31st May

Lunatica - Press Release

Frontiers Records have announced that that the recording sessions of the new Lunatica album “The Edge of Infinity” have now been completed.

The Symphonic masters from Switzerland, fronted by the fascinating singer Andrea Datwyler have been busy writing and recording the follow up to the highly acclaimed “Fables And Dreams” during the entire winter 2006. “This time we worked a lot in order to improve our approach to the music and sound. We did the preproduction by ourselves and then we sent the tapes up to Sascha Paeth and Miro (the same team responsible for the production of our previous album “Fables and Dreams” and of Kamelot, Rhapsody, Angra and many more great metal bands). Then they took their time to help us with the arrangements of the songs and with the production”, says Andrea.

The result was to have songs that sounded more mature, daring and powerful. The band for the first time also had the possibility to work with external songwriters such as Carl Falk and Sebastian Thott (Ana Johnsson, Lindsay Lohan). Andrea continues: “We knew that it would have been hard to get even some listening copies of new songs from them. But with much effort and even more phone calls we got in contact with Carl. We told him that it would have been a real dream come true for us to get one of their songs. We didn't give up and after 3 months we convinced him and Sebastian to give us the song "Who You Are". We made them believe in us and they are really happy now with our interpretation of the song”.

Not yet content with this, Lunatica also managed to include some amazing guest stars to take part to the recording. The legendary Dieter Meier of Yello has contributed with his narration to the album’s Introduction, while extraordinary singers such as John Payne (ASIA, ONE) and Oliver Hartmann appear singing duets with Andrea.

“John Payne was interested from the very beginning, but after he heard the song he definitely wanted to be part of it” explains Andrea, while “working with Oliver Hartmann was great, he is one of the best singers around and one of the most reliable persons that we know. We asked him to take also care of some of the choirs for some other songs on the new album, apart from the duet on EmOcean”.

The resulting album “The Edge of Infinity” promises to be a release to look out for. Melting a majestic and melodic sound with progressive influences ranging from AsiaA and Marillion (“Brave” era) and good slice of Symphonic Metal plus a very contemporary Pop-Rock edge on the first radio single “Who You Are”, Lunatica are a band to watch out for !

The track listing on “The Edge of Infinity” includes:
Introduction (feat. Dieter Meier); The Edge Of Infinity; Sons Of The Wind; Who You Are; Out!; Song For You (feat. John Payne); Together; The Power Of Love; Words Unleashed; EmOcean and EmOcean (feat. Oliver Hartmann).

Release date is already set for Europe on August 25th 2006, while the release in Japan shall be handled by Marquee/Avalon

31st May

The Riverclub

Spiky melodic rockers, The Riverclub, hit the road with US pop-punksters  ALLISTER (Drive Thru) & THE AQUABATS (Nitro) in July and August. Dates for this 'GOOD TO GO TOUR' are as follows:

July 25th 0  Bristol Carling Academy 2
July 26th - Cardiff University
July 27th -  Yeovil Ski Lodge
July 28th - Camberley Agincourt
July 29th -  Bournemouth Opera House
July 30th - Liverpool Carling Academy 2
July 31st -  Leeds Joseph's Well
August 1st - Manchester Jilly's Rockworld
August 2nd -  Edinburgh Studio 24
August 3rd -  Newcastle Carling Academy 2
August 4th - Birmingham Carling Academy 2
August 5th - London Islington Carling Academy
August 6th - Portsmouth Wedgewood Rooms
August 7th - Norwich Arts Centre

The Hastings based quintet also plan to release in September a new single,  'Call If You Want To', taken from their debut mini-album available now on Bravestar records.

31st May

Time For A Bit of Fun

You may remember that last week we ran an advert for more contributors to HardRockHouse.com. Well for a bit of fun a supposed friend of mine sent in the following translation of the advert just to let you now what your in for!

Due to the continued growth of HardRockHouse.com we are looking for further contributors to the site to help with the number of album and live review requests that we get.

Translation: Due to the fact that the current team of contributors are pissed off with the workload  we need more mugs to write reviews!

Obviously this isn't paid, we all do this simply for the love of the music but it is good fun.

Translation: Do not expect any monetary reward, just loads of piss taking!

You don't even have to be the greatest writer in the world,

Translation: Don't worry Steve will re-write it as politically correct!

A deep knowledge and love of rock music in general is far more important.

Translation: You must be a sad git with no life who in his/her teens went nightclubbing in every available rock club and bought every CD going and read nothing but rock mags ( or is that just me!)

The only things we ask for is that you are capable of meeting deadlines

Translation: This is Steve's attempt at humour!

and are open minded as we cover all aspects of rock music from EMO to thrash and every point in between.

Translation: You must be open minded as the review editor is sad AOR/prog obsessive and will thus pick all the best stuff for himself!

If you are interested in contributing to the site then please send us a sample review, either of an album or a live show, along with your contact details

Translation: If you want to spend all your free time in front of keyboard or listen to music please contact us!

On a more serious note June is promising to be a big month for HardRockHouse.com with upcoming gigs set to be reviewed including Journey, Bon Jovi, Monsters of Rock, Queensryche, Def Leppard, Guns N' Roses, Sikth, Extreme & Foreigner as well as all the normal album reviews, interviews etc etc etc. So keep checking back you never know what you might find!

31st May

Quick Updates

Subverse 46 takes place on Sunday June 4th at London's Camden Underworld. Headlining this time around are the NHS-baiting, bandage wearing, blood spilling zombie-core legends themselves, and winners of recent Zane Lowe ‘Fresh Meat’ competition, Send More Paramedics. Now, if you haven’t seen these guys play live, you really are missing one of THE great live music experiences in modern times. It also helps that the music is KICK ASS as well!!!! 

Ably supporting (like a rock solid foundation or……er……rock) this month are three excellent new bands, Ghost of a Thousand, The Commanche Code and Harpies, all of them ready willing and able to lay down their arms for Subverse 46, still the ONLY real all ages live metal/punk/rock live event in London. Hoo Har to that!!!

Escape Music have announced the signing of British band Alibi. The band's debut album, entitled 'Misdemeanours', will be released on  August 25. Their music is very similar to Thin Lizzy and all the songs are written and produced by the multi talented Vince O'Regan (Bob Catley, Eden). The rest of the Alibi's line up is completed by vocalsit Rick Chase, guitarist AJ MIlls, bassist Andy Mills and drummer James Wright

Blabbermouth.net is reporting that the second edition of the UK ProgPower Festival will take place on Saturday, March 31, 2007 at the Centaur, Cheltenham, England.

Commented the organizers in a statement: "After all the fantastic feedback we had, the positive reviews, the deluge of e-mails, and the massive support we received for ProgPower UK 2006, there was no real choice. We had to do it again. We'll be keeping the same fantastic venue, the same number of bands, the video screens, the metal market, the same production team and staff. All the good stuff! We will also be keeping to our promise of bringing some of the best progressive and power metal bands from all over the world to Cheltenham for another truly international lineup. We hope you will be able to give us your support."

A new website will be launched very soon, and tickets will be on sale at 9:00 a.m. BST on July 1, 2006. The first 100 sold will become Platinum Pass holders for ProgPower UK 2007, with a membership card, early access to the venue, a free event programme (worth £5) and 10% off all official festival merchandise.

30th May

Quick Updates

Worcester rockers B* Movie Heroes have been confirmed to play Uxfest 2006 ­ the charity festival taking place on Sunday August 06 at London's Islington Academy and Bar Academy.

They will join a line-up of bands that include Skindred, Bring Me The Horizon, Engel, Profane, Shellshock, Fireapple Red, Head-on, Biomechanical, Murder One, Kingsize Blues, Inner Rage, Mumrah, NWS, Sylosis, Forever Never, Outcryfire, PDHM, and Architects.

Money raised will go to the The Natandy Fund in support of orphans of the Tsunami www.natandy.com and Yeldall in support of homeless and disadvantaged young people www.yeldall.org.

Tickets are now on sale ­ visit www.uxfest.org or www.myspace.com/uxfest

Celtic Frost play London's Mean Fiddler on Saturday 19th August in support of their recently released Monotheist album.

Swedish metallers Entombed have lined up a quartet of UK dates in September in support of their new album, 'Serpent Saints' whic is scheduled for release on Septmber 18th.

September 13th - Nottingham Rock City
September 14th - Glasgow Cathouse
September 15th - Sheffield Corporation
September 17th - London Mean Fiddler

Following on from yesterdays' new about Finnish Eurovision winners Lordi playing Nottingham Rock City on October 26th, the masked ones have announced a further three UK dates and will now play Birmingham Carling Academy 2 on October 27th, Manchester University on October 29th and London's The Forum on October 31st.

30th May

My Ruin UK Tour- Press Release

LA rockers My Ruin have confirmed the UK and French 'Summer Of Hell Tour' 2006!

Led by the legendary Tairrie B and guitarist Mick Murphy, My Ruin will hit the UK in June and July to promote the band's current album 'The Brutal Language'.

Having displayed their sheer live power earlier this year, the quartet return to action before they complete work on their next album back in Sunny LA.

For the first time in the band's career, My Ruin also hop across the Channel and hit the road in France. With French drummer Matt in tow, these shows are guaranteed to be something special!

Joining the quartet for the UK leg will be Undergroove rock 'n' rollers GU Medicine and Barrabas ­ who feature Paul Catten (Murder One/ Lazarus Blackstar).

Catch them at one of the following shows:

June 30th - London Garage
July 1st - Nottingham Rock City
July 2nd - Glasgow Cathouse
July 3rd - Birmingham Academy 2
July 4th - Liverpool Academy 2
July 5th - Newcastle Academy
July 6th - Bradford Rios
July 7th - Ashton Under Lyne Witchwood
July 8th - Sheffield Corporation
July 9th - Nuneaton Queens Hall
July 10th - Exeter Cavern
July 11th - Bristol Academy
July 12th - Southampton Joiners
July 13th - Norwich Waterfront

30th May

Danny Vaughn Update

Danny Vaughn has emailed out an update on the progress of the recording of his new album as well as a plea to fans. Danny's full statement shows below:

"Hello All,

A quick update from the English Midlands as we have been locked away for some lo-o-o-ong writing and arranging sessions for the past week or more and have one more week to go before the recording starts on June 3rd. Until you are working away with a full band, you don't have an album, simply a collection of songs. Once the guys all start putting their personalities into the playing is when the songs begin to have some cohesion and take on an independant life of their own. I'm happy to say that is what's happening now. Tony, Pat, Lee, and Steve have all dived in head first and brought a whole new life to the songs I have been writing over the past year. What does it sound like with the band that I have toured with for the past year or two? Well, I'm going to make the cardinal sin that ALL bands do when asked about their new albums and say "uuhhhh.. well,,,,it's Heavier!" Yikes, that sounds lame, I know! However, this is the first time that I have ever recorded with a two guitar attack and that, by itself, is going to change the songs a great deal. It still sounds like me, but.....ummmmm... heavier. :-)

I'm loving how this is coming out and I hope you all will too. Sometime in the late summer I will post some snippets on this site to tease you with.

Another thing that has been discussed is the name of the band. Since there has been a constantly rotating memebership, due to the infrequencies of our recordings and tours, the idea was proposed to release the new cd under the name Danny Vaughn instead of just Vaughn. Also, over the past 5 years I keep finding that if someone doesn't know you and asks the band name and I say "Vaughn" I am inevitably asked to repeat it several times. For some reason it's a difficult name to get. But, it's not a move that is being considered out of ego on my part. So I'm putting it out to you guys to look for your opinions on the matter. Some think that if I go under my full name people will think it's an acoustic album. So let me dispell that notion right now. (did I mention that it's heavier? )Anyway, let me know your collective thoughts.

Now I'm going to make a rather strange request here. Bear with me. About 2 years ago I received a very heartfelt and moving letter from a family in America that had been through an incredibly difficult trauma. Without divulging any personal details, it involved them nearly losing their 4 year old son. The father had written to me, and sent a tape of a tv show that had been done about this young boy and his miraculous survival. I was stunned when he went on to say that he wanted to write a song for his son so that he could tell him, through music, how much he meant to him and his mother. Not being a musician, he then said that he felt that I was the only writer he knew that could do it properly. Wow. Now I have to admit, with a great deal of shame, that this letter came to me during a very difficult time in my life, where my creativity was at an all time low and, try as I might, I wasn't able to come up with anything that I thought would do them justice. So, hanging my head, I let the whole thing slip away after a while.
That, however, has changed now and I have written what will be the lead off track to the new album with them in mind. It is a very powerful song, if I do say so myself, and I am hoping that they will find it suitable, BUT, (another embarassing admission here) the last time I moved, a great deal of my things went into storage and I cannot find their names and addresses. I seem to remember that they lived in the Carolinas, but I could be wrong. Anyway, if you happen to know them (since my circle of fans is relatively small and on good terms with one another) or you are them and reading this, please, would you contact me here and let me know? I would like you to be the first to hear this new song, called "Miracle Days" to see what you think.

Thanks to everybody that continues to write in and offer good wishes and support. It really is what keeps me going! I'll keep you posted as the recordings go on.

Have a great summer,
Danny Vaughn"

30th May

New York Dolls

After a mammoth 22 year wait, the third official studio release from the New York Dolls will finally be released on July 24th. The album, which has been christened 'One Day It Will Please Us To Remember Even This' will feature thirteend brand new tracksand the final  track listing is as follows:

We're All In Love, Runnin's Around, Plenty Of Music, Dance Like A Monkey, Punishing World, Maimed Happiness, Fishnets & Cigarettes, Gotta Get Away From Tommy, Dancing On The Lip Of A Volcano, I Ain't Got Nothin', Rainbow Store, Gimme Love And Turn On The Light and Take A Good Look At My Good Looks

The album, which was produced by Jack Douglas, will also be released as a limited edition version containing a bonus DVD including band history, the making of the album and exclusives interviews. The band have also been confirmed for the Lost Weekend which takes place at Powderham Castle in Devon on June 25th.

30th May

Cheap Trick

Cheap Trick release their latest studio album, entitled 'Rockford' on June 26th through SPV Records. Rockford is their first album of new material in three years and was produced by the band with co-production credits going to the likes of Jack Douglas, Linda Perry and Steve Albini.

over a career that has lasted in excess of thrity years, the band has had numerous successes, including six platinum albums and several Top 40 hits in the USA.  The combined talents of Robin Zander, Rick Nielsen, Tom Petersson and Bun E. Carlos continue to resonate with generations of musicians and fans alike. ROCKFORD concentrates these formidable strengths into 12 stellar songs that, together, form an album which can stand beside any of the band's prior releases.

In the words of Tom Petersson, "This new record has all the best elements of our entire catalogue. It's by far our best work yet."

The full track listing for Rockford is as follows:

Welcome To The World, Perfect Stranger, If It Takes A Lifetime, Come On Come On Come On, O Claire, This Time You Got It, Give It Away, One More Day, Every Night And Every Day, Dream The Night Away, All Those Years and Decaf

Cheap Trick play two UK dates in June supporting Def Leppard. These are at Sheffield's Hallam Arena on June 17th & London's Hammersmith Apollo on June 18th.

29th May

Lion Music Update

Lion Music have just released details of the June 2006 release schedule which includes albums from Daniel Palmqvist and CJSS, both scheduled to hit shops on June 16th.

‘A Landscape Made From Dreams’ is the debut album from Swedish guitar maestro Daniel Palmqvist. The music is a collection of 12 sonic tapestries that are diverse in styles yet combine to make a truly cohesive body of work guaranteed to appeal to non-guitar players as well as their stringed counterparts.

Palmqvist’s approach to the instrument is inspired by the likes of Eric Johnson, Yngwie Malmsteen, Allan Holdsworth, Pat Metheny, Steve Lukather, Dan Huff and Kee Marcello, Daniel’s playing combines the technical proficiency of the above with a strong dose of melody to make his own unique voice. On songwriting inspiration Daniel’s states, “For some of the songs I had a clear idea of a certain feeling or mood that I wanted to get across to the listener. On other songs I started out with a mental image, or as in one case, just a quote from a movie. Then sometimes I just get a melody or a riff in my head and go for it.”

‘A Landscape Made From Dreams’ was written over a 2 ½ month period spread out over the winter of 2005 and the spring of 2006. Daniel Palmqvist and producer Daniel Flores (Mind’s Eye) worked on and off during this time due to their activities outside this project. The basic rhythm tracks where recorded in about two weeks in Flores’s “Sound Vs Science studios”, and then all lead guitars at Palmqvist’s studio “Landscapes Made From Dreams studios” towards the end of this period. Mats Lindfors mastered the album at MasterRoom.

On the aim of the album Daniel comments, “The most important thing for me was to make an album of interesting songs, with thought through arrangements and memorable melodies that would appeal to both guitar players and non-musicians alike. Of course, the guitar playing is very important to me, but I enjoy good guitar playing in a context of good music, so the songs were my main priority. I’ve sometimes found myself fast-forwarding to get to the solo when I listen to instrumental rock guitar albums, but I hope theses songs will capture the listeners imagination and take them on a musical journey, as well as delivering a heavy dosage of cool guitar stuff...

Providing the musical support to Daniel’s guitar work is the previously mentioned Daniel Flores on drums, and his Mind’s Eye partner bassist Johann Niemann. Palmqvist comments, “They both are fantastic players, long-time friends and their experience and musical input really helped the songs come alive”. In addition Andreas Olsson (Narnia, Rob Rock) contributed with his excellent bass playing on two of the tracks.

Daniel also had the privilege of having three guest keyboard soloists. The very melodic and tasteful Johannes Stöle (Pedestrians Of Blue, Orange Crush) plays a great keyboard solo on the song “Behind The Mirror” and a beautiful organ solo on “If Things Where Different”. Kaspar Dahlqvist (Dionysus) performs a fantastic solo on “Moment Of Clarity”, a player with a great sense of melody and a distinctive personal voice. Finally on the title track Andreas Lindahl (session keyboard player) shows up with a stunning keyboard solo, rhythmically interesting and performed with amazing technique.

The Track Listing for 'A Landsacpe Made From Dreams is as follows:

Welcome, Devil's Dance, Moment of Clarity, If Things Were Different, Riddle Me This, Carte Blanche, After the Rain, Truffle Shuffle, Behind the Mirror, Song for Pongo, Words of Wisdom & A Landscape Made from Dreams (Farewell)

2-4-1 contains two classic albums from CJSS, ‘World Gone Mad’ and ‘Praise the Loud’. CJSS was formed by guitar wizard David T. Chastain during early 1984 with two other members of the band Spike, drummer Les Sharp and bassist Mike Skimmerhorn, and vocalist Russell Jinkens who had gained fame for his stint in local Cincinnati cover band Prizoner.

World Gone Mad was recorded in late 85 and released in early 86. David Chastain comments, “These were the tracks we had been playing since the band's beginning in late 84. "Communication Breakdown" was really just a track leftover from our cover band days in Spike that always seemed to go over well so we decided to include it on the Cd. I would say my personal favourites on the CD would be "No Man's Land" and "Living In Exile." The solo sections are still something I play in my practice routine. The track “Destiny" was always a big favourite with the female fans. For a first effort I thought it was pretty impressive”.

Praise The Loud was recorded in mid 86 and released in late 86. Chastain states, “This recording was a little better produced than WGM. Personal favourites include "Citizen of Hell" and "The Bargain." The track "Metal Forever" became the theme song for many radio stations during that era. "Out of Control" was usually the concert opener and rocked the house”.

Considering both CD's hit in the same year, needless to say, CJSS was a hot commodity during that time. In 87-88 they worked on material for a third CD but Chastain shifted his efforts towards his Chastain band as he had greater creative control. CJSS did release a third CD "Kings of the World" in 2000 but those songs were actually written back in 85-88. The band occasionally still plays reunion shows but no new recordings are planned.

David T. Chastain continues his assault on record buyers worldwide and today has well over 20 titles in his catalogue.

The Track Listing for 2-4-1 runs as follows:

World Gone Man
Hell On Earth, No-Man's-Land, Communication Breakdown, World Gone Mad, Run To Another Day, The Gates Of Eternity, Destiny, Welcome To Damnation & Living In Exile

Praise The Loud
Out Of Control, Land Of The Free, Don't Play With Fire, Praise The Loud, Citizen Of Hell, Danger, Metal Forever, Thunder And Lightning & The Bargain.

29th May

McQueen

McQueen have signed a Worldwide deal with Demolition records to release their hotly anticipated debut album "Break the Silence" later this summer. Demolition Records have in recent years earned a reputation as one of the UKs leading independent rock labels with many older and larger rock acts opting to sign to them including the likes of Hanoi Rocks, Van Halens' Dave Lee Roth and Twisted Sister.

Meanwhile Demolition have also cultivated a strong string of new acts led by Japanese scuzz rockers Electric Eel Shock who are starting to break worldwide. Now McQueen look primed to follow in their footsteps. Their album "Break the Silence" was recorded in sections in between a healthy touring schedule that has spanned the last two and a half years .The album features a number of tracks mixed by Queens of the Stone Age/Tool producer ³Evil² Joe Barressi who took time out to mix McQueen tracks in between Tool duties.

McQueen will be supporting the release of their debut album with a heavy global touring schedule for more details etc check out www.mcqueenmusic.com or www.myspace.com/mcqueen You can also receive a free McQueen Mp3 by logging onto any of the bands websites.

29th May

Quick Updates

Breed 77 have been confirmed to play at Guilfest on July 16th and also at this years Bulldog bash on August 12th

Roadstar have been added to the bill of the upcoming Monsters Of Rock festival that takes place on Saturday June 3rd at the Milton Keynes Bowl. The band have also been added to the bill of the pre-show party that takes place the night before at Milton Keynes Pitz venue where they will open a show that is headlined by Diamond Head

Finnish Eurovision Metal heroes Lordi play Nottingham Rock City on October 26th

26th May

Sinner Ink Deal With MT

Sinner have signed a new recording deal with MTM MUSIC/SPV. Tom Naumann (Guitar), Frank Rössler (Keyboards) and of course Mat Sinner (Vocals & Bass) have started the song writing for their new album "Mask Of Sanity" and booked a recording studio near Stuttgart for September. Three years after his departure from Primal Fear, current My Darkest Hate  drummer Klaus Sperling, who joins as a new fulltime member, will fill the drum seat both on the new album and at their forthcoming live shows. 

MTM president Mario Lehmann: "I’m really proud and especially happy about this signing and that a metal legend like Mat Sinner decided to release his next Sinner album on MTM Music. With “Mask Of Sanity”, we will not only please the traditional friends of hard rock, but also a lot of metal fans!”

Mat Sinner: "It's really fantastic to have Klaus back on board and with MTM MUSIC, we found a great trustfully partner for the bands future! I can promise, that “Mask Of Sanity” will be a 100% Sinner album, with a lot of harmony guitars and all trademarks of the Sinner history! Klaus Sperling is no stranger to the Sinner songs, as he helped out the band on their Japan tour 1999, their European tour with Dio in 2000 and some open air performances in Europe. Sperling played drums on the highly acclaimed Sinner version of Accepts classic Balls To The Wall (A Tribute To Accept)!. We've finished the pre-production for the first bunch of tracks and we're excited. Here are some of the song titles: "The Sign", "Revenge", "Last Men Standing", "Thunderroar", "Mask Of Sanity" and "Black". We're going on with the pre-production and get back with some more news ASAP!"

Also joining the band and taking on second guitar duties will be Metalium guitarist Matthias Lange. The debut show for the new Sinner line up will be on Oct 7th in Reichenbach, together with Primal Fear!

Long-time band collaborator Achim Koehler has been confirmed to be involved with the production of the new album, as the main engineer and he will mix "Mask Of Sanity"! Guitarist Tom Naumann: "It's cool to kick some more ass after the great Execution album. Great to have Klaus & Achim back in the team!

SINNER and MTM MUSIC have set the release date for their new album "Mask Of Sanity" for January 19th, 2007

25th May

Guns N' Roses

Not content to be headlining this years edition of Download Festival on June 11th at Donington Guns N' Roses have lined up a full UK arena tour for July. The dates so far announced are as follows:

July 18th - Sheffield Hallam Arena
July 19th - Newcastle Metro radio Arena
July 21st - Glasgow SECC
July 23rd - Manchester MEN Arena
July 25th - Birmingham NEC
July 27th - Nottingham Arena
July 30th - London Wembley Arena

Tickets for the shows go on sale as of Friday 2nd June and special guests for the trek will be Bullet For My Valentine

25th May

Quick Updates

To compliment their current UK tour Down, the band featuring Pantera duo Phil Anselmo & Rex Brown as well as Corrosion Of Conformity's Pepper Keenan, will now also be appearing at this years Download Festival. Look out for a review the band's Newcastle show on the site over the next few days.

Escape Music have announced the signing of Evil Masquerade for the release of their latest album which has been christened "Third Act"  The album will be released on July 21st and features the following track listing:

The Devil's Last Temptation, Third Act, Black Raves Cry, Descended From the Grave,  Far Away, The Dark Minstrel Plays, I'll Make You Burn, Under the Surface of Water, Orchestration For More Than One Horn , Bring On the World and The Final Goodbye.

On the same day Escape will also release the new album from Saracen, entitled Vox In Excelso, a concept album dealing with the legends surrounding the Knights Templar and very much in keeping with current bestseller and now successful movie The DaVinci Code. The full track listing for Vox In Excelso is as follows:

Lament, Meet Me At Midnight, Exile, The Order, Militum Christi, Mary, Vive Dieu...Saint Amour, The Power & The Glory, Chain Reaction, Vox In Excelso, Where Was Their God? and Priory Of Zion.

24th May

Quick Updates

GPS, the new band fored by former Asia members John Payne Guthrie Govan, and Jay Schellen have been confirmed as special to guests to Y&T on the American rockers September & October UK tour. The dates for the trek are as follows:

Sept 29th - London Mean Fiddler
Sept 30th - Bradford Rios
Oct 1st - Dudley JBs
Oct 3rd - Nuneaton Queens Hall
Oct 4th - Bristol Bierkeller
Oct 5th - Manchester Academy 3
Oct 6th - Glasgow Cathouse
Oct 7th - Nottingham Rock City

The band have also nearly completed work on their debut album, which is to be entitled 'Window To The Soul' and is scheduled to be released in August via InsideOut Records.

Fresh from their success in the Eurovision Song Contest, Finnish band Lordi have been added to the bill of this years Download Festival. The band will play the Gibson Guitar/MySpace.com stage on Saturday 11th June.

Motorhead have reportedly set 'Kiss Of Death' as the title for their new album which is scheduled to be released in late August via SPV Records. The band play a comprehensive UK tour during November and you cna check out all of the dates via our Gig Guide

Former Little Angels frontman Toby Jepson has confirmed a gig at The Corporation in Sheffield on Saturday 23rd June

23rd May

Diamond Head

Diamond Head are to release a new live album, entitled 'It's Electric', through Secret Records on June 26th. 'It's Electric was recorded at the bands show at the Astoria in London on November 4th, 2005, and features a mixture of classic tracks and new material. this will be the second Diamond Head album to feature singer Nick Tart, who made his debut on 2005's critically acclaimed album 'All Will Be Revealed' opus.

The full track listing for It's Electric is as follows:

Am I Evil (intro), It's Electric, Give It To Me, The Prince, Mine All Mine, Lightning To The Nations, Fallen Angel, To The Devil His Due, Alimony, I Can't Help Myself, Sucking My Love, Streets Of Gold, Helpless, Am I Evil and In The Heat Of The Night.

In the album's liner notes, Kerrang! writer Dom Lawson describes Diamond Head as "one of the greatest British heavy metal bands of all time… criminally underrated, with a staggering catalogue of magnificent, shit-kicking anthems." He concludes: "There has never been a better time to reassess this remarkable band."

It's Electric is both a celebration of Diamond Head's heritage and a reaffirmation that the band is very much back in business. As guitarist and founder member Brian Tatler explains, "We've never sounded better live, and a lot of that comes down to having a new singer. Nick has re-energized the band. He's brought a lot of fresh ideas and fresh enthusiasm. And the response we've had to the new material has been fantastic."

The release of the CD version of 'It's Electric' will be followed later in the summer by a DVD of the show. In the meantime Diamond Head have the  following live dates planned over the coming weeks:

May 29th - Leicester The Shed
June 2nd - Milton Keynes The Pitz
June 7th - Ashton Under Lyme The Witchwood
June 21st - London Camden Underworld

23rd May

John Waite

Frontiers Records have announced details of the European release of John Waite's new studio album “Downtown Journey of a Heart” which is scheduled to be released on July 7th 2006.

The new record is a selection of classic songs from Waite’s repertoire which have been completely re-arranged and re-recorded from scratch. “It’s a sort of a greatest hits retrospective release that also looks ahead, a way to express musically the different phases on my career”, explains the Lancaster-born singer.

John Waite has had several songs — including "Missing You", the Babys' "Isn't It Time" and Bad English's "When I See You Smile" — becoming radio staples worldwide. Even if best known for his ballads, John is truly a rocker in his heart.

“This new record is a way to connect together the three different parts of my career, with Babys, Bad English and as a solo artist”, says Waite, adding “The approach to the new recording of the old classics was very simple and basic, based on the way I play the songs live. Direct and rock… just guitars, Hammond, piano… no synth”.

In addition to a careful selection of his classics, Waite recorded two new songs. “Highway 61”, an infectious Bob Dylan cover which is straight ahead blues rock and “St. Patrick's Day”, a cinematic lullaby about two people meeting in New York and falling in love. Both represent the direction I am about to take next for the prosecution of my solo career”.

The final track listing of “Downtown Journey of a Heart” includes the following songs:

The Hard Way; In Dreams; Blue Venus; Missing You; Keys To Your Heart; Highway 61; Isn’t It Time; St. Patrick’s Day; New York City Girl; Headfirst; Downtown and When I See You Smile.

23rd May

Quick Updates

To coincide with his appearance at Z Rock in September, Magnum vocalist Bob Catley has announced three further solo shows as he continues to support his most recent album 'Spirit Of Man'. The full itinerary for Catley now reads as follows:

September 7th - Sheffield Boardwalk
September 24th - Dudley JBs Z Rock
November 11th - perth The Famous Bein Inn
November 18th - Belfast Rosseta Bar

All of these shows will be special acoustic/unplugged sets featuring Bob Catley on vocals alongside Vince O'Regan on guitar/backing vocals and Gavin Cooper on bass/guitar/backing vocals.

A whole host of new acts have been added to the Latitude Festival that takes place between July 14th – 16th 2006 at Henham Park, Southwold, Suffolk. The acts recently added to the line up include British Sea Power, Stephen Fretwell, The Crimea and Cord, whilst artists already confirmed for the event include Patti Smyth, Snow Patrol, The Zutons, Mogwai & Mercury Rev. Full details on the show can be found via the festivals official site at www.latitudefestival.co.uk

Audioslave have cancelled their entire UK & European tours, including appearances at this years Reading & Leeds festivals. No reason has yet been given for the cancellation. Audioslave have just finished work on their third album, entitled 'Revelations' which is scheduled to be released later this year.

HardRockHouse unsigned bands alumni DirtyMac have a batch of live shows lined up over the coming months. The dates so far scheduled are:

May 27th - Lark in The Park Islington London
June 9th - King Billy Northampton
June 17th - The Loft Cambridge
June 28th - Hope & Anchor Islington London
June 29th - Racehorse Northampton
July 14th - Storm London
July 28th - Red Room London
August 12th - Caernarvon Caster London
Sept 5th - Hope & Anchor Islington London

Open Mind, the debut album from UK rockers Eden, who count Vince O'Regan & Nick Workman in their ranks is released on June 26th via Majestic Rock Records.

As previously Eden  play Z Rock Part II at Dudley JB's on September 24th, the Bloodstock Festival at the Assembly Rooms in Derby on September 29th as well as the Open Minds Launch Party which take place at Stourbridge Rock cafe 2000 on June 25th. For further information you can check out the band's website at www.edentheband.co.uk

22nd May

Quick Updates

Johnny Truant have had to cancel a number of their forthcoming UK July shows to play the Scene Music Festival in Downtown St. Catherine's in Canada. They play the festival on July 9th with Alexisonfire, City + Colour, Black Lungs, Boys Night Out and The Junction.

The UK shows which the band are having to cancel are:

7th July Sanctuary Music Venue @ Toms, Pontypridd
8th July Collision Course @ Bridgend Rec Centre
9th July Collision Course @ Yeovil Ski Lodge

They are currently getting ready to play Download in June on the Snickers Stage Saturday 10th.

Undergroove Records has just licenced the band's two records - 'In The Library Of Horrific Events' and 'The Repercussions Of A Badly Planned Suicide' - in Canada to Dine Alone Records. They are both set for release very soon.

Dorset rockers, getAmped, have taken steps to change their upcoming headline show at The Garage in London on June 3rd, into a 14+ show, as long as the young rocksters are accompanied by an adult. With nearly 16,000 fans on their database, many under 18, this unusual step is definitely one for the fans!

As proclaimed by the band: "Lets face it, it still rocks, cause you can leave your adult at the bar whilst you ROCK THE F**K OUT!". The show is being filmed for TV and looks set to be an event to  remember.

The band follow up their London date supporting The Who at Knebworth on the 8th and then play at Download on the 10th.

The 1st Birthday Party of the Frontiers Rock Night takes place on Saturday 27th May 2006 at the V Bar in Leek. To celebrate the anniversary both Crimes Of Passion & Lost Weekend will be playing live from 7.00pm. Members of Dante Fox, Tony Mills of TNT and Shy plus staff of Z Records  will also be present to help things go with a swing. Once the live action is over there will also be a classic rock disco to round the evening off. More information can be found via www.frontiersrocknight.co.uk

In further Dante Fox news the band were recently interviewed mpeguk tv , you can see the whole interview online by visiting www.mpeguk.com/dantefox.htm . The band will enter the studio shortly to commence work on their all new studio album "Under The Seven Skies"

Roadstar will support Queensryche at the American bands Manchester Academy show on June 4th. In further Roadstar news the band will also be appearing alongside The Darkness at Liverpool Docks Arena on July 13th.

19th May

Sevendust Cancel Tour

American rockers Sevendust have cancelled their upcoming UK tour. In a posting on their website the band put the cancellation down to a "lack of tour support once guaranteed by our previous label". The band go on to say that they have "regrettably been forced to cancel our European tour plans for the month of June" and that they "would like to express our apologies and share in the disappointment with our fans but vow to return to Europe in the very near future".  The dates affected by this cancellation are:

June 10th - Glasgow Garage
June 12th - London Camden Underworld
June 13th - Brighton Concorde 2

19th May

The Almighty

Earlier this year when we spoke to Ricky Warwick he mentioned that there was a possibility that The Almighty may do some more shows together following on from the two very successful shows the band played in aid of Leukaemia Research back in January. Well this has certainly come to pass as The Almighty will be playing six UK shows over the coming months. First up is a headlining appearance at The Bulldog Bash on August 11th and then, following this up, a series of five UK dates in December. The confirmed shows at this time are:

26th December - Nottingham Rock City
27th December - London Shepherd's Bush Empire
28th December - Sheffield Corporation
29th December - Newcastle Academy
30th December - Glasgow Garage

19th May

Circle II Circle

Circle II Circle, the band led by Savatage vocalist Zak Steven's will release their third album, entitled 'Burden of Truth', through AFM Records on August 4th 2006. A press release put out by the label gives the following insight into, what will be, a concept album:

"Inspired by the books “The Da Vinci Code” and “Holy Blood Holy Grail “ Zak Stevens and his band mates from Circle II Circle have begun an extraordinary journey through mind, fantasy, fact and history. A musical, spiritual and deeply touching journey they now are proud to present within a concept album that has never been made like this before.

Just imagine that through years of research tracing back through your family tree, you uncover a secret religious society founded in the first century AD that reveals to you that Jesus had been married to Mary Magdalene and you are in fact one of the direct descendants from that marriage and holy bloodline.

Now, with their third strike, the band is moving further –constant and brilliant as always and more: Circle II Circle 2006 are presenting themselves deeper and more charismatic than ever before and show that they are able to bring music onto a higher, deeper, darker and more intense level reached only by few… "

18th May

Fair Warning

Frontiers Records have announced the details of the European release of Fair Warning’s reunion album which has a working title of “Brother’s Keeper” in Europe. The band, which is now consists of singer Tommy Heart, guitarist Helge Engelke, bassist Ule W. Ritgen and CC Behrens on drums, and started working on the new songs in the fall 2005.

The new album, according to Ritgen is going to be “the most powerful we have done so far” and even if “we have tried to be heavier this time, we wanted to keep our melodic approach intact. By the first feedbacks we're getting, it worked out really well!”

The album will include, in no particular order, the following tracks:

All I Wanna Do; All Of My Love; Don't Keep Me Waiting; Generation Jedi; In The Dark; No Limit; The Cry (working title); Once Bitten Twice Shy; Push Me On; Rainbow Eyes; Tell Me Lies and The Way; Wasted Time.

“Regarding the song writing and stylistic variety”, adds Ule “we kept and refined the typical FW style, yet the approach and performance of each member is so much more unrestricted and intense”.

“It´s great to come back with an album like this, because now - in the final stages of mixing - listening back to what we have achieved, really makes us proud and confident, and that feels good...", concludes the bassist.

In addition to this highly anticipated album, scheduled for release in Europe on August 25th 2006, Frontiers Records have also announced the release, as a special appetizer, three back catalogue Fair Warning products, highly sought by collectors.

On July 9th, reissues of Fair Warning's first two albums: the self titled debut and "Rainmaker" (a record who sold a respectable 150,000 copies in Japan in the year of its original release, 1995) will hit the streets in Europe in their original artwork and track listing!
 

Fair Warning’s debut record is considered by many as a pure Melodic Hard Rock masterpiece. Produced by Rafe McKenna (Giant, Ten, Bad Company), the record reflected the creative environment of the band “very close the late 80’s USA Arena Rock sound”, while “Rainmaker” was a more mature effort, which gave the band the opportunity to produce themselves and sported their first hit single “Burning Heart”.

For the un-initiated here come samples of Longing For Love and The Heat of Emotion (off of “Fair Warning”) and Don’t Give Up and Stars And The Moon (off of “Rainmaker”)

In addition to these long out of print gems reissues, Frontiers Records will release the "Call Of The East – Live in Japan" DVD, a filming of an entire show held at the Club Citta in Kawasaki, Japan, on April 18th 1993. This DVD will be released in NTSC region free format and shall include the following track listing:

Sunset (intro); Out On The Run; Longing For Love; When Love Fails; Eastern Sun; Crazy; Take Me Up; Long Gone; Take A Look At The Future; Children’s Eyes; Hang On; The Eyes of Rock; One Step Closer; A Little More Love. Plus the extra tracks: The Heat of Emotion; The Call of The Heart; In The Ghetto; Sukiyaki; Mickey’s Monkey.

Six years after the highly acclaimed release of “Four”, get ready for a Fair Warning full style return and huge melodic hard rock overload.

18th May

Tony Mills - Continued

Following on from yesterdays update with regard to Tony Mills joining TNT, Tony was kind enough to mail the following statement to HardRockHouse in which he discusses how he came about landing the gig in TNT, his feeling with regard to replacing Tony Harnell and of course the future of Shy.

17th May

Quick Updates

Gun N' Roses will be playing a one off London gig at Hammesmith Apollo as a warm up for their headline appearance at the Download Festival on June 11th. This will be first time since 1987, on the Appetite For Destruction tour, that the band have played the Apollo. Joining Guns N' Roses for the show will be Californian rockers Avenged Sevenfold. Tickets go on sale Friday 19th May.

Bassist Rob Devore has just announced details of Florida band Teer's plans over the coming months:

"As of last night, the band has officially been scheduled to start recording our new CD titled "Assistance to the Hereafter". After so much work, pre-production, songwriting, and rehearsal, we are beyond excited to start working on what we believe will be the best hard rock recordings of our time....should only take about 6 weeks to record, mix and master so, we're looking at a fall release....We're also looking into putting together a tour around that time....

The sound on this CD will be alot heavier and in your face but is still melodic even though there'll be quite a bit of moshy parts....I don't think the Survivor/Journey fans will dig it at all....."

17th May

Tony Mills

Tony Mills of Shy, and now TNT has made the following statement on the Shy website with regard to him joining the Norwegian rockers in place of the departed Tony Harnell:

"Having been in discussions with the members of TNT in Norway over the last few weeks, I have decided to take the band up on an offer to front them throughout their forthcoming work in Europe. This may well include co-writing a new album for the band and touring in both Norway and the UK later in the year. Obviously, it's all new to everyone and we have to see how we work together, but the initial meeting in Berlin was very amiable and I think you could safely say that we 'hit it off' real well. I have to master The Andersson Mills Project and finish up some writing with Eric Ragno / Michael Riesenbeck and the China Blue project before I depart for Norway mid June. SHY are supporting TNT at the Polar festival on June 30 in Storsteinnes, Norway. This in itself is an unbelievable coincidence, but my priority was to sing this concert with SHY as I was already contracted to do so before any conversations took place with TNT. THis concert for TNT will be fronted by the ex-vocalist Tony Harnell as a farewell show for him. Personally, I play a solo concert on July 1 with Ian Richardson and the members of Winterstrain in musical support. This show will consist of some SIAM material and some songs from CRUISER. Also, SHY will join me to play some acoustic material as well."

In a further posting on his MySpace site Tony also added the following statement about his forthcoming plans:

"I admire TNT greatly and they write damn good songs as well, which helps !!! I often thought some years ago, that I kept hearing this song that I had sung on, that I must have forgotten from some session or other, and it turned out to be a TNT track that I had never had anything to do with. Freaky shit. The title will come back to me, I cant quite remember which one it was at the moment. 'Ang on, that was it,...'Tonight I'm Falling'... Anyway, I should be so lucky, it wasn't me after all. Wierd are the twists and turns of this art and industry.

So, after playing a gig for our roadies, Alex and Sy's birthday parties this weekend in Birmingham with SHY, it seriously is time to plunge headlong into the world that is Caught Between The Tigers and all those other classic TNT tunes penned over the last 20 odd years.

SHY still have shows booked; indeed, I will stay with SHY for the Polar Festival supporting TNT on 30 June; it is only right that I should have done. And the Robin at Bilston on Friday 13 October - can we have a more lucky date - please !!!! I will have covered some ground by then with TNT and will come back to the UK in July to work on Winterstrain's new album. In August I will go back to Norway to work with TNT again, and eventually land back in the UK for the Z Show on Sept 24.

Ya know, I have no idea what the hell else is round the corner tomorrow, but when I find out, I'll let ya know".

17th May

Blind Guardian

Legendary German metal heroes Blind Guardian have confirmed "A Twist in the Myth" as the title of their much-anticipated new album. The album is tentatively scheduled to be released in September through Nuclear Blast Records and will feature the following tracklisting: 

This Will Never End, Otherland, Turn the Page, Fly, Carry the Blessed Home, Another Stranger Me, Straight through the Mirror,  Lionheart, Skalds and Shadows, The Edge and The New Order

Prior to the release of the album the band will be shooting a video later this month for the track 'Another Stranger Me' which will be the first output from the band to feature new drummer Frederik Ehmke, who replaced Thomen Stauch in 2005.

Blind Guardian will also be playing a UK show at London Camden Electric Ballroom on September 26th alongside Astral Doors.

17th May

Music Summer Schools 2006 - Press Release

The UK's best music college Brighton Institute of Modern Music (BIMM) once again opens its doors for two groundbreaking summer schools. The summer schools give you the chance to improve techniques and styles while rubbing shoulders with the stars. During both summer schools you can study technical development and live performance skills using industry standard equipment, modern and vintage, under the guidance of the biggest names in music.

Between them the college tutors have sold hundreds of thousands of albums signed to major and independent record labels, had chart hits, toured the world at stadium level (including Australia, Japan, USA), played main stage at Download, Reading and Ozzfest, recorded dozens of Radio One sessions as well as having their music in films on television and in video games.

The Ultimate Summer School August, 7th to 10th will be studying and playing pop, indie , blues and funk including songs by: Kaiser Chiefs, Ordinary Boys, Franz Ferdinand, Artic Monkeys, Feeder, Led Zeppelin, Lenny Kravitz, Jimmy Hendrix, U2, Queen, Eric Clapton, Oasis, Michael Jackson and more.

The tutors include: Kenwyn House (Reef), Carleen Anderson (Brand New Heavies),Julian Deane (Toploader), Jon Stewart (Sleeper), Vinnie Lammi (Mel C), Alex Dickson (Robbie Williams), Geoffrey Williams (Michael Jackson), Alonza Bevan (Kula Shaker), Billie Godfrey (Beverley Knight), Mark Richardson (Feeder), Ace (Skunk Anasie), Jake Shillingford (My Life Story).

The Kerrang Metal Summer School August, 14th to 17th will be studying and playing songs by: Metallica, Trivium, Funeral For A Friend, Iron Maiden, Fall Out Boy, Slayer, Black Sabbath, AC/DC, Red Hot Chili Peppers, System of a Down, Green Day, Bullet For My Valentine, Sikth, Therapy, Lost Prophets and Slipknot. The tutors so far include: Kieron Pepper (Prodigy), Jason Bowld (Pitchshifter/This is Menace), Ace (Skunk Anasie), Julia Ruzica (Million Dead), Karl Middleton (Earthtone9), Guthrie Govan (Asia), Jim Davies (DJ Hyper).

Mark Clayden (Pitchshifter) said "The summer schools are awesome, where else in the world would you get to share a stage with these incredible musicians? We are in the process of confirming even more artists such as: Sikth, Hundred Reasons, Lucky 9, Therapy and The Ordinary Boys. It is going to be the best summer on record."

The summer schools are open to vocalists, guitarists, bass players and drummers. This year promises to be a sell out so please book your place early to avoid disappointment. BIMM runs a vast range of full time courses and currently has over 700 students. For information about the summer schools '06 or any other courses  please contact 01273 626666 or log on to www.bimm.co.uk

17th May

Diecast - Press Release

DIECAST have set 'Internal Revolution' as the title of their highly anticipated new album, which is currently set for a September 19th release through Century Media Records. The group will hit the studio with acclaimed producer Zeuss (Hatebreed, Shadows Fall) next week, and this will also serve as their first recording effort with an entirely new rhythm section composed of Dennis Pavia (drums) and Brad Horion (bass). DIECAST are now more focused and determined than ever and can't wait to show the world what they are truly capable of creating.

Paul Stoddard (vocals) checks in with the following report: “What's up bitches, sorry I haven't done this in awhile, but, as I'm sure you've already heard, a lot of shit has gone down. Long time drummer Jason Costa is no longer with us, and we wish him best of luck in life. The losses don't end there. After a lengthy time of self-reflection, Jeremy Wooden has decided to hang up his bass. He was the father of DIECAST and is still considered a brother to all. We wish Jeremy and his lovely girlfriend Adriana nothing but the best for there future, and he will be terribly missed.

"As they say, with loss comes gain. It's with great pleasure that I get to announce two new members to the DIECAST family. Please welcome Dennis Pavia (drums) and Brad Horion (bass). Dennis came to us before we even started officially looking for a replacement. We were so taken by his skill and ability to learn the material so quickly that we knew he would be the perfect fit. Brad (former bass player for Breadinground) has been our tour manager for quite some time now and even filled in for Jeremy on our European tour with Napalm Death. We are extremely proud to have both of these bitches now along for the ride and expect everyone to welcome them in with proper hazing and abuse.

"To our fans and friends, let there be no worries at all. DIECAST are now stronger than ever. We Just finished writing our new record, Internal Revolution, and I think it's going to be one of the most diverse records to hit our scene to date. Guaranteed to be something for everyone. We start recording the new record next week in Hadly, Massachusetts with the well-known producer Zeuss, the god of recording heavy bands. We'll continue to check in throughout the recording process. Thanks to all of our fans and friends who have been supporting us through all the shit we've been going through. We can't wait to party with every one of you. See you all soon."

16th May

Z Rock Part II Line Up Complete + Tony Mills Joins TNT

The line up for  Z Rock 2006 Part II, which is to be held at Dudley JB's on September 24th has been completed with the addition of Bob Catley & TNT to the line up which already included Firehouse, Snakeryder & Dante Fox amongst others.

Having just parted ways with vocalist Tony Harnell, TNT are still alive and kickin  and are proud to introduce the new man behind the mic; Singer Tony Mills from Birmingham, England. Tony is one of Europe's most respected hard rock singers, mostly known for his work with UK Melodic Rock act Shy and his solo artiste releases of recent years. Tony has worked along side such names as Cinderella, Dokken, Cozy Powell, Meatloaf, The Sweet and many more and will add a new and exciting dimension to TNT as the band enter a new era.

The full line up for the gig is now as follows:

Firehouse
TNT
Toby Jepson
Bob Catley
Snakeryder
Lost Weekend
Dante Fox
Eden

Tickets for the show are available from the following credit card hotlines: 01782 522370, 01323 833049 and 01489 603549

16th May

Y&T

Y&T are heading back to the UK for a comprehensive tour in September & October. The US rockers, led by guitarist/vocalist Dave Meniketti play the following dates:

September 29th - London Mean Fiddler
September 30th - Bradford Rios
October 1st - Dudley JBs
October 2nd - Nuneaton Queens Hall
October 4th - Bristol Bierkeller
October 5th - Manchester Academy 3
October 6th - Glasgow Cathouse
October 7th - Nottingham Rock City

15th May

Frontiers Records Updates

Shark Island

Frontiers Records have announced details of the European release of, Shark Island's, highly anticipated album “Gathering of the Faithful” which hit shops on July 7th 2006.

Born out of the ashes of, THE SHARKS, SHARK ISLAND was among the biggest and most prolific live acts in Los Angeles. This was in an era when there were literally hundreds of bands playing the Sunset Strip scene. They were trendsetters and imitated by many in the LA club rock scene at the time.

The band’s major debut “Law of the Order” was released in 1989 on Epic Records. It became a cult hit. SHARK ISLAND continued to tour hard, but destiny would dictate that they would not become the megastars many of their followers expected.

The guys eventually went their own ways, reuniting in 2005 under the initiative of executive producer Robert Marshall of Manifest Music who was able to contact guitarist Spencer Sercombe with a proposal; to re-write and give official release to some brilliant tracks that were unfortunately never fully developed.

To facilitate the recording of the new album, Spencer Sercombe flew out from Germany; Christian Heilmann came in from England and a phenomenal new drummer from So Cal, by the name of Glen Sobel (Beautiful Creatures, Ken Tamplin) joined the lineup. “The creative environment for “Gathering of the Faithful”, was simply mammoth”, states singer Richard Black.

After 9 months of work, the brand new studio album “Gathering of the Faithful” is now complete. Richard Black says: “I think stylistically, it is closer to the original concept of SHARK ISLAND. What we have here is some new, some old, blended with wisdom and aged like fine 12 year old scotch. You can't rush that”.

“Gathering of the Faithful” will include the following tracks
Blue Skies, Tomorrow’s Child; The Stranger; Go West; Welcome Goodbye; Life Goes On; Down To The Ground; Looking For The Sun; Heaven; I Had A Dream; Will To Power; Need Your Love and Temptation.

Long time fans of the band have something great to look forward to. And for those of you, to whom the band is new, welcome to SHARK ISLAND, enjoy!

Glenn Hughes

The legendary “Voice of Rock” presents his brand new album “Music For the Divine” to be released in Europe on June 9th 2006 on Frontiers Records in his own words. Enjoy the read !

Valiant Denial
With each album I record I like to have an opening track that signifies what kind of record I am about to make. With the guitar introduction and the bombastic drums, bass, grand piano and guitar, it grabs the listener. This track is one of my all time favourites.

Stepping On
What can I say? This is the classic funk rock performance with the introduction with my own special synth wah bass groove.

Monkey Man
This song just really moves. An amazing hook in the chorus with super funk verse.

This House
Quite possibly one of the finest I have written in my career. This song should be heard all over the world on the radio.

You Got Soul
I wanted to put on the album a fierce funk rock track featuring the super lung style of singing that my rock fans love. As with some tracks on the album, I am playing funk guitar on this song.

Frail
I first wrote and sang this song on acoustic guitar and when I first played it to Chad and when his wife walked in the room and heard it, she cried. It is a sad but beautiful song. One of my favourites.

Blacklight
Three years ago a good friend of mine Lana Clarkson was found dead in music producer Phil Spector’s home. As I release this album he goes on trial for her allegedly killing her. I am very angry and I vented my frustration out in this song.

Nights in White Satin
The first collaboration I did with John and Chad from RHCP. what can you say about this it is probably one of the best cover songs I have ever done. Frusciante rules.

Too High
Big rock groove with one of the voices appearing from outer space in the chorus. Great live song.

This is How I Feel
When I played this song to Chad Smith, we both thought John Frusciante would be perfect to play on this. It signals a new era of song writing for me which basically has been inside of me for many years, but I walked through the fear to record this song.

The Divine
The closer on my album is an autobiographical of the changes that have happened in my life all coming to a climax of emotion announcing my divine path of spiritualism.

12th May

Quick Updates

ARCH ENEMY will release their first DVD, Live Apocalypse, on August 8th, which is chock-full of phenomenal live footage, in-depth interviews and promotional video clips. Mike Amott (guitars) describes his thoughts on the upcoming DVD release: “The Live Apocalypse DVD is now finally complete. This shaped up to be an ultra cool 2-disc affair, and I honestly couldn’t be happier with it. The main show is from The Forum in London, UK (December ’04), and we also have footage from Manchester, UK in December ’05 (there’ll be 3 songs included from that). There are tons of extras and special features, as there should be. The artwork was done by Niklas Sundin of Cabin Fever Media, and we’ll be posting the cover ASAP. Andy Sneap’s audio mix (5.1 and stereo) is so heavy, it almost blew my speakers out! He really captured the live feel and power of the show; it's like you are right there in the audience. Brilliant! This DVD crushes some of my favourite metal DVDs from my own collection – and I have a sick collection. Once again, I am happy that we work with the best. They make us look and sound great.”

Z Records have announced that the forthcoming release of the Andersson Mills Project album 'Crank It Up' has been pushed back to July 3rd. Apparently vocalist Tony Mills, of Shy fame, has  completed the recording of the album and mastering will take place on May 25th. The full track listing for Crank It Up is as follows:

Crank It Up, Skin And Blood, Search And Destroy, Kill For Love, Smile, Anyone, Head On Collision, Bleedin' Heart, Nothin' But Poison, Straight From The Heart and No Rights.

A demo version of one of the tracks can be found via  http://www.myspace.com/zrecordsrocks

Trivium have reportedly almost finished recording their upcoming CD, scheduled to be released in October through Roadrunner Records and entitled 'The Crusade'. On Thursday, frontman Matt Heafy started tracking vocals at Audiohammer Studio in Orlando, Florida, where the band also recorded guitars and bass. Heafy is co-producing the disc with Audiohammer owner and previous collaborator Jason Suecof, and the album will be finished by the end of May .

Songs set for inclusion on the album are: "Ignition," "Contempt Breeds Contamination," "And Sadness Will Sear," "Vengeance," "To the Rats" and "Contemporary Plague." "There's one acoustic song, a Skid Row/ Mötley Crüe-sounding song, a Def Leppard, Southern-rock metal song and then 11 ridiculously technical thrash songs," Heafy said. "It's a solo insanity CD, but in a good way." ...

In further Roadrunner news, Blabbermouth is reporting that Megadeth have inked a deal with the label for the release of their forthcoming new album.

Contrary to a story that appeared on this website last month it now appears that Black Label Society will play the following UK shows during March 2007. Seetickets currently have tickets on sale for the following shows:

March 5th 2007 - Manchester Academy
March 6th 2007 - Newcastle Academy
March 8th - Birmingham Academy
March 9th - London Brixton Academy

Up and coming Irish band The Answer have been announced as support to Whitesnake on David Coverdale & Co's forthcoming UK dates during May, June & July. Check the gig guide for details of the shows.

Stone Sour will play London's Mean Fiddler on July 5th. The band, who release their sophomore album entitled 'Come Whatever May' through Roadrunner Records on August 22nd have also announced that they have recruited drummer  Roy Mayorga (Soulfly, Sepultura) as an official member of the band.

Alice In Chains will play London Mean Fiddler a day earlier on July 4th.

Dan Baird has lined up a series of UK dates during October. The former Georgia Satellites frontman plays the following shows:

October 11th - Bristol St Bonaventure's Centre, Bristol
October 12th - Southend Club Riga
October 14th - Glasgow King Tut's Wah Wah Hut
October 15th - Leeds New Roscoe
October 16th - Bilston Robin Hood 2
October 18th - Kendal Bootleggers Bar
October 19th - Newcastle Trillians
October 20th - London The Borderline

Diamond Head have the following live dates lined up over the coming weeks:

May 29th - Leicester The Shed
June 2nd - Milton Keynes The Pitz
June 7th - Ashton Under Lyne The Witchwood
June 21st - London Camden Underworld

12th May

The Answer -  Press Release

Northern Ireland’s award winning The Answer are proud to announce details of a massive forthcoming touring schedule throughout the Spring and the release of their brand new single, ‘Into The Gutter’ on May 22nd through Albert Productions. Ballsout rockers, The Answer are simply one of the best blues bands since Zeppelin and ‘Into the Gutter’ should put them on the right track for mainstream success in 2006. The single coincides with a host of headlining gigs throughout the UK, including a Kerrang! ‘Most Wanted’ tour in May and a gig with 65 Days Of Static at this year’s inaugural Great Escape showcase in Brighton.

Full tour dates are as follows:

May 21st -  London Barfly
May 22nd -  Birmingham Barfly
May 23rd -  Liverpool Barfly
May 24th -  Glasgow Barfly
May 25th - York Fibbers
May 26th -  Cardiff Barfly

‘Into The Gutter’ is the first fruit of their forthcoming debut album scheduled for a summer release. . The album boasts 11 massive balls out rock ’n roll tracks including productions from Andy Bradfield & Avril Mackintosh, Albert Productions (with legendary George Young in a backroom executive capacity) and mixes from Chris Sheldon (Foo Fighters). It was recorded a London’s Olympic studio 1, home of Zeppelin and Hendrix, and features tracks with a gospel choir and string orchestra. It’s worth waiting for…

As previously reported The Answer will also support Whitesnake on their upcoming UK tour.

Joining The Answer on Kerrang's Most Wanted tour will be Finnish quartet DISCO ENSEMBLE head over this way  keen to spread their unique sound throughout the British Isles

12th May

Takota - Press Release

Takota - the Anaheim, California based quintet - head over to our fair shores next week to begin a string of UK dates. Comprising of members from Reel Big Fish, Longfellow, Spindle &  Varota, these orange County rockers hark back to the days of great rock n roll!!


May 18th - Cambridge, Portland Arms
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 Camden Underworld
June 2nd -  Weston Super Mare Hobbits

Their debut album 'The Ivory Tower' will be released through  Ares/Revelation Records on May 15 2006 and 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.

You can check out the HardRockHouse.com review of 'The Ivory Tower' via this link

12th May

Winger Reunite - Press Release

Frontiers Records have announced that they have signed Winger for a brand new reunion studio album. Born in 1987 under the initiative of former ALICE COOPER band member Kip Winger (vocals, bass) and Reb Beach (guitars), WINGER's lineup was completed by Paul Taylor (another ex ALICE COOPER on guitars and keyboards) and former DIXIE DREGS drummer Rod Morgenstein.

WINGER recorded three very successful studio albums. The self-titled debut, was released in 1988 on Atlantic, achieved platinum status in the United States, and gold in Japan and Canada sporting such hits as "Madalaine", "Seventeen" and "Headed For A Heartbreak".

In 1990, the band was nominated for an American Music Award for "Best New Heavy Metal Band". Shortly after, WINGER released its second album "In the Heart of the Young", which went platinum in the U.S. and gold in Japan. The album included WINGER's biggest hit "Miles Away", who topped at #12 of Billboard charts in the USA.

Their third and last studio album, "Pull", was recorded in 1992/93 as a three-piece band, following Paul Taylor's departure. Produced by Mike Shipley, on the following tour John Roth was called in to replace Paul Taylor.

After the "Pull" tour, Kip Winger embarked on a solo career which encompassed 3 successful solo albums, singing with ALAN PARSONS live Project, 2 film scores plus performing over 400 acoustic shows and writing and producing for countless other artists. Reb Beach recorded one solo album, joined ALICE COOPER, DOKKEN and now WHITESNAKE