30th March

Bon Jovi - Wembley Shows Switched

Bon Jovi have been forced to switch their proposed Wembley Stadium shows that were due to take place on June 10th & 11th to the Milton Keynes Bowl. Promoters AEG Live have confirmed that the two June dates, originally planned for Wembley Stadium, will now be taking place in the world renowned Milton Keynes National Bowl. After contact with Wembley it is evident that the Stadium will not be ready for the Bon Jovi shows in June. Therefore to ensure that Bon Jovi’s fans are not disappointed, AEG Live And Bon Jovi have decided to move the shows to Milton Keynes

30th March

Def Leppard Press Release

Coming hot on the heels of their platinum-certified 2CD hits package ROCK OF AGES, Def Leppard have announced that they will release their 12th studio album YEAH! on May 23, 2006.

On their highly anticipated new album, Def Leppard have created a heartfelt and hard rocking tribute to their musical heroes of the late 60's and 70's -the Kinks, Badfinger, T. Rex, David Bowie, Sweet, Roxy Music, Mott the Hoople, Free, Faces, and Thin Lizzy. Recording essential versions of the music that influenced their youth, the band have brilliantly merged the "Now" with the "Then" to create a buzz that can only be summed up in one word: YEAH!

Said Joe Elliott, "I thought it was about time we showed the world what our true roots were... British pop rock from the early to mid 70's. The songs on this album are at least partly responsible for us making the kind of music that we do."

Added Phil Collen, "We didn't want to make the standard covers album and gave this a lot of deep thought as Joe has been going on about doing this sort of project for 26 years. We wanted to express ourselves through these songs and approached the recording process as if they were our own."

The final track listing for "YEAH!" is as follows although the exact running order has yet to be confirmed:

10538 Overture - originally recorded by Electric Light Orchestra in 1972
20th Century Boy - originally recorded by T.Rex in 1973
Don't Believe A Word - originally recorded by Thin Lizzy in 1976
Drive-In Saturday - originally recorded by David Bowie in 1973
Hanging On The Telephone - originally recorded by The Nerves in 1977, and Blondie in 1978
He's Gonna Step On You Again - originally recorded by John Kongos in 1971
Hell Raiser - originally recorded by Sweet in 1973
Little Bit Of Love - originally recorded by Free in 1972
No Matter What - originally recorded by Badfinger in 1970
Rock On - originally recorded by David Essex in 1973
Stay With Me - originally recorded by Faces in 1971
Street Life - originally recorded by Roxy Music in 1973
The Golden Age Of Rock & Roll - originally recorded by Mott the Hoople in 1974
Waterloo Sunset - originally recorded by The Kinks in 1967

As previously announced Def Leapprd will also be playing two UK shows during June as part of a short European trek. These take place at Sheffield's Hallam Arena on June 17th and London's Hammersmith Apollo on June 18th

30th March

Saxon Press Release

Every truly great act in the history of rock music has had two distinctive traits: a sure hand for hit-worthy compositions, but also the skill and that inner fire to translate these compositions just as hauntingly in their shows. Saxon certainly have both characteristics: having composed countless metal classics, they are also indisputably at home live on stage. 24 years after the release of their live classic, "The Eagle Has Landed I" (1982), and 10 years after "The Eagle Has Landed II" (1996), Steamhammer/SPV are due to release Saxon's brand-new live album, "The Eagle Has Landed Pt. III" on June 6th, 2006, featuring the first recordings with drummer Nigel Glockler, who has returned to the Saxon fold following an extended creative break. In other words, "The Eagle Has Landed Pt. III" was recorded by two different line-ups: the cuts from 2004 feature drummer Jörg Michael, the 2005 material presents Nigel Glockler. Consisting, next to Glocker, of founding members, Biff Byford (vocals) and Paul Quinn (guitar) plus the long-serving Nibbs Carter (bass) and Doug Scarratt (guitar), Saxon are still one of the hottest contemporary live acts.

The double album, "The Eagle Has Landed Pt. III", will be released in a top-value digi-pack. CD1 contains many of the classics from the band's early years up to 1984, including the release of their landmark album, "Crusader". CD 2 features the most important songs from the recent past, starting with tracks from their 1991 comeback release, "Solid Ball Of Rock", and ending with material from "Lionheart" (2004) — with one exception: "Broken Heroes" from their 1985 recording, "Innocence Is No Excuse".

"The Eagle Has Landed Pt. III" track listing:
CD 1:
This Town Rocks, Backs To The Wall, Redline, Stand Up And Be Counted, Never Surrender, Frozen Rainbow, Suzie Hold On, Play It Loud, Warrior, See The Lights Shining, To Hell And Back Again, Stallions Of The Highway, Wheels Of Steel, And The Bands Played On, and Crusader
CD 2:
The Return, Lionheart, Man & Machine, Beyond The Grave, Searching For Atlantis, To Live By The Sword Pt. I, Unleash The Beast, To Live By The Sword Pt. II, Flying On The Edge, Jack Tars, English Man 'O' War, Court Of The Crimson King, Broken Heroes, Dragon's Lair, Rock Is Our Live, Travellers Time and Solid Ball Of Rock

Prior to the release of the album Saxon also take in the the following UK shows during April as part of their European tour:

April 23rd - London  Astoria
April 24th - Wolverhampton Wulfrun Hall
April 25th - Norwich  Waterfront
April 26th - Manchester  Academy 2
April 29th - Glasgow  The Ferry

29th March

Jeff Scott Soto Press Release

Frontiers Records is pleased to announce the release date for the anticipated JEFF SCOTT SOTO “Essential Ballads” album on May the 19th 2006.

Since 2002 when Jeff Scott Soto signed with melodic rock kingpins, Frontiers Records, the man has been busy releasing 2 studio albums, 2 EP’s, & a live CD/DVD led with 2 world tours.

Following a great success and airplay gathered on BBC national radio in the United Kingdom of his more ballad oriented material, 2006 introduces a compilation release featuring the ‘best of’ JSS’s softer side, which includes songs from all of his 3 solo albums (“Love Parade”, “Prism” & “Lost In The Translation”) & the limited released EP’s (“Holding On” & “Believe In Me”) as well as 3 new, unreleased tracks.

For the first time, these gems, these ‘essentials’, are together on one digitally re-mastered disc, including the JOURNEY cover “Send Her My Love”, making them available for the JSS connoisseur in May 2006. Don’t miss out on the perfect JSS collection to date!

The track listing for “Essential Ballads” will be as follows:
If This Is The End; As I Do 2 U; Holding On; Send Her My Love; Lonely Shade Of Blue; This Ain't The Love; Don't Wanna Say Goodbye; 4U; Still Be Loving U; Till The End Of Time; Sacred Eyes; By Your Side; Beginning 2 End; Through It All (*); Last Mistake (*); Another Try (*)
(*) Indicates New track.

The European release date will be May 19th 2006.

29th March

Takota Press Release

Takota - the Anaheim, California based quintet - release their debut  album, 'The Ivory Tower' through Ares/Revelation Records on May 15 2006. The album was produced by (and features) Atreyu drummer/vocalist Brandon Saller!

With an immense rock sound and confident swagger, 'The Ivory Tower' is a jawdrop introduction to the band's take on post millennial rock and roll. The band also hit the UK for a string of dates during May & June

May 19th - Nottingham Junktion 7
May 20th - Luton University
May 21st - Bournemouth Benedicts
May 24th - Darlington Forum
May 26th - Middlesbrough Sumo @ Cornerhouse
May 28th - Sunderland Laings
June 1st - London Underworld
June 2nd - Weston Super Mare Hobbits

29th March

Alleycat Scratch Press Release

Cult sleaze rockers Alleycat Scratch made the long lonely trek from the Bay Area of California to the City Of Angels (and smog, crime and shattered dreams) in the early 90's to make a name for themselves. And make a name they did. Hailed as one of the top indie glam acts to take the stage, the quartet released their sole album to date, the bombastic 'Deadboys In Trash City' in 1993 to a wealth of global fan and critical acclaim.

Unfortunately for the band, just as the music industry started to take notice of Alleycat Scratch the musical tide changed and the momentum the band had built suddenly ground to a halt and the band had very few options available to them. In April of 1994 the inevitable happened and Alleycat Scratch pulled the claws out one last time for a packed show at Los Angeles' famed nightclub The Troubadour. It was their last stand and they went down fighting as a screaming, blood thirsty audience showed Eddie Robison, Devin Lovelace, Bobby "Boa" Dias and Robbi Black their appreciation by giving their heroes a drunken orgy of a send off that any of their Sunset Strip predecessors would have been envious of.

Thirteen years later the time has come for the world to revisit the 'Deadboys In Trash City' album via a special CD/DVD package from new reissue label Regeneration Records. Featuring updated artwork, the original ten songs plus two bonus tracks (a cover of The Boomtown Rats' "I Don't Like Mondays" and the infamous "Love Song" from the X Rated "Backdoor To The City Of Sin" film) and a DVD comprised of live footage and extra goodies, the package will be unleashed in May of 2006 and will be the flagship release for Regeneration.

For more information on Regeneration Records please visit www.regenerationrecords.com  and for more information on Alleycat Scratch hit up www.myspace.com/alleycatscratchmusic

29th March

American Dog

US rockers American Dog hit the UK for a series of live shows during August. Fist up for the band is an appearance at this years Rock & Blues show held at Pentrich in Derbyshire on Friday 28th May alongside Vixen & UFO. The band follow this with a series of UK wide shows which are as follows:

July 29 - Worcester Marrs Bar
July 30 - Wellingborough The Horseshoe Inn
July 31 - Crewe The Limelight
August 2 - Nottingham M.F.N. Club
August 3 - Kettering The Sawyers
August 4 - Neneaton The Queens Hall
August 5 - Birmingham The Roadhouse
August 6 - York Cert 18 -
August 7 - Newcastle Trillians
August 8 - Mansfield The Diamond
August 9 - Taunton Rockers Live
August 10 - Pool Mr. Kyps
August 11 - Croydon The Cartoon
August 12 - London The Loaded Dog , Leytonstone.

For more information on American Dog you can visit their website at www.americandog.us

29th March

MTM Records Update

TOMMY DENANDER finished his new DEACON STREET and the line-up will definitely whet every AOR / melodic rock fan’s appetite!

The project DEACON STREET originally started out with Tommy and his partner Chris Demming (AOR, Spin Gallery), who had written songs together for various artists and found themselves with a lot of very good but unused AOR / melodic rock songs. But, as Tommy points out, “Don't mistake it for a cheap and fast way to get some leftover songs out - If you're a serious fan of classy melodic rock you won't be disappointed with the quality of this release”.

The new album by DEACON STREET, “II”, now features even bigger names: Stan Bush, Christopher Cross, Jeff Watson (Night Ranger), Steve Morse (Kansas, Deep Purple), Reb Beach (Winger, Dok-ken), Bruce Gaitsch (Richard Marx, Madonna, Peter Cetera), Thomas Vikström (Talk Of The Town), Andreas Novak, Johan Fahlberg (Jaded Heart), Bobby Messano (Glen Burtnick, Fiona, Joe Lynn-Turner), Bill Leverty (Firehouse) among others.

“II” includes 14 great AOR / melodic rock songs in the vein of JOURNEY and GIANT, enhanced by an admirable musician-ship, beautiful arrangements, and an excellent production. This makes DEACON STREET’s “II” a definite must-have for fans of the artists mentioned above and of course for everyone who enjoys fine and well-produced AOR & melodic rock!

Here is the tracklist
Beautiful Chardaine , LeAnn, When love is on the line, Save me, I Give This Promise, Now We Cry For You, Second Comings, (Kill us) On Another Day, The Promise Of Forever, Misery, Action, Easy As It Seems, Them Changes. Jason

The release date is scheduled for May 20, 2006.

MTM have also revealed the cover and track list of the new and comeback album by RELAPSED. Relapsed is known under the name CITA and GUILD OF AGES and original band members Danny Martinez, Joe Marone and Rob Marone are finally back in business!

Back in 1988, Danny Martinez and the brothers Joe and Rob Marone came together to found the rock band CAUGHT IN THE ACT and due to legal reasons the band had to change their name to GUILD OF AGES. After releasing "Relapse Of Reason", "Heat of Emotion" and “One”, "Vox Dominatas" and numerous line-up changes the three original and founding members, Danny, Joe and Rob came together again to relive old memories and have a good time. They immediately felt the special magic again, which created CAUGHT IN THE ACT some 15 years ago. Realizing, they need a fourth member to complete the band, Brian Mesa joined in early 2004.

This is how RELAPSED came to live and now Danny, Joe, Rob and Brian are recapturing the magic of the past while creating a new sound and vibe with the new album, entitled 'Into A Former State' . Featuring the line up of Danny Martinez – Lead Vocals, Guitar, Brian Mesa – Lead Guitar, Vocals, Joe Marone- Bass Guitar  and drummer Rob Maronne 'Into A Former State' will comprise of the following tracks:

Welcome To My Life, End Of The Line, Undone, Broken, The Other Side, Mercy Pays The Dept, All In All, Generation, I Want It All, Alex, Everyday and Somewhere We Belong

The release date is scheduled for May 20, 2006

In 1987, five young men from Oslo, Norway were signed by Polygram and joined forces to record an album of finest Scandinavian AOR and Melodic Rock: DA VINCI’s self-titled debut. In the tradition of other Scandinavian rock bands of the mid-80’s such as Treat, Europe or Dalton, DA VINCI delivered well-produced songs full of hooks, driven by guitars and stunning keyboards.

The success of the critically acclaimed debut immediately resulted in a second effort, “Back In Business'” from 1989, which is also considered to be a real gem among melodic rock aficionados worldwide.

Bass player Bjorn Boge later joined STREET LEGAL and played with ex-EUROPE lead guitarist JOHN NORUM 'Wild Willy' Bendickson from BAD HABIT among others.

Today, DA VINCI’s self-titled debut is a sought-after collector’s gem, selling for an average of $70 – if you’re lucky enough to find a copy. Thus, MTM CLASSIX is proud release this rare diamond digitally remastered with an exclusive bonus track.

Imagine the best of 80’s Europe, add a touch of Treat plus blazing guitars and tons of well-placed keyboards: From the infectious 'Lookin' For Love' to the keyboard heaven of 'Tarquinia' or the wonderful ballad “Ain’t no goodbye” - this CD has it all.

The track listing is as follows:

Lookin’ For Love, Dreamin’, Tarquinia, Corina, Look At Me Now (intro), Look At Me Now , Forever In My Heart , She’s A He, Young Desperado, Light My Fire and  Ain’t No Goodbye  (BONUS TRACK)

The release date is scheduled for May 26, 2006.

29th March

Quick Updates

Down, the band featuring former Pantera vocalist Phil Anselmo alongside Rex Brown, Pepper Keanan, Kirk Windstein and Jimmy Bower will play two UK shows during May. These take place at Birmingham's Carling Academy on May 23rd and London Astoria on May 29th.

ARABIA are set to return to the worldstage with the release of  the long awaited follow up to "1001 and one Nights" which is scheduled to be released during late September 06 via Z Records. Entitled 'Eternity' the album is now 60% complete and will be the first to feature the band's new line up consisting of  guitarist Eddie Campbell, bassist Ricj Panzica, drummer Richie Raccuglia and vocalist John Blaze.

Download Festival, which takes  place at Donington Park between June 9th and11th, have announced a further twenty one bands set to appear over the course of three day event.  The new bands confirmed for the are:

Killing Joke, Fightstar, Secret Machines, Dragonforce, Fishbone, Strapping Young Lad, From First To Last, Cathedral, Sevendust, Alter Bridge, My Awesome Compilation, 10 Years, Skindred, Dredg, Bring Me The Horizon, Blindside, Stonegard, Zico Chain, Evergrey, Exit Ten and Get Cape Wear Cape Fly will all be joining headliners Tool, Metallica and Guns N’ Roses across the three live music days of the show.

27th March

Michael Kiske

Following on from his involment in last years Place Vendome album, former Helloween vocalist will release a new solo album, simply called 'Kiske' through Frontiers Records on May 19.

The album, which features Karsten Nagel on drums alongside guitarist and bassist Sandro Giampietro and Fontaine Burnett  respectively, is said to be a very personal statement — from the beginning to the end. "The best way of describing what this record stands for in my mind and personal world would be: it's a health-careless and musically free!" states Kiske  "I somehow managed to break down or overcome more subconscious barriers as a songwriter this time. I was able to write and produce a record that could either be a nice ending or beginning for a new career.'

The album will feature the following track listing:

Fed By Stones, All-Solutions, Knew I Would, Kings Fall, Hearts Are Free, The King Of It All, Sing My Song, Silently Craving, Truly,  Painted and Sad As The World

Along with the release of the new studio record, Michael Kiske has worked out a deal with Frontiers Records to reissue his first solo album, "Instant Clarity", which originally came out in 1996. This 2006 reissue will be sold as part of a mid-price series and will include three newly recorded bonus tracks and the original Japan-only bonus track.

The re-issue track listing for Instant Clarity is as follows:

Be True To Yourself, The Calling, Somebody Somewhere, Burned Out, New Horizons, Hunted, Always, Thanx A Lot!, Time's Passing By, So Sick, Do I Remember A Life?, A Songs Is Just A Moment ,  I Don't Deserve Love , Sacred Grounds and Can't Tell
 

27th March

Frank Turner

Frank Turner is to release his debut EP 'Campfire Punk Rock' on May 15th 2006 through Xtra Mile Recordings.

This collection of folk/country inspired tracks sees Frank explore his passion for some of his heroes, Billy Bragg, Neil Young, and Johnny Cash to name a few; his trademark lyrical style providing humorous social observations and brutally honest tales of loneliness, (not)picking up girls, and small town frustrations. But, in the true spirit of Bragg's 'anti-folk' and with reference to his own punk rock/hardcore ethics formed from previous band Million Dead, Frank's political anger and edge helps to give this EP is apt title.

In a similar vein, and having read 'Get In The Van' by Henry Rollins one too many times, Frank has been travelling up and down the country for the past 6 months, armed only with a backpack and a guitar, turning up to play, pubs, clubs, and people's frontrooms, sleeping on fan's couches and performing impromptu gigs in pub car-parks.

It's a D.I.Y technique that has helped secure Frank a loyal fanbase, led him to play gigs as far-reaching as Latvia, do live sessions on Radio 1 and position himself at the forefront of a burgeoning UK alt. folk/country scene.  In support of the release Frank will be playing the following shows as part of the 'Free Blind Moles' UK Tour with Gabby Young


APRIL
2 The Vic, Swindon
3 The Bell By The Green, Devizes
4 Mr Kyps, Poole
5 The Dove Inn, Winchester
6 Gander On The Green, Bournemouth
7 The Plantation Cafe, Guildford
8 The Corner Rooms, Oxford
11 The Bedford, Balham, London
12 The Snooty Fox, Canonbury, London
13 The Tube Club, Archway, London
14 Nambucca, Holloway, London (with Chriss TT)
15 The Wheat Sheaf, Oxford (w/Dive Dive)
17 Dingwalls, London (with Engerica)
18 The Vine, Leeds
19 Whistlebinkies, Edinburgh
22 Cafe Drummond, Aberdeen
23 Magnet, Liverpool
24 The Jailhouse, Coventry
25 The Shed, Dudley
26 The Retro Bar, Manchester
30 The Louisiana, Bristol
MAY
1 The Watering Hole, Perranporth
4 The Loft Bar, Cambridge
5 Riffs, Swindon (end of tour party)

The track listing for 'Campfire Punk Rock EP' is as follows. The band helping Frank out on tracks 1, 3 and 5 are Dive Dive.

1. 'Nashville Tennessee' - w/band
2. 'Thatcher F**ked The Kids' - solo
3. 'This Town Ain't Big Enough For The One Of Me' - w/band
4. 'Casanova Lament' - solo
5. 'I Really Don't Care What You Did In Your Gap Year' - w/band

27th March

Miss Black America

Miss Black America release their new single, Emotional Junkmail, in the UK on Monday 1st May 2006 through Ruby Slippers Records.

The single, taken from the acclaimed album 'Terminal', will be available on 2 CDs, both of which will feature exclusive new b-sides recorded with Editors and Nizlopi producer Andrew Taylor. Both versions of the single are strictly limited to 1,000 copies each, and will be hand-numbered by the band.

Tracklistings are:
CD1 - Emotional Junkmail, Once More With Feeling, The Sandman, Summer of Love Pt. 1
CD2 - Emotional Junkmail, It's Alright

MBA will also be heading out on the road with long time friends We Start Fires in April. The Darlington four-piece have been attracting glowing reviews from all corners of the press; recent 7" 'Hot Metal/Hip Shake' was runner-up Single of the Week in NME, who described their sound as "like one of the Deal sisters in a cosmic deathray fight with Be Your Own Pet's Jemina", which can only be a good thing.

APRIL
Friday 14 London 12 Bar Club
Saturday 15 London Beyond Retro Clothing (in-store gig, 3pm start)
Sunday 16 Basingstoke Silkfest
Thursday 20 Leicester Charlotte*
Friday 21 Darlington Bacchaus
Saturday 22 Edinburgh Swamp Bar
Sunday 23 Bristol Fleece*
Monday 24 Cardiff Barfly*
Tuesday 25 Cambridge Junction**
Wednesday 26 Brighton Pressure Point*
Thursday 27 London Camden G-Lounge
Sunday 30 Leeds Vine
MAY
Monday 1 Mansfield Mill
Tuesday 2 London New Cross Inn
Wednesday 31 London Upstairs At The Garage***
* with We Start Fires, ** with Johnny Panic, ***with The Fallout Theory

The much talked-about video for Emotional Junkmail (directed by Reuben/Bullet For My Valentine director Dan Fernbach) can now be seen online at www.emotionaljunkmail.com 

27th March

Quick Updates

24th March

Eden Sign To MajesticRock - Press Release

Majestic Rock Records are proud to be able to announce the signing to the label of Eden,one of the most significant and exciting new bands to come out of the UK in a fair while. Featuring Kick vocalist Nick Workman and Pulse / Bob Catley guitarist Vince O'regan, you should all know what to expect, right?..Wrong. If you are already imagining the band's remit to be high quality,multi layered pop-rock then you're in for a shock.

Says Majestic Rock A&R man of the band's debut album... "What struck me about the record was it's earthiness. This is a rock album, pure n' simple. There's dirt under the fingernails and the band aren't afraid to work up a little sweat. The songs groove and growl at you...You're gonna love it!

Vocalist Nick Workman says "We wanted to do something unexpected, so we went into the studio with no preconception of what we wanted to come up with. Infact, the very first time Vince and I met was in his studio the day we wrote a track called Love/hate which kind of set the tone of the album....full on, in your face rock songs!!"

Bass and drum duties for the self produced album come courtesy of Al Mills and Paul Rodgers respectively, and "Open minds" is due for
release on June 29th with the band lining up some high profile shows this summer. If you want to get down n' dirty with Eden, keep your eyes on the press for developments.

24th March

House Of Lords

House Of Lords, who headlined the second Firefest show in Nottingham back in November wil/ release their latest album, entitled 'World Upside Down', through Frontiers Records in May.

After the Firefest shows in England & Greece singer James Christian decided to continue with the trademark sound of House Of Lords with the help of his original bandmate Gregg Giuffria. whilst the remainder of the band's line up was revamped to add new life into the grandiose sound. Jimi Bell on guitars, B.J Zampa on drums and Jeff Kent on bass & keyboards make up the new powerhouse band.

This new album can be considered sonically as an extension of their critically acclaimed Demons Down CD. Every song tells a story and every moment of music is House Of Lords at its best!

"World Upside Down is quite possibly the best CD House Of Lords has ever released" says James Christian, who adds "this line up is here to stay and this is only the beginning of many more great records from us. The music will speak for itself and I guarantee the fans of the classic House Of Lords baroque and grandiose sound of our early albums will be delighted!"

The track listing for 'World Upside Down will run as follows:

Mask Of Eternity; These Are The Times; All The Way To Heaven; Field Of Shattered Dreams; I Am Free; All The Pieces Falling; Rock Bottom; Million Miles; Your Eyes; Ghost Of Time; My Generation; S.O.S and World Upside Down.

24th March

Lion Music Update

Lion Music have confirmed details of their release schedule for April. Titles set to be available are:

Sphere Of Souls - From The Ashes

`From the Ashes…' is the stunning debut album from Sphere of Souls, a new band that is already being described as the ultimate amalgamation of Dutch prog-metal talent.

Sphere of Souls features ex-Sun Caged members André Vuurboom (vocals) and Joost van den Broek (keyboards), who also handled production duties. Former Autumn Equinox bassist Kees Harrison and drummer Ruud van Diepen create the powerful backbone of the band, whilst rhythm guitar duties are handled by former Imperium guitarist Rob Cerrone. Lead guitar work is courtesy of virtuoso Anand Mahangoe.

`From the Ashes…' is an album of a conceptual nature, featuring thirteen tracks ranging from the heavy to the atmospheric. Fans of the band members' previous bands will not be disappointed at the music contained within, yet they will also hear a new sound that is unique to the band.

House of Shakira - Live At Firefest 2005 DVD

Swedish melodic rock sensations House Of Shakira rocked the prestigious Firefest festival in the UK on May 7th 2005 with a set list spanning their career from the 1997 debut `Lint' to 2004's critically acclaimed `First Class' . Live At Firefest 2005 showcases one of the most original bands on the AOR/Melodic Hard Rock scene and displays the band living up to their legend.

House of Shakira live at Firefest is a unique release from a rather unique band. The thing that set this DVD apart from so many other "so called" live DVD's today is that this is a real live recording! It's the real thing, no overdubs except a few small repaired parts caused from audio drop-outs and errors on some of the original recorded tracks. The concert features both Andreas Eklund and Mikael Eriksson on vocals and the crowd are obviously thrilled to hear songs from all the bands records. This release is a celebration to all who still play in real bands versus the flooding market of projects out there. House of Shakira has been around for some fifteen years now and the members are still in the band for the same reason as when they started it – to play the music they hear in their heads no matter what the flavour of the year is.


Venturia - The New Kingdom

VENTURIA are a new classic prog metal sensation hailing from France with their music being a mix of metal, clean pop-melodies, technical progressive rock and high virtuosity. The band has already gained a reputation in France as being "the future of metal".

The music on "The New Kingdom" is a filtered blend of the bands influences with the final product unique to VENTURIA. This sound offers something for everyone from the heavy, to the pop influences. The progressive side and high-virtuosity will please all the musicians, and both male and female fans will be able to relate to Venturia's very talented and beautiful female singer. All these things mixed together make VENTURIA different from the norm.

The New Kingdom is set to herald a new era for French Progressive Metal with Venturia being the band at the front of this movement

For more information then visit Lion Music's website at www.lionmusic.com
 

24th March

Quick Updates

Visible Noise is delighted to announce that the mighty Bring me the Horizon will be playing this years already legendary Download festival, on the Sunday the 11th June. Time and stage details are still to come

The band will also be appearing at the Full Ponty festival along with GLC, Feeder, FFAF and The Automatic on May 28th

Bring Me the Horizon is:

Oliver Sykes - Vocals
Matthew Nicholls - Drums
Lee Malia - Guitars
Matt Kean - Bass
Curtis Ward - Guitars

The EOE Rock 'N Metal Fest is new event taking place this year at Peterborough's East Of England Showground on July 15th & 16th.

What prompted the decision to bring an International merger of heavy rock and thrash metal, a head to head of denim versus leather to the UK's East of England Showground? According to Promoters EuROMET ProMOTIONS it is the perfect venue. A combination of location and accommodation that has an experienced staff, second to none, capable of handling such a substantial and high profile International event. They maintain there is a dearth of venues like the EOE Showground that are not only in short supply in the UK but also in Europe, which are desperately needed to provide a showcase outlet for the vast hordes of unrecognised talented to strut their stuff or promote their latest offering. Here, at last, say the promoters, is a very real chance for frustrated bands to bypass the soul destroying path to the ever closed A&R door and avoid the eternal, no hope, wait for a call to play at one of the very few impregnable closed shop Fort Knox Fest's!

Confirmed bands so far are....

Altaria, Battered, CowdeR, Dark Lunacy, De Shifer, Eldritch, Fallen Skies, Headless Cross, Jurassica, Kreuzdammer, Limeshark, Listeria, Ronnie Montrose,  Morph, Pitiful Reign, Point Sven Pistol, REK, Oliver Dawson Saxon, Scaar, Scurge, Steel Attack and Twilight

EuROMET ProMOTIONS say the general fan loving public hold the key to the Metallica's or Sabbath's of tomorrow! Encouraging you to `vote with your feet' and turn up in droves to this Inaugural International Rock 'n' Metal Fest that will offer much more than just excellent music. Do that they say and EuROMET will become an annual Festival.

There will be a wide variety of other daily entertainment finishing each night with a digitally coordinated pyromusical firework display to the strains of (AC/DC's) `Thunderstruck'.

Tickets are now on sale via the EuROMET 2006 website at www.metalmusicfest2006.com

Def Leppard will play a brace of UK shows as part of their summer 2006 Euro jaunt. The two dates are at Sheffield's Hallam Arena on June 17th & London Hammersmith Apollo on June 18th. Support for both shows comes from Cheap Trick & The Sensational Alex Harvey Band.

Biomechanical have lined up another set of UK shows in support of their most recent 'Empires Of The World' opus. The new shows take place at London's Electrowerkz on April 16th, where the band support Skindred, Bournemouth opera House on June 6th (where they support Akercoke) and finally London Islington Carling Academy on August 6th as part of the Uxfest gig

As well as playing at this years Monsters of Rock show at Milton Keynes Bowl, Alice Cooper will also play a headline show at Sheffield City Hall on May 29th.

22nd March

Quick Updates

Roadrunner Records have announced the signing of legendary guitarist Zakk Wylde and his band, Black Label Society. Having sold over 1.4 million albums worldwide BLS is currently working with producer Michael Beinhorn (Soundgarden, Ozzy Osbourne, Red Hot Chili Peppers) on 'Shot To Hell' due out in June. "After spending a lifetime as Wylde Z. Coyote, I guess it was just a matter of time before I'd catch the Roadrunner,” jokes Wylde. BLS, who were just announced as the US Ozzfest second stage headliner, are planning a UK tour for early Autumn. Zakk is also writing and recording with Ozzy Osbourne for Ozzy's new solo album.

"Signing Zakk and Black Label Society is an honour,” stated Roadrunner Records Director of A&R Mike Gitter (Killswitch Engage, Cradle of Filth). “The guy is genuine rock royalty whose talent is only matched by his vision. He is the real deal and his legacy as one of the greatest guitarists of all time has already been cemented.”

Escape Music have announced that their latest signing is the Taz Taylor Band, featuring on lead vocals the well loved rocker Graham Bonnet (Rainbow / MSG / Alcatrazz). Taz Taylor Band are Neil Taylor, Robert Miller and Dirk Krause. Their music is very similar to previous Graham recordings MSG /Alcatrazz/ Rainbow. The album release date shall be announced shortly.
 

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