Recorded live at Frontiers Rock Festival V in Milan, Italy on April 28, 2018, this brand new live release shows PRAYING MANTIS offering the crowd a setlist of new songs and several classic tracks, including selected cuts from the now legendary debut album, “Time Tells No Lies". An awesome release, showcasing the repertoire of one of the most consistent British hard rock bands around.
Originally formed in 1973 by the Troy brothers, Tino and Chris, Praying Mantis became one of the most influential bands of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM). The band is also one of a very small number of bands from that era to have remained an ongoing concern over the intervening years, and to still record and appear live regularly. The debut Praying Mantis album, “Time Tells No Lies” (Arista) was released in 1981 to critical acclaim, and it remains a significant milestone in the history of NWOBHM. Following a short-lived reformation of most of the original line-up of Praying Mantis in 1987, the band went back on hiatus until offered the chance to play in Japan with ex-Iron Maiden members Paul Di’Anno and Dennis Stratton in 1990. This experience injected new life into the band, and also marked the beginning of a productive 15 year partnership with Dennis Stratton.
The band’s second official studio album, “Predator in Disguise” was released in 1991, and the band have continued to write and release new material every two to three years ever since, with a shifting line-up which has featured the likes of Doogie White, Gary Barden, Bernie Shaw, Bruce Bisland, Mike Freeland, Gary Mackenzie, and many other figures from the cream of Britain’s rock fraternity. Following another major change in line-up (including the departure of Dennis Stratton), Praying Mantis signed with Frontiers in 2007 and recorded the album “Sanctuary”, which was released in 2009. The album, considered to be one of the finest of their career, has received consistently positive reviews, as have the follow-ups, "Legacy" and "Gravity”.
Whether gigging in support of their latest releases, writing new material, or re-visiting other songs from their extensive back-catalogue, the Troy brothers, along with guitarist Andy Burgess and newest recruits, John 'Jaycee' Cuijpers on vocals and Hans In T' Zandt on drums and vocals, remain committed to the blend of melody and power in their music that has become a trademark of the Praying Mantis sound, and, some three decades after forming, the band is still completely dedicated to entertaining a seemingly ever-growing army of fans across the globe.
Check out Praying Mantis live on tour:
Wed 6th November - The Cavern Freehouse, London
Thurs 7th November - The Brickies, Norwich
Fri 8th November - Hard Rock Hell XIII
Sat 9th November - Classic Rock Weekender, London
Sat 30th November - WinterStorm XiX, Troon, Scotland
Frontiers Music Srl is pleased to announce the upcoming release of HOUSE OF SHAKIRA's brand new album “Radiocarbon” on December 6th. Today, fans can enjoy the first single and video, 'Delusion'
“Radiocarbon” is House Of Shakira's ninth original studio album and shows the band gaining even more maturity and depth in the songwriting department and truly operating at the top of their game. Singer Andreas Novak says, “We are very proud to release this particular record with Frontiers. We are certainly in good company, but what counts most is that “Radiocarbon” is truly our strongest and most substantial record ever. Also, thanks to the mighty Pontus Norgren (Hammerfall) for the outstanding production job he did on this record. Hold onto your hats!"
Originally formed in Stockholm, Sweden around 1991, House Of Shakira released their debut album, "Lint" in 1997. They have a unique sound that stands out amongst other bands in their genre as they craft melodic hard rock of the highest quality with vocals that soar, melodies that rise, and guitars that bring it all together. All these components make for a sensational listening experience. Because of the diversity of the lyrics and the music, House Of Shakira does not fall under your typical hard rock classification and appeals to a musically inclined audience and fan community. The band's motto is "try every idea with an open mind", meaning that every member of the band contributes their personal musical ideas: writing the lyrics, rhythm patterns, chord changes, and crafting special melodies.
The band is currently plotting European tour dates for 2020, so stay tuned for more news on that soon!
Tracklist:
1. Herd Instinct
2. One Circumstance
3. Not Alone
4. Radiocarbon
5. A Tyrant´s Tale
6. Delusion
7. Save Yourself
8. Sweet Revenge
9. Scavenger Lizard
10. Like A Fool
11. Falling Down
Produced by Pontus Norgren
Line-up
Per Schelander - Bass, Backing vocals, Percussion
Mats Hallstensson - Lead Guitar, Backing vocals, E-bow
Martin Larsson - Drums
Andreas Novak - Lead Vocals, Backing vocals, Handclap
I am excited to announce the first ever MelodicRock.com book to be delivered in the first half of 2020.
Initially it was the plan to gather all the interviews I have done over the years and have them all in one place. Then I figured I could tidy them up a bit, add in some fresh thoughts – especially given that the interviews were held over a 15-year period and some dealt with events that have since developed further or played out to a notable conclusion.
There will also hopefully be a few never before published interviews. I have to locate the original audio, but for one reason or other, there were a small number of interviews that were never published at the time.
In addition, the several instances of liner notes I have written over the years will all be gathered into their own chapter along with (if I can find the audio!) some of the interviews conducted to write the liner essays.
There’s a few more ideas in mind that will be detailed in coming weeks.
This is something I have wanted to do for a long time and you can be assured that it will be done with the same quality as other MR branded products.
A list of interviews and essays will be published with an expanded press release soon.
There will be a few different options available, such as limited edition numbered hard cover, regular paperback, ebook and more…
Boosted by the success of their 2017 debut, »Letters To Myself«, Swedish bashers CYHRA are using that momentum and pushing forward with a new album, »No Halos In Hell«, and Nuclear Blast fully behind them. Founded by vocalist Jake E (ex-AMARANTHE) and guitarist Jesper Strömblad (ex-IN FLAMES), CYHRA has gone from being reminiscent of the duo's former bands to having an identity all its own. In fact, »No Halos In Hell« is one of those rare albums that defies being placed neatly in a boxed-up metal genre coming out heavy and dynamic, yet loaded with melodic vocal hooks that stay nailed to the brain for days while keeping the impact hard and heavy. Fusing these two elements in the best way possible was CYHRA's main focus this time out.
"When I was writing, I sat down and thought about what worked and what didn't work on the first album. What I was focusing on the most for »No Halos In Hell« was making the songs more live oriented, and I think that live 'friendliness' of the songs also brings the catchiness up to another level. I was constantly thinking about hook lines that should stick in your head." says Jake E.
As strong as »Letters To Myself« was as a debut, »No Halos In Hell« is head and shoulders above it in every way. The addition of guitarist Euge Valovirta (ex-SHINING) as a full member has raised the creative process to a level where, according to Jake E, "Everyone is playing to the point of what is best for the song." There is no showboating, no push-pull of the individual members trying to claim their moments in the spotlight. CYHRA is a unit and everyone involved is striving to get the most out of the songwriting. This included Jake E, as the principal songwriter, being open to ideas from his bandmates and working with American songwriter / keyboardist Mark Mangold (Michael Bolton, Cher) on the ballad ‘Lost In Time’.
»No Halos In Hell« also showcases Jake E's growth as a lyric writer, digging deep and going so far as to address his brother's suicide on ’Battle From Within’. He calls it a personal album but the lyrics are open to interpretation for the listener.
"I was trying to write the lyrics in a way that they mean something to me, clearly," says Jake E, "but I want the listener to hear the lyrics and know what those feelings are that I'm talking about."
For those that want to try and label CYHRA with a genre stamp, one listen through »No Halos In Hell« will instantly solidify the stance that Jake E and his bandmates think and play outside the box. This is reflected in the multi-faceted spread of tracks from lead-off track ‘Out Of My Life’, the thundering ‘Kings Tonight’, the soaring folk-flavoured ‘Blood Brothers’, the tender ‘Lost In Time’, and the schizophrenic ‘Hit Me’. And this is just the tip of the iceberg.
As for the unique title of the album, it was Jesper Strömblad that came up with »No Halos In Hell«. In fact, it was proposed as the title for the first album before it was completed but CYHRA chose to wait for album #2. Trusting their instincts paid off in a big way.
"The great thing is that the title can be interpreted in many different ways," says Jake E. "I look at it as 'You've been good your whole life; you can't be here partying with us (laughs)."
Mats Karlsson, guitarist and songwriter with classic Swedish hard rock act 220 Volt is releasing his first ever solo album titled “The Time Optimist” on December 6th 2019. Mats, a native Swede grew up in Östersund in northern Sweden but has resided in Stockholm since the mid 80's.
The new record is a collection of songs that are a bit more laid back than the 220 Volt stuff, and move freely between rock, hard rock, singer/songwriter style and some AOR-touches here and there.
Mats asked his brother Ulf to play all keyboards, and gathered some great musician friends to help out incl. drummer Björn “Grizzly” Höglund (Easy Action, The Summit, Hoven Droven), drummer Peter Hermansson (220 Volt, Talisman, John Norum), Bass-ace Nalle Påhlsson (Therion, Treat, Easy Action), and also some well-known musicians in Sweden as drummer Mike Ajax, bassist Lars Ericsson (The Summit), the first 220 Volt singer Christer “Frille” Åsell and also vocalist Jenny Fall. “The Time Optimist” consists of 11 tracks in different styles, nine tracks penned by Mats, one by Mats co-written with Björn Höglund, and the album also has a cover of the track “Real Gone” by Sheryl Crow/John Shanks. There are two duets where Mats shares the lead vocals with singer Jenny Fall, and one with “Frille” Åsell.
The term “time optimist” is a Swedish expression referring to a person who is always positive that he/she will achieve a certain amount of work in specified time and often failing. This self-produced release will come out on CD, vinyl and on digital platforms on December 6th 2019.
“Megalo Seitani” will be available as a lyric video & single on October 4th. A second track will also be released ahead of the album.
Our brother Ronnie has recently been diagnosed with lung cancer…
This means we will have to cancel all shows announced until the end of January 2020 and we’re all sorry for the inconvenience that might bring.
Right now all plans are on hold, so for the moment we can’t say much more due to the current situation but we will keep you updated.
ALL focus is now on Ronnie's health and undergoing treatment.
We hope for your love and understanding.
/Ken, Rene, Chris and Allan
Ronnies open letter:
STATEMENT
It’s scary how your world can be turned upside down in a couple of weeks.
I went to my doctor for a routine check complaining about some back pains in mid-August.
I then went through numerous scans, bronchoscopy, biopsies etc. and spent a lot of time waiting for answers in uncertainty.
And so finally three weeks ago I found myself diagnosed with lung cancer.
Now this has by all means been a shock to me, my family and those close to me since it came totally unexpected without any typical symptoms and everything just happened and developed so fast lately.
I’m already in treatment and underwent surgery two weeks ago, then spend some 10 days in hospital with pneumonia as a consequence apparently linked to the surgery.
According to the medical staff my prospects are good considering it’s lung cancer. However, I will have to undertake further treatment the next couple of months to be on the safe side.
This means that I unfortunately will have to step back from most musical activities concerts etc. for an indefinite period of time.
I’m going into this with a positive mindset and with the continuing love and support from my family and friends I’m determined to battle this disease the best I can -God willing!
