Los Angeles hard rockers HEAVEN & EARTH release HARD TO KILL, October 6 on Quarto Valley Records. It’s available to pre-order via HEAVEN & EARTH’s PledgeMusic campaign. In addition to pre-ordering HARD TO KILL, fans can purchase a range of exclusive merchandise and special offerings from the band, including signed albums, guitars, posters and lyric sheets, Skype lessons with each band member, and even a Skype cooking lesson with singer Joe Retta. A lyric video for “The Game Has Changed” was recently released and can be seen on the band’s official YouTube page. It will be available on iTunes September 22.
HEAVEN & EARTH features Joe Retta (lead vocals, guitar, harmonica), Stuart Smith (guitars), Lynn Sorensen (bass and vocals), keyboardist Ty Baillie (who has played with Katy Perry and Robbie Robertson), and essential to the album with his songwriting and drumming is Kenny Aronoff, who has been a sideman to countless bands both live and in-studio including Bob Seger, John Mellencamp, and the Rolling Stones. His distinctive style and energyis one to behold on HARD TO KILL. While on tour, the band includes musicians Mike Mangan (Hammond organ and keyboards) and Steven Wilson (drums, percussion, vocals).
Taking HARD TO KILL as a whole, the 11 original songs ring true and the melodies unfold like you have known them your whole life. The title track serves as the band’s anthem, a testament to perseverance and the power of rock. “L.A. Blues” exposes the pitfalls of living in the City of Angels, while “The Game Has Changed” dramatically contrasts the past with the present. Meanwhile, “Til It’s Over” will earn the admiration of longtime rock listeners, just as the attitude in “Bleed Me Dry” and “Walk Away” will speak to any modern music fan.
With guidance from Ritchie Blackmore, Smith’s own performing career took him across Europe with various bands, through New York City, and ultimately to Los Angeles where he first formed HEAVEN & EARTH. The band released two previous albums before he met singer Joe Retta about a decade
HEAVEN & EARTH founder/guitarist Stuart Smith was born in Great Britain, the son of an RAF jet fighter pilot, and he was originally classically trained on the guitar from the age of 8. After seeing a Deep Purple concert in the early ‘70s, he got turned on to rock & roll. When he was 19 years old, he met guitarist Ritchie Blackmore and the two became fast friends. Blackmore instantly took Smith under his wing and mentored him.ago, when both men were touring with The Sweet, known for the classic hits “Ballroom Blitz” and “Fox On The Run.” After developing a strong writing partnership, Retta and Smith joined forces to continue the HEAVEN & EARTH legacy.
A native of Rochester, NY, Retta established himself as one of the most versatile singers in Los Angeles. He has performed with The Sweet, Gregg Rolie, Dio Disciples, and Trans-Siberian Orchestra. With Retta out in front, his powerful vocals and world-class musicianship are integral to HEAVEN & EARTH’s epic sound.
Bassist Lynn Sorensen, a Seattle native, has performed all across the globe with Bad Company and in Paul Rodgers’ band. As a teen, Sorensen studied classical violin and viola; to this day, he maintains a passion for classical music.
“We feel that HARD TO KILL is definitely the band’s best work yet, and we’re excited to see how it’s received,” says guitarist Stuart Smith. “We’re looking forward to going on tour and playing selections from all four HEAVEN & EARTH albums, as well as a few surprises.”
“The reinvention of rock comes to you from HEAVEN & EARTH. A band that brings every riff you ever wanted into the 21st century"
—Chris Lord-Alge, Multi Grammy® Award-winning mix engineer
"The new album from HEAVEN & EARTH is the real deal. Many great songs start out as a great riff, and this album is full of them. Intention, intensity, and emotion. All three are in play here. Well done, guys. Keep On Rocking!"
—Edgar Winter
“On all fronts, HARD TO KILL is an album that demands your attention. I recommend a total surrender, because those who absorb its savage beauty will be rewarded with a transcendent musical experience.”
HEAVEN & EARTH: Stuart Smith (Guitar), Joe Retta (Vocals), Lynn Sorensen (Bass/Vocals),
Ty Bailie (Keyboards) and Simon Wright (Drums)
HEAVEN & EARTH--the Los Angeles-based quintet who masterfully fuseelements of hard rock, blues and bits of classical on their acclaimed album Dig, which they toured Europe in support of throughout 2014--are back in the studio working on a new album (produced by Dave Jenkins and available via Quarto Valley Records) set to be released this fall (title and date TBA). In between writing and recording the new album, HEAVEN & EARTH--Stuart Smith (band founder/guitarist), Joe Retta (vocals), Kenny Aronoff (drums), Lynn Sorensen of Paul Rogers/Bad Company (bass/vocals) and Ty Bailie (keyboards)--will make an appearance at the Vasby Rock Festival in Stockholm, Sweden on Saturday, July 17. Simon Wright (AC/DC, Dio) will be filling in on drums for Aronoff, the band's regular drummer, as he's currently on tour with John Fogerty.
Says Stuart: "We've been hard at work writing for the new Heaven & Earth album which has been a long process as we felt we had a lot to live up to after Dig. We spent 14 months crafting and recording the songs for that album--and after all the positive reviews and press, myself and Bruce Quarto, our record company president, felt that we had to bring out something equally as good or better. We've been aiming for the 'better' end of the bar we previously set." Stuarts adds: "I'm pleased to say that we've got quite a few new songs that we're really happy with and will be releasing a few teasers very soon. We'll also be debuting a few songs off the new upcoming Heaven & Earth album at the Vasby Festival this month so we're really looking forward to that. On a personal note I'd like add that I'm really looking forward to playing live for the first time my 'Stuart Smith Signature Model' guitar built by Aero3 Guitars. It's been sounding amazing on recordings and rehearsals but I'm looking forward to blasting it out at a big festival."
HEAVEN & EARTH connected strongly with music audiences on their 2014 17-date European tour, garnering strong reviews along the way.
"Those in the venue witnessed a very special show in an intimate setting and such an opportunity won`t be available for long as the band are destined for much bigger venues." (METAL EXPRESS RADIO)
"What a Night!...On the evidence of this performance, you should move on Heaven & Earth, not to miss them!" (ROCKTOPIA)
"Heaven & Earth may well have delivered one of the best shows of the year....A very special show by a hugely talented band" (THE NEWCASTLE CHRONICLE)
"The highly acclaimed quintet from Los Angeles have a created a fusion of Blues and Hard Rock with a touch of classical which contains everything you could wish for...power anthems, ballads and melodic rock rub shoulders in a rather potent mix" (THE BOLTON NEWS)
HEAVEN & EARTH's third studio album, Dig--released April, 2013 on Quarto Valley Records--was produced by Dave Jenkins--who's turned the knobs for everyone from Metallica to Tower of Power. The album features special guests Howard Leese (Heart, Paul Rodgers), Richie Sambora (Bon Jovi) and David Paich (Toto). HEAVEN & EARTH's music comes together explosively on the album's first single "No Money, No Love" and its controversial video which has logged over 545,000 views and can be viewed here: http://tinyurl.com/cdopr5d. Stream Dig onSoundCloud or Spotify now.
About HEAVEN & EARTH:
The origins of HEAVEN & EARTH align the band's founder and visionary, Stuart Smith, with a rich lineage of rock's most celebrated musicians. Kelly Hansen (Foreigner), Joe Lynn Turner (Rainbow) and Kelly Keeling (King Kobra) all fronted the band at various junctures. Guitarists Richie Sambora (Bon Jovi) and Howard Leese (Heart, Paul Rodgers), singer and bassist Glenn Hughes (Deep Purple, Black Country Communion), bassist Steve Priest (Sweet) and drummer Carmine Appice (Jeff Beck Group/Vanilla Fudge/Rod Stewart), among others, have each contributed their extraordinary talents to HEAVEN & EARTH's first two albums: Heaven & Earth Featuring Stuart Smith (1994) and Windows to the World (2000).HEAVEN & EARTH's groundbreaking debut album, Heaven & Earth Featuring Stuart Smith, is considered a cult classic and brought Smith to the forefront of the guitar elite being compared in the press to Deep Purple's RitchieBlackmore,JeffBeck, Eric Clapton and Jimmy Page and garneringSmith the award for "Best Guitarist" and "Best NewCD" for three years running at the Los Angeles All Access Music Awards. In the summer of 2012, the guitarist set out to mold HEAVEN & EARTH into a world-class recording and touring band which led to the recording of their new album Dig and now the future has never looked brighter for the band.
HEAVEN & EARTH IN THE STUDIO WITH NEW BAND LINEUP WORKING ON NEW ALBUM SET FOR EARLY 2015 RELEASE
NEW BAND MEMBERS INCLUDE: KENNY ARONOFF (DRUMS),
LYNN SORENSEN (BASS/VOCALS) AND TY BAILIE (KEYBOARDS)
HEAVEN & EARTH: Stuart Smith (Guitar), Joe Retta (Vocals), Lynn Sorensen (Bass/Vocals), Ty Bailie (Keyboards) and Kenny Aronoff (Drums)
Coming off last year’s acclaimed album Dig and an enthusiastically received 17-date 2014 European concert tour, HEAVEN & EARTH--who masterfully fuseelements of hard rock, blues and bits of classical--are back in the studio working on a new album (produced by Dave Jenkins and available via Quarto Valley Records) for 2015 with a new lineup. The Los Angeles-based band’s heralded musicians Stuart Smith (band founder/guitarist) and Joe Retta (vocals) are now joined by Kenny Aronoff (drums), Lynn Sorensen of Paul Rogers/Bad Company (bass/vocals) and Ty Bailie (keyboards).
Stuart Smith, an England-raised protégé of Ritchie Blackmore, is excited to share this news about the new HEAVEN & EARTH album (title and release date are TBA) and line-up. He says: "Joe Retta and I couldn't be more excited that Quarto Valley Records are once again behind us and that we have Lynn, Kenny and Ty on the new album. The writing chemistry between us is great and we have about 20 good ideas in the pot so far which we're working on. I think it's going to be Heaven & Earth's best album yet."
HEAVEN & EARTH’s new line-up includes:
Kenny Aronoff, among the world’s most in-demand session drummers, will bring his tremendous drive, enthusiasm and creativity to HEAVEN & EARTH. In the mid-80s, Kenny began to develop an enormously successful career as a studio musician and went on to tour worldwide with artists including The Smashing Pumpkins, Bob Seger, John Fogerty, Melissa Etheridge, Joe Cocker, Willie Nelson, Styx, Goo Goo Dolls, Billy Gibbons, Ringo Starr, Dr. John, Gregg Allman, and many many more.
Seasoned bassist/vocalist Lynn Sorensen--who’s been Paul Rodgers’ long time bass player and backing vocalist for over 10 years and moved over to Bad Company with Paul when he reformed Bad Company in 2008--is excited to join the band: "As a long time fan of Heaven & Earth it is an honor to have the opportunity to play with them. The Dig album simply blows my mind," says Lynn.
Established B3 player/first-class keyboardist and founding member of the award-winning progressive jazz duo Ego Band USA, Ty Bailie brings his exceptional talents to HEAVEN & EARTH. Ty’s diverse talent and love of all things music has lead to him performing with a myriad of musical icons including: Steve Cropper (Booker T. and the M.G.’s), Kenny Burrell, Peter Frampton, Robbie Robertson (Bob Dylan, the Band), Wanda Jackson, Duff McKagan (Guns N’ Roses), Mike McCready (Pearl Jam), Ann Wilson (Heart), Ace Frehley (KISS), Counting Crows, Soundgarden, Yes and Tool, among others.
HEAVEN & EARTH connected strongly with music audiences on their 17-date European tour, garnering strong reviews along the way. The band will return to Europe next year when they play the Vasby Festival in Stockholm, Sweden July 17-28, 2015.
“Those in the venue witnessed a very special show in an intimate setting and such an opportunity won`t be available for long as the band are destined for much bigger venues.” (Metal Express Radio)
“What a Night!…On the evidence of this performance, you should move on Heaven & Earth, not to miss them!” (Rocktopia)
“Heaven & Earth may well have delivered one of the best shows of the year….A very special show by a hugely talented band” (The Newcastle Chronicle)
“The highly acclaimed quintet from Los Angeles have a created a fusion of Blues and Hard Rock with a touch of classical which contains everything you could wish for…power anthems, ballads and melodic rock rub shoulders in a rather potent mix” (The Bolton News)
HEAVEN & EARTH’s last album Dig (released this past April on Quarto Valley Records) was produced by Dave Jenkins--who’s turned the knobs for everyone from Metallica to Tower of Power---and features special guests Howard Leese (Heart, Paul Rodgers), Richie Sambora (Bon Jovi) and David Paich (Toto). HEAVEN & EARTH’s music comes together explosively on the album’s first single “No Money, No Love” and its controversial video which has logged over 500,000 view and can be viewed here: http://tinyurl.com/cdopr5d. Click here to stream Dig.
About HEAVEN & EARTH:
The origins of HEAVEN & EARTH align the band’s founder and visionary, Stuart Smith, with a rich lineage of rock’s most celebrated musicians. Kelly Hansen (Foreigner), Joe Lynn Turner (Rainbow) and Kelly Keeling (King Kobra) all fronted the band at various junctures. Guitarists Richie Sambora (Bon Jovi) and Howard Leese (Heart, Paul Rodgers), singer and bassist Glenn Hughes (Deep Purple, Black Country Communion), bassist Steve Priest (Sweet) and drummer Carmine Appice (Jeff Beck Group/Vanilla Fudge/Rod Stewart), among others, have each contributed their extraordinary talents to HEAVEN & EARTH’s first two albums: Heaven & Earth Featuring Stuart Smith (1994) and Windows to the World (2000). HEAVEN & EARTH’s groundbreaking debut album, Heaven & Earth Featuring Stuart Smith, is considered a cult classic and brought Smith to the forefront of the guitar elite being compared in the press to Deep Purple’s RitchieBlackmore, JeffBeck, Eric Clapton and Jimmy Page and garnering Smith the award for "Best Guitarist" and "Best NewCD" for three years running at the Los Angeles All Access Music Awards. In the summer of 2012, the guitarist set out to mold HEAVEN & EARTH into a world-class recording and touring band which led to the recording of their new album Dig and now the future has never looked brighter for the band.
Critical acclaim for HEAVEN & EARTH’s 2013 studio album, Dig, here:
“…the album does a fantastic job at showcasing every possible side of the music…a band can create.” --Kristyn Clarke, POPCULTUREMADNESS.COM, March 12, 2013
"The songs are utterly amazing with incredible vocals and hooks that lodge themselves on the brain and refuse to leave for days." --Gerry Gittelson, METALSLUDGE.TV.COM, April 5, 2013
“Heaven & Earth is a band that has the true spirit of real rock and roll running through their hearts and souls…Dig…will have fans of guitar driven hard rock wetting their pants with excitement upon first listen.” --Jeb Wright, CLASSICROCKREVISITED.COM, March 25, 2013
“Tapping into the methodology and madness of old-school rock with a new-school attitude, Heaven & Earth are shaking their classic rock roots down to the very core on their newest effort, Dig…” --Robert Cavuoto,GUITARINTERNATIONAL.COM, February 21, 2013
“…it has been quite some time anyone has heard a solid album’s worth of this particular style of music — majestic, triumphant, straight forward rock, without any of today's assembly line, paint-by-numbers blandness…Dig offers up 12 compositions, that will…satisfy…fans of solid musicianship, excellent songwriting skills, and music that stands above whatever is being passed off as rock music today…Retta's vocals are dynamic, and strong, an excellent choice to deliver these songs. He sings with confident conviction, a trait necessary for this style of hard rocking, but always melodic, rock and roll…Music of this caliber deserves to be heard.” --Bruce Forrest, VINTAGEROCK.COM, April 8, 2013
“Dig truly is a ‘band’ album. The mix, with guitars audible, focuses on presenting all instruments on an equal level and provides the framework for Retta to lay down his vocals…The music on Dig is bold, deliberate and powerful.” --John Kindred, HARDROCKHAVEN.NET, March 11, 2013
“Heaven & Earth re-instill the music industry with timeless tracks off of their upcoming album, ‘Dig’…‘Dig’ resurrects the era by emphasizing the instrumental and lyrical diversity of classic rock.” --Lonnie Nemiroff, SHOCKYA.COM, March 7, 2013
“This is an album that absolutely must be heard by any purist and old school rock fan. With those piercing and psychedelically hypnotizing riffs, licks and solos, the calming and chilling vocals and more, Heaven & Earth are one of those bands that make you say ‘where has this been?’” --Reggie Edwards, THEFRONTROWREPORT.COM, March 4, 2013
“A new era has begun, folks. Or, should I say an old era has resurfaced...this new era has a fresh new face building a solid rock fortress upon that foundation. It’s Heaven & Earth.” --Scott Itter,DRMUSIC.ORG, March 17, 2013
“If you’re a fan of classic rock, and you’re looking for a new band to get excited about, look no further than the melodic rock quintet - Heaven & Earth…This [Dig] 12 track, epic retro-rock masterpiece is an uncompromising throw back to the vintage sounds of the 1980’s versions of Rainbow and Bad Company, in sound, style and musicianship…Every song can stand on its own and sadly, that’s really not very common nowadays. --Thomas Orwat Jr., ROCKMUSICSTAR.COM, March 22, 2013
“‘Dig’ is twelve songs deep with each and every offering creating another facet of classic rock and roll performance." -- East Chapman, MAINEMUSICNEWS.COM, March 17, 2013
"Their new album ‘Dig’ sums up the last forty years of rock music. You can hear their influence from the seventies, but it has a very modern energy and attitude, but most importantly these guys know how to play their instruments. Singer Joe Retta's voice is a combination of Paul Rodgers and Chris Cornell." --Bob Zerrull, ZOIKSONLINE.COM, April 2, 2013
“Heaven and Earth got it right…from the production, to the riffs, to the incredible keyboard sound, the propelling vocals, the concept, the artwork it all just fits and puts every classic rocker back in time where this music once rule the land…” --Denys Jaime, MYGLOBALMIND.COM, April 12, 2013
“…Dig is clearly a strong candidate for album of the year.” --Joseph Suto, ROCKSHOWCRITIQUE.COM, May 14, 2013
“The new Heaven And Earth release, Dig…is a future classic that will influence the bands of the future. With its heavy guitar driven sound and thick Hammond organ, Dig is a masterpiece.” -- Jeffrey Easton,METALEXILES.COM, May 21, 2013
“Heaven + Earth has created a masterpiece.” --Adam Waldman, HARDROCKDADDY.COM, June 5, 2012
