Detritus
Issue #313
Week of April 18, 2005
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Detritus/

To subscribe to the e-mail version do one of the following:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Detritus/
Detritus-subscribe@yahoogroups.com (send a blank e-mail here)

To unsubscribe from the e-mail version:
Detritus-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com (send a blank e-mail here)

To contact us:
Detritus-owner@yahoogroups.com

*
*** CAST OF CHARACTERS ***
*
Patrick Brower, Editor
patrickbrower@...

Sean P. Gahgan, Editor
lof@...

Tim Wadzinski, Owner
tsw512@...

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

*
*** PRESS RELEASE #1 ***
*
- Kingcrow Update

After having recruited a new bassist, Giulio Caputi, from a well known
Motley Crue cover band, Kingcrow are now fully involved with the
composition of their brand new album, tentatively titled TIMETROPIA.
It comes after the big success of INSIDER, and will be a concept
album, once again. The story is still top secret, but the music is
more complex, from both the structural and arrangements points of
view. There will be many theatrical and progressive elements, near to
a real Musical in the typical Kingcrow style.

Recording sessions will start about April, for a summer release, under
a top secret well known progressive label.

In the meantime, the "Never Say Die" video clip was finally released
and can be downloaded in low and high quality from the address
http://www.kingcrow.it/video.asp . It will be included in the new
album as a limited edition.

"The Killing Hand," the progressive suite from INSIDER, is also
downloadable for free at the address http://www.kingcrow.it/audio.htm
. Kingcrow would like to thank all the fans, because "Eyes Of A
Betrayer" has reached 11,000 downloads!!! Thank you, really!

For information write to: band@...

*
*** PRESS RELEASE #2 ***
*
- Manntis Signs With The Century Media Family

Currently On The Battle For Ozzfest Tour

HOLLYWOOD (April, 2005) – Southern California quintet MANNTIS have
officially signed a worldwide deal with Century Media Records. The
group's debut album, SLEEP IN YOUR GRAVE, is set for a June 28th
release. Cameron Webb produced the disc and it features 11 blistering
tracks of unrelenting metal intensity. The group has been influenced
by a diverse number of bands ranging from Meshuggah and Pantera to
Killswitch Engage and Zao, to name just a few, and their pummeling
sound reflects the combination of these influences.

Jake Sirokman (vocals) further conveys his excitement over the recent
signing: "We're extremely happy to be with Century Media Records. We
love the other bands on the roster and are proud to be alongside them
for years to come. One thing is for sure: some people may have heard
about us because of the Battle for Ozzfest show, but we're a dedicated
band with over 5 years in the scene, not just some reality show
poseurs looking to extend our 15 minutes of fame. No doubt that Battle
for Ozzfest was a great opportunity, for the band we are. Bottom line,
we're here to bring the fucking metal. See ya on the but we're
grateful that CM saw through smoke and mirrors of TV and saw us road."

You can see Manntis live on the Battle For Ozzfest tour. Battle For
Ozzfest aired on MTV from Oct. 25th to 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 three bands beat out
over 600 bands to compete on MTV's Battle For Ozzfest.

www.manntis.com
http://www.ozzfest.com/battletour.html

*
*** PRESS RELEASE #3 ***
*
- Thine Eyes Bleed Debut Album Hits Stores June 21

Canadian thrash/metalcore act Thine Eyes Bleed will release their
debut album "In The Wake Of Separation" for The End Records this
summer. The album, which was originally slated for a spring release,
will surface June 21st, 2005 and come with updated artwork.

The debut album -- an unforgiving and brutally charged opus of searing
metal riffs, hardcore-style intensity and cutthroat attitude -- will
no doubt help Thine Eyes Bleed stand apart from the many newcomers
flooding the metal market.

What the media is saying about Thine Eyes Bleed:

"...dungeon-dark metal of five Canadians who know their way around a
box-cutter riff, unremitting rhythms, and malicious vocals. Theirs is
the sound of perpetual suffocation, inescapable moments of
claustrophobia, and chasing your friend around a corner with either a
chainsaw or ax" - Decibel

"massive, technical riffing, speedy yet varied tempos 'In The Wake Of
Separation' is nothing less than mandatory listening." - TheGauntlet.com

"With thrashing guitars, pummeling drums and a frantic frontman, Thine
Eyes Bleed is well on their way to forging a name with this impressive
debut." - Blistering.com

"...the CD is an attack of melodic death/thrash metal, exquisitely
seasoned by catchy and aggressive head banging riffs."
-tartareandesire.com

http://www.thineyesbleed.com/
http://www.theendrecords.com/

*
*** PRESS RELEASE #4 ***
*
- Revolver Inks European Deal - New Canadian Single Blue Sky

Revolver inks deal with Drakkar for All of Europe

Revolver is pleased to announce the beginning of a new relationship
with German label Drakkar who will be releasing TURBULENCE, the first
of many for all of Europe including the U.K.! European release and
tour dates to follow.

New single "Blue Sky"

The new single "Blue Sky" hits Canadian radio on April 19th. A video
to support the single is currently being worked on which is expected
to be completed by the end of May.

Call your local radio station to request "Blue Sky." The list of radio
stations available at http://www.revolvertv.com/ .

*
*** PRESS RELEASE #5 ***
*
- There's Something New In Dwarfland

Hello Dwarfs fans and Scribes everywhere

Due to slow Killer Dwarfs website updates, and the official message
board with its password problems (causing alot of members there not to
have any posting access), I've created a New Killer Dwarfs Yahoo
message group that's more then just a mailing list.

This is a place for all of us Scribes to hang out and post messages
about one of the heaviest Canadian rock bands around...The KiLLeR
DWaRfS!!!

Besides hanging out with other DWaRf fans, this message group will
also be a good source for inside information, like announcements,
news, upcoming tour dates, and maybe even Dwarf sightings.

Anybody can join, but keep in mind, people who join to only cause or
stir up trouble will be booted out.

Members can also upload and view/download pictures and files.... but
keep it clean, save the porno for WinMX.

http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/killerdwarfshangout/

killerdwarfshangout-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

By the way, only members who join with a yahoo account can use the web
features like chat, files and photos. Everybody else will only be able
to post, read and reply to messages. So sign up for a yahoo account.
It's free, and alot more fun.

So hang out Scribes.
Go Dunk!
The Killer Dwarfs Hangout.

http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/killerdwarfshangout/

*
*** PRESS RELEASE #6 ***
*
- Russell Allen At BW&BK Festival!!!

Russell Allen will play an EXCLUSIVE acoustic set from his new solo
effort ATOMIC SOUL (Inside Out Music) as part of the BW&BK 6-Pack
Weekend, May 5-7, 2005. Russell will perform a FREE concert (seating
limited, first come, first served) Saturday afternoon at Alice
Cooper's restaurant, "Cooperstown," located across from Jacobs Field
in Cleveland, OH. The same afternoon, TSO/Savatage guitarist Chris
Caffery will also take the stage acoustically. Russell will also be
signing autographs at the festival proper.

BW&BK 6-Pack Weekend III features the opportunity to see exclusive
appearances by Tim 'Ripper' Owen's new project Beyond Fear, the North
American debut/only show from Finland's Mors Principim Est, exclusive
show from God Dethroned and only North American concerts for 2005 by
Jag Panzer and Death Angel. Newer acts like Goat Horn (Canada) and
HavocHate will be onstage throughout the 3-days, as well as stalwarts
like Trouble, Exciter and Raven.

*
*** PRESS RELEASE #7 ***
*
- Magnum DVD News

Magnum "Live At Birmingham" (Music DVD)

Release Dates:

UK - 23rd May 2005
European Territories - throughout May 2005

Classic Pictures announce DVD release with MAGNUM -- Scheduled for a
MAY 2005 Release

Featuring a classic Live Show plus exclusive never seen before footage
& interviews

Classic Pictures have recently worked with the original band members
from Magnum to present this concert film is a breathtaking performance
recorded on December 22nd 1992 in Birmingham, England, where Magnum
laid their roots and formed in the mid-seventies.

Featuring original members Bob Catley, Tony Clarkin and Mark Stanway,
the band perform their Greatest Hits live in front of a jam-packed
audience at The Birmingham Town Hall.

BAND LINE-UP

Bob Catley - Lead Vocals
Tony Clarkin - Guitar & Vocals
Wally Lowe - Bass Guitar & Vocals
Mark Stanway - Keyboards
Mickey Barker - Drums
Mo Birch - Guest Backing Vocals

TRACKS INCLUDE

All England's Eyes
Vigilante
Pray For the Day
Les Morts Dansant
You're The One
On a Storytellers Night
Stormy Weather
How Far Jerusalem
Only In America
Days of No Trust
Kingdom of Madness

This is a classic Magnum DVD release, and is enhanced by the
additional exclusive Special Features and 5.1 Dolby Digital and 5.1
DTS sound options

"ANOTHER CHAPTER, ANOTHER VERSE" -- THE DOCUMENTARY

This documentary featuring original band member interviews with Bob
Catley, Tony Clarkin, Mark Stanway and Bass player Al Barrow filmed in
2005, is a fascinating insight into the unforgettable music and career
of Magnum. Featuring exclusive never before seen footage of the making
of the "Brand New Morning" album -- a collectors dream.

DVD SPECIAL FEATURES INCLUDE

Fully Animated Menu / Choice of 5.1 Dolby Digital, 5.1 DTS & Dolby
Stereo Sound Options & "Another Chapter, Another Verse" Documentary

http://www.classicpictures.co.uk/
http://www.magnumonline.co.uk/

*
*** PRESS RELEASE #8 ***
*
- BW&BK 6-Pack Weekend III Update
May 5-7, 2005
The Odeon - Cleveland, OH

Line-up Almost FINALIZED
Debuts, Exclusives & Rare Appearances Galore, including: TIM OWENS,
RUSSELL ALLEN, DEATH ANGEL, GOD DETHRONED, MORS PRINCIPICUM EST

Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles, North America's premier metal
publication & Belkin Productions are proud to finalize the third
installment of the BW&BK 6-Pack Weekend. The event kicks off with a
warm-up show on Thursday, May 5th, featuring the international DEBUT
of Tim Owens' (ICED EARTH/ex-JUDAS PRIEST) solo outfit BEYOND FEAR. In
what has become a tradition at BW&BK, Saturday afternoon will showcase
FREE acoustic sets by CHRIS CAFFERY (TSO/SAVATAGE), as well as an
EXCLUSIVE appearance by Symphony X singer RUSSELL ALLEN, who has just
released his first solo effort, Atomic Soul.

May 6-7, the atmosphere inside the Odeon will be more electric, if not
electrifying. Reunited thrashers DEATH ANGEL will make their only US
appearance of 2005. Same goes for JAG PANZER, a band who played the
first BW&BK show. Dutch death metallers GOD DETHRONED will play their
ONLY North American show in support of Lair Of The White Worm, as well
as the debut by the acclaimed MORS PRINCIPIUM EST, highly touted to be
the next Finnish band to crack out of the underground. Be the first to
hear music from The Unborn, LIVE! Saturday will also see the
reunited/original DEADLY BLESSING, direct from their triumph at
Germany's Keep It True festival, perform for the first time in almost
15 years! In conjunction with The Odeon, the fun returns to Cleveland,
May 5-7. Single day and special 2-day passes are available at all
TicketMaster locations, the Odeon box office (pay no service fees at
Odeon box office), or charge at 216 241-5555 in Cleveland, 330
945-9400 in Akron. Tickets are also available on line at
www.belkinproductions.com/bravewords.html.

2-day (Fri/Sat) pass - $60
Thursday - $10 advance
Friday - $30 advance/$35 day of show
Saturday - $35 advance/$40 day of show

Thursday
BEYOND FEAR (featuring TIM OWENS)
GOAT HORN (CANADA)
NDE
WRETCH
ETERNAL LEGACY
MO RAGE
MALIKI'S REIGN

Friday
CHRIS CAFFERY
EXCITER - rare US date
SOILWORK
DARK TRANQUILLITY
HYPOCRISY
MNEMIC
HAVOC HATE

Saturday
TROUBLE
DEATH ANGEL - only US show
GOD DETHRONED - only US show
JAG PANZER - only US show
MORS PRINCIPIUM EST - only US show
RAVEN
DEADLY BLESSING

Once again, the Hilton Garden Inn is the official hotel of the BW&BK
6-Pack Weekend. A special ($65 per night) rate can be had through
www.belkinproductions.com/bravewords.html, or by calling Hilton Garden
Inn toll free at 1-877- STAY-HGI. When making your reservation,
mention the festival and room code, BWC for the discount. Come stay
with the bands!

*
*** PRESS RELEASE #9 ***
*
- Jacobs Dream Confirmed For BW&BK 6-Pack Weekend III Alice Cooper's
Town Unplugged Event

US prog metallers Jacobs Dream are confirmed for the Alice Cooper's
Town unplugged show which is part of the BW&BK 6-Pack Weekend III,
scheduled for Cleveland from May 5th-7th. The Alice Cooper's Town
unplugged show will be held on Saturday May 7th from 12 Noon to 3:30
PM. Admission is free and the final lineup is as follows: Chris
Caffery (Savatage/Trans-Siberian Orchestra), Symphony X singer Russell
Allen, Jacobs Dream and Siki Spacek (Black Death).

For more info about the Alice Cooper's Town Cleveland location head to
http://www.Mainandmain.com/ .

*
*** PRESS RELEASE #10 ***
*
- Judas Priest Announces U.S. Tour Dates For Summer 2005 To Promote
The New, Critically Acclaimed Hit Album Angel Of Retribution

More Dates to Follow

The legendary heavy metal band Judas Priest have announced their U.S.
headline tour starting in May 2005 to promote the critically acclaimed
new Epic Records album Angel Of Retribution. The first date is Monday,
May 30 at The Blossom Music Center in Cleveland, OH. Queensryche will
be the special guest on the tour.

The definitive Judas Priest lineup -- vocalist Rob Halford, lead
guitarists Glenn Tipton and K.K. Downing, bass guitarist Ian Hill and
drummer Scott Travis -- are embarking on their first full headlining
U.S. tour since the release of 1990's Painkiller. Last year, Judas
Priest excited crowds nationwide on the Ozzfest tour.

Angel Of Retribution, which debuted at # 13 on the Billboard album
chart, has earned rave reviews worldwide from both the mainstream and
rock press.

Here's what the media is saying about Angel Of Retribution:

" ... One of the best headbanging albums in years and one of the best
Priest records of all time" (4 stars) - Playboy Magazine

" ... An album that holds up well to Priest's strongest, most
sustained recordings" (3 1/2 stars) - Rolling Stone Magazine

" ... 'Classic Priest' is the only way to describe the musical
reunion... Nothing more need be said but 'All hail the Priest!'"
-Billboard Magazine

" ... The Metal Gods sound revitalized ... it roars with a vengeance"
(4 stars) - Sound & Vision Magazine

" ... Judas Priest seems primed to reclaim their perch as the most
dominant band in heavy metal ... " - Associated Press

The band kicked off their 2005 world tour in February performing right
across Europe taking in Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Norway, Germany,
United Kingdom, Holland, Czech Republic, Austria, Italy, Spain,
Portugal and then going to Japan before storming the United States.

For all the latest news and tour date updates, visit
http://www.judaspriest.com/ .

Current U.S. tour dates (more are forthcoming) include:

May
30 in Cleveland, OH at Blossom Music Center

June
1 in St. Paul, MN at Xcel Energy Center
3 in Chicago, IL at Tweeter Center
4 in Detroit, MI at DTE Energy Music Theatre
7 in Buffalo, NY at Darien Lake Perf. Arts Center
8 in Manchester, NH at Verizon Wireless Arena
10 in Holmdel, NJ at PNC Bank Arts Center
11 in Uncasville, CT at Mohegan Sun
12 in Boston, MA at Tweeter Center
14 in Scranton, PA at Montage Mountain
15 in Hershey, PA at Giant Center
18 in Camden, NJ at Tweeter Center
19 in Washington, DC at Nissan Pavilion
21 in Atlanta, GA at Hi Fi Buys Amphitheater
22 in Tampa, FL at Ford Amphitheatre
23 in West Palm Beach, FL at Sound Advice Amphitheatre
25 in San Antonio, TX at Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
26 in Dallas, TX at Smirnoff Music Centre
28 in Albuquerque, NM at Journal Pavilion
29 in Denver, CO at Coors Amphitheater

July
1 in Reno, NV at Reno Hilton Amphitheater
2 in San Francisco, CA at Shoreline Amphitheater
4 in Portland, OR at Clark County Amphitheater
6 in Seattle, WA at White River Amphitheater
8 in Los Angeles, CA at Verizon Wireless
9 in Las Vegas, NV at Mandalay Bay Events Center
10 in Phoenix, AZ at Cricket Pavilion

*
*** PRESS RELEASE #11 ***
*
- Contrive Album Mixed By Fredrik Nordstrom, Sweden...

Australian Metal Trio Contrive has just completed mixing their debut
album The Meaning Unseen with famed Producer Fredrik Nordstrom @
Studio Fredman, Sweden.
Nordstrom known for delivering some amazing sounds from Top Metal acts
such as Dimmu Borgir, Opeth, Arch Enemy, The Haunted to name a few,
took great attention to ensure that the final result was something the
band can only describe, "Fredrik has brilliantly captured the true
spirit of our sound!"

Contrive are also the 1st band from Australia to have an album mixed
at the infamous studio.

The Unsigned act are set to independently release the album in
Australia sometime in June / July whilst they shop the record around
overseas for some stable distribution.

Since 2001, Contrive have shared stages with Machine Head, Sepultura,
Soilwork, Destruction, Mayhem, Skinlab, Alchemist, Cog, etc.

Below is the final track listing from the forthcoming album:

The Meaning Unseen (Tracklisting not in final order)

* Relate
* By way of choice
* The meaning unseen
* A vigil for the lost
* Prepare to fall
* Beside yourself
** Communion (**Armoured Angel cover- Australian band circa 89/90)
* Shifting Focus
* Todoroki (Japanese Taiko drumming track)
* By the roadside
* At ease (instrumental)

Be sure to check out http://www.contrive.com.au/ for some preview MP3
tracks from the new album soon.

Write Contrive:
PO Box 134
East Keilor 3033
Melbourne, Victoria
AUSTRALIA

*
*** PRESS RELEASE #12 ***
*
- IcebergRadio.com's Metal Radio Adds

The following albums have been added to IcebergRadio.com's Metal
Stations: BWBK.com, '80s Hair Bands, Budweiser Radio, BlackDeath,
ProgPower, Hair Transplant, '80s Aggression, Roots Of Metal.

-------------------------------
BACKYARD BABIES - Tinnitus (Liquor & Poker): Budweiser Radio
BLEED THE SKY - Paradigm In Entropy (Nuclear Blast): BWBK.com,
Budweiser Radio
BORN FROM PAIN - In Love With The End (Metal Blade): BWBK.com,
Budweiser Radio
CANDLEMASS - Candlemass (Nuclear Blast): BWBK.com, ProgPower
DARK MOOR - Beyond The Sea (Arise): BWBK.com, ProgPower
DEF LEPPARD - 'No Matter What' (Universal): Hair Transplant
ECLIPSE ETERNAL - Reign Of The Unholy Blackened Empire (Galy):
BWBK.com, BlackDeath
FLESHCRAWL - Crawling In Flesh (Black Mark): BWBK.com, BlackDeath
HAVOCHATE - Cycle Of Pain (Indecent): BWBK.com, BlackDeath
ICARUS WITCH - Roses On White Lace (Magick): BWBK.com, ProgPower
INTO THE MOAT - Design (Metal Blade): BWBK.com, Budweiser Radio
BEN JACKSON GROUP - All Over You (Screaming Ferret): BWBK.com, ProgPower
LABYRINTH - Freeman (Arise): BWBK.com, ProgPower
LIFE OF AGONY - Broken Valley (Sony BMG): Budweiser Radio
LOSA - The Perfect Moment (Metal Blade): BWBK.com, Budweiser Radio
MIDNATTSOL - Where Twilight Dwells (Napalm): BWBK.com, ProgPower
NORMA JEAN - O God, The Aftermath (Solid State): Budweiser Radio
NOVEMBERS DOOM - The Pale Haunt Departure (The End): BWBK.com, ProgPower
SIX FEET UNDER - 13 (Metal Blade): BWBK.com, BlackDeath, Budweiser Radio
THUNDERSTONE - Tools Of Destruction (Nuclear Blast): BWBK.com, ProgPower

Brave Pick Of The Week:
JAMES LABRIE - Elements Of Persuasion (InsideOut)

BWBK.com is BW&BK Magazine's noisy audio brother and can be found at
http://www.BWBK.com/ and via the Metal News section at
http://www.HardRadio.com/ !

For more info about BWBK.com contact metaltim@icebergmedia or
metaltim@...

BWBK.com is the noisy audio brother to BW&BK Magazine!

www.BWBK.com - 24/7 Audio Assault!

*
*** PRESS RELEASE #13 ***
*
- Long & McQuade 2005 Drum Summit

Saturday, April 16 @ Humber College Auditorium, 3199 Lakeshore Blvd. West

Demonstrations by:
Jimmy Degrasso (Megadeth, Suicidal Tendencies)
Keith Carlock (Paula Abdul, Steely Dan, Sting)
Liberty Devito (Billy Joel)
Mark Kelso (Pete Townsend, Holly Cole, Gino Vanelli, solo/session)
The Samba Squad
Jeremy Taggart (Our Lady Peace)

Supplier Booths & Doors Prizes

3:00 - 9:00 pm
Humber College
Lakeshore Campus
Auditorium
3199 Lakeshore Blvd. West
Toronto, ON
$10 Admission
Tickets available at any Long & McQuade store, or at the door.

Jimmy Degrasso Appearance at Long & McQuade 2005 Drum Summit

Jimmy Degrasso:

With a resume boasting Alice Cooper, Ozzy Osbourne, Suicidal
Tendencies and Y&T, Jimmy easily filled the vacancy behind Megadeth's
drum kit when the band headed into their spot on Ozzfest. While other
musicians might find the challenge of learning not only to play but
sing the songs a bit daunting, Jimmy took it in stride. He completed
the multi-platinum act's final tour in support of their 1997 release
Cryptic Writings and cemented his place in one of hard rock's most
acclaimed outfits.

Jimmy moved from Pennsylvania to the bustling music mecca of Los
Angeles more than a decade ago. He found session work was plentiful
and quickly made very important connections. "I moved to California
hoping that someone like Ozzy would be looking for a drummer, and lo'
and behold I got the gig with Ozzy working on the Ultimate Sin album"
says DeGrasso. Though the Ozzy gig was short lived, Jimmy spent three
years with the critically acclaimed Y&T, before leaving the band in
1990. Suicidal Tendencies followed in 1992. "The band was a free for
all " Jimmy says of S.T. "the music came from punk roots and was meant
to be loose… not spot on". DeGrasso joined Alice Cooper's world tour
in mid-95, a connection he made after filling in as one of the
drummers in the 1992 movie Wayne's World. Jimmy spent the next three
years touring with Alice Cooper until late 1996 when they shared a
tour with Megadeth. After the tour concluded, Dave Mustaine asked
Jimmy to play on his solo album MD-45. Then in the summer of 1998,
Jimmy got the call from Megadeth and began recording and touring for
Risk and the The World Needs A Hero release.

Jimmy is currently working on various recording projects and touring
with Montrose.

Metal Queen Management
www.metalqueenmgmt.ca

*
*** NEWS/RUMORS ***
*

- Biohazard's new album is set to be released on August 30th in the
U.S. on SPV Records. The track list for MEANS TO AN END is as follows:
My Life, My Way / The Fire Burns Inside / Killing To Be Free / Filled
With Hate / Devotion / Break It Away From Me / Kings Never Die / Don't
Stand Alone / To The Grave / Set Me Free.

- The Dio DVD, STAND UP AND SHOUT, will be released this June and will
include all of the bands music videos.

- Dream Theater's new release, OCTAVARIUM, will be released on June
7th via Atlantic Records.

- Fates Warning's new video, "Simple Human" from FWX, premiered this
past weekend on MTV2's "Headbanger's Ball." It can also be seen
on-line at http://music.yahoo.com/ar-314713---Fates-Warning . See
http://www.fateswarning.com/ for more info.

- Flotsam & Jetsam will release their new album, DREAMS OF DEATH on
July 26, 2005. Check out http://www.flotsam-and-jetsam.com for more info.

- Hammerfall have confirmed their plans to tour the U.S. with Edguy,
check out http://www.hammerfall.net for more info.

- If you haven't seen the new Kiss commercial endorsing Coca-Cola
check it out here http://www.coca-cola.fr/leffetcocacola/pop512.htm

- How about this quote from Lemmy of Motorhead (taking from an
interviews in the Calgary Sun
http://www.canoe.ca/NewsStand/EdmontonSun/Entertainment/2005/04/17/1000888-sun.h\
tml)


Q: How does it feel to have won your first Grammy award (Best Metal
Performance)?

Lemmy: It would've meant a lot more to me if it would've been for
something of ours instead of a cover.

Q: Were you at the ceremony?

Lemmy: Yeah, but they don't televise the heavy metal part because it's
like terrible and base and satanic and all that bulls----. So they
only have the rappers who say you should shoot people on TV. It's
really strange.

- Gary Moore's album BACK TO THE BLUES is set for release on the Dual
Disc format, April 25th. Side one will feature the standard CD
recording and side two will feature a 5.1 Surround Sound DVD-Audio
version.

- Royal Hunt's new album PAPER BLOOD as a June 6th release date for
Europe.

- Shadow Gallery will release their new CD ROOM FIVE in the U.S. on
June 7 via InsideOut Music. Europe will get the CD one week earlier.
Check out their official website for a sample http://shadowgallery.com .

- John Taglieri has got two gigs coming up, Friday, April 22nd,
Borders Books, 1937 Whitehall Mall, Whitehall, PA 18052 610-432-5520
and Tuesday, April 26th, Songwriter Tuesdays @ Circa, 375 Passaic
Street, Rochelle Park, NJ 07662 201-845-5009. Both shows feature
Tom Darby on Keys. Check out http://www.johntaglieri.com/ for more
info and to preorder John's new CD

- Triumph has a new double anthology CD scheduled for release on April
25th via Castle records. Track listing is as follows: 24 Hours A Day /
Street Fighter / Blinding Light Show-Moonchild / Takes Time / New York
City Streets Parts 1 & 2 / Rocky Mountain Way / Lay It On The Line /
Just A Game / Hold On / I Live For The Weekend / I Can Survive / Woman
In Love / Fool For Your Love / Allied Forces / Fight The Good Fight /
Magic Power / Too Much Thinking / World Of Fantasy / All The Way /
When The Lights Go Down / Follow Your Heart / Killing Time / Mind
Games (Live) / Empty Inside (Live) / Tears In The Rain / Somebody's
Out There / Don't Love Anybody Else But Me / Never Say Never / Headed
For Nowhere / Carry On The Flame / Running In The Night / Never
Surrender (Live From US Festival 1983) / Spellbound (Live From Us
Festival 1983).

- Vanden Plas news: ABYDOS will be brought to the stage! Andy Kuntz'
"Heavy Mental Shadow Opera" will premier in Kaiserslautern's
Pfalztheater next February. It will be the city's official cultural
contribution to the FIFA Football World Cup 2006 in Germany! Vanden
Plas will play live with big choirs, the orchestral arrangements of
Stefan Glass and an ensemble with more than 50 persons. GĂĽnter Werno
will be the musical director and Andy Kuntz will play the main
character "Fly". Check out http://www.vandenplas.de for more info.

- Wicked Sensation has found a new singer (to replace Fernando Garcia
who left the band this January). Boban Milojevic is the man and you
can read more about him at http://www.wicked-sensation.com .

Special thanks to AlmostHuman for helping gather some of this information.

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

- My wife recently bought me the 20th anniversary issue of Metal Edge
magazine. I used to subscribe for years but quit when it started
featuring too many "OZZfest bands," as they say, but it's fun to go
back and look every now and then. Anyway, in this issue editor Paul
Gargano lists his favorite concerts of all time and one of them is the
Queensryche PROMISED LAND tour. In his write-up he says "I just may be
the only Queensryche fan on the planet who doesn't hail
OPERATION:MINDCRIME as their best album. For sheer musicianship and
songwriting, I stand behind PROMISED LAND, and this tour offered
evidence as to why." After I cleaned the puke off of my shirt I
thought to myself, "You know, self, I don't know if I can unilaterally
choose a favorite Queensryche album." I agree with Gargano that the
vast majority of folks would probably choose MINDCRIME, but for me
that album is neck and neck with RAGE FOR ORDER. Now *there's* an
example of a band putting out back-to-back masterpieces, and that just
doesn't happen anymore.

So then a couple Saturdays ago I had to work at night, and I brought
RAGE FOR ORDER with me for the drive home. I left my office building
downtown at about 10 p.m. with the windows down and "Walk In The
Shadows" blaring. I could've been the only person on Earth to be
listening to that song at that time, and it just ruled. "The Whisper"
is such a friggin' cool song... The evil whispered vocals, the vibe,
man... Then there's "Gonna Get Close To You." This song could be the
high point of Geoff Tate's coolness and creepiness, all rolled into
one. Yeah, I know he looked a little goofy in the video but just
listen to this song at night, and make up your own visuals in your
mind's eye. (And I must say, I *nailed* the big air drum fill at the
end, on my steering wheel.) "Surgical Strike," "London," and
"Screaming In Digital" all totally rule, and everything else I haven't
mentioned yet also rules, only less so. This album has it all, right
down to the distinctive cover art that somehow just *works* and ties
everything together.

And he said PROMISED LAND beats this *and* MINDCRIME? Pfft... Gimme a
break. In my opinion, beginning with parts of EMPIRE, Queensryche's
been drifting. That's 15 years now, for those of you keeping score at
home. A couple weeks ago Neal said in his column that he's "still not
convinced that MINDCRIME II will set the world on fire but time will
tell..." Unfortunately I share his pessimism, but I hope we're dead
wrong. I know the album probably can't possibly possess the downright
majesty of RAGE FOR ORDER and the original MINDCRIME, but maybe, just
maybe, the guys have it in them.

-Now in my current playlist: Force Of Evil - BLACK EMPIRE (Escapi),
Darkwell - METAT[R]ON (Napalm Records), Mike Terrana - MAN OF THE
WORLD (Lion Music), Michael Schenker Group - WORLD WIDE LIVE 2004
(Metal Mind Productions), Milan Polak - DREAMSCAPES (Lion Music).

*
*** REVIEW ***
*

LALU - ONIRIC METAL (A-/B+) Lion Music, 2005
8 tracks, RT: 52:10
[ http://www.lalusworld.com ]
[ http://www.lionmusic.com ]
Lion keeps coming up with interesting new talent, one of the latest
being French progressive metal keyboardist/songwriter Vivien Lalu.
Lalu is pretty much a newcomer to the scene, having played session
keyboards on several albums, most notably with Hubi Meisel on his
EMOcean CD. ONIRIC METAL is an impressive first release from a very
promising band, which also features the excellent six-string talents
of Joop Wolters. What does it sound like? Well, take the heaviness
of Evergrey and mix it with the keyboard atmosphere and vocal elements
of Saga, then throw in some of the emotional aspects of Pain of
Salvation and you get an idea. "YesterDayMan" starts things off
nicely with a strong arrangement and tight playing by Lalu's very
competent band. "Wolven Eyes" washes over you with power and mystery,
while the Evergrey influence can be heard clearly on "Night In
Poenari," a devastating piece that crushes everything in sight. Joop
Wolters is certainly reinforcing his reputation as a guitar hero par
excellent, while Vivien Lalu's keyboard work is captivating without
being excessive. There are some really good vocal performances on
ONIRIC METAL courtesy of Martin LeMar (from Tomorrow's Eve), along
with awesome drumming by the Devin Townsend Band's Ryan Van
Poederooyen. The production is adequate but I would have liked to
hear the bass a little more pronounced, as there is some great playing
by former Annihilator bassist Russell Bergquist. If the entire album
had been as dynamic as "Night In Poenari," I would have given it an A
for sure; "Moonstruck (The Soulish Element)" comes close to
maintaining the energy, and "Moonstop" moves through some tricky
twists and turns befitting any good prog metal outfit. Unfortunately,
the final two tracks "StarWatcher" and "PotBoy: The Final Fantasy"
were unlistenable due to defects in the CD, a flaw that has plagued
more than a few of Lion's promo discs. Since I'm unable to hear the
last two tracks I can't really give the album the review it deserves,
but suffice it to say that if they are anything like the rest of
ONIRIC METAL I would easily recommend this to any prog metal fan
interested in discovering an exciting new entity. - Neal Woodall
(MysticX10@...)

*
*** OUT ***
*