Dutch guitarist Michael Riesenbeck released his sophomore album “II” in December.
"II” contains 12 well-crafted (melodic) rock songs, executed by some of the best musicians and singers around, combined with breathtaking cover art and a top notch production. This all results in a rather adventurous melodic rock album, with hardrock, AOR, progressive rock, metal, symphonic rock and bluesrock influences.
Like with his debut album “Shouting Silence” (which received raving reviews all around the globe), a number of guest musicians appear on the album. To name a few:
Tony Mills (Shy, TNT, China Blue), Eric Ragno (China Blue, London, Graham Bonett), Phil Vincent (Legion, Tragik), Danny Danzi, Franky Dee, John Taglieri, Timo Pudas (Urban Tale), Rob Boshuijzen (ICE, Viteffe), Rev Jones (Mountain, Michael Schenker Group), Rick Rici (YouTube sensation), Serge Naberman (Rebelstar), Michael Peet (Joe Bonamassa), Frederic Dechavanne (Paris) , Frederik Bergh (Street Talk) and Francisco J. Rodriguez (Nexx)
A successful Kickstarter campaign ran to get enough funds available to release the album on physical CD. The album can be purchased through the Official Michael Riesenbeck web site: www.michaelriesenbeck.com
A preview of several songs can also be found on YouTube and Michael’s web site.
Michael about the musical style:
“This album contains influences from all my heroes. But I decided early in the process not to limit myself to a certain style or apparent song structures. Obviously there are influences by bands like Whitesnake, Toto, Giant and Journey, but this time around there are hints of more types of music to be heard, like progressive rock, sympho, metal and even blues. All in all I would say it’s melodic rock, but with a twist. There are musically so many layers in the vocals, guitars and keyboards, that I think this album will not start to bore the listener after a few spins, there is just so much going on. Besides the music, I also wrote most of the lyrics on this album this time, which made this a much more personal album than first one.”
Regarding the mix and production:
“The fact that there are so many layers, made this an extremely difficult album to mix and produce. We had to start over from scratch a few times, simply because we were not satisfied. The bar was raised and raised and raised, which is a good thing. Nowadays a lot of potential great albums are more or less ruined by the overall sound. One thing we paid extra attention to, was the drum sound. I’ve noticed over the years that about 75% of the overall sound of an album is dictated by how the drums sound. If the drums sound dull, the album will lack body, if the drums are mixed way back, with for instance a kick drum really low in the mix (or inaudible), the album will lack power and punch. So we went in with a top drummer, with a top drum kit, in a top studio with a top engineer.”
On going the crowd funding route:
“My debut album (“Shouting Silence”) was released worldwide through a label (Perris Records), but nowadays labels just don’t like to release physical albums anymore, especially if you’re not a household name in the music scene. So then I had a few options, one being doing only a digital release. But I am old school, I want to hold an album in my hands, feel the paper, look at the artwork, read the liner notes, sing along to the lyrics and put a disk into a player with anticipation.
So I decided to do a digital and a physical release. But, since the entire budget was used for financing the recording, mixing and mastering of the album, there was no money left. And CD production is very expensive, especially printing of booklets, etc. Then a friend of mine suggested doing a crowd funding project. It is the ultimate way for an artist and its fans to work together on getting an album release. Normally, eventually the fans will buy your album, but with crowd funding they basically pre-order the album and/or other ‘rewards’ (goodies like a limited number of t-shirts, special coffee mugs, the original paintings used to create the artwork, etc), for which in return they get those rewards and (in my case) the album 2 months before the official release. Those fan provided funds allow the artist to reach its goal and finish the project. In my case being able to produce physical copies of the album.”
Line-up on Michael Riesenbeck - II
Lead vocals: Tony Mills (TNT, China Blue), Serge Nabermann (Rebelstar, Najib Amhali), Phil Vincent (Legion), Rick Rici (YouTube sensation), Frankie Dee (solo), Marco van der Aar (Soylent Green), Danny Danzi (solo), Bryan Woolley (The Machine)
Backing vocals: John Taglieri (solo), Arjen van der Ree (Ma'China), Raymond van Melzen (Ma'China), Ollie Oldenburg (Zinatra), Frederic Dechavanne (Paris), Phil Vincent (Legion), MR
Bass: Rev Jones (MSG, China Blue), Michael Peet (Joe Bonamassa, Jan Akkerman), Johan Volman (Viteffe), Rob Smeink (Beuk Brothers), Sietze Postma (various), Noud Maas (MovieLive!)
Drums: Rob Boshuijzen (ICE, Viteffe, MovieLive!)
Keyboards: Eric Ragno (China Blue, Mecca), Fredrik Bergh (Street Talk), Timo Pudas (Urban Tale), Raymond van Melzen (Ma'China), Francisco J. Rodriguez (Nexx), Vividly Frank (Frank v/d Burgt), Theo Fokkema (various), Jim Rykbost (Cold Heart)
One of my personal most favorites on the album. It features the new melodic rock sensation Rick Rici on vocals. The song theme is basically someone looking back in time, re-living their days in school, which in retrospect was more of a multi-year daze.
It's about staying strong, even though everyone else thinks you will not achieve anything in life. Stand your ground.
Cold Is The Night:
A song about someone having been hurt in a relationship, but who has so much to give, but is kind of stuck in the previous situation, which results in not letting anyone in, hence getting more and more isolated. A haunting vocal delivery by Danny Danzi, who proves once again that besides being a world-class guitarist, he is one of the best melodic rock vocalists around.
Road To Knowhere:
This is a heavy song, both musically and lyrically. Probably one of the heaviest songs I ever wrote. The theme is centered around people with mental issues, schizophrenia, etc. Hence the title. I wrote the lyrics just around the time that all over the world there were many fatal incidents caused by people with mental issues. I tried translating those events into the story of a man with such illness. Basically it's a story about someone that is stuck in a dream world in his own head, with different personalities trying to win the war for his 'sanity'. One of the personalities is translated into a rap. Yes, this heavy rock song features a rap! I know this will probably cause some discussions, but I think it fits perfectly. Bryan Woolley sings the other parts and does great, sounding like a mix between Dennis DeYoung and Fergie Frederiksen.
Groove Machine:
The first instrumental track. This song was built around a main riff, which expands musically during the song. Some amazing moody keyboard parts by Frank v/d Burgt, and an exciting keyboard solo by him as well.
Lost In You:
The second song featuring Rick Rici. This was actually the very first song I wrote for this album. The theme deals with the fact that the love of your life ended up with someone else, and you have a hard time handling that. So you keep trying and longing to be with her, but she doesn't even know that you are in love with her and you are with someone else too. Basically it's a no win situation. Rick really picked that emotion up on the song.
Passion:
Passion was also on the China Blue album. When Eric and I arranged this song initially, this was a purely acoustic version, with Tony Mills' vocals being the center of the song. On the China Blue records they made this into an electric song, with drums, etc. I actually like that version a lot, but I wanted the world to hear the 'naked' version of it. It's a beautiful haunting song, with Tony shining and using more of his astonishing mid and low voice. The song is driven by Eric's piano
playing and I get to do a nice acoustic guitar solo, which I am very proud of.
Selena:
Selena was a song Phil Vincent, Eric Ragno and I wrote for China Blue. I really like their version, but I wanted to release the song more like it was originally written, so with more of a rock ballad feel than the China Blue version. The original bridge is in this version and has that haunting build up to the ending solo section where Eric and I do some melodic, flashy solo's. Phil handles the lead vocals on this one, with Tony Mills doing his harmony vocal magic.
Walk Away:
A song about wanting and needing to get out of a relationship. While the lyrics were written by Phil Vincent, Serge Nabermann does a great job in getting the urgency across. Musically an upbeat, uptempo song with a pretty cool bridge.
Rough Edges:
With this song I was going for a feel ala the song Escape by Journey. It's the story of someone that one day picks up his stuff and walks away from his safe life to go ahead and drive towards the horizon, not knowing what he'll do. He only knows that he does not want to stay caught in his current life. So he takes a major risk, burning all his bridges. Exciting vocals by Frankie Dee on this one.
Truly Blue:
Another favorite of mine. This is the most bluesy song I ever wrote. I wrote this song just after one of my guitar hero's died, Gary Moore. This song is a tribute to him. I needed a more blues oriented singer with a more raw sound. Eventually I got in touch with Marco van der Aar, and he blew me away with how he managed to translate the emotions in the lyrics into a vocal delivery. I believe every word he sings, a quality which not many vocalists have. The theme itself is a story of what happens if you end up with the wrong woman, a devil without disguise, but still you fall head over heals, knowing this is so wrong.
Wandering Spirits:
One of the 2 instrumental songs on the album. Initially after I wrote the little spacy, slightly creepy intro guitar section I came up with the title. Lot's of dynamics in the song, tempo changes, etc. Probably the song with the most progressive hardrock influences on the cd.
The Show:
The show is a snappy, uptempo song with a positive message. "Just step up and don't be shy, welcome to the show". That's a key line in the song. Meaning, step over your shame or modesty and just take a risk by doing something you're scared of.
Just step onto that stage, take the mic and sing, or something along those lines. What's the worst that could happen? At least you've tried, and probably you'll just succeed. I myself did that in this song by recording my longest guitar solo ever. In advance I was thinking I would be done after 20 seconds or so, but after being pushed that solo was about 5 times longer, which is extremely long for a guitar solo, nowadays.
JACK RUSSELL'S GREAT WHITE Releases New Single "Hard Habit"
New Music Coming This Summer
In December 2011, JACK RUSSELL'S GREAT WHITE first bared its teeth. Since its inception, the front man welcomed back longtime bassist and friend Tony Montana-this time as a guitar player and keyboardist-lead guitarist Robby Lochner, bassist Chris Tristam and drummer Dicki Fliszar. Rather than look backwards and merely attempt to relive the multi-platinum hard rock entity's storied origins, JACK RUSSELL set his sights on the future.
Today the band releases a new song in the style of the bluesy hard rock stomp that made RUSSELL a rock icon in the first place. The song "Hard Habit" is taken from the band's forthcoming studio album The Gauntlet that is scheduled for release later this year. Today the band has released a lyric video for "Hard Habit," it is available for viewing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DS5ASLkhUng.
The song is also available for purchase as a digital single on iTunes and the song can be streamed via Spotify.
JACK RUSSELL on the new song, and the bands plans: "With the ever-changing climate of the music industry, we've decided that we will be releasing several digital singles throughout 2015. 'Hard Habit' is the first in a series of singles the band will put out this year. Be on the lookout for our next single in the coming months! We are really proud of this song and we plan on playing it live as well as some other new tunes and of course all the classic JACK RUSSELL'S GREAT WHITE songs you know and love. See you on the road!"
In support of the album the band will be on the road non-stop in 2015. The first announced dates are listed below. More dates are being added daily, so be sure to keep up with http://www.jackrussellsgreatwhite.com as dates are added.
ROB MORATTI’STribute To Journey is a brand new studio release featuring Rob’s take on his favourite JOURNEY songs.
Release Date: 20th March via Escape Music
Track Listing:
1. Separate Ways 5.24
2. Only The Young 4.00
3. Dont Stop Believin 4.01
4. Faithfully 4.26
5. Ask The Lonely 3.53
6. Who’s Cryin Now 4.43
7. Lovin Touchin Squeezin 3.53
8. Stone In Love 3.58
9. Anyway You Want It 3.27
10. Why Can’t This Night Go On Forever 3.24
11. Be Good To Yourself 3.56
12. Mother Father 5.31
Musicians:
Rob Moratti - Vocals And Background Vocals Midi Sampling
Torben Enevoldsen - Guitars, Keyboards, Bass, Midi Sampling And Background Vocals
Graham Fillier - Guitars, Midi Sampling And Background Vocals
Piero Greco - Bass And Background Vocals
Stu Reid - Drums And Background Vocals
Produced By Rob Moratti
Rob states:
“THIS IS MY WAY OF SAYING THANK YOU!! Like many of us I grew up listening to Journey and I was always fascinated and amazed by their melodic songs especially with the gifted tone, range and delivery by the Steve Perry.
Journey's had a positive effect in my youth and more so in my music. Their music has encouraged me way back when I was just teenager and there music still moves me today as they remain to be such a great influence. They still inspires my creative imagination.
I made the entire CD especially because I really had fun recording it. I promised myself that if I enjoyed making this record with the music I love the most then I would release it and share it with my fans. I respect them too much to want take it lightly in the studio but I knew it had to be done right.
I've been fortunate enough and I'm grateful to have had a wide career in music.. After all these wonderful Rockin' years I still have the ability to sing the songs that inspired me the most. This is my way of saying thank you to the band Journey that made the music that continues to touch the hearts of so many of us and very special thank you to Mr. Steve Perry for giving me the best memories with each and every melody.
At the end of the day, this is an enjoyable listen for everyone. For the many that always wanted to hear me sing some classic Journey. Well here it is.
Enjoy and Keep Rockin'!
Rob Moratti 2015”
Canadian residents can stream the entire new TOM COCHRANE album 'Take It Home' via CBC network for the week leading up to the album's release.
Tom Cochrane is "Back in the Game," as he proclaims in the song of the same name on Take it Home, his first new material since 2006 (available Feb. 10). This time around, the Cancon icon travels over the vast and varied highways that have dotted his acclaimed career, channeling blues, country, roots, gospel and, in general, the music of the South.
"You don't spend this much time travelling back and forth from down there without gathering dust on your boots and clothes, then shaking it off in a song or two," he says in a press release.
The very essence of travelling — of being on the road constantly, absorbing the constantly changing surroundings and making a home out of the places you find yourself — sits at the centre of it all. It's how a record called Take it Home can make reference to both Georgian Bay and Austin, Texas; Tennessee and Thunder Bay. On "A Prayer for Hope," Cochrane looks back on a trip to Kenya he made with World Vision, while "Sunday Afternoon Hang" perfectly evokes Canadian cottage country.
"I see this record as a real retrospective on the essence of the troubadour," he says.
It was also a chance for thediamond-selling artist to pay tribute to his musical heroes, fellow troubadours like Woody Guthrie, Leadbelly, Willie Nelson and Bob Dylan, all while picking up the trails of unfinished songs and following them to where they inevitably ended up.
"Some unfinished business and a few things that have been left unsaid or undone along the way," he says.
Take it Home is available Feb 10. Pre-order it on iTunes or Amazon.
Take it Home tracklist
1. "Can't Stay Here"
2. "Sunday Afternoon Hang"
3. "Diamonds"
4. "Country Girls Never Get Old"
5. "When the Light Starts to Fade"
6. "Pink Time"
7. "First Time Around"
8. "The Ones That I've Known"
9. "Another Year"
10. "A Prayer for Hope"
11. "Back in the Game"
RISK EVERYTHING – to be released on Frontiers in April
Frontiers Music SRL presents an album from legendary Grammy Award-winner and founding member of Survivor, Jim Peterik, created around the 5-octave instrument that is Marc Scherer's voice. The resulting CD, Risk Everything, is slated to drop on April 17thin Europe and April 21st in North America.
Jim discovered Scherer's talent while Marc was recording vocals for his band at Jim Peterik's World Stage International studios in Burr Ridge, outside Chicago. Impressed with what he heard, Peterik chose Marc to demo the tunes he wrote for the Pride of Lions album, Immortal. Scherer's back-up singing blended so seamlessly with frontman Toby Hitchcock's voice that Peterik was then inspired to write songs specifically for it.
'When I first heard Marc's amazing voice pouring through my studio door, I could not believe my ears', says Jim. 'Truly, one of the best voices I've heard – and I've worked with the best!'
One of the songs originally intended for Immortal -Change Everything - became Marc's debut single on a compilation of melodic rock artists titled MRCD - 15 Years Later, which is available from www.melodicrock.com.
Risk Everything, co-written by both artists and produced by Peterik, provides the perfect frame for Scherer's gift – a voice of such astonishing clarity and glass-shattering power that it is hard to believe he isn't already a major star.
An integral part of Peterik's genius is his ability to tap into and perfectly utilize the talent that surrounds him. For this project, he called on Pride of Lions drummer Ed Breckenfeld and Buddy Rich's grandson, Nick Rich, for percussion. Then, he got bassists like Klem Hayes (also from Pride of Lions), Survivor's Bill Syniar and noted studio musician Bob Lizik to contribute. POL's Mike Aquino was smoking hot on guitar, along with Jim, who doubled on keys. Guest vocalists Toby Hitchcock, Santana'sAlex Ligertwood and Broadway star of Wicked,Shoshana Bean, rounded out the creative brain trust.
As Scherer says, 'Jim and I have had a few near-miss opportunities to work together, but the stars didn't align until this project. I am utterly in awe of the man's songwriting, producing and musical talent. He takes guitar playing to another level. His work on Cold Blooded is so nuanced and expressive, it's like another voice singing along with me.'
One listen to that Survivor-inspired track or the Styx-influenced TheeCrescendo proves that Risk Everything has brought out some of the finest songwriting of Jim Peterik's phenomenal career, enhanced by Scherer's powerful, off-the-chain, melodic rock tenor.
Scherer will appear as a special guest of Pride of Lions when they headline at Frontiers Rock Festival II on April 12th in Trezzo Sull'Adda (Milano), Italy. There will also be a special surprise Festival only release from Jim Peterik (featuring Marc Scherer and more legendary artists) to be announced shortly. For details, visit www.frontiersrockfestival.com
Enjoy an EPK trailer of the album:
The Risk Everything track list includes: Risk Everything; Chance of a Lifetime; Cold Blooded; Desperate in Love; Thee Crescendo; The Dying of the Light; How Long is a Moment; Brand New Heart; Broken Home; Milestones and Independence Day.
Lead Vocals: Marc Scherer
Guitar: Mike Aquino, Jim Peterik
Keyboards: Jim Peterik
Drums: Ed Breckenfeld, Nick Rich
Bass: Klem Hayes, Bob Lizik, Bill Syniar
Guest and Backing Vocals: Toby Hitchcock, Alex Ligertwood, Shoshana Bean
SLAUGHTER has sold more than 5 million records worldwide. The group has had numerous top hits on the Billboard charts such as, Fly To The Angels, Up All Night, Spend My Life, and Mad About You. They also won the 1991 American Music Award for “Favorite New Artist.”
Slaughter has toured with KISS, OZZY OSBOURNE, POISON, DAMN YANKEES, and countless others.
Reflections In A Rear View Mirror
The debut album from Mark Slaughter, will take you on a Rock N’ Roll journey like no other. Mark delivers 11 diverse songs on the debut, each with a story of its own.
On March 18, 2014 Mark Slaughter released Never Givin' Up, his first-ever solo track. This song captures the Rock N Roll anthems of yesterday with a Military Message that salutes all who have faced adversity.
Rock Blues guitarist Stuart Smith from Heaven & Earth has signed an exclusive endorsement deal with the new Seattle based company, Aero 3 Guitars. Smith, pictured here with the prototype for the new “Aero 3 Stuart Smith Signature Model” which utilizes aerospace technology says:
“This is without a doubt the best sounding and easiest to play guitar I have ever held in my hands. As some of you will know I have been a Strat player for all of my life so it was a huge decision for me to even think about using a different instrument but the minute I picked it up and plugged it in I knew this was the guitar sound I’d been looking for all my life. The sustain is unbelievable, even at low volume and it only weighs about 6 pounds compared to the 9 or 10 pounds my Strat’s weigh. The workmanship is first class and the neck feels like butter”.
Aero 3 Guitars founder and CEO Rob Austin is an aerospace engineer with a Seattle based airline, and came up with the idea of incorporating aerospace technology to improve the overall sustain and sound says:
“We thought for 2+ years about what Aero 3 was and is to become. We are not to be a Me-Too guitar builder. There are many guitar builders that build fine guitars; however, many guitars are not changed other than for the sake of aesthetics. While on the outside an Aero 3 guitar may look similar to other brand name guitars. Aero 3 guitars are different on the inside; different in that we have infused aerospace technology; the total remolding of the guitar on the inside makes all the difference. From tactile response, tone, sustain and playability, Aero 3 guitars are a game changer”.
Rob’s partner and Aero3 Guitars Vice President, Rick Reynolds, who brings 20 years of entrepreneurial expertise assisting companies with advanced technology capabilities seeking to bring new products or services into the marketplace or expanding existing technologies into other vertical markets, adds:
“Rob reached into the heavens to grasp the aerospace technology and infused it with the woods of the earth; therefore it is fitting that Aero3’s first sponsored guitarist is Stuart Smith from Heaven & Earth”.
Stuart Smith is an award-winning guitarist who was mentored by Deep Purple’s Ritchie Blackmore. His band Heaven & Earth released their third album, “Dig” in 2013 to rave reviews. The band went on to tour Europe during 2014 and are currently writing and recording their next album, slated to be released later this year. The present line up of heaven & Earth consists of Stuart Smith-Guitar, Joe Retta-Vocals, Lynn Sorensen-Bass, Kenny Aronoff-Drums and Ty Bailie-Keyboards.
For more information on Aero3 Guitars please contact: www.a3guitars.com
The March 27th, 2015 release from AOR HEAVEN is US band WINDSOR DRIVE.
Formed in the unexpected art community in “The Northwood’s” of Wisconsin, the band has taken influence from arena-friendly Britpop acts as well as paying homage to their rock alma maters from the seventies and eighties.
The roots of the band can be traced back to a friendship between singer/songwriter Kipp Wilde and Owen Jones (drummer) at Wilde’s father’s church. After years of performing together on Sunday’s and writing their own material on the side, Jones and Wilde connected with Daniel Sukow (guitar) and Jon Wasleske (bass) through the local Wisconsin scene. Together they began to pen songs for what would become their first release, the self-produced “Meet the Tide” (2008) and Bridges EP (2009). In fact the songs were written in Jones’ basement on a street called “Windsor Drive.”
The Bridges EP, produced by Grammy award winning producer, Stephen Short (Phil Collins, Augustana) pushed the band out of the Midwest and out on the road showcasing to industry executives on both coasts at famous venues such as Hollywood’s The Roxy and NYC’s Gramercy Theatre.
After several national tours to support their initial releases and pushing over 15,000 units independently, the band caught the attention of numerous nationally renowned acts and were asked to support dates with artists including American Idol winner Kris Allen (RCA/19 Entertainment), Imagine Dragons (Interscope), Ryan Cabrera, Eisley (Equal Vision), and The Rocket Summer (Island). In 2011 the band was hand selected to support iconic indie rock band Mae on their farewell tour and perform on the popular traveling summer festival Vans Warped Tour. Coinciding with the tours came the limited edition Under the Weather EP (2011). With the release the band claimed the spotlight on E! News with Ryan Seacrest and a feature on Clear Channels iHeartRadio. Most recently the band supported He is We (Universal Republic) on the “Give It All” Tour, select dates with Teddy Geiger, and an international tour in Japan.
In 2015 Windsor Drive will release their first self-titled full-length album in Europe on AOR Heaven. The self-titled release will feature hand selected songs from their previous U.S. releases including, 2013’s “Wanderlust” produced, recorded, and mixed in Los Angeles, CA by multi-platinum producer John Fields (Parachute, Switchfoot) and Bleu (Boys Like Girls, Air Traffic Controller).
Discography: Meet The Tide - EP (2007), Bridges - EP (2009), Under The Weather - EP (2010), Wanderlust - EP (2013), Windsor Drive (CD, D, 2015)
Prolific musical experimenter, premier league pop craftsman, tireless producer, runt, wizard and true star Todd Rundgren will release his new studio album 'GLOBAL' on the Esoteric Antenna label via Cherry Red on Monday 6th April 2015 internationally and Tuesday 7th April in the USA (via MVD Entertainment)
'GLOBAL' is Todd Rundgren's 25th solo studio album (and that's not including the 2 albums he recorded with his first band The Nazz, and the 9 albums he recorded with his band Utopia). Todd’s latest musical vision is a contemporary fusion of styles - rock, soul and EDM which continues the tradition of boundary-breaking works from this visionary genius.
'GLOBAL' provides tacit proof that Todd refuses to sit still and play it 45+ years into his remarkable career, but rather, continues to try bold yet accessible new approaches - while all the while never sacrificing his songcraft, and remaining unmistakably "Todd."
With the release of 'GLOBAL,' Todd will tour in support of the release beginning in the USA on 10th April, and continuing through mid-June, with plans to perform in the UK and Europe in the early autumn. And for record collectors, a 180g-vinyl edition of the album will be released on April 27th.
Todd Rundgren continues to trailblaze, and the proof is in the sonic pudding - which is 'GLOBAL.'
The full track listing for 'GLOBAL' is:
Evrybody
Flesh & Blood
Rise
Holyland
Blind
Earth Mother
Global Nation
Soothe
Terra Firma
Fate
Skyscraper
This Island Earth
Of course you don’t need to attach more importance to this piece of news than it necessarily has, but it certainly deserves to be mentioned: for the first time in more than 20 years, one of the most British rock bands in music history has recorded a studio album in their native country. Their latest offering is entitled AConspiracy Of Stars, was cut by rock legend UFO and breathes that typically British easy-going confidence for which this band has been known for over 45 years. A strong release consisting of eleven songs which combine everything that the group surrounding frontman Phil Mogg stands for: meaty riffs, distinctive hooks, diverse songwriting, intelligent lyrics and that generally laid-back attitude which we have associated with UFO from the start. The fact that A Conspiracy Of Stars was produced and mixed by Chris Tsangarides (Judas Priest, Thin Lizzy, Gary Moore, among others) may be considered another successful element in a thoroughly consistent release. To cut a long story short: their 22nd studio recording to date sees UFO prove that past and present can be blended in a homogeneous whole.
Australian melodic rock band The Radio Sun have penned an original tribute to Ace Frehley titled 'SpaceMan'. Guitarist Stevie Janevski goes on to say 'all of us in The Radio Sun grew up on a healthy diet of KISS and in particular were all inspired by the original spaceman Ace Frehley. This song is a bit of fun and is not meant to defame anyone in particular but rather a stance acknowledging the original SpaceMan'.
People can hear the song here:
The Radio Sun will release their second full length album mid 2015, currently being mixed by Paul Laine (ex Danger Danger). *SpaceMan will not be on the upcoming album but rather something special the band put together before the full length album's release.
*SpaceMan will be released as a 4 song cd/ep and will also be available on ITunes, Spotify, Google Play etc. soon. Pre Order info very soon!
TONK "Ruby Voodoo" is set for release on MelodicRock Records MARCH 9. Stay tuned for soundbytes and pre-order links.
Please welcome Aussie hard rockers TONK to the MelodicRock Records family. TONK have recorded a fantastic old-school hard rock record with famed producer Nick Didier (Velvet Revolver, Stone Temple Pilots, RATM, Pearl Jam, Bruce Springsteen). It sounds authentic, because it is authentic!
TONK hail from Canberra Australia. And like the Aussie legends before them, this hard-rock quintet just want to have a great time delivering their own brand of hard gritty tunes...
Screaming vocals, ripping guitars and bombastic drums leave nothing left for the faint hearted.
You'll love the experience of course, whether it's your first time or you are a longstanding Tonkist, wherever you come across them, when Jinks, Steve, Ben, Matt and Mikey get in a room together, hard rockin' sparks fly!!! The music of Tonk may be of the classic ilk, but its unapologetic affection for old-school rock makes it infectious.
Tonk's debut album, Sister Switchblade was released on November 2007 to worldwide critical acclaim, scoring the band world-wide radio airplay, a distribution deal with Modern Music/SONY BMG, a US licensing deal (Undercover Tracks), TV syncs and countless articles in local and international online and print media.
In September 2012, Tonk were invited and accepted to be included on a French Aussie compilation CD 'Rock Des Antipodes' by French label Bad Reputation. Coming in at track 5, alongside the likes of Baby Animals, Jet, The Vines, Airbourne, Masters Apprentices, Dallas Crane and others. Tonk were also involved in an international furore when it was found that FOX networks 'How I Met Your Mother' TV series had recorded and used their song 'Golden Girl' without permission on two separate occasions prompting the band to pursue remuneration and correction of the aired broadcast sheets. www.abc.net.au/news/2012-03-15/how-fox-stole-our-song2c-aussie-band-tells/3892612
Tonk have toured and played alongside: Airbourne, Helmet (USA), The Screaming Jets, Jimmy Barnes, The Casanovas, Shihad, The Poor, Grinspoon, The Angels, Gyroscope, MM9, Karnivool, COG, Sunset Riot, Dead Letter Circus, The Butterfly Effect, Mammal, Full Scale, Hell City Glamours, The Red Coats, INK, King of the North and Karnivool to name drop a few.
In October 2014 we headed up to Studios 301 in Byron Bay to record our 2nd album "Ruby Voodoo" with the honourable Nick Didia (Velvet Revolver, Stone Temple Pilots, RATM, Pearl Jam, Bruce Springsteen, etc). Much like our rock forefathers before us, we tracked the album live using little digital trickery (no click track or auto-tune, etc) adding vocals and guitar noodlery afterwards. The album is slated for release March 9, 2015... And we can't wait for it to land!
Preorder the album NOW on Amazon: http://geni.us/IssaCrossfireAMZ
ISSA 'Crossfire' release date in Europe is February 20th / in North America is February 24th
Norwegian melodic rock queen ISSA is back with her fourth studio album ''Crossfire''. The new release is a melodic rock fans wet dream with huge vocals, layers of keyboards and masses of guitars! Think Roxette, meets Romeo's Daughter melted with 80's Heart albums with a more up to date production and you won't be far away.
The album has been carefully produced by John Greatwood (VEGA) and Vega ivory-tinkler James Martin.
German melodic hard rockers MAD MAX have announced a new bass player. His name is Thomas "Hutch" Bauer (ex-Evidence One, Frontline)
The band now plans to record our "Best Of" album for SPV/Steamhammer. Release planned for April/May 2015, followed by some summer festivals (Sweden Rock etc...) and touring in autumn 2015.
EDEN'S CURSE will release their first ever live album titled 'Live With The Curse' on 13th March (EU) and 14th April (USA) via AFM Records.
Recorded live at The Classic Grand in Glasgow, Scotland on Friday 28th November, 'Live With The Curse' is packed with over 100 minutes of music on 2 CD's and contains many fan favourites and classics from all four Eden's Curse albums: ‘Eden's Curse' (2007), ‘The Second Coming' (2008), ‘Trinity' (2011) and 2013's ‘Symphony Of Sin'.
Fans from all over Europe, and as far away as Japan, travelled to Glasgow to witness and participate in this truly special event. The energy and vibe of the evening has been perfectly captured thanks to the stunningly powerful mix by the bands long-standing engineer, bassist of Pink Cream 69 and Unisonic - Dennis Ward.
The cover artwork was once again created by graphic designer Thomas Ewerhard (Edguy, Avantasia, Jorn) who has worked with Eden's Curse since the days of their 2007 debut album.
The CD booklet is packed with lots of stunning live pictures and was designed by the bands Web Designer Tadeu Grigolon of HGC Productions.
Eden's Curse will release a live promo video in the coming weeks and announce pre-order links for all territories as soon as they become available.
1. Symphony Of Sin
2. Break The Silence
3. Masquerade Ball
4. Black Widow
5. Trinity
6. Fly Away
7. Just Like Judas
8. Fallen From Grace
9. Jerusalem Sleeps
10. Guitar Solo
11. Time To Breathe
CD Two:
1. Rock Bottom
2. Devil In Disguise
3. Wings To Fly
4. No Holy Man
5. Unbreakable
6. Judgement Day
7. Band Introductions
8. Evil & Divine
9. Angels & Demons
