL + GUTBUCKET + HELLOWEEN with surprise guest +
HOBBS ANGEL OF DEATH + HYPOCRISY + J.B.O + KNORKATOR + KOTIPELTO +
MAMBO KURT + MAYHEM + METHEDRAS + MISERY INDEX + MNEMIC + MOTÖRHEAD +
MYSTIC PROPHECY + NEVERMORE + ORPHANAGE + PARAGON + QUIREBOYS +
RAUNCHY + RECKLESS TIDE + SATAN + SATYRICON feat. special set with
Nocturno Culto from DARKTHRONE + SAXON + SCHANDMAUL + SUPERSOMA + THE
RODS + THORA + THUNDERSTONE + UNLEASHED + VANGUARD + VOODOMA + WARLOCK
(Line up 1986) + WEINHOLD + ZODIAC MINDWARP and many more

The current Running Order you get here:
http://www.wacken.com/index_eng.php?Link=woa2004/woa2004-ro_eng.htm

The current Billing with much informations about the bands you get
here:
http://ro.wacken.com/WOAbilling.pl?lang=ENG&year=2004

INTERNATIONAL SENSATION – INTERNET TRANSMISSION! THE WORLDWIDE METAL
MARATHON IN WACKEN!

The countdown to W:O:A has started and to our 15th anniversary we
present you a sensation. Wacken Open Air & Armageddon Music presents:

Hardy TV at W:O:A 2004

Hardy TV will be the longest ever metal cast, which has ever been
transmitted to the internet. The whole three days from Wacken Open Air
24 hours. Which means that we'll be transmitting the biggest metal
spectacle 72 hours around the globe for those who stayed at home.
Starting from Thursday, the 5th of August at 3 pm). You will be able
to view the live shows from the Truemetal- & Blackmetalstage, Party &
WET Stage, Jim Beam Stage and the beer garden. Interviews, Metal News
and the weather forecast to sensational happenings in the bands
backstage containers and the VIP area. For you we look behind the
scenes, visit the camping area, accompany the artists to the stage and
the Meet&Greet and you'll see the latest video clips from the bands.

Apart from that there will be current interviews, CD presentations,
draws, Specials, News and much more. 24 hours there will be many very
interesting guests and artists from the festival in our tv-studio on
site.

That's sheer madness: No one will miss anything – because after the
festival everyone will still be able, people who have been at the
festival. To receive the most interesting reports, interviews,
specials & of course the live transmission from the stages per
download and streaming. Plus there will be various special casts like
for example on Friday, 20.08 at 00:01 am , the METAL MARATHON VOL.II.
from the "Markthalle Hamburg" with the pre-listening party of SAXON
and a BEST OF WACKEN 2004.

Go to http://www.streaming.wacken.com/ . There you'll get further
information. For those who are on site at the festival can take a look
in the world wide net and follow the cast from the universe at the
screens.

The metal world has never seen anything like this before! MOSH ís
history – now HARDY TV comes to your homes and at the festival site.

Many famous presenters (musicians and friends you know) will accompany
you through the 72 hours Metal-Marathon live from the WACKEN OPEN AIR.

WE STILL HAVE ENOUGH W:O:A TICKETS LEFT!!!

Our official ticket seller http://www.metaltix.com/ don't sell tickets
anymore because it takes too long to send them to you.

BUT YOU'LL GET TICKETS AT EVERY COMPUTERTICKET POINT AND THE TICKET
ONLINE POINTS (TO). THERE ARE STILL ENOUGH TICKETS LEFT FOR THE W:O:A.
THESE TICKETS WILL BE CHANGED! Everyone will get an original ticket
and wristband at the festival site. Also the W:O:A Office in Wacken
has tickets till Tuesday, 03.08. 24.00 h. Our foreign guests can make
a reservation and get their tickets at the Office in Wacken.

From Wednesday, the 04.08.04 at 08.00 h you have to pay the box-office
prices. Also here we've got enough tickets.

W:O:A 2004 INFO-SYSTEMS

Also this year we have many possibilities to inform you about the
W:O:A. From now you're able to watch the picture gallery where you've
got current pictures from the festival site which you can watch as a
slideshow. Two webcams will show you the festival area and make shots
all 15 minutes. We've got a diary with all news from the W:O:A this
year.

The video wall between True- und Black Metal Stage will show you
interesting trailers and informations about the running order, meet &
greet times and the weather. We present you also the LED Systems and
the Info SMS Service.

You'll find the pictures gallery, the webcams, the diary and the order
form for the Info SMS Service at the area "W:O:A 2004" at:

http://www.wacken.com/

THE W:O:A HISTORY - THE BOOK ABOUT 15 YEARS OF WACKEN-OPEN-AIR

The extraordinary designed book in a large format with the title
"Wacken Open Air History" has a luxury hard cover and will be released
at the 15th Wacken Open Air. It has over 120 pages, contains many
pictures and tells the experiences and stories about the last 15
years.

You're able to get the "Wacken Open Air History" for only 15,- EUR at
the festival. After the W:O:A you can order it at Metaltix with ISBN:
3-9809697-0-3

http://www.wacken.com/index_eng.php?Link=info/info_history_eng.html

NEW FESTIVAL & OUTDOOR COLLECTION AVAILABLE!!

We've got more products in our outdoor collection. You'll find all new
products at the "Wacken Mechandise" area which you can order directly
in the Metaltix Shop. You can also order the articles now and if you
want, you will get them in the W:O:A Info Office in Wacken.

Here you get all informations about the products:

http://www.wacken.com/index_eng.php?Link=bestof/bestof_merchandise_eng.htm

Order directly at the shop: http://www.metaltix.com/
Order by phone: +49 (0) 4627 - 18 38 38

WACKEN METAL DREAMGIRLS KALENDER

400 women from all over the world ahve joined the competition. In only
30 days 70.000 different user have given 3 Million votes. NOW, after
hard days of the decision progress, we are able to name the choosen
ones for the Wacken Metal Dream Girls Calendar 2005.

The winners approved their attendance and will meet first time at the
festival friday at 13:00 at the Oidium Comics stand (Next to meet &
Greet) The fotoshooting will be done during the whole festival, so
keep your eyes open.

An exclusive Backstagepass for the whole festival is included.

http://www.oidium-comics.de/Promo_Art/Calendar/calendar.html

MEET & GREET TIMES ONLINE!

Now we're able to present you the latest meet & greet dates with
times. Check out this site:

http://www.wacken.com/index_eng.php?Link=info/info_meetgreet_eng.htm

We'll inform you about all changes!

"ARMAGEDDON OVER WACKEN 2003" Double DVD - confimed artists!!

The AOW Double DVD has Stereo sound AND 5.1 Surround Sound, so it is
the very first Metal Festival Live DVD in this format WORLD WIDE! The
product contains a lot Material AROUND the festival to display the
unique atmosphere of this special Metal Event. "Armageddon Over Wacken
2003" Double DVD will be delivered in a Digi-Pak package, but will
offered at the international market for a rate of a normal Jewel Case
as usual for all Armageddon Music releases: Value for Money !!

The Double DVD is available and contains following Artists LIVE. 24
Bands and 30 songs confirmed so far:

- Die Apokalyptischen Reiter (Instinct)
- Caparthian Forest (Mask Of The Slave)
- Dark Age (Suicide Crew)
- Dew Sentenced (Cities Of The Dead)
- Diamond Head feat. Jess Cox (Am I Evil)
- Evidence One (In The Beginning There Was Fire)
- Gamma Ray (One With the World, Last Before The Storm)
- Holy Moses (World Chaos & Nothing For My Mum)
- In Flames (Only for The Weak & Watch Them Feed)
- Kataklysm (Where The Enemy Sleeps)
- Lordi (Would You Love A Monsterman)
- Metalium (Pain Crawls In The Night)
- Onkel Tom (Bon Scott)
- Primal Fear (Angel In Black)
- Running Wild (Welcome To Hell)
- Saxon (Princess Of The Night)
- Sentenced (Nepenthe)
- Seventh One (Hellowed Ground)
- Sinner (Born To Rock)
- Testament (Alone In The Dark & Over The Wall & Burned Offerings)
- The Crown (Under The Wip)
- Twisted Sister (Like A Knife In The Back & I Am, I'm Me)
- Vader (Reign For Ever World)
- Victory (Temples Of Gold)

HOW TO GET TO THE W:O:A 2004

362 days a year Wacken is a small town with 2000 souls in the middle
of Schleswig Holstein. But for three days in august it raises up to
30000. Wacken is located 10 km north of Itzehoe and 50 km north/west
of HAMBURG.

How to get to the W:O:A 2004 you'll find here:

http://www.wacken.com/index_eng.php?Link=info/info_anfahrt_eng.html

See you in wacken - rain or shine

Your W:O:A Team

http://www.wacken.com/

ICS GmbH
W:O:A Headquarter
Hauptstrasse 47
24869 Dörpstedt

phone: +49 - (0) 4627 - 18 38 38
fax: +49 - (0) 4627 - 18 38 80

headquarter@...

*
*** PRESS RELEASE #10 ***
*
-New Metal Band Blissed Releases Worldwide 'Waking Up The Dead' On KR
Records

"Wow! This has a real hard edge to it" - KNAC

"Blissed trucks largely in a visionary interpretation, creating art
that enlightens, inspires and intrigues" - O.C. Weekly

"This cd is real thick and heavy, very nice" - Bob Rock

"Current metal album not to miss" - HM Magazine

HOLLYWOOD (August 2, 2004) – Blissed is a 'rip your face off' current
hard rock band featuring Robert Sweet (drums /Stryper fame), David
Pearson (vocals), Trevor Barr (Guitar, Vocals) and Jeff Miller (Bass,
Vocals).

Blissed has recently released their debut Recording titled 'Waking Up
The Dead' on Indy label KR Records. Not to be confused with Robert
Sweet's prior career with famed Christian Metal band Stryper, Blissed
is just straightforward Metal. According to Sweet, "it's been quite a
while since I've felt this good about a group effort musically, and
this feels great. If you weren't into Stryper you'll like this, and if
you were into Stryper, you'll like it all the more. I'm extremely into
what is heavy and this is heavy. Blissed is a different version of
what I do as we are worded differently than Stryper. We are a rock
band that happens to have members that are Christian."

Blissed has just returned from the bands first trip overseas. This
tour was a complete success. Blissed played to audiences in Europe
with explosive live performances. The tour included Belgium, France
then into the UK for more dates in England and Scotland. After two
more shows in Glasgow and Edinburgh the band finished up the tour at
the infamous Garage in London.

The promoter for their concerts was so impressed that he had the band
do another concert in the Netherlands playing to an audience of 4000,
headlining a group of five bands. All in attendance are now loyal
Blissed fans.

For more information go to http://www.blissed.biz/ .

*
*** PRESS RELEASE #11 ***
*
-The Terrible Beauty - Warren Appleby's New CD - Out Now!

Hi Everyone -

Order your copy of my new CD - "The Terrible Beauty" right now before
the price goes up! It's only $6.00 - Free Shipping & Handling - No
Tax!!!

Order on-line through my website - http://www.warrenappleby.com/ -
It's PayPal protected!!!!

Keeping Classic Metal Alive & Well!!!!

Thanks!
Warren

*
*** PRESS RELEASE #12 ***
*
-Queensryche Fall Tour, Presented By VH1 Classic, To Feature
Performance Of Legendary Album 'Operation:mindcrime' In Its Entirety
Along With Full, Enhanced Production Including Live Actors

A Greatest-Hits Set With Live Strings Also Planned

Band Will Also Debut Portion Of Music For Upcoming Sequel Studio Album
Tentatively Titled 'Operation:mindcrime II'

Art rock pioneers Queensryche will perform the classic album
'Operation:mindcrime' in its entirety on the upcoming fall 2004/winter
2005 tour, which is being presented by VH1 Classic. A "greatest hits"
set will open each show, and at the end of the night there will be a
preview of the upcoming Sanctuary Records release 'Operation:mindcrime
II,' the working title of the long-awaited, eagerly desired sequel to
the groundbreaking concept album. Audiences will be blown away by the
Surround Sound audio setup on the tour.

Vocalist Geoff Tate, guitarist Michael Wilton, guitarist Mike Stone,
bassist Eddie Jackson and drummer Scott Rockenfield will open each
show with a "greatest hits" set ending with the smash "Silent
Lucidity." Local orchestra string sections will perform with the band
in select cities. Michael Igor Delassandra, formerly an official
composer for the Vatican, will accompany Queensryche and perform on
keyboards.

"The band is so excited to be performing 'Operation:mindcrime' in its
entirety again after not having done this in 15 years," says Tate. "We
are presenting it in a whole new way that finally does justice the
intricacies of the story and the personalities of the characters."

'Operation:mindcrime' will be recreated in full with enhanced
production. Live actors will embody the fascinating characters of this
chilling tale -- interacting both on stage and off. Vocalist Pamela
Moore, who toured with Queensryche recently, will be back to provide
the vocals of the album's pivotal character, "Sister Mary." New video
footage will be incorporated as well. Queensryche also performed
'Operation:mindcrime' in its entirety in 1990-91, but this time around
new and expanded video footage will be used. Fans who saw the show in
1990-91 will enjoy a more vivid experience this time.

One of the most exciting parts of each concert will certainly be the
finale -- the preview of 'Operation:mindcrime II.' Fans have wanted a
sequel ever since 'Operation:mindcrime' exploded and earned the band
critical acclaim and commercial success. In particular, fans have
always asked one burning question in relation to the 'Operation:
mindcrime' plot: "Who killed Sister Mary?" The new album, scheduled
for release in 2005, will address that question.

The North American tour begins in October 2004 and another run of
dates is planned to start in January 2005. Upcoming dates include:

DATE - CITY - VENUE
Tuesday, October 5th - Seattle, WA - Moore Theater
Wednesday, October 6th - Seattle, WA - Moore Theater
Thursday, October 7th - Vancouver, BC - Commodore
Friday, October 8th - Portland, OR - Schnitzer
Saturday, October 9th - Spokane, WA - Big Easy
Sunday, October 10th - Boise, ID - Big Easy
Tuesday, October 12th - Denver, CO - Fillmore
Wednesday, October 13th - Albuquerque, NM - Kiva Auditorium
Friday, October 15th - Dallas, TX - Nokia Live
Saturday, October 16th - San Antonio, TX - Sunset Station
Sunday, October 17th - Austin, TX - La Zona Rosa
Monday, October 18th - Houston, TX - Verizon Theater
Tuesday, October 19th - New Orleans, LA - House of Blues
Thursday, October 21st - Jacksonville, FL - Florida Theater
Friday, October 22nd - Pompano Beach, FL - Pompano Beach Amphitheater
Saturday, October 23rd - Orlando, FL - House of Blues
Sunday, October 24th - Clearwater, FL - Ruth Eckerd Hall
Tuesday, October 26th - Tallahassee, FL - The Moon
Wednesday, October 27th - Atlanta, GA - The Tabernacle
Friday, October 29th - Myrtle Beach, SC - House of Blues

*
*** PRESS RELEASE #13 ***
*
-Rob Dova Band In M.E.T.R.O. Search Showcase 8/4/04!!

Rob Dova will be appearing LIVE in W3G Entertainment's M.E.T.R.O.
Search Showcase this Wednesday, August 4th, 2004!!....

Our stage time is 10PM.......

This is an ultra-important showcase where Music Industry A&R reps come
to hear and sign new artists!....

It is soooooo important that you come out and support us, so get all
your friends, families, co-workers, enemies & anyone else you know to
come to The Lizard Lounge in Manhattan this Wednesday, August 4th,
2004!!

To learn more about The M.E.T.R.O. Search Showcase, check out W3G's
website at http://www.w3gentertainment.com/ ........

*
*** PRESS RELEASE #14 ***
*
-Overlorde Recording Update

Overlorde entered Trax East on July 25th to begin recording its debut
CD for Cult Metal Classics (soon to be Sonic Age) Records, titled
"Return of the Snow Giant."

The recording session was photo and video-documented by Overlorde
Force Recon Pathfinder Greg Smith (OFR# 96-P).

His photos and studio report are now posted at
http://www.overlorde.com/ (see CURRENT NEWS).

*
*** PRESS RELEASE #15 ***
*
-Mad Margritt News

Mad Margritt will be performing live this Friday (8-6-04) on "The
Scott Ferrall Show" (Real Radio 105.3)!!! Scott will be doing a live
remote at Car-Spa in Riverdale, Georgia from 10:00 AM until 3:00 PM.
Mad Margritt will hit the stage at Noon and play until 1:30 PM. Be
sure to come on out and party with us or check out the show on 105.3
FM in Atlanta!! If you live outside the Atlanta area you can listen to
the show on the "Real Radio" website:
http://www.1053wmax.com/main.html

Don't forget, this Wednesday (8-4-04) Mad Margritt will be opening for
Kiss and Poison at The Hi-Fi Buys Amphitheater in Atlanta, Georgia!!!
Tickets for the show are available through TicketMaster
(www.ticketmaster.com).

August Schedule
Wednesday, August 4
HI FI BUYS AMPHITHEATER
with KISS & POISON!!
Atlanta, Georgia

Friday, August 6
"THE FERRALL SHOW"
Real Radio 105.3
Atlanta, Georgia

Friday & Saturday, August 6-7
MARLENES
Austell, Georgia

Friday & Saturday, August 20-21
GIPSONS
Douglasville, Georgia

Friday & Saturday, August 27-28
FLANIGANS
Tucker, Georgia

Visit our website at http://www.madmargritt.com/ .

*
*** PRESS RELEASE #16 ***
*
-War & Peace Hit The Road

Jeff Pilson's War & Peace will hit the road to support their latest
release "The Walls Have Eyes" during late August and September. The
following dates have been fully confirmed with hopefully more to
follow.

August 27 - Paladino's, Tarzana, CA
August 28 - Brick By Brick, San Diego, CA
September 19th - Z ROCK 2004 Liverpool, UK [credit card hotline +44
151 709 4321]
September 20th - The Underworld, London, UK

http://www.zrecords.net/

*
*** PRESS RELEASE #17 ***
*
-Blackfield US Release Date Confirmed

PHILADELPHIA -- Snapper Music today confirm September 14 as the US
release date for the anticipated self-titled debut album from
Blackfield. Featuring musician/producer Steven Wilson (Porcupine Tree)
and Israeli singer/songwriter Aviv Geffen, the album's stateside
release will follow the already growing European pre-release buzz;
European release set for August 23.

A near two-year creative endeavor, Blackfield was recorded at various
studios in both London and Tel Aviv, with final tracking at London's
Abbey Road in October 2003. Featuring material written collaboratively
and separately, the album brings together a unique ensemble of music,
culture and exceptional talent. A video for the album's namesake first
single was filmed on location in London and Copenhagen and was
directed by Lasse Hoile, long-time designer for Porcupine Tree who
also takes credit for Blackfield's haunting artwork.

Drawn together by a mutual love for classic rock albums of the '60s
and '70s, Steven Wilson and Aviv Geffen have long admired each others'
collective works. In 2000, Aviv invited Steven to perform alongside
him for several concerts in Israel. They met again shortly thereafter
in London and before long began collaboration on the very first
Blackfield song.

Steven Wilson, a multi-instrumentalist who taught himself both guitar
and keyboard while still a teenager, is an accomplished and highly
respected musician. Starting with his art rock trio No-Man, Wilson
developed the initial foundation of the Porcupine Tree legacy in 1987.
On the Sunday of Life, their first full and proper record, was
released in 1992. It was followed by their UK live debut in late 1993.
US fans would have to wait several more years to catch the quartet on
stage, when a short US run culminated in a sold out performance at New
York's prestigious Bottom Line. In Absentia, the band's 2002
recording, is their first for Lava/Atlantic. To date it is the band's
best selling album, with sales over 100,000. The band's next album is
scheduled for worldwide release in early 2005. In addition to
Porcupine Tree, Wilson is an accomplished producer. His most notable
works include the last three recordings from Sweden's Opeth
(Blackwater Park, Deliverance, Damnation) and a recent mix of
Marillion's "Angelina" on the band's new UK single, "Don't Hurt
Yourself."

The son of esteemed Israeli poet Yehonatan Geffen and nephew of Moshe
Dayan, Aviv Geffen is Israel's most outspoken counter-culture rock
musician. A highly successful solo artist with a string of gold albums
in his native country, he is respected by David Bowie, Nick Cave, and
Roger Waters among others and has found US media coverage within the
pages of Newsweek, Rolling Stone, and The New York Times. It was at a
peace rally in Tel Aviv on November 4, 1995 that then 22-year-old
Geffen performed his popular ballad "I Cry for You" in front of over
300,000 people. While congratulating Geffen, Prime Minister Yitzhak
Rabin was fatally wounded. It was a turning point for the musician
whose already prolific and often controversial works have inspired the
generational youth of his homeland. For Geffen, Blackfield is his
first English-language recording project.

Blackfield features guest musicians Gavin Harrison and Chris Maitland
(current and former Porcupine Tree drummers), Yermi Kaplan and the
Illusion String Quartet. Track listing for the album is confirmed as:
Open Mind, Blackfield, Glow, Scars, Lullaby, Pain, Summer, Cloudy Now,
The Hole in Me, Hello.

http://www.snappermusic.co.uk/

*
*** PRESS RELEASE #18 ***
*
-Jon Mikl Thor The Power Rock Icon Is Continuing His Blitz Of The
Summer

To start off with, Thor was voted by England's well respected Classic
Rock UK by a panel of top journalists as one of the top 100 best
frontmen of all time. No small feat, Thor defeated the likes of
Courtney Love, Bret Michaels and Suzi Quatro. Other legends included
Ozzy, Freddie Mercury, Steven Tyler and Jim Morrison. The winner was
Bon Scott.

Currently Thor is starring in the action packed horror thriller "The
Intercessor" which is being shot in Vancouver BC (Hollywood North) and
London, Ontario.

Thor's latest opus "Beastwomen From The Center Of The Earth", a team-
up Rock Odyssey with fantasy artist guitarist Mick Hoffman, was in the
top 5 most added to the US national Loud Radio Chart list and is
getting rave reviews around the world.

Thor's next CD has been recorded in Los Angeles this month and is
being mixed in Hollywood by producers Frank Meyer and Bruce Duff for a
soon-to-be-announced upcoming release.

With numerous upcoming films, soundtracks, albums coming up, Thor
continues to Thunder On!

See The Lightning, Hear The Thunder!

http://www.thorcentral.com/
http://www.scratchrecords.com/thor/

press clips for Beastwomen....

"...I don't really have the words to adequately describe this CD to
you. If I did, I might not ever STOP writing about it. This 'Rock
Odyssey' makes Danzig's rock opera 'Black Aria' look like fuckin'
South Pacific. It makes 'Tommy' look like the work of sane, drug-free
men. It is CRAZED and from outer space, and it is quite clearly a
masterpiece..."
- sleazegrinder.com

"Who the gods would destroy, goes the saying, they first make mad --
but what if the gods go a little bonkers themselves -- what then, eh?
That's the question that crosses one's mind after a listen to the
latest outing from Canadian metal god, the divinely named Thor, a
collaboration with comic and fantasy artist Mike Hoffman, Beastwomen
From the Centre of the Earth... Fact is, if you don't like this album,
you're probably a very boring person."
- Andrew Carver, Ottawa Sun

"'Beastwomen From the Center of the Earth' is not your basic heavy
metal album. With a mixture of metal, '70s prog rock keyboards, and
sampled percussion, this album is a diverse ride of rock landscapes.
Thor and Hoffman have made the perfect soundtrack to any fantasy
movie. Heavy metal chants like 'We Are the Panthers' and 'Break the
Ice' are prime Thor. 'Mushroom World' adds electronic percussion,
which I definitely did not expect. 'Cry of the Valkyrie' is flawless
glam. Thor has proved that he never sits still, continually altering
his style and always making high quality music."
- 1340mag.com

"...'Beastwomen From The Center Of The Earth' has such a variety of
musical influences that it's extremely hard to describe. At its base
it's very much like early '80s hard rock-ish metal. A lot of the time
this album reminds me of very early Accept material and other times
there's a slight tinge of Motorhead running through the musical
themes. A few songs have an industrial edge to them, and a few songs
are very reminiscent of David Bowie... Looking at the above
references, you may think that it sounds like those styles would
clash, but they don't. All of them seem to come together brilliantly.
Really, after hearing this album over the last few days this many
times, the album is almost hypnotic now to listen to... When all is
said and done, 'Beastwomen From The Center Of Earth' finally managed
to sway me into the 'I love this album' column. One rare thing in
metal today is this thing called 'originality' which a lot of bands
never seem to find. Thor definitely sounds like nothing I have ever
heard before, and that's a big plus for them in my book."
- metalcoven.com

*
*** PRESS RELEASE #19 ***
*
-Rock Fans Come Together To Help Those In Need

Common love of music drives group to come to the rescue of those
affected by The Station nightclub fire

HOLLYWOOD (August 3, 2004) -- On February 20, 2003 the Station
nightclub in West Warwick, Rhode Island burned to the ground in less
then three minutes. The tragedy was the 4th largest nightclub fire and
the largest music related tragedy of all time. The tragedy that killed
100 people and severely injured 200 others leaves many survivors and
family members still picking up the pieces. There are 143 children of
those who survived the fire, 65 children lost one or both parents and
of the 200 severely injured, only 15 have qualified for any form of
disability insurance.

Out of the ashes the Station Family Fund was founded. The Station
Family Fund is maintained by a group of survivors who needed to come
together to meet the needs of the victims' families and survivors. To
date the group has raised and distributed over $400,000. The
organization prides itself on being all-volunteer and every cent
raised goes directly to meet the everyday needs such as clothing,
food, rent and etc. Litigation has just begun and expectations are
that it will be approximately 5 years before anyone affected receives
any monetary settlement. This leaves a huge gap where families are
left to fend for themselves and a huge outcry to the public has been
made.

As fate would have it, a group of friendly and caring concertgoers
heard the cry for help and has challenged all their fellow rock fans
at the Rockin' the Rivers music festival to dig in and help. Not only
are they calling local rock fans to come to the rescue, but have found
a way to help nationally. The band Great White currently is on tour
and will be in Montana August 14th. Great White has raised over 85,000
dollars from the tour proceeds and also donates 100% of merchandise
sales to the Station Family Fund.

Inspired by a comment from his 12 year old son, Greg Smith and a group
of friends created Northwest Rockers to the Rescue. "I did some
research into the situation and was shocked to learn how little help
the victims of the fire were getting," said Greg. "For the most part
the mainstream Rock and Roll community has turned its back to the
victims. When I found out that Great White has devoted their future to
helping the Station Family Fund; we decided to do something to help
them raise money." The Northwest Rockers to the Rescue was created to
raise money for the Station Family Fund. We are doing this through a
prize raffle along with the auctioning of autographed music
memorabilia and T-shirt sales. A local business donated a guitar,
which has been custom airbrushed by a local Great White fan. It will
be autographed by Great White on stage at Rockin' the Rivers and a
winner will be drawn. People from the Northwest USA have come forward
to help the victims. We are taking donations for the Station Family
Fund on our website and for each $1.00 donated a ticket will be in the
drawing for the guitar. "Every penny raised is given to the Station
Family Fund, on behalf of Great White and the Northwest Rockers."
People from all over the US have donated through the website. The
drawing will take place on August 14th.

Todd King, Vice President of the Station Family Fund and also a
survivor of the tragedy says "I am astounded that a group of selfless
people like the Northwest Rockers who are based so far away; and in
the middle of their annual get together for fun has answered our plea
for help and organized this fund raising event to help their fellow
music fans and their families. Isn't this the true spirit of community
that music is supposed to bring out?"

To read more about the Northwest Rockers or to buy raffle tickets
visit them at http://www.northwestrockers.com/ or call them at (509)
995-8596 or (406) 591-9757.

To learn or read more about the Station Family Fund please visit
http://www.stationfamilyfund.org/ . The Station Family Fund is a 501 c
3 organization and all donations are tax exempt. To send donations the
address is Station Family Fund PMB 214, Suite 7, 300 Quacker Lane,
Warwick, Rhode Island 02886 or call (401) 821-2149.

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

-Well this was a great poll. I discovered so many great songs that I
was not aware of thanks to all of you. I received more responses for
this poll than any other poll that I have run. There were so many
great suggestions that I decided to expand the poll to the top 20
instead of 10. It is interesting to see different people's perceptions
of "what makes a great cover song." In my opinion, it's taking a song
and updating the sound while keeping the original arrangement intact,
yet placing the band or artist's signature touch into the song. There
are three excellent examples on the two lists that follow and I will
point them out as you read. First, here is the track listing of the
compilation CD I made, simply titled TRIBUTE (man...that's original),
that started this whole idea.

"Billion Dollar Babies" by Phil Lewis/George Lynch
Originally performed by Alice Cooper

"Saturday Night Special" by Armored Saint
Originally performed by Lynyrd Skynyrd

"Easy Livin'" by D.C. Cooper
Originally performed by Uriah Heap

"White Wedding" by Doro
Originally performed by Billy Idol

"Barracuda" by Gemini w/ Lance King on Vocals
Originally performed by Heart

"Go To Hell" by Dee Snider/Zakk Wylde
Originally performed by Alice Cooper

"Hellraiser" by Joe Lyn Turner
Originally performed by Ozzy Osbourne

"Send Her My Love" by Jeff Scott Soto
Originally performed by Journey

"Fire And Rain" by Jack Starr
Originally performed by James Taylor

"Hoochie Coochie Man" by The Jeff Healey Band
Originally performed by Muddy Waters

"The Chain" by Kick Axe
Originally performed by Fleetwood Mac

"You're So Vain" by Faster Pussycat
Originally performed by Carly Simon

"That Girl" by Iron Maiden
Originally performed by FM

"Flight Of Icarus" by Magnitude 9
Originally performed by Iron Maiden

"Godzilla" by Racer X
Originally performed by Blue Oyster Cult

"We Will Rock You" by Warrant
Originally performed by Queen

"You're So Vain" by Faster Pussycat is my favorite cover of all
time...it just oozes attitude. (I'm not a big Faster Pussycat fan, I
just love their version.) This is one of those examples I was talking
about. Who would have thought a band like Faster Pussycat would redo a
song by Carly Simon...that's the beauty of it. They keep the structure
intact, give it a bombastic production and inject it full of
attitude...simply awesome! Armored Saint's version of "Saturday Night
Special" is another great example of keeping the structure intact but
giving the song a dose of heavy guitars and a killer vocal
presentation by John Bush. They made a political song about gun
control even more powerful by metalizing it! Another all-time favorite
of mine (which I didn't have when I made this CD) that I would like to
note would be "I'm Sorry" by Evergrey, originally performed by Dilba.
Evergrey took an already emotional and powerful song and just upped
it! Tom S. Englund's vocals on Evergrey's version are simply stunning
and the presentation is gut wrenching!

Alright...so those were some of my favorites, and after conducting
this poll I have many more now thanks to all of the songs you sent in.
So without further ado, here are the top 20 cover songs as voted by
the Detritus readers.

20) "Mama" by Angra
Originally performed by Genesis

19) "Easy Livin'" by W.A.S.P.
Originally performed by Uriah Heep

18) "Highway Star" by Metal Church
Originally performed by Deep Purple

17) "Diamonds And Rust" by Judas Priest
Originally performed by Joan Baez

16) "Hush" by Gotthard
Originally performed by Deep Purple

15) "Frozen" by Jeff Scott Soto
Originally performed by Madonna

14) "Anarchy In The U.K." by Megadeth
Originally performed by The Sex Pistols

13) "Hard Luck Woman" by Pretty Maids
Originally performed by Kiss

12) "New York Groove" by Ace Frehley
Originally performed by Hello

11) "The Temple Of The King" by Angel Dust
Originally performed by Rainbow

10) "Because The Night" by Keel
Originally performed by Patti Smith

09) "Cross Eyed Mary" by Iron Maiden
Originally performed by Jethro Tull

08) "The Chain" by Kick Axe
Originally performed by Fleetwood Mac

07) "Ride Like The Wind" by Saxon
Originally performed by Christopher Cross

06) "Funeral For A Friend/Love Lies Bleeding" by Dream Theater
Originally performed by Elton John

05) "Saturday Night Special" by Armored Saint
Originally performed by Lynyrd Skynyrd

04) "We Will Rock You" by Warrant
Originally performed by Queen

03) "Summer Breeze" by Type O Negative
Originally performed by Seals & Croft

02) "The Green Manalishi" by Judas Priest
Originally performed by Fleetwood Mac

01) "Don't Talk To Strangers" by Blind Guardian
Originally performed by Dio

"Summer Breeze" by Type O is the third of the three songs I mentioned
earlier. Who would have thought a band like Type O would cover a Seals
& Croft classic??? It is just so unexpected but executed so extremely
well! I recommend that you check out all of these songs if you have
not heard them yet...they are all excellent versions.

*
*** REVIEWS ***
*
BOOK OF REFLECTIONS (B-) Lion Music, 2004
11 tracks, RT: 51:34
[ http://www.larsericmattsson.com/ ]
[ http://www.lionmusic.com/ ]
Book Of Reflections is a new super-group project created by Lion
mastermind Lars Eric Mattsson, and features some very well known and
respected players indeed: Andy Engberg (ex-Lion's Share, Section A),
Hubi Meisel (ex-Dreamscape) and Mikael Holm (Winterlong) taking care
of the vocals, Vitalij Kuprij handling keyboards, Rusty Cooley on
guitars along with Lars Eric Mattsson on guitar/bass and Eddie
Sledgehammer on drums. The music is fairly standard '80s influenced
power metal that is lifted to above-average status by some truly
electrifying performances by the musicians involved. Throughout the CD
you can hear elements of bands such as Racer X, Alcatrazz, Yngwie
Malmsteen and very fast Deep Purple! I can't say I was impressed with
all of the songwriting or the vocal performances (some of it just
sounds out-of-place to my ears, a complaint I've had with Lion
releases in the past) but you have some stunning solo sections to
enjoy, Vitalij battling it out with Rusty and Lars in some dazzling
displays of keyboard and fretboard pyrotechnics. Highlights: "Tearing
Down" with its melodic leads and fast driving beat; "Only One Truth"
features some great drumming and ripping guitar courtesy of Rusty (if
you haven't heard this great shredder this would be a good place to
check him out); "Child Of The Rainbow" with its displays of creative
song structure, strong vocals and characteristic virtuoso keyboard
playing from Vitalij; and bonus track "Blood From A Stone" closes the
album in high gear. Not perfect but sure to delight fans of
neoclassical metal and superhuman musicianship. - Neal Woodall
(MysticX10@...)

CANS - BEYOND THE GATES (A) Sanctuary/Noise, 2004
12 tracks, RT: 51:25
[ http://www.joacimcans.com/ ]
[ http://www.noiserecords.com/ ]
Vocalist Joacim Cans is best known for his work with anthemic power
metallers HammerFall, but he's also released albums with Mrs. Hippie
and cult legends Warlord, and now BEYOND THE GATES is his first solo
outing. As with the Halford band the Cans band was constructed as a
group effort. But unlike Rob Halford, who teamed with relative
unknowns, Joacim hooked up with a veritable metal all-star squad:
guitarists "Metal" Mike Chlasciak (Halford, PainmuseuM, Testament) and
Stefan Elmgren (HammerFall, Full Strike), bassist Mat Sinner (Sinner,
Primal Fear), drummer Mark Zonder (Fates Warning, Warlord), and guest
keyboardist Daniele Sorviano. Joining this core are the guest stars:
guitarists Gus G. (Dream Evil, Firewind, Mystic Prophecy) and Danny
Gill (Speak No Evil), and a slew of background singers including
HammerFall guitarist Oscar Dronjak. And then as if this marquee roster
wasn't enough, Mr. Cans solicited songwriting ideas from a bunch of
his heroes; tracks were co-written with David T. Chastain (Chastain),
Jeff Waters (Annihilator), Ronny Milianowicz (Dionysus, Sinergy),
Sinner and his six-string cohorts Henny Wolter and Tom Naumann,
Elmgren, Chlasciak, and Corbin King (Vainglory). Whew! All this
(considerable) name-dropping aside, what do we have here? Answer: A
killer metal album that is neither HammerFall II or a patchwork
assembly. Yes, Joacim's voice is pretty recognizable as the Voice Of
HammerFall, but the change in writing partners keeps things fresh
enough to avoid cloning his main gig. There's a lot of good mid-tempo
metal on display here, something which impresses me because the double
bass monsters out there usually falter then they try to slow down a
tad... There are some fun gang vocals, a few acoustic moments,
commercial hooks, and a mini-epic (the title track, featuring Gus G).
There are a few nods to old Maiden (the bass-driven intro to "Graden
Of Evil") and Priest ("The Key" has staccato drumming that recalls
"Blood Red Skies"), as well as Halford. The Halford comparisons are to
be expected in the Chlasciak tunes "Soul Collector" and "Back To
Hell," but King's "Signs" also fits the mold -- and it has a freaky
K.K. Downing-style guitar solo to boot. Great stuff! Highlights:
"Dreams" (featuring Gill), "Signs," "Soul Collector," "Back To Hell,"
"Silent Cries," "Merciless," and the title track. - Tim

PAATOS - KALLOCAIN (C+) InsideOut Music, 2004
9 tracks, RT: 51:34
[ http://www.paatos.com/ ]
[ http://www.insideoutmusic.com/ ]
[ info@... ]
Now here is something off the beaten path; Paatos is a unique band
from Sweden that plays a blend of fairly mellow music that is
difficult to categorize. The CD begins with the Middle-Eastern
flavored "Gasoline," and sounds as if it will move in the direction of
recent Fates Warning or Tiles, but Paatos soon disproves this
prediction, creating an interesting atmosphere that enchants and
welcomes you into a different world of sound. The second song is
probably my favorite on the album; it's called "Holding On" and is
quite melodic and emotive. Another very good one is "Won't Be Coming
Back," a little more up-tempo and dynamic. Paatos has apparently been
influenced by some obscure '70s progressive bands as well as stuff
like Bjork, its music melancholic and relaxed, featuring the lilting
vocals of Petronella Nettermalm. Some aspects of it even remind me of
Dido with a New Age flavor. The production is good, the musicianship
creative but a bit understated and the songwriting is well thought-
out. The problem I have with this is the one-dimensional nature of the
album as a whole; by the third track I was ready to lay down and
sleep! More of the same follows, Paatos creating a lush environment of
tones tailor made to float to; check out the seven-plus minute
"Reality" or closer "In Time" to understand what I am talking about.
Ultimately that is probably what the band had in mind, an album you
could put on late after a night of heavy rock, when you just want
something to lull you into a pleasant slumber or take you on a
hypnotic journey. I wouldn't carry this to the gym to work out to or
crank it up at your next metal party but if you want something dreamy
and at times strangely captivating, give this a chance. Not really the
kind of music I am into or familiar with so adjust the score up a
letter grade if you like this type of thing... - Neal Woodall
(MysticX10@...)

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*** OUT ***
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Tim Wadzinski
tsw512@...
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