Friday 30th April

The first month of HardRockHouse.com being an online entity is almost over. I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has visited the site over the last few weeks. The number of visitors has been far beyond what I could have wished for and dreamed of.

In retrospect April was not a bad month for hard rock and heavy metal releases and my wallet took a fair old battering. Since the last week in March new releases from Aerosmith, Black Label Society, Blaze, Cans, Dragonforce, InFlames, Kick, Power Quest, Soulfly and The Wildhearts to a greater or lesser extent have all rocked my stereo. Reviews of most of these albums have been posted and those that remain to be  uploaded I will hopefully get out of the way over this weekend. The only major disappointment this month, to my ears, has been the new W.A.S.P album but you can't have everything and I am still looking forward to catching the live show at Rock City on 8th May especially with Dragonforce supporting.

May is lining up to be an equally good month with new releases due from The Scorpions, L.A. Guns, Breed 77, King Karma and The Quireboys to name but a few to go alongside gigs from the aforementioned W.A.S.P and the Tony Martin 'Whole Lotta Metal' show.

What I would appreciate from everybody is some feedback (good or bad) on the site and your views on what I should, shouldn't and could include within its pages. Please feel free to use the guestbook to post any feedback and I will take it all on board when deciding how to take the site forward into the future. Plus if anybody has any gig or album reviews that they feel should be added to the site then email them to me at steve@hardrockhouse.com and I will do my best to post these also, along with full credit to the author.

Once again thanks for everything this month

Steve

Another Z Rock Update

Further to the Z Rock 2004 news item yesterday, two more bands have been confirmed for the show in Liverpool on September 19th. The latest additions to the bill are Mitch Malloy and Adam Bomb. There is is still one further band to be announced for the show.

Finnish Death Metal Anyone?

Imperanon, the Finnish band described as melodic death metal, release their debut called 'Stained' through Nuclear Blast Records on 17th May. A sample of the album's opening track 'Blade' is available for download via the Nuclear Blast website

Blade Memories To Dust Stained Prisoner In Me Sold Hollow Man Rhythm Of Pain Shadowssouls Vein (I Bleed) The End

Mob Rules

German metal band Mob Rules will be releasing their new album 'Among The Gods' via Steamhammer Records on 17th May. Samples of three of tracks on the album, namely Black Rain, Hydrophobia and Seven Seas, are available to listen to via the official website at www.mobrules.de.

Black Rain Hydrophobia Invitation Time The Miracle Dancer Among The Gods New World Symphony Ship Of Fools Seven Seas Meet You In Heaven Arabia

Yes Tour The UK

As part of their 35th Anniversary, Yes have lined up seven dates in the UK for June and July. The band, which will feature Jon Anderson, Steve Howe, Chris Squire, Rick Wakeman & Alan White will play the following shows.

16th June London Wembley Arena
18th June Birmingham NEC
19th June Manchester MEN Arena
20th June Glasgow SECC
10th July Exeter Powderham Caslte
11th July Kettering Wicksteed Park
12th July Braintree Towerlands Indoor Arena
 

Quickies

Rammstein will release a new single entitled 'Mein Teil' on 14th June. The single is culled from the bands new as yet untitled album. More news as we get it...

A new review has been posted for the Joacim Cans solo album 'Beyond The Gates' and can be viewed here

According to www.tenofthebest.com HMV Japan has listed that the new Ten album will be called 'Return To Evermore' and is due for release in Japan on the Avalon/Marquee label. No news yet on a possible UK release date. Also released on that date in Japan is the debut release from Ten Keyboards player Paul Hodson's self named band. The album is called 'This Strange World' and again no UK release date is yet known.

Thursday 29th April

Saxon Add More UK Dates

Saxon, the venerable British metal stalwarts, have added a further three dates onto their UK tour in addition to the already announced show at the London Astoria on October 2nd. The band now play Southampton Guildhall on 3rd October, Wolverhampton Civic Hall on 4th October and Glasgow (venue tbc) on 5th October. The shows are in celebration of the bands 25th anniversary and come as part of a comprehensive European tour schedule. The band are currently holed up in Gems Studio in Lincolnshire recording tracks for a new album. Further updates and information can be found at www.saxon747.com.

Kee Marcello

Frontiers Records have just released details of the new album by former Europe guitarist Kee Marcello. The album, entitled 'Melon Demon Drive' will be released on June 17th. The record will be issued until the name Kee Marcello's K2 and alongside Marcello on Guitars and vocals the album includes contributions from Snowy Shaw on drums and Klaatu on bass, although for officially the bass player in the band is Ken Sandin. The band will also play a one-off UK date at the London Underworld on May 27th. Check out www.keemarcello.com for more information.

1.Pre-fix 2. E.M.D 3. Enemies 4. Blood 5. Epic 6. Vermillion 7. Raptor 8. If 9. Falling Apart 10. Hey Romeo 11. Evil Ways 12. Tattoo For Patto 13. Comin' Home 14. Ride on           15. Can I B The 1 16.  Raptor (Instrumental)

Graham Bonnet Tour

The Graham Bonnet tour set for May which is currently listed in the Gig Guide, will actually be an all star performance by the band Electric Zoo. The line up of this band will include Bonnet on vocals, alongside Dario Mollo on guitar, Roberto Gualdi on drums, Maurizio Belluzzo on keyboards and Guido Block on bass. Mollo, of course, is the guitarist responsible for the upcoming Voodoo Hill album, 'Wild Seeds Of Mother Earth' with singer Glen Hughes. The band will present a selection of songs from this album in the live show.

The UK dates are:

4th May Stourbridge - Rock Cafe
6th May Crewe - Limelight
7th May Bradford - Rio's
8th May London - West One Four
10th May Aberdeen - Cafe Drummonds

Z Rock 2004

A fourth act has been confirmed  for the 2004 Z Rock Festival happening in Liverpool on September 19th. This latest act is Torino who will play the show alongside the already announced War & Peace, Jesse Damon & Enzign. A further three acts will be also added to this line up/. Tickets for the gig are now on sale priced at £20 (plus booking fee) Details of where to purchase tickets can be found on the Z Records website at www.zrecords.net

Quickies

The release of the new Dokken album 'Hell To Pay' has been delayed until July 13th

Soil will release the title track off their latest album, 'Redefine' as a single in the UK on May 17th. The single will be available in both CD format and as a limited edition 10" vinyl picture disc The CD format will consist of Redefine, 6 Feet Under, Halo [Radio 1 Session] and a Making Of Redefine video. The 10" Vinyl edition of the release will contain just two tracks, those being Redefine and Inside.

3 Colours Red will release a new single 'The World Is Yours' on 7th June. This will be followed by a new album, entitled 'The Union Of Souls' On July 5th. Both releases are through the Mighty Atom record label and the band will undertake a UK tour to coincide with the album release. The band are currently confirmed to play the alternative stage at this years Plymouth festival on 2nd July

Tuesday 27th April

Due to work commitments there will be no site updates until Thursday 29th April ( I do have to earn a living...) On the bright side however I do get to see the Wildhearts in Nottingham tonight so look for a review of the gig in the near future.  Also just received the new Blaze album yesterday and on first listen it appears to very good thank you very much. Hopefully I will be able to get the review written for this whilst I am away and sitting in hotel rooms and between meetings.

A review of the new Dragonforce album 'Sonic Firestorm is up on the site and judging by the contents I am very much looking forward to seeing these guys next month supporting WASP.

The Brides Of Destruction have confirmed a date at the London Electric Ballroom. Nikki Sixx, Tracii Guns and cohorts hit the capital on 9th June following on from their appearance at the Download Festival.

Dillinger Escape Plan To Tour

Following on from their appearance at the Download Festival, the Dillinger Escape Plan undertake a short headline tour of the UK in June. The dates for the band are as follows:

8th June Manchester - Academy
9th June Glasgow - The Cathouse
10th June London - The Garage
11th June Exeter - Exeter Phoenix Arts Centre
12th June Cardiff - Engine Room

Cropredy Festival 2004

The 2004 Cropredy Festival takes place between Thursday 12th August and Saturday 14th August at Cropredy in Banbury Oxfordshire. Among the bands scheduled to perform over the three days are Mostly Autumn, Oysterband, Jethro Tull & Fairport Convention. Further details and ticket information can be found via the Fairport Convention website at www.fairportconvention.co.uk

The Calling Release Album Number 'Two' and Announce UK Dates

LA rockers The Calling will release their second album, appropriately entitled 'Two' on May 17th via RCA Records. In support of this release the band undertake three live dates in the UK in July. At present no track listing is available but a single, 'Our Lives' will be available prior to the release of the album

10th July Birmingham Academy 2 Birmingham
12th July University MDH Manchester
13th July Shepherds Bush Empire London

Monday 26th April

The UK Rock Charts have been updated for W/C 25th April and can be viewed here. The top two in the album charts remain unchanged with Guns 'N' Roses and The Rasmus hanging onto the number one and two positions respectively. However three new albums from Fear Factory, Drowning Pool and Black Label Society debut in the top ten this week at numbers three, four and seven respectively.

In the singles chart The Rasmus again hold onto the top spot and there are new entries into the top five for Seafood and Living Things at numbers three and four respectively

Guns 'N' Roses actually hang on to the overall number one spot in the full Top 40 Album charts for a second week running with their Greatest Hits package, whilst in the United States the album is in the top five of the Billboard Top 100. Not bad for a band that hasn't releases anything new in over a decade!

The surprise of the week occurs in the Official Top 40 Singles Chart where Marillion debut at number seven with the single 'You're Gone'. Given the fact that the single and its parent album 'Marbles' are entirely self financed and marketed, predominantly via the internet, this is a remarkable achievement. Congratulations to the band and their fans on such a success. Perhaps if more bands followed this example then the charts would not be such a haven for boy and girl band crap.

Dragonforce To Support WASP

London based Power Metal band Dragonforce will be support to WASP on all of that bands upcoming UK Tour. Dragonforce released their latest album 'Sonic Firestorm' via Noise Records on 19th April. A full review of the CD will be uploaded soon.

My Spirit Will Go On  Fury Of The Storm  Fields Of Despair  Dawn Over A New World  Above The Winter Moonlight  Soldiers Of The Wasteland  Prepare For War  Once In A Lifetime

The tour dates for WASP & Dragonforce in May are available via the gig guide here. Further details on the band can be found via their official website at www.dragonforce.com

Jet Announce UK Tour

Jet, the Australian four piece rock band, will be undertaking a short headline tour of the UK in May/June in support of their debut album 'Get Born' released last year on Elektra Records. The band will also be playing four prestigious festival dates over the summer months including the Isle Of Wight Festival and Glastonbury in June as well as the V Festival in Chelmsford and Staffordshire in August. A full list of dates is shown below and you can get more information on the band by visiting the official website at www.jettheband.com

26 May - London Brixton Academy
02 Jun - Cork (Ireland) Half Moon
03 Jun - Dublin Ambassador Theatre (Ireland Green Energy Festival)
08 Jun - Leeds University
09 Jun - Newcastle Northumbria University
10 Jun - Glasgow Academy
12 June Isle of Wight Festival
25 Jun - Glastonbury Festival
21/22 Aug - V Festival Chelmsford/Staffordshire

Shortino/Northrup Release 'Afterlife'

Paul Shortino, the ex Quiet Riot/Rough Cutt vocalist, alongside guitarist JK Northrup will release a new album entitled 'Afterlife' through MTM Music on 17th May. As well as the two main protagonists the album features guest appearances by the ex-Foreigner frontman Johnny Edwards and Tommy Denander

Here I Am Afterlife Like A Stone Crazy Mind Feel Again Crossfire Slave Gypsy Soul Mark My Words As I Fall Prisoner

Other MTM releases due during May include 707 with  the remastered CD release of their 1982 album 'Megaforce' and also 'Feeding The Fire' from Edge Of Foever. Edge of Forever feature Axe vocalist Bob Harris and backing vocals on the album are provided by Jeff Scott Soto. Details of all the MTM releases are available on the labels website at www.mtm-music.com

 

Sunday 25th April

Hammerfall Singer Releases Solo Album

Joacim Cans, vocalist with Hammerfall, has released his debut solo album in Europe via Noise Records. The album, entitled 'Beyond The Gates' hit stores on 19th April. Besides Can's the album also features talents of ex-Halford axeman, Metal Mike Chlasciak on lead and rhythm guitars. The tracks that HardRockHouse.com has currently heard off the album sound very promising and a full review will be up in the near future.

Fields of Yesterday Soul Collector Red Light Back to Hell Beyond the Gates The Key Garden of Evil Merciless Silent Cries Dreams Signs Forever Ends

An MP3 of the lead track 'Fields Of Yesterday' is available for download from the Noise website and further details on the band can be found via the official Joacim Cans site.

Echobrain Return

Echobrain, the one time vehicle for ex-Metallica bassist Jason Newstead, release their second album 'Glean' via Surfdog Records on 10th May. Although no longer actually in the band Newstead is credited with the role of Executive Producer on the release which feature the following line-up: Dylan Donkin -- vocals/guitar, Brian Sagrafena -- drums, Adam Donkin -- bass and Andrew Gomez -– guitar/keyboards

 

Jellyneck Knock 'Em Out You're Sold Heroic Dose Out Of Reach Seven Seconds Arsenic Of Love Beat As We Go Modern Science Hardheaded Woman Nowhere Too Long Nobody

Twisted Sister On DVD

Blabbermouth report that Twisted Sister will release the 'Stay Hungry' DVD on 26th July. This release will be in the new DVD 4 format and will include  a 12 camera shoot of the gig at the Wacken Open Air Festival, alongside interview and documentary footage. The unique element of the DVD 4 format means that on the flipside of the live performance there will be a 2004 re-recording of the album of the same name.

Quickies

Skyclad are to release a new album called 'A Semblance Of Normality' on 24th May via Demolition Records.

Nickelback, the multi-platinum Canadian rockers return to the UK for a four show trek in June in support of their latest album 'The Long Road'. The band have line up dates at Manchester Apollo on June 14th, Glasgow Carling Academy June 15th, Wolverhampton Civic June 17th and finish the tour at London Hammersmith Apollo on June 18th.

In order to keep those dreaded boy and girl bands out the UK Singles Chart HardRockHouse.com has decided to give you a quick update on various rock singles hitting the shops over the coming month, so go out an buy a copy or two and maybe, just maybe the charts might be better for a change.

 

26th April	HIM - Solitary Man
3rd May	Lostprophets - Wake Up (Make A Move) Auf Der Maur - Real A Lie Evanescence - Everybody's Fool
10th May	Three Doors Down - Here Without You Alanis Morrissette - Everything
17th May	Million Dead - I Gave My Eyes To Stevie Wonder Muse - Sing For Absolution Hoobastank - Reason
31st May	Drowning Pool - Step Up

 

Saturday 24th April

The veteran Canadian metal band Anvil will release a new album on 26th April entitled 'Back To Basics' through German label Massacre Records. As well as the audio disc this release will include a bonus DVD of the band performing at the Wacken Open Air Festival in 1998

Fuel For The Fire Keep It Up Song Of Pain You Get What You Pay For The Chainsaw Can't Catch Me Go Away Bottom Feeder Cruel World Fast Driver

 

Massacre Records also plan new releases in the upcoming months from King Diamond (a 2-CD Live Album) on the 26th July and from Austrian band Edenbridge, who play Nottingham Junction 7 on 2nd September and follow this up with an appearance at the Bloodstock Festival in Derby on 4th September. The Edenbridge album will be entitled 'Shine' (really popular album title this!!) an is scheduled to hit stores on 25th October. Titles set for inclusion include 'October Sky', 'Centennial Legend', 'Shine', ' The Canterville Ghost', ,What You Leave Behind', 'On Sacred Ground',  'On Top Of The World', 'Flame Of Passion', 'And The Road Goes On', 'The Wild Chase', 'Elsewhere' and 'Move Along Home'.

Further details on these release can be found at www.massacre-records.com, www.edenbridge.org and www.anvilmetal.tk

Velvet Revolver Track Listing Revealed

The Velvet Revolver fan site www.velvet-revolver.org has published today a full track listing for the band's upcoming debut album 'Contraband', due for release via RCA Records on 7th June. The alleged track listing is as follows:

Sucker Train Blues
Do It For The Kids
Big Machine
Illegal
Spectacle
Fall To Pieces
Headspace
Superhuman
Set Me Free
You Got No Right
Slither [S] [V]
Dirty Little Things
Loving The Alien

Quickies

Former Whitesnake/Quiet Riot/Ozzy Osbourne  bassist Rudy Sarzo has joined Dio for their upcoming European tour.

On the back of their appearance at this years Download Festival, Hatebreed, according to TotalRock.com  have confirmed the following UK Headline shows for June: Nottingham Rock City June 13, London Astoria 14, Manchester Academy II

Z Records have announced Jesse Damon, lead singer of Silent Rage, as the third confirmed act for this years Z Rocks show in Liverpool on September 19th. Damon is currently working on his latest untitled solo album for the label which should be release to coincide with the gig.

Dream Evil, the Swedish power metal band signed to Century media, will release their third album, entitled 'The Book Of Heavy Metal' on 24th May. Further details can be found at www.dreamevil.mu

Century Media also have the following releases scheduled over the next couple of months:

April 26th
HEAVEN SHALL BURN “Antigone”
KOTIPELTO “Coldness”
DREAM EVIL “The First Chapter” (single)
CHAOSBREED “Brutal”

May 24th
DARK TRANQUILLITY “Exposures - In Retrospect And Denial"
UNHOLY GHOST “Torrential Reign” CD
SKINLAB “Nerve Damage ”
EXODUS “Another Lesson In Violence” Re-Issue
 

The HardRockHouse.com links page has been completely updated with loads more links to band, record labels and E-Zines. Check it out here. There is also a banner available  if you own a website and would like to link back to us...

 

Friday 23rd April

Frontiers Records have announced the signing of Stan Bush and will release his new album 'Shine' on 23rd June 2004. The line up of musicians on the album has also been announced, joining Bush on the album are guitarist Tim Pierce, bassist Matt Bissonette, Curt Cuomo on keyboards and drummer Kenny Aronoff.

Shine Falling I Will Be There; I Turn To You What You Mean Tonight Say It Ain’t Love Have You Ever Believed Do It All Over The Chance You Take When I Dream.

As well as the audio tracks the album will also feature a multimedia video of the song 'Falling' and a Stan Bush video interview.

Gene Simmons' Artwork

Sanctuary Records and Gene Simmons.com have both posted the artwork for the cover of Simmons' new solo album 'Asshole', due for release in early June.

Statetrooper Confirm Gig/Album Release

According to their website, British rock band Statetrooper, featuring one time Michael Schenker Group singer Gary Barden, have confirmed they will be playing a gig at London Underworld on Saturday May 15th. The band have also announced plans to release a new album in May entitled 'The Calling'  The exact date and label for this release have yet to be determined however, it will contain such tracks as 'Casablanca', 'I'm Alive, Dead or Alive', 'Twilight's Last Gleaming', 'Amerasians', 'Love Lies Bleeding' and 'The Calling'. You can check out details on the band at www.statetrooper.co.uk

 

 

Thursday 22nd April

Two veteran band of the UK metal scene are hitting the road in the coming months. First off is Uriah Heap who will take the 'Magician's Birthday Tour 2004' on the road during October and November playing a total of six dates around the country.

29th October  Edinburgh Liquid Rooms
30th October Newcastle Opera House
2nd November Folkestone Leas Cliff Hall
3rd November Birmingham Academy II
4th November Bristol Colston Hall
6th November London Shepherds Bush Empire

According to the Girlschool website the band will hit the road in May/June for a series of nationwide dates. The girls are currently in the process of recording a new album which they hope to release some time this summer. In related news Blabbermouth.net reports that Sanctuary Records will be issuing the band's first two albums, 'Demolition'  and 'Hit And Run', on CD on June 14th. the tour dates for the band are as follows:

May 27th Gloucester Guildhall
May 28th South Shields, Breeze
May 29th Bradford Rios
June 9th Hereford, Manhattans
June 11th Glasgow, The Renfrew Ferry
June 12th Scarborough, The Kasbar
June 13th Blackburn (TBC)
June 14th Crewe, The Limelight
June 18th Mansfield, Town Mill
June 19th Newport, TJ's
June 20th London Underworld
June 23rd Wolverhampton, Bilston, Robin 2
June 25th Norwich Waterfront
June 26th Coventry, Jailhouse
June 28th Southampton, The Brook
July 2nd Dudley JB's
July 9th Aberdeen, Cafe Drummond
July 31st Rock & Blues, Pentrich (Derbyshire)

Whitesnake Live Album?

Although nothing has yet been posted on the official Whitesnake website, both TotalRock.com & Blabbermouth.net are reporting that David Coverdale and the band are to release a new live CD this summer. Coverdale is reported to have said that he is assembling the material from over sixty live shows and that the release is likely to be a double disk set.  It is also reported that the band will be touring Europe  over the summer period as well.

Quickies

Two new album reviews have been posted today for WASP with the Neon God and also for Black Label Society with Hangover Music Vol. VI

Tyketto tour dates for the reunion tour in November continue to trickle in, although no official announcement has yet been made. The latest show for which tickets have gone on sale is at Dudley JB's on Saturday 13th November. Details can be found via the venues website at www.jbsdudley.co.uk

Thunder have confirmed that they will headline the Beached Festival in Scarborough this year. The festival, which takes place on July 17th, has free admission and other band so far confirmed to play include Soul Company, Laika Dog, The Raveonettes and Reactor. Further details can be found at www.beached.net.

Velvet Revolver have made the first single, 'Slither' from their upcoming Contraband album available as a digital download. The track is available from such online vendors as iTunes & Napster for 99 cents...

Tuesday 20th April

Dave Mustaine, in a message posted in the www.megadeth.com forums has announced that he has finished all the recording for a new upcoming Megadeth album. Although no title has yet been decided upon, the guitarist/singer was able to disclose the songs that will be included on the record. 'Blackmail The Universe', 'Shadow Of Death', 'My Kingdom', 'Of Mice And Men', 'Truth Be Told', 'The Scorpion', 'Kick The Chair', 'Something That I'm Not', 'Tears In A Vial', 'Die Dead Enough', 'Back In The Day'. The album will be released later this year through Sanctuary Records.

Chris Robinson Returns with new band

Chris Robinson, the former vocalist for The Black Crowes will be releasing a new album entitled 'The Magnificenrt Distance'. The record, credited to his new band 'Newearthmud', will be released via Vector Records on 28th June 2004. The track listing for this release is as follows:

01. 40 Days
02. Girl On The Mountain
03. Mother Of Stone
04. Train Robbers
05. Like A Tumbleweed In Eden
06. When The Cold Wind Blows At The Dark Edge Of Night
07. ...If You See California
08. The Never Empty Table
09. Eagles On The Highway
10. Surgical Glove
11. Sea Of Love
12. Piece Of Wind

Another Scorpions Release

Not content with the upcoming release of their new album 'Unbreakable' , German rockers The Scorpions are to release a 3 CD boxset on May 25th via Universal records. The boxset will span the bands entire career and is to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the band. The track listing for the release will be as follows:

Korn Announce One Off UK Show

Korn, who play the Download festival at Donington in June, have announced a headline show at London's Hammersmith Apollo on 19th June. This is likely to be the bands only headline appearance in the UK this year. Support for show will come from Static-X.

At present tickets for this gig are available exclusivley to those who have the 'Download Dog' installed on their PC's. Details can be found at www.downloadfestival.co.uk

New UK Rock Charts Posted

The new UK Rock Charts for W/C 18th April have been posted on the website. Guns 'n' Roses continue to have the top selling rock album in the country with their Greatest Hits Package, but Joe Satriani and Young Heart Attack both have new albums hitting the top ten in the first week of release. The singles chart sees The Rasmus staying at the number one spot ahead of The Darkness.

In a follow up to Sunday's Motorhead story, Blabbermouth.net have posted today that the band's new album due on June 21st will be entitled 'Inferno'. Tracks that will be included on the disc are, 'Terminal Show' (featuring Steve Vai), 'Smiling Like A Killer', 'In The Name Of Tragedy', 'In The Black', 'Year Of The Wolf', 'Life's A Bitch', 'Keys To The Kingdom', 'Suicide' and 'Whorehouse Blues'.

Sunday 17th April

Children Of Bodom, who headline Saturday of this years Bloodstock Festival in Derby on 4th September will release an EP on Spinefarm Records prior to the event. With a tentative release date of 14th June, the EP, entitled 'Trashed, Lost & Strung Out', will feature two new songs as well as a number of as yet unconfirmed cover versions.

The Bloodstock Festival has also confirmed that the Friday (3rd September) will play host to a Femme Fatales stage in the Darwin Suite of the venue. This stage will be specifically for female fronted bands and the bands so far lined up for the day include, Season's End, Invey, Liquid Sky & Super Massive Object. A warm up event for Bloodstock will also take place at Nottingham Junction 7 on Thursday 2nd September where bands will include Edenbridge & Season's End

Futher details for both Children of Bodom and Bloodstock can be found at www.cobhc.com and  www.bloodstock.uk.com respectively

Alanis Morissette: New Album Details

Canadian singer/songwriter Alanis Morissette will release her latest album 'So-Called Chaos' via Maverick Records on May 17th. The album will be preceded by a single 'Everything' which hits stores a week earlier on May 10th. Further details can be found on www.alanis.com

Breed 77, the Gibraltan rock band, are all set to release their second album on May 3rd. The album, 'Cultura', will be released by Alberts Productions, the company responsible for first bring AC/DC to public attention. A lead off single from the album, entitled 'The River' will be available from April 19th. The band are currently in the middle of a nationwide tour to support the release of the new album and the remaining dates are as follows:

19th April Leicester Charlotte
20th April Birmingham Academy 2
21st April Peterborough Met Rooms
23rd April Edinburgh Liquid Rooms
24th April Glasgow Barfly
25th April Aberdeen Lava
26th April York Barfly
27th April Manchester Academy 3
28th April Liverpool Academy 2
29th April Wrexham Central Station
30th April London Garage
1st May Colchester Arts Centre
3rd May Leeds Cockpit
4th May Brighton Concorde 2
5th May Southampton Joiners
6th May Cardiff Barfly
7th May Sheffield Corporation
8th May Stoke Sugarmill
9th May Nottingham Rock City
5th June Download Festival Donington

Quickies

Motorhead will release  a new album on June 21st via Metal-Is Records. The record is at this time untitled. 'Flash' had been widely spread around the internet as a possible name for the album but this has been rejected by the band's webmaster as ficticous.

Devildriver, the band put together by Coal Chamber's Dez Fafara and signed to Roadrunner Records will play a support show with In Flames at London Astoria on 24th April. The band then returns for their own headline show at London Underworld on May 4th.

In addition to playing the Download Festival ot Donington on Sunday June 6ht ILL Nino play a one off UK headline date on 7th June at London Astoria.

Download Festival have confirmed a third stage for the event at Donington. This will be the 'Barfly Stage' and acts currently confirmed to play over the weekend include, Danko Jones, Dirty Americans, Young Heart Attack and Span

Gene Simmons has put back the release of his new solo album on Sanctuary Records 'Asshole' to June 8th.

Blue Oyster Cult, the classic American rock band, will play three dates in the UK in June of this year. Starting off at London Astoria on June 13th, the band then play Southampton Brook on 14th June before finishing the short tour off at the Robin 2 in Bilston, Wolverhampton on June15th.

Friday 16th April

Finish metal band 'Nighwish' have confirmed details of their new album and single which will be released through Nuclear Blast Records. The single is entitled 'Nemo' and is released in four differing formats, all of which are released on different dates. The normal CD release is available from May 3rd, the digipack edition is released on May10th, whilst the DVD version of the single is in the shops on May 17th. The fourth edition of 'Nemo' is a limited edition vinyl release with only 1,000 copies amde available. The parent album has been entitled 'Once' and is released on June 7th. The band are playing many of the European summer rock festivals to support the release of the new album, but no UK dates have been announced. Further details can be found via the official website at www.nightwish.com

Enzign Confirmed as second band for Z Rocks 2004

Z Records have confirmed that Enzign, the band put together by Ten guitarist John Halliwell will be joining the previosuly announced 'War & peace at this years Z Rocks show in Liverpool on September 19th. The band, who released the album 'Cast In Stone' on Z last year, are currently writing material for a new release later this year.

Further info can be found at www.zrecords.net

Dokken & Slipknot Confirm Album Artwork.

Dokken & Slipknot, who both release new albums in May have confirmed the album artwork for their respective releases. The Dokken album 'Hell To Pay' will be released through Sanctuary records, whilst the Slipknot album, 'Vol 3 (The Subliminal Verses)' will see the light of day courtesy of Roadrunner. At this time neither band have confirmed the track listings for these releases but  Blabbermouth.net report that Slipknot vocalist Corey Taylor has the following to say about this new release:

"The album is a really good amalgam of all the things that were great on the first two albums and all these different directions that we always wanted to go," he said. "It's a very eclectic yet reined-in album.

"It's almost a dichotomy at times where it's brutal yet it's melodic," Corey continued. "It's heavy and thrash, but it's rock and it's all these great, beautiful flavors that nobody tries to do anymore. So many bands just basically write one song and create a whole album around it.

"We have always been all about creating an album as a whole and then going back and looking at possible singles. That's one of the reasons why our albums still hold out to this day. We take the time to make sure something is, in our eyes, immortal instead of slick and 15 minutes."

"I think [STONE SOUR] helped us break down a lot of the stereotypes around this band. Just from myself, a lot of people just thought I was a screamer and that was it and just totally overlooking the singing that I was actually doing on both of those albums. On STONE SOUR, I got to stretch out a little bit and show the different styles of what I could do.

"On this album, I've been able to incorporate that but at the same time, help SLIPKNOT evolve to where it needs to go. It's not all screaming but at the same time, it's not all singing. It's not all melodic. There's some really cool, dark passages that aren't either. I can't even describe it. Joey (Jordison, drums) calls it my gothic talk voice.' I don't know what it means, but it's really cool. You'll have to hear it to believe it.

"The cool thing about this album is it's got all the crazy stuff, but it's very well structured," Taylor said. "At first, you listen to it and it appears calm. Then you start to listen to it a little bit more and you can feel the chaos underneath. It gives (the music) a really good edge."

G3 British Tour Confirmed

Steve Vai,  Joe Satriani and Robert Fripp have confirmed the dates on the 2004 G3 British tour. The three guitarists will be performing 7 dates in total in June.

23 June: Clyde Auditorium - Glasgow,
24 June: Apollo - Manchester
25 June: City Hall - Newcastle
26 June: NIA Academy - Birmingham
27 June: BIC Windsor Hall - Bournemouth
28 June: Royal Concert Hall - Nottingham
29 June: Royal Albert Hall - London

In related news Joe Satriani has this week released his latest solo album 'Is There Love In Space' via Epic Records, whilst Steve Vai is currently working in the studio on his next planned album which should be out by the end of the year.

Further details can be found on www.joesatriani.com and www.vai.com

Update To Slipknot Story

www.hmv.co.uk are currently showing a track listing for the new Slipknot album 'Vol3 (The Subliminal Verses)', according to their website the song titles and running order is as follows:

1. Prelude 3.0
2. The Blister Exists
3. Three Nil
4. Duality
5. The Opium Of The People
6. Vermillion
7. Pulse Of The Maggots
8. Welcome
9. Circle
10. Before I Forget
11. The Nameless
12. Vermillion Part 2
13. The Virus Of Life
14. Danger, Keep Away

Thursday 15th April

Funeral For A Friend To Release Next Single Online

Funeral For A Friend will be releasing a live version of their song 'The Art Of American Football' as a download only single on May 3rd. This version, which is released by Eastwest records, was recorded live at the Islington Academy in February of this year. As well as the single when the download is purchased the full artwork and video is included in the price. The single will be available from www.funeralforafriend.com.

To coincide with the release of the single the band undertake a full UK tour in May for which the following dates have been confirmed.

1st May Belfast  Queen's University Mandela Hall
2nd May Glasgow Barrowlands
4th May Middlesbrough Town Hall
5th May Wolverhampton Civic Hall
6th May London Forum
8th May Newport City Live Arena
29th May May London Forum
30th May Truro Hall

Finally it has also been confirmed that the band will be headlining this years 2nd Stage at the Reading and Leeds Festivals taking place over the August Bank Holiday weekend (27th-30th August)

UK Rock Charts Added to HardRockHouse.com

The full UK top 40 rock albums and singles charts have been added to HardRockHouse.com. These will be updated on a weekly basis in order that readers can find out exactly what is selling in the rock world throughout the UK.

Looking at this weeks charts, The Rasmus, who are sitting at number one in the singles chart and number two behind Guns 'n' Roses in the albums charts undertake a short UK tour at the end of April. The dates for this trek are:

26th April Birmingham Academy 2
27th April Glasgow Cathouse
28th April Manchester Academy
29th April London Mean Fiddler

In addition to these dates the band have confirmed a further one off date in London. The gig will take place at the London Astoria on the 29th of June

InMe To Tour UK In May & June

Essex based band InMe have confirmed a nationwide tour of smaller venues for May and June of this year. The confirmed dates for this trek are as follow:

14th May-Sheffield Leadmill
15th May-Stoke Sugarmill
16th May-Glasgow Garage
17th May-Aberdeen Lemon Tree
20th May-London Carling Academy
22nd May-Northampton Roadmenders
24th May-Norwich Waterfront
25th May-Birmingham Academy 2
26th May-Nottingham Rescue Rooms
27th May-Middlesbrough Crypt
29th May-Leeds Cockpit
30th May-Manchester Academy 3
31st May-Oxford Zodiac
1st June-Cardiff Ifor Bach
3rd June-Exeter University
4th June-Bournemouth BIC
5th June-Brighton Concorde 2
6th June-Bristol Fleece
 

Further details and ticket information can be found on the bands official website at www.inmeonline.com

Download Festival Confirm More Bands

The Download festival to be held at Donington on Saturday & Sunday 5th & 6th June have confirmed the next batch of bands to be appearing on both the main stage and on the Snickers Stage. The bands just announced include Turbonegra, Static X, Instruction, 36 Crazy Fist, Drowning Pool, Hooberstank, Trapt & DamagePlan. Click on the picture above to have a peek at the official festival website.

Anthrax Announce DVD Details

New York veteran thrash band Anthrax are to release a new DVD through Sanctuary Music. Although no UK release date has yet been confirmed fo the DVD, entitled 'Music Of Mass Destruction', the track listing will be as follows.

The DVD was filmed on December 5th 2003 in Chicago and will be presented in full 5.1 surround sound as well as with an audio CD of twelve of the tracks. In further Anthrax news, the band have recently finished recording on an upcoming CD called Metallum Maximim Aeteunum. When released this opus will include re-recorded versions of some of the classic Anthrax tracks recorded by previous incarnations of the band between 1984 and 1990.

Rumours

Two unsubstantiated rumours have reached the ears of HardRockHouse.com just recently. The first, concerning Iron Maiden, comes courtesy of www.maidenfans.com. Bruce Dickinson is said to have announced on a recent MTV2 Headbangers Ball that Steve Harris was working on a Dance Of Death Tour DVD from the latest world tour the band has just completed. Bruce also mentioned that a Best OF Bruce Dickinson DVD is possibly to be made available prior to Christmas featuring a mixture of promo videos and live footage from his solo days.

The second rumour, which appeared on the official Ozzfest website concerns another iconic British metal band, Judas Priest. Rob Halford has been quoted as stating that the band has resigned to Sony records for their much anticipated reunion album.

Wednesday 14th April

Death Angel To release New Album

After a 14 hiatus San Francisco Thrashers Death Angel are releasing a new album. The album, entitled 'The Art of Dying' will be released via Nuclear Blast records on April 26th. The line up of the band on this release is Mark Osegueda - vocals,  Rob Cavestany - guitar,   Ted Aguilar - guitar,   Dennis Pepa - bass and   Andy Galeon - drums. After splitting in 1995 the band reunited in 2001 and have since played supports slots with the likes of Metallica, Anthrax and Halford as well  as playing at the Dynamo Festival in 2002. The band are currently playing some US shows before heading across the Atlantic to play the summer festival circuit in Europe. No British dates have been scheduled at this point in time however.

For further details check out www.deathangel.com or www.nuclearblast.de

New Fear Factory Album & Tour

To coincide with the release of their new album, 'Archetype' , Fear Factory have lined up three UK dates in June. The album itself is released on 19th April via Roadrunner Records. The tour dates confirmed are: 21st June London Astoria, 22nd June Manchester Academy and 23rd June Glasgow QMU

Further information can be found at www.fearfactory.com

Marillion & Fish Go Head To Head

British based prog rockers Marillion and their erstwhile singer Fish, both have new albums planned for release with the space of two weeks.

The Marillion effort, titled 'Marbles' will be released via online distribution as a double CD containing 15 tracks of new material, whilst the retail version of the album will be a single disc affair taking in a selection of the tracks from the double version. Prior to the release of the album itself a new single is being made available called 'When You're Gone', The single, which is released in three formats, is available from www.hmv.co.uk and is reportedly one of the quickest pre-order online singles of all time. To promote the albums release Marillion will hit the road in the UK for a series of dates in June and July. The tour dates for Marillion have been confirmed as:

29th June Norwich UEA
30th June Wolverhampton Civic
1st July Manchester Academy
3rd July Dublin Vicar Street
4th July Belfast Empire
6th July Glasgow Barrowlands
7th July Leeds Metropolitan University
8th July Newport Centre
10th July London Astoria
11th July London Astoria

Fish releases his new album on 19th April. The album entitled 'Field Of Crows' was originally released via online distribution on December 10th and is only now being made available to the usual retail outlets.

Further details on both the Marillion & Fish's new albums can be found at their respective websites: www.marillion.com and www.the-company.com

Tuesday 13th April

King Karma Sign To Z Records For Debut Album

King Karma, the Canadian rock band out of Vancouver, have inked a deal for the release of the debut album in Europe with Z Records. The self titled album, which has been on release through the internet since November 2003 will be officially released in this country on 10th May 2004. The band, who comprise Shaun Williamson on vocals, Markus Wolfe on guitars, bassist Todd Ronning & drummer Rick Fedyk, are currently touring in Canada, at present no UK dates are planned.

Further information of the band, MP3 samples of some of the songs off the debut album as well as a video for the track 'Breathe' can be found at the official website located at www.kingkarma.com

Genius Rock Opera Episode 2 "In Search Of The Little Prince" Set For May Release

Frontiers Records have announced that Episode Two of the Genius Rock Opera "In Search Of The Little Prince" is to be released on 24th May 2004. This second part of a planned trilogy is the brainchild of Italian multi-instrumentalist Daniele Liverani, who alongside drummer Dario Ciccioni penned the original story behind the records. The cast of characters included on this second outing includes Mark Boals as the title character 'Genius' as well as Jeff Martin, Eric Martin, Johnny Gioli and Philip Bynoe as 'The Storyteller' . The first part of the trilogy, 'A Human Into Dreams' World' was also release on Frontiers records in October 2002, whilst the final of the three acts is currently under production.

Further details on this release can be found by checking out the following websites:

www.frontiers.it                www.geniusrockopera.com                     www.danieleliverani.com

Monday 12th April

Bloodstock 2004

The 2004 Bloodstock Festival will be held between Friday 3rd & Saturday 4th September at the Assembly Rooms In Derby. Among the confirmed bands so far for the Friday are Gamma Ray, Threshold, Sinergy, Illuminatus and Infobia. The Saturday boasts a line-up that includes headliners Children Of Bodom alongside Sonarta Arctica, Primal Fear and Balance Of Power. Tickets are priced at £21 for the Friday, £31 for the Saturday & £40 for a two day ticket. Further details can be found at www.bloodstock.uk.com

Frontiers Records Announce New Voodoo Hill Album

Voodoo Hill, the studio project formed by Italian guitarist Dario Mollo, are set to release their second album 'Wild Seed Of Mother Earth' through Frontier Records on June 23rd.Joining Mollo on this album is legendary vocalist Glen Hughes, who was responsible for all of the albums lyrics. Further details of this release can be found via the Frontiers website at www.frontiers.it

Lionsheart To Release Album Number 4

Lionsheart, the band led by ex-Onslaught vocalist Steve Grimmett, are all set to release their fourth album 'Abyss'. The album will hit the stores on 3rd May 2004 via Frontiers Records. Alongside Grimmett on this record are , guitarist Ian Nash, Eddie Marsh on Bass and Steve hales on drums.

CD Reviews & Gig Guide Updated

Two new CD reviews have been added to the review section. These are 'Hellfire Club' by Edguy and 'Kings & Queens' by Axel Rudi Pell. Also the gig guide has been updated with more upcoming dates.

Sunday 11th April

LA Guns To Release An Album Of Cover versions

Classic Rock Magazine and Blabbermouth.net both report that LA Guns are due to release a new album via Mascot Records. 'Ripp The Covers Off' is an album of cover versions and the first LA Guns release not to feature founding guitarist Tracii Guns, who is now a member of Brides Of Destruction.  The album should hit record stores on the 3rd May and includes cover version of songs made famous by such rock luminaries as Queen, Saxon, Aerosmith & Led Zeppelin.

A Message From Danny Vaughn

Following on from the hugely successful Firehouse/Vaughn/Pride/Deadline tour the following message has just been posted by Danny Vaughn onto his website, www.vaughn.de.

Reading through the message it looks like fans of Mr Vaughn and Tyketto are in for an exciting time in the remainder of this year.

IT DOESN'T GET ANY BETTER THAN THIS
It's taken me this long to get everything out of my suitcase and to collect my thoughts on the whirlwind tour that we just finished. The first order of business is to thank everyone that came out to the shows. It was the most successful tour of its kind in many, many years proving, once and for all, that melodic rock does, indeed, still have a place in the clubs and in the cd players of people all over the world. The London Underworld was a complete sell out! Almost 400 people were turned away at the door and the scalpers were trying to get 50 pounds a ticket on the street! If we had had any idea that so many of you would turn up, we would have played for 2 nights.
From Firehouse, Vaughn, and Pride I can only say how amazed and pleased we all were. Every show was a huge success. The only exception was Glasgow and I've learned not to ever go up against a Celtic finals football match. But at least they won! Our thanks to Deadline for the hard work and great shows they put on at several of the venues as well.
This tour was a big, cooperative effort between a bunch of people that were not necessarily "in" the music business. We all shared the idea that we wanted to put on a great tour and you all were kind enough to come and share in that with us. Have no doubt that we will find a way to do it again in the future.
And just how good was the band? Thank you all for your compliments, comments, and constructive criticisms regarding the All-British Vaughn band. Tony Marshall, Steve McKenna, Greg Morgan, and Pat Heath all worked extremely hard to make our set a stormer and, by your reactions, they succeeded admirably. They are fantastic players and the best guys you would ever want to be stuffed into a freezing cold tour bus with! Get In there!! Thanks also to Deadline, Pride, and Firehouse, for all being great friends, and hard workers that all wanted to put on the best show we could. That's what the melodic rock scene should be all about. No competition, just cooperation.
Also thanks to Kieran, Paul, Jules, Tony, and Max for their hard work.

Things are going to stay very busy for me for the rest of the year. There is a new cd coming out around September. I can't say more until the announcement is made, but it has come out extremely well and I'm very excited about it. We shot a video for it as well. The first one I've done in many a year. More on that as it happens.

Then, of course, there is the Tyketto reunion tour! Yes! It is definitely happening in November of this year. In the next couple of weeks I will announce all the dates. We are waiting to lock the last few into place and then we are ready to go. It will be with the entire, original, "Don't Come Easy" line up of Michael, Jimi, Brooke, and myself. There aren't any plans for a new cd or anything, we just want to get back out there and play and then, well anything is possible. But, for now, this is a "one time only" thing. We will be playing England, Ireland, Scotland, Spain, Belgium, and Holland and I will have all the dates and information in the next 2 weeks. Hope to see you there!

Last thing to waffle on about. In the next couple of months it is my plan to start a web site that would just be for Vaughn merchandise. All of the Vaughn cds will be available at much more affordable prices than on the import sites, as well as tour shirts from each tour, etc. I am hoping to be able to make, particularly the music, more available to my US fans since I haven't had any distribution here at all. But we will be able to ship world wide. I mention this because I recently saw someone selling my acoustic CD "Danny Vaughn Standing Alone" on ebay and the asking price was $99.00 US dollars! Okay, that's about $16 dollars a song! Somebody's having a laugh! It was listed as "rare and out of print". If you have ordered it on CD Baby and it has gone out of print, please, please, don't buy it on ebay. I will be printing another run of them, with a bonus track, and will have them for sale at regular prices in the next couple of months. Also, please beware of anybody selling Tyketto or Vaughn DVD's or VHS of live shows. Some have even gone so far as to claim that they got the tapes from me. This is not the case. These are all BAD quality bootlegs. There are no live concerts that I, or Tyketto, have released, approved, or been a part of. So, "buyer beware!"

I need your help on this. If I made a merchandise site available, would you be interested? Please write in and let me know so I can get an idea. I have to note that, for now, there would be no Tyketto material available on it, but that could change in the future. Your input would really be appreciated.
Thanks for listening and thanks for supporting the band and the music.

All the best,
Danny Vaughn

Black Label Society

Black Label Society, the Zakk Wylde fronted band, release a new album,' Vol. VI Hangover Music'  via Spitfire Records on 19th April. To promote the release of the album the band are heading out to play the annual Ozzfest touring festival in the USA. As yet no UK dates are planned.

Metallica Live Shows Online

Metallica, the band partly responsible for shutting down Napster as a P2P file sharing service are now offering fans the chance to purchase mixing desk quality recording of their live shows over the internet within a few days of the shows actually taking place. This service operates out of a new Metallica website, wwwlivemetallica.com and the shows are available either in the MP3 format or in the higher quality FLAC format (see website for details). Currently the band are offering 34 shows for sale and the cost of the shows is around the £5-£10 mark depending on which format you choose. Possibly to tempt fans into buying more than one show the band is changing up the setlist that it plays each night. Cover booklets and CD inserts are also available for each show.

Saturday 10th April

Blaze Set To Release New Album

Blaze, the band fronted by the ex-Iron Maiden/Wolfsbane vocalist Blaze Bayley release their third studio album 'Blood & Belief' through SPV Records on 26th April. In support of this the band undertake a series of British shows beginning on Monday 12th April.

Alive  Ten Seconds  Blood and Belief  Life and Death  Tearing Yourself to Pieces  Hollow Head  Will to Win  Regret  The Path and the Way  Soundtrack of my Life

The tour dates currently confirmed for the UK are as follows:

Monday 12th UK Manchester, Bierkeller
Wednesday 14th UK Colchester, Soundhouse
Thursday 15th UK Leeds, Warehouse
Friday 16th UK Bristol, Bierkeller
Sunday 18th UK Glasgow, Cathouse
Monday 19th UK Aberdeen, Moshulu
Tuesday 20th UK Dumfries, The Venue
Wednesday 21st UK Stoke, Rigger
Friday 23rd UK London, Kingston Peel

Rock & Blues Custom Show

The 21st Birthday party of the Rock & Blues Custom Show is scheduled to take place between 29th July and 1st August at Pentrich Derbyshire. As well as a custom bike show, stunt displays, mud wrestling and various other forms of entertainment, the show plays host to live gigs from Thunder, Magnum and Twisted Sister. Tickets for the event are priced at £30 in advance or £40 on the day. Further details can be found at the show's website; www.rockandblues.uk.com

Dare Release New Album

MTM music have announced that the new album by British rockers Dare, featuring Darren Wharton will be released on 7th June. No details on track listing yet, but it has been confirmed that the album will be entitled 'Beneath The Shining Water'

Chimaira To Hit The Road In June

Chimaira, along with Roadrunner label mates Killswitch Engage are to hit the road for 11 dates throughout the country in June. They will joined on this trek by Shadows Fall and God Forbid. The dates for this tour are as follows:

10th June Cardiff University
11th June Liverpool University
12th June Wolverhampton Civic
13th June Manchester MDH/Academy
14th June Nottingham Rock City
16th June Dublin Ambassador Theatre
17th June Belfast Limelight
18th June Newcastle University
19th June Glasgow QMU
20th June London Astoria
22nd June Oxford Zodiac

New Scorpions Album Revealed.

'Unbreakable', the new album by the German rock band The Scorpions is due to be released on 3rd May via BMG. Although the band will be playing some European festivals over the summer months, as yet no British dates have been scheduled.

New Generation  Love 'Em Or Leave 'Em  Deep And Dark Borderline  Blood Too Hot Maybe I Maybe You  Someday Is Now My City My Town  Through My Eyes Can You Feel It  This Time  She Said  Remember The Good Times

Friday 9th April

Velvet Revolver

Velvet Revolver, the American rock band put together by Slash, Duff McKagen, Matt Sorum and Scott Weiland, release their debut album 'Contraband' via RCA Records on 7th June. The album will be preceded by a single, ' Slither' on May 24th. The full track listing for the album is shown below:

Loving the Alien (Sometimes) Fall To Pieces Set Me Free Slither HeadSpaces Rock Song (provisional title) You Got No Right SuperHuman Illegal Eye Suckertrain Blues Big Machine Spectacle

War & Peace Album Details

As I mentioned a couple of days ago the new War & Peace album 'The Walls have Eyes', featuring erstwhile Dokken bassist Jeff Pilson, is released via Z Records On April 19th. The full track listing for this release has now been confirmed as follows:

Calling                                          Reflections  City In Flames  The Walls Have Eyes  Stranger In My Own Land  Rock And Roll Breakdown  No One Is Listening  You Haunt Me  The Shell  Black In The Mirror  Desperate Hearts  The Line In The Sand  Finale  Walk Away - (European Bonus Track, remake of the Dokken song done with string quartet)

In other Jeff Pilson news, the bassist will undertake duties on the recording of the new Dio album due in July. Pilson replaces Jimmy Bain, who recently left the Dio camp.

Speaking of Dokken, the band itself are scheduled to release their new album on May 18th via Sanctuary records. The album is entitled 'Hell To Pay'. As of yet not details on the track listing or album artwork, but the line up on this album is Don Dokken (Vocals), Mick Brown (Drums), Barry Sparks (Bass) and ex Warlock guitarist John Leven stepping into the role played by John Norum on the last album.

In Flames To Play One Off London Dates

As part of their current European Tour, Scandinavian metallers In Flames have confirmed a one off date at London Astoria on 24th April. The bands new album 'Soundtrack To Your Escape' just been release on Nuclear Blast Records.

F(r)iend  The Quiet Place  Dead Alone  Touch Of Red  Like You Better Dead My Sweet Shadow  Evil In A Closet  In Search For I  Borders And Shading Superhero Of The Computer Rage  Dial 595-Escape  Bottled

Thursday 8th April

Tentative Slipknot Release Date

The 3rd album from the Iowa based metal band, titled 'Vol 3  (The Subliminal Verses)' has a tentative release date of 25th May through Roadrunner Records. The album will be preceded by a single named 'Duality' for which the band have recently shot a video. The album has been produced by Rick Rubin and other titles that may make the final cut include 'Pulse Of The Maggots', 'Vermillion', 'Circle' and 'The Blister Exists'.

Slipknot play Donington Download Festival on Sunday 6th June and Scotland Download Festival on Wednesday 2nd June

www.slipknot1.com

Gig Reviews Updated

The Gig Reviews page has been updated with a Tour Diary from the recent Firehouse/Vaughn/Pride shows.

Anthrax Tour Dates Added

Anthrax have confirmed the following tour dates for the UK & Ireland for June 2004

2th June-London Astoria
13th June-Nottingham Rock City
15th June-Manchester MDH
16th June-Glasgow Garage
18th June-Dublin Ambassador
19th June-Belfast Ulster Hall
20th June-Wolverhampton Civic

Whole Lotta Metal

Tony Martin (ex-Black Sabbath) has announced a British Tour entitled 'Whole Lotta Metal' This will feature Tony, alongside ex-Krokus frontman Carl Sentance playing s two hour set that will bring to life some of the songs that shaped teh rock scene as we know it today. 'From the raw power of Led Zepplin to the huge anthems of Whitesnake and Bon Jovi, Whole Lotta Metal will have you headbangin' in the aisles from start to finish"

Tour Dates confirmed are as follows:

2nd May-Eastbourne Congress Theatre
3rd May-Preston Guildhall
5th May-Bradford St.Georges Hall
6th May-Newcastle Opera House
7th May-Birmingham Alexandra
8th May-Plymouth Pavilions
10th May-Bournemouth Pavilion
11th May-Cardiff St. Davids Hall
13th May-Hull City Hall
14th May-Manchester Opera House
15th May-St Albans Alban Arena
17th May-Dartford The Orchard
18th May-Cambridge Corn Exchange
19th May-Rhyl Pavilion
20th May-Wolverhampton Wulfrun Hall (Civic)
22nd May-Stevenage Concert Hall
24th May-Derby Assembly Rooms
25th May-Glasgow Royal Concert Hall
27th May-Southport Theatre
28th May-Billingham Forum Theatre
29th May-Kings Lynn Corn Exchange
30th May-Worthing Assembly Hall
1st June-Croydon Fairfield Halls
4th June-Lowestoft Marina Theatre

Check out www.wholelottametal.com for further details

Gene Simmons Is An 'Asshole'

Well at least according to the title of his upcoming album, due to be released on May 17th via Sanctuary Records. The full track listing is as follows:

Sweet & Dirty love
Firestarter
Weapons
Waiting For The Morning Light
Beautiful
Asshole
Now That You're Gone
Whatever Turns You On
Dog
Black Tongue
Carnival Of Souls
If I Had A Gun
I Dream A 1,000 Dreams

The Japanese version of the album will contain an additional two bonus tracks not available on the British release:

Everybody Knows
You're My Reason For Living

www.genesimmons.com

Wednesday 7th April

New Quireboys Album

According to the Quireboys website the band's new album 'Well Oiled will be released in the UK on May17th via SPV records. The track listing for the album is as follows:

Good To See Ya  Finer Stuff  Lorraine, Lorraine  Too Familiar You've Got a Nerve  What's Your Name  Sweet As The Rain  The Last Fence  Black Mariah

Click to the tour page section of this site to see the dates The Quireboys have planned with UFO in June.

www.quireboys.com

WASP Release The Neon God on 20th April

According to the official WASP website the band's latest release 'The Neon God Part 1' will hit the stores on April 20th trough Sanctuary records. The track listing for this album includes:

Overture Why Am I Here Wishing Well Sister Sadie (And the Black Habits) (Why Am) I Nothing Underature Asylum #9 Red Room of the Rising Sun What I’ll Never Find Someone To Love Me X.T.C. Riders Me and the Devil Running Man The Raging Storm

Full details are available on the WASP website www.waspnation.com

Details of the upcoming WASP UK shows can be found on the Gig Guide Page

Magnum Release New Album on August 30th

The new Magnum CD 'Brand New Morning' is due for release on August 30th 2004 through SPV. The track listing for this album will be as follows: