Interviewed by EvilG / Transcription by Duke
Questions by EvilG & Lord of the Wasteland
Promo Demons & Wizards Pics courtesy of Earsplit PR
Live Pics of Jon Schaffer by Lord of the Wasteland

The collaboration of Iced Earth songwriter/guitarist Jon Schaffer and Blind Guardian vocalist Hansi Kürsch rocked the metal world in 2000 with the release of their self-titled debut. Now some five years later, they have found time to release another solid album entitled TOUCHED BY THE CRIMSON KING.  As usual, Jon is a great interview subject who gives lengthy answers without having to do any prodding. In fact, some of his detailed replies answered other questions I had for him! Since Jon was doing interviews in support of the new Demons & Wizards release, the bulk of this interview is about that band. However, I managed to squeeze in some Iced Earth stuff at the end.

Intro/outro by Luxi “got-some-tan” Lahtinen

Relentless commentary, bullshitting, teeth-gnashing, headaches, photographing, documenting of all kinds, etc. by Luxi “show-no-fucking-mercy” Lahtinen & Niko “metal-up-yer-fucking-ass” Karppinen

Sauna Open Air Metal -festival was held for the 2nd time in its entire history – and this year the organizers of the festival had succeeded to book 3 internationally big names for the festival to headline each of the 3 days; Slayer, Megadeth and Dio; not to forget the Swedish Pain either as the fourth international band for the festival. Last year was a real success for the festival organizers already, bringing approx. 6000 metal fans to the venue for one day to enjoy such bands as Lordi, Finntroll, Children of Bodom, Thunderstone, etc. – and of course the festival´s biggest name Nightwish.

This year nearly 7000 Metal fans gathered together with each of the 3 days being nearly sold-out or completely sold-out. So from an attendance point of view there´s undoubtedly going to be a continuation of this festival for the next year at leas and that´s what all Metal fans hope for, that´s for sure.

MELTDOWN IN MINNESOTA!!!!
Minneapolis Mayhem II - 2005
May 6th and 7th, 2005

Article by MetalGeorge

Roadtrips: you either love them or you hate them.  Sure, the idea of hitting the road for a couple of hours with some of your best buds sounds like a grand ol’ time, but when the ride is a 25 hour plus journey, it can try even the most cordial of friendships.  In this case, it was my band, The Accursed, and I making our inaugural drive down to Jackson Heights, Minnesota (a suburb), for the second installment of the Minneapolis Mayhem festival.

Vocalist Bobby "Blitz" Ellsworth

Interview By Lord of The Wasteland/Transcription by Adam & Jodi

**All pics from Wreckingcrew.com

Twenty years is a long time…longer than some of the readers about to pore over this interview will have even been on this Earth, yet thrash legends, Overkill, are celebrating that monumental anniversary with the release of their 14th studio album, entitled RELIXIV (pronounced “Relics”).  A lot has happened in those twenty years and the band has seen many members come and go but with vocalist Bobby “Blitz” Ellsworth and bassist D.D. Verni at the helm from day one, Overkill is ready to take on the world with a huge tour (finally including Canadian and U.S. west coast stops) and a celebration of sorts for having survived twenty years in the heavy metal trenches.

I spoke with Ellsworth in early-March and found him to be one of the funniest subjects I have ever interviewed.  After clearing the air with a discussion about the NHL players’ strike, we got down to business with a 85-minute chat about the new album, big plans for the band’s 20th anniversary, the early days of Overkill, surviving the 90s, his health, why there are always ten songs on their albums, what’s it’s like being known as the “working man’s metal band” and about a hundred other things!  Enjoy…

Reviews and Pics by Arto Lehtinen
& Marko "hairock" Syrjälä 

Once again the Finnish Metal-Rules.Com squad made it's annual visit to the prestigious Swedenrock Festival. The festival is located in the countryside of southern Sweden. Again we witnessed a number of amazing and unforgettable metal and hard rock names on the stage. As expected, all tickets for Swedenrock were sold quicker than expected due especially to the booking of the legendary LA  80's metal outfit Motley Crue. If some wild estimate of sold tickets could be said, it would be apx. 22,000 people that arrived at the festival each day. It is interesting how the organization of the Swedenrock Festival will carry on and expand and develop the festival in the future.