STEAMHAMMER/SPV are set to release ROCK S`COOL - a spectacular double CD "A SPANKING GOOD SONG COLLECTION" and a DVD "A SPANKING GOOD CLIP COLLECTION" - on 8th October 2007. The double CD features 30 songs from artists on the label, and the DVD features 25 video clips. Both releases have a total playing time of over 120 minutes and include a 16-page booklet.

The Double CD features legendary songs such as Motörhead’s ‘Ace Of Spades`, the current Annihilator and Saxon songs ‘Clown Parade’ and ‘Need For Speed’, Type O Negative`s haunting ‘Dead Again’, and cult songs such as ‘Mad Butcher’ (Destruction), ‘Dr. Stein’ (Helloween) or ‘Rusty Nail’ (Grip Inc.).

The DVD features legendary clips such as Motörhead’s ‘Life`s A Bitch`, the current Kamelot and Saxon singles, ‘Ghost Opera’ and ‘Let Me Feel Your Power’, Moonspell`s haunting ‘Finisterra’ clip, and cult videos such as ‘Fight’ (Doro), ‘Enemy Of God’ (Kreator) and ‘Rusty Nail’ (Grip Inc.). The bonus material includes a discography featuring 30-second snippets of each song and each album, an iPod video of each title and a CD Rom section.
This song collection documents Steamhammer/SPV’s exceptional position in the world of rock music. For many years, the Hanover metal imprint have been among the most important record labels worldwide. World-class acts such as Whitesnake, Motörhead, Saxon, Helloween, Type O Negative, Iced Earth, Sepultura, Sodom and Kreator count among the renowned and successful artists that have been on the SPV roster.

TRACKLISTING – DOUBLE CD - VOL I: “A Spanking Good Song Collection”

CD 1

Lesson 1 - Hard Rock
1. WHITESNAKE: "Fool For Your Loving" (live)
2. UFO: "Lights Out" (live)
3. HEAVEN AND HELL "The Mob Rules" (live)
4. AXEL RUDI PELL: "Rock The Nation"
5. DORO "Burn It Up"
Lesson 2 - Heavy Metal
6. JUDAS PRIEST: "Bullettrain"
7. SAXON: "Need For Speed"
8. METAL CHURCH: "Ton Of Bricks" (live)
9. BEYOND FEAR: "Scream Machine"
10. MESSIAH`S KISS: "The Ancient Cries"
Lesson 3 - Power Metal
11. ICED EARTH: "The Reckoning"
12. KAMELOT: "When The Lights Are Down"
13. DEMONS & WIZARDS: "Terror Train"
14. FREEDOM CALL: "Queen Of My World"
15. HELLOWEEN: "Dr. Stein" (live)

CD 2
Lesson 4 - Thrash Metal
1. KREATOR: "Reconquering The Throne"
2. SODOM: "Bibles And Guns"
3. DESTRUCTION: "Mad Butcher" (live)
4. ANNIHILATOR: "Clown Parade (feat. Jeff Loomis)"
5. GRIP INC.: "Ostracized"
Lesson 5 - Hardcore
6. BIOHAZARD: "Sellout"
7. SEPULTURA: "Convicted In Life"
8. TYPE O NEAGTIVE: "Dead Again"
9. HATESPHERE:"Reaper Of Life"
10. RAGING SPEEDHORN: "How Much Can A Man Take"
Lesson 6 - Alternative
11. ENGEL: "In Splendour"
12. SKINNY PUPPY: "politikiL"
13. AMPLIFIER: "The Consultancy"
14. ZEBRAHEAD: "Anthem"
Extra:
15. MOTÖRHEAD: "Ace Of Spades" (live)

TRACKLISTING – DVD – VOL II: “A Spanking Good Clip Collection”

1. WHITESNAKE: Ready To Rock
2. MOTÖRHEAD: Life`s A Bitch
3. SAXON: Killing Ground
4. SEPULTURA: Convicted In Life
5. DORO: Fight
6. HELLOWEEN: Light The Universe
7. KREATOR: Enemy Of God
8. RAGE: War Of Worlds
9. MOB RULES: The Last Farewell
10. HATESPHERE: Forever War
11. METAL CHURCH: Mirror Of Lies
12. BEYOND FEAR: ...And You Will Die
13. GRIP INC.: Rusty Nail
14. ICED EARTH: Decleration Day
15. SAXON: Let Me Feel Your Power
16. AMPLIFIER: Procedures
17. ZEBRAHEAD: Anthem
18. JUDAS PRIEST: Lost And Found
19. MOONSPELL: Finisterra
20. ANGRA: The Course Of Nature
21. HATESPHERE: Reaper Of Life
22. KAMELOT: Ghost Opera
23. RHAPSODY: Unholy Warcry
24. TYPE O NEGATIVE: Profits Of Doom
25. MOTÖRHEAD: Killers

Bonus material

- Discography containing 30 second clips of every song of each album - nearly 1000 song samples!!!!
- DVD Rom Part for iPods
- DVD trailers from Kreator, Sepultura, Motörhead and others

During October and November SPV will be offering a select album by each artist at a special rate.

The co-operation between MusicBuyMail.eu and ArtistWorxx.de called ARTIST SERVICE is presenting the first releases. After a very work intensive preparation ARTIST SERVICE is proud to announce three new releases and a free compilation:



HARLEQUIN "Walking The Jester" – release: out now!

After 20 year the AOR heroes George Belanger, Derrick Gottfried, Darren Moore and Nick Rivers are back with the new album “Walking The Jester”. HARLEQUIN was formed in the mid-seventies and achieved gold and platin status with their releases "Victim of a Song", “Love Crimes” and “One False Move” and cemented the band as one of most successful Canadian rock bands ever!

SHADE "It’s Alright" – release: 14.09.2007

It was in 2004, when Emma Shade (professional dancer & singer), Simon Gardner (DARE) and Andrew Moore (DARE, THIN LIZZY) decided to go with their instincts and follow their Rock roots with a flavour of Pop / Country as Emma’s voice really captured the essence of these combined styles. They combined forces of Simon, Andy and Emma are all the ingredients needed for a great band and they, for one, cannot wait for the journey which will bring them to you ------ LISTEN UP!!!

SANCHEZ "Don’t Treat Me Like A Fool" - release date: 14.09.2007

Haven’t been slapped in your face today? Then you definitely need your dose of SANCHEZ right now! Spanish lead singer Jose Sanchez, a die-hard fan of classic AOR/Glam/Hard Rock music gathered 4 Swedish musicians around him, ready to rock the crowd and to seriously kick some butts. SANCHEZ already proved with countless shows that they are an energetic and devoted live act. So check out SANCHEZ’ hard hitting in-your-face hard rock, you won’t regret it!

ARTIST SERVICE "Compilation Volume 1" – Available now!

ARTIST SERVICE is ready to start presenting the first artists on the first Compilation. The ARTIST SERVICE concentrates on distribution and promotion of interesting, stirring and throughout high-quality music of bands and artists of the genres AOR, Westcoast, Melodic Rock, Hard Rock, Melodic Metal. Most of these bands are underground bands or bands that aren't interested in collaborating with labels anymore – they have been searching for a possibility to present their music on the market comprehensively. The ARTIST SERVICE takes care about all aspects required to prepare bands´ products in line with market requirements, being featured in the music media and making their products available for the potential customer. Compilation Vol. 1 features 16 bands with one song each worth listening to and the compilation is an enhanced CD with biographies, photos and covers of the bands.

Full tracklist:

1. TEMPESTT "Insanity Desire", (taken from the forthcoming album “Bring ‘Em On”, feat. Jeff Scott Soto)
2. CLUSTERHEAD "Made Of Stone" (taken from the demo “Hole In My Heart”)
3. SHYLOCK "You Feel" (taken from the album “Devotion”, release date: 12.10.2007)
4. ELEGANTLY WASTED "Let It Rain" (taken from the album “Desolation Row”, available now)
5. BOB DEE with PETRO "Summertime" (taken from the album “Bullets And Bandaids” available now)
6. LIQUID HORIZON "Battle Entrance" (taken from the forthcoming album “Revolutions”, release date: 12.10.2007)
7. DAFNE "Fight Time" (taken from the demo “Darkness Falls”)
8. ELYSION "Dreamer" (taken from the promo 2007)
9. LIBERTY N’JUSTICE "Independence Day" (taken from the album “Independence Day” feat. Kelly Keeling, Jack Russell, John Corabi, Tony Mills, Jani Lane, Ted Poley, a.m.m., available 17.10.2007)
10. SHADE "It’s Alright" (feat. Simon Gardner, Andrew Moore of DARE / taken from the album “One Way Line”, release date: 14.09.2007)
11. RÉNA "Eyes Of Thunder"(taken from the demo "The Need To Be Natural")
12. SANCHEZ "Don’t Treat Me Like A Fool" (taken from the album “Sanchez”, release date: 14.09.2007)
13. SHINETH "Embrace You" (taken from the album “11 of 10”, available now)
14. KOYAANISQATSY "Memoria" (taken from the album “From The Yearning To Burst The Perpetual Circle”, digitally available on MusicBuyMail.eu)
15. DARKSUN "Prisoners Of Fate" (taken from the album “The Dark Side” available soon)
16. TWINBALL "Freak Of Nature" (taken from the album “Slave”, available now)

All ARTIST SERVICE titles are available on MusicBuyMail.eu, other fine online shops and ask at your local record store. The compilation is a free gift to all hard rock fans to support this music and those promising bands. Get your free copy at MusicBuyMail.eu with a new order or by sending a return envelope to MBM (Hohenlindener Str. 1, 81677 München, Germany) or ask your local record store dealer.

THE ARCANE ORDER, the Danish band featuring vocalist Kasper Thomsen (RAUNCHY) and guitarist Flemming C. Lund (INVOCATOR, ex-AUTUMN LEAVES), has set "In the Wake of Collisions" as the title of its sophomore album, tentatively due in early 2008 via Metal Blade Records. The CD will be a concept album and it will consist of the following songs (in no particular order):

01. Reverence
02. The Serpent Tower
03. Eruptions of Red
04. Reason and Hubris
05. As Oceans Become Deserts
06. Death is Imminent
07. The Aftermath
08. Sanctity of Allegiance
09. As Sleep is Buried in Gold
10. Sentiment of Horror

Commented Lund: "We will enter Jacob Hansen's studio next Tuesday — just a few days from now. We are currently rehearsing like freakin' crazy to get all the final details ready. The stuff is turning out better and better everytime we rehearse, and we are extremely excited and proud with what we have come up with for you guys this time! We simply cannot wait to finally record these songs and hear how they actually sound, when everything is put together! The new stuff is somewhat different from the songs you heard on [THE ARCANE ORDER's 2006 debut] “The Machinery of Oblivion” — but we are quite confident you're gonna like it!"

China return to the UK

   

It was April 1990. Melodic Metal ruled and long haired bands with heavy guitars were spreading their fun and mayhem far and wide. The music industry had not yet shifted to Grunge and Metal was at it’s peak. It was at this time that the Swiss Band China first made it’s way to the UK as support band for Yngwie Malmsteen.

The tour took them to Bradford, Manchester, Newcastle, Edinburgh, London-Hammersmith, Nottingham, Birmingham, Cambridge, Cardiff, Poole, Belfast and Dublin.

The response in the UK was greater than the band had experienced anywhere else on their 20 country “Sign In The Sky” tour and to this day their fondest memories of that tour are still etched in stone by the UK audiences.

Roll the clock forward to Spring 2007. A phone call from Swiss concert promoter “Free & Virgin” to China founding member Claudio Matteo asking if he thinks China would like to come back together to open the Spirit Of Rock Festival 07 featuring Black Sabbath, Motörhead, U.D.O. & Saxon. That phone call lead to the reunion and the subsequent “Rock Never Dies” tour currently under way.

It was not long after the band began rehearsals and started it’s www.Myspace.com/chinamusic homepage that they were contacted by Mark Alger, the organizer of the Z Rock Fest. And now with the 7th of October as the target for the Concert and live recording at Maximes in Wigan. The band has found a way back to the UK to meet up with fans and friends from the past and present. We look forward to the festival with a feverish determination and to make this the bands best UK show ever.

The countdown is running….let the games begin again!

Swedish metallers Wolf and rising British rockers Angel House will be talking to Chris Nelson on the hair metal haven show on www.rock247online.co.uk Saturday 1st September, the show's broadcasted between 17.00-19.00 GMT 18.00-20.00 CET

Following on from the announcement that they had been forced to cancel their UK tour planned for December due to John Wetton's recent heart surgery Asia have confirmed the details of the rescheduled dates. The band now play the following shows in March 2008:

Mar 01st - Falmouth Princes Pavilion
Mar 02nd - Bournemouth BIC Pavilion
Mar 04th - Liverpool Academy
Mar 07th - Ebbw Vale Leisure centre
Mar 08th - Frome Cheese & Grain
Mar 09th - Wolverhampton Civic Hall
Mar 11th - Nottingham Rock City
Mar 12th - Oxford The Academy
Mar 13th - Manchester Academy
Mar 16th - London Shepherds Bush Empire
Mar 18th - Newcastle Academy
Mar 19th - Glasgow Academy
Mar 20th - Perth Concert Halls

With less than four weeks to go until the third edition of the UNITED FORCES OF ROCK Festival takes place, the final running order for the show has been confirmed:-

13:30 - Doors Open
14:30 – 15:10 HUMAN ZOO
15:35 – 16:15 LAST AUTUMN'S DREAM
16:40 – 17:30 SOUL DOCTOR
17:55 – 18:50 WHITE WOLF
19:15 – 20:20 DANGER DANGER
20:45 – 21:55 STAN BUSH
22:20 – 23:50 JOE LYNN TURNER
01:00 - Curfew

United Forces Of Rock takes place on September 30th at Rockfabrik, Ludwigsburg (near Stuttgart), Germany. Tickets for the event 45,00 Euro (incl. Vat plus fees) are now also available through www.kartenhaus.de  (German customers only) and of course still through AOR Heaven, www.united-forces-of-rock.de , www.rock-it-shop.de , www.frontiers.it , at the Rockfabrik venue and CTS.

Z Rock Update

The allocation of tickets for this years Z Rock show are now nearly sold out. We allocated 60% for sale prior to the event and expected further walk up on the day, however just 18 tickets from the original batch are left. Further tickets will be in place at our outlets by September 4th and orders can still be placed online at www.myspace.com/zrockfest, obviously this will decrease the amount of people able to pay on the day if the show does not sell out prior to the date so we urge people to book their tickets prior to the event to avoid possible disappointment. Tickets are priced at £45 advance and £50 on the day if any are remaining.

We have some major surprises planned for the day with the already professional signing sessions and previews being enhanced even more, news of which will be posted shortly. The line up for the shows is as follows:

DOKKEN [exclusive UK appearance]
HOUSE OF LORDS [exclusive UK appearance]
KINGDOM COME [exclusive UK appearance]
CHINA [exclusive UK appearance]
STEEVI JAIMZ [exclusive UK appearance]
LOST WEEKEND

Plus new UK hopefuls: Crimes of Passion, Sacred Heart and Bullitt the date is of course October 7th at Maximes, Wigan
To buy your ticket in advance either visit our site and buy direct online at www.myspace.com/zrockfest  or in person at Music90 - Wigan, X Records - Bolton, Probe Records - Liverpool and ST Records - Dudley

Skid Row head to the UK for a series of dates in November. The New Jersey band have confirmed the following shows:

Nov. 13th - London Mean Fiddler
Nov. 14th - Swansea Sin City
Nov. 15th - Bristol Bierkeller
Nov. 18th - Glasgow Garage
Nov. 20th - Peterborough The Park
Nov. 21st - Milton Keynes Woughton Centre
Nov. 24th - Nottingham Rock City
Nov. 25th - Dudley JB's

November also sees Hanoi Rocks and the Phil Lewis fronted incarnation of LA Guns teaming up for a series of gigs. The dates confirmed are as follows:

Nov. 10 - Nottingham, UK Rock City
Nov. 11 - Wolverhampton, UK @ Civic
Nov. 12 - Newcastle, UK @ Carling Academy
Nov. 13 - Glasgow, UK @ The Garage
Nov. 15 - Liverpool, UK @ The Acadamy
Nov. 16 - Leeds, UK @ Rio's
Nov. 17 - London, UK @ Astoria

Finally Dave Grohl brings his Foo Fighters back to the UK for a run of Arena shows. Dates are as follows:

Nov 3rd - Manchester MEN Arena
Nov 5th - Newcastle Metro Arena
Nov 6th - Birmingham NEC
Nov 9th - Glasgow SECC
Nov 10th - Aberdeen AECC
Nov 12th - Sheffield Hallam Arena
Nov 13th - Cardiff International Arena
Nov 17th & 18th - London O2 Arena

Tickets for the Foo's shows go on sale at 9.00am on Friday 31st August. You can pick up these via the Ticketmaster link at the top of the page...

Frontiers Records have announced the European release of Richie Kotzen’s brand new album “Return of the Mother Head’s Family Reunion” on October 19th 2007.

     

For the un-initiated “The Mother Head's Family Reunion” is the title of Richie Kotzen’s album for Geffen Records in 1994, his major debut and first post-Poison solo album. Regarded by many fans and critics as his real masterpiece, that record featured drummer Atma Anur, bassist John Pierce and producer Richie Zito. This new “Return” album features instead powerhouse drummer Franklin Vanderbilt, bassist Virgil McKoy and Arlan Schierbaum, who has already played keyboards on Richie's previous albums.

“I decided to call this new album Return of the Mother Head’s Family Reunion” explains Richie, “because it is the first cd I have done in years with a full band. After hearing the vibe of some of the songs it reminded me of the energy I had back when I did the original MHFR cd. So once the cd was complete, it really had a lot in common with the original MHFR and this is why I decided to call it Return of the MHFR”.

“Return of The Mother Head's Family Reunion” can boast a crystal clear mix, some incredible band performances and a more guitar oriented approach, with the addition of a stellar songwriting melted with Kotzen incredible talents. “The thing that made the original MHFR cd stand out was the extended solos in songs like “Cover Me” and “Reach Out I’ll Be There”, on this record I think there are a lot of parallels in that regard, in particular Fooled Again, Faith and Go Faster all have that original vibe to them”, states Kotzen.

“Return of the Mother Head’s Family Reunion” is a definite highlight of the season which marks a milestone in the former Mr. Big guitar player solo career and will include the following songs:

Go Faster; You Know That; Fooled Again; Faith; Bad Things; Dust; Chase It; Do It Yourself; You’re Crazy; Feed My Head; Can You Feel It and Drift

EVERY TIME I DIE: “WE’REWOLF” VIDEO DEBUTS AND EXCLUSIVE ALBUM PREVIEW ON MYSPACE!!

In preparation for the upcoming September 3rd release of their brand-new album, “The Big Dirty”, Every Time I Die will be premiering the video for “We’rewolf” exclusively on MySpace on August 30.

Check out the video here: http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&VideoID=16817910. MySpace will also be hosting an exclusive album premiere for “The Big Dirty” on August 31. Singer Keith Buckley had this to say about the new video:

“It has been announced that in the wake of the MySpace premiere of Every Time I Die’s "We'rewolf" video, the county of Wiltshire, England has demolished the prehistoric monument of Stonehenge, citing: "This video is far greater than anything man has ever constructed.” To those of you yet to view this historic footage, beware. Such beauty was not intended for mortal eyes and may render you shitless.”

Following their much talked about tent filling performances at the Carling Festivals, Welsh rockers KIDS IN GLASS HOUSES are proud to announce their appearance on FUNERAL FOR A FRIEND's UK Headline tour in December, following their own headline tour in October.

Guitarist, Iain Mahanty, is looking forward to the quintets plans for the rest of the year. “We can't wait to get back out on the road, our last headline tour was awesome. Once we're home we hit the studio to record the album, we’ve been working hard on the tracks, demoing was cool, but we can't wait to get into the studio and record the songs properly. We're proud and we know people are going to love it. Then there’s the Funeral tour, which we know will be amazing already, they’re a band we’re all into and they’re the nicest bunch of guys, it’s going to be a lot of fun.”

Funeral For A Friend sticksman, Ryan Richards, is equally excited about the tour. “We heard Kids in Glass Houses used blow-up palm trees on stage for props so we thought we'd invite them on tour so we could borrow those trees to visually represent the desert island sections of our nautically based latest record. Plus they're Welsh, too. And as a bonus they write lovely tunes. The palm trees were the clincher though.'

The bands forthcoming tour dates are as follows :

Headline Shows
Sept 27th - Cardiff Coal Exchange
Oct 13th - Aberdeen Moshulu
Oct 14th - Edinburgh The Hive
Oct 15th - Newcastle Academy 2
Oct 16th - Leeds Cockpit
Oct 17th - Stoke Sugarmill
Oct 18th - Colchester Arts Centre
Oct 20th - Yeovil Orange Box
Oct 21st - Birmingham Barfly
Oct 22nd - Brighton Barfly
Oct 23rd - Manchester Academy 3
Oct 24th - Oxford Zodiac
Oct 25th - Portsmouth Wedgewood Rooms
Oct 27th - Newport TJs
Oct 28th - Wrexham Central Station
Oct 29th - Nottingham Rock City
Oct 31st - London Bar Academy

With Funeral For A Friend
Dec 08th - London, Astoria
Dec 09th - London, Astoria
Dec 10th - Bournemouth, Opera House
Dec 11th - Wolverhampton, Civic Hall
Dec 13th - Sheffield, Octagon
Dec 14th - Middlesbrough, Town Hall Crypt
Dec 16th - Glasgow, Barrowland
Dec 17th - Dundee, Fat Sams
Dec 19th - Warrington, Parr Hall
Dec 20th - Liverpool, University
Dec 22nd - Cardiff, CIA

DEAD HEARTS will join Shai Hulud and Winds Of Plague on a month long European tour beginning in November, the UK dates for the trek are as follows:

27th Nov - London Camden Underworld
28th Nov - Southend On Sea Chinnerys
29th Nov - Nottingham Rock City
30th Nov - Leeds Rios
01st Dec - Milton Keynes The Pitz Club
02nd Dec - Hull The Welly Club
03rd Dec - Glasgow Cathouse
04th Dec - Aberdeen Moshulu
05th Dec - Manchester Music Box
06th Dec - Cardiff Clwb Ifor Bach
07th Dec - Brighton Freebutt

As promised the other day, details on the final ever Tyketto shows...

Tyketto, with all 4 original members will be playing 4 shows in the month of October. We were extremely flattered to be asked to be a part of the exceptional line up at this year's Firefest. We all had a great time when we reunited in 2004 and the reaction of the fans was fantastic. But, as we forged ahead and put together a few more shows around the Firefest date we realized something: this is going to be the last time that Tyketto will perform together. First, there is the simple fact that each of us has very different lives and family situations. Recording and touring just isn't ever going to be a possibility again. Also, we all agreed that too many bands these days are "reunited" with only 1 or 2 original members, or doing a "farewell" tour every year! We have always had too great a respect for the fans that kept us going for so long to try and sell them on something cheap and watered down. So you're never going to see something like "Danny Vaughn's Tyketto" or Jimi Kennedy's Tyketto". If it ain't the 4 of us it ain't gonna happen.

So here are the shows:

OCT. 26 MADRID, SPAIN (Venue to be announced)
OCT. 27 FIREFEST, NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND
OCT. 28 BIEBOB, VOSSELAAR, BELGIUM
OCT. 30 THE ROSETTA, BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND

And that's it!!!!!
The 4 of us have always agreed that we would never do this unless it was going to be fun. And this is going to be a blast! The last time we played Madrid we were all amazed by the singing and the happiness of the fans. So to add to the mix we will also have famed Spanish guitarist Jorge Salan opening up for us.

Firefest will be the perfect way for us to say good bye and thank you to our most amazingly loyal UK fans. We have always had a great time as well at Biebob and the reputation of the fans in The Rosetta has all of us anxious to rock out there for our very final show.

We are still working out the set lists for the shows but, since Firefest was the gig that started this ball rolling we thought we would make it special and let the fans have their say. So you are going to decide what Tyketto songs we play that night! All you have to do is to send an email to the Danny Vaughn web site, www.dannyvaughn.com and pick the top 3 songs that you want the band to play and we'll tally up the votes and make the set up from that. On top of that we'll even make it a little easier for you. Don't bother voting for Forever Young because you know we're gonna play that one!

So here we are, asking you, like we always have before, to come out and show some strength together. Let's rock it as hard as we can....one last time. Looking forward to seeing all of you,

Danny, Brooke, Michael, and Jimi

New Weathermen/Ferret Music have announced the signing of Foxy Shazam to their roster. The second act inked to the label, Foxy is a worthy successor to the cerebral but fun bar set by label-mates Heavy Heavy Low Low. Hailing from Cincinnatti, OH, the group which formed in 2004 create keyboard propelled songs that layer spastic hardcore noise atop fractured Classic Soul inspired pop.

The self-proclaimed “Evel Knievel of Rock N Roll” was brought to Nick Storch of New Weathermen’s attention by Jesse Korman of # 12 Looks Like You (who took Foxy on as the first band in his management company, Piermont Mgmt). “He told me I had to check them out and at first I had no idea what was going on in their music and put it aside. A few weeks later I put their demos back in with a fresh mind and it clicked right away, these guys are chaotic but there’s also a real pop sensibility that doesn’t usually occur with bands this far out.”

The band is currently in the studio with Producer Casey Bates (Chiodos, Heavy Heavy Low Low) recording their New Weathermen debut, Introducing Foxy to be released in early 2008. The band proclaims that the new songs are a huge evolution from their self-released album The Flamingo Trigger (2005) samples of which you can hear on http://www.myspace.com/foxyshazam

Also known to those who encounter their live shenanigans, Foxy Shazam will bring their fervor nationwide on their upcoming U.S. tour with Kenotia, Eyes Set To Kill and Karate High School through September.

Back from blowing minds and dropping jaws on the Warped tour across America, Gallows are set to release ‘In The Belly Of The Shark’ on September 17th, their second single from their critically acclaimed ‘Orchestra Of Wolves’ album on Black Envelope Records.

The single will be available in the following formats and will feature exclusive XFM session tracks alongside a storming cover of one of the band’s favourite tracks ‘If Credit’s What Matters I’ll Take Credit’ by cult San Diego punks Hot Snakes.

CD
1. In The Belly Of The Shark
2. If Credit’s What Matters I’ll Take Credit

7” Vinyl # 1 (Purple Vinyl)
1. In The Belly Of A Shark
2. Sick Of Feeling Sick (XFM Session)

7” Vinyl # 2 (Midnight Satin Vinyl)
1. In The Belly Of A Shark
2. Come Friendly Bombs (XFM Session)

You can catch the band live at the following dates in September:

12th Sept - Princess Pavillion Falmouth
13th Sept - Ski Lodge Yeovil
14th Sept - TJs Newport
15th Sept - Sugarmill Stoke
17th Sept - Ironworks Inverness
18th Sept - Fat Sams Dundee
19th Sept - Town Hall Crypt Middlesborough
21st Sept - Charlotte Leicester
22nd Sept - Soundhaus Northampton
23rd Sept - Junction Cambridge
25th Sept - Zodiac Oxford
26th Sept - Electric Ballroom London

Support comes from Poison The Well, Lethal Bizzle and Blackhole.

A review of the single will be right here on HardRockHouse in the near future but, in the meantime, you can check out the video via the following links:

Seminal rockers WILL HAVEN have just announced a number of extra UK shows to be part of their tour taking place in November. To accommodate these extra shows a number of previously scheduled shows have been re-shuffled, the final itinerary for the tour now looks as follows:

3rd Nov -  Brighton Freebutt
4th Nov -Southampton Brook
5th Nov -Exeter Cavern
6th Nov - Cardiff Club Ibach
7th Nov -London Academy
8th Nov - Leeds Rios
9th Nov - Nottingham Junktion 7
10th Nov - Leicester Charlotte
11th Nov - Liverpool Barfly
12th Nov - Sheffield Corporation
13th Nov - Manchester Music Box
14th Nov -Glasgow King Tuts
15th Nov - Newcastle Trillions
16th Nov - Wolverhampton Little Civic
17th Nov - Bedford esquires

British rockers FICTION PLANE have announced 3 headline UK shows to be played in-between their shows with The Police.

Currently touring the world with The Police, hitting the UK soil next week, the guys have made numerous TV appearances throughout the countries they've played. Check them out on MTV Canada a few weeks ago www.mtv.ca/?vid=164491 and on The Tonight Show With Jay Leno via the following link -  http://bielerbros.com/media/fiction_plane/videos/fp_leno.mov

Singer and bassist, Joe Sumner, is no stranger to rock n roll, being the son of Sting, and though this may have aided them in being considered for support on this tour, they are more than worthy of the position. On taking the support slot offered he says "I just figured if it's gonna happen anywhere, I might as well take full advantage. I think we're ready, we've got a great band and great songs."

Check the guys out at one of their headline shows:

Sept 7 - 100 Club - London, England
Oct 17 - Late Room - Manchester, England
Oct 18 - Little Civic - Wolverhampton, England

Italian folk metallers ELVENKING have announced the worldwide release dates for their new album, "The Scythe" which will hit stores in the UK on September 14th.The European limited digipack version will include one bonus audio track ("Horns Ablaze") and one bonus video track ("The Divided Heart").

With “The Scythe” Italian Fantasy Metallers Elvenking open a very interesting new chapter in their history, following a darker approach and delivering a perfect mixture between Skyclad, Blind Guardian and In Flames. Their previous recipe for success continues but with some modern elements, and though you'll find them a little heavier and a lot darker than before, you'll still be able to see the mystical heart and the superb melody that gave birth to the original mixture of folk and power.

With impressive and more well-thought ideas than ever before, this band is continuing a legacy that knows no boundaries, limitations or trends. Poetic, powerful, and centred on "Death" as the main character, combined with a real eye catching cover artwork the band from Treviso, Italy, makes their ambitions very clear..... Mature and down to earth.... "The Scythe" reigns supreme.

The Scythe will feature the following track listing:

The Scythe, Lost Hill of Memories, Infection, Poison Tears, A Riddle of Stars, Romance & Wrath, The Divided Heart, Horns Ablaze , Totentanz, Death and the Suffering and Dominhate

After nearly four years the Tygers of Pan Tang are ready to roar back into action with new material due early 2008. Inspired by there reception at the NWOBHM festival at the Pitz club in Milton Keynes the band have written nine songs that are ready to demo and two which are work in progress. The new album, which has a working title of Animal Instinct, sees the band go back to there early roots, playing hard edged rock in the manner of Wildcat and Spellbound.

As a taster for the fans the band have also recorded a five track EP Back & Beyond that will be due out in October/November 2007 and will include three reworks of the classic songs Hellbound, Take it and Rock N Roll man plus two titles from the new album Live For Today and Bury The Hatchet. To escape the studio, some local gigs in the North East have been arranged and the band is in the process of booking venues throughout the UK.

For more gigs as they are added, dates, ticket info and up to date news etc please check out the Tygers of Pan Tang UK myspace site. Finally a brand new Tygers website is to be launched in the near future which will be updated weekly and bring the fans closer to the band. 

Dates currently scheduled for the band are as follows:

Sept 21st - Crook Football Club
Sept 22nd - Newcastle Carling Academy 2
Sept 23rd - Sutton In Ashfield The Diamond
Oct 5th - Heighhington The Cumby    

Rumour has reached HardRockHouse headquarters that Tyketto's appearance at Firefest will constitute one of the last ever shows for the band. A source close to Tyketto, whose line up inlcudes Danny Vaughn, Michael Clayton, Brooke St. James & Jimi Kennedy, will play three or four additional shows around Europe around the same time as Firefest. Details are not confirmed as of yet but a press release is expected from the band in the next few days. Full details for Firefest and info on how to get tickets can be found via www.thefirefest.com

Backed by the impetus of their successful Keeper Of The Seven Keys – The Legacy world tour which saw the band perform 93 shows in 34 countries around the globe – impressively documented on the double live DVD Live On 3 Continents –, Helloween are about to release their twelfth studio album, Gambling With The Devil. The new offering is scheduled to arrive at the stores on October 29th, 2007 and will see the five musicians, Andi Deris (vocals), Michael Weikath (guitar), Sascha Gerstner (guitar), Markus Groaykopf (bass) and Dani Lable (drums) unleash their full zest and experience. "Some of the numbers were written during the tour. The fans positive reactions and the great responses to Keeper Of The Seven Keys – The Legacy really inspired us. We were rearing to go," Andi Deris describes the extremely positive atmosphere among the band members, adding: "Its been years since I had so much fun composing."

  

Under the direction of producer Charlie Bauerfeind, Helloween recorded a total of 16 songs at the Mi Sueno studios in Tenerife. Except for two or three tracks, these new compositions are all included on Gambling With The Devil, among them the impressive intro, featuring Crack The Riddle, with Biff Byford (Saxon) as a guest speaker. The focal point of this diverse album is a three-part epos consisting of the chapters, The Bells Of The Seven Hells, Falling To Pieces, and I.M.E., which represent the ambiguous album title that thematically covers all the songs.

"At the end of the day, life is a gamble with the devil", Deris explains. The first single release (download only) will be As Long As I Fall, supported by a video clip which will be shot in Munich at the end of August. The cover artwork was designed by Martin Hausler (Keeper Of The Seven Keys – The Legacy & Live On 3 Continents) again, and the booklet will include a scratch card puzzle, giving fans a chance to win a lucrative prize: a concert ticket for a show during the bands upcoming tour of South America, including flight and accommodation. The album will also be released as a limited edition digipak in a slipcase with a bonus disc incl. 2 unreleased songs, a video and lots of enhanced material).

In support of the album Helloween, along with Gamma Ray play London's Forum on January 8th 2008

Frontiers Records is proud to welcome onboard TED POLEY for the release of his forthcoming solo album entitled "Smile" on October 19th 2007 !

Best known as lead vocalist for the legendary Melodic Rock masters DANGER DANGER, Ted has also fronted in the past few years such bands as BONEMACHINE, with whom he has recorded 2 successful studio and 1 live album, MELODICA with Austrian guitarist Gerhard Pichler. He started his solo career with the release of "Collateral Damage" in 2006.

  

"My new CD Smile continues where Collateral Damage left off" explains Ted, "however it is much more evolved with amazing guitar work by JK Northrup. I am sure the guitar fans and players out there will be totally pleased. JK's lead work is off the hook".

Helping Ted on the album are the aforementioned JK Northrup (ex KING KOBRA and NORTHRUP / SHORTINO) on guitar and bass, Eric Ragno (Ramos, Takara) on keyboards and Dan Zoid on drums, with Vic Rivera appearing on guitars on "Smile" and "Will Ya". Ted co-wrote most of the songs together with Tom and James Martin (Khymera, House of Lords).

"I know everyone says that their new CD is their best but this one really is!" states Ted "I wanted to be myself but sound as great as possible, work with the best musicians and start out the best songs. I co-wrote a lot with some of my own personal favourite writers around the world. I am a very happy guy these days. I am still having the fun of remaining in DANGER DANGER and at the same time I am having fun, thus the title "Smile". It reflects perfectly my current mood as well as my live show attitude. I am a very happy guy when I am doing music!"

Track listing of "Smile" includes the following songs:
Waiting Line; Going Blind; Smile; What If She Knew; More Than Goodbye; Luv On Me; If You Can't Change Your Heart (Then Let Me Blow Your Mind); Why Can't We Pretend That It's Over?; Life Keeps Me Spinning Round; Where It Ends; Will Ya; Reprise (If You Can't Change Your Heart)

Don't forget that TED POLEY will attend, as DANGER DANGER frontman, the UNITED FORCES OF ROCK Festival in Ludwigsburg (near Stuttgart), Germany on September 30th 2007 !

"Smile" will be in all fine record shops in Europe from October 19th.

Illdisposed sign with AFM

AFM is proud to announce our latest new signing; Danes Illdisposed. There are bands who play at this game we call “The Heavy Metal Scene“, and then there are bands like this that live it to the full! This bunch might be one of the less ‘in your face‘ type of bands personally, but ever since their debut album “Four Depressive Seasons“ (1993) this band has recorded nine killer albums including their current Roadrunner release “Burn Me Wicked“ and toured its ass off! Just our cup of tea really!”

Guitarist Jakob Batten, “I’m really happy to announce this deal with AFM. This will be the beginning of a new chapter in the illdis-Book and we’re looking forward to it. It’s time to be a priority now. For some years our albums have been limited only to Europe and a few other territories – now it’s time for the whole world to be able to buy them. The new album (set for release on March 28th 2008) will contain 12 new songs of the groovy brutality people love (and expect) from us!“

At this point the band is in middle of the song writing process, so watch this space!

Headhunter re-invigorated and three albums re-issued.

Destruction frontman Schmier has brought his old band Headhunter back to life this month. “Parody of Life” (1990), “A Bizarre Gardening Accident” (1992) and “Rebirth” (1994) were all recorded with Jörg Michael (ex Saxon/Stratovarius) (drums) and Schmuddel (guitar) whilst the front man was out of the main band, but now it‘s time to bring them back. All the albums will be re-released in September and will be resplendent with re-mastered sound, new booklets, classic photos, liner notes and full lyric sheets.

“A lot of fans asked me to reactivate this band during our shows with Destruction,” says the singer. “But I took my time to prepare the re-releases carefully. I feel that younger fans deserve the right to listen to the Headhunter songs, which are thrashy but a little bit more melodic than Destruction I’d say, with a little more than before!”

And, Schmier is ready to go one better – Headhunter will release a brand new album too!

“As we were preparing for the re-mastering process, I rediscovered my relation to more melodic songs and at a single blow, I had lots of new ideas. I never lost contact with Jörg and Schmuddel, so I’ve asked them if they’re interested in doing new stuff. In the nineties, the name Headhunter stood for independent minded Metal and I think this new record will still prove that.”

The new Headhunter album will be released in Spring 2008.

Mekong Delta; “Lurking Fear” delayed, but the old albums get a dust off.

We’re sad to announce that due to problems with both the promo and the final pressing for new album “Lurking Fear” it’s been necessary to delay the release by one week until September 3rd. On the flip side though, Mekong Delta’s original CD’s "Dances Of Death", "Kaleidoscope", "Visions Fugitives" and "Pictures At An Exhibition" will be re-released on September 24th, and the records "Mekong Delta", "The Music Of Erich Zann" and "The Principle Of Doubt" will be re-released on September 2nd, so all fans of the band can celebrate the new record and complete their collections.

Warner Music Entertainment today announced the release of Queensrÿche's legendary hometown Seattle concert performance of their mega successful Mindcrime albums - "Operation: Mindcrime Parts 1 and 2" , as a stunning 2-DVD set entitled "Mindcrime At The Moore". UK release date is Monday September 3rd.

This timely DVD release dovetails Queensrÿche's forthcoming 17-date co-headline UK tour with Thin Lizzy which kicks off on November 22nd at Leicester De Montfort Hall.

The concert DVD includes a full theatrical production mixed in 5.1 Surround Sound, video imagery and actors portraying the concept albums' characters onstage with the band. Bonus features include exclusive Tour Documentary, Rock & Ride Featurette and "The Chase" performed with Ronnie James Dio.

The full track listing for the package is as follows:

Disc One
Remember Now, Anarchy-X, Revolution Calling, Operation: Mindcrime, Speak, Spreading The Disease, The Mission, Suite Sister Mary, The Needle Lies, Electric Requiem, Breaking The Silence, I Don’t Believe In Love, Waiting For 22, My Empty Room and Eyes Of A Stranger

Disc Two
Freiheit Ouverture, Convict, I’m American, One Foot In Hell, Hostage, The Hands, Speed of Light, Signs Say Go, Re-Arrange You, The Chase, Murderer?, Circles, If I Could Change It All, An Intentional Confrontation, Junkies’s Blues, Fear City Slide, All The Promises, Walk In The Shadows and Jet City Woman

In addition to the live show the DVD also contains the following extras:

Tour Documentary, "The Chase" performed with Ronnie James Dio and Queensrÿche Featurette: Rock & Ride

The Thin Lizzy/Queensryche co headline tour takes in the following shows in November and December.

22nd Nov -  Leicester De Montfort Hall
23rd Nov -  Cambridge Corn Exchange
24th Nov -  Ipswich Regent
26th Nov -  Nottingham Royal Concert Hall
27th Nov -  Birmingham Academy
28th Nov -  Cardiff St David's Hall
30th Nov -  Glasgow Academy
1st Dec -  Aberdeen Music Hall
2nd Dec -  Newcastle City Hall
4th Dec -  Sheffield City Hall
5th Dec -  Manchester Apollo
6th Dec -  Liverpool University
8th Dec -  Bristol Colston Hall
9th Dec -  Southampton Guildhall
10th Dec -  Exeter University
12th Dec -  Folkestone Leas Cliff
13th Dec -  Hammersmith Apollo

ROAD TO RUIN release their self-titled debut album on October 26th!

This hot, new Swedish four piece is the brainchild of guitarist Lars Chriss (Lion's Share) and bassist/ keyboard player Sampo Axelsson (Lion's Share/Glenn Hughes). "Road To Ruin" is a musical celebration of the band's influences coming from the classic rock era and carrying trademarks from artists such as Whitesnake, Thin Lizzy, Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin plus - especially when it comes to the guitar sound - Black Sabbath. The band is completed by Thomas Broman on drums (Hughes/Turner, John Norum, Eelectric Boys) and one of Sweden's highest profiled singers: Matti Alfonzetti (Skintrade/Jagged Edge), on vocals.

  

The track list goes as follows:

The Only One, Pale Rider, Face Of An Angel, Pleasure And Pain, For Your Soul, Walk The Line, Thorn In My Side,  Crawling and Until I See The Sun