24th February

Nine Inch Nails

Nine Inch Nails, who release their new album, entitled 'With Teeth' on May 2nd have confirmed details of a short UK tour that will take place in July. The dates so far confirmed are:

Jul 4th - London Brixton Academy
Jul 7th - Glasgow Barrowlands
Jul 8th - Birmingham Academy
Jul 10th - Manchester Apollo

Tickets for the shows are on sale from March 2nd

23rd February

Queens of The Stone Age

 Queens of the Stone Age have been forced to halt their mini-tour, which included two shows in London on March 3rd, after singer Josh Homme began coughing up blood in his Paris hotel room. What doctors in Amsterdam initially diagnosed as the flu was found to be a serious lung infection. This resulted in his immediate return to the United States. The band issued the following statement to the fans on its website:

"We've toured with everything from broken ankles to bruised livers, but simply weren't prepared for this relentless attack of teeming bacteria. Our fans know that we ain't pussys and this is an obvious downer for everyone involved. All we really wanted to do was play our new tunes for everybody, and turn this "promo tour" into more of a party. So, for those of you with any unused tickets, hold on to them. We'll be back as soon as possible to make up these shows, and when we do, we'll have something special for all of you with an un-ripped ticket. We ain't in the habit of canceling, and we don't forget."

23rd February

Saxon

Further to the story regarding the cancellation of Saxons UK shows that were planned for March, the band have re-scheduled the dates for October.

The rearranged schedule is as follows

Oct 16th - Bradford Rio
Oct 17th - Dudley JB's
Oct 18th - Nottingham Rock City
Oct 19th - Edinburgh Liquid Room

Support for all shows comes from Brainstorm

23rd February

Iron Maiden

Iron Maiden have confirmed details of a gig taking place in Dublin Ireland. The show will take place on Wednesday 31st August at the RDS Arena in Dublin and will also feature Marilyn Manson as well as some other guests yet to be announced. Tickets will be priced at around 65 Euros.

23rd February

The Gods Festival Gets A New Name

FIREFEST – A NEW NAME FOR THE PROPOSED MAY 2005 GODS SHOW:

The proposed Gods show of May 6 & 7, 2005 - set to take place at the Town & Country Club, Bradford, UK, will now be promoted under the new name Firefest.
The name change is a result of the non-involvement of Now & Then Records in the show, due to irreconcilable differences between the intended production parties - Fireworks Magazine, Emerald Productions and Now & Then. Emerald and Fireworks, who will now work together on the show, feel that a name change is the best option available, as The Gods is a recognized event name associated with Now & Then Records over the last number of years.

The day of classic melodic music will go ahead as previously announced. Firefest will kick off on the evening of Friday May 6, with the pre-show party in Town & Country 2. The main day's entertainment will start Saturday May 7 at 12 noon, with the first band of the day. Headliners for the night will be Soul SirkUS, (featuring Journey guitarist Neal Schon, bassist Marco Mendoza, drummer Virgil Donati and vocalist Jeff Scott Soto).

The 'Very Special Guest' can now be officially revealed and is the great TNT. The band (featuring Tony Harnell, Ronnie LeTekro and Diesel Dahl), will take a break from preparing their highly anticipated follow-up to the acclaimed My Religion release, to rock the UK for the first time in a long time!

Rounding out the line-up is multi-platinum American hard rock band Firehouse; German superstars Pink Cream 69; California's classic rockers Legs Diamond; Germany's much loved Casanova; Sweden's best melodic rock bands M.ill.ion and House of Shakira, plus local boys Pride.

Firefest Ticketing Details.
Ticket prices are as follows: Advance Tickets: Sterling £40 (Pounds Sterling) / Day of Show: £45 (Pounds Sterling).

Tickets for the Firefest main day - (Saturday May 7), will be available from the following outlets:
Loud 1, 144 Congleton Road, Biddulph, Stoke on Trent, Staffs ST8 6QN
Tel +44 (0)1782 522370 / Fax +44 (0)1782 765013 / E-mail: gez@loud1.net.
Z Roxx, PO Box 347, East Grinstead, West Sussex, RH19 1FB
Tel +44 (0)1342 300181 / Fax +44 (0)1342 321442 E-mail: sales@z-roxx.com.
RPM Mail Order, 2A Spark Street, Longwood, Huddersfield, HD3 4XB
Tel +44 (0) 1484 643392 / E-Mail mark.rpm@btinternet.com.
Destiny Records, PO Box 139, Fareham, PO15 7JE
Tel +44(0) 1489 603549 / Fax +44 (0) 1489 603550 / E-mail: destiny.records@virgin.net.
Tickets are also available directly from the promoters at the Fireworks Office. Cheques and postal orders:
Make payable to: 'Bruce Mee' and sent to: Bruce Mee, Fireworks Magazine, 10 Dunnock Close, Offerton, Stockport, SK2 5XD, England.
E-mail: Fireworks.mag@ntlworld.com
Please note - Paypal is also accepted by using the above e mail address. Please allow 28 for delivery of tickets.

Merchandise such as T-Shirts and CDs will be on sale from a number of vendors offering a wide and varied selection.
Full ticketing details will be made available in the coming days. For those who wish to purchase immediately, tickets can be purchased directly from Fireworks Magazine by credit card, using PayPal. The PayPal address for all ticket purchases is: fireworks.mag@ntlworld.com. (Please allow 28 days for delivery of all tickets).

For those purchasing tickets directly from the promoters, you will be entered into a draw for a fully autographed electric guitar by Soul SirkUS, presented by the band at the end of their performance.
Please note entry into Friday nights show is NOT covered by your ticket cost and a £3 cover charge at the door is applicable. Please also note there is a capacity of only 200 for Friday night's show - ticket enquiries for either night may be directed to: fireworks.mag@ntlworld.com
Other enquiries to k_dargan@hotmail.com, or fireworks.mag@ntlworld.com.

22nd February

Bloodstock

Full details of the two events can be found at the website www.bloodstock.uk.com. Tickets are now on sale for both shows.

22nd February

Dio

Oct 9th - Sheffield University
Oct 10th - Nottingham Rock City
Oct 11th - Norwich UEA
Oct 13th - Newcastle University
Oct 14th - Glasgow Carling Academy
Oct 15th - Manchester Academy
Oct 17th - Exeter University
Oct 20th - Southampton Guildhall
Oct 21st - Birmingham Carling Academy
Oct 22nd - London Astoria

22nd February

Mitch Perry

Z Records are very proud to announce the signing of Mitch Perry for the release of his new as yet unnamed project. The album will be released during late March 05 and features Paul Shortino and Sean McNabb amongst others.

Mitch is previously known for his work with The Michael Schenker Group, Cher, Edgar Winter and most recently War & Peace.

Sound samples will be online for review at www.zrecords.net on February 28th with a special
preview at the Evolution Rock Night in England on February 25th!

21st February

Evil Masquerade

The Danish symphonic metal quartet Evil Masquerade has finalized the track listing of the second album “Theatrical Madness” which will be released via Frontiers records on April 25th.

The track listing of the album will be as follows:

When Satan Calls; Theatrical Madness; Bozo The Clown; Now When Our Stars Are Fading; A Great Day To Die; The Demolition Army; Snow White; Witches Chant; Other Ways To Babylon; The Dark Play and Outro.

One of the tracks on the CD (“Witches Chant”) was written by William Shakespeare and set to music by Henrik Flyman. People familiar with theatre and poetry might recognize it to be the 1st scene of the 4th act from Macbeth.

The music has best been described once again as “Theatrical Metal”. With one leg in the old classic metal terrain and the other exploring more modern landscapes of progressive music. Added to this are the influences from musicals and classical music. This blend is what makes Evil Masquerade unique.

Guitar player Henrik Flyman says: “This is the best album I've ever done. With Theatrical Madness we show the potentials of Evil Masquerade in many new ways. The album is more homogeneous and varied at the same time. This without leaving the metal domains one inch”. Singer and former Royal Hunt man Henrik Brockmann adds: “As the first album, the music is something that will keep on showing new aspects, and every time it’s put into the CD player, a new detail will appear in the ears of the listener that was not heard when played before. This album keeps on surprising”.

21st February

Saxon

According to a email sent out to the bands' mailing list, Saxon have been forced to cancel their planned live UK dates during March. The reason given for this cancellation is a "devastating fire at the home of singer Biff Byford". Luckily no one was hurt in the fire.

The shows affected by this cancellation are:

20th March - Bradford Rios
21st March - Dudley JB'S
22nd March - Nottingham Rock City
23rd March - Edinburgh Liquid Rooms

The band are currently working to reschedule the dates possibly during September & October.

21st February

Dokken

Dokken have confirmed a short tour of the UK that will take place during April 2005. The dates so far announced are:

18th April - London The Garage
19th April - Nottingham Rock city
21st April - Dudley JB's
22nd April - Bradford Rio's

The band will be  touring in support of their latest album 'Hell To Pay' released in July last year. The band currently feature original members Don Dokken and drummer Mick Brown, alongside guitarist John Levin and bassist Barry Sparks.

21st February

Soulfly

Soulfly, the band put together by one time Sepultura frontman Max Cavalera are to release a DVD through Roadrunner Records on February 28th. Entitled 'The Song Remains Insane'  the DVD is described as an all-access journey with Soulfly captured live around the world throughout their career. The DVD will feature all of the band's videos together with over an hour of live footage, interviews with Max Cavalera and many bonus features.

The DVD, which was directed by Kimo Proudfoot will feature the following live tracks:

Prophecy, Eye For An Eye, Living Sacrifice, Bring It, Refuse/Resist, Execution Style, Seek 'N' Strike and Roots Bloody Roots as well as the following video clips:

Bleed, Back To The Primitive, Seek 'N' Strike and Prophecy

21st February

Oliver Hartman

“For me it´s a kind of permanent step to compose and produce for my solo releases”, says the German singer and guitar player, “Although the material is maybe a little different compared to what I´ve done in the past, I´m really looking forward to my solo works. This is the first time I was taking care of being the songwriter and main musician of this project. So I had the possibility to combine my own musical roots with different influences without being limited by a bands or a project style”.

Under the guidance of famed producer Sascha Paeth (Rhapsody, Kamelot, Angra, Edguy etc.), Hartmann was able to record a mature rock album which showcases his amazing vocal and songwriting abilities. Blending such diverse influences coming from the British AOR sound of classic Strangeways and early Dare, to the classic hard rock of Whitesnake, Rainbow and Giant, “Out In The Cold” shows anyway an original and peculiar approach that privileges the emotional aspect. The baroque string arrangements (courtesy of Miro) are also one of the most intriguing aspects of an album that can be listened tirelessly.

Joining Harman on 'Out In The Cold'  are famed German musicians such as Bodo Schopf (MSG) on drums and Armin Donderer (Paradox) on bass.

The Final track listing for the CD is as follows:
Alive Again; Out In The Cold; Brazen; The Same Again; I Will Carry On; What If I; How Long; The Journey; Who Do You Think That You Are; Listen To Your Heart; Can You Tell Me Where Love Has Gone and Into The Light.
 

21st February

Spike

Quireboys' frontman Spike is to release a new solo album and undertake a UK tour during April. The album, which is entitled 'It's a Treat to be Alive' will be released through Demolition Records. The first single from the album will be a cover of the Slade classic 'Everyday' which will  also be available during April release and will be accompanied by a video

The new album features fellow Quireboys Paul Guerin and Keith Weir on guitar and keys respectively, with Nigel Mogg on bass duties for a number of tracks. Other musicians on the album include Bad Company guitarist Dave Colwell, Angie Stone and Nick Mailing.

dates so far confirmed for the tour are as follows:

8th April - Croydon The Cartoon
9th April - Welwyn Garden City The Green Rooms
10th April - Cleethorpes Bootleggers
15th April - Glasgow Nice & Sleazy's
16th April - Cannock Los Angeles Rock Cafe
20th April - Liverpool Hotel California
21st April - Leeds The New Roscoe
22nd April - Sheffield The Boardwalk
23rd April - Scunthorpe The Hanger @ The Crosbie Hotel
24th April - Bolton Moses Gate
27th April - Wolverhampton Robin2
29th April - Scarborough Vivaz

For further on both the album and tour  check out Spike's new home on the internet at www.spike-online.com

21st February

Nevermore

Nevermore have set 'This Godless Endeavor' as the title of their next studio album, tentatively due this summer via Century Media Records. The follow-up to 2003's Enemies of Reality is being recorded at Backstage Studios in England with legendary producer Andy Sneap (Arch Enemy, Killswitch Engage, Opeth) and marks the group's first recording with guitarist Steve Smyth (ex-Testament). Song titles set to appear on the CD include "This Godless Endeavor", "The Psalm of Lydia", "Killing Time for the Pretty Ones", "Sell My Heart for Stones", "Sentient 6 (The Learning Part 2)" and "Bittersweet Feast". In addition, the band are recording a cover of the Ozzy Osbourne classic "Revelation (Mother Earth)", although it's presently unclear if the track will be included on the final album or if it will be set aside for use as a b-side or possible bonus cut. A "making of" video is also reportedly being shot during the album's recording sessions.

17th February

Dio

Dio will release a new live CD through Spitfire on February 28th. Recorded at the Roseland Ballroom in New York on Friday 13th December 2002 during the 'Killing The Dragon' tour and featuring the line up that included guitarist Doug Aldrich, bassist Jimmy Bain and drummer Simon Wright the CD, which is entitled 'Evil or Devine, is the companion piece to the DVD of the same name issued in 2003.

The full track listing for the CD is as follows:

Killing The Dragon, Egypt / Children Of The Sea, Push, Drum Solo, Stand Up And Shout, Rock And Roll, Don't Talk To Strangers, Man On The Silver Mountain, Guitar Solo, Long Live Rock And Roll, Lord Of The Last Day, Fever Dreams, Holy Diver, Heaven And Hell, The Last In Line, Rainbow In The Dark and We Rock

In further Dio news tickets are now on sale for a gig by the band at Nottingham Rock City on 10th October. This of course was the UK show that was cancelled on Dio's last trip to the UK in August 2004.

17th February

Download Offers Chance To Unsigned Bands

Download, in conjunction with Snickers Unsigned is  offering the opportunity for an unsigend band to play at this years festival at Donington on June 1012-12th

In order to enter the competition  bands simply have to cut a CD and send it in to be judged by some of the hardest heads in the business, including Kerrang! bosses and Download promoters.

Kerrang! editor Ashley Bird said: 'Download really is the mecca for rock fans. We are saying that in 115 days you could come from nowhere to be playing there - does it get any better than that? You will also have expert advice from well-respected people in the music industry and get to record your own material. Simply amazing.'

Entries will be stripped down to a short list of ten, before music fans pick the best three to play a no-holds-barred live play-off at a central London venue. The celebrity judging panel will then select one band from the three who will go on to play on the Snickers Stage at Download.

The lucky winners will also win free Gibson gear, get to record and release a single, and get drenched in the celebrity high-life, with appearances on TV and radio.

 To find out more and for details of how to enter the Snickers Unsigned competition, pick up a copy of Kerrang! or go to www.snickersunsigned.co.uk. The closing date for entries is March 29th 2005.

15th February

Dare

Dare are scheduled to release a new live CD/DVD through MTM Music on 18th April. Entitled 'Power Of Nature', the album and DVD were recorded at the  Deep Impact open air festival in Munich during July 2004 when Dare performed alongside both TNT and Fate.

The CD release will feature 10 tracks and has a running order as follows:

Sea Of Roses, Storm Wind, Where Darkness Ends, Silent Hills, Maybe One Day, Silent Thunder, The Fire, We Will Return, Song For A Friend (The King) and White Horses

The DVD release features the same track selection as the CD but adds in the following additional content:

Darren Wharton interview
Behind the Scenes
Darren Wharton Interviews:
Chapter 1. Dare The Beginning
Chapter 2. Blood From Stone
Chapter 3. Calm Before The Storm
Chapter 4. Belief and the future
Chapter 5. Thin Lizzy
Deliverance the video

As previously announced Dare will be on tour as special guests to Asia during March and play the following dates:

March 15th - Nottingham Rock City
March 16th - Wolverhampton Wulfrun Hall
March 17th - Glasgow Garage
March 18th - Manchester Academy 2
March 19th - Bradford Town & Country
March 20th - London Astoria

15th February

Enuff Z Nuff

Enuff Z Nuff, who release their latest album, '?' through Frontiers Records on Feb 21st have lined up a short UK tour during March & April. Joining Enuff Z Nuff  on the tour will be Pretty Boy Floyd & Bang. Tango.

The dates scheduled, although not yet confirmed are as follows:

Mar 30th - Dudley JB'S
Mar 31st - London The Garage
Apr 1st - Bradford Rio's
Apr 2nd - Nottingham Rock City
Apr 3rd - Hull The Welly Club

14th February

Stereophonics

Welsh wonders the Sterophonics unleash their fifth studio album on March 14th through V2 records. Entitled 'Language, Sex, Violence, Other', the CD is the first to feature new drummer Javier Weyler, the replacement for original skin pounder Stuart Cable.

The track listing for the album is as follows:

Superman, Doorman, Brother, Devil, Dakota, Rewind, Pedalpusher, Girl, Lolita, Deadhead and Feel

The album will be preceded by the release of a single, in the shape of Dakota, on February 28th which will be available in two CD and a DVD format

14th February

Nine Inch Nails

Nine Inch Nails have released the track listing for the forthcoming album, 'With Teeth' There are thirteen new tracks   due for inclusion on the album, and these are:

All The Love In The World, You Know What You Are?, The Collector, The Hand That Feeds, Love Is Not Enough, Every Day Is Exactly The Same, With Teeth, Only, Getting Smaller, Sunspots, The Line Begins To Blur, Beside You In Time and Right Where It Belongs

'With Teeth', which features a guest contribution from  Dave Grohl on drume, is currently scheduled to be released on May 2nd.

11th February

Soul Sirkus

Soul Sirkus, who headline the Gods Festival in Bradford on May 7th have signed to frontiers Records for the European of their debut album 'World Play'

The band - whose lineup includes nowadays Neal Schon (Journey) on guitar, Jeff Scott Soto (Talisman, Malmsteen) on vocals, Marco Mendoza (Whitesnake, Thin Lizzy) on bass and Virgil Donati (Steve Vai, Ring of Fire) on drums - was born out of the ashes of Planet Us, the project featuring Journey's Neal Schon and Deen Castronovo with Sammy Hagar and Michael Anthony - who eventually returned to their roles in Van Halen.

Neal had heard of Jeff's reputation and the pair first met then jammed at LA's 2004 Winter NAMM Convention in Los Angeles. Neal also caught Marco playing a showcase that weekend that sparked an idea for the 'baddest band anyone's ever seen or heard'. From there Neal & Jeff quickly got working, collaborating on songs, the results which will be heard on their debut album.

The quartet recorded tracks for their debut album. 11 songs were written and recorded in San Francisco at Jonathan Cain's studio, and the album was released on Soul Sirkus Records/Warner Music but sold only on Warner's online store. Just before embarking on the group's live debut, a mutual decision was made for Deen to depart & concentrate solely on his duties with Journey, replacing the throne with none other than reknown Australian sensation Virgil Donati.

The new quartet headed back into the studio & replaced the drum tracks with their newest addition, which will be remixed & re-released on Frontiers Records.

The release of “World Play” will also see an exclusive NEW bonus studio track “Alive” and several musical interludes featured in between the songs (“Abailar To’ Mundo (Marco Solo Piece)”, “James Brown” and “My Love, My Friend (JSS Acappella)”. “World Play” will also be completely repackaged, with a reworked cover art. In addition to this, the first run will be sold in an exclusive ecolbook luxury edition with plenty of exclusive pictures and lyrics for all the songs.
 

The European release date is scheduled for April / May 2005, to coincide with the band's European tour beginning with The Gods Festival
 

You can check out HardRockHouse.com's review of World Play via this link

11th February

Power Quest

Power Quest, who are currently recording their new album, Magic Never Dies, have issued an update on the sessions. Keyboardist Steve Williams had this to say about the progress so far.

"The recording of "Magic Never Dies" is progressing well. All guitars, lead vocals and drums are recorded along with the vast majority of keyboards. Francesco Tresca has put in an awesome performance on the drums...so much so that yesterday we invited him to join the band on a permanent basis. I'm pleased to say that he accepted the offer....so the Quest is complete once more."

The new songs are sounding really cool and I hope that you guys think so as well!

The artwork for the new album is looking amazing! Janne "Toxic Angel" Pitkannen has done a really cool design and I can't wait to see the finished article.

Tomorrow the band head to London for the album photoshoot in Camden Town. Alessio, Andrea and Francesco return to Italy on Sunday, whilst next week in the studio will be bass guitar tracking and sorting out everything so far. The week after that will be keyboard solos and backing vocals and then.....the mix!"

Magic Never Dies is scheduled to be released by Majestic Rock on June 6th

11th February

Helloween

10th February

Garbage

Garbage, recently confirmed to appear at  the Download Festival on June 10th will release a new album on April 11th. Entitled 'Bleed Like Me' the CD will feature eleven new tracks and sees guest contributions from the likes of Foo Fighters mainman Dave Grohl and Beck bassist Justin Meldal-Johnsen

Produced by Butch Vig and Tony Hoffer, the album will be preceded by a  single in the shape of 'Why Don't You Love Me' which is scheduled for a March 28th release.

The full track listing of Bleed Like Me is as follow:

Be My Bad Boyfriend, Run, Why Don't You Come Over, Guilty, It's All Over But The Crying, Sex Is Not The Enemy, Hanging With The Bitches, Why Don't You Love Me, Calling All Girls, HoneyBee, Bleed Like Me, Right Between The Eyes, Space Can Come Through Anyone and Nobody Can Win

10th February

Tokyo Dragons

Tokyo Dragons. who are in the middle of a UK tour supporting The Quireboys, release a new single, entitled 'What The Hell' through Island records on February 21st. The track is culled from the band's debut album, 'Give Me the Fear' which is currently scheduled to be released on April 25th.

10th February

Gods Ticketing Information

9th February

Frontiers Records Update

Marking the 10th Anniversary of her first CD, Lana Lane will release a new studio album entitled "Lady Macbeth": a heavy symphonic rock concept album based on the famous "Macbeth" play by vanguard English poet, William Shakespeare. The album tells the "Macbeth" story from the perspective of the famously sinister Lady Macbeth, one of literature's darkest female figures. The Lana Lane interpretation is at the same time sympathetic and ominous, full of emotion and passion.

Producer / keyboardist Erik Norlander recorded the “Lady Macbeth” album in two stages, one in Europe and the other in the United States. Following their return from Russia in the winter of 2004, Norlander recorded the Lana Lane European touring musicians in Schiedam, The Netherlands: virtuosos Peer Verschuren on guitar and Ernst Van Ee on drums, along with newcomer to the Lana Lane family, Swedish bassist Kristoffer Gildenlöw coming from the excellent prog metal band, Pain of Salvation.

Norlander returned to California just before Christmas, 2004, to record the familiar cast of American contributors to the Lana Lane project: Mark McCrite (guitar, vocals), Neil Citron (guitar) and Don Schiff (NS/Stick). Norlander also recruited the star vocalist from his solo albums, Kelly Keeling, to contribute stunning harmony vocals to the album. The result is a strong Euro - American feel that takes influences from across the musical spectrum and from around the globe. This lush and rich sound provides the perfect backing for Lana's passionately powerful vocals. Lana's stellar vocal stylings, her incredible range and versatility, are unmatched in the current rock scene, and she proudly continues to indisputably own the title, "The Queen of Symphonic Rock".

"Lady Macbeth" returns Lana to the great heavy symphonic sound for which she is perhaps most known and is the most powerful album from Lana Lane yet, and after 10 years with more than 20 releases, that is a powerful statement on its own. Witness the majesty, the grandeur and the passion of the new Lana Lane masterpiece.

Final tracklisting of the album shall include the following songs:
The Dream That Never Ends; Someone To Believe; Our Time Now; Summon The Devil; No Tomorrow; Shine On Golden Sun; The Vision; Keeper of The Flame; We Had The World; Dunsinane Walls – Someone to Believe (Video Track)

The European release of “Lady Macbeth” is scheduled on Frontiers Records on April 25th 2005.

ZION

Frontiers Records is pleased to announce that the work for the new Zion album featuring singer Freddy Curci from Alias is now completed. The label looks set to release the CD during the summer 2005.

The final track listing shall include the following tracks:
1. Avalon
2. Coming Home
3. Crash The Mirror (Devil’s Doing Me)
4. Dangerous
5. Devil’s Dance
6. Everybody’s Talking
7. From Now On
8. I've Never Seen Those Eyes Before
9. No Surprise
10. Sky Is Falling
11. Who Do You Think You Are

9th February

American Headcharge

American Headcharge release their new album, entitled 'The Feeding' on February 14th. Produced by  Greg Fidelman the album  is the follow-up to the band's acclaimed debut album, the Rick Rubin produced The War of Art which was released in 2001. 

The track listing of 'The Feeding' is as follows:

Loyalty, Pledge Allegiance, Dirty, Ridiculed, Take What I've Taken, Leave Me Alone, Walk Away, Erratic, Fiend, Cowards and To Be Me

American Headcharge have also scheduled a UK tour in March to promote the release of the new album. Confirmed dates for the trek are:

19th March - Exeter cavern
20th March - London garage
21st March - Portsmouth Wedgewood Rooms
22nd March - Liverpool Academy 2
23rd March - Cardiff Barfly
25th March - Sheffield Corporation
26th March - Wolverhampton Wulfrun Hall
27th March - Glasgow King Tuts

9th February

Fish

One time Marillion vocalist Fish has scheduled a handful of UK live dates during April & May. The shows currently confirmed are:

April 24th - Manchester Academy 3
April 25th - Nottingham Rescue Rooms
April 26th - Sheffield Boardwalk
April 28th - Stourbridge Rock Café
April 29th - Bristol Bierkeller
May 1st - Falmouth Princess Pavilion

9th February

Billy Idol

Billy Idol, having just been confirmed to play at the Download festival on Friday June 10th, will issue a new album entitled 'Devils Playground' through Sanctuary on March 21st. The album, which sees Idol, joined by the likes of guitarist Steve Stevens, Stephen McGrath  on bass, drummer Brian Tichy  and  Derek Sherinian on keyboards  features thirteen new tracks. The confirmed track listing is as follows:

Super Overdrive, World Comin' Down, Rat Race, Sherri, Plastic Jesus, Scream, Yellin' At The Xmas Tree, Romeo's Waiting, Body Snatcher, Evil Eye, Lady Do Or Die, Cherie and  Summer Running

8th February

Download Festival

Official confirmation has now surfaced with regards to this years Download Festival at Donington. As had been widely predicted the event has now expanded to cover three days from Friday June 10th to Sunday June 12th.

Friday 10th June will see Downlaod headlined by Feeder, with Billy Idol & Garbage also confirmed for that day. The Saturday will be 'Ozzfest' Day at Download and as such will see Black Sabbath rounding out proceedings, with Velvet Revolver & HIM also confirmed. The final day, Sunday 12th June, sees Slayer, Slipknot & headliner System Of A Down confirmed as of today.

Ticket prices for the event start at £105 for the full weekend, with camping and car parking extra. At the present time there are no details of day tickets for the event.

8th February

Audioslave

Audioslave, the band formed from the remnants of Rage Against The Machine plus former Soundgarden vocalist Chris Cornell have confirmed three UK shows during June 2005 according to www.nme.com. The dates so far scheduled are:

June 20th - London Brixton Academy
June 21st - London Brixton Academy
June 24th - Manchester MEN Arena

Tickets for these shows go on sale from Friday 12th February

7th February

Gods of Rock

Following a year of inactivity, The Gods returns to the UK on the weekend of May 6th and 7th 2005, at The Town and Country Club, Bradford (formerly Penningtons). Over the last twelve years the Gods festival has become synonymous with quality melodic hard rock and 2005 promises to be no different. This years event is presented as a co-production between Fireworks Magazine, Now and Then Records and Emerald Productions and promises to be the melodic hard rock event of the year in England, if not the whole of Europe. Throughout the years the Gods has played host to such luminaries as Harem Scarem, Tyketto, Crown Of Thorns, James Christian, Eric Martin, Bob Catley, Stan Bush, Mark Free, Hardline, Talisman, Royal Hunt, Ken Tamplin, Hugo, Honeymoon Suite, Ten, Two Fires, Mitch Malloy and many others. The criteria for the 2005 festival was simple; put together the best line up possible from all areas of melodic hard rock, and the promoters are confident that not only have they reached their goal, but surpassed it.
 

The festival will kick off in T&C 2 on Friday night, May 6th with full electric performances from Sweden's House of Shakira and Brighton boys, Pride. They will be joined by one more band (to be confirmed) in what the organisers hope will be a very casual show, allowing fans and bands to hang out and share a beer or two. In the spirit of the previous Gods, it's hoped all the acts performing will make it along to the night and enjoy the vibe that is only generated
by being at a Gods show.

The main day is Saturday May 7th with nine bands scheduled to play. Doors open at noon with first band on at 12.30pm. Merchandise such as t-shirts and CDs will be on sale from a number of vendors offering a wide and varied selection of products.

Full ticketing details will be made available in the coming days. For those who wish to get theirs immediately, tickets can be purchased directly from Fireworks Magazine by credit card using paypal. The paypal address is fireworks.mag@ntlworld.com 

You may also add POSTAL PAYMENTS, cheques etc. should be made to the Fireworks Magazine office.

Cheques made payable to:
B. Mee
10 Dunnock Close,
Offerton,
Strockport
SK2 5XD
England

Ticket prices are as follows: Advance Tickets:  £40 (forty pounds sterling); Day of Show: £45 (forty five pounds sterling)

For those purchasing tickets directly from the promoters, you will be entered into a draw for an electric guitar, fully autographed by Soul Sirkus, presented by the band at the end of their Gods performance.

Please note entry into Friday nights show is NOT covered by your ticket cost and a 3 pounds cover charge at the door is applicable. Please also note there is a capacity of 200 for Friday nights show and tickets cannot be purchased in advance. It is on a first come, first served basis.

Enquiries may be directed to -

Mark Ashton at info@nownadthen.co.uk
Kieran Dargan at k_dargan@hotmail.com
Bruce Mee at fireworks.mag@ntlworld.com

A list of the confirmed acts:

Soul Sirkus
Very Special Guests.......T.B.C. (by midweek)
Pink Cream 69
Legs Diamond
Casanova
Million
House of Shakira
Pride

Aside from the Very Special Guests, there will be at least one more major act confirmed in the next few days.

7th February

Black Label Society

As reported last month, Black Label Society, the band put together by Ozzy guitarist Zakk Wylde, will shortly be releasing a new album called 'Mafia' through Artemis Fecords. Featuring the following track listing,   Fire It Up, Whats In You, Suicide Messiah, Forever Down, In This River, You Must Be Blind, Death March, Dr. Octavia, Say What You Will, Too Tough To Die, Electric Hellfire, Spread Your Wings, Been A Long Time and Dirt On The Grave, Mafia will be available from March 7th.

Black Label Society have also lined up a quartet of UK shows to promote the release. The confirmed dates for this tour are:

May 31st - Dudley JB's
June 1st - Glasgow Garage
June 2nd - Bradford Rios
June 3rd - London Mean Fiddler

7th February

James LaBrie

James LaBrie, frontman with progressive rockers Dream Theater, release a solo album entitled 'Elements of Persuasion' through InsideOut Records on March 29th. The album, which features contributions from the likes of  Matt Guillory  on keyboards, Mike Mangini on drums, Bryan Beller  on bass, and a new guitar prodigy from Italy named Marco Sfogli, as well as.  a special guest appearance by fellow Canadian Kim Mitchell (MAX WEBSTER), will feature a total of twelve new tracks with the final track listing being as follows:

Crucify, Alone, Freak, Invisible, Lost, Undecided, Smashed, Pretender, Slightly Out Of Reach, Oblivious, In Too Deep and Drained

To promote the release of the CD, LaBrie will be playing some European solo shows during April and the tour makes a UK stop on April 30th at the Mean Fiddler in London

7th February

Soulskinner Press Release

Z Records are extremely proud to announce the signing of the Swedish act Soulskinner. Formed only twelve months ago by former Steel Attack members Dennis Westman and Patrick Spath, Soulskinner combine metal with melody in a manner rarely heard during recent years. Drawing influences from past hard rock and metal legends, Soulskinner have recorded a possible modern day classic.

The signing of the band also sees the return of one of our former artistes to the Z roster. Thomas Thorsen will be remembered by many for his colossal vocal work with Damned Nation and fans of his previous work will not be disappointed.

The Soulskinner line up is:

Thomas Thorsen - Vocals (ex-member of Damned nation)
Dennis Westman - Guitar (ex-member of Steel Attack & Carnal Forge)
Petri Kuusisto - Guitar (Also member of Carnal Forge & Asperity)
Patrick "Schweinsteiger" Späth - Bass (ex. Member of Steel Attack)
Rickard Holmgren - Drums (member of agro-metal band Scaar, ex-member of Vanessa)

The band's debut album will be released during early April 05.

4th February

Quiet Riot

Further to the Quiet Riot story published on 1st Feb, the band will be releasing their new live CD, entitled "Quiet Riot Live & Rare - Vol. 1", on February 14th through Demolition records.

The material is a compilation of live recordings from various concert performances during their 1983 "Metal Health" and 1984 "Condition Critical" world tours. There are also three rare original and previously unreleased studio demo tracks recorded in 1981, which were later re-recorded and appeared on the group's debut record "Metal Health".

Included in this release are live versions of two rarely heard QUIET RIOT songs — "Danger Zone" which was part of the group's live set for a short time and recorded for the "Metal Health" record but never completed, and "Gonna Have A Riot", originally a Randy Rhoads-era QUIET RIOT track, which was also part of the band's 1983 shows

The track listing is as:

01. Let's Get Crazy (1984 Live)
02. Condition Critical (1984 Live)
03. Run For Cover (1984 Live)
04. Swinging Lumber (1984 Live)
05. Winners Take All (1984 Live)
06. Cum On Feel The Noize (1984 Live)
07. Metal Health (Bang Your Head) (1984 Live)
08. Danger Zone (1983 Live)
09. Gonna Have A Riot (1983 Live)
10. Thunderbird (Unreleased Demo)
11. Love's A Bitch (Unreleased Demo)
12. Let's Get Crazy (Unreleased Demo)

4th February

Manic Street Preachers

After ending 2004 with a sold out arena tour across the UK, the Manic Street Preachers have now confirmed a further series of dates throughout the country for April 2005 with the band returning to venues and cities they have not visited in almost 10 years.

The manics have promised to play a varied selection of songs from throughout their back catalogue, including tracks such as ‘4st 7lb’, ‘Archives of Pain’ and ‘Of Walking Abortion’ from their third album ‘The Holy Bible’ which was released as a special 10th Anniversary edition at the end of 2004.

The band are hoping to unveil new material on the forthcoming tour, including tracks, which they are currently recording. The dates and venues of the tour are as follows….

April 3rd - Southampton, Guildhall
April 4th - Derby, Assembly Rooms
April 6th - Wolves, Civic Hall
April 7th - Swansea, Brangwyn Hall
April 9th - Liverpool, Royal Court
April 11th - Bristol, Colston Hall
Aptil 12th - Cambridge Corn Exchange
April 14th - Newcastle, City Hall
April 15th - Edinburgh, Corn Exchange
April 17th - Leeds, University Refectory
April 19th - London Hammersmith Apollo

4th February

Robert Plant

Former Led Zeppelin frontman Robert Plant will release a new solo album entitled 'Mighty Rearranger' through Sanctuary Records on April 25th. The 12 track album will be preceded by a single, in the shape of 'Shine It All Around' due a week earlier on April 18th.

To coincide with the album release Plant has also scheduled two live dates in the UK. These are:

1st April - Liverpool Carling Academy
2nd April - Warwick University

3rd February

Now & Then Update

2nd February

Nightwish

Nightwish will release a DVD-Audio version of their latest album "Once" on February 21 through Nuclear Blast Records. The complete track listing for the disc reads as follows:

Dark Chest Of Wonders, Wish I Had An Angel, Nemo, Planet Hell, Ceek Mary's Blood, The Siren, Dead Gardens, Romanticide, Ghost Love Score, Kuolema Tekee Taiteilijan, Higher Than Hope & White Night Fantasy

The sound on the DVD-A version of the album will be available in:
- 24Bit/48kHz LPCM 5.1 surround (requires DVD-Audio player)
- 24Bit/48kHz LPCM stereo (requires DVD-Audio player)
- Dolby Digital 5.1 surround (plays on all DVD-players)

The following bonus features will also be included on the release

Audio:
'Symphony Of Destruction (live)' (Cover of the Megadeth classic, sung by Bassist Marco Hietala)
'Ghost Love Score (orchestral)'
'Creek Mary's Blood (orchestral)'

Video:
'Nemo'
'Wish I Had An Angel'
(Clips play on all DVD-players)

2nd February

Soilwork

Following the highly acclaimed albums "Natural Born Chaos" and "Figure Number Five", Soilwork will release their latest album "Stabbing The Drama" through Nuclear Blast records on February 28th. The label describe the album as "perhaps the best piece of Melodic Death Metal the Swedish band has ever created!"

The track listing for the album is as follows:

Stabbing The Drama, One With The Flies, Weapon Of Vanity, The Crestfallen, Nerve, Stalemate, Distance, Observation Slave, Fate In Motion, Blind Eye Halo, If Possible & Wherever Thorns May Grow (bonus track)

2nd February

Vixen/Girlschool

3rd June - London Mean Fiddler
4th June -  Cannock The Tack Venue
7th June - Stourbridge Rock Cafe
8th June - Nuneaton The Kingswood Tavern

2nd February

Def Leppard

Def Leppard have finally confirmed the rumours around an album of cover songs that have been circulating for well over a year via the internet. In a statement on the band's official website the following was disclosed about the status of the project:

"For a long while, the stories and rumors have been going round about Def Leppard recording an album full of cover songs. While we can confirm that the band have indeed recorded their versions of some hit songs from the 70s, it is not 100% sure that these songs will actually be released as a full album. The band does have ideas about releasing these songs in form or another (an album, singles, B-sides, online, etc.) in 2005, but this has not materialized yet.
We were trying to hold further news about this album back as long as possible, as we did not want it to interfere with the North American release of the "BEST OF" album (more news about that tomorrow), but it appears the excitement of the impending release of this much anticipated album has kind of forced us to reveal/confirm some more details..... So, ladies and gentlemen, for your perusal, here in glorious black and white, is a list of those songs that the band recorded for that projected covers album:

10538 Overture (ELO)
21st Century Boy (T-Rex)
Don't Believe A Word (Thin Lizzy)
Drive In Saturday (David Bowie)
Hanging On The Telephone (Blondie)
Hellraiser (Sweet)
He's Gonna Step On You Again  (John Kongos)
No Matter What (Badfinger)
Little Bit Of Love (Free)
Rock On (David Essex)
Stay With Me (The Faces)
Street Life (Roxy Music)
The Golden Age Of Rock & Roll (Mott The Hoople)
Waterloo Sunset (The Kinks)

However, that's not all. While the 14 songs above were originally planned to be released on an album late 2004 indeed, the release of the "BEST OF"-album in October of last year changed those plans drastically. And since then, eight more cover songs have been recorded:

American Girl (original by Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers)
Heartbeat (original by Jobriath)
How Does It Feel (original by Slade)
Kick Out The Jams (original by MC5)
Roxanne (original by The Police)
So Dear Friends (original by Queen)
When I'm Dead And Gone (original by McGuinness Flint)
Winter Song (original by Lindisfarne)

At this moment, with these 22 songs in the can, a track listing or running order is definitely too early to talk about. An actual projected release date, or title, is even further away..... But we can promise that sooner or later, these songs will make it to your CD player. Something to look forward to!"

2nd February

Motorhead

Motorhead are to play a one of UK date as a celebration of the 30th anniversary of Bomber. The show will take place at London's Hammersmith Apollo on June 16th and will feature some very special guests.

1st February

Quiet Riot

To confirm a story that appeared late last night, Quiet Riot have now definitely cancelled the four UK shows that they had planned for February. The dates affected are:

11th Feb - Bradford Rios
12th Feb - London Camden Underworld
13th Feb - Nottingham Rock City
14th Feb - Dudley JB's

In an email from drummer Frankie Banali he advised that the promoter of the UK shows chose to cancel the dates and advised the bands agent in the US on January 21st. Frankie further went on to state that "QUIET RIOT was ready and willing to depart for the UK to perform for the UK fans and friends, but the promoters decision left us with no recourse." and further that the band "were really looking forward to these dates and had no intention of disappointing the fans."

1st February

New Blood of British Metal

Taking a cue from the name coined in the late 1970's for the then new breed of UK Heavy Metal bands (the New Wave of British Heavy Metal - NWOBHM), The New Blood Of British Metal (N.B.O.B.M) is the Bloodstock collective of unsigned or independently signed British METAL acts currently having the honour of being selected to play the UK's premier Metal Festival BLOODSTOCK.

It has become apparent that there are a vast number of quality British Metal acts struggling to obtain any form of identity, recognition or sense of achievement, other than giving their all to the music that they believe in. To this end Bloodstock have put together a series of shows nationwide over the coming months to showcase many of these acts. The tour will either be designated as the Femme Fatales Tour or the Pure Blood Tour, depending on the bands playing on various nights.

The full list of dates so far confirmed are as follows:

12th Mar - Femme Fatales Tour (Season's End, Liquid Sky & Captive Audio) - Nottingham Junktion 7
27th Mar - Femme Fatales Tour (Season's End, Liquid Sky & Captive Audio) - York Fibbers
3rd Apr - Pure Blood Tour (Panic Cell, Fourwaykill, Illuminatus & Nowhere Near The Garden) - Dudley JB's
9th Apr - Pure Blood Tour (Fourwaykill, The Prophecy & Support) - Whiplash Liverpool
15th Apr - Pure Blood Tour (Panic Cell, Sevenyearsdead, Illuminatus & Nowhere Near The Garden) - Nottingham Junktion 7
16th Apr - Pure Blood Tour (Panic Cell, Sevenyearsdead, Illuminatus & Infobia) - Sheffield Corporation
23rd Apr - Pure Blood Tour (Cruachan, Panic Cell & Fourwaykill) - Voodoo Lounge Dublin
30th Apr - Pure + Femme Tour (Panic Cell, Season's End, Fourwaykill & Liquid Sky) - Newport TJ'S
2nd May - Pure Blood Tour (Panic Cell & Fourwaykill) - Newcastle Trillians
5th May - Pure Blood Tour (Panic Cell, Sevenyearsdead, Infobia & Nowhere Near The Garden) - York Fibbers
8th May - Pure + Femme Tour (Panic Cell, Season's End, Illuminatus & Liquid Sky) - London Camden Underworld

For further details then check out the N.B.O.H.M website at http://www.amust4.net/nbobm/index.html