| Page 143 | MelodicRock.com

Tue

Jun

AXEL RUDI PELL - Magic Moments, Live (Review)

information persons:

content:

84%

Produced By:

Axel Rudi Pell

Release Date:

2015

Released:

Europe

Musical Style:

Melodic Hard Rock

Links:

Axel Rudi Pell

Label:

SPV

Artist:

Axel Rudi Pell

Score:

Release Year:

2015

Categories:

Reviews

Axel celebrated his 25th Anniversary last year with an all-star concert event featuring guests from throughout his esteemed career.

From his early days in Steeler, to his early solo career with Jeff Scott Soto, through to today, continuing on with Johnny Gioeli.

The concert takes a cool snapshot of that entire span in chronological order.

Unfortunately it starts with the worst segment of the night, the Steeler reunion, all mainly due to the rough and largely unlikable vocalist Peter Burtz.

Thankfully we go from the basement to the penthouse after just 4 tracks, when Rob Rock jumps onboard for Nasty Reputation, the title track of the album he fronted.

Then it’s on to Jeff Scott Soto, who slays the crowd as usual with Warrior and Fool Fool.

The current ARP band is then ushered to the stage to deliver some Axel goodness. 3 of the next 5 tunes are over 9 minutes in length and one is 7. It’s Axel at his epic best, with Johnny singing his heart out. Strong As A Rock and Long Way To Go are both high energy delights and a 9 minute Hey Hey Now Now is the very definition of epic.

30 minutes of crossover tracks and live favourites follow until a few more covers appear – Montrose’s Rock The Nation is short, sharp and to the point; Ronnie Atkins joins in for Black Night; Tush features John Lawton and a 14 minute Mistreated features Doogie White, Tony Carey and Johnny Gioeli.

Graham Bonnet, Michael Voss, Doogie White tear down Since You’ve Been Gone, with Long Live Rock n Roll and completely over the top Smoke On The Water close out this truly epic event.

3CDs or DVDs might not be enough for flag waving ARP fan club members, but for the general populace, it’s more than enough and a fitting high quality way to pay tribute to one of Germany’s finest ever guitarists and metal legends.

Truly one for the fans here.

Tags:

Tue

Jun

One On One With Mitch Lafon - BULLETBOYS

Artist:

Bulletboys

Release Year:

2015

Categories:

Podcasts & Radio

https://www.spreaker.com/user/talkingmetal/1on1-mitch-lafon-bulletboys

In episode 112 of One On One With Mitch Lafon, Mitch is joined by The Voice of the BULLETBOYS, Marq Torien.
In this episode Marq discusses their new album, Elefante. As well as his time in Ozzy Osbourne's band, former band members, Stephen Pearcy and his time with RATT, working with Van Halen producer Ted Templeman and much much more.

Quotes from the interview:
On his time in RATT: "It was one of the greatest experiences of my musical career because I got to work with the great Stephen Pearcy.'
On working with OZZY after the passing on Randy Rhoads: "We rehearsed for a little over a month (almost two months). I was supposed to start the tour in Europe - Diary Of A Madman. Rudy takes me under his wing, but I knew that he was still devastated by Randy's death and so was Ozzy. I'm supposed to fly out with them and I waited two days, but nobody came to pick me up. I get a call from Sharon. She spoke to my mom, "Ozzy feels he's too young. Tell him that we love him with our hearts, but we just can't do this right now." So they ended up getting Bernie Torme.

This episode is co-hosted by FIREHOUSE guitarist, Bill Leverty.

For more about The Bulletboys visit: http://www.bulletboysofficial.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/BULLETBOYS/121246147910242
TWITTER: @TheBulletBoys
For more about BILL LEVERTY visit: http://www.facebook.com/LevertyMusic and on Twitter: @Levertya

Tags:

Bulletboys

Marq Torien

Tue

Jun

GAMMA RAY Announce 25th Anniversary 2CD Reissue Of Debut Album

Artist:

Gamma Ray

Friday, August 21, 2015

Categories:

News Feed

WORLD TOUR + REISSUE OF WHOLE GAMMA RAY PRODUCTION TO FOLLOW IN 2015 AND 2016

(New York, N.Y.): It was with great surprise that, back in 1988, Kai Hansen decided to leave Helloween, the band he co-founded and that in few years had reached a high level of success, ending up influencing and challenging the bands that were once their original inspiration.

Hansen left Helloween just when the band had finally reached international stardom and after having won the appreciation of metal giants such as Iron Maiden who often publicly championed the German band.

While nowadays, Hansen, Gamma Ray and Helloween are now very good friends, often sharing the stage, such was not the case in 1987. The divorce was a proper rock 'n' roll (read: acrimonious) split and a true shock for the metal scene.

The reasons that brought Kai Hansen to leave the band are still the subject of interviews and fan debates, despite the fact that listening to the forthcoming reissue of Heading for Tomorrow, 25 years after its original release, makes it very obvious that Kai Hansen destiny was to lead his own band.

Heading for Tomorrow (Anniversary Edition) will be released on August 21 on earMUSIC.

25 years after the official debut, Gamma Ray and earMUSIC have started a monumental work to re-release the entire production by Gamma Ray in deluxe double CDs.

The original albums will be re-presented in new shining, remastered version on the first disc (with the inclusions of all B-sides) while the second CD will be dedicated to old live recordings, demos digitalized for the first time from the original tapes saved by all members of the band, alternative versions and recent studio and live recordings.

Heading for Tomorrow was initially released as a Kai Hansen solo album. By extracting the LP out of its sleeve, Heading For Tomorrow revealed its "secret intention" (it was still the days of LP, or is it again?) revealing a second cover, introducing Kai’s new baby: GAMMA RAY.

After the global critical success of Empire of the Undead, Kai Hansen has decided to continue the collaboration with Eike Freese and Alex Dietz (Heaven Shall Burn), the production team. Hansen has spent hundred hours, digitalizing and remastering hundreds of tapes, alternative versions and ideas that were so far jealously hidden in Gamma Ray's private archive.

Adds Hansen, "I am incredibly thankful that after 25 fantastic years of Gamma Ray, I am still standing here, making music and performing on stage. It's awesome to see that fans from the first days keep on supporting us and that we still make new friends. It's something you can't take for granted. After my departure from Helloween, it all could have gone the other way as well. Instead, we continue to make albums and tour the world. That's close to unbelievable. Working on the first reissue for Heading for Tomorrow brought back so many great memories and Ralf and I dug out some funny stories.

"Two years ago, our studio, our harbor in Hamburg, burnt down and a lot of memorabilia and original tapes were lost, but we all searched our private archives and managed to find some great rarities and hopefully some highlights for the fans. We are proud to release our little babies in a new style with a brand new cover artwork done by Hervé Monjeaud and a new sound, a fantastic remastering done by Eike Freese and Alex Dietz."

Kai Hansen is today the voice of Gamma Ray but it is important to remember that in the beginning of Gamma Ray's history Kai had planned to focus on his role of songwriter and guitar player. If the original album still shines also thanks to the vocals of Ralf Scheepers, the second CD offers real treasures for all Gamma Ray fans, like the original demos of songs like "Money," "Sail on," "Heaven Can Wait," or "The Silence," featuring Hansen on vocals.

To celebrate their 25th anniversary in style, Gamma Ray are touring in Europe this autumn.

TRACK LISTING:

CD1
1. Welcome
2. Lust for Life
3. Heaven Can Wait
4. Space Eater
5. Money
6. The Silence
7. Hold Your Ground
8. Free Time
9. Heading for Tomorrow
10. Look at Yourself
11. Mr. Outlaw (Japanese Bonus Track)
12. Sail On (B-Side from Heaven Can Wait EP)
13. Lonesome Stranger (B-Side from Heaven Can Wait EP)

CD2
1. Who Do You Think You Are
2. Heaven Can Wait (Demo)
3. Money (Demo - Kai on vocals)
4. Sail on (Demo - Kai on vocals)
5. Heading For Tomorrow (Live)
6. Space Eater (Live)
7. The Silence (Demo - Kai on vocals)
8. Mr. Outlaw (Instrumental Version)
9. Heaven Can Wait (Demo - Kai on vocals)
10. Heading For Tomorrow (Karaoke Version)
11. Space Eater (Karaoke Version)
12. Lonesome Stranger (Demo)

Tags:

Gamma Ray

Kai Hansen

Mon

Jun

CONSTANCIA 'Final Curtain' out July 10; Sample New Full Length Track

Artist:

Constancia

Release Year:

2015

Friday, July 10, 2015

Categories:

News Feed

MelodicRock Records will release the brand new studio album from Swedish melodic hard rockers CONSTANCIA on July 10.

Their new album is ‘Final Curtain’, which is the long awaited sequel to the first album ‘Lost And Gone’ (Frontiers/King Records, 2009).

PRE-ORDER for VINDICTIV and CONSTANCIA starting this week. BOTH releases available as limited Special Edition versions.

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:

Once again, following the fantastic reception to the ROOM EXPERIENCE Special Edition, the CONSTANCIA’s ‘Final Curtain’ release will also be available direct from MRR as a Special Edition limited release – again featuring three exclusive bonus tracks!

Another July 10 release from MRR is set to be announced and then details of pre-orders will be made available.

CONSTANCIA is:

David Fremberg: vocals (Andromeda)

Janne Stark: guitar (Grand Design, Overdrive, Locomotive Breath)

Mikael Rosengren: keyboards (Token, Scudiero)

Linus Abrahamsson: bass (Andromeda)

TrumPeter Svensson: drums (Faith, Mercy, Locomotive Breath)

Press comments for the first album 'Lost And Gone' (Frontiers/King Records 2009):

Classic Rock - 8/10 - “Class like this doesn’t come along too often”

Powerplay - “Climb up a mountain, rip out a guitar solo and remember that bands like Constancia are here to make rock music fun again”.

Fireworks - “…”Lost and Gone” is up there with the best of them”

Festivalfoto - 5/5 - “This is Top 3 of 2009”

Rock realms - 85/100

Rock Hard - 8/10

Rock It - 8/10

Spark - 4,5/5

Aardshock - 80/100

Scream - 4/5

Heavy Magazine - 9/10

History:

It all started in 2007, as the brainchild of former Scudiero/Token keyboard player Mikael Rosengren. He had written a bunch of songs that he wanted to record. He got in touch with guitarist Janne Stark (Overdrive, Grand Design, Locomotive Breath etc) and asked him to lay down some guitars. Janne loved the songs and got more and more involved in the process, and the seeds of Constancia were sown.

They now felt it was time to get a full band together. Janne contacted drummer Peter “TrumPeter” Svensson (ex-Mercy, Faith), with whom he had worked in Overheat, Locomotive Breath and Mountain of Power. Mikael drafted Jaded Heart bassist Michael Mueller, and they tried out various vocalists before finding David Fremberg. David is also fronting progressive rockers Andromeda and had also worked with Janne on his first Mountain Of Power album. They overcame the vast geographical distances, with Mueller living in Germany, and the debut album “Lost And Gone” saw the light of day in July 2009. The producer, Fredrik Folkare (Unleashed, Token, Eclipse), was carefully selected after the band had received outstanding test mixes from great people like Beau Hill, Pontus Norgren and Pelle Saether. Fredrik was just right for the band’s “melogressive” metal (melodic, yet a bit aggressive and a touch progressive). The album received rave reviews in magazines like Classic Rock, Rock Hard, PowerPlay, Fireworks and Rock It.

The geographical distances however made it difficult for the band to get a good live situation going.

In 2013 the work process for the band’s second album started. Since Michael Mueller was busy with other musical projects the band had to find a new bass player. Janne, David and drummer Peter are from the same region, and they figured getting a bass player from that region would be a good idea. Why not someone they already knew? Enter Linus Brahamson, also a member of Andromeda. Instead of rushing out a new album, the band let the process take some time and the band spent 2013 and most part of 2014 working on the songs, recording and mixing. The way the song-writing process goes is: Mikael writes the basic structure of the song with some vocal and lyrical ideas, then sends it to Janne, who pitches in with some additional ideas, arrangements, melodies and lyrics. David then adds some of his vocal melodies. This time the production was also kept under the Constancia umbrella. Since David is working as a producer, why not let him do it? This was a very smart plan, since David already had a lot of great production ideas.

Final Curtain? Is this the end? No way! The title track is about the end of a life but also that there may be something new and exciting behind that final curtain. A lot of the lyrical themes on the album reflect things and thoughts of everyday life such as not being true to yourself, political hypocrisy, the birth of a child, long bus rides with people not of your choice, love and the fascination of fear.

CONSTANCIA ‘Final Curtain’ is released via MelodicRock Records on July 10.

Tags:

Constancia

Janne Stark

MelodicRock Records

Mon

Jun

VINDICTIV 'World Of Fear' Out July 10; Sample New Full Length Track

Artist:

Vindictiv

Release Year:

2015

Friday, July 10, 2015

Categories:

News Feed

MelodicRock Records is offering a double dose of Swedish class in July. Already announced is the new CONSTANCIA album and now MRR will crank up the metal once again by releasing the new studio album from Swedish melodic/neoclassical metal outfit VINDICTIV on July 10.

The new album World Of Fear is a huge leap forward for the band and features the vocals of superstar MARK BOALS throughout.

MelodicRock Records is excited to launch another full track preview of the coming album, with the track 'Day' below.

PRE-ORDER for VINDICTIV and CONSTANCIA starting this week. BOTH releases available as limited Special Edition versions.

And check out 'Paralyzed' available below:

Once again, following the fantastic reception to the ROOM EXPERIENCE Special Edition, VINDICTIV World On Fire will also be available direct from MRR as a Special Edition limited release – featuring one exclusive bonus track!

Further album details and news of pre-orders will be made available next week.

Also featured on the new album is a perfect cover of the Yngwie Malmsteen classic Far Beyond The Sun. A video for that track has just been released:

VINDICTIV is:

Stefan Lindholm – guitar

Pontus Larsson – keyboards

Nalle Påhlsson – bass

Mark Boals – vocals

Marco Minnemann – drums

History:

One of the best kept secrets of neoclassical metal – so far. Stockholm's Vindictiv introduced themselves to the metal audience in an impressive fashion with their 2008 eponymous debut. The band's sophomore effort ”Ground Zero” followed swiftly the following year, and remains a fan favorite.

From this point on Vindictiv's career path got rockier. ”Cage Of Infinity” arrived in 2013, following an acrimonious split between guitarist Stefan Lindholm and his other band Raven Lord.

Vindictiv's fourth and current effort ”World Of Fear” was created under more harmonious circumstances, and to their guitarist marks both a progression and a return to form.

”The sound is harder, but also more melody-oriented”, muses Stefan (whose resumé also includes Phenomena and Black Sabbath legend Tony Martin). ”Some fans may have found the last album too metallic, but this is more in the veins of ”Ground Zero”.

”Wall Of Pain” is a catchy heavy metal anthem with plenty of double bassdrums. ”Until The Dawn” is slower, a semi-ballad – a little something for the ladies. ”Day” is somewhat poppy – more of a major chord-vibe, unlike the minor chord-oriented remaining songs. At the same time, this is a more technical album than the previous one. I deliver my usual masturbation-style solos!”

Lest we forget – ”World Of Fear” introduces the most star-studded Vindictiv lineup yet. Present as always are Stefan's faithful cohorts Pontus Larsson on keyboards and renowned bass player Nalle Påhlsson (Therion, Treat, Last Autumn's Dream).

By their side we find virtuoso drummer Marco Minnemann (Kreator, Joe Satriani, Steven Wilson) and singer Mark Boals (Yngwie Malmsteen, Royal Hunt, Dokken). The latter is arguably the most famous on a long list of Vindictiv frontmen that includes Tommy Karevik (Kamelot, Seventh Wonder), Nils Molin (Dynazty), Oliver Hartmann (At Vance, Avantasia) and Göran Edman (Yngwie Malmsteen, John Norum).

”Mark is someone I've known for some time and it was great to finally make a whole album with him”, says Stefan. ”Marco is a very easy-going guy. I hooked up with him on Facebook and he agreed to do the album as soon as he heard the songs. He's such a quick worker, he nailed his parts almost before he received the songs from me.”

As additional icing on the cake, ”World Of Fear” features guest solos from two keyboard exceptionals. Mark Basile is best known as the singer in Italy's own DGM. The recently deceased Mats Olausson has made stellar contributions to the likes of Yngwie Malmsteen, Lion's Share, Ark and Evil Masquerade.

”These sessions may be the last that Mats ever did before his passing”, says Stefan. ”He appears on three songs, including a cover version of Yngwie Malmsteen's ”Far Beyond The Sun”. Such a sweet guy. We dedicate ”World Of Fear” to him.”

Have Vindictiv finally found a stable lineup? If it's up to their guitarist, the answer is yes.

”I'd really like to bring an element of permanency to the band. And the odds of us five performing live together look real favorable. Sure, some members are busy people and Mark and Marco live in the US. But my goal is to get Vindictiv back on stage and Mark is already on board. After all, playing live is the most fun part of all about being in a band.”

With any luck, these plans will quickly come to fruition. ”World of fear” marks the rebirth of Vindictiv, and it's due time that the band goes from ”best kept secret of neoclassical metal” to ”best revealed secret of neoclassical metal”.

DISCOGRAPHY:

”Vindictiv” (2008)

”Ground Zero” (2009)

”Cage Of Infinity” (2013)

”World Of Fear” (2015)

Tags:

Mon

Jun

This Week's RED DRAGON CARTEL Vocalist Is...

Paul D'eath. Yeah, I know... Hear him at http://youtu.be/ok-5HzPTycQ

Mon

Jun

Double Stop Podcast - MIKE FRASER

Artist:

Mike Fraser

Release Year:

2015

Categories:

Podcasts & Radio

Mike Fraser discusses his career, from how he got his start with Bob Rock and Bruce Fairburn, to his first big break with Aerosmith, working with Jimmy Page on the Coverdale - Page CD, AC/DC on The Razors Edge (and iconic guitar parts on Thunderstruck), Blue Murder, The Power Station, Joe Satriani, Chickenfoot, and the new AC/DC CD Rock or Bust.

https://soundcloud.com/thedoublestop/ep-63-mike-fraser-aerosmith-acdc-joe-satriani-blue-murder-chickenfoot

http://thedoublestop.com/ep-63-mike-fraser-aerosmith-acdc-coverdale-page-joe-satriani/

Tags:

Fri

Jun

LYNCH MOB 'Rebel' EPK (Official / New / Studio Album / 2015)

LYNCH MOB 'Rebel' EPK (Official / New / Studio Album / 2015)

LYNCH MOB are back with their brand new studio album "Rebel" - Out in August on Frontiers Music Srl!

Tags:

Lynch Mob

George Lynch

Artist:

Lynch Mob

Fri

Jun

MOTORHEAD Conjure Up 'Bad Magic' For Album 22

Artist:

Motorhead

Release Year:

2015

Friday, August 28, 2015

Motorhead To Release Their 22nd Studio album BAD MAGIC on August 28th 2015 UDR Music/Motorhead Records

In their 40th Anniversary Year, the band also announces 40th Anniversary European tour in the Fall with more dates internationally to follow.

Freedom to believe don't have a price
Innocence never gets too old
You need a bolt of rock
Severe toxic shock
Electricity deep in your soul

'Electricity' ' Motorhead

After 40 years rattling teeth, bones and ears with their legendary rock'n'roll, you might excuse Motorhead if they wanted to ease off.

Put their feet up.

Relax a little.
But that's just it'
'this is Motorhead.

And instead, Motorhead gleefully say a loud and hearty 'bollocks' to that sort of feeble-minded thinking with their 22nd studio album, Bad Magic. Bristling with thunderous attitude, pioneering spirit and some of the fiercest rhythms and riffs that'll beat your ears into submission this year, Bad Magic is a massive kick in the teeth for anyone who dared believe it might be otherwise. Indeed, if those people still remain, they would do well to grab some big fat earplugs, fall to their knees and pray like buggery, because big-rig head crushers like 'Thunder And Lightning' and the especially l-o-u-d 'Teach'Em How To Bleed' show that Motorhead are as strong, mean, loud, relentless, uncompromising and goddam heavy as ever.

Drawing on their own vast catalogue of road-warrior freewheeling rock'n'roll spirit, Bad Magic also strides confidently into some of the earlier attitudes of Mot'rmusic. Written and recorded in the studio together, for the first time in the Kilmister/Campbell/Dee era, the more 'live' approach to creating Bad Magic has obviously paid dividends in this regard. There is the driving malevolence of 'Choking On Your Screams', with Lemmy in magnificently omnipotent vocal mood, 'Electricity' carries a hefty chunk of punk attitude married with some of Phil Campbell's best lead work in years, while 'Shoot Out All of Your Lights' is all devilish, greasy biker-borne-screw-you-and yours, Mikkey Dee's tribal drums pounding out a great path for more Kilmister proclamations. The boys even enjoyed a guest appearance from Queen's Brian May on 'The Devil', adding a scintillating solo on this thunderous Mot'rstomper.

Produced at NRG Studios with long-time producer Cameron Webb, Bad Magic came together after a couple of years which saw Motorhead enjoy their most successful international era in over two decades off the back of their last release Aftershock. Lemmy also finally decided to face the fact he is flesh, blood and mortal like all of us, adjusting his lifestyle to kick the ass of health-issues and re-emerging stronger, leaner and meaner than ever. His own personal performances on Bad Magic rank as some of the most wide-ranging and unique he has delivered in years, and on the ballad 'Until The End', Lemmy opens up with equal levels explanation and intent on the simple but important matters which life conjures for us all. Add to all of this a wonderfully executed, gritty delivery of The Rolling Stones classic 'Sympathy For The Devil', and it will be clear to anyone with a pair of ears that Bad Magic is Motorhead's finest work in over two decades.

You can also expect the road to get its ass-kicked by Motorhead once again in the last half of 2015! Starting in mid-August, there will be a North American tour with Anthrax which ends with the now-legendary Mot'rboat cruise between Sept 28th ' Oct 2nd from Miami, Florida to Nassau in the Bahamas, also featuring Slayer and Anthrax among a bumper line-up of bands. And Motorhead's 40th Anniversary European Winter tour will start on November 15th 2015 at Le Zenith in Paris, ending on December 6th at the Hartwell Arena in Helsinki, Finland. More dates will be announced soon, so keep checking the band's official website www.imotorhead.com as well as the following social media platforms for details.

https://www.facebook.com/OfficialMotorhead

Twitter: @MyMotorhead

All in all, with Bad Magic's release now confirmed, Motorheadbangers and rock'n'roll fans worldwide can prepare themselves for the prodigal return of rock music's greatest, meanest, dirtiest and most relentless trio'yeah, believe it: Motorhead proudly, and defiantly, remaiin the flag you're proud to fly through thick and thin.

BAD MAGIC ' TRACKLISTING

1.     Victory Or Die 3.09
2.     Thunder & Lightning 3.06
3.     Fire Storm Hotel 3.35
4.     Shoot Out all of Your Lights 3.15
5.     The Devil 2.54
6.     Electricity 2.17
7.     Evil Eye 2.20
8.     Teach Them How To Bleed 3.13
9.     Till The End 4.05
10. Tell Me Who To Kill 2.57
11.   Choking On Your Screams 3.33
12. When The Sky Comes Looking For You 2.58
13.   Sympathy For The Devil* 5.35

*by The Rolling Stones

Pre-Order Links Motorhead: Bad Magic:

Standard: http://smarturl.it/MH_BadMagic_Standard
Limited Box: http://smarturl.it/MH_BadMagic_LtdBox
Digi Pack: http://smarturl.it/MH_BadMagic_DigiPack
Vinyl: http://smarturl.it/MH_BadMagic_Vinyl
iTunes: http://smarturl.it/MH_BadMagic_iTunes
UDR Shop: shop.udr-music.com

Tags:

Motorhead

Lemmy

Fri

Jun

R.I.P Alan Fryer (of Aussie Rockers Heaven)

Artist:

Alan Fryer

Release Year:

2015

Categories:

News Feed

Sad news overnight with the death from cancer of pioneering Aussie rock frontman ALAN FRYER.

Alan famously auditioned for AC/DC at one stage, but went on to have mainstream success with his band HEAVEN, who never got the credit they deserved despite several full length major label releases.

Alan was also a great guy to deal with, as I have many occasions to talk to him over the years.

Heaven are responsible for what I consider the BEST cover of Knocking On Heaven's Door ever, so in tribute to Alan, here it is. may he rest in peace. You can read many friend and fan messages at: https://www.facebook.com/allan.fryer

Tags:

Alan Fryer

RIP

Heaven

Thu

Jun

Escape Music Announces The Signing of EDGE OF THE BLADE

Artist:

Edge Of The Blade

Release Year:

2015

Friday, July 24, 2015

Categories:

News Feed

Edge of the Blade 'The Ghosts of Humans' will be released July 24 via Escape Music.

Tracks: Vital Signs / Believer / Everything I Own / Mr. Hell / River Runs Red / Who's in Control / The Taken / Down on My Knees / The Ghosts of Humans / Promised Land

The Band: Alan Kelly (Drums - ex Shy) / John Francis - Vocals (ex After Hours) / Andrew Chick - Guitars and Keyboards

Produced and Engineered by Andrew Chick

Edge of the Blade is an exciting new band that features Alan Kelly (Shy), John Francis (After Hours) and very talented Guitarist, Keyboardist, Producer and studio Engineer Andrew Chick with his razor sharp production. They have managed to create a really professional sounding new band and their debut album 'The Ghosts of Humans' is poised to set pulses racing.
The band have a wide ranging influence and the music sweeps from hard hitting melodic rock to majestic melodic metal with plenty of clout. With doffs of the hat to nu melodic metal rock similar to bands such as Alter Bridge and Avenged Seven Fold with great melodies! Edge Of The Blade have given us some refreshing slants on the rock sound. This is really well thought out music that stands out in the crowded market we have today. Tracks like Vital Signs, Mr. Hell and River Runs Red are just great examples of what this band have to offer us.
Edge Of The Blade are an outfit worth watching and they are bound to catch your attention with their new album 'The Ghosts of Humans', soon to be released on Escape Music.

www.Escape-Music.com

Tags:

Alan Kelly

Shy

Edge Of The Blade

Thu

Jun

EDEN'S CURSE Release European Tour Diary

Multinational Melodic Metal band Eden's Curse have released a Tour Video Diary from their March German & Dutch shows, where they opened for Freedom Call, in support of their new double CD release Live With The Curse, which is out now via AFM Records

Tags:

Eden's Curse

Artist:

Eden's Curse

Thu

Jun

One On One With Mitch Lafon - SCOTT GORHAM (Black Star Riders)

Artist:

Black Star Riders

Release Year:

2015

Categories:

Podcasts & Radio

http://www.spreaker.com/user/talkingmetal/1on1-mitch-lafon-scott-groham

In this episode of One On One With Mitch Lafon, Mitch is joined by THIN LIZZY & BLACK STAR RIDERS guitarist, Scott Gorham. Scott talks about the band's fantastic new album 'The Killer Instinct', John Sykes, The Scott Gorham Experience, the future of Thin Lizzy, line-up changes, the possibility of making a Black Star Riders acoustic album, touring in North America and much more.

Scott quotes:

1. "I'm not in this business to make enemies with the fans."
2. Speaking of BSR: "This is a unit and it's the unit that makes the whole thing work."
3. "This is not a finishing school for other musicians."
4. On leaving Thin Lizzy: "Phil and I were fucking ill. All I knew is that I needed to get out of this band. I needed to get off the road. I needed to get better. That's all I was thinking."

This episode is co-hosted by former GUNS 'N ROSES manager, Doug Goldstein.

For more about Scott Gorham or Black Star Riders visit on TWITTER: @BlackStarRiders or @rickywarwick & @DamonJOfficial
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/BlackStarRidersOfficial
Web: http://www.blackstarriders.com

For more about Doug Goldstein's son new band visit: http://www.hunnytheband.com

Tags:

Scott Gorham

Black Star Riders

Thu

Jun

TOTO Producer CJ VANSTON Interviewed

Artist:

Toto

Release Year:

2015

Categories:

News Feed

Steve Lukather's website contributor Reggie Boyle recently interviwed Toto's co-producer for XIV - CJ Vanston. The result is intro'd below and can be read via the link:

Recently Reggie Boyle talked again with CJ Vanston. Vanston produced, engineered, mixed, played keyboards on, sang, and co-wrote (2 songs) on the new Toto release “Toto XIV.” Reggie talked to CJ before the release of XIV and he wanted to talk to him after the release to get his reaction to it's success. Reggie also wanted to dig a little deeper into this stellar release. CJ was again was kind enough to squeeze him into his vey busy schedule. They met at his Los Angeles area studio where Jeff "Skunk" Baxter was coming in, just after the interview, to work on a new CD with CJ.

http://www.stevelukather.com/news-articles/2015/06/cj-vanston-strikes-ag...

Tags:

Toto

CJ Vanston

Thu

Jun

TOTO 'Live In Poland' Broadcast Debut On Palladia Friday, June 5, 9PM EST

Artist:

Toto

Release Year:

2015

Categories:

News Feed

TOTO's most recent DVD/Blu-Ray release - 35th Anniversary Tour - Live In Poland will receive its broadcast debut on Palladia, Viacom's high-def music channel, this Friday June 5 at 9PM EST. An hour-long version of the show will begin airing on VH1 Classic on Saturday, June 6 at 9PM EST.

Filmed on June 25, 2013 in Lodz, Poland, the offering captures the band in the midst of a standing-room-only European tour. The two-hour plus performance features Toto's hit-stocked repertoire alongside other favorites. The complete show includes: Intro, Medley: "On The Run" / "Child's Anthem" / "Goodbye Eleanor," "Goin' Home," "Hydra," "St. George And The Dragon," "I'll Be Over You," "It's A Feeling," "Rosanna," "Wings Of Time," "Falling In Between," "I Won't Hold You Back," "Pamela," "99," "The Muse," "White Sister," "Better World," "Africa," "How Many Times," "Stop Loving You," "Hold The Line," and "Home Of The Brave." Upon its release the DVD/Blu-Ray debuted #1 around the globe.

The 35TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR - LIVE IN POLAND release captures Toto's European tour that hit 29 cities staging successful concerts in Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, France, Netherlands, Italy, Switzerland, Poland, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and Finland. Toto World Tour 2013 featured Luke, David Paich, Steve Porcaro on keyboards, and singer Joseph Williams, who sang the hits "Pamela" and "Stop Loving You" on the worldwide platinum release The Seventh One (1988). Williams is also featured on the platinum certified Fahrenheit (1986), Toto XX (1998), the track "Bottom of Your Soul" on Falling In Between (2006), the multi-platinum release Past to Present 1977-1990 issued in 1990 along with the band's most recent album: TOTO XIV which debuted Top 10 on the charts in nine countries (Germany #4, Netherlands #2, Japan #2, Denmark #7, Czech Republic #10, Finland #5, Norway #6, Sweden #4 and Switzerland #3). TOTO XIV also became the first new studio album to chart in the US & UK since 1988's The Seventh One.

Few ensembles in the history of recorded music have individually or collectively had a larger imprint on pop culture than the members of Toto. As individuals, the band members can be heard on an astonishing 5000 albums that together amass a sales history of a HALF A BILLION albums. Amongst these recordings, NARAS applauded the performances with more than 200 Grammy nominations.

With over 35 years together and thousands of credits and accolades to their names, Toto remains one of the top selling tour and recording acts in the world. They are the benchmark by which many artists base their sound and production, and they continue to transcend the standards set by the entire music community, being simply synonymous with musical credibility.

The band are currently in the middle of another extensive European headline arena tour with appearances at key festivals. Taking Toto through the UK, France, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Poland, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia, Italy, and Belgium. Toto will return to the US this August for a co-headline tour with YES. Full details and ticket information can be found on the band's website: www.totoofficial.com

Tags:

Toto

Live In Poland

Thu

Jun

THE V - "Now or Never" EPK (Official / Studio Album / 2015 / Veronica Freeman)

THE V "Now or Never" release date is July 3rd in Europe and July 10th in North America.
Featuring Veronica Freeman of BENEDICTUM on vocals along with Pete Wells, Aric Avina and Rikard Stjernquist of BENEDICTUM, Michael Sweet (STRYPER), Garry Bordonaro (THE RODS), Jeff Pilson (DOKKEN, FOREIGNER), Mike Lepond (SYMPHONY X), Tony Martin (BLACK SABBATH), Leather Leone (CHASTAIN), Jerry Dixon (WARRANT), Jimmy Durkin (DARK ANGEL), Mick Tucker (TANK), Jordan Ziff (AGE OF EVIL), Derek Kerswill (UNEARTH, KINGDOM OF SORROW), Peter Tentindo (VENUS MARS PROJECT), John Herrera, Ryan Greene, Kenny Lewis, Meliesa McDonell, Michael Harris, Mel Brown and John O'Boyle.

Tags:

Veronica Freeman

The V

Artist:

The V

Thu

Jun

BEAUVOIR FREE - "Just Breathe" (Official Audio)

BEAUVOIR FREE "American Trash" out on June 5th in Europe and June 9 In North America.
Order NOW on Amazon http://radi.al/BeauvoirFreeAmazon

Tags:

Jean Beauvoir

Micki Free

Artist:

Beauvoir Free

Wed

Jun

DEGREED 'Dead But Not Forgotten' Album Sampler

Artist:

Degreed

Release Year:

2015

Categories:

News Feed

Swedish hard rockers DEGREED released a brand new video sampler, with tracks out of the forthcoming album “Dead But Not Forgotten“. The video can be viewed below.

The band’s third album, “Dead But Not Forgotten” is scheduled for an release on June 19 via Sun Hill Production. It’s heavier, softer, darker, brighter and everything in between! This is something truly special. So…fasten your seat belts cause Heaven & Hell are about to collide!

Robin stated: “We’ve been writing songs for this album on and off since the release of “We Don’t Belong” in 2013. I think we had 16-17 songs that we chose from, and recorded 14. The funny thing is that we ended up putting all 14 songs on the album because they’re all so freakin’ good! This album is different from the previous two because we produced it ourselves this time, and Mats engineered, mixed and mastered it. Someone once said that we don’t sound like any other band. He described our sound as the “degreed sound“, and if there’s such a sound, this is it! This is degreed all the way…”

Tracklisting:

1. The Scam
2. Face The Fact
3. Madness
4. Shame On Me
5. Better Safe Than Sorry
6. Love Me Love Me Not
7. Drama
8. Kill Your Darlings
9. Touch Of Paradise
10. Forgive You
11. Start Again
12. Firefly
13. The Final Ride
14. Turn Around Don’t Back Down

DEGREED are:

Robin Ericsson – Bass/Vocals
Daniel Johansson – Guitar
Mikael Jansson – Keys
Mats Ericsson – Drums

DEGREED was founded in 2005 and blend vocal extravaganza of Swedish Idol finalist Robin Ericsson with keyboard/guitar synchronization wizardry into melodic rock heaven. They have released two albums – Life, Love, Loss in 2010 and We Don’t Belong in 2013 – both critically acclaimed worldwide by media.

In 2014 the band was opening for Dan Reed Network on their Sweden tour, played Väsby Rock Festival and were invited as Special Guests to Machinae Supremacy’s European tour in Poland, Czech Republic and Germany. And 2015 started off with the return to UK for a tour in March.

www.facebook.com/degreedmusic
www.degreedmusic.com

Tags:

Degreed

Wed

Jun

THE WINERY DOGS Enter Studio To Record Follow-Up To Critically Acclaimed Debut

Artist:

The Winery Dogs

Release Year:

2015

Thursday, December 31, 2015

SET FOR RELEASE THIS FALL ON LOUD & PROUD RECORDS

June 2, 2015 - THE WINERY DOGS (Richie Kotzen-lead vocals/guitar, Mike Portnoy-drums, Billy Sheehan-bass) has entered a Los Angeles recording studio to start work on the follow-up to their debut album, which will be self-produced and released in North America this fall on Loud & Proud Records via RED (a division of Sony Music Entertainment) and in the rest of the world via earMUSIC. Details will be announced in the coming months, although fans are already getting news about the band's fall U.S. tour, which is set to kick off October 3 in Ridgefield, CT at the Ridgefield Playhouse.

The trio exploded onto the Rock scene with their self-titled, self-produced and critically acclaimed debut album that was released July 23, 2013 on Loud & Proud Records and a sold-out worldwide tour. THE WINERY DOGS debuted on Billboard's 'Top Alternative Albums' chart at #3, 'Top Independent Albums' chart at #4, 'Top Rock Albums' chart at #5, 'Top Internet Albums' at #8 and 'Top 200 Albums' chart at #27.

"I am thrilled to be back in the studio with MIKE and BILLY recording the second WINERY DOGS record,' proclaims RICHIE KOTZEN. 'I mentioned in an interview months ago that I thought based on how we've grown as a band, that this record could expand creatively beyond what we did on record one. After only two weeks of recording, I am convinced this sentiment is true. I can't wait to see where this all goes and share it with our listeners."

"We are excited to unleash THE WINERY DOGS' second album,' says Loud & Proud Owner and President Tom Lipsky. 'The band took the world by storm with their debut album; fans went crazy and musicians and critics voiced their respect. The new album is going to take them to another level, and we are proud to be part of that journey."

On April 15, 2014, THE WINERY DOGS released their self-titled, self-produced and critically acclaimed debut album in North America on Loud & Proud Records as two very special editions. THE WINERY DOGS SPECIAL EDITION is comprised of two-CDs. Disc 1 is the standard album and Disc 2 is entitled UNLEASHED IN JAPAN 2013, comprised of 10 songs recorded live in Japan during their July '13 tour, including 'Criminal,' a track previously unavailable in the U.S., along with a 16-page booklet of live photos and lyrics. UNLEASHED IN JAPAN 2013 is also available as a stand-alone digital album. DOG TREATS: THE WINERY DOGS DELUXE SPECIAL EDITION, a limited edition release, is being sold in a box resembling a box of dog treats, and includes the SPECIAL EDITION collection of music, a DVD featuring four music videos and interview footage, demos from the original recording sessions, a 'studio diary' written by Mike Portnoy, as well as some unique merchandise unavailable elsewhere.

The rave reviews poured in once THE WINERY DOGS was initially released:

'...filled to the brim with hard-driving rock and roll...the overall effect is something like a proggier Grand Funk Railroad crossed with Soundgarden at their most accessible.' ' Guitar World

'...a modern-rock melting pot of powerhouse hooks and plucking pyrotechnics, informed by '70s classic rock, '90s metal, R&B, and blues, and delivered through Kotzen's nuanced vocals.' ' Bass Player

'The Winery Dogs have chops galore and the maturity to rein in their mad skills with passionate execution. It's an album melding blues-rock, soulful ballads, and contemporary hard rock with Kotzen bringing the soul in buckets. Highlights include, 'Desire,' 'Elevate' and 'One More Time.'' ' Music Connection

'The self-titled debut Winery Dogs album is one of the most intriguing releases of the year. The all-star trio has delivered a blistering collection of soaring tunes.' ' Loudwire.com

Check out THE WINERY DOGS on tour later this year, with more dates to be added in the coming weeks:

DATE CITY VENUE

Sat 10/3            Ridgefield, CT               Ridgefield Playhouse
Sun 10/4           Jim Thorpe, PA             Penn's Peak
Mon 10/5          Boston, MA                  Wilbur Theater
Thu 10/8            Glenside, PA                 Keswick Theater
Fri 10/9             Sayreville, NJ                Starland Ballroom
Sat 10/10          New York, NY               Best Buy Theater
Wed 10/14        Jacksonville, FL                        Ponte Verde Concert Hall
Thu 10/15          Tampa, FL                    State Theater
Fri 10/16           Ft. Lauderdale, FL         Culture Room
Sat 10/17          Orlando, FL                   The Plaza
Tue 11/3            Anaheim, CA                 House of Blues
Thu 11/5            Agoura Hills, CA            Canyon Club
Fri 11/6             Beverly Hills, CA           Saban Theater
Sat 11/7            Las Vegas, NV              Vamp'd
Sun 11/8           San Diego, CA              House of Blues

About Loud & Proud Records:

Loud & Proud Records is an independent record label founded in 2007 by Tom Lipsky whose mission is to provide a true and transparent partnership between artists and their record label. Loud & Proud's current roster includes five-time Emmy Award winning actor and musician Jonathan Jackson and his band Enation; multi-platinum alternative band Flyleaf; Grammy Award winning multi-platinum band Blues Traveler; Grammy award winning musician, actor and author Rick Springfield; rock supergroup The Winery Dogs; renowned jam band The String Cheese Incident; multi-platinum country artists BlackHawk; Seattle's alternative Walking Papers; critically-acclaimed singer/songwriter Willie Nile and powerhouse rockers KIX. Labels under Lipsky's direction in the past, including CMC International, Sanctuary Records Group and a joint-venture with Roadrunner Records, were responsible for releases by such renowned artists as Rush, Lynyrd Skynyrd, KISS, Robert Plant, Rob Zombie, Morrissey, Lenny Kravitz, Iron Maiden, The Allman Brothers Band and more. Loud & Proud Records is distributed in the U.S. and Canada by RED, a division of Sony Music Entertainment, and in the rest of the world by earMUSIC. Loud & Proud Records is a registered trademark of Lipsky Music, LLC.

www.TheWineryDogs.com
www.facebook.com/TheWineryDogs
www.twitter.com/TheWineryDogs
www.youtube.com/user/thewinerydogs
www.loudandproudrecords.com

Tags:

Wed

Jun

PARKER LUNDGREN of QUEENSRΫCHE Signs Up To Caparison Guitars

Artist:

Queensryche

Release Year:

2015

Categories:

News Feed

Caparison Guitars are more than delighted to welcome Parker Lundgren of multi-platinum rock legends Queensrÿche, into the family.

Many people who have caught Queensrÿche on their most recent tour will already have seen Parker rocking out on stage with his new Angelus M3B and Orbit FX models that have also been used to lay down all of his guitar parts on the new Queensrÿche album

"Caparison guitars are the best playing, and best built guitars I have ever played. Every detail is perfect and I can play things on Caparison guitars that I physically can't play on other guitars. They are like samurai swords; built with precision and built for destruction!"

Queensrÿche first burst onto the music scene in 1982 with the release of their self-titled 4 song EP "Queensrÿche". Quickly gaining international recognition, they followed this up with the first full length album "The Warning" in 1984, and the ground breaking 1986 release of "Rage For Order", In 1988 the band turned out yet another monumental album "Operation:Mindcrime", which would go on to become one of the TOP 10 best selling concepts records of all time,. With the release of the critically acclaimed and commercially successful "Empire" in 1991, the band earned multiple Grammy Award nominations and won the MTV "viewers choice" award for the #1 chart topping hit "Silent Lucidity". During the next ten years, the band continued to release albums and tour the world to sold out audiences. Queensrÿche has sold over 30 million albums worldwide and have continued to break new ground and push their creative process.

Founded in 1995 Caparison Guitars are hand crafted boutique instruments made in Japan and to the highest quality and specification. Their aim is to make the highest possible quality and best sounding guitars that you will ever play.

Tags:

Parker Lundgre

Queensryche

Caparison Guitars

Wed

Jun

GLENN HUGHES Taps DOUG ALDRICH For European Tour

Artist:

Glenn Hughes

Release Year:

2015

Categories:

Tour News

Another interesting twist in the Whitesnake/Doug Aldrich/Glenn Hughes/Deep purple story - GLENN HUGHES has tapped former Snake guitarist DOUG ALDRICH to be his guitarist for the upcoming European tour. I guess Doug will get to rip through Burn and Stormbringer after all!

From Glenn: "I'm happy to announce Doug Aldrich will join me on Tour in Europe this Summer. More @ www.glennhughes.com"

Tags:

Glenn Hughes

Doug Aldrich

Tue

Jun

US singer KELLY KEELING Returns With 'Mind Radio' on Frontiers in July

Artist:

Kelly Keeling

Release Year:

2015

Friday, July 3, 2015

Categories:

News Feed

Frontiers Music Srl is pleased to announce the release of KELLY KEELING'S new solo album entitled "Mind Radio" on July 3rd in Europe and July 10th in North America.

Kelly Keeling is a Louisiana-born multi-instrumentalist in high demand as songwriter, vocalist, guitarist, bassist, keyboardist, and producer. He began his musical career with Baton Rouge with whom he released 3 albums. Later he joined Blue Murder’s 2^nd album, “Nothin but Trouble,” wrote and recorded 2 albums with John Norum (Europe) following extensive tours of Norway & Sweden. Keeling joined Heaven & Earth for “Windows to the World,” then 3 albums and world tour with Michael Schenker’s MSG, 4 albums with Carmine Appice's Guitar Zeus, featuring legendary guitarists Brian May, Yngwie Malmsteen, Neal Schon, Slash, Zak Wilde, Steve Morse, Paul Gilbert, and Vivian Campbell. After 3 years as lead vocalist touring and recording with Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Keeling returned to independent projects including the recent album, Red Zone Rider, featuring UFO guitarist Vinnie Moore and Scot Coogan.

Amid all these collaborations, Kelly debuted as a solo artist with the album "Giving Sight to the Eye" which was released in March 2005, featuring Roger Daltrey, Denny Laine, Kerry Livgren, Carmine Appice & Tony Franklin.

Now in 2015, Kelly Keeling is back with another solo album entitled, "Mind Radio," which is produced by the very-much-in-demand Alessandro Del Vecchio (Revolution Saints, Bonfire, Graham Bonnet, Hardline etc.).

"This album is a culmination of the last 5 years on a journey to revive my old band amidst considerations of not playing music anymore for a while due to a much needed break" says Kelly. "But during the process I found direction, actually traveling and ending up all over the world on tour with Baton Rouge, and as a solo artist at various festivals and venues. This album Mind Radio is very honest, walking the listener through what I endured on this journey. I love my band. Alessandro Del Vecchio! What a genius that guy is. I've produced and been a part of many albums but this guy is so brilliant! What a great musician singer, writer, Producer and Brother to me. I’m so very happy to have him onboard as he surely simplified a focused direction, taking a load of effort off of me through a masterpiece of work which seems to have taken lifetimes to get here."

With songwriting contributions from Robert Sall (RIDE OUT THE STORM, FROZEN IN TIME), VON GROOVE's Michael Shotton, guitarist Mario Percudani and Del Vecchio himself. Musically and sonically, this is a brilliant Melodic Rock album showcasing the impeccable vocal talents of one of the most underrated Hard Rock singers of our time. Also included on the album are three songs written by Keeling together with his BATON ROUGE cohorts Jack Ponti and Lance Bulen (WRITTEN IN FIRE, MONKEY HOUSE and WHO DO YOU RUN TO).

Enjoy an album trailer here:

"Mind Radio" tracklisting includes: This Love Our Paradise; Isolated Man; Sunshine Over Me; Still Need You In My Arms; Written In Fire; Take Me To The Limit; Love Will Tear Us Apart; No Man's Land; Frozen In Time; Monkey House; Ride Out The Storm; Who Do You Run To.

Kelly Keeling - lead vocals

Alessandro Del Vecchio - keyboards, backing vocals

Mario Percudani - electric and acoustic guitars

Anna Portalupi - bass, fretless bass

Alessandro Mori - drums

Produced by Alessandro Del Vecchio

Weblink: www.kellykeelingmusic.com

Official KK friends and family run and owned Fan Pages: https://m.facebook.com/KellyWayneKeeling.army / https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kelly-Keelings-MindRadio/201486629946953

Tags:

Kelly Keeling

Baton Rouge

Red Zone Rider

Tue

Jun

Maximum Metal Interview ULI JON ROTH

Artist:

Uli Jon Roth

Release Year:

2015

Categories:

Podcasts & Radio

Maximum Metal have just posted a new interview with guitar great ULI JON ROTH

Direct Interview link: http://www.maximummetal.com/interviews/intresults.asp?ID=ulijroth&idBand...

If you know the history of metal guitar, you don't have to be told who Uli Jon Roth is. First coming to the world's attention as a member of Germany's Scorpions in the 1970's, he was among the first guitar players to incorporate the influence of Classical music into a heavy rock context. In the 80's, he began taking this fusion further, first with the band Electric Sun (which also bore a distinct Jimi Hendrix influence he had begun to show in the Scorpions), and then with other projects that included several orchestral works. After increasingly leaving the rock world behind for a time, Roth has seemed to come to terms with his proto-metal past. It began with a handful of onstage appearances with the Scorpions, and has now culminated in Scorpions Revisited, a studio album featuring inspired new interpretations of songs he originally recorded with the band in the 70's (plus a tour featuring a set list that draws heavily from that era).

Roth recently spoke to Maximum Metal's Vinaya Saksena about his past, present and future, plus his thoughts on technology, society and the future of music in general. What follows is a slightly edited version of that interview here:

Roth has a new album of Scorpions material "Scorpions Revisited," out now. His thoughts on what he might do next:

Roth: I've written a new album a year ago, but I've never gotten around to start recording it, and I'm kind of itching to start the recording process. In some ways, it's a continuation of "Under A Dark Sky," but it's more rock-orientated, slightly simpler, but it's strongly melodic and I like the lyrics as well. So I'm looking forward to recording that one.

Roth expresses concern about the often superficial nature of popular music and culture in general:

As far as the music itself, I'm not really enamored with the whole instant gratification-like download mentality. You know, the iTunes thing means that it's just like McDonald's. You can get any piece of music instantly, and they're disconnected. My music for instance, I always tried to write like an album of pieces that are connected. And then of course you can listen to them on their own, but I feel it's not quite the same. I tend to think in broader artistic frameworks. And I'm not the only artist, you know. Kate Bush thinks like that, and so do several others. That's one thing.

I feel that the young generation, because everything is downloaded in seconds, there is no more physical aspect to it, and they don't seem to bond with the artists. But the artist needs a bond with the audience, a deeper understanding, which goes both ways, you know? Both sides are missing out if that's not happening, because the music benefits from that, the quality of the music benefits from that kind of bonding, which is a mutual understanding and a mutual kind of respect for one another- the audience for the artist and the artist for the audience. That reflects in the music and also the quality of the music, I think. So that's a little deplorable.

So it's a sign of our times. That's why I call it the McDonald's society. It's all mental fast food. Fast food of the mind is the name of the game. That's what rules the planet. You know, it's fast information, shallow information, cheap information. Anything instant, but very little of that goes down way deep. That's just the time we live in, and it takes some period of transformation inside of us to come to grips with this kind of speed, you know?

Everything is much faster now than it used to be. The train of mankind is running at a different frequency now, and that frequency is not necessarily very much in tune with what would be healthy for the human mind. There's a certain kind of spectrum of plus and minus of a healthy speed which is conducive to real progress of the human mind and spirit. But if you go beyond that, if the speed is too high, it's like you could easily have the whole train derailed, you know? And then the learning is not facilitated by that, because the speed is just too quick for that which we are naturally equipped with.

Maybe the next generation will adapt to that kind of speed, but I know very few people who have so far. Most people are just kind of coasting along , but maybe they don't even really notice, but when you really analyze what's going on, I don't really know anybody who's really on top of it now, even if they appear to be on top of it. A lot of precious things fall by the wayside. And I don't mean that financially. I mean spiritually precious, mentally precious, you know? A lot of good things fall by the wayside. They get crushed by this incredibly fast train.

Tags:

Uli Jon Roth

Scorpions

Tue

Jun

Japan To Issue SLASH 'Best Of' July 8

Artist:

Slash

Release Year:

2015

Wednesday, July 8, 2015

Categories:

News Feed

So just what is 'Conspiracy Theory Volume 1'? Well, it is the name assigned to a 12 track SLASH 'BestOf' release due via Universal Japan on July 8.

It looks as if that's not a title Slash came up with, but rather a new Best Of compilation series that will take on one artist at a time. Further information as it comes to hand.

As for this release - it's all a bit pointless really - but will feature the following tracks:

01． Beautiful Dangerous (Feat. Fergie)

02． Doctor Alibi (Feat. Lemmy Kilmeister)

03． Watch This (Feat. Dave Grohl & Duff Mckagan)

04． Sahara (Feat.Koshi Inaba)

05． Apocalyptic Love

06． One Last Thrill

07． You’re A Lie

08． Bad Rain

09． World On Fire

10． Shadow Life

11． 30 Years To Life

12． Too Far Gone

Tags:

Slash

Conspiracy Theory

Mon

Jun

THE RADIO SUN Continue Partnership with MRR For 'Heaven Or Heartbreak'

Artist:

The Radio Sun

Release Year:

2015

RELEASE MONTH:

Tuesday, September 1, 2015

Categories:

News Feed

MelodicRock Records is super excited and very proud to announce the next chapter for melodic rock band THE RADIO SUN.

The acclaimed Aussie band will release their sophomore record Heaven Or Heartbreak via MRR in September.

Once again, THE RADIO SUN have teamed with the great Paul Laine, who mixed the new album as well as co-writing three tracks and adding a special guest lead vocal on a song ‘Science Fiction Make Believe’.

Guitarist Stevie Janevski states enthusiastically; “The Heaven Or Heartbreak album title stands for our belief in melodic heavy rock. It’s our ‘heaven!’ We’ve grown as a band – and it would be our ‘heartbreak’ if this new album doesn’t extend our fanbase. All of us spent a lot of time on writing the songs and really believe it’s a good album with no fillers. We’re all really looking forward to getting out there and touring the album in as many parts of the world as possible”.

The Radio Sun debut album ‘Wrong Things Right’ was a top seller for MelodicRock Records and was well received by the press & public worldwide with favourable reviews in major scribes such as Classic Rock, Powerplay, Fireworks and Burrn! amongst others.

Two appearances at MelodicRockFest 3 & 4 in Chicago U.S.A. helped showcase The Radio Sun’s live experience with notable first class four part vocal harmonies (a standout on the new album) which impressed so much that Paul Laine asked the band to be his backing band for live shows in America and in Australia.

Heaven Or Heartbreak will be released in September in conjunction with Cargo Records UK and will also be available as a limited Special Edition direct from MelodicRock.com

The Special Edition bonus to include the band covering a few very special and much loved AOR classics!

www.theradiosun.com

www.facebook.com/theradiosun

Tags:

The Radio Sun

Paul Laine

MelodicRock Records

Mon

Jun

Decibel Geek Podcast - BRIAN VOLLMER (HELIX)

Artist:

Helix

Release Year:

2015

Categories:

Podcasts & Radio

BRIAN VOLLMER OF CANADIAN ROCKERS HELIX ON REALITY TV, PUTTING HELIX ONLINE IN THE EARLY 1990's, AND BEHIND THE SCENES OF THE BAND

Decibel Geek podcast/website staff writer Blair DeAbreu recently interviewed Brian Vollmer for a talk about Brian's new reality TV series, putting Helix into the online world in the early 1990's, the behind the scenes of the Helix band and more. A few excerpts follow:

On The Vollmer's Reality Show: 'I call it my unreality reality show, and it's about Linda and I and the somewhat bizarre life we live. On one hand we live in a blue collar district of East London, Ontario and live a very normal life but it's punctuated with pretty unreality things I'm sure to other people' and 'our reality show is muuch the same (as other reality TV shows) only it's a no budget show whereas those are very high budget shows and whereas those shows are all heavily scripted ours is essentially very loosely scripted, in fact not really scripted at all''

On taking to the Internet very early in the 90s with PlanetHelix.com: 'As John Lennon said either you grow with music or music outgrows you. That goes for marketing as well. Actually there is more money being spent on music than ever before its just very fractured'.'

On bands learning the ropes through playing 8 times a week in the 70s & 80s: 'It toughened you and prepared you for any success that might come. By the time we got signed in '82 we had already been on the road for 8 years. Even at 8 years of being ready it was still a major shock when it actually happened.'

On being a Canadian band: 'Canada loves an underdog but as soon as you make it they turn on you, I don't know why that is, is it a jealousy factor''

Link to Official Website Post: http://www.decibelgeek.com/wordpress/brian-vollmer-helix-audio-interview/

Official website located at: http://www.decibelgeek.com

Tags:

Helix

Brian Vollmer

Mon

Jun

VIRGIN STEELE - "Lucifer's hammer"

Tags:

Virgin Steele

Artist:

Virgin Steele

Mon

Jun

Double Stop Podcast - ERIC MARTIN

Artist:

Eric Martin

Release Year:

2015

Categories:

Podcasts & Radio

This week on the Double Stop Podcast is a 2 part interview with Eric Martin. At the end of Part 2 he reveals that he has a new project/band with Warren DeMartini from Ratt.

[Eric reveals in the conversation that he has a huge man-crush on Warren's playing and would like to create a side project as Billy has with The Winery Dogs. The style he says would be something like 70s Aerosmith, The Black Crows and The Faces...]

Part 1:

https://soundcloud.com/thedoublestop/ep-61-eric-martin-solo-mr-big

http://thedoublestop.com/ep-61-eric-martin-solo-mr-big/

In Part 1 Eric shares how he got his start in music, and discusses his early solo albums "Sucker For A Pretty Face", "Eric Martin" and "I'm Only Fooling Myself". He also covers his contribution to the Teachers soundtrack (a song he wrote with Neal Schon from Journey), as well as his near miss in Toto. We discuss the formation of Mr. Big (and the role Mike Varney had), and the recording of the first Mr. Big album.

Part 2:

https://soundcloud.com/thedoublestop/ep-62-eric-martin-part-2-mr-big-solo

http://thedoublestop.com/ep-62-eric-martin-part-2-mr-big-solo/

In Part 2 Eric discusses the first Mr. Big tour with Rush, the success of "Lean Into It", the reformation in the 90's with Richie Kotzen (and sharing lead vocals on some songs), the reunion with all original members, the Mr. Vocalist series of cds in Japan, and he announces his new project with Warren DeMartini (Ratt).

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Fri

May

OBSESSION: ‘Carnival Of Lies’ Re-Issue Announced

Artist:

Obsession

Release Year:

2015

Friday, July 17, 2015

Categories:

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Inner Wound Recordings are proud to announce the re-issue of "Carnival of Lies", the reunion album from the classic US heavy metal band OBSESSION. "Carnival of Lies" will be released on July 17th in Europe and on July 24th in North America. The album was originally released in 2006 and have been out of print and hard to get ahold of for many years.

The album is re-mixed and re-mastered by Michael Vescera and features brand new artwork by Felipe Machado Franco [Blind Guardian, Rhapsody of Fire, Xandria, Rage]. The re-issue also includes two bonus tracks.

Check out an album teaser at YouTube here: https://youtu.be/NoFbZsVOh-Q

"Carnival of Lies" track listing
01. Smoking Gun
02. Carnival of Lies
03. In for the Kill
04. Playing Dead
05. Imagining
06. The Offering
07. Pure Evil
08. I Don't Belong
09. Written in Blood
10. Guilty as Charged
11. Marshall Law
12. Panic in the Streets
13. Judas

Obsession “Carnival of Lies” line-up:
Michael Vescera [Animetal USA, ex Loudness, Yngwie Malmsteen] - Vocals
Jay Mezias - Drums
Scott Boland [MVP] - Guitars
John Bruno [X Factor X] - Guitars
Chris Mccarvill [House of Lords, ex Dokken, Jeff Scott Soto] - Bass

"Carnival of Lies" is available for pre-ordering at these locations: http://www.innerwound.bigcartel.com http://www.amazon.com/Carnival-Lies...

Obsession online - Website: www.theobsession.net / Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/obsessionmetal

Inner Wound Recordings online - Website: www.innerwound.com / Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/innerwoundrecordings

Tags:

Obsession

Fri

May

Former Kiss Guitarist BRUCE KULICK Releases New Album and Single

Artist:

Bruce Kulick

Release Year:

2015

Categories:

News Feed

KKB, Bruce Kulick's first band created back in 1974 with his local friends, singer/bassist Mike Katz and drummer Guy Bois, are releasing a brand new single and CD called 'Got To Get Back.' The new single leads off the CD, which continues with 6 more songs they recorded in 1974. The vintage tracks were revisited for 2015, and the original tapes were totally remixed and remastered.

Kulick was fortunate growing up in Jackson Heights, NY to find other talented local musicians who shared the same passion for the British Invasion of rock. They lived within blocks of each other, with drummer Guy's basement being the breeding ground for the musical concoction they were creating. The young band rehearsed for months before entering a studio in NYC capturing music that was urgent, intense and compelling. Sadly, with no clear direction for the group to follow the band never played together live, and ultimately went their separate ways. Bruce continued on in the music world, playing guitar with Michael Bolton, Meatloaf, KISS, and Grand Funk Railroad.

The music KKB recorded in 1974, however, sat idle on a tape in Kulick's closet for many years. In 2008, Bruce bought a TEAC tape deck at a local garage sale and decided to listen to the KKB recording again. He loved it, and shared it with his friends, who all agreed: "You must release this music for people to hear." The vintage tape was transferred and, after some cleaning up of the tracks, KKB 1974 was released in 2008. The limited-run CD sold out quickly.

An unexpected new chapter for KKB happened in 2013, when Mike found the original session tapes. By using the actual tracks recorded, Kulick had the opportunity to remix, remaster and get creative with this music once again. But the discovery sparked something substantially more interesting than simply polishing up 'old' music'the desire for Bruce and Mike to create a new song for KKB, 40 years after its genesis.

As a result of KKB's rekindled fire, the trio wrote and recorded a new song, 'Got To Get Back," a total throwback to their vintage sound, style and vibe. Each band member recorded their parts in a local studio'Guy in Paris, Mike in New York City, and Bruce in LA. Further adding to KKB's renaissance, a string quartet, scored by Bruce's longtime collaborator Jeremy Rubolino, was added to the ballad "Someday," giving the song a shine that couldn't have been imagined in 1974.

"This music represents a time in my career that I feel helped define the potential of my guitar playing," Kulick says. "It gives me chills to hear it. The interplay with Mike on bass and Guy on drums was expertly executed, filled with passion that defined our age. To think that so long ago I was involved in something this powerful that sat in my closet unheard for nearly 35 years made me furious. My intense desire to share this music that is relevant now, more than ever, is a huge accomplishment. Play it loud and imagine three young men pouring their hearts out making music, never concerned about anything but the music. That was the intention. It was pure, it was real. And now it's available for all to enjoy."

KKB's music is in the power rock/progressive/melodic rock genre, and Got To Get Back captures styles of a variety of British bands including Led Zeppelin, Cream, and King Crimson, with arrangements performed in a hard rock trio context. Give it a listen, and see if you agree that this time capsule of music from Kulick's beginnings is totally unique and captivating to your ears.

KKB album webpage w/ links for various commercial configurations: www.kulick.net/kkb/

Tags:

Bruce Kulick

Kiss

KKB

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