Friday 19th November

Reunited thrash titans Megadeth has just announced a series of UK dates in February on their 'Blackmail The Universe Tour'  The band who are touring in support of their most recent album, 'The System Has Failed' have so far confirmed the following shows:

Feb. 01 - Dublin Ambassador
Feb. 02 - Belfast Ulster Hall
Feb. 03 - Glasgow Academy
Feb. 04 - Birmingham Academy
Feb. 06 - Manchester Academy
Feb. 07 - Nottingham Rock City
Feb. 08 - London Astoria

Feeder

Feeder return to the music scene with the release of their fifth studio album, 'Pushing The Senses' on January 31st 2005, which is described as the most sonically huge, and lyrically complete, album of their career. Preceding the album will be a new single in the shape of 'Tumble & Fall' which hits the shops on January 15th.

The full track listing for 'Pushing The Sense' is as follows: Feeling a Moment, Bitter Glass, Tumble And Fall, Tender, Pushing The Senses, Frequency, Morning Life, Pilgrim Soul, Pain On Pain and Dove Grey Sands.

To promote the release of the album the band have a UK tour lined up for March 2005. The confirmed dates at this time are:


22nd March - Belfast Ulster Hall
23rd March - Dublin Olympia
25th March - Manchester Apollo
26th March - Manchester Apollo
28th March - Glasgow Academy
29th March - Glasgow Academy
31st March - Birmingham Academy
1st April - London Carling Brixton Academy

Statetrooper

After eighteen years Statetrooper, featuring one time Michael Schenker vocalist Gary Barden, will hit the road in January in support of their recently release album 'The Calling' The dates so far announced are:

Jan. 15 – The Queens Tap Swindon
Jan. 21 – The Cartoon  Croydon, South London
Jan. 22 – Stripes Bar  Brentford, West London
Jan. 30 – The Boardwalk  Sheffield

The first three of these shows will also feature Lionsheart on the bill. In related news, despite reports to the contrary barden has denied that he be taking part in the upcoming Michael Schenker tour of the UK. 

Tommy Funderburk

Frontiers Records is pleased to present Tommy Funderburk's debut album “Anything For You”, which will released worldwide in January 2005.

Funderburk has been one of the most hired background singers in the history of rock! He had recording sessions with artists such as Motley Crue, Whitesnake, Yes, Steve Lukather, Richard Marx, Rick Springfield, Starship, REO Speedwagon, Coverdale/Page, Jon Anderson and many others.But he is also widely known in the melodic rock and AOR circles for the contribution to timeless classic albums such as Airplay (with Jay Graydon and David Foster) in 1979, The Front in 1984, What If in 1987 and for his two albums with King of Hearts: the duo he created with Richard Marx’s guitar player Bruce Gaitsch. He also sang lead vocals of Boston's’s album “Walk On” in 1994.

Tommy is now one of the founding members of the new US-based label Sovereign Artists who has recently released the Heart’s return album “Jupiter’s Darling”.

In the meanwhile he started to work on his first solo album recorded under the guidance of producer Fabrizio V.Zee Grossi (Glenn Hughes, House of Lords etc.). Aptly titled "Anything For You", the album features several songs co-written by Tommy with the likes of Michael Thompson, Bruce Gaitsch and Greg Mathieson which are a delight for all lovers of classic melodic rock and AOR in the style of Toto, Richard Marx and King of Hearts.
 

The full tracklisting is as follows:
Learning How To Love; Remember Our Love; Anything For You; Only You Can Give Me; To Say You Love Me; You Got The Love); Skin; The Garden; Second Chance and Say A Little Prayer.

The album is scheduled to be released in Europe via Frontiers Records on January 24th 2005, whilst the Japanese release will happen slightly earlier on King Records.
 

Thursday 18th November

The Lizards - Press Release

The Lizards, who count amongst their members ex-BOC/Rainbow drummer Bobby Rondinelli and ex-Riot vocalist Mike DiMeo  and hot off the heels of a successful tour of Europe, Scandinavia and Russia,  have just released their third CD Cold Blooded Kings – a rock and roll masterpiece that will surely satisfy the hardest of rockers! Pounding rhythms, solid funky bass lines, blazing guitar solos and vocals that can cut through the murkiest of metal, Cold Blooded Kings will no doubt prove to be one of the hottest releases of the year! As evident in their skillful songwriting and performance, The Lizards authentically follow the path laid by classic rock groups of the past – Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, Rainbow, Deep Purple and Free. 

Drummer Bobby Rondinelli, who recently left Blue Oyster Cult to work full time with The Lizards, furiously pounds the skins whilst displaying some of the slickest chops known to man! “Cold Blooded Kings – I think it’s some of the best drumming I’ve done to date.”

Vocalist Mike DiMeo, formerly of the heavy metal group Riot, conjures up images of Robert Plant, Paul Rodgers and David Coverdale with his electrifying voice! “It’s the type of music I grew up listening to…the stuff that I first started gravitating to as a singer is what we’re doing in The Lizards.” 

Bassist Randy Pratt, who proudly boasts the largest and most unique custom built bass collection in the world, is the rock and soul that holds the group together. His virtuosic bass playing is evident throughout the new album, as is his intense harp blowing! “The guys pushed me to step out on the bass this time, and I’m pleased with the results. Bobby’s drumming is incredible…it was like roller-skating through an earthquake!” 

Guitarist Patrick Klein, who must have been reincarnated as a ‘70s rock guitar legend, plays with fluid innovation. His style and sound helps propel the group to new heights in performance! Klein also produces The Lizards – his position as studio whiz and guitarist is not unlike Jimmy Page’s role in Led Zeppelin. “I feel Cold Blooded Kings is our finest work to date. It marks the crossroads of where we have been and where we are headed.” 

The Lizards Cold Blooded Kings is hard rock at its very finest – the band explores the depths of rock, metal, blues and soul. In the wake of their classic rock predecessors, The Lizards carry the torch in 2004, proving that they truly are ‘Cold Blooded Kings’!

The band will hit the UK in February as support to Glenn Hughes on his solo tour  and you can check out further info on the band via their website at: www.thelizardswebsite.com

Michael Schenker

Michael Schenker, who recently parted company with vocalist Chris Logan after an aftershow altercation with an unnamed party at the gig in Klubben, Sweden, will utilise the talents of three different singers on his upcoming UK tour. Joining Schenker will be Leif Sundin, who previously worked with Schenker on the MSG 1996 release, "Written in the Sand" and the 1997 live effort, "Michael Schenker Story, alongside Gary Barden and also a vocalist known only as Jari. The dates for the UK tour are:

24th November - London Camden Underworld
26th November - Dudley JB’s
27th November - Bradford Rio’s

New UK Rock Night

Fireworks Magazine & Z Records are jointly promoting a new rock night that will take place on the last Friday of every month at The Limelight Club in Crewe. The inaugural night, for what is being dubbed 'Evolution' will take place on Friday January 28th with doors opening at 8.30pm. Entry to the club will be £3 before 10pm and £4 afterwards. The playlist for Evolution will include the likes of Tesla, Tyketto, Firehouse, Giant, Danger Danger, Dream Theater, Queensryche, Ratt, Dokken, Harem Scarem, Warrant, Van Halen, and many more.

Two new live reviews have been added for Rammstein in Madrid and Europe at the Hammersmith Apollo in London as well as new CD review for 'Half Empty' by US based band Innuendo

Wednesday 17th November

PEO "Look What I've Started" re-issue on MTM CLASSIX in February 14th:

Able to play a variety of instruments (Guitar, Bass, Keyboards, Drums, Harmonica, Mandolin) as well as being a great singer, programmer, arranger and producer, music has been a part of Peo Pettersson’s life for many years. Surrounded by beautiful Swedish countryside and a musical family, Peo graduated to his own recording studio at the age of 15, located in an old fort. “Look What I’ve Started” was recorded in 1989-1990 in his own studio and he produced the album by himself together with his friend and songwriting partner Rod West from Australia. During the 80's Peo produced and recorded over 100 albums! Peo Pettersson was also the main man behind the band AXIA. Their selftitled debut album was re-issued on MTM CLASSIX early 2004. “Look What I’ve Started” is now being re-released including 5 unreleased bonus tracks.


Robert White Johnson talks about his RPM re-release due in November 22nd:

Robert White Johnson: „First and foremost, a heartfelt thanks to all the fans who have helped 'keep the music alive' by supporting bands like RPM as well as countless others over the years. It's a pleasure to now be able to share our first record project on CD as well as six additional tracks that have never before been released in any form.

The bonus tracks that have been included in this release lend a significant historical as well as musical perspective to RPM.

The songs, "On Aagain, Ooff Again" and "Oh, Oh Pamela" were recorded soon after touring to support our debut album sometime in 1982. This was the first time that the band had produced itself in the studio. There had been some creative differences with our first producer Brent, and being the classy first rate guy he was, he let us do our own thing. An inevitable chain of events I suppose. Anyway these two songs were recorded at Creative Workshop Studios in Nashville where we also did our first record so the territory was quite familiar. However, there are glimpses into the future with these recordings as we experimented more with special effects on the backing vocals in addition to the guitar work. These two songs could also be described as a musical bridge of sorts to the future as I'll describe more later. The instrumentation for these two songs were the same as this, our first record with Mark Gendel on guitars, Jimmie Lee on bass, keys and backing vocals and Tommy wells on drums.

Something else that's noteworthy regarding our first record project on EMI, "RPM," there were four songs from the project that were also covered by other major artists, an accomplishment that rarely happened back then in the rock world. "A Legend Never Dies" was recorded by the band Blackfoot featuring Ricky Medlock on Atco/Atlantic records. This was a fun but also a strange moment as I was asked to help sing and arrange the backing vocals for their version in Atlanta that was produced by legendary producer Eddie Offord. The track "2+2" was covered by legendary rock singer Johnny Van Zant of Lynyrd Skynyrd family & fame for his debut solo Geffen record release. This event actually led to an almost 20 year creative and personal friendship between Johnny and myself. It was a couple of years later that I went on to produce and CO-write the "Brickyard Road" single and CD for Johnny on Atlantic Records that spawned the # 1 rock hit for 3 weeks in a row in the US. "RENDEZVOUS", the third cover from our first album was also recorded by Tygers Of Pan Tang. This track was not only a successful single for them in the UK and Europe, it was also included in their Greatest Hits package. Interestingly enough a few years later while we were recording our second RPM LP in London at Trevor Horn's studio Sarm, I was having dinner during a break and sitting next to me by complete surprise was Peter Collins, who had produced the Tygers Of Pan Tang version. It was a fun moment! Last but not least, the song "You," was recorded by Mark Farner, lead singer of Grand Funk. This was for a solo project he was working on. It was a personal thrill for me since I had always been such a fan of his. Mark even tracked me down to discuss the song, so we were able to speak on the phone. He was very complimentary of the song, the band and my voice but asked me about the key of the song. Seems as though he had a bit of a tough time doing it in the same key as it was very high. He was relieved when he found out that I later demanded the band lower the key a half step so I could sing it live without killing myself!!! It was one of those things where you start out recording a track on a good day, then after the track is mostly done you start asking yourself ,"What in the hell did I do"...how am I going to sing this thing live?"?? Live and learn......

With regard to the other four bonus tracks, since I already described the first two; these were actually recorded in 1985 after our second project on Warner Brothers was released in 1984.

These were also the last things we did creatively as a group before we disbanded.

Our second record for Warner Bros. was recorded with Gary Langan (of Yes/Art Of Noise fame) engineering and CO-producing with the band, at Trevor Horn's studios, Sarm, in London.

We had spent upwards of a year and a half on writing and recording the second project in the hope of getting it just right. Because of massive competition within the label (Warners) at the time with releases from Van Halen / "1984" , ZZ Top/"Eliminator" as well as "Purple Rain" by Prince, it just wasn't meant to be, even though the band received high critical acclaim.

The tracks "Deeper Than Love" / "Hands" / "Eevery Heart You Break" & "How Do I Get You" were recorded at the famed studio 'The Castle' outside of Nashville. Having recorded with Trevor Horn's right hand/engineer, Gary Langan, we were bent on delving even further musically and sonically speaking. All tracks were produced by Mark, Jimmie and myself as our drummer Tommy had left at that point. It was a very tough time for drummers in general at that time because of all the drum machines and of Fairlight (our particular instrument of choice at that time). Because I was also an ex-drummer, I overdubbed live cymbals & percussion to make these particular tracks feel more live. There are elements that are reminiscent of our first album especially in the tracks, "Deeper Than Love" as well as "Eevery Heart You Break" at times. Sonically speaking these bonus tracks rock since technology had come light years since our first project just a few years previous. The Castle Studios had purchased the latest and the best of everything. The owners, the Nuyen family originally from Belgium, brought a very fresh attitude and creative mindset to town. It was perfect for where our heads were at. While we were able to spend a good deal of time putting down the rough tracks and the overdubs, mixing was another story. The 'A' room was getting booked solid and so we had to go for it. These four songs were mixed in one day and all night...................! We had never done this before but the result was amazing. To this day, these mixes stand up remarkably. Our engineer Giles hung in there with us for over 24 hours.

Not long afterward, the group decided to split. I'm sure everyone has their own story or reason so I won't get into that, but it was a great experience while it lasted. Jimmie and I actually first got together in 1979 as a duo and started writing songs which led to Mark coming to town from Toronto, Canada in 1980 adding a tougher rock edge to what we did. Tommy, from Detroit had been originally our session drummer of choice and a natural fit for the band. I came from northern Illinois and told my wife when we first came to Nashville in 1978, "If I ever talk about joining/starting another rock band, swiftly kick me in the ass." She didn't kick me and I'm glad we formed RPM, a group of extremely talented individuals whom I'll always be grateful in knowing and having the chance to have worked with.

Enjoy the music, and as always....play it loud!!!

p.s. Thank you Mario for your unending appreciation for RPM and great rock music in general as well as for your perseverance in tracking me down to get this project done!”

MTM Release Schedule For January/February 2005

GREENHOUZE "Greenhouze" - 24th January
RHAPSODY SWEDEN "Strange Vibrations" - 24th January
MPG "Martie Peters Group" - 31st January
SHY "Sunset And Vine"  - 7th February
PEO "Look What I've Started" - 14th february
SEVEN WISHES "Destination: Alive" - 21st February

Law & Order

Z Records will release the third studio album from Law & Order on January 5th 2005. Entitled 'The Glasshouse', the album will feature the following twelve tracks: Sold, When It Comes Down, Blind Guides, The Pouring, Like Animals, Never Satisfied, In The Middle, Memphis, The Pain Is Gone, The Crushing Weight, Four Walls and Recognised

Frontiers News Update

Joe Lynn Turner

Frontiers Records is honoured to announce that former Rainbow and Deep Purple singer, now successful solo artist, Joe Lynn Turner has joined the label’s roster.Joe Lynn is currently very busy putting finishing touches to the new studio album entitled “Usual Suspects” which is being recorded in New York under the direction of longtime partner and friend Bob Held. The production will be completed in early December for a release scheduled in February 2005. Joe Lynn says about the new album: “It’s coming along great… it’s melodic rock… very commercial, with integrity, like a Foreigner 4 with a little Journey mixed in, but still has its tough edges !”.

Glenn Hughes

“Soul Mover” the highly anticipated new studio album from the “Voice of Rock”, Glenn Hughes has been finally completed.The album will be including the following tracks (not final tracklisting): Soul Mover; She Moves Ghostly; Change Yourself; High Road; Let It Go; Dark Star; Miss Little Insane; Land of The Living; Isolation; Last Mistake; Orion; Don’t Let Me Bleed. Glenn says: “This album, in my opinion, is simply the finest work I have ever recorded! I am extremely excited about this release and next year I will be very busy promoting this CD!”.
The lineup on the CD also includes Red Hot Chili Pepper’s Chad Smith special guest on all drums, while Chili Peppers’ guitarist Dave Navarro is appearing on the title track and first single “Soul Mover”. The two of them are also appearing on the video of the song which will be included as a special bonus on the album.

In related Glen Hughes news  and to coincide with the late-January 2005 release of his new album "Soul Mover", Glenn Hughes will be undertaking a two month European tour, beginning with seven shows in the U.K in February. Originally scheduled for December, and to have featured Red Hot Chili Pepper's drummer extraordinaire Chad Smith on the dates, the tour has been rescheduled for February, this time as Glenn Hughes solo shows. Chad's involvement in the tour is wholly dependent upon his recording commitments with the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and further statements will be made if, and when, his participation can be confirmed. Support on all dates throughout the UK and Europe will be The Lizards from the USA, who feature ex-Rainbow/Black Sabbath/Blue Oyster Cult drummer Bobby Rondinelli.

The confirmed dates are:

11th February - Dudley JB's
12th February - Bradford Rio's
13th February - Edinburgh Liquid Room
15th February - London Mean Fiddler
16th February - Norwich Waterfront
17th February - Sheffield Leadmill
19th February - Northampton Roadmender


Khymera

Daniele Liverani is starting the work on the production of the new Khymera album. This time the vocals of the melodic rock studio project masterminded by the Genius Rock Opera songwriter and main performer, will be handled by Pink Cream 69’s bass player and producer Dennis Ward.The songs have been offered by the likes of Jeff Scott Soto, Judithe and Robin Randall, Don Barnes and Tom and Jim Martin

Some titles to be recorded are: Looking for You; After The Way; You Can’t Take Me; Tomorrow Never Comes; Give In To The World; Let It Burn; All Is Gone; Alone; All That I Have; Field Of Fire; The Damage Is Done.

The recording is planned to be completed in early 2005 with a tentative release date penciled for late spring 2005.


Lana Lane

Erik Norlander and Lana Lane are very busy working on the new Lana Lane album for 2005. The plan is to complete the recording for mid January 2005 and have a release for April. At this stage the band is still writing and demoing new stuff but, in Erik Norlander’s words: “We are going for a heavier sound this time, closer to the "Secrets of Astrology" concept”. Plans are made to use the Dutch touring band for the album: Peer Verschuren on guitar and Ernst Van Ee on drums plus the usual support from Mark McCrite and Neil Citron on guitar.

Brazen Abbott

While the brand new Brazen Abbott live CD/DVD “A Decade of Brazen Abbot”, celebrating the first 10 year anniversary of the band is going to hit the streets on November 22nd, Bulgarian guitarist and producer Nikolo Kotzev is already busy laying down the tracks for a new studio album. The album will feature 11 or 12 tracks featuring a new lineup of musicians including: Nikolo Kotzev - guitars, violins, percussion, Wayne Banks - bass, Nelko Kolarov - keyboards, organs and  Mattias Knutas - drums. The vocalists involved with the project include: Joe Lynn Turner (Rainbow, Deep Purple), Tony Harnell (TNT), Göran Edman (ex Yngwie Malmsteen) and Erik Martensson (Eclipse)

Nikolo is hoping to have the recordings completed within January 2005 for a planned release in spring 2005.

Zion

Alias singer Freddy Curci has finally completed the recording of the Zion debut album. Some of the songs that will appear on the album are “Crash The Mirror (Devil’s Doing Me)”, “No Surprise”, “Coming Home”, “Who Do You Think You Are”, “Sky Is Falling” and “Avalon”.

Release is tentatively scheduled for spring 2005.

Iron Maiden To Release Number Of The Beast Single

In celebration of Iron Maiden's phenomenal 25 year history and in keeping with the recent International chart success of their Double DVD 'The Early Years', EMI are very proud to announce the release of 'The Number of The Beast' as a single on 3rd January, 2005.

The title track of the band’s third (and first No 1!!) album, this single was a Top 20 hit when originally released in 1982, and is rightly regarded as an all time Maiden classic. This song typifies the bands sound signature of that era, from the chilling spoken introduction to the throat ripping opening scream from Bruce Dickinson. The single will be released in three very special limited Edition formats, featuring never before available live recordings from the Clive Burr Charity shows at Brixton Academy in March 2002.

The single is to be released on January 3rd 2005 across three formats including an Enhanced CD, a strictly limited 7 Inch Coloured Vinyl with free poster, and 12 Inch Picture Disc.

The full content is -

ENHANCED CD
1 - The Number Of The Beast (Original Version)
2 - The Number of The Beast - Live At Brixton - Recorded March 21st 2002 Brixton Academy
3 - Hallowed Be Thy Name - live At Brixton - Recorded March 20th 2002 Brixton Academy
Plus
4 - Enhanced Video - Original Number Of The Beast Promo Video 1982
5 - Enhanced Video - Number of The Beast - live At Brixton - Filmed and recorded March 21st 2002.

7 Inch Limited Edition Coloured Vinyl, with poster
Side A - The Number of The Beast (Original Version)
Side B - The Number Of The Beast - Live At Brixton 2002

12 Inch Limited Edition- Picture Disc
Side A
Track 1 - The Number of The Beast (Original Version)
Track 2 - The Number of The Beast - live At Brixton 2002
Side B
Track 1 - Remember Tomorrow - Live (Original B Side from 1982 single)

Monday 15th November

Anyway back to normality for a while. The new UK Rock Charts have been uploaded and can be viewed here and a normal news/reviews service will resume tomorrow all being well

Vince Neil has rescheduled his UK dates that were due to take place this month. Neil will now hit UK stages in late 2005. The full line up of shows is:

November 30th 2005 - Dudley JB's
December 1st 2005 - Newport City Live Arena
December 2nd 2005 - Bradford Rio's 
December 3rd 2005 - Nottingham Rock City
December 4th 2005 - London Astoria

Wednesday  10th November

Former MÖTLEY CRÜE singer Vince Neil's U.K. tour, which was set to take place later this month, has been cancelled. Rumour has it that Neil had his passport confiscated after an assault on a sound engineer at a recent gig in the USA and hence is unable to travel to the UK.

Ginger & The Wildhearts have cancelled and rescheduled some of the shows on the upcoming acoustic and full band shows. The following list shows all of the latest information on the confirmed dates:

Ginger - Acoustic

13 November - Doncaster - Leopard
14 November - Mansfield - Mill
26 November - Newcastle - Archer
27 November - York - Cert 18
28 November - Newport - TJ's

The Wildhearts

03 December - Sunderland - Ku Klub
04 December - Wrexham - Central Station
05 December - Preston - The Mill
06 December - Belfast - Limelight
08 December - London - Astoria
09 December - Manchester - MDH
10 December - Glasgow - Garage
11 December - Sheffield - Leadmill
13 December - Cambridge - Junction
14 December - Bristol - Anson Rooms
15 December - Wolverhampton - Wulfrun Hall

Sebastian Bach has extended his UK tour, adding a further four dates to the previously announced schedule. The folowing are the shows confirmed so far:

2nd December - Edinburgh Exchange
4th December - Sheffield Corporation
14th December - Bradford Rios
15th December - Dudley JB's
16th December - London Mean Fiddler
17th December - Torquay Town Hall

Join Bach for the tour will be Millenium/Iced Earth guitarist Ralph Santolla, bassist Steve Digiorgio & drummer Mark Prator.

Former Black Crowes guitarist Rich Robinson is all set to make his  UK live debut in December with a series of shows in support of his first solo album Paper. The confirmed dates for the tour are as follows:

13th December - London Scala
14th December - Bristol Fleece
15th December - Manchester Night & Day
17th December - Nottingham Rescue Rooms
18th December - Stockton Georgian Theatre

A new review has been uploaded for New Found Glory's latest release Catalyst. In related news the band have confirmed a series of UK live shows that will take place in January. The confirmed dates are:

26th January - Southampton Guildhall
9th February - Manchester University
12th February - Birmingham Carling Academy 
13th February - Bristol Carling Academy
14th February - Liverpool Carling Academy
15th February - London Hammersmith Palais

The review for the album can be found via this link

Monday  8th November

Also the new UK Rock Charts have been uploaded and can be seen via this link

A new interview with AJ Fedz from Snakeryder is also available can  be found at this location

Here's to Nottingham tonight!!

Saturday  6th November

Friday  5th November

Crown Of Thorns

Frontiers Records is pleased to announce the release of “Crown Jewels”, the first and most complete best of from the mighty band Crown Of Thorns on a stunning 3 CD box set in digipak covering all the best songs from the band’s repertoire and adding plenty of rare material, two newly recorded Christmas tracks and one 25 minutes exhaustive video interview with band leader Jean Beauvoir who encompasses the band’s entire career.

After all these years of exciting news and an action packed career, it was surely time for a best of package. It wouldn’t be CROWN OF THORNS if this wasn’t special. First, the band recruited Sebastian Kozak to design an all-new stunning artwork. Then, all tracks of the album were remastered.

After all, this is the ultimate Crown Of Thorns package: a must for every fan of this amazing band!

Featured on this best of, either as guests or in the songwriting dept: Paul Stanley (Kiss), Jim Vallance (Bryan Adams), Beau Hill (Ratt, Motley Crue, Winger etc.),  Steven Van Zandt (Bruce Springsteen) and Doro Pesch (duet with Jean Beauvoir in “She No Tears”).

"Crown Jewels" will be released – in a limited edition - on December 6th 2004 via Frontiers Records.

The full tracklisting is as follows:
CD1: Winterland ; The Rain; Hike it Up; I Won't Wait; Dirty Walk, Dirty Talk; Crown of Thorns; Dying For Love; No You Don't; Standing on the Corner for Ya; The Healer; Secret Jesus; Til the End; The Night; Never Enough; I’m Burnin’ Up; Hang on Sugar; Killing Time; Man on a Tightrope; Little Stone House and Are You Ready ‘95.

CD2: Over My Head; Don't Let Me Down; Only One Who's Lonely; Breakthrough; You; Writing's on the Wall; Lost Cathedral; Live And Die; Lyin'; Greed of love; Wasted Prime; Birds On A Wire; End of the Century; Here She Comes and Missionary Remedy.

CD 3: Heaven Tonight; Long Way Home; Believer; Til You've Had Enough; My Sweet Lord; Shed No Tears; Before it Slips Away; I'm Sorry; Once in My Life ; Oh Holy Night; All I Want for Christmas is You and a Jean Beauvoir Video Interview.

The band is also currently busy completing the recording of the new studio album which is tentatively scheduled for a release on Frontiers Records in February 2005.

Richie Kotzen

Frontiers Records announces the European release of Richie Kotzen’s ”Acoustic Cuts” on December 6th 2004.

“Acoustic Cuts” is an album recorded by the former Mr. Big and Poison guitar master, originally to be sold exclusively at his shows and through the website.

Due to the demand of the fans, he decided to make it available to the public and offered it to Frontiers Records who immediately felt was a good opportunity to show another side of the amazing talent of this artist to a wider audience.

The album features ten of Richie Kotzen's most popular songs performed on acoustic guitar in a very stripped back and intimate form.

Tracklisting is as follows : Change (Click to hear an Mp3 sample); What Is (Click to hear an Mp3 sample); High (Click to hear an Mp3 sample); Don't Ask; Where Did Our Love Go; Rust; I Would; You've Got A Fire; Don't Wanna Lie; Let's Say Goodbye.

To coincide with the U.K. release, Richie will appear at the 12 Bar Club, Denmark Place in London on Tuesday, November 23rd 2004. This is a one-off intimate acoustic show in London.

Ricky Warwick

Two years after the release of Tattoos & Alibis, ex-Almighty frontman Ricky Warwick is back in the studio recording his new solo album. As with Tattoos & Alibis the recorded is being recorded in the Dublin studio of Def Leppard vocalist Joe Elliot, who will once again be producing the album. Scheduled for release in early 2005, according to Warwick's studio diary posted on his website (www.rickywarwick.com) songs et for inclusion include 'Anybody Wanna Waste Some Time', 'Johnny or Elvis' and 'Longwhere Back To Nowhere'.

Linkin Park

Linkin Park, in conjunction with rapper Jay-Z will be releasing a new CD/DVD package entitled 'Collision Course' through Warner Brother on November 30th.

The collaboration bewteen the two artists started  on July 18, 2004 when Jay-Z and Linkin Park got together at the Roxy Theatre in West Hollywood to do a combined performance in front of a select group of both Linkin Park and Jay-Z fans to perform a series of songs "mashed" together where Linkin Park lyrics were laced over Jay-Z's beats and vice versa. The songs that were aired included Numb/Encore, Izzo/In the End, Dirt off Your Shoulder/Lying from You, and many more.

The DVD potion of the Collision Course release will contain the Roxy performance as well as a behind-the-scene s look at the creative process of the collaboration, from their first introductions to recording to performance. The CD portion of the package will feature studio recordings of the same song combinations that were preformed live at the Roxy. The track listing for the release will include: Numb, Encore, Lying From You Dirt Off Your Shoulder, Papercut,Big Pimpin', Faint and Jigga What?'

Thursday  4th November

Northern light is a new super project from the Norwegian guitarplayer / songwriter Tor Talle. After being a session player and writing music for television, documentary, webmovies and other artists, Tor felt the need to go back to his melodic rock roots. For the moment Tor is in studio recording songs for his first AOR album of NORTHERN LIGHT with well known singers as Fergie Frederiksen (x-TOTO, MECCA), Tony Mills (SHY), Peter Sundell (GRAND ILLUSION) and Kimmo Blom (URBAN TALE, HEARTPLAY).

Tor has written some awesome songs in the melodic rock style, some by his own and some together with Fredrik Bergh (STREET TALK), Jorn Lande (MASTERPLAN), Terje Eide (ON THE RISE), Peter Sundell and Kimmo Blom.
Releasedate for the Northern light album will be spring 2005.

Fergie has picked a song called "Eye To Eye". Tor: "Today I have been in studio recorded the backing and I will send Fergie a CD tommorow. Peter Sundell is in studio recording a new song. Kimmo Blom is also working with a song written by me, Fredrik Bergh and Kimmo Blom and two songs written by myself where Kimmo will finish the lyrics. Terje Eide and myself has just written a song together."

Tor Talle is following his comments: "Hello, first of all I will give Mario and Sebastian at MTM a big thanks for signing my new project "NORTHERN LIGHT", I'm really glad you liked my music and gave me the chance to realize my dream."

"I`m so excited about this project and I can't wait to release the album. I'm really happy with the songs and I got some amazing singers with me on this album. It's an honor and a privledge to work with Fergie Frederiksen, Tony Mills, Peter Sundell and Kimmo Blom."

"I have written most of the songs myself, but some are co-written with Jorn Lande, Fredrik Bergh, Terje Eide, Peter Sundell and Kimmo Blom. So all of you AOR-lovers, I hope you are ready for some classic melodic AOR from Norway!"

Superjoint Ritual To Release Live DVD

Superjoint Ritual, the band featuring ex-Pantera vocalist Phil Anselmo, will release a live DVD on November 22nd. Entitled 'Live At CBGBs' the DVD was recorded on May 3rd 2004 at the legendary New York club the disc features the following track listing: Antifaith, F**k Your Enemy, The Introvert, Personal Insult, The Destruction Of A Person, Permanently, The Alcoholik, Waiting For The Turning Point, One Song/Ozena and Stealing A Page Or Two From Armed & Radical Pagans. Also featured on the DVD are interviews with the band and the promo videos for Waiting For The Turning Poitn & Dress Like A Target.

Angra

Angra are all set to release their new album, entitled 'Temple of Shadows' through Steamhammer/SPV on November 15th. The album was mainly recorded in the band's home country of Brazil, with some additional recording being undertaken in Germany. Temple Of Shadows features guest appearances from the line of Kai Hansen (Gamma Ray/Helloween), Sabine Edelsbacher (Edenbridge ) and Hansi Kürsch (Blind Guardian).

Tuesday  2nd November

Thunder have pushed back the release date of their new single, 'I Love You More Than Rock 'N' Roll' until November 22nd. The delay is due to pre-order demand outstripping the initial manufacturing run. The band have also just announced details of a March UK headline tour. The tickets for the dates, which are shown below, go on sale from Friday 5th November via www.cclive.co.uk

March 4th - Sheffield, Foundry
March 5th - Birmingham, Academy
March 6th - Bristol, Academy
March 7th - Southampton, Guildhall
March 9th - Folkestone, Leas Cliff Hall
March 10th - London, Shepherds Bush Empire
March 12th - Newcastle, City Hall
March 13th - Glasgow, Academy
March 14th - Manchester, Academy
March 16th - Norwich, UEA

Hub Meisel

The recordings for Hubi Meisel's next concept album were recently completed and during the next few months Hubi will work on the mixdown in his studio in Munich. The bands line-up for this record includes: Hubi Meisel - vocals, Vivien Lalu - keyboards, Marcel Coenen - guitars, Jorge Salán - guitars, Daniel Flores - drums and Johan Niemann - bass

Mistheria's long-awaited album "Messenger of the Gods" (Lion Music) is out now! This great album features a huge array of renowned guest-musicians such as Rob Rock, Anders Johansson (Hammerfall), George Bellas, Matt Bissonette (Joe Satriani) and Barry Sparks (Dokken), just to name a few. Hubi Meisel has recorded lead vocals for the last track "Eternity", which can be previewed in the audio section of Hubi's homepage: www.hubimeisel.com

Glenn Hughes Cancels UK Tour

Unfortunately the UK tour that was planned for December 2004 has been cancelled. Reason is drummer Chad Smith's commitment to his band the Red Hot Chili Peppers, who are in the middle of recording a new album. A new Glenn Hughes tour has been planned for the early spring of 2005. Here is a statement from Chad:

"Regretfully, due to work on the next Chili Peppers album taking much longer than originally anticipated, it is with much sadness that I have to announce that I will not be able to appear on the UK December tour with Glenn Hughes. I want everyone out there to know that I am incredibly disappointed, and the decision to cancel has not been easy. Schedules permitting, Glenn and I will be touring together in the UK at some point in the very near future, so I’ll be looking forward to seeing you all then."

Chad Smith

Breed 77 Line Up Another UK Tour

Gibraltar based band Breed 77 have lined up a year end tour to celebrate the most succesful year of their career so far. The confirmed dates are as follows:

Dec 2nd - Aberdeen Moshulu
Dec 3rd - Edinburgh Studio 24
Dec 4th - Glasgow Cathouse
Dec 6th - Stoke Sugarmill
Dec 7th - Wolverhampton Wulfrun Hall
Dec 8th - Coventry Coleseum
Dec 9th - Southend Chinneries
Dec 10th - Bristol Beer Keller
Dec 11th - Aldershot West End Centre

The band also plan on releasing a new single in early January for which details will be confirmed in the near future.

Monday 1st November

For anyone who has emailed in over the past couple of weeks, then more apologies are due as there simply hasn't been the time to respond to everyone. I will get round to answering as many as possible in the next couple of days though so thanks for bearing with me.

To start the new month off, we have two new reviews on line, Bowling For Soup's 'A Hangover You Don't Deserve' & Rammstein's 'Reise Reise'. Just click on the album titles to see the reviews. Also the new UK Rock Charts for W/C 31st October have been uploaded and can be viewed here

Dogs D'Amour

The Dogs D'Amour, who recently had a retrospective CD/DVD entitled 'Heart Shaped Box' released via Atlantic will undertake a comprehensive UK tour during December in support of the album. Funnily enough christened the 'Heart Shaped Tour' the dates so far confirmed are as follows:

December 11th - Kingston The Peel
December 12th - Winchester Railway
December 13th - Worcester Marrs Bar
December 14th - Wolves Robin 2
December 15th - Bristol Bierkeller
December 17th - Southampton Joiners
December 18th - Sheffield Corporation
December 19th - Liverpool Carling Academy
December 20th - Nottingham Rock City
December 21st - Cardiff Clwb Ifor Bach
December 22nd - Manchester Star & Garter
December 23rd - Glasgow Cathouse
December 24th - Bradford Riosr

The touring line up will include, as well as Tyla, Danny McCormack ex Wildherarts etc on Bass, Mark Stanway ex Magnum/Phil Lynott on keyboards and Yella on backing vocals and other tricks where allowed. The band are currently speaking to drummers and guitarists and more information will be available soon.
 

MTM Update

Rhapsody Sweden Released In January:

RHAPSODY SWEDEN was formed as a 4-piece band back in 1974: Kjell-Åke Noren, Benny Ahlqvist, Rudolf Janszky, Torbjörn Persson. 1977 the band was joined by Peter Åhs on keyboard and the same year was fairly successful for the band and they were booked on tons of gigs in Sweden and Scandinavia. Later the same year they were also booked on a tour in Hungary for a month with over 25 gigs. They did TV-shows and a radio show for the national Hungarian radio and TV. When they came back from Hungary they continued to play concerts in Sweden and the album became a hit on the chart and the album is still cult-rated for the Swedish hardrock/pomp/aor - audience. The re-release on MTM CLASSIX is featuring two brand new songs as bonus tracks and is scheduled for January 2005.


Zeno Roth Talks About The Re-release Of His Self-Titled Debut Album

Zeno Roth: "My main reason for remastering the first Zeno album was to “unearth a hidden treasure”. A “treasure” which had been “buried” for a considerably long time now. The production of this album in the mid 1980's was indeed a lengthy and arduous process, taking us on a journey through countless recording studios around the world. It was in a way an “Odyssey”, filled with pressures and problems that only a project of such enormity could expect and (thus) encounter. Yet despite all this, the album has since become (what is considered by many to be) a “Classic” rock album.
Over the years and particularly of late, we have had countless worldwide enquiries from fans both old and new, asking us how they can get hold of the album…(which brings us to date…!) I do feel that “ZENO I” contains a great deal of inspiration and real musicianship, which however are not entirely prevalent or represented in what was (considered at the time) to be the “final outcome”. This was mainly due to shortcomings in the mixing process.
I was never really happy with the way this album was mixed, and felt that only a radical remastering would be able to raise the standard of its sound to a much more exciting and contemporary level. The main concern was the “mega-loud” drum presence, which typified most of the Rock music being produced in the 80’s. Unfortunately this had the tendency to “smother” the rest of the music, (especially the guitar parts…!) In fact so many subtleties, sound effects and “side performances” struggled within the mix, simply falling by the wayside.
This remastering has redressed and resolved those problems. With no loss of clarity, all of those "hidden" parts are now audible for the very first time and convey the impression of a complete band recording, with appropriate guitar levels and a much “bigger” sound overall.
I am also grateful for this opportunity to be able to comment on some of the songs and (again, for the very first time) to be able to “shed light” on to the lyrical content and meaning of them. These were not simply “love songs”, or just songs about love, as they initially may seem to be, but beneath the surface, lies in addition our endeavour to inject some more of a “universal” approach into Rock music, which I have tried to carry on ever since.

Eastern Sun: This was (to me) perhaps the best song I had written at that time (back in 1984), and it was (and is) a homage to my love for the Japanese music and culture, which was always inspirational to me. There was a definite Hendrix feel about the main riff of this track, but the song itself was carried further by its melody and lyricism. We all are part of the ever-turning wheel of Creation, but once we are able to perceive the voice of our destiny, we will find Truth and Love as an “anchor point” – a woman smiling at us like the Sun, which shines upon us eternally, enlightening our Existence and filling us with life.

Love Will Live: Also a rather early song, with perhaps a slight “Queen” influence. It depicts Love as a principle, rather than an emotion. (“Love will be living on” / “Loving is more than a feeling.”) It assures us of God’s presence and blessing, which are poured upon us, once we “lay our Soul into His hands” and start to trust in His loving care for us – which amounts to Faith. This song is an anthem of Universal Love, a prayer almost, but certainly some sort of affirmation, which we chose to share with Humankind. (“It may shine over you and all those to come.”)

Signs On The Sky: We are asleep, and our “modern” life-style with its emphasis on “surface” rather than “substance” keeps us from seeing through the veil of Existence. It is down to us to come to understand the truths of our Human reality by reading those signs written on the sky – (like the signs of Alpha and Omega). Someone has to “take them down” and “translate” them for us, which was done by great Redeemers like Jesus or Buddha. However, it is not enough to just sit back and wait for some kind of a Saviour, as eventually each and every one of us has to walk their way out of their own effort, finding their own path and belief in life. (“If the night comes over you, you're the only judge of what is true.”)

Heart On The Wing: A song about the struggle of the North American Indians and the ignorance and arrogance of their Western suppressors. A warrior’s Soul is hovering above a battleground, contemplating about the hardship his friends and people had to go through, and the illegitimacy of the “White Man’s” cause in usurping their territory and desecrating their holy land. I always had great love and respect for the Native American culture, which comes with a lot of true spirituality and wisdom, based on a deep understanding and living in accordance with Creation.

Sent By Heaven: This song was written at a later stage, which is reflected in its slightly more “progressive” approach. It almost has a Dylanesque feel to it in places and deals in a philosophical way with the questions of our being here. It is mainly about “finding oneself” and one’s true and own way on the human journey. Our capacity for Love was a Divine gift, “Sent by Heaven”, as a consoling echo of the Eternal Principle with our Human Existence.
All Existence takes place in cyclic processes, which we are part of. All four seasons are contained in this verse, beginning and ending with “Water”, the eternal life force, which not only “nurtures” us, but all things that exist. Life is brought into being, takes place in time and space and fades away, re-emerging into the everlasting course of Nature – and the cycle begins anew…

Zeno was always – and still is – a long-term project, a “labour of love” trying to “defy” time and fashion, and consequently going it our own way. (And yet a “way” that we ultimately hope and pray that others will join with us…!) It was a dream of mine to re-launch this album, and it fills me with pride and happiness that this now takes place in such an enhanced and comprehensively revised form.
At the time, we dedicated this album to all those “who care for World Harmony” – which is just as valid today as it was then. I would like to invite all Zeno fans (and others) to join my vision of a world, coming to peace, reconciled and united by the healing power of music and the Universal Power of Love.

Zeno, the album will be available from November 8th.

The Ladder - Escape Music Press Release

A natural - that's probably how best to describe Steve Overland. The man with melody, blues and soul, all wrapped up in one neat parcel. It didn't really matter to Steve what you threw at him; guitar or microphone. Once a natural always a natural, as they say. Growing up in Norfolk England, Steve and his older brother Chris were fed a steady diet of popular rock music of the era. Chris was already playing lead guitar with a local band, and due to some 'inquisitive experimentation' on Steve's part, the younger sibling soon found himself hooking on with his brother as their singer. All this at the tender age of 13! Tired of being a cover-band, the Overland brothers decided to write their own tunes, their efforts materializing into the band WILDLIFE.

The Overland's hooked up with drummer Pete Jupp, (previously with WILDLIFE, having run off to join Paul SAMSON). Also added were ex-DIAMOND HEAD bassist Merv Goldsworthy, and keyboard wizard Didge Digital - to form the newly born FM in 1985. 'Indiscreet', the debut album, was launched in September 1986. Reaching #76 on the UK album charts, 'Indiscreet' was hailed by the critics, seeing them as likely UK contenders to occupy the lofty heights of AOR stardom held by the likes of JOURNEY, HEART and FOREIGNER. In 1989, FM employed the revered Neil Kernon to produce ‘Tough It Out’’. The band duly lived up to the title, as 'toughing it out' is exactly what they did. Released in September 1989, the album was a harder edged affair - melodic AOR with a metallic sheen. They kept up their public face, with appearances at Reading, and a UK tour with American band SARAYA in support.

Like a poor signal fading in and out, someone managed to find the right channel to switch the 'FM' radio back on again in 1991. That someone was Steve Overland, but this time without brother Chris, who by stage, had decided enough, was enough. Joining the band was Andy Barnett, previously heard on Adrian Smith's (ASAP) 'Silver And Gold' album. The resulting reunion saw a return to Steve's earlier love of soul and blues on the 1991 album 'Takin' It To The Streets'. The addition of Barnett and FM's changing musical style meant less keyboards. Consequently, Didge Digital's delicate textures became redundant, he eventually moved on before FM’s European tour with Joey Tempest and EUROPE.

October 1992 saw the release of the popular 'Aphrodisiac' album, a merger of the earlier AOR and melodic blues styles. 1993's 'No Electricity Required' double album went some way to alienating fans, it was essentially a live 'covers' album with only a frugal smattering of their own material. By 1995 the band had called it quits for good after the disappointing blues-oriented 'Dead Mans Shoes' before Escape Music finally retrospectively released the fab 3-CD box set “Long Time No See” which included ‘Aphrodisiac’, ’Paraphernalia’ & ‘Live At The Astoria’ in 2003.

Now, in 2004, vocalist Steve Overland returns with a vengeance. After the highly acclaimed debut album with his band ‘Shadowman’ which features Steve Morris from HEARTLAND on guitars, Overland now hails back with THE LADDER, a new, brilliant hard rock band featuring the incredible Vinny Burns (ex-DARE, ex-TEN) on the sixstring and a superb rhythm section consisting of Pete Jupp (FM) on drums and Bob Skate on bass in the back.

“Future Miracles” offers splendid mix of catchy, melodic tunes and riff orientated rockers which should suit any fan of FM and SHADOWMAN. The clear and powerful production by Steve Morris from HEARTLAND rounds off this true masterpiece of British hard rock music!