{image1} A visit to the chiropractor might be in order after all the head-banging entertainment Spiral Trance will provide. The hard-rocking quartet featuring Paul Karczewski on piano, guitars and vocals, Tom Williams on guitar, Anthony Manian on bass and Bill Lyles on drums takes The Rave stage Thursday, March 31 with freedom from convention and music with intention.

The band has also released a three-song EP, "When After Comes," featuring new songs in celebration of the Spiral Trance's 10th anniversary.

And the EP is nothing less than impressive. The band is able to forge its own sound, yet pulls in followers with a solid rock foundation, comparable to vintage Metallica and groups such as Type O Negative and Thrice.

"These songs are more punched up," Karczewski says. "We've added some piano which has really helped provide some variety and uniqueness to the songs."

Not only gaining popularity in the Milwaukee area, Spiral Trance has made quite an impact nationwide. The band was nominated in 2001 and again in 2002 at the Los Angeles Music Awards for national artist of the year and has placed in the Top 10 at the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers Grammy Showcase Awards for their previously recorded songs "Hellicious" in 2002 and "Breathe Again" in 2003.

"We're getting into Chicago venues recently because of the success of everything," Karczewski says. "It's just been an amazing ride for all of us."

So, what's a Spiral Trance?

Karczewski responds: "In 1995 when we started, grunge was hot. But for so many bands, you heard their name, and then you could pinpoint their style of music immediately. We wanted a name that didn't describe the music, hence Spiral Trance."

Spiral Trance plays The Rave Thursday at 10 p.m. and has its tunes played on Milwaukee radio stations WLZR and WLUM. Tickets for the show are $10 if you e-mail the band through the Web site or $18 otherwise. The EP will be available within the week at Exclusive Company and Atomic Records. For more information and sound bites, visit spiraltrance.com.