The following five new Rock Candy titles are available now from www.rockcandyrecords.com for a discounted price including postage to anywhere ending on September 18.
RTZ 'RETUN TO ZERO' CANDY291
THERE IS NO question that Boston, the band, pretty much re-wrote the rule book when it came to defining the sound of melodic hard rock. Their self-titled debut album established a blue print that provided a touchstone for every similar act that came in its wake, paving the way for numerous artists to carve out successful commercial careers for themselves; Foreigner, Journey and Survivor spring immediately to mind.
After attaining huge success and experiencing all the pressures that such achievement often brings, Boston, understandably, started to fracture, with leader Tom Scholz taking complete control of his vision. Guitarist Barry Goudreau was the first member to strike out on his own, issuing a well received solo album in 1980, followed by the formation of Orion The Hunter, who released a stellar record in 1984. Looking to further build on his reputation, he reunited with his former Boston colleague, vocalist Brad Delp, the duo collaborating in RTZ, a brand new project.
Issued in 1991, RTZ took the Boston blue print one step further, writing songs very much influenced by the sound of their previous outfits, but also injected with the spit and polish of the late eighties. Recorded in Los Angeles by Chris Lord Alge, the album boasts some of the most arresting melodic hard rock that has ever been crafted. Every song is a true winner, with Brad Delp excelling beyond our wildest dreams. Overlooked at the time, primarily due to the arrival of the grunge movement, this album is actually a monumental sonic achievement.
SPECIAL DELUXE COLLECTOR'S EDITION, FULLY REMASTERED SOUND, FEATURES TWO ORIGINAL MEMBERS OF BOSTON - VOCALIST BRAD DELP AND GUITARITS BARRY GOUDREAU, 16 PAGE FULL COLOUR BOOKLET, 3,500 WORD ESSAY ABOUT THE MAKING OF THE ALBUM, NEW INTERVIEW WITH BARRY GOUDREAU, ENHANCED ARTWORK AND PREVIOUSLY UNSEEN PHOTOS.
TRACK LISTING:1. FACE THE MUSIC 2. THERE'S ANOTHER SIDE 3. ALL YOU'VE GOT 4. THIS IS MY LIFE 5. RAIN DOWN ON ME 6. EVERY DOOR IS OPEN 7. DEVIL TO PAY 8. UNTIL YOUR LOVE COMES BACK AROUND 9. LIVIN' FOR THE ROCK 'N' ROLL 10. HARD TIME (IN THE BIG HOUSE) 11. RETURN TO ZERO
TKO 'LET IT ROLL' CANDY316
THE COMMONLY HELD BELIEF is that Seattle's influential hard rock scene started during the early 90s with the establishment of grunge. However, peel back the layers and you'll see that even grunge had to have roots. It's no surprise then to find that TKO, and specifically band leaders Brad Sinsel and Rick Pierce, were at the very beginning of those rumblings, all be it wearing very different clothes.
Formed in 1977, the band was originally spotted by Albatross Productions, the original team that first signed and recorded Heart. It wasn't long before newly formed MCA subsidiary Infinity Records placed them in the studio with original Heart producer Mike Flicker, to record their debut album 'Let It Roll'. Originally issued in early 1979, the album was the subject of a major promotional push with the band's progress only to be thwarted by the label's subsequent financial collapse as a result of advancing $6 million dollars for a part spoken word album of Pope John Paul II.
Musically 'Let It Roll' was geared towards the 70s rock sound we all know and love, evoking comparisons to the Who, Bowie and Queen, but it was clear that, beneath the smooth productions chops, a hard rock band was itching to impress. Tracks such as 'Ain't No Way', 'Come A Day' and 'Rock 'n' Roll Again' bringing to mind the pouting and preening of fine arena acts like Foreigner and more obscure outfits like Trigger and Face Dancer.
SPECIAL DELUXE COLLECTOR'S EDITION, FULLY REMASTERED SOUND, 7 LIVE BONUS TRACKS, PRODUCED BY MIKE FLICKER (HEART, TROOPER), 12 PAGE FULL COLOUR BOOKLET, 3,500 WORD ESSAY ABOUT THE MAKING OF THE ALBUM, NEW INTERVIEW WITH BRAD SINSEL, ENHANCED ARTWORK AND PREVIOUSLY UNSEEN PHOTOS.
TRACK LISTING: 1. LET IT ROLL 2. AIN'T NO WAY TO BE 3. ONLY LOVE 4. GUTTER BOY 5. KILL THE PAIN 6. COME A DAY 7. ROCK 'N ROLL AGAIN 8. BAD SISTER 9. WHAT IN THE WORLD BONUS TRACKS (LIVE): 10. ROCK AND ROLL AGAIN 11. BAD SISTER 12. WHAT IN THE WORLD 13. GUTTER BOY 14. KILL THE PAIN 15. ONLY LOVE 16. LET IT ROLL
TKO 'IN YOUR FACE' CANDY317
SADLY, TKO's INITIAL momentum was quickly squashed when their label, Infinity Records, made a disastrous financial blunder by signing Pope John Paul II, with a non recoupable $6 million dollar advance. It was an investment that forced the collapse of the label, leaving TKO cast adrift trying to pick up the pieces in a world that was always looking for new fresh talent rather than rescuing those who were left floundering in shallow water.
So TKO, needed to reinvent there selves, in a way that didn't evoke the tired formulaic arena rock of the past. In this respect, the band, now led by Brad Sinsel, set about not only reconstructing their line up but also a new sound. This time around they honed in on raw hard rock, crafting a sound that had more in common with European tastes than American acts. Enlisting musicians that included guitarist Adam 'Bomb' Brenner and signing a production deal with producer Rick Keefer, the band flew to Hawaii and recorded 'In Your Face', arguably one of the best American hard rock records of the era.
Despite the quality of their material, getting a deal proved problematic, resulting in the band splintering, to be brought back into existence by Sinsel when Combat Records eventually offered a contract. Ahead of its time, the riffs and aggression were raw, hard and unrelenting. In fact, the record was hailed as a minor masterpiece influencing much of the US hard rock scene for years to come.
SPECIAL DELUXE COLLECTOR'S EDITION, FULLY REMASTERED SOUND, 10 REMIXED BONUS TRACKS, 12 PAGE FULL COLOUR BOOKLET, 3,500 WORD ESSAY ABOUT THE MAKING OF THE ALBUM, NEW INTERVIEW WITH BRAD SINSEL, ENHANCED ARTWORK AND PREVIOUSLY UNSEEN PHOTOS.
TRACK LISTING: 1. I WANNA FIGHT 2. RUN OUT OF TOWN 3. GIVE INTO THE NIGHT 4. END OF THE LINE 5. WORKING GIRL 6. ALL I WANT TO DO 7. DON'T GIVE IT AWAY 8. I CAN DO WITHOUT YOU 9. SO THIS IS ROCK N ROLL 10. DANGER CITY REMIXED BONUS TRACKS: 11. I WANNA FIGHT 12. RUN OUT OF TOWN 13. GIVE INTO THE NIGHT 14. END OF THE LINE 15. WORKING GIRL 16. ALL I WANT TO DO 17. DON'T GIVE IT AWAY 18. I CAN DO WITHOUT YOU 19. SO THIS IS ROCK AND ROLL
20. DANGER CITY
TKO 'BELOW THE BELT' CANDY318
TKO's VERY EXISTENCE always appeared to be on the brink of implosion but, miraculously, the band nearly always pulled through, picking up the pieces just when the final curtain call seemed inevitable. The credit for this determination to keep pushing TKO forward must be laid at the feet of vocalist and band leader Brad Sinsel who doggedly refused to give up the fight even when defeat was staring him in the face.
Looking to capitalise on the band's previous album and the positive critical feedback it received, Brad assembled another revised line up and looked to up-date their musical style with bolder and better riffs. Once again produced by Rick Kefer at his studio in Hawaii, the record succeeded on several levels. The songs were hard hitting and precise, whilst the playing took no prisoners, mining a raw but melodic seam reminiscent of W.A.S.P., RATT and Quiet Riot whilst always acknowledging that the hooks needed to punch home a message.
The band found a fresh new home for this record with premiere independent label Roadrunner Records. Once again, the critical reception was wildly enthusiastic, complimenting the band on their raw yet melodic approach that left no stone unturned in an effort to maximise the music's impact. Sadly however, sales were not strong enough to push the band to the next level. Again, another example of an act that, despite putting up a valiant fight, was forever destined to be a highly influential footnote in the hard rock hall of fame.
SPECIAL DELUXE COLLECTOR'S EDITION, FULLY REMASTERED SOUND, 10 REMIXED BONUS TRACKS, 12 PAGE FULL COLOUR BOOKLET, 3,500 WORD ESSAY ABOUT THE MAKING OF THE ALBUM, NEW INTERVIEW WITH BRAD SINSEL, ENHANCED ARTWORK AND PREVIOUSLY UNSEEN PHOTOS.
TRACK LISTING: 1. BEWARE THE HUNTER 2. WITH MY BACK TO THE WALL 3. BELOW THE BELT 4. CAN'T LET GO 5. CHAINS DON'T CHANGE 6. ROCK N' ROLL REMAINS 7. SEVENTEEN 8. DOIN' TIME 9. FALLIN' TO PIECES 10. STICKS N' STONES BONUS TRACK: 11. ONE OF THE BOYS
WRATHCHILD AMERICA 'CLIMBIN' THE WALLS' CANDY294
BACK IN THE late 80s rock music appeared to be splitting into two fractions; melodic hard rock and thrash metal. Although these two camps were, in effect, polar opposite, fans of either were always appreciative of the aesthetics of both. At the heavier end of the spectrum bands such as Slayer, Megadeath and Metallica were enjoying a wave of popularity that had started to influence a number of younger acts, including Sepultura, Prong, Pantera and... Wrathchild America.
Based on America's east coast, the band, initially just called Wrathchild, developed a following and style that would eventually lead to a shot at the big time with major label powerhouse Atlantic Records. Recorded in Los Angeles, with seasoned engineer/producer Mark Dearnley (AC/DC, Krokus, Circus Of Power), 'Climbin' The Walls' was set to become a cornerstone release in the world of thrash and power metal, but plans were delayed by the intervention of a British glam metal band using the same name. Issued with a cease and desist order the US band, at the eleventh hour, adopted the amended moniker of Wrathchild America.
This necessary last minute name change added an element of confusion to the album launch. Very much in tune with the times, heavy, raw and packed with explosive firepower, the nine tracks fitted the genre perfectly, combining thrash, speed and progressive metal in one glorious bundle. Look out for an inspired cover of Pink Floyd's 'Time', a surprising take on a classic track, with a mouth watering twist.
SPECIAL DELUXE COLLECTOR'S EDITION, FULLY REMASTERED SOUND, EAST COAST THRASH METAL KINGS, 16 PAGE FULL COLOUR BOOKLET, 3,500 WORD ESSAY ABOUT THE MAKING OF THE ALBUM, NEW INTERVIEWS, ENHANCED ARTWORK AND PREVIOUSLY UNSEEN PHOTOS.
TRACK LISTING: 1. CLIMBIN' THE WALLS 2. HELL'S GATE 3. NO DEPOSIT, NO RETURN 4. HERNIA 5. LONDON AFTER MIDNIGHT 6. CANDY FROM A MADMAN 7. SILENT DARKNESS (SMOTHERED LIFE) 8. TIME 9. DAY OF THE THUNDER
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