-----------------
-LET IT BE KNOWN-
-----------------
-Hey, this issue sees the debut of one of our writer columns, Craig's 
TOO LATE, TOO LOUD. (Bonus points to you if you can identify the band 
he pilfered that from.) I *think* Michael settled on his column name 
but I still gotta work on Steve... Joel probably won't be doing a 
column since he's got his own rather lengthy (and cool) Dynamite Metal
News site, http://metalnews.simplenet.com, but you never know. And 
where the hell is John? Nobody knows. :) 

In other firsts, last week was big 'cuz it was our first e-mail issue,
and also because it featured Steve's first review. This week we've got
Joel's first reviews. Enough cherry-popping for you? :)

My brother called the other night and scooped me on this summer's 
Motley Crue/Scorpions tour. (There's a damn funny ad in last Friday's 
Chicago Tribune, with the tour's "Greatest Hits" logo where it really 
says "Greatest Tits" but the "T" is crossed out.) We're probably going
to the Alpine Valley gig in Wisconsin. Sadly, I've seen each band only
once before... I saw the Crue on the GENERATION SWINE tour (suck 
album, so-so concert) and the Scorps on the PURE INSTINCT tour (suck 
album, great concert). Should be cool. - TW

-----------------
-SPECIAL FEATURE-
-----------------
-International correspondent Mark Orsted (just kidding!) recently 
interviewed Dali's Dilemma drummer Jeremy Colson. The transcription (a
damn funny one!) is now posted at Orsted's "Heaven's Smiling" site, 
http://webster.uihr.uiuc.edu/aormusic. Go to "Artist Spotlight," then 
"Dali's Dilemma." Teaser: When asked about similar bands in Dali's 
home area, Colson said: "There are a few other bands around the area 
playing similar music; (Enchant, Zero Hour.) But there is no scene. I 
think it's hard to find a prog scene, I think these kinds of bands are
just kind of scattered around. Thats why were trying to go for more of
a Backstreet Boys/NSync kind of sound. We need to be a little more 
trendy. Thats why we were covering Celine Dions 'My Heart Will Go On'.
We want to reach out to the teeni boppers." Har har har... Coming soon
at the site will be some soundbytes and artwork. And be sure to check 
this week's Reviews section here in Detritus for Joel's take on 
MANIFESTO FOR FUTURISM, Dali's Dilemma's debut on Magna Carta Records.
(I hope to have it reviewed next week as well.) - TW

-------------
-NEWS/RUMORS-
-------------
-This summer's Motley Crue/Scorpions tour of North America is dubbed 
"Maximum Rock," and has grown from the original 25 dates to 40. Both 
bands are slated to play 90-minute sets, with the Crue playing last. 
Tour dates: 6/29 - Merriweather Post Pavilion, Washington, DC; 30 - 
Jones Beach, Wantagh NY; 7/2 - PNC Bank Arts Center, Holmdel NJ; 3 - 
Meadows, Hartford CT; 6 - Tweeter Center, Boston MA; 7 - E Center, 
Philadelphia PA; 9 - Star Lake, Pittsburgh PA; 10 - Deer Creek, 
Indianpolis IN; 11 - Polaris, Columbus OH; 13 - Pine Knob, Detroit MI;
14 - Riverbend, Cincinatti OH; 16 - Rock Fest '99, Cadott WI; 17 - New
World Music Theater, Tinley Park IL; 18 - Alpine Valley, East Troy WI;
20 - World Arena, Colorado Springs CO; 21 - Red Rocks, Denver CO; 23 -
Rushmore Plaza Civic Center, Rapid City SD; 24 - Casper Events Center,
Casper WY; 25 - Metra Park, Billings MT; 27 - Holt Arena, Pocatello 
ID; 28 - Idaho Center Amphitheater, Boise ID; 30 - Rose Garden, 
Portland OR; 31 - The Gorge, Seattle WA; 8/1 - TBA, Vancouver BC; 3 - 
Reno Hilton Amphitheater, Reno NV; 4 - Concort Pavilion, San Francisco
CA; 6 - Coors Amphitheater, San Diego CA; 7 - Centennial Gardens, 
Bakersfield CA; 8 - Selland Arena, Fresno CA; 10 - E Center, Salt Lake
City UT; 11 - Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas NV; 13 - Universal Amphitheater,
Los Angeles CA; 14 - Blockbuster Pavilion, San Bernadino CA; 15 - 
Desert Sky Pavilion, Phoenix AZ; 17 - Tingley Coliseum, Albuquerque 
NM; 18 - Don Haskins Center, El Paso TX; 20 - Starplex, Dallas TX; 
21 - TBA, San Antonio TX; 22 - TBA, Oklahoma City OK; 24 - First 
American Music Center, Nashville TN; 27 - Mississippi Coast Coliseum, 
Biloxi MS; 28 - Riverfront Amphitheater, Little Rock AR; 29 - 
Woodlands, Houston TX. (Check http://www.motley.com for updates.) The 
Scorps are still looking for a US deal for their new album EYE TO EYE,
but it should be out by the end of this summer.

-Thunder's awesome official fan club Thunder Channel finally has a Web
site. Check it out at http://www.thunderchannel.com. You can get the 
latest Thunder news, buy Thunder merchandise, and check out all kinds 
of other info. The big news in the Thunder camp right now, is the 
release of a rarities album in June, hot on the heels of their latest 
killer studio disc GIVING THE GAME AWAY. The rarities disc will be 
entitled THE RARE, THE RAW, AND THE REST - THE B-SIDES ALBUM. 
The track list shapes up like this: "Girl's Going Out Of Her Head" 
(Original Demo, Previously Unreleased), "Another Shot Of Love" (Live, 
B-Side of "She's So Fine," 1989), "Baby I'll Be Gone" (Original Demo, 
Previously Unreleased), "Stay With Me" (Featuring Andy Taylor, B-Side 
of "In A Broken Dream," 1995), "She's Like Ice" (Previously 
Unreleased), "Bigger Than Both Of Us" (B-Side of "A Better Man," 
1993), "The Fire Is Gone" (B-Side of "Stand Up," 1994), "Stand Up" 
(Live Acoustic, B-Side of "Castles In The Sand," 1995), "She's My 
Inspiration" (B-Side of "Low Life In High Places," 1992), "Move On" 
(B-Side of "River Of Pain," 1995), "5.15" (Live, B-Side of "River Of 
Pain," 1995), "Future Train" (Version 2, Previously Unreleased), 
"Can't Get By On Love" (Previously Unreleased), "Hand In A Glove" 
(Previously Unreleased).

-Tony Webster, master of http://www.en.com/users/tw/, the unofficial 
Helloween page "Where The Rain Grows," sent out a note clearing up an 
ugly "Andi Deris is dying of AIDS" rumor. It's all bunk. He even 
included this e-mail message straight from guitarist Michael Weikath: 
"I guess it merely shows that Andi must be much more important for 
Helloween now than former members ever were...because no rumour of 
that level has ever been made up before...I should be happy to 
announce that he is fine, and if he had to live only for six more 
months, it would definitely show on the photosession we will have to 
do on April 29th...so everyone should give the resulting pix a close 
look, if one can't possibly see traces of an advanced disease...Andi 
shouldn't actually be visible as the one one has got used to see...so 
we will all have to eagerly await what the pix will look like....to 
give him some diversion from his bad disease called HEALTH I had my 
mum give him the MAC Edition of Starcraft, which finally is being 
shipped all over the world...
(Bah wot a crap!)
M : )"

-Iced Earth/Nevermore dates: 4/30 - J.J. Kelly's, Lansing IL (also w/ 
Winterkill); 5/1 - Riley's Rock House, Aurora IL (also w/ Stonehenge);
5 - Cardy's, Houston TX; 6 - Backroom, Austin TX; 7 - Wacky's, San 
Antonio TX; 8 - Sanctuary, Arlington TX; 9 - Simon Says, McAllen TX; 
11 - Launch Pad, Albuquerque NM; 12 - Mason Jar, Phoeniz AZ; 13 - The 
Whisky, W. Hollywood CA; 14 - The Shack, Anaheim CA; 15 - Cocodrie, 
San Francisco CA; 17 - Area 51, Salt Lake City UT. Destiny's End will 
also be on the bill with Iced Earth and Nevermore from 5/5 - 5/17, 
then it's just Iced Earth/Destiny's End for these dates: 19 - 
Bluebird, Denver CO; 20 - Picasso's, Topeka KS; 21 - Creepy Crawl, St.
Louis MO; 22 - Smiler Coogan's, Chicago IL (all ages); 24 - Globe 
East, Milwaukee WI; 26 - Main Event, Toledo OH; 27 - Peabody's, 
Cleveland OH; 28 - Al Rosa Villa, Columbus OH; 29 - I-Rock, Detroit 
MI; 6/1 - The Somber Reptile, Atlanta GA; 2 - Annie's, Cincinnati OH; 
3 - Jaxx, Springfield VA; 4 - Twisters, Richmond VA; 5 - Coney Island 
High, New York NY; 6 - Harbor Lights, Philadelphia PA.

-Dates for W.A.S.P.'s European tour: 5/21 - Rockefeller, Oslo, Norway;
22 - Garvaren, Ljunby, Sweden; 23 - Kaaren, Linkoping, Sweden; 24 - 
Pumpehuset, Copenhagen, Denmark; 25 - TBA; 26 - Arena, Stockholm, 
Sweden; 27 - Estrad, Gavle, Sweden; 28 - Jager, Karlstad, Sweden; 29 -
House Of Culture, Sundsvall, Sweden; 30 - Veita Scene, Trondheim, 
Norway; 31 - TBA; 6/1 - Kaaren, Gothenburg, Sweden; 2 - KB, Malmo, 
Sweden; 3 - TBA; 4 - TBA; 5 - Rock In Allhau, Graz, Austria; 6 - Gods 
Of Metal, Milan, Italy; 7 - TBA; 8 - Zeleste, Barcelona, Spain; 9 - 
Macumba, Madrid, Spain; 10 - TBA; 11 - Sala Quattro, Aviles, Spain;
12 - Jam, Bergara, Spain; 13 - Arena, Valencia, Spain; 14 - TBA; 15 - 
TBA; 16 - Mad, Erfurt, Germany; 17 - Zeche, Bochum, Germany; 18 - Bang
Your Head, Stuttgart, Germany; 19 - TBA; 20 - LA 2, London, England. 
Watch next week for a review of HELLDORADO.

-The new L.A. Guns e-zine mentioned last week, the one run by the band
itself, is still going to be called Electronic Gypsy. The first issue 
just came out and future issues will be out towards the end of each 
month. Concert and home videos, as well as other merchandise, are 
available through the 'zine. E-mail LAGUNSWEB@aol.com or browse 
http://WWW.LAGUNSWEB.COM for more on EG, or send fan letters and/or 
reviews to SRiley4927@aol.com. In actual band news, the new bassist is
Chuck Garric, and after touring the US this summer with Poison, Ratt,
and Great White, the Guns hope to hit Europe in support of new album 
SHRINKING VIOLET. In the meantime watch for a VH-1 "Where Are They 
Now?" segment about the original Guns lineup to debut in June and then
repeat throughout 1999. 

-The Moon opened a gig for Vengeance recently and played three new 
songs: "Maybe," "Sure As Hell," "Over Again." Vengeance's lead 
guitarist had an injured hand and since Moon drummer John Snels used 
to be in Vengeance, a big jam ensued when Snels and Moon vocalist 
Andrew Elt joined Vengeance onstage to help them with their set. They 
played Vengeance's "Rock 'N Roll Shower," a cover of "Crazy Horses" by
The Osmonds (which was recently covered by Pretty Maids), and a ballad
featuring the injured Vengeance guitarist on lead vocals. The fun had 
by all might lead to more Vengeance/The Moon gigs. Till then, The Moon
have gigs at Jumping Jacks Helden in The Netherlands on May 15 and 
June 5. Fore more, browse http://www.serge.org/TheMoon.htm or e-mail 
Moonfans@aol.com.

-This year's Milwaukee Metalfest will be number XIII! Ooh...spooky! 
Tickets for the two-day event, slated for July 30 - 31 at the Eagles 
Auditorium in Milwaukee WI, went on sale this past weekend. Cost: $30 
for one day, $50 for two. The headliners are, ahem, Machine Head, 
Morbid Angel, and Cradle Of Filth. (Somehow, I doubt Detritus writers 
will be there...) Other bands you might've heard of: Flotsam & Jetsam,
The Misfits, Solitude Aeturnus, Witchery, Pissing Razors, and 
everyone's favorite, Anal Blast. There will be 120+ bands from all 
over the planet, plus pro wrestling and porn stars, goodie bags, free 
CDs, a marketplace, etc. Check out http://www.metalfest.com or call 
the Metalfest Hotline at (414) 225-9060 for more info.

-This from guitarist Oscar Dronjak at http://www.hammerfall.net/, 
HammerFall's official site: "Unfourtunately, HammerFall has parted 
ways with drummer Patrik Räfling, on Monday, April 18th! Patrik agreed
to leave the band because both parties felt they were growing in 
different directions, making working together in the future 
impossible. The spilt was amicable and solely on a professional level,
Patrik and the band remain friends and HammerFall wishes him all the 
best in the future! Temporary replacement for the festival season will
be Anders Johansson. Anders is a very well renowned drummer, with a 
past in Yngwie Malmsteen's Rising Force, among others, and will 
complement the rest of the band gracefully."

-From Noise Records: "Gamma Ray's singer/guitarist/frontman (and the 
God-Father of German Heavy Metal...had to get that in there) Kai 
Hansen has recently suffered some minor throat problems resulting in 
the cancellation of two of the band's German dates." The Gamma Guys 
hope to enlist Edguy's Tobias Sammet or the singer from Steel Prophet 
to share vocals with Chris Bay, the singer from GR drummer Dan 
Zimmerman's other band Freedom Call, so as to avoid more cancelled 
shows. If healthy enough, Hansen would then sing encores. Question: 
Why doesn't Hansen just hire a new, permanent singer already??? (As an
aside, Freedom Call's STAIRWAY TO FAIRLYAND is coming soon in Japan 
and Europe.)

-Grave Digger's next album, tentatively titled EXCALIBUR, will be 
another concept album. The topic of "King Arthur And The Knights Of 
The Round Table" was voted on by on-line fans. The band will head to 
the studio on May 15 and are shooting for a September 27 release. 
Before that will be a single, and possibly a video, released on August
23. Visit the official band site at http://www.grave-digger.de/, or 
e-mail singer Chris Boltendahl at UncleReaper@grave-digger.de) or 
guitarist Uwe Lulis at uwelulis@grave-digger.de for more.

-Motorhead/Hatebreed/Drop Kick Murphys tour dates: 5/3 - Cowboys, 
Edmonton ALB; 4 - Cowboys, Calgary ALB; 6 - The Rage, Vancouver BC; 
7 - Ballard Firehouse, Seattle WA; 8 - Roseland Theater, Portland OR; 
9 - Maritime Hall, San Francisco CA; 11 - The Palace, Los Angeles CA; 
14 - Pop's, St. Louis MO; 15 - Harpo's, Detroit MI; 16 - Odeon, 
Cleveland OH; 18 - Irving Plaza, New York NY; 21 - The Riviera/Expo Of
The Extreme, Chicago IL; 29 - The Rave, Milwaukee WI; 30 - 93X 
Edgefest, Somerset WI.

-Stryper reunion? Posts on the 80's metal mailing list from 
jfga@avemarina.net said this year's annual Rock Summer Festival in 
Puerto Rico will feature guitarist Oz Fox and bassist Tim Gaines' new 
band Sin Dizzy opening, singer Michael Sweet's solo band headlining, 
and a "Stryper jam session" closing the show. The Christian music fest
takes place June 5 in Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico, and the post included 
these numbers to call for more info: (787) 254-7777, (787) 851-6758.

-Helloween guitarist Roland Grapow's second solo album KALEIDOSCOPE is
now out in both Japan and Europe, and it should be out soon in both 
Americas and Australia. European tour dates: 5/4 - Hadenberg, Holland;
6 - Aviles, Spain; 8 - Barcelona, Spain; 9 - Bergara, Spain; 11 - 
Nuernberg, Germany; 8/7 - Wacken Open Air, Germany; 8 - Wacken Open 
Air, Germany. June swings through South America and Japan are also on 
the horizon.

-Dio's next album, MAGICA, will be out in October on Spitfire Records.
Now joining Ronnie in the band are guitarist Tracy G, bassist Jeff 
Pilson, and drummer Aynsley Dunbar. The hype: "Studio reports say that
MAGICA embraces the very heavy classic Dio sound, akin to the now 
legendary HOLY DIVER album." Spitfire will reissue the last two Dio 
efforts, ANGRY MACHINES and INFERNO: LAST IN LIVE, alongside MAGICA.

-Check out the Z Records site for new song samples and other goodies: 
http://graffiti.virgin.net/zero_option_pro.z_records/. Z is also 
soliciting input from people who've heard the new THE EAGLE HAS LANDED
free sampler; send comments to zero_option_pro.z_records@virgin.net. 
(US fans can e-mail ZRecordsUS@aol.com for information about getting 
the sampler over here.)

-Those problems with Blind Guardian singer Hansi Kursch's hearing have
now officially led to the cancellation of the EP the band had been 
working on; the tracks will appear on the next full-length album 
instead. Also, all tour plans for the rest of 1999 have been shelved. 
Tough break! See http://www.blind-guardian.com for complete details.

-Looks like Steelhouse Lane vocalist Keith Slack is replacing Kelly 
Keeling on MSG's US tour in support of THE UNFORGIVEN. Keeling -- who 
recommended Slack for the job -- is hanging back to work on his solo 
album, but he might join the band for some songs at shows in Palo Alto
(5/6), Los Angeles (5/9) and Chicago (5/24 - 5/26).

-A remaster of Chastain's 11-year-old album THE VOICE OF THE CULT is 
now out on Leviathan Records. The Leviathan site has transcriptions of
Chastain material at http://www.leviathanrecords.com/transpag.htm. And
there might be a one-off reunion show from CJSS later this year. Check
out http://www.leviathanrecords.com for more.

-FireHouse recently played three dates in Japan on April 21, 22, and 
23. Their show in Osaka, Japan, was apparently recorded for a live 
record to be released by Pony Canyon in August. Their US tour will 
resume May 30. Latest studio album CATEGORY 5 will supposedly be 
released in the US this summer.

-Buyer beware! Michael spotted a Perris Records ad for a four-song 
Icon EP called TAINTED LOVE. Roger at Wishing Well posted to the AOR 
mailing list that this is *not* the 80's band Icon, but rather a 
"techno/dance thing." But yes, it is indeed a cover of the old Soft 
Cell chestnut. 

-Check out http://www.rocktracks.de, Klaus Brandlhuber's "Rock Tracks"
site, for soundbytes from Shakra's new album MOVING FORCE that's due 
out next month. Klaus also has their European tour dates, and new 
soundbytes from Euphoria and Savannah are on the way.

-Pink Cream 69, under the moniker PC69, have released their first 
album in the US: ELECTRIFIED just came out via Digital Dimension. (See
below for a review.) See http://www.bottomrow.com/pc69/index.htm for 
more.

-Check out Birgitt Schwanke's "Metal and Hard Rock Area" site, 
http://members.aol.com/BSchwanke/index.html, for a review of last 
week's Pretty Maids/Majestic show in Bochum, Germany. I'm jealous!!!

-Shooting Hemlock, featuring guitarist Joe "No, I'm not Yngwie" Stump,
has their album CLOCKWATCHER out now via Leviathan Records. See 
http://www.leviathanrecords.com/hemlock.htm for more.

-Michael Harris' new all-instrumental album DISTORTED VIEWS is out 
now, and Leviathan also just put out a remaster of the 1991 Harris 
album DEFENSE MECHANIZMS. 

-Old rumor??? Poison's next studio album might come packaged as a 2-CD
set with the as-yet-unreleased CRACK A SMILE album they recorded with 
guitarist Blues Saraceno?

-Stand Back Entertainment is offering a free Union poster to those who
order the new Union live album on-line at http://www.hardelmuzik.com.

-Par Winberg has updated http://www.melodic.net, "Midwestern Skies," 
with a new melodic rock news-filled issue of MAGWIRE online. 

-Stratovarius have signed a global deal with Nuclear Blast that covers
everywhere but Japan, where they are signed to JVC.

-Century Media has redesigned their site: http://www.centurymedia.com.

-Special thanks to Peter Sims and Dave Tedder with Z Records, LOBO 
FEROZ, allstar, ROTH, Bill Eikost, Roger Pamachena, Klaus Brandlhuber,
Chris Aitken, Tony Webster, Neil at Alta Mira, Cap.Ranger@Home.Se, 
Keiji Nishihara, Perpetual Motion, Uwe Lulis, Par Winberg, Birgitt 
Schwanke, Mitch Lafon, and Mark Orsted for help in gathering some of 
this information.

--------------------
-TOO LATE, TOO LOUD-
--------------------
-Since the 'zine is starting to really get off the ground now, and 
we've gone e-mail, I thought I'd take a minute to explain my method of
reviewing, and give some sort of explanantion of what you guys can 
expect from me. I'm a fan a good solid hard rock, but I also delve 
heavily into melodic/power metal, and even lighter AOR. I generally 
stay away from country, but there's even a few artists in that genre 
(Shania Twain and Faith Hill, most notably), that I really dig. My 
favorite bands range from Night Ranger, Bon Jovi, Thunder, and 
Tyketto, to Harem Scarem, Pretty Maids, Helix, and Tesla. Whatever the
music is, I need melody if I'm really going to get into it. As far as 
my reviews go, it's not often that I can't find some redeeming quality
about an album. I try to give artists the benefit of the doubt, and 
keep an open mind to what they're trying to do. If an album is crap, 
though, I'm certainly not afraid to say so. :) If the songs are good, 
whether they're ballads or rockers, I'll give the album high marks. I 
don't care if it's an album composed entirely of ballads, as long as 
they're good ballads, and the album flows well, I'll give the album a 
positive review. All feedback (positive & negative) on everything I 
write is welcomed!

Now, on to more important stuff. For those of you who didn't catch my 
reviews in the last Web-only edition of Detritus, both Thunder and 
Pretty Maids have killer new albums out now. For my money, these are 
two of the finest bands of the last 10 years, and I want to encourage 
everyone to support them and check out their new albums. If you're a 
hard rock fan, you won't be disappointed. These are two of the bands 
that have kept the hard rock fire burning and helped get us back on 
the upswing that we're currently experiencing. Hopefully they'll 
continue to take the music even further into the future. Both bands' 
new albums stay true to the type of music they've been doing their 
entire careers, and should please every hard rock and metal fan.

In other new album news, Sammy Hagar is back with an absolutely killer
collection of all out party hard rock. [Ed. Note: See review below.] 
Sammy once again proves that he was the best thing that ever happened 
to Van Halen, and certainly doesn't need Eddie to make some truly 
awesome tunes.

That's all for this week! Big thanks to Tim for having me aboard! - CM

---------
-REVIEWS-
---------
DALI'S DILEMMA - MANIFESTO FOR FUTURISM (A) Magna Carta, 1999 
[http://www.magnacarta.net/]
10 tracks, RT: 51:10
The debut offering from California-based progressive metal rockers 
Dali's Dilemma is quite impressive. Most of the ten songs on offer are
powerful progressive pieces, a wonderful combination of Dream Theater,
old Rush and old Metallica (MASTER OF PUPPETS-era). The musicianship 
is simply mindblowing in parts, stirring instrumental passages that 
sound fresh the tenth time through. While every member of this five-
piece is incredibly talented, drummer Jeremy Colson is my favorite of 
the bunch. Playing at lightning speed throughout most of these tracks,
he throws in plenty of fancy fills and runs without overpowering the 
songs, a subtle yet delightful effect. All four musicians are terribly
talented, placing this group in the upper echelon of progressive 
bands. Additionally, vocalist Matthew Bradley has a soulful and 
passionate voice, reminiscent of legends like Glenn Hughes and Jeff 
Scott Soto. The songs themselves are lovingly crafted and brilliantly 
executed. From the razor-sharp thrash riffs of opener "Within a Stare"
to the tumbling cadence of "Can't You See," MANIFESTO FOR FUTURISM is 
jam-packed with compelling music. Seven of the ten tracks are flat-out
rockers. "Whispers" and "Andromeda Sunrise" are both shorter keyboard 
instrumental pieces. The haunting keyboard-driven "Whispers" is 
particularly heartfelt, whilst "Andromeda" serves as an ultra-melodic 
segue into the gorgeous "This Time Around." Lone ballad "Hills Of 
Memory," is my least favorite track. Although well crafted, it sounds 
exactly like older U2 tunes, even down to the vocal melodies. This 
track feels out of place and can really disrupt the flow of the album.
With the exception of "Hills Of Memory," MANIFESTO FOR FUTURISM is all
aces. Remember the wonderfully odd time signatures and quick changes 
of Dream Theater's IMAGES AND WORDS disc? Do you relish the precision 
of classic Rush tracks like "2112?" If you answered yes to either (or 
both!) of those questions, then I strongly urge you to pick up a copy 
of this album. It took me several listens to really get the feel of 
this disc, but patient listeners will be well rewarded by this stellar
debut. - JA

SAMMY HAGAR & THE WABORITAS - RED VOODOO (A) MCA, 1999
[http://www.redrocker.com]
11 tracks, RT: 48:16
The Red Rocker returns with his second post-Van Halen solo work! The 
darker, more melancholy, stripped back vibes of Sammy's last disc are 
nowhere to be found, and in their place is nothing short of insane, 
balls out, hard party rock! It's easy to see that Sammy's shaken the 
whole Van Halen thing, is totally over it, and seems to be happier than 
ever, and the music certainly reflects that. Anyone who's heard the 
monster of a first single, "Mas Tequila," knows exactly what I'm talking
about. That track, coupled with the second song, a sexual anthem of 
sorts, "Shag," serve as a blistering one-two punch to start out the 
album. From there Sammy shreds into the disc's finest track, a more 
serious, thumping heavy rocker, "Sympathy For The Human," which is quite
reminiscent of tracks like "The Seventh Seal," from VH's BALANCE. It's 
back into party mode for track 4, "Red Voodoo," which is a bouncy, 
totally fun, organ laced rocker. Sammy harkens back to his early 80's 
heydey on several tracks on this disc, none more so than "The Love." 
This track takes on an ultra-melodic heavy AOR twist, that could have 
been lifted right off of STANDING HAMPTON. Overall, not a single bad 
track on the disc, and an essential pick-up for everyone! - CM

OVERKILL - NECROSHINE (A) CMC, 1999
[http://www.rockuniverse.com/overkill/]
10 tracks, RT: 51:08
Wow! If you like power/thrash metal, then you simply must get your 
paws around the new release from Overkill. NECROSHINE is my first real
exposure to this band, and it's a real scorcher. All ten tracks are 
rockers, a move that's virtually unheard of. Hell, even the most Metal
bands in the world like Manowar and Hammerfall will throw in a cheesy 
ballad or two. But not Overkill, no sir. Every drum beat, every shout,
every guitar solo on NECROSHINE screams perfection. The production is 
crystal clear and sensible, preserving a heavy bottom end while being 
smart enough to make room for the plentiful solos. Bobby "Blitz" 
Ellsworth's unique vocals are perfectly mixed, and guitarist/ex-
Leigelord vocalist Joe Comeau provides some great harmony vocals. His 
two-guitar attack with Sebastian Marino is rather tasty, and the tight
rhythm section can hang with the best of them (please don't read into 
that). Every track is almost instantly memorable. You'll be 
headbanging on your first listen and joyfully screaming along on your 
second. The sound reminds me a little of Skid Row's oft-overlooked 
SLAVE TO THE GRIND release, although Overkill is significantly faster 
and heavier. I can guarantee that almost every metalhead will love 
this disc to death. Kick-drums and speedy solos aplenty, NECROSHINE is
essential listening. - JA

PC69 - ELECTRIFIED (A+) Digital Dimension Records, 1999
[http://www.bottomrow.com/pc69/index.htm]
11 tracks, RT: 54:11
Wow wow wow... I say again: wow. This kicks big ass and I haven't been
so floored in many, many months. Released last year outside the US, 
ELECTRIFIED sure proves to be worth waiting for for us lowly American 
metal fans. But why haven't I heard more word-of-mouth hype about this
puppy??? I disliked 1995's CHANGE, the first album after singer David 
Readman replaced Andi Deris, and that grungified mess dissuaded me 
from checking out its follow-up FOOD FOR THOUGHT. But now PC69 -- what 
happened to the full Pink Cream 69 name? -- come storming right back 
down your throat with a masterpiece. Many of ELECTRIFIED's songs 
resemble a mix of Queensryche and Dokken circa 1986-1988, primarily 
because of the Lynch-ian and 'ryche-ian guitar sounds, with slick 
writing and mucho commercial hard rock sensibility. Of course I prefer
the faster songs; "Break The Silence" has an amazing, driving chorus,
"Over The Fire" features guest lead vocals from Primal Fear's Ralf 
Scheepers and Royal Hunt's D.C. Cooper (and sounds like Primal Fear), 
and the fluid, Dokken-esque "Burn Your Soul" is just amazing. But the 
more commercial midtempo numbers are also total keepers. Opener 
"Shame" sounds like the 'ryche's OPERATION:MINDCRIME material given a 
more radio-friendly facelift, the title track is quirky and funky, 
"Higher Kind Of Love" has a Def Leppard-like pseudo-rap and stays in 
your head forever, and "Stranger In Time" and "Losing My Faith" both 
have extremely cool, ominous vibes. Good God, even the ballads are 
really strong!!! The closing trio of "Rocket Ride," "Best For You," 
and the Kiss' "Beth"-meets-Great White's "The Angel Song" piano & 
strings number "Gone Again" are all smart and moving. (Although "Gone 
Again" does have some clumsy lyrics...) These last three songs do sort
of kill the album's momentum, but the ghost track remix of "Gone 
Again," which features extra backing vocals and a lead vocal done in 
an exaggerated Irish (?) accent, is pretty damn funny and makes up for
it all. ELECTRIFIED is strong from cover to cover and is easily in 
front of the pack for my top album of 1999. - TW

SHADOW GALLERY - TYRANNY (A+) Magna Carta, 1998
[http://www.magnacarta.net/]
14 tracks, RT: 73:52
In my initial review of this album in October of 1998, I enjoyed it 
but ultimately handed down a B+ rating. As I write these words several
months later in April of 1999, my opinion of this disc has changed 
radically. Simply put, TYRANNY by Shadow Gallery is one of the most 
amazing albums I've ever heard. Cinematic in scope and absolutely 
packed with stunning compositions, TYRANNY is easily the best 
conceptual disc I've ever heard, and ranks up there with the greatest 
progressive metal albums of all time. Of the fourteen songs on offer, 
only a handful are real rockers, the remainder being mid-tempo numbers
or ballads. Standout tracks include the exciting "Mystery," a 
mesmerizing rocker featuring a truly inspired chorus that will stay in
your head for hours. The remarkable "Roads Of Thunder" is similarly 
addictive; this track has my favorite lyrics of any song on this 
formidable collection. While those two tracks are traditional rockers,
the majority of the songs on TYRANNY are more along the lines of "mid-
tempo melodic rockers." I realize this will turn some listeners off, 
but if you can appreciate a well-constructed progressive ballad, then 
you will love TYRANNY. Every song is good, but my favorite ballads are
the piano-driven "Hope for Us?" and the gorgeous duet "Spoken Words." 
Of the remaining tracks, I'd also like to highlight the 8-minute "New 
World Order," a stunning mid-tempo number that features the peerless 
D.C. Cooper on guest lead vocal. The up-tempo instrumental "Chased" 
calls to mind classic Rush tracks like "Hemispheres" and "La Villa 
Strangiato" and is quite memorable. My favorite track on all of 
TYRANNY is "Out Of Nowhere." Harkening back to melodic metal classics 
like Iron Maiden's "Children Of The Damned" and Queensrÿche's "I Dream
In Infra Red," this song is irrefutable evidence that this American 
six-piece have created something special. Mike Baker's vocals are 
passionate and memorable, and the music is simply beautiful. Brendt 
Allman's Yngwie-esque guitar run at the 1:12 mark is absolutely 
breathtaking. TYRANNY took a rather long time for me to truly 
appreciate. I was initially turned off by the surplus of mid-tempo 
tracks, and felt it was missing some vital punch. Now, I can scarcely 
turn the stereo off when I begin listening. I have to experience all 
74 minutes. It is that good. Shadow Gallery has the intelligence and 
progressive chops of Rush and classic Queensrÿche, while their four-
part vocal harmonies rival Dokken's greatest moments. I cannot say 
enough good things about this disc, so I'll stop right now. Visit the 
band's website for soundclips and all that. - JA

TROPA DE SHOCK - THE BLADE OF THE WIND (B/B-) Sony Brazil, 199?
[http://www.oocities.org/Broadway/Stage/8040/]
4 tracks, RT: 19:31
This four-song EP is the second release from this Brazilian quartet, 
the first being the 1997 full-length ANGELS OF ETERNITY. I haven't 
heard the album but this EP displays some good NWOBHM/Iron Maiden- 
inspired metal. "The Blade Of The Wind" is a melodic anthem in the 
grand tradition of Helloween, but it's somewhat hampered by vocalist 
Don's awkward high notes in the chorus. Roger Costa's guitar work is 
great though, including the use of a faded-in acoustic part towards 
the end. "Shadow Of Lion" is an 8:00+ epic that's mostly of slower 
tempo, until the raucous, varied middle section that combines macho 
metal riffage, a traditional Maiden gallop, and an edgy old Savatage 
vibe. The last two tracks only get better: "Odin - The Great" and the 
instrumental "Tropa De Shock" are both Maiden-esque and rock hard. 
(Although "Odin" has a really spotty attempt at high harmony vocals in
its choruses...) The overall sound is a tad rough, resulting in a live
or dirtier, less frilly Angra sound, but hopefully better production 
in the future will improve things without sacrificing the tight rhythm
guitar and excellent bass sounds Tropa De Shock have achieved here. 
Watch for these guys in the future. - TW

VARIOUS - THE ALLIANCE (B-/C+) Emperor Multimedia, 1999
[http://www.interlog.com/~thrash]
10 tracks, RT: 38:01, multimedia section
Emperor Multimedia is a Canadian company involved in the music and 
software industries, and THE ALLIANCE is a sampler of both; 10 songs 
by eight bands (from South Africa, Ukraine, Canada, Australia, and the
US), and a bunch of free software comprise the disc. Besides the HTML 
links to band bios/sites, I didn't get a chance to mess with the 
software too much, so I'll just stick to reviewing the music for now. 
Several of these bands probably have bright futures, so pay attention!
Demacretia have two songs of "precision trash" that resemble Pantera's
COWBOYS FROM HELL crossed with Judas Priest's JUGULATOR; the cookie 
monster vocals are a major distraction, but the excellent percussion 
in "Industry" is noteworthy. Undertow's "Confusion," full of grooving 
bass and guitar riffs, is 80's style hard rock and is probably the 
highlight of the compilation. Double Cross and Hanker aren't far 
behind, though, with their "Your Mama Don't Dance"-like "Stoned Kitty"
and early-Maiden-with-hot-soloing "You Won't Live  Eternally," 
respectively. Raggedy Aneurysm's "Hitch-Hiking Teenage Girls Are Going
To Die" is musically odd and synth-heavy, but lyrically hilarious in 
its observations on modern perceptions of media-glamorized death. 
(Sample lyric: "The only thing that saddens me about the death of Kurt
Cobain is that he didn't kill his wife.") RA's second track, "#666," 
is basically just a short sound byte. Porno Coma's poorly-produced 
"Sick Of Silence" is mostly Slayer-like thrash, but there's a nifty 
midtempo riff section in the middle that works better. Brain Dead's 
thrash 'n' sludge "Deceased," is also poorly produced; probably the 
best thing going on here is Najda's varied drumming. The last of this 
mixed-too-low trio, Via Dolorosa's "S.W.F.?," throws a interesting 
curve by combining pseudo-Goth vocals with Judas Priest/Iron Maiden-
style classic metal music. Compilations are usually hit-and-miss and 
THE ALLIANCE is no exception. It's all definitely heavy, though. - TW

----------
-FEEDBACK-
----------
From: BLACKSTAR69GTR@prodigy.net (Duane T. Jones)
Re: Swirl update

Tim,
Duane from SWIRL here. I'm in WA state for 36 hours and thought I'd up
date you on the 'Out of Nowhere Tour'. We're doing very well playing
in the south east US for the first time havin already played in GA, 
FL, TN, NC and VA. 
 Next week SWIRL plays in Boston, MA at the NeMO conference (4/23). 
The following week SWIRL is reunited with producer Carlos Cavazo's 
band as SWIRL tours the east coast with Quiet Riot for 4 days. Already
confirmed is the 4/30 show in Norfolk, VA.
 In May SWIRL begins to head home with dates in the mid west and west 
coast before finally wrapping up the US run on June 9th in Seattle, 
WA. 
 After that it`s Japan for 5 shows in early July and then more dates 
in the US as well as a first trip into Canada.
 
Ps If you need to email me while I'm on the road please use
blackstar69gtr@yahoo.com 

[Check out Swirl's Web site, http://www.swirlatice.com, for all the 
poop on da band.]

------------
-CONTACT US-
------------
Tim Wadzinski
tsw512@yahoo.com

Joel Ansier
jansier@metalnews.simplenet.com
http://metalnews.simplenet.com

John Dokken
northwest@ozramp.net.au

Michael Henderson
JHenders@aol.com

Craig Matusinski
NghtRngr@mail.microserve.net
http://www.microserve.net/~nghtrngr/index.html

Steve Shumake
jinxed@mindless.com
http://surf.to/jinxed

And...DO NOT forget to check out SFK, *the* AOR e-zine Bible:
http://www.prion.com/sfk