MelodicRock Records is excited to announce a partnership with Swedish AOR favourites STREET TALK for a limited reissue of the band’s best three albums.
On August 30 and limited to just 500 units each, MRR will reissue the STREET TALK albums ‘Transition’ (from 2000); ‘Restoration’ (from 2002) and the AOR classic ‘V’ (from 2006).
All three albums are long out of print, highly sought after and when listed, fetch tidy sums on Ebay.
The new MRR reissues will feature exclusive new artwork and each album will feature several bonus tracks, which will be revealed shortly, along with details of a pre-order deal for all three albums.
STREET TALK is the brainchild of Swedish keyboardist/songwriter FREDRIK BERGH. Their debut came in 1997 with the album ‘Collaboration’.
The album featured, amongst others, guest vocalist Göran Edman who would continue to work with Fredrik throughout the Street Talk history.
In 2000, the album ‘Transition’ was released featuring Goran again on a set of smooth Westcoast/AOR tunes.
In 2002 STREET TALK signed to the now defunct MTM Music label for the excellent album 'Restoration'. The opus featured vocals from Goran once again and also two popular tracks from American AOR vocalist HUGO.
In 2006 the band released their fourth all-original studio album – the distinctly more powerful, pure AOR masterpiece ‘V’. Featuring Goran Edman on all vocals, the album was the defining moment of Street Talk’s history.
Since the release of ‘V’ in 2006, STREET TALK has been on hiatus, but Fredrik has been as busy as ever as a founding member of melodic metal band Bloodbound as well as writing and working with such artists as Revolution Saints, Steve Augeri, Steve Overland, Joe Lynn Turner, Rob Moratti, Harry Hess, Bob Halligan jr, Phenomena, Seven and Anette Olzon
Further details of the reissues will be available soon, but in the meantime, please enjoy one song from each of the albums:
From ‘V’ – Responsible
From ‘Restoration’ – Why Is My Heart Feeling Lonely Tonight
Rich Davenport's Rock Show this week features interviews with Jim Peterik, Helloween's Michael Weikath, Paul Raymond of UFO, guitar master Michael Angelo Batio, Jeff Scott Soto and heartland rocker Melissa Etheridge, and is now available for streaming at this link:
In the first hour, UFO keyboard player / rhythm guitarist Paul Raymond looks at the writing and recording of the band's latest album 'A Conspiracy of Stars', and discusses their current setlist on their ongoing live dates. Paul also looks at his career-spanning solo collection 'Rewind 50', recorded to mark his 50th anniversary in the music business, and featuring new recordings of songs he's written for UFO, MSG, and other projects.
Also in part 1, Melissa Etheridge talks about her latest solo album 'This Is M.E.', which sees her delivering her gutsy brand of heartland Rock with a few new twists. Melissa chooses two new tracks and a classic from her debut album.
In the second hour, Helloween guitarist Michael Weikath discusses new album 'My God Given Right', the band's 30th anniversary, and their touring plans, with 3 songs from the new release.
Jeff Scott Soto also drops in to talk about his new melodic Metal band Soto and their excellent debut release 'Inside The Vertigo', which sees Jeff returning to his Metal roots, whilst retaining the melodic sensibilities that have characterised his work in the Melodic Rock genre. Hear the band in action on Jeff's choice of 2 tracks from the album.
Guitar Jedi Master Michael Angelo Batio, who has taught countless guitarists around the world via his instructional DVDs and columns is interviewed about his recent 'Shred Force 1' collection, which features some of his best instrumental songs along with vocal numbers, on which he's accompanied by Queensryche frontman Todd La Torre and a stellar cast of Metal axemen including George Lynch, Mark Tremonti, Chris Poland, and many more.
And finally, one of the finest songwriters in the Rock genre, Jim Peterik, looks at his two recent releases, the Peterik-Scherer album 'Risk Everything', and a career-spanning package from his original band the Ides of March, who celebrate their 50th anniversary with the 'Last Band Standing' box set.
You Will Never Walk Alone is the second single to be released from Nubian Rose’s critically acclaimed sophomore album, MENTAL REVOLUTION. The first single was the heavy metal tasting “Break out”, but with 'You will never walk alone' Nubian Rose is proving that they truly are a melodic force to reckon with.
The video is also the first public appearance of the bands latest new member, bass player Micke Danielsson from Sweden’s melodic Mekka, Upplands-Väsby, north of Stockholm, where such heavy weights like Europe and HEAT derive from. In a few days Nubian Rose will perform on Europe’s number one melodic rock festival, Väsby Rock festival, with HEAT, Danger Danger, Michael Schenker, Eclipse, W.A.S.P. etc.
NUBIAN ROSE are:
Sofia Lilja Åkerlund - vocals
Christer Åkerlund - lead guitar
Micke Danielsson - bass
Thomas Weijnesjö - Drums
NUBIAN ROSE evolves around the magnetic charisma and majestic voice of Sofia Lilja, combined with the unique talent of guitarist Christer Åkerlund. In combination with powerful guitar riffs and great melodies, they put a new spirit in the classic melodic hard rock.
Music Buy Mail is proud to announce the re-launch of German based mailorder www.musicbuymail.eu. The rock specialized mailorder was founded in 2002 and grew over the years to one of the most important rock / melodic rock / heavy metal mailorder worldwide.
The re-launch includes an up-to-date layout with an optimised version for mobile devices such as smart phones and tablets. New search filters makes browsing through thousands of items a lot easier.
A special co-operation with magazines offers “inside stories” with interviews of known bands and musicians. The known MBM IMPORT SERVICE features hard to find independent AOR, hard rock and metal releases of bands without record deals and that are not usually available in established rock shops. These limited and hard to find titles are definitely worth investigating as there are some real gems among these bands!
Music Buy Mail e.K. is a German based distribution company led and owned by Sebastian Eder. Beside the mailorder, MBM offers retail distribution all over Europe, the sub-division CONNECTING MUSIC (www.connecting-music.eu) offers watermarked digital promotion and MBM LIVE (www.mbm-live.eu) concentrates on live booking for tours, club and festival shows. In co-operation, MBM offers more services like graphic design, additional radio promotion, publishing and recording studios.
Music Buy Mail have been bringing you quality music and service for over 13 years now and with the new “facelifting” MBM continues to bring all the latest rock releases, fans are waiting for.
John sits down with Mitch to discuss the band's latest album REVOLUCION, joining the band, his 'audition' gigs with the band in Cuba, continuing his solo career, working with Mick Mars, the KILLER DWARFS' Russ Dwarf, his time with RATT and Motley Crue and much more.
On Mötley Crüe wanting to change the name of the band when he joined: "That album would have been massive had it been any other name, but Mötley. The band wanted to change the name. There was NC for New Crüe. Nikki had always wanted to call a band, Christmas. We didn't want to call it Mötley Crüe."
This episode is co-hosted by FIREHOUSE guitarist, Bill Leverty.
Athens, Georgia-based melodic metal band Theocracy is happy to announce that original drummer Shawn Benson will record the drums on their highly anticipated fourth album. Benson played drums on 2011's As the World Bleeds and 2008's Mirror of Souls, as well as the 2013 re-release of Theocracy's self-titled debut album.
The band are in the early stages of recording, and are excited to showcase Benson's unique style on their upcoming release, which will be their third on Swedish label Ulterium Records. Below is studio footage of Benson playing one of the new songs.
Theocracy recently returned from a brief tour in Scandinavia, including their first performance in Sweden, with Halcyon Way drummer Ernie Topran filling in on the drums.
Former drummer Patrick Nickell quit Theocracy last November after recording the Christmas single "Night of Silence,” and the band wishes him well in his future endeavors. No decision has been made regarding a permanent replacement.
Musically speaking, there are no surprises for singer Kelly Keeling’s new solo album. This is another Alessandro Del Vecchio project, with the added bonus of Kelling actually participating in the songwriting process.
There are also 3 new songs from the Baton Rogue writing trio of Keeling/Jack Ponti/Lance Bulen. These three songs are from the failed reunion attempt, that directly lead to this solo album being commissioned instead.
As is always the case, Alessandro does a fine production and mix job, and the AdelV Band are on song as usual. I’m a big fan of Ale and yes, I’ve read many comments about the ‘production line’ aspect of having one artist behind a number of albums, but as long as the quality remains high, consumers will vote with their wallets.
Ale’s been on a hot streak of late, with Revolution Saints, LRS and Fergie Frederiksen to name just three. That streak hasn’t ended with Kelly Keeling, but his long term average might take a small hit.
This is a solid enough album, but I can’t quite put my finger on why it’s not another knockout. To simplify it, I think perhaps the songs aren’t quite there. The use of three different writing teams for the albums 12 tracks gives the album 3 different distinct sounds. The two Robert Sall tracks are great AOR (as always); the 3 Baton Rouge tracks are typical of their sound and then there are the Alessandro tracks.
But more importantly, I don’t think Kelly’s overall vocal performance is as committed as one might expect.
Songwise, Isolated Man is a nice mid-tempo melodic rock tune with a rising chorus.
Sunshine Over Me I like mainly because it reminds me of the Toto song Caught In The Balance – it’s that kind of moody guitar driven track.
The anthemic ballad Still Need You In My Arms is one of the stronger tracks present.
Written In Fire is the first of the three Baton Rouge tracks and shows an immediate change in style to match the BR of old.
Love Will Tears Us Apart is pretty good also. Frozen Time is the first of two songs from the pen of Robert Sall – good European melodic rock tunes both of them and totally within the Work Of Art style. Just without the ultra-smooth vocals of Lars Safsund.
Monkey House is the second BR track – a moody rocker with a heavy organ presence. Kelly’s vocals however really don’t match the energy of the song.
Ride Out The Storm is the second Robert Sall track – again, another classy AOR tune.
Who Do You Run To is the third BR track and the most aggressive. A dry, organic hard rocker that’s ok, but isn’t what I would rank in the same class as classic Baton Rouge material.
Individually there are some fine songs here and I particularly like several, but put together as an album, it’s not as cohesive as it should be.
Keeling sounds a little underdone and under enthusiastic. This will have to be for fans of Baton Rouge and Keeling to check out and decide for themselves.
This new project titled Chaos Magic is Timo Tolki’s attempt to create a musical project in the vein of Within Temptation or Nightwish.
Vocalist for this occasion is newcomer Caterina Nix, a lady with a very fine voice indeed. I’m sure we will hear a lot more from her over time. The range is there and the high notes are also there (maybe too many), but not quite carrying the power of her contemporaries.
In control is Timo Tolkki, who has written all songs, performs guitar, keyboards, bass and also takes control of recording, producing, mixing and mastering.
A set of outside ears might be helpful for Timo. This is a better production than his Avalon releases, but not to the standard as the recent Allen/Lande or what is needed to break a new act.
Musically there are still some good songs to enjoy – One Drop Of Blood is an obvious stand out; A Little Too Late is instantly catchy; Passionflow is suitably dramatic and the fast paced Point Of No Return is a good conclusion to the debut.
An interesting album. Caterina is a great discovery, but having publicly declared that this project was attempting to sound like Within Temptation, the natural reaction is to immediately compare the two. If you do that, Chaos Magic is going to come up short. But, enjoy it for what it is and fans of female fronted symphonic hard rock should find enough to latch on to.
A comeback solo album from former Angel vocalist Frank Dimino is not something that would normally pop up on my musical radar. 70s pomp rockers Angel were a little before my time and generally a little outside my tastes.
But in my duties as reviewer here – Old Habits Die Hard is here to feature.
Frank’s vocals are somewhat different than the heyday and musically speaking this is more straight forward classic 70s rock than pomp. that the guys have hit their mark with this album.
The style and the vocals remind of a little of UFO and Vanilla Fudge – which is probably a sign
Frank has brought in a lot of fine folks to help him here - Paul Crook (Meat Loaf), Oz Fox (Stryper), Eddie Ojeda (Twisted Sister), Danny Miranda, Rickey Medlocke (Blackfoot, Lynyrd Skynyrd), Jeff Labansky, and former Angel bandmates Punky Meadows (on guitar) and Barry Brandt (co-writing with Frank the song Even Now).
So it’s a very star studded and largely uptempo affair. Highlights include the opener Never Again and Rockin’ In The City; the earthy 70s ballad Even Now and the stomping Mad As Hell.
The remaining tracks all fit in nicely but will likely hold appeal with already established fans of Frank.
The production is a bit iffy overall – the drum sound is pretty soft and I think and the mix a little muddy in places, but at the same time, it has that authentic 70s groove.
So not bad at all – better than I had expected and better again after a few listens. Not an album for everyone, but well suited for fans of Dimino and that 70s classic rock retro feel.
Totally Driven Radio, the weekly radio podcast heard live every Thursday night from 8 - 11 pm Est time on the Totally Driven Entertainment Radio Network, hosted by Bay Ragni and Nick Wilkinson covers the world of sports and entertainment each week, as well as bringing you celebrity guests interviews.
Drummer of the band Trixter - Mark Gus Scott talks to Totally Driven Radio about.
**The new single & video “Human Era”
**the band not playing for 13 years
**how the grunge came in during the 90’s, and how he has no idea what happened to music since the turn of the century
**Trixter starting the whole flannel craze of the 90’s, but never getting credit
**How Trixter was formed in the early 80s, through their teenage years, and ended up getting signed & dominating Mtv
**the record company asked them to shave a few years off their age, they make they a “youth” band
**Mtv did a “Smash or Trash” with the band, that’s how they got in the rotation
**How “DIAL Mtv” was canceled with their video “Surrender” at #1, and never played on Mtv again
**Why is Mtv still called Mtv
**How Mtv & video really killed the radio star
**The years Trixter wasn’t playing, he was working real jobs, started a business
**That he is amazed they got a second chance at this, and people still want to see them
**The new album “Human Era”
**How it is working with Frontiers Records, compared to record companies of the old days
**Videos just as important today, as the Mtv years
**The world of social media and connecting with fans
**How vinyl is making a comeback
Follow Mark on Twitter @MarkGusScott
Remember to listen to Totally Driven Radio every Thursday, and Like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter. https://www.facebook.com/TotallyDrivenTV
This week on the Douvle Stop Podcast P.J. Farley discusses his early days, and the formation of Trixter. He covers their early success (when he was still a teenager), their decline with grunge, his other bands with Steve Brown, his work with Lita Ford, the Trixter reunion and their new album Human Era.
On the Human Era Video (which he made) (28:00) "I had been archiving footage for years - I've always been the guy saying we got to film this, we've got to film that. Even from day one, that's why I have all that footage. I knew at some point I would use it. And I did."
Dallas, TX - July 12, 2013. North American syndicated Rock radio show and website InTheStudio: The Stories Behind History's Greatest Rock Bands speak to Rock & Roll Hall of Famers Ann and Nancy Wilson about their five million plus seller 1985 Heart album on its thirtieth anniversary.
Heart's enduring career has no doubt been because of the resilient musical leadership of both singer/ songwriter Ann and guitarist/ singer Nancy Wilson, although it did not always appear that way. The 'blood is thicker than water' cliche had proven to be true several times throughout their career, but perhaps never more than during the early 1980s. Ann and Nancy share with InTheStudio host Redbeard what led them to take the reins and ultimately to reinvent Heart.
'By 1981 we were already leading the band. We just came out and did it... The band was in a lot of turmoil, and we were the only ones who could be unified enough to lead the band.' - Ann Wilson
'Right before the self-titled Heart album, we were without a record company and we were changing management... In the MTV era that we were in then, we put on the costumes and it was fun! Got out the flashpots, got the record company, got the budget, got the videos going and made sort of like a comeback, at a time when Heart's career was really flagging... We really lucked into some great people who helped us reinvent.' - Nancy Wilson
That reinvention yielded hit after hit including 'What About Love?', 'Never', 'Nothing at All', 'If Looks Could Kill' and Heart's first # 1 single 'These Dreams'.
In episode 121 of One On One With Mitch Lafon, Mitch is joined by Superjoint, Down & Pantera frontman, Phil Anselmo.
Phil discusses the return of Superjoint, his new death metal band Metraton Ganga, his musical influences including The Smiths, Morrisey & Slayer, Down, Phil Anselmo & The Illegals comments on recording new music with Vinnie Paul and Rex Brown, Pantera's POWER METAL album, the Skid Row with The Killer Dwarfs & Pantera tour of the early '90s and much more.
Quotes from the interview:
"Without Brian May - there would be no Randy Rhoads, Eddie Van Halen or later on Dimebag."
His influence in Pantera: "When I joined the band, they had no love for Slayer at all. Zero love. I told Dimebag, 'I know they play their leads out of key, but that's not the point. The point is the heaviness of the riff.'
On playing or recording again with Rex and Vinnie: "I would jam with Rex any time he felt like it. I adore Rex. Do I want to play with Vinnie Paul again? Honestly, I could give a fuck. However, I will say this if we went into it and I knew that Vince had an open mind - listen to the drum beat and his feet on a tune like Becoming. If I got that Vinnie Paul - shit I would love to be in the studio with him."
On Vinnie Paul: "To this day, Vinnie Paul is still THE most talented, tightest, most awesome drummer that I've ever fucking played with."
On his health: "I'm the strongest I've been in a long time. I'm 6'1" and weigh 225Lbs. I feel thick. I feel strong, but every day is a challenge when it comes to chronic pain."
On his future: "I'm absolutely going to continue on with Down. I'm absolutely going to continue on with The Illegals. We have been messing with some new material for Superjoint."
On Canadian band, The Killer Dwarfs: "I was a fan already. I had the first record back in the day with Are You Ready. Then I come to find out that the singer's birthday is the same day as mine (June 30th) - so I wanna wish him a happy birthday. I'm a KILLER DWARFS fan."
On the Skid Row, Killer Dwarfs and Pantera tour of the early '90s: "One thing we learned on that tour was how to conduct ourselves as a working unit - not just a band. The road crew as well. The entire nucleus of Pantera. We saw how Judas Priest's road crew operated and later on we saw how Skid Row's road crew operated. I'll say it right now - Judas Priest's road crew were the biggest fucking dicks in the world. I wouldn't piss on them if they were on fire. We saw that side of things. When we did the tour with Skid Row - their road crew was some of the most helpful, cool easy going and did I say helpful. Those motherfuckers helped us out. They were kind. They were polite. They were fun. They were nice people. That's where we modeled our entire entity after. We want to emulate how the Skid Row camp operated because we definitely know what we hated about the Judas Priest fucking tour and what we loved about the Skid Row tour. That was very important."
Phil on Phil - "I would pout all day like a big fucking pussy."
Swedish Guitarist Kee Marcello (Europe / Easy Action / K2) has announced a Uk tour commencing in early October 2015.
Dates released so far are:
1st Oct Cardiff - The Globe
2nd Oct Camden London - The Underworld
3rd Oct Great Yarmouth - The Iron Maiden Bar
4th Oct Stourbridge - The River Rooms
5th Oct Bolton - Railway Venue
9th Oct Scunthorpe - The Lincoln Imp
This is likely to be the most comprehensive tour of the UK that Kee has done in a number of years and will coincide with the signing of a new record deal, a new "Kee Marcello Signature Gibson Les Paul guitar" being released and numerous appearences / clinics at various Universities and Musical Instrument stores around the Uk. The Cardiff date of the tour billed as "An evening with Kee Marcello" will also include a "Guitar Clinic" and plans are underway to film the night for a live DVD. This Dvd will include footage from the rest of the tour which is likely to contribute towards a documentary being planned by Swedish television channel "TV4".
Needless to say, all this activity is in support of a new album which is currently in production...
Kee Marcello is one of the most renowned guitarists out of Scandinavia with an amazing track record. From the hugely successful Swedish glam / pop group "Noise" in the early 80's through to the first U.S. major label deal ever signed by a Scandinavian group: Easy Action (Warner Bros) and then on to multimillion selling success with one of the biggest music exports out of Sweden to date: Europe. In the late 80's early 90's Europe sold over 30 million albums and had number 1 singles in 26 countries as well as sharing the stage with acts such as Metallica, Def Leppard and Bon Jovi.
Los Angeles, CA - Footage of the July 8 Lucky Strike Live Jam Night in Hollywood, CA has been posted on the California Rock News You Tube channel.
Songs performed included VAN HALEN's "Hot For Teacher", featuring Billy Sheehan (WINERY DOGS, MR. BIG), Nuno Bettencourt (EXTREME, RHIANNA), Glen Sobel (ALICE COOPER, VIVIAN CAMPBELL), Steve Ferlazzo (ADAM LAMBERT, DRAMA GODS) and Carl Restivo (STREET SWEEPER SOCIAL CLUB). Bettencourt took on double duty singing lead and performing a heavy rendition of RADIOHEAD's "Creep" along with Phil X (BON JOVI, THE DRILLS), Sobel, Ferlazzo and Daniel Spriewald (THE DRILLS).
Started earlier this year by house band members Chuck Wright (QUIET RIOT, HOUSE OF LORDS), Matt Starr (ACE FREHLEY, MR. BIG) and Mitch Perry (EDGAR WINTER, MSG), the Lucky Strike Live Jam, held weekly on Wednesday nights, has been a meeting place for L..A musicians to collaborate and jam in an unrehearsed, spontaneous environment, often resulting in eclectic line-ups with a rotating set list and packed house.
01. Don't Tread On My Heart
02. Spectres
03. Way To Life
04. Live A Lie
05. Hang Tough
06. Lucidia
07. Hold On My Heart
08. Greyhound Therapy
09. Lies Within Lies (Bonus Track) 10. Little Fighter
11. In Your Eyes
12. Final Curtain
13. Wake Up Dreaming (Bonus Track) 14. Trail Of Tears (Bonus Track)(Feat. Michael Mueller-Jaded Heart)
MelodicRock Records is excited to launch another full track preview of the coming album, with the great melodic hard rocker 'Hold On My Heart'
Don’t Tread:
STOCK ARRIVES FRIDAY FOR PRE-ORDERS - ALL SHIPPING OUT MONDAY.
CONSTANCIA is:
David Fremberg: vocals (Andromeda)
Janne Stark: guitar (Grand Design, Overdrive, Locomotive Breath)
THE RADIO SUN will make its first trek to the U.K. in 2016 part of HRH AOR Fest 4 in North Wales. With the band's new album 'Heaven Or Heartbreak' out this coming September on Melodic Rock Records, The Radio Sun are looking forward to playing songs from their debut album, EP and new full length album.
New album details, audio samples and pre-order information coming soon.
Australia's Black Majesty return with their sixth studio album titled 'Cross OF Thorns'. 'Faster, heavier yet melodic as ever' the new album continues the band's evolution of finely crafted melodic power metal anthems. Charismatic frontman John Cavaliere shines on the new album with emotive vocals that showcases the fine 'timber' in his voice on songs like Phoenix, Crossroads & Vlad The Impaler - not to mention on the cover version of the Gary Moore classic anthem 'Out In The Fields'.
Cross Of Thorns is dedicated to Dirk Illing, the band's long-time friend and artist of all five previous album covers ' 'R.I.P. our friend!' Mixed by Roland Grapow (ex Helloween/Masterplan) the album sounds amazing. Big drums, bass and guitars are all evident on the new release.
Previous appearances at fests such as Wacken Open Air, Masters Of Rock, Screamfest and tour supports with the likes of Saxon, Blind Guardian, Hammerfall, Edguy and Dragonforce, Black Majesty will continue to build on their ever growing fan base with further touring, including some upcoming special acoustic shows in Europe tocoincide with the release of the new album.
Fans of Dio, Judas Priest, Helloween, Queensryche and Hammerfallwill welcome Black Majesty's new album - Cross Of Thorns.
Black Majesty is: John Cavaliere - lead vocals, Stevie Janevski - guitars, Hanny Mohamed - guitars & keyboard, Evan Harris - bass, Ben Wignall - drums.
*Mixed & Mastered by Roland Grapow
*Recorded at Grapow Studios - Slovakia & Psycho Koala Studios ' Melbourne, Australia.
*Black Majesty 'Vlad The Impaler' will be available as a digital single as of July 31.
*Black Majesty 'Cross Of Thorns' full length album OUT on SEPTEMBER 4.
HEAVEN & EARTH: Stuart Smith (Guitar), Joe Retta (Vocals), Lynn Sorensen (Bass/Vocals),
Ty Bailie (Keyboards) and Simon Wright (Drums)
HEAVEN & EARTH--the Los Angeles-based quintet who masterfully fuseelements of hard rock, blues and bits of classical on their acclaimed album Dig, which they toured Europe in support of throughout 2014--are back in the studio working on a new album (produced by Dave Jenkins and available via Quarto Valley Records) set to be released this fall (title and date TBA). In between writing and recording the new album, HEAVEN & EARTH--Stuart Smith (band founder/guitarist), Joe Retta (vocals), Kenny Aronoff (drums), Lynn Sorensen of Paul Rogers/Bad Company (bass/vocals) and Ty Bailie (keyboards)--will make an appearance at the Vasby Rock Festival in Stockholm, Sweden on Saturday, July 17. Simon Wright (AC/DC, Dio) will be filling in on drums for Aronoff, the band's regular drummer, as he's currently on tour with John Fogerty.
Says Stuart: "We've been hard at work writing for the new Heaven & Earth album which has been a long process as we felt we had a lot to live up to after Dig. We spent 14 months crafting and recording the songs for that album--and after all the positive reviews and press, myself and Bruce Quarto, our record company president, felt that we had to bring out something equally as good or better. We've been aiming for the 'better' end of the bar we previously set." Stuarts adds: "I'm pleased to say that we've got quite a few new songs that we're really happy with and will be releasing a few teasers very soon. We'll also be debuting a few songs off the new upcoming Heaven & Earth album at the Vasby Festival this month so we're really looking forward to that. On a personal note I'd like add that I'm really looking forward to playing live for the first time my 'Stuart Smith Signature Model' guitar built by Aero3 Guitars. It's been sounding amazing on recordings and rehearsals but I'm looking forward to blasting it out at a big festival."
HEAVEN & EARTH connected strongly with music audiences on their 2014 17-date European tour, garnering strong reviews along the way.
"Those in the venue witnessed a very special show in an intimate setting and such an opportunity won`t be available for long as the band are destined for much bigger venues." (METAL EXPRESS RADIO)
"What a Night!...On the evidence of this performance, you should move on Heaven & Earth, not to miss them!" (ROCKTOPIA)
"Heaven & Earth may well have delivered one of the best shows of the year....A very special show by a hugely talented band" (THE NEWCASTLE CHRONICLE)
"The highly acclaimed quintet from Los Angeles have a created a fusion of Blues and Hard Rock with a touch of classical which contains everything you could wish for...power anthems, ballads and melodic rock rub shoulders in a rather potent mix" (THE BOLTON NEWS)
HEAVEN & EARTH's third studio album, Dig--released April, 2013 on Quarto Valley Records--was produced by Dave Jenkins--who's turned the knobs for everyone from Metallica to Tower of Power. The album features special guests Howard Leese (Heart, Paul Rodgers), Richie Sambora (Bon Jovi) and David Paich (Toto). HEAVEN & EARTH's music comes together explosively on the album's first single "No Money, No Love" and its controversial video which has logged over 545,000 views and can be viewed here: http://tinyurl.com/cdopr5d. Stream Dig onSoundCloud or Spotify now.
About HEAVEN & EARTH:
The origins of HEAVEN & EARTH align the band's founder and visionary, Stuart Smith, with a rich lineage of rock's most celebrated musicians. Kelly Hansen (Foreigner), Joe Lynn Turner (Rainbow) and Kelly Keeling (King Kobra) all fronted the band at various junctures. Guitarists Richie Sambora (Bon Jovi) and Howard Leese (Heart, Paul Rodgers), singer and bassist Glenn Hughes (Deep Purple, Black Country Communion), bassist Steve Priest (Sweet) and drummer Carmine Appice (Jeff Beck Group/Vanilla Fudge/Rod Stewart), among others, have each contributed their extraordinary talents to HEAVEN & EARTH's first two albums: Heaven & Earth Featuring Stuart Smith (1994) and Windows to the World (2000).HEAVEN & EARTH's groundbreaking debut album, Heaven & Earth Featuring Stuart Smith, is considered a cult classic and brought Smith to the forefront of the guitar elite being compared in the press to Deep Purple's RitchieBlackmore,JeffBeck, Eric Clapton and Jimmy Page and garneringSmith the award for "Best Guitarist" and "Best NewCD" for three years running at the Los Angeles All Access Music Awards. In the summer of 2012, the guitarist set out to mold HEAVEN & EARTH into a world-class recording and touring band which led to the recording of their new album Dig and now the future has never looked brighter for the band.
On August 21st, Frontiers will release The Murder of My Sweet's new album, BETH OUT OF HELL! In the meantime, you can enjoy the lyric video for "The Humble Servant" by hitting play on the YouTube video below! Pre-order the album on iTunes/Apple Music and "The Humble Servant" will download instantly: http://radi.al/BethoutofHelliTunes
GEOFF TATE'S OPERATION: MINDCRIME TO UNLOCK PART ONE
OF EPIC MUSICAL TRILOGY WITH RELEASE OF "THE KEY"
ON TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18 ON FRONTIERS MUSIC SRL
"THE KEY" -- A TWELVE-SONG DISC FEATURING SUCH SONGS AS
"BURN," "RE-INVENTING THE FUTURE," "LIFE OR DEATH?" AND "THE FALL" --
TO EXPAND MINDS THROUGH MUSIC BY PONDERING THE DISCOVERY
OF "THE KEY" THAT COULD CHANGE THE WAY WE PERCEIVE THE WORLD
On Tuesday, September 18, Geoff Tate's new band, Operation: Mindcrime, will be releasing its long-awaited debut album, The Key, on Frontiers Music Srl.
Perhaps one of Tate's most ambitious recordings to date, The Key examines what one might do if they discovered "the key" to changing the way we view the world, the way we look at time, the way we travel, and could essentially change the human condition... for better or for worse.
Fresh from the creative mind of Geoff Tate, The Key features a dozen songs (see entire track listing below) and marks part one of an epic musical trilogy that initiates that very question within a web of international politics, the world economy and social ethos.
The Key is the debut album under Tate's new Operation: Mindcrime banner, a creative platform that continues in the spirit of the historic album of the same name, spawning concepts as grand as the music, and intertwining the intensity of the former Queensryche vocalist's iconic past with the provocative, progressive mindset that has made him one of music's most resolute forces and frontmen.
Geoff Tate has sold more than 25 million records at the helm of Queensryche, the band he fronted for 30 years from their inception through 2012, earning three Grammy nominations, five MTV Music Video Award nomimations, and one MTV Music Video Award along the way.
The landmark concept album Operation: Mindcrime thrust Tate's unique social consciousness, style and expertly crafted lyrics into the national spotlight in 1988, and was followed by Empire in 1990, the album that delivered Queensryche to arena-headlining status and sold more than three million albums on the back of hit singles and radio staples "Silent Lucidity" and "Jet City Woman."
By the time the band released Promised Land in 1994, Geoff Tate was universally acknowledged as one of the greatest frontmen in rock and metal, and a driving force behind one of the most innovative bands in mainstream music.
From Mindcrime and Promised Land through 2009's overlooked gem American Soldier - Tate's ambitious concept album that explores the consequences of war as told through the voices of veterans - Tate's 13-album tenure with Queensryche was marked by exploration, intrigue, bold risks and gratifying results.
The Key continues in that fine tradition.
"Musically, this album is quite adventurous," says Tate of his first release in a new worldwide deal with Frontiers Music SRL. "Of course there are key elements in the music, melody and phrasings that are really identifiable, but throughout my career I've opened my eyes and ears to new standards and arrangements, and that's what keeps things fresh and exciting as an artist - we've thrown out the rules for this record, and it's been really liberating. I'm a fan of old prog, and that music didn't stick to rules. It's inspiring and enjoyable to be able to explore, and it's great being in a position to write without constraints."
The results are a series of albums that don't languish in nostalgia, instead offering listeners an opportunity to delve into a world of ideas and inspiration that Tate has been nurturing for the better portion of the last decade. Instead of asking, "Who killed Mary?", Operation: Mindcrime now asks, "What are the implications of changing the world?"
"Like every album I've ever done, people will hear and experience it differently, and that is something that I look forward to," continues Tate. "Music is an intimate experience - your inspirations are unique to you, and will be heard differently through every set of ears and experiences - but isn't that really what makes art exciting? It inspires us all in different ways and for different reasons, and this album is no different. There are quite a few sections of this album that help propel the story with segues and dialogue, but the lyrics don't lay out a breadcrumb trail and tell the story in a linear fashion, there's a puzzle. We have several characters, and three other people singing lead vocals on the first album. That made it even more fun for me and helps give the album its own special character.
"Musically, there's quite a smorgasbord, we've played with sound and established a sound palate - heavy guitar, obviously, cool drumming... all the music is very sophisticated, and there are interesting time changes, the band is playing with different countings and we switch throughout each piece. We can perform the verse in one feel, the bridge in another, and transition to a new chorus, very challenging stuff and lots of different sounds that people probably haven't heard on one of my albums before - new and different guitar sounds and vocal treatments, very dynamic stuff."
Joining Tate on The Key are a hard-hitting cast of familiar faces and new collaborators: bass players Dave Ellefson (Metal Allegiance) and John Moyer (Disturbed, Adrenaline Mob), drummers Simon Wright (AC/DC), Scott Mercado (Candlebox) and Brian Tichy (Billy Idol, Ozzy Osbourne), guitarists Kelly Gray (Queensryche) and Scott Moughton (Geoff Tate), keyboardist Randy Gane (Myth) and vocalist Mark Daly (The Voodoos).
Tate makes one point exceptionally clear - Operation: Mindcrime isn't a band, it is a musical project of like-minded people uniting to achieve a common goal. While the songwriting rests predominantly on the shoulders of Tate, Gray and Gane, it's up to every contributor to add their influence and help color the landscape.
"The songs on these records tell a story, and each song is a scene or chapter - every scene is different. The words tell the story, the musical bed, the chord progressions and melodies, they set the pace. That's how I envisioned this album in total, very theatrical and definitely cinematic.
"How do we describe passion?" Tate asks in conclusion, cautiously answering his own question: "Music is a personal journey, and all you can do is write what moves you. That's what passion is - it's so difficult, yet it's such an important human emotion. There are moments on this record that really impact me, the questions raised and the music those questions are set to... I don't know if it will have that same effect on everyone else, but that's where my passion and their passion meet. I do this because I love doing it. I love touring and I love playing live, performing with like-minded people in front of like-minded audiences, and being there in the moment together when all of our passions collide."
And if, in the process, Geoff Tate can tell a story that turns people on end and keeps them talking long after the music has stopped playing? That's not just icing on the cake, that's what it's all about...
That is Operation: Mindcrime. And come this September, fans will have The Key.
With music videos currently in production and a first single that's expected to be released by the end of this month, further mind expansion is yet to come.
OPERATION: MINDCRIME'S THE KEY TRACKLISTING:
Choices
Burn
Re-Inventing The Future
Ready To Fly
Discussions In A Smoke Filled Room
Life or Death?
The Stranger
Hearing Voice
On Queue
An Ambush Of Sadness
Kicking In The Door
The Fall
SNIPPETS OF "BURN," "RE-INVENTING THE FUTURE," "LIFE OR DEATH?" AND "THE FALL" CAN BE HEARD AT: https://youtu.be/zOEL6lc1Xsl
