Legendary British Melodic Rockers FM return with the anticipated new album‘Heroes & Villains’ - Out on Frontiers in April
Arguably the UK’s finest purveyors of Melodic Rock music, FM will release their new studio album ‘Heroes & Villains’ on April 17th in Europe and April 21st in North America.
‘Heroes & Villains’ is FM’s first album release since signing to Frontiers Music Srl, and follows the band’s highly acclaimed 2014 E.P. ‘Futurama’ and sell-out UK arena tour with Foreigner and Europe. FM’s UK tour kicks-off at in Bristol on Friday, 1st May, and includes dates in Wolverhampton, Portsmouth, Nottingham, Glasgow, Newcastle and Manchester, with the final night of the tour taking place at London’s O2 Shepherds Bush Empire on Sunday, 10th May and will be anticipated by the band’s eagerly awaited performance at the Frontiers Rock Festival in Trezzo sull’Adda (Milan) Italy on April 11th.
The fourth album since FM reformed in 2007, ‘Heroes and Villains’ sees FM staying true to their musical legacy, offering their classic sound updated, with great songwriting and performances spiced-up by the golden voice of lead vocalist Steve Overland. Self-produced, the recording session took place at Tremolo Studios, before being mixed and mastered at Abbey Road Studios.
Looking forward to the release of ‘Heroes and Villains’, Steve Overland said, “I think we have managed to capture the best elements of what the band are about in 2015. We had great fun making the record and we are all very proud of the finished result. There are big rock anthems in tracks like ‘Diggin' Up The Dirt’ and ‘Fire and Rain’, and many melodic songs with FM’s trademark hooks and vocal harmonies. There are also not one, but two ballads. One of these (Walking With Angels) is a stripped-down acoustic song, which is something a little different for us.”
The band’s drummer, Pete Jupp, added, “After our shows in November the band was white hot and the creative juices were in full flow, so the writing and recording process for Heroes and Villains was a prolific and painless affair. We're looking forward to getting back out on tour, straining at the leash.”
Merv Goldsworthy, FM’s bassist, agrees: “All the songs all came together really quickly and the recording of the album went without a hitch. Once we started getting the mixes back of the first few songs we knew we were onto something. Heroes & Villains is a little rockier and a little more up tempo than Rockville, and that suits me fine! I'm really looking forward to touring this album this year - bring it on!”
Guitarist Jim Kirkpatrick confirmed what FM fans already know: “We're on a roll! Some of the tracks on this album are better than anything that the band has ever produced, and Steve’s voice is as good as ever."
Keyboard player Jem Davis, who has given the album a retro sheen by incorporating a Moog, Mellotron and a healthy dose of Hammond organ, is equally excited: “The band is on fire and the new album sounds HUGE! I think this is going to be an amazing year for FM!”
The album EPK can be enjoyed here:
FM – HEROES AND VILLAINS TOUR DATES:
March 13 - Bedford, Esquires UK
March 14 - Pwllheli, HRH AOR 3 - Hafan Y Mor Holiday Park UK
April 3 – Grimsby Yardbirds UK
April 4 – Nantwich, Nantwich Jazz Festival Civic Hall UK
April 11 - Trezzo SUll’Adda (Milano) Frontiers Rock Festival Live Club Italy
May 1 – Bristol, Bierkeller UK
May 2– Wolverhampton, Robin 2 UK
May 3 – Portsmouth, Wedgewood Rooms UK
May 5 – Nottingham, Rescue Rooms UK
May 6 – Glasgow, Classic Grand UK
May 8 – Newcastle, O2 Academy UK
May 9 – Manchester, Academy 2 UK
May 10 – London, O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire UK
June 21 –Dessel, Graspop Metal Meeting Belgium
July 25 - Maidstone, Ramblin' Man Fair Mote Park UK
Track by track guide to ‘Heroes and Villains’, by FM guitarist Jim Kirkpatrick
Digging Up The Dirt - A hard-edged song about tabloid sleaze. A track where the band tried to capture a 'big production' sound. We all knew that this was the album opener.
You're The Best Thing About Me - A late contender for the album by Steve that the rest of band loved immediately. It’s a great driving song that harks back to some of FM's earlier material.
Life Is A Highway - Steve brought the original idea to rehearsal and then the band all chipped in to create this inspired melodic rocker. One of the band’s favourites on Heroes And Villains.
Fire And Rain - One of the heavier, riff inspired tracks on the album.
Incredible - The big FM power ballad of the album, this is a song that Steve and Jim originally wrote and then presented to the band to get the FM treatment. The track also features a string quartet.
Call On Me - This song was originally written by Merv many years ago and was recorded at the very first session after FM reformed in 2008 at Metropolis Studios for the then untitled Metropolis album. The band was unhappy with the song until a new chorus was written last year. It’s probably the biggest chorus on the album and another great driving song!
Cold Hearted - A real team effort created this song at a rehearsal. It was the first song recorded for Heroes And Villains and originally debuted on the Futurama EP in 2014. It’s already a live favourite.
Shape I'm In - A song about a guy who falls apart after his wife/girlfriend leaves him. Power-pop with a big chorus.
Big Brother - Another heavy track about the ever-increasing Orwellian world that we live in.
Some Days I Only Wanna Rock And Roll - A fun workout inspired by a great title that Merv had. Listen out for a bit of sax at the end.
I Want You - Originally an idea of Pete's. A great fun, catchy song, definitely old-school FM, and sure to become a fan favourite.
Walking With Angels - A first for FM - no drums or bass, just acoustic guitars, a few keyboards, vocals and a string quartet. A haunting track that shows off Steve Overland's voice a treat.
ISSA is back with her anticipated new all original album release “Crossfire” - Out on Frontiers Music Srl in February!
Frontiers Music Srl is excited to present “Crossfire” the brand new studio album from ISSA the popular Melodic Rock Norwegian singer, which will be released on the label on February 20th in Europe and February 24th2015 in North America.
This new release goes straight in a classic Melodic Rock / AOR musical direction with huge vocals, layers of keyboards and masses of guitars! Think ROXETTE meets ROMEO’S DAUGHTER melted with 80’s HEART albums, with a more up to date production and you won't be far away.
The album has been carefully produced by John Greatwood along with VEGA ivory-tinkler James Martin. Sessions started in early 2013 with a bunch of songs ISSA had co-written or demoed in the Martin Brothers songwriting sessions
Issa says: “After 5 years of working together with Tom and James, we had come up with a collection of songs I had to keep for myself.'' One song in particular sees ISSA teaming up with FM vocalist Steve Overland on the dramatic ballad “Raintown”. “This was a dream come true for me,” tells the Norwegian chanteuse. “Steve Overland is probably my favorite male singer and to get him on board was a true honor, his voice suits the song perfectly, wait till you hear this one!”
Other guest musicians stepped up when asked upon to perform solo's include Daniel Palmqvist (XORIGIN), Alessandro Del Vecchio (HARDLINE), Steve Newman (NEWMAN), Robert Sall (WORK OF ART), Daniel Johansson (DEGREED), Stephen Chesney. As well as powerhouse choir including Pete Newdeck (IN FAITH/TAINTED NATION), Matt Black (FAHRAN) and Michael Kew (VEGA).
Look out for the moody and slick “New Horizon,” the ballsy rocker ''Electric Lights'' and the spine tingling ''Ghost Inside my Heart',' not forgetting the song with a million dollar chorus “Heartbeat”, plus the video track “Crossfire”. You can enjoy now the album EPK with an Issa interview and samples of new songs on YouTube:
“Crossfire” tracklisting includes: Crossfire; New Horizon; Raintown; Long Time Coming; Fight Fire With Rain; Heartbeat; Electric Lights; Ghost; Inside My Heart; Red Lights; We Rise; Only You.
ISSA:
Issa - vocals and bv's
James Martin – Keyboards
Tom Martin - bass and Guitars
Michael Cruise – Drums
Special guest: Steve Overland – duet on “Raintown”
