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April 29, 2012 CL

April 29, 2012 CL

News update 2012 (8/24)

ASIA, the legendary British classic rock band, returns with a brand-new studio album, a 30th Anniversary edition of their debut album, two DVDs and a world tour that includes UK, Europe, Japan and America. Asia will release their new studio album “XXX” (pronounced Triple X) on Frontiers Records on June 29 in Europe and July 3 in North America. The new record will be released as a CD, a collector’s edition CD/DVD (featuring new music videos and behind-the-scenes footage) and on vinyl (limited edition Europe only). The original artwork for “XXX” album is courtesy of Roger Dean. The first single taken from the highly anticipated new album is entitled “Face On The Bridge” and will be released worldwide on May 14. In addition, Asia has also completed “Resonance”, a DVD concert film of the band’s 2010/2011 Omega World Tour, captured live in Switzerland, which will be released later in the fall. To celebrate their 30th Anniversary, Asia will release a collector’s edition box set based on their legendary 1982 eponymous debut album, supported by a myriad of Asia releases in 2012. The 30th anniversary edition of their debut album will feature 2 audio CDs (a remastered edition of the debut album plus a CD of live rare tracks), an expansive historical booklet, a limited edition T-shirt, goodies from the band’s 1982 tour plus a DVD of the new band documentary, “ASIA - 30 Years On”. A newly commissioned painting by Roger Dean updates the symbolic dragon and pearl from 1982 to 2012, the Year of The Water Dragon (in the Chinese calendar).

Accept guitarist HERMAN FRANK will release his new solo album, “Right In The Guts”, on June 22 through Metal Heaven. He has recorded 13 gripping metal tracks. The recordings took place in his own Arena 20 Studio, located in Hanover. Frank himself acted as composer and producer, as well as taking care of the mixing and album mastering. Frank has succeeded by implementing an astonishing variety of different tempos, levels of heaviness and forms of expression within a traditional metal frame. With the furious opener “Roaring Thunder” and the pulsating title track “Right In The Guts” Frank immediately shows his typical side. This is where instruments and vocals get directly to the point and leave no questions unanswered. All in all an album that his fans will love … and a work that belongs on the stage as quickly as possible.

earMUSIC, Edel’s international rock label, is proud to announce what looks to be one of the rock and roll comebacks in 2012. After a 14 years’ break, Scottish rockers GUN will release their great return on June 15, 2012. The band’s debut album, “Taking On The World”, achieved multiple successful singles, appearances and guest slots with acts such as The Rolling Stones, Bon Jovi, Simple Minds, Bryan Adams or Def Leppard. With critically acclaimed albums, singles, many awards and a few line-up changes under their belt, GUN decided to call it a day in 1998. Fast forward 10 years into 2008, GUN was awarded with the prestigious Nordoff Robbins Tartan Clef award for ‘Scotland’s Best Live Band’, which ultimately led to the band’s reunion, accompanied by an enthusiastic response. The new album, “Break The Silence”, was produced by Dave Eringa, mastermind behind artists such as The Manic Street Preachers and Ocean Colour Scene. The collaboration resulted in a perfect balance between a modern approach and a vintage energy, flirting with the times of The Stooges or early Stones. The perfect sonic dress for GUN’s inspired and versatile songwriting. Not just another exercise in nostalgia, but an album that had to be made, featuring songs that were too good not to be heard. GUN fans will certainly agree it was worth the wait: the eleven songs forming the new album remind of some of the greatest rock albums. No fillers, power, energy, refined and rough at the same time.

Avenue Of Allies Music are happy to announce the signing of the band HARTMANN and the release of the band’s fourth studio album, “Balance”, on June 1. Oliver Hartmann first appeared on the international music scene during the late 90s as the frontman of At Vance. During his successful time with the band, they recorded 4 albums and Oliver became an internationally well-known and highly respected singer. Since then his powerful voice has been heard on rock operas such as Avantasia, Aina and Genius and on many productions by well-known international rock acts like HammerFall, Edguy, Helloween, Lunatica, Rhapsody, Soul Seller and Empty Tremor. After leaving At Vance he started to focus more on the songwriting for his new band Hartmann. Frontiers Records signed them in 2004 and the first album “Out In The Cold“ was released in 2005. The HARTMANN debut was the positive surprise of the year for many people, it received rave reviews. With “Home”, the unplugged CD/DVD “Handmade” and “3” more releases followed. During the past two years, the band played numerous shows. The recordings for the new Hartmann album, “Balance”, were completed in April 2012. The 4th effort of the band once again offers melodic rock music with a modern approach on the highest international level backed by a top notch production. The songs, mostly written by Oliver Hartmann himself, cover a wide variety of moods and showcase the whole range of the musical genre, always focusing on catchy melodies and expressive choruses.

Frontiers Records are honored to welcome RICHARD MARX to the label for the exclusive release of “Inside My Head”, a 2-CD album set featuring rare and new material along with new recordings of his greatest hits - on June 1 in Europe. The first single “Wouldn't Let Me Love You” will be released digitally on May 1. A gifted singer and consummate songwriter, Richard Marx has left a powerful mark on the music industry over the past 20 years. With 30 million records sold, 3 Grammy Award nominations, a Grammy Award for ‘Song of the Year’ and an American Music Award nomination for favourite male singer Marx, who has written fourteen #1 songs and had thirteen US #1 songs on the Billboard charts, has remained a fixture on pop and adult contemporary radio for years. Marx was the first male solo artist in history to have his first 7 singles reach the top 5 on Billboard’s singles chart, including the 1 hits “Hold On To The Nights,” “Satisfied” and the worldwide classic “Right Here Waiting”. This feat remains unchallenged. He has also emerged as a first rate producer working with some of the biggest names in the music business including *NSYNC, Barbra Streisand, Josh Groban, Kenny Rogers, Sarah Brightman, Lara Fabian, Sister Hazel and The Tubes among others. More recently, he has written and produced records for Daughtry, LeeAnn Rimes, Emerson Drive, Natalie Cole, Keith Urban, Kenny Loggins, Michael Bolton and actor Hugh Jackman. The first CD of the “Inside My Head” set is a new studio record. It features two bonus tracks as well as collaborations with some of the most talented singer/songwriters in the business, including Chris Daughtry (“Had Enough” and “On The Inside”), Chad Kroeger of Nickelback (who also co-wrote “On The Inside”), Matt Scannell of Vertical Horizon (who played and co-wrote “Always On Your Mind”), Jason Wade of Lifehouse (who co-wrote “Had Enough”, also released by his band on “Smoke And Mirrors”), Fee Waybill of The Tubes (“Come Running”), Dann Huff (co-producer and guitarist on “Loved”) and many others. The bonus CD contains amazing new versions of 12 of Marx’s greatest hits, including “Right Here Waiting”, “Angelia”, “Don’t Mean Nothing” and “Keep Coming Back”. “Inside My Head” will be released in a lavish digipak edition.

OSADA VIDA, one of the most interesting Polish bands on the progrock scene, reveal new details of their first live DVD. The material, entitled “Where The Devils Live”, features the recording of their live appearance at the Wyspianski Theater in Katowice, Poland in November 2011 and is scheduled for release on June 18 in Europe and July 24 in the USA. Osada Vida’s discography includes three demos and three well-received official releases, “Three Seats Behind A Triangle” (2006/2007), “The Body Parts Party” (2008) and “Uninvited Dreams” (2009). The band’s albums feature elaborately beautiful music in the vein of Yes, Porcupine Tree, Pain Of Salvation and Riverside. The outstanding performance and intriguing visuals make for an exceptional and deeply engaging spectacle. The richly diversified tracklist features songs from all previous albums plus a previously unreleased song, called “Hard-Boiled Wonderland”. The DVD also includes an interview with ?ukasz Lisiak (vocals, bass) and Rafa? Paluszek (keys).

OXYGEN will release their debut album “Fair Warning” through Escape Music on June 22. The band, hailing from Sweden, excels in high quality melodic rock with an 80s tinge. Leading the band is Tony Niva, known from acts like Zanity, Swedish Erotica, Malibu Band, Tracy Goes Crazy, Axia, Niva and Lion’s Share. With Oxygen Tony has changed his musical prowess to more of an AOR and melodic rock style direction. “Fair Warning” is all about highly infectious melodies and great songs. Oxygen have a knack of turning out great tunes, in the manner of Treat, but they seem to have captured that great American / Canadian vibe of the early eighties, and vocally Tony sounds a little like Lou Nadeau of Wrabit, so you can be sure they stand out from the crowd!

Frontiers Records are pleased to announce the signing of PLAYER to the label for the release of a yet untitled new album. Best remembered for “Baby Come Back”, a song which topped the US single charts in 1978, Player’s original line-up included Peter Beckett (guitarist, lead vocalist), J.C. Crowley (guitarist, vocalist), Ronn Moss (bassist, vocalist) and John Friesen (drummer). After extensively playing the club scene in Southern California, Player began to develop a very distinctive, edgy, yet very melodic rock style and was signed by Robert Stigwood to his legendary RSO Records, home to The Bee Gees, Eric Clapton, “Saturday Night Fever” and “Grease”. Player went on to release four albums during their active touring years until 1982. Moss left in 1981 to pursue an acting career and has starred for the past 25 years on the daytime soap opera “The Bold and the Beautiful”. JC Crowley pursued a career in country music, while Beckett continued writing for other artists and movie soundtracks. He also did an eight year stint with Little River Band starting in 1990, while releasing an acclaimed solo CD, “Beckett”, in 1991. Beckett got back together with Ronn Moss in 1995, and recorded Player's fifth album, “Lost In Reality”, and toured the United States. Since then, Peter has produced, written and played on two solo CDs for Ronn Moss and composed music for “The Bold and the Beautiful”. Player restarted working on new songs and touring together in 2010. The new line-up features again original members Peter Beckett and Ronn Moss together with Rob Math (guitars), Johnny English (keyboards) and Craig Pilo (drums). As a special appetizer to the new release, and in connection with a promotional trip in Italy where Peter and Ronn will appear on several major radio and TV shows in the first week of May, Frontiers Records is pleased to announce the worldwide digital only release of a 3-song EP, entitled “My Addiction”, on April 30.

April 28, 2012 CL

News update 2012 (7/24)

French progressive metal band ATLANTYCA will release their debut album “To Nowhere And Beyond” on May 11 via Brennus Music. This band was founded by the brothers Julien and Maxime Putigny who handle the guitars and bass respectively. The line-up is completed by French drummer Laurent Falso and four top class international singers: Edu Falaschi (Angra), Paul Shortino (Quiet Riot), Andy Kuntz (Vanden Plas) and the great session singer David Steele. To have a listen in advance, please have a look at the band’s trailer which includes samples of some songs from the album: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSFkbP2npFo

Internationally renowned guitarist JOE BONAMASSA is pleased to announce that his lucky 13th studio album, “Driving Towards The Daylight”, will be released in the UK on Monday 21st May by Provogue Records. Produced by Kevin Shirley, the album highlights Bonamassa’s signature style of blues, roots and rock & roll. The album features a unique group of musicians, including Aerosmith guitarist Brad Whitford (guitars), Blondie Chaplin (guitars), Anton Fig (drums and percussion), Arlan Schierbaum (keyboards), Michael Rhodes (bass), Carmine Rojas (bass), Jeff Bova and The Bovaland Brass, Pat Thrall (guitars) and Whitford’s son Harrison Whitford (guitars). “Driving Towards The Daylight” includes five Bonamassa-penned originals, including bruising opener “Dislocated Boy”, the title track “Driving Towards The Daylight”, “I Got All You Need”, “Heavenly Soul” and “Somewhere Trouble Don’t Go”. Other tracks include Joe’s versions of Tom Waits’ “New Coat Of Paint”, Bill Withers’ “Lonely Town Lonely Street” and Bernie Marsden’s “A Place In My Heart”. On the album closer, Australian rock singer Jimmy Barnes sings lead vocals on his 1987 hit “Too Much Ain't Enough Love”.

BONFIRE and the band’s drummer Dominik Hülshorst have mutually agreed to split. The drum duties for the near future and possibly the far future will be handled by Harry Reischmann (Gregorian) who already played with the band in the Ukraine in March 2012. More info on http://www.bonfire.de

Finnish melodic metallers BURNING POINT have signed a deal with Scarlet Records for the release of their new album “The Ignitor” on June 19. No other title could be more appropriate to describe an album that truly ignites all the elements that Burning Point are about. The band have come a long way round musically and you can really hear it in their music. “The Ignitor” takes all the good things from its predecessors, throwing them into a whirlwind of heavy metal and from the eye of the storm rises what can be easily considered the Finns’ masterpiece. “The Ignitor” was recorded at HelGate and Reindeer Horns Studios and mastered at Tico Tico Studios (Sonata Arctica, Sentenced) by Ahti Kortelainen. The beautiful cover artwork was handled by Felipe Machado Franco (Blind Guardian, Rhapsody Of Fire, Iron Savior). Follow all the latest news on http://www.burningpointmetal.com

Festival Music is pleased to announce the release of CITIZEN CAIN’s “Skies Darken” on April 16. It is the band’s first new release in ten years, but it really has been worth the long wait. The new album follows five critically acclaimed studio albums, including “Serpent In Camouflage” (1993), “Somewhere But Yesterday” (1994), “Ghost Dance” (early demos, 1996), “Raising The Stones” (1997) and “Playing Dead” (2002). All of the band’s back catalogue is cuurently being remastered and will be released individually in July 2012.

Metal Heaven will release “Countdown”, a new album from DRIVER, on May 25. Originally formed out of the ashes of short-lived super group M.A.R.S. in the late 80s and reaching cult status based on the strength of a widely circulated 1990 five-song cassette EP that garnered the band a dedicated worldwide following, Driver came back to life with a bang in 2008 via their appropriately titled debut album, “Sons Of Thunder”. Containing newly recorded versions of the classic EP cuts in addition to seven brand-new compositions, the band resurrected their unique brand of melodic yet hard hitting style of metal that made them one of the most underrated heavy rock acts of their time. Centered around powerhouse vocalist Rob Rock (Impellitteri, Warrior, Joshua, Avantasia, Axel Rudi Pell) and acclaimed guitarist/producer Roy Z (Bruce Dickinson, Rob Halford, Tribe Of Gypsies) and featuring original drummer Reynold Carlson (Jag Panzer, Joey Tafolla, Tribe After Tribe), along with seasoned players Ed Roth (Glenn Hughes, Ronnie Montrose, Impellitteri) on keyboards and Aaron Samson (Odin, George Lynch, John 5) on bass, Driver was welcomed back with open arms by the hard rock community, culminating in the band's first ever European live appearance at Germany's prestigious Bang Your Head!!! festival in the summer of 2009. In the fall of 2011, main writers Rob Rock and Roy Z renewed their long standing creative partnership and commenced work on a follow-up to “Sons Of Thunder”. As was the case with its predecessor, “Countdown” is a mixture of brand-new material and several rescued-from-the-vaults demos, including “Destiny”, “Thief In The Night” and “Always On My Mind”, which interlock seamlessly for a classic Driver-style album, aided by Roy Z's emphasis on vintage production values that harken back to the glory days of early 80s heavy metal. Chiefly recorded and mixed at Roy Z's California-based studio, the duo once again brought in Carlson, Roth and Samson to cut the bulk of the tracks, with additional contributions coming from bassists Ray Burke (Life After Death, Bruce Dickinson) and Daniel Cordova (Shades Of Crimson, Vengeance Rising), as well as veteran vocalist Mark Boals (Yngwie Malmsteen, Royal Hunt).

Swedish female fronted melodic metal band END OF SEPTEMBER will have a digital single out for the track “Isolated” on April 11. “Isolated” is the opening track from their self-titled debut album that will be released on May 11 in Europe and on May 22 in North America, through Ulterium Records. End Of September is definitely one of the most promising bands from Scandinavia at the moment. This young band shows with their debut album that they know how to create fantastic, memorable songs, and perform them to perfection. They have also been able to successfully create a mix between melodic metal and more modern metal that not many bands have. With the well-crafted and intelligent songwriting of Erik Tordsson and the smooth and emotional vocals of Elin Redin, End Of September is a force to be reckoned with during the coming years. The band is hungry to hit the stages around the world and are destined to make it. More info on http://www.endofseptember.net

Metal Mind Productions will release the first live DVD by the Polish progressive rock band LOVE DE VICE. Entitled “Silesian Night 11.11.11”, the DVD is planned to be released on June, 4 in Europe and July 24 in the USA. The band was formed by a bunch of friends who had previously played together in several different rock bands. At the end of 2008 they came together and started to work on their debut album under the moniker Love De Vice. An album, entitled “Dreamland”, was released in June 2009. The band spent the rest of the year playing live shows to promote the album and rehearsing the material for the second album. They also produced their first video for the song “Foggy Future”. The debut release was also appreciated outside Poland. In October 2010, the band performed at the prestigious festival Prog Power Europe in Holland. Also in 2010, the band released the sophomore album, entitled “Numaterial”. And today they are back with their first DVD release, which features their outstanding performance at the Silesian Theatre in Katowice on November 11, 2011. More info:
http://www.metalmind.com.pl

Progressive metallers MIRRORMAZE have signed a deal with Bakerteam Records for the release of their debut album, “Walkabout”. Influenced by classic acts such as Rush and progressive metal giants such as Dream Theater and Fates Warning, Mirrormaze deliver a highly emotional album, soaked with melancholy and nostalgia, violence and horror, real and supernatural dimensions. Like the legendary aboriginal spiritual trip which gives it its name, “Walkabout” takes the listener on an intimate journey through the unknown, detaching his mind from reality and finally allowing him to take a closer look at its own dreams. To add an extra value to their already astonishing debut, Mirrormaze have tapped Fates Warning's own legendary frontman Ray Alder for a truly impressive guest appearance on the song “Deeper Signs”. Mixing and mastering duties have been handled by Staffan Karlsson (Stevie Wonder, Earth Wind & Fire, Roxette, Firewind) at Landgren Studios 5.1, Sweden, whilst the complete artwork was taken care by Gustavo Sazes (Manowar, Angra, Kamelot, Arch Enemy). The release date is expected for May 28, 2012. Follow http://www.bakerteamrecords.com and http://www.mirrormaze.eu for more exciting news.

Metal Mind Productions will release the fourth studio album by MR GIL, a project led by Mirek Gil (ex-Collage, Believe). Their new album, entitled “I Want You To Get Back Home”, is scheduled for release on June 4 in Europe and July 10 in the USA.

Legendary rock band RUSH have unveiled details of its highly anticipated new album, “Clockwork Angels”. This is the renowned trio’s first new collection of original material in over five years and their first studio release via Anthem/Roadrunner Records. The band’s 20th studio album will be released on June 12. The recording began in April 2010 with Grammy Award winning producer Nick Raskulinecz (Foo Fighters, Deftones), who also collaborated with the band on their last studio album, 2007’s “Snakes & Arrows”. Rush co-produced both records. The first two songs, “Caravan” and “BU2B”, were completed during that first session at Nashville’s Blackbird Studios and performed nightly during the wildly successful Time Machine Tour, which ran from June 2010 to June 2011. Work on “Clockwork Angels” resumed in the fall of 2011 at Revolution Recording in Toronto after the tour’s finale, with additional strings (arranged by David Campbell) recorded at Hollywood’s Ocean Way Studios earlier this year. Lyrically, CA chronicles a young man’s quest across a lavish and colorful world of steampunk and alchemy as he attempts to follow his dreams. The story features lost cities, pirates, anarchists, an exotic carnival and a rigid Watchmaker who imposes precision on every aspect of daily life. The novelization of CA is being written by science fiction writer Kevin J. Anderson in collaboration with Rush drummer and lyricist Neil Peart. Rush will herald the release of CA with a new single, “Headlong Flight”, landing at rock radio on April 19. Details of a full-scale North American tour to support the new album will be announced shortly.

SWEET, one of the most legendary, influential and enduring names in the history of rock music, will release a brand-new studio album – their first since “Sweetlife” – on April 27. With worldwide album sales of more than 55 million copies, Sweet have notched 34 #1 smashes across the globe as part of a run of timeless hits that include “Blockbuster”, “Hell Raiser”, “The Ballroom Blitz”, “The Six Teens”, “Action”, “Fox On The Run” and “Love Is Like Oxygen”. Seen on Top Of The Pops on what felt like a weekly basis throughout the 70s, their über-harmonious, multi-tracked guitar work and layered production was to provide inspiration to other acts such as Queen, Electric Light Orchestra and, in later decades, Def Leppard, Mötley Crüe and The Darkness. Now comes “New York Connection”. Recorded by original member Andy Scott (guitar and vocals) and his current line-up of Pete Lincoln (lead vocals and bass guitar), Tony O’Hora (guitar, keyboards and vocals) and Bruce Bisland (drums and vocals), the new album is a selection of material originally penned by other artists awarded the band’s instantly recognizable thumb-print. So it’s a boring covers album, then? Not really, but it’s up to you to find that out … More info here: http://www.thesweet.com

April 15, 2012 CL

News update 2012 (6/24)

Re-charged and re-focused, GREAT WHITE channel their raw, sweet and all-at-once dangerous sound into their soon-to-be released collection. Set to come out on May 18, 2012 in Europe, “Elation” is the band’s 12th studio album. “Elation” thrives on Great White’s signature grit and blues-hued sound, only marked with a new synergy. Featuring co-founder Mark Kendall (guitar) and 28-year-veterans Michael Lardie (guitar, keyboards) and Audie Desbrow (drums) and joined by lead singer Terry Ilous and bassist Scott Snyder, the group emerged unscathed from late 2011 band member changes. “Elation” is just the recording of what live audiences will see and hear as a band with a new mission. “This is a new birth of the band”, Desbrow says, “I wanted to call the album ‘Tabula Rasa’ which means rebirth, but we went for ‘Elation’ because of the euphoria in the atmosphere. It’s a fresh and healthier start than ever before. I’m like a kid in a candy store.” URL:
http://www.GreatWhiteRocks.com

Frontiers Records are pleased to announce the release of HARDLINE’s new studio album, entitled “Danger Zone” on May 18 in Europe and May 22 in North America. Following the release of “Leaving The End Open”, Hardline’s mastermind and singer Johnny Gioeli did not realistically feel that another Hardline album would have seen the light of day sometime soon. It was again thanks to the insistence of Frontiers Records’ Serafino Perugino that the concept came about once again. Fate wanted that when Perugino sent Gioeli some song demos written by Alessandro Del Vecchio, the singer became excited once again and wanted to give it another go and so Hardline have been completed with a European based line-up featuring Francesco Jovino (UDO), Thorsten Koehne (Code Of Perfection, Eden's Curse) and Anna Portalupi (Mitch Malloy).

POLUTION are eager to unleash their new album, “Beyond Control”, on us and what a cracker it is. Razor edged riffs and aggressive hooks are abound. The band certainly knows how to hit the right notes and with a more polished sound than before they smack of Nickelback in places. However, they still retain that hard edged sound that fans of Gotthard, Krokus and AC/DC will love. What we have here are 12 tracks of pure entertaining rock music and it can only attract more fans to their ever growing popularity. “Beyond Control” will be released by Escape Music on May 25.

In advance of their first new album in 20 years, the new single from good time rock ‘n’ rollers TRIXTER, “Tattoos & Misery”, is now available on iTunes. “Tattoos & Misery” was written by Steve Brown, PJ Farley, Mark “Gus” Scott and Xandy Barry (The Rolling Stones, Puddle Of Mudd, Backstreet Boys, Miley Cyrus), mixed by Corey Pensa and is featured on Trixter’s forthcoming album “New Audio Machine”, which will be released on April 20 in Europe and April 24 in North America via Frontiers Records. Featuring the band’s original line-up, the album is produced by Steve Brown with extra production and engineering by Chuck Alkazian (Elton John, Christina Aguilera, Tesla) and includes songwriting contributions by Skid Row’s Snake Sabo and Rachel Bolan and Styx’s Glen Burtnik.

Frontiers Records are excited to announce the release of WIG WAM’s newest studio album, “Wall Street”, on May 18 in Europe and May 22 in North America. Anticipated by the release of the single with the same title, WW’s forthcoming album will not disappoint the fans, since the band still present their classic blend of melodies and catchy choruses, blowing your speakers with full-blown rock ’n’ roll anthems! URL: http://www.wigwam.no

April 2, 2012 CL

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Mike Tramp

Hi Rock Loreley

Firefest X

Harem Scarem