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Alexz Johnson
By Kenyth Mogan

Amongst the over synthesized, over produced sensations whose vocals have been auto-tuned to robotic perfection, Alexz Johnson is a rare gem. The multi talented Johnson, is an actress and singer-songwriter hailing from British Columbia. She first appeared in the Disney Channel original series "So Weird" with Mackenzie Philips and in 2008 wrapped taping on the Gemi Award winning "Instant Star" which she portrayed the main character of Jude Harrison for four consecutive seasons. Johnson also appeared on all five show's soundtracks, including a 'Greatest Hits' album.

Now, Johnson returns with what is technically her debut album, "Voodoo". Released independently through inDiscover Recordings, a subsidiary of Universal Music's Orange Lounge Recordings, the album is a blend of contemporary pop and that of the 50s/60s rock era. Johnson's voice is smooth, passionate and her lyrics, which were co-written with her brother, Brendan James Johnson (who also produced the album) are fun, insightful, and well composed. Johnson, though beautiful, relies not on sex and shock value to sell her record, but talent.

The album's first single "Trip Around The World" was released February 2nd and is also available on her website www.alexzjohnson.com as a free download. The album packaging is just as impressive as the contents itself as it is styled like a poster from a 50s film. Johnson states that she and her Brother have a love of film music, and that each song is almost like their own scene.

The albums opening (and title track) "Voodoo" with a strong beat and seductive lyrics, the Johnson's have you immediately immersed in the cinematic world that they have created, which does not stop until the album's fun and funky finally, "Boogie Love". Point blank, if you're looking for an instant gratification stick with artist like Ke$ha and Lady Gaga, but if you're looking for music that has stamina, you can purchase "Voodoo" from Johnson's website, CDbaby, and Itunes."

REVOLVER GOLDEN GOD AWARDS 2010
By William Derham

Filling a much needed void between the Grammys, American Music Awards, and MTV's poppy Music Video Awards, Revolver Magazine's Golden God Awards acknowledge true metal artists (no Jethro Tull nominations here) for their contribution to a genre that has endured grunge, electronica, alternative, emo, and indie. Metal fans are among the most devoted and they make their collective voices heard by chanting in unison.

The comic opening skit, prerecorded at the renowned Rainbow Bar & Grill, with co-hosts, Chris Jericho, pro wrestler, and musician, Andrew W.K., as slacker waiters serving Lemmy (Motorhead), Dave Mustain (Megadeth), Vinnie Paul (Pantera-Hell Yeah), and Zakk Wylde (Ozzy-Black Label Society), is hilarious and can be viewed now at www.revolvermag.com. The first live performance in the show began with a patriotic nod to our Armed Forces sacrificing life and limb overseas as Zakk Wylde busted out a smokin' version of the Star Spangled Banner along side a U.S. Marine Corps color guard in full dress uniform. Utilizing a rotating stage kept the pace swift and before you could catch your breath from Wylde's solo, L.A.'s home town guitar hero extraordinaire, Slash and his new touring band treated the rabid crowd to cuts from his highly anticipated, self titled release. Guest vocalist, Andrew Stockdale (Wolfmother) belted out "By the Sword", the first single from the new disc with blistering guitar riffs courtesy of Slash and was warmly received. Myles Kennedy (Alter Bridge) came on next performing his track from the record entitled, "Nothing to Say". Incidentally Kennedy was a front runner to sing for the ill fated Led Zeppelin reunion. Slash turned it up to eleven for Lemmy and Dave Grohl (Foo Fighters-Dem Crooked Vultures) as they joined him for "Dr. Alibi" and Lemmy's signature tune, "The Ace of Spades." Needless to say the audience went ballistic witnessing the sheer sonic fireworks of Slash's guitar wizardry.

Hosts, Jericho (who looks like he could be Jon Bon Jovi's younger, buffer brother) and animaniac Andrew W. K. kept the show moving along well enough, but when they had to redo a few award intros the restless, eager, and intoxicated crowd, as previously mentioned, voiced their displeasure by chanting, "FIX THE SHIT!" repeatedly when there were some technical audio issues. Andrew W. K. was singled out when they saw an opportunity to focus on the unfortunate fold in the crotch area of his ill fitting jeans with chants of "CAMEL TOE!" while he was trying to read the copy on the TelePrompTer. All in all they both did stellar jobs of hosting and ultimately seemed to be unfazed by the heckling.

The awards started coming fast and furious punctuated with live performances by As I Lay Dying, The Devil Wears Prada, and Fear Factory. One of the more entertaining interludes was thrown down by comic, Brian Posehn and his all star band that included Anthrax's, Scott Ian, John Tempstra (ex White Zombie), Brendon Small (Dethklok), and Joey Vera (Armored Saint). They did a punk/metal song entitled, "I'm More Metal than you" that sported lyrics like, "I licked Lemmy's moles, I' more metal than you" and " I gave Rob Halford a hand job, I'm more metal than you." Posehn, known for his role on Sarah Silverman's quirky, hit show served as host for last year's G.G.A. The underlying current of humor throughout the telecast gave it a much needed ying to the hard music's yang. Marilyn Manson provided one of the more serious segments when he took the microphone to raise awareness to "Free Damien Echols" who is currently serving time in prison for the alleged murders of three eight year old boys in Arkansas in 1993. The crowd responded with repeated requests to play his hit "The Beautiful People." Freddy Kruger himself, Robert Englund, accepted his Honorary Headbanger's Award and mentioned there is a metal band touring Europe with the name Freddy Kruger's Underwear. He was also present to promote the new version of "Nightmare on Elm Street" coming out next month. The boys from VH1 Classic's "That Metal Show" Eddie Trunk, Jim Florentine, and Don Jameson, who were in town from Zoo York taping new shows, presented Jerry Cantrell and Mike Inez of Alice in Chains with the Harley-Davidson Album of the Year Award.

For the most part the judges were right on the money with the various nominees but especially so in honoring metal pioneer Ronnie James Dio ( Heaven and Hell) who accepted his award as Best Metal Vocalist with much appreciation and humility. We all wish Ronnie the best with his current medical concerns and hope to see him back on stage soon doing what he does best. This year's winners included Rob Halford taking home the Metal Blade Golden God Award, Zakk Wylde, Best Metal Guitar, Alice in Chains, Guitar World Comeback of the Year Award, Alice in Chains Album of the Year, "Black Gives Way to Blue", Jimmy "The Rev" Sullivan (Avenged Sevenfold) Best Drummer, Metalica, Best Live Band, Dillinger Escape Plan for Best Underground Band, and Maria Brink (In This Moment) in the Hottest Metal Chick category.

Arguably they saved the best for last, as an energetic Rob Zombie hit the stage taking no prisoners and out for blood, like always. He launched into "More Human than Human" and the now hammered onlookers became unglued and the mosh pit grew a bit out of control. Zombie won the hearts of the fans when he did some rough and ready crowd surfing and put on a hell of a show, moving like a possessed madman making for a memorable way to end a great night of metal mayhem. This molten metal show will air May 22nd on VH1 Classics and Revolver Mag's Golden Gods issue will hit news stands on May 11th featuring exclusive behind-the-scenes photos, interviews and a massive all-star gatefold cover. We will look forward to the 2011 Golden God Awards to keep the party going and the music alive. Till then willing headbangers can text REV to 44688 to receive an all access pass to their favorite bands, the sickest live shows, exclusive videos, backstage brawls, dirty secrets, and intimate confessions sent to their cell phones.

God of War 3
By Staff Writer

Finally, the best game of the year has arrived and just in time for "Clash of the Titans." While God of War 3 may be a fictionalized action story revolving around Greek mythology, no expense was spared to produce the next installment in one of Sony's greatest game franchises of all time. In fact, the original beloved face of Hercules, Kevin Sorbo, plays the voice of Hercules in GOW3.

Three years in the works and the game absolutely delivers upon the wait time by, for starters, not having any wait time. Zero loading time for a game that plays more like a Blue Ray movie with massive multi-dimensional landscapes and perfect texture for every frame and perspective. Kratos, whether being controlled at a tiny scale or fully in the cameras face has spot-on exact detail. The story for the third brings the saga to a very complete close, but considering how well GOW3 should fare economically there should be some foreseeable fourth installment. Perhaps, Kratos takes down the Roman Gods for ripping off the Greeks, therefore showing that not even time or historians can control Kratos' wrath. Then again, they could sell out, have Kratos become a vampire, ghost, or werewolf…something lame.

Sony Santa Monica Studios produced the game and is directed by Stig Asmussen, who said, "The game is by no means meant to be an educational foray into Greek mythology, but that if it inspires a person to look into it then that's good. It's really about staying as consistent with what's out there for video game fans and incorporating as much as possible into the game. Everyone is very proud of the work put into this game."

While going through the game, there are gameplay features that seem to be awesomely amalgamated elements from other popular games. For example, players' time the buttons correctly to a rotating disc playing a musical pattern, similar to "Guitar Hero." In addition, there is a great first person moment similar to "Fight Night," where the camera is Kratos head and it sees exactly what he sees. If blood splatters into his face so bad that his vision is blurred or blinded then so is the player. Some may say that that is not similar too much to "Fight Night," as many players really just want to feel like Kratos. To see from his POV is a huge plus for hardcore Kratos fans. There is a fun, surreal dream sequence running through the dark with distorted visions a la, "Max Payne," and probably many more comparisons that effectively introduced popular game conventions into the God of War universe. The fact is that God of War, itself, in its original game introduced many gaming conventions that were later employed by many games in gameplay, style, and in respect to "Dante's Inferno," debatably the concept.

The creators of this third game stayed true to the dynamics of what made the previous two successful except they increased the idea of scale tenfold to the extreme. Kratos traverses massive landscapes that are also Titan characters; so large that their movement affects how Kratos moves and how story sequences are told. There is no game out comparable to the size and astounding visual detail put into this game. Beyond the scope of where Kratos goes, the game is rated M for gore…enough gore to be confused as correct historical reference to the bloody, horrific battles that are told in school to have been committed by the Greek Gods and their subjects. If anyone had intended to go out of their way to truly envision the use of gore as an art form, it was Sony Santa Monica and how. Another difference is the extent of the combos that can be committed by Kratos is higher than ever as it is possible to sequence through every weapon in his arsenal, mid-combo, strung together to maintain a combo count. In addition, magic is included for every weapon, making combos that much more explosive. Testing the limits of how many enemies can appear on the screen simultaneously has made this combo feature essential.

Sony Santa Monica has succeeded in making this the best game so far this year for bonus content, graphics, sound, and gameplay. The game is an awesome way for a Greek God to go out. Despite the story being not exactly parallel to Greek mythology, the overall game has an incredibly addicting effect. The action, gore, and visuals are phenomenal beyond either of the two previous home-game console installments, or the most recent PSP release, "Chains of Olympus." Ultimately, this game will have a very long play life for any gamer who is a fan of beautiful action, interesting puzzles, and an epic story.

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