Wed
06
Dec

ANGRA Release New Album 'Ømni' On February 16

Artist: 
Friday, February 16, 2018
Categories: 
News Feed
 
FIRST SONG "TRAVELERS OF TIME" REVEALED
 
2018 marks the beginning of yet another era in Angra's history.
 
At age 26, the band shows motivation and strength like never before. Not even the sometimes uncertain trajectory was able to take away the focus, determination and inspiration of the quintet led - and foundedd - by Rafael Bittencourt, and formed by Felipe Andreoli (bass), Fabio Lione (vocals), Marcelo Barbosa (guitar) and Bruno Valverde (drums).
 
ØMNI is Angra's 9th studio album, the result of months of intense dedication, blood, and sweat. It will be released on February 16, 2018 on earMUSIC.

Listen to the first song "Travelers of Time" here.
 
Once again, the album has been recorded in Sweden with Jens Bogren, who also produced the previous album Secret Garden, and manages to capture the same excellent chemistry.

The sound, while fully contemporary, has an organic character and respects the different nuances and dynamics of each instrument. Many musicians were involved in creating the album, ranging from the percussion sound of Bahia to European orchestral arrangement - all of which give tthe album its outstanding variety.
 
ØMNI is a concept album, a set of science fiction short stories that take place at various places in time, simultaneously. The backbone of the plot is based on the idea that in 2046 an artificial intelligence system will change human perception and cognition. It is a system which will allow conscious communication between present and future human beings. Characters such as time travellers, cavemen, warriors, among others, help tell this story.
 
The album connects the concepts of previous albums (Holy Land, Rebirth, Temple of Shadows) to one main system, ØMNI, which in Latin means "everything." ØMNI fabricates an interconnectivity that shines light towards a universal truth: everything that has happened, led to what the band is today. ØMNI celebrates and unites the whole history of Angra to this exact, current moment.
 
Angra's trademark formula, a Brazilian style mixed with classical music and heavy metal, is enhanced by different influences such as progressive rock, thrash metal, Latin music, and djent, which transforms the albums into a swirl of modern and familiar. The conjoined moods and dynamics put a special spin on the lyrics and therefore increase deep sense of immersion in the story.
 
The cover artwork was hand-drawn by Daniel Martin Diaz, a unique American artist who dedicates his life to mixing scientific and philosophical concepts such as Anatomy, Computer Science, Mathematics, Cosmology, Sacred Geometry, Symbolism and Esotericism. The designer Gustavo Sazes was responsible for integrating such an organic art piece to the visual concept of the album as a whole.
 
Even in a cultural environment increasingly sterile and unfavourable for music with soul and identity, the band gathers eleven tracks that completely differ from each other, but at the same time tell a cohesive story, and wander through all styles and nuances that have made Angra a worldwide reference. A very well bonded line-up, both personally and musically, overflowing with creativity, was the necessary fuel to bring these songs to life, songs which are undoubtedly among the best in the band's discography.
 
ØMNI certainly is a milestone, not only in the history of the band, but also for Brazilian metal and its recognition worldwide.
  
TRACK LISTING:
1. Light of Transcendence
2. Travelers of Time
3. Black Widow's Web
4. Insania
5. The Bottom of My Soul
6. War Horns
7. Caveman
8. Magic Mirror
9. Always More
10. ØMNI - Silence Inside
11. ØMNI - Infinite Nothing 
Tags: 
 
Wed
06
Dec

SAXON Ready To Launch 'Thunderbolt' At Fans Fab 2

Artist: 
Friday, February 2, 2018
Categories: 
News Feed
 
SAXON isn’t wasting any time in 2018. Following the critically acclaimed release of ‘Battering Ram’ in 2015, the heavy metal giants are set to release their latest studio album, Thunderbolt, on February 2 via the Militia Guard label (Silver Lining Music).
Watch the video for the title track here:
 
 
 The new album Thunderbolt will feature original Artwork by long time Saxon collaborator Paul Raymond Gregory. 
 
“This is album 22 and it's called Thunderbolt.  It's a Storming Smashing Thundering collection of tracks we've been crafting with Producer, Andy Sneap and it's finished ready to be unleashed. 
Stand clear and fasten your seat belts!” says Biff Byford
 
Since the 1970s Saxon have shown their ability to take rock ‘n’ roll and give it an electrifying edge which has since cemented their status as pioneers of the British heavy metal wave.  
With over twenty studio albums under their belt, SAXON has made their steadfast dedication to creating a dynamic body of a work a staple of their career.
 
 Thunderbolt Track Listing
1. Olympus Rising
2. Thunderbolt
3. The Secret of Flight
4. Nosferatu (The Vampires Waltz)
5. They Played Rock and Roll
6. Predator
7. Sons of Odin
8. Sniper
9. A Wizard’s Tale
10. Speed Merchants
11. Roadie’s Song
12. Nosferatu (Raw Version)*
*not available on vinyl
 
Thunderbolt is available to pre-order in the following formats:
CD Album in Digipack
180 gms coloured vinyl in a Gatefold
A Special Edition Boxset
Tape Cassette
Digital Download 
Tags: 
 
Tue
05
Dec

New TASTE Single Out January 5

 
Taste, consisting of brothers Christoffer (ex Art Nation) and Felix Borg (ex Art Nation) releases We are back. “We are very excited to finally release something new. It has been delayed for far too long now!”
We are back is a catchy and powerful song. The melodies will stick to your head from the first listen. From the wall of guitars to the drum machine like drums, Taste is not only back. They are here to stay.
 
The brothers wrote and produced the song together. The single is recorded and mixed by Christoffer Borg (Evergrey, Art Nation, Kee Marcello) at Top Floor Studios, Gothenburg.
The single is available on all digital platforms on January 5th.
 
New Taste single out January 5
 
 
Tue
05
Dec

PRAYER's 'Silent Soldiers' Due January 19

Artist: 
Friday, January 19, 2018
Categories: 
News Feed
 
PRAYER ­- SILENT SOLDIERS
 
Release Date: January 19
 
Track Listing: 1-Silent Treatment / 2-Rock and a hard place / 3-Fires of the heart / 4-Feel like a prisoner / 5-Ten days of Hell / 6-Dead dog / 7-Ghost Train / 8-Devil's Daughter / 9-King of the Hill / 10-Get me out of here / 11-No Giver, All taker / 12-Mystery Island
 
The Band
Jukka Ihme - lead and rhythm guitar
Tapani Tikkanen - lead and background vocals, rhythm guitar, percussion
Mike Pohjola - Keyboards
Tom Pohjola ­ Bass
Ville Hanhisuanto ­- Drums
 
PRAYER are back! It has been some 12 years since we were presented with the album “Wrong Address” (ESM117), which really set the pace way back in 2005 and gained the band a cult following. Then they followed up with an excellent album “Danger in the Dark” (ESM241) in 2012 and gained some more fans along the way.
 
If you are unfamiliar with Prayer well they play Melodic Rock/AOR and hail from Oulu in Northern Finland. They are the brainchild of Tapani Tikkanen who is the main driving force behind the band.
Tapani´s musical career began in the early eighties with “IC-Rock” and continued later with “Tanna”. Together with those bands he did hundreds of gigs all over Finland but after several albums and more than 20,000 records sold, it was time for a break. However, he kept writing songs, such as three albums for the craziest football club in the world, F.C.Rainbow and a solo single entitled “Everyone's a Winner”.
 
Tapani wanted to create a band that brought out his rock and roll heart. After the recording of a few demos Tapani contacted his friend and keyboard-wizard Jari Huvila to talk about forming the band PRAYER. Since “Wrong Address” there has been some line-up changes, which now features distinguished keyboards player Mika Pohjola as well as Tom Pohjola on Bass.
 
Prayer excel in exciting hard melodic rock with a style that joins together the best of Thin Lizzy, Saga, Treat and sometimes a little bit of Royal Hunt. Their music has meaning and these guys are all committed to making this one of the most talked about Scandinavian bands in recent years. Anyone with a penchant for soaring vocals, driving guitars and plenty of keyboards are in for a real treat. Just check out songs like Fires of the Heart and Feel like a prisoner for prime examples of their work. This is a superb album and certainly their best to date.
 
It's as if all your prayers have been answered.
 
TO SAMPLE A FULL LENGTH SONG FROM THE NEW ALBUM - CLICK ON "FILES ATTACHMENT" BELOW
 
 
Tags: 
Files attachment: 
 
Tue
05
Dec

FOREIGNER, WHITESNAKE & JASON BONHAM Form 2018 Package

Artist: 
Categories: 
Tour News
 
TOUR LAUNCHES FRIDAY, JUNE 15, 2018 IN BANGOR, ME
 
TICKETS ON SALE STARTING FRIDAY, DECEMBER 8th AT LIVENATION.COM
 
[VIDEO]: Watch Kelly Hansen spread some very special FOREIGNER-themed holiday cheer with his new caroler friends here: https://youtu.be/edaddXh9C00
 
Los Angeles, CA (December 4, 2017) FOREIGNER, WHITESNAKE and JASON BONHAM’S LED ZEPPELIN EVENING, are getting into the holiday gift-giving spirit early with the announcement of their 2018 29-city summer “Juke Box Heroes Tour,” produced by Live Nation. Nothing warms up the chilly holiday season like the promise of a hot summer tour, and concert tickets make the perfect gift.
 
The legendary artists will cross the U.S. starting Friday, June 15, 2018 in Bangor, ME at Darling’s Waterfront Pavilion.  All three bands are led by Englishmen Mick Jones, David Coverdale and Jason Bonham who are part of the fabric of British rock, and will bring a summer of great music across the country. Foreigner’s 40th Anniversary tour was one of last summer’s best selling runs. 
 
Tickets for the “Juke Box Heroes Tour” go on sale to the general public beginning Friday, December 8th at 10am local time at LiveNation.com. Tickets for Foreigner VIP packages including Meet & Greets with the band will be available at ForeignerVIP.com.
 
Citi® is the official presale credit card for the “Juke Box Heroes Tour.” As such, Citi® cardmembers will have access to purchase  presale tickets beginning Tuesday, December 5th at 10am local time until Thursday, December 7th at 10pm local time through Citi’s Private Pass® program. For complete presale details visit www.citiprivatepass.com
 
“I’m excited to join forces with my fellow U.K. countrymen, David Coverdale and Jason Bonham, for what’s sure to be a rockin’ summer tour in the States,” says FOREIGNER founding member and lead guitarist Mick Jones. 
 
As Whitesnake lead singer David Coverdale says, “We are truly excited and looking forward to playing in 2018 with our friends, Foreigner and Jason Bonham, on their North American tour.”

Says Jason Bonham, "Being part of Foreigner’s 40th Anniversary Tour last summer was wonderful. Opening a show like that was very special to me, so when Mick asked if I’d do it again in 2018, I said yes without hesitation. I’m excited that Whitesnake will be filling out the middle slot this time as I’ve known David since I was 14 years old. It’s going to be a WHOLE LOTTA FUN!"
 
Since the 1977 release of their first hit “Feels Like The First Time” and their self-titled debut album on Atlantic Records, FOREIGNER has been universally hailed as one of the world’s most popular rock acts with 10 multi-Platinum albums, 16 Top 30 hits, and worldwide album sales exceeding 75 million.  Responsible for some of rock and roll’s most enduring anthems including “Juke Box Hero,” “Cold as Ice,” “Feels Like The First Time,” “Urgent,” “Head Games,” “Say You Will,” and the worldwide #1 hit, “I Want To Know What Love Is,” FOREIGNER continues to rock the charts forty years into the game with massive airplay and continued Billboard “Top 200 Albums” chart success.  FOREIGNER also features strongly in every category in Billboard’s “Greatest of All Time” listing.  Catalog sales often eclipse those of Led Zeppelin, AC/DC, The Rolling Stones, The Who, Def Leppard, Van Halen, Aerosmith, and most of their Classic Rock peers.  (Source: Nielsen SoundScan week ending 8/3/17). FOREIGNER’s catalog sales were recently celebrated in Business Insider as hitting the Top 40 among the Best Selling Music Artists of All Time ahead of Britney Spears, Bob Dylan, Phil Collins, Prince, Queen, and Bon Jovi. 
 
Throughout this tour, FOREIGNER will continue their long-standing partnership with The GRAMMY Museum, by which local school choirs are invited to join the band on stage in almost every market they play. Through this program over the past several years, the band has raised well into the six figures for music in school programs, and given thousands of students 
a life-changing experience to rock on stage with one of the most well known bands of all time.
 
The band recently released a celebratory 40th anniversary album that features 40 tracks tracing their distinguished career. Entitled 40, the album is a comprehensive compilation of original hits and several tracks from the current lineup, with Kelly Hansen on vocals. All tracks were recorded between 1977 and 2017. The current line-up  is Mick Jones (lead guitar), Kelly Hansen (lead vocals), Jeff Pilson (bass, vocals), Tom Gimbel (rhythm guitar, saxophone, vocals), Michael Bluestein (keyboards), Bruce Watson (guitar), and Chris Frazier (drums).
 
Founded in 1978 by former Deep Purple singer David Coverdale, WHITESNAKE has earned multi-Platinum status for numerous albums, including TROUBLELOVEHUNTERREADY AND WILLING and COME AN’ GET IT, as well as the album that introduced the explosive hard rock revamped WHITESNAKE sound with SLIDE IT IN. The band is currently celebrating the 30th anniversary of their 1987’s self-titled multi-Platinum smash hit album, WHITESNAKE.  From these albums came multiple Top 10 hits worldwide, including two #1 singles with “Here I Go Again” and “Is This Love,” as well as the unforgettable hammer of “Still Of The Night,” all leading to virtual 24-hour domination of MTV around the globe. Bombast, bravado, talent and passion have helped establish WHITESNAKE as the perennial platinum favorite they have become and they’re back with a vengeance in 2018.  The world-renowned group featuring David Coverdale (vocals), Reb Beach (guitar), Joel Hoekstra (guitar), Michael Devin (bass), Tommy Aldridge (drums) and Michele Luppi (keyboards) are currently in the studio recording their tentatively titled new studio album FLESH & BLOOD.  
 
Following his participation in the monumental reunion of Led Zeppelin at London’s O2 arena in 2007, drummer Jason Bonham decided to take the music his father was such a huge part of out on the road. The result became Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Evening. Best described as a band that perfectly recreates the music of Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones and John Bonham, Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Evening not only celebrates one of music’s most iconic bands but also the life of Bonham's late father, who died in 1980.

When asked why he decided to start the project, Jason said, "It was medicine to relieve myself from the amount of Led Zeppelin that I had studied and rehearsed prior to the O2 show and then dealing with the realization that it wasn’t going to go anywhere beyond that one concert. It originally began as me just wanting to put together a show, but once I realized I could make it more than just the music it became something more. It gave me the opportunity to give a little nod to what everyone knows about my dad’s wild side but also show his sensitive side as well. For me, he was always dad at home and this was an idea to show a deeper side of that."

 
Check out the tour at any of the following stops, with more dates to be announced in the coming weeks and posted on FOREIGNER‘s official website. Fans can also check out livenation.com for updates on tour dates and news. 
 
“JUKE BOX HEROES TOUR” SUMMER 2018: 
 
DATE
CITY
VENUE 
6/15/2018
Bangor, ME
Darling’s Waterfront Pavilion 
6/16/2018
Saratoga Springs, NY
Saratoga Performing Arts Center
6/19/2018
Syracuse, NY
Lakeview Amphitheater 
6/20/2018
Boston, MA
Blue Hills Bank Pavilion 
6/22/2018
Wantagh, NY
Northwell Health at Jones Beach 
6/23/2018
6/26/2018
Camden, NJ
Cincinnati, OH
BB&T Pavilion 
Riverbend Music Center 
6/27/2018
Burgettstown, PA
KeyBank Pavilion 
6/29/2018
Bristow, VA
Jiffy Lube Live 
6/30/2018
Holmdel, NJ
PNC Bank Arts Center
7/3/2018
7/4/2018
Raleigh, NC
Charlotte, NC
Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek 
PNC Music Pavilion  
7/6/2018
Nashville, TN
Ascend Amphitheater
7/7/2018
Alpharetta, GA
Verizon Amphitheatre
7/8/2018
Simpsonville, SC
Heritage Park Amphitheatre 
7/10/2018
Cuyahoga Falls, OH
Blossom Music Center 
7/11/2018
Chicago, IL
Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island 
7/13/2018
Noblesville, IN
Ruoff Home Mortgage Music Center
7/15/2018
Clarkston, MI
DTE Energy Music Theatre
7/17/2018
Kansas City, MO
Starlight Theatre
7/18/2018
St. Louis, MO
Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
7/20/2018
The Woodlands, TX
Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion 
7/21/2018
7/24/2018
7/25/2018
7/27/2018
7/28/2018
7/31/2018
8/1/2018
Irving, TX
Denver, CO
West Valley City, UT
Auburn, WA
Ridgefield, WA
Chula Vista, CA
Irvine, CA
The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory  
Pepsi Center
Usana Amphitheater 
White River Amphitheatre 
Sunlight Supply Amphitheatre 
Mattress Firm Amphitheatre 
Five Point Amphitheater
 
 
 
 
Tue
05
Dec

STYX Already Packing Up Shows For 2018

Artist: 
Wednesday, February 25, 2015
Categories: 
Tour News
 
HEADLINING TREK STARTS JANUARY 18
 
LAS VEGAS RESIDENCY AT THE VENETIAN JANUARY 26/27/31 AND FEBRUARY 2/3
 
CO-HEADLINING TREK WITH REO SPEEDWAGON AND SPECIAL GUEST DON FELDER
STARTS MARCH 13
 
December 4, 2017 -- Legendary and multi-Platinum rockers STYX--Tommy Shaw (vocals, guitars), James “JY” Young (vocals, guitars), Lawrence Gowan (vocals, keyboards), Todd Sucherman (drums) and Ricky Phillips (bass), along with the occasional surprise appearance by original bassist Chuck Panozzo—are getting ready to wrap up another busy year of touring in the U.S., having performed over 100 shows. They’re not showing any signs of taking a break from touring in 2018.
 
Earlier this summer, STYX announced another special five-night limited engagement with DON FELDER -at The Venetian Theatre inside The Venetian Las Vegas. Presented by SiriusXM, “Styx & Don Felder: Renegades In The Fast Lane,” will take place at The Venetian Theatre inside The Venetian Las Vegas on January 26, 27, 31 and February 2, 3, 2018. Tickets are on sale now at Ticketmaster.com, Venetian.com, any box office at The Venetian or The Palazzo, or by calling 702 414 9000 or 866 641 7469. 
 
In addition to the residency in Las Vegas, the rest of STYX’s 2018 tour schedule is already starting to take shape. They’ll join forces once again with fellow legends REO SPEEDWAGON, and very special guest star DON FELDER—formerly of the Eagles—for month-long trek starting in Duluth, MN on March 13 at the Amsoil Arena. Tickets for various cities go on sale starting December 1.
 
STYX is on the road in support of their highly anticipated and critically acclaimed 16th studio album, THE MISSION, which skyrocketed onto various Billboard charts—including #6 on the “Top Rock Albums” and #11 “Vinyl Albums” charts--upon its release thanks to a solid album that connected with their longtime fans as well as new fans who are discovering them for the first time. 
 
THE MISSION--which was recorded over a two-year period at Blackbird Studios, The Shop, and 6 Studio Amontillado in Nashville--displays the best aspects of the ongoing in-harmony musical intersection of the six-man STYX team: the guitarist/vocalist Tommy Shaw, co-founding guitarist/vocalist James “JY” Young, keyboardist/vocalist Lawrence Gowan, original bassist Chuck Panozzo, drummer/percussionist Todd Sucherman, and bassist Ricky Phillips.
 
Check out STYX at any of the following stops (with more to be announced on STYXWorld.com in the coming weeks):
 
DATE        CITY            VENUE
 
Headlining:
Thu 1/18    Tupelo, MS        Bancrop South Arena
Fri 1/19        Lake Charles, LA    Golden Nugget Lake Charles
Tue 1/23    Salt Lake City, UT    Delta Hall at Eccles Theatre
Fri 1/26        Las Vegas, NV        Venetian Theatre/The Venetian
Sat 1/27    Las Vegas, NV        Venetian Theatre/The Venetian
Sun 1/28    Beverly Hills, CA    Saban Theatre
Wed 1/31    Las Vegas, NV        Venetian Theatre/The Venetian
Fri 2/2        Las Vegas, NV        Venetian Theatre/The Venetian
Sat 2/3        Las Vegas, NV        Venetian Theatre/The Venetian
Wed 2/21    Pasadena, CA        The Rose
Thu 2/22    Phoenix, AZ        Celebrity Theatre
Sat 2/24    Pala, CA        Pala Casino & Resort
Fri 3/2        French Lick, IN        French Lick Resort and Casino
Sat 3/3        New Buffalo, MI        Silver Creek Event Center
Mon 3/5    Jamaica        ‘70s Rock & Romance Cruise
 
With REO Speedwagon and Don Felder:
Tue 3/13    Duluth, MN        Amsoil Arena
Wed 3/14    Bismarck, ND        Bismarck Event Center
Fri 3/16        Brookings, SD        Swiftel Center
Sat 3/17    Moline, IL        TaxSlayer Center
Mon 3/19    Grand Rapids, MI    Van Andel Arena
Tue 3/20    Saginaw, MI        Dow Event Center Arena
Fri 3/23        Cape Girardeau, MO    Show Me Center - SMSU
Sat 3/24    Springfield, MO        JQH Arena (No Don Felder)
Sun 3/25    Park City, KS        Hartman Arena
Wed 4/4            Charlottesville, VA         John Paul Jones Arena
Fri 4/6        Huntington, WV        Big Sandy Superstore Arena
Sat 4/7        Greenville, SC        Bon Secours Arena
Sun 4/8        Tuscaloosa, AL        Tuscaloosa Amphitheatre
Tue 4/10    N. Little Rock, AR    Verizon Arena
Wed 4/11    Lafayette, LA        Cajun Dome
Sat 4/14    Orange Beach, AL    The Wharf Amphitheatre
Sun 4/15    Charleston, SC        North Charleston Coliseum
 
 

 

 
Tue
05
Dec

ROCK CANDY Issue 5 Out Now: RANDY RHOADS

Rock Candy Mag
The New ‘Old School’ Rock Mag By The Writers Who Were There

Now available in the shops, and online with a free digital download at www.rockcandymag.com

It Just Got Even Louder!
Issue 5 of Rock Candy Mag (December 2017 - January 2018) is here, packed to the rafters witth fantastic features and photos from rock’s greatest era, including-
RANDY RHOADS
RANDY RHOADS - Remembering OOzzy’s guitar genius who died 35 years ago.
MÖTLEY CRÜE
MÖTLEY CRÜE - Behind the sccenes on their wildest tour.
BON SCOTT
BON SCOTT - New revelations about thee unforgettable AC/DC frontman.
JUDAS PRIEST
JUDAS PRIEST - Unleashed In The East..
CHEAP TRICK
CHEAP TRICK - The making of  --At Budokan’.
ANTHRAX
ANTHRAX - Scott Ian opens up on everrything.
WHITE LION
WHITE LION - They demand respect!
LED ZEPPELIN
LED ZEPPELIN - Diamond Head guitarisst Brian Tatler picks his all-time favourite moments.
MARK WEISS+
MARK WEISS - The legendary rock phottographer shares his greatest images.
 
AND NOT FORGETTING-
Ian Astbury
The Cult’s Ian Astbury and his trouser ironing fetish.
Rock Candy Magazine is a bi-monthly physical mag, with a free digital download for those who buy online. Yes, it’s actually printed on actual paper!

It’s the brainchild of Derek Oliver, Howard Johnson and Malcolm Dome, three Kerrang! writers who lived it all in the ’80s.

It’s aimed at the discerning fan who wants to wallow in nostalgia and relive the glory days of classic rock.

Rock Candy Mag is available from UK retailers and in shops around the world via distribution from industry giant Marketforce. Also available direct from us at www.rockcandymag.com

It’s 100 pages of the purest classic rock from the ’70s and ’80s, with no room for punk, new wave, skinny tie pop or post-industrial claptrap! And it’s all treated with respect and illustrated with the finest photography of the era.

Please help us spread the word.
Like our Rock Candy Magazine Facebook page.

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Mon
04
Dec

JON BUTCHER AXIS Self Titled Album Debuts on CD

Friday, January 19, 2018
Categories: 
News Feed
 
First time on CD! Remastered by JK Northrup and complete liner note written by Dave Reynolds
 
Jon Butcher Axis "Jon Butcher Axis"
 
Release Date: January 19
 
The band is:
Jon Butcher: Lead vocals and all guitars
Derek Blevins: Drums
Chris Martin: Bass
 
Track listing: Life takes a Life (3.56) / It's only words (3.04) / Ocean in Motion (2.22) / Can't be the only fool (3.24)  / Sentinal (3.16) / New Man (3.10) / Fairlight (3.23) / Send one care of (3.45) /  Walk like this (3.05) / We will be as one (3.59)
 
Produced and engineered by Pat Moran
Mastered by J K Northrup
 
For a time in the early 1980's it looked like as if Jon Butcher's career would know no bounds. As anyone who picked up a copy of the self-titled Jon Butcher Axis album upon its original release in 1983 would concur, here was a star on the rise. Such an upwards trajectory was well deserved given his undeniable talent, the quality of that debut and the ensuing sophomore affair “Stare at the Sun”. Indeed both albums should have resulted in greater rewards than they ultimately did at the time.
 
Although Jon would enjoy a good deal of recognition for later recorded work, such as “Wishes” (released under his own name rather than the band handle), perhaps the answer to any questions that are asked over Butcher's lack of bigger and more sustained success may be allied to the one that asks “why has it taken well over thirty years for his first two records to be officially released on CD? Sure, several of the best tracks from both albums have surfaced on compilations of Jon's work but never before has either album been issued on its entirety on a silver shiny disc. That is about to change
 
Jon had an obsession with the guitar from age 5 and his first real band was called Johanna Wild, a band that certainly caught the attention of many people, his influences including BB King, Jimi Hendrix,  Jeff Beck and Buddy Guy.
 
Notable tracks from the first album include "Ocean in Motion" and "Walk Like This". This album reached No. 91 in the Billboard pop album charts and Axis' video "Life Takes a Life" became one of the first videos by a black artist to receive airtime on MTV. At that time, the only two black artists enjoying MTV coverage were The Jon Butcher Axis and Michael Jackson. The result of his success afforded further growing popularity for the band, which added the opportunity to tour with Rush ('Signals' tour '83),Def Leppard ('Pyromania' tour '83) and Scorpions ('Hurricane' tour '84). amongst others.
 
Jon Butcher has an undeniable talent and this 10 track album from the classic early eighties era shows just what this man had to offer. Timeless..
 
 
 

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