The new album from British progsters Geof Whitely Project is called “Sempiternal” and is set for release on April 23rd. The album can be pre-ordered now from
www.gwpproject.co.uk
Month: March 2018
KAMELOT – Second single video premiered….
Kamelot premiere second single track & music video
“Phantom Divine (Shadow Empire)” out of their new album called “Shadow Theory”
set for release on April 6th from Napalm Records.
STRAY BULLETS – New lyric video released….
Sneakout Records & Burning Minds Music Group are glad to announce that the lyric video for “Lost Soul Town“, single taken from Stray Bullets‘ debut album “Shut Up“, is finally available online.
“Shut up” has been released on January 26, 2018 via Sneakout Records / Burning Minds Music Group.
Purchase/Streaming links:
– CD: https://goo.gl/h4W3hP
– Amazon Digital: https://goo.gl/wr7zJa
– Spotify: https://goo.gl/otRWHr
– Itunes / Apple Music: https://goo.gl/ETv83r
Web/Social links:
www.facebook.com/straybulletsband
RYAN ROXIE (Alice Cooper) – Release New Solo Album ‘Image Your Reality’ In May, ‘Over And Done’ Lyric Video available…
RYAN ROXIE (Alice Cooper guitarist) has announced the release of his new solo album ‘Image Your Reality‘ on May 25th, 2018 via Cargo Records UK. Vocalist/guitarist & songwriter, RYAN ROXIE, is best known as ALICE COOPER’S long-time lead guitarist and collaborator. He has also worked with Slash & Gilby Clarke and been a member of Classic Rock Award nominated band, Casablanca. Roxie has had an impressive ride so far!
His forthcoming album, ‘Imagine Your Reality’ is his first official ‘solo‘ release and sees him joined by other noteworthy musicians, including a collaboration with Cheap Trick’s Robin Zander on the track California Man.
Says Roxie, “Cheap Trick were a major influence in my musical upbringing. Both Robin Zander and Rick Nielsen have joined us onstage at Alice Cooper shows in the past and have always been the most quintessential rock stars. In my opinion Robin Zander’s voice IS the definition of Rock ‘n’ Roll, so having him guest vocal on California Man definitely ticks a box off my ‘greatest moments in rock ‘n roll’ list.”
‘Imagine Your Reality’ continues Roxie’s legacy of creating infectiously melodic songs and straight ahead no nonsense rock riffs, and this time with more guitar than ever before! Ten tracks, all underlined by ten gleaming guitar solos. From the punk rock undertones of ‘Never Mind Me’ to the un-sugarcoated tale of life in La La Land (To Live and Die in LA) to the superb Beatle-y/Oasis nod, ‘Look Me In The Eye’ – it’s a uplifting big rock sound. Robin Zander transforms ‘California Man’ into the ultimate vintage-vibed, top down, drive in the sunshine, rock n’ roll anthem.
The new lyric video for ‘Over And Done‘ can be viewed here:
Tracklist:
1. Big Rock Show
2. Over And Done
3. California Man
4. To Live And Die In LA
5. Uh Oh Song
6. Me Generation
7. Look Me In The Eye
8. Hearts In Trouble
9. Nevermind Me
10. God Put A Smile Upon Your Face
The album was produced by Kristoffer ‘Folle’ Folin, Tommy Henriksen and Jon Bordon. Recorded & Mixed at Purple Skull Studios, Stockholm Sweden.
Line-up:
Ryan Roxie – Guitars, Vocals
Tommy Henriksen Bass on tracks 1, 6, 9
Kristoffer ‘Folle’ Folin – Bass on tracks 2, 3, 4, 5, 7
Jon Bordon – Badd on track 8
Kristoffer ‘Folle’ Folin – Drums on tracks 2, 3, 4, 5, 7
Glen Sobel – Drums on tracks 1, 6, 9
Anton Korberg – Drums on track 8
Seven Anapolis – Drums on track 3
Teddy ‘Zig-Zag’ Andriatis – Keyboards/Piano on track 3
John Bordon – Keyboards/Piano on track 8
Backing Vocals – Johan Becker, Kristoffer ‘Folle’ Folin, Tommy Henriksen
Special guest Vocals on track 3 – Robin Zander
Ryan says, “With this album I think we kept the spirit and power of the 3.5 minute rock song intact as well as keeping the dream of guitar-driven music alive and well. I can’t wait for people to experience my reality.”
“Roxie is a consummate song writer, upbeat riffs, solid-gold choruses and killer, heavy pop-rock sensibilities” – Classic Rock
“One of the finest power pop rockers around” – Fireworks
“Tunes positively oozing out of every pore” – Überröck
TREMONTI – New album announced….
TREMONTI – TO RELEASE A DYING MACHINE WORLDWIDE VIA NAPALM RECORDS ON JUNE 8th
Tremonti, the band comprised of Mark Tremonti on vocals/guitars, Eric Friedman on guitars, and Garrett Whitlock on drums, will be releasing their fourth full-length album, A Dying Machine, worldwide via Napalm Records on June 8th. Longtime producer, Michael “Elvis” Baskette, produced the album. The album is currently available for pre-order at: http://smarturl.it/ADyingMachine-NPR
From the militant drum assault of the album opener “Bringer Of War” to the instrumental closer “Found,” A Dying Machine is Tremonti’s most-diverse musical offering to date. Songs like “From The Sky,” “Throw Them To The Lions” and “A Lot Like Sin” are signature Tremonti that fans have come to love from the trio. Songs like “Trust,” “The First The Last” and “Desolation” take the listener to new places sonically, all backed by Tremonti’s signature vocal style. A teaser video with music from the album can be seen at: https://youtu.be/LbJNULY8R0w
A Dying Machine is the first concept album of Tremonti’s career and the music is inspired by a story that came to Mark while on the last Alter Bridge tour. During that time, the epic title track “A Dying Machine” was born. The story, which is being turned into a full-length work of fiction authored by Mark Tremonti and John Shirley, takes place at the turn of the next century where humans and fabricated beings called “vessels” are trying to co-exist. Tremonti and Shirley are working on finishing the novel to release alongside the record.
The track listing for A Dying Machine is:
1) Bringer Of War
2) From The Sky
3) A Dying Machine
4) Trust
5) Throw Them To The Lions
6) Make It Hurt
7) Traipse
8) The First The Last
9) A Lot Like Sin
10) The Day When Legions Burned
11) As The Silence Becomes Me
12) Take You With Me
13) Desolation
14) Found
Tremonti will be hitting the road in support of A Dying Machine. The band will be playing a record release show in Orlando on May 12th at the Social. They are also confirmed for Carolina Rebellion on May 4th, the Lunatic Luau on May 5th and will be playing a headline shows in Savannah on May 2nd and Atlanta on May 7th. The band heads over to Europe in mid-June for seven weeks of touring that includes dates as direct support for Iron Maiden alongside headline shows and European festival appearances. Full tour information and ticket purchase links can be found at http://www.marktremonti.com.
After two decades at the forefront of all things guitar, a GRAMMY® Award win, 40 million-plus units sold between Alter Bridge, Creed, and his eponymous Tremonti, and countless other accolades, Mark Tremonti once again summited an uncharted creative peak in 2018. For the very first time, the guitarist and singer crafted an immersive concept and accompanying novel for Tremonti’s fourth full-length album and first for Napalm Records, A Dying Machine. Since emerging in 2012, he and his bandmates—Eric Friedman [guitar, bass] and Garrett Whitlock [drums]—have built the foundation for such an ambitious statement. Their full-length debut All I Was bowed in the Top 5 of the Billboard Top Hard Rock Albums Chart and Top 30 of the Top 200. The 2015 follow-up Cauterize hit the #1 spot on the Top Rock Albums chart on iTunes when it was released. 2015 saw the frontman take home “Best Guitarist” at the Loudwire Music Awards just a year removed from his 2014 “Riff Lord” win at the Metal Hammer Golden Gods. In between sold out headline gigs and festival appearances everywhere from Rock on the Range to Shiprocked!, 2016’s Dust maintained that momentum. With A Dying Machine, Tremonti reaches new heights like never before.
Website: http://www.marktremonti.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MarkTremonti/
Twitter: @MarkTremonti
Instagram: @markttremonti
Tour Dates:
02.05.18 US – Savannah, GA / The Stage On Bay
04.05.18 US – Concord, NC / Carolina Rebellion
05.05.18 US – Virginia Beach, VA / Lunatic Luau
07.05.18 US – Atlanta, GA / The Masquerade
12.05.18 US – Orlando, FL / The Social
*w/ Iron Maiden
17.06.18 IT – Florence / Firenze Rocks
18.06.18 DE – Munich / Strom
19.06.18 DE – Leipzig /Täubchental
21.06.18 DK – Copenhagen / Copenhell
22.06.18 BE – Dessel / Graspop Metal Meeting
23.06.18 FR – Clisson / Hellfest
26.06.18 NL – Zwolle / Hedon
28.06.18 UK – Glasgow / 02 ABC
29.06.18 UK – London / 02 Shepherd’s Bush Empire
30.06.18 UK – Birmingham / 02 Institute
02.07.18 UK – Belfast / Limelight
03.07.18 UK – Dublin / Academy
05.07.18 UK – Portsmouth / Pyramids Centre
09.07.18 IT – Milan / San Siro Ippodromo*
10.07.18 CH – Zurich / Hallenstadion*
13.07.18 PO – Lisbon / Altice Arena*
14.07.18 ES – Viveiro / Viveiro Ressurrection Fest
17.07.18 IT – Muggia / Piazza Unita d’Italia*
24.07.18 CR – Zagreb / Zagreb Arena*
27.07.18 PL – Krakow / Tauron Arena*
28.07.18 PL – Krakow / Tauron Arena*
29.07.18 PL – Warsaw / Klub Hybrydy
31.07.18 DE – Berlin / Lido
01.08.18 DE – Cologne / Luxor
02.08.18 DE – Wacken / Wacken Open Air
BIG CITY – New album in June….
Norwegian melodic heavy rock/metal band, BIG CITY, have announced the release of their second album ‘Big City Life‘ as a double CD digipack including their 2013 debut album ‘Wintersleep‘ on June 22th, 2018 via ROAR! Rock Of Angels Records.
BIG CITY features members of Scariot, Blood Red Throne, Withem, Maraton and Memoria Avenue.
The album artwork was made by by Tim Eckhorst (Scorpions, Ektomorf, UDO, Wacken Open Air). Mixing, mastering and keys on both albums by Martin Berger (Screams Of Scarlet, Blood Red Throne, Zerozonic) at Skar Production.
‘Big City Life‘ Tracklist:
1. Big City Life
2. Cryin’ In The Night
3. Daemon In The Dark
4. Rocket Man
5. Stars Surrounding
6. From This Day
7. Running For Your Life
8. Forgive Me Now
9. Tower Of Babylon
10. Home Again
‘Wintersleep‘ Tracklist:
1. Midnight Train
2. Innocence Of A Kill
3. Wintersleep
4. Fire And Stone
5. Too Late
6. The Last Sleep
7. Iseline
8. Love Break The Heart
9. Harbor Of Tears
10. Will You Be Gone
Big City is:
Jan Le Brandt – Vocals (Memoria Avenue, Northquake)
Daniel Olaisen – Guitars(Scariot, Blood Red Throne, ex-Satyricon)
Frank Ørland – Guitars (ex-Scariot)
Miguel Pereira – Bass (Withem)
Frank Nordeng Røe – Drums (Withem, Maraton)
BIG CITY is a melodic heavy rock/metal band from Norway with tons of experience in the music industry. The members have been playing or still play in extreme bands as Satyricon and Blood Red Throne, but also the up and coming prog metal band Withem and many other bands.
The reason for Big City is songwriter Daniel Olaisen and his ideas throughout the last 10 years. He wanted to put his 80’s heavy riffs in a band and find suitable people to join him. Bandmate, Frank Ørland, also played with Daniel in Scariot (1999-2005, prog/thrash/heavy band featuring Communic members) and was an obvious choice to bring to Big City. Frank Nordeng Røe (Withem, Marathon, session drummer for Circus Maximus) on drums, was found when searching on internet. The band was completed with Jan Le Brandt on vocals and Geir Inge Olsen on session bass guitar. The debut album, Wintersleep, was recorded and released in 2013 digitally through Mayhem Music.
Big City continued to write material for another album. Miguel Pereira (Withem) was recruited as their new permanent bass player. Big City is now planning to perform live in 2018 for the first time!
PRETTY MAIDS: Frontman hospitalized…
Vocalist Ronnie Atkins from Danish melodic rockers Pretty Maids has been hospitalized in Basel (Switzerland) after suffering an unfortunate blow to the head.
His bandmates stated as follows:
“It’s with a heavy heart we have to announce that our brother Ronnie Atkins is in hospital in Basel, Switzerland.
He suffered an unfortunate blow to the head and had to be taken by ambulance to the hospital. He is currently undergoing tests and being observed by specialists.
The latest news is that he is conscious but has to remain in hospital for a while. As a consequence of this we have to cancel the last 3 shows on our tour. Once Ronnie is fully recovered we will come back and play these shows and film the scheduled DVD. We apologize for this and know you guys travel far to come to these shows. Our main concern at this time is Ronnie’s health.
Pls contact your ticket seller for more information. We will also provide this as soon as we have the information. Thank you for your understanding. You can send Ronnie you best wishes on our Facebook page. We will be back with an update on the situation as soon as we can.
PM “
SUNSTORM – New album announced….
Sunstorm announced that their NEW ALBUM called “THE ROAD TO HELL” will be released on June 8th !
Tracks:
1. Only The Good Will Survive
2. The Road to Hell
3. On the Edge
4. Blind the Sky
5. My Eyes on You
6. Future to Come
7. Everywhere
8. Resurrection
9. Calling
10. State of the Heart
11. Still Fighting
DANIEL TRIGGER – NEW single out….
“Penitence” is the New single from UK Midlands-based singer/songwriter Daniel Trigger. Download this track from http://www.danieltrigger.bandcamp.com, where all proceeds are being donated to ‘Mind’ UK mental health charity (www.mind.org.uk). Also available through iTunes, Amazon and all major on-line music stores. Taken from the forthcoming album ‘Right Turn’, due for release 26th May 2018.
For news and more music from Daniel Trigger, also visit http://www.reverbnation.com/danieltrigger, or email danieltriggersongs@gmail.com. All proceeds from any downloads through http://www.danieltrigger.bandcamp.com are given to charity.
FM – New video clip available….
The mighty FM have released a new clip called “Playing Tricks On Me” out of their upcoming album called “Atomic Generation” set for release on March 30th on Frontiers Records.
Nils Patrik Johansson (Astral Doors, Lion’s Share, ex Civil War) – Solo album announced & Video teaser available…
Nils Patrik Johansson (Astral Doors, Lion’s Share, ex Civil War) will release his first solo album, “EVIL DELUXE” on Metalville this spring.
REVERENCE – New Deal, New Album announced & New lyric video available….
REVERENCE have signed a multi album deal for Europe, CIS and UK with ROAR! Rock Of Angels Records. REVERENCE is working on a live CD and writing on a new full length studio album for an release later this year. REVERENCE will add some summer US shows, and a European tour is being planned for this fall.
REVERENCE recently released a EP ‘Foreverence‘ in tribute to their guitarist Pete Rossi, who passed away unexpectedly in March 2017. The EP is the follow-up to 2015’s Gods Of War and will also feature two bonus tracks from their up and coming live CD. All REVERENCE artwork is from Jobert Mello of Sledgehammer graphix.
REVERENCE have released a lyric video for ‘New Order‘
REVERENCE’s debut album, ‘When Darkness Calls’ was released on Razar Ice Records on May 3rd 2012 to roaring reviews, the band headed across the pond for a UK and Europe 2013 tour and back to the USA for an East Coast run. Upon returning, with only a new four song demo they signed a three album deal with Marquee/Avalon Japan and went on to release their second album ‘Gods Of War’, released on October 21st in Asia through Marquee/Avalon and the rest of the world through Razar Ice Records on November 4th 2015 to more rave reviews from fans and critics alike. On December 22th, 2017 REVERENCE released their long awaited follow up EP ‘Foreverence‘.
www.facebook.com/reverencemetal
www.reverencemetal.com
www.Youtube.com/Reverencemetal
Reverence is:
Scott Oliva – Vocals (ex-Wind Wraith, Innerstrength)
Bryan Holland – Guitars (ex-Tokyo Blade)
Paul Kleff – Guitars (ex-Firewölfe, Metal Church live)
Steve ‘Doc Killdrums’ Wacholz – Drums (ex-Savatage/Crimson Glory)
Russ Pzutto – Bass (Twisted Sister live)
Dead End Finland – First single released….
Dead End Finland released the first single called Lifelong Tragedy, out from their forthcoming fourth album, which will be released in 2019 via Inverse Records.
The band comments:”Our fourth album will be musically the most diverse album we have made so far. The first single reflects the more epic, slower and calmer side of the album”.
LISTEN TO SINGLE on:
Spotify: http://spoti.fi/2oUOSYw
Deezer: http://www.deezer.com/album/58385142
Tidal: https://tidal.com/album/85540460
Apple: https://apple.co/2IfzHRO
Dead End Finland is a melodic metal band from Helsinki, Finland. The band was formed in 2008 and they are known from their massive sound and topnotch production.
Discography:
Stain Of Disgrace (full-length 2011 independent / 2012 Inverse Records)
Season Of Withering (full-length 2013 Inverse Records)
Slaves To The Greed (full-length 2016 Inverse Records)
Lifelong Tragedy (Single 2018 Inverse Records)
Line-Up:
Mikko Virtanen – Vocals
Santtu Rosén – Guitars & bass
Miska Rajasuo – Drums
Jarno Hänninen – Keys
Links:
http://deadendfinland.com
https://www.facebook.com/deadendfinland
https://twitter.com/deadendfinland
http://spoti.fi/2FhtzGF
https://apple.co/2I48nWq
MICHAEL SCHINKEL’S ETERNAL FLAME – New deal & New album announced….
German Neoclassical Heavy Metal band, MICHAEL SCHINKEL’S ETERNAL FLAME, have signed a multi album deal with ROAR! Rock Of Angels Records. MICHAEL SCHINKEL’S ETERNAL FLAME third album ‘Smoke On The Mountain‘ includes 13 tracks, to be out on May 18th, 2018. The album is produced by Michael Schinkel & Helmut Kohlpaintner, co-produced by Timothy Touchton, mixed by Michael Schinkeland mastered by Christoph Stickel.
‘Smoke On The Mountain‘ featuring Mark Boals (ex-Yngwie Malmsteen, Ring of Fire) and Göran Edman (ex-Yngwie Malmsteen, John Norum) on vocals.
Timothy Touchton (known by lyrics such as “Go for Gold” Olympics in Seoul 1988, “Sail Away” Joe Cocker as well as 11 Top 40 and 3 top 5 hits), Carsten Lizard Schulz (Evidence One, Midnite Club, Domain) and Rainer Holzapfl did the lyrics.
MICHAEL SCHINKEL’S ETERNAL FLAME is:
Michael Schinkel – Vocals & all Guitars
Helmut Kohlpaintner – Keyboards
Thomas Keller – Bass & Backing Vocals
Michael Hencky – Drums
Guests:
Mark Boals – Vocals (ex-Yngwie Malmsteen, Ring of Fire)
Göran Edman – Vocals (ex-Yngwie Malmsteen, John Norum)
Ossy Pfeiffer – Keyboards (Ignore The Sign)
Christian Tatsek – Keyboards
Ritchie Kelly – Guitar Solo
Andy Dick – Drums (Bobby Kimball, Glenn Hughes, Ron Young)
Robert Lipp – Bass
Gerhard Blum – Bass
Makeus Grünzer – Bass
MICHAEL SCHINKEL’S ETERNAL FLAME style is inspired by the 80’s and 90’s (YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, RAINBOW and DEEP PURPLE).
After the first two albums “Desire” (1998 – Point Music & Dreamchaser Records) and “King of the King” (2002 – MTM Music) it was the end of Eternal Flame. Michael Schinkel (singer and guitarist) and Helmut Kohlpaintner (keyboard player, bassist) decided to work as composers and producers for other musicians and bands and founded the company “enooma-media musicproduction” in Munich. Again and again they received calls, letters and e-mails from fans, with the request to produce a new Eternal Flamealbum. It then started in 2012. Helmut Kohlpaintner and Michael Schinkel discussed the project and quickly found partners for lyric writing such as Timothy Touchton (known by lyrics such as “Go for Gold” Olympics in Seoul 1988, “Sail Away” Joe Cocker as well as 11 Top 40 and 3 top 5 hits). The album was created by further guests such as Mark Boals(ex-Yngwie Malmsteen and Ring of Fire) and Göran Edman (ex-Yngwie Malmsteen & John Norum). Other musicians such as Thomas Keller (bass) and Robert Lipp (bass) from past Eternal Flame days as well as the drummer Michael Hencky also shared their know how.
www.facebook.com/MichaelSchinkelsEternalFlame
www.eternal-flame.de
FRONTLINE – “State of Rock” Re-issued w/ bonus tracks…..
On April 27th 2018, AOR Heaven will re-issue the rare and out of print album “The State Of Rock” with two bonus tracks as a limited edition of 1000 copies. The album was re-mastered by guitarist Robby Böbel.
Track listing: 1. Heaven Knows, 2. The Night Comes Over You, 3. Another Love, 4. Heaven Can’t Wait, 5. Endless, 6. Over And Out, 7. Dangerous Game, 8. Hold On, 9. I Have To Be Strong, 10. Victom Of Madness, 11. It’s Not Over, 12. I’m Fallin (former Japanese bonus track), 13. Alone (former Japanese bonus track)
FRONTLINE from Nürnberg, Germany belong to the pioneers of the German hard rock scene. Founded in 1989 by Robert Böbel (guitars, keyboards; EVIDENCE ONE, PHANTOM V), Stephan Kämmerer (vocals), Thomas Riess (bass) und Stephan Bayerlein (drums), their debut album “The State Of Rock” finally hit the stores in 1994 – a true classic which until today still is regarded as the finest album of the band by many. This record also meant the breakthrough for the guys in Japan where they reached # 10 in the rock sales charts. Straightly after the release, FRONTLINE went on tour in Europe and had the honour to open for various great acts such as GOTTHARD, CRASH TEST DUMMIES, BONFIRE, TYKETTO and CASANOVA.
In 1995, FRONTLINE pulled out the full acoustic album „Two Faced“. However, personal differences within the band followed and ended up in the departure of Stephan Bayerlein and Thomas Riess in 1996. They were replaced by Thomas „Hutch“ Bauer (Bass) und Rami Ali (Drums; EVIDENCE ONE, SHYLOCK). Still in the same year, FRONTLINE signed a record deal with a new label, recorded the single “Man In Motion” and the album “Heroes” which though officially only saw the light of day in Japan since their European label went out of business.
One year later, the band decided to start working on another new album which is well known under it’s working title “Heroes II” amongst the fans but never saw a release. Due to a complicated contractual situation many labels feared to contact FRONTLINE during the following years and the band went back to the underground again until Georg Siegl at AOR Heaven finally showed his interest in the band in the year 2000 and signed them for the first time. Just one month later, the album “Right Attitude” was released which can be regarded as a sort of compilation out of both “Heroes” albums …and “Right Attitude” became a huge success for the band again! The recordings for their 2002 output “Against The World” started the same year, and this album finally re-established FRONTLINE on the international hard rock market.
Throughout the months after the release of the best of compilation “Almost Unreleased” (2003) which also featured a couple of rare tracks for the fans, FRONTLINE again went into the studio and started to work on a new album called “The Seventh Sign” (2004). In the year 2006, the last studio album the German group called “Circles” was released.
HEARTWIND – Debut album in April….
New melodic hard rock project called HEARTWIND is coming up with their debut album entitled “Higher and Higher” on April 27th which will be released from AOR HEAVEN.
Track listing: 1. Higher and higher, 2. Cry out into space, 3. Ready for the moonlight, 4. One night away from you, 5. Surrounding me 6. Through the light, 7. Too late for roses 8. Creatures of the night, 9. Don’t be that girl, 10. Your eyes cannot lie, 11. Game of love
With members from bands like Constancia, The Poodles, Token, Narnia and Essence of Sorrow, and with guest stars Nina Söderquist (Bjorn Skifs/Badrock, Champions of Rock a.o.), Janne Stark (Grand Design, Mountain of Power a.o.), and Tåve Wanning (The Voice, Adrenaline Rush, Peaches), new melodic hard rockers Heartwind may come across as one of those one off band projects, but nothing could be more far from the truth. Heartwind is the story of two old friends, with a common love for classical melodic hard rock and AOR, that after fifteen years of friendship started to write the album they always had wanted to listen to themselves. Over a meal in downtown Stockholm, guitar player and songwriter Goran Engvall (former with Hitworks) and progressive/melodic keyboard player and fellow songwriter Mikael Rosengren (Constancia, Token, Scudiero), laid down the vision for what was yet to come. 15 original songs and 12 months later, Mikael started to pull some strings from his many fellow musicians in the Swedish hard rock scene since 20 years back. The two songwriters were amazed with the positive response they got on their first demos, from hard rock industry people & fans. It became evident that they were going to be able to attract some great talent to the album and the band. Believing in the importance of fellowship and a strong people fit when starting a band, Mikael and Göran started to dig in closest ground: Drummer Peter TrumPeter Svensson (Constancia, Faith) and singer Germán Pascual (Narnia, Dj Mendez, Essence of Sorrow), happily joined the band, and two key pieces of the puzzle came into place. With Peter and Germán onboard, the band knew they had both a powerful backbone and a phenomenal front man in place!
Germán invited his old friends, and former band mates, guitar virtuoso Martin Hall (Germán Pascual band) and bass wizard Germain Leth (The Poodles, Watchmen) to join the band and magic was about to happen. When also the very well respected Fredrik Folkare (Unleashed, Firespawn, Eclipse, Scudiero a.o.), accepted to team up to produce and mix, the band knew they had something special going. Fredrik’s contribution also as a musician on the album (guitar & bass) cannot be underestimated.
With classical albums like Hysteria (Def Leppard), 1987 (Whitesnake) and Escape (Journey) serving as inspiration, the intention from the band has been to get every single track to stand on its own two feet! Timeless melodic hard rock with a modern but still genuine sound!
Heartwind are:
Germán Pascual – Lead vocals
Mikael Rosengren – Keyboards
Martin Hall – Lead guitars
Göran Engvall – Lead guitars & backing vocals
Peter TrumPeter Svensson – Drums
Germain Leth – Bass
AMRS APPROVED : 9/10
MAVERICK – New album in April…
The new album from melodic Hard Rockers MAVERICK is called “Cold star dancer” and is set for release on April 6th on Metalpolis Records.
Founded back in 2012 from the Balfour brothers Ryan and David, Maverick soon could establish themselves in the scene. With their first album „Quid Pro Quo“ they already could tour in Europe together with the Swedish Hard Rock stars THE POODLES. The from press and fans very well reviewed second album „Big Red“ saw the 5-piece from Belfast/Northern Ireland again on the road with Swedish superstars TREAT. They also played festivals like H.E.A.T FESTIVAL (Germany), ICEROCK and ROCKNACHT TENNWIL (Switzerland) and ROCKINGHAM in the UK, which helped them to grow their solid fan base to a massive one!
The new album „Cold Star Dancer“ marks a consequent follow-up to „Big Red“. Groovy and modern played Heavy Rock with killer hooklines and well produced by Neal Calderwood in the Manor Park Studios in Belfast. Singer David Balfour proves that he is one of the new heroes of the current Hard Rock generation and guitarist Ryan Balfour, who played almost all the guitars himself (second guitarist Terry McHugh left the band during the production), is without a doubt one of the upcoming shredders! Some songs saw guest performances from TREAT guitarist Anders Wikström („Ex Machina“ and „Cold Star Dancer“) and STORMZONE guitarist Steve Moore (Myrmidon“, „Viper“ and „Devil’s Night“). Until they’ll find a permanent new guitar player, Steve Moore will help the band out on live shows.
Tracklist: 1. Dusk, 2. Cold Star Dancer, 3. Myrmidon, 4. Kiss Of Fire, 5. Goodbye,
6. Ex Machina, 7. Magellan Rise, 8. Seize The Day, 9. Viper, 10. Kings, 11 Devil’s Night,
12. Jessie’s Girl (bonus track)
Line Up:
David Balfour – vocals
Ryan Balfour – guitar
Richie Diver – bass
Jonathan Millar – drums
Discography:
2013 Talk’s Cheap EP
2014 Quid Pro Quo
2016 Big Red
2018 Cold Star Dancer
Here’s a bite:
AMRS Approved: 8.5 / 10
UNIVERSE INFINITY – New album on April 13th….
Swedish melodic rockers Universe are back as Universe Infinity and their new album called “Rock is alive” is set for release on April 13th from Pride & Joy Music.
Here’s a bite:
UNIVERSE started in 1982 in Upplands Väsby, Sweden, where hard rock ruled the streets. The members hailed from several different local bands. After leaving the band Moon, lead guitarist Michael Kling, who founded the band WC in the late 70’s with John Norum, became one of UNIVERSE’s founding members. Bassist Hasse Hagman, who played in Joey Tempest‘s first band, along with drummer Anders Wetterströmand guitarist Per Nilsson, all came from the band Twilight. Once UNIVERSE got their hands on keyboard player Fredrik Kriström and singer Kjell Wallen, the band was complete. They played diligently for a couple of years all over Sweden, opening for Nazareth, among many other gigs. In 1985, the band released its self-titled debut album with songs like “Rollin’ On”, “Stories from the Old Days”, and “Strong Vibrations”. In 1986, Kjell Wallen left the band on good terms following creative differences and was subsequently replaced by Janne Åström. With Janne as the new frontman, the band focused fully on a follow-up to their debut album. Several demos were recorded but never ended up in the right hands. The band dissolved in early 1988 and then had a short reunion for a final show in the ice hall in Upplands Väsby later that year.
The band members went their separate ways, each showing up here and there in different contexts with connections to music. Everyone maintained occasional contact and eventually Per Nilsson reached out to the others to see if they were interested in playing together again. In 2002, all the members met up together for the first time in 14 years. They immediately knew they wanted to play again, and became convinced that the old material still had potential. Everyone agreed that a new album had to be released, but also that they were being pulled in different directions. For several years they kept continuous contact, waiting for the time when recording an album became inevitable. At first, UNIVERSE lacked a singer, but suddenly one day he was just there. Andreas Eklund (ex-House Of Shakira) became the new front man, his narrative lyrics and tasteful melodies opening the door to another dimension, so the band could take a bigger step into the galaxy. Now, finally, UNIVERSE is back as UNIVERSE INFINITY with “Rock Is Alive”, a powerful album that is a tribute to the music of the 70’s and 80’s, and to their youth in Upplands Väsby. “Rock Is Alive” was produced by Michael Kling and Per Nilsson at Kling Studios, and mixed and mastered by Stefan Helleblad; drums were recorded in Standstraight Studio One Scandinavia. The artwork was created by Sylvain Lucchina at Razor Images.
Line-Up: Michael Kling – Lead Guitar; Andreas Eklund – Vocals; Hasse Hagman – Bass; Freddy Kriström – Keyboard; Anders Wetterström – Drums; Per Nilsson – Guitar
TEMPT – Covering classic Def Leppard’s “Women”…..
FREE FROM SIN – New album in July….
Second album is coming up this summer on July 20th from swedish metallers
FREE FROM SIN.
The tracklist so far is:
Pandemonium
Faces of Christ
The Devils mule
GOD made you Hate (The core of War)
The Unholy
Crossing the Borderline
MR BLAKK
Deciever (become a Believer)
Break and Burn
Gabriel
World Victim (The end)
Swedish metal band FREE FROM SIN released their self-titled debutalbum in 2015. The debutalbum was received very well in the hard rock and metal communities.
FREE FROM SIN – Free From Sin (2015)
Songlist:
Requiem (instrumental)
Evershine
Free From Sin
Believer
Evil Or Divine
Dreamstealer
Stumbling Down A Wicked Road
The Masquerade Temple Of Fear
La Grande Finale (instrumental)
The album was first released digitally on label Blakk records July 7th, 2015 and a physical release followed in all of Europe September 25th, 2015 on label Pride & Joy Music.
AmadeuS Melodic Rock Shows 