Dear Maelstrom readers,

Despite the lethargy and stress inducing holidays, Maelstrom #18 is right on time. The biggest news this month is our inaugural contest. From now on, every issue of Maelstrom will feature a contest in which we will be giving away free copies of some very nice records to the lucky (and quick) few who answer the contest question correctly. You’ll find the link to the contest conveniently placed at the top of the left navigation bar. This month, we’re giving away copies of Horse the Band’s R. Borlax. Get it while it’s available.

Some technical issues have also been straightened out. For one, those of you who have been using a lower screen resolution will no longer have to endure having to scroll side to side to read our articles. Our programmer, Jose, has made it that our site will automatically detect your preference and adjust accordingly.

But back to the issue at hand. What we lack (slightly) in content, we as always make up in quality. Forty-six album reviews and *one* whopping interview. Not since our very first issue just about three years ago have we had just one interview to present. But at least it’s nothing to sneer at, being an in-depth drum discussion with godlike drummer Tony Laureano of Nile.

Thanks as always for reading.

- Roberto Martinelli

We’ll leave you with the following mail forwarded to us by Maelstrom’s friend John Gossard of cult bands Weakling, The Gault and Asunder. Perhaps you’ve heard of engrish.com, the site that specializes in the finest of Japanese hijinks in the English language. Well, this letter should get an honorable mention. I wish I could write like this if I wanted to:

I am Zergo...

I have visited its situated, interesting one.

I am Italian, known as "high priest Zergo - sommo sacerdote Zergo", founder of the OTN, "Ordine del Triangolo Nero", one of the least Churches of Satana... Between the other they are a poet and black singer.

I invite to visit situated of the my group (musical group that sound Black Metal, the Iter Charontis).. www.itercharontis.altervista.org to read my witnesses, to unload our songs and to sign the "Hospitum Liber", the black book of the guests... Waiting for to receive its news.

I gives mines the salutes...

Zergo