BRYAN COLE has been receiving some outstanding reviews d fan feedback for his debut album Sands Of Time.
There a sample below. But before you read those, please download and keep his exclusive new Christmas song from Bryan as a thank you for all the great feedback to date.
And if you haven’t already, grab a copy of the album right now!
'Sands of Time' Reviews:
“Bryan is one of the brightest new artists to hit the melodic rock scene and this debut record from him will confirm that to anyone who takes the time to listen to it, which, if you are fan of this genre, you owe it to yourself to do so. It is a stellar piece of work. Huge vocals, huge melodies and huge hooks. It is everything that AOR should be. Not since I first heard Hitchcock and Scherer have I been this excited about a new artist for this style of melodic rock.
This is, hands down, a must have for fans of artists like the above mentioned, fans of AOR and fans of clean, clear vocal melodic rock. Absolutely superb without any filler anywhere to be found. Five stars all the way!”
“To summarize Melodic Records have created nothing short of a melodic masterpiece with ‘Sands Of Time’ the big hooks, the big choruses, the great riffs there is something for everyone and even a little more. If you are lucky enough to find Bryan Cole’s ‘Sands Of Time’ in your Christmas stocking this year then your loved one really does love you, as this is a gift that will just keep giving you joy all year every year. Rating 10 ~ http://werockwebzine.co.uk/bryan-cole-sands-of-time-review
“….played with great skill, the Bryan voice is perfect for the kind proposed. To this is added that the new songs are really high bill and cover proposals are nevertheless of considerable caliber general!
Ultimately an album that anyone who loves Melodic Rock should listen to this in 2016.” www.melodicrock.it
“'Sands Of Time' is a strong first-up effort from Bryan, and I'm kinda astounded the melodic rock world generally, has not heard of this guy before now. With a collection of eleven tunes tailor-made for fans of our favourite sub-genre of rock, I'm thinking this CD sits right up there as one of the best releases from MRR this year. We can hope that Bryan progresses onward from this debut, because he definitely needs to have a brace of albums under his belt to show off his undeniable talent. One of the better pure melodic hard rock albums of 2016.” http://gdm.glorydazemusic.com/articles.php?article_id=6414
“It seems that the label Melodic Rock is determined to compete with the major releases of the seals that usually monopolize the market with the most melodic pitches. After releasing the incredible album of Mecca now it offers another disc that should not be overlooked if you're a big fan of albums such as Dion has published Bayman, B. Walker Satin or why not.”
New artists are what will sustain and grow this scene. It is essential to develop and expose new talent and despite the challenges of doing such, MelodicRock Records continues to bring the best undiscovered artists to the ever hungry fans of all things melodic.
One of Pittsburgh’s most gifted singer/guitarists will make his mark with this debut. Please make room in your music collections for BRYAN COLE and his sensational debut album ‘Sands Of Time’.
20 essential guitarists that we couldn’t have lived without over the past 20 years. There are of course many more, but this is 20 that have really stood out for me and contributed so many records to my collection. Hopefully this list will remind you of their contributions to this scene over the past 20 years.
In no particular order:
- Magnus Karlsson (Allen/Lande, Starbreaker, Freefall, Primal Fear, Last Tribe, Kiske Sommerville)
- Erik Martensson (Eclipse, W.E.T, Toby Hitchcock, Jimi Jamison, The Friday Nights, Ammunition, Nordic Union)
Frontiers Music Srl is pleased to announce the release of the highly anticipated new studio album from PRIDE OF LIONS, 'Fearless' on January 27, 2017.
When Frontiers released Pride Of Lions' groundbreaking first album in 2003, many people asked, 'Is this one of those project bands that do one or two albums and then disappear - or a real band with staying power?'
Now, in the year 2017 the answer to that question will be very clear as the band release their FIFTH studio album, Fearless! Additionally, their best selling 'Live In Belgium' album and video proves to the world that Jim Peterik and Toby Hitchcock and the powerful Pride Of Lions band is not just a studio concoction, but a live force to be reckoned with, headlining shows in America and Europe.
'We are always trying to top ourselves,' states singer/ songwriter/ guitarist Jim Peterik. 'This time I went back and listened closely to all the previous albums to hear the strongest assets of each record: what was working and what could be improved. I went into writing the Fearless material keeping that in mind. I feel it sticks closer to the template we set with our first release, yet goes to new places musically as well like using a Kansas- style fiddle- played by Andrew Ohlrich- on the video/single 'All I See is You'."
The songs and performances on Fearless are...well... truly fearless. The title track blazes from the speakers gaining steam with every chorus. 'Take the highest ground- stand and fight- you gotta be harder- you gotta be tougher- you gotta be- fearless!' This could be the new battle cry for Rocky Balboa or any common man needing to make a difference in the world.
'When I got together with Jim in Chicago to record, things just caught fire,' enthuses Toby. 'I sang 12 vocals in two days! That's how inspired I was with the new material.'
'Toby hit new heights on this one,' raves Jim. 'I was sitting behind the recording console with Larry Millas just one big goose bump as Toby glided from hard rockers like 'Rising Up', classic melodic rock like 'All I See Is You' to a heartfelt ode to timeless love- 'Everlasting Love.'
Future classics include 'The Tell', where the main character is giving off signals she may not even realize to the mesmerizing magic of 'Silent Music' ('I can't help it if I talk funny- I can't express the way I feel in spoken words- hold on') to the mysterious 'Freedom of the Night'. That last one was written with former Jimi Jamison keyboardist Hal Butler and the lyric, chord changes and melody seem to channel what Jimi might now be singing if his life had not been tragically cut short.
'The last track is one of my faves,' states Toby Hitchcock. 'I think we all can relate to the often painful process of figuring out just who we are and how we fit on this planet. 'Unmasking the Mystery' is not something that happens all at once- it happens over time and on our last day we still won't have all the answers.'
The album will be supported by live dates- in the States and abroad with the first show on January 28th as a part of Jim Peterik's World Stage at Wentz Hall in Naperville, Illinois.
In early 2017, expect the premiere of the music video for 'All I See Is You' directed by Greg Bizzarro. Greg has directed every POL video thus far, as well as the popular 'Cold Blooded' video by Peterik / Scherer which starred Leann Marie of 'I Can't Hold Back' video fame.
So crank it up! The louder the better, after all 'You gotta be fearless!!!'
'Fearless' tracklisting:
1. All I See Is You!
2. The Tell
3. In Caricature
4. Silent Music
5. Fearless
6. Everlasting Love
7. Freedom Of The Night
8. The Light In Your Eyes
9. Rising Up
10. The Silence Says It All
11. Faster Than A Prayer
12. Unmasking The Mystery
PRIDE OF LIONS
Jim Peterik: Vocals, Guitar, Keyboards
Toby Hitchcock: Vocals
Ed Breckenfeld - drums
Klem Hayes - bass
Mike Aquino - guitar
Christian Cullen - keyboards
BRETT WALKER Cover by Bryan Cole from the debut album 'Sands Of Time' New artists are what will sustain and grow this scene. It is essential to develop and expose new talent and despite the challenges of doing such, MelodicRock Records continues to bring the best undiscovered artists to the ever hungry fans of all things melodic. On November 25, one of Pittsburg’s most gifted singer/guitarists will make his mark. Please make room in your music collections for BRYAN COLE and his sensational debut album ‘Sands Of Time’. Melodic rock fans have been in need of an album just like this – the classic sound of bands like Giant, Bad English, Survivor and both Pride Of Lions and Brett Walker – the latter two artists both included in the material that comprises Sands Of Time.
New artists are what will sustain and grow this scene. It is essential to develop and expose new talent and despite the challenges of doing such, MelodicRock Records continues to bring the best undiscovered artists to the ever hungry fans of all things melodic.
On November 25, one of Pittsburgh’s most gifted singer/guitarists will make his mark. Please make room in your music collections for BRYAN COLE and his sensational debut album ‘Sands Of Time’.
Melodic rock fans have been in need of an album just like this – the classic sound of bands like Giant, Bad English, Survivor and both Pride Of Lions and Brett Walker – the latter two artists both included in the material that comprises Sands Of Time.
Bryan Cole - "I have to say that I took a lot of time and care in recording my debut album ‘Sands Of Time’ and I knew I would go through the same process in finding the right label home for my music. I'm proud and honored to be a part of the MRR family and all the talented acts on their roster. Andrew McNeice and Melodic Rock Records, truly cares about their artists and I'm humbled and honored that they gave me a chance to make MY music and give me the extraordinary opportunities that the label offersSands of Time is truly the first album project that is so honest, so pure and so Me! Every musical and vocal influence from my earliest memory, through my adult life is shown ever so clearly in this record and I'm so proud of it!"
The whole idea for the record came from Bryan recording a demo of the classic Brett Walker/Carl Dixon song ‘More Than a Memory.’ The feedback was unanimous, with Bryan receiving very positive and encouraging responses.
“I knew I was on to something very special. I began searching and writing material with the hopes of finding enough great songs to record a EP or full length album. During the course of this grueling process, I had experienced many personal and life changing experiences. The loss of several loved ones had brought me to my lowest point emotionally and I felt I couldn't go on being creative and making music. Out of the blue, I received a message from an old friend in Nashville, TN that heard my demo and had an idea of the perfect person to hook me up with.”
That person would be none other than Jim Peterik from Survivor. Bryan grew up listening to Survivor, Journey and many other classic AOR/Melodic Rock groups of the late 70's and 80's, so working with Jim was a dream come true. Jim Peterik contributed four amazing songs to the project that followers of Jim will recognize quickly.
Bryan continued to look for more songs that fit his style and lyrically had the right substance that he was looking for. Songwriters Joie Scott, Larry King and Steven McClintock, graciously lent their writing talents to the project. Bryan decided to record a second great Brett Walker song and to complete the album, and together with his long time writing partner DJ Gleason the duo wrote two songs to round out the album.
In conclusion, Bryan elaborates on the album recording process: “In addition to all of the great songwriters, I wanted to bring in the right group of musicians to help in the recording process. My first pick was former Giant bassist Mike Brignardello. I've been a Giant fan from their first record and they have always been a major influence on my music. I contacted Mike through a mutual friend and he jumped at the chance to be a part of the record.
The recording took approximately one whole year, with recording all of the tracks in my home studio in Pittsburgh, PA and Mike Brignardello recording his tracks in Nashville. I then appointed my longtime friend and mix engineer Doug Kasper, to mix the record at Tonic Recording Studios in Pittsburgh. Throughout this process, I began friendly conversations online with various industry folks including Andrew McNeice of MelodicRock Records. I had expressed interest in finding the right label home upon completion of the record. I just had a great feeling that MRR, was going to be the right fit. I was right! After submitting some rough mixes, I was offered a record deal with MelodicRock Records!
The label appointed Nello Dell'Omo to do the artwork and design and JK Northrup for final mastering. Both are absolutely brilliant! I'm honored to have worked with them.
To sum things up... Sands Of Time is a true inside look of who I really am. The musical and vocal influences that helped to mold me into the artist I am today and who I will continue to learn from. The happiness and sadness, as well as the struggles. They are all grains of sand that make me who I am.....the beginning.”
‘Sands Of Time’ track listing:
01. Burning With A Reason (J.Peterik, J.Van Zant)
02. Hard To Find An Easy Way (B.Walker)
03. When Love Breaks (S.Mcclintock)
04. What Kind Of Fool (J.Peterik)
05. Turn To Me (J.Peterik)
06. I’ll Be There For You (B.Cole, D.Gleeson)
07. We Lost The Fire (B.Cole, D.Gleeson)
08. More Than A Memory (B.Walker, C.Dixon)
09. Is It Really Love (S.Mcclintock)
10. Courage To Love (J.Peterik)
11. Nothing Matters (J.Scott, L.King)
It’s time to take a look into ‘Sands Of Time’ with the lead track ‘We Lost The Fire’, one of Bryan’s original tunes, showing his guitar and vocal skills off perfectly.
The album is released November 25 via MRR.
Bio:
Born in a middle class suburb of Pittsburgh, PA, Bryan began his love of music at age five. At age seven, he performed his first show in front of Ten-Thousand people! He has not stopped since....
His early influence of great vocalists became evident, when he received his first Journey record "Infinity" and began focusing on groups like Journey, Survivor, Foreigner and Boston, to name a few. In addition, he was introduced to R&B, Blues and Country music. He loved and respected all genres of music.
Bryan fronted many local and regional bands before landing his first record deal. He performed with many top grossing acts including Ted Nugent, Quiet Riot, Eddie Money, Charlie Daniels Band, Reb Beach (Winger, Whitesnake), Kip Winger and many others.
Bryan has also devoted his career to many charities including The Paralyzed Veterans, The Veterans Wheelchair Games, The Animal Rescue League, The Mario Lemeuix Foundation, The Obediah/Cole Foundation, Fallen Officers and Music Cares.
His style of Melodic Rock, is strongly evident in his debut album "Sands Of Time" that has just been completed and set for worldwide release on Melodic Rock Records. Sands Of Time features eleven fantastic songs. Four of those songs written by Jim Peterik: the founding member of the rock group Survivor.
Bryan Cole is also a seasoned Record Producer and Mixing Engineer. He enjoys helping both aspiring and established artists achieve their fullest potential.
Will someone PLEASE tell FRANKIE SULLIVAN to let it go and channel his energies into actually creating something, instead of spending his days suing people.
This time it's his SURVIVOR co-founder JIM PETERIK yet again - for infringement on the Survivor name Jim signed his rights away to nearly two decades ago.
The artcile is below, but for the record, Jim co-founded the band Survivor and co-wrote everything with Frankie, and I've never seen him do anyting but proudly uphold the legacy of the name. And he always prefaces anything with 'former member of..." Dear me Frankie - just make some damn music already.
Original members of the iconic Chicago rock group Survivor, best known for the 1982 hit "Eye of the Tiger" from the movie "Rocky III," are rising up for a court fight over use of the band's name.
Guitarist Frank Sullivan, who started Survivor in 1977, filed suit in Chicago federal court Monday against co-founder James "Jim" Peterik for using the trademarked Survivor name without permission.
Sullivan and Peterik signed an agreement in 1995 granting Survivor Music exclusive use of the Survivor name. In 1996, Peterik "voluntarily departed" from Survivor, assigning all of his rights to use the band's trademarked name to Sullivan, according to the lawsuit.
Since that time, Sullivan has continued to perform and record as Survivor, touring as recently as two years ago until the August 2014 death of leader singer Jimi Jamison of a heart attack. Jamison joined Survivor in 1984, replacing Dave Bickler, lead singer on "Eye of the Tiger" and several other hits, who left the band at its height after developing polyps on his vocal cords.
The suit alleges that Peterik has illegally continued to use the Survivor name since departing the group, including promoting his solo career with the description "co-founder of Survivor" and subtitling his autobiography "The Rock 'n' Roll Life of Survivor's Founding Member."
Peterik, 65, who lives in the southwest suburbs, has a long history in Chicago rock music, dating to The Ides of March, which had the 1970 hit "Vehicle."
Bob Bergland, an original member of The Ides of March and Peterik's manager, said attorneys were reviewing Sullivan's lawsuit, and he declined further comment.
The five-count lawsuit asks that Peterik be ordered to stop using the Survivor trademark, "publicly acknowledge" that his goods and services are not connected with Survivor and deliver to the court all products under his control bearing the Survivor trademark for destruction.
The suit is seeking unspecified damages and all profits received by Peterik "as a result of his unlawful action."
New York, NY (August 5, 2015)—Survivor founding member Jim Peterik has been intensely busy over the last year, with the 2014 release of his autobiography Through The Eye Of The Tiger: The Rock ‘N’ Roll Life Of Survivor’s Founding Member (BenBella Books), and 50th Anniversary of his band The Ides of March, which recently released their 5-disc boxed set Last Band Standing – The Definitive 50-Year Anniversary Collection in April(Ides Of March Records).
Most musicians would be ready to take a break, but not the powerhouse that is Peterik! The singer-songwriter/guitarist is readying Eye Of The Writer – The Songs Of Jim Peterik – an unplugged CD and companion DVD that spans material from across his rich career. For his FIRST EVER unplugged release, Peterik is working with esteemed producer/arranger Fred Mollin, who is noted for his successful unplugged series of recordings with Jimmy Webb, Kris Kristofferson, Barry Mann, and Johnny Mathis, among others.
The project will delve into both Peterik’sSurvivor and Ides of March repertoire, and his solo work/achievements as a songwriter. Potential selections include the Grammy Winning, Oscar Nominated Rocky III anthem “Eye Of The Tiger,” 1970’s #1 Ides hit “Vehicle,” Survivor hits “High On You,”“Is This Love,” and “The Search Is Over,” and smash cuts he’s written made famous by other artists, such as .38 Special’s “Hold On Loosely,” “Rocking Into The Night,” and “Caught Up In You,” and Sammy Hagar’s #1 hit “Heavy Metal.”
There’s one more component to this very special release: he’s inviting his fans to be a part of creating this album via PledgeMusic.
A $35 donation to the PledgeMusic campaign will net a signed copy of Eye Of The Writer, along with a signed photo and an “Access Pass,” – an offer from PledgeMusic with a digital download of the album and access to behind-the-scenes updates during the course of the project’s creation. A donation of $2,000 will earn a custom song written and demoed for the donating fan.
However, the real prize is “The Ultimate Peterik Fan Experience,” in which a fan is invited to co-write a song with Jim, attend the final recording session, and perform the song onstage with him at a venue to be determined. Topped with a signed guitar from Jim’s personal collection, and Jim’s hand-signed original framed platinum copy of the “Eye Of The Tiger” single as originally presented to the band by Epic/Scotti Brothers Records. hand-signed original platinum framed copy of Eye Of The Tiger as originally presented to the band by Epic/Scotti Brothers Records, this high end reward is exclusively reserved for fans who donate $25,000.
"I am so pumped about this project and excited for you to be a part of it,” says Peterik. “I love the idea of my fans and friends in essence acting as my record company- having input- seeing behind the scenes and getting some cool stuff in exchange. It's the new reality of how to make a great record- and make a difference. Here's to the fun and great music we will make- together. Cheers!”
50 years in making, Eye Of The Writer – The Songs Of Jim Peterik will serve both as a unique retrospective of Jim’s outstanding career, and a very special gift to the fans for being there for the ride.
Rich Davenport's Rock Show this week features interviews with Jim Peterik, Helloween's Michael Weikath, Paul Raymond of UFO, guitar master Michael Angelo Batio, Jeff Scott Soto and heartland rocker Melissa Etheridge, and is now available for streaming at this link:
In the first hour, UFO keyboard player / rhythm guitarist Paul Raymond looks at the writing and recording of the band's latest album 'A Conspiracy of Stars', and discusses their current setlist on their ongoing live dates. Paul also looks at his career-spanning solo collection 'Rewind 50', recorded to mark his 50th anniversary in the music business, and featuring new recordings of songs he's written for UFO, MSG, and other projects.
Also in part 1, Melissa Etheridge talks about her latest solo album 'This Is M.E.', which sees her delivering her gutsy brand of heartland Rock with a few new twists. Melissa chooses two new tracks and a classic from her debut album.
In the second hour, Helloween guitarist Michael Weikath discusses new album 'My God Given Right', the band's 30th anniversary, and their touring plans, with 3 songs from the new release.
Jeff Scott Soto also drops in to talk about his new melodic Metal band Soto and their excellent debut release 'Inside The Vertigo', which sees Jeff returning to his Metal roots, whilst retaining the melodic sensibilities that have characterised his work in the Melodic Rock genre. Hear the band in action on Jeff's choice of 2 tracks from the album.
Guitar Jedi Master Michael Angelo Batio, who has taught countless guitarists around the world via his instructional DVDs and columns is interviewed about his recent 'Shred Force 1' collection, which features some of his best instrumental songs along with vocal numbers, on which he's accompanied by Queensryche frontman Todd La Torre and a stellar cast of Metal axemen including George Lynch, Mark Tremonti, Chris Poland, and many more.
And finally, one of the finest songwriters in the Rock genre, Jim Peterik, looks at his two recent releases, the Peterik-Scherer album 'Risk Everything', and a career-spanning package from his original band the Ides of March, who celebrate their 50th anniversary with the 'Last Band Standing' box set.
At the same site there is an archive of interviews by Howard Whitman, with folks like Ted Nugent, Joe Perry and Brad Whitford, Chris Squire, Bobby Lamm, Lawrence Gowan, and many more at www.tinyurl.com/howardwhitmanwrites
