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.
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)
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)
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.
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, VINDICTIVWorld 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”.
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.
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.
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
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
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.
