Quiet Riot is of course one of the classic names in hard rock, but nothing here gives any indication of the music that earned them the status held prior to the death of frontman Kevin DuBrow.
Since that time, drummer Frankie Banali has taken a number of lineups out on the road under the QR moniker, but this is his first foray into new material.
One thinks he should have kept to performing the band’s hits live for this is horrible. I’d suggest that its actually one of the worst albums released by a name band in many years.
The fact that the label agreed to the band dumping Seann Nicols and hastily re-recording the vocals with newly recruited James Durbin shows how much faith they had in the original. I bet they didn’t expect something even worse to be delivered.
The production is demo quality at best; the songs (same music, new titles, new lyrics) are instantly forgettable and the new vocals of Durbin are simply horrid. He’s normally a great singer, but how long did they take to get this done, as he sounds out of tune in places, ultra-whiney throughout and in the opening track for example, the vocals are bordering on chipmunk territory.
The second track is even worse. There is a clear disconnect between the vocals and the music. The chorus is among the worst I have ever heard.
Even Banali’s drumming sounds rigid and straight forward. The constant thump thump thump of the mid-tempo songs is irritating.
It’s a huge disappointment and when you consider the guys had two attempts to get it right, even more surprising. If this was an album delivered by a no-name artist, it would have been swiftly disposed of. I really don’t enjoy being negative, but there is no way a record of this quality should have been released. I’d place bets on this being the last QR album.
Rufus Stone Limited Editions is delighted to announce a promotional 3D video for their forthcoming publication of the first ever Official AC/DC book, ROCK or BUST The World Tour Book 2015.
The video has been created by leading digital artist and animator Chris Hilton who has worked on major projects for the Rolling Stones, Paul MaCartney, John Lennon and many others.
The video can be viewed here:
Currently on presale, The Rock or Bust Tour Book 2015 will cover the full extent of AC/DC’s groundbreaking 2015 world tour supporting the multi-million selling Rock or Bust album released in 2014. Starting in Coachella, the Rock or Bust tour has played to millions of fans around the world, setting records for attendance and sell out times. Renowned music photographer Ralph Larmann has captured AC/DC throughout this incredible tour, creating an amazing photographic documentary of the band and fans in action. Rufus Stone is assembling these pictures plus some amazing facts, figures and tour memorabilia to celebrate one of the most successful rock tours of the last decade. The finished book will be 264 pages long and will be the same physical dimensions as a vinyl album.
Two different editions of the book will be published including a unique “Leather and Metal” collector’s version. All editions will be unique, case bound coffee table books, perfect for fans and collectors.
Mark Smith at Rufus Stone says, “Creating this type of book with a band with the legacy of AC/DC is the dream project for Rufus. We are delighted to be able to produce an official book on behalf of the band and we’ve got a few surprises along the way to help make this a unique and special publishing event.”
The book will be released in the Autumn of 2017 and a pre-sale page has been created at www.acdcrockorbustbook.com.
About Rufus Stone Limited Editions
Quite simply we're passionate about music, books and publishing.
We are a group of creative thinkers, working together to create a new publishing venture specializing in producing the best quality products that both fans and artiste would be proud to own. It's that simple.
Our approach is to generate high quality, bespoke books in short, limited edition runs at price points people can afford. We are offering a product that can't be purchased on the high street, featuring exclusive imagery and content coupled with the very highest production standards.
Rufus Stone has released exclusive, collectors’ books on Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, Ronnie James Dio and the legendary Jon Lord.
"INTO THE GREAT UNKNOWN" Released on Friday 22nd September 2017
via earMUSIC
"What can you say about H.E.A.T? If you don't like these energetic Swedes you must be dead inside, as this year they've shown the UK crowd how to be the most complete band on the planet." - Classic Rock Magazine
Friday 22nd September 2017 sees the UK release of the long awaited new studio album "Into The Great Unknown" from the celebrated Swedish rock band H.E.A.T viaearMUSIC.
After one and a half years of intense songwriting, with guitarist DaveDalone (aka Sky Davis) back in the mix, the band went on a questionable trip to record an album in Thailand, once again with Swedish Grammy award-winning producer Tobias Lindell. With 10 top songs in their cannon, H.E.A.T entered the heavenly Karma Sound studios in the outskirts of Bangkok to record what would become the fifth studio album. Once again the band continue the musical landscape with an innovative, highly explosive and refreshing melodic rock sound and an unforgettable collection of fantastic new songs.
"Into The Great Unknown" is the follow-up to 2014’s critically acclaimed "Tearing Down The Walls". 2012’s successful "Address The Nation" album was praised worldwide as one of the best albums of the year, and consolidated the H.E.A.T’s growing reputation as the new leading band in hard edged melodic rock.
In 2009, H.E.A.T had a huge hit in Scandinavia with the song "1000 Miles". That same year the band’s second album "Freedom Rock" was nominated as one of the Top 50 albums in 2010 by Classic Rock magazine UK. Since then, they’ve toured all over the world, blowing audiences away with their outstanding live concerts.
In a time when artists like Foreigner, Journey and Whitesnake are enjoying a resurgence, teenagers are re-discovering the melodic approach to hard rock. The kids are suddenly wearing their classic rock band logos on t-shirts. H.E.A.T is the beacon of light that many say will carry this tradition into the future. They’re young, ambitious and full of energy and ideas.
H.E.A.T don’t hide their love for their classic rock heroes, but don’t try to copy it, either. They just do it and they want to be the best at it. And they are one of the best - drawing both young and old to their mesmerising, freshly sounding, energetic classic rock and bombastic melodies.
H.E.A.T Guitar: Sky Davis (aka Dave Dalone)
Bass: Jimmy Jay
Keyboard: Jona Tee
Drums & Percussion: Crash
Vocals: Erik Grönwall
All songs written by H.E.A.T
Additional composing: Sharon Vaughn, Johan Becker, Fredrik Thomander on Track 6
Sharon Vaughn and Fredrik Thomander on track 8, and Peter Larsson on track 5
Produced by Tobias Lindell
Recorded at Karma Sound Studios, Thailand by Tobias Lindell and Rhys Fletcher
Additional Recordings: JayRex Productions Studios
Mixed by Tobias Lindell at Phuket Sun Studio
Mastered by Henrik Jonsson at Masters of Audio
"Into The Great Unknown" is a rock and roll journey into the great unknown. The album delivers everything H.E.A.T is loved for - frontman Erik Grönwall’s incredible vocal talent and the band’s traditional approach to melodic rock.
The result is a set of high-quality tracks that bend the genre’s boundaries and take it to new heights. H.E.A.T’s fifth album incorporates some of classic rock’s most renowned features and taking them into another dimension. H.E.A.T have always had a grasp for great melodies. "Eye OfThe Storm", "Redefined", Time On Our Side" and "Do You Want It?" embody catchy melodies and fresh ideas, all of which takes the band’s talent to the next level.
"During the making of this album, I think we all felt a little bit like astronauts going off to space for the first time," says guitarist Dave Dalone (aka Sky Davis). "We set out on a journey not knowing what we would come back with, or if we'd even make it back. Somewhere along the way, the pieces began to fall into place. There's just no point in doing the same album over and over again just because it works. When it all comes down to it, you want to make the songs shine to their full potential. If that includes bending the rules of the genre or crossing paths into unknown territory, so be it."
"The title "Into The Great Unknown" suits the album for many reasons," says drummer Crash. "The plan, to focus entirely on the song writing and to not do a live show until the new album is out, was a new thing for us. We had never done anything like it, how do you 'not' play live for two years? We had been doing live shows since we were kids. Another leap into the great unknown is the music itself, with no limits and elements never before seen in H.E.A.T. Eric Rivers disappeared into the great unknown and former guitarist Dave Dalone (aka Sky Davis) came back from it. The album cover is once again created by Russian artist Vitaly S. Alexius, and is inspired by the mystical space, the greatest unknown known to man."
Licensed to Avalon / Marquee Inc. for Japan, Korea & Taiwan released on 20 April 2016 (inc. 1 bonus track) and to Steel Gallery Records for a 300 Limited Hand Numbered release in Hellas released on 13 May 2016 (inc. 2 bonus tracks).
Legendary AOR singer/songwriter (Emmy Award winning recording artist) and melodic rock icon STAN BUSH to release his 13th studio album, Change The World, on September 22nd via L.A. Records/Cargo Records worldwide.
The “Change the World” album also includes “Warrior”, featured in the Shadow Warrior 2 game. The title track “Change the World”, one of Stan Bush’s best songs contains a message of hope and unity. “Born to Win” and “Live Your Dream” are songs about winning and believing in yourself. “The Story of Love” is a power-ballad about how confusing love can be. Another amazing song is the closing track, “The Secret” which contains a powerful message of love. The all-time classic Stan Bush songs “The Touch” and “Dare” from “Transformers: The Movie” round out this masterpiece of an album. Look for Stan Bush to break through to a worldwide audience with this gem of an album!
Track listing:
1. Change The World
2. Warrior
3. Born To Win
4. Never Surrender
5. The Story of Love
6. Live Your Dream
7. Break These Chains
8. The Other Side of Love
9. Dare
10. The Touch
11. The Secret
The album was produced, engineered and mixed by Holger Fath at The Barn Studios, Moorpark, CA and mastered at Aftermaster Audio, Hollywood, CA.
Line-up:
Stan Bush - Lead vocals and backing vocals
Holger Fath - Guitars, Bass, Keyboards
Tom Walsh - Drums
World-class rock singer, Stan Bush is best known for his song “The Touch” featured in “Transformers: The Movie”. An anthem for Transformers fans around the world, “The Touch” was also featured in the movie “Boogie Nights”, on Chuck (NBC), and American Dad (Fox), The Goldbergs (ABC), Guitar Hero, and the Saints Row IV game. Stan Bush was inducted into the Transfomers Hall of Fame in 2014.
In 1997 Stan Bush won an Emmy Award for Best Original Song, "Til I Was Loved By You". Another of his songs "Capture the Dream" was featured in the 1996 Olympics. His tracks were used in two Jean-Claude Van Damme films: "Kickboxer", a major film sequel to the action adventure film, "Bloodsport." Stan Bush has written with many top songwriters like Jonathan Cain (Journey), Jim Vallance (Bryan Adams; Aerosmith), and Paul Stanley of Kiss. Stan Bush has toured extensively throughout the U.S. and Europe.
MelodicRock Records is delighted to announce the release of the new SCHERER / BATTEN album ‘BattleZone’, released worldwide September 22.
NEW PREVIEW!
Scherer/Batten is of course, none other than vocalist MARC SCHERER (Scherer/Peterik) and star guitarist JENNIFER BATTEN (Jeff Beck, Michael Jackson).
Together the pair have teamed up with the same musical talent that featured on the 2015 Peterik/Scherer album ‘Risk Everything’ together with some fresh new faces to help craft an absolute melodic rock gem.
‘BattleZone’ features material exclusively from the Jim Peterik(Ides of March, formerly of Survivor, Pride Of Lions) songbook. Featuring 8 rare musical gems from Jim’s songwriting vault, the album also features 3 brand new tracks, written for this project.
That’s 11 new classic songs, produced by Jim Peterik and featuring the impressive lineup of:
All Lead Vocals: Marc Scherer
All Lead Guitars: Jennifer Batten
Backing Vocals: Marc Scherer, Bill Champlin, Bryan Cole, Brian Hemstock, Danette Pahl
Alternate Lead and Rhythm Guitars: Jennifer Batten, Mike Aquino, Dave Carl, Jim Peterik
Bass Guitars: Bill Syniar, Klem Hayes
Keyboards: Jim Peterik, Christian Cullen, Chris Neville, Barb Unger
Drums: Dave Kelly, Ed Breckenfeld
Sax: Mindi Abair
Additional credits include:
Executive Producer: Danette Pahl
Engineered by: Larry Millas
Mastered by: Larry Millas at World Stage Studios and JK Northrup at Alien Productions
Mixed by: Jim Peterik and Larry Millas
Keyboard Programming: Larry Millas and Christian Cullen
Art Direction and Cover Art: Nello Dell'Omo
Jim Peterik comments: “As a long time enthusiast of Marc Scherer's vocal chops and the expertise of rock guitar goddess Jennifer Batten, you can imagine how excited I am at the release of Scherer/ Batten ‘BattleZone’ album.
As a song writer and producer, it was a dream come true mining some lost gems from my many years in rock, producing them to a new lustre and even writing three brand new cuts with Marc and Jennifer - Cuts Deep, The Harder I Try and the title track BattleZone.
Andrew McNeice and Danette Pahl of Melodic Rock Records gave me the artistic leeway and financial support to create the album of a lifetime.
Working with one of the best engineers in the business, Larry Millas, and musicians like multiple Grammy Award Winner Bill Champlin of Chicago, bassist Bill Syniar (formerly of Survivor), Mike Aquino (guitarist and singer from World Stage), and two-time Grammy Nominated saxophonist, Mindi Abair, along with Dave Kelly and Bryan Cole, brought depth and texture to the tracks that is palpable.
You can hear our excitement in every song. I guess you can see I'm pumped.
I dare you to crank up BattleZone or Tender Fire or Crazy Love and not rediscover why you fell in love with melodic rock in the first place. I double dare ya!!”
Jennifer Batten: “It was such a pleasure to jump into such a high level inspiring project! Marc’s vocals are out of this world, the grooves are kickin’, and working with Jim Peterik is so joyous and creative. I can’t wait to take this to the stage!”
And finally, the vocalist fronting this extraordinary project, Marc Scherer: “Even something as innocuous as lunch with Jim Peterik can inspire great things…
It was during one such meeting that Jim and I conceived of an album showcasing his lost musical treasures. Thanks to the contributions of long-time Peterik enthusiast and personal friend Danette Pahl of MelodicRock Records, we now have lift-off!
While the brain trust of talent surrounding Jim enhances any idea, this album is extra special because it features a collaboration with one of the world’s greatest guitarists, Jennifer Batten – who played three world tours with Michael Jackson and two with Jeff Beck. They say you know when it’s right in the first 30 seconds, but in this case, you can sense the magic in the first few notes. BattleZone blends the songwriting craftsmanship and storytelling genius of Jim Peterik with the artistry of some of the most amazing musicians in the business. As Jennifer observed, the battle can be internal: the fight to be better, to raise the bar and challenge yourself while stirring the musical cauldron. I truly believe that we have captured lightning in a bottle and I’m so eager for everyone to share in this experience.”
Scherer/Batten‘BattleZone’ will be released via MelodicRock Records on CD & Digital September 22.
The lead song ‘Cuts Deep’, which was premiered on the Steve Price Rock Show on ARfm this weekend past, will be released as a digital single this Friday.
For now, please enjoy a short album teaser, a taste of what’s to come:
