Hard to believe it’s nearly a decade since the last full length Dante Fox album! The guys (and gal) appeared in 2012 with a quality EP, so it’s nice to see them back now with a full 50 minute ops.
As expected, there is some quality melodic rock to be heard here. The band keep everything you loved about their sound from the first three albums and the EP, but give it a slightly more complex twist. I wouldn’t want to say progressive, as it doesn’t go that far, but you can hear the growth in the musical arrangements and the delivery of the tunes.
Delivering some sublime keyboards throughout the album is Eric Ragno, whose parts add a lot of texture and quality to some already fine songs.
This is the pure definition of British melodic rock. The opening anthem Young Hearts has to rate as one of the band’s best songs. Break These Chains has a kind of Dare influence to the mood; the ballad Broken Hearted Man has a great vocal melody and some fine piano parts mixed with Tim Manford’s quite wonderful mix of electric/acoustic guitars (plus the remix at the end of the album showcases the vocal even more so) and Love Affair is big almost symphonic ballad that impresses.
Very consistent, very enjoyable, even if it does take a bit of listening to get to know and work out the melodies and songs. Very produced too.
Well respected and popular singer/songwriter Jace Pawlak has been busier making other artists sound great in recent times, giving his solo name a back seat. But with promise, Jace roars back to life and puts his name into the forefront of people’ minds and dare I say, onto some ‘Best MelodicRock album’ lists for 2016.
Making Promise a family affair, Jace performs vocals, keyboards, bass and drums as well as enlisting Dad Dennis as well as little brother Trevor for some additional guitar parts. Mr. Busy, Eric Ragno joins in the fun on a couple of tracks.
This is a stellar album it has to be said. Ty Sims co-produces and mixes the album, which is why it sounds so good and the songs are nothing short of melodic ear candy.
Jace’s vocals are spot on – his higher register tone may not appeal to all, but anyone that owns and appreciates Rob Moratti/Final Frontier or Rockarma/Damon Kelly should have no problem with Jace.
Plus you’ve got the bonus of 10 catchy classic melodic rock / AOR style songs to grab hold of.
Highlights are many – there’s no fillers here. But to showcase a few of the songs – the opening anthem Tonight Is Everything rules; the moody Can’t Find Your Heart is one of the bet mid-tempo melodic songs of the year; the Foreigner-esque ballad Nothing But Rain is haunting; Before You Run has one of the bigger choruses this year and Every Now And Then is a stand out ballad.
Great production, pure 80s AOR with a modern production and some truly memorable classic style songs that should impress most fans of the genre in its purest and most loved form.
It's a case of out with the old, in with the old as guitarist DAVE DALONE returns to the band he left just a few years ago.
"Ladies and gentlemen. In case you missed it. Please give a big welcome to our “new” guitar player Dave Dalone.
Dave has since the beginning been a huge part of the sound our fans have come to love. With his guitar skills extra ordinaire, combined with excellent songwriting skills, Dave really does not need an introduction. We could not be happier to announce that Dave Dalone is returning to H.E.A.T.
“As soon as Rivers had unfortunately decided to leave, the first name that really came up for the job was Dave. He was there from the beginning and has gone through every success, development and hard work together with us. He really knows what it takes to be the guitar player for H.E.A.T and we’re confident he will once again do a great job taking this ship forward.” - Jimmy Jay
"I'm back in the god damn groove!" - Dave Dalone."
The band returns to active duty in the new year for recording sessions for an album due later in 2017.
Guitar player Helge Engelke and bass player Ule W. Ritgen are giving more infos about the new FAIR WARNING album "Pimp Your Past" in a very humorous way.
The album by the band from Northern Germany features 2016 versions of the most important tracks from their first three studio albums Fair Warning, Rainmakerand Go!, originally released between 1992 and 1997. Pre-Order Link with sound samples: https://FairWarning.lnk.to/PimpYourPast
Pimp Your Past will be release worldwide (ex-Japan) on October 28th, 2016 as CD through Steamhammer/SPV.
Tracklisting:
01. Longing For Love 3:50
02. One Step Closer 3:58
03. Out On The Run 3:59
04. When Love Fails 4:37
05. Long Gone 4:39
06. Burning Heart 4:13
07. Picture Of Love 4:44
08. Angels Of Heaven 5:34
09. Rain Song 4:46
10. Save Me 5:34
11. Don´t Give Up 6:43
New artists are what will sustain and grow this scene. It is essential to develop and expose new talent and despite the challenges of doing such, MelodicRock Records continues to bring the best undiscovered artists to the ever hungry fans of all things melodic.
On November 25, one of Pittsburgh’s most gifted singer/guitarists will make his mark. Please make room in your music collections for BRYAN COLE and his sensational debut album ‘Sands Of Time’.
Melodic rock fans have been in need of an album just like this – the classic sound of bands like Giant, Bad English, Survivor and both Pride Of Lions and Brett Walker – the latter two artists both included in the material that comprises Sands Of Time.
Bryan Cole - "I have to say that I took a lot of time and care in recording my debut album ‘Sands Of Time’ and I knew I would go through the same process in finding the right label home for my music. I'm proud and honored to be a part of the MRR family and all the talented acts on their roster. Andrew McNeice and Melodic Rock Records, truly cares about their artists and I'm humbled and honored that they gave me a chance to make MY music and give me the extraordinary opportunities that the label offersSands of Time is truly the first album project that is so honest, so pure and so Me! Every musical and vocal influence from my earliest memory, through my adult life is shown ever so clearly in this record and I'm so proud of it!"
The whole idea for the record came from Bryan recording a demo of the classic Brett Walker/Carl Dixon song ‘More Than a Memory.’ The feedback was unanimous, with Bryan receiving very positive and encouraging responses.
“I knew I was on to something very special. I began searching and writing material with the hopes of finding enough great songs to record a EP or full length album. During the course of this grueling process, I had experienced many personal and life changing experiences. The loss of several loved ones had brought me to my lowest point emotionally and I felt I couldn't go on being creative and making music. Out of the blue, I received a message from an old friend in Nashville, TN that heard my demo and had an idea of the perfect person to hook me up with.”
That person would be none other than Jim Peterik from Survivor. Bryan grew up listening to Survivor, Journey and many other classic AOR/Melodic Rock groups of the late 70's and 80's, so working with Jim was a dream come true. Jim Peterik contributed four amazing songs to the project that followers of Jim will recognize quickly.
Bryan continued to look for more songs that fit his style and lyrically had the right substance that he was looking for. Songwriters Joie Scott, Larry King and Steven McClintock, graciously lent their writing talents to the project. Bryan decided to record a second great Brett Walker song and to complete the album, and together with his long time writing partner DJ Gleason the duo wrote two songs to round out the album.
In conclusion, Bryan elaborates on the album recording process: “In addition to all of the great songwriters, I wanted to bring in the right group of musicians to help in the recording process. My first pick was former Giant bassist Mike Brignardello. I've been a Giant fan from their first record and they have always been a major influence on my music. I contacted Mike through a mutual friend and he jumped at the chance to be a part of the record.
The recording took approximately one whole year, with recording all of the tracks in my home studio in Pittsburgh, PA and Mike Brignardello recording his tracks in Nashville. I then appointed my longtime friend and mix engineer Doug Kasper, to mix the record at Tonic Recording Studios in Pittsburgh. Throughout this process, I began friendly conversations online with various industry folks including Andrew McNeice of MelodicRock Records. I had expressed interest in finding the right label home upon completion of the record. I just had a great feeling that MRR, was going to be the right fit. I was right! After submitting some rough mixes, I was offered a record deal with MelodicRock Records!
The label appointed Nello Dell'Omo to do the artwork and design and JK Northrup for final mastering. Both are absolutely brilliant! I'm honored to have worked with them.
To sum things up... Sands Of Time is a true inside look of who I really am. The musical and vocal influences that helped to mold me into the artist I am today and who I will continue to learn from. The happiness and sadness, as well as the struggles. They are all grains of sand that make me who I am.....the beginning.”
‘Sands Of Time’ track listing:
01. Burning With A Reason (J.Peterik, J.Van Zant)
02. Hard To Find An Easy Way (B.Walker)
03. When Love Breaks (S.Mcclintock)
04. What Kind Of Fool (J.Peterik)
05. Turn To Me (J.Peterik)
06. I’ll Be There For You (B.Cole, D.Gleeson)
07. We Lost The Fire (B.Cole, D.Gleeson)
08. More Than A Memory (B.Walker, C.Dixon)
09. Is It Really Love (S.Mcclintock)
10. Courage To Love (J.Peterik)
11. Nothing Matters (J.Scott, L.King)
It’s time to take a look into ‘Sands Of Time’ with the lead track ‘We Lost The Fire’, one of Bryan’s original tunes, showing his guitar and vocal skills off perfectly.
The album is released November 25 via MRR.
Bio:
Born in a middle class suburb of Pittsburgh, PA, Bryan began his love of music at age five. At age seven, he performed his first show in front of Ten-Thousand people! He has not stopped since....
His early influence of great vocalists became evident, when he received his first Journey record "Infinity" and began focusing on groups like Journey, Survivor, Foreigner and Boston, to name a few. In addition, he was introduced to R&B, Blues and Country music. He loved and respected all genres of music.
Bryan fronted many local and regional bands before landing his first record deal. He performed with many top grossing acts including Ted Nugent, Quiet Riot, Eddie Money, Charlie Daniels Band, Reb Beach (Winger, Whitesnake), Kip Winger and many others.
Bryan has also devoted his career to many charities including The Paralyzed Veterans, The Veterans Wheelchair Games, The Animal Rescue League, The Mario Lemeuix Foundation, The Obediah/Cole Foundation, Fallen Officers and Music Cares.
His style of Melodic Rock, is strongly evident in his debut album "Sands Of Time" that has just been completed and set for worldwide release on Melodic Rock Records. Sands Of Time features eleven fantastic songs. Four of those songs written by Jim Peterik: the founding member of the rock group Survivor.
Bryan Cole is also a seasoned Record Producer and Mixing Engineer. He enjoys helping both aspiring and established artists achieve their fullest potential.
In 2014, Hicks became the first Swedish country artist to hit the Music Row Top 80 published chart with his debut US release, "Hayride." Hicks also became the first Swede to place his first 3 single releases in the New Music Weekly Top 15...
Now, Hicks has combined his chart-topping songwriting chops with those of country music legend, Steve Wariner on the brand new single release, "Stomp A Little Louder." The new single from Hicks featuring Ryan and Steve Wariner is being released to country radio on October 12th via MTS Records. In addition to co-writing the song, Steve Wariner plays guitar on the track, while his son, Ryan is featured on slide guitar.
Produced by Hicks partner in crime and brother in arms Erik Martensson.
The video was produced in cooperation with GASP/Better Bodies, the clothing line that Hicks wears in his music videos and on stage. It was shot on location at Destination Dallas in Texas. In the video, Hicks works out with professional body builders, fitness girls, and athletes from all areas of expertise. Steve Wariner also makes a cameo appearance in the just-released video:
The song will be on all didgital downloads on Friday the 21:st of Oct.
"The message of the song applies to life, in general," said Hicks. "Whatever you want out of life..Stomp A Little Louder, to get it!"
Hicks was the 2013 British CMA Awards' Euro Act of the Year, a 2015 Indie Music Channel Awards winner, an Akademia Award Winner, and an Independent Country Music Association Award Winner. He is also a Nashville Universe Award Nominee, a New Music Awards nominee and an IMEA Award Nominee. For more information on Hicks, please visit www.hickscountry.com. www.facebook.com/hickscountry www.twitter.com/hickscountry
