 |
 |
|
|
[27 February 2007] In a career that spans nearly 30 years and includes over 50 album
credits, Joe Lynn Turner ("JLT") remains one of rock and roll's most
distinctive, soulful and expressive vocalists. His credits include
FANDANGO, RAINBOW, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, DEEP PURPLE and more recently
MOTHER'S ARMY and his successful cooperation with GLENN HUGHES on the
HUGHES / TURNER PROJECT albums.
"Second Hand Life" is Turner's new studio album, his tenth solo release.
This time Joe wanted to go straight back to his melodic rock roots.
Therefore, he worked on the songwriting with such luminaries as Jim
Peterik (ex SURVIVOR), Bob Held, Karl Cochran, Martin Briley. He also
managed to include a track that he co-wrote with Ritchie Blackmore, Jim
Peterik and Roger Glover entitled "Stroke of Midnight".
The players on the new disc include longtime collaborators Karl Cochran
(ACE FREHLEY) on guitar and bass, Bob Held on bass, Gary Corbett on
keyboards and former DAMN YANKEES - now with LYNYRD SKYNYRD - drummer
Michael Cartellone.
In Joe's words: "I would describe the new album as a hybrid between The
Usual Suspects and Sunstorm, my recent studio project which received
more positive reviews than any of my solo CDs since Rescue You. I felt
that the fans wanted to hear more music in this melodic rock vein. So...
I think we delivered on this forthcoming album".
Tracklisting on "Second Hand Life" includes the following songs:
Love is Life; Got Me Where You Want Me; Second Hand Life; In Your Eyes; Blood Red Sky; Stroke of Midnight; Over the Top; Cruel; Sweet Obsession; Love Is On Our Side; Two Lights (European exclusive bonus track)
Samples:
TOTO are forced to replace their bassist Mike Porcaro temporarily. His replacement is Leland (Lee) Sklar. Here's the press release in full:
Any fan who attended TOTO shows over the last year noticed that Mike Porcaro had toured after having sustained a very painful injury to his left hand. Despite the fact that it was difficult, Mike persevered and played each and every date of the first leg of the Falling In Between Tour. After returning home, Mike sought medical treatment and has been recovering nicely; however, he has not been able to recuperate in time to join the band on the upcoming tour.
“I was hoping that the situation would be better by now,” Mike states, “but it hasn’t improved. It’s gonna take a while. I’m working on it, and I hope to be back in the saddle soon enough. But, unfortunately, I’m not going to be able to make this upcoming run. Nobody feels worse about it than me, but that’s the reality of it.”
Despite the short notice, TOTO have recruited one of the best bass players around to substitute for Mike: acclaimed session musician and life-long friend Leland (Lee) Sklar. “Those of you on the TOTO Network have seen Lee; he’s a big part of the Network and what we’re trying to do there with the web. He’s going to play bass and you’re going to love it. You’re in great hands,” says Mike, and jokes, “Come on down and see him play and see a real bass player.”
Sklar, a renowned player whose credits include James Taylor, Hall & Oates, Jackson Browne, Phil Collins, Clint Black, Reba McEntire, and George Strait, is looking forward to playing with his long-time friends in TOTO. He will be filling in for Mike on all of the upcoming TOTO tour dates so that Mike has the time to fully recover. “I hope to see you all soon,” says Mike. “I’m sorry that this is the way it is, but this is life and I’ll hopefully be back really soon. So God bless and enjoy the upcoming tour!”
Mike recorded a special video message apologizing for not being able to do the tour and introducing Lee to the fans.
FASTER PUSSYCAT, BULLET BOYS, ENUFF Z'NUFF and GYPSY PISTOLEROS will be on a glam-tastic tour in the UK. Click to enlarge...
SALEM has confirmed their appearance at the HELLFEST to promote the release of their
new album "Necessary Evil" (final release date TBA shortly). Hellfest is set to take
place June 22-24 in Clisson, France.
More details will be posted soon. In the meantime you can visit our MYSPACE page to
hear one song of the upcoming release titled "Once Upon a Lifetime part I". A second
song will be made available in the very near future.
LOVEX has charted in Germany. The album "Divine Insanity" (read our review) was released on 16 February and it went straight to the position 20 in the German album charts.
[26 February 2007] Like no other band formed in the ‘80s, NIGHT RANGER has both epitomized and
transcended the sound and style of that decade. Since original members Jack
Blades, Brad Gillis, Kelly Keagy and Jeff Watson reunited in 1996, they have
brought their guitar-crunching, melodic brand of hard rock into the 21st
century with unparalleled talent, energy and creativity. Rounding out the
line-up on keyboards is GREAT WHITE's Michael Lardie.
“Hole in the Sun” the brand new studio album, breaks a 9 years silence and
is the culmination of the band’s work so far. From the guitar attack of the
opener “Tell Your Vision”, to the grandeur of a power ballad like “There Is
Life”, going through straight ahead rock numbers like “Drama Queen” or the
title track and with incredible melodic cuts like “Whatever Happened”, NIGHT
RANGER’s new album has everything the fans could ask for.
“It is one of the hardest rocking albums that NIGHT RANGER has ever put out”
says band’s singer and bass player Jack Blades, “I think it rivals Dawn
Patrol for just sheer hard rocking...... just straight ahead American
rocking. That's what it sounds like to me."
“Hole In The Sun” draws on the band's classic sound, mixed with a more
contemporary style and totally in your face production. According to Blades:
“NIGHT RANGER is dual lead guitars, dual lead vocalists, anthemic choruses,
big ballads and I think that's what this record is. Describe Night Ranger
and you describe this album."
Drummer / singer Kelly Keagy adds: “We wanted to see if we could turn some
heads. We wanted to push some boundaries, and Whatever Happened sounds like
it could be on radio. I think "Don't Tell Me You Love Me" is like Tell Your
Vision, except 20 years later. And There Is Life was such a great song to
write. We wanted to write another piano ballad like Sister Christian or
Sentimental Street."
Final tracklisting: Tell Your Vision;
Drama Queen; You’re Gonna Hear It From Me; Whatever Happened;
There Is Life; Rock Star; Hole In The Sun; Fool In Me; White Knuckle Ride; Revelation
4 AM; Wrap It Up; Being.
Samples:
STRATOVARIUS have confirmed a few live dates for 2007:
May
July
August
The band will start working on their new album next weekend. Meanwhile, Timo Tolkki has been busy casting characters for his Rock Opera Saana and working with Italian metal band Vision Divine.
[24 February 2007] MANDRAGORA SCREAM have been signed to Black Dahlia Records. The band, lead by the singer Morgan Lacroix has sold over 24.000 copies of their previous albums, and toured with Mortiis.
WARRANT will release a new DVD called "Born Again D.V.D. Delvis Video Diaries" on 20 April through MTM Music.
The DVD will contain 12 new music videos from the 12 bombastic songs of the band's comeback CD
"Born Again" with video edits from Jerry Dixon, Steven Sweet & Tommy Thayer. The
bonus material includes 30 minutes of the studio recording sessions, a making of "Born
Again", a funny backstage tour video debauchery of "The Down Boys" and a slide show.
MTM Music have signed VAINGLORY. Here's the press release:
"US melodic power metal band VAINGLORY features intense riffs, virtuoso guitar
shredding, mighty drumming, heavy pounding bass parts, powerful vocals and thought
provoking lyrics. Based around modern guitar master, Corbin King "The King Of
Southern Shred", and vocal sensation Kate French, of CHASTAIN fame, this band has
all the ingredients in place to be a major force on the metal market for years to
come. Kate's ability to mix power, conviction, emotion, and true heavy metal singing
is very uncommon in today's "metal" vocalists. Kate is a veteran to heavy metal and
has not only pushed beyond the normal bounds of female vocalists, but has delivered
her best recorded performance to date on this CD. Along with bassist Chris Banja,
drummer Dan Lynch and second guitarist John Michael Youngblood VAINGLORY now hits
the streets with their powerful metal debut. VAINGLORY will be on the forefront of
the metal scene in 2007, dominating you with the awe inspiring new CD and incredible
live performances to come up."
The self-titled album will be out on 20 April.
The Brazilian metal band TRIBUZY, formed and headed by singer Renato Tribuzy
released their studio debut "Execution" with a `heavy-metal-allstar-team´ feat.
Bruce Dickinson, Michael Kiske, Mat Sinner, Ralf Scheepers, Roland Grapow, Andreas
Kisser, Kiko Loureiro and Roy Z. The musical influences used by TRIBUZY during the
writing process were the great classics such as Powerslave (Iron Maiden), And
Justice For All (Metallica) and other 80's heavy music. The album "Execution Live
Reunion" has 11 tracks in total and features all of the guests from the "Execution"
studio album in a special performance onstage with TRIBUZY.
The album was produced by Roy Z and Renato Tribuzy, and mixed by Roy Z at Mountain
View studio, in LA, USA. The release is going to be in April 2007 in Europe, Canada
and USA by MTM MUSIC.
BRETT WALKER's new album "Spirit Junky" was released on 16 February 2007 and it's being distributed in Europe by NL Distribution. Here's the press release:
"After talking his father into buying him a black Gibson Les Paul custom for his 14th
birthday BRETT WALKER found his passion for music and formed "Dry Ice", a band
renowned for their Led Zeppelin covers and volume. At age 19 he escaped to Los
Angeles and began his professional career as guitarist with singer/songwriter Nick
Gilder; playing "Hot Child in the City" more than he cares to admit. Later that
year, BRETT WALKER hooked up as a hired gun guitarist with RCA recording artist and
"one hot babe", Tane Cane. Needless to say, Brett took the job.
Urged by music industry veterans, BRETT WALKER struck out on his own as a
songwriter. His immediate success included the Top 10 single "Waiting For Love"
recorded by ALIAS on EMI Records. He signed with EMI and had a fruitful relationship
with them for nearly a decade.
Still writing and recording as an independent artist, BRETT WALKER set his sights on
film and television and heard his songs on over 200 television and film productions.
To top off this new and exciting time, Brett had a Top 40 single in Europe, "Lecia".
On his next record he had a number 1 hit in Sweden; "It's a good thing".
With "Spirit Junky" BRETT WALKER again proves his qualities as singer/songwriter. 15
pleasing and refreshing rock songs extremely fit for every mainstream rock radio
program or the cozy Sunday morning breakfast with you partner in life!"
ADAM BOMB / DACIA & THE WMD tourdates:
Friday 02. March DE / Heilbronn Stereo Rock Bar
BALTIMOORE'S most recent concert from Hard Rock Cafe, Stockholm on the 17th of December,
2006 - will be out for sale shortly in Baltimoores own shop at the website.
It will include an interview with the band and some earlier videos.
UK rockers SACRED HEART have some song samples from the forthcoming album
"SHAKE" available at their MySpace page. They are early mixes but the band
would like to invite you for a listen.
They are also supporting former LITTLE ANGELS front-man TOBY JEPSON in
Farnboro' UK on Sunday 1st April where they will showcase songs from the new
album.
ZONARIA, a Swedish melodic death metal band, will be streaming a BRAND NEW
track from their as of yet untitled debut release through Pivotal
Rockordings starting on Friday. Guitarist Emil Nyström had the following
to say:
"We'll be launching a new song for all you fans to listen to on Feb 23rd.
It is brand-new from our upcoming album (out this fall) and will only be on
myspace untill Tuesday the 27th, so you all should have plenty of time
check it out! It will only be out on our myspace www.myspace.com/zonaria ,
so be sure to check it out there!"
Zonaria's as-of-yet untitled debut release is set to hit streets sometime
in September of this year. The video for the Zonaria song "Rendered In
Vain" will be featured in the video game "The Darkness" which also comes
out in the fall and will be available on XBOX360 as well as Playstation 3.
Zonaria's as of yet debut album was recorded in November 2006 with Jonas
Kjellgren and Per Nilsson of Scar Symmetry. The release is expected to be
out in September of this year.
CHAVIS RECORDS is happy to announce the signing of Canadian rockers
SONIC X for the release of their next dynamic effort entitled,
THIRTEEN. SONIC X hails from Toronto, Canada and features guitar
extraordinaire and GIT graduate Lawrence Falcomer.
THIRTEEN is a collection of superbly created melodic rock music
encompased with modern rock influences and will contain the tracks:
Crawl, Wicked, Carried Away, If Only, My Condition, Alive, Seeds Of
Thunder, Evident, Shine, Disgrace, Breathe, Shine
As an extra feature, THIRTEEN will also include a 2nd BONUS DISK
containing the tracks: News For You, City Of Sin, Two Side To Every
Story, Witches Den plus 2 additional tracks!
THIRTEEN was recorded at Big Woo Studios and mastered at Metalworks
Studios in Canada.
SONIC X is: Adam Troy (vox), Lawrence Falcomer (guitars, keys), Joe
Cumbo (bass), Michael Marquez (drums, percussion)
Look for THIRTEEN's worldwide release late April 2007. The first single "Disgrace" is available on the Chavis Records MySpace page.
VELVET REVOLVER will be headlining this year's PROVINSSIROCK in Seinäjoki, Finland on 15-17 June. The band, featuring former Guns'n Roses members Duff McKagan, Slash and Matt Sorum along with ex-Stone Temple Pilots singer Scott Weiland and ex-Wasted Youth guitarist Dave Kushner, is currently working on their second album, to be released in May/June.
[22 February 2007] Century Media is proud to sign BLESSED BY A BROKEN HEART, self-
proclaimed “superheroes destined to save the world from nuclear
annihilation with the power of metal.”
BBABH hails from Montreal, Canada and released one album, “All’s
Fair In Love And War”, on Blood & Ink Records in 2004. They did a
few tours of North America with The Devil Wears Prada and A Day to
Remember and played to sold-out crowds in the UK with Enter Shakari.
Upon returning home, they found themselves with offers from record
labels shooting out of their collective arses. The Bird (drums) states:
“We have been searching for the right record label to release our
next record for quite some now, and this is a match made in heaven.
The force is strong with Century Media. I mean, they signed us
without a singer, so they are obviously just as crazy as we are. We
are also proud to announce that we have finally found a new singer.
His name is Tony Gambino, and yeah, his great-uncle was Carlo Gambino
(Google him), so don’t mess with us. Tony can do back-flips and
breakdance better then Turbo in Electric Boogaloo. We’re psyched to
have him on board.”
BBABH will enter the studio with GGGarth in early April to record
their Century Media debut, tentatively titled “You Wanted the Best,
You Got The Blessed: Greatest Hits”. Their debut movie will be going
direct to DVD in 2008.
The band:
RISE TO ADDICTION have announced details of
high profile European tour in May and June. The band have been confirmed as special
guests for legendary Chicago doomsters TROUBLE on their forthcoming "Simple Mind
Condition European Tour".
Dates confirmed for the band are:
OLYMPOS MONS have signed a deal with Italian Scarlet Records. The band is more pleased than ever, and the follow up to "Conquistador" called "Medievil" will be released
sometime during the incoming summer of 2007.
The VAN HALEN summer tour has been postponed. Surprised?
METALLICA will be playing in Finland this summer. Helsinki Olympic Stadium has been booked for the band on 15 July. Ticket sales will start on 28 February.
AEROSMITH will also be playing in Finland this summer. The venue is Helsinki Arena, on 7 July. Ticket sales will start on 26 February. In addition, Aerosmith has been confirmed as one of the headliners of Sweden Rock 2007.
[18 February 2007] Here's the official press release:
"FIREFEST 4 takes place in Nottingham Rock City on Saturday October 27th. Tickets will be on sale directly from FIREFEST from Monday morning February 19th. Paymets Accepted : cash (at senders risk), postal order, or bank draft in Sterling pounds made payable to Mr Bruce Mee c/o Fireworks Magazine, 10 Dunnock Close, Offerton, Stockport, SK2 5XD, England. Payment can also be made by PAYPAL. Payment to fireworks.mag@ntlworld.com, please be sure to include your name and address in the message box.
The level of interest in FIREFEST has never been higher, especially with FM already announced, we have been inundated with Email enquiries for tickets and information in general. We would think that this show will sell out pretty quickly, so therefore we would like to advise anybody attending to purchase your tickets well in advance.
FIREFEST is an age 14 years and over show.
The Day 1 show (formerly known as the pre-show ) has taken on a life of it’s own and the full line up for Friday Oct 26th will be announced shortly . We hope to have 5 bands appearing and it will NOT be in the Rig. We are moving this to a larger venue to accommodate everybody - bands, organisers and fans - with a bigger stage and more room for all concerned, thus ensuring everybody will have a better vantage point.
Well, we hope you like then line up. It’s taken a while to put it together but I’m sure you will agree it is a veritable best of the best. We think this line up is the strongest yet for FIREFEST and once again would ask you for your support in making this show a success. If you are considering purchasing tickets, you can do so from us. It is the cheapest way to do this as we do not charge booking/convenience fees per ticket or per transaction. Please allow 21 days for delivery of tickets but we will try get them out sooner.
The web site www.thefirefest.com will be up and running shortly. It’s currently being redesigned in advance of FF4 and you can continue to pick up the latest news about the bands and the show there, or indeed at our sponsors sites, www.melodicrock.com and www.hardrockhouse.com.
A full list of ticket agents will be made available shortly, including specialist mail order melodic rock stores where you can purchase CDs and tickets all in one go!
Well that’s about it. As usual we can be contacted at firefest@hotmail.com with suggestions, questions, bribes and anything else you would care to send us."
THE LINE-UP of FIREFEST IV:
FM
TYKETTO
HAREM SCAREM
JORN
VALENTINE
CRUNCH
JADED HEART
[16 February 2007] PITCHBLACK, the danish melodic death metal hopefuls have signed a worldwide record deal with the german label Limited Access Records for their debut "Designed To Dislike"!
The album is produced by Steen Mogensen (Cornerstone, ex-Royal Hunt) at Earplug Studio. The Booklet design and photos were made by Hank Shermann (Mercyful Fate, King Diamond).
Release date is the 18th May 2007. A day after the release the band will play a show at German FUCK THE COMMERCE Open Air. No better place to celebrate the release on stage with bands like Monstrosity, Vital Remains, Prophecy, Sinister or Sinners Bleed...
WILDKARD is a new band of former Kick members Chris Jones, Mikey J and Nick Workman, and they're going to release their first album "Megalomania" on Escape Music. Originally
called The Zero Hour Project, these songs newly recorded in the UK and
Finland in January and February 2007, were written by Chris and Nick back
in the nineties and were heard only by a privileged few, but it was only a
matter of time that they would see the light of day! These songs are
possibly the best kept secret in the world of melodic rock, as here you will
find an album full of surprises. Indeed, ”Megalomania” is an incredible
album and boasts ten of the finest songs ever to recorded by a British rock
band.
Wildcard is Nick Workman on vocals, Chris Jones on guitar and Mikey J. on
Bass. Helping them out with guest appearances are finnish musicians Jimbo
Mäkeläinen on drums, Jaakko Niitemaa on guitar and keyboard players Jonne
Valtonen, Olli Cunningham and Steve Newman.
Release date for the album is 23 April, 2007, and the album tracklisting looks like this:
HEARTBREAK MOTEL will release their their third album "Handguns Make The Most Love" on 13th April 2007 (and 9th april in the UK). ou can see the band on tour from 15th March to 1st April 2007 in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
RISE TO ADDICTION, rising UK rockers have signed a worldwide deal
with legendary Belgium metal label MAUSOLEUM Records. The label will release the
bands debut studio album "A New Shade Of Black For The Soul" which contains twelve
tracks and was produced by Andy Sneap (Machine Head, Killswitch Engage, Trivium,
Megadeth etc). Finishing touches are currently being made to the artwork with a
release due in May 2007. Full details are expected to be announced shortly.
Commenting on the signing RTA vocalist Leigh Oates said "We wanted to go with a
label that really understands the Metal market, and Mausoleum have a great track
record"
RISE TO ADDICTION, whose music is described as a distinctive modern sound with
melody and slab heavy riffing, released their self titled EP in 2005 through Madman
Records bringing the band media and label attention. Also produced by Andy Sneap it
features three tracks 'Falling As One' , 'Everlasting Wave' , 'To A God Unknown' and
also includes the promo video for the EP's opening track.
THE LADDER are back with their second album "Sacred". In 2004, their debut "Future Miracles" was a major event in the world of melodic rock, as the album was a kind of a continuation of FM, UK's premier AOR band. Many of the songs on that album were old FM tunes dusted off, and of course the band featured former FM members Steve Overland (vocals), Pete Jupp (drums) and Bob Skeat (bass). Former Dare and Ten guitarist Vinny Burns was the band's guitarist.
On "Sacred", the guitarist of the band is Gerard Pichler, the rest of the line-up remains the same. The band's label Escape Music says that "What we have here is melodic rock that reflects the times, with the classic
Overland vocal prowess. Beautiful melodies and strong song-writing are all
present here, this is very strong material and will whisk the band to the
grand heights they deserve."
The release Date is 23rd April, 2007, and the tracklisting is as follows:
AUDIOSLAVE has called it quits. Vocalist Chris Cornell states that the reason for the break-up is personal and musical differences. He'll continue as a solo artists, while the other three members guitarist Tom Morello, bassist Tim Commerford and drummer Brad Wilk have regrouped their former band Rage Against The Machine with vocalist Zack de la Rocha.
TUSKA OPEN AIR festival has confirmed a few new additions to the line-up: WASP, Emperor and Children Of Bodom.
SAUNA OPEN AIR festival has confirmed a few new additions as well: Sabaton, Korpiklaani and Swallow The Sun.
[14 February 2007] STAN BUSH will release his new album "In This Life" on 20 April, and Frontiers Records has sent out a press repease containing the details of it.
"STAN BUSH is a real Melodic Rock icon. With "In This Life" - his 10th
studio album - Stan was able new heights of maturity as a world-class
songwriter/recording artist!. Featuring the trademark powerful melodies
that have made Stan a popular artist around the world, his new album is
easily his best ever!
"I am really proud of these songs" says Stan. "I think this album is
the most complete, enjoyable and in a word best album in my entire
career".
Helped with the production and arrangements work by his longtime
collaborator Holger Fath, "In This Life" is a true Melodic Rock gem.
Songwriters on the album include Stan, Holger and Curt Cuomo (KISS,
EDDIE MONEY), while musicians include drummer Matt Laug (ALICE COOPER,
RICHARD MARX, EDDIE MONEY, ANASTACIA etc.) and Lance Morrison on bass
guitar (ALANIS MORRISSETTE, DON HENLEY etc). Holger Fath's guitar work
and keyboard programming together with Bush distinctive vocals, all
combine to make it a brilliant rock album!
"The title track has an almost spiritual message about searching for
truth" explains Stan, "While "Take It All the Way" is about going for it
". Another very special song is "Southern Rain": a heartfelt 'unplugged'
acoustic song about Stan's early years growing up in Florida and also
features a guest appearance by guitarist Rocket Ritchotte (DAVID LEE
ROTH, RICK SRINGFIELD). Other songs on the album are about love and
life, and all share a common message of living life full-out."
"In This Life" final tracklisting is as follows:
"In This Life" to be released in Europe on April 20th 2007 on Frontiers
Records with Japanese release scheduled on King Records.
Samples:
In addition to yesterday's DANNY VAUGHN news, in his MySpace blog Danny says that a tour of Scandinavia is being arranged for March - April. Here's what he writes: "On to the next adventure! After the Journey tour I will be going straight to Scandinavia to do a co headlining tour with good friend and fantastic singer, TERRY BROCK! The dates will start around March 23 through April 14 and we will be playing in Finland, Sweden, Denmark, and Norway. It's the first time I've been back there in a very long time and we're really excited to do it. This will be a co-headlining show. We will have one band of players and we will switch off all night between Terry's songs from Strangeways, his solo album, and the brand new Slamer release "Nowhere Land", while I will be doing songs from my solo albums, the new "Traveller" cd and, of course Tyketto. It is going to be an absolute stormer of a show and the first time I will get to see my Scandinavian fans for a very long t!
ime. I will post details of the dates and venues as soon as they are all lined up."
THUNDER have re-arranged their European tour, and that means bad news for Finnish fans, as their gig in Tampere has been cancelled. Here are the confirmed dates:
Thursday 1 March SPAIN, Madrid Heineken
HASTE THE DAY from USA announce new album details. In addition, they've posted a new song online.
Blending metallic heaviness with catchy, powerful hooks plus the best
out of the entire spectrum of modern rock music, HASTE THE
DAY present their new album “Pressure The Hinges” (European street
date: March 26th, 2007) which impresses with its irresistible melodic
charm, a great vocal performance by new singer Stephen Keech and over-
the-top musicianship. Produced by Garth “GGGarth” Richardson
(Nickelback, Atreyu, Rage Against The Machine).
The title-track of HASTE THE DAY’ s third full-length “Pressure
The Hinges” can now be enjoyed online at www.myspace.com/
hastetheday, so check it out and add this band to your myspace-
friends if you haven’t yet!
Drummer Devin Chaulk comments on the new full-length:
"Pressure The Hinges” is a more diverse and mature record than
anything HASTE THE DAY has released to date. It's heavier and yet
it's more melodic. It's more brutal and at the same time, more
beautiful. We've broadened the spectrum of sound on this record. We
took the elements of HASTE THE DAY that people have embraced,
(heaviness and melody) and stepped them up a notch. We've never been
so proud and we can't wait to unleash it on our fans, and introduce
it to those who haven't heard us before. We're stoked, and we think
others will be too.“
In 2006, the band completed a highly successful European tour
introducing new vocalist Stephen Keech to the audience and HASTE THE
DAY shall return to European stages this summer to present their new
material live!
[13 February 2007] DANNY VAUGHN has been confirmed as the support act on Journey's UK dates. Danny and guitarist Tony Marshall will play a 25-minute acoustic set with songs from Danny's latest album "Traveller" and some older favourites.
MACHINE MEN have a new e-card available at http://ecard.centurymedia.com/machinemen/. You can listen to three songs from the band's new album "Circus Of Fools" - “Where I Stand”, the title track and the hit single “No Talk Without The Giant” (#2 on the Finnish singles chart!) . Also do not miss
the chance to win some exclusive MACHINE MEN singles & posters and
find out more about the band, the new album, watch the video clip
for “No Talk Without The Giant” and more!
“Circus Of Fools” will be out via Century Media Records on the
following street dates:
FINLAND: Wednesday, February 14th, 2007.
For more MACHINE MEN tunes visit the band's MySpace page, where you can also watch an exclusive live clip for
“Circus Of Fools” shot at prestigious Graspop Festival 2006
allowing you to catch a glimpse of MACHINE MEN’s captivating live
energy.
HIMOS Festival in Finland has confirmed that EUROPE will be one of the festival's performers. The festival will be held on 21-23 June in Jämsä.
Sweden Rock Festival 2007 has confirmed 5 new bands to the line-up: Symphony X, Skid Row, Quiet Riot, Korpiklaani and McQueen.
SCHISM have signed a deal for Rising Works, thanks to the Alkemist Fanatix
management mediation. The italian band, devoted to a particular Metal approach in which maths,
psychedelic and huge significant references to the 90's underground music
join together, will publish its debut "Designation Cluster" for Frank
Andiver's Label. The album will be out in the first half of 2007, and will be followed by the
Italian and European tour. Recordings will start in March.
"Designation Cluster" will be produced by Frank Andiver (Labyrinth) and
recorded at Zenith Recording Studio.
[11 February 2007] FRANCIS SOTO, former vocalist of Subway and Wicked Sensation is offering free tasters from his "Metalopolis" album. He has also opened a MySpace site. Check 'em out:
AXEMASTER and BURNING STAR RECORDS are proud to announce that the "Blessing
in the Skies" CD has been released! For those of you who don't already
know, the disc contains 12 songs, (6 of which have never been available on CD - 3
are bonus tracks), as well as a video from 1987. It features great
remastered sound, and is packaged as a digi-pack with new excellent artwork and a 12
page booklet that includes rare photos from 1986-1988, Song lyrics, and liner
notes. This is a disc that no heavy metal fan will want to miss...!
To get a copy of the disc, you can purchase them online:
ROCKPERRY Festival organizers have added two Swedish acts to the line-up: The Hellacopters and Nordman. domestic artists Kotiteollisuus, The 69 Eyes, Sonata Arctica and Sunrise Avenue have also been confirmed. Rockperry Festival will be held in Vaasa on 13-14 July 2007.
POWER QUEST is proud to announce their endorsement affiliation with Elixir® Strings. Using them for several years and being absolutely satisfied with the quality, this is a great co-operation coming together. Steve Kiwi Scott is using the Elixir® Strings - Bass strings, Andrea Martongelli and Alessio Garavello are playing Elixir® Strings - Anti-Rust Electric strings and Acoustic strings.
[9 February 2007] Cult AOR band BREAK POINT will have their re-issued album, 'First Serving' on sale for the low price of $8.99 +
shipping through the month of February.
Packed with strong hooks, soaring vocals and catchy melodies, 'First
Serving' was initially released in 1981 by the band themselves and was
sold primarily at concerts on US military bases throughout (West) Germany.
The album would go on to sell over 5,000 copies prompting concert
organizers to add the Frankfurt based quintet to several dates of American funk
rock band Mother's Finest's 1983 German tour.
In 1985 Break Point was offered a deal from Rocshire / MCA Records, going
so far as to record demos with record producer, Peter Hauke (Tony Carey,
Craaft, White Lion) for a prospective album which never materialized. More info and samples at
LISTERIA announce that Gregory Chiesa has been officially named the new LISTERIA singer. "Gregory is the man who killed the competition and showed that is the most capable man for the band", the band says.
LISTERIA would also like to thank all the singers who applied for the job. Available on the Listeria
official myspace the demo track from Greg, currently in the recording studio with LISTERIA working on the
new album always on Lion Music records.
JOE LYNN TURNER, the former RAINBOW and DEEP PURPLE singer, is very busy
putting finishing touches to the mix of his forthcoming studio album
entitled "Second Hand Life".
"The new disc is almost done and I would describe it as a hybrid between
The Usual Suspects and Sunstorm" explains Joe, "'Sunstorm' received
more positive reviews than any of my solo CDs since Rescue You so I felt
that the fans wanted to hear more music in this melodic rock vein.
So...I think we delivered on this forthcoming album".
The line-up on the recording includes Karl Cochran on guitars and bass,
Bob Held on bass, Michael Cartellone (DAMN YANKEES, LYNYRD SKYNYRD) on
drums and Gary Corbett on keyboards.
The new album sees songwriting contributions from Jim Peterik, Bob Held,
Karl Cochran, Martin Briley and a track that was written by Ritchie
Blackmore, Jim Peterik, Roger Glover and Joe entitled "Stroke of
Midnight".
Release is scheduled in April 07 on Frontiers Records in Europe. More
details to be released shortly !
PINK CREAM 69 samples are online! Mp3 samples taken from the upcoming PINK CREAM 69 album “In10sity” have
been posted on the Frontiers Records website. Check out:
Children of the Dawn
"In10sity" will be released on March 23rd 2007 on Frontiers Records !
For a taste of what to expect from the upcoming SHAW / BLADES new album
“Influence” due out on Frontiers Records on February 16th 2007, fans
should check out the band's MySpace page
www.myspace.com/shawbladesinfluence
which features a video clip of the duo performing "Too Much Time On My Hands" (Styx) and "High Enough"
(Damn Yankees).
"Influence" is the duo's first album since their 1995 debut,
"Hallucination". Like the debut - and unlike their history-carving
decades as icons in the more hard-rock minded STYX, NIGHT RANGER and
DAMN YANKEES - the latest release is rooted in acoustic guitar and
organic production, harvesting a decade of musical influences into 11
tracks (on which Blades and Shaw played all the music except for drums
and the occasional keyboards). With classics from the '60s and '70s
including the Mamas and the Papas' "California Dreamin'," Buffalo
Springfield's "For What It's Worth" and Steely Dan's "Dirty Work",
“Influence” offers a track-by-track chronology of the musical era that
helped define modern rock.
BRET MICHAELS of Poison is raising his profile as a rock artist again. Here's the press release:
"Lately, have you noticed Slash in car commercials? How about Domino's
Pizza using loud guitars in those ads of theirs? Did you notice Prince
playing Jimi Hendrix and The Foo Fighters riffs at the Super Bowl? The
word is out that the powers that be are bringing the ROCK back.
Those powers have chosen America's favorite frontman, Bret Michaels to
help lead the way. In the next few weeks you will see and hear exciting
info about things that will provide huge exposure for Bret and his solo
career.
Head on over to Bret's website or MySpace page today to check out a 1 minute teaser of a new single called "Go That Far." The entire song will be available for download at all major online retailers in the very near
future, along with a video of the song packed with exciting highlights
from Bret's illustrious career, which spans over 2 decades."
TIGERTAILZ bassist Pepsi Tate will be
unable to perform at the band's upcoming show at St David's Hall in
Cardiff (Feb 10) due to ongoing and worsening illness.
"Following a series of MRI and CT scans an abnormal growth has been
discovered in the area of Pepsi's pancreas. A biopsy will be performed on
the 9th of February (the day before the St David's Hall gig), and news of
the results will be made available as soon as possible. Pepsi would like
to the thank the many fans and friends who've extended their best wishes,
and looks forward to getting back to work with the band later this year".
Glenn 'NAILZ' Quinn will stand-in for Pepsi on Bass for the St David's
Hall show on Feb 10.From Kim, Jay & Matt. "Our sincere best wishes go to
Pepsi and his family and we're all looking forward to him making a full and speedy recovery and
being back with us as soon as possible"
Canadian metal band SNAKE EYES SEVEN are preparing to wreak havoc
worldwide with their mind crushing self titled debut. The band met
with their label CHAVIS RECORDS last month in Arizona to cinch up the
details for the release and tour preparations. S.E.S are currently
talking to several promoters to secure available slots on various
tours across Canada, Europe and the U.S. The bands massive stage show
leaves no stone unturned and is sure to tantalize metal audiences
globally. S.E.S features Daniel Nargang on vocals/guitar (Into
Eternity), Victor Langen on bass (Kick Axe), Cole Stevens on guitars
(Wrathchild), and Johnny Bland on drums/percussion.
SNAKE EYES SEVEN has recently launched their new website at
www.snakeeyesseven.com. New S.E.S merchandise will be arriving
soon!
The new SNAKE EYES SEVEN release is distributed in the U.S.
nationwide through BCD Music Group in Spring 2007 and will be
featured in major chains and online stores. Additional territory
release dates including Europe, Japan and South America will follow
shortly. The European, Japanese and South American releases will have
an additional bonus track included. Special U.S. preorders are now
being taken now - click here
THE HAUNTED & BURST on tour in Finland:
The Underworld Camden have announced a couple of shows... click to enlarge.
Z RECORDS are proud to announce the signing for Swedish act SANCHEZ.
Featuring Chilean born metal singer Jose Sanchez. Previously known
for his work with Fierce Conviction and now the brains behind the project, SANCHEZ
deliver quality Scandinavian melodic hard rock ala classic Treat / 220 Volt mixed with Dokken.
The band are currently recording and their debut which is as yet untitled and will be released late
April 07.
MIDAS ENTERTAINMENT are proud to announce 2 fantastic shows for
March, both at Hotel California, Birkenhead [other side
of river to Liverpool].
March 18th - WARRIOR SOUL
Warrior Soul formed in 1988 by lead singer Kory Clarke, guitarist
John Ricco, bassist Pete McLanahan, and drummer Paul Ferguson. Often
cited as one of the most underrated bands of the time, they were
signed to Geffen Records from 1989 to 1994. The 1995 album Space Age
Playboys was released on the independent Music For Nations, but the
band disbanded within the year. Odds & Ends was released the next
year as a post-humous collection of demos and outtakes. Also in 1996
Kory Clarke went on to front a short lived band called Space Age
Playboys. 2007 ten years on and Warrior Soul return...
March 24th - TOBY JEPSON [ex Little Angels] + LOST WEEKEND - Hotel
California, Birkenhead [other side of river to Liverpool]
Toby is of course known for his prolific career with the UK's very
own Little Angels who had numerous chart hits with singles and
Albums, Their career included a stadium tour with Bon Jovi and
numerous theatre tours of the UK as well as international tours.
Toby is now concentrating on a solo career and recently supported
Thunder and then appeared at the Z Rock 06 fest to critical acclaim.
This will be a close up and personal appearance from a true English
rock legend so do not delay in getting your tickets.
Tickets for both shows are priced at £10 each and will go on sale on
February 12th from Skeleton Records, Birkenhead / Probe Records
Liverpool and X Records, Bolton. For mail order enquiries please
contact us via midas.ent@btinternet.com or visit
Some on-line magazines for you:
[7 February 2007] FIREFEST 4 confirm that the festival will be headlined by FM. Here's the press release: "Following on from the success of Firefest 3 in Oct 2006, FIREFEST 4 will take place in Nottingham Rock City on Saturday October 27th 2007.
It is with great pleasure that we announce the return of the melodic rock icon‘s FM as the festival headline act. Following lengthy negotiations Merv Goldsworthy, Steve Overland, Pete Jupp, Andy Barnett and Jem Davies will reunite live on stage for the first time in 12 long years for one show only on Saturday October 27th 2007.
The boys have been offered many shows over the years , all of which they have graciously declined, but now, they feel the time is right to get together for the most important reason they could think of, the fans. The boys are absolutely chomping at the bit to get out and play and they have promised to deliver a show that will keep even the most ardent FM fan happy.
The full line up for FIREFEST 4 as well as full ticketing details and the line up for Day 1 (Friday October 26th) will be announced on the official website by end Feb 2007."
"I, Victim (Here’s to the year)" will also be featured on the
covermount CDs in the next Rock Hard (D) & Metal Hammer (D) issues,
so don’t miss your chance to check out the hottest hard rock/metal
export from the US in 2007!
More songs off “Temptation Come My Way”, THE SHOWDOWN’s second
full-length after the acclaimed debut “A Chorus Of Obliteration”,
which has been reissued via Century Media Records in 2006, can be
checked out at the band’s Myspace page, so prepare yourself for a
captivating dose of high voltage heavy metal!
European release dates:
ANNIHILATOR will release their new album on 16 April (13 April in Germany), followed by an extensive tour in Europe. Here's the press release:
"Anybody reading the album title of the latest Annihilator release, Metal, will know what to expect. What we have here is no pseudo-intellectual moniker, no term that suggests pensiveness or indeed ambiguity, but boldness, directness and determination. It's a title that suits Jeff Waters' dynamic guitar style down to a tee. Like few other musicians, Waters' name stands for a tough-as-nails, energetic and always brilliant metal guitar. "It may sound a little strange when I say that the new album reminds me of the first three Annihilator recordings", band leader Jeff Waters admits. "You could be tempted to think that I am looking back artistically, when the opposite happens to be the case. I always try to evolve musically. But its a fact that I composed the new material the way I went about the early Annihilator tracks. Instead of writing them with the help of state-of-the-art studio equipment and recording them immediately, almost all of the guitar riffs were developed on !
a simple ghetto blaster. I only went on to find a rhythm and arrangements to suit an idea if it really floored me."
The ten new tracks were recorded by Waters, playing guitar and bass and on lead vocals for one number ("Operation Annihilation"), drummer Mike Mangini and vocalist Dave Padden. A literal army of renowned guest musicians, whose names Waters will reveal soon, also dropped in to be a part of this. Annihilator fans had better brace themselves for a big surprise. Says Waters, making the mouths of his more curious fans water: This is one of the coolest guitar albums of all time. And Im saying this despite the fact that I dont happen to be a friend of exaggerated superlatives. The fact is that Metal is a dream-come-true for me, and this new Annihilator CD is going to rock and awe."
April will see Annihilator embark on a major European tour as Trivium's special guests, playing over 40 shows until early May in countries such as Germany, England, Belgium, the Netherlands, Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Austria, Italy and France. "The business side of our career rests in capable hands at last", says the musician from Canada. "We have an ambitious record label, a committed management and a concert agency that knows how to present us." And their first-rate album Metal is also waiting to be released.
ANNIHILATOR tour dates (as very special guest on the TRIVIUM-Tour)
08.04. IRL-Dublin - Ambassador
THE 69 EYES will release their long-awaited new album "Angels" on 28 February. While the albums' title is "softer" than that of their previous hit album "Devils", the album is actually more brash and bold than its' predecessor. Produced again by Hiili Hiilesmaa and Johnny Lee Michaels, the album will include the following songs:
"Never Say Die" will be the second single, following the Number one hit "Perfect Skin". A video has been shot in Hollywood. The band has secured an US deal with Caroline Records for the album, elsewhere the album is released by EMI.
The band is currently touring in Northern America with Cradle Of Filth, followed by dates in continental Europe. In Finland, the band will be playing the following dates:
19.04.2007 Kåren/Turku GLENN HUGHES has announced a new bunch of dates in support of the release of his
latest album "Music For The Divine". He does a short Norwegian tour, and here are the dates:
27.03 Tribute, Sandnes
NEXX have annouced "Another Dawn 2007" Spanish tour dates:
Feb 10th: Massanassa (Valencia) + Sweet Little Sister
[1 February 2007] HANOI ROCKS will play a special show at Nosturi, Helsinki on Saturday 3 March. The gig will be filmed and recorded, and after the gig, everyone will have a chance to meet the band and have autographs. A new studio album is also in the works. A single is to be released during spring, and the album will follow later this year.
KIRKA has passed away. He died at home the night before yesterday, as a victim of a sudden medical condition. The legendary singer would have celebrated his 40th anniversary as an artist this year. While Kirka's music has been pop and schlager for the most part, his two hard rock albums during the late eighties ("R.O.C.K." and "The Spell") are highly respected among fans, and especially the rare CD copies of "The Spell" are much sought after.
PINK CREAM 69 will release their 10th album "In10sity" on 23 March through Frontiers Records (Zink Music/Bonnier Amigo). The album is the band's first for Frontiers, and altoghether their tenth. The band also celebrates its 20th anniversary this year.
Three years after their critically acclaimed “Thunderdome” album, 2007
marks the full force return of PINK CREAM 69. Strengthened by second
guitarist Uwe Reitenauer - now a regular member - the band delivers another
brilliant piece of Melodic Metal!
“In10sity” was recorded from October 2006 to January 2007 at the famous
House Of Music studios near Stuttgart/Germany and once again was produced by
Dennis Ward. Besides a truly dynamic and explosive production the album
blows the listener away with a blistering set of songs. “Crossfire”, “No Way
Out”, “A New Religion”, “Stop The Madness” just to name a few, feature all
the classic PINK CREAM 69 trademarks: a focused songwriting style, energetic
vocals and a tremendous guitar work.
“Thanks to the addition of Uwe Reitenauer as second guitarist, we have the
opportunity to realize many ideas on guitars where we previously used
keyboards. The new record is much more guitar-driven than our last
productions”, drummer Kosta Zafiriou states.
The final tracklisting will include the following songs:
Children of the Dawn; No Way Out; Crossfire; I’m Not Afraid; A New Religion;
The Hour of Freedom; Stop This Madness; Desert Land; Out of this World; It’s
Just a State of Mind; Wanna Hear You Rock; My Darkest Hour (*); Last Train
to Nowhere.
Z ROCK 07 has been re-scheduled. Here's the press release:
"Due to other live events around May 27 and then Download on June 10 we
have moved Z Rock 07 back to June 24, the venue is still Maximes,
Wigan. Tickets can be purchased via mail order only at present or paypal,
please email midas.ent@btinternet.com for further details.
Current fully confirmed line up is HOUSE OF LORDS, LOST WEEKEND,
TARA'S SECRET
An announcement will be made in a few days time re the other bands
appearing once contracts are signed."
SWEDEN ROCK 2007 line up grows. These are the eight latest additions:
Iced Earth, November, Nocturnal Rites, Amon Amarth, Tiamat, Vomitory, Trail Of Tears, All Ends.
[30 January 2007] NIKKI SIXX has sent out an update on his latest music project: "Dj Ashba, James Michael and myself are hard at work on the music and recording of the "HEROIN DIARIES". The soundtrack for the book will come out at the same time as the book. No firm release date yet, but I imagine sept. (don’t hold me to that)
It is not a solo album but an experimental musical journey. It goes everywhere and anywhere. All I can say is expect the unexpected. The trip is weird, from Danny Elfman’s ghoulish arrangements, singer songwriter story telling to open ended rock... Theatrical comes to mind. This is freedom and a journey with no real expectations…
we don’t talk radio, charts or boundaries...We just talk “feel”. We are feeling our way thru the project. There is one feeling i will share with you all, the feeling that I've fallen back in love with music."
BLINDED COLONY, the Karlshamn Sweden based melodic death metal act will have their music video for the single "Once Bitten, Twice Shy" featured in the video game "The Darkness". Vocalist
Johan Schuster writer: "We are happy to announce that we are taking part in the major Xbox 360/PS3
title The Darkness! While playing the game you will have the option of
several music channels, and one of which, you will be able to view the
video 'Once Bitten, Twice Shy'.
BURNING STAR FESTIVAL will be held for the first time in Athens, Greece on 3-4 February. It's organized by the Burning Star record company and the line-up will consist of bands from their rooster. Tickets will cost 10 EUR and the acts featured are:
Saturday, February 3: The Fallen Within, Zenith, X-Piral, Lunarsea and Need (headliner).
MADISON PAIGE have posted a brand new song to their Myspace page and website.
The song, "What If I Said", is a powerful ballad that was first debuted
a few months ago at the band’s hometown Hollywood acoustic show in Hollywood,
CA.
In conjunction with the release of "What If I Said", the band has launched
"Nu-Tunes", which gives fans the opportunity through their website to not only
preview demos of songs the band is considering for inclusion on their
forthcoming sophomore release, but to actually influence the album’s final
track listing by telling MADISON PAIGE directly which songs are killer and
which songs are filler. In addition to "What If I Said", currently available
for previewing are "Summer Rain" and "Time And Time Again", (both significantly
enhanced from the previously available online versions), "Without The World"
and "Fisher King", another song also debuted at their Halloween acoustic show.
More "nu-tunes" will be added over the next few weeks.
The songs that make the cut will be recorded for a Summer 2007 release, the
follow-up to the band’s successful 2004 debut album, Famous Last Words; that
album was financed through advance orders from the die-hard fan base the band
amassed while playing the Los Angeles club scene. The band is currently in
discussions regarding their album and touring plans, both of which will be
announced shortly.
BJORN LODIN of Baltimoore has gotten a website for dedicate for him:
FATAL SMILE will do 3 gigs together with Wig Wam in Japan.
The dates and venues are as follows:
Feb 26 O-East - Tokyo
The Fatals have also signed a worldwide deal with Locomotive Music
and will be releasing the "Neo Natural Freaks" album in the US on February
the 20th. The US distribution will be handled by Warner Music.
GYPSY PISTOLEROS are the latest addition to the Bang Tango & Love/Hate tour. Their album "Wild, Beautiful, Damned" is finished at last, and according to the band it sounds amazing: "Joe Gibb ( Madonna, Catatonia, Robbie Williams, The Cure, Funeral for a friend, Janes Addiction ) who produced the album is a genius and loves the album!"
Full Worldwide release: 4 June 2007. Distribution: Code 7/Plastichead.
MAGNUM have released details about their new album "PRINCESS ALICE AND THE BROKEN ARROW". Release Dates are as follows: Germany March 23rd 2007, Europe March 26th 2007, USA April 3rd 2007. There will be a Limited First edition including bonus DVD. Here's the press release:
"Their thirteenth studio album, Princess Alice And The Broken Arrow, sees British rock legends, Magnum, release their long-awaited latest offering, which also happens to be one of the strongest productions in their career to date. “We worked over a year on these songs, but the effort was definitely worthwhile,” comments vocalist Bob Catley. “This is undeniably the most complete and rounded album we’ve ever written. As far as I’m concerned, it’s on a par with On A Storyteller´s Night.” Parallels with the classic are also reflected in the awesome cover artwork by fantasy artist Rodney Matthews. Matthews designed an impressive sleeve for On A Storyteller´s Night in 1985, applying similarly perfect brush strokes to Princess Alice And The Broken Arrow.
The eleven new songs on the album were written by guitarist Tony Clarkin, whose wealth of inspiration and compositional talent has been responsible for many a masterpiece in the history of Magnum. Clarkin and his well-rehearsed group, featuring Bob Catley, keyboard player Mark Stanway and bassist Al Barrow, as well as new addition Jimmy Copley (drums), make Princess Alice And The Broken Arrow a luxurious sonic experience that invites its listeners to dream away to, enjoying the music with all their senses. The first edition of the album will include a bonus DVD featuring making-of footage of the production, interviews with all band members, a studio video of the new Magnum track, ‘Dragons Are Real’, and a slide show with exclusive pictures.
Magnum will be back live in Germany, Switzerland and UK in May, presenting, alongside their greatest hits, a number of tracks from their new album. “Although it has not been decided yet how many current numbers we will play on our tour, I know that tracks such as ‘When We Were Younger’, ‘Eyes Wide Open’, ‘Out Of The Shadows’ and ‘Thank You For The Day’ will blend in seamlessly with our classics,” promises Catley, well aware that this statement is a seal of approval for those songs."
MAGNUM live 2007
04.05. D-Osnabrück - Lagerhalle
www.magnumonline.co.uk
STATUS QUO, the veteran Classic Rockers will be playing in Finland. They've been booked to play at Tullikamari, Tampere, on 24 July.
SAUNA OPEN AIR festival has confirmed three new bands to the line-up: Kotiteollisuus, Thunderstone (both on Friday 8 June) and Entwine (either 8 or 9 July, to be confirmed).
[25 January 2007] VAN HALEN are heavily rumoured to be touring this summer with the original vocalist David Lee Roth. There hasn't been an official press release yet, but apparently deals have been signed. Joining Roth and the Van Halen brothers Eddie and Alex will be Eddie's son Wolfgang on bass guitar.
"SAANA - WARRIOR OF LIGHT" is a rock opera from TIMO TOLKKI, the award winning guitarist and songwriter of STRATOVARIUS. The project has been signed to Frontiers Records (Zink Music/Bonnier Amigo).
"Saana - Warrior of Light" is a Classic Rock Opera featuring seven characters
and numerous musicians (including Tolkki himself) who will collaborate in
this ambitious project. The result is a unique sound, unlike anything ever
heard before... from soaring majestic heights to soft and gentle moments and
everything in between. It also tells a very dramatic tale.
"Saana - Warrior of Light" is the story of a woman who makes an unforgettable
journey that changes her life and view of the universe forever. On her
journey, she will discover the biggest secret of mankind... and her own
destiny.
The opera introduces 29 year old Jennifer Sowle from the USA as
Saana, the main character. She is a classically trained opera singer with a
Master’s degree in music.
The album will be released in autumn 2007 with more details
to be announced in the coming weeks.
www.saana-warrioroflight.com
BILOXI announce that they are working on a new album called "In The Wake Of The Storm". Samples of the work in progress are on the MySpace page of vocalist/guitarist Mark Allen Lanoue. Original vocalist Clyde Holly (R.I.P.) will be featured on several tracks. Dean Fasano (Message, Prophet, Richie Sambora, Jon Bon Jovi etc) will assist the band in producing.
www.markallenlanoue.com
MARK SWEENEY will release his first solo album "Slow Food" on 27 April 2007.
After 10 years of fronting Crystal Ball and long-term engagements as producer,
co-producer and background singer (ex-KISS Bruce Kulick among others), charismatic
singer Mark Sweeney starts a solo run for the first time. Here solo album has been compared to the likes of Bryan Adams and Bon Jovi.
"Slow Food" is characterized by a successful mixture of straight rock songs and
wonderful ballads whereat Mark Sweeney shows, what an outstanding singer he is and
that he is able to introduce his voice in a very emotional way. Michael Bormann
appears as co-writer and producer.
AMERICAN GLAM SLAM is the title of a tour featuring LOVE/HATE, BANG TANGO and KRISTY MAJORS (of Pretty Boy Floyd). The bands will be touring in the UK as follows:
28 March - Camden Underworld, London
PAIN CONFESSOR, extreme metal band from Finland are about to release their third album "Purgatory of the Second Sun" on 14 March. While their style might be a bit too extreme for our site, their single "Ne Plus Ultra" features an extra track that RockUnited readers might be interested - a cover of Survivor's "Eye Of The Tiger"! The single is released on 14 February.
OZZY OSBOURNE will be playing in Helsinki, Finland on 6 June, at Helsinki Arena.
The MySpace site for the MARK MANGOLD/FRITSCH/BROCK/VAUGHN project has been pulled from the web, and apparently there will be NO tour at this point.
[23 January 2007] A supergroup featuring MARK MANGOLD, AL FRITSCH, TERRY BROCK, DANNY VAUGHN is supposedly hitting the road for Scandinavian tour mid March 2007. The line-up is completed by Patrick Luoti (guitars) and Santtu Lonka (drs)
This would be the first time these guys join all together, playing hit tunes from The Sign, Drive She Said, Mark Mangold, Vaughn + more.
RockUnited Newsdesk hasn't received an official statement, but the information is available at MySpace. More details when we get them.
[22 January 2007] ROYAL HUNT have confirmed that they'll be playing in Finland. The date is 21 February, the place Nosturi and the support act is Finnish metal band Twilight Guardians.
WOLF, "The Swedish synonym for Heavy Metal", are proud to announce
new shows to promote their latest album "The Black Flame"
that was released on Century Media Records in September 2006 (UK
release: February 19th, 2007 with bonus material!). After playing
some shows with Metal youngsters Trivium last December, they shall
return to support the godfathers KREATOR and CELTIC FROST on four
Scandinavian shows. The first summer festival is also confirmed with
a headliner slot at the unique Headbangers Open Air on July 12th in
Brande-Hoernerkirchen, Germany (near Hamburg) – for more info check
www.headbangers-open-air.de.
Here are the dates:
WOLF supporting KREATOR, CELTIC FROST
WOLF
www.wolf.nu
"In 2006 I was asked to remix the original tapes for "Breaking The Chains"
for a 25-year anniversary release" says Don Dokken. "So I went to our locker
where we had been storing our master tapes for years and while I was there I
noticed some old 2-inch tapes that were in faded boxes. When I put them on
the machines, I was surprised to hear a few songs that never made it onto
our future records".
"I love the angst in the performance" continues Don, "we were hungry and
ready to take on the world. It brought back a lot of memories hearing that
show after all these years. I hope our fans will enjoy adding this to their
DOKKEN collection—it’s definitely a blast from the past".
Later this month, DOKKEN will return to their Redondo Beach studio to begin
work on their ninth studio album, “Lightning Strikes Again”, their first
studio release on Frontiers Records. Taking its title from a track from
“Under Lock And Key”, the new album will be available everywhere this
summer, featuring founding members Don Dokken and Mick Brown along with Jon
Levin on guitars and Barry Sparks on bass.
"From Conception: Live 1981" will be released on March 23rd 2007 on
Frontiers Records with a release in Japan on King Records with the following
tracklisting:
Paris is Burning; Goin’ Down(unreleased); In The Middle; Young Girls; Hit And Run (unreleased): Knight
Rider; Gtr Solo; Live To Rock; Breakin’ The Chains; You’re a Liar (unreleased).
Samples:
The new GAIA EPICUS album will be released upon the world friday 26th of January.
>From monday the album can be pre-ordered from the label's new webshop (opens on monday).
In this store you can pay with Paypal, Visa, MasterCard and more...
So far Epicus Records have distribution in these countries:
North and south USA, Germany, Switserland, Austria, Polen,
Belgium, The Netherlands and Mexico. Distributors around the
world are welcome to get in touch for co-operation.
Gaia Epicus has just released a new music video for the song
called "New Life". This video is put together by private video clips
taken by the band during the last year. It includes studio recording,
concerts and the tour to Minneapolis / USA last august 2006.
The video for "Hand of fate" taken from the "Symphony of glory"
album have been downloaded 17665 times during 1.5 years.
www.epicusrecords.com
NEVERLAND is the latest signing for Escape Music. Neverland is a progressive power metal band from Switzerland. These dedicated guys have found a perfect mix of classical riffs and melodies
and fused them with progressive elements. The result is a very classy album
that traces elements of Dream Theater, Symphony X, Kamelot and Royal Hunt,
but they have a distinct originality all of their own. The album is produced
by Tommy Vertelli, known for his excellent work with Kreator and Coroner.
Neverland was formed in 1999 by Daniel Huber and Boris Stoll who first met
while studying music in Zurich. From the very beginning they were trying to
find the perfect mix of classical riffs and melodies as well as progressive
elements. With Andreas Mislin, Roland Jost and keyboard player Manuel Wagner
they soon had a team of musicians together that were sharing the same vision
and were ready to push and establish the group.
The search for an equal singer for the band turned out to be very
difficult, but when Mike Zotter joined the band in 2003 the group was
finally ready for a first strong statement. Preparing themselves for the
recording sessions of their first album, Neverland had to deal with some
musical and personnel problems within the band. Mike Zotter, Manuel Wagner
and the rest of the group had to part ways. What seemed to be a hard set
back for the band turned out to be a blessing in many ways. Jean Marc
Viller, the powervoice from Bern, joined the band just in time to record all
the tracks prepared. He turned out to be the singer Neverland was always
looking for. Finally keyboardist Oliver Benz, first hired as a helping hand,
joined the group during the recording sessions to become the bands new
keyboard player.
Everyone who's willing to put Neverland’s music in a box can easily drop
the names of groups like Symphony X, Royal Hunt, Kamelot or Dream Theater.
But
The track-list of the album entitled “Schizophrenia” will be as follows:
Schizophrenia, When Darkness Falls, Mysteria, Anger, Anguish, Take My
Advice, Buy Your Dream, Neverland and Brave Warrior.
They also gained live experience and acquired appreciable reputation by
constantly touring Sweden and presenting themselves with a powerful and
convincing stage show, for example together with URIAH HEEP and FROM BEHIND.
In December 2005 Marys Creek began to record the tracks for the debut album
“Some Kind Of Hate”. Guitar based melodic rock and heavy groove,
successfully delivered in a big sounding modern production with sweet
sounding, melodic songs bound to be remembered. A perfect mixture of
traditional hardrock with heavy guitar riffs, modern sounding melodies and
hook-lines, ennobled by Mats Nilsson´s mighty voice. Famous Swedish producer
Fredrik “Fredman” Nordstrom (In Flames, The Haunted, Dream Evil) mixed this
powerful debut album. The worldwide release of “Some Kind Of Hate” is
scheduled for March 21, 2007 on MTM MUSIC. So be prepared to face the power of a perfect
working hard rock machine!
The release date is set for March 21.
[19 January 2007] MACHINE MEN will release their new album "Circus of Fools" on 14 February 2007. This melodic metal album features several guests, including Marco Hietala (Tarot, Nightwish), Rainer Nygård (Diablo), Keijo Niinimaa
(Rotten Sound) and Tommi Salmela (Tarot). The album was recorded at Fantom-studio, under the guidance of Samu Oittinen.
Vocalist Antony comments: "The album is heavier and more metal-oriented than ever, but it still has that melodic vibe of ours. We didn't forget to include a few ballad-like tracks either."
Tracklisting:: 1. Circus Of Fools, 2. No Talk Without The Giant, 3. Ghost Of The
Seasons, 4. Tyrannize, 5. The Shadow Gallery, 6. Where I Stand, 7.
Border Of The Real World, 8. Dying Without A Name, 9. The Cardinal Point
MACHINE MEN Live:
26.01.2007 Levi (FI) @ Hulluporock
Earthshaker Road Shock Tour 2007
27.04.2007 Antwerpen (B) @ Hof Ter Lo
The links:
GLORIOUS BANKROBBERS, the cult sleaze rock band from Sweden is back! "The Glorious Sound Of Rock´n´roll" is their new album, to be released thru Swedmetal Records on 25 January. The album features guest appearances by Strängen & Boba from The Hellacopters. The tracklisting is as follows:
1. Spitfire
www.gloriousbankrobbers.com
METAL BLADE RECORDS and LIZZY BORDEN are proud to announce the reissue of his 1989
original recording of Master of Disguise. The reissue will re-mastered, there will be liner notes by the producer Elliot Solomon and it'll include an unreleased bonus demo track "Vampires Kiss" plus "The Orchestra" mixed separately by Elliot Solomon. What's more, there'll be a very special DVD "(Under The Mask) The making of Master of Disguise" in the package.
The DVD, directed by Lizzy Borden, will take you on a six month journey, starting with Lizzy Borden on stage
performing Master of Disguise for the very first time in December 1988 at the Roxy Theatre in Hollywood California, one month before recording began. You'll be taken to the recording studios in California and Canada, to the rehearsals for the MOD tour, and finally to check out highlights of the Master of Disguise show. The DVD will also include the two MTV videos shot for Master of Disguise, "We Got The Power" and "Love Is A Crime".
The release date has been set to 6 March, pre-order links will be soon at:
www.Lizzyborden.com
ELIS announce a new vocalist. Sandra Schleret hails from Innsbruck (AT) and is not at all new to the scene, lending her powerful vocals in the past to the likes of Dreams of Sanity and Siegfried, as well as doing guest vocals for Samael.
INTENSE (U.K.) stand for stomping Power Metal in the vein of their American counterparts. Brutal double-bass attacks, heavy guitars, and powerful vocals distinguish the band, as well as their excellent songwriting skills and cliché-free lyrics. Their Napalm Records debut, "As Our Army Grows", is scheduled for a 30 March release.
SERENITY is another new signing for Napalm Records. with "Worlds untold & Dreams Unlived", The Austrian quintet delivers multi-faceted Melodic Progressive Metal that perfectly merges technical prowess and catchy songwriting.
Napalm Records say that SERENITY is a band with a potential rarely seen in the past years. Their debut album is expected in April 2007.
LEAVES´EYES & KAMELOT tourdates:
13.04. HUN - Budapest / Wigwam
[17 January 2007] NEWMAN will release their 6th studio album and the follow up to the highly
regarded "Heaven Knows" in April. The band, centered around Steve Newman Vocals, Guitar, Keyboards, released
their first album back in 1997. Subsequently after signing to Escape Music in 1999 they released another 4
albums. "One Step Closer" and "Dance In The Fire" received excellent press and were
warmly received in not only Europe, but America and Japan.
2003, and after a break of 3 years "Sign Of The Modern Times" was released.
Full of killer songs with the production duties handled by none other than
Pete Coleman (AC/DC) and featuring Pete Jupp (FM) on drums once again the
album gained serious attention and managed to score high reviews in
magazines and websites alike.
Last year saw the release of "Heaven Knows" an album which has received high
critical acclaim and has rated Newman as one of the leading UK Melodic Rock
bands. Since their appearance at Firefest 3 last year Steve has been busy
writing and recording 15 new songs for a new album.
The new release, entitled "Primitive Soul" will once again feature Rob
McEwen (Heaven Knows) on drums and songs set for inclusion are Falling Like
Stone, Primitive Soul, 15 Minute Revolution, Heading For Your Heart, Still
Can't Find The Words, Mystery To Me, Last Flight, I Get Torn, Give It All
You Got, For The Man I Am, Cold Day In Hell, and Rapture. The album will be
made available primarily from the Newman website www.newmansound.com and
will also feature 3 bonus download tracks When Angels Fall, Love Stole The
Reason, and Star.
POWER QUEST is proud to announce their endorsement affiliation with Bill Lewington on behalf of Dean Guitars.
Dean Guitars has been working with top artists for more than 3 decades and co-operates with the likes of Iron Maiden, Trivium, Def Leppard, Ozzy, Sammy Hagar, Michael Angelo Batio and many more well-known artists.
JORGE SALAN, a guitarist from Spain will release his new album on 20 February on Pagana Records. On the album "Chronicles of an Evolution", Jorge is collaborating with the following rock giants:
JEFF SCOTT SOTO (Journey, Y. Malmsteen, Talisman)
The first single "Under The Moon" is available as a download on his site.
A Vulgar Display Of Power: Courage and Carnage At The Alrosa Villa is a new book about the tragic death of Dimebag Darrell. Here's the press release:
On December 8th, 1980, a lone gunman took the life of John Lennon, one of rock 'n' roll's most iconic personalities. Almost to the minute, 24 years later, heavy metal's most beloved guitarist, Dimebag Darrell Abbott, was tragically murdered while performing at the Alrosa Villa in Columbus Ohio. It was a night filled with tragedy, yet offset by exceptional heroism. Jeffrey "Mayhem" Thompson, Erin Halk and Nathan Bray each lost their lives while trying to aid Dimebag and protect the lives of hundreds of people from an armed killing machine. "A Vulgar Display of Power" tells the true story of the events leading up to the tragic murders. It peers into the twisted mind and background of a killer intoxicated by psychotic rage and driven by the voice of the beast inside his head. "A Vulgar Display of Power" attempts to make sense of what appears to be a senseless act. Unlike books that only focus on the evil of the killer or the fruits of the crime, "A Vulgar Display of Power" a!
lso extols the inspirational selflessness of those who died trying to help others. Within it's pages, readers will meet and experience the lives of Erin Halk, Jeff Thompson, and Nathan Bray. In addition, the book contains a moving tribute to Dimebag Darrell Abbott with contributions from fans, rock stars and friends. Supported by approximately 240 never-before-published personal photographs, and augmented by actual crime scene photos, the lives of those lost and the events of the sad evening of December 8th, 2004 will clearly come into focus. "A Vulgar Display of Power" dispels the myths and presents the complex facts behind the horrific murders at the Alrosa Villa. As tragic as the event was, readers will be left in awe by the courage and compassion demonstrated by so many people.
The actions of the Columbus Police Department, various fire department and rescue squads, plus many of the Alrosa's staff and patrons reflect the selfless courage of humanity even at times of great distress. Written with a focus on taste, class and dignity, readers are sure to close the last page of this masterpiece with seemingly rival emotions of sadness and pride. What is certain is that anyone who reads "A Vulgar Display of Power" will never forget Dimebag Darrell Abbott nor the incredible sacrifices of Nathan Bray, Erin Halk or Jeff Thompson.
“This is a first for us,” say’s MJS Music Publications president, Mark Sternal. “We’ve strictly published music instruction books so far, but when (author) Chris A. called and filled me on the project I told him I was in. There’s an empty space in the hearts of fans, friends and family members of all those who lost their lives that night. This is much more than just a true crime story. It gives a voice to the victims. It insures that they will not be forgotten, and that their actions will inspire courage in the hearts of the reader. This is a very important book for the music industry.”
[16 January 2007] SAXON, the iconic hard rock act which dominated the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal scene in the early 1980’s
along with Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Motörhead, Diamond Head and Def Leppard are returning for a one-off gig at Sheffield City Hall on January 26th with legendary promoter Harvey Goldsmith of The Who, Live 8 and Live Aid. Saxon are returning with the band’s full European production – including their legendary Eagle.
Refreshed, re-charged and ready to rock, the mighty Saxon have a whole new sound and hunger after working with renowned producers Mark Wallis and David Ruffy of Razorlight, U2 and The Stranglers. Their brand new single "If I Was You" – about gun culture – is released on Steamhammer/SPV on January 20th and this will be closely followed by a celebrated 18th Studio album “The Inner Sanctum" released early in March in Germany and Europe and early April in the USA on Steamhammer / SPV.
Their new album offers powerful sounds and ambitioned lyrics about Eastern Revolutions, British Kings and Queens and the attitude of Great Warriors. Vocalist Biff Byford rightly explains: “The Inner Sanctum" is the most powerful album we’ve ever recorded.” The following tour is the biggest tour the band has ever done in Europe!”
Byford also notes about their new single: "I wrote the lyrics for our new single based on gun and knife crime having seen so many tragic stories of somebody getting knifed to death for a mobile phone and three quid or some young mother caught in the crossfire between two idiots with guns. "If I was you and you were me, would you live your life differently?"
If that’s not enough, they are also going to mark the release of the new single on worldwide download, and their return to the British metal scene with an electrifying new Guinness World Record for ‘Air Guitar’ at Sheffield Wednesday Football Club on Saturday the 20th January. Have you got what it takes to make history and join around 30,000 strong fans at Hillsborough Stadium to rock out with the mighty Saxon? The Guinness World Record and gig will also be part of a one hour special Channel 4 TV programme called ‘Harvey Goldsmith Presents’ which is set to air in April as part of a new six part series.
The Oresund Space Collective have new double CD called "It's all about Delay"
out and getting great reviews everywhere. The CD from these Danish prog rockers is available in
Denmark from the band's website, CDBaby and Aural Innovations in
the USA, Record Heaven in Sweden, and more.
The band is getting ready to play some gigs in the coming months in Denmark, Sweden and
Finland. Copehagen- Feb 9th, Malmö- March, April 6th- Stockholm (not confirmed yet)
and April 8th in Helsinki with Hidria Spacefolk. All concerts will be recorded and
put up at the www.archive.org as always.
The band's first jam session of the year (Session 28) is online as MP3s
on their web site. A new CD (still untitled) is coming out in May on
the Transubstans Label (www.recordheaven.net). It is being mixed right now.
The shop on the band's web site carries also some CDs by Hidria
Spacefolk, Korai Orom and the Copenhagen Space Rock Festival CD (features all
exclusive tracks by Dark Sun, The Spacious Mind, Darxtar, Mantric Muse, Gas Giant
and Pseudo Sun).
MEATLOAF has been confirmed to play Sweden Rock Festival 2007.
LION'S SHARE are working on their fifth album, which is expected to be released in April/May.
MEGADETH/EIDOLON guitarist Glen Drover has recorded a guest solo on the new album. Also scheduled to appear on the CD are
drummer Richard Evensand (CHIMAIRA, SOILWORK), guitarist Bruce Kulick (KISS), and singer Mats Levén (YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, THERION, AT VANCE, KRUX), who is responsible for the backing vocals on the entire CD.
The as-yet-untitled CD will feature the following tracks (not in final order):
01. Cult of Denial
LION'S SHARE has been confirmed for this year's Sweden Rock Festival, set to take
place June 6-9 in Sölvesborg, Sweden.
WINTER PARADE, Norwegian melodic rock band are offering a free download of their new song "Rollercoasting" on their website. The offer is time limited, and ends on thursday 18 January.
FOR RUIN, a critically acclaimed metal band from Ireland has been signed to Sentinel Records. The band's debut album will be released in the summer of 2007.
|
||
 |
 |
JOE LYNN TURNER's new album "Second Hand Life" is scheduled for release in Europe on 20 April
2007 via Frontiers (Zink Music/Bonnier Amigo in Scandinavia)!
NIGHT RANGER and tbe band's Frontiers Records (with their Scandinavian associates Zink Music/Bonnier Amigo) are
thrilled to announce all details surrounding the release on April 20th 2007 of NIGHT RANGER’s come
back album "Hole In The Sun".
EUROVISION NEWS... Finland will be represented by Hanna Pakarinen in the Eurovision Song Contest in Helsinki, May 2007. The former "Idols" winner will perform a song called "Leave Me Alone", a midtempo modern rock track with traces of Lacuna Coil, Within Temptation etc. Yesterday's Finnish final showed that hard rock is alive and well in Finland, as the two runners-up were LOVEX and THUNDERSTONE.
THE SHOWDOWN, the Tennessee-based hard rocking, ass kicking young metal outfit has posted a new track off its forthcoming new album "Temptation Come My
Way" online at the following locations:
1. Angels
DOKKEN are currently getting ready to record their ninth studio album, but in the meantime, Frontiers releasing a new live album from the band. "From Conception: Live 1981" features an unreleased concert from 1981, with 3 previously unreleased tracks: "Goin’ Down", "Hit And Run" and "You’re a Liar". The core of the album is made up of songs that were eventually recorded for the band’s debut album, "Breaking The Chains", including "Live To Rock (Rock To Live)",
"Knightrider", the title track, "Paris Is Burning" plus a showcase for George Lynch’s formidable guitar heroics.
MARYS CREEK was founded by Mats Nilsson in early 2004 and after having
finally found his partners in crime MarysCreek instantly began to record
several demo tracks. About this time the demo songs were already starting to
create a "buzz" in the music community with fantastic reactions from fans,
reviewers, publishers and radio, who often compared them to big guns like
Soundgarden.and Kings X.
SCELERATA is a young and talented band from Brasil, formed in 2002 and now
stepping into the scene with a very technical and powerful melodic metal
debut album "Darkness And Light" (MTM MUSIC). Heavy and also a bit progressive in style
they wrote powerful metal tracks and began to elaborate them to
sophisticated songs with high energy and beats that keep pushing forward.
Influenced by metal heroes like Helloween, Iron Maiden and Dream Theater,
Scelerata’s songs represent the new era of modern and melodic but at the
same time classic heavy metal music. Ambitious guitar work, fast and
aggressive double bass parts and pretentious melodies supported by Carl
Casagrandes brilliant voice. Also live Scelerata already gained some respect
while standing on same stages with giants like DEEP PURPLE, GAMMA RAY,
MASTERPLAN and ANGRA. One of their biggest supporters Edu Falaschi, singer
of ANGRA, is featured on Scelerata’s debut “Darkness And Light”, singing the
song “Spell Of Time” on that album. MTM MUSIC now releases this brilliant
debut worldwide. Get ready for some real heavy and at the same time melodic
metal music! The initial pressing is released with a video bonustrack on
March 21, 2007.
 |
 |
|
All rights reserved Got news for us? Send 'em to |
||
 |
 |
 |
