Frontiers Music Srl is delighted to announce the release of Italian prog metal band MIND KEY’s long awaited third album, “MK III - Aliens In Wonderland” on July 12. Today, the first single and video, "Alien In Wonderland" has been released.
"MKIII - Aliens in Wonderland" marks the return of one of the most gifted Italian progressive metal outfits to the scene after a nine year absence. Formed in Napoli in 1999 by Dario De Cicco (keyboards) and Emanuele Colella (guitars), the two wanted to create a band that melded the sound of bands like Dream Theater, Symphony X, Evergrey, and Pain of Salvation with a songwriting approach inspired by '80/'90s hard rock style.
Mind Key released their debut album, “Journey Of A Rough Diamond” in July 2004 on the Frontiers label. The band played various gigs in support of the album’s release, including shows with Dream Theater, Vision Divine, and Pendragon, among others. They then began work on their second album, “Pulse for a Graveheart”. Released in 2009, the album saw the band refining their songwriting approach and introduced their new singer, Aurelio Fierro. Fierro was truly able to showcase his vocal potential on the album, which can be described as a powerful mix of Ronnie James Dio, David Coverdale, and Jorn Lande.
“Pulse for a Graveheart” grew the band's fanbase along with touring for the album which included shows with Edguy, Vanden Plas, Europe, and Hammerfall. However, the band went on an unexpected hiatus afterwards. "On the one hand, you could say the delay was because we simply took the right time to write the songs and work harder on the arrangements and final product,” says Dario De Cicco “but on the other hand, we also had to face some lineup changes and with Emanuele and Lucio moving abroad for some time things became more complicated. I also had to face a severe illness in 2014, but I overcame the hurdle and I'm stronger than ever right now! Aurelio also spent some time with “The Voice” Italy TV show, which cause further delays. So, quite a lot of things happened, but our motivation and desire to accomplish this musical mission we began got the better of us and here we are!"
The band is joined on this album by new members bassist Lucio Grilli (ex-Soul Secret) and drummer Mirko De Maio (The Flower Kings, Hangarvain).
“MK III - Aliens in Wonderland” can be described as a further evolutionary step in Mind Key’s sound. "We all had a metal/hard rock/prog backgrounds, but we felt that our playing style was changing towards a more direct and concise approach,” says Lucio Grilli. "And our way to conceive the songs was influenced as well. In addition to that, we were also looking for something more suitable for Aurelio's powerful voice, something closer to rock/metal to fully let his voice be heard. It's more natural for us to talk about MK simply as a melodic metal band than a prog metal one."
Guitarist Emanuele Colella concludes, “the current line-up is the best one to achieve our goal to create the perfect mix of melodic rock, progressive metal, and classic hard rock. What made everything different and better was the alchemy, walking in the same exact direction. This, I really think, makes “MKIII - Aliens in Wonderland” truly special!”
Frontiers Music Srl is excited to announce the release of an exciting new project featuring legendary former Queensrÿche and current Operation: Mindcrime singer Geoff Tate on lead vocals, entitled Sweet Oblivion Band on June 14.
Sweet Oblivion sees Tate teaming up with a stellar cast of Italian musicians led by Simone Mularoni, the mastermind of prog metal masters DGM. Musically, this album marks a return to the more melodic metal style for Tate and showcases a fine collection of songs highlighting the great talents of Mularoni and his cast of musicians.
Geoff Tate says, "I was approached by Frontiers to do this record and am pleased I took this chance. It’s an album filled with fun and I believe a lot of the fans who dig the old Queensryche sound will enjoy this one!”
Simone Mularoni adds, "I grew up listening to the '70s and '80s rock and metal bands and, of course, Queensryche's classic albums are among my favorites ever. Having the opportunity and luck of working together with a musical giant like Geoff Tate has been a real blessing on both the human and the artistic side. I asked a few amazing musicians and friends to help me out and together we delivered a bunch of classic heavy rock songs in which I tried to fuse a more contemporary approach with a classic Queensryche vibe, the performances are amazing!”
The opening track and first video “True Colors” sets the pace for the entire release and shows what the listeners can expect from this record. Excellent musicianship and a sound that harkens back to the massive melodies and hooks of classic albums like “Empire,” “Rage For Order”, and “Operation: Mindcrime”. Enjoy!
X-ROMANCE was initially a project starting in 2015 as an offspring to the original band ROMANCE from 1988 founded by Anders "LA" Rönnblom & Thomas Widmark. In the fall of 2015, Anders was going through a box of old tapes and found the old ROMANCE recordings. He called up Thomas and because he thought that these tapes were too good to be put in a box and stored in a closet. In the following time, they went through all the tracks and re-recorded them. Widmark started to look for musicians in the Stockholm area. There were no problems to find guys who wanted be a part of this project; it was rather harder to find the right guys for the job.
X-ROMANCE consists of an experienced line-up with musicians with a lot of experience in the music industry who now have come together to deliver this fresh Melodic AOR masterpiece called “Voices From The Past”.
The album was recorded and mixed at REFLECTION SOUNDS STUDIO, Stockholm and engineered and produced by Tomas Rosenberg & Thomas Widmark. Mastered by Tomas Rosenberg, REFLECTION SOUNDS STUDIO, Stockholm
British singer/frontman TONY MILLS has terminal cancer. MR wishes Tony all the best and hopes he stays strong for as long as possible. He is one of the good guys.
Recently diagnosed, but far too late. I have suffered since the end of last year, shortly after a car crash before Christmas, which halted my digestive system and left me with internal pain that was difficult to isolate or fully understand.
Various hospital visits found nothing from tests until I took myself to a private clinic in Oslo, where the doctor decided I was too unwell for normal scopes and I was scanned the following day.
A tumour too old and large to be removable had been growing inside me for a year or so and was the cause of all my problems. It seems to me that the car crash definitely accelerated the growth and/or effects of this entity, otherwise I may still not even be aware of it. So, that's that.
Standing back from this for a moment, to look at my ensuing album release, I am grateful to the people around me that have been involved with my latest album, 'Beyond the Law', that will very obviously be my last written work as an artist.
The timing was nothing short of a relief. I am glad it got finished in time.
Certainly not least my wife Linda, Pete Newdeck, Tommy Denander, Toine Vanderlinden, Josh 'Tabbie' Williams, Tony Forsythe and Chris Aldridge on the studio level and Pete Kotevski from Battlegod Productions Jon Løvstad, Alex Cooper, Avalon Music and Ivan Gunn for artistic support, finance and logistics.
The record is delayed slightly, until June to help the different territories release simultaneously and assist the record in some success.
I was planning a thirty year anthology of solo material next year (1990-2020);
I have spoken to some of my colleagues and they may well organise that.
WIth regard to what will happen in the short term, I don't intend to do a lot; I gave up travelling after touring Spain three years ago, as I found it too tiring and it just felt like it was time to withdraw from such a public existence and get out of the spotlight. I have been a live performer in one fashion or another since 1978 and though many rockers paint the wrinkles and endeavour to recreate their long lost talents, that never interested me; I was always a believer in moving over for the youngsters and giving them their rightful opportunities while they were young and fit enough to do it with the energy that it requires.
I have been writing and recording for three years, mainly for other artists, which I have enjoyed a lot and for whatever time I have left, (which I will no doubt be told in no uncertain terms very soon) I intend to carry on that practice and work around the farm with my wife and the animals we love.
WIth little more to say for now, I will remain as sociable as possible for as long as I can, until it renders me incapable and then my wife will inform everyone of the eventualities.
Thanks for your support during my time as a singer/songwriter; I met and worked with many of my heroes and I lived the dreams from when I was a starstruck teenager, against all odds and the advice of parents and teachers, who were all wrong.
David A Saylor returned to his roots of rockin in 2009 when AorBlvd Records and band Push UK finally crossed paths after their demos doing the rounds for 30 years ...going on to do 10 projects for the label until his untimely death in 2017.
David A Saylor was a Spanish/American vocalist songwriter, born in Norfolk Virginia USA and raised in San Antonio and Ibiza, finally residing in Birmingham, U.K.
Unbeknown to label Aor Blvd Records, David had a successful Latin career and a hit single in The UK as well in 1991. Fast Forward to 2019, one of David's wishes was to re-release his mini LP "Kiss OF Judas" which sold out and demanded high prices on the internet.
It was decided that the time was right for a re-release.
With remastering by Dave Draper (Wildhearts, Nickelback, Dallas) complete with 4 new tracks from the Saylor Archive as a fitting tribute.
Aorblvd Records release due April 2019 - "Kiss Of Judas 2".
And the world has changed. Axel Rudi Pell hasn’t. For three decades, the Bochum-based guitarist has ticked and worked like a Swiss clock releasing critically acclaimed hard rocking albums consistently. Like his anniversary offering, a live document of his most recent tour. And it will come out on the same record company as his debut in 1989; his contract with legendary label SPV/Steamhammer having lasted longer than the average marriage these days. “SPV and I have grown together, we have witnessed highs and lows and we’ve managed to get through them all,” the 58-year-old musician states with a smile. “Never change a winning team” is the secret of his success. Having sold more than 1.6 million records so far, Pell also has a ridiculous amount of online streams: his songs have been streamed more than 37.5 million times, figures he would never have dreamt of when he first started out.
“XXX Anniversary Live”, his 30th album release in as many years, will see the light of day on June 7th 2019. A milestone by all accounts and a stunning document of his most recent tour which he did not plan at all, but the recordings, from Bochum and Budapest among others, were so good that he felt he just couldn’t scrap them. They are a worthy follow-up to “Magic Moments”, his 3-hour anniversary show at the ‘Bang Your Head’ festival in 2014, where he celebrated 25 years as a solo artist. BTW: Pell is planning to bring out another studio effort in spring 2020. The Swiss clock from the Ruhr area is till ticking.
Tracklisting
CD1
1. The Medieval Overture (Intro) 1:48
2. The Wild And The Young 4:41
3. Wildest Dreams 6:12
4. Fool Fool 5:10
5. Oceans Of Time 5:47
6. Only The Strong Will Survive 6:15
7. Mystica (incl. Drum Solo) 14:24
8. Long Live Rock 6:31
CD2
1. Game Of Sins / Tower Of Babylon (incl. Keyboard Solo) 16:07
2. The Line 9:12
3. Warrior 4:44
4. Edge Of The World (incl. Band Introduction) 6:53
5. Truth And Lies 2:29
6. Carousel 5:10
7. The Masquerade Ball / Casbah 8:24
8. Rock The Nation 6:37
"XXX Anniversary Live" will be released on June 07th, 2019 in the following configurations:
=> 2 CD DigiPak
=> 3LP gatefold, 180 g, black vinyl, printed inner sleeves, 2CDs in paper sleeves
=> Download
=> Streaming
Line Up:
- Johnny Gioeli - Lead and Backing Vocals - Axel Rudi Pell - Lead, Rhythm and Acoustic Guitars - Ferdy Dooernberg - Keyboards - Volker Kraawczak - Bass - Bobby Rondinelli - Drums
Frontiers Music Srl is delighted to present the new album from CHAOS MAGIC entitled “Furyborn”, on June 14
CHAOS MAGIC is centered around Chilean vocalist Caterina Nix who, for this sophomore release from the band, worked in close collaboration with fellow Chilean producer, singer, and musician Nasson. Together, they have created an absolute gem of a metal album, the splendidness of which is on full display in the album's first single and music video, "Like Never Before”.
"I’ve been writing songs for many years, however, on the previous Chaos Magic album I had no intention of interfering with Timo's creative process,” tells Caterina, referencing ex-Stratovarius guitarist Timo Tolkki's involvement on the first Chaos Magic album. "But in the case of "Furyborn," I had the freedom to design a musical vision of my own. I wanted the album to have both a modern sound and nostalgic feel to it. The process of writing for me is very organic, I just start singing a melody and build the songs from there. I seek the chords, write the lyrics, and work them through. I have several streams of influence, so I definitely wanted a rich mixture of intensities, rhythms, and styles. Of course, I can’t leave out the fact that I worked with two brilliant musicians to give shape to the album, Franco Lama and Nasson, who also produced the album and was a key element in the development of the sound.”
And what exactly is the "sound" on the new Chaos Magic album? "I wanted to mix different styles and also seek a sound of my own and I think that is well achieved in "FuryBorn". It’s a mixture of heavy, melodic, symphonic, and alternative metal, with traces of modern progressive and electronic elements, unique arrangements and a bit of a nostalgic feel associated to certain sounds from the '90s and early '00s. It has moments of rage, power, and sick darkness, but also vulnerable, sensual, and sometimes playful points. "FuryBorn" is harder to label compared to the previous Chaos Magic album since on the new album the guitars are a more prominent ingredient that gives tremendous richness to the sound. In summary, "FuryBorn" is a rollercoaster ride that flows through assorted intense styles with uncommon arrangements but with very catchy melodies,” concludes Caterina and rest assured she’s really not exaggerating in the descriptions.
Nix also pulled in some talented singers for a few duets on the album: Tom Englund (Evergrey) on the title track, Ailyn (ex-Sirenia) on “Bravely Beautiful”, and Ronnie Romero (Rainbow and CoreLeoni singer, ex-Lords of Black) on "Path Of The Brave". Producer Nasson also duets with Caterina on “Falling Again”, while Mistheria (Bruce Dickinson, Rob Rock) appears on keyboards on “Beware of Silent Waters”.
"These are incredible voices and all the guest singers gave the album the textures I desired to each of the songs they participated in,” says Caterina.
Also of note, the album was mixed to perfection by none other than Danish studio master Jacob Hansen (Volbeat, Pretty Maids, The Dark Element).
Caterina Nix is a superb young vocalist from Chile, who was found by chance by former Stratovarius composer and guitarist Timo Tolkki during one of his tours of South America. Timo was supremely impressed and confident in Caterina’s singing abilities and he wrote and produced the first Chaos Magic album, in addition to having her perform on the second “Avalon” rock opera album “Angels of the Apocalypse”.
While these two things brought Caterina to the forefront more on the International stage, she had already started her career in the band Aghonya, who released their first and only album "Oxygen" in 2008, in which she wrote all the lyrics and vocal lines. Released independently, the band and Caterina received rave reviews, which gave them the opportunity to open shows in Chile for bands like After Forever, Edguy, and Within Temptation.
Escape Music and 12:12 Recordsare very pleased to announce the release of the American Tears brand new album "White Flags".
AMERICAN TEARS - White Flags
Release date: June 21
Track List:
1 TURN U ON 5:38
2 WAKE UP CITY 7:34
3 HELL OR HIGH WATER 5:25
4 WALTZ OF THE ANGELS 4:35
5 FIRE DOWN BELOW 9:21
6 GIVE ME MORE 3:58
7 LOVE IS LOVE 4:35
8 TURN THE PAGE (BLUE DOG) 7:48
9 PITCH BLACK 5:37
10 KEEP ON MOVIN' 5:28
11 WHITE FLAGS 4:19
Produced and Engineered by Mark Mangold
Keys, drums, bass and vocals: Mark
American Tears is an American keyboard trio that released it's first record, Branded Bad, on Columbia Records in 1974 and it's second, Tear Gas, in 1975. Due to the very well received 2018 release last year of it's 4th record "Hard Core", the band has recorded a new record entitled "White Flags" which kicks it all up a notch. Formed in the fertile musical environment of Long Island, New York, the band was initially made up of Gary Sonny, on bass, Tommy Gunn on drums and Mark Mangold on keys and vocals. For the second record Greg Baze took over the bass duties. The band was a power keyboard trio, using keyboards of the day, Hammond organ, synths, mellotron, clavinet, electronic melodica and playing progressive music which showed the bands stellar musicianship. Eclectic in their approach, their heartfelt music ranged from aggressive keyboard based extravaganzas to beautiful lush melodies circling pop of the day.
The band was fortunate to have toured major venues with such bands as Peter Frampton, J. Geils, Alvin Lee, Gentle Giant, Gary Wright, John McLaughlin and many others. They reached a wide audience and had an impressive show, topped off by Mangold doing handstands on his Hammond. Mark, surrounded by 12 keyboards, Tommy being almost invisible behind a huge battery of drums, with Gary, and later Greg, showing their bass virtuosity in front of a wall of amps, the band stressed musicianship and musicality, while exploring new sounds, and always pushing the envelope.
The third American Tears album, Powerhouse, added the guitarist and singer, Craig Brooks, and the band evolved into the critically acclaimed band Touch...but that is another story.
The fourth American Tears album "Hard Core" heralded the return by Mark to this keyboard based approach, using instruments only available in the 70's when the band made it's first foray. WHITE FLAGS continues the flow with anthemic melodies, salient lyrics, virtuoso musicianship and creative, unpredictable musical journeys that defy formula or category. In fact this band may be the only band on the planet playing exclusively keyboard rock. With influences from his earlier work, tipping an occassional hat to ELP, Moody Blues and even Deep Purple, this record shows the daring, and pure emotion, that can be ripped out of those instruments. American Tears defies the term "generic" as this purely original music, and scathing lyrics, have few if any standards for comparison.
The new ASIA set to embark on 2019 “Royal Affair” Tour with Yes, John Lodge Band, and Carl Palmer’s ELP Legacy.
Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal joins line-up as new singer/ guitarist. Original guitarist and former member STEVE HOWE to make guest appearance each night.
The dragon has risen again.
Two years after the band’s critically acclaimed and successful US trek opening for Journey, an all-new ASIA line-up will return to concert stages across North America as special guests of the YES “ROYAL AFFAIR” tour. The influential British Rock band that rose to the top of the charts with its initial albums and a number of hits including “Only Time Will Tell,” “Heat Of The Moment,” “Don’t Cry,” and “Sole Survivor,” returns with a new line-up that includes founding members Carl Palmer on drums, Geoff Downes on keyboards and backing vocals, and current Yes bassist Billy Sherwood.
Joining the band for the first time is lead guitarist and vocalist Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal, an acclaimed solo artist and former member of Guns N Roses for eight years. Thal is also in the prog-rock band Sons Of Apollo.
The invitation to join the band came from both Palmer and Downes, after Geoff had worked with him in a project called The Platinum Rock All Stars. “Ron is a remarkably innovative guitarist,” says Downes, “with a multi-range lead vocal ability. I believe it will give our material a whole new dimension.”
Also appearing on the tour with YES and ASIA, will be Moody Blues member John Lodge and his band and Carl Palmer’s ELP Legacy, with special guest vocalist, Arthur Brown. Founding member and original guitarist Steve Howe will join ASIA on stage each night on the Royal Affair tour to play on a few of the band’s biggest hits and honor the memory of his friend, John Wetton. It will mark the first time Howe has performed with the band since his departure in 2013.
Asia’s debut album exploded onto the music scene in April 1982, featuring Billboard top 10 classics amongst six radio hits. It became the best-selling album in the World in 1982. Featuring Geoff Downes on keyboards, Steve Howe on guitar, Carl Palmer on drums and John Wetton on lead vocal and bass, Asia was the logical successor to their collective bands of the 70s - Yes, ELP, King Crimson, UK and The Buggles.
Asia became one of the most played acts during the first year of MTV. Throughout most of '82, Asia ruled the radio airwaves and MTV, selling out every date on tour as the debut album crushed all the competition in record stores around the World.
The original line-up of ASIA reformed in 2006. It was the first time the four original members had worked together in 23 years. After Howe’s departure, the band regrouped in 2013, with guitarist Sam Coulson and a new studio album, Gravitas, followed. Tragedy struck in January 2017, when John Wetton lost a valiant battle against cancer, just as the band was about to embark on a 43 date tour opening arena shows for JOURNEY. Despite this huge loss, the band recruited old friend bassist Billy Sherwood from YES and completed the tour, triumphantly. In 2018, Coulson left the line-up to concentrate on solo projects, with sincere gratitude from ASIA for his five years of contributions.
“"The original members of Asia were progressive musical heroes of mine,” says Ron Thal. “ It's a great honor to be asked to play with these legendary musicians with a legacy of great songs, and also contribute some of my own musical ideas. Very much looking forward to our time on the road together."
“There is a great energy when we step on stage,” says Geoff Downes. “We can feel it and I know the fans can feel it.” For ASIA's long-devoted fans, the band’s return to the concert stage cannot come soon enough.” And Downes confirms: “It is what John would have wanted”.
As Carl Palmer has said in the past: "Performing on stage is where this band truly comes into its element. Seeing the fans reacting to our music is what makes it all worthwhile. It is the fuel that drives this train we call ASIA."
ASIA on THE 2019 “ROYAL AFFAIR TOUR”
with Yes, The John Lodge Band, and
Carl Palmer’s ELP Legacy with Arthur Brown.
Wed. 6/12/19 Bethlehem PA - Bethlehem Event Center Event Center
Fri.6/14/19 Farmingville, NY Long Island Community Hospital Amphitheater
Sat. 6/15/19 Atlantic City, NY -Mark Etess Arena at Hard Rock Casino
Sun.6/16/19 Holmdel, NJ - PNC Bank Arts Center
Thu. 6/20/19 Westchester, NY - Westchester County Center
Fri. 6/21/19 Pittsburgh, PA- Stage AE
Sat.6/22/19 Baltimore, MD- MECU Pavilion
Mon.6/24/19 Toronto, ON - Budweiser Stage
Tue.6/25/19 Lewiston, NY - Artpark Amphitheater
Thur. 6/27/19 Bethel, NY - Bethel Woods Center for the Arts
Sat. 6/29/19 Gifford, NH - Bank of NH Pavilion
Sun.6/30/19 E. Providence, RI - Bold Point Park
Wed.7/3/19 Rochester Hills, MI - Meadow Brook Amphitheatre
Fri. 7/5/19 Columbus OH- Express Live
Sat. 7/6/19 Aurora, IL - River Edge Park
Mon.7/8/19 Nashville, TN - Opry House
Wed.7/10/19 Cary NC - Koka Booth Amphitheatre
Fri. 7/12/19 Clearwater, FL. - Ruth Eckerd Hall
Sat. 7/13/19 Hollywood, Fl - Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
Thu.7/18/19 St. Augustine, FL - St. Augustine Amphitheatre
Sat. 7/20/19 Irving, TX - Toyota Music Factory
Sun.7/21/19 Rogers, AR - Wal-Mart Amphitheater
Wed.7/24/19 Phoenix AZ - Comerica Theatre
Fri. 7/26/19 Las Vegas, CA- Hard Rock Casino
Sat.7/27/19 Irvine, CA - Five Points Amphitheatre
Sun.7/28/19 Saratoga, CA - The Mountain Winery
TO PURCHASE TICKETS: www.yesworld.com/live
The Hair Metal spark ignites as LOVE N’ REVENGE announce that they have inked a Worldwide deal with Pittsburgh based RFL Records. The Glam, Slam, Thank you Maam that the arena rockers deliver is set to launch a full throttle assault in 2019 with a Brand New Single firing off on April 19th. Founder, Damon Kelly (Rockarma), has delivered some of the finest songs available in the genre and is set to take it up another notch by teaming with RFL.
Damon adds: “We are absolutely ecstatic about teaming up with RFL Records and together pulling out every asset in our arsenals. The music world these days is so backwards to what it used to be and it's amazing to team up with a top shelf record label that is setting the standards of how it used to be... new wave old school right from worldwide distribution to loading up the tour bus and making sure we get to meet and connect with our fans around the globe on and off stage. Most of all it’s an amazing feeling to know that we are all a family and LNR / RFL will take this to the very top and beyond! Joining two unstoppable forces makes 2019 the official resurrection of pure guitar driven melodic arena rock. See ya on the road”
LOVE N' REVENGE has taken the industry by storm in 2017/18 hitting the biggest arenas and festivals around the world. They have shared the stage with the biggest legends such as Bret Michaels, Vince Neil, Dee Snider, Autograph, Firehouse, Warrant, Dokken, Steel Panther and the list goes on.
For fans and industry alike, Love N’ Revenge has proven themselves to be a staple, branding themselves as The Resurrection of Pure, Guitar Driven, Melodic, Arena Rock pushing everything they’ve got into every explosive live show, leaving the crowds shocked and mesmorized. With three albums under their belt and the highly anticipated new release slated for fall 2019, this promises to deliver melodic madness and bring the power back to Pure Arena Rock.
The boys have only begun their assault on the world and have even been making the time to give back with the healing power of music at Children's Hospitals. Most recently with the Shriner's Hospital For Children in Tampa Bay, Florida.
Love N’ Revenge is definitely here to stay. Their class, charm and professionalism on and off the stage, declared them, globally, as one of the hottest acts in 2019. The new, fresh face and sound of Melodic Hard Rock is on a mission to “Bring It” and the masses will soon hear the power of the generation wild.
Make no mistake, all eyes are on Love N’ Revenge in 2019 – Arena Rock Will Rise Again!
DEF LEPPARD - 18 pages of new andd exclusive interviews with Joe, Phil and Viv
STYX - Was ‘Kilroy Was Here - to blame for the pomp rockers’ demise?
GENESIS - Guitarist Steve Hackett on the making of ‘-Selling England By The Pound’
LITA FORD - “I’m married to rock ‘n - roll”
TESLA - Not glam, not grunge
JOHN WAITE - The Babys, Bad English and ‘Missing You’ guy
THE FOUR HORSEMEN - So good, so not mega
IRON MAIDEN - Dream Theater guitarist John Petrucci on his undyingg passion for Steve Harris and Co.
STATUS QUO - Reappraising 1973’s ‘Hello!’- album
AND NOT FORGETTING-
Phil Mogg - Freelance taxman!
Rock Candy Magazine is a bi-monthly physical mag, with a free digital download for those who buy online.
It’s the brainchild of Derek Oliver, Howard Johnson and Malcolm Dome, three Kerrang! writers who lived it all in the ’80s.
It’s aimed at the discerning fan who wants to wallow in nostalgia and relive the glory days of classic rock.
Rock Candy Mag is available from UK retailers and in shops around the world via distribution from industry giant Marketforce. Also available direct from us at www.rockcandymag.com
It’s 100 pages of the purest classic rock from the ’70s and ’80s, with no room for punk, new wave, skinny tie pop or post-industrial claptrap! And it’s all treated with respect and illustrated with the finest photography of the era.
MRR is excited to announce the second Premium Preorder campaign will be for the second studio album from progressive melodic rockers FICTION SYXX.
THIS IS THE FINAL WEEK FOR PREMIUM PREORDERS. Next week an official release date will be announced for the regular edition.
New this week for Premium Preorder customers are 5 rough mixes and 9 (almost) final mix tracks to check out!
New Video!
FICTION SYXX is dialling in on their sophomore release, ‘The Alternate Me’!
The line-up had one change - Larry Hart (King Kobra/Montrose) on bass guitar takes over for Tony “The Fretless Monster” Franklin. This release is focused more on the core than their debut release ‘Tall Dark Secrets’. There are no guest artists on this one and JK Northrup & Mark Lanoue share the lead guitar duties. Prepare for a mix of melody, harmony, soaring slide, and at times SHRED!
Fiction Syxx is:
Mark Allen Lanoue - Lead Vocals & Guitar
JK Northrup - Guitar, B. Vocals & Production
Rory Faciane - Drums
Larry Hart - Bass
Eric Ragno - Keyboards
There will be 11 tracks … plus bonus material for Premium Preorder supporters.
MRR and FICTION SYXX are excited to launch one full track right now – the epic album opening track ‘Tall Dark Secrets’. PP supporters will get a WAV file of this track delivered to them shortly, along with another full length mixed and completed track, plus an exclusive video of JK Northrup in the studio discussing this track.
MRR/FS2 Premium Preorder is available today for just $30
Standard inclusions in the PP Packs include the following:
- Exclusive ‘Longbox’ Cardboard Sleeve Slipcover CD Packaging
- WAV file of debut track
- Additional fully mastered, completed song
- Weekly updates from the artist
- Exclusive Advance Release Date, receiving the CD weeks ahead of an official release
- Names included in the CD booklet
- Additional demos and completed tracks sampled along the way
- Digital Download of completed release ahead of shipping of CD
MelodicRock Records is excited to announce the release of the debut album ‘Time’ from new American melodic rock outfit LASTWORLD.
What do you do when two of your artists come to you asking for something else to get stuck into? You put them together!
LASTWORLD is guitarist/multi-instrumentalist/songwriter JIM SHEPARD and vocalist DAVID CAGLE.
Their paring was a case of perfect timing, with Jim recently releasing his acclaimed last album ‘Jaded’ and David Cagle looking to further enhance his vocal reputation after the monster JK Northrup & David Cagle record. Both guys wanted to keep busy, so MRR introduced the pair to see what could happen.
Magic it seems – with Jim delivering his best songs and performance to date and David once again delivering a flawless rock vocal showcase.
The master of mastering, JK Northrup as always has given the sonics a boost, so fans get to hear the best version of these recordings.
The debut LASTWORLD album ‘Time’ will be released April 12.
Here is new audio in the form of a lyric video for 'Just A Matter Of Time'.
Pre-order now and get the two songs previewed today delivered to your inbox. And exclusive to those that pre-order direct from MRR, a bonus digital thirteenth track to be delivered soon.
SOTO, the group lead by acclaimed vocalist and current Sons Of Apollo frontman Jeff Scott Soto (ex Yngwie Malmsteen / Talisman / Journey, TSO, W.E.T.), return with their third album and InsideOutMusic debut “Origami“, which showcases 10 tunes of modern, melodic and highly versatile Hard Rock and Metal with addictive songwriting and an infectious level of catchiness.
The album comes packaged in classy artwork by Gustavo Sazes (Machine Head, Amaranthe, Arch Enemy) and is available as limited Digipak-CD with a set of 3 stickers and a bonus track or as LP on 180gr. vinyl with the entire album (and additional track) on CD as bonus.
Escape Music is pleased and delighted to announce the return of Alliance with a brand new album Fire And Grace!
Alliance - Fire And Grace
Release date: 24th May, 2019
Band is:
Robert Berry: All vocals, Bass and keyboards (solo artist, 3, and GTR)
Gary Pihl: All Guitars (Boston and Sammy Hagar)
David Lauser: Drums (Sammy Hagar And The Waboritas)
Produced by: ALLIANCE
All Arrangements by: ALLIANCE
Recorded at: Soundtek Studios, Campbell, CA.
GP Studio Boston
Engineered and Mixed By: Robert Berry
Mastered By: Alan Douches
Cover Artwork and design by: Richard Jones at web-spaghetti, UK
Track listening:
1-DON’T STOP THE WHEEL TURNING 3:39 / 2- GOOD LIFE 4:03 / 3- UNCERTAIN 6:34 / 4- I'LL HAVE SOME OF THAT 4:43 / 5- FIRE AND GRACE 3:26 / 6- RAISE YOUR GLASS 3:24 / 7- TIME 4:38 / 8- REAL THING 4:33 / 9- REASON TO WALK AWAY 4:26 / 10- FAST FORWARD TO LAST NIGHT 3:13 / 11- CHANGE OF HEART 4:21 / 12- THE SAME 4:02 / 13*-YOU ARE THE HEROS 3:27 *bonus track with first pressing only
It seems people often have differing recollections of important events. Everyone has their perspective or a different point of view. Sometimes it’s hard, even for trained eyes and ears to trace the roots of relationships or find the source of a fire. If you were a serious musical archaeologist or perhaps simply a curious person with a shovel, and you were in San Francisco’s fog shrouded North Beach area, specifically on Columbus Ave. in the late-80s you would have been digging through the ash and sifting through the rubble of Bill Graham’s venue known as Wolfgang’s after the big fire. If you were lucky you might have found crucial evidence, tattered threads or charred clues hinting to the origin of Alliance. It was at Wolfgang’s that long time Sammy Hagar drummer David Lauser and a bandmate, both recently set adrift from the positions they had graced for years until Hagar jumped to join Van Halen, came to see the Robert Berry Band perform. It seems Lauser, along with guitarist Gary Pihl and Gamma / Night Ranger keyboardist Alan ‘Fitz’ Fitzgerald were searching for an allusive missing piece for a new project they were plotting. There was a spark for sure. But would it become a flame or a smouldering match?
***“It seems like just yesterday that Gary called me about forming a group for the purpose of having a band outside of our main musical commitments. After several failed attempts with male and female vocalists and bassists, the illustrious A&R man, John Kalodner suggested we contact Robert Berry. Subsequently, Gary, Fitz and I jammed with Robert at Sammy Hagar's home studio. There was a definite spark. An immediate connection. Was that really 30 years ago? Spanning three decades and an ever changing musical landscape, Alliance has been truly a labor of love for all of us.” - David "Bro" Lauser
***“I grew up thinking that being in a band would be the coolest thing ever. A musical oasis where everybody contributes creative parts to make a new and unique sound. Bands like Cream or Led Zeppelin had terrific guitar players but the other musicians were just as important in creating a style that was easily recognised and different from anyone else. Even different than the bands those players had been in before. The term, "supergroup" was coined to describe how several well-known players could bring their previous experiences to the melting pot of something new. A match, for sure. I'm very fortunate to be a part of what I think of as a supergroup. Fitz, David and Robert all have long histories with successful groups and Alliance has been our opportunity to take the best of what we have as individuals and create a new and unique identity.
One of my proudest moments with the band was arriving at our first gig and instead of addressing us by our individual names or past affiliations, the promoter just said, "Alliance?" ... our answer; "Yes, We Are!" - Gary Pihl
***As I look back on this musical journey called Alliance I can’t help but think that my band mates were, and still are, the best musical partnership I could have ever dream of. But, it almost didn’t happen. Timing is always an important ingredient for success. In 1986 Sammy Hagar left his band to join Van Halen. David Lauser, Alan Fitzgerald and Gary Pihl from Hagar’s band, were determined to continue their musical endeavours together. In their search they had come to see my band at Wolfgang’s in San Francisco. It was complicated by the fact that Steve Howe had just invited me to join him in GTR and I had planned to move to England. Gary had been invited to join Boston and David was still performing solo shows with Hagar. Jump ahead to 1989 and Gary, David and FItz still hadn’t come up with the right combination. I had just returned to the U.S. and the timing was perfect to start this new, yet unnamed band. Now, 30 years later, after all the writing and recording, the many miles traveled, and an honest, supportive friendship, we’ve done what I believe is the definitive Alliance album. Creative, non-compromising, and putting our heart and soul into every song. Alliance has all the ingredients of what a band should be. The fire still burns. - Robert Berry
