The Alchemist CD "Songs From the West Side", will be delayed by a couple of weeks. Due to a delayed return from Europe, the producer was unable to deliver the master in time for street date. The label, (M&K), now have the master in hand, all parts are being shipped to the pressing plant this Friday. The will be a 10 business day turnaround time for pressing and assembly. Therefore the new street date is June 18.

The Alchemist is the brainchild of composer/producer/multi-instrumentalist Carl Kennedy, who most recently was the drummer in the Greg Lake band. Featuring Glenn Hughes(lead vocals) (Deep Purple / Black Sabbath), Tim Pierce(guitars)(Toy Matinee, Roger Waters, Phil Collins, Rod Stewart, Bon Jovi, Goo Goo Dolls), Ian Crichton(guitars)(Saga), Carl Kennedy(drums / percussion / keyboards)(Greg Lake), "Westside" is a collection of well crafted songs that blend intricate tribal rhythms with guitar driven passion, delivering powerful blued-eyed soul ballads. Comparisons to Traffic, King Crimson, Seal, Sade, and Sting come to mind.

First of all, a message from Dan (VP keyboardist):

Unfortunatley I have quite a sad announcment to make........

Now that the Edguy tour is over and Vanishing Point have no further bookings for this year I feel that now is the right time to annouce that I will no longer be playing Keyboards in Vanishing Point.

It is a decision that for most of this year I have been trying to avoid making but after having a long discussion with the guys earlier last week I have decided that it is the right thing to do.

My reasons for leaving are personal and I want to stress to everybody that this has ABSOLUTELY nothing to do with anybody from Vanishing Point. You heard it first from me, If anybody says otherwise then they are wrong! I love those guys like my brothers and they were very supportive of my feelings and my subsequent decision.

Rest assured I will be dropping into VP rehearsals on a regular basis where we will continue to laugh and hang shit on each other just as we whould have if I was still a band member.

So what do I have planned next? I have always had an interest in songwriting and music scoring and I am looking to dedicate as much of my time as possible to pursuing that interest. I will be writing primarily Heavy Metal, but for a bit of fun I am also writing some pop material which I hope to get published in the future.

At this stage I have no plans to form or join any other band.

Vanishing Point are a great band and they deserve all the recognition they can get. I look forward to the next chapter in the Vanishing Point story and I plan to be there every step of the way helping the guys out any way possible.Only this time not as a member, but as a fan and a friend.

For such a young age I have achieved a lot in the last two and a half years with Vanishing Point. Be it playing at Wacken, touring Europe, or even being a part time member of the mighty Gamma Ray. They were all excellent times and will remain in my heart as happy memories that I will cherish forever.

Throughout everything that we have all been through, the undying closeness and friendship that I have formed with Jack, Joe, Tom, Silvio and Chris, will always be my greatest achievement of all.

Thanx, and I'll see you around........

Dan.

And now the logical follow up statement from the band:

VANISHING POINT SEEKING NEW FULL TIME KEYBOARDIST

STYLE= MELODIC PROGRESSIVE ROCK/METAL
BASED=WESTERN SUBURBS of MELBOURNE AUSTRALIA

AFTER COMPLETING ONE EUROPEAN / AUSTALIAN TOUR AND RELEASING TWO HIGHLY ACCLAIMED ALBUM'S (in thought 1998/ tangled in dream2001) ARE SET TO EMBARK ON THEIR THIRD EPIC. BUT NOT WITH OUT A NEW KEYBOARDIST!!

VANISHING POINT SEEKS

· SOMEONE WITH GREAT COMUNNICATION SKILLS
· THE ABILITY TO WRITE AS TEAM
· STAGE EXPIRIENCE IS NOT A MUST BUT HELPS
· BACKING VOCALS PREFERED BUT NOT ESSENTIAL
· AND OF COURSE THE ABILITY TO PLAY KEYBOARDS WELL.
· EQUIPMENT IS NOT ESSENTIAL (all keyboard gear supplied)

AFTER SIGNING TO GERMANY'S FASTEST GROWING ROCK/METAL LABLE, LMP (limb music publishing) HAS PUT VANISHING POINT AMONG THE WORLD'S BEST ROCK/METAL ACT'S TODAY! AND ON COMPLETING THEIR TOUR OF EUROPE HAS MADE THEM ONE OF AUSTRALIA'S LEADING ROCK/METAL ACT'S TO DATE!

So if you feel you, or you may know someone who has what Vanishing Point is looking for? Please reply to Email- vanishingpoint1@hotmail.com

Or phone; (+61)0419 003 079 or (+61)0412 127680

Now & Then / Frontiers announce the signing of Harem Scarem's lead singer / songwriter Harry Hess to a multi-album solo deal for Europe.

Hess is working on his debut solo album inbetween other projects and is expected to deliver the finished material during October, with a view to an early 2003 release.

Harry, who plays The Gods this coming weekend says, "I just plan on writing what I think are ten great songs". Titles currently set for release include "Everybody", "Another Day" and "Miles Away". The song direction is more poppy than Scarem, with elements of Jellyfish, pure commercial pop and the first Harem Scarem all rolled into the overall soundscape.

Further details of musicians and other song titles will be released in the coming months.

Jorn Lande has left Millenium. The split was amicable and plans are already being made for Jorn to work with Ralph Santolla on another project later this year. Jorn will continue to work as a solo artist and as a member of The Ark and other projects.

His replacement has already been confirmed and is none other than former Harem Scarem drummer Darren Smith! Darren's arrival is sure to result in a highly anticipated new album as his ability as a vocalist was amply demonstrated at The Gods 2001.

The first chance to hear the new line-up will come with the release of the long awaited covers album. Ralph Santolla is currently in Toronto overseeing the replacement of Jorn's vocals on these tracks in the studios of Murray Daigle (Emerald Rain) with an aim of having the album released early Autumn, followed very closely by a new album of original material which will also be released this year.

If everything goes to plan this will result in Darren making two appearances at The Gods in November, one as drummer with Emerald Rain and a second as the singer of Millenium!

Pulse have replaced singer Simon Abbotts with new vocalist Ritchie Broadley.

The line up that will play The Gods 2002 will now be:
Vocals: Ritchie Broadley
Guitar: Vince O`Regan
Bass: Andy Mills
Keys: Paul Hodson (courtesy of Ten)
Drums: Lynch Radinsky

Quote from Vince O`Regan:
"We are very pleased to be playing our second Gods show. This will be the first gig with our new singer and we believe that it is the start of an exciting phase of the Pulse story.
New boy, Ritchie Broadley, has been touring as the singer for top tribute band, Aerosmith UK, for the past four years. Prior to that, Ritchie was the singer, guitarist and songwriter for melodic rockers, Raising Cain, who supported the likes of Tyketto, Glenn Hughes, Magnum and a host of others. It was after witnessing one of Aerosmith UK`s shows, where Ritchie perfectly mirrored the actions of one of rock's most enigmatic and entertaining frontmen, that Pulse knew they`d found their new singer.

Expect to hear album favourites such as "Inspiration", "After Midnight" and "Talk About Love" as well as a couple of new tracks being showcased for the first time!"

ADVANCE TICKET RESERVATIONS

You can still reserve tickets to be bought on the day (at the advance price of £25 saving £5) by emailing us with the number of tickets you require. Email: petersims@nowandthen.co.uk

Reservations must be made by 6PM Friday 31st May.

DVD / Filming Details

The show will be recorded using Tascam DA88 machines. This will give a 48 track digital recording of the audio element of the performances. The video will be shot on Beta SP using a 5 camera team. The breakdown of the cameras will be: -
Camera 1 - long shot taking in the lights and full width of the stage.
Camera 2 - close up of the singer.
Camera 3 - close up of the lead guitarist.
Camera 4 - roaming brief taking in rhythm guitarist / bassist with freedom to cut across to singer / guitarist for alternative angle.
Camera 5 - roaming brief taking in drummer, keyboard player and crowd shots.

The footage will be shot in widescreen and the current plan is to release the DVD's as Region 0 NTSC as this seems to be the most compatible format. (This Code means it is region free / worldwide playable).

In total there are 20 people involved in the audio / video recording production of The Gods 2002.

It is our intention to make this as high quality as possible within the obvious financial constraints of it being an independent label funded production.

Now & Then will also have one or two of our own staff roaming around all weekend with digital camcorders recording some material which we hope to use as bonus footage.

There are plans to film some of the Saturday night pre Gods party in Pennington's 2, candid shots of bands arriving / leaving / hanging around and also to interview some of the fans that have made the trip to the show.

PENNINGTON'S MAP

A detailed map of how to get to Pennington's from different directions can now be found at the N&T site.

OPENING TIMES

Doors open at 10AM on Sunday 2nd June for access to Pennington's 2 for the football. Doors for the main hall open at 11:30 AM.

FRIDAY 31st MAY

Anyone planning to travel to Pennnington's early can catch 10cc playing Pennington's on Friday 31st May. The band features Graham Gouldman, Rick Fenn, Paul Burgess, Mark Wilson and Mike Stevens. Entrance is £5 only. Doors open at 9PM

Finalised Complete Line Up:
(w/ Set Starting Time - subject to change.)

Hardline 12:15 (Midnight - Closing Act)
Ten 10:20
Harem Scarem 8:25
Eric Martin Band 6:50
Jeff Scott Soto 5:15
Honeymoon Suite 3:40
Shotgun Symphony 2:15
Bailey's Comet (Featuring Tony Martin) 1:10
Pulse 12:00 (Midday - Starting Act)

The band has decided to change the title and cover artwork for their forthcoming third studio album. The album has now been renamed Cyberdreams and will be released through Z Records, no released date has been set.

After sold out-concerts in Liverpool & London in April 2002, Bonfire is looking forward to realize their headliner-shows in U.K. , The Golden Bullets-Tour 2002 in Oct. 2002. They are looking for a band, who wants support these shows.

We offer:

1.Locations: Clubs with 500 to 800 capacity
2.spot:
100% light-effects
100% sound
catering
travel with BONFIRE by nightliner
5.Tourmanagement included
3.showtime: 60 min per show for our support
4.full Promotion-package (Powerplay & Fireworks-Magazine as presentators t.b.c.)

Double-Headlining is possible and is tbc.

For more informations please contact:

Willi Wrede
P.o.M. Point of Music
Einsteinstr. 18,72555 Metzingen - Germany -
Bonfire International Management
Consulting - Publishing - Events - Marketing - Public Relation
Tel: ++49 7123 - 88 99 19 ;
Fax: ++49 7123 - 91 01 94
Mobil: ++49 171 - 99 74 647
www.pom-agency.de ; williwrede@pom-agency.de

New Jersey rockers Mystery Bloom are set to begin pre production on their new forth coming release. Nick, Bob, Dave and Ray are very enthusiastic about the new project and have this to say about it: "Lifetime In The Heart is a great album but it is only the stepping stone for what's about to come! We are looking forward to letting everyone hear our new material and to get out in front of an audience and let them experience Mystery Bloom."

The band will enter their rehearsal studio sometime next month to begin working on the new material. No title or release date has been confirmed as of yet. Stay tuned for more developments!

Official statement from Simon Abbotts (Pulse's vocalist):

You will no doubt soon discover that I (Simon Abbotts) am apparently no longer the singer with Pulse. I would like to set the record straight on both the reasons and my future plans. The origins of Pulse began when I formed a band called Borderline, I recruited Vince O’Regan on the departure of the previous guitarist and together we wrote and recorded songs until mid 1994. Without success Borderline drifted apart, however with Vince O’Regan playing with Bob Catley (Magnum, Hard Rain), the door was opened to Now & Then. Together, Vince O’Regan and I wrote numerous songs, the final eleven being chosen for the debut and self titled Pulse album for which I am very proud.
The album received very favourable reviews and many expressed in particular, an appreciation of my vocals and song writing on the album.
I have always been a professional singer and as such rely on this as a way of making a living, this I do in conjunction with Pulse. My commitment to Pulse however has always been foremost from song writing and all lyric/melody writing, right through to gigs and rehearsals etc.
Differences between Vince O’Regan and myself have been more apparent over the last six months with his desire to control the band. Vince O’Regan has taken many decisions, without any consultation with the rest of the band. His desire to force a perfectly good keyboard player (Alan Dawkins), from the band, left us having to do gigs to click tracks. However, we continued together to write songs for the new Pulse album.
I found myself in a difficult position of needing to take paid gigs away from Pulse. This sometimes caused problems in rehearsals, however I cancelled a great deal of paid work to perform and rehearse with Pulse because my desire for the band to succeed remained strong. We were due to perform at the Gods 2002 in Bradford on the 2nd June. However, I received a phone call from a member of Pulse to say that Vince O’Regan had been rehearsing with another lead singer, his intention being to play the Gods 2002 with a new lead singer. I still await a phone call from Vince O’Regan to confirm this or offer a full explanation for his actions. I find myself in a strange situation, being ousted from a band I formed, wrote all the lyrics, co-wrote all songs and a band I had no intention of leaving.
Despite being an excellent guitarist, Vince O’Regan appears intent on undermining everyone around him in his quest for personal glory. No doubt in the future changing the name of the name to “The Vince O’Regan Band”. I personally have always considered the band to be just that and any success or decisions to be shared equally. I am sure he will offer some feeble excuse in the future for his egotistical actions.
I personally will continue to perform all Pulse songs ‘live’ plus any new songs that I wrote for the new album. I am also currently writing new material and have recruited a new band to work along side me. For the immediate future, we will be called Pulse.
I will leave it to you to judge the quality of my songs against anything Vince O’Regan may attempt to do in the future.
If you wish to contact me on any matter contained herein you can do so at
Simon_Abbotts@hotmail.com

Simon Abbotts

It is now 12 years since SHY released Misspent Youth, and nearly two years since the reformed line up started work on their come back album entitled "Unfinished Business". The album is now into its final days of work and will be completed by the end of this week.

Track titles are as follows:- (the order has yet to be decided)

1] Heaven Tonight 2] No Other Way 3] Whole lot of Feeling 4] Skydiving, 5] Communicate 6] Breakaway 7] Can't Stop loving You 8] Change of Direction 9] Mary Ann 10] Storyline

"Unfinished Business" features

Lead Vocals Tony Mills
Lead Guitar Steve Harris
Bass Guitar Roy Davis
Keyboards Paddy McKenna
Drums Bob Richards (Asia and Adrian Smith (Iron Maiden).

Z Records announces the signing of an agreement with Marquee Avalon for Japan and SE Asia. The album release date has now been fully confirmed as August 23rd 2002 within Europe /USA and Japan / SE Asia.

Jim has written the major part of his album himself and it's produced by Tommy Denander who also co-wrote a couple of the songs as well as playing guitars and keyboards.

One song is written by Steve Perry (Journey) and Cliff Magness (Planet 3) and another by Billy Trudell, Bruce Watson and David Young from Public Domain plus Ricky Delin (Prisoner) has written lyrics to 3 of them.

Some of the musicians are Bobby Kimball (Toto)- backing vocals, Jason Scheff (Chicago)- bass & backing vocals, Vince DiCola (Rocky 4)- keyboards, Bruce Gaitsch (Richard Marx)- guitars, Dave Boruff (David Foster)- sax and Marcus Liliequist (Radioactive)- drums.

The album will be released in the fall through new swedish label Atenzia with the title track released as a single in Scandinavia. The style is classic AOR but with a more modern production.

Richie Kotzen – Slow
Amazing new solo album from the Mr Big / Poison guitarist / singer. Slow contains an exclusive European bonus track

Tony MacAlpine – Violent Machine
One of Tony's best albums, featuring drummer Mike Terrana and bass player Kevin Chown with all new artwork

Kelly Simonz' Blind Faith – Sign of the Times
A neoclassical masterpiece. Singer, guitarist and composer Kelly Simonz lives in Japan where he has released two very successful albums of which this is the second. Sign of the Times is a celebration of melodic neoclassical hard rock

Our four May 24 releases are:

Truth of Fiction - Truth of Fiction
A soulful melodic rock act from USA with a retro sound, imagine a mix of Living Color, early Mr Big, Bad Company, Lenny Kravitz...the band's guitarist Eric Sands was also featured on "Warmth in the Wilderness - A Tribute to Jason Becker"

Transcendence - The Meridian project
Progressive/power metal from USA. The powerful vocals of Greg Drew and sharp songwriting will give Transcendence a lot of fans with their heavy debut album.

Takara - Eternal Faith
A reissue of Takara's debut album originally released in 1992. Features singer Jeff Scott Soto at his very best. True melodic hard rock with an 80-ies feel.

Tony MacAlpine - Live Insanity
A classic live recording from the last date of Tony's 1997 US tour, recorded live in Hollywood with drummer Mike Terrana and bass player Kevin Chown.

And Lion Music' June 21 releases will be:

Kelly Simonz - Silent Scream
Japan's very own guitar hero/singer Kelly Simonz is heavily influenced by Yngwie Malmsteen but his songwriting is much more melodic and varied. Silent Scream is Kelly's debut album in a totally new version. European version contains 2 exclusive bonus tracks. The album has also been remixed for the European release.

Mystery Bloom - Lifetime in the Heart
Melodic hard rock from USA at it's best. A classic 80-ies-style hard rock album. Amazing harmony vocals and strong songwriting makes this album a true classic in this genre.

Bob Katsionis - Turn of My Century
Bob is a keyboard wizard from Greece. This album is all about instrumental virtuoso keyboard playing in the style of Derek Sherinian. Bob is also a good guitarist even though it's his powerful keyboards that dominate this heavy album. Prog/power metal

Arabesque
An amazing prog metal act from Holland with female vocals. Arabesques have a completely original sound not sounding like any other band.
Here is a request to you from the band: "On the 1st of June "the Ozzfest festival" will take place in Nijmegen,Holland. This festival is a big happening, quite meaningful for everybody here. This year great names will appear, like Mr. Ozzy Osbourne himself, Rob Zombie, Meshuggah, Ill Nino, Adema, Slayer, American Head Charge and many other... Because it is a Dutch festival the organization decided to add 5 Dutch also. So a competition took place and of course more than 200 demos were send by local bands. Together with the "Aardschok" (famous metal magazine) the jury selected 25 bands from those 210 demos that were sent. But because only 5local bands can be added to Ozzfest, it's up to the public now to vote for their favorite band to play there. Now of course we ask all you, who love aRABESQUE's music to vote for us. It would mean a lot to us, because it would give us the opportunity to announce the arrival of our full CD "The Union", which is being release very soon by Lion Music Ltd. You can make it happen! Now, this is how you do it. You go to http://www.ozzfest.nl/flash.html. On the right site you click on "LOCAL BANDS" and you will see that a list will appear with 25 local bands. All you have to do is click on "STEM" behind aRABESQUE's name (and link). We're the third in line. We are so grateful for your help."

Other coming releases include:
Bruce Gaitsch (featuring Richard Marx, John Patitucci and Bill Champlin)
James Byrd (new album)
Mattsson (new album)
Section A (Torben Enevoldsen, Derek Sherinian, Andreas Lill, Andy Engberg)
Taboo Voodoo (Mike Terrana and Cyril Achard)
Star Queen - Thorbjorn Englund (guitar) and Erik Tornberg (bass) of Winterlong with the angelic voice of Stella Tormanoff. Composed by Stella, arranged by Thorbjorn.
Iron Mask - power metal band from Belgium

we are also working on a Uli Jon Roth tribute and we can also confirm that there will be a vol II of the Jason Becker tribute "Warmth in the Wilderness" since too many good musicians who wanted to take part on vol I could not record their contributions in time and also the space we limited. Details will follow soon. More info:www.lionmusic.com

Tornado released their album "Triumph of The King" on May 6th. Here's the press blurb:" Tornado, sophisticated True Heavy Metal, with elements of Epic Power & Progressive Metal... Simply, they are Iron Maiden in a progressive metal suit, mixed with old medieval, renaissance and baroque neoclassical music! To summarize, all fans of the classic Iron Maiden, Manowar, Dio, Helloween & Gamma Ray albums definitely will love Tornado ! But if You are in progressive/neoclassical metal too, if You are a fan of Queensryche, Shadow Gallery, Symphony X or Angra, You will like much of what Tornado has to offer. Don't miss one of the mega surprises of the year !" More info:www.angular-records.com

Chavis Records have signed a couple of new acts: Sinnocence are "rad rockers hailing from one of the greatest Rock N' Roll pits in the U.S. - New Jersey. If you're a fan of hard hitting melodic rock of the 80's then Sinnocence is for you! Guitar, Guitar and more Guitar punched out with silky smooth vocals." The other band is Eric Sands Project, "a project packed full of Rock N' Roll." Eric Sands is a renowned guitarist currently endorsed by Ibanez.

Also coming from Chavis: Pharoah. Here's the story, part one: "Pharoah was a band like no other. Back in the 80's they were the band to see. Karl, Dennis, Rikk, Nelson and Scott put the fun and glam back into Rock. Having been banned in their home country by Presidential order because of lobbying and payoffs on the behalf of the local consortium of LUBRA (Local Unsigned Bands & Recording Artists). Pharoah held the masses in the palm of their hand, having the ability to draw so many people away from shows and venues, it would end up costing promoters of other shows a fortune in advertising and promotion, because when Pharoah was playing anywhere, no one would show up to any venue that Pharoah wasn't playing. Yes people, Pharoah was just that good. Pharoah were on sabbatical when a telegram showed up at lead singer Karl Derkira's house from a Mr. Hiro Yakashi, offering Pharoah an opportunity to come to Japan as a starting point for an already sold out tour of the Far East, Scandinavia, Europe and all points in between. Of course Pharoah never being hesitant of conquering new worlds, and women, eagerly took Mr. Takashi up on his invitation. Later investigations would never find a "Mr. Yakashi" connected with any talent or promotion agency in all of Japan and the "Telegram" has never been found. It was May 28th 1986..." - The story continues...

Former KISS guitarist Bruce Kulick has contributed lead guitar to the track "Sweet FA" for upcoming SWEET tribute album, to be released later this year. Appearing under the banner JK'S ALL STAR EXPERIENCE, Kulick is backed on the track by an all-Swedish cast consisting of, among others, rhythm guitarist Lars Chriss (LION'S SHARE), bassist John Levén (ex-EUROPE), vocalist Jonas Nilsson (REDNEX), and keyboardist Tommy Denander (RADIOACTIVE).

In the winter of 2000, after hearing that Rob Rock was forming a touring band in Florida to promote his new album "Rage of Creation", Rick Renstrom decided to learn the guitar parts on the whole album and invited Rock over to hear him play. Rock was so impressed with Rick Renstrom that he was immediately recruited to join Rock and his new band to tour Europe in March of 2001.

Rick Renstrom was tremendously well received by Rock's fans and critics alike as Europe was introduced to a brand new guitar virtuoso. Rick Renstom is a unique and amazing talent because despite an unusual birth defect with his arms, he has overcome all odds and has persevered to become one of the finest guitar players in the world today. The jaw-dropping technical proficiency of Rick's mind-blowing artistry is truly a visual and sonic display of sheer genius and natural God-given talent. The unmatched praises and honor that Rick has received from the "Rage of Creation" tour is an important accomplishment for Rick Renstrom because Rob Rock is well known for playing with the some of the greatest guitarists in the world, namely Tony MacAlpine, Roy Z, Jake E. Lee, Chris Impellitteri, Axel Rudi Pell, and Joe Floyd. As Rob Rock has confirmed, "This is only the beginning of an incredible journey for this newly discovered prodigy".

Rock and Renstrom are now teaming up to show the world Rick's guitar prowess by producing a solo album for Rick Renstrom which will include both fret-burning instrumentals as well as blistering vocal compositions. This album will be recorded for Mascot Records which has the foresight and vision to realize that Rick Renstrom is the strongest and brightest guitar hero for the new millennium

Rick will have several well known guest-players on his album such as Mike Terrana (Rage/Yngwie) , Mat Sinner (Primal Fear/Sinner), Ferdy Doernberg (Rough Silk/A.R. Pell), Rob Rock (Warrior/Rob Rock), Wade Black (Seven Witches/Crimson Glory), Tobias Sammett (Edguy) and others. The album will be half vocal and half instrumental and is expected to be released in the fall of 2002.
More info: www.mascot-provogue.com

Dream Theater and Joe Satriani will co-headline a US Summer tour throughout August/September with very special guest King's X.

Joe will close the show all shows west of the Mississippi, and Dream Theater will close the show all shows east of the Mississippi.

Dream Theater have also an extensive European tour lined up for next summer. See "tourdates" for details. Meanwhile, DT members have been busy writing liner notes: Mike Portnoy has written the liner notes for the Japanese version of new RUSH album, and Jordan Rudess has done the same for the reissue of SPEEDWAY BOULEVARD'S 1980 release, his first recording band.

Urban Tale have been chosen to take part in "United" charity album for the 9/11 tragedy in New York. The project also features John Norum (Europe), Marty Friedman (Megadeth), Fergie Frederiksen (Toto), Paul Gilbert (Mr. Big), Steve Lukather (Toto), Brian May (Queen), Bonnie Tyler, Tesla, David Foster, Randy Goodrum, Night Ranger,and a ensamble called the Swedish All Stars. The UT song on the cd will be a live version (recorded 17/9/2001 at the Arabia Hall) of “Hold On”, the bonus track on the Japanese version of their debut album. The cd will be marketed worldwide, and the European distributor will be Frontiers/Now And Then. All of the artist and label royalties of the cd will go to the tragedy relief fund.

The next Urban Tale is already in the works, the pre-production is set for July and the band are likely to enter RoastingHouse studios in Malmö, Sweden on the 19th of August. Anders “Theo” Theander will be the producer again.

20 songs have been written and what you can expect is "a little expansion to all musical directions, more dynamics and more variety, within the UT sound of course". The album should be ready in early October. Song titles that are much likely set to appear include: "Starship Of Giants", "Open Your Heart", "Hello Light" and "Today I´ll Change My Life".

Urban Tale made their first appearance in Turku, Finland on 27th of April. AOR-Europe.com was there, a report will be online next week! According to the band "there´s more shows to follow soon in Helsinki and Tampere. Also, our Swedish friends might be happy to know that we´ve been invited to play in Stockholm´s Anchor Club and if everything goes well we could do some other cities as well!"