Swedish hard rockers NUBIAN ROSE have inked a deal with UK label Livewire/Cargo Records. Their sophomore album, ‘Mental Revolution‘, is scheduled for a November release. The new album is armed with even heavier riffs, deeper melodies and a more mature production.
Sweden’s master producer and studio wizard, Tobias Lindell, who has produced albums such as ‘Tear The Walls Down‘ and ‘Address The Nation‘ by HEAT, ‘Split Your Lip, from Hardcore Superstar and ‘Last Look Of Eden‘, by Europe, has mixed ‘Mental Revolution‘ and given it an outstanding and impeccable sound. NUBIAN ROSE are planning on taking the next step of their career and aiming to hit the top division.
Christer said, “We are very happy to sign with Livewire/Cargo Records for our second album. They have a reputation as being one of the most honest and hardworking label’s in the business and that says A LOT in the music industry. They have also shown true love to NUBIAN ROSE and our music and that’s of course also very important to us“.
“It’s very exciting to be working with one of my favourite new bands of recent years and signing NUBIAN ROSE to Livewire/Cargo Records has been an aim for some time” –John Dryland (Cargo Records)
NUBIAN ROSE are:
Sofia Lilja Åkerlund – vocals Christer Åkerlund – lead guitar Simeon Liljegren – bass Torbjörn Weijnesjö – guitar, keyboards Thomas Weijnesjö – Drums
Founded in Stockholm, Sweden, in 2011, NUBIAN ROSE have already made a name for themselves as one of Sweden’s top acts when it comes to energetic, heavy riffing, melody driven, Hard Rock. NUBIAN ROSE evolves around the magnetic charisma and majestic voice of Sofia Lilja, combined with the unique talent of guitarist Christer Åkerlund, NUBIAN ROSE has made sure that they are a force to be reckoned with.
After planning a self-financed, low-key release of their debut album, ‘Mountain‘, in 2012, they were shocked and excited by how the music spread like wildfire worldwide. Within weeks of the Swedish release, they were played on radio stations in the US, the UK, Italy, France and throughout Europe. Rock fans everywhere immediately recognised their hook-filled brand of Hard Rock with tunes such as; ‘Ever See Your Face‘, ‘Reckless‘, ‘Mountain‘ and the outstanding power ballad ‘How Am I‘. Soon they were featured in great rock magazines such as Classic Rock and the legendary Japanese publication, Burrn!. The reviews were excellent, Classic Rock Magazine(8/10), Powerplay (9/10), Rock Hard (8/10), Burrn! (83%), to name a few of the key publications.
Long before the European release of ‘Mountain‘, NUBIAN ROSE were also booked to play the main stage at the first Hard Rock Hell AOR festival in Rotherham 2013. This was the band’s first European show and their appearance was one of the festivals most talked about with Sofia Lilja sporting a Union Jack cat suit for part of the show to mark the event!
This Autumn it’s time for NUBIAN ROSE to hit the ground running, their sophomore album, ‘Mental Revolution‘, is set for release on Livewire/Cargo Records.
Grand Design was formed in 2006 by singer/producer Pelle Saether, and the band’s first 1st album “Time Elevation” was released by AOR Heaven in October 2009. The album featured guest spots from guitarists Janne Stark and Tommy Denander. The release gained massive success and was awarded ‘best album’ and ‘best song’ by BeRockRadio and received numerous top 10 positions for “best album 2009”. Several concerts, including the prestigious FireFest in Nottingham, UK proved that Grand Design also deliver live. Pelle Saether comments: ”Since we all love Def Leppard, it will always be an influence we use to spice things up.”
Two years later, it was time for Grand Design’s second album – “Idolizer”.
Pelle says: “We knew we had found a formula to make an 80’s rock record work in the 21st century – so why change it?” With new anthems like “Get On With Action”, “OughtoGraph” and “Your Love’s A Runaway”, “Idolizer” followed up the fans expectations. Grand Design again proved that the songs and sound of 80’s rock belong in your players and on the big stages.
In 2012 the line-up saw singer Pelle Saether and guitarist Dennis Vestman, now flanked by guitarist Janne Stark (Constancia, Overdrive etc), bassist Mats Vassfjord (Chris Laney Band, Scaar) and drummer Peter Hermansson (Talisman, John Norum, 220 Volt). The band continued playing shows and festivals, building a solid following.
Early 2013 the band recorded two new songs, featuring guest singer Susie Päivärinta (of Lili & Susie), of which the song “Baby It’s You” (Promises cover) was released as a digital only single and video in June 2013. The band also welcomed new drummer Magnus Ulfstedt (Eclipse, Jimi Jamison, Talisman, Lion’s Share etc), who made his debut in the video. The band also performed at festivals such as Skogsröjet and Rock Out Wild.
Early 2014 Grand Design started working on the third album, and we are now proud to present the band’s third outing: Thrill Of The Night. This album has definitely taken the band to a whole new level, musically, song wise and regarding production. The band is packed with potential hits and choruses that you will wake up in the middle of the night singing! Sorry about that, but that’s how it is. From the opening chords of U Got Me Good, followed by the anthem rocker “Rawk ‘N’ Roll Heart Attack”, to up-tempo rocker “10 Outta 10” and the big epic balladry of “When The Greatest Love Of All Kicks In”. This time the band has also had some outside help in the song writing, where melodic rock icon Erik Mårtensson (Eclipse, W.E.T) has co-written the hit style “Who’s Gonna Rawk U Right” and “You’re The Only One”. The production, again by singer Pelle Saether, is big, ballsy yet ambient enough to probably make even John “Mutt” Lange proud.
Discography: Time Elevation (2009), Idolizer (2011), Thrill Of The Night (2014)
Since their arrival on the scene, Sweden’s WORK OF ART have built a strong dedicated fan base based on their classic old-meets-new AOR sound that shows you can still move forward while carrying a classic sound.
I’ve got great news for fans. Their third album Framework is an absolute joy and might just be their best work yet.
Quite simply this is a fabulous record once again packed with great songs, intelligent arrangements and some blindly good songs.
The YouTube teaser previewed just two songs – Time To Let Go and Can’t Let Go, but there is another 9 tracks of equal appeal.
The band has at times been compared to Toto, and on a song like Shout Till You Wake Up, you’ll hear these guys take on Toto’s heaviest progressive sound.
And on Over The Line, the band delivers their most instant anthem yet.
Framework has a heavier edge to it, more prominent guitars throughout, but still drenched in keyboards and sweet harmonies. And I truly believe these are some of the band’s most instantly likable songs.
There’s a lot to look forward to with Framework come September 19 – Just in time for their debut USA live performance at MelodicRockFest – October 3 in Chicago (www.melodicrockfest.com)!
