The entire Trans-Siberian Orchestra family, past and present, is heartbroken to share the devastating news that Paul O’Neill has passed away from chronic illness.
He was our friend and our leader -- a truly creative spirit and an altruistic soul. This is a profound and indescribable loss for us all.
We ask that you respect Paul’s family’s privacy now.
We will make additional announcements shortly.
Jeff Scott Soto has also just posted:
I am beyond speechless, heartbroken and devastated...one of the most amazing human beings on this planet, I will NEVER forget the many aspects in life this man shared with me and so many in the world, Mr Paul O'Neill, may you rest in peace sir!
Backing vocals: Andrew Ross, Phillip Brandon, Dino Jelusic, John Brink
Engineered, mixed and mastered by Adriano Daga
Video produced and edited by Brian Z for Zaba Productions
Published by Mijac Music (adm. by Warner-Tamerlane Publ. Corp.)
SOTO is:
Vocals: Jeff Scott Soto
Guitar: Jorge Salan
Drums: Edu Cominato
Bass: David Z
Guitars/Keys: BJ
SOTO, formed in 2014, is the dream band created when Jeff Scott Soto realized how much he missed the ‘heavier side’ of his career after fronting artists Yngwie Malmsteen, Talisman, Journey and even his own solo albums. The band hope to continue its construction as a driving force in today’s Hard Rock & Metal scene.
Jeff recently commented on the future of the SOTO brand:
As mentioned a few months ago, SOTO parted ways with our label & after much deliberation, we have decided to forge ahead independently as we continue to bring you new music into the future.
I’m not divulging anything new on how the music business has dramatically changed so much the past years…but we decided to change with it and our plan starts with YOU in mind later this week.
As a gift to you all for the holidays, we have recorded our own heavy version of the incredible Michael Jackson song ‘Give In To Me’ and are giving it to you FREE as a digital download!
There is an accompanying video being pieced together by the talented Brian Z, younger brother of David, who directed and produced the ‘Unblame’ video for us that we’re hoping coincides with this new track.
From there, we will be releasing for purchase a new song digitally, about every month, once we return from the upcoming tour instead of the traditional long play CD. This not only allows us the time to work on songs individually but gives us a chance to put the quality behind each track instead of cramming to create an entire album in one go.
We’re mixing and mastering the giveaway now as I write this, info on where and how to get it will be widespread & easy to find…we think you’re gonna dig it!!! JSS
"It was only about Yngwie and I wanted to do something with camaraderie.. When Marcel Jacob took his life and Yngwie didn't acknowledge it, I made a statement that Yngwie is dead (to me) for not accepting our calls for his fallen brother.."
Jeff Scott Soto guests on this week's Noize In The Attic - Where Your Past Comes Back To Haunt You (www.noizeintheattic.com) on 88.7FM New Haven CT. Jeff talks in depth about the new SOTO album, the upcoming Monsters Of Rock cruise, Yngwie, Journey, Queen and much more!
feat. Gene Simmons, Billy Sheehan, Jeff Scott Soto, Dave Navarro & Rick Nielsen
American vocalist/guitarist Lita Ford is set to release her latest album Time Capsuleon Steamhammer/SPV on 15 April 2016.
The very special and unusual recording turns back the clock to a time when honest, down-to-earth rock music was still handmade and recorded without digital tricks and contraptions. Time Capsule is a ”throwback” record that boasts identifiable voices and brilliant players jamming without any planning or pressure. Some of the album`s highlights: Billy Sheehan (bass), Rodger Carter (drums), Dave Navarro (mandolin), Jeff Scott Soto (vocals), Rick Nielsen and Robin Zander (backing vocals) and Gene Simmons (bass).
“There was a shitload of these 24-track analog tapes in the closet in my house (in the islands),” Ford recalls. “This is some of the best work I`ve ever done and it was sitting there. I grabbed two suitcases and took them back to the United States.” Imagine Ford dragging a pair of suitcases full of analog tapes through the Caribbean dirt back to Los Angeles, so, as she recalls, “we could bake these fuckers,” due to their age. “If you just put them on the reel, they would flake. I was chewing my fingernails, thinking, ´Please work!` And they did!”
Time Capsulecontains ten songs plus intro and will be available as a digipak as well as an LP version and download. It`s Ford`s gift to fans who love the ´80s, when thrilling vocal performances, raunchy riffs, and loud, growling guitars were as essential as oxygen.
Tracklisting:
1. Intro 1:35
2. Where Will I Find My Heart Tonight 04:47
3. Killing Kind 04:49
4. War Of The Angels 05:44
5. Black Leather Heart 03:33
6. Rotten To The Core 04:21
7. Little Wing 03:01
8. On The Fast Track 03:41
9. King Of The Wild Wind 05:04
10. Mr. Corruption 04:15
11. Anything For The Thrill 03:25
LITA FORD live 2016
US/Canada
12.02. Houston,TX - BFE Rock Club
13.02. Tyler,TX - Rock N´Valentines Festival
14.02. Fort Worth,TX - The Rail Club
20.02. Enoch,AB - River Cree Resort
05.03. Beverly Hills,CA - Saban Theatre
19.03. Toledo,OH - Savage Arena
24.04. Ladson,SC - 98 Rock Fest
Europe
10.06. SE-Sölvesborg - Sweden Rock Festival
13.-14.08.B-Kortijk - Alcatraz Festival
More dates will be added soon
________________________________________________
SOTO, featuring vocalist Jeff Scott Soto, have completed their second studio album, Divak, out April 1 via earMUSIC.
Divak (pronounced "dee-vock") comes shortly after the band's debut release Inside the Vertigo. It's a mere 15 months later, partly due to singer Jeff Scott Soto's insistence on continuing to create and build a true brand for his new venture.
Once again, the album is produced by Jeff Scott Soto and drummer Edu Cominato. It was mixed by long time JSS engineer/associate John Ellis, as well.
The band features Soto on vocals; Cominato on drums; lead guitarist Jorge Salan; bassist David Z; and keyboardist/guitarist BJ. They are heavily featured on Divak, with their writing contributions together.
The first single "FreakShow" was co-produced/written by Tony Dickinson, who also co-wrote "The Fall," which was the first single from Inside the Vertigo. The track is an extension of the SOTO sound created especially for this new band.
SOTO will debut live in February 2016 with a string of East Coast U.S. dates, leading into the annual Monsters of Rock Cruise (East), alongside Steve Vai, Extreme, Queensryche, and countless headliners.
SOTO, formed in 2014, are the dream band created when Jeff Scott Soto realized how much he missed the "heavier side" of his career after fronting artists like Yngwie Malmsteen, Talisman, and Journey, and even his own solo albums. The band hopes to continue its role as a driving force in today's current hard rock and metal scene.
Guitarist, songwriter and all-round good guy Joel Hoekstra is a man on the rise. From Rock Of Ages, to Night Ranger, the occasional Foreigner fill-in role and now in Whitesnake, Joel Hoekstra is become a name guitarist in an era where few new guitar heroes have emerged.
His debut solo album is where he’s allowed to shine – from the impeccable guitar soloing and master class in memorable riff writing – to the challenging job of taking control of production – Joel nails it.
And in a nice added bonus, Joel has written every track on this album. Himself! (there’s one co-write with Russell Allen).
It’s nice to hear such an accomplished album from the pen of the star rather than hired gun writers.
This is a diverse album that ranges from melodic metal to commercial melodic rock, without losing the common thread and consistency an album needs.
Interestingly, with the two vocalists involved it is often a reversal of the expected, with metal man Russell Allen delivering a couple of fine melodic numbers and the voice of melodic rock Jeff Scott Soto handing in a couple of aggressive in your face numbers.
Of course both singers do what they do best on the other tracks, giving the album a clear balance of styles, despite the sometimes distracting tactic of alternating vocalists.
Say Goodbye to the Sun is a fierce tour de force with Russell bellowing at full volume. A Dio-esque metal intensity with this fine song.
Anymore sees Russell delivering a really catchy hard rock track with a fast beat and a free flowing high energy chorus.
Until I Left You is nothing short of a classic JSS sung melodic rock anthem. Great tune for fans of Night Ranger and Jeff as Joel turns ultra-commercial here.
Long For the Days is an epic sounding classic rock ballad. There’s some 70s and 80s influences there and more Dio, but ultra-melodic. Classy slow guitar solo too.
Scream is Jeff’s turn to go metal, with a tough but melodic sounding stadium metal track.
Never Say Never is Russell getting to sing at his most commercial. This is an instantly memorable melodic rocker with a stand out chorus.
Changes is Russell again, signing a moody hard rock track with a good heart.
The Only Way to Go is a uptempo hard rock song with a swagger and JSS in his darker heavier tone and Joel slashing his way through the song.
Dying to Live is a fast and fabulous melodic metal track which suits Russell to a tee.
Start Again is another JSS delivered monster melodic rock anthem. Huge chorus.
What We Believe is a bit of an epic mid-tempo album closer – the perfect tempo and tone to end one epic album.
Two thumbs up for Joel. Another very strong album – even more so give that it’s his debut solo album. A must for anyone that’s enjoyed his output in Night Ranger, Whitesnake and elsewhere.
And a cracking good set of songs for fans of JSS and Russell Allen to enjoy. The two singers really deliver here.
FRONTIERS MUSIC SRL Presents: JOEL HOEKSTRA'S 13 FULL ALBUM WORLD PREMIERE
Out October 16th on Frontiers Music Srl
'The guitarist keeps good company on this album'.They've created an accomplished set of radio friendly tunes on Dying to Live, including the sultry Long For the Days.' -Dave Ling, Classic Rock Magazine
"To sum up 'Dying To Live' it is a captivating, uplifting, joyous release to please and appease fans of Melodic Rock , and in my humble opinion ranks as one of the top must have Melodic Rock Albums released in 2015 to date."(10/10!) -Seb DiGatto, The Metal Gods Meltdown
"Hard rock the way it used to be. One of the best rock albums of the year? Quite possibly."(10/10!) -Alan Bannerman, Powerplay Magazine
This Monday, October 12 - The world will hear what critics are calling 'The Best Melodic Hard Rock Album Of The year!' JOEL HOEKSTRA'S 13 - DYING TO LIVE has come out of nowhere and is ready to take its place in the vanguard of the international melodic rock music scene. This All-Star band is fueled by the ferocious vocals of both Jeff Scott Soto and Russell Allen, and driven by the onslaught of lead guitarist Joel Hoekstra, the pounding rhythm of Tony Franklin (Bass), Vinny Appice (Drums) and Derek Sherinian (Keyboard).
'Over the last 7-8 years while playing with Night Ranger, Rock of Ages, Trans-Siberian Orchestra and now Whitesnake, I've had many requests from fans for a solo project of sorts,' explains Hoekstra. 'Here it is! Recording it was a labor of love for me, as I did all of the writing, arranging, producing, etc. I'm honored to have some of the finest musicians in rock today bring these songs to life for me. Maybe I'm not a familiar "name" for many of you, but if you're a fan of melodic, hard-rock that's Dioish at its heaviest and Foreigner'ish at its lightest, I really think you'll like this. Huge thanks go to Serafino Perugino and everyone at Frontiers for this opportunity and also for the generous move of sharing this entire album with you in advance! Have a listen!'
Pre-orders are now available on Amazon (CD & MP3) and iTunes (MP3). All MP3 pre-orders include instant downloads of Scream and Until I Left You (featuring Jeff Scott Soto) plus Long For The Days and Anymore (featuring Russell Allen).
Joel Hoekstra is a guitarist in the legendary Whitesnake and is also well known for his work with Trans Siberian Orchestra, Night Ranger and the hit show Rock of Ages.
JOEL HOEKSTRA'S 13 is a side project formed by popular Whitesnake guitarist Joel Hoekstra, who is also well known for his work with Night Ranger, Trans Siberian Orchestra and the show Rock of Ages.
The album features some truly stellar guests Jeff Scott Soto and Russell Allen sharing vocal duties along with Vinny Appice – drums and Tony Franklin – bass.
So what has Joel lined up for us on his debut solo album? Here’s a Track By Track look:
01. Say Goodbye to the Sun is a fierce tour de force with Russell bellowing at full volume. A Dio-esque metal intensity with this fine song.
02. Anymore sees Russell delivering a really catchy hard rock track with a fast beat and a free flowing high energy chorus.
03. Until I Left You is nothing short of a classic JSS sung melodic rock anthem. Great tune for fans of Night Ranger and Jeff as Joel turns ultra-commercial here.
04. Long For the Days is an epic sounding classic rock ballad. There’s some 70s and 80s influences there and more Dio, but ultra-melodic. Classy slow guitar solo too.
05. Scream is Jeff’s turn to go metal, with a tough but melodic sounding stadium metal track.
06. Never Say Never is Russell getting to sing at his most commercial. This is an instantly memorable melodic rocker with a stand out chorus.
07. Changes is Russell again, signing a moody hard rock track with a good heart.
08. The Only Way to Go is a uptempo hard rock song with a swagger and JSS in his darker heavier tone and Joel slashing his way through the song.
09. Dying to Live is a fast and fabulous melodic metal track which suits Russell to a tee.
10. Start Again is another JSS delivered monster melodic rock anthem. Huge chorus.
11. What We Believe is a bit of an epic mid-tempo album closer – the perfect tempo and tone to end one epic album.
24HR EXCLUSIVE WORLD PREMIERE VIDEO ON GUITARWORLD.COM TODAY!
Out October 16th on Frontiers Music Srl / Pre-order on iTunes and Amazon
Hollywood, Ca (October 1, 2015) ' Get ready for the exclusive world premiere video of 'SCREAM' from Joel Hoekstra's 13's new studio album DYING TO LIVE, which will be released October 16th. GUITARWORLD.com is hosting the world premiere of the fourth single at 10:00 am PST/ 1:00 pm EST -CLICK HERE TO WATCH: premiere link:
'SCREAM' is a straight-ahead, old-school rock track that's sung from the standpoint of a demon or vice holding you back in life,' explains Hoekstra. 'Vinny Appice and Tony Franklin lay down a dynamic groove to support the guitars. Jeff Scott Soto delivers a powerhouse vocal performance and Derek Sherinian puts the frosting on the cake with some understated, tasteful B3 playing. I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed writing/recording it!'
Pre-orders are now available on Amazon (CD & MP3) and iTunes (MP3). All MP3 pre-orders include instant downloads of 'Long For The Days' as well as "Until I Left You" and "Anymore" (featuring Russell Allen).
Dying To Live features an all-star cast of rockers including Jeff Scott Soto (vocals), Russell Allen (vocals), Tony Franklin (bass),Vinny Appice (drums), and Derek Sherinian (keyboards), and will be available via Frontiers Music SRL on Friday, October 16th.
Joel Hoekstra is a guitarist in the legendary Whitesnake and is also well known for his work with Trans Siberian Orchestra, Night Ranger and the hit show Rock of Ages.
JOEL HOEKSTRA’S 13 PREMIERES 3rd SINGLE “LONG FOR THE DAYS”
WORLD PREMIERE ON FRONTIERS MUSIC SRL FACEBOOK
Out October 16th on Frontiers Music Srl / Pre-order on iTunes and Amazon
Hollywood, Ca (September 25, 2015) – Get ready for world premiere of the third single “Long For The Days” from Joel Hoekstra’s 13’s new studio album DYING TO LIVE, which will be released October 16th. Frontiers Music Srl. is hosting the world premiere of the third single on their Facebook at 10:00 am PST/ 1:00 pm EST -CLICK HERE TO WATCH: premiere link – http://on.fb.me/1YFiXpV
"Long For The Days is a song about reflection and regret over a relationship gone badly," explains Joel. "It's a good old-fashioned, classic-rock style track that captures elements of some of my favorite bands (I'll let you figure them out!). Vinny Appice (drums) and Tony Franklin (bass) lay it down while Derek Sherinian (keys) provides the right sounds and parts with tasteful perfection. Russell Allen delivers one of my favorite vocal performances EVER and Jeff Scott Soto sings some amazing backgrounds to support them. I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed writing/recording it!"
Pre-orders are now available on Amazon (CD & MP3) and iTunes (MP3). All MP3 pre-orders include instant downloads of “Long For The Days” as well as "Until I Left You" and "Anymore" (featuring Russell Allen).
Dying To Live features an all-star cast of rockers including Jeff Scott Soto (vocals), Russell Allen (vocals), Tony Franklin (bass),Vinny Appice (drums), and Derek Sherinian (keyboards), and will be available via Frontiers Music SRL on Friday, October 16th.
Joel Hoekstra is a guitarist in the legendary Whitesnake and is also well known for his work with Trans Siberian Orchestra, Night Ranger and the hit show Rock of Ages.
MelodicRock.com is proud to present the exclusive video premiere of the new JOEL HOEKSTRA's 13 song Until I Left You (from the album Dying to Live), featuring vocals by JEFF SCOTT SOTO.
Joel states: "Until I Left You is a song about growing older, setting aside your insecurities and realizing that you're able to become the person you've wanted to be. The song represents the poppier/hookier side of Dying to Live. I'm looking forward to releasing the edgier/heavier tracks as well, but hoping you'll have this one stuck in your head until that happens! The understated, tasteful playing of Vinny Appice, Tony Franklin and Derek Sherinian provide an amazing support for the guitars and of course the amazing vocal delivery of Jeff Scott Soto makes the song!"
Until I Left You- words and music written by Joel Hoekstra
Joel Hoekstra - guitar
Jeff Scott Soto - vocals
Vinny Appice - drums
Tony Franklin - bass
Derek Sherinian - keys
Pre-orders are now available on Amazon (CD & MP3) and iTunes (MP3). All MP3 pre-orders include instant downloads of "Until I Left You" and first single, "Anymore" (featuring Russell Allen).
