Mr Big today announced today that drummer Pat Torpey's fill-in for the band's upcoming World Tour will be Matt Starr. Matt is currently Ace Frehley's drummer and will sit in for Torpey (who was recently diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease) throughout MR BIG's tour in support of their latest album, "...The Stories We Could Tell".
The release for Mr. Big's highly anticipated new album, ...The Stories We Could Tell, has been moved from September 22nd to September 29th in the UK, and from September 23rd to September 30th in North America via Frontiers Music Srl.
"The new album rocks,' says Paul Gilbert. 'I love playing guitar, singing, and writing with Eric, Billy, and Pat. And after 25 years, I'm proud that we can make an album that is melodic, powerful, interesting, groovy, and emotional."
The original line-up comprised of Eric Martin (vocals), Paul Gilbert (guitar), Billy Sheehan (bass) and Pat Torpey (drums), are back with some of their most powerful material to date. The new album is the follow-up to the 2011 release 'What If,' that marked the band's return to their signature hard rock sound.
The new album is available for pre-order via Amazon. Mr. Big kick off their European tour on Friday October 17th at London's Koko. Visit the official Mr. Big website for full 2014 tour dates.
NEWMAN TO RELEASE RE-RECORDED FIRST ALBUM AS A LIMITED EDITION
Since the first album was released in 1997, Newman have established themselves as one of the leading UK melodic rock artists over the last 17 years. Signing to Escape Music in 1998, they subsequently released albums "One Step Closer", "Dance In The Fire", "Sign of The Modern Times" and "Heaven Knows" to great acclaim. Moving from Escape Music in 2007 Steve Newman created his own label Chrome Dome and produced another 3 albums, "Primitive Soul", "Decade", and in 2010, the well-received "The Art Of Balance". After successfully rejuvenating the live band and playing shows in the UK including Cambridge Rock and the Firefest Festival, the album "Under Southern Skies" was released through AOR Heaven in 2011. Further live dates ensued both in the UK, Europe, and the US. In 2013 "Siren" was released to a great response, many stating this as one of the best Newman albums to date.
So, here we are today, 2014, and the completion of an idea that has been driven by you, the fans, because of all your support and belief in Newman over the years. The re-recording of the first Newman album offers the chance, not only to complete that collection, but to listen to these songs re-recorded, mastered with new technology, and added bonus tracks that were written at the time of the original sessions.
Newman 2014 will be available strictly as a limited edition release exclusively from www.newmansound.comand all Newman live shows in 2014
As well as the 10 original tracks, the album also features 4 bonus tracks:
1. If It's Love
2. A Million Men
3. Say You Believe
4. What Does It Take
5. Faith
6. Let Your Heart Rule
7. When I Wake Up
8. That Kind Of Girl
9. I Know You
10. Tears Are Not Enough
11. Backdoor Man (originally bonus track for Japan)
12. Crush On You (unreleased)
13. Love By Design (unreleased)
14. Stand Up (unreleased)
The album will be available to pre-order from 8th September 2014 at www.newmansound.com
"I've been extremely lucky to have had the chance to release so many albums over the years, and work with some great artists, little did I know it would come to this when I was recording the first album. I actually said to myself at the time, if this is the only album I record then I will be proud of my achievement. So I can look back now, 11 albums later, and be truly humbled by all the fans I have around the world that support and believe in my music. Over the years I have had so many requests to re-release or re-record the first album, so finally, here it is !!."
"I certainly had great fun recording this again, as I did the first time, and it brought back so many memories of those times up at Universal Sound in London. I hope that if you were fortunate enough to purchase the original album then this is a good trip down memory lane or , if you are listening to these songs for the first time, they will create some great future memories. In any respect, thank you for listening, sharing, and being a part of this journey." Steve Newman
Catch Newman live with Vega across the UK in November:
1st November - Nottingham, UK - Rescue Rooms
25 Goldsmith Street Nottingham NG1 5LB -- 0845 413 4444
FIREWORKS #65 arrives a little earlier than expected with an exclusive cover story on the new Mr Big album and a few stories they could tell us. Elsewhere Accept tell us about their wonderfully melodic new album 'Blind Rage', Extreme chat to us on their recent UK tour performing Pornograffitti in full, Ted Nugent tells it like only Ted can, Work of Art put us in the frame with their new album ' and so much more, with Skid Row, Threshold, Theory of a Deadman, Bernie Marsden, Hammerfall, Mike Tramp, Unisonic, AOR, Kix, Paul Gilbert, Helix and many up and coming new bands in the scene.
Also our usual in-depth CD reviews across 14 pages and a live section that this issue covers Sweden Rock and Download up close and personal.
100 pages of the best melodic hard rock you can find, all for the amazingly low price of '4.99. Now also available all across Canada (see the Fireworks Facebook page for details https://www.facebook.com/FireworksMagazine?ref=hl.
QUEENSRYCHE STARRING GEOFF TATE TO AUCTION OFF
QUEENSRYCHE STAGE BACKDROP FEATURED ON SEVERAL TOURS
WITH PROCEEDS GOING TO DEVOUT FAN, BRYAN STOW
GEOFF TATE TO ALSO DONATE PROCEEDS OF SONG,
"FACING MY DEMONS," TO STOW, WHO CONTINUES TO MAKE
PROGRESS AFTER BEATING AT DODGER STADIUM IN 2011
On opening day of the baseball season in 2011, San Francisco Giants fan Bryan Stow was beaten in the parking lot of Dodger Stadium by two individuals, who are currently serving a sentence for their actions.
Stow, a proud father of two and a paramedic, sustained severe injuries to his brain and was placed into a medically-induced coma after the incident.
It would be months before he would go outside and, ultimately, more than two years before he would go home.
Shortly after the occurrance, while Stow was in the hospital, Queensryche became aware that he was one of their biggest fans, sporting a sizeable tattoo of the Queensryche logo on his left arm.
At the request of a friend, the band made a surprise visit to Bryan in the hospital that September, which ended up being an experience that both will never forget.
"We were incredibly inspired by his love for life, his love for his family and his love for our music," states original Queensryche lead singer, Geoff Tate.
With a week remaining in their Farewell tour, Geoff's version of Queensryche (which will continue on as Operation: Mindcrime after the tour ends) will be auctioning off the Queensryche stage backdrop that has been featured on several tours. "It's truly a special part of our musical history and we'd like to raise some much-needed funds for Bryan so he can continue his progress."
The auction will begin at 3:00pm PDT on Sunday, August 31, the day after the very last performance of Queensryche Starring Geoff Tate - The Farewell Tour, and will end at 3:00pm PDT the following Sunday, September 7, 2014. "We're honored and thankful to have fans like Bryan in our life and would like to present him with a check just prior to Thanksgiving. Every little bit helps at this point and we hope to continue our efforts for Bryan and his family down the road."
In addition to the money raised from the auction of the backdrop, Geoff will, personally, be donating his proceeds from a song titled, "Facing My Demons," that he sings with The Voodoos, who are currently out on tour with him. The song can be downloaded at https://itunes.apple.com/ie/album/facing-my-demons-single/id788709857.
Earlier this month, Bryan came out for the Queensryche Starring Geoff Tate performance in Morgan Hill, California and, more recently, made a clubhouse visit with his son to the San Francisco Giants clubhouse on Sunday, August 17, where he was guided by longtime third base coach Tim Flannery and Giants relief pitcher Jeremy Affeldt.
Flannery, a musician himself, has performed a series of Northern California concerts over the past three years to raise money for Bryan, and plans to continue his efforts as well.
To all music fans... to all sports fans... to all those who just want to do some good...
Danger Angel are absolutely excited to announce that Brazilian powerhouse vocalist BJ is the new singer of the band. BJ comes as a perfect fit in the band’s evolution plan and we are all thrilled to welcome him to the family!
Moreover, Danger Angel release an all new song and video to introduce BJ to the fans and let the world take a first look at the band’s new lineup.
This new song, titled “Will You Follow”, was been prepared along with the rest of the new album’s songs but was expedited to be ready in time for BJ’s official presentation.
Danger Angel are in the process of recording the songs for a new album to be completed later in the year and BJ has already started recording vocal parts for the album, details of which will be let known in the weeks to follow.
BJ is the new singer of DANGER ANGEL but his career includes so much more. He is the singer for the Brazilian hard rock band Tempestt with whom he has recorded an album and has toured extensively, he is a constant member for the Jeff Scott Soto band, acting as guitarist, keyboardist and back vocalist and also a member of the new Jeff Scott Soto project, SOTO. He is an active member of the Brazilian musical scene, touring and performing with several projects while he is also a vocal teacher and he is hosting vocal, guitar and bass workshops all over Brazil.
BJ started his musical career at the age of 17 singing for local bands like Henceforth and Skyscraper. He recorded his first album with the band The Pills at 18 and had his debut appearance on Brazilian MTV. In 2008, he released “Bring ‘Em On” with Tempestt followed by a world tour. He recorded and released his first solo album “Acoustic Heroes” in 2013, as a tribute to his influences. In 2014 he performed in the Sweden Rock Festival as a member of the Talisman band (reunion), playing the keyboards and singing backing vocals. He has been highlighted by media such as glorydazemusic.com and melodicrock.com as “The great promise of Hard Rock”.
He draws influence from artists like Glenn Hughes, Steve Perry, David Coverdale, Kip Winger, Jeff Scott Soto, Jimi Jamison, Jon Bon Jovi, Steve Lee, James Brown, Stevie Wonder, Phil Collins, George Benson, Sting, Brian Adams among others.
He has shared the stage with renowned artists such as Jeff Scott Soto, Billy Sherwood, Jimi Jamison, Eric Martin, Marcel Jacob, Kip Winger, Joe Lynn Turner, Tim Ripper Owens, Billy Sheehan, Steve Morse.
It was 2009 when Danger Angel grabbed the hard rock scene by the balls and didn’t let go ever since! Released their first, self-titled, album in 2010, receiving great reviews followed by the critics favorite and Jeff Scott Soto produced, “Revolutia” in 2013 followed by a highly popular European Tour. “Revolutia” also gave birth to two official videos, “When I’m Gone” and “Not An Angel”.
Danger Angel are now recording their 3rd album along with their new, exciting singer BJ.
BILLY IDOL WILL RELEASE NEW STUDIO ALBUM ‘KINGS & QUEENS OF THE UNDERGROUND’ ON OCTOBER 21
FIRST SINGLE “CAN’T BREAK ME DOWN” IS AVAILABLE NOW
WITH iTUNES PRE-ORDER--AND IS STREAMING ON THE
NEW BILLYIDOL.NET
Rock icon BILLY IDOL will release KINGS & QUEENS OF THE UNDERGROUND, his first new album in almost a decade, on October 21. The album will be released on IDOL's own BFI Records, via Kobalt Label Services. The track list for the new album is listed below.
KINGS & QUEENS OF THE UNDERGROUNDwas primarily produced by Trevor Horn, with Greg Kurstin also contributing as a producer to two songs, including the anthemic lead single, “Can’t Break Me Down.” The single is now streaming at the new BillyIdol.net and will be delivered instantly to fans that pre-order the new album beginning today on iTunes. The iTunes edition of the album will also exclusively include “Hollywood Promises,” a new song recorded during the album sessions. Fans can also pre-order the CD on Amazon.com beginning today.
The artwork for KINGS & QUEENS OF THE UNDERGROUND (seen above) was designed by street artist and graphic designer Shepard Fairey.
The album will arrive close to the release of BILLY IDOL’s highly anticipated self-written autobiography, DANCING WITH MYSELF, which as previously announced will be released worldwide the week ofOctober 7.
IDOL and his band, including longtime collaborator and guitarist Steve Stevens, will launch a European Tour in November, the first of several legs of a World Tour that will continue into 2015.
BILLY IDOL 2014 EUROPEAN TOUR DATES (more to be announced)
Nov 05
Birmingham, UK
O2 Academy
Nov 09
London, UK
Eventim Apollo Hammersmith
Nov 10
Manchester, UK
O2 Apollo
Nov 12
Stuttgart, DE
Porsche Arena
Nov 13
Frankfurt, DE
Jahrhunderthalle
Nov 16
Amsterdam, NL
Heineken Music Hall
Nov 18
Dusseldorf, DE
Mitsubishi Electric Halle
Nov 19
Brussels, BE
Royal Circus
Nov 21
Nuremberg, DE
Arena
Nov 22
Lucerne, CH
Messe Lucerne
Nov 23
Milan, IT
Fabrique
About BILLY IDOL:
From punk pioneer to global superstar, William Michael Albert Broad, aka BILLY IDOL, has left an indelible mark in popular music and remained a household name for over three decades. His style, music, and attitude have transcended time and trend. Born in 1955 in Stanmore, North London, IDOL spent several formative years living on Long Island, NY as a child before returning to the UK and emerging as a central figure of the British punk movement. As part of the infamous Bromley Contingent and a fan of the Sex Pistols, IDOL was inspired to front the pioneering British punk band Generation X from 1976 until the band’s split in 1981. Determined to break through in America, IDOL hooked up with guitar genius Steve Stevens and a crucial musical partnership was forged. IDOL created some of rock’s most enduring anthems including “White Wedding,” “Dancing With Myself,” “Flesh For Fantasy,” “Hot In the City,” “Eyes Without A Face,” “Rebel Yell,” and “Cradle of Love,” among others. BILLY IDOL is the original punk rocker who found a way to take that sneering punk attitude into the pop and rock mainstream, carving out songs that have lasted a lifetime.
There’s a newcomer to the British melodic rock scene that shows so much promise that the new band might just find themselves featured on many Best Of 2014 lists.
IN FAITH will release their debut album via Rocktopia Records at Firefest in October of course!
The band features guitarist Tony Marshall (Contagious, Vaughn), drummer Pete Newdeck (Tainted Nation, Eden’s Curse) and vocalist Pete Godfrey.
The sound? Think classic Harem Scarem (the debut especially), throw in some Tyketto, H.E.A.T and some more Harem Scarem and you’ll get a good idea of what’s going on here.
I’m had a few listens to the whole album and there’s a few tracks there that are definitely going to figure in the 2014 MelRock Awards.
Does It Feel Like Love and If That’s What Love Means are two sure fire monster AOR tracks and then there’s also Million Ways, Addicted and In Flames.
There are rockers too of course – the high energy Danger Danger style of Church Of Rock N Roll and wonderfully moody Bitter End.
It’s a big traditional old-school British AOR albums folks…mark it down on your calendars for October.
Back in the late 80’s/early 90’s, when Rock was King, Pete Godfrey and Tony Marshall were both involved in various Manchester Rock Bands. It was inevitable that one way or another, their paths would at some point cross. Tony Marshall’s name was mentioned when Pete was attempting to put together a Rock band around 1991; they met up in a rehearsal room somewhere in Eccles, threw a few ideas around but nothing permanent came of this first meeting.
About six years late, Pete was playing lead guitar in a local band and needed to bow out. Tony was the obvious choice so they met up with the intention of working through twenty songs, the truth being Tony listened to about three and said he would be fine with the rest (and he was!).
Fast forward through various bands including Contagious, Vaughn and more, Tony Marshall was now married with a young child and apart from being heavily involved with the annual Firefest shows, had pretty much retired from the “Rock Scene”. Pete Godfrey had been writing pop tracks for a couple of years after 15 years away from the industry, enjoying a little success but it wasn’t satisfying from an artistic point of view. He decided to spend a few months writing what he “felt” instead of what he “thought” and came up with 6 or 7 demos that were definitely rock-based. Pete approached Tony who listened to the tracks but to be honest, wasn't massively impressed with the style. The two decided to meet up to see if they could write together. The ideas flowed but it took time to get up to speed with the advances in recording capabilities.
However, it became apparent pretty early on that the material was strong and what was originally intended to be a song-writing partnership quickly gathered momentum and a direction which was crying out for a band situation. To improve the tracks, Tony asked Pete Newdeck — who at the time was still the drummer with Edens Curse as well as fronting his own band Tainted Nation — to help with the drum programming. As an unexpected bonus, Pete Newdeck was also mixing songs in his own studio for his and other artists’ material, so, obviously the honourable thing to do was to ask him to mix a few of Tony and Petes’ songs, as it would have been rude not to!
Pete loved the songs and pretty quickly was drafted in as the third member of the as yet unnamed outfit.
In August 2013, during a conversation with Firefest’s Kieran Dargan, the suggestion was made that Tony and the two Petes write a track for use as the Anthem for Firefest X. ‘Church of Rock an’ Roll’ was that track and it was about this time that the boys decided to name the band IN FAITH
Over the next several months, songs were written, rewritten, tweaked and improved until they were deemed ready to be presented as demos to a select group of trusted friends now known as “the Jury”. The comments were pretty much phenomenal across the board, with some very positive critique offered which was taken onboard.
Once the decision was made to give “the project” a name, the push was on to complete an album. Favours were called in from several friends including Chris Green of Rubicon Cross plays a solo on ‘Addicted’,
Furyons Pat Heath adds his considerable talents to ‘Radio’ and ‘Learn to Fly’, and Brooke St James of Tyketto contributed a guitar solo to the track ‘Where I Wanna Be’.
In Faith’s debut album ‘There’s A Storm Coming’ was engineered and mixed by Pete Newdeck and co-produced by Pete Newdeck and Tony Marshall. Described by the UK’s FIREWORKS magazine as being “the best British melodic rock debut in almost twenty years”, we believe the album has been well worth all the hard work over the past two years.
Vocalist Michael Sweet (Stryper) and guitarist George Lynch (Dokken, Lynch Mob) have teamed up for SWEET/LYNCH, an album designed by Frontiers Records CEO Serafino, which is due for release early in 2015.
I’ve been fortunate enough to preview 4 tracks from the upcoming album and can’t speak highly enough of the tracks!
Both Lynch and Sweet impress the hell out of me on these tracks and the backing band of James Lomenzo (Megadeth, White Lion, Black Label Society) and drummer Brian Tichy (S.U.N., Whitesnake) means that if these four tracks are anything to go by, all the songs written for this album are going to be hammered home by this ultra-powerful rhythm section.
Sweet just sounds extraordinarily good on these songs. And Lynch is shredding and riffing like a man possessed. This is something big to look forward to.
Briefly – the four tracks I have heard are:
The Wish – A brilliant, rousing hard rocker with a thumping beat and an instant guitar riff, and a melodic vocal driven chorus that isn’t huge, but is immediately stored in the memory bank for endless repeating in your head later. And Lynch gets to display the best of his guitar work during a decent length solo.
Like A Dying Rose – An even better chorus on this one. The beat isn’t as intense or as fast as The Wish, but the chorus is huge and delivers a sound mix of everything that made Dokken and Stryper Platinum sellers. A big big vocal!
Love Stays – A slow, groove orientated ballad with a direct, impactful chorus and some classy guitar playing throughout.
Time Will Tell – Less intense than the other tracks, but more uptempo, adding good variety to the 4 tracks previewed. Another strong, harmony filled chorus and some choppy riffing.
Singer Ralph Morman died peacefully Sunday, August 17th, following an extended illness in Ashland, Kentucky.
He is best known as lead vocalist for the Joe Perry Project from 1979 through 1980. The Project was formed shortly before Joe Perry left Aerosmith. They immediately signed a record deal with CBS Records and released their debut album "Let The Music Do The Talking", produced by legendary producer Jack Douglas. The group toured extensively in the USA and the album peaked at #47 on Billboard selling over 250,000 copies.
After the Joe Perry Project, joined the English Blues Rock band Savoy Brown featuring guitarist Kim Simmonds. He recorded two albums with them. The first was 1981's "Rock 'N Roll Warriors" which included the single "Run To Me" and became the band's highest-charting single in the USA.
The band performed several major arena shows in the USA alongside Judas Priest. The second album was "Greatest Hits-Live In Concert" released in 1982. Between 1972-1974 Ralph was in the band BUX which included future ANGEL members Punky Meadows and Mickie Jones as well as drummer Rocky Isaac (ex-Jimi Hendrix). Their album "We Come To Play" was released in 1976 (two years after they disbanded) on Capitol Records and was produced by Jack Douglas. His first "professional band" was The Outcasts who released the single "Loving You Sometimes" on Plato Records. Ralph Morman went on hiatus from the music industry for almost 25 years, but announced he was working on a solo project in 2011. Some recordings were made and may be released in the future.
He leaves behind his wife, 4 sons, 1 daughter, and 5 grand-children.
AOR Heaven’s October 24 releases from BULLETRAIN and ANGELS OR KINGS have been announced, with the details as follows:
If ever there was an eighties group of totally obscure proportions, then A.O.K fitted that bill perfectly. Founded in Manchester, England in 1988, they were made up of ex members of Sam Thunder, Circus and Strutz, to name a few, and tore it up on Oxford Road - Manchester’s answer to Sunset Strip – playing the Banshee and Rockworld and as opener in larger venues for Dare and Danger Danger. Their history is well documented in Tony Bell’s excellent book “Life In The Bus Lane”.
In the late eighties, early nineties they stood shoulder to shoulder with a plethora of unsigned acts, ultimately doomed to a life of obscurity.
A slew of promising demos quickly followed. Setting up camp in Shabby Road studios, the journey towards their debut album began in earnest. With the basics intact, and with original Drummer, Andy Chemmey, along for the ride, they moved to Mad Hat studios (Magnum) and under the guidance of Sheena Sear and Mark Stuart, they put the finishing touches to “The Kings Of Nowhere”.
They are the people’s band – winning a fan voted appearance at this year’s final Firefest proved that – and they deserve your utmost attention. They were stripped down to a final 10 who were then played on the Steve Price radio show. A final three made it through to a final. A.O.K. won, achieving over 3,500 votes. They have also just been added to Hard Rock Hell festival in March 2015 which is being headlined by Night Ranger.
It’s a little over twenty years since they called it a day, but these kings of nowhere are here to stay this time. They’ve loved and lost along the way but that’s just put some grit under their fingernails, enabling them to provide an album that is both honest and real. This is British songwriting at its absolute best!
Bulletrain was founded back in 2006 by guitarist Mattias Persson and drummer Jonas Tillheden in the suburbs of Helsingborg, Sweden. Led by their dreams they found like-minded people with singer Robert Lindell, bassist Tim Svalö and guitarist Adam Börvall who later was replaced by the guitarist Robin Bengtsson. Bulletrain released their first EP "Johnny Gonebad" on their own in 2007. The record was produced by Klas Ideberg, the guitarist of the Swedish thrash metal band Darkane. "Johnny Gonebad" was well received and the band expanded its fan base by playing along with bands such as Crashdïet, Bullet and Crazy Lixx.
Dedicated to achieve their dreams Bulletrain entered the studio again to record their second EP; this time again with Klas Ideberg behind the mixing board. "Turn It Up!" was the result and the album was released in the early autumn of 2009. "Turn It Up!" gave the group plenty of speed and gigs followed one another. Influential webzine SleazeRoxx.com gave the album a big thumb up. In 2010, having made it through their first real setback due to Tim Svalö’s departure with the replacement by Emil Lundberg Bulletrain, the year began with playing at the Rest In Sleaze festival in Stockholm. A one-day festival in memory of the late singer of CrashDïet, Dave Lepard. This was a great honor for the group since Dave Lepard was a great inspiration to everyone in the band.
That show gave many ripples including a tour in Italy in the autumn of the same year and a very encouraging email by the "godfather" of Swedish sleaze, Chris Laney. Chris had heard of the group and as he is a Helsingborg native, he wanted to take the band under his wings and offered to produce their debut single. Of course the band accepted his offer and they recorded the single "Even with my eyes closed" with the b-side "Take me to the sun" in "Polar Studios" in Stockholm, July 2010.
Bass player on the recordings was Nalle Påhlsson from the Swedish band Therion since Emil Lundberg sadly chose to leave the group the day before departure to Stockholm. The single "Even with my eyes closed" caught the interest of Georg Siegl at the record company AOR Heaven who offered to sign the group and release its debut album which also was supposed to be produced by Chris Laney. Several years out of hard work finally started to pay off. Just when the band was about to sign the record contract and have had a dream to come true, singer Robet Lindell chose to leave the band. There and then they tumbled at the finish line. The record deal was lost and the album recording never happened. A few tough years came for the group and for a short time, they had the talented Mike Palace from Stockholm as frontman. Unfortunately, the distance that they had, had them to end the collaboration.
Bulletrain began to work with their debut album which they decided to produce themselves. Meanwhile they recorded they were looking for a singer and finally found him in the Växjö native Sebastian Sundberg. In June 2013, the band played their first gig in over a year which also was the debut gig with Sebastian. The venue was The Tivoli in Helsingborg which the group sees like home. That night Niklas Månsson did his first show as the new bass player in Bulletrain.
In December 2013 the band went to Stockholm to record the voclas for their debut with the producer duo RamPac, who have produced CrashDïets "Generation Wild" and worked with Mötley Crüe's Mick Mars among others. The result was better than what they hoped for and was also a start for a collaboration. The album was ready to be mixed by Buster Odeholm from the extreme metal band "Humanity's Last Breath". In the summer of 2014 Georg Siegl at AOR Heaven decided to give the group a second chance and offered to release their debut album, "Start Talking".
MelodicRock Records is excited to unveil yet another great new talent from the melodic rock friendly territory of Spain!
The female fronted melodic rock band Xtasy will release their debut album “Revolution” via MRR worldwide (CD and digital) on October 20.
Xtasy was born in 2011 as a Studio Project between Jorge (guitar) and Silvia (vocals). Both started to work together on several songs which were recorded between Dec 2011 and Dec 2013 in R81 Studios in Noain-Pamplona.
Some additional friends participated in the recording sessions as guests:
Jon Huarte (Dreamwalker) and Josu Alzu (Six Miles Wide) on drums; Manolo Arias (Atlas, Niágara), Robert Rodrigo (Airless), Willy Gascón (Steelhorse), David Morales (Zinc), Roberto Martínez (Blackbeltz, Taxikarlo) and Ángel García (Meridiam) as lead guitar.
In late December of 2013 Xtasy becomes a real band, leaving the studio project behind. The band is rounded out with Ángel (guitar), David (bass), Tutumba (drums) and Jakin (keyboards).
During January and February of 2014 the songs of their forthcoming album are mixed and mastered in Stockholm by Erik Martensson (W.E.T, Eclipse) at “Blowout Studios”.
Track listing: 01. Stronger 02. Revolution 03. Million Miles Away 04. All For One 05. Scream 06. It Is You 07. Rebel Rider 08. Many Years 09. Rocking The World 10. Bye Bye
You can preview two full tracks from the album now!
The video for the lead single “Stronger” and a Soundcloud stream of the album cut “All For One”:
Veteran Rock vocalist Joe Cerisano joins prog-rockers The Wizards of Winter for upcoming tour.
The Wizards of Winter are excited to announce that acclaimed singer Joe Cerisano will be joining the group as a special guest vocalist for their upcoming tour. Cerisano, a former vocalist with Trans-Siberian Orchestra, joins fellow TSO alum Guy LeMonnier and Tony Gaynor as the group's special guests in concert.
Joe Cerisano is often referred to as "The most famous anonymous singer in America" because of his many years as a successful session vocalist and working in television and radio commercials. In addition to those countless sessions, Cerisano sang lead on two Billboard hits from the 1980s: The 1986 theme for the mega-event "Hands Across America" and the Top 40 smash "You Could Take My Heart Away" by his band with guitarist Earl Slick, Silver Condor. Over the years, Cerisano has also sung lead for Blue Oyster Cult and back-up for artists as diverse as Michael Bolton and Korn. In 2000, as the Trans-Siberian Orchestra began their second year of live concerts by splitting into two touring companies, Joe got the call to be one of their featured lead vocalists, performing on their first four tours and recording "Dream Child" for their "Christmas Attic" album.
Says Cerisano, “I am thrilled to be heading out on tour with The Wizards of Winter this fall. I enjoyed my years of touring with the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, and I am happy to be singing some of the songs I did with them originally. Performing with TSO was a wonderful experience but it got to the point where I missed being home during the holidays with my wife and our two little boys. To leave was a decision that I've never regretted. So here we are a decade later and I have the chance to go out and sing again but be close to home too. It's the perfect combination for me to sing the songs I love and still be home during the holidays. I've always loved Christmas and truly believe it is a magical time of the year and there's no better way for me to share it with all my friends. The Wizards are a great band and wonderful people as well. Though they include some of TSO’s classics in their concerts, their original material stands on its own and their whole experience takes me back to the more intimate days of touring with TSO in packed theaters.”
The Wizards of Winter, led by musical director and keyboardist Scott Kelly, will be touring eastern United States this fall in support of their forthcoming new studio album. The self-titled album features artwork by legendary cover artist Ioannis and includes the first single from this album, the instrumental hit "March Of The Metal Soldiers", which was released in May. Says Kelly, “The Wizards are very excited that Joe accepted our offer to tour this year. He brings an enormous breadth of experience to the role. In addition to being an all around nice guy, his performance of the music is both powerful and uplifting. Personally, I can't wait to share the stage with him.”
Norwegian/American Hard Rock band TNT is finally unleashing this unique document of their 3 decade career to their world-wide audience! This is a band that inspired and spawned the entire Norwegian heavy metal scene, and are the legends behind songs like “Seven Seas”, “Intuition” and “10.000 Lovers (In One)”.
Backed by Trondheim Symphony Orchestra and with appearance by legends like Hank Von Helvete, Dee Snider, Dag Ingebrigtsen and Tony Mills. This is truly a must have for any rock fan who like to know their rock history!
30th Anniversary 1982-2012 Live In Concert will be out September 8th in Norway September 29th in EU and October 3rd in GAS.
The following three new Rock Candy titles are all available now from www.rockcandyrecords.com for a discounted price including postage to anywhere in the world for the next two weeks ending on 7th September.
KROKUS 'HEADHUNTER' CANDY250
'AT THIS POINT in their career Krokus were riding high, selling impressive quantities of records and playing numerous live gigs all over the world. With their profile higher than ever, the band were quickly ushered back into the studio to tape their seventh album, a record that would be their most successful to date and provide them with not only a gold record but their highest chart placing in the US. 'Headhunter', then, is generally regarded as their most significant record.
Originally issued in 1983 and recorded in Orlando, Florida the project was overseen by renowned British producer 'Colonel' Tom Allom (Black Sabbath, Judas Priest, Def Leppard) and it also introduced new drummer Steve Pace. There are also some surprising guest appearances on hand by Judas Priest front man Rob Halford and Survivor vocalist Jimi Jamison.
Meticulously assembled, the album focuses on their core sound, carefully avoiding any clich'd elements that may have permeated previous recordings, giving rise to a new streamlined sound fit for the times and throbbing with energy and excitement. Songs such as 'Eat The Rich', 'Screaming In The night' and the title track stand out from the pack benefitting from a clear cut sense of purpose. Oh, look out for a hell-raising cover of Bachman-Turner Overdrive's classic 'Stayed Awake All Night'.'
Special Deluxe Collector's Edition, fully remastered sound shaped from 24 BIT digital technology, 16 page full colour booklet, new interview, 3,500 word essay, enhanced artwork and rare photos.
TRACK LISTING: 1. HEADHUNTER 2. EAT THE RICH 3. SCREAMING IN THE NIGHT 4. READY TO BURN 5. NIGHT WOLF 6. STAYED AWAKE ALL NIGHT 7. STAND AND BE COUNTED 8. WHITE DIN 9. RUSSIAN WINTER
KROKUS 'THE BLITZ' CANDY251
'RIDING HIGH ON a wave of creative and commercial success, Swiss rockers Krokus had the world at their feet. In just four short years the band had risen from obscurity in Europe to become major players on the world's stages, particularly in the USA, where their previous album 'Headhunter' sold a million copies and lodged itself at number twenty five on the album chart.
So at this point in their career all eyes were on the band, expecting them to continue their upward trajectory but internally all was not as it should've been. The band's constant touring and recording cycle was proving too much for founding member and bassist Chris von Rohr who opted to leave the band, forcing line up changes with guitarist Mark Kohler switching to bass and the recruitment of new drummer Jeff Klaven (ex Cobra).
The importance of the band's high ranking status was underscored by the appointment of producer Bruce Fairbairn (flanked by engineers Bob Rock and Mike Fraser) a man who had guided the recording career of Canadian rockers Loverboy to platinum heights, and who would later find huge success with Bon Jovi and AC/DC. Fairbairn's ear for commerciality took the band in a new streamline, but still hard rock direction, one highlighted by electrifying tracks such as 'Midnite Maniac', 'Boys Night Out' (written by Bryan Adams) and a tub thumping cover of the Sweet's 'Ballroom Blitz'.'
Special Deluxe Collector's Edition, fully remastered sound shaped from 24 BIT digital technology, 16 page full colour booklet, new interview, 3,500 word essay, enhanced artwork and rare photos.
TRACK LISTING: 1. MIDNITE MANIAC 2. OUT OF CONTROL 3. BOYS NITE OUT 4. OUR LOVE 5. OUT TO LUNCH 6. BALLROOM BLITZ 7. ROCK THE NATION 8. HOT STUFF 9. READY TO ROCK
SCANDAL 'WARRIOR' CANDY 224
'THIS IS THE story of a very successful chart storming band, but it's also the tale of a band in disarray. Scandal's debut album won massive acceptance from the American mainstream quickly elevating them to pop star status, a position enhanced by the allure of vocalist Patty Smyth and her smokey voice. Behind the scenes however the pressure was enormous, with record company interference; inter-band discourse and creative tensions aplenty.
Based in New York, the band was a well honed combo of respected players all with a story to tell and a point to make. Guitarist Zack Smith was the perfect foil for Patty, lending a winning call and response buff to the tracks and helping to drive the album to platinum sales and beyond. Lead off track and first single, 'The Warrior' (written by Nick Gilder and Holy Knight) was a top ten hit, helping to define the band's style and potential reach.
Despite the behind the scenes difficulties 'Warrior' triumphed as a resolutely consummate work, neatly honing in on the radio-friendly melodic hard rock style that was gaining traction at radio and MTV. Brilliantly produced by Mike Chapman, a man famed for working with such talent as the Sweet, Blondie and Lita Ford, the record bristles with energy and excitement. Oh, listen out to 'Only The Young' a rare track written and recorded, but unreleased at the time, by Journey for their 'Frontiers' album.'
Special Deluxe Collector's Edition, fully remastered sound shaped from 24 BIT digital technology, contains 5 bonus tracks, 16 page full colour booklet, new interview, 3,500 word essay, enhanced artwork and rare photos.
TRACK LISTING: 1. THE WARRIOR 2. BEAT OF THE HEART 3. HANDS TIED 4. LESS THAN HALF 5. ONLY THE YOUNG 6. ALL I WANT 7. TALK TO ME 8. SAY WHAT YOU WILL 9. TONIGHT 10. MAYBE WE WENT TOO FAR BONUS TRACKS (SCANDAL E.P.) 11. GOODBYE TO YOU 12. LOVE'S GOT A LINE ON YOU 13. WIN SOME, LOSE SOME 14. SHE CAN'T SAY NO
15. ANOTHER BAD LOVE
THE FOLLOWING FOUR TITLES WILL BE AVAILABLE ON OR ABOUT SEPTEMBER 22ND…
NIGHT RANGER guitarist Joel Hoekstra is leaving the band to join WHITESNAKE.
Night Ranger will be playing one of their last shows with Joel tonight as they take the stage in Boston with 38 Special.
The band released this brief statement:
“Joel Hoekstra has just announced he will be departing the band to pursue other creative opportunities. We couldn't be happier for Joel. The last 8+ years have been a blast and we wish him nothing but the best.
Night Ranger will be announcing Joel's replacement shortly. We are looking forward to the next chapter of Night Ranger, and traveling to Japan, Hawaii and venues across the United States, Europe and the UK in support of our new album HIGH ROAD.”
One of the first, if not the first, guitarists to put his name forward after hearing that Doug Aldrich had left the band, was an exceptionally talented musician whom we had met briefly last year when his band opened for Whitesnake in Arizona.
Everyone was very impressed by him, not only for his ability to play amazing guitar, but, also, his very agreeable personality & he was definitely foremost in our minds when we began to search for Doug’s replacement in Whitesnake.
We jammed together & were mutually impressed enough to ask him to join Whitesnake on the spot. This was May 30th. 2014.
Joel is currently fulfilling his remaining tour dates with Night Ranger.
We sincerely thank you all for your patience & understanding...& so, without further ado, we ask you to welcome, as we have done, our exceptionally gifted new Snake Brother...
JOEL HOEKSTRA...Guitarist Extraordinaire"
So Night Ranger has started talks with potential candidates to replace Joel. A decision is expected to be made in the next couple of weeks.
Whitesnake are in the process of writing and recording a new studio album for release in 2015 - the band will undertake a worldtour throughout 2015.
