This issue also includes a 200 page pdf and 100 free mp3 songs!!
INTERVIEWS this issue include: Joe Bonamassa, Halestorm, Dee Snider, Tyketto, Nazareth, Ann Wislon, Enuff Z’ Nuff, Tarja, UDO, Glass Tiger, Primal Fear, Monster Truck, Epica, Uriah Heep, Hardcore Superstar and many, many more...
Our ‘Divine Decade’ series looks at 1979 and includes debut albums by Saxon, Accept, Axe and Aviary amongst others, as well as classic live albums such as Judas Priest’s ‘Unleashed In The East’, UFO’s ‘Strangers In The Night’ and Cheap Trick’s monumental ‘At Budokan’. Albums of the year? AC/DC ‘Highway To Hell’, Kiss ‘Dynasty’, Whitesnake ‘Lovehunter’ and Rainbow’s ‘Down To Earth’. What a year!!
Our enthusiasts Guide looks at the off-shoot projects and solo albums from the members of Queen while ‘Unsung Heroes’ takes an in-depth look at the career of Jon Stevens.
ALL THIS and so much more, including over 50 pages of reviews, including full page review of the new Steve Perry solo album, ‘Traces’!!
Frontiers Music Srl is pleased to announce the release of “Rock’n Milan”, a live album and long-form video of SteelHeart’s performance at Frontiers Rock Festival IV (2017) in Milan, Italy on December 7, 2018.
Steelheart mastermind Miljenko Matijevic on the “My Dirty Girl” video: "'My Dirty Girl' is a track from our latest studio album, “Through Worlds Of Stardust”. We love playing this one live as it has such a great dirty rock vibe to it! The night this was filmed was a hot, sweaty rock ’n roll night to remember in Milan, Italy. Sadly though, this was Kenny's last performance with Steelheart before he passed away shortly thereafter. He is here in spirit forever and I’m happy that we have this full set captured. I hope you all enjoy this video and album. So much more to come. Love you all!"
The band stormed the stage ahead of the, at the time, forthcoming release of their comeback album, “Through Worlds of Stardust”, which is represented with the inclusion of “My Dirty Girl”, while the rest of the setlist includes Steelheart classics! With tracks culled from the self-titled debut album and from the “Rockstar” movie soundtrack, singer Miljenko Matijevic was in fine form and delivered an amazing performance to the wowed crowd!
The show is also a fitting tribute to the loving memory of Steelheart guitarist Kenny Kanowski, who passed away just a couple of months after this last performance with the band.
Frontiers Music Srl is pleased to announce a December 7, 2018 release date for the sophomore album, “Superhero” from Swedish melodic rock quintet State of Salazar!
Sporting a melodic rock/AOR sound strongly inspired by musical giants such as Queen, Survivor, Toto, Journey, Europe, and the Rocky Soundtracks, State of Salazar opened quite a few eyes with the release of their debut full length, “All the Way” four years ago on Frontiers. And while it has been a bit of a wait between albums, work on what would eventually become "Superhero" actually began soon after the release of the debut album.
"After the release of "All The Way", I started right away on writing new songs for a second album,” tells singer Marcus Nygren. "We worked together as a band arranging the songs and recording really detailed pre-production demos. On the new album, we've given the instrumental parts a lot of space to capture the feel of the instrumental music that was often found in movies from the '80s. [Bear in mind that the “Training Montage” from Rocky IV is a major influence on the band’s sound.] At the same time, we wanted to show our love for smooth and groovy Westcoast AOR as well. All in all, “Superhero" consists of great guitar and keyboard riffs, some epic arrangements, and strong melodies, all performed with a heavier sound than last time."
Not too far after the release of “All The Way”, keyboard player Stefan Mårtenson chose to leave the band. Long-time friend Kevin Hosford took his place as the band's new keyboard player. Kevin wound up contributing not only as keyboard player, but also as lead vocalist and songwriter.
"I’ve thoroughly enjoyed working with the boys, with over the top arrangements, melodic songwriting and killer vocals. The only thing that worries me is that I might have to grow an extra pair of arms when we go out on tour with "Superhero",” says Kevin.
"Superhero is more of a pure rock album, lots of guitars and keyboards riffin' it out, which, of course I enjoy,” concludes guitarist Johan Thuresson. "I think that all listeners will enjoy the path we've taken with our new songs, especially since we've been lucky enough to have Alessandro Del Vecchio helping out with the final touches regarding the sound.”
State of Salazar were also the very first band to play on the Frontiers Rock Festival stage in Milan at the inaugural show in 2014 and put on a killer performance for all the fans in attendance, so it is with great pleasure that Frontiers announced the band will be appearing at the first annual Frontiers Rock Sweden Festival. The event takes place in Stockholm and they'll appear together with labelmates Creye, One Desire, Crazy Lixx, The Dark Element, and Eclipse (Sweden) on October 13, 2018 at Fryshuset Klubben.
“Superhero” tracklisting:
1. If You Wait For Me
2. My Heart Is At War
3. Hold On Tonight
4. Masquerade
5. She's A Loaded Gun
6. Lie To Me
7. Joanne
8. Someone I Know
9. To The Wire
10. Love Will Find A Way
11. Superhero
PRODUCED BY: State of Salazar
Mix & Mastering: Alessandro Del Vecchio
BAND MEMBERS:
Marcus Nygren - Lead vocals & backing vocals
Kevin Hosford - Keyboards & lead vocals
Johan Thuresson - Guitars
Johannes Hansson - Bass
Kristian Brun - Drums
GUEST APPEARANCES:
Kristina Talajic - Lead Vocals on "Lie To Me"
Rasmus Nyvall - Saxophone on "Love Will Find A Way”
As part of the Graham Bonnet Band's 2017 "The Book" tour in Japan, a three-night special engagement and reunion of Alcatrazz was presented much to the delight of the Japanese hard rock faithful! On December 7, 2018, Frontiers Music srl will release "Parole Denied - Tokyo 2017", a special documentation of these special shows on 2CD/DVD and Digital formats.
Founding Alcatrazz members, Graham Bonnet (vocals), Jimmy Waldo (keyboards) and Gary Shea (bass), reunited after 33 years for a unique series of shows in Osaka, Nagoya, and Tokyo, Japan in March 2017. For the special occasion, the band was rounded out by Mark Benquechea (drums) and Conrado Pesinato (guitars), both from the Graham Bonnet Band.
In addition to this unique farewell performance captured via audio and video, Alcatrazz raided the archives and added some unreleased bonus tracks taken from the original sessions recorded in 1985, including one song, “Emotion”, with a young Steve Vai on guitar.
Additionally, the Graham Bonnet Band has announced a U.S. tour where they will be performing the first Alcatrazz album "No Parole From Rock N Roll" from front to back along with the other hits from their and Graham's catalog.
GBB U.S. TOUR DATES:
28th Sept. Viper Room, West Hollywood, CA
29th Sept. Malones, Santa Ana, CA
3rd Oct. El Corazon, Seattle, WA
4th Oct. Vamp’d, Las Vegas, NV
5th Oct. Hilltop Tavern, Apple Valley, CA
6th Oct. Brick By Brick, San Diego, CA
11th Oct. Cabooze, Minneapolis, MN
12th Oct. Bigs Bar, Sioux Falls, SD
13th Oct. Red Herring Lounge, Duluth, MN
14th Oct. Red Carpet, St Cloud, MN
16th Oct, Eddies, Granite City, IL
Alcatrazz was formed in 1983 by former Rainbow and Michael Schenker vocalist Graham Bonnet along with Jimmy Waldo and Gary Shea and they would go on to make three studio albums in the 1980s. The band’s debut album included a young Swedish guitarist, Yngwie Malmsteen and their second album featured guitar virtuoso Steve Vai. Alcatrazz split up in 1987 after the release of their third album, “Dangerous Games.”
Devil’s Hand is an exciting new project featuring the amazing talents of two outstanding musicians: famed producer/guitarist/songwriter Mike Slamer and the equally amazing singer Andrew Freeman of Last In Line fame.
Mike Slamer has been behind some of the most amazing melodic hard rock releases of the past two decades. The list includes, but is not limited to, Steelhouse Lane, Seventh Key, Slamer, and Terry Brock. And let's not forget his past work in the '80s with Streets (featuring Kansas singer Steve Walsh) and in the '70s with City Boy. The quality of his songwriting and production work is unsurpassed as the records he has produced and been involved in have more than stood the test of time.
Mike says, “This new record has some great stuff. I don't want to make direct comparisons because Steelhouse Lane, Seventh Key, my solo album, and the new one all have great singers, but different styles, qualities, and levels of collaboration."
Andrew Freeman is simply one of the most gifted singers of the current hard rock scene. With his performance on Last In Line's debut album (and their forthcoming 2019 release), he made heads turn with the power of his vocals. His unbelievable set of pipes adds an undeniable fire to the Devil's Hand album.
Andrew adds that his "approach on singing the songs was the same as all the recordings I’ve done. I try to bring the same amount of passion and conviction in everything I write and perform. This group of songs that Mike and I wrote are a bit more commercial, but they have the same amount of intensity and anthemic spirit as the Last In Line record. Lots of big sing along choruses and screaming guitars! I think the title track “Devil’s Hand” encompasses the entire vibe of the record. It has elements of all the greatest rock 'n roll songs I’ve ever heard. “Heartbeat Away” will give you the feels. It’s pensive, dramatic, and optimistic. All of the emotion that encompasses life. It’s just a really well rounded record."
Devil’s Hand is going to be an highlight of the melodic hard rock season. Just another unbelievable record from Mr. Slamer and a testament to the abilities of Andrew Freeman, one of the greatest rock singers around. Don’t miss this!
Krokus shows have always been special and should stay that way. That's why we decided to stop when it's still really good. That's how the fans should remember us. Unlike other bands that are on their eternal "farewell tour", we will keep our word and pull the plug at the end of 2019, handing over the 'Rock Magic Wand' to the youngsters.
Marc Storace: "We look forward to a grandiose 2019 Adios Amigos World Tour with the final highlight in Switzerland."
Fernando von Arb: "We have signed reciprocally contracts with each other that it really is over. We will stick to that. Every party has to end eventually."
Chris von Rohr: "It was an unparalleled journey with all the ups and downs rock life has to offer. Now we are looking forward to the final lap of honor and will give it our all once more. We owe that to ourselves and our fans. The 7th of December, 2019 will be unforgettable as it was on the 27th of March 1982. "
The legendary English journalist Malcom Dome (Kerrang Magazine) justifiably says: "Considering the long-term work of this band, Krokus are clearly one of the best hard rock bands of the last 40 years."
Krokus will be looking forward to prove this again in 2019.
Following on from their explosive self-titled debut album last year, MIDNITE CITY return all guns blazing on 19th of October 2018 via AOR Heaven with their sophomore release 'THERE GOES THE NEIGHBOURHHOOD' - eleven tracks of fist pumping, high energy, feel-good, hair metal of the highest order!
The lush melodies, huge choruses and gargantuan hooks found on their debut album are all here in abundance alongside some true modern day glam anthems, fun commercial party rock, moody mid-paced hard rockers and heart wrenching power ballads big enough to light up an entire arena.
As with the first album, the winning formula has remained - all songs have been written by Rob Wylde, whilst Pete Newdeck has once again taken control of production, engineering and mixing duties. With ‘THERE GOES THE NEIGHBOURHOOD’ the band has literally stepped everything up several notches to unbridled, head splitting proportions. The guitars are big, the drums are huge, there are walls and walls of harmonies and more synths than you’d find this side of a classic Bon Jovi album. In a nutshell, this album has everything but the kitchen sink!
With shows all over the UK and Europe in 2017/ 2018, MIDNITE CITY's sound is tighter than ever before.
So if you long for a band that still look, sound and perform like those long lost million selling forgotten bands of the late 80's/ early 90's, MIDNITE CITY and 'THERE GOES THE NEIGHBOURHOOD' is the album for you.
Don’t forget to catch MIDNITE CITY tearing it up live all over the UK, Europe and beyond in their own inimitable, arena rock style in 2018/ 2019.
White Widdow formed in Melbourne, Australia in 2008 and ARE centered around the Millis brothers Jules (Vocals - ex Tigertailz) & Xavier (Keyboards - 2 x Aria Nominee) and guitar virtuoso Enzo Almanzi. Raised on a healthy diet of 80’s Arena Rock and influenced by artists such as Survivor, Foreigner, Journey, Night Ranger, Starship, Dokken and Australia's own Rick Springfield. In 2010 White Widdow signed with the AOR Heaven label and stormed onto the Melodic Rock scene across the globe with the release of their self-titled debut album throughout Europe. After four successful studio albums and numerous live appearances, the Australians now return with their 5th record which is entitled “Victory”.
2018 has seen White Widdow re-enter the studio, celebrating ten years since the band began and an album cover that throws back to the style of their debut. "Victory" incorporates a strong Pomp element in the songs along with White Widdow's traditional classic 80's AOR sound, the band allowing their influence of bands like Giuffria and White Sister to really come through. Featuring over the top pompus keyboards, stacked harmony vocals from the Millis brothers and Enzo Almanzi's tasty solos throughout. White Widdow are set to perform at Rockingham in the UK in support of the new album, followed by a tour through Spain, Greece and their native Australia.
White Widdow are: Lead Vocals - Jules Millis; Keyboards & Vocals - Xavier Millis; Guitars - Enzo Almanzi; Bass - Ben Webster; Drums - Gavin Hill
