MONTHLY COLUMN

by Diane Demeter

RANTIN’ ‘N’ RAGIN’ ...  

Nothing beats the unbridled fury of Metal and Mother Nature (thunderstorms).  There’s not a damn thing you can do about it except sit back and enjoy or you could crawl under a table, cover your ears and close your eyes, but it won’t go away…           

Recently, while was working outside, I heard a chainsaw off in the distance and of course it reminded me of Mortician.  Did you know they have a new CD out?  It’s House By the Cemetery.    

Brujeria, the band that started the Latin metal scene in the ‘90’s, has graced us with their newest offering, The Best Of Brujeria.  A different metal style to be sure, but great for any die-hard metal coinsures.    

Bongzilla also has a disc out now, Apogee.  It’s for the stoner in all of us and besides Relapse bands are never a boring listen!           

MTV2 Headbangers Ball has released it’s first ever compilation, a double CD, priced as one (sweet!).  Forty bands in all, including: Anthrax, Slayer, Meshuggah, Arch Enemy, Strapping Young Lad and more.    

After a decade of bringing on the pain, Oakland California’s Skinlab gives us Nerve Damage.  Spanning the band’s entire career, 2-hours, on 2 CD’s, with 34 tracks and 2 new cuts.  A full live set, demo versions, re-mixes and alternate mixes and the usual rare and unreleased material.  New official website is up and running, www.skinlabmusic.com 

                      Acid Bath finally has a web page, www.acid-bath.com 

JACK OWEN QUITS THE CORPSE!

Yikes!  Hate to report this, but Jack Owen has quit Cannibal Corpse!   Owen says, “After 15 years with Cannibal Corpse, I’ve decide to leave the group.  My heart just wasn’t in it anymore and it was reflected in my appearance on stage.  Times change and I just don’t enjoy the music as much as I used to and the only thing keeping me in the band was steady work and the pay.  These things make it unfair to myself, my band members and especially the fans.  I’d like to thank all the members past and present, for sharing in the conquest of an entire genre of music.  I wish the band continued success!!”

    Former band mate, Alex Webster says,  “…The band wishes Owen well and he will be missed but his departure is not going to slow us down.”

COOL NAME FOR TOUR...

     The best-named tour I’ve heard in a long time:  The Sexecution Tour 2004.  Texas Industrial bands, Bozo Porno Circus (not to be confused with the Jim Rose Circus) and Nocturne are doing a short stint through the Midwest and East Coast, June18 – July 17.  They should be playing Chicago, so keep an eye out for them.

            Let me relate how the Circus describes their show: “Dark and disturbing vocals mixed with slashing guitars, girls using bondage and power tools, shooting sparks into the face of wanting fans – this band will bend you over and spank you like your mother never did!  Hard and fast industrial extravaganza and dangerously sexy fetish show.”  I wonder if they are even kinkier than the Genitorturers? 

    Nocturne is said to be sexy loud and aggressive stage show with Lacey Conner as front woman.

     Tons of metal shows heading this way, through the summer, mark those calendars and support the scene!

SHOWS...SHOWS...AND MORE SHOWS!

            Vampire Mooose (extreme metal from St. Louis), Rockford, IL at The Flick and Belvadere, on June 14th and on the 15th, South Bend, IN at Cheers.      

Alabama Thunderpussy, June 27, Chicago, IL at The Note, in support of there just released new CD, Fulton Hill on Relapse Records.  Available on 12-inch vinyl, June 29.    

D.R.I. on July 14, Chicago Heights, IL at Oasis One Sixty.  Dillinger Escape Plan, July 31 and August 1, Chicago, IL at The Bottom Lounge.  As I Lay Dying and Shadow’s Fall, August 14, Chicago Heights, IL at Oasis One Sixty.  Dimmu Borgir, August 21, Chicago, IL at the Tweeter Center.

CHICAGO METAL TRIO IMPRESSES! 

The Beat Boss... Tom Lounges sent me a great media package of fine metal music to review and I came across Superchrist, Back and Black, their second CD.  Moment of silence here…Holy Shit! 

This 3-piece hails from Chicago and has an early ‘80’s metal sound (Motorhead, AC/DC/ Bon Scott).  After three consecutive listens, I still wanted more (the double shot of tequila didn’t hurt)!

Down and dirty...these guys were meant to play in bars, but deserve arenas.  The bands’ throne could easily be a flatbed trailer with beer wagon in tow.

Girls beware and boys pay attention:  This is the band that will “rock your top, clean off!”  Imagine a ‘Girls Gone Wild’ shoot with a heavy freakin’ soundtrack! 

            Their website boasts ––  “Yes, there’s a guitar solo in every song. Yes, you can understand the words.  Yes, you can dance/ and or head bang to it.”   They shit you, not!

            Superchrist has a brand new CD hitting the streets soon that is appropriately titled; South of Hell, which I’m sure, is just as nasty. 

To get your hands on a copy go to: www.superchrist.net  This is a must have for your collection, so don’t pass this by!

                      Till Next Time…KEEPING METAL OUT OF THE MORGUE!