Angelmilk Records
announce two new releases for November 2008 Poley /Rivera and Vox Tempus
Poley / Rivera 'Only Human'
is a set of classic melodic rock/AOR tunes that will hit the bullseye for long
time fans of both Ted and Vic.
The duo teamed up in late 2005 for the album Collateral Damage which was
released as a Ted Poley solo record by Kivel Records in 2006.
Now the guys finally get to do it again, under the Poley/Rivera moniker for the
first time. Only Human is everything one expects from a Ted Poley release, with
the added "crunch" of Vic Rivera, showcasing an extra special set of songs.
Says Ted Poley: "I am very excited and honored that Poley/Rivera has been
chosen as one of the initial signings to Angelmilk! Vic and I are very proud of
the new CD and happy that Andy and Andrew and their team will be handling it! I
wish Angelmilk much success with all of its new signings and look forward to
being part of a new adventure in melodic rock!"
Vic Rivera joins in: "Ted and I are absolutely thrilled to be working with
Messrs. McNeice and Bramhall and Angelmilk Records for the release of this CD.
We're very proud of the work we've done on this project and are honoured that
the classy label in Angelmilk has endeavoured to bring this great bunch of songs
to the melodic rock fans. It was a labour of love every step of the way, and to
finally see it fully realized is a dream come true for us. Thanks, Andrew, Andy
and Angelmilk! And a big thanks to all of our fans who make this possible!
Vox Tempus signed to Angelmilk in
2007. The album In the Eye of Time has been remastered in the UK and will
finally be released November 3.
The album was originally an indie release a few years back, but deserves a
better shot given the appreciation by many for good melodic progressive rock.
The members of Vox Tempus first came together in January of 1997, as members of
the progressive rock band Equinox. The band was in the midst of promoting their
successful worldwide debut, Color Of The Time, which had reached the top 20 in
Europe and Japan, and received airplay in over 40 countries. During recording
sessions for a follow-up release, the line-up splintered and Ray Mantor
(guitars) and Jim Turba (bass) continued writing songs with their drummer as a
trio. For the time being, the band continued on as Equinox...
As the songs were written and recorded for the new album, the band went through
several vocalists. After going through over a hundred submissions from
throughout North America, the group finally settled on Dan Reed. His voice is
colored with many different influences - though he truly has a unique sound
that's all his own.
As mixing began on the new album, the drummer chose to move on. With this latest
change in personnel and a more guitar-oriented approach to their music, the band
changed their name to Vox Tempus. The legendary Gregg Bissonette was brought in
to record new drum tracks, and a title was chosen - In the Eye of Time. The
album debuted at the 2004 Prog Power festival, and continues to generate rave
reviews from around the world. The album features Ray Mantor (guitar), Jim Turba
(bass), Eric Ragno (keyboards), Dan Reed (vocals), and special guest Gregg
Bissonette (drums).
Keyboardist Eric Ragno comments: "We are excited about this new partnership,
and look forward to seeing the album get the overseas exposure that it deserves.
2nd October 2008
EDEN CONFIRMED FOR Z ROCK 09 SATURDAY MAY 30TH
EDEN are now
confirmed for Saturday May 30th, the
band took Z Rock 08 by storm and their brand new album
Oblivion has just been released by Z
Rock Records [available direct at
www.zrecords.net].
Z are extremely proud to
announce the signing of the Argentinean act
WATCHMEN. Label boss Mark Alger had been
chasing the band down for nearly a year with no luck, that was until he mentioned the band
to Snow's manager Ricardo Pugailli during a routine business call. Ricardo helped bridge the
language barrier and started off communication between the band and Z which resulted in the deal being
finally inked on September 27th.
Hailing from Buenos Aires
WATCHMEN are ready to set Europe
alight, featuring the amazing vocal performances
of Ivan Sencion [who could take
David Coverdales place in Whitesnake anyday], the amazing guitar work of
Emmanuel Lopez plus the talents of
Germain Leth,Leonardo Palmieri and
Dukke.
The bands 10 track debut will be
released in Europe
on October
27th.
2nd October 2008
ALICE COOPER
STILL CENSORED AFTER ALL THESE YEARS
New York, NY
(September 30, 2008)—Alice Cooper, appearing on The Late Late Show With Craig
Ferguson last night, was the victim, yet again, of corporate meddling in his
rock’n’roll. It’s called censorship and Cooper, currently promoting his
Along Came A Spider (SPV) album, has met this particular beast numerous
times during his 40-year career.
Back
in 1972, legendary British campaigner for ‘morality & decency’, Mary Whitehouse,
tried to get Alice banned from performing in the UK – Cooper subsequently sent
her flowers thanking her for the publicity! In 1975, Alice
Cooper starred in an ABC special Welcome To My Nightmare starring Vincent
Price, which also caused the ABC censors to cut out all the violence that had
been included in the originally delivered film.
Along Came A Spider
tells the story of a serial killer and as part of the live-performance of
“Vengence is Mine” Alice intended to re-enact a piece of his video by picking a
female victim from the audience to choke with a silk scarf.
(Both the album version of thesong and the video
feature ex-Guns‘n’Roses guitarist Slash.) What viewers saw was a truncated
version of the performance – the “murder” of an audience member
was just too much for CBS-TV’s censors (although Ferguson loved it).
The full and uncensored
version of the new 3-song video, including “Vengeance is Mine”, can be seen on
MySpace.com/AlongCameAVideo as well as YouTube.com/SPV and Imeem.com/AliceCooper
from Wednesday, October 1st.
2nd October 2008
METAL HEAVEN - releases in November 2008!
Crystal Eyes - Chained
Release
date: 21.11.2008 (Europe)
New and 6th album by Swedish Power Metal
band CRYSTAL EYES! This band which was formed in 1992 to keep keep the legacy of
Heavy Metal set in the eighties by Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Black Sabbath,
Accept alive returns with an enjoyable album for any fan of aforementioned bands
and the Swedish kind of True Metal style in general.
The new record “Chained” was recorded at Crystal
Sounds between May and August and mixed by Fredrik Nordström at Studio Fredman
in September 2008.
Line-Up: NICO ADAMSEN - Vocals;
MIKAEL DAHL - Guitars; PAUL
PETTERSSON - Guitars;
CLAES WIKANDER - Bass;
STEFAN
SVANTESSON - Drums
Cryonic Temple was founded in 1996 and
has through the years performed at festivals suchs as Sweden Rock Festival,
HeadBangers Open Air, Peace And Love, Gothenburg Metal Festival, Motala Metal
Festival, 2000 Decibel and several clubshows as well. They have been an opening
act for Uriah Heep, Saxon, Lion’s Share and Paul Dianno.
After the
successful and highly acclaimed release of their latest, in total 3rd, studio
recording entitled “In Thy Power” the band went through some necessary line-up
changes as well as time off for writing new songs.
Now the
time is right for CRYONIC TEMPLE, to release their fourth album entitled
“Immortal”. The new line-up consists of guitarists Esa Ahonen and Leif Collin,
teamed up with the new singer Magnus Thurin (ex Mindscape), whose vocal style is
influenced by Michael Kiske, Geoff Tate and Tony Martin.
Line-up:
Magnus Thurin - Vocals, Leif Collin - Guitars, Esa Ahonen - Guitars, Hans Karlin
- Drums, Bjorn Svensson - Bass
In
collaboration with Swedish label Ulterium Records, Metal Heaven will bring you
the 2nd album by THEOCRACY. Theocracy is a metal band from
Athens, Ga., USA, whose melodic style has more in common with their European
contemporaries than with most of their U.S. counterparts. Characterized by huge
choruses, epic arrangements and progressive elements, Theocracy’s music is both
immediate and deep, managing to be instantly catchy and memorable, yet revealing
new levels of intricacy and depth with each subsequent listen.
The material on "Mirror of Souls" makes it abundantly clear
that instead of succumbing to the infamous “sophomore slump,” the band has
actually taken everything to another level. Theocracy is a full band firing on
all cylinders, and the new material features the same high-quality songwriting
that made the debut album so memorable. The album’s anchor and grand finale is
Smith’s magnum opus, the 23-minute “Mirror of Souls” title track.
Mirror of Souls was mixed by Smith at the band’s Theocracized
Studios and mastered by Mikka Jussila [Nightwish, Children of Bodom,
Stratovarius] at Finnvox, and the muscular, clear production is a perfect
complement to the songs. The cover art was created by Robert Wilson and the
booklet was made by Felipe Machado Franco [Iced Earth, At Vance, Ayreon].
Line-up:
Matt Smith - Vocals, Guitars,
Jonathan Hinds - Guitars, Shawn Benson - Drums
In the news this week, Eden’s Curse
have revealed details of their first single, which is available for free
download in full at the band’s exclusive myspace page;
www.myspace.com/edenscurse.
The track chosen is the wonderful duet “Angels & Demons” in
which vocalist Michael Eden is joined by Pamela Moore, famous for her vocal work
on both “Operation Mindcrime” and its successor in 2006. The track, penned in
association with Evidence One vocalist Carsten Schulz, joins samples of “Just
Like Judas”, "Man Against The World” and “Lost Soul”.
2nd October 2008
Melodic Rock Fanzine
Frontiers Records is proud to present
the new issue of Melodic Rock Fanzine. The 28th release of our successful
magazine is available for free all over the world through record shops,
mailorders and every fine dealer carrying the Frontiers Records releases. Here
are the previews of the two Melodic Rock Fanzine covers:
This new issue includes reviews and interviews of Bob Catley, Honeymoon Suite,
Joe Lynn Turner, Eclipse, Silent Call, Shadowman, Driver, Night Ranger, Ramos
Hugo, Crown Of Thorns... and more! Downloadable version of the magazine is
available on the Frontiers Records official site and readable in a new format
here and on the newly redesigned Frontiers Records MySpace Site
HEAVY METAL TITANS JUDAS PRIEST ANNOUNCE 7
DATE 'PRIEST FEAST' ARENA =
TOUR IN FEBRUARY 2009:
One of the worlds most popular and influential Heavy Metal bands Judas
Priest are set to rock the UK to it's very core when they bring their 'Priest
Feast' tour to play 7 arena dates in February 2009 with support from special
guests - Thrash Metal veterans Megadeth and Testament.
Since 1974, Judas Priest has been one of heavy metal's most successful bands,
issuing such all-time classic albums as 1980's 'British Steel,1982's 'Screaming
for Vengeance,' and 1990's 'Painkiller,' and such arena-rocking anthems as
"Breaking the Law," "Living After Midnight,"and "You've Got Another Thing Comin'."
However, Priest's influence goes far beyond their music they were the
first metal band to embrace the 'leather biker look,' a fashion that has since
become synonymous with the musical genre. Additionally, Halford's powerful
four-and-a-half octave vocal range and the twin guitar harmonies of Downing and
Tipton have been 'studied' by countless metal bands in Priest's wake.
Think 'Double vinyl, gatefold sleeve concept album,' and some of rock's all-time
classic recordings come to mind. But in the realm of heavy metal, there has
never been a double vinyl (now disc!) concept album that has managed to balance
a thought-provoking storyline with metallic thunder.
That was, until now. Metal legends JUDAS
PRIEST released their sprawling double disc concept album, 'Nostradamus' via
Columbia Records on Monday, June 16th in the UK/Europe, and a day later in the
US on Epic Records.
Megadeth - As one of the most commercially successful heavy metal bands of all
time, Megadeth have sold more than 20 million albums worldwide, including six
consecutive platinum albums, with seven consecutive Grammy nominations for Best
Metal Performance.
Formed by guitarist Dave Mustaine
after he was forced out of Metallica, Megadeth long represented the dark and
nasty side of American thrash. Between the manic precision of Mustaine's riffage,
which unlike most thrash bands locked perfectly with the machine-gun pulse of
the kick drum, and the inspired cynicism of his song writing, Megadeth perfectly
captured the mood of metal fans.
Since forming in 1983 following Mustaine's departure from Metallica, Megadeth
has remained a vital element in continuing to define and redefine the sound and
the fury of metal music and with each new album, forges new ground and stretches
the very boundaries where metal lives.
Testament - Testament was one of the first thrash metal bands to emerge from the
San Francisco Bay Area in the 1980's. Undoubtedly, they are the inventors of the
thrash-metal wheel. Testament's powerful sound, influence, and longevity make
them one of the Top 5 All-Time Legendary Thrash Metal Bands. Earlier this year,
they re-formed the original line up to record their 9th studio album - their
first in nearly a decade 'Formation of Damnation' which won them 'Best Album' at
the Metal Hammer ='Golden Gods' Awards this summer.
Having the opportunity to see 3 such important and influential bands within the
world of Metal on the same bill is cause for excitement. Make sure you don't
miss the chance to witness Metal history in the making and ensure you are part
of Priest Feast 2009.
February:
Friday 13 Sheffield Arena
Saturday 14 Birmingham LG Arena
Monday 16 Glasgow SECC Hall
Tuesday 17 Manchester MEN Arena
Wednesday 18 Nottingham Arena
Friday 20 Cardiff International Arena
Saturday 21 Wembley Arena
VON GROOVE CONFIRM SATURDAY APPEARANCE
AT Z ROCK 09
3rd time lucky as they say,
VON GROOVE have confirmed their
appearance at Z Rock 09on
May 30th 2009.After being forced to pull out of Z Rock 08 due to
family issues Mike Shotton is
gagging at the bit to rock JB's like only VG can.
Mike made the following comment...
"Looking forward to rockin' with you all at Z Rock
09...It'll be great to be back!! Hopefully the PA is stacked nice and
high...I love a nice view! Cheers!"
Michael Shotton
27 September 2008
More Z Rocks 2009 News
Norway's
WIG WAM
have confirmed their appearance at Z Rock 09
day one on
Friday
May 29th at JB's Dudley. The band have been forging forward with
their Glam revolution after taking the UK
by storm some 2 years ago. WIG
WAM plan to have their new album
"Balls" released
during April 2009 to coincide with their appearance at Z Rock 09.
Tickets go on sale for both
May 29th and 30th at 6pm today September 25th only at
www.zrecords.net
and
www.myspace.com/zrockfest
priced at £42.50 and £25.00
this special discounted early bird offer will run until October 31st when prices
will revert to
£47.50 and £30.00
They will go on General sale
from various outlets tbc at full
price from November 1st.
27 September 2008
Z Rocks News
Plan's are now underway for
Z Rock 09
and during the next week we will be announcing
the
entire line up. Many contracts are
already signed or will be signed during the next 24 hours. We are sure you will agree that
this line up is the strongest ever assembled for a Z Rock event,
the 2009 show will be staged at
JB's in Dudley
purely due to the need for a larger capacity venue and its central location foe everyone in the UK. JB's is
renowned throughout the UK and we are looking forward to returning there after a three year
absence
Now to our first major announcement; it is with great
pleasure that we confirm the appearance of a supergroup who
have been the talk of the net over the past few months namely
BIG NOIZE, the
bands pedigree is undisputable
and they will be like a rock freight
train passing through JB's on
May 30th.
Phil Soussan and Vinny Appice made the following
comment concerning their appearance...
Phil Soussan - "I am really thrilled to be
coming back to my homeland for the Big UK launch of Big Noize at the Z-Rock
Fest. We shall be playing nothing but the big hits at this show to
introduce this new supergroup to the British audience"
Vinny Appice -
"I like being involve in
things that rock and Z Rock Fest ROCKS loud!"
Tickets go on sale for both
May 29th and 30th at 6pm today September 25th only at
www.zrecords.net
and
www.myspace.com/zrockfest
priced at £42.50 and £25.00
this special discounted early bird offer will run until October 31st when prices
will revert to
£47.50 and £30.00
They will go on General sale
from various outlets tbc at full
price from November 1st.
24 September 2008
Lion Music Release Updates:
Tomorrow's Eve - Tales From Serpentia - Since finding a stable home on
Lion Music in 2006 with "Mirror Of Creation II - Genesis 2". German's based
metallers Tomorrow's Eve have gone from strength to strength thanks to the
exceptionally high and original quality of their music coupled with an
ultra-powerful live show that has been impressing audiences across Europe over
the last 2 years.
Now, Tomorrow's Eve are back again with a powerhouse of an album. "Tales From
Serpentia", a collage of short stories, written by a twisted mind; dark and
dreadful fictions from the abyss.
Musically Tomorrow's Eve still
performs progressive metal, but with an emphasis on catchy melodic vocal lines
and heavy riffs. The band plays complex but always accessible songs, holding
interesting details to discover over repeated listens. In short: very dark, very
melodic, and very accessible.
Track Listing: 01. Nightfall 02.
The Years Ahead 03. Dream Diary 04. No Harm 05. Remember 06. Succubus 07.
Warning 08. The Curse 09. The Tower 10. Faces 11. Muse.
Musicians: Martin LeMar – vocals, Rainer Grund – guitars, Oliver Schwickert –
keys, Chris Doerr – bass, Tom Diener – drums.
Shadrane - Temporal - Shadrane is the metal/progressive band-project of
Vivien Lalu (Lalu, Hubi Meisel), Joop Wolters (Dutch guitar virtuoso) and the
legendary brothers rhythm section of Matt and Gregg Bissonette (Joe Satriani,
Steve Vai etc). From a vocal perspective Shadrane makes use of different
singers, according to the tracks needs with vocals coming from Göran Edman (ex-Yngwie
Malmsteen, Street Talk, Brazen Abbot), Björn Jansson (Tears Of Anger, Ride The
Sky, Beyond Twilight) and Henrik Båth (Darkwater) along with some backing vocals
from Martin LeMar (Tomorrow's Eve). Musically "Temporal" is a blend of prog-metal
(Temporal, She Writes), power-metal (Betrayal, Morpheus) and more pop driven
rock (Rainy, Consider It) - yet Shadrane's own personality shines through all
the compositions. Lyrically the tracks don't follow the story's order; yet the
songs are inspired by the concept/story, but they're not telling every event in
chronological order like a movie would do.
On the album Vivien comments,
"I've always been influenced by dramatic movies and orchestral scores in
general. I would make a movie out of the story if I could. I was inspired by my
grandparents' tragic life when I wrote it. I wanted to write an album about the
stupidity of war, but also love, grief, mourning and redemption. I believe that
nothing last forever, that "everything is temporal". Not too happy, I admit, the
complete opposite of my debut "Oniric Metal" (released under the Lalu moniker)
where I stated that "love is eternal". I have a totally different state of mind
today, than the day when I started to write the concept/music. Many people
around me (both family and friends) have died during the making of the album and
while there were bad times for my wife and I, it made my brain work a lot.
Fortunately, there was also the birth of my daughter which happened during the
production, so I "brainstormed" even more. I guess all these things influenced
the compositions and the story writing (in many ways)".
Track Listing: 01. Temporal, 02.
Madoka, 03. Requiem For A Rose (instrumental), 04. I Remember, 05. She Writes,
06. Rainy, 07. Lanterns Dance, 08. Betrayal (instrumental), 09. Morpheus, 10.
Consider It, 11. Manzanar, 12. Babies In The Bath (instrumental), 13. Dance Of
Solitude, 14. Gallery 2008.
Musicians: Vivien Lalu -
Keyboards, Joop Wolters - Guitar, Matt Bisonette - Bass, Greg Bisonette - Drums,
Göran Edman - Vocals, Björn Jansson - Vocals on 9,14, Henrik Båth - Vocals on
1,5, Martin LeMar - Backing vocals on 5,7, Marco Sfogli - Guest guitar solos on
1,2,5,7,11,12,13, Alex Argento - Guest keyboard solos on 1,14, Gary Wehrkamp -
Guest keyboard solo on 14, Virgil Donati - Drums on 8,10,14.
O.T.R. - Mamonama - Combine two rock legends with a hot rhythm trio from
Brazil and you get OTR (On The Rocks). Led by the bluesy, soulful and
distinctive voice of former Uriah Heep vocalist John Lawton and the expressive
fretwork of ex Focus guitarist Jan Dumee, OTR are completed by the swinging
powerful Brazilian rhythm section of Ney Conceicao on Bass, Xande Figueiredo on
Drums and Marvio Ciribelli on Organ, Rhodes and Piano to create "Mamonama".
OTR's debut album is home to ten
tracks of classic rock coupled with some jazz influences that encapsulates
various moods and expressions in an accessible package for all fans of melodic
and classic rock. OTR recorded 'Mamonama' in Rio de Janeiro and the Netherlands.
The mix was done in Brazil's foremost cd/dvd recording studio 'Mosh' in Sao
Paulo.
Whilst traces of the classic
Uriah Heep and Focus sound can be heard in the instrumentation, OTR add their
own slant to the classic rock sound with a vibe that nods to the classic
timeless sounds of yester year; yet all the while striving forward into the
future in their delivery and outlook. "Mamonama" is five musicians getting
together from different sides of the planet, having a good time, and showcasing
that vibe in their music with the band focused on reaching a new audience young
and old with their new music.
Track Listing: 1. Ghetto 2.
Taking You Down 3. Hello (Dona Nobis Pacem) 4. The Corner Club 5. Mamonama 6.
Steal The Night 7. Face To Face 8. Shine 9. Woman 10. Ride On.
Musicians: John Lawton - Lead and
backing vocals, Xande Figueiredo - Drums, Ney Conceicao - Bass, Marvio Ciribelli
- Organ, Piano, Fender Rhodes, Jan Dumee - Accoustic & Electric guitars,
Tambourine, Kalimba in Woman. Backing vocals in Shine and Face To Face.
Warwick Basses and Amps
joins Kamelot and Sean Tibbetts!
Bassist Sean Tibbetts gained notoriety
recently as the touring bassist for the Tampa-based Metal monsters Kamelot. He's
also the driving force behind extreme metal act Royal Anguish. Tibbett's will be
sporting Warwick amps on Kamelot's upcoming tours as well as a Streamer Stage II
and a Thumb Neck-thru, both 4-strings. Warwick is looking forward to a long and
prosperous relationship with Sean. Listen for Sean to be sporting Warwick gear
on the future recordings and live shows all over the planet.
"Warwick's amps and guitars are the
most professional sounding equipment I have ever heard. They have the tone and
feel I have been been looking for. I am excited about working with them." -
states Sean Tibbetts.
Wildside joins forces with
Frontiers (MELODIC ROCK/AOR)!!
Now with FRONTIERS
Rock Nights playing the very best in classic/melodic rock and AOR from 8pm
downstairs till 3am!
Wildside and Frontiers club nights are joining forces! From October Wildside
onwards Junktion7 will be turning into one giant club! With Frontiers now taking
over downstairs and Wildside continuing as normal upstairs with bands and DJs.
Now you pay at the main door at Junktion7 - starting at 8pm £3 all night for
club nights, extra for bands starting at 9pm upstairs (includes entry to clubs)
WILDSIDE & FRONTIERS.... GLAM-METAL & MELODIC ROCK/AOR!!
ONE GIANT CLUB - 2 FLOORS OF CLUB! LIVE MUSIC!
LAUNCH NIGHT - SATURDAY 4TH OCTOBER!!
24 September 2008
Threshold - Acoustic
album reissued
Threshold's 2003 acoustic album
Wireless - Acoustic Sessions is now available again on CD from the
Threshold website. The
album features acoustic reworkings of 10 Threshold tracks including two songs
that were previously unreleased. It also includes a multimedia section featuring
a video of the acoustic version of Fragmentation.
24 September 2008
Badmouth - Badmouth
Forged in the furnace of the European rock scene, BADMOUTH
has captured the attention of fans around the world, and the eye of industry
pros even before the release of their first album. The guys wanted to write rock
tunes that stood out from the rest, drawing on the classic rock roots of bands
like Dokken, AC/DC, Guns and Roses and Aerosmith, that have been lost in the
drone of today´s rock music.
Tom, Chris, Randy, Mike and Rick realized that their
job didn´t end with writing their music, it had to be recorded and produced by
the right people. Their self-titled debut album was produced at Fortrocks Studio
in California by the renowned producer Paul Sabu. The end result? An album that
hooks rock and roll junkies with an addictive mix of driving beats, rich vocals
and tons of attitude.
With the September 29, 2008 release of their
self-titled debut album, BADMOUTH will be taking the world by storm. Driven by
an unwavering dedication to their music and fans, BADMOUTH is true to rock´s
rebellious roots. Fueling their drive, the guys chose to partner with indie
label Romulus X Records. The combination of the two promises rock junkies what
they crave; pure unfiltered rock.
Badmouth are :- Tom Pearson - Vocals, Mike Hill -
Rhythm Guitar, Randy Joy - Lead Guitar, Chris LeMon - Bass Guitar, Rick Hard -
Drums.
21 September 2008
Sonic Orchid - Love And War
Sonic Orchid is a Canadian rock
band based in Saskatchewan, Canada. Featuring strong, solid, female vocals and
powerful guitar-driven melodic rock, Christine fuels the group with her
siren-like vocals, reaching into gritty and powerful inflections to sweet and
sultry colors, while lead guitarist, Brad, is compared to the likes of melodic
virtuosos Joe Satriani and Neil Schonn. After the group formed in 2002 as a
hard rock cover band, it was apparent that the band had it's own style and
began writing music. Each member brought various musicality, experience, and
influences to Sonic Orchid. Coupling classic rock hooks with melodic metal
expressions, the group's music is catchy, sing-able, and appeals to a diverse
audience.
The group's first recording, released in
2005, simply entitled, Sonic Orchid EP, has seen high sales. Their new
full-length CD entitled, 'Love & War', was released in April, 2008. Love and
War has been receiving positive reviews and has is gaining popularity
internationally. Sonic Orchid has fans from all over Canada, and some from the
United States and the United Kingdom. Their music is being played on several
online, community and campus radio stations.
The collaboration of band members gives them more than twenty years of
experience in the music business. Sonic Orchid’s goal is to establish
themselves as an independent recording and touring act. Sonic Orchid has
performed in various venues in Saskatchewan including: Regina, Rock n’ the
Valley Festival at Craven, Moose Jaw, Nipawin, Melville, Saskatoon, Prince
Albert and La Ronge. They have also performed in Manitoba in Minnedosa at The
Grand Beach Festival, Brandon and Winnipeg. Medicine Hat was the group’s first
Alberta experience. In the summer of 2006 they toured into Alberta playing in
several major cities and towns. The group’s popularity in these venues has
brought them back to play several times per year, securing contracts in most
of these venues for repeat performances.
In 2006, Sonic Orchid received a great CD review from Bob Donovan from the
Northeast Indie In-Tune Magazine (which has worldwide coverage). 'Canada’s
Sonic Orchid is one of the bands that is looking retro at good, old fashioned
rock-n-roll yet stepping it up slightly to bring it up to date while utilizing
some of the things that made the original rock so sustainable and allowed it
to ride on top of the heap for so long; great musicianship, talent, well
written and structured songs and material that makes you want to listen,' says
Bob Donovan. 'Don’t get me wrong, Sonic Orchid’s music isn’t old, rehashed
material that you’ve heard before, its new and intriguing with elements taken
from influences of the past and built upon. Sonic Orchid offers up what is
truly powerful yet melodic and progressive material that you can follow, rock
to, and totally enjoy.'
In 2009, Sonic Orchid plans to tour in Canada and into the United States
promoting their music and building their fan base. There may even be
possibilities of them touring overseas.
Sonic Orchid are: Christina Gasparic - lead vocals, guitar, keyboard, Brad
Evanochko - guitar, vocals,
C.J. Cook - bass, vocals, Grant Frew - drums, vocals.
21 September 2008
HAUK To Release New EP “To Hear the Trumpets Call”
The Heathen Metal band HAUK (USA) will release their new
EP “To Hear the Trumpets Call” on September 19, 2008.
The EP contains 2 brand new songs, a
re-recorded Metal version of the classic Lamentation, and a stunning remix of
Raven Wings.
Front man Hauk : “This EP for me is really a perfect combination of music
and Heathen spirituality. Every song on this album has Heathen Anthem written
all over it- they are unrestrained songs about the impending victory of the
Gods and their people at Ragnarok. Nothing was held back recording this one-
we didn't think a minute about reviews or record labels or anything while we
were recording. We just went into the studio and made the music we wanted to
make, channeled the Gods and let the full fury of the North Wind rip through
our songs. The arrangements were stripped down, sticking with just the live
band- no extra fiddles or flutes, just pure guitars, drums, and keyboards. In
the end, what we've accomplished is the soundtrack to Ragnarok, a call to arms
for all Heathens- No Mercy For the Slain, not now, not ever.”
TRACKLIST EP “To Hear The Trumpets Call“ : 1. To Hear the Trumpets Call, 2.
Love Song #4 (Burn Rome), 3. Lamentation, 4. Raven Wings (Thrashing Ravens
Remix).
The title track can be listened to for
streaming at the bands MySpace :
www.myspace.com/hauk
The
day has come, German Hard Rock legends SINNER finally release their new album
“Crash & Burn”! The press already celebrates the new SINNER masterpiece
as “the Hard Rock highlight of the year”.
Finnish metallers, Burning Point,
have finished recordings of the new album.They continue their “fiery
“ theme on the album titles and the 4th album is called, EMPYRE!The new album will be
released later this year by Metal
Heaven.
They recoded all in all 17 tracks
( + intro ), 11 brand new BP songs, new versions of the
Black Star & Lake of Fire
from their debut Salvation by Fire and 4 cover songs with great guests!
Vocalist Jonathan K ( Ex-Q5 /
Nightshade ) will be as a guest on the Q5 cover” Let Go” from the album When the
Mirror Cracks.
Guitarist Majk Moti ( Ex-Running Wild ) will play a
part on the Running Wild
cover “Gods of Iron” from the Branded & Exiled album.Singer & vocalist David “
Rock “ Feinstein ( The Rods / Feinstein ) will be heard as a guest on The Rods
cover “Nuclear Skies“ from the Let them Eat Metal album.The 4th one, “
I`ll be Yours”, is a cover from the very famous Finnish artist, Kirka, and his
album R.O.C.K.!
This track includes guest
appearances from the well known Finnish singer Taage Laiho ( Kilpi / Ex-Altaria
) and great solo from the Kirka`s long-term ex- band member, Riku Kukkonen.
EMPYRE`s artwork will be handled
by Felipe Machado Franco who`s previous works includes such as,
Iced Earth,
Axel Rudi Pell,
Blaze Bayley etc.
Complete tracklist is:
EMPYRE, MANIC MERRY-GO-ROUND, FACE THE TRUTH, WAS IT ME,
FOOL'S PARADE, BLINDED BY
THE DARKNESS, WALLS OF STONE, REMAINS OF MY
BROKEN DREAMS, SACRIFICE,
CRUEL WORLD, ONLY THE WRONG WILL SURVIVE,
LAKE OF FIRE 2008, BLACK
STAR 2008, LET GO (Q5), NUCLEAR SKIES (THE RODS), I`LL BE YOURS (KIRKA), GODS OF
IRON (RUNNING WILD)
Final tracklisting etc. will be
revealed as soon as the album is mixed & mastered.The band is also busy
planning the first DVD release due to 2009 and they recently recorded a live
material for the DVD.
21 September 2008
Where Angels Fall -
Marionettes
Where Angels Fall have been playing together since 2004
and is well known in the goth- and metalscene in Norway and abroad. The band
have played on large and small venues in Norway - like John Dee, Rockefeller
and the Quartfestival (2005) - and have gained a reputation as an energic and
solid live band. The band have also shared stage with bands like Mortiis,
Malice in Wonderland, Theatre of Tragedy, Mortal Love and Inkubus Sukkubus.
In the summer of 2004, the band released
the EP "Dies Irae" which got good reviews both in Norway and abroad.
This led to a contract with norwegian record label Edgerunner Music, and the
fullenght album "Illuminate" was released by Edgerunner Music and
distributed by Voices Music & Entertainment in 2006.
The band have just recorded and mastered
an album with nine songs, which is ready for release.
Where Angels Fall can be described as
groovy metal, with elements of goth, classical orchestration and electronica.
Angelic female vocals stands as a contrast to the heavy riffing and energic
drumming. The band uses prerecorded choirs and electronic elements live to
give the audience the full spectrum of what distinguishes Where Angels Fall.
Where Angels Fall meets a broad audience
with their music. The contrasts between the soft and the hard combined with
catchy choruses makes sure every crowd gets an excellent live experience!
Where Angels Fall are Eirin Bendigtsen - Lead vocals, Andre Bendigtsen - Lead
guitars and programming, Espen Lohne - Bass.
21 September 2008
Octane Gypsy - Tough
Luck Mile EP
Cliche tho it may
be, Brian and Eleanor met on the Sunset Strip via a mutual friend who was
wearing leopard print pants and a Motley Crue shirt. Walking down the strip,
sharing their frustration with the 80s glam throwbacks and new age trash, a
musical spark was lit.
From there on out, they started writing together and not too long after,
Octane Gypsy was born. With Brian's mix of Richards-esque rhythm and
Slash-style leads, he compliments Eleanor's gritty, bluesy pipes. This is
classic rock with a modern twist, this is real rock n roll, this is...what
we've all been waiting for, enjoy!
Octane Gypsy are Eleanor
Goldfield - Lead vocals, Brian Swede - Lead guitars.
21 September 2008
Hard Spirit - Walk The Wild
HARD SPIRIT was born in 2002. It
was a big bet from the outset. The path was set by fusing together the perfect
mix of 80s stadium rock and modern rock.
In 2003 Hard Spirit released their first demo CD. It was only 8 tracks but it
managed to sell more than 2.000 copies around Spain. After this achievement,
the band became more confident and started work on their debut full CD.
During this time, Hard Spirit won
seven music contests. The band gave a great performance at the Plaza de Toros
de Gijón for over 10,000 people with huge success which included an encore to
end the set. Together with other Spanish bands in the sales charts such as
PEREZA and M-CLAN, Hard Spirit shared the stage with big rock bands such as
JADED HEART, SOUL DOCTOR, MAD MAX or BOB CATLEY, performing over 40 shows in
every corner of the country.
When the band had completed the writing for the debut CD at the beginning of
2006, thet set about locating in a producer. In walks DANI G.who had
previously worked with Ingo Cjakovski (Rage), Achim Köhler (Primal Fear,
Sinner), Dennis Ward (Pink Cream 69, Sunstorm) and Lars Ratz. Dani G. was the
ideal candidate. He knew how to capture the band’s essence from the start.
In June 2007, the band conquered the Villa de Bilbao, without a doubt the most
prestigious music contest in Europe with over 32,000 euro's in prizes and over
2,000 candidate bands to win even recording sessions in the US.
Hard Spirit won the ‘GRAB’ awards, a French clothes wear company who will take
of merchendising. Toni Amboaje was voted as the best singer in the contest and
Gansan was voted as the best guitarist.
HARD SPIRIT signed a contract to launch the album at the end of September 2007
with TRIPLE A-METAL records and it will be distributed all over Spain through
Avispa.
After the album ‘WALK THE
WILD’ was completed, the first reviews were awesome, even stating that this is
one of the best rock albums ever made in Spain.
Magazines like ROCK HARD, who named the CD the best record of the month for
first time for a Spanish band in 8 years of the magazines existence and the
third best relases in 2007. HEAVY ROCK, LA ESTADEA, FIREWORKS (UK),
METALSHYMPONY and many more blogs and publications, named the band like one of
the best of the year and the revelation band of 2007.
Late 2007 and early 2008 the band opened several shows for big bands like Y&T,
Gotthard, Mago de Oz and many more with very successful feedback from the fans
and critics.
Now HARD SPIRIT is ready to keep its energetic and fantastic performance live
and to write their own chapter in the history of rock.
Hard Spirit are: Toni Amboaje - Lead vocals, Gansan - Lead guitar, Miguel
Rubio - Rhythm guitar & backing vocals, Davo Camporro - Bass & backing vocals,
David Menen - Drums & percussion.
21 September 2008
Journey's Arnel Struggles With Touring Demands
Apparently being the lead singer of rock
supergroup Journey isn't all it's cracked up to be. Phillipino lead singer
Arnel Pineda apparently struggles with the band's touring demands.
You may remember Pineda first got the job
as vocalist after Neal Schon caught a video of him on Youtube. At the time
the singer stated "It's so exciting to sing with one of the best bands in the
world".
That initial excitement seems to have worn
off as Pineda told Rolling Stone magazine that "There are days I just break down
and cry. This is a job I'm doing for my family. That's all the
consolation I'm getting".
We hope Pineda's excitement returns
otherwise Journey could be looking for another new singer sooner than the fans
expected.
21 September 2008
Music Buy Mail - Exciting News!
Munich -- the Rock Mailorder Music Buy
Mail (www.musicbuymail.eu)
expands his digital offers by adding the catalogue from AFM RECORDS. The
cooperation with Kontor New Media and MBM started in the beginning of 2008 and
MBM will be continuously expanding the digital sector.
Currently, the new SINNER album, "Crash &
Burn", will be released by AFM RECORDS. MBM offers a special price "Crash &
Burn" for digital downloads, offers the album as a CD, limited edition CD and
LP. General manager Sebastian Eder:" We are very happy about the cooperation
with Kontor New Media and of course AFM RECORDS as they always stand for high
quality products and releases!"
Brand new highlights on MusicBuyMail, besides the new SINNER album, are: BOB
CATLEY (Frontiers Records, also available on digital download), GARY MOORE, ULI
JOHN ROTH (Steamhammer, also digital), QUEEN/PAUL RODGERS, JOHN MELLENCAMP....
Just to mention a few of the current and high quality releases for this week. On
top of the already well known acts, Music Buy Mail emphasizes also on newcomer
bands and offers them a platform. The "Artist Service" is going to be 2 albums
released: the Swedish band NEONDAZE with its melodic sleaze rock and the Epic
Metal band TRAGEDIAN!! Check it out!
MusicBuyMail.eu presents the Double-Tours: URIAH HEEP / THIN LIZZY, ALICE COOPER
/ WHITESNAKE, VINCE NEIL, as well as AXEL RUDI PELL on tour with MAD MAX in
January 2009.
Great stuff with heavy guitar sounds just like our mission: The Power of Rock!
18 September 2008
DORP RELEASE DEBUT ALBUM 'HUMANS BEING'
THIS WEEK!!
Politically astute, culturally diverse rockers DORP (two from Cape Town, one
Parisian and one home grown Londoner!) release their debut album 'Humans Being'
THIS WEEK through Caned And Able Records!
Recorded at the personal studio of Flood - the internationally renowned producer
who's worked with U2 and PJ Harvey amongst many others - 'Humans Being' was
produced by Dave McCracken (Ian Brown, Depeche Mode), and is an album that takes
the listener on an epic voyage.
Combining melodies, pop sensibilities, lashings of electronica, lyrical satire
and sheer rock power, Dorp's creativity is astounding.
This is not an album full of throwaway bubblegum packaged around two or three
key hit singles, this is music for fans of the true musical greats of modern
music - Radiohead, Bjork, Beck, NIN and even stadium giants U2 and Pink Floyd.
The Bloodstock festival
is taking to the streets in order to find the best UK unsigned talent there is
for next years festival! We'll be out on the road, working in conjunction with
our partner venues and promoters throughout the UK to find the best of the UK's
underground, all to be done via a series of club nights throughout the land.
Combine this with the (soon to be) infamous Bloodstock road show, special
guests, giveaways galore and you'll certainly have a night to remember!
Venues/promoters - please contact us for further information on how to get
involved.
Bands - get on to your local venues/clubs now and point them in this direction,
get them onboard and you never know - it could be you playing Bloodstock!
The EP is getting amazing reviews everywhere. the title track has been hailed by
many as our best work. we are just back from two hugely successful shows in
France with Blue Oyster Cult and the Raismes festival with Y&T and Saxon. We
feel so happy we have made the song available FREE for you to
download...enjoy!!
see you this week on the road with Y&T
Rock on
Bat
18 September 2008
Sonata Arctica
Re-Release First Two Albums
SONATA ARCTICA: THE
PRIME POWER METALLERS HAVE FIRST TWO ALBUMS OFFICIALLY RE-ISSUED ON OCTOBER 6th
VIA SPINEFARM RECORDS UK
SONATA ARCTICA, the melodic hard rockers from the Northern Finnish town of Kemi,
have confirmed the October 6th Re-issue of their first two studio albums via
Spinefarm Records UK. Titled 'Ecliptica' and 'Silence' and originally issued in
1999 and 2001 respectively, these were the titles that first defined the
distinctive Sonata style, bringing the group (formed in 1996 by driving force
and songwriter, vocalist Tony Kakko) out-of-the-box success both at home and
abroad.
As with most outfits, it was demo recordings that first piqued the interest of
fans and industry folk alike, but it wasn't until the release of 'Ecliptica'
that the Sonata story truly began to unfold; quality musicianship, boundless
energy and beautiful, highly emotive melodies, all of these factors were right
there in the grooves, and it wasn't long before the guys were out on an
eight-week, 10-country tour of Europe, Special Guesting with Stratovarius.
In truth, 'Ecliptica' was a tough act to follow, being well received by the
critics and selling around 30,000 copies in the Far East alone, but when it came
to delivering a second killer set of songs, Tony Kakko was not to be found
wanting; 'Wolf & Raven' (the first single from 'Silence'),'Last Drop Falls',
'Black Sheep', 'Tallulah', numbers such as these continue to hold sway with SA
aficionados the world over, and it's easy to see why.
There could be no turnin' back now...
These Collector's Re-issues of 'Ecliptica' and 'Silence' come with
bonus material,
expanded artwork, background essays, plus sleeve notes from Tony Kakko himself!
18 September 2008
HELIX To Release Christmas CD
"A HEAVY MENTAL CHRISTMAS" is the title of
the new CD available worldwide this week through
WWW.PLANETHELIX.COM
and across Canada at all Wal-Mart locations from 21st October.
Listen to some of the songs at
www.myspace.com/helixonmyspace
18 September 2008
Alestorm - New
Guitarist!
Alright lads & lasses,
It is with great pleasure (and relief) that I announce we've found a new
guitarist!
Enter Mr Tim Shaw. The more eagle-eyed watchers of the underground amongst you
may know him as the mastermind behind the epic black metal project FYRDSMAN, and
as the guitarist of the now-departed death metal titans PREMITHON. He's a
beastly good guitarist, and a great lad to boot. It's gonna be a fucking blast
when we get up on stage and in the studio.
Gavin's shoes are going to be tough ones to fill, but that's ok, because Tim has
big feet. And you know what they say about guys with big feet...
Cheers,
Chris & Alestorm
18 September 2008
Jaded Sun - Crave
Hello everybody.
On October 10th "Crave" will be released as our 3rd, download only, single from
our debut album "Gypsy Trip".
"Crave" has been described in recent reviews as a "moving ballad" and "pure
bliss" with "humble tones". "Crave" highlights the band's versatility in the
recording studio with the introduction of instruments such as a Dobro, Pedal
Steel guitar, Hammond Organ and some fantastic female backing singing.
The new single Crave will be available on the 10th of October on the following
download sites, DownloadMusic.ie, iTunes, eMusic.com, 7Digital.com, Each single
download costs only €1.
The "Crave" single will also be released along with a music video for the song.
The video marks the acting debut for each of the band members. We all had great
fun filming in the various locations so we hope you enjoy the video too. It can
be viewed on YouTube.com HERE from Monday September 22nd.
Also, it has just been announced that Jaded Sun will be performing at this
year's The Music Show (formally Music Ireland) in the RDS, Simmonscourt on
October 5th. The Music Show will be taking place over the first weekend of
October and will feature such exhibitors as Hot Press Magazine and X-Music,
speakers such as Mike Edgar and Declan O'Rourke, seminars and workshops from
such people as drummer Mike Terrana, and live performances from The Blizzards,
Damien Dempsey, Fionn Regan and Cathy Davey.
For more information on this please visit http://wordpress.hotpress.com/themusicshow/
That's all the news for now,
Cheers,
JS
18 September 2008
ECLIPSE
Swedish Hard
Rockers ECLIPSE will present the release of their forthcoming album "Are
You Ready To Rock" on October
10th at the Harry B James Club
(Regeringsgatan 47) in Stockholm. The party will start at 22.00 and the band
will also showcase the new songs playing live.
ECLIPSE will also
appear on October 9th at Rockklassiker 106,7
in the "Morning Rock" program from
7.20 to 9.00 AM with Ian Haugland from Europe as DJ.
18 September 2008
Z ROCK 09 UPDATE
We are currently in advanced
negotiations with 5 named acts, most of whom have not played or not appeared
in the UK for a long time. We hope to be able to start announcing the line up
in a week or so's time, you wont be disappointed ;o)
Z Rock 09 see's a return to JB's
in Dudley on May 29th and 30th 2009 due to the extra capacity we will need
for next years event. Tickets will go on special early buyer discount on
September 29th at the
Brothers
Robbie and
Brian LaBlanc have completed the
recording work of their yet untitled new studio album which is right now in the
hands of Dennis Ward (Pink Cream 69)
for the mixing sessions in his studios in Karlsdorf, Germany.
"Well, call
me a dinosaur if you'd like but we record all of our tracks analog!" says
Robbie. "The long, tedious part was getting them into Pro Tools for Dennis
Ward to mix but now we're done and the songs are sounding great. Part of the
reason it's taking some time to get our second CD out is that we want it to be
great for all of the people who loved the first one. We're having fun doing it
and it's rockin' !!!! Thanks for the patience with us in getting this done but I
feel it'll be worth the wait and time".
Some of the songs
that will be included on the record include: Goodbye Summer, I Come Alive,
Don't Take It Away, Like A Believer, Fly, Light In The World, Deep in The Heart,
I Swear To You, Everything, It's All About Love, Falling From The Moon, I Will.
Frontiers hopes
to release the album in early 2009.
18 September 2008
ON THE RISE
Terje Eide has started the recording
of the long overdue follow up album to the ON THE RISE amazing debut album
released in 2003 with great acclaim from fans and press. Some pictures have been
posted from the recording sessions on the band's myspace site :
www.myspace.com/ontherisemusic
"Just to share the good atmosphere and chemistry in the recording studio
!" as Terje puts it…
Songs being
recorded, among others, include: Alive, Lifeline, Dreamzone, In The Line of
Fire, Fly Away, Time To Loose.
18 September 2008
Andrea Martongelli
joins Modern Music Institute!
Andrea Martongelli, talented Shred – Metal /
Hard Rock guitarist and songwriter from
POWER QUEST (UK)
www.power-quest.co.ukand
ARTHEMIS (ITA)
www.arthemisweb.com
has been called to join the amazing "Modern Music Institute" of Alex Stornello,
as "National Director of the Modern Metal
Institute".
As well as doing clinics,
seminars, workshops through all Europe, Andrea will start teaching Heavy Metal
Guitar in the "Centro Didattico MMI Brescia" from next October.
Andrea comments: "I'm excited as never before
and will put all my energy, my live and studio experience as performer,
songwriter, producer, guitar teacher, to make the whole world playing and loving
Heavy Metal Music as I've always loved
and lived it! See you soon at MMI!!!"
