First, I want to present one of the "Hardest Working Moms in Goth Metal Music":

"LENNON"

A Brief History Condensed From Her Own Words:

Ten years ago, Lennon Murphy walked onto the stage at a dive bar called "Low Places Cafe" in Hendersonville, Tennessee, and has yet to leave.

Only in her mid-twenties, Lennon has dealt with the death of her only parent at age 18, a successful two year custody battle over her younger sister, the release of her debut album on Sept. 11, 2001 (What a Day For an Album Release...), her departure from Arista Records, and even litigation with Yoko Ono over the trademark rights to her OWN GIVEN name, which if you were wondering, she IS using.

None of which comes close to properly defining the critically acclaimed entrepreneurial songwriter Mom, who has played 800 plus shows, released 4 albums, 3 DVD's, appeared in 1 movie, and co-owns a successful Independent Label. She has an extensive resume of touring with Alice Cooper, Otep, The Cult, Drowning Pool, Soil, Heart, Journey, Pat Benatar, Warped Tour, Motley Crue, Seether, and Aerosmith. Lennon has always found her place with the audience, fronting a 4-piece band or solo behind the piano. Her 2 newest releases, "Devils Gift" and "Just One", show the dynamics that audiences have been applauding for years. Releasing both records on her own record label, John Galt Entertainment, Lennon has managed to continue a career that once started on a "Major Label", but has truly flourished on her own. She is one of the hardest working "Moms" in the Music Business! In the fall of 2007, after an extensive year of tours starting with Soil, to Journey, to Pat Benatar, Lennon decided to step back into the studio to make a much different record. Enlisting famed metal producer Jason Suec (of Projects including: Trivium, August Burns Red, Daath, All That Remains, Chimaira, Devildriver, and Dave Elitch, drummer of Daughters of Mara) to create 'Devils Gift', Lennon explains: "...new music, new style, new direction, new band. I wanted to give 'Devils Gift' a fresh start..."

'Devils Gift' was released overseas before a US release though a partnership agreement with Tiefdruck-Musik, a German-based Universal Records Subsidiary, closely followed by 2 months of Promotional Touring. Upon the release of a video for 'Shadows Never Ending', the press began to buzz over the impending US release. Lennon was immediately featured in Revolver's "Hot Chicks of Metal 2008" along with 'Bleeding Through's' Marta Peterson, 'Sonic Syndicate's' Karin Axelsson, 'Winds of Plague's' Kristen Randall, and 'Light This City's' Laura Nichol. Hardrock Haven exclaimed, "... 'Devils Gift' is one of the best records of the year. It holds power and passion without lacking the punch in the nose. The album breathes honesty and frustration packed into a metallic shining gem. A debut worth dying for, presented by a mastermind blessed with looks, personality, and keen song writing abilities, perfectly molded and twisted into form by one of metal's hottest producers..." 'Metal Hammer UK' printed: "Tracks like the groove-heavy, heartfelt fury of 'Shadows Never Ending' feature paint-stripping tirades reminiscent of 'Devildriver's' Dez Farara at his most incensed..." (This, on top of featuring Lennon as Miss July for their Metal Maidens 2009 calendar.)

Now, Lennon is finally bringing the long awaited 'Devils Gift' album to her United States fans. 13 tracks of straight-up metal explosions, featuring Jason Suecof's off the wall guitar licks, coupled to Lennon's emotional, but aggressive, vocal deliverance. While this record may shock some Lennon fans, the intensity will surely draw them in, while recruiting a whole new fan base. Shortly after putting the finishing touches on Devils Gift, Lennon wasn't done. She decided to record a follow-up album to her 2002 Career Suicide. Equipped with just a piano and her voice, Lennon explains, "The interesting thing about all the songs on [my] records is they always begin on just a piano. I like being able to give the fans the songs in their original versions, so they can see where they started from."

Containing such classics as 'These Days", "Just One", and even a guitar version of "My Sins", one really has to wonder what exactly happens in the studio, when these songs transform from acoustic to rock. Her newest track "Perfect Day" is an honest apology for putting a relationship on hold to live one's life ("But looking back I see there was a place for you and me/ And I'm sorry/ Thought I had to go alone/you were better on your own/ And I'm sorry..."). Track after track, one feels like they are being invited to share, not only Lennon's music, but her life. "Just One" is an amazing follow up to "Career Suicide", and perfect for those that prefer the softer side of Lennon, as well as those that like it all.
Whether you're a fan of Lennon's 2001 "5:30 Saturday Morning", 2002 "Career Suicide", 2006 "Damaged Goods", or discovering Lennon for the first time; "Devils Gift" and "Just One" are 2 albums that will definitely leave an impression on music lovers of all kinds, just as Lennon already has...WITH Real Heart, Real Talent, a Relentless Work Ethic, and the Power-House Performances. In Stores Everywhere, October 6, 2009 Lennon & Devils Gift
Dr Dexter Says:
LENNON has a profound work ethic. She is 'REAL & ACCESSIBLE" to those who are her "Family & Friends". (Goth/Metal/Progressive Artists have "listening" Families, not "Fans". she simply doesn't stop. Of the many Artists I am corresponding with for these Columns, she always takes the time to reply back to a question and has been quick to supply in formation and links to the things I'd requested. How can anyone, knowing how busy she truly is, NOT appreciate that?
She has a huge range of potential, can be intimate and "soft" to her Audience, or "Loud & Proud"! She is "Hand-On" in everything she does and never backs away from a challenge. She keeps reinventing herself and will probably always do so. If you are among those who appreciate and love what she does, that's just part of the attraction.
Like the last column, I'm going to put all the Song and Page Links in the "First Comment", as well as here.

Next I will introduce the Band:
"Kivimetsan Druidi"

The History Of Kivimetsan Druidi, Condensed From Their Own Words
From an imaginative Northern forest, full of large stone blocks and surrounded by high mountains, comes Kivimetsän Druidi, a young and determined metal band from Finland destined to become the next sensation in symphonic metal. Imagine the breeze of a warm spring wind blowing over the raging, blood-drenched battlefield. Feel the wind circling amidst the dying, taking their wandering souls with it - this is how vocalist/guitarist Joni would describe Kivimetsän Druidi’s music.

Founded in 2002 by the Koskinen brothers, the band has since then gone through several personnel changes. Every new member has brought more talent and personality to the table and the current line-up is just what the brothers had wished for since day one. The five dark Nordic warriors and their fairy princess, vocalist Leeni-Maria, have created an unmistakable sound that is heavy, drivingly fast, but, which due to its epic atmosphere and melancholic highly catchy overtones, marks a stunning amalgamation of Celtic folklore and vast extreme metal influences.

After three, sold out demo CD's, “Taival” (2004), “Mustan Valtikan Aika” (2006) and “The New Chapter” (2007), which received massive media and fan praise, the fourth demo CD “Taottu” was the one that convinced Century Media Records to take Finland’s most promising new act under their wings.

Even without a strong label in its background, Kivimetsän Druidi has already played almost 100 gigs, one third of them abroad during a first European tour in support of fellow Finnish Folk-Metallers, Korpiklaani, between October and November 2007. This tour marked an overwhelming debut on European stages as the band fronted sold-out venues in Berlin, Budapest, Milan, Paris, London, and Amsterdam, and took them through 14 different countries.

For its Century Media debut, Kivimetsän Druidi entered Noise Camp studio in Turku with producer Esa Orjatsalo in early June. The result is a stunning opus telling tales about loyalty and love, defection and hate, darkness and light, bravery and fear. Ten epic, dark, wondrous, noble and cheerful, but all the way heavy songs with fantastic lyrics dealing with everlasting battles between good and evil, hatred and forgiveness, jealousy and willpower.

Leeni-Maria’s beautiful female vocals are perfectly contrasted with Joni’s brutal growls from six feet under. Antti’s majestic and voluminous keyboard sound is already characteristic for the band while Rinksa and Joni attack your eardrums with extremely heavy riffs. However, the basics of Kivimetsän Druidi’s accurate and hefty sound comes from the talented rhythm duo Atte (drums) and Simo (bass).

In 2008, Kivimetsän Druidi toured for the second time in Europe in the Finnish Fire tour with fellow Finns: Korpiklaani, Battlelore and Falchion, which saw them play in most European metropolises - 23 gigs in 10 countries.

In 2009 Kivimetsän Druidi has already played at Rock Tower Festival in Lübeck, at Ragnarök Festival in Lichtenfels, as well as two power-house performances in St. Petersburg and Moscow. In October they played at the Metal Female Voices Fest in Belgium's Wieze, and the year will be crowned by their first North American tour - Heathenfest America in November with Eluveitie (SUI), Belphegor (AUT), Alestorm (UK) and Vreid (NOR).

Dr Dexter Says:
This is a Band that has drawn much from their Musical and Historic roots of their native Finland. They are adept at being almost as Mythological, Savage, Beautiful, and Heroic as their Finnish Heritage. These are "Northmen Warriors" with Guitars and Drums who recreate a world of Great Battles, Faerie Queens, Chivalry, Savagery, and Magic. they successfully fuse their Finnish roots of Folk Music and Tales with Fiercely Melodic Metal. The Music is Loud and Heroic, yet full of "Heart". I have chosen to share " Jaasa Vartunutt ", Krisallivuoren Maa, and "The Tyrant" from various Albums and Live Performances.

This is but the second installment of a continuing story. Next week will include "Black Ark", "TYR", and one or two surprises. This Movement includes Graphic, Illustrative, Fashion, and "Fine" Artists. It is moving into Cinema, Video, and even Television. It has created and is creating it's own Literature, it's own Mythology, and it's own very unique style.
The people of this Culture DO LOOK different, but here's the up side, they embrace a deep and abiding sense of Community, cooperating instead of competing, sharing rather than hoarding. They are a huge family of families from every Nation and Ethnicity who share an understanding.
Death IS an eternal partner of Life. Rather than fear it, they co-exist with it, romanticize it, share a toast with it, and give it a place in the endless cycles of living. It's the 'High Drama' of their Art. It's the call of the Epic Hero, of Times of Warriors, and Creatures of Legend. They are everything in terms of belief, but from their own special point of view.
They are the "Nation of Goth", they are "The Children of the Night".

LENNON/Brake Of Your Car: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2NwQFV6_F8

Shadows Never Ending: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZu4Idv06co

No One Knows: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hjev3oC7hPs

My Beautiful(Acoustic): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8XvCS

And You (LIVE Acoustic): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=btWah4iyOiQ

Jaasa Vartunutt: http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=44905279

Kristallivuoren Maa: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7SSdbwbbwzg

The Tyrant (live at Juva): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RkK7vgNHlOc