The bad news:
DIST is going down to 40 in its second week
The good news:
there is a first and positive review of the CHSIB album on:
http://www.swr3.de/musik/stars/cdtipps/meatloaf.html
swr3 is a major german radio station
translated excerpts:
Headline: Comeback 2003: Meat Loaf
...
The concert (Cologne), intended as a promo date for the new CD CHSIB, finally becomes a marvellous comeback-show of 2,5 hours.
Marvin Lee Aday had some vocal problems in the beginning...but than the Texan improved tremendously.
He presents himself in great condition and delivers a great set.
...
Seven years after his last studio album WTTNMeat Loaf has to do his new production without his hit-composer Jim Steinman.
Nevertheless CHSIB sounds familiar with the typical bombastrock-sound. The monumental title track is sung by Meat Loaf and Patti Russo, the first single DIST starts as a piano-ballad and turns into a smashing rock-hymn. With "Forever Young" the slimmed down Texan even dares to do a Bob Dylan song.
Other well-known songwriters like Diane Warren compensate Jim Steinmans absence (he is said to be already working on Bat III).
Peter Mokran delivers a slightly more modern sound. No sign of Shakira, that was rumoured to appear on the album. Daughter Pearl appears on "Man Of Steel" instead. Summarized he can do without Jim Steinman musicwise. But together with this genius Meat Loaf builds an nearly unbeatable team.