Croatian hard rockers Animal Drive are preparing to begin work in earnest on the follow-up album to their stunning debut, "Bite!". To hold fans over while they wait for the band's new album, Animal Drive jumped in the studio to record a covers EP, “Back to the Roots”. The tracklisting includes a super-heavy rendition of Roxette’s “The Look” (featuring the guest vocals of Frontiers labelmate and fellow Trans-Siberian Orchestra artist Rosa Laricchiuta), a magnificent and epic version of Whitesnake’s “Judgement Day”, Skid Row’s “Monkey Business”, and Warrant’s evergreen classic “Uncle Tom’s Cabin,” Animal Drive showcase how much musical prowess the band possesses by covering these three hard rock classics and a mainstream '90s hit and completely making them their own.
On why the band chose to cover Skid Row's "Monkey Business", Dino Jelusic says “people used to, and still do sometimes, compare Animal Drive to Skid Row and their "Slave To The Grind" era. That song opens the "Slave To The Grind" album and it’s a monster jam, so it felt like a logical fit. Of the other covers on "Back To The Roots", Jelusic continues, "the other three songs are "Uncle Tom’s Cabin" by Warrant, "Judgement Day" by Whitesnake and "The Look" by Roxette. I've always wanted to cover "The Look" in a heavy way, so it was cool to finally do it. We are big Whitesnake fans and had to go for one of their more epic jams. The Warrant song is one of their absolute best and shows what a great songwriters Jani and the band are, plus it's a great fit for a heavy band to cover."
As for what can fans expect from the next Animal Drive album, Jelusic says, "I more or less have all the songs down. It will be epic, a lot more versatile than the first album, more pianos and orchestra, progressive, but still very heavy and melodic. Probably my finest lyrical and musical work to date."
Animal Drive's debut album, “Bite!” caused quite a stir in the hard rock scene, showcasing for the first time to the world the amazing vocals of Croatian singer Dino Jelusic. Originally formed in 2012 by Jelusic, who is the primary songwriter and driving force behind the band's sound, the band also features guitarist Ivan Keller, bassist Roko Nikolic aka Rokindja, and drummer Zvonimir Mihaljevic aka Zvone. Dino was chosen by the late, great Paul O'Neill to tour as a featured vocalist on Trans-Siberian Orchestra's most recent U.S. tours. Often compared to the likes of David Coverdale, Russell Allen, Sebastian Bach, and Steve Lee, Jelusic's commanding vocal presence is perfectly matched in Animal Drive's sound by guitarist Ivan Keller's monster riffs and screaming solos, and the thunderous rhythm section of Rokindja and Zvone.
Overall, Animal Drive showed, on their debut album, an impressive range of styles from Whitesnake and Skid Row at their heaviest to more modern hard rock/metal like Avenged Sevenfold and Alter Bridge to touches of progressive rock and metal elements the likes of Dream Theater thrown in the mix. The final result is melodic yet always very much possessing the hard rock "in your face" attitude.
"Back to the Roots” is a great chance to get accustomed with one of the hottest new Hard Rock bands around and if you are a serious fan, this time you can’t go wrong. Enjoy!
Original Survivor bass player STEPHAN ELLIS has passed away.
Stephan was a crucial part of the great legacy of Survivor’s heyday. I know Jim and Frankie will both be feeling this hard and my personal condolences go out to them and Stephan’s family, friends and fans.
Survivor's Frankie Sullivan has just posted this message on the band's FB page:
We are devastated to hear that Stephan Ellis has passed away. Steph was the guy who was only interested in the music. He absolutely had a special charm with the fans and within the band. I loved much when it came to Steph.
What I remember most and clearly recall is the day when we cut “Keep It Right Here.” The Bass part and lines in the intro just folded into the mix and it was the bass part that inspired me to reach higher on my guitar. We cut our tracks together, live in the studio. Steph’s runs on the neck of that blue bass are as memorable as the song itself.
The guitar player/bass player vibe has been around for a long time and Stephan and I had our thing as well. We fed off each other a lot and I think it was simply his calm ways that not only presented him to me in the beginning, it was also Steph’s calm ways that often helped most. He was always good for some adventurous storytelling that the censorship of today has removed, never to be told by this band reporter. But I learned a few things, we all did…!!!!
I will miss Stephan, we all will. We can talk for years about how much he’d cause us to laugh and most importantly to a rock n’ roll band at that time, the infamous “ice” lesson he passed on to us all one day that stuck for a long while.
This was Stephan Ellis to me –
Underrated yet never dated. Well dressed and on a consistent basis. Gargoyles and all and he was cool enough to pull off. Stephan was well-coifed, always ready and Stephan Ellis lived his own life in his own way and on his own terms.
As already announced, 2019 will bring many, many concerts for Cornerstone. The first half of the year the band will mainly perform in Austria - including a few appearances in Germany as well. During summer, the UK is on the touring-agenda again, the 10th time meanwhile! Continuing the good news, Cornerstone will do shows in France and Scotland this time - great news so far! Within the next few weeks some more gigs will be announced, for more infos check out the band's website.
Frontiers Music Srl is proud to announce the debut album, "Nowhere To Run" from the UK's The Brink! Set for release on May 17, 2019, fans can hear first single, "Break These Chains" today.
The band is part of the label's New Breed roster, a stable of young, up and coming bands forging the future of hard rock and metal.
Check out NOW the lyric video for "Break These Chains”
Influenced by classic bands of both the past and present, but with a modern edge added to the mix, The Brink bring new life and energy to the British hard rock scene with their vibrant 21st Century form of balls-to-the-wall rock ’n roll.
Starting out in the Cambridge area, the group have worked their way up the ladder to headline in cities such as London, Manchester, Newcastle, Sheffield and Nottingham, while support slots have included a well received UK tour with The Departed in the autumn of 2018.
Following two self-released EP’s, The Brink signed to Frontiers in 2017 and are now set to release their debut album, ‘Nowhere To Run’, which has been produced by Nick Tauber (Thin Lizzy, UFO, Marillion). Weaving delicate vocal and instrumental harmonies around driving rock riffs, the record is packed with fist-pumping anthems and solid ballads befitting early Def Leppard and Bon Jovi, although their fresh new style has already enticed fans from a variety of rock genres.
Singer Tom Quick states that the lyrics have “a theme of unity and compassion, and an understanding that no matter who you are, there is always a place for you in this world. The songs are written from the perspective of personal situations that the band members have been through and our hope is that listeners will be able to relate to what we are talking about and be inspired by it.” Musically, he continues, "it’s filled with hard hitting riffs, sing-along choruses and kick ass ballads!”
As for the new single, ‘Break These Chains’, Tom explains that the song “was inspired by friends of band bassist Gaz Connor, who “both had very strong work ethics in well paid jobs, but they never felt it was paying off and they knew there had to be more to life. They had to break the chains that bound them. Lexi [Laine, guitarist] wrote a hard hitting riff to back up the message behind the lyrics, to really make them come to life and tell the story.”
Backed up with an exciting live show full of youthful vivacity, The Brink are a band to keep your ears open for.
Of all the glory days comebacks that could happen, a new Jetboy album would not have been on my list of most desired, nor expected. But nevertheless, here it is and what do you know, this ain’t bad!
The guys have mellowed a tad since the days of ‘Dammed Nation’, but there’s no denying the spirit and energy on display here. There have been some real clunkers delivered by American legacy bands in the last 12 months, so I wasn’t expecting much to be honest.
The style and the sound are here, not to mention a far superior production quality than some of their peers have delivered, it’s just a little less ‘in your face’ now.
This album does capture the essence of the 80s/90s Los Angeles metal scene and dials up the AC/DC riffing. And at the core of it is some catchy and enjoyable songs. You can hear the effort the band has put in with the production quality, but there appears to have been a lot of attention paid to the songwriting too.
An album exceeding expectations is always good – but when those expectations were neutral at best, it’s even more pleasing to hear an album as well made as what Jetboy have done here.
Good job guys – a big riffing, good fun, old school American hard rock album.
Robert Rodrigo Band is the brainchild of Spanish guitarist Robert Rodrigo, the man behind the excellent Airless and composer of two previous instrumental solo albums.
This album is a mixture of all that has come before, delivered in an energetic collection of well-produced songs. There are a couple of enjoyable left turn instrumentals with another two additional more straight-ahead instrumentals later in the album. The remaining six tracks feature vocal god Johnny Gioeli in full force. His style and tone suit the album perfectly – giving both his trademark rasp and ability to turn melodic opportunities to shine.
There is real musical dexterity and diversity between the tracks – from a straight blues boogie to stadium anthems and some groovy sounding hard rock.
There is some vivid musical experimentation in several of the verses, but come chorus time, its all hooks and melodies.
10 tracks, 40 minutes….no room for fillers or fluff here. An enjoyable album with a few really good hooks and some impressive guitar work. Familiar for fans of the genre, but fresh also.
I love Tora Tora’s acclaimed ‘Wild America’ album – a stand out album at the time, offering something just that little bit different and unique. A mix of bluesy hard rock, Led Zeppelin and a touch of late 80s sleaze.
The same can’t be said about this record. ‘Bastards Of Beale’ struggles for an identity, apart from occasionally sounding like a distance version of themselves and some Zeppelinesque touches.
I’m struggling with the quality of the vocals and the production is also very rough. If you like that rawer, unpolished sound it might appeal more, but to me it sounds like the guys set up live in the studio and just hit record.
Anthony’s vocals are also a good distance from the energy of ‘Wild America’ and are just annoying in places. The overall style and quality of the songs are nowhere near the uniqueness and strength the band once commanded.
It all just sounds underdone and under budget. No question the guitar playing is still top notch, but everything else fails to meet expectations.
Alan Parsons to Release New Studio Album, "The Secret" April 26
First Single, "Miracle" featuring Jason Mraz Out Now
Grammy Award Winning legendary music icon and master of progressive rock, Alan Parsons will return with a new album, “The Secret” on April 26, 2019 via Frontiers Music Srl. Today, the first song from the album, entitled "Miracle", featuring Jason Mraz on vocals, has been made available.
Of the collaboration with Mraz, Alan says, “I met Jason two years ago through a neighbor who grows coffee on his ranch. Jason wanted to grow coffee himself and our neighbor, Jay was kind enough to introduce us since we had mutual musical interests. For 'Miracle’, Jason recorded his vocals in Dallas while I listened in Santa Barbara and we sent files back and forth, resulting in this song. Thus proving that you don't necessarily have to be in the same studio with someone to create music. This was also the case with Lou Gramm on the track "Sometimes", which he sang in New York.
Mraz adds, "'Eye In The Sky' is a song I have a very early memory of, strapped in the backseat of my mom's green Fiat, 1982. Alan Parsons is on the radio and I’m singing along, harmonizing. That sound of rich harmony over magical words would stick with me for my whole life and ultimately become what my own career is about, trying to solve universal quandaries through song craft." When Mraz heard "Miracle", he said, "I loved it. It sounded like a song right off of 'Eye In The Sky'. As if no time had passed, proving time might just be a construct after all". Woking with Alan was "[m]agic. Alan is very kind, very creative, and very authentic," concludes Mraz.
Available on CD, CD + DVD Audio Deluxe Edition (DVD includes Stereo Hi Definition Mix and 5.1 Surround Audio Mix), LP (Standard & Color), limited edition Box Set, and Digital. Box Set includes CD+DVD Deluxe Edition, 180g Gatefold Vinyl, the rare "LiveSpan" 2CD set, exclusive T-shirt (size: XL for US retailers, L for all European retailers), Poster, Numbered Lithograph (album cover).
Alan’s longtime hobby has been performing magic and this brand new album showcases his own passion for the craft, hence the title “The Secret.” The album sees a return to the pop rock sound with symphonic and progressive rock interludes which the Alan Parsons Project was known for.
"Magic has always been a passion of mine, I am a member of The Magic Castle in Los Angeles. I've also worked with the Japanese magic company Tenyo, writing instruction books and catalogs for their tricks. I dabble with magic myself in my free time, so an album with magical influences was a natural progression”.
Alan’s history in the music business one is a storied and unique one. He was fortunate enough to work as assistant engineer on the last two albums by The Beatles and after he became a fully-fledged recording engineer, he went on to work with Paul McCartney and The Hollies, among many others. But it was his contribution as engineer on Pink Floyd’s classic "The Dark Side Of The Moon" that really got him the world’s attention. That soon led to striking successes as a producer, notably with Pilot’s “Magic", John Miles’ “Highfly" and “Music”, and Steve Harley’s "Make Me Smile". He also produced the hugely successful "Year Of The Cat" album with Al Stewart and two albums with American prog rock band Ambrosia.
In 1975 he met Eric Woolfson who not only became his manager, but joined forces with Alan as a songwriting and performing partner for what became known as The Alan Parsons Project. The APP’s debut album, "Tales Of Mystery And Imagination" based on the works of Edgar Allan Poe paved the way for signing to Clive Davis’ newly launched Arista label and a string of hit albums, namely, "I Robot" (1977), “Pyramid" (1978), "The Turn of a Friendly Card" (1980), "Eye in the Sky" (1982), "Ammonia Avenue" (1984), "Vulture Culture" (1985), “Stereotomy" (1986), and “Gaudi" (1987).
With his long-standing previous APP collaborators, guitarist Ian Bairnson, drummer Stuart Elliott and orchestral arranger Andrew Powell, Alan dropped the “Project” identity for Alan Parsons’ “Try Anything Once” in 1994. The partnership continued for “On Air” in 1996 and “The Time Machine” in 1999. During this time, the first incarnation of “Alan Parsons Live Project” toured extensively all over the globe. Following Alan’s relocation to California in 1999, a brand new Live Project band was formed in 2003. Another band reshuffle happened in 2010. The current live band consists of Alan on acoustic guitar, keyboards and vocals, P.J. Olsson on vocals, Tom Brooks on keyboards, Guy Erez on bass, Jeff Kollman on guitar and vocals, Danny Thompson on drums, Todd Cooper on sax, percussion and vocals, Dan Tracey on guitar and vocals.
Parsons’ last album "A Valid Path", a unique foray into the world of electronica, was released in 2004.
Tracklist:
1. THE SORCERER’S APPRENTICE (instrumental)*
2. MIRACLE (lead vocal: Jason Mraz)
3. AS LIGHTS FALL (lead vocal: Alan Parsons)
4. ONE NOTE SYMPHONY (lead vocal: Todd Cooper)
5. SOMETIMES (lead vocal: Lou Gramm)
6. SOIRÉE FANTASTIQUE (lead vocal: Todd Cooper, Alan Parsons)
7. FLY TO ME (lead vocal: Mark Mikel)
8. REQUIEM (lead vocal: Todd Cooper)
9. BEYOND THE YEARS OF GLORY (lead vocal: PJ Olsson)§
10. THE LIMELIGHT FADES AWAY (lead vocal: Jordan Huffman)
11. I CAN’T GET THERE FROM HERE (lead vocal: Jared Mahone)§ featured in Motion Picture “5-25-77”
Guitars: Steve Hackett (on *), Jeff Kollmann, Dan Tracey, Tony Rosacci, Ian Bairnson (solo on §), Alan Parsons
Synth, Keyboards: Andy Ellis, Tom Brooks, Dan Tracey, Alan Parsons
Piano: Pat Caddick, Angelo Pizzaro
Bass: Nathan East (on *), Guy Erez, Jeff Peterson
Drums: Vinnie Colaiuta (on *), Danny Thompson, Carl Sorensen
Sax: Todd Cooper
Cello: Michael Fitzpatrick
ORCHESTRAL ARRANGEMENTS Tom Brooks / STRINGS CONDUCTED BY Alan Parsons except on * Tom Brooks
ORCHESTRA The CMG Music Recording Orchestra of Hollywood
Steve Overland: All vocals (FM / Shadowman / Solo artist)
Simon Kirke: Drums (Free / Bad Company)
Steve Morris: All Guitars and keyboards (Ian Gillan / Heartland)
Chris Childs: Bass (Thunder / Tyketto)
Brian J Anthony: Acoustic Guitars, mandolin and percussions (Steve Walsh / Overland)
Track List:
1- My Imagination 3:19 / 2- Lonerider 3:38 / 3- Hard Heart to Break 4:12 / 4- Fast Train 3:57 / 5- Wanted Man 4:32 / 6- Yesterday Heroes 4:02 / 7- Angel without Wings 3:39 / 8- Rock ‘N Roll Dreamer 5:00 / 9- One in A Million 3:33 / 10- Gimme Your Love 3:46 / 11- Rhythm of Life 3:32 / 12- Heart & Soul 3:59
Double LP with 4 Bonus Tracks LP ONLY:
When Love Leaves Town 6:32
Have A Little Faith 4:01
Rock ‘N Roll Dreamer Acoustic version 5:00
Yesterday Heroes Acoustic version 4:02
Produced by Lonerider
Executive Producer: Khalil Turk
Mixed and Mastered by Brian J Anthony
All songs by Steve Overland/Steve Morris
Recorded at: The Vale Studio, Worcestershire, UK by Chris D’Adda
The Tremolo Studio, Silverdale, Stoke on Trent, UK by Dan Roley and by Brian J Anthony, USA
Every once in a while a new recording comes along with a line-up that makes your spine tingle, and here it is; “Attitude” by Lonerider. Not only does this quintet feature Steve Overland (FM, Solo, Shadowman), Steve Morris (Heartland, Shadowman) and Chris Childs (Thunder) but legendary drummer Simon Kirke of Free and Bad Company fame. With Brain J Anthony finishing the line-up we have a real force to be reckoned with. What are we to expect from this group of musicians? If you like Bad Company then this is going to be a treat for you. We have the feel of that classic Bad Company that we know and love, yet the songs are modern, fresh and vibrant. Simon has a drumming style that is unmistakeable and this shines through on all of the tracks (and an extra four on the LP version!).
There is a buzz surrounding the release already and the feedback is looking very promising indeed, this has surely got to be a stand out releases for 2019.
Los Angeles based, US Heavy / Power metal legends STEEL PROPHET are back with a new massive sounding heavy metal album that will definitely hit the top lists of 2019! Five years after the release of their latest album "Omniscient" the band recruited the all-star Heavy Metal singer / producer R.D. Liapakis of MysticProphecy / Devil'sTrain and his uniquely ranged vocal skills to perfectly match the songs on "The God Machine".
R.D. Liapakis is not just only the man behind the microphone though since he, alongside Steve Kachinsky is responsible for the songwriting and production process of the album. The voice of R.D. Liapakis sounds tough, bluesy and strong, with wide range, power and style. The high notes come effortlessly, and the lead vocals make you want to stand up and wail along with his singing. The drums sound huge and perfectly combine that old-school punch feeling you get in classic heavy metal albums while sounding fresh and up to date at the same time. The guitar work on the album sounds like all the hallowed marks of Heavy Metal classics with speedy licks and fast, furious and melodic riffs and solos complimented by fat basslines that anchor all instruments into a magnificent combo highlighting the amazing vocal lines. Each song is a delight by itself and elements of thrash, doom, and even some Scorpions tinged melodicism can be found in the band's US Power Metal.
If you live and breathe the spirit of Heavy Metal you will be astonished by "The God Machine" in its entirety. Produced by Steve Kachinsky and R.D. Liapakis (Mystic Prophecy, Devil’s Train, Suicidal Angels, Firewind, Eldritch, Silius, FireForce and many more). Mixed and mastered by “Best Producer 2017-Heavy Music Award” winner HenrikUdd at HenrikUddRecordingStudios (Architects, BringMeTheHorizon, Hammerfall, Powerwolf etc), who gave "The God Machine" a smooth and polished, yet brutally heavy sound. The album starts with the absolute banger album title song “The God Machine”, featuring furious rhythms, fast riffing and catchy arena choruses preparing the ground for “Crucify” which along with “Dark Mask / Between Love And Hate” will catapult the listener back to the best NWOBHM years while “Thrashed Relentlessly” is the definition of US power metal riffing! Songs like “Damnation Calling” and “Lucifer / The Devil Inside” will bring in mind the mighty “Headless Cross” BlackSabbath,TonyMartin era.
The album’s multidimensional yet classic Heavy Metal mark is ultimately revealed to the listener as soon as the power ballad “Buried And Broken” kicks in! “The God Machine” is a high quality metal album that will become an instant classic among STEEL PROPHET’scatalogue!
Born and raised in Denmark, Michael Jessen played with several rock bands through his youth, including “McTamparcs” to “High Octane”, “RockStar” and several others.
He picked up the guitar by the age of 15, and a childhood friend taught him how to play the main riff for AC/DC’s “Hells Bells”.
For 2014’s debut ‘Memories’, Michael teamed with one of his vocal heroes Goran Edman, who I am very pleased to say is back in the frontman role for all vocals on the new ‘Bulletproof’ release.
Adrenaline Mob founder / guitarist Mike Orlando has released the official video for "Burn" off his newly released Sonic Stomp Instrumental DVD 'Live In Studio' from Brazil.
"Burn" features:
Aquiles Priester (Tony McAlpine, Wasp, Hangar, Noturnall) on Drums
Junior Carelli (Shaman, Noturnall) on Keyboards
Fernando Quesada (Shaman, Noturnall) on Bass
Mike Orlando - Burn (Sonic Stomp) Live In Studio DVD
Jimmy Kay from Canada's The Metal Voice ( https://www.facebook.com/themetalvoice) spoke to Ex- Dio, Last in Line and Def Leppard guitarist Vivian Campbell. Campbell, spoke about his battle with cancer, Last in Line's new album and not getting paid in Dio which resulted in him getting fired.
LAST IN LINE's sophomore album, "II", will be released February 22 via Frontiers Music Srl.
When asked about his current health and his battle with Cancer
"I'm tired today I got another infusion yesterday, I'm supposed to do them every three to four weeks but given the touring schedule particularly last year with Def Leppard I had to push it to six to seven weeks. I've been very fortunate that I found a treatment that works for me. I was part of a clinical trial for this new wonder drug almost four years ago and now it got FDA approved and it's working for me, so it's holding everything in place. Also it has minimal side effects, it's immunotherapy a general term given to a bunch of these new drugs that basically bolster the immune system and the body and so your body can fight cancer. My oncologist seems to be happy for now. I feel very fortunate as there's only about a third of the population who actually has been able to use this drug and get good results from it because it's based on your genetic makeup. You have to have a certain genetic marker in order to be given this drug, something called PDL, which I happen to have and about a third of the population has as well. This drug will be given to people regardless of what your what kind of cancer you have, as long as you have this PDL. So if you have lung cancer or in my case lymphoma it will yield good results." When asked about what it was like to work with producer Jeff Pilson on the New Last in Line Album coming out on Feb 22 2019
"Jeff has so much energy. Jeff is very upbeat, funny, it's always a better room when Jeff is in it. Jeff's musical talent is quite diverse too, he's a lot more than a bass player, he plays keyboards, guitar and sings. He is also a very experienced and talented songwriter, engineer and producer, just a really really well-rounded very talented artist. It's always a pleasure to work with Jeff, the hardest part about working with Jeff is just nailing him, he's so busy and that's true of all of us." When asked about recording the new Last in Line album
"We have to work around everyone's we're evolving busy schedules and and we kind of do these records piecemeal, it's not like we go in and we've got three or four weeks to actually make a record I mean that would be luxurious. We'd write and record two three four songs at a time and then there would be months in between where we would reconvene and do another two three four songs." When asked if there is a Dio flavour to the album and what it was like to play with Phil Soussan
"There's the underlying element of the Dio vibe yes, that's because we have 50% of the original Dio members in this band now. When we started the project Jimmy Bain was still alive, so when Jimmy, Vinny Appice and I played it was like the Holy Diver album all over again.There's just a chemistry that the three had when we played together. Losing Jimmy Bain was a real kick in the nuts for us but we eventually we carried on and we were very fortunate to get Phil Soussan (Ex-Ozzy). Phil is very much cut from the same cloth as Jimmy and in terms of understanding the kind of dynamics or that kind of music but he's a different player than Jimmy. Jimmy was a very fundamental player, with a huge tone and just great timing. Phil is less of a fundamental player he's a little bit more adventurous and musical and he wants to find passages to play." When asked about the organic growth of Last in Line band
"When the project started we had no ambition other than to play songs from the first three do albums and play some clubs around LA where we were living at the time. Had I known that we were going to record and release albums of original music I would have thought twice about naming the band Last in Line. It just seemed like a very appropriate title at the time. Ronnie had passed away about a year and a half prior to us starting this project and we just wanted to go ahead and play the early Dio songs and have fun. Nobody thought it was gonna grow and become a real serious band but here we are." When asked about his thoughts about bands today who sound like Dio Copycats
" I would say, I have no idea to be honest I'm not familiar with them. I don't listen to a lot of music, I generally live under a rock and I just kind of do my own thing. But you know if our singer Andrew Freeman had walked into that rehearsal room back in late 2011 and if he had sounded anything like Ronnie I wouldn't have planned any shows. I just think that would be a bit cheesy,. Ronnie was the best of his genre and he was just like such a gifted singer had such a unique voice and tonality and style. I think it would have been really creepy to to go on stage with a Ronnie clone. I had a lot of people say to me why didn't you get this guy or that guy they sound like Ronnie but that's totally missing the point,. Andrew freeman is a really strong singer, he can sing anything and he can sing the Ronnie stuffy that's in his wheelhouse and but he does it in his own way. The tonality of his voice is totally different and makes it his own and that's what appealed to me in the first place and that's what made this in interest project for me." When asked about him getting fired for standing up for himself because of payments that were promised but not delivered
" I was in my early twenties and it wasn't about the money to me but it's about the principle, I'm very very big on principle. When somebody makes me a promise I expect them to keep it because I keep my word it's that's just the way I was brought up. When I tell somebody I'm going to do something I meet my commitments. Ronnie had made us a promise and payment and we worked for very little money, less than our road crew and the band was very successful. Back then people bought records and we were selling a lot of records and we were all very involved in the creative process, it was really a collaborative process. We were kind of squeezed. Wendy Dio who never really saw it as a band. She never really saw the value in the band and that's something that really really upset me. "
"After I was fired I think Ronnie knew better he understood the real magic that the original band had and the chemistry we had and how we created together. I think Ronnie was really fearful of her and he never stood up. Like I said it was never about money I just wanted what Ronnie promised, it was a contract that was between the four of us and and he just wasn't man enough to follow through on it and and I called him on it and I got fired as a result. It was very painful for me for many years. We never got royalty checks that was the whole issue, we worked for for minimum wages even though we were writing the music we got no royalties, we got none of the merchandise or the t-shirts or those ticket sales for the venue's or anything. We got a flat salary that was less than the road crew. Ronnie had promised by the third album Sacred Heart there would be an equity situation so that was the the principal that got me fired. You know they offered us a few few hundred dollars more per week and then I got sent a contract by Wendy and it said failure to sign and return this contract by this date will constitute you're no longer being in the band. I tried to call Ronnie, I was in Ireland at the time, it was a break between legs of the Sacred Heart tour which finished North America. I'd gone back to visit my family my parents and I got this contract in a FedEx envelope and I was shocked I opened it and and I tried to call Ronnie and he wouldn't answer the phone. Next thing you know Craig Goldie is the guitarist. It was a seamless transition obviously it was well-executed and planned you know but that I wouldn't change any of that, I would change maybe how I reacted to it in later years. Ronnie and I both made the mistake of airing our grievances in public which is never a good idea but you know it is what it is and it was only after Ronnie passed away that I was really able to kind of look at the entire situation in a very different light. For years I didn't want anything to do with with the legacy of Dio. Later on I really wanted to reconnect with that fire. When asked if Pete Wilis the original guitarist will join the band on their Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction
"I really don't know I mean you know Joe Elliot put it out there in an interview. I know that Pete's Willis was welcome to come join, I hope he does I really do. I only ever met Pete once many years ago very briefly and you know I don't know the guy at all but he was a very very important part of the legacy of the original Def Leppard. I think it'd be great if he shows up. " When asked if he would have mended fences with Ronnie today and work together if he was alive
"I think if the gatekeepers would have let that happen Ronnie and I absolutely would have worked together again. There are always people who come between artists. People always ask me well what's Ronnie like. Ronnie had his good days and his bad days there were days when when Ronnie was really difficult to be around and there were days when he was a real pleasure to be around. I think Ronnie was very proud of me as a guitar player particularly in the early days he really liked taking me around L.A .saying this is my new guitar player, look what I discovered, like Ozzy had Randy Rhoads. I wanted to bring my best riffs and then play my best solos I wanted to be the best I could be for that band and then I gave my all because again we were working towards a common goal or so we thought. "
DEF LEPPARD's brand new greatest-hits collection titled "The Story So Far - The Best Of", was released in November.
The band will be inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame this spring. The honor comes after the British rockers got the most votes in the Rock Hall's online fan poll.
Multinational Progressive Power AOR band Eden's Curse have confirmed that their sixth studio release will be a concept album.
Set for a 2020 release on their long time German label, AFM Records, the band confirmed on their Official Facebook page:
"We are delighted to announce that our sixth studio release will be a concept album. We are in the early stages of writing and have today confirmed our plans with AFM Records. This is not a phase that we ever wish to rush, as we always work hard to ensure that we deliver the quality that you have come to expect of us. We do not expect a release until 2020, so please bear with us. We will keep you involved throughout the whole process with lots of updates on Facebook and our Official Website".
You can keep up to date with the progress of the album at:
In the meantime, the band will kick off their UK headline tour in April, in support of their current 'Testament - The Best Of Eden's Curse' release. Joining them on the road are German Melodic Metal band Mob Rules and Swedish AOR newbies Degreed.
Swedish hard rockers Crazy Lixx are back with another sleaze metal gem that harkens back to the best of ‘80s rock, while also keeping a foot planted in the 21st century. “Forever Wild” further cements Crazy Lixx as one of the leaders of the Scandinavian led ‘80s hard rock revival.
With huge choruses, memorable hooks and riffs, wailing, emotive guitar solos, and massive production by Danny Rexon and Chris Laney, this album is sure to resonate with old fans and new listeners alike.
The band explores a wider range of styles than ever before on “Forever Wild”. From the hard rocking and anthemic opening track “Wicked” to the AOR inspired upcoming single “Silent Thunder” to songs like "Eagle" that sound like they came off a Bon Jovi album circa 1986, Crazy Lixx manage to blend a love and reverence for ‘80s rock with their own stamp on each track.
With “Forever Wild", Crazy Lixx have set the bar very high against their own revered and celebrated catalog. Their best album yet? We’d say so!
Don’t miss Crazy Lixx while they’re on the road in support of the album either, as their live shows are a sight to behold! Dates to be announced soon.
