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Staff page - Alanna
I live in the United States - for better or for worse - and some say I've been into metal since I was born. Perhaps not literally of course, but it seems like it. The path to my musical destruction came early with a Europe "Wings of Tomorrow" tape purchased for use on my Fisher Price 'tape recorder' simply because I liked the mechanical Sci-Fi eagle gracing the cover art. That was in late 1986 and I was barely five years old, but the seeds were planted then and bloomed later on. The late 80s/early 90s saw me in grade school and listening to Def Leppard, Warrant, Whitesnake, Firehouse, Poison, Motley Crue, Queensryche and many others. The mid 90s thanks to Guitar Magazine's putdown of Yngwie Malmsteen and Ritchie Blackmore in a silly picture layout they did, I was introduced to these guitarists and their works and the music just branched out from there.
The late 90s was my metal boom as suddenly the door to the vast world of metal was opened to me and no longer was I restricted to picking over the tiny "metal" sections at Sam Goody in the mall but now I had an entire world of music at my fingertips and a credit card to pledge my allegiance to the music I loved. Symphony X, Conception, Edguy, Stratovarius, Blind Guardian, Iced Earth, Labyrinth.I could make a list a mile long and still not have everyone covered. My father warned me early on this was just a passing fad, my tastes would change and then I'd have boxes of cds that no one wanted. That comment was made about a decade ago in the midst of a Megadeth/Dio obsession and more untrue words were never spoken, for to this day - almost eighteen years later, I still listen to "Wings of Tomorrow" and marvel at its electric majesty.
I have run my own website on and off since 1997, and at first did not give out my age or sex, for I feared no one would be interested in reading my reviews if they knew they were being written by a fifteen year old girl. It was a time when it was "heavy metal or no metal at all!" but my musical tastes are have loosened up a bit these days as I recall my past in radio with a country and western station and fondly listen to the country music from the 90s period occasionally. 80s pop is also revisited, since the soundtrack of youth was MTV. My boyfriend is into hip hop and rap and therefore that can't be avoided either, fortunately I can tolerate some of it but to say "like" is going way too far.
My other interests are all "sit on your butt" diversions. I'm really into Home Theater and DVD collecting, and watch a lot of anime including Inu Yasha, Chobits, Fruits Basket, Slayers, Sorcerer Hunters, that sort of thing. Video games take up the majority of my cash these days and I'll play and love most every genre with a few exceptions. Like metal, I grew up on it and just never grew out of it. Once in love you never fall out I suppose. Console or PC, I don't hate or discriminate when it comes to gaming, and if I'm around, my Game Boy Advance is probably somewhere in the vicinity. And yes, this love of gaming includes DDR and Dance Maniax - probably other Bemani games if any arcades in my area would get a machine or two. Working third shift in the security industry has really put a halt on a lot of things I used to enjoy but hasn't completely destroyed my life thus far, but tries hard as I currently have a social life in shambles.
Still reading this self-absorbed mess? Then check out my own website if you have a chance.
The media keeps screaming "metal is dead" and have been since Nirvana hit the waves, but thanks to sites like this one and people like the ones contributing here that are still buying the CDs and professing their love for the music, I personally believe the genre will live forever. Whether underground or on top of the world, metal will never die.
Keep the fires burning -
Alanna
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RevelationZ Comments
| Comment by The Fat Friar (Anonymous) - Friday, March 19, 2004 | Welcome to the "Z" Alanna! I look forward to reading your stuff..keep it forever heavy \m/
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| Comment by Nina - RevelationZ (Anonymous) - Sunday, April 4, 2004 | Hail! Welcome to the site! I like your style, and look forward to see more of your work!
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| Comment by Nicole (Anonymous) - Tuesday, August 3, 2004 | I love you Alanna, you have some really great work here. You have alomost a social life if you count me and Amber, even if we are your boyfriends sister's. You are awesome, keep up the good work.
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| Comment by Euan McLeod (Anonymous) - Wednesday, December 1, 2004 | Hey Alanna, just read your review of Rainbow's "Bent Out Of Shape" having happened upon it via the homegrown Revelationz web site &, while I may disagree with some of your review, you have inspired me to go back & listen to it again with fresh ears ... & it's nowhere near as bad as I remember it being! I am an aging Purple/Blackmore freak from days of old & in this age of ProTools (for shame Roger Glover!) it's great to rediscover heavy rock music with melody, passion & dynamics. Thanks for reopening tired ears! An old rocker from NZ ...
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| Comment by Kevin Russell (Anonymous) - Monday, February 14, 2005 | Alanna,
Kevin Chalfant did not sing "Out OF The Dark" (707 Megaforce).
FYI,I did about half the vocals on that record.
Kevin
www.kevinrussell.com
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| Comment by John Westling (Anonymous) - Thursday, February 24, 2005 | Hey Alanna,
Are you still using your FischerPrice equipment ?
Your reviews suck !
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| Comment by nigel kenny (Anonymous) - Friday, February 25, 2005 | sit on your butt? are you sure that there is a couch avaliable your size, I mean sometimes I see some trucks driving with a container on it but that they also make couches so big??? stay on your butt and stop writing, because you can't write, word!!
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| Comment by João Fernandes (Anonymous) - Tuesday, March 8, 2005 | Ian Gillan still is THE rock singer !! Rock On :P
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| Comment by nigel kenny (Anonymous) - Friday, March 11, 2005 | here is the proof that your reviews make no sense at all, you suck
Mennen - Freakazoid - Escapi
Not since 220 Volt's "Eye To Eye" have I heard such a cohesive melodic gem sound the way that CD did. When I listen to this CD, 4 bands come to mind. Now, when you read my reviews you know I rarely reference other bands but since melodic rock has taken a back seat to everything else I thought I would help reacquaint this stuff to people who may have forgotten what is it like. In my opinion, if you take 22o Volt, Extreme, Saigon Kick and The Scorpions, at least the best of what those bands were capable of, then you have the jist of what this CD is made of. Mennen have been around over a decade but are just now poised to make a dent in the U.S. by way of their deal with Escapi. The singer was in a band in the late 80's/ early 90's called Zinatra with folded and went without a trace. There have been some "melodic" bands try to make a go of it but not armed with a gem of a CD like Freakazoid. This CD is packed with memorable songs like the catchy opener Down to the power ballad Above The Water Line. Not to be a drag, but if this CD was released in 1990, this would be at minimum double platinum. I really believe in this CD and I totally back it becoming a success in America like I am sure it is going to be in America. If you like excellent melodic rock then you must purchase this CD!!!!
9/10
CD review by Jeffrey Easton
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| Comment by Alanna (Staff) - Friday, March 11, 2005 | 
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Comments: 245 | | Joao! Dude! Email me sometime if you see this... I haven't talked to you in ages! Stay cool.
Posted by Alanna (Staff)
Friday, March 11, 2005 |
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| Comment by nigel kenny (Anonymous) - Saturday, March 12, 2005 | I don't want to see you for ages
this was just to let you know that I am still around.
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| Comment by Matt (Anonymous) - Friday, March 18, 2005 | Alanna is probably the best reviewer here, because SHE ACTUALLY GIVES BAD REVIEWS. That's the point of the ****ing reviews, y'know, to tell you if it's good or bad. Everything else is always either between 7.5 and 10, or a 1. And when she gives an album 4/10, you start *****ing at her and making comments about her personal life... and weight!? Screw you! They invented this thing awhile ago called an OPINION. Alanna voiced hers. BIG DEAL.
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| Comment by nigel kenny (Anonymous) - Friday, March 18, 2005 | that's why we give her our opinion
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| Comment by Jeffrey (Anonymous) - Monday, July 11, 2005 | Why in the world is a review of mine here in this thang??????
care to answer me? skinwalker71@yahoo.com
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| Comment by Steve (Anonymous) - Thursday, September 1, 2005 | ya need to review some "real" metal to keep ya honest, yngwie :) Like Motorhead, perhaps?
Good to see you're still doing what you love.
Take care,
PigInZen
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| Comment by Damon (Anonymous) - Saturday, October 8, 2005 | Alanna.....I recently read your review of Journey's new album "Generations".....I don't agree with you on a few things, but overall you make some very good points....however, I just wanted to correct you on one thing.....Neal Schon didn't sing lead vocals on the song "Better Together"....that was Steve Augeri
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| Comment by alanna blackmore (Anonymous) - Friday, February 17, 2006 | my name is blackmore aswell wud u belive it lol
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| Comment by alanna blackmore (Anonymous) - Friday, February 17, 2006 | my name is blackmore aswell wud u belive it lol
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| Comment by alanna blackmore (Anonymous) - Friday, February 17, 2006 | hey alanna it alanna
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| Comment by alanna blackmore (Anonymous) - Thursday, March 1, 2007 | hi my name is Alanna Blckmore aswell lol no joke!!!!
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| Comment by chena lawrence (Anonymous) - Friday, May 4, 2007 | So who died and made you God of all things Metal? This is a GREAT debut Cd, and many other "experts" share my opinion.
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| Comment by Alanna (Staff) - Friday, May 4, 2007 |
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Comments: 245 | | Chena - I have no idea what album you are referring to. Please clarify before making sarcastic comments towards me, OK?
Posted by Alanna (Staff)
Friday, May 4, 2007 |
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| Comment by Little Drummer Boy (Member) - Wednesday, February 11, 2009 | 
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Comments: 166
Ratings: 46 | | Well looks like I have discovered something new definitely that should be checked out. It is a band called XYSTUS. Not sure if you have heard of them. The release I picked up is called Equilibrio which basically is a theatrical production infusing Metal and traditional theatrical/musical style. Though it does not have as many vocalists as Arjen's last monster cast, but it does involve more than 130 people in the production and premiered in the Netherlands. This sounds like a Broadway musical on steroids. It was a nice treat for me since I also like going to the theater to see musicals. Featured vocalists are Simone Simons (Epica; like I had to announce that), Bas Dolmans (Xystus), George Oosthoek (Orphanage) and a couple of renowned Dutch theater vocalist. Now keep in mind Sensory has released the studio recording of "Equilibrio", which features key scenes from the opera, and far as I know no double CD has yet been released. However, the DVD of the production is available.
Unfortunately this is one musical that I doubt will hit the Canadian West Coast. Shame!
Posted by Little Drummer Boy
Wednesday, February 11, 2009 |
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| Comment by Little Drummer Boy (Member) - Saturday, July 25, 2009 |
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Comments: 166
Ratings: 46 | | I have found a band that I highly recommend you checking out.
Cloudscape: Global Drama
Vocalist Mike Andersson who worked with Magnus on Planet Alliance is the lead vocalist for this band. This is their latest release (2008). It is very diverse and there are no fillers with this. Solid!!!! I can almost guarantee this would stay in rotation for some time. For fans of Kamelot, Masterplan and Evergrey.
Posted by Little Drummer Boy
Saturday, July 25, 2009 |
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| Comment by Little Drummer Boy (Member) - Sunday, November 1, 2009 |
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Comments: 166
Ratings: 46 | | The latest Redemption release Snowfall on Judgment Day is a must get. James Labrie is a guest vocalist on one track. Stellar.
Posted by Little Drummer Boy
Sunday, November 1, 2009 |
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| Comment by 31 Hz (Member) - Thursday, May 13, 2010 | 
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Comments: 1
Ratings: 0 | | Alanna -- love your reviews. Hope you're still active here.
Posted by 31 Hz
Thursday, May 13, 2010 |
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| Comment by Maszek (Member) - Tuesday, November 9, 2010 |
View Profile
Comments: 1
Ratings: 0 | | Hi Alanna,
Reacting to your comment on Bodine, you may want to check out www.regularrocker.nl on 20 November 2010!
Jan
Posted by Maszek
Tuesday, November 9, 2010 |
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| Comment by Little Drummer Boy (Member) - Saturday, July 23, 2011 |
View Profile
Comments: 166
Ratings: 46 | | You have been pretty quiet for a while. Hope all is well. Like to see some reviews to check out what I have been missing.
Posted by Little Drummer Boy
Saturday, July 23, 2011 |
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