ERIC MARTIN will release a new live CD/DVD set 'Live Over Japan' in Japan November 4. The 2CD and 1DVD set features Eric's solo concert held on July 14, 2015 at Akasaka Blitz. This edition features digibook packaging with a live photo book.
When asked about the release, Eric gave me this exclusive quote: “I played a 7 night acoustic tour in Japan a month ago. And one the shows at the Akasaka blitz (like a theatre/ night club ) in Tokyo was recorded and filmed. They also filmed a road documentary with interviews and filmed pieces of the other shows. Pat Torpey played percussion/vocals and my mate John McNamara from Australia (Clunes) on guitar/vocals.”
Among the things informing the songs of Blackmore's Night are sagas and symbolism. In the case of the supernatural 'Will O' The Wisp,' the rock-based song continues the band's vision involving what singer and lyricist Candice Night describes as 'nature and folklore from around the world.' 'Will O' The Wisp' is from the group's tenth album All Our Yesterdays now, offering us a mystical experience.
Spotlighted in the video and the lyrics are lights (the will o' the wisps), an ancient rock, castle ruins, a forest, as well as the crescent moon. There is also a path. Candice saw that path as part of the 'Will O' The Wisp''s folklore as she watched the Disney/Pixar film Brave with her two children. She was entranced by an early scene in which the heroine, Princess Merida is led through the woods to a cottage by a will o' the wisp, a light that floats over swamps and moors. 'The visual was amazing,' she says. Beyond that, the soundtrack of Ritchie's music spoke to her to blend his music and her lyrics into this enchanting song.
The video enhances the lyrics' ancient feel. In stark black and white, the only color element is the title character, a small, light blue will o' the wisp that leads Night through ruins and moors and wide open spaces that the Celts would have approved of. The wisps were symbolic and mysterious lights that led her through ancient stone circles to a destination that would ultimately change her fate.
With concepts for this epic video running back and forth for weeks, Blackmore's Night admits they took 'forever' to finish it, and at the end of the entire production, Candice, Ritchie and the band, pretty much, used symbolism of the path of a the light meeting a second light'two Will O' The Wisps.
Candice is adamant about one thing, though. 'The concept,' she insists, 'is in the lyrics.'
Fans can also watch Blackmore's Night's first music video (and single), the title song from the upcoming ALL OUR YESTERDAYS' album, at www.youtube.com/watch?v=G8gCGcSlRuw.
ALL OUR YESTERDAYS will be released on a variety of formats: CD, CD/DVD and Digital versions on September 18 and in LP and Box Set configurations on October 16 (in North America). Pre-orders for the CD, CD/DVD and Digital versions are available on Amazon.com here: radi.al/BlackmoresNightAmazon and the Digital version on iTunes/Apple Music here: radi.al/BlackmoresNightiTunes.
DETAILS:
* CD/DVD Deluxe edition includes the full album plus a DVD with music videos for "All Our Yesterdays' and 'Will O' The Wisp,' plus an extensive interview with Ritchie Blackmore and Candice Night on the making of the new album
* LP vinyl edition with a gatefold sleeve
* Box Set Limited Collector's edition includes CD/DVD deluxe edition, LP, tshirt (L size ONLY), poster, lithograph
Blackmore's Night is a true musical and spiritual collaboration between vocalist/multi-instrumentalist Candice Night and her husband, legendary guitarist Ritchie Blackmore. The two met in 1989 when Deep Purple challenged Candice's then radio station to a charity soccer match. In 1993 she sang on Rainbow's DIFFICULT TO CURE tour. They co-wrote four songs for Rainbow's STRANGER IN US ALL and in 1997 they formed Blackmore's Night; they continue to play festivals and concerts in great, historic venues all over the world.
ARMORED SAINT's John Bush and ANTHRAX's Frank Bello guest on Episode 149 of One On One With Mitch Lafon.
John discusses the fantastic new Armored Saint album Win Hands Down, his time in Anthrax, his current relationship with the members of Anthrax, the possibility of a John Bush solo album, voiceover work and much more.
Quotes from the interview:
On the band's rate of releasing new albums: "When you think you think of 15 years and three records; certainly that is not a rapid pace by any standard."
On Anthrax not playing his era songs live: "I get it coming from Joey Belladonna's place. I mean, why would he? There are a couple of songs I wish they would play, but I understand why they don't. I don't think it makes me sad, but I do think that we made some really cool records."
Frank talks about the new Anthrax album making it to the mixing stage, his recent car accident, having Fire In The Belly, their upcoming tours with Motörhead and later this year with Slayer, the John Bush era of the band and much more.
Quotes from the interview:
The new album: "We just want to make sure we have the right record and we think we do now."
The recent car crash: "I played Denver last week and I was definitely hurting on stage because this accident I had definitely screwed up my back."
"I was helping a friend of mine and was standing between two parked cars. Somebody crashed into one of the parked cars, right into me and I was crushed between them."
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AOR Heaven proudly announce two releases for October 23! Both RADIO EXILE and CHAMPLIN, WILLIAMS, FRIESTEDT will certainly please all fans of AOR music.
Product: Champlin, Williams, Friestedt CWF
Label: AOR Heaven
Release date: 23.10.2015
TOTO singer Joseph Williams teams up with former Chicago singer Bill Champlin and Swedish guitarist/producer Peter Friestedt for a new remarkable AOR release following the success with the ”Live In Concert” DVD that made it all the way to the top on the Swedish Chart!
In 2012 Champlin/Willams/Friestedt played a sold out Scandinavian tour and during this time the first recordings of the "CWF" album took place. The new album also includes contributions from Steve Porcaro of TOTO, Randy Goodrum (TOTO, Chicago), Will Champlin and Tamara Champlin.
Champlin says: "I’ve been involved with a project that includes me, Peter Friestedt a great guitarist and producer from Sweden, and Joseph Williams, the singer of TOTO! I was pretty knocked out by the stuff. I’d almost forgotten how good it was when we did it. There are great songs and even better performances on this album, and I know you’ll love it It’s rare for me to be involved with a project and be surprised by how good it is. This one will knock you out.”
Joseph Williams is the lead vocalist with Grammy winning US band TOTO. He has been busy as a composer of film and drama scores, as a session vocalist, backing singer and can be heard in Disney’s animated feature film “The Lion King” as singing voice of the adult Simba (“Hakuna Matata” and “Can You Feel The Love Tonight”).
Guitarist, producer & recording artist Peter Friestedt has released two critically acclaimed albums “LA Project” (2002) and “LA Project II” (2008) that got top reviews. Peter has been a busy sessionplayer playin on records with David Foster and Fergie Frederiksen and touring Europe and Japan with Joseph Williams with who he also released the "Williams/Friestedt" album that was a top 40 hit in Scandinavia!
Bill Champlin was the lead singer of the legendary band Chicago for more than 25 years, and is a founding member of the band Sons of Champlin. Champlin has written Grammy award winning songs for Earth Wind & Fire and George Benson, and worked with countless artists including Elton John, The Doobie Brothers and Steve Lukather of TOTO.
Tracklist: Runaway, Aria, Still Around, All that I want, Carry On, Nightfly, Hearts At War, After the Love Has Gone, RIvers Of Fear, Evermore
In the post era of the FM dominated airwaves comes a new generation of classic rock, RADIO EXILE.
On rare occasions, some magical-artistic vibe goes out calling up a unique set of musicians to create groundbreaking music. When truly great musicians come together, the resulting brotherhood/sisterhood embraces their diversity, enabling them to collaborate so as to push through otherwise insurmountable boundaries. Collaboratively, they each pour the very best of what makes them cutting edge individually, into one dynamic presentation. For the rest of us, we are compelled to listen over and over.
When Charlie Calv decided to send out the vibe, he probably didn’t anticipate collective perfection, but that is what he got. When Charlie and Chandler Mogel wrote the music and lyrics for these songs, they could not have anticipated the individual masterpiece each would become. But that is what they got. Take two brilliant writers and musicians, collaborating with some of the best individual players in the world and you understand why this music is so strong. RADIO EXILE is one of the very best hard rock projects to come along in many years.
Individually, the musicians that come together to form RE, perform on stage or in the studio with the greatest artists of our time. This list includes Paul McCartney, Bob Dylan, Hall and Oates, Allison Krauss, Billy Idol, John Waite, members of Pink Floyd, Styx, Journey, Van Halen, the Rolling Stones, and Black Sabbath. This talent pool has been tapped, used, and appreciated over the years. Now, together as one, five brilliantly successful, creative worlds collide in a panoramic musical explosion.
The lineup is notable with Charlie on keyboards and Chandler on lead vocals. Jimmy Leahey contributes his soulful guitar playing, and all are constructed on the rhythm foundations crafted by bassist Kenny Aaronson and percussion specialist Dave Anthony. Their impressive resumes list their many accomplishments, but only hint at what RE truly represents. What makes this project so epic is that these five distinguished artists draw us in to experience their passion and love for music right along with them. From the hard-hitting, bombastic percussion of “High Road, High Price,” to the gospel infused “A Cross on Stone” - featuring the voices of Jessie Wagner (Kid Rock and Lenny Kravitz), Joe Cerisano (TSO and Silver Condor) and Amy Harnell (Tony Harnell and The Mercury Train) - these tracks are sure to stand the test of time.
Enlisting Grammy-nominated engineer/producer Steve DeAcutis (Vanilla Fudge, Cyndi Lauper, Corey Glover, etc) and veteran producer/A&R man Steve Lunt (Britney Spears, ‘NSync , Joan Jett ,etc), the latter who first honed his skills alongside the legendary Mutt Lange as vocalist of the chart topping British band City Boy, the guys checked into the SPA (Sound Spa Recording) and an immediate synergy took hold. The finishing touches were then added by top mastering engineer Alan Douches (Fleetwood Mac, Yes, Train, Pete Townsend, etc.) at his West West Side Music facility.
Reuniting some old friends, and making some new, RADIO EXILE is a fantastic blend of hard rock that will not disappoint the existing fans of any of these musicians. In fact, RADIO EXILE is sure to gain a new generation of fans who will be hungry for more. When the sure hand of destiny channels the melodic heart, we celebrate the creation. RADIO EXILE is exactly that and more. Just listen.
Tracklist: 1. High Road, High Price, 2. Soulfire, 3. No Pity On The Highway, 4. Feels Like Home, 5. Higher Than The Sun, 6. Hang On, 7. Starting Over, 8. Down In A Hole, 9. A Cross On Stone, 10. Road To Exile
The "CARSTEN LIZARD SCHULZ SYNDICATE" signs with POWER PROG - Details of the upcoming album revealed!
POWER PROG is proud to annonce the signing of one of Germany's premier voices of rock, Carsten 'Lizard' Schulz. Now the common goal is the release of his first solo album "The Day The Earth Stopped Turning" under the flag of "Carsten Lizard Schulz Syndicate" at November 20, 2015 as Double CD, download card, digital download and stream, which was created with the participation of some really big names out of the current rock and metal scene.
Carsten 'Lizard' Schulz is certainly no stranger to the international Rock & Metal scene and he can look back on a more than 20 years lasting and successful career. As lead singer and formative element of well known acts like DOMAIN, EVIDENCE ONE, CODE OF PERFECTION and MIDNITE CLUB in the first decade of the 2000s, he has influenced the German hard rock scene like only a few other artists. His lead singing skills can be also enjoyed on more recent albums by DEAD END HEROES, LAVALLE, RIK PRIEM'S PRIME, FROZEN RAIN and many others and as a guest singer he can be heard on countless other releases. But Carsten is also a highly sought-after songwriter. You can listen the works out of his pen on albums by RUSSELL ALLEN / MAT SINNER, VENGEANCE, GARY JOHN BARDEN etc. ... A real musical workaholic since years!
A real labor of love is the realization of his first solo album "The Day The Earth Stopped Turning". A process that took many years to complete - on the one hand for reasons of time, to the other hand to present the best possible and identifiable result. As a die-hard fan of the good old 70s, Carsten's clear intention was to create an adult and classical hard rock album with the special old-school flair. Under the decisive participation of his congenial partner Steffen Seeger and with the help and support by dozens of well-known artists from the last four decades (such as Axel Rudi Pell, Mat Sinner, Neil Murray, Erik Norlander and lots of others), a classic rock album has emerged that seeks of his peers in the current world of music and which is much more than a tribute to the good old days. A man, his friends and their mission give us an over 80 minutes lasting listening pleasure which brings us back to the past and to greats like LED ZEPPELIN, DEEP PURPLE, RAINBOW, WHITESNAKE, URIAH HEEP, NAZARETH, KANSAS, MANFRED MANN ... But hey, definitely no reheated brew, this is how straight sophisticated classic hard rock should sound today!
"The Day The Earth Stopped Turning" tracklist ...
CD1
01. The Prize Is Shame
02. Head's Blowing A Fuse
03. Black Water Soul
04. Dogs
05. Perfect To Me
06. Into The Blue
07. Soulburn
08. Man In Flames
CD2
09. Last Train To Babylon
10. Lucky Star
11. Song Like Rain
12. Close Your Eyes And Count To Ten
13. Brand New Fire
14. Nothing Left To Give
15. Postcards From Hell
16. The Teacher
Album details ...
• Produced & engineered by Steffen Seeger & CLS
• Mixed & mastered by Rolf Munkes (www.empire-studios.de)
• Main recordings at Seegewerk Studios, Mannheim/Germany
• Artwork design by Stan W. Decker (www.stanwdartworks.com)
• Artwork concept by CLS
• Logo design & CD layout by Götz Morgenschweis
• CLS pix by Ralf Mack (www.ralf-mack.com)
Drums:
Ramy Ali (Freedom Call / Iron Mask)
Markus Kullmann (Fox / Hartmann /Glenn Hughes / ex-Voodoo Circle)
Bass:
Thomas "Hutch" Bauer (Mad Max / ex-Evidence One / Frontline)
Alex Jansen (Fox)
Henning Saleschke (The Brights)
Ilker Ersin (Freedom Call / Powerworld)
Michael "Muelli" Mueller (Jadded Heart)
Mat Sinner (Primal Fear / Voodoo Circle / Sinner)
Neil Murray (ex-Whitesnake / -Black Sabbath / -Garry Moore etc.)
Paul Logue (Eden's Curse / Dead End Heroes)
Volker Krawczak (Axel Rudi Pell)
Keyboards:
Holger Seeger (Dead End Heroes)
Alessandro Del Vecchio (Voodoo Circle / Glenn Hughes / Hardline etc.)
Erik Norlander (Solo artist / Lana Lane / Rocket Scientists)
Guitars:
Joerg Wartmann (ex-Evidence One / Unheilig)
Oliver Hartmann (Hartmann / Avantasia)
Axel Rudi Pell (Solo artist)
Stefan Kahne (The Brights)
Guido Stoecker (Bodyguerra)
Matti Filippini (Moonstone Project / Glenn Hughes / Ian Paice)
Kelly Simonz (Solo artist)
Rolf Munkes (Empire / Tony Martin / Dead End Heroes)
Tommy Vitaly (Solo artist)
Steffen Seeger (Midnite Club)
Oliver "O.G." Guettinger (ex-Czakan / -Backbone Slide)
Cede Dupont (Silent Circus / Downspirit / ex-Freedom Call / ex-Symphorce)
Helge Engelke (Fair Warning)
Chris Lyne (Mother Road / ex-Soul Doctor)
Ferdy Doernberg (Axel Rudi Pell / ex-Uli Jon Roth)
Thorsten Koehne (Eden's Curse / ex-Hardline)
Pete Ahonen (Burning Point / Stargazery / Ghost Machine)
Frontiers Music Srl is excited to announce the signing of one of the hottest newcomers in the current hard rock scene: SHIRAZ LANE from Finland!
Can you imagine The Darkness, Skid Row, Guns N' Roses, Warrant, Hardcore Superstar and some youthful 21st energy combined together into one AWESOME mix? Well, there you have SHIRAZ LANE ' one of the most talented new bands to emerge from Finland in recent years!
Not convinced yet? Then hear and see for yourself with the videos taken from the band's debut EP, "Be The Slave Or Be The Change":
Even though the current lineup has only been together for a bit more than a year, SHIRAZ LANE has already won several big competitions and what is the most important thing fans hearts. The guys are in their early 20's, but are already live machines, hard workers, and ready to play live wherever and whenever possible. They've already been spreading their rock hurricane around their homeland of Finland as well as Canada, Tokyo and this year in Germany at Wacken Open Air too. Shiraz Lane will be touring all across their homeland this fall and are getting prepared to record their debut studio full-length album later this year with a plan to release it in the Spring of 2016.
The band says: "We are thrilled to join the ranks of a record company which is authentic, committed and has absolute faith in our band. In addition, we are truly humbled and honored to be set side by side with numerous of our idols ' including Whitesnake/David Coverdale, Toto, Journey, and Sebastian Bach! No doubt this is a start of a fruitful, reliable and most importantly Hard Rocking musical symbiosis!"
Set your stereos to 11 and be prepared to have their music get you to a place where good Rock is still alive & kicking!
SHIRAZ LANE is: Hannes Kett - vocals / Jani Laine - solo guitar / Miki Kalske - rhythm guitar / Joel Alex - bass / Ana Willman - drums
NEW YES BASS PLAYER BILLY SHERWOOD TO RELEASE A CONCEPT ALBUM “CITIZEN”
FEATURING THE CREAM OF THE PROG ROCK SCENE
OUT ON FRONTIERS IN NOVEMBER
On November 6, 2015, Frontiers Music Srl will release Billy Sherwood's latest, a concept album called CITIZEN.
Billy Sherwood created this concept album based on a lost soul that is reincarnated into various periods of history. "I was inspired by the notion that General Patton believed he was reincarnated on various battlefields through time; I wanted to take that concept even further." As the songwriter/producer, Billy placed the citizen character into significant moments of history.
The lead off track is called “The Citizen" which sets the stage for what's to come on the recording. “The Citizen” features Billy's longtime friends and members of the legendary Progressive Rock band Yes: bassist Chris Squire and former Yes keyboardist Tony Kaye.
Each song places the Citizen into a unique set of circumstances where decisions are made that have serious personal and global consequences. In the song “No Man's Land" (featuring Deep Purple/Dixie Dregs/Kansas guitarist Steve Morse) the Citizen appears as a World War I trench runner who passes the message along to the troops that it's time to attack; the Citizen remains behind and is, ultimately, the only survivor. “Empire" (with lead vocals by Alan Parsons & violin from Jerry Goodman of the Flock, Dixie Dregs, Mahavishnu Orchestra) finds the Citizen as a conscript legionnaire in the final days of the Roman Empire. “Just Galileo and Me" (sung by Colin Moulding singer/bassist of XTC) shows the Citizen as a protective friend to Galileo, trying to tell the astronomer that he should not tell people that the earth is not flat or he will be labeled as a heretic.
Known as a multi-instrumentalist, Billy performs drums, bass, guitar, keys and sings several of the songs, including “A Theory of its Own” in which the Citizen appears as companion to Charles Darwin on the evolutionist’s maiden voyage. He sings of Native Americans affected by the Indian Removal Act of 1830 in the song, “Trail of Tears,” which features Patrick Moraz on keyboards. Former Genesis guitar player Steve Hackett adds his chops to “Man And The Machine,” which is about an assembly line worker and activist in the late 1890s. "Age Of The Atom” is about the creation of the Atomic Bomb and the questions of morality as a result of it; this features Geoff Downes on keyboards. Dream Theater keyboardist Jordan Rudess appears on “Escape Velocity,” a song that speaks to the political implications of the space race in the 1960s.
In “The Great Depression,” Billy's songwriter’s pen draws pain from the heart of a distraught Wall Street investor, who has lost everything in the stock market, and steps out to make a final step off the ledge. Rick Wakeman plays grand piano and other keyboards on this one. Finally, in CITIZEN’s 11th song, “Written In The Centuries,” performed by current Yes singer Jon Davison, Nostradamus is the Citizen busily composing his many predictions.
Billy Sherwood was recently handpicked by Chris Squire to fill in for him on bass and vocals in Yes, before he left for cancer treatment and ultimately, his untimely death. Billy started his career in the band Lodgic and then as a member of World Trade, who have two critically-acclaimed albums. He has produced and engineered for many artists including John Wetton, Motorhead, Queensryche, Paul Rodgers, and Yes.
He joined Yes first as touring member on the “Talk” tour in 1994, and was a full time member from 1997 to 1999. He recorded two albums with Chris Squire as the “Conspiracy” project and released six albums with Circa, the band he formed with Tony Kaye.
CITIZEN is Billy’s eighth album of new material, though he sees this as a group effort, "While I've created a lot of this record myself I couldn't have done it without the amazing talents brought to bear by all the great artists who participated. So I feel it's much more of a collective effort than a solo album. It's my desire to take this production onto the stage and some of these amazing artists can help bring this concept to life.”
CITIZEN tracklisting: The Citizen; Man And The Machine; Just Galileo And Me; No Man’s Land; The Great Depression; Empire; Age Of The Atom; Trail Of Tears; Escape Velocity; A Theory All It's Own; Written In The Centuries
