Multinational Melodic Metal band Eden's Curse will release their fifth studio album 'Cardinal' via German Metal label AFM Records on October 14th, 2016.
Produced by Paul Logue and Thorsten Koehne, 'Cardinal' contains 12 songs with all of the usual Eden's Curse trademark melodies, hooks and riffs.
Written mainly by the band's long established writing team of bassist and founding member Paul Logue, virtuoso guitarist Thorsten Koehne and former drummer Pete Newdeck (Tainted Nation), what is immediately apparent about 'Cardinal' is that it showcases some of the group's melodic yet heaviest and most progressive moments to date.
"We took two years to write this album, because ‘Symphony Of Sin’ was such a successful album for us. We like to do things properly in this band and explore every possible opportunity to make each moment of every song the very best that it can be. We are not the type of band to just churn out songs with next to no quality control - we scrutinize every riff, lick, hook, melody, lyric and ask - can we do it better? This has been a long, hard and collaborative process that has not only produced some of the best songs we have ever written but some of the best collective performances on any Eden's Curse album to date" enthuses bassist Paul Logue.
Guitarist Thorsten Koehne added "We are known as Eden's Curse for writing some good hooks, so we can always come up with that, but one thing we wanted to do on this album was bring out the technical side of the band a little more as well as make it heavier".
'Cardinal' is the first studio album to feature drummer John Clelland (Code Of Silence), who appeared on 2015's 'Live With The Curse' double live release, and new Finnish keyboard player Christian 'Chrism' Pulkkinen (Simulacrum, Adamantra)
Opener 'Prophets Of Doom' hurtles out of the speakers with its double bass attack and strong riffing, wrapped around some huge vocal hooks and multi-layered keyboards - it's a signal of intent!
Followed hot on its heels is lead single 'Sell Your Soul' - an uplifting, upbeat and extremely catchy song featuring some wonderful guitar/synth interplay between Koehne and Chrism again topped off by the fabulous voice of Nikola Mijic.
The sensational near 7 minute epic progressive ballad 'Find My Way' is, simply put, one of the finest songs Eden's Curse has ever written. With it's sonic layers and huge dynamic landscapes, it’s candy for the ears on this passionate and epic track - that simply has everything! From Mijic's heartfelt vocals, Chrism's subtle piano and overblown keyboards, Logue and Clelland's thunderous rhythms, Koehne's razor sharp guitars, a wall of orchestral strings to its anthemic soar-away chorus - this song is a real tour de force!
'Unconditional' is a stunning radio friendly track featuring a duet between Mijic and former Leaves' Eyes vocalist Liv Kristine. "It's not a ballad, per se, as it rocks out in places, but it's a song very much in the same vein as 'Unbreakable', with its pop sensibilities, style and melodies. It could arguably be the most commercial sounding track we've ever written! The contrast between Liv and Nikola's voices works so well and adds a real personal touch to what is essentially a love song" declares Logue.
Liv Kristine comments "It was such a pleasure and honor working with Eden's Curse. I love this track - it's like the freshness of a sunny, really early Saturday morning. It's powerful, highly interesting and passionate. Nikola's voice is outstanding and gripping - a superb duet partner! I hope we get the chance to perform 'Unconditional' live some day".
Closing 'Cardinal' is the album’s second epic track, the near 8 minute 'Jericho', based on the biblical tale of the Battle of Jericho. A real story both lyrically and musically, it is quintessential Eden's Curse and surely destined to become a live fan favourite. "It has everything including the kitchen sink in it! I really wanted to write a long epic tune that has lots of dynamics, musically and lyrically, and could take the listener on a journey into the heartlands of the desert. This song was really great fun to write, together with Thorsten, especially the long instrumental section in the middle. I think this will be great fun to play live! It sounds like our songs 'No Holy Man' and 'Jerusalem Sleeps' marry, have a baby and name him 'Jericho'" remarks Logue.
'Cardinal' is once again superbly mixed by the band’s long time engineer Dennis Ward (Unisonic, Pink Cream 69, Krokus, Angra) with the artwork designed by another established collaborator in graphic artist Thomas Ewerhard (Edguy, Avantasia, Jorn Lande, James Labrie, MasterPlan). It is presented in a stunning triple gatefold digipak offering.
"Each Eden's Curse album has its own unique identity and 'Cardinal' is no different. Besides the old guard of Thorsten and I, the newer guys like John and Chrism have added so much to the sound. John's accurate and tasteful drumming is a real highlight on the record and Chrism could very well be the best keyboard player we have ever had. Great sounds, ideas and the interplay with Thorsten is at times breathtaking! Nikola continues to go from strength to strength as the band’s singer and proves to be a real find for us vocally and as a person. Plus the bass and the songs aren’t so bad either" laughs Logue. "The record has some absolute classics that will waltz into our live set with consummate ease. We are extremely proud of what is our biggest production to date. We love it and know our fans will too" he further adds.
Tracklisting:
01. Prophets Of Doom
02. Sell Your Soul
03. The Great Pretender
04. Messiah Complex
05. Find My Way
06. Kingdom Of Solitude
07. Utopian Dreams
08. This Is Our Moment
09. Rome's On Fire
10. Unconditional (Featuring Liv Kristine)
11. Saints & Sinners
12. Jericho
Eden's Curse will kick off their World Tour in support of 'Cardinal' in the UK during November:
21 NOV - The Cathouse, Glasgow
22 NOV - Academy 3, Manchester
23 NOV - Corporation, Sheffield
24 NOV - The Asylum, Birmingham
25 NOV - The Scene, Swansea
26 NOV - Waterfront Studio, Norwich
27 NOV - The Underworld, London
Bonfire and singer David Reece part ways / ex-BONFIRE Lead-Vocalist is back
After two successful charting albums Glorious (2015) and Pearls (2016) and over 100 shows performed Bonfire and David Reece part ways citing the reasons as personal and professional differences. These differences are irreconcilable so both parties decide it is best to just part ways. Bonfire wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors.
Returning to Bonfire will be former Bonfire singer Michael Borman (1993/94). Michael is a very accomplished singer in his own right. A seasoned veteran of Germany's music scene and also well know for his appearances on the Television show "The Voice Germany". This reunion of sorts with Mastermind Hans Ziller at the controls has all the ingredients for a truly incredible future. With all the missing pieces finally in place this alignment will prove to be the strongest Bonfire ever.
In the episode's first interview drummer Mike Portnoy discusses The Winery Dogs, working with Twisted Sister, his sobriety and his upcoming performance of Dream Theater's Twelve-Step Suite, Flying Colors and much more.
Quote from the Mike Portnoy interview:
The Winery Dogs (time 1.21): "We're pretty much winding down this cycle for Hot Streak. It's been eight or nine months on the road at this point so we're kinda wrapping up."
Managing his time in multiple bands (2.29): "There's a lot of scheduling involved. I have to keep my eye on it and I have to be real responsible. Basically, whatever gets puts on the calendar gets my time."
(time 3.02): "Start of next year will be out with The Neal Morse Band. I'll be out with them for the first four or five months of next year."
Discussing his sobriety and the Twelve Step Suite begins at 9.08
For more about Mike Portnoy & The Winery Dogs visit:
In this episode's second interview multi-talented instrumentalist Neal Morse discusses his new live album 'The Neal Morse Band - Alive Again', his Inner Circle fan club, friend Mike Portnoy, Spock's Beard, Transatlantic, Flying Colors, his faith and much more.
The Neal Morse Interview starts at the 25.43 minute mark
EXCLUSIVE PACKAGE OFFERED ON RICKS SPRINGFIELD'S SUMMER TOUR
PROCEEDS TO BE DONATED TO RUBENS FAVORITE CHARITY: FUR & FEATHER ANIMAL SANCTUARY, 501c3
HOLLYWOOD, CA (June 30, 2016) - On Rick Springfield's Summer 2016 tour, noticeably absent from the show will be his guitar technician Ruben Velasco, one of the beloved members of Rick's crew who recently died of cancer. To honor his friend's life and to donate to his legacy fund, Rick is offering fans a chance to step in for his friend and watch the show from the stage as an 'honorary' guitar tech for the show.
Ruben Velasco was not only an amazing guitar technician, he was a huge lover of cats. Having three of his own, he would visit the sanctuary as much as he could to spend time with the special needs kitties. Many of these cats have cancer, leukemia, Cerebellar Hypoplasia (cerebral palsy for humans), blind, deaf and other chronic illness that had put them at high risk to be euthanized at the county shelters. Fur & Feather Animals Sanctuary is a No-kill 'forever home, forever life' sanctuary. The sanctuary specializes in special needs cats giving them second chances to live up to their full potential, no matter how short or long they have to live. Ruben spent numerous occasions visiting, playing, and helping, giving these handicap cats lots of love and attention. With Rubens passing, Rick Springfield and the Sanctuary are creating a legacy for Ruben so his love for cats and music can live on!
'We are honored to have had Ruben as our supporter all these years, as well as contributing to his legacy with Rick Springfield,' states Sarah Richards, Vice Chairman of Fur & Feather Animal Sanctuary. 'With the help of Rick's generosity, Rubens Aunt, Uncle, cousins and a few best friends we are going to unveil a wonderful tribute to this man's life before the end of the year. We are also working with the family and friends to create a forever program in his name. Ruben Velasco is one of a kind and we will miss him dearly.'
PACKAGE DETAILS:
In this exclusive experience, join Rick's crew during sound check and stay for the rest of the show. Outfitted in an official backstage pass and a 'Rock for Ruben' baseball cap, you're welcome to assist in setting up Rick's guitars, if you'd like. You can even hand him his guitar between songs to the cheers of the audience. For helping to remember Ruben, Rick will show his gratitude by presenting you with a personally autographed guitar. He'll also take photos with you and sign autographs. This unique experience will be available at 28 stops on Rick's cross-country tour this summer.
DATES STILL AVAILABLE:
July 08 Phoenix, AZ Comerica Theatre
July 12 Saratoga, CA Montalvo Arts Center
July 17 Valley Center, CA Harrah's Resort
July 24 Cleveland Heights, OH Cain Park ' Evans Amphitheatre
July 27 Interlochen, MI Interlochen Center for the Arts
July 28 Ottumwa, IA Bridge View Center
Aug 05 Binghamton, NY Spiedie Fest & Balloon Rally
Delta Goodrem today releases her 5th studio album titled Wings Of The Wild, through her newly formed The House Of Oz Records label.
"The heart is a wild creature filled with feeling, the songs share those feelings with you, they share a story and take you on the path to finding liberation. This Album is about empowerment, friendship, pain, fun and redemption. It’s about being motivated by love. It’s about waiting your time to when you know when you regain the strength to run. 'All the while you were hunting me watching me, I was hunting you watching you.' Enjoy the wings you find in the wild. I am". Delta Goodrem
This is Delta Goodrem in 2016 - strong and empowered with arguably the finest allbum of her career, WINGS OF THE WILD.
When it comes to having hits, Delta is a force of nature. For the past 15 years, Goodrem has topped the Australian charts earning seventeen top ten singles, fourteen ARIA Awards, a Silver Logie Award, three World Music Awards and album sales in excess of 23 x platinum.
The past 12 months alone has seen Delta release #1 single ‘Wings’ & Gold selling ‘Dear Life’, star as Grizabella in Cats The Musical and return to the coaching chair on the #1 rating, The Voice.
Amongst all of this, Delta has found time to finish writing and record her 5th studio album, this time taking on the producer reigns in the process with over half the album credited to Delta. In more exciting news, WINGS OF THE WILD will be the first release through Delta’s own newly formed label, The House Of Oz Records.
Delta explains; "I wanted to be able to take what I’ve learnt over the years growing up in the industry, and impart what I’ve learned to the next generation. I’m so thrilled and honoured that my album is going through my own label, The House of Oz Records. Choosing the right projects, and supporting artists with executing their vision and trajectory so that they have long careers is very important to me." MEDIA RELEASE: For immediate release, Friday 1 July, 2016
Denis Handlin AM, Chairman & CEO Australia & New Zealand and President, Asia, Sony Music Entertainment, commented:
"It has been an amazing journey to work with Delta Goodrem over the past 16 years and I am really excited to begin a new chapter with this incredibly talented and beautiful person. We are delighted that Delta is launching her new label, The House of Oz Records with the release of her brilliant new album ‘Wings of the Wild’. Delta loves her mentoring role on The Voice and has a special gift to support, guide and nurture young artists. I am thrilled that Delta will continue to discover and develop exciting new artists through her own label, The House of Oz Records."
Like all great writer/performers, portions of Delta Goodrem’s autobiography can be found in her set list. The well-spring of Delta’s best work stems from her ability to mix her writing with a dose of her own truth and a fine imagination.
"I’m so conscious of the arc in this album," Delta explains. "I needed the lyrics to match the arc of what has gone on in my own life, but I’m conscious of my audience taking the songs into their own life."
WINGS OF THE WILD features the hit singles, ‘Wings’ and ‘Dear Life’. Other highlights include ‘Just Call’, ‘Heavy’, ‘The River’, ‘Only Human’ and the next single, ‘Enough’ featuring Gizzle. Delta’s collaborators on the journey of creating WINGS OF THE WILD include DNA, Jon Hume Johnny Powers Severine, Dave Hodges and her long time champion, Vince Pizzinga. The album comes to the perfect conclusion with an unexpected cover of the The Darkness, I Believe In A Thing Called Love.
Delta Goodrem has had a career full of ‘special moments’. Her songs are part of a generation or two’s DNA. A part of the cultural fabric, Delta still thrives best in the here and now. Always looking forward, WINGS OF THE WILD is purpose built for 2016 - providing the artist with a new time to shine.
WINGS OF THE WILD ALBUM TRACKLISTING:
1. Feline
2. Wings
3. Dear Life
4. Just Call
5. In The Name Of Love
6. Enough (feat. Gizzle)
7. Heavy
8. Only Human
9. The River
10. I’m Not Giving Up
11. Encore
12. Hold On
13. I Believe In A Thing Called Love
Faithsedge have launched an official video for the song ‘Faith And Chris’, taken from the band’s new album ‘Restoration’. Watch the video here:
Faithsedge is returning with ‘Restoration’, their third and most melodic release to date. Fronted by mastermind singer / songwriter Giancarlo Floridia, the band returns with a stellar line-up featuring Stryper bass player Tim Gaines, Ace Frehley / Mr .Big drummer Matt Starr and former Dokken guitarist Alex De Rosso. Both Keys and production have been handled by Alessandro Del Vecchio (Hardline/ Revolution Saints).
The approach is very melodic with an old school feel: 80's style hooks, big drums, slamming bass, epic keys and big production. At the same time the album keeps a current up to date feel with lyric content of today’s world mixed with a competitive metal feel. Giancarlo's songwriting approach mixed with each members experience and skills takes the album to new heights.
With different supergroups that come and go, Faithsedge is more than just that, the band members worked together as a tight team and the result and chemistry show in the end result . The album will be released on Scarlet Records in Europe and North America on June 24th and on Spiritual Beast in Japan, Korea, China, Hong Kong and Taiwan on June 15th.
Dallas, TX - June 29, 2016. North American syndicated Rock radio show and website InTheStudio: The Stories Behind History’s Greatest Rock Bands celebrates the 30th and 35th anniversaries, respectively, of two classic ‘80s Genesis albums, Abacab and Invisible Touch (16 million sales worldwide), from international superstars with Phil Collins, Mike Rutherford and Tony Banks.
Between 1980 and 1986, the British trio Genesis released a series of four consecutive hit albums, each more successful than its predecessor by as many as five times! Because drummer, singer, songwriter Phil Collins had a parallel solo career take off during that time, revisiting the critical reviews from many respected music writers in this period assumed that Genesis guitarist Mike Rutherford and keyboardist Tony Banks unwittingly (if not unwillingly) were somehow led by Collins in a more mainstream pop direction. But as you will hear in this radio program, that was not necessarily the case.
InTheStudio producer and host Redbeard gets the final word from all three members about this remarkable period in Genesis band history that produced hits “Abacab”, “No Reply at All”, “Man on the Corner”, “Throwing It All Away”, “Land Of Confusion”, “Invisible Touch”, “Tonight, Tonight, Tonight” and “In Too Deep”.
“What we used to do was actually a wonderful cop out...because you do these long songs, and it means you take a small piece of music, one or two minutes. If you’re doing a long piece, you just play it for one or two minutes and then segue to something else. You haven’t got to develop it into a song, which is actually much harder.” - Mike Rutherford
“You’re always going to lose fans, because they like the surreal sci-fi approach we used to have. But as we change and the audience changes, you hope you take people with you. Maybe we were never a progressive rock group." - Phil Collins
“I’ve always found it difficult to express a genuine feeling through a song. And I tended to always hide through the third person.” - Tony Banks
In the show's only interview, drummer Deen Castronovo comes clean about his his arrest, drug problems and domestic abuse charges that led to his firing from Journey, being sober one year, seeking redemption, how being fired from Ozzy Osbourne's band impacted his life and much more.
Quote from the interview:
time 3.22: "I was thrown in jail for fifteen days which was honestly... I thank the police to this day. It saved my life. It really did."
time 3.59: "God is restoring my life now."
time 6.44: "It started when I got fired from Ozzy. I was so depressed and so miserable and just heartbroken, devastated... That I figured you know what - I'm going to numb myself."
PRE-ORDERS FOR THE LIMITED EDITION VERSION OPEN NOW!
ORDER PARIS 'The World Outside' $15 (+$5 shipping)
MRR DOUBLE DEAL - OUTLASTED and PARISfor $30 (and still only pay $5 shipping)
MelodicRock Records is excited to announce a new partnership with French melodic rock band PARIS. The band’s new album ‘The World Outside’, will be released via MRR on July 1 in two configurations – the regular edition and a limited Special Edition featuring 2 exclusive bonus tracks.
This follows the band’s debut album ‘Only One Life’ (produced by Alessandro Del Vecchio) which was released in 2013.
PARIS are:
Frédéric Dechavanne: Lead & Backing Vocals, Keyboards
Sébastien Montet: Lead & Rhythm Guitars
For album number two, the PARIS story hasn't changed: it's still the story of two friends since the youngest of age, growing up in the suburbs of Paris and fancying the same kind of music in the second half of the eighties! Life separated the pair geographically, but music kept them united.
‘The World Outside’ is expertly produced and mastered by Steve Newman - further entwining himself in the PARIS story. The British melodic rock singer/producer had added background vocals on the debut and repeats that role here, adding his voice once again to the rich harmonies on this album.
The result is the perfect mix of the band’s pleasing AOR debut, with the harmony drenched trademark that is found on the NEWMAN records.
Rounding out this album’s lineup is Steve's English teammates David Bartlett (bass) and Rob McEwen (drums), ensuring the best possible presentation for these songs.
And because the PARIS story is all based on friendship, Seb made sure that Robert Säll was involved again on one song, like on the debut and Alessandro Del Vecchio adds backing vocals on one track.
Frédéric says: “We're still writing songs together and we have a bunch of great tunes waiting in the vault, either for a next PARIS album or for any band or artist that requires new material.”
Check out the first preview track from the album, the song Kitesurfing!
Credits:
Frédéric Dechavanne: Lead Vocals, Keyboards, Additional Background Vocals on ‘End Of My World’, ‘Looking For You’, ‘This Broken Heart’ & ‘Stronger’
Sébastien Montet: All Guitars, Keyboards, Additional Background Vocals on ‘Don’t Say A Word’, ‘In My Eyes’ & ‘When You Find Love’
Additional Musicians:
Steve Newman: Background Vocals, Additional Guitar On ‘Unreachable’
David Bartlett: Bass, Background Vocals
Rob McEwen: Drums, Percussion
Special Guests:
Robert Säll: guitar (main solo) on ‘When You Find Love’
Alessandro Del Vecchio: Background vocals on ‘End Of My World’
Jean-Marc Perz: Additional Background Vocals on ‘Don’t Say A Word’, ‘In My Eyes’ & ‘When You Find Love’
Produced & Mastered By Steve Newman
Arranged by PARIS and Steve Newman Recorded at Chrome Dome, London (UK), Studio 109, Herblay (France) and Magic Moon Lane, Lüneburg (Germany)
