Official Spring / Summer 2006 BallBuster Babe
Click images for full view.
Karen Lynn
Karen Lynn, as far as how she got into underground metal says "I always had people around me who were much older than me and a few were into metal, That is why I first got into Metal when I was literally in 1st grade. I can remember my older sister and I were watching a show called "Solid Gold." They featured Quiet Riot playing a live set. At only 6 years old it completely blew me away and I wanted to hear more. As far as Underground Metal goes... I was first introduced to it when I was about 8 years old. There were these three guys who were about 16 years old who knew my older sister that always would come around my neighborhood. They were the epitome of 80's Metal.
These guy were always dressed in denim vests, camouflage, chains and band tees. They used to come around with a radio blasting everything from Sodom to Possessed. I looked up to those guys so much and I used to try to find out as much as I could about the different bands they would listen to. It wasn't until I was about 12 years old when a few guys from my school introduced me to early 90's Underground Death Metal. With bands like Carcass, Morbid Angel, Gorguts, Grave, Immolation etc. I couldn't get enough of that stuff.
Do you remember the 1st piece of metal you got?
"The first piece of Metal was actually bought for me by my mother. It was "Quiet Riot" Bang Your Head 45 record. And shortly after came Twisted Sister "Stay Hungry" LP and Ozzy Osbourne "Blizzard Of Ozz" tape. Then came my Metallica, Metal Church, Over Kill, Nuclear Assault, and Slayer days. Then early 90's Death Metal came into my life and my first two tapes of that time were Morbid Angel "Alters of Madness" and Carcass "Reek of Putrefaction."
Karen also has her own record label and here is what she says about it: "Metal War Productions is a record label / distro devoted to the metal underground. Metal War was founder by my friend Spencer and myself in mid 2000. Both having worked for a major metal record label in the past, we figured that we would try going into business ourselves since we already had the experience. But we would do an "underground" label / distro since the underground is what matters to us. It is very important to us to support the underground as much as we can and we feel that Metal War is the best way to do it. It is a very hard business to get into and actually be successful at. But the main thing that keeps us going is the strong loyalty of our supporters who stick by us - "thank you". With out them, Metal War Prod would probably not exist.
Karen also has a Yahoo Group and this is how it came about: The Yahoo group was an idea suggested to me Ball-Buster contributor Chris Forbes also of Metal Core fanzine. He designs, updates, and maintains the group. If a member joins the group they will be able to get new photos and updates. To be honest I had no idea of what a Yahoo group even was until Chris Forbes suggested it. But it seems pretty cool and definitely worth it.
Karen also has a modeling website and she says "I had belonged to a few modeling agencies since I was 13. And now it seems that everyone in the modeling industry has suggested getting a website if you are a model. Many clients rely on the web for booking and contacting new and established models. And it is much easier than constantly going on go sees. Although the site just started as a site for clients, it has grown into a site for fans as well. With an added feature to the site where people are able to pick out any print on the site and purchase a personalized signed photo or calendar of the selected print. It is something that we just started to do with the site but has been a very successful feature already.
We are always thinking of new and different things to keep the website original and interesting.
Some of Karen's favorite bands include: It is so hard to pick favorites because it all depends on what I am in the mood for. Old OZZY Osbourne, Carcass, Ri gor Mortis, Bathory, Nasty Savage, Destruction, Coroner, Dark Throne, Voi Vod, Kreator, Afterlife, Dio, Queensryche, Possessed, Grave, Death, Morgoth, Morbid Angel, Fates Warning, Immolation, Over Kill, Mercyful Fate, Profanatica, Havohej, Nuclear Assault, Slayer, Sabbat and so on...
What are some of the things you like and hate about the metal scene?
"I can not stand all of the shit talking in this scene. When I was really young I always envisioned the scene to be more like a brotherhood and unity of Metal. Then when I got old enough all I did was go to shows, I got to see firsthand where the scene was heading. And as each year went by the scene got worse and worse. Bands were disrespecting each other and everybody was gossiping about one an other. And for some reason everyone had an "ego" and took themselves far to serious. It was a joke. Instead of going to a show for the show itself, it had become people all having problems with everyone else and being insecure with themselves. Now a days it has just become a bunch of men around 40 years old gossiping about one an other like school girls. It is very disappointing. Don't get me wrong not everyone is like that. But the ones who are like that make up a pretty large portion of our scene. I am sure that is the reason why the Metal scene is nowhere near what it seemed to be in the 80's. And that sucks. But what can you do.
What will people find on your website: Clients should go to the site to get my info for bookings. Since the website is a beautifully disigned site and well maintained. Like I said earlier fans can now choose any print on the site and purchase a personalized signed photo or calendar of the selected print. Plus there are updates, new photos etc.
What are some of the most memorable things as far as metal goes that you have fond memories of?
"I remember getting to see Venom with all three original members. It was literally the loudest show I had ever seen. The whole atmosphere of the show is indescribable, It was sick! Also getting to see live and become friends with Destruction. I have tons of great memories from Milwaukee Metal fest 97' and 98' Those were the days when Metal Fest was actually still good, Unfortunately it didn't stay that way. I got the opportunity to see and meet so many killer bands that I have been a fan of since I was a kid. I have to many great Metal memories from shows etc. But some of my favorite memories are just hanging out in my room with friends listening to the newest tape that someone traded or bought. Or just going to the record store and getting something new and bringing it back home and hearing it for the very first time.
Is she hot or is she not?
Inquiring minds want to know!
E-mail your votes to babes@ballbusterhardmusic.com.