Detritus
Issue #435
Week of December 3, 2007
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*** CAST OF CHARACTERS ***
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Patrick Brower, Editor
patrickbrower@...

Sean P. Gahgan, Editor
lof@...
http://www.lakeoffire.net/

Tim Wadzinski, Owner
tsw512@...

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

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*** LET IT BE KNOWN ***
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-Some cool stuff this week, including word on Journey's new singer and
a few album reviews. - Tim

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*** PRESS RELEASE #1 ***
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-Rob Rock's GARDEN OF CHAOS

GARDEN OF CHAOS is the new album from respected vocalist Rob Rock.
Mixed in Denmark by Jacob Hansen (Destruction, Heaven Shall Burn) the
album features contributions from Gus G (Firewind) and Bobby Jarzombek
(Halford, Demons & Wizards), among others. Metal Observer says, "if
there's any justice in the metal world, Rob Rock's latest release will
finally see Mr. Rock joining the heavyweights of the power metal
genre." Metal Eater adds, "looks like we have a winner for power metal
album of the year." Rob is looking to premiere some material live in
early 2008.

"For many years, power metal has been dominated by bands -- not solo
artists -- but Rob Rock is a rare example of a power metal singer who
has been enjoying a solo career." - All Music Guide

"This is an outstanding record from a group of gentlemen who simply
seem to 'get it.'" - Hardrock Haven

"RR takes command of the mic with ease and lets it all out here as he
sings in high octaves comparable to Halford, but without replicating
him." - Live 4 Metal

"The addition of the high caliber musicians adds to the charisma and
energy of GARDEN OF CHAOS. Their enthusiasm really sells the album to
the listener." - Pivotal Rage

http://www.robrock.com/
http://www.myspace.com/robrock1
http://www.candlelightrecordsusa.com
http://www.myspace.com/candlelightrecordsusa

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*** PRESS RELEASE #2 ***
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-Journey Welcomes Arnel Pineda With "Open Arms" To Their Family As The
Band's New Lead Singer

[Note: This is from Journeymusic.com. - Tim]

After much speculation...the wait is finally over.

Journey -- Neal Schon (guitar), Jonathan Cain (keyboards), Ross Valory
(bass), Deen Castronovo (drums) -- is proud to introduce fans all over
the world to their new lead singer, Arnel Pineda ("pin-eh-da"). He
replaces Jeff Scott Soto, who parted ways with the band earlier this
year after stepping in for Steve Augeri, who had to leave the band in
2006 for medical reasons.

Arnel hails from Quezon City in the Philippines and has been singing
Journey songs -- in addition to original material -- with his band,
The Zoo, for the past couple of years in clubs all over his homeland.
Joining the legendary band is a dream come true for him. "It's so
exciting to sing with one of the best bands in the world. It'll be a
lot of hard work on my part and I'm actually looking forward to the
scrutiny I'll get from the hardcore Journey fans. I know they'll
expect me to sound exactly like 'the voice' (Steve Perry), but that
will never happen. I know there's only one Steve Perry in this world."

When it was time for Journey to look for a new lead singer, the
internet came to their rescue. Guitarist Neal Schon wanted someone new
to the music business, so he turned to YouTube. After finding Arnel
singing "Faithfully," he knew he had found the perfect frontman.

"I was frustrated about not having a singer," explains guitarist Neal
Schon, "so I went on YouTube for a couple of days and just sat on it
for hours. I was starting to think I was never going to find anybody.
But then I found The Zoo and I watched a bunch of different video
clips that they had posted. After watching the videos over and over
again, I had to walk away from the computer and let what I heard sink
in because it sounded too good to be true. I thought, 'he can't be
that good.' But he is that good, he's the real deal and so
tremendously talented. Arnel doesn't sound synthetic and he's not
emulating anyone. I tried to get a hold of him through YouTube and I
finally heard from him that night, but it took some convincing to get
him to believe that it really was me and not an imposter."

Arnel Pineda picks up the story: "My friend Noel picked up the message
on YouTube and told me it was from Neal. I thought it was a hoax so I
ignored it. Noel said, 'what if it really was Neal and he wanted to
offer you the chance of a lifetime?' So I e-mailed Neal back and the
rest is history."

"Arnel brings a soulful and passionate voice to Journey," continues
keyboardist Jonathan Cain. "His personality is very well-suited to our
music. He's a sincere, authentic person with a great smile and a big
heart. I think fans are really going to love him. With Arnel's soaring
tenor, Journey returns to our heritage sound."

Schon agrees, "We feel reborn. I think there's a lot of chemistry
between the five of us. At first we were going to go into the studio
and just write 4 songs, but now it's escalated to a lot of great new
and diverse material. The stuff sounds tremendous. Everyone's so
stoked about it. We feel very fortunate to have found Arnel."

Journey is currently working on a new album with legendary producer
Kevin Shirley, which they hope to release by spring/summer 2008.
Details will be announced early next year.

http://www.Journeymusic.com/

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*** PRESS RELEASE #3 ***
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-"Slash" Co-author Posts Exclusive Blog On MySpace, Videos Of Slash
Discussing Book Posted Online!

"Slash" co-author Anthony Bozza has teamed up with MySpace to post an
exclusive blog titled "The Soundtrack" in which he gives his suggested
tracks by Slash to listen to while reading the book. Here is an
excerpt from the blog:

"During the course of poring through the hours of interview transcript
we complied and writing the resulting narrative that you all know as
'Slash,' I of course called upon Mr. Hudson's entire catalog, with and
without Guns, for inspiration during many a late night. The book was
intense work; we interviewed five nights a week from around midnight
until the wee hours for a few months, and my writing took place over
the next four months (I don't suggest trying this if you don't have
to), typically on the same schedule."

The blog, as well as videos of Slash himself discussing the book can
be found at http://www.myspace.com/slashbook .

Slash's tell-all book, of course titled "Slash," is in stores now and
can be previewed online here:

http://www.harpercollins.com/book/browseinside.aspx?
pguid=32619618051991&user=12345&isbn=9780061351426&browsePosition=1

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*** PRESS RELEASE #4 ***
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-Queensryche Confirmed As Headlining Act For Bang Your Head!!! 2008
And To Play A Three-Hour Special MINDCRIME Show

Queensryche are confirmed as one of the headlining acts to play at
next year's installment of the Bang Your Head!!! festival set to take
place on June 27-28, 2008 in Balingen, Germany. Queensryche confirmed
their appearance at Bang Your Head!!! 2008. The band will deliver a
very special three-hour performance with the full OPERATION: MINDCRIME
sets along with a huge stage production including stage actors,
dialogue intermissions, video screens and other audio-visual effects.

The billing is shaping up as follows with three more acts to follow:

QUEENSRYCHE
SAXON
TRAMP'S WHITE LION
GREAT WHITE
RAGE
GRAVE DIGGER
AGENT STEEL
TANKARD
OBITUARY
ONSLAUGHT
ENSIFERUM
KORPIKLAANI
FORBIDDEN
AGENT STEEL
LIZZY BORDEN
SECRECY
BREAKER
TYR
AGE OF EVIL
CONTRACRASH

All further details about the Bang Your Head!!! may be found at the
BYH!!! homepage at http://www.bang-your-head.de/ .

Tickets are availaible at ticket-hotline (+49-74 57-94 46 12) and via
homepage http://www.bang-your-head.de/ . Prices are 65, - Euro (plus
shipping) at presales including a free shirt (limited offer). Tickets
are limited to a number of 20,000.

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*** PRESS RELEASE #5 ***
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-Lion Music: Latest News

Overdrive Getting Ready To LET THE METAL DO THE TALKING

Overdrive have just posted a taster from their forthcoming album LET
THE METAL DO THE TALKING, which will be released by Lion Music in
January. The song is "Army Of Darkness," the album opener which was
penned by Kenth Ericsson and can be heard at
http://www.myspace.com/overdrivesweden .

The album was mixed and co-produced by Johan Blomström (Blinded
Colony, Calm, Kaptain Sun, etc.) who has captured the immortal '80s
essence of the band, but provided freshness and power to the
production.

The final track list:
1. Army Of Darkness (Ericsson)
2. Fight To The Finish (Stark)
3. Chasing Highways (Stark/Karlsson)
4. Lodestar (Jacobsson/Stark)
5. Den Of Iniquity (Stark)
6. Trapped Under Ice (Jacobsson/Stark)
7. Deceived (Ericsson)
8. Bring Me To Submission (Stark)
9. Reincarnation (Stark) (Feat. Chris Catena)
10. Gravy Train (Jacobsson/Stark)
11. Let The Metal Do The Talking (Jacobsson/Stark)
12. Sinister Warfare (Stark)

The album will also include a bonus -- the video for "Back On The
Hunt" (2006 version). The cover is made by Monowasp (TNT, Dante Fox,
etc.) and also follows in the fine old Overdrive tradition.

Lineup:
Per "PerilOz" Karlsson: Vocals
Janne Stark: Guitar
Kjell Jacobsson: Guitar
Kenth Ericsson: Bass
Kenta Svensson: Drums

Web Links
http://www.overdrive.se/
http://www.myspace.com/overdrivesweden

Astra Sign To Lion Music

After their succesful debut album ABOUT ME: THROUGH LIFE AND BEYOND,
Italian prog metallers Astra start the recording session for the new
album called FROM WITHIN, their debut release for Lion Music next
year.

Astra are also playing live on December 13th at QUBE in Rome (Italy).

Web Links
http://www.astraprog.com/
http://www.myspace.com/astraprog

Engine Of Pain Serve Up Free Demo Track And Score Endorsement With
Engl Amps

Again some cool news from the Engine Of Pain front line! We are
talking about two brand new Engine Of Pain tracks called: "Rack And
Ruin" and "Spit Out The Anger" which will be an approximate direction
of the style of the second album to be released worldwide 4th quarter
of 2008 on Lion Music. These are the first studio tracks of the new
lineup. Both songs are recorded at the PITstudio (Weert) and mastered
by Peter Neuber at Vintagemastering Studio (Berlin).

Guess what?! "Rack And Ruin" is set "downloadable for free" at the
Engine Of Pain Myspace site, our official Web site and the Lion Music
Web site! Check it out! Even the lyrics are downloadable so you can
shout along at the top of your voices! ;)

Download "Rack And Ruin" here:
http://lionmusic.com/audio/Rack_and_Ruin.mp3

"Spit Out The Anger" is streaming at our MySpace area:
http://www.myspace.com/engineofpain

If you want to get hold of a cool official very limited printed
version of the promo (a full colour CD in a full colour wallet) visit
the Shop section of the Engine Of Pain Web site for further
instructions!

http://www.engineofpain.com/shop

Rock on!
All the best,
Engine Of Pain

Engine Of Pain Is Very Proud To Announce That Patrick And Bastiaan Are
Now Endorsed By ENGL Amps!

On the new endorsement the guitar duo commented, "The amazing boost
and force of these ENGL 100% turbo tube monsters is incredible! They
give a great attack with very well defined lows and clear highs. Try
it out: you just can't get a bad tone out of these amps! Don't need
any distortion effects or other crap ... the amp itself is the
Generator of the Ultimate kick ass Metal Tone! So if you play metal,
you urgently need to have an ENGL ... Bet you won't regret it!"

Check out the Kuiper-Waltmans Alliance at the ENGL Web site noted
professional users:
http://www.engl-amps.com/index2.html

Web Links
http://www.engineofpain.com/
http://www.myspace.com/engineofpain

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*** PRESS RELEASE #6 ***
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-10 More Bands Confirmed For Sweden Rock Festival 2008

Sweden Rock Festival
4-5-6-7 June 2008
Solvesborg, Sweden

Time to announce another 10 bands confirmed for Sweden Rock Festival
2008. Def Leppard is back again after the success in 2006 and so is
one of the most classic bands in the history of hard rock, Whitesnake.
We continue with some heavy riffs from Testament and this years guitar
hero, Joe Satriani. Fast Eddie Clarke will be back with his Fastway
and Five Fifteen will deliver some classic rock in the vein of The Who
and Led Zeppelin. They where voted newcombers of the year by the
Swedish audience and now they are here: Sonic Syndicate. Peter
Stormare has taken H.E.A.T. under his wings and they will release
their debut album in the spring of 2008. See them at Sweden Rock as
well as one of the most upcoming bands from Ireland, Thin Lizzy-oozing
Glyder. We end this announcement with the crazy and vodka drinking
Elakelaiset.

Confirmed bands so far:

JUDAS PRIEST (UK)
DEF LEPPARD (UK)
WHITESNAKE (UK/US)
ELECTRIC LIGHT ORCHESTRA (US) (former members of ELO and ELO Part II)
BLUE ÖYSTER CULT (US)
SAXON(UK)
TESTAMENT (US)
JOE SATRIANI (US)
TESLA (US)
AT THE GATES (S)
DERRINGER BAND (US)
MINISTRY (US)
HAVANA BLACK (FIN)
THE BLUES BAND (UK)
COHEED AND CAMBRIA (US)
CARCASS (UK)
HENSLEY/LAWTON & LIVE FIRE (UK)
DARE (UK)
ULI JON ROTH (D)
SHAKIN' STREET (FR)
ELÄKELÄISET (FIN)
GOTTHARD (CH)
MUSTASCH (S)
SABATON (S)
LIZZY BORDEN (US)
BONAFIDE (S)
SONIC SYNDICATE (S)
GLYDER (IRL)
FASTWAY (UK)
AXEWITCH (S)
FIVE FIFTEEN (FIN)
ASTRAL DOORS (S)
AVATAR (S)
VOLBEAT (DK)
H.E.A.T. (S)
NEGATIVE (FIN)

Sweden Rock Festival
Norjebokevägen 2
294 76 Sölvesborg
Sweden
Tel: 0456-317 95
Fax: 0456-317 94
E-mail: info@...
http://www.swedenrock.com/

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*** PRESS RELEASE #7 ***
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-Former Megadeth Guitarist Jeff Young Set To Join The Guitar Institute
Of Technology (GIT) Teaching Staff At Musicians Institute In January

Twenty-three years after graduating from MI's Guitar Institute of
Technology, veteran rock and world music guitarist Jeff Young is
returning to his alma mater as an instructor beginning in January,
2008.

After completing GIT in 1985, the Michigan native briefly taught
guitar before joining Megadeth in 1987 to record and tour behind their
platinum album SO FAR, SO GOOD...SO WHAT! While Young found himself in
the exciting epicenter of thrash metal, his own musical tastes
extended well beyond that genre. After leaving Megadeth and immersing
himself for several years in studies of classical, flamenco, gypsy
jazz and other world music styles, he resurfaced in the late '90s with
a new musical partner, Brazilian singer, songwriter and guitarist Badi
Assad. His three-year collaboration with Assad (1997-2000) resulted in
their dual recording Badi Assad - CHAMELEON, a #1 hit in Europe. The
two opened concerts for such artists as Joe Cocker and Cassandra
Wilson and performed at Lilith Fair in 1999 and Farm Aid in 2000.

In recent years, Young successfully fought testicular cancer and
focused on completing his solo recording debut, EQUILIBRIUM, which
will feature his work on flamenco, classical, six- and 12-steel string
acoustic and electric guitars. The album is set for release in 2008.

Since opening its doors in 1977, Musicians Institute has primed over
20,000 musicians, producers, engineers, vocalists and industry
professionals for successful careers in every genre of contemporary
music. Located just blocks from the Capitol Records tower, MI has an
incredible history of innovation dating back to its origins in 1977 as
the Guitar Institute of Technology (GIT), which broke new ground as a
performance-based contemporary music school taught by working
professionals. Within a few years, GIT was joined by bass and drum
programs to form Musicians Institute and the evolution has continued
to this day with degree and certificate programs for career-minded
guitarists, bassists, drummers, vocalists, keyboardists, recording
engineers, independent producers, guitar makers, music business
professionals and filmmakers.

Musicians Institute
http://www.mi.edu/

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*** PRESS RELEASE #8 ***
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-Nikki Sixx's Clothing Line Royal Underground Expands Into Women's
Clothing

Following the successful launch of Royal Underground, Kelly Gray and
Nikki Sixx are expanding into the Women's clothing industry.

Royal Underground, which Gray co-founded in conjunction with Motley
Crue bassist Sixx, made its fall debut in 2006 with its menswear line
to the acclaim of stylists, fashion editors and store buyers who raved
about the collection's profound rock 'n' roll attitude.

Given the elevated success of the men's collection, Gray and Sixx
decided to take the next obvious step: clothing for women.

Not surprisingly, the line embodies the same soulful, chic and
luxurious vibe as the men's line. The line will consist of between 25
and 40 pieces influenced by the French Revolution, as well as images
of artwork culled from that era.

Sixx, a long-time fashion aficionado, said the women's line was
precipitated by something as elemental as customer demand. "It's
almost more exciting to design women's because with men, there is a
limit to how far they can make everything go, fashion-wise," said
Sixx. "When I started to find myself jealous of Nikki's clothes, I
couldn't stop thinking about the possibility of a women's clothing
line," said Gray.

The collection will fall between the price range of $100 and $1,200
and will be available this October in select Bloomingdale's, Neiman
Marcus and Nordstrom stores across the country, and specialty
boutiques such as Boogie's in Aspen.

Here are some select pieces from the women's line:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/wuny/sets/72157603319867746/

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*** PRESS RELEASE #9 ***
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-Kreator's New Double DVD AT THE PULSE OF KAPITULATION - LIVE IN EAST
BERLIN 1990

Out in Europe: March 31st 2008 -- Out in Germany: March 28th 2008 --
Out in the U.S.A./Canada: March 25th 2008

Following their truly global Enemy Of God World Tour, thrash gods
Kreator will be parking the steamrollers for a while and taking a
creative break in 2008 to concentrate on writing new material and
recording their next album. Live activity for the band in 2008 will
only be sporadic, consisting primarily of selected festival
appearances. Kreator's next album is currently scheduled for release
in January of 2009, to be followed by an extensive world tour later in
the year.

To make the long wait a little less painful for Kreator fans, March of
2008 sees the re-release on DVD of LIVE IN EAST BERLIN and
HALLUCINATIVE COMA, both re-edited and previously only available on
VHS video cassette. The DVD release goes out under the title AT THE
PULSE OF KAPITULATION - LIVE IN EAST BERLIN 1990.

Here are a few of Mille's own comments:

Tour:
"As another year winds down, I think back on all the wild, ultra-
aggressive Kreator concerts we played in 2007. We ran into lots of our
old friends again and made many new ones as well. I'd like to say
'Thanks!' at this point to all the promoters and fans who made it
possible! The legion of Kreator supporters is growing all the time,
and you made 2007 a very exciting year for us in the band."

Album:
"Right now, it's time for us to recharge our batteries and write some
new songs. A little like the creature in 'Alien,' several ideas for
the next album have been brooding inside me for a while and now
they're ready to burst out of my chest and take the Kreator story to
the next level. Musically, the whole concept will be very brutal and
melodic! I've been working for over a year now between gigs with Tim
Schuldt at 4 CN Studio in Wuppertal, Germany on the demos, and at the
moment there are 10 basic ideas and fragments for new songs. Starting
in January of 2008, the band will get together in Essen to start
working out arrangements for the new stuff."

DVD:
"Over the years, I've met lots of people in and around Berlin who's
first metal experience ever was the concert we did there in the early
'90s at the Werner Seelenbinder Halle. The new DVD features some of
these people in recent interviews, and there are also some original
quotes from back then. Words don't do justice to the energy that was
in the air that day in East Berlin, and the whole event can only be
described as utterly unique and historic.

"Up until now this legendary concert was only available as a VHS video
with less-than-ideal sound quality. But Niels Folta and I have
carefully digitalized all the material and upgraded it to today's
standards, re-edited everything and called in Andy Sneap to mix it all
in 5.1 sound format. The result is a tremendous upgrade in the quality
of the whole thing without destroying the early '90s charm of the
original.

"Plus, the DVD also contains the HALLUCINATIVE COMA video from 1991.
This was our mini horror movie for the COMA OF SOULS album at the
time. For the DVD, original director Andreas Marshall has personally
re-edited his own 'Director's Cut,' featuring never-seen-before scenes
that the censors just couldn't stomach back in the day. All in all,
this new DVD is a great metal package featuring the best of the
original and plenty of extra features to get your head around!"

Stay tuned for more details...

Kreator live 2008
27.06.-29.06. FIN - Helsinki - Tuska Open Air
31.07.-02.08. D-Wacken Open Air

http://www.kreator-terrorzone.de/
http://www.spv.de/
http://www.spvusa.com/

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*** PRESS RELEASE #10 ***
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-Guitarz Forever CD Giveaway: The Screamin' Lords - LONG LIVE ME

"If you dig a serious seek-and-destroy approach to rock 'n' roll,
you'll get the goods on the debut album from The Screamin' Lords.
Commandeering a broad swath of rock 'n' roll turf, the Lords reign
with a potent blend of guitar fury and relentless rhythm. They're got
the firepower for shred-worthy missives like 'Fire In The Blue Sky'
and the title track 'Long Live Me,' as well as the restraint and
dynamics to conjure the simmering menace of 'Evil,' my personal
favorite. Long live The Screamin' Lords." - John Levy – Guitar Player
Magazine

Xmas season is coming, enter to win some cool stocking stuffer gifts!

Enter to Win here:
http://www.guitarz-for-ever.com/guitarz-forever-cd-giveaway-the-
screamin-lords-long-live-me.html

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*** PRESS RELEASE #11 ***
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-Two New Releases From Radiant Records!

Hey you,

How are you doing? We hope you are having a good holiday season so
far.

Here are a couple of cool releases we just got in stock and don't
forget that we are having a special sale of three items for $30.00
USD! Check out the amazing list of great items for a great price! (the
special price is only on selected items, not everything in the store).

Izz – LIVE AT NEARFEST

This is a great new live album recorded June 23, 2007. LIVE AT
NEARFEST spotlights the engaging experience of a live Izz performance.
This is the band's first live album, wonderfully mixed, where each
instrument and all the vocalists are heard. LIVE AT NEARFEST will give
fans the opportunity to get a taste of what those who have seen them
play live already know -- that an Izz performance is a memorable and
emotional experience.

"Our NEARfest performance really captured what Izz is all about for
me. Something magical happens when the seven of us perform on stage
together and I am excited that now everyone will be able to get a
sense of that magic." - drummer Greg DiMiceli.

Available now at http://www.radiantrecords.com/ .

Rick Altizer – SCRIPTURE MEMORY, POP SYMPHONIES

Neal's good friend Rick Altizer has put together a great CD with
wonderful Beatle-esque pop tunes with Bible verses for lyrics. Really
catchy stuff and a great fun way to memorize the bible. I like what
Rick said: "'Billie Jean is not my lover,' why do I know that? I don't
even WANT to know that? Because I heard the song over and over. Why
not use that same principle to learn key texts from the scriptures?"
Not only that, but it's a really cool sounding record that both Neal
and Mike Portnoy mentioned really enjoying. So, check it out for
Christmas, at the special price of $9.99!

Thanks,
Cherie Morse
Radiant Records

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*** PRESS RELEASE #12 ***
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-Magician's New Album To Be Released In Japan, Track List Revealed

The power metal band Magician revealed the track list of their brand
new album, TALES OF THE MAGICIAN, which will be released untill the
end of the month in Japan by the label Soundholic (Grave Digger, Dark
Funeral, Hate Eternal, Thyrfing, Evergrey, Nocturnal Rites, Marduk,
etc). Check the track list:

01. Tale I - Intro: Let The Spell Begin
02. Tale II - Prime Evil
03. Tale III - Underworld Terror
04. Tale IV – Sandstorm
05. Tale V - Terminal Day
06. Tale VI - Dark Ritual (Hear Your Master's Call)
07. Tale VII - Minstrel's Domain
08. Tale VIII - Siege On Zelgian
09. Tale IX - Crossing The Last Gate
10. Tale X - Finale: Let The Harmony Endure

The Japanese version has the following bonus tracks:

- Underworld Terror (Pre-production version)
- Minstrel's Domain (Karaoke version)
- Minstrel's Domain (Video clip)

Soon it will also be available a video clip made for the song
"Minstrel's Domain." Meanwhile check the samples posted in the band's
MySpace page at http://www.myspace.com/magicianband .

http://www.magician.com.br/
http://www.myspace.com/magicianband

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*** PRESS RELEASE #13 ***
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-Z Records News

Black 'N Blue Play Benefit Show & Plan Album Completion

Black 'N Blue will play a one night only reunion show in their
hometown of Portland, Oregon, on Saturday December 8th, 2007. The show
is in benefit of former Black 'N Blue road crew member Kenny Nordone
who has cancer. The show will feature all five original members
including Tommy Thayer of Kiss. Show details are....

Saturday December 8th 2007
8:30 p.m., Berbati's Pan
Portland, Oregon, U.S.A.
Advance Tickets $18.00 / At The Door $20.00.

In addition the band members [not including Thayer] will meet on
December 7th to plan the completion of the long awaited HELL YEAH!
release for Z Rock Records.

Britny Fox Makes A Bigg Time Switch!!!

Britny Fox are making a lot of changes as their reunion plans unfold.
They have now left Artists Worldwide and signed with renowned agents
Bigg Time Entertainment. U.S. tour dates will be announced shortly.
European fans are reminded that the band will be appearing at the Z
Rock 08 Festival on May 17th. Further details can be found at
http://www.myspace.com/zrockfest or http://www.zrecords.net/ . 2008
looks set to be the year of the Fox!

Snow's Amazing Debut Now Available

Place your order now at http://www.zrecords.net/ !

Sound samples are available at:
http://www.aordreamzones.com/Soundfiles5.html
http://www.melodicrock.com/showcase/snow.html

What the press say about Snow:

"One of the only true surprises of this rather disappointing year in
melodic rock & by far one of the better releases Z Records ever did.
Keep it up, I would say!"
- 5/6 RockReport.com

"Ice cool hard rock from Snow."
- 9/10 Aordreamzones.com

"It's not Motley Crue, it's not Guns N' Roses, this is feel good rock
n roll for the 21st century and it feels awesome!"
- 8.5/10 Komodorock.com

"The best thing to come out of Brazil since Pele."
- Chris Nelson "Hair Metal Haven Show" Rock247

"It's not often that you get snow in Brazil, but just lately an
avalanche has been falling in the country with newcomers Snow led by
Riq Ferris."
- Fireworks Magazine

*
*** PRESS RELEASE #14 ***
*
-Dewey Cox & The Hard Walkers Are Coming!

John C. Reilly To Appear as The Legendary Dewey Cox In The Wildly
Anticipated "Cox Across America Tour" Of Seven Cities

Kicks Off at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland on Wednesday,
December 5

CULVER CITY -- John C. Reilly, the star of the upcoming Judd Apatow
produced comedy "Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story," will tour the
country in character as his alter ego Dewey Cox, the mythic rock &
roll icon whose music influenced a nation. Reilly will perform live as
Dewey Cox with his band, The Hard Walkers, the scorching rock
ensemble, for the year's most anticipated concert series, the "Cox
Across America Tour." Dewey Cox & The Hard Walkers will hit the road
for a select seven city run of rare live performances to support the
December 21 opening of the comedy, "Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story."

Cox, the legendary showman and his mind-blowing band will launch their
historic concert tour tonight at the world famous The Roxy of the
Sunset Strip. Next up, the band will continue to the Rock & Roll Hall
of Fame in Cleveland on Wednesday, December 5 with subsequent shows in
Chicago, Austin, Nashville, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and New York's
fabled Knitting Factory (see full itinerary following).

During the "Cox Across America Tour," Dewey Cox & The Hard Walkers
will perform classic tracks from WALK HARD: THE DEWEY COX STORY, the
soundtrack album from the film of the same name. The definitive
career-spanning collection of Dewey Cox hits, WALK HARD: THE DEWEY COX
STORY (Columbia Records) will be in stores and online on Tuesday,
December 4.

Each of Dewey's concerts will be preceded by special screenings of
"Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story." Tickets to the events will be made
available through local radio promotions in each of the markets where
Dewey and his band are performing. Tickets to these extraordinary
Dewey Cox events are being offered to members of the Dewey Cox Fan
Club (For information on all the benefits of Dewey's fan club, please
visit: http://www.coxacrossamerica.com/ ).

Dewey Cox & The Hard Walkers - "Cox Across America Tour" - Itinerary

Wednesday, 12/5 - Cleveland, OH - Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
Thursday, 12/6 - Chicago, IL - The Cubby Bear
Friday, 12/7 - Austin, TX - Stubb's
Saturday, 12/8 - Nashville, TN - Mercy Lounge
Monday, 12/10 - San Francisco, CA - Great American Music Hall
Thursday, 12/13 - Los Angeles, CA - Guitar Center on Sunset Blvd
Wednesday, 12/19 - New York, NY - The Knitting Factory

"I have loved Cox from the beginning and I will be at every show
worshipping Cox from the foot of the stage." - John C. Reilly

"Not since Duran Duran toured America in 1984 have people been so
excited about a rock tour." - producer Judd Apatow

"You're welcome, America." - Dewey Cox

America loves Cox! In Columbia Pictures' new comedy "Walk Hard: The
Dewey Cox Story," John C. Reilly stars as larger-than-life musician
and songwriter Dewey Cox. Behind the music is the up-and-down-and-up-
again story of a legend whose songs would change a nation. On his rock
'n' roll spiral, Cox sleeps with 411 women, marries three times, has
22 kids and 14 stepkids, stars in his own '70s TV variety show,
collects friends ranging from Elvis to the Beatles to a chimp, and
gets addicted to -- and then kicks -- every drug known to man... but
despite it all, Cox grows into a national icon and eventually earns
the love of a good woman -- longtime backup singer Darlene (Jenna
Fischer).

Columbia Pictures presents in association with Relativity Media a
Nominated Films production, "Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story." The film
stars John C. Reilly, Jenna Fischer, Tim Meadows, and Kristen Wiig.
Directed by Jake Kasdan. Produced by Judd Apatow, Jake Kasdan, and
Clayton Townsend. Written by Judd Apatow & Jake Kasdan. Executive
Producer is Lew Morton. Director of Photography is Uta Briesewitz.
Production Designer is Jefferson D. Sage. Editors are Tara Timpone and
Steve Welch. Costume Designer is Debra McGuire. Music is by Michael
Andrews. Music Supervision by Manish Raval and Tom Wolfe.

"Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story" has been rated R by the Motion
Picture Association of America for Sexual Content, Graphic Nudity,
Drug Use and Language.

*
*** PRESS RELEASE #15 ***
*
-The Metal Queen Management/Paragon Metal Band Competition

Friday, January 18th, 2008 @ The Reverb (651 Queen St. W., Toronto)

Image:
http://images31.fotki.com/v1040/photos/3/367052/1915739/paragon1-
vi.jpg

Prizes:

-A three-song EP from Nucleus Music Entertainment (NME)
-A professional photography shoot from Image Control Photography
-A $200 gift certificate from Long & McQuade
-Management Services from Metal Queen Management

Not to mention the opportunity to perform in front of these credible
Judges:

Betty Dworatschek
President
Metal Queen Management

Eric Alper
Director of Media Relations and Label Acquisitions
KOCH Entertainment Distribution

Aaron Small
Staff Writer, Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles &
http://www.BraveWords.com/
Contributing Writer, Metal Maniacs

Why bands compete with Paragon:

-Credible judges & ability to view judging sheets upon request
-It's about how good you are not how many people you draw
-Prizes are give out at the end of the night

Sign up now @ the below link:
http://www.paragononline.ca/news.php?id=165

Safe & Happy Holidays!

Metal Queen Management
http://www.metalqueenmgmt.ca/
info@...

*
*** PRESS RELEASE #16 ***
*
-Columbia Records Enters Into New Agreement With World Wrestling
Entertainment, Inc.

RAW - GREATEST HITS - THE MUSIC, Inaugural Release Under New Columbia
Records/WWE Music Group Deal, Commemorates The 15th Anniversary of
"WWE RAW!"

RAW - GREATEST HITS - THE MUSIC Available Tuesday, December 18

NEW YORK CITY -- Columbia Records has entered into a new agreement
with World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. RAW - GREATEST HITS - THE
MUSIC, the first musical release under the new Columbia Records/WWE
Music Group arrangement, will be available in stores and online on
Tuesday, December 18.

A monumental collection of the sounds that define the untamed
excitement of the WWE, RAW - GREATEST HITS - THE MUSIC will be
released in celebration of the 15th anniversary of "WWE RAW," the
longest running original entertainment show in television history.

"I've been a life long fan of WWE," said Rick Rubin. "Its great to get
the opportunity to work with them."

"It was an honor to work with Rick who brought his expertise in the
worlds of music and wrestling to this project," said Neil Lawi. "RAW -
GREATEST HITS brings together heart-pounding original music with the
world's premiere sports entertainment company. It's fantastic to be
working with Columbia Records to further integrate the WWE brand into
pop culture and celebrate 15 rockin' years of 'WWE RAW.'"

Bringing together the electrifying Official Entrance Themes of WWE
Superstars -- including John Cena, Stone Cold Steve Austin, The Rock,
Triple H, Undertaker, Mr. McMahon, Batista, Rey Mysterio, Chris
Jericho, Mick Foley, Trish Stratus, Evolution, Kane, and D-Generation
X -- RAW - GREATEST HITS - THE MUSIC is produced by Jim Johnston,
composer of all the album's music, and the WWE Music Group's General
Manager Neil Lawi. RIAA gold and platinum record holder Johnston,
creator of the unforgettable body-slamming themes of the WWE
Superstars, is the recipient of six BMI Cable Awards for his work on
"WWE RAW."

Other "WWE RAW" anniversary events include a special three-hour 15th
Anniversary "RAW" television special airing live from Bridgeport,
Connecticut, on Monday, December 10 from 8 p.m. - 11 p.m. (Eastern) on
the USA Network and the release of a commemorative 15th Anniversary
"RAW" DVD to be released by the WWE in December as a companion piece
to the RAW - GREATEST HITS - THE MUSIC CD. In addition, the WWE will
broadcast a Christmas Eve "Tribute To The Troops" on Monday, December
24 on the USA Network. (Check your local listings.)

WWE Music has sold more than six million CDs worldwide with five WWE
Music Group album titles debuting in the U.S. Top 10.

Each week, the WWE broadcasts six hours of original programming, seen
by nearly 16 million people in the U.S. alone, with WWE programming
going out to 130 countries in 20 different languages worldwide. "WWE
Monday Night RAW" is the most watched regularly scheduled program on
ad-supported cable television. "WWE Friday Night Smackdown!" is the
top rated Friday night program among total teens, male teens and males
18-34 and is the most watched program on CW among all male
demographics.

RAW - GREATEST HITS - THE MUSIC track listing:

John Cena - "The Time Is Now"
Stone Cold Steve Austin - "I Won't Do What You Tell Me"
The Rock - "If You Smell"
Triple H - "The Game"
Shawn Michaels - "Sexy Boy"
Undertaker - "Rest In Peace"
Mr. McMahon - "No Chance In Hell"
Batista - "I Walk Alone"+
Rey Mysterio - "(619)"
Chris Jericho - "Break The Walls Down"
Mick Foley - "Wreck"
Trish Stratus - "Time To Rock & Roll"
Evolution - "Line In The Sand"
Kane - "Slow Chemical"
D-Generation X - "Are You Ready"

Bonus tracks:
Melina - "Paparazzi"
Mr. Kennedy - "Turn Up The Trouble"

Additional information on World Wrestling Entertainment Inc. can be
found at http://www.wwe.com/ and http://corporate.wwe.com/ . For
information on our global activities, go to
http://www.wwe.com/worldwide/ .

*
*** PRESS RELEASE #17 ***
*
-Vendlus Records Update

Vendlus hits with some of the heaviest releases in the label's history
all in one shot... The latest from Audiopain, Havoc Unit, V:28 and
Umoral are landing now. Plus Grayceon have some new shows and release
news...

Audiopain

Thrash's most underrated harbingers of the apocalypse for years now,
Norway's Audiopain are set on world domination on their latest, THE
SWITCH TO TURN OFF MANKIND. Don't believe the hype? Read some initial
praise on the new one.
[release date December 15th, 2007]

"Unlike today's trend-hoppers, who blow their loads early, shoving
BONDED BY BLOOD through flailing German overeagerness, Audiopain are
grim, disciplined, professional operators." - Decibel

"The trio play unabashed, trashed thrash along the lines of the early
output by Canadian greats Slaughter and BONDED-era Exodus, the likes
of which have enough street cred to send upstarts like 3 Inches Of
Blood back to their reference books and vinyl collections." - Metal
Maniacs

"Support Audiopain, not Audioslave!" - Fenriz/Darkthrone

http://www.myspace.com/audiopain

Grayceon

Vendlus Records' Grayceon has recently finished a 7" split with Giant
Squid that is now available by The End Records, limited to 500 copies.
Tour dates are scheduled through the first quarter of 2008 with acts
like Agalloch, Lesbian, Giant Squid, Black Elk, Ludicra and more, with
more dates being scheduled and updated all the time. Grayceon's self-
titled debut is still available via Vendlus/Earsplit, with a new full-
length scheduled to be recorded in February and released in August
2008 once again by Vendlus.

01/13/2008 Bender's - San Francisco, CA - w/ La Fin Du Monde
02/01/2008 Annie's Social Club - San Francisco, CA - w/ Lesbian
02/02/2008 *TBA - Los Angeles, CA - w/ Lesbian
02/23/2008 Annie's Social Club - San Francisco, CA - w/ Birushanah
(Japan), Drain The Sky
03/21/2008 *TBA - Portland, OR - w/ Agalloch
03/22/2008 *TBA - Seattle, WA - w/ Agalloch

"I'm not entirely sure if I can convey how truly beautiful parts of
this album are, while still retaining a 'metalness' that fans of some
of the bands above can still appreciate... Grayceon is absolutely
f*cking fantastic and early contender for my album of the year." -
Digitalmetal.com

"Grayceon have released an inventive and vivid debut that easily bests
most metal released this year. Looks like Vendlus Records has gotten
another good start in 2007. Highly recommended." - Metalreview.com

http://www.grayceon.com/
http://www.myspace.com/grayceon

Havoc Unit

Finland's andOceans is dead, now rises the new age of machines: the
industrialized proclamation of Havoc Unit. Havoc Unit is the new
propaganda machine and the audio-visual forum for artists to
collaborate without restrictions: a test channel where neurons
communicate via chemical and electrical synapses in order to spread
audio-virulence and bacteria. The iridescent concept album H.IV+ is a
terror assault on the world taboos and baboons, and for parental
advisory, its explicit content may raise animosity. Listen-Consume-
Delete[Yourself]!

H.IV+ can be interpreted in several ways: Hoarse Industrial Viremia,
Human Immunodeficiency Virus, Havoc 4+ [h-letter indicating Havoc, IV
indicating number 4 and +-sign indicating accession]. With a highly
developed brain capable of abstract cognition and introspection
combined with an erect body carriage that frees the upper limbs for
manipulating objects, we humans adept at utilizing new systems of
communication for self-expression, the change of ideas and
organization. We tend to create complex social structures composed of
cooperating and competing groups, ranging in scale from small units to
species-wide political, scientific, religious and economic unions.
Social interactions between humans have established an extremely wide
variety of traditions, rituals, ethics, values, social norms, and laws
which form the basis of human society. Humans have a marked
appreciation for beauty and aesthetics which, combined with the human
desire for self-expression, has led to cultural innovations. F*ck that
sh*t. Havoc Unit is here to kill the culture and to manipulate the
natural phenomena called art and culture.

All 6.6 billions, hail the dead flesh, this is The Foundation and The
Manifest of Futurism.

Collaborating artists on H.IV+:

And Then You Die / Audio Parasite / No Xivic / Solefald / Strom.Ec
[Release Date Changed to February 4th, 2008]

"...a sickening project that tries to infect you virally of
bacterially with a unique blend of death metal, black metal,
industrial and soundscapes." 90/100 - Lords of Metal

"...the best industrial metal album I've heard in ages, and a no
brainer for anyone the least bit interested in the genre." - Metal
Review

"This sh*t definitely cracks the dawn of a new era for industrial
metal". 4.5/5 - Das Vierte Reich

http://www.myspace.com/havocunit

V:28

VIOLUTION is the final part in the V:28 apocalyptic trilogy of
humanity and the world coming to an end. This release, like the first
two, is produced by LRZ, and demonstrates the band's versatile
evolution and expansion. The music has strong metal roots, and varies
from extreme blast beats to groovy mid paced death metal and walls of
noise and ambient drones. With guest appearances by Kristoffer Garm
Rygg (Ulver), Ghost (GGFH), MZ.412, Mike VanPortfleet of Lycia and
more, this album has turned out to be a unique release that takes the
experimental metal genre to its furthest! The CD also contains a video
track for the song "Shut It Down," enhancing the visual side of the
concept with first class video technology. The record is produced by
LRZ of Red Harvest.
[release date December 15th, 2007]

"Like Red Harvest, this Norwegian industrial group excel in drawing in
black, death and dark ambient influences, as every track bleeds
forward-thinking diversity." - Exclaim!

"The darkened and apocalyptic future that exists within the
soundscapes created by these industrial death metallers has grown
bleaker yet more powerful and fully realized." - Nocturnal Cult

"...the experimental drive behind the wild diversity proves endearing
and works on several different levels, making for a slightly different
listening experience each time through." - Void Expression

http://www.v28.com/
http://www.myspace.com/v28band

Umoral

Umoral was formed in 2006. Current members are:

Teloch: Guitars, bass, whatever
Zweizz: Vocals, whatever
Hellhammer: Drums

That is f*cking all...

http://www.myspace.com/umoral

http://www.vendlus.com/

*
*** NEWS/RUMORS ***
*
-About Heavy Metal's "Best Heavy Metal Albums Of 1997" list is online
now at http://glclk.about.com/?zi=1/4YIm .

-Dream Theater will reportedly add the song "Forsaken" to its live set
as soon as the band has a new animated video that will be played along
in concert to accompany the music.

-Fozzy's first-ever DVD is available. It was recorded June 5, 2005 at
the Download Festival in Donington, England. See
http://www.stuckmojo.us for more.

-VH1 Classic will promote the December 18 release of the third
KISSOLOGY DVD set with a "Kiss Day" December 7. Beginning at 9 p.m.
Eastern and Pacific, the channel will run "over 24 hours" of Kiss
programming, including previous KISSOLOGY concerts from Houston in
1977, Sydney, Australia in 1980, and Los Angeles on Halloween in 1998,
plus "Kiss Unplugged" and the VH1 Classic special that aired when the
second KISSOLOGY was released earlier this year. Viewers will also be
able to pre-order the third volume through
http://www.kissmas.vh1classic.com/ .

-Jorn Lande is currently mixing his latest solo effort at Tommy
Hansen's Jailhouse Studio in Denmark. An early spring 2008 release is
expected.

-Steve Lukather's new solo album EVER CHANGING TIMES will be released
in Europe on February 22 by Frontiers Records. Check out all of the
details as well as samples at http://www.stevelukather.net/ .

-According to various sources, fans spent $800,000 at Ozzy Osbourne's
charity sale this past weekend. The money will benefit the Sharon
Osbourne Colon Cancer Program at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.

-Various online sources reported Trixter will reunite for a tour next
year.

Thanks to Chad Bowar, Bill Kotowski, and Jeff "DMG" Adee for help
gathering some of this information.

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

-After you read my review of the new Doro EP (see below, hint hint)
you may wanna take a look at http://www.frenetic.ch/trailer/anuk.html
to see the trailer for the Swiss film "Anuk - Der Weg Des Kriegers"
(means "Anuk - The Path Of The Warrior") that spawned the EP track "On
My Own." Apparently, Doro Pesch, and Krokus' Marc Storace were in the
movie. It looks like a violent barbarian movie with swordplay. Cool.

-More on that Journey press release announcing the band's new lead
singer -- check out a YouTube clip of the man in action at
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lpnEnt-qOw4&feature=related , and see
http://philmusic.com/main/content/view/152/7/ for more discussion on
Arnel Pineda.

-The Chicago Tribune ran an article late last week with more
information about the untimely deah of Quiet Riot main man Kevin
DuBrow, complete with quotes from Glenn Hughes and Blackie Lawless:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/music/chi-
1130quietnov30,0,2788428.story
.

-Now in my current playlist: Evil Masquerade - THIRD ACT (Nightmare
Records), Helloween - GAMBLING WITH THE DEVIL (SPV/Steamhammer), Gamma
Ray - LAND OF THE FREE II (SPV/Steamhammer), Twinspirits - THE MUSIC
THAT WILL HEAL WORLD (Lion Music), Wolfpack Unleashed - ANTHEMS OF
RESISTANCE (Napalm Records), Canvas Solaris - CORTICAL TECTONICS
(Sensory/Laser's Edge).

*
*** REVIEWS ***
*
CAAMORA - WALK ON WATER (B) Metal Mind Productions, 2007
4 tracks, RT: 17:31
[ http://www.caamora.net/ ]
[ information@... ]
[ http://www.MVDb2b.com/ ]
[ http://www.metalmind.com.pl/ ]
[ http://www.myspace.com/metalmindproductions ]
[ http://www.metalopolis.pl/ ]
Caamora is a new project coming to us from Clive Nolan, best known for
his work in acclaimed prog rock outfits Arena, Pendragon and Neo. For
WALK ON WATER, Clive teamed up with Polish vocalist Agnieszka Swita to
create a teaser for their SHE project (filmed in October for a future
DVD release), which is a musical version of the H. Rider Haggard
novel. Two songs were specially written for the EP, those being the
quite catchy title track and "I Can See Your House From Here," while
the dramatic and moving "Shadows" and ballad "Invisible" are from SHE.
The first two songs are the strongest, "Walk On Water" having that
upbeat, almost '80s pop rock feel while "Shadows" finds the band
(including performances from Mark Westwood (Neo), John Jowitt (IQ) and
Scott Highem) in more serious and dramatic form. You won't find the
usual prog rock noodling here, Clive instead writing with Agnieszka's
vocals the center of attention. Probably not one the confirmed
headbangers in the crowd are going to flip over, WALK ON WATER will
appeal more to those with a taste for musicals balancing pop and lite
progressive elements.
- Neal Woodall (MysticX9@...)

DOGPOUND - III (A-/B+) Lion Music, 2007
14 tracks, RT: 63:45
[ http://www.dogpound.da.ru/ ]
[ http://www.myspace.com/dogpoundsweden ]
[ http://www.lionmusic.com/dogpound3.htm ]
[ http://www.lionmusic.com/ ]
The Swedes with the goofy name are back with album #3, and like its
predecessors it's another fine slice of melodic hard rock / borderline
metal with hooky choruses, heavier-than-expected guitar riffing, and
top-notch vocals. And about that, I remember once declaring Henrik
"Hea" Andersson's voice was a combination of Ted Poley (Danger Danger)
and Tommy Paris (Britny Fox), but I've got to say it's really more a
mix of Poley and Fernando Garcia (Victory) -- I don't know how I
missed the Garcia comparison in the past! Of course, this is not to
say Hea's anyone's clone -- it's just to help put things in
perspective. The album is very strong with rockers like "Human
Hologram," "You And Me," "My Own Sin," and "Away From Me" leading the
way. The band rocks and knows its way around a feel-good vibe on these
songs, and that's a winning formula in my book. There are also a
couple ballads (the top-notch closer "Rain Must Fall," featuring just
piano and Hea's vocals, and "One"), some swagger ("Dead And Gone"),
and a couple slower, trippier moments ("Other Way Around" and
"Undivided," the latter of which has a wickedly cool, ripping intro
that should've been extended into its own complete song!). Another fun
moment is the Queen-worshiping vocal intro to "Not Welcome Here" --
goosebump alert! I do kinda feel that at 14 songs and almost 64
minutes, III may be a little too long, but that's about all I can come
up with as far as gripes. Great stuff.
- Tim Wadzinski (tsw512@...)

DORO - ALL WE ARE: THE FIGHT (B) Locomotive Records, 2007
5 tracks, RT: 22:31, multimedia section
[ http://www.doromusic.de/ ]
[ http://www.doropesch.com/ ]
[ http://www.locomotiverecords.com/ ]
This half-audio, half-video EP -- subtitled A TRIBUTE TO REGINA
HALMICH -- kinda had me scratching my head at first. The press kit
that came with my promo copy details how Doro Pesch and some guest
stars performed her old Warlock classic "All We Are" live at one of
Ms. Halmich's boxing matches, and then recorded it in the studio, but
best I can tell neither of those "new" versions are present here.
Instead, the audio portion of the disc kicks off with a re-mixed and
re-mastered version of the Warlock recording from 1987's TRIUMPH AND
AGONY, and the video portion kicks off with a live version of the tune
performed by Doro's normal band, sans guest stars. Confusion aside,
this is a nifty little release. The five audio tracks consist of the
aforementioned "All We Are" re-mix, the cool rocker/anthem
"Thunderspell" from 2006's WARRIOR SOUL, and a trio of power ballads:
"Everything's Lost" (a WARRIOR SOUL-era rarity), "On My Own" (a track
from the "Anuk - Der Weg Des Kriegers" movie soundtrack featuring
guest vocals from Krokus' Marc Storace and film director Luke Gasser),
and a moving cover of Led Zeppelin's "Babe, I'm Gonna Leave You" (from
the 2002 tribute album THE MUSIC REMAINS THE SAME. The 22-minute video
section features five clips: the live version of "All We Are" (that,
truthfully, is too long due to all the extended audience sing-along
parts...), "Above The Ashes" (another WARRIOR SOUL power ballad,
featuring lots of slo-mo "band on the road" footage), "Warrior Soul"
(yet another power ballad, featuring clips from "Anuk" that actually
co-starred Pesch, Storace, and Gasser), a live version of "You're My
Family" (a chugging rocker from WARRIOR SOUL), and "On My Own"
(featuring more clips from "Anuk," as well as live footage with
Storace and Gasser singing along with Ms. Pesch). So yes, while on the
surface this thing looks like kind of an oddball/hodgepodge release
it's really kind a WARRIOR SOUL taster with some cool rarities thrown
in for good measure.
- Tim Wadzinski (tsw512@...)

MEHIDA - BLOOD & WATER (B+) Napalm Records, 2007
11 tracks, RT: 47:43
[ http://www.mehida.com/ ]
[ http://www.myspace.com/mehida ]
[ http://www.napalmrecords.com/ ]
[ http://www.myspace.com/napalmrecords ]
Finland is probably not the first place one would expect to find a
killer Christian metal band, as the Finns seem to be more well-known
for the death metal stylings of Children Of Bodom or the power metal
of Sonata Artica. Mehida is just such a band, however, combining
Biblical lyrical content with well-arranged, prog flavored melodic
metal. There is actually a connection to Sonata Artica though as
keyboard player Mikko Harkin used to play in that very outfit. Mehida
is a good study in the use of heavy rhythm guitars and atmospheric
keyboards to create a dense sonic experience, topped off by the
sincere vocals of Thomas Vikstrom (Therion, Candlemass). Thomas
reminds at times of Mark Boals but definitely has his own style,
delivering emotionally charged lyrics on majestic melodic tracks such
as "Wings Of Dove," "Multitude," "Stronghold," and "A Letter From
Home." Mikko spices things up nicely, adding some virtuosic touches at
times, and along with guitarist Jani Stefanovic (Divinefire, Am I
Blood) injects a bit of a modern goth feel into the pieces. I would
like to hear Jani play more extensive guitar solos but otherwise I
find BLOOD & WATER to be an exciting debut. Recommended to those with
an ear for modern prog metal, and especially to those looking for a
Christian alternative to the usual prog metal subject matter.
- Neal Woodall (MysticX9@...)

*
*** OUT ***
*