"...Nothing stays the same, now its time for change." When Motley Crue wrote the song "Changes", I don't think they were referring to an entire musical 180 or a flip sided turn from the 1980's to the 1990's. Granted change is good but not when we turn our entire attention to the "Future of Rock N' Roll" bands like No Doubt and the Smashing Pumpkins. Oh- how the mighty have fallen. Some bands that once stood tall on the pillars of rock and metal took such a downfall just to join in with the ranks of Q101.

    Just take a look at Warrant for example. Once popular for tunes like "I Saw Red" and "Cherry Pie" they released an album called 'Belly to Belly'. What the hell is this?! Not one heavy song on the entire thing. Now I was never a big fan of theirs but this isn't the Warrant I remember. L.A. Guns remember them? Three hardcore albums under their belt, they've returned with a more industrial sounding album.. You can also forget about a simple "L.A.". Now tag on -THE. As in THE L.A. Guns. Let's not forget Motley Crue. You know "The Kings of L.A. Sleaze" with classic lp's as "Shout At The Devil" and "Too Fast for Love". Well, they are also back, but this time its with Vince Neil and not John Corabi who sang on their self-titled experimental piece of work while Vince was out and doing his solo career. The new album is titled 'Generation Swine' another industrial-edged release. So this question now enters my mind : "Will this new album be a multi-platinum selling lp, or just another gas station record?"

    Now for the flip side of rock... the heavier stuff Metallica, Megadeth and Bathory. These three bands used to be unstoppable forces in their genre, but now they've totally warped their sound. The undoubtedly, hands down, best example of this is Metallica, who needs no introduction as they helped initiate the Bay-area thrash scene along with Exodus (who have reformed) and Testament back in the early eighties, but they return in the nineties with a sickening attempt at the glam look. As for their music it isn't thrash - it isnt Metallica - it isn't good. Megadeth 'the worlds most state of the art speed-metal band'. Yea, maybe 'Rust in Peace' and before. Not - Not! A Ratt clone is more like it. Dave Mustain's voice has gotten way more annoying. It seems to me that ever since they took their mascot, Vic Rattlehead, off the cover and the logo changed from yellow to silver Megadeth took a unforgivable turn. Nowadays I'd gladly put on any Ratt album before "Countdown to Extinction" and "Youthanasia". Even further underground, hailing from Stockholm, Sweden comes Bathory. One of the bands that helped start the entire death and black metal scene along with Venom and Hellhammer/Celtic Frost. Bathory gave us such gems as 'Bathory', '...The Return', and 'Under the Sign of the Black Mark'. But like they say all good things must come to a close. The nineties came. And that's when their frontman Quorthon decided to do a drastic musical change with a couple of doom/Viking metal image albums. It started to appear on 'Blood, Fire, Death' in the late eighties and came into full swing on 'Hammerheart' and "Twilight of the Gods'. But unfortunately these were only the beginning.

    Quorthon decided to release a solo project called 'Album'. In my opinion it's pure and total garbage. This is a collection of pop-rock/alternative songs that would make any Bathory fan cringe in disgust. But for some reason Bathory can't stay down. He came back with 'Requiem' and 'Octagon' but these releases are in more of the death/thrash metal vein. Lets just wait and see what the Bathory camp comes out with next. You know with all these bands releasing albums that are so-so, or just plain horrible, just trying to get some radio airplay to pay the bills, it kinda makes you think: is this for the love of music or money?

    Yet there is still hope in the dying fields of rock. With bands now currently resolving their differences and planning reformations we should see some old faces we've not seen in a while. For example David Coverdale reformed Whitesnake and should have an album out this fall or early the next year. Ex-Twisted Sister frontman is also back for a possible reunion. For now though he's involved with his movie, Helltown, that begins shooting in July. Dee Snider isn't the only one working on a movie. Poison's Brett Micheals already had a movie in the process, "A Letter from Death Row." But the soundtrack for the album itself should be in stores by September 23rd. Brett is also doing a segment for Showtime's Red Shoe Diaries, among other movie plans: "The Last Child," "The Sparrow Prophesies," and "In God's Hands". As for touring with his original bandmates: C.C., Bobby, and Rikki. C.C. isn't sure because he isn't too keen about risking his sobriety. But Bobby and Rikki both love the idea and Bret is questioning the idea. Dokken is back again with 'Shadow Life', but if you want classic Dokken- good luck. This album has fallen into the pit of mainstream alternative! There are a few hints of their original sound but its basically alternative. This next band I'm about to mention I have mixed feelings about as they are my number one favorite band and love all their releases. Upon listening to this one I'm still scratching my head. Im talking about the infamous W.A.S.P. Yes Blackie Lawless and company are back. This time it's with Chris Holmes (finally) but the two-some kept it a secret for about a year until it was official. I know the music is the important issue for this article so here it is- INDUSTRIAL!!! The new W.A.S.P. has crossed the line into industrial. "K.F.D." the bands seventh full lengh studio album... I guess it was time for a change. There are a couple of good points involved in this change. One: The aggression thats on this album is totally mind blowing especially the track "Little Death". There's eough energy in that one song to stop the bulls in Barcelona dead in their tracks. Two: Chris is back . Three: Marilyn Manson now has some real competition for who's more powerful in their stage show. I could go on and on about W.A.S.P. but alas I cannot. By the way the cover art is a refrigerator.

    Omen is considering a reunion but it would only be with the guitarist Kenny Powell. As for Ratt and Quiet Riot they are planning the same thing but both are looking for bassists, and Ratt a drummer. Robbin's out due to health reasons. So it looks like the eighties are coming back with new sounds, albums, lineups and a few new surprises. Let's now just sit back, enjoy the ride, and see what transpires.

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