MelodicRock Records will release the brand new studio album from Swedish melodic hard rockers CONSTANCIA on July 10.
The powerhouse band was formed in 2007, as the brainchild of former Scudiero/Token keyboard player Mikael Rosengren. He had written a bunch of songs that he wanted to record. He got in touch with guitarist Janne Stark (Overdrive, Grand Design, Locomotive Breath etc) and asked him to lay down some guitars. Janne loved the songs and got more and more involved in the process, and the seeds of Constancia were sown.
Their new album is ‘Final Curtain’, which is the long awaited sequel to the first album ‘Lost And Gone’ (Frontiers/King Records, 2009).
MelodicRock Records is excited to launch a full track preview of the coming album, with the opening track Don’t Tread available below:
Once again, following the fantastic reception to the ROOM EXPERIENCE Special Edition, the CONSTANCIA’s‘Final Curtain’ release will also be available direct from MRR as a Special Edition limited release – again featuring three exclusive bonus tracks!
Another July 10 release from MRR is set to be announced and then details of pre-orders will be made available.
CONSTANCIA is:
David Fremberg: vocals (Andromeda)
Janne Stark: guitar (Grand Design, Overdrive, Locomotive Breath)
Press comments for the first album 'Lost And Gone' (Frontiers/King Records 2009):
Classic Rock - 8/10 - “Class like this doesn’t come along too often”
Powerplay - “Climb up a mountain, rip out a guitar solo and remember that bands like Constancia are here to make rock music fun again”.
Fireworks - “…”Lost and Gone” is up there with the best of them”
Festivalfoto - 5/5 - “This is Top 3 of 2009”
Rock realms - 85/100
Rock Hard - 8/10
Rock It - 8/10
Spark - 4,5/5
Aardshock - 80/100
Scream - 4/5
Heavy Magazine - 9/10
History:
It all started in 2007, as the brainchild of former Scudiero/Token keyboard player Mikael Rosengren. He had written a bunch of songs that he wanted to record. He got in touch with guitarist Janne Stark (Overdrive, Grand Design, Locomotive Breath etc) and asked him to lay down some guitars. Janne loved the songs and got more and more involved in the process, and the seeds of Constancia were sown.
They now felt it was time to get a full band together. Janne contacted drummer Peter “TrumPeter” Svensson (ex-Mercy, Faith), with whom he had worked in Overheat, Locomotive Breath and Mountain of Power. Mikael drafted Jaded Heart bassist Michael Mueller, and they tried out various vocalists before finding David Fremberg. David is also fronting progressive rockers Andromeda and had also worked with Janne on his first Mountain Of Power album. They overcame the vast geographical distances, with Mueller living in Germany, and the debut album “Lost And Gone” saw the light of day in July 2009. The producer, Fredrik Folkare (Unleashed, Token, Eclipse), was carefully selected after the band had received outstanding test mixes from great people like Beau Hill, Pontus Norgren and Pelle Saether. Fredrik was just right for the band’s “melogressive” metal (melodic, yet a bit aggressive and a touch progressive). The album received rave reviews in magazines like Classic Rock, Rock Hard, PowerPlay, Fireworks and Rock It.
The geographical distances however made it difficult for the band to get a good live situation going.
In 2013 the work process for the band’s second album started. Since Michael Mueller was busy with other musical projects the band had to find a new bass player. Janne, David and drummer Peter are from the same region, and they figured getting a bass player from that region would be a good idea. Why not someone they already knew? Enter Linus Brahamson, also a member of Andromeda. Instead of rushing out a new album, the band let the process take some time and the band spent 2013 and most part of 2014 working on the songs, recording and mixing. The way the song-writing process goes is: Mikael writes the basic structure of the song with some vocal and lyrical ideas, then sends it to Janne, who pitches in with some additional ideas, arrangements, melodies and lyrics. David then adds some of his vocal melodies. This time the production was also kept under the Constancia umbrella. Since David is working as a producer, why not let him do it? This was a very smart plan, since David already had a lot of great production ideas.
Final Curtain? Is this the end? No way! The title track is about the end of a life but also that there may be something new and exciting behind that final curtain. A lot of the lyrical themes on the album reflect things and thoughts of everyday life such as not being true to yourself, political hypocrisy, the birth of a child, long bus rides with people not of your choice, love and the fascination of fear.
CONSTANCIA‘Final Curtain’ is released via MelodicRock Records on July 10.
"This isn't a rock concert. We're in this together. We are a fuckin' family, and this is Heavy Metal Psychotherapy 101!' - Chad Gray HELLYEAH
Brace yourself for full on METAL assault when HELLYEAH return to our shores after long 5 years for a headline tour of Australia & NZ this coming August! This will be their first tour of NZ since 2007 too!!
HELLYEAH is a Supergroup that lives up to the title. Featuring ex-Mudvayne singer Chad Gray, ex-Pantera drummer Vinnie Paul, ex-Nothingface guitarist Tom Maxwell, bassist Kyle Sanders (ex-Bloodsimple and brother of Mastodon bassist Troy Sanders) and Christian Brady (ex-'berschall) guitar. HELLYEAH are in a league of their own with their own. Their distinct sound and stage presence is best described as pure metallic fury and the envy of fans and other musicians all over the world. This is a musician's band and they are finally getting the recognition they deserve!
'HELLYEAH's live performance was everything anyone could have asked for and then some.' - Cryptic Rock
'This is now an in-your-face, metal eruption.' - On Stage Review
After eight years, three albums, countless tours as headliners, festival favourites and as Special Guests to A7X, Volbeat, Five Finger Death Punch and more, HELLYEAH have gone for the jugular with their latest album Blood For Blood. Every song on the album is a belter and doesn't give the listener an inch. And the bands live shows have been more intense than ever! With the recent addition of Saunders and Brady, the guys have a new found energy that feeds the crowd relentlessly and sees them going nuts and moshing from the front row to the back every single night. HELLYEAH Live in 2015 delivers the best of both worlds. Fans are clamouring for this tour all over the world!
'Blood for Blood' seems like an album tailor made for the stage, & HELLYEAH now have the lineup to pull it off. Trust us when we say that this is definitely an album you'll want to see the band play as much as possible in their live sets.' - Loudwire
HELLYEAH fans are huge in number and these shows are going to be packed. Expect back-breaking mosh pits, throat destroying scream-alongs and a sense of weight being lifted from your shoulders. This band is full-on dedicated to ensuring their shows are as much about the fans as about the band so these shows will be something special!
'HELLYEAH's live show is not one to be missed as its intensity was something you could feel.' - Ultra 5280
'HELLYEAH came out strong, truly coinciding with the characteristics of their new album. The conflagration-like screams of vocalist veteran Chad Gray were so fierce, they could have been incendiary' - Rock Roll Mag
TOUR DATES
Thurs, Aug 20: The Studio, Auckland NZ
Fri, Aug 21: Bar Bodega, Wellington NZ
Sat, Aug 22: Bedford, Christchurch NZ
Tues, Aug 25: The Gov, Adelaide SA
Thurs, Aug 27: The Metro, Sydney NSW
Fri, Aug 28: Eatons Hill, Brisbane QLD
Sat, Aug 29: Corner Hotel, Melbourne VIC
Mon, Aug 31: Rosemount Hotel, Perth WA
The following four new Rock Candy titles are available now from www.rockcandyrecords.com for a discounted price including postage to anywhere in the world for the next two weeks ending on June 1st.
RAGE 'OUT OF CONTROL' CANDY260 LIVERPOOL'S MOST FAMOUS export was, undeniably, the Beatles, a band that would become the UK's most successful musical export. Of lesser impact of course, but much loved on the local scene, were 70s rock stalwarts Nutz, a band that reached a certain level of success but, ultimately, buckled under numerous financial and business pressures. However, the one great benefit of that demise was the subsequent birth of Rage, a unit fit for the emerging hard rock explosion being pioneered by the NWOBHM. Signed to the French based Carerre label, home of Saxon, Rose Tattoo and Dokken, Rage utilised the prevailing zeitgeist of the time, quickly establishing themselves as an influential part of the emerging scene. Their debut album 'Out Of Control', issued in 1981, was produced by man of the moment Pete Hinton (Saxon, Demon) giving the material a contemporary, rough hewn, sheen which garnered great critical reaction and laid the foundations for intensive live work. Musically, the songs focussed on tight riffs and memorable hooks, giving vocalist Dave Lloyd a platform to ably demonstrate his range and style. Look out also for some incredible guitar soloing from Mick Devonport a man, who during his previous tenure with Nutz, had obviously been hiding his talent under a bushel. Material such as 'I Don't Wanna Leave', 'Money', 'Out Of Control' and 'Roll The Dice' perfectly demonstrates why they were seen as one of the UK's brightest hopes. Special Deluxe Collector's Edition, fully remastered sound, 2 Bonus Tracks, 12 page full colour booklet, new interviews, 3,500 word essay, enhanced artwork and rare photos. TRACK LISTING: 1. OUT OF CONTROL 2. WHAT HAVE I DONE WRONG? 3. SHE'S ON FIRE 4. ROLL THE DICE 5. FALLEN IDOL 6. MONEY 7. I DON'T WANNA LEAVE 8. RAGE 9. THANK THAT WOMAN BONUS TRACKS: 10. DOUBLE DEALER 11. BOOTLIGGERS
RAGE 'NICE 'N' DIRTY' CANDY261 LIVERPOOL BASED OUTFIT Rage were been born out of the ashes of well-respected 70s hard rock unit Nutz, a group who had released four well received albums for A&M Records. With relations cooling between the label, the band and their management, it was decided, out of sheer frustration and political uncertainty, to cut off those associations and move on to pastures new, albeit under a different name. Re-branded as Rage, the band signed to enterprising independent label Carrere Records (home of Saxon, Rose Tattoo and Dokken) and began their fight back by releasing the album 'Out Of Control'. Surprisingly, it also became an entree into the emerging NWOBM movement, a scene that embraced Rage as not only defenders of the faith but also as an exciting new prospect that would undoubtedly reach new heights in the future. 'Nice 'N Dirty', the band's second album, originally issued in 1983, played to their strengths, showcasing a determined and rugged sound befitting the hard rock zeitgeist prevalent at the time. It also signalled the addition of second guitarist Terry 'Tony' Steers, helping to reinforce their more muscular approach. Perfectly produced by Peter Hinton, the album contains a number of impressive tracks, including the prophetic 'American Radio Stations', 'Wasted Years', Heartbreaker' and 'Long Way From Home'. Special Deluxe Collector's Edition, fully remastered sound, 12 page full colour booklet, new interviews, 3,500 word essay, enhanced artwork and rare photos. TRACK LISTING: 1. AMERICAN RADIO STATIONS 2. WASTED YEARS 3. WOMAN 4. HEARTBREAKER 5. SILVER AND GOLD 6. LONG WAY FROM HOME 7. ONLY CHILD 8. BLAME IT ON THE NIGHT 9. WILD CAT WOMAN 10. READY TO GO
RAGE 'RUN FOR THE NIGHT' CANDY262 WHEN LIVERPOOL BASED 70s hard rock legends Nutz were forced, by their record company, to change their name to Rage at the turn of the decade, many long time fans were apprehensive that they would also alter their musical approach. Fortunately that was not the case, with the band choosing, if anything, to adopt a much more hard-hitting style. A sound that would rather unknowingly align them to a new breed of guitar fuelled bands operating under a banner known as the NWOBHM. For Rage, this scene provided them with the perfect opportunity to not only update their sound but to also wipe the slate clean. Signed to the fast rising independent label Carrere, they issued two well received albums before settling in to record their third record, the slightly more refined 'Run For The Night', a record that would be the band's bid to hitch their wagon to the more melodic, arguably AOR, side of rock genre. Self produced, the band enlisted the help of fellow Liverpudlian songwriter Steve Morris, of revered AOR rockers Export, to help with material. For the first time they also utilised well crafted keyboard support lending a bold sheen to their third and final album with tracks such as 'Fantasy', 'Can't Say No', 'No Prisoners' and the hard rockin' 'Lady Killer' taking pride of place. A fitting finale to this well respected and highly cherished band. Special Deluxe Collector's Edition, fully remastered sound, 12 page full colour booklet, new interviews, 3,500 word essay, enhanced artwork and rare photos. TRACK LISTING: 1. CRY FROM A HILL 2. FANTASY 3. CAN'T SAY NO 4. LIGHT YEARS 5. LADYKILLER 6. NO PRISONERS 7. RUN FOR THE NIGHT 8. BADLANDS 9. NEVER BEFORE 10. ROCK FEVER
VICIOUS RUMORS 'S/T' CANDY267 IT'S WELL KNOWN that the San Francisco Bay Area produced many fine bands during the 1960s and 70s, but they were almost exclusively in a psychedelic or hippy-trippy folk style. However, by the 1980s the pendulum was swinging towards heavier rock acts, a scene led by the emergence of local thrash and power metal mavericks, including Metallica, Death Angel, Exodus and Testament. It was a surprising turn of events but one that provided a healthy, some might say insatiable, taste amongst a new breed of fans for fast and furious shredding. Vicious Rumors were amongst the pioneering acts of the Bay Area scene and, despite their uncompromising style, they also earned a well deserved reputation as the thinking man's power-metal outfit. Never afraid to infuse their sound with intricate twists and turns, the musicianship indicated that they might have had more in common with progressive metal than pure thrash. Indeed, guitarist Mark McGee had actually been a member of pomp prog gods Starcastle for a brief moment in time. Progressing through two independent albums and gaining a solid following, they eventually signed a major deal with industry heavyweights Atlantic Records and cut this self titled album in San Francisco. Issued in 1990, it is a record of extreme maturity, harnessing their power-metal onslaught with precision and force. Featuring killer tracks such as 'Don't Wait For Me', Ship Of Fools' and the title track itself, the album is still impresses to this day. Special Deluxe Collector's Edition, fully remastered sound, 12 page full colour booklet, new interviews, 3,500 word essay, enhanced artwork and rare photos. TRACK LISTING: 1. DON'T WAIT UP FOR ME 2. WORLD CHURCH 3. ON THE EDGE 4. SHIP OF FOOLS 5. CAN YOU HEAR IT 6. DOWN TO THE TEMPLE 7. HELLRAISER 8. ELECTRIC TWILIGHT 9. THRILL OF THE HUNT 10.AXE AND SMASH
Grammy Award-winning bass guitarist, vocalist, and founding member of Yes, Chris Squire, has been diagnosed with Acute Erythroid Leukemia (AEL), an uncommon form of Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). Chris will be receiving treatment in his hometown of Phoenix over the next few months.
Yes will be honoring their commitment to their North American summer tour with Toto, as well as confirming their performances on the Cruise To The Edge in November.
Chris's role in the band will be covered by Yes alumnus Billy Sherwood.
To quote Chris, "This will be the first time since the band formed in 1968 that Yes will have performed live without me. But the other guys and myself have agreed that Billy Sherwood will do an excellent job of covering my parts and the show as a whole will deliver the same Yes experience that our fans have come to expect over the years."
MelodicRock.com wishes Chris all the very best and a speedy recovery.
Ten’s newie touches on just about everything that the band is known for - Gary Hughes’ simple, but warm vocals; pomp flavoured hard rock tunes that run the gamut from simple to epic; totally bonkers lyrics about spectral astrology, mandrake twilight, dragons, distressed wenches and stuff like that; and a comforting knowledge that band ringleader Hughes knows where his strengths are and plays to them.
The best thing about this recent revival in Ten’s fortunes is Gary’s refined production skills. This album features a massive sound, mixing a triple powerhouse guitar attack with a rich deep organ and keyboard presence, all mixed into a clean wall of sound by Dennis Ward.
The album picks up where Albion left off. Where Albion’s style and sound could arguably be placed against the band’s classic debut, so to can this sequel be placed alongside the band’s original Name Of The Rose opus, which followed the self-titled debut.
I’m impressed with the lineup now in play. I hope they can maintain some stability there now.
Opening with the epic Dead Men Tell No Tales, the band’s boisterous sound is in full flight, with guitars dueling like clashing swords upon the good ship Ten.
Tell Me What To Do is a keyboard filled pomp rocker with some curious lyrics, but a commercial, poppy chorus.
Acquiesce is darker and a little more intense and is classic Ten all the way.
This Love is a terrific classic Gary Hughes ballad with soaring vocals and guitars all the way. You’ve heard it before from Gary, but I’m happy to keep hearing quality ballads like this.
The Dragon And Saint George features swirling keyboards, fast twisting vocals and keeps up a decent pace throughout.
Intensify is another fast moving melodic rocker, but this one stands out for a brilliant vocal melody in the chorus and a classic Ten sound. Love this one and it runs over 7 minutes.
The even more epic 8 minute The Valley Of The Kings is reminiscent of the Name Of The Rose album again, taking a long way around approach, with soloing guitars all over this one.
Revolution clocks in at over 6 minutes, giving the middle part of the album a really epic feel. The track itself is a punchy fast moving hard rocker with some impressive metal guitar soloing.
The moody and heavy Angel Of Darkness moves even faster, with drummer Max Yates earning his keep.
The Last Pretender is a 7 minute melodic rocker with a big groove and another appealing chorus structure.
It wouldn’t be a Ten album unless we closed with a simple, piano ruled sentimental ballad. This time it’s We Can Be As One doing the job. The song builds to a big finish in pretty quick time.
It’s another must have for long time Ten devotees and anyone who really enjoyed last year’s Albion release.
Big guitars, big production, big pomp and some epic songs about love, life, scurvy dogs and pillaging the seven seas. What more could you ask for?
Royal Hunt entered NorthPoint Studio to record their 13th studio album due to release later this year. The band will be working for the first time with their new drummer Andreas "Habo” Johansson (Narnia, Rob Rock, E Type, Divine Fire).
Musically the album has been described as true to the original, larger-than-life Royal Hunt sound yet the addition of classical musicians/instruments and contemporary, modern day production elements twist the outcome into a unique sonic palette.
New Jersey’s progressive metal masters SYMPHONY X are set to release their brand new, ninth studio album called Underworld on July 24th via Nuclear Blast Records.
SYMPHONY X have triumphed, creating a panoramic “album rock” experience in an era cursed with diminishing attention spans. “This new one is about the song, really crafting each one on its own, to be as strong as it could be” says Michael Romeo, chief writer in the band, and proprietor of The Dungeon, the tricked-out studio in which the album was crafted, newly equipped with the latest in technology required to execute the band’s famous symphonic and orchestrated touches.
“Musically, Underworld has things reminiscent of the bands previous albums but this one definitely has its own individuality,” stated Michael. “Every element added was in service of the song, so the album flows and becomes a total listening experience from start to finish. Every song is to-the-point and fine-tuned, with us paying a lot of attention to the hooks, voices, riffs, and keeping the interest and the energy high for the entire record. It is heavy and aggressive as fuck when it needs to be, yet soaring and emotional at other times. I think the balance is just right. It had to have all the elements of what we normally would do, just tweaked up a notch and really fine-tuned. You know, industry people have talked about how we’ll never see a complete album again, and that idea. I wanted to defend the reputation of the album, and really try to make Underworld worth listening to as a whole record. It’s what I love about great individual songs, but still an album experience. I don’t want to sound like I’m preaching, but it was a point we wanted to make. It was about the progression of the whole record. It speeds up here and then it dips down here. It all makes sense together, it all works together and it all flows together.”
Although Underworld is not a concept album, Michael stated “like the last couple of records, there’s a theme that carries through, without it being storytelling. We try to find something to key in on and get the juices flowing, and here the goal was to find something a little dark but with emotional content. I started looking at Dante, and Orpheus in the underworld, where he’s going to go to Hades or hell to save this girl. So there’s the theme of going to hell and back for something or someone you care about.” Heavily inspired by the Italian poet Dante Alighieri, Underworld draws on the themes from Divine Comedy most notably the part on Inferno. As homage to Dante’s use of the number 3 and its multiples, the band utilizes this motif in its music either in a lyrical or melodic context. The first song on the album is a three syllable, three note melodic phrase, and in the verses there are three references to three songs on the bands third album, The Divine Wings Of Tragedy. “There’s cool shit like this all over the record,” Romeo reports.
For Underworld’s cover art, SYMPHONY X went with their established illustrator Warren Flanagan (Watchmen, The Incredible Hulk, 2012), who similarly tapped into the “secret knowledge” vibe Michael and band embedded in the record. “Warren went with the masks, similar to the first record,” explains Romeo. “But when I discussed with him Dante and the underworld, he did his own research and designed a little symbol for each of the nine circles of hell. So there are these little geometric symbols that mean something. That’s just what he does. He gets in there and finds these things that maybe no one really besides us knows what it means and yet it has meaning.”
Below is the track List for Underworld:
01. Overture
02. Nevermore
03. Underworld
04. Without You
05. Kiss Of Fire
06. Charon
07. Hell And Back
08. In My Darkest Hour
09. Run With The Devil
10. Swansong
11. Legend
SYMPHONY X’s 2011 release Iconoclast debuted at 76 on Billboard’s Top 200 and #7 on Top Hard Rock Albums.
JIMI JAMISON & JIM PETERIK 'Extra Moments' and MRCD - Volume 3 SOLD OUT
These 2 out of print items are back for as long as I have stock. And that won't be long as there's only 20 of each available.
These items features full original artwork (cover/booklet/traycard) and jewel case, with a high quality CDR (with printed graphic on surface) in place of a regular silver CD. Quality guaranteed. These units are only available due to finding a box of various CD covers (print overruns from when originally released) sent from original manufacturer.
JIMI JAMISON & JIM PETERIK 'Extra Moments' SOLD OUT
Featuring 12 tracks from the writing and recording sessions of the classic JIMI JAMISON album Crossroads Moment. Long out of print and won't be re-printed ever. The original CDs are going for big money on Ebay when listed.
1. Dream Higher
2. Chiselled In Stone
3. Cry Of The Wild Heart
4. Heart Of A Woman
5. Life No.9
6. I Wanna Touch You There
7. Lifeforce
8. Chiselled In Stone (demo Jim Peterik vocal)
9. She's Nothing To Me (demo Jim Peterik vocal)
10. Lifeforce (demo Jim Peterik vocal)
11. Battersea (Original writers demo, JP Vocal)
12. Life No.9 (demo Jim Peterik vocal)
MRCD - Volume 3 ($10 + shipping)
The third release in the MRCD series, this disc has been long out of print and features the following tracks:
01. Brother Firetribe – Midnight Queen
02. Novak – Said And Done (Compilation Exclusive – Previously Unreleased)
03. Mike Tharin & Danny Vaughn – Released (Compilation Exclusive – Previously Unreleased)
04. Tall Stories – Tomorrow
05. JK Northrup – So Long (New 2006 Track)
06. China Blue – Air To Breathe (New 2006 Track)
07. Ted Poley / Vic Rivera – Only Human (New 2006 Track)
08. Stereo Fallout – Go (New 2006 Track)
09. Kee Marcello – Wherever You Go (New 2006 Track)
10. Crush 40 – Never Turn Back (Alternative Version)
The melodic metal band PYRAMAZE just released the music video for the title track of their new album "Disciples of the Sun" online. The video was directed by Thomas Tjander [The Haunted, In Flames, Jorn] for Acromacy Media and the editing & VFX was made by Craig Gowans for 12inchmedia.com. "Disciples of the Sun" will be released on May 22nd in Europe and on May 26th in North America through Inner Wound Recordings.
Pyramaze are devoted to making music that mirrors their souls, combines all of their influences, and stimulates the mind and spirit of their listeners... Pyramaze continue to make music that is dark, thought provoking, all with a sense of fearlessness! The band will forever be committed to making the melodic art of a group that understands the importance of staying true and faithful to one's passion.
"Divided by oceans, bound together by brotherhood, we must become that which divides us.... we are PYRAMAZE, and we are the Ocean!"
"Disciples of the Sun" track listing
01. We Are The Ocean
02. The Battle Of Paridas
03. Disciples Of The Sun
04. Back For More
05. Genetic Process
06. Fearless
07. Perfectly Imperfect
08. Unveil
09. Hope Springs Eternal
10. Exposure
11. When Black Turns To White
12. Photograph
The vinyl edition of "Disciples of the Sun" is strictly limited to 500 copies worldwide and includes an insert with lyrics. 400 copies comes with a standard black disc, and 100 copies with a white disc.
