German vocalist Carsten Schulz has announced the details of his long-in-production solo project THE CARSTEN LIZARD SCHULZ SYNDICATE. The 16 track two-disc release is titled 'The Day The Earth Stopped Turning' and will be released later this year.
From Carsten comes this info:
...the deed is done! After one year of producing and recording, half a decade of songwriting (no, I'm not kiddin'!), it is done:
2 CDs, 16 songs, 1 1/2 hours of Classic Rock!
Keep your fingers crossed, that I will be finding a label crazy enough to release a double solo album of this mostly unknown little singer from Germany trying to revive the true Classic Rock spirit of the 70s!
These are the amazing musicians, that made my dream come true:
Drums:
Ramy Ali (FREEDOM CALL / IRON MASK)
Markus Kullmann (FOX / ex-VOODOO CIRCLE / -DESPERADOZ)
Bass:
Thomas "Hutch" Bauer (EVIDENCE ONE / FRONTLINE)
Alex Jansen (FOX)
Henning Saleschke (THE BRIGHTS)
Ilker Ersin (FREEDOM CALL / POWERWORLD)
Michael "Muelli" Mueller (JADED HEART)
Mat Sinner (PRIMAL FEAR / VOODOO CIRCLE / SINNER)
Neil Murray (ex-WHITESNAKE / -BLACK SABBATH / -GARY MOORE etc.)
Paul Logue (EDEN'S CURSE / DEAD END HEROES)
Volker Krawczak (AXEL RUDI PELL)
Keyboards:
Holger Seeger (DEAD END HEROES)
Alessandro Del Vecchio (VOODOO CIRCLE / GLENN HUGHES / HARDLINE)
Erik Norlander (solo artist / LANA LANE / ROCKET SCIENTISTS)
Guitars:
Joerg Wartmann (ex-EVIDENCE ONE / UNHEILIG)
Oliver Hartmann (HARTMANN / AVANTASIA)
Axel Rudi Pell (solo artist)
Stefan Kahne (THE BRIGHTS)
Guido Stoecker (BODYGUERRA)
Matti Filippini (MOONSTONE PROJECT / GLENN HUGHES / IAN PAICE)
Kelly Simonz (solo artist)
Rolf Munkes (EMPIRE / TONY MARTIN / DEAD END HEROES)
Tommy Vitaly (solo artist)
Steffen Seeger (MIDNITE CLUB)
Oliver "O.G." Guettinger (ex-CZAKAN / -BACKBONE SLIDE)
Cede Dupont (DOWNSPIRIT / ex-FREEDOM CALL)
Helge Engelke (FAIR WARNING)
Chris Lyne (MOTHER ROAD / ex-SOUL DOCTOR)
Ferdy Doernberg (AXEL RUDI PELL / ex-ULI JON ROTH)
Thorsten Koehne (EDEN'S CURSE / ex-HARDLINE)
Pete Ahonen (BURNING POINT / STARGAZERY / GHOST MACHINERY)
Additional backing vocals: Pete Newdeck (TAINTED NATION / ex-EDEN'S CURSE)
Produced by: Steffen Seeger & CLS
Mixed & Mastered by: Rolf Munkes
CD 1:
01. "The Prize Is Shame" (Music: Steffen Seeger / Lyrics: CLS)
German AOR/Melodic Rock label AOR Heaven has added a couple of new bands to its rooster: WIGELIUS, ART NATION and ART NATION. All three bands are currently working on their new albums which all will be released later this year.
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The new yet untitled album by Swedish AOR band WIGELIUS is scheduled for a release in Summer 2015. Band leader Erik Wigelius says: “The new album is all about having fun and making the best modern sounding AOR music! And we have achieved that. We can't wait to get the new album out for you guys!“
Alexander Strandell (ex Diamond Dawn) takes ART NATION to a whole new level with new fantastic musicians and killer songs.
The band has plans to tour around Sweden and Europe in the near future. The single "One Is Better Than No One" has become an explosion in the rock n roll world and compares with bands like Europe, Toto and H.e.a.t.
Art Nation is: Alexander Strandell - Vocals, Christoffer Borg - Guitars, Johan Gustavsson - Guitars, Simon Gudmundsson - Bass, Theodor Hedstrom - Keyboards, Carl Tudén - Drums
GRAND SLAM are another new force to reckon with! The melodic rockers from Sweden are about to release their debut album in the fall 2015. It will be a record with powerful songs where heavy riffs will be combined with melodies that will stick in your head the first time you hear the songs. Here's a teaser on what to expect from the new album. We give you "Face":
Frontiers Music srl is proud to present the new issue of MELODIC ROCK FANZINE. The 66th release of the label's successful magazine is available for free all over the world through record shops, mailorders and every fine dealer carrying the Frontiers Music srl releases.
This new issue includes reviews and interviews of Revolution Saints, Issa, Dracula, Eclipse, Uriah Heep, Blind Guardian, U.D.O, Ammunition, Care of Night, Level 10, Sweet & Lynch, Pat travers Band. and more!
Electronic readable version of the magazine is available on the Frontiers Music srl official site and here.
Shredguy Records To Release SEAN BAKER ORCHESTRA 'Game On'
Shredguy Records is proud to announce its twenty seventh release, The Sean Baker Orchestra Game On!! The album features thirteen tracks of melodic shred guitar music by a group of stellar musicians.
Lead by guitar virtuoso Sean Baker, The Sean Baker Orchestra is a three piece band, that creates musical mayhem but all in a melodic and accessible way. Along with Sean, The Sean Baker Orchestra is bassist David Donigian, and drummer Clint Sabon. Joining the band with guest appearances are Marc Rizzo(Soulfly), Toby Knapp(Onward, Where Evil Follows), Jeff Martin(Racer X), Ronnie Munroe(Metal Church), among others. Thirteen tracks of virtuosity on what will surely be one of the best guitar album for 2015.
“It’s great to be working with a guitar player of Sean’s caliber and character” says Shredguy Records’ Michael McDowell. “He is an aggressive player, but doesn’t forget melody, and for as great a player as he is, he isn’t one of these pretentious stuck up dudes who are delusional. He enjoys his life, and creating music, and it comes across in his playing. And the guys he assembled for this release all did a fantastic job; fans are going to love this album!”
The album will be available for purchase at www.shredguyrecords.bigcartel.com starting February 14, for a special price and a free Sean Baker guitar pick.
Frédéric Slama's AOR all star project is back with album 14; bringing AOR to new heights with Paul Sabu helping on the production front.
The new AOR album is called "Return To L.A" and features some legendary singers like Jesse Damon (Silent Rage, Kiss), Tommy Funderburk (King Of Hearts, Airplay), Paul Sabu (Only Child, Kidd Glove), Rick Riso, Bob Harris (Axe, Steve Vai), Erika (Yngwie Malmsteen), Sarah & Mélissa Fontaine (Chasing Violets) & many more.
"Return To L.A" is for fans of the heavier side of AOR in the vein of Survivor, Foreigner, Giant, Journey & Toto.
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.
Melodic rockers THE RADIO SUN have recorded an anthem titled Never Knock A Believer inspired by the Aussie Rules Football team - the Brisbane Lions. The full story and song link can be found here : http://www.lions.com.au/news/2015-02-09/new-jumper-inspires-song
The Radio Sun will release a 4 song mini EP (CD & Digital) in the coming weeks titled SpaceMan before their second full length album due mid 2015. (picture by Sam Lord).
Reinvent Yourself is the 6th studio album of the Dutch band Terra Nova. In 1996 their highly acclaimed debut album Livin´ It Up was launched. After that the albums Break Away in 1997 and Make My Day in 1999 followed.
After the first three albums the band had to split up due to a conflict with their Dutch record company.
Fred, Ron and Gesuino continued under the name Aquila and released two albums: Say Yeah 2001 and Man With A Mission 2004.
In 2004 the band was free from their contractual obligations towards their Dutch record company and signed a record deal with Frontiers Records.
The first album after their break was Escape released 2005 followed by the album Come Alive 2010.
In 2007 Fred, Ron, Gesuino and two woman: Esther Brouns and Anita Craenmehr got together as Two Of A Kind and released a superb album Two Of A Kind.
End of 2013 the Reinvent Yourself album was written by Fred and recorded and mixed during 2014. During 2014 the band and their record label Frontiers had different views on which direction the album should take. This resulted in Terra Nova moving on with their album without a record company.
In 2015 Terra Nova was signed by Melodic Rock Records for the world and King Records for Japan.
The album Reinvent Yourself is about trying to improve yourself over and over again. It´s a process of finding a better version of yourself . Trying to take it to the highest level.
"2015 is here folks and we are getting ready for another year, with some ol favorites and some new faces. Not to mention some promised surprises that will have all the flare you have come to expect from us here. So first off...what is going on? Well here we go!!
2015 Release Schedule for Kivel Records
1. MAXX EXPLOSION "Dirty Angel" Early March 2015
2. ADRIANGALE "Best Of" - Mid March 2015
3. LIVESAY "Frozen Hell" - Mid Spring 2015
4. NO LOVE LOST - Late Spring 2015
5. ROMEO RIOT - Summer 2015
6. TANGO DOWN - Summer 2015
7. LaValle TBA
* Plus more things coming soon!!!! New Merch Items! Shows, Videos and a few new additions to the Kivel Family. So keep an eye out. Kivel titles available through our website, CD Baby, Best Buy, Amazon, NEH and all other fine outlets.
We apologize for any changes in release schedule in regards to the AG Best Of, and promise all of it will be worth the wait. Also in the next week we will have the latest news on TANGO DOWN , in regards to the band, New album and shows all coming at you very soon!
Van Halen’s First Six Albums to be Remastered Directly from the Analog Master Recordings and Set for Release in Spring.
LOS ANGELES – Van Halen will release its first-ever live album to feature original singer David Lee Roth. Recorded on June 21, 2013 at the famed Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, Japan. TOKYO DOME LIVE IN CONCERT includes 23 songs, spanning all seven of the band’s albums with Roth. It will be released as a double CD; four-LP set on 180-gram vinyl; and digitally beginning March 31, 2015.
Van Halen reinvented the sound of hard rock in 1978 with its influential and wildly successful eponymous debut album and then achieved ever greater success six years later with 1984. Both albums would define a generation while selling more than 10 million copies each in the U.S. alone to earn diamond-certification from the RIAA. The band recently went back to the original analog tapes and remastered both of these landmark albums – Van Halen and 1984 - which are now also set for release on March 31, 2015 through Warner Bros. Records.
Considered one of the greatest debut albums in rock history, Van Halen took the music world by storm in 1978 with an 11-song manifesto that features some of rock radio’s most played songs of all time and scorching concert staples like “Runnin’ With The Devil,” “Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout Love,” “Jamie’s Cryin’,” the band’s signature cover of The Kinks’ “You Really Got Me,” and Eddie Van Halen’s finger-tapping tour de force, “Eruption.” Six years and five albums later, Van Halen had become one of the biggest bands in the world around the release of 1984, which includes a number of the band’s most legendary songs such as the #1 hit, “Jump,” “Panama,” and “Hot For Teacher.”
Mastering engineer Chris Bellman, who remastered the original albums at Bernie Grundman Mastering Studios, was enlisted for these new versions. In order to produce the original sound the band intended, Bellman cut straight from the quarter-inch tapes for CD; for 180-gram vinyl; and for the digital versions. Newly mastered versions of Diver Down, Women and Children First, Van Halen II and Fair Warning are now being cut (for CD, for vinyl, and for digital) for release later in spring.
TOKYO DOME LIVE IN CONCERT features an electrifying performance by singer David Lee Roth, guitarist Eddie Van Halen, drummer Alex Van Halen, and bassist Wolfgang Van Halen. Mixed by award-winning engineer and mixer Bob Clearmountain (Rollings Stones, Bruce Springsteen, Roxy Music, Nine Inch Nails, and many more), and mastered by Chris Bellman, the album features such classic anthems as “Dance The Night Away,” “Beautiful Girls,” “And The Cradle Will Rock …” “Unchained,” and “Everybody Wants Some!!” as well as blistering versions of “Tattoo,” “She’s The Woman,” and “China Town” from the group’s most recent studio album, A Different Kind of Truth.
A deluxe collection featuring Tokyo Dome Live In Concert and the newly remastered Van Halen and 1984 albums, as both a four-CD set and a six-LP vinyl set in special packaging, will also be available March 31.
Additionally, www.vhnd.com state that : "This is a VERY authentic live recording. Every bit of the concert is in here, including Dave speaking Japanese to the enthusiastic crowd, full guitar and drum solos, etc. Note there are absolutely NO touchups on the lead vocals, unlike most live albums. They considered using different songs from different shows, but thought it would be better to simply release one stellar performance. They want this one to be authentic!"
TRACK LISTING:
1. Unchained
2. Runnin’ With The Devil
3. She’s The Woman
4. I’m The One
5. Tattoo
6. Everybody Wants Some!!
7. Somebody Get Me A Doctor
8. China Town
9. Hear About It Later
10. (Oh) Pretty Woman
11. Me & You (Drum Solo)
12. You Really Got Me
13. Dance The Night Away
14. I’ll Wait
15. Cradle Will Rock
16. Hot For Teacher
17. Women In Love
18. Romeo Delight
19. Mean Street
20. Beautiful Girls
21. Ice Cream Man
22. Panama
23. Eruption (Guitar Solo)
24. Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout Love
25. Jump
AOR Heaven’s second March release by DAN REED, 'Transmission' is the new solo album by the singer from the band DAN REED NETWORK and will be released in Europe (excluding the UK) on March 27.
Dan Reed, formerly of 'Dan Reed Network', (DRN) will soon be releasing his third solo album entitled ‘Transmission’. This collection of songs was composed and recorded in Prague and takes on a more live feel and energy than his previous two studio releases ‘Signal Fire’ and ‘Coming Up for Air’. Reed has always had a passion for groups like ‘Bad Company’, ‘Pink Floyd’, and ‘Fleetwood Mac’ and ‘Transmission’ takes it’s aim at realising this type of in your face, honest rock production. Besides tackling all the vocals, Dan performed all the guitar and keyboard work, performing live in the studio beside famed drummer Robert Ikiz from Turkey and bassist Bengan Jonasson from Sweden.
This collection of songs primarily takes a look at the dark side of the human condition and tries to make sense of trying to find light in the midst of the chaos. This will be Dan’s second album financed through Pledge Music through those who support his music and reached 100 percent of it's goal in less than 2 weeks from launching the campaign.
Reed’s second solo CD, 'Signal Fire’ released in early 2013, was a collection of thought provoking tracks, co-produced by Reed and Rob Daiker (Meredith Brooks/Katy Perry/Fame Riot). Signal Fire represented a step toward a more edgier sound than his 2010 solo effort 'Coming Up for Air', yet still held on to the intention of finding hope in a world riddled with great hypocrisy and great hope.
While 'Coming Up for Air' was composed in Jerusalem and Northern India during 2007/2008 and represented Reed's quest for insight on religious conflicts and making peace with inner demons, 'Signal Fire' took a more pointed look at the world's political/social/environmental conflicts. With ‘Transmission’ Dan decided to leave political statements somewhat behind and focus more on the conflict within the human heart and soul.
Dan also released a solo acoustic album entitled ‘In Between the Noise’ in 2014, as well as a DRN compilation 2 disc set called ‘Anthology’ which covered both previously released DRN songs, along with 4 new live tracks from the Network’s recent reunion shows and unreleased B-Sides. 'Anthology was also funded through Pledge Music and their fans.
Dan Reed Network was signed to Polygram in 1988 by Derek Shulman, famed A+R man who signed ‘Bon Jovi’. Managed by Bill Graham and Q-Prime later, DRN played opening act on European tours for Bon Jovi, The Rolling Stones, David Bowie and Midnight Oil, and performed in America with Run DMC and toured with UB40. Selling nearly 2 million albums worldwide, DRN was part of the funk rock movement and released three albums with Polygram between 1989 and 1992. ‘Transmission’ stands as a good example of where Dan can take the groove in these times, both musically and lyrically.
Reed took a long hiatus from the music business in early 2003 and spent 4 years in Northern India and Jerusalem, living in a Tibetan Monastery and studying religions while in the Middle East. Coming back to music in 2009 he now performs extensively throughout Europe and the United States, both with his solo band and DRN and has in recent years performed at the ‘Sweden Rock Festival’ and England’s ‘Download Festival’ twice.
With ‘Transmission’ Dan hopes that getting back to the roots of live performance is a positive direction in a world addicted to canned music, drum machines and auto-tuned vocals.
"I just felt it was time to get back to something that feels real, organic, and in tune with the human condition." Reed
Tracklist: 01. Broken Soul 02.Roll the Dice 03.Drive 04.Anywhere But Here 05.Bending the Light 06.Arm Yourself 07.Fire in the Pyramid 08.You're All I Need 09.On the Metro 10.Ear to the Track 11.What Dreams May Come 12.Already There 13. She's Not You
First New Studio Album in Ten Years Out In Europe 3/20
The UK and Oceania on 3/23, and North America on 3/24 World Tour Commences In Glasgow on May 21, 2015
Los Angeles, CA --- Frontiers Music Srl has announced a March 20 release date for TOTO XIV in Europe, with The UK and Oceania on 3/23, and North America on March 24. The album will hit retail globally, with specific dates for territories in Asia, South America and others to follow.
Configurations for the album will also include CD, with a deluxe edition available featuring a "making of" documentary on DVD, expanded booklet that includes an in depth story and interview about the new album alongside exclusive pictures in ecol-book packaging. Additionally Toto XIV will be available as a 2LP vinyl set, and a Super Deluxe limited edition which includes the Deluxe CD/DVD edition, 2LP vinyl, an exclusive poster, t-shirt (large size only), and lithograph.
Toto XIV is a realized vision three plus decades in the making exhibiting world-class musicianship, masterful arrangements, topical lyrical commentary, and melodies that the collective genius of Lukather, Paich, Porcaro, Williams and their assembled band-mates bring to life. TOTO XIV is the band's first album of new material since 2006's Falling In Between. However, the band personally considers the new album to be the true follow-up to TOTO IV, which made the band global superstars.
Keyboardist Steve Porcaro reveals, "This is opposite of going through the motions. We are treating this like it is Toto V, our follow-up to TOTO IV. We just want to be the best version of ourselves that we can be. Be true to ourselves and make the best music we can. Entertain people which is what we were put on this Earth for." Keyboardist David Paich reflects, "I think of TOTO as a unit and a band that carries a responsibility when it goes out there in to the public consciousness. There is so much negativity and darkness that I think you have to be as Quincy Jones puts it, 'beams of light that blast through the darkness'."
As they began the process of a return the studio, all of the principle long-term members brought their A-game to the table. Guitarist Steve "Luke" Lukather offers, "When you put us in a room, and everybody brings in their pieces, the next thing you know it all fits together. Everybody's performances are top notch. We are really bringing our best out, forcing ourselves to make personal best choices, what's best for the music. I'm really excited to hear what people think." Singer Joseph Williams adds, "We are talking about a band where everybody is a writer, and everybody is a lead singer, and everybody is a player. All involved brought this trio to the table where it could just live on its own."
The band will hit the ground running with an extensive European headline arena tour with appearances at key festivals. The itinerary begins in Glasgow on May 21, and takes Toto through the UK, France, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Poland, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia, Italy, and Belgium. Ticket sales came out of the box with strength, with some appearances selling out within days of on-sale. A North American tour will follow in the summer of 2015. The band is also in the planning stages for their return to Asia later this year.
The last couple of years have been active, with a seven show sold-out tour of Asia that took them through Nagoya, Osaka, Tokyo, Sendai and Sapporo in April, 2014. Also that month, the 35th Anniversary Tour - Live In Poland title was released, debuting at #1 in territories across the globe. Last August and September, the band hit the road travelling across North America as co-headliners with Michael McDonald, which when it was all said and done was their most comprehensive tour on the continent in years.
Toto also continues to raise awareness for ALS, for their brother and friend, Mike Porcaro, who has been diagnosed with ALS, Lou Gehrig's Disease. The band commits energies towards fundraising for Police and Fire Departments of California and the Fallen Heroes initiative (http://www.fallenheroes.org/), and help the United Nations in their humanitarian endeavors through music.
MelodicRock Records is going full metal for this special release from Aussie melodic metal project EMPIRES OF EDEN.
Their new album Architect Of Hope is a raging slab of relentless riffing and high-octane metal, all delivered with style, class and plenty of melodies.
This album will be released March 9 and will be available via MelodicRock.com and MelodicRock Direct.
For ease of pre-ordering, TONK, the other Aussie hard rock band who have just signed on with MRR will have their album pushed back one week to match the EMPIRES OF EDEN release date.
Pre-orders and audio from both albums available Monday!
More on EMPIRES OF EDEN:
From Avantasia to Ayreon and beyond, collaborations in metal typically prove to be more than the sum of their parts. This has been never been more true than in the case of Empires of Eden, a melodic metal project originating from Sydney, Australia and spanning the entire globe in its unprecedented scope.
Masterminded by former Dungeon and current Death Dealer guitarist/Producer Stu Marshall, Empires of Eden is characterized by a massive power metal sound, 30-piece orchestral score, and guest performances from some of the most celebrated musicians in the industry. Proving that neither oceans nor national boundaries are capable of stopping this explosive onslaught, Marshall has enlisted the participation of artists from all corners of the globe to assemble an army of veteran talent like no other.
2015 will bring us to “Architect of Hope”. The fourth album delivering nine head pounding tracks and featuring heavy Metal Legend, Ralf Scheepers (Primal fear).
Raising the standard yet again, Marshall has enlisted world wrecking stars like Rick Altzi (Masterplan), Mike Dimeo (Riot / Masterplan) and Jeff Martin (Racer X) just to highlight four of the amazing nine deep cast.
The 2012 release “Channelling the Infinite” raised the bar across the board in several categories of metal: symphonic, collaborative, progressive, melodic and generally ground breaking. The album received consistent scoring 9/10 or higher in reviews worldwide. In addition to Marshall's uncompromising compositional skills and technical guitar wizardry, the album was reinforced by vocalists who have earned their place in history, such as UDO Dirkschneider (Accept), Mike Dimeo (Riot / Masterplan) and Steve Grimmett (Grim Reaper / Lionsheart) to name just a few.
Compared to other collaborative projects of this kind, Empires of Eden is unique in the extent to which the guest vocalists are involved with the writing of the songs themselves. According to Marshall, although he tailors the instrumental backing to each singer's individual style and preferred range, "They are completely at liberty to write any lyrics they want, and they pen the vocal melodies themselves, too." Having so much artistic freedom not only increases the vocalists' enthusiasm for the project, but also enables them to deliver their best possible performances, unbounded by the usual constraints of the 'guest musician' format.
With lush, picturesque orchestral arrangements, bone-crushing riffs, kaleidoscopic soloing and spectacular vocal performances, Empires of Eden has developed a trademark sound that redefines the concept of epic.
Five years of waiting for KISKE / SOMERVILLE new masterpiece album “City of Heroes” to be released worldwide in April on Frontiers
Frontiers Music Srl is excited to announce the release of the anticipated new album from KISKE / SOMERVILLE entitled "City of Heroes" on April 17th in Europe and April 21st in North America.
KISKE / SOMERVILLE is the musical collaboration between vocalists Michael Kiske (ex-Helloween, Unisonic, Place Vendome) and Amanda Somerville (Trillium, Avantasia) and this new recording is certainly going to be one of the highlights of the season in Rock music. Kiske’s soaring overtones seem to blend perfectly with the ethereal quality and diverse range of Amanda's voice and this time the results are truly over the top.
This brilliant new album sees Mat Sinner (Primal Fear, Sinner) and Magnus Karlsson (Starbreaker, Primal Fear) handling most of the songwriting (with a song contribution “Breaking Neptune” from Sander Gommans formerly of After Forever and Amanda Somerville herself) and with Sinner overseeing the production in various recording studios in Europe. Jacob Hansen (Volbeat, Amaranthe, Primal Fear, Pretty Maids, Doro etc.) then took care of the mix of the album ensuring a sonic quality second to none.
The first KISKE / SOMERVILLE self-titled album instantly aroused enthusiasm in the rock and metal community. The two videos off the album -“If I Had a Wish” and “Silence” – amassed a total of approximately 3,000,000 plays to date, which means that these songs can legitimately be considered as nowadays Rock classics!
Considered a Metal Diva in the European symphonic metal scene, Amanda Somerville is an American singer-songwriter from Flint, Michigan whose catalogue of projects, guest appearances and live shows garnered to date is an impressive body of work. Since 1999, she has divided her time between the US and Europe, primarily Germany and the Netherlands. She co-wrote the metal opera "AINA," and has also been a vocalist, songwriter, producer and / or vocal coach for many bands like AVANTASIA, EPICA and KAMELOT, giving her more credibility in metal circles than she ever bargained for. Some of her most recent endeavors include working with renowned artists Alice Cooper, Bonnie Tyler, Ian Gillan (DEEP PURPLE) and many others.
Hamburg-born singer Michael Kiske is best known as the former lead vocalist for the German Metal Gods Helloween. After his departure from the band, Kiske recorded four solo albums, participated on various metal and rock related projects, such as Place Vendome and he also performed with numerous bands as a guest vocalist. In late 2009, he formed the hard rock/heavy metal band Unisonic, together with his former Helloween bandmate Kai Hansen and began touring again after 17 years.
“City of Heroes” will be released in CD, Deluxe edition with a bonus DVD and 2Lp vinyl gatefold sleeve. Tracklisting includes: City of Heroes; Walk on Water; Rising Up; Salvation; Lights Out; Breaking Neptune; Ocean of Tears; Open Your Eyes; Last Goodbye; After The Night Is Over; Run With a Dream; Right Now.
DVD includes: City of Heroes (video); Walk on Water (video); “Making of” documentary
An album trailer can be enjoyed here:
Musicians:
Lead & Backing Vocals by Michael Kiske & Amanda Somerville
