Powerman 5000 are heading back into the studio to record a new album with a new rhythm section, bassist Siggy Siursen and drummer Adrian Ost. Last November, following frontman Spider One's abrupt decision not to release the band's Anyone for Doomsday? album, bassist Dorian Heartsong and drummer Al Pahanish quit the group. The album was to be the follow-up to the band's 1999 breakthrough Tonight the Stars Revolt!, but Spider One was not satisfied with it.

"We've had personnel changes, but the group always survives," says Spider One of the recent turnover. Guitarists M.33 and Adam 12 round out the lineup.

A few of the tracks from Doomsday have been revamped and will make it onto the as yet-untitled new album, which Spider says will mark a new direction for the band, with a new focus on vocals and more personal lyrics. "I have never been so confident and excited and happy about a group of songs as I am about the one's we're doing now," he says. "With each record we try to push ourselves and do something we haven't done before, and with this one, we've done that 100 percent."

CHRISTINA SARACENO
(July 17, 2002)