Tue
29
Mar

FROM THE FIRE Sign to Lion's Pride Music for 'OctOpus'

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Lions Pride Music is ecstatic to have signed a classic act like FROM THE FIRE for their up and coming new studio album, “OctOpus”, due out late 2016. Also to follow will be re-press of the band’s first two albums, “Evil Men Do”, and of course the classic debut album, “Thirty Days & Dirty Nights”.
 
A LITTLE HISTORY
 
In August 1990, a band was formed to showcase the songwriting talents of New Jersey native Nadine Arel. Michael Sciotto was going to be the drummer; Paul St. James (Drive She Said) would play bass, and Arel would play keys.

Mike called Long Islander J.D. Kelly to check out the material. Since he'd been a fan of Sciotto's talents for a while, Kelly was anxious to meet the band - and it only took a few moments of listening to the songs to realize that the group's potential was huge. Kelly joined on the spot, and brought some songs of his own.

Only one piece was missing. Voodoo X Guitarist Tommy Lafferty - who had been in cover bands with Kelly, and was a friend of Sciotto - was contacted to see if he knew of any guitar players looking for a gig. Tommy replied "Yeah... me". That reply started a series of events that would take the band from an unknown, unsigned act to a top-flight AOR outfit with a record deal, all in the space of less than a week.

The magic started when the newly-formed band was spotted at their very first gig a tribute to the legendary Stevie Ray Vaughaan, only weeks after his passing by indie-label execs Mark Brian Levine annd Steven Marder, who approached the group after their set and offered a contract with their label, Metropolis Records. The timing was right, the label offer was a great one, and the band members knew that opportunity was knocking loudly.

GO TIME

What happened next was a blur of contract signings, packing, and flying out to Los Angeles to meet producer Jean Beauvoir and co-producer/Engineer Pat Regan at Fortress Sound. The first week saw intense rehearsal, and the choosing of nine songs for the album, including two covers: the Lafferty/Beauvoir composition "Same Song", and a cover of Eric Carmen's classic "Go All The Way".

Rough mixes were promising. The strong performances of the band had set a great foundation for Beauvoir and Regan's polish and finesse, and the combination gave the album a slick, top-class feel. As Christmas approached, the band prepared to return to the New York tri-state area. Beauvoir and Regan stayed behind at Fortress Sound to reset the studio and mix the album. It was around that time that a late night session of a different kind took place at the band's condo: the long days and even longer nights of recording, publicity, and activities of the unofficial kind had inspired a simple name for the upcoming release: "Thirty Days and Thirty Nights".  During a loud playback in the control room Record Exec Mark Levine asked the band what the working title of the album was, Tommy replied Thirty Days and Thirty Nights, Mark chuckled at the title. When asked what was so funny Mark replied, “Great title, Thirty Days and Dirty Nights..huh??? A Classic was born, thx Mark!

TRACTION

In late 1991 a European label called Music for Nations grabbed the chance to distribute the album across the Atlantic. Active Records pressed the release, and put it on the market in the UK, Spain, Germany, France, and throughout the continent. Initial press was phenomenal; "Raw", "Kerranng", "Metal Edge", and the Belgian magazine "Rock Report" all praised the record - the last, in Flemish - and it seemed that things were looking up. The band continued to rehearse and write songs, some of which were demo'd in a crude home studio in Kelly's apartment. The recording gear was nothing special, but those songs - including a cover of Brett Smiley's "Blame it on the Moon", delivered to the band by none other than legendary rock impresario Andrew Loog Oldham himself, were... so much so that a leaked copy of the home studio sessions resulted in a bootleg release via Japan.

Despite the great press and solid response, the pre-Internet distance between the band and its fan base took its toll, and From The Fire started to fragment into smaller projects, as members pursued opportunities outside of the group.

On the night of October 17, 1992, at NYC's Rocketeria, From the Fire performed what would be their last live show for over 20 years.

PHOENIX RISES

A re-release of "Thirty Days" in 2009 sparked talk of a reunion, but the actual re-assembling of the band would take place in 2013, when Sciotto, Kelly, and Lafferty converged on Sciotto's upstate New York studio to record "Evil Men Do". The album was ready literally just in time for the band's live performance at the 2014 "Firefest" in Nottingham, UK. Containing strong AOR and melodic rock elements, it remains a collectible that has seen a very limited pressing.

In late summer of 2015, Kelly and Lafferty took up production of From The Fire's third album, "OctOpus", going so far as to release two songs from the album onto social media for their fans to enjoy. The first song, "You Will Survive", is a tribute to the late singer Jimi Jamison, who had a tremendous influence on Kelly both as a singer and songwriter. The second, "The Night I Made You Mine", is a haunting piece about a tryst between lovers - and the heartbreak it ultimately causes them both.

With the balance of the songs to be recorded leaning heavily toward the style of classic American AOR, "OctOpus" is slated for completion in early 2016, with some "familiar names" in the production credits. As of this writing, Lafferty and Kelly are assembling a top-shelf live band to support the album with American and European tour dates to be announced upon the record's release. Stay tuned.

http://www.fromthefire.com
https://www.facebook.com/fromthefireband/info/
 
 
Tue
29
Mar

New ERIKA Album on Escape May 20

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Friday, May 20, 2016
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Escape Music is delighted to announce the signing of Swedish singing sensation Erika!

Erika - Deaf, Dumb & Blonde
Release date: May 20
 
Track list: Killer / Heroes of Heartbreak / Suckerpunch / Drama / Hearts gone bad / Sleeping with a memory / Once upon A time / Go Down / Us Fools / One for the road / Start your engine / Warhoney

Vocals: Erika, Redas Jefisovas, Sebastian Qvarfordt, Oscar Bromvall, Marcus Blomberg, Tomas Blade, Lena Borg.
Guitars: Jesper Strömblad, Oscar Bromvall, Redas Jefisovas, Tommy Denander, Peter Rooth, Alex Angleflod, Johan Flodqvist.
Bass: Marcus Blomberg, Jesper Strömblad.
Keyboards: Alex Angleflod, Mic Michaeli, Tommy Denander.
Handclaps: The Plura-Sex Society.

Produced by Alex Angleflod and Erika for Yellow Snow Productions, a division of Spoil Me Rotten Inc.
Recorded at RedDoor Studio by Alex Angleflod.
Mixed by Willem Bleeker at X -Level Studios.
Mastered by Mats Lindfors at Cutting Room.

Erika was born on a cold winter night in Skelleftea, Sweden where she started her own band at just 12 years old. As a teenager she relocated to Stockholm where she started to write and record demos with various rock bands. In the late 1980’s she dated and later married guitarist Yngwie Malmsteen.  In 1989 Erika was offered her first deal for a record, which was called “Cold Winter Night”, an album she co-wrote which proved to be a resounding success. The following tours were a sell out and Erika became a rock singing sensation. Her marriage with Yngwie ended in 1992 and she found herself back in Stockholm and recording two more successful albums “In the arms of a stranger” and “Lady Luck”. The latter album featured the hit song “Lost in Paradise” a duet with Eurovision star Jan Johensen.

In 1995 Erika recorded “When Christmas comes to town”, a song which is regarded as a Christmas classic in Sweden and then  released her fourth album “Planet X” and then “Ripe” which were both very big in Japan.

In 2014 Erika started to record the sixth outing which is “Deaf, Dumb and Blonde”, an album which surpasses all she has done – she still has the vocal power of her earlier releases and is set to make a big stir in the rock world once more. With production from Alex Angleflod and Erika herself the album was also recorded at Red Door studio (Abba, Beyonce, Korn). Also featured on the recording are band members from Europe, Candlemass and In Flames.

During her career Erika has appeared on countless TV shows in Scandinavia and  Japan as well as writing for many other well-known artists, one of those being “AOR” (Frederic Slama).  In short she is a legend and this new album should see her extending her popularity to a whole new audience.

Discography: Cold Winter Night (1990) / In The Arms of a Stranger (1991) / Lady Luck (1993) / Planet X (1995) / Ripe (1998) / Supertrax (compilation 2000) / Deaf Dumb and Blonde (2016)

www.Escape-Music.com
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Tue
29
Mar

FIREWORKS Magazine Issue 74 - NEW LOOK LAUNCHED!

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News Feed

 
FIREWORKS #74 ON SALE NOW - BIGGEST ISSUE EVER!
 
You know, we figured it was time to change the magazine a little, make it a little more modern and professional looking. So not only have we updated the cover logo, we have changed a lot of the interior design too.
AND for this re-launch issue we have increased the page count to 132 pages. That's the same as Classic Rock: AOR was, but not only is FIREWORKS £2 cheaper, we have over 100 more album reviews and over 50 more free songs on our CD!
Speaking of our CD we also have a 34 page pdf on there ' so that's 166 pages in total. All for £5.99!  Crazy, right?
 
We've added a few historical features from this issue.  'Take 5' will have our writers as well as established names in the business picking 5 albums from their collection that they reckon should have met with greater success. The first to delve into his collection is the wonderful Dave Ling, one of the most revered journalists of our genre. Future names will include veterans of the AOR scene such as Derek Oliver, Dave Reynolds and Kelv Hellrazer as well as some of our own renowned writers.
We'll also be looking in detail at some of the unsung heroes in rock, those journeymen who have travelled far and wide lending their hard-earned skills wherever they go; Steven Reid covers the first subject of this new feature, guitarist Bruce Kulick.
Elsewhere, Caesar Barton takes an in-depth look at Gotthard, highlighting which albums demand your attention, and which might not be so indispensable.
 
Of course, with 132 pages we have an enormous number of interviews, having detailed chats with the likes of Black Stone Cherry, Magnum, Cheap Trick, Last In Line, Tremonti, Nordic Union, 3 Doors Down, Dream Theater, Reckless Love, Treat, Yes, The Defiants, Metal Church, Johnny Lima, NWOBHM stalwarts Savage and an exclusive chat with new Rainbow vocalist Ronny Romero from Lords of Black! Oh, and not forgetting Rick Springfield, Rage of Angels, Drive She Said, The Treatment, Mute Gods, Monster Truck, The Wildhearts, Yes and SO MUCH MORE!
 
Your favourite melodic hard rock magazine just got BIGGER and so much BETTER!!
 
Available from selected WH Smith, McColls and independent shops across UK and online at www.rocktopia.co.uk

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Tue
29
Mar

NOT APRIL 8 AFTER ALL

I have been teasing some sort of announcement for ‪#‎april8‬ over the last month or so and things were perfectly aligned for that to happen.

And then life happened...

Basically I'm being called to help with a family matter the week of April 4-8, meaning I won't be able to update the site as usual, or launch this #april8 news.

So, what to do? Keep you all in suspense of course (or feigned indifference!) for ‪#‎april15‬!! ‪#‎notapril8‬ ‪#‎notmyfaultreallytrulysorrybugger‬

 
Thu
24
Mar

ERIK MÅRTENSSON Joins Melodic Rock Project GATHERING OF KINGS

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News Feed

It is with great pleasure that we can announce our twelfth king. As one of the singers, guitarists and songwriters, please welcome Mr. Erik Mårtensson!
 
Erik Martensson is most known as vocalist in Swedish Hard Rock band ECLIPSE and as guitarist in W.E.T. with Jeff Scott Soto on vocals. He is also famous as producer, mixing engineer, musician and songwriter working for bands and artists like Ronnie Atkins (Pretty Maids, Nordic Union), Giant, Jimi Jamison, Doug Aldrich, Primal Fear, Seventh Wonder, Ammunition, Unleashed and many, many more.
 
Gathering Of Kings can best be described as a swedish AOR/Melodic Rock Phenomena-type-project. The yet untitled debut album will be produced, mixed and mastered by Thomas ”Plec” Johansson (Watain, Onslaught, Scar Symmetry, Solution. 45, The Night Flight Orchestra).

Gathering Of Kings have now confirmed the following artists:

VOCALS:
* Björn Strid (Soilwork, The Night Flight Orchestra)
* Tobias Jansson (Saffire, Evil Masquerade)
* Rick Altzi (Masterplan, At Vance, Herman Frank)
* Apollo Papathanasio (Spiritual Beggars, Firewind, Evil Masquerade)
* Erik Mårtensson (Eclipse, W.E.T, Nordic Union)

GUITARS:
* Victor Olsson (Saffire)
* Chris Laney (Randy Piper’s Animal, Shotgun)
* Stefan Helleblad (Within Temptation, Jono)

BASS:
* Nalle Påhlsson (Therion, Treat, Last Autumn’s Dream)

KEYBOARDS:
* Richard Larsson (The Night Flight Orchestra)

DRUMS:
* Robban Bäck (Mustasch, Eclipse, Sabaton, W.E.T)
* Jonas Källsbäck (The Night Flight Orchestra, Mean Streak)

More members will be announced soon!!
Until that… don’t forget to spread the word. Make sure 2 follow GoK on Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/gatheringofkingsswedenand on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gathering_of_kings/

Photo Credit: Annicka Nilsson (Rocknytt / Annicka Photography)
 
Thu
24
Mar

THE ANSWER 'Rise' 10th Anniversary Edition Out via SPV

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Release Year: 
2015
Friday, June 17, 2016
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- THE ANSWER "Rise" 10th Anniversary Edition will be released through Steamhammer /SPV on June 17th, 2016 in Europe (excl. UK & Eire) -

Almost 10 years to the day, 17th June 2016 sees the release of RISE - 10th Anniversary Edition. This release is available on 2CD hardback digipak, 180g black vinyl (incl. download code) and digital formats marking this milestone in The Answer’s career. Fully re mastered, this celebratory issue of the band’s successful debut which broke the 100,000 sales barrier, comes bundled with all sorts of extras including the never before heard 2004 demos, rare acoustic versions and exclusive mixes of tracks that never made the original album.

Lead singer and front man Cormac Neeson said “This album will forever hold a special place in our hearts. As with most of the music we release, we approached the 10th Anniversary of Rise from a music fans perspective. We spent weeks sifting through our old demos and photos from that period in our lives and found some stuff I'd forgotten even existed! We also went back into the studio to freshen up a new version of Under The Sky and of course there's a never before released vinyl format of this record which I’m personally looking forward to annoying the neighbours with when I get back home to Belfast!”

The artwork has been revised by original designer Paul Chessell and developed to include lots of old photos, liner notes and period memories penned by each member of the band. The track listing includes the original album re-mastered, 8 demos from 2004 and 4 mixes of tracks from 2006 plus a brand new mix of Under The Sky.

RISE gave the band, who hail from Northern Ireland, a hit not only in the UK but in other key international territories, notably Japan. The 2006 album set them on their way to not only performing shows with the likes of AC/DC, Deep Purple, Whitesnake, Rolling Stones and Paul Rodgers but also headlining shows across the world. Classic Rock magazine named The Answer ‘Best New Band’ in 2005 and in the same year Jimmy Page, who has attended several concerts, also gave them his seal of approval.

The RISE - 10th Anniversary Edition release will be welcomed by the fans many of whom have requested that physical vinyl versions of this material be made available. The release certainly sees the band marking and celebrating what has gone before, whilst very much having one eye on what is yet to come

Tracklisting:

2CD Hardbook Version


CD1:

(all songs remastered 2016)

1. Under The Sky
2. Never Too Late
3. Come Follow Me
4. Be What You Want
5. Memphis Water
6. No Question Asked
7. Into The Gutter
8. Sometimes Your Love
9. Leavin`Today
10. Preachin`
11. Always

CD2:

1. Under The Sky (2016 new mix)
2. Never Too Late (2004 demo)
3. New Day Rising (2004 demo)
4. Too Far Gone (2004 demo)
5. Preachin` (2004 demo)
6. Always (2004 demo)
7. Tonight (2004 demo)
8. So Cold (2004 demo)
9. Song For The People (2004 demo)
10. Take It Easy (2006 recording)
11. Not Listening (2006 recording, exclusive mix)
12. Keep Believin`(2006 recording)
13. Rise (2006 recording)

LP Version:

Side 1
1. Under The Sky
2. Never Too Late
3. Come Follow Me
4. Be What You Want
5. Memphis Water

Side 2
1. No Question Asked
2. Into The Gutter
3. Sometimes Your Love
4. Leavin`Today
5. Preachin`
6. Always

Line-Up: Paul Mahon - guitars, Cormac Neeson - vocals, James Heatley - drums, Micky Waters - bass


THE ANSWER Live 2016:

02.06. D-Mainburg – Holledau Festival
12.07. SLO-Ljubljana – Tivoli (supporting Whitesnake)
14.07. I-Verona – Villafranca Castle (supporting Whitesnake)
15.07. I-Florence – Pistoia Blues Festival
17.07. E-Barcelona – Rock Fest
19.07. F-Paris Olympia (supporting Whitesnake)
21.07. D-Oberhausen – Turbinenhalle (supporting Whitesnake)
26.07. NO-Oslo Sentrum Scene (supporting Whitesnake)
27.07. NO-Oslo Sentrum Scene (supporting Whitesnake)
29.07. FI-Kuopio – Kuopioa Rock Cock Festival
06.08. PL-Slupsk – Charlotta Valley
07.08. PL-Warsaw tba
09.08. CH-Pratteln – Z7 (supporting Whitesnake)
11.08. NL-Tilburg – 013 (supporting Whitesnake)
13.08. B-Courtrai – Alcatraz Festival
____________________________________________

http://www.theanswer.ie
https://www.facebook.com/theanswerrock/
https://www.facebook.com/steamhammerofficial
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Thu
24
Mar

deVIence - "Move"

 
Broken Road Records is thrilled to announce that the London-based classic rock band deVIence (pronounced Div-eye-ince) has signed with the label to release its self-titled debut album. The record, made up of 13 storming tracks, is like a breath of fresh air for the rock genre. It has a distinct 80’s feel to it with an added cutting edge modern sound thrown in for good measure.
 
“deVIence fills the void in all that has been missing in rock music for the last two decades,” said Anthony Hart, label owner of Broken Road Records, “These guys are exactly what classic rock fans have been waiting or, only with a twist that is very 2016.”
 
"We are excited to be working with people as proactive as the team at Broken Road Records," said Gio Spanó, lead singer of deVIence, "They are the fresh faced powerhouse of rock music in the UK and the fact that they share our overall vision and we are all on the same page means that we now have the strongest team we have ever had behind our music."
 
The sound of deVIence is defined by soaring vocal melodies, swaggering riffs and pulsating rhythms. If you like anything from classic rock to contemporary noughties beats, your ears will be pleading for more!
 
The band established themselves in 2013 as members Gio, Ben, Donnie, Jim and Olli came together with a common passion for making music, the group drawing together differing but seamlessly compatible individual influences which soon combined to form a distinctive new sound. The highlight of the band’s journey thus far has been a trip across the pond to Los Angeles where they played to a great reception in famous venues such as The Viper Room and Whiskey A Go Go on the Sunset Strip. The band has also played at numerous established venues at home in London such as Borderline, The 100 Club and Sound.
 
deVIence always bring no less than an electrifying performance to the stage, and make their principal objective providing the audience with a memorable show.
 
The debut album ‘deVIence’ featuring the fantastic lead single ‘Move’ will be released in physical & digital format worldwide on 11 July 2016
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Thu
24
Mar

AXL ROSE Vocalist For AC/DC?

 
I actually heard this news a few days ago, but it seems like it is now gaining traction. For what it's worth - I heard Axl was in Atlanta especially for a tryout with AC/DC. Where it goes from here time will tell. But it did happen.
 

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