The magazine we're about to present in the next few lines comes from America. Its title is VAULT, a presentation of Sleeping Wizard Productions and I have the honor to hold in my hands the first issue for the winter of 2005 and moreover the premier edition, signed by Randy Blake II, the man in charge of this splendid edition.

Let me give you the general idea behind VAULT for starters. This is not a, what someone might call, ordinary publication. I like to call it a "tribute" magazine to Hard Music, or as its editors say, the first magazine devoted entirely to the collecting of Hard Music from the 60's to now. Indeed, VAULT's original purpose is to become a complete collector's guide, the ultimate tool that will help you discover hidden treasures of the past and the compass that will help you find your orientation while sailing on the vast ocean of hard music. In addition VAULT can help you avoid the traps that some dealers at collectors shows are trying to set. You'll see what I mean…

Let's now take a more thorough look, starting with the excellent silver cardboard cover, showing Manowar's warrior from "Kings of Metal". Moving on inside, we'll find 32 pages containing 3 tribute articles, some mainstream reviews, a column called Stormwatch that introduces you to some "unknown" yet bands and a memorial to the late Dimebag Dallerr. It only contains 3 mainstream reviews on Iced Earth's "The Glorious Burden", Mastadon's "Leviathan", and Cradle of Filth's "Mannequin" DVD, plus . I know this might seem discouraging to some of you, but keep in mind that VAULT's intention isn't to keep you up to date with what's going on in the modern music industry (although it can also indirectly serve that purpose), but to reveal the deepest secrets of hard music's glorious past, present and future.

The Stormwatch column deals with the presentation of 2 bands called Twilightning and Fairytale Abuse. The article on the latter includes also useful information for someone that needs to know how much he must pay to get hold of the band's releases. Yes, you've read well! This is the "innovative" asset of VAULT and the reason why it can be considered as the collector's complete guide.
This kind of information is also available on the 3 main articles on Steppenwolf, Mötley Crüe and Manowar that constitute the core of this magazine. In almost 17 pages we'll be able to read some useful information about them, the editors' point of view on the bands history and their journey through time, together with a detailed description on their highlighted moments and releases. In addition you'll see photos of rare material, such as discs, covers, etc, accompanied by footnotes with editor's advice on the prices and availability!!! This will definitely come in handy sometime, don't you think?

Well what more can I say? I've already revealed more than I should! This is one hell of a release. It's fresh, genuine and most of all it's for the old to remember and for the young to learn. It has one major drawback, though. As far as I can tell VAULT is published quarterly, my guess is one issue for every season so it's too small to last for three months. We need more, the least one every month!! Come on guys, bring it on!!! We're hungry for more!!!

If you want to get your own copy contact this address:
ROAAR Magazine / VAULT Magazine
C/o Randy Blake II
Sleeping Wizard Productions
72 Randall Shea Drive
Swansea MA, 2777
U.S.A
You can also e-mail at ROAARMagazine@aol.com. For more info go to:
www.roaarmagazine.com.
Alekos Tagmatarhis