Detritus
Issue #314
Week of April 25, 2005
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*
*** 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/

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*** PRESS RELEASE #1 ***
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- Shihad Rip It Up On The Road

Shihad hit the road this week on Grinspoon's Show Pony Express tour,
as the new Shihad single & video for "All The Young Fascists" hits
radio stations & TV around the country.

Grinspoon Show Pony Express tour with Shihad:

SATURDAY 23rd APRIL - FESTIVAL HALL, MELBOURNE
SUNDAY 24th APRIL - ADELAIDE ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE
FRIDAY 29th APRIL - NEWCASTLE ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE
SATURDAY 30th APRIL - CANBERRA ROYAL THEATRE
THURSDAY 5th MAY - WOLLONGONG ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE
FRIDAY 6th MAY - HORDERN PAVILION, SYDNEY
SATURDAY 7th MAY - BRISBANE CONVENTION CENTRE

Shihad merchandise will be available at all the Grinspoon gigs, and
the "Love Is The New Hate" album can be pre-ordered at the merch
stands as well -- everyone who pre-orders the album goes into the draw
to win one of Jon Toogood's Maton guitars.

The new single "All The Young Fascists" is instore May 2nd, the album
"Love Is The New Hate" instore May 30 through WEA/Warner.

http://www.Shihad.com/

"There was nothing pacifying about this show. It was rip it up rock
'n' roll screaming guitar debauchery." - live review, The Drum Media,
March 2005

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*** PRESS RELEASE #2 ***
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- M3: "Rough An' Ready - Performing Classic Whitesnake" DVD

Release Dates:

UK - 23rd May 2005
European Territories - throughout May 2005
USA and Rest of World - TBA

3 Founder Members of the classic Line-Up of Whitesnake perform the
Greatest Hits Live

"Rough an' Ready" -- the DVD -- is released from May 2005 and includes
many of Whitesnake's Greatest Hits

M3 -- Classic Whitesnake is comprised of original members and writers
from Whitesnake -- one of the definitive rock bands who enjoyed global
success throughout the late '70s/early '80s period, and their legacy
continues...

Guitarists Bernie Marsden and Micky Moody with bassist Neil Murray are
joined by a host of well known guest musicians to perform all the
classic songs that launched Whitesnake into the stadiums of the world
-- their combined musical ability produce a phenomenal live show
recorded in front of a sold-out audience in June 2004.

Presented with 5.1 Dolby Digital, 5.1 DTS and Dolby Stereo Sound
Options, this DVD features the Rock anthems "Don't Break My Heart
Again," "Ain't No Love In The Heart Of The City," "Fool For Your
Loving" and the Number 1 worldwide smash-hit "Here I Go Again."

BAND LINE-UP

Bernie Marsden - Guitars
Neil Murray - Bass
Micky Moody - Guitars
Jimmy Copley - Drums
Mark Stanway - Keyboards
Stefan Berggren - Guest Vocals
Doogie White - Guest Vocals

DVD TRACKLIST INCLUDES

Here I Go Again
Ready an' Willing
Lonely Days, Lonely Nights
Slow an' Easy
Fool For Your Loving
Trouble
Ain't No Love in the Heart of the City
Hit an' Run
Walking In the Shadow of the Blues
Don't Break My Heart Again

SPECIAL FEATURES

The package will include a wealth of extras, bootleg clips and
exclusive interviews. More details will be announced shortly.

SOUND OPTIONS - Dolby 5.1, DTS 5.1 & Dolby Stereo

http://www.classicpictures.co.uk/
http://www.classicwhitesnake.com/
http://www.berniemarsden.com/

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*** PRESS RELEASE #3 ***
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- Derek Sherinian Teams Up With Zakk Wylde

Zakk Wylde Exclusive Song -- "The River Song" -- Only On Derek
Sherinian's New Album MYTHOLOGY In Stores Now

You Won't Find This Song On Any Black Label Society Album

Buy It @ www.DerekSherinian.com

Billy Idol's 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
virtuosos, 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 Song" and also performed the vocals.

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, Slash's Snakepit). With a line-up like that you can only
expect the best.

Much of the album was recorded at Sherinian's own Beachwood Manor
Studios in Burbank, CA. Considering that he has released seven
full-length recordings in the last five years -- four solo albums, and
three with Planet X, 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 #4 ***
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- GWAR To Release First Ever Live Album, LIVE FROM MT. FUJI

Album In-stores May 31
Sounds Of The Underground Tour Begins June 24

New York, NY – DRT is set to release the first ever live recording
from the most dangerous band in the universe, Gwar. Titled Live From
Mt. Fuji, the album is set to hit stores May 31.

Gwar played over 100 live shows on their latest nationwide tour, the
highly successful "Mock The Vote" tour, following on the heels of
their latest studio effort, War Party, released in October 2004. Live
From Mt. Fuji was not recorded anywhere near Mt. Fuji, but the
enhanced CD does contain 12 blistering live versions of Gwar classics
including "Bring Back The Bomb," "Horror of Yg," "Krosstika," "Sick of
You," "Womb With A View," and "Immortal Corruptor," as well as special
bonus tracks and the video for "Bring Back The Bomb."

The band will also be featured on the upcoming Sounds Of The
Underground tour this summer, along with Lamb of God, Opeth, Poison
The Well and Clutch, among others.

Live From Mt. Fuji track listing: "Bring Back The Bomb,"
"Salaminizer," "Ham On The Bone," "Immortal Corruptor," "Womb With A
View," "Have You Seen Me?" "Krosstika," "Horror Of Yg," "Crush, Kill,
Destroy," "Crack In the Egg," "Biledriver," "Sick Of You."

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*** PRESS RELEASE #5 ***
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- Sweden'sBLINDSIDE Signs With DRT

New Album In-stores This Summer
Blindside and A Thought Crushed My Mind Re-issued With Bonus Tracks
Ten Years Running Blind DVD Also Planned

New York, NY – DRT, in cooperation with Wasa Recordings, has signed
Sweden's Blindside. The band is currently in the studio working on
their new album, as yet untitled, expected out this summer. Lasse
"Lars" Marten, who produced the band's debut, is back on board and
working with the band at Decibel Studios in Stockholm. Blindside's
first two albums, their self-titled debut and A Thought Crushed My
Mind, will be re-issued in late May, along with a new DVD, Ten Years
Running Blind. Both albums have been digitally remastered and contain
four additional bonus tracks. In addition, lead singer Christian
Lindskog has designed special new artwork for the packaging of both
the albums and the DVD.

Blindside (1997), will feature original demos of "Superman,"
"Liberty," "Forgiven" and "Stolen," previously only available as a
limited edition released only in Stockholm in 1996. A Thought Crushed
My Mind, originally released in 2000, will include two songs only
available on 7" vinyl, "Knocking On Another Door," and "All You Need
Is," as well as the never before released tracks "Desert Flower" and
"Sunrise." Ten Years Running Blind, the band's premier DVD, is over 2
½ hours long and chronicles the band's 10-year run. It features a 40
minute documentary with exclusive band interviews, five live
performance videos, six music videos and extensive behind-the-scenes
footage.

"We were supposed to go all the way with our own label and release the
new record ourselves when DRT showed up," says Blindside's Tomas
Naslund. "They were genuinely interested in the band and had the
knowledge that we did not. It seemed like the perfect match and we
are excited to work with them." Adds Simon Grenehed, "(DRT
co-principal) Derek Shulman kept coming back to us, and even flew out
to Oklahoma to meet with our management. I had a chance to speak with
him over the phone and he wasn't the typical record executive that we
were tired of."

"We are absolutely ecstatic to have a band of Blindside's caliber on
DRT," commented DRT's Milo Pacheco. "They are truly one of the most
inspiring rock bands working in music today, and we are committed to
expanding their base as they continue to make albums that are both
powerful and compelling."

Blindside formed in Stockholm, Sweden in 1994 and have done extensive
headline tours of both Europe and the U.S. with such acts as Linkin
Park, Hoobastank and P.O.D. They have sold over 250,000 units in the
U.S., with their latest release, 2004's About A Burning Fire, debuted
in the Top 40 on the Billboard Album Chart. The band will embark on an
extensive tour beginning in June 2005 and will be re-launching their
official website, www.blindsideonline.com, soon.

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*** PRESS RELEASE #6 ***
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- Tull T-Shirt Sales Raise Money For Tsunami Fund

Special note for Jethro Tull fans and fundraising for Tsunami victims,
from Light Ice, a Kolkata-based designer house in India. Note: Through
the years Ian Anderson has visited and played in countries affected by
late December's Tsunami, and hopes to build up tourism in those countries.

Light Ice, a Kolkata based designer house has launched T-shirts of the
legendary British band Jethro Tull, on 14th April at Swabhumi,
Kolkata. The T-shirts come under the banner, "Tull for Tsunami
Victims" and the net receipt from the sales will be donated to the
Tsunami Disaster Relief Funds in India.

The proposal for this project was initiated by Light Ice after they
had asked Jethro Tull Management about the idea of selling Tull
t-shirts to raise money in the wake of the disaster. Designs were done
based on the classic Tull leitmotif of "the one-legged flute player"
mixing the India Experience of the Tull music embedded in folk
history, mysticism and albeit the Lord Krishna Consciousness. The
final nod and approval came from Ian Anderson himself; singer,
songwriter, composer, flautist and the charismatic frontman of Jethro
Tull, a figured much revered in the musical circuit in India by
classical musicians and fans alike.

According to Light Ice Management, free sachets of sunflower seeds
will be given with T-shirts: "this will be a nice gesture and will
imply some simple activity like planting seeds, a way of getting into
the inner garden of our mind and also finding a little bit more about
the process of creation at work in nature every second of our lives.
The replenishment is always there and will never cease. Spring is the
right season to initiate gardening/agricultural activities. Also the
iconic name, Jethro Tull is derived from a 17th century British
agriculturist/horticulturist who invented the seed-drill instrument."

T-shirts are priced at Rs 300/- and comes packed in exclusive handmade
batik bags with an excerpt from "Songs from the Wood" lyrics adorning
the backside.

For further information contact: Joy Roy Choudhury, Light Ice
Ph : 00919830067159 E-mail : j.roy@...

http://www.jethrotull.com/

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*** PRESS RELEASE #7 ***
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- Grand Funk Railroad's "We're An American Band" Featured In Penelope
Cruz/Matthew McConaughey Blockbuster Film, "Sahara"

Grand Funk Railroad is pleased that their popular hit song "We're An
American Band" is featured in the new Paramount Pictures movie,
"Sahara," the number one movie at the box office for its opening
weekend of April 8. "Sahara" is the swashbuckly saga of Dirk Pitt, the
star of four decades worth of books by author Clive Cussler.

"This is an exciting movie," says "We're An American Band" writer and
leadsinger, Don Brewer, drummer for the band Grand Funk Railroad.
"I've long been a fan of Clive Cussler. To have my song in a movie
with Dirk Pitt is a major rush."

"We're An American Band" has been heard in the soundtrack of other
recent films, including Cuba Gooding's "Radio" and Disney's "The
Country Bears."

"Sahara" features Matthew McConaughy and Penelope Cruz, and is an
adventurous movie, featuring treasure hunts in Africa, intrigue and --
of course -- a man and woman falling in love at the end.

Grand Funk Railroad is playing dates throughout the United States this
spring and summer, and will include the movie's song at each of them.

5/11 - Innsbrook Pavilion - Glen Allen, Virginia
5/14 - Pickwick Challenge Boat Race - Counce, Tennessee
6/4 - Shenandoah Harley-Davidson - Staunton, Virginia
6/10 - Casino Regina Ent. Center - Regina, Saskatchewan, CANADA
6/11 - Thunder Valley Biker Rally - Crandon, Wisconsin
6/24-25 - Casino Rama - Rama, Ontario, CANADA
7/1 - North Branch Lions Field Cele. - North Branch, Michigan
7/6 - Summer Motion Festival, Riverfront Park - Ashland, Kentucky
7/9 - Outagamie County Fair - Seymour, Wisconsin
7/12 - Noble County Fair - Kendallville, Indiana
7/14 - Moondance Ranch Jam 14 - Meadow Circle Walker, Minnesota
7/15 - Common Ground Music Festival - Lansing, Michigan
7/16 - Summer Celebration - Vernon Hills, Illinois
7/17 - Comstock Windmill Festival - Comstock, Nebraska
7/23 - Indianapolis Raceway Park - Indianapolis, Indiana
8/17 - The Empire State Plaza - Albany, New York (w/ Edgar Winter)
8/27 - Antelope Valley Fair-Grd Stnd - Lancaster, California (w/
Doobie Brothers)
9/3 - Black Bear Casino - Carlton, Minnesota
9/24 - Kern County Fair/Bud Pavilion - Bakersfield, California
10/1 - Mid-South Fair - Memphis, Tennessee
10/8 - Gretna Heritage Festival - Gretna, Louisiana
10/15 - Texas Station Casino - North Las Vegas, Nevada

http://www.grandfunkrailroad.com/

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*** PRESS RELEASE #8 ***
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- Lyzanxia News

New drummer

We are extremely proud to introduce the new permanent drummer of
Lyzanxia! Due to personal commitments, Gael Ferret, who has been our
touring drummer for the past two years, is no longer with us as of
March 2005. After auditioning several badass drummers in the course of
the last few months, we have found the most incredible drummer ever:
20-year old Clement Decrock. Clement made such a fantastic impression
on us both as a drummer and a person that we feel he is the perfect
new permanent addition to our family. Please join us in welcoming
Clement in Lyzanxia (clement@...); you will soon meet him on
the road with us and will be able to check out his mindblowing talent
on the next Lyzanxia album.

Forum now online

We are also happy to announce that the Lyzanxia's forum is now online
at http://www.lyzanxia.com/ . Come and visit. Many topics are open for
discussion and one topic is for street team members only. We look
forward to talking to you all!

Robb's Metal Works interview with Lyzanxia and live songs soon available

The January 2005 episode of the awesome cable TV show "Robb's Metal
Works" out of San Antonio, Texas, featuring an interview with Lyzanxia
and 2 live songs ("Time Dealer" and "Mindsplit"), has been in such
demand by fans all around the world, that Robb has gracefully accepted
to let us use the footage on our website, thanks Robb ! You will be
able to watch the Lyzanxia interview and live songs very shortly so
check often on http://www.lyzanxia.com/ and in the meantime, you can
also check out Robb's great website at http://www.robbsmetalworks.com/ .

That's all for now. All the thrashing best,
LYZANXIA

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*** PRESS RELEASE #9 ***
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- Legacy - New Album Artwork Posted

The Los Angeles based hard rock outfit Legacy (featuring members from
Lizzy Borden, George Lynch Group, Silver Mountain, Starwood, MSG) have
posted the new cover art for their critically acclaimed album at
http://www.legacylive.com/press/legacy-cd-2005.htm . This disc will be
re-issued this summer via Valhalla Records UK and includes bonus
tracks and cover art by German artist Christian Klute.

Marten Andersson, Bassplayer/Founder of Legacy commented, "Christian
did an awesome job on the cover, it looks great!! I am excited to have
the opportunity to get this CD out in places it never came out before."

This album has received great reviews and is described as "addictive,
in-your-face hard rock." Metalvault calls it "Possibly one of the best
Metal records I will hear this year." WCRC 104 FM says, "This CD
rocks. It's like Malmsteen meets Krokus meets nothing you ever heard
before, a high octane metal fest," Hardradio calls it "Very cool
stuff! Check it out," KNAC.com says, "Legacy delivers
straight-forward, honest, melodic
rock with some great guitar playing."

Track listing:

1. Troubleshooter
2. Underdog
3. Tool
4. Autumn Rising
5. Mission of Mercy
6. Leave it Alone
7. 2.4.1
8. Can't Remember Love
9. My Last Sunrise
10. Astral Sundown
11. Thank You (Extended Version)
Bonus:
12. So Long
13. Reverse Rotation

For more information, news and song samples, visit
http://www.legacylive.com/ .

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*** PRESS RELEASE #10 ***
*
- Iommi, Featuring Legendary Heavy Metal Guitarist Tony Iommi, To
Release New Album, Fused on July 12, 2005 On Sanctuary Records

Black Sabbath Axe-Slinger Joined By Vocalist/Bassist Glenn Hughes and
Drummer Kenny Aronoff

Tour Planned After This Summer's OZZFEST

Tony Iommi, the legendary Black Sabbath guitarist, will release his
new album Fused on July 12, 2005, via Sanctuary Records. This will be
Iommi's third solo album.

Joining Iommi on Fused is former Deep Purple vocalist/bass guitarist
Glenn Hughes and former John Mellencamp drummer Kenny Aronoff, who has
also played sessions with the likes of the Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan,
Rod Stewart, Alice Cooper, Bob Seger, Lynyrd Skynyrd and countless
others. The trio will hit the road to promote Fused later this year
after Black Sabbath finishes headlining the 10th anniversary Ozzfest tour.

The 10 songs on Fused are: "Dopamine," "Wasted Again," "Saviour Of The
Real," "Resolution Song," "Grace," "Deep Inside A Shell," "What You're
Living For," "Face Your Fear," "The Spell" and "I Go Insane."

Iommi has worked with both Hughes and Aronoff in the past. Hughes is a
longtime friend who sang on the 1986 Black Sabbath Featuring Tony
Iommi album Seventh Star. In 2004, previously unreleased songs they
had collaborated on eight years earlier were completed and released by
Sanctuary as The 1996 DEP Sessions. Aronoff played drums on the song
"Black Oblivion" on Iommi's self-titled 2000 solo album, which was
loaded with all-star guest appearances. Fused was produced by Bob
Marlette, who also manned the studio boards for Iommi.

"I put some ideas for four or five tracks down about three years ago,
but I hadn't written them specifically with Glenn in mind," Iommi
says. "After The 1996 DEP Sessions was finished last year, I said to
my manager that I should try Glenn on my solo album. Glenn came over
to England and we did a trial run writing more material and it was
unbelievable. His enthusiasm is amazing. He is so full of energy and
great song ideas."

"The ideal thing for me is to work with collaborators. I can come in
with riffs until the cows come home, and I do that all the time. I
like to do it that way and then build the song with somebody else."

Iommi and Hughes tend to write quickly when they settle in. Once the
basic song ideas were written for this new album, Hughes worked on
overall melodies and lyrics. The songs were in place, but a drummer
was needed to tie it all together. Iommi was eager to work with
Aronoff again and had him in mind from the beginning. The highly
respected skins-basher was thrilled about the invitation, especially
when Iommi said he wanted to tour to promote Fused.

"I definitely knew that for my next album I wasn't going to use a lot
special guests again. I wanted to use just one singer, and I also
wanted it to be more like a band this time. The idea was to go into
the studio with Glenn and Kenny play everything live. It was great. I
really enjoyed doing it that way," says Iommi. "That was the original
way you used to record, and that was the only way I knew how to record
for a long time. Only a few years ago did I start recording the other
way, by building up and layering tracks. By playing live in the
studio, you can hear exactly how the songs are going to sound and
whether they work."

These new songs most definitely work, and they rage with the same fire
and intensity that mark Iommi's best. There is nothing quite like the
sound of a power trio, because there can be no weak links – each
musician's efforts stand out. There is no place to hide. Iommi, Hughes
and Aronoff feed off each other, whether it's the concise punch of
"Dopamine" and "What You're Living For" or the fluid twists and turns
in the nine-minute epic "I Go Insane."

Iommi's lethal guitar crunch leads the charge. Hughes truly pushes
himself to the edge and adjusts his voice to fit the overall direction
of each song while simultaneously propelling the rhythm with his
pounding bass guitar. The volcanic thunder Aronoff unleashes from his
drums sounds like nothing he has done before. Marlette's sparkling,
crisp production results in a hard-hitting, modern, in-your-face sound.

"Bob is a fantastic producer. He also played a few keyboard parts on
this album because he wanted to get his hands in there!" laughs Iommi.

Marlette's major role as the producer was to provide that extra,
objective pair of ears and determine when a song was finished. He also
judged Iommi's solos and usually found what he looking for after four
or five takes. However, Iommi often wanted to lay down more solos with
the purpose of topping himself with each pass.

"I tend to keep trying solos until I get to where I say, 'Oh yeah, I
really like that one.' It's not often I say that, but you're always
trying to get that one you're happy with," he says. "Sometimes it is
difficult working with a producer when you have been a producer
yourself, but it's good to compare ideas. To get the best end result
you do whatever it takes."

Iommi's excitement about Fused is at a fever pitch and he cannot wait
to tour with Hughes and Aronoff.

"In addition to playing material from this album, we'll probably do a
couple of tracks from The 1996 DEP Sessions and a few Sabbath songs
too," he says.

For the latest news and tour updates, visit:

http://www.iommi.com/
http://www.sanctuaryrecordsgroup.com/

*
*** NEWS/RUMORS ***
*
- Celtic Legacy is looking for a drummer. The band posted this
classified ad: "Celtic Legacy are looking for a new drummer for the
upcoming album, THE THIRD LEVEL, and Day Of Darkness live appearance.
If you have either of Legacy's previous albums then you'll know what
style we're looking for. Age is irrelevant. We're not looking for
someone who's playing in 12 other bands and wants a 'side project' or
someone who's going to record the album and then fuck off again. If
you want the job then we want the commitment, so no time wasters. Mail
me at davem@... if you're interested." See
http://www.celtic-legacy.com/ for more.

- Deep Purple will re-release BURN on May 3. Burn represents the mark
III lineup of David Coverdale, Glenn Hughes, Ritchie Blackmore, Ian
Pace, and Jon Lord. Bonus remixes of "Burn", "Coronaris Redig",
"Mistreated", "Sail Away", and "You Fool No One" will be included.

- Def Leppard are scheduled to appear on NBC's "Tonight Show with Jay
Leno" on May 27.

- Demons & Wizards have posted a sample of the new song "The
Gunslinger" at the following location
http://www.blind-guardian.com/media/sounds/demons_and_wizards/touched_by_the_cri\
mson_king/
Their new album, TOUCHED BY THE CRIMSON KING, is due on SPV Records on
June 27. Track listing is as follows; Crimson King / Beneath These
Waves / Terror Train / Seize The Day / The Gunslinger / Love's Tragedy
Asunder / Wicked Witch / Dorian / Down Where I Am / Immigrant Song
(Led Zeppelin cover)

- Upcoming Joe Deninzon tour dates:
6/15 - The Jewish Mother, Virginia Beach, VA
6/16 - Cary St. Cafe, Richmond, VA
6/17 - TBA
6/18 - Riverbend Festival, Chattanooga, TN
6/23 - The Maenerchor, Youngstown, OH
6/25 - Adirondack Music Festival @ Moose River Park, Lyonsdale, NY
6/30 - Plantation Club, Worcester, MA (opening for The Bridge)
7/2 & 7/3 - Scottypaluza, Plattsburgh, NY
7/8 - Flarnadio Festival, Kempton, PA
7/29 - Nelson Ledges Quarry Park, Garrtesville, OH (opening for
Ekoostik Hookah)
9/3 - The Grateful Jam @ Scottypaluza, Plattsburgh, NY
See http://www.joedeninzon.com/ for more.

- The Dictators will release VIVA DICTATORS on Escapi Music in Europe
and North America on July 12. The band consists of vocalist Handsome
Dick Manitoba, guitarists Ross The Boss (Manowar) and Scott "Top 10"
Kempner, bassist/vocalist Andy Shernoff, and drummer J.P.
"Thunderbolt" Patterson. See http://www.escapimusic.com/ for more.

- TotalRock.com reported HammerFall drummer Anders Johansson "was
nearly arrested at a hotel in Prattein, Switzerland after a jolly jape
with a TV set." He and guitarist Oscar Dronjak tossed a TV out a
window and then Johansson was "caught on security cameras trying to
'borrow' a TV from the lobby to replace the one given the traditional
rock 'n' roll treatment." Apparently he paid for the broken TV and all
was forgiven.

- Four InsideOut Music America artists will perform at this year's
ROSfest, which runs April 29 - May 1 at The Colonial Theater in
Phoenixville, PA. Arena will headline on Friday, Tiles and Kino will
perform on Saturday, and The Tangent will headline Sunday.

- KHIGH has its debut WISE HEDONIST out now on Power Play Records. The
13-track (11 songs plus two bonus tracks) disc features "a brand new
guitar driven reality." See http://www.khigh.com/ and
http://www.powerplayrecords.com/ for more.

- Upcoming Mountain tour dates:
5/20 - The Galaxy, Santa Ana, CA
5/21 - The Canyon Club, Agoura Hills, CA
5/22 - Double Tree Hotel, Bakersfield, CA
5/25 - Threadgills, Austin, TX
5/26 - TBC, Dallas, TX
5/28 - Otto's, DeKalb, IL
6/11 - The Downtown, Farmingdale, NY
6/12 - Harbor Center, Portsmouth, VA
6/14 - House Of Blues, Cleveland, OH
6/15 - Palace Theater, Louisville, KY
6/18 - Molson Amphitheater, Toronto, ON
6/19 - Corel Center, Ottawa, ON
6/23 - Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville, CT
6/27 - Borgata Event Center, Atlantic City, NJ
6/28 - Ford Pavilion, Scranton, PA
7/2 - Stars And Guitars, Rockford, IL
7/7 - Hampton Beach Casino, Hampton Beach, NH (w/ UFO & Rick Derringer)

The shows from 6/12 - 7/2 will see the band opening for Deep Purple.
See http://www.mountaintheband.com/ for more.

- Dave Mustaine has mentioned on the Megadeth forums that some of the
bands he is looking at for the second stage of the Gigantour are Dry
Kill Logic, Diecast, Otep, Overkill, Pain of Salvation, Taproot and
Mike Portnoy's recommendation, Symphony X.

- The rumor is that Motley Crue will write and record a new album once
their current tour is completed at the end of the year.

- Ralph Santolla (ICED EARTH, DEATH, SEBASTIAN BACH) has posted a new
message on his website ( http://www.ralphsantolla.com ):

"First off, the big news, I'm going on tour with DEICIDE. I'll be
with them on their North American tour starting at the end of May.
Jack Owen [CANNIBAL CORPSE, ADRIFT] has been a close friend for years,
and he called yesterday to ask if I wanted in. After talking to Glen
Benton and hearing what they were offering, there was no way I could
turn it down. I've been friends with the Hoffmans for years, so
whatever goes on between the two sides is nothing to do with me. I
like everybody. I will also be doing South America, and hopefully play
on the new record and do Europe. So this first tour means I will miss
some of the festivals with SEBASTIAN BACH in June. This is very
difficult for me, as everybody in that band and crew is a close
friend, with the exception of Metal Mike, and that's just a matter of
time, 'cause he's hella cool. I wanted to get Baz's OK, and make sure
they were covered first, and that worked out. I'll be replaced at the
June festivals by Johnny 'Chromatic' Lenaerts. He is the lead singer
in my other band, STARE, and an amazing guitarist. And a freak. I will
still be doing the other festivals later in the summer with Baz and
working on his new record."

- Symphorce is writing songs for its next album, GODSPEED, due out in
September. The album will be recorded at House Of Music studios with
producer Dennis Ward (Pink Cream 69, Angra), and the cover will be
done by artist Hjules (Annihilator, Grave Digger). A limited first
edition of the disc will include a bonus 50-minute DVD featuring live
and backstage footage. The band plans to hit the road in Europe in
November. See http://www.symphorce.net/ for more.

- Ten Years After will release a new album next month via Fuel 2000.
The disc will feature "all new songs, plus two bonus tracks of the
band's earlier hit songs." Joe Gooch, guitar and vocals, is now in the
band. See http://www.tenyearsafternow.com/ for more.

- Travers & Appice will release LIVE AT THE HOUSE OF BLUES on Escapi
Music in Europe and North America on July 12. The disc was recorded
last September in Myrtle Beach and features "timeless and powerful
Blues Rock that highlights not only the technical competence of each
individual musician but also their exquisite songwriting." The band
lineup: vocalist/guitarist Pat Travers, bassist T.M. Stevens (Steve
Vai), and drummer Carmine Appice (Vanilla Fudge, Ozzy Osbourne, Blue
Murder, King Kobra). See http://www.escapimusic.com/ for more.

- Vicious Rumors are scheduled to release their DVD CRUSHING THE WORLD
via Mascot Records at the end of May. The DVD covers their entire
history. Track listing is as follows; Down to the Temple / On the Edge
/ Digital Dictator / Poveglia / March or Die / Fight / Only Live Twice
/ Don't Wait for Me / Lady Took a Chance / Broken Wings / Abandoned /
Against the Grain / Children / Don't Wait for Me / The Voice

Special thanks to Anne Leighton, Eric Corbin, & rocknews@... for
helping gather some of this info.

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

-Several issues ago Keith's column included an old paper he wrote back
in school, about Crimson Glory. I loved reading that because I also
wrote more than a few school papers (both high school and college) on
rock and metal topics. They ranged from speeches about Kiss lyrics to
sort of an analysis of Queensryche's OPERATION:MINDCRIME lyrics. I
even designed a (fake) fan club brochure and welcome letter for my
short-lived college radio show I had with my buddy Bill. (At one point
we had the ultra-desirable time slot of 2-6 a.m. on Thursdays, so you
know we had tons and tons of listeners!) Perhaps my proudest moment
was a simple book report I wrote in high school though...

My family moved and I had to switch schools in the summer of 1986,
between my sophomore and junior years. I was not familiar with the
classes at my new school and one of the counselors suggested I take
this thing called "Reading Lab." It sounded fine to me. Basically we
just read stuff all hour long, and we had to do book reports from time
to time. Yes it was a total joke. I quickly got bored and decided I'd
test the waters by doing a fake book report. The subject? KISS, naturally.

I decided that the story behind the oft-maligned 1981 concept album
MUSIC FROM "THE ELDER" would be the basis for the report. (Or, at
least, what little of the story I actually knew and understood...
Remember that prior to the album's 1997 reissue the tracks were in the
wrong order, so the plot was, at best, garbled.) So I pretended there
was a book called "The Elder" written by Gary Gygax. Fellow geeks will
recognize Mr. Gygax as the co-founder of Dungeons & Dragons. I played
a lot of D&D back then and I knew a few things about him, so it was
easy to come up with an "about the author" paragraph for the report. I
came up with the plot featuring The Boy, Morpheus, Mr. Blackwell, the
Council, etc., and I think I threw in a nod to Judas Priest by
mentioning The Island Of Domination.

I basically lied through my teeth and had a blast doing it. I think I
got a good grade, and when I got it back from the teacher he had
scribbled a few grammar corrections on it in red ink, which meant he
had at least looked at it. But he obviously didn't bother to find out
of the book actually *existed*. I never got caught. I need to go home
and dig through the archives to see if I still have it somewhere... :)

-Now in my current playlist: Lostprophets - START SOMETHING
(Columbia), Molly Hatchet - WARRIORS OF THE RAINBOW BRIDGE (SPV),
Trail Of Tears - FREE FALL INTO FEAR (Napalm Records).

*
*** REVIEWS ***
*

DOG FACED GODS – STONED COUNCIL (A+) Voodoo Nation/Pyramid, 2005
15 tracks, RT: 54:43
[ http://www.dogfacedgods.com/ ]
[ http://www.voodoonationrecordsinc.com/ ]
- includes multimedia file Dog_Faced_Gods.mov
DFG's STONED COUNCIL is a fun little album that totally grows on you
the more you hear it. This baby finally got older albums out of my
player and back into their cases. It's hard to really describe their
truly unique sound; the best I can think of is Biohazard covering
Corrosion Of Conformity playing Red Hot Chili Peppers. How can that be
you ask? Well the lyrics and music trappings sound like early crazy
Chili Peppers but played in that awesome bluesy guitar driven sound of
C.O.C. with Evan Seinfeld of Biohazard singing over it. Then on top of
all that goodness throw in some Native American flavoring and you kind
of come close to DFG's sound. A good example of the Chili Peppers'
influence is on track #7 "Water Pipe Bong" which is just an all out
goofy metal song. With lyrics like "It's not ah water pipe, it's ah
bong/ Bong, bong, bong, bong, bong" how can you not crack a smile.
Track #11 "Will I Ever Fit In" probably best captures the sound and
flavor of Dog Faced Gods. Its hooks and riffs by David "Snakeyez"
Torres pull you in and Raymond Galvan Whiteowl's vocals mesmerize you
on a trip through sadness and depression. I was blown away by this
track the first time I heard it and every time there after. A truly
awesome song everyone should hear. STONED COUNCIL is a very well
crafted tour de force that I think should be in everyone's library.
It's so different from everything else and yet familiar enough at the
same time you can't help but be impressed by how well the album as a
whole is crafted. This is no more evident than track #13's phenomenal
cover of Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Simple Man". It is very recognizable as
"Simple Man" but DFG put enough of their brilliant slant on it that
Skynyrd haters may enjoy it for the first time. Quite possibly the
best praise I can give STONED COUNCIL is that I even like track #15's
rap version of track #12 "Stand Alone". As much as I hate Rap this
track does not even bother me in the least. Dog Faced Gods' STONED
COUNCIL has leaped into my top 5 albums for this year. –Rick Berg
(strngbrg@...)

FULL SCALE – SELF-TITLED (B+) Colombia, 2005
12 tracks, RT: 47:14
[ http://www.fullscaleband.com/ ]
[ http://www.fullscale.com.au/ ]
[ http://www.columbiarecords.com ]
Full Scale is an Australian band that reminds me of System Of A Down,
Rage Against The Machine, Mushroom Head, Faith No More and Rorschach
Test. Full Scale is a very political minded band that wants to use its
music to both entertain and educate the masses. Full Scale has a
wonderfully unique angry sound that's has minor System or Faith No
More underpinnings with a fun to listen to upbeat metal sound that
showcases both metal and almost rap like vocal stylings full of
content for the world's problems. The musical presentation is so much
fun that the highly opinionated feelings are easier to digest. My
second favorite track #5 "Party Political" is a great example of Full
Scale's vibrant sound. It is a very hardcore angry metal statement
that singer Ezekiel Ox blasts growls and lays down machine gun like
diatribes over. While you may not always agree with the lyrical
content, the music itself is so very energetic and bombastic that even
the most jaded metal fan can appreciate it. Easily the best track on
the album is #10 "Here Comes The Weekend" that contains the lyrics
"Kill your boss and take all his money". Not necessarily the legalist
thing you can do but the song has so much pop and vigor that you have
to jam along with it. And who wouldn't like to shove it to his boss?
Surprisingly fun politically charged angry music trying to change the
world for the better. - Rick Berg (strngbrg@...)

SOIL WORK – STABBING THE DRAMA (B-) Nuclear Blast, 2005
11 tracks, RT: 42:44
[ http://www.soilwork.org/ ]
[ http://www.nuclearblastusa.com/ ]
Swedish Soil Work's 7th album STABBING THE DRAMA is my first. I have
heard of them for years but have never actually gotten my hands on any
of their music. Now after hearing STABBING THE DRAMA I find their
sound is somewhere in between metal gods In Flames, Mudvayne, and
Static X with maybe a slight hint of Staind or Disturbed. STABBING THE
DRAMA is essentially a very thrashy, highly melodic metal album that I
found lacking at times. Every track goes for breakneck speed and then
slows down for some soul-searching deepness and then cranks it up for
a battering finish. Honestly if I did not constantly look at what
track was playing I could not tell if the song had changed. Lead
vocalist Bjorn "Speed" Strid can growl as well as anyone and also
shows descent range over the many harmonies found on each track but it
all sounds the same. The rest of the band also is very good at what
they do but STABBING THE DRAMA sounds more like an epic 43-minute
minor league opus than 11 blistering tracks of metal goodness. Every
metal head has had to defend our music from the radio driven garbage
that forces us to search high and low for a copy of the new Amon
Amarth, while hundreds of N'98Spears crap litter the aisles. And what
do have to defend against? That every metal band and song sounds the
exact same! This is the biggest point of contention of heavy metal I
have heard, even more than we are all devil worshipers (Which we are!
-Patrick). And in my opinion Soul Work is the band that proves the
rule not the exception. Every single track does sound the same! I
liked most of what I heard but with every track came some more of the
slow "passionate" soul-searching DRAMA that I feel like I have been
watching the same clip of a puppy dying over and over. The power and
intensity each song could have is wiped out by the fact that the next
track drains on the emotions and feelings. If Soil Work changed it up
a bit more with say an all out hardcore track then a "dramatically
challenged" song I feel the album would balance out more. Overall
STABBING THE DRAMA is to overly repetitive that it drowns itself out,
I expected more out so highly a touted band. - Rick Berg
(strngbrg@...)

*
*** OUT ***
*