Wed
04
Oct

CYHRA Bursts Onto The Melodic Metal Scene

Artist: 
Friday, October 20, 2017
Categories: 
News Feed
 
When it comes to unearthing new heavy music that will stand the test of time, it always pays to observe what the experts are doing. A four-man testament to hard work and creative excellence, Cyhra showcases the pooling of a huge quantity of modern metal talent. Formed in 2016 by long-time friends ex-Amaranthe vocalist Jake E and former In Flames guitarist Jesper Strömblad, these vital veterans are about to light a fire under the contemporary metal scene that promises to blaze for decades to come. The band’s immaculate debut album, Letters To Myself, is the end result of an artistic partnership that was, as Jake E explains, plainly meant to be.
 
“At the beginning of 2016, Jesper and me sat down to have a cup of coffee, and we were discussing what we wanted to do with our respective careers. Jesper said that he was going to go and record a solo album and I was saying that I was actually walking the same path, although I didn’t know if I was going to leave Amaranthe or just do something completely different. Jesper asked me if I’d be interested in singing on his solo album and then I more or less asked him the same thing, would he play on my solo album? Then we discussed what kind of music we each wanted to do, and after ten minutes Jesper stood up and said ‘What the fuck? We want to do exactly the same thing! Let’s start a band instead!’ That’s how it all started. A couple of months later I decided to leave Amaranthe, and this became my main priority.”
 
Completing this insanely gifted quartet are former In Flames bassist Peter Iwers and Alex Landenburg, current drummer with power metal titans Luca Turilli’s Rhapsody and a former member of thrash legends Annihilator. As the explosive and exhilarating songs on Letters To Myself reveal, the chemistry between these four musicians has been instant and extraordinary. Sometimes all the pieces of the puzzle just fall into place…
 
“I always had Alex in my mind for the drum position,” says Jake. “We always bumped into each other when I was out touring. I said to Jesper, ‘I know this guy and you’re going to love him!’ I sent two or three songs to Alex and he loved them and became a member of the band almost right away! We were almost at the point of talking with labels when we thought that maybe Peter would like to be involved too. He was still in In Flames at that point, but he wanted to join. He decided to leave In Flames a couple of months later, but that had nothing to do with us asking him to join Cyhra. But suddenly we had a steady line-up! It was fun that Jesper and Peter ended up in the same band again, too… that’s pretty cool.”
 
 
Although by no means repeating past glories, Cyhra’s debut album undoubtedly features plenty of the magic that each member of the band has become known for over the years. From the blissfully melodic thrust of Jesper Strömblad’s riffs and hooks and the soaring, soulful splendour of Jake E’s unmistakable voice to the pummelling, groove-driven precision of Peter Iwers and Alex Landenburg’s rhythmic bedrock, every last moment crackles with the excitement of fresh territory, new challenges and a brand new identity for all involved to embrace.
An album of concise anthems, every one of them blessed with a huge chorus, Letters To Myself sets out this band’s stall in no uncertain terms: from the high energy riffing and skittering groove of opener Karma and the monstrous power and melodic finesse of Heartrage through to the overwhelming emotional thrust of grand ballad Closure and the pop-tinged melo-death attack of Holding Your Breath.
 
“When it comes to a style, I’d just say that this is really catchy metal!” laughs Jake. “You can hear where we’re coming from but we’re not cut’n’pasting anything from our old bands. We have our own ways of singing and playing so yeah, it’s recognisable. I don’t put labels on music. For me it’s either good music or bad music – they’re the only categories I have! I guess we aimed to get some kind of elements from our other bands. I’ve always been focused on choruses, but I also wanted to add some more modern touches, some of that alternative metal vibe. It’s hard to put a label on it, though, and that’s a great problem to have.”
 
Beyond the obvious thrill of starting a new band, Cyhra also represents something deeper and more profound for guitarist Jesper Strömblad. Having battled with addiction for many years, this latest creative step marks a wholesale comeback for one of modern metal’s most distinguished protagonists, and the songs on Letters To Myself delve deep into the emotional turmoil and quest for inner strength that Jesper has experienced in recent times. Newly invigorated and back to top form, his confident and artistically joyous return is a cause for celebration on every level.
 
“This album must be seen a little bit as Jesper’s comeback,” agrees Jake. “He’s never been silent about his problems with alcohol and other things. We talked a lot and I listened to what he had to say about his condition and his feelings and all his anxiety problems. I wrote the lyrics a lot from his perspective, but also from mine, writing about being in a bad situation, whether it’s a band or a relationship or a problem with alcohol. The album is pretty true to our life experiences and I think people will be able to relate to it. It’s a dark album but it still has that positive vibe, which is kinda weird!”
 
With such an impressive collective pedigree, the buzz around Cyhra has been growing at a rapid rate since the band unveiled their plans earlier this year. When Letters To Myself hits the streets, it seems likely that these revitalised metal diehards will make a swift and sudden impact. An exciting new chapter for all concerned, Cyhra are in this for long haul and ready to take their message of hope to the masses.
 
“We have our own headline show in Helsinki on the 27th of October and that’ll be our first ever live show,” Jake states. “We’re gonna be a band like any other and we’re gonna tour hard. I really don’t want people to think this is some kind of project. It’s a full-blown band and we’re gonna work our asses off!”
 
 
Wed
04
Oct

POWER QUEST - "Lords Of Tomorrow" (Music Video)

 
Power Quest, the renowned melodic power metal band based in the UK just released a music video for "Lords of Tomorrow", the second single from their long awaited 6th album "Sixth Dimension". The album will be released on October 13th via Inner Wound Recordings in Europe/USA and on October 11th in Japan via Marquee/Avalon.
Artist: 
 
Tue
03
Oct

R.I.P TOM PETTY

 
Let the music do the talking. RIP Tom. And peace to America and my friends in las Vegas :(
Tags: 
Artist: 
 
Tue
03
Oct

Rock Talk with Mitch Lafon - GENE SIMMONS, REVOLUTION SAINTS, GEORGE LYNCH

Artist: 
Categories: 
Podcasts & Radio
 
KISS, Journey & Lynch Mob (Dokken) 
 
Thirty-seven years after his first interview with Gene Simmons, Mitch gets his second crack at The Demon from KISS. Gene discusses his Vault Box Set, KISS’ 2018 plans and a possible one-off show... Just listen! 
 
Up next is former Journey drummer Deen Castronovo. He discusses the new Revolution Saints album, compares Journey singers, talks about letting down Neal Schon and more.
 
Finally, go on a walk with Lynch Mob guitarist George Lynch who discusses the band’s new album, his respect for Dokken, the cheese factor of... well, just listen! 
 

 

 
Mon
02
Oct

In 2018 ULI JON ROTH is celebrating a rare TRIPLE ANNIVERSARY

 
For UJR Fans all over the globe 2018 is going to be a very special year:
 
40-year anniversary of SCORPIONS - TOKYO TAPES !
40-year anniversary of the Birth of ELECTRIC SUN !!
50-year ANNIVERSARY of Uli’s first ever stage performance in 1968 !!!
 
To celebrate this special anniversary year, ULI JON ROTH is performing a whole series of concerts and tours worldwide with varying programs.
 
His two-month TRIPLE ANNIVERSARY NORTH AMERICAN TOUR - starting at the end of May 2018 - will be devoted to performing a complete set of Songs from Uli’s ground breaking ELECTRIC SUN period.
 
ELECTRIC SUN REBORN will consist of an intense 90-minute set by Uli and his band, complemented by multi-media projections. This is followed by an intermission and a shorter set of the highlights from TOKYO TAPES REVISITED to round off the 3-hour extravaganza.
 
Uli has not performed the bulk of this music for over 30 years. Although it never enjoyed the overwhelming commercial success of Scorpions, Electric Sun was far more than just a cult band and had a sizeable following on both sides of the Atlantic as well as in Japan. Largely thanks to Uli’s innovative and ground-breaking guitar playing and interesting compositions the band became artistically influential and presented a unique blend, which was sometimes likened to a strange mixture, located somewhere between Beethoven and Hendrix.
 
Following the worldwide success of his latest SCORPIONS REVISITED releases, Uli will now revisit the spellbinding music of his first solo venture after leaving Scorpions and re-connect with his songs from that prolific era of his long and colorful career. 
 
Widely regarded as one of the greatest guitar players ever, Uli pioneered a unique style of guitar playing which - for the first time - combined complete mastery of the instrument with an intensely melodic and emotional appeal. Uli’s Electric Sun guitar solos are both uplifting and often mesmerizing, displaying a very wide variety of textures, colors and novel ideas. They always take you on a journey. 
 
From his earliest days’ onwards, Uli has always been a bold and uncompromising musical innovator of the first order and his Electric Sun period bears ample witness to that fact. Being the first guitar player in rock to incorporate complex melodic arpeggio sequences, Uli Jon Roth - in the eyes of many of his peers - practically reinvented modern guitar-technique almost singlehandedly during his Scorpions tenure, but even more so during his Electric Sun days. 
 
Uli has now taken a fresh look at this material, drawn from the altogether three Electric Sun albums which he wrote some 40 years ago. The three albums - in chronological order - were EARTHQUAKE, FIRE WE WIND and BEYOND THE ASTRAL SKIES. Electric Sun and Uli fans alike will be delighted to finally hear these songs played live again by the master himself. 
 
As a real bonus for his die-hard fans and connoisseurs Uli has a special treat in store which will bring many a tear to the eyes of nostalgic older fans; due to popular request, Uli will finally bring his legendary white Fender Stratocaster guitar on tour again! The famous instrument - which he used during ALMOST ALL the Scorpions and Electric Sun recordings (!) - will make an onstage appearance for a couple of songs after having remained silent for so many years... The guitar has not been played in public since the Mid-Eighties when Uli switched over to SKY GUITARS for good and he is looking forward to putting this iconic guitar through its paces for old times’ sake. The “WHITE STRAT” can be seen on the covers of IN TRANCE as well as FIRE WIND. Uli played this guitar in EVERY SINGLE Scorpions concert since 1975 and on every single Electric Sun album!!!
 
To make the evening even more intense, another VERY SPECIAL TREAT is reserved for the purchasers of VIP PASSES and comes as a big surprise. (VIP passes are only available online at UliJonRoth.com). VIP PASS holders will be given a unique opportunity to hear Uli perform his METAMORPHOSIS OF VIVALDI’S FOUR SEASONS in its entirety during a private pre-show concert!!!
 
Uli has not performed Vivaldi’s Four Seasons in over 14 years and this is a very rare chance to hear this amazing piece of music played live by the “Master of the Sky Guitar” himself. Uli was the first and only guitarist ever to perform this most famous of all violin concertos on electric guitar note for note, stretching the instrument to the very limits of its capabilities, and beyond. Vivaldi’s Four Seasons concerto was written in 1723 and sounds as fresh and inspirational now as it did 300 years ago. Particularly so in Uli’s truly mind-blowing rendition, which is fiendishly difficult to play on guitar and can only be performed at concert pitch on one of his signature SKY GUITARS.
 
Uli will be accompanied for the VIP event by his two very talented young protégés NIKLAS TURMAN and DAVID KLOSINSKI on guitar as well as CORVIN BAHN on keyboards who will play the orchestral parts. As an additional treat, Uli is going to perform this piece on his legendary “MIGHTY WING” 7-string SKY GUITAR, which has not been seen in public for a long time, but which was his main guitar for a period of 20 years.
 
ULI JON ROTH FANS all over the world! Prepare yourselves for a monumental evening of sheer musical ecstasy!!!
 
Confirmed tour dates:
5/31 Dallas, TX Trees 
6/1 Houston, TX Arcadia
6/2 San Antonio, TX Rockbox 
6/5  Phoenix, AZ Club Red
6/6 Hollywood, CA Roxy Theater
6/7 San Jan Capistrano, CA Coach House
6/8 San Diego, CA Brick by Brick
6/9 Las Vegas, NV Vamp’d
6/10 Ventura, CA Ventura Theater
6/12 Santa Cruz, CA Catalyst 
6/13 Petaluma, CA Mystic Theater
6/14 Berkley, CA Cornerstone 
6/15 Sacramento, CA Holy Diver
6/16 Seattle, WA Studio 7
6/17 Portland, OR Bossanova Ballroom
6/18 Vancouver, BC Venue 
6/26 St. Paul, MN Amsterdam Music Hall
6/29 Joliet, IL The Forge 
6/30 St. Charles, IL Arcada Theater
7/1 Detroit, MI Token Lounge
7/2 Toronto, ON Rockpile
7/3 Montreal, QU TBA
7/4 Quebec, QU L’ Anti
7/5 Ottawa, ON Brass Monkey
7/6  Pawling, NY Daryl’s House
7/7  Derry, NH Tupelo Music Hall
7/8  Hartford, CT Infinity Music Hall
7/10 NYC, NY Gramercy Theater
7/11 Asbury Park, NJ Wonderbar
7/12 Sellersville, PA Sellersville Theater
7/15 Anderson, IN State Theatre
 
Additional dates will be added soon.
 
UJR official website:     http://ulijonroth.com/
UJR on Twitter:             https://twitter.com/UliJonRoth1

 

 
Sat
30
Sep

AOR Heaven Announces Nov 24 Releases - DANTE FOX & WILDNESS

Artist: 
Categories: 
News Feed
 
German label AOR Heaven will release the new albums by British Melodic Rock band DANTE FOX called “Six String Revolver” and the debut by Swedish Melodic Rock group WILDNESS on November 24. These will be the final releases from this label before the usual Winter break.
 
Dante Fox were formed in September 1989 by lead Vocalist Sue Willetts.  She was quickly joined by guitarist Tim Manford and this created a golden partnership. On the strength of their songs Dante Fox caught the interest of Linda Bruce from Rich Bitch Studio’s and a debut album was now a reality. Following this an appearance on ITV television show ‘Hit The Town’ hosted by Rory McGrath launched the sounds of Lost And Lonely Heart through televisions all around the UK. Dante Fox signed to Now and Then Records in March 1996, and in May they appeared on the Gods line up next to Hugo and Jamie Kyle.
 
In October 1996 the debut Under Suspicion was released. Many shows followed including a support tour with ELO, Enuff Z Nuff and European festivals such as Mindview and Ardshock. Capitalising on this European interest the band returned to Holland for more headline shows. In April 1997 Under Suspicion was released in Japan and received an 87/100 review in BURRN magazine.The second album The Fire Within was released on Frontiers Records in March 1999. The album included more live favourites and in Japan Firing My Heart and Over You were added to the playlist of Masa Itoh’s Heavy Metal syndicate radio show. The band closed the year with an appearance at the Gods and also appeared as the backing band for Stan Bush.
 
The band took a break and returned in 2005, with a slot at Firefest and a UK tour support to Vixen. The third album ‘Under The Seven Skies’ was released worldwide on Frontiers Records in March 2007 featuring the Nine minute epic title track. The album was voted best album of 2007 by the listeners of ARFM Radio and the band continued to support the album by playing shows with Danny Vaughn and Wigwam.
The fourth album Lost Man’s Ground released in October 2012 at the bands appearance at Firefest. This featured a new rhythm section Andy Perfect (Drums) and Alan Mills (Bass), and also Alessandro DelVecchio on backing vocals and Eric Ragno on keyboards.
In June 2012 a magical night was experienced opening for US band Night Ranger in London. This year ended with a much anticipated performance at Firefest and a great slot at Hard Rock Hell. Sue Willetts was voted 20 in the top 50 Female vocalists of all time in  Classic Rock Magazine alongside Ann Wilson and Cher and the band performed at HRH AOR (Tesla,FM ) Hard Rock Hell Ibiza and a very successful tour with Romeo’s Daughter.
 
In September 2016 the album ‘ Breathless ‘ was released through AOR Heaven and received excellent critical acclaim featuring in many journalist’s Top 10 albums of 2016 and propelling Dante Fox as One of the leaders in Modern Melodic Rock for 2017.
The new album ‘Six String Revolver’ sees the band pay homage to their most popular songs from the first two albums from the 90’s. These songs have enabled Dante fox to evolve over time they have been re-recorded from the ground up with love, respect, precision and an excellent state of the art modern production from Sheena Sear at M2 Studio's . The band are looking forward to playing in Germany for the first time at the HEAT Festival in December which will make a very exciting album launch. Dante Fox will also be performing at HRH AOR (Joe Lynn Turner, Eclipse). Joining the band on drums for these shows and more will be the ‘Thunder God’ Scott Higham (Pendragon)
 
Tour Dates:
HEAT Festival Germany - 2nd December 2017
HRH AOR Festival - 8th March, 2018
 
Dante Fox are: Sue Willetts Manford - Lead Vocals; Tim Manford - Lead Guitar & backing Vocals; Alan Mills - Bass Guitar; Eric Ragno - Keyboards
 
 
Sound clips in advance:
 
   
The idea behind WILDNESS began to grow in the summer of 2013 when the first songs were written. With main focus on heavy guitars, wide keyboards, big drums, melodies and hooks the shape of something new and exciting began to emerge. At this point, Wildness was more of a studio project and originally founded by drummer and songwriter Erik Modin while the guitar players Pontus Sköld and Adam Holmström were in to share the lead guitar parts early on.
The search for the right lead singer wasn’t easy as pie, but after a few months their destiny crossed with the unbelivable vocal talent Gabriel Lindmark in early 2014. More songwritings and demos recording came along, and it didn’t take long until it was clear that WILDNESS deserved to be a real band.
 
On September 1st 2015, WILDNESS independently released their self-produced debut single ”Collide” which immediately gained a lot of spins at various digital platforms such as a number of online radio stations focused on AOR and Melodic Rock. Live performances that followed showed that the band was capable to  deliver on stage as well.
The second single ”Turning The Pages” was released on January 14th 2016, and shortly after that WILDNESS was approached by Georg Siegl by German record label AOR Heaven. The contact resulted in a record deal which allowed the band to finally begin the launch of their first full-length album.
 
The choice for the producer fell on the creative and productive mastermind Erik Wigelius (Wigelius, Care Of Night) and the pre-production and recordings took place between during 2016 and 2017. The main part of the record was recorded at Erik Wigelius’ studio, besides additional parts recorded by drummer and co-producer Erik Modin.
The two previous singles ”Collide” and ”Turning The Pages” were re-recorded for the album. The mixing and mastering was handled by Erik Wigelius, who really knows how to take the 80’s-influenced sounds at put them in the 21th century!
 
Despite their short career, WILDNESS have already shared stages with well established acts in the scene like WHITE WIDDOW and DYNAZTY.
 
Releases: Collide - Digital single (September 1th, 2015) ; Turning The Pages - Digital single (January 14th, 2016)
 
facebook.com/wildnessofficial  / instagram: wildnessofficial
 
Sound clips in advance:
 
 
 

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