Saturday 31st July

Nothin I Can Do About It Worlds Apart Price Of Loving You Talk To My Heart Lost Without You Your Not Alone Feels Like The First Time Break The Chain Do It All Again In Your Eyes No Turning Back

MTM also release the fourth album by re-united Canadian band Kick Axe, appropriately titled IV, on September 6th. This new album contains fourteen brand new tracks from the band, which features the return of original vocalist Gary Langen , alongside guitarists Larry Gillstrom and Raymond Harvey, Victor Langen on Bass and drummer Brian Gillstrom. The album continues the same brand of melodic hard rock that KICK AXE was previously known for and incorporates crunchy guitars and elaborate vocal harmonies along with a big drum sound.

Right Now Rockin Daze Consolation Turn To Stone Do You Know Who Knows Ya Woe Time Slip Inside My Dream Who Says Rock n Roll Dog Black Heart City Lights The Only Ones Here

Green Day

Green Day, who headline the leeds and Reading festivals on August 27th & 29th respectively, issue their new album called 'American Idiot through Warner Brothers on September 20th. In addition to playing at the two festivals the band also play a date at teh Ambassador in Dublin on August 24th.

American Idiot Jesus Of Suburbia Holiday Boulevard Of Broken Dreams Are We The Waiting St. Jimmy Give Me Novacaine She's A Rebel Extraordinary Girl Letterbomb Wake Me Up Homecoming Whatsername

Quickies

Friday 30th  July

Punchline Promotions is delighted to announce a new addition to the X-Fest festival, X-Fest Vers. 1.0, line-up - QUECIA.  Quecia are a female fronted 5 piece rock band from England who have been receiving excellent reviews for their highly polished CDs and exciting live performances.
Go check out the band's official website at www.quecia.co.uk for some great soundbytes.

Quecia will join Lost Weekend and Sheer Shock Revival on what is shaping up to be a night of great music. One more
band will be announced shortly...

Tickets can be purchased now by emailing webdesign@punchlinepromotions.co.uk with the subject line "X-FEST"..

Festival Details
Venue :: The Railmens Club, (bottom of) Wind Street, Swansea. OVER 18s ONLY...
Date & Time :: Saturday 4th September 2004. 6pm to 12pm
Line-up :: Lost Weekend + Special Guests with Quecia and Sheer Shock Revival (four bands in total)
Ticket Prices :: £10 adv. £12 door - on sale now! email webdesign@punchlinepromotions.co.uk for details...
Drinks Prices :: You can recoup the ticket price as all the drinks at the venue are extremely cheap. Pint of lager £1.35, etc

More information can be found by checking out the website at www.punchlinepromotions.co.uk or by sending an email to the address above with 'X-fest' in the subject bar.

The Rasmus

The Rasmus return to the UK in October/November to undertake a full headline tour. The band, whose album Dead Letters, currently sits at number 3 in the UK rock charts release a new single from the album in the shape of 'Guilty' on August 9th. The confirmed dates for the tour are as follows:

October 28th - Newcastle Northumbria University
October 29th - Manchester Carling Apollo
October 31st - Portsmouth Guildhall
November 1st - Bristol Carling Academy
November 2nd - Wolverhampton Civic Hall
November 3rd - Norwich UEA
November 4th - London Carling Apollo Hammersmith

Sonata Arctica

Sonata Arctica have scheduled the release of their new album, entitled 'Reckoning Night' for October 11th through Nuclear Blast Records. The album will feature the following tracks: ‘Misplaced’, ‘Blinded No More’, ‘Ain’t Your Fairytale’, ‘Reckoning Day, Reckoning Night…’, ‘Don’t Say A Word’, ‘The Boy Who Wanted To Be A Real Puppet’, ‘My Selene’, ‘Wildfire’, ‘White Pearl, Black Oceans…’, and ‘Shamandalie. Prior to the release of the album the band will issue a 'Don't Say A Word' as a single, for which the cover artwork has just been released via the bands website at www.sonataarctica.com.

Hurricane Party

Hurricane Party, the UK based rock band that have supported the like of Status Quo, Skid Row & Queensryche, will release their debut EP on August 10th through Sanctuary Records. The CD, entitled 'Get This' was produced by  Laurie Mansworth and mixed by Kevin Shirley. To coincide with the release the band, who feature Richie Hevanz on vocals, Robin (Kreepy) Hirshfield on lead guitar, rhythm guitarist Jonny Rocker,  Rob Randell on Bass Guitar and drummer Chris Rivers, have a live date planned at Camden Underworld.

Roadstar Last Survivor Crown of Thorns Big Rock Show Killer

John Kalodner, legendary A&R producer responsible for nurturing the talents of AC/DC, Bon Jovi and Aerosmith, spotted the talent of the British quintet and has made them a major priority signing to Sanctuary Records and has described the band as a cross between Led Zeppelin, AC/DC and Aerosmith. For further info you can check out the Hurricane Party website at www.hurricaneparty.co.uk

HEAVEN & EARTH has just  released anew EP called 'A Taste of Heaven' which can be purchased through the bands official website at www.stuartsmith.com. The CD features four new songs with ex QuietRiot/Rough Cutt vocalist Paul Shortino  and an additional four tracks culled from the first Heaven & Earth CD. Any fans purchasing the EP from the website will get a $2.00 discount on the new full length CD, Screaming for Redemption coming out later this year.

The four new tracks featuring on the EP are 'Screaming For Redemption', 'Heaven', 'Nasty Piece Of Work' and 'It'd Be True'. The  previously released tracks on the EP  are the instrumental 'Dreams of Desire', 'Heaven & Earth' , which features ex Rainbow/Deep Purple frontamn Joe Lyn Turner on vocals, 'When A Blind Man Cries' featuring Bon Jovi guitarist Richie Sambora  on vocals and 'See That My Grave Is Kept Clean' which showcases the legendary Glen Hughes singing. . Any fans purchasing the EP from the website will get a $2.00 discount on the new full length CD, Screaming for Redemption coming out later this year.

Thursday 29th  July

Texas based band Bowling For Soup are headed to the UK for a full headline tour in September and October. The following are the confirmed dates:

September 27th - Norwich UEA
September 28th - Southampton Guildhall
September 29th - Bristol Carling Academy
September 30th - Liverpool Academy
October 1st - Birmingham Carling Academy
October 2nd - Manchester Academy
October 3rd - Newcastle University
October 5th - Leeds Metropolitan University
October 6th -Nottingham Rock City
October 7th -Cambridge Corn Exchange
October 9th -London Astoria

The band release a new single by the name of '1985',  which is due to be in the shops from 27th September. The song was written by Mitch Allen from SR-71 and produced by Butch Walker and is the lead single from the new album, 'A Hangover You Don't Deserve', due for release 13th September. The album will contain the following tracks: 'Almost'; 'Trucker Hat'; 'Last Call Casualty'; 'Smoothie King'; 'Get Happy'; 'Two Seater'; 'Rediculous (Lookin' Up)'; 'Friends Of Mine'; 'Really Might Be Gone'; 'Shut Up & Smile'; 'Sad Sad Situation'; 'A-Hole'; 'Ohio'; '1985'; 'Down For The Count'; 'Next X Girlfriend'

News From Frontiers Records

Pride of Lions

Frontiers Records has just released the following on their website with regard to Pride of Lions:

"Jim Peterik has released some details on the highly anticipated second album from PRIDE OF LIONS, the duo he formed with the sensational vocalist Toby Hitchcock, that is going to be entitled "The Destiny Stone".
Jim explains: "The title track is a song about a mystic experience I had during my early childhood when I seemed to travel back in time and saw infinity (really!) - it was as if I was seeing past lives or future lives or outer space.
There is a ancient sacred stone located in the Edinburgh castle in Scotland, that houses a mystic rock they call the stone of destiny. Seekers have come from the whole world over for hundreds of years to sit of the rock and receive messages from God about their future and their past. This song is about that sacred stone and my wish someday to visit that shrine and try to make some sense of my childhood visions".
Although not a concept album, many of the songs are linked to self-discovery and realization.
"Second Hand Life" is about finding your own way in life and not relying on the blueprint anyone else has laid out for you. "Back To Camelot" is a power ballad about going back to a time when it was "all for one" and men made good on their promises: it is a very romantic song. "Man Behind The Mask" is about the illusions of stardom and a man trying to determine if a woman is interested in him, or his myth. "The Courage To Love Somebody" is about the commitment we make when we decide to love. Falling in love is the easy part. Staying in love - a whole lot harder. It's the courage to "rise above the odds and risk a broken heart".
Other songs to be featured on the album include: What Kind Of Fool, Falling Back to Then, Born To Believe, The Gift of Song, Parallel Line, Letter To The Future.
The musicians are going to be the same ones featured on the debut album, with Clem Hayes on bass, Ed Breckenfeld and Hilary Jones on drums, Mike Aquino and Jim Peterik on guitar, Christian Cullen on keys with vocal as usual shared between Peterik himself and the 27-years old amazing singer Toby Hitchcock.
The album is being produced at World Stage Studio by Jim Peterik and Larry Millas with all the engineering and mixing handled by Larry.
"We are very excited about this album", concludes Jim Peterik "in addition to the usual trademark sound that are influenced by Jim's work with Survivor, this album also stretches the boundaries with more pompish and bombastic arrangements".
Frontiers Records plans the release of the album for early November 2004."

THE SIGN

Saturday, August the 7th will mark "The Second Coming" of THE SIGN on the Belgian soil!
THE SIGN, the mighty supergroup featuring Mark Mangold (Drive She Said, Touch, Michael Bolton), Terry Brock (Strangeways) and Randy Jackson (Zebra) is set to play at 21.30 at the Lokerse Feesten to be held at Lokeren (Belgium) at the grounds Grote Kaai, near the town centre.
A day ticket costs 10 euros and is only on sale on that day which features in the program - on the same day - the band EUROPE as headliner.
For more info visit: www.lokersefeesten.be
Special guests will grace the band's apparition at the festival. Danny Vaughn (From The Inside, Vaughn, Tyketto) and Mark Mangold's new female protege Lyza Wilson are confirmed guest stars and are going to offer the public some very tasty surprises.
The band will also exclusively showcase songs from the upcoming new CD "The Second Coming" scheduled for a fall release on Frontiers Records.
On a related note, singer Terry Brock has started the song writing for his second solo album to be produced in Los Angeles by Fabrizio Grossi (From The Inside, Vertigo etc.). You can expect another fabulous slice of melodic rock / AOR in the vein of Strangeways classic album "Walk In The Fire".

AMBITION

Singer Joe Vana started the recording sessions of the long overdue AMBITION album. He checked in to say: "I am singing my ass off... This album shall be great... We had some computer issues but we got past them quickly... Ambition is flying along now... Go Ambition!!!".
Joe is singing on twelve songs offered for the occasion by writers such as Terje Eide of On The Rise ("Shaping Fate and Destiny"), Joey Carbone of Vertigo, who penned "Together" and "No Wasted Moments", swedish songwriter Christian Wolff who offered "Make It Alright", "Hold On", "All I Need", "Hunger" and "Too Much", while the LaBlanc brothers (who will be soon releasing a proper debut cd for Frontiers) will have their "Alone I Cry" and "The Promise" featured on the cd.
Expect a pure AOR bliss from the main-man of Mecca, a real must for the lovers of the sound coming from classic TOTO, Signal and Survivor.

VERTIGO

The studio project featuring former TOTO singer, Joseph Williams on lead vocals will have a second chapter.
The recording are scheduled to begin in Los Angeles during the summertime and Joseph has agreed to be more involved in the songwriting of the new album. He has already written a great up tempo track entitled "Not Gonna Live Forever" with his buddy Joey Carbone, who has also offered some other songs for the project.


MIND KEY

Keyboard player and songwriter Dario De Cicco from Mind Key was kind enough to send a track x track comment for the songs includes on the band's debut album "Journey of A Rough Diamond".
SECRET DREAM : This is a song about the 3rd Eye theory. It is actually the first song that we ever wrote and the perfect album opener! Emanuele and me began to play this track back in 1999!
LOVE REMAINS THE SAME: A song about the empty spaces that love can leave. Sometimes it really becomes a war, but however we are always ready to follow the "destroyers" !
DEEP INSIDE : A song about finished experiences! We all have to look for the way to start again. Sometimes it's very hard, because those experiences often leave some unhealing scars!
MEMORY CALLING : Memories are often the only way out to escape the painful behaviour of modern human being !
LORD OF THE FLIES : The lyrics that I wrote for this track were inspired by the book written by William Golding. A song about men that always want to call power longing by another ways!
WORLD OF ILLUSION : Dedicated to all the people living in "castles made of sand". The modern world is reigned by lies, from private relationship to the top of political power.
WITHOUT ANN: Our old singer MarK wrote this lyric for a woman called Adia. But if you want to add just a letter behind...
WAITING FOR THE ANSWER : Song about men and their choices about life. The only way out is inside of you. Mind is the key!!
The Italian prog-metal hopefuls recently gained an amazing review on the AARDSCHOK magazine in Holland who awarded the album with a glowing 91/100 mark !!

Update From Century Media Records

Swedish thrash metal band The Haunted will release a new album entitled Revolver on October 18th through Century Media. This effort also marks the return of original vocalist Peter Dolving, who last appeared on group's genre-defining self-titled debut.

Recorded at Gothenburg's famed Studio Fredman (In Flames, Dimmu Borgir, Arch Enemy) with co-producers Patrik J. Steen and Fredrik Nordström and mixed at Denmark’s Antfarm Studio by Tue Madsen, the album features such cuts as "All Against All," "99," "Who Will Decide" (featuring a guest appearance by Sick Of It All vocalist Lou Koller) and "Burnt To A Shell." The first pressing of the disc will also be issued as a limited edition Digipak with two special bonus tracks. 

No Compromise 99 Abysmal Sabotage All Against All Sweet Relief Burnt To A Shell Who Will Decide Nothing Right Liquid Burns My Shadow Satyriasis (Intro)

Napalm Death release a new album, to be called Leaders Not Followers 2 on 23rd August. The CD features a selection of cover material and is a follow up to Leaders Not Followers EP.  The album also features an appearance on two songs by Jim Whiteley, the band’s original bass player on the B-side of the legendary “Scum”. Songs set to feature on the disc are:

Cryptic Slaughter “Lowlife”
The Offenders “Face Down In The Dirt”
Devastation “Devastation“
Hellhammer “Messiah“
Anti-Cimex “Victims of a Bomb Raid“
Wehrmacht “Fright Night“
Discharge “War's No Fairytale“
Siege “Conform“
Master “Master“
Insanity “Fire Death Fate“
Kreator “Riot of Violence“
Anti Cimex “Game of the Arseholes“
Massacre “Clangor Of War“
Attitude Adjustment “Dope Fiend“
Die Kreuzen “I'm Tired“
Sepultura “Troops of Doom“
The Dayglo Abortions “Bedtime Story“
Agnostic Front “Blind Justice“
Hirax “Hate, Fear and Power“

Century Media have also just released a  retrospective collection from Iced Earth. 'The Blessed And The Damned’ is a double CD compilation and features tracks from all of the albums that the band released through the label

.

Disc: 1 Wolf The Hunter Curse The Sky Melancholy (Holy Martyr) Stormrider Burnt Offerings Travel In Stygian [Live] Dark Saga Written On The Walls Damien

Disc: 2 Angels Holocaust Desert Rain Last December Watching Over Me Pure Evil [Live] The Path I Choose I Died For You Disciples Of The Lie When The Night Falls Jack Iced Earth Violate [Live]

Wednesday 28th  July

Saliva will release their third major label album on August 16th through Island records. The record, which was produced by Paul Ebersold contains thirteen new tracks and has been christened 'Survival Of The Sickest'. The full track listing for the CD is as follows: Rock & Roll Revolution; Bait & Switch; One Night Only; Survival of the Sickest; No Regrets (Vol. 2); Two Steps Back; Open Eyes; F*** All Y'all; I Want You; Carry On; Razor's Edge (featuring Brad Arnold); No Hard Feelings No. 1 and Sex, Drugs & Rock-N-Roll.

Cult of Luna

Cult Of Luna have confirmed that they will release their new album, entitled 'Salvation', through Earache Records on October 4th. To coincide with the release the band will be undertaking a headline UK tour. The first two confirmed dates for this tour are at Leicester, The Charlotte on 7th October and Sheffield Corporation on 10th October.
 

David T Chastain

If anybody remembers the 1980s guitarist David T Chastain seemed to release an album almost every week with various different bands in which he was involved. However 30th August sees the release of the first new Chastain (the band) album since 1997. Entitled 'In An Outrage' and released through Massacre Records, the album not only features Chastain on guitar but also new members drummer Larry Howe and bassist Dave Starr, alongside long-time vocalist Kate French.

Megadeth

The album cover for the new Megadeth album, 'The System Has Failed' due for release on September 12th through Sanctuary has been made available online and can be seen below.

Quickies

JUDAS PRIEST have set a December 28 release date through Epic Records for their first studio album with singer Rob Halford since 1990's "Painkiller". Jayne Andrews, the band's management co-ordinator has posted the following on the official website "The band and I had meetings with our new label Epic (Sony) when we were in New York,  Their support and enthusiasm was great — we really look forward to working with them all. A world tour will be following starting early in 2005."

According to the Noise website, the second part of the W.A.S.P concept record, The Neon God Part II is due for release on August 30th.

Living Colour have added a London date onto their short UK visit in October. the band now play the mean Fiddler on October 23rd

Totalrock.com is reporting that the Lostprophets have confirmed two UK headlining UK shows for the end of the year:  The band play Glasgow Barrowlands on November 13th and then Cardiff CIA Arena on November 21st. It is likely that more dates will be added soon.

Hatebreed have been confirmed as the opening act for the Slayer/Slipknot double headed tour that hits the UK in October.

Tuesday 27th  July

Mark Lanegan,

Mark Lanegan, one time frontman with the Screaming Trees and collaborator with Queens Of The Stone Age amongst others, is set to release his latest solo offering, 'Bubblegum' through Beggars Banquet on August 2nd.

When Your Number Isn't Up Hit The City Wedding Dress Methamphetamine Blues One Hundred Days Bombed Strange Religion Sideways In Reverse Come To Me Like Little Willie John Can't Come Down Morning Glory Wine Head Driving Death Valley Blues Out Of Nowhere Satyriasis (Intro)

To coincide with the release of the album, Lanegan has confirmed tow live UK shows, at Portsmouth Wedgewood Rooms on 26th August and London carling Academy Islington on 1st September.

Alter Bridge

Alter Bridge, the band formed by former Creed members guitarist Mark Tremonti, drummer Scott Phillips, bassist Brian Marshall plus former Mayfield Four vocalist Myles Kennedy release their debut album 'One Day Remains' through Wind Up records on August 10th. The band also undertake their UK live debut at the University of London on 17th September.

A review of The Alarm gig at The Archer in Newcastle has been uploaded and can be viewed here

The UK Rock Charts for W/C 25th July have been added and can be seen in the Chart Section of this site

Dragonforce have added a further date to their autumn tour and now play Brighton Concorde 2 on October 12th

Former Dokken bassist Jeff Pilson (along with his band War & Peace), as well as headlining the Z Rock festival in Liverpool on September 19th will also play a date at London's Underworld on 20th September.

Friday 23rd  July

Papa Roach have confirmed three live dates in the UK in September. The band play the following shows:

28th September - Birmingham Carling Academy
29th September - Manchester University
30th September - London Astoria

The band release their new album 'Getting Away With Murder' through Geffen Records on 30th August. Tracks set to be included on the release, which has been produced by Howard Benson, include "Just Go", "Done With You" and "Getting Away With Murder".

Slipknot

Slipknot will be releasing a second single from their Vol 3 (Subliminal Verses) album on October 4th. The track in question will be 'Vermillion' and will be issued both in a CD and a 7" picture disc vinyl format.

3 Inches of Blood

Vancouver band 3 Inches Of Blood are scheduled to release their new album, entitled "Advance & Vanquish" through Roadrunner Records on 27th September. The album, which has been produced by Neil Kernon, will feature the following tracks:

Fear On The Bridge (Upon The Boiling Sea I)
Deadly Sinners
Revenge Is A Vulture
Dominion Of Deceit
Premonition Of Pain
Lord Of The Storm (Upon The Boiling Sea II)
Wykydtron
Swordmaster
Axes Of Evil
Crazy Nights
Destroy The Orcs
The Phantom Of The Crimson Cloak
Isle Of Eternal Despair (Upon The Boiling Sea III)

Bonrud

Frontiers Records is pleased to introduce: BONRUD, a new and exciting melodic rock project based in Seattle Washington, led by guitarist and producer Paul Bonrud. His music is filled with infectious grooves, hooks and melodies that seem instantly classic, belonging to the finest tradition of US melodic rock.

"The CD is sure to please the fans who love the sound of Journey and Foreigner", says Paul. "The US and European release will feature eleven songs, while the Japanese release will contain an additional bonus track".

The band have finished recording their debut self-titled album, produced at White Barn and Big Rock Recording Studios in Washington state, mixed by legendary music producer Keith Olsen (Whitesnake, Journey, Kingdom Come, Saga and countless others). The line-up featured on the album includes such musicians as David Hendricks on vocals and Paul Higgins on drums, while Mr. Bonrud takes pride in completing the recording, thanks to his skills on guitar, bass and keyboards.

The tracklisting of this anticipated release is as follows: Leap Of Faith; The Phoenix; Desperate Heart; I've Changed; Give Me A Chance; Take Me Home; Date With Destiny; Once In A Lifetime; Live Your Dreams; Look Me In The Eyes; Hollywood Movie Star.
 

Frontiers Records will release the album on September 20th 2004 and further samples from the CD are  available on the band's official website www.bonrud.com
 

Mortis

Norwegian 'artist' Mortis releases a new double A- side single in the UK on August 16th. Available in both CD and 7" vinyl formats, the single,   Taken from the forthcoming album of the same name the new single, entitled,  'The Grudge/Decadent' will only be available for one week and then will be deleted. The single will be available in both CD and 7" vinyl formats. To coincide with the scheduled release of the album itself Mortis undertakes a UK tour in September, taking in the following dates:

15th September - Cardiff Bar Fly
16th September - Birmingham Academy
17th September - Bradford Rio
18th September - Nottingham Rock City
20th September - Liverpool Academy
21st September - Glasgow Cathouse
22nd September - Norwich Arts Centre
23rd September - Milton Keynes Woughton Centre
24th September - London The Ocean
25th September - Brighton Concorde 2

Quickies

Breed 77 confirmed a date at Wrexham Central Station on 30th September.

Laika Dog, the band featuring ex-Terrovision frontman Tony Wright, appear at Derby Victoria Inn on September 24th and Stoke-On Trent Sugarmill on September 25th.

Uriah Heep play Manchester University on 31st October.

A new review has been uploaded for the Van Halen Greatest Hits Album 'best of Both Worlds' and can be viewed here

Wednesday 21st July

Not a lot to add today, however numerous bands have added dates to already announced tours.

Whitesnake have added a second date at Newcastle City Hall to their UK tour. The band now play the venue on Friday 29th October to go along with the original date on the 8th October.

Magnum have added a date at Exeter St Georges Hall on 4th October to their already announced Autumn tour

Marillion play two shows at London Forum on 10th & 11th September.

Pitchshifter will be playing Manchester University on 11th October.

Mitch Malloy has added a date in Scotland at Glasgow Bourbon Street on 9th September. Tickets are available from the venue by calling 0141 5520141. Below is the full press release from RPM giving details of all the dates/venues and ticket info:

"RPM is pleased to announce a tour of one of the best melodic rock artists of his time. If you like the styles of Bon Jovi, Danny Vaughn, etc you will love Mitch Malloy!
MITCH MALLOY will be live and acoustic in the UK during September. Dates are as follows, with one more date to be added:
8th Limelight, CREWE (England v Poland on Big Screen before show) Support from Teenage Casket Company www.crewe-limelight.co.uk 01270 251929
9th Bourbon Street, GLASGOW www.bourbon-st.co.uk 0141 552 0141
11th Archer, NEWCASTLE Support from Alan Greener 0191 2813010
12th Boardwalk, SHEFFIELD Support from Teenage Casket Company www.theboardwalklive.co.uk/ 0870 145 1207 (24HR) 0114 276 7093 (LOCAL)
13th Stripes, BRENTFORD (only London Show) Support from Sacred Heart  Tel: 0870 900 9229 to book via CC. (07952) 378271
15th TBC, Belfast
17th Rock Cafe 2000, STOURBRIDGE (Hosting & DJ'ing from Stevie E) www.rockcafe2000.fsnet.co.uk/ 01384 390918 / 01384 833556
18th Mega Bowl, PLYMPTON, DEVON] Support from Nowhere Fast (playing after Mitch, as electric set) 01752 336666
19th Z Rock 2004, LIVERPOOL www.zrecords.net www.ticketweb.co.uk tickets are available from all venues!!!!"

A review of the new Dokken album 'Hell To pay' has been added and can be viewed by clicking here

A review of the Rat:Daddy show at Newcastle Archer has been uploaded and can be viewed here. The guys also have the following upcoming shows: Bristol Reckless Engineer - 23rd July, London Walthamstow Standard - 29th July, Swindon Riffs Bar - 30th July, Southampton Joiners Arms - 1st August, Mansfield The Mill - 13th August and Winchester Railway Inn - 14th August

Tuesday 20th July

Cradle Of Filth have named their upcoming album "Nymphetamine" and the CD is scheduled to be released through Roadrunner Records on 13th September. Lead singer Dani Filth has this to say about the title track:

"The title track concerns itself with a love affair so intense, that although soured and dead, ignites at the slightest sniff of re-invention. The first hand characterisation insinuates a drug-like addiction to the woman in question, with her insidious vampyre qualities literally bringing Her lover back from the brink of the spiritual grave, only to bury him further on the strength of a whim. This is very Edgar Allan Poe in style and leaves one thinking that, despite the character's inner agonies, he is really a welcome submissive who readily enjoys the terrible highs and lows of his relationship with this alluring and filthy, depreciative succubus. The cool thing about this song is that it is really a beast of several parts. A chimera. The main hub of the song is very lovelorn and drowsily melodic and it is these traits combined with shared female and male vocal passages that serve to highlight the plight of this, the title track of the album. However, this catchier side to C.O.F (ala 'Malice' and Babalon') is offset next to the first and last parts of the song which all come together to form a darkly erotic triptych.

These two sections reveal another chorus augmented with an exceedingly creepy and menacing lead line that bursts suddenly (and frenetically) into brutal riffage along the lines of Napalm Death and Mayhem."

Dani's comments on other tracks on the album can be found by clicking here
 

Satyriasis (Intro) Gilded Cunt Nemesis Gabrielle Absinthe with Faust Nymphetamine (Overdose) (feat. Liv Kristine) Painting Flowers White Never Suited My Palette (Instrumental) Medusa and Hemlock Coffin Fodder English Fire Filthy Little Secret Swanson For A Raven Mother of Abominations

Ring Of Fire

Ring Of Fire, the band fronted by ex-Yngwie Malmsteen vocalist Mark Boals will release their second album through Frontiers in September. The album entitled 'Lapse of Reality' is a follow up to the band's 2002 release Dreamtower. All songs on the album were written by Boals, alongside guitarist Tont MacAlpine and drummer Virgil Donati. The album receives a Japan release through Avalon/Marquee Records on 22nd July.

 

Satyriasis (Intro) Lapse of Reality Saint Fire Change That Kind Of Man You Were There Perfect World Machine The Key Don't Know (What You're Talking About) One Little Mystery Darkfall Faithfully Lapse of Reality (Long Version)*

Mitch Malloy

After a lot of hard work Mitch Malloy, who was originally due to play at the now defunct Newcastle Opera House, has been confirmed to play at The Archer in Newcastle on Saturday 11th September. Tickets will be priced at £7 and the Archer can be contacted on 0191 2813010 for details on how to get hold of tix.

Monday 19th July

Frontiers Records is excited to release all details about the highly anticipated "Soulfully Live In The City Of Angels" from the mighty "Voice of Rock" Glenn Hughes.
"Soulfully Live In The City Of Angels" is a welcome summation of Glenn's progress during time and a permanent reminder of his considerable heritage as an artist and performer. Available as a double audio CD and a single-disc DVD, it was shot live on January 11th 2004 before an audience of friends and selected regulars at www.glennhughes.com. Those privileged enough to have graced the soiree in the intimate setting at Sound Image studio in North Hollywood, California witnessed the bassist/vocalist's current band of long-time guitarist JJ Marsh and keyboard player Ed Roth being swelled by none other than Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith.
Helping out on backing vocals are former Quiet Riot singer Kevin DuBrow and ex-Santana man Alex Ligertwood, with second guitarist George Nastos doubling up where appropriate.
The repertoire is balanced between latter-day choices like 'Written All Over Your Face', 'Higher Places (Song For Bonzo)', 'Wherever You Go' and 'Can't Stop The Flood' and the trusted crowd-pleasers. This includes selections from Trapeze ('Seafull' and 'Medusa'), Hughes/Thrall ('First Step Of Love') and of course Deep Purple ('Mistreated', 'Getting' Tighter' and 'You Keep On Movin'').
"I'm happy again and of course I love being up there on stage. You've got to see Glenn Hughes on the boards to really understand him", reckons the man himself. "I'm so excited that rock in general is coming again into a good head of steam and I also feel really good about where I am personally".
For definitive vindication of the above theory, just insert the CD or the DVD of 'Soulfully Live In The City Of Angels', crank the volume levels and press the button marked 'play'!
Final track listing of the double live cd is as follows:
(CD1) Can't Stop the Flood; Higher Places; Written All Over Your Face; Medusa; Wherever You Go; Seafull.
(CD2) Coast to Coast; First Step Of Love; Mistreated; Gettin' Tighter; You Keep On Moving; The Healer (bonus studio track); Change (bonus European studio track).
The DVD has the same track listing and adds an insightful interview with Glenn Hughes plus a special picture gallery.
Both the CD and the DVD will come out in the first pressing with a limited and specially packaged cardboard edition.
European release date has been set on September the 20th 2004. Japanese release will happen on Marquee / Avalon and brazilian release on Hellion Records. Details on a domestic release in the USA will be released at a later stage

Bob Kulick

Z Records are proud to announce the signing of Skull the early nineties band formed by legendary Guitarist Bob Kulick [Balance, Meatloaf] . Bob's credits read like a who's who of Rock and Roll and Heavy Metal and span more than two decades. The Release of a very special Skull compilation CD featuring many never heard before songs / demos and alternate versions of some of "No Bones About It'" best songs will be released during early / mid November 2004.
Bob Kullick made the following comment: ".I'm really excited that people will finally be able to hear some of the bands other songs!!!!! Remember play it loud."
Skull fans can check out the all new track "Velvet Touch" on the Z Records compilation CD Rock The Nations 5 which will now be released on July 30th.

A

Brit-based rockers A have scheduled three dates in August as warm up shows for the Carling Weekend Festivals The dates booked are:

24th August - Newquay Walkabout
25th August - TRURO L2
26th August - Aldershot West End Centre

Lead singer Jason Perry says that "The "A" need some exercise.  They need a run about. Fighting fit for the Concrete Jungle appearances at The Carling Festival.. So, with that in mind.. how about some little, warm hot things to get the back of your back sweatier than a sweaty sweater? These venues are teenie-tiny small.. a lot of rock in not a lot of venue.. "

Silver

Not content to have just released a new Statetrooper album, vocalist Gary Barden has inked a deal with MTM for another band in the shape of 'Silver'. The press release for the signing quotes the following:

"The main men behind SILVER are singer GARY BARDEN who already worked for MSG, STATETROOPER and PRAYING MANTIS, guitarist MICHAEL VOSS (DEMON DRIVE, CASANOVA, MAD MAX, ex-BONFIRE), and current DEEP PURPLE keyboard player DON AIREY who also played for OZZY OSBOURNE, WHITESNAKE, GARY MOORE and many more. Besides the fact that the SILVER debut album “Dream Machines” (2002) had sensational sales figures in Europe, it even held the number 1 position in the Japanese import charts for about 5 weeks. Many people may have thought SILVER was one of those “all star projects” that are history after just one album. For fans of the European style of classic melodic hard rock, this album has a lot to offer: a strong feel for melodies combined with perfect musicality of top-notch artists. The line-up of SILVER reads like a “who is who” of rock history! The new album is called “Addiction” and scheduled for a worldwide release in late October 2004."

Quickies

A review of the headline appearance by Thunder at the Scarborough Beached Festival on July 17th can be found here as well as several photos from the show which can be viewed on the here

The new UK Rock Charts for W/C 18th July have been uploaded and can be found on the charts page of this site by clicking on this link.

HIM have added an extra London date to their Autumn tour and will now play London Hammersmith Apollo on 31st October as well as on the 30th

Thursday 15th July

Dio  have set August 30th as the UK release date of their new album, 'Master of The Moon'  through SPV records. The album, which was self produced by Dio, contains ten new tracks and features performances by Craig Goldy on guitar, Simon Wright on Drums, Jeff Pilson on bass and Scott Warren on keyboards. The band undertake a previously announced UK the same month on which Rudy Sarzo replaces Jeff Pilson on bass for the live shows.

Master Of The Moon Death By Love I Am The End Of The World One More From The Road Shivers In Dreams The Man Who Would Be King Living A Lie The Eyes

Velvet Revolver Play 3 UK Dates

Velvet Revolver are to play three UK shows in August and September, marking their live debut in this country. The shows, at Glasgow Carling Academy on August 31st, Manchester Carling Apollo on September 1st and London carling Apollo on September 2nd are being sponsered by Carling Live and tickets are only available to Carling Live members.

Motorhead

Some changes have been made to the Motorhead tour itinerary for November, compared to what previously appeared in the gig guide. The tour now runs as follows.

Nov 9th - Glasgow Barrowlands
Nov 10th - Liverpool Academy
Nov 11th - Sheffield Octagon Theatre
Nov 13th - Newcastle City Hall
Nov 14th - Manchester Apollo
Nov 15th - Nottingham Rock City
Nov 17th - Exeter University
Nov 18th - Bristol Colston Hall
Nov 19th - Southampton Guildhall
Nov 21st - Newport Center
Nov 22nd - Norwich UEA
Nov 23rd - Folkestone Leas Cliffe Hall
Nov 25th - Birmingham Academy
Nov 26th - Cambridge Corn Exchange
Nov 27th - London Hammersmith Apollo
 

Support on all dates comes from Sepultura

Tygers Of Pan Tang

The Tygers Of Pan Tang are playing 4 UK shows in August. the dates are as follows:

Aug 5th - London Underworld
Aug 6th - Grimsby Spiders Web
Aug 7th - Sheffield Corporation
Aug 8th - Wolverhampton Civic

A live review of the UFO/Quireboys show at Newcastle City Hall has now been posted and can be viewed here

Wednesday 14th July

Get ‘Lost’ around the world in 70-days with JEFF SCOTT SOTO !

One of the recent claims made for Jeff Scott Soto is that ‘he is the front man every band wants to have’. His energy, vocal ability, writing talents substantiate this claim and are all evident in the soon to be released ‘Lost In The Translation’, Jeff’s third solo album from Frontiers Records.
Following on the release of Jeff’s Single/EP ‘Believe In Me’ on July 21st 2004, ‘Lost In The Translation’ is a combination of all that is good about ‘melodic rock’ and AOR. The mix of pace, ballad, subtlety and sheer exuberance is enough to have the listener asking ‘Where has Jeff been hiding and where can I get more?’ This album will please those who like it hard, those who like it slow and those who like it hot!
Comprising a dozen wonderful tracks all written by Jeff individually & collectively with Neal Schon (Journey) on the single ‘Believe In Me’, Howie Simon and Gary Schutt (JSS Band), the album is being released on September 20th 2004. It coincides with a 30 plus date, 70-day ‘World Tour’ taking in UK, Spain, Brasil, Belgium, Italy, Holland, France, Germany and Jeff’s first ever appearances in Australia & Portugal.
From his roots with Yngwie Malmsteen, the foundations of Talisman, performances for film sound-tracks such as ‘Rock Star’, Jeff has also performed with Queen and Spike Edney’s SAS Band. His subsequently blossoming solo career has shown that Jeff Scott Soto has gained a reputation as one of the classier and more polished AOR / Melodic Rock artistes around. Add to that his many collaborations, not the least the most recent with Neal Schon on the new project Soul SirkUS, and this album represents a new high for Jeff Scott Soto that many believe is long overdue. Jeff commented recently "Finding songs to write about isn’t always easy, but when they come from the heart, it becomes easier. I hope that the many fans out there see this album as more than just an album but as part of my life’s journey."
Jeff’s tour begins in Sydney, Australia on Thursday, 2nd September. For more details check his tour page at www.jeffscottsoto.com

The full track listing of "Lost In The Translation" is as follows:

Believe In Me;  Soul Divine ) ; Drowning; This Is The End ; Lost In The Translation; Doin’ Time; High Time; Beginning 2 End; On My Own; Find Our Way; Sacred Eyes; Dulce Lady (Europe Bonus Track)
Also including the video: This Is The End

Red Hot Chili Peppers

The Red Hot Chili Peppers release a live album on 26th July on WEA entitled 'Live In Hyde Park'. As the title suggests this two disc offering was recorded in Hyde park during the band's three night stint in London in June. The full track listing of the record is as follows:

Disc: 1 1. Intro 2. Can’t Stop 3. Around the World 4. Scar Tissue 5. By The Way 6. Fortune Faded 7. I Feel Love 8. Otherside 9. Easily 10. Universally Speaking 11. Get On Top 12. Brandy 13. Don't Forget Me 14. Rolling Sly Stone

Disc: 2 1. Throw Away Your Television 2. Leverage of Space 3. Purple Stain 4. The Zephyr Song 5. Californication 6. Right on Time 7. Parallel Universe 8. Drum Homage Medley 9. Under the Bridge 10. Black Cross 11. Flea’s Trumpet Treated by John 12. Give it Away

Pearl Jam

Rather like the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Pearl Jam are set to release a new double live CD on July 26th, entitled 'Live At Benaroyal Hall' through BMG. Live At Benaroya Hall’ is the first officially released Pearl Jam acoustic show, and  features the band’s two hour, sold-out performance and includes a host of Pearl Jam classics, the first live airing of ‘Man Of The Hour’ (from the movie ‘Big Fish’) and covers of Bob Dylan (‘Masters Of War’), The Ramones (‘I Believe In Miracles’), Victoria Williams (‘Crazy Mary’) and Johnny Cash (’25 Minutes To Go’).
The show was played as a benefit for YouthCare, a non-profit organisation providing a range of comprehensive services for Seattle’s homeless and at-risk youth for the past thirty years

Disc: 1 1. Of the Girl 2. Low light 3. 3. Thumbing my Way 4. Thin Air 5. Fatal 6. Nothing as it Seems 7. Man of the Hour 8. Immortality 9. Off he Goes 10. Around the Bend 11. I Believe in Miracles 12. Sleight of Hand 13. All or None 14. Lukin

Disc: 2 1. Parting Ways 2. Down 3. Can't Keep 4. Dead Man 5. Masters of War 6. Black 7. Crazy Mary 8. 25 minutes To Go 9. Daughter 10. Yellow Ledbetter

Z Records Update

Snakeryder:

Z Records are proud to announce the signing of New Jersey based hard rock act Snakeryder to
a two album worldwide deal.
Band line up:
A.J. Fedz lead vocals, keyboards, lead & rhythm guitars
Joey Reno bass, backing vocals
Dino Castano drums, backing vocals
Karl Karlston rhythm guitars, backing vocals
Originally formed in January 02 by the multi talented AJ Fedz the band released their debut
album DOA via an independant US label. This album sadly passed alot of people by and both
parties parted ways. June 2004 and Snakeryder agree terms and sign a brand new deal for 2 albums.
The bands debut will be released in Europe on August 23rd, completely repackaged and with additional material,
sound samples will be online soon. The bands sound has been compared to classic Y&T and Cinderella

Z Records Release Schedule

July 26th:
Rock The Nations 5 -various

August 23rd:
Snakeryder - Snakeryder
Adam Bomb - Boneyard

September 20th:
Jesse Damon - Nothin Else Matters

October 25th
Black 'N Blue - Hell Yeah!

Saxon

British heavy metal stalwarts Saxon have confirmed details of their upcoming album, 'Lionheart' due for release in the Autumn. The album will contain 11 new tracks and hits the streets on September 20th through SPV records

As previously announced the band play 4 UK dates in October and the shows run as follows:

2nd October Astoria London UK
3rd October Coal Exchange Cardiff UK
4th October Wulfrun Hall Wolverhampton UK
5th October King Tuts Glasgow UK

Tour Dates

Wednesday 13, frontman with the Murderdolls, is to return to the UK for a set of dates in November. The dates so far confirmed are:

Nov. 03 - Wales, Cardiff, UK @ Barfly
Nov. 04 - Exiter, UK @ Cavern
Nov. 05 - London, UK @ Islington Academy
Nov. 07 - Manchester, UK @ Academy 3
Nov. 08 - Birmingham, UK @ Academy 2
Nov. 09 - Glasgow, SCO @ King Tuts
Nov. 10 - Belfast, IRE @ Lime Light
Nov. 11 - Dublin, IRE @ Music Centre
Nov. 13 - Brighton, UK @ Concorde 2

Hoobastank

Oct 26th - Sothampton Guildhall
Oct 27th - Nottingham Rock City
Oct 28th - London Mean Fiddler
Oct 29th - Manchester Academy
Oct 30th - Birmingham Carling Academy
Oct 31st - Glasgow QMU

Dragonforce, fresh from a support tour with WASP play the following shows

30th Sept - Cathouse Glasgow
2nd Oct - Rio's Bradford
3rd Oct - Academy 3 Manchester
4th Oct - Academy Birmingham
5th Oct - Waterfront Norwich
7th Oct - Mean Fiddler London
8th Oct - Woughton Centre Milton Keynes
9th Oct - Bierkeller Bristol
11th Oct - Cavern Exeter
14th Oct - Rock City Nottingham, UK

Bryan Adams

Oct 21st - Aberdeen Exhibition Centre Aberdeen
Oct 22nd - Manchester Evening News Arena Manchester
Oct 23rd - Newcastle Metroradio Arena Newcastle
Oct 24th - Hallam FM Arena Sheffield
Oct 26th - National Exhibition Centre Birmingham
Oct 28th - Nottingham Arena Nottingham
oct 29th - Wembley Arena London
Oct 30th - Wembley Arena London
Oct 31st - Brighton Centre Brighton
Nov 1st - Cardiff International Arena Cardiff