The Metal Crusade Staff:

K. Dan Robinson
President
B. Beachy
Assistant to the press
Stagie Krupa
Art Direction
Robin Smith
DEATH fotographer
Volunteers
B.Beechy, R.Robinson, Jane Schuldiner

Special Thanks to: Becky, Jane Schuldiner, Bethan and Christopher, Ryan Robinson, Tanya and Joel, John, Dave and Brian at Office Depot, "Wings and Ribs", and the Guppies

© 1994 DEATH, INC ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
The Metal Crusade is a quarterly newsletter printed, published and distributed by Death, Inc. No part of this newsletter is allowed to be reprinted in part or in whole without the express permission granted by the publisher.

GREETINGS
ONCE AGAIN !!!

Things have been very exciting for DEATH recently as they have just ended a very positive tour in the U.S. and Europe. you have probably seen the many articles in your favorite Mags such as 'Guitar School', 'Request', and 'Kerrang'. If not, look for them, they're definitely out there. DEATH's new video, 'The Philosopher' has consistantly been running on Headbangers Ball (thanks to you guys who write in demanding it!!!). So we have included a special segment in this newsletter dealing with the making of the video and a little info behind the scenes that day. We would also like to apologize for the unreasonable deadline for the CONTEST in the last newsletter. We will be extending those until April 30, 1994, and we included them in this newsletter once again for any new members.

You might have noticed that DEATH finally named their fan club. And since they are on the quest for Metal, THE METAL CRUSADE fits well. Hopefully the newsletter will give you a lot of information about the band but remember if you have any questions, ideas or comments, THE METAL CRUSADE welcomes them.

In this issue, we've got reports of the recent tours, coverage on the new video, "The Philosopher", an update on DEATH merchandise, a new contest where everyone can get free merchandise. We also featured some actual letters from the die-hard DEATH fans who write in, and at your request we have included 'equipments lists' that all the guys use for the studio and for touring. Kill your curiosity...

So we hope you enjoy what we have put together and we would like to remind you that if your address changes... We need to know!!!!

THE EASTER FESTIVALS
DEATH began their tours in April headlining the "Full Of Hate" two-week tour of Europe. Other bands that accompanied DEATH were Carcass, Cannibal Corpse, Tiamat, and Gorefest. They all ventured through Holland, Germany and Poland. "It was great to finally go to Poland. We get a lot of support from them. They are always writing to us and we appreciate their support." Chuck reported.

WALDROCK FESTIVAL
DEATH, along with special guest producer and egineer, Scott Burns, stormed through Europe again for the Waldrock Festival that took place in Holland in front of more than 5,000 people. They flew all the way over there for a one day brutal festival so they took a few extra days and hung out in Amsterdam....

NEW DEATH MERCHANDISE

Many of you write is asking for access to DEATH merchandise, so hopefully this will be good news for you. Up until now an independent merchandise company completely owned the rights to DEATH merchandise. Although it relieved the band from another business worry, they didn't have control over the artwork, the quality or the cost -three things that are important to you as a consumer. So we are happy to inform you that DEATH is taking over the U.S. market and distribution lines. The company will be called "METAL BROTHERS MERCHANDISE" and will have the best DEATH merchandise available. Not only will you be able to get the older stuff but we will have new items never offered before -and at better prices with better quality. And guess who gets access to it first? YOU, of course! As a METAL CRUSADE member you will be the first to receive the METAL BROTHERS MERCHANDISE catalog. We intend to give you the best prices and the best quality and in time we will have quite a variety. Items will include album cover t-shirts, sweatshirts and shorts, tank tops, logo shirts, can coolers, postcards and hats! We won't stop until we have it all!!! We also welcome your ideas first and foremost, so drop us a line and let us know what you want. So when will all this be happening? Well, it is in the works as of now and you'll be hearing from us soon, very soon.

SO, WHAT DOES HAPPEN TO
YOUR MAIL?

We receive many letter by fans who are unsure if DEATH reads their mail. Some of you even send letters specifically addressed to a certain band member.

Well, we would like to reassure you that every letter is opened and read by the METAL CRUSADE staff who work in close contact with DEATH around the clock. The letters are passed onto the Fan Club president whose job is to see that each letter is processed correctly. Then, ALL letters are passed onto Chuck Schuldiner, who spends time each week reading Fan Mail. The METAL CRUSADE office is based in Chuck's home town so he receives your letters immidiately. You will be happy to know that letters to certain band members are mailed from The METAL CRUSADE to them directly.

If you would like to send a letter to a specific DEATH member, we encourage it! The Dudes really dig it. Please understand though that at certain times of the year they are extremely busy, so not all letters may be answered but keep trying. Persistence is the key. The METAL CRUSADE knows how important your letters are, so please be assured that when it comes down to it -The Fans are #1!!! Thanks for all your support and WRITE!!!

FOUNDATIONS FORUM '93

Many of you who consistantly watch HEADBANGERS BALL may have seen the interview with Riki Rachtman and Chuck Schuldiner at the well known annual FOUNDATIONS FORUM in Burbank, California. And if you live in Europe, you might have seen the interview with Headbangers over there. The buzz surrounding the band was extremely positive. "People really seem to dig the new record. It's great to see them getting into both the music and the lyrics. It means a lot to me." Chuck explained.

Chuck did Lon Friend's radio show one of the nights he was out there which also got some hype. "It was dfenitely cool. He (Lon) played a few tunes and people just started calling into the station. It was crazy!!!"

Chuck also met his all time favorite band and musical influence KISS, who were out there for the Convention as well. Chuck is a big KISS freak and an avid collector of KISS merchandise and you can always find him at the Annual KISS Convention stocking up on rarities such as records, trading cards and videos.

PHILOSOPHISING

It was early, about 4:00 AM when the alarm went off. Chuck dragged himself out of bed and headed toward the coffee maker -his savior. Ralph, arriving only two hourse earlier from Tampa, was still crashed out on the couch. Coffee would definitely be needed. Back at the hotel, the rest of the DEATH crew were struggling to awake to the dawning of the new day (except Gene, of course who strictly stays on England time.)

to be continued...

PHILOSOPHISING (cont)

Close by at another hotel Maria and Suzanne from Relativity Records were awaking, and somehow knowing, that there would be no chance in hell that the guys would be on time. So they took their time...

Six O'Clock was the planned meeting time, although it was more like 7:00 as Maria had suspected. But finally the DEATH entourage, with coffee and McDonalds at hand, headed to ROCK SPRINGS, a natural spring just outside Orlando, Florida, for the filming of "The Philosopher" .

John Klausner and his crew from New York had been there for hours setting up... and getting attacked by ferocious mosquitos and trying to breath in the fresh Florida humidity. But, it was clear that they had everything in control. The Philosopher, the jester, the gypsy and the boy were all in charater and ready to resume their roll in this timely script.

Around noon, everything moved to... well... the middle of nowhere to record the live shots. It was a huge warehouse that was used for filming plays and other videos. A brutal storm had moved in and everything had to be closed up until it passed so it was a little warm during the recording (that's actually real sweat dripping off Cuck and Gene). When the band finished, it was then time to finish off the last stage scene with 'the boy' and 'the jester'. Enoch Taylor , 'the boy', was definitely the entertainment for the day. He kept the cool vibe flowing when things got a bit stressful. All in all, it was a very exciting day for DEATH, and proved to be a very successful as "The Philosopher" has played continiously on MTV.

Thanks to all the fans who enjoy the video and write in requesting it. That has made all the difference in the world. And because of your undying support, a new video is presently in the making. Read on for more details.

GENE SPEAKS...

Hello everybody, Season's Beatings! I was at the DEATH offices last week, and I noticed that, while reading the mail, quite a few people were wondering "Gene, What's up with Dark Angel? Did you guys split up, or what?" Yes, sadly to say Dark Angel has disbanded. "Why?" you might ask? Well, in September 1992, my singer, Ron Rinehart, quit the band, and I really didn't want to start over and find a new singer. That coupled with the fact that Thrash Metal was dying a quick death, I wanted to explore some other musical landscapes. So, when Chuck called me up and said, "Why don't we give it a go?" I was more than happy to abandon the sunny shore of California for the sweaty swamps of Florida. Damn, it gets hot here!