Detritus
Issue #440
Week of January 7, 2008
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http://www.myspace.com/detritusezine

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*** CAST OF CHARACTERS ***
*
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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-All of a sudden, a fairly large issue broke out. Took me by surprise
and took me longer to edit than I expected. - Tim

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*** PRESS RELEASE #1 ***
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-Pharaoh: New Album Complete, Guest Guitarists Revealed

American heavy metal band Pharaoh has completed the mixing of its
third album, entitled BE GONE. Like its critically-acclaimed
predecessor, THE LONGEST NIGHT, the new album was recorded with Matt
Crooks at MCR Studios in Manassas, Virginia. BE GONE will now be
mastered by Colin Davis of Imperial Mastering for a worldwide March
release via the leading traditional heavy metal label Cruz Del Sur
Music.

The track listing for BE GONE is as follows:

1. Speak To Me
2. Dark New Life
3. No Remains
4. Red Honor
5. Buried At Sea
6. Rats And Rope
7. Cover Your Eyes And Pray
8. Telepath
9. Be Gone

As a special treat for fans (and, it must be said, for the band
themselves) the track "Dark New Life" features guest guitar solos from
Mark Reale and Mike Flyntz, perhaps better known as the shredders from
Riot! Jim Dofka also appears for the third time on as many Pharaoh
albums, contributing his extraordinary guitar chops to the song "No
Remains."

A release date, song samples, and cover art for BE GONE will be
revealed in the coming weeks.

Pharaoh will celebrate the new album and its ten-year history by
performing live for the first time ever (!!) at Keep It True X on
April 5, 2008, at Tauberfrankenhalle, Lauda-Königshofen, Germany. The
festival is completely sold out as of September.

http://www.solarflight.net/
http://www.cruzdelsurmusic.com/

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*** PRESS RELEASE #2 ***
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-Nightmare Coins New Festival

Ladies And Metlmen... It's Time For Something Metal...

Nightmare Records Is Proud To Announce...

The Introduction Of A New Metal Festival Beginning This March In
Florida.

Metal vocalist Lance King (owner of Nightmare Records, previous
vocalist of Balance Of Power and Pyramaze) has now started a new
festival in conjunction with "Rock Solid Pressure" Radio Show hosted
by J. Rock and Patty.

Why Florida? Because Minnesota is still cold and unfriendly in March,
and usually deep in snow, and by that time I've had enough of all
that!

Plus it's Spring break and everyone is on their way to Florida
anyway....so that just seemed a no brainer!

Stay tuned in, there will be more announcements on this on a weekly
basis leading up to the main event! Friday will be a shorter night of
four-five bands (not all confirmed yet) and Saturday will be an all
day metal extravaganza a few local headliners and a lot of Nightmare's
finest bands will be here to perform....This is just the beginning of
things to come!

WHEN: FRIDAY & SATURDAY MARCH 21ST AND 22ND
WHERE: BOURBON STREET
MORE INFO HERE:
http://www.clubbourbonstreet.com/

First band to be announced is California's own Cage! Check out the
band's music here:
http://www.cageheavymetal.com/

Here are the first two promotional posters, if you would like to
repost, PLEASE DO!
http://www.maximumbands.com/3-21_nightmare.jpg
http://www.maximumbands.com/3-22_nightmare.jpg

All my best, Lance King
Vocalist and Owner of....

NIGHTMARE RECORDS & DISTRIBUTION
7751 Greenwood Drive,
St. Paul, MN 55112 U.S.A.
Tel 763-784-9654 / Fax 763-784-7914

CHECK OUT THE PAGES!
http://www.Nightmare-Records.com/
http://www.myspace.com/NightmareRecords1 (Label)
http://www.myspace.com/NightmareRecordsMusic (Distribution)
http://www.myspace.com/lancekingvox (Professional)

Check out our OFFICIAL NIGHTMARE RECORDS FORUM on ULTIMATE METAL
FORUMS
http://www.ultimatemetal.com/forum/nightmare-records-436/
http://www.avianband.com/

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*** PRESS RELEASE #3 ***
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-Metal Maniacs And SPV Pleased To Announce Winner Of Kamelot ESP
Guitar!

Dedicated fan thrilled at her long awaited piece of memorabilia

For the past two months, tons of fans have been eager to find out if
they'd be the lucky winner of a beautiful LTD H101FM guitar by the ESP
Guitar Company, autographed by Thomas Youngblood of Kamelot. The entry
forms were found in a full page advertisement in the November/December
issue of Metal Maniacs, which included a large picture of Youngblood
rocking with his ESP guitar, as well as the band's new album GHOST
OPERA, released on SPV this past summer.

As January 1st came and went, it was finally time to randomly draw and
announce the name of the lucky winner. Everyone always hopes that a
true fan will win a contest like this, and winner Kathleen Morton of
Richmond, Virginia couldn't have fit the bill any better! She
excitedly explains that she has been a fan of Kamelot for five years,
never missing a show that they've played in her home state. Kathleen
also goes on to explain that she's had a CD signed by the whole band
except the lead singer, Roy Khan. Lucky for Kathleen, inside the hard
case that houses the ESP is also a press shot, autographed by the
entire band. "This is a dream come true," exclaimed Kathleen.

A picture of the actual autographed guitar can be viewed here:
http://www.spvmarketinginc.com/NinaMarketing/ESP.jpg

http://www.kamelot.com/
http://www.myspace.com/kamelot
http://www.myspace.com/spvusa

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*** PRESS RELEASE #4 ***
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-Lion Music News

Welcome Friends to our first news items of 2008, we hope you all had a
good New Year and are ready for another 12 months of rocking madness!

On with the news...

Twinspirits bassist Alberto Rigoni Signs To Lion Music

Twinspirits bassist Alberto Rigoni serves up "Something Different"...
Twinspirits bassist Alberto Rigoni's debut solo album SOMETHING
DIFFERENT is composed of ten tracks, eight of which arranged as
instruments and two of them sung. The main features of the album are,
on one side the extreme variety of the tunes, on the other side the
union of experimental research with the comeback of melody.
Progressive, funky, rock, fusion, ambient suggestions blend in an
original poetical mix that frees from any defined genre and turns out
to be immediately catchy to every kind of listener.

The CD features appearances by guests such as guitar players Tommy
Ermolli and Daniele Gottardo. Some tunes of it have already been
successfully broadcast by the Italian national radio channel RAI Radio
3 along with an interview to the author, before any public release.

Web Links
http://www.albertorigoni.net/
http://www.myspace.com/albertorigoni

SOMETHING DIFFERENT will be released worldwide on Lion Music soon
(date TBC). More information to follow soon.

John Macaluso Dishes Out "Repercussions"

"Repercussions," the new drum book by drummer John Macaluso (ARK,
Yngwie Malmsteen, James LaBrie, TNT, Union Radio), is out now and
available on John's Web site http://www.johnmacaluso.com/ .

The book is described as a guide to opening your creativity on the
drum kit. John is well known in the music industry as a drummer with
his own sound and style, this book is crafted to help drummers
develope a sound of their own. The book is very different from others
out there because it is not only examples of drum grooves and fills,
"Repercussions" has that and much more, from studio and recording tips
on getting a sound and working with the click track, to graphics
beautifully drawn to show examples of hand technique, foot technique
and more. There are great examples of drum fills, jungle drum and bass
rhythms, linear drumming, double bass beats and fills and much more.
There are also interesting stories on touring, gigging, recording,
real life examples this alone sets this drum book apart from the rest.

The "Repercussions" set comes with a CD enclosed showing all the
examples in the book (one hour long). "Repercussions" has been
endorsed by some of the biggest and best drum legends in the music
business, here is what is said about "Repercussions":

Joe Franco (Author of "Double Bass Drumming," Good Rats, Twisted
Sister, Maria Carey, Vinnie Moore):

"Some drummers just have a thing. I've watched John grow as an artist
since he was 15 years old. He is truly a drummer's drummer, but what
makes him stand out from the pack is creativity. He is constantly
driven and responds to any challenge. John has a lot to say here. He
projects a great personality in his writing, playing and story telling
making this one of the most enjoyable texts I've ever seen."

Nicko McBrain (Iron Maiden):

"Johnny Mac is one mighty fine player. You can't go wrong learning the
tricks if his trade. This book reflects Johnny's way of explaining the
finer points of our trade. It has his sense of humor and makes it fun
to learn. After all, that's what it's all about. Have fun!!!!!!!!!!
TA."

Bobby Jarzombek (Halford, Sebastian Bach, Spastic Ink):

"I love John's playing. He's got that 'old School Power Thing,' the
finesse of an orchestral percussionist, and the imagination to put it
all together to create some of the most KILLER drumming you'll ever
hear."

Order "Repercussions" at the newly redesigned
http://www.johnmacaluso.com/ .

John Macaluso's drum genius can also be heard on these recent Lion
Music releases:

John Macaluso & Union Radio - THE RADIO WAVES GOODBYE
MCM - 1900 - HARD TIMES

http://www.lionmusic.com/
http://www.myspace.com/lionmusiclabel
http://www.youtube.com/lionmusicfinland

Buy legal digital downloads at
http://www.legaldownload.net/label/main/id/226

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*** PRESS RELEASE #5 ***
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-Brainstorm - DOWNBURST Release Parties!

2008 starts with a bang! German Metal heavyweights Brainstorm release
their highly anticipated new album called DOWNBURST on the 25th of
January (G/A/CH/I) / 28th of January (rest of Europe).

Do you want to be one of the first that listen to their new hymns?
Don't miss the DOWNBURST release parties (dates see below)!

You will have the chance to get a first impression on the new
Brainstorm songs as well as to win some cool goodies (limited shirts,
CD openers, CDs, posters, etc.)!

Some band members will be at the parties in Ludwigsburg and Tübingen!
Be there! Meet them! Get your stuff signed!

Release Parties - Brainstorm 2008

18.01.2008 - Rockfabrik - Ludwigsburg (with band members)
18.01.2008 - Headbangers Ballroom - Hamburg
18.01.2008 - Rockclub U2 - Ingolstadt
18.01.2008 - Halford - Berlin
18.01.2008 - Abyss Bar - Innsbruck (AUT)
19.01.2008 - Matrix - Bochum
19.01.2008 - Rockfabrik - Nürnberg
23.01.2008 - Steinbruch - Darmstadt
26.01.2008 - Epplehaus - Tübingen (with band members)

Furthermore we also set up a viral player you can place on your
personal MySpace page and/or homepage! Please just use the specified
codes below!

Code for MySpace:
<object type="application/x-shockwave-flash"
allowScriptAccess="always"
allowNetworking="always" height="378" width="250"
data="http://www.metalblade.com
<param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" />
<param name="allowNetworking" value="always" />
<param name="movie"
value="http://www.metalblade.com />
<param name="quality" value="high" /> </object>

Code for homepages:
<object type="application/x-shockwave-flash"
allowScriptAccess="always"
allowNetworking="always" height="378" width="250"
data="http://www.metalblade.com
<param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /> <param
name="allowNetworking" value="always" />
<param name="movie" value="http://www.metalblade.com />
<param name="quality" value="high" /> </object>

http://www.brainstormweb.com/

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*** PRESS RELEASE #6 ***
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-Avantasia Update

Avantasia - THE SCARECROW
RELEASE DATE:
February 5, 2008

Track List:
01. Twisted Mind
02. The Scarecrow
03. Shelter From The Rain
04. Carry Me Over
05. What Kind Of Love
06. Another Angel Down
07. The Toy Master
08. Devil In The Belfry
09. Cry Just A Little
10. I Don't Believe In Your Love
11. Lost In Space

Video To "Lost In Space"
http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?
fuseaction=vids.individual&VideoID=25274479

Video To "Carry Me Over"
http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?
fuseaction=vids.individual&VideoID=25275264

THE SCARECROW will feature guest appearances by the following artists:

Alice Cooper (vocals)
Amanda Somerville (vocals)
Bob Catley (Magnum; vocals)
Jorn Lande (ex-Masterplan; vocals)
Kai Hansen (Gamma Ray; guitar)
Michael Kiske (ex-Helloween; vocals)
Oliver Hartmann
Roy Khan (Kamelot; vocals)
Rudolf Schenker (Scorpions; guitar)

Avantasia Ringtone Download

To celebrate the long awaited album from Tobias Sammet's (Mastermind
behind German rockers Edguy) Avantasia, Nuclear Blast USA proudly
presents the ringtone to "Lost In Space" for U.S.A. residents.

All you have to do is text the word AVANTASIA to '66555'

Users will be charged $2.99 for real music ringtones. This service is
available to Sprint, T-Mobile, Cingular, and Verizon subscribers.
Standard text messaging costs apply.

Visit http://www.ringtonejukebox.com/ for more info.

http://www.tobiassammet.com/
http://www.myspace.com/tobiassammet
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-y6Vn29muGg

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*** PRESS RELEASE #7 ***
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-Andy LaRocque Of King Diamond To Guest On Asylum's Debut Album!

Andy LaRocque of King Diamond is the latest member to make an
appearance on the debut album from Asylum, the Illinois-based project
featuring Marcus Johnson (lead vocals, lead guitar) and Johnny Rox
(bass). Also contributing to the CD are Kevin Talley (Daath, ex-
Chimaira, Dying Fetus, Misery Index), Gene Hoglan (Dark Angel,
Testament, Death, Strapping Young Lad), Larry Tarnowski (ex-Iced
Earth), and David Shankle (Manowar, DSG).

Accompanied by Talley and Tarnowski, Johnson and Rox began recording
the debut Asylum album in May 2006. By October of 2006, Gene Hoglan
made a guest appearance, ripping up the drums on the bonus track "Get
Up," a Van Halen cover. Brendon Small of Dethklok and "Metalocalypse"
fame also contributed a guest guitar solo to the same song.

Asylum's debut album is being engineered by Grammy nominee Bob "Doc"
Pucci. In addition, the album will be mixed by Grammy nominee Ulrich
Wild, best known for his mixing/engineering work with Dethklok,
Slipknot, Static-X, Pantera and White Zombie. The CD will be mastered
by Tom Baker, who has worked with bands like Nine Inch Nails, Marilyn
Manson, Motley Crue, White Zombie and Velvet Revolver.

Asylum is currently unsigned and looking for label representation!

For more information, visit http://www.myspace.com/officialasylum .

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*** PRESS RELEASE #8 ***
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-Bushwhack Balances Prog With Melodic Rock On Self-Titled Debut

It's uncommon that an all-instrumental rock band can keep the
attention span of non-musicians. But due to their penchant for
crafting memorable non-vocal melodies along with their impressive,
expert chops, Bushwhack is one such band that manages to successfully
walk that fine line -- as evidenced by their recently issued self-
titled debut (available online and through iTunes).

Comprised of guitarist Jamie Van Dyck, bassist Brandon Green,
keyboardist/samplist Frank Sacramone, and drummer Ben Shanbrom, the
New Haven, CT-based quartet has created an undeniable buzz on the
strength of their debut, which features design by renowned artist
Ioannis, as well as photographs by another renowned name in the rock
world -- Mark Weiss.

Upon inspection of Bushwhack's thirteen track debut -- produced by
Jeff Cannata -- it quickly becomes apparent that the band posses a
sound that brings to mind such acts (and chief Bushwhack influences)
as Dream Theater and Porcupine Tree. However, like all rock bands that
manage to stand out from the pack, Bushwhack transcend their
influences, creating their own unique sound/style in the process --
something that is becoming increasingly uncommon in rock's current
climate.

But according to Sacramone, their non-vocal approach isn't something
they deliberately set out to do. But rather, it happened naturally,
and at this point, is a crucial ingredient to the Bushwhack sound. "We
haven't really found a singer that has meshed with the band yet. Our
band is comprised of four very close friends, and we need someone with
a voice that would actually improve the melodic and tonal quality of
the music." Van Dyck adds, "The idea of a vocalist, we figured would
fall into our laps. Now, here we are three years later. We are kind of
reaching a fork in the road -- we can continue as an instrumental
unit, or we add a vocalist. Until we find the right vocalist, we're
probably not going to go down the vocalist path."

Which is just as well -- judging from the strength of such tracks as
"The Greatest Wall," "Sea Of Tranquility," and "Introspection," the
compositions easily stand on their own. "The album has a collection of
songs from about a span of two/two and a half years," explains
Sacramone. "It's pretty diverse. Our consistency and our ability to
write throughout those two years -- we have been able to pursue the
sound we wanted and not change due to trends or anyone's wishing --
accept our own."

And when it comes to the Bushwhack live experience, the band holds
their own -- even with the absence of a bonafide front man, points out
Sacramone. "Don't take us for not being able to put on a live show. A
big part of our success is our live performance. You will never expect
an instrumental band to act like a hardcore metal band jumping around
the stage, with such sophisticated music. But that's exactly what we
do. Ben destroys the drum set, I have a Keytar and run around -- I
even jump into the crowd, do 360's off stage! It's got a balance of
fun and intensity at the same time."

Another factor has recently come into play for the band, as well. "We
have to face the fact that we're college students," adds Van Dyck. "We
have the decision to make -- do we finish college, or is something big
enough going to happen in the coming months that is going to cause us
to take a year off -- or even drop out?" Judging from the promise and
strength of BUSHWHACK, the prog metal world will benefit greatly if
the members choose the latter...

For more information, go to:

http://www.myspace.com/bushwhack
http://www.bushwhackmusic.com/

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*** PRESS RELEASE #9 ***
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-20 YEARS OF NUCLEAR BLAST -- Happy 20 Year Anniversary To Nuclear
Blast!

In celebration of reaching our many years of accomplishments, this
four-CD package is the ultimate one compilation you will ever lay
hands on. Massive booklet includes everything you'll need to know
about our label, how it all began, the people behind the music, and so
much more. A true insiders gem!

Not only will you get an insight on the label that brings you extreme
metal music throughout the years, but you'll also receive four CDs
that are jam packed with songs from artists that spanned the label's
history!

Seventy songs in more than 300 minutes of mind-blasting metal from the
Nuclear Blast roster.

20 YEARS OF NUCLEAR BLAST (four-CD)
Various Artists
Release Date: 01-15-2008

DISC 1:

1. DIMMU BORGIR - Progenies Of The Great Apocalypse
2. IMMORTAL - One By One
3. HYPOCRISY - Scrutinized
4. GOREFEST - The Glorious Dead
5. KATAKLYSM - Manipulator Of Souls
6. BENEDICTION - I Bow To None
7. PUNGENT STENCH - Shrunken And Mumified Bitch
8. BELPHEGOR - Sanctus Perversum
9. NILE - The Language Of The Shadows
10. DEATH - Scavenger Of Human Sorrow
11. MALEVOLENT CREATION - Assassin Squad
12. DESTRUCTION - The Butcher Strikes Back
13. DEW-SCENTED - Cities Of The Dead
14. ANTHRAX - Who Doesn
15. EXODUS - Riot Act
16. DEATH ANGEL - The Devil Incarnate
17. I - Warriors

DISC 2:

1. SONIC SYNDICATE - Psychic Suicide
2. CLAWFINGER - The Price We Pay
3. CHIMAIRA - Worthless
4. IN FLAMES - Only For The Weak
5. MESHUGGAH - Future Breed Machine
6. SOILWORK - Exile
7. THE DESTINY PROGRAM - Project Hoax
8. SCAR SYMMETRY - The Illusionist
9. THREAT SIGNAL - Counterbalance
10. MNEMIC - Ghost
11. EKTOMORF - Destroy
12. AGNOSTIC FRONT - Warriors
13. ALL SHALL PERISH - Eradication
14. BLEED THE SKY - God In The Frame
15. DARKANE - Solitary Confinement
16. THE DUSKFALL - Trust Is Overrated
17. ONE MAN ARMY & THE UNDEAD QUARTET - So Grim, So True, So Real
18. WINTERSUN - Winter Madness

DISC 3:

2. RIDE THE SKY - New Protection
3. EDGUY - King Of Fools
4. BLIND GUARDIAN - The New Order
5. SONATA ARCTICA - Caleb
6. GOTTHARD - Master Of Illusion
7. RAGE - Full Moon
8. GRAVE DIGGER - Valhalla
9. HELLOWEEN - Immortal
10. STRATOVARIUS - Why Are We Here
11. TAROT - Before The Skies Comes Down
12. THUNDERSTONE - Face In The Mirror
13. COMMUNIC - Conspiracy In Mind
14. THRESHOLD - Slipstream
15. CANDLEMASS - Of Stars And Smoke
16. CATHEDRAL - Corpsecycle

DISC 4:

1. NIGHTWISH - Eva
2. AFTER FOREVER - Transitory
3. EPICA - Never Enough
4. ECHOES OF ETERNITY - Voices In A Dream
5. SIRENIA - The Other Side
6. DEATHSTARS - Greatest Fight On Earth
7. SAMAEL - Valkyrie
8. THE KOVENANT - In The Name Of The Future
9. AMORPHIS - The White Swan
10. THERION - Der Mitternachtslowe
11. CREMATORY - Revolution
12. FARMER BOYS - For The World To Sing
13. PYOGENESIS - Addiction Pole
14. LIQUIDO - Ordinary Life
15. CHROME DIVISION - Serial Killer
16. DIE APOKALYPTISCHEN REITER - Riders On The Storm
17. SUBWAY TO SALLY - Meine Seele Brennt
18. KNORKATOR - Wir Werden Alle Sterben
19. SUCH A SURGE - Mission Erfullt

http://www.nuclearblastusa.com/

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*** PRESS RELEASE #10 ***
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-Type O Negative Announce DEAD AGAIN Special Editions And New Video
Premiere!

Just in time for Valentine's Day, goth/rock legends Type O Negative
are proud to announce the February 12 release of two special editions
of their acclaimed new album DEAD AGAIN.

The deluxe CD version will contain a bonus DVD with exclusive live
performances, interviews and studio videos. The discs will be
repackaged in a special red cover. A limited-edition triple-vinyl box
set will also be released and features DEAD AGAIN on high-quality 180-
gram vinyl. The vinyl box set will contain the bonus DVD, along with
an exclusive T-shirt and MP3 files of the album.

In other Type O Negative news, the stunning new video for "September
Sun" will be making its small-screen debut on MTV2's "Headbanger's
Ball" this Saturday, January 12th during the first hour of the
broadcast.

http://www.typeonegative.net/

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*** PRESS RELEASE #11 ***
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-Atrocity's WERK 80 II: Samples Online; U.S.A./Canadian Street Date

In anticipation of their monumental new album of '80s pop-song covers,
WERK 80 II, Napalm Records recording artists Atrocity offer online
audio samples here:

"The Sun Always Shines On TV"
http://www.atrocity.de/userfiles/file/TheSunAlwaysShinesOnTV.MP3

"Don't You Forget About Me"
http://www.atrocity.de/userfiles/file/DontYouForgetAboutMe.MP3

"Fade To Grey"
http://www.atrocity.de/userfiles/file/FadeToGrey.MP3

"Hey Little Girl"
http://www.atrocity.de/userfiles/file/HeyLittleGirl.MP3

"Here Comes The Rain Again"
http://www.atrocity.de/userfiles/file/HereComesTheRainAgain.MP3

The North American (U.S.A. + Canada) release date for WERK 80 II is
confirmed as March 4th.

The confirmed track listing for WERK 80 II:

1. People Are People
2. Smalltown Boy
3. Relax
4. Hey Little Girl
5. Don't You Forget About Me
6. Fade To Grey
7. Such A Shame
8. The Sun Always Shines On TV
9. Keine Heimat
10. Here Comes The Rain
11. Forever Young
Bonus (limited edition):
12. Feels Like Heaven

And some background info on WERK 80 II, the follow-up to 1997's smash-
hit WERK 80, from a recent interview originally conducted in German:

Alex, what is the idea behind putting "The Sun Always Shines On TV" on
WERK 80 II?

Alex: "It was clear that we will do a song from A-Ha this time. It was
the number one band from Norway, and so I probably would have a lot of
trouble with Liv if we ignored her countrymen! To be honest, the song
just fits very well to us and our idea to make an Atrocity song out of
an '80s pop song. It was also a good choice for our cooperation with
the orchestra and the choir. We just think about doing a video clip
for that song."

So we will hear your wife Liv Kristine on "The Sun Always Shines On
TV" -- is she also singing in other songs, as well?

Alex: "Yes, that's right. Liv is with us on 'The Sun Always Shines On
TV.' It was some kind of natural that she could join us on vocals for
that song. On the first WERK 80 it was well received that Liv was
taking part on songs like 'Shout,' and why shouldn't we do it again?
She is doing some guest vocals on some songs, and I think we all had
some fun recording it."

Alex, why did you choose to record "Don't You Forget About Me"?

Alex: "It is a song I always had in my mind to do and it was also
repeatedly demanded by several different people to record 'Don't You
Forget About Me." After the release of the first WERK 80, fans and
several other people came up with a list of songs that they would like
to hear the next time which was really some kind of funny. Liv once
told me that that she could very well imagine this song in combination
with my voice and heavy guitars. So we tried it out and the song works
very well in my opinion. For me it is something like a following-up of
'The Great Commandment' from the first WERK 80 album."

Do you connect any special memories from the eighties with the songs
that we can hear on both WERK 80 albums?

Alex: "This is a question I got asked several times right now. As a
'kid of the eighties' there are of course some songs which you keep in
mind and then you connect them with certain events. There are probably
many nostalgic stories for many people like their first love romance
or something like that. But for me it is mostly metal songs which I
adore now and in the past. So these are songs which we don't play on
any of the WERK 80 albums. There were many metal songs in these days
were we partied along and listened to when we were rambling the
streets. Don't forget that we founded Atrocity as young teenagers
during this period in the mid-eighties which was a serious step in our
lives. So we decided to become a metal musician at a very early stage.
Music took always the center stage and it is still our purpose in
life. Clearly, music always has a nostalgic aspect if you can refer it
to a special epoch. And this is definetly the point that many people
feel the rising of memories when listening to WERK 80. I have a clear
memory about some songs when I listened to them on radio or TV that I
thought they would sound cool as a metal song with heavy guitars.
That's actually the beginning of the idea to play well known songs of
the eighties with our band in a metal way. But you can also find some
songs on both WERK 80 albums that were interesting for us besides the
memories of youthness, for example for breaking taboos such as
homosexuality. It has been a very sensitive subject in our society
until today. Many bands have tried to break boundaries in these days
by very offensive and provocant means. I think it is right to kick
society's ass from time to time with its hypocritical values and norms
and its absurd double standards. That's exactly what Heavy Metal is
about -- breaking the rules, man!"

Alex, what's behind your choice to record "Fade To Grey"?

Alex: "I had a good friend who belonged to the New Wave scene for a
while. She often visited me at home with her friends. That's why I
knew some songs from the scene, too. This song from Visage advanced to
become an absolute cult song with an extremely high recall value due
to its minimalistic approach, the distinctive Synthie bass and the
French speaking female voice. That's why we engaged the French artist
Jensara Swann for 'Fade To Grey.' I like how the song became an
atmospheric grooving juggernaut. 'Fade To Grey' is the legitimate
successor of 'Being Boiled' from the first WERK 80 for me."

Did you like any other bands from the New Wave scene?

Alex: "As I already told you, I used to be a big Metalhead in these
days! But there were some dark and atmospheric songs especially the
Wave and Electro stuff with heavy Synthie basses which I found quite
interesting. After all, Pink Floyd are my great heroes and they more
or less influenced many of these Synthie bands. I just always missed
the heavy guitars, that's why you get them now! DAF is a great example
for this, even if we didn't interpret them this time, but they really
did some extreme songs. That's why we played 'Der Mussolini' and some
other songs on the first WERK 80. One thing which I recognized by
doing this new album is for sure: many songs of the eighties were done
in great detail and done in an opulent way if you consider the
technical possibilities of these days. One should give respect to that
either you like them or not. Not for nothing is it claimed that even
the Mainstream music of the eighties was done with ambitious
arrangements."

Alex, why did you choose "Hey Little Girl"?

Alex: "We thought that the song could work very well with a hard
chorus. We had several different ideas, riffs and guitar lines for
this song. Maybe you don't get every detail immediately, but it's
happening a lot in our version, while as the original sounds quite
monotonous. I like the outcome with its dynamic modality as we play
the song. After a melodic, solemn verse comes a dirty chorus like a
punch in your face, haha..."

How did you actually get the idea to make a complete album with covers
from well-known pop songs of the eighties as a Metal band?

Alex: "The whole thing actually started out of a mad idea how those
songs would sound like if we played them. There were never any
commercial ulterior motives or suchalike to do it. We already did a
Metal cover version from a Demo song by Death called "Arch Angel" on
the TODESSEHNSUCHT album. But the idea to do a complete album with
non-Metal songs occurred as we made good experiences by working
together with musicians from completely different, musical
backgrounds. A first step was definitely the acoustic Ethno-Metal
album CALLING THE RAIN with my sister Yasmin which was really
something extraordinary for a Death Metal band. With WERK 80 another
aspect arises as well, which appeals to us by setting completely
different songs to our music. One Metal band covers another Metal band
is actually nothing special anymore and to look at it from the musical
side it is a much greater challenge for us to attain a new and good
outcome from a song which is stylistically different to what you
normally do. In 1995, we recorded covers and new versions of our songs
on DIE LIEBE together with the Dark Wave band Das Ich. On the one hand
it was a big step to show that the Metal and Gothic scene was growing
together, on the other hand it showed to us musicians that it worked
very well if a band like Atrocity can do something in this way. It is
funny and significant that we together did a cover from Laibach which
are very well known for their covers too. Anyway, shortly after that
we did a successful cooperation with the Gothic band Lacrimosa and the
Synth band Silke Bischoff. It was a lot of fun and suddenly there was
an amount of people from the Gothic scene that caught attention to us
and wanted to work together. The idea to WERK 80 was in our heads much
earlier than that but we didn't feel that time was right to do it.
When we entered the studio the next time to record an album with some
kind of project character (after we did the 'regular' and mighty
WILLENSKRAFT album, which contains some real heavy songs like
'Scorching Breath,' 'Bloodstained Prophecy' or 'The Hunt'), a lot of
people started puzzling what comes next. As it came out that we will
record WERK 80, a complete album with hits from the eighties, a lot of
people said we went absolutely crazy without even listening a single
note from the album. Many of them asked themselves why the hell does a
Metal band do a cover album of eighties Pop and Wave classics? But
this is IT, this adds zest to it, man! Many ignorant people didn't get
it until now. It is guaranteed not the case that we wanted to become a
Pop band and to dissociate from Metal music. This is complete nonsense
and in princinple we do the exact opposite of it! We transform Pop and
Wave songs into Metal songs and not the other way round. We do our
thing and we are not a band that wants to record the same thing over
and over. I know a couple of musicians who really envy us for doing
something like WERK 80. As WERK 80 became a real seller and entered
the charts besides all the prophecies of doom and killjoys, a lot of
people suddenly came up to us completely enthusiastic, the same people
who once threw their hands up in horror! I got inquiries from all
different places if I'd like to do similar projects with other bands
and producing it. And many bands have tried shortly after that to do
similar cover versions, as nowadays, when it got clear two years ago,
that we work on another WERK 80 album again. Who cares, it doesn't
matter to us now as in the past. In fact we think it's much cooler
that for example in Wacken, thousands of raised fists from Metal heads
from all over the world scream along 'Shout' and the other songs. Or
as we cleaned up as headliner of the biggest Gothic event in this
world, the Wave Gotik Treffen in Leipzig (Ger)! Who would ever had
thought before?"

Alex, why did you choose to record "Here Comes The Rain Again" for the
new album?

Alex: "It was especially attractive to work with a presetting that it
is a female voice as main vocals and I had to take this part. Because
of the usage of guitars and the more invidious, male vocals, the song
gets another note of course. In principle, we don't want to destroy
the overall character of the songs which we perform on the WERK 80
album, but building on that, to more or less filling in our trademarks
as the Metal band Atrocity.

On this album it was your business to unite 11 (respectively 12, if
you count the bonus track) different singers, how was your approach
towards that?

Alex: "It wasn't just to reduce 12 different singers to a common
denominator, but also 12 different bands and their songs! It isn't an
easy task, especially for a singer because every singer has his own
special way to perform his songs. There are some great singers on the
original, no question about that. The songs were also probably made
for these specific voices. That's why I didn't try to imitate the
voices of the singers but simply to work with the variety of my voice,
be it hard or clean vocals. After all, it's Atrocity playing the
songs. That's why there is no sense in miserable comparisons all the
time. Either you like our versions or not! Sometimes you have,
especially on vocals, to operate in finding an own style which means
you must experiment a little bit. I made my experiences with that on
the first WERK 80 session. For me personally, it was very important to
have a healthy mixture of hard and clean vocals on the album. It
should sound diversified, homogenous just to sound as of one piece. By
the way, it would be interesting to know how those bands would play
our songs instead. How would a Dave Gahan growl to 'Reich Of
Phenomena?'"

*
*** PRESS RELEASE #12 ***
*
-Black Cobra U.S. Tour With Pelican & Uneartly Trance

The band that refuses to stay off the road, Black Cobra continues to
unleash it's crust-laden venomous attack on the world, this time
heading out as direct support for Pelican and joined by Unearthly
Trance. If that ain't heavy enough to have you front row unleashing
hell, you're in the wrong business, Jack.

Pelican / Black Cobra / Unearthly Trance

02/28/2008 Empty Bottle - Chicago, IL
02/29/2008 The House - DeKalb, IL
03/01/2008 Rhino's All Ages Music Club - Bloomington, IN
03/02/2008 The Gargoyle - St. Louis, MO
03/04/2008 Hi Tone Cafe - Memphis, TN
03/05/2008 Bottletree - Birmingham, AL
03/06/2008 Sluggo's - Pensacola, FL - w/ City Of Ships
03/07/2008 Common Grounds - Gainesville, FL
03/08/2008 The Big Cypress Reservation / Langerado Fest - Clewiston,
FL
03/10/2008 The Social - Orlando, FL
03/12/2008 Drunken Unicorn - Atlanta, GA
03/13/2008 Casbah At Tremont Music Hall - Charlotte, NC
03/15/2008 Headliners Music Hal - Louisville, KY - w/ Your Black Star

"...FEATHER AND STONE still proves why Black Cobra kicks twice as much
ass than their peers, with only half the members." 8/10 - Outburn

"...it's difficult to believe this much racket can be unearthed via
six strings and drums, but FEATHER AND STONE is an unapologetic,
raucous romp through the luxurious lair of The Low End." - Metal
Maniacs

"Live, Black Cobra are a truly ferocious, unforgiving beast, a hyper-
kinetic duo of bovine, fuzzed-to-death, gibsonic bong-slurry riffage
and wild-man percussive bombast" 5/5 - Zero Tolerance

"...Black Cobra will happily bludgeon you into oblivion." 8/10 -
RockSound

http://www.blackcobra.net/
http://www.myspace.com/blackcobra
http://www.atalossrecordings.com/
http://www.myspace.com/atalossrecordings

*
*** PRESS RELEASE #13 ***
*
-Nachtmystium Euro-tour With Genghis Tron & Zoroaster; ASSASSINS Near
Completion

Rock Sound and Terrorizer Magazine present:
GENGHIS TRON / NACHTMYSTIUM / ZOROASTER
European Invasion 2008

05/09/2008 Engine Rooms - Brighton, UK
05/10/2008 Corportaion - Sheffield, UK
05/11/2008 Joseph's Well - Leeds, UK
05/12/2008 Trillian's - Newcastle, UK
05/13/2008 White Rabbit - Plymouth UK
05/14/2008 Croft - Bristol, UK
05/15/2008 Islington Bar Academy - London, UK
05/16/2008 *TBA - Belgium
05/17/2008 *TBA - Holland
05/18/2008 *TBA - France
05/19/2008 Underground - Koln, Germany
05/20/2008 Cassiopeia - Berlin, Germany
05/21/2008 Feierwerk - Munich, Germany
05/22/2008 Magnolia Club - Milan, Italy

Nachtmystium has also finished up the recording of the upcoming album
ASSASSINS, to be released in North America on Century Media and in
Europe on Candlelight Records! The session was the perfect combination
of productive and destructive, and the proof is the music itself. The
release date is up in the air at the moment, but expect the new slab
to be available no later than June 1st, with new tracks to be posted
once the mixing / mastering has commenced at the end of January.

http://www.nachtmystium.com/
http://www.myspace.com/nachtmystium
http://www.centurymedia.com/
http://www.myspace.com/centurymedia

*
*** PRESS RELEASE #14 ***
*
-Om West Coast January Shows, February East Coast Shows

Yup, both coasts get another dose of Om's inspirational and traumatic
mantra once again kicking off 2008. Hitting Seattle through L.A. with
Lichens in mid-January they then head east to hit the Northeast
metropolitan areas again.

Om West Coast w/ Lichens
01/16/2008 Neumo's - Seattle, WA
01/17/2008 Berbatis Pan - Portland, OR
01/18/2008 The Independent - San Francisco, CA
01/19/2008 Brookdale Lodge - Brookdale, CA
01/20/2008 Echo Plex - Los Angeles, CA

Om Pilgrimage 2008 - with special guest Daniel Higgs
02/06/2008 The Ottobar - Baltimore, MD
02/07/2008 Johnny Brenda's - Philadelphia, PA
02/08/2008 Luna Lounge - Brooklyn, NY
02/09/2008 Downstairs at Middle East - Boston, MA

"Metal and drone's rhetoric tends to prize nature as awesome above
all, so here goes: if some bands are earthquakes, Om are erosion --
slow, massive, patient." - Pitchfork

"...PILGRIMAGE, is a testament to how easily the music can coax you
into a hypnotic sleep and then without a warning dunk your body into
an icy cold reawakening." - Pop Matters

"...PILGRIMAGE is pure Om, building solidly upon past templates and
pithily gels the band's vision of mantric metal." - Exclaim!

http://www.omvibratory.com/
http://www.southernlord.com/
http://www.eclipsebooking.com/

*
*** PRESS RELEASE #15 ***
*
-Day Without Dawn (Ex-Postman Syndrome) Changes Name To Biclops,
Releases Posthumous Record

After the departure of guitarist/vocalist Jim Stang and the addition
of new guitarist/vocalist Dan Brownridge, the members of New Jersey
quartet Day Without Dawn (formerly called The Postman Syndrome when
they were a five-piece) have once again renamed themselves, this time
as Biclops.

Day Without Dawn's final album with Stang on vocals, UNDERSTANDING
CONSEQUENCES, will be released this February by Forgotten Empire
Records. The disc will be comprised of eight songs and will feature
guest performances by Larry Chiswick (All Parallels), Matt Lupo (The
Postman Syndrome, East Of The Wall), Kevin Conway (East Of The Wall),
Bruce Lamont (Yakuza), and Jared Duncan (Fake Gimms).

Meanwhile, Biclops have posted new music at
http://www.myspace.com/BiclopsIsABand , and are currently in the midst
of booking a nationwide tour in March 2008, once again with tour mates
All Parallels.

http://www.myspace.com/BiclopsIsABand

*
*** PRESS RELEASE #16 ***
*
-With Dead Hands Rising Post Two Tracks From Upcoming Album EXPECT
HELL Online

With Dead Hands Rising has posted the songs "Concentrated
Contamination" and "The Possession" from their upcoming album EXPECT
HELL online, the tracks can be listened to on the band's MySpace page
located at http://www.myspace.com/withdeadhandsrising . EXPECT HELL is
set to be released in June through Mediaskare; an exact date will be
announced soon.

The band recently finished the "Random Sick Ass Bands Tour" with Dead
To Fall, At All Cost, and Born Of Osiris. Currently taking a short
break from the road to play some local shows, the band will have tour
announcements shortly.

With Dead Hands Rising tour dates

1/18 - Minneapolis, MN – Memory Lanes
1/19 - Rice Lake, WI – Knights Of Columbus
1/25 - La Crosse, WI – The Warehouse (w/ After The Burial)
1/26 - Rogers, MN – Showcase Skare Park (w/ After The Burial)
3/6 - Rogers, MN – Showcase Skate Park (w/ A Life Once Lost)

http://www.myspace.com/withdeadhandsrising
http://www.mediaskare.com/

*
*** NEWS/RUMORS ***
*
-About Heavy Metal's "Best Heavy Metal Albums Of 1998" article is
online now at http://glclk.about.com/?zi=1/4fca .

-The cover art for Alibi's upcoming VOICE OF REASON, due February 18
on Z Records, is now available for viewing at http://www.zrecords.net/
. The disc's first pressing will be limited to 1,000 copies and
include two extra tracks; after that sells out the regular 10-track
version will be available.

-Benedictum, fronted by Veronica Freeman, will release SEASONS OF
TRAGEDY in the U.S. on March 4 via Locomotive Records. Guest stars
include guitarists George Lynch (Dokken, Lynch Mob), Manni Schmidt
(Rage, Grave Digger), and Craig Goldy (Dio), and bassist Jeff Pilson
(Dokken, Foreigner). Hype has the music "conjuring the power, mystique
and grandeur of early Rainbow and classic Savatage . . . with awesome
riffing, fierce rythms, [and] strong and catchy melodies." SEASONS OF
TRAGEDY includes a cover of Accept's "Balls To The Wall," and the
digi-pak version also includes a cover of Rainbow's "Catch The
Rainbow."

-Blind Guardian's "Another Stranger Me" single is backed with four
non-album tracks -- "All The King's Horses," "Dream A Little Dream Of
Me," "Lionhart" (demo), "The Edge" (demo) -- and includes the song's
video.

-Brainstorm's new album DOWNBURST will be released January 22 in North
America, January 25 in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Italy, and
January 28 in the rest of Europe. Check out an MP3 of "Stained With
Sin" at http://www.metalblade.de/mp3/brainstorm/stainedwithsin.mp3 .
See http://www.brainstormweb.com/ and
http://www.myspace.com/officialbrainstorm for more.

-Death Angel's KILLING SEASON is due out February 26 on Nuclear Blast.
The disc was recorded at Studio 606 in Northridge, California, with
producer Nick Raskulinecz (Foo Fighters, Rush, Velvet Revolver, etc.).
Track list: "Lord Of Hate," "Sonic Beatdown," "Dethroned," "Carnival
Justice," "Buried Alive," "Soulless," "The Noose," "When Worlds
Collide," "God Vs. God," "Steal The Crown," "Resurrection Machine."
The song "Sonic Beatdown" can be previewed now at
http://www.myspace.com/deathangel . [Note: That's an early contender
for Song Title Of The Year for 2008. - Tim] See
http://www.deathangel.com/ for more.

-Check out the video for The Feds' "Saturday Girl," from A TOUCH OF
PANIC on Tribunal Records, online now at
http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?
fuseaction=vids.individual&VideoID=16074111
.

-Upcoming Great White shows:

1/17 - Ameristar Casino, St. Louis, MO - w/ Vince Neil
1/18 - Annie's, Cincinatti, OH
1/19 - Austin's Saloon, Libertyville, IL
1/22 - Don Hill's, New York City, NY -
1/25 - The Rock, Copenhagen, Denmark
1/26 - Club Plato, Helmond, Holland
1/28 - Carling Academy, Newcastle, UK
1/30 - The Cat House, Glasgow, UK
1/31 - Robin 2, Wolverhampton, UK
2/1 - The Brook, Southampton, UK
2/2 - Shepards Bush, London, UK
2/6 - Heineken, Madrid, Spain
2/7 - The Apollo, Barcelona, Spain
2/9 - Z-7, Pratteln, Switzerland
2/10 - TBA, Piacenza, Italy
2/11 - TBA, Treviso, Italy
2/13 - Debaser, Stockholm, Sweden
2/14 - KB, Malmö, Sweden

Curiously, the Don Hill's show is billed as "Special Fan Appreciation
Show ... The Original Band's Only New York City Show in Over 10
Years." See http://www.mistabone.com/ for more.

-Iron Maiden will release the long awaited LIVE AFTER DEATH DVD on
February 5 in the U.S. According to online reports, the band "has
authorized limited-edition versions of shoes through Vans, a slip-on
and a high-top." Both versions feature the band's name and the KILLERS
album cover art; see http://shop.vans.com/ for more. Also, filmmakers
Sam Dunn and Scot McFadyen -- the duo behind "Metal: A Headbanger's
Journey" -- are planning a documentary on the band's upcoming world
tour. They are seeking fans who plan to see the first leg of the tour
to be interviewed for possible inclusion in the film; e-mail
maiden@... to "tell the filmmakers why YOU should be in
this movie." See http://www.ironmaiden.com/ for more.

-The End Records has made Lordi ring tones available for purchase.
Text the following codes to 66555 as follows: "The Deadite Girls Gone
Wild" - LORDI1, "Who's Your Daddy" - LORDI2, "Would You Love A
Monsterman" - LORDI3.

-There is a strong rumor that current Megadeth guitarist Glen Drover
is either leaving or taking a leave of absence from the band to focus
on some personal family related issues. Chris Broderick (Nevermore,
Jag Panzer) is rumored to be the frontrunner to fill in for Glen.

-Mercenary has finished the recordings of its new album, ARCHITECT OF
LIES, which is scheduled for release in March. Check out
http://www.mercenary.dk/ for more.

-Metal-Temple.com has an interview with Mystic Prophecy vocalist R.D.
Liapakis and guitarist Markus Pohl online now at
http://www.metal-temple.com/interview.asp?id=393 .

-Check out the "Downloads" area of Rebellion's site,
http://www.Rebellion.st/ , for the video to the title track from last
year's MIKLAGARD - THE HISTORY OF THE VIKINGS VOLUME II, as well as a
Summer Breeze video, cool wallpapers featuring MIKLAGARD artwork, and
a PDF file explaining the story behind the concept album.

-Scorpions' new DVD, LIVE AT WACKEN OPEN AIR 2006: A NIGHT TO REMEMBER
- A JOURNEY THROUGH TIME, was released in the U.S. on January 8. The
track list with special guests is as follows: "Coming Home," "Bad Boys
Running Wild," "The Zoo," "Loving You Sunday Morning," "Make It Real,"
"Pictured Life" (with Uli Jon Roth), "Speedy's Coming" (with Uli Jon
Roth), "We'll Burn The Sky" (with Uli Jon Roth), "Love 'Em Or Leave
'Em," "Don't Believe Her," "Tease Me Please Me," "Coast To Coast"
(with Michael Schenker), "Holiday" (with Michael Schenker),
"Lovedrive" (with Michael Schenker), "Another Piece Of Meat" (with
Michael Schenker), "Kottak Attack" (James Kottak drum solo),
"Blackout" (with Herman Rarebell), "No One Like You" (with Herman
Rarebell), "Six String Sting," "Big City Nights," "Can't Get Enough,"
"Still Loving You" (with Uli Jon Roth and Michael Schenker), "In
Trance" (with Uli Jon Roth and Michael Schenker), "Bolero" (with
Herman Rarebell, Uli Jon Roth, Michael Schenker, and Tyson Schenker),
"Ready To Sting," "Rock You Like A Hurricane." See
http://www.the-scorpions.com/ for more.

-John Taglieri's WIDE AWAKE & DREAMING is up for the "CD Of The Year"
honor at Kweevak.com, and he's asking fans to vote for it at
http://kweevak.com/files-features/cd-awards.php . Upcoming shows:

1/11 - Mighty Joe Young's, Scotch Plains, NJ (solo acoustic)
1/12 - University Of Mary Washington, Fredericksburg, VA (solo
acoustic)
1/16 - Delaney's Tap Room, New Haven, CT (acoustic Duo w/ Josh Rifkin)
1/17 - Cheeseburger In Paradise, Iselin, NJ
1/25 - Cheeseburger In Paradise, Miami, FL
1/30 - Delaney's Tap Room, New Haven, CT
1/31 - The Green Turtle, Columbia, MD

Taglieri plans to tour the Midwest next month. See
http://www.johntaglieri.com/ and
http://www.myspace.com/johntaglierimusic for more.

-HeadbangerNYC.com reported Velvet Revolver recently performed "Last
Flight," "Slither," "Fall To Pieces," "Interstate Love Song" (Stone
Temple Pilots), and "Patience" (Guns N' Roses) for "Stripped," which
is "in-studio performance series created for artists who thrive on
performing without the typical studio and video embellishments."

-Virgin Steele is poised to reissue its "whole" catalog through
Dockyard 1, beginning with 1985's NOBLE SAVAGE and 1988's AGE OF
CONSENT in February. Online reports indicate these two re-mastered
discs will include new, previously unreleased bonus tracks, re-mixes,
and "feature new booklets including liner notes" written by main man
David DeFeis. See http://www.virgin-steele.com/ ,
http://www.myspace.com/virginsteele , and http://www.dockyard1.com/
for more.

-Whitesnake announced drummer Chris Frazier has replaced Tommy
Aldridge, who left "to pursue alternate musical adventures." He joins
a lineup also featuring main man David Coverdale, guitarists Doug
Aldrich and Reb Beach, bassist Uriah Duffy, and keyboardist Timothy
Drury. The new studio album GOOD TO BE BAD, co-written and co-produced
by Coverdale, Aldrich, and Michael McIntyre, is due out this spring.

Thanks to Jeff "1987" Adee, Mikey@..., and Chad Bowar
for help gathering some of this information.

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

-Man, I have watched and listened to a lot of Fight stuff lately (see
my CD and DVD reviews below). I don't know if I even listened to
Fight's stuff this much when it first came out! I'm sure I've told
this story before, but indulge me: Back in the dark times of '95, the
day I brought home A SMALL DEADLY SPACE I remember removing the shrink
wrap, considering the cover art, and pleading out loud, "Please don't
suck." Suffice to say, including recent re-listenings, I've maybe
played the disc five times... (I mean, why do you bury your best song
-- "Psycho Suicide" -- as the unlisted ghost track at the end of the
album??? Sheesh.) Anyway, a funny thing happened as I listened to A
SMALL DEADLY SPACE again the other night. Part of "In A World Of My
Own Making" sounded really familiar, and after a few minutes it hit me
-- I *swear* one of its melodies got recycled in Judas Priest's
"Eulogy" (from 2005's ANGEL OF RETRIBUTION). Do you think Glenn Tipton
and K.K. Downing even know? :)

-Check out http://www.myspace.com/acidwashedband for some tunes from
Acid Washed. Who is Acid Washed, you ask? It's a project featuring our
very own Patrick Brower -- the band appears in a humorous, horror-
based comic book entitled "Hack/Slash" and Patrick was involved in
creating real songs for the fictitious band. And although it may be a
little late, check out the Christmas song "X-Mas Washed," which
according to Patrick "is the biographical story of the now-defeated
band stuck in Hell for the Holidays." Pretty cool stuff!

-Odd one -- I popped Hermano's ...INTO THE EXAM ROOM (Regain Records)
into my computer the other day, and when Windows Media Player launched
it read the disc as Foo Fighters' ECHOES, SILENCE, PATIENCE & GRACE.

-Non-music related bit: A friend of mine works at CNN and he just
informed me his team of co-workers won an Emmy this week at the
Consumer's Electronics Show in Las Vegas. Wow is that cool.

-Now in my current playlist: Fight - WAR OF WORDS - THE FILM (DVD)
(Metal God Entertainment), Freedom Call - DIMENSIONS (SPV/
Steamhammer), Mad Margritt - ANIMAL (Perris Records), Seree Lee -
VARIATION-A (Lion Music), Motorhead - BETTER MOTORHEAD THAN DEAD -
LIVE AT HAMMERSMITH (SPV/Steamhammer), Sodom - THE FINAL SIGN OF EVIL
(SPV USA).

*
*** REVIEWS ***
*
BILL BRUFORD'S EARTHWORKS - A VIDEO ANTHOLOGY: VOLUME 1 - 2000S (DVD)
(A) Summerfold Records, 2007
RT: 115:00
[ http://www.billbruford.com/ ]
[ http://www.summerfoldrecords.com/ ]
When your resume includes such names as Yes, King Crimson and Genesis
there should be no doubt as to your status as a world class musician.
Bill Bruford has been a force on the progressive rock and jazz scene
for 40 years and is about as highly regarded as they come, and Vol. 1
of his VIDEO ANTHOLOGY series will show you exactly why. Filmed from
concerts during 2001 in the U.S., 2002 in Argentina and 2005 in
Germany, this fantastic DVD features 14 tracks of exquisitely
constructed jazz performed by Bruford and several incarnations of his
Earthworks band. All three shows are incredible, but I think my
favorite has to be the first one on the disc; shot in New York City at
the Bottom Line, the performance is sublime, containing some of the
most atmospheric and satisfying jazz you're likely to hear from
anyone. Lead-off track "Triplicity" will get you into the music
straight away, Bruford's drumming complex but always engaging, with
Patrick Clahar's gorgeous sax lines soaring over Steve Hamilton's
beautiful chord voicings and the warm upright bass technique of Mark
Hodgson. "Cloud Cuckoo Land" finds Steve Hamilton playing some
positively inspired piano while the band smoothly navigates the
intricate arrangement. The following show, filmed at Teatro Opera in
Buenos Aires, is no less stunning, this time with Tim Garland taking
over on saxophones and bass clarinet. One look at "Tramontana" or
"Beelzebub" should be quite enough to make just about anyone into a
jazz aficionado while "Youth" and "The Wooden Man Sings, And The Stone
Woman Dances" from the final show shot at Drums 'n' Percussion in
Paderborn will have even experienced musicians gasping in disbelief at
Bruford's tricky time changes, the fleet-fingered playing of electric
bassist Laurence Cottle, Tim Garland's hypnotic horn work and pianist
Gwiland Simcock's uncanny ability to alternate between subtle and
dramatic passages. Caught at the top of their game, this exceptional
document of the most recent period in Earthworks history should be
required viewing for all fans of jazz, both novice and connoisseur.
Highly recommended.
- Neal Woodall (MysticX9@...)

FIGHT - K5 - THE WAR OF WORDS DEMOS (A) Metal God Entertainment, 2007
16 tracks, RT: 70:51
FIGHT - WAR OF WORDS - THE FILM (CLEAN VERSION) (DVD) (B-) Metal God
Entertainment, 2007
RT: 100:14
[ http://www.RobHalford.com/ ]
[ http://www.HalfordMerchandise.com/ ]
[ http://www.HalfordMusic.com/ ]
[ http://www.myspace.com/robhalford ]
[ HalfordRob@... ]
Rob Halford has really put the full-court press on the "resurrection"
of Fight, his first post-Judas Priest band from the early '90s, the
last couple of years. The band's original demos have now seen the
light of day, there's a concert/documentary DVD, re-mastered versions
of the band's three CD releases, and even a brief reunion of the
original lineup assembled for autograph signings to promote all the
"new" product. K5 - THE WAR OF WORDS DEMOS is a really nice
compilation of the band's first recordings; 10 of the 16 tracks later
appeared on 1993's WAR OF WORDS, "Psycho Suicide" emerged as the ghost
track on 1995's A SMALL DEADLY SPACE, and the other five are
previously unreleased. (Regarding those latter five, it seems to these
ears part of "Dead Men Talk" later was used in A SMALL DEADLY SPACE's
"Human Crate.") Three additional tracks -- "Little Crazy," "Immortal
Sin," and "Reality, A New Beginning" -- appeared on WAR OF WORDS but
are not here in demo form. If you've never heard Fight, in general the
music is simpler and more direct than Priest's, with a more
straightforward "street" vibe and a greater reliance on repetitive
lyrics. The demos, naturally, are raw and aggressive and some of the
"new" songs easily could've been included on WAR OF WORDS -- this
release is highly recommended. The DVD, on the other hand, has me
torn. (A "little crazy," if you will.) The press hype really had me
thinking this thing would be more than it is -- the "documentary"
features snips of old Halford interviews and isn't even 15 minutes
long! -- and the trailer for this DVD that's included in the Halford -
METAL GOD ESSENTIALS VOL. 1 compilation showed old MTV footage ("MTV
News," etc.) that isn't included here. As for the live stuff, the main
portion is a 55-minute 1993 performance featuring video from several
concerts assembled/edited together over the top of audio recorded at
five shows. The video quality ranges from bootleg to pro shot, and the
audio is decent enough; almost the entire WAR OF WORDS album is
performed, along with "Light Comes Out Of Black," the first song
Halford recorded (with Pantera as his backing band) after leaving
Priest. Additional footage includes single-camera video of "Into The
Pit," "Nailed To The Gun," and Priest's "Freewheel Burning" recorded
live, trailers for METAL GOD ESSENTIALS VOL. 1 and the upcoming
Halford - LIVE AT ROCK IN RIO III DVD, and Fight's three promo video
clips: "Nailed To The Gun" (a strobe-heavy affair with the band
performing in front of rabid crowd), "Little Crazy" (a.k.a. "Rob The
Video," where Halford writhes around in a dark, trippy, dissolve-heavy
clip), and "Immortal Sin" (a low-budget affair that was filmed after
guitarist Russ Parrish left the band, and shows his replacement Mark
Chaussee -- documented for all posterity -- wearing one of the all-
time stupidest Cat In The Hat hats). Once I got past my initial
confusion -- the release is more of a typical concert DVD with bonus
content, as opposed to the "full-blown documentary with bonus live
footage" that I was expecting -- I warmed to the DVD. Consider the
alternative, right? I'm a Priest fanatic and I'd rather have a 15-
minute compilation of old interviews than nothing at all. And since 1)
I don't have any Fight bootlegs and 2) we apparently won't ever see a
full, pro-shot Fight concert video, this live material is probably the
best alternative. However...what with Halford apparently still being
in contact with his Fight band mates, it sure would've been nice to
have some updated/current content. Oh well. Your mileage may vary on
the DVD. Final random notes: 1) The packaging for both releases is
top-notch, with lengthy, full-color booklets included in each. 2)
There is a DVD/CD combo version of WAR OF WORDS - THE FILM that comes
with a re-mastered, re-mixed WAR OF WORDS CD. 3) The "clean version"
tag on the DVD I reviewed has me confused. I get it that they edited
out Rob's swearing, but it also appears they deleted "Vicious" from
the 55-minute concert. (The song's chorus goes "vicious vicious /
f*cker f*cker," after all...) But why, then, are the lyrics to
"Vicious" printed in the booklet, in all their obscene glory? :) Is
there truly a "dirty version" of the DVD out there???
- Tim Wadzinski (tsw512@...)

PALACE TERRACE - FLYING THROUGH INFINITY (B-) Lion Music, 2007
10 tracks, RT: 59:20
[ http://www.palaceterrace.com/ ]
[ http://www.myspace.com/palaceterrace ]
[ http://www.lionmusic.com/palaceterrace.htm ]
[ http://www.georgebellas.com/ ]
[ http://www.myspace.com/georgebellas ]
[ http://www.lionmusic.com/ ]
[ http://www.myspace.com/lionmusiclabel ]
From the mind of maestro George Bellas comes this very unusual
project, an ambitious mix of progressive, neoclassical and operatic
elements centering on man's quest to understand his place in infinity,
including experiencing the afterlife as a place where the spirit
connects with lost loved ones, discovers its ultimate purpose and
achieves inner peace. Heady enough? The music is a match for the
concept, featuring grandiose arrangements full of odd time rhythms,
adept lead guitar runs and classically constructed vocal melodies and
harmonies. Indeed, it is the vocals that will likely be the main
hindrance to your average metal fan getting into FLYING THROUGH
INFINITY, as tenor Jonathan R. Marshall sings in a very unique manner
that sometimes sounds a bit forced into the structures. Songs such as
"Chaos Theory" and "Time Will Tell" should appeal to those into bands
such as Ring Of Fire and Artension, while "Lights Fall Down" and
"Mesmerized" contain a healthy dose of George's trademark virtuoso
soloing in more accessible contexts. Honestly, this type of thing is
very difficult to pull off and FLYING THROUGH INFINITY does not fully
succeed, suffering from a lack of powerful rhythm guitars in the mix
and Marshall's sometimes awkward vocal delivery over the odd meters.
Still, this is exceptionally challenging material and George should be
congratulated for attempting it. Not an album for the common
metalhead, perhaps, but if your tastes include Yngwie Malmsteen, Uli
Roth and Queen, you might just find some appealing music and an
interesting story here.
- Neal Woodall (MysticX9@...)

JOOP WOLTERS - OUT OF ORDER (B+) Lion Music, 2007
16 tracks, RT: 61:09
[ http://www.myspace.com/joopwolters ]
[ http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=joopwolters123 ]
[ http://video.google.nl/videosearch?q=joop+wolters ]
[ http://www.lionmusic.com/artists/joop.htm ]
[ http://www.lionmusic.com/outoforder.htm ]
[ http://www.lionmusic.com/ ]
Fantastic Dutch guitarist Joop Wolters returns with his third solo
album OUT OF ORDER and delivers another dynamic collection of
instrumentals sure to bend the ear of those into high-octane guitar.
Joop is a real natural on cuts like the driving "American Dance,"
fusion-drenched "Cardiac," majestic "Divide & Conquer," and the funky
"Fried Call." There is plenty of variety here, Joop proving himself
equally fluent on acoustic and electric and handling pretty much all
the composition, instrumentation and production. Honestly I'm not a
huge fan of drum programming, and the only real complaint I have is
that the drums are sometimes distracting, just a bit too regimented to
allow for the music to be fully expressed. Joop uses live drummers
(including the incredible Virgil Donati) on "Heartline" and "Tied
Knots" and the difference is immediately evident. Not to belabor that
one quibble, Joop is a master guitarist and composer and should be
heard by a far larger audience. OUT OF ORDER may not be the release
that brings Joop massive name recognition but should further solidify
his place around the top of the current crop of talented shredders
making the rounds.
- Neal Woodall (MysticX9@...)

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