Detritus
Issue #310
Week of March 28, 2005
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*** CAST OF CHARACTERS ***
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Patrick Brower, Editor
patrickbrower@...

Sean P. Gahgan, Editor
lof@...

Tim Wadzinski, Owner
tsw512@...

Steve Shumake, Co-owner
vongoober@...
http://www.vongoober.com/

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*** PRESS RELEASE #1 ***
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- Upcoming INSIDE OUT Releases

April 5th
James LaBrie "Elements of Persuasion"
Steve Hackett & The Underworld Orchestra "Metamorpheus"
Klaus Schulze "Picture Music" and "In=Trance"

April 26th
Russell Allen "Russell Allen's Atomic Soul"
Pain of Salvation "BE" DVD
IQ "Ever" and "R U Sitting Comfortably"
Klaus Schulze "Dig It" & "In Blue"
Amon Duul II "Vortex," "Human" and "Almost Live"

May 24
Evergrey "A Night To Remember" DVD

June 7
Shadow Gallery "Room V"

http://www.insideoutmusic.com/

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*** PRESS RELEASE #2 ***
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- Official OZZFEST Press Release

It's big. It's bad. And it's back for more. Got a problem with that?

Ozzfest — the king of festivals — triumphantly returns this summer to
celebrate its hard-earned 10th anniversary with the staggering line-up
of BLACK SABBATH, IRON MAIDEN, ROB ZOMBIE, KILLSWITCH ENGAGE, SHADOWS
FALL and BLACK LABEL SOCIETY. The summer's premier concert festival —
which has propelled many of today's rock bands to superstardom while
paying close attention to its discerning fans — will roll out July 15
in Boston and visit 26 cities by the time it reaches West Palm Beach
on September 4. The Hot Topic Second Stage will be headlined by ZOMBIE
and feature a preview of rock's rising stars, including AS I LAY
DYING, MASTODON, THE HAUNTED, IN FLAMES, ARCH ENEMY, THE BLACK DAHLIA
MURDER, BURY YOUR DEAD, SOILWORK, TRIVIUM, IT DIES TODAY, A DOZEN
FURIES and more.

"I'm most proud of the success of Ozzfest," says founder Sharon
Osbourne. "Everyone said it would never happen and 10 years later we
are still in business." In fact, 125 bands, 238 shows and over 4
million fans later, the all-day extravaganza of music and deranged
merriment is roaring louder than ever. History in the making, 2005
marks the first time metal legends BLACK SABBATH and IRON MAIDEN have
toured together and also represents IRON MAIDEN's first Ozzfest
appearance.

IRON MAIDEN singer Bruce Dickinson said, "This summer's MAIDEN touring
is based on the recent 'Early Days' DVD and all the songs we do at
Ozzfest will be from our first four albums — 'Iron Maiden', 'Killers',
'Number of the Beast' and 'Piece of Mind'. We will be bringing over
our full European show, naturally including as special guest Eddie in
various appropriate guises!! The stage sets, production and backdrops
will recreate aspects of the shows on the tours around those albums —
only bigger… much bigger!!! We don't know if anyone has done anything
like this before but we think it's something the fans will really
appreciate both in the choice of songs and in the production values."

Also debuting on the tour will be Texas-based band A DOZEN FURIES who
landed their coveted Hot Topic Second Stage slot after winning Ozzy
and Sharon's MTV "Battle For Ozzfest" reality series competition.
Debuting last fall and lasting right up until the February launch of
the fourth and final season of the Emmy-award winning "The Osbournes",
"Battle For Ozzfest" is the ultimate battle of the bands, with
contestants having survived 2004's grueling Ozzfest challenges.

This year, a limited number of fans who purchase OZZY OSBOURNE's
first-ever 51-song, four-CD retrospective box set "Prince Of Darkness"
(out March 22 of Epic Records) will be able to obtain one free Ozzfest
ticket. The initial pressing of the box set will feature a
precedent-setting promotion allowing fans to buy one Ozzfest general
admission ticket and get one free.

Ozzfest, originally launched in 1996 as a limited two-city trek, has
become a virtual breeding ground for up-and-coming bands. The renowned
second stage has been instrumental in catapulting the careers of
SYSTEM OF A DOWN, LINKIN PARK, LIMP BIZKIT, INCUBUS, SLIPKNOT,
DISTURBED, GODSMACK and CHEVELLE. "Playing Ozzfest — twice — will
always be among the highlights of our career," notes drummer Samuel
Loeffler of CHEVELLE, who most recently appeared in the festival's
2003 line-up. "Personally speaking, I was honored and somewhat nervous
about sharing the stage with Ozzy, but finally felt comfortable after
both he and Sharon patted me on the ass."

The heavy metal juggernaut has earned a hallowed position in the
busiest tour season with a relentless commitment to its core fans and
the consistency of quality they demand as their birthright. Just as
the festival is committed to presenting the best music, it also
provides an interactive, multi-sensory experience for concert-goers
with a wide-range of attractions. The traveling show's notorious
"Village Of The Damned" — alive with tattoo artists, piercing booths,
state-of-the-art video games, a wide range of vendors and much more —
promises to be wickedly tempting.

JUDAS PRIEST — one of the biggest attractions on last year's tour —
declared: "We were thrilled to be part of such a unique moment in
heavy metal history that will be remembered forever!" Jonathan Davis —
lead singer for KORN, who pounded the main stage in 2003 — added,
'Ozzy and Ozzfest are some of the cornerstones of metal. I loved
playing in front of the Ozzfest crowd, the fans at those shows were
f$*#ing amazing."

In addition to drawing vital hard rock acts, Ozzfest has always
attracted a variety of select sponsors devoted to the tour's core fan
base. Hot Topic — returning to host the second stage — will be the
festival's official soft line teen retailer. Throughout the day, Tama
drums and Ibanez guitars will proudly showcase their arsenal in the
Village. F.Y.E. (For Your Entertainment) is on board for the fifth
consecutive year as the official music retailer and will host the FYE
autograph tent giving fans the opportunity to meet some of their
favorite Ozzfest artists. Trojan brand condoms will also have presence
in the Village as the official latex condom of Ozzfest. Jagermeister
will once again bring the backyard BBQ party back to Ozzfest and prove
their commitment to metal music with artist autograph signings and
tons of free swag for attendees 21 and over.

Here are the Ozzfest tour dates:

Jul. 15 - Boston, MA - Tweeter Center
Jul. 17 - Hartford, CT - Meadows
Jul. 19 - Camden, NJ - Tweeter Waterfront
Jul. 21 - Buffalo, NY - Darien Lakes
Jul. 23 - Pittsburgh, PA - Post Gazette
Jul. 24 - Washington, DC - Nissan
Jul. 26 - New York, NY - PNC
Jul. 30 - Chicago, IL - Tweeter Center
Jul. 31 - Indianapolis, IN - Verizon Wireless Music Center
Aug. 02 - Columbus, OH - Germain Amphitheatre
Aug. 04 - Detroit, MI - DTE Energy Music Theatre
Aug. 06 - East Troy, WI - Alpine Valley
Aug. 07 - Minneapolis, MN - Floatrite Park
Aug. 11 - Seattle, WA - White River
Aug. 13 - San Francisco, CA - Shoreline Amphitheatre
Aug. 14 - Sacramento, CA - Sleep Train
Aug. 16 - Salt Lake City, UT - USANA Pavilion
Aug. 18 - Phoenix, AZ - Cricket
Aug. 20 - Los Angeles, CA - Hyundai Pavilion at Glen Helen
Aug. 23 - Albuquerque, NM - Journal Pavilion
Aug. 25 - Dallas, TX - Smirnoff
Aug. 27 - Houston, TX - Cynthia J. Woods Pavilion
Aug. 28 - San Antonio, TX - Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
Aug. 31 - Nashville, TN - Starwood Amphitheatre
Sep. 02 - Charlotte, NC - Verizon
Sep. 04 - West Palm Beach - Sound Advice

For more information, visit: http://www.ozzfest.com

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*** PRESS RELEASE #3 ***
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- Upstate Metalfest

Heavy Metal music will return once again with a vengeance to upstate
New York on May 21, 2005! Upstate Metalfest is a one-day event at
Northern Lights, 1208 Rt. 146, Clifton Park, NY 12065; 518.371.0012.
Doors open 1:30 PM; Show starts @ 2 PM.

The 2005 lineup includes:
SEAN BAKER ORCHESTRA
ENERTIA (reviewed in Detritus #307)
HYPNOTICA
LEGACY
LUCID REALITY
RANDY McSTINE
PERFECT SILENCE
SEMINUS
SHADOW IMAGE
UNTAYMED

For more information visit: http://www.upstatemetalfest.com/home.htm

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*** PRESS RELEASE #4 ***
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- CANNIBAL CORPSE, SADUS, and INCANTATION to Attemd Pre–Death Fest
Party for Meet and Greet

SEATTLE - The pre-party for the Northwest Death Fest will be held on
April 2 at Jimmy Zs in Everett, Wash.

The evening will feature performances from nine bands, as well as a
meet and greets and autograph session with headliners Cannibal Corpse,
Sadus, and Incantation. Jasmin St. Claire will also attend the party
to sign autographs.

"The pre-show party is a good opportunity for people to meet some of
their favorite bands and gear up for a full day of punishing
brutality," said Robert Day, vocalist/guitarist for Blackgoat. "Just
make sure to save enough energy for the main event. A long day of
headbanging fury awaits!"

There are five bands on the bill that are also playing the following
day on the Northwest Death Fest - Funeral Age, Kuru, Full Throttle,
Mummification, and Embryonic Devourment.

Pathos, Times Of Desperation, Zuckuss, and Evangilist will also
perform at the pre-fest party.

"It is awesome that the local true metal scene in Seattle has shaped
up to become what it is," said Kevin Bedra, vocalist/guitarist from
the Seattle band Funeral Age. "As for the headliners, it will be a
distinct honor to have shared the stage with such legends."

"This party will get everyone psyched for the festival," said promoter
Frank Hetzel. "The bands will be tearing it up extra hard, especially
since Cannibal Corpse, Sadus, and Incantation will be in the house
watching and hanging with the fans."

Tickets for the Northwest Death Fest 2005 will be available at the
pre-party, as well as through Ticketmaster, Northwestdeathfest.com,
and the Fenix Underground box office.

The all-day metal event will be held at the Fenix Underground in
Seattle on April 3, featuring one-off performances by Cannibal Corpse,
Sadus, and Incantation, as well as 24 underground metal acts from the
Pacific Northwest area.

Guitarist Rob Barrett, who was a member of Cannibal Corpse from 1993
to 1997, will rejoin the band for their Northwest Death Fest
performance.

"It's been a while since we played in the Northwest, so we can't wait
to play this
festival," said Cannibal Corpse bassist Alex Webster. "Rob Barrett is
joining back up with us on guitar for this show, so expect a lot of
old classics as well as some more recent tunes."

Jimmy Zs is located at 1712 Hewitt Ave. in Everett, Wash. Doors open
at 5 p.m. and the first band takes the stage at 6 p.m. Tickets are $5
at the door with a Death Fest ticket or $10 without. This is an all
ages event, 21 and over with ID to drink.

www.northwestdeathfest.com
www.jimmyzltd.com

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*** PRESS RELEASE #5 ***
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- HavocHate Added To BW&BK 6-Pack Weekend

NEW YORK -- HavocHate has just been added to the BW&BK 6-Pack Weekend III,
scheduled for Thursday, May 5 through Saturday, May 7 at the Odeon in
Cleveland.

The New York band will kick off the festivities on Friday, which will
also include Chris Caffery, Soilwork, Dark Tranquillity, Hypocrisy,
Exciter, and Mnemic.

"We've heard great things about the Six-Pack Weekend and we're psyched
to be a part of it," said guitarist Freddy Ordine.

Other bands scheduled for the festival are Beyond Fear, Goat Horn, Mo
Rage, Amps II Eleven, Eternal Legacy, Trouble, Death Angel, God
Dethroned, Mors Principium Est, Jag Panzer, Raven and the original
Deadly Blessing.

HavocHate's sophomore record, "Cycle of Pain," was released March 15
on Indecent Media. To celebrate its release, the band performed at its
hometown Tower Records in Nanuet, N.Y., for an enthusiastic crowd the
following Friday. During its first week of release, "Cycle of Pain"
made that location's Top 25.

"We haven't done a metal event since I've been here, this was a great
way to support an artist from the area and connect with metal buyers,"
said Mike Venzke, Operations Manager, Tower Records - Nanuet. "It's
great to see a band come from the suburbs and get the support they
deserve."

"Cycle of Pain" is continuing to build momentum at radio, debuting in
the Top 5 Media Guide Commercial Specialty Chart, and continuing to
develop at CMJ and FMQB. The band is receiving airplay on WXTM
(Cleveland), WRIF (Detroit), WTFX (Louisville, Ky.), KUPD (Tempe,
Ariz.), KDAM (Fargo, N.D.), and others.

Live dates:

4/23/05 Sat. - Purple Haze, 60 Front Street, Rockville Centre, Long
Island (Nassau County), NY
5/6/05 Fri. - BWBK 6-Pack Weekend, Odeon Concert Club, 1295 Old River
Road,
Cleveland, OH

Trade photo:
http://havochate.net/News.htm

HavocHate In-Store at Tower Records, Nanuet, N.Y.

Left to Right: Mario Rodriguez, Guitar; Freddy Ordine, Guitar; Tim
Bochee, Vocals (top), Oscar Hernandez, Tower Northeast Events
Coordinator (bottom), Mike Venzke, Operations Manager, Tower Records,
Nanuet; Ovie Rodriguez, Drums; Greg Christian, Bass.

Photo credit: Debbie Sellnow

http://www.havochate.com/
http://www.indecentmedia.com/
http://blkn-le.cce.clearchannel.com/bravewords.html

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*** PRESS RELEASE #6 ***
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- The `BATTLE FOR OZZFEST' Tour Coming Your Way

`A DOZEN FURIES,' `MANNTIS' AND `CURSE YOUR NAME'
HOLLYWOOD (March 24, 2005) – Saturday March 26th launches the Battle
For Ozzfest Tour in Hollywood, Ca at the Avalon. The top 3 winners
from the show will brutalize the stage with their raw-metal music.

"Battle For Ozzfest" aired on MTV from Oct. 25th – Jan. 10th on Monday
nights. At the open-call auditions held in Los Angeles and New York
City, Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne got a first-hand look at some of the
most talented bands from all over America. After many long weeks, the
battle had finally come to an end. And now we present you the Top-3 on
tour - `A Dozen Furies,' `Manntis.' And `Curse Your Name.' These 3
bands beat out over 600 bands to compete on MTV's "Battle For Ozzfest."

A Dozen Furies, the Dallas-based metal outfit has landed side-by-side
with some of metal's most popular contemporary acts (including
Chimaira, Sworn Enemy, 18Visions, As I Lay Dying, and The Bled). The
future looks just as busy and productive for the band, as they plan on
writing and releasing their first full-length record and touring all
summer long on Ozzfest 2005. www.adozenfuries.com

Manntis is a five piece band From the Riverside county area of
Southern California. Their sound of music cannot really be labeled
into a certain category of style due to the fact it reaches so many
different types. The best way you could describe would be Hardcore
with a lot of metal influences. Many bands have influenced the
members through the years including Deftones, Pantera, Killswitch
Engage, Boy sets Fire, Zao, Machine Head, Sepultura, Meshuggah,
Hatebreed and Lamb of God. www.manntis.com

Curse Your Name, from bucolic North Carolina is a 6-piece unit that
knows no boundaries when it comes to climbing to the top. This is not
a band that relies solely on one type of sound; it's all over the
radar, ranging from slow and psychotically peaceful melodies to
fast-paced and aggressive chaos. www.curseyourname.com

BATTLE FOR OZZFEST 2005 TOUR DATES

Sat Mar 26 Los Angeles, CA Avalon
Mon Mar 28 Phoenix, AZ Martini Ranch
Fri Apr 01 El Paso, TX Xcape
Sun Apr 03 Lubbock, TX Jake's Backroom
Mon Apr 04 Dallas, TX Trees
Tue Apr 05 Houston, TX Meridian
Wed Apr 06 New Orleans, LA Howlin' Wolf
Sat Apr 09 Oklahoma City, OK Bricktown Live
Sun Apr 10 Kansas City, KS El Torreon
Tue Apr 12 Minneapolis, MN Ascot Room (Quest)
Wed Apr 13 Chicago, IL Durty Nellies
Thu Apr 14 Milwaukee, WI Shank Hall
Fri Apr 15 Detroit, MI St. Andrew's Hall
Sat Apr 16 Cincinnati, OH Bogart's
Sun Apr 17 Cleveland, OH Odeon
Tue Apr 19 New York, NY Sin-E
Wed Apr 20 Philadelphia, PA TLA
Thu Apr 21 Boston, MA Axis
Fri Apr 22 Washington, DC Nation
Sat Apr 23 Richmond, VA Alley Katz

For More information - http://www.ozzfest.com/battletour.html

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*** PRESS RELEASE #7 ***
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- Guitar Shredder "JOHN 5" Will Join ROB ZOMBIE Headlining The 2nd
Stage @ OZZFEST 2005

HOLLYWOOD (March 24, 2005) – John 5 is `shredder of choice' for Horror
Rocker Rob Zombie for this years Ozzfest 2005 tour. "I'm totally
stoked about this because this guy is a fucking shredder," explains
Zombie. "I played Thunder Kiss 65 with him at The Arrowhead Pond Arena
for a benefit a couple weeks back and it never sounded so fucking
good." John 5 is elated that he will be playing guitar for Rob Zombie
on the Hot Topic Second stage at this year's Ozzfest. "I'm totally
ecstatic about having the opportunity to play with Rob on Ozzfest,"
exclaims John 5. "He has been one of my favorite artists for the
longest time. I had the opportunity to play with him a few weeks back,
and never thought that I would have the chance to share the stage with
him playing the Zombie songs we all know and love!"

John5 is best known for his tour-of-duty with the controversial
Marylin Manson. "I had a great run with Marilyn Manson. "It was a lot
of fun and it was a really great experience, but I've got a lot of
other stuff going on. I'm busier now than I was on tour," explains
John5. A lot of stuff going on indeed. While playing with famed
guitar guru Les Paul in New York, Paul gave John5 some good
old-fashioned advice. He told the player to venture out with his
monster playing ability and go solo. Influenced by Les Paul's advice,
John5 is unleashing solo project aptly named Vertigo.

Since that release, John5 has gone on to put together another band
project named LOSER. John5 launched his new band LOSER to the public
live in Hollywood, bringing much attention to the major labels. You
will be hearing more about LOSER this summer - Introducing to you the
players are Joe (vocals, yes, just Joe), John5 (guitar), Charles Lee
(bass) and Glenn Crain (drums).

John 5 has yet one more project up his sleeve for 2005. He will be
recording his second instrumental on Shrapnel Records. This album will
have guitar Shred-King Steve Vai and chicken pickin' Maestro Albert
Lee. This untitled album is in the works and will release fall 2005.

"John 5 is an underrated guitar Giant. It's rare to hear a musician
fuse various styles and create a unique blend and a brand all his own.
It takes balls but that's what's needed to be truly original."
--Steve Vai

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*** PRESS RELEASE #8 ***
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- POWDERBURN Wins Best Metal Band At 2005 Austin Music Awards

Austin, Texas -- March 26, 2005: Heavy metal outfit Powderburn was
recognized as the top metal artist at the 2005 Austin Music Awards
(AMA') last week. The AMA's is an annual awards ceremony held during
the city's host of the SXSW Music Festival. Awards go to artists of
various genres who receive the most votes per The Austin Chronicle,
the city's leading entertainment magazine & co-sponsor of the AMA's.
"Thanks so much to everyone who voted time and time again!" adds
vocalist/guitarist Ken Lockman. "We've worked our butts off over the
last few years and it's great to know that people have noticed."

This is the 3rd year in a row that the Jagermeister sponsored band
Powderburn, has received the "Best Metal" band award at the AMA's.
"It's a great feeling and an honor to know that fans dig our live
shows and support us the way they do," notes Manny Escamilla, the
band's manager. "It makes all our hard work, commitment, and sweat
that goes into this band, worth it all." Powderburn will join the
spring edition of the Jagermeister Music Tour with headliner, Alter
Bridge, next month at La Villa Real Special Events Center in McAllen,
Texas.

View photos from the event ceremony:
http://www.powderburn.net/i/2005AMAs

View video of the band's acceptance speech:
http://www.powderburn.net/video/2005AMAspeech.wmv

Additionally, the following link provides a complete list of all the
AMA's winning artists:
http://www.auschron.com/gbase/Awards/MusicAwards?Year=2004

For more information on the band's upcoming shows, please visit
Powderburn's official website at http://www.powderburn.net/ .

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*** PRESS RELEASE #9 ***
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- BILLY IDOLS Famed Keyboardist DEREK SHERINIAN Teams Up With ZAKK WYLDE

And Releases His 4th Instrumental Metal Masterpiece "MYTHOLOGY" IN
STORES NOW

HOLLYWOOD (March 29, 2005) – Famed keyboardist, Derek Sherinian,
releases yet another masterpiece on InsideOut Music. Mythology,
Sherinian's fourth solo album is a true brilliant work of art. Playing
with a cast of virtuoso's, Mythology is a combination of styles -
rock, prog and metal with splashes of jazz. As the composer, Sherinian
left a lot of room for the guest artists to feel natural in playing.
So much so that Zakk Wylde was inspired by the flow of the music that
he wrote lyrics for the track The River Run and also performed the
vocals. For all you Zakk Wylde/Black Label Society fans, this is a
must have album.

The cast o' characters are comprised of Steve Stevens (Billy Idol),
Zakk Wylde (Black Label Society/Ozzy), Allan Holdsworth, Steve
Lukather (Toto), Simon Phillips (Toto), John Sykes (Thin
Lizzy/Whitesnake, Blue Murder), Tony Franklin (The Firm/Blue Murder),
Marco Mendoza (Thin Lizzy/Blue Murder/Whitesnake/Ted Nugent/Ozzy),
Jerry Goodman (Mahavishnu Orchestra/Dixie Dregs) and Brian Tichy
(Billy Idol, Ozzy, Slashes Snakepit). With a line-up like that you can
only expect the best.

Much of the album was recorded at Sherinian's own Leopard Room studio,
located in the Hollywood Hills. Considering that he has released eight
full-length recordings in the last five years – three solo albums, two
with Planet X, two with all-star quartet Platypus and one with
Platypus offshoot Jughead – the studio is always busy. That's just the
way Sherinian likes it. "All I'm trying to do is create music that
moves me first," he says. "I hope other people dig it too."

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*** PRESS RELEASE #10 ***
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- Emperor Multimedia/RRCA News

As a follow-up to our last week's update on the bands featured in our
upcoming Polishing Of Metal release, we'd also like to list the
companies who have contributed some of those aforementioned bands:

OSMOSE PRODUCTIONS
UNBALANCED PRODUCTIONS
AIF RECORDS
MENTAL ECHO RECORDS
EMPEROR MULTIMEDIA
GALY RECORDS
MAGNA CARTA
GAZOCHTAGEN RECORDS
S&M MUSIC
USER MEDIA
RPM ENTERTAINMENT GROUP
MAJESPHERE ENTERTAINMENT
NEAR DARK PRODUCTIONS
ACACIA ENTERTAINMENT
MIDWEST METAL
DISKERY INTERNATIONAL
THE ROCK RECORD COLLECTOR'S ASSOCIATION
MYSTICAL PROMOTIONS
METAL QUEEN MANAGEMENT
SONIC AGE RECORDS

Our apologies to any we missed.

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*** PRESS RELEASE #11 ***
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- SCENES To Release CALL US AT THE NUMBER YOU PROVIDE On Escapi Music
April 19, 2005

Formed in 1995 in Ludwigsburg, Germany by guitarist Chris Lorey,
Scenes has been a constantly evolving project. The newest and
strongest incarnation of the band is made up of Lorey, vocalist Alex
Koch (ex-Powergod, Spiral Tower), drummer Hendirk Edelthalhammer,
bassist Jan Ebert and keyboardist Florian Wenzel. Having signed a deal
with Escapi Music, the band is looking forward to making new fans and
followers as they prepare to unleash their music on the world.

The band's latest foray into powerful progressive metal, Call Us At
The Number You Provide presents an intense philosophical and emotional
journey. Lorey says, "The whole album is about dead end connections or
misunderstandings. It's about problems which could have been avoided
with the right communication." Songs like "So (Father)" which
communicates a relationship between a father and son, show heartfelt
emotion behind a musical maelstrom and Koch's powerful vocal delivery
helps to bolster the already jaw-dropping musicianship displayed by
the whole band. The mixing and mastering was done by Tommy Newton
(Victory, Halloween, Conception). Lorey says, "Even though we are a
prog band we wanted to sound really heavy and fat and I think Tommy
achieved this goal better than we all expected." Due for an April 19th
release, Call Us At The Number You Provide promises to fill a void
long vacant in the world of experimental metal.

www.scenes.de

For more information, please contact:

-Al Stavola-
Chipster Entertainment Inc.
168 West Ridge Pike, Suite 226
Limerick, PA 19468
610-409-6050 ext 203

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*** PRESS RELEASE #12 ***
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- Vyagra Music And Crocodile Rock Cafι Present LOUDER HARDER FASTER
Music Festival June 3rd, 4th & 5th

Mind-Blowing Package To Include Classic TESTAMENT Lineup As Well As
Performances By OBITUARY, TROUBLE, FLOTSAM & JETSAM, NUCLEAR ASSAULT,
GOD FORBID, MUSHROOMHEAD, AGNOSTIC FRONT, MACABRE, TURMOIL And Many More.

On June 3rd – 5th of 2005 the Earth will shake, the speakers will
rumble and the heads will bang. Vyagra Music and Crocodile Rock Cafe
are set to bring Allentown, PA to its knees with an impressive hard
music festival like no other. The Louder Harder Faster festival
promises to be a memorable one, with an amazing lineup and an
affordable price that won't keep metal and hardcore fans away.

Such notable acts as Obituary, God Forbid, Agnostic Front, Macabre,
Incantation, Turmoil, Full Blown Chaos, Mushroomhead and Trouble are
scheduled to appear. The highlight of the festival will be an
extremely rare performance by the classic Testament lineup of Chuck
Billy, Eric Peterson, Alex Skolnick, Greg Christian and Louie
Clemente. Furthermore, Flotsam & Jetsam will perform with original
vocalist Erik Knutson. The weekend of metal mayhem will also include a
performance by the full original lineup of New York thrash titans
Nuclear Assault and a performance by Speed\Kill/Hate, featuring
members of Overkill. Any true extreme music fan cannot miss such a lineup.

Tickets for the three-day festival go on sale Tuesday, March 29th at
12PM EST. Tickets are $60 in advance and can be purchased at the
Crocodile Rock Cafι Box Office or at Vyagra Music. This is an all-ages
event. If the weekend does not sell out, tickets will be available on
individual days. Friday tickets will be $15, Saturday $35 and Sunday $35.

The Full Festival Lineup Includes:

Friday June 3rd, Doors @ 6:00pm, First band @ 7:00pm
Hydrogyn
Ion Vein
Slikhelvetika
Twilight Odyssey
Flotsam & Jetsam
Trouble

Saturday June 4th, Doors @ 11:00am, First band @ 12PM
The Aurora
Without End
Enamored
Hurt Locker
Vampire Mooose
Funerus

Sunday June 5th
Door @ 11:00am
First band @ 12:00pm
Belt Fed Weapon
Krusifire
Try Redemption
The Kiss Of Death
Lupara
Beyond The Flesh

For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit:
www.crocodilerockcafe.com
www.louder-harder-faster.com

Or call
Vyagra Music: 610-433-7884 & 610-266-6552
Crocodile Rock Box Office: 610-434-4600

For publicity concerns, please contact:
Chipster Entertainment Inc.
168 West Ridge Pike, Suite 226
Limerick, PA 19468
610-409-6050 ext 203

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*** PRESS RELEASE #13 ***
*
- Brainstorm's Monster Gets Hotter And Hotter!

Just a few days after we received the info that the Brainstorm album
went #1 in Germany and France... today we also received the fantastic
news that "Liquid Monster" is also #1 in the Hungarian METAL HAMMER!
Also the single "All Those Words" is still in the Hungarian charts on
position 7!

The band wants to thank everybody so much for all your incredible
support! You're the STORM!

Stay tuned for some more exciting NEWS and remember where you read it
first.... on http://www.BRAINSTORM-web.net/!

With a new CD comes a new website design, and it's online NOW! There
are still some newer updates and some fine-tuning to be done, but most
of it is there! Enjoy!

http://www.BRAINSTORM-web.net/

*
*** PRESS RELEASE #14 ***
*
- Rubbermiilk Orchestra's "When In Rome (Revolution)" Out Now

RUBBERMIILK ORCHESTRA - "WHEN IN ROME (REVOLUTION)"

"...You get slammed with an extremely technical psychedelic bass
treatment in Les Claypool form... The guitars have a jagged Syd Barret
quality... One of the most original acts I've ever seen come out of
Michigan..." - Real Detroit Weekly

Acclaimed prototrash pioneers Rubbermiilk Orchestra have long toughed
it out in the cutthroat bowels of the infamous Detroit music scene.
Legendary shows and drunken fables have ensued leaving the entrails of
every black belt whom opposes the intoxicated Donald scattered across
the linoleum. After the departure of "Foof Boy" in the summer of 2004,
RMO acquired some new blood in the form of unorthodox drummer Rogan.
The boys soon forged an indescribable sonic landscape that would cause
any meth-head to have a coronary and any stoner to hallucinate
violently. Oft described as a mix between Chrome, Primus and
rollins-era Black Flag, RMO has sifted chaos into the form of a
relentless bass guitar onslaught coupled with droning, dissonant
guitars whilst backed by hyperactive percussive as the backdrop for
Manny's unique vocal delivery. After what seems to be an eternity of
anticipation, Rubbermiilk Orchestra have just released their first
full-length album on Detroit's upstart Chocolate Stain Records,
entitled "WHEN IN ROME (REVOLUTION)." This fateful occurrence will
mark the beginning of a revolution... and the revolution will NOT be
homogenized.

Why, you ask?? Because we said so.

http://www.rubbermiilkorchestra.com/
(coming soon)

*
*** PRESS RELEASE #15 ***
*
- Lion Music News

New Releases - March 25th 2005

IMAGINERY - Long Lost Pride

Imaginery is an extension of the musical vision of
keyboardist/guitarist Bob Katsionis (Firewind) and vocalist Bjorn
Jansson (Tears Of Anger). The music on Long Lost Pride features
intense musical scenarios within a progressive metal framework.
Backing up Katsionis and Jansson's spectacular performances are guest
guitars from Gus G (Firewind), Marcel Coenen (Sun Caged) and Michael
Harris. Open your mind and imagination to the delights of Imaginery.

LALU - Oniric Metal

LALU is a new heavy progressive music project in the vein of acts like
Dream Theater, Evergrey and Sun Caged. Band leader Vivien Lalu (Hubi
Meisel) has gathered a killer line up for this debut release in Joop
Wolters on guitar, the mighty Ryan Van Poederooyen (Devin Towsend
Band) on drums, Martin LeMar on vocals and Russell Bergquist
(ex-Annihilator) on bass. Oniric Metal combines excellent production
values with strong melodies and exciting dynamics.

MILAN POLAK - Dreamscapes

Dreamscapes sees guitar whiz Milan Polak unleash his fresh music
vision for a new generation of guitar fans.The 13 tracks Dreamscapes
has on offer showcase the impressive compositional skills and stellar
production values that is making Milan Polak one of the hottest
players on the guitar instrumental scene.

Current Releases:

Artension - Future World
Metal Majesty - 2005
Mike Terrana - Man of the World
House of Shakira - Lint (limited edition digipak w. 2 bonus tracks)
V/A - Blackmore's Castle vol II
V/A - Give Us Moore! Gary Moore Tribute

Release schedule:

April 2005

IRON MASK - Hordes Of The Brave

Stunning second release from Dushan Petrossi's fantastic neo-classical
/ power metal band. Dushan's compositions are performed by Oliver
Hartmann (ex At Vance), Goetz `Valhalla Jr' Mohre, Vassili Moltchanov,
Anton Arkhipov. Guest keyboard solos are provided by Richard Andersson
(Time Requiem, Majestic, Space Odyssey), with artwork coming from Leo
Hao (Iced Earth, Magic Kingdom) and Eric Philippe (Rhapsody).

SPEARFISH - AREA 605

New release from the Swedish band, following their Scandinavian tour
with Uriah Heep and previous CD, "Back For The Future", including such
talents as Paul Dianno, Mick Box, Manny Charlton and others. Spearfish
is classic hard rock at its best.

ALEX MASI - In The Name Of Beethoven

The third and final instalment of Alex's series of classical inspired
releases music that started off with the very successful "In the Name
of Bach" and followed last year by "In the Name of Mozart".

May 2005

TORBEN ENEVOLDSEN - Flying Solo

Guitarist of Section A and Denmark's finest player will release his
third and best solo album to date.

VIRUS - TBA

Hardness and melody paired with feeling and sorrow belongs to the
emotional foundation of "Virus", which in it's own style evolves from
a mixture of energetic guitar Grunge, Metal, and simple rock n' roll.

MATTSSON - War

A stunning progressive metal rock opera featuring: Mark Boals (Ring Of
Fire), Vitalij Kuprij (Artension), Andre Vuurboom (ex-Sun Caged),
Irene Janssen, Lance King, Bjorn Jansson (Tears of Anger/Imaginery)...
All music composed by Lars Eric Mattsson

June 2005

MILAN POLAK - Guitar Odyssey

Milan's debut album in a new version with bonus track

MIND'S EYE - A Work of Art (+2 bonus tracks)

A legendary Swedish prog metal band that has recently signed with Lion
Music re-release their second album with 2 bonus tracks. A re-release
of their "Waiting for the tide" as well as a brand new studio album
will follow.

SEVENTH WONDER - Become

The debut album of a fantastic young and talented prog metal band that
will turn a lot of heads around.

July 2005

RESISTANCE - Lies in Black

US Power metal with trash influences.

LORD OF MUSHROOMS - Deadly Songs

Fantastic prog metal band from France.

BYRD - Crimes of Viruosity

September 2005

SIMONE FIORLETTA - TBA

Solo debut from the guitarist of Moonlight Comedy

A selection of other releases due in 2005

DOGPOUND - A Night in the Gutter
LOCOMOTIVE BREATH
LISTERIA - TBA
ZEELION - TBA
HOUSE OF SHAKIRA - TBA
AIRLESS - TBA
ARABESQUE - TBA
DELPHIAN - TBA
ELIAS VILJANEN - TBA
MIND'S EYE - TBA
NIGHTSCAPE - TBA
VII GATES - TBA
SECTION A - TBA
JTB - JTB
FREAKY NEIL INC. - TBA
DE GLADAS KAPELL - TBA
MYSTERY HALL - The Voyager Through The Void

Lion Music
http://www.lionmusic.com/

*
*** NEWS/RUMORS ***
*

-Good interview at http://www.thetempleofmetal.gr with Wolf Hoffmann
of Accept. Wolf talks about the possibilities of a new Accept CD and DVD.

-The Bravery's new self-titled CD is out now. Check out
http://www.thebravery.com/ for more info.

-Another great interview with Paul Di'Anno over at
http://www.classicrockrevisited.com/.

-Enuff Z'Nuff bassist Chip Z'Nuff recently appeared on Howard Stern's
radio show to talk about the band's new greatest hits album,
FAVORITES, as well as the latest studio album ? on Perris Records.
(Yep, the title is just a question mark.) According to a press release
Chip "thanked Howard for all his support and said that he went a long
way into making the band what it is," and he had "many stories
including one with Madonna, and numerous funny road stories." There is
a link to the interview at the band's site:
http://www.enuffznuff.com/site/news.shtml .

- Something called the EVOLUTION FESTIVAL will take place on July 16,
2005 at Campo Sportivo in Brescia, Italy. Bands scheduled to play on
that date are DARK LUNACY, DARK TRANQUILLITY, ENTOMBED, NIGHTWISH, and
ORPHANED LAND. More information will be available soon at:
http://www.evolutionfest.it/ and http://www.loudsession.com/.

-Helloween will release a single called "Come Alive" on July 4, and a
new album will follow shortly. There is an interview with new drummer
Dani Loble at http://www.helloween.ws/interviews_12.html . See
http://www.helloween.org/ for more, including a list of new tour
dates, and visit http://www.magmametal.com/ to hear Helloween songs at
Magma Metal's online streaming radio station.

-Jake E. Lee has some songs posted from his latest effort at his
website http://www.jakeelee.com.

-Megadeth's Dave Mustaine has stated that the greatest hits package
for the band will most likely be out in June of this year. It is
scheduled to have 17 songs on it. He has been quoted on the forums as
saying the following, "The songs are based on being EMI Publishing
songs NOT Capitol or Sanctuary songs. This Greatest Hits record is
being made by EMI; not Capitol, the songs are songs YOU voted for.
'Kill the King' and 'Dread and the Fugitive Mind' were on 'Capitol
Punishment' and since 'Capitol Punishment' is out of print. I (with a
capital frigging 'I') wanted 'Kill the King' on there. That was MY
vote! 'Dread' may appear on a Sanctuary record, but it belongs to
Capitol too." For more info visit the forums at http://www.megadeth.com.

-The Black-Sabbath.com mailing list reported two seemingly
contradictory statements from Ozzy Osbourne regarding a possible new
Sabbath studio album. First, according to a Billboard.com article
Osbourne said, "I could go in the studio and write a bunch of stuff,
but why do an album just for the sake of [drummer] Bill [Ward],
[guitarist] Tony [Iommi], me and bassist [Geezer] Butler together
playing if it's not up to the Black Sabbath standard that I left? It
would fuck it up, you know? It's so sad when you hear these monumental
bands do these piece of shit records just because they want the
money." But then he told England's Classic Rock magazine that he'd
"love" to do another Sabbath album, that it's "in the cards," and that
the band members would be "fucking idiots not to try again." In
related news, Butler's OHMWORK album (released under the moniker GZR)
is due out May 9/10, depending on territory, and the cover art is
viewable at http://www.black-sabbath.com/images/covers/ohmwork.jpg.
The disc will be out on Sanctuary; it can be pre-ordered now at
Amazon.com and it will be available at all the "legal music download
sites" like iTunes, Napster, Sony Connect, and Rhapsody. Check
http://www.black-sabbath.com/ soon for a review, and see our very own
Keith Abt's take on the album below. Finally,
http://www.geezerbutler.com/ will be launched soon.

-Tim "Ripper" Owens has named his new solo project BEYOND FEAR. He is
in the demo stages and is in the process of pursuing a record
contract. Check out http://www.timripperowens.com for more info.

-Prototype, the Los Angeles progressive thrash metal band, is
currently finishing the recordings for their new CD, CONTINUUM. Famed
producer/engineer Neil Kernon is scheduled to mix the CD in April.
Check out http://www.prototypeonline.com for more info.

-Queen's set list for the Nelson Mandela AIDS Awareness Concert in
South Africa on Saturday, March 19, 2005 consisted of the following;
Tie Your Mother Down / Can't Get Enough / I Want To Break Free / Fat
Bottomed Girls / Say It's Not True (Roger Taylor vocal) / Too Much
Love Will Kill You (featuring Katie Melua) / Hammer To Fall / It's a
Kind Of Magic / Feel Like Making Love / Radio Ga Ga (Roger Taylor
vocal) / Crazy Little Thing Called Love / The Show Must Go On / All
Right Now / We Will Rock You / We Are The Champions (featuring the
African Children's Choir).

-Royal Hunt's new CD PAPER BLOOD is scheduled for release in May
through Frontiers records (http://www.royalhunt.com).

-Secret Sphere's new CD HEART & ANGER is set to be released on May
30th. The CD was mixed by Achim Kohler at House of Audio in
Winterbach, Germany.

-Thrice have a new DVD out, IF WE COULD ONLY SEE US NOW. Check out
http://www6.islandrecords.com/thrice/ for more info.

Special thanks to Tom Mathers, Joe Seilger and Tony Webster for
helping gather this information.

*
*** FROM THE MEGA-VAULT ***
*
by Keith Abt (abt@...)

-This Week: SCRAPS...

Hello everybody! I've got quite a few brain farts to expel this week
so I'm going to try to keep the introductory yakking short and get
right to the good stuff...

...I'm sure everyone has heard by now that Anthrax is reuniting with
former vocalist Joey Belladonna, guitarist Dan Spitz and bassist Frank
Bello. At the time of this writing, rumor has it that this lineup will
either join this year's OZZfest tour, or take part in Megadeth's
multi-band summer package tour. (The band's official press conference
announcing their plans is set for Friday, April 1, which is still four
days away as of this writing.) That's all well and good but what
bothers me is that so far every bit of press coverage I've seen about
this reunion refers to it as the "original" Anthrax lineup.
Ummm...sorry kids, but this is NOT the "original" lineup. If you dust
off your copies of 1984's FISTFUL OF METAL debut you'll see that the
vocalist on that record was a fella named Neil Turbin, and the bass
player was Dan Lilker (who would later join Nuclear Assault, Brutal
Truth, the Ravenous, and seemingly dozens of others). So calling this
the "original lineup" is incorrect. Perhaps the phrase "Most popular
lineup" or "classic lineup" would be more accurate. So to all the
newspapers out there who've been perpetuating this error all week,
PLEASE STOP CALLING IT THE ORIGINAL ANTHRAX LINEUP, BECAUSE IT ISN'T!!
THANK YOU!!! (Phew) OK, now I feel better... I just had to get that
off my chest 'cos it's been bugging the hell out of me for the past
week. :-)

...One has to wonder what (current-until-recently) Anthrax vocalist
John Bush is doing during all the reunion brou-ha-ha. Scott Ian has
already stated that Bush was NOT kicked out of the band and that this
reunion is only a temporary situation, but come ON, when's the last
time you heard of a band reuniting its most popular lineup
"temporarily," and then bringing back the replacement guy? I mean, are
Judas Priest going to give Ripper Owens a call back in a year or two?
What are the odds that Blaze Bayley will get another shot in Iron
Maiden? I hate to say it, John, but if I were you I'd give Joey Vera a
call and start getting a new Armored Saint record together because it
looks like the writing's on the wall, man.

...Is it just me, or is the Scorpions' "Rock You Like A Hurricane"
being heard on the air more often right now than when it was a hit in
1984? The T.G.I. Friday's restaurant chain has been using the song in
TV commercials recently and it's just popped up again in the past week
or so in promos for the Fox Network's forthcoming sitcom, "Stacked,"
starring Pamela Anderson. (Pamela still looks great, by the way, but I
give the show six weeks, tops.) Klaus Meine and Rudolf Schenker must
be lovin' the royalty checks that are rolling in!

...This is nearly a month overdue, but I hope nobody minds if I
finally put in my two cents' worth on the new Judas Priest album. In
two words or less: ME LIKEE! My favorite tracks are "Judas Rising,"
the irresistibly catchy "Deal With The Devil," and "Hellrider" (in
other words, the real heavy face-ripping songs), and while I didn't
really care for the single "Revolution" at first, it has grown on me
with repeated listens. (When I first checked out the song's video on
Priest's Web site about a week before the album was released, my first
reaction was "Uh-oh," so that's good news.) The only song that still
doesn't do much for me is the epic-length closer "Loch Ness," which
starts out cool but quickly loses steam. There is really no reason for
that track to be THAT long. On the first spin I actually found myself
looking at my watch and wondering, "How long IS this song? Shouldn't
it have ended, like, five minutes ago?" Now that I've had a month to
digest ANGEL OF RETRIBUTION I'll go on record and say that it may not
quite equal Halford's RESURRECTION (which in my book is still the best
Judas Priest album that Priest never made) but it certainly dusts both
of Priest's studio albums with Tim Owens on vocals. In the end, I
think ANGEL OF RETRIBUTION is exactly what we all wanted to hear from
Judas Priest...a good old fashioned screaming heavy metal album with
Rob Halford back where he belongs. I'm totally satisfied and I doubt
that anyone has any major complaints!

...Check this out: late last week I got my monthly catalog from
Columbia House Music Club with this ominous note enclosed: "LAST CALL!
You haven't placed an order with The Club in over a year. We'd hate to
lose you as a customer so please place an order within the next 30
days, otherwise we'll assume you are no longer interested in
membership and place your account 'on hold.' Please order today so
your membership benefits won't be interrupted and you can continue to
take advantage of our great selection and savings!" Hmmm, are you
THREATENING me, Columbia House? Have you considered that maybe the
reason I haven't ordered anything in over a year is because the CDs
you consider "Metal" have been nothing short of PATHETIC lately? (The
Metal/Hard Rock "Selection of the Month" in this mailing was the new
Good Charlotte album? Gimme a f**king BREAK!!) Wow, do me a favor and
don't do me any favors. Feel free to discontinue my membership
whenever you feel like it. I don't think I'll miss it much. :-)

-As Dennis Miller used to say, "That's the news and I am outta here,"
but if you skip to the end of this issue you should find a review of
GZR's OHMWORK disc from me to finish things off this week. I've got a
few more CD reviews in the works as well so you'll be hearing from me
again soon!! Tune in next time for even more humor in a Metal vein...

-THIS WEEK'S PLAYLIST: X-Sinner - GET IT; Mercyful Fate - INTO THE
UNKNOWN; Slayer - HELL AWAITS; Type O Negative - WE SUCK... (bootleg);
Luca Turilli - KING OF THE NORDIC TWILIGHT.

*
*** ROCK HARD RIDE FREE ***
*
by Tim Wadzinski (tsw512@...)

-I swear we came up with this idea independently... You probably just
read Keith's column above where he rants about the Anthrax reunion
being touted as featuring the "original lineup" when it's not, in
fact, the original lineup. I was going to bitch about this, too, but
since Keith already did I'll just say, "Amen brother!" But I'd like to
add Judas Priest to this pile, too. Although I *have* seen some
references to the recent reunion touting the "classic lineup," I have
also seen it called the "original lineup" when it clearly isn't;
drummer Scott Travis didn't come on board until he played on 1990's
PAINKILLER. I've also seen the upcoming Testament reunion billed as
"original" but as of this writing I don't think it's yet been
announced if the drummer slot will be filled by Louie Clemente or
Johnny Tempesta. And what was the other one... Oh yeah, Accept. Yes
Udo Dirkschneider, Wolf Hoffmann, and Peter Baltes are originals but,
but guitarist Hermann Frank and drummer Stefan Schwarzmann aren't.
It's silly, I know, but it still bugs me. :)

-Also relating to the Anthrax stuff in Keith's column, I'll go out on
a limb and offer my opinion that currently benched vocalist John Bush
*will* be coming back. I believe his wife just had a child so it
wouldn't surprise me at all if Bush merely wanted to take some "family
time" away from the band right now. I'm thinking this has been in the
works for some time, and the core guys (Scott Ian and Charlie Benante)
probably have been in touch with the returning trio (Joey Belladonna,
Dan Spitz, and Frank Bello) for a while. I'm betting they'll do it up
big this summer, record a live album and DVD with the "classic
lineup," and then get back with Bush next year. I have no idea about
what might happen with Spitz and Bello though.

-Tour stuff... Did anyone else hear the announcement Manowar and
Rhapsody are gearing up for some US dates this summer? Man, that is
just awesome. FINALLY I have someplace appropriate I can go dressed in
my loincloth and broadsword! I tease but seriously, this would be a
killer show. I am so there if it comes to Chicago. Also, I just read
about HammerFall, Lordi, Firewind, and Thunderstone playing some shows
together in Europe. How fun would *that* show be??? I'm so jealous!

-Finally, please join me and the rest of the Detritus staff in
expressing our sympathies to Steve Shumake. Our co-owner experienced a
loss in his family over the weekend. We hope you're doing well, Steve!

-Now in my current playlist: Ozzy Osbourne - PRINCE OF DARKNESS
(Epic), Silent Force - WORLDS APART (Noise/Sanctuary), Elis - DARK
CLOUDS IN A PERFECT SKY (Napalm Records), Full Scale - s/t (Columbia),
Lalu - ONIRIC METAL (Lion Music).

*
*** REVIEWS ***
*

THINE EYES BLEED – IN THE WAKE OF SEPARATION (A-) The End Records, 2005
9 tracks, RT: 36:52
[ http://www.thineeysbleed.com/ ]
[ http://www.theendrecords.com/ ]
Trash metal is reborn again, again. Thine Eyes Bleed rockets ahead
with their new release IN THE WAKE OF SEPARATION, coming April 26
2005. Thine Eyes Bleed unleashes a brutal epic of crushing
destruction. From track one till nine the viewer is assaulted with
scorching riff after riff. Thine Eyes Bleed reminds me of newer harder
Kittie screams mixed with Slayer's crushing guitar blasts. Not
surprising since former Kittie guitarist Jeff Phillips and bassist
Johnny Araya, Slayer's Tom Araya's brother comprise 2/5 of the band.
The ferocious vocals provided by Justin Wolfe sound not unlike a male
version of Morgan Lander from Kittie. On track # 4 "Live To Die"
Justin sounds very close to Morgan's screeching on UNTIL THE END. And
I think this is a good thing, being that Morgan's one of my favorite
vocalist out there. Yet what separates Thine Eyes Bleed from bands
like Kittie is their "all thrash all the time" attitude displayed all
over this album, you won't find any ballads or slow songs here.
Drummer Darryl Stephens must have extra arms because his drum work
sounds like a hundred drum machines set up to 11. This machine gun
like sound is finely balanced with the rest of the band. Both Phillips
and guitarist Derek Ward sound like they should have been in the 80's
thrash metal scene. Track # 8 "Consequence Unknown" could have easily
been found on any Slayer album from the past. Overall I would say
hardcore thrash metal fans will eat this up with smoldering fingers. -
Rick Berg (strngbrg@...)

PHEARUS – A TYPICAL DAY (B) Happyjack Music, 2004
13 tracks, RT: 43:45
[ http://www.phearusmusic.com/ ]
Phearus is a Kentucky born metal band that sounds great while relaxing
with a brew. Their November release A TYPICAL DAY sounds like a mix of
Godsmack, Brand New Sin, Corrosion Of Conformity, Down, Black Label
Society and Black Sabbath but without any of the huge rock god names
to back it up. Their sound is very much the tuned down, heavy
riff-driven southern blues metal that I love (and so should you) in
all the above bands but it is missing the flair that a Pepper Keenan
or Zakk Wylde project has. Every track is very good but nothing that
would inspire a non-fan to need this album. I really enjoyed A TYPICAL
DAY a lot but it sounded more like a collection of b-sides and
unreleased tracks than a debut CD. It's not that Rob Blackwood can't
sing but that Sully Erna and Phillip Anselmo are just so much better.
The above-mentioned bands all are so good that I maybe judging them
too harshly. How can any guitarist hope to be in league with Zakk
Wylde? Not many in my eyes, the exception of course being the late
great Dimebag Darrell. Phearus are very talented guys but are missing
the power and dynamics that even for this wonderfully slow and mellow
style of music the major bands have. To use the album title this
effort is just typical, not great. There's an oomph that is missing
that I hope Phearus will get a chance to grow into with later albums.
- Rick Berg (strngbrg@...)

GZR - OHMWORK (C-) Sanctuary Records, 2005
10 tracks, RT: 43:43
[ http://www.gzrmusic.com/ ]
[ http://www.geezerbutler.com/ ]
[ http://www.black-sabbath.com/ ]
[ http://www.sanctuaryrecordsgroup.com/ ]
OHMWORK is the third album from Black Sabbath bassist Geezer Butler's
solo band, alternately known as "g//z/r" and "geezer" on previous
records. Until it arrived in the mail I'd never heard the band before,
and about all I knew about the project was that Fear Factory vocalist
Burton C. Bell sang on 1995's PLASTIC PLANET debut (Clark Brown took
over the mike on '97's BLACK SCIENCE and appears on OHMWORK as well),
and that Ozzy Osbourne once referred to it as "Geezer's weird
industrial stuff." After a few spins of OHMWORK I don't think I'd use
the "industrial" term, but I will say that the bulk of OHMWORK is a
rather uncomfortable-sounding clash of old and "nu" metal stylings. I
get the feeling that Geezer's been standing at the side of the stage
during all the OZZfests he's been part of over the past ten years,
taking notes on many of the younger bands and thinking, "Bloody 'ell,
that's a good bit, I can use that. These blokes sound good, I'll pinch
me a bit o' that too." Opening track "Misfit" has a nice, jagged,
driving guitar riff and catchy vocal lines that got my head nodding,
then on "Pardon My Depression" the band spins off into total Alice In
Chains worship, right down to Brown's very Layne Staley-ish delivery.
The A.I.C. comparisons also turn up on the doomy sorta-ballad "Alone,"
and unfortunately those three tracks are the highlights of OHMWORK for
me. (It's lucky for Geezer that I'm an Alice In Chains fan, huh?) The
unbearable nu-metal swipes start coming into play with track #3,
"Prisoner 103," and last for the rest of the album's (thankfully
short) running time. "Prisoner 103" starts off with a rapped intro
(bringing on nightmarish visions of that jack-off from Rage Against
The Machine hijacking the microphone) and then explodes into an
aggro-metal workout that would probably make a good Slipknot B-side.
Unfortunately, while Slipknot may claim that "People = Sh*t," I claim
that "Slipknot = Crap," so I reach for the skip button during this
one. "Pull The String," "Dogs Of Whore," "Aural Sects" (great title!)
and "Pseudocide" continue to ape whatever flavor-of-the-week metalcore
bands are making the rounds right now, with chunky guitars, distorted
vocals and screaming choruses, all of which makes me wonder what
audience Geezer is trying to target with this release. In principle, I
can respect Geezer for attempting to "modernize" his sound without
resting on his laurels, but as a Sabbath fan from way back I almost
wish that he'd taken the easy way out, slapped together a bunch of
leftover Sabbath riffs and put his name on it rather than jumping into
the OZZfest hot tub with both feet. Fans of Fear Factory, Slipknot and
the like may dig OHMWORK but even though it's certainly heavy and well
played it simply isn't my cup of tea. - Keith Abt (Keithabt@...)

ANAND - A MAN'S MIND (B+) Lion, 2005
12 tracks, RT: 55:44
[ http://www.anandmahangoe.com/ ]
[ http://www.lionmusic.com/ ]
Instrumental albums are a tough sell these days; most fans of rock
want to hear vocals and are often impatient with music that demands
attention and a certain degree of tolerance for tunes that don't
always deliver immediate gratification. Anand Mahangoe will probably
not climb to the top of the charts with this release, as it was
designed to appeal to guitar players and guitar enthusiasts, but he
has successfully delivered a contender in the curiously crowded market
of instrumental guitar releases. A MAN'S MIND is actually a re-release
of Anand's debut CD, and the first thing you will probably notice is
the similarity in style to Joe Satriani; now usually I'm turned off by
players who sound a lot like someone else, but Anand is definitely an
exception as he uses the Satriani template as a springboard into his
own thing, ultimately combining a variety of influences to produce a
very listenable album. One of the things separating Anand from the
masses of guitar heroes is his emphasis on melody and feeling rather
than excessive displays of technique. The compositions are
well-arranged, with lots of space for great guitar atmospherics.
Listen to "Mysterious Ways" to get a good dose of what Anand has to
offer -- fantastic stuff! "Far Away" shows more of the guitarist's
sensitive side, lots of expressive playing on this one, while "Mimi
Goes Hype" allows Anand to indulge in some tastefully orchestrated
shred over a cool jazz-fusion progression. I took points off only for
tracks like "Attack Of The Horrible Space Babes" (great title) which
is an excellent song but reminds too much of Satriani's "Flying In A
Blue Dream." I think Anand will easily be able to move beyond the
Satch influence in the future as he explores more of his unique voice
on the instrument. Overall A MAN'S MIND is an impressive debut I can
thoroughly recommend to fans of guitar instrumentals, especially those
who have been disappointed by Satriani's recent output. A MAN'S MIND
makes me want to hear more from this talented musician... - Neal
Woodall (MysticX10@...)

RPWL - WORLD THROUGH MY EYES (C+) InsideOut Music America, 2005
10 tracks, RT: 70:51
[ http://www.rpwl.de/ ]
[ http://www.insideoutmusic.com/ ]
RPWL is likely a name you are not familiar with; originating in 1997
as a Pink Floyd cover band, they now have three albums to their credit
and have started to carve a distinctive sound for themselves. I say
started because the Pink Floyd influence on WORLD THROUGH MY EYES is
still evident, along with a strong Beatles feel as well. Beginning
with the exotic strains of "Sleep," WORLD THROUGH MY EYES sounds as if
it might be an interesting listen, and if you enjoy lush arrangements,
breathy vocals, somewhat psychedelic lyrics and a pervasive mellow
vibe, it probably is. Personally, I think the songwriting is strong,
the pieces are well constructed with some nice melodies and the vocals
offer sincere emotional content, but the album is dragged down by a
"sameness" flowing from song to song; at 70+ minutes it is just too
long for someone like myself to listen to other than as background
music. The effects chosen for the vocals and guitars are annoying
(similar to the Blackfield release I reviewed recently), as once again
you have that filtered sound on the vocals and lots of flange on the
guitars. I've read several really good reviews of this album so it may
be more of my own bias rather than any inherent flaws, but overall
WORLD THROUGH MY EYES drags, and subsequent listens don't increase the
enjoyment for me. On the positive side, "Roses" contains a fine vocal
performance by Ray Wilson (ex-Genesis) along with some atmospheric
keyboards, "Sea-Nature" displays some much-needed prog dynamics and
the title track offers some interesting vocal harmonies enveloped by
U2 style chord voicing. However, too many songs such as "Everything
Was Not Enough" and "Day On My Pillow," and its naptime. Fans of
modern progressive rock like Porcupine Tree, Spock's Beard, Radiohead and
Blackfield will likely enjoy this release, as will those who prefer
their music in the background. Spacey, relaxing and ultimately
unobtrusive... - Neal Woodall (MysticX10@...)

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