MASSIVE 148 PAGE FIREWORKS, COMPLETE WITH 159 PAGE PDF AND 88 FREE SONGS, ON SALE NOW! (HARD COPY & DIGITAL)
The SPRING issue of FIREWORKS MAGAZINE is NOW on sale, in WH Smiths and selected independent newsagents across the UK. (Hard copies and digital copies can also be bought online – see below).
Cover stars of this issue are Michael Schenker, who talks about his new ‘Fest’ album which brings together all his previous vocalists for a collection of brand new songs. Also on the cover are Nightwish, where Floor Jansen discusses their new Best Of and explains the reasons behind not re-recording the vocals for the past classics. Speaking of Nightwish, we also chat to Tuomas Holopainen and his two band-mates Johanna Kurkela and Troy Donockley about their new project Auri.
Elsewhere we have interviews with WASP, Royal Hunt, WET, James Christian, Axel Rudi Pell, The Dead Daisies, Salty Dog, The Amorettes, Marco Mendoza, Galahad, Blackberry Smoke and many, many more. For fans of 70s Glam, Dave Hill chats about his new book, ‘So Here It Is’, detailing his life and the wild, fun times with legends Slade.
Feature-wise, Sister In Rock takes a look at the Mattioli sisters, better known as Gypsy Queen, Pat Benetar, Rosalie Cunningham and Tane Cain. Bands That Time Forgot takes a detailed look at Desmond Child And Rouge, chatting with the inimitable Diana Grasselli, as well as the wonderful 70s band, Masters Of The Airways. The Enthusiasts Guide charts the success, or otherwise, of members of KISS on their work outside their main band, while The Divine Decade hits 1977, which saw debuts from the likes of Foreigner, Detective, Legs Diamond, Meat Loaf, Motohead and … The Sex Pistols!!
It is with great pleasure that MelodicRock Records announces the signing of Swedish hard rockers StoneLake for the release of their new studio release ‘Thunder And Rain’.
It is the third release in a partnership with StoneLake’s founder Jan Akesson, following previous albums from S.A.Y and Jan Akesson’s Shadow Rain.
This will be StoneLake’s seventh album and their first in 5 years. The band might have a new updated logo, but ‘Thunder And Rain’ is an album of classic StoneLake you know and love – high octane guitar riffs, pounding rhythm section and layers of vocals and keyboards brining the melody.
Bound to appeal to fans of Swedish hard rock, TNT and Yngwie Malmsteen and the like…
Jan Akesson comments: “We are happy to announce the release of our 7th album "Thunder and Rain" through Melodic Rock Records! After a break of nearly 5 years it's great to have finished the work of an album that we are very proud of!”
Vocalist Peter Gundstrom: “With this work we are back to the roots where we once started off with melodic songs, harmonies and riffs like the old school! Everything comes from heart and soul and I am very humble still to be able and deliver what I love!”
Jan concludes: “To release this album is great because this means that we are back for the future again! We feel that the songwriting and production gets better all the time and this have no ending as long as we love what we are doing! We would also like to thank Andrew for believing in us and that our cooperation goes on and on!”
STONELAKE IS:
Peter Grundstrom – Vocals, Backing Vocals
Jan Akesson - Guitars – Keyboards, Backing Vocals
Lasse Johansson - Bass
Jens Westberg - Drums
Produced By: Jan Akesson
Recorded, Mixed And Mastered By: Jan Akesson AT UMP Unlimited Music Production
In August 1984 guitarist Jan Akesson and singer Peter Grundstrom got to know each other after performing at the same show in different bands; Jan was lead guitar in Ravage and Peter was fronting Whitelight. Their meeting led to the conclusion of Jan’s work with Ravage and he became a new member in Whitelight in the fall of the same year.
Whitelight’s focus was melodic hard rock, initially influenced by Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin and Bad Company and then by a ‘new wave’ of English, American and Canadian bands such as Whitesnake, Van Halen, Journey, Toto, Riot, Wrabit and Dokken. Whitelight played many gigs and produced many demos in search of that elusive record deal.
After 3 years with Whitelight, in 1987, Jan decided to leave the band and went his own way to spread his wings with tougher, more guitar-oriented hard rock. Peter stayed in Whitelight, who changed their name to Kee Avenue.
Jan went on to form new bands Why Not, Perfect Stranger and Dr Blue, playing many very successful gigs and making several acclaimed recordings.
Kee Avenue split up in 1991 after the bass player and the keyboard player left the band. After this final breakup Peter went on to play and sing with several different, mostly cover bands, though he kept on writing songs, always looking for the right project to showcase his talent.
In 1994 Jan decided to step back from live performance to concentrate on writing and producing songs in his new studio on the emerging digital recording platforms that would soon come to dominate the music industry.
Finally, 15 years after the two first played together, Jan decided to give Peter a call, thinking that it was time for a ‘reunion’. A good meal and a few beers was the spark that lit a new beginning.
The result was StoneLake.
'Thunder And Rain' will be released April 25 on MelodicRock Records. Pre-order available shortly.
Grand Design was formed in 2006 by vocalist/producer Pelle Saether, and the band’s first 1st album “Time Elevation” was release by AOR Heaven in October 2009. The album featured a guest spot from guitarists Janne Stark. The release gained massive success and was awarded ‘best album’ and ‘best song’ by BeRockRadio and received numerous top 10 positions for “best album 2009”. Several concerts, including the prestigious FireFest in Nottingham, UK proved that Grand Design also deliver live.
Two years later, it was time for Grand Design’s second album – “Idolizer”.
Pelle says: “We knew we had found a formula to make an 80’s rock record work in the 21st century – so why change it?” With new anthems like “Get On With Action”, “OughtoGraph” and “Your Love’s A Runaway”, “Idolizer” followed up the fans expectations. Grand Design again proved that the songs and sound of 80’s rock belong in your players and on the big stages.
In 2012 the line-up saw singer Pelle Saether and guitarist Dennis Vestman, now flanked by guitarist Janne Stark (Constancia, Overdrive etc) and bassist Mats Vassfjord. The band also did numerous shows in Sweden as well as outside the country.
Early 2013 the band finished two new songs, featuring guest singer Susie Päivärinta (of Lili & Susie), of which the song “Baby It’s You” (Promises cover) was released as a single and video in June 2013. The band also welcomed new drummer Magnus Ulfstedt (Eclipse, Jimi Jamison, Talisman, Lion’s Share etc), who made his debut on the video. The band performed at festivals such as Skogsröjet and Rock Out Wild, together with bands like Twisted Sister, Lita Ford, Pain and Lizzy Borden.
2014 saw Grand Design play lots more shows/tours/festivals, such as MelodicRockFest 4 in Chicago, U.S.A, Grand Design Italy Tour, etc. But, most importantly, on September 26 Grand Design released their third and highest rated album, “Thrill Of The Night” (AOR Heaven Records/Europe, Rubicon Music/Japan). The same day the video for “Rawk ‘N Roll Heart Attack” was released and hit over 6000 views in just a few days! “Thrill Of The Night” also marks the first Japan release for the band. The album was awarded best album of 2014 by RockEyez. Grand Design is the only band winning two years (2011 and 2014).
By mid-2015 the video for ““Rawk ‘N Roll Heart Attack” had well over 200 000 views on YouTube! The band played in Spain together with Kee Marcello and Dynasty, plus some more shows in Sweden. A new video for “Get Up And Love Someone” saw the light of day in September 2015, like the previous one, also directed by Thomas Tjäder (Acromancy Media).
In 2017 the band was reinforced by new bass player Stefan Westerlund (Rocket Love) and drummer Joakim Jonsson (Axenstar, Psychopunch) and the new album “Viva La Paradise” was recorded. Continuing on the path of “Thrill Of The Night”, the band feels this marks the strongest album to date. The same old style and sound, but elevated and with a few new surprises.
Grand Design is already booked for the 2018 MelodicRock Festival in USA and Sweden, a tour of Spain is planned for the fall and more shows are being added!
Grand Design line-up:
Pelle Saether: vocals
Janne Stark: lead/rhythm guitar+backing vocals
Dennis Vestman: rhythm guitar+backing vocals
Stefan Westerlund: bass+backing vocals
Joakim Jonsson: drums+backing vocals
Praying Mantis are pleased to announce their 11th studio album, ‘Gravity’. After the positive reception afforded to the band's last studio release, ’Legacy' (2015), the new record sees the band return with another inspired, take-no-prisoners set. Out May 11.
The album also sees Mantis retain the same line-up, with John Cuijpers (vocals) and Hans in’t Zandt (drums) again contributing to the songwriting process. Alongside founder members Tino Troy, Chris Troy and Andy Burgess, they have not only helped in the writing of the songs, but also in providing a new dimension in terms of sound engineering and overall production.
One of the most influential and well known sleeve artists in the rock field, Rodney Matthews (Magnum, Diamond Head, Allen/Lande), has been commissioned to design the artwork for ‘Gravity’ in the same style and stunning quality that so many fans loved on Mantis albums such as ‘Time Tells No Lies’, ‘Predator In Disguise’ and the aforementioned ‘Legacy’.
Praying Mantis are a well established band of melodic hard rockers. They were formed by brothers Tino and Chris Troy in 1973 and, together with bands like Iron Maiden, Def Leppard and Saxon, they spearheaded the NWOBHM (New Wave Of British Heavy Metal) movement of the late ’70’s. While they did not attain the same dizzying heights of success as some of their contemporaries, they nonetheless became one of the most influential bands in the genre. The band has remained active over the years and still record and play live regularly.
Praying Mantis will perform at the annual Frontiers Rock Festival in Milan, Italy on 28th April.
