S.w.à.t.

W.A.S.P.'s aging shock rockers reveal a little of their version of nostalgia on this album, but it's doubtful you'll get teary-eyed. Helldorado is an attempt to recapture the attitude and rawness that this cheesiest of metal bands started from in the 1980s, back to the period of their original demo tapes. Against a firestorm of basic three-chord metal, frontman Blackie Lawless continues to spit out bits of larynx as he muses on the eternal verities, from Saturday-night cockfights to faceless blowjobs ("Don't Cry (Just Suck)") and snorting coke. Framing the package is a series of goth-swathed broodings on self-destruction and hell that sound tame when shorn of the sicko theatricality of W.A.S.P.'s live stage shows. Certainly the return of guitarist Chris Holmes to the nest has livened up the spirits of the band, though. Sometimes there's even a change of key between songs. You won't be drowning out too many arty details by cranking this one up, especially Lawless's anthemic "Dirty Balls."

Jim Lee pencils issue #8 of the first volume of W.I.L.D.C.A.T.S. Lee recently relaunched the W.I.L.D.C.A.T.S. comic book series, continuing the stories of team favorites Grifter, Zealot, Voodoo, Spartan, and Warblade. Enjoy!

W.E.T. is built around the talents of Robert Säll (the "W" from Work of Art), Erik Mårtensson (the "E" from Eclipse) and Jeff Scott Soto (the "T" from Talisman) with Eclipse guitarist Magnus Henriksson and drummer Robban Bäck. "Earthrage" is the band's third studio album and comes in the midst of absolute creative high points from Mårtensson (coming off a highly successful new Eclipse album and preparing for the release of the self-titled Ammunition album), Soto (coming off his own successful solo album, plus the debut of supergroup Sons Of Apollo), and Säll (having just completed the production of a forthcoming record with Steve Overland of FM and about to start working on the anticipated fourth Work of Art record).

Very cool 70s work from Ray Conniff – two albums that have him taking on a very new groove. "Theme From S.W.A.T." features a whole host of hip TV themes from the time - performed by Conniff's studio ensemble with a strong focus on instrumental solos. The Conniff Singers come in for a bit, but don't dominate entirely as they do on some of Ray's other 70s records. "Send In The Clowns" is a nice mix of modes from Ray Conniff – as the record has him trying on a whole bunch of different styles – TV themes, soulful pop, and moodier mellow numbers – including one that even features some guest piano from Pete Jolly.

Cartoonist Benjamin Marra brilliantly satirizes America's obsession with justice - and disinterest in consequences - via a highly stylized, hyper-masculine style that gushes with violence, sex, and international intrigue, battering down the boundaries between psychedelia, political commentary, and aggressive expressionism. Terror Assaulter must defeat terror at all costs, as long as it leaves time for steamy dates with hot chicks. The man's codename is O.M.W.O.T. (One Man War On Terror) and his the world's greatest protector, and a villain's worst nightmare.

W.I.L.D.C.A.T.S. v1 Issue #1

This is the first thrilling issue of the first volume of W.I.L.D.C.A.T.S. penciled by Jim Lee. Enjoy!