Hello,

Winter is upon us in the Northern Hemisphere, and it’s time for a new issue of Maelstrom. The gears grind slower, but just as fiercely, with 134 album reviews, an interview with Gruenewald, and a live report from GWAR’s 2008 tour.

Not much else to report from HQ for now, but look out four our next issue, which will mark our eighth anniversary, complete with best of 2008 lists for the entire current staff.

This issue, we’re giving away five copies of Rigor Sardonicous’ Vallis Ex Umbra de Mortuus. To win, answer the following question.

Name Rigor Sardonicous’ current line-up.

Good. Luck.

- Roberto Martinelli

Our writer Avi Shaked would like to add the following:

Maelstrom would like to honour the memory of Israeli musician Arik Hayat, who committed suicide in late December, 2008. Hayat was a driving force behind the Israeli progressive music scene, and won some wider recognition as a leading member of the progressive rock band Sympozion (www.myspace.com/sympozion). Arik's most recent album, "Doing Life," was released as a free download just a few days before his death, and is available at www.archive.org/details/DoingLife_456. We encourage you to listen to this bizarre work and commemorate the artist.