Zoetrope "A Life Of Crime (2018 Reissue, Remastered, Italy, Punishment 18 Records, P18R 132)"

Zoetrope was an American heavy metal band from Chicago. Although their sound was akin to thrash metal, the group described themselves as "Street Metal".

The group was formed in 1976 by teenage friends Barry Stern (drums/vocals), Kevin Michael Rasofsky, aka Kevin Michael, (guitar/vocals), and Calvin "Willis" Humphrey (bass), soon to be joined by second guitarist Ken Black. Initially playing covers, the band soon ventured into writing their own material and released a single in 1980.

In 1987, the band traveled to Los Angeles to record their follow up, A Life of Crime, with producer Randy Burns. During the recording sessions, Ken Black left the band and returned to Chicago to sort out substance abuse issues. He was replaced by Louis Svitek. Although Svitek appears on the album's cover, Kevin Michael later confirmed that Ken Black had finished his guitar parts before leaving Los Angeles. During the tour supporting A Life of Crime, Svitek was recruited for M.O.D. by Billy Milano. After the tour, Barry Stern left to join fellow Chicagoans Trouble.

Tracklist:

1. Detention 02:52
2. Seeking Asylum 04:24   
3. Promiscuity 04:33   
4. NASA 04:07   
5. Unbridled Energy 03:15
6. Prohibition 02:43
7. Company Man 04:27
8. Pickpocket 03:30  
9. Hard to Survive 04:17  

Time:  34:08  

- Italian pressing.

- According to drummer Barry Stern & guitarist Ken Black, Louis Svitek did not play on this recording despite being pictured on the back cover as its guitarist, and both have verified Ken Black actually played guitar on the disc alongside Kevin Michael.

Recording information:

Recorded February-March 1987 at Music Grinder Studios,Hollywood, Los Angeles, USA.

Recorded February-March 1987 at Track Records, Hollywood, Los Angeles, USA.

Mastered at Capitol Mastering, Hollywood, Los Angeles, USA.

Various Artists "Metal Massacre Vol. IV"

Metal Massacre is a series of compilation albums released through Metal Blade Records. It is famous for "shedding light" on bands such as the Obsessed, Trouble, Overkill, Metal Church, Metallica, Slayer, Virgin Steele, Hellhammer, Voivod, Armored Saint, Lizzy Borden, Possessed and more.

Vol. IV was released in 1983.

Track list:

Metal Massacre IV – 1983

1. "The Alien" – Sacred Blade – 3:39
2. "Cross My Way" – Death Dealer – 3:40
3. "The Last Judgement" – Trouble – 5:03
4. "Taken by Force" – Sceptre – 2:44
5. "Speed Zone" – Zoetrope – 2:41
6. "Forbidden Evil" – War Cry – 4:37
7. "Screams from the Grave" – Abattoir – 3:24
8. "I Don't Want to Die" – Witchslayer – 4:59
9. "Rod of Iron" – Lizzy Borden – 4:29
10. "Fear No Evil" – August Redmoon – 3:52
11. "Destructer" – Thrust – 4:13
12. "Medieval" – Medieval – 3:19