Rock legend Alice Cooper is bringing his full Psycho-Drama arena show to the Southampton Guildhall on 25th July for a rare small-venue performance.  Alice will be performing tracks from across his career, which spans 4 decades and more than 30 albums.  

One of the greatest live performers of all time, Alice Cooper’s legendary shock rock live performances are always far more than just a gig; they are an experience, both visually and musically.  Featuring his renowned brand of innovative theatrics, as well timeless hits including School’s Out, Poison and No More Mister Nice Guy, this is a show not to be missed. This one-off show follows his appearance at Motor Show Music Festival, ExCel Arena on 24th July.

Escape Music will release the debut album from Polution, entitled Overheated on June 20th 2008.

Polution was founded in 1997 and has been playing in today’s music scene since 2005. The band are used to playing their music in various `rock-cellars` right up to renowned clubs such as the Rohstofflager in Zurich, the Treibhaus in Lucerne or the Transsilvania in Erstfeld. Polution have acted as support for bands such as Krokus, Sideburn and John Coghlan (formerly of Status Quo). Being placed third at the Emergenza Bandcontest `06 in Zurich currently ranks among the band’s greatest success story.

While originally having focused on cover-versions of bands like AC/DC, Metallica and Motörhead, the band has started to continually include more and more of their own songs into their repertoire. They have developed a style based on supportive melodies and hard guitar riffs. This music style has gained large approval amongst listeners and has gained them a following beyond the local area for their outstanding instrumental communication on stage.

In spring 2007, Polution took the chance and ventured into producing a CD at the New Sound Studio. The recording is produced and engineered by Tommy Vetterli at NewSoundStudio, Switzerland. Tommy was a founder of trash-metal-band Coroner in the 80's as their guitarist, and has since started as a music producer for bands like Gotthard, Pure Inc., PX-Pain, Backwash, much much more.

The debut CD by Polution is full of great catchy songs with an energetic sound, anyone who likes the music of AC/DC, Airborne and Krokus should look no further than these boys. Guaranteed to stop you in your tracks, this is a monster of a recording and is bound to set pulses racing when it is released....watch this space...

Download have announced the addition of Kids In Glass Houses, Black Tide, The Wildhearts, Rival Schools, Haunts, Zebrahead, Skindred, Invasion, Canterbury, Twin Method and Amon Amarth to this years edition of the festival that takes place at Donington Park on June 13th, 14th & 15th.

Kids In Glass Houses return to Download for a second year running. With their debut album “Smart Casual” due for release in May their Download performance will be nothing short of amazing. Bringing even more metal to the fold Black Tide hail from Miami and with an average age of 20 years old this year is proving to be their year. 2008 has already been a busy year with the band performing live on Jimmy Kimmel, this year also marks their Download debut.

Seventh Wonder being the recordings of their third album "Mercy Falls" on May 5th as the band once again teams up with Daniel Flores in the studio. After the massive sound of "WITW" the band has also decided to hook up with Tommy Hansen again to do the mixing and mastering at the famous Jailhouse Studios in Denmark. This is scheduled for late June.

The album will be released late this summer on Lion Music worldwide and there will also be a very limited first edition with bonus material; more news on this will follow. As soon as the actual recordings start, there will be a studio log accessible from: www.seventhwonder.nu - where you can track the progress and the making of the album. Make sure to join the new forum (link below) and make it as alive as the old one was or even more for that matter!

Andreas Blomqvist of the band states, "Updates have been scarce lately and the band wishes to thank everyone for their patience and understanding. Every minute of time has been put into the writing and producing of this album to make sure it is the best that can be. Now we invite you to join us in this endeavour."

Enter Shikari Announce UK/Ireland Autumn Your Dates

Despite being less than two months into their planned writing / recording routine, cabin fever (or, rather, 'bungalow fever') has hit the Enter Shikari camp. To give the St Albans quartet a light at the end of the tunnel, they've decided its time they had a month in a van to look forward to just as winter will be setting in. The tour bypasses many of the usual touring band stop offs, and instead takes in several cities and towns that the band hasn't seen for a couple of years.

The full itinerary for the trek is as follows

September 2008
30 London - Camden Underworld

Ooctober 2008
02 Cambridge - Corn Exchange
03 Hull - University
04 Nottingham - Rock City
05 Keele - University
07 Oxford - Academy
08 St Albans - Arena
09 Norwich - UEA
10 Peterborough - Cresset
11 Hastings - White Rock Theatre
13 Middlesborough - Town Hall
14 Liverpool - Academy
15 Dublin - Ambassador
16 Cork - Savoy theatre
17 Belfast - Mandela Hall
19 Inverness - Ironworks
20 Dundee - Fat Sams
21 Edinburgh - University (Potterow)
23 Newport - Centre
24 Bath - Pavilion
26 Llandudno - Arena
27 Bournemouth- Solent Hall
29 Exeter - Great hall
30 Southampton - Guildhall
31 Folkestone - Leas Cliff Hall

November 2008
02 London - Mean Fiddler
03 London - Mean Fiddler
04 London - Mean Fiddler

Tickets go on special presale to members of the Enter Shikari mailing list (www.entershikari.com) on Thursday 8th May. Remaining tickets go on general sale the following week. WIth any luck and a good following wind, there will be a single release to coincide with the dates. The band are also working on a possible mail-order / merch table only, 'bootleg' live DVD compilation. It will feature footage shot at shows around the world and will be released in time for the tour.

Misery Signals Premiere New Songs, Weight Of The World on MySpace and release their new album, "Controller" on July 21st

Speaking on the song bassist Kyle Johnson relates: “It was the first song we recorded for the new album and it’s a different song for us, it’s little angrier, faster and actually the shortest song clocking in at a little over two minutes.” Vocalist Karl Schubach adds” “It was the first song we tracked and Devin (Townsend, Producer) had me run through the entire song once just to get down the idea of where I wanted to go. He told me that I nailed it right off the bat and we ended up keeping most of it as the finished version. The song itself is about deciding whether you should tell someone what you really think and get it off of your chest or take the high road and let them think that they are right. That situation can really blow up.”

The band recorded the entire album with Devin Townsend (Strapping Young Lad, Devin Townsend Band) who was at the helm of the band’s 2004 debut Of Malice and The Magnum Heart. Since wrapping up recording in March, the band have finished a European Run, which sold out most of the dates.

The Sound Ex have been confirmed as the main and only support for Terrorvisions’S 4 day UK tour in May. On 17th January Demolition Records announced the worldwide signing of The Sound Ex to their brand new label, DR2. DR2 will be focusing more on new emerging talent while DEMOLITION will continue to bring the best from the more established artists. DR2 will be releasing their second album, titled, 'Palomino’ from the North-East band in early September 2008. In the meantime the live dates are as follows:

May 22nd - Nottingham Rock City
May 23rd - Bristol carling Academy
May 24th - London Shepherd's Bush Empire
May 25th - LCR @UEA

Frontiers Records Update

The production of the second chapter of the popular Place Vendome album, the record that brought back former Helloween singer Michael Kiske to Rock Music, has started under the direction of Dennis Ward (PC 69) at his studio in Karlsdorf, Germany. Ward's Pink Cream 69 band mate, Kosta Zafiriou and Gunther Werno of Vandenplas will also appear on drums and keyboards respectively. This time the songs have been supplied also by Ronny Milianowicz (Saint Deamon/Primal Fear), Torsti Spoof (Leverage) and Robert Sall (Work Of Art). Track titles set for inclusion on the album include: Surrender Your Soul, Completely Breathless, A Scene In Reply, Dancer, Changes, Believer, Streets of Fire, Follow Me, I'd Die For You, Set Me Free, Valerie. You can expect a follow-up album that will match the brilliance of the debut and will showcase more and more amazing talent in the Melodic Rock world. Frontiers hopes to release the album in late 2008.

Michele Luppi and Fabrizio Grossi started exchanging tapes and ideas to give the Los Angeles project a great follow-up release. Completing the line-up there will be Peter Lobo on drums, Eric Ragno on keyboards, Tommy Denander and Joey Sykes on guitars. The songs completed so far are: Neverland, Nowhere to Hide, Paradise, Passing By, Confessions of a Broken Heart, Promises and Inside. More songs are being written and the guys are planning to record the album during the summer 2008 for a release pencilled in early 2009. Fans can expect a killer Melodic Rock release.

On this weeks Hair Metal Haven, Chris Nelson will be talking to Nils K Rue , Vocalist and Frontman for Norwegian Melodic Power Metal stars Pagan's Mind. Chris will be playing songs from their latest album God's Equation ,and chatting with Nils about their current tour, Gods Equation, and their plans for the rest of 2008. Join Chris to find out why this band are tipped to be the next Dream Theater, Saturday 3rd May 17.00-19.00 GMT/18.00-20.00 CET, only on www.rock247online.co.uk

Z Rock Press Release

With just under three weeks to go until Z Rock 08 some fine tuning has been made to the running sequence and ticketing details.

Firstly many have been asking for exact location details for the Asylum, Z Rock 08 will be the opening night for the venue which features a fantastic PA and light system. The venue is situated in Hampton Street, Hockley, Birmingham B19 3LS. Tickets sales are close to that needed to announce a further show in 2009 and we urge everyone to help make this happen by buying in advance via www.myspace.com/zrockfest or ST Records Dudley or Swordfish Birmingham. Tickets will be available online until noon on Sunday May 11th and from ST and Swordfish until 12 noon on May 16th. In the event that tickets are remaining on the day they will be priced as follows May 16th £25 and on May 17th £50.

The running order adjustments now mean that Stormzone will play 2 totally different sets, the running for each day is now.....

DAY 1 FRIDAY MAY 16TH

HOUSE OF LORDS 10:35 - til late
DANTE FOX 9:30 - 10:15
STORMZONE 8:30 - 9:10
7DAYZ 7:35 - 8:10
ROCKSTAR 6: 40 - 7:15
doors 6pm / admission £25

DAY 2 SATURDAY MAY 17TH
BLACK N BLUE 10:50 - til late
BONFIRE 9:05 - 10:25
SHY 7:30 - 8:40
EDEN 6:05 - 7:05
break for 1 hour 15 min
BOMBAY BLACK 3:50 - 4:50
STEVE GRIMMETT BAND 2:40 - 3:30
STORMZONE 1:30 - 2:20
REDLINE 12:30 - 1:10
£45 advance / £50 on door

Anyone requiring information re the show should email zrockagency@zrecords.net or call 07724 606920

Ida Maria plays the following dates in support of the release of her new single Queen Of The World released on May 12th

09 May - Brick Yard, Carlisle
10 May - Metropolis @ The Empire, Middlesbrough
11 May - The Tunnels, Aberdeen
15 May - The Great Escape Festival, Brighton
16 May - The Great Escape Festival, Brighton
19 May - The Cockpit, Leeds
20 May - Jericho Tavern, Oxford
21 May - Kings College, London
24 May - Dot-To-Dot Festival, Bristol
25 May - Dot-To-Dot Festival, Nottingham
27 May - Glee Club, Birmingham
29 May - Fuzz Club @ The Foundry, Sheffield
31 May - Academy 3, Manchester
01 Jun - King Tuts, Glasgow

Winterlong are to release a new compilation album, christened Longing For Winter, through lion Music on May 24th.

Winterlong is the brainchild of Thorbjörn Englund. Proving to be purveyors of some of the finest neo-classical Nordic power metal to have come out of Scandinavia in the 21st century. The band went through a series of line-up changes yet retained their own identifiable sound for their first 3 albums before changing track to a heavier style of metal for their fourth (and to date last) album `Metal/Technology'. "Longing For Winter" sees tracks compiled from the bands career and along with 4 previously unreleased tracks from the bands archives makes this an ideal starting point for anyone that has yet to sample the Winterlong sound.

  

Winterlong started out as a band and first came to prominence with their debut album "Valley Of The Lost" in 2001 which received strong critical praise. Subsequent albums saw Thorbjörn creating the music himself with a variety of musicians. For "The Second Coming" (2003) with drummers Anders Johansson (Hammerfall, ex Malmsteen) and Andreas Lill (Vanden Plas). Italian keyboard virtuoso Mistheria (as with the debut) contributed keyboard solos yet it was the presence of vocalist Mikael Holm that had the most impact from the then new release whose powerful soaring vocals worked to perfection with Englund's fleeting fingers. The Englund/Holm magic was then further enhanced for the band's 3rd release, the self titled "Winterlong" seeing Leif Eriksson handle drums and this album saw the bands sound honed to perfection. Even Englund himself wondered how this could be bettered. So instead Thorbjorn took the decision to create Winterlong's fourth album alone with a new sound, The result was "Metal/Technology" which saw heavier Pantera style riffs coupled with Thorbjörn Englund handling all other instrumentation and vocals himself. Whilst this is a departure from the traditional Winterlong sound, Englunds guitar trademarks are still here in spades.

The full track listing for Longing For Winter is as follows:

Sky Travellers, The Priest, Northman, Bloodshred, Like Ships in the Night, Nosferatu, Wild Winter Nights, And So We Remember, Each Night We Die, Twisting Your Tail, The Hunter, Retaliation, Winterlong, Judgement Day, The Prediction of M. King Hubbert, Dragon Breath, The Heartland and Elements

Escape Music will release the new album from Gypsy Rose, entitled Another World, on 20th June. “Another World” sees an important change in the line-up of the band with vocalist Håkan Gustafsson being replaced with David Reece, a seasoned front man previously involved with “Accept” and “Bangalore Choir”. The change in voclaist makes a huge difference to the band and the result is astounding. Many will already know that Martin Kronlund is a world class producer and his work shows on this outstanding CD. Powerful melodies, crunching guitar work and beautiful keyboards are the order of the day. This is a huge recording and begs to be heard, Gypsy Rose have finally matured and blossomed into a force to be reckoned with.

The full track listing for Another World is as follows:

Don’t look back, Fired, Another world, Angels, Nothing really matters, All the way to the sun, Final call, A little ain’t Enough, A million miles, When I call your name, Higher, Liar and Hellhammer.

Gypsy Rose, aside from Reece, are comprised of guitarsit Martin Kronlund, bassist Mats Bostedt, drummer Inre Daun and Rikard Quist on keyboards originally formed in 1981 in Mölnlycke, Sweden, inspired by great British bands such as Thin Lizzy, Rainbow, Deep Purple and Led Zeppelin. In 1984, Gypsy Rose signed a deal with a Belgium label which went out of business shortly afterwards and the recordings never saw the light of day. After struggling for several more years Gypsy Rose came in contact with American producer Taavi Mote in 1989. He really liked what they were doing and came over to Sweden to look for a good studio to record the first album. But it all ended up with nothing again.

In 2004 the idea came up to talk about playing together again. Almost all musicians in between had been working on other projects. Guitarist Kronlund for example recorded two albums with the band Dogface and with Uriah Heep man Ken Hensley. The only problem was that the previous drummer hadn’t touched his drums since 1991, so the guys asked another friend to join them: Imre Daun (Don Patrol).  Gypsy Rose was born again. The band’s first album “Gypsy Rose” was released in 2005. This work shows influences from various eras of rock music. Some say the band’s very own style somewhere lies right in the middle between typical Swedish Melodic Rock, Fair Warning, Bonfire, ScorpionsS and Thin Lizzy. “Gypsy Rose” was recorded at JM Studio in Mölnlycke, Sweden by Martin Kronlund. The album featured a guest appearance by Dogface/At Vance vocalist Mats Levén on backing vocals, and he also a guest on this new CD.

To celebrate their 30th Anniversary, Whitesnake release “Good to Be Bad”, through SPV/Steamhammer Records on 21st April, their first studio album in a decade.  The album features 11 new, slamming Whitesnake songs which are guaranteed to take their place alongside their better known multi-million selling catalogue. 

A LIMITED EDITION has also been released, which is packaged a special varnished hot foil box that includes

- the jewel case version of "Good To Be Bad"
- a bonus CD with 3 tracks and 1 enhanced video
- an exclusive poster
- an exclusive photocard
- an exclusive sticker

This is a "must have" for all Whitesnake fans. The vinyl edition of the album that is also available comes in a double gatefold version with printed inner sleeves and a bonus live track. 

Legendary front man, David Coverdale, says, “The new album contains all the elements I enjoy about Whitesnake, and more.  I can hear moments that take me back to the bluesy, early years of the band all the way through the band's musical history to fully embrace the more electric aspects of where we are now, as a band.  I'm thrilled with it and can hardly wait to unleash it on an unsuspecting public!  If this is indeed the last Whitesnake studio record then I'm happy to finish like this.  It was a labour of love making this record...a joy... and I'm still enjoying listening to it.  Can't be bad!" 

The 11 new songs, written by Coverdale and guitarist Doug Aldrich (who also co-produced the album with Coverdale and Michael McIntyre) provide a good balance of 8 rocking tracks and 3 ballads.  Coverdale feels it's the first 'real' Whitesnake album in almost 20 years, commenting “It's very butch.  Very muscular..."

Frontiers Records have announced details of the new chapter in the legendary career of multi-Platinum US rockers Journey - Neal Schon (guitar), Jonathan Cain (keyboards), Ross Valory (bass), Deen Castronovo (drums) and Arnel Pineda (vocals) – entitled "Revelation". The brand new record will come as a beautifully packaged two CD set which will include 11 new songs and 11 re-recorded classics and will be released in Europe on Frontiers Records on June 6th 2008.

"Revelation" is the first Journey album to feature the angelic voice of Philipino singer Arnel Pineda. Guitarist Neal Schon says about him "We feel reborn. I think there's a lot of chemistry between the five of us. The new stuff sounds tremendous. Everyone's so stoked about it. We feel very fortunate to have found Arnel". "Arnel brings a soulful and passionate voice to Journey", continues keyboardist Jonathan Cain. "His personality is very well-suited to our music. He's a sincere, authentic person with a great smile and a big heart. I think fans are really going to love him. With Arnel's soaring tenor, Journey returns to our heritage sound."

The first album with lead vocalist Arnel Pineda, "Revelation" is Journey running on no less than twelve cylinders, a fine-tuned offering that sounds every bit like a band hitting their stride. Schon and Cain penned all 11 of the new tracks on "Revelation". There is no lack of chemistry in Journey, beginning with the song writing core of Schon and Cain. "I felt strongly about moving forward and writing new material. It was time," Schon states. Schon then put the call into Cain and started the song writing process which has now become the album, "Revelation". "There's an innate trust and respect for what we each do as we weave our way through this music," says Cain. Schon adds, "In the alphabet, I might be a Z and Jonathan the A, that's just how opposite we are musically sometimes. I write mostly rock and Jonathan writes most of the ballads, but when you combine the chemistry of us together, you'll find that it is the nucleus and sound of what is and has been Journey. And now, with the right voice in place, we have all the right ingredients."


"Never Walk Away" kicks "Revelation" off with the resilient air and upbeat optimism fans have come to expect from Journey, a melody-soaked and guitar-driven anthem sure to ignite the live circuit just as it lights up the new release. The heart warming sentiment offered by "Like a Sunshower" gives a more poetic and reflective look at relationships. It's an uncharacteristic ballad from the more hard rock-inclined Schon. There's even an instrumental, "The Journey (Revelation)", at the request of producer Kevin Shirley, who returns to the fold after working with the band on "Trial By Fire" (1996) and "Arrival" (2000), the band's first instrumental since "Departure" (1980) and "Evolution" (1979). "This is a special song for me", Schon says of the sprawling track, "it was extremely gratifying to express myself on my instrument in this way". This is a great performance from everyone in the band and truly a majestic track.

But every member of Journey shines on the whole of "Revelation". Lead singer Arnel Pineda does plenty of head turning of his own throughout the new recordings, as well as the 11 classic hits that the band re-recorded. Jonathan Cain's keyboards elevate "After All These Years" to new emotional heights. "What I Needed" is a power ballad, driven by heavy guitars, reminiscent of the early Journey that so many bands have modelled themselves after. Deen Castronovo drums up a frenzy during the hard-driving rock song, "Wildest Dream." The talented Castronovo also sings most of the high harmonies heard throughout the album, proving that not only is he an amazing drummer, but he's a dynamic vocalist as well. Schon's smoking guitars rip through this track with a cool, eastern flavour. Bassist Ross Valory is steady throughout, a stabilizing force through the albums more driven highs and heartfelt lows.

Frontiers Records President Serafino Perugino comments: "Working again with Journey is more than an honour for us. I wish to thank all the parties that worked hard to make this release happen, including Gabe Reed Esq, Azoff Management and the band for the continued trust in our job".

The "Revelation" track listing will include the following songs:

CD1: Never Walk Away; Like A Sunshower; Change For The Better; Wildest Dream; Faith In The Heartland; After All These Years; Where Did I Lose Your Love; What I Needed; What It Takes To Win; Turn Down The World Tonight; The Journey (Revelation).

CD2: Only The Young; Don't Stop Believin'; Wheel In The Sky; Faithfully; Any Way You Want It; Who's Crying Now; Separate Ways (Worlds Apart); Lights; Open Arms; Be Good To Yourself; Stone In Love.

Journey will support the new album release in Europe with a highly anticipated tour which will include the following UK dates in June:

17th -  Hammersmith London
19th -  Apollo Manchester
20th - Clyde Auditorium Glasgow
22nd - Civic Theater Wolverhampton
23rd - Cardiff International Arena Cardiff
25th - National Stadium Dublin
27th - Nottingham Arena Nottingham
28th - Harewood House Harrogate

Meltdown signs with Nuclear Blast.

Thrash is definitely back on track and we�re not talking about some modern hype bullshit! We�re talking about good ol' thrash back from the days when Metallica literally turned the metalscene upside down by setting the cornerstone for a new movement and new standards in meaning of heaviness, speed and sonic brutality. So do Meltdown in times where fashion and polished clean vocals rule the business well, of course they do not set new standards etc. etc. but they do take the metal community back to early 1980, thrashing metal mad like hell!

Still young, angry and possessed by old school metal, Meltdown from Los Angeles, California were immediately signed to Nuclear Blast when the label's officials first heard their demo of 2007. Nuclear Blast A&R Marko Sirac commented with regard to the signing of this new, fresh & very promising young band: "Meltdown are just killer, this young band's old school Thrash sounds fresher than it ever did before by a band of that age. These guys really have style".

Meltdown will enter the legendary Stage One Studios with even more legendary producer Andy Classen to record their first album, "Executioner", which is set to be unleashed in August 2008.

Hackneyed sign with Nuclear Blast.

Nuclear Blast have announce the signing of south German death metal maniacs Hackneyed. These five youngsters are just as convincing as Morbid Angel must have been when they released their first album back in the day. Not only is the band already a bright star in the sky of extreme metal but they are also the youngest band Nuclear Blast has signed ever since. Probably Hackneyed are also the youngest death metal act on the planet as the average age of the band members is just sixteen, with guitarist Devin being just 14 years old, but already shredding and grooving as hell.

Founded in early 2007 the band has already managed to play numerous successful live shows as well as drawing attention from several bigger bands and also of Achim Ostertag (organizer of Germany�s Summer Breeze festival and CEO of Silverdust Records) who presented the band to the deeply impressed Nuclear Blast staff who signed them right away!

The first neck breaker, "Gut Candy",  has also been made available through the bands myspacepage @ www.myspace.com/hackneyedmusic  and the band will release their first audible massacre, Death Prevails, on July 25th.

Hammerfall announce new guitarist

Pontus Norgren from The Poodles will be replacing Stefan Elmgren, who left Hammerfall in early April to focus on his new career as a pilot. "Pontus is a fantastic guitar player with musical roots in Accept and neo-classical metal" comments drummer Anders Johansson. "I have known him for many years, I know how he works as a musician and as a person".

"I like Hammerfall, I think they have amazing stage shows and I like their songs, so when I heard they were looking for a guitar player I thought I�d give it a try", says Pontus. "Playing in the Poodles has been a wonderful experience in many ways, but I have always liked a little heavier music and have felt at times that this wasn't the right kind of forum for the music I'd most like to play. It's simply time to move on".

"Replacing Stefan is not easy, he has a very characteristic way of playing and is a great guitarist", explains singer Joacim Cans,  "But Pontus will add a different style than Stefan since they are two quite different persons. I'm looking forward to see how we will mesh as a band during the coming months".

At the moment, Hammerfall have a scheduled gig in Montreal, Canada, in June, and in July the recordings of a new studio album will begin. Late June will also see the release of a cover album (Masterpieces) and a DVD (Rebels With A Cause:  Unruly, Unrestrained, Uninhibited), and the first full-length album with the new line-up is planned for February 2009.

Lauren Harris' eagerly anticipated debut album, "Calm Before The Storm", will be available for download on 19th May with the lead track from eleven song album, Steal Your Fire, available now for free download from Harris' MySpace site @ www.myspace.com/laurenharrisuk

Lauren is the daughter of Iron Maiden's Steve Harris who guests on various tracks of the album, the first time he has played on any recording other than those of Maiden and the CD version of the album, which has been written over the past three years, will be released throughout Europe on June 23rd through Demolition DR2 Records and will include an extra bonus track, a cover of UFO's 'Natural Thing' and a separate DVD disc which will include the showreel, 2 full promo videos and slide show.

Following joining Maiden successfully on their trans-global "Somewhere Back in Time" tour first leg in Feb/Mar, Lauren and her band will continue on tour Maiden through North America (May 21 to June 21) and Europe (June 27 to Aug 19) along with playing a number of European Festivals in this period. Says Lauren; "We have worked hard on this record for some time between out hectic touring schedule and are really delighted that its finally coming out soon. We hope the many fans around the world who we have met on tour like it as much as we all do, and look forward to seeing many of you again on tour this Summer at the Maiden shows and festivals we are playing"

The full track listing for Calm Before The Storm is as follows:

Steal Your Fire, Your Turn, Get Over It, Like It Or Not, From The Bottom To The Top, Let Us Be, Hurry Up, Come On Over, Hit Or Miss, See Through, You Say and Natural Thing.

Z ROCK 08 is now just 4 weeks away and it is with deep regret that we have to advise that Von Groove have been forced to pull out of the event due to exceptional current close personal circumstances for Michael Shotton, this is a time that Michael needs to be with his family and we hope that people will understand his position. It is already planned to bring VG to the UK for a number of shows this Autumn news of which will be announced at Z Rock 08. Michael sent the following comment for fans:

"Hey everyone, my deepest apologies regarding my absence at the Z Rock show this year. My family undergone some severe tragedy over this last while but all is mending well. Looking forward to seeing all of the Z Rock and Von Groove fans very soon. I wish you all a great show and we will be rocking together very soon! All the best" Michael Shotton, Von Groove.

Bombay Black will now play on the Saturday main event and Dante Fox have been added to Friday evening, thank you to Tim and Sue for coming to the rescue at such short notice. The Line up and schedule for each day is now as follows.

DAY 1 FRIDAY MAY 16TH
HOUSE OF LORDS 10:35 - til late
DANTE FOX 9:25 - 10:15
7DAYZ 8:30 - 9:05
BULLITT 7:35 - 8:10
ROCKSTAR 6: 40 - 7:15
doors 6pm / admission £25

DAY 2 SATURDAY MAY 17TH
BLACK N BLUE 10:50 - til late
BONFIRE 9:05 - 10:25
SHY 7:30 - 8:40
EDEN 6:05 - 7:05
break for 1 hour 15 min
BOMBAY BLACK 3:50 - 4:50
STEVE GRIMMETT BAND 2:40 - 3:30
STORMZONE 1:30 - 2:20
REDLINE 12:30 - 1:10
Doors 12: noon tickets: £45.00 advance [if any remaining £50.00 on door]

TICKETS ON SALE NOW VIA WWW.ZRECORDS.NET AND WWW.MYSPACE.COM/ZROCKFEST AND FROM ST RECORDS [DUDLEY]. Compare for both evenings will be by Shaun from the Frontiers Rock night team.

To celebrate the band's upcoming tour and release of their new studio album, Skeletons on May 12th, Wednesday 13 will be conducting his own paranormal investigations. Demolition Records have teamed together with one of the UK's leading Ghost Hunting Companies, Fright Nights, to host a series of seances. After certain shows on the UK leg of the tour, Wednesday 13 will travel to secret haunted locations to perform their own ghostly vigils, with the aid of Mediums specialising in Trance, Ouija boards and Possession!

Frontman, Wednesday said: " I've seen this stuff before on television and I've been a sceptic about this forever. I want to see now if I will eat my own words. I'm really excited and looking forward to the attempt of having the begezzus scared out of me!"

Wednesday will be visiting the following cities on his UK tour:

12th May 2008 Wolverhampton Wulfrun  Hall
13th May 2008 Norwich Waterfront
14th May 2008 Leicester The Charlotte
15th May 2008 Cardiff University
16th May 2008 Exeter Phoenix
17th May 2008 Leeds Cockpit
18th May 2008 Sheffield Corporation
19th May 2008 Aberdeen Moshulu
20th May 2008 Glasgow Garage
21st May 2008 Oxford Academy
1st June 2008 London LA2

Following the successes of recent album ‘Capital’ – released in March through Xtra Mile Recordings – Chris T-T is embarking on a co-headline UK tour with pal, Electric Soft Parade’s Thomas White. Chris has been rather busy of late. The final part of his London trilogy, ‘Capital’, received wide critical acclaim from all sections of the music press and radio, securing glowing reviews from the likes of Sunday Times, Q, Uncut, NME and Plan B and plays and sessions on Radio 1, 2, 6Music and XFM.

On the live circuit, Chris and his new band blasted through the country rocking out each venue on his headlining tour. He then stopped off at the 100 Club in London to join former Carter USM singer Jim Bob on piano for 2 sold-out shows. From there he has now joined label mate Frank Turner on his sold out album tour for a handful of dates, as unannounced (except for here) support and as piano player for a couple of Frank’s songs.

The month of May will see Chris team up with Thomas White for some fantastic shows up and down the country. Thomas White first rose to attention with his brother Alex at the helm of The Electric Soft Parade, he then went on to be guitarist for Brakes and now he has now revealed himself to be a damn fine solo artist and songwriter. He promoting his debut solo album ‘I Dream Of Black’. Full dates are as follows:

MAY
19 London Amersham Arms
21 York Fibbers
23 Glasgow Brel
24 Hull Festival Without Fields
25 Cambridge Barfly
27 London Enterprise
28 Halifax Square Chapel Arts Centre - Chris only (solo)
29 Nottingham Bodega
30 Bath Fringe Festival – Chris only
JUNE
1 Guildford Boileroom
2 Bristol Louisiana
3 Cardiff Clwb Ifor Bach
4 Birmingham Glee Club
5 Wolverhampton Little Civic
6 Leeds Brudenell Social Club
8 Leicester The Musician
10 Portsmouth The Cellars
JULY
4 Blissfields Festival – Chris only (full band)
5 Blissfields Festival – Chris only (solo)

Fighting With Wire New Single

Since their formation in 2003, Fighting With Wire have built up a increasingly dedicated fan-base who have not only been attracted by the bands ability to write kick-ass rock songs, but also their high-impact, no-holds-barred live shows.

That live show has won the band many plaudits - 'Derry's Fighting With Wire play like they're already headlining stadiums... with their arsenal of big f**k-off choruses, it would be a travesty if that dream didn't become a reality' - KKKK Kerrang! - and is now beginning to make the wider world sit up and take notice.

Fighting With Wire will take to the road exploding into a 25-date headline tour of their own in May hitting venues up and down the UK and Ireland.

To coincide, the Derry based 3-piece will be releasing the Zane Lowe-sponsored ‘Everyone Needs A Nemesis’ on May 26th as a limited edition 7” single. To make this release as special for their fans as it is for the band, FWW are encouraging punters to send in a picture of their choice to be used as the artwork for their very own, bespoke, copy of the release.

Fighting With Wire are currently enjoying what has already been a massive year for the band. With their debut album ‘Man Vs Monster‘ on our shelves, monster tours ahead, a very special single release, and a live BBC Maida Vale Live Session still to come - this band are gearing up for what should be a colossal 2008.

LONDON
24th Apr - London Club Fandango
1st May - Belfast Queens University Radar Night
4th May - Aberdeen Kef
5th May- Edinburgh The Ark
6th May - Glasgow Barfly
7th May - Manchester Ruby Lounge
8th May - Sheffield Corporation
9th May - Liverpool Barfly
10th May - York Fibbers
11th May - Birmingham Barfly
12 May - Cambridge Portland Arms
13th May - Cardiff Barfly
15th May - Southampton Unit 22
16th May - Plymouth The Hub
17th May- Yeovil Orange Box
18th May - Brighton Freebutt
19th May - Oxford Jericho Tavern
20th May - London Barfly

DOWNLOAD adds some metal magic to its diverse bill. Leading the metal charge are Testament, Municipal Waste and Trigger The Bloodshed all bringing a slice of brutality to the weekend.  Meanwhile, representing something from all walks of 'Rock' life and joining them are Brigade, Exit Ten, Comeback Kid, Valient Thorr, Chiodos, Animal Alpha, August Burns Red, Rose Tattoo and Hostile.

TESTAMENT are very much representative of their name, and are the ultimate quintessential modern heavy metal band. Amazingly, 2008 will mark their Download debut. Breaking onto the Californian thrash metal scene alongside Metallica, Anthrax, Slayer and Megadeth, Testament have had two Top 40 UK albums and will be looking for a third this year with new album 'The Formation of Damnation'.

Hailing from Richmond, Virginia, blazing thrashers MUNICIPAL WASTE have been, in their words, 'spreading their shred' across Europe since 2006 with tours alongside Sick Of It All and GWAR and are firm favourites of the Radio 1 Rock Show. This will be the first time they have played Download.

Bath based grindcore/death metal exponents TRIGGER THE BLOODSHED have only been together for a year but they have impressed the rock magazines already with their brutal, heavy as hell formula.

BRIGADE have been going since 2003 and have supported the likes of Hawthorne Heights, InMe and Aiden whilst their star has been ascending. Praise from the rock press and TV channels has been plentiful and they bring their Brit-rock to Download for the first time this year.

EXIT TEN have enjoyed comparisons to Killswitch Engage, Shadows Fall and Sikth and have become a firm staple of the UK metal/ hardcore scene. Tours with Deftones, Avenged Sevenfold and Every Time I Die, as well as playing Download in 2006 has seen them hone their metalcore, and this year they release their first full-length album 'Remember The Day'.

COMEBACK KID make their Download debut and fly in all the way from Winnipeg, Canada with their hardcore punk sounds. Now on Victory Records, the band have so far garnered a steady reputation through word of mouth alone.

Michigan post-hardcore outfit CHIODOS have already enjoyed a wealth of critical success with their first two albums both hitting the Billboard Top 200. Having been unable to join The Offspring, Incubus and Coheed and Cambria at Australia's Soundwaves Festival this year the band will be pleased to be able to join all three at this year's Download.

VALIENT THORR will be flying their proverbial spaceship into Donington this June, bringing their conspiracy theories and legions of 'Thorriers' with them! The last two years have seen them out on the road with Fu Manchu, Eagles of Death Metal and The Sword, and will be releasing their fourth album in June.

Birmingham metallers HOSTILE will be heading to Download for the first time having become regulars on the UK live circuit. They will be undoubtedly looking to their fellow Brit metallers Judas Priest and Motorhead on the weekend for some tips!

ROSE TATTOO will be travelling from the southern hemisphere to join Download this year, ready to show the crowds the fruits of the last twenty years of solid Australian blues rock. Led by Angry Anderson, their first four albums were produced by Harry Vanda and George Young who also worked with AC/DC. 11 albums on, there'll be plenty for them to sing about at Download.

Norwegian rockers ANIMAL ALPHA have already won themselves and impressive reputation in their home country and are now looking to extend this across Europe.

Christian metalcore outfit AUGUST BURNS RED are looking at a very busy summer with dates locked in from now until August across the globe, including the legendary Warped Tour. The band will be dropping into Donington before they hit California.

The UK's Gorerotted have decided to take the big step of changing their name to The Rotted. Having worked so hard on their new album 'Get Dead Or Die Trying', the lads felt that due to the huge progression they've made from previous releases musically and lyrically and after frequent line-up changes that this was the only right thing to do.

Says frontman Ben McCrow: "The motives behind what we were doing with Gorerotted have changed over the years, and as a mark of respect for what we achieved, for previous band members and for fans, we didn't feel it was right to continue under our previous monicker. This album is gonna blow people away, I couldn't even classify it for you if I tried, all I can say is its heavy as fuck, catchy as hell and a piece of work we're all incredibly proud of. People have been affectionally referring to us as The Rotted for some time now, so it seemed like a decent change to us."

The Rotted's new album, ‘Get Dead Or Die Trying’, is due for release on 30th of June 2008  via Metal Blade and additionally the band has announced the first tour dates under their new monicker.

14/06/2008  Cambridge Barfly
02/07/2008 – Manchester Music Box
03/07/2008 – Glasgow Ivory Blacks
04/07/2008 – Nottingham Junktion 7
05/07/2008 – London Bar Academy
06/07/2008 – Newport TJs

Following on from the story last week about the release of the new Disturbed album, the band have now confirmed the full track listing for the album as well as releasing the artwork for the CD. Entitled Indestructible, the album is released on June 2nd through WEA and features the following, confirmed track listing:

Indestructible, Inside The Fire, Deceiver, The Night, Perfect Insanity, Haunted, Enough, The Curse, Torn, Criminal, Divide and Facade

 

A few new tour dates for the diaries

Backyard Babies play the following shows in September

2nd September 2008 – Birmingham Carling Academy
3rd September 2008 – Nottingham Rock City
4th September 2008 – Newcastle Carling Academy
5th September 2008 – Glasgow Cathouse
6th September 2008 – Sheffield Corporation
7th September 2008 – Manchester University
9th September 2008 – Brighton Barfly
10th September 2008 – Southampton The Brook

3 Doors Down have lined up the following UK shows in support of their new, self titled album which is scheduled for release on May 20th.

30th May - London O2 Arena
31st May - Manchester University
June 1st - Glasgow Carling Academy
June 3rd - Bristol Carling Academy
June 4th - Wolverhampton Wulfrun Hall

The album, which is released through Universal. features the following track listing:

Train, Citizen/Soldier, It's not My Time, Let Me Be Myself, Pages, It's The Only One You've Got, Give It To Me, These Days, Your Arms Feel Like Home, Runaway, When It's Over and She Don't Want The World

Swedish metal heroes Hammerfall have announced the release of a new DVD and an album of cover's on June 27th 2008.  The package, entitled Rebels With A Cause - Unruly, Unstrained, Uninhibited, will be available as a ltd edition 2 DVD digipack and CD or as a 2 DVD set.

The DVD will be a continuation of the band's previous two released (The First Crusade and The Templar/Renegade Crusades) and contains newly recorded interviews with the band interspersed with footage from their own cameras. The time spanned by the disc is six years, from the beginning of 2002 until the end of 2007, and will be editied together as a documentary of sorts, i.e. one continuous film, but of course with chapters.

On a separate disc, the package features all six promo videos the band filmed during that period plus some behind the scenes footage, four professionally filmed live songs from Filderstadt 2005, five TV clips they have purchased the rights to from SVT (the Swedish national television network) and some more home-made stuff as bonus.

The CD, entitled Masterpieces, is also released on June 27th and features the following track listing:

Child of the Damned - Originally recorded by Warlord
Ravenlord – Originally recorded by Stormwitch
Eternal Dark – Originally recorded by Picture
Back to Back - Originally recorded by Pretty Maids
I Want Out – Originally recorded by Helloween
Man on the Silver Mountain – Originally recorded by Rainbow
Head Over Heels – Originally recorded by Accept
Run With the Devil – Originally recorded by Heavy Load
We´re Gonna Make It – Originally recorded by Twisted Sister
Breaking the Law – Originally recorded by Judas Priest
Angel of Mercy – Originally recorded by Chastain
Rising Force - Originally recorded by Yngwie J. Malmsteen’s Rising Force
Detroit Rock City -  Originally recorded by KISS
Crazy Nights – Originally recorded by Loudness
När Vindarna Viskar Mitt Namn – Originally recorded by Roger Pontare
Fight of the Warrior – Originally recorded by Riot
Youth Gone Wild – Originally recorded by Skid Row
Aphasia - Originally recorded by Europe

After the successes of recent album ‘And’ which came out September 2007 through Xtra Mile Recordings, Jonah Matranga returns to the UK for an exciting and exclusive tour.

Throughout May, Jonah will be bringing an incredibly special show of both solo and electric sets to a town near you. As well as performing tracks from his critically acclaimed album ‘And’, Jonah will be treating fans to some of his prolific back catalogue as well. With support band Attention: (featuring ex members of previous outfit Gratitude) acting as his backing group, Jonah will be playing songs from his past incarnations: the seminal Far, Gratitude, New End Original and onelinedrawing.

These amazing and special shows will further highlight Jonah’s unique talent and contribution to the post hardcore independent scene. As a solo artist and as a member of Far, NEO and Gratitude – Jonah has had a large influence on fans and bands alike in America and in the UK and these dates are a celebration of this career spanning 15 years.

Tour dates are:
MAY

6 Exeter, Cavern
7 Nottingham, Bodega
8 Leeds, Cockpit
9 Manchester, Roadhouse
10 Aberdeen Moshulu
11 Glasgow, The Barfly
12 Birmingham, Barfly
13 Oxford, Jericho Tavern
14 Cardiff, Barfly
16 London, Barfly

Canadian metallers Cryptopsy have finalized the track listing for their sixth full-length studio album, "The Unspoken King", which is schedule to be released via Century Media Records on the May 26th. The final track listing for the album is as follows:

Worship Your Demons, The Headsmen, Silence The Tyrants, Bemoan The Martyr, Leach, The Plagued, Resurgence Of An Empire, Anoint The Dead
Contemplate Regicide, Bound Dead and (Exit) The Few

Over two years in the making, Judas Priest will finally unveil its 16th studio album, Nostradamus, on June 16th via Epic. The  double-disc set tells the story of the 16th century prophet, Michel de Nostredame (whose name is often 'Latinized' as Nostradamus), the release is Priest's first-ever concept album, and was recorded throughout 2006 and 2007 at Old Smithy Studio in the UK.

"Making Nostradamus was a new experience for us in Judas Priest, insomuch as this was going to be a conceptual writing and recording event," Priest singer Rob Halford said with regards to the album. "His life is well-documented, so for us it was all about taking the significant episodes he went through, and then with the right emotion, create music and lyrics that would convey them."

On the album, Halford, guitarists K.K. Downing and Glenn Tipton, bassist Ian Hill, and drummer Scott Travis spread their stylistic wings, experimenting with symphonic orchestration and choirs. Three configurations of Nostradamus will be issued. The most common will be a regular jewel-cased double CD, but there will also be a "CD deluxe hardbound version," which features a 48-page booklet, while a "super deluxe version" will include three vinyl records (in addition to the CD deluxe packaging, plus a poster).

The full  track listing for Nostradamus is as follows:

Dawn Of Creation - "Prophecy", Awakening - "Revelations", The Four Horsemen - "War", Sands Of Time - "Pestilence And Plague", "Death", Peace - "Conquest", "Lost Love", "Persecution", Solitude - "Exiled", "Alone", Shadows In The Flame - "Visions", Hope - "New Beginnings", Calm Before The Storm - "Nostradamus" and "Future Of Mankind"

Another six acts have been added to the ever-growing line-up for this years Download Festival which takes place at Donington Park between Friday June 13th & Sunday June 15th.  The latest bands to be announced include Irish rockers Ash who make their Download debut, AC/DC-influenced Airbourne, Kentucky's newest export Black Stone Cherry, drum 'n' bass/ rock crossover act Pendulum, Kerrang! faves Elliot Minor and ex-KISS guitarist Ace Frehley.

As well as the announcement of the latest bands the day & stage splits have also been revealed. 

Up against the main headliners KISS on Friday 13 will be Simple Plan, with their energetic pop punk rivalling the outrageous glam-rockers. Saturday 14 sees Orange County main headliners The Offspring up against the darker sounds of HIM, and Sunday 15 has Lostprophets – the only Brit headliner this year– rivalling the brutal return of Max and Igor Cavalera with their new incarnation The Cavalera Conspiracy. In addition, Friday presents the rare opportunity to see both Ace Frehley and KISS perform on the same day - a must for any KISS fan.