New artists are what will sustain and grow this scene. It is essential to develop and expose new talent and despite the challenges of doing such, MelodicRock Records continues to bring the best undiscovered artists to the ever hungry fans of all things melodic.
On November 25, one of Pittsburgh’s most gifted singer/guitarists will make his mark. Please make room in your music collections for BRYAN COLE and his sensational debut album ‘Sands Of Time’.
Melodic rock fans have been in need of an album just like this – the classic sound of bands like Giant, Bad English, Survivor and both Pride Of Lions and Brett Walker – the latter two artists both included in the material that comprises Sands Of Time.
Bryan Cole - "I have to say that I took a lot of time and care in recording my debut album ‘Sands Of Time’ and I knew I would go through the same process in finding the right label home for my music. I'm proud and honored to be a part of the MRR family and all the talented acts on their roster. Andrew McNeice and Melodic Rock Records, truly cares about their artists and I'm humbled and honored that they gave me a chance to make MY music and give me the extraordinary opportunities that the label offersSands of Time is truly the first album project that is so honest, so pure and so Me! Every musical and vocal influence from my earliest memory, through my adult life is shown ever so clearly in this record and I'm so proud of it!"
The whole idea for the record came from Bryan recording a demo of the classic Brett Walker/Carl Dixon song ‘More Than a Memory.’ The feedback was unanimous, with Bryan receiving very positive and encouraging responses.
“I knew I was on to something very special. I began searching and writing material with the hopes of finding enough great songs to record a EP or full length album. During the course of this grueling process, I had experienced many personal and life changing experiences. The loss of several loved ones had brought me to my lowest point emotionally and I felt I couldn't go on being creative and making music. Out of the blue, I received a message from an old friend in Nashville, TN that heard my demo and had an idea of the perfect person to hook me up with.”
That person would be none other than Jim Peterik from Survivor. Bryan grew up listening to Survivor, Journey and many other classic AOR/Melodic Rock groups of the late 70's and 80's, so working with Jim was a dream come true. Jim Peterik contributed four amazing songs to the project that followers of Jim will recognize quickly.
Bryan continued to look for more songs that fit his style and lyrically had the right substance that he was looking for. Songwriters Joie Scott, Larry King and Steven McClintock, graciously lent their writing talents to the project. Bryan decided to record a second great Brett Walker song and to complete the album, and together with his long time writing partner DJ Gleason the duo wrote two songs to round out the album.
In conclusion, Bryan elaborates on the album recording process: “In addition to all of the great songwriters, I wanted to bring in the right group of musicians to help in the recording process. My first pick was former Giant bassist Mike Brignardello. I've been a Giant fan from their first record and they have always been a major influence on my music. I contacted Mike through a mutual friend and he jumped at the chance to be a part of the record.
The recording took approximately one whole year, with recording all of the tracks in my home studio in Pittsburgh, PA and Mike Brignardello recording his tracks in Nashville. I then appointed my longtime friend and mix engineer Doug Kasper, to mix the record at Tonic Recording Studios in Pittsburgh. Throughout this process, I began friendly conversations online with various industry folks including Andrew McNeice of MelodicRock Records. I had expressed interest in finding the right label home upon completion of the record. I just had a great feeling that MRR, was going to be the right fit. I was right! After submitting some rough mixes, I was offered a record deal with MelodicRock Records!
The label appointed Nello Dell'Omo to do the artwork and design and JK Northrup for final mastering. Both are absolutely brilliant! I'm honored to have worked with them.
To sum things up... Sands Of Time is a true inside look of who I really am. The musical and vocal influences that helped to mold me into the artist I am today and who I will continue to learn from. The happiness and sadness, as well as the struggles. They are all grains of sand that make me who I am.....the beginning.”
‘Sands Of Time’ track listing:
01. Burning With A Reason (J.Peterik, J.Van Zant)
02. Hard To Find An Easy Way (B.Walker)
03. When Love Breaks (S.Mcclintock)
04. What Kind Of Fool (J.Peterik)
05. Turn To Me (J.Peterik)
06. I’ll Be There For You (B.Cole, D.Gleeson)
07. We Lost The Fire (B.Cole, D.Gleeson)
08. More Than A Memory (B.Walker, C.Dixon)
09. Is It Really Love (S.Mcclintock)
10. Courage To Love (J.Peterik)
11. Nothing Matters (J.Scott, L.King)
It’s time to take a look into ‘Sands Of Time’ with the lead track ‘We Lost The Fire’, one of Bryan’s original tunes, showing his guitar and vocal skills off perfectly.
The album is released November 25 via MRR.
Bio:
Born in a middle class suburb of Pittsburgh, PA, Bryan began his love of music at age five. At age seven, he performed his first show in front of Ten-Thousand people! He has not stopped since....
His early influence of great vocalists became evident, when he received his first Journey record "Infinity" and began focusing on groups like Journey, Survivor, Foreigner and Boston, to name a few. In addition, he was introduced to R&B, Blues and Country music. He loved and respected all genres of music.
Bryan fronted many local and regional bands before landing his first record deal. He performed with many top grossing acts including Ted Nugent, Quiet Riot, Eddie Money, Charlie Daniels Band, Reb Beach (Winger, Whitesnake), Kip Winger and many others.
Bryan has also devoted his career to many charities including The Paralyzed Veterans, The Veterans Wheelchair Games, The Animal Rescue League, The Mario Lemeuix Foundation, The Obediah/Cole Foundation, Fallen Officers and Music Cares.
His style of Melodic Rock, is strongly evident in his debut album "Sands Of Time" that has just been completed and set for worldwide release on Melodic Rock Records. Sands Of Time features eleven fantastic songs. Four of those songs written by Jim Peterik: the founding member of the rock group Survivor.
Bryan Cole is also a seasoned Record Producer and Mixing Engineer. He enjoys helping both aspiring and established artists achieve their fullest potential.
In 2014, Hicks became the first Swedish country artist to hit the Music Row Top 80 published chart with his debut US release, "Hayride." Hicks also became the first Swede to place his first 3 single releases in the New Music Weekly Top 15...
Now, Hicks has combined his chart-topping songwriting chops with those of country music legend, Steve Wariner on the brand new single release, "Stomp A Little Louder." The new single from Hicks featuring Ryan and Steve Wariner is being released to country radio on October 12th via MTS Records. In addition to co-writing the song, Steve Wariner plays guitar on the track, while his son, Ryan is featured on slide guitar.
Produced by Hicks partner in crime and brother in arms Erik Martensson.
The video was produced in cooperation with GASP/Better Bodies, the clothing line that Hicks wears in his music videos and on stage. It was shot on location at Destination Dallas in Texas. In the video, Hicks works out with professional body builders, fitness girls, and athletes from all areas of expertise. Steve Wariner also makes a cameo appearance in the just-released video:
The song will be on all didgital downloads on Friday the 21:st of Oct.
"The message of the song applies to life, in general," said Hicks. "Whatever you want out of life..Stomp A Little Louder, to get it!"
Hicks was the 2013 British CMA Awards' Euro Act of the Year, a 2015 Indie Music Channel Awards winner, an Akademia Award Winner, and an Independent Country Music Association Award Winner. He is also a Nashville Universe Award Nominee, a New Music Awards nominee and an IMEA Award Nominee. For more information on Hicks, please visit www.hickscountry.com. www.facebook.com/hickscountry www.twitter.com/hickscountry
Australian Hard Rockers WHITE WIDDOW will return with their fourth album “Silhouette” on AOR Heaven on November 25, just right in time for their performance at H.e.a.t. Festival in Ludwigsburg on the following weekend!
New on the AOR Heaven label is the Irish Classic Rock/Blues Rock band BONEYARD DOG with their debut album “Bluesbound Train”. This group consists of German/Italian Rock singer Rob Mancini (Hotwire, Crush, Rob Mancini Band & Scar For Life), guitarist Davy Kerrigan, former Rainbow keyboard player Tony Carey and American drummer Ron Wikso (David Lee Roth, Foreigner any many others). Guest performers include Marc Lynn (Gotthard) on bass and John Pratt from UK rockers Firefly on backing vocals.
Formed in Melbourne, Australia in 2008 and centered around the Millis brothers Jules (Vocals) & Xavier (Keyboards) with Guitar virtuoso Enzo Almanzi. Raised on a healthy diet of 80’s Arena Rock and influenced by artists such as Survivor, Dokken, Night Ranger, White Sister & Giuffria.
In 2010 White Widdow stormed onto the Melodic Rock scene across the globe with the release of their self titled debut album, filled with swirling keyboards, blistering guitar playing and big choruses. The release of the debut was met by the press with rave reviews making it into Classic Rock Magazine's top 10 AOR albums for 2010. Hot on the heels of their debut, White Widdow quickly returned with their follow up release “Serenade” in September 2011. "Serenade" was heaped with praise by the press as one of the best albums in the genre of 2011, gaining 9/10 in both Classic Rock and Powerplay magazines and receiving a 94% on the coveted website melodicrock.com.
In support of "Serenade", White Widdow hit the road playing festivals and headlining club shows throughout Europe which saw them tour through Switzerland, Germany, Sweden, Italy, Greece and England. Along the way performing at HEAT Festival (Germany) and Firefest (UK). This was followed in 2012 with a full tour of the UK as support band to English melodic rock band TEN.
After the unfortunate death of drummer George Kristy in 2013 and the departure of original bass player Trent Wilson, the Millis brothers and Almanzi regrouped with a rejuvenated new line up, featuring Ben Webster on Bass and Noel Tenny on Drums. The new line up released their third album “Crossfire” in late 2014, the album was met with much critical and fan acclaim receiving 8/10 in Classic Rock magazine, 9/10 in Powerplay magazine, 9/10 in Sweden Rock Magazine and 93% from melodicrock.com.
In support of “Crossfire”, White Widdow returned to tour the UK and Greece, as well as performing in Spain for the first time in 2015.
In early 2016 the Millis brothers began writing for what would become White Widdow’s fourth album “Silhouette”, setting out to capture the mid to late 80’s AOR sound, even more so than on previous White Widdow albums. The Millis brothers also teaming up with Almanzi, Tenny and Webster for some slightly more hard edged songs. The resulting album “Silhouete”, proving to be the best representation of the White Widdow sound so far, pure 80’s styled AOR, straight from the heart.
Boneyard Dog is an Irish Classic/Blues Rock Band founded in 2015 and the brainchild of German/Italian Rock Singer Rob Mancini (Hotwire, Crush, Rob Mancini Band & Scar For Life) and Irish Blues guitar hero Davy Kerrigan.
Added to the line-up in early 2016 was American rock drummer Ron Wikso, an established artist known for his recording and touring work with some of the best musicians and known entertainers in the world including Cher, Richie Sambora (Bon Jovi), Foreigner, David Lee Roth (Van Halen), The Storm, Gregg Rolie (Santana/Journey), Eddie Money, CCR (Creedence Clearwater Revisited), Player (featuring Ronn Moss & Peter Beckett), Randy Meisner (the Eagles), Denny Laine (Paul McCartney & Wings/The Moody Blues), Dave Amato (REO Speedwagon/Ted Nugent/Jimmy Barnes), Michael Monarch (Steppenwolf), Dave Meniketti (Y&T), George Burns, Sammy Davis Jr., Peggy Lee and many others.
Half way through the writing of the debut album, Mancini contacted Tony Carey, former keyboarder of Richie Blackmore’s Rainbow. Carey played on the classic albums ‘Rising’ and ‘On Stage’, in the Rainbow line-up including Ronnie James Dio, Cozy Powell, Jimmy Bain and Ritchie Blackmore, touring the world for 2 years. He has recorded and released over 40 records, and produced records by John Mayall, Chris Norman, David Knopfler, Joe Cocker, and Peter Maffay (Germany’s top-selling rock artist). He has done several film scores and published well over 1,000 songs. Initially planned as a guest keyboarder on one of the tracks, Carey was impressed by the material and offered to fill the slot as keyboarder on the entire album.
Staying true to their roots in rock’n’roll music, a style all members are involved in for over a decade, the band also implemented their love and passion for blues into the project. With a lot of experience, compassion and inspiration the foundations are set for a new Classic Rock album that will find many new friends and listeners.
Mancini’s and Kerrigan’s song writing are combining harmonies, killer riffs and solos as well as creative lyrics to create an outstanding work of art.
Boneyard Dog recorded their debut album ‘Bluesbound Train’ between March and September 2016 at Total Control Studio Austin/Texas and GMG Studio ONE in Donegal/Ireland. The album was produced, mixed and mastered by Rob Mancini. In August 2016 the band subsequently signed to German label AOR Heaven.
Outside the music business, the band is involved in philanthropy, having created the Boneyard Foundation, a foundation benefitting victims of motorcycle accidents or their immediate families. The bands proceeding from the track ‘Lonely Road’ featuring Marc Lynn (Gotthard) and the accompanying video will go towards the Boneyard Foundation.
Tigertailz release 'All The Girls In The World', the fourth video from their latest album BLAST.
Jay says: 'We had such an amazing show at this years Bang Your Head festival in Germany we felt it was only right to give the amazing fans who attended that show something to remember it by.
So what better way than to use our crazy Tailz Maniacz fan footage as a video for our new single ‘All The Girls’. We’ve always wanted to do one of these and the video has turned out amazing! And this won’t be the last single off our new album BLAST. There’ll be more to blow your mind soon!'
The band have also been busy working on their 250 limited edition Shoot To Kill EP, which will be on pink vinyl. Due for release on November 14th. The EP celebrates 30 years of Tigertailz history. Fans can grab the EP here
*Tigertailz are off to the US later this month to play the Rock N Skull Festival in Joliet, Illinois, on Sunday October 30th. *Tickets here www.tigertailz.co.uk
In this special episode of One On One With Mitch Lafon - co-hosted by Talking Metal's Mark Strigl, we interview ALICE COOPER's guitarists Tommy Henriksen & Nita Strauss as well as drummer Glen Sobel. The trio discuss working on a 'Alice Cooper band' album (minus Alice), solo projects, working with Mötley Crüe, Mick Mark, Richie Sambora and a lot more. RECORDED backstage at the ROCK CARNIVAL in Lakewood, NJ (2016).
Quotes from the interview:
Tommy Henriksen -- The next new Alice Cooper record (time 4.39): "Alice is talking about records all the time. I know that there is a process right now going on - putting a new Alice Cooper record together, so we'll see what happens."
Nita Strauss - solo album recording process (Time 5.05): "It's going really really well. The first track is going to be released January 20th via Steve Vai's label Favored Nations. It's a compilation called 'She Rocks' - it's myself, Jennifer Batten, Orianthi and a bunch of other female guitar players showcasing the female side of shred."
Tommy Henriksen - the upcoming 'Alice Cooper band' album (without Alice) - time 6.05: "It's actually finished. We're just sitting on it. We recorded it in all the hotel rooms."
Glen Sobel - playing with Mötley Crüe (time 12.10): "It's one thing to know the songs... I came up listening to Mötley Crüe. I saw the Dr. Feelgood tour back when I was a kid, but to suddenly have to play the show - that's a different story. So, I make the 'cheat sheets.' It's not writing out every note, but it's sort of a roadmap of the song. I spent several hours doing that. That's what you do as a pro drummer. People hate rehearsing..."
To celebrate the 30th Anniversary of Living Without You....
Original Tigertailz vocalist Steevi Jaimz has teamed up with friend and fellow Crash KO band mate Phil Vokins - Formerly of (ex Black Sabbath drummer Bill Ward's Max Havoc, Persian Risk, UK AOR'sters Strangeways and Tyrant ).
And together have recorded a special, one-off 30th Anniversary version of his classic Tigertailz song Living Without You.
This version of the song, featuring Steevi, Phil, Chris Laney, Anders Ringman and Dave Draper. Was originally recorded at Platform Studios, Sweden. At the recording of Steevi's My Private Hell album sessions in 2007. And was recently finished with producer Dave Draper at Tower Studios UK.
"It's been re-recorded and re-released many times. But this is the first time I have done it since writing it. And it has never sounded anything like this. We've stripped the song back to basics and turned it around. And what we have, is the song at it's melodic best. How it would have sounded without screaming guitars. And how I imagined it to sound when I originally wrote it. And because of who I wrote it about, it's very sentimental and personal to me. Basically, it's been given the grown up 2016 treatment". It will be made available to download on the usual sites. Spotify, itunes etc... The pair will also record an album as a special project through AOR Blvd records next year.
Australia, 10/10/2016 – 396 artist playing in 92 different bands will be hitting the stages all across Australia. Metal United Down Under aka MUDU is returning on October 15 and there will be metal in 12 cities in the same night under the same banner. All these shows present the talent Australia has to offer.
“Looking at the bill makes me wish I was in Australia for this event with multiple personalities to attend several cities the same night.” – Gunnar Sauermann, Season of Mist & Metal Hammer Germany
“MUDU is a metal party for the whole country!! Why wouldn’t you go?!?!” – Roly Moore, Sedulous Rouse
“MUDU is a unique event in the international heavy music community - hundreds of bands across Australia coming together in regional centres and major cities all for one night of intensity - incredible! The organizers are to be commended on putting together such an awesome event and making Australia the loudest place on the planet on Oct 15!!” - Gregory Shaw, Truth Corroded, Truth Inc & Extreme Management Group, Inc.
Once again, the promoters in all involved cities have done an amazing job getting local and interstate bands on their line-ups. More and more bands include their tour in the MUDU shows, like Truth Corroded playing the Perth show as part of their “Worship The Warlords Slain Australia and Asia Tour 2016”. Decryptus is ending “The Necrotic Design East Coast Tour 2016” at the Sydney show and Wounded Pig’s second date on their massive 29 dates tour “A Permanent Mark Tour 2016” will be the Adelaide show. Frankenbok, Headbore, Espionage, Deadspace, The Black Swamp, Flaming Wrekage and The Weight of Silence are all including MUDU in their tour.
Let’s have a look what’ll be happening at the shows: Hobart announced classic metallers Pegazus as headliner and the Melbourne band will play Hobart for the first time - as will Spitting Rhino with their live debut show. Fantasy/folk metal band Sarallisse are the main act in Wollongong where another first live show will come from Hails From Infinity. Darwin added hard rockers Under Duress to the bill and Gladstone heavy groove metallers Massic and progressive metal/hardcore band Adriatic. Progressive metal trio Sedulous Rouse joined the Adelaide line-up sharing the stage with WA band Facegrinder who release their new EP Cosmic Background and I,Icarus debuting that night. Perth, Bendigo and Canberra announced the full line-ups: Truth Corroded, Silent Knight (last show with original drummer Paul Wrigley), Envenomed, Depravity, Bayview Suspect, Dethlahem, Icarus Lives form a line-up in Perth to look forward to. Bendigo announced Stone Djoser, Kuntsquad, Armata, Prophetess, Incrypt, Vulture Culture and in Canberra From Hell's Heart, Flaming Wrekage, Fatigue, Lord Ragnar and Mytile Vey Lorth. In Bundaberg Wisdom’s Realm, Troy HasFallen and Consider Me Heartless were added to the bill while there have been a few changes happening in Brisbane with thrashers Kaustic Attack and Wartooth, death/thrash metallers Amicable Treason, synth metal band End Us, alternative/power metallers Devonian and melodic death/groove metal band Holistic. The Sydney show will be headlined by melodic death metallers Daemon Pyre who will be joined by Adelaide’s Headbore and thrashers Murder-World. If you lost track, here is the complete overview:
City
Venue
Bands
Adelaide
Enigma Bar
Facegrinder, Sickness, Nemesium, Deadspace, Sedulous Rouse, Wounded Pig, I Protagonist, I Icarus
Bendigo
MusicMan Megastore
Stone Djoser, Kuntsquad, Armata, Prophetess, Incrypt, Vulture Culture
Brisbane
The Back Room
Kaustic Attack, Amicable Treason, The Black Swamp, Behold The Defiant, Kaerulean, Pallative Care, Dirty Brew, Fragments, Holistic, Devonian, Wartooth, End Us
Bundaberg
Railway Hotel
Lavidius, Weightless In Orbit, Therein, Odysseus Reborn, Into the Badlands, Psychosphere, Morgue, Iron Wizard, Wisdom's Realm, Consider Me Heartless, Troy Has Fallen
Canberra
The Basement
From Hell's Heart, Flaming Wrekage, Fatigue, Lord Ragnar, Mytile Vey Lorth
Darwin
Happy Yess
Under Duress, Shapeshifta, Clever Monkey
Gladstone
Rocky Glen Hotel
Evil Eye, Beyond Vendetta, Killer Creed, Weight of Silence, Mergatroyd, Only Machines Remain, Symbolic Weapon, Kold Creature, A.M.P., Massic, Adriatic
Daemon Pyre, Decryptus, Grill, The Plague, Headbore, Murder-World
Wollongong
UOW UniBar
Saralisse, Harbour, The Winter Effect, Thrash Bandicoot, Hails From Infinity
What makes this event UNITED is the support the event gets from everywhere. These are the promoters, sponsors, media partners and supporters who stand behind MUDU:
Our promoters:
Sedulous Rouse, MusicMan Megastore, Crowned Ruckus Presents, Lord Ragnar, Evel-E Productions, Bent Metal Media, Tyrantula Productions, Megaton Music, Stormrider Touring, Metal-Roos, Deaf To All But Metal and Carbon Black
Our sponsors:
DRW Entertainment (previously Tombowler)
Noisebleed Records
National media partners:
Metal Obsession, The Rock Pit, The Metal Zone, Killawatts Radio Show, The Drum, Kountdown Klassic Entertainment, Brisbane Metal Legion, Rabid Noise Radio and DJ Devilpope's Aussie Metal Show
International media partners:
Bravewords, East Jakarta Media, Metal Temple, Metal Nation Radio and Transcending Obscurity
Supporters:
ARMI - Australian Rock & Metal Institute, Battlegod Production, Brisso Metal, Metal Glass Promotion, Mick G Photography and TMS – Tasmanian Metal Syndicate
MelodicRock Records is thrilled to announce the signing one of the best collections of unreleased music to ever be left aside in the vaults, for a deal that will finally see this classic melodic hard rock material released to fans that have been demanding it for two decades.
Only one artist could possibly gather all these names into their recording career: Joe Lynn Turner, Tony Bruno, Al Pitrelli, Al Greenwood, A.J. Pero, Ian McDonald, Mark Hitt, Lincoln Schleifer, Tony Harnell, Bob Held, Phil Woods, Chuck Bonafante and even more…
The man that was once considered to replace Lou Gramm when he left Foreigner, a role he could have pulled off with ease.
Who else than ARTI TISI!
The Arti Tisi legend goes back many years. To the mid-to-late 80s, into the 90s…. Arti Tisi was one of the finest vocalists and go-to guys in the world. But why isn’t he the mega-star that the material demonstrates he should be?
It’s a mixture of bad timing, bad luck and bad record labels. Best that Arti explains himself:
I would never change a thing, not a single thing. I am so fortunate to have played with so many talents and I feel they were the reason the music was great and the reason I tried to always push myself to keep up. I think the thing is that a lot of the musicians I played with were trying to make a living in other bands. Talents like Al Pitrelli or Tony Bruno or John O’Reilly, they were so fantastic, so in demand. Denny McDermott who was on with Donald Fagen on drums and Mark Hitt on guitar and was soon off playing with John Entwistle.
It was so amazing, I had so many opportunities to record and work with many great producers, engineers, studios and musicians. And the constant team of John Greenberg, Billy Phelan and Billy Cinotti kept us together so that we could experience amazing, amazing times like when the guys from Deep Purple came to see us in Connecticut right after the ‘Perfect Strangers’ album and the next thing I know we are signed to Bruce Payne and Thames Talent! I mean c’mon Deep Purple’s management! That same year we began talking to Michael Wagener hoping to get something together between his producing the first White Lion and Skid Row records, then the amazing Jack Ponti who was another great mentor.
But I enjoyed working with Al Greenwood and Dave Greenberg the very most, they were the ‘Team’. Dave was an amazing engineer and Al a fantastic producer. Al, Bobby Held, Al Pitrelli and Tony Bruno would help by co-writing with me and getting me some great songs that they had written with Joe Lynn Turner with his amazing vocals, or Jordan Stanley with some fantastic lyrics, I mean we would just go in and record the songs and everybody would go off and I would do my vocals with Al and David in the studio all of the backgrounds, and the odd guitar or drum part and what a treat to have Al occasionally play a B3 on some tracks and bam – Dave and Al mixed it in an amazing fashion – always.
We would do label showcases but then one guy went out with Doro or Alice Cooper so it was hard to get everybody together for longer than just the recording. I remember one time we did a showcase for Atlantic at like 10 o'clock in the morning!
We were playing around New York at the China Club or L’Amour Brooklyn, or L’Amour East or the Cat Club to make money, build our fans, hustling, a publishing deal here or there.
Then I had these opportunities like when Lou Gramm left Foreigner, I met with Bud Prager to be considered to replace him but Lou was my idol and his idols were my idols, guys like Steve Marriott and Paul Rodgers and then Terry Reid once Al introduced me to him. When Ray Gillen passed away, John Greenberg arranged for me to go to San Diego and audition with Jake E Lee and Badlands. When I was on the plane to California I popped in the tape of some of the songs to learn and the first song I heard was High Wire with Ray killing it! I think I was paralytic with the guys (laughs) - Everyone I played with was amazing, all true gentlemen. They were so professional and creative; Complete masters of their craft.
No matter what the circumstances at the time or the way these tracks were recorded, the fact is they were and they are magnificent!
So fate has held them at bay all these years. At times there has been attempts by other labels to release these songs, to no avail. Arti Tisi’s work was left to be heavily traded via cassette in the 90s and then online in recent years. But no one has the masters. Or the complete picture. Until now.
After several months of conversations with MelodicRock Records, Arti Tisi is ready to unleash his collected works upon the world.
But what was uncovered is nothing short of spectacular. Going back through the collection of DAT tapes and quarter inch tapes was a vault of songs unprecedented in recent memory.
Of the 20 or so expected songs MRR was hoping to work with, we are now up to 53, with the possibility of still more.
All the cult classics will be included – A Little Too Early, I’ll Be There, Love You Too Much, Love Finds You Guilty….and plenty of never before heard songs, including a heartfelt cover of Rick Springfield’sMy Father’s Chair. More details will be announced soon.
So with this rich vault of classic material to go through, fans can be guaranteed a treasure trove of killer music to add to their collections soon. All remastered by the guiding hand of JK Northrup.
Work continues on this right now and an announcement about a release will be made prior to the end of the year, with the aim to have this material officially released in the first quarter of 2017.
Classic American melodic rock, hard rock and AOR has never sounded better.
Lions Pride Music is happy to announce the signing of King Of Bones to the label for the release of the bands second studio album, Don’t Mess With The King, and for the bands debut album to be reissued later on. The band original hails from Sao Paulo in Brazil and plays straight forward heavy metal/hard rock in the veins of Pretty Maids, Blue Murder, etc. Check out the bands video for the track, Hold Me Closer, in the youtube clip below.
Band Bio;
Blending Hard Rock with Heavy Metal, King Of Bones is very influenced by the likes of Dio, Ozzy Osbourne, Whitesnake, Dokken, Harem Scarem, Blue Murder and Adrenaline Mob. The band could express their own personality on their latest album "We Are The Law" wich was recorded at Norcal Studios, in São Paulo (Brazil) and the record was produced and engineered by Brendan Duffey and Adriano Daga.
They gained such a positive feedback from the press and industry professionals and they're on its way building a solid fan base. Along with the Brazilian repercussion, the group managed to expand borders, achieving high-mark reviews and radio airplay at different radio broadcasters and web-based radios in many countries, like the U.S, England, Italy, Germany, Spain, France, Portugal and Poland.
Actually, King of Bones is enjoying the results of all their hard work giving his best at stage and working even more for the upcoming album that will be released in 2016.
In the show's only interview, Platinum Blonde's Mark Holmes discusses making new music, current tour, the band's history, working as a DJ, collaborating with RUSH guitarist ALEX LIFESON, the Canadian music scene, rebranding, his solo projects, and more.
QUOTES from the interview:
New Music (Time 2.08): "To me, new music is everything. I don't want to live in the past."
The Canadian music scene (Time 7.53): "My parents always said I made a huge mistake starting a band in Canada."
Discussing RUSH's ALEX LIFESON starts at the 11.00 minute mark.
Rush's Alex Lifeson playing on the Alien Shores album (time 11.55): "At that time Rush were just in a slight, not a slump, but a 'transition'."
Re-branding himself through the '90s (time 14.29): "The business of music was so corrosive that I just wanted to distance myself from all the insanity."
Staying relevant (time 22.52): "I had to re-invent myself and move forward. So many people 'die' at the age of 27 and aren't buried until they're 90. That's just they way it is. They stop progressing."
Being unique (time 25.54): "It's so much more important to an artist to have a unique voice than a great voice."
Los Angeles, CA, October 5th 2016, QUIET RIOT is very pleased to introduce Seann Nicols (formerly ofAdler's Appetite) as their new vocalist starting in 2017. Quiet Riot are currently in the studio with Seann recording their forthcoming full length album of all new material, to be released on Frontiers Records in early 2017. They will also be releasing a music video, which will be the first QUIET RIOT music video since 1989. The band will kick off their tour on January 27 in Medina, Minnesota and will continue their touring schedule around the globe.
Vocalist Jizzy Pearl who is departing to concentrate full time on his solo career will finish off the 2016 QUIET RIOT tour dates through December. Frankie Banali says the departure is amicable. “QUIET RIOT thanks Jizzy for a great three years and we wish him the very best.
QUIET RIOT is a rock & roll phenomenon. Famously described as the first heavy metal band to top the pop chart at #1 on Billboard magazine, the Los Angeles quartet became an overnight sensation thanks to their monster 1983 smash album "Metal Health". After several member changes, and three years after the untimely passing of original lead singer Kevin DuBrow in 2007, Frankie Banali, an original member of the 1982 Metal Health classic line up, continued the musical legacy of QUIET RIOT along with bassist Chuck Wright who has been in and out of the band since 1982, and guitarist Alex Grossi who has been in the band since 2004.
DEE SNIDER will release his new solo album, WE ARE THE ONES, which is due out October 28 on Red River Records (Distributed by BFD/RED).
WE ARE THE ONES crackles with modern energy, from the call-to-arms manifesto of “Rule the World,” to the anthemic bonding of “So What” (complete with, yes, a string section) to the intensely synth driven “Close to You,” to the thematically soaring “Superhero” (a song tailor-made for running over the end credits of the next Marvel or DC movie blockbuster if ever there was one). Another significant highlight of the album is a newly re-recorded acoustic version of “We’re Not Gonna Take It” which has also been tapped the official anthem for The Recording Academy’s advocacy efforts, including the “Fair Play Fair Pay” Act. Recently performed in Washington D.C. at the annual GRAMMYs On The Hill event, a video of the song recently premiered on Entertainment Weekly’s website and can now be viewed at Grammy.com/FairPlayFairPay.
Also featured on WE ARE THE ONES is an explosive cover of Nine Inch Nails’ “Head Like A Hole.” “I always thought it was a great song, a powerful song,” DEE explains, “I can’t wait to do that one live. Like ‘We’re Not Gonna Take It’ is iconic, ‘Head Like a Hole’ is iconic for that era.”
With Twisted Sister effectively entering the rearview mirror, DEE now has his sights dead-set on his new musical direction. “You can’t expect others to embrace what you do if you don’t embrace it yourself,” he admits. “I have to believe it first before I can expect anybody else to believe it. When you’re creating a new record, you want to make a statement, and you want to have music you can stand behind and feel strongly about. So it was a little unnerving when I started heading down this path. After Damon and I cut the first four tracks, I said, ‘Oh yeah, there is a place for me here.’ This is music I feel excited about, and I also look forward to playing it live.”
Earlier this summer, DEE took part in the unveiling of the new Rock & Roll Hall of Fame exhibit, “Louder Than Words: Rock, Power And Politics,” which will remain on display in Cleveland during the 2016 Republican National Convention. To commemorate the new Hall of Fame exhibit, DEE performed a new acoustic version of Twisted Sister’s legendary song, “We’re Not Gonna Take It.” This moving new version of DEE’s epic anthem is currently available on iTunes.
In April 2016, DEE was called to Capitol Hill for the second time—the first at the infamous 1985 Senate hearing instigated by Tipper Gore and the Parents Music Resource Center (PMRC)--to speak on behalf of The Recording Academy’s "Fair Play Fair Pay” initiative. On September 18, DEE will be presenting his new music at Riot Fest at Douglas Park in Chicago, IL.
For the first time ever, superstar magician Criss Angel is joining forces with DEE to release a music video featuring the new acoustic version of “We’re Not Gonna Take It.” Directed by Angel, the video aims to raise awareness of pediatric cancer by promoting HELP, a one-night-only, star-studded event which took place on Monday, September 12 at Luxor Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas to support pediatric cancer research and treatment worldwide. The video sends a powerful message to viewers as DEE belts out the iconic lyrics, while the mother of a young girl—who is a cancer survivor—allows her head to be shaved in solidarity with her daughter and in support of the fight all of these children must endure. The video also features heart-wrenching footage of Criss Angel’s son, Johnny Crisstopher, going through treatments after being diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) in 2015.
DEE is unapologetically energized about where he’s going as an artist. “Music inspires that genuine enthusiasm. I’m not anti the past — I’m just not one of those guys sitting there singing about the glory days. To me, these are the glory days, and the days to come are the glory days. And this new record is the part of my next glory days.”
Here’s the complete track listing of WE ARE THE ONES:
Cry Of Dawn is the feature vehicle for Swedish vocalist great Goran Edman, this time partnering with one of Frontiers Records’ in-house producers, Daniel Flores (Find Me, Murder Of My Sweet). Daniel has had a busy year, with First Signal and Palace already under his belt and Toby Hitchcock still to come.
I’ve never found a Goran Edman album I don’t like and this is no different. He is one of those vocalists that just delivers time after time and it hardly needs stating that he sounds a million dollars here again. Flores again enlists Michael Palace to supply guitars, so it’s not surprising to find the musical bed of this project very similar to those others just mentioned.
Cry Of Dawn’s musical mission is not too far removed from that of Street Talk which he also fronts.
It’s not very often I’ll say this – but this time around there are too many keyboards. The absolute saturation of swirling keys on every track is just too much. There’s not enough room for the songs to breathe in my opinion.
Of course Edman does a killer job and most of the songs are pretty catchy. There’s plenty to like about the opener Chance and the slightly heavier Tell It To My Heart has a great bridge then chorus hook.
Light A Light and Can’t Go On are both very Street Talk in their sound and again feature killer choruses.
Hands Around My Heart is a beautiful ballad, but slightly overdone with the keyboards again.
I can’t stand the chorus in the second track Listen To Me, which is a shame, that ultra high vocal just grates on me. It’s probably the only weaker track here, there are others that don’t stand out as much as others, but nothing forgettable.
I love the vocals, I really love a few of the songs and the consistency of the album is a credit to the songwriters. I’m not so much a fan of the production style. As stated, I think the keyboards are way overdone and there’s not enough individual character in the album to make it stand out as a new band to rival those that came before them.
If you have the last First Signal and Find Me releases, you know exactly how this is going to sound. It’s good, but not quite as good as expected.
Tango Down are a very consistent American rock band. This is their 5th album in 11 years, which is a pretty good recording rate. I’ve liked each album and the guys have always delivered on their brand of kick ass hard rock with splashes of more melodic AOR tunes in between the rockers.
On Bulletproof the band come out firing with one of their best rockers yet in Punching Bag. New vocalist Chas West is a favourite of mine – his voice is perfect for this material and he slides between the punchier rockers and the more melodic numbers with ease.
Which is exactly what he does with the second track Give Me A Reason, the harmony filled mid-tempo AOR track is a nice contrast from the opener.
A couple of mid-tempo rockers dominate next, the bass is a little loud in the mix on the track Carry On (same issue as with Maxx Explosion), but it’s a fine menacing tune.
When We Were Young is another mellower moment – fans of AOR with a kick will love this. It has shades of Adriangale and Def Leppard to it. I don’t have any credits, but it wouldn’t surprise me to see Jace Pawlack responsible for this tune.
I have to profess my love for the melody and chorus hook of Going Under, one of the album’s finest. But at the same time I can’t get past the drum rhythm. It doesn’t seem to fit the song at all. The verse beat seems out of step with the vocals and just doesn’t suit the melodies being carried by the vocals.
The album needed a kick ass rocker by now and Superstar delivers the goods. A nice dirty rocker.
The tempo dips again immediately after for the moody ballad Edge of Goodbye – which is quite superb. A killer chorus and some pristine vocals. A hit single in any other decade.
Back to a fast tempo on the not too heavy Anything Can Change which offers something different than the heavier rockers.
The album closes as it began, with a nice high energy, gritty rocker in Broken Heart.
Overall, the songwriting on this album is probably the best of any Tango Down album. The vocals are unquestionably the best and you can’t argue with the riffing either.
It’s a very good slice of American melodic hard rock featuring Scott Miller, one of the scene’s most underrated shredders.
The only issue I have with anything is perhaps the sequencing of songs and bits and pieces in the production. But overall, I highly recommend! Well done lads.
If you are a rock music fan located in Nottingham in the U.K. or Joliet in the U.S., you are in luck - the Nordic Queen of melodic rock, Martina Edoff, is confirmed for two shows in October:
Sunday, October 23rd 2016.
Rockingham Festival
Nottingham Trent University
UK
1:00 pm SET TIME
Saturday, October 29th, 2016.
Rock N Skull 2016 Melodic Rock Fest
The Tree
22 West Cass Street, Joliet, IL
US
And joining Martina on stage for these performances will be Chris Buckley - Bass (Martina, H.E.A.T sound eng.), Jona Tee - Keyboards (Martina, H.E.A.T), Crash - Drums (Martina, H.E.A.T), and Dave Dalon - Guitar (Ex H.E.A.T). “We were in the U.K. in April and we loved it,” says Martina. “The people made us feel so welcome. So I'm really looking forward to go back. This time to the festival Rockingham which I've heard is one of the best. Going back to the U.S. feels so good. It's a year ago since we toured North America and that's a memory for life. I've never been to Chicago before so when the opportunity to join the Rock n Skull festival came up I most definitely looking forward to be a part of that. I'm thrilled!!!”
The Swedish singer's latest release, 'Unity,' was issued in October of 2015, and was supported with dates in North America, Argentina (as direct support to Tarja Turunen), Europe (special guest for the Winery Dogs), and UK dates, and has also shared the stage with the likes of Epica, Eluveitie, and the Agonist.
The first single from 'Unity' is "The World Has Gone Mad," which has been mixed by multiple Grammy award winning engineer and mixer, Justin Niebank, who in 2010 won a Grammy for Album of the Year for Taylor Swift’s close to 9 million copies selling album 'Fearless,' and also has worked with Bon Jovi, Keith Urban, Rascal Flatts, Vince Gill.
'Unity' has been drawing rave reviews from the rock press. Case in point, Classic Rock Magazine gave it an 8 out 10 review, saying, "This is the unmistakable sound of a singer raising her game," while Melodic-Rock praised, "Wow! That’s really all I can say. Wow! Martina sings with attitude and conviction. The musical performances on this album is faultless to speak mildly. Also, the production here is top-nottch, this records sounds like a million bucks!" Melodic Music Reviews also was a big supporter of the album, giving it a 4.5 star rating out of 5, and stating, “This is an outstanding record with nary a bad track and I highly recommend it for fans of female fronted melodic rock in a heavier vein of bands like Dante Fox. Do yourself a huge favor and pick this one up, you will not be disappointed.”
Come later this October, Nottingham and Joliet will get the opportunity to hail Martina Edoff!
Magnus Karlsson (Magnus Karlsson's Free Fall, Primal Fear) and Ronnie Romero (Lords Of Black, Rainbow) are working on a brand new project album together, entitled THE FERRYMEN.
Musically you can expect an overdose of melodic metal melting the songwriting and epics of the great Allen/Lande records with the Ronnie James Dio-esque vocal approach from Ronnie Romero.
One of the highlights of 2017 is on it's way to you!!!
NIGHT RANGER will round off their 35th year and keep fans happy while waiting for the new studio album with a CD/DVD/BluRay release of their 2016 Chicago gig on December 2.
Celebrating the launch of the bands 35th anniversary, more than 17 million albums sold worldwide, over 3000 live shows performed, NIGHT RANGER continues to rock with the release of "35 Years And A Night in Chicago." This amazing performance will be available December 2 via Frontiers Music Srl on 2CD/DVD, Blu-Ray, and MP3 (audio only). Frontiers will also release a new studio album from the iconic band in the first half of 2017.
"After 35 years of recording and touring, we thought it was about time to rock out a live album for all the fans that have been coming to see us. And for those who have yet to experience a live NIGHT RANGER show.... enjoy the ride!" says Jack Blades of the new release.
Kelly Keagy added: For the past 35+ years this band has been knocking out audiences across the globe and continues to do so. All of it building to this one night in Chicago that sums up what NIGHT RANGER has always been about. Great, high-energy, rock 'n' roll. To the fans, we salute you!"
NIGHT RANGER has both epitomized and transcended the arena rock sound and style of that era and beyond, with songs that have significantly impacted popular culture and continue expanding their ever-growing fan-base. NIGHT RANGER is proof that powerful songs, plus accomplished musicians is the perfect formula for continued success.
NIGHT RANGER has earned widespread acclaim multi-platinum and gold album status while leaving their indelible mark on the music charts with a string of best-selling albums (Dawn Patrol, Midnight Madness, 7 Wishes, Big Life and Man In Motion), its popularity fueled by an impressive string of instantly recognizable hit singles and signature album tracks. Producing legendary hits such as "Sister Christian", "Don't Tell Me You Love Me", "When You Close Your Eyes" the anthemic "(You Can Still) Rock In America", along with "Sentimental Street", "Goodbye", "Sing Me Away", "Four in the Morning" and more. The band was also one the first big "video" bands, with over ten number one videos on MTV.
Over the years, the band's music has made notable contributions to and has been featured in many different areas of media and popular culture. NIGHT RANGER's songs can be heard in TV Shows; The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, American Dad, Glee, Grey's Anatomy, Parks Rock Band, Guitar Hero and Grand Theft Auto, video games; Rock of Ages hit Broadway musical and feature film; the Oscar-Nominated film Boogie Nights, Friday the 13th, Teachers, Sixteen Candles, The Secret of My Success; JBL's "Hear The Truth" brand campaign; and many more!
NIGHT RANGER is Jack Blades (bass, vocals), Kelly Keagy (drums, vocals), Brad Gillis (lead & rhythm guitars), Eric Levy (keyboards) and Keri Kelli (lead & rhythm guitars).
As expected, the recent RICHIE BLACKMORE'S RAINBOW show in Germany has been scheduled for CD/DVD/BluRay release in November. You can get in first with some Japanese configurations as detailed below.
Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow is releasing their "Memories In Rock: Live in Germany (Monsters of Rock 2016)" on November 18, 2016. Available in various sets and all of them comes with two Japan only bonus tracks.
Among them, two limited sets (GQXS-90187 and GQBS-90212) includes a limited T-shirt in addition to a Blu-ray OR a DVD plus 2 CDs.
Features live tracks selected from the concerts of Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow held on June 17 & 18, 2016. Comes with two Japan edition bonus tracks. Consists of a Blu-ray, 2 CDs, and a description written in Japanese.
DISC 1 (DVD/BluRay)
1 Pomp and Circumstance (Opening)
2 Over The Rainbow - Highway Star (June 17, 2016 / Loreley)
Noiseworks vocalist JON STEVENS is finishing up work on a new album with guitarist/producer DAVE STEWART, which takes in a multi-media theme to accompany. A release date is not yet set, but a video preview/interview shows something pretty cool is on the horizon.
Passion. Intensity. Call it whatever you like, it’s in critically short supply.
Which is why the world needs Jon Stevens more than ever. With his mojo fully intact, Stevens stands virtually alone in the music scene, with a raw vocal power that won him attention first as a teenager and now as a veteran singer and songwriter. Time has toughened his delivery while tapping into his emotional wellsprings more than ever before.
He’s got the pedigree: a record-smashing debut at age 16 with two consecutive No. 1 singles in his New Zealand homeland … huge hits in Australia as lead singer with Noiseworks … a 21st-century liftoff to worldwide acclaim at center stage with INXS … an iTunes featured release with his last band, The Dead Daisies, whose debut single, Lock and Load, which he wrote and produced with the legendary Slash on guitar.
Jon Steven’s new album Starlight bursts with a soulful artistry and honesty that’s rare and borders on extinction today. Vivid lyrics fuel his performance on “Feel Like Letting Go,” “Scars” and “Devil In My Heart”. A playful flirtation is set to a steamy soul beat on “Something ‘bout You”. The first single “Hold On” is classic powerhouse Jon Stevens.
The lonely ballad “One Way Street” features Ringo Starr on drums. “People” is a life-affirming sing-along anthem, extending hope to the hopeless with a reminder to not “be afraid of the shadows in the night. You’re gonna wake up in the morning light.”
All of the songs are co-written with Dave Stewart, co-founder of the Grammy-winning duo Eurythmics, who also produced the album as well as played guitar.
Different as they are, each track on Starlight overflows with feeling, with candor, with an exuberance that comes from being plugged into life. Everything Stevens has survived, learned from, mastered and made leads to this album …
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