Dear Maelstrom readers,

The new issue of Maelstrom sucker punched us with its eventual size. Seventy nine album reviews and a fun interview with Finnish folk/extreme metallers Korpiklaani.

We’ve beefed up our staff. Since last issue, we’ve brought on board a couple more Americans, Ryan Loostrom and Rick Luna, to our little family. Also new to the staff is Dutchman Pal Meentzen, who continues the fine tradition of black metal enthusiasts in the sense that he works for the postal service in his town.

This month, we're offering copies of Disbelief's 66sick. Second place winners will receive a poster for Soilwork's Stabbing the Drama.

Here's the contest question:

What city and country is Disbelief from?

good luck!

----Original Message Follows----
From: florin rau <florin.exnihilo@gmail.com>
To: giorgio75@hotmail.com
Subject: sentenced
Date: Fri, 26 Aug 2005 17:11:37 +0300

Hi,

I was curious about whether the latest,or rather last, Sentenced album is really as good as the reviews have it.I am asking u for I consider you shed an objective light on the albums u listen to and try to analyse in the reviews your team write. By the by, how did you perceive "The Human Equation" from Ayreon.I have been listening to it for the past months I may say it is the best I have listened lately though it has been released last year!!! My previous musical revelation in as far as a metal album is concerned was the mighty Swedes, Amon Amarth`salbum"Versus the World".Thanks and best wishes!

Florin Rau.

Hi, Florin

Thanks for writing in. We got the sentenced but I haven't listened yet. I do know that our man Ignacio thinks it's not so good... I've been considering checking out Ayreon as I'm more and more into prog metal, but I don't like Avantasia. Is it like that? I just won all three albums on eBay for $8, so I’ll see for myself!

Indeed, Versus the World is probably Amon Amarth's best. Take care and thanks for reading.

Roberto Martinelli
Maelstrom Zine (http://www.maelstrom.nu)
1573 Dolores St.
San Francisco, CA 94110 USA