Spiral Trance Signs With Rat Pak Records   Milwaukee, Wis., February 6, 2009 - The Milwaukee-based hard rock band Spiral Trance is pleased to announce that it has signed a record contract with Rat Pak Records, an independent record label based in Amherst, New Hampshire. Rat Pak Records will promote Spiral Trance worldwide. The label will also be overseeing the digital and physical distribution of the band's anticipated new album, All In Due Time, which will be released in May of this year.   Rat Pak Records is owned and operated by Joe O’Brien, who started the label in 2003 and is a music industry veteran. O’Brien believes, “You have to aggressively and consistently attack all facets of the market... be the ultimate networker... and above all else be true to those you come into contact with."   In the past year, Spiral Trance has completed three tours of the Midwest and the East Coast, amassed a loyal fan-base and created a viral Internet presence that promotes a personal bond between the band and its listeners. As a member of Rat Pak Records’ family, Spiral Trance will join a roster of high-profile artists such as: 3 Kisses, Pulse 8, Q, Twisted Roots, Ronny Munroe (ex-Metal Church), members from Queensryche, Hatebreed, Megadeth, Rob Zombie, and others.   Spiral Trance received the 2006 Song of the Year award at the Wisconsin Area Music Industry (WAMI) Awards for their song Hellacious. In 2007, their song Breathe Again was licensed by Mississippi-based Lightning Lab Productions for use in the film documentary Solid Bodies: The 50 Year Guitar War. The band has enjoyed consistent Top Three rankings on BroadJam.com in more than 10 categories, including Number Two in the World, and Number One in Rock and Hard Rock. Featured in numerous showcases, Spiral Trance has performed at the world famous Whisky A Go Go in Hollywood, Chicago 's Meca Music Conference and Milwaukee 's internationally renowned music festival, Summerfest, where they've played to enthusiastic crowds for the last several years. Spiral Trance has charted on more than 50 CMJ radio stations throughout the country, as well as several national stations.   Music journalists, music program directors, promoters, and agents should contact Spiral Trance management, Setting Sun Entertainment & Promotions, for additional information and booking dates.   Visit Spiral Trance and Rat Pak Records online:   www.myspace.com/spiraltrance   www.ratpakrecords.com
Review by Canton is Hot Now normally my reviews contain our local bands. But every now and again an "out of towner’ deserves an Ohio stamp of approval. I was recently contacted by a band in Wisconsin, who would be making their way to Ohio, as they kicked off their first tour of 2008. Spiral Trance, started their tour at Peabody’s in Cleveland, earlier this month, and spiraled their way down to the Carriage House in Louisville, before making their way all the way to Florida to complete their mission. What exactly would their mission be??? After watching their performance at the Carriage House, it was clear to me, what they were trying to accomplish. To literally embed the minds of the east coast with a new solid sound of modern rock, . I asked myself, what makes this band different from any other band that I’ve reviewed thus far….? Without a second thought my conclusion was simple. Passion. Dedication. A dream. Those three words put together, make the sounds of Spiral Trance. Paul Karcz,(vocals, keys, and guitar) Andy Z (Bass), Bill Lyles(drums) and Matt Stevens (guitar) shook the Carriage House with their ability to be unique, modern, and tight. The dedication these guys portray, is hard work within itself. Keeping in touch with these four as they prepared for their tour, I realized that even though funds for the tour were limited, missing their families back home, having a birthday on the road as well as Easter, and spending 3 weeks traveling the east coast in their Winnebego together with their manager Barry, would pose to be a difficult task for anyone to endure, their only thoughts were to expose us to a Milwaukee style sound. The stage performance I witnessed was nonetheless unique, strong, and downright phenomenal. Their song ’Dead Set’ even left me humming the tune in the shower the next morning…hmmm---they are Dead Set on making you insane! (at least for the duration of their performance!—lol) The keyboard Paul brings to the sound, is hands down a very distinct almost ’Classical meets modern Rock’ approach to the sound they are creating. What exactly does ’modern’ mean in the world of music? While I wait for you all to answer that question, let me fill you in on the Spiral Trance version of modern. First off, there are NO RULES. Secondly, as mentioned before, a dream. A dream to be different, a mission to be unique. Bringing in an array of influences such as Kiss, Tool, Black Sabbath, and Ozzy,just to name a few, these guys do what it takes to show the world they are serious about their love of music. An interview after the show, clued me in a little more on what they have accomplished throughout their band career. As to not miss anything of the utmost importance, I have included an exerpt from their page to give you a better idea of their history of awards and accomplishments. After a few early demos in 1997, SPIRAL TRANCE was featured on MTV’s DENNIS RODMAN WORLD TOUR VIDEO with their song, "BITTER." A full length CD followed. The CD, "On Our Terms," garnered national publicity for the group with two nominations and performances at the LA MUSIC AWARDS in 2001, and again in 2002 as "National Artist Of The Year." In 2002, SPIRAL TRANCE placed in the Top Ten at the ASCAP GRAMMY SHOWCASE AWARDS for their song "Hellacious," and again in 2003 for "Breathe Again." Building on that success, SPIRAL TRANCE recently won the 2006 WISCONSIN AREA MUSIC INDUSTRY (WAMI) AWARD for Song of the Year for "Hellacious." In 2007, "Breathe Again" was licensed by Mississippi-based Lightning Lab Productions for use in the upcoming film documentary, "Solid Bodies, The 50 Year Guitar War." In addition, the songs "We Are," and "When After Comes" were featured on two E-Books penned by Master of Horror writer Alan Dane. SPIRAL TRANCE has enjoyed consistent TOP 3 Rankings on Broadjam.com in 10 plus categories, including NUMBER TWO in the World, and NUMBER ONE in Rock and Hard Rock. SPIRAL TRANCE has done numerous hard rock showcases, including the world-famous Whiskey A Go Go in Hollywood, CA, Chicago’s Meca Music Conference and Milwaukee’s internationally known music festival, Summerfest, where they’ve played to enthusiastic crowds for the last several years. SPIRAL TRANCE has charted on 50+ CMJ radio stations throughout the country, as well as several national stations such as WLZR and WLUM Milwaukee, WJJO Madison, WLUP 97.9 Chicago and KCLA Radio Los Angeles. So, tell me folks…if you thought the only thing Wisconsin was famous for, was cheese and beer, I hope you now stand corrected. I encourage you to get your asses to their page, and experience their sound. How can we get these guys back to Ohio? YOU. That’s right. A no brainer here guys. On their way back to good ole’ Wisconsin, they will be performing one more time in Ohio at Shaker’s Nite Club, in CAMBRIDGE, on March 29th, at 8pm. I honestly can’t wait to see these guys again, and after YOU get a chance to experience them, I am certain you will feel the same. COME BACK TO CANTON GUYS!!!! SPIRAL TRANCE IS HOT!!!!!!----
Tuesday, December 23, 2008   Spiral Trance on Rat Pak Records Compilation! Be sure to check out Spiral Trance's song "Dead Set," on the latest compilation disk from Rat Pak Records, "Unleashed 4!" This two disk set features some of the nations best hard rock and metal bands, including side projects from bands such as Queensryche, Metal Church, Rob Zombie, Dropbox, Soulfly, Stuck Mojo, and more. Visit www.ratpakrecords.com and get your copy NOW! Rat Pak Records is New England's preeminent rock and hard rock independent record label. Since its conception in March of 2003, the label has worked with such artists as Boomslang, Dead Season, Hypersleep, Porter, Dipthong, Burning the Lie, Hour-Past, Window Pain, Q, Twisted Roots, Vegas Temper, and Mindset X.