Away from the music scene for nearly 10 years since the release of the critically and commercially well received third album, ‘Global Warning’, finally another slab of classic British hard rock is on the way.
MRR and BURN are proud to announce that band’s fourth album, ‘Ice Age’, is mastered and ready for release.
The album has been produced by Barney Stackhouse and mixed by the Grammy award winning Tobias Lindell (Europe, H.E.A.T.)
The band states: “We have taken 5 years to create this album, and it is something of which we are incredibly proud. We hope and believe that the thousands of people who enjoyed Global Warning will find plenty to enjoy in this new release. We are also very proud to announce our new line-up. Although we have lost some great guys along the way, namely Jeff Ogden, Julian Nicholas (although he is still featured on one track on the new album) and Benji Reid, we are extremely lucky to have replaced them with a couple of outstanding new members.”
Take a listen to the anthemic lead track 'Jealousy':
Let’s introduce the guys right now –
On lead vocals Burn welcome none other than Steve Newman.
“Steve is well known in the rock community through his numerous solo albums and other projects. He has built up a loyal and devoted following over many years and the consistent quality of his output was something that encouraged us to approach him. Steve was our first choice to lead the new line up, as we view him as possessing one of the very best voices in rock. Burn is the first band that Steve has committed himself to for many years. We are honoured to have him on board and fronting the band.”
The other new member is the ridiculously talented Chris Green who brings his incendiary lead guitar skills to the band.
“Chris is a current member of Tyketto and hard rock fans will remember him from Furyon, Rubicon Cross and Pride, along with various other projects. We really couldn't think of another guitarist who could have done a better job on the new material than Chris. His sense of melody and feel combined with tremendous technique have produced some awe-inspiring solos on this album.”
Burn’s history started in the heyday of melodic rock in the 1980’s, and from that foundation, through Global Warning and now Ice Age, the band has developed into a modern hard rock act. With a multitude of influences and an open-minded view on song writing they push the boundaries of the genre while still retaining the core elements of power and melody.
In closing the band would like to add; “So, here we go. This is a new era for Burn and we are really looking forward to sharing our new stuff with everyone.”
Ice Age will get an initial release in Japan and Asia via Marquee/Avalon November 22 and worldwide via MRR on CD and all digital platforms February 28; with pre-sales in January (which will include an advance audio preview of the album for those that pre-order).
As U.S. rockers MASS begin work on their long awaited new studio album, frontman Louis St. August will be providing exclusive updates - text and audiio - from the process. Here's entry number 4!
January 30, 2018,
So here we are in the new year with my 4th blog already, and time just flies by when you are doing what you love most. I often refer to the making of a brand new studio album as to the building of a cake. Once you have all the right ingredients in place, you start out with a sold base and then start adding on all the layers until you finally reach the sweet toppings.
Well, that's about where we are right now...
After the Christmas break, I went back into the studio on Friday, December 29th and January 7th to record my background vocals and harmonies. I did the majority of all the backing vocals and harmonies with the exception of a few songs. Bassist Michael Palumbo added some backing vocals to the songs "Falling in Love," "Second Hand Rose," and then squeezed another one in on "Some Time Ago" -- and I do mean squeeze. Between flying back and forth from San Francisco every other week, and for him to reach for those very high notes I had left for him, he definitely needed to squeeze. LOL! Some tunes just called for a little touch of harmony while others got that much bigger 80s chorus effect. Needless to say, all the backing vocals and harmonies worked out quite nicely.
On Saturdays January 13th & 20th we had our secret weapon come in -- aka keyboardist Jeremy Heussi, who is practically a band member, having performed live with us over the years and who has also appeared on the last two MASS studio albums and Christmas EP. Jeremy did his homework and added some great texture and flavor, enhancing these tunes and bringing them to another level. Just the right touch of strings in areas and applying that heavy organ sound ala the late great Jon Lord in areas, just simply rocked!
Next up...
Rough mixes will be sent to our label and then we will have the hard decision as to who will be mixing and mastering. So hopefully in my next and final blog I will have that information for you, plus album artwork and a planned release date.
Introducing 15 year old Cassidy Paris from Melbourne, Australia. Following in the footsteps of female rockers Avril Lavigne, Pink and Lzzy Hale, Cassidy Paris promotes girl power by bringing back rock chic fronted melodic pop rock.
Cassidy Paris released her debut single ‘Talk About It’ in August 2017 to a fantastic response. The song brings back hooks and a very catchy chorus that will be stuck in your head for days. Cassidy goes on to say, “The response from my debut single was fantastic’.
Cassidy has already played a number of live dates at a number of schools within Melbourne, Australia and also played a small run of acoustic dates in Tokyo, Japan supporting The Radio Sun in November 2017.
Although having just turned 15, Cassidy Paris has grown up with music from a very early age. Her dad, a musician himself has taught her the ropes by attending concerts around the world. With influences ranging from the classics such as Pat Benatar, Joan Jett, and Def Leppard to more recent artists like Taylor Swift (lucky enough to meet her idol Taylor Swift at the age of 8 years of age)and Biters, Cassidy Paris is ready to make her own mark on music.
2018 sees Cassidy Paris launch her second single titled ‘Stand’ (co – written & produced by Paul Laine) – a heartfelt account about ‘standing up for yourself’.
‘STAND is OUT NOW iTunes, Amazon Music and all digital download)
*Cassidy Paris is currently working on her full length debut album.
GLENN TIPTON/JUDAS PRIEST DIAGNOSED WITH PARKINSONS
Ten years ago Glenn was diagnosed to have the onset of the early stages of Parkinson's - from then until recently Glenn has lived his life as the great heavy metal guitar player he has always been, maintaining by his own definition a standard of quality and performance that is incredibly important. Right now Glenn is able to play and perform some of the Priest songs that are less challenging but due to the nature of Parkinson's progression he wants to let you all know that he won't be touring as such.
True to the metal spirit of 'the show must go on' Glenn has requested Andy Sneap to fly the flag on stage for him.
"I want everyone to know that it's vital that the Judas Priest tour go ahead and that I am not leaving the band - it's simply that my role has changed. I don't rule out the chance to go on stage as and when I feel able to blast out some Priest! So at some point in the not too distant future I'm really looking forward to seeing all of our wonderful metal maniacs once again."
Rob, Richie, Ian and Scott have this to say: "We have been privileged to witness Glenn's determination and steadfast commitment over the years, showing his passion and self belief through the writing, recording and performing sessions with Priest - he is a true metal hero!
"We are not surprised by Glenn's insistence that we complete the Firepower tour and thank Andy for joining us to make Glenn's wishes become real - as Glenn has said we also can't wait to have him with us at any time any place on the road.....We love you Glenn!"
Los Angeles rock and rollers the Bulletboys will tour Australia for the very first time this May!
Emerging from the LA glam rock scene at its zenith with more blues licks than lipstick, Bulletboys have been a mainstay of the rock scene for the past 30 years.
Formed by frontman Marq Torien after stints in King Kobra and a then unsigned Ratt, Bulletboys hit the ground running with their Platinum selling 1988 self titled debut which featured the now seminal classics
Smooth Up In Ya, Hard As A Rock, and their rocking cover of For The Love Of Money.
While being part of the scene, it was Torien that set the band apart from the pack, with vocals and showmanship that drew comparisons to everyone from David Lee Roth through to Terence Trent Darby.
Throughout their three decade career, Bulletboys have released 11 studio albums, evolving with the times whilst maintaining that hard rock edge that brought them to the forefront in the late '80s.
Album number twelve, From Out Of The Skies will be released in 2018 and will finally see the band play to their long waiting Australian fans!
Marq and the ‘boys invite you to come and experience one of the most consistent and rockin' live bands up close and personal for the first time on Australian shores this May!
Joining Bulletboys on all shows are Melbourne’s hardest working and hardest hitting rockers, Dellacoma
Drummer and founding member of MR. BIG, Pat Torpey, passed away Wednesday, February 7 at the age of 64 from complications of Parkinson’s disease. Family, band and management request privacy at this very difficult time. Services are pending.
MR. BIG (Torpey, Eric Martin, Billy Sheehan, and Paul Gilbert) released their ninth original studio album,DEFYING GRAVITY, July 21.
MR. BIG, formed in 1988, produced numerous hit songs that ranged across a wide array of rock genres – be it ballads, heavy metal, or blues rock. Their hits included “Alive and Kicking,” "Just Take My Heart" and the chart-topping ballad, "To Be With You" (Billboard Hot 100 #1 single in 15 countries for weeks in 1991, propelling the band the band to huge international success and multi-Platinum record sales).
Billy Sheehan:
My dear friends, I'm sorry to be the bearer of such sad news. Pat Torpey has been my closest friend in music for over thirty years. He passed away yesterday from complications as a result of Parkinson's disease. Pat was one of the finest human beings I've ever had the privilege of knowing, and the honor of working with.
All of us in Mr Big had nothing but the highest respect and admiration for him. He is loved by anyone and everyone who ever met him. And surely one of the finest rock drummers the world has ever known.
Please keep his sweet wife and wonderful son in your prayers.
I Love You, Pat. You made the world a better place. We will miss you. We will never forget you. Rest In Peace, my brother.
Billy
What can one say about the great Pat Torpey? One of the great drummers in rock, he was also one of the nicest guiys in the business and I'm personally grateful for the privilage of knowing him.
His contributions to rock music cannot be overstated. Mr. Big have a 25 year legacy, to which his drumming style made ever so better. He was the heart of the band and I know the guys were hit hard by his initial diagnosis of Parkinson's. But take a look at any of his live performances - he's always smiling.
I will remain an eternal fan of Pat's spirit and his work with Mr. Big, Impellitteri, Jeff Paris, Velocity, Richie Kotzen and many others...
Dennis DeYoung announces a special live tour celebrating the 40th Anniversary of STYX's iconic 1977 album release, THE GRAND ILLUSION. DeYoung will reflect back on more than 4 decades of musical excellence throughout the performance. This includes performing the entire Grand Illusion album plus all the greatest hits written and sung by DeYoung including - “Come Sail Away,” “Babe,” “Mr. Roboto,” “The Best Of Times,” and “Lady.” Other hit songs attendees may expect include fan favorites "Renegade," "Blue Collar Man," "Suite Madame Blue" and more.
The excitement of the Grand Illusion 40th Anniversary Tour is the magic of DeYoung's instantly recognizable voice bringing the classic STYX catalog to the live stage. For fans that weren't witness to the original album tour, DeYoung shares, "The Grand Illusion album was STYX’s greatest achievement, and this year my band and I will bring its sound and spirit to life nightly on concert stages across America."
The Grand Illusion was STYX's seventh studio album, but historically serves as the album that would launch the band to super stardom with DeYoung's song "Come Sail Away" reaching number 8 on Billboard's Top 100 in 1977. The song pushed album sales to more than 3 million copies and gave STYX a multi-platinum album certification bringing STYX critical commercial success. The album remains a staple on classic rock radio stations worldwide.
Of the Grand Illusion album, DeYoung adds "I formulated the theme behind the Grand Illusion album after observing how American culture creates illusions through advertising and entertainment to convince us that our lives our lacking, in order to sell products. I told the audience that we were part of the Illusion and warned them not to be “fooled by the radio,” which was us, and that in the end, despite the illusions and hype created, that “deep inside we’re all the same."
2018 offers opportunities for fans to see Dennis DeYoung and his band at a hometown venue. New dates are being added and ticket sales are available through DeYoung’s official website. For a detailed list of venues and performance dates, visit http://www.dennisdeyoung.com/tour.
The current tour schedule includes:
2-9-18 - Wausau, WI - Dennis DeYoung: The Grand Illusion 40th Anniversary Album Tour
2-10-18 - Waukegan, IL - Dennis DeYoung: The Grand Illusion 40th Anniversary Album Tour
2-16-18 - St. Louis, MO - Dennis DeYoung: The Grand Illusion 40th Anniversary Album Tour
2-17-18 - Wichita, KS - Dennis DeYoung: The Grand Illusion 40th Anniversary Album Tour
2-23-18 - Las Vegas - Dennis DeYoung and the music of STYX
2-24-18 - Las Vegas - Dennis DeYoung and the music of STYX
3-11-18 - Private Show - Dennis DeYoung and the music of STYX
3-15-18 - Plymouth, MA - Dennis DeYoung: The Grand Illusion 40th Anniversary Album Tour
3-16-18 - Montclair, NJ - Dennis DeYoung: The Grand Illusion 40th Anniversary Album Tour
3-22-18 - Verona, NY - Dennis DeYoung: The Grand Illusion 40th Anniversary Album Tour
3-23-18 - Williamsport, PA - Dennis DeYoung: The Grand Illusion 40th Anniversary Album Tour
3-24-18 - Bethlehem, PA - Dennis DeYoung: The Grand Illusion 40th Anniversary Album Tour
4-20-18 - Bow, WA - Dennis DeYoung and the music of STYX
4-21-18 - Bow, WA - Dennis DeYoung and the music of STYX
5-18-18 - Torrington, CT - Dennis DeYoung: The Grand Illusion 40th Anniversary Album Tour
5-19-18 - Concord, NH - Dennis DeYoung: The Grand Illusion 40th Anniversary Album Tour
6-1-18 - Austin, TX - Dennis DeYoung and Night Ranger
6-9-18 - Florence, IN - Dennis DeYoung and the music of STYX
Find Dennis DeYoung online through the following links:
