N Type O Negative has a new CD, The Lease Worst Of, which was released October 31. The CD is something of a "Greatest Hits" compilation and features five new tracks.

N Overkill released Bloodletting October 24. The band is currently touring in Europe with Rob Halford .

N Godsmack released their second record, Awake, on October 31. The tunes that I've heard sound heavier than the first CD. That's the way to do it, boys!

Look for reviews in an upcoming issue.

N Fear Factory is at work on a new record slated for an April 2001 release. Some tunes to expect are "Acres Of Skin,"Byte Block" and "Strain Vs Resistance."

N Iron Maiden's mascot Eddie will soon be available in doll form. Art Asylum will be issuing a set of twelve Eddie dolls. I'm not sure when they are coming out but this would be a cool Christmas present for metal fans!

N McFarlane Toys will be issuing a Janis Joplin figure in mid-November. I know Janis wasn't really metal per say, but the girl was baddd!

N Look for Fire Woman - A Tribute To The Cult to be released in spring of 2001 on Versailles Records. Louisville musician Corey Craven covers "Coming Down."

N Krosmember's new website will be up soon and will feature new shirts for sale.

N E-Flat will release a new CD in the coming months. The single "Because Of You" is getting heavy rotation on 100.5 The Fox's Louisville music show.

N Skullcap from Lexington is working on a debut CD. The band is planning shows in Lexington and Louisville in November and December, so keep your eyes and ears open for dates. For more info - log on to www.skullcap.indiegroup.com

N Look for a live CD in January from Zakk Wylde's Black Label Society and a new studio record slated for May 2001. Also early next year, look for Zakk on the silver screen with Mark Wahlberg in So You Want To Be A Rock Star . (The movie was originally titled Metal God.)

N Nikki Sixx of Motley Crue now has his own record label, Americoma Records. So get those demo tapes and bios in the mail to Mr. Sixx - the man's been in the business for a lot of years and knows his stuff!

Mail demos to Americoma Records, Attn. A & R Dept., P.O. Box 18524, Beverly Hills, California 90029.

Now for a couple of quickie CD reviews - rating scale 1 - 5 skulls - 5 means it kicks butt - buy it now!

Black Seeds Of Vengeance (Relapse Records)

Nile

Nile is self-described as "brutal ithyphallic death metal." Yeah, this stuff is brutal, for sure! You have to be in the mood to listen to it.

Death metal is usually intense, heavy music – lightening-fast guitars and drums and growling vocals. Nothing really new here. The music is good, but the vocals are such a low growl that they are barely audible.

With song titles like "Masturbating The War God,"The Black Flame" and "Chapter For Transforming Into A Snake," (What?! Ok I'm lost here!) these guys are writing about some pretty heavy stuff. You better get a lyric sheet if you want to know what he's talking about, though.

Good riffs and great drumming - but I could do without the low growls. If death metal is your thing, then you'll love this. If not, save your money!

NN

Destroy The Opposition ( Relapse Records)

Dying Fetus

Dying Fetus is also a death metal band, but with more of an old school sound than their above-mentioned label mates.

It's the same formula here – intense, heavy music - but with more of a groove. The vocals are death growls as well and are a bit too barky at times but you can hear them over the music and they go well with this style of metal. My picks of the bunch are "Praise The Lord (Opium Of The Masses),"Epidemic Of Hate,"Pissing In The Mainstream"(love that title!) and "Justifiable Homicide." Angry!

The music is aggressive and drummer Kevin Talley is amazing. He kicks double bass. The guy knows how to work those pedals.

Again, if death metal is your thing, you'll love this. And even if you usually like more low-key metal check this one out!

NNN ½

Well, kids - that's all for me this month. Send your show dates, news, comments, etc. to me at pitnews@yahoo.com

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