AOR stalwarts Foreigner have lined up a brace of UK dates for the summer of 2006. The band, whose most recent incarnation features Kelly Hansen on vocals, alongside founding member and guitarist Mick Jones, former Dokken bassist Jeff Pilson, drummer Jason Bonham, Jeff Jacobs on keyboards and Thom Gimbel  on rhythm guitar/Sax, will play London Shepherd's Bush Empire on June 30th and Manchester Apollo on July 1st.

Further dates have now been confirmed for the upcoming InFlames/Sepultura tour that takes place in March 2006. The full list of dates announced now runs as follows:

22 March - London Forum
23rd March - Manchester Academy
24th March - Glasgow Barrowlands
25th March - Sheffield Corporation
26th March - Birmingham Academy
28th March - Dublin Ambassador
29th March - Liverpool Academy
30th march - Cardiff Coal Exchange
31st March - Portsmouth Pyramid Centre
 

Blabbermouth.net are reporting that former Helloween frontman, last seen singing on the recent Place Vendome album, has set the tentative track listing for his upcoming solo album, tentatively due in early 2006 via Italy's Frontiers Records. Entitled simply "Kiske", the CD will feature an appearances by Kiske's longtime friend Karsten Nagel (ILL PROPHECY) on drums, with possible contributions from guitarist Sandro Giampietro and a bassist named Fontaine.

"Kiske" tentative track listing is as follows:

Fed By Stones, Hearts Are Free, The King Of It All, Knew I Would, Silently Craving, King's Fall, Sing My Song, Painted, I Don't Deserve Love, Sad As The World and All-Solutions

In other news, Kiske has revealed that he has been approached by STRATOVARIUS mainman Timo Tolkki about a collaboration on a non-metal album. No further details are available at this time. Kiske will also be re-releasing his debut solo album, "Instant Clarity" (originally issued in 1996), featuring three previously unreleased bonus songs.
 

Michael Schenker will play a UK show at Wolverhampton Wulfrun Hall on May 19th 2006

Mortiis has two UK shows lined up at Newcastle carling Acaemy 2 on March 21st and London Islington carling Academy on March 23rd

Venom have now finished mixing their new album 'Metal Black' at the Townhouse Studios in London. The album contains 14 new songs and the full track listing for 'Metal Black' is as follows

Antechrist, Burn In Hell, House Of Pain, Death & Dying, Rege Satanas, Darkest Realm, A Good Day To Die, Assassin, Lucifer Rising, Blessed Dead, Hours Of Darkness, Sleep When I'm Dead, Maleficarvm and Metal Black

Sanctuary Records have set a March 2006 release date for the album, and the band are now finalising plans for some UK shows around the time of the album's release.
 

SAXON
LIONHEART & DOGS OF WAR
Steamhammer/SPV To Release Special Editions Of Two Saxon Classics High-Quality Bonus Material & Extras Release Date: February 17, 2006

Saxon are one hell of a reliable act! The British band surrounding vocalist/mastermind Biff Byford has the staying power that is otherwise rare to find among rock bands. Even after almost thirty years on the road, Saxon sound as fresh as they did when they first started out and continue to stand for driving, high-decibel hard rock of the gritty variety. As early as 1980, Record World magazine concluded that Saxon play “… the loudest, most powerful, haunting and bloodcurdling heavy metal around.” Nothing much has changed about that, quite the opposite appears to be the case: as if they’d bathed in a fountain of youth, the five musicians present themselves more eager for action in 2006 than ever before - one of the reasons why Steamhammer/SPV are about to release Saxon’s two classics, Lionheart and Dogs Of War, in a new, high-quality special edition including fantastic bonus material on February 17, 2006.

Lionheart, first out in September 2004 and immediately in the Top 50 of the German album charts with its driving sound, impressive cover artwork and ambitioned lyrics about witch hunters, King Richard Lionheart or the attitude of British soldiers to war unmistakably documents Saxon’s British origins. At the same time, Biff Byford & band display an energy that is almost physical. Justly, Byford announced before the release of the recording: “Lionheart is the most powerful album we’ve ever cut.” The new special edition will be out in a limited edition box of 10,000 copies worldwide, including a digi-pack (CD and bonus audio DVD) and exclusive lanyard/keyholder. The brand-new audio DVD features previously unreleased material, videos, rough mixes and a new 5.1 / 96 K mix of the whole album.

The new edition of the 1995 milestone, Dogs Of War, will be out as a SuPerValue Re-Release framed in black, brand-new liner notes by vocalist Biff Byford and two bonus tracks (‘The Great White Buffalo’ & ‘Denim & Leather’), recorded live during their 1995 Dogs Of War tour. The booklet comes in a new design with previously unpublished photos and cover artwork. Dogs Of War also features the final appearance of former original guitarist Graham Oliver, who left the band after the studio recordings and was replaced by Doug Scarratt during the 1995 world tour. Scarratt can be heard with Saxon for the first time on the two bonus live tracks, ‘The Great White Buffalo (live)’ and ‘Denim & Leather (live)’.

LIONHEART (Special Edition)
Witchfinder General * Man And Machine * The Return * Lionheart * Beyond The Grave * Justice * To Live By The Sword * Jack Tars * English Man´O`War * Searching For Atlantis * Flying On The Edge
AUDIO-DVD
´Lionheart` Making Of Clip * ´Lionheart` Live-Clip * ´Beyond The Grave` Videocip * Studio-Audio Rough Mix * 5.1/ 96k High End Sound Mix

DOGS OF WAR (SuPerValue Re-Release)
Dogs Of War * Burning Wheels * Don`t Worry * Big Twin Rolling (Coming Home) * Hold On * The Great White Buffalo * Demolition Alley * Walking Through Tokyo * Give It All Away * Yesterday`s Gone *
Bonus tracks: The Great White Buffalo (live) * Denim & Leather (live)
 

BLOODBOUND – NEW METAL SENSATION FROM SWEDEN TO RELEASE DEBUT ALBUM!
Bloodbound was formed on midsummer's eve 2004 by Fredrik Bergh (STREET TALK; Bass, Keyboards & Backing vocals) and Tomas Olsson (Lead & Rhythm Guitars). The pair had been blood brothers for many years and set aim to create the best and true metal music that had ever been created! The line-up was completed by Urban breed, the amazing singer and extraordinary frontman from the band TAD MOROSE and the young and extremely talented drummer Oskar Belin.

The debut album from Bloodbound, called Nosferatu, was recorded and produced by Tomas Olsson and Fredrik Bergh. This ambitious project took over one year to finish and not a single track on the album is less than one hundred channels! On Nosferatu the band is combining the musicality and the classical elements of bands like Iron Maiden, Judas Priest and Helloween!

The album cover was created by the great Mark Wilkinson, known for his album covers for bands like Iron Maiden, The Darkness, Judas Priest, Marillion etc...

Nosferatu will be released in Japan on December 16 through Marquee Inc./Avalon and on February 24 in Europe through Metal Heaven.

Nosferatu will feature the following tracks:

Behind The Moon, Into The Dark, Nosferatu,  Metal Monster, Crucified, Desdemonamelia, Fallen From Grace, Screams In The Night, For The King, Midnight Sun and On The Battlefield

For further information you can visit Bloodbound's official website at www.bloodbound.se

The Bloodstock Xmas Party, that was due to take place on December 18th at Dudley JB's has unfortunately been cancelled. This cancellation is due to the fact that Peter Grehn, guitarist with Morgana Lefay (who were due to headline the event) was rushed to hospital early this morning suffering from stomach pains. At present it look as though surgery will be required and hence the band have been forced to pull out of the gig.
 

Quiet Riot vocalist Kevin DuBrow and drummer Frankie Banali are pleased to announce the group's line-up for 2006. Joining the group on guitar is axe slinger Tracii Guns, formerly of L. A. Guns and Brides of Destruction. A new bass player will be announced shortly.

The newly revamped Quiet Riot will enter the studio in January to record new songs for their next studio release, the first new material from the band since the release of "Guilty Pleasures" in 2001. Look for Quiet Riot on tour in 2006!

 

In Flames, who release their new album, 'Come Clarity', through Nuclear Blast on Feb 6th have lined up a couple of UK dates to promote the album. The shows so far confirmed are:

March 22nd - London Forum
March 23rd - Manchester Academy 2

Also on the bill for the London show will be Brazilian thrashers Sepultura.
 

Butch Walker, formerly with Southgang and Marvelous 3, and more recently well known for his production work and song writing with the likes of Avril Lavigne, Simple Plan, Tommy Lee and American Hi Fi will play a rare UK date at London's Barfly on January 31st
 

Paradise Lost play London Mean Fiddler on January 28th

Roadstar, the band formerly known as Hurricane Party, will play a New Years Eve gig at Bradford Rios
 

The first batch of solo dates for Magnum singer Bob Catley's solo tour in April 2006 have been announced. Catley will play the following shows in support of his latest album, 'Spirit Of Man' due for release via Frontiers Records on January 27th:

April 14th - Stourbridge Rock Café 2000
April 15th - Sheffield Boardwalk
April 16th - London Camden Underworld
April 17th - Southampton Joiners
April 18th - Crewe Limelight
 

M.ill.ion have announced details of their new guitarist who replaces the recently departed Jonas Hermansson. The man who takes over six string duties is Duane Cole.

With a CV which includes major US touring with top selling rockband Lifehouse, and studio work with the likes of Madonna and Roger Waters, Duane stood out from all the other fifty applying.

Duane´s influences as a guitarist include everyone from Al Dimeola, Vinnie Moore and Yngwie Malmsteen to Vivaldi, Genesis and Kansas. He has now permanently moved to M.ill.ion´s hometown, Gothenburg in Sweden.

Founder member B.J Laneby comments: “We warmly welcome Duane to the band. He´s of course a shit-hot guitarist but also a really nice guy who will fit into our family very well. Looking forward to working with him on the new album and setting the stages on fire! Four vikings and one cowboy… how bad could it get? :-) Thanks and good luck to all who applied for the job."

Duane says: “I feel honoured to be picked out of all the kick ass guitar players that applied. I am thrilled to be a member of M.ill.ion who are the coolest guys in the world. It is a magical mix. This next album should prove to be worthy of everyone's arsenal of music. I came here to experience the world... now, I feel we are ready to conquer it."

M.ill.ion will now continue writing for the new, as yet unnamed, album which is due to be released during 2006 and the band will also rehearse a live set together with their new guitarist, so don´t rule out some gigs coming up as well…

 

Frontiers Records will release a  brand new CD/DVD package from Lana Lane celebrating her first 10 years of recording in March 2006. The "10th Anniversary Concert" DVD contains the full concert from her final show in Tokyo on the Lana Lane 10th Anniversary Tour and will feature all 19 songs from the concert along with a Video Tour Diary including behind-the-scenes footage of the entire tour.

The track listing for the DVD will be as follows:

Astrology Prelude, Secrets of Astrology ,  LIAA Overture, Into the Ether, Curious Goods Part One, Emerald City, Athena's Shadow, Nevermore, Garden of the Moon, In the Hall of the Ocean Queen, Souls of the Mermaids, Romeo and Juliet, The Vision, Redemption Part One, Tears of Babylon, Someone to Believe, December Moon, Destination Roswell and  Symphony of Angels.

Also included are Terminus Pro Tempore which is used in "Video Tour Diary", Avalon Reprise which is used for end titles/credits and Adrift on the Fire Seas of Orion's Shield which is used as the menu soundtrack.

The package also sees the inclusion of a bonus audio CD that features the majority of the same concert, however due to the space limitations of the CD medium, the songs 'Astrology Prelude' and 'Secrets of Astrology' will not be included on the  audio portion of the set. Producer Erik Norlander explains in the booklet's liner notes that he and Lana made this decision since live versions of these two songs already appear on the "Return to Japan" CD released in 2004
 

Heavy metal rockers Dawn Of Correction, whose music has been described as "In your face, loud aggressive rock and roll with a foundation of old metal roots, such as Black Sabbath, Slayer and Pantera," is turning the rock world on its ear with the release of their new 5-track CD Swingin' The Chain. The band recently signed a management deal with Praying Mantis Entertainment, headed by music industry veterans Steven Cermanski and Chris Natalini. D.O.C.'s Swingin' The Chain has been receiving rave reviews and heavy airplay worldwide…

"Absolutely excellent!!!" - Autopsy Report Heavy Metal Radio

"It has a refreshing musical sense to it…a hybrid mix of different metal influences. The CD is killer!!!" - Audio Aggression Radio

"Heavy metal with an old school groove! D.O.C. has managed to unleash just that with this EP!" - Dark Cloud Radio

"This CD is badass!!!" - Tommy Conwell, 94-WYSP, Philadelphia

Dawn Of Correction consists of Jeremy Tillotson (vocals), Mike Radliff (guitars), Rich Tornetta (drums) and Ech (bass). "The band was formed because the four of us live and breathe music," singer Jeremy Tillotson adamantly decrees, "not to set any trends…strictly for the love of music!"

D.O.C. will be playing New York's legendary CBGB's on Dec. 18, 2005, and then headlining at Philadelphia's Trocadero on Dec. 22, 2005 with the following acts - Armed n' Dangerous and ThrodL. The concerts, which are being promoted by Praying Mantis Entertainment, promise evenings of blistering, ear-splitting, extreme rock and roll! (www.thetroc.com)

For more information:
www.rockindocstyle.com, www.myspace.com/dawnofcorrection
 

British classic metal act Rekuiem – featuring current Diamond Head drummer Karl Wilcox – have just shot two promo videos for ‘Nightmare’ and their Ozzy & Sharon approved cover of Sabbath’s ‘Paranoid’. The band, whose line-up also features guitarist Steve Slater, bassist Gordon Denny and former Tredegar vocalist Paul Parry, release their debut album ‘Time Will Tell’ on January 23rd in Europe January 25th in Japan through Majestic Rock.

"Eden the new band featuring Nick Workman (Kick) & Vince O'Regan (Alibi / Bob Catley) now have three MP3 soundbytes now online for you to listen too. Head over www.edentheband.co.uk to check out Love / Hate, Incomplete & Fools Parade

Finnish Melodic Rockers Sonata Arctica have announced the track listing for their new DVD/CD, 'For the Sake of Revenge' which is scheduled to be released on March, 31st 2006 via Nuclear Blast. The set will include the following tracks:

Intro, Misplaced, Blinded No More, Fullmoon / White Pearls Black Oceans, Victoria's Secret, Broken, 8th Commandment, Shamandalie, Kingdom For A Heart, Replica, My Land, Black Sheep, Sing In Silence/The End Of This Chapter, San Sebastian, Gravenimage, Don't Say A Word, The Cage and Vodkaa....(hava nagila)

Lacuna Coil are to play a UK show at London's Forum on March 5th 2006

Former Wildhearts frontman Ginger will play a one off London show on 27th January 2006 at  The Garage in Highbury. The show will be an all singing, all dancing full on electric affair under will be billed under the name Ginger & The Sonic Circus.
 

Warrant have signed a deal with MTM Music for the release of their new album, entitled 'Born Agin', which is scheduled for release on February 17th 2006.

The album’s title “Born Again”  perfectly describes the band’s current state: With their new singer, Jaime St James, who is most famous as the vocalist of Black N' Blue, and internationally acclaimed producer and engineer Pat Regan (Kiss, Deep Purple, Mr. Big, LA Guns) at the mixing desk, Warrant have recorded an album that will surprise their old fans and definitely attract some new ones. “Born Again” delivers classic 80’s hard rock with the band’s trademark touch of poser and sleaze metal or as the band itself puts it: “It’s the classic hard rockin' “Born Again” sound that we all want to hear. Dirty Rotten Filthy Stinking Rich and Cherry Pie with a new twist”!

MTM Music managing director Mario Lehmann says about the new high priority signing: “It was a German journalist who told me, Warrant had been working on a new album. So I managed to get in touch with Erik Turner, before waking up the sleeping dogs and interest somewhere else … When I called Erik for the first time, his wife picked up the phone, and it surprised me a lot, Mrs. Tuner talked to me in German fluently! Talking to Eric, he realized that he had just got in touch with the managing director of MTM Music and  a devoted, long time fan of Warrant! After a few minutes, both parties agreed on releasing the new album in February 2006. Remembering all the great songs by Warrant, especially "Uncle Tom's Cabin", I'm even more proud of the new cooperation!

With a line up now comprising St. James on vocals, Joey Allen & Erik Turner on guitars, bassist Jerry Dixon and drummer Steven Sweet, the final track listing for 'Born Again' is as follows:

Devils Juice, Dirty Jack, Bourbon County Line, Hell, CA., Angels, Love Strikes Like Lightning, Glimmer, Roller Coaster, Down In Diamonds, Velvet Noose, Roxy and Good Times.
 

Frontiers Records is pleased to announce all of the details of highly anticipated  brand new studio album from Toto entitled “Falling In Between”.

     

The record will include ten songs with the following track listing : Falling In Between; Dying On My Feet; Bottom Of Your Soul; King Of The World; Hooked; Simple Life; Taint Your World; Let It Go; Spiritual Man; No End In Sight.

Release date in the whole of Europe and Australia has been set as February the 10th 2006. Domestic releases have been finalized in Japan (on King Records), South Korea (on Pony Canyon Records) and Russia (on IronD Records) with more deals to be announced in Eastern Asia, South America and South Africa.

Toto will also play a one off UK gig at London's Hammersmith Apollo on February 25th in support of the album's release.
 

The first set of bands appearing at this years Bloodstock Festival, which will take place in September have been announced. Headlining the main stage on Friday September 29th will be Primal Fear and they will be joined by Machine Men, who will be making their first ever UK appearance at the festival.

Also announced are the first bands playing the unsigned stage at the show and these are: Died Smiling, Enemy Unknown and Steel Tormentor.

Further announcements on additional bands will be made in the near future.
 

Unfortunately The Yo-Yo's have pulled out of the proposed co-headlining "Buy One Get One Free" UK Tour with AntiProduct , however AntiProduct will still  continue to play the entire tour (albeit on a "Buy One, Get One" basis!) and are hoping to ask Acey Slade's Trashlight Vision to perform at some dates. The band are in the process of arranging for anyone attending the remaining gigs  to receive half of their ticket money back on the door.

The dates affected by the Yo-Yo's decision are:

8th Dec - London, Garage
9th Dec - Bristol, Bierkeller
10th Dec - Wolverhampton, Little Civic
11th Dec - York, Certificate 18
12th Dec - Newcastle, Legends
13th Dec - Manchester, Dry Bar
 

Disturbed are returning to the UK in March 2006 for another bout of touring in support of their recently released Ten Thousand Fists opus. The dates so far confirmed for the trek are:

25th March - Glasgow Barrowlands
27th March - Newcastle Academy
28th March - Birmingham Academy
30th March - Manchester Academy
31st March - Liverpool Academy

Majestic Rock are proud and privileged to be able to announce the signing of Melbourne, Australia’s finest sons Anarion to a world wide recording contract that will see their first internationally released album ‘Unbroken’ in stores in February 2006.

Majestic Rock A&R Director Geoff Gillespie says of Anarion: “This is a band for the here and now and the future. Anarion is the most exciting young band I’ve come across in twenty-five years in the business. The maturity of the band’s music is staggering and those who have yet to hear what the band have to offer are in for a real treat. I think we can promise the metal community something a bit special!”

Anarion’s guitarist and vocalist Riccardo Mecchi has this to add: "We are very exited about the signing of our new album, we know we are in good hands with Majestic Rock. we can't wait to get out on the road. Be prepared, we will be destroying your town next!!"

‘Unbroken’ is released by Majestic Rock in Europe and America on February 20th 2006 and Japan on February 22nd.
 

Powerzone Promotions in association with Maymies Nightclub, Hemlock Way, Cannock, Staffs are pleased to present the UK's biggest & best rock night: Frontiers Rock Night with DJ's Shaun & Stevie E (Legendary Ex. Highwayman, Cheadle and Maximes Wigan DJ’s- working together again after a 4 year break – to recreate that old Highwayman Experience again!!) Will be delivering a great package of good quality classic/melodic rock music from 9.30pm onwards for those who want to hit the dance floor in the main room!

ON Friday 30th December 2005 -  Come and help us celebrate the New Year a day early.Featuring music by such bands as Aerosmith, Motley Crue, Danger Danger, Tyketto, Harem Scarem, Firehouse, Guns & Roses, and much much more.... As from December - we are pleased to announce that we have invested in a state of the art video projection system for your enjoyment - so that you can view rare footage of all your favourite rock bands LIVE ON STAGE plus many extras including all the old Highwayman videos/DVD's. In the smaller LIVE lounge - Rock Band 'Sweet Seduction' from Birmingham will be playing LIVE

  

Feeder, who have been forced to cancel some of their recent live shows due to illness have confirmed details of the rescheduled dates for their UK shows. These gigs will now take place in March 2006. Ticket holders for the Birmingham and the London shows should hold on to their tickets - which will be valid for the new dates. Brighton ticket holders will be re-issued with a new ticket by post this year.

21st March (previously 5th December) - London, Carling Apollo Hammersmith
22nd March (previously 6th December) - London, Carling Apollo Hammersmith
24th March (previously 4th December) - Brighton, Centre
25th March (previously 2nd December) - Birmingham NEC

The band apologise for any inconvenience to their fans and look forward to the rescheduled dates - which will bigger and better!
  

Former Almighty frontman Ricky Warwick looks set for a busy January. Not only are the Almighty reforming for two shows in aid of leukaemia research at Glasgow Garage and London's Mean Fiddler on January 5th & 6th respectively, but immediately following these gigs Warwick will also be playing  a series of solo shows throughout  the UK in support of his most recent 'Love Many, Trust Few' album as well. The dates so far confirmed for the tour are:

Jan 7th - Nottingham Rock City
Jan 8th - Newcastle Carling Academy
Jan 10th - Birmingham Barfly
Jan 11th - Cardiff Barfly
Jan 12th - Manchester Roadhouse
Jan 15th - York Fibbers
Jan 16th - London Camden Barfly

  

Queensrÿche returned to the studio this summer to record the long-anticipated sequel to 1988’s acclaimed concept album Operation: Mindcrime. Praised by critics and certified platinum, the original remained on Billboard’s album chart for more than a year and its dynamic music and powerful message still resonate today. Rhino Records helps unravel the mysteries of the original with OPERATION: MINDCRIME II. The album is available March 14 at regular physical and digital retail outlets and at www.rhino.com for a suggested retail price of $18.98.

OPERATION: MINDCRIME II contains a 15-song story and is performed by the Seattle-based quintet – singer and chief songwriter Geoff Tate; guitarists Michael Wilton and Mike Stone; bassist Eddie Jackson, and drummer Scott Rockenfield.

Tate says the current political and social climate inspired him to revisit the storyline. “I left the original open-ended with the intent to come back with a sequel to finish the story up,” he says. “Considering where we are today and how little things have changed, it was too ironic not to continue the story.”

Operation: Mindcrime’s intriguing and complex plot revolves around Dr. X, a political puppet master who brainwashes Nikki, the story’s main character, to assassinate corrupt public figures. The story also includes Nikki’s lover, Sister Mary. A former teenage prostitute who becomes a nun, Sister Mary is murdered mysteriously, leaving the cliffhanger “Who Killed Sister Mary?”

Set 20 years after the original, OPERATION: MINDCRIME II explores Nikki’s fate after being released from prison and reveals the identity of Mary’s killer. “I tried to put myself in Nikki’s shoes and imagine what it would be like for him to come back to society after spending 20 years in jail stewing about what happened to him,” Tate says. “I became fascinated with the concept of revenge and what that would do to a person like Nikki. The story is ultimately about how Nikki wrestles with his conflicted emotions. On one side, his base instincts are pushing him to kill those who wronged him. On the other side, his conscience–represented by the spirit of Sister Mary – urges him to learn from his past mistakes and find salvation.”

Earlier this year Queensrÿche launched a sold-out tour featuring the original Operation: Mindcrime performed in its entirety with actors on stage portraying the characters alongside the band. Tate says the band plans to launch a tour in 2006 that will feature a stage performance of both Mindcrimes in their entirety. “The actors on stage with us add a new dimension to the music,” he says. “It’s different than your typical rock show, but the audiences really got into the Mindcrime I tour. It’s exciting to have the opportunity to combine both albums into one show. It’s going to be epic.”

Since its formation in 1981 near Seattle, Queensrÿche has released nine studio albums. Empire, the 1990 follow-up to Operation: Mindcrime, sold more than two million copies thanks in part to the enormous success of the hit, “Silent Lucidity.” Released in 1994, Promised Land was certified platinum and featured the hits “I Am I” and “Bridge.”

QUEENSRYCHE - OPERATION MINDCRIME II

1. “I'm American”
2. “One Foot In Hell”
3. “Hostage”
4. “The Hands”
5. “Speed Of Light”
6. “Signs Say Go (Will I Surrender?)”
7. “Re-Arrange You”
8. “The Chase”
9. “A Murderer”
10. “Circles”
11. “If I Could Change It All”
12. “An Intentional Confrontation”
13. “A Junkie's Blues (Everything Will Be Alright)”
14. “Fear City Slide”
15. “All The Promises”
  

JIM PETERIK

Jim Peterik, legendary rocker and founding member of Survivor, Ides of March and now leading force behind Pride Of Lions announces the completion of the recording sessions of his brand new solo album entitled “Above The Storm”.

  

“My last solo album came out in the spring of 1976” says Peterik, “It was called Don't Fight The Feeling. I still am very proud of that record, but I felt that 30 years later it was time for another solo record”.

In "Above The Storm", Peterik expresses many personal views of life and love. “The title itself” he says, “refers to that place we hope to find in our hearts above the chaos and confusion of this crazy world”, adding “I had written some songs lately that did not quite fit into the soaring Pride Of Lions mold or the R&B influenced Ides of March. Three of these songs are co-written with Johnny Van Zant of Lynyrd Skynyrd and Donnie Van Zant of 38 Special. The rest I pretty much wrote on my own”.

Of course this new solo album does not mark the end of the Pride Of Lions chapter of Peterik’s career. He explains: “As much as I love writing and performing with Pride Of LIons and World Stage - sometimes I like to go back to the very beginning, just getting into a room and writing from the heart about what really matters most to me. This is where this new solo album comes in. The songs have a really wide range of feelings from sensitive ballads like the title cut, to power ballads such as "A Kiss To Remember You By" and totally hard rockers like "Live Life" and "Stand and Be Counted”.

On "Above The Storm", Jim Peterik is backed by the musicians from Pride Of Lions: Ed Breckenfeld on drums, Klem Hayes on bass, Mike Aquino on guitar and Christian Cullen on keyboards, with Peterik taking care of most of the lead guitar work, as well as a lot of the piano work. Lisa McClowry (the girl who appeared in Pride Of Lions’ “Sound Of Home” video) cares of background vocals work.

On a related note, Jim Peterik and his production partner Larry Millas are also very busy in mixing in 5.1 surround stereo the Pride Of Lions upcoming DVD “Live In Belgium” and at the same time he is writing songs for the third Pride Of LionsS studio album tentatively entitled “The Roaring of Dreams”.

Frontiers Records will release “Above The Storm” in March 2006, with King Records taking care of the release in Japan.

KHYMERA

A Track By Track comment on the new album “A New Promise” out on December 5th 2005 by multi-instrumentist and producer Daniele Liverani.

A New Promise
This is a short instrumental intro that shows the great talent of the new Khymera member Tommy Ermolli on guitars. The melodic expression of this new young talented guitarist shines since the first note of this intense instrumental introduction!

Alone
A straight-ahead uptempo rock song, with a catchy chorus. One of the more direct songs of the albums. Dennis Ward performance is unbelievable here ! Dario Ciccioni delivers some cool drumming here and some passages almost have a progressive feel.

Let It Burn
Great choirs by Dennis Ward on this one. This song is one of the more classic melodic rock tunes of the whole record.

Looking For You
Pure AOR song, with lots of keyboards atmospheres and nice piano arrangements. A song that is very much in the 80's feel, with a touch of modern sound.

All That I Have
A ballad with piano arrangements that explodes in a straight rock mid tempo song, taking off after the first hook.

The Damage Is Done
The most powerful song of the album, with Dennis showing an incredible vocal range. A very heavy guitar riff tuned in D gives this song the right power to satisfy the “heavier” listeners. This is the heavy side of the new Khymera line up.

After The Way
A mid tempo song that melts elegance and straight rock sound. A very mature guitar arrangement from Tommy gave this track the proper feel and approach. This tune has the best guitar solo of the whole record.

You Can't Take Me (Away From You)
A straight rock'n’roll song of the album, penned from Jeff Scott Soto. This is happier and brightest song of the entire track list.

Tomorrow Never Comes
Another piano rock oriented song, very melodic. I particularly dig the ending of this one, very musical and emotional.

Fields of Fire
An uptempo rock song, with some of the great choirs of the whole record. Another great performance on one this by Dennis.

If You Dare To Dream
A great version of this Judithe and Robin Randall song. Dennis really gave to this one the right mood and the result is really very melodic and strong at the same time.

Give In To The World
Somehow a little more modern sounding than the rest of the material, this song was anyway translated into a more straight rock sound. Some weird guitar and keyboards sounds here.

All Is Gone
The only “real” ballad of the record, the most intense and atmospheric one. Here Dennis shows all his potential giving a lot of colours to the song with his inspired vocals.

You can read the HardRockHouse.com review of 'A New Promise' via this link and also check out our interview with vocalist Dennis Ward by clicking here

 

Just back from a weekend away seeing Vaughn, Shy & the final ever Pride show at the Melodic Rock Xmas Bash in London. Regular site updates will resume from tomorrow, look out fro reviews and photos from the shows mentioned above as well as for a report of the Vaughn show at the Birmingham Barfly which saw Pete Way & Danny Vaughn back on stage together for the first time in years performing Waysted's classic Heaven Tonight.  A couple of taster pics are shown below
 

  

Pete Way/Danny Vaughn                                                                                    Pride                                        

Mastodon, who are currently on tour throughout the UK, have two new releases line up for early 2006 through Relapse Records. First up is the band's first official DVD to be followed  by a collection of their earliest recordings which should hit stores at the end of January.

The DVD, entitled 'The Workhorse Chronicles', features over three hours of exclusive Mastodon footage including in-depth interviews with each band member, candid behind-the-scenes shots from the band's personal video archives and a career spanning range of live performances - including rare footage of the band in their initial form as a five piece through to sold-out clubs worldwide. Bassist Troy Sanders comments, "We had been wanting to do a DVD for awhile, and figured that with all that has happened now would be the right time to document our early years. Consider it [the DVD] an invitation to walk the paths we've travelled and see what lies ahead". The Workhorse Chronicles is set for a February 28th release.

The band will also issue 'Call of the Mastodon', a remixed and remastered collection of their first-ever recording session at the end of January. Comprised of the first nine tracks the young quartet had ever written, Call of the Mastodon is an audio document of a then-new band finding its own space. Sanders describes Call of the Mastodon as "the first real monster we ever created. It's the original beast laid to tape complete with the dirt and drive". The nine tracks (some of whose original recordings comprised the Lifesblood mini-CD) were remixed and remastered by original engineer Matt Washburn at Atlanta's Ledbelly Sound, and will feature all new packaging courtesy of the band's longtime artist Paul Romano. Call of the Mastodon is set for a January 30th release.

  

The band also play the following UK dates throughout December:

Dec 2nd - Glasgow Garage
Dec 4th - Swindon The Furnace
Dec 5th - London Scala
Dec 6th - Nottingham Rock City
Dec 7th - Cardiff Barfly
 

Orange County Metallers Bleeding Through release their new album, 'The Truth, via Trustkill Records on January 10th. Produced by former Anthrax guitarist Rob Caggiano the album features the following track listing:

For Love and Failing, Confession, Love in slow motion, The Pain Killer, Kill To Believe, Dearly Demented, Line In The Sand, She's Gone, Tragedy Of Empty Streets, Return To Sender, Hollywood Prison and The Truth.

In support of the album the band have also lined up a UK tour at the end of January playing the following dates:

Jan 20th - London Islington Academy
Jan 21st - Birmingham Academy
Jan 22nd - Manchester Academy 3
Jan 23rd - Portsmouth Wedgewood Rooms
Jan 24th - Newport TJs
Jan 25th - Glasgow King Tuts
Jan 26th - Oxford Zodiac
 

After a production time of more than 2 years, Hubi Meisel has now finished his new concept album "KAILASH", which will be released through Lion Music on February 27, 2006. This time the concept story is all about the Himalayas, Tibet & the secrets of ancient Buddhist/Hindu culture and mythology. As on his previous concept disc "EmOcean", Hubi Meisel closely cooperated with French keyboardist/composer Vivien Lalu again. and the new line-up features top-class musicians from five different countries including:

Hubi J. Meisel - vocals, Vivien Lalu (Lalu) - keys, Marcel Coenen (Sun Caged) - guitars, Jorge Salán (Mago de Oz) - guitars, Daniel Flores (Mind's Eye) - drums and Johan Niemann (Therion) - bass

 

New Jersey band Norway have completed work on their new album, the follow up to their 2000 release 'Arrival'. The new album, which is as yet untitled is the first to feature new vocalist Dave Baldwin who was formerly with Tradia & Departure. For further information you can visit the band's website at www.norwayrocks.com

The Outfield have a new live CD, entitled simply 'Live' available over the next 3 months as a free download on "TheOutfield.com". The band kick of the album by making the opening two tracks available from now (Intro & This Love Affair) with additional tracks being uploaded to the site every two weeks.

Cathedral head on the road in February/March for another series of UK shows to promote their new album Garden Of 'Unearthly Delights' which was released through Nuclear Blast in September. Joining the band on the road for these dates will be Electric Wizard. The dates so far confirmed are:

Feb 26th - Manchester University
Mar 1st - Nottingham Rock City
Mar 3rd - London Islington Academy
 

Ahead of the March 2006 support slot with Trivium, God Forbid play the following UK headline shows during December:

Dec 21st - Liverpool Barfly
Dec 22nd - Cardiff Barfly
Dec 23rd - Birmingham Barfly