MelodicRock Records is proud and excited to announce a partnership with MECCA to release their monumental new album Mecca 3 on October 14.
Records like this don't come along very often. At least not in 2016 they don't.
But this is one for the ages. Mecca will now find themselves sitting alongside genre classics from Toto, Mr. Mister, Survivor, Giant and Journey to name a few.
Recorded over the last 3 years in Nashville, this is a record that would have topped AOR charts back in the day. Make no mistake - this is a classic.
MRR's Andrew McNeice: "Joe has been a friend of mine since 1996 and I've seen him develop into one of the most reliable and mature songwriters in this game. On Mecca III he takes everything that came before as a launching pad for what must come next and Mecca III delivers. This is a monster record that is layers deep in rich textures that remain fresh to my ears even after first receiving the original writers' demos some 3 years ago.
I'm so proud of my friend and I'm honoured to be given the chance to bring this exceptional album to the world. The instrumentation is nothing short of world class, the production is analogue all the way - you can hear it in every crisp, clear note. And the vocals are quite simply the most stunning and emotion filled tones that I have ever heard from Joe. I simply cannot wait to hear fan reactions to this album. It's a masterpiece."
Joe Vana is equally as excited to finally reveal his masterpiece to the world. "Mecca III, here we are! I wanted to take all I had learned from the amazing list of players involved in Mecca up to this point...from Shannon Forrest to Pat Mastelotto...David Hungate to Tony Levin...Mike Aquino to Christian Wolff and my son Joey...and the production I learned over many years working closely with Jim Peterik on his songs as well as Mecca 1.
But...I wanted even more...I wanted A TRUE Audiophile record...not a pro-tooled, over edited mess of 100 takes edited into one...and the groove less, lifeless carcass that playing to the grid creates, the ruination of vibe, groove and soul in music.
I hope everyone digs the record....it's 8 tracks because that's all I needed to tell the story I wanted to convey...lyrically the record flows...All are separate but continuous chapters...vocally the songs even feel different as I move through different phases of my life."
And what does Toto's Steve Lukather think about it? "Killer new music! Great songs! Great playing from everyone...and Joe's vocals are better than ever! Smooth, real and soulful. I love the 'surprise modulations' that are now his style which make this a great listen for fans of his and the entire genre of melodic rock music. Creative arrangements throughout and I love the synth/keyboard work. David Hungate is amazing as is Shannon Forrest on drums and production. Great sounds + killer guitars all over it! Can't say what is my fave yet cause I love all of it. Summing it up in 3 words...Well f-ing done!" Luke - 2016.
The album was produced by new Toto drummer Shannon Forrest (Tim McGraw, Michael McDonald, Kenny Rogers, Don Henley), Associate Produced by Joey Vana and Recorded at Off The Grid Studios, Nashville Tennessee.
Alongside drummer Shannon Forrest, featured on the album are some of Nashville's very finest musicians:
Tim Akers - B3 and Piano (Rascal Flatts, Amy Grant, Kid Rock, Alabama); Toto's legendary bass man David Hungate; plus David Browning (Katy Perry, Amy Grant, Hollywood Heroes).
MECCA III is:
Joe Vana - Lead Vocals
Shannon Forrest - Drums and Percussion
David Hungate - Bass
Tim Akers - B3 and Piano, Background Vocals and Duet on "Believe"
David Browning - Synths
Joey Vana - Guitars
Mark Baldwin - Guitar
With:
Sol Philcox-Littlefield - Additional Guitars
Ethan Forrest - Additional Guitars
Rudy Chmelik - Additional Percussion on "Believe"
Bill Syniar - Vibe
All Lyrics and Melodies written by: Joe Vana
Except Track 8: Akers, Vana; Track 7 - Richard Page
Mecca 3 will be released worldwide via MelodicRock Records October 14 with 4 different options:
1 - Standard CD (available via Cargo Distribution)
2 - Limited Edition Numbered CD featuring special effects print on disc (pre-order soon via MelodicRock.com)
3 - Fan Pack 1 - Limited Edition CD (as above) with Mecca III Tshirt (pre-order soon via MelodicRock.com)
4 - Fan Pack 2 - Limited Edition CD (as above), Limited (150 ONLY) Vinyl LP, plus Mecca III Tshirt (pre-order soon via MelodicRock.com)
Frontiers Music Srl is excited to announce the return of HARDLINE with the brand new album “Human Nature”, set for release on October 14.
Following the rebirth of the band that happened with the release of “Danger Zone” in 2012, Hardline have regrouped around fabulous singer Johnny Gioeli with the excellent production and keyboard skills of Alessandro Del Vecchio (Rated X, Resurrection Kings, Revolution Saints), the shredding talents of guitarist Josh Ramos (The Storm), and the powerful rhythm section made up of bassist Anna Portalupi (Tarja Turunen) and drummer Francesco Jovino (Primal Fear, Jorn). All these musicians have an impressive pedigree, but what makes Hardline special is how well their unique and different talents blend together.
The goal for their new album was to have a heavier and updated version of the original Hardline sound. Think debut album, 1992's “Double Eclipse” updated for the 21st Century, with a grittier and more straight ahead sound. Anthemic, hard rocking songs are what you can expect from this record and hook after hook, riff after riff, you’ll find yourself wowed by this absolute monster of an album!
When Gioeli and Del Vechhio got together to begin writing songs for the album, “[T]he plan was to create an album that emulates the feeling of "Double Eclipse" combined with the dynamics of modern day rock. Very heavy and in your face, but still with hitting melodies,” says Johnny. “I have a tremendous amount of Axel Rudi Pell fans that know me for the way I deliver a metal song too. So yes, it’s definitely the heaviest we have done since the debut. I see this album as the perfect mix of styles.”
“As a producer I pushed everyone to squeeze these songs and put as much attitude as we could on tape,” adds Alessandro Del Vecchio. “We wanted more of an in-your-face attitude than our softer albums. I think we understood we had something special in our hands when we finished “Take You Home”. Even if it's the ballad of the album I guess it's the focal point of the musical bond that Johnny and myself share with the whole band.”
“The guys put their heart and soul into their performances,” concludes Johnny “You can hear the essence of every drum strike and the sweat hitting the drums shortly after. Do it again, Cesco! HARDER, HARDER! Josh, Anna and Ale wouldn’t stop until their fingers said “enough”…and then……we did it again and again. That’s rock and roll man. Songs like “Where Will We Go From Here,” “Human Nature” and “Take you Home,” to me they are the essence of what I LOVE to sing and HOW I love to sing!”
“Human Nature” tracklisting:
1. Where Will We Go From Here
2. Nobody's Fool
3. Human Nature
4. Trapped In Muddy Waters
5. Running On Empty
6. The World Is Falling Down
7. Take You Home
8. Where The North Wind Blows
9. In The Dead Of The Night
10. United We Stand
11. Fighting The Battle
HARDLINE
Johnny Gioeli – Lead Vocals
Alessandro Del Vecchio - Keyboards, Backing Vocals
Frontiers Music Srl is excited to announce the signing of British hard rockers Stone Broken to the label!
Stone Broken is a four piece band from Walsall, formed in late 2013 from the fragments of two local bands. In just a short time, these guys have gelled into a dynamic outfit that delivers a BIG, chunky rock sound with huge choruses, as can be heard in their acclaimed, independently released, full length debut album, 'All In Time'.
The record received glowing reviews on the national press, including a 10/10 in Powerplay Rock and Metal Magazine, 9/10 in Fireworks Magazine and an Album of the Month award in RGG magazine. Stone Broken were also contender for 'Best New Band' at this year's Planet Rock Awards.
Vocalist/guitarist, Rich Moss says: "Signing with such a prestigious label as Frontiers Music Srl is a dream come true. It is a validation of all the hard work we have put in and a testimony to our ever increasing and loyal fan-base. We are now writing our second album which will be the first with Frontiers. Once again, we will be recording with award-winning producer, Romesh Dodangoda (Motorhead, Bullet for My Valentine, Funeral for a Friend etc.) and can't wait for you all to hear it. Then we are going to tour, tour, tour and play every goddamn town we can!"
You can enjoy some of the finest moments from the bands debut, "All In Time" by clicking the links below:
Stay tuned for their second album coming in 2017 and be sure to check out STONE BROKEN live when you can! Stone Broken are on an extensive UK tour throughout 2016 which includes opening up the main Hammerfest stage at HRH United in Wales and will conclude at Planet Rockstock 2016 in December. All dates can be found here: http://www.stonebroken.com/shows
Stone Broken are:
Rich Moss - Lead Vocals / Guitar
Chris Davis - Lead Guitar / Vocals
Kieron Conroy - Bass / Vocals
Robyn Haycock - Drums / Vocals
RES 9 Management along with Mascot Label Group is pleased to announce that Rik Emmett and his new band, RESolution9, have just delivered an album of 11 brand new rockers as part of a multi-album, worldwide deal. The album, entitled RES 9, is tentatively slated to be released through Mascot Label Group in November 2016.
The members of RESolution9 are from Rik's touring quartet: Dave Dunlop on guitar, Steve Skingley on bass, and Paul DeLong on drums, with Dave and Steve co-producing the project.
Much of the album was recorded and mixed at Mississauga's famed MetalWorks Studios, where Rik enjoyed a profoundly comfortable re-connectivity to his own roots. In fact, the other two founding members of Triumph (Gil Moore and Mike Levine, from the trio that received 18 gold and 9 platinum awards in Canada and the U.S. in the 70's & 80's) reunite with Rik as special guests on "The Grand Parade," a song that conjures 1979's "Suitcase Blues."
Additionally, legendary guitarist Alex Lifeson of Rush performs on two stellar tracks, with James LaBrie of Dream Theater contributing extraordinary guest vocals on two cuts as well.
Canadian Rock and Juno Hall of Famer Rik Emmett says, "I'm really happy and grateful that Mascot Label Group gave our band complete freedom, and trusted us to do our best. Some might see this as a comeback record, but I’m really proud of the vitality the band generated. For me, it's always about the songwriting - how the melodies and sonic landscapes capture the storytelling."
A more detailed press release will be issued by Mascot Label Group once the album secures its formal release date. Fans can visit www.rikemmett.com and www.mascotlabelgroup.com for more information.
All Paris & Outlasted pre-orders and general orders have been shipped.
Reviews will return next week. My apologies, but the last 4 weeks have been filled with a lot of family stuff. I have more reviews to catch up on than at any point in 20 years of doing this.
But here is a preview:
SEVEN is fabulous.
MEAT LOAF is woeful.
And stay tuned to MR later today (Friday), for a big big big MECCA announcement!
