With an eye to defy categorization and convention, I created Casting Fate as an internet collaboration with some old colleagues and friends, all of them seasoned musicians with diverse rock, punk, progressive, and metal backgrounds, to make a statement about our changing world. I wanted to write songs that are topical and offer up alternate opinions and viewpoints that are often left unspoken in our mass media dominated culture. The song structure is straight ahead hard rock and classic heavy metal, but with the addition of sampling and synthesizers the music often takes on a progressive or industrial vibe. The lyrics make a social statement, if they piss you off, frustrate you, or make you laugh at the stupidity of it all then you haven't missed the point. Special thanks to J Dog Slam on the LP for his numerous contributions and for sharing the secret beat; and to Mme. M.E. for her spoken word content and for reminding me on a regular basis what the "big deal" really is anyway. Last but not least, there would be no Fate (but what we make) without Marple Mike. Thanks for listening, if you're interested in commercial use of these or you just have an opinion, send me an . Jon Engel