LOCOMOTIVE RECORDS TO RELEASE UNCREATION

On March 14, Locomotive Records will release Uncreation, an album so steeped in Heavy Metal history that these Californians will be instantly elevated into the pantheon of the 2006 elite.

Benedictum is from San Diego, not exactly a hotbed of metal muscle. Yet the lessons learned from bands like Rainbow and Warrior come to the fore in Benedictum's sonic blast. All-out wailer Veronica Freeman-who looks as good as she sounds-fronts the machine and even has the temerity to approach Black Sabbath's "Heaven And Hell" from her own unique perspective. Elsewhere, she soars Doro-like, railing against "Misogyny," yet reveling in "Wicca" and "Valkyrie Rising." The tone is celebratory, pierced through the skin by the screaming antics of lead guitarist Pete Wells. Drummer Blackie Sanchez provides the double-bass boom. Producer/Bassist Jeff Pilson (ex-Dio/Dokken) spills the liquid keyboards of Chris Morgan all over the mix. It all comes together in a splash of vibrant arrival.

Benedictum, the band, may be most remembered for "Benedictum," the song. "It's straight-out cold-blooded spiritual warfare," gushes Veronica. "I was in a dry spell lyrically at one point so I just started speaking weird sounds and the song was born. Many times I have felt that there were opposing forces in my life. Some call them demons or dark spirits. At times I feel that 'all is dark and I am disconnected.'"

As Kerrang gushed recently, "heavy metal has a new first lady."