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Three new songs, combined with past favorites, as well as an extensive DVD are in the works. Producers John & Dino Elefante will also re-team with the band. A new web site is currently being developed, but for" /> <meta name="generator" content="Drupal 7 (https://www.drupal.org)" /> <link rel="canonical" href="https://www.melodicrock.com/news-2004" /> <link rel="shortlink" href="https://www.melodicrock.com/node/6887" /> <meta property="fb:app_id" content="316578848800460" /> <meta property="og:site_name" content="MelodicRock.com" /> <meta property="og:type" content="article" /> <meta property="og:title" content="News 2004" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://www.melodicrock.com/news-2004" /> <meta property="og:description" content="Friday, December 31, 2004 GUARDIAN SET TO RETURN WITH NEW ALBUM IN 2005: Christian hard rock band Guardian are reuniting to record new music for a May 2005 release. Three new songs, combined with past favorites, as well as an extensive DVD are in the works. Producers John & Dino Elefante will also re-team with the band. A new web site is currently being developed, but for now, fans can go to www.myspace.com/guardian for updates. The Guardian 2005 line-up is: Jamie Rowe, Tony Palacios, David Bach and Karl Ney." /> <meta property="og:updated_time" content="2023-02-15T12:48:38+11:00" /> <meta property="og:image:type" content="image/gif" /> <meta property="og:image:type" content="image/png" /> <meta property="og:image:type" content="image/jpeg" /> <meta property="og:image:width" content="220" /> <meta property="og:image:height" content="220" /> <meta property="article:published_time" content="2023-02-15T12:38:33+11:00" /> <meta property="article:modified_time" content="2023-02-15T12:48:38+11:00" /> <meta itemprop="name" content="News 2004" /> <title>News 2004 | MelodicRock.com</title> <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1, maximum-scale=1.0, minimum-scale=1, user-scalable=no" /> <link rel="stylesheet" href="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/bootstrap@4.3.1/dist/css/bootstrap.min.css" integrity="sha384-ggOyR0iXCbMQv3Xipma34MD+dH/1fQ784/j6cY/iJTQUOhcWr7x9JvoRxT2MZw1T" crossorigin="anonymous"> 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class="content"> <div id="node-6887" class="node node-page view-mode-full clearfix" about="/news-2004" typeof="sioc:Item foaf:Document"> <div class="teaser-date" > <div class="node-side"> <div class="content"> <div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded">  <table bgcolor="#000000" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#000000"> <div align="center">Friday, December 31, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> GUARDIAN SET TO RETURN WITH NEW ALBUM IN 2005: Christian hard rock band Guardian are reuniting to record new music for a May 2005 release. Three new songs, combined with past favorites, as well as an extensive DVD are in the works. Producers John & Dino Elefante will also re-team with the band. A new web site is currently being developed, but for now, fans can go to <a href="http://www.myspace.com/guardian" target="new">www.myspace.com/guardian</a> for updates. The Guardian 2005 line-up is: Jamie Rowe, Tony Palacios, David Bach and Karl Ney. JAKE E LEE JOINS THE LIST OF COVERS ALBUMS DUE: Several covers albums are planned for 2005, with Styx, Def Leppard, Shaw/Blades, Ozzy Osbourne and Jake E Lee all working on CDs. Details of the Jake E Lee release are now available on the website: <a href="http://www.jakeelee.com" target="new">www.jakeelee.com</a>. The line-up for the album is: Jake E. Lee (Ozzy Osbourne, Badlands) guitars; Chris Logan (MSG) Vocals; Tim Bogert (Vanilla Fudge, Beck, Bogert & Appice) Bass and Aynsley Dunbar (Whitesnake, MSG, UFO) Drums. Great White's Michael Lardie is engineering the tracks. The track listing is likely to be: Way Back To The Bone (Trapeze) . I'll Be Creepin' (Free) . Love Is Worth Blues (Leslie West) . Evil (Cactus) . I'll Come Tumblin' (Grand Funk) . Hard Way To Go (Savoy Brown) . Woman (James Gang) . Rock Candy (Montrose) . Guess I'll Go Away (Johnny Winter) . Whiskey Train (Procol Harem) . I Can't Stand It (Robin Trower). A Tribute album to the guitarist is also well underway, with full details of the 13 track release available at: <a href="http://www.jakeelee.com/tribute/tribute_main.html" target="new">www.jakeelee.com/tribute/tribute_main.html</a>. BEAUTIFUL CREATURES PREVIEW 2005 RELEASE: Fans waiting for the new Beautiful Creatures album Deuce can sample one track right now. Superfly has been posted online at the band's website: <a href="http://www.beautifulcreatures.net" target="new">www.beautifulcreatures.net</a>. Beautiful Creatures bassist Kenny Kweens was recently interviewed by South Mississippi's <a href="http://www.sunherald.com" target="new">SunHerald.com</a> and stated the album is: "a little heavier than our debut CD and different at times, too," continuing on , "but it still has the same spirit, it still sounds like Beautiful Creatures — two years, three producers and four studios later." Deuce will be released firstly in Japan on the JVC label. "We expect to release in the U.S. early in 2005," Kweens said, "and we're also putting together a home DVD called Sometimes Pretty Ain't Pretty At All. It'll show us in the studio, sound checks, interviews — a behind-the-scenes look at the band. And the title is appropriate. Trust me." MELODIC BRIEFS: Paul Chapman continues to monitor talk about the Waysted album - on which his guitar parts were replaced - and continues to offer his thoughts on the whole affair via his website: <a href="http://www.pchapman.com/waystedstatement.htm" target="new">www.pchapman.com/waystedstatement.htm</a>. You can now download new Mike Tramp live video from Australia 2004 at his website: <a href="http://www.miketramp.com" target="new">www.miketramp.com</a>. Head over to: <a href="http://europetheband.atw.hu/Europetheband.hu/Hero.htm" target="new">europetheband.atw.hu</a> for a clip to the band's new single Hero. UPDATES - REVIEWS & MR-X: Reviews have been updated with a few titles out recently that needed covering. Online today are reviews for: Final Frontier, Waysted, Thunder (EP), Platens, Crown Of Thorns, Richie Kotzen, Creighton Doane and Johnnie Degiuli. <a href="reviews/reviews.html">Check them out</a>. <a href="mr-x/index.html">MR-X</a> has been updated. A bigger update next week, as many folks aren't working over the holidays and don't have their workplace high-sped connections! Good to see you all working hard! Online today are Rockline Radio Interview Shows with Heart and Mick Jones (Foreigner) - both from mid-2004 and 5 very cool MP3 tracks to check out, plus the following new videos: Kings Of The Sun - Serpentine, Lion - Powerlove, Michael Bolton - Everybody's Crazy, Mr. Mister - Something Real, Nevada Beach - Waiting For An Angel and Roko - One Night Stand. <a href="mr-x-intro.html">MR-X Membership Details</a>. HAPPY NEW YEAR: Well, that's it for 2004! Happy New Year folks....thanks for the amazing support in 2004 and here's to 2005 - which I am sure will present many challenges for this scene. It will be an interesting year. Lots of updates to report on, so stay tuned and watch for the 2004 MelRock Awards soon.  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#6b583a" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#6b583a"> <div align="center">Thursday, December 30, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> NEAL SCHON - SOUL SIRKUS, JOURNEY - THE GUITARIST SPEAKS: I had the great pleasure of catching up with Journey's Neal Schon on Christmas Eve - not for a formal interview as such, but just to get an update on his always busy schedule, which includes the debut live shows for Soul SirkUS, the band he formed with singer Jeff Scott Soto. First up are the Soul SirkUS shows, so I asked Neal about those. The band takes in seven Californian dates, including one in Neal's home town of San Francisco. It seems those attending the Fillmore show January 13 will be treated to a couple of extra special guests! Neal spoke extremely positively about the band, stating that in hooking up with Jeff Scott Soto he has a really strong rock frontman to work with. Neal says he's "100% behind the band" and "is ready to turn the world upside down!" He talked with a passion for the chemistry between the band members, which also includes bassist Marco Mendoza and drummer Deen Castronovo, stating that it's unbelievable and he can't wait for fans to see that on stage. He added that the band would be "so much better again" than the record, as the charisma of those involved gets let loose on stage. Fans will also see all 4 guys singing on stage, in what will be a massive display of harmonies - "The ability of this band vocally is incredible..." he says. Neal is very proud of the Soul SirkUS record, adding that they recorded the majority of the album in just two days and can only imagine what they could have done had they had a recording budget equivalent to the new Journey album. World Play was recorded in Jonathan Cain's home studio on a totally analogue desk, which Neal is particularly pleased about. "No pro-tool fixes or added special effects!" Once these live dates are completed, Neal returns to Journey the first week of February to record the highly anticipated brand new studio album. But he says won't be forgetting about Soul SirkUS, looking forward to really moving that band forward. Neal was kind enough to let some of the Journey studio plans out of the bag, which I was very impressed with. The band head into the studio with producer Mike Frasier. Vocalist Steve Augeri has decided to work with the great producer Kevin Elson for his vocals. The guys will start by rehearsing the new material written for 2 weeks and start the recording process in the 3rd week of the month, hoping to have it completed with the exception of the lead vocals by the end of the month! Neal says he is very impressed with the material Steve Augeri has brought to the table, stating that throughout the 2004 tour (which he described as the best tour the band have had), Steve was always at work on new material and presenting ideas to the band. What's most interesting is Neal's take on the direction for this album. "This is a brand new Journey sound. There's classic Journey of course, but also parts like The Who and it's all very melodic. It's also nothing like Red 13....some people didn't like that release, but it was necessary for us to do." Neal says the new sound is "nothing like anything we've already done", before reiterating his enthusiasm for the work of Steve Augeri on new material. And that folks is where I left things this time around, with the invitation to call again in the new year for an update. That I'll certainly do! Remember that Journey will be inducted into the Hollywood Walk Of Fame on January 21, with a celebration gig at the House Of Blues on Sunset that night. And the Fillmore Soul SirkUS show will be filmed and feature special guests! Wish I could be at the Soul SirkUS and Journey gigs - what a time to live in the ass end of the world where airfares are sadly a luxury! Anyone out there work for Qantas, Air New Zealand or United Airlines??!! Stay tuned for further Soul SirkUS and Journey updates over the next few months. WebLinks: <a href="http://www.journeymusic.com" target="new">www.journeymusic.com</a> / <a href="http://www.soulsirkus.com" target="new">www.soulsirkus.com</a> SKID ROW PLAN NEW ALBUM FOR 2005: Skid Row are at work writing new material for a new studio album hoped to be released by mid-2005. Rachel Bolan is also working on a side project dubbed The Quazimotors. Rachel says the band is a 3 piece with 2 singers (himself and the guitar player) and has heard it described as "If Johnny Cash and Iggy Pop were to write songs on a 10 day bender." VAN HALEN'S MICHAEL ANTHONY SPEAKS: Van Halen bassist Michael Anthony has once again proved to be the good guy in remembering the fans and along with vocalist Sammy Hagar, continue to keep in contact with fans. Anthony just posted this message on his official web site: "I'd like to wish everybody a happy & bashing holidays and all the best for the new year to come! It was great to be out on the road again rockin' everybody's asses off! I would like to personally thank everyone for coming out and supporting the tour. Van Halen fans are truly the best and you guys are on the beach!' "I'm not sure what the future holds for Van Halen, but I can tell you Sammy [Hagar] and I will be out there rocking together with the WABOS in 2005. Stay tuned for further developments." A THOUGHT AND A PRAYER: And lastly for today, I try and make this site an oasis from the outside world and it's troubles. But the Earthquake and Tsunami disaster that has struck my neighboring countries in the SE Asian area is simply beyond comprehension and I'm sure everyone out there is behind all rescue and relief operations underway. I just wanted to say that I hope all readers of melodicrock.com in the effected countries are as well as could be expected, and others from around the world that have friends in the region will all be kept safe from harm. There are many organization sin many countries taking donations for relief operations and I'm pleased that the Aussie government has started with A$35 million, aircraft and personnel to get things started. I've heard today that Linkin Park have opened their own fund, calling it Music For Relief and starting with a $100,000 donation. The full story at: <a href="http://www.undercover.com.au/news/2004/dec04/20041230_linkinpark.html" target="new">www.undercover.com.au</a> and the fund's website is at: <a href="http://www.musicforrelief.org" target="new">www.musicforrelief.org</a>.  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#004080" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#004080"> <div align="center">Wednesday, December 29, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> JADED HEART SELECT NEW FRONTMAN: After splitting with long time vocalist and founding member Michael Bormann earlier in 2004, German hard rockers Jaded Heart have formerly recruited their new frontman. The 4 remaining musicians Barish Kepic (guitar), Michael Mueller (bass), Henning Wanner (keys) and Axel Kruse (drums) have been looking for a suitable "substitute" and have just announced the role has been filled by former Scudiero vocalist Johan Fahlberg. The 35 year old Swedish singer owns a very unique voice that the band state: "will add very new facets to the Jaded Heart sound." At the moment the band are busy with the songwriting for their seventh, yet untitled new studio-album. The first demos will be done by January. It is anticipated that the new album will be done and released via Ulftone Music/Frontiers Records sometime in May. After the release Jaded Heart will take off for a club-tour that leads the band not only through Germany but through the rest of Europe as well. In related news, former vocalist Michael Bormann has also been busy. His website has updated information stating that he will complete his new solo album during January, featuring 2CDs - one of new solo material and a second CD featuring all the songs that were already written for the forthcoming Jaded Heart album. It will be extremely interesting to see how both artists fare in 2005. Pictured below is new vocalist Johan and the completed new line-up for Jaded Heart.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news/jadedheart-johan.jpg" width="171" />xx<img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news/jadedheart-2005.jpg" width="395" /></div> TONY HARNELL SET TO DELIVER BIGTIME IN 2005: 2005, could very well be the best year ever for Tony Harnell and his fans. With an amazing new band and debut album soon to be announced, a new TNT album to follow up the critically acclaimed My Religion in the works, three songs on the upcoming Brazen Abbot CD, and a couple of other cool guest appearances, this is an exciting year for Tony and his fans. Tony commented: "There will be lots of touring in the second half of the year and lots of surprises for sure. I can't wait to get out there again and see those smiling faces in the audience. I am so excited about 2005 I can hardly contain myself. I have written and recorded what I think is possibly the best album of my career so far with my new band and the new TNT songs are sounding great as well. It's going to be a tremendous year." I have sampled a demo of one new tune and have to echo Tony's enthusiasm. Details of this project will be announced soon, but I really think it will impress fans greatly and perhaps bring in new fans for Tony from the heavier side of the melodic rock spectrum. For frequent updates and details on all things Tony, check out his soon to be redesigned official website at <a href="http://www.tonyharnell.com" target="new">www.tonyharnell.com</a>. BON JOVI PROMISE BIG ROCK RECORD FOR 2005 RELEASE: From VH1.com: Los Angeles — Bon Jovi want to give love a good name. The New Jersey rockers recently finished recording their ninth studio record, and singer Jon Bon Jovi calls it their most upbeat album ever. "After these trying times in the States this last year, we're trying to get back to some optimism, people accepting each other," Bon Jovi said. Telling of their optimism is the title of the first single, Have a Nice Day, which the band performed at the American Music Awards last month. John Shanks, who has worked with Lindsay Lohan, Ashlee Simpson, Hilary Duff and Kelly Clarkson in recent months, produced the album. "It's a big rock record that I think is gonna surprise a lot of people," Bon Jovi said. "It's a very contemporary sound, a real rockin' record." A title and release date have yet to be set, but fans should expect a spring release. "I'm really going to take my time with [the title], 'cause the songs are important enough to think of something," Bon Jovi said. In the meantime, the band just released the box set 100 Million Bon Jovi Fans Can't Be Wrong. "It's 38 songs no one's ever heard and 12 rarities that you have to be a diehard fan to know, so it's 50 songs," Bon Jovi boasted. Compiling the material gave the band a chance to reflect on it career. "It's incredible," Bon Jovi said. "Who would've thought? Twenty years, 100 million albums, not in my wildest dreams." MelodicRock note - Will upbeat = uptempo? And I do believe Jon called Bounce a big rock record at one stage! Here's hoping this one really delivers - the single is quite something, so it looks promising. WebLink: <a href="http://www.vh1.com/news/articles/1495161/20041223/bon_jovi_jon.jhtml?headlines=true" target="new">www.vh1.com/news/articles/1495161/20041223/bon_jovi_jon.jhtml?headlines=true</a> STYX IN STUDIO NOW FOR COVERS CD: The Styx single I Am The Walrus is presently #2 on the Mediabase Heritage Rock Chart and debuts on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Chart at #29. The band is now receiving strong airplay on Q104.3 in New York and the track is on over 150 stations nationwide. The band has now entered the studio to record a CD of some of their own favorite classic tracks such as I Don't Need No Doctor, Locomotive Breath, I Can See For Miles, and the 2005 bluesy version of Blue Collar Man to name a few. The CD will be released sometime in March and the Walrus single is now available through <a href="http://www.itunes.com" target="new">iTunes</a> for downloading. The video features a cameo by Billy Bob Thornton and is described by the band as "a lot of fun" and "shot on a production budget of ....nothing!" ArtistLink: <a href="http://www.styxworld.com" target="new">www.styxworld.com</a> VH1 STRIPS IT BACK FOR FANS OF OLD SCHOOL HARD ROCK: Los Angeles, Dec. 27 /PRNewswire/ -- VH1 Classic Metal Mania: Stripped, an acoustic compilation of the biggest hard rock ballad hits of all time, is set for release February 8, 2005 on Sidewinder Music. Gathered from imports, live recordings, rare performances, hard-to-find albums, and six new recordings, Stripped is an extensive collection of acoustic tracks from hard rock's multi-platinum metal gods. While Heavy Metal artists were known for their hard-rocking ways and arena rock anthems, it was often their ballads that crossed over and gave them more popularity and exposure, as well as their highest chart positions and mainstream recognition. Stripped offers fans intimate, one-of-a-kind versions of such classic cuts as Poison's "Every Rose Has Its Thorn" and Queensryche's "Silent Lucidity"(from MTV Unplugged); Scorpions' "Wind Of Change" (from Acoustica Live), Firehouse's "When I Look Into Your Eyes" (from Good Acoustics), Warrant's "I Saw Red;" Slaughter's "Fly to The Angels" (from Stick It To Ya) and a solo performance by Kip Winger of Winger's "Miles Away." This rare power ballad compilation also features a live acoustic version of Tesla's "The Way It Is," and an acapella track of "More Than Words" from Extreme. STRIPPED also features six new acoustic recordings including versions of Night Ranger's "Sister Christian"; Cinderella's "Don't Know What You Got (Till It's Gone)"; L.A. Guns' "Ballad of Jane"; White Lion's "When The Children Cry"; Alias' "More Than Words Can Say" and Great White's "Save Your Love." Jamie Talbot, compilation producer, A&R/Immortal Entertainment, comments, "If you look beyond the hairspray and leather pants that many of these metal artists are perhaps best-known for, you find powerful songs that stand the test of time. Many of these hits were written on acoustic guitar or piano and later transformed into more elaborate productions. We believe Stripped offers versions of these songs that reveal a warmth and intimacy that allow the melodies and song craft to shine through in a way not widely heard." "'Metal Mania' is one of the most talked about programs on VH1 Classic," said Eric Sherman, Senior Vice President/General Manager, VH1 Classic and VH1 Digital Television. "We're excited that we can extend its tremendous popularity into this collection of acoustic performances that highlight some of the best of the metal genre. 'VH1 Classic Metal Mania: Stripped' is the first of many VH1 Classic-themed products that will allow us to strengthen our connection with our enthusiastic viewers." VH1 Classic will support the release of the Stripped CD through extensive on-air promotion including an exclusive performance by Kip Winger of "Miles Away" taped in the VH1 Classic studio. The CD will also benefit from radio promotions and online support, and will also be available for purchase at shop.vh1classic.com. VH1 Classic Metal Mania: Stripped Full Track Listing: "Every Rose Has Its Thorn" Poison (4:27) . "Sister Christian" Night Ranger (5:08) (New Recording) . "Wind of Change" Scorpions (5:30) . "Don't Know What You Got (Till It's Gone)" Cinderella (5:09) (New Recording) . "Silent Lucidity" Queensryche (5:29) . "More Than Words" Extreme (4:09) . "I Saw Red" Warrant (3:44) . "The Way It Is" Tesla (6:03) . "Miles Away" Winger (3:58) . "Ballad of Jane" L.A. Guns (4:56) (New Recording) . "When The Children Cry" White Lion (4:30) (New Recording) . "When I Look Into Your Eyes" Firehouse (4:04) . "Fly To The Angels" Slaughter (3:22) . "More Than Words Can Say" Alias (3:51)(New Recording) . "Save Your Love" Great White (5:25) (New Recording). HAREM SCAREM WORKING AWAY ON NEXT ALBUM: Harem Scarem are knee deep in recording sessions for their new studio album. A couple of insights to the process are available via band member websites. Pete Lesperance has a clip of him supplying guitar work at <a href="http://www.petelesperance.com" target="new">his site</a> and drummer Creighton Doane has a clip of him pounding away at <a href="http://www.creightondoane.com" target="new">his site</a>. More news soon! NEW ANTENNA MAGAZINE NOW AVAILABLE: The third Antenna Magazine is now up for free download at <a href="http://www.antenna.nu" target="new">www.antenna.nu</a> and yet again it is packed with new interviews and reviews. The new Antenna Magazine features in-depth interview with Illdisposed, studio report from the recordings of the new power metal masterpiece by HammerFall as well as interviews with Scott Ian of Anthrax and Johan Hegg of Amon Amarth. Furthermore Tristania, Iron Saviour and Manticora are featured with interviews and as usual there's loads of CD and DVD reviews as well. And all this is available for free and can be downloaded at this location: <a href="http://www.antenna.nu/magazine.php" target="new">www.antenna.nu/magazine.php</a> Remember - Download Antenna Magazine # 1 for free or buy the print issue of Antenna Magazine # 2 [The second issue is not available for free] NEAL SCHON TALKS: I caught up with Journey and Soul SirkUS guitarist Neal Schon Christmas Eve - read what he had to say about the new Journey record and the future for Soul SirkUS, here tomorrow!  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#ff0000" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#ff0000"> <div align="center">Friday, December 24, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!: Merry Christmas folks! I hope everyone has a safe and happily holiday season. It's getting on here on Christmas eve, so here's one last update before the big day. Next update early next week - nothing Monday, but I expect to be online Tuesday/Wednesday with a fresh news update. Thanks to everyone that has supported the site during 2004. With thanks to the always groovy Steve Brown and 40ft Ringo, here is a Christmas hello message and a special MP3 download from the guys! Merry Christmas! Download: 40ft Ringo - <a href="audio/40ftRingo-MerryChristmas.mp3">Merry Christmas</a> and <a href="audio/40ftRingo-RockinChristmasTime.mp3">Rockin' Christmas Time</a>. STEVE PERRY UNLIKELY TO APPEAR AT JOURNEY WOF CEREMONY: Radio station 100.7 The Bay FM in Baltimore were yesterday reporting that Steve Perry had agreed to be at the Journey Walk Of Fame event January 21. I talked to Perry's management this morning local time and they had not heard this news and said that they did not expect Steve to be present at the event. JACK BLADES FIRING ON ALL CYLINDERS FOR 2005: I caught up with Jack Blades on the phone this morning - he wishes everyone a Merry Christmas. I was sending him my best and took the chance to ask about a couple of things. Firstly, he asks me to pass on how much fun the boys had at the recent Damn Yankees re-union. He said that it has definitely inspired them to look at doing more together as they have so much chemistry together and it would be a waste not to continue in some way. So expect to hear more about that! Jack and Tommy Shaw have also just about wrapped up their Shaw/Blades covers album - featuring their favourite tunes from the 60's and 70's. And 2005 should also see work on a new Night Ranger album commenced - so look out Jack Blades fans, 2005 will be just as big as 2004 was. MR-X UPDATE: <a href="mr-x/index.html">MR-X</a> has been updated! Added today is tracks from the very cool unreleased Arti Tisi album, a selection of cool new MP3s from the likes of Motley Crue, TMG and more....Also added are some really cool new video clips for: Jeff Paris - Saturday Night, King Kobra - Hunger and Iron Eagle (Never Say Die), Motley Crue - If I Die Tomorrow, Marchello - First Love, Nelson - Love And Affection and Regatta - Wherever You Run. Lastly - a new competition has been opened for MR-X members - on offer is one of 5 copies of the classic debut Heaven & Earth (Stuart Smith) CD. <a href="mr-x-intro.html">MR-X Membership Details</a>. Another site move error has come to light, but is now working as normal. <a href="reviews/featurereview.html">Feature Reviews</a> has been updated. You can now add your own reviews for: Soul SirkUS / World Play, The Ladder / Future Miracles and Mike Tramp / Songs I Left Behind.  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#2c743c" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#2c743c"> <div align="center">Thursday, December 23, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> AOR HEAVEN ANNOUNCE DEAL TO STOCK SOUL SIRKUS CD: AOR Heaven are very pleased to announce that they have struck a deal enabling them to purchase stock of the debut Soul SirkUS CD World Play. The CD to date has only been available via the band's official website - <a href="http://www.soulsirkus.com" target="new">www.soulsirkus.com</a> (and continues to be available). AOR Heaven will have the CD in stock by January 10, when they return from Christmas break. WebLink: <a href="http://www.aorheaven.com" target="new">www.aorheaven.com</a>.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="198" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/soulsirkus-worldplay.jpg" width="200" /></div> PEAVEY PARTS WITH EDWARD VAN HALEN: World-famous manufacturer launches 6505™ amplifiers, Carina™ guitars - December 21, 2004 - Peavey Int'l. Headquarters—Peavey announces it has parted with Edward Van Halen after a 13-year partnership. Peavey collaborated with the guitarist on his signature-model Peavey Wolfgang® Series electric guitars and Peavey 5150® Series amplifiers. According to the company, Van Halen retains the rights to the names 5150 and Wolfgang, as well as certain design elements of the Wolfgang guitar, but the 5150's circuitry and tone will remain in the Peavey family as the 6505™ amplifier. Peavey will launch the new 6505—named in celebration of Peavey's first forty years, 1965 to 2005—at the Winter NAMM (International Music Products Association) Expo, Jan. 20-24, 2005, in Anaheim, Calif. Peavey will also debut its Carina (Italian for 'beautiful') guitars to replace the Wolfgang. Carina™ Series guitars highlight many of the Peavey innovations used in the Wolfgang and other Peavey guitars, including computer-shaped necks that ensure all Carina guitars exhibit a consistent, comfortable neck radius and superior playability. The hugely successful 5150 Series guitar amplifiers and Wolfgang electric guitars, which launched in 1991 and 1995, respectively, have become staples of modern rock music. Endorsers ranging from Ted Nugent, 3 Doors Down and Default to underground metal heroes Atreyu, Darkest Hour and God Forbid, and even power-punkers such as Visqueen, have lauded the contributions these Peavey products have made to rock 'n' roll. "I'm very proud of the work we accomplished with Edward," says Peavey founder and CEO Hartley Peavey. "The 5150 Series has earned its place as a rock guitar standard, and the Wolfgang is a staple in the pantheon of rock instrumentation. They're both well respected pieces, and I'm glad we could bring those to life. "As we enter our fortieth year of building innovative instruments, amplifiers and sound equipment, we're more focused on the future than ever," he remarks. "We've pioneered a lot of 'firsts' in this industry, including making guitars using computer-controlled machines, and even with more than 130 patents behind us, there's plenty of fertile ground ahead of us. It's an exciting time for Peavey." GOTTHARD SIGN NEW DEAL WITH NUCLEAR BLAST: After their appearance with the Olympia song One Team One Spirit on Swiss television during the election of the Swiss sportsman of the year, Gotthard were decorated with the "Diamond Award" for 1 million sold albums in their home country Switzerland! The same evening, the band signed a new, long term contract with Nuclear Blast Records. The cooperation will start with a first single, due on April 11th 2005, followed by a new studio album on June 6th 2005. Nuclear Blast Records is very proud of its new signing, especially as Gotthard will tie up to "heavier times" with their new songs, ready to show once again that the band ranks among the top of the international Hard Rock league. "We're very excited about the signing of Gotthard. We heard the new material – the power and the quality of the new songs has convinced us completely", says NB label manager Matthias Lasch about the new cooperation. Picture: Andy Siry (Labelmanager Nuclear Blast), Marc Lynn (Gotthard), Hena Habegger (Gotthard), Matthias Lasch (Labelmanager Nuclear Blast).   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="125" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/gotthard-2004.jpg" width="245" /></div> LOS LOBOTOMY'S BOOTLEG LIVES UP TO IT'S NAME: Steve Lukather just checked back in after a good holiday break, discovering on his return, news of the 'bootleg' Los Lobotomy's CD. News to him it seems. Simon Phillips and Luke did not give their permission for an official release. This message was sent out for all: "This is not a record that Simon Phillips and I have approved! David Garfield and John Peña have taken it upon themselves to put this out even after BOTH Si and I said no we didn't want it out. They had no permission or license to do this therefore any and all ties are now severed. This ain't cool so if you buy it you are buying illegal material. It's not that it's bad, it's just NOT approved and it's totally lame that Garfield and Peña would take money in license fees without permission AND EXPLOIT Jeff Porcaro (yet again). There is now NO chance EVER that we will play together again. I am sorry anyone has been duped by these guys!!" DAVID COVERDALE TALKS NEW LIVE DVD AND POSSIBLE FUTURE ALBUM: David Coverdale has been interviewed for his own website - <a href="http://www.davidcoverdale.com" target="new">www.davidcoverdale.com</a>. The interview covers the 2004 tour and new Whitesnake line-up and also mentions the planned live DVD. It will be released by mid-next year, with the deal done barring the band from releasing any live CD for a period of one year after the DVD is released. Coverdale also replied to a question asking after a new studio CD with the band's current line-up. He responded by saying: "I am very interested to see how everything takes shape...One very exciting aspect is that there will be no necessity for compromise in terms of accommodating radio, or MTV...Just let the song run it's course...I am curious if in today's musical world if there is a necessity for a full blown album...Maybe 6 very cool songs...Who knows what will happen...This is when it gets exciting...The dull part is when you know exactly what is going to happen...You know...the 'corporate' way of doing things...This way it keeps you on your creative toes...This is an explosive bunch of guys to take in a studio...I believe it will be kick arse in the most positive way." CLASSIC METAL SHOW'S 2004 COUNTDOWN: The Classic Metal Show are running Christmas night (from 9p-3a EST) The Classic Metal Show Network's Top 20 Album Countdown Of 2004. It is hosted by Neeley of The Classic Metal Show, Hairball John of the Hairball John Show, and Chris Akin of Midweek Mayhem. The show counts down all three DJ's Top 20 Classic Metal Albums of 2004, and will feature music from each pick. Without giving any of it away, some of the artists that made the list are TMG, Jeff Scott Soto, TNA, Adriangale, Tesla and many, many more. Also, if people missed it, they can hear the interview I recently did with Neeley at: <a href="http://www.theclassicmetalshow.com/interviews/andrewmcneice.ram" target="new">www.theclassicmetalshow.com/interviews/andrewmcneice.ram</a>. MELODIC BRIEFS: Europe The Final Countdown Tour 1986 is a DVD release due out in Japan January 21. The 9 track live release is a re-issue of an original VHS release. I am yet to uncover any information on this release, but there is a Def Leppard DVD due for release in Japan February 25. Titled Rock And Roll Legend, it looks like an unauthorized documentary style release, as it's not through any record label I recognize and certainly not the band's Universal Label. Arrow Classic Rock Festival is the premiere rock n roll event in the Netherlands. The 2005 festival has a line-up that so far includes: Styx, Kansas, Little River Band and MeatLoaf. More info at: <a href="http://www.arrowclassicrockfestival.nl" target="new">www.arrowclassicrockfestival.nl</a>. Danny Vaughn / Tyketto fans will find a very good read located at Danny's Official Website. While in the UK and Europe recently on tour with Tyketto, Danny kept a diary throughout the tour and his detailed entries make an interesting read and paint a vivid picture. Check it out at: <a href="http://www.vaughn.de" target="new">www.vaughn.de</a>. Tommy Shaw & Jack Blades continue to work on their album of cover tunes, featuring classic rock tracks from the 70's. A 2005 release is planned through Sanctuary Records. More news shortly. FARM FUR EMERGE FOR DEBUT GIG AND NAMM PREPARATIONS: Grand Entertainment Presents a Pre-Namm concert at BB King's Blues Club in Hollywood on January 14 with a new supergroup called Farm Fur. This band consists of Tom Petty's drummer Steve Ferrone, Stone Temple Pilots bass player Robert Deleo and brother Dean Deleo (guitar player From STP) and Alex Lighterwood -former vocalist of Santana. This is an 11 piece band that will play songs from STP and The Average White band and other covers. The doors will open at 6:00pm with Farm Fur playing at 11:00pm Tickets are $10 advance, $15 day of show. Call 818-645-4140 ask for Dale Woodson or call BB Kings at 818-622-5464 to make reservations. The Band is preparing to perform at Namm the next week for the Industry. More info: <a href="http://www.grandentertainment.info" target="new">www.grandentertainment.info</a>. JACK FROST SIGNS FRESH GUITAR DEAL: Cincinnati, OH. December 21, 2004 -- The hardest working metal players continue to demand the hardest working metal guitars, BC Rich! One of those hard working axe wielders is New York metal guitar workhorse Jack Frost who has appeared on more than twenty albums since he burst on to the metal scene in 1994 with his band Frostbite. The list of musicians that Jack has had the pleasure to call fellow band members over the years reads like a who's who of the successful yet underexposed metal scene that thrives throughout Europe and Asia and maintains a solid fan base here in the US. He has recorded and/or toured with members of Overkill, W.A.S.P., The Misfits, Annihilator and Rainbow and has also been a member of metal favorites Savatage and Metalium. Most recently he has achieved success as the guitar player for the bands Seven Witches and The Bronx Casket Company both of which did well enough in the metal havens of Europe and Asia to enable the bands to secure worldwide record deals. Jacks guitar of choice is the BC Rich Handcrafted Neck-Thru Bich Supreme in Trans Purple with a single EMG 81 pickup, gold hardware and an ebony fretboard with abalone cross inlays. His newest acquisition is the BC Rich Handcrafted Neck-Thru Archtop Bich Supreme in Trans Blue with a single EMG 81 pickup, black hardware and an ebony fretboard with abalone cloud inlays. "I've always wanted to play BC Rich because to me they are everything that metal is - loud, original and screaming," said Jack. "I could've played other guitars but I wanted a BC Rich because I wanted the best!" 2005 promises to be another sleepless year for Jack. May will see the release of his sophomore solo CD as well as the new Bronx Casket Company CD. Also a new Seven Witches DVD entitled Years Of The Witch is scheduled for release in June. "We are pleased that Jack has picked BC Rich guitars as his weapon of choice," said Rock Clouser- Product Manager for BC Rich. "He needs a guitar that will deliver and BC Rich will do just that." WebLink: <a href="http://www.sevenwitches.net/bcrichjack_frost.htm" target="new">www.sevenwitches.net/bcrichjack_frost.htm</a>.  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#96413d" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#96413d"> <div align="center">Wednesday, December 22, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> MTM MUSIC DETAIL FEBRUARY'S RELEASES AND ISSUE CHRISTMAS MESSAGE: In what is likely to be their last major press releases for the year, several labels have issued new updates. The first comes from MTM Music: MTM Music have announced details and artwork for their upcoming February releases. They are as follows: The Shy album is done! So far the feedback is very enthusiastic about Sunset And Vine - "Shy, the British Gods of hard rock...around exceptional singer Tony Mills...still know how to really rock it!" (Birgitt Schwanke / Rock It); "An AOR Hammer!" (Sven Lohnert / Break Out); "...Amongst their fans, these British rockers still stand for Grade A melodic hard rock. Songs & are truly great and on the same quality level for which SHY became famous. On this album, Shy did everything the right way and should be supported by all those who & love melodic hard rock full of hooks and very good vocals. To cut a long story short everybody who loves the good old school melodic hard rock, will be pleased by this album! ..." (Martin Römpp / Heavy, oder was!?) And what do I think? I'll let you know first week of January when I kick of reviews for 2005. The album's track listing is: High Time . Open your Heart . Soul Searching . Where is the Love . You could be Dreaming . Don't jump the Gun . First Love . I will be home tonight . Walk through Fire . Slowly. Released February 07, 2005. Seven Wishes' brand new hard rocking album Destination Alive is the other new studio release from MTM in February, due out on the 21st of the month. The album's track listing is: Destination: Alive (Intro) . Cross My Heart . Won't See Me Cry . Fortuneteller . Follow The Stars . Goes Around Comers Around . Time To Say Goodbye . See Through The Lies . All That I Wanted . Picked Up My Pieces . Gone With The Wind . Like A Cardhouse.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/shy-sunsetandvine.jpg" width="200" />xx<img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/sevenwishes-destinationalive.jpg" width="200" /></div> MTM Classix have two titles lined up for February. Peo Look What I've Started is released February 14 as is Erika's In The Arms Of A Stranger. Following in March is the debut Black Star album on the 7th and Novak's Forever Endeavour on the 14th.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/peo-lookwhativestarted2.jpg" width="200" />xx<img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/erika-armsofastranger.jpg" width="200" /></div> MTM Music and all artists are saying "thank you" to the fans all over the world! At this very special time of the year, we would most sincerely like to thank our numerous fans from all over the world for their great interest and trust in us. All members of our team wish you a Merry Christmas and a happy, healthy and successful New Year. We hope you will still be satisfied with our work in the coming year. Thus, we will carry on giving young and unknown bands a chance, although this involves a much higher commercial risk and an extensive effort of time, let alone the often negative press coverage for newcomers. Furthermore, we will spare our fans future releases of dusty demos according to the motto "Lost and Found". Actually, we want to give new bands a chance, as is their due. Mpg, Greenhouze, Novak, Sin, Shylock, Brunorock, Northern Light, Human Temple, Token, Seven Whishes, Relapse, Edge Of Forever are just a few of the bands, of which we believe they will establish themselves. To achieve this aim, we need you the fans. We would be happy if you would support us and give these young and highly motivated bands a chance as well. They really deserve it! Let us use this opportunity and invite you to "Choose the MTM Newcomer of the Year". Simply tell us, which artist or band you would like to bestow this title upon. Among all participants, we will raffle 5 CDs by Greenhouze and 5 CDs by MPG - each signed by the band. In this spirit, we send our best wishes from Munich. Your team of MTM Music. Which one was the best MTM Music newcomer: Affair, Crossfade, Dogface, Dominoe, Edge Of Forever, Eternal Flame, Faro, Heartplay, Human Temple, Ignition, Loud & Clear, Safe Haven, Sayit, Shiva, Shylock, S.I.N., Token, Wicked Sensation, Zar. Which one was the best MTM Music release in 2004: Crossfade, Danny Danzi, Dare, Edge Of Forever, Heartplay, Human Temple, Kick Axe, Mtm Compilation Ballads Vol. 5, Mtm Compilation Vol. 10, Pulse, Safe Haven, Shiva, Shortino / Northrup, Shylock, Silver, Street Talk, Tnt, Token, Wicked Sensation. Which one was the best MTM Classix release in 2004: 707, Annica, Axia, Erika, Fate, Raw, Reckless, Rpm, State Of Mind, Zeno. Please send your answers to: <a href="mailto:newsletter@mtm-music.com">newsletter@mtm-music.com</a>. If you want to receive our MTM newsletter please sign here. We are clearing our database so even if you already have signed up please do it again. Enjoy your Christmas holidays and see you next year! THE MAGNIFICENT NEW THUNDER ALBUM: Anticipated by the release of the successful single I Love You More Than Rock n Roll, which entered the UK charts at No. 27 - becoming the bands 17th top 40 hit - Frontiers Records is pleased to announce all the details surrounding the European release of Thunder's new CD The Magnificent Seventh scheduled for February 21st 2005. The new album is a strong collection of hard rocking cuts among the best ever written and performed by the British band. "We chose the songs we liked the best", explains singer Danny Bowes, "the ones that we felt would carry on from Shooting At The Sun and make a solid LP with no weak filler tunes." The result is a real classic Thunder album filled with melodic songs, anthemic rockers and soulful ballads. British rock-icon Russ Ballard (Rainbow, Magnum, Argent) is also making an appearance co-writing the ending tune One Fatal Kiss with main songwriter and guitar player Luke Morley. The Magnificent Seventh includes the following songs: <a href="showcase/thunder-iloveyoumore.html">I Love You More Than Rock 'n' Roll</a> (click to see EP Showcase) <a href="http://www.frontiers.it/thunder-godsoflove02.mp3">The Gods Of Love</a> (click to hear an mp3 sample); Monkey See, Monkey Do; I'm Dreaming Again; Amy's On The Run; The Pride; Fade Into The Sun; Together Or Apart; You Can't Keep A Good Man Down; One Foot In The Grave; One Fatal Kiss. The line-up on the album features once again the classic lineup with: Danny Bowes on vocals, Luke Morley on guitars, Chris Childs on bass, Ben Matthews on guitars and keyboards and Harry James on drums. The band has also confirmed the following European tour dates: March 18 Holland, Weert Bosuil March 19 Holland, Hardenberg Podium March 20 Belgium, Vosselaar Biebob March 22 Germany, Hamburg Fabrik March 23 Germany, Bochum Zeche March 24 Germany, Munich Metropolis In Danny's own words: "Do yourself a favor buy the new Thunder LP, then buy a ticket to one of our shows in March, then tell all your friends to do the same. You won't be disappointed by either the LP or the show and all your friends will love you. Trust me, it's true!"   <div align="center"><a href="thunder-themagnificentseventh-full.jpg" target="new"><img alt="" border="0" height="250" src="/files-archive/news/thunder-themagnificentseventh.jpg" width="250" /></a></div> A PREVIEW OF NEW MILES ABOVE: The new Miles Above album is due out from Escape Music February 14. milesABOVE are: Vocals & Keys - Tim Hicks; Guitars - Anthony Mancini; Drums - Adam Mancini. Track listing: Faith Unkind . Little Miss Innocent . Thread . Close My Eyes . Careful What You Wish For . Faraway . August Ends . Lights Out . Gimme Nothin' . Burning Bridges . Live For Today . Watching the Picture Fade . God Help Us. Thanks to Escape, you can preview a full length MP3 from the upcoming album! Download: Miles Above - <a href="audio/MilesAbove-LittleMissInnocent.mp3">Little Miss Innocent</a>.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="199" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/milesabove-moveorbemoved.jpg" width="200" /></div> A FEW WORDS AND UPDATES: Hi folks…a few words and some updates….first up, this week has been a bit of a nightmare, but I think we have everything straightened out now. The move to a my new site server in the USA has brought out a few more problems in the last few days - the biggest problem being with MR-X. As it turns out, the script driving the password and username administration needed updating and those that joined in recent days will have passwords that have yet to be activated. If you haven't yet contacted me about this, or received and e-mail with a temp log-in, then please do so! For any new subscribers from today, all should be sweet! The move also saw some Review and Interview updates erased, but those too should now be back to normal and updated once more. If anyone finds any dead links, be sure to let me know. Thanks… In between getting the site moved, set up and running smoothly, several updates have been featured, but some others have had to wait. A couple more have been added today and you can expect more tomorrow before the Christmas break. The most time consuming part of the site and easily the most popular part of the site besides the Newsdesk is the Reviews. I have decided to do something a little radical in order to ensure 2005 gets off to a flying start and new reviews throughout 2005 come faster and more regularly than ever. I do plan to add several more reviews for current titles that need to be featured next week. But there remains a bloody stack of other titles and re-issues that have not been featured – which I do regret, but there is only so many hours in each day. What I am going to do shortly, is list each and every title sitting on my review shelf, with label and availability details, plus a few words on each title that will still clearly define the quality of each title and which fans they will be best suited for. A mass review-in-brief if you will, but without the trappings of an album cover and extra graphics. Most of the titles have been featured on the Mini-Bytes page already, but this way at least they will still get featured and 'reviewed'. I won't add ratings for these titles, but there will be confusion as to their worth! This way I can start 2005 with a clear shelf and a clear mind...At this stage I have about 10 titles to review that are released in the first month/s of 2005. Those will begin to be featured after January 1. Speaking of Christmas, there will be updates as usual next week, so be sure to tune in. Obviously there will not be a lot of press releases, as most companies are on break until the first week of January, so updates may not come every day, but there will definitely be news and updates added. SITE UPDATES: <a href="2004sofar.html">The Best of 2004 So Far</a> has been updated, listing the best songs and albums of 2004. I can probably fit in one more update of that page then it's on to the 2004 MelRock Awards! What will be the Album and Song Of The Year for 2004? That's coming up soon...  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#400080" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#400080"> <div align="center">Tuesday, December 21, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> RETRIBUTION FOR A RE-UNITED JUDAS PRIEST: The new Judas Priest album has been appointed a title - Angel Of Retribution! Five tracks that make up the album have also been announced - Judas Rising, Deal With The Devil, Revolution, Worth Fighting For and Hellrider. Angel Of Retribution will be officially released in the UK and Europe February 28 and on March 1 in the USA. There is also a release bulletin in Japan suggesting a world-first release date of February 2 (likely to be moved closer to International dates), complete with a first-pressing-only edition - featuring a bonus DVD containing live performance footage filmed in Barcelona on 24 June 2004. QUEEN AND PAUL RODGERS ANNOUNCE FIRST LIVE DATE: This item from <a href="http://www.pollstar.com" target="new">Pollstar News</a>: There is one date confirmed for the 2005 tour of Queen with Paul Rodgers. The band will perform March 19 in South Africa at Fancourt for the Nelson Mandela 46664 AIDS Awareness Concert. The show will open a tour that travels through England and Europe in the spring and North America in the fall. Rodgers, from the bands Free and Bad Company, impressed the remaining members of Queen when he joined them for several performances this year. Rodgers and Queen guitarist Brian May performed Free's hit All Right Now at a concert in London to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Fender Stratocaster guitar earlier this year. May and Queen drummer Roger Taylor then asked Rodgers to stand in for singer Freddy Mercury, who died in 1991, when the band was featured on a British TV channel's music hall of fame program. In a note on his Web site, May said there had been "amazing chemistry" when he played alongside Rodgers, adding "It seems blindingly obvious that there was something happening here." Right now, it doesn't look like bassist John Deacon, the other member of the band, will join the tour. LOS LOBOTOMY'S BOOTLEG THEMSELVES: Los Lobotomy's are set for a new release - a live recording dubbed The Official Bootleg. The CD is out now in Europe and Japan. This set of 8 jams recorded live is the third release from the band. Cuts 1-6 were recorded at Midtfyns Festival in Denmark June 24th 1994 and cuts 7 and 8 at the Baked Potato in Hollywood, CA on July 16th and 17th 1999 (by Bob Bradshaw). The CD cover drawing was made by Jeff Porcaro. The album is produced by John Peña and David Garfield and mastered by John Peña. The track listing is: Smell yourself . Hero With A 1000 Eyes . Extinction Blues . Dismemberment . Never Walk Alone . The Bomber . Froth . Party In Simon's Pants. Musicians: Steve Lukather - guitar, vocals, David Garfield - keyboards, Simon Phillips - drums, John Pena - bass. KEN HENSLEY'S ORCHESTRAL DIARY: Uriah Heep's Ken Hensley will release an album The Wizard's Diary early in 2005. There is a CD and DVD planned, both featuring new versions of Uriah Heep songs, recorded with the Presidential Orchestra of Russia. The DVD also includes 2003 rehearsal footage with the Orchestra, plus previously unseen Uriah Heep live performance footage from 1989 and live performance footage from 1983 featuring Blackfoot. The releases will be available from <a href="http://www.ken-hensley.com" target="new">Ken's website</a> in January and also via a label release in Japan - CD due February 23 and DVD due March 16. MELODIC RELEASE BRIEFS: Ex-Harem Scarem drummer Darren Smith's new project Black Star will feature 3 bonus tracks for Japan - So Low, Taking On Water and Tomorrow. It's released in Japan January 21 and in Europe via MTM March 7. The January 21 release of Martie Peters Group in Japan adds one bonus track. Masterplan's new Aeronautics album adds one exclusive bonus track for Japan - Hopes and Dreams. Ozzy Osbourne's upcoming box set has it's first release date set - it looks like fans will be able to buy the 4CD set the week of February 23. Disc 1 and 2 contains major hits and demo/live/B-side tracks. Disc 3 is a collection of duet songs featuring Therapy, Primus, Type O Negative, Was Not Was, Miss Piggy, Motorhead and Disc 4 features newly recorded cover tracks (Animals, King Crimson, Beatles, etc). Steve Vai will release a new studio album titled Real Illusions early in 2005 (February 9 in Japan) featuring bass great Billy Sheehan. D.A.D. are back with a new studio album early in 2005, with a Japanese release with bonus track due February 2. EMI Japan are re-issuing a number of remastered Thunder titles on February 23. Back Street Symphony, Laughing On Judgement Day, Best Of: Their Finest Hour (And A Bit), Behind Closed Doors & Ballads all come as straight re-issues, but with bonus sticker for each release. UK prog-rock band Arena will release their next album Pepper's Ghost in January. Japanese hard rockers Loudness will release a live DVD of their 2004 performances, with a bonus poster for the first pressing. Rock Shows Live 2004 is due March 16. Beautiful Creatures have signed a deal with Japanese label JVC for the release of their sophomore CD Deuce. The release date is yet to be determined. THE GREAT HOWIE SIMON UPDATES HIS SITE: I'll never hear the end of it unless I plug the great Howie Simon's website update. Yes, the guitar extraordinaire, who's talent is matched only by his attitude has a nice update for fans, including a full MP3 of him singing Long Train Running with Jeff Scott Soto from Sydney in September this year. There are also a ton of photos from the LITT tour and some other stuff. Check it out: <a href="http://www.howiesimon.com" target="new">www.howiesimon.com</a>. ALICE COOPERS CHRISTMAS PUD: Two good reports from Alice Cooper's annual charity show, The <a href="http://www.alicepudding.com" target="new">Christmas Pudding Concert</a> in Arizona, USA. As was announced a few months ago, the show would feature a full Damn Yankees re-union. Reports are as follows: Stephen Christian reports: "I attended the Alice Cooper Christmas Pudding concert tonight, as I have every year for the past 4 years. This is was the longest show (4 hours and 15 minutes!) and definitely the best musical lineup. Rick Neilsen and Robin Zander from Cheap Trick played 3 tunes with Alice's band (I Want You To Want Me, California Man, Surrender) and rocked the house. Near the end of the show, Ted Nugent came out and with Alice's bassist and drummer played Klusterphunky from Craveman, renaming some parts Merry Christmas, then played Wang Dang Sweet Poontang. This was a shock as this a relatively wholesome show every year, with religious affiliations and families attending. Although I like that song, I felt it was bad taste to play it at the show given it's lyrical content. But it's Ted. You have to expect him to shock people in one way or another. He then brought out a Damn Yankee named Jack Blades who played Cat Scratch Fever with Ted and Alice's drummer. Then brought out "some other Damn Yankees", namely Tommy Shaw and Michael Cartelone...a full Damn Yankees reunion! It started with Jack and Tommy paying tribute to the man who instigated the reunion, Alice Cooper. Tommy had an acoustic guitar that he held up head level so it could be heard through the vocal mic as he and Jack sang a down home southern version of Eighteen. Not too far into it, Ted motioned with his finger to give him the guitar, which he then smashed to pieces. Then he told them to get some electric guitars and off they went. The band played Don't Tread, High Enough and Coming Of Age and appeared to be having a blast. I saw the band "back in the day" and considering they probably just threw this together, they sounded damn good, harmonies and all. The spirit was there. You can tell that these guys love playing together. Randy Christman reports: Got to see a great show on Saturday Night. Alice Cooper's Christmas Pudding which is Alice's annual charity show. Rick Nielsen and Robin Zander from Cheap Trick played with Alice's band and did three songs I Want You to Want Me, California Man, Surrender. Arizona favorites, JD Simo (great blues guitar player), Gin Blossoms and Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers did great short sets. Glen Campbell (Rhinestone Cowboy) and Jessi Colter (Waylon Jenning's wife) played as well. The highlight of the night was seeing Damn Yankees reunited again. After Ted Nugent did two songs solo, he introduced Jack Blades for the song Cat Scratch Fever. He then brought the rest of Damn Yankees - Tommy Shaw and Micheal Cartellone. In honor of Alice, Tommy and Jack started doing a countrified version of Eighteen. Ted walked over and took the acoustic guitar out of Tommy's hands and smashed the guitar to bits. Told Tommy to "grab an electric guitar, boy!" They did Don't Tread On Me, High Enough and Coming of Age. I gotta tell you, these guys sounded great. I don't know how much they practiced before hand......it sounded like they have been touring with each other for the past 6 months. Jack and Tommy's harmonies are still great to hear together. Alice of course came out with his band and rocked four or five songs, then came out for the encore with everyone else, Run, Run Rudolph and Jingle Bells." KANSAS HAUL THEMSELVES TO EUROPE: Kansas are following Styx' lead and heading to Europe for select dates. Those dates (so far) are: 06-07-2005 Berlin, GER; 06-08-2005 Hamburg, GER; 06-10-2005 Solvesborg, SWE; 06-11-2005 Lichtenvoorde, NET; 06-12-2005 London, UK. XYZ REVIVE THEMSELVES LIVE WITH EVERY MOTHERS NIGHTMARE: XYZ and Every Mothers Nightmare are hitting the road together starting January 6 on what is being named the Revived In '05 Tour. XYZ will be performing such hits as Inside Out, What Keeps Me Loving You, Face Down In The Gutter, Come On And Love Me and tracks from their last studio release Letter To God - Tango, Rainy Day and more. Every Mothers Nightmare will be performing such hits as Walls Come Down, Love Can Make You Blind, Long Haired Country Boy, House Of Pain and songs from their upcoming studio release. The dates are: January 2005 6th - Hudson, WI - Dibbo's 7th - Cudahy, WI - Vnuk's 8th - Mt. Clemens, MI - Hayloft Liquor Stand 9th - Southbend, IN - The Heartland 11th - Williamsville, NY - Club Infinity 12th - NY - TBA 13th - Poughkeepsie, NY - The Chance Theater 14th - Allentown, PA - Crocodile Rock 16th - Clifton Park, NY - Northern Lights 19th - West Virginia - TBA 20th - Harrisonburg, VA -TBA 21st - W.Springfield, VA - Jaxx 22nd - Baltimore, MD - Thunderdome 25th - Cleveland, OH - House Of Blues February: 3rd - Akron, Oh - Voodoo Lounge 4th - Barrington, IL - Penny Road Pub 5th - Farmington, MO - The Rockhouse 25th - Alpharetta, GA - Rockstar Saloon More dates will be announced soon. Stay tuned. WebLinks: <a href="http://www.xyzmusic.com" target="new">www.xyzmusic.com</a> / <a href="http://www.cptproductions.com" target="new">www.cptproductions.com</a>. TWISTED SISTER HUNGRY ON DVD: A Twisted Sister DVD Still Hungry - Live at Wacken Open Air has an early 2005 release date through Demolition's Detonator Records. Filmed with 16 camera's, during the bands headline set in front of over 40,000 fans at the 2003 Wacken Open Air Festival, this DVD shows the band at their live best. Also included is footage detailing the reformation of the line up after a 12 year sabbatical, and their first "secret" shows before their official reformation. The track listing is as follows; What You Don't Know (Sure Can Hurt You) . The Kids Are Back . Stay Hungry . Destroyer . Knife In The Back . Under The Blade . You Cant Stop Rock And Roll . I Am, I'm Me . The Fire Still Burns . Ride To Live, Live To Ride . Shoot 'Em Down . We're Not Gonna Take It . The Price . Burn In Hell . I Wanna Rock . Come Out And Play . S.M.F. In other Demolition Records news, PainmuseuM's Metal Mike and Bobby Jarzombek will once again reunite with The Metal God himself - Judas Priest's Rob Halford for a new Halford IV album...to be completed in 2005. SITE UPDATES: The Mini-Bytes MP3 Preview page has been given a substantial update, with samples of new releases by: Masterplan, TMG (audio from the new live DVD), Goo Goo Dolls, Twisted Sister, Billy Falcon, Enuff Z Nuff, Saga, Chroma Key, Pain Of Salvation, Mike Dimaerli, Lost Fate, Ed James, Chris Church, Boogie Stuff, Ghost Machinery, plus samples from all 6 CD titles in the Mike Tramp/White Lion - The Bootleg Series release. <a href="minibytes.html">Sample now!</a> The CD Release Dates have been updated, with a ton of new additions to look forward to in 2005. <a href="releasedates.html">Check them out now.</a>  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#008080" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#008080"> <div align="center">Monday, December 20, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> THE USUAL SUSPECTS FROM JOE LYNN TURNER: Frontiers Records is particularly proud to present The Usual Suspects, the new studio album by Joe Lynn Turner to be released in Europe on February 21, 2005! "I have been defined many times in my career and identified with many rock genres from blues to metal. This particular album is a return to my more melodic rock sound", states Turner, adding, "In a sense, it is where I come from according to people who first got to know my work with Rainbow. In some ways it is better written than my previous disc, JLT. It s got bigger choruses, stronger hooks and amazing production. Yet just because I am using the word melodic does not mean it is wimpy. It has a definite edge to it." The title found its way through an interesting story - for those who may not know, The Usual Suspects is the title for a Kevin Spacey movie but that really is not where the album title came from. Joe: "My collaborators and I were sitting around having lunch and joked about how we have always referred to each other as 'the usual suspects'. And then we thought, what a great name for the CD!" Players on the album include longtime friends and collaborators of the New Jersey singer such as guitarists Al Pitrelli (Alice Cooper, Megadeth, Savatage, Trans Siberian Orchestra) and Karl Cochran (Ace Frehley), drummer John O Reilly (Rainbow, Blue Oyster Cult), ivory tinklers Paul Morris (Rainbow, Doro) and Andy Burton (Ian Hunter) with David Z (Joan Jett, Trans Siberian Orchestra) on bass and Nancy Bender on background vocals. Final track listing includes the following songs: <a href="http://www.frontiers.it/jlt01.mp3">Power Of Love</a> (click to hear an mp3 sample); <a href="http://www.frontiers.it/jlt02.mp3">Devil's Door</a> (click to hear an mp3 sample); Jacknife; Really Loved; Rest Of My Life; Into The Fire; Blood Money; <a href="http://www.frontiers.it/jlt08.mp3">All Alone</a> (click to hear an mp3 sample); Ball And Chain; Live And Love Again; Unfinished Bizness (European bonus track).   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/joelynnturner-theusualsuspects.jpg" width="200" />xx<img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/joelynnturner-2005.jpg" width="226" /></div> TOMMY DENANDER WORKS TOWARDS A BIG 2005: Tommy Denander e-mailed in some updates for fans wondering what he has been up to. While not mentioned within these news pages for sometime, Tommy hasn't been idle. Here's what he had to report on: Tommy has done quite a few live shows this summer and fall, mostly a special guest with other artists and serious plans are in the making for 2005 to bring out Radioactive live together with a real all star band. Some of the artists and musicians Tommy has performed with lately include Alcazar, Jamie Meyer, Sha-Boom, Carola Süzch (Fame Factory), Chris Catena, Mikkey Dee, Mikael Erlandsson, Mistheria, Sayit, Joel Starander, The Crashband and Can Do to name a few...One of the coolest shows was in Rome with Italian rocker Chris Catena and his band. The new Radioactive album is almost finished and features a fantastic line up as always including Neal Schon, Yngwie Malmsteen, Bobby Kimball, Tommy Funderburk, Reb Beach, Michael Thompson, Jim Jidhed, Fergie Frederiksen, Mikael Erlandsson, Gary Barden, Dean Parks, Greg Phillianganes, Tony Franklin, Bruce Gaitsch, Michael Landau, John Keane, Mikkey Dee, Kelly Keagy and more!!! The title and artwork will be presented soon. The DVD is also almost done and feature new interviews with Steve Lukather, Mike Porcaro, Bobby Kimball, Randy Goodrum and Greg Phillinganes plus lot's of rare stuff from the recordings with Toto in LA 1991 and 2000, Vince DiCola, Dean Parks, Dave Boruff, Greg Phillinganes, Fee Waybill, Bruce Gaitsch, Fergie Frederiksen and much more. With the plans of taking Radioactive on the road 2005 will be a great year for this project. Tommy and his good friend Fergie Frederiksen (Toto) have joined forces and are recording an album together. You can expect a very good album with top class production and great guests, it will be released in the spring of 2005. The Speedy Gonzales album is almost done, just some last vocals by Thomas Vikström remains. The musicians on the album are Tommy, Thomas Vikström, Marcel Jacob and Daniel Flores. You can expect a serious kick ass album and it will be out early 2005 through AOR Heaven. The Sha-Boom - Big Bang album is being mixed right now by the great Bo Reimer (Backstreet Boys, The Darkness etc) and it's a total killer album featuring guests like Europe members Ian Haugland, John Leven, Mic Michaeli and Kee Marcello among others. The album will be out at the end of January. And for the 3rd time in 3 years Tommy has placed one of his songs in the Eurovision contest! Details are officially announced in January. Lastly, Tommy is working with Unruly Child singer Philip Bardowell on an album at the moment with fantastic songs by Mark Spiro, Stan Bush, Jim Peterik as well as great tune by Tommy and Philip. More information and pictures at: <a href="http://www.tommy-denander.com" target="new">www.tommy-denander.com</a>. ZEBRA LIVE ON THE INTERNET JANUARY 28TH, 2005: Randy Jackson, Felix Hanemann, and Guy Gelso are celebrating 30 years of Rock N' Roll by playing at The Downtown, January 28th, 2005, in New York. For those who can not be at this exciting event, can listen to it in the comfort of your own home! If you have Winamp (<a href="http://www.winamp.com">www.winamp.com</a>), and a broadband connection, you are in for a real treat. The exact show time has not been determined, but will be posted in the near future. Time for you to invite your friends over, hook up some good stereo speakers and jam to one of the best rock bands around. Zebra live, and in stereo, across the world. Zebra has toured with class acts such as Journey, Bryan Adams, Sammy Hagar, and Aerosmith. Their debut album entitled Zebra sold over 75,000 units in the first week alone, and were a huge hit on MTV in the early 80's. With 4 studio albums and 1 live concert album, Zebra plays all the classic tunes such as Tell Me What You Want and Who's Behind The Door to brand new songs from their 4th album entitled IV. Some say they cover Zeppelin better then Zeppelin. Tune in and see for yourself why this band has lasted for over 30 years. Go to <a href="http://www.thedoor.com" target="new">www.thedoor.com</a> and become a free member. From there you will find the link that will take you to the show on January 28th. The link will be posted the same day of the event, but don't wait to become a member. Sign up today and avoid the last minute rush to hear one of rock's elite groups. "Rock N' Roll hasn't died, it just found a new way to be heard". STRYPER DEALING WITH THE GOOD AND THE BAD: Stryper are in the news for a number of reasons this week - not all good. But first the best news: From the <a href="http://www.stryper.com" target="new">band's website</a>: "It was announced today that Stryper is recording a new studio record. This will be the bands first full-length studio record since 1991. The release date and the label in which it will be released will be announced soon. Sign up on the email list at Stryper.com. The release information on this record will be announced to the email list even before it is posted here on the official Stryper website. Get the inside information on this exciting new studio record. Sign up on the email list and receive information about a new studio record before anyone else." Now, if you follow the link to the band's website, you will see a couple of open letters dealing with the band's recent troubles with a concert promoter in Mexico. The promoter has gone to some lengths to create public pressure on the band to return an advance for a gig they later pulled out of. There is a website with all the details at: <a href="http://www.stryper-pay-back.tk" target="new">www.stryper-pay-back.tk</a>. Stryper's replies can be found at their site frontpage - <a href="http://www.stryper.com" target="new">www.stryper.com</a> SITE MOVE - UPDATE: Some apologies! The website is now fully transferred to my new host in Florida, USA. Due to a slight bugger-up, all Friday's site updates were erased early yesterday - that included the CD Showcase update, Friday's MR-X update and most importantly, new and re-subscribing MR-X membership details! Those affected are being e-mailed currently, if you do have problems logging in, please let me know ASAP! All functions are working and all files and updates have been restored. Today's planned updates went out the window, as it took most of the day to restore the erased updates, not to mention tweaking the site since it's final move. On that subject - most folks should be enjoying a faster load time and quicker download speeds - I'd be interested to hear some feedback on that to make sure that is the case! See you tomorrow for what I hope is a day of smooth sailing and big updates!  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#008000" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#008000"> <div align="center">Friday, December 17, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> THE RETURN OF MIDNIGHT: Black Lotus is really proud to announce the signing of the legendary Crimson Glory singer, Midnight, who returns after 16 years in absolute silence! Words are not enough to describe his truly unique voice, which has marked the history of recorded music and placed him among the most influential singers of the 1980's. The years have passed, but Midnight refused to get involved in any musical projects after the amazing Crimson Glory albums and the silence breaks so he returns to the frontline with his first stunning solo work titled Sakada to be released around April 2005. In his comeback (always shall be referred as the comeback of the century!), he is surrounded by new musicians (Phil Anderson/ Hammer Dulcimer, Drums, Washboard, other percussion, Scott Gibson/ Electric Guitar, Bass, Mandolin) as well as old friends, like Ben Jackson (the rhythm guitarist of Crimson Glory) and other special guests. SITE UPDATES: <a href="mr-x/index.html">MR-X</a> has been updated. We are now back to the regular weekly updates. Members should grab everything currently on offer - if you haven't already - as next week will see a good clean out and fresh update. Online today is a new Feature Album - Tour De Force's out of print 1995 album World On Fire, a new Feature Live - a flawless soundboard broadcast of a classic Don Henley solo show, released under the name Houston Summer 1989. A new Feature Single is online featuring Tiffany w/Tim Feehan (yes, you read correctly) and new videos are also online for: Brighton Rock - Can't Stop The Earth From Shakin' (Live), Craft - You're The Best Thing In My Life, Eric Martin Band - Sucker For A Pretty Face, Jackyl - The Lumberjack Song, Kix - Blow My Fuse and Nightwish - Over The Hills & Far Away. <a href="mr-x-intro.html">MR-X Membership Details</a>. CD Showcases have been updated featuring 2 current and 3 upcoming releases for Frontiers Records in January. Online today are samples of new albums by Glenn Hughes, Tommy Funderburk and Last Autumn's Dream (all out January 24) and Crown Of Thorns and Richie Kotzen (out now). <a href="#cdshowcase">Check them out</a>.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="180" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/showcase/glennhughes-sm3.jpg" width="400" /></div> UP NEXT: Coming up next week - a major Mini-Bytes updates, more CD Showcases, a Release Dates update, fresh new Reviews and some special features....plus updates on MelodicRock.com CD3 and the MP3 Digital Download Store. Lots still to come after that too - least of which is the always anticipated 2004 MelRock Awards and 2005 Outlook. I can't believe it's that time already! Stay tuned...  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#b11b1c" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#b11b1c"> <div align="center">Thursday, December 16, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> HEARTLAND READY TO MOVE ON; WHILE MILES ABOVE READY TO BE MOVED: Escape Music have announced the details of the new Heartland album Move On. The brand new studio album will be released in Europe April 11 and in Japan on March 23. The track listing is: Hard Hearted Man . City of Lights . Take Me Alive . How was I to Know . I'm Getting Ready . Hell Or High Water . Too Sad To Cry . Remember Me? . Redemption (Instrumental) . Where Do We Go From Here? . One Fine Day. The album details: Produced & recorded by Steve Morris at Ocean Reach Studio, Warrington, UK. Vocals Produced & Recorded by Anders Rydhom, Vaxjo, Sweden. Mixed and Mastered by Tommy Hansen at Jail House Studio, Denmark. Line Up: Lead Vocals / Back Up Vocals - Chris Ousey; All Guitars, Keyboards - Steve Morris; Drums (all songs except Getting Ready) - Rasmus Duedahl; Drums (Getting Ready) - Bjarne T. Holm (curtsy of Dream Evil); Bass - Mathias Gregersen; Special guests on backing vocals - Peter Sundell / Per Svensson (courtsy of Grand Illusion). And thanks to Escape Music, here's another 1 minute teaser! Download: Heartland - <a href="audio/Heartland-CityOfLights-Mix1.mp3">City Of Lights</a> (Rough Mix).   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="250" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/heartland-moveon250.jpg" width="250" /></div> Canadian rockers milesABOVE are ready to go with their second album Move Or Be Moved on 14.02.2005 via Escape Music. The album was once again produced by Corey MacFadyen (Brighton Rock) and offers 13 fine Modern Rock songs – this time focusing an a little heavier edge. milesABOVE are: Vocals & Keys - Tim Hicks; Guitars - Anthony Mancini; Drums - Adam Mancini. Track listing: Faith Unkind . Little Miss Innocent . Thread . Close My Eyes . Careful What You Wish For . Faraway . August Ends . Lights Out . Gimme Nothin' . Burning Bridges . Live For Today . Watching the Picture Fade . God Help Us. milesABOVE on tour: 17.12.2004, CAN-Niagara Falls, Blue Martini Lounge; 21.12.2004, CAN-Brantford, Liquid Lounge; 22.12.2004; CAN-St.Catharines, L3; 23.12.2004, CAN-Guelph, Turtle's Jack; 26.12.2004, CAN-Brantford, Liquid Lounge; 28.12.2004, CAN-Brantford, Liquid Lounge.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="202" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/milesabove-moveorbemoved.jpg" width="199" /></div> Escape Music release schedule: 24.01.2005 Various Artists – Millennium Vol.3 14.02.2005 milesAbove – Move Or Be Moved 07.03.2005 Liesegang/ White – Visual Surveillance Of Extremities 11.04.2005 Heartland – Move On 09.05.2005 Boysvoice – Serenity LabelLink: <a href="http://www.escape-music.com" target="new">www.escape-music.com</a> RED, WHITE & CRUE TOUR COMPETITION LAUNCHED: Motley Crüe's Red, White & Crüe - Better Live Than Dead 2005 Tour begins February 17th and is turning out to be one of the hottest tickets around! Here is your chance to enter an awesome contest to win a pair of tickets and back stage passes to any show on the upcoming tour. Click on the banner to go to the entry page.   <div align="center"><a href="http://www.flashenhanced.com/motleycrue/contest/tb " target="new"><img alt="" border="0" height="60" src="/files-archive/news/mc_468_60_2.gif" width="468" /></a></div> The City of West Hollywood would not allow Mötley Crüe to hold their press conference to announce their reunion tour at the Whisky A Go-Go (the event was moved to the legendary Hollywood Palladium) and the L.A. Fire Marshal prohibited the band from landing their Red, White & Crüe helicopter (which was already approved by the FAA) at the Palladium (and again for the band's appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live). The bad boys of rock are still coming to pollute a city near you. Mötley Crüe's new single, If I Die Tomorrow, is already a success. It is the #1 most added song on both Mainstream and Active Rock formats in its first week. Jim Richards of Clear Channel stated, "If I Die Tomorrow is a contemporary song. The radio stations are getting a big response from fans because they know they are part of something special." Full Red, White & Crüe 2005 World Tour/Better Live Than Dead Tour Dates (so far): <a href="http://216.166.80.131/tour/" target="new">216.166.80.131/tour/</a>. If I Die Tomorrow Audio Links: <a href="http://boss.streamos.com/wmedia/ume/motley_crue/ifidie-1.asx" target="new">Windows Media</a> / <a href="http://boss.streamos.com/real/ume/motley_crue/ifidie.ram" target="new">Real Audio</a> If I Die Tomorrow Video Links: <a href="http://boss.streamos.com/wmedia/ume/motley_crue/motleycrue_ifidietomorrow.asx" target="new">Windows Media</a> / <a href="http://boss.streamos.com/qtime/ume/motley_crue/motleycrue_ifidietomorrow.mov" target="new">Quicktime</a> / <a href="http://boss.streamos.com/real/ume/motley_crue/motleycrue_ifidietomorrow.ram" target="new">Real Video</a>. Tour Trailer: <a href="http://www.concerts.com/tour/drama/tick/funk/EnergyUSDblank.mpg" target="new">www.concerts.com/tour/drama/tick/funk/EnergyUSDblank.mpg</a>. And following comments from Tracii Guns on his dislike of the new Motley track, Nikki Sixx has replied: "I put my heart and soul into the new Crüe. So there, I said it… disappointed in a friend. As far as heart and soul, I put it into the Brides too. I used every connection of mine for the band (got us a record deal, merch deal and world tour on my name), pulled favors and funded it myself. So do I believe in it? Fuck yes, or I wouldn't have done that for us. Do I believe they can go on without me? Hell yes… and trust me when I say it will rock. Am I gonna do the Crüe the next 12 months? Fuck yes. What's after that? Who the fuck knows… cross that bridge when we get there." And on Brides Of Destruction: "I want them to go on and kill the world. I respect Tracii as a player. We have a friendship carved in flesh with razorblades (sometimes painful and very human)." DIMEBAG DARRELL LAID TO REST: "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott has been laid to rest, with a host of rock figures paying tribute to the guitarist, including Jerry Cantrell, Zakk Wylde and Eddie Van Halen. A couple of pics from the ceremony can be viewed via: <a href="http://tinyurl.com/42fpg" target="new">tinyurl.com/42fpg</a> and <a href="http://tinyurl.com/4644c" target="new">tinyurl.com/4644c</a>. Further details and more pictures can be seen via: <a href="http://www.nbc5i.com/news/3998576/detail.html" target="new">www.nbc5i.com/news/3998576/detail.html</a>. And 92.3FM's The Metal Show in Cleveland have dedicated their latest broadcast to Darrell, with show audio now online at: <a href="http://www.themetalshow.com" target="new">www.themetalshow.com</a>. JOURNEY LIVE IN LA, HIT THE STUDIO IN FEBRUARY & SOUL SIRKUS GIG TO BE FILMED: Join Journey as they celebrate their Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame! Journey will perform at The House of Blues in Hollywood on January 21, 2005. Pre-sale tickets will be available through Ticketmaster. The pre-sale event will begin at 10:00 a.m. (PST) on Wednesday, December 15 and end at 10:00 p.m. (PST) on Friday, December 17, 2004. There are a limited number of tickets available for this very special concert. January 21, 2005, House of Blues, 8430 Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069. And further good news for fans, with guys hitting the studio in February to finish recording their new CD for release by mid-2005. In related news, Soul Sirkus will play The Fillmore in San Francisco, California on January 13, 2005 - a gig which will now be filmed and recorded! Segments will be used for the shooting of a video for the song Coming Home which will be dedicated to and include footage the troops in Iraq. VON GROOVE WATCHING THE OPEN SKIES IN 2005: I caught up with Von Groove's Mladen briefly, who says watch for the 8th Von Groove album in the new year - tentatively titled Watcher Of The Open Skies. Mladen says he has been working on quite a few projects lately, the latest being female artist Scarlett - <a href="http://www.scarlettmusic.biz" target="new">www.scarlettmusic.biz</a>. And Mladen's pet project with Rob Moratti - Final Frontier have just released their new album High Tension Wire in Japan. Let me say that this is a kick-ass album of the highest quality traditional AOR. The guys get better and better with each release and the new album features the same catchy AOR with a beefed up production quality. Full review soon, but for now, check out some soundbytes online now in the <a href="minibytes.html">Mini-Bytes</a> area.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/finalfrontier-hightensionwire.jpg" width="200" /></div> KEVIN CHALFANT SHARES CHRISTMAS WITH HIS FRIENDS: Kevin Chalfant has released his new solo Christmas album, Christmas With All My Friends, which is available now via his website: <a href="http://www.cliquerecords.com" target="new">www.cliquerecords.com</a>. The album features the following Christmas tracks: Silent Night . It Came Upon A Midnight Clear . Away In A Manger . O Holy Night . What Child Is This-O Come O Come Emanueal . Silver Bells . Please Come Home For Christmas . O Come All Ye Faithful-Little Drummer Boy . Merry Christmas Baby . Have Yourself A Merry Little (Polynesian) Christmas . 'Twas The Night Before Christmas (with Paul Morgan).   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="205" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/kevinchalfant-christmas.jpg" width="200" /></div> SCREAMING JETS' RIGHT PLACE WRONG TIME TOUR: 2004 has been a massive year for Australia's premier pub rock band The Screaming Jets and they are kicking off 2005 with a new single Right Place Wrong Time. After taking a three year hiatus in 2001, following over a decade of relentless touring and releasing, in February '04 the boys decided it was time to get right back into it. They booked the rehearsal room and settled down to three months of writing and recording. The new material was road tested over eight gigs in April which received overwhelming support from fans. Inspired by enthusiastic sell out audiences, the band culled the new songs to five and recorded their first EP in 12 years, Heart of The Matter, asking long time friend and producer Steve James to produce the tracks, which were then mixed by Roger Sommers in LA. Following the release of Heart of the Matter in August, the guys headed back out on the road for a three month national tour, consistently playing to packed houses with crowds that lapped up their tight musical formula and Dave's witty and feisty on-stage antics. Their infectious energy and classic rock tunes (you're compelled to sing along with) reminded audiences why The Screaming Jets have super-ceded the critics and had the longevity to survive for over a decade. Confident that they were at their best form yet, in November the guys decided to film a complete live show for their first Full Concert Release, due to hit stores on DVD in April/May 2005. To coincide with the radio release of the new single Right Place Wrong Time, the guys will commence another massive national tour, this time taking in WA and north Qld in addition to the Eastern States. Heart of the Matter and Right Place Wrong Time showcase new more mature territory for The Screaming Jets and the Gleeson, Walmsley and Woseen writing team, keeping the band fresh, while retaining all the best elements of the jets classic hits. So jump on board the bus, hold on tight, there's a rocking and rollicking ride to be had by all! Heart of the Matter, the single, was added to metro and regional radio around the country such as Triple M Sydney, Hot FM WA and FM104.7 Canberrra, so listen for Right Place Wrong Time to also hit your radio soon. Heart of the Matter EP Out Now - MGM Distribution New Single Right Place Wrong Time hitting radio December/January: Screaming Jets Right Place Wrong Time Tour Jan 5 Wynnum Hotel, Wynnum Jan 6 Sands Tavern, Maroochydore Jan 7 Parkwood Tavern, Gold Coast Jan 8 Waterloo Hotel, Brisbane Jan 9 Across the Waves, Bundaberg Jan 13 Magnums, Airlie Beach Jan 14 Dalrymple Hotel, Townsville Jan 15 Brothers Leagues, Cairns Jan 16 Fluid, Port Douglas Jan 21 The Metro, Perth Jan 22 Doodlakine Hotel, Doodalkine Jan 25 Le Rox @ Bridgeway Hotel, Adelaide For ticket info and start times call the venue and see: <a href="http://www.screamingjets.com.au" target="new">www.screamingjets.com.au</a>. MUNICH'S HARDEST HITS OFFER UP LATEST COMPILATION: The brand-new Melodic Rock compilation from Germany's No.1 Rock radio in the web 'Munich's Hardest Hits' is out now. Volume 6 features 4 hot AOR and Melodic Rock tracks incl. among other things prev. unreleased tracks from: Heaven, Joseph Lee Wood, Eva & Frozen Rain. Tracks: Wayne Smart - Just Another Stranger; Raw Silk - Street Girl; [gæleri] - Blue Town; Frozen Rain - Waiting For You (from the forthcoming 2005 album); Requiem - Magic; Eva - One Day Without You (new 2004 studio-track); Secret Smile - Into The Night; Statement - Dancin' On The Edge; Platitude - Oblivion; Heaven - Rock Me Gently (prev. unreleased); Scott Sudbury - The Last American Dreamer; Subway - Into The Fire; Joseph Lee Wood - Are You Ready (new 2004 studio-track); Shannon - Wild, Wild, Wild. For more information check out <a href="http://www.munichshardesthits.com" target="new">www.munichshardesthits.com</a>. Available via: <a href="mailto:order@munichshardesthits.com">order@munichshardesthits.com</a>.  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#004000" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#004000"> <div align="center">Wednesday, December 15, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> FORMER HAREM DRUMMER DARREN SMITH SIGNS NEW PROJECT TO MTM MUSIC: Former Harem Scarem drummer Darren Smith has finished work on his long awaited solo project and MTM Music are proud to announce they have signed the album for a release in March. The project will be released under the band name Black Star. The line-up of Black Star is: Darren Smith (Vocals, Guitars), Mike Hall (Killer Dwarfs, Helix)(Lead Guitar), Stan Miczek (Honeymoon Suite, Sass Jordan)(Bass) and Pat Carrano (Drums). Harem Scarem main man Harry Hess has produced the album for Darren, who stands up as a frontman himself for this release. When deciding to forgo drumming duties, Darren's only oick for the role was friend Pat Carrano, an unseen gem up until this point. The music of Black Star is described as swinging back to simpler times in Rock 'n' Roll and has stepped outside the trappings of politics and religion. A press release takes it a little further: "Life is about working hard and having fun and Black Star has embodied these ideals and delivers, to those of us who still look to the easier points of life, a message that will help keep our heads in a world that seems to be crashing in all around us. Music is a lot of things and escape seems the finest of them all." The album is scheduled for March 7th on MTM Music.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="259" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/blackstar-2004.jpg" width="250" /></div> HONEYMOON SUITE - LIVE FROM THE GODS 2002 TO CD AND DVD: Frontiers Records is pleased to finally announce the release of the Honeymoon Suite Gods 2002 Live CD and DVD simply entitled HMS Live for February 21st 2005! Following the European release of their last studio album Dreamland in spring 2002, Canadian AOR masters Honeymoon Suite appeared for a special one-off show at the Gods Festival in Bradford, UK on June the 4th 2002. With a line-up featuring founding members Johnnie Dee and Derry Grehan together with new members Peter Nunn (Alannah Myles, Gowan, Brighton Rock) on keyboards, Rob Laidlaw (Lee Aaron; Kim Mitchell, Rik Emmett) on bass and drummer Brett Carrigan, the band sounded tight and performed an amazing show which included such classic as Stay In The Light, Burning In Love, New Girl Now and brand new songs like What I Know and Touch The Sun (only available on the Canadian release Lemon Tongue). All in all an outstanding performance which adds the Gods 2002 DVD series another gem for the melodic rock collectors around the globe! Track listing of the CD and the DVD include the following tracks: Other Side Of Midnight; What I Know; Stay in the Light; Burning in Love; Wave Babies; Touch The Sun; Piano Solo; What Does it Take; Feel it Again; All Along You Knew; Lookin' Out For No. 1; Guitar Solo; Bad Attitude; New Girl Now. The DVD will be released in NTSC Region Free format - Stereo 2.0.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/honeymoonsuite-live.jpg" width="200" />xx<img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/honeymoonsuite-live-dvd.jpg" width="140" /></div> BRUNOROCK PROMO SINGLE FOR ALL MUSICBUYMAIL ORDERS: The forthcoming full length album release of Brunorock Interaction is introduced by the release of a promotional single. The single features the song Pray For Rain as well three samples of Take The Trophy, Castaway and No More Promises. The album is scheduled for April 25th and each order at <a href="http://www.musicbuymail.com" target="new">www.musicbuymail.com</a> is getting the single for free. The style of Brunorock could be described as Melodic Heavy Rock. The album feat. Paolo Morbini (ex-Eva and Exilia), Bobby Altvater (Affair), Alex De Rosso (ex-Dokken), Rachel Bolan (Skid Row) as well as Fredrik Bergh (Street Talk). The album is mixed by the mighty Michael Wagener! TRAMP'S SELF-RELEASE CAMPAIGN TURNS TO DVD: The White Lion / Freak Of Nature DVDs pictured below are exclusively available now from AOR Heaven. Mike Tramp's website will also stock them shortly, but for now, AOR Heaven is the place to go. DVDs were manufactured by Mike and all titles play worldwide. <a href="http://www.aorheaven.com" target="new">www.aorheaven.com</a>   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="214" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/whitelion-dvd1.jpg" width="150" />xx<img alt="" height="210" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/whitelion-dvd2.jpg" width="150" />xx<img alt="" height="211" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/whitelion-dvd3.jpg" width="150" />xx<img alt="" height="215" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/freakofnature-dvd.jpg" width="150" /></div> SOUL SIRKUS' HIGHLY ANTICIPATED DEBUT ALBUM, 'WORLD PLAY,' AVAILABLE NOW EXCLUSIVELY AT WWW.SOULSIRKUS.COM: December 9, 2004 -- The highly anticipated debut album from Soul SirkUS, WORLD PLAY, has finally been made available exclusively at the band's website (<a href="http://www.soulsirkus.com" target="new">www.soulsirkus.com</a>) starting this week. Soul SirkUS is a group of legendary talents born out of the ashes of Planet US, a band originally featuring guitarist Neal Schon and drummer Deen Castronovo of Journey along with Sammy Hagar and Michael Anthony of Van Halen. When Hagar and Anthony left the band to return to their roles in Van Halen, Schon and Castronovo joined forces with former Yngwie Malmsteen and Talisman singer Jeff Scott Soto (who also provided lead vocals for the feature character in the movie "Rock Star") and bassist Marco Mendoza (Ted Nugent, Whitesnake) to create Soul SirkUS which picks up where Planet US left off. Thanks to the Internet, word about the band spread like wildfire when fans all over the world discovered six sound clips available on the band's website. Since then, sound clips of the entire album have been posted and the fan base is growing daily. Here are some examples of the rave reviews emanating straight from the fans: "Thanks Neal, JSS, Deen & Marco for the most rockin' CD I've heard in over a decade. Young musicians should pay attention to you guys!" "Thanks for restoring my faith in ROCK!" "Hearing Soul SirkUS is like a breath of fresh air." "The best music I've heard this year." "Stunning…excellent…fantastic…awesome…brilliant…incredible..." "…a supergroup, formed by super musicians!!!" WORLD PLAY was recorded at Journey keyboardist Jonathan Cain's home studio (Wild Horse Studios) in San Francisco, CA in only two days. Cain engineered the project and Schon and Soto sat at the producer's helm. Soul SirkUS came together in January 2004 when Schon and Soto met and jammed together at the Winter NAMM Convention in Los Angeles. Schon had also caught Mendoza performing at a showcase that weekend, which in turn sparked an idea to create "one of the coolest bands anyone's heard of in a long time," according to Schon. Once Castronovo and Mendoza were on board, Schon and Soto quickly got to work, collaborating on a number of songs, the results of which can be heard on their debut album. Neal Schon recently commented on the vibe of the band: "The new stuff is cool, melodic and has plenty of edge. We are very much looking forward to getting it out soon and playing live. I definitely feel we have the goods. It is sounding very cool to say the least. It's raw, in-your-face rock…the way rock should be." In touring news, Soul SirkUS has lined up their first batch of U.S. dates, with more to be announced in the coming weeks. Fans can check them out at the following stops: Fri Jan 7th San Diego, CA Belly Up Tavern Sat Jan 8th Los Angeles, CA House of Blues Sun Jan 9th Anaheim, CA House of Blues Tue Jan 11th Ventura, CA Ventura Theatre Thu Jan 13th San Francisco, CA The Fillmore Fri Jan 14th Santa Cruz, CA The Catalyst Sat Jan 15th Lake Tahoe, NV Cabo Wabo, Harrah's Tahoe Order the CD - available now at: <a href="http://www.soulsirkus.com" target="new">www.soulsirkus.com</a> PLEASE NOTE! I am in the final stages of moving the site to a new host and some small outages might affect some users over the next 48 hours. Please continue to hit refresh for site updates and confirm site files are being drawn from new host.  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#003d79" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#003d79"> <div align="center">Tuesday, December 14, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> MTM ANNOUNCE JANUARY TITLES AND LOOK FORWARD INTO 2005: MTM Music have announced details of their anticipated January titles. The details and cover art is as follows: Martie Peters Group - MPG is released January 31 and features the track listing: The Beast Inside . Riot On The 5th Floor . Only Dreaming . Number 1 . Takes Some Time . Heart Is An Empty Space . A World Without You . Take Me Over The Edge . Bird On The Wire . Hard To Choose . Dixie Toot. Line-Up: Martie Peters - Vocals, Martin Slott - Guitar, Anthony Lledo - Guitar, BJ - Bass, Jakob Schlein – Drums. After almost 10 years in the band Push it was time for a change for Martie Peters and the challenge to record an album with a solo group seemed like the next natural step forward. He teamed up with long time friend and multi musician (keyboards, guitar, bass) Anthony Lledo for the production while former band mate Martin Slott was invited in as the main guitarist for the new songs. Martie wanted to cover more ground than what he had previously achieved in a band and so he also hooked up with guitarist Rene Shades, the two played together in the sleaze rock band Sateria from 1987 to 1991, to add different moods for different songs. Rene Shades has recently played with Mike Tramp's touring band. Christian Thiesen is an old school guitarist who added just the right feeling for the cover version of the 1974 Rod Stewart/Ron Wood track Dixie Toot. Various other musicians have been brought in and the result is a fresh album that varies from classic hard rock songs to ballads and mid-tempo tracks, more ground is covered! MPG was recorded in Copenhagen during 2004 and mixed by no one else than Tommy Hansen who was recently responsible for TNT and Fate. The album, also officially released in Japan, contains of 11 great melodic rock songs and Martie's voice reminds to Mike Tramp at his best days in White Lion: the fans will love this album! Greenhouze - Greenhouze is released January 24 and features the track listing: The Point . Waterlin . Here In The Air . Remember . Train Song . Insanity . Tall Grasses . Clouds (instrumental) . Rain . Snow On The Roof (instrumental) . Everything . Highway In The Sun. Line-Up: Solli - Lead & backing vocals; Lars Levin - Electric, acoustic & bass guitars, keyboards, backing vocals; Additional musicians: Frank Tostrup - Drums & percussion; Celio de Carvahlo - Percussion on 4 & 7; Leif Johansen - Backing vocals on 7 & 11; Drums samples played by Mike Sturgis. In 1999 guitarist Lars Levin (Second Heat, Session musician, producer) was recording a bunch of songs he had written the latest years. Solli (Sons Of Angels, Psycho Motel, 21 Guns) was hired in for backing vocals and it sounded so good they decided to work together on a long term basis. Early 2001 they started recording the first Greenhouze album. It was finished in November 2002. One year later they secured a 3-album contract with MTM Music. The album features 12 tracks which has a huge, updated AOR sound for the 2000's and beyond. Both the music and the lyrics express urban alienation vs the deep sense of mystic harmony in nature. With this album the Norwegian Rockers have created a unique sound, but at the same time resembles bands as diverse as Pink Floyd, U2, Bad English, Whitesnake, Boston and Mr. Mister! Solli has a voice that goes from melodic and emotional to intense and plain aggressive. Lars Levin combines strong riffs with melodic leads and from time to time an acoustic guitar is in there to. He also plays the lush keyboard landscapes, deep bass guitar as well as singing back up vocals. The drums are handled by Frank Tostrup (Shirley's Temple) who has written the title song for Gene Simmons' new solo album, Asshole. These Swedes have introduced themselves with a demo CD sent by mail. "Every day we receive demos from all over the world, but only once in blue moon the enthusiasm of the first soundcheck is as great as in Greenhouze's case," says Mario Lehmann, joint owner and managing director of the Munich based label MTM Music, who promptly put of copy of the CD into his car's stereo. There, it's on "heavy rotation" until it can be exchanged by the real pressing. On this album every song is different from each other, thus maintaining a signature sound. The music of Greenhouze is likely to fit the Hard Rock/AOR audience as well as the mainstream market. Rhapsody Sweden - Strange Vibrations is released January 24 and features the track listing: I've Done All I Can . Been so long . Crazy Dance . Belly Dancer . Strange Vibrations . The creepers . Take To The Highway. New & unreleased bonus tracks: It's Gotta Be Alright . Sweet Rock 'N Roll. Line-Up: Peter Åhs - Keyboard; Kjell-Åke Norén - Guitar, keyboard; Benny Ahlkvist - vocals; Torbjörn Persson - Drums, percussion; Rudolf Janszky - Bass. 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 hard rock/pomp/AOR - audience. Torbjörn Persson: "Now after all these years we're very proud that MTM wants to re-release our album again, and that we could get hold of the master tapes. We have remastered the old songs carefully and we have also recorded two brand new songs as bonus tracks for this re-release. When we recorded these new songs our old chemistry was back and it almost felt like if there were 4 teenagers back in the studio. It was great fun and we decided to record new songs for an album right away."   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="180" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/martiepetersgroup.jpg" width="180" />xx<img alt="" height="180" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/greenhouze.jpg" width="180" />xx<img alt="" height="180" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/rhapsody-strangevibrations.jpg" width="180" /></div> Further news from MTM Music: The Northern Light project continues to develop. Kimmo Blom (Heartplay, Urban Tale) finished the vocals for the song Lay Down Your Defences written by mainman Tor Talle, Kimmo and Fredrik Bergh from Street Talk. Kimmo will go into studio next week to record vocals for two new songs. Terje Eide (On The Rise) and Tor have just finished the song High Upon The Sky and Fergie Frederiksen has booked studio and will record the vocal parts for Eye To Eye next week. Also, Peter Sundell will soon start recording the vocals for Don`t Turn Away written by Tor and Jorn Lande. Tor Talle is happy to have another "Northern Light" on board, Mikael Erlandsson will also be one of the singers on the album, but it is not decided what song he will sing for the moment. Drums will be played by a great session drummer from Norway called Jango Nilsen. He plays drums on the latest album to Kurt Nilsen. Keyboard will be played by Egil Orvedal, Fredrik Bergh and Tor Talle and Bass guitar will be played by Rune Ganderud and Tor Talle as well. Kjetil Nesheim will be the producer for the album. So all the guys are on board and working hard for an exceptional album which will be out mid of next year! Tor has a new website up soon: <a href="http://www.tortalle.com" target="new">www.tortalle.com</a> After their great comeback album My Religion the boys are back at work. Ronni le Tekro and Tony Harnell of TNT have been writing a couple of new songs right after their live performances at Sweden Rock, Deep Impact and Lorca Festival. In December they come together for the first recording session. We keep you informed. Brunorock is just finishing the recordings for the new album Interaction. As already announced, Michael Wagener will mix the album and early February the album is mastered at Independent Mastering in Nashville by Eric Conn (Ted Nugent, Dokken and 38 Special!) The album is scheduled for April 24, 2005 and there will be a single release available for free at <a href="http://www.musicbuymail.com" target="new">www.musicbuymail.com</a> shortly before Christmas. A few days ago we received the finished album of Novak and we were blown away! He has done a very good album...but more about Forever Endeavour in an update soon. The album will be released in March 14th and in Japan a few days earlier. Broke [N] Blue are back working on their follow up album. After some delay, caused by health problems, they are now mixing the first 6 songs. SIN are reporting a finished recorded album, ready to be mixed and scheduled for spring next year. Most of the new Nightvision songs are finished, but the vocals are still not done. They will have some raw materials at the end of January, and then the finished mixed songs are expected approx at the end of February. We haven't heard back from Tommy Denander from some time but the new Radioactive album is supposed to be finished by mid of December and what else than a brilliant record can we expect from Mr. Denander!?!? The Axe guys, Bobby Barth and Bob Harris are currently working hard in the studio for the upcoming Edge Of Forever album. Bob Harris finished his vocals and Bobby will start mixing the album right away. Let The Demon Rock 'N' Roll is the album title Also, Faro is preparing a new album and last but not least the finished album of Zeno Zenology II is just waiting to be released. More news soon! MÖTLEY CRÜE REUNITES ALL ORIGINAL MEMBERS AFTER MORE THAN SIX YEARS: Here is the full Motley Crue re-union announcement for those that might have missed it when released December 6. All Four Original Members of The World's Most Infamous Rock Band Release New Single and Video While Also Heralding New Anthology Album... Los Angeles (December 6, 2004) - The raucous rulers of the sex-and-drugs-fueled nightlife on L.A.'s Sunset Strip have returned to their old stomping grounds. All four original members of Mötley Crüe, the glam-metal gods who ve sold more than 40 million albums worldwide and who paved the way for other seminal rock acts, have reunited for the first time in six years, announcing a new world tour VH1 & VH1 Classic Present Mötley Crüe Red White & Crüe Tour 2005 & Better Live Than Dead, and giving their fans a live taste of it. Tickets go on sale this Saturday, December 11th at Ticketmaster and VH1.com. The event at the Hollywood Palladium began at 6:00 p.m. with a press conference announcing the tour, a new anthology album and the debut of a fresh single and video, If I Die Tomorrow. The new tour, it was revealed during the press conference, resulted not only from strong demand by homegrown audiences, but was largely fueled by the diligent efforts of Mags Revell, a UK promoter with Metropolis Music Group, who launched his own grass-roots campaign in the UK designed to get the band to reunite. Taking the unprecedented steps of placing advertising in UK media and putting a hold on concert venues in the UK for June, 2005, Revell's efforts quickly gained traction with fans all across the world who added fuel to the fire by taking to the internet and spreading the word. Said Revell, "I honestly did not know until now whether Motley Crue would respond to our efforts. With the help of tens of thousands of fans in the UK and around the world, I wanted to show the band that there was a real demand for their reunion and I took a big risk. This is the band that we all never thought we'd have the chance to see live again and I strongly admire them for responding to their fans. It is the realization of a dream for so many people for whom Motley Crue represents what rock music is all about." "Mötley Crüe are a gang of musicians that climbed the mountain of rock to success," Allen Kovac, CEO of Tenth Street Entertainment, said in a statement. "This tour and new music delivers to all those who love one of rock's most passionate and aggressive bands." Nikki Sixx, Vince Neil, Mick Mars and Tommy Lee, the original members of Motley Crue, whose stature as the world's most infamous rock band was made legend in their NY Times best-selling autobiography The Dirt, will be touring the world in 2005, beginning with arenas in the US and Canada in February. The US portion of the the world tour, dubbed Red, White And Crue Tour 2005 - Better Live Than Dead, is being presented by VH1 and VH1 Classic and goes on-sale to the general public this weekend. Beginning today, however, VH1.com are offering a limited number of seats on their website to fans wanting to beat the box office rush. For dedicated Crüe fans it's all about the live show. In a marathon Motley Crue Style, the band will launch its world tour in February, starting in U.S. arenas and coming back for an amphitheater tour in August and September. The first leg of the tour will run as follows (* indicates a tentative date): Feb. 17 Ft. Lauderdale, FL Office Depot Center Feb. 18 Tampa, FL St. Pete Times Forum Feb. 20 Greenville, SC Bi-Lo Center Feb. 22 Cleveland, OH Gund Arena Feb. 23 Toronto, ON* Air Canada Center Feb. 25 Detroit, MI The Palace Feb. 27 Ottawa, ON Corel Centre Feb. 28 Hartford, CT Hartford Civic Center Mar. 3 New York, NY Madison Square Garden Mar. 4 Philadelphia, PA Wachovia Spectrum Mar. 5 Boston, MA Fleet Center Mar. 6 Washington D.C. MCI Center Mar. 8 Columbus, OH Schottenstein Center Mar. 10 Chicago, IL Allstate Arena Mar. 12 Milwaukee, WI US Cellular Arena Mar. 14 Minneapolis, MN* Target Center Mar. 15 Kansas City, MO* Kemper Arena Mar. 17 Dallas, TX Nokia Live Mar. 19 Phoenix, AZ Cricket Pavillion Mar. 20 Las Vegas, NV* The Joint Mar. 22 San Diego, CA Coors Amphitheatre Mar. 23 Los Angeles, CA The Forum (tentative) Mar. 25 Reno, NV Reno Events Center Mar. 26 Oakland, CA Oakland Arena The rest of the 2005 world tour is scheduled as follows: - May Latin America (exact dates to be announced shortly)} - June UK Arenas & European Festivals June 7 Helsinki, Finland Icehall Monsters of Millenium June 8 Turku, Finland Rock in Turku 2005/Ellysee Arena June 10 Oslo, Norway Spektrum Skooks Out 2005 June 11 Solvesborg, Sweden Sweden Rock Festival June 12 Bologna, Italy Gods of Metal June 14 Glasgow, Scotland SECC June 15 Manchester, England Evening News Arena June 17 Birmingham, England NEC June 18 Cardiff, Wales International Arena June 19 London, England Wembley, Arena Killing Joke are announced as the opening act for the five UK dates. Additional dates in Europe will be announced shortly. - Aug./Sep. Amphitheaters in 43 North American cities including Albany, Albuquerque, Atlanta, Birmingham, Boston, Buffalo, Charlotte, Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Concord (CA), Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Hartford, Holmdel (NJ), Houston, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Milwaukee, Nashville, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, Portland, Raleigh, Sacramento, St. Louis, Salt Lake City, San Antonio, San Diego, San Francisco, Scranton, Seattle, Tampa, Toronto, Virginia Beach, Wantaugh (NY), Washington (DC) and West Palm Beach. - Nov./Dec. Southeast Asia, including Japan, Australia/New Zealand (exact dates to be announced shortly). In conjunction with the tour, the band s US & International record labels also announced the release of a definitive 2-CD Greatest Hits collection that chronicles the band s entire career. Scheduled for release on February 1st, the set, entitled Red, White & Crue, includes three brand-new Crue songs including the first single If I Die Tomorrow, which features a highly stylized and autobiographically-driven music video. The Mötley Crüe saga began in a musical era when rock was still recovering from the emasculation of disco and the punk rebellion has already begun to take root. In 1981, bassist Nikki Sixx left his glam-rock band London and met drummer Tommy Lee, both strung-out adolescents with a penchant for the party life and a knack for creating fist-in-the-air anthems. With the recruitment of guitarist Mick Mars and singer Vince Neil, the band adopted the moniker Mötley Crüe and recorded their first album, Too Fast for Love, a paradigm-shifting effort which stoked the growth of the glam-metal movement based in Los Angeles. Picked up by Elektra, the Crüe released a string of classic albums through the 1980s Shout at the Devil, Theatre of Pain, Girls, Girls, Girls and Dr. Feelgood, generating hit singles from most of their cover tracks as well as Smokin in the Boys Room, Don t Go Away Mad (Just Go Away) and many others. They were also selling out stadiums, eventually to the tune of over 10 million concert tickets. Yet the forces that made Mötley Crüe's kick-ass music so authentic, namely their own reckless lifestyle of excess, gradually took its toll. In 1989 Nikki Sixx was revived after flatlining from a heroin overdose, the most extreme example of the band's indulgences. The band's current reunion comes at a time of re-growth for all of its members Tommy Lee is currently shepherding his best-selling biography, Tommyland, along with a new NBC reality show to debut in 2005; Vince Neil, having toured continuously as a solo artist, has appeared on several TV sitcoms as well as the WB reality series The Surreal Life; Nikki Sixx has been touring and recording with Brides of Destruction, writing songs and is preparing to release his autobiographical The Heroin Diaries; and Mick Mars, having struggled since his teens with the chronic, degenerative illness ankylosing spondylitis, has been successfully recovering from hip replacement surgery. A feature film based on the band's best-selling autobiography, The Dirt, is currently being developed by the band in conjunction with MTV Films/Paramount. The screenplay is being written by Rich Wilkes (XXX). Red, White & Crue Track Listing: Disc One - Live Wire . Piece of Your Action . Toast of the Town . Too Fast For Love . Black Widow . Looks That Kill . Too Young To Fall In Love [remix] . Helter Skelter . Shout at the Devil . Smokin' in the Boys Room . Use It Or Lose It . Girls, Girls, Girls . Wild Side . You're All I Need . All In The Name Of... . Kickstart My Heart . Without You . Don't Go Away Mad (Just Go Away) . Same Ol' Situation (S.O.S.) . Dr. Feelgood. Disc Two - Anarchy In The UK . Primal Scream . Home Sweet Home ['91 remix] . Hooligan's Holiday [Brown Nose Edit] . Misunderstood [Successful Format Version] . Planet Boom . Bittersuite . Afraid [Alternative Rave Mix] . Beauty . Generation Swine . Bitter Pill . Enslaved . Hell on High Heels . New Tattoo [single version] . If I Die Tomorrow (new) . Street Fighting Man (new) . Sick Love Song (new).   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="300" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/motleycrue-2005.jpg" width="375" /></div> On the subject of the new Motley single If I Die Tomorrow, former L.A. Guns guitarist Tracii Guns is not a fan! He posted a message on Metal Sludge's "Gossip Board", stating: "OK, I am the biggest Mötley fan in the world and this new song sucks donkey's ass, elephant's ass and my mom's ass. Vince's [Neil] voice has never been better and they made him sing this shit. I am embarrassed. Yes, Nikki's my best friend, but I ain't goin' along with this one 'cause I would look like a donkey's donkey." SWEDEN ROCK FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES FIRST BANDS: Sweden Rock Festival have announced the first run of bands that will compromise it's 2005 show. Announced so far are: Mötley Crüe . Accept . Kansas . Styx . Dio . Magnum . Saxon . Hammerfall . Blackfoot . Nazareth . Vixen . Sonata Arctica . Robin Trower . Helix . Shakra . Hellfueled . Morgana Lefay . Satanic Slaughter . Symphorce . Crystal Eyes . A.C.T . Thyrfing. More festival details at: <a href="http://www.swedenrock.com" target="new">www.swedenrock.com</a>. JOURNEY'S NEXT DVD A VHS CLASSIC: It seems the on again/off again release of Journey's Frontiers And Beyond on DVD is back on. Japanese retailers have begun listing the 1983 VHS release as due on DVD January 26. A catalogue number of CRBL-10015 has been assigned. In related news, Soul SirkUS finally have a chance to blow audiences away with 4 Californian live shows. I've heard a little about the proposed set list and would recommend anyone in the remote vicinity make sure they witness these first shows for the band! The details are: January 7, 2005, Belly Up Tavern, Solana Beach, CA January 13, 2005, The Catalyst, Santa Cruz, CA January 14, 2005, The Independent, San Francisco, CA January 15, 2005, Harrah's South Shore Room, Lake Tahoe, NV. ArtistLinks: <a href="http://www.soulsirkus.com" target="new">www.soulsirkus.com</a> <a href="http://www.journeymusic.com" target="new">www.journeymusic.com</a>.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="190" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/journey-frontiersandbeyond.jpg" width="135" /></div> NEWS FROM SORCERY STUDIOS ONLINE - TONY HARNELL, TNT, MASQUERADE 7 MARCIE FREE: Masquerade has just released their new album, entitled In Disguise which takes the listener back to the sounds from their highly regarded debut release. With all the positive reviews and brisk sales of In Disguise the band is already making plans to return to the studio for another new release in 2005 as well as a possible Live CD and DVD. Anyone purchasing the new CD through the bands website will get a free preview of the live DVD for next year. <a href="http://www.masqueradetheband.com" target="new">www.masqueradetheband.com</a> Legendary vocalist Marcie Free has just opened up 'The Vault' on her website that allows fans that join access to download monthly updated high quality MP3's of all her recordings through the years which will include dozens of previously unavailable demo, studio, and live tracks. <a href="http://www.marciefree.com" target="new">www.marciefree.com</a> Tony Harnell is off to Scandinavia for some recording, writing and a couple of little shows with Ronni Le Tekro and friends. "Hectic is a good word for my life right now, but it¹s all good. I can't remember a time in my career when I have done so much music. 2005 will be a very good year if you are a TH fan! Lots and lots of amazing music is coming your way." A big announcement is coming soon about a secret project I have finished. Stay tuned! Tony and Ronni are writing for the follow up to My Religion. Until then they have posted a new video download is available for My Religion. <a href="http://www.tonyharnell.com" target="new">www.tonyharnell.com</a> and <a href="http://www.tnttheband.com" target="new">www.tnttheband.com</a>. EMERALD RAIN SLEEPWALKING ON NEW STUDIO ALBUM: Canadian melodic rockers Emerald Rain have almost completed their next studio album, at this stage tentatively titled Sleepwalk. The album is due for a Northern summer release in Japan, with a European deal far from settled. The band, which will feature the original line-up from Broken Saviours, has a new Japanese deal in place, and continue to look for a European deal. The band's Murray says: "The band are in a position where, because of our careers over here, we don't need the money anymore." That's good news for fans, as he adds: "...we're gonna do whatever FEELS right." UNLEASH THE NEXT YNGWIE MALMSTEEN ALBUM: Yngwie Malmsteen has named his new solo album Unleash The Fury. The title is a very tongue in cheek reference to a quote from an audio tape which leaked a year or so back, featuring Yngwie going nuts at someone on a US domestic flight. The band featured on the new album, due in early 2005 is: Yngwie Malmsteen - All Guitars; Doogie White - Vocals; Patrik Johansson - Drums; Joakim Svalberg - Keyboards. Official album release details will be announced soon at: <a href="http://www.yngwie.org" target="new">www.yngwie.org</a>. STYX LINE UP FOR COVERS ALBUM: Styx have begun work on a new studio album - but not quite an official follow-up to Cyclorama. A covers album will be released sometime in the first half of 2005. Frontman Tommy Shaw had this to say: "Now we're cutting bass guitars, electric and acoustic guitars, and every stringed instrument we can find in my house. In doing these cover songs we are getting a lesson in old school arranging and recording and this will be resonate in whatever comes after these sessions. To see how bands did things before digital recording (not that we weren't one of those bands, but we've long since gotten on board the digital train) has been a real breath of fresh air, and a license to Rock, recklessly and unchained by styles which emerged over the last 30 years is downright emancipating." Incidentally, Tommy is one of the many vocalists featured on the next Michael Schenker album, due in 2005. JOHN SYKES STILL A BAD BOY: The release of John Sykes' new solo live album, recorded on his brief Japanese tour in April of this year, has been delayed until December 29. Bad Boy Live features the following tracks: Bad Boy . We Fall Down . Cold Sweat . Crying In The Rain . Jellyroll . Is This Love . Look In His Eyes . I Don't Wanna Live My Life Like You . Please Don't Leave Me . Still Of The Night . Thunder And Lightning. The band featured on tour and on this record are: John Sykes, Derek Sherinian, Marco Mendoza and Tommy Aldridge.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/johnsykes-badboylive.jpg" width="200" /></div> BRIAN MAY POSTS ONLINE ABOUT 2005 PLAN: Queen guitarist Brian May has confirmed news of the band's plans for a 2005 tour with Bad Company singer Paul Rodgers in place of Freddy Mercury. A post to <a href="http://www.brianmay.com" target="new">Brianmay.com</a> states: "It really all came about because of the Fender 50th Anniversary gig that I did with Paul Rodgers. We were both so amazed at the chemistry that was going on in All Right Now, that suddenly it seems blindingly obvious that there was something happening here. The shows are a definite for the UK and Europe with the rest of the world still being considered. Barring accidents, Queen and Paul Rodgers will be on the road, pretty much for sure, around April 2005." The tour will feature songs from both Queen and Paul Rodgers' history, plus other suitable material. VELVET REVOLVER HEAD DOWNUNDER: Velvet Revolver will tour Australia and New Zealand for the first time in 2005. The band will begin the tour in Christchurch, New Zealand on February 19. Tickets are on sale from December 17. The dates are: Thursday 17 February 2005, Westpac Centre - Christchurch Saturday 19 February 2005, Supertop at Ericsson Stadium - Auckland Monday 21 February 2005, Brisbane Entertainment Centre Wednesday 23 February 2005, Hordern Pavilion, Sydney Saturday 26 February 2005, Adelaide Entertainment Centre Sunday 27 February 2005, Vodafone Arena, Melbourne Wednesday 02 March 2005, Challenge Stadium, Perth SEARCH FOR INXS ROCK STAR COMMENCES NEXT MONTH: Inxs' search for a new singer, achieved via the reality TV Show Rock Star will commence in January. The band and show will host auditions in 20 cities around the world, including Auckland, Sydney, Liverpool, Toronto, LA, Chicago, Boston, Seattle and New York. The series will screen initially in the USA on CBS in July 2005. Full dates for auditions and conditions of entry have been announced and are available at the Official Rock Star site: <a href="http://www.inxsrockstar.com" target="new">www.inxsrockstar.com</a>. TYGERS ON PAN TANG WELCOME NEW SINGER: The Tygers of Pan Tang are pleased to announce there new vocalist. He is Jacopo Meille. Jack is also vocalist for Italian band Mantra. Tygers' Robb Weir states: "We are over the moon to have found such a great vocalist .This is something we should have done 3 years ago, gone for a totally professional singer. He fits more into the Jon Deverill way of doing things and that suits me just fine. We already have 3 new tunes done with Jack which just came out of an end of rehearsal jam which we are really happy with. We will be going into the studio with John Mitchell (Arena) to record the new CD and I cannot wait." Photo line up LtoR is Dean Robertson (guitar) Brian West (bass) Craig Ellis (drums) Jacopo Meille (Vocals) Robb Weir (guitar).   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/tygersofpantang-2004.jpg" width="544" /></div> Y&T'S HISTORY GATHERS ON STAGE FOR DVD: Kevin Cotter was kind enough to e-mail in, reporting from Y&T's show Sunday night at the Mystic Theater in Petaluma, California. The band recorded the show and the Monday night also, for a DVD release. Kevin says the show was amazing and featured every member that has ever played in the band. "From the opening of Open Fire to the final encore of Forever, it was truly a great rock experience. I never understood why they never made that major breakthrough to super-star status." The set list was: Open Fire . I'll Keep on Believin . Dirty Girl . Meanstreak . Beautiful Dreamer . Black Tiger . Sail On By . Eyes . 10 Lovers . 21st Century . Quicksand . Hell or Highwater . I'll Cry . Rhythm or Not . Barroom Boogie . My Way or the Highway . Hurricane . Rescue Me . Forever. JOHN CORABI DISHES HIS OWN DIRT IN AUTOBIOGRAPHY: Former Motley Crue singer John Corabi's authorized autobiography is finished, and currently being bid over by several publishers. Expect a summer, 2005 release date. Co-author Jake Brown will begin work in April, 2005 with Hanoi Rocks on the band's authorized autobiography with Michael Monroe and Andy McCoy. In other rock biography news, in March, 2005 Brown-authored Behind the Boards Volume 1, the first installment of a 3-volume rock producers anthology will be released. Volume one features interviews with producers Scott Humphrey (Rob Zombie, Motley Crue, Methods of Mayhem) with Tommy Lee, Andy Jonns (Led Zepplin, The Rolling Stones, Van Halen, Joe Satriani), Bob Ezrin (Pink Floyd, Kiss, Alice Cooper), Tom Werman (Motley Crue, Cheap Trick, Poison, Twisted Sister, Ted Nugent), Dave Jerden (Jane's Addiction, Alice in Chains, Social Distortion), and James Michael (Meatloaf, Motley Crue, Sammy Hagar)." MARCEL JACOB CHECKS IN: This update from Talisman's Marcel Jacob was recently posted at their official website: <a href="http://www.talismanworld.com" target="new">www.talismanworld.com</a>. "2004 has seen some activity...the releases of "the Re-Masters" has continued, with Humanimal, Life + 5Outof5, Truth + Live at Sweden Rock 2001, and finally the rerelease of the first Human Clay album on Closing the book on Human Clay seeing the light of day...the work on the DVD has progressed, to the point that all production parts have been assembled, meaning recordings, edits, mixing, mastering, paperwork etc...it's been no tea party...with for example the original tapes from Sweden Rock lost, and the only hard disc back up suffering an internal meltdown, thankfully Pontus had made a rough mix supposedly to be used as support for overdubs which was decent enough for usage...this of course means there are no overdubs for the SRF concert...TRUE LIVE :-)! The show was felt to be pretty good, so despite no overdub fixes, out of tune guitars, and sound quality suffering from recording flaws and no balanced mix, it is still possible to listen to it :-)...everybody knows JSS released another solo effort, but Jamie and I got involved with Last Autumn's Dream to do their follow-up CD to their successful debut..."LAD" is the band with Mikael Erlandsson and Fair Warning guitar player Andy Malecek...looks like there may be some shows in Japan in March 2005 to support this album. I have also been working with Tommy Denander on the upcoming Speedy Gonzales album, writing some songs and playing the bass...this to be released early next year... 2005......maybe a new Talisman album :-) ????" A SOLO ALBUM FOR DAKOTA'S RICK MANWILLER: Dakota's Rick Manwiller is following up the band's acclaimed Deep 6 release with his third solo album, titled Chocolate Detox. He is currently recording at Holy HandGrenade Studio in Antioch, Tennessee (outside Nashville) and plans to be finished mixing by roughly the end of January. Rick says: "It looks like there will be 13 tracks, and possibly some guest stars appearing, but nothing official yet. I will have some song samples up on a website as we get into January, maybe sooner." ArtistLink: <a href="http://www.digital-mixes.com" target="new">www.digital-mixes.com</a>. MELODIC BRIEFS: Glenn Hughes is currently in the UK (Wales to be precise), recording a brand new album with Tony Iommi for release through Sanctuary Records in the Northern Summer of 2005. Featured on the album will be drummer Kenny Aronoff. The very first ever Ritchie Blackmore Convention (celebrating the forty year career of a guitar legend) took place in England in October. Two interesting reports about the convention are online now. One report also consists of an interview with Jessie Haynes, who flew in from the US to perform at the convention, ex-Blackmore's Night guitarist and singer. Check this out at the Blackmore's Night Official Scandinavian Fan Club: <a href="http://www.blackmoresnight.nu" target="new">www.blackmoresnight.nu</a>. Former 38 Special guitarist Jeff Carlisi has joined partners to open a studio complex in Atlanta. <a href="http://www.thishouserocks.com" target="new">www.thishouserocks.com</a>. MP3 samples of the upcoming Moonstone Project can now be heard at <a href="http://www.moonstone.it">www.moonstone.it</a>. The CD Time To Take a Stand is due in early 2005. I'm a Bluesman Virgin/EMI (Johnny Winter's latest release featuring Paul Nelson as guitarist/songwriter) has been nominated for a Grammy by the recording Academy for "Best Contemporary Blues Album 2004." The ceremonies will be held February 13 in LA and televised on CBS worldwide. A stream for the Anthrax video Deathrider can be seen via this link: <a href="http://www.concreteplanet.com/assets/deathrider_300.mov" target="new">www.concreteplanet.com/assets/deathrider_300.mov</a>. Hanoi Rocks have finished work on their new studio album Another Hostile Takeover. The CD will be released in Europe in late January. Sony Japan are re-issuing the first 4 Toto albums in the limited edition paper sleeve format, all featuring new DSD re-mastering. Toto, Hydra, Turn Back and IV are all due out March 2, 2005. Axel Rudi Pell's web-shop "ARP Shop" has just launched! Here's the link <a href="http://www.arp-shop.de" target="new">www.arp-shop.de</a> Amongst other things, you are able to purchase brand new merchandise. Mars Electric frontman Jacob Bunton has another band to his name. Lynam's debut Life in Reverse is out now. More details at: <a href="http://lynamsucks.com" target="new">lynamsucks.com</a>. Aussie pop rockers Noiseworks will perform for Triple M on Wednesday December 15 at the Gaelic Club in Sydney. The band has reformed for this one gig, with 4 of the 5 original members involved. The Bon Jovi box set includes a hidden track at the end of the fourth disc (about 20 secs after the last track)... It's a cool funky/rock demo of Living On a Prayer. PAT TRAVERS AND CARMINE APPICE ON THE NEXT CHRIS CATENA ALBUM: The legendary drummer Carmine Appice and the great guitar player Pat Travers will appear in Chris Catena next album which will include 12 songs (10 originals and two covers) and which will be harder than Freak Out!. The provisory title is Busted. Among the other players is worth to mention Doug Aldrich, Bruce Kulick, Kee Marcello, Tony Franklin, Marco Mendoza, Steve Salas and others to confirm. In the same time Chris is still working on his album of covers Discovery: The Return of the Galactic Freakboy and to a live album Still Alive and Freakin' which has been recorded and will be mixed within December. MENNEN GET FREAKY FOR NEW ALBUM: Mennen, the band around former Zintra frontman Joss Mennen, will see a world-wide (except BeNeLux) return with their new album Freakzoid via Escapi Music. The album was mixed by none other than Erwin Musper (Scorpions, Van Halen, Def Leppard) at world-famous Wisseloord Studios in Hilversum, The Netherlands. Originally founded by singer Joss Mennen and guitarist Erik van de Kerkhof in 1994 as a project, Mennen in the time in between have become a real band which immediately – as like Zinatra before – made it straight to the top of the Dutch hard rock & metal scene and also gained wide success all over Europe. Freakzoid, being their 5th album up-to-date, will once again let the hearts of any hard rock fan out there beat faster. Most recent support live shows with the likes of bands such as Dio, Dare, Whitesnake, Molly Hatchet, Gotthard and the Scorpions again showed the Dutch guys in amazing form and raised high hopes for more! The Freakazoid album will include 3 exclusive bonus tracks and be released on 24.01.2005 in Europe and 08.03.2005 in the USA. Mennen are: Joss Mennen (vocals), Erik van de Kerkhof (guitars), Alex Jansen (bass), Fon Janssen (drums). Discography: Mennen (1994), Back To The Real World (1996), Age Of Fools (1998), Circle Of Live (2001), Mennen (re-release, 2003), Freakazoid (2005). ArtistLink: <a href="http://www.mennen.net" target="new">www.mennen.net</a>. TESTEMENT SET FOR CLASSIC VHS RELEASE ON DVD: Escapi Music have signed Testament for their first ever official DVD release! TESTAMENT, the world's leading and most ground-breaking Thrash Metal band, has found a new home at Escapi Music for their first DVD release entitled Seen Between The Lines. Originally released in 1991 on VHS, this fully re-mastered DVD contains live material of the band centered around founder members Eric Peterson and vocalist extra-ordinaire Chuck Billy. The footage shown was shot during Testament's 1991 world-tour at various places all over the world. As an extra bonus, the DVD will also cover video clips for the songs Nobody's Fault, Practise What You Preach, Souls Of Black and The Legacy, rare video interview clips, "a dinner with Testament", scenes from the Japanese leg of the tour plus additional discography, image gallery & biography sections. Seen Between The Lines without any doubt is a must have for any fan of this outstanding and highly influential Thrash Metal band and nothing else than a definite highlight release in the Bay Area heroes 25 years long career. The DVD will be released world-wide on March 8th, 2005 through Escapi Music. Testament are: Eric Peterson (rhythm guitar), Chuck Billy (vocals), Steve DiGiorgio (bass), Jon Allen (drums), Steve Smyth (guitar). ArtistLink: <a href="http://www.testamentlegions.com" target="new">www.testamentlegions.com</a>. GERMAN METAL BAND SCENES SIGN NEW DEAL: German progressive metal band Scenes are to release their debut album Call Us At The Number You Provide on Escapi Music. Scenes originally started in 1995 as a two-piece project which turned out to become a real band when the line-up was finally completed in 1998. In the following year, the band recorded the demo New Beginning which sold about 600 copies inside Germany alone. After a couple of line-up changes – singer Nektarios Bamiatzis took part in one of the German versions of Fame Academy/ Pop Idols and made it into the finals there – and SCENES looked for new territories to approach. The band these days consists of Chris Lorey (guitar), Florian Wentzel (keys), Hendrik Edelthalhammer (drums) and Jan Ebert (bass) plus new singer Alex Koch (ex-Powergod, ex-Spiral Tower). Their sound stands synonym for heavy, diverse metal with influences from various genres. Melodies and technical finesse nevertheless remain to be the guide. Playing live belongs to the biggest strengths of the band as it was proven many times in the past by supporting bands such as Uriah Heep, Bonfire and many more. Scenes' first full-length release Call Us At The Number You Provide immediately raised the interest by Escapi Music and ended up in a multi-album deal for the band. Being produced by Chris Lorey, Florian Wentzel and Ecki Erlenbusch, the album was finally was mixed and mastered by Tommy Newton (Victory, UFO) at his Area 51 Studios in Hannover, Germany. Call Us At The Number You Provide contains 9 highly-versatile but nevertheless catchy progressive metal tunes including a new, astonishing version of Talk Talk's smash hit Such A Shame. Former singer Nektarios handled the lead vocals on the songs Safe The Light and My Own Life whereas vocalists Dirk Thurisch (Angel Dust) and Marcus Juergens (Pump, ex-Brainstorm) took over the backing vocal duties for I Will Stay. The CD will supposedly be released on Escapi Music in Spring 2005. Track listing: 1. (So) Father, 2. You Walk Away, 3. My Own Life , 4. Start Again , 5. Deep Inside My Heart , 6. I Will Stay , 7. Safe The Light, 8. Such A Shame, 9. Nothing Left To Say (Unforgiven). Current live dates: 30.11.2004 D-Aalen, Rock It (with Evergrey & Mercenary); 23.12.2004 D-Karlsruhe, Karlsruher Tempel (with Valet & Dialhard) ArtistLink: <a href="http://www.scenes.de" target="new">www.scenes.de</a>. SATCH HEADS DOWNUNDER IN 2005: It looks like Joe Satriani is heading to Australia and New Zealand for dates in early 2005. Announced for March 2005 are the following dates: 12 Sat St. James Auckland, NZ 14 Mon Arena Brisbane, AU 16 Wed Enmore Theatre Sydney, AU 18 Fri The Forum Melbourne, AU 20 Sun Thebarton Theatre Adelaide, AU 22 Tue Metro City Perth, AU RICK PRICE SHOWCASES HIS VERY BEST: Australian melodic pop/rock singer/songwriter Rick Price has issued a career spanning best of compilation. The Best Of Rick Price features the following tracks: Not A Day Goes By . Heaven Knows . Walk Away Renee . River Of Love . To Be With You . You're Never Alone . Bridge Building Man . Fragile . Tenterfield Saddler . If You Were My Baby . What's Wrong With That Girl? . A House Divided . Where In The World . Love Never Dies . All On Your Own . Goin' Through The Windows . Mary Red . Jessie.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="130" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/rickprice-bestof.jpg" width="130" /></div> STEPHEN PEARCY FUELS USS NIMITZ WITH VISIT AND OFFERS RATT GOLD AWARD FOR COMPETITION: Perris Records is proud to announce a giveaway of an autographed Ratt Invasion Of Your Privacy Gold Award. This is from Stephen Pearcy's own personal collection that was given to him in the 80's commemorating 500,000 albums sold. The first 50 customers that buy Stephen Pearcy's Fueler CD from Perris will go into a drawing to win the Gold record. The drawing will be held on December 21st. The picture of the award and details regarding the cd is posted at Perris web site: <a href="http://www.perrisrecords.com" target="new">www.perrisrecords.com</a>. Meanwhile, back in the Ratt Camp, do I hear whispers of a 2005 re-union? It's possible, but apparently guitarist Warren DeMartini is a very long way from agreeing to any plans. In further Pearcy news - (Los Angeles, CA - December 6) Ratt's former lead vocalist Stephen Pearcy will be bringing some home cooked rock n' roll to the crew of the world's largest aircraft carrier the USS Nimitz (CVN 68) this holiday season. On Friday, December 17th Pearcy will fly to the carrier off the coast of California for a concert and over night visit. Pearcy graciously accepted the invitation to perform for the crew after receiving an invite from the Public Affairs Officer, Lieutenant Commander Brad Fagan. "This is a great honor for me. It's going to be an amazing feeling to perform for 5,000 men and women who are serving and protecting our country," says Pearcy. The band will consist of crew members who will be performing such classics as Your In Love, Lay It Down, Round & Round, Walkin The Dog and the new single Drive With Me from Pearcy's latest solo album Fueler (Top Fuel Records). For more information on Stephen Pearcy please visit: <a href="http://www.stephen-pearcy.com" target="new">www.stephen-pearcy.com</a>. SECRET SMILE WORK ON NEW ALBUM, TED POLEY DROPS IN TO CONTRIBUTE: Ted Poley of Danger Danger took a day out of his busy schedule to hang out with Secret Smile in the studio and lay down some smoking vocals for their upcoming new CD! The band are all huge fans of D2, and they look forward to meeting up with him again soon on the road! The band's new CD is slowly coming along and will feature 13 new songs and a surprise cover song that Ted Poley and Jeff Cannata appear on! Cannata is also producing the CD for the band. The guys have a new Christmas song available - Have A Merry Little Christmas is complete and you can pick up a copy at <a href="http://www.secretsmile.net" target="new">www.secretsmile.net</a>. LIMITED EDITION LIVE BLUE OYSTER CULT ART AVAILABLE: Legendary Rockers Blue Oyster Cult are making available a very limited edition set of prints (400 prints only) of the album cover art from their most recent live album and DVD Long Day's Night. The print is numbered and signed by founding members Buck Dharma, Eric Bloom, Allan Lanier and cover artist Ioannis (Deep Purple, Allman Brothers, Fates Warning, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Yngwie Malmsteen). It's on a first come basis and comes with a certificate of authenticity. You can view the print and order it at: <a href="http://www.dangerousage.com/boclongdays.html" target="new">www.dangerousage.com/boclongdays.html</a>. QUIET RIOT ANNOUNCES UK TOUR DATES AND POSTS MP3 SAMPLES OF QUIET RIOT "LIVE & RARE" TRACKS: Quiet Riot will commence their 2005 world tour in England, where the group has not performed in twenty years, with the following dates: 2/11/05 Bradford, UK - Rio 2/12/05 London, UK - The Underworld 2/13/05 Nottingham, UK - Rock City 2/14/05 Dudley, UK - Jb's Additional tour dates for Europe will be announced shortly. Three MP3 music files have been made available from the Quiet Riot Live & Rare - Vol. 1 CD which will be released on Cleopatra/Deadline Records. MP3 downloads are now available at this location: <a href="http://www.wtv-zone.com/DRUMA/live_and_rare_mp3.html" target="new">www.wtv-zone.com/DRUMA/live_and_rare_mp3.html</a>. They include Metal Health (Bang Your Head) and Condition Critical both recorded live in 1984, as well as the studio demo of Thunderbird which was recorded by Kevin DuBrow and Frankie Banali along with Chuck Wright (Bass) and Bob Steffan (Guitar) in 1981. Live & Rare Volume 1 is out January 4. MORE BRAZEN ABBOT NEWS: Nikolo Kotzev has sent me an update on the latest news about the new Brazen Abbot studio album. Nikolo says: "Everything has been recorded except the guitar leads, which are being recorded now. Mixing of the album is scheduled for January 09th, 2005 and will probably be completed by January 25th." The album will have 12 tracks: Tracks with Joe Lynn Turner - Resurrection, More Than Money, Dreams, Rage Of Angels (featuring Erik Mårtensson). Tracks with Göran Edman - Bad Madman, Flying Blind, Shades Of Grey, Beggar's Lane (featuring Erik Mårtensson). Tracks with Tony Harnell - Another Day Gone, Can't Be Found, Godforsaken. Tracks with Erik Mårtensson - The Shadows.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="292" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/brazenabbot-2004c.jpg" width="200" /></div> ROBERT FLEISCHMAN A BUSY MAN WITH NO LESS THAN FOUR NEW PROJECTS ANNOUNCED: Robert Fleischman has announced the official release of his four latest musical projects for December 2004. This is an exciting time for Robert and his fans with lots of new music on the horizon. Though primarily known as a rock and roll singer/songwriter, much of his new music is a bold departure from the past and takes an exciting new direction that once again underscores Robert's trademark cutting edge and always-adventurous musical vision. Dreaming In Tongues - A beautiful and sometimes surrealistic voyage with cello and acoustic guitar taking a minimalist instrumental approach. Robert's vocals bring the whole thing together making this CD a classic and an original by any standard. The Lord's Prayer - In this Christian contemporary rock release, Robert writes and sings a hauntingly beautiful melody to the Lords Prayer. Kinetic Phenomena - This Electronica release is a heavy duty mixture of pulsating rhythms and hypnotic soundscapes that will definitely alter your consciousness! Electric Raindrops - A beautiful arrangement of soothing ambient sounds. Coming up - New Order – AOR Fans are anticipating this work in progress which is Robert's follow up release to the World In Your Eyes album on Frontier Records. Featuring a bonus track with an acoustic guitar version of Wheel In The Sky. ArtistLink: <a href="http://www.robertfleischman.com" target="new">www.robertfleischman.com</a>.  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#ff0080" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#ff0080"> <div align="center">Monday, December 13, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> FRONTIERS NEWS - JLT, MYSTERELL, GLENN HUGHES, THUNDER: Frontiers Records is pleased to announce details on the highly anticipated new studio album from Joe Lynn Turner - The Usual Suspects. The track listing will feature the following songs (not final order): All Alone, Devil's Door, Really Loved, Rest of My Life, Unfinished Business, Blood Money (exclusive bonus track for Europe); Into the Fire; Jacknife; Ball and Chain; Live and Love Again; Power of Love. The album was produced by Bob Held and Joe Lynn Turner and will feature a host of well known faces (hence the album title The Usual Suspects because many of his favorite friends/musicians wrote songs for and play on it) such as Al Pitrelli (Megadeth, Savatage) and Karl Cochran (Ace Frehley) on guitar, David Z on bass, John O Reilly on drums, Paul Morris and Andy Burton on keyboards with Nancy Bender helping out with some background vocals. Joe Lynn has recently stated in an interview with Canadian magazine BW&BK: "I hope you like the new CD, because I really put a lot of heart and soul into it. It's a return to sort of Rainbow melodic rock. I took the time to dress up the choruses. So I have to say it's more hard rock but melodic, very melodic as I wanted a return to something that was part of me, part of my past. I have to say that it's shades of Rainbow in many areas. Because Rainbow really was a very hard melodic band." Stay tuned for more info about release date and sound samples! Thunder's new single I Love You More Than Rock 'N' Roll has entered the UK single charts at No. 27, becoming the bands 17th top 40 hit! Frontiers Records wishes to congratulate and send the best wishes to the band for the great achievement! At the same time the band has announced the tour dates which will also include the following ones in the mainland Europe: March 18 Holland, Weert Bosuil March 19 Holland, Hardenberg Podium March 20 Belgium, Vosselaar Biebob March 22 Germany, Hamburg Fabrik March 23 Germany, Bochum Zeche March 24 Germany, Munich Metropolis More tour dates to be confirmed shortly. Thunder's brand new CD The Magnificent Seventh is planned for release in Europe on February 21. To coincide with the January 2005 release of his new album Soul Mover, Glenn Hughes will start a European tour. First leg of the tour will be a previously postponed UK one, while the remaining European dates will be announced as soon as they are confirmed. Teaming up with Glenn for this tour is his shredding buddy JJ Marsh on guitar, other member(s) of the band to be announced asap. February 11 JB's Dudley 01384 253 597 February 12 Rio's Bradford 01274 735 549 February 13 Liquid Room Edinburgh 0131 220 3234 February 15 Mean Fiddler London 08701 500 044 February 16 Waterfront Norwich 01603 508 050 February 17 Leadmill Sheffield 0114 221 2828 February 19 Roadmender Northampton 01604 604 222 The Mysterell debut album Sensational, starting the solo career of former PANGEA guitar player and singer Torben Lysholm has gathered an excellent press response over the medias! Some of the comments and reviews include: ROCK REPORT 6 / 6 It takes guts to call your first solo album Sensational, but hey, that s exactly what it is! (Chris Lambert) MELODIC.NET A standing ovation and hats off for Torben Lysholm! (Kaj Roth) MELODICROCK.COM 84/100 - A pleasant, easy going, feel good melodic rock release (Andrew J. McNeice) ROCK HARD GERMANY 8 / 10 - A remarkable album. Recommended! (Daniel Böhm) AOR HEAVEN A very well-done record (Marco Spath) ROCK IT 8.5/10 - "This is one of the few hard rock releases of today which re-awakens memories on the glorious days of this kind of music!" (Tommy Becher) The artist was also chosen as Artist Of The Week on the melodic.net website, the first one ever from Frontiers Records! Torben has launched a new website <a href="http://www.tunetown.dk/mysterell">www.tunetown.dk/mysterell</a> and would like to thank everybody for the lukewarm response to the album which follows almost two years of hard work. He sent us the following track by track comments: Don't Ever Stop - This was the first song I wrote specifically for this album. When I finally decided to make a solo album the songs just started coming to me. It had been quite a long time since I really wrote music in this genre so it was kind of a relief to be getting back to that. Maybe that s why it has this positive vibe mixed with the sort of sad lyrics that yet seems to have an optimistic ring to it. I Belong With You - I have written tons of love songs. This is one of several on this album too. I didn't really have a specific goal I was aiming for with this song. It s pretty much just a straight forward rock song. To me as a producer I didn t feel I had too many options for how to approach that side of it. Everything came naturally. Regarding the noise at the beginning, it oddly enough worked better to just leave it there. Why? - This was the last song that was written for the album. For this song I wanted to do more of what I started doing on Don t Ever Stop . I wanted to make the verse break down even more so in went the Manfred Mann style chopping synth. Something cool that happened as a result of me trying out a couple of new compressors in the studio was the TNT-ish sound of the backing vocals in the bridge. Lene Riebau was getting used to new gadgets I needed to test whenever we were doing backing for new songs. and what new things are you gonna test on me today??, she'd say. What can I say & I'm a nerd! When You Love - One of the 2-3 songs that I m most proud of having written. Yet another love song but with a twist. Sort of a way of reminding people about how essential it really is to keep the focus on how strong you are as a couple when you find the one that is truly your soul mate. One of the strongest choruses I've ever written. In my humble opinion of course. Bring The House Down - Originally Lene Riebau and I wrote it for her to sing but her style took a drastically different turn shortly after. The lyrics and melody needed a few changes for a me to sing it obviously. Originally I came up with the idea for it by playing around with soundclips from AC/DC s Back In Black and Queen s We Will Rock You . The signature guitar riff from Back In Black over the ditto stomps and claps from We Will Rock You . Not long after a DJ told me that he just got a CD where a very similar combination was used on a big club hit. I hadn't heard it but even so I dropped that idea and did my usual thang instead. There Was You - I wrote this song some time between the release of the two Pangea albums. I've always had this urge to explore my musicality deeper than what felt natural for that band so I have a collection of songs recorded that reflects that lying around. It s no secret that I squeezed the lemon too hard with the original idea for this Mysterell master. Some of the material was too soft and too far from what Mario and Serafino would like it to be, but still There Was You was too good to just leave out on that account. I m happy that they okay ed it for the final master. The lyrics are about how tough it can be when you re with the right one but influences from the outside world makes it impossible to stay together. Remember Me - This one has a good story. When I told my good friend and colleague Torben Enevoldsen that I was going to start production of this solo album he immediately handed me a disc with ideas and riffs he had but never found a use for in his own projects. He played them to me and we didn't really talk very much about it after that. Then when I was done with the final master I invited him over to Tune Town for a final listen. I ve produced and mixed for him before and we use each other as sparring partners in many respects. He listened to the whole album and commented along the way. This song has a long intro and he was waiting to hear what kind of song it would turn out to be, and suddenly the riff starts. He knew he had heard it somewhere before but he couldn't place it. But when the song started he spotted it immediately of course and was hugely surprised. He had absolutely no idea, and he thought it was funny to sit and hear something that he wrote but had no idea had become a complete song. Help Me Find A Way - Well, this is the song that I have the least part in writing. My contribution was adding to the lyrics that Lene Riebau had already written, and adding the bridge leading up to the guitar solo. However, I can tell you what I know about her approach to it. It s the only song she s written so far where she knew from the start that it wasn't for herself to sing and that it would have to be a man. When she first wrote it we made a demo of it and she asked me to lay down a cue vocal for it. Well, we ended up liking my version of it. Sling Shot - Actually this is two different songs put together. I had the verse and bridge put together with a chorus I didn't like, and the chorus put together with a verse I didn't like. I got the idea to put them together when I was going through new material to choose songs for the album. What attracted me to the idea was the contrast between the pieces. It also inspired me to the somewhat philosophical lyrics about living in denial, suddenly facing the music, and taking refuge in ignorance again. Take Me To The River - Rock n Roll. Pretty straight forward, yet telling a personal story. The lyrics are as deep as I m willing to go into it though. The Challenge - Some time ago I was playing with the idea of making an instrumental album with more filmscore-like material. It s been a lifelong dream for me to make music for movies. Digging into a story and derive the music from it that I find in it. This piece is about preparing for a challenge that comes down to one critical moment. From the rush of knowing you will have to face this challenge, over the feeling of being torn between duty and hope, to the state where the world seems to disappear and it s finally just you and the challenge your presented with. STAGE DOLLS FANS GET A LIVE RELEASE FOR CHRISTMAS: Stage Dolls will release a live CD called Get A Live on December 20th through MusicBusiness in Norway. The live CD was recorded at their anniversary gig in Trondheim last year. It will be released with a bonus DVD featuring 10 live tracks from the same show. The track listing is: Stand By You . Love Cries . Hard To Say Goodbye . Commandos . Sorry Is All I Can Say . Still In Love . Wings Of Steel . Magic . Love Don't Bother Me . Left Foot Boogie . Ten Tons Of Rock 'n Roll . Money . Ammunition . Heart To Heart . Soldier's Gun. QUEEN MEETS BAD COMPANY FOR 2005 TOUR: It seems Queen will tour in 2005, with Roger Taylor and Brian May deciding on Paul Rodgers as the man to fill the mighty shoes of the late, great Freddy Mercury. The 2005 tour looks to take in Europe and the UK at this stage. No word as yet as to whether John Deacon will be involved. The moniker for the tour will be Queen And Paul Rodgers. The guys are being quoted as saying the following: Roger Taylor: "We decided we gonna do a Queen tour. We're touring in Deutschland, in Germany, and Europe next spring. So, first time in many years: a Queen tour - brand-new news and we are very excited to do that. ... We have a fantastic singer ... his name is Paul Rodgers. ... He was one of Freddie's favourite singers - and one of our favourite singers." Brian May: "We didn't finally push the button yet, but really we made the decision that we want to do this [a tour next year]. Finally we found a singer that we want to work with. It doesn't mean he joins the band. Nobody is replacing Freddie. ... Paul Rodgers ... we thought okay, this is somebody worthy of going out with and making something new. ... We want to make something new, we want to make something which means something now." HEAVEN & EARTH PICK UP ANOTHER AWARD: Heaven and Earth performed at the Rock City News Awards Show in Los Angeles on Friday, 3rd December and were presented with an award for "Best Overall Achievement by an LA Band." The band played a short set including Don't Keep Me Waiting, Screaming for Redemption and See That My Grave Is Kept Clean. Seen here in this pic by Ernie Manrique is, (L to R) Stuart Smith, Kelly Hansen, Richie Onori, keyboard player Scott Warren and bassist Joe Petro.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/heavenandearth-award-rcn.jpg" width="350" /></div> STYX TO THE UK!: Styx are heading to the UK for some mid-year shows in 2005 - fabulous news guys. The announced dates thus far are: 06-14-2005 Glasgow, UK 06-15-2005 Manchester, UK 06-17-2005 Birmingham, UK 06-18-2005 London, UK 06-19-2005 Bristol, UK The band's online release of their single I Am The Walrus, comes tomorrow via i-Tunes. Plenty more news to be posted tomorrow – catching up on what was missed while away, plus some fresh output. Tune in….. </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#000000" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#000000"> <div align="center">Friday, December 10, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> "DIMEBAG" DARRELL ABBOTT SHOT & KILLED AT GIG TRAGEDY: COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- It looked like something out of a macabre heavy-metal video: The lights dimmed in the smoke-filled nightclub, the rock band Damageplan launched into its first thunderous riffs, and then a man in a hooded sweatshirt ran the length of the stage and opened fire, shooting the lead guitarist at least five times in the head. In just minutes, the gunman had killed three others with his silver pistol before being shot to death by a police officer. The rampage Wednesday night stunned the heavy metal world and left police searching for answers about what set the gunman off. The slain guitarist, "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott, 38, was the driving force behind the rock band Pantera, and police are looking into reports from witnesses that the gunman was a fan irate that the hugely influential group broke up. Full Story + News Video: <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2004/US/12/10/nightclub.shooting.ap/index.html" target="new">www.cnn.com/2004/US/12/10/nightclub.shooting.ap/index.html</a>. While Pantera and Damgeplan haven't been covered by this site, the wider rock music community shares the grief of fans of Darrel's and those other innocent victims killed in this senseless murder and all their families. I remain shocked and dismayed such an event could occur and hope some good in the form of heightened security at shows might come from this tragedy. RIP Darrell. Business as usual Monday AM. I haven't yet checked any e-mails/message boards - instead wishing to stay in a state of complete relaxation until Monday morning at least! All questions/problems/messages/updates will be dealt with Monday. Looking forward to getting back to business. Thanks for your patience during my absence.  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#0000ff" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#0000ff"> <div align="center">Monday, November 29, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> GLENN HUGHES MOVES HIS SOUL FOR JANUARY RELEASE: January 24th, 2005 will mark the European release on Frontiers Records of Glenn Hughes' new solo album Soul Mover.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="165" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/glennhughes-logo04.jpg" width="200" /></div> Soul Mover was recorded live at Sound Image Studios in Los Angeles in the Spring of 2004 and features Red Hot Chili Pepper's Chad Smith on drums, JJ Marsh on guitar and Ed Roth on keyboards. The album also features ex-Chili Peppers and Jane's Addiction guitarist Dave Navarro on the title track. Glenn says "It is the most fulfilling album I have recorded in my whole career and will blow many of you away...", explaining furthermore: "Chad and I wanted an organic feel as it was necessary to capture the emotion that can only happen when all of us are playing live in the same room together. We were in a semi-circle with the amps bleeding a little into the drums just as I used to record when I first started playing." Full track listing is as follows: <a href="http://www.frontiers.it/gh-soulmover.mp3">Soul Mover</a> (click to hear an mp3 sample), <a href="http://www.frontiers.it/gh-shemovesghostly.mp3">She Moves Ghostly</a> (click to hear an mp3 sample), Change Yourself, <a href="http://www.frontiers.it/gh-highroad.mp3">High Road</a> (click to hear an mp3 sample), Let It Go, Dark Star, Miss Little Insane, Land of the Living, Isolation, Last Mistake, Orion, Don't Let Me Bleed - Soul Mover (video). January 24th 2005 - a musical and vocal extravaganza of the highest order - a Frontiers Records exciting exclusive for Europe!   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="199" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/glennhughes-soulmover.jpg" width="200" />xx<img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/glennhughes-2004c.jpg" width="130" /></div> LAW AND ORDER SIGNS MANAGEMENT DEAL WITH JEFF KELLER MANAGEMENT LLC, ANNOUNCES NEW WEBSITE: Law And Order, the former MCA recording artists who released two critically acclaimed albums - Guilty of Innocence (1989) and Rites Of Passage (1991) - have returned with their long awaited third album entitled The Glass House. In light of this new release, the band - featuring all original members in Phil Allocco (guitar), Shane (vocals), Rob Steele (drums), and Sean Carmody (bass) - have signed a management agreement with the California based JEFF KELLER MANAGEMENT LLC, the company that currently manages 80's rockers, JAIME ST. JAMES and BLACK 'N BLUE, as well as progressive goth metallers, NICODEMUS. At the height of their career, LAW AND ORDER garnered significant video airplay on MTV with their singles We Don't See God and Soul Inside. The band also received a 'KKKKK' review (the highest honor) in the UK's infamous Kerrang Magazine, as well as touring with the likes of Platinum artists such as Pearl Jam and Blind Melon. Their upcoming third album, The Glass House, was actually recorded back in 1992 and never released to the public as the band went its separate ways soon after the recordings. Guitarist, Phil Allocco, elaborates, "The band had lived together and the record was recorded in the house we lived in. It was a true collaboration- written, recorded and produced together. Much more experimental than the previous records, it was the band discovering our own voice. Due to the lack of support from MCA at the time, the band tried to get off the label - when the label refused to drop us, we declared bankruptcy to break all our contracts under the advice of our management. Soon after that our house burnt down, and we decided to end it before releasing the record." The band have remained friends ever since, and they decided that now would be the right time to release this great album that should be considered their greatest work together. The Glass House will see a European release on January 5th. Jeff Keller Management LLC will be seeking licensing agreements in the US and Japan, two territories that the band did well in with their previous releases. In addition, the band has also started work on a new website at the following location <a href="http://makethingswork.com/lawandorder" target="new">makethingswork.com/lawandorder</a>. While the site is still a work in progress, it will serve as the band's official site with regular news updates and other information. The European album cover art for The Glass House, as well as lyrics to the new tracks, is currently posted on the site. The Glass House is expected to have a different cover art for releases in the US and Japan.  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#008000" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#008000"> <div align="center">Friday, November 26, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> JEFF SCOTT SOTO TALKS SOUL SIRKUS: The debut Soul SirkUS CD is released <a href="http://www.soulsirkus.com" target="new">online</a> December 7. Vocalist Jeff Scott Soto talked to me about the songs that make up the sensational World Play album. For a read of my world first review of the album, see today's <a href="reviews/reviews.html">reviews update</a>. Highest Ground - This 1 is the 2nd set of lyrics I wrote for us, it details the discomfort of being with someone you can't stand, in any situation whether it be an acquaintance, bandmate or lover. In this case, it's about a bandmate, not necessarily 1 of mine, that brought the 1 down who is now standing up & saying they won't put up with it anymore. New Position - The lyrics here are about someone I had high respect for at 1 time, would have given anything to work with - time goes by & the fire & tenacity went along with it. Shortly thereafter, I get the request to do a project with this person & all I can think is 'pathetic' - amazing how fine the line is in admiration & disrespect. Another World - This 1 is about the after life & crossing over, there are so many that believe they're being watched over after someone passes & this song describes their beliefs in this. Soul Goes On - These lyrics are about the many negative aspects of life we've been faced with lately from Sept. 11 to the war in Iraq. It's so hard to find true contentment these days, but we form such a thick armor of skin that allows us to see a light at the end of the dismal tunnel. Peephole - Sammy Hagar wrote these lyrics for this 1 which was originally for Planet US with Neal & Deen. I was going to re-write the whole structure of what I would be doing in the song but couldn't get away from Sam's version everytime I tried. I met him at Neal's birthday party & told him I thought I should just keep it the way it is which he then explained the 'heaviness' behind the subject matter. It's a true story about a little girl who was deformed & left for a monster by her mother who raised her in a closet as an animal. The only light this child saw was in the peephole of the door. Sam told me if I kept it as is, don't just sing about it, know about it & translate the ugliness behind this horrific story. It's the darkest, tragic thing I've ever sung about, you can feel my anger in the performance. Periled Divide - This is the 1 everyone asks 'what are you saying in the chorus?'. It's about caught between right from wrong, a lie from the truth. So many times in life, we're divided by telling the truth to avoid hurting someone but the lie only hurts more in the end. The peril we go through making the decisions that divide the path we choose that's simple enough, isn't it? Praise - Well, enough with negative, dark, reality songs, it was time to hit below the belt & the chorus says it all, 'I do declare, I wanna taste your body', is there really any reason to continue detailing? My Sanctuary - This is the voyeur song, the Peeping Tom, perv lyric! I wrote this 1 after watching a movie called 'Happiness', a very disturbing movie which at 1 point features the total perv calling someone & jacking off. We all have our little perverses in life that take us beyond desire for someone to the point of obsession - this is normal, right? Friends 2 Lovers - This lyric is about something we've all experienced in our growing years, having a friend of the opposite sex (or not, for some!) that leads to harboring feelings for that person. There's a line you don't want to cross as you know it could destroy the friendship but it's just as hard to see & be with them everyday, watching them go in & out of relationships & feeling that emptiness inside of never having the opportunity to take it to the next level. Coming Home - This was the 1st song Neal & I wrote together, actually, he sent me the music from home & I dove into it. I knew I had to make the right 1st impression & after our discussions of wanting this group to be 'completely different from Journey', I thought of course I had to start with this 1! After it was done & before I let Neal hear my draft vocals, I apologized in advance - I had to clear his mind & make him not think all I wanted to do was be a Steve Perry clone but the melody, my tone, everything had the whole Journey overtone to it. He loved it, thought it was great as it was so I was relieved he saw the potential of the next ones we worked on instead of thinking I would turn every tune into a potential Journey tune. Close The Door - This is about 2nd chances & learning from the many mistakes we bring upon ourselves. Sometimes in life you can meet someone who overwhelmingly influences you to find yourself & even want to emulate their way of living. This lyric is about wasting so many years doing it all wrong & having the chance to right the wrongs.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="198" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/soulsirkus-worldplay.jpg" width="200" /></div> NEAL SCHON'S SOLO EYE DUE IN FEBRUARY: Press Release: November 23, 2004 -- What could be next for a musician who's done it all? As the lead guitarist and songwriter for the multi-platinum band Journey, his work with guitar legend Santana and composer Jan Hammer, Neal Schon has lived the life of several rock gods. Still, he continues to reinvent himself, taking his own musical vision to new heights with his sixth solo outing, i on U, a dazzling collection of guitar instrumentals. It's due out February 22, 2005 on Steve Vai's Favored Nations label. Playing with modern sounds and flavors, yet always staying true to his signature guitar sound, i on U pulls it all together. Says Schon, "this is the first album that encompasses everything and makes it brand new." "Since I joined Santana," he continues, "I've always tried to go into every album in a different way. i on U is taking me to a new place and new sounds, but you can hear my years of work throughout the whole album. Sitting back and listening to it now, the history with Santana and Jan Hammer really shines through." For i on U, Schon teamed up with keyboardist and songwriter Igor Len as co-producer, and drummer Omar Hakim. "When I was on tour and trying to put the first stages of this record together," he says, "I called Igor Len, who I had worked with on my Electric World solo album, and asked him to be involved. He sent me some tracks that he was working on, and they were going exactly in the direction I wanted to go with my music. So I took his hooks, added all of the guitar parts and synthesizer solos, and embellished and tweaked them from there. Although I wrote Father, Moondust, and Highland on my own." Each listener will experience the album differently. From the majestic opening of Blue Passion, and the soaring melodies of the title track, the songs suggest wide open spaces, an overview of what's to come, with tracks like the driving, passionate Burning Bridges. Then it's on to the far off reaches of the imagination, with the arpeggiated rhythms of Timeless Motion, the spicy funk of Loner's Dream, and the eastern flair of It Will Happen. "The guitar is one of the most expressive instruments of our time," proclaims Schon. "I want the listener to be able to imagine whatever they want since there are no lyrics. And have the music take them to any place they want to be."   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/nealschon-ionu.jpg" width="200" /></div> MAGNUM CELEBRATE 20 YEARS OF A STORYTELLER'S NIGHT: To celebrate 20 years of the release of On A Storytellers Night, Magnum are proud to announce 2 live shows. Both shows will consist of the entire Storytellers Album being played and then a new a Magnum shows including more classic songs and material from Brand New Morning. The two shows in one night will be recorded and filmed for a new Magnum Live DVD. The shows will be on the 22nd April at The Wulfrun Hall Wolverhampton and 23rd April at the Astoria in London. There will be no support act as the show will be a long one. We recommend you get your tickets ASAP. These will be the only two UK Storytellers Night Shows. We hope you can come along and join us to celebrate twenty years of a great album, a favourite with all Magnum fans. ArtistLink: <a href="http://www.magnumonline.co.uk" target="new">www.magnumonline.co.uk</a>. YET ANOTHER Kiss TRIBUTE ALBUM TO BE RELEASED IN 2005: Kiss Army Norway and Voices Music Entertainment will release a tribute album next year that will bring tribute CD's to a new level both musically and visually. - Chart topping and award winning bands from Norway to perform their favourite Kiss songs. - Ken Kelly who did the legendary painting for the Destroyer and Love Gun album has painted his third Kiss cover for this tribute CD. - Kiss-guitarist Bruce Kulick salutes his Norwegian fans by joining glam heroes Wig Wam for the hottest version of I Was Made For Loving You ever recorded. - The release will introduce you to Kissettes, a Norwegian all-female Kiss tribute act that will blow your mind. KAN & VME have signed chart topping and award winning artists from Norway to cover their favourite Kiss classics. Some names who also has a strong international following. Most of the artists will be kept secret until early next year, but KAN & VME are now proud to tell you that such big artist as Stage Dolls, Surferosa,TNT's front-men Ronni & Tony, ULVER and Kiss-guitarist Bruce Kulick will be on the record. Kiss Army plan to reveal more names during an event for unveiling the historical cover painting by Ken Kelly in January. Voices Music Entertainment and Kiss Army Norway have managed to come up with a historic album cover by hiring the man who painted the most classic Kiss album covers. VME have invested more money into the album cover than on any other releases in their 16 year history. Executive producer Stig Karlsen says that the music and the musicians obviously are most important, but that the package alone will be so special and historic that it will put all previous Kiss tributes aside. Posters and promotional sheets will be made of the album cover. The album might also be released on vinyl in a limited edition. In Norway these bands needs NO introduction, but here's a short introduction for the international rock-fans: Stage Dolls - Platinum selling and #1 chart topping rock band from Norway who also climbed to #43 on the Billboard singles chart in 1989 with Love Cries. Stage Dolls ironically worked with Kiss-producer Ron Nevison on their hit single Love Don't Bother Me in 1991. They have also toured the world with bands such as Faster Pussycat, Warrant and Mr. Big. TNT's Ronni Le Tekro and Tony Harnell - TNT are yet another platinum selling and #1 chart topping band from Norway. They are also one of the few Norwegian bands to have entered the US billboard chart. Believe it or not Kiss manager Doc McGhee were once their manager as well. TNT are the most successful hard rock band in Norway and hard rock fans from the whole world should remember their album Tell No Tales and their hit single 10,000 lovers in one. The band have done headlining tours in USA, Japan and Europe and have also toured with Twisted Sisters and Great White. The two most important members of the group Tony Harnell (vocal) and Ronni Le Tekro (lead guitar) will record a song for this Kiss tribute album. Surferosa - Surferosa is a synth-punk band with two top ten hits on the Norwegian charts; Saturday Night and Neon Commando. The band has a strong fan base and the band always deliver energetic live shows. Surferosa has recently toured USA and Japan. Ulver - Nominated at the Norwegian Grammy Award twice (Spellemannsprisen 2002/2003). Strangly enough Ulver are more popular outside Norway than in it's own country. Ulver were originally a Black Metal band that has gone more into the direction of dark and mysterious electronica. They are also known to have done the soundtrack for huge Scandinavian motion pictures as UNO, Svidd neger and Lyckantropen. More artist and bands to be announced in January. More info and interview with executive producer Stig Karlsen at: <a href="http://www.Kissarmynorway.com/tribute/kanindex2_000013.htm" target="new">www.Kissarmynorway.com/tribute/kanindex2_000013.htm</a>. FRONTIERS RECORDS - MELODIC ROCK FANZINE 5 AVAILABLE: Frontiers Records is proud to present the new issue of Melodic Rock Fanzine. The fifth release of our successful magazine is available for free all over the world through record shops, mail orders and every fine dealer carrying the Frontiers Records releases. Here are the previews of the two Melodic Rock Fanzine covers:   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="210" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/frontiersmagazine-5.jpg" width="300" /></div> This new issue includes reviews and interviews of Pride Of Lions, TMG, RTZ, Arena, Mysterell, Zeno, Second Heat, Brazen Abbot, Fluid Sol, Lunatica, Mistheria, Silver, Blind Date, The Sign, Shadows Fade, James Christian, Platens, Higher Ground... and more! Downloadable version of the magazine can be found here: <a href="http://www.frontiers.it/MRF5.pdf" target="new">www.frontiers.it/MRF5.pdf</a>. For every melodic fan, who is looking for past issues of MRF, it is now possible to order them for the price of 5 Euros. (Pay-Pal payment – use the <a href="mailto:info@frontiers.it">info@frontiers.it</a> address). Please send your requests to Elio Bordi at <a href="mailto:elio@frontiers.it">elio@frontiers.it</a>. PLANET P PROJECT IS SIGNED TO PROGROCK RECORDS : Rancho Santa Margarita, CA – 16 November 2004 -- The Planet P Project was started in 1983 as a method for Tony Carey to put out a certain style of music that didn't fit in with some of his other work under his own name. The first album garnered the radio and video hit Why Me, a year later Tony followed it up with the 2nd Plant P album (a double) Pink World which has been compared to Pink Floyd's The Wall for its depth and intensity. Tony has over 30 albums to his credit, including many radio and video hits, and as a multi-instrumentalist and vocalist has worked with some of the biggest names in the business. His searing Mini Moog work on the classic Rainbow album Rainbow Rising is legendary. "What an amazing partnership for us. I'll never forget the first time I heard Tony's keyboard work on the 2nd Rainbow album 'Rainbow Rising' and then some years later hearing 'Why Me' from the first Planet P Project album and then finally figuring out it was the same guy. Tony is one of those rare artists that grab me at a real gut level. When I heard 1931, I enjoyed it at first, but by the 3rd listen I was absolutely blown away and played it for everyone I could find. I then spent a fair amount of time hunting down Tony and convincing him that we really wanted him with us, and I'm just excited beyond words that he agreed. This album is really powerful, you're going to love it." Said Shawn Gordon, President of ProgRock Records. Tony Carey, who IS Planet P had this to say "I'm delighted to have found a new platform to deliver my admittedly esoteric stuff to y'all - CENSORSHIP SUCKS and I don't care for Top 40 either... and I'm excited to be working with Shawn and ProgRock Records. A Ford in every garage, a chicken in every pot, and a copy of '1931' in every CD player. There's more to come, keep on believing. TC". 1931 is the first in the trilogy of albums Go Out Dancing which will continue with Levittown, about the fifties, from drunken Joe McCarthy to the Birth of the Cool to the Kennedy Boys, and Part 3 Out In The Rain which according to Tony, will be all he has to say about the disgraceful state of the world's unfortunates - which of course is just about everybody... 1931 itself deals with the radical right, starting in Weimar Germany in 1923, right through to the Federal Building and including all that fun bunch of radicals, including Tim McVeigh and the militia movement! Tony hopes he doesn't pull any punches with his musical observations. Viciously satirical, at times quite lyrical and melodic at others. 1931 will be released world wide in mid-December 2004. The sequels will be released as they become available. You can order direct from ProgRock Records or from your favorite retailer. WebLink: <a href="http://www.truebeliever.de" target="new">www.truebeliever.de</a>. UPDATES - REVIEWS & JIM PETERIK TALKS PRIDE OF LIONS: A new Interview has been added to the site today. Ides Of March/Survivor and Pride Of Lions mainstay Jim Peterik talks about the spirit behind the music and the making of the new Pride Of Lions album, not to mention what else he has in store for 2005. <a href="interviews/jimpeterik-04.html">Read the Interview</a>. Reviews have been updated. Online now are new reviews for: Soul SirkUS, Mike Tramp, The Ladder, Mysterell and RTZ. <a href="reviews/reviews.html">Check them out</a>. UPDATES - MR-X UPDATE & NOTICE, SITE NEWS AND MR.COM CD NOTICE: <a href="mr-x/index.html">MR-X</a> has been updated. Added today is several live MP3 classics, featuring Sammy Hagar, Billy Idol, David Lee Roth, Nelson and Survivor (2 tracks each). Also added are 9 unreleased demos from former Toto vocalist Joseph Williams (Man In Me, Children Of The Future, Hang On and 6 others). The following videos have also been added: Final Frontier - Lydia, From The Inside - Nothing At All, Icehouse - Great Southern Land '89, John Farnham - Age Of Reason, Joanna Dean - Kiss This and Chicago - Explain It To My Heart. A note to MR-X Members - Those that joined on launch date nearly 2 years ago, will again see their subscriptions automatically renewed on December 5. All Paypal accounts must have sufficient funds in them in order for the renewal to proceed without any problem. I'll take this opportunity to thank all MR-X members - past and present, new and old. Your support is appreciated and essential! Cheers! I have every intention of making MR-X even bigger in 2005. <a href="mr-x-intro.html">MR-X Membership Details.</a> I am away on a family vacation from Monday. I hope to present one more news update, but we are getting away for our first work free vacation in a long time and will return to updating the site Friday December 10. I'm looking forward to 8 days in New Zealand. Lovely stuff! There's a lot more still to be packed into 2004, so after a short break, the last few weeks of the year will be busy. One last note! Anyone wishing to purchase either MelodicRock.com CDs - Volume 1 or Volume 2, today and this weekend is your last chance to do so if you want the CDs by Christmas. And what ideal Christmas gifts they will make! I'll ship any orders placed Monday before heading out on holiday. <a href="cd/index.html">MRCD Order Page</a>.  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#004080" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#004080"> <div align="center">Thursday, November 25, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> LAST AUTUMN'S DREAM BACK FOR ALBUM "II": Frontiers Records is pleased to announce the release of Last Autumn's Dream new CD, simply titled II on January 24th 2005!   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="156" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/lastautumnsdream-2logo.jpg" width="200" /></div> This time the European AOR supergroup has a new line-up. On the debut album Ian Haugland, Mic Michaeli and John Levén from Europe participated. Due to the reformation of Europe, Ian, Mic and John had no possibility of joining the recording and upcoming tour of Last Autumn's Dream and sadly left the band. But luckily enough there were more than competent alternatives available. This time, founding members, singer Mikael Erlandsson and guitarist Andy Malecek (ex-Fair Warning) are joined by Marcel Jacob (Talisman) on bass, Jamie Borger (Talisman) on drums and Thomas Lassar (Crystal Blue) on keyboards. The resulting album synthesizes all of the principals' styles and is once again an unmissable affair for all lovers of classic Scandinavian Melodic Rock and AOR in the style of such bands as Europe, Bad Habit, DaVinci and early Treat. Final tracklisting of II is: <a href="http://www.frontiers.it/lad2-brandnewlife.mp3">Brand New Life</a> (Click to hear an mp3 sample); <a href="http://www.frontiers.it/lad2-losinyou.mp3">Lost In You</a> (Click to hear an mp3 sample); Heat Of Emotion; So Much Love In The World; <a href="http://www.frontiers.it/lad2-helpless.mp3">Helpless</a> (Click to hear an mp3 sample); This Gotta Be Love; Up In Paradise; Over And Out; (Always Be) You And I; Running; Round And Round; Keep Falling; A Place to Hide In Town.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/lastautumnsdream-2.jpg" width="200" />xx<img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/lastautumnsdream-2004.jpg" width="200" /></div> BACK TO SQUARE ONE FOR AUSSIE POP ROCKERS: There seems to be hundreds of faceless pop/alternative acts that look, sound and think exactly the same. And then there are new Aussies on the block Square One. Forget the cheap thrills and shrink wrapped hype, here it's all about getting back to basics, keeping it real and getting back to Square One. With a reputation as one of the brightest new talents from down under, the band with mountain sized melodies, huge harmonies and super strong hooks to their songs are now out of the wilderness with their debut album, Supersonic, soon to be released through UK label Now & Then, who after discovering the band promptly signed them to a multi-album deal. Having made distinct waves in their home of Australia playing in front of no less than 10,000 people for their first live show as part of a radio station beach festival, winning major best unsigned band and song competitions, regular successful live performances at the Hard Rock Cafe in Melbourne, as well as having their song Sweet September most recently picked up by the Channel 10 television network to feature as the theme to their Australian Football League finals coverage in 2004 - Square One are on the move. The Square One members are shameless in their appreciation of pop music. "There are so many influences ranging from the Knack, Rick Springfield, Def Leppard through to the glam rock of Kiss. Our sound isn't so much retro but having grown up on a diet of radio from the 80s and 90s the taste is no doubt there. We like to think of it as modern rock with the classic big hooks and strong vocals. We love harmonies and luckily all the band members can sing okay. We've been compared to everyone from The Goo Goo Dolls, Bon Jovi, Taxiride and even Nelson for the melodies". The four piece band consisting of Jason Old - lead vocals and guitar, Stevie Janevski - guitars and backing vocals, Mikal Saleta – guitars and backing vocals, Steve Burns - bass and backing vocals (yes, all four guys sing which is where the huge harmonies come from!), have just opened for Hanson on their Australian tour and received a fantastic response from the crowd proving that this is one band that is definitely capable of crossing over from hard rock to modern power pop audiences. Just as humbling was Square One coming out tops winning best demo two years running from UK Powerplay magazine scribe Rob Evans in his monthly melodic rock section. "This is music that is designed for those long hot Australian summers as it simply shines with its pop-kissed, three minute bursts of pure energetic melody. ...One listen to the irresistible melodies of Dizzy Colour Blind , Free Flow Feeling, Love Struck Melody and Rock N Roll Hysteria and you will be heading for your nearest Qantas agent to book tickets for a one way trip to Oz." wrote Mr Evans. Also, anyone who purchased the first MelodicRock.com compilation CD will be familiar with the superb Love Struck Melody which is a perfect example of the quality of Square One`s material. Look for an official release date for the bands debut album, Supersonic in the near future and in the meantime check out some song samples at the bands website: <a href="http://www.squareonemusic.com" target="new">www.squareonemusic.com</a>.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="201" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/squareone-2004.jpg" width="450" /></div> CHRIS CATENA GIGS WITH KEE MARCELLO: On January 14, 2005 Chris Catena and his band will have the honour to play a gig at Stazione Birra in Rome, Italy, having as guest star, Kee Marcello, the former Europe guitarist. For any further informations about the gig check the site of Stazione Birra (<a href="http://www.stazionebirra.it" target="new">www.stazionebirra.it</a>), the club where they are gonna have some fun and try to raise some hell. The concert will include songs of Chris Catena's Freak Out! album as well as three songs from Marcello's new album Melon Demon Divine and songs by Europe. ORPHAN PROJECT LIVE: Mark your calendars now for Jan 1st 2005! Orphan Project is doing a benefit show for an orphanage in Malauwii, Africa...along with the help of friends Uncle Joe's Funeral and another new up and coming band! Details are as follows: Saturday, January 1, 2005, Where: New Covenant Pres. Church, 128 St. Mary's Church Road, Abingdon, MD 21009 Time: Doors open at 6:30pm, show starts at 7pm Uncle Joes' Funeral will be going on @ 7:50 Orphan Project will be playing @ 8:45-10:15 Tickets are $6 for ALL AGES with $3 of each ticket sold going to help fund an African orphanage. There will only be 400 tickets sold and they will available for purchase through e-mailing me at <a href="mailto:shane@orphanfound.com">shane@orphanfound.com</a> as soon as 12/1/04. WE WILL BE RECORDING PARTS OF THIS SHOW LIVE FOR AN MP3 SAMPLE TO GO ON OUR WEBSITE! We are looking for alot of people to show up for this one ... nothing less than a sell-out!! Please bring a friend or two! <a href="http://www.orphanfound.com" target="new">www.orphanfound.com</a>.  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#ff0000" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#ff0000"> <div align="center">Wednesday, November 24, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> VAN HALEN TAKE A BREAK - BUT FOR HOW LONG?: Van Halen's amazing 2004 came to a conclusion Friday night, with the band living up to expectations and managing to find themselves in the headlines yet again. Reports suggest Eddie Van Halen lost the plot, while others suggest stage antics were a planned part of the show. So what really happened and where does this leave the future of Van Halen? On October 25 I reported that tension in the Van Halen camp was high and was being fuelled by an interview singer Sammy Hagar gave to KSHE-FM. Shortly after, reports from several media outlets appeared, hosing down talk of trouble and painting a rosy picture. On November 5 I followed up those reports with news of my own from a source on tour with the band. Again, a rosy picture was painted, but not a trouble free one. It seems everyone wanted the last remaining dates on the tour to go down well and end the 80 date trek on a high note. Following the tour conclusion, KSHE-FM posted the Sammy Hagar interview in full via a MP3. Hagar was not in good spirits on the day of the interview and the news of Friday night's problems once again fuels the fire of negativity for Van Halen. The truth lies somewhere in between. I have just had a follow-up conversation with my trusted source travelling with the band. What they had to say was very interesting. First of all, the band as a whole are very happy with the success of the 2004 tour and can't thank the fans enough for coming along for the ride. They have witnessed some killer shows along the way - with the odd bad night outweighed by some of the best shows the band has ever played. However, what exactly happened Friday night in Arizona? My source spoke frankly. Eddie Van Halen had a bad day. While no one knows exactly why, Eddie was drunk and turned up late to soundcheck, which angered Hagar. The two had words backstage, but managed to keep a lid on things on stage. That was until something else set Eddie off, including tripping on his guitar chord, which he really lost his temper over. He then smashed two guitars on stage - which has been reported already - but that was not a planned part of the show. From this point everyone flew back to their respective homes. I am told that there is hope the band will work together again, with Hagar continuing on as vocalist. But before that happens, my source states that some work will be needed to re-build some fences knocked over in the last few days. Where does that leave Van Halen in 2005? Right now my source concludes that there is no plans at this stage for the band to tour in 2005 and while everyone wants to see a new Van Halen album, once again, at this stage there is no timetable for this to happen. Let's hope the new year brings a brighter outlook for all. THE MOTLEY RE-UNION!: One of rock n roll's worst kept secrets right now is the Motley Crue re-union for 2005. An official "Motley" announcement is due December 6 - but seeing that I'm out of town that week, why not bring a bit a little news your way now, thanks to a document leaked to me today! Here's the news and information as laid out in the document on what will be one of 2005's most eventful re-unions:   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="66" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/motleycrue-logo.jpg" width="337" /></div> The Biggest Musical Reunion of 2005 " Mötley Crüe has sold over 35 million albums. " Mötley Crüe has sold over 10 Million concert tickets. " Mötley Crüe's "The Dirt" spent a record breaking 10 months on the NY Times best seller list and is now being made into a major motion picture by MTV Films/Paramount. " Mötley Crüe has had numerous chart topping hits including Girls, Girls, Girls; Dr. Feelgood; Don't Go Away Mad (Just Go Away); Smokin' In The Boys Room. The Mötley Crüe Demographic " Primary demo: Male 18-44; Core demo: Male 28-40 " Secondary demo: Female 18-44 Mötley Crüe Is Going To Be Everywhere… Upcoming Releases… Greatest Hits CD: Contains 1-2 new songs, Release Date: January, 2005. Concert DVD: First ever Motley Crue concert DVD with all 4 original members, Target Release Date: July, 2005. Tribute To Motley Crue: An all-star tribute to the most decadent band of all time Target Release Date: September, 2005. "The Dirt" Soundtrack: Soundtrack to the forthcoming Paramount film based on the best-selling autobiography of Motley Crue. US Arena Tour Cities (February/March 2005): Seattle, WA; Chicago, IL; Philadelphia, PA; Los Angeles, CA; Columbus, OH; Boston, MA; Las Vegas, NV; Nashville, TN; Houston, TX; Tampa, FL; St. Louis, MO; Charlotte, NC; Portland, OR; Detroit, MI; New York, NY; San Diego, CA; Cleveland, OH; Denver, CO; New Orleans, LA; San Antonio, TX; Orlando, FL; Minneapolis, MN; Raleigh, NC; San Francisco, CA; Cincinnati, OH; Hartford, CT; Phoenix, AZ; Pittsburgh, PA; Dallas, TX; Atlanta, GA; Kansas City, MO; Ft. Lauderdale, FL; Milwaukee, WI; Washington, DC. MTM ANNOUNCES ERIKA'S ARMS OF A STRONGER RE-ISSUE: Erika's 1992 album In The Arms Of A Stranger will be re-issued by MTM Classix on February 14. Says MTM: Erika, still the undisputable queen of Swedish rock - and the headlines! Erika comments on one of the many romantic rumours about her and various leading men of heavy metal: "Men are like chocolate - the richer the better!" On the subject of her marriage to guitar legend Yngwie Malmsteen: "Good shopping is better than mediocre sex." Erika's first album Cold Winter Night was first released in 1990, achieved gold status and was voted as the best Swedish rock album of the nineties. MTM Classix re-released and remastered the album in early 2004. In The Arms Of A Stranger was originally released in 1992 and sold out long ago. NEW FOR AOR HEAVEN: German hard rockers Dark Sky are almost about to finish off the recordings for their new yet untitled album which will be released on AOR Heaven in late March 2005. Dark Sky are one of the most hopeful German Hard Rock bands and received fantastic feedback with their latest album Edge Of Time all over the specialized German Hard Rock press. New in the AOR Heaven camp are Swiss hard rockers Mines - one of the hottest newcomers lately to come from Switzerland! The band most recently has completed the recordings of their debut album which will be released in late February 2005 all over Europe (except Switzerland). The production job was handled by none other than producer Achim Köhler (Primal Fear). This is a release to look on for any fans of bands suchs as Shakra, Krokus & AC/DC. The track list goes as follows: 1. Can Stay In Hell, 2. Secret Garden, 3. Get It Live, 4. Sabrina, 5. Yesterday, 6. Steal My Baby, 7. Gotta Leave Your Mama, 8. Dark City, 9. Save Me. CORNERSTONE SET FOR LIVE DVD IN 2005 : Escapi Music (formerly known as Escapi New Media) will film a DVD on the coming tour of Danish/ English rockers Cornerstone for a release later in the year 2005. The band by singer Doogie White (Malmsteen, Ex-Rainbow, Liesegang/White) and former Royal Hunt bassist Steen Mogensen will rock the following venues: 20.01.05 CH-Uster, Rock City 21.01.05 CH-Olten, Schuetzi 22.01.05 Hu-Budapest, Wigwam 24.01.05 D-Munich, Garage 25.01.05 D-Berlin, K 17 26.01.05 D-Hamburg, Headbanger's Ballroom 28.01.05 Belgium, tba 29.01.05 Netherlands, tba 30.01.05 Netherlands, tba 01.02.05 D-Aschaffenburg, Colossaal ICE TIGER WARM UP FOR REUNION: Cult Aussie melodic rockers Ice Tiger are back together for a reunion show in Perth this weekend. Tickets for the 26th & 27th November are selling fast for the shows at The Charles Hotel. There is view to record & release new tracks that will be played at the shows, in the hopefully not too distant future! On the show nights, there will be the promo stand which will stock: Traditional black Ice Tiger T's; a batch of recently uncovered/re-discovered Love N Crime tapes; a limited edition Love N Crime Special Edition CD including the 9 original tracks and new artwork. ArtistLink: <a href="http://www.icetiger.org" target="new">www.icetiger.org</a>. REVIEWS UPDATE: CD Reviews have just been added for the following artists: Plunge, Iommi, Bang Tango, MTM 10, Frontiers RTB 2, Paul Gilbert, plus an updated look at Heaven & Earth, and overdue in-brief reviews for Dio and Megadeth. <a href="reviews/reviews.html">Check them out</a>. You can now add Your Reviews for the following titles: Plunge / Hometown Hero, Fluid Sol / Fluid Sol, The Sign / The Second Coming, Iommi w/Glenn Hughes / The 1996 Dep Sessions, Bang Tango / Ready To Go, Megadeth / The System Has Failed and Dio / Master Of The Moon. <a href="reviews/featurereview.html">Add your reviews</a>. Still a few more reviews planned for the end of the week.  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#8e342b" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#8e342b"> <div align="center">Monday, November 22, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> ADRIANGALE PRESENT LIVE PROGRAM: Adriangale will release their first ever live album December 15 through Kivel Records. This press release just in from the label: Back in August of '03, Adriangale was to perform a show in Virginia which was to be recorded live. Unfortunately, as with life in general, circumstances arise to keep things from working out the way they should. A cancelled show, no refund on a hotel, a new guitarist, or possibly not enough Diet Coke for Jamie. Who knows?? Well - Jamie was in town, the band was ready to go...what do you do? You Make your Own Show! We rented out a NY warehouse for the night, invited some friends down, made some noise and committed it to tape for release. The CD was to be released that fall, then as usual...things happen! Live Program was pushed back in exchange for the unveiling of Crunch. After a LOT of emails, questions and letters as to when it would be released, we are ready to get programmed once again. What you hear is what you get - all of the fun, warts and all! We hope you will enjoy listening to it as much as we did doing it! Available Dec 15th!! The first 100 pre orders will be SIGNED by members of the band! Pre-order your copy NOW just in time for the holidays! WebLink: <a href="http://www.kivelrecords.com" target="new">www.kivelrecords.com</a>.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/adriangale-live.jpg" width="200" /></div> CARBON 13 INTRODUCES NEW SIGNING FROM ARGENTINA - HARDWAY: Carbon 13 is very excited to announce the signing of Hardway from Argentina! After notifying the melodic rock world of their presence earlier in the year, Hardway have been hard at work finishing off songs for their debut album. With an average age of only 23, Hardway have musical virtuosity and song writing abilities way ahead of their years. Formed by brothers Charlie (26, Bass, Vocals) and Edu Giardina (22, Drums, Guitars) along with Guillermo De Medio (22, keyboards), Hardway are one of the only YOUNG bands embracing the melodic rock/ AOR genre. With a phenomenally classy sound along the lines of TOTO, MISTER MISTER, and more than a hint of TNT vocal style, Hardway are a complete breath of fresh air. The band is currently in the UK recording their debut album for Carbon 13 under the careful guidance of Pete "Pee Wee" Coleman. For such a young band they have created a complete MONSTER AOR album that will leave listeners in awe. Carbon 13's Graham Woodcock said "I am so excited by Hardway's material. They have a naturally melodic sound with totally amazing playing, singing and songs...Hardway are going to blow people away."   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="229" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/hardway-2004.jpg" width="314" /></div> MAGNUM & THUNDER TO LAUNCH NEW UK ROCK STATION: One of Britain's finest and best loved rock bands, Magnum, have agreed to take part in the "industry" launch of ARfm, the new Digital Rock station that will broadcast on Sky (Channel 913), across Europe on the Eurobird1 satellite, and 24/7 on the internet. (A number of stations in Europe will be relaying the shows on FM and AM). 7.4 millions homes in the UK alone can now receive ARfm directly via Sky. ARfm will be broadcasting their launch shows from the NEC in Birmingham on Wednesday 24th November, commencing at 12 noon, from the Sound Broadcast Exhibition - the UK's only show aimed purely at the Radio Industry. Programme Controller Steve Price said: "When we decided on the launch date for ARfm each presenter drew up a list of guests that they'd like to be part of the debut broadcast and we're honoured that Magnum have agreed to join us as they were on every presenter's list. I first saw Magnum in 1978, supporting Whitesnake, and I've been a fan ever since." PLEASE NOTE: Magnum will NOT be performing and this launch is not open to the public. Fans can listen to the shows on Sky 913 or via the net at <a href="http://www.arfm.co.uk" target="new">www.arfm.co.uk</a>. The phone lines will be opened during the Magnum part of the show so that fans can call in with their questions. Other guests confirmed to appear on the NEC shows include Jim Peterik (Survivor/Pride Of Lions), Marillion, Pete Way (UFO/Waysted), Swedish rockers Million and Tara's Secret. The "public" launch of ARfm and the first full compliment of shows will commence at 12 noon on Saturday 27th November and Danny Bowes of Thunder will be the voice to kick off the schedules. Other guests confirmed to appear on the Saturday include London Rockers Chariot. Listen to ARfm on Sky 913 or the internet at <a href="http://www.arfm.co.uk" target="new">www.arfm.co.uk</a>. European listeners can contact the studio for details on how to tune into the station. NOIZE LEVEL PROVES TO BE CRITICAL ONCE AGAIN FOR UK GLAM TITANS TIGERTAILZ: (Cardiff, Wales, UK - 16 November 2004) Three quarters of the British band that took the world by storm in the early 90's with their powerhouse albums Bezerk (nearly a quarter of a million copies sold worldwide) and Banzai (released through Sony Music) have decided to give it another go with all new material and an endless array of possibilities for the future. Tigertailz are back. Lead vocalist, Kim Hooker, lead guitarist, Jay Pepper and bassist Pepsi Tate, along with new drummer Mic Hourihan (formerly with UK metal band Desecration) had all been kicking around the idea of maybe contacting one another and seeing if anything could materialize from a fresh start. Finally, the time felt right, the appropriate calls were made and before you knew it, they were back in action. "We don't need the money so the reunion isn't about anything like that," relates Jay Pepper. "We have all been writing for some time and the songs were coming out so great that we just felt we had to do another album." With twelve songs on tap for their new album, Bezerk 2.0, the band isn't straying from what made them a cult favourite a decade ago - sticking to their hard rock roots, catchy melodies and massive choruses. The track listing for the new album will be Bezerk, Make Me Bleed (v 2.0), Get Real, TVOD, Do It Up, Falling Down, Dirty Needlez (v 2.0), One Beat Of Your Heart, I Believe (v 2.0), Sugar Fever, Annie's Gone and For Hates Sake. Additionally, Tigertailz has acquired the rights to their back catalogue from BMG Music and will be re-issuing their landmark album, Bezerk and Banzai early in 2005. The band are currently speaking with several record companies both in The United States and in Europe in regards to both the re-issues and the new material. The band is represented by Dave Tedder at US management firm Head First Entertainment. For more information, please visit the band's official website at: <a href="http://www.tigertailz.co.uk" target="new">www.tigertailz.co.uk</a> or e-mail <a href="mailto:dave@headfirstentertainment.com">dave@headfirstentertainment.com</a>. RIOT VOCALIST MIKE DIMEO INCORRECTLY REFERENCED IN PRESS RELEASE: I just want to correct a press release printed last week - sadly, despite being officially released press releases, mistakes are included. If I see that, I'll fix myself, but in this case, I missed one. In regards to The Lizards press release, Riot vocalist Mike Dimeo is listed as former vocalist. No, Mike did not leave the band Riot. His publicist goes on to add: "He is in the band The Lizards as there singer, but this is Mike's side project and is recording the next Riot album that should be in stores by April 2005 as RIOT is celebrating the 25th anniversary and will tour as well."  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#0000a0" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#0000a0"> <div align="center">Friday, November 19, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> TOMMY FUNDERBURK RETURNS TO ACTION: Frontiers Records is pleased to present Tommy Funderburk's debut album Anything For You, to be released worldwide in January 2005! Tommy Funderburk has been one of the most hired background singers in the history of rock! He has 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 some lead vocals on Boston's 1994 album Walk On. Tommy is now one of the founding members of the new US-based label Sovereign Artists who have recently released the Heart's return album Jupiter's Darling.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/tommyfunderburk-anythingforyou.jpg" width="200" />xx<img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/tommyfunderburk-2004.jpg" width="250" /></div> 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, From The Inside, Over The Edge, Vertigo). 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. Full track listing is as follows: Learning How To Love; <a href="http://www.frontiers.it/funderburk-rememberourlove.mp3">Remember Our Love</a> (click to hear an Mp3 sample - also featured on the Rock The Bones Vol. II compilation); Anything For You; <a href="http://www.frontiers.it/funderburk-onlyyoucangiveme.mp3">Only You Can Give Me</a> (click to hear an Mp3 sample); To Say You Love Me; <a href="http://www.frontiers.it/funderburk-yougotthelove.mp3">You Got The Love</a> (click to hear an Mp3 sample); Skin; The Garden; Second Chance; Say A Little Prayer. Release in Europe is scheduled on Frontiers Records on January 24th 2005, while the Japanese release will happen slightly earlier on King Records. MOTLEY CRUE - OFFICIAL NEWS DUE SOON: Rumor suggests that a reformed Motley Crue will appearing at the Billboard Awards on Dec. 8th. A big "Motley" announcement is due December 6, as the banner ad campaign has been promoting. But, that doesn't stop Nikki Sixx from continuing to talk down the tour, recently stating: "It's nice to hear that fans, bands, promoters and agents would like to see a Motley Crue tour. But right now I know Vince is booking tons of live shows, Tommy is busy promoting a book and doing his reality show, and Mick is in rehabilitation after (hip replacement) surgery. It takes four guys to do it. All I know is all four of us haven't been in the same room in six years. In the world of Motley, I'd say, 'Don't hold your breath." Dare I ask what planet is Nikki on?   <div align="center"><a href="javascript:;" onclick="MM_openBrWindow('http://www.flashenhanced.com/motleycrue/video_dirty.htm','','width=218,height=167')"><img border="0" height="60" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/http://www.flashenhanced.com/motleycrue/mc_468_60.gif" width="468" /></a></div> THE BEST OF JESSE HARMS ON NEW CD: Jesse Harms has announced his long awaited solo album is at the pressing plant and is taking pre-orders via his website. The Best Of What I've Got features songs written by Jesse for the album and also for others over the years such as Sammy Hagar, John Waite, Eddie Money and Freddy Curci. The track listing for the album is: Down on the Beach . Things've Changed . Chasing Down the Wind . Hold It . Both Sides . Walk on Water . Cadillac Ranch . Gypsy Road . Last Night . Make Me a Believer . All I Want is You. Featured on the CD is: Ron Wikso - drums (Foreigner, Cher, The Storm), Ricky Philips - bass (Styx, Bad English, Coverdale Page), Jesse Harms - vocals, keyboards. Jesse said of the album: "I think it came together well. I'm really proud of this CD and I hope you'll like it as well. You can order it from me at P.O. Box 2837 San Anselmo CA. 94960. Send me a check for $15 and that will cover the shipping and everything. I'll sign every CD that is ordered this way. Thanks for sticking with me through all this." ArtistLink: <a href="http://www.jesseharms.com" target="new">www.jesseharms.com</a>. WHAT'S NEXT FOR DEF LEPPARD?: I'm sorry to say, but the more I hear from Def Leppard, the more I believe the band, their management and their record label have all completely lost the plot. Here's the latest from hometown Newspaper <a href="http://www.sheffieldtoday.net/ViewArticle2.aspx?SectionID=58&ArticleID=888725" target="new">Sheffield Today</a>. Sun goes down on Leppard's favourite covers CD...CITY rock giants Def Leppard have put the brakes on plans for an album covering songs by their greatest heroes. 16 November 2004 "Fans of the record-breaking act had already had a taste of what to expect with the inclusion of Leppard's version of The Kinks classic Waterloo Sunset on a new Greatest Hits album. But band members reckon a bigger project in the shape of a whole album of covers of less obvious gems by David Bowie, T-Rex, Free and even David Essex may not see the light of day. Guitarist Vivian Campbell said the recordings were made earlier this year when the band came off tour: "The songs we cut were songs from our youth, songs that we grew up listening to on the radio - a lot of glam rock. "And it was obviously a very different, more innocent era for music. I think we're going to allow ourselves to be carried along that particular way for the next record, have that influence our writing a bit." According to comments on a Canadian website, however, it seems the passion for covering other people's songs didn't quite grip new bosses at the band's record label. With their previous hits album Vault still shifting 10,000 copies a week in the USA and Canada, their record company Mercury decided not to release the new hits collection there, so Waterloo Sunset never made it across the Atlantic. "They've heard a few songs from the covers record. Waterloo Sunset had probably the most single-potential. We cut 14 tracks of which Sunset is far and away the most Def Leppard-sounding of all. If you didn't know it was a cover you'd swear it was a Leppard song." Blades fans got to hear it last Saturday when it was played at half time at Bramall Lane. Bassist Rick Savage wasn't there but confirmed the future of the covers record is uncertain. "It started out as a bit of a laugh and started taking on a life of itself," he said from his Sheffield home. "It is something we always wanted to do and had not really had the time. The record company started to get enthusiastic and it looked like they would want to put it out. Since then there have been a few changes of personnel." With the success of Greatest Hits in the UK - it entered the charts at number six and has now gone gold - the covers LP has been shelved for now. "And we don't really want to give it away. But if Waterloo Sunset gets well received on the hits album it gives us a bit more leverage to put out the whole record. It was a vague plan and as things stand it is all up in the air. We are due to have a meeting with the record company. If they don't want to release it I have no hard feelings." One theory is the record caught their label off guard. Leppard used to take years between albums - suddenly they are ahead of themselves. Rick said the covers would make it out in some shape or form, either as b-sides for singles from the next original album or as something sold via their official band website, if the label agrees. "We never sat down and said 'let's do a covers album'," he added. "We said 'let's have some fun rather than being under that pressure of writing new material. If it turns out good, then great. If not, no-one is going to hear the songs'. It was always very open-ended." STYX WALRUS RIDING CHART SUCCESS: Los Angeles--(Business Wire)--Nov. 17, 2004--Styx's version of the classic Beatles song I Am The Walrus has hit the Top Ten on the Mediabase Classic Rock chart within two weeks of the song's (date) release. The single will debut to consumers worldwide exclusively through Apple's iTunes Music Store beginning December 7. When Styx was invited to participate in Eric Clapton's Crossroads benefit earlier this year, they changed up their set to include blues songs, such as their newly recorded version of their hit Blue Collar Man, as well as I Am The Walrus. The audience response to the Styx-styled version was overwhelming, leading to the group's decision to include the single as a staple to their set lists at future shows. "After attending our Chicago homecoming performance at Vic Theater back in August, WLUP Program Director Greg Solk requested a live recording of Walrus to play on the air," said James "JY" Young. "There was definitely a groundswell happening with the song. We love playing it on stage, and the audience loves it." Tommy Shaw added, "Just as we thought our year was winding down, we find ourselves in full response mode as this rocking track keeps climbing up the charts. Jim Ladd told JY and me, 'You guys captured lightning in a bottle...' Frankly we're pleasantly stunned by how little we've had to do with its success at radio." Styx recorded the song on September 11th in Lincoln City, Oregon and it aired on WLUP on October 8th, followed by a West Coast debut broadcast by radio host Jim Ladd on KLOS. In just three weeks, the song is being played on more than 120 stations. Apart from WLUP and KLOS, the single has been added at KQRS in Minneapolis, WFBQ in Indianapolis, KSAN in San Francisco, KDBN in Dallas, WKLS in Atlanta, WNCX in Cleveland, KISM in Seattle, KKLZ in Las Vegas, WARW in Washington, D.C., KIHT in St. Louis, WMFO in Boston, WEGR in Memphis, and WONE in Akron, to name a few. The song debuted at #24 on the Mediabase Classic Rock chart and jumped to #10 a week later. The band is putting finishing touches on a video for the song that includes a cameo by Billy Bob Thornton. WebLink: <a href="http://home.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/index.jsp?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20041117005469&newsLang=en" target="new">home.businesswire.com</a>. HONEYMOON SUITE AND DERRY GREHAN LIVE DATES: Honeymoon Suite have a few new tour dates lined up in their native Canada. They are - Nov 18 HMS London, ON - Norma Jeans; Nov. 27 HMS Buffalo, NY - Rock N Roll Heaven and Dec 11 HMS Niagara Falls, ON - Queen Victoria Park. Additionally, guitarist Derry Grehan has a couple of solo shows planned, which are - Dec 10 Fat Jacks, Bloomington Illinois w/ the Dexrays and Jan 8/05 Cheeks, Bloomington Illinois Solo Acoustic. More information at: <a href="http://www.derrygrehan.com" target="new">www.derrygrehan.com</a> and <a href="http://www.honeymoonsuite.com" target="new">www.honeymoonsuite.com</a>. MR-X UPDATE: What an update for <a href="mr-x/index.html">MR-X</a> this week! The new Feature Album is the long out of print and hard to find self-titled one-off from the Michael Thompson Band, featuring class vocalist Moon Calhoun. The Feature Single highlights some tracks from Australia's Rick Price. The Feature Live section is once again double the value, or triple even, as 3CDs worth of material is featured! First up is a 2CD set from Aerosmith - Just Push Play in Tokyo, a perfect audio capture from a TV broadcast of their FIFA World Cup Concert at Tokyo Stadium, June 27, 2002. Second up is another great audio capture of a Bon Jovi TV event - a 9 track show from the MTV Bounce World Premiere. There is also a bonus track for fans of Jeff Scott Soto. I also have featured a special compilation of 8 tracks from Japanese guitarist Pata - these 8 tracks are the vocal tracks from his two out of print albums featuring James Christian. Also added is a series of some 20 tracks featuring some of the UK's best known vocalists (Jackie Bodimead, Lea Hart, Dennis Stratton, Paul Dianno, MIck White & more) doing their best "Soft Rock". And if that isn't enough, then new videos are also online for: John Farnham - You're The Voice, Kiss Of The Gypsy - Whatever It Takes, Ratt - Dance, RTZ - Until Your Love Comes Back Around and Shy - It's Only Rock N Roll. <a href="mr-x-intro.html">MR-X Membership Details</a>. SITE UPDATES: The CD Showcase feature has been updated with preview of 4 upcoming titles due December 6 from Frontiers Records. Added today is showcases for: Mike Tramp, RTZ, Platens and Mysterell. <a href="#cdshowcase">Check them out</a>. Next Week: The latest reviews didn't quite get finished today, so watch for those Monday, as well as a few more late next week. Mini-Bytes will get a nice update and a special preview of tracks from the Mike Tramp Boxset will also be online early next week. Also due next week is a new interview with Pride Of Lions mastermind Jim Peterik and a few other page updates before I head off on vacation for 10 days starting November 30.  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#000000" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#000000"> <div align="center">Thursday, November 18, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> BLACK STAR RECORDS LAUNCH PARTY: Black Star Records held a label launch party last weekend, which doubled as a signing event for Howard Leese, who will start recording his solo album shortly. Stuart Smith sent in this account of the night's activities: "We had hired a friend's mansion in Bel Air for the event and spent the whole week planning and organizing it. As well as a band we had two bars with bartenders, caterers supplying the food, waitresses, valet and security. I arrived at around 9.00pm and the party was already in full swing. Press photographers were lined 3 deep around the door and I stood for pictures with Eddie Kramer, (Hendrix's Producer), Dick Dale and his son Jimmy. Howard Leese, who the party was in honor of arrived just afterwards and went through the same gauntlet. By 10.00 there was around 300 people there including about 100 members of the press and it took me 45 minutes to get from one end of the house to the other with having to say hello to everyone. We had hired Thundherstruck, an incredible all girl tribute band to play the party and they performed a great set being joined by AC/DC's drummer Chris Slade for the last few songs. At 10.30 everyone gathered in the back garden of the house and we had the official signing of Howard. Richie Onori gave a speech which was both well planned and inspiring and then I followed with mine which was totally unprepared. We then brought out Howard and introduced him to the crowd. At this point there was about 50 photographers crowded onto the lawn in front of us along with the party guests behind. Howard gave a speech then we signed the contracts and gave him his advance check which he promptly went and lost but that's a whole other story. We ended the signing with a speech by Hurricane signer Kelly Hansen who helped us organize the whole event and then all stood for pictures. After that everyone filed back inside to hear surf king Dick Dale and his son Jimmy give a performance which blew the crowd away and then Howard Leese, Richie Onori, Kelly Hansen, Dave Chamberlain and myself got up and played a couple of songs and were then joined onstage by Bobby Kimball of Toto. We played a couple of blues songs then I had the great pleasure to play Hold the Line with the guy who actually wrote and sang it. We played a few more songs including Superstition, Can't Get Enough and Smoke on the Water with both Kelly and Bobby sharing vocal duties along with Thundherstruck singer, Dyna Shirasaki. After that we handed the stage back to Thundherstruck who played till the end of the night being joined by Chris Slade again. At this point I felt I'd done my bit and went out in the back garden to finally have a drink and talk to some friends. The limo picked me up around 3.00am and myself and a few friends went back to my house for a nightcap. It was a very successful party for us and judging by the e-mail's we got from people still hung over on Monday morning, one of the best in years. Wish you were all there. All the best, Stuart Smith. <a href="http://www.heavenanadearthband.com" target="new">www.heavenanadearthband.com</a>   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="180" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/blackstar-1.jpg" width="250" />xx<img alt="" height="180" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/blackstar-2.jpg" width="228" /> Pic 1: Stuart Smith, Howard Leese & Richie Onori Pic 2: Eddie Kramer, Stuart Smith, Dick Dale & Jimmy Dale</div> THE LIZARDS ARE COLD BLOODED KINGS: Press Release: 11/1/04 – NYC – Hot off the heels of a successful tour of Europe, Scandinavia and Russia, hard rock monsters The Lizards 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, 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'! (Watch for The Lizards on tour with legendary rocker Glenn Hughes, winter 2005) <a href="http://www.thelizardswebsite.com" target="new">www.thelizardswebsite.com</a>. REMINDER - RICHIE KOTZEN - LIVE ACOUSTIC SHOWCASE AT THE 12 BAR CLUB: Richie Kotzen (Mr Big / Poison) will appear at the 12 Bar Club, Denmark Place, London WC2 on Tuesday November 23rd 2004 to coincide with the U.K. release of Acoustic Cuts. This is a one-off intimate acoustic show in London. Acoustic Cuts features 10 of RK's most popular songs performed in a stripped down and acoustic form including High and Change. 12 Bar Club, 22-23 Denmark Place, London, WC2 8NL. Phone 020-7209-2248 / Tickets £10.00.  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#703065" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#703065"> <div align="center">Wednesday, November 17, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> MTM CLASSIX RE-ISSUES PEO: Peo's long out of print release Look What I've Started will be subject to re-issue via MTM Classix on February 14. 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 self-titled debut album was re-issued on MTM Classix earlier in 2004. Look What I've Started is now being re-released including 5 unreleased bonus tracks.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="199" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/peo-lookwhativestarted.jpg" width="200" /></div> AOR HEAVEN ANNOUNCES TWO NEW LABEL SIGNINGS: AOR Heaven welcome two new bands into their roster. German hard rockers Biss have found a new home at AOR Heaven. The band around guitarist & song-writer Doc Heyne is currently working on their third, yet untitled album. The even more 80's orientated sound will bring you a hook ladden album which will suit any fan of the era. Vocals this time will be handled by none other than singer extra-ordinaire Mark Storace of Krokus fame. The album will be produced by Michael Voss (Casanova). Working titles of a couple of songs are Rejected, D.S.O.D., Pyromania, Calling and Raise The Hammer (a fab remake of the Icon classic). Heartbreak Radio is another crunchy, new AOR outfit coming out of Sweden. Mixing up sounds from Def Leppard, Whitesnake, Van Halen, Airplay, Foreigner over to Journey, the band around singers Pierre Weinsberg (Radioactive, Prisoner), who performs the vocals on 8 songs, and Mikael Erlandsson (Last Autumn's Dream), who took over the 3 remaining tracks, will be another killer release for all Scandi rock fans out there. Joining forces on this CD are Mickey Dee (Motörhead), Magnus Rosen (Hammerfall), T'Bell, Claes Andreasson (Last Autumn's Dream), Sayit, Tommy Denander, Max Abbey (Ultravox, Paul Young), Joel Starander (Geisha) and Jim Jidhed. The yet untitled release was produced by Torbjörn Wassenius & Claes Andreasson (Last Autumn's Dream) at Sunday Music Studios in Gothenburg, Sweden. Track list: Hard Rock City . Now You're Gone . Rockin' The Night . Let Me Have My Heart Again . Don't Look In Her Eyes . Only You . Knockin´On Hells Door . Love Don't Live Here No More . Dreamworld . Just 4 Love . The Way Of The World. DIAMOND DAVE UNDERCOVER IN NY: David Lee Roth has made the papers for all the right reasons. New York paper The Post ran an article on the Diamond One today, with Fox News online picking up the story. The story begins as follows: David Lee Roth a NYC Paramedic, Tuesday, November 16, 2004, By Erika Martinez. "Legendary Van Halen frontman David Lee Roth has stopped "runnin' with the devil" to do God's work -- riding ambulances in gritty neighborhoods throughout New York City to become a paramedic. The famed rocker has cut his trademark blond mane and dropped his celebrity persona so he can ride unrecognized with ambulance crews in The Bronx, Manhattan and Brooklyn several nights a week. Several weeks ago, the charismatic crooner saved the life of a Bronx woman who had a heart attack by shocking her back to life with a defibrillator. The Post caught up with Roth last week as the 1980s icon grabbed a slice of pepperoni pizza after sitting for hours in an ambulance waiting for a call." The full story and fresh Dave pic can be found at: <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,138684,00.html" target="new">www.foxnews.com</a>. RELEASE DATES UPDATE: CD Release Dates has been given another large overhaul, with a stack of new dates and new titles listed. Additionally, DVD releases are now featured with the same section - highlighted accordingly, as are re-issues - given a slight tint to highlight those particular titles. <a href="releasedates.html">Check the list out</a>.  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#ff8000" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#ff8000"> <div align="center">Tuesday, November 16, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> NEW KELLY KEAGY AND NEW NIGHT RANGER RECORDS FOR 2005?: I had the good fortune of catching up on the phone with Night Ranger's Kelly Keagy late last week. Kelly has been quiet for sometime now and an update was long overdue. Although seemingly quiet, the reality is that Kelly has continued to be busy - mostly in his role as Night Ranger drummer/vocalist when the band tour - the most recent show being this past weekend in California. The best news however, is that Kelly has been busy writing songs for his next solo album, which he expects to be released during 2005. I caught Kelly fresh back from a weekend writing with Jim Peterik in Chicago. 3 new tunes were written to add to the other tracks already completed. Also in the writing loop for this album is Kelly's former King Of Hearts band mate Bruce Gaitsch. Kelly is hoping he will have all songs completed and chosen for the album by the end of the year. And it gets even better - at last weekend's gig, the guys in Night Ranger were due to discuss an offer from a Japanese record label for a new Night Ranger studio album in 2005. Kelly says the guys are ready to make a new album and the label is keen to get them to tour Japan to promote a new album in 2005. I'll continue to bring updates on both albums as they come to light - but I'm sure all will agree these are two albums that will be very highly anticipated. CHRIS LOGAN KING HIT FROM MSG LINE-UP: Vocalist Chris Logan has left his post as MSG singer mid-way through the band's European tour, with Written In The Sand vocalist Leif Sundin looking like jumping in to complete the remaining shows. Here's the official news as it was posted at the singer's website overnight: "I have had an absolute blast rocking with each and every one of you over the past few weeks, and I very much appreciate your support and good wishes. Unfortunately, there was an altercation which took place after the show tonight (Nov. 14) (after a killer show at Klubben in Stockholm, Sweden tonight, I might add). I was attacked twice from behind by a member of our tour, who was too big a coward to face me from the front. I was severely injured in the process, and I cannot continue under the current conditions. I want to thank all of the fans who have come out to each of our shows this tour. It has been an absolute blast rocking with you all, an I look forward to seeing you again in the future. I'm sure lies and distortions will abound over the coming week regarding this issue. But until the time comes to address them, all I will say is thanks for coming out and making each of the shows I have been apart of such a BLAST!!" BON JOVI HANDED AWARD OF MERIT AT AMA'S AND BLOW FANS AWAY WITH HAVE A NICE DAY: Santa Monica, CA – November 15, 2004 – After winning the prestigious Award of Merit at the American Music Awards last night, Bon Jovi, one of the most popular rock artists in history, kicks off a massive promotional effort for the November 16th release of the band's groundbreaking "think outside the box" box set 100,000,000 Bon Jovi Fans Can't Be Wrong… (Island Records) with two major performances. On Sunday, November 21st, Bon Jovi who regularly sell out stadiums around the globe will perform at Borgata Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City in a more intimate setting in front of just 3000 fans. But upwards of 1.5 million more viewers will also experience Bon Jovi as the concert airs live at 8 p.m. on INHD/INHD2, the world's most widely distributed all High-Definition network (available on Adelphia, Bright House, Cablevision, Comcast, Cox, and Time Warner cable systems). The innovative event, showcasing the visual excitement of HD and the unparalleled sonic experience of music in 5.1 surround, premieres "INHD's Center Stage" series, sponsored by Samsung. In addition, the concert will be fed onto the Samsung screen in Times Square, simulcast on the Web (<a href="http://www.samsungusa.com/bonjovi" target="new">www.samsungusa.com/bonjovi</a>) and replayed on INHD2 for viewers on the west coast immediately following the live show. The concert series will be promoted by Samsung, the cable industry's OnlyCableCan initiative and INHD with a multimillion-dollar TV, print, radio, Internet and outdoor advertising campaign featuring Bon Jovi. The extraordinary push includes advertising and placement on Samsung's extensive network of 380 key Internet sites reaching 1.6 billion consumers per month. Another cornerstone of the 100,000,000 Bon Jovi Fans Can't Be Wrong first-week promotion will be a band performance on Tuesday, November 23rd for the "Today" show. For that appearance, Bon Jovi will play three songs in the outdoor plaza of the NBC morning program, including one song to be chosen via a Viewers Choice Poll at The Today Show's website (<a href="http://wwwnbc.com" target="new">wwwnbc.com</a>). "Our ongoing celebration of Bon Jovi's 20 years at the very top of rock's pantheon continues to reverberate around the world this month," said Antonio "L.A." Reid, Chairman, Island Def Jam Music Group. "The band's ability to connect with their audience at every level - from album listeners and hard-working concert-goers to next week's global population of broadcast viewers - underscores the title of their historic box set 100,000,000 Bon Jovi Fans Can't Be Wrong." Since 1984, Bon Jovi has performed more than 2,500 concerts in 50 countries before more than 32 million people--and sold more than 100,000,000 records. That monumental career milestone is celebrated with the release of 100,000,000 Bon Jovi Fans Can't Be Wrong…. The mammoth four-CD, 50-song collection features 38 previously unreleased tracks and a dozen rarities as well as a bonus DVD filled with never-before-seen interview footage with the band and personal home movies. Bon Jovi was named the 31st winner of the Award of Merit on the 32nd annual "American Music Awards" telecast on ABC on Sunday, November 14th. The band also performed on the show from the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. The Award of Merit is presented to a member of the musical community in recognition of "outstanding contributions to the musical entertainment of the American public." The inscription on the trophy to Bon Jovi reads "For being the embodiment of rock music for the last 20 years, for inspiring countless musicians to follow in their footsteps and for elevating all of us with their musicianship and artistry." Previous winners range from Bing Crosby, Johnny Cash, Ella Fitzgerald, Chuck Berry, Stevie Wonder and Michael Jackson to Loretta Lynn, Paul McCartney, Elvis Presley, The Beach Boys, Willie Nelson, Neil Diamond, James Brown, Prince, Little Richard, Frank Sinatra and Garth Brooks. <a href="http://www.bonjovi.com" target="new">www.bonjovi.com</a> If you missed the band performing on the AMA show - they previewed a short portion of a brand new song from the band's upcoming early 2005 release. The cracking rocker Have A Nice Day sounds as if the band have learnt from the mistakes of This Left Feels Right and the down-tuning present on Bounce. Here's that 90 second sample if you are interested in taking a listen: Bon Jovi - <a href="audio/BonJovi-HaveANiceDay.mp3">Have A Nice Day (Live Edit)</a>. And if anyone manages to record this HD gig and the Today show appearance, drop me a line will you? ROCK CITY ANGELS PREPARE COMEBACK WITH NEW & ARCHIVE MATERIAL: Believe it or not, Rock City Angels are back. The band are known for their unique take on the US sleaze rock sound with their classic Young Man's Blues album, released via Geffen Records in 1988. The new line-up features only vocalist Bobby Durango and bassist Andy Panik from the line-up that recorded that album, and are now joined by Stuart Casson and Jimmy James on guitars and Chris Samuels on drums. Rock City Angels have recorded a new eleven song CD titled Use Once & Destroy. This CD is apparently "...a return to their "pre-Geffen" hard rock, punk influenced roots...." A <a href="http://www.goldcoastlive.com" target="new">website</a> has just been launched which details the band's short history and offers a full unreleased track called Sweet Ambition, which may be from another CD of unreleased material to be released titled Rock City Angels II. MELODIC BRIEFS: 220 Volt have inked a deal with Swedmetal Records. On the 25th of February, 2005 a new album will be released and a Scandinavian tour will follow in March. 220 Volt's next live appearance will take place on November 26-27 at Hotel Hammarstrand in Hammarstrand, Sweden. Looks like Alice Cooper's Xmas Pudding bash will include a full Damn Yankees re-union, with news drummer Michael Cartelone will also participate. Starz are back on the road and are available for booking! Details via this jpeg file: <a href="starz-booking.jpg" target="new">Starz-Available-For-Booking1.jpg</a>. The Hardrock Haven website has produced a downloadable PDF magazine. The quarterly download features Gary Hughes, Glenn Hughes, TNT, Blue Murder, Magna-fi, Alan Williamson, TNA and more...<a href="http://www.hardrockhaven.net/hrhmagazine.php" target="new">www.hardrockhaven.net/hrhmagazine.php</a>. The Goo Goo Dolls' Robby Takac is interviewed regarding the band's new live album at: <a href="http://www.glam-metal.com/robbytakac1104.html" target="new">www.glam-metal.com/robbytakac1104.html</a>. STRYPER BID FAREWELL TO BASSIST TIM GAINS: News from the Stryper camp...this in overnight: "After much prayer, deep consideration, conversations, and deliberation, it has been decided, by all four of the original members of Stryper, that bassist Timothy Gaines will not be performing with the band during any upcoming concerts. This was not an easy decision for anyone involved. The four recently convened to discuss this very heartfelt and difficult topic. The departure was an amicable one on behalf of everyone. Timothy Gaines was not asked to leave the band, nor was there a ceremonious resignation. It was simply a decision made by all parties, in an effort to in idually preserve their respective calling, personally and professionally. Management has requested that the fans respect each member throughout what has been a difficult process. While a decision such as this one can often lend itself to speculation, idle rumors, and public discussions, we instead ask that you respect everyone involved, keep them in your prayers, and refrain from negative exchange, both privately and publicly. A replacement bass player will be named on a show by show basis until further notice. Former Stryper bassist Tim Gaines has issued a statement explaining in greater detail his decision to leave the group this past August. His statement reads as follows "On August 13th, 2004 21 years to the day that I joined Stryper I have given my resignation. Without going into any great detail, I made the decision to 'retire' from Stryper in April of 2004, after what I felt was a successful end to a reunion tour and final concert in Puerto Rico the previous month. I wish the guys in Stryper all the best. As for the fans, some of you have written and voiced your disappointment, and some have voiced their support. To those who I have disappointed, I am sorry. There is a season for change, and now is my season. I know that the new bass player for Stryper will keep you well entertained. He is a great player and entertainer, and he is spiritually in tune with the Lord. For those of you who have voiced your support, myself and [wife] Irene do appreciate your prayers. Although I cannot personally write everyone back who has emailed me, I do read everything that comes in, and it makes me glad to see so much encouragement." ArtistLink: <a href="http://www.stryper.com" target="new">www.stryper.com</a>. Y&T UNEARTH MORE LOST GEMS FOR FANS: Y&T's Unearthed Volume 2 is now available via the band's website. The second in the series of previously unreleased songs in high quality demo form features songs either written or recorded between 1974 & 1989. The track listing is: Face To Face . Ashes To Ashes . Get Tough . Showdown . Love Has No Cure . Help Me Hear Me . New Kid In Town . Long Time Coming . Dance Dance Dance . Crazy Make Love . Over Under . Hands of Time (Acoustic) . Bad Bad Girls . Take Me . More . Lucky Night . Love Don't Come Easy . Cheap and Easy. And via Dave Meniketti's e-Newsletter, comes news that this year's Y&T Mystic Theatre shows will be recorded for DVD, as will the Dave Meniketti 2nd Annual Birthday Bash. Unearthed Volume 2 can be purchased at: <a href="http://www.meniketti.com/menmerch.html?target=dept_1.html&lang=en-us" target="new">www.meniketti.com</a>.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="199" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/yandt-unearthed2.jpg" width="200" /></div> QUIET RIOT REVEALS TRACK LISTING FOR FORTHCOMING CD RELEASE: Quiet Riot will be releasing their live CD Live & Rare - Vol. 1 on January 18, 2005, through Cleopatra/Deadline Records. The material is a compilation of live recordings from various concert performances during their 1983 Metal Health and 1984 Condition Critical world tours. There are also three rare original and previously unreleased studio demo tracks recorded in 1981 which were later re-recorded and appeared on the group's debut record Metal Health. Included in this release are live versions of two rarely heard Quiet Riot songs. Danger Zone which was part of the group's live set for a short time and recorded for the Metal Health record but never completed, and Gonna Have A Riot - originally a Randy Rhoads era Quiet Riot track - which was also part of the band's 1983 shows. The track listing is: 1984: Let's Get Crazy - Condition Critical - Run For Cover - Swinging Lumber - Winners Take All - Cum On Feel The Noize - Metal Health (Bang Your Head); 1983: Danger Zone - Gonna Have A Riot; Demo Tracks: Thunderbird - Love's A Bitch - Let's Get Crazy. Quiet Riot, the band who introduced the world to their groundbreaking #1 selling album Metal Health, are back after an eighteen month absence. Driven by vocalist Kevin DuBrow and powered by drummer Frankie Banali, both Metal Health founding members, the band is now fueled by longtime contributing bassist Chuck Wright and energized with Beautiful Creatures' guitarist Alex Grossi will once again bring you their prescription for Metal Health. SPAIN'S BAD WAY READY TO GO FROM ZEROS TO HEROS: Spanish newcomers Bad Way are set to enter the studio on November 15 to record their debut album, tentatively titled From Zero to Hero. The band, winner of several contests in Spain and guest act for bands like Texas Terri and Twisted Sister among others, has become one of the big hopes in the Spanish hard rock circuit. Their last demo, Like A Shot 04, has received raving reviews among magazines and internet sites, and it has even been awarded Demo of the year in Spanish rock magazine Los + Mejores. For this album, Bad Way has prepared 11 songs ranging from new hard rock ala Backyard Babies to the new breed sounds of Marvelous 3. From Zero To Hero will be recorded at Phantom 3000 studios in Barcelona and mastered by Jeff Northrup at Imadjen Studios, and the release date is scheduled for the end of February. After the release, the band will do an extensive tour through Spain. For more info, you can go to <a href="http://www.badway.net" target="new">www.badway.net</a> (English version will be ready soon, sorry), or e-mail <a href="mailto:management@badway.net">management@badway.net</a>.  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#aecf2c" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#aecf2c"> <div align="center">Monday, November 15, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> FRONTIERS RECORDS NEWS - JLT, GLENN HUGHES, KHYMERA, ZION & LANA LANE: Frontiers Records is honored 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. 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!" The production will be completed in early December for a release scheduled in February 2005. 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 track listing): 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 Peppers drummer Chad Smith as special guest on all tracks, while Peppers guitarist Dave Navarro is appearing on the title track and first single Soul Mover. The two of them also appear on the video for the song, which will be included as a special bonus on the album. Daniele Liverani is starting work on production of the new Khymera album. This time the vocals for the melodic rock studio project - masterminded by the Genius Rock Opera songwriter and main performer - will be handled by Pink Cream 69 bass player Dennis Ward (who apparently kick-ass on vocals!) The songs for the project have been offered from the likes of Jeff Scott Soto, Judithe & Robin Randall, Don Barnes, Tom & 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. 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. While the brand new Brazen Abbot 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 the new studio album. The album will feature 11 or 12 tracks featuring a new line-up of musicians including: Nikolo Kotzev - guitars, violins, percussion; Wayne Banks - bass; Nelko Kolarov - keyboards, organs; Mattias Knutas - drums. Singers will be: Joe Lynn Turner (Rainbow, Deep Purple); Tony Harnell (TNT); Göran Edman (Yngwie Malmsteen) and Erik Martensson (Eclipse). Nikolo is hoping to have the recordings completed within January 2005 for a planned release in Spring 2005. 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. As a special premiere we are offering a 1.30 minute mp3 download of an unmastered version of the song <a href="http://www.frontiers.it/dangerous.mp3">Dangerous</a>. Check it out! Release is tentatively scheduled for Spring 2005. Frontiers Records is pleased to announce new distribution partnership with Rough Trade in Benelux and PIAS in France (with marketing and promotion handled via Sriracha Sauce/Active Entertainment). More news will be available shortly in regard to other territories. NEW HARDLINE WELL UNDERWAY: Hardline guitarist Josh Ramos dropped me a line, updating me on the recording of the new Hardline album. Josh says: "...just wanted you to know that we've been in the studio for the last 2 weeks recording the 3rd Hardline CD, all the drums, bass and guitars are done, next week we'll start on vocals, keyboards and solo guitars, it's sounding incredible, I think the fans will really enjoy this CD, it's melodic, but at the same time it's in your face, Johnny voice will be more in front this time. Johnny's singing better than ever....please let the fans know it's coming soon." TRAMP UPDATE FOR OZ SHOWS: Just a quick addition to the two Mike Tramp news updates of last week. For the upcoming Australian dates, Mike will be including White Lion and Freak Of Nature songs within the set - but this will be your last time to catch such tracks included in the solo set. A few tracks never played before are currently being lined up for the shows. 2 Melbourne dates have been announced, with other cities and dates still to come. MELODIC BRIEFS: Damn Yankees are set to re-unite - well, three quarters of them and for one night at least! Alice Cooper's Christmas Pudding show in Phoenix, AZ is the place, the gig benefiting the Solid Rock Foundation. Other artists include Alice and band, Gin Blossoms and Cheap Trick's Rick Nielsen & Robin Zander. Details: <a href="http://www.alicepudding.com/pudding.html">www.alicepudding.com/pudding.html</a>. Unrated Magazine have a nice write up on the new Bon Jovi box set 100,000,000 Fans Can't Be Wrong. The feature includes an overall review and an individual track by track analysis. <a href="http://www.unratedmagazine.com/Document.cfm?Page=CDReviews/index.cfm&CD_Review_ID=57" target="new">www.unratedmagazine.com</a> A change of plans....Marco Mendoza is now confirmed as part of the touring line-up for Thin Lizzy in early 2005. Journo Dave Ling has descriptions of the Trevor Horn tribute show in London from last week, which amongst others, also included an appearance from Geoff Downes. <a href="http://www.daveling.co.uk/diary.htm" target="new">www.daveling.co.uk/diary.htm</a> Maximum Metal have a nice Road Report online with pics of the UFO gig in New York on 9/29/04 (<a href="http://www.maximummetal.com/columns/road/16.asp" target="new">www.maximummetal.com/columns/road/16.asp</a>) and a Uli John Roth/Michael Schenker gig also (<a href="http://www.maximummetal.com/columns/road/15.asp" target="new">www.maximummetal.com/columns/road/15.asp</a>). Ann & Nancy Wilson (aka Heart) are behind an updated version of Lovemongers' A Lovemongers' Christmas, which has been remastered and rounded out with 2 new tracks. It's out in North America November 16. Details: <a href="http://www.sovereignartists.com/heart/christmas/e-card/public.html" target="new">www.sovereignartists.com/heart/christmas/e-card/public.html</a> JEFF KOLLMAN BAND JOINS UFO FOR CALIFORNIA GIG: Fresh off their successful European club tour, L.A.-based power trio JKB, aka the Jeff Kollman Band, featuring guitarist/vocalist Jeff Kollman (Cosmosquad, Glenn Hughes, Mogg/Way), bassist Kevin Chown (Artension, Tony MacAlpine) and drummer Charlie Waymire (EGH, Speak No Evil), will be joining veteran UK hard rockers UFO for their Southern California appearance at the House of Blues in Anaheim on November 17. JKB are scheduled to go on at 8pm. "We had a blast over in Europe inaugurating this line-up and I'm really looking forward to doing this gig with UFO and kicking some ass on the homefront. This will be our first local show and to be able to share the stage with Phil, Paul, Vinnie, Barry and Jason makes it even sweeter", enthuses Kollman. "I have fond memories of doing the 'Chocolate Box' album with the UFO guys as well as 'Dancing with St.Peter' with Phil - in fact, we've been doing 'Jerusalem' and 'Clap Hands' live with JKB. Vinnie (Moore) was cool enough to contribute a guest solo on 'Jam for Jason', the track we did with Cosmosquad for the Jason Becker tribute a few years ago, and Sparks is a dear friend as well as a much missed band mate. It'll be one big rock'n'roll family reunion!" JKB's debut released, Bleeding the Soul, was released October 1 on Marmaduke Records and is available via the band website at <a href="http://www.jeffkollmanband.com" target="new">www.jeffkollmanband.com</a> and other outlets.  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#003d79" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#003d79"> <div align="center">Friday, November 12, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> ROBERT WHITE JOHNSON TALKS ABOUT THE DEBUT RPM RE-ISSUE ON MTM CLASSIX: Robert White Johnson has talked to MTM Music about the re-issue of the debut RPM album, due November 22. Robert says: "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 Again, Off 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 Pang 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 Pang 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 / Every 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 Every 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!!! PS. Thank you Mario Lehmann (MTM Music) 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!"   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="201" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/rpm-rpm.jpg" width="200" /></div> MUSICBUYMAIL WELCOMES NEW RECRUIT: <a href="http://www.musicbuymail" target="new">Musicbuymail</a> is proud to announce that Uli Lennartz has joined the company. The editor of the German classic rock print magazine Melodic Journey and writer for the German AOR magazine Break Out is well known in the scene in Germany and Europe. The Musicbuymail team is looking forward to a good and successful co-operation with Uli! TMG DODGE THE LIVE DVD BULLET: If you cast your mind back a couple of months, I mentioned word of a Tak Matsumoto Group DVD. The Tokyo show from the mid-2004 tour was filmed and details of it's release have finally been announced. TMG - Dodge The Bullet is a 2DVD set which will be released in Japan December 15. Disc 1 is the live show featuring the following set list: Everything Passes Away . I Wish You Were Here . Signs Of Life . Trapped . I Know You By Heart . Train, Train . Red, White And Bullet Blues . Blue -Tak's Solo . Two Of Kind . Wonderland . The Greatest Show On Earth . Kings For A Day . Never Good-Bye . Encore - Rock In America . To be With You . Oh Japan. Disc 2 is behind the scenes and backstage footage, plus other possible extras. The DVD is at this stage only scheduled for Japanese release and will be NTSC Region 2 format. TMG's album TMG 1 is now available in Europe thanks to Frontiers Records.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="283" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/tmg-dodgethebullet.jpg" width="200" /></div> LIVE LIVE LIVE - MILLION IN THE UK: Following the disappointment of seeing their guest slot on the cancelled Vince Neil UK dates evaporate before their eyes, M.ill.ion take their recently released and highly rated album Kingsize on the road later this month as guests on Michael Schenker's UK shows. Dates and venues as follows: Tuesday 23rd November - Rock City, Nottingham Wednesday 24th November -The Underworld, London Friday 26th November - JB's, Dudley Saturday 27th November, Rio's, Bradford LIVE LIVE LIVE - MELBOURNE'S SQUARE ONE SUPPORTING HANSON: Australian melodic rockers Square One have just been announced as support for US band Hanson at the Hifi Bar in Melbourne next week - Wed 17 Nov 2004. Hanson return to Australia on the Acoustic Tour to promote their latest album Underneath. Having sold 15 million albums worldwide Hanson are back with a long awaited and more mature third album. They hand picked Melbourne's Square One as tour support. Due to continued mass appeal from long time fans this show has already sold out and there will be no more added on the whirlwind tour, however , Hanson will be all over the TV and airwaves in Oz when they arrive here next week . Square One have also just added a new page to "my space" and can be joined at <a href="http://www.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewProfile&friendID=5133109&Mytoken=20041109231458" target="new">www.myspace.com</a> (song sample stream available). Square One will have their debut album Supersonic released in 2005. LIVE LIVE LIVE - EXTREME IN JAPAN: It seems Extreme will re-unite for a series of Japanese shows in January! The line-up of Gary Cherone, Nuno Bettencourt, Paul Geary and new bassist Carl Restivo will head to Japan for the following dates: 05/01/12 Tokyo Shibuya-AX 7:00pm 05/01/13 Tokyo Shibuya-AX 7:00pm 05/01/14 Nagoya Aichiken Kinrokaikan 7:00pm 05/01/16 Osaka Nanba-Hatch 5:00pm 05/01/18 Tokyo Shibuya Kokaido 7:00pm LIVE LIVE LIVE - LIONSHEART, STATETROOPER, SAMMY HAGAR AND PRETTY MAIDS: Lionsheart + Statetrooper - live in the UK. Saturday 22nd January 2005 at Stripes Bar, Brentford FC, Braemar Road, Brentford. A double headliner and a classic night of rock awaits! Lionsheart are fronted by the powerful vocals of Steve Grimett (ex-Onslaught/Grim Reaper) and will be performing a set of Lionsheart and Grim Reaper songs. Statetrooper recently reformed after calling it a day in the late 80's. They are fronted by the vocal talents of Gary Barden (ex-MSG and now also in SILVER) and the reformed line-up includes original members Jeff Summers and Bruce Bisland (who is also the Sweet's drummer) plus bassist Tony O'Hara (also a member of the Sweet and previously Praying Mantis). Plus as an added treat, rising UK melodic hard rock band Sacred Heart will be performing a short acoustic set. WebLinks: <a href="http://www.lionsheart.com" target="new">www.lionsheart.com</a>, <a href="http://www.statetrooper.co.uk" target="new">www.statetrooper.co.uk</a> and <a href="http://www.sacredheartband.com" target="new">www.sacredheartband.com</a>. Pretty Maids; Nazareth; Hellfueld and Mika Järvinen will all play a special show for Swedish fans on November 26 at 18.00. The venue is Place Draken, in Stockholm. Sammy Hagar has announced a few New Year's solo dates with his band The Waboritas. Those dates (all in Cabo San Lucas) are: 12-31-2004; 01-02-2005 and 01-04-2005. LIVE LIVE LIVE - HOUSE OF SHAKIRA TO PLAY SPAIN IN DECEMBER: House of Shakira will play the following dates in Spain: 2/12 Madrid; 3/12 Bilbao; 4/12 Madrid; 5/12 Murcia. The band released this statement about the shows: These shows will be very special, as the band will bring their sixth member Mikael Eriksson with them. The band will perform as a six-piece unit with both Mikael and Andreas on vocals. Mikael have continued to write a majority of the bands lyrics since his departure in 1996. "We wanted to give the fans in Spain something special as we really been falling in love with Spain. For a long time we wanted to bring Mikael with us but our schedules have always crashed. These shows will be what House of Shakira is all about we are a singing band and when you'll leave these shows the word "singing" will have a new meaning to you", according to Per Schelander. The band will also perform some material they never played live before and the shows will feature some other special moments. House Of Shakira will have their long out-of-print cult classic debut album Lint re-issued by Lion Music in January. The debut album will finally be available again in a re-mastered version with 2 bonus tracks. ArtistLink: <a href="http://www.house-of-shakira.nu" target="new">www.house-of-shakira.nu</a>. TAXIRIDE NOW A 4 PIECE WITH ALBUM DUE IN 2005: Taxiride are now comprised of original members Jason Singh and Tim Wild and new recruits Sean McCloud and Andy McIvor. The 4 piece is working on their new album due for release in early 2005, with a sound direction change described as a "rock based sound with influences from Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin creeping up slowly but those tradition Taxiride hooks and harmonies remaining" by <a href="http://www.undercover.com.au/news/2004/nov04/20041110_taxiride.html" target="new">Undercover News</a>. SWEDEN'S FATAL SMILE SHOWCASE NEW MATERIAL IN STOCKHOLM: Sweden's Fatal Smile will have an exclusive showcase gig at the legendary Kool Kat Club (Stacy, Regeringsgatan 61, Stockholm) on December the 3rd. They are looking for a new label for the release of their second ass kicking album Neo Natural Freaks produced by Jonas Östman (Yngwie Malmsteen) and mixed by Stefan Glaumann (Rammstein, Backyard Babies etc...). The band also welcomes TG on drums. For more information, please visit <a href="http://www.fatalsmile.nu" target="new">www.fatalsmile.nu</a> or <a href="http://www.koolkat.se" target="new">www.koolkat.se</a>. SITE UPDATES!: <a href="reviews/reviews.html">Reviews</a> have been updated. Now online are reviews for new releases from: Fluid Sol (Mitch Malloy), Brazen Abbot (Live), Second Heat, Higher Ground and Harlan Cage (Best Of). Check them out. Your Reviews and The Best Of 2004 pages will be updated next week and several more reviews will also be added. <a href="minibytes.html">Mini-Bytes</a> have been updated with new sound samples from: The Ladder (Steve Overland), Casanova, 7th Heaven, Gary John Barden, Toyz, as well as samples from re-issues of Surrender, LA and Paul Janz. The <a href="#cdshowcase">CD Showcase</a> area has had new titles added, previewing some more up and coming titles. Added today are features on the new Heaven & Earth re-issue, Thunder's new single, Frontiers Records' new sampler (check out the great tracks from Lande/Allen and Tommy Funderburk), Tony Hernando and the first time on CD release from Shiva. <a href="mr-x/index.html">MR-X</a> has been update for the week. Added today is a new Feature CD - an indie release from Lillian Axe's Ron Taylor. In 1997 he and Drew Smith put a project together called The Bridge and released a self-financed demo CD, which is featured in MR-X now. New videos have been added for: Almighty - Free And Easy, Bret Michaels - Raine, Chrissy Steele - Love Don't Last Forever, No Sweat - Heart And Soul, RTZ - Face The Music and War Babies - Hang Me Up. In addition to those updates, a further 14 miscellaneous MP3s have been uploaded, including some live tracks, b-sides and a few unsigned 'lost classics'. <a href="mr-x-intro.html">MR-X Membership Details</a>.  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#00bb00" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#00bb00"> <div align="center">Thursday, November 11, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> MIKE TRAMP SET TO CLOSE ONE CHAPTER AND BEGIN A SECOND: Following the conclusion of Mike Tramp's European tour, the former White Lion and Freak Of Nature frontman has decided it is time to define his ongoing solo career in relation to his past history. Only a week after the end of Mike Tramp's European tour, Tramp is announcing that this is the end of his band playing both White Lion and Freak of Nature songs in his solo live set. But at the same time Mike is announcing that he is forming Tramp's White Lion - a band dedicated 100% to the original sound and songs of White Lion. "Now is the time for me to make the separation for real and make it all clear to everyone what it is I am doing. My solo career was always going to be a departure from both White Lion and Freak of Nature, and I felt I did that well with my first album Capricorn. But I feel that because I have been playing a mix of songs in my live set, I have also taken steps backwards in my solo career, when what I wanted to do was take many steps further away from what I was known as. With Tramp's White Lion, I now can perform that classic sound with no compromise, and at the same time take my solo career to the musical place that I want to go." Tramp says he never got the chance to clear up last years mess with the White Lion re-union, but now have the perfect way to set things straight. "Everybody jumped the gun last year before we even had a chance to confirm anything. Yes Vito and I was talking back and forth about a possible re-union, but from the first conversation and till the last, he always told me he would not do it. But before I knew it I saw the band's name announced on festivals throughout Europe. I heard other guitars players name mentioned as replacement and so on. But nothing was ever confirmed from our side. I am now making the final statement. There will never be an original White Lion re-union, and the only one performing White Lion will be Tramp's White Lion. I am personally contacting promoters around the world to let them know that this is the way it will be. I will also be handling the managing of Tramp's White Lion myself. At this moment I am talking to several players to take part in this band. But if the band will ever perform will totally depend on the interest of the promoters and the demand of the fans. But rest assure Mike Tramp is moving forward no matter what." CASANOVA LIVE ACOUSTIC - THIS FRIDAY: German hard rockers Casanova will appear live this Friday for a short acoustic live session at the Melodic Rock Night in Duisburg, Germany. Originally planned as a release party with a signing session by singer Michael Voss, the complete band has decided to return into the spotlight and to take over the stage again. Location - Parkhaus, Duisburg, Germany (~ 50 km from the Dutch border!), Address - Bürgermeister-Pütz-Str. 123, Duisburg (highways near A3, A40, A42, A52, A57, A59). Date 12.11.2004, Doors open 8.00 p.m. CET; open end tix free entrance for everybody! Casanova 2004 performing live - Michael Voss vocals & acoustic guitar; Stephan Neumeier acoustic guitar; Jürgen Attig contrabass; Michael Eurich percussion. The Melodic Rock Night as always will be hosted by DJ Daniel Jung and kick off with a rock disco (everything from AOR to Melodic Metal) at 20.00 CET. Casanova will appear on stage around midnight for a maximum 30 minutes long set and be available for meet & greet and signing session after the show. During the evening, there also will be a give-away of some free Casanova CD's. The rock disco itself will continue until early in the morning... The event as always is sponsored by Melodic Rock Station @ Radio Duisburg & Rock It! Current album All Beauty Must Die, out now on Escape Music. ROB ROCK ADDED TO THE AFM RECORDS ROSTER: Rob Rock signs with AFM Records! Rob Rock has signed a worldwide record deal with AFM Records in Germany and continues with JVC/Victor Entertainment for Japan/Asia. Rock and his band are currently working on their AFM debut and their third album for JVC/Victor Entertainment, which is tentatively scheduled for a March/April 2005 release. ArtistLink: <a href="http://www.robrock.com" target="new">www.robrock.com</a>. THE GLAM THAT STOLE PERRIS RECORDS' CHRISTMAS: Perris Records will release The Glam That Stole Christmas Vol.1. The new Christmas CD will be on sale the Tuesday after Thanksgiving (Dec. 1st). Perris has gathered some heavy hitters (Lillian Axe, Big Bang Babies, American Heartbreak) as well as brand new bands for this project. Jason McMaster (Broken Teeth, Dangerous Toys) is featured on the CD Cover which will be posted soon on the Perris website. The complete track listing is as follows: 01. American Heartbreak "The Greatest Christmas Song Ever Written" featuring Billy Roe - Jetboy 02. Lillian Axe "Here is Christmas" 03. Kristy Majors "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)" featuring Pretty Boy Floyd guitarist 04. Loud 'n' Nasty "Christmas Time" 05. Chris Heaven & Michael Gapys "I wish everyday could be like Christmas" 06. Big Bang Babies 'Winter Wonderland' featuring Keri Kelli - Vince Neil's new guitarist 07. Fizzy Bangers "Hooray for Santa Claus" 08. Decadenza "Dead by X-Mas" 09. Rockin' Scroundrels "Rock 'n' Roll Sleigh Ride" 10. Grayson Manor "Blue Christmas" 11. American Smash "Nuttin' For Christmas" CIRCLE II CIRCLE FIND THEMSELVES IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE: The highly anticipated record #2 from Circle II Circle is finally mixed and on it's way to AFM Records Germany. The new album is produced by Zak Stevens and co-produced by "The Masters" Jim Morris and Dan Campbell. Once again Zak Stevens, Jon Oliva and Chris Caffery have joined forces in writing this remarkable CD. Also contributing 2 songs is new song writing partner Bernd Aufferman. Zak would like to thank the CIIC band for helping to make a GREAT RECORD! Paul Micheal Stewart (Bass / Vocals); Thomas Drennan (Drums / Vocals); Evan Christopher (Guitars / Vocals); Andrew Lee (Guitars / Vocals). Special appearances include Matt La Porte and Robert Wolf. The CD is titled The Middle Of Nowhere and contains 10 Tracks with 56 plus minutes of modern, cutting edge heavy metal. The Middle Of Nowhere is a work of art that was painstakingly constructed over a 10 month period of recording seclusion, devastating hurricanes, and many of life's trials and tribulations. The record flows like a twisting tale of insanity, devastation, and illusion that takes you on a cynical roller coaster ride with a cleansing conclusion of triumph over diversity. A very important and "must have record" for 2005! Song titles include: Intro In This Life . Chapter 1 All That Remains . Chapter 2 Open Season . Chapter 3 Holding On . Chapter 4 Cynical Ride . Chapter 5 Hollow . Chapter 6 Strung Out . Chapter 7 Faces In The Dark . Chapter 8 The Middle Of Nowhere . Chapter 9 Lost (The Cleansing). The release date is scheduled for the end of Feb. 2005 and will be followed by an very special co-headline World Tour with several of the absolute best new bands found anywhere on earth! 2005 will without question be a huge breakout year for Circle II Circle! ArtistLink: <a href="http://circle2circle.net" target="new">circle2circle.net</a>.  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#33b8d5" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#33b8d5"> <div align="center">Wednesday, November 10, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> HEAVEN & EARTH FLY HIGH AT LA ROCK AWARDS: Hollywood, CA – Local LA rock band Heaven & Earth took home two wins at the 2nd Annual All Access Music Awards held at the Key Club in Hollywood on Saturday, November 6. Rock guitarist, Stuart Smith of Heaven & Earth took home the award for "Best Guitarist" and the band won the big prize of the evening – "Best Overall Album of the Year" for their limited edition EP, A Taste of Heaven. The awards came at an already high time for the band, having just released a star-studded new CD—Heaven & Earth, Featuring Stuart Smith on their new record label—Black Star Records—which is being distributed by Burnside Distribution and is just now being officially launched. They are also announcing this week the signing of their first artist—Howard Leese—formerly with Heart, now touring as guitarist/band leader for Free/Bad Company singer, Paul Rodgers. There are still some EP's available. It's available for sale through the Heaven & Earth website <a href="http://www.heavenandearthband.com/store.html" target="new">www.heavenandearthband.com/store.html</a>. The new H&E CD is available in stores nationwide as well as on the website. For more information on Black Star Records see the website <a href="http://www.blackstarrecords.com" target="new">www.blackstarrecords.com</a>, still partially under construction.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="246" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/heavenandearth-award04.jpg" width="250" /> Richie Onori & Stuart Smith.</div> MIKE TRAMP BACK TO ROCK VICTORIA IN DECEMBER: Rock and Roll comes alive when Mike Tramp returns to Victoria with shows in Melbourne and Geelong after a 4 month absence having toured all over Europe and the UK since his last Melbourne show. Becoming a regular around Melbourne, Mike has given his set list the biggest dusting yet adding new songs from all eras from his career including White Lion, Freak of Nature and tunes from his 4 solo albums. At the show, Mike will be making available for the first time his brand new album, Songs I Left Behind which features tunes that have been recorded over the past 6 years but not seen the light of day as well as a much anticipated BOX SET called The Bootleg Series which features 6 CDs full of material dating back to 1981 with his first band Danish Lions right through to 4 CDs dedicated to White Lion as well as recent solo material – every track is a version never before heard. The box set is limited to 500 copies world-wide and Mike will have the discs available at these shows exclusively. Mike will be available to meet his fans after the performances for photos and sign autographs for them. Joining Mike for all shows is Melbourne band Stand which are the same guys who tour with Bruce Kulick from Kiss as his solo band debuting new material as well as introducing a new frontman. Stand have been playing with Mike as well for 3 years and at every show people have been asking when Stand were going to start playing their own songs again – well, here they are! Geelong – Barwon Club Thursday 16 December, 2004 Special Guests STAND Melbourne – The Corner Hotel –Friday 17 December, 2004 Special Guests STAND Ticket Information: Melbourne: Available in advance from The Corner Hotel, Or ph 03 9427 9198 or book online at <a href="http://www.cornerhotel.com" target="new">www.cornerhotel.com</a>. All other shows – Tickets at the Door. ArtistLinks: <a href="http://www.miketramp.com" target="new">www.miketramp.com</a> and <a href="http://www.stand.net.au" target="new">www.stand.net.au</a>. MELODIC BRIEFS: Jim Peterik is currently in Los Cabos all week with the Steve Dahl Radio Show this week - <a href="http://www.dahl.com" target="new">www.dahl.com</a>. Steve is a radio talk show host in Chicago on WCKG 105.9. Jim sent me a message from the sunny shores of Los Cabos: "I am doing music in and out of commercials and solo spots too - it is beautiful here." I couldn't help but suggest Jim was in a hell of a position, to which he replied: "...yeah it aint bad work!" Jim will be featured in a new site interview coming shortly. Atenzia Records releases Fluid Sol and Plunge are currently available in some outlets in Europe - they have been officially released in Sweden, but a full worldwide release is not planned until January. Atenzia are changing their distribution operations a little and will now be with Rough Trade/Zomba in the GAS (Germany, Austria, Switzerland) and BeNeLux (Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg) territories, RSK in the U.K. and Mastertrax in Spain and Portugal. LIZZY DATES FOR 2005: Thin Lizzy 2005 tour dates are now being announced. So far on the calendar are: 28-Jan Glasgow--Academy; 29-Jan Newcastle--City Hall; 30-Jan Llandudno--North Wales Theatre; 1-Feb Liverpool--Academy; 2-Feb Manchester--Academy; 4-Feb London--Shepherds Bush Empire; 5-Feb Sheffield--Octagon; 6-Feb Birmingham--Academy; 7-Feb Bristol--Academy; 8-Feb Nottingham--Rock City; 10-Feb Waterford--The Forum; 11-Feb Castlebar--Royal Theatre; 12-Feb Killarney--INEC; 13-Feb Cork--Everyman Palace; 15-Feb Dublin--Vicar Street; 16-Feb Dublin--Vicar Street; 17-Feb Belfast--Waterfront; 18-Feb Galway--Leisureland; 19-Feb Limerick--University Concert Hall.  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#708d8c" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#708d8c"> <div align="center">Tuesday, November 09, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> TED POLEY SET TO ROCK DOUBLE D'S ON NOVEMBER 27: Ted Poley has sent in a message about an upcoming solo gig he's planned during some time off from Danger Danger. Ted writes: "I am still on tour with Danger Danger but we have a month off and so I have a rare gig planned with my great solo band (featuring Vic Rivera of Adriangale on drums, Joe Slattery of Norway on bass, Charlie Calv of Shotgun Symphony & Pleasure Dome on keys and Steve Massa guitarist extraordinaire) in NJ on Nov 27th at Double D's in Morristown. I play lots of songs from all my CDs past, present and future. Some cool stuff and also some of the MTV favs of course. We always have a blast at Double D's so we hope to have a nice turn out and a great night. Also on the bill is Rocco Fury's American Angel and also Adrenalize the excellent Def Lep tribute band. Tickets are cheap, just $12 and its a great weekend to get out and rock after eating turkey! This will probably be one of my last live shows in 2004." Thanks for the news Ted - anyone from NJ should definitely check the show out. ROCK 4 X-MAS CHANGE OF VENUE: Rock & Roll Legends Perform 8th Annual Rock 4 X-MAS - A Christmas Charity Event with All Proceeds to Benefit L.I. Homeless & Fire / Rescue Widows & Children Fund. This year the event will be held at The Kings Club, Centereach, L.I. 631-716-2582 For Details. All proceeds will go to the Nassau, Suffolk Coalition for the Homeless & The Fire / Rescue Widows & Children Fund of Long Island. For anyone unfamiliar with this annual event, Morrison Music & Production organizes shows to benefit less fortunate families at Christmas. Over the past eight years the Rock 4 X-MAS Foundation has helped many families and provided entertainment throughout the United States. Many rock legends have joined with the foundation in putting on memorable concerts to help the cause. The performance this year will include members from Yngwie Malmsteen, Zebra, Quiet Riot, DIO, W.A.S.P., Great White, Mountain, Orleans, Geezer Butler Band & Public Secret, Beyond Blonde, Fallen Angel, Ira Black, Dan Acosta & Jake Live. The show includes local and regional artists with more to come! The show is a 12+ Hour Rock & Roll Marathon! It will begin at 1pm and continue till at least 1am. For purchase of advance tickets please visit <a href="http://www.wildwoodbowl.com" target="new">www.wildwoodbowl.com</a> for all up dates visit <a href="http://www.rock4xmas.com" target="new">www.rock4xmas.com</a>. For those who cannot attend the performance and would like to help, The Rock 4 X-MAS Foundation Inc. accepts contributions on the web site. Donations of any kind, cash (as little as $1.00) also frequent flyer miles. You may also contact there for corporate sponsorships, Ideas or to volunteer. Help will insure our growth so we continue help others. MAGNITUDE NINE START WRITING FOR FOURTH CD: Magnitude Nine are now in the writing process for their 4th CD, the follow up to this year's acclaimed melodic prog-metal release Decoding The Soul on Insideout/SPV. Also, Guitarist Rob Johnson is now working on his 2nd Guitar Instructional DVD Release Over The Top Shred Guitar. For more info, visit <a href="http://www.chopsfromhell.com/advert_johnson_RJ1.html" target="new">www.chopsfromhell.com/advert_johnson_RJ1.html</a>. STRAIGHT FLUSH GHETTO FROM THE BONES IS AVAILABLE NOW: The Bones are starting a rumble here in North America with the release of Straight Flush Ghetto. Liquor and Poker Music has released Straight Flush Ghetto with all new artwork, a bonus track and the music video for Do You Wanna that proves that The Bones are a band to be reckoned with. The infamous <a href="http://Sleazegrinder.com" target="new">Sleazegrinder.com</a> proclaims "As for the Bones' signature sound, it's a nearly perfect combo of 50's Memphis hip shake, tough-as-nails street punk, and Swede nu-sleaze…the songs are so goddamn catchy you'll think you wrote them yourself during your last week-long vodka binge." If that does not get you to run out and by the record than maybe a free Bones t-shirt will. For a limited time only, Liquor and Poker Music will give you a free Bones t-shirt with the purchase of Straight Flush Ghetto from our Schwag section of the Liquor and Poker Music website. You can also get the same deal if you purchase the album from the Century Media Records website. Just go to <a href="http://www.centurymedia.com" target="new">www.centurymedia.com</a> and click on SHOP. Scroll down and you will see the offer for the free shirt. You really have no excuse at this point to experience all the sleaze and high-octane rock that is Straight Flush Ghetto. Grab your copy and free shirt now! A radio interview with Beef Bonanza of The Bones can be found here <a href="http://www.rockhardplace.com/main.htm" target="new">www.rockhardplace.com/main.htm</a>. Check out <a href="http://horrowoodbabbleon.com" target="new">horrowoodbabbleon.com</a> for an interview with The Bones.  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#b11b1c" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#b11b1c"> <div align="center">Monday, November 08, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> EXCLUSIVE PREVIEW - NEW HEARTLAND: Heartland have been busy working on their new album, due for release in early 2005 through Escape Music. The new studio album will be titled Move On and features the recording line-up of: Chris Ousey - Lead Vocals / Backing Vocals; Steve Morris - Guitars/Keyboards; Drums - Rasmus Duedahl; Drums (Getting Ready) - Bjarne T. Holm; Bass - Mathias Gregersen; Backing vocals - Per Svensson & Peter Sundell. The album is produced and recorded by Steve Morris and mixed by Tommy Hansen. Vocal productions by Anders Rydholm. Thanks to Escape Music I am pleased to present a preview of the album in the form of the song Where Do We Go. This is a full length preview track, however the track is not a final mix - just a great indication of what to look forward to. Download: Heartland - <a href="audio/Heartland-WhereDoWeGo.mp3">Where Do We Go</a>. JOURNEY HIT THE STUDIO AND NEAL CONFIRMS SOLO CD RELEASE DATE: Looks like Journey hit the studio this week to begin work on their next studio album, which the guy shave all been writing material for over the last few months. It will the band's first album since 2001's Arrival and 2002's Red 13 EP. Guitarist Neal Schon has just announced that his new solo CD, I on U, will finally be released February 22, 2005! Stay tuned for an update on both albums and Soul SirkUS also. THE GOOD VIBES CONTINUE TO FLOW FROM VAN HALEN: Following my report from Friday, Alex Van Halen has been hitting the campaign trail, selling the concept of Van Halen for 2005. Good news for sure. The article from the Journal Gazette reads, in part, as follows: "Van Halen is a volatile band, and drummer Alex Van Halen is the first to admit it. "We're volatile only to the extent that we're as good of friends as we are," Van Halen says in a phone interview. "It's because we are so intense. It's part of our nature. As much as I love (brother and guitarist Eddie), if you put us in a room with no one else for 15 minutes, we'd be at each other's throats. But it's always about creative differences. Always. It's never personal." "Music is a dialogue. It's about an emotional reaction. We're very needy people, you know," Alex Van Halen says, laughing. Gary Cherone's short-lived stint as lead singer produced one of the worst albums of the band's career. Alex Van Halen has nothing bad to say about Cherone. "He was just the wrong choice. It's that simple. No harm, no foul," Van Halen said. "Nobody sets out to make a bad record. I just think the chemistry was wrong. It was just one of those things." And the guys even touch on David Lee Roth: "Every time it looks as if Van Halen is about to take on a new or slightly used vocalist, there is always much speculation about whether the band's first frontman, David Lee Roth, will return. Van Halen says Roth fans just need to accept the fact that Diamond Dave is history, at least as far as this group of guys is concerned. "I can say something comic, but let me preface that by saying, 'He needs meds.' I am very serious about that. It's that simple. It's not even his fault, really. Whatever our personal differences are, there are no bigger fans of this band than the people who are in this band. So we understand why people would love to see that sort of reunion. But that's just not going to happen. Some things are impossible. The Beatles will never get back together and David Lee Roth will never again sing with Van Halen." And the best news fans could wish for: Van Halen says the band is currently writing material that he believes is its best in a great while. "I can't put it into words, unfortunately, but the stuff is absolutely brilliant," he says. Alex Van Halen says the band has purged itself of angst over profits, pans and chart positions. Now it's just about the music. "When you leave the planet, you leave music behind. You don't leave behind box office scores or how many dollars changed hands. You come to the planet with nothing and you leave with nothing, so you'd better do some good while you are here." And at the same time - this from the <a href="http://www.kansas.com/mld/kansas/entertainment/10101669.htm" target="new">Wichita Eagle</a> in Kansas: "Known for their internal squabbling and singer-swapping as much as for their music, Van Halen set aside a nine-year war of words and egos with singer Sammy Hagar to return to the road. In July, the band released a two-disc greatest hits album featuring three new songs with Hagar at the helm. While on a tour stop in Calgary last week, drummer Alex Van Halen said in an interview that the diverse faces in the audiences on this tour are a testament to the band's longevity. "It means the music held up," he said. "It's probably one of the most rewarding aspects of making music." The cliche says that rock 'n' roll is the elixir of youth. Like the Rolling Stones, Van Halen is clearly a case study in this theory. Singer Hagar, who replaced original vocalist David Lee Roth in 1985, turned 57 last month. "That guy's made of cast iron," Alex Van Halen said. Guitarist Edward Van Halen has spent the previous four years battling tongue cancer. These days he jumps around on stage with an artificial hip. Alex Van Halen admitted that getting old is a fact of life. "At our age, you don't want to stop. Because if you stop, you might not get back up." Speaking of stopping, the last date of the tour is Nov. 19 in Tucson. The buzz on radio and the Internet is again predicting the band's demise, saying internal tensions have taken their toll. Alex Van Halen tried to lay those rumors to rest. "Our disagreements are about our music," he said. The band plans to take a break after the tour and then enter the studio to begin work on a new album, he said. With Sammy Hagar on vocals? "With Sammy," he said." STUART SMITH TAKES OUT TOP HONORS IN LA: Congratulations to Stuart Smith who has taken out the All Access Music Award in LA for Best Guitarist, and also the biggie of the night - Best Overall Album for the Year for the Heaven & Earth album. The new re-issue of Heaven & Earth can be bought via the band's website: <a href="http://www.heavenandearthband.com/store.html" target="new">www.heavenandearthband.com/store.html</a>. BILLY IDOL'S 2005 LAYS IN THE DEVIL'S PLAYGROUND: Billy Idol has just about completed work on his new studio album - the first in more than 10 years - which will again feature his long time associate, guitarist Steve Stevens. The album is titled World Comin' Down at this point, but a website post from drummer Brian Tichy suggests the album title could change to Devil's Playground. The album features the following tracks: World Comin' Down . Bleedin' Me Insane . World Comin Down . Rat Race . Sherri . Plastic Jesus . Scream . Yellin at the Xmas Tree . Romeos Waiting . Body Snatcher . Evil Eye . Lady Do or Die . Summer Running. Keep track of album updates via Billy's website: <a href="http://www.billyidol.com" target="new">www.billyidol.com</a>. Drummer Brian Tichy updates fans via his website with this post: "Billy Idol and I wrote together for few months at the beginning of the year, then in April we started rehearsing and recording the new record. His first since Cyberpunk in '93. Billy is singing better than ever. In September, while the record was being mixed, we did 5 warm up shows leading up to KROQ's Inland Invasion. Billy turned the day into a true rock show. He made 50,000 people sound like 50,000 people. Soon after, he and I got back into writing and came up with 4 new songs that have put us back in the studio. At least 2 of these will end up on the new CD. There should be about 7-9 "Idol/Tichy" songs on it when it's all said and done. The CD was tentatively titled World Comin' Down, but that looks like it is changing to Devil's Playground due to a new song we wrote called Super Overdrive that has "devil's playground" in the lyric. It also seems like it will be the lead off track on the CD. We are also playing KROQ's Acoustic Christmas in LA this year. The new CD should be out in March and the single in January." THUNDER 2005 U.K. TOUR - TICKETS NOW ON SALE!!!: Tickets are on sale now for Thunder's early 2005 UK tour. Buy online at: <a href="http://www.getLIVE.co.uk/thunder" target="new">www.getLIVE.co.uk/thunder</a> and the 24 Hour credit card hotline number 0870 400 0688 March 2005: Friday 4th Sheffield, Foundry Saturday 5th Birmingham, Academy Sunday 6th Bristol, Academy Monday 7th Southampton, Guildhall Wednesday 9th Folkestone, Leas Cliff Hall Thursday 10th London, Shepherds Bush Empire Saturday 12th Newcastle, City Hall Sunday 13th Glasgow, Academy Monday 14th Manchester, Academy Wednesday 16th Norwich, UEA VINCE NEIL SHOWS ARE POSTPONED TILL DEC 2005: Vince Neil's solo UK shows are all but in the can after the singer was forced to surrender his passport after being involved in another scuffle, this time with a sound person in Texas. The UK dates are postponed for now, but I'm doubting any Vince Neil rep can see 12 months into the future to guarantee they will go ahead at another time. MINI-BYTES UPDATED: A few 1 minute samples from the new U2 album How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb are now online in the <a href="minibytes.html">Mini-Bytes</a> area.  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#400080" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#400080"> <div align="center">Sunday, November 07, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> EXPANDED ROCK & METAL RADIO BROADCAST FOR UK & INTERNET FANS: Following the overwhelming success of the weekend CMRPulse Rock/Metal shows on AppleFM (Sky 913) it has been decided to re-launch the rock shows under their own unique brand with effect from 24th November 2004. The launch broadcast will be live from the Sound Broadcasting Exhibition at the NEC from where ARfm will broadcast for two days. ARfm ("Apple Rocks Your World with ARfm") is a new all encompassing Rock and Metal service which will be available live on Sky (Channel 913) at weekends and 24/7 on the Internet. ARfm is backed by a consortium involving AppleFM, Chilton Broadcast and the Alice's Group. Sponsorship for the project has been arranged with Powerplay Magazine, Burn Magazine and Zero-Tolerance, amongst others. The service will broadcast from studios in London and Birmingham. The team of presenters has been expanded and includes Adrian Juste (Radio 1, BBC7); Steve Price; Paul Baker; Simon Gausden; Paul Chamberlain; and John Reps. Juste, Price and Gausden will be hosting the shows from the NEC and a number of current Rock stars have been lined up to join the team for the launch inc Glenn Hughes (Deep Purple) and the British Rockers Magnum. Steve Price, who has been appointed as Programme Controller, said: "This takes the service one step further than CMRPulse and offers the listener the chance to listen to a true Rock and Metal Station 24 hours a day. There will be nothing like it in the UK and our shows will satisfy fans of Blink 182 through Marilyn Manson, Led Zepellin, Hendrix, The Stones, Journey, 80's classics like Giant to the extremes of Metal like Black, Thrash (old and new) and Hardcore. We are extremely pleased to have Adrian Juste on board with his unique brand of Classic Rock mixed with comedy." For further information see our website (<a href="http://www.arfm.co.uk" target="new">www.arfm.co.uk</a>) or contact Steve Price on 01342 300181/<a href="mailto:steve@arfm.co.uk">steve@arfm.co.uk</a>; ARfm, P O Box 595, East Grinstead, RH19 1XX. MR-X UPDATE: <a href="mr-x/index.html">MR-X</a> has been updated for this week. Featured are two more Rockline Radio Shows, one featuring Kiss from June 2004 and the other featuring Van Halen in their 2004 radio show comeback interview. Both shows/interviews run over 60 minutes. Also featured is yet another unreleased album - the Honor Among Thieves album Grow - the and which of course turned into SR-71. This is another great album for fans of nu-breed/modern rock. And lastly, new videos are online for: Bon Jovi - Misunderstood, Crissy Steele - Love You Til It Hurts, Gun - Inside Out, Kane Roberts - Does Anyone Really Fall In Love Anymore and Bobby Kimball - Woodstock. <a href="mr-x-intro.html">MR-X Membership Details</a>.  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#205f80" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#205f80"> <div align="center">Friday, November 05, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> VAN HALEN - NOVEMBER 19 DEFINITELY NOT THE END OF ANY ROAD: They say a week is a long time in politics, but it's even longer in the world of Van Halen. I have written a lot of Van Halen updates over the time running this site, but none brought me more pleasure than the <a href="news2003.html">November 20, 2003</a> report breaking the news that one of the truly great bands in rock n roll history would finally return to action now that the much loved Eddie Van Halen was over his battle with cancer and singer Sammy Hagar had returned to the fold. The band had a lot of work to do in order to mend past friendships and build bridges to the future. But the guys were well on the road to doing just that, with an 80 date North American tour the perfect foil for the boys to once again gel and show the world just what a great live performance is all about. I was disappointed hear about rumors of recent turmoil and when listening to Sammy Hagar's recent radio interview, presumed the worst like just about everyone else had. But not so! Overnight Sammy Hagar has printed a personal update on <a href="http://www.redrocker.com" target="new">his website</a>, which addresses recent whispers of unrest. And reports in from live shows this week highlight a warm chemistry between all on stage. Even reports from last night's show in Milwaukee have the band reaching a new level of enjoyment on stage and really soaking up the last few nights of this long tour. My main reason for this update comes after getting a phone call yesterday from the USA. It was from a source known to me who has been travelling with Van Halen on their current comeback tour. They wanted to set the record straight on a few things rumors which have been greatly exaggerated or formed for unknown reasons. The biggest issue that needs to be put straight is Eddie's drinking and the perception he had been drunk throughout the tour. That is just not correct I'm told. Eddie is in great shape I'm told and is having a blast on tour. Eddie has put in some amazing performances throughout the tour and one only has to check the <a href="http://www.vhlinks.com/forums/postlist.php?Cat=&Board=Tour2004&PHPSESSID=" target="new">2004 Tour Forum</a> at <a href="http://www.vhlinks.com" target="new">VHLinks.com</a> to take in eyewitness accounts. He has been loose and relaxed and blowing fans away with his impromptu solos. This has been a long tour, but my source says right now everyone is still having a blast and putting on the best shows possible, but they are all looking forward to a good rest after November 19. The 80 show tour has been the longest tour any of the guys have done in a decade. The guys will be taking a break and 2005 plans are yet to be worked out, but as far as my source says, the guys definitely want to do this again and they want to continue working as a band. That includes singer Sammy Hagar. Sammy of course got rumors rolling with his interview on KSHE a week or so back. But in his own words posted overnight: "...all these crazy rumors flying around cyberspace are that. Plain and simple, I never said I was quitting Van Halen. There has been no discussion as to when or where we're going to pick this show up on the road and do it all over again cause quite honestly, 80 shows since June 11. Wow, I'm bushed ...HA! But baby, we are rockin'. The adrenalin in pumpin'. We're having a blast and you need to come check it out for yourself. If you ain't jacked when you get there, I guarantee you you'll be jacked when you leave." My source says Sammy was quoted in some areas as saying Eddie has been drunk and that is just plain incorrect. And having listened the interview myself, I can back that up. Sammy, like everyone, is tired after a long tour and his comments from that interview have been skewered towards the negative. This line-up wants to continue working and looks forward to doing just that. I also spoke to a good friend of mine Steve Lukather, who of course, is best buddies with Eddie. I asked Steve about the rumors and how Ed was feeling. He commented "I spoke to Ed a few nights ago and he sounded great! No bad news from his mouth… As far as he's concerned its all good." We got talking about Ed's impact on music over the years, to which Steve added "If he never did anything after Van Halen 1 he would still go down as one of the greatest EVER! I also believe he still makes amazing music and is a close brother to me. So leave him the fuck alone!" I know I speak for many out there, but I am just thrilled the band is back out there working and touring. There have been times over the past few years where we thought it might not happen. I started a guestbook for those wishing to send Eddie Van Halen get well messages and general words of encouragement when he faced his cancer scare. Entries continue to be added to the tribute page, (<a href="reviews/eddie.p3">Located Here</a>), as proof of the guitarists continued popularity. Let's hope a well earned rest is followed by an even bigger year in 2005, complete with a kick-ass new studio record. NEW FRONTIERS FANZINE AVAILABLE: Frontiers Records is proud to present the new issue of their melodic rock fanzine. The second release of our successful magazine is available for free all over the world through record shops, mail-orders and every fine dealer carrying the Frontiers Records releases. Here are the previews of the two Fanzine covers:   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="279" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/frontiersmagazine-4.jpg" width="393" /></div> This new issue includes reviews and interviews of: Jeff Scott Soto, Jean Beauvoir, From The Inside, Zillion, Ring Of Fire, Kick Axe, Fate, Lana Lane, Gary Barden, Grand Illusion, Bonrud, Pulse, Millenium, Joe Stump... and much more! Downloadable version of the magazine can be found here: <a href="http://www.frontiers.it/MRF4.pdf" target="new">www.frontiers.it/MRF4.pdf</a>. THIS WEEK ON THE CLASSIC METAL SHOW: "This week on The Classic Metal Show, we venture to the land down under for a visit from our friends at MelodicRock.com!! They have put together a brilliant 2-CD set recently called The Beast Inside. Regular readers of MelodicRock.com will recognize this as the 2nd annual release from the site. It features great music, as well as the very much anticipated first music from Soul SirkUS - the super-hyped project featuring Journey's Neal Schon and CMS Favorite Jeff Scott Soto. Also, MelodicRock site owner, editor and the executive producer of The Beast Inside, Andrew McNeice, is expected to check in from Australia with an update on the CD, MelodicRock.com and more! It's gonna be a great show, so make sure you tune in Saturday!" <a href="http://www.theclassicmetalshow.com" target="new">www.theclassicmetalshow.com</a> Yikes! Yep, that's me...under serious pressure to say something intelligent... SITE UPDATES - REVIEWS: A few New Reviews have been added to the site. Online now are reviews of The Sign, M.ill.ion and Jon Stevens, plus TMG (updated for it's European release). <a href="reviews/reviews.html">Check them out</a>. An update for MR-X is currently underway and should be completed later tonight. I'll advise when it's online.  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#004080" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#004080"> <div align="center">Thursday, November 04, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> MTM ANNOUNCE SIGNING OF NEW AOR PROJECT FROM TOR TALLE: MTM are proud to announce the signing of a new high class AOR band Northern Light featuring Tor Talle. Northern Light is a new super project from the Norwegian guitar player / 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 (ex-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. Release date for the Northern Light album will be spring 2005. Fergie has picked a song called Eye To Eye. Tor says: "Today I have been in studio recorded the backing and I will send Fergie a CD tomorrow. 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 continues: "First of all I will give Mario and Sebastian at MTM a big thanks for signing my new project...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 privilege 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!" Upcoming January Releases for MTM Music are: Greenhouze Greenhouze 24.01.2005; Rhapsody Sweden Strange Vibrations 24.01.2005; MPG Martie Peters Group 31.01.2005. Upcoming February Releases: Shy Sunset And Vine 07.02.2005; Peo Look What I've Started 14.02.2005; Seven Wishes Destination Alive 21.02.2005. MELODIC BRIEFS: Orders can now be placed for the debut Soul SirkUS album World Play. Orders placed directly through the Warner Bros. online store can be shipped worldwide. Order now: <a href="http://warnerbrosrecordsstore.com/store/buy.asp?&sys=WBR&upc=093624897729" target="new">warnerbrosrecordsstore.com/store/buy.asp?&sys=WBR&upc=093624897729</a>. Florida residents should take a look at this year's Ribfest in St. Petersburg, set for next week. Featured artists include: Greg Rollie, Lou Gramm, Jefferson Starship and The Nelsons. WebLink: <a href="http://ribfest.org/bandlineup.asp" target="new">ribfest.org/bandlineup.asp</a>. Hardline fans can check out <a href="http://www.hardlinerocks.com/news/example1.php?Action=Full&NewsID=36" target="new">Hardline Rocks</a> for a streaming audio preview of tracks soon to be presented for sale through the site. Tracks there now are only online for a couple of days. Expect to see a Riverdogs live DVD from their recent re-union shows. Work on new material continues. Brides Of Destruction are likely to continue touring in 2005, replacing bassist Nikki Sixx with Steve Bruno while Nikki is away on Motley Crue duties he has yet to admit to! If Only have a CD of all unreleased material available, featuring original singer Jackie Bodimead on vocals! The CD features extensive liner notes by guitarist Greg Hart, and also has some great unreleased pictures from his collection! Full details at: <a href="http://www.outlawrecordings.net" target="new">outlawrecordings.net</a>. SITE UPDATES: Mini-Bytes has been updated today, with some very tasty previews from: Creighton Doane, Talisman (Life & Trust re-issues), Damned Nation, Fist, plus tracks from two new indie releases - Domeshots and Oceandrive. <a href="minibytes.html">Check them out</a>. A CD Showcase previewing the new Waysted album Back From The Dead is now online. The album features the return of original vocalist Fin. <a href="showcase/waysted-backfromthedead.html">Take a listen</a>.  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#ff8000" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#ff8000"> <div align="center">Wednesday, November 03, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> ATENZIA RECORDS NEWS UPDATES: Atenzia Records have announced a few updates. First of all it appears Mark Spiro is currently preparing a new album to be released in early 2005. New signing Stereolith played at the Hard Rock Café in Stockholm last week, the special occasion was hosted by Stockholm based SBS Radio Channel 106.7. The gig was broadcasted live and the band played in front of a full ecstatic house. Progressive rock band A.C.T will play their one and only 2004 show at Malmo Kulturbolaget, Sweden Saturday, December 11th 2004. Tickets are on sale at: <a href="http://www.aauk.biz/ACT/04mmx.htm" target="new">www.aauk.biz/ACT/04mmx.htm</a>. And Plunge are on tour with SR-71 in Japan from October 13 through October 25 - supporting the release of their new album Hometown Hero. The band are currently in talks with national management companies, they also plan to go back to the studio at the end of the year. 7TH HEAVEN RETURN WITH COVERS DISC: 7th Heaven are a band receiving a lot of attention - mainly thanks to a 30 track double CD release titled Silver, originally released in 2003. The album could be described as Def Leppard goes nu-breed, or doing 2004 style pop/rock. The 2CD release is available only via their website for the insane price of $15 (including shipping). The band have just issued a new release - again via their website. Sampler - Volume 1 is an album of covers, albeit a little unusual compared to some other covers albums. The first track is Rock Medley - A Medley Of The Best Rock Bands Of The 70's & 80's; a massive medley featuring the tracks: Wanted Dead Or Alive, Tom Sawyer, Lovin' Every Minute Of It, Pour Some Sugar On Me, Back In Black, Sweet Emotion, Shout At The Devil, The Zoo ,Still Of The Night, Rock Of Ages, For Whom The Bells Toll, Wildside, Sweet Child Of Mine, Crazy Train, Ain't Talking About Love, Were Not Gonna Take It, Runaway, Talk Dirty To Me, Paranoid, Don't Tell Me You Love Me, Bohemian Rapsody and Stairway To Heaven. Additionally, full versions of the following tracks complete the album: In The Air Tonight . Somebody's Baby . Boys Of Summer . Every Breath You Take . Fields Of Gold . First Cut Is The Deepest . Escape . You Spin Me Round. ArtistLink: <a href="http://www.7thheavenband.com" target="new">www.7thheavenband.com</a>.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/7thheaven-samplervol1.jpg" width="200" /></div> MASTERPLAN EP BACK FOR MY LIFE AND ALBUM AERONAUTICS: Masterplan have completed recording of their new studio album. The material has just been mixed by Mikko Karmila and mastered by Mika Jussila in the Finnvox Studios. So studio work is over and on the 24th of January Masterplan will release their new album Aeronautics. This flight is not expressed by a concept album, but the record has the fascination of flying as a core theme. In advance on November 29 the Masterplan EP Back For My Life will be released, containing the song Back For My Life as a single and album version, the song Crimson Rider taken from the upcoming album and the non album tracks Killing In Time (2 different versions) and Love Is A Rock. Additionally, there will be a multimedia section. The upcoming tour, which is being planned at the moment, is anticipated to start in March 2003. MASTERPLAN will do a short promo tour in December to answer all the journalists' questions about Aeronautics.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="197" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/masterplan-2004.jpg" width="300" /></div> In other AFM Records news: Circle II Circle, fronted by Zak Stevens are still in the studio to finish the working on their newest album Middle Of Nowhere, as their work had been interrupted by several hurricanes, that ravaged on the American east coast. The release date of Middle Of Nowhere is scheduled for the end of February 2005. Shaman, featuring ex-Angra frontman André Matos, are still in the studio as well, to polish their new, as yet untitled studio album. The album is planned to be released in February/March 2005. Edguy's Hall Of Flames is a double Best Of release, due out December 6. The album contains all Edguy hits, remastered in the Finnvox Studio in Helsinki by Mika Jussila, as yet unpublished material as well as video clips, promo singles and Japan bonus tracks. The total playing time is about 140 minutes. JON STEVENS TURNS R&B FOR NEW SOLO RELEASE: Former Noiseworks and Inxs vocalist Jon Stevens is due to release his new solo album in Australia next week. It will be Steven's fifth solo release, but follows two underachieving releases from the 90's - the last being Circle in 1996. Ain't No Life For The Faint Hearted is unlikely to win him any new fans. For whatever reason, Stevens has decided to record an album featuring "soul, urban and R&B influences", which is described as "an exciting excursion" from his known style. I can think of a better description! The album also includes a horrendous cover of the Doors' Light My Fire. Then there's that album artwork... The album track listing is: I See You Round . Let Me In . Light My Fire . Philosophy . Ain't No Life For The Faint Hearted . Rock With Me . Get Low . My Girl . Move . Stand Alone. The album press blurb reads: Jon Stevens, one of Australia's greatest rock and pop vocalists, is releasing a new solo album. Taking its title from Jon's twenty five years in the music biz, Ain't No Life For The Faint Hearted is a redefinition of this established artist's musical direction. With soul, urban and R&B influences, the record is an embracement of Jon's musical roots and an exciting excursion from his well known Australian rock background. After three years touring the world fronting the legendary Inxs, Jon left the band at the end of December 2003 to fulfill a need to create new music; Ain't No Life For The Faint Hearted is the result. Recorded and produced by Jon Stevens and Dinesh Wicks in Sydney and mixed and mastered in Los Angeles, credits include the multi platinum producer/writer Damon Elliot (Pink, Mya, Beyonce, Destiny's Child). Mix credits include Jon Gass (TLC, Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson, Destiny's Child), Dave Pensado (Christina Aguilera, Mya, Li'l Kim, Pink, Destiny's Child, Macy Gray) and Neal Pogue (Outkast, En Vogue, Mystikal, Pink, Faith Evans). Ain't No Life For The Faint Hearted will be in stores across Australia on 7th November 2004 with the first single I See You Round going to radio across the nation on Wednesday 13th October. This record is a fully independent release, through Jon's label Circle Music in conjunction with 456 Records and distributed by MGM. Says Jon "major labels are shrinking worldwide and the internet takeover is just a matter of time. For me, the title track Ain't No Life For The Faint Hearted says it all." ArtistLink: <a href="http://www.jonstevens.com.au" target="new">www.jonstevens.com.au</a>. Audio samples available at: <a href="http://www.hmv.com.au/product/rockpop.asp?SValue=JON+STEVENS&column=description&fmt=Any&sku=947721" target="new">HMV.com.au</a>   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/jonstevens-aintnolife.jpg" width="200" /></div> RIK EMMETT TEAMS UP WITH MIKE SHOTTON FOR NEW PROJECT: Former Triumph guitarist and frontman Rik Emmett is apparently working on a new rock project with Von Groove's Mike Shotton. Where this leaves work on the new Von Groove album is anyone's guess, but Rik Emmett posted this comment in the members only area of his website: "...just wait 'til you hear the stuff I'm working up with Mike Shotton which is very much in a Led Zep, Velvet Revolver, SRV / Kravitz kind of ballpark so far [and SOOO much fun!]....Song titles so far include - Liberty, Cryin' Shame, Midnight Black & Blue, Find Your Way, and Addicted." Rik has also contributed to another Mike Shotton's project - Mike's Garage - a kids‚ album, born from a TV show concept. Rik is featured on 4 tracks. ArtistLink: <a href="http://www.rikemmett.com" target="new">www.rikemmett.com</a>. TYKETTO KICK OFF RE-UNION TOUR WITH NJ SHOW: Tyketto kicked some butt in their one and only US re-union show October 29th. A couple of site regulars have e-mailed in feedback. George writes: "The show at Dingbats in New Jersey USA rocked from beginning to end and the entire show consisted of songs from the first two albums only. I've been a Tyketto fan since Don't Come Easy came out in 1990 and they sounded as good today if not better than they did back then. All four original members played like the drama of member changes and breaking up as a band had never happened. All I can say is fans in Europe who have been craving to see Tyketto are in for the biggest treat of their lives and will not be disappointed in the least." And Clint wrote in: "Tyketto played almost an 1hr and half. They played all of Don't Come Easy and about 3 or 4 songs off Strength In Numbers. Danny's voice live was awesome - he hasn't missed a step in all these years, his voice sounds better than it did 12 years ago when I saw them the first time. The guys all look good and the songs were really tight. Please pass along to the UK fans that this is the live show of the year and do not miss it if your a fan of Tyketto!" MARTIN STENMARCK RELEASES SECOND ALBUM: Swedish pop/AOR sensation Martin Stenmarck has released his new album online. Think Of Me is another self-financed effort that should see a number of it's songs covered elsewhere if the debut was anything to go by. The track listing for the new album is: I Believe . You Can't Hide Beautiful . That's When I Love You . When You Think Of Me . Not A Day Does By . I Keep Falling . Good Morning Beautiful . Hold On To Me . 19 Something . Wild Horses . You Won't See Me Dancing For A While. ArtistLink: <a href="http://www.martinstenmarck.com" target="new">www.martinstenmarck.com</a>. FORMER GRAND FUNK RAILROAD MEMBER MURDERED: Terry Knight was murdered defending his daughter at his home in Killeen, TX on the night of Nov. 1. The updated story can be found at: <a href="http://www.kwtx.com/home/headlines/1153186.html" target="new">www.kwtx.com/home/headlines/1153186.html</a>. It is with sadness that Grand Funk Railroad issues a statement regarding the death of Terry Knight: "We were shocked to here that Terry had been murdered. Even though we have not had a friendly relationship with Terry over the last 30 years it still was very distressing to hear of his death. Terry Knight was instrumental in the birth and early success of Grand Funk Railroad from 1969 to 1972. Having been a former band mate in previous bands with Grand Funk's Don Brewer and Mark Farner (The Pack, and Terry Knight and the Pack) Knight later became manager and producer of Grand Funk Railroad. During those years Grand Funk sold millions of records and toured the world as one of the biggest rock bands of all time even selling out Shea Stadium in NYC faster than The Beatles. There was a major falling out between the members of Grand Funk and Terry in 1972 and Terry was fired. This led to huge lawsuits and lasting discord between GFR and Terry. Grand Funk moved on and continued to have great success with million selling hits We're An American Band, Locomotion, Some Kind Of Wonderful and Bad Time. We have had very little personal contact with Terry over the last 30 years. We deeply regret Terry's death and our sympathy goes out to his family." Don Brewer, Grand Funk Railroad, Nov. 2, 2004. RIP Terry.  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#397171" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#397171"> <div align="center">Tuesday, November 02, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> BLACK STAR RECORDS ANNOUNCES HOWARD LEESE SOLO RECORD: Black Star Records, the label run by Stuart Smith and Richie Onori of Heaven & Earth, has signed Howard Leese for a solo album. Howard was the long standing guitarist of Heart and for the last four years has been the guitarist/band leader for Free/Bad Company singer, Paul Rodgers. Along with Paul, the CD will feature performances by some of the biggest names in Classic Rock and will be released mid-2005. Black Star Records will be holding an official signing party for Howard in Bel Air on November 13th.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="227" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/howardleese-2004.jpg" width="230" /></div> MIKE TRAMP BOOTLEG'S HIMSELF FOR RARITIES BOX SET: Mike Tramp has put together a rather amazing release titled The Bootleg Series. This box set release features no less than 6CDs and covers a 10 year period in Tramp's life. Mike reached back into his personal collection to put together a collection of rare tracks covering the years 1981 to 1991. This set features some truly amazing material for fans of White Lion and Mike Tramp. Each CD features lines notes by Mike and the set itself is limited to 500 copies. This item is for sale at Mike's live shows and shortly via his webshop, but also right now via AOR Heaven, who have a limited quantity in stock. The full details of The Bootleg Series is: Disc 1 - Studs & Danish Lions, 1981 - 1982: Rock You Tonight; She's Gonna Rock You; Girl You Gave Yourself Too Fast; Lookin' For A Feelin'; Take Me Home; The World Is Rockin'; We Will Make It Through; I'm Back Again; He's Always Lonely; When Rock N Roll Was Born; Bring It Home; Running With Night; Brookly Boy; Deep In Love; El Salvador; When Rock N Roll Was Born; Take Me Home; How Does It Feel; You're The Only Girl; Two People; Wild Boys; Bring It On Home. Disc 2 - White Lion Unreleased, 1983 - 1985: Deep In Love With You; Two People; Rock You Tonight; Evil Angels; After A Broken Heart; How Does It Feel; Rock You Tonight; The Road To Valhalla; Wasted City; I'm On My Way; Tonight We'll Change It; The Rock Is Falling; Ride Through The Storm; Rock To The Top; The Last Time; We Rock All Night; Early Warning. Disc 3 - Pride Take One, 1986 (the original first reocrding of Pride, before the band re-recorded it): Hungy; Lonely Nights; Sweet Little Lovin'; Say Goodbye; Turn It Up; Wait; All Join Our Hands; Hungry; Lonely Nights; Sweet Little Lovin'; Say Goodbye; Lady Of The Valley; All Join Our Hands; Tell Me; Turn It Up; Wait; When The Children Cry. Disc 4 - Big Game Demos: Goin' Home Tonight; Baby Be Mine; Don't Say It's Over; Broken Home; If My Mind Is Evil; Cry Fro Freedom; Dirty Woman; Living On The Edge; Let's Get Crazy; Little Fighter; Till Death Do Us Part; Cherokee (acoustic); Cry For Freedom (acoustic). Disc 5 - White Lion - Mane Attraction Start To Finish: Time To Wonder; Back On The Street; Love Don't Come Easy; Out With The Boys; She's Got Everything; It's Over; All That I Need; Broken Heart; Death Do Us Part; Leave Me Alone; Farewell To You; Lights And Thunder; Love Don't Come Easy; Til Death To Us Apart; You're All I Need; Like A Dog. Disc 6 - Mike & Oliver - Brothers For Life: Get Out Of My Way; Ready To Go; Too Much To Drink; Real Life; Things Aren't What They Are Used To Be; Flowers; If You Gonna Hurt Me; Taking Out My Old Guitar; Walking The Thin Line; I Will Fight No More; Disturbing The Peace; Show Me The Way To Heaven; Get Me Out Of Here; Words Don't Count; One Love.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/miketramp-bootlegseries.jpg" width="229" /></div> MELODIC BRIEFS: Thin Lizzy has announced plans for a UK and Ireland tour in February - the line-up has not yet been announced, although it will be built around John Sykes and Scott Gorham. Sadly neither Brian Downey, Darren Wharton or Marco Mendoza has anything to do with this tour. Oni Logan will return to action with a new solo album in the early part of next year. Kryah are a new UK hard rock outfit which completed their line-up through a plug for them right here on this site! The guys have a website now online at: <a href="http://www.kryah.co.uk" target="new">www.kryah.co.uk</a> - featuring new songs, photos and live dates. Queen will soon issue a number of live releases via their website, <a href="http://www.queenonline.com" target="new">QueenOnline.com</a>. The first three will be Last Stand May 15th, 1985, Osaka; Jazz Final June 5th, 1979; Life Is Real August 9th, 1982, Meadowlands, New Jersey. HOT TRACKS REVAMP WEB BUSINESS: Hot Tracks Import CD's (<a href="http://www.hottracksimportcds.com" target="new">www.hottracksimportcds.com</a>) new webstore is back and better than ever! With the emphasis on Rock, Metal and Classic Rock, the USA based on-line retailer surely has something of interest to everyone. Owner James Dubay says "We have implemented many of our customers ideas and music artists to bring what we believe is "Your best source for imports and more" in the United States". The new webstore features a very powerful search engine, lower shipping rates for U.S. Orders (only $1.00 per item), and easy to use shopping cart (which always shows on every page what you currently have in your cart), Online tracking of orders, a wish list, sale products, pre-order specials and access to over 35,000 imports in all genres of music. Customers also receive a 5% discount on any order of $50.00 or more. Check out their webstore now at <a href="http://www.hottracksimportcds.com" target="new">www.hottracksimportcds.com</a>.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="100" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/hottracks-logo.jpg" width="260" /></div> OUTLAND'S LONG WAY HOME - TRACK BY TRACK: Outland's new CD Long Way Home is out now in Japan and due out in Europe November 22. Rob Nishida kindly talks us through the songs featured on the album (see below). Log into the band at: <a href="http://www.outlandmusic.com" target="new">www.outlandmusic.com</a>. 1. Borderline - Probably the heaviest song that we've done. The President of our label in Japan actually inspired this song. After hearing an early four song demo at a meeting in their offices in Japan, he asked us to come up with a heavy uptempo track to complement what we already had. I was so stoked on the idea, that I came up with the main riff and chorus melody on the plane flight home to LA. 2. Love Ain't The Answer - Love Ain't The Answer was among the early songs written for the CD. I wrote this song in about 10 minutes on an old Roland Juno. Definitely inspired by bands like Styx and Survivor. The lyrics basically speak about the difficulties people face in any relationship. This is still one of my favorite tracks on the CD. 3. The Hardest Part Of All - This song began life with the cool intro keyboard riff and chord progression that Jeff wrote. Although I wasn't so sure at first, I think Jeff instantly knew that this song was going to be special. Jeff kind of refers to this song as an AORish Every Breath You Take. 4. Madeline - We spent a lot of time on the bridge of this song -- doing layers upon layers of background vocals. This was one of the most fun tracks to record, and features some power drumming by Pat Torpey. Playing with Pat on this CD gave it a certain power and energy that really drives home on these uptempo tracks. 5. How Many Times - This song was actually written around the tail end of the recording of Different Worlds. We toyed with the idea of making it the bonus track for Different Worlds, but everybody that we played the demo of this song to, told us that it was far too strong to be a bonus track. You can listen to it and decide for yourselves. This song is about sticking it out in a relationship, sometimes having to remind your significant other that things are eventually going to get better. 6. Long Way Home - This song has some real interesting lead guitar by Jeff and is another barnstorming drum performance by Pat. It's our ode to classic 70's hard rock. We knew that we had our One More Night for this record as soon as we recorded it. The song originally started off with a guitar riff intro, but Pat suggested starting the song off with drums, which proved to be a great way to start the track. 7. Somebody Just Like You - Probably our favorite ballad so far. Jeff called me as soon as he wrote the keyboard riff because he was so excited about it. Jeff sings his heart out on this track. The label made it clear pretty early on that they wanted a big, classic sounding ballad for this CD, and I think we delivered with this one. 8. Turn Some Pages - The very first song written for this CD. It really was the song that sort of determined the course of Long Way Home, and sort of got the ball rolling in a songwriting sense. To me, this track would be right at home on Different Worlds. 9. Don't Turn Back - Probably the song that changed the most on the CD from beginning to end. We always knew that we had a strong chorus and verse melody, but we couldn't come up with an arrangement that we liked. I'm sure we went through six or seven completely different arrangements of this song. After changing the verse riff numerous times, and then coming up with a bridge that we really liked, I think we finally nailed it. 10. What In The World - Jeff and I are both suckers for mid-tempo ballads, and I wanted to write one that lyrically, had a sort of cinematic quality. I don't know if I actually achieved that but it's my personal favorite track on the CD. This is also a bit of a weird one, because I wrote the bridge section first, and wrote the rest of the song around that. 11. Hollywood - We had a lot of fun doing the Stage Dolls tune on the first CD, so we decided to do another cover for this record. Jeff and I have pretty varied tastes when it comes to bands that we like, but Thin Lizzy, UFO and a few others are the common ground. We knew that we wanted to do a Lizzy song, but we wanted to make sure that we picked one that we could do justice to, and also be a song that would fit well on the CD. After many heated discussions, we finally agreed on Hollywood. 12. Love Of My Life (Japanese Bonus Track) - This song was written in my head while people watching, waiting for a friend at a restaurant in Tokyo. This was before my meeting with the label, not knowing how they were going to react to the first four songs we had written. It definitely has a real upbeat, pop feel and to me, sounds pretty different from anything else we have done. It was a tough decision, making this the Japanese Bonus Track, knowing that the rest of the world wouldn't hear it. But in the end, I feel that it made the most sense, since this song was inspired by that day in Tokyo.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/outland-longwayhome.jpg" width="200" /></div> GLEN BURTNIK'S ANNUAL XTRAVAGANZA SET FOR DECEMBER 10: This year's Glen Burtnik Xmas Xtravaganza will be on Friday December 10 at 8pm at the State Theater in New Brunswick, NJ. Tickets for the 2004 Xmas Xtravaganza officially go on sale Friday November 5th. There will be a special PRESALE for our "Xtravaganza Friends" - that means YOU - on Thursday November 4th. You can purchase tickets (before the General Public) by calling 732-246-7469 (or toll-free 1-877-STATE-11) and give the password "Grinch". After Thursday, Tickets can be purchased at The State Theatre Box Office (877-STATE11 or 732-246-7469) or ordered online from <a href="http://www.statetheatrenj.org" target="new">www.statetheatrenj.org</a>. The State Theatre is located at 15 Livingston Avenue in New Brunswick, NJ 08901-1903. AUDIOVISION PROJECT SET FOR JAPANESE RELEASE: Audiovision, the new solo project from Narnia frontman Christian Rivel, will release their debut album, The Calling, in Japan on December 22 via King Records. A European release date has yet to be confirmed. The Calling features contributions from some of the best musicians in melodic hard rock and heavy metal. Confirmed guests include: Jeff Scott Soto (Talisman, Yngwie Malmsteen); Bruce Kulick (Kiss, Grand Funk Railroad); Tony Franklin (Whitesnake, Blue Murder, Firm); Mats Levén (Krux, At Vance, Yngwie Malmsteen); Mic Michaeli (Europe); Mattias "Ia" Eklundh (Freak Kitchen); Eric Clayton (Saviour Machine); Michael Höglund (Punchline, Thunder, Great King Rat); Thomas Broman (Hughes Turner Project, Glenn Hughes Band, Electric Boys); Thomas Vikström (Brazen Abbot, Candlemass, Talisman); Lars Chriss (Lion's Share); Tommy Denander (Radioactive); Carl Johan Grimmark (Narnia); Andreas Lindahl (Platitude); Jörgen Schelander (Mercury Fang); Michael Andersson (Cloudscape); Janne Stark (Locomotive Breath, Overdrive). According to an official press release, the vision for the project was "to create good heavy metal with strong melodies and lots of harmony vocals like Queen, Uriah Heep & The Sweet. Everything will be packed in a superb production by producer and guitarist Lars Chriss from Lion's Share," who has co-written most of the songs together with Christian Rivel. Several MP3 clips (not full songs) are currently available for download from the following locations The Calling: (<a href="http://www.lionsshare.org/sound/callingedit.mp3" target="new">www.lionsshare.org/sound/callingedit.mp3</a>), The King Is Alive (<a href="http://www.lionsshare.org/sound/kingedit.mp3" target="new">www.lionsshare.org/sound/kingedit.mp3</a>) and Show Me the Way (<a href="http://www.lionsshare.org/sound/wayedit.mp3" target="new">www.lionsshare.org/sound/wayedit.mp3</a>). For more information, visit <a href="http://www.rivelrecords.com/Audiovision" target="new">www.RivelRecords.com/Audiovision</a>. DENNIS DeYOUNG BROADENS HIS PORTFOLIO: From Dennis DeYoung's <a href="http://www.dennisdeyoung.com" target="new">website</a>: Universal Pictures is currently filming a movie for an 2005 release entitled, "The Perfect Man" starring, Hillary Duff, Heather Locklear which features several of Dennis Deyoung´s songs. But thats not the best part. One of the main characters played by Mike OMalley from TV's Yes Dear, is a Styx fanatic who takes Heather Locklear on a date to a Styx concert. Turns out its not actually Styx, but an 80's style Styx tribute band. Mike and the patrons of the club where the concert takes place are lovingly but hopelessly trapped in the 80s. Guess who plays the lead singer in the tribute band? No, its not Robert DeNiro, its Dennis himself. Thats right, he plays a guy who supposed to be imitating Deyoung. What a hoot! INTRODUCING THE MONTERREY METAL FEST: San Diego, California heavy metal band Cage have been confirmed on the line-up of the 1st ever Monterrey Metal Fest Vol. I, to be held on Saturday, November 13, 2004 at the Coca Cola Auditorium in Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico. The festival line-up is made up of the following internationally recognized bands Twisted Sister, Dio, Dokken, Quiet Riot, Shaman, Hatebreed and Cage. The Monterrey Metal Fest Vol. I will be the largest heavy metal festival ever to be held in Mexico. The outdoor Coca Cola Auditorium has a capacity for over 20,000 persons. The festival promoters Day Dream Productions and Dark Vission Entertainment plan on making the Monterrey Metal Festival an annual event. To visit the Monterrey Metal Fest website, click on the following link: <a href="http://www.dve.com.mx/mmf.htm" target="new">www.dve.com.mx/mmf.htm</a>. JUDGE JACKSON RELEASES THIRD GEM: (Los Angeles, CA - 26 Oct. 2004) California country fried southern rockers Judge Jackson will release their third album, One Diamond on November 2 through Curtis Joe Records / Dreamscape Music Group. Comprised of ten songs laced with piss and vinegar, One Diamond is a 41 minute ride through Tesla's backyard with Lynyrd Skynyrd behind the wheel. Tracks such as King and Salvation scream out at you while the album's first single, Amazing and Matt's Song (written in memory of a fan who passed away) hit the listener in the heart with meaningful lyrics and memorable melodies. Hailing from Los Angeles, the quintet formed in 1995 when lead vocalist Todd McTavish met guitarist Lee Jackson through a mutual friend. The duo started writing together almost immediately and sensing a special magic existed between the two of them they began the process of putting Judge Jackson together. The band played the famed LA club circuit for the better part of the ninties and released their debut album in 1998. Now, with One Diamond the band has reached a new plateau in their career, earning the respect of their peers and industry insiders alike. "I've always thought that if you have the 4 p's - product, passion, perseverance and patience people will begin to take notice. We've always concentrated on delivering good material and that's what has gotten us noticed by the movers and shakers in the business." Judge Jackson are Todd McTavish - Lead vocals, Lee Jackson - Guitars, Tyler Nelson - Guitars, Ryan Rogers - Bass, Chris Pendelton - Drums. More information on the band can be found at <a href="http://www.judgejackson.net" target="new">www.judgejackson.net</a>. SITE UPDATES: The Interactive Reviews have been updated. You can now add your own reviews for the following titles: Pride Of Lions / The Destiny Stone (not released until next Monday), Charade / II, Butch Walker / Letters, Statetrooper / The Calling, Bryan Adams / Room Service and Straight Wired / Color My World. <a href="reviews/featurereview.html">Add your reviews now!</a> An interview with James Christian has been added to the site. James talks about his new solo release Meet The Man, which includes a nice Track By Track commentary on the songs that make up the CD. <a href="interviews/jameschristian-04.html">Read the interview</a>.  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#000000" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#000000"> <div align="center">Saturday, October 30, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> HAREM DRUMMER LEARNS MORE & MORE ON DEBUT SOLO RELEASE: Harem Scarem drummer Creighton Doane has completed work on his debut solo album - Learning More & More About Less & Less. The album is released through Bullseye Records Canada and features 10 tracks and is described as an album of power pop. The track listing is: True Love Story . Unexplained . Give It Up . Dummy . Overacheiver . Ugly Bug . C U Next Tuesday . Dear Frankenstein . Expiry Date . Losers. To order the album, visit the Bullseye store at: <a href="http://www.aimmusicshop.com/product.php?product_id=1415" target="new">www.aimmusicshop.com/product.php?product_id=1415</a>. Soundbytes and a review will appear online here ASAP.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/creightondoane-learningmore.jpg" width="215" /></div> CROWN OF THORNS COMPILE THEIR BEST JEWELS: Crown Of Thorns will sum up their illustrious recording history with a new compilation through Frontiers Records that is set to take in all aspects of their career. Crown Jewels is a stunning 3 CD Digipak, covering all the best songs from the band's repertoire (all remastered for this package) and adds plenty of rare material, plus two newly recorded Christmas tracks and one 25 minute video interview with band leader Jean Beauvoir. The cover art is an all new graphic specially designed by Sebastian Kozak. The track listing for this set is: CD1: <a href="http://www.frontiers.it/cot101-winterland.mp3" target="new">Winterland</a>; The Rain; Hike it Up; I Won't Wait; Dirty Walk, Dirty Talk (from The Black CD); Crown of Thorns; <a href="http://www.frontiers.it/cot107-dyingforlove.mp3" target="new">Dying For Love</a>; No You Don't; Standing On The Corner For Ya; The Healer; Secret Jesus; Til The End (from Crown of Thorns); <a href="http://www.frontiers.it/cot113-thenight.mp3" target="new">The Night</a>; Never Enough; I'm Burnin' Up; Hang On Sugar; Killing Time; Man On A Tightrope; Little Stone House (from Raw Thorns); Are You Ready '95 (from Are You Ready '95). CD2: <a href="http://www.frontiers.it/cot201-overmyhead.mp3" target="new">Over My Head</a>; Don't Let Me Down; Only One Who's Lonely; Breakthrough; You; Writing's On The Wall (from "Breakthrough"); Lost Cathedral; <a href="http://www.frontiers.it/cot208-liveanddie.mp3" target="new">Live And Die</a>; Lyin'; Greed Of Love; Wasted Prime (from Lost Cathedral); <a href="http://www.frontiers.it/cot212-birdsonawire.mp3" target="new">Birds On A Wire</a>; End Of The Century; Here She Comes; Missionary Remedy. CD 3: Heaven Tonight; Long Way Home (from Destiny Unknown); Believer; Til You've had Enough; My Sweet Lord; <a href="http://www.frontiers.it/cot305-shednotears.mp3" target="new">Shed No Tears</a>; Before It Slips Away; I'm Sorry; Once In My Life (from Karma); <a href="http://www.frontiers.it/cot311-holynight.mp3" target="new">Oh Holy Night</a>; All I Want For Christmas Is You (new recordings 2004). Crown Jewels is released December 6.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/crownofthorns-crownjewels.jpg" width="200" /></div> RICHIE KOTZEN STRIPS IT BACK FOR ACOUSTIC RELEASE: December 6 is also the release date for a new Richie Kotzen mid-price CD titled Acoustic Cuts. This is an album which was recorded by Richie Kotzen (ex-Mr. Big and Poison) 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. The album features ten of Richie's most popular songs performed on acoustic guitar in a very stripped back and intimate form. The track listing is: <a href="http://www.frontiers.it/kotzen-change.mp3" target="new">Change</a>; <a href="http://www.frontiers.it/kotzen-whatis.mp3" target="new">What Is</a>; <a href="http://www.frontiers.it/kotzen-high.mp3" target="new">High</a>; Don't Ask; Where Did Our Love Go; Rust; I Would; You've Got A Fire; Don't Wanna Lie; Let's Say Goodbye.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="201" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/richiekotzen-acousticcuts.jpg" width="200" /></div> HUBI MEISEL'S LATEST CONCEPT COMPLETED: 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 line-up for this release will be: Hubi Meisel - vocals, Vivien Lalu - keys (Shadrane), Marcel Coenen - guitars (Sun Caged), Jorge Salán - guitars (José Andrea, Mago de Oz), Daniel Flores - drums (Mind's Eye) and Johan Niemann - bass (Therion). 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 <a href="http://www.hubimeisel.com/index.php?m=audio" target="new">www.hubimeisel.com/index.php?m=audio</a>. EDENBRIDGE SHINE ON NEW RELEASE: To celebrate the release of their new album Shine and website, <a href="http://www.edenbridge.org/indexf.htm" target="new">www.edenbridge.org/indexf.htm</a>, Edenbridge are giving you the chance to win one of 5 Ltd Edition signed versions of the new album, just click to the Official Fan Club at <a href="http://www.edenbridgefanclub.org" target="new">www.edenbridgefanclub.org</a> to take part. The new album is available in a limited digipack version with the bonus track On Sacred Ground.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/edenbridge-shine.jpg" width="200" />xx<img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/edenbridge-2004.jpg" width="307" /></div> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#0000ff" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#0000ff"> <div align="center">Friday, October 29, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> INTRODUCING PLATENS: Platens (Latin word for Bringer of Light ) is a melodic rock project brainchild of Dario Grillo a young and talented singer, songwriter and musician born in Palermo, Italy. Dario has been the singer in the Italian Power Metal band Thy Majestie with whom he has recorded two albums (The Lasting Power and Hastings 1066) and one EP Echoes of War. Dario left the band in October 2003 in order to dedicate all his energies to Platens, his new musical project, where he plays all the instruments. Frontiers Records president and A&R director, Serafino Perugino, heard the first demos and was enthusiastic with what he heard. The debut album is entitled Between Two Horizons and features a melodic hard rock approach very close to the sound of such bands as Fair Warning, Terra Nova and Grand Illusion. Big bombastic hook lines, driving rhythms and magnificent keyboards tied together with incredible singing. The album was mastered by Mika Jussila at world-renowned Finnvox Studios in Helsinki, Finland (Stratovarius, Nighwish etc.) This is what Platens has to offer to the dedicated listener proving that another talent to watch out for has born! Track listing of Between Two Horizons is: <a href="http://www.frontiers.it/platens-hereiam.mp3">Here I Am</a> (click to hear an mp3 sample); Can Feel it; Your Heart Will Claim His Truth; <a href="http://www.frontiers.it/platens-intothefire.mp3">Into The Fire</a> (click to hear an mp3 sample); My Reason; Check It Out; Angel s Cry; The Last Kiss (inspired by the movie L Ultimo Bacio by Gabriele Muccino); Chasm Of Madness; <a href="http://www.frontiers.it/platens-wavesofsea.mp3">Waves Of Sea</a> (click to hear an mp3 sample); Between Two Horizons. Release date is scheduled worldwide on Frontiers Records on December 6.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/platens-betweentwohorizons.jpg" width="200" />xx<img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/platens-2004.jpg" width="200" /></div> RHAPSODY SWEDEN SET FOR RE-ISSUE IN JANUARY: MTM Classix will re-issue the Rhapsody Sweden album in January. The band was formed as a 4-piece band back in 1974 featuring Kjell-Åke Noren, Benny Ahlqvist, Rudolf Janszky & Torbjörn Persson. In 1977 the band was joined by Peter Åhs on keyboards. That 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 chart hit and is still rated as a cult release for the Swedish hard rock/pomp/AOR audience. The re-release on MTM Classix label features two brand new songs as bonus tracks and is scheduled for January 2005. MORE DEF CONFUSION: Here's the latest folks....Def Leppard now state their Best Of release will get a North American release, but not until "sometime in 2005". Good grief...is everyone managing to keep up with all this? TYKETTO REUNION 2004 TOUR DATES!! : A last minute update for those thinking about seeing Tyketto in the UK and Europe (+1 USA date) starting next week - do it! The dates are: Monday, Nov. 1 At Dingbatz In 615 Van Houten Ave, Clifton, Nj 07013, Tel 973-417-1145, USA Friday, Nov. 5 At Wulfrun Hall In Wolverhampton, UK Saturday, Nov. 6 At The Empire In Belfast, Ireland Monday, Nov. 8 At The Rig In Rock City, Nottingham, UK Tuesday, Nov. 9 At Trillians In Newcastle, UK Thursday, Nov. 11 At The Corporation In Sheffield, UK Friday, Nov. 12 At The Underworld In London, UK Saturday, Nov. 13 At Jb's In Dudley, UK Sunday, Nov. 14 At Earth In Thessaloniki, Greece Wednesday, Nov. 17 At Dekade In Zaandam, Holland Thursday, Nov. 18 At Biebob In Vosselaar, Belgium Friday, Nov. 19 At Plato In Helmond, Holland Saturday, Nov. 20 At Azkena In Bilbao, Spain Sunday, Nov. 21 At Arena In Madrid, Spain Tickets selling well - call the venues for details - please get your tickets in advance as some venues will be sold out prior to show time. E-Mails to <a href="mailto:k_dargan@hotmail.com">k_dargan@hotmail.com</a> with any enquiries. DEMOLITION UNVEIL A FURTHER TWO ACTS: Two more titles will be available in December from Demolition's rapidly growing catalogue of Japanese releases. The first will be from Mantas, founder member of Black Metal legends Venom and the man responsible for much of the bands classic early material He releases a new solo album, Zero Tolerance, which sees him taking his own brand of Heavy Metal to new levels of brutality. A bonus track for the Japanese release contains a re-recording of the Venom classic, Black Metal. Recorded in the North of England, mixed and produced in Italy by Dario Mollo, this is easily the heaviest album we have heard from Mantas. The second is from Electric Eeel Shock, a Japanese band that has been garnering rave reviews from the leading music press all through Europe. Titled Go Europe!, the band will be in Japan for December and January to promote it. Two bonus tracks and a DVD will be included in the Japanese release. EES have toured consistently for three years and their arduous schedule has seen them gain many fans throughout the 20+ countries they regularly visit. This has led to more and more fans back home discovering the band via appearances on MTV and in magazines such as NME, Kerrang! and Rolling Stone. MP3's of both bands as well as Demolition's other latest releases are available at their website <a href="http://www.demolitionrecords.com" target="new">www.demolitionrecords.com</a>. GLENN HUGHES UK TOUR GETS CANNED: Due to unforeseen circumstances, it is with much regret that we have to announce that the Glenn Hughes/Chad Smith UK tour in December has been cancelled. We will be rescheduling the dates for February 2005 - As Glenn Hughes Solo Shows, before we undertake a long Glenn Hughes European tour which will run until early April 2005. Unfortunately, Chad has had to pull out due to the recording of the Chili's new album running behind schedule. Chad is absolutely devastated; he did everything he could to make this tour happen, as well as trying every option available so that we would avoid having to cancel. Sadly, the fact remains that his schedule just does not allow us the opportunity to do the tour with him. Glenn, however, will tour the UK in February 2005, playing at most of the same venues that were originally booked for December. Please contact the venues for refunds, and as soon as the new dates are confirmed, we will let everyone know through the websites, national advertising, news features in the press, etc. For now I can only say sorry, on behalf of Glenn and Chad, for the inconvenience and disappointment that everyone will be feeling, and trust me, no one is more upset at the cancellation of this tour than Chad and Glenn themselves. Cancelling shows is an awful business and does nobody any favours, but we will be positive, move onwards and we will see you all in 2005. Thank you for your patience, understanding and support. FIREWORKS #18: New issue of Fireworks will be out on 2nd week of November, and should hopefully be on sale on the upcoming Tyketto UK tour dates. This issue contains Exclusive cover feature with Ritchie Blackmore, as well as in-depth interviews with Ronnie James Dio, Europe, Danny Vaughn, Jeff Scott Soto, Asia, The Ladder, Michael Voss, Sonata Arctica, Time Machine, Bowling for Soup, Gotthard, Sonic X, Kick Axe, Bonrud and more! Also comes with free Z Records cover CD containing many excellent songs. Available in UK from all Borders Stores and selected Virgin and HMV Megastores. Or direct from <a href="http://www.rathole.com/fireworks/" target="new">Fireworks HQ</a>.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="283" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/fireworks18.jpg" width="200" /></div> UPDATES - REVIEWS & MR-X: Reviews have been updated. Online today are new reviews for: Pride Of Lions, Charade, Silver, IronHorse, Statetrooper, Ivory Tower, Trixie and Renegade. <a href="reviews/reviews.html">Check them out</a>. <a href="mr-x/index.html">MR-X</a> has been updated with the following new Video Clips: Duran Duran - Reach Up For The Sunrise, Lou Gramm - Just Between You And Me, Magnum - Heartbroke & Busted (US Version), Rik Emmett - Anything You Say, Steve Perry - Foolish Heart, Butch Walker - Mixtape and Triumph - Spellbound. And this is your last chance to join before many of the features from earlier in the month are removed to present a fresh update next week! Thanks for everyone's continued support! The feedback from MR-X has been awesome. <a href="mr-x-intro.html">MR-X Membership Details</a>.  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#8c7c6f" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#8c7c6f"> <div align="center">Thursday, October 28, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> HEAVEN & EARTH RE-ISSUE AVAILABLE NOW: Copies of the Black Star Records release of the first Heaven & Earth CD with the bonus tracks featuring Bobby Kimball of Toto and Joe Lynn Turner singing a version of Gary Moore's Still Got The Blues are now available for sale from the bands website at <a href="http://www.heavenandearthband.com" target="new">www.heavenandearthband.com</a>. INSIDE OUT MUSIC GO A LONG WAY FROM HOME WITH ASIA: In celebration of the upcoming European tour in 2005, InsideOut has decided to release a special CD Single. Long Way From Home will be released January 10 as a European release only. First Edition (3,000 copies) will be in an extensive digipack featuring the track listing: Long Way From Home (Radio Edit), What About Love (Radio Edit), Silent Nation (Acoustic), Long Way From Home (Acoustic). The acoustic versions of Silent Nation and Long Way From Home (featuring Geoff and John) were recently recorded in the band's new home, Siren Studios. JOURNEY DVD AXED: Sadly, the release of the Journey Houston Live 1981 DVD seems to have been cancelled. No reason has been given for this decision. BANG TANGO ROCK WITH MADISON PAIGE: (Los Angeles, CA) Hot off the heels of their standout performance at the recent Metal Sludge Extravaganza, MADISON PAIGE will be making their final live appearance of the year supporting BANG TANGO on November 4th at Club Vodka (7969 Santa Monica Blvd.) in Hollywood, CA. The melodic hard rock band plans on spending the remainder of the year writing and demoing material for the follow up to their well-received 2004 debut release, Famous Last Words. Advance discount tickets for the Club Vodka show can be purchased from the band's website at <a href="http://www.madisonpaige.net" target="new">www.madisonpaige.net</a>. UPDATES - CD SHOWCASE: New <a href="#cdshowcase">CD Showcases</a> have been added today for the 3 MTM releases due out in November. They are the RPM and Zeno re-issues and the new 10th volume of the MTM Compilation.  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#400080" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#400080"> <div align="center">Wednesday, October 27, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> MYSTERELL'S SENSATIONAL DEBUT: Frontiers Records is pleased to introduce Mysterell's debut album Sensational. Mysterell is a new project by Torben L. This first album entitled Sensational reveals new depths of his musical mind and it's only the beginning. To the public it will seem to be a solo release from the master mind of Danish hard rock trio Pangea, and to some it will appear to be the logical next step. However, it's much more than that... Fans of Pangea will surely recognize the unmistakable style of some of the material on Sensational but they will also get to see different sides of Torben L as a performer and as a songwriter. Of course you have the groovy hard rocking, the powerful ballads and the pretty straight forward rocker Don't Ever Stop (which gathered great acclaim on the Rock The Bones Vol. 1 sampler) that you would expect from a Torben L album. But you also get the film-score-like instrumental The Challenge and much more, so when you sum it all up you get... Mysterell! Sensational includes the following eleven tracks: <a href="http://www.frontiers.it/mysterell-donteverstop.mp3">Don't Ever Stop</a> (click to hear an mp3 sample); <a href="http://www.frontiers.it/mysterell-Ibelongtoyou.mp3">I Belong To You</a> (click to hear an mp3 sample); Why?; <a href="http://www.frontiers.it/mysterell-whenyoulove.mp3">When You Love</a> (Click To Hear an mp3 sample); Bring The House Down; There Was You; Remember Me; Help Me Find The Way (Back To Your Heart); Sling Shot; Take Me To The River; The Challenge. Release date for this new smashing melodic rock sensation is settled for December 6, worldwide on Frontiers Records.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/mysterell-sensational.jpg" width="200" />xx<img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/mysterell-2004.jpg" width="200" /></div> ZENO ROTH TALKS ZENO: Zeno Roth is pleased his debut album Zeno is finally being re-issued. He has talked to MTM Music in some detail about the release and about some of the individual songs which made up the album.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/zeno-zeno.jpg" width="200" /></div> Zeno: "My main reason for re-mastering 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 re-mastering 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 re-mastering 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. "You gotta move on - no second left to rest, 'Cause there is nothing - that's standing still The sun will shine on - no matter what you do, The wheel is turning - it's not your will You hear the wind cry - calling for you to come, You see the red glow - of ancient truth. You meet a dead-line - before you've found your way, But there's a woman - smiling at you..." 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 - "People walk up and down the streets, They exist but their hearts don't beat, Empty eyes drawing border lines, Faces fade as you try to give a sign." 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. "Water grows a blossom, Summer comes and goes, Leaves turn into snowflakes, That make the waters grow" 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. Some signed booklets of Zeno are available on <a href="http://www.musicbuymail.com" target="new">www.musicbuymail.com</a>. M.ILL.ION IN THE U.K. WITH VINCE NEIL: Swedish hard rock act M.ill.ion will be promoting their new album Kingsize in the UK in November as opening act on the regional shows by Motley Crue vocalist Vince Neil. The shows the band will open on are as follows: November 18th Town & Country club, Bradford November 19th Dudley JB's November 20th Newport City Live Arena November 21st Nottingham Rock City As well as the above, Swedish fans will get a chance to hear tracks from the Kingsize album played live before anyone else when the band play a launch party in Gothenburg on Thursday, October 28th. The venue is the Musikens Hus (The Music House), Gothenburg, Sweden. The doors open at 21.00 with M.ill.ion onstage at 22.30-23.30. There'll be some freebies up for grabs as well, so if you can manage to get along on the night, a good time is guaranteed! STARWOOD TO LAUNCH TOUR WITH CONCERTS IN HOLLYWOOD & U.K: Starwood fans are about to get the big "break" they deserve the Metal Blade recording artists have confirmed they will begin a world tour for their label debut, If It Aint Broke, Break It! in their hometown - Hollywood, California - on November 15, sharing the bill at the House of Blues with the legendary UFO. The next day, Starwood is off to the U.K. for a series of dates with Vince Neil [with M.ill.ion also on select dates]. The tour announcement comes just as Starwood is shooting the first video from If It Aint Broke, Break It! According to vocalist/guitarist Lizzy, who produced the recording with band mate Joey Scott (drums & percussion/backing vocals), the song, "Subculture," is an invitation to those who will never be in the elite of society to join Starwood and others like them in the subculture of Hollywood. The video mixes performance footage with scenes celebrating the Hollywood scene Starwood celebrates in their music. Subculture is just one of several tracks on If It Aint Broke, Break It! garnering nationwide airplay and favorable notices. Others include All My Girlfriends Have Boyfriends, Whats Your Damage and Backlash. "A simply entertaining disc of high octane pop metal material... Starwood plays it like it is with songs that.. kick you in the ass and might even get your head banging," states the Music Connection, adding "This is an album for anyone who kneels before the Gods for the return of carefree arena rock." According to Metal Edge, Starwood "leans heavily to 70s era icons like KISS, Cheap Trick and New York Dolls, but they pummel forth in a very sleazier version of the above. The production is very raw yet polished in all the right spots making it a very strong rock record." Crave claims If Ain't Broke, Break It! boasts "an impressive old school rock feel" and hopes Starwood is "the band that brings back those Hollywood rock bands that got swept away so many years ago," while Metal Invader comes right to the point "simple 70s-style, goodtime RNR, glamy, sleazy and filthy as hell, catchy, full of simple hooks and driving rhythms with attitude that kicks ya in the face." Lizzy says he chose to name the band after the famed 70s Hollywood club because the Starwood was where fans started seeing metal, but the venue continued to host shows by rock, pop and punk bands, all elements that can be heard in the bands music. Along with Lizzy and Joey Scott, Starwood features Marten Andersson on bass and backing vocals and Joe Steals on lead rhythm and slide guitars and backing vocals. Starwood is planning an extensive tour for the new year. Confirmed Tour Dates: 11/15 Hollywood, CA Hollywood House of blues with UFO 11/17 London, ENG Astoria Theatre w/Vince Neil 11/18 Gradford, ENG Town & Country w/Vince Neil 11/19 Dudley, ENG JBs w/Vince Neil 11/20 Newport, WALES City Live Arena w/Vince Neil 11/21 Nottingham, ENG Rock City w/Vince Neil For more information go to <a href="http://www.starwood-band.com" target="new">www.starwood-band.com</a>. BON JOVI PROMISE A LOUD, BIG ROCK RECORD FOR NEXT RELEASE: New Bon Jovi Studio Album, Tour Due Next Spring By Christa Titus. NEW YORK (Billboard) - A new Bon Jovi album due in the spring will be a "loud guitar, big rock record," Jon Bon Jovi told Billboard in a recent interview. "We're very excited about it, and I'm very confident it's going to be a big record for us." Guitarist Richie Sambora added the band will launch a world tour in the late spring to support the album, dates for which have not yet been announced. "I think we stumbled upon something again on this particular record, kind of like what happened with It's My Life,' Sambora said. "When (that) came out, it seemed to give Bon Jovi a whole new audience. We've always had a vast audience base, but with this new record, what I'm feeling (is) it's kind of a new direction. It sounds very fresh, yet it sounds like us." It's My Life was the first single from Bon Jovi's 2000 album Crush, which went double-platinum (shipments in excess of two million copies) in the United States. The band worked with producer John Shanks (Michelle Branch, Melissa Etheridge), who also co-wrote tracks with Jon Bon Jovi and Sambora. The album was recorded late this summer. Jon Bon Jovi noted changes in the climate of the country, and the state of the music business, influenced the songwriting on the new album. The songs reflect "personal and introspective views on issues I may have had growing up that I certainly would have never discussed publicly before. I've always kept this 'chin up, glass is half-full' kind of optimism, and (now) I showed some chinks in the armor." The song Last Man Standing depicts the band leader's unhappiness with the music industry. He said it reflects his "disgust of the music business in general, and its lack of true vision when it comes to supporting the artistry of developing a song, the songwriter and the bands on the road." "Instead of creating what Andy Worhol once called '15 minutes of fame,' I think it's down to just three minutes and 30 seconds," he says. "I don't know how this industry is ever going to have another Bob Dylan when it's all about the single, (not) the album and the vision and that inspiration. (It's) all for the sake of a 99-cent download so they can sell bulk and make their bonuses. It's heartbreaking." A four-CD/one-DVD box set, 100,000,000 Bon Jovi Fans Can't Be Wrong, will be released Nov. 16 via Island. In conjunction with its release, the band will stage a Nov. 21 concert at the Borgata in Atlantic City, N.J. The show will be the basis of the premiere episode of "INHD's Center Stage," which will be broadcast live on the high-definition cable network INHD and its spin-off INHD2. It will also be cybercast on Samsung Electronics America's Web site. Bon Jovi is also confirmed to make a Nov. 23 appearance on NBC's "Today" morning show. Reuters/Billboard. ROBIN McAULEY HEADS CHARITY TOY RUN IN CHICAGO: Robin McAuley will be signing autographs at Impulse Music in Roselle Saturday Nov 6th from 2:00pm to 5:00pm. Robin is in town to headline the Rainbow Foundation annual toy drive concert, 7:30 p.m. on Friday, November 5, 2004 at Synergy, located at 243 W. Roosevelt Rd., in West Chicago. This concert features Robin McAuley, former lead singer of McAuley Schenker Group, and Amy Schugar, making her Chicago debut - featuring songs from her new CD co-written with Michael Schenker titled Under Construction. Helping Amy with her debut will be Dave Uhrich. Dave was the winner of Chicago's hottest guitar competition five years in a row. Dave has toured with Deep Purple, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and REO Speedwagon as well as several others. Opening the show will be the number one tribute band in Chicago, MST Michael Schenker Tribute. Admission to the benefit is $12 at the door and $10 with a toy. For more information, call 847-891-5035. All toys brought to this concert will be donated to the Children's Home and Aid Society in Schaumburg. RIVERA/BOMMA'S SECOND OPUS COMPLETED: A web page has just been launched offering a sneak peak of Rivera/Bomma's new release I Am God. Check the samples out at: <a href="http://www.silentplanetpromotions.com/riverabomma" target="new">www.silentplanetpromotions.com/riverabomma</a>. The accompanying press release reads: "This CD will blow you right out of your chair. Well at least those of you who aren't glued to your chair with the "it doesn't sound like everyone else" syndrome. They had a bigger budget for this CD creating a huge wall of sound!!! The vocals are clearer and more powerful than ever and overall the recording is cleaner. This is high class technical/epic metal in the realm of Narnia, Symphony X & Ronnie James Dio. But you also have to check out the very Santana influenced stuff too. You can't pigeon hole this band." MELODIC BRIEFS: Influential British DJ John Peel, has sadly died of a heart attack whilst holidaying in Peru. RIP John. 1 minute samples of tracks from The Ballads III by Axel Rudi Pell have now been posted on <a href="http://www.johnnygioeli.com" target="new">www.JohnnyGioeli.com</a>. DIGITAL MUSIC AWARDS - THE RESULTS: Thanks to everyone who voted for this site in the DMA Awards this year. Not quite as good a result as last year, but coming in at #24 is still a hell of an endorsement for quality music. Thanks all. The Top 500 sites are ranked at: <a href="http://www.btyahoo.com/dma04/best_music_website_top500.html" target="new">www.btyahoo.com/dma04/best_music_website_top500.html</a>. MORE E-BAY TITLES: I have whole bunch of items up on E-Bay, hopefully someone out there is interested in a few! Check them out. <a href="http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQgotopageZ1QQsassZrockwombatQQsorecordsperpageZ25QQsosortorderZ1QQsosortpropertyZ1" target="new">E-Bay Link</a>.  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#b11b1c" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#b11b1c"> <div align="center">Tuesday, October 26, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> SOUL SIRKUS' WORLD PLAY: I am pleased to present the cover art for the debut Soul SirkUS album World Play, which will be released via online sales December 7. Soul SirkUS features Neal Schon (guitars), Jeff Scott Soto (vocals), Marco Mendoza (bass) and Deen Castronovo (drums). Direct links for the sales will be posted closer to the release date. Samples for the songs can now be heard via the band's website: <a href="http://www.soulsirkus.com" target="new">www.soulsirkus.com</a>. The track listing and finalized running order for the album is: Highest Ground . New Position . Another World . Soul Goes On . Peephole . Periled Divide . Praise . My Sanctuary . Friends 2 Lovers . Coming Home . Close The Door.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/soulsirkus-worldplay.jpg" width="200" />xx<img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/soulsirkus-wpback.jpg" width="256" /></div> BEHIND THE DESTINY STONE WITH JIM PETERIK: I have stated before that Jim Peterik is one of the true good guys in the music world. He is a truly genuine character and is also one of the most passionate performers and supporters of the melodic rock scene. The second Pride Of Lions album The Destiny Stone will be released November 8 on Frontiers Records. I am privileged to present Jim's insights into the music featured on this album. Jim has kindly sent me a very detailed synopsis of each track, which show how each song came alive. To sample the tracks, go to the <a href="showcase/prideoflions-destinystone.html">Destiny Stone Showcase</a>. There is one additional bonus! There is one track recorded for the album that did not make the final cut - Dark Angel. That has just been uploaded to the MR-X Members Area. With thanks to Jim and Frontiers, members can download the full track now. And the synopsis for Dark Angel is included below. Behind The Songs: Pride Of Lions - The Destiny Stone. The Courage To Love Somebody - This was one of the last songs I wrote for the new Pride Of Lions album. I wanted a rocker to lead off the record. I thought about the real barn-burners from my Survivor days - Feels Like Love, First Night, Can't Give It Up - even Chevy Nights (although that one is in a class by itself!). One morning just before a session I opened my notebook and a phrase that I had recently written down leapt off the page. I started working at my jacked up Les Paul much to my family's chagrin (it was like 7 in the morning - oh well!) the music and words just all fell together. I have long thought that love is a lot harder than people think. At least staying in love after the initial rush. Especially if we have loved and lost, it takes courage to want to take the plunge again. That is what this lead off track is all about. Parallel Lines - another uptempo song. The record label was telling me - "we need another "It's Criminal" as if I could pull one out of my hat! That just doesn't happen. But fortunately I found the inspiration in a fairly simple concept - parallel lines never cross. I thought about various relationships l've had throughout my life that for one reason or another that never quite jelled. It's usually because of pride, ego and stubbornness of one or both parties. Whether it's with a girlfriend or a band mate or a would be friend - you may be going in the some direction but not realizing that your goals are really the same. Musically the music follows the words. There is one wacky chord change in the chorus that I think kind of sets it apart. It's the chord underneath "never cross". It's a strange one that my hands messed up and found when I was working of it on the piano. Sometimes the mistakes are the best part! Back To Camelot - This is a big ballad in the man against the world mode. Very few singers could have pulled this one off but I think you'll agree that Toby came to the mark. Ever since I was 18 and saw the movie Camelot with my future wife Karen I have been inspired by the myth, legend and reality of Camelot. It was a day underscored by romance and chivalry, intense rivalries and loyalties. It really made an impact on me. I watched this movie again on DVD recently and it motivated me to write this song about going back to this noble age when "men were brave and honest and honored their promise - in the spirit of all for one". Born To Believe In You - this uptempo rocker echoes with the energy of Eye Of The Tiger. It features the double bass drum work of Hilary Jones. This tiny female is a literal powerhouse on the kit. She plays with some of the hottest musicians in Los Angeles including Lee Ritenour and Robbin Ford. Anyway - this tune was inspired by a track on the latest Glenn Hughes album. It's fast, fast fast. And we cut it fast - one take to be exact. If it's right - don't mess with it! It's another of my odes to stick together and not lose sight of what 2 people have together. It's easy to forget, believe me. What Kind Of Fool - this is easily one of my favorites on the Destiny Stone album. I love the melody I found for the verse and the big chorus. I would have to acknowledge my debt to the wonderful songwriting of Jonathan Cain with this song. It probably couldn't have existed with out his influence. Talk about a great and somewhat under appreciated writer! I used the synths the way Journey would use them also and the big tom toms of mighty Ed Breckenfeld's kit. The fool theme seemed to go with the whole somehow medieval overtones of the Destiny Stone album. And oh yeah - Toby sounds like a dead ringer for Jamison in the verse! Man Behind The Mask - One of my faves. The seeds of this song I found buried in my cassette slag heap in the basement - countless black tapes - some labeled – some not - with pieces of songs for the dark and light ages. This was a seed I had to find. I started it in '83 as I was writing material for Caught In The Game by Survivor. I remember the moment back then when I fell on a very Supertramp kind of piano progression. My wife walked in and on the tape you can hear "What is that? It's really cool!" With that encouragement I started writing a tune about living in the spotlight as I had been recently and realizing that many people were more interested in a person's celebrity status than who they were as a person. The grand illusion if you will of being onstage. I came up with the title "Man Behind The Mask". As I continued working on it I was driving in my car and the new one by Styx came on the radio - in the lyric of "Mr Roboto" - Dennis referred to the "Man Behind The Mask" - I was devastated. I figured the originality of the idea had been compromised and people would assume I borrowed Dennis's idea. I shelved the tune and played it for no one. Flash forward to '04. I figured enough time had elapsed (!) so I made it my mission on a trip to Michigan to find that cassette. I must have brought about a thousand cassettes form that general time period. Late one night - there was one tape left in the box - guess what I found. By the way - by this time the song had totally escaped my memory - only the vibe remained. When I found the seed, it didn't disappoint. I discovered the elements that had captivated me at the time and I set about finishing the lyric, writing a musical bridge and arranging it in my head. Hope you like it! Light From A Distant Shore - this is a very new song written in Saugatuck Michigan at my summer place. I had gone there with my family to write some songs for the Destiny Stone - but I must say I had come up dry. I resigned myself that it just wasn't the weekend to write a new song. So my family is in the car waiting for me to get to the car to drive home when I sat down at the piano just one last time. I turned on the tape recorder just in case and this song just happened. I thought about the turmoil in our daily lives and the anchor point that true love can be. As I drove home down I-196 I worked on the lyric (God has protected me for years in my driving habits - thanks!) writing down phrases as I drove along in the notebook I keep on the console. By the Burr Ridge exit I pretty much had the whole thing finished. I saw this as kind of the heir apparent to Survivor's "Across The Miles" from Too Hot To Sleep - so I called a friend of mine, Kurt Howell, to program the track (as opposed to using a live drummer) to get that late 80's feel. I handled the piano and live guitar and Kurt did all the keyboard sweetening. And Toby - well you can't program soul - he blew me away on this one! Letter To The Future - I need one more track for the record. My label, Frontiers, is very tough on me - and I like that. They will accept only the best songs from me. So it makes me work harder. They had just rejected a few songs that I felt were very strong - but they felt they were out of the mainstream of what Pride Of Lions was all about. And I guess they were right in retrospect. Anyway - I needed that last upbeat positive track. That day I received a letter from some good friends of mine - Lannie and Leigh Cates. He is my music attorney and a really good guy. He and his wife just had a baby girl named Cameron and the letter they sent was a "letter to the future". It's a custom here in America for good friends of the family to create a time capsule for the young child to open up at his or her 18th birthday. In the letter you give your life philosophy, a little advice, lessons you've learned, and a little about yourself and you connection with the parents. The title on the page "letter to the future" just leapt out at me. I knew I had found the title to the song I had been looking for. I decided to take the approach that this song is my letter to the next generation. I think the track has a great energy to it - kind of like the feeling I get from Rebel Son which Frankie me and Jaimo wrote for When Seconds Count. Hopefully there is a little wisdom in this song that anyone can hang onto. The Destiny Stone - This song is really the touchstone of the whole record. With out it, I don't think I would have found the motivation to write and record a whole album in basically a 3 month period. It became my gasline because finally I decided to verbalize and share an experience that I am still trying to figure out. When I was about 3 or 4 years old I had a series of terrifying yet intriguing visions in the middle of the night. They were not at all like nightmares - they were far more intense. In the visions I seemed to sense infinity - I was falling though a void endlessly. It's as if I was sensing my own mortality or perhaps seeing God. As I matured I wondered if I could have been seeing glimpses into past lives - normally shielded to our consciousness. As I was gathering material for this record I came across a book that told the legend of the stone of destiny - a sacred rock that now resides in Edinburgh Castle that has been around since the time of Christ. For centuries kings and rulers and common folk would sit on this stone and receive messages for go about their future and their past. I decided that someday I too would visit this stone to try and unravel these early experiences. The music of this song came to me on the plane on the way to Spain for a promo tour with Toby. As I wandered the dark and colorful back alleys of Barcelona I worked on the lyrics. The Spanish guitar which Mike Aquino plays on the record was definitely inspired by some of the sounds I heard in Spain. The song captured the feeling I was searching for - a man searching for his ultimate destiny. Secondhand Life - This was the first song I wrote in this song cycle which became the Destiny Stone album. The title and initial idea came from a conversation I had with Joe Lynn Turner in '91 when we were writing for a Deep Purple album. We discussed how often times we adopt our parents vision as our own without questioning if it is right for us. In other words - we live a second hand life. That idea stuck with me all these years because I believe it to be true. On Jan 1 of 04 it was time to set the idea to music. It is a very melodic song with a driving beat but I think the lyric has something to say for anyone who has found themselves unquestioning the mold that they have been cast in their life. Falling Back To Then - This guitar started as the guitar riff that you hear in the intro and underneath the verses. The song flowed from there. The original title "every now and them" just didn't cut it. It said it right but it had no vibe. I kept scratching my head until I came on "Falling Back To Then" - same idea but much better. Now with some mojo going for me I got excited and decided the song needed a Pink Floyd section where the guy is drifting in a memory induced reverie reflecting on a love gone by. When he come out of it - it's such a shock - that's my favorite part of the song - coming out of the dream. It reminds my of magic carpet ride by Steppenwolf - I was 15 years old. I used to listen myself to sleep to the top 40 radio station. Magic Carpet was playing and in the psychedelic section I started drifting to sleep. When the verse came back in I was mercilessly jarred back to reality. That's how I planned this section on falling back to then. The Gift Of Song - What can I say? This is my love song to music and how it's saved my life a thousand times. Musically and melodically it was inspired by John Miles and his epic "Music". When I first heard that song in the 70's it literally changed my life and stayed on my turntable for months. My song started life in '87 in Tokyo on tour with Survivor. I had just gotten I and I was totally jet lagged. I couldn't sleep and even the pill the hotel gave me was doing no good. I decided to get out my guitar and see what would happen. I started singing "I place my gift upon the altar". It was a beautiful melody - very Catholic. I worked on the idea for a while and finally went to sleep. Over the next few years I worked on this song. I have countless incarnations of it on tape - one version that I actually sent to Michael Jackson's engineer - Bruce Swedien. He played what was then called "my gift" for Michael. He said "he wrote that song about me - that is my life". He carried that cassette around with him for weeks but never recorded it. It just wasn't meant to be - perhaps because it's actually my story. But it wasn't until this record that I finally got it right. It became "the gift of song" and my vision of it was finally realized. When Toby did the final take there wasn't a dry eye in the control room - he made it his own. To me the defining line of the song - and one of the recent additions is, "just let me leave you with one melody the world can sing when I am gone". If I can do that then I've lived my dream. Reckless Love (bonus track) - I love the energy of this track. When I played the God's Festival in 2001 with Kevin Chalfant, Kelly Keagy and friends, I got off on the energy at the venue the night before we played. The dance floor exploded when a song by one of my faves thunder cranked through the mega sound system. I went back to the tiny hotel room and got out my acoustic and tried to harness some of that raw sexual energy. The result is "Reckless Love". My dream would be to hear it cranked at a similar club and see the people getting off on this one! Dark Angel - I set out to write something really different for Pride Of Lions - something heavier - something darker. It was a song where the chorus came first - that chord progression that I stumbled on haunted me. It sounded very gothic somehow - almost medieval. I knew the theme had to be dark. I played around with "fallen angel"- that was the working title for about a week- when I came up with "Dark Angel". The verse came automatically one evening when I was watching TV! I just heard it in my head and stormed over to my trusty Sony recorder and started humming. Thank God I did - cuz in the morning i couldn't remember it at all. I wrote the heavy guitar riff and decided to cut it the following day. I wanted a vehicle for Toby to show off his harder side. One thing I learned over the last couple of years working with Toby is that he has a harder side that I didn't know about at first - he can be both choir boy and demon in one song! In "Dark Angel" I told him to go for the jugular on the chorus. To me his voice is a bit reminiscent of the guy with Scorpions or the dude on that one Yngwie Malmsteen record. Of course that's me on the verses. Because the song was a little too out of the mainstream of the rest of the Destiny Stone album - we left it off. We are thrilled that it is included here and will get heard after all. Hope you enjoy it and we look forward to your comments. Keep rocking!...Jim.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/prideoflions-destinystone.jpg" width="200" /></div> MELODICROCK.COM CDs - COPIES STILL AVAILABLE: A small plug for the MelodicRock.com CD Compilations. Volume 2 - The Beast Inside is selling well and can currently be found in stock online at AOR Heaven, NEH Records, Music Buy Mail, Perris Records and in Disc Union stores in Tokyo. Naturally, it is also still available direct from this site via Paypal at <a href="cd/index.html">this link</a>. Currently there is about 200 units left. Once it has sold out - that's it folks! Last year's Volume 1 - Revealed & Revisited is also still available, but I am down to just 30 units! Yes, Volume 1 is almost sold out and therefore out of print. You can buy this CD individually or as a twin pack with Volume 2 to save shipping. To order and sample the discs, visit the <a href="cd/index.html">MRCD Page</a>. I'd like to give thanks again to Jeff Northrup for doing a killer job with mastering for both of the compilations. Jeff can be contacted for other production and mastering projects via his website: <a href="http://www.jknorthrup.com" target="new">www.jknorthrup.com</a>.   <div align="center"><img alt="" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/cd/mrcd2-cover200.jpg" />xx<img alt="" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/cd/mrcd1-cover200.jpg" /></div> MELODIC BRIEFS: Atenzia Records have re-launched their website - <a href="http://www.atenzia.com" target="new">www.atenzia.com</a>. The website does list the due anytime releases of Fluid Sol and Plunge as now due in January 2005. I'll confirm that ASAP. The newly formed Tamnug Records is putting together a Nelson tribute CD! The label is seeking artists for the CD - any interested artists should e-mail: <a href="mailto:matthewgunnar@hotmail.com">matthewgunnar@hotmail.com</a>. Loud 1 have a "rather splendid deal" currently running on Escape Music titles. It's simple - buy two, get a third free. Details: <a href="http://www.loud1.net" target="new">www.loud1.net</a>. It seemed the whole reason for putting together a new Def Leppard compilation was to flog it to a North American crowd via a newly promoted release of the single Long Long Way From Home. think again...the 2004 Best Of release is no longer scheduled for release in that territory. Same goes for the planned DVD release. The sad saga continues... LEC ZORN'S BEGINNING DUE TO ARRIVE JANUARY: I have an update for the long delayed upcoming Lec Zorn Project album. Contributing musician Michael Riesenbeck states: "Things are about to be wrapped up. I'm awaiting two vocal tracks of the last two songs to finish the mixing. I'm pleased that we were able to add Morgan J. Johansson (Crystal Ball) on lead vocals and Phil Vincent on backing vocals to the list of guests! Mastering will be done by Alan Case." Lec himself updates me further: "It Began In The Underground will hopefully be released in January 2005. More info <a href="http://www.leczorn.com">www.leczorn.com</a>. The musicians on the album are: Lec Zorn, Eli Hludzik, Mike Walsh, Tracy White, Michael Riesenbeck, Eric Ragno, Lars Safsund, Ivan Arnold, Tommy Denander, Pierre Wensberg, Chris Demming, Morgan J. Johansson, Phil Vincent." The final track listing is: 1. Lecoverture, 2. Long Time Coming, 3. Second Chance, 4. Play the Game Tonight (Kansas cover), 5. Eternal Flame, 6. Fighting Chance, 7. You Keep Me in the Dark, 8. Starting All Over Again, 9. The Rush of Passion's Fire, 10. Perseverance, 11. Going the Distance. Bonus tracks 12. Second Chance (alternate version), 13. Interview with Lec Zorn. ASIA'S HEAT RETURNS FOR SECOND EDITION: Hot on the heels of the release of Asia's latest studio album, Silent Nation, the second edition of David Gallant's band biography "Asia The Heat Goes On" is now available. Asia's debut album, featuring the smash hit Heat of the Moment, sold well over ten million copies. Three years after the release of Gallant's sold-out first edition, the author has released what he considers to be the definitive version of the book. "In many ways, this is the book that I wanted to do the first time out, but financing was a problem. When a publisher couldn't be found to take on the project, I had to go it alone. As a result, we had to be somewhat conservative in how we spent our money on the first edition. Hopefully the readers will agree that this second edition is a superior product." · The new edition features several changes and additions · Larger 8.5" by 11" format · New chapters updating the band's activities 2001 to present · 50+ new photos from all stages of the band's history · A complete two page spread Asia family tree · Track-by-track commentary by John Payne and Geoff Downes on Silent Nation · New track-by-track commentary from John Wetton and Geoff Downes on the creative process behind the debut Asia album · An exclusive interview with legendary A&R man, John Kalodner, who was at ground zero as Asia formed back in 1981 · Amazing new cover design Gallant, webmaster of the band's official web site, is also the creator of the weekly Armada newsletter - now in its ninth year of publication. For all of the details on the new book, please drop by the official Asia web site at <a href="http://www.asiaworld.org" target="new">www.asiaworld.org</a> or contact the author directly at <a href="mailto:book@asiaworld.org">book@asiaworld.org</a>. MR-X UPDATED: <a href="mr-x/index.html">MR-X</a> has been updated with a couple of new files. Firstly, already mentioned is the exclusive Pride Of Lions track Dark Angel, which is there to download now. Also added is 2 extra files to complete the Andy Taylor feature from Friday. The tracks Be Good To Yourself and the regular version of Take It Easy round out all the tracks available. And one last special feature! A 10 minute promo interview disc featuring Tony Iommi and Glenn Hughes talking about the 1996 DEP Sessions release. The responses from the guys are featured in MP3 format. <a href="mr-x-intro.html">MR-X Membership Details</a>.  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#008000" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#008000"> <div align="center">Monday, October 25, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> ANOTHER END OF THE ROAD FOR VAN HALEN?: The world of Van Halen is a fickle thing and the band have never been far from a headline. The guys are currently working their way through their last weeks of 2004 tour dates - shows that some never thought would happen. But they did, after the feud between vocalist Sammy Hagar and the Van Halen brothers was laid to rest earlier in the year. The guys finally hit the road again on the back of a new compilation that featured 3 new tracks. There have been numerous reports of problems within the band and just as many reports of Eddie Van Halen drunk on stage. Rumors flared again last week after Hagar appeared on US radio station KSHE, stating in an interview that he thought the Van Halen re-union was fun, but it bought closure to that chapter. He went on to voice his unhappiness with the high ticket prices from the tour and how he wished some members of the band were into fan interaction as much as he was. It was implied that once the current dates were completed, Hagar would return to touring with The Waboritas and the future of VH would again be up in the air. What really is going on? What's next for Van Halen? The reality is that at this point - no one knows. But I for one am not hopeful of anything continuing once this leg of the 2004 tour concludes. Everything I am hearing from my sources - past, proven sources that have all contributed to past Van Halen reports - is negative. Everything I hear points to a band that is managing to function despite inner turmoil. And it seems all that turmoil is centered around Eddie Van Halen. It is no secret that Eddie is drinking heavily and has been since the start of the tour - that drinking and his subsequent behavior has put a major strain on relationships within the VH organization. As one source put it - Eddie is "unstable". As a result, there are no band commitments planned past next month. Sammy Hagar is planning to tour with his solo band The Waboritas and could be playing solo as early as December, with further plans being made for summer 2005. Apparently Hagar did not want the re-union to play out as it has, but would rather return to being a solo artist than tour with Van Halen under current circumstances. I am told there are no 2005 tour plans and no album plans. All will become a little clearer once the tour concludes next month. To sum up, everything I have heard points towards confirming what Sammy Hagar said on <a href="http://www.kshe95.com/home/pop/sammy_interview.aspx" target="new">KSHE-FM</a> last week. Once this tour is done, another chapter of the Van Halen history will close with it. ONE WEEK UNTIL TYKETTO ARE RE-BORN: Tyketto's Michael Clayton Arbeeny has written another letter to fans ahead of the band's 2004 re-union tour. It reads: "Hey everyone. In less than 48 hours, my home will be invaded once again by Jimi, Danny and Brooke for phase 2 of pre-production for Tyketto's 2004 Reunion Tour. The buzz surrounding our sole US show at Dingbatz in Clifton has been amazing. People are checking in from all parts of the country. Our good friends at WDHA's, The Tour Bus have certainly been hyping the date well. Look for Danny and Brooke on air on Sat, Oct 30. <a href="http://www.thetourbus.com" target="new">www.thetourbus.com</a> Ticket sales for ALL of the international shows are incredible. In addition to our old stomping grounds of England, Holland, and Belgium, we will perform debut shows in Greece, Spain, and Ireland. American XM radio had been playing Tyketto relentlessly over the past few weeks as well. Its good to be back! After much harassment from our ever-persistent crew, we will have tour shirts (sorry US fans, the shirts wont be ready until Nov 3 for the UK dates). The tourbook is incredible! Hundreds of Pics and an insider's look into the heyday of Don't Come Easy's release. We're all very proud of it, and think the die-hard TYKE fans are going to love it. OK, I guess I should clean this place and buy some food! See you in a week! Michael Clayton Arbeeny, Belmar NJ, October 24, 2004." MELODIC BRIEFS: Pop rockers Sixty-10 are planning to give their next EP away for free. News will be added soon to the band's website: <a href="http://www.sixty-10.com" target="new">Sixty-10.com</a>. After almost 6 years of absence from the live scene, legendary Swedish rockers Bad Habit will make a guest appearance at Gloris's Club in Malmö on Oct. 29th 2004! Final Frontier's website - <a href="http://www.finalfrontiermusic.com" target="new">www.finalfrontiermusic.com</a> - has been updated to include news of their upcoming release High Tension Wires and a promo video of the song Lydia. Styx drummer Todd Sucherman is conducting a Chicago area clinic - Tuesday, November 23rd 7PM, Cutting Hall, 150 East Wood Street, Palatine, IL. Info at <a href="http://www.thedrumpad.com" target="new">thedrumpad.com</a>. METAL MIKE'S PAINMUSEUM: Painmuseum, the band fronted by Metal Mike Chlasciak (most commonly known as the guitarist who helped Judas Priest singer reclaim statue as the True Metal God) have their debut album released in Japan through Demolition Records on December 15th. Metal For Life features Top-Notch Metal talent and brilliant production that easily cuts through the grease. As a member of Rob Halford's Halford, Metal Mike wrote, recorded and toured behind the group's three album deep history. From stadiums around the world to the world's most famous arena Madison Square Garden, Metal Mike proved that drive, dedication and charisma is what it ultimately takes to be on top of the Metal genre. Painmuseum's Metal For Life album is the ultimate answer to the art of solid memorable songwriting, ripping guitar assault and a top notch breathtaking musician line-up that reads like who's who of Metal talent. The Japanese release will contain a bonus track: Scars In Black. Album Line up: Metal Mike Chlasciak – Guitars (Testament, Halford); Bobby Jarzombek – Drums (Iced Earth, Halford, Riot); Steve DiGiorgio – Bass (Testament, Death, Sadus, Vintersorg); Tim Clayborne – Vocals (Hatred).  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#003d79" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#003d79"> <div align="center">Sunday, October 24, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> DOUBLE JOY FOR DELP & GOUDREAU FANS: Frontiers Records is pleased to announce the release of RTZ Lost and Found and the self-titled Delp & Goudreau album for a 2CD release due December 6. <div align="center"><img alt="" height="96" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/rtz-logo.jpg" width="277" /></div> RTZ (Return To Zero) began as a collaboration between singer Brad Delp and guitarist Barry Goudreau around 1989. Goudreau and Delp were both part of the original Boston line up, and after Barry's departure from Boston the two stayed in close contact with Brad contributing both to Barry Goudreau's solo album and also to a lesser degree on the Orion The Hunter album. RTZ landed a deal with Giant Records and the first album Return To Zero was released in 1991 with excellent results from the press and fans alike. RTZ got released from the contract and later released a record called Lost in 1999 made up of songs from various sessions to create a follow up to the debut album. Lost and Found is another step of the collaboration from Brad and Barry. The record is made up of never before released tracks that were recorded before the first RTZ CD. These cuts also feature the other original RTZ members David Stefanelli, Brian Maes and Tim Archibald. The songs were recorded in Barry s home studio and show the development that lead to the first RTZ release. The tracks were recorded on various formats and although some of the recordings reflect the sounds of that time, it includes great melodies and performances that are a must have for Boston fans. Track listing is as follows: <a href="http://www.frontiers.it/rtz-onestepaway.mp3">One Step Away</a> (click to hear an mp3 sample); <a href="http://www.frontiers.it/rtz-foolforlove.mp3">Fool For Love</a> (click to hear an mp3 sample); Such A Feel; Rise Above It All; Social Disease; I'm On A Roll; Rock The Night; Better & Better; Power of Love; Show Me.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/rtz-lostandfound.jpg" width="201" />xx<img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/rtz-2004a.jpg" width="302" /></div> As a special bonus to the RTZ CD, Frontiers Records is pleased to give an official European availability to the latest step of the partnership between Brad Delp and Barry Goudreau, that is to say the album aptly entitled Delp & Goudreau. The CD, recorded in Goudreau's home studio, features all new tracks written by Delp and Goudreau with the intent of making music for the pleasure of making music. Fans have insisted on hearing more rock music from these two 1970's icons that are known to produce their own projects without the sugar coating of over produced studio enhancements. The Delp & Goudreau CD features exactly this pure delight for the melodic rock ears! Track listing of the bonus Delp & Goudreau CD is: <a href="http://www.frontiers.it/dag-whatyouleavebehind.mp3">What You Leave Behind</a> (click to hear an mp3 sample); <a href="http://www.frontiers.it/dag-handsoftime.mp3">Hands Of Time</a> (click to hear an mp3 sample); Let It Roll; Out Of My Hands; Keep On Runnin'; Everyday; I Need Your Love; The Rhythm Wont Stop; Reconciliation; My One True Love..   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/delpgoudreau.jpg" width="200" /></div> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#804040" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#804040"> <div align="center">Friday, October 22, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> FIREHOUSE ANNOUNCE NEW LIVE DATES: FireHouse are about to head out on the road for a few more live dates. The band are also hitting Canada for the first time in a long time. The dates are: 10/22/2004 Toledo OH * Toledo Sports Arena * Singing National Anthem, for Toledo Storm hockey game with full production gig after the game! 10/23/2004 Bay City MI * Westown Theater * 615 East Midland Street / tel 989.895.9005 10/29/2004 Menasha WI * Waverly Beach * N8770 Firelane 1 (1 Block South of Jct. 10 & 114); Venue Phone (920) 733-9721 10/30/2004 Wausau WI * Tommy O'Shanes * T814 County Road WW / tel 715-675-5707 10/31/2004 Milltown WI * The Hall * 22 West Main Street / tel 715-825-4255 11/05/2004 Fenton MO * Stratford Bar & Grill * 800 South Highway Drive / tel (636) 343-5757 11/06/2004 Bethalto IL * Hollywood Nights * Texas Boulevard / tel 618.377.4653 11/21/2004 Regina SK *The Pump* 11/22/2004 South Calgary AB *Outlaws* 11/23/2004 Edmonton AB *King Night Pub* 11/24/2004 Saskatoon SK *Ryly's* 02/11/2005 Woodbury MN * Major's Sports Bar * 1690 Woodlane Drive / tel 651.739.8770 02/12/2005 Amery WI * Tac Night Club * 1361 100th Street / tel (715) 268-6262 <a href="http://www.firehousemusic.com" target="new">www.firehousemusic.com</a>, <a href="http://www.leverty.com" target="new">www.leverty.com</a>. MELODIC BRIEFS: Irving Azoff Management has announced that the Soul SirkUS CD will be released online December 7. Priced at $16.99, the CD will initially be available for sale via the band's official website - <a href="http://www.soulsirkus.com" target="new">www.soulsirkus.com</a> and also via the Warner Bros. Store website. More details shortly. Sebastian Bach has announced several UK tour dates. Bach's band includes guitarist Ralph Santolla. The dates are: Thursday 14th - Rio's - Bradford TBC Wednesday 15th - Dudley JB's - Birmingham Thursday 16th - Mean Fiddler - London Friday 17th - Torquay Town Hall - Devon Glass Tiger's November 12 and 13 live shows at the Orillia Opera House will be recorded for a future project. The band head out on a national Canadian tour in February March 2005 in support of the recently released No Turning Back 1985-2005 compilation. Vixen's self titled re-issue has been pushed back to 11/16. Rev it Up will stay on the 11/2 release date. CHRIS CATENA LIVE DEBUT: Chris Catena will make his live debut at Totemvillage (<a href="http://www.totemvillage.it" target="new">www.totemvillage.it</a>) on October 30, 2004 as headliner of the third edition of Rockfest80 (<a href="http://www.rockfest80.com" target="new">www.rockfest80.com</a>). The line up will be: Chris Catena on vocals and percussion, Tommy Denander on lead guitars and backing vocals, Daniel Flores on drums and vocals, Marko Pavic on lead guitars and backing vocals, Aleks Ferrara on bass and backing vocals, Jimmy Bax on Hammond organ and synthesizers and backing vocals, ValeG and Daniela Skunk on backing vocals. 91 SUITE MOVE TO BIGGER PREMISES: Vinny Records is proud to announce the transfer of one of it's bands, 91 Suite, to the Vicious Records label. This label is a personal bet by the ex-promotion director of companies like Sony, Universal and Horus in Spain during the last 30 years. 91 Suite is the second signing of the label which is already promoting the German singer Maike Ludenbach (<a href="http://www.maikeworld.com" target="new">www.maikeworld.com</a>) in national radio, TV, in concerts, etc. The main reason for this deal is the conviction that with this change the band will continue growing and showing it's music to a larger amount of people due to the power and experience of this new label. From now on Vinny Records will be the management office for the band so we will continue by their side and we will keep on serving you the way we have been doing it until now. 91 Suite will begin recording their new album on November 15th and if everything goes as planned it will be finished three months later so it's release date could be at the end of February. The band will record 14 of the 18 Demoed songs. We want to thank in our behalf and the the band's to everyone who has supported the band in any way, to all the fans and journalists who have spread the word about all the bands movements. Also thanks for those who hasn't helped because you have given us more reasons to progress. SITE UPDATES - MR-X AND MINI-BYTES: A huge <a href="mr-x/index.html">MR-X</a> update this week - and I have not yet deleted anything from the past few weeks, so simply put - there has never been a better time to join, as there have never been so many things on offer! This week sees a double Feature Album upload. Andy Taylor's classic out of print albums Thunder and Dangerous are both featured, with no less than 7 additional bonus tracks, featuring Andy's soundtrack and B-Side output. And there's a double header in the Feature Live section. This week it's a double dose of Lou Gramm. Featured is his essential 1987 Radio Broadcast from RKO Studio's and also Foreigner live from Electric Ladyland Studio's in 1993, promoting their Very Best...And Beyond release. New videos have been uploaded for: Bad Company - One Night, Foreigner - I'll Fight For You, Little Angels - I Ain't Gonna Cry, Lou Gramm - True Blue Love, plus a Triumph double header - Somebody's Out There and Hold On. And if that isn't enough, still online for one more week only is the two Tommy Denander releases Skeleton and Less Is More, the live HSAS video and much more.... <a href="mr-x-intro.html">MR-X Membership Details</a>. MiniBytes have been updated with lots of new previews from: Outland, Fortune, Glass Tiger, Hideous Sun Demons, John 5, A Guitar Supreme, Vox Tempus, Star Rats and Daryl Hall. <a href="minibytes.html">Check them out</a>. NEXT WEEK: Next week - more news hopefully! Boy, it's been a slow news week. I'll kick things off Monday with some thoughts on Van Halen - there are a lot of rumors going on and I've been trying to get to the bottom of what's been happening and what will be happening next. Also next week - lots of reviews and an interview with James Christian.  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#0080ff" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#0080ff"> <div align="center">Tuesday, October 19, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> SONGS MIKE TRAMP LEFT BEHIND: While preparing for brand new European tour, Mike Tramp, former singer of White Lion and Freak of Nature, decided to look through his archives and compile some of the songs that were either demoed or recorded during the sessions of his solo-albums and simply were "left behind" for various reasons. Hence the titles of the new album Songs I Left Behind. "Looking back at it, it is not that these songs are any better or worse than the material that ended up on the albums but they simply did not make it on the albums at that time", says Tramp. "Sometimes a song just does not fit the sequence or the mood of the album even though it is a great song. Listening back to them I realized that this material was still better than a lot of the albums that are being released today and also felt that I had to get these out of the way before I could start working on new material". Ranging back from 1992 to 2002, these songs are unique and classic and will leave any Tramp-fan beaming with happiness. A welcome bridge to the next studio-album which will be released in 2005 on Frontiers Records. Full track listing of Songs I Left Behind is as follows: <a href="http://www.frontiers.it/miketramp-sometimes.mp3">Sometimes</a> (click to hear an Mp3 sample); <a href="http://www.frontiers.it/miketramp-doitwhileyoucan.mp3">Do It While You Can</a> (click to hear an Mp3 sample); <a href="http://www.frontiers.it/miketramp-overandout.mp3">Over And Out</a> (click to hear an Mp3 sample); Love Won't Wait On Me, If I Was Real, One For Anger, Two For Pain, Before The Night, I Won't Walk Away, Show Me, I'll Be There, I Don't Believe Anymore, What If I, Love Me Somebody, Think About The Times, Falling Down, Darkness.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="199" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/miketramp-songsileftbehind.jpg" width="200" /></div> Frontiers Records will release the album in the whole of Europe on December the 6th 2004. In the meanwhile, the European tour started finally last week with guitar ace Lance Keltner joining the Tramp-ship. "This set will feature many songs I couldn't do on earlier tours and is also the longest set we have played so far", says Tramp who is thrilled to have such a killer band also featuring Kasper Foss on drums and Claus Langeskov on bass. Tour Dates: Tuesday October 19, 2004 Hamburg, Germany Logo. Wednesday October 20, 2004 Munich, Germany Garage. Thursday October 21, 2004 Stuttgart, Germany Röhre. Friday October 22, 2004 Berlin, Germany Quasimodo. Saturday October 23, 2004 Bochum, Germany Matrix. Sunday October 24, 2004 Uster, Switzerland Rock City. Monday October 25, 2004 Frankfurt, Germany Nachtleben. Tuesday October 26, 2004 Hellendoorn, Holland De Lantaarn. Wednesday October 27, 2004 Verviers, Belguim Spirit of 66. Thursday October 28, 2004 Paris, France Le Plan. Friday October 29, 2004 London, England Underworld. Saturday October 30, 2004 Sheffield, England Corporation. Sunday October 31, 2004 Newcastle, England Trillians. Thursday November 4, 2004 Copenhagen, Denmark Pumpehuset. Saturday November 6, 2004 Vordingborg, Denmark Stars. Tickets can be obtained in advance by contacting the venues or at the door. ESCAPE MUSIC PRESS RELEASE: Escape Music have signed Danish rockers LA. Founded in the early 80's with an average age of below 20, the band centered around vocalist/ bassist Jan Achmann and guitarist Lars Impgaard soon succeeded to become one of the hottest acts in their home country of Denmark. Even Pretty Maids frontman Ronnie Atkins for a short time was a member of LA and a first demo was produced by Skagarack bassist Morten Munch. Those demos resulted in a record deal with Teleag Records and the debut album LA finally was released in 1985. LA started to play live to support the release and new songs were demoed soon. Due to the breakdown of their label and other business affairs, the band disbanded from the scene in 1986 before the 2nd album was finished. A massive amount of e-mails by fans through the internet requesting LA on CD got the band together again in 2003 and made them remaster their debut album. After several meetings, it became obvious that the old chemistry still was there. The 80's demos still had their charm and LA hit the famous Jailhouse Studios in Copenhagen to re-record those songs with well-known producer Tommy Hansen (Helloween, Pretty Maids, Grand Illusion etc). Danish National TV2 picked up on the news of the now middle aged 80's rockers and LA was headlining the prime time news with the story of making the album and the CD to come. A deal with Escape Music followed shortly and here we go the new album Unfinished Business will see the light on the British based label on December 6. The strictly limited edition of Unfinished Business will come along as 2-CD and exclusively include the LA album as bonus on the second disc. Even though the band's home base is Denmark, their sound can be described as American type hard rock and will please any fan of bands such as early Riot, early Virgin Steele, Leatherwolf and Driver. Track list Unfinished Business: 1. Creditcard Lover, 2. High On You, 3. Down The Cross, 4. Last Night, 5. News On the Loose, 6. Point Of Uncontrol, 7. Sweet Georgia Brown, 8. Wheelchair 'n' Ragtime, 9. Gates To The Sky – Live, 10. Hunted - Live. Track list LA (bonus disc): 1.Gates To The Sky, 2. Hunted, 3. 20th Century, 4. Second Dawn, 5. Times Coming Up, 6. Breakdown, 7. The Oldest World (Part 1), 8. Winners 'n' Sinners, 9. The End. LA are: Vocals & Bass Jan Achmann; Guitars Jens Impgaard; Guitars Lars Impgaard; Drums Henrik Rohde Jensen; Keys Soren Impgaard.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/la-unfinishedbusiness.jpg" width="200" /></div> Re-united German hard rockers Boysvoice are right in the middle of the recordings for their comeback album Serenity which will supposedly be released in Spring '05 on Escape Music. As a special gift to friends, press and fans, the Munich rockers will host an 'open door' studio report session on December 5th, 2004 (15.00-18.00 CET) at Sky Studio Taufkirchen, Germany (near Munich) for the recordings of the backing vocal choirs for the new song All About You. All "backing singers" will get a honourable mention in the booklet of the coming CD! Band members Mani Gruber (v/ g), Jochen Mayer (b) and Peter Diezel (g) will be available for a meet & greet at the event as well as some other well-known musicians/"choir members" coming from the German hard rock scene. We hope to see many of you there! For more infos and details <a href="mailto:info@germusica.com">info@germusica.com</a> Thanks go to Bobby Altvater @ Sky Studio for his support!   <table> <tbody> <tr> <td><img alt="" height="210" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/casanova-2004b.jpg" width="137" /></td> <td>Casanova's Michael Voss will appear at a signing session and meet & greet for fans as part of the "Melodic Rock Night" at the "Parkhaus" venue in Duisburg, Germany (not far from the Dutch border!) on 12.11.2004. DJ Daniel Jung will host the event and as always play melodic stuff ranging from AOR to Melodic Metal. Also, there will be the chance to win some CD's by Casanova and THE LADDER that night! More infos will be available soon on <a href="http://www.melodicrockstation.de" target="new">www.melodicrockstation.de</a> Bill Liesegang (guitar, ex-Nina Hagen) and Doogie White (vocals, ex-Rainbow, Malmsteen, Cornerstone) will release their album Visual Surveillance Of Extremities under the Banner Bill Liesegang/ Doogie White on Escape Music on January 24th, 2005. Fans of hard rock in the tradition of bands such as Rainbow should watch out for this gem which was mixed by Tommy Hansen! Classic British hard rockers Heartland have completed the recordings for their brand new album which is supposed to be released in February 2005. Steve Morris (guitar, ex-Gillan) and Chris Ousey (vocals, ex-Virginia Wolf) once again have delivered a brilliant recording full of catchy hooks and melodies. The yet untitled CD was produced by Steve Morris and mixed by Tommy Hansen.</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> Change Of Heart have during the last couple of years established themselves as one of the leading AOR bands coming from the UK. The Brits are currently working on their brand new album which is produced by Steve Morris (Heartland) and Steve Overland (FM, Shadowman, The Ladder). Something to watch out for in 2005! Please, take over the following events into your schedules: Signing Session Casanova (Michael Voss) 12.11.2005 D-Duisburg, Parkhaus (as part of the 'Melodic Rock Night') Studio Session Boysvoice (incl. choir vocal recording session, open for everyone) 05.12.2005 D-Taufkirchen (near Munich), Sky Studio (15.00-18.00 CET) contact <a href="mailto:info@germusica.com">info@germusica.com</a> Release Parties Casanova: 23.10.2004 D-Munich, Garage; 29.10.2004 D-Ingolstadt, Rockclub U2; 01.11.2004 D-Ludwigsburg, Rockfabrik; 12.11.2004 D-Duisburg, Parkhaus * * with signing session Michael Voss. Release Parties The Ladder: 12.11.2004 D-Nürnberg, Rockfabrik; 12.11.2004 D-Duisburg, Parkhaus; 12.11.2004 D-Ingolstadt, Rockclub U2. Note the bands will not appear at the parties unless stated! Release Schedule Escape Music: 20.09.2004 Toyz - House Of Cards 25.10.2004 Casanova - All Beauty Must Die 15.11.2004 The Ladder - Future Miracles 06.12.2004 LA - Unfinished Business 24.01.2005 Bill Liesegang/ Doogie White - Visual Surveillance Of Extremities Feb 2005 Heartland - t.b.a. MELODIC BRIEFS: A little bad news for those hanging out for the long awaited Diving For Peals album Texas. It will now be released in early 2005. Also delayed until early '05 on Atenzia Records will be the new Swirl 360 album. MetalShrine is a Swedish based website that features a whole range of interviews - the most recent being Tony Clarkin (Magnum), Eddie Ojeda (Twisted Sister) and Tony Martin (Black Sabbath) to name a few. WebLink: <a href="http://www.metalshrine.se" target="new">www.metalshrine.se</a>. Doug & The Slugs vocalist Doug Bennett died on Saturday, October 16th at the Foothills Hospital in Calgary. He was admitted to hospital on October 9th, suffering acute symptoms from a long-standing illness. Bennett formed Doug & The Slugs in 1977. The Slugs had many hits including; Too Bad, Day By Day, Making It Work, Tomcat Prowl (featured on the Iron Eagle II soundtrack), among others. The Slugs toured extensively throughout Canada and the US over the past 27 years. RIP Doug. Population 1 (featuring Nuno Bettencourt) has rescheduled its NYC club debut at Tribeca Rock Club (16 Warren Street -- 1 block south of Chambers Street, between Church & Broadway) for Monday, Oct. 25th at 800pm. <a href="http://www.population-1.com" target="new">www.population-1.com</a>. The Steve Dorff Original Demos CD, featuring Warren Wiebe, is now on sale, exclusively at <a href="http://www.songwriterseries.com" target="new">www.songwriterseries.com</a>. The site is accepting credit card payments via PayPal as well as other payment methods such as IPMO, bank-to-bank wire transfer, etc. The new site for the fan club of Rhapsody - Algalord Chronicles is located at: <a href="http://www.algalordchronicles.com" target="new">www.algalordchronicles.com</a>. Here you can find a lot of information on the activities of the band as well as space devoted to the merchandise, images, a forum and whatever else can concern the musical kingdom of Rhapsody. XYZ's Letter To God is part of the Top 15 best selling independent artists this month with one of the largest indy distributor's in the USA: <a href="http://www.theorchard.com/artists/sellers.php?offset=0&saletype=topsellers" target="new">www.theorchard.com/artists/sellers.php?offset=0&saletype=topsellers</a>. UK fans can check out dates for Rush Tribute act The Spirit Of Rush at: <a href="http://www.thespiritofrush.co.uk" target="new">www.thespiritofrush.co.uk</a>. You can also stream/download copies of the band's four studio-recorded demo tracks. The second title from Demolition Records Japan is by the NWOBHM artists Fist and is released on November 18th. Titled Storm, the Japanese release will contain a bonus track, written especially for their Japanese fans. Fist have always had a strong fan base in Japan (their first single on Neat Records, Name, Rank and Serial Number is still a much sort after item at record fairs) and they wanted to say 'Thank You' for not having been forgotten. The track was recorded at Demolitions' UK studio in Newcastle and titled The Land Of The Rising Sun. Motley Crue have now lined up approximately 60 dates for their 2005 re-union/farewell tour. KISS EXPO 2004 FOR THE UK: Press Release: Due to the phenomenal success of last years Kiss Expo 2003 we have decided to do it all over again! Kiss Expo 2004 will take place at Nottingham RockCity on Nov 27th 2004 (Main Hall). This years guests will include Bruce Kulick, Jesse Damon, Iain Lee (C4's rise, the eleven o clock show) and Dressed To Kill, playing a 2hr live set with guest guitarist Bruce Kulick. More guests TBC. Dealers from U.K -- Europe -- U.S.A, Mainstream Rock dealers also welcome. Question and Answer session with Bruce hosted by Iain Lee. Guaranteed Autograph & Photo session with Bruce, plus Signed Guitar raffle, quiz, face painting (all usual activities). Working Bally Pinball Machine on site for Sale / Auction. Tickets £14.00 in advance. 1pm Entry. VIP Laminate, includes exclusive early entry £24.00. 12pm entry (ltd to 50). Entry to Saturday night Rock Night also included in ticket price. Children over 14 welcome. Hand stamp pass out system. Tickets and dealer information available by calling 07971 984144 or e-mail <a href="mailto:davidherron7@aol.com">davidherron7@aol.com</a> or the RockCity box office on 0115 9412544. A big thank you to everyone who attended last years event, I hope to see you all again this year. Don't forget to check <a href="http://www.kissinuk.com" target="new">www.kissinuk.com</a> and <a href="http://www.kulick.net" target="new">www.kulick.net</a> for updates. JOHN 5 PRESENTS INSTRUMENTAL SOLO ALBUM: Guitarist John 5, known for his work with Marilyn Manson, David Lee Roth, Rob Halford, etc., delivers his first instrumental solo record, Vertigo. John 5 shows phenomenal diversity as a writer/guitarist and "Vertigo" further showcases him as one of the most technically advanced guitarists today. Fans of driving rhythms and ear-catching, over the top, guitar work will keep this in their CD player for months on end. John 5 appears on the cover of Guitar Player Magazine and Total Guitar magazine and has one cut each on the CD giveaways found in Guitar World and Guitar One magazines. GUITARIST ALERT - ONE FOR JAZZ/FUSION FANS: John Coltrane's musical virtuosity not only influenced sax players, but also composers and soloists on many other instruments. A Guitar Supreme brings together the creme de la creme of jazz/fusion guitarists with Mike Stern, Larry Coryell, Eric Johnson, Steve Lukather, Greg Howe, Jeff Richman, Frank Gambale and more, paying a guitar tribute to one of the most influential jazz musicians of all time. These phenomenal guitarists approach their lead solos with a respect and energy which renders their contributions to A Guitar Supreme among their greatest individual works to date. SAXON ROCK COPENHAGEN: Morten from Rock Power in Denmark was kind enough to send in another gig review: "Just got home from the Saxon gig in Copenhagen, and I can honestly say, it was their best performance in our city for the last 13 years. Their show at Wacken Open Air this summer was very promising, and tonight they certainly delivered a performance as tight as en elephant in a flamingo's swimsuit. Though the set didn't offer any real surprises, they did play 6 songs of the new album Lionheart, and played for as long as 2 hours + 15 min." The setlist: Lionheart - Backs To The Wall - Motorcycle Man - Flying On The Edge - Beyond The Grave - Power & The Glory - Never Surrender - Man And Machine - Searching For Atlantis - Heavy Metal Thunder - Dallas 1 P.M. - Dogs Of War - Solid Ball Of Rock - Witchfinder General - Princess Of The Night - Crusader - 747(Strangers In The Night) - Strong Arm Of The Law - Denim And Leather - Wheels Of Steel. REO SPEEDWAGON LIVE ON XM RADIO: Kevin Cronin has stated on his website <a href="http://www.kevincronin.com" target="new">www.KevinCronin.com</a>, via the "kC Newsletter", that REO Speedwagon will be performing live on XM Radio very soon. REO is currently taking time off from recording tracks for their new record to rehears and re-learn the entire Hi Infidelity record for XM radio. Here is the comment kC made from the "kC Newsletter": "We have been in rehearsals here in Hollywood for the past three weeks working on new songs, as well as preparing for our live performance of the Hi Infidelity album for XM Radio. We will be in Washington, DC, following our three shows next weekend, to tape the special at the amazing XM studios. There will be fifty invited guests, many of whom were contacted by way of their being on our website mailing list. See it pays to join up at speedwagon.com. We will play every cut on the record, tell stories about each song, and attempt to bring everyone in to relive the recording of our biggest selling record... kC" You can keep up with this and other news on REO Speedwagon at <a href="http://www.KevinCronin.com" target="new">www.kevincronin.com</a> as well as the official REO website at <a href="http://www.speedwagon.com" target="new">www.speedwagon.com</a>. EVANESCENCE ON DVD: Press Release: New York --- Amy Lee's passionate vocals, combined with the band's aggressive muscularity have helped Evanescence's debut album Fallen sell over 12 million copies worldwide. Beyond the slew of awards received, which included two Grammy Awards in 2003 (Best New Artist, and for "Bring Me to Life," Best Hard Rock Performance), the band became a touring phenomenon across The World. In cities across The United States, Europe, Asia, and Australia, Evanescence sold-out venues, which by the Summer of 2004 regularly averaged 15,000 fans a night. Few other bands saw each appearance bring out exponentially larger turn-outs with each new visit, and by the end of the run Evanescence had performed live for over a million fans. On November 23, 2004, Wind-up Records will release Evanescence's Anywhere But Home, capturing one night of the magic as cameras entered The Zenith in Paris to capture the phenomenon. The two-disc DVD/CD features Evanescence's recent sold-out European tour and is offered in both 5.1 and two-track audio mixes. In addition to the live concert DVD, which was directed by Hamish Hamilton (U2, Peter Gabriel), anywhere but home also includes a CD of the concert presented in a two-track mix, and the previously unreleased studio recording of the composition Missing. The DVD features the bands four music videos ("Bring Me to Life," "Going Under," My Immortal," and "Everybody's Fool,"), an hour-long behind-the-scenes program, and some special surprises in addition to the concert film. The special surprises will be discovered by the viewer as they navigate the menus designed exclusively for this special release. All of the hits are included on anywhere but home, in addition to a cover of Korn's Thoughtless which has become a fan favorite. The track listing of the performance in running order is Haunted, Going Under, Taking Over Me, Everybody's Fool, Thoughtless, My Last Breath, Farther Away, Breathe No More, My Immortal, Bring Me to Life, Tourniquet, Imaginary, and Whisper. A TRIBUTE TO THE NEW YORK DOLLS: Press Release: Fastlane Records/CD Smash Records are finishing up the audio portion of The New York Dolls tribute titled Jetboys Of Babylon. The audio tracks have turned out unbelievable and really give a modern feel to the old classics, we feel this tribute captures the vibe, swagger and energy of the Dolls. Avid New York Dolls fan will be impressed by these classics made new again. Were hoping these new versions will help turn a new generation of music fans into New York Dolls fans. We were fortunate to obtain David Johansen to re-record his classic Babylon with Frankenstein 3000, before he took off to England for the first ever, New York Dolls reunion in 25 years. Other great bands on the tribute include Flipp w/ Steve Jones, Dogs D'Amour, The Alarm, Blackbird, Slow Motorcade, Killingbird, R50, American Anthem, just to name a few. Slated for a Oct release.  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#004080" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#004080"> <div align="center">Monday, October 18, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> JSS IN OZ - THE VERDICT!: It's done...the Jeff Scott Soto Oz 2004 Tour write up is finished and online. Hope you enjoy the read...<a href="jeffscottsoto-oz2004.html">Check it out.</a>   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="225" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/live/IMGP0214.jpg" width="300" /></div> BON JOVI COMPLETE RECORDING OF THEIR NEW ALBUM: Bon Jovi's new studio album is in it's mixing stage. Yep, that's right...it's written and recorded and will be out in the 2nd quarter of 2005. Style and sound has not yet been talked about. SHARK ISLAND'S CLASSIC AVAILABLE AT LAST: The long awaited re-issue of Shark Island's classic Law Of The Order album is finally due out in Europe next week. The re-issue features the rare bonus disc Live At The Whiskey plus a couple of studio bonus tracks from the band's soundtrack appearances. The package basically ties up everything that was officially released. CD 1 - Law Of The Order - Paris Calling . Shake for Me . Somebody's Falling . Bad for Each Other . Passion to Ashes . Spellbound . Get Some Strange . Why Should I Believe . Ready or Not . The Chain . Bonus Tracks - Father Time . Dangerous (Both from BIll & Ted's Excellent Adventure soundtrack) . My City (From Point Break soundtrack) CD 2 - Alive At The Whiskey, Bastille Day, 1989 - Paris Calling . Ready Or Not . Shake for Me . Get Some Strange . Passion to Ashes . Make a Move . Bonus Tracks - Spellbound (Live) . Sanctuary (Live)(Both from the Tied Up And Held Down Promo Single) NEH RECORDS TO HOOK UP WITH XM RADIO FOR MELODIC RADIO SHOW: NEH Records announced today that they have reached agreement with XM Satellite Radio to sponsor a one hour radio show on XM Radio channel 41 (The Boneyard). The format of this radio show will be Melodic Rock and will consist exclusively of recordings offered in the NEH Records online music store. Mike McPherson of NEH Records will determine programming and will also host the show. A request page will be added to the NEH Records web site in the near future which will allow visitors to vote on which songs they want to hear played on the show. The results of voting will be programmed as a countdown of the most requested songs and aired monthly. Details concerning the air times and other information about the NEH Records sponsored show will soon be announced. XM Radio is the largest satellite radio provider in the United States with over 2 million listeners serviced with coast-to-coast radio coverage provided by two satellites in Geo-synchronous earth orbit. NEH Records is the largest online retailer in North America that specializes in the Melodic Rock musical genre. CINDERELLA'S JEFF LeBAR TALKS: Cinderella/ Naked Beggars guitarist, Jeff LeBar, recently took time off his hectic work schedule to talk with Mitch Lafon about both bands and encourage fans to check out Eric Brittingham and his new band, Naked Beggars. Mitch: Tell me about Naked Beggars - Jeff: "It's a totally new band with new music. Live we do a few Cinderella songs, but it's not to be confused with Cinderella. We're doing the material off the Naked Beggars CD as well as new material we've written since I've been here." Mitch: Second album? Jeff: "We have almost another CD worth of material written, but I think we'll record it at our leisure. Towards the end of this year… beginning of next year we'll go in and record another CD." Mitch: Why did you decide to join Eric's band? Jeff: "Cinderella hasn't worked in over two years. I was home dabbling in other things, but nothing really worth my time. I had played on one Naked Beggars track and I was really into it. So, when he threw down that offer [to join] I was into it. I'll make the band better!" And adds "I have more input in this band than I ever did in Cinderella" Mitch: What's going on with Cinderella? Jeff: "As far as Cinderella and Sony – they signed us (I believe) in 1998 for three records, but they never put us in the studio. So, we finally went back on tour with Poison in 2000 – they said ' we'll definitely put you in the studio after that'. They still didn't put us in the studio and a year after they dropped us. Since then, we've been in a lawsuit with them. We're not restricted by that lawsuit to do anything else (I believe), but since then Tom has decided to work on his solo project – so Eric & I continue on with Naked Beggars." Mitch: Since '98 – we've heard that there's been 40, 60, etc. Cinderella songs written and ready - why are those songs not on an album? Why can't they be released? Jeff: "Well, we did have a lot of songs written and we had a lot of songs recorded (as far as demos)… I really couldn't tell you why they've never been released. We probably could have done it on an independent label or in Tom's studio, but that's not really Tom's style. He wants nothing but the best and if it's anything less – he's not going to put it out. So, that being said – he apparently decided to go on recording as a solo artist. Not sure how he went about it, but that's what he's pursuing. People keep asking me about Cinderella and whether we're going to get back together or tour again and my answer to that is that we've never broken up and we will tour again (I guess) if Tom sees fit. In the meantime, all my energies are focused on Naked Beggars." Mitch: Is Tom estranged from the band? Does he consider the band broken up? Jeff: "There's no animosity and we were supposed to tour this summer, but like I said – the ball's in Tom's court… he put the kibosh on the summer tour. So, I don't know. It's not much of an answer, but that's the answer. I just don't know and with me booking Naked Beggars… I get the offers everyday. People are willing to pay us big money to go out as Naked Beggars, but under the name Cinderella. We won't do that. It's a new band… I know there's a demand for Cinderella to tour, but like I said Tom doesn't want to do it. He's got all his energies in a solo record so who knows – who knows what next year will bring?" Mitch: If you can't convince Tom to ever do Cinderella again – would you say to the other guys – 'let's just find a new singer'? Jeff: "NO no no no… we decided a long time ago that if all four members weren't in the picture then Cinderella wouldn't happen. We wouldn't do that." Mitch: How's Jeff LeBar doing personally? Jeff: "I'm doing better than ever now. For the past couple of years I've been floundering at home – doing studio work here and there and working on houses (I do construction work as a job). As far as drug abuse – I've been clean for eight years now! I did have my share of legal problems and drug abuse, but that's in my past. Had we publicized it back in the day – we may have become as big as Guns 'N Roses (he said laughing). We kept our dirty laundry to ourselves even though it may have given us more publicity, but we chose not to. What happens to us is our business and what happens to me as far as legal problems and personal problems is my business. This is definitely the older wiser Jeff." As for Naked Beggars, Jeff concludes, "I'm having a fucking blast with this band. It's a really cool dynamic having a couple of girls in the band and it gives me something to look at when I'm playing 'cause I was never really into Tom's ass (laughing). We'll keep touring until we cover all the markets and then get back in the studio and record another CD and check out the website <a href="http://www.nakedbeggars.net" target="new">www.nakedbeggars.net.</a> OZZY'S TAKE ON SOME CLASSICS PART OF 4-DISC SET: Press Article: LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Ozzy Osbourne has returned to his satanic roots by recording a version of the Rolling Stones' Sympathy for the Devil for an upcoming covers CD. The disc, one of four to be featured in a boxed set due next February, also includes fresh takes on the Beatles' In My Life, King Crimson's 21st Century Schizoid Man and Arthur Brown's Fire, Osbourne told Reuters in an interview at his Beverly Hills home on Thursday. Mott the Hoople singer Ian Hunter shares vocals with Osbourne on the glam band's signature song All the Young Dudes. Leslie West reprises his guitar work on power trio Mountain's Mississippi Queen, and he "still absolutely kicks ass," Osbourne said. The three other discs will include demos, rarities and outtakes from Osbourne's solo career, which began after he was kicked out of the pioneering heavy metal band Black Sabbath in 1978. "I've done a lot of choruses and verses on other people's stuff, and I've actually sung with other people," Osbourne recalled. "I goofed around with Dweezil Zappa one time" on a version of the Bee Gees' Stayin' Alive, which has been dusted off for the boxed set. "For die-hard fans it's a real good overview of Ozzy's career," his wife and manager Sharon said during the interview. The Stones cover is appropriate fare for a man somewhat reluctantly linked with devil imagery in the decades since he co-founded Black Sabbath in 1968. Their 1970 song "N.I.B.," featuring the line "My name is Lucifer, please take my hand," echoes the sentiment of 1968's "Sympathy for the Devil" with its chorus "Pleased to meet you, hope you guess my name." But Osbourne's first musical love is the Beatles. Books on the Fab Four vie for shelf space with weighty tomes on World War II at the house. His version of In My Life will be released as a single in Europe in November. Sharon Osbourne said she did not know if the track would be sent to U.S. radio outlets for airplay consideration. Fans who still have money left over also can buy the DVD of We Sold Our Souls for Rock 'n' Roll, the documentary shot by Penelope Spheeris during the 1999 edition of the Osbournes' annual Ozzfest road show. It will also come out in February. Originally intended for theatrical release, but never bought by a distributor, the film has rarely been seen in public. It features interviews and performances by such acts as Black Sabbath, Rob Zombie and Slipknot, scenes of religious protesters and topless female fans, and a touching backstage portrait of Osbourne and Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi warming up with an acoustic run-through of Paranoid. Reuters/VNU.  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#58abab" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#58abab"> <div align="center">Friday, October 15, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> ANNOUNCING THE SECOND COMING OF THE SIGN: Frontiers Records is pleased to announce the worldwide release of the highly anticipated second album from The Sign entitled The Second Coming for November 22. The Sign is a band made up of some very talented stars of American Hard Rock music including Mark Mangold (Drive She Said, Touch) on keyboards, Terry Brock (ex-Strangeways) on vocals with Jon Bivona (Trans Siberian Orchestra) and Mark Hermann joining the line-up on guitars and bass respectively. Guitarist and singer Randy Jackson (Zebra) once again also took part of the recording and songwriting. The Sign debut album Signs of Life was voted as #2 best album of the year in the melodicrock.com readers poll of the year 2000, with top 5 placements in other categories such as best singer, best keyboardist and best song of the year. Once again based around the story of Aryon, a girl saved from a coma, the new record unfolds as a concept album confirming The Sign as the only real Pomp Rock purveyors of the new millennium. Final track listing of The Second Coming shall include the following songs: Aryon Overture; Stained (Gone); <a href="http://www.frontiers.it/thesign-themorningafter.mp3">The Morning After (Time To Run)</a> (click to hear an Mp3 sample); Motorcycle Messiah; Shine; Bliss; If For One Moment; Flame Of The Oracle; The Ooze; Inner Child (Exorcise); Black Mountain; Keep On Breathin'; Shine (Finale); Rapture (Ode To Aryon); <a href="http://www.frontiers.it/thesign-maniac.mp3">Maniac</a> (click to hear an Mp3 sample). Once again a new pomp rock masterpiece is ready to hit the market!   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/thesign-secondcoming.jpg" width="200" /></div> THE GOO GOO'S LIVE IN THEIR HOMETOWN ON CD AND DVD: Los Angeles, CA--(Market Wire)--Oct 12, 2004 -- The Goo Goo Dolls, a band whose dedication to their fans is matched only by their fans' devotion to the band, will release an extraordinary live DVD/CD collection worldwide November 23rd on Warner Bros. Records titled Live in Buffalo July 4th, 2004. The deluxe package will feature both a 20-track audio CD and a 19-song concert DVD, both recorded live on the 4th of July in their hometown of Buffalo, New York. The audio CD of Live in Buffalo July 4th, 2004 will highlight the studio track cover of Supertramp's Give A Little Bit, while the Live in Buffalo July 4th, 2004 DVD will offer 19 live tracks recorded in 5.1 Surround Sound during the historic July 4th concert on the steps of Buffalo's City Hall; as well, the DVD will include an exclusive half-hour behind-the-scenes documentary and voice-over commentary from the band. Aside from the above mentioned highlights, Live in Buffalo July 4th, 2004 includes signature Goo Goo Dolls selections such as Here Is Gone, Big Machine, Tucked Away, Sympathy, Dizzy, Naked, Name and We Are The Normal. "The July 4th concert was a great homecoming for us as a way to thank our fans and reconnect with our roots," said Goo Goo Dolls frontman John Rzeznik. "Now with 'Live in Buffalo,' we can thank the world for giving us the opportunity to let our music be heard. We hope the album will give our fans everywhere something to remember us by until we're back in their town." The full track listing for the CD/DVD package is: Big Machine . Naked . Slide . Think about Me . Smash . Tucked Away . Black Balloon . Dizzy . Name . Cuz You're Gone . Sympathy . January Friend . Here is Gone . What A Scene . Acoustic #3 . Two Days in February . Broadway . Iris . Give A Little Bit. The CD also adds the studio version of Give A Little Bit as it's first track.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/googoodolls-liveinbuffalo.jpg" width="225" /></div> VENICE MOVE TO PACIFIC STANDARD TIME: The new Venice CD is titled Pacific Standard Time, and will be released in the Benelux (Belgium/Netherlands/Luxembourg) on November 15. The first single is Everybody's Opium. The band's Mark Lennon had this to say about the release: "I personally believe that this album will be our best. The way we are recording it is really making it sound more intimate, like we're in your house, and also at the same time, more like we are live. It's definitely not over-produced."   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/venice-pacificstandardtime.jpg" width="200" /></div> EMI ANNOUNCE VIXEN RE-ISSUES: Press Release: Hollywood, CA October 5, 2004 -- The hard-rocking female glam metal band Vixen roughed LA's club circuit throughout most of the 1980s before signing with EMI Music in 1987. Known as 'the female Bon Jovi,' Vixen enjoyed national exposure with the 1998 release of their self-titled debut album and MTV's embrace of the band's first mega-hit, Edge Of A Broken Heart. The band's long out-of-print EMI albums, Vixen and Rev It Up, are set for reissue by EMI Music Catalog Marketing on November 2. The two albums have been fully remastered and will be in stores in time for the reunion of all of Vixen's original members on VH1's popular show, "Bands Reunited." Vixen's self-titled debut was released in 1988, and fueled by heavy radio and MTV rotation of the single, Edge Of a Broken Heart, the album surpassed the Gold sales mark in the U.S. and went on to sell over one million copies around the world. Vixen's follow-up album, Rev It Up was released in 1990, and the singles How Much Love and Love Is A Killer spent some time on Billboard's Hot 100 Chart. Next month, Vixen's original members, Janet Gardner (vocals), Jan Kuehnemund (guitar), Share Pedersen (bass) and Roxy Petrucci (drums) will all appear together on VH1's "Bands Reunited" to reminisce about their start on LA's Sunset Strip and their rise to fame in the late 1980s, before the onset of grunge in the early 1990s displaced metal at the top of the charts. Track Listings: Vixen - Edge Of A Broken Heart . I Want You To Rock Me . Cryin' . American Dream . Desperate . One Night Alone . Hell Raisers . Love Made Me . Waiting . Cruisin' . Charmed Life. Rev It Up - Rev It Up . How Much Love . Love Is A Killer . Not A Minute Too Soon . Streets In Paradise . Hard 16 . Bad Reputation . Fallen Hero . Only A Heartbeat Away . It Wouldn't Be Love . Wrecking Ball. STRAIGHT WIRED LIVE IN NY: Kivel Records would like to apologize to any customers that have pre ordered the Straight Wired. Due to manufacturing delays the CD was pushed back a few weeks. However it will ship on Oct 15th to all customers that pre ordered it. Now, are you upset that you missed Straight Wired in NH!? Well guess what! Straight Wired will be playing LIVE this month in Yonkers NY! Straight Wired Local Record Release/Concert party! Come down and hang with the guys, and pick up a copy of Color My World at the show. Fun night to be had by all. Oct 23rd at Barney McNabbs 600 Tuckahoe Rd, Yonkers NY 914-961-8960.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="198" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/straightwired-colormyworld.jpg" width="200" /></div> SITE UPDATES - MR-X: A nice big <a href="mr-x/index.html">MR-X</a> update again today. Added today - the unreleased 14 track second Marchello album The Power Of Money. Also added is two Rockline Radio Shows in MP3 format. One is Van Halen's classic 1984 appearance on the show and the other is Tesla's 2004 feature, which also includes 3 live in the studio unplugged tracks. I have also just completed uploading a compilation of classic tracks: Soundtrack Classics - Volume 2. Log in to check out all the latest offerings. Also added - new videos: Europe - Got To Have Faith, Gun - Shame On You, Little Angels - Young Gods, Sons Of Angels - Cowgirl, TaxiRide - I Don't Know How I Got This Way, Van Halen - Dreams (Blue Angels Version) and Yngwie Malmsteen - Alone In Paradise. <a href="mr-x-intro.html">MR-X Membership Details</a>. Reviews have been updated! Online today are new reviews for: Bryan Adams, Straight Wired, McQueen Street, Goodnight Gracie, Work Force, Ring Of Fire and Millenium. <a href="reviews/reviews.html">Check them out</a>. Next week - I didn't quite the Jeff Scott Soto Oz Tour wrap completed, but believe it or not, that will be online Monday! Next week will also see more reviews and MP3 showcases added. I also have a ton of e-mail to get through. If I have not yet replied to you, sorry, it's on it's way.  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#374646" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#374646"> <div align="center">Thursday, October 14, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> JOURNEY - HOUSTON 81 DVD BEFORE CHRISTMAS: Journey's Live In Houston 1981 DVD looks like arriving into stores during November. It's tentatively scheduled for release November 16. Stay tuned for confirmation. In related news, Journey will receive their star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on January 21, 2005. The ceremony will begin at 11:30 a.m. The exact location will be announced at a later date. NO GOING INSANE FOR TEER: Popular Florida melodic rock band Teer are now taking pre-orders for their upcoming EP, Bullets and Beer. The band is gearing up for a nearly sold-out November tour of the UK with Tyketto, Jeff Scott Soto and Deadline and is releasing the EP in conjunction with the tour. The limited edition CD features three new songs and two live tracks recorded during their summer reunion shows. The official release date is November 1st. Teer gained the international spotlight when they performed at the Gods of AOR concert in 1999 in England. With the release of their self-titled CD on Frontiers Records in 2000 Teer became a fan favorite in the melodic rock genre. Due to several factors Teer disbanded in 2001 abruptly ending the momentum they had created. In 2003 co-founding member Shane French resigned his position as guitarist of Circle II Circle, a band featuring Zak Stevens of Savatage fame. This set the stage for a Teer reunion. Teer reformed in early 2004 with original members Shane French and Nathan Boone (guitars), John Teer (drums) and Dan Michaels (vocals), and recruited a new bassist, Rob Devore. Teer's new EP features their first new recordings in over 4 years. The first 100 pre-orders will be signed and buyers will be entered into a drawing for a Teer prize package. The EP is available only through Teer's official website <a href="http://www.teerband.com" target="new">www.teerband.com</a> and at their live shows. And Teer are pleased to offer a teaser MP3 from the EP. Sample: <a href="audio/Teer-Edit.mp3">World Gone Insane</a>. STUART SMITH NOMINATED IN LA POLL: There is an in depth interview with Stuart Smith from Heaven & Earth up at: <a href="http://www.rocknworld.com/it/2004/ss.shtml" target="new">www.rocknworld.com/it/2004/ss.shtml</a>. Also Stuart has been nominated for "Top Guitarist" at the L.A. All Access Music Awards along with Heaven & Earth for "Best Melodic Rock Group/Artist" and "Best Overall Album of the Year" To vote for Stu, please go to: <a href="http://www.myke1.net/PHP/UCCASSv1.06/survey.php?sid=17" target="new">www.myke1.net/PHP/UCCASSv1.06/survey.php?sid=17</a>. CHARLIE SEXTON BRANCHES OUT: Charlie Sexton is playing himself in a new movie currently in post-production. The storyline of McCartney's Genes tells of an Austin rocker past the peak of his career overcomes fertility problems to conceive, but in the process causes problems for all around him. The movie also stars Guy Forsyth, Spencer Gibb and Charlie's brother Will Sexton. The information did not clearly spell out if Charlie's role was a primary one. MELODIC RELEASE BRIEFS: Aerosmith will release a live DVD from their Honkin' On Bobo 2004 tour. You Gotta Move is due for release in November and was filmed live at TD Waterhouse, Orland, Florida, on April 5, 2004. And first reports indicate that some versions will come with a bonus CD containing 6 live tracks. Triumph will re-release the CDs of Allied Forces, Never Surrender, Stages and Thunder Seven via their own label TML on November 9. Distribution in North Americas is through ADA. Gary Moore Live At Montreux 1990 is a DVD due to be released through Eagle Eye in November. Queen On Fire At The Bowl is a 2CD and 2DVD set due for release in the UK October 25 and in the USA November 9. The press blurb reads as follows: "This double collection is from the band's 1982 concert at Milton Keynes Bowl. It captures perfectly one of the world's biggest rock acts at their performing peak - a full three years before their Live Aid masterstroke. Brimming with confidence, the tracks include a fast version of We Will Rock You, Now I'm Here, Save Me, the rarely performed Under Pressure, Roger Taylor's full-throttle punky Sheer Heart Attack and, of course, Bohemian Rhapsody."   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="201" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/queen-onfireatthebowl.jpg" width="200" /></div> INSIDE RAINBOW ON DVD AND BOOK: Classic Rock Direct have a new release in their "Inside Series". Inside Rainbow - A Critical Review 1975-1997 is a 2DVD+Book set of the music of Rainbow tracing the entire career of the band from the heady days when the creative partnership of Ritchie Blackmore and Ronnie James Dio took the band to the very top of the rock world, to the final concerts on The Stranger In Us All tour. This unique DVD uses rare footage of Rainbow on stage coupled with the incisive views of a leading team of music critics, working musicians and former Rainbow front man Doogie White to discover the influences, which shaped some of the greatest hard rock ever recorded. More information: <a href="http://www.classicrockproductionsonline.com/products.asp?cat=34" target="new">www.classicrockproductionsonline.com/products.asp?cat=34</a>.  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#673773" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#673773"> <div align="center">Wednesday, October 13, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> HAREM SCAREM'S NEXT ALBUM SET TO BE HEAVIER AND MORE TECHNICAL!: I caught up with Harem Scarem's Harry Hess this morning to chat about a few things. Harry is currently finishing up work on former Harem Scarem drummer Darren Smith's solo record. News on that shortly. But my main interest today was in what we could expect from the next Harem Scarem album, writing and recording of which is already underway. Harry is actually pretty excited about this release. He says he liked the Higher album, but really prefers Weight Of The World and can see something more in line that direction. And while the band never really writes or records the same album twice, Harry sees this next record getting much heavier and says it will be a more technical and complex record, with lots of heavy riffing. Pete has apparently been working with some new gear and will have a slightly different guitar sound too. To summarize Harry says the band is "...really going out of their way to create something stunning..." The guys expect to have recording finished by the end of January 2005. MOTLEY CRUE ARE BACK: Metal Hammer Magazine in the UK have scooped Motley Crue at their own announcement - releasing first details of a re-union tour that will see the classic line-up of Nikki Sixx (bass), Tommy Lee (drums), Vince Neil (vocals) and Mick Mars (guitar) together again. The magazine announced via <a href="http://www.metalhammer.co.uk/article.asp?ID=8270&type=NWS" target="new">their website</a> UK tour plans for mid-2005. The dates are: Jun. 14 - Glasgow, UK @ SECC Jun. 15 - Manchester, UK @ MEN Jun. 17 - Cardiff, UK @ Int'l Arena Jun. 18 - Birmingham, UK @ NEC Jun. 19 - Wembley, UK @ Arena JOHNNIE DEE SCORES SOLO DEAL WITH EMI CANADA: Johnnie Degiuli has been signed to EMI Canada and his solo CD Songs In Dee will be officially available on November 9. The first single from this solo effort Out Here has been released and sent to radio. The indie release that is currently available on Johnnie's personal website at <a href="http://www.johnniedegiuli.com" target="new">www.johnniedegiuli.com</a> is selling quite fast. This limited edition is no longer in production and will become a collectors edition very shortly. CHARADE SIGN JAPANESE DEAL FOR NEW ALBUM: They've made it! Not only their debut Charade I saw a release in the Land of the Rising Sun in 1998, even the brand-new follow-up Charade II found a new partner for Japan. The long player will be released on December 12th on the well known Avalon label including the bonus-track Keep On Fighting (but the Japanese version of Charade II will not be a double-CD including I like the European edition which will be released on October 25th via Drakkar/BMG). Angel Schleifer (guitar & songwriting) says "I never thought that we can do this a second time. You just have to take look at the bad market-situation. Therefore we have to be even more thankful to have this contract inked – this speaks for the trust and confidence all the guys at AVALON have in us." ArtistLink: <a href="http://www.charade-project.de" target="new">www.charade-project.de</a>.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="60" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/chara.gif" width="468" /></div> MELODIC BRIEFS: The new Outland CD Long Way Home will be handled by Melodic Symphony In Europe, with exclusive distribution via Frontiers Records. A tentative release date of November 22 is set. The Riverdogs have launched their <a href="http://www.theriverdogs.com" target="new">new website</a>, which includes samples of the three new tracks completed so far - World Gone Mad, Big Steel Town and Best Day Of My Life. Cinderella's Tom Keifer has updated his website <a href="http://www.tomkeifer.com" target="new">www.tomkeifer.com</a> with news that he has finished the recording of his upcoming solo album and has moved to the mixing process. Tom has also recorded an acoustic version of Don't Know What You Got (Til it's Gone) for upcoming VH1 Immortal CD titled Stripped, which will include unplugged versions of power ballads from the 80's. Bon Jovi's website <a href="http://www.bonjovi.com">www.bonjovi.com</a> is offering a full length streaming preview of the tracks The Radio Saved My Life Tonight and Why Aren't You Dead from the upcoming box set. Y&T news! Dave and Phil are pleased to announce that they have wrapped up the UnEarthed, Volume 2 CD! This second in the UnEarthed CD series of CDs of previously unreleased Y&T recordings and demos should be available to ship sometime in mid-November. It's the perfect holiday gift for the Y&T fanatic! More info: <a href="http://www.meniketti.com/menmerch.html?target=dept_1.html&lang=en-us" target="new">www.meniketti.com</a>. ANTHRAX GIVES THE POWER TO THE PEOPLE: Press Release: Throughout their infamous 20 year career, the mighty Anthrax has always prided themselves on being a band of the people, for the people and by the people. This being said and with 2004 being an election year, Anthrax have taken that ideal one step further with their upcoming release, The Greater Of Two Evils, an all out assault on their history with each song being voted on by their fans via the Internet. Recorded "live" in the studio over the course of two days, The Greater Of Two Evils stands out, as guitarist Scott Ian puts it, "As a raw, balls out, and in your face representation of how brutal this band is, was, and will always be." Covering their history from 1984 1990, The Greater Of Two Evils is made up of fourteen classic Anthrax songs the fans demanded by way of the thousands of votes from all over the world received on the band's official website, anthrax.com. Based on those votes, the band entered Avatar studios in NYC one cold and snowy weekend last winter and took a trip back in time to revisit songs from their formative releases Fistful Of Metal (1984), Spreading The Disease (1985), Among The Living (1987), State Of Euphoria (1988), and Persistence Of Time (1990). "It was just the five of us in a room ripping. It was intense," Ian continues, "like when we first wrote these songs and started playing them for the first time. Except now the songs have evolved after years of playing them live to where I wish they were when we first recorded them. Like good whisky, they've aged wonderfully. There's so much energy on this record. Busting the tracks out live in two days was definitely the way to do it. What's crazy is when I listen to it it's like I'm listening to it from outside the band because it's made up of all these old songs that we haven't played much over the years and I really only know the studio versions so when I hear John singing them, it's like I get to here it from your point of view if that makes any sense. And let me tell ya, John and Rob are killing on this." "Our fans have been so loyal over the years that we wanted to give them something special," explains drummer Charlie Benante, "so we came up with the idea of letting them pick the songs for this album. Not to take away from our past, but ever since John has been in the band, people are always coming up to us and saying 'I wish you would re-record this' or 'I would love to hear John sing that,' so we did it and it came out great." A point that lead singer John Bush expounds upon, "When I joined Anthrax 12 years ago we wrote and recorded Sound Of White Noise. Although, at that time, we felt we were going to play a lot of those tunes live, there was still a giant catalog of older songs for me to learn. From that time until now I've embraced those older songs like they were children of my own. Taking nothing away from the original versions, because they definitely stand tall on their own, it felt like a good idea to give the fans the choice if they wanted to hear new versions of these songs and which songs they wanted to hear the most. This is not an attempt to relive the past, just an attempt to kick 'em out with the 21st century line-up of Anthrax." And kick 'em out they do. Well known songs like "Caught In A Mosh," "Madhouse," and "Indians," get the update as well as lesser know songs such as "Panic," "Gung Ho," and "Deathrider," with the latter getting the biggest over-haul. Charlie Benante explains "While we didn't want to deviate too much from the original recordings, we didn't want to be strapped to them either. There are a few changes here and there with "Deathrider" being the one that stands out the most. On our first album, Fistful Of Metal, that song is a blast from the beginning to the end, one speed, that's it. On the new version it's still fast, but we pull-up a bit in the verses going to half-time, which makes it heavier and flow better. No one will be disappointed…Trust me." All the artwork for The Greater Of Two Evils was done by Shepard Fairey, the subterranean legend best known for his Andre the Giant inspired OBEY graphics. "We wanted something different this time out," says Benante who serves not only as drummer and songwriter but as the resident art director as well. "Our last two releases we used famed painter Alex Ross who did two unbelievable covers for us (2003's critically acclaimed We've Come For You All and their live DVD/CD Music Of Mass Destruction which was released earlier this year.), and we wanted to go in a slightly different direction. The cover is very 'flat,' in a good way, and the colors are striking. It will work great as the cover, in posters, t-shirts, whatever, it's just a cool image." Anthrax hopes that The Greater Of Two Evils serves as a history lesson and a starting off point for the whole new generation of fans who were turned onto the band over the course of the last couple of years, something that was quite evident during their never-ending 2003-04 Music Of Mass Destruction World Tour. On that tour, which took them to virtually every continent on the planet including shows in Russia, the Czech Republic, Poland, and Hungary, the members of Anthrax were noticing that their crowds were being made up of kids who were not old enough to be around when the previously mentioned Among The Living was released some years ago. "Its weird," says Benante, "when I talk to our fans I find myself amazed that we have made such an impact for all these years. When we first started we were kids with nothing to do who just wanted to play. The fact that we have been around for a generation and continue to play to thousands of kids all around the world 9 months out of the year, I would have never have believed it. I think this album brings it back full circle." The CD is released November 23 via Sanctuary Records. Track Listing: Deathrider . Metal Thrashing Mad . Caught In A Mosh . A.I.R. . Among The Living . Keep It In The Family . Indians . Madhouse . Panic . I Am The Law . Belly Of The Beast . N.F.L. . Be All End All . Gung-Ho. ArtistLink: <a href="http://www.anthrax.com" target="new">www.anthrax.com</a>.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/anthrax-greateroftwoevils.jpg" width="200" /></div> JR BLACKMORE RECALLS THE PAST ON NEW EP: Press Release: We are pleased to announce that Jurgen Blackmore (son of former Deep Purple/Rainbow guitarist Ritchie Blackmore) has just released an exciting EP of instrumental rock. The EP contains four tracks which will be part of a CD which is being worked on at full blast and will be finished by spring 2005. Here is what Jurgen had to say about his latest release: "After a long break we are proud to present a brand new 4-track EP from our upcoming album. Because of the continuous positive responses on our first album from 1990 and the overwhelming mass of mails from our fans, I decided to bring out a new album. By my side I have my keyboarder and long-time friend Malte Rathke. To shorten the time of waiting, we put an extraction of 4 songs on the EP. With the music from JR Blackmore we try to open up a new dimension of rock. An instrumental work, which includes modern elements from different cultures besides classical and baroque influences, orchestral arrangements and groovy guitar riffs united in many different melodies. We both wanted to combine our love for melodic rock and classical music in a unique way. To all our fans who encouraged us to work on this project THANK YOU!" The EP is currently only available though his website <a href="http://www.jrblackmore.de" target="new">www.jrblackmore.de</a> along with remixed edition of his previous album Still Holding On (remixed in 2003). You can also hear sound samples of the EP on the website. Alongside this new project Jurgen is also busy working for his label "Musikerei" where he produces his albums and does commissioned works for everyone. Music for diverse occasions like birthdays, declarations of love or apologies; but also soundtracks or songs for bands or singers in any desired style. Please take time to visit <a href="http://www.musikerei.de" target="new">www.musikerei.de</a>. SITE UPDATES: More new MP3s online today, with <a href="minibytes.html">Mini-Bytes</a> now available from: Evidence One, Meatloaf, Rick Knowles, Tal Bachman, Doro, Pryamaze, John Young Band and JR Blackmore. And there is another <a href="#cdshowcase">CD Showcase</a> update, with a special Million <a href="showcase/million-reissues.html">Showcase</a> online highlighting the band's 4 previous albums, all re-issued in preparation for their new release Kingsize, due later this month. Also featured are two new Lion Music releases: <a href="showcase/mistheria-messenger.html">Mistheria</a> and <a href="showcase/smeer-loudandclear.html">Smeer</a>.  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#ff8000" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#ff8000"> <div align="center">Tuesday, October 12, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> BRAZEN ABBOT SIGN TO FRONTIERS RECORDS: Frontiers Records proudly announce they have signed a multi album worldwide deal with Nikolo Kotzev and Brazen Abbot! The first step of the new partnership will be the release of a Live CD / DVD package aptly entitled A Decade Of Brazen Abbot. Following the release of the last Brazen Abbot studio album, the critically acclaimed Guilty As Sin, the band had for the first time the possibility to be embarked on a tour in Nikolo Kotzev's home country Bulgaria. The shows held in Varna, Sofia and Plovdiv were both filmed and recorded by a professional crew and the result is the testament to a great tour with amazing shows and great performances by all. The line up featured on the album and the DVD includes: Nikolo Kotzev on guitars; Joe Lynn Turner on vocals; Wayne Banks on bass; Lars Pollack on keyboards and Thomas Broman on drums. The musical documentary on the DVD is 1 hour and 47 minutes long, featuring images and sound from the various concerts held, TV appearances as well as some older pictures and interviews with Nik and all the singers that were part of Brazen Abbot during the years (Jorn Lande, Glenn Hughes, Goran Edman and of course Joe Lynn Turner), apparitions on the Bulgarian TV and more! The songs performed live on the DVD include: 1. Mr. Earthman, 2. Slip Away, 3. Supernatural, 4. Feeling Like A Rolling Stone, 5. Jamsession (Nik, Joe, Jeff Paris and Jorgen Carlsson) 6. Stone Cold, 7. Guilty As Sin, 8. I Surrender, 9. Can't Let You Go, 10. I'll Be Free, 11. One Life To Live, 12. Road To Hell. The DVD will be released on the NTSC Region Free format.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="300" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/brazenabbot-adecadeof-dvd.jpg" width="200" />xx<img alt="" height="300" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/brazenabbot-2004b.jpg" width="200" /></div> Final track listing of the CD is instead: Intro; Mr. Earthman; One Life To Live; Slip Away; Guilty As Sin Part 1; Guilty As Sin Part 2; Supernatural; Keyboard solo; Can't Let You Go; I'll Be Free; I Surrender; Drum Solo; Road To Hell; Love Is On Our Side (studio acoustic bonus track). Guitarist and producer Nikolo Kotzev had to say about the new venture: "I have a great pleasure to announce my new business relation with Italian label Frontiers Records. We will work together on quite a few of my future products - a DVD, a live CD, a new Brazen Abbot studio album and a brand new Rock Opera, which I have already started working on. The people in Frontiers are among the best professionals I've worked with and I am looking forward to a great future with the label as they are true lovers of rock music. I believe my new stuff will find a good home with them. We are already working on the first releases, so look around for new Brazen Abbot music with the Frontiers logo on!" The DVD/CD-Audio release coincides with Brazen Abbot's ten year anniversary and will hit the streets worldwide on Frontiers Records on November 22nd 2004.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="201" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/brazenabbot-adecadeof-cd.jpg" width="200" />xx<img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/brazenabbot-2004.jpg" width="139" /></div> WAYSTED JAPANESE BONUS OFFER: After receiving a number of requests for copies of the forthcoming Waysted Back From The Dead album with the two Japanese bonus tracks included, Majestic Rock Records have agreed with their Japanese distributor Art Union that a limited number of the Japanese version of the album can be made available directly from the Majestic Rock web site (<a href="http://www.majesticrock.com" target="new">www.majesticrock.com</a>) at a price of £13.99 inclusive of postage and packing anywhere in the world. Majestic's Geoff Gillespie says: "Following a few comments that were made to me in the melodicrock.com Noticeboard and some enquiries made directly to the label, we thought that it might be a good idea to try and broker something with our Japanese distributor. Luckily, as long as we keep it pretty limited, they don't have a problem with this." The album, recorded in the Buckingham, UK & Detroit and Florida, USA and mixed in the UK by Robin George, is available in Europe on October 25th and Japan on November 10th.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/waysted-2004.jpg" width="417" /></div> AOR HEAVEN / METAL HEAVEN PRESS RELEASE - CLOUDSCAPE: Metal Heaven, sub-division of AOR Heaven, are happy to announce the signing of Swedish Melodic Metal act Cloudscape who already have gained a massive fan base in the underground during last couple of years! Cloudscape, the self-titled debut album of the band, will hit the stores on January 31, 2005 and will be definitely something to look after for any fan of high versatile but catchy Swedish Metal. Cloudscape themselves perfectly describe their sound as 'melodic, semi-progressive, symphonic Heavy Metal'. The album was produced by Anders "Theo" Theander (Pain Of Salvation, Last Tribe, Pathos etc) and Pontus Lindmark at RoastingHouse Studios, Sweden. Cloudscape are: vocals Micael Andersson; guitars Björn Eliasson; guitars Patrik Svärd (Second Heat); bass Hans Persson; drums Roger Landin (Second Heat). Track list: As The Light Leads The Way . Under Fire . Aqua 275 . Witching Hour . In These Walls . Out Of The Shadows . Everyday is Up To You . Dawn Fury . Slave . The Presence Of Spirits . Scream . Losing Faith.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="185" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/cloudscape-2004.jpg" width="300" /></div> VESCERA TALKS SAFE HAVEN: Michael Vescera talks about his new album Safe Haven: "I'm very excited to be able to work on this CD. It's a departure for me vocally from what I'm most known for, 'Metal'. In the vein of Journey, Foreigner, etc. it should surprise and excite my already die hard fans, and hopefully gain a large number of new ones. This CD will also show my appreciation for other styles of music. It will be great to work with Eric and the rest of Safe Haven and create what we hope will be a masterpiece. I'm also excited to work with MTM on this CD and hope for great success with everyone involved." Sample the album via the <a href="showcase/safehaven.html">CD Showcase</a>. WILDSIDE'S WASTED YEARS FIND THEIR WAY TO CD: WildSide has inked a deal with RLS Records. Their 3rd disc The Wasted Years has an official street date of October 12th. The 14 track release includes various demos, a few live tracks and B-sides that did not make their 1992 Capitol Records debut Under the Influence. WildSide rose from the streets of Hollywood, and looked to have a lot of things on their side, but like many others, fell victim to the grunge wave. The band had played the circuit in various forms and eventually caught the eye of Barry Levine (Kiss, Motley Crue) who went on to manage the group. UTI was produced by Andy Johns (Led Zepplin), was recorded at Eddie Van Halen's home studio (5150) and they even did some co-writes. The Clock Strikes (live version) which appears on The Wasted Years was penned with Paul Stanley (Kiss). Another stand out track Crash Diet sounds very Guns n' Roses like, and it should, it was an Axl Rose co-write with the late great song writer Wes Arkeen. Growing up in the valley guitarist Brent Woods took lessons from the late great Randy Rhoades (Ozzy/Quiet Riot) and his ripping skills show those lessons paid off. Woods had also done several years as the Lead Guitarist in The Vince Neil Band during the WildSide downtime. The band also released WildSide Wildside on TNT Records in 1995. They have reunited with 4/5 of the original line-up. Drew Hannah (vocals), Brent Woods (guitars), Marc Simon (bass) and Jimmy Darby (drums) will do select re-union dates this fall. At press time they are scheduled to play Salt Lake City, Utah October 22nd & 23rd. The Wasted Years - track Listing: Sintro . Hemi-Cuda . Easy as 1,2,3 . Crash Diet . City of Love . Dance - Swing . Sweet Little Sinner . Just Another Night (Demo) . Makin' You Bleed . Killing Machine . Hair of the Dog (Demo) . Kiss This Love Goodbye (Demo) . Dear God (Live @ Whisky-a-Go-Go) . The Clock Strikes (Live @ Summerfest-Milw.WI). RLS RECORDS ARE THE KINGS OF SUNSET STRIP: RLS Records is also proud to announce the first of a new series to be issued by the Indy label. The title is Kings of Sunset Strip - Volume 1. KOSS Vol.-1 has 3 tracks by each Angora (feat John Corabi - The Scream, Motley Crue, Union, Ratt), Jailhouse (feat ex. Rough Cutt members / Orgy, Neve), Tommi Gunn Produced by Toby Wright (Motley Crue, KISS, Korn), & Young Gunns (who later became WildSide). This will be hitting the streets November 2nd. The Kings of Sunset Strip series will give the old school fan of the Hollywood scene a real treat. These tracks are originals recorded by the bands during their hey day and have now been taken from demo status to high end CD masters. These tunes will take the fans back to those nights of collecting flyers, hanging outside on the Gazzarri's wall and being a part of a time they will likely never forget. The Hollywood & Sunset Strip scene of the 80s was no doubt one of the greatest musical melting pots the world has ever known. The scene brought us Motley Crue, Van Halen, Poison, Ratt, Janes Addiction, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Guns n Roses, Warrant, LA Guns & dozens of others. But there were a lot of other bands as well. Very cool bands who sold out The Roxy, who headlined the Whisky-a-Go-Go, who played the world famous Cathouse, and helped shape the scene. Bands who ruled and once walked like Kings of the Sunset Strip. So, they too deserve a place on the CD shelf. Look for Kings of Sunset Strip - Volumes 1, 2 & 3. Kings of Sunset Strip - Volume 1 - Track Listing: Angora - Shake-Shake . Angora - Weekend Love Affair . Angora - Jailbait . Tommi Gunn - Feel the Heat . Tommi Gunn - On the Road . Tommi Gunn - Sheila . Young Gunns - Sweet Little Sinner . Young Gunns - Dance-Swing . Young Gunns - City of Love . Jailhouse - Sweet Angel . Jailhouse - Stand Up . Jailhouse - Tell Me Why. The Tuff DVDs are finally here. What comes around...Goes around - The Videos, Religious Fix - The Making of Videos, Decade of Distant Memories - 85/95 & a newer piece Rock n' Rarities combine for 6+ hours of footage in all. The first 2 are 60 minutes, while the 3rd & 4th are 120 minutes each. All DVDs & CDs are priced for individual sale, but there are also combo packs and Box Set choices as well. The Tuff CD/DVD Super Box Set includes 7 CDs & 4 DVDS and costs $ 125.00 (individually priced = $ 185.00). The TUFF CD/VHS Super Box Set includes 7 CDs & 3 VHS and costs $ 99.00 (individually priced = $ 150.00). For more information on these releases please visit <a href="http://www.rlsrecords.com" target="new">www.rlsrecords.com</a> and <a href="http://www.tuffcds.com" target="new">www.tuffcds.com</a>.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="201" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/wildside-thewastedyears.jpg" width="200" /></div> CRY HAVOC CAUGHT IN A LIE FOR ALBUM #2: Scottish Melodic Rockers Cry Havoc are currently writing and recording the follow to the 2002 Chavis Records release Fuel That Feeds The Fire at their own studio in Glasgow. The band, Stevie A. Durrand (Vocals), Paul Logue (Bass) and Davey Harkness (Drums), now a three piece since guitarist Graham McLeod's departure in October 2002, are using the working title of Caught In A Lie for album number two. It sees the band carry on in the same vien with high octane guitar and vocals being the key ingredients to their sound. The album is being produced by vocalist Stevie A. Durrand and will feature titles such as Waiting For You, Time Has Come, 22-11 a song penned about the death of Michael Hutchence and title track Caught In A Lie to name but a few. The sound is very much what Cry Havoc is all about, but we've matured as songwriters and the material should appeal to fans of Tesla, Winger, Queensryche and Y&T. Album completion is scheduled for Spring 2005. The group, currently without a record deal will concentrate all efforts on completing the record before talking to interested parties. No decision has been made on whether they will release it themselves or through a third party. Interested parties should contact CataLogue Media Service at <a href="mailto:cataloguemusic@hotmail.com">cataloguemusic@hotmail.com</a>. CD SHOWCASE UPDATE: Updated <a href="#cdshowcase">CD Showcases</a> for some big upcoming titles are now online! There are some seriously good tunes available amongst this lot, so click on the album covers to sample melodic rock at it's best! We have top rate AOR with Pride Of Lions, classic hard rock with Second Heat and Tak Matsumoto Group (Feat. Jack Blades and Eric Martin), and for those that prefer their sounds updated a little, some fine modern melodic rock from Fluid Sol (Feat. Mitch Malloy), Higher Ground and Plunge.   <div align="center"><a href="showcase/prideoflions-destinystone.html"><img alt="pride of lions - the destiny stone" border="0" height="125" src="/files-archive/news/prideoflions-destinystone125.jpg" width="125" /></a>xxx<a href="showcase/fluidsol.html"><img alt="fluid sol" border="0" height="125" src="/files-archive/news/fluidsol125.jpg" width="125" /></a>xxx<a href="showcase/higherground-athousandpieces.html"><img alt="higher ground-a thousand pieces" border="0" height="125" src="/files-archive/news/higherground-athousandpieces125.jpg" width="125" /></a> <a href="showcase/tmg-tmg1.html"><img alt="" border="0" height="125" src="/files-archive/news/tmg-tmg1125.jpg" width="125" /></a>xxx<a href="showcase/plunge-hometownhero.html"><img alt="plunge - hometown hero" border="0" height="125" src="/files-archive/news/plunge-hometownhero125.jpg" width="125" /></a>xxx<a href="showcase/secondheat.html"><img alt="second heat" border="0" height="125" src="/files-archive/news/secondheat125.jpg" width="125" /></a></div> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#378859" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#378859"> <div align="center">Monday, October 11, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> ANNOUNCING THE MELODICROCK.COM MP3 DIGITAL DOWNLOAD STORE: I am very pleased to announce that MelodicRock.com will soon expand operations to include a specialized MP3 Digital Downloads Store! MP3's @ MelodicRock.com will serve anyone wishing to offer their music for sale via authorized paid download. There has been a building demand for authorized MP3 digital downloads from the Internet. A number of outlets run by major companies now do this successfully and some artists from the rock genre have embraced this. But there still isn't a one-stop online portal dedicated to melodic music. Rock music fans wishing to participate in authorized paid downloads deserve a dedicated system that will enable them to browse, pay and download; all with the knowledge that only artists representing our favourite genres will be featured. <a href="http://mp3.melodicrock.com" target="new">mp3.melodicrock.com</a> will be the home of the Digital Download Store and will be open for all to participate in. Set up and design continues and I hope to launch the new service sometime in November. For some time I have been working towards establishing this and looking for the best way to run the store. There were a number of different paths I could have chosen to take, but those one I chose utilizes the Paypal system as its e-Commerce partner. All transactions will go through <a href="http://www.paypal.com" target="new">Paypal.com</a>. Those with established accounts with Paypal will know what to expect, while others without accounts can quickly establish one by opting for the quick sign-up system. The MP3 @ MelodicRock.com Store will be fully functional and will allow artists to choose whether to offer exclusive one-off songs, full albums, or a choice of tracks from within those albums for sale. In turn, users can make similar choices on what to purchase and download. All details will follow a little closer to launch date. I will be doing my best to minimize restrictions and conditions placed upon participating artists and shop users. Prices for downloads and all the finer details of the system are currently being arranged. Unlike some of the major label run MP3 services, the files available from this store will be in no less than 192kbps quality. And all those purchasing full albums for download via the Store will also be sent a link to download the artwork for the release. The Store also offers those browsing through the site the opportunity to listen to 1 minute samples from all tracks featured. While this is not likely to challenge <a href="http://www.itunes.com" target="new">iTunes</a> for popularity, I am sure melodic fans will appreciate the opportunity to shop in an environment dedicated to rock music and with the support and co-operation of labels and artists; I hope to be able to provide a worthwhile service. I expect to feature a number of independent artists that would otherwise not be able to offer their music via download. To gain access to iTunes and other such major label run services, one has to be signed to a label. The MelodicRock.com Store is open to anyone that wishes to embrace the technology. This is not a replacement for pressed CDs available from the great retailers and labels featured on this site. It's just an alternative way to reach fans, some of which would rather download or gain instant access to a particular track. I will talk to the various rock labels over the next month to gauge their interest I participating in this proposal. I hope to use site resources to build the store into a sizeable catalogue of songs and albums. At this point in time it looks as if I will have a solid selection of titles and tracks available for the grand opening of the Store. What those artists and titles are will be announced soon. Besides making site users aware of the upcoming store launch, another point of this advance press release is to invite any artists or labels interested in learning more about MP3s @ MelodicRock.com to contact me for more details. Readers interested in commenting on the MP3 Digital Downloads Store; please use this <a href="mailto:ajm@melodicrock.com?subject=MP3 Store Question">E-Mail Link</a>. Artists & Labels interested in learning more details about the store; please use this <a href="mailto:ajm@melodicrock.com?subject=MP3 Store Artist/Label">E-Mail Link</a>. I look forward to hearing feedback and trust that readers will look forward to forthcoming updates! MIKE TRAMP GETTING READY TO TOUR EUROPE!: Last week, rehearsals for Mike Tramp's upcoming European tour started in Copenhagen, Denmark. Mike welcomed guitar ace Lance Keltner aboard the Tramp-ship and they are having a great time. "This set will feature many songs I couldn't do on earlier tours and is also the longest set we have played so far.", says Tramp who is thrilled to have such a killer band. Attached photo shows the full band: Tramp, Claus Langeskov (bass), Keltner and Kasper Foss (drums). This is the dates any other listings are incorrect. Tickets can be obtained in advance by contacting the venues or at the door. Friday October 15, 2004 Kolding, Denmark Godset. Saturday October 16, 2004 Sommersted, Denmark Banehuset. Tuesday October 19, 2004 Hamburg, Germany Logo. Wednesday October 20, 2004 Munich, Germany Garage. Thursday October 21, 2004 Stuttgart, Germany Röhre. Friday October 22, 2004 Berlin, Germany Quasimodo. Saturday October 23, 2004 Bochum, Germany Matrix. Sunday October 24, 2004 Uster, Switzerland Rock City. Monday October 25, 2004 Frankfurt, Germany Nachtleben. Tuesday October 26, 2004 Hellendoorn, Holland De Lantaarn. Wednesday October 27, 2004 Verviers, Belguim Spirit of 66. Thursday October 28, 2004 Paris, France Le Plan. Friday October 29, 2004 London, England Underworld. Saturday October 30, 2004 Sheffield, England Corporation. Sunday October 31, 2004 Newcastle, England Trillians. Thursday November 4, 2004 Copenhagen, Denmark Pumpehuset. Saturday November 6, 2004 Vordingborg, Denmark Stars.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="247" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/miketramp-2004lineup.jpg" width="400" /></div> LION MUSIC UPDATE ON FORTHCOMING RELEASES: New Releases Out October 22: Mistheria – Messenger Of The Gods: Messenger Of The Gods, the debut release from Italy's premier keyboard player Mistheria is home to 12 tracks of epic neo-classically tinted progressive metal. The album is packed full of guest appearances including Rob Rock, Alex Masi, Anders Johansson, Barry Sparks, George Bellas, John Macaluso, Marcel Coenen and Thorbjorn Englund and many more. Messenger Of The Gods is sure to appeal to all fans that appreciate epic flair. Smeer – Dischord: Canada's hottest new band Smeer follow up to their successful debut release Loud & Clear with Dischord. The album is a vibrant mix of bone crunching riffs and melodic vocals. Fans of original modern metal will feel right at home with Smeer's energy and expertly crafted songs reminiscent at times of Nickelback and Godsmack. New Releases Due November 11: Give Us Moore – A Tribute To Gary Moore: Gary Moore is the latest artist to be paid tribute to by Lion Music artists. Joop Walters – Speed, Traffic & Guitar Accidents: The lead guitarist of Arabesque returns with his second solo release on Lion Music. Zello – First Chapter, Second Verse: A release full of elaborate themes, rich arrangements and sophisticated orchestration. Releases Coming Soon: Alex Masi - In the Name of Beethoven; Metal Majesty - 2005; James Byrd - Crimes of Virtuosity (reissue with bonus tracks); Iron Mask - Hordes of the Brave; Torben Enevoldsen - Flying Solo; Mike Terrana - Man of the World; Tony Hernando - III; Winterlong - Winterlong; Lalu - Oniric. Studio News: Metal Swedish melodic hard rock sensation Dogpound are currently in the studio finishing their second album which will be released during the first quarter of 2005. Tour News: House of Shakira will tour Spain in December in support of their latest album First Class. Expect re-issues of their first albums with bonus material during 2005. New Signings: Spearfish (Sweden); Locomotive Breath (Sweden); Virus (Germany); Listeria (Italy). For more information contact: <a href="mailto:Promo@lionmusic.com">Promo@lionmusic.com</a>. Log into: <a href="http://www.lionmusic.com" target="new">www.lionmusic.com</a>. MELODIC BRIEFS: Liberty N' Justice wants to "invite you" to stop by <a href="http://www.3chordrecords.net" target="new">www.3chordrecords.net</a> where they have updates on the follow up All-star CD to Welcome To The Revolution. The site all so has hints on a couple of singers as well as the name of the new CD. The "new" CD is in a melodic hard rock and are very pleased at the way the CD is turning out. Starting to think about Christmas? <a href="http://www.3chordrecords.net" target="new">www.3chordrecords.net</a>. The official Domain website <a href="http://www.domainband.de" target="new">www.domainband.de</a> has been completely re-launched. In addition to new pictures; new advance soundfiles of the upcoming album Last Days Of Utopia, which will be released at Feb. 7, 2005, have been uploaded. There is also lots of news, and you have the chance to buy almost all Domain albums just by a few clicks at our "Legal Download" partners. The new Fortune re-issue CD is now on general release and is now available at <a href="http://www.aorheaven.com" target="new">AOR Heaven</a> and <a href="http://www.nehrecords.com" target="new">NEH Records</a>, plus other melodic outlets. Kofi Baker, son of Creem drummer Ginger Baker has his own drum school in Los Angeles, CA. Kofi Baker is currently playing in the rock fusion band, OHM, with former Megadeth guitarist, Chris Poland. More info at: <a href="http://www.kofibaker.com" target="new">www.kofibaker.com</a>. A new Aquila website has been launched at: <a href="http://www.aquilanova.com" target="new">www.aquilanova.com</a>. JETHRO TULL TOURS THE STATES: Classic rock artists Jethro Tull will be treating American audiences to a unique show this November at some of the finest performing arts centers in the Mid West and East Coast. The band's show will be in two parts (or two acts, as many diehard fans appreciate the conceptual artistry of Tull.) The first part will feature acoustic works by the band. According to Ian Anderson, "Some familiar, some less so. Some never even played before at a theater near you!" There'll be some solo songs from Ian's recent collection, Rupi's Dance, as well as original and traditional Christmas tunes heard on The Jethro Tull Christmas Album. Anderson explains the second part, "The electric 'Rock' set with, again, some material not yet played live. We have some lost delights from the Aqualung album to schedule into the shows like 'Hymn 43,' 'Slipstream' and 'Up To Me' - none of which ever has ever been played since the original recording in 1971." And the band will included even more seasonal tunes from the Tull Christmas Album. Ian acknowledges that the song selection changes nightly "so there are always some surprises. Sometimes I even surprise myself." Jethro Tull are singer/flutist/multi-instrumentalist Ian Anderson, guitarist Martin Barre, keyboardist/accordionist/multi-instrumentalist Andrew Giddings, bassist Jonathan Noyce and drummer/percussionist Doane Perry. Tour dates are: November - 1 Des Moines, IA Civic Center of Greater Des Moines 3 Madison, WI with Willy Porter Overture Center for the Arts 4 Milwaukee, WI with Willy Porter Riverside Theatre 5 Toldeo, OH Stranahan Theatre 6 London, Ontario John Labatt Centre 7 Erie, PA Warner Theater 8 Stamford, CT Palace Theater 10 Ottawa, Ontario National Arts Centre 11 Montreal, Quebec Bell Centre 12 Quebec City, Quebec Grand Theatre 13 Orono, ME Maine Center for the Arts 14 Hampton Beach, NH Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom 16 Verona, NY Turning Stone Casino Resort 17 Reading, PA Sovereign Performing Arts Center 18 Burlington, VT Flynn Center for the Performing Arts 19 Albany, NY Palace Theater 20 Providence, RI Providence Performing Arts Center 21 Indiana, PA Fisher Auditorium - IUP Campus A SLIGHT CHANGE: Just for the record - there could be a few small changes to the layout of the site as I have finally upgraded to a new monitor and in-line with changing standards, will design the site with a 1024 x 768 resolution in mind.  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#cc2020" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#cc2020"> <div align="center">Friday, October 08, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> FRONTIERS ANNOUNCES CONTINUATION OF THUNDER PARTNERSHIP: Frontiers Records is pleased to announce the release of the brand new Thunder single I Love You More Than Rock n Roll for November the 8th 2004. I Love You More Than Rock n Roll anticipates the release of the new LP entitled The Magnificent Seventh to be out in early 2005. The track listing of the single on Frontiers shall be: I Love You More Than Rock n Roll (radio edit), Closer To The Fire (not on any album), Loser (acoustic) (not on any album), The Pride (taken from the forthcoming album The Magnificent Seven). Sound samples of the songs included on the maxi single can be heard at <a href="http://www.thunderonline.com/thunder/downloads" target="new">www.thunderonline.com/thunder/downloads</a>. Continuing the positive partnership started with the release of Thunder's last full length album Shooting At The Sun, Frontiers will handle the release in Europe excluding the UK.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="149" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/thunder-iloveyoumore.jpg" width="405" /></div> GOOD NEWS FROM TESLA: Great news from the Tesla camp: "We are very happy to announce that Tommy Skeoch is doing very well and will be rejoining us for the Scorpions/Tesla tour, beginning October 21st. We would like to thank all of our fans for their tremendous show of support during the last few months. We'd also like to extend a special thanks to Scott Johnson for filling in during Tommy's absence." OUTLAND BACK FOR MORE: Los Angeles, CA - Outland's anxiously awaited second effort, Long Way Home will be released in Japan on October 21 via Avalon / Marquee. This time with ex. Mr. Big drummer Pat Torpey on board, Outland's principals Rob Nishida and Jeff Prentice have produced the follow-up to one of last year's best reviewed AOR releases Different Worlds. The eleven tracks on Long Way Home retain all of the classic AOR elements that made Different Worlds one of 2003's melodic rock favorites, and shows some of their harder rocking tendencies on tracks such as Borderline and the Outland-ized cover of the Thin Lizzy classic, Hollywood. Check out sound bytes for some of the new tracks in the Music section of Outland's website to see what the guys have been up to. Stay tuned for U.S. and European release dates for Long Way Home. Stop by <a href="http://www.outlandmusic.com" target="new">www.outlandmusic.com</a> and <a href="http://www.marquee.co.jp/avalon" target="new">www.marquee.co.jp/avalon</a> for further information.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="202" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/outland-longwayhome.jpg" width="200" /></div> PERRIS RECORDS : Perris Records is extremely proud to announce the release of the new Broken Teeth CD Blood On The Radio. Broken Teeth features Jason McMaster & Paul Lidel of Dangerous Toys fame. Blood On The Radio was recorded LIVE in 2004 in Austin, Texas and features 15 tracks spanning both studio albums "Broken Teeth" & "Guilty Pleasure". "Blood.." also features a brand new track called "Bonfire". Look for the release "Blood On The Radio" just in time for Halloween 2004! Also, look for Broken Teeth on tour this fall with Stephen Pearcy & Joey Belladonna.CD was engineered by Chet Himes (Ted Nugent). Track Listing: 1. She's Gonna Blow 2. Pull the Plug 3. Stick it in 4. Chaingang 5. Devil Money 6. Hangin' by the Skin 7. Down to the Fire 8. High on Danger 9. Shangrila 10. She dances Evil 11. Bonfire (unreleased) 12. Undertaker 13. Crashlanding Affair 14. Guilty Pleasure 15. El Diablo. CD cover and more details at <a href="http://www.perrisrecords.com" target="new">www.perrisrecords.com</a>. MR-X UPDATED: <a href="mr-x/index.html">MR-X</a> has had it's weekly update completed. Online today is a new Feature Album - a cult Aussie release by local melodic rockers 21 Guns (Not the Euro band) and a new Feature Single - the out of print Japanese EP from Giant It Takes Two, which features 4 radio edits and 3 live tracks. Also online is one of the great acoustic live shows I have ever heard - Hall & Oates, Live Unplugged in Japan 1991, on their Acoustic Power tour. The track list for this great live show is: Out Of Touch, Say It Isn't So, Starting All Over Again, Change Of Season, She's Gone, One On One, Everytime You Go Away, Wait For Me, I Can't Go For That (No Can Do), Maneater, So Close, Private Eyes, Rich Girl, What's Goin' On, When Something's Wrong With My Baby. And 5 new videos are online for: Little Angels - I Ain't Gonna Cry, Michael Monroe - Man With No Eyes, Neal Schon - Big Moon, The Law - Laying Down The Law and Gun - Higher Ground. This is also your last chance for the awesome HSAS Live in San Jose 1983 Video download and those two classic out of print Tommy Denander albums! <a href="mr-x-intro.html">MR-X Membership Details</a>. UPDATES - EXCLUSIVE ANDY JOHNS INTERVIEW ONLINE: Last year I did an extensive interview with legendary record producer Andy Johns. Sadly there was no time until now to get it organized and typed out (thanks to my good mates Ron & Don Higgins for the hard yards there...). Andy talks candidly about some of his experiences over the years, sharing some stories about working with Van Halen, Eddie Money, Rod Stewart, Led Zeppelin, Cinderella and even The Rolling Stones. <a href="interviews/andyjohns.html">Check it out</a> and let me know how you enjoy it! Next week - more of those reviews I have been working on. Only got a few up this week. That Jeff Scott Soto Oz tour write up will finally be up for those hanging out to read that and a ton of MP3s are waiting to be uploaded too. One last thing - tune in Monday for that big site announcement - I didn't quite get the press release fine tuned in time for printing today.  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#687a84" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#687a84"> <div align="center">Thursday, October 07, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> QUIET RIOT RETURN: Quiot Riot, the band who introduced the world to their groundbreaking #1 selling album Metal Health, are back after an eighteen month absence. Driven by vocalist Kevin DuBrow, powered by drummer Frankie Banali, both Quiot Riot founding members, the band is now fueled by longtime QR contributing bassist Chuck Wright and energized with Beautiful Creatures' guitarist Alex Grossi to bring you their prescription for Metal Health. Quiot Riot have entered into an equitable and legal agreement with bassist Rudy Sarzo, now with Dio, making it possible for the continuation of the group. Former guitarist Carlos Cavazo has chosen not to participate. Everyone concerned wishes each other continued success. Quiot Riot will be releasing their first ever official live CD Quiot Riot Live & Rare in January 2005. It will include tracks from their 1983 Metal Health tour and the 1984 Condition Critical tour as well as three rare 1981 "demo" tracks for their Metal Health release.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="198" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/quietriot-liveandrare.jpg" width="200" /></div> SAMPLE NEW THUNDER: Sound samples for the new Thunder single I Love You More Than Rock 'N' Roll and all B-sides are now online at <a href="http://www.thunderonline.com/thunder/downloads" target="new">www.thunderonline.com</a>. Clips of the following tracks are now available in Windows Media and Real Player formats: I Love You More Than Rock 'N' Roll, The Pride, Closer To The Fire, Love's An Easy Word To Say and Loser (Acoustic Version). Pre-order the singles now at: <a href="http://www.townsend-records.co.uk/thunder.htm">www.townsend-records.co.uk/thunder.htm</a>. DEMOLITION RECORDS MOVE INTO JAPAN: Demolition Records, an independent record company in the UK, are very pleased to announce they now have distribution in Japan through Art Union and will be releasing domestic versions of their newest titles from November. The label boasts an impressive array of metal acts including their latest signing Twisted Sister. They intend to release a minimum of two titles per month which would include bonus tracks for Japan only. The label also has it's own metal broadband TV show called Detonator TV, featuring video clips, interviews and shows filmed by and available exclusively to Demolition Records. Detonator TV is accessible through Demolition's homepage at <a href="http://www.demolitionrecords.com" target="new">www.demolitionrecords.com</a>. A Japanese version of the Homepage will be available soon. The first two releases will be available from November 11th & November 18th; namely Twisted Sister – Still Hungry and Fist – Storm. The Twisted Sister album is a re-recording of their classic album 'Stay Hungry' and will feature as a bonus track for Japan, a thirty minute video interview with Dee Snider and Mark Mendoza from their reunion show in London earlier this year. MELODIC BRIEFS: It seems EMI Records is re- releasing the first two Vixen albums Vixen and Rev It Up. Both albums have been long out of print and are tentatively scheduled for a November 2 release. ArtistLink: <a href="http://www.vixenrock.com" target="new">www.vixenrock.com</a> <a href="http://www.davidcoverdale.st" target="new">www.davidcoverdale.st</a> has pictures and video from one of the latest Whitesnake shows. Guitar shred fans have a new axe-slinger to check out. Find her at: <a href="http://lorilinstruth.com/index.php" target="new">lorilinstruth.com/index.php</a>. A new online radio station for classic rock can be found at: <a href="http://www.live365.com/stations/299325" target="new">www.live365.com/stations/299325</a>. A brand new interview with Dennis Churchill-Dries of White Sister/Tattoo Rodeo is now online at The Fuze. In it, Dennis discusses the origins of White Sister, the changes the band went through, and the band's legacy in melodic rock circles. Check it out at <a href="http://www.the-fuze.com" target="new">www.the-fuze.com</a>. Jamie Rowe is heading to Columbia of all places for a series of solo dates. They are: NOV. 03 Pereira Miercoles; NOV. 04 Ibague Juev; NOV. 05 Cali Vier; NOV. 06 Bogota Sab; NOV. 07 Medellin Dom. A GIG FOR MELBOURNE MELODIC ROCKERS: One of Australia's hottest melodic rock acts Red Circle take to the stage this Saturday night in support of Electric Mary who is Erwin Thomas (Jack Jones) and Rusty Brown from Mr Brown. The gig is at the Duke of Windsor Hotel and is expected to be a sellout! Door open around 8pm and Red Circle will hit the stage with a full show at 10.30 to introduce the new line up and new songs. UDO POWERS INTO DENMARK: Morten from Rock Power in Copenhagen e-mailed in with a report from the U.D.O. gig last night in Copenhagen: "U.D.O. played a fantastic show in Copenhagen´s "Small Vega" club last night in front of just 200 people. This was their first show in Denmark since the farewell show of Accept in 1996. The band were in absolute top form performing for just about 2 hours. Just check out this amazing setlist: Thunderball - The Bullet And The Bomb - Metal Heart - Living For Tonite - Independence Day - Pull The Trigger - Love Child - Drum solo - Metal Eater - Restless And Wild - Son Of A Bitch - Blind Eyes - Neon Nights - Man And Machine - Guitar solos - Midnight Highway - Up To The Limit - Animal House - Balls To The Wall - Holy - I´m A Rebel - Princess Of The Dawn - Fast As A Shark." MOTLEY MICK GETS A NEW HIP: MTV reports that Mötley Crüe guitarist Mick Mars is recovering after undergoing hip-replacement surgery on Tuesday. "Mars, 53, has been suffering from a chronic degenerative illness, ankylosing spondylitis, for some time and underwent the surgery to ease the pain of the damaged joint, according to his spokesperson. "The surgery went extremely well," Mars' surgeon Dr. Brad Penenberg said following the operation. "I expect him to be walking with the help of a physical therapist as early as Wednesday morning." Individuals afflicted with Mars' illness suffer from a fusing together of some or all joints and bones of the spine. The affected area becomes inflamed and some of the bone may erode, but only about six percent of sufferers of the disease need to undergo hip-replacement surgery. The illness cannot be cured but the pain can be minimized with anti-inflammatory drugs, according to the National Ankylosing Spondylitis Society. A spokesperson for the group was optimistic about Mars' recovery from surgery. "Mötley Crüe are a gang of musicians that climbed the mountain of rock to success," Allen Kovac, CEO of Tenth Street Entertainment, said in a statement. "A healthy Mick Mars gives hope to all those who love one of rock's most passionate and aggressive bands." DAVE'S BAND TURN HIDEOUS: Having toured the world as David Lee Roth's band and appeared on his Diamond Dave CD, The Hideous Sun Demons will release their self-titled debut album of all instrumental tracks. From very structured pieces to wide open jams, The Hideous Sun Demons cover a vast array of styles. Formed by longtime Roth drummer, Ray Luzier, the band began to take shape when Japanese guitarist, Toshi Hiketa, was brought on board. DLR bassist, James Lomenzo, became interested in the project and the three players began to write material together. Each member has recorded extensively with household names from the world of rock 'n' roll. In addition, they have all been involved as music instructors at prestigious music schools such as GIT, Osaka School Of Music and PIT. With a love of classic science fiction and horror movies, The Hideous Sun Demons have vowed to stake their claim in the musically high tech world inhabited by such musical super heroes as Liquid Tension Experiment, Niacin and Bozzio Levin Stevens. As a result the group naturally gravitated to Magna Carta as their musical home. ALIAS EYE TO SUPPORT SAGA IN GERMANY: Artrock band Alias Eye from Germany will support Saga during their German part of the upcoming European tour the band will do in November. No less than 16 shows are confirmed, a perfect way for Alias Eye show their talents for a bigger audience. The band will do 2 warm-up gigs before the tour, on October 16 they will play in Germany, in Reichenbach (the venue is called Bergkeller). On 23 October Alias Eye will do their only show in The Netherlands, the band will play in the basement of Sjiwa in Baarlo (capacity 250 people), and the entrance will be free. UPDATES - INTERACTIVE REVIEWS: Time again to add your reviews for some new titles. New <a href="reviews/featurereview.html">Interactive Reviews</a> are online for: James Chrstian / Meet The Man, Shadows Fade / Shadows Fade, Europe / Start From The Dark, Glenn Hughes / Soulfully Live In The City Of Angels and don't forget to add feedback on MelodicRock.com Volume 2 / The Beast Inside - all feedback welcomed!  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#804000" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#804000"> <div align="center">Wednesday, October 06, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> PREVIEWING THE DESTINY STONE: I am very pleased to offer a few more previews from the upcoming Pride Of Lions album The Destiny Stone, which is bound to feature atop of many Best Of 2004 lists. Jim Peterik and Toby Hitchcock have taken the blueprint from the debut Pride Of Lions release and constructed a follow-up release that is every bit as enjoyable as the classic debut, while also moving forward and creating a more intense record that will send these guys right over the top! Download: <a href="audio/PrideOfLions04.mp3">Born To Believe In You</a>, <a href="audio/PrideOfLions10.mp3">Second Hand Life</a> and <a href="audio/PrideOfLions07.mp3">Light From A Distant Shore</a>.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/prideoflions-destinystone.jpg" width="200" /></div> MAJESTIC ROCK IN OCTOBER - MILLION, WAYSTED & SHIVA: Majestic Rock Records have announced final details of their October 25 releases. The priority release is Million's new studio release Kingsize. After three years away from the scene, Gothenburg, Sweden's Hard Rock monsters Million return with their highly anticipated fifth studio album. With a new label and new management under their belts, things are looking good for the band…and they have delivered their finest album to date! Recorded in Gothenburg, the album is pure hard rock, steeped in the very finest traditions of the genre. Lovers of classy European melodic hard rock will find much to admire here! Anyone who bought the excellent 2004 EP will already know On And On and Fight You Forever. Now, prepare to get up close and personal with classic hard rock tracks like Eyes Of A King, Rock n' Roll Nation and Those Eyes. Make no mistake, these are the finest songs the band has ever written! Expect the press reaction to this album to be extremely positive, as the 2004 EP has given everybody some idea of what to expect. You can also expect to see the band out on tour in support of this new album… Full track listing: Eyes Of A King . Room No.3 . On And On . Zombies . Killing The Messenger . Backdoor Queen . Rock N' Roll Nation . Forbidden Fruit . Fight You Forever . Prison Of Power . Those Eyes. Waysted return to recording duty October 25 with their new studio album Back From The Dead. Rising phoenix like from the ashes, Waysted return to active duty in 2004 with the comeback record to end all comeback records! Back From The Dead is explosive and exciting, hard rocking and joyous. With the classic bad boys club of Pete Way, Paul Chapman and original vocalist Fin back together…you know it's gonna be fun! Recorded in the USA and the UK and mixed by AOR demi-God Robin George, this is that rare beast – a reunion album that was well worth the wait! Track Listing: Lost In Cleveland . Garden Of Eden . The Alternative . I'm Gonna Love Ya . Breakfast Show . Must B More 2 It Than This . Price Of Love . Dreams. The Japanese version of the album - available through Majestic Rock Japan - will contain two bonus cuts in the shape of covers of UFO's No Place To Run and The Wild, The Willing And The Innocent. Originally released in 1982, Shiva's [not the Swedish band] debut album for Heavy Metal Records Firedance is widely regarded as a NWOBHM classic. Now, twenty-two years later, comes the band's follow up release Continuance. Culled from the recordings that were begun for the band's proposed second album for Heavy Metal Records and demos recorded at various times during that period, the album shows the band's vaguely Rush styled hard rock in it's best possible light. Shiva were a class apart from the average NWOBHM act – and this album proves it! Track Listing: Power Of Persuasion . Not There . Eden (Silent Running) . Burning Bridges . Cut Me To The Quick . Questions . Ring Of Fire . Window On The West . The Runner . The Gallery . Thief . En Cachent.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="180" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/million-kingsize.jpg" width="180" />xx<img alt="" height="180" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/waysted-backfromthedead.jpg" width="180" />xx<img alt="" height="180" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/shiva-continuance.jpg" width="180" /></div> DeYOUNG'S MUSIC OF STYX NOW IN STORES: Dennis DeYoung has signed with Rounder Records for a wide release of his The Music of Styx Live with Symphony Orchestra release. The 2CD set was previously available via his website, but is now in stores thanks to the new deal. The brief label press release reads: "Dennis DeYoung, singer, songwriter, keyboardist and founding member of Styx, presents the Music of Styx Live with Symphony Orchestra, recorded live at the Historic Chicago Theatre. The CD features Dennis DeYoung with a 40 piece symphony orchestra and special guest the Voices of the Chicago Children's Choir. This 2 CD set is a retrospective of Dennis De Young's career and includes 3 brand new songs. More info and a track listing at: <a href="http://www.rounder.com/index.php?id=album.php&catalog_id=6639" target="new">www.rounder.com</a>.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="210" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/dennisdeyoung-musicofstyx.jpg" width="200" /></div> TWISTED SISTER STILL HUNGRY AFTER ALL THESE YEARS: Twisted Sister have re-recorded their break through Stay Hungry album for Spitfire Records and re-titled it Still Hungry. The new track listing is: Stay Hungry . We're Not Gonna Take It . Burn In Hell . Horror-Teria: Captain Howdy Street Justice . I Wanna Rock . The Price . Don't Let Me Down . The Beast . S.M.F. . Never Say Never . Blastin' Fast & Loud . Heroes are Hard to Find.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/twistedsister-stillhungry.jpg" width="200" /></div> MSG LIVE 2004 ON DVD: Michael Schenker Group will release a new live DVD October 26. This DVD features the recording of MSG supreme performance at Metalmania Festival 2004. The track list includes highlights of all stages of Schenker's career: from UFO hits, through MSG classic tracks, to his solo compositions. It also includes a 25 minute interview in which Michael talks about his whole career. The first 3000 units will be packaged with a free full length CD! WebLink: <a href="http://musicvideodistributors.com" target="new">musicvideodistributors.com</a>. UPDATES - RELEASE DATES: The CD Release Dates page has received a substantial update, with many titles added, shuffled and edited. <a href="releasedates.html">Check it out</a>. Change of Phone Number! PLEASE NOTE - There has been a slight change to my contact phone number. Please call: Within Australia - 03 6229 3110 From Overseas - +61 3 6229 3110.  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#003d79" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#003d79"> <div align="center">Tuesday, October 05, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> MTM MUSIC UPDATE - COMING IN 2005 & HEARTPLAY: MTM are not releasing anything in December, but the new year is waiting with some great releases. Here is a short recording / release update: Former Push singer Martie Peters already finished his debut solo album MPG - Martie Peters Group which will be scheduled in January 31st worldwide. He will perform a few shows together with Mike Tramp in Denmark in October. The Greenhouze album which was already announced for November is now scheduled for mid January / February. Shy finished their new album Sunset And Vine and the band has the mastering date this Wednesday so that the album is ready to be released most probably in early February. Check out the new MTM Compilation Volume 10 which features a new Shy song! After the re-release of the Zeno cult debut Zeno, his brand new album Zenology II is already recorded and the release will be parallel to the Japanese release date. Also scheduled for early 2005 - Seven Wishes Destination Alive, Novak Forever Endeavour, Brunorock Interaction and the new Edge Of Forever album Let The Demon Rock 'N' Roll is already recorded and Bob Harris will do the vocals late October. This album is produced by Bobby Barth who will do another great production! This album should be ready for a release in May 2005. More news soon. Heartplay talk about their brand new release Where The Deadends Meet: Kimmo Blom and Sakari Salli: "The whole project started actually last year when our first album gained some attention. This brought us together after a few years silence. Sakari had already some musical ideas waiting for the right context. When the details concerning our deal were settled we started the pre-production in Sakari's studio. Basically we "jammed" the songs throwing ideas in and arranged them following our instincts and not being tied to some certain style or genre. This is the general idea behind Heartplay. We want to explore our musical ideas wherever it might lead us, take for example Silhouettes. Recording itself went smoothly and was mainly a great fun. The songs really started to fly and we seemed to have a mutual understanding how each song should be played. Speedy Saarinen (our recording and mixing engineer) really did an excellent job given the time he had. There's plenty of emotional variety on this album, from a straight forward rock to deeper moods. Every song stands on its own and has certain edge. No fillers on this album!!! The title is about standing in the crossroad and being able to get another chance to start over again". Helsinki, October 2004. Some signed Heartplay booklets are available on: <a href="http://www.musicbuymail.com" target="new">www.musicbuymail.com</a>. Due out from MTM in November is the following three releases:   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="147" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/mtm-nov04.jpg" width="450" /></div> GLENN HUGHES SOULFULLY LIVE IN THE UK: To coincide with the release of Soulfully Live In The City Of Angels on CD and DVD Glenn Hughes (Deep Purple) and Chad Smith (Red Hot Chili Peppers) will be playing a string of dates in the U.K: December: 3rd Dudley - JB s; 4th Bradford - Rio s; 5th Sheffield - Leadmill; 7th Edinburgh - Liquid Rooms; 9th Norwich - Waterfront; 10th Northampton - Roadmender; 11th Nottingham - Rock City; 13th London - Mean Fiddler The album and DVD feature versions of Purple classic's Mistreated, You Keep On Movin and Gettin Tighter as well as Hughes / Thrall's First Step Of Love plus Seafull and Medusa from Glenn's Trapeze days and songs from last years Songs In The Key Of Rock. Far from simply guesting on the album and tour Chad Smith has been involved in the writing, arrangements and production of the releases and his enthusiasm and commitment has been pivotal in making this U.K. only tour a reality. Chad is looking forward to playing great shows in (by his standards) unusually intimate venues. He also drums throughout on the upcoming Glenn Hughes album Soul Mover (Released on Frontiers in early 2005). Also appearing on the title track of Glenn's new album is Dave Navarro (Jane's Addiction / Red Hot Chili Peppers) and a video has been filmed featuring the trio in the California desert. Via his website, Navarro described Soul Mover as: "It's killer with a kind of harder Lenny Kravitz vibe to it..." Glenn, Chad and John Frusciante (Red Hot Chili Peppers) recently recorded a phenomenal version of Nights In White Satin. This amazing song features one of Glenn's greatest ever vocals. Both this song and the track Soul Mover have been mixed by world famous engineer Jim Scott (Audioslave / Red Hot Chili Peppers). Glenn has also recently appeared at the L.A. premiere of We Will Rock You along with Brian May & Roger Taylor of Queen and Steve Lukather of Toto. JEFF SCOTT SOTO TALKS LOST IN THE TRANSLATION: Following the excellent press and fan responses after the release of Lost In The Translation, Jeff Scott Soto spoke about the songs included on his brand new album: Believe In Me - This 1 is about having someone you can truly trust in a world where it's difficult to find. It's also about letting your guard down with someone new after coming out of a bad relationship. Soul Divine - This 1 is about not realizing what one has until it s gone. Sometimes in life we take for granted how good things really are & stop working to make it grow, but once you lose it, you realize the grass is NEVER greener on the other side. Drowning - This 1 is about being a very controlled, imprisoning relationship where the partner gives no room to walk or breathe. If This Is The End - This is about a relationship that has inevitably come to an end, yet there seems to always be reason found not to completely close the book. Lost In The Translation - This is about an offering to so many woman in society today just looking to have fun without commitment. The lyrics vow no need to worry about falling in love or getting attached. Pure fantasy. Doin Time - This is about the sexuality & the love combined, the animalistic side of a loving relationship. High Time - This is a subtle lyric about escaping the stranglehold of drugs. I wrote it about so many I've known & seen addicted to substances but finally broke free from it. Beginning To End - This 1 was written as a tribute to all the men & woman who have recently left their loved ones for the call of duty. So many years I can only relate leaving home to tour with a band so the emotions in this are 1000 times harder when there's a chance you may never see each other again. On My Own - This is about not putting up with someone's lies anymore, finally breaking away to live a normal life. Find Our Way - This is about losing your way, your faith in life & love, about reaching for someone to help you come back to the innocence you once knew as a child when everything was easier & happier. Sacred Eyes - This 1 is about escaping with your partner to another world, a paradise that only exists in dreams, a getaway from the dark realities we live everyday. Dulce Lady - This 1 is another sexuality lyric that just gets to the point in what everyone wants every once in a while. MICHAEL BORMANN TALKS JADED HEART SPLIT: As hoped, vocalist Michael Bormann did touch base with me regarding his split with Jaded Heart. It seems tension has been present for a little while now and the issue to bring things to a head was a dispute which arose from the rest of the band registering the rights for the band's name and logo without Michael's knowledge. Here is a few comments about the split and his future to come: "Well, it is true with Jaded. I thought after 14 years, that we're friends... They saved the rights and the logo on the name Jaded Heart, behind my back..... What can I say? I broke my arm (they didn't even believe that) and I was out.... Anyways, at the moment I am fixing my new studio, which will be done by tomorrow. Right after I'll record my 2nd solo-album and then I have to produce 3 bands in my studio. So, until March I'll be very busy...There's gonna be a new Rain album next year, too. We've written a couple of songs, but we're not done yet." JOE ELLIOT CONFIRMS THAT COVERS ALBUM: Def Leppard singer Joe Elliott was been interviewed by host Dave Fanning on 2FM Radio in Ireland last Friday, stating for the record that the band will indeed release a covers album - a 14 track collection of hits from the 70's. The album is due in April/May 2005.   <table> <tbody> <tr> <td><img alt="" height="412" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/bonjovi-100millionfans.jpg" width="250" /></td> <td>BON JOVI MAKE AMENDS WITH KILLER BOX SET: 100,000,000 Bon Jovi Fans Can't Be Wrong... (Island Def Jam/UMe), released November 16, 2004, is a "thinking outside the box" box set from one of the most popular and successful bands in rock. Another landmark in Bon Jovi's history of pioneering events, the mammoth four-CD, 50-song collection (plus a DVD) is not a greatest hits collection but instead is comprised largely of previously unreleased recordings from the band's vast archive--in other words, the band's "greatest hits you never heard." Along with the 38 tracks that make their debuts are a dozen rarities from around the world. The earliest songs hail from 1985, the latest from 2003. Yet each CD was sequenced by the band as a complete album experience rather than chronologically. Also included is a bonus DVD featuring exclusive interviews and behind-the-scenes footage. In addition, the hardbound collector's box set package boasts a 64-page booklet with rare photos, fan testimonials, exclusive interviews, and personal content from the band. Marking the 20th anniversary of the band's debut album, 100,000,000 Bon Jovi Fans Can't Be Wrong... is the group's first box set and, in typical Bon Jovi fashion, breaks new ground. Whereas most such packages recycle a greatest hits album and add a few previously unreleased bonuses, this collection offers fans the chance to discover their own never before released favorites by presenting dozens of songs that, for whatever reason, never made an album. Typically, this prolific band records upwards of 30 songs for an album; matters of time, style and personal preference often result in difficult choices. In fact, Jon Bon Jovi jokes that he would make a poor A&R exec because he wanted to leave what turned out to be a monster hit, Livin' On A Prayer, off the landmark album Slippery When Wet.</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> The full box set track details are as follows: CD 1: 1. Why Aren't You Dead? Previously Unreleased . 2. The Radio Saved My Life Tonight Previously Unreleased . 3. Taking It Back Previously Unreleased . 4. Someday I'll Be Saturday Night (Demo) Demo; Previously Unreleased (Final Version Included On' Cross Road' Album) . 5. Miss Fourth Of July Previously Unreleased . 6. Open All Night Previously Unreleased . 7. These Arms Are Open All Night Previously Unreleased . 8. I Get A Rush Previously Unreleased . 9. Someday Just Might Be Tonight Previously Unreleased . 10. Thief Of Hearts Unreleased Studio Track (Live Version Available Only On TLFR DVD – Audio Never Released) . 11. Last Man Standing Unreleased Studio Track (Live Version Available Only On TLFR DVD – Audio Never Released) . 12. I Just Want To Be Your Man Previously Unreleased. CD 2: 1. Garageland Previously Unreleased . 2. Starting All Over Again Released As A Bonus Track In Japan Only On 'Keep The Faith' Album . 3. Maybe Someday Previously Unreleased . 4. Last Chance Train Previously Unreleased . 5. The Fire Inside Previously Unreleased . 6. Every Beat Of My Heart Previously Unreleased . 7. Rich Man Living In A Poor Man's House Previously Unreleased . 8. The One That Got Away Previously Unreleased . 9. You Can Sleep While I Dream Previously Unreleased . 10. Outlaws Of Love . Previously Unreleased . 11. Good Guys Don't Always Wear White Released On The Soundtrack To The Motion Picture 'The Cowboy Way' . 12. We Rule The Night Previously Unreleased. CD 3: 1. Edge Of A Broken Heart Released On The Motion Picture Soundtrack To 'Disorderlies'; Also Released As A B-Side) . 2. Sympathy Previously Unreleased . 3. Only In My Dreams (Featuring Tico Torres On Vocals) Previously Unreleased . 4. Shut Up And Kiss Me Previously Unreleased . 5. Crazy Love Previously Unreleased . 6. Lonely At The Top Released As A B-Side Singles From And On Special 2-CD Edition Of 'These Days' Album . 7. Ordinary People Released As A B-Side From The 'Crush' Album . 8. Flesh And Bone Previously Unreleased . 9. Satellite Previously Unreleased . 10. If I Can't Have Your Love (Featuring Richie Sambora On Vocals) Previously Unreleased Solo Track . 11. Real Life Released On The Motion Picture Soundtrack To 'Edtv' . 12. Memphis Lives In Me (Featuring David Bryan On Vocals) Previously Unreleased; From The Musical Production 'Memphis' . 13. Too Much Of A Good Thing Previously Unreleased. CD 4: 1. Love Ain't Nothing But A Four Letter Word Previously Unreleased . 2. Love Ain't Nothing But A Four Letter Word (Demo) Previously Unreleased . 3. River Runs Dry Previously Unreleased . 4. Always (Demo) Demo; Previously Unreleased (Final Version Included On 'Cross Road' Album) . 5. Kidnap An Angel Previously Unreleased . 6. Breathe Released As A B-Side From Bounce Album; Released On The Target Exclusive CD In The US 2003 . 7. Out Of Bounds Previously Unreleased . 8. Letter To A Friend Previously Unreleased . 9. Temptation Released As A B-Side On Singles From The 'Crush' Album . 10. Gotta Have A Reason Previously Unreleased . 11. All I Wanna Do Is You Previously Unreleased . 12. Billy Previously Unreleased . 13. Nobody's Hero Previously Unreleased. Disc 5 - DVD. Released November 16. STRAIGHT WIRED FROM THE HORSES MOUTH: Straight Wired lead vocalist Larry Cooly talks about the tracks that make up the new release out now through Kivel Records. Wasting Away - The war between greed and a more peaceful and environmentally safe universe. We're wasting away and destroying mother earth as a result. I wanted to express our disgust with political and governmental decisions in the world today. Gently - This song is not the typical generic type love song. "Do we believe in love like we believe in fantasy" -This line describes how our actions do not reflect what we preach. The song is an escape from reality. "Gently she whispers" - SHE is whatever you want her to be. This song has become a big favorite with a lot of people and is always a pleasure to do live, for both the band and the fans. Carat Jam - The title came out of a rehearsal one night. We use to rehearse in this building in New Rochelle NY, directly across from a 24-hour A&P Supermarket. One night Scott bought a bag of baby carrots to munch on. That night, Scott created the bass line heard at the top of the song. He played that line and the rest of the band came jamming in. Hence, "Carrot Jam". Shortly after, I wrote the lyrics based on a solidly imagined fictional relationship going through a crisis at the engagement stage - the "Carat diamond". Live, this song has A LOT of energy. High On You - This song was created in the same way as we came up with "Carat Jam." Scott's bass line you hear at the top of the song laid down the foundation, and we were able to build off of it from there. The lyrics were written for the reader to interpret anyway they'd like. With just a hint of sexual fantasy. Walk Alone - This song was written out of my compassion for a good friend, who lost his father at a young age from cancer. This is my sentiment to him through his struggle in dealing with the loss of his beloved father. Color My World - The band's personal favorite! It's a message to people. A message that we believe is not taught or supported strongly enough. If we were to put more education and effort into understanding one another, and accepting each other's beliefs and values. Then there would be more understanding and respect, and less fighting or war. Ultimately a more peaceful world- ethnocentricity and prejudice breeds hate and war. The songs message inspired the albums artwork. A young boy coloring a world full of different people on a chalk board in a empty classroom, the whole time not seeing the GREY sky around him. All he sees is a world full of COLOR. I'm Away - "I can stay, I'm away" - the song describes the insanity in getting over a relationship. It is based off anyone's first love and long relationship coming to an end. Those Days - This song is based on a true story of my first heartbreak. "Did you realize you replaced all the lines that you used to refuse to believe in." Basically, everything she claimed to believe in, she proved the opposite by leaving me on Valentine's Day for a rich man. Hey, at least a good song came out of it, right? Johnny - This song was written for every artist that refuses to lose faith, and continually follows his or her dream. Some say I wrote this one about myself. A fun fact about this song, one night on Bleecker Street in Greenwich village NY. We set up in the middle of Bleeker Street and started playing Johnny. It wasn't long before we had had a nice size crowd filling the street and singing the words. Also shutting down traffic in the process! It's another fave song for us to play live and always goes over well. Do I Do - A story from the point of view of a blue-collar husband and an overworked housewife, faced with financial struggles, who are just trying to "get by" in life. Airplane - When we started this album, Kivel Records felt that the other song we had in place didn't really fit and that the album was missing that "ballad" hit. After demoing this song and giving it to the label, they loved it and said it had to be tracked for the album. This song holds a special place for me and I was very happy to see it make the album. I wrote this song for my friend Andy (God rest his soul). This is my expression of accepting a tragic death. "Every beginning is in every end." In some ways he is more alive to me now than ever. Turn You On - This one almost didn't make the album! It is another song that to my surprise after playing for the label, they fell in love with it instantly. They said it was a bit different from their customer base usual tastes, but couldn't ignore how infectious it was and had to include it on. Simply put… it's about turning "ON" someone, who may not see the sexual or passionate potential the two can have together. We ended our set recently doing this song opening for Ted Poley of Danger Danger. This song goes over very good with the crowd, and takes on a whole new life when performed live. MELODIC BRIEFS: McQueen Street are planning a new enhanced McQueen Street 2 CD. The disc will include new packaging, full lyrics, 2 never released bonus tracks and the full length music video of Money, which appeared on MTV. Meanwhile there is also a plan to reform live for a December 2004 concert in Alabama. <a href="http://www.mcqueenstreet.com" target="new">www.mcqueenstreet.com</a>. WildSide are returning to active duty for a release titled The Wasted Years, a 14 song CD which will pair rare b-sides with a range of unreleased tracks from sessions for a never finished second album. Tracks included are: Crash Diet . Hair of the Dog (demo) . Kiss This Love Goodbye . Easy as 1,2,3 . Dance Swing . City Of Love (haven't heard) . Sweet little Sinner . Hemi Cuda . Killing Machine . Clock Strikes (Live) . Dear God (Live). <a href="http://www.tuffcds.com" target="new">www.tuffcds.com</a> Arena is currently promoting their first album which has been out in Germany for a couple of weeks now. Hal also continues to work on writing songs for the Eurovision Song Contest and the very first Bad Habit DVD! WebLink: <a href="http://www.arenavip.com" target="new">www.arenavip.com</a>   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="222" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/arena-2004.jpg" width="200" /></div> CD RELEASE UPDATES: A few updates from Japan: Megadeth's The System Has Failed release will contain the video clip for Die Dead Enough and is packaged with a bonus CD slipcase. Casanova's All Beauty Must Die album contains one bonus track for their October 21 release. Evidence One will release their brand new album Tattooed Heart October 21 with the bonus track Wall Of Lies.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/evidenceone-tattooedheart.jpg" width="200" /></div> The Ian Gillan Band releases Clear Air Turbulence and Scarabus are available in limited edition paper sleeve releases from October 20. Billy Sheehan will release his brand new solo album Cosmic Troubadour on November 3 in Japan. The album is preceded by a single - Toss It On The Flames, due October 6, which will include two additional non-album tracks: A Million Tears Ago and Within An Inch.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/billysheehan-cosmictroubadour.jpg" width="200" />xx<img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/billysheehan-tossitontheflames.jpg" width="200" /></div> The Hollywood Rose release - which features the few original demos from the band that pre-dated LA Guns and Guns N Roses - gets a more value added release in Japan. This version will also include a Japan-only DVD (Region 2) containing previously unseen footage. The limited edition is out October 20. Stevie Salas is back with another new release - albeit for Japan only this time around. The Soulblasters of the Universe Cosmic Fluties A Party Mix for Underdog (yes, that is the title) is a Japan-only collection of remixed and remastered funk tunes. 14 tracks including two brand new tracks (Pumpin' It Up and Spanish Castle Magic), with two CD-Extra promotional clips (Soulblaster and Break It Out). It's released November 17. Full track listing: Pumpin It Up . Free Up . The Grooveline . Break It Out . Soul Ecstasy . Soulblaster . Body Slamm 2001 Intro . Body Slamm 2001 . Born To Mack . What Do I Have To Prove My Love To You . Dogboy Blues . Ralo`s Boogie . The Harder They Come . Good To Your Earhole . Spanish Castle Magic . Soulblaster . Break It Out. Aussie metallers Dungeon have their new (fourth) studio album ready to go. One Step Beyond gets it's initial released in Japan, with one bonus track on November 25. DAMNED NATION'S SIGN OF MADNESS: Press Release: Damned Nation have finished the recording of the new album Sign Of Madness, the 4th of their career. It took something like 1 year and a half in order to get this completed, due to many studio problems and difficulties. But everything comes to an end and the result of Sign Of Madness is amazing! Produced by the father of the Swedish Death Metal sound Mr. Tomas Skogsberg, Sign Of Madness reveal a modern and raw approach, still linked to the old and traditional Damned Nation classic melodies. Melodic Heavy-Hard Rock with an extra-added energy! The superb vocals are done by Matti Alfonzetti, a top-class singer already known for his solo projects and for being one of the most talented guest in various bands. Check the MP3 Wall Of Illusion and you understand perfectly what we mean! We're currently looking for a deal in Japan but we can consider 100% confirmed a release date for mid-November 2004. Weblinks: <a href="http://www.damnednation.tk" target="new">www.damnednation.tk</a> and <a href="http://www.scarletrecords.it" target="new">www.scarletrecords.it</a>. TAYLOR MESPLE RE-LAUNCHES WEBSITE: Pop/Westcoast singer/songwriter Taylor Mesple has updated his website <a href="http://www.taylormesple.com" target="new">www.TaylorMesple.com</a>. The site has been completely redesigned and now offers a wealth of free sound clips from very early rare career moments to the New CD, Songs For Autumn; Taylor's very first "solo" instrumental CD. The new site also features in depth stories about songs, lots of pictures and some good laughs. Please take a moment of your spare time and come visit. 8TH ANNUAL ROCK 4 X-MAS, 2004: Long Island, N.Y. -- October 4, 2004 – Rock and Roll music legends team up with Morrison Music and Production. Together they bring to you the 8th Annual Rock 4 X-MAS. This seasons Christmas Charity event held at Wildwood Bowl. Phone. 631-727-6622 and is located at 3951 Lake Avenue, Riverhead Long Island, NY 11901. The concert is part of the 8th Annual Rock 4 X-MAS, which will raise money for Nassau, Suffolk coalition for the Homeless & Fire / Rescue Widows and Children fund of Long Island. The event is scheduled for December 4th from 1pm till 3am. For those of you unfamiliar with the charity, Mark your calendars! Over the past eight years, this 509a2 Federal Charity, Rock 4 X-MAS Foundation raised money and provided entertainment for families in need throughout the United States. The winter holiday event promises to be the best show ever! This year's Rock 4 X-MAS concert line up draws from top classic rock musicians! Legends from the 60s to current including members of Zebra, Quiet Riot / Rough Cutt, Mountain and Frehley`s Comet, WASP, Loudness & Yngwie Malmsteen, Belladona, Anthrax, Orleans, Metal Church & Gezzer Butler Band, Shocka ZooLoo & T&A with other local and regional acts such as Public Secret, Sister Blind, Diver Down, Beyond Blonde, Signal 2 Noise, World War Peace, Sound Bender, Big Top Vertigo, Dan Acosta, Jake Live and many more. The Rock 4 X-MAS Foundation exists to help those less fortunate while providing music fans with Rock solid entertainment value. The organization carries out its mission in part through donations. We seek assistance from private and corporate sponsors, philanthropists and musicians. Donations of frequent flyer miles are appreciated and accepted on the charity web site. Efforts require transport of crew and performers between locations throughout America. In addition, select high profile sponsorships for the upcoming 2004 events are available. Donations of money or services for this year's event are appreciated. For more information and the latest updates, a complete list of performers, dates, venues, sponsors and contributions please visit the Rock 4 X-MAS Foundation's Website at: <a href="http://www.rock4xmas.com" target="new">www.rock4xmas.com</a>. SITE UPDATES - REVIEWS: Reviews have been updated. Online today are just a few, with more to follow. Now featured are reviews of: James Christian, Shadows Fade, Heartplay, Safe Haven, Lunatica and the new Europe album. <a href="reviews/reviews.html">Check them out.</a> A new and in-depth <a href="e-interviews.html">e-Interview</a> is now online featuring Jeff Northrup, the man behind Shorino/Northrup, XYZ and The Cage. Jeff talks about all his projects and the job of production and mastering, which he undertook with the current MelodicRock.com compilation. Read the interview.  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#008000" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#008000"> <div align="center">Monday, October 04, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> MICHAEL BORMANN DEPARTS JADED HEART: Vocalist Michael Bormann has left Jaded Heart! The vocalist made a very low key announcement via his website a month back, but it seemingly went unnoticed until late last week! Posted at <a href="http://michaelbormannpage.de" target="new">michaelbormannpage.de</a> is the following brief statement: "After almost 14 years together, JADED HEART and me are going separate ways. Details will follow." Jaded Heart are yet to announce this officially and Michael himself has yet to follow this news up. I have requested a statement from him, but have not yet heard back. JESSE DAMON LAUNCHES NEW WEBSITE: Jesse Damon has launched his new Website to coincide with his latest CD entitled Nothing Else Matters. Samples of his latest album are posted, as well as all the albums Jesse has released and played on. Anticipation's been high while Jesse spent the last several months finishing his latest CD, and had these words to say; "This album is for my fans and all who have believed in me, I poured my heart into this CD!" Go check out upcoming tour dates and other information at <a href="http://www.jessedamon.com" target="new">www.jessedamon.com</a>. RIP WHITE EAGLE'S JACK PEMMA: Thanks to Delbert, who sent me the following e-mail: "Jack Pemma, the lead singer/guitarist from the US band, White Eagle passed away on August 23. His former secretary e-mailed me yesterday to confirm and told me Jack had been feeling ill for about 2 weeks and went to the doctor on the Friday just before he passed away. Results of a blood test were returned only a few hours after his death which confirmed he was diabetic. The cause of death was extremely high sugar levels in his system which was a complication of diabetes. Jack wasn't aware he was diabetic. White Eagle had three US indie releases and an early cassette only release in the early 1990's. Their CDs were Bustin' Ass (1993), The Need To Know (1997) and A New Beginning (2002)." Sad news - RIP Jack.  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#000000" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#000000"> <div align="center">Friday, October 01, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> SHY'S SUNSET & VINE DUE EARLY 2005: An update on the forthcoming Shy album, due from MTM Music in early 2005: Tony Mills says: "There are a variety of tempos on the album, but the ballad Where is the Love is a real corker. I like it, I like it!! Soul Searchin & Open Your Heart, are two classic AOR mid tempo trax, I Will Be Home is a downtempo moody track, Don't Jump The Gun, the anthemic track out of them all if there is one, First Love is a big harmony fast mover and the other trax are still being finalised." The album is called Sunset And Vine and will be released January / February 2005. The new song taken from the Sunset And Vine will be released on the forthcoming MTM Compilation Volume 10, due next month. HUGHES TURNER WORKING ON NEW RUSSIAN PROJECT: <a href="http://www.blabbermouth.net" target="new">Blabbermouth</a> ran a news item this week regarding a new album from the pairing of Glenn Hughes and Joe Lynn Turner. It is indeed true! I got some further details on the project today. The release will not be Hughes Turner 3, rather it will be an exclusive Russian only release with Hughes and Turner collaborating with the deputy mayor of Moscow - Mikhail Men. Mikhail is a bit of a rocker and has written a number of songs for the album, which will feature Hughes and Turner writing lyrics and piecing it all together with producer Alexander Berezhny. Stay tuned for updates! TMG TOUR CAPTURED FOR DVD RELEASE: I've heard that TMG recorded one of their recent Japanese shows for a live DVD! No official announcement has been made yet, nor has a release date been set, but the Budokan show was recorded! For the record, the set list from that show was: Everything Passes Away . I Wish You Were Here . Signs Of Life . Trapped . I Know You By Heart . Train, Train . Red, White And Bullet Blues . Midousuji Blue (Tak Matsumoto Solo) . Two Of A Kind . Wonderland . The Greatest Show On Earth . Kings For A Day . Never Good-Bye . Encore - (You Can Still) Rock in America . To Be With You . Oh Japan ~Our Time Is Now. THUNDER LOVE YOU MORE THAN ROCK 'N' ROLL: News from the boys in Thunder: As reported last week at <a href="http://www.thunderonline.com" target="new">www.thunderonline.com</a>, ILYMTRNR will be the first killer single lifted from the new Thunder LP. Released on Monday November the 8th, the single will be released in 3 formats - CD Single: ILYMTRNR (radio edit), Closer To The Fire; Maxi CD Single: ILYMTRNR (radio edit), Love's An Easy Word To Say, Loser (Acoustic Version); Limited Edition Numbered 7" Vinyl: ILYMTRNR (radio edit), The Pride. All songs (with the exception of Loser) are brand new and exclusive to this release. The Pride is the only song that will be on the new LP when it comes in early 2005. Artwork for all 3 copies is totally different, there have been no shortcuts here. The vinyl version is limited edition and all copies will be individually numbered, so this is hopefully going to be a collectors' item. It's also our first vinyl release since we formed our own STC label and we're very excited because it sounds fantastic. Vinyl is definitely the best way to listen to Rock 'n' Roll, so make sure you dig out that old turntable and get a copy. You can pre-order your copy or copies (why not buy all three? After all every sale will count towards our chart position) online from Townsend Records as of right now, or you can pre-order it from all good record shops. All the information you'll need for that (oh so helpful) shop assistant is on our handy downloadable voucher, but remember to make a note in your diary to collect it from the shop during the week of November the 8th or it won't count towards the chart, and we'll all be crying in our beer.... More information at: <a href="http://www.townsend-records.co.uk/thunder.htm" target="new">www.townsend-records.co.uk/thunder.htm</a> and <a href="http://www.thunderonline.com" target="new">www.thunderonline.com</a>. VOTE FOR MELODICROCK.COM - SUPPORT GOOD MUSIC!: Vote for MelodicRock! Yep, it's that time again folks....the annual Digital Music Awards are underway again and you can vote for MelodicRock.com in the People's Choice category. 2 years running I have landed the #14 spot, which is nothing short of sensational! This year - let's go Top 10! The difference between last year's result and a possible Top 10 finish this year is only a handful of votes. It doesn't take a second to vote and a good result will prove to those in the industry watching that good music ain't dead yet! Vote Now by clicking on the logo. Thanks to all!   <div align="center"><a href="http://www.btyahoo.com/dma/vote?web=2014"><img border="0" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/http://static.btyahoo.com/dma04/dma_vote.gif" /></a></div> MR-X UPDATE: <a href="mr-x/index.html">MR-X</a> has had it's weekly update. Online this week are a range of miscellaneous live tracks, a few new preview tracks and a couple of extra MP3 goodies. There is also the opportunity to win 1 of 5 copies of the new Survivor compilation The Ultimate Survivor. And finally, new videos are online for: 40ft Ringo - Anyway, Alaska - Headlines, Circus Of Power - Motor, Fate - I Won't Stop, Gun - Don't Say It's Over, Hurricane - I'm On To You, John Farnham - That's Freedom and John Norum - Together We'll Be Strong. <a href="mr-x/index.html">MR-X Membership Details</a>. NEXT WEEK: Reviews, reviews and more reviews.....plus a large and detailed interview with producer Andy Johns and wise words from JK Northrup. Plus the usual updates, including new Showcases, MP3 Mini-Bytes and a long overdue CD Release Dates update. Plus a big announcement about what's next for MelodicRock.com!  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#21aade" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#21aade"> <div align="center">Thursday, September 30, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> HIGHER GROUND MOVE TO NEW GROUND: The very classy Higher Ground (Swedish modern melodic rockers) have signed to AOR Heaven for the release of their long awaited second album A Thousand Pieces. The new album will be released November 29 and features the following tracks: Inside Me . Speechless . I Feel Alive . Goodbye . She's Gone . Falling Apart . Cry . Another Day . She Plays . Believe . The Genius. Kepe up to date at: <a href="http://www.higherground.nu" target="new">www.higherground.nu</a>   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/higherground-athousandpieces.jpg" width="200" /></div> COVERDALE FLAGS 2005 FOR DOUBLE LIVE RELEASE: David Coverdale was featured in a Portuguese newspaper interview this week quoted as saying that a new live double CD will be released next year, with material from Whitesnake, Deep Purple and Coverdale Page featured. And 2005 will see work on a new studio album commence. Great news, but wait and see, as that live album was initially due late in 2003. TEER TO RELEASE EP IN EARLY NOVEMBER: Florida rock band Teer is putting the final touches on a new limited edition EP. The release will feature three entirely new studio recordings and several live versions of songs from their highly acclaimed 2000 release on Frontiers Records. The members of Teer are producing this project themselves with longtime friend and engineer Bruce Edwards. The new songs from Teer are among the best yet from the band and feature a slightly more aggressive sound than previous releases, but retain the great melodies and musicianship that you would expect from Teer. Those who have experienced Teer live know that the band is at home on the stage, and these live recordings capture the energy that they are famous for in a live setting. The live recordings were made during Teer's summer reunion concerts over the past few months. Teer is working franticly to have the CD ready for purchase on their upcoming UK tour with Tyketto, Jeff Scott Soto and Deadline. The production has been delayed several times recently due to the onslaught of hurricanes in Florida over the summer. Internet pre-orders for this release will be available soon, so please check <a href="http://www.teerband.com" target="new">www.teerband.com</a> regularly for more info. Teer would like to thank all the fans in the US and abroad who have supported them during their return over the past nine months. The fans are the main reason for Teer's reunion and the band feels the best is yet to come. KEVIN BuBROW DEBUTS SOLO WEBSITE: Quiet Riot vocalist Kevin DuBrow has launched his fully functional website at <a href="http://www.kevindubrow.com" target="new">www.kevindubrow.com</a>. To kick off the site he has included a free for download track of a never before released Quiet Riot with Randy Rhoads song titled Come And Gone - (Click on Randy Rhoads Years). The song was recorded live in the studio in 1975 and features DuBrow, Rhoads and original QR bassist Kelly Garni. The site also features rare photos, tour dates and a "message from Kevin" feature that will be updated regularly. STREET LEGAL PREPARING SECOND ALBUM: Norwegian rockers Street Legal are currently in the studio, recording their long awaited second studio album with an all new line-up that consists of: Bjorn Boge - vocals, bass; Rolf Bjorseth - guitars; Tommy Kristiansen - guitars; Oystein Boge - drums. This week Tommy and Bjorn will work on guitars and Saturday will see Oystein laying down the last drum tracks. For more info visit: <a href="http://www.streetlegal.no" target="new">www.streetlegal.no</a>. POPULATION 1 TO MAKE NYC LIVE DEBUT: Population 1 (featuring Nuno Bettencourt) will make its NYC club debut at Crash Mansion (199 Bowery @ Spring Street) on October 11 during its 12 city East Coast tour. Their current EP, Sessions From Room 4, debuted at #16 on the Billboard/Soundscan Internet chart and remained in the top 20 in its second week at #17. Population 1 will perform songs from the "Sessions" EP as well as new material they've recently recorded. ArtistLink: <a href="http://www.population-1.com" target="new">www.population-1.com</a>. PERRIS RECORDS NOT GUN SHY: Perris Records is proud to announce the re-issue of the highly sought after CD from Philadelphia's Gun Shy. After Dark was produced by Michael Kelly Smith (Razamanaz, Britny Fox) and contains the 8 original album tracks as well as 8 bonus tracks. Recorded in the mid 90's, 'After Dark' had a small pressing run in the Philadelphia area and was not widely distributed, until now! Gun Shy features Tommi Crash (American Sugar Bitch, SINN) on guitar and the band has that Philadelphia hard rock style ala Heavens Edge, Cinderella & Ivory Tower. The 8 bonus tracks consists of live tracks and demos check out <a href="http://www.perrisrecords.com" target="new">www.perrisrecords.com</a> for info on track listing and how to order. MELODIC BRIEFS: Pictures from the recent Riverdogs shows can be found at: <a href="http://www.angelfire.com/bc/Riverdogs" target="new">www.angelfire.com/bc/Riverdogs</a>. There will be a benefit concert held for Ricky Parent, on October 17 at the Metro in Chicago IL. Enuff Z'nuff is playing, and a bunch of other bands, and jams. Drama Queen Die just recorded Never Say Goodbye for the upcoming Bon Jovi tribute on Versailles Records, and are working on a new record She's The Kill which will be done later this year. Guitarist Ron Thal has posted this message on <a href="http://www.bumblefoot.com/noflash/news.htm" target="new">his website</a>: "30 SEPT - since, the rumors are already flyin', I might as well say... I was asked to join Guns-n-Roses two months ago. It's not definitely happenin', we're just feelin' it out. When decisions have been made, I'll let y'all know :)" Release news just in from Japan - Yngwie Malmsteen - TBA - New studio album due October 21. Yngwie Malmsteem's first release on Universal Music. Advanced release in Japan. SITE UPDATES: <a href="minibytes.html">Mini-Bytes</a> have been updated with new samples from: Kevin Moore, IQ, M&R Rush and Population 1.  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#29d68c" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#29d68c"> <div align="center">Tuesday, September 21, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> MTM ANNOUNCE NEW COMPILATION & NEW SIGNINGS: MTM Music are happy to announce the track list for the compilation MTM Volume 10. Volume 10 features unreleased material only! Track 1 is a sensation with a band called Relapse, which is better known as former CITA or Guild Of Ages! Also Shy is contributing a brand new song of the forthcoming album and the Dare & Fate tracks are live recordings from the Deep Impact Open Air Festival in Munich. The MTM artists Shylock, Sin, Zeno, Edge Of Forever, Seven Wishes, Rpm are contributing a new and unreleased track. New MTM signings are introducing themselves and their forthcoming releases with advance tracks Martie Peters Group, Brunorock, Rhapsody Sweden and more. Here is the track listing: 01. Relapse - All In All (Rough Mix unreleased / forthcoming album t.b.a.)(New band of Danny Martinez ex-CITA / Guild Of Ages, feat. members of the original CITA line-up) 02. Martie Peters Group - The Beast Inside (unreleased / forthcoming album "Martie Peters Group") 03. Shylock - Farewell (unreleased - dedicated to Thomas Häßler - forthcoming album "t.b.a") 04. Fate - Everything About You (unreleased / forthcoming album "t.b.a") 05. Brunorock - Pray For Rain (unreleased / forthcoming album „Interaction") 06. SIN - Never Change (unreleased / dedicated to Thomas Häßler - forthcoming album "t.b.a") 07. Shy - I Will Be Home (unreleased / forthcoming album "Sunset And Vine") 08. Seven Wishes - Cross My Heart (unreleased / forthcoming album "Destination Alive") 09. Zeno - Call Of The Heart (unreleased / forthcoming album "Zenology II") 10. Edge Of Forever - Snake Eyes (unreleased / forthcoming album "Let The Demon Rock 'N' Roll") 11. RPM - How Do I get You (unreleased / recent album "RPM") 12. Rhapsody Sweden - I've Done All I Can (unreleased / forthcoming album "Strange Vibrations") 13. Novak - Save Me (unreleased / forthcoming album "Forever Endeavour") 14. Jani Lane - Lay Your Hands On Me (unreleased / forthcoming album "Tribute To Bon Jovi") 15. Misty May - Reality (unreleased / forthcoming album "t.b.a") 16. Dare - Into The Fire (Rough Mix / live recorded at Deep Impact Festival Munich 2004) 17. Fate - Everything About You (Rough Mix / live recorded at Deep Impact Festival Munich 2004) MTM have also signed Brunorock. Brunorock is the solo project of former Nightpride and Dark Sky singer / guitarist Bruno Kraler. Two albums have been released under the name Brunorock so far the self-titled debut in 1994 and X-Over in 2002! Due to his incredible charisma, Bruno created an own style in the melodic heavy genre. On the new album Interaction, Bruno has been supported by terrific musicians. There is Paolo Morbini (ex Eva and Exilia) on drums, Bobby Altvater (Affair) and Alex De Rosso (ex-Dokken) on guitar. Other guest musicians include John Billings, Rachel Bolan (Skid Row) on bass as well as Fredrik Bergh (Street Talk) on keyboards. Interaction was recorded in 3 different studios (Sky Studio Munich - Ufo Studio Bruneck and Wireworld Studio in Nashville). The final mix was done by the legendary Michael Wagener, who ranks among the most famous rock and metal producers worldwide... Dokken - Ozzy Osbourne - Metallica - Alice Cooper - Accept or Extreme are only a few of the bands and artists who realized their most successful albums with him! MILLION'S KINGSIZE ALBUM DUE NEXT MONTH: Million have now confirmed the track listing for their up and coming fifth studio album Kingsize. The running order for the album is as follows: Eyes Of A King . Backdoor Queen . Room No.3 . Rock´ N Roll Nation . On And On . Forbidden Fruit . Zombies . Fight You Forever . Killing The Messenger . Prison Of Power . Those Eyes. The Japanese edition of the album, available through Majestic Rock Japan, will feature the bonus track Blues. Kingsize is released in Europe on October 25th and in Japan on October 27th.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="198" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/million-kingsize.jpg" width="200" /></div> UPCOMING FROM FRONTIERS RECORDS: Harem Scarem have begun working on their next studio album. A release is expected in 2005. Doug Aldrich's band Burning Rain have signed to Frontiers for a new studio album in 2005. Brazen Abbot have signed to Frontiers for the release of their live CD and DVD - A Decade Of Brazen Abbot Live. With former Deep Purple and Rainbow singer Joe Lynn Turner handling all vocal duties, the album is a storming collection of Brazen Abbot's best tracks with the addition of some of Rainbow's classics, while the DVD combines live performances, together with in depth interviews and TV apparitions. Tommy Funderburk's upcoming solo album Anything For You including songs written with such AOR luminaries as Michael Thompson, Bruce Gaitsch and Greg Mathieson. It's described as an absolutely brilliant and classy release destined to please all the fans of Toto, Richard Marx and Journey. Jorn Lande of Masterplan and Russell Allen of Symphony X have teamed up for an album together LANDE / ALLEN. The album is still in the recording stages, but is backed up by a stunning set of songs provided by swedish guitar hero Magnus Karlsson of Last Tribe. MELODIC BRIEFS: Alex Van Halen featured on a new interview with radio station Q95 (Indianapolis) this week. Alex suggested the band plans to record a new studio album in the near future. Current Van Halen rumors suggest a slew of tour dates outside the USA for 2005, including Europe, Japan and Australia and also that Eddie Van Halen might have parted company with Peavy guitars. The upcoming Martie Peters album will be released under the moniker MPG - Martie Peters Group. Bands/Artists wanted who recorded a cover of a Toto song. Please send you details to Michael Riesenbeck: <a href="mailto:m.riesenbeck@net.hcc.nl">m.riesenbeck@net.hcc.nl</a>. BLACK STAR RECORDS TO RE-ISSUE HEAVEN & EARTH DEBUT: Black Star Records, the new label run by Heaven & Earth's Stuart Smith and Richie Onori, has announced that they have signed a distribution deal for the U.S. with Burnside Distribution and will be re-releasing the first Heaven & Earth CD with 2 previously unheard bonus tracks. The first song Life on the Line, which was written by Joe Lynn Turner, Bobby Held and Stuart Smith, was recorded back in 1997 during the original Heaven & Earth sessions and has been updated to feature Toto's Bobby Kimball on vocals. The other song is a remake of Gary Moore's Still Got The Blues, which features Joe Lynn Turner giving one of the best performances of his career. The CD will be in stores across the States on November 2nd and be available from the band's web site: <a href="http://www.stuartsmith.com" target="new">www.stuartsmith.com</a>. For fans that already have this CD and just want the new tracks, they will be available on iTunes, Napster and MusicMatch.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="201" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/heavenandearth-debut.jpg" width="200" /></div> A NOTE FROM LEGS DIAMOND: A couple of weeks back I posted a press release updating the recording plans from US rockers Legs Diamond. There was one detail within the press release that was not correct and here to clear up that fact is an e-mail from the band's Roger Romeo. Roger writes: "I wanted to thank you for mentioning our band in the latest news. We are definitely doing a new CD for AOR Heaven and hope to have it out soon. One correction though, the band consists of 4 original members - Jeff Poole, Mike Prince, Rick Sanford and myself. Unfortunately Michael Diamond, the original bass player, can no longer play due to tendon problems in his wrists. We are more than happy to have Adam Kury in the bass position. Thanks again for the mention." DAMNED NATION'S SIGN OF MADNESS: Damned Nation's new album Sign Of Madness is due for release in November. The band's Roger Jern sent in an update, stating "...we've changed the sound quite a bit compared to our previous albums....It's much rawer and heavier..." A sample of the album, in the form of the track Wall Of Illusion can be heard now a MP3 download from the band's new record label website: <a href="http://www.scarletrecords.it" target="new">www.scarletrecords.it</a> The full track listing is: Innocence . Stranded . Wall Of Illusion . Consequences . Bringer Of Light . Sign Of Madness . Facing The Enemy . Human Sacrifice . Still Alive . Wake Up . Slave . Going Blind. SCORPIONS TO TOUR WITH TESLA AND KEITH EMERSON: ELP keyboardist Keith Emerson is to join a tour headed by the Scorpions and Tesla. This from Keith's website: "I am very pleased to announce that I have been invited by the Scorpions to tour with them and Tesla in October, November and December throughout North America. I will be playing with my band, Dave Kilminster (Gtr), Phil Williams (Bass) and Pete Riley (Drums). I have seen The Scorpions in action several times, notably their concert with orchestra at the Greek Theatre in 2000. Apart from being an exciting creative band, as individuals they are also a very great bunch of guys even though their last bass player tried to pull my last girlfriend. Together with Tesla it should be an interesting tour." Dates and further info at: <a href="http://www.keithemerson.com/TourInfo/TourInfo2004.html" target="new">www.keithemerson.com</a> STARCASTLE'S GARY STRATER PASSES AWAY: Starcastle bassist Gary Strater passed away after a long fight with Cancer on September 19th. He was 51 years old. The Starcastle web site has been updated with a condolence guestbook for his family at <a href="http://www.starcastlemusic.com" target="new">www.starcastlemusic.com</a>. Starcastle recorded four albums for Epic/CBS in the late 70's, toured with the major bands of the day (Journey, Rush, Styx, Boston) and in recent years have seen a resurgence in popularity with both progressive rock and AOR fans through reissues, solo projects etc. The new Starcastle album (with Gary) is finished, and the remaining members are currently in talks with labels to see it's release. RIP Gary. HALL & OATES GET EVEN MORE SOULFUL: The brand new Hall & Oates "soul classics" album, Our Kind Of Soul, will be released on October 26 on U-Watch Records! This new effort will contain 14 classic soul songs, stripped down and re-worked as only H&O can! In addition are 3 original H&O studio tracks. The first single will be the H&O version of The Spinners' classic I'll Be Around. On Sept. 28th, it will be released into stores a limited edition commercial single. It will also feature Let Love Take Control and You are Everything.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="199" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/hallandoates-ourkindofsoul.jpg" width="200" /></div> LUKATHER JOINS SHERINIAN ONCE AGAIN: Steve Lukather appears on the new solo album of Derek Sherinian (of Dream Theater, Planet X and Billy Idol fame). Besides Luke there is a hell of a superb cast Simon Phillips, Steve Stevens, Zakk Wylde and Jerry Goodman, to name a few contributors. The album will be out in November this year on Insideout Music in Europe and the USA and on Avalon/Marquee in Japan. Lukather: "Derek's record is really good as always. Simon is mixing it for him. I played one ballad and it was fun!" Derek Sherenian "The album is called Mythology. Mythology is along the lines of Black utopia and Inertia. Unfortunately there is only one Luke track on this, but it is great!" More Lukather news always available at: <a href="http://www.stevelukather.net" target="new">www.stevelukather.net</a>. MICHAEL VOSS CONTRIBUTES TO NEW S.I.N: News from SIN: "We are very proud to announce that we could get no one less than Mr. Michael Voss to contribute his voice to our following album Equilibrium. M. Voss, who is the driving force behind such great bands as CASANOVA, SILVER and DEMON DRIVE added backing vocals to five songs on the record. And on top of that he did one song as a duet with Jason Marks. Watch out for the new CASANOVA and SILVER albums and be prepared that you will here some great stuff of him on our new CD. We are also happy to find a guitar solo of Michael Klein (Wicked Sensation) on one of the songs. He fought quite a nice duel with Wolfgang Frank." Visit <a href="http://www.sin-band.com" target="new">www.sin-band.com</a> for more information. CD SHOWCASES UPDATED: As promised, the <a href="#cdshowcase">CD Showcase</a> area has been given a healthy update with some big titles, all due out next month. Click on the CD covers to preview each release. Previews include the new Kevin Chalfant project Shadows Fade and the new Michael Vescera project Safe Haven.   <div align="center"><a href="showcase/jameschristian-meettheman.html"><img alt="james christian-meet the man" border="0" height="125" src="/files-archive/news/jameschristian-meettheman125.jpg" width="125" /></a>x<a href="showcase/shadowsfade.html"><img alt="shadows fade" border="0" height="125" src="/files-archive/news/shadowsfade125.jpg" width="125" /></a>x<a href="showcase/heartplay-wherethedeadendsmeet.html"><img alt="heartplay-where the deadends meet" border="0" height="125" src="/files-archive/news/heartplay-wheredeadendsmeet125.jpg" width="125" /></a>x<a href="showcase/millenium-bestof.html"><img alt="millenium-best of" border="0" height="125" src="/files-archive/news/millenium-bestof125.jpg" width="125" /></a> <a href="showcase/silver-addiction.html"><img alt="silver - addicted" border="0" height="125" src="/files-archive/news/silver-addiction125.jpg" width="125" /></a>x<a href="showcase/safehaven.html"><img alt="safe haven" border="0" height="125" src="/files-archive/news/safehaven125.jpg" width="125" /></a>x<a href="showcase/lunatica-fablesanddreams.html"><img alt="lunatica-fables and dreams" border="0" height="125" src="/files-archive/news/lunatica-fablesanddreams125.jpg" width="125" /></a></div> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#808000" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#808000"> <div align="center">Tuesday, September 28, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> THE BEST OF MELLENCAMP'S WORDS & MUSIC: Universal Music will release a definitive John Mellencamp best of on October 19. Spanning 25 years, 1979 to 2004, Words & Music - John Mellencamp's Greatest Hits celebrates the most popular and important roots rocker of his generation, including the upcoming single Walk Tall and Thank You, -- two new songs -- both produced by Mellencamp and Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds. Words & Music will also be featuring 37 digitally remastered selections and boasts all 22 Top 40 pop hits of his career to date, with 10 Top 10 hits, culled from 14 albums. The package also adds liner notes by Rolling Stone founder/publisher Jann Wenner, extensive track information and photographs. Walk Tall Audio Streams: <a href="http://boss.streamos.com/wmedia/ume/johnmellencamp/walktallradioedit-1.asx" target="new">Windows Media</a>, <a href="http://boss.streamos.com/real/ume/johnmellencamp/walktallradioedit.ram" target="new">Real Audio</a> Track Listing: Disc 1 - Walk Tall . Pink Houses . Lonely Ol Night . Jackie Brown . Rain On The Scarecrow . Love And Happiness . Check It Out . Peaceful World . Paper In Fire . Your Life Is Now . Human Wheels . When Jesus Left Birmingham . Authority Song . What If I Came Knocking . Crumblin' Down . Small Town . R.O.C.K. In The U.S.A. . Cherry Bomb . Pop Singer. Disc 2 - Thank You . Martha Say . Key West Intermezzo (I Saw You First) . Hand To Hold On To . I Need A Lover . Hurts So Good . Get A Leg Up . Wild Night . Dance Naked . Teardrops Will Fall . Ain't Even Done With The Night . Just Another Day . Jack & Diane . Rumble Seat . I'm Not Running Anymore . Again Tonight . This Time . Now More Than Ever.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/johnmellencamp-wordsandmusic.jpg" width="226" />xx<img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/johnmellencamp-walktall.jpg" width="200" /></div> PROJECT RED 37 - NO, IT'S NOT A SEQUEL TO THE JOURNEY EP: Red 37 is a new project featuring Matthew Nelson (one of the Nelson Brothers), J.J. Farris (ex-Tories) and Brian Burwell (ex-Neve). The modern rock project was recorded in recent months and was produced by Jim Wirt (Hoobastank, Incubus and Live). The track listing is: Crawl My Way Out . Evermore . To Be Loved By You . Tell Me Why . Movin' On . This Time . Model American . Ticket To Find It . Stop The Fighting . If You Try . On My Side . Here I Am Again . Heaven Knows. The project has not been signed to any label yet, but for a limited time it is being offered for sale from the <a href="http://www.thenelsonbrothers.com" target="new">Nelson Brothers</a> website. But be warned! The price tag is currently US$25 and the packaging does not reflect finished product quality.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="197" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/red37.jpg" width="200" /></div> A TRIBUTE TO THE CARS: New Wave pioneers The Cars will get the tribute treatment this November on Substitution Mass Confusion - A Tribute To The Cars. The CD will be released by indie label Not Lame Recordings. Among those taking the wheel for the tribute are Butch Walker, Jason Falkner, Jon Auer (The Posies), Damone, Bleu, and Johnny Monaco (Enuff Z'nuff). A portion of the proceeds from the CD will be donated to The American Cancer Society in memory of Cars bassist Benjamin Orr, who passed away from the disease in 2000. The Cars were the most successful American band of the new wave era. From their self-titled debut album in 1978 until their final album, 1987's Door To Door, the band racked up a long string of hits, including Just What I Needed, My Best Friends Girl, Lets Go, Touch And Go, Shake It Up, You Might Think, Drive, and Tonight She Comes. Combining elements of the British Invasion, art rock, and the burgeoning punk scene, The Cars were a breath of fresh air on a musical landscape that had grown stale and bloated. Songwriter/singer/guitarist Ric Ocasek was able to couple strong hooks with literate lyrics that made for highly accessible songs. Combining that with singer/bassist Benjamin Orr's cool vocal delivery, Greg Hawkes other-worldly synthesizer flourishes, Elliot Easton's fluid, melodic guitar lines, and David Robinson's cutting edge drum sounds, and you had a band that was completely unique. In their time, The Cars were able to appeal to a wide range of the music listening public. Hard rock, punk, and pop fans alike were taken with The Cars sound. Not everyone had a metal album in their collection, but chances were they had at least one Cars album. This fact is driven home by the artists involved in Substitution Mass Confusion. The set features 21 tracks from a wide array of rock, power pop, punk, and electronic artists. Even though their last album came out 17 years ago, The Cars influence is still being felt in 2004. Substitution Mass Confusion is proof enough of that. Artist and track details: Jason Falkner - Touch And Go; Butch Walker (Epic Records) - My Best Friends Magic Girlfriend; Bleu (Aware/Columbia Records) - You Might Think; Jon Auer (Pattern 25 Records) - Misfit Kid; Damone (RCA Records) - Just What I Needed; Owsley (Lakeview Entertainment) - Got A Lot On My Head; The Argument - Hello Again; Gigolo Aunts featuring Kid; Lightning - Im Not The One; Spiraling - Bye Bye Love; Action Action (Victory Records) - Tonight She Comes; The Millions - You're All I've Got Tonight; Chris von Sneidern - Drive; PurrBox - Shake It Up; Johnny Monaco - Dangerous Type; The Bravery (Island/Polydor Records) - It's All I Can Do; Doug Powell - Candy-O; The Andersons! - Since You're Gone; Dum Dog Run - Lets Go; sparkle*jets uk - Slipaway; The Cautions - Nightspots; The Daybirds - Good Times Roll. More information at: <a href="http://www.notlame.com/thecars" target="new">www.notlame.com/thecars</a>.  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#78669d" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#78669d"> <div align="center">Monday, September 27, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> ATENZIA RECORDS ANNOUNCES MITCH MALLOY'S NEW FLUID SOL PROJECT: Atenzia Records introduces Fluid Sol! A collection of rock songs too catchy to be overlooked by the average pop fan! Outstanding vocal harmonies with songs that groove in the potential hit category, catchy melodies and bold vocals that stays with you long after the song ends. The songs of the album features all the simplicity and melodic wallop to settle neatly between smart and powerful even after repeated listens. The band consists of Victor Broden on bass and Joakim Eckberg on drums while the groups main man Mitch Malloy handles guitars and vocals - he also penned all the songs and produced the album. Mitch grew up in the small town of Dickinson, North Dakota, his gift was discovered at the tender age of six, when a first grade teacher noticed that his voice stood apart from the rest of the class. At 12 years old, he picked up his sister's guitar and never turned back - "The thrill I got from hearing and feeling my guitar through an amp made it so clear to me that music was definitely what I wanted to do for the rest of my life." Mitch later secured a deal with RCA/BMG and recorded his first solo album in Los Angeles with producer Sir Arthur Payson, entitled simply Mitch Malloy. The record sold very well and generated two top 20 singles, landed Mitch a spot on "The Tonight Show" and produced a video with the hit Anything At All which was played on MTV Europe and is now on VH-1 Europe. The second record, entitled Ceilings & Walls was produced by Christopher Neal and it took a mellower approach. That album had a top 20 hit in Tumbling Down and is still highly sought after by fans worldwide. A third album was released in recent years titled Shine. Mitch moved from New York to Nashville to write songs under a publishing contract with Chrysalis Music. After writing with the top songwriters in town, Mitch felt the urge to record his own songs again and Fluid Sol saw the light of day. Straight ahead basic rock provides the foundation for Fluid Sol's sound, simply a virtually flawless collection of melodic rock songs that should dominate radio for years to come. Fluid Sol's debut album is all about big hooks and irresistible riffs. From the enormously infectious <a href="http://www.atenzia.com/atenzia/sound/Fluid%20Sol%20-%20Im%20On%20Your%20Radio.mp3">I'm On Your Radio</a> (click here for an mp3 sample) to the energy that is <a href="http://www.atenzia.com/atenzia/sound/Fluid%20Sol%20-%20King%20Of%20Nothing.mp3">King Of Nothing</a> (click here for an mp3 sample), nearly every song is made for cranking out of the car stereo while racing down the coastline. Fluid Sol will be Released October 20. Track Listing: Just Human . I'm On Your Radio . No Fear . Shelter . King Of Nothing . Be With You . Down . Empty . Can't Stop . I Want You . There Was A Mountain and Fly.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/fluidsol.jpg" width="200" /></div> MTM ANNOUNCE THE SIGNING OF NOVAK: MTM Music have signed Swedish rock act Novak. Novak is fronted by singer and guitarist Andreas Novak, who previously released two albums with the band Mind's Eye, and recently participated in the Swedish TV show Fame Factory. Novak is inspired by bands like Queen, Van Halen, Journey and Def Leppard, but also acts like Mr. Mister, Toto and Sting, so the forthcoming album Forever Endeavour will contain a balanced mix between hard and soft elements influenced by the quality rock scene - all with a modern sound and a strong sense of melody. The song Save Me has already been released in Sweden on a compilation that sold 16,000 copies in Sweden and the song will be released on the forthcoming MTM Compilation Volume 10. The album will contain some interesting guest musicians, and is produced and co-written by Daniel Flores (Fare, Mind's Eye). The release is expected in early 2005. MELODIC BRIEFS: One for US readers - Tom Keifer of Cinderella will be on Extreme Makeover, Thursday at 8 pm ABC. Tom will be helping a fan' s dream come true by helping him write a song. Clips of Cinderella's music will be featured as well. Jet Red are preparing the release of their shelved second studio album, simply titled Jet Red 2. Fans of the band and their first album from 1989 will be pleased to get a solid dose of US hard rock in the same vein as the band's debut. Some samples are online now at: <a href="http://kdrew.tripod.com/jetred/index.html" target="new">kdrew.tripod.com/jetred/index.html</a> Guitarist Jason Hook (Hilary Duff, Vince Neil, Mandy Moore, Bullet Boys) has completed work on his first instrumental solo release Safety Dunce. This energetic EP (which was recorded in Hook's own California based studio) has already been nominated for Best Instrumental Record at this years L.A. Music awards. Safety Dunce is currently for sale at <a href="http://www.jasonhook.net/safetydunce" target="new">www.jasonhook.net/safetydunce</a>. Graham Bonnet will be just one of many vocalists that will line up to sing on the 25th Anniversary Michael Schenker album, which is being written and recorded currently. Billy Falcon recorded a studio album for Mercury Records which was never released. The album, titled Released - which was then to be his third - is now available to buy via Billy's online webstore, located at: <a href="http://www.billyfalcon.com/index.php?pg=shop" target="new">www.billyfalcon.com/index.php?pg=shop</a>. FRANKIE TALKS QUIET RIOT DVD: Music Video Distributors and 2RS Studios are pleased to announce the home viewing release of Quiet Riot - 89' Live in Japan for North American distribution on DVD, due out November 16. 89' Live in Japan was filmed during a tumultuous period for Quiet Riot. With singer Paul Shortino at the helm, the band quickly displayed their versatility and resilience, and rocked crowds the world over on their tour for the release of "QR". This footage serves as a glimpse into a very interesting and complex chapter of one of the greatest Metal bands of all time. Track list: Party All Night . I'm Falling . Stay With Me Tonight . Run To You . The Wild And The Young . The Joker . Drum Solo . Coppin' A Feel . King Of The Hill . Cum On Feel The Noise. Bonus Video - Stay With Me. Drummer Frankie Banali has issued the following statement concerning the DVD release: "I think that for fans of Quiet Riot, this release will be entertaining as well as showing what worked and what didn't work for this incarnation. This is the only visual musical documentation of that version of Quiet Riot which included myself, Carlos Cavazo, Paul Shortino and Sean MacNabb. It was shot on the last date of the "QR" Japanese tour of Japan, in Tokyo, and it was also the last date for that version of the band as I decided not to continue with the group during that tour and after that show the group consequently officially disbanded the following day. As far as this DVD being released, the current band members collectively signed off on this at the time it was filmed in 1989, so there is no controversy over it's release since whoever owns the rights can license it for commercial purposes. This is no different from the plethora of releases that are made available of just about any band from time to time. As long as the writers get paid whatever the rate is for song writing, then so be it. Quiet Riot has meant a lot of different things to the fans over the years both good and bad. It's most revered member was the late Randy Rhoads in the 1970's. It's most vocal member has been Kevin DuBrow, it's most well known line up was that of Kevin, Carlos, Rudy and myself. It's least known was the version of which this release focuses on which was a good version of the band, but not what anyone would characterize as classic Quiet Riot. The band through the years developed and changed in many ways just like most bands naturally do and one just never knows what could happen next."  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#ff8000" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#ff8000"> <div align="center">Friday, September 24, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> FINALLY PERMISSION FOR WALTHAM TO BUILD: Great news for Waltham fans. The band has finally signed a deal that will see their classic Permission To Build album receive a wide release. And it looks like the band are planning something special for the album's release. The guys have signed to Ryko. Band drummer Mike had this to say about the deal: "...the people at Ryko are the best people in this industry, we're very fortunate!" Stay tuned for release date news (early next year) and further details. DEJA-VU FOR UFO: It all sounds a little too familiar for UFO fans. Following their first set of US dates being cancelled due to Work Visa problems, the band has run into trouble yet again. This from the band's official website: "Pete [Way] unfortunately did not get his working visa for the USA tour due to having overstayed the number of days he was there on his last visit. His temporary replacement is Barry Sparks (ex MSG, Ted Nugent and currently in Dokken). Barry previously played with UFO at Donington in 2001, and has also worked with Vinnie Moore. He is a welcome addition to the UFO family." WebLink: <a href="http://www.ufo-music.info/news.htm" target="new">www.ufo-music.info/news.htm</a> PERRIS RECORDS TO ANSWER ENUFF Z NUFF'S QUESTION : Perris Records will be releasing Enuff Z' Nuff ? CD October 12th. Featuring all original members Donnie Vie, Chip Znuff, Derek Frigo, & Vic Fox. ? will satisfy any EZN fan with their contagious style and song writing skills. This CD will have 11 tracks same as the Japan Pony Canyon release. Additional players include Ricky Parent. UPDATES - MRCD2, MR-X, MINI-BYTES: Copies of MelodicRock.com CD2 are now hitting mailboxes all over the globe. Now is your chance to add your thoughts on the CD and nominate your favourite tracks from the new compilation. The <a href="reviews/mrcd2.p3">MRCD2 Reviews Page</a> is now open. I'm looking forward to hearing your feedback. Work on Volume 3 for early 2005 will start soon. <a href="mr-x/index.html">MR-X</a> has been updated. This week a new Feature Album has been uploaded - the classic 1990 album Into The Street by Boulevard. Also added is a solid 1987 audience live recording of Tesla from their debut tour and tracks from new Aussie modern rockers Maeder. There are also a few extra MP3s featured and as a special bonus, the entire 14 track 1984 live show from HSAS - Hagar/Schon/Aaronson/Shrieve has been added to the Video Downloads. <a href="mr-x-intro.html">MR-X Membership Details</a>. <a href="minibytes.html">Mini-Bytes</a> have been updated yet again, this time with a preview of the brand new classic melodic rock album from Charade.  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#bb4868" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#bb4868"> <div align="center">Thursday, September 23, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> A STORMING KEVIN CHALFANT SHOW SET FOR OCTOBER 3: Anyone who loves AOR and the thought of a small, intimate concert setting and lives within the Chicago/Mid-West USA area should definitely keep reading this and show your support for the artist. Kevin Chalfant and band are appearing at the Chicago Street Theatre in Valparaiso, Indiana (about 45 minutes SE of Chicago) for an acoustic/electric "One Night Jam" on October 3rd. The tickets are just $25 a piece and it is going to be at least a 3 hour VERY INTIMATE setting with a maximum of 140 people in the theatre (plush seats and remodeled). There are only 11 rows total, so even someone in the very back will have a great seat. Kevin is going to be doing a lot of acoustic songs, but some electric stuff as well. Plus there are plans to filming the event for a live DVD for future release. Call the Box Office now for tickets on: 219-464-1636. More info: <a href="http://www.ctgonline.org/onj/storm.html" target="new">www.ctgonline.org/onj/storm.html</a> THE HEAT GOES ONTO SECOND EDITION FOR ASIA BOOK: An updated second edition print of Dave Gallant's Asia book is now available for pre-order via the Asia website. The direct link for the book page is: <a href="http://www.asiaworld.org/history/general.php?cat=history&cat_id=85" target="new">www.asiaworld.org/history/general.php?cat=history&cat_id=85</a>. All those that pre-order can have their book signed and personalized (on request) by the author, and will receive guaranteed postage rates. DOOGIE'S WHITE NOISE TO TOUR WITH URIAH HEEP: Due to unforeseen circumstances Manfred Mann will not be appearing on the UK tour with Uriah Heep. The replacement support band is White Noise, the new project fronted by former Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow front man Doogie White. Keeping up the Rainbow connection the White Noise project features members of Mostly Autumn, including Ian Jennings, Liam Davison and Blackmore protégé Bryan Josh. Since first being offered the support slot with Blackmore's Night, Bryan has toured extensively and jammed on stage with Blackmore watching and learning from the master. The White Noise performs a white-hot selection of Purple and Rainbow classics from Doogie's tenure with Rainbow, which saw the creation of the brilliant Stranger In Us All album. With musicianship of this calibre, the band are also more than capable of performing little performed classics such as Burn, I Surrender and a truly awesome live version of Stargazer. So a dynamite selection of Purple and Rainbow classics with a few surprises for good measure... For tickets contact: 01926 332641 or visit: <a href="http://www.classicrockproductions.com" target="new">www.classicrockproductions.com</a>. NOTHING ELSE MATTERS FOR JESSE DAMON: Songwriting has been Jesse Damon's legacy as a musician not only with Silent Rage, but with such music legends and artists such as Gene Simmons, and Kiss! Now, with the release of his forthcoming album Nothin' Else Matters, this CD features a new recorded version of the Gene Simmons song Your My Reason For Livin, originally from the Sex, Money, Kiss Audio CD, and is produced by Jesse Damon and The French Brothers. Jesse's vocals, and guitar performance on this song are mesmeric, and commanding, and also features an acoustic solo! Originally Silent Rage got together with music legend Gene Simmons to record and perform the music from the first version that was released in 2003 of the same Simmons song "Your My Reason For Livin," one of the two songs from the "Sex, Money, KISS Limited Audio CD, produced by Gene Simmons. The band performed all the music, and Gene sang lead and back ups! A must for KISS fans!!! ArtistLink: <a href="http://www.jessedamon.com" target="new">www.jessedamon.com</a> ALDRICH, MENDOZA, KULICK, SALAS + MORE IN THE FORTHCOMING CHRIS CATENA ALBUM: Press Release: The sessions of the forthcoming Chris Catena album Discovery - Return of the Galactic Freakboy goes on. Some of the finest artists are recording their parts for this new project. Catena announces this will be the most courageous work people can even imagine. Blues Saraceno (Poison) recorded his parts for the covers "Always on the run" (Lenny Kravitz) and "Won't get fooled again" (The Who), Doug Aldrich (Whitesnake, Dio) for "Rock Steady" (Bad Company) and an original song still without title, his buddy Marco Mendoza (Whitesnake, Thin Lizzy, Ted Nugent) added his great bass on "Sail Away" (Deep Purple) and "Funk it up" an original song, Dick Wagner (Lou Reed, Alice Cooper, Kiss, Peter Gabriel) recorded his solo for "Theme for an imaginary western" (Mountain version), Kee Marcello (Europe) played on "Saturday night is alright for fighting"(Elton John) and recorded a rearranged acoustic version of "It's just the beginning" (Europe), Bruce Kulick (Kiss) added his killer solos on a brand new song still without title, Tommy Denander (Radioactive), helped Chris co-writing with him two brand new songs and arranging "Toxic" (Britney Spears......OH YES!!!!), Stevie Salas (Mick Jagger, Rod Stewart) recorded "Heartbreaker" (Rolling Stones) and "Deeper Underground" (Jamiroquai) while Jimmy Crespo (Aerosmith, Rod Stewart) added his solos on "Cry me a river " (Aerosmith version), Doug Bossi (David Coverdale) recorded a great solo for "Queen of hearts" (David Coverdale) while James Christian (House of Lords) shared with Chris the vocals on this song. Chris is recording on some other new material, so it seems the album will be a double one. "I wanna raise some hell!!!! The Freak Out! album seems to have been forgotten too early and it's a pity because this album includes some cool stuff. Great reviews followed its release and they have made me really proud!!! "Freak Out!" is an album expressing myself, my emotional sphere, the blues in me. It includes great artists who are actually doin' really good like John Taylor who is living this magic moment of the reunion with his long time buddies Duran Duran who just released a brand new album, like Tommy Aldridge who's hitting the road with the great Whitesnake, like Stephen Ferrone goin' on touring with great names such as Tom Petty or Robin Williams, like Chester Thomspon who is busy taking part to the Phil Collins Farewell Tour in the Stadiums, like Dave Meniketti actually busy with the reunion of his great Y & T, or Bruce Kulick now involved in the forthcoming release of Paul Stanley solo album or Eric Singer, officially the new Cat of one of the greatest bands of all times, Kiss, Myron Dove tourin' the world with Santana and many more. I am proud of it and feel really lucky I had the chance to host these great musicians in my album and hope the best to my new projects Anyway "Freak Out!" is still available in shops and on the web and the great label Nippon Crown released in July, 2004 in Japan. Anyway I am ready with my band to hit the road. I will debut in Rome next October 30, 2004 headlining the second editions of "Rockfest '80" which will take place at Totem Club at the border of Rome. This will be a good chance to test the band and see what is possible to do." Line-Up: Chris Catena - vocals and percussions, Tommy Denander - Lead guitar and backing vocals, Aleks Ferrara - Bass guitar and backing vocals, Marko Pavic - lead guitars, Leonardo Porcheddu - Lead guitars and backing vocals, Daniel Flores - drums and vocals alternating with Giancarlo Pieragostini, Jimmy Bax - keyboards and backing vocals plus some guests. MORE UPDATES: More new <a href="minibytes.html">Mini-Bytes</a> have been added today. This time from: Heaven & Earth, Chris Caffery, Guitar Shorty, Bowling For Soup and Without End. The <a href="#cdshowcase">CD Showcases</a> have also been updated with more new and re-issued melodic titles.  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#397171" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#397171"> <div align="center">Wednesday, September 22, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> FRONTIERS UPDATE - GLENN HUGHES, KINGDOM COME, JSS: Photos from former Deep Purple/Black Sabbath singer Glenn Hughes' video shoot for the title-track of the Voice of Rock's forthcoming studio album, Soul Mover have been posted online at <a href="http://GHPG.net" target="new">GHPG.net</a>. Appearing with Glenn in the video, which was filmed on Saturday Sept. 18, are Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith and ex-Jane's Addiction/Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist Dave Navarro.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/glennhughes-vid1.jpg" width="244" />xx<img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/glennhughes-vid2.jpg" width="303" /></div> Commented Hughes: "It was great to have my friends Chad Smith and Dave Navarro perform with me. Dave and Chad's performance on the video was absolutely monumentally show-stopping. These guys are modern-day rock gods. I am very privileged and honored that they could break away from their busy schedules to appear on my next phase of my career. I have to pinch myself because things are going according to plan. I am really in a good place at the moment and I am glad that I can have loving nurturing friends beside me. The song and video rock and it is going to open many people's eyes. I am on my way to Moscow on Monday and then I shall be in the U.K. in October to promote my DVD. I want to thank you all for your encouragement in this, my transformation period." 42,000 miles (67,000 km), 34 dates, 4 continents, ten countries in 74-days it almost reads like the tag-line from a Jules Verne novel, but this is no mere work of fiction, it s the itinerary for the impressive Jeff Scott Soto world tour to promote his new album Lost In The Translation. A recent claim made for Jeff Scott Soto is that he is the front man every band wants to have, his energy, vocal ability, writing talents more than substantiate this claim and are all evident in new CD, Jeff's third solo album released on 20th September across the world from Frontiers Records. The European leg of the Lost In The Translation World Tour 2004 kicks off in Spain on 7th October and finishes in London on 9th November. Moving from Spain to Portugal on to a major show for the Dutch Queen Fan Club at the Theater Vlaardingen close to Rotterdam, the pace of the European tour is unrelenting, but Jeff and the band will, by then, have polished off successful tours in the USA, Australia and South America so the 4,800 mile leg across Europe ought to be like a trip to the seaside in comparison. But it takes in seven countries and 23 venues with tour support from five different bands in a mixture of gigs combining pure JSS in electric and acoustic format and a number of Queen based shows enough to whet the appetite of any melodic rock fan. What will the audience get for their money? A show that combines pace, ballad, subtlety and sheer exuberance - this tour will have something for everyone who likes their rock hard, those who like it slow and those who like it hot! Each shows will combine some newer material, some from previous two solo albums as well as covers from Jeff's illustrious past. Jeff's career has many phases, from his roots with Yngwie Malmsteen, the foundations of Talisman to performances for film sound-tracks such as Rock Star, Jeff has performed with Queen and Spike Edney's SAS Band. His subsequent solo career has shown that Jeff Scott Soto has gained a reputation as one of the classier and more polished AOR / Melodic Rock artistes around. Add to that his many collaborations, not the least of which is the most recent with Neal Schon of Journey on the new project Soul SirkUS, and Lost In The Translation represents a new performance high for Jeff Scott Soto that many believe show him to be the artist that he truly is. Jeff commented recently Playing in front of live audiences is the biggest kick an artist can have it provides instant feedback. I know that people who saw us on our last tours will look for something different this time round and hopefully many will have come back for more and we won t disappoint them! The European Itinerary is listed below: Thursday 07-Oct-04 Valencia Spain Sala Republica II Friday 08-Oct-04 Madrid Spain Sala Akenza Saturday 09-Oct-04 Vitoria Spain Sala Arena Sunday 10-Oct-04 Gijon Spain Teatro Albinez Tuesday 12-Oct-04 Barcelona Spain Sala Mephisto Thursday 14-Oct-04 Lisbon Portugal Paradise Garage Saturday 16-Oct-04 Vlaardingen Holland Queen Fan Club Sunday 17-Oct-04 Helmond Holland Rockpodium Plato Monday 18-Oct-04 Verviers Belgium Spirit of 66 Tuesday 19-Oct-04 Zaandam Holland De Kade Friday 22-Oct-04 Vosselar Belgium Biebob Saturday 23-Oct-04 Eloyes France Espace Culturel Sunday 24-Oct-04 Paris France Le Batofar Tuesday 26-Oct-04 Dortmund Germany Live Station Wednesday 27-Oct-04 Hamburg Germany Headbangers Ball Saturday 30-Oct-04 Hellendoorn Holland De Lantaarn Sunday 31-Oct-04 Valenciennes France Backstage Club Tuesday 02-Nov-04 Munich Germany Garage Rock Club Thursday 04-Nov-04 Liverpool UK Cavern Friday 05-Nov-04 Wolverhampton UK Wulfrun (on Tyketto bill) Saturday 06-Nov-04 Belfast UK Empire (On Tyketto bill) Sunday 07-Nov-04 Crewe UK Limelight Monday 08-Nov-04 London (Sutton) UK Boom Boom Club Following the excellent press and fan responses after the release of Perpetual, Kingdom Come frontman and band leader Lenny Wolf was kind enough to send his personal point of view on the songs included on the album. Gotta Move Now - Picturing an army of KC-fans all playing the same riff and marching towards Kingdom Come, being interrupted by a little girl picking up ice cream she just dropped. Hang Em High - Another KC-riff supporting the argument regarding people sitting in high places, who should be responsible for their actions just like everyone else with less power. Sounds kinda naive but it's overdue. Crown of Moscow - Loving the most when you don t know her. Started out as a low key shabalaba-song with cool drums played by a ten-foot-tall, 300 pound-heavy drummer, trying to pick a flower while he s sitting on a butterfly. By the way a true story... Time To Realign - A sign of our times. Impoliteness, aggression, regrets, false hope and coolness. Someday, somehow, you ll know what I ve talked about. Can t wait to play the chorus in a 20-minute-loop till I drop. A lighthearted verse meets the brutality of the chorus. Silhouette Paintings - The intro/verse-melody came about two seconds after having discovered the sitar/piano-sound. Thank god. One aspect of how I feel being gone quite often. Not always knowing where to go catching the rainbow, reaching ground. Still feeling kinda peaceful inside, knowing my calling. With The Sun In Mind - Mean and heavy meets innocent and light. Lenny doing some serious Twilight Cruising late at night. Feeling connected with myself, can't be bothered with the sun in mind. German flower power. King of Nothing - Listen you all, please just listen! Jamming, building sounds, creating, changing, connecting, rearranging night after night after night. One of my all-time favorite outros. The end of all times can feel pretty good. Rather die than betray your brother. Borrowed Time - No revolution meant. Just feels good in a sense of whatever . Who has the loudest amp, or cheap-ahead can work, too. No concept, no chorus, no idea what I did. Rock and Roll. Connecting Pain - I dislike the song as much as I like it. A reflection of my surroundings. Never wanted to preach or smart-ass. Unlike most rock n roll clichés who celebrate drugs as being cool and necessary to get your creative climax or subconscious urge to fit in , I feel nothing but disgust and no pity for drug-users. Sorry, I ain't cool. A cheap f**king excuse for the weak. As hard as I may sound, as double-hard I am with myself. Life ain't a free ride. Get used to it. Watch The Dragonfly - Thank god, whatever you may be. Shut down for a minute till I pick you up again. Float with me. Sadness feels so good. It s not just you, we re all in it. Working with atmospheric sounds continuing the Twilight Cruise. Compressed drums with a raw, monotone wall of guitars. Gentle temptation meets f**k-you-all. Madness in disguise. Inhaling The Silence - So much trendy shit around. So many tough people around. So much monkey-movement around. Soon I m gonna throw-up and drown. Just my distant friend playing the cello and somebody behind the mountain beating the toms, while the fool on the hill is talking to butterflies and minding his own business. Hey John, thanks for helping me through my youth. Free Bird - Here come the strings. Feeling connected with all of you, without touching. Rather keep on falling before hitting ground. Again and again. Lots of fun, building sounds (listen carefully to the colors). A grey song with lots of indefinable sparkles. Couldn't resist the typical KC-drama at the end. The final rise. This one's for free. Stand up and crawl. Look at me now, I'm doing all right. It s so uncommercial it should be forbidden. The distant guitar is guiding me to a peaceful emptiness that can bring so much energy. Could re-mix it for the next two years. STRAIGHT WIRED ON KIVEL RECORDS: Color Your World with Straight Wired and their hard hitting music that blends a sound of Tesla and Extreme, with a bit of Ritchie Kotzen styled R&B influenced hard rock. Straight Wired was one of only 4 unknowns picked to play at Woodstock 94. Color My World is slated for release Sept 25th on Kivel Records. A band that is needed to be experienced live with their unique rock/vocal sound, of BIG guitars, intricate 4 part vocal harmonies and energetic live show! Straight Wired will be performing LIVE in Keene NH at the Colonial Theatre as special guests of Ted Poley Sept 25th. Check back for more LIVE dates due this fall. You can pre order your copy now at: <a href="http://www.kivelrecords.com" target="new">www.kivelrecords.com</a>. A note from Kivel Records: "We would like to add to this by saying, that we have always prided ourselves on several things here above all else. Pleasing our customers with great fun melodic hard rock. Quality releases with their production, performance and artwork, and we have been fortunate enough to work with some excellent designers and photographers through the years, from F3 Design to Mike A Designs and Design by Droid. Well we are excited to welcome both a new addition to our gallery of art, along with its creator Martin Hausler! Known for such releases as Pink Cream 69, Hillary Duff and Udo to name a few. Special thanks to Martin for bringing this concept to life and surpassing our expectations."   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="198" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/straightwired-colormyworld.jpg" width="200" /></div> TYKETTO 2004 - THE REHEARSALS!: From the pen of Tyketto's Michael Clayton: "Instead of putting the guys up in a hotel as originally planned, we opted to all shack up at my place. Remembering that I only had one bed and no food, that afternoon was spent running around buying things! Brooke arrived first, and he and I got to catch up (eight years is a long time). Funny how quickly we slipped back into brotherhood mode. We compared notes on music, divorce and the attributes of dating younger women. By the time Danny and Jimi arrived later that night, I was at one of my band's gigs and Brooke was out partying! Yes, we all wasted no time going back to old habits! Rehearsals were scheduled in a small place in Woodbridge. The first two rehearsals were (lets see..... how do I put this??).......rusty at best. My first thought was, "I wonder if I can get a refund on the plane tickets!". Jimi was the only one fully prepared (Nice job Jimi!). That's pretty funny since Jimi never even heard Strength in Numbers and played the tunes better than the three of us! We all laughed at each other, and the mood for the entire week was jovial and relaxed. By day 3 we had all remembered how to play our instruments, and by the fifth rehearsal it was as if no time had passed since 1991. The old magic was back, and the machine was up and running. On the last rehearsal, we ran down the whole show flawlessly. Out of the studio, we worked for many hours on an incredible 52 page commemorative tour book that will be available on this tour. All 23 pages of text have been written by the band, giving a detailed accounting of the magic, mayhem and mania that was Tyketto. From Danny and I meeting in 1987 until Tyketto's farewell in 1995. We have also included almost 200 personal photos (many of which have never been published). A truly fitting way to remember Don't Come Easy. The whole week was a perfect combination of being caught up in the wonderfully nostalgic part of Tyketto, as well as looking forward to kicking some major ass in November. The die-hards will not be disappointed. Fans will hear all of Don't Come Easy as well as five of our faves from Strength (and as always - a surprise or two up our sleeves). See you in a few weeks..." Michael Clayton, September 20, 2004 Belmar, NJ. Tyketto's 2004 tour dates are: Monday, Nov. 1 At Dingbatz In 615 Van Houten Ave, Clifton, Nj 07013 Friday, Nov. 5 At Wulfrun Hall In Wolverhampton, Uk Saturday, Nov. 6 At The Empire In Belfast, Ireland Monday, Nov. 8 At The Rig In Rock City, Nottingham, Uk Tuesday, Nov. 9 At Trillians In Newcastle, Uk Thursday, Nov. 11 At The Corporation In Sheffield, Uk Friday, Nov. 12 At The Underworld In London Saturday, Nov. 13 At Jb's In Dudley, Uk Sunday, Nov. 14 At Earth In Thessaloniki, Greece Wednesday, Nov. 17 At Dekade In Zaandam, Holland Thursday, Nov. 18 At Biebob In Vosselaar, Belgium Friday, Nov. 19 At Plato In Helmond, Holland Saturday, Nov. 20 At Azkena In Bilbao, Spain Sunday, Nov. 21 At Arena In Madrid, Spain CLASSIC METAL SHOW DOUBLE HEADER: This week on THE CLASSIC METAL SHOW (heard weekly on Saturdays from 9p-3a EST at <a href="http://www.theclassicmetalshow.com" target="new">www.theclassicmetalshow.com</a>) we've got two great releases - one from a band getting back together and proving they can still rock, and one of the most bootlegged and long requested official releases ever. First off, Europe has regrouped after a decade apart to record a brand new album called Start From The Dark. This is a real rocker, proving that this band is far more than the syrupy cheese that they showed on songs like The Final Countdown or Carrie. Amped up and ready to rock, Start From The Dark stands as a great return for this band, and we'll bring you a New Music Listening Party to prove it. If that isn't enough, Tony Iommi and Glenn Hughes have decided to officially release what at one time was to be the follow-up to the Black Sabbath release, The Seventh Star. The project was scrapped for some reason, but somehow snuck out of the studio and became the all-time great bootleg known as The Eighth Star. Iommi and Hughes have taken these classic tunes, polished them up a bit, and now will release them as THE 1996 DEP SESSIONS. To say that these tunes are excellent is a massive understatement, so see for yourself on Saturday night as part of our second NEW MUSIC LISTENING PARTY. HIGH TENSION FOR FINAL FRONTIER: Recording of the next Final Frontier album is well underway and will be titled High Tension Wire. Expect a Japanese release towards the end of the year and a European release after that. MINI-BYTES UPDATED: <a href="minibytes.html">Mini-Bytes</a> have been updated, with previews of new tracks from: Bryan Adams, Bang Tango, Robin Beck, Iron Horse, American Hi-Fi, Travers & Appice and Screaming Jets. Check them out - more to come!  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#400080" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#400080"> <div align="center">Monday, September 20, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> THE TIME IS NOW FOR TMG IN EUROPE: Frontiers Records is pleased to announce the European release for the hard rock revelation band of 2004 Tak MATSUMOTO GROUP - TMG for November the 8. TMG is a group founded by guitarist, songwriter and producer Tak Matsumoto, an artist who earned an enormous fame in his mother land playing with the band B'z. The B'z have sold over 80 million units in Japan alone, making them Japan's biggest selling rock band in history. In late 2003 he formulated a new band venture billed as TMG - Tak Matsumoto Group a collaboration featuring Night Ranger and Damn Yankees bassist Jack Blades and ex-Mr. Big vocalist Eric Martin. Drums on the album were performed by ex-Foreigner, Slash's Snakepit and Pride & Glory man Brian Tichy and Lenny Kravitz drummer Cindy Blackman, with Chris Frazier taking over for live work.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="45" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/tmg-logo.jpg" width="400" /></div> Some early reviews in the international press describe the album as follows: "This is a perfect slice of hard rock, with a super heavy and in your face production that updates the sound, melodies and style to 2004, while keeping the best elements of the classic debut's from Mr. Big and Damn Yankees." - melodicrock.com "TMG drag melodic hard rock kicking and screaming into 2004." Fireworks Magazine, UK "TMG is a good, solid, catchy and diverse melodic hard rock record with tons of market potential" - aordreamzones.com Track listing of the European release will be as follows: <a href="http://www.frontiers.it/TMG-OhJapan.mp3">Oh Japan - Our Time Is Now</a> (click to hear an mp3 sample); <a href="http://www.frontiers.it/TMG-Everythingpassesaway.mp3">Everything Passes Away</a> (click to hear an mp3 sample); Kings For A Day; I Know You By Heart; <a href="http://www.frontiers.it/TMG-IWishYouWereHere.mp3">I Wish You Were Here</a> (click to hear an mp3 sample); The Greatest Show On Earth; Signs Of Life; Red, White And Bullet Blues; Trapped; My Alibi; Wonderland; Train, Train; Two Of A Kind; Never Good-Bye. Frontiers Records will release a new Label Sampler Rock The Bones Vol. II, to be released on October 18. This label sampler includes 18 songs for over one hour and 15 minutes of great music. All styles are covered from classic melodic rock to hard rock and melodic heavy metal. CD includes tasty world premieres of the new albums from Pride of Lions, Brazen Abbot, Tommy Funderburk, The Sign, Delp & Goudreau, Lande / Allen, TMG and Platens. The compilation track listing is as follows: Pride Of Lions - The Courage To Love Somebody ; Jeff Scott Soto - Find Our Way ; James Christian - After The Love Has Gone ; Shadows Fade - Speak ; Bonrud - The Phoenix ; Glenn Hughes - Can't Stop The Flood (Live); Tak Matsumoto Group - Oh Japan Our Time Is Now ; Lunatica - Avalon ; Brazen Abbot - Supernatural (Live); Richie Kotzen - Get Up ; Ring Of Fire - Change ; Tommy Funderburk - Remember Our Love ; From The Inside - Nothing At All ; Kingdom Come - Time To Realign ; The Sign - The Morning After (Time To Run) ; Delp & Goudreau - What You Leave Behind ; Lande / Allen - On My Own ; Platens - Waves Of Sea.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/tmg-tmg1.jpg" width="234" />xx<img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/frontiers-rockthebones2.jpg" width="200" /></div> ATENZIA RECORDS TAKES THE PLUNGE: The Baltimore three-piece Plunge has with Hometown Hero recorded a collection of songs that meld the power of punk with an innate sense of melodic pop and rock. The young band has been taking the US East Coast club scene by storm, playing close to 250 shows a year since they debuted. The groups front man Mike Ruocco is also the bass player and backing vocalist of RCA gold recording artist SR-71. Having spent nearly a year writing, recording and touring with this major label band Mike has brought these experience back to Plunge, and together with his partners bass player Brian Magill and drummer Mac Calvaresi he has been working hard creating this massive debut album. The album was produced by the band together with Scot Spelbring (Marvellous 3, SR-71) and was mixed by Jeff Juliano (Dave Matthews, John Mayer, Jason Mraz). A release is planned for October 20. Songs: Running Away, Wasted on Your Love, Hometown Hero, Part Time Girlfriend, Scared, Fall Into One, Ordinary Girl, One More Time, Stuck in Madison, Understand, Hope and Heaven. The true beauty of Hometown Hero is the way in which the band manages to maintain a delicate balance of blistering guitar and irresistible hooks, resulting in the perfect pop of <a href="http://www.atenzia.com/atenzia/sound/Plunge%20-%20Plunge%20-Part%20Time%20Girlfriend.mp3">Part Time Girlfriend</a> (click title for mp3 snippet) and the gentle twang of the title track <a href="http://www.atenzia.com/atenzia/sound/Plunge%20-%20Plunge%20-%20Hometown%20Hero.mp3">Hometown Hero</a> (click title for mp3 snippet). With all that is inside the album; the song-forms and production reveal sublime new facets upon each hearing, straight ahead rock with elements of alternative, punk and pop presented in a jaw-dropping musical package. With a host of infectious pop tunes, tear jerking ballads and balls to the wall rock anthems - Plunge got it all and is ready to show you all how it's done!   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/plunge-hometownhero.jpg" width="200" /></div> I'll have more news shortly, including full track listing details, but expect the long awaited Diving For Pearls album to see the ligth of day via Atenzia on November 24. BACK TO BUSINESS: Just a quick message to everyone to advise I am back to a somewhat normal routine now the amazing debut Jeff Scott Soto Australian tour is over. I'll do a full tour write up later this week (with any luck), but wanted to say a special thanks to everyone that came out and supported the shows and introduced themselves to myself and to Jeff. Jeff and band had an amazing time and the tour was memorable to say the least. On a personal note, it was awesome to meet so many people that I've been corresponding with forever and to also meet many others who just took a punt on the shows. I didn't meet anyone that wasn't blown away. Now it's back to daily news updates and watch for a big news and MP3 update tomorrow and further page updates during the week, including MR-X and the all important Showcases. There are a ton of e-mails to get to – I'll be doing those throughout the week. One last bit of good news. Copies of MelodicRock.com CD2 should be arriving in mailboxes any day now. Cathy worked tirelessly while I was away to get them ready for shipping, so they were sent out the day I got back, which was Thursday. Enjoy! Anyone else awaiting an official release - it's here! All orders shipped same/next day. <a href="cd/index.html">Details.</a>  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#b11b1c" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#b11b1c"> <div align="center">Wednesday, September 15, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> MRCD2 UPDATE & END OF THE ROAD FOR JSS IN OZ: Tonight at The Corner Hotel in Melbourne is the last show of the Jeff Scott Soto Australian tour. The last couple of weeks have been unforgettable and I'll be sure to talk about the tour in detail when business as usual resumes next week. I've met some unbelievable people out on the road and it's been an absolute pleasure to meet so many fans of the site. There are a stack of MP3 updates due to be featured from Monday, so tune in then. Monday is also the day MelodicRock.com CD2 is due to be officially released. Final stock only arrived yesterday after several manufacturing delays. All pre-orders will be shipped Monday. Please take note that the next few days are the one and only last chance to pre-order the CD and receive access to the 10 additional MP3 bonus tracks. Full details at the <a href="cd/index.html">MRCD2 Page</a>. From Monday, all general orders will be shipped when placed (once pre-orders have left), but will NOT include the bonus tracks available to those that pre-ordered. Many thanks to those that have ordered it and in doing so, have supported the website. Much appreciated folks!   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/cd/mrcd2-cover200.jpg" width="200" /></div> 707'S JIM McCLARTY & KEVIN RUSSELL TALK ABOUT RELEASE OF THE CLASSIC BRIDGE ALBUM: 707's Jim McClarty: "At last! For the first time in 20 years, our fans can hear our long-lost third album, The Bridge. By the way, that title comes from the fact that every song we ever wrote had a "bridge" section - with the ironic exception of the instrumental song bearing that name. This is truly one of my favorite 707 records because it came about during a very productive, happy period for the band. We had spent several months as the opening act on the REO Speedwagon Hi-Infidelity tour. It was huge. Tod had joined the band just prior to starting that tour and with each night we became more confident and creative. We left moments in each night's show where we could improvise, jam and stretch out a bit. It was risky on such a big tour, but we enjoyed the feeling of playing our instruments and the interplay of ideas that flowed between us. Anyway, we finally got a break from touring and our label was anxious to hear new tracks. They had essentially dropped the ball with The Second Album. We were part of the biggest rock show in America and we still didn't have sufficient product on the shelves. Very frustrating. They promised they'd make it up to us on our next record. Anticipation was high. So, we hunkered down in the Record Plant in Sausalito, California and started writing. We recorded every rehearsal and tossed around every idea we came up with, including odd time signatures and more intricate harmonies. Kevin and I had written the majority of The Second Album, but now Phil was coming up with songs and Tod's influence is immediately apparent on this record. The first session produced the three songs that comprise the bonus tracks on this disk. The Plant's recording rooms were smaller back then and the sound was more compact than we were accustomed to. But, the songs had a new feeling. They were more complete, more thought-out than The Second Album was. And we were experimenting with "stacked" vocals and guitars, recording several layers of voices and instruments. John Stronach was very helpful in that process and to this day I utilize tricks and recording techniques I learned from him during those sessions. John had worked with a veritable "who's who" in the record business, from George Harrison to Joe Walsh. And John brought in a young engineer named Mike Clink who later went on to produce million-selling records for Guns-N-Roses. Well, no sooner did we get these songs on tape than we had to return to the REO tour. I remember playing these tracks for the Speedwagon boys. I think their influence, especially in the form of "power ballads" had a definite effect on us. Now, during this time the ownership of Casablanca Records changed and Polygram brought in their own people to run the label. Tour support was cut. Everything was in a state of flux. The new label management was not happy with the new tracks. I recall the new president saying that he wanted AC/DC-type rock, and that REO had wimped us out. In response, Kevin wrote Head Over Heels. They loved it. On the strength of that new showing, we finally settled in to write and record our third album. When it was done, we were told that the powers-that-be didn't "hear a single." They said that Message From A Friend was close, but that we ruined it by not repeating the chorus after the second verse. Oh well. I wrote it like I wrote it. In the end, they refused to distribute it. In the meantime we had been talking with the folks at Boardwalk Records and had come to a new agreement. We jumped ship from Casablanca and The Bridge languished. A few weeks of touring later we were back in the studio beginning what would become Megaforce. But we knew that we had just poured our hearts into the record that no one would hear. So now this piece of rock'n'roll history makes its better-late-than-never debut. And I am exceedingly grateful to MTM Records for putting it out. In retrospect, there are bits and pieces I would have changed. The drums don't "boom" enough for my taste. But, this record does include some of the best writing and playing of our brief career. Thanks for picking it up. I hope this music makes you smile, leap in the air and bust out your best air-guitar ... or air-drums, if you're like me. Rock on." Nashville, TN. USA. July 2004. Kevin Russell: "The Bridge is one of my favorite 707 records of all time! The Bridge was the record in which we felt like a real 4 piece band again! The magic had returned within the band once again with the addition of Tod (keyboards, guitar & vocals). We now had a real fourth member in the new 707 line-up. Tod, Jim, Phil & Myself wrote some really wonderful songs on this record! Leader has always been one of my personal favorites. After you listen to it I am sure you will agree! Message From A Friend is a true classic 707 song. Phil's vocal performance throughout "The Bridge" is truly one of his finest ever! I like every song on this record and I really can't say that for all of our records! We also took some chances on this record. It does have it's progressive/rock fusion moments! I had a wonderful time making The Bridge with my dear friends Jim, Phil & Tod. These are the 3 people that I loved to make music with! So, to my fellow band mates.....I love you guys and you are truly some of the finest human beings and musicians I have ever had the pleasure of playing with in my life! God bless you guys....To all the 707 fans - I want to sincerely thank you so much for staying with us all these years! I do hope you enjoy The Bridge as much as I do ... I hope to see you soon on tour......Kevin."   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="198" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/707-thebridge.jpg" width="200" /></div> TONY IOMMI AND GLENN HUGHES RELEASING 'THE 1996 DEP SESSIONS' ON SANCTUARY: When monumental musical talents collide, the result is magic. Tony Iommi and Glenn Hughes offer proof in the form of the album The 1996 DEP Sessions set for release by Sanctuary Records on September 28, 2004. The album is being released under the banner Iommi with Glenn Hughes. The 1996 DEP Sessions features eight electrifying songs recorded by these two legends. Iommi is the lead guitarist in Black Sabbath, the groundbreaking originators of pure heavy metal; he has led every lineup of the band. Iommi is one of the most influential and widely recognized guitarists in the history of rock music. Hughes was a member of Trapeze before achieving worldwide superstardom as the co-lead vocalist and bass guitarist in Deep Purple in the mid-1970s. He has enjoyed a prolific and diverse solo career. The two friends had worked together a decade before on 1986's Seventh Star album, which the record company at the time credited to Black Sabbath Featuring Tony Iommi for marketing purposes. The underrated Seventh Star certainly had its highlights, but it featured a then-contemporary 1980s sound. The 1996 DEP Sessions has a much grittier, forceful, timeless sound. The eight tracks on 'The 1996 DEP Sessions' are: "Gone," "From Another World," "Don't You Tell Me," "Don't Drag The River," "Fine," "Time Is The Healer," "I'm Not The Same Man" and "It Falls Through Me." The story of how this project came together began when Iommi was working on a solo album and he asked Hughes to collaborate with him as a singer and songwriter. They worked on demos and recording for most of them commenced at DEP Studios in Birmingham, England. DEP is a renowned facility owned by the British reggae band UB40. Among those joining in were joined by keyboardists Don Airey (a respected veteran who has played with Rainbow and Ozzy Osbourne and is currently a member of Deep Purple) and Geoff Nicholls (who played on many Black Sabbath albums in the 1980s as well as 'Seventh Star'). No mixing was done at the time and Iommi and Hughes pursued other projects. They still kept in touch personally and occasionally brought up the subject of finishing and releasing those songs recorded in 1996. Unfortunately, a poor-quality bootleg CD made from an incomplete cassette surfaced. Earlier this year, Iommi reviewed the tapes at his home studio with the idea of completing them and releasing the songs so that fans could enjoy this music in finished form. New drum tracks were recorded by Jimmy Copley, who played on Iommi's acclaimed, all-star-laden 2000 solo album Iommi. Original engineer Mike Exeter and Iommi mixed the 1996 tracks and stripped them down to the basics to help add to the clean, raw feel. These songs have percolated and ripened over eight years. Now collected as The 1996 DEP Sessions, they are taking their rightful place among the finest, most exciting work Iommi and Hughes have ever done. WebLinks: <a href="http://www.iommi.com" target="new">www.iommi.com</a>, <a href="http://www.glennhughes.com" target="new">www.glennhughes.com</a>, <a href="http://www.sanctuaryrecordsgroup.com" target="new">www.sanctuaryrecordsgroup.com</a>.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/iommihughes-depsessions.jpg" width="200" /></div> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#000000" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#000000"> <div align="center">Tuesday, September 14, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> DESTINY ARRIVES FOR PRIDE OF LIONS: Frontiers Records is pleased to announce the release of the highly anticipated new album from Pride Of Lions entitled The Destiny Stone for November, the 8th 2004.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="139" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/prideoflions-dslogo.jpg" width="302" /></div> "Pride Of Lions is my vision of the best elements of the great melodic rock era of the 80s, updated of course with more modern production sounds." These are the words of Jim Peterik, a man who just might know what he's talking about when it comes to great melodic rock having been a member of Grammy-award winners Survivor and songwriter for Sammy Hagar, 38 Special, Van Zant, Aerosmith, John Wetton, Cheap Trick, Uriah Heep, REO Speedwagon and many more. "When Serafino Perugino, Frontiers Records President, called me in February and asked if we could have a new Pride Of Lions album ready by July for a November release - I just about dropped the phone - that's exactly one year since the release of our debut!" exclaims Peterik, "I composed myself and always one for a good challenge I said, No problem!" From that moment on Jim and Toby Hitchcock have been living and breathing Pride Of Lions. Their second album, The Destiny Stone is now complete and if early response is any indication, it just may surpass the first in artistic vision and world acclaim. "We set out to top ourselves, to write songs with the great uplifting messages and melodies that have become our trademark", says Peterik. "To have a great singer like Toby to co-sing these songs is a songwriter's dream come true. It lets me explore the full range of melodic vision." Toby Hitchcock, a relative newcomer to the rock scene, at age 26 has made an indelible mark as a singer's singer with echoes of some of rock's finest voices in his distinctive tenor. "I had a blast recording this album. We kept the basic team the same, same band, same studio, same production team (Jim and Larry Millas), behind the board. I say, if it ain't broke, don t fix it!"   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="300" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/prideoflions-dspr2.jpg" width="383" /></div> The Destiny Stone is a song cycle that Jim Peterik started in January 04. Many of the songs were inspired by the mysterious visions he experienced as a child of four. "The only way I can describe it was that it felt like I was falling through a crack in time. It was far different than a dream - much more vivid and intense. The Destiny Stone is the musical embodiment of these journeys." The range of material on the album goes from majestic orchestrated ballads such as Back To Camelot and Light From A Distant Shore, to hard as nails rockers such as Born To Believe In You, Parallel Lines and the lead off track The Courage To Love Somebody. "As usual, I wear my influences on my sleeve, like with the Styx inspired, Man Behind The Mask and my tribute to John Miles, The Gift Of Song. But I always try to inject my own style to the blend and make it unique", states Jim. "My favorite on this record is Falling Back To Then", says Toby. Final track listing is as follows: <a href="http://www.frontiers.it/POL-thecourage.mp3">The Courage To Love Somebody</a> (click to hear an MP3 sample); <a href="http://www.frontiers.it/POL-Parallel.mp3">Parallel Lines</a> (click to hear an MP3 sample); <a href="http://www.frontiers.it/POL-backtocamelot.mp3">Back to Camelot</a> (click to hear an MP3 sample); Born To Believe In You; What Kind of Fool; Man Behind The Mask; Light From A Distant Shore; Letter To The Future; The Destiny Stone; Second Hand Life; Falling Back To Then; The Gift of Song.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/prideoflions-destinystone.jpg" width="200" /></div> In a computerized world where great melodies and passionate feelings are hard to come by, put on your head phones, turn up the volume, dim the lights and get ready to ride The Destiny Stone. The release in Japan will be handled, like for the first album, through King Records.  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#004080" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#004080"> <div align="center">Monday, September 13, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> MTM MUSIC UPDATE: MTM Classix is proud to announce the re-release of Zeno's debut album Zeno: Zeno Roth is the younger brother of Uli John Roth, who played with Scorpions. In 1974 he formed the band BLACK ANGEL. In 1984 he formed the band Zeno with Ule Ritgen (Fair Warning). They started recording for the first album Zeno in 1985 by using many recording studios all over the world. Chuck Burgi, Stuart Elliot, Carl Marsh, Don Airey and also Chris Thompson joined this recording. Zeno toured with Black Sabbath, Krokus, Keel and also played a festival with Queen in UK. In 1993 the album Zeno was released in Japan. It caused a sensation in the current music scene, selling more than 25.000 copies. In 1995 Zenology was released and sold over 30.000 copies and reached the charts. In December 1997 the third album Listen To The Light was completed and released in Japan in January 1998. Sales until March: 40.000 copies! First appearance on Japanese charts: 26 in the whole album charts. 6 in Foreign Music Charts, Number 2 in Rock Music Charts. MTM Classix is now re-releasing his debut album Zeno which is known as a sold out and sought after AOR Highlight. The album is completely remixed and remastered and features one bonus track Don't Count Me Out. Beside this Zeno features unreleased versions of the songs Signs In The Sky, Far Away, Don't Tell The Wind and Love Will Live which were recorded to get the deal with EMI. Because of some delays we have to postpone the long awaited release of Greenhouze. Here are the November releases: Zeno Zeno release: 08.11.2004 MTM Compilation Volume 10 release: 15.11.2004 RPM RPM release: 22.11.2004 TRAMP IN THE UK: Mike Tramp (<a href="http://www.miketramp.com" target="new">www.miketramp.com</a>) will be on tour at the end of October. Dates are: Friday 29th October Camden Underworld, London Saturday 30th October The Corporation, Sheffield Sunday 31st October Trillians, Newcastle on Tyne Support on all dates is provided by Yorkshire band Deadline (<a href="http://www.deadlineuk.com" target="new">www.deadlineuk.com</a>) who will have copies of their new CD Mind The Step available that night. Opening band is classic rockers Silverjet. AXEL RUDI PELL'S THIRD BALLAD RELEASE: The artwork for the forthcoming Axel Rudi Pell release The Ballads III CD has been released. Again it was done by the great Marc Klinnert at Studio Oxmox Australia. The album track listing is: Don`t Say Goodbye . Forever Angel (Acoustic) . The Temple Of The King . Heartbreaker . The Line . Sea Of Evil . The Curse Of The Chains . All The Rest Of My Life . Forever Angel . The Temple Of The Holy . Under The Gun. At the moment it is planned that the Band will do a few "Acoustic Events" in Germany in the week of the release date (October 25th) , where the fans will have the chance to "meet and greet" the Band and get their autographs and the boys will perform a few acoustic songs live. The entry will be FREE! Watch the site for the dates very soon. Therefore the second leg of the "Kings And Queens" Tour is cancelled, so the acoustic events will be the last chance to hear Axel & Co playing a few songs live this year. We would like to inform you too about a brand new Axel Rudi Pell Webshop, which will open in a few weeks, where you can get older and brand new merchandise. <a href="http://www.axel-rudi-pell.de" target="new">www.axel-rudi-pell.de</a>.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="198" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/axelrudipell-ballads3.jpg" width="198" /></div> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#800080" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#800080"> <div align="center">Thursday, September 09, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> LEGS DIAMOND TO RETURN WITH NEW STUDIO ALBUM: After an a couple of years long break, Legs Diamond finally return to the scene – incl. 3 members of the original line-up! The signing of a record deal with AOR Heaven marks a new era for the band. Founded in 1975, Legs Diamond in between all the years have released 10 albums and shared the stage with fellow rockers such as Kiss, Ted Nugent, Y&T, REO Speedwagon, Sammy Hagar, Triumph, Rush, Nazareth, Bob Segar, Riot, Styx and Moxy. After the release of the best of compilation Legs Diamond – Favorite Ones through the band's own label Diamond Records earlier this year – which already has included two new, exceptional songs - the band currently is working on more song material for a new studio album to be released on the AOR Heaven label in Spring 2005. Legs Diamond 2004 are: Rick Sanford (Lead Vocals); Michael Prince (Keyboards & Rhythm Guitar); Jeff Poole (Drums); Roger Romeo (Lead Guitar); Adam Kury (Bass). Website re-launch! Most parts of the new web shop of AOR Heaven's mail-order are now online. The address hasn't changed of course and remains to be the same – check <a href="http://www.aorheaven.com" target="new">www.aorheaven.com</a> for more details. MASQUERADE BACK IN DISGUISE: Swedish melodic rock band Masquerade is releasing their latest album In Disguise on September 9. Most of the material on In Disguise is very much in the same vein and style as the bands debut self-titled release from 1992 which has been highly regarded in the melodic rock circles and often compared to Intuition era TNT. The bands Official website was just redesigned and has been relaunched this past week. Pre-orders are being taken immediately for hardcopies of 'In Disguise'. But if you can't wait, the album is available and can be purchased and directly downloaded right from the bands site - <a href="http://www.masqueradetheband.com" target="new">www.masqueradetheband.com</a>. Track Listing: Main Attraction . Alone Again . A Lonely Cry . In Your Eyes . The Rose . Stop . Running Out Of Time . Nippon Symphony . Damn You Too . Suicidal Idol . So Surreal . Wash Me Clean.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/masqerade-indisguise.jpg" width="200" /></div> NEW LEPPARD COMPILATION FILLS IN TIME: Details of the new Def Leppard compilation Best Of have been released. The track listing is: CD1: Pour Some Sugar On Me . Photograph . Love Bites . Let's Get Rocked . Two Steps Behind . Animal . Heaven Is . Rocket . When Love And Hate Collide . Action . Long Long Way To Go . Make Love Like A Man . Armageddon It . Have You Ever Needed Someone So Bad . Rock Of Ages . Hysteria . Bringin' On The Heartbreak. CD2: (for the Special Edition) Rock Rock (Till You Drop) . Waterloo Sunset . Promises . Slang . Foolin' . Now . Rock Brigade . Woman . Let It Go . Too Late For Love . High'n'Dry . Work It Out . Billy's Got A Gun . Another Hit And Run . Stand Up (Kick Love Into Motion) . Wasted . Die Hard The Hunter.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/defleppard-bestof.jpg" width="200" /></div> LIQUOR AND POKER MUSIC DEALS OUT CRASH KELLY TO THE WORLD!: Liquor and Poker Music is proud to announce the signing of Toronto's Crash Kelly to a roster that has proved to be nothing less than the very best! Crash Kelly has been making waves in the rock 'n' roll world from Toronto to London to New York to L.A. with a sound and live show that is rooted firmly in the vintage style and sound of the late '70s and early '80s that amazingly sounds fresh and electrifying for today's rock fan. With a beauty of a line-up that includes Sean Kelly on lead vocals and guitar, veteran Toronto guitarist Allister Thompson, transplanted American drummer Eric Hermann and multi-platinum artist Jeff Pearce on bass, Crash Kelly is a band that is hell-bent to put a smile on your face, a ringing in your ears and rock 'n' roll salvation in your heart. Liquor and Poker Music will be releasing Penny Pills with a brilliant cover of Cheap Trick's ELO Kiddies as a bonus track and a video for the leadoff track She Gets Away on January 25th, 2005. Get on over to the Liquor and Poker Music website right now where you can see the Crash Kelly band page and listen to "She Gets Away" in MP3 format. Keep checking the band's page 'cause I guarantee you will see Crash Kelly rockin' your town soon. Penny Pills will without a doubt set the standard for all other "rock" releases to beat in the New Year. Trust me, it will be no easy feat by any means! SITE UPDATE: Two new <a href="e-interviews.html">e-Interviews</a> have been added today. Both are aimed at introducing the artist to you, so please check out the interviews with Token and Zillion.  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#ff0000" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#ff0000"> <div align="center">Wednesday, September 08, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> MESSAGE BOARDS BACK IN BUSINESS: The Noticeboard and phpBB Message Boards are both back online. The new server/host for the site is in Florida and was knocked offline due to the recent hurricane. Everything, including affected MR-X content is back to normal now. MTM MUSIC IN OCTOBER - SAFE HAVEN, HEARTPLAY & SILVER: MTM Music have released all details surrounding their planned October releases. The details are as follows: Heartplay Where The Deadends Meet - Released October 11. Track Listing: Don't You Ever Fall . That Kind Of Girl . Never Again . Grateful . Tempted . This Time . Silhouettes . If There's A Way . Running Man . Bridges Burning. Line-Up: Kimmo Blom (Urban Tale) - vocals; Sakari Salli - keyboards; Tuomas Wäinölä - guitar; Kalle Torniainen - drums; Simo Saastamoinen - bass. HEARTPLAY was founded by Sakari Salli and Kimmo Blom in 1997 and it took four years to produce the first album, cleverly titled The Album. Heartplay achieved success in Finland when many radio stations have played the song I'll Be Your Shelter. Also a music video was shot by director Jyri Kähönen and the band made a live appearance in the pop music show "Jyrki". After the release of The Album, the band took a break as all members had other interesting projects going on. Sakari Salli started composing music for films, TV series and commercials; Kimmo Blom recorded great music with the AOR gurus Urban Tale; Kalle Torniainen established himself as a top producer in Finland and Simo toured and recorded an album with his incredibly successful band Jean S. Tuomas Wäinölä was touring with the very popular band Nylon Beat. But last spring something happened, the band did not expect - there was an urgent need for making music with Heartplay again coming up from the shadows of the northern lights. Sakari Salli has been composing new songs in the past few years and now Kimmo Blom takes care of the lyrics for these songs. So this time the album is a strong cooperation between band members when it comes to song writing. The new album Where The Deadends Meet can be described more as Westcoast rather than a hard rock album. Strong songs featuring the incredible vocal performance of Kimmo Blom and the extraordinary guitar ability make this album a highlight. Safe Haven Safe Haven - Released October 18. Track Listing: Do You Remember Me . In Your Heart . It Could Happen To You . Sorry Baby . Nothin' Like This Feeling . Fly Me Away . Have Faith, Believe . Now That Your Gone . You're Movin' On . Need A Change . I Forget The Words. Line-Up: Vocals - Michael Vescera (Loudness, Yngwie Malmsteen, MVP, Obsession); Bass - Chris McCarvil (Jeff Scott Soto Band, XfactorX); Guitars - Eric Riordan; Keyboards - Mike Mongillo; Drums - Phil Suarez (Soundscape). Michael Vescera is well-known for working as a singer for various bands and projects like Loudness ('Soldier of Fortune', 'On The Prowl', 'Live at the Budokan'), Obsession ('Marshall Law', 'Scarred for Life', 'Methods of Madness'), Yngwie Malmsteen ('The Seventh Sign') or his own band MVP "Mike Vescera Project". Besides being a vocalist, Michael also works as a record producer: his recent collaborations include artists such as 'Metal Mike' Chlasiak and Bobby Jarzombek (Halford) and their soon to be released Pain Museum album, Bobby Blotzer's (Ratt) & John Corabi's (Mötley Crüe, Scream) Twenty4Seven CD, Magnitude Nine's new album Decoding the Soul - just to name a few. Bass player Chris McCarvil has already played with played with Eddie Ojeda (Twisted Sister), Rob Affuso (Skid Row) and Sebastian Bach on various projects. He was also a member of the Jeff Scott Soto band and has done seven bass instructional videos released by Rockhouse, Peavey and Silvertone to his credit. Former Soundscape drummer Phil Suarez is an extremely talented musician and very popular in the local scene of the Northeast of the USA. Although Guitarist Eric Riordan (MVP) may be relatively unknown to the melodic rock scene, it's only a matter of time before his name is known for his incredible melodic guitar work and song writing. Keyboard player Mike Mongillo is a guest musician on this album and the co-writer of "Fly me away". Mike studied music at Boston College and is currently working as the Director of Artist Development for a major New York based label. But let's hear what the voice of Safe Haven, Michael Vescera himself, has to say: "I'm very excited to be able to work on this CD. It's a departure for me vocally from what I'm most known for, 'Metal'. In the vein of Journey, Foreigner, etc. it should surprise and excite my already die hard fans, and hopefully gain a large number of new ones. This CD will also show my appreciation for other styles of music. It will be great to work with Eric and the rest of Safe Haven and create what we hope will be a masterpiece. I'm also excited to work with MTM on this CD and hope for great success with everyone involved." Silver Addiction - Released October 25. Track Listing: Never Let Me Go . Angeline . I Saw . Finish What You Started . Why Did You Come Back . Addiction . This Is My Life . Leaving Tonight . Breathe . You Are Mine. Line-Up: Gary Barden - Vocals (ex-MSG, Statetrooper, Praying Mantis); Don Airey - Keyboards (Deep Purple, Ex-Ozzy Osbourne, Rainbow, Whitesnake, Gary Moore); Michael Voss - Guitars (Demon Drive, Casanova, Mad Max, Ex-Bonfire); Marco Minnemann - Drums (Paul Gilbert, Ex-H-Blockx); Special Guest: Andreas Broon - Bass, Backing Vocals (ex-Sisters Of Mercy); Tommy Denander - Guitar (Radioactive). The main men behind Silver are singer Gary Barden, guitarist Michael Voss, and current Deep Purple keyboard player Don Airey. Besides the fact that the Silver debut album Silver (2001) had sensational sales figures in Europe, it even held the number 1 position in the Japanese import charts for about 5 weeks. Many people may have thought Silver was one of those "all star projects" that are history after just one album. On Intruder, the band invited well-known guest musicians such as Bertram Engel (Peter Maffay, Bruce Springsteen, Robert Palmer), Bob Daisley (Ozzy Osbourne, Rainbow, Gary Moore), Colin Hodgkinson (Whitesnake) and guitar wizard Tommy Denander from Radioactive is playing a guest solo on Addiction as well. The SILVER line-up 2004 reads like a "who is who" of rock history! The new album is called Addiction and scheduled for October 2004. Beside Barden / Airey / Voss the drums have been played by Marco Minnemann (Paul Gilbert, ex-H-Blockx). For fans of the European style of classic melodic hard rock, this album has a lot to offer: a strong feel for melodies combined with perfect musicality of top-notch artists.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="180" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/safehaven.jpg" width="180" />xx<img alt="" height="180" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/heartplay-wheredeadendsmeet.jpg" width="180" />xx<img alt="" height="180" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/silver-addiction.jpg" width="180" /></div> MTM's November releases will be: Greenhouze Greenhouze (Featuring Solli of Sons Of Angels), Due November 08.; MTM Volume 10, Due November 15; RPM RPM, Due November 22. Pulse guitarist Vince O'Regan has commented on the tracks that make up their new album World's Apart: 1 Nothing I Can Do About It, this song had been locked away in the vaults for a long time, basically its about life & fate & if something's meant to be there's nothing you can do about it. a great opening song. 2 Worlds Apart, this is the first song Simon & I wrote specifically for this album its a very up tempo song, its about as people we all live together in the same world but couldn't be further apart if we tried. 3 Price Of Loving You, to be honest this is a song i didn't think we'd finish…but I'm so glad we did, its basically a love song about sacrifice etc its also my favorite. 4 Talk To My Heart, this is the first song we wrote after finishing the first album in 2002, its another love song very bluesy with a great hook. 5 Lost Without You, this song came together very quickly we wanted a bluesy rocker in the middle of the album something with a bit of grit, its about not realising what you've got until its gone. 6 You're Not Alone, this song is about friendship & trust & staying by someone's side through the good times & the bad, its also one of the heaviest songs on the album. 7 Feels Like The First Time, this is another song we wrote just after finishing the first album, its another one of Simon's love songs but its got a great hook & chorus. 8 Break The Chain, this is Simon's favorite song on the album, its about breaking ties & moving on it came together very quickly & basically wrote itself. 9 Do It All Again, this songs about the mistakes we make in our lives but wouldn't change a thing, because its what makes us what we are. a very catchy song that will go down very well live. 10 In Your Eyes, this song was written in 1988 & was hidden away until the time was right, Simon rewrote the lyrics & its worked out very well it should be a very good live song. 11 No Turning Back, we were trying to write an easy listening track to finish the album but we were getting nowhere, so we had a break & basically wrote this song in the time it takes to make a coffee, but it turned out very well & seems to be the one our families like the best. TIME WILL TELL FOR STRAMONIO: The new Stramonio album Time Will Tell is due out shortly and will be available through Exclusive Worldwide Distribution by Frontiers Records. Stramonio is a highly successful Italian progressive metal band who plays a very technical mixture of the sound of bands like Dream Theater, Fates Warning, Threshold and Rush. Time Will Tell is their third album and is their most mature effort so far. Blending a unique technique and excellent song writing this band is clearly a winner for all the fans of well played progressive metal. Flash magazine in Italy wrote a studio report saying this is Stramonio's ultimate album pure genius!   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/stramonio-timewilltell.jpg" width="200" /></div> PAYING TRIBUTE TO BON JOVI AGAIN: In the Spring of 2005, Versailles Records will return to hard rock form with the first new and most current Bon Jovi Tribute to date, to hit the street in conjunction with the band's new album. Featuring current and former members of Motley Crue, Ratt, Love/Hate, Warrant, LA Guns, Cardboard Vampyres, Adler's Appetite, Union, Dangerous Toys, The Scream, Whitesnake, Winger, as well as Richard Kendrick, Straitjacket Smile, Tony Janflone Jr., Jasy Andrews, Shane Volk, and others, this tribute will feature hits spanning Bon Jovi's entire 20+ year history! Additionally, in the summer of 2005, Versailles Records will unleash the long-awaited debut CD from Straitjacket Smile, featuring (and produced by) Richard Kendrick on lead guitar, and Ross Stephens on lead vocals. The band will support this double-disc debut with a co-headlining tour to be announced in the early spring! Visit <a href="http://www.versaillesrecords.com" target="new">www.versaillesrecords.com</a> or <a href="http://www.straitjacketsmile.com" target="new">www.straitjacketsmile.com</a> for updates on both of the aforementioned releases." FORMER EXTREME GUITARIST PAUL MANGONE MAKES SOLO DEBUT: Paul Mangone reports back with his first solo CD after his departure from hit-machine Extreme. As a founding member of Extreme, Mangone showed his skills on their debut CD as a song writer and musician. His involvement in the harmonies that made Extreme stand out was significant. Paul presented his follow up Pat Badger to leave and expand his horizons as a pilot. When Nuno Bettencourt called him in 1995 to jam and join his new band project Mourning Widows, he picked up his guitar and the flame was ignited once more. Although he never laid down his pen, he wanted to make his way back into music, where his heart was. Fly By Wire is the fruit of his hard labour and years of work. It revives the vibes of Extreme and his singer songwriter feeling. Matt McKay, Paul's former guitarist from Montage (and former Adrenaline guitarist) sat in for the acoustic solo on Wish You Had Someone Now, and with the exception of the harmonica and drums, remarkably Paul plays all his own instruments. He co-produced Fly by Wire with Mike Pietrini and performed all of the vocals, as well, wisely inviting Gary Cherone to join him on harmonies with Fly Like A Bird. The songs that make up Fly By Wire represent what was happening in his life, at the time he wrote them. Paul explains, "I've included different songs that mean different things to me. My grandparents were a very important part of my life and The Rain was written after the loss of my grandmother." Paul wrote, Fly Like a Bird on July 16, 1999, in memory of John F. Kennedy, Jr. That's the day JFK, Jr. died which, ironically, is also Paul's birthday. "I always felt like he was my kindred spirit. I mean, we were very close in age, liked a lot of the same things and had an immense respect for our own fathers…and he loved to fly. I really felt terrible when I heard his plane went down and writing this song was one of the ways I coped with the grief." It seems for now Paul has reconciled his feelings towards the recording business, explaining, "Releasing an independent CD has allowed me the artistic freedom and individual control I felt was lacking when I was with Extreme." For Paul, releasing "Fly By Wire" is not only a personal achievement, it shows he's finally consummated the two major forces that drive him his music and the wild blue yonder.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/paulmangone-flybywire.jpg" width="217" /></div> HARDLINE AND BRUNETTE 'OFFICIAL' BOOTLEGS DUE TO SURFACE: The newly crowned "official" Hardline website - <a href="http://www.hardlinerocks.com" target="new">www.hardlinerocks.com</a> - has announced details of some upcoming bootleg releases and details of a competition for some signed Johnny Gioeli goodies. The details are: Decisions have been made to sell Hardline and Brunette Demos and Bootlegs through the Official Hardline Website. There is also a Hardline contest where Fans have the chance to win a big CD package of Hardline and many Gioeli projects like Crush 40, Axel Rudi Pell and others, this package is personally signed by Johnny Gioeli. It is now also confirmed that all interested Fans can buy Hardline and Brunette Demos and Bootlegs through the official website. The Price for one CD is 10. A complete list of all Bootlegs and Demos that will be for sale are online soon. This is your chance to get some of these rare items including many Live Bootlegs from the Double Eclipse Tour along with Demos and even Brunette Demos and a complete Brunette concert! Be sure to sign in to the Hardline Rocks Mailing List to be involved in the Hardline Contest and get all the latest news. There will be the Chance for one Fan to win a special package of CD`s signed by Johnny Gioeli himself (including CD`s of Hardline, Crush40, Axel Rudi Pell and Brunette, such as normal Albums, Demos, Promotional Copies and more!). All you have to do is sign in to the Hardline Rocks Mailing list which can be found on the Main Site by clicking on the coloured Box saying "Join the Mailing list". WebLink: <a href="http://www.hardlinerocks.com" target="new">www.hardlinerocks.com</a>. INXS' ROCKSTAR SET TO GO: The search by Inxs to find a new singer via the reality TV Show Rockstar will go into production in November and air worldwide mid-2005. POPULATION 1 EAST COAST TOUR TO KICK OFF ON OCTOBER 7TH: Population 1's first major U.S. tour is about to go into full swing. The Los Angeles based Population 1 will return to their native New England and Mid-Atlantic area in support of its current EP release, Sessions From Room 4. The tour starts with its first date confirmed for October 7th at the Crocodile Rock club in Allentown, PA and continues until October 24th. The tour mixes major markets and small towns alike. Additional dates will be added this week as routing for the tour unfolds. The "Sessions" EP release is garnering specialty show airplay at Q-104/New York City, WFNX/Boston, WBCN/Boston, WYSP/Philadelphia, and others. At retail, the EP is selling briskly at various independent (Newbury Comics/Boston, Vintage Vinyl/New Jersey, Looney Tunes/Long Island) and chain retailers, as well as the Internet (the EP debuted at #16 on the Billboard/Soundscan Internet chart and remained in the top 20 in its second week at #17). Currently, Population 1 is recording new music for a full-length CD; scheduled for a first quarter of 2005 release date and will perform new songs from their forthcoming CD on this tour. Find out why Troy Nelson, Editor-in-Chief of Guitar One magazine, finds Nuno Bettencourt, Population 1's singer/guitarist, one of his "all-time faves" when they tour in October. Full tour dates and further details can be found at: <a href="http://population-1.com/news" target="new">population-1.com/news</a>. FIREWORKS 17 OUT NOW: Issue #17 of Fireworks out this week, with yet another bumper 68 page issue including the following: 4 page full-colour in-depth interview with Alex Lifeson of Rush; Ralph Santolla talks in detail about Millenium, Iced Earth and Sebastian Bach; Don Dokken and Jeff Pilson both talking long and deep; plus Tony Clarkin on all things Magnum. Plus interviews with Nightwish, Marillion, UFO, Kee Marcello, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Threshold, Mickey Thomas, Ayreon, Grand Illusion, Phil Vincent, House of Shakira, Mike Rutherford, Flower Kings, House of Mirrors, Magenta, a look back to the origins of the NWOBHM, live reviews from Sweden Rock and Deep Impact, loads of reviews and much more! Available in UK from all Borders outlets and selected HMV and Virgin Megastores. Or order direct from our good selves via the <a href="fireworks.html">mr.com link</a>.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="283" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/fireworks17.jpg" width="200" /></div> NEON GOD SAGA CONCLUDES FOR WASP: W.A.S.P. front man Blackie Lawless is quite possibly the busiest man in hard rock currently. Having just completed a North American and European tour in support of the first act of the band's 2004 2-part conceptual opus The Neon God, W.A.S.P. is planning yet another run around the world to support the forthcoming conclusion of said epic entitled The Neon God Part 2: The Demise, which is slated for release through Sanctuary/Nose Records on September 27th. Produced & mixed during this summer, Blackie was ardent in his mission to make The Neon God Part 2: The Demise as potent and intense as its story dictates, so much so, that he was flying back & forth between venues and his Fort Apache studios in Burbank, CA during the first two weeks of the band's summer tour! The Neon God addresses a tale of deep emotional quandary and revelation, the intoxication of power and the consequences of corruption. It is a story that everyone has experienced at one time or another - the need to belong, the quest for love, the desire for control, and the futility of vanity. Lawless, forthright and ever evolving as a musician and a human being, drew influence for the album's concept through extensive observation of the world and numerous soul-searching journeys through the deserts of America's Southwest. Part 1: The Rise was met with radiant applause, heralded as "compelling" by Metal Edge Magazine, "peerless" and "bombastic" by the Las Vegas Mercury, and Hit Parader Magazine attested that it "rarely ceased to entertain". LA Weekly embraced the concept with vivid appeal, testifying the album as "a lavalike mountainside flow that pulls you inexorably from track to track." Deplorably renowned for his lewd behavior coming up through a music community where 'excess' meant 'success', Lawless frequently engages in musical endeavours that strip his soul and offer glimpses of the man beneath. In a way, each progressing W.A.S.P. release is another chapter in the uncompromising life of Lawless. With a catalogue spanning nearly 20 years, early titles, such as the self-titled debut and The Last Command represent youth and the indulgence of freedom. Releases like The Crimson Idol, Unholy Terror, and Dying for the World peel the blinders from society's eyes and reveal humanistic truths and offer foresight into an unwritten future. Ambitious in design, but no less persuasive than previous work, W.A.S.P. has reached a milestone many years in the making. The powerful, high-emotion story is set to the backdrop of W.A.S.P's trademark nail-biting, theatrical style, from the guitar and soul-searing vocal performance of Blackie Lawless to the intense percussion work of returning drummer Stet Howland, the bludgeoning bass work of Mike Duda, and the rampaging lead guitar styling of Darrell Roberts. A second leg of The Neon God World Tour is anticipated to commence in early October, bringing yet another inimitable performance to rabid, music hungry fans, for a W.A.S.P. concerts are no average performances. As Orlando Weekly humbly states, "they know that 'rock show' is comprised of two equally important words." WebLinks: <a href="http://www.waspnation.com" target="new">www.waspnation.com</a> and <a href="http://www.sanctuaryrecordsgroup.com" target="new">www.sanctuaryrecordsgroup.com</a>. ADAGIO WELCOME NEW SINGER: Adagio has the great pleasure to announce that the band has found a new voice and friend in the person of Gus Monsanto. Out of the many demos that the management received came out a great version of the song Chosen from the Underworld album ... and all the guys have fallen in love with the Brazilian voice. Gus arrived from Brazil on Sunday August 29th at Marseille Airport in France and the band will start the rehearsals for the upcoming shows on September 1st. After all the line up changes the band has gone through, Adagio is now 100% ready to rock and spread its music over the world. Gus first show with Adagio will take place in Toulouse on September 11th and few days later, the band will fly to USA to play at the Prog Power Festival in Atlanta on September 18th (<a href="http://www.progpower.com" target="new">www.progpower.com</a>). Another series of shows will take place in Europe starting from the European Prog Power on the 2nd in Barloo, Netherlands. Besides these shows, priority is given to composition of the new album which has already begun. The 3rd studio album of Adagio is to come early next year. WIN ROMANTIC BLACKMORE'S NIGHT: To celebrate the new Blackmore's Night release <a href="http://blackmoresnight.nu" target="new">blackmoresnight.nu</a> have teamed up with Playground Music Scandinavia & SPV to bring you an exclusive competition to win copies of the promo edition of Beyond The Sunset - The Romantic Collection. Three lucky blackmoresnight.nu readers can win a promo copy of "Beyond The Sunset - The Romantic Collection". To win simply answer the two questions correctly and you might be the lucky winner. <a href="http://www.blackmoresnight.nu" target="new">www.blackmoresnight.nu</a>. THE GLAM THAT STOLE CHRISTMAS: Perris Records is now accepting music for our very first Christmas CD The Glam That Stole Christmas. This will be Volume 1 of a continuing series. If your band is interested please contact us and send your Christmas tracks to the address below! You can cover a Christmas classic or write an original holiday song! The deadline for submissions is Oct. 12th, 2004. Perris Records, Attn GTSC, P.O. Box 841533, Houston, TX 77284-1533, USA.  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#397171" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#397171"> <div align="center">Saturday, September 04, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> THE BEST AND MORE FROM MILLENIUM: Frontiers Records is finally pleased to confirm the release of the Millenium album The Best of... And More for October the 18th 2004. Millenium are a hard rock band founded by Ralph Santolla (ex-Iced Earth and Death, now with Sebastian Bach of Skid Row fame) in 1995. They have released 3 studio albums on Frontiers Records - Millenium, Angelfire and Hourglass. Millenium have had in their line-up some very well known musicians of the hard & heavy scene including vocalist extraordinaire Jorn Lande (Masterplan) who sang all lead vocals on the Hourglass album and guitarist Shane French (who was also involved with Circle II Circle) along with vocalist Todd Plant (Doobie Brothers), Manfred Binder on bass and Oliver Hanson on drums. This Best Of release covers tracks from each of the studio albums adding some very tasty surprises starting from the infamous Covers album sessions, which featured the Hourglass lineup (with Jorn Lande and current Deep Purple keyboard player Don Airey) performing well known rock and hard rock classics such as MSG's On & On, The Sweet's Love Is Like Oxygen, Jefferson Starship's Jane, Rainbow's I Surrender, plus 2 unreleased tracks from the Hourglass sessions and demo tracks for the band's last studio CD Jericho, for a total of 10 unreleased songs!   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/millenium-bestof.jpg" width="200" />xx<img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/millenium-live.jpg" width="281" /></div> The final track listing is as follows: CD1 - Power To Love; Hourglass; Superstar; I Still Believe; Masquerade ; Chasing Time; Shaman; Beyond The Pain; End Of Time; Angelfire; Heaven Sent; Run; Saving Grace; The Colour of the Night. Tracks 1-6 taken from Hourglass / Tracks 7-14 taken from Angelfire. CD2 - Together As One; Believe In Love; Almost Made It To Heaven; Invincible; On And On; I Surrender; <a href="http://www.frontiers.it/millenium-jane.mp3">Jane</a> (click to hear an mp3 sample); Love Is Like Oxygen; <a href="http://www.frontiers.it/millenium-rain.mp3">Rain</a> (click to hear an mp3 sample); <a href="http://www.frontiers.it/millenium-anybody.mp3">Anybody</a> (click to hear an mp3 sample); Gone Are The Chances; I Lost It; Heresy; Sea Of Sadness. Tracks 1-4 taken from Millenium / Tracks 5-14 Previously Unreleased.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="150" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/millenium-2004.jpg" width="440" /></div> DURAN DURAN'S ASTRONOMICAL RETURN: Duran Duran's new studio album Astronaut is due out worldwide in October. The first single - the album's opening track - is out now. The album track listing is: (Reach Up For The) Sunrise . What Happens Tomorrow . Want You More! . Nice . Bedroom Toys . Taste The Summer . Still Breathing . Point Of No Return . Finest Hour . Chains . Astronaut . One Of Those Days. Bonus DVD: (Reach Up For The) Sunrise (Live Video) . Hungry Like A Wolf (Live Video) . What Happens Tomorrow (Live Video) . New Religion (Live Video) . The Wild Boys (Live Video) . Behind The Scenes Footage.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="204" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/duranduran-astronaut.jpg" width="203" /></div> JESSE HARMS OFFERS UP THE BEST HE HAS: I received a cool update from Jesse Harms - the solo album he has been recording is almost done. Jesse has been in the business for almost 30 years, much of that as Sammy Hagar's keyboard player, in-between writing songs for the likes of Eddie Money, BB Steal, Freddy Curci, Heart and Hagar himself. Jesse writes: "I just wanted to let you know that I'm finishing up my CD. The songs are done and I'm working on artwork. I wrote some new songs and re-recorded some of my favorite old ones that other artists had recorded, so I'm calling the CD The Best Of What I've Got. I'm really proud of all 11 great tracks. I had the mighty Ron Wikso play drums, I even spiffed up All I Want Is You [from MelodicRock.com CD1] and threw it on there. I'll keep you posted as I get closer to releasing it." FAITH NATION RETURN: Midwest group Faith Nation are back and working on a new CD. The group released two albums during their career Faith Nation and Ordinary People to critical acclaim. The band are now are working a third release with original members Hewey Peterson on guitar and Lewis Sego on keyboards with new members Matt Malone on bass, George Hamilton drums and Pete Meados on vocals filling out the line-up. Faith Nation are currently in their Minnesota studio and have a new web site <a href="http://www.faithnation.com" target="new">www.faithnation.com</a> with a free download of their new song Western World. More details soon.... FORTUNE RE-ISSUE DUE THIS MONTH: The new 20th Anniversary Fortune CD is due to ship by the middle of September. The release comes with a new front cover. Further info at: <a href="http://www.harlancage.com" target="new">www.harlancage.com</a>.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="199" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/fortune2004.jpg" width="200" /></div> HAGAR, ANTHONY TO OPEN FIRST MAD ANTHONY CAFE: VAN HALEN's Sammy Hagar and Michael Anthony are preparing to open the first-ever Mad Anthony Pepper Bar at the Cabo Wabo Cantina in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. "Mad Anthony's Pepper Bar will be bringing you all kinds of tasty and exotic chili pepper concoctions featuring Mad Anthony's Hot Sauce as well as other killer foods to wrap your lips around and light your bellies on fire," reads a posting on Anthony's web site. "Those of you with two assholes could even make the Wall of Flame! There will also be a special drink menu featuring Cabo Wabo tequila, the brand new MA Shot and other unique delights. What's even better, we've begun to assemble the menu, and want you to have a hand in it! "So, all you aspiring chefs and pepper connoisseurs out there start whipping up your best recipes made with Mad Anthony's Hot Sauce. Come on....impress us! Michael and Sammy will personally re-create and sample each submission and the ones that kick the most ass will be included on the Mad Anthony's Pepper Bar menu!" In other news, Anthony has confirmed that he will be making the trek down south of the border to take part in Sammy's annual Cabo Wabo "Birthday Bash" in in Cabo San Lucas. Los Tres Gusanos, featuring Michael, Sammy and David Lauser, will perform on October 12. Anthony will also be joiningSammy Hagar And The Waboritas on October 11 and 13 "for a little extracurricular activities "just in time to celebrate the Red Rocker's birthday in true Cabo style," reads a posting on Anthony's site. "Just what you need to get that VH fix while the band is on a short break." VH Has also added new tour dates starting Oct.19.  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#465464" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#465464"> <div align="center">Tuesday, August 31, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> SHADOWS FADE FOR KEVIN CHALFANT: Frontiers Records has the honour to announce all details surrounding Kevin Chalfant (of THE STORM, 707 and Two Fires fame) s new studio project entitled Shadows Fade.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="68" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/shadowsfade-logo.jpg" width="391" /></div> The project was started when Frontiers Records president Serafino Perugino proposed Kevin - one of his own favourite singers ever! - a set of songs which he happened to like a lot. "Great job picking songs", said Chalfant adding a very personal "I have learned more about you through this". So they both started to exchange ideas on how to make the project succeed and together they put the production job in the hands of former Dokken guitar player Alex DeRosso, who gave the songs a silky and classy melodic rock approach. Alex also wrote a few tracks exclusively for this project with a sound purposely crossing the boundaries between the tradition of melodic rock a là The Storm / Journey with more updated sounds. Alex recorded in his Italian based studio all the music backgrounds on his own and exchanged files over the net with Kevin. Contrary to many of those long-distance co-operations, the Shadows Fade album sounds fresh and full of sparkling energy which will showcase many different sides of Chalfant's vocal abilities. From the lush and smooth sound of songs like the opening number Twisted Again, to the amazing sensibility showcased in the closing ballad Speak, Chalfant proves once again to be a real diamond when it comes to sing quality melodic rock. Track listing includes the following eleven tracks: <a href="http://www.frontiers.it/SFTwistedAgain.mp3">Twisted Again</a> (click to hear an Mp3 sample); Sooner or Later; Run To Me; <a href="http://www.frontiers.it/SFMyOcean.mp3">My Ocean</a> (click to hear an Mp3 sample); First Love Song; Without You; Give It In; Masquerade; I Won't Look Back; Now That You're Gone; <a href="http://www.frontiers.it/shadowsfade-speak.mp3">Speak</a> (click to hear an Mp3 sample). Shadows Fade shall be released worldwide on October 18 on Frontiers Records.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/shadowsfade.jpg" width="200" />xx<img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/shadowsfade-2004.jpg" width="134" /></div> JSS IN OZ - SYDNEY TOMORROW + SITE UPDATE: Ok folks, this is the last site update for a few days. I'm on the road with Jeff Scott Soto from tomorrow morning and hope to see you at the upcoming Aussie gigs, starting with Jeff's Queen show tomorrow night in Sydney, followed by Jeff's regular show Thursday night and Brisbane on Sunday. I'm travelling with a laptop, so will continue to update the site when possible and also provide coverage of the shows as they come and go. Full show details at: <a href="jeffscottsoto-oz2004.html">JSS in Oz</a>. I'll be checking and reading e-mail, but may not have the chance to reply. I'll get back to everyone ASAP. MR-X won't be updated for 2 weeks, so log on and make sure you have everything on offer there, as once I get back, I'll do the biggest page/content update seen yet. Should anyone need anything urgently, either related to the JSS tour or the site in general, I can be reached via this number: 0403 922 016 (Within Australia), or +61 403 922 016 (if dialing from outside Australia). That's it for now I think! Jeff played a warm-up show in LA on the 28th. A couple of site regulars filed reports: Hey Andrew, it's Eric Ragno from Vox Tempus. Tonight marked Jeff Scott Soto's last U.S. show of the summer, a warm-up date for his upcoming tour of Australia next week. If tonight was any indication, the band is going to be the thunder that rolls down under! Jeff sounds better than ever, Howie Simon's guitar is sizzling, with Gary Schutt tearing up the bottom with new drummer Dave Dzialak. It was a site to see! The crowd was filled with diehard fans who went wild from the opening notes of Break Your Chains, as the set wound through Jeff's entire career. There were Yngwie fans, Talisman fans, Journey fans, and straight-out rock fans - and if you check the complete set list (which you can find here, along with pictures), you'll see why nobody was disappointed! Among the attendees in the packed house were Neal Grusky (Takara), Alex Papa (JSS), Brian Young (David Lee Roth) and Glen Sobel (Ken Tamplin, Impellitteri) - both of whom joined Jeff for an encore. After the show, Jeff took time to shake hands and sign autographs for everyone who stuck around. It's been an amazing year for Jeff, who has worked with the likes of Neal Schon over the last few months. And he's still as humble as ever. The band is visibly excited to be performing in Australia for the first time, and will be mixing up the set for these special shows. As for Vox Tempus, the CD (featuring special guest Gregg Bissonette) will be released next month through Progman Records, and will likely be unveiled at next month's Prog Power festival in Atlanta. Those who pre-order directly can still receive MP3 bonus tracks unavailable elsewhere. For more details visit <a href="http://www.vox-tempus.com" target="new">www.vox-tempus.com</a>. And visit this site for Jeff's fall's tour dates, as the band rolls through Australia, Brazil and Europe over the next few months. Trust me, this is something you won't want to miss. - Eric. And Jeff at <a href="http://www.metal-exiles.com" target="new">www.metal-exiles.com</a> sent in a few pix:   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/jss-live2004a.jpg" width="150" />x<img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/jss-live2004b.jpg" width="164" />x<img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/jss-live2004c.jpg" width="150" /></div> LAURA BRANIGAN - RIP: I'm sorry to say, despite intending to, I neglected to mention the sad passing of a superb pop singer over the weekend. Laura Branigan died suddenly at the age of just 47. I was a big fan back in the day, and was saddened to hear this news. Here is just one of the several press stories on Laura: By MADISON J. GRAY .c The Associated Press. NEW YORK (AP) - Laura Branigan, a Grammy-nominated pop singer best known for her 1982 platinum hit Gloria, has died. She was 47. Branigan died of a brain aneurysm Thursday in her sleep at her home in East Quogue, said her brother Mark Branigan. He said she had complained to a friend of a headache for about two weeks before she died, but had not sought medical attention. Gloria, a signature song from her debut album Branigan,' stayed atop the pop charts for 36 weeks and earned her a Grammy nomination for best female pop vocalist, the first of four nominations in her career. She also made television appearances, including guest spots on ``CHiPs,'' and in the films "Mugsy's Girls'' and "Backstage.'' Branigan released seven albums after her debut Branigan, including Self Control, Hold Me and Touch. Her songs also appeared on soundtracks for the films ``Flashdance'' and ``Ghostbusters.'' Branigan was born July 3, 1957, and grew up in Brewster, N.Y. She attended the Academy of Dramatic Arts in Manhattan. During the late 1970s, she toured Europe as a backing vocalist for Canadian singer and songwriter Leonard Cohen. She signed as a solo artist with Atlantic Records in 1982. After her run of success in the 1980s, her releases in the early 1990s attracted little attention. In 1994, she sang a duet with David Hasselhoff called ``I Believe'' for the soundtrack of the television show ``Baywatch.'' She released a 13-track ``Best of Branigan'' LP the next year. After the death of her husband, Lawrence Kruteck, in 1996, Branigan stopped performing but returned to the stage in 2001. In 2002 she starred as Janis Joplin in the off-Broadway musical ``Love, Janis,'' which earned her rave reviews. Branigan recently had been working on material for a new release. She is survived by her mother, two brothers and a sister. Funeral services were scheduled for Monday. And log into Laura's official site for more details: <a href="http://laurabranigan.com/Lauras_Passing.htm" target="new">laurabranigan.com/Lauras_Passing.htm</a>. NEW MEGADETH CD SET FOR SEPTEMBER 14 RELEASE ON SANCTUARY RECORDS: In early 2002, Dave Mustaine suffered a debilitating nerve injury to his arm (literally after sleeping on it the wrong way), bringing his career--and the nearly 20-year history of his band, Megadeth--to a crashing halt. His prospects for playing guitar again uncertain, Mustaine retreated into seclusion, effectively ending the band and leaving behind a ten-album legacy as one of metal's most important, innovative, and intelligent acts. But the story did not end there, and it seemed undeniable that the long, colorful, and dynamic history of such a relentless and groundbreaking act could be curtailed so abruptly. Now in 2004, The System Has Failed, the tenth studio album released under the Megadeth banner, is set for release September 14 on Sanctuary Records. The forthcoming first single "Die Dead Enough"--set to arrive at radio on June 26 --features a stalking rhythm and urgent riff alongside an infectious chorus and a taste of strings adding texture and depth. Look for Megadeth--with returning drummer Nick Menza--to tour this fall in support of the album (dates TBA) as well as their soon-to-be-reissued catalog of platinum and gold albums (due July 27 on Capitol Records), which has been impressively remixed, remastered, restored--and in some cases reconstructed--by founder, singer, guitarist and primary songwriter Dave Mustaine to bring it as close to his original vision as possible. The System Has Failed is pure, unfiltered, uncompromising Megadeth. The album is a virtual compendium of everything that made and continues to make Megadeth one of the most unique entities ever in the history of heavy rock. From opener "Blackmail The Universe," with its classic, chugging riff, to the politically charged, turbulent "Kick The Chair," to the painfully personal "Truth Be Told," this is a record that could only be written by one person, with one singular worldview. Mustaine selected nearly a dozen songs from some 150 that he had compiled over the years, keeping them under wraps for the ideal opportunity. With members of Megadeth's best-known lineup (which lasted from 1990's Rust In Peace to '97's Cryptic Writings) either unable to appear due to scheduling issues, or unwilling to meet the demands of Mustaine's vision for the record, the singer and guitarist cast away all preconceptions and recruited bassist Jimmie Sloas and drummer Vinnie Colaiuta. Co-producing with Jeff Balding, who had engineered Cryptic Writings and 1999's Risk, Mustaine took an approach to recording that he found liberating. "I took a real casual pace with this album. We started out working about three hours a night, four days a week. I know this is such a cliché, but it was like being reborn. I don't have three other guys that I'm gonna disappoint if I don't listen to their stuff. I was in there calling the shots and it was a lot like when (the band's first two albums) Killing Is My Business...And Business Is Good! and Peace Sells...But Who's Buying? first came out. It was me making my music, I had guys in the band listening to me, and I was the boss." One amazing surprise for longtime Megadeth fans would have to be the presence of original guitarist Chris Poland, who played on those first two albums and contributed lead work to nearly every cut on The System Has Failed. "It was so much fun having Chris come down and play," says Mustaine. "He's a great person and there's a reason why we took a fork in the road back then. When he came in and listened to this record, I didn't know what to expect from him. I didn't know if he was gonna listen and say, 'I'm not digging this,' or whatever, because he's all into his jazz-fusion stuff. But he gave me a really great compliment, because he said somewhere, 'some of you guys are gonna have to break out your slide rulers, because this is definitely Rust In Peace-type music.'" 1990's Rust In Peace, Megadeth's fourth album and possibly most successful after '92's Countdown To Extinction (which charted at Number Two on Billboard's Top 200 Album Chart), is held by many fans as the gold standard against which all Megadeth releases are judged, for its heaviness, intricacy, and tunefulness. "Everybody's wanted me to make Rust In Peace 2, and I don't think I did," says Mustaine with his usual candor. "But I think what I did was make an album that was a natural progression from Rust In Peace." That progression is evident on The System Has Failed. "Back In The Day" delves into one of Mustaine's many influences, the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal, with its galloping guitar work and frenetic tempo. Album closer "My Kingdom Come," meanwhile, sounds like no other band out there. Its doom-laden, sinister beginning gives way to another vintage, crunchy Megadeth riff, before descending into a haunting, almost Eastern finale. Lyrically, Mustaine is back with some of his sharpest political and social commentary yet, cooking up a nightmare nuclear crisis in "Blackmail The Universe," tackling criminal justice in "Kick The Chair," and painting a picture of ticking international tensions in "The Scorpion." It's Mustaine at his songwriting best, making electrifying, incisive new metal while refusing to stick to any single formula. "I think that I've been able to transcend some of the pigeonholing that takes place with a hard rock band," agrees the maestro. "The head of my record company said something to me that really lit a fire under my butt. He said, 'Back when you wrote Rust In Peace, you owned heavy metal. That flag was yours. It's time for you to go back and claim that flag.' I'm excited that there really isn't anything out there that I believe can compete with this record. I think I really have a chance of making a statement." That statement will be heard around the world on September 14, when The System Has Failed arrives in stores, and after that, when Mustaine takes Megadeth out on the road for the first time in three years. Fans can expect some surprises as well in the touring lineup. "I can't wait to play again and have it be about fun," says Mustaine. "Towards the end, the music became a lot about formula. It became so predictable. I'm looking forward to things being unpredictable, and things being fun and just going for it." The system may have indeed failed, but Dave Mustaine and Megadeth is alive and well and firing on all cylinders. Check out <a href="http://www.Megadeth.com" target="new">www.Megadeth.com</a> for the latest news and stay tuned for tour dates.  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#008000" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#008000"> <div align="center">Monday, August 30, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> MIKE TRAMP REMEMBERS FORGOTTEN SONGS & HEADS TO EUROPE: Mike Tramp is about to hit the road again, playing one last Australian gig before heading to Europe. Mike will be releasing a new album consisting on 14 unreleased tracks, with two additional bonus tracks. The album will be called Songs I Left Behind. The album should be available at the upcoming European Tramp shows. Tramp says that he felt he wanted to give the fans some new songs to listen to while he is slowly preparing for a new studio album which could possible see the daylight mid next year. Texan guitar slinger Lance Keltner, (<a href="http://www.lancekeltner.com" target="new">www.lancekeltner.com</a>) who plays with Rod Stewart among others, will be Mike Tramp's guitarist for the European tour, joining the Danish rhythm section of Claus Langeskov on Bass and Kasper Foss on drums. The Dates are: Friday September 10, 2004 Geelong, Australia Aus. Barwon Club Friday October 15, 2004 Kolding, Denmark Godset Saturday October 16, 2004 Sommersted, Denmark Banehuset Tuesday October 19, 2004 Hamburg, Germany Logo Wednesday October 20, 2004 Ludwigsburg, Germany Rockfabrik Thursday October 21, 2004 Munich, Germany Garage Friday October 22, 2004 Berlin, Germany Quasimodo Saturday October 23, 2004 Bochum, Germany Matrix Monday October 25, 2004 Frankfurt, Germany Nachtleben Tuesday October 26, 2004 Hellendoorn, Holland De Lantaarn Wednesday October 27, 2004 Verviers, Belguim Spirit of 66 Thursday October 28, 2004 Paris, France Le Plan Friday October 29, 2004 London, England Underworld Saturday October 30, 2004 Sheffield, England Corporation Sunday October 31, 2004 Manchester, England Jilly's Rock World Thursday November 4, 2004 Copenhagen, Denmark Pumpehuset WebLink: <a href="http://www.miketramp.com" target="new">www.miketramp.com</a> PREVIEWING ART: Here are a couple of CD covers for upcoming September releases for Europe and Bryan Adams.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/europe-startfromthedark.jpg" width="200" />xx<img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/bryanadams-roomservice.jpg" width="200" /></div> MTM CLASSIX ANNOUNCES RE-ISSUE OF DEBUT RPM ALBUM: MTM Classix is proud to present the release of RPM's debut album on CD for the first time. The men behind RPM are the American AOR stars Robert White Johnson (vocals), Mark Gendel (guitar), Jimmy Lee Sloas (bass) and Tommy Wells (drums). The self-titled debut was released by EMI in 1982 on vinyl only and has become a rare and hard to find collector's item. Fans will be happy to know that the new CD reissue by MTM Classix includes 5 previously unreleased bonus tracks. FROM THE INSIDE OUT: Singer Danny Vaughn and producer Fabrizio Grossi have both been interviewed to promote the release of the From The Inside project, which is released today via Frontiers Records. To read the interviews, follow the links: <a href="interviews/dannyvaughn-04.html">Danny Vaughn</a> and <a href="interviews/fabriziogrossi.html">Fabrizio Grossi</a>.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="196" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/fromtheinside.jpg" width="200" /></div> NEW CLASSIC METAL SHOW DETAILS: The Classic Metal Show, as heard weekly on Saturdays from 9p-3a EST, will be featuring new releases from Kick Axe and Saxon on Saturday, September 4th. Saxon's Lionheart and Kick Axe's IV will be featured in their entirety on the show, and Kick Axe guitarist Larry Gillstrom will be calling into the show to talk about the new album and everything going on in the Kick Axe Camp. Anyone interested in listening can listen at <a href="http://www.theclassicmetalshow.com" target="new">www.theclassicmetalshow.com</a> Saturday night. MELODICROCK CD UPDATE: A small, ok large, glitch in the manufacturing process has resulted in a small delay in the release of the new Melodic Rock.com CD. The official release date of September 20 still stands, but pre-orders will be delayed by a week due to this delay and the fact I will be on the road with Jeff Scott Soto and unable to do the mail out before departing on Wednesday. I'll pick some finished copies up in Sydney on Wednesday, so those attending the JSS shows will be able to purchase the compilation as planned. on my arrival back in Hobart, all pre-orders will be shipped out! Hopefully on Friday Sept. 10. I have also had some requests from retailers to stock the CD and am very pleased to announce that copies will be able to be bought from AOR Heaven, Music Buy Mail, NEH Records, Disc Union Japan and Perris Records. These stores will receive their copies towards the end of the month. Pre-orders will be the first to ship! So, this is your last chance to pre-order your copy and obtain access to the 10 bonus tracks before copies arrive for shipping and the CD is officially released. Only those pre-ordering get access to the extra tracks. Full details of the CD and the Bonus Tracks can be found at: <a href="cd/index.html">MRCD2 Page</a>. One last detail - there was a small mistake with 1 MP3 sample, that of Red Circle. The band's track was actually that of Next Big Thing. That has since been corrected, but if you are yet to sample these classy Aussie rockers, download the sample - Red Circle - <a href="cd/MRCD2-2-14.mp3">Cry</a>.  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#000080" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#000080"> <div align="center">Friday, August 27, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> FRONTIERS ANNOUNCES SIGNING OF LUNATICA: Frontiers Records is very proud to announce the signing of the new Symphonic Metal sensation Lunatica for the worldwide release of their second album Fables & Dreams! Lunatica is a Swiss band put up by drummer Sandro D Incau and keyboard player Alex Seiberl during the winter of 1998. After a long search for a lead singer, in 2001 the band found Andrea Datwyler. With her beautiful voice, she has given something special to the songs and she immediately recorded the lead vocals for the debut album Atlantis. Atlantis has been very successful and Lunatica was booked for many concerts and festivals. Playing at Metaldayz festival (the biggest metal open air festival in Switzerland), Lunatica was elected best newcomer band and gained a lot of new fans.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="125" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/lunatica-2004.jpg" width="389" /></div> For the second album Fables & Dreams, Lunatica worked together with the successful producer Sascha Paeth (Rhapsody, Kamelot, Angra, After Forever, Edguy and Heavens Gate). He was able to create the powerful production the band desired. Lunatica will definitely please all the fans of such bands as Kamelot, Nightwish and Royal Hunt with a very personal interpretation of a symphonic and melodic metal sound. The final track listing of Fables & Dreams will include the following songs: The Search Goes On; <a href="http://www.frontiers.it/lunaticaAvalon.mp3">Avalon</a> (click on the song title to hear a mp3 sample); <a href="http://www.frontiers.it/lunaticaElements.mp3">Elements</a> (click on the song title to hear a mp3 sample); Fable of Dreams; Still Believe; <a href="http://www.frontiers.it/lunaticaTheSpell.mp3">The Spell</a> (click on the song title to hear a mp3 sample); The Neverending Story; Hymn; Silent Scream (2004); A Little Moment Of Desperation. Fables & Dreams will be released on Frontiers Records on October 18th 2004, while the Japanese release will happen on Marquee / Avalon.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/lunatica-fablesanddreams.jpg" width="342" /></div> SEAN HARRIS STUNNED BY DIAMOND HEAD NEWS: A few days back I ran news of Sean Harris' departure from Diamond Head; guitarist Brain Tatler replacing him with newcomer Nick Tart. Apparently this is all news to Sean! He sent me the following statement: "I am shocked and dismayed by this abuse of the name Diamond Head. As co-founder of the band, I am and will always be a member of Diamond Head and see no reason for this to change. Therefore I refute these claims for what they are; categorically untrue. I have not left, stepped down or resigned from Diamond Head, nor was I aware that Brian and I had amicably parted company. While I have no desire to play these games in public, it is obvious certain choices have been made without my knowledge or consent. I would like to offer my apologies to the true fans of Diamond Head who are once again being denied an opportunity to know the truth, by those who would betray the principles and integrity of an artistic vision. I would also like to thank those same fans for their patience and constant support. Anyone want to join my band? Sean Harris, August 2004." NEW SAGA AND SOLO: Saga have a new album titled Network due out September 20 and vocalist Michael Sadler has a new album Clear that has just been released. More info at: <a href="http://www.saga-world.com" target="new">www.saga-world.com</a> and <a href="http://www.michaelsadler.com/news.html" target="new">www.michaelsadler.com/news.html</a>. BOC DRUMMER CALLS IT QUITS!: NYC - 8/25/04 - Blue Oyster Cult drummer Bobby Rondinelli has officially quit the group in order to pursue his work with hard rock ensemble The Lizards. Rondinelli, who has also played with the likes of Black Sabbath, Rainbow and Riot, has toured and recorded with The Lizards for several years now and is looking forward to exclusively dedicating his drumming talents to the band. Most recently Mike DiMeo of Riot has taken over the lead vocal spot for The Lizards. The group is currently preparing for a major tour with T&A - a new supergroup featuring Pat Travers and Carmine Appice. Plans to perform in Scandinavia, Russia, Germany and Denmark in October 2004 are in the works (tour dates to be posted soon). For more info: <a href="http://www.thelizardswebsite.com" target="new">www.thelizardswebsite.com</a> and <a href="http://www.availableentertainment.com" target="new">www.availableentertainment.com</a>. REVIEWS UPDATED: Reviews and the Interactive Feature Reviews have been updated. New reviews are now online for: Jeff Scott Soto, Van Halen, Sammy Hagar, Asia, Kingdom Come, Jean Beauvoir, Bonrud, Kick Axe, Pulse, Glenn Hughes, Lana Lane, Richie Kotzen and Million. <a href="reviews/reviews.html">Read Reviews.</a> You can also now add your own reviews in the Feature Reviews are for: Jeff Scott Soto, Van Halen, Sammy Hagar, Asia, Jean Beauvoir, Kingdom Come, Kick Axe, From The Inside and Magnum. <a href="reviews/featurereview.html">Add Reviews.</a>   <table width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td bgcolor="#000000"> <div align="center">PRE-VIEWS</div> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> Europe - Start From The Dark (Sony Music Sweden, September 20) - Wow, this one is going to split fans right down the middle and I don't see anyone sitting on the fence. The long awaited return of Europe has resulted in an album that has little in common with the Europe of the past and more in common with how both Joey Tempest and John Norum have sounded on their updated individual solo releases. This is a heavy, dark and modern record. The single Got To Have Faith and the other previewed track Start From The Dark are great examples of a band updating their sound, but keeping in touch with their past. But these are probably the best tracks on the album, with only the rocking ballad Hero and the feel good Sucker matching those tracks in the melodic stakes. I've given this album a flogging over the last couple of days and I can't say that it's a classic or even an album that the majority of old school Europe fans are going to love. This album rocks for sure, but the decision to go with the modern tuned down guitar sound will not please many. A couple of the heavier tracks like Flames and Wake Up Call are cool, but I don't think the songs are strong enough over the entire album and there is certainly a lack of big choruses. A couple of tracks, such as Song #12 are just plain awful. Expect a full review soon...a few MP3 Soundbytes have just been added to the <a href="minibytes.html">Mini-Bytes page</a>.  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#0080ff" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#0080ff"> <div align="center">Wednesday, August 25, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> MEET NEW JAMES CHRISTIAN IN OCTOBER AND TMG FOR EUROPE IN NOVEMBER: Frontiers Records is pleased to announce all details for the release of the new James Christian solo album entitled Meet The Man. James Christian is best known as singer and songwriter for House of Lords. With them, he sung on four studio albums including the most recent The Power & The Myth. He has also built during the years a fine reputation as a songwriter and producer in his own right. His first solo album entitled Rude Awakening was originally released in 1994 (later reissued on Frontiers Records with 6 bonus tracks) and included some of his best collaborations with such writers as Mark Baker (Signal), Bruce Gowdy (Unruly Child), Bob Marlette, Mike Slamer (Streets) and Steve DeMarchi & Freddy Curci from Alias. This album is still regarded as a delight for any lover of first class AOR. After the successful reunion album with House of Lords, Christian wanted to make a come-back also as a solo artist in a more traditional melodic rock vein. To do so he chose the best possible set of songs from his repertoire that could make up an amazing new album. The result can be heard on Meet The Man - a classy melodic rock CD that includes songwriting contributions from his House of Lords band mates Chuck Wright and Lanny Cordola (After The Love Has Gone; Hold Back The Night); the songwriter of one of House Of Lords biggest hits Love Don't Lie, Stan Bush (who offered Strong Enough to the album) and, of course, songs from the late Judithe Randall (Mark Free, Khymera, FM, Starship etc.), James Christian's artistic mentor. The final track listing will include the following songs: <a href="http://www.frontiers.it/JCAfterTheLoveIsGone.mp3">After The Love Has Gone</a> (click on the song title to hear an MP3 sample); <a href="http://www.frontiers.it/JCKnowYouInTheDark.mp3">Know You In The Dark</a> (click on the song title to hear an MP3 sample); Surrender Your Love; <a href="http://www.frontiers.it/JCMeetTheMan.mp3">Meet The Man</a> (click on the song title to hear an MP3 sample); End Of Time; Love Looked Into My Life; Leave Well Enough Alone; Strong Enough; You Should Be Blue (All I Could Feel Was Blue); Circle of Tears; Hold Back The Night. The release date has been set for October 18 2004 on Frontiers Records, while the Japanese release will be handled via Nippon Crown. There's a little extra news just to hand in regards to Frontiers. I have just learnt that the label has agreed on a deal to release the utterly sensational debut Tak Matsumoto Group CD in Europe. TMG as they are otherwise known released their debut TMG1 in Japan a couple of months back. The core of the band is guitarist Tak Matsumoto, singer Eric Martin and bassist Jack Blades. A release is likely to happen in November, but stay tuned for an official announcement.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/jameschristian-meettheman.jpg" width="200" />xx<img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/tmg-tmg1.jpg" width="234" /></div> MTM MUSIC SIGN ZENO FOR NEW STUDIO ALBUM: MTM Music are proud to announce the signing of Zeno, for his new studio album! The new album is called Zenology II and is expected for late this year / early next year. Zeno Roth, the younger brother of Uli Jon Roth, is back with a brand new album! Zeno was released in 1985 and the band toured with Black Sabbath, Krokus, Keel and played a festival with QUEEN in the UK. In 1995 Zenology was released which was a huge success the album reached the Japanese album charts. Listen To The Light was completed and released in 1998 followed by chart entries #26 in the Japanese album charts, # 6 in Foreign Music Charts and # 2 in Rock Music Charts. Now MTM Music is releasing this amazing new record - another step forward to push the come back of Melodic Rock! HAGAR'S ESSENTIAL COLLECTION IN STORES NOW: Press Release: Sammy Hagar's new album The Essential Red Collection hit stores August 10th! He's a family man, a business man, but mostly he's a slave to rock 'n' roll and having more fun making music than ever before. "As an artist, you have to let your insides out," he says. "You go to that deep part of the soul, the things that hurt you, the things that carried you to manhood, and reveal them; and that's hard to do. Now I have the confidence to be myself as an artist, to be totally free within myself." The label promo dept. has sent out these links to streaming audio: I Can't Drive 55 - <a href="http://boss.streamos.com/wmedia/ume/sammyhagar/cantdrive55-1.asx" target="new">WMA</a> or <a href="http://boss.streamos.com/real/ume/sammyhagar/cantdrive55.ram" target="new">Real </a> / Eagles Fly - <a href="http://boss.streamos.com/wmedia/ume/sammyhagar/eaglesfly-1.asx" target="new">WMA</a> or <a href="http://boss.streamos.com/real/ume/sammyhagar/eaglesfly.ram" target="new">Real</a> Official websites: <a href="http://www.redrocker.com" target="new">www.redrocker.com</a> and <a href="http://www.hip-o.com" target="new">www.hip-o.com</a>. CULT ROCKERS ICE TIGER REFORM FOR LIVE DATES: Cult melodic rockers from Perth, Western Australia Ice Tiger are reforming for a number of shows! The band is bets known for it's one and only studio release - Love N Crime, back in 1991. Here's a statement from the band: With meetings underway to plan the return shows, all the necessary elements for staging such a series of gigs are being brought together. The band's agent Russell Crosby is the man in the hot seat, making sure everything is in place and running smoothly. The Ice Tiger repertoire is certain to feature all the classic songs, including tracks from the album, Love 'n' Crime. More details of developments as they come to hand. Stay tuned for more from the I.T. camp! Updates and dates will be posted to a new website at: <a href="http://www.icetiger.org" target="new">www.icetiger.org</a>. TYKETTO TOUR CLARIFICATION: A clarification of the announcement from Reptile Music and Tyketto's involvement in the pre-show party in Greece on Nov.13th. Tyketto will NOT be there as they are playing JB's in Dudley on that night and won't travel to Greece until the morning of Nov 14th. JEFF SCOTT SOTO IN AUSTRALIA - TOUR STARTS WEEK!: Only 1 week to go folks until Jeff Scott Soto touches down in Australia. I must thank site regulars for being patient while I plug the hell out of these shows! Understandably, a lot is riding on the success of these shows and many others are watching to see what the turn out to these gigs is, to determine if it will be possible in the future for more melodic rock artists to head down under. If you are in one of the cities being visited, please support good live music and for the price of a cheap concert ticket, get your ass rocked! Ok...for locals interested - a few updates for you. Jeff plays Brisbane on September 5 - Indie Temple (07) 3852 2851, Tickets: $25 pre-paid or $30 at the door, available from Skinny's Music, 85 Elizabeth St, Brisbane, 4000. (07) 3229 2389. Joining Jeff on stage in Brisbane will be guitarist Simon Croft, from the Queen musical We Will Rock You, who have just started their run in Brisbane. The guys will jam on a suitably rocking Queen tune! Get your tickets now and save on the door price. Same goes for Sydney - buy tickets now from Utopia Records and save on the door price on the night. The Sydney details are: Wednesday, September 1 (Queen Tribute Show) and Thursday, September 2 - The Marquee (02) 9557 0221, Tickets: $27 pre-paid or $30 at the door. A special combo deal of $45 for both gigs is available, but only if buying both in advance of the gig. Tickets available from Utopia Records, 525 George Street, Sydney. (02) 9283 2423 <a href="http://www.utopia.com.au" target="new">www.utopia.com.au</a> More news on other shows and a few media appearances in the days ahead. <a href="jeffscottsoto-oz2004.html">Full tour details here</a>. I might remind folks that I will be touring with Jeff as Tour Manager for this leg of the Lost In The Translation Tour, but will remain in touch with the site and with e-mail. I will continue to provide news updates throughout the tour, as well as first hand reports from each gig.  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#006200" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#006200"> <div align="center">Monday, August 23, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> MTM AND MARTIE PETERS PUSH TOGETHER: Danish singer Martie Peters has signed to MTM Music for the release of his new solo album. Martie started out in the glam/sleaze band Sateria from 1987 to 1992. Even though they didn't get a recording deal they did leave their mark on the Danish rock scene securing opening slots for Little Angels and Europe. In 1994 he formed a new outfit, Push. The band released 4 albums from 1996 to 2002 with On The Run from 2000 being the most memorable release. The band played shows in Denmark, Holland, Belgium, Sweden (at Sweden Rock Festival) England, and they opened for Dio, Royal Hunt, Pink Cream 69 and Pretty Maids. Martie has also worked with fellow Dane Mike Tramp in the studio on several occasions as backing singer, he appeared on several songs on the Remembering White Lion release from 1999. The brand new album is produced by Martie and long time friend Anthony Lledo. It was mixed by Tommy Hansen (Helloween, Fate, TNT, Pretty Maids) at Jailhouse Studios. The album also sees Martie team up with his former Push band mate Martin Slott who plays guitar on several tracks. One song (The Beast Inside) can be heard on the forthcoming MelodicRock.com compilation. Great hard rock in the vein of White Lion! KIVEL OFFERS SLAMMING NIGHT OF LIVE MUSIC: Kivel Records is happy to Present Saturday Night SLAM! SATURDAY Sept 25Th A night of first class hard rock, with three bands bringing you the best in hard rock - all for the price of one! Featuring: Ted Poley of Danger Danger in a rare exclusive area SOLO date appearance. Ted will be performing a very special set of songs spanning his career. Including brand NEW material, as well as some of your favorites from his MTV days and MORE! Special Guests - Kivel Recording Artists Straight Wired & Metal Mayhem Recording Artists Secret Smile. Sept 25th at the Colonial Theatre, 95 Main Street Keene, New Hampshire, USA. Tickets go on sale August 24th and are $12 IN ADVANCE AND $13 Day of Show. FREE CD sampler of Straight Wired and Secret Smile with your ticket purchase. Prizes and giveaways at show! Every ticket purchase will automatically enter you a chance to win passes for you and a friend for the pre show meet and greet party. DON'T MISS IT! <a href="http://www.kivelrecords.com" target="new">www.kivelrecords.com</a> / <a href="http://www.metalmayhem.com" target="new">www.metalmayhem.com</a> / <a href="http://www.tedpoley.com" target="new">www.tedpoley.com</a> / Contact 1-877-548-3511 Toll Free.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="225" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/tedpoley-live.jpg" width="300" /></div> DURAN DURAN - NEW ALBUM SCHEDULED TO HIT STORES OCTOBER 4TH, 2004 : London – They have performed to well over half a million fans over the past year, with a series of sell out arena and stadium concerts across America, Japan, Australia and the UK, and have been honoured with no less than three prestigious Lifetime Achievement music awards since they got back together in 2001. Now the excitement continues to grow as the five original members of Duran Duran prepare to unleash (Reach Up For The) Sunrise - their first single together in 21 years. Set for release on September 20th – just six weeks in advance of the band's eagerly awaited new studio album - Astronaut (October 4th) – (Reach Up For The) Sunrise was written by Duran Duran and recorded at London's Sphere Studios, with co-producer Don Gilmore (Good Charlotte, Linkin Park, Avril Lavigne, Pearl Jam). Jeremy Wheatley (Massive Attack, Sugababes and The Dandy Warhol's) mixed the track at Olympic Studios in London. (Reach Up For The) Sunrise – which was one of the first tracks to be written for the band's new album, during a month-long writing and pre-production session in the South of France, some 18 months ago - is a classic Duran Duran anthem in-the-making - a real feel-good record that comes to life with boundless energy and emotion. Rich with the distinctive sound of LeBon's powerful vocals, Nick Rhodes' familiar keyboard landscape and the reunited Taylor Trio rhythm and bass grooves, 'Sunrise' is signature Duran Duran for the new millennium. And the video for this new song is no less exciting… Shot in the US, the UK and Spain, by acclaimed feature film directors The Polish Brothers ("Twin Falls Idaho", "Jackpot" and "Northfolk"), this ambitious concept was filmed in five different formats (35mm, 8mm colour, 8mm black and white, high definition and mini-DV), to reflect the individual personalities of each of the band members. In post production this footage will be cut together to make a seamless composite that is both visually spectacular and quite unique. Filmed both in the studio and on location, the band members worked with Mark and Michael Polish to develop their own separate story-lines, which show each of them on a journey to get back together for a stunning performance of the song as the sun rises. The results promise to live up to Duran Duran's unparalleled reputation for making spectacular videos. Day One, John Taylor was filmed walking through the arid Californian desert in searing heat. Day Two, Nick Rhodes could be seen in a spaceship, flying around the streets of London as the Capital's Friday night rush hour traffic came to a standstill. Day Three, Roger Taylor drove a vintage E-Type Jaguar, filming some of the video footage himself, as he sped through London's winding one-way streets. Day Four, the crew relocated to the Spanish Pyrenees to film Simon LeBon - who performed all of his own stunts - riding a rare, off-road racing bike through rugged mountain terrain. Day Five, for the final day of filming, Andy Taylor was captured working his way through a 10,000 capacity crowd at Ibiza's legendary Manumission nightclub. Duran Duran's upcoming album, which was recorded in its entirety in London, has been co-produced by the band with both Don Gilmore, with whom they collaborated on nine tracks, and Dallas Austin (Madonna, Christina Aguilera, TLC, Usher, Pink and Gwen Stefani) who they worked with on three. The Brilliant New Single (Reach Up For The) "Sunrise" 20.09.04 on Epic Records The Spectacular New Album "Astronaut" 12.10.04 on Epic Records. TYKETTO & BONFIRE LIVE IN GREECE: Reptile Music is Greece is celebrating their 4th Anniversary by holding a special melodic rock concert on the 14th of November in Thessaloniki, Greece. The line up as it is confirmed up to this moment is: Redrum (Greek act, the will be recording an album early autumn with German singer Michael Bormann of Jaded Heart); Bonfire & Tyketto. Bonfire and Tyketto will be co-headlining this show, so fans must look forward to a full length, best off, performance from both bands. The venue is called "Ydrogeios". Tickets will be available early September, priced at 30 Euro. Tickets would be available at: Reptile Music, Al.Svolou 31, Thessaloniki, Greece. Tel +30 2310 221 333 e-mail: <a href="mailto:reptilem@otenet.gr">reptilem@otenet.gr</a>. On Saturday 13th of November there will be a pre-show party where people can meet the bands and drink a few?? beers. The name of the club will be announced soon. Any members of the press who wish to attend the press conference, and the show can also contact the company via the above details. More info at: <a href="http://www.reptile-music.com" target="new">www.reptile-music.com</a> MELODIC BRIEFS: Wounded Bird Records have just re-issued the debut Joe Lynn Turner solo album Rescue You. The 1985 album features the following tracks: Losing You / Young Hearts / Prelude/Endlessly / Rescue You / Feel The Fire / Get Tough / Eyes Of Love / On The Run / Soul Searcher / The Race Is On. U2's as-yet-untitled new studio album will be released Nov. 22 internationally and a day later in North America via Interscope. First single Vertigo will hit radio in late September, to be followed by a video. A commercial single is tentatively due for a Nov. 8 international release. Michael Schenker has a new website online, detailing just why that came about and also updating fans on the Thank You 4 release and what's ahead for MSG. <a href="http://www.michaelschenkerhimself.com" target="new">www.michaelschenkerhimself.com</a> Girlschool are set to release a brand new studio album, produced by Tim Hamill. Believe is due to hit the stores late August. A video of the opening track Come On Up has been made and the Girls continue touring throughout July. This will be followed by a US tour Aug/Sept. The 2004 line-up is: Jackie Chambers (guitar/vocals), Kim McAuliffe (guitar/vocals), Enid Williams (bass/vocals), Denise Dufort (drums). Visit the Girlschool website: <a href="http://www.girlschool.co.uk" target="new">www.girlschool.co.uk</a>. SHAMELESS E-BAY PLUG: The last days are remaining on my current personal E-Bay auctions. Check them out at: <a href="http://cgi6.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewSellersOtherItems&userid=rockwombat&include=0&since=-1&sort=3&rows=50" target="new">E-Bay Auction</a>!  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#000000" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#000000"> <div align="center">Friday, August 20, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> THIS BOX SET FEELS RIGHT FOR BON JOVI: Following their very disappointing release This Left Feels Right and the equally poor recent live album One Wild Night, there were some fears among fans that the band's upcoming Anniversary Box Set would fail to live up to expectation. The exact details are yet to be released, but on the surface, it looks like being a thoroughly impressive set, as details released today at <a href="http://bonjovi.com" target="new">bonjovi.com</a>. Here is the press release and details thus far: August 17, 2004 - (New York, NY) Island recording group Bon Jovi, who released their debut recording in 1984, will celebrate the first their continued love affair with audiences around the world on a mammoth 5-disc box set entitled 100 Million Bon Jovi Fans Can't Be Wrong, a premiere collection composed almost entirely of unheard and unseen materials from the band's vast archive. The top secret box set project has been personally supervised by Bon Jovi at every stage. It will comprise three CDs of songs previously unreleased by the band, a fourth CD with many of Bon Jovi's favorite previously released rarities (from movie soundtracks and a variety of sources here and abroad), and a DVD of never-before-seen behind-the-scenes film and video footage. The deluxe box set will arrive in stores internationally on Monday, November 15th and in stores in the US and Canada. In what is considered a first for any box set of this magnitude, Bon Jovi will reach out to its fanbase across the globe and ask them to submit brief written comments via email, a number of which will be incorporated into the booklet accompanying the box set. Fans may email anecdotes, opinions, recollections and personal essays to <a href="mailto:tellus@bonjovi.com">tellus@bonjovi.com</a>. The entire contents of the box set are in the final phase of production, but the band now confirms that among the previously unreleased materials (many of which are completed tracks that never made it onto albums) will be songs even the most hard-core fans have never heard, including Why Aren't You Dead? One To Say Goodbye, and Gotta Have a Reason. Similarly the fourth disc, containing songs which have been released in limited formats previously, is slated to include the movie tracks Good Guys Don't Always Wear White (from The Cowboy Way), Real Life (from EDTV), an original demo of the hit single, Always, and international B-sides such as Temptation. Further details on this extraordinary box set will be revealed in the weeks ahead. DUE UP NEXT FROM JAPAN: There are a number of big melodic titles still due this year and several have already been scheduled for their Japanese release. Here is a summary of a few new listings in Japan. Def Leppard - Best Of / Best Of Special Edition. 2CD Set, due October 6. No further details or track comments listed. Blackmore's Night - All For One-The Finest Collection Of Blackmore's Night. Due September 1, Japanese original best-of compilation in CD-Extra format with promo clip(s). Sonata Arctica - Don't Say A Word (Single). Due September 22, a single preceding their 4th album. Contains 4 songs including 2 previously unpublished covers (not included in the 4th album). For the first press only, comes with a photo book and comes housed in a box. Sonata Arctica - Reckoning Night. The new album, first up release in Japan, due October 6. Duran Duran - TBA [w/ DVD, Limited Edition]. New studio album finally has a release date! Due October 6. Original members' first album in 19 years. This limited edition comes with a DVD containing live footage filmed at Wembley Arena, London in 2003 and behind-the-scenes featurette. *Unless otherwise indicated, DVDs are region-2 encoded. Dream Theater - Live At Budokan. CD & DVD - Due October 6, the CD comes with a bonus sticker and a laminate pass. Filmed live at Budokan on April 26, 2004. Simple Plan - TBA. New studio album due out first in Japan on October 20. In CD-Extra format (for Japan edition only) and bonus track(s) expected. Features a remixed version of Don't Wanna Think About You. Richie Kotzen - THE BEST OF. Japan-original compilation. Tracks selected by the artist himself from his solo albums (1994 onwards). Tracks include: Wave of Emotion, Something To Say, Rust, What Is, I'm Losin' You, The Feelin's Gone, Slow, Don't Wanna Lie, Let's Say Goodbye, Don't Ask, Change, High, Shine etc. Richie Kotzen - Acoustic Cuts +1. Acoustic album, consisting only of guitar and vocal. Contains a Japan-only bonus track Stand. Other tracks include Change, What Is, High, Don't Ask, Where Did Our Love Go, Rust, I Would, You've Got A Fire, Don't Wanna Lie, and Let's Say Goodbye. Both Kotzen albums due September 22. Jon Lord With The Hoochie Coochie Men - Live At The Basement. Due September 15. Live album by the ex. Deep Purple keyboardist, recorded in Australia. With former Ozzy Osbourne/Rainbow bassist Bob Daisley, guitarist Tim Gaze etc., with special guest Jimmy Barnes. Bowling For Soup - A Hangover You Don't Deserve. New studio album due October 6. 3rd major-label album by the melodic punk band from Texas. Produced by Butch Walker. Special low-price item. Japan-only bonus track expected. VAN HALEN SUE BALTIMORE'S ORIOLES AND JOHN MELLENCAMP PREPARES BEST OF: A couple of items from <a href="http://Billboard.com" target="new">Billboard.com</a>. Both have received wide coverage in the last 24 hours, so I haven't printed the full stories. Follow the link to get further detail. - Van Halen is suing the Baltimore Orioles for at least $2 million in damages, charging that the Major League Baseball team reneged on an offer for the band to play a concert Sept. 2 at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. <a href="http://www.billboard.com/bb/daily/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1000615466" target="new">Story Link</a>. - John Mellencamp has drafted producer/artist Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds to co-produce two new songs for his upcoming retrospective Words & Music. The new cuts Walk Tall and Thank You join 35 Mellencamp catalog selections on the double-disc set, due Oct. 19 via Island/UME. <a href="http://www.billboard.com/bb/daily/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1000614536" target="new">Story Link</a>. JEFF PILSON COMMENTS ON MICK JONES SHOW: Jeff Pilson has posted comments online from his recent gig with Foreigner's Mick Jones and the "Mick Jones All-Stars", performing at a MDA charity show. Comments from <a href="http://www.jeffpilson.com" target="new">www.jeffpilson.com</a>: "Wanted to make a quick mention of the fabulous time Ravinder, Olivia and I had at the Foreigner show a few weeks back. It was such an honor to play with that band, and I've gotta say we seriously kicked ass! There's talk of more shows at some point in the future, and a live DVD, so more on that later. But I hope you will all get to see it at some point. What an evening of hit songs!" E-BAY AUCTION UPDATE: My E-Bay Auctions have been refreshed with another lot of titles. Not too many left to go now, so check these out and bid with vigor! <a href="http://cgi6.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewSellersOtherItems&userid=rockwombat&include=0&since=-1&sort=3&rows=50" target="new">E-Bay Auction</a>! MR-X UPDATED: <a href="mr-x/index.html">MR-X</a> has had it's weekly update uploaded! Today I'm featuring the absolute classic AOR release - the one and only (so far) Diving For Pearls album. Also featured is Mr. Big - Live In Japan 1999 - a 2CD, 20 track recording of a live radio broadcast. And as per usual, a stack of new videos have been uploaded. They are: Steelheart - I'll Never Let You Go & Can't Stop Me Lovin' You, Stone Fury - Break Down The Walls, Taxxi - Still In Love, Tyketto - Standing Alone, Vandenburg - Burning Heart, Warp Drive - Bang The Drum and Y&T - Contagious & Don't Be Afraid Of The Dark. Coming up next month - MR-X: Best Of The Best and MR-X: By Request specials! <a href="mr-x-intro.html">MR-X Membership Details.</a>  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#b11b1c" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#b11b1c"> <div align="center">Thursday, August 19, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> DON DOKKEN SPEAKS ON THE FUTURE OF DOKKEN: Don Dokken will soon be featured on That '80s Show with Codi Jeffreys, on radio station Majic 100.3 in Ottawa - airing in September. Majic is broadcast Live over the Internet also, so watch <a href="http://www.majic100.fm" target="new">www.majic100.fm</a> for details. Don Dokken, Codi Jeffreys and Mitch Lafon pre-taped a co-hosting 'segment" for the Majic 100 radio show, a preview of which I am pleased to present now. Mitch starts off: "Let's talk Internet and George [Lynch] for a sec. Lots of stuff going on about he's begging you to come back and he's saying that you're begging him to come back to the band. It's like a back and forth tennis match – Where's the reality?" Don Dokken – " There is no reality on that. I don't want him back in the band at all and we will never play together again because the magic is not there. There's too much… it would be like trying to get back with an ex-wife. I mean – our biggest problem I had – unfortunately – we had a spiritual disagreement and the disagreement was that he thought he was GOD and I disagreed. I ran into him a few months ago and I hadn't seen him in years and we talked for a minute and we talked about doing a project down the road and he said maybe we should do something and I was very honest and I said that I was very happy with Jon and I don't think we could. I know the fans might like it, but I don't see that we could ever make a good record again. So, there's no point in it." Mitch – "When he said a project, did he mean Dokken?" Don – "No, he meant a side project. He will never play in Dokken again. It would never work. There's too much spiritually, emotionally… our whole views on life are completely different. We're just not compatible." Mitch – "What about Jeff? Any hope for Jeff?" Don – "Jeff – nah. From the day he joined the band he's always wanted to be a lead singer and a guitar player – not a bass player. So, he was very frustrated for all those years in Dokken and never enjoyed being the bass player. He wants to be a lead singer and that's what he's doing. If you're not content playing bass in a band then you shouldn't be doing it. This is the most magical line-up [with Jon Levin & Barry Sparks]… I've had a lot of guitar player changes to find the right ingredient. Like anything – try to paint a painting or put a team together – Sometimes, you have to change members of the team to get the right baseball team to win the World Series… and this is finally the one and that's the way it goes." JEFF SCOTT SOTO IN OZ - HOBART TICKETS: Tickets for the Jeff Scott Soto Hobart show are now on sale. Tickets are priced at $20 per show, or $35 for the combination of both shows - [Saturday September 11 and Sunday September 12 (Queen Show)]. Hobart tickets can be purchased from the The Republic Bar (03 6234 6954), Tracks Music (03 6236 9699), or directly from myself (03 6229 3113, <a href="mailto:ajm@melodicrock.com">ajm@melodicrock.com</a>). Details for the other Australian Shows can be found at: <a href="jeffscottsoto-oz2004.html">JSS Oz Tour Page</a>. TYKETTO'S UK TOUR - UPDATE: A note from Kieran Dargan, who has put together the upcoming Tyketto tour of the UK: "Well folks, it's eleven weeks to show time and things are getting busy in the Tyketto camp. The band will start rehearsal shortly for their November European Tour, and they are all looking forward to it. It's been a while since all four guys stood in a room together , let alone played together, but that will all change on November 5. Tyketto kick off their European Tour in Wolverhampton Wulfrun Halls on November 5th with support from Deadline (an up and coming Yorkshire based band with just a hint of classic Thunder about their sound) and American melodic hard rock act Teer who have played the UK previously on two occasions at the prestigious Gods Of AOR Festival, and released a well received album through Frontiers Records in 2000. Whilst the support acts are very strong and make! Tyketto / Deadline / Teer - European Tour 2004, UK Leg: Friday November 5th………………Wolverhampton Wulfrun Halls **** Tickets The Little Civic, North Street, Wolverhampton 10.00am to 6.00pm Tel 01902 552121 Saturday November 6th…………….The Empire, Belfast **** Tickets <a href="http://www.ticketmaster.ie">www.ticketmaster.ie</a> Virgin Megastore, Royal Avenue, Belfast Monday November 8th……………..The Rig, Rock City, Nottingham Tickets <a href="http://www.alt-tickets.co.uk">www.alt-tickets.co.uk</a> Rock City Box Office TEL 0115 9588484 Tuesday November 9th………………Trillians , Newcastle Tickets T.B.A. Thursday November 11th…………….The Corporation, Sheffield Tickets Classic Rock Society box office Tel 01709 702575 Tickets for all shows by credit card available from / <a href="http://www.ticketweb.co.uk">www.ticketweb.co.uk</a> - 08700 600 100 / <a href="http://www.wayahead.com">www.wayahead.com</a> - 0115 912 9000 / <a href="http://www.ticketline.co.uk">www.ticketline.co.uk</a> - 0114 2517000. Friday November 12th………………..The Underworld, Camden, London. Tickets <a href="http://www.ticketweb.co.uk">www.ticketweb.co.uk</a> Tel08700 600100 / <a href="http://www.stargreen.com">www.stargreen.com</a> Tel020 7734 8932 / <a href="http://www.wayahead.com">www.wayahead.com</a> Tel 020 7734 3331 / <a href="http://www.tickets-online.co.uk">www.tickets-online.co.uk</a> or in person from The Worlds End Bar adjacent to the venue. Saturday November 13th………………JB's, Castle Hill, Dudley Tickets <a href="http://www.wayahead.com">www.wayahead.com</a> Tel 020 7403 3331, 24 Hour Credit Card Hotline 0115 9129000 in person from the venue during opening hours. **** Jeff Scott Soto band will appear as special guests on shows as indicated. In keeping with the no bull tradition , here's the current state of play regarding tickets so far: Wolverhampton……….nice and steady Belfast…………………30% already sold Sheffield ……………….50% already sold London…………………Over 50% sold and selling extremely quickly Dudley………………….Selling extremely well, just like the good old days according to the venue owner! So if you are intending to pick up a ticket or two, please do so as early as possible as it looks as if we will sell out three venues well before show day and we don't want to see anybody disappointed. Not only that, but if we can show the venues a strong demand for tickets again on this tour, we may encourage them to book more melodic rock acts for future shows. If you have any queries or comments (good band of indifferent) you can drop a mail to <a href="mailto:k_dargan@hotmail.com">k_dargan@hotmail.com</a> and I'll do my best to help you out. Thanks for your support. DIAMOND HEAD ARE BACK, BUT WITHOUT SEAN HARRIS: This item just in...Diamond Head are being re-launched with a new singer Nick Tart. Founder member Brian Tatler has amicably parted company with Sean Harris due to musical differences. The band remains Brian Tatler (guitar), Karl Wilcox (drums), Eddie Moohan (bass), Mills (rhythm guitar) and now with Nick Tart on vocals. Nick has re-energised the band with his phenomenal voice and fresh song writing input. A new album has been written and recording will begin in September and due for release Spring 2005. See <a href="http://www.diamond-head.net" target="new">www.diamond-head.net</a> for updates. WASP PICKING THINGS UP ON THE ROAD: A post script to last week's WASP troubles. This past week seems to have been much clearer sailing for the band, with a few reports being e-mailed in following last week's less favorable press: "Just wanted to drop you a quick note that it looks like WASP's touring problems are over. I saw them 8/17/04 in Indianapolis and they played their full set and were full of energy. According to reports on the WASPNation message board, they played the full show the night before that in Nashville as well. I was wary of going to the show due to all the bad press of late, but it really was fantastic and hopefully people will go check them out....Mike." And, "It sucks to hear about all these problems that WASP and the concert goers are having with this tour. I just wanted to drop a positive note. I saw them early in the tour here in New Orleans. The show was great. They didn't seem to have any problems and rolled through a great set and encore. The only issue that arose was after the second time Blackie got hit in the face with raw hamburger. But you have to half expect something like that with these guys. Anyway, great set, great show, great time. Would love to see them again....B." And my god mate Chuck wrote in: "The show at the Exit/In went off without a hitch last night. I've got a friend that attended the show...He said that the show was really good, and very well attended." MADISON PAIGE TO KICK OFF METAL SLUDGE EXTRAVAGANZA: (Hollywood, CA) - Young hard rock hopefuls Madison Paige have just been added to the party on September 18th sponsored by the infamous Metal Sludge website. These Extravaganzas, which are held periodically across the country in honor of the parody site and the artists it covers, have reached near legendary status and will easily be the hottest ticket in town. You simply never know which famous (or formerly famous rock star) will show up and jam on a song or two. Also on the bill that night are modern rockers Killingbird, a reformed WWIII (with Mandy Lion, Jimmy Bain, Vinnie Appice & Moni Scaria) and METAL SKOOL (formerly Metal Shop), the ultimate '80s hard rock tribute band. Madison Paige will start the festivities, which will take place at Paladino's (6101 Reseda Blvd., Tarzana, CA), promptly at 800 PM. Admission is $15 at the door, but Madison Paige are now offering discount admission through their website at <a href="http://www.madisonpaige.net" target="new">www.madisonpaige.net</a>. Note that this show will sell out, so if you don't get there early, you won't be able to get in later (a good tip for you out-of-towners that will be flying in). Madison Paige, which features Paul Caroul (vocals), Will Arkosy (bass), Richie Rivera (drums), Damon Valley (guitar) and new keyboardist Jonathan Rheuben are supporting the release of their Without The World Records debut album, Famous Last Words. The band has been playing live throughout the Southwestern US all summer and has recently completed work on the video for the album's first single, Hold Me Over. MELODIC BRIEFS: Kevin Lee is currently at Rax Trax studio recording tracks for a new CD to be released in 2005 with producer/engineer Rick Barnes. A neat little tribute album to Joe Satriani has just been completed. Recorded entirely by fans of Joe Satriani...as a tribute to Joe - all original music inspired by Joe. All proceeds go to the International Red Cross. For more info: <a href="http://www.talk2joe.com" target="new">www.talk2joe.com</a>. No Life Til Leather 10 will take place on Friday August 20 at the Marquee in Camperdown (Australia), and not only will you be treated to the sounds of LA Guns, Motley Crue, Ratt, Slayer, Van Halen etc, but there will also be special performances throughout the night by the No Life 'Til Leather Dancers, featuring Mia Mortal, in their inaugural appearance at the club. We will also be bringing in the big screen and will be playing your favourite classic videos all throughout the night! CHARITY AUCTION ANNOUNCED TO BENEFIT STATION NIGHTCLUB SURVIVORS: Maryland Heights, MO, August 18, 2004. John Langenstein, Director of Security for several bands including Phish, CSN, and The String Cheese Incident, has teamed up once again with David Shulman and The Mimi Fishman Foundation to raise money for The Station Family Fund. The Station Family Fund is an all-volunteer, 501 c 3 recognized, tax exempt, nonprofit organization, founded to offer assistance and relief to people directly affected by the fire at The Station nightclub in West Warwick, Rhode Island. 100 people perished, close to 200 severely injured, and more than 60 children lost one or both parents in the horrific fire on Feb 20, 2003. Todd King, a survivor himself of the fire, is the VP of the Station Family Fund. "It's vital we don t forget the families left behind. The Station Family Fund was formed to help those families, as well as the survivors" , said King. The auction, which began August 17, is the third in a series of Langenstein/Shulman on-line auctions, with the first two raising over $27,000. Like the first two auctions, there are many Phish items, as well as other gems donated by Mick Jagger, The String Cheese Incident, Jackson Browne, Bruce Springsteen, REM, David Bowie, CSN, Brian Wilson, Patti Smith, Kid Rock, and a host of others. "Our first two auctions were just a small step towards the help that is needed. Our efforts are now in overdrive as the needs of the families affected far outweigh the help the Station Family Fund has been able to provide. I am more determined now than ever to help out the survivors and the families of the victims", said Langenstein. The Station Family Fund will distribute every dollar raised by the auction in an effort to address the needs of the survivors and the families of victims. "This is one of the most exciting lineups of items we have ever had on one of our auctions. We are honored to once again be able to help such an important organization", says Shulman. "There is sure to be something of interest for fans of all music types. John (Langenstein) has done a wonderful job pulling his resources together." For more information the auction can be viewed at <a href="http://www.mimifishman.org" target="new">www.mimifishman.org</a>. Information on the Station Family Fund can be found at <a href="http://www.stationfamilyfund.org" target="new">www.stationfamilyfund.org</a>.  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#b74898" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#b74898"> <div align="center">Wednesday, August 18, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> MUSIC BUY MAIL WEBSITE RE-LAUNCHED: <a href="http://www.musicbuymail.com/" target="new">Music Buy Mail</a> is very happy to present the re-launch of their online store. The following improvements have been done: · Customer-friendly service. · Pre-listening mp 3 files of 3 songs to a lot of our CDs. · Strong search engine. · Payment via PayPal. · Possibility of retrieving the status of the order by entering your e-mail address and a password. · Lower shipping costs. · Printed catalogue plus a free promo sampler for each new order. Some minor parts are still under construction but the guys are completing it quite soon. Check out the site and have fun! As a surprise for the re-launch MUSIC BUY MAIL have two long awaited and very rare releases. Annica - Badly Dreaming finally on CD! 2004, Badly Dreaming was the title of the first and only album released by the Finnish artist Annica Viclund. For the time being, it was only released on vinyl. Being a fan of bands like Van Halen, David Lee Roth, Dio or Havana Black, it was clear for Annica to devote herself to rock music. So, an album in the vein of late 80 s hard rock was created. Annica impresses the listener with her strong, expressive and husky voice. All songs and lyrics on Badly Dreaming were almost solely penned by Annica herself. Later, the album was released on CD but it was only available for a short time and in very limited quantity. Fans from all over the world paid lots of money to get hold of a copy, which was mostly sold on internet auctions. Now, Badly Dreaming will finally be re-released - fully digitally remastered and including 5 bonus Tracks taken off the very rare album by Annica's later band PINK FLAMINGO. Mike Reno - Renovation now and finally available! 2004, Renovation was recorded in the early 90's as Mike Reno's solo debut, but due to industry politics was never released. The album features a line-up of top LA session guys and was co-written and produced with Mark Spiro, who also handles a lot of the music. Popular guitarist Tim Pierce is featured throughout. The 10 songs on offer here showcase Mike Reno at his very best and are amongst the strongest songs he has committed vocals to in his recording history. It s an astoundingly good selection of classic early/mid-90's melodic rock. This is a hard edged melodic rock album and tops Loverboy for heaviness in places such as the opening rocker Affection, Dream Machine and I Say Go. Then there is the sentimental AOR side to the album, such as the stunning power ballad Still In Love and the ultra smooth Take Me Back. The one exclusive track to this release is the raw, vocal/piano version of the classic ballad All I Ever Needed. The track was written and recorded with David Foster. If you don't own this album and are in any way a fan of Mike Reno or Loverboy, then you definitely should get it. It's a melodic rock monster, that's for sure and Mike has seldom sounded better or more in control. The first 50 orders are getting the booklet signed!   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="199" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/mikereno-renovation.jpg" width="200" />xx<img alt="" height="201" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/annica-badlydreaming.jpg" width="200" /></div> EUROPE'S NEW STUDIO ALBUM - TRACK LISTING: The release date for Europe's new album is nearing closer. The album is due out in Japan Sept 22 and throughout Europe and Scandinavia September 26. The first single is Got To Have Faith, which is out August 21. The album track list looks like being: Got To Have Faith . Start From The Dark . Flames . Hero . Wake Up Call . Reason . Song No.12 . Roll With You . Sucker . Spirit Of The Underdog . America . Settle For Love . Seven Doors Hotel (Live At Sweden Rock)* . Wings Of Tomorrow (Live At Sweden Rock)* * Japan bonus tracks. LIVE LIVE LIVE: Jeff Scott Soto live - 2004 Lost In The Translation World Tour Preview show. Paladino's Los Angeles, August 28. <a href="http://www.PaladinosClub.com" target="new">www.PaladinosClub.com</a> Jimmy D. Presents The long awaited return of...Tuff. 1st California appearance in nearly 3 years! Playing the #3 MTV hit I Hate Kissing You Goodbye, the super smash American Hair Band & many more...."Paladinos Lounge", Friday August 20th 2004. 6101 Reseda Blvd. Tarzana, CA 91335 For Info (818) 342-1563 <a href="http://www.PaladinosClub.com" target="new">www.PaladinosClub.com</a>. On Aug. 21st at The Blue Café in Long Beach the Godfather of Rock and Roll Ike Turner and the Kings of Rhythm will make a rare club Appearance. Showtime is 10:00pm and 12:00pm. Get any other info on <a href="http://www.iketurner.com" target="new">www.iketurner.com</a> or <a href="http://www.grandentertainment.info" target="new">www.grandentertainment.info</a>. Tickets are available by e-mailing <a href="mailto:adale9@earthlink.net">adale9@earthlink.net</a> Ike was nominated for a Grammy in 2001 for his new album Then and Now. Tickets are 20 dollars and this is a rare chance to see a living legend up close. The Blue Café is located at 210 Promenade the website is <a href="http://www.thebluecafe.com" target="new">www.thebluecafe.com</a>. On Sept 17 we will celebrate the 8th annual B-day of Jimi Hendrix at BB Kings Blues Club Hollywood. Special guests include Randy Hansen, Greg Wright, Guitar Jack and a special surprise guests. In years past the show has included guests like The late Noel Reading, This event is once a year and sells out early. Please contact <a href="mailto:adale9@earthlink.net">adale9@earthlink.net</a> or log onto <a href="http://www.grandentertainment.info" target="new">www.grandentertainment.info</a> for more information.  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#00bb00" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#00bb00"> <div align="center">Tuesday, August 17, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> LARRY GILLSTROM TALKS KICK AXE IV: Larry Gillstrom has talked to MTM Music about Kick Axe's long awaited return to recording duty with the album IV, due out in September. Larry says: "So why now. why are we reuniting at this particular point in time? Quite simply, it was not possible to do so until now. Kick Axe was forced to disband in the late 1980's due to financial and legal reasons. We all remained close, but the members went off in different directions. Then in early 2002, we all found ourselves back in Vancouver out for dinner together. We talked about reuniting and agreed it was time to deal with some unfinished business. Some people ask me why George isn't on this album. It would have been great if George could have performed on the album, and I know he would have liked to, but the timing wasn't right for him and he had other long-term commitments. We still remain in contact with George and he was one of the first people to get a pre-release copy of the new album. It may seem a bit strange for us to say that we are all original Kick Axe members, since Gary Langen has replaced George Criston in this incarnation of the band. But it was Gary, Vic and I that started Kick Axe back in the 70's and Gary was the singer and drummer for many years before personal reasons forced him to leave the group. Unfortunately for Gary, that was just prior to our first record deal and George ended up being the first Kick Axe singer on record. The great thing about this formation of the group is that we've all known each other for at least three decades and feel very comfortable with each other both on and off stage. This is the first album where the songs were not written while the band was on the road. On the first three albums, the whole band always got together in someone's hotel room and we wrote the songs together. On this album, individual members brought songs to the project that had been written prior to the reunion. There are also several new songs that are collaborations between two or more members of the band, and we also collaborated with a couple of outside artists (Laurel Aura and Floyd Ray). The songs on Kick Axe IV are a little more serious and melodic than on our previous albums. I guess that's because we are older and wiser now. Well . at least we are older. Several of the new songs were written about real life experiences. Rockin' Daze is a song about the band's demise in the late 80's. Consolation and Turn to Stone are songs about moments of pain and grief. But there are also light-hearted songs like Slip Inside My Dream and Rock n Roll Dog. We produced the album with the guitars loud in the mix, which is the way we have always been live. I think the whole record has a very live feel to it. At first we weren't sure if we would tour live for this new album, but as we neared the end of production on the album, we felt a growing desire to get out and perform again. We're going to do our first live show in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. This is the city where most of us were born and raised. As soon as we announced the show, we had all the old crew calling us up offering to do the show with us. We expect it to be a blast! We've had a lot of people contact us trying to find a copy of Rock The World on CD. I hear copies are selling on e-bay for $100+. It's our intention to re-issue the Rock The World CD in early 2005. There will be new cover art, because the original cover art was forced on us by our record company at the time. They rejected our initial cover, and created one without our input while we were on tour. We've never really liked that cover and now we have a chance to put things right. That will also leave the original "Rock The World" CD as the unique collector's item that it is. One of the things that really inspired us to reform was the continuous fan-mail we received over the years, which increased dramatically with the re-issue of the Vices and Welcome to the Club albums. And we were also encouraged by the numerous fan web sites that appeared, especially the one created by Vlado from the Czech Republic: <a href="http://kickaxe.wz.cz/main/main.htm" target="new">kickaxe.wz.cz/main/main.htm</a>. MAJESTIC ROCK RECORDS UPDATE - MISHA CALVIN & LAWRENCE GOWAN: Lawrence Gowan has his Homefield album re-issued through Majestic Rock in August. Current Styx vocalist Lawrence Gowan's Homefield is kind of a 'best of..' release that takes in some of the finest moments form his platinum selling Sony Music albums with some new stuff added. In other news, work is now nearing completion on Million`s Kingsize album, with mixing at an advanced stage in Gothenburg, Sweden. Keep a special eye out for guest appearances on the track Rock n` Roll Nation Across Europe - in Buckingham, UK, actually - the final recording is underway prior to mixing on Waysted`s comeback album Back From The Dead. Gowan's Home Field features the following tracks: Innocent . A Criminal Mind - Solo Live . Wild Summer Night . Lost Brotherhood - Solo Live . I'll Be There In A Minute . The Good Catches Up . Laura - Solo Live . Moonlight Desires (With Jon Anderson) . Your Stone Walls . Guns And God . You'll Be With Me - Solo Live . Make It Alone* (first time on CD) . Healing Waters * (first time on CD). Majestic Rock Records have signed up Misha Calvin for a release of the long delayed re-issues of his back catalogue. The titles were previously listed for release in Japan during 2003, but never eventuated. They are now due out in the UK this month. The full release details are as follows: Evolution - Strangers . Ready Or Not . Put A Little Faith In Me . Valhalla . Reaper . Don't Let It Go . Can't Hold Me . Evolution . Here I Am . Heaven Only Knows . Keep In Touch (Previously Unreleased) . Put A Little Faith In Me (Bonus) . Strangers (Bonus) . Can't Hold Me (Bonus) . Reaper (Bonus) . Ready Or Not (Bonus) Evolution 2 - Die For Love . Evil . Some People . Misdemeanour . She . Kingdom Of Man . Jamlos Del Aqua . Is It A Warning . Show A Little Mercy . Adieu Ma Belle . Fall Guy . Misha's Rag . Evil In The Night (Bonus) . Under The Hammer (Bonus). Riffman - Do It Again . You Fake The Truth . See The World . Say My Name . In The Absence Of Reason . You Should Have Told Me . Falling Into You . You Are History . Let Your Heartbeat Show The Way . Inst. #1 (Bonus) . Inst. #2 (Bonus) . Inst. #3 (Bonus). BRYAN ADAMS STRIPS IT BACK: The new Bryan Adams album Room Service will be followed up with an acoustic CD entitled Stripped, which includes 14 original songs, some of which are acoustic demos from the Room Service CD. Both CD's were recorded on the road in Europe, in hotels and backstage at concert venues. Universal Music meanwhile, have recently released a collection of pre-debut album tracks from Adams. The Early Years features the following tracks: Tantalise . If Wishes Were Horses . Until I Find You . Pushin' & Shovin' . No. 5243605 Smith . Song For A Star . Shut Up . All Of A Sudden (instrumental) . Wastin' Time . Say Hello Say Goodbye . Roxy Roller . Rue De Chance. THE SECOND COMING OF THE SIGN: The Sign's upcoming new studio album The Second Coming will also be available at Indigorecords.com. The band recently played a gig at The Lokeren Festival in Belgium. Work has commenced on getting a DVD of that gig released. WASP CONTINUE TOURING WOES: WASP's questionable touring antics continue to attract attention and adding to that, I received another note about their current tour this week. It reads: "... my wife, son & I went to see them in Atlanta on July 29th at the Cotton Club. After a two hour intermission between the opening act and WASP, they finally appeared on stage. Blackie Lawless was very upset, and announced to the crowd that the "sound system sucks", and that they would only play one more song. They actually played six songs before Blackie said "enough", and the band left the stage. King of a bummer considering that I have waited since 1984 to see these guys." X-FEST FESTIVAL FINALIZED: The line up for this year's X-Fest is now complete. Sacred Heart will round of the bill along with Lost Weekend, Quecia and Swansea's own Sheer Shock Revival. Sacred Heart are one of the hardest working bands to emerge from the UK in recent years. With many gigs under their belts and a string of self financed releases, the band prove to be a popular draw at any show or festival. The band are extremely happy to be added to the bill and look forward to playing in front of a Welsh crowd. The festival will take place at the Railmens Club in Wind Street, Swansea. The full line up for the show including times is as follows: 6:30pm to 6:45pm Doors Open. 6:45pm to 7:15pm Sheer Shock Revival 7:30pm to 8:10pm Quecia 8:25pm to 9:25pm Sacred Heart 9:40pm to 11:10pm Lost Weekend The venue will close at 12 midnight, so there is plenty of time to have a beer (or two) with the bands after the final performance. Punchline Promotions will also be selling various merchandise from all the bands during the evening plus some additional stock from Now And Then Records, Fireworks Magazine plus more to be announced soon... Tickets can be purchased direct (please e-mail <a href="mailto:webdesign@punchlinepromotions.co.uk">webdesign@punchlinepromotions.co.uk</a> with the subject "X-FEST") or from Musiquarium Records on 01792-465256. These are priced at Â£10 in advance with NO booking fee!!! Tickets purchased on the day with be Â£12 so we suggest that you get your tickets now. Details at <a href="http://www.punchlinepromotions.co.uk" target="new">www.punchlinepromotions.co.uk</a>. JON OLIVA CHANGES PROJECT NAME AND ANNOUNCES RELEASE DATE: Due to possible trade-name conflicts and to avoid "consumer confusion", the name of Jon Oliva's solo project has been changed to Jon Oliva's Pain. The title of the record will be called 'Tage Mahal. The bands management realized that there is an established blues artist in Europe who has been using a similar band name for decades. The solo debut release date for Savatage mastermind, Jon Oliva, has been set for October 25 in Europe and October 26th in the US. SPV Records will handle distribution worldwide. SPV has expressed incredible enthusiasm for this release after listening to the final master a few weeks ago. Final artwork and packaging is being completed with a massive promotional campaign to begin shortly. An extensive US and European tour will follow soon after. This record is the first installment of a 3-part series which will be followed by a box set release which will include all 3-releases, a live DVD, along with live and studio outtakes from both the recording sessions and the tours to follow. Jon Oliva's Pain will debut the new material live at the sold-out Prog-Power V Metal Festival in Atlanta, Georgia on September 16. Also appearing that night will be a performance by Savatage members, both past and present! Check out <a href="http://www.jonoliva.net" target="new">www.jonoliva.net</a> for updates and further information! MASSIVE MP3 UPDATE: Mini-Bytes have been updated, with new albums featured from: Saxon, Silent Force, Harlan Cage, Funny Money, Stampede Queen, Mantra and Gianluca Galli. <a href="minibytes.html">Check them out</a>. Today sees the biggest ever one-day <a href="#cdshowcase">CD Showcase</a> update, with a massive amount of new MP3 previews for you to check out, including some of September's hottest releases. We have previews of: the highly anticipated new Jeff Scott Soto album Lost In The Translation; the new Glenn Hughes live album; the comeback Kick Axe album 4; the barand new albums from Pulse and Ring Of Fire; tracks from the new Million EP 2004; the debut album from US melodic rockers Bonrud; and we are also revisting Balance Of Power's 2003 album Heathen Machine. On top of those, there are several re-issues featured, including: Pete Way, Tobruk, Annica, 707 and Bitches Sin. Click on the below CD covers to check out the individual releases.   <div align="center"><a href="showcase/jeffscottsoto-lostinthetranslation.html"><img alt="jeff scott soto - lost in the translation" border="0" height="125" src="/files-archive/news/jeffscottsoto-lostinthetranslation125.jpg" width="125" /></a>x<a href="showcase/glennhughes-soulfullylive.html"><img alt="glenn hughes - soulfully live" border="0" height="125" src="/files-archive/news/glennhughes-soulfully-cd125.jpg" width="125" /></a>x<a href="showcase/pulse-worldsapart.html"><img alt="pulse-worlds apart" border="0" height="125" src="/files-archive/news/pulse-worldsapart125.jpg" width="125" /></a>x<a href="showcase/kickaxe-4.html"><img alt="kick axe - 4" border="0" height="125" src="/files-archive/news/kickaxe-4125.jpg" width="125" /></a> <a href="showcase/bonrud.html"><img alt="bonrud" border="0" height="125" src="/files-archive/news/bonrud125.jpg" width="125" /></a>x<a href="showcase/ringoffire-lapseofreality.html"><img alt="ring of fire-lapse of reality" border="0" height="125" src="/files-archive/news/ringoffire-lapseofreality125.jpg" width="125" /></a>x<a href="showcase/million-2004ep.html"><img alt="million-2004 ep" border="0" height="125" src="/files-archive/news/million-2004ep125.jpg" width="125" /></a>x<a href="showcase/balanceofpower-heathenmachine.html"><img alt="balance of power-heathen machine" border="0" height="125" src="/files-archive/news/balanceofpower-heathenmachine125.jpg" width="125" /></a> <a href="showcase/peteway-amphetamine.html"><img alt="pete way-amphetamine" border="0" height="125" src="/files-archive/news/peteway-amphetamine125.jpg" width="125" /></a>x<a href="showcase/707-thebridge.html"><img alt="707-the bridge" border="0" height="125" src="/files-archive/news/707-thebridge125.jpg" width="125" /></a>x<a href="showcase/jimihendrixtribute2.html"><img alt="jimi hendrix tribute2" border="0" height="125" src="/files-archive/news/jimihendrixtribute2125.jpg" width="125" /></a>x<a href="showcase/farazanwar-abstract.html"><img alt="faraz anwar-abstract" border="0" height="125" src="/files-archive/news/farazanwar-abstract125.jpg" width="125" /></a> <a href="showcase/patrikcarlsson-phraseology.html"><img alt="patrik carlsson-phraseology" border="0" height="125" src="/files-archive/news/patrikcarlsson-phraseology125.jpg" width="125" /></a>x<a href="showcase/annica-badlydreaming.html"><img alt="annica - badly dreaming" border="0" height="125" src="/files-archive/news/annica-badlydreaming125.jpg" width="125" /></a>x<a href="showcase/tobruk-wildontherun.html"><img alt="tobruk-wild on the run" border="0" height="125" src="/files-archive/news/tobruk-wildontherun125.jpg" width="125" /></a>x<a href="showcase/bitchessin-thefirsttemptation.html"><img alt="bitches sin-the first temptation" border="0" height="125" src="/files-archive/news/bitchessin-thefirsttemptation125.jpg" width="125" /></a></div> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#800080" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#800080"> <div align="center">Sunday, August 15, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> SOUL SIRKUS - DEBUT ON IT'S WAY & TRACK TO BE FEATURED ON MRCD2!: Soul SirkUS, the hard rocking outfit featuring vocalist Jeff Scott Soto, guitarist Neal Schon (Journey, Hardline, Bad English), drummer Deen Castronovo (Journey, Hardline, Bad English) and bassist Marco Mendoza (Blue Murder, Whitesnake), have completed work on their debut album. And I have news on the band on two fronts. The band has decided to move forward as quickly as possible and will release the album themselves! A release date has not yet been finalized, but it will be in the next couple of months and those wanting to place pre-orders can get in early and e-mail the band now. This message was just sent out to update fans: "The final masters are DONE! All 11 songs are completed & mastered, with the decision that this WILL be the debut CD. The guys have agreed to keep with the extreme hype, interest & demand of these songs. The CD will be manufactured & sold independently during the course of getting attention from the 'right' label. The e-mails we've been receiving along with the many guestbook signings have led to the guys wanting YOU to have your hands on it ASAP. Pre-orders can be made by sending your name, e-mail address & quantity to: <a href="mailto:soulsirkus@aol.com">soulsirkus@aol.com</a>. The official release date has not yet been given but the 1st few thousand orders will include random 'signature' copies within the bunch...show your support in numbers, help make Soul SirkUS the talk of 2005!" There is one other bit of big news! Soul SirkUS have jumped on board MelodicRock.com CD2!! Soul SirkUS will debut a smoking rock n roll tune on the second MelodicRock.com Compilation, due out early next month. This means fans will be able to get their very first full length track from the band in just a few weeks time, via this release! And it's a killer track! New Position is a fired up rocker, with some outstanding Neal Schon guitar work and a smoking all-round performance that shows the band at their very best. The addition of Soul SirkUS to MR.com CD2 is so last minute, the Disc actually had to be pulled from production! I won't waste time with all the details, but 8 hours later, a new master was being couriered to the manufacturer for them to start again tomorrow morning. The artwork is also being adjusted right now. The addition of the track forced a small re-shuffle in the CD running order - just to make sure the compilation retains the best vibe possible. And the CD sounds even better now! MelodicRock.com CD2 - The Beast Inside is available for pre-order now. The CD now features 39 tracks, 2CDs and two and a half hours of melodic rock music and is priced at just US$17.00 + $3 shipping (airmail anywhere in the world). Orders are placed via PayPal (link below), but those wishing to use cash or other alternative can e-mail for details. The compilation is officially released September 20, but all pre-orders will be shipped in early September. I'm yet to get a final delivery date for the finished compilation and I am on the road with Jeff Scott Soto September 1 to 16, but somehow we will work out a way to ship out all pre-orders! Full details of the CD and all the tracks included, plus MP3 samples of each song is available at: the <a href="cd/index.html">MelodicRock.com CD2 Page</a>. Any questions or enquiries - <a href="mailto:ajm@melodicrock.com?subject=MRCD2">please e-mail!</a> That said - how about a preview of this very late addition to the compilation? Preview: Soul SirkUS - <a href="cd/SoulSirkUS-NewPosition.mp3">New Position</a>.   <div align="center"> <table border="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td><big>PRE-ORDER VOLUME 2 TODAY - $17 + $3 shipping.</big>  </td> <td> <div align="left"> <div align="center"> <form action="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr" method="post" target="paypal"><input name="cmd" type="hidden" value="_cart" /> <input name="business" type="hidden" value="ajm@melodicrock.com" /> <input name="item_name" type="hidden" value="MelodicRock.com CD Volume 2" /> <input name="item_number" type="hidden" value="MRCD2" /> <input name="amount" type="hidden" value="17.00" /> <input name="shipping" type="hidden" value="3.00" /> <input name="shipping2" type="hidden" value="3.00" /> <input name="return" type="hidden" value="http://www.melodicrock.com" /> <input name="currency_code" type="hidden" value="USD" /> <input alt="Make payments with PayPal - it's fast, free and secure!" border="0" name="submit" src="/files-archive/news/https://www.paypal.com/images/sc-but-02.gif" type="image" /> <input name="add" type="hidden" value="1" /> </form> </div> </div> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </div> The revisited and 100% definite final track listing for MelodicRock.com CD Volume 2 (Disc One), is as follows. Details of Disc Two at the <a href="cd/index.html">MRCD2 Page</a>. 01. Martie Peters – The Beast Inside (Alternate Mix) 02. Riverdogs – World Gone Wild (New 2004 Track) 03. Soul SirkUS – New Position (New 2004 Track) 04. Talon – Euphoria (New 2003 Demo) 05. Pleasure Dome – One And Only 06. Chris Heaven – Crystal Ball 07. JK Northrup – Hangin' By A Thread (Previously Unreleased) 08. Gipsy Rose – Promise To Stay (Previously Unreleased) 09. Cornerstone – Some Have Dreams (Acoustic Demo) 10. Mass – Empty Soul (2004 New Track) 11. Urban Tale – Today I'll Change My Life (Japanese Bonus Track) 12. Mike Tramp – Sometimes (Previously Unreleased) 13. Tommy Denander – Into Trouble (New 2004 Unreleased Track) 14. Johnny Lima – Little Runaway (New 2004 Version) 15. Crush 40 – What I'm Made Of 16. Teer – Live The Lie (Demo) 17. Final Frontier – Borrowed Time (Live)(Previously Unreleased) 18. Attraction 65 – One Step Over The Line (Japanese Bonus Track) 19. Shugaazer – 13th Love Song (Previously Unreleased) 20. Danny Danzi – Happy To Be Alive   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/soulsirkus-logo.jpg" width="190" />xx<img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/cd/mrcd2-cover200.jpg" width="200" /></div> CHARADE 2 FINALLY READY TO ROLL: Press Release: Charade II released on October 25, via Drakkar Entertainment. Two outstanding musicians of Melodic Hard Rock - Angel Schleifer (guitar, Ex-Bonfire, Ex-Pretty Maids, Ex-Sinner, Ex-Demon Drive) and Michael Bormann (vocals, Jaded Heart, Ex-Bonfire, Ex-The Sygnet, Ex-Biss, Ex-Letter X, Ex-Juergen Blackmore) - accelerate "Full Throttle" on October 25th. 2004 with their new album II - starting task "Return To The Source Of Melodic Hardrock". Melodic Hardrock – a long forgotten pearl of the rock-spectrum of our times – rises again! Straight guitar-riffing, huge choirs and top melodies that drill every auditory canal! The history of Charade II - In the year 2000 Angel digs out even more treasures - finding rudimentary song-ideas from the sessions to Charade I. He sends them over to Germany to Michael, but due to their musical obligations, the material gets lost again. In the beginning of 2003 Michael suddenly remembers the recordings, lays his vocal-tracks onto them and sends them back to Angel. Angel freaks out because the stuff's smashing. He re-works some of the parts – Charade "II" is ready to roll. But again there's major delay. Michael Bormann enters the studio in the summer of 2003 to record Jaded Heart's phenomenal February 2004 release Trust. Straight after hitting the road with his combo German label-legend Bogdan Kopec of Drakkar Entertainment is keen on the CHARADE-material and starts the "Return To The Source Of Melodic Hardrock".   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/charade-2.jpg" width="200" />xx<img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/charade-2004a.jpg" width="133" />xx<img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/charade-2004b.jpg" width="200" /></div> TALISMAN'S TRUTH IS THE LATEST RE-ISSUE FROM THE BAND: Talisman's Truth was re-released on July 28th. You can now lay your hands on the band's next re-release of a classic Talisman album. Like on previous re-releases, the band wanted to give something above the original release. So look forward to new and enhanced artwork, beautiful slipcase packaging and an extra CD with the entire concert from Talisman's appearance at the 2001 Sweden Rock Festival! More info: <a href="http://www.gmrmusic.se" target="new">www.gmrmusic.se</a> and <a href="http://www.talismanworld.com" target="new">www.talismanworld.com</a>. COMING UP ON CMR PULSE RADIO: Lana Lane and Erik Norlander will be guesting the CMRPulse Steve Price show on Sun 15th at 6:15pm talking about the new Return To Japan CD.. and more. On 4th Sept CMRPulse will be broadcasting live from the Bloodstock Festival in Derby (UK) with the stations' Steve Price, Skull and Simon Gausden trying to control the expected mayhem. Prior to this event, the Bloodstock Promotion team will be in the studio on 21st Aug with Steve to announce the plans for next years bigger, better OUTDOOR event! and 3 of the bands appearing at this years Bloodstock will be live in the studio. WebLink: <a href="http://www.cmrpulse.com" target="new">www.cmrpulse.com</a> WASP CANCELS GIG #3: WASP have cancelled another concert date - their third in under two weeks. Club Infinity in Buffalo, New York was the latest after previous dates in Montreal and Ottawa were also canned. The latest cancellation was attributed to Blackie Lawless suffering food poisoning. Ex-WASP drummer Frankie Banali commented on the recent cancellations to Mitch Lafon, who sent me this: Drummer Frankie Banali played drums on the new W.A.S.P. album The Neon God - Part 1 - The Rise, with the exception of the song Wishing Well, which Stet Howland appears on. Howland is the current touring drummer for W.A.S.P. While Banali is not on the road with the band, BW&BK contacted him, asking for his thoughts on the recent cancellations of shows in Montreal (Aug 8th because Blackie Lawless' mic was too big for the stage) and Ottawa (Aug 10th because the security barrier was deemed unfit to protect Lawless from rabid fans). When asked by melodicrock.com, Banali offered up the following: "I consider myself fortunate enough to have passed on participating in this tour. I don't know all sides of the story so it's difficult to have an opinion other than the fans deserve a higher measure of respect from any band and I hope they will be given an explanation that will satisfy all concerned. Having said that, it's really none of my business just an opinion based on what is being circulated at large." ULI JON ROTH HEADS TO NORTH AMERICA: Guitar legend Uli Jon Roth is finally returning to the States after an absence of 19 years. News of the tour was already spreading like wildfire among the many admirers of one of the last great and original guitar heroes before the tour was even announced. Best known for his ground-breaking work with the German hard rock band SCORPIONS, of which he was an original founding member, the enigmatic multi-talent is at long last embarking on a US tour, which will continue through September. The long-awaited tour will start in Los Angeles at the House of Blues on August 26th and ends in Mexico, where Roth is head-lining shows with special guests. In the States U.J.R. is sharing the bill with the Michael Schenker Group. Roth has often been hailed as a true genius on the guitar, always stoutly defying the conventions of the music industry and forging his own way. It is virtually impossible to categorize his output which is wide ranging from classic rock to full scale symphonic works with orchestras. Since his time with the Scorpions and his own group Electric Sun, U.J.R. has persistently developed his unique playing style which earned him the reputation of being one of the most influential and greatest guitarists of our time. Always one to push the envelope on the guitar as well as in his symphonic compositions, Uli is seen by many as a musical trend setter who is well ahead of his time. He has been an inspiration to artists world-wide, influencing generations of younger players as well as his peers. His show will include material from all periods of his career including a new and amazing version of his Scorpions song The Sails of Charon, which Roth has just recorded with a symphony orchestra. The song features Liz Vandall on vocals. Furthermore Uli's set will feature parts of his latest release the critically-acclaimed Metamorphosis Of The Seasons, as well as material from each of his Electric Sun albums. The format of Uli's set is innovative. He will be playing his legendary seven-string Sky Guitar, an instrument he designed himself, which enables him to play a full six-octave range. He will also perform in front of a cinemascope screen with just two other musicians on stage. The screen will show spectacular footage directed by the man himself, which often features the members of his own classical SKY ORCHESTRA as well as other musicians with whom Roth interacts live. The result is a perfectly sounding trip through Space and Time. Roth has recently toured this format in Europe with great success and is very much looking forward to touring in the US again. WebLinks and tour dates: <a href="http://www.ulijonroth.com" target="new">www.ulijonroth.com</a>. MR-X UPDATE: <a href="mr-x/index.html">MR-X</a> has been updated with a few new goodies. There are several advance preview MP3s online - one track each featured from some upcoming melodic & hard rock releases. There is also something cool for fans of modern melodic rock - that is the unreleased Nine Days album So Happily Unsatisfied, which is a classy slice of Goo Goo Dolls styled music. And new videos have been uploaded: Distance - Give It Up, Dokken - Too High To Fly (Live), Giant - I'm A Believer, Heart - Secret, Noiseworks - Touch and Robby Valentine - Over And Over Again. And for those that might be thinking of joining, this week is the last chance to get the Tommy Denander album's Skeleton and Less Is More, not to mention Heart unplugged, King Kobra Live and Europe Live At Sweden Rock 2004. <a href="mr-x-intro.html">MR-X Membership details</a>.  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#003d79" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#003d79"> <div align="center">Thursday, August 12, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> LAIDLAW PICK UP VAN HALEN SUPPORT SLOT: Laidlaw are the latest band to open for Van Halen on their 2004 tour. The band has just been picked up as support for the third leg of the tour, starting September 3 in Atlantic City. An excited Craig DeFalco from the band e-mailed me tonight, stating that Eddie Van Halen had personally invited the band along for the ride. Craig has a previous connection with Van Halen, having worked as Michael Anthony's bass tech for several years. He left to form Laidlaw, who were soon after brought to the limelight by Nikki Sixx. The band have a brand new album out now - available online via their website, and in Europe through Z-Roxx. This personal message has been posted to the band's website: <a href="http://www.laid-law.com/site.html" target="new">www.laid-law.com/site.html</a> "Hey there... On Saturday the 7th, I was invited to Las Vegas to see my long time friends/ former employers, Van Halen, perform at the Mandalay Bay Arena. When I arrived I was asked to go talk with Edward Van Halen. I am telling you all this because I'm blown away from it. Edward pulled me into his dressing room and told me he is personally bringing Laidlaw out for the 3rd leg of the Van Halen Reunion Tour starting Sept. 3rd in Atlantic City! You all have no idea what this means to me on a personal level. Ed has always been very supportive towards me and my dreams of playing with Laidlaw. He has personally been thru so much over the past 4 years with his cancer alone! Kicking cancer's ASS!!! But he still puts family and friends first in his life! He made Laidlaw the opening act on the spot! I just want everybody who reads this to know what kind of person Edward Van Halen is! This business is very hard to be in these days, So when something like this happens it's VERY RARE! We start rehearsing in a few weeks, then it's back to the big stage where we belong! See you all on the road. To get tickets go to our tour section for details." Silvertide and Shinedown have been the other bands to open for Van Halen so far this tour. JOE LYNN TURNER AND HIS HIT SQUAD LIVE THIS WEEK: New York, NY Former Rainbow/Deep Purple vocalist, Joe Lynn Turner, has hooked up with Ricky Byrd (Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, Roger Daltrey, Ian Hunter band), longtime Billy Joel drummer, Liberty DeVitto and an all-star cast of other musicians in Hit Squad. In between working on his 9th solo album and session work, Joe is looking forward to having fun singing some classics that he always loved. His first full-length appearance with Hit Squad is THIS SATURDAY AUGUST 14. The idea for Hit Squad was born last summer when Byrd and DeVitto had a casual conversation . It turned out they were off the road and itchin' to play out live! So they gathered up a bunch of "like minded pirates," including JLT. Ricky elaborates on the concept, "We're going to be playing the stuff we played when we first started out, before the Business became part of the Music. No record companies, publishers, booking agents. This is about having fun, no strings attached." The repertoire will consist of songs such as "I'll go Crazy," "Little Queenie," "Girl Can't help It," "My Girl," "That's How Strong My Love Is" and "Route 66." Byrd continues, "And maybe, just maybe, we'll throw in a few songs from our respective checkered pasts! I'm thinkin' this is gonna be fun!!!" Liberty adds, "I think this is gonna be the most fun I've had playing in a long time!" Based on availability the revolving band consists of: Liberty DeVitto - drums (Billy Joel); Ricky Byrd - guitar & vocals (Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, Roger Daltrey, Ian Hunter); Richie Cannata - horns (Billy Joel, Beach Boys); Andy Burton - keyboards (Ian Hunter); Andy York - guitar (John Mellencamp, Ian Hunter); Joe Lynn Turner - vocals (Deep Purple, Rainbow); Simon Kirke - drums (Bad Company, Free); Kasim Sulton - bass & vocals (Joan Jett, Utopia, Meat Loaf); Hugh McDonald - bass & vocals (Bon Jovi); Charly Drayton - bass (X-pensive Winos, Michelle Branch); Fernando Saunders - bass & vocals (Lou Reed, Jeff Beck); Christine Ohlman- vocals (Saturday Night Live Band); Arno Hecht - horns (Stones). AOR HEAVEN SIGN DARK SKY: AOR Heaven are happy to announce the signing of German hard rock hopefuls Dark Sky! The band around singer Frank Breuninger will enter the studio in October/ November to record the follow-up album to their highly acclaimed Edge Of Time album. The third, yet untitled disc is scheduled for a release in early 2005. THUNDERING BACK TO WORK ON NEW ALBUM: The recording of the new Thunder album is now well a truly underway. The as yet untitled record is being produced by Luke and the engineer is Rupert Coulson (with some additional knob twiddling from Ben). Recording has been under way since the beginning of June, stopping and starting to write more songs and play some festivals in Europe and the UK. The band hope to have it all done by the end of August, with a single release in November (to coincide with the Deep Purple U.K. arena tour) and the full album to follow in the spring of 2005. Some of the new tunes set to be included are as follows: I Love You More Than Rock 'n' Roll - A very catchy rocker, as anyone who's seen the band perform over the summer will already know! Currently favourite for the first single... I'm Dreaming Again - Aerosmith style power ballad. Fade Into The Sun - Very dramatic and up tempo. Monkey See, Monkey Do - Luke in Jimmy Page mode, damning indictment of record labels, all vitriol and misery (in the best possible way). You Can't Keep A Good Man Down - ROCK!! Together Or Apart - The fans are going to love this one! The natural successor to Love Walked In!?!? A Fatal Kiss - co-written with Russ Ballard. More news as and when...<a href="http://www.thunderonline.com" target="new">www.thunderonline.com</a>  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#008000" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#008000"> <div align="center">Wednesday, August 11, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> GLASS TIGER'S 20TH ANNIVERSARY CD & DVD SET: Details for Glass Tiger's new 20th Anniversary compilation have been announced. Glass Tiger - No Turning Back is released through EMI in Canada on August 24. The compilation features two new tracks - No Turning Back and Give It Away, both co-written with the great Jim Vallance especially for the occasion. The CD track listing is as follows: No Turning Back . Give It Away . Don't Forget Me (When I'm Gone)(Single Mix) . Someday (Single Version) . Thin Red Line (Single Version) . You're What I Look For . I Will Be There (Single Version) . Diamond Sun (Single Version) . I'm Still Searching . My Town . The Tragedy (Of Love)(B-Side) . Animal Heart . Rescued (By The Arms Of Love) . (Watching) Worlds Crumble . My Song (Single Version) . Rhythm Of Your Love . Diamond Sun (Version Francais). The DVD features the following tracks: Don't Forget Me (When I'm Gone) . Someday . The Thin Red Line . You're What I Look For . I Will Be There . Diamond Sun . I'm Still Searchin' . Far Away From Here . My Song . (Watching) Worlds Crumble . Animal Heart . Rhythm Of Your Love . My Town . No Turning Back . Give It Away . Bonus Footage: Behind the scenes, back stage and tour footage from the past 20 years!   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/glasstiger-noturningback.jpg" width="200" />xx<img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/glasstiger-noturningback-dvd.jpg" width="140" /></div> SQUARE ONE DEBUT ALBUM COMPLETE - SUPERSONIC!: Square One have completed work on their debut album titled Supersonic at Melbourne's Palm Studios with producer Endel Rivers. The band will be announcing a deal in the coming weeks for release of the debut. All being Australian Rules Football fanatics Square One will have Supersonic album track Sweet September featured as part of Channel 10's television coverage of the 2004 AFL Finals Football leading up to finals in August and during the finals fittingly in September! ArtistLink: <a href="http://www.squareonemusic.com" target="new">www.squareonemusic.com</a>. SITE UPDATES - SPECIAL FEATURES: A couple of special features added today. I normally handle most things to do with the site content, but I am pleased to present a couple of great exceptions. First of all, Ron & Don Higgins are a couple of old friends of the site, who have toiled over transcribing many of the phone interviews conducted here. A while back they did their own interview with Bret Michaels and today they are back again, chatting away with Dokken's Jon Levin about the new Hell To Pay album. <a href="interviews/dokken-jonlevin.html">Read the interview</a>. Secondly, German writer Sven Horlemann contacted me awhile back and asked if I would like him to report in from the Bang Your Head Festival 2004 in Germany. He did just that and has filed his live review, with pictures and comments from the 2-day festival, which featured Gotthard, Alice Cooper, Sebastian Bach, UFO, Magnum, Angel, Kingdom Come and more. Read and view <a href="live/bangyourhead2004.html">Sven's Bang Your Head Festival</a> review. Sven also conducted interviews with Magnum and Gotthard, on behalf of the site, which are also now both online. <a href="feature-interviews.html">Read the interviews</a>.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="150" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/gotthard-livebyh.jpg" width="310" /></div> MELODIC BRIEFS: An official website of Pete Lesperance is finally online at: <a href="http://www.petelesperance.com" target="new">www.petelesperance.com</a>. I'm advised that there's more to come, including some unreleased and rare music. Check out some great pictures from Toto live in the USA last week: <a href="http://myweb.cableone.net/JimiJamisonFan/totoone.html" target="new">myweb.cableone.net/JimiJamisonFan/totoone.html</a> The newly released Heaven & Earth EP A Taste Of Heaven, featuring Stuart Smith (Gtr) and Paul Shortino (Vox) is now available in the UK through <a href="http://www.z-roxx.com/" target="new">Z-Roxx</a>. WILLIE AND THE POOR BOYS ON DVD: Press Release: Do you know of a film on a band that features Bill Wyman, Ron Wood and Charlie Watts (It's not the Rolling Stones) Also features Kenney Jones and John Entwistle (and it's not The Who) Also features Ringo Starr (no - its not the Beatles) plus a few other less well known artists such as Andy Fairweather Low, Chris Rea, and Raf Ravenscroft (remember the Saxophone solo in Baker Street?). Don't know? Well, it's Willie and the Poor Boys! Classic Pictures are pleased to announce the release of Willie & The Poor Boys for the first time EVER on DVD! This band in concert was filmed in a 50's style Rock n Roll show at the Fulham Town Hall, London, UK in 1985 and was a concept based on an original idea by Bill Wyman which continued the charity fundraising for the Ronnie Lane Appeal for A.R.M.S. (Action for Research into Multiple Sclerosis) that began with series of concert in 1983. The one thing that we found with the video shoot was that everyone went in there with great spirits and really went out to have a good time. said Bill Wyman during The Making Of. This film is a real Gem unearthed by Classic Pictures from Bill Wyman's personal vault and will be a must have for any collector of Classic Rock. Wyman added - "The word that seemed to permeate the surroundings on the shoot for 2 days was fun & everyone wanted to have fun." DVD track list Includes: Chicken Shack Boogie, Baby Please Don't Go, You Never Can Tell, Let's Talk It Over, Poor Boy Boogie, Saturday Night, All Night Long, These Arms Of Mine, Can You Hear Me. DVD special features: Documentary on the Making of Willie & the Poor Boys, A 30 minute behind the scenes Making Of feature Narrated by Bill Wyman. Featuring interviews with Kenney Jones (Small Faces/Faces/The Who), Ringo Starr (Beatles), Gary Brooker (Procol Harum), John Entwistle (The Who), Ronnie Wood (Faces/Rolling Stones), Bill Wyman and many more... WebLinks: <a href="http://www.classicpictures.co.uk" target="new">www.classicpictures.co.uk</a> and <a href="http://www.billwyman.com" target="new">www.billwyman.com</a>. BENEFIT CD DUE FROM THE STATION FAMILY FUND: Press Release: Local Musicians Come to the Aid of Station Fire Fund. Rock to the Rescue to benefit Station Family Fund. On February 20, 2003 a deadly fire ripped through the Station nightclub taking the lives of 100 fellow music fans and leaving 200 severely injured. There are at least 65 children who lost on or both parents. The Station Family Fund is an all volunteer and non-profit organization that was formed in the wake of the disaster to meet the basic daily needs of the survivors and the family members affected by the Station nightclub fire. To find out more about the Station Family Fund please visit <a href="http://www.stationfamilyfund.org" target="new">www.stationfamilyfund.org</a>. On August 20, 2004 the Station Family Fund will release a benefit CD featuring all original performances by local musicians. The name of this compilation is titled Rock to the Rescue. With all performances donated to the CD to help those still in need. Some of the artists featured are upcoming national recording artist Gods Little Joke who donated the song Daylight to this effort. Rhode Island's Mars Hill, who toured nationally last year with Stryper on their comeback tour and whose album Sink or Swim was produced by Stryper front man Michael Sweet are also featured. Other performances on Rock to the Rescue are songs directly about the fire like the stellar performances of Jessica Toracinta and One2One who monthly would perform their song Going Home at the memorial services at the Station fires sight. A heartfelt and very emotional song written and recorded days after the tragedy by a local resident close to the site, is by Joe Silva, performing 97 Angels. Station fire survivor Scott Dunbar also wrote a song in memory of his two friends who perished in the fire titled Memories Never Fade - Dedicated to the memories of Derek Gray and Gino Avilez who attended the show with Scott that fateful evening. Songs were all donated and 100% of the funds raised by sale of this cd will be donations to the Station Family Fund. The CD will be available for sale in person at Station Family Fund events, Warwick and Providence Newbury Comics, or through the Station Family Fund website in their online shop at: <a href="http://www.stationfamilyfund.org" target="new">www.stationfamilyfund.org</a>. The mastering of the CD was donated by Bill Solum of Advance Management who also donated what can only be described as positive energy and a private donation was made to meet the cost of duplication and packaging. The artwork and design was created and donated by Three Leaf Design <a href="http://www.3leafdesign.com" target="new">www.3leafdesign.com</a>, who has donated the website and design of all the Station Family Fund merchandise since the Station Family Fund was organized. Todd King, Vice President of the Fund and also a survivor of the tragedy, organized this compilation. "Amazing" is how he describes the local musicians who have been there since day one meeting the needs of those affected by the Station Fire and have been our backbone by organizing hundreds of benefit shows to help this important cause. "These are true heartfelt songs and are gifts in every sense of the word." JJ GARCIA SIGNS WITH TAYE DRUMS: Los Angeles-based drummer J.J. Garcia is now endorsing Taye Drums. His association with Taye puts Garcia in the company of Dennis Machine Gun Thompson (DKT/MC5), Dave Langguth (Nelly Furtado), Roger Travassos (Remy Shand) and legendary session drummer Hal Blaine (Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, the Beach Boys, etc.), to mention just a few of the artists on Taye's roster. In his six years with the three-piece blues rock band Stone, Garcia has toured cross-country, playing an average of 175 days a year and opening for the likes of Tonic, Cheap Trick, Paula Cole as well as blues greats CoCo Montoya, Lynwood Slim and Arthur Adams. Stone's song Teaser was prominently featured in John Carpenter's Vampires; it also appeared on the soundtrack and was released as a single in Europe. Garcia was later tapped to drum on the track Dismemberment Blues from Carpenter's Ghost of Mars soundtrack. A new Stone CD is due out later this year, and, never one to be idle, J.J. is currently drumming for three other L.A. bands Weekend Warriors, 5x5 and Bo and the Bluesdrivers. He is also a co-founder (and frequent host) of the Sunday night jam session at Pat's Cocktails in Valley Village, which has drawn numerous rock figures, including Vinny Appice (Dio, Black Sabbath), Chris Holmes (WASP), Jamie St. James (Black 'n Blue) and Joe Le Ste (Beautiful Creatures). Taye Drums is one of the leading drum manufacturers in the world, focusing on sound quality. Taye offers a wide range of drums from entry-level Spotlight models through to the top of the line professional StudioMaple. "J.J. Garcia is a solid in the pocket drummer and has the most solid clean crisp breaks I have ever heard," said Southboundbeat Magazine. Garcia's upcoming shows include: 8/6 Pat's Cocktails Valley Village, CA (with Weekend Warriors & friends) 8/7 Rick's Corona, CA (with Weekend Warriors) 8/15 Cat Club West Hollywood, CA (with 5x5) 8/21 The Wild Chatsworth, CA (with Weekend Warriors) 9/14 Larchmont Hollywood, CA (with 5x5) WebLinks: <a href="http://www.tayedrums.com" target="new">www.tayedrums.com</a> and <a href="http://www.jj-garcia.com" target="new">www.jj-garcia.com</a>.  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#0000ff" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#0000ff"> <div align="center">Tuesday, August 10, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> JSS IN OZ - BUY TICKETS NOW: Jeff Scott Soto tickets are now on sale in most centers. There has been good support for the tour so far, so please vote with your feet and pick up tickets early and capitalize on the discounts for pre-booking and where Jeff is playing 2 shows. Sydney: Wednesday, September 1 (Queen Tribute Show) & Thursday, September 2 The Marquee – 128 Pyrmont Bridge Road, Camperdown 2050. (Cnr Parramatta Road) (02) 9557 0221 Tickets: $27 pre-paid or $30 at the door. A special combo deal of $45 for both gigs is available, but only if buying both in advance of the gig. Tickets available from Utopia Records, 525 George Street, Sydney. (02) 9283 2423 <a href="http://www.utopia.com.au" target="new">www.utopia.com.au</a> On Sale and in stock NOW. Brisbane: Sunday, September 5 Indie Temple – 210 Wickham Street, Fortitude Valley, Qld 4006. (07) 3852 2851 Tickets: $25 pre-paid or $30 at the door. Tickets available now from Skinny's Music, 85 Elizabeth St, Brisbane, 4000. (07) 3229 2389 <a href="http://www.skinnysmusic.com.au" target="new">www.skinnysmusic.com.au</a> (Booking fee of $1 will be added to the ticket price by Skinny's) Tickets on sale NOW. Melbourne: Tuesday, September 14 (Queen Tribute Show) Wednesday, September 15 (+ End Of Tour Party!) Corner Hotel, 57 Swan Street, Richmond, Vic 3121. (03) 9427 7653 Tickets: $25 pre-paid or $28 at the door. A special combo deal of $40 for both gigs is available, but only if buying both in advance of the gig. Tickets on sale NOW! Available at the Corner Box Office (57 Swan St, Mon-Sat 12.00-8.00), Phone Bookings (03) 9427 9198, or Online bookings at: <a href="http://www.cornerhotel.com" target="new">www.cornerhotel.com</a> (Secure Server). Tickets for Adelaide will be at the door on the night and Hobart tickets will be on sale hopefully by the end of this week. Stay tuned for that update. NOW & THEN RECORDS UPDATE: Now And Then is extremely proud to be able to announce the signing of the most exciting new progressive rock band in recent years.....Orphan Project. The band's beginnings stretch back to November of 2001 when singer/lyricist Shane Lankford approached John Wenger (guitars, keyboards and music) with an idea to write a concept album about physical and spiritual adoption. After a few months of waiting, John said yes and the process began to create a soundscape that could handle the lyrical depth of what Shane wanted to, and in a lot of ways, needed to get out. Musically the major influences are Kansas, Spock`s Beard, Yes, Peter Gabriel, Dream Theater, Whiteheart and quality music in general. Shane asked good friends, guitarist Chris Maggitti, drummer Nathan Grant, violinist Cindy King, and bassist Jason Chaillou to play in the studio on the CD and John gathered bassist Colin McGough, celloist Ben Hardesty. Together with the incredible leadership of John Grant and Tony Correlli they recorded "Orphan Found" during April-June '03. A child of adoptive parents, Shane found his way into his first family in July of 1971. Growing up in a family as an adoptee left Shane with the burning question "In whom do I find my identity?" Spurred on by his love of music, Shane explored these questions while performing with several bands including About A Day. With his characteristic exuberance and "everyman" qualities, Shane contributed thought provoking, deep lyrics that were accessible to all audiences. In his latest project, Shane explores the topic of adoption from his very personal experience. Elements of longing for acceptance, desire to establish an identity, coupled with a real sense of peace that comes only from above, pervade the new lyrical verse entitled "Orphan Found". The depth of feeling and the joy of this story carry you from beginning to end of this amazing piece. He aims to make you laugh, break your heart, and let you take a glimpse of the pure joy that he has found in his search for his true Father. As soon as the deal with Now And Then was inked, Orphan Project set about extensively re-recording and completely remixing the album, with the results taking it to an even higher level than was already apparent. Media reaction has been universally positive, with Nick Shilton of Classic Rock magazine describing it as "Probably the most exciting debut album from a US band since Spock`s Beard`s "The Light" back in 1995. Yes, it`s that good. Imagine a mix of prime Kansas, latter day Asia and Dream Theater at their most commercial." Kaj Roth of Melodic.net had this to say - "Do you like classy modern progressive rock like Enchant, Threshold, Cairo and Dream Theater with some classic and honorable winds from the 70´s such as Kansas and Yes? This breathtaking debut from Orphan Project is well worth the money without checking ´em out first. I myself have Kansas as one of the best bands ever so I don´t talk BS here...just buy it and you won´t be disappointed my friends." The album will be released in September and there are already plans afoot to bring the band over to Europe for some showcase events. Millenium's long awaited Jericho CD is released now in parts of Europe. The reviews in the metal press have been very encouraging so far. Rock Hard (Germany) - "Timeless and very well done American style melodic hard rock...Epic, diverse compositions such as the track "Let There Be light" with it's driving rhythms and the atmospheric solo part are seldom heard these days." 8/10 points Break Out (Germany) - "...The band has added a lot of heaviness to their sound which fits them excellently and fills in the gap that Savatage have left since the departure of Zakk Stevens song-wise." Powermetal.de - "epic melodic metal and hard rock which is founded on Rainbow or Uriah Heep and reaches over to Dio, Black Sabbath ("Heaven and hell" and "Headless Cross" eras), from Malmsteen to At Vance and Mob Rules...The steel flows slowly but will remain forever. When the sing-along-songs from other bands have lost their charm, Millenium will still be being listened to with pleasure. And this is the reason that makes this album so great." 10/12 points Heavy-metal.de - "A wide diversity of compositions is offered here and is very well received in our ears. Also, Plant's rough voice and the upfront rhythm work is a big winner as well. Example the powerful "Enemy Of The Sun" and "Wheel Of Fortune" - I can't make a decision which one is the best song here. We nevertheless kindly ask you to help to bring Millenium to the light." Fireworks Magazine - "The hooks aren't always that obvious, especially on the less commercial tracks like `Heresy' and `Morning Star', but they're like looking at magic eye pictures, once you've seen it then you can't not see it. There are blazing guitar parts everywhere, weaving in and out of each other with some bizarre runs and unconventional scales, and the soaring vocals of Todd Plant are refreshingly familiar. The attractions of the gloriously catchy and mid-paced `My War' and `Wheel Of Fortune' are a little more obvious, while `Above This World' and `Let There Be Light' are high energy work-outs with at least one foot rooted in traditional hard rock. However, the monumental `Burning Again' is the undoubted highlight, a complete atmospheric tour-de-force on which Todd Plant is simply awesome, it's part Triumph's `Just A Game' and part Queensryche's `Roads To Madness'. It's a powerful metal record with some astounding guitar playing, a great vocal performance, and no weak songs." The album is also receiving good airplay in Germany and is currently sitting just outside the top 30 of the hugely influential World DJ Charts. The melodicrock.com review and other fan reviews can be found at: <a href="reviews/millenium-jericho.p3">Jericho Feature Review</a> SAMMY HAGAR TALKS TO WRIF IN DETROIT: Sammy Hagar checked in with Detroit rock station WRIF last week - his 19 minute interview is now available to listen/download via the stations website: <a href="http://www.wrif.com" target="new">www.wrif.com</a>. The interview, conducted by WRIF DJ Doug Podell, saw a relaxed and happy Hagar speak honestly and openly about the situation within Van Halen, admitting they were all flying by the seat of their pants. From what Hagar said, there are no plans beyond this tour currently, but the guys all hope to work on more new songs and continue touring. Hagar was animated in his enthusiasm for performing with the band again. Some of the interview highlights included Sammy stating: "As soon as this tour is over I'll be down in Cabo with the Warboita's, you know me - I'll be scooping up my old band and heading down south, hitting the beach and playing the club. And if we get horny enough, we're liable to come out on tour again next year...." And on the question of what's going to happen after this tour? "We had an agreement to do a certain amount of shows. Nothing beyond that. We just didn't know what was going to happen out here. I wasn't going to sign on to anything that would prevent me from doing anything else in my life until I knew this was going to be great. Now I have no question that we'll do it again and make more new music, but to say that this is all there is in my life - I'm going to live and breathe Van Halen - I'm not sure about that." "There have been a couple of bumps in the road....everyone's had their little moments, where they have said, this is rough, this is hard. But when you hit that stage, it's an adrenalin rush from Heaven." New material? "We would love to do more new music. That's the most important thing after this tour that we all want to do. It's how we do it that's the big question. Maybe to do one or two new songs at a time and just give them away...I say we just do it ourselves....I'm not into the big corporate thing...I would love to do it that way." "We're having a blast. These shows are the most fun we've ever had. Everyone feels so relived Ed's health is there and the audience is there and people are coming. We should be extremely grateful to our fans that we have a second chance." There were no plans initially for a live DVD of the current tour, but that is being looked at to see whether it's possible. And the band are talking about more dates - "...everyone wants to..." Generally speaking the tour seems to be getting solid reviews and ticket sales have been above average to very good for a troubled industry. The band have sold out some centers, which is more than a number of other high profile artists are doign this US Summer. I've had numerous e-mails from the various gigs so far. It seems Eddie Van Halen in particular has had a few bad nights and several have complained of sloppy performances, but generally, the band have left the crowd very satisfied, with Mike and Sammy avoiding criticism. STARZ REUNION TOUR 2004: Visit the Starz message board and PLEASE take the time to sign up. If you do, we can notify you of updates on the tour and new Starz releases, which are up & coming, much easier! <a href="http://pub101.ezboard.com/bstarzfanzcentral" target="new">pub101.ezboard.com/bstarzfanzcentral</a> Sept 4th – Saturday - San Antonio, Texas with Legs Diamond, Michael Schenker, Ronnie Montrose and Uli Jon Roth at the Sunken Garden Theater Sept 17th – Friday - Mexicali Blues – Teaneck, NJ - <a href="http://www.mexicalibluescafe.com" target="new">www.mexicalibluescafe.com</a> Sept 18th – Saturday – Jamie's – Marshfield, MA - <a href="http://www.jamiespub.com" target="new">www.jamiesgrill.com</a> Sept 20th – Monday - Don Hill's, NYC - <a href="http://www.donhills.com" target="new">www.donhills.com</a> Sept 23rd – Thursday – Beachland Ballroom – Cleveland, Ohio - <a href="http://www.beachlandballroom.com" target="new">www.beachlandballroom.com</a> Sept 24th – Friday – Annie's - Cincinnati, Ohio - <a href="http://www.anniesentertainment.com" target="new">www.anniesentertainment.com</a> Sept 25th – Saturday – Pop's 1403 Mississippi Ave. Sauget, IL 62201 - <a href="http://popsrocks.com" target="new">popsrocks.com</a>  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#ff0000" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#ff0000"> <div align="center">Monday, August 09, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> GLENN HUGHES RECORDS NEW STUDIO ALBUM AND DUSTS OF THE 8TH STAR: Glenn Hughes continues to work on his next studio album, which looks like being released around February of 2005. In an update on his website, Glenn claims the album will be completed by the end of the month! Meanwhile, I hear that plans for the release of the previously unreleased Tony Iommi/Glenn Hughes album, nicknamed 8th Star. Apparently the songs have been cleaned up so well that Sanctuary Records have offered to release the album officially. Stay tuned... WASP PULL THE PIN ON MONTREAL GIG: WASP pulled out of their Montreal show last night - only hours before the sold out show was to kick off. Reporter Mitch Lafon was at the venue all afternoon with his press pass to cover the show and reports that offered several excuses why they couldn't play at the scheduled venue (stage too small, no drum riser, not strong enough stage to carry the weight of Blackie's mike stand), before refusing to play unless an alternative venue was organized. Everything was done by the promoter to accommodate the band, and informs them of such only to be told: "yeah, we just don't wanna play tonight..." BLACK MAJESTY TO BEGIN WORK ON NEW ALBUM WITH PIET SIELCK OF IRON SAVIOR: Australian power metallers Black Majesty will begin recording their second album with acclaimed producer (and of course vocalist/guitarist of Iron Savior) Piet Sielck in Germany. The band will commence recording drums in November 2004 at K.A.R.O Studios in Germany. Sielck's production duties already include Gamma Ray, Blind Guardian, Grave Digger and Saxon. Black Majesty have spent the last 6 months in pre production aiming for a mid 2005 release through their Limb Music Products label.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="218" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/blackmajesty-2004.jpg" width="300" /></div> NEW COMPILATION CELEBRATES 30 YEARS OF KANSAS: In the annals of heartland rock, the music of Kansas has always stood out like a beacon a fusion of early '70s-style British progressive rock seasoned with Midwestern bar band roots, filtered through organic 10-minute arrangements that laid the foundation for the jam band revolution of the '90s and '00s. Thirty years after the release of their self-titled debut album (back in 1974), Kansas is still rocking around the world with original first generation band members intact. Sail On - The 30th Anniversary Collection 1974-2004, a deluxe three-disc package containing two CDs and a full-length bonus DVD the first box set ever to expand upon their seminal mega-platinum hit making decade at Epic Records with nearly two decades' more material from five of the band's subsequent record labels will arrive in stores August 17th on Epic/Legacy, a division of Sony Music. Preceding Sail On by one month will be expanded editions of the first two albums by Kansas on the Kirshner/Epic label 1974's self-titled Kansas (including a 9 minute-plus live version of J.J. Cale's "Bringing It Back," recorded live at the Agora Ballroom in Cleveland, 1975); and from that same year, their second album, Song For America (including label chief Don Kirshner's single edit of "Song For America," and a live version of "Down the Road," also recorded live at the Agora Ballroom in Cleveland, 1975). These two expanded editions will arrive in stores June 29th on Epic/Legacy, a division of Sony Music. The release of these two titles follows up the releases in 2002 of expanded editions of the third, fourth and fifth albums by Kansas Masque (from 1975), Leftoverture (1976), and Point Of Know Return (1977), respectively. Reissue production for the entire Kansas campaign is carried out by the band's original producer (and their long-time studio collaborator) Jeff Glixman with Jeff Magid; and is supervised by Kansas founding member (and drummer) Phil Ehart. Comprised of 27 tracks, the two CDs of Sail On contain the litany of tracks that every Kansas anthology must include to be considered complete "Carry On Wayward Son," "Point Of Know Return," "Dust in The Wind," "People of the South Wind," "Hold On," "Play the Game Tonight," "Fight Fire With Fire" songs that defined their tenure as a core group at CBS Records from 1974 to 1983. Along with these are more than a dozen other tracks representing their 10 albums for the company during that time. The final five tracks mark the first time that an Epic/Legacy package has included Kansas recordings from their subsequent labels MCA, Intersound, River North, Diablo, Compendia Music, and (into the new millennium) Magna Carta. The details for the full-length bonus DVD in SAIL ON were unconfirmed at press time. Newly-commissioned liner note essays for Kansas, Song For America and the Sail On box set were written by Bret Adams of Chipster Entertainment, a contributor to All Music Guide, Bassics magazine, and the defunct Experience Hendrix (the official Jimi Hendrix magazine). For his liner notes, Adams conducted exclusive interviews with founding members Phil Ehart (drums), Richard Williams (guitar), and Kerry Livgren (guitar, keyboards), later (and still current) member Billy Greer (bass); and interim member Steve Morse (guitar, now with Deep Purple). After many lineup shifts and changes over the decades, Kansas continues to tour in 2004 with a band that includes original (1974) members Ehart, Williams, Steve Walsh (vocals, keyboards), and Robby Steinhardt (violin, vocals), and Greer (who joined in 1986). Current tour dates, history, discography, merch, chat, fan links and other attractions can be accessed at the official website, <a href="http://www.kansasband.com" target="new">www.kansasband.com</a>. LabelLink: <a href="http://www.legacyrecordings.com/kansas" target="new">www.legacyrecordings.com/kansas</a> IN BRIEF: Lacy Van Zant the Father of Ronnie, Donnie & Johnnie Van Zant passed away on August 3rd, he was 89 years old. RIP Lacy. A quote from a recent Foreigner press blurb: "Mick Jones' new songs will be finding their way onto the radio in the near-ish future - he's in the process of creating a Foreigner 2.0, with a new singer filling the spot vacated by Lou Gramm. Listen for more news on that in the coming months." A NEW MEMORY FROM JOHN KILZER: Remember John Kilzer? He was responsible for two classic Midwestern-rock styled albums in the early 90's for Geffen Records (Memory In The Making & Busman's Holiday). It seems he is back making new music, with this update found by one the Noticeboard regulars at: <a href="http://hometown.aol.com/vnylkingdm/john_kilzer-news.html" target="new">hometown.aol.com/vnylkingdm/john_kilzer-news.html</a> "A bit of good news for all the John Kilzer fans. I've gotten news from John that he is going into the studio for material that will be his third album. This is great news for all J.K. fans. I'll keep you posted on any new news on this front, including label, where the new release will be available, and any other pertinent information. Also, John has agreed on a "Twenty Questions with John Kilzer' addition for this site. As you read, the questions are in his lap. As soon as I get them back they will be posted.... ....The new material is now in post-production. Keep you fingers crossed that the next news will be good news about a possible release date." MELODY FOR YOUR EARS: Four new CD Showcase's have been added representing the new Metal Mayhem titles. They are: Work Force, Ivory Tower, Goodnight Gracie and Trixie. <a href="#cdshowcase">Check them out</a>! <a href="minibytes.html">Mini-Bytes</a> have been updated with new MP3 soundbytes from Switchblade, Empire, Machinegun Kelly and Jamie Rowe.  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#000000" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#000000"> <div align="center">Friday, August 06, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> DON MANCUSO AND STRAIGHT WIRED - NEW TO KIVEL RECORDS: D Drive is the brand new studio album from NY's Don Mancuso. Don might be best known for his work as a songwriter and guitarist, but his origins stretch back to a band called Black Sheep - Lou Gramm's first band before Foreigner. Don and Lou have recently been touring together and on D Drive Lou steps in to guest on lead vocals for three tracks. Filling the vocalist role for the remaining tracks is Don's other buddy, Canada's Phil Naro. Kivel Records has signed Don Mancuso for the release of this album, which is set for August 25. Check out a MP3 sample from D Drive - <a href="cd/MRCD2-B01.mp3">A Little Outside</a> (Featuring Lou Gramm) and get to hear the full track when pre-ordering the <a href="cd/index.html">MRCD Volume 2</a>.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="201" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/donmancuso-ddrive.jpg" width="200" /></div> Straight Wired is a hard hitting band that serves up guitars with a big side serving of vocal harmonies. The band's sound has been compared to Tesla, Richie Kotzen and Def Leppard (X and Slang era). Straight Wired features Scott Novello - Bass (Adriangale) and Bill Pauly - Drums (Tour De Force) and new comers, Matt Kiamie - Lead Guitar and Larry Cooley - Lead Vocals, Rhythm and Acoustic Guitar. Scott Novello had this to say: "I really enjoy playing in AG, and Crunch is the best thing we feel we ever put out. We get to do things that other people say is no longer "in", and Vic is a master at writing a catchy tune for that sound. With Wired though, I get to explore a lil bit more with the sound/music that I wouldn't be able to in AG. We have a different approach where we focus on alot of acoustic guitars and big vocal harmonies that may be a lil different then the AG style. I've been doing the Wired thing on the side for years, so its nice to see us finally focus on it and get it out there. The new tunes are going to surprise people I think I hope the fans enjoy it as much as we do." Straight Wired Color My World is due for a September 25 release. Wired will be doing shows in the NY area this fall, in time for the album's release. Visit <a href="http://www.kivelrecords.com" target="new">Kivel Records</a> for announcements. In the meantime, sample a little of the band with a track called <a href="cd/MRCD2-B03.mp3">Gently</a>. JOURNEY MAY ADAPT PRINCE IDEA FOR NEXT STUDIO ALBUM: A couple of interesting quotes from Journey's Neal Schon from a recent interview. The full interview is posted at the band's <a href="http://www.journeymusic.com/ubb/Forum2/HTML/021768.html" target="new">website</a>. The interview reads: "The band's gearing up to record its 14th record when it gets off the road this fall and they have big plans for it, taking business inspiration from Prince's current sold-out tour. Prince fans receive a copy of his new record with the ticket cost. Schon said that Journey is going to do the same when the next record is finished. "It makes sense for a band like us," he said. "I think it's one of the coolest ideas that anyone's ever done. The guy's very intelligent. You can actually make some money off of your music instead of ending up with peanuts when it's all done. It's something we're going to do. We don't want to charge an arm and a leg. We'll take less money if we have to."" I hope the band (and others) do this - I made mention that Journey and others should be doing exactly this back in mid-2003, after seeing just how many fans were at the Journey/Styx/REO Speedwagon shows in comparison to how many units the band's sold of their last studio albums. SITE UPDATES - REVIEWS, MR-X & INTERVIEWS: A few more updates today. Now the CD is done and the JSS tour gets nearer, hopefully the workload of the last few months will decrease a little! Added today are <a href="reviews/reviews.html">New Reviews</a> for From The Inside (Danny Vaughn), 38 Special, Millenium, Julliet, Magnum and Praying Mantis. And the <a href="reviews/featurereview.html">Feature Reviews</a> have been updated so you can add your own reviews for: 38 Special / Drivetrain, Millenium / Jericho and Grand Illusion / Ordinary Just Won't Do. An interview with Ten frontman Gary Hughes has been added, talking over the band's new indie released Return To Evermore CD. <a href="interviews/garyhughes-04.html">Check it out</a>. <a href="mr-x/index.html">MR-X</a> has been given a healthy update, with a new Feature Album, Feature Live Release, Feature Single and a few more Shark Island tracks. More to come...Just what has been added you will have to find out for yourselves! But I will say that the following Videos have been uploaded: 38 Special - If I'd Been The One, Butch Walker - Mixtape, Electric Boys - Mary In The Mystery World, Giant - Stay, Heart - I Didn't Want To Need You, Only Child - Save A Place In Your Heart and Robby Valentine - I Believe In Music. <a href="mr-x-intro.html">MR-X Membership Details</a>.  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#1cacd7" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#1cacd7"> <div align="center">Thursday, August 05, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> MRCD2 UPDATE - NEW MP3s ONLINE + PRE-ORDER BONUS REVEALED: The MelodicRock.com CD Volume 2 Pre-Orders are currently underway. I must thank everyone that has so far ordered! The pre-orders were opened up a little earlier this time around, as I have to get everything sorted before Jeff Scott Soto hits town. Now, we need as many pre-orders as possible and as was done last time, there is always an added bonus for those that do pre-order. For those that do pre-order now, the following bonus tracks will be available for CD Quality MP3 Download: D Drive - A Little Outside (written by Mancuso/Naro w/Lou Gramm Vocals)(From the upcoming release by Don Mancuso titled D Drive. Press Release forthcoming.) Secret Smile - Into The Night (Track from their 2003 debut CD) Straight Wired - Gently (Brand new US band with a hint of Tesla in their sound. Press Release forthcoming.) Suburban Love Junkies - The Only Good Thing (Another track from their killer album) Tommy Denander - Into Trouble (Original Instrumental) Talon - Evil (New 2003 Demo - Advance Preview) Johnny Lima - Little Runaway (Original Version) Doogie White - Small Town Saturday Night (Exclusive - Previously Unreleased Demo) Heaven Scent - Anything For You (Another Way) Teer - Live The Lie (Original 1996 Version) I've decided to make these tracks available ASAP. For those that have pre-ordered already, you will get an e-mail by Monday with a link and a password to access the Bonus Track page and download the songs. For those that pre-order now you will receive the information to access these tracks within 24 hours of pre-ordering. Soundbytes for these tracks are now online at the base of <a href="cd/index.html">The Beast Inside Pre-Order Page</a>. I've also been advertising that the compilation will be available at all Jeff Scott Soto's Australian shows. This is absolutely correct, and those purchasing there will also get access details to the bonus tracks. More information on the Volume 2 CD and all NEW finished master MP3 samples for each and every track from the compilation are available at: <a href="cd/index.html">The Beast Inside Pre-Order Page</a>.   <div align="center"> <table border="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td><big>PRE-ORDER VOLUME 2 TODAY - $17 + $3 shipping.</big>  </td> <td> <div align="left"> <div align="center"> <form action="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr" method="post" target="paypal"><input name="cmd" type="hidden" value="_cart" /> <input name="business" type="hidden" value="ajm@melodicrock.com" /> <input name="item_name" type="hidden" value="MelodicRock.com CD Volume 2" /> <input name="item_number" type="hidden" value="MRCD2" /> <input name="amount" type="hidden" value="17.00" /> <input name="shipping" type="hidden" value="3.00" /> <input name="shipping2" type="hidden" value="3.00" /> <input name="return" type="hidden" value="http://www.melodicrock.com" /> <input name="currency_code" type="hidden" value="USD" /> <input alt="Make payments with PayPal - it's fast, free and secure!" border="0" name="submit" src="/files-archive/news/https://www.paypal.com/images/sc-but-02.gif" type="image" /> <input name="add" type="hidden" value="1" /> </form> </div> </div> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </div> MORTY ENDS HIS TNT JOURNEY: TNT bassist Morty Black has announced he is leaving the band. Two announcements were forthcoming - one from the band and another that Morty sent out himself. They read as follows: "TNT announces the departure of long time bassist Morty Black! After 21 years as the bass player for TNT Morty has decided to move on into other musical interests. The band is of course sad to see him go but wishes him the best of luck with all future endeavors. Morty will play his final show with TNT on August 7th in Trondheim." "Dear fans and music lovers! I want to use this opportunity to thank all of you a lot for supporting TNT and me these 21 years I've been a member of the band. It's with a sad heart I'm leaving the TNT camp! I will miss all of you a lot! All your passion and devotion for our music, has given us the strength and possibility to continue on this journey, and because of you we have achieved many of our goals. The people I've met along the way, will always be with me, and to perform, record and present the music for you has been a pleasure beyond belief! I have been able to see the world through our touring, and I have learned a lot about people and the different cultures you have. I am on my way to another path in life. Where it will lead me I don't know, yet, but I take my chances and hopefully I will see you on my way. One thing is for sure, I will be touring a lot, because that's what I love to do!!! I will also finish off my solo album, which I hope you will check out! Please, check in on me at my website <a href="http://www.mortyblack.com" target="new">www.mortyblack.com</a> to see where I'm off to. Finally I want to thank my fellow swordsmen, friends, colleges ;The big happy family; Ronni, Tony, Diesel, Dag Stokke, John, Morten, Frode and Dag Ingebrigtsen for giving me the opportunity to play with you, and for all these precious moments we've shared! The crew (no one mentioned, no one forgotten), managements and everyone that has been working with the band. Love and respect, Morty!!!" QUEENSRYCHE TO PLAY ORIGINAL MINDCRIME LIVE, THEN RECORD A SEQUAL: Several have sent me the press release sent out by Queensryche earlier this week. It come out while I had a couple of days off and I gathered most would have read it by the time I got it online. In case you have not yet heard, the band are to perform Operation Mindcrime live, in it's entirety and will then move on to record a brand new studio album - Operation Mindcrime II. Full details and live dates at: <a href="http://queensryche.com/news/index.html" target="new">queensryche.com/news/index.html</a> JEFF SCOTT SOTO JOINS THE TYKETTO TOUR FOR TWO DATES: A message from Kieran Dargan, regarding the upcoming Tyketto UK tour: "Well, how strange things happen on the back of a conversation. Having seen the Tyketto/JSS clash on Nov 5th, we wondered exactly what to do about it. Anyway, a few phone calls later, a bit of collusion between the Tyketto and JSS camps we have come up with a plan. Jeff has very graciously agreed to become part of the Tyketto tour for a few nights. Jeff and his band will slot in to the line up for the following shows: Friday November 5th: Wolverhampton Wulfrun Hall Tyketto; Jeff Scott Soto (full band show); Deadline;Teer. Booking: <a href="http://www.wolvescivic.co.uk" target="new">www.wolvescivic.co.uk</a> Saturday Nov 6th: The Empire, Belfast Tyketto; Jeff Scott Soto (full band show); Deadline;Teer. Booking: <a href="http://www.ticketmaster.ie" target="new">www.ticketmaster.ie</a> Now here's the best part: there will be NO PRICE INCREASE on tickets to these shows. If you already have a ticket , then you are getting some serious value for money. If you haven't got your tickets yet, then do so as soon as you can. The Belfast show is selling like wildfire (yup seriously folks......almost half full as I write this) No doubt the addition of JSS to the bill will only increase demand even further. Wolverhampton is also selling well and once again there is NO INCREASE on the ticket price despite Jeff's addition to the bill. I would ask that once again you purchase your tickets early and come out and support these shows. There is a solid commitment from everybody involved to bring you the best show possible and we would hope you will agree. Now all we need is for you to support it. Many thanks to Tyketto, Jeff, Frank, Davy Warren, Deadline and Teer for making this happen. Look forward to seeing everybody on the road. Cheers..." NUNO AND LUKE LIVE IN JAPAN: Nuno Bettencourt will play a bunch of shows with Steve Lukather in Japan! 3 nights are booked at the Blue Note Tokyo (already on their website). Other dates are possible. 3RD BALLADS COMPILATION FOR AXEL ON SCHEDULE: The Axel Rudi Pell Band is currently in the studio recording 3 tracks for the upcoming The Ballads III compilation (planned release date October 25th). The 3 tracks are Don't Say Goodbye (a new Axel composition), a new acoustic version of Forever Angel and a cover version of Rainbow's The Temple Of The King. The Band will interrupt their studio work for their live appearance at "Lorca Rock" Festival on August 14th in Spain. The second leg of the Kings And Queens Tour is planned for late October / early November this year, but no dates yet have been confirmed. Watch <a href="http://www.axel-rudi-pell.de">www.axel-rudi-pell.de</a> for further updates soon! Also there are plans for Live appearances at NEXT years "Bang Your Head", "Graspop" and "Wacken" Festivals... ArtistLink: <a href="http://www.axel-rudi-pell.de" target="new">www.axel-rudi-pell.de</a>. CHRISTIAN ALL-STAR PROJECT TO GET A SECOND ALBUM: Christian rockers, Liberty N' Justice are back in the studio recording their follow-up to the All-Star CD Welcome To The Revolution. The new CD will feature 15 "known" vocalists, and the album has a tentative release date of mid-2005. The album will be in a melodic hard rock vein and is entitled Soundtrack Of A Soul. I'm promised no rap tunes too! For more info go to: <a href="http://www.3chordrecords.net" target="new">www.3chordrecords.net</a>. For now check out there new sound on a new Christian Compilation CD called Thorns Of Redemption at: <a href="http://p087.ezboard.com/bthechristianmetalrealm" target="new">p087.ezboard.com/bthechristianmetalrealm</a>. SITE UPDATES: <a href="minibytes.html">Mini-Bytes</a> have been updated with new MP3 samples from Dio's Master Of The Moon and Asia's Silent Nation! Check them out. Two new <a href="#cdshowcase">CD Showcases</a> are online now! And they represent two big upcoming releases - Jean Beauvoir's new solo album Chameleon and Kingdom Come's latest Perpetual.   <div align="center"><a href="showcase/jeanbeauvoir-chameleon.html"><img alt="jean beauvoir-chameleon" border="0" height="125" src="/files-archive/news/jeanbeauvoir-chameleon125.jpg" width="125" /></a>xx<a href="showcase/kingdomcome-perpetual.html"><img alt="kingdom come-perpetual" border="0" height="125" src="/files-archive/news/kingdomcome-perpetual125.jpg" width="125" /></a></div> Big MR-X update and maybe even a Review or two online tomorrow.  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#35753e" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#35753e"> <div align="center">Wednesday, August 04, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> MTM MUSIC FOR SEPTEMBER - TITLES ANNOUNCED: MTM Music have announced details of their September releases. The details are as follows: Kick Axe - IV (September 6) The return of the classic Canadian hard rockers with an all new album! Track Listing: Right Now . Rockin' Daze . Consolation . Turn To Stone . Do You Know . Who Knows Ya . Woe . Time . Slip Inside My Dream . Who Says . Rock n Roll Dog . Black Heart . City Lights . The Only Ones Here. Line-Up: Gary Langen - Vocals, additional drums; Larry Gillstrom - Guitars; Raymond Harvey - Guitars; Victor Langen - Bass; Brian Gillstrom - Drums. Pulse - Worlds Away (September 13). The second album from the UK melodic rock/AOR group. Track Listing: Nothin I Can Do About It . Worlds Apar . Price Of Loving You . Talk To My Heart . Lost Without You . Your Not Alone . Feels Like The First Time . Break The Chain . Do It All Again . In Your Eyes . No Turning Back. Line-Up: Simon Abbotts - Vocals; Vince O'Regan - Guitars (Bob Catley); Andy Mills - Bass; Scott Barrow - Drums. 707 - The Bridge (September 20). The long awaited release of the band's "lost" album from 1981/82. Track Listing: Leader . Hungry For Your Love . You're All I Need . Want Your Love . Sirens of the Sea . Message From A Friend . Love You 'Til I Die . Head Over Heels . Walking Out . Couldn't Be Better . The Bridge . The Waiting Game (Bonus track) . The Girl With The Broken Heart (Bonus track) . Perfect Lies (Bonus track). Line-Up: Phil Bryant - Vocals & Bass; Kevin Russel - Guitar; Tod Howarth - Keyboards, Guitar; Jim McClarty - Drums.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="180" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/kickaxe-4.jpg" width="180" />xx<img alt="" height="180" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/pulse-worldsapart.jpg" width="180" />xx<img alt="" height="180" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/707-thebridge.jpg" width="180" /></div> BRYAN ADAMS STARTS THE ROOM SERVICE PR MACHINE: Publicity for the new Bryan Adams album Room Service seems to starting to kick in. Canadian music journal Canoe has reported on an article from Toronto paper The Sun: <a href="http://www.canoe.ca/JamMusicBryanAdams/jul30_adams-sun.html" target="new">www.canoe.ca/JamMusicBryanAdams/jul30_adams-sun.html</a> "Beforehand in his trailer, Adams told the Sun: "The concept is that the traffic is stopped and I can't go anywhere. I get out of my car and go into a building, past all the people who are controlling it. I get into this boardroom and start opening up a winch, which opens up the road." He says the clip is not so much about traffic as "power, authority, holding everyone back. It's an anti-establishment statement." Open Road is the lead single from the upcoming Bryan Adams album, Room Service, which hits stores Sept. 21. You can hear it for yourself today, when the song is delivered to radio stations. This rock track is instantly recognizable as Adams, sounding a lot like his smash 1984 hit Run To You crossed with that other classic Canadian road trip song, Tom Cochrane's Life is a Highway." Room Service is released in Europe September 20, Canada on the 21st and in Japan on the 22nd. Other dates to be announced. VAN HALEN - GLEN BALLARD EXPLAINS AND ALEX TALKS DUTCH: Two items of interest regarding Van Halen. It seems talk of 'errors' within the Best Of Both Worlds compilation have reached back to 5150. Producer Glen Ballard, who oversaw the mastering of the compilation as well as production of the three new tracks issued this note on Monday: "Notes on "Finish What You Started" There's a great irony associated with our choice to present Finish What Ya Started in a way that belies the title. We retrieved the analog master from the WB vault only to learn that it needed to be treated or "cooked" to restore its ability to be reproduced on the analog machine. The original two-track mix ends exactly as presented on the new Best of Both Worlds. In the first mastering of the record nearly twenty years ago it was faded manually and that is the way it appears on the original OU812. We literally decided to let it "Finish" in its truly original form, almost like a "director's cut." To the legions of Van Halen fans who remember it the other way, we can only hope that the added one second of music and its slightly truncated ending represents a unique version of a song that we all know and love and becomes in its own right a collectors item. We have spent hundreds of hours in conjunction with Ed and Alex pondering the tone, texture and tenor of these amazing recordings, and we appreciate the responses from the many listeners who cherish this music. It has represented a sacred mission for all of us and we present it to you with love, respect and passion, and if you hear something you might have missed before, please realize it is included to present what we deem to be the more complete archive of this amazing band. Sincerely, Glen Ballard." And Van Halen have been featured prominently in the Dutch newspaper Telegraaf. Hemco Arentsen in Holland e-mailed me a translation of the highlights: The article reads as such: "Van Halen is rocking again!! Eddie Van Halen beats cancer, alcohol abuse and a divorce. VH is back and how. Their new double CD entered the top of the album charts and their reunion tour is the most successful tour in the US this summer. VH is the hottest band at the moment. They are rocking North America as they never did before. But it wasn't always like this. 7 years ago it started to go wrong. Hagar left, Cherone came and left, Roth came and left, Eddie was told he had cancer in his throat and he divorced his wife Valerie B. Eddie collapsed and the end of VH was closer than ever. Letterman, Leno and Oprah didn't get an interview with the band but we did. The reason why, Alex VH explains. "Why, stupid question," he says. "Holland is home, we were born there and it will have always a special place in our hearts. In the difficult times we had we thought a lot of who we are and were we came from, that's way", he laughs. "Some time ago it started to go wrong. My father Jan died and Eddie was told he had cancer. From that moment on everything changed. We were used to plan things ahead with the band and so. But now we had to live by the hour. At a certain time things were so bad, we didn't even know if Eddie would be with us in three months, can you image," he says seriously. "We couldn't care less about a VH reunion. It was not important at all, all that matters was that my little brother got healthy again and I would have cut off my own balls if that would have helped him." For Alex VH it is still a difficult subject to talk about, so he throws in a joke. "Did you know that the band was named after me and nobody else!!" He laughs. "Eddie always knew he would get better, " he continues. "I didn't, I was more pessimistic. Why not me, I'm the oldest, those question keep bugging me. I keep thinking of the reason why. All we had in these difficult times was our music. It was therapy. We played for months and months working on new songs. That's why it is so great to see us now, we are stronger then ever". Then Eddie starts walking in the room. "Hey, cheese head," he yells. "Give me a light. Look at my body, see my muscles? I have beaten the disease and it will never come back. I'm healthy as never before and ready to write history again with my brother. VH is back to stay!!", he shouts. "You know I got the craziest request to play some guitar on people's albums. Last request came from Ricky Martin! Fuckin' Ricky Martin, I'm Eddie VH I only play with VH nowhere else. I did Michael Jackson and that's it, no more! VH is back for good", he stated. The article goes into a review of the show in Chicago United Center how great is was and that the band was tight the stage was great and he fans were loud. It mentioned also the dinner between Alex and Sammy what led into the reunion. And the number of albums the band had sold and that they are considered one of the greatest American rock bands in the last 25 years. The article closes with the remarks that Eddie and Alex stated that they will be playing Holland next summer 2005 for several concerts." WebLink: <a href="http://telegraaf-i.telegraaf.nl/daily/2004/8/3/TE/TE_2S_20040803_14/pagina.php" target="new">telegraaf-i.telegraaf.nl/daily/</a> MELODIC BRIEFS: The release of Nelson's Japanese Greatest Hits release, which was to feature new recordings of their back catalogue has dropped off the radar. It was due August 23, but has since been culled. No updated release date is yet available. Nuno Bettencourt's new Population One website is now online. The site is selling exclusive merchandise and can be found at: <a href="http://population-1.com" target="new">population-1.com</a>. A new Aussie modern rock band has hit the local charts. Check out some samples of Zinc at: <a href="http://www.hmv.com.au/v4/product/singles.asp?sku=930345&Affiliate=919" target="new">www.hmv.com.au</a>. Steelheart frontman Mike Matijevic has announced he will revert to his given name Miljenko Matijevic after the sad death of his father and will soon kick-start his career with new music. His full statement can be read at the official website: <a href="http://www.steelheart.com" target="new">www.steelheart.com</a> <a href="http://longislandmusicscene.com" target="new">longislandmusicscene.com</a> have their own radio stream online now, which can be heard at: <a href="http://longislandmusicscene.com/radio_promo.htm" target="new">longislandmusicscene.com/radio_promo.htm</a>. Their show is broadcast on the best radio station for hard rock and heavy metal on Long Island, FM 98.5 The Bone and it is also syndicated on AM radio and webcast and streamed on the web at <a href="http://www.wlie.com" target="new">www.wlie.com</a> Legendary rockers Led Zeppelin have refused their permission to allow their performance at fundraiser Live Aid to feature on a forthcoming DVD that hopes to raise even more money for the charity. The full story can be seen at: <a href="http://www.gigwise.com/contents.asp?contentid=2462" target="new">www.gigwise.com/contents.asp?contentid=2462</a>. Wet Music in Brazil are proud to announce their current releases: Shiva - Desert Dreams (licensed from MTM) out now; Edge of Forever - Feedind The Fire (form MTM) out now and Richie Kotzen - Get Up (from Richie) in September. More information (Portuguese only) at: <a href="http://www.wetmusic.com.br" target="new">www.wetmusic.com.br</a>. This from UK IT journal The Register - "The shocking truth is that the whole of the IT world is apparently obsessed with unpleasant Canadian pomp rock in the shape of Rush." They recently ran a survey of who was listening to what on their iPod's and the results are in: <a href="http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/07/30/music_poll_results/" target="new">www.theregister.co.uk/2004/07/30/music_poll_results/</a> DORO'S CLASSIC DIAMONDS: German rocker Doro has a "new" album almost ready to roll. Classic Diamonds is a collection of classic Doro tracks re-recorded with an additional six new tracks. Special guests who feature in the recording sessions are Blaze Bayley (ex-Iron Maiden), Kai Hansen (Gamma Ray, ex-Helloween) and Udo Dirkschneider (U.D.O., Accept). The album will be available as standard jewel case version and highly exclusive and limited digi-book printed on special aluminum foil. A video clip of the first single Let Love Rain On Me will also be available on the limited version as well as 4 extra bonus tracks. GOTTHARD'S ONE SPIRIT CAPTURED ON NEW COMPILATION: Gotthard's new Best Of compilation One Team, One Spirit is released in Switzerland, Germany, Holland and Austria on August 23. Included on the Double CD with 35 titles are three new Songs - Fire & Ice, Inside Out and One Team, One Spirit and also a previously unpublished piano version of Everything Can Change. One Team One Spirit is also the lead single from the compilation and will also be used by the Swiss Olympic Team..   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/gotthard-oneteam.jpg" width="200" />xx<img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/gotthard-onespirit.jpg" width="200" /></div> POWER QUEST MOVE ON FROM RECORD LABEL: UK melodic power metallers Power Quest have amicably terminated their multi-album recording deal with Now & Then Records. The band made the announcement late last week and added: "There are still a couple of "loose ends" to be sorted out before we can elaborate further but in the meantime the band are shopping for a new label." LIVE LIVE LIVE - JEFF SCOTT SOTO IN AUSTRALIA: Jeff Scott Soto tickets are now on sale in Sydney for his September 1st and 2nd gigs at The Marquee. Tickets: $27 pre-paid or $30 at the door. A special combo deal of $45 for both gigs is available, but only if buying both in advance of the gig. Tickets available from Utopia Records, 525 George Street, Sydney. (02) 9283 2423 <a href="http://www.utopia.com.au" target="new">www.utopia.com.au</a> Frontiers Records Aussie partner Riot Distributors are also on board to help support the Australian tour. And Jeff has done his first interview for the tour, which can be found at: <a href="http://www.geocities.com/ofssk/sotoint.html" target="new">www.geocities.com/ofssk/sotoint.html</a>.   <div align="center"><a href="http://www.riot-oz.com/" target="new"><img alt="" border="0" height="112" src="/files-archive/news/riotdistributors-logo.jpg" width="300" /></a></div> LIVE LIVE LIVE - JOURNEY IN JAPAN: Journey head to Japan for a fresh series of live dates, featuring the band's new show that has been getting great reviews across the USA. The band stops off in Hawaii on their way home. The dates are: 10/13-Sapporo Zepp, Sapporo, Japan 10/14-Sendai Zepp, Sendai, Japan 10/16-Tokyo Forum, Tokyo, Japan 10/17-Tokyo Forum, Tokyo, Japan 10/19-Hiroshima Aster, Hiroshima, Japan 10/20-Osaka Grand Cube, Osaka, Japan 10/23-Blaisdel Arena, Honolulu, Hawaii LIVE LIVE LIVE - 40FT RINGO IN AMERICA: 40ft Ringo continue to play a number of live shows across the USA in support of their debut album Funny Thing (soundbytes currently available in the <a href="minibytes.html">Mini-Bytes</a> page). The current dates are: Thursday August 12th Never On Sunday / Silverton OH w/ Billy Carri Friday, August 13th Sudsy Cincinnati OH (UC Campus) w/ Billy Carri Saturday, August 14th Cadillac Jacks / Columbus Ohio w/ Billy Carri Monday, August 16 Hi- Fi Club ,Lakewood, Ohio ( tentative) w/ THE BILLY MORRIS BAND Wednesday, August 18th The Boardwalk / Pittsburgh, PA Friday, August 20th Northern Lights / Clifton Park, NY w/ SACCHARINE Tuesday, August 24th TT The Bear's / Boston, MA Saturday, August 28th Philadelphia, PA The Pontiac Grille w/ THE QUICK featuring Roy from Spacehog + members of Blind Melon Friday, September 10th Norwalk, CT Oyster Festival W/ CHEAP TRICK ArtistLink: WWW.40FTRINGO.COM LIVE LIVE LIVE - MITCH MALLOY IN EUROPE: Mitch Malloy is heading to the UK and Europe for a series of acoustic gigs. The dates are as follows: Live and Acoustic in the UK / September 2004 8th Limelight Club, CREWE (ENGLAND v Poland on 16ft BIG screen before show) Support from Teenage Casket Company 9th Bourbon St, GLASGOW Support TBC 11th The Archer, NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE Support from Alan Greener 12th The Boardwalk, SHEFFIELD Support from Teenage Casket Company 13th Stripes Club, BRENTFORD (Only London Show) Support from Sacred Heart 15th The Sussex Arts Centre, BRIGHTON Support TBC 17th Rock Cafe 2000, STOURBRIDGE Melodic Rock Night with Steviee 18th Mega Bowl, PLYMPTON, DEVON Support from Nowhere Fast 19th Z Rock 2004, LIVERPOOL With Jesse Damon, Gypsy Rose, War & Peace and more. 22nd The Brickmakers, NORWICH Support TBC. 24th Sept Portugal at Paradise Garage, LISBON. 25th Ritmo y Compás, Madrid, SPAIN. For details on all shows please e-mail: <a href="mailto:mark.rpm@btinternet.com">mark.rpm@btinternet.com</a> or phone 01484 643392 / <a href="http://www.mitchmalloy.com" target="new">www.mitchmalloy.com</a> and <a href="http://www.rpm4music.com" target="new">www.rpm4music.com</a>. THE SCREAMING JETS GET TO THE HEART OF THE MATTER: The first week of the Screaming Jets Heart of the Matter tour was a resounding success playing to over two thousand excited fans over three shows. Over the weekend, the Jets' new single Heart of the Matter, was played on Triple M, wetting your appetite for the soon to be released EP of the same name. Their new DVD Hits and Pieces is also doing well, with a number 22 entry position in the ARIA charts. After rocking the Brisbane EKKA this week, the Jets are back in their home state NSW with shows in Jindabyne (August 11), Revesby (August 13), and Richmond (August 14). Go to <a href="http://www.screamingjets.com.au" target="new">www.screamingjets.com.au</a> for more information.  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#58abab" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#58abab"> <div align="center">Monday, August 02, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> MELODICROCK.COM CD2 - THE BEAST INSIDE - PRE-ORDERS OPEN: <a href="cd/index.html">The Beast Inside CD Page</a> is now open for pre-orders. The page also features the full track details for the 2CD Compilation, as well as MP3 samples of all but one track (that will be added this week) and the full player line-ups for each track. First details are also listed for the Bonus Material, which will be made available to those that pre-order. The 2CD / 38 Track set is priced at US$17 + $3.00 airmail shipping (to anywhere in the world). Pre-orders are automatically set up through Paypal.com, but if anyone would prefer cash or other payment, <a href="mailto:ajm@melodicrock.com?subject=MRCD2">please e-mail</a>. Both CDs are fully mastered and pressed discs, housed within a slim-line jewel case. Australian readers planning to see the Jeff Scott Soto shows can purchase copies in advance of the release date at the shows! See the <a href="cd/index.html">MRCD2 Page</a> for a combo deal including Volume 1 and 2 together. Check out all the compilation details and pre-order now - <a href="cd/index.html">MelodicRock.com CD2 - The Beast Inside</a>.   <div align="center"><a href="cd/index.html"><img alt="" border="0" height="300" src="/files-archive/news/cd/mrcd2-cover300.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>   <div align="center"> <table border="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td><big>PRE-ORDER VOLUME 2 TODAY - $17 + $3 shipping.</big> Official Release: September 20. Pre-orders will be shipped in advance of that date and will get access to the bonus MP3 Page.  </td> <td> <div align="left"> <div align="center"> <form action="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr" method="post" target="paypal"><input name="cmd" type="hidden" value="_cart" /> <input name="business" type="hidden" value="ajm@melodicrock.com" /> <input name="item_name" type="hidden" value="MelodicRock.com CD Volume 2" /> <input name="item_number" type="hidden" value="MRCD2" /> <input name="amount" type="hidden" value="17.00" /> <input name="shipping" type="hidden" value="3.00" /> <input name="shipping2" type="hidden" value="3.00" /> <input name="return" type="hidden" value="http://www.melodicrock.com" /> <input name="currency_code" type="hidden" value="USD" /> <input alt="Make payments with PayPal - it's fast, free and secure!" border="0" name="submit" src="/files-archive/news/https://www.paypal.com/images/sc-but-02.gif" type="image" /> <input name="add" type="hidden" value="1" /> </form> </div> </div> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </div> Been off sick for 2 days - business as usual Wednesday August 4.  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#008080" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#008080"> <div align="center">Friday, July 30, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> MELODICROCK.COM CD2 - THE BEAST REVEALED: MelodicRock.com CD2 - The Beast Inside goes up for pre-order from Monday. I am very pleased to reveal the final cover artwork, displayed below. The cover artwork for the CD was created by Richard Mace of Sirius B Creations in the UK. Richard also worked on the very impressive new Jeff Scott Soto package as well as many other CD and DVD packages. If you are suitably impressed with the artwork and wish to contact Richard, please do so and let him know where you saw his work. Direct enquiries to: <a href="mailto:creation@sirius-b.co.uk">creation@sirius-b.co.uk</a>. Working with me here is another artist Jason Fairbrother (who designed my mr.com logo). Jason is putting the whole package together for the manufacturers. The CD continues the tradition set by designer Chuck Wright on Volume 1.   <div align="center"><a href="cd/index.html"><img alt="" border="0" height="200" src="/files-archive/news/cd/mrcd2-cover200.jpg" width="200" /></a></div> <a href="cd/index.html">The Beast Inside CD Page</a> is now open for your inspection. Featured are MP3 samples of all but one track (that will be added next week) and the full player line-ups for each track. First details are also listed for the Bonus Material, which will be made available to those that pre-order. The 2CD / 38 Track set is priced at US$17 + $3.00 airmail shipping (to anywhere in the world). Pre-orders are automatically set up through Paypal.com, but if anyone would prefer cash or other payment, <a href="mailto:ajm@melodicrock.com?subject=MRCD2">please e-mail</a>. Both CDs are fully mastered and pressed discs, housed within a slim-line jewel case. Australian readers planning to see the Jeff Scott Soto shows can purchase copies in advance of the release date at the shows! Check out all the compilation details - <a href="cd/index.html">MelodicRock.com CD2 - The Beast Inside</a>. ANNICA RECALLS HER BADLY DREAMING ALBUM: Annica talks about the re-release of her album Badly Dreaming, available from Music Buy Mail August 16. "Hi everybody! Suddenly, 20 years have passed fast as usual when you're mostly having a good time. 80's to me meant careless days and grand emotions in a process of becoming me. Sunshine and rain and rain, but what is one bad day among some hundreds of good in store? All the good people way back, their hospitality and friendly faces, loads of laughs& but also some miserable tours and poor management, a constant lack of money and even food. A common situation for many of those throwing themselves in there, the harder way! But the crowd made it worthwhile (on occasion it might hit you, it's 30,000 heads strong) hangovers we survived, hours of rehearsals in a bomb shelter, talks about life, a high on unexpected praise in a heavy magazine with glossy pages. The rush of being alive. I also vividly recall the hair hysteria. Funny how ridiculous it was – wasn't it? The package was often more important than the content. I hope we pay more attention nowadays instead of being vain suckers of the admiration. So, what s that noise in my house? Van Halen, Motörhead, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Ozzy, earlier Europe, Megadeth, Dave Lee Roth, Dio, Badlands, Mr. Big, Havana Black, Prodigy and lots of R N B. The world is full of excellent music and singers with voices from heaven. It goes on and on and on... I would like to thank the people, who participated in one way or another during that time until this day. So when the storm blew the following were still standing: Zero Nine the awesome band that made me wanna sing in the first place; TT Oksala the monster of rock, that at the time turned 30, and I thought he was ooooold; Petteri Hirvanen 4 the most hair raising guitar solo in Badly and 4 the beautiful music; Guests Of Honor the hunky funny named guys playing on this CD with outstanding skills! You are really special to me!; TRUE FANS AND FRIENDLY SUPPORTERS - LOVE!!! The album is available only on <a href="http://www.musicbuymail.com" target="new">www.musicbuymail.com</a>, August 16th   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/annica-badlydreaming.jpg" width="200" /></div> VAN HALEN'S BEST OF BOTH WORLDS COMPILATION - NEW INFORMATION: Yesterday I spoke of the sound errors within Van Halen's new Best Of Both Worlds compilation. The 2 most notable errors was the sudden halt of Finish What You Started and the inclusion of the short instrumental track Strung Out as part of the track Not Enough, both from the Balance album. Finish What You Started appears to be the original cut, just without the benefit of a fade out. Today I was able to speak with someone who shed a little light on the matter. As with just about anything Van Halen related, the individual declined to go on record officially, but it was a source at Warner Bros., the label responsible for the release and he was happy to talk about it. Funnily enough, it was the first time he had been made aware of the errors! He said that the band was personally responsible for the mastering of the compilation and had 100% control over the choice of tracks to be included and the sequencing of those tracks. It was originally the label's idea to have 1 disc dedicated to the David Lee Roth years and another to the Sammy Hagar years, with the new tracks included on that disc. It was also the band's decision to include the already released live tracks from Live: Right Here, Right Now. All decisions were made by the band and the product delivered to the label was the band's final say. I have attempted to contact representatives for the band to comment further, but have been unsuccessful. The label source had no knowledge of any possible corrections that might be made to the release which is currently on the market. If I get any further with my enquiries, I will pass the information along.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/vanhalen-bestofbothworlds.jpg" width="233" /></div> AN OPEN ROAD FOR BRYAN ADAMS: A very short, but promising sounding clip of the new Bryan Adams track Open Road is available at <a href="http://bryanadams.nu/news/index.html" target="new">his website</a> now. His new album Room Service is currently scheduled for release in September!  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#b11b1c" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#b11b1c"> <div align="center">Thursday, July 29, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> FRONTIERS RECORDS - ARTIST NEWS UPDATE: Pride of Lions - Jim Peterik has released some details on the highly anticipated second album from Pride Of Lions, the duo he formed with the sensational vocalist Toby Hitchcock, that is going to be entitled The Destiny Stone. Jim explains: "The title track is a song about a mystic experience I had during my early childhood when I seemed to travel back in time and saw infinity (really!) - it was as if I was seeing past lives or future lives or outer space. There is a ancient sacred stone located in the Edinburgh castle in Scotland, that houses a mystic rock they call the stone of destiny. Seekers have come from the whole world over for hundreds of years to sit of the rock and receive messages from God about their future and their past. This song is about that sacred stone and my wish someday to visit that shrine and try to make some sense of my childhood visions". Although not a concept album, many of the songs are linked to self-discovery and realization. Second Hand Life is about finding your own way in life and not relying on the blueprint anyone else has laid out for you. Back To Camelot is a power ballad about going back to a time when it was "all for one" and men made good on their promises it is a very romantic song. Man Behind The Mask is about the illusions of stardom and a man trying to determine if a woman is interested in him, or his myth. The Courage To Love Somebody is about the commitment we make when we decide to love. Falling in love is the easy part. Staying in love - a whole lot harder. It's the courage to "rise above the odds and risk a broken heart". Other songs to be featured on the album include: What Kind Of Fool, Falling Back to Then, Born To Believe, The Gift of Song, Parallel Line, Letter To The Future. The musicians are going to be the same ones featured on the debut album, with Clem Hayes on bass, Ed Breckenfeld and Hilary Jones on drums, Mike Aquino and Jim Peterik on guitar, Christian Cullen on keys with vocal as usual shared between Peterik himself and the 27-years old amazing singer Toby Hitchcock. The album is being produced at World Stage Studio by Jim Peterik and Larry Millas with all the engineering and mixing handled by Larry. "We are very excited about this album", concludes Jim Peterik "in addition to the usual trademark sound that are influenced by Jim's work with Survivor, this album also stretches the boundaries with more pompish and bombastic arrangements". Frontiers Records plans the release of the album for early November 2004. The Sign - Saturday, August the 7th will mark "The Second Coming" of The Sign on Belgian soil! The Sign, the mighty supergroup featuring Mark Mangold (Drive She Said, Touch, Michael Bolton), Terry Brock (Strangeways) and Randy Jackson (Zebra) is set to play at 21.30 at the Lokerse Feesten to be held at Lokeren (Belgium) at the grounds Grote Kaai, near the town centre. A day ticket costs 10 Euros and is only on sale on that day which features in the program - on the same day - the band Europe as headliner. For more info visit <a href="http://www.lokersefeesten.be" target="new">www.lokersefeesten.be</a>. Special guests will grace the band's apparition at the festival. Danny Vaughn (From The Inside, Vaughn, Tyketto) and Mark Mangold's new female protégé Lyza Wilson are confirmed guest stars and are going to offer the public some very tasty surprises. The band will also exclusively showcase songs from the upcoming new CD The Second Coming, scheduled for a fall release on Frontiers Records. On a related note, singer Terry Brock has started the songwriting for his second solo album to be produced in Los Angeles by Fabrizio Grossi (From The Inside, Vertigo etc.). You can expect another fabulous slice of melodic rock / AOR in the vein of Strangeways classic album Walk In The Fire. Ambition - Singer Joe Vana started the recording sessions of the long overdue Ambition album. He checked in to say "I am singing my ass off... This album shall be great... We had some computer issues but we got past them quickly... Ambition is flying along now... Go Ambition!!!" Joe is singing on twelve songs offered for the occasion by writers such as Terje Eide of On The Rise (Shaping Fate and Destiny), Joey Carbone of Vertigo, who penned Together and No Wasted Moments, Swedish songwriter Christian Wolff who offered Make It Alright, Hold On, All I Need, Hunger and Too Much, while the LaBlanc Brothers (who will be soon releasing a proper debut CD for Frontiers) will have their Alone I Cry and The Promise featured on the CD. Expect a pure AOR bliss from the main-man of Mecca, a real must for the lovers of the sound coming from classic Toto, Signal and Survivor. Vertigo - The studio project featuring former Toto singer, Joseph Williams on lead vocals will have a second chapter. The recording are scheduled to begin in Los Angeles during the summertime and Joseph has agreed to be more involved in the songwriting of the new album. He has already written a great uptempo track entitled Not Gonna Live Forever with his buddy Joey Carbone, who has also offered some other songs for the project. Glenn Hughes - Frontiers Records is pleased to announce to have reached an agreement with Cleopatra / Deadline Records for the domestic release in the USA of the Soulfully Live In The City of Angels double CD / DVD package. More details on the release date shall be announced at a later stage. Mind Key - Keyboard player and songwriter Dario De Cicco from Mind Key was kind enough to send a track by track comment for the songs includes on the band s debut album Journey of A Rough Diamond: Secret Dream - This is a song about the 3rd Eye theory. It is actually the first song that we ever wrote and the perfect album opener! Emanuele and me began to play this track back in 1999! Love Remains The Same - A song about the empty spaces that love can leave. Sometimes it really becomes a war, but however we are always ready to follow the "destroyers"! Deep Inside - A song about finished experiences! We all have to look for the way to start again. Sometimes it's very hard, because those experiences often leave some unhealing scars! Memory Calling - Memories are often the only way out to escape the painful behaviours of modern human being! Lord Of The Flies - The lyrics that I wrote for this track were inspired by the book written by William Golding. A song about men that always want to call power longing by another ways! World Of Illusion - Dedicated to all the people living in "castles made of sand". The modern world is reigned by lies, from private relationship to the top of political power. Without Ann - Our old singer Mark wrote this lyric for a woman called Adia. But if you want to add just a letter behind... Waiting For The Answer - Song about men and their choices about life. The only way out is inside of you. Mind is the key! The Italian prog-metal hopefuls recently gained an amazing review on the Aardshock magazine in Holland who awarded the album with a glowing 91/100 mark!! MELODICROCK.COM CD - UPDATED INFO!: Tomorrow the special MelodicRock.com CD2 page will be unveiled containing all the details of the upcoming CD release. The artwork and a few more preview tracks will be featured, plus details of the PayPal pre-order, which will start right on time; this Monday - August 2! The 2CD set - Volume 2, will officially be Christened The Beast Inside. It's a pretty apt title - this set of songs definitely rocks harder than the more varied Volume 1 - Revealed & Revisited. I have also added 1 last minute artist. I am pleased to announce that Masquerade will debut their brand new song Alone Again on CD2 of the compilation.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="38" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/cd/mrcd2-teaser.jpg" width="400" /></div> This is 38 songs of pure melodic rock, with only 3 or 4 ballads across the whole compilation. MP3 previews of all songs will be available next week - I am waiting for the arrival of the master to update all tracks with the correct sound/EQ that the compilation will feature. But just for now - here's a few more teaser clips! More details and the launch of the Volume 2 page tomorrow! And don't forget - pre-ordering customers will receive a link to more exclusive and additional tracks to download via MP3! Details of some of those tracks also due tomorrow. Now, from The Beast Inside - preview these tracks: Pleasure Dome - One And Only (Feat. Ted Poley & Shotgun Symphony) <a href="cd/PleasureDome-OneAndOnly.mp3">MP3 Preview</a> Gipsy Rose - Promise To Stay (Feat. Martin Kronlund of Dogface) <a href="cd/GipsyRose-PromiseToStay.mp3">MP3 Preview</a> Crush 40 - What I'm Made Of (Feat. Johnny Gioeli & Jun Senoue) <a href="cd/Crush40-WhatImMadeOf1.mp3">MP3 Preview</a> Elemental - Rolling Away The Stone <a href="cd/Elemental-RollingAwayTheStone.mp3">MP3 Preview</a> Scott Sudbury - Give A Damn <a href="cd/ScottSudbury-GiveADamn.mp3">MP3 Preview</a> Any questions or comments, please <a href="mailto:ajm@melodicrock.com?subject=MRCD2">e-mail</a>. MUSIC BUY MAIL UPDATE: The following is an update from Music Buy Mail: As of mid-August, our web shop at <a href="http://www.musicbuymail.com" target="new">www.musicbuymail.com</a> will also appear in an upgraded form. The website will be presented in a completely new 'outfit'. Besides an improved and customer-friendly service we can offer you the possibility of listening to 3 songs from most of the albums for the length of 30 seconds each. Furthermore, the shop now has a search engine to be much faster if you are looking for a specific item. Apart from payment via credit card, you will also have the opportunity to pay via PayPal. And even more: our customers will henceforth have the possibility of retrieving the status of their order at any point of time by entering their customer number and a password (you will receive these on your initial order). We are also happy to announce the completion of our new catalogue from next week onwards. While leafing through it you will notice that many things have changed. Besides a new appearance we have also enlarged our choice. It now contains more than 5,000 items: from new or exclusive releases, an extensive back catalogue and numerous records on vinyl over to rarities, from which some have never been available before or only in very limited quantity. Each order from July, 24th gets a the new catalogue plus a free promo sampler with song sequences of current and forthcoming releases of the leading hard rock record companies. Also, check out the new SPECIAL OFFER!! <a href="http://www.musicbuymail.com" target="new">www.musicbuymail.com</a> SOUNDSCAN US SALES NUMBERS: There have been several major melodic rock titles released in the USA over the past few weeks and months. I though now would be a good time to get an update on their sales progress. The following numbers are the Nielson SoundScan US sales details, the official company that reports numbers that represent the Billboard Top 200 etc. Included are a few individual comments from my US label buddy who supplied the numbers. Take note that these are US numbers only. Survivor - Ultimate Survivor - 1705 units. (From two weeks of sales)[Not a huge number, but to put it in perspective, Essential Toto only sold 900 combined for its first two weeks, and Ultimate Alan Parsons Project only sold 600 in its first two weeks combined. For this sort of catalogue album, where there's no real marketing push, 1705 is pretty good, and it'll keep selling forever.] Van Halen - Best Of Both Worlds - 138,284 units (From one week of sales). Rick Springfield - Shock Denial Anger Acceptance - 26,553 units (Total so far). Dokken - Hell To Pay - 5625 units (From two weeks of sales). Tesla - Into The Now - 114,778 units. Velvet Revolver - Contraband - 707,832 units (From 7 weeks of sales). Brides Of Destruction - Here Come The Brides - 36,781 units. Scorpions - Unbreakable - 12,894 units [Strangely, this album is doing considerably worse than Eye II Eye did. Possibly because Mysterious from EIIE actually got some airplay.] Heart - Jupiter's Darling - 39,167 units. Gene Simmons - Asshole - 25,082 units. JSS IN OZ - BRISBANE GIG: A small correction to Jeff Scott Soto gig details for Brisbane. The At The Door price on the night of the gig is $30, not $28. Pre-bought tickets are $25 and are on sale now at Skinny's Music, 85 Elizabeth St, Brisbane, 4000. (07) 3229 2389 <a href="http://www.skinnysmusic.com.au" target="new">www.skinnysmusic.com.au</a> (Booking fee of $1 will be added to the ticket price by Skinny's) Gig details: Sunday, September 5, Indie Temple – 210 Wickham Street, Fortitude Valley, Qld 4006. (07) 3852 2851 Support from Mobstars, Sedition and Temple Godz - <a href="http://www.mobstar-rocks.com" target="new">www.mobstar-rocks.com</a> / <a href="http://www.sedition.com.au" target="new">www.sedition.com.au</a> / <a href="http://www.templegodz.com" target="new">www.templegodz.com</a> VAN HALEN'S BEST OF ERRORS: A lot of people have e-mailed in regarding Van Halen's Best Of Both Worlds package. There are a couple of errors within the package, the most noticeable error being the sudden cut-off on Finish What You Started. I'm still working on getting a response about the errors and if they will be fixed. Stay tuned. PROMOTING McQUEEN STREET: McQueen Street are back promoting their second independently released album, simply titled 2. Fans of straight ahead classic era American hard rock should take a listen to the guys. Check out their <a href="showcase/mcqueenstreet-2.html">CD Showcase here</a> and take in a recent interview with the band here.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/mcqueenstreet-2.jpg" width="200" /></div> STEVE LUKATHER FROM THE HEART: I am very pleased to present a lengthy, open and forthright interview with Toto great Steve Lukather. The always busy Luke took time out a couple of months back to talk about just about every possible issue, including his health battle, life on the road, the many singers of Toto, record labels, that covers album, and how people miss judge the outspoken guitarist. Some highlights of the interview include: The Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame: "It's not fair, there's a lot of bands…once…I know they're thinking, once they let a Journey or a band like that in, who deserves to be in it, they'll have to let all the rest of us in. You know what I mean?" The Various Singers: "You know, once we lost Bobby, we lost the integrity of the band and we were trying to fit a square peg into a round hole. That's why we kept going through them and going through them....." And on the Byron experiment: "We get on stage and we start the first tune, 'Love Has the Power' and he starts dancing around like Richard Simmons on acid. Some fruity shit going on man. And the crowd is like looking at me and going, something's up. They're looking at him and flipping him the bird telling him to get off the stage. And I'm looking at Jeff Porcaro and he's looking at me going, what the f*** is that? I mean is was unbelievable…" On Making Videos: "...our videos suck ass, they always have. We're not actors, we're not pretty boys. They implement us and I always look like I'm wearing my Mom's clothes in the fucking videos. I mean the hair and the…stupid, awful. I mean, shit man, videos. MTV ruined everything." Check out the full interview now! Steve Lukather - <a href="interviews/stevelukather04.html">The Hardest Working Guitarist In The Business</a>. MELODIC BRIEFS: Europe have confirmed the title of the band's first single fro their new upcoming studio album. The track is titled Faith and the album remains on track for release September 23. Online retailer Loud Metal now welcomes wholesale customers. Check the guys out at: <a href="http://www.loudmetal.com" target="new">www.loudmetal.com</a>. Road Kill Recordings is proud to present Bones, a fifteen song CD featuring former Bang Tango guitarists Mark Knight and Mark Tremalgia (with Rocc Thomas, Erik Szabo and Jon Biggs) in their new band Gravy. Check this band out today at any of the following websites: <a href="http://www.gravytunes.com" target="new">www.gravytunes.com</a>. Due to an overwhelming response and additional artist feedback, a sequel to the G3 Special Article provided by Imhotep is now online: <a href="http://www.imhotepzine.com/G3" target="new">www.imhotepzine.com/G3</a>. Metal Exiles have a great Geoff Tate interview up online now, with a new Rob Halford interview due any day: <a href="http://www.metal-exiles.com" target="new">www.metal-exiles.com</a>. US melodic rockers Secret Smile are in studio right now with Jeff Cannata (Arc Angel, Cannata), who is producing the CD! The band are recording the tunes for their next CD, due for release in early 2005. A Christmas song will be released as a single in November with some cuts from an earlier unreleased CD included! Legendary Canadian rocker Kim Mitchell has joined classic rock station Q107 in Toronto as their new afternoon DJ. <a href="http://www.q107.com/kim_mitchell/kim_mitchell.cfm" target="new">www.q107.com/kim_mitchell/kim_mitchell.cfm</a>. <a href="http://www.HardlineRocks.com" target="new">www.HardlineRocks.com</a> will now be the Official Hardline website. To launch the site, Johnny Gioeli has posted updated news of the next Hardline studio release. New interviews with Jeff Pilson and Rudy Sarzo are posted at: <a href="http://music-rock.com/_wsn/page8.html" target="new">music-rock.com/_wsn/page8.html</a>. Danger Danger's appearance at Sweden Rock Festival is chronicled at their Japanese Fan site: <a href="http://www.d2stationjapan.com" target="new">www.d2stationjapan.com</a>. Melodic.net radio is now up and running, playing melodic rock (modern rock, powerpop, midwest rock, aor etc.) 24 hours a day: <a href="http://www.live365.com/stations/winberg?play&site=winberg" target="new">www.live365.com/stations/winberg?play&site=winberg</a>. Never far from a big occasion and an opportunity to promote themselves, Australia's Icehouse have released a cover of the David Bowie classic Heroes - it's now being used on TV locally to promote the Olympics. The new tune mirrors the version released a couple of years back by The Wallflowers. An album is still in the works. The Bad Reputation record label is still alive and well. They recently re-issued the classic Black Sweden album and up next is the long awaited Shark Island re-issue (2 CDs due in the Northern Autumn), The B'zz and Voie de Fait. More to come...and new issues as well such as Tracie Hunter (Ian Hunter's daughter), Honky Stomp and Eddie And The Hot Rods. Updates when available. Check out The Quill - is a great band from Sweden in the vein of Badlands: <a href="http://www.thequill.se" target="new">www.thequill.se</a>. CHRIS CATENA NEWS UPDATE : The debut album of the Italian singer Chris Catena has just been released in Japan by Nippon Crown. The album will feature as bonus track the song Summertime not included in the European version. The video clip Freak Out Tonight is out now and will be distributed to the various networks in Japan as well as USA and Europe and in the rest of the world as well. Chris describes the video "Real Fun!!! ;-)" Catena is finalizing his forthcoming album Return Of The Galactic Freakboy. Chris speaks: "Just finished the guitar parts of Jimmy Crespo (Cry Me A River), Dick Wagner (Theme For An Imaginary Western), Doug Bossi (Queen Of Hearts), Blues Saraceno (Who Won't Get Fooled Again, Always On The Run), Kee Marcello (Just The Beginning, Saturday Night Is Alright For Fightin') and I think they are a real blast! Surprises to follow! Now I am proud to announce Moonstone, the project of the guitar player and friend Matteo Filippini is finished! I feel really proud to write the lyrics and melody lines for great songs such as City of Lights sang by Steve Walsh (Kansas), Beggar Of Love sang by James Christian (House of Lords), Fire Woman sang by me and featuring Ian Paice on drum and Tony Franklin on bass, and to give a song co-written with Daniel Flores Without You sang by me again with a real beautiful melody and the song On The Way To Moonstone sang by Eric Bloom (Blue Oyster Cult) with my backing vocals, chorus and intermission, which I hope will become the Flag of a great success for Matteo Filippini who is a real great musician and cool guy but most of all a very good friend of mine." Other artists taking part to the projects are Glenn Hughes, Graham Bonnett, Kelly Keeling, Daniel Flores, Howie Simon, and others. Catena among the others, just finished the vocals for the debut album of the band Pavic and the song Mistreated which will feature on the Tribute album Blackmore's Castle to be released by Lion and is now preparing to make his live debut with his band in Rome in the middle of October. NEW UK KISS EXPO PLANNED: After the massive success of last years expo with Mark St John, another Kiss Expo is coming: Kiss Expo 2004, Nottingham Rock City Nov 27th 2004. Special guests Bruce Kulick and Dressed To Kill are confirmed. (Other special guests TBC) Dealers from U.K -- Europe -- U.S.A, Main stream rock dealers also welcome, Question and answer session with Bruce, Guaranteed autograph & photo session with Bruce. 2 Hr set from Dressed To Kill, Plus signed guitar raffle, quiz, and all usual activities. Tickets £14.00 in advance. 1pm entry VIP laminate, including exclusive early entry £24.00. 12pm entry (limited to 50). (entry to rock night also included in admission cost, open till 2.30am.) Expo will finish at 9pm. Tickets and Dealer information are available from David Herron direct, by calling 07971 984144 between 2pm --10.00pm or e-mail <a href="mailto:davidherron7@aol.com">davidherron7@aol.com</a>. BRAD GILLIS CHECKS IN: Night Ranger's Brad Gillis dropped me a quick update via e-mail. The Message reads: "We're on a break right now as Jack is in Japan [with TMG]. We'll be starting back up in September. It's nice having some time off and I'm working on a new solo CD. Just finished more songs for ESPN and working with Gary Moon on vocals on a few of my new tracks. Still collecting vintage guitars and amps and acquiring some great pieces." GREGG GIUFFRIA BREAKS NEW GROUND: Gregg Giuffria is one of the movers and shakers behind the Hard Rock Hotel, in Biloxi - currently under construction. From the <a href="http://www.hardrockbiloxi.com" target="new">www.hardrockbiloxi.com</a> website comes a couple of pictures of the ground-breaking ceremony. Thanks to Kai for the pics & link: <a href="http://www.hardrockbiloxi.com/groundbreaking.asp" target="new">www.hardrockbiloxi.com/groundbreaking.asp</a>   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="180" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/gregggiuffria-2004.jpg" width="275" />xx<img alt="" height="180" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/gregggiuffria-2004b.jpg" width="274" /></div> A WARNING TO NEW ARTISTS SUBMITTING MATERIAL: This was forwarded to me from the manager of a currently unsigned artist. While this disclaimer may well be normal for many major record companies, highlighting a few details in the fine print could be invaluable for the many other unsigned artists out there that could fall victim to the conditions: UNSOLICITED MATERIALS: Arista does not solicit nor does it wish to receive any confidential, secret or proprietary information or other material from you through the Web Site or Arista's mail and email addresses or in any other way. Any information or material submitted or sent to Arista will be deemed not to be confidential or secret. By submitting or sending information or other material to Arista you represent and warrant that the information is original to you and that no other party has any rights to the material. By submitting or sending information or other material to Arista you grant Arista the royalty-free, unrestricted, world-wide, perpetual, irrevocable, non-exclusive and fully sub-licensable right and license to use, reproduce, modify, adapt, publish, translate, create derivative works from, distribute, perform and display such material (in whole or part) throughout the world and/or to incorporate it in other works in any form, media, or technology now known or later developed. You also warrant that any "moral rights" in posted materials have been waived. GEORGE LYNCH - FURIOUS BUT HAPPY: By Mitch Lafon. One-time Dokken axeman George Lynch has recently released the guitar-heavy Furious George covers album via Shrapnel Records. The guitarist gives a nod to some of rock's most notable names including Led Zeppelin, Montrose, Deep Purple and Jeff Beck. Recently, Lynch checked in with BW&BK to discuss the album, other projects and his relationship with his old band. "The reason I did the record (Furious George) is because it was relatively stress free," begins Lynch, "and I thought it would be nice to go into an environment and do solos without anything to worry about." As for the song selection, "we narrowed it down to the bigger names and obvious choices," he states unabashedly. "The stuff that was on the peripheral and had the greatest influence on my musical upbringing… nobody would have recognized, so we let those go. There would have been too many styles, so I decided to make it an early '70s kind of vibe." The covers album is not a new concept to George having done many tribute albums for Cleopatra, but his latest project for the label includes former Ratt vocalist, Stephen Pearcy and a re-working of the RATT catalogue as George explains, "I have a relationship with Brian (Perrera) at Cleopatra and we've been good friends for a long time. I enjoy going in and blowing over other people's music without having to deal with the whole songwriting and record label politics. It's nice just to pack my stuff up and show up at a studio and play. I get to play on music that I wish I had written and I loved RATT. Out of the '80s music RATT was one of my favorite bands." Lynch fans shouldn't despair though as the guitarist is preparing a myriad of "original music" releases. "I've got a lot of the stuff in the pipeline that I'm going to finish up before the end of the year," he affirms. "I've got a double CD called Lost Lynch which is a huge umbrellic retrospective of everything I've done from day one to yesterday (with lots of unreleased stuff). There will be stuff from Exciter (my band before Dokken), there will be live or missing Dokken tracks (including with Jeff singing), live stuff from Lynch Mob and grey area stuff like when I went from Exciter to Dokken (we were still doing the Exciter stuff, but with Don singing), and more recent projects like Stonehouse (which is the singer from Saigon Kick and myself), Micro-Dot, Band Of Flakes… It'll come out late fall on Cleopatra. I'll also be putting out the Exciter on my web site <a href="http://www.georgelynch.com" target="new">www.georgelynch.com</a> and there's a Lynch Mob DVD Live At The Key Club coming out with a companion audio CD (on Cleopatra in the fall) and when all this stuff works its way through the pipeline, I'll go into my studio and start from ground zero on building a new record." As for Lynch/ Pilson, George says with candor "I never like to say anything is over - Dokken, Lynch Mob or L/P, but I've really tried to re-focus myself on Lynch. That's what the band is called now, that's what my records are called now and everything is under the umbrella of myself." With that the attention turns to recent Internet reports of a Dokken "reunion", "I don't like to rule anything out," he says carefully. "The talk of possibly reuniting came out of an interview that Don did in which he said I had called him begging to get the band back together. In actuality, what had happened is that we ran into each other and everything was fine. We didn't talk about anything substantial, but we called each other a few times and his main gist of the conversation was that he wanted me to come in before this record (Hell to Pay) was finished and record an Exciter tune called It's Alive and I declined, but what I did say was that if there was any reason to put the real thing back together (and that means all original members with an equal split) would be something to think about. If I were a betting man I wouldn't put my money on it happening, but I would never say no, but I certainly would never call him up and beg him to do it. It was a passing remark that was saying to Don IF this could ever happen it would have to be original guys… and he completely twisted it around in some interviews that I have read." Could the past conflicts be forgotten? "I think that would depend on the amount of success we would have," he says in an honest evaluation of the situation. "That's all that would really matter. To say that we're getting back together for the love would be kind of a lie and that's why it didn't work last time. That's the problem with Lynch Mob too - it just wasn't worth the struggle; which is why I'm going to keep things focused on myself. I'm not going away no matter who revolves around me." Last word - "I'm a techie and everything revolves around my gear. I've been working with Peavey on an amp called the Brahma and it'll be out this January. Check out <a href="http://www.peavey.com" target="new">www.Peavey.com</a>" For more visit: <a href="http://www.georgelynch.com" target="new">www.georgelynch.com</a>. RICHIE KOTZEN ON TOUR: Richie Kotzen has scheduled some tour dates, as follows (from his official site): 9/28 Depart Los Angeles 9/30 Brazil - show 10/1 Brazil-show 10/2 Bs As Argentina- show 10/3 Rosarrio- Argentina- show 10/5 Cordoba- Argentina-show 10/6 Asuncion-Paraguay-show 10/7 Valparaiso-Chile-show 10/8 Santiago-Chile-show 10/14 Nagoya Japan- Bottom Line-show 10/15 Osaka Japan-Big Cat-show 10/16 Tokyo Japan- Liquid room-show 10/17 Tokyo Japan-On Air East- show 11/5 Madrid -show 11/6 Bilbao-show 11/7 Barcelona-show 11/9 Milan Italy-show 11/10 Padova Italy- show 11/11 Rome Italy-show 11/12 Reggio-Italy-show 11/13 NEC Birmingham England-show 11/14 NEC Birmingham England -show SUPERMINT ON TOUR: Supermint are touring with The Black Mollys on their Humidity Tour 2004. Current dates are: 8/04/04 - Blarney's Island - Antioch, Il 8/05/04 - The Set List - Warrensburg, Mo 8/06/04 - House Of Bricks - Des Moines, Ia 8/07/04 - The Hurricane - Kansas City, Mo 8/08/04 - The Long Drive - Stupidville, Ia 8/11/04 - Penny Road Pub - South Barrington, Il 8/12/04 - Hard Rock Cafe - Chicago, Il 8/13/04 - Lenny The Legends - Mchenry, Il 8/14/04 - The Reverb - Cedar Falls, Ia WebLinks: <a href="http://www.supermintmusic.com" target="new">www.supermintmusic.com</a> and <a href="http://www.theblackmollys.com" target="new">www.theblackmollys.com</a>. NEW BOY AT ISLAND RECORDS LOOKS TO LABELS R&R ROOTS: From the Hartford (CT, USA) Courant / Greenwich Man Heads Island Records. July 25, 2004 / By Harold Davis, Staff Writer. Steve Bartels' parents used to tell him to keep the music down, but now he has a job that encourages him to pump up the volume, he said. Bartels, a Greenwich resident, is the new president of Island Records in New York City. "I have a real passion for music. I love people and like to foster growth in people as well," Bartels said. Bartels started out as a disc jockey spinning rhythm-and-blues, hip-hop and disco classics under the name, "DJ Nice" in the early '80s. He got his first big break while standing behind the turntables. "I was spinning records as a deejay in an L.A. night club, and I met a promoter from A&M Records who offered me a national dance promotion position," said Bartels, who gladly took the job marketing new artists and their music in dance and other genres. "I was excited to be a part of the success of many acts while at A&M," he said. "Some of the ones I remember the most fondly were Amy Grant's 'Baby Baby,' CeCe Peniston's 'Finally,' which is a club staple, and the Gin Blossoms' 'Hey Jealousy.' " After A&M, Bartels held several roles with Arista Records, culminating his stint there as executive vice president, before joining Island. "Nothing beats taking a new artist that no one has ever heard of like Pink or Avril (Lavigne), for example, and feeling their talent off of rough album mixes. Then, before a year goes by, they become household names," he said. Bartels couldn't be more enthused about joining Island, the famed label that was started in 1959 by Chris Blackwell and fostered artists such as Bob Marley, U2 and Traffic. Jim Bradt of Nerve Center, a Minneapolis-based record label and talent agency, said he believes Island's longevity has been assured by breaking cutting-edge artists. "It's their strong (artist and repertoire development) and pioneer spirit in the late '60s, with the first wave of U.K. folk rock like Nick Drake and Fairport Convention and album-oriented rock like Jethro Tull and Traffic," Bradt said. Bartels is an inheritor to a fine tradition, industry watchers say. "The work of certain people enables many of us to do what we do today in the modern record industry. Even though he no longer runs the company, Chris Blackwell -- founder of Island Records -- is one such pioneer whose work has enabled ours to become the multibillion dollar industry that it is today, with the kind of cachet that brands and multinational corporations would kill for," said Tess Taylor, president of the National Association of Record Industry Professionals in Universal City, Calif. Over time, Island has grown stylistically to encompass alternative rock, punk, hip-hop, rhythm and blues, and metal. The vision of the label has been to gather groundbreaking artists, and Bartels said he hopes to continue that vision. Bartels, who joined Island in May, said his immediate goal is "to nourish the rock integrity of the label." He said he hopes to back that with new releases from modern rock acts such as Saliva and The Killers. Saliva's new record is due out Aug. 17, and The Killers' record is already on the shelves. Both bands are on tour. "My goal is to work together with LA Reid (chairman of Island's parent company, Island Def Jam) to grow the label through a diverse range of music, but always remain true to what our core is," Bartels said. He sees a real importance in getting these acts and others on the road to increase their visibility. "I believe that touring for specific artists is a vital part of the growth and ultimately the personal connection with their fans. When we sign an artist, we're very committed to them. There are artists that we have on tour for a year to a year-and-a-half, like Thursday, Thrice and Marc Broussard," he said. Nick Casinelli, manager of New Blood Revival and former senior director of artist and repertoire development with Atlantic Records, agrees that Island does a good job in sponsoring its artists. "They market their bands and their tours well. Thrice and Thursday are bands that they've put a lot of time and effort into. Andrew W.K. tours very well, they've done a lot with PJ Harvey, and Hoobastank is also doing well," Casinelli said. As with any major label, record sales are what Island is after. The music business is a $40 billion-a-year industry, and the United States accounts for one-third of the world market, according to the Recording Industry Association of America. Though downloading and file sharing has dealt the industry a blow and is said to be hurting CD sales, the Internet has been a resourceful tool for those looking for new music. Little by little, labels have recognized that they need to accommodate a record-buying public that would rather purchase one or two songs online than buy a whole CD. "The labels were hurt by downloading, but we've all collectively put our arms around it," Bartels said. "One significant area of growth is (legal) downloads. A large volume of 99-cent singles have been purchased, but the record business is trying to increase the number of album purchases. We're seeing price elasticity as they test this," Taylor said. "BMG just announced a CD price cut this week. The company will sell an anti-piracy-version for 9.99 euros ($12 U.S.), a regular version for 12.99 euros ($16 U.S.) and a 'luxury' version with additional features for 17.99 euros ($22 U.S.). It will be interesting to see consumer response," Taylor said. Casinelli said he believes CDs don't have the same appeal as the vinyl records of the past. That is why he feels downloading continues to be popular. He cites the preference for the Apple iPod over portable CD players. "The actual physical CD is not very special. Vinyl albums were much more of a visual product with packaging. With a CD, there's not that Cracker Jack toy-surprise-inside scenario. The iPod is a great invention, and you take your music anywhere," he said. Studies done by the Recording Industry Association of America show that legal downloading is gaining in popularity. The study found that digital downloads represented a 1.3 percent share of the market last year, up from 0.5 percent in 2002. Meanwhile, purchases at conventional record stores continued to decline last year. Bartels said he sees Island's record sales growing. A brief look at this week's Billboard Hot 100 chart yielded three Island artists in the Top 50. The artists include Hoobastank at No. 4 on the list, Christina Milian at No. 11 and Nickleback at No. 46. Milian's album was noted as having the greatest airplay and sales gains as of last week by Nielsen Broadcast Data Systems and Nielsen SoundScan. "I'm encouraged with what I see. We're up from what it was a year ago, and growth is up on a weekly basis," Bartels said. Though much of Bartels' focus is on what's new and current, he feels the need to preserve Island's back catalog and appreciates working with older seasoned artists as well. "I am really excited about a new Def Leppard single [rumored to be Long Long Way To Go] that will be a part of a greatest hits double CD in the winter. That's a band I grew up loving and to have the opportunity to work with them just blows the 15-year-old boy inside me away." While this is Bartels' dream job, it does carry a lot of responsibility. He works long hours and is quite often out late to attend band showcases or tied up in long meetings. Though he hasn't had to do much traveling yet, he expects that will change soon. Bartels manages to go home to Greenwich most nights to be with his wife and two children. "The time involved is full time. I mean, you are never not involved when you are passionate about an artist or record. You can't help but spend time 24/7 making calls and keeping your ears and eyes open to radio, video, press, TV, Internet and retail. It takes a family that is accepting and as enthusiastic about music as I am, because it can certainly take time away from that personal time (at home)," he said. SITE UPDATES: They are a day late, but here they are! The <a href="minibytes.html">Mini-Bytes</a> have been updated with new clips from: Megadeth, Butch Walker, Stevie Salas, Barry Sparks and Ministry. <a href="#cdshowcase">CD Showcases</a> have been updated. Online today are previews of albums by From The Inside and Richie Kotzen, plus previews of re-issues from Snowblind and Quartz. <a href="#cdshowcase">Check them out</a>. And don't forget the Steve Lukather <a href="interviews/stevelukather04.html">interview</a>.  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#804040" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#804040"> <div align="center">Tuesday, July 27, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> A TASTE OF HEAVEN & EARTH: Heaven & Earth has released an EP called A Taste of Heaven which features 4 new songs with vocalist Paul Shortino and 4 tracks from the first Heaven & Earth CD. The new tracks featuring Shortino are 1. Screaming for Redemption, (Shortino/Smith), 2. Heaven, (Kyle/Leese/Smith), 3. Nasty Piece of Work, (Smith) and 4. It'd Be True, (Doah, Hansen, Leese, Smith). The tracks on the EP from the first CD are the instrumental Dreams of Desire, Heaven & Earth featuring Joe Lynn Turner on vocals, When a Blind Man Cries featuring Richie Sambora on vocals and See That My Grave Is Kept Clean featuring Glenn Hughes on vocals. The EP is available now from the bands website at <a href="http://www.stuartsmith.com" target="new">www.stuartsmith.com</a> along with some new t-shirt designs. Any fans purchasing the EP from the website will get a $2.00 discount on the new full length CD, Screaming for Redemption coming out later this year.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/heavenandearth-tasteofheaven.jpg" width="200" /></div> ANNOUNCING CARBON 13: Press Release: Carbon 13 is an exciting new label formed out of the frustration of witnessing too many "studio bands" release sub-standard product which sounds like it has been recorded by individuals rather than by a live, breathing band. The label is headed up by musicians Graham Woodcock (The Quest) and Andy Bramhall with significant input from Producer and Engineering guru Pete Coleman. These names (especially Pete Coleman) will be familiar due to the exhaustive list of credits coming out of our leading edge studio, Mastertone Sound. Carbon 13 believe in quality ROCK music that can only be really appreciated when coming from the crafted hard work that only a real band can generate. We aren't limited to any specific sub-genres but like to think that there are plenty of bands making quality music that need to be given a chance to let the wider public appreciate their hard work and craftsmanship.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="99" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/carbon13-logo.jpg" width="250" /></div> All signings to Carbon 13 will be given the opportunity to record and / or mix their work in our amazing, vibed studio. There will be no "clock watching" or corner cutting. We want every album to be the product of a relaxed band giving their best performance .... that's when something special happens in our opinion. Pete Coleman will be on hand to deliver the goods and give every project the benefit of his experience. In fact, experience doesn't seem to be an adequate word to describe Pete's pedigree. Anyone who has recorded Angus Young of AC/DC doesn't get that gig by being just ordinary. Huge drums and guitars form the backbone of any powerful ROCK sound. We have the studio and the ability to deliver world-beating quality recordings that are the perfect platform for some killer vocals. Blend all this with great melodies and song arrangements and the final results will speak for themselves . . . quality with a capital Q. Carbon 13 are currently looking for artists to join our exciting new roster. Why don't you check us out? <a href="http://www.carbon13.co.uk" target="new">www.carbon13.co.uk</a> LION MUSIC'S JULY NEWS UPDATE: News from Lion Music. Current releases: Patrik Carlsson - Phraseology: Patrik is the best guitarist to come out of Sweden since Yngwie! Heavily influenced by Steve Vai but with a truly original style and a good sense for writing quality songs. Faraz Anwar - Abstract Point of View: Incredibly good guitarist releases his debut album filled with instrumental progressive metal mixed with fusion. Truly one of the best releases of our label ever! V/A - Shawn Lane Rememberev Vol II: All instrumental tribute to an incredible musicians featuring - Roger Staffelback, Double Heart project, Alex Masi, Patrik Carlsson, Torben Enevoldsen, Mistheria, Jon paget, Luis Moreno, Rob Sbar, Richard Daude, Marcos De Ros, Tom Kopyto. The Spirit Lives On - The Music of Jimi Henrix Revisited Vol II: Featuring Chris Poland, Alex Masi, Lars Eric Mattsson, Torben Enevoldsen, Winterlong, Baltimoore, Tommy Denander, Condition Red, James Byrd, Dave Martone, Tony Hernando, Project Alcazar. Due to holidays and some techical reasons we will not releases anything at all in August but we will be back in September with some goodies including Joe Stump's long awaited new solo album! We will announce some very exciting coming releases shortly, we do have a lot of releases planned for the coming 12 months! LabelLink: <a href="http://www.lionmusic.com" target="new">www.lionmusic.com</a> HATS, ER, SHOES OFF TO STEVE AUGERI: Journey's Steve Augeri is a classy guy. Always knows how to handle a situation and last week at the Journey show at The Sovereign Bank Arena in Trenton. NJ was no different. Apparently there were a few in the crowd up front that were chanting "We want Steve..." and so Augeri took his shoes off, stood beside his shoes and said to the Perry fans, "Do you want to wear these shoes?" He then sang the next song barefoot before putting his shoes back on after the song. Nice on Steve! X-FEST UPDATE FOR UK/EUROPEAN READERS: Punchline Promotions is delighted to announce a new addition to the X-Fest festival, X-Fest Vers. 1.0, line-up - Quecia. Quecia are a female fronted 5 piece rock band from England who have been receiving excellent reviews for their highly polished CDs and exciting live performances. Go check out the band's official website at <a href="http://www.quecia.co.uk" target="new">www.quecia.co.uk</a> for some great soundbytes. Quecia will join Lost Weekend and Sheer Shock Revival on what is shaping up to be a night of great music. One more band will be announced shortly... Tickets can be purchased now by emailing <a href="mailto:webdesign@punchlinepromotions.co.uk?subject=X-FEST">webdesign@punchlinepromotions.co.uk</a> with the subject line "X-FEST". Festival details: Venue: The Railmens Club, (bottom of) Wind Street, Swansea. OVER 18s ONLY... Date & Time: Saturday 4th September 2004. 6pm to 12pm Line-up Lost Weekend + Special Guests with Quecia and Sheer Shock Revival (four bands in total) Ticket Prices Â£10 adv. Â£12 door - on sale now! email <a href="mailto:webdesign@punchlinepromotions.co.uk">webdesign@punchlinepromotions.co.uk</a> for details... Drinks Prices You can recoup the ticket price as all the drinks at the venue are extremely cheap. Pint of lager Â£1.35, etc TUNE IN TOMORROW: Log on tomorrow for a large site update - several pages to update for you. And possibly one of the best and longest interviews I have ever had the pleasure of doing/posting! More to come following that, but I am midway through moving the remaining site over to the new server, and with that, a compilation to finalize and the Soto tour coming up, the work load has been a little over the top. New reviews also coming up later in the week.  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#004080" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#004080"> <div align="center">Monday, July 26, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> FROM THE INSIDE OF DANNY VAUGHN: And with pleasure - some more From The Inside! From The Inside is a joint project between Danny Vaughn and Fabrizio V.Zee Grossi and band, and will be released August 30 through Frontiers Records. I am very pleased to present a few new MP3 previews in the form of the following tracks: Download: <a href="audio/FromTheInside09.mp3">Is Anybody Watching Me</a>; <a href="audio/FromTheInside08.mp3">Blessing In Disguise</a> and <a href="audio/FromTheInside10.mp3">Always</a>.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="196" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/fromtheinside.jpg" width="200" /></div> MELODICROCK.COM CD2 - UPDATE: There's always something to deal with in the last minute, and this compilation is no different than the last! A couple of changes to announce! First up, the Bonrud song Concrete And Steel is being replaced. It was an exclusive unreleased tune and I thank Paul Bonrud for the opportunity to use the song, but his record label feel the upcoming album would be better previewed and represented by another track. I don't have any argument with that, as the song I am now featuring is a much better indication of Bonrud's sound and is a cracking classic style AOR ballad. The new track is from the upcoming album and is called Desperate Heart! Secondly, the Joe Becker instrumental Captain Courageous has been removed...I'll be sure to feature more of Joe another time. The CD is being mastered currently and artwork is being finalized, so get ready for the pre-sale, which WILL start next week! All pre-orders get access to some additional exclusive tracks, which will be detailed later this week. DOMAIN SIGN TO LMP MUSIC: Press Release: 2 weeks ago, a new section of the Domain history has been written. Domain signed a new worldwide record-deal with the established German LMP-label (<a href="http://www.limb-music.de">www.limb-music.de</a>). LMP, guided by metal-expert Limb Schnoor, has responsibility for the success of such musical heavyweights like for example Rhapsody. The new Domain album Last Days Of Utopia, which will be released in February 2005, will be the debut for the Company from Hamburg. After 8 months of hard work, the regular recordings have been finished, only the recordings of two exclusive bonus tracks made the boys get back into the Meadow Studios to do some further tracks. At the same time Domain is working on their new video Endless Rain, which will be released at the same time together with the record. Domain will be represented at two tribute samplers, which will be released by the record company Lion Music <a href="http://www.lionmusic.com" target="new">www.lionmusic.com</a>. The band will contribute the Deep Purple classic Stormbringer and the Gary Moore hit Over The Hills. Particularly the last title will be a great pleasure for the band to perform, because lots of fans associate this song with the typical Domain style, which has guided to the classical Domain sound. MELODIC BRIEFS: Vick LeCar has withdrawn his indie released covers album Bad Influence. Vick had this to say about the withdrawal: "The bad news are, due to some legalities and bull shit, I'm discontinuing the Bad Influence CD, thank you for your orders and complements. Now the good news, I'm trying to re-establish myself back in the East Coast and I'm co writing with one of the best H/R, if is not "the" best singers in the world for his next CD." Rolling Stone Magazine online has new Van Halen pictures online from their July 23 gig: <a href="http://www.rollingstone.com/photos/gallery?start=0&range=12&id=5392777&pageid=rs.PhotosGallery&pageregion=mainRegion" target="new">www.rollingstone.com/photos/gallery</a> A new Kiss live review with photos can be found at: <a href="http://www.glam-metal.com/kiss.html" target="new">www.glam-metal.com/kiss.html</a>  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#004000" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#004000"> <div align="center">Friday, July 23, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> JEFF SCOTT SOTO - TICKET DETAILS: MelodicRock.com proudly presents Jeff Scott Soto live in Australia! The final venue and ticket details for Jeff Scott Soto's premiere tour of Australia are now available. Jeff and his full American band arrive in Australia September 1 for a two week tour that will include gigs in Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Hobart and Melbourne. The JSS Band is: Jeff Scott Soto – Vocals; Howie Simon – Guitar; Gary Schutt – Bass; Dave Dzialak – Drums. This will be a real treat for Australian fans long starved of quality live melodic rock. Jeff is bringing an updated version of his acclaimed career spanning greatest hits show; filled with past classics from all aspects of his career, as well as new tracks from his upcoming second solo album Lost In The Translation. In addition to those shows, in select cities Jeff will also perform his Queen Tribute shows, bringing his acclaimed Queen set direct to Oz from sold out performances at the UK Queen Convention in 2003 & 2004.   <table> <tbody> <tr> <td>The dates have been previously announced, but there is a couple of major changes to the Sydney details. There has been a change of venue, with the shows now to take place at The Marquee. The original venue has been under going a number of problems and there was no choice but to make a change. The Marquee is a bigger venue and from all reports has an even more impressive set up! However, the date of the Queen show has been changed due to a conflict in schedules. The Queen Tribute show will now be Wednesday September 1, with Jeff's regular show still as planned on the Thursday. Utopia Records have joined MelodicRock.com to present Jeff in Sydney. Utopia will help promote the event in Sydney and will also host an in-store appearance, details of which will be announced shortly.</td> <td><img alt="" height="186" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/utopiarecords-logo.jpg" width="200" /></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> Jeff Scott Soto will be selling a range of his CD and DVD releases at each gig and will happily sign merchandise after each show. MelodicRock.com CD Volume 2 will also be exclusively available at the Australian shows before an official release September 20. Copies of Volume 1, which features an exclusive unreleased Talisman track will also be on sale.   <div align="center">Australian Tour Dates are as follows: Sydney – The Marquee - Wednesday, September 1 (Queen Show) Sydney – The Marquee - Thursday, September 2 Brisbane – Indie Temple – Sunday September 5 Adelaide – Enigma Bar - Thursday, September 9 Hobart – Republic Bar - Saturday, September 11 Hobart – Republic Bar - Sunday, September 12 (Queen Show) Melbourne – Corner Hotel – Tuesday, September 14 (Queen Show) Melbourne – Corner Hotel – Wednesday, September 15 (Solo Show & End Of Tour Party)</div> Details of the individual venues and gigs are as follows: Sydney: Wednesday, September 1 (Queen Tribute Show) Thursday, September 2 The Marquee – 128 Pyrmont Bridge Road, Camperdown 2050. (Cnr Parramatta Road) (02) 9557 0221 Tickets: $27 pre-paid or $30 at the door. A special combo deal of $45 for both gigs is available, but only if buying both in advance of the gig. Tickets available from Utopia Records, 525 George Street, Sydney. (02) 9283 2423 <a href="http://www.utopia.com.au" target="new">www.utopia.com.au</a> On Sale Monday August 2. Support from Teargas – <a href="http://www.teargas.com.au" target="new">www.teargas.com.au</a> Brisbane: Sunday, September 5 Indie Temple – 210 Wickham Street, Fortitude Valley, Qld 4006. (07) 3852 2851 Tickets: $25 pre-paid or $30 at the door. Tickets available from Skinny's Music, 85 Elizabeth St, Brisbane, 4000. (07) 3229 2389 <a href="http://www.skinnysmusic.com.au" target="new">www.skinnysmusic.com.au</a> (Booking fee of $1 will be added to the ticket price by Skinny's) Tickets on sale Wednesday July 28. Support from Mobstars, Sedition and Temple Godz - <a href="http://www.sedition.com.au" target="new">www.sedition.com.au</a> / <a href="http://www.templegodz.com" target="new">www.templegodz.com</a> Adelaide: Thursday, September 9 Enigma Bar – 173 Hindley Street, Adelaide, SA 5000. (08) 8212 2313 <a href="http://www.enigmabar.com.au" target="new">www.enigmabar.com.au</a> Tickets at the door on the night - $25. Support from Teargas – <a href="http://www.teargas.com.au" target="new">www.teargas.com.au</a> Hobart: Saturday, September 11 Sunday, September 12 (Queen Tribute Show) Republic Bar, 299 Elizabeth Street, North Hobart, 7000. (03) 6234 6954 <a href="http://www.republicbar.com" target="new">www.republicbar.com</a> Tickets: $20 pre-paid, or at the door. A special combo deal of $35 for both gigs is available, but only if buying both in advance of the gig. Tickets on sale August 9 from the venue or from Tracks Music, Murray Street, Hobart. (03) 6236 9699 Note: Hobart tickets also available in advance direct from MelodicRock.com. Enquiries please e-mail: <a href="mailto:ajm@melodicrock.com?subject=JSS Tickets">ajm@melodicrock.com</a> Melbourne: Tuesday, September 14 (Queen Tribute Show) Wednesday, September 15 (+ End Of Tour Party!) Corner Hotel, 57 Swan Street, Richmond, Vic 3121. (03) 9427 7653 Tickets: $25 pre-paid or $28 at the door. A special combo deal of $40 for both gigs is available, but only if buying both in advance of the gig. Tickets on sale now! Available at the Corner Box Office (57 Swan St, Mon-Sat 12.00-8.00), Phone Bookings (03) 9427 9198, or Online bookings at: <a href="http://www.cornerhotel.com" target="new">www.cornerhotel.com</a> (Secure Server). Support from Teargas – <a href="http://www.teargas.com.au" target="new">www.teargas.com.au</a> Start times and door open times will be advised in due course via the same outlets. BUY YOUR TICKETS IN ADVANCE! These shows could sell out, so don't risk it! Ticket prices are at the lowest possible price to encourage as many people along as possible. Let's make this tour one for Jeff to remember! Any further questions or enquiries – e-mail: <a href="mailto:ajm@melodicrock.com?subject=JSS Tour">ajm@melodicrock.com</a> Additional WebLinks: <a href="http://www.jeffscottsoto.com" target="new">www.jeffscottsoto.com</a> / <a href="http://www.howiesimon.com" target="new">www.howiesimon.com</a> / <a href="http://www.garyschutt.com" target="new">www.garyschutt.com</a> / <a href="http://www.talismanworld.com" target="new">www.talismanworld.com</a> / <a href="http://www.rockstarmovie.com" target="new">www.rockstarmovie.com</a> MR-X UPDATED: <a href="mr-x/index.html">MR-X</a> has been updated with yet more tasty goodies and there is still plenty more to come! Online today is the first part of a selection of unreleased Shark Island demos. 13 awesome tracks are online today from the band's 1992 album sessions as well as earlier demos from 1985-87. Also online is a 9 track selection of acoustic Heart tracks from the Desire Walks On promo trail. And back by popular demand, the entire Europe Live At Sweden Rock 2004 show! Last but not least, new videos are now online for: Alice Cooper - Freedom, Dangerous Toys - Line Em Up, Dennis De Young - Boomchild, Marty Balin - Hearts, Winger - Rainbow In The Rose (Live), Time To Surrender (Live) and Who's The One. <a href="mr-x-intro.html">MR-X Membership Details</a>. Thanks for your support!! MESSAGE BOARDS: Please note the new locations for the site forums: <a href="http://forums.melodicrock.com/phorum33/list.php?f=1" target="new">forums.melodicrock.com/phorum33/list.php?f=1</a> (Noticeboard) and <a href="http://forums.melodicrock.com/phpBB" target="new">forums.melodicrock.com/phpBB</a> (Message Boards) VENGEANCE SCREAMING BACK FOR MORE: Vengeance (formerly known as Vengeance Rising), the extreme Christian thrash metal band from Southern California, is reuniting after 14 years. The reunion includes Larry Farkas and Doug Thieme on guitars, Roger Dale Martin on bass, and Glen Mancaruso on drums. It is still uncertain if Roger Martinez (the former vocalist) will have any involvement. Vengeance was born out of Bob Beeman's Sanctuary movement in Southern California in the mid '80's. In their day, they were the undisputed premiere Christian thrash metal band (trust me. I saw them live and they scared the hell out of me). They are reuniting for a concert in August with a possible recording project sometime in the future. See the link at <a href="http://roxxproductions.com" target="new">roxxproductions.com</a>. VH1 KISS SPECIAL SATURDAY USA TIME: Lost 1973 KISS photos to be included in VH-1 special this Saturday: Several newly discovered Kiss photos from 1973 will be unveiled for the first time Saturday when VH-1 premieres When KISS Ruled The World. Over 100 color slides of the band were recently discovered by KISS Alive Forever co-author Curt Gooch in a New York basement belonging to a former KISS roadie. The images show KISS auditioning for Casablanca Records President Neil Bogart in a ballet studio, rehearsing at the Fillmore East with and without makeup and recording their landmark first album (KISS) in Bell Sound Studios in November of 1973. Curt Gooch, along with his KISS Alive Forever co-author Jeff Suhs, are currently working on a follow up to their 2002 Billboard Books release and will include as many of the newly discovered 1973 KISS photos as possible in their new book, which is tentatively, titled KISS Out On The Streets 1973 - 1976. NO TURNING BACK ON THE PAST FOR GLASS TIGER: Canadian Press, TORONTO — Remember the song Don't Forget Me (When I'm Gone)? How about Someday? Glass Tiger hopes so. The popular '80s band is trying for a comeback with a 20th anniversary CD and DVD called No Turning Back. The quintet - original members Alan Frew on vocals, Sam Reid on keyboards, Al Connelly on guitar, Wayne Parker on bass and newcomer Chris McNeill on drums - will also embark on a national tour starting in September. To be released August 24, the CD will include two new songs, No Turning Back and Give It Away. "Our writing is as strong as ever, with the same spark and verve that we had back when Don't Forget Me (When I'm Gone) was crafted," said frontman Frew. "Our performances have never been tighter, and we are playing at the highest level." The CD will also feature radio versions of the band's hits as well as some rarities and alternative versions. The DVD will include 13 of Glass Tiger's music videos and some behind the scenes footage. Glass Tiger became a household name in the mid-1980s with the release of its debut record The Thin Red Line. With Bryan Adams on backup vocals, the song Don't Forget Me (When I'm Gone) became a smash hit in Canada, as well as the U.S. where it reached No. 2 on the Billboard Chart. The album set a record for the fastest selling debut recording in Canadian history. The band has five Juno awards and a Grammy nomination to its credit. IN PICTURES: New pictures of Soul Sirkus are now online at the band's website: <a href="http://soulsirkus.com/photos.html" target="new">soulsirkus.com/photos.html</a>. Here's one of them:   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="199" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/soulsirkus-2004b.jpg" width="300" /></div> And pictures from a recent Van Halen gig can be viewed at: <a href="http://nivasgigs.net/vanhalen.html" target="new">nivasgigs.net/vanhalen.html</a>  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#400080" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#400080"> <div align="center">MELODICROCK.COM CD 2</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> The time has come to reveal the track listing and artist details for MelodicRock.com CD2! It's been a long time in the making, but a last minute rush is now underway to finalize the CD and get it ready for website pre-sales starting August 2 and the official release and shipping in September. Like the first release, only 1000 will be printed and once they are sold out, they are gone for good. This time around - a 2 Disc set! Disc One features artists most site regulars will be familiar with - some top names in the melodic rock field and some others that deserve the recognition. Generally speaking, I think this is a pretty rocking collection of tunes! Disc Two features a line-up of incredibly talented artists from very diverse backgrounds. These artists are both veterans of the music business and up and coming fresh new faces. Either way, I am convinced they will impress a number of people and will become better known as talk of their music widens. Featured is everything from acoustic pop to hard rock, metal and even some more contemporary sounding tracks. Naturally it would be amiss of me not to feature some classic AOR as well! I've really packed the CDs tight with music to ensure the best value possible. Volume 2 features 38 tracks in total over the 2 discs! And just as Volume One was, the compilation will again be available for sale through this site via the Paypal online payment system. Cash orders can also be placed by e-mailing me. The CDs will be pressed and ready by August 30. But as I am on the road with Jeff Scott Soto from September 1, so the official release date will be after the tour's completion - Monday September 20. I'm still working on this, but its highly possible pre-orders will be shipped before the official release date. Australian readers and those attending the Jeff Scott Soto gigs will be able to buy the compilation at the shows. I'll also have Volume 1 with me, which features an exclusive rocking Talisman track! The price this time around for the 2CD set will be US$17.00 + $3.00 shipping. So for US$20, the 2CD set will be shipped airmail to anywhere in the world. With Volume 1, I offered an extra incentive for pre-orders, by supplying a bonus CDR of additional tracks. This time around is no different! All people pre-ordering the compilation will receive a special password for a hidden webpage with links to a range of additional tracks to download; including some demo versions of the final tracks featured on the CD, some additional new unreleased tracks and more music from the bands featured on the compilation! Should anyone have any questions regarding the compilation or the artists detailed below, feel free to <a href="mailto:ajm@melodicrock.com?subject=MRCD2">e-mail me anytime</a>. Please note that the compilation has not yet been mastered, so these sneak-peak soundbytes might vary slightly in volume. Without further ado, here are the full details of the CD: CD1: 1. Martie Peters - The Beast Inside <a href="cd/MartiePeters-TheBeastInside.mp3">Preview MP3</a> Martie is the lead vocalist for Danish rockers Push. The band is not currently together and this song is the lead track from the upcoming solo album. This is a great moody rocker that sets up the compilation. <a href="http://www.martiepeters.com" target="new">www.martiepeters.com</a> 2. Talon - Euphoria (Demo) <a href="cd/Talon-Euphoria.mp3">Preview MP3</a> Talon are a Californian melodic hard rock outfit, whose debut album was released on Now & Then/Frontiers in 2002. Euphoria is a demo from the band's new recording sessions and is another smoking rocker in the best tradition of the debut. <a href="http://www.talonrocks.com" target="new">www.talonrocks.com</a> 3. Teer - Live The Lie (Demo) Teer features Millenium guitarist Shane French. The band has had two albums out previously - one indie release and a self-titled "debut" for Now & Then/Frontiers. This track was originally recorded for the band's indie release, but is being re-recorded with the new line-up for their next album. A fired-up rocker with a killer chorus. <a href="http://www.teerband.com" target="new">www.teerband.com</a> 4. Riverdogs - World Gone Mad I am honored to be able to feature this exclusive debut of a brand new Riverdogs track! The band have finished 3 new tracks - this is one of them. It's a rocker with an updated sound, but the unmistakable feel of their classic debut album. 5. Pleasure Dome - One And Only I am also very pleased to present the debut of Pleasure Dome, the project that features Charlie Calv and the guys from Shotgun Symphony, with the vocal power of Danger Danger's Ted Poley in charge. This is a classic AOR track, but with somewhat more complex arrangement. And Ted has never sounded better! One and Only is taken from the upcoming conceptual album Welcome to the Pleasure Dome. 6. Chris Heaven - Crystal Ball This is the only cover tune featured on the compilation. It's a smoking rendition of the Yngwie Malmsteen track, which was originally recorded under the project name Edge Of Time for the Yngwie J. Malmsteen Mega Fan Site, Original Compilation Album Vol.7 - Battle of Immortal Beast CD. 7. JK Northrup - Hangin' By A Thread <a href="cd/JKNorthrup-HanginByAThread.mp3">Preview MP3</a> This is an exclusive unreleased track from guitar wiz Jeff Northrup. And featured on vocals on this hard rocking monster is none other than Johnny Edwards. Jeff and Johnny were working towards a new studio album, but it hasn't happened yet. This track is from those sessions from a couple of years back. Jeff is also mastering the compilation for me. Cheers Jeff! <a href="http://www.jknorthrup.com" target="new">www.jknorthrup.com</a> 8. Gipsy Rose - Promise To Stay The old and new project from Dogface guitarist Martin Kronlund. This is a great anthemic melodic rocker that was originally recorded by the band in 1990. The guys are back together and are writing new songs and re-arranging a lot of old songs that they wrote together. For those that loved the debut Dogface, but with extra commercial melody! 9. Cornerstone - Some Have Dreams (Acoustic Demo) This is the original writing demo for the track from the last Cornerstone album. This is Doogie White at his finest with only an acoustic guitar accompanying his vocals. <a href="http://www.doogiewhite.com" target="new">www.doogiewhite.com</a> / <a href="http://www.cornerstonemusic.dk" target="new">www.cornerstonemusic.dk</a> 10. Mass - Empty Soul The return of US rockers Mass is well underway, with a whole range of new tracks written and being demoed. This is a fine rocker to get things started, in the best tradition of the band's classic sound. <a href="http://www.massmusic.biz" target="new">www.MassMusic.biz</a> 11. Urban Tale - Today I'll Change My Life <a href="cd/UrbanTale-TodayIllChangeMyLife.mp3">Preview MP3</a> No introduction needed here - this is the Japanese bonus track from the band's last album Signs Of Times. Smooth feel good AOR at it's best. <a href="http://www.urbantale.net" target="new">www.urbantale.net</a> 12. Mike Tramp - Sometimes <a href="cd/MikeTramp-Sometimes.mp3">Preview MP3</a> Another compilation exclusive! A previously unreleased Mike Tramp solo track recorded at the same time as the Remembering White Lion sessions in 1999. A classic Tramp melodic rocker. <a href="http://www.miketramp.com" target="new">www.miketramp.com</a> 13. Tommy Denander - Into Trouble <a href="cd/TommyDenander-IntoTrouble.mp3">Preview MP3</a> Yet another exclusive track! Tommy Denander recorded this track only a couple of weeks ago - especially for this compilation! And even better - this uptempo AOR rocker features the debut of Tommy's new vocal partner - Johan Sahlen from The Black (formerly known as The Black Sweden). Guaranteed to please! <a href="http://www.tommydenander.com" target="new">www.tommydenander.com</a> 14. Johnny Lima - Little Runaway (New Version) Johnny is currently re-recording his long out of print debut album. This is one of the best tracks from that album and this is your first glimpse of the new recordings! <a href="http://www.johnnylima.com" target="new">www.johnnylima.com</a> 15. Crush 40 - What I'm Made Of Crush 40 is Hardline vocalist Johnny Gioeli and Japanese guitarist Jun Senoue. This fast paced rocker titled was featured on the Japanese only release Triple Threat earlier this year. <a href="http://www.junsenoue.com" target="new">www.junsenoue.com</a> / <a href="http://www.johnnygioeli.com" target="new">www.johnnygioeli.com</a> 16. Final Frontier - Borrowed Time <a href="cd/FinalFrontier-BorrowedTime.mp3">Preview MP3</a> Final Frontier are a popular AOR acts from Canada, featuring Rob Moratti on vocals and Von Groove's Mladen Haze on guitars. This track is a little beefier and rawer than the recent album, but is another perfect example of catchy melodic rock. <a href="http://www.finalfrontiermusic.com" target="new">www.finalfrontiermusic.com</a> 17. Attraction 65 - One Step Over The Line <a href="cd/Attraction65-OneStepOverTheLine.mp3">Preview MP3</a> This was the bonus track from the band's debut album, which was released late last year. Attraction 65 features former Blue Tears frontman Gregg Fulkerson. This is an uptempo Springsteen-esque rocker that fans of the band will love. 18. Shugaazer – 13th Love Song Exclusive track! This is a classic pop ballad from Shugaazer, the new band of former Danger Danger vocalist Paul Laine. Showing the softer side of his voice and the band in general, this light and breezy tune makes for a great change of pace. A track that wasn't included on their recently released debut album. <a href="http://www.shugaazer.com" target="new">www.shugaazer.com</a> 19. Danny Danzi - Happy To Be Alive What compilation featuring Johnny Lima would be complete without a contribution from his evil twin Danny. This is an exclusive unreleased Danzi instrumental, with plenty of guitar shred to satisfy all! <a href="http://www.dannydanzi.com" target="new">www.dannydanzi.com</a> CD2: 1. Double Cross - Reach Out <a href="cd/DoubleCross-ReachOut.mp3">Preview MP3</a> These guys are a British melodic rock outfit whose debut album was released last year by TB Records. This is the lead track from that album, and a perfect rocking intro for disc two. <a href="http://www.double-crossuk.com" target="new">www.double-crossuk.com</a> 2. Bodragaz - The Energy <a href="cd/Bodragaz-TheEnergy.mp3">Preview MP3</a> Pronounced "bahodrahogahz", this Denver-based, hard rock/heavy metal outfit has a signature sound of their own. Best described as heavy, but melodic, this is a very cool track to keep the tempo fired up. <a href="http://www.bodragaz.com" target="new">www.bodragaz.com</a> 3. Teargas - Crazy <a href="cd/Teargas-Crazy.mp3">Preview MP3</a> Teargas are one of Australia's hottest new bands and feature 5 young guys who grew up more influenced by Harem Scarem than Nirvana! Another hard rocking track, this will find a lot of fans out there - especially those that love it loud, but melodic. <a href="http://www.teargas.com.au" target="new">www.teargas.com.au</a> 4. Suburban Love Junkies - Live This Way <a href="cd/SuburbanLoveJunkies-LiveThisWay.mp3">Preview MP3</a> Simply one of the catchiest tracks you will hear. Not modern rock, yet not classic rock, this is from the band's debut album, which has just been released. An uptempo foot-stomper. <a href="http://www.suburbanlovejunkies.com" target="new">www.suburbanlovejunkies.com</a> 5. Scott Sudbury - Give A Damn Scott's album is out via his own website, but he is destined for bigger things. This track is a great uptempo modern pop/rocker with an instant chorus to sing along with. <a href="http://www.scottsudbury.com" target="new">www.scottsudbury.com</a> 6. One Short - I Can't Wait Produced by Harem Scarem's Pete Lesperance, this demo is part of the tracks being worked on by Toronto's One Short. Perfect uptempo, guitar driven pop rock. 7. Ferreira - Super Perfect World Marc Ferreira should be known to some folks out there - his debut album Fallen Heroes won solid acclaim when released last year. Just completed is a new 20 track Double CD release, from which this track is lifted. It's a mix of classic AOR and nu-breed, with a monster chorus. 8. Heaven Scent - Anything For You <a href="cd/HeavenScent-AnythingForYou.mp3">Preview MP3</a> This is another track that will surprise some folks and win the band new fans. This track is from the Aussie melodic rock band's independently released debut album. <a href="http://www.heavenscent.com.au" target="new">www.heavenscent.com.au</a> 9. Likeshine - Satellite <a href="cd/Likeshine-Satellite.mp3">Preview MP3</a> These guys was formerly known as Sugarspoon and released a CD on MCA in 1996. Their MCA release was produced by Gavin MacKillop, whose production credits include Toad The Wet Sprocket, The Rembrandts and the recent release by Sugarcult. Simple and very effective pop rock with a hint of Jack Blades thrown in. <a href="http://www.likeshine.net" target="new">www.likeshine.net</a> 10. Bonrud - Desperaet Heart A classic AOR ballad. <a href="http://www.bonrud.com" target="new">www.bonrud.com</a> 11. Lec Zorn - Second Chance <a href="cd/LecZorn-SecondChance.mp3">Preview MP3</a> Lec's long awaited debut album will appear - guaranteed! But while you wait, here's another sneak peak, this straight ahead AOR number features Tommy Denander on guitar and will please fans of the traditional AOR style. 12. Elemental - Rolling Away The Stone Currently better known as the singer from Frontiers, the Journey Tribute Band, this is vocalist Jeremey Hunsicker's project with Juhani Nahkala, his writing partner from Sweden. Juhani is responsible for all instrumentation, playing guitar, bass, keys, and programming the drum tracks. This is a moody and dramatic track that could be compared to the material from Steve Perry's For The Love Of Strange Medicine album, but with a progressive twist! <a href="http://www.elementalrocks.com" target="new">www.elementalrocks.com</a> 13. Masquerade - Along Again Brand new music from the band! 14. Next Big Thing - I Think I Definitely Love You <a href="cd/NextBigThing-IThinkIDefinitelyLoveYou.mp3">Preview MP3</a> This is a brilliant little pop song in the tradition of Shaw/Blades. Modern touches, but a classic melodic pop heart and a fabulous sing along chorus. From their independently released debut album Radiate. <a href="http://www.nextbigthingmusic.com" target="new">www.nextbigthingmusic.com</a> 15. Red Circle - Cry Exclusive track! Red Circle are another great Aussie modern melodic rock band and details of the release of their debut album will hopefully be announced shortly. This is a track that won't be featured on the album or anywhere else! <a href="http://www.redcircleonline.com" target="new">www.redcircleonline.com</a> 16. Borgogna - Dirty Roses <a href="cd/Borgogna-DirtyRoses.mp3">Preview MP3</a> These guys hail from Italy and this is a straight up European styled melodic rock track with a strong chorus hook. This is from a demo release - an album is still in the planning stages. <a href="http://www.borgognamusic.com" target="new">www.borgognamusic.com</a> 17. Naughty Boys - I Will Naughty Boys are from Sweden and like all good Swedish bands, they rock with confidence and their own individual style. This track is from a 3 track EP, with a full album still in the works. <a href="http://www.naughtyboys.se" target="new">www.naughtyboys.se</a> 18. The Strangedays - Colour Me Blue These English lads are hard at work on material for a debut album. This 2002 track is from one of their self-released EPs. Something a little different here to mix up the sounds on the CD. One for fans of John Mellencamp and John Kilzer - good honest rock music. <a href="http://www.thestrangedays.com" target="new">www.thestrangedays.com</a> 19. Gary Moon - Now And Forever Gary needs no introduction, but for those that need a refresher, he joined Night Ranger for their Feeding Off The Mojo album and has a resume as long as your arm, working with such acts as Two Fires, Jeff Paris and The Pack. This is an all-acoustic new track, from some new solo sessions that Gary has been working on. <a href="http://www.garymoon.com" target="new">www.garymoon.com</a> Updated purchase details will follow as well as a look at the compilation artwork and more preview MP3s!!  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#8080ff" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#8080ff"> <div align="center">Thursday, July 22, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> ANNOUNCING BONRUD: Frontiers Records is pleased to intruduce Bonrud, a new and exciting melodic rock project based in Seattle Washington, led by guitarist and producer Paul Bonrud. His music is filled with infectious grooves, hooks and melodies that seem instantly classic, belonging to the finest tradition of US melodic rock. "The CD is sure to please the fans who love the sound of Journey and Foreigner", says Paul. "The US and European release will feature eleven songs, while the Japanese release will contain an additional bonus track". The band have finished recording their debut self-titled album, produced at White Barn and Big Rock Recording Studios in Washington state, mixed by legendary music producer Keith Olsen (Whitesnake, Rick Springfield, Journey, Kingdom Come, Saga and countless others).   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/bonrud-keitholsen.jpg" width="302" /> Paul Bonrud with legendary producer Keith Olsen.</div> The line-up featured on the album includes such musicians as David Hendricks on vocals and Paul Higgins on drums, while Mr. Bonrud takes pride in completing the recording, thanks to his skills on guitar, bass and keyboards. The tracklisting of this anticipated release is as follows <a href="http://www.frontiers.it/Bonrud-LeapOfFaith.mp3">Leap Of Faith</a> (click on the song title to hear an mp3 sample); The Phoenix; <a href="http://www.frontiers.it/Bonrud-DesperateHeart.mp3">Desperate Heart</a> (click on the song title to hear an mp3 sample); I've Changed; <a href="http://www.frontiers.it/Bonrud-GiveMeAChance.mp3">Give Me A Chance</a> (click on the song title to hear an mp3 sample); Take Me Home; Date With Destiny; Once In A Lifetime; Live Your Dreams; Look Me In The Eyes; Hollywood Movie Star. More samples from the CD are already available on the band's official website: <a href="http://www.bonrud.com" target="new">www.bonrud.com</a>.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/bonrud.jpg" width="200" />xx<img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/bonrud-2004.jpg" width="302" /></div> FROM THE INSIDE OF DANNY VAUGHN: Danny Vaughn is the voice of the rather excllent upcoming From The Inside project. From The Inside is a join project with Fabrizio V.Zee Grossi and band, and will be released August 30 through Frontiers Records. I am very pleased to present a few new MP3 previews in the form of the following tracks: Download: <a href="audio/FromTheInside01.mp3">Nothing At All</a>; <a href="audio/FromTheInside03.mp3">Fight For Love</a> and <a href="audio/FromTheInside05.mp3">Damn</a>.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="196" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/fromtheinside.jpg" width="200" /></div> MASTERPLAN'S NEW ALBUM ON TRACK FOR JAN 2005: After 8 month of songwriting Masterplan is ready to record the second album. "We are really happy and proud of the new material!" The new CD will contain about 11 songs. This time all bandmembers appeared as songwriters. Songwriting took place in Hamburg, Aachen, Los Angeles, Slovakia and Norway. Roy Z. was helping as a good friend and for a couple of songs he was an "inspirator / arranger". Once again Andy Sneap and Masterplan are producing the new Album together in the "Crazy Cat" Studio in Hamburg. The mixing will be done at "Finnvox Studios" in Helsinki by Mikko Karmila. Mastering by Mika Jussila. The album is scheduled to be released in the end of January 2005 through AFM Records. To while away the time it will be available an EP to a low single price in October 2004. MELODIC BRIEFS: <a href="http://www.uriah-heep.com/newa/livedates.php" target="new">www.uriah-heep.com</a> has an update featuring lots of new Uriah Heep live dates for Scandinavia, Greece, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, UK, and Russia. The Japanese release of Europe's Rock The Night Best Of compilation is due out September 1 and adds 2 exclusive bonus tracks - Ninja and On The Loose (live in Stockholm 1986). First pressing comes with a special Japan-only booklet. And the first date has been set for the release of the first new Europe single! August 21 is the date for Japan. I haven't comfirmed this, but I am presuming the track will be Start From The Dark, recently previewed at the Sweden Rock Festival. A Megadeth E-Card has been launched to promote the sway of re-issues out now via Capitol Records. Check it out at: <a href="http://capitolrecords.com/megadeth/ecard1.html" target="new">capitolrecords.com/megadeth/ecard1.html</a>. SPLIT HAPPPENS: Following the successful launch of his all-new website, irreverent rock & roll comic C.C. Banana is proud to announce that production has begun on his all-new home video: C.C. Banana Split Happens! Promising more of the same inspired lunacy that fans have come to expect from the human fruit, Split Happens will again showcase C.C. Banana's unorthodox band interviews, outrageous backstage antics and perhaps even a few of his trademark song parodies! "All of us here in Bananaland are ripe with anticipation over shooting another video!" raves C.C. Banana. "We'll be hitting quite a few tours this summer and we already have some fantastic interviews lined up!" Split Happens will be shot at live concert events throughout 2004 and participating artists will be announced as they are confirmed. Additionally, Split Happens will include documentation of C.C. Banana's adventures hosting last summer's landmark MSX Tour, which featured Faster Pussycat, Enuff Z'Nuff and Pretty Boy Floyd. The production of Split Happens comes hot on the heels of C.C.'s first home video Backstage Banana, in which he alternately interviews and offends the members of Poison, Winger and Cinderella. Indeed, most rockers consider it a badge of honor to be ambushed by the yellow fellow. "God bless the Banana!" enthused Poison's C.C. DeVille upon surviving his encounter. Still available via the all-new CCBanana.com, BACKSTAGE BANANA has proven to be a huge hit with rockers and fans alike. "I loved it," offered Brent Muscat of Faster Pussycat, a sentiment shared by his band mates "Chad and Danny also enjoy watching C.C. Banana's video on the bus." "I saw your video, it was f*ckin' hilarious!" raved Poison frontman Bret Michaels. C.C. Banana began life as a twisted homage to Poison guitarist C.C. DeVille, yet soon took on a life of his own. He again made news for his infamous nightclub showdown with former Skid Row vocalist Sebastian Bach, and later for hosting (and surviving) the aforementioned MSX Tour. More recently, C.C. has introduced an evening with Bret Michaels at the B.B. King Blues Club in NYC and performed comedy alongside Howard Stern's resident celebrity impersonator Craig Gass. C.C. Banana has also appeared with Uranium's Juliya on Fuse TV (formerly Much Music USA) and has even been profiled in the UK's "Classic Rock" magazine. C.C. Banana is perhaps best known for entertaining visitors of the popular Metal Sludge website with tales of his outlandish misadventures. "I'm back for another summer of music and mayhem!" promises C.C. Banana. "So be on the lookout and keep your eyes PEELED!" Bands wishing to be considered for Split Happens may submit their inquiries via the all-new: CCBanana.com. <a href="http://www.CCBanana.com/main/press/split.happens.htm" target="new">www.CCBanana.com/main/press/split.happens.htm</a> PERRIS RECORDS GET BONED: Perris Records is proud to announce the release of the debut CD from Boned. Up At The Crack will be released in August 2004. Boned is a band based in England and their sound is in the classic AC/DC vein. Up At The Crack features 10 original tracks of in your face, Balls to the wall Rock & Roll! Boned were originally called AC/DD but changed their name because they didn't want to be confused as an AC/DC tribute band. Tracks on their debut include "Drain The Main Vein", Ain't No Talking With You Mouth Full", "God Given' Right To Rock & Roll", "Loaded On Love", "Tails Up Heads Down" & others. WebLink: <a href="http://www.perrisrecords.com" target="new">www.perrisrecords.com</a>  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#bd615b" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#bd615b"> <div align="center">Wednesday, July 21, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> RIVERDOGS: AN ENCORE WORTH THE WAIT: Band back in the studio with six new songs... San Francisco, CA - Vintage rock band Riverdogs, who released their debut CD on Epic in 1991, are back in the studio and recording new material. The group features the expressive blues-tinged guitar playing of Vivian Campbell, ex of Dio, Whitesnake and currently of Def Leppard, who is matched note for note by singer Rob Lamothe. Even as Riverdogs' individual members went on to forge lucrative careers after the band ceased to formally exist, they continued to get together and play for grins, traveling thousands of miles to attend rehearsals that they dubbed "musical summer camp." Vivian, who attained early guitar hero status while still a teenager for his work with Dio, joined Leppard. Rob released nine solo recordings, signed a publishing deal with Nettwork America and became an in-demand producer. Bassist Nick Brophy established himself as a producer and engineer, working with Everclear, the Rolling Stones, and Hootie and the Blowfish among others, while drummer Marc Danzeisen became a first call session player, with credits that include drumming on Gilbey Clarke's Pawnshop Guitars. Riverdogs' new material is grounded in the same hard rock roots that has been their stock in trade since the beginning, though now, there is a freedom to express lyrical and musical depth that is entirely present day. Rob's voice, rangy, muscular and thick with the air of a thousand smoky nightclubs (in the style of you've gotta-be-born-with-it singers such as Plant and Rodgers), draws you in; Viv, Nick and Marc proceed to work you over, leaving you wanting more. The band has 6 songs on tape, and is recording as schedules permit. Live performances are planned in Los Angeles and San Diego at the end of August to coincide with the 2004 NARM Convention. For more information, contact Paul Liszewski at Pure Music - <a href="mailto:puremusic@mindspring.com">puremusic@mindspring.com</a>. GENE SIMMONS SPEAKS OUT ON DVD AND CD RELEASE: <table> <tbody> <tr> <td>New York, N.Y. - Simmons Audio Visual / New Millennium / Sanctuary Records Group is proud to announce the DVD & CD release of Gene Simmons' Speaking In Tongues, on August 10, 2004. Speaking In Tongues chronicles Gene Simmons' first ever, no holds barred "lecture tour" of Australia, shocking and tantalizing his audiences by speaking his mind on his favorite topics - Money, Success, Fame, KISS & of course - Women! Other highlights from Speaking In Tongues include a fascinating in-depth look at one of rock 'n roll's most legendary icon's private life including his home, his family and his various business dealings. Additionally, the DVD & CD includes for the first time anywhere, over ten unheard and never-before-released Gene Simmons songs from the seventies through the nineties. Speaking In Tongues, is an intimate and revealing portrayal of Simmons' personal philosophies of life. Simmons (arguably the most opinionated man in music) states, "I decide things for myself, convention in society says I'm supposed to get married, I'm supposed to do this. I refuse. I'm a contradiction to all this stuff.</td> <td><img alt="" height="293" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/genesimmons-speakingintongues.jpg" width="200" /></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> I'm willing to bear all the criticism and I'm willing to take all the rewards. All the blame, but all the credit." A brave statement from a man unafraid of pushing the envelope and dealing with the consequences. Most recently, Simmons co-founding member of Kiss, America's No.1 Gold Record Champions Of All Time (RIAA - Group Category) and released his second solo effort, A**hole. Some of the more memorable quotes from our favorite Demon include: "Women are from Mars. Men have Penis." / "Cash will buy love." / "Money is not the root of all evil. LACK of money is the root of all evil!" / "Dress British, think Yiddish." / "I am selfish. I love myself." / "Don't work 5 days a week, work 7 days a week." Not only is Speaking In Tongues a forum for the man to espouse his philosophies, it is also an in depth look at his home, his family and his business dealings. Part stand up comedy, part self help seminar and part MTV CRIBS, Gene Simmons' Speaking In Tongues is a fascinating look at rock n' roll's favorite A**HOLE. Speaking In Tongues DVD and CD is released August 10. WebLink: <a href="http://" target="new">www.geneSimmons.com</a>. JESSE DAMON TAKES OUT AWARD: Jesse Damon takes home coveted Rock Artist of the Year Award! Saturday night proved to be an important event for Jesse Damon, who took home the award for Rock Artist of the Year, at this years South Bay Music Awards Show held at the Hermosa Beach Play House Theatre in Hermosa Beach, California. Legendary recording artist Gary Wright (Dream Weaver/Love Is Alive-fame) presented the award to Jesse. Also included in the nights program was a special 3 song performance by Silent Rage. Jesse finished the night off performing in an all-star jam which included artists Neil Turbin (Anthrax fame) Steve Ornest, Andy Walo, Sheri Pourto. JEFF SCOTT SOTO IN OZ: Jeff Scott Soto heads to Australia with his full band in September for 8 live shows. Tickets for the Melbourne shows are on sale now. The Melbourne show details are: Melbourne – Corner Hotel – Tuesday, September 14 (Queen Show) Melbourne – Corner Hotel – Wednesday, September 15 (Solo Show & End Of Tour Party) Ticket Details: $25 each individual show (advance purchase, $28 at the door on the night) or $40 for both shows (advance purchase). Available at the Corner Box Office (57 Swan St, Richmond Mon-Sat 12.00-8.00), Phone Bookings (03) 9427 9198, or Online bookings at: <a href="http://www.cornerhotel.com" target="new">www.cornerhotel.com</a> (Secure Server). Friday will be the day for a final details to be released for Jeff Scott Soto's remaining Australian dates, including all ticket prices and venue details. A few last minute problems have caused the delay to date, but we are just about ready to roll with the final details. Log in Friday for that information.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="230" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/jeffscottsoto-live2004.jpg" width="300" /></div> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#800000" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#800000"> <div align="center">Monday, July 19, 2004 :late update</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2">  <div align="center"><img alt="" height="156" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/ringoffire-logo.jpg" width="300" /></div> It all started in the year 2000...vocalist Mark Boals (ex-Yngwie Malmsteen) set about putting a lineup up together for his 2nd solo album Ring Of Fire. He wanted the best musicians available for the project - and he got them! This eventually lead to the birth of Ring Of Fire, one of the world's renowned best bands in the neoclassic metal vein. Mark managed to put together world-renowned drummer Virgil Donati (Planet X, Steve Walsh etc.), guitar hero and Grammy-nominated artist Tony MacAlpine, Philip Bynoe (bass, ex-Steve Vai) and newcomer virtuoso keyboardist Steve Weingart, complete this fiery line-up to create melodic, beautiful and highly technical rock/metal/prog/neoclassical hybrid. With the their third studio album Lapse of Reality, the band take their established sound and crank it up a notch with more fire, more melody and more death-defying instrumentation!   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/ringoffire-lapseofreality.jpg" width="200" />xx<img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/ringoffire-2004.jpg" width="271" /></div> The album will be released once again on Frontiers Records in Europe and will feature the following tracklisting: <a href="http://www.frontiers.it/ROF-LapseOfReality.mp3">Lapse of Reality</a> (click on the song title to hear a sample); <a href="http://www.frontiers.it/ROF-SaintFire.mp3">Saint Fire</a> (click on the song title to hear a sample); <a href="http://www.frontiers.it/ROF-Change.mp3">Change</a> (click on the song title to hear a sample); That Kind Of Man; You Were There; Perfect World; Machine; The Key; Don't Know (What You're Talking About); One Little Mystery; Darkfall; Faithfully; Lapse of Reality (Long Version)* / *Exclusive Bonus Track for Europe. Release date of this new exciting album has been set for September 20th 2004. TALON AND STAN BUSH - LIVE ON DVD: Now Available - Stan Bush and Talon Gods Festival DVD's! The guys are proud to announce the release of these classic DVD's which document the praised performances of both bands at the Gods Festival 2003 in Bradford, U.K. Stan Bush blazes through a 'Greatest Hits' set spanning his entire career, including The Touch, Heaven, Primitive Lover and his classic ballad Love Don't Lie. Talon fires on all cylinders and burns through several cuts from their debut CD, including the radio hit Wrecking Ball, Fire In Your Soul, Still You Run and also debut 3 new tracks from their forthcoming sophomore CD. Available individually or as a 2-DVD set, each artists DVD includes The Complete Live set, Remastered Stereo Board mix, Behind-The-Scenes and Backstage footage, a Photo Gallery and Full Motion Menus. As a bonus, the Stan Bush DVD also contains the House Of Lords video for Love Don't Lie - Stan's classic ballad! Both DVD's are NTSC and Open Region for wide compatibility. Each DVD is $15 US or as a 2-DVD set for $25 US. Price includes US Shipping, International orders please add $5 US per shipment. Both DVD's are available now at: <a href="http://www.talonrocks.com" target="new">www.talonrocks.com</a>. TIGERTAILZ ROARS BACK: Tigertailz are back. Joining Steevi Jaimz, Ace Finchum & Gregz are Darayus Kaye (formerly of Brit Glamsters Tattooed Love Boys & more recently Paul Di'anno's Killers) on bass and Marcus Thurston (formerly of Tony Mills's Siam and also Di'anno's Killers) on lead guitar! The band are currently writing and rehearsing for their forthcoming album, due for release later this year on Nottingham based TB Records Ltd. There is also talk of the first TT's album Young and Crazy (featuring both Steevi and Ace) being reissued in the very near future, you can keep up to date by visiting <a href="http://www.TigertailzRockz.com" target="new">www.TigertailzRockz.com</a>. The single King of the World (a taster for the new album) features on Hollywood Hairspray Vol.3 and available on the USA based Perris Records label NOW. TOMMY DENANDER FLAGS BREAK FROM AOR SCENE: Tommy Denander has sent out an update of his recent (and always busy) activities. It reads: Gothia Cup Opening Ceremony A couple of days ago I played the biggest show of my life in front of 50 000 people at the famous Ullevi football stadium in Gothenburg/Sweden. It was an 2 hour rock and pop show for the opening ceremony for Gothia Cup, the biggest youth soccer tournament in the world. It was filmed for TV and will be shown here in Sweden in a couple of months. Swede Sven Goran Eriksson was special guest and parts of the show has aired on networks like CNN, BBC, CBS etc. Named Studio Manager Of Hypersonic Studios One of the biggest dreams of my life has been to own or "at least" be in charge of a major studio with all the latest equipment....who among us musicians doesn't share this dream! Well, my good friend Sven Gomer (Jet Circus) is the proud owner of Hypersonic Studios in Gothenburg, one of the finest studios in Sweden. He's been asking me for a long time if I was interested in running the place but at first I wasn't well enough and then there was the trouble with living too far away...well I'm back on my feet and we have plans to move to Gothenburg and until then I've found a way to spend enough time there a month to make it work. Time To Take A Time Out!!! With the new work situation in Hypersonic plus some new and VERY interesting offers to work on major pop projects and the simple fact that I've done so many AOR albums in the last 5-6 years that people must be very tired of my name by now haha....I've decided to take 1 or maybe even 2 years off from the AOR scene!!!. I will not be completely gone cause there's 5-6 very cool album coming out between now and next spring plus i will do a few guest solos plus most likely 1 or 2 big producing gigs per year, but not the 70-80 albums I've done per year now. I know that my reputation in this small but cool community is solid and that the albums I release or produce like Radioactive, Sayit, Jim Jidhed, Spin Gallery, Deacon Street etc all receive the highest praise and I couldn't be more proud in my heart for it but it's better to leave while you're on top and stand a chance to come back later. SAYIT AND ME LIVE TOGETHER 2 days before the Gothia Cup show i played my first whole live show in 11 years!!! I guested with my buddy Sayit's band The Crashband together with Joel Starander (Kharma, Totem, Geisha) on bass, Mattias Starander (Transport League, Mos Eisley) on drums and Robert Johnsson on vocals. New Guitar Album I've just finished my first instrumental guitar album since 1997, it's called Tightrope and features a bunch a cool friends like Steve Lukather, Jeff Porcaro, Mike Porcaro, Steve Porcaro, David Paich, Mike Landau, Reb Beach, Christopher Cross, Bruce Gaitsch, David Foster, Michael Thompson, Tony Franklin, Marty Friedman, Jeff Watson and many more. No label has been decided yet. Radioactive Documentary Dvd The documentary DVD about my Radioactive project is almost finished and will be released later this fall. In the last couple of weeks I've filmed some very cool interviews with Randy Goodrum, Steve Lukather, Mike Porcaro, Bobby Kimball and Greg Phillinganes plus that Fergie Frederiksen and a few other of the people who appeared are just about to record their parts as well. I'm using the great Baranga Film company here in Sweden to finish it, these guys have done 3 of The Rasmus videos as well as Primal Fear's latest. The DVD also features lots of cool clips with me and Toto in LA 1991, Vince DiCola, Bruce Gaitsch, Greg Phillinganes and Dean Parks recording at David Paich studio, Abe Laboriel, Neil Stubenhaus, Dave Boruff and many more. BALTIC STORM DVD/VHS The DVD and VHS for the Baltic Storm movie will be released in Sweden on the 1st of September. This is the movie with Donald Sutherland and Jürgen Prochnow about the Estonia boat disaster where i was involved in writing, playing or producing 6 songs. Spin Gallery Japan A couple of weeks ago the Spin Gallery album was released by King Records in Japan. It features a bonus song called Hands Of Heaven that was written by Steve Porcaro (Toto). For more updates check my website - <a href="http://www.tommy-denander.com" target="new">www.tommy-denander.com</a>.  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#000000" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#000000"> <div align="center">Sunday, July 18, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> EDDIE CANCELS SOUL SIRKUS SUPPORT SLOT - EXCLUSIVE REPORT: Eddie Van Halen has pulled the pin on Neal Schon and Jeff Scott Soto's band playing in support of Van Halen on their two upcoming Californian dates. News of this filtered through to me this afternoon. Soul Sirkus were to open for Van Halen in Oakland and San Jose on August 10 and 13 respectively. But Eddie Van Halen has personally put a stop to this. The debut live dates for the band were announced a couple of weeks ago after negotiations between the two camps. Irving Azoff is the manager for all concerned. Azoff is Journey and Neal Schon's long time manager, adding a solo Sammy Hagar to his roster a few years ago. It was this move that threw Neal Schon together with Hagar, who together formed Planet Us. Neal brought in Journey drummer Deen Castronovo and Sammy bought in his old friend, the then unemployed Michael Anthony to round out the line up. The band demoed two tracks before disbanding. Hagar and Anthony recently returned to action in Van Halen and Neal continued his vision for the project, teaming with Jeff Scott Soto and Marco Mendoza under the new moniker Soul Sirkus. Azoff now also manages Soul Sirkus and I am told that a support slot for the two Californian gigs was approved by Alex Van Halen. Sammy and Mike were naturally all for the plan. But Eddie Van Halen was apparently not informed at the time and upon learning the news, point blank refused to let it happen. His decision was communicated to Neal Schon today. It was his demand that the Soul Sirkus support be cancelled and the band replaced with Silvertide, who have been touring with VH on the majority of their US dates. One can only speculate why Eddie was so steadfast in his refusal to let Soul Sirkus support Van Halen on what was to be just two dates. Whatever the reason, it seems strong feelings from recent years remain very much at the forefront. If one looks back, the whole set of events that seemed to lead to a reunited Van Halen began when Planet Us first hit the PR trail in the earliest months of 2002. That included Michael Anthony's return to the headlines as part of Planet Us with Neal Schon, followed by Sammy Hagar's amazing co-headlining tour with the original voice of Van Halen - David Lee Roth.  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#008000" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#008000"> <div align="center">Saturday, July 17, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> NO CREDIT FOR MICHAEL ANTHONY: Copies of the new Van Halen compilation are appearing at retail already and I'm already getting questions e-mailed in about the package. The most notable one - why isn't Michael Anthony credited on the new songs? The fact is and my sources confirm, Anthony, the much loved bass player does not play on the three new tracks. Appearing are Alex Van Halen on drums, Sammy Hagar on vocals, with Eddie Van Halen providing the rest of the instrumentation. Despite speculation of Anthony's role in the band being around since the Van Halen 3 release, I am sure you will agree that isn't the greatest way to portray a seemingly re-united and unified band. A full review of the Best of Both Worlds is coming up shortly. SITE UPDATES: A quick update to my personal <a href="playlist.html">Playlist</a> has been done....it's been a while, so I thought I had better fix that! And the <a href="bestof/2004sofar.html">Best Of 2004</a> has been updated - a list of the best titles release so far in 2004. And don't for get the <a href="http://cgi6.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewSellersOtherItems&userid=rockwombat&include=0&since=-1&sort=3&rows=50" target="new">E-Bay Auction</a>!  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#ff0080" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#ff0080"> <div align="center">Friday, July 16, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> GLENN HUGHES GETS SOULFUL IN LA: Frontiers Records is excited to release all details about the highly anticipated Soulfully Live In The City Of Angels from the mighty Voice of Rock Glenn Hughes. Soulfully Live In The City Of Angels is a welcome summation of Glenn's progress during time and a permanent reminder of his considerable heritage as an artist and performer. Available as a double audio CD and a single-disc DVD, it was shot live on January 11, 2004 before an audience of friends and selected regulars at <a href="http://www.glennhughes.com" target="new">www.glennhughes.com</a>. Those privileged enough to have graced the soiree in the intimate setting at Sound Image studio in North Hollywood, California witnessed the bassist/vocalist s current band of long-time guitarist JJ Marsh and keyboard player Ed Roth being swelled by none other than Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith. Helping out on backing vocals are former Quiet Riot singer Kevin DuBrow and ex-Santana man Alex Ligertwood, with second guitarist George Nastos doubling up where appropriate.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/glennhughes-soulfully-cd.jpg" width="200" />xx<img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/glennhughes-2004.jpg" width="131" /></div> The repertoire is balanced between latter-day choices like Written All Over Your Face, Higher Places (Song For Bonzo), Wherever You Go and Can't Stop The Flood and the trusted crowd-pleasers. This includes selections from Trapeze (Seafull and Medusa), Hughes/Thrall (First Step Of Love) and of course Deep Purple (Mistreated, Getting Tighter and You Keep On Moving). "I'm happy again and of course I love being up there on stage. You've got to see Glenn Hughes on the boards to really understand him", reckons the man himself. "I'm so excited that rock in general is coming again into a good head of steam and I also feel really good about where I am personally". For definitive vindication of the above theory, just insert the CD or the DVD of Soulfully Live In The City Of Angels, crank the volume levels and press the button marked play! Final track listing of the double live CD is as follows: (CD1) Can't Stop the Flood; Higher Places; Written All Over Your Face; Medusa; Wherever You Go; Seafull. (CD2) Coast to Coast; First Step Of Love; Mistreated; Gettin Tighter; You Keep On Moving; The Healer (bonus studio track); Change (bonus European studio track). The DVD has the same track listing and adds an insightful interview with Glenn Hughes plus a special picture gallery.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="290" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/glennhughes-soulfully-dvd.jpg" width="200" />xx<img alt="" height="290" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/glennhughes-2004b.jpg" width="200" /></div> Both the CD and the DVD will come out in the first pressing with a limited and specially packaged cardboard edition. European release date has been set on September 20, 2004. Japanese release will happen on Marquee / Avalon and Brazilian release on Hellion Records. Details on a domestic release in the USA will be released at a later stage. TESLA'S TOMMY SKEOCH ON THE SIDE LINES AGAIN: Sad news for Tesla fans. Guitarist Tommy Skeoch has again succumbed to the temptation of his drug addiction and has been checked into rehab. This from the Tesla <a href="http://www.teslatheband.com/News/NewsList.aspx?i=81" target="new">website</a>: "Our friend, brother and band mate Tommy Skeoch is taking some time off from the band to seek treatment for addiction, an illness that cannot be defeated without help. We hope you will all join us in wishing him a very healthy recovery so that he is able to return to the band. We'd also like to thank our friend Scott Johnson, who will be filling in on guitar in Tommy's absence for the upcoming shows." Best wishes do to Tommy for the courage needed to overcome his addiction. TREVOR HORN CELEBRATES 25 YEARS IN THE BIZ: This in from Dave Gallant of the Asia website: November 11 at Wembley Stadium in London is scheduled for a concert to celebrate Trevor Horn's 25 years in the music industry as a performer and producer. It is to be part of the Prince's Trust series of shows. Amazingly, two of the acts scheduled to appear are The Buggles and YES. Geoff Downes has indicated that IF he is available, he'll likely be there. It would make it only the 2nd time that Geoff and Trevor would share the stage as The Buggles. No word on whether Trevor would be appearing onstage with YES. The remainder of the show is planned to consist of band's that Trevor has produced over the years. WebLinks: <a href="http://www.whatsonwembley.com/notifications/princes_trust.htm" target="new">www.whatsonwembley.com/notifications/princes_trust.htm</a> and <a href="http://yesworld.com" target="new">yesworld.com</a> (who have just confirmed their place in the show). CHARADE BACK FOR ANOTHER ROUND: Two outstanding personalities of Melodic Hardrock - Michael Bormann (vocals, Jaded Heart, ex-Bonfire, ex-The Sygnet) and Angel Schleifer (guitar, ex-Bonfire, Pretty Maids, Sinner) - once again join forces. One of the best Hardrock-projects gets his follow-up on 25th of October, when Charade II will be released worldwide. Michael Bormann: "We are very happy to have a strong and reliable partner in Drakkar Entertainment who's known in the whole scene for his brilliant name." And Angel Schleifer adds "Six years has been passed by since our debut and I'm very excited about the way that lies ahead of us. It's really about time that our blood, sweat & tears will be rewarded." Meanwhile II, that has been recorded and produced in Michael Bormann's RMB Studios is mastered in the U.S. The first edition of the CD will be released in a special limited edition double-CD that includes the 1998 "Japan-only" debut - which till today is only available as an unbelievable expensive import. MELODIC BRIEFS: Contradicting early reports that the band had begun working on their new album with producer Robert Mutt Lang, The Darkness have revealed that they will be starting to record the follow up to 2003's 1.4 million selling debut Permission To Land with Queen and Cheap Trick producer Roy Thomas Baker early next year. The entire Live Aid show will be available on DVD later this year after Warner Vision won the rights to release the classic concert. It's expected to be released on 4DVDs in November. Several behind the scenes home-made Shy DVD's filmed with the band throughout the eighties and nineties are now available from: <a href="http://www.shy-england.4t.com" target="new">www.shy-england.4t.com</a>. BRIGHTON ROCK LIVE ON DVD: Brighton Rock fans have an update to read: The DVD is ready to go! The DVD is the Rock for the Wish Reunion show on Saturday September 1st, 2001. The DVD is a semi-pro shot 3 camera video. Audio is in stereo and 5.1 surround sound. The DVD is completely live, no overdubbing exists and is the FULL COMPLETE SHOW from start to finish. It is recorded on a DVD-R disc. Please be sure you player can play DVD-R; however, all DVD players in computer systems will play the disk. The disk is also NTSC format, but should play in PAL systems that can play DVD-R. Please note this is not a pro-released show; however it is fully supported by the members of the band as a way to give fans who have never seen BR, the BR experience. As such, the price is very reasonable at $15.00 including shipping (to Canada) and all proceeds go to the running of the site. All copies are signed and number by Gerry. (Also be sure to look for the Easter Egg on the DVD!) ArtistLink: <a href="http://www.brightonrock.ca" target="new">www.brightonrock.ca</a> BRING ON THE IRON HORSE RELEASE: The new IronHorse CD Bring It On is now available - though the official release date is September 27th, the disc can be ordered now exclusively at the IronHorse web site: <a href="http://www.ironhorseband.com" target="new">www.ironhorseband.com</a> - orders will be shipped on the following Wednesday after they are received. The band travels to New York this week for return engagements in two of their strongest markets. ONE FOR FANS OF THE LIGHTER SIDE: Queensland born singer-songwriter, Natalie Howard divides her time between the Gold Coast and Nashville. Upon release of her debut single Love You Anyway in December 2003, DJ's nation-wide embraced Natalie's contemporary style and personality. Natalie now follows up her mid-tempo ballad with an upbeat somewhat rocky track from her forthcoming album Yesterday's Make-up produced by Michael Flanders. Co-written with guest singer-songwriter James Dean Hicks I Don't Want To Live Like That is about being the best person you can be, opening up to allow better relationships into your life. Why is this mentioned here? Well, besides being a good pop song, James Dean Hicks is one of Nashville's more successful songwriters. James regularly writes with Mark Slaughter and Taylor Rhodes, so this track might appeal to those that enjoy the pop/country market. ArtistLink: <a href="http://www.nataliehoward.net" target="new">www.nataliehoward.net</a>. E-BAY AUCTION UPDATE: My E-Bay auction continues, with new titles added and plenty more to come. New titles will continue to be over the next week. Check out the current titles and bid with vigor! The first lot of titles posted will end Sunday, so watch those bids! The URL is: <a href="http://cgi6.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewSellersOtherItems&userid=rockwombat&include=0&since=-1&sort=3&rows=50" target="new">MelodicRock E-Bay Listing</a> COMING UP: Online Monday - the full details of MelodicRock.com CD2! Track listing, artist details and maybe even a song preview or two! Also next early week - Jeff Scott Soto Australian tour ticket prices and details. Just arrived - posters for the tour - if you want any to put up in your area, <a href="mailto:ajm@melodicrock.com?subject=JSS Tour Posters">please e-mail</a>! Especially looking for fans from Adelaide!  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#808080" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#808080"> <div align="center">Thursday, July 15, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> G3 DREAM LINE-UPS FROM THE WORLD'S BEST GUITARISTS: IMHOTEP online Magazine has an interesting feature online. More than 100 well known guitarists were asked to choose their own dream G3 line-up. Musicians such as Steve Lukather, Michael Romeo, Alex Skolnick, Andy LaRocque, Arjen Lucassen, Jennifer Batten, Paul Gilbert, Marty Friedman, Lanvall, Kasper Damgaard, Luca Turilli, Erik Rutan, Kiko Loureiro, among many others are included. Check it out at: <a href="http://www.imhotepzine.com/G3/index.html" target="new">www.imhotepzine.com/G3/index.html</a>. RUSH DRUMMER NEAL PEART'S STORY TO BECOME A MOVIE: From <a href="http://www.billboard.com/bb/index.jsp" target="new">Billboard.com</a>: Scabeba Entertainment has acquired the film and television rights to Rush drummer/lyricist Neil Peart's biographical journal Ghost Rider. Specifics of the project have not been announced. Scabeba is overseen by Cathy Rich, the daughter of legendary jazz drummer Buddy Rich. She and Peart became friends after the drummer appeared at a 1992 concert in her father's memory and on a subsequent series of tribute albums. Published in 2002 by ECW Press, "Ghost Rider" originated from the journals Peart kept as he grieved for the deaths of 19-year-old daughter Selena and his wife Jackie. To deal with the loss, he embarked on a 55,000-mile motorcycle journey throughout North America that ultimately took him from Quebec to Belize and back. A track of the same name later appeared on Rush's 2002 album Vapor Trails. As previously reported, Rush is in the midst of its 30th anniversary tour, which descends on Irvine, Calif., tomorrow (July 14). The group just issued an EP of classic rock covers, Feedback, which debuted at No. 19 on The Billboard 200. As for Peart, he recently issued a new book, "Traveling Music The Soundtrack to My Life and Times," initially inspired by a trip to Texas' Big Bend National Park in his BMW Z-8 sports car. -- Jonathan Cohen, N.Y. NIGHTWISH INTERVIEW FEATURED: An interview with Nightwish has just been added to this site: <a href="http://hem.bredband.net/b136339/tarja.htm" target="new">hem.bredband.net/b136339/tarja.htm</a>. HARD ROCK CAFE LOS ANGELES - ABC TRUST BENEFIT: Some more information on the ABC Trust Benefit gig in LA coming up - From <a href="http://www.zepagain.com:">www.zepagain.com:</a> 8600 Beverly Blvd. Los Angeles, CA Tel (310) 276-7605 8:00pm, Admission $20 donation. Special Celebrity performers! Scheduled to appear so far: The Chris Thompson Band, Population 1 (feat Nuno Bettencourt), Plus, jammin' with Led Zepagain: Nuno Bettencourt (Extreme, Population One); Bruce Kulick (Kiss, Grand Funk, Union); Howard Leese (Heart, Paul Rogers); Paul Gilbert (Mr. Big); (Guests subject to cancellation or change). Sponsored by Gibson Guitars. For Advance ticket information, please contact: <a href="mailto:Rhondalyn9@aol.com">Rhondalyn9@aol.com</a>. INSTRUCTIONS FROM THE BAND INSTRUCTION: Instruction are a new-ish band signed to Geffen Records. The label has supplied some info... Some info first - skipping the early history.....Instruction, recorded a demo, the raw intensity of which got them invited for a one-off show in the United Kingdom. Taste-making rock mag Kerrang! salivated over what they saw with a "five K" review, shoveling a mountain of hype that sent the band caroming on a self-funded tour across the Isles-opening for established acts like Hell is for Heroes, Hundred Reasons, Funeral for a Friend, Biffy Clyro and playing twice in one day at the Download Fest. All this momentum culminated in manic, previously unthinkable gigs bashing it out for tens of thousands of revelers-at the Reading and Leeds festivals. By the time their triumphant marathon run was finished, they'd sold 5,000 copies of their self-funded Great EP and become darlings of the British press and underground fan favorites. All of the frothy attention led to an eventual deal with Geffen-just eight months into the bands existence. "Punk rock, with bands like Good Charlotte and Simple Plan, has turned into benign, safe crap," says Shepherd. "It may as well be boy band music and that's not what punk is supposed to be about." And unlike the toothless, politically correct hacks the currently pass for rock, Instruction-with Shepherd's scorched, messianic vocals and Capone's hammer-on-anvil riffs-aren't timid about knee caping the genre and it's criminal element. Just take song titles like Your Punk Sucks, Death to the Four Car Garage Band, and Pissed Me Off Again. "You may listen to some of our stuff and it doesn't sound like what people think is punk rock," says Shepherd, citing Instruction's epic eight minute screed, God Doesn't Care If We Blow Up the Fucking World. "But I'm not here to play music that people will immediately love-it has to be challenging. Because where is the challenge in giving people the same spoon fed crap?" WebLinks: <a href="http://www.instruction-music.com" target="new">www.instruction-music.com</a> and <a href="http://www.geffen.com" target="new">www.geffen.com</a>. MR-X UPDATED WITH A TASTY EXCLUSIVE: <a href="releasedates.html">CD Release Dates</a> have been updated. Not many changes, but a couple at least. Check them out. <a href="mr-x/index.html">MR-X</a> has been updated with some very fine tunes! The very fine and upstanding gentleman Tommy Denander has generously offered MR-X Members the chance to download in full his first two solo albums Less Is More and Skeleton. Both albums are out of print, and Tommy has also supplied updated front covers for both albums.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/tommydenander-lessismore.jpg" width="200" />xx<img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/tommydenander-skeleton.jpg" width="200" /></div> Aside from those great downloads, a range of cool MP3 tracks have been uploaded, including two exclusive unreleased Johnny Lima demos - from the Made In California sessions. Those tracks are titled: Rock N Roll Generation and She Gets Around. On top of that are several other demos, including tracks from Jaded Heart, Loud & Clear, Snakes In Paradise and James Christian. And back in the early 80's the King Biscuit Radio Show captured Journey and guests at a very special event called Super Jam II in San Francisco. The 16 tracks broadcast from the event are now featured online. The Video downloads have also been updated, with new clips now online for: Hooters - Brother Don't You Walk Away and Where Do The Children Go; Night Ranger - Secret Of My Success; Winger - Down Incognito, Loosen Up (Live), Poison Angel (Live) and Talisman - Mysterious. Go join up now! <a href="mr-x-intro.html">MR-X Membership Details</a>. Your support is valued and appreciated!  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#5075b4" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#5075b4"> <div align="center">Wednesday, July 14, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> FRONTIERS RECORDS NEWS UPDATE: The new issue of Melodic Rock Fanzine, the bimonthly magazine for all the melodic rock fans, is ready to be released... 24 colour pages featuring interviews, reviews, previews and trivia... completely free! The third release of the successful magazine is available all over the world through record shops, mail orders and every fine dealer carrying the Frontiers Records releases. Here are the previews of the two Melodic Rock Fanzine covers:   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/frontiersmagazine-3.jpg" width="285" /></div> This new issue includes reviews and interviews of Over The Edge, Voodoo Hill, Kee Marcello, Lionsheart, Dare, House Of Shakira, Frontline, Altaria, Genius, Glen Burtnik, Stan Bush, Shortino/Northrup, Edge Of Forever and more! The electronic version in .pdf file format will be available soon on the Frontiers Records official website <a href="http://www.frontiers.it" target="new">www.frontiers.it</a>. Singer and guitarist Sandro Giampietro of the German hard rockers Zillion was kind enough to send his point of view on the lyrics of the new self titled debut album to be released on July 21st on Frontiers Records: You And Me: a song about people you can't stand to live with. This Day Is Gone: if you operate according to a system your life may pass away day by day and you will never be able to get back your precious time. Dirty Little Secrets: luckily I have no idea about Mike's dirty little secret! Never Down: this tune is for a friend - he pretends to feel fine no matter how bad his situation is. Kryptonite: do you know Superman ? This stuff makes Superman weak. The Smile: beware of mean persons with a beautiful smile. Wonder Why: dedicated to all persons using other people for their own advantage. Take It Away: I wrote this song for my daughter Julia before she was born. I'll try to keep her away from the bad things of life. Day Or Night: The way I had to live my life shaped me to the person I am. But will good times or will bad times shape me further on... The Hose: some people are so negative and cynical that their life is much harder than it could be. Say Goodbye: Mike Terrana wrote this lyrics for Jaqueline who was a member of a crew he worked with.She died of cancer before they could say goodbye. Some important news from the Mind Key camp! Singer Mark Basile has recently left the band for artistic differences. But the guys quickly replaced him with the talented Elio Fierro, known already as singer in the cast of the legendary musical Notre Dame De Paris. His voice is very close to Ronnie James Dio, David Coverdale and Jorn Lande in style.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="196" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/mindkey-vox2004.jpg" width="200" /></div> You can listen to an full studio version of the song Love Remains The Same featuring Elio Fierro on vocals here: <a href="http://www.frontiers.it/LoveRemainsFeatElio.mp3" target="new">www.frontiers.it/LoveRemainsFeatElio.mp3</a> The same version has been used in the background of the video shot for the song and that has already been showed to the Italian satellite channel Rock TV. At the same time the band has re-launched and revamped their website that can be found following this link: <a href="http://www.mindkey.it" target="new">www.mindkey.it</a>. The band's debut album gathered excellent responses from the specialized press including: Rock Hard Italy - Soundcheck; Flash - Album Of The Month Progressive Section - July - 85/100; Metal Hammer Italy - 5/6; <a href="http://www.Hardrock80.Com">www.Hardrock80.Com</a> - 8/10; <a href="http://www.ProgressiveWorld.Net">www.ProgressiveWorld.Net</a> - 6/5; <a href="http://www.Metal-Stage.De">www.Metal-Stage.De</a> - 7/10; <a href="http://www.Musicdish.Com">www.Musicdish.Com</a> - 10/10; <a href="http://www.Hmp.It">www.Hmp.It</a> - Spot On - 90; <a href="http://www.RockReport.Be">www.RockReport.Be</a> - 5/6; <a href="http://www.Disintegration.It">www.Disintegration.It</a> 7,5/10 (Top Album); Metal Heart 7/10. Both Frontiers Records bands, Empty Tremor and Mind Key have been opening acts on three Dream Theater Italian shows in July. The two bands performed excellent shows and had an incredible feedback from the people. Here are some pics from the Dream Theater tour performances. Empty Tremor: <div align="center"><img alt="" height="150" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/emptytremor-live.jpg" width="459" /></div> Mind Key: <div align="center"><img alt="" height="150" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/mindkey-live.jpg" width="449" /></div> Frontiers Records are pleased to announce the new LANA LANE / ERIK NORLANDER European Tour dates for the fall 2004: 11 September Huizen Theatre Graaf Wichman (Erik Norlander solo) 17 September Alphen a/d Rijn, Netherlands Het Kasteel 18 September Rotherham, UK Herrington Leisure Centre 21 September Elshout, Netherlands In den Gekroonden Hoed 23 September Hamburg, Germany Markthalle, International Uriah Heep Convention 29 September Verviers, Belgium Spirit of 66 1 October Madrid, Spain Sala Ritmo y Compas 6 October Reichenbach / Vogtland, Germany Bergkeller Reinchenbach 9 October Amstelveen, Netherlands P60, Podium voor Pop Cultuur en Media Don't miss the fantastic opportunity to experience one of the most unique live shows of hard rock music nowadays. HARLAN CAGE BEST OF HITS STORES : GYPSY ROCK RECORDS announces the release of The Best of Harlan Cage CD which has just shipped to Europe (AORHeaven, MTM etc) and the CDs are available through those sites and others. The CD contains thirteen of the band's best tracks from their four CD releases plus three new tracks. The release of the remastered FORTUNE CD has been pushed back until September and will include a new song Homefree; recorded by all five of the original members, plus two old live recordings of the band from 1985, the songs Breakin Down The Door and Heart Of Stone. BAD BOYS OF METAL TOUR DATES ANNOUNCED: The "Bad Boys of Metal" tour featuring Kevin DuBrow of Quiet Riot, Jani Lane of Warrant, Steven Adler of Guns 'n Roses and Bang Tango have announced their initial tour dates as follows: July 2004: Thu 29 Santa Ana, CA – The Galaxy Theatre Fri 30 San Diego, CA – Canes Bar & Grill Sat 31 Reno, NV – Golden Phoenix August 2004: Sun 1 Sacramento, CA – Roadhouse (Lane, Adler, Bang Tango only) Mon 2 Salt Lake City, UT – Club Expose Tue 3 Denver, CO – Pinkes (Adler/Bang Tango only) Thu 5 Flint, MI – the Machine Shop Fri 6 Sauget, IL – Pop's Sat 7 Lemont, IL – Sean Kaley's Sun 8 Cleveland, OH – Peabody's (Adler/Bang Tango only) Mon 9 West Springfield, MA – Geraldine's Night Club Tue 10 Cheektowaga, NY – Rock 'n Roll Heaven Wed 11 Farmingdale, NY – the Downtown Thu 12 Allentown, PA – Crocodile Rock Fri 13 Sayreville, NJ – Starland Ballroom Sat 14 Springfield, VA - Jaxx Sun 15 Caledonia, OH – Wet Spot Bar & Grill Tue 17 Jonesboro, GA – Breaker's Thu 19 Houston, TX – Forget About It (Lane, Adler, Bang Tango only) Fri 20 Dallas, Texas - Galaxy Sat 21 Baton Rouge, LA – Clicks Sun 22 San Antonio, TX – Sin 13 Tue 24 El Paso, TX – Rods & Wheels (Adler/Bang Tango only) Thu 26 Tucson, AZ - Gamedays Fri 27 Agoura Hills, CA – Canyon Club Sat 28 Yucaipa, CA – Roadhouse Concert Bar Sun 29 Las Vegas, NV – Tailspin (Lane, Adler, Bang Tango only) The "Bad Boys" band consists of Alex Grossi - Guitar (Beautiful Creatures, Bang Tango) Chuck Wright - Bass (Quiet Riot, House of Lords, Alice Cooper) Jeff Martin - Drums (Badlands, Racer X, George Lynch) and Anthony Foxx - Rhythm guitar (Beautiful Creatures) and Shawn Zavodney - keyboards. LIQUOR & POKER MUSIC NEWS UPDATE: The wait is finally over! Liquor and Poker Music is proud to announce that The Hellacopters critically acclaimed new album, By The Grace Of God is available NOW. Liquor and Poker Music has included two bonus tracks, two music videos, a documentary, cloth patch and more to make this the only rock release this summer that is worth every penny that you slam down on the counter. Don't believe us? Go to the Liquor and Poker Music website right now where you can listen to six songs off of By The Grace Of God absolutely free! Songs such as By The Grace of God and Carry Me Home are instant classics and should without a doubt prove to all who listen that The Hellacopters are the true kings of rock n roll. Check out the upcoming issues of Guitar World, Maxim, Blender, Revolver and Outburn, as well as the current of issue of Alternative Press, which urges readers to Forget about the Hives; The Hellacopters are the best rock band in Sweden for more proof. Keep checking the Liquor and Poker Music website for an all new Hellacopters t-shirt designed by legendary artist Alan Forbes, the release of the second installment of collected non-album works, Cream Of The Crap! Vol. 2., tour dates and more for The Hellacopters. This is the summer of The Hellacopters. All others have been forewarned! Cosmic rockers Nebula have just been confirmed to open for the reunited MC5 on July 14th at Spaceland in Los Angeles, CA. Do not miss the chance to see Nebula and the MC5 kick out the jams back to back! This will be a sell-out for sure. Check the dates below for another amazing Nebula show with the crushing High On Fire in August. Nebula shirts, CDs and limited-edition vinyl are still available in our schwag section. Grab it all for your collection! Nebula w/ MC5 & Hangmen, July 14th @ Spaceland in Los Angeles, CA Nebula w/ High On Fire & Totimoshi, August 6th @ Alex s Bar in Long Beach, CA Stay Tuned for more dates and more news on Nebula soon! Check out the LP pin-up section of the website to see our new LP girl, the mighty QUEEN BEE of Detroit, MI. She reigns supreme in Detroit with her own killer rock band and ultra sexy persona. Check out more of Queen Bee at <a href="http://www.queenbeedetroit.com" target="new">www.queenbeedetroit.com</a>. We are still looking for hot rockin girls to be future Liquor and Poker girl's of the month. Please keep submitting those photos to The Bouncer for consideration. If you are chosen as an LP girl, you will get a prize pack full of LP goodies and CDs that would make any true rock fan jump for joy. So send those pictures in NOW! Send to <a href="mailto:bouncer@liquorandpokermusic.com">bouncer@liquorandpokermusic.com</a> The plans that Liquor and Poker Music have for the rock world are huge! Because of this, we are looking for rockers such as you to be a part of the "story" that will make Liquor and Poker Music the biggest and best rock n roll record label. If you are a true music fan that is dedicated to the cause of rock, have a strong work ethic, are knowledgeable of current rock and mainstream artists and want to make a difference in this world of ours, then you just might be someone worth giving a job to. Please send resumes (with salary history) to <a href="mailto:bouncer@liquorandpokermusic.com">bouncer@liquorandpokermusic.com</a> or fax to (323) 418-0118 attn The Rawker. All positions are for our office located in Los Angeles, CA. So get your resumes together and send 'em on in, because you could be the next success story for Liquor And Poker Music! While checking out our amazing website, please take the time to check out all the killer merchandise for sale in the schwag section. Once inside you will find a ton of great items such as the brand new limited-edition (1,000) gatefold red vinyl version of Atomic Ritual, limited edition Nebula 7 with an unreleased track, Hanoi Rocks latest recorded masterpiece, Liquor and Poker t-shirts, Liquor and Poker trucker hats, an all new Hellacopters shirt (coming soon) and much more. Be the first on your block to own all the Liquor and Poker, Hellacopters, and Nebula merchandise available! WebLink: <a href="http://www.liquorandpokermusic.com" target="new">www.liquorandpokermusic.com</a> PATIENTLY WAITING FOR VAN HALEN'S NEW COMPILATION: Van Halen's Best of Both Worlds compilation has the international release dates of: July 19 - UK Release; July 26 - German release; Aug 4 - Japanese release; Aug 13 - Australian release.  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#cc2020" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#cc2020"> <div align="center">Tuesday, July 13, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> MTM SIGNS SILVER FOR NEW ALBUM: MTM Music is proud to announce the signing of Silver. The press blurb reads: The main men behind Silver are singer Gary Barden, who already worked for MSG, Statetrooper and Praying Mantis; guitarist Michael Voss (Demon Drive, Casanova, Mad Max and Bonfire), and current Deep Purple keyboard player Don Airey, who also played for Ozzy Osbourne, Whitesnake and Gary Moore. Besides the fact that the Silver debut album Dream Machines (2002) had sensational sales figures in Europe, it even held the number 1 position in the Japanese import charts for about 5 weeks. Many people may have thought Silver was one of those "all star projects" that are history after just one album. For fans of the European style of classic melodic hard rock, this album has a lot to offer a strong feel for melodies combined with perfect musicality of top-notch artists. The line-up of Silver reads like a "who is who" of rock history! The new album is called Addiction and scheduled for a worldwide release in late October 2004." BLACKFISH TO RELEASE UNRELEASED ALBUM: Remember Blackfish? The band had one self-titled album released on Sony in the early 90's, but then disappeared. Bass player Chris Reublin was kind enough to e-mail in an update on the band - which includes the news that unreleased music is coming our way soon. Chris' message reads: "Although we broke up in 1995 or so, we all still remain best friends. Steve Ballard, our singer lives in a beach house on Upper Captiva Island, and writes produces and manages bands for 360 Management, a company he started with Charlie Pennachio, formerly of Linear. Mike Mahaffey, our guitarist lives in Tennessee and has been in a band with his brother Matt called Self. He still teaches guitar and is married with kids. I am married with a 13 year old son and I own a company called West By Design Inc. We design and install custom marble and tile for multi-million dollar homes. Andy Howard our drummer, unfortunately has been diagnosed with Leukemia. He is feeling well though even though he is going through chemo right now. He is a freelance graphic designer. We are actually releasing the CD we recorded 10 years ago, which would have been our follow up album." I'm sure everyone will join with me and wish Andy all the best and hope for a speedy recovery. As for the CD release, I'll keep in touch with Chris and update you all when it's available and where. PAYING TRIBUTE TO AC/DC: The final track listing and main player credits for the AC/DC tribute album We Salute You (Rufftown Records) is as follows: Highway To Hell [Joe Lynn Turner/Richie Kotzen] . Shot Down In Flames [Phil Lewis/Jeff "Skunk" Baxter] . Down Payment Blues [Tommy Shaw/Albert Lee] . Girls Got Rhythm [Robin McAuley/Bruce Kulick] . Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap [Mark Slaughter/Doug Aldrich] . Problem Child [Jeff Scott Soto/Reb Beach] . You Shook Me All Night Long [Doug Pinnick/Gilby Clarke] . Hell Ain't A Bad Place To Be [Jizzy Pearl/Jennifer Batten] . Hells Bells [John Corabi/Tracii Guns] . Let There Be Rock [Paul Shortino/Craig Goldy] . Rock & Roll Damnation [Stephen Pearcy/Page Hamilton]. This is the same team behind the recent Kiss Tribute and also includes a bonus interviews DVD.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="204" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/acdc-tribute-wesaluteyou.jpg" width="200" /></div> DANNY VAUGHN'S FROM THE INSIDE FEATURED ON AIR: CMRPulse, the UK rock/country hybrid radio station will featuring the From The Inside/Danny Vaughan CD on Saturday 17th July between 6pm - 9pm AND will be running a competition to give away copies of the album to 5 lucky winners. As the album is not released until 30th Aug the winners will be possession of a truly great album weeks in advance. CMRPulse broadcasts on the Sky Digital Network (Channel 913) and all across Europe on the Eurobird 1 satellite. (For tuning details check <a href="http://www.cmrpulse.com" target="new">www.cmrpulse.com</a>). Regrettably, the station is not streaming on the Internet as present due to problems with the Copyright bodies over internet streaming costs. ERIC SINGER DONATES ITEMS TO TRUST FUND: From KISS Kollector Online / <a href="http://www.kisskollector.com" target="new">www.kisskollector.com</a> - Eric Singer, who's currently touring the USA with Kiss, has donated signed KISS photos, drum heads and drum sticks to ABC Trust. Founded by Jimena Page, with Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin) and Brian May (Queen) being patrons, ABC (Action for Brazil's Children) Trust is committed to help disadvantaged young people in Brazil. ABC Trust will be hosting a charity event in Los Angeles on July 18 at the Beverly Center Hard Rock Café, sponsored by Gibson Guitars. Other rock stars donating memorabilia include Jimmy Page and former Kiss guitarist Bruce Kulick. SITE UPDATES: New Reviews have been added to the site today. Online now are reviews for: Tak Matsumoto Group, Grand Illusion, Zillion, Mind Key, Hodson, Jizzy Pearl, Kevin DuBrow, Stephen Pearcy, Hanoi Rocks, Skew Siskin, Steve Lukather and the Rembrandts. <a href="reviews/reviews.html">Check them out</a>. New Feature Reviews for TMG and Hodson are also online. Add your reviews here.  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#400080" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#400080"> <div align="center">Monday, July 12, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> JEFF SCOTT SOTO'S LATEST TRANSLATION DUE IN SEPTEMBER - PREVIEW NOW!: One of the recent claims made for Jeff Scott Soto is that he is the front man every band wants to have . His energy, vocal ability, writing talents substantiate this claim and are all evident in the soon to be released Lost In The Translation, Jeff's third solo album from Frontiers Records. Following on the release of Jeff's Single/EP Believe In Me on July 21st 2004, Lost In The Translation is a combination of all that is good about melodic rock and AOR. The mix of pace, ballad, subtlety and sheer exuberance is enough to have the listener asking Where has Jeff been hiding and where can I get more? This album will please those who like it hard, those who like it slow and those who like it hot! Comprising a dozen wonderful tracks all written by Jeff individually & collectively with Neal Schon (Journey) on the single Believe In Me and elsewhere with Howie Simon and Gary Schutt (JSS Band); the album is being released on September 20.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="199" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/jeffscottsoto-lostinthetranslation.jpg" width="200" />xx<img alt="" height="199" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/jeffscottsoto-2004b.jpg" width="200" /></div> It coincides with a 30 plus date, 70-day World Tour taking in UK, Spain, Brasil, Belgium, Italy, Holland, France, Germany and Jeff's first ever appearances in Australia & Portugal. From his roots with Yngwie Malmsteen, the foundations of Talisman, performances for film sound-tracks such as Rock Star, Jeff has also performed with Queen and Spike Edney's SAS Band. His subsequently blossoming solo career has shown that Jeff Scott Soto has gained a reputation as one of the classier and more polished AOR / Melodic Rock artistes around. Add to that his many collaborations, not the least the most recent with Neal Schon on the new project Soul SirkUS, and this album represents a new high for Jeff Scott Soto that many believe is long overdue. Jeff commented recently: "Finding songs to write about isn t always easy, but when they come from the heart, it becomes easier. I hope that the many fans out there see this album as more than just an album but as part of my life's journey." The full track listing of Lost In The Translation is as follows: Believe In Me; Soul Divine; Drowning; If This Is The End; Lost In The Translation; Doin' Time; High Time; Beginning 2 End; On My Own; Find Our Way; Sacred Eyes; Dulce Lady (Europe Bonus Track). Also including the video If This Is The End. How about a preview of a few tracks? Download: <a href="http://www.frontiers.it/soto_souldivine.mp3">Soul Divine</a>, <a href="http://www.frontiers.it/soto_believeinme.mp3">Believe In Me</a> and <a href="http://www.frontiers.it/soto_thisistheend.mp3">If This Is The End</a>. Jeff's tour begins in Sydney, Australia on Thursday, 2nd September. The full details for the first leg of his world tour are: <table> <tbody> <tr> <td><img alt="" height="204" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/jeffscottsoto-oz2004.jpg" width="180" /></td> <td> <div align="center">Australian Tour Dates are as follows: Sydney – Bar Broadway - Thursday, September 2 Sydney – Bar Broadway - Friday, September 3 (Queen Show) Brisbane – Indie Temple – Sunday September 5 Adelaide – Enigma Bar - Thursday, September 9 Hobart – Republic Bar - Saturday, September 11 Hobart – Republic Bar - Sunday, September 12 (Queen Show) Melbourne – Corner Hotel – Tuesday, September 14 (Queen Show) Melbourne – Corner Hotel – Wednesday, September 15 (Solo Show & End Of Tour Party)</div> Tickets will most likely be available from next week. Stay tuned for the official announcement and further details later this week.</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> These gigs will be promoted closer to the dates, but I am also looking for Australian fans to help spread the word of Jeff's tour dates. <a href="mailto:ajm@melodicrock.com?subject=JSS Tour">Please e-mail me</a> if you have any questions regarding the tour, promotion of the dates or anything else that comes to mind.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/jeffscottsoto-2004c.jpg" width="295" />x<img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/jeffscottsoto-2004d.jpg" width="294" /></div> GOTTHARD'S NEW DEAL WITH THEMSELVES: Gotthard have formed their own record label - G. Point Records. Their next 4 albums will be recorded through tis label and distributed via the company Musikvertrieb. BMG will get one final release from the band - a double greatest hits set due out August 23, which will include 4 new songs. The band's next full studio album is due second quarter of 2005. The track listing looks to be something like this: CD1: All I Care For . First Time In A Long Time . One Life, One Soul - Feat. Montserrat Caballe . Let It Be . Say Goodbye . Let It Rain . You . Heaven . Homerun (Single Version) . Love Soul Matter . Have A Little Faith . Still I Belong To You . Reason To Live . Everything Can Change (Piano Version) . One Team One Spirit (New Track) . What About Love (New Track) . Janie's Not Alone. CD2: Hush . Standing In The Light . Firedance . Mountain Mama . What I Like . Sister Moon . Mighty Quinn . Fist In Your Face . Make My Day . Cheat And Hide . Human Zoo . Top Of The World . No Tomorrow . Eagle . Light In Your Eyes . Movin On . Fire And Ice (New Track) . Inside Out (New Track) . Why Don't We Do It. EDGE OF FOREVER OPEN SITE; CONTINUE FRESH WORK: Edge Of Forever continue to work on new tunes for their second album, a planned follow up for the just released Feeding The Fire. Alessandro Delvecchio e-mailed in this update: "We have finished working on our website at <a href="http://www.edgeofforever.it" target="new">www.edgeofforever.it</a> which is right now on line and running. We have finished the pre-production of 12 songs for the new record, momentarily titled Let The Demon R'n'R. Imagine Tony Martin's Black Sabbath era mixed with Talisman, Malmsteen, Rainbow and a touch of progressive arrangements, and you could have something close to our new sound. Today I mixed at the Conquest Studios, here in Italy, a song that was not included on Feeding The Fire, called Snake Eyes, which will be used for a never released songs compilation by our record company MTM Music in fall. The song features the immense Jeff Scott Soto on backing vocals and Marcel Jacob on production. The songs is typical 80's arena-rock, so we decided to change most of the sounds, compared to Feeding The Fire which is more melodic. Soon you will be able to download a cut version of the song from our site." Alessandro is also busy on a side project. He continues: "I'm working right now to find a label for my band Fury 'n' Grace, a metal-progressive act featuring outstanding technical playing from the best musicians in Italy. I have this band with Matteo Carnio and Christian Grillo from Edge Of Forever, Gabriele Grilli from Thy Majestie and Emiliano Bertossi from Doomsword. We just finished working for the album Inferno and if anyone is interested in listening to the rough mixes, he can contact me at <a href="mailto:alessandrodelvecchio@hotmail.com">alessandrodelvecchio@hotmail.com</a>." MELODIC BRIEFS: Blackfoot are back together! Original players Greg T. Walker, Jakson Spires, Charlie Hargrett along with Axe's Bobby Barth will be touring shortly, playing all the hits that made Blackfoot a platinum selling artist. Soundbytes from all 10 tracks on Asia's upcoming Silent Nation album can be heard now at: <a href="http://www.insideout.de/indexx.php?arg=AgcEGgRLQUFMe4cB" target="new">www.insideout.de/indexx.php?arg=AgcEGgRLQUFMe4cB</a>. Graham Bonnet reports that his collaboration with Italian guitarist Dario Mollo, Elektric Zoo, will begin recording their debut album shortly. Guitarist Chris Poland is selling some gear via an E-Bay auction: <a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3735874632" target="new"> Yamaha Image Custom Guitar</a> and <a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3735876570" target="new"> Bogner FISH pre-amp</a>. Both of these items were used on the upcoming Megadeth record, The System Has Failed. The new George Lynch solo album Furious George (with vocals from Kelly Keeling) is available now, directly from his website. Order at: <a href="http://www.georgelynch.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=110" target="new">www.georgelynch.com</a>. VH1's True Spin show is working on an upcoming Toto episode. Bob Daisley is interviewed on the site <a href="http://www.rock-avenue.de" target="new">www.rock-avenue.de</a>; as is Mick Box. <a href="http://www.strikeupthebands.net" target="new">www.strikeupthebands.net</a> is a new off-shoot website of the Strike A Balance site. This site focuses directly on the music and features a new interview with Stan Bush, among others.  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#003d79" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#003d79"> <div align="center">Sunday, July 11, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> NEW E-BAY AUCTION UNDERWAY: I have spent a few minutes today listing a range of melodic rock CD titles on E-Bay. Some of the titles are rare and out of print too. If you care to check out what's on offer and bid away, the URL is: <a href="http://cgi6.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewSellersOtherItems&userid=rockwombat&include=0&since=-1&sort=3&rows=50" target="new">MelodicRock E-Bay Listing</a>  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#008000" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#008000"> <div align="center">Saturday, July 10, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> A COUPLE OF LIVE DATES YOU SHOULDN'T MISS: After weeks of organizing, it's now official. Soul Sirkus will make their live debut, opening for Van Halen on 2 upcoming California dates next month. Soul Sirkus is of course the Jeff Scott Soto / Neal Schon / Deen Castronovo / Marco Mendoza supergroup. Van Halen's Michael Anthony and Sammy Hagar were part of the now defunct Planet Us with Schon and Castronovo, so it's nice to see the guys on the same bill again - albeit in separate groups. The <a href="http://www.soulsirkus.com" target="new">Soul Sirkus website</a> states: "The boys will be opening for the mighty Van Halen up near Neal's home town in Northern CA this Aug. As official as the announcement is they are confirmed to play, there is a chance 'Eddie VH may pull the plug on this at the last minute...'. No reason or explanation was given on this but with the announcement of these shows, we had to make a contingency so as not to leave anyone disappointed if this last minute decision surfaces." As always, anything is possible where VH are concerned! Those 2 dates are: Tuesday, August 10th, 2004 W/ Van Halen | HP Pavilion, San Jose, CA. Friday, August 13th, 2004 W/ Van Halen | Oakland Arena, Oakland, CA.  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#ffa851" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#ffa851"> <div align="center">Friday, July 09, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> MTM ANNOUNCE 707'S THE BRIDGE FROM THE VAULTS: MTM Music have officially announced the release of the previously unreleased 707 album The Bridge on the MTM Classix label: "After many years a long lost treasure has finally been found and the forgotten album The Bridge will be released in September. In 1977 Jim McClarty (drums) and Kevin Russell (guitar) founded the band 707. Later, Duke McFadden (keyboards) and Phil Bryant (vocals) completed the line-up which had big radio hit I Could Be Good For You. 1981 saw a very successful tour together with Reo Speedwagon throughout the United States of America. Afterwards, the band wrote songs for the next album The Bridge, which was 'forgotten on the shelf' and has never been released until now. Phil Bryant had to quit his vocal duties which were then inherited by Kevin Chalfant. Numerous songs had to be re-recorded with Kevin's vocals and so the album could finally be completed. The first single Mega Force - which was also used as the theme for the same-titled movie - hit the charts and made its way up to the US Top 10. In 1983, the group disbanded. Now and many years later the forgotten album "The Bridge" will be released by MTM CLASSIX. All songs have been remastered and remixed. The gem contains 3 bonus tracks, which were recorded during the album sessions, but never planned to be released." PREVIEWING FLUID SOL: Fluid Sol is the new modern rock project from Mitch Malloy. The album is due for release in a couple of months thru Atenzia Records, but a single has just been released to radio in Sweden, featuring two tracks. I'm pleased to be able to bring you a preview of those tracks. Check out: Fluid Sol - <a href="audio/FluidSol01.mp3">I'm On You Radio</a> and <a href="audio/FluidSol02.mp3">Empty</a>.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="202" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/fluidsol-imonyourradio.jpg" width="200" /></div> MUNICH BASED OPEN AIR FESTIVAL SET TO ROCK IN JULY: The 2004 Munich Deep Impact - Open Air Festival is only a couple of weeks away. The event features the line-up of - TNT, Dare, Gotthard, Kingdom Come, Primal Fear & 1 TBA! Skew Sisken have had to withdrawn from the event, but will be replaced. On July 24 the event will host 10,000 rock fans at the Kultfabrik in Munich. The area is better known as the former "Kunstpark Ost", a one of a kind clubbing area in the heart of Munich with more than 24 clubs, bars, concert halls, gambling alleys and lots of arts and craft shops. The area has just recently been renamed in Kultfabrik. It is perfectly suited for an event like this, because it is located in the center of Munich, within walking distance from public transportation and equipped with parking and public restrooms. Event arranged by: GARAGE GmbH, Grafinger Str. 6 / 81671 Munchen. Stage: Absolutely weatherproof built stage in form of a large terrace, 27 x 12 meters. Deep Impact additional program: Presentation, meet & greet of musicians & fans, extra autographing area, beer garden, CD exchange, arts and crafts, after show party in the Rock Club Garage and lots more. Backstage: Rockclub Garage Info: <a href="http://www.deep-impact2004.de" target="new">www.deep-impact2004.de</a> + <a href="http://www.garagedeluxe.de" target="new">www.garagedeluxe.de</a> BIG MONEY STILL BUYING TIME ON RADIO: This is a very good read indeed and those interested in the music industry and how some parts of it work, should definitely read through this. Disappointing, but not surprising. This is just one of the reasons the music you want to hear isn't on the radio... From the New Yorker magazine, by James Surowiecki. Pop music thrives on repetition. You know a song's a hit when you've heard it so often that you'll be happy never to hear it again. Even by Top 40 standards, though, the playlist adopted a few weeks ago by the Nashville radio station WQZQ was extreme. On May 23rd, Billboard reported, the station played Don't Tell Me, the new single by Avril Lavigne, three times an hour, every hour, between midnight and 6 a.m. This didn't have much to do with the tastes of WQZQ's d.j.s or listeners. Instead, an independent promoter working for Lavigne's record label had effectively paid the station to play the song. "Don't Tell Me" had been hovering just outside Billboard's list of the country's ten most frequently played songs, which radio programmers use to decide what singles get airtime. The extra spins the promoter bought—sometimes called "spot buys," because what's really being bought are blocks of ad time, as with an infomercial—were meant to bump "Don't Tell Me" up the list. By early June, Lavigne had a Top 10 hit. She also had a lot of angry music fans to contend with. Spot buys may be legal, but to most people they're the "new payola," a modern-day equivalent of Alan Freed's taking money under the table to play rock-and-roll records. (Freed called the payments "consulting fees.") It's an obvious comparison, but a misplaced one. Spot buys aren't the same as old-fashioned payola. They're worse. "Payola" became a household word in the fifties, when a host of d.j.s were found to be playing songs in exchange for favors and money, but the practice is as old as pop music itself. A century ago, songwriters routinely paid vaudeville singers to perform their tunes, hoping to goose demand for sheet music. In the thirties, music publishers paid off radio bandleaders. And although some forms of payola were outlawed after the mid-century scandals, various loopholes allowed other incarnations to thrive, under the guise of independent promotion. With money from the record companies, promoters used oblique tactics—subsidies, gifts, "research funds"—to encourage radio stations to add new singles to their playlists. By 2000, tens of millions of dollars a year were being spent on what you might call legal payola, and although bad publicity has severely curtailed the promotion business, paying to play is still integral to the way radio works. Despite its sleazy reputation, payola has a certain rationale. In a typical year, upward of seven or eight hundred CDs are issued each week. Not even the most dedicated program director can hope to sift through all the new songs. So stations need a way to filter the possible hits from the certain bombs. Pay-for-play schemes provide one rough-and-ready way to do this, because they involve what economists call signalling. By putting money behind a record, a label signals its belief that the record has a chance to be a hit; no company will spend a lot of money trying to sell something it doesn't have high hopes for. And hits, of course, are the only thing that radio cares about. You can see the same process at work in many other businesses, too. Supermarkets and drugstores accept billions of dollars a year in "slotting fees" to position products at the end of an aisle or at eye level. Book chains sell space on the tables at the front of their stores. And record stores accept advertising dollars from labels to push certain albums. Here, too, being willing to shell out for a good space on the shelf is a statement about how much you think people will want your product. This is, at best, a flawed way to find hits. Unless a record label has a good sense of what people want to hear, it could be buying airtime for flops. And labels that don't have the cash to promote their records are out of luck. But the surprising truth is that, historically speaking, payola has often fostered musical diversity, rather than squelching it. In the fifties, the music industry was dominated by a few giant labels, much as it is today; because of payola (and payola-takers, like Alan Freed), the smaller labels that revolutionized the industry—including Atlantic, Chess, and King Records—were able to get their music on the air. In retail, too, paying for space hasn't necessarily hindered innovation. Even as slotting fees have become more common in supermarkets, for instance, the number of new products that reach the shelves each year has exploded. And the same is true with books. We tend to assume that payola favors the big players because they are the ones with the big money. But the big players also have big sales forces, big brand names, and big connections. They'd win without having to ante up to get in on the action. Paying to play, then, creates a rough marketplace democracy: if you can come up with the cash, you get a shot. But that's all. Labels can buy themselves exposure; they can't buy themselves a hit. If people don't want to hear a record, radio stations won't keep playing it of their own accord. And that's where spot buys come in. Unlike conventional pay-for-play deals, spot buys like the one that propelled Avril Lavigne into the Top 10 aren't meant to introduce listeners to songs; they're meant to game the playlist system. It's a salient feature of modern media that being thought to be popular can make you more popular. Best-selling books and records are discounted more than slow-selling ones and are positioned more prominently. Songs in Billboard's Top 10 automatically end up being spun more. And if you invest lots of money in creating an illusion of popularity—by, say, buying hours of airplay on the radio—you may end up making yourself more popular. In the process, what real listeners want matters less than it ever did. In "Payola Blues," Neil Young sang to Alan Freed, "The things they're doing today / Will make a saint out of you." He didn't know the half of it. — James Surowiecki. THE CHOIRBOYS CONTINUE TO EVOLVE: Australia's aging hard rockers the Choirboys have a new album on shelves. Expect a review and soundbytes soon. Evolver doesn't feature the band's original line-up, but lead vocalist / guitarist Mark gable remains. More info at: <a href="http://www.choirboys.net" target="new">www.choirboys.net</a> The track listing is: Fuel (A Day In The Life) . Pharaohs (Let It Be) . The Dog Song . Dream On (All You Need Is Love) . Please Believe Me (Come Together) . Cold Outside Your Heart (Cold Out) . Break It Free (Girl) . Ride Up (Baby's In Black) . Roll It Over (Yesterday) . All Over You (She's Leaving Home).   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="199" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/choirboys-evolver.jpg" width="200" /></div> CC BANANA CONTINUES TO ANNOY!: The rumors are true! Your prayers have been answered! The class clown from the school of rock has at long last returned! C.C. Banana, the yellow-skinned badwill ambassador to the hard rock community, is proud to announce the debut of the all-new <a href="http://www.CCBanana.com" target="new">CCBanana.com</a>! This unique new website collects for the first time C.C.'s many unbelievable rock & roll adventures, featuring memorable guest appearances by the members of Poison, Winger, Cinderella, Skid Row, Kiss, Faster Pussycat, Enuff Z'Nuff, Pretty Boy Floyd, 40ft. Ringo and others. In addition to chronicling C.C. Banana's legendary and asinine exploits, the all-new CCBanana.com also showcases his exhaustive tour diaries, infamous song parodies, hilarious band interviews and other downloadable media. "We've been depleting our potassium reserves for the past several months," explains C.C. Banana, "working overtime to construct a proper asylum for these stories, songs, and videos. There's just so much fun stuff to share, I'm glad that fans will finally be able to see and hear it all!" The debut of the all-new CCBanana.com follows the release of C.C.'s premiere home video Backstage Banana, in which he alternately interviews and offends the bands of the 2002 Hollyweird Tour. Still available via the website, this video has proven to be a huge hit with rockers and fans alike. In fact, since releasing BACKSTAGE BANANA, C.C. has been more in-demand than ever! Last fall he introduced an evening with Bret Michaels at the B.B. King Blues Club in NYC, and in late 2003 C.C. Banana returned to his stand-up comedy roots by opening for Howard Stern's resident celebrity impersonator, Craig Gass. C.C. Banana began life as a twisted homage to Poison guitarist C.C. DeVille, yet soon took on a life of his own. He again made news for his infamous nightclub showdown with former Skid Row vocalist Sebastian Bach, and later for hosting (and surviving) the landmark MSX Tour. C.C. Banana has also appeared with Uranium's Juliya on Fuse TV (formerly Much Music USA) and has even been profiled in the UK's "Classic Rock" magazine. C.C. Banana is perhaps best known for entertaining visitors of the popular Metal Sludge website with tales of his outlandish misadventures. "The all-new CCBanana.com is packed to the peel with gobs of gratuitous goodness!" swears C.C. Banana. "Slip inside and enjoy the ride!" Stay tuned for another exciting announcement from C.C. Banana in the near future. In the meantime, you can find the latest news, updates and tales of rock & roll lunacy at the all-new <a href="http://www.CCBanana.com" target="new">CCBanana.com</a>. ONE LAST UPDATE FROM MEGADETH: Another Megadeth update - this should do it for for the time being! From Dave Mustaine himself. Posted to the <a href="http://www.megadeth.com" target="new">megadeth.com</a> message board on 7/3: "I just wanted to tell you that Ed Repka and Megadeth could not work out a deal for the artwork. He had some ridiculous contract he wanted me to sign and would not even start the artwork until he had half the money, which was very expensive. Then I was going to have to pay him every three years or something ludicrous like that, and that did not include if I wanted to make a t-shirt. Ha! I have hired a really cool friend of mine and a fantastic artist named Mike Learn (<a href="http://www.mikelearn.com" target="new">www.mikelearn.com</a>) to handle the cover and you will not be disappointed, like I was with Ed...." SITE UPDATES: <a href="mr-x/index.html">MR-X</a> has been updated. Online today is a new Feature Single and a new Feature Album - this one being a piece of classic Aussie pub rock - The Bombers (Featuring Status Quo's Alan Lancaster and John Brewster from The Angels). There are also new videos online from: Frontline - Another Love, Lion - Powerlove, Michael Morales - Who Do You Give Your Love To, Lillian Axe - Show A Little Love, Gary Moore - Out In The Fields and Mitch Malloy - Anything At All. <a href="mr-x-intro.html">MR-X Membership Details</a>. New <a href="#cdshowcase">CD Showcases</a> are online! Click on the covers to preview. Some new, some live and some re-issues!   <div align="center"><a href="showcase/lanalane-returntojapan.html"><img alt="lana lane" border="0" height="125" src="/files-archive/news/lanalane-returntojapan125.jpg" width="125" />xx</a><a href="showcase/julliet-psychoboyfriend.html"><img alt="Julliet" border="0" height="125" src="/files-archive/news/julliet-psychoboyfriend125.jpg" width="125" /></a>xx<a href="showcase/bookofreflections.html"><img alt="book of reflections" border="0" height="125" src="/files-archive/news/bookofreflections125.jpg" width="125" /></a> <a href="showcase/starqueen-yourtrueself.html"><img alt="star queen - your true self" border="0" height="125" src="/files-archive/news/starqueen-yourtrueself125.jpg" width="125" /></a>xx<a href="showcase/act-imaginaryfriends.html"><img alt="act - imaginary friends" border="0" height="125" src="/files-archive/news/act-imaginaryfriends125.jpg" width="125" /></a>xx<a href="showcase/blindfury-outofreach.html"><img alt="blind fury - out of reach" border="0" height="125" src="/files-archive/news/blindfury-outofreach125.jpg" width="125" /></a>xx<a href="showcase/bigbertha.html"><img alt="big bertha" border="0" height="125" src="/files-archive/news/bigbertha125.jpg" width="125" /></a></div> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#2870db" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#2870db"> <div align="center">Thursday, July 08, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> THE MASTER OF THE MOON IS DIO: The new Dio will be titled Master of the Moon and will be released through Sanctuary Records August 30. The track listing is: Master Of The Moon . Death By Love . I Am . The End Of The World . One More From The Road . Shivers . In Dreams . The Man Who Would Be King . Living The Lie . The Eyes. The recording line up is: Ronnie James Dio, Craig Goldy - guitar, Jeff Pilson - bass, Scott Warren - keys and Simon Wright - drums. Rudy Sarzo is the band's official new bass player and will tour in place of Jeff Pilson. THE METAL SHOW and THE CLASSIC METAL SHOW Team Up For A Day Of Beatallica!: Beatallica, the internet sensations who combine the work of The Beatles with the sound of classic era Metallica, have added a day's worth of activities to their first ever Cleveland appearance. The band will be doing a very special edition of The Metal Show Unleashed, wherein they will play live and be recorded for future playback on The Metal Show (<a href="http://www.themetalshow.com" target="new">www.themetalshow.com</a>), as heard on 92.3 FM, WXTM. They will appear at the Lava Room Recording Studio (owned by ex-Warrant guitarist Billy Morris) on Saturday, August 7th at 2pm. Following this appearance, the band will perform their first ever live show at the Hi-fi Club in Lakewood, OH the same evening. This live performance will be carried in a live webcast by The Classic Metal Show (<a href="http://www.theclassicmetalshow.com" target="new">www.theclassicmetalshow.com</a>) beginning that evening at 9pm EST. The 2pm Unleashed session is limited to 50 fans, and is by invite only. However, to gain an invite, go to <a href="http://www.themetalshow.com" target="new">www.themetalshow.com</a> and sign up now. For more information on Beatallica or to download their first 2 studio releases, check them out online at <a href="http://www.beatallica.org" target="new">www.beatallica.org</a>. THE SYSTEM FAILS MEGADETH: Megadeth have selected Die Dead Enough as the first single from their upcoming CD, The System Has Failed, due on September 14 through Sanctuary Records. The single will go to metal radio around July 19 and rock radio approximately July 26. The System Has Failed was recorded at Phase Four studios in Tempe, Arizona and is set to feature cover artwork by Ed Repka. Joining mainman Dave Mustaine on the recording are drummer Vinnie Colaiuta and bassist Jimmy Sloas. Additional lead guitar tracks were laid down by former Megadeth guitarist Chris Poland. The System Has Failed track listing is: Blackmail The Universe . Shadow Of Death . My Kingdom . Of Mice And Men . Truth Be Told . The Scorpion . Kick The Chair . Something That I'm Not . Tears In A Vial . Die Dead Enough . Back In The Day. The upcoming CD will be preceded by reissues by all seven of Megadeth's studio albums recorded during the group's tenure with Capitol Records. Mustaine remixed, remastered and restored each album, all of which will feature previously unreleased tracks as well as demos and alternate mixes, and newly penned liner notes. The System Has Failed will be Megadeth's first since the announcement that Mustaine was disbanding the group following a serious accident in early 2002. At the time, it was unknown if severe nerve damage in his left arm would leave him able to perform again. PILSON, BONHAM AND KEELING FOR FOREIGNER LINE-UP?: Jeff Pilson has sent out word of this breaking news: "One other little announcement for this month. I'm going to be performing one show with Foreigner on July 25th. They called a few days ago to ask if I could play in the band for this show, and I must say I was thrilled and honored. It's a charity event held in Santa Barbara at Fess Parkers Doubletree Resort, not sure of the cause, but I'm really looking forward to this. Foreigner was a HUGE influence on me for both singing and songwriting, so I'm ecstatic! Jason Bonham is also in the band, so it will be a bit of a homecoming there as well! We start rehearsing next week - and I'm quite excited. Chad will be posting more details as they emerge, but I just had to pop the news. I'm not sure of the arrangements yet, but it would be nice to see any of you from that area at the event. Again, details will be coming." Ok, so we have Foreigner with Jeff Pilson and Jason Bonham joining Mick Jones in the line-up - but who's signing? Word has it Kelly Keeling (Baton Rouge, MSG, John Norum, Blue Murder) has the job... SITE UPDATES: <a href="minibytes.html">Mini-Bytes</a> have been updated! Lots of new MP3 preview for you - this week from: Magnum, Statetrooper, The Hellacopters, Wig Wam, 40ft Ringo, Likeshine, Madison Paige, Tamrah Aeryn, Paatos, Skyscraper, Thalion and tracks from the first Metal Sludge compilation. MelodicRockRadio has been updated! A brand new playlist is in place, with all new tracks highlighting the best new and recent and even upcoming releases. Featured (amongst many others) are new tracks by: Grand Illusion, Ten, House Of Shakira, Over The Edge, Jorn, Crossfade, Chris Catena, Glen Burtnik, TMG, SR-71, Scorpions, Impellitteri, Adriangle, Stan Bush, Dokken, Hodson, Kevin DuBrow, Pete Lesperance, Eclipse, Kick, Voodoo Hill, Richard Marx and more. A full playlist can be <a href="melodicrockradio.html">viewed here</a>.   <div align="center"><a href="melodicrockradio.html"><img alt="" border="0" height="82" src="/files-archive/news/logo-melodicrockradio-mini.jpg" width="300" /></a></div> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#ff0080" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#ff0080"> <div align="center">Wednesday, July 07, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> REO SPEEDWAGON'S LATEST COMPILATION DETAILS: Following yesterday's post about the REO Speedwagon compilation, here is the full track listing: CD1: Sophisticated Lady . Music Man . Golden Country . Son Of A Poor Man - (previously unreleased) . Lost In A Dream . Keep Pushin' . (I Believe) Our Time Is Gonna Come . Lightning . Like You Do . Flying Turkey Trot . 157 Riverside Avenue . Ridin' The Storm Out . Roll With The Changes . Time For Me To Fly . Say You Love Me or Say Goodnight. CD2: Back On The Road Again . Only The Strong Survive . Don't Let Him Go . Keep On Lovin' You . In Your Letter . Take It On The Run . Keep The Fire Burnin' . The Key . One Lonely Night . Live Every Moment . Can't Fight This Feeling . That Ain't Love . In My Dreams . Variety Tonight . Here With Me . Love Is A Rock . Building The Bridge . Just For You. STEVE SALAS BLASTS SOULFUL NEW RELEASE: After a two and a half year absence, Stevie Salas, go-to guitarist for the likes of Mick Jagger, Rod Stewart, George Clinton, Bootsy Collins & Sass Jordan has released his latest funk/rock journey entitled The Soulblasters Of The Universe (Yamaha Japan/Indanee). Stevie continues to combine the best elements of funk, rock and modern technology on "Soulblasters" with the help of several friends including Bootsy Collins (P-Funk), Jerry Cantrell (Alice In Chains), Bernard Fowler (Rolling Stones, Tackhead), Richie Kotzen (Mr Big, Poison), Jara Slapbak (Slapbak), TM Stevens & Brian Tichy (Zakk Wylde, Billy Idol). From the opening rocker Free Up thru the Hendrix influenced My Summmer Breeze, (featuring Richie Kozten on guitar), Stevie has created a modern funk rock masterpiece with nods to classic P-Funk Soulblaster, Curtis Mayfield Soul Ecstacy and '90's Prince Static. All the while Stevie's own Rock-Tronic sound ties the album together, making the CD a great listen from beginning to end. Soulblasters hit Japanese shelves earlier this year, but autographed copies can be ordered directly from Stevie Salas via his Official Website <a href="http://www.steviesalas.com" target="new">www.steviesalas.com</a>. Track Listing: Kingazoid Bootsy Pt. 1 (featuring Bootsy Collins) . Free Up . Ralo's Boogie (featuring Bernard Fowler) . Freeze Dried . Indian Friends . 1095 Divided By 3 . Save Me From Myself . Kingazoid Bootsy Pt. 2 (featuring Bootsy Collins) . Soulblaster (featuring The Dos Negros Con Rojo Singers) . Motos Y Minifaldas . Static . Soul Ecstasy (featuring Jerry Cantrell) . My Summer Breeze (featuring Richie Kotzen) ** Japan Bonus Track.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="201" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/steviesalas-soulblasters.jpg" width="200" />xx<img alt="" height="199" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/steviesalas-2004.jpg" width="200" /></div> RENEGADE LAUNCH PROMOTIONAL TOUR: Renegade's Jim Buckshon will depart July 9 from Canada for a 2 week promotional tour of Europe, dubbed the Europromo Tour, following the recent releases on Renegade Sounds (<a href="http://www.renegadesounds.com" target="new">www.renegadesounds.com</a>) of On the Edge and Back From the Dead. The first focus will be Germany, where an interview with Franky from <a href="http://www.radionmelodic.de" target="new">www.radionmelodic.de</a> and <a href="http://www.ffm-rock.de" target="new">www.ffm-rock.de</a> webzine will take place in Stuttgart. Next stop will be Munich was has been hugely supportive of Renegade, and meetings with the band's major distributor, Georg of <a href="http://www.aorheaven.com" target="new">www.aorheaven.com</a> will take place. Also on the agenda is a rendez-vous with Tom & Peter from <a href="http://www.munich'shardesthits.com" target="new">www.munich'shardesthits.com</a>, which has Renegade's Standing Out in the Rain featured on Munich's Hardest Hits Vol. 5. Later, it will be off to Seba's The Garage nightclub (<a href="http://www.garagedeluxe.de" target="new">www.garagedeluxe.de</a>) to discuss a future booking for the band, followed by a meet with Robert from <a href="http://www.targetrecords.com" target="new">www.targetrecords.com</a> the following day. The next leg of the promo is currently being worked on will be updated shortly. NOW & THEN RECORDS - JULY UPDATE: The first two releases from our collaboration with NTS are now in stock. Pyramaze, the new band fronted by ex-Balance Of Power frontman Lance King are picking up fantastic reviews for their debut album Melancholy Beast and the superb release from Patrick Rondat An Ephemeral World showcases exactly why he is the most respected guitarists in France. Ion Vein are prepared to take on the world with their long awaited second album, Reigning Memories. While the bands first album, Beyond Tomorrow, yielded many successes including appearances on five tribute albums, several compilations, awards, media appearances, great reviews, Powermad and ProgPower festival slots etc., Ion Vein knew their sophomore album had to be something very special in order to catapult them to the next level. Realizing that the bar had to be raised in all areas, the band approached Grammy winning producer, Neil Kernon (Queensryche, Judas Priest, Nevermore, Shy, FM, Kansas, Autograph etc), about producing/recording the album and trying to capture the live power that so many fans raved about. "We were very excited that Neil decided to take on the project, we knew he would get the best out of us and out of the record," states guitarist Chris Lotesto. Building on the melodic foundation that defines Ion Vein, Reigning Memories reflects a darker, more introspective look at the challenges life presents, resulting in a very dynamic and emotional album that every listener can relate to. From the blistering dual guitar work of Another Life to the rhythmic pounding of Faith & Majesty to the progressive madness of the eight plus minute title track all while Russ Klimczak, pours his heart into each vocal melody, "Reigning Memories" will take you on a musical journey that you will want to experience again and again. Just look at the type of reaction that the album is already garnering - "I can wholeheartedly recommend the second album by ION VEIN to anybody, who still mourns the past QUEENSRYCHE heydays. But also friends of BALANCE OF POWER, PAGAN'S MIND or KAMELOT should have a great time with the high standing compositions of these specialists. The absolute zenith is reached with the three-part epos "Adrian's Ladder". Here you can talk about a coming Prog classic, which can take on songs such as "Roads To Madness" (QUEENSRYCHE), "2112" (RUSH), "Epitaph" (FATES WARNING) or "Metropolis Part 2" (DREAM THEATER). "Reigning Memories" is an absolute must for Metal fans, who for one like it melodic, but at the same time also like progressive, yet accessible songs, which put an emphasis on technical abilities, an incredible singer and a grandiose production." 10/10 Metal Observer. "This is the album all apalled QUEENSRYCHE fans will love! Not only because a good old friend from the "Rage For Order" days - producer Neil Kernon - was responsible for the clear and powerful sound of the album, that makes the songs shine even more. Catchy melodies, twin guitars and a strong vocalist, that makes you shiver, are more than enough reasons to buy this CD. 11/12" Heavy Oder Was Magazine, Germany. "The band has created a truly awesome high quality record that sounds like the perfect mixture between 80s QUEENSRYCHE, CRIMSON GLORY and BALANCE OF POWER. The musicianship is excellent, and lead singer Russ Klimczak has a terrific high pitched voice that makes you forget GEOFF TATE ever existed! Anyone waiting for QUEENSRYCHE to return to their old style, forget it, and just purchase yourself a copy of this masterpiece by the Chicago settled ION VEIN." 9/10 Strutter "Ion Vein bring together a very good balance of Iron Maiden, 'Perfect Symmetry/Parallels' era Fates Warning, and Queensryche. Trust me, if you're looking for a fix of great prog/power metal, it is time to tap into the Ion Vein." Glory Daze Website. Now And Then Records is planning to release Reigning Memories in Europe and the Far East during August. Feed The Rhino is a melodic rock band from Hyde Park, New York consisting of Joe Cutrera - Vocals, Arthur Papanastasiou - Guitar, Mark Allardyce - Bass, Joe Kelly - Guitar and Mark Massey - Drums. Their debut CD, I Like It, is superb slice of classic rock showcasing the awesome vocals, stellar musicianship and first rate songwriting of the band. It is with great pleasure that we are able to announce that the album will be made available throughout Europe and the Far East in August. Feed The Rhino features ex-Loud And Clear bassist Mark Allardyce and sonically the band has a lot in common with the hughly rated AOR act. Early reactions to the album have been fantastic - "One of the best independent bands to arrive at AOR Underground this year. It kinda reminds me of classic Danger Danger, Bone Machine and Tyketto/Vaughn. With a huge sound, tracks like Breaking Down These Walls, I Like It and Getting It are first rate hard rock songs. With Mark Allardyce from cult rock band Loud SAnd Clear in their ranks, great songs and a superb vocalist in Joe Cutrera, this lot should go far." Rob Evans, Powerplay Magazine. "Singer Joe Cutrera has a tremendous voice very similar to Steve Perry. The funny thing is that some of the members are from Loud And Clear (another great AOR band with the Perry clone Jess Harnell) and now they have this new band with another good singer in the same vein. Life is strange but oh so nice! I LIKE IT-I LIKE IT-I LIKE IT just like the title...." Melodic.net. "There are some seriously glorious tracks here especially the huge Journey inspired ballad 'Breaking Down These Walls'. The vocals from frontman Joe Cutrera are smooth and silky right up there with the likes of Steve Perry and Kevin Chalfant of The Storm. 'I Like It' is a little like Lillian Axe and Loud 'N' Clear, 'Getting It' is a fantastic upbeat catchy melodic rocker. It's scary how close Cutrera's voice comes close to Tyketto's Danny Vaughn on this track, pure catchy melodic rock bliss...utterly awesome, the heat is definitely on." AOR Dreamzones Millenium`s new CD Jericho will be previewed at the following album release parties in Germany - 16.07.2004 Garage, München; 16.07.2004 Logan's, Coburg; 23.07.2004 Rockclub U2, Ingolstadt; 24.07.2004 Rockfabrik, Ludwigsburg; 30.07.2004 Parkhaus, Duisburg (Germany). For updates / further info check out the Now & Then website at <a href="http://www.nowandthen.co.uk" target="new">www.nowandthen.co.uk</a>, email us at <a href="mailto:info@nowandthen.co.uk">info@nowandthen.co.uk</a>. DAVE MUSTAINE ON MEGADETH: One of the most groundbreaking, electrifying, and provocative bodies of work in the history of heavy rock is about to be re-unleashed upon the public in all its blazing glory. Seven albums by pioneering metal band Megadeth, along with a new, never-before-heard version of a Megadeth-related side project, arrive on July 27th. Founder, singer, guitarist, and primary songwriter Dave Mustaine spent months remixing, remastering, restoring--and in some cases reconstructing--the band's catalog to bring it as close to his original vision as possible. With each album packed with unreleased tracks, demos and alternate mixes, along with painfully honest liner notes from the iconoclastic Mustaine, these are the definitive editions of Megadeth's musical legacy. "I have finally gotten to go back and make everything that I was hearing in my head available to the fans, so that they can experience the songs the way that I feel they truly are in my soul," says Mustaine about his massive project on Capitol Records. "Some of the songs just didn't turn out the way that I wanted them to when they were first made, due to money restrictions, technology limitations and so on. I believe now that there is nothing standing in the way of what I felt when I wrote these songs and how you will be able to hear them." Megadeth was formed in 1983, shortly after California native Mustaine parted ways with Metallica. "When I first started the group, I wanted to form a band because I was very bitter about being fired (from Metallica) and my fuel was revenge," says the bracingly candid musician. "I went from playing music for fun as a kid to playing music for payback. I didn't really care who was in the group; I just had something I wanted to accomplish. I was not going to be looked upon as someone who wasn't good enough." With something to prove, Mustaine initially set out to create the heaviest metal band ever. Beginning with the band's 1985 debut album, Killing Is My Business…And Business Is Good!, and evolving through a shifting series of lineups, Megadeth crafted a dynamic, intelligent style that combined the aggressiveness of thrash metal, the improvisational nature of jazz, and cynical, articulate, politically-charged lyrics into an innovative mix that built a rabid worldwide following. Several early albums--including 1986's classic Peace Sells…But Who's Buying? and the masterful 1990 release, Rust In Peace--solidified the band's underground metal fanbase. In 1992, Megadeth busted out into the mainstream with their fifth album, Countdown To Extinction, which debuted on the Billboard Top 200 album chart at Number Two and went on to sell over two million copies in the U.S. alone. 1994's Youthanasia followed with a Number Four debut, while '97's Cryptic Writings yielded four Top 20 hits at rock radio, including Trust and Almost Honest (all of the Megadeth albums were certified gold, while So Far…, Rust In Peace and Youthanasia were also platinum-selling). By the time of 1999's Risk, however, which featured a pop slant unheard on previous Megadeth recordings, Mustaine himself began to grow disillusioned with the band's direction and the music industry. 2001 saw a return to the band's heavier roots on The World Needs A Hero, but a year later, a freak injury Mustaine fell asleep on his arm, causing nerve damage--forced the singer and guitarist to put his career and Megadeth on hiatus, while reassessing both. Part of that reassessment involved the band's Capitol Records back catalog, which began with their second album, Peace Sells…But Who's Buying? "A while ago, I had heard that the Beatles, when they renewed their deal with Capitol, they had an opportunity to fix all the mistakes that they had ever had, even down to little typos in the liner notes," explains Mustaine. "I don't know how much of that is true, but I always had the desire to make So Far, So Good…So What! (1988) sound good ever since it came out, because I wasn't really happy with it. I just wanted all of them to sound good." Mustaine's first foray into the restoration business was that debut Megadeth effort, Killing Is My Business…, a job he now says "wasn't as hard as these other ones were." For the rest, what Mustaine thought would be a fairly straightforward task of some remixing and sonic polishing turned into a major salvage operation. "We had to get all the tapes from Capitol. They basically took the master tapes and put them on a hard drive, from which I did everything with Pro Tools in a recording studio in the Tempe area called Phase Four. When I opened up Peace Sells…But Who's Buying?, the amount of work that needed to be done to get everything up to speed was reasonable. Certain dynamics on tracks needed to be fixed and so forth, but it was in pretty good shape. "Then we got to So Far, So Good…So What!, which was recorded on AGFA tape," Mustaine continues. "AGFA had a bad run of tape at one point, and naturally, I got a bad run of tape from those guys. So when they tried to transfer the music from the tapes in storage in New Jersey onto the drive for us, nothing showed up. The guy who was in charge of the transfer called me up and said the top of the tape had this white powder all over it, and I asked, 'Well, was it coke?' And he said no, the tape had disintegrated. So we went into the studio, and I had to literally take every single note from every single instrument throughout the record and fix everything with ProTools." So Far… might have required the biggest overhaul, but every album needed a fair amount of work and, in some cases, even some re-recording. "You know, it wasn't really hard when I first opened up the very first drive to roll up my sleeves and think, 'This is gonna be great,'" Mustaine says now. "But as the project rolled on and the difficulties started to accumulate, I began to get a little nervous. When I got to stuff like 'Take No Prisoners' (from Rust In Peace), and it was two o'clock in the morning and we find out that the vocal track is gone, I was pretty freaked out." The most extensive revision didn't involve a Megadeth album at all. However, in its new form, The Craving comes closer to a true Megadeth effort than it did before. If that title doesn't quite ring a bell, it's because it was recorded in 1996 under the name MD.45, a side project formed by Mustaine and ex-Fear vocalist Lee Ving. But when Mustaine inspected the original multi-track recordings, he discovered that Ving's vocal tracks and harmonica parts were missing. So he took the unprecedented step of re-singing all the vocals himself, as well as simulating the harmonica on a guitar. The result is a new album in many ways. "I'm the most excited about MD.45," enthuses Mustaine. "When it first came out, a lot of people were really disappointed in it because they loved the playing, but they didn't like Lee. I still think Lee's amazing, but I've done something that I believe has made The Craving really credible. I'm really, really looking forward to seeing how the public responds to that." The results across the board, on all eight albums, are impressive. Later efforts like Risk benefit from Mustaine's ruthless stripping of the pop elements, giving the album a harder, truer sound, but it's the earlier efforts like Peace Sells… and So Far… that benefit the most. There's no question, with the sounds refurbished and maximized, that this was an undeniably powerful and lethal band, fully deserving their status as one of the most influential metal acts of the last twenty years. And Megadeth's work is not finished. His arm healed, Mustaine began itching to play again. With drummer Vinnie Colaiuta and bassist Jimmy Sloas, he recently completed work on the first all-new Megadeth album in three years. A bruising sample track, Kick The Chair, leaked online by Mustaine, portends great things. "I think that it has come full circle back to the aggressive, political cynical lyrics and aggressive guitar riffing that I am famous--or infamous--for," says Mustaine. "I feel something very similar to when I first started out when I hear this new record…it's exciting for me and I can't wait for the public to be able to have this record in their hands." With a new album due in the fall (Sanctuary Records) and the catalog back on July 27th in its ultimate form, Megadeth, in 2004, has come gloriously back to life. --Don Kaye, May 2004 ASIA'S SILENT NATION A WRAP: Work on Asia's upcoming album Silent Nation has been completed, the official track list for the album is: What About Love . Long Way From Home . Midnight . Blue Moon Monday . Silent Nation . Ghost In The Mirror . Gone Too Far . I Will Be There For You . Darkness Day . The Prophet. Keep track of additional information at: <a href="http://www.asiaworld.com" target="new">www.asiaworld.com</a>.  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#8080c0" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#8080c0"> <div align="center">Tuesday, July 06, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> TOMMY DENANDER'S TOTO ROAD TRIP: Tommy Denander recently hooked up with the boys of Toto on a short roadtrip. He was kind enough to put some of those details down in a e-mail for me. And it goes like this.... "The road trip was killer!!!! Here's an exclusive report plus update about my DVD. I've known the Toto guys since 1987 and until i got very sick in 1993 I met them tons of times and saw them live some 50-60 times around the world. But I hadn't seen them in about 12 years and during that time i also had a fall out with Luke for 4-5 years and I've known Bobby for 7-8 years but had never met him at all, I saw him with Toto live in 1982 but didn't meet any of them then. We had plans to go to Denmark for the Midfyn Festival and meet them there for a couple of days but since it was cancelled and they got booked to play this very rare club gig in Malmoe Sweden it just made it easier. Me and my girlfriend Cecilia had a really cool road trip for 5 days starting on Wednesday last week when we traveled by train with Pierre Wensberg (Prisoner) from Stockholm to Gothenburg where we spent a lovely day meeting my buddies at Sunday Music who I've done lot's of work for including Last Autumn's Dream that they wrote and produced. That night we had a lovely dinner with Jim Jidhed and his wife Marie before checking into a nice hotel. The next day we met up with my crazy brother Sayit at the central station where he came back from another tour in Norway with Geir Ronning (Prisoner, Rainmaker), also meeting us were Jamie Meyer (Popstars, Deacon Street) and our friend Axel, we all drove down to Malmoe together which is an 3 hour drive. Of course I was in charge of getting our Toto passes for the night so I went in alone and just as I entered the stage area the guys were about to start soundcheck and also practice a little since they had a brand new set of old classic to play and needed to work out a few minor details. Luke saw me first and to my nice surprise ran down to give me a big hug, it was very nice to see each other again cause in the last year we've become very close again, better friends than ever i dare to say! At the same time Mr. Kimball walks around the corner and I get this weird feeling of finding my lost brother after 10 years haha....we just looked at each other for 5 seconds before we gave each other a big hug....and no this wasn't a gay meeting! haha It's strange when you know somebody as good as Bobby and i do and still haven't met cause the first few minutes feel really weird but yet familiar. The person I've actually been closest too in Toto is actually Mike so it was very nice to meet again of course. It was a rare treat to hear them soundcheck and also rehearse certain parts like this, very lose and professional but always funny as hell with Luke never missing a chance to be cool goofball he is haha. I spent an hour and a half with them making sure we had all the passes etc but also setting up for the main reason i was there...to film with them for my Radioactive DVD!!! After that i took Cecilia and my friends to dinner while the band got ready, my good friend Dag Finn from Sha-Boom flew down as well and joined us. The show was one of the best I've ever seen with Toto, just to hear Only The Children as opener and then true to original versions of Angel Don't Cry, Carmen, These Chains, Good For You (my favorite of the night), Girl Goodbye, Gypsy Train and so on...the band played and sang great!!!! It was also really nice to meet a few fans and of course my friends from the AORmusic.com site!! After the show we got invited to a private little party with the band where my main focus was to get the filming done as quick as possible. Even though Luke didn't play on the first Radioactive album he was scheduled to do so and i wanted him to be in the DVD anyway...just cause he's been such a major influence on me as a player and of course since he is such a nice friend. We spoke and joked for some 10 minutes on camera and somehow most of it will end up in the DVD! Then i sat down with Mike and Bobby for another 10 minutes and for the most part spoke about how we worked on the album and it came out great as well. Greg Phillinganes is subbing for Paich during the first part of this tour and it was very nice meeting him since we've known each other thru e-mails and phone only, he played on the album as well and sat down and spoke for a while about what he could remember of it haha....Sayit did a great job filming all of this so thanks mate! In all and completely wonderful evening of great music and lovely friends. We drove back to Gothenburg and got there very early in the morning. After a few hours of sleep at Sayit's place me and Cecilia met up with Jim Jidhed again to celebrate midsummer (and wonderful Swedish holiday that's only beaten by Christmas here) at his home with his family and friends. We also met up with our mutual friend Stefan Andersson who lives close to him, Stefan is a very well known Swedish artist and a great guy. The road trip ended with a train ride back to Stockholm where we spent a day and a half just relaxing and watched Sweden get beaten by Holland in the soccer cup....damn you Dutch bastards!!! haha...kidding. After having been seriously ill for more than 10 years and really enjoying life to it's fullest now. The Radioactive DVD is FINALLY in the last stages and will be ready by early September....besides the stuff i filmed with Toto i also met Randy Goodrum a couple of weeks and filmed some great stuff so I can promise a VERY cool DVD documentary for all fans of me, Toto and the whole LA and Nashville session scene. Cheers, Tommy" THE ULTIMATE LINER NOTES FOR SURVIVOR CD: The very cool Survivor compilation The Ultimate Survivor is released next week in the US. Thanks to BMG, I have an excerpt from the CD liner notes. This particular passage talking about the classic ballad The Search Is Over: Jim Peterik, on Jimi Jamison: "It's pretty shocking when you hear him for the first time. Just the sound of his voice is so beautiful and he never sounds like he's straining on the high notes. As a songwriter, it s a dream come true because I knew that if I delivered a melody, he could handle it. The first time we showed him The Search Is Over, I had it in E flat and he tried it out and he was straining just a little bit on the chorus. And I immediately said, well let's put it in D. And his quote was, Hey, give half a man a chance! (laughs). He said, put it back up to E flat, and this time he hit every note perfect. I learned my lesson with Jimi. You could write em high he'll do it." Jimi Jamison, on Ron Nevison: "Ron was a great producer and such a great guy. It's hard to get to know him at first, though. He's hard nosed. You've got to be as good as he is or he won't respect you. When we did Search Is Over, Ron ran everybody out of the studio. We had a couple glasses of Pouilly-Fuisse wine, and he said, go out there and sing it. So I went out and did it once, and he said do it one more time. I sang it again, and we were getting a bit tipsy. I came into the control room and he s got tears running down his face. That's Ron Nevison doing this!" Frankie Sullivan, on the writing of the song: "The second verse is a dummy lyric. I'm the dummy that kinda wrote the second lyric. [Jim] goes, the second verse lyrics, they have "Can we last forever, will we fall apart . . ." I go look, it rhymes, we'll just use it for now. We weren't around and Ron was doing vocals, and Jamo could sing the Yellow Pages. They just said F--k it sing! The day it went number one, I called Jim up and said, boy, that lyric really ruined that song (laughs). And you know, what's a dummy lyric? After I heard it a couple of times, I said I think that s a great lyric."   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="199" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/survivor-ultimate.jpg" width="200" /></div> ROCK OPERA IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA: In the same genre as Jesus Christ Superstar and Tommy comes Destiny Faire, an all new original rock opera starring some of California's finest singers including Dale Anthony, John & Holly Bisaha and Michael O'Mara (from the rock band Talon). The live performance focuses on the sleepy seaport village of Destiny Faire, which has withstood a three-year drought. In spite of the economic hardships, the townspeople have remained harmonious in their daily relationships. Harmonious, that is, until they are visited by the curator of all evil, the Captain of the Spirit Ship. This show is a must for all rock music fans. The entire show's backdrop will be a six piece rock band with full production and great songs. You can see the live stage show on Saturday, July 24th at the California Center for the Arts in Escondido. For tickets log on to <a href="http://www.ticketmaster.com" target="new">www.ticketmaster.com</a> and do a search for Destiny Faire. But please hurry, due to popular demand tickets are going fast!! AN UPDATE FROM WALTHAM: A note from Mike of Waltham - the guys are busy writing and demoing new material, amongst other things. Mike writes: "We've been really busy lately. We're in a movie/documentary called "America's Heart & Soul" (<a href="http://disney.go.com/disneypictures/heartandsoul/flash.html" target="new">disney.go.com/disneypictures/heartandsoul/flash.html</a>) which should get us to even more audiences (hopefully). We're also about to have Permission To Build re-released through a small label nationwide/worldwide to coincide with the movie release (on July 2nd). Hopefully a tour will follow. And all this while we're trying to write and record some new material!" REO SPEEDWAGON'S ESSENTIAL RELEASE: Kevin Cronin has posted some new info about a new REO Speedwagon CD that EPIC/Legacy will be releasing called Essential REO Speedwagon on his website, <a href="http://KevinCronin.com" target="new">KevinCronin.com</a>, as well as info about the All-new studio CD REO will be working on this fall/winter in LA. Check it out here: <a href="http://www.kevincronin.com/newsletter.htm" target="new">www.kevincronin.com/newsletter.htm</a>. From the KC Newsletter; "The Essential REO Speedwagon is a double CD. There is an unreleased version of "Son of a Poor Man", fifteen hundred words of liner notes, written by guess who, and some cool old band photos. It is sequenced in chronological order, so you can see how we attempted to suck a little less on each successive record...er, I mean how our sound evolved as we grew tighter, both musically and emotionally. Either way, I find this thing rather fun to listen to. I am not certain of the release date, actually I have no clue. But I'm guessing some time in August. We will let you know. KC" Also, REO Speedwagon, Journey and Styx will perform aboard Carnival's Triumph cruise ship during a 7-day Caribbean cruise! This exciting rock n' roll cruise sets sail from Miami on November 27, 2004. Ports of call include Cozumel, Mexico; Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands; and Ocho Rios, Jamaica! For more information, click here: <a href="http://www.rrholidayescape.com" target="new">www.rrholidayescape.com</a>. THE JETS SCREAMING BACK TO ACTION: Hot from playing to packed rooms in Sydney and Melbourne during April, their first tour since the band's two year hiatus between 2002 to 2004, Australia's hard rocking Screaming Jets have just finished recording their new independent release Reputation (MGM). Produced by Steve James, the upcoming five track disc features songs recently road tested and selected from nine new tracks. The single Heart Of The Matter is due out the first week of August to coincide with the much anticipated release of the Jets DVD Hits and Pieces (BMG), described by Dave Gleeson as "a document of stuff we've done, as well as all our clips over the years some of the rock moments are f#*kin classic!" The two releases will be backed up by an East Coast tour late July to October and the DVD will be available from July 19. MRCD2 HELP: And a note about MelodicRock.com CD2 - plans are coming along and I am close to locking in a final track listing. But I have a song here that I can't identify - and I really want to use it! It's called 405 and is a light and breezy Westcoast pop/rock ballad...if that sounds familiar, please put me out of my misery and <a href="mailto:ajm@melodicrock.com">e-mail!</a>  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#8fcc20" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#8fcc20"> <div align="center">Monday, July 05, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> MTM CLASSIX ANNOUNCES ANNICA RELEASE: Badly Dreaming was the title of the first and only album released by the Finnish artist Annica Viclund. For the time being, it was only released on vinyl. Being a fan of bands like Van Halen, David Lee Roth, Dio or Havana Black, it was clear for Annica to devote herself to rock music. So, an album in the vein of late 80's hard rock was created. Annica impresses the listener with her strong, expressive and husky voice. All songs and lyrics on Badly Dreaming were almost solely penned by Annica herself. Later, the album was released on CD but it was only available for a short time and in very limited quantity. Fans from all over the world paid lots of money to get hold of a copy, which was mostly sold on internet auctions. Now, Badly Dreaming will finally be re-released - fully digitally remastered and including 5 bonus Tracks taken off the very rare album by Annica's later band Pink Flamingo. The release is scheduled for August, 16th, 2004 and the album is only available through <a href="http://www.musicbuymail.com/" target="new">www.musicbuymail.com</a>. NELSON'S GREATEST & LATEST: A small update on the forthcoming August Japanese release for Nelson's Greatest Hits. The pre-release information stated that these are re-recorded versions by the original line-up. I have been able to confirm one bit of information - it certainly isn't the very original line-up of the band - guitarist Brett Garsed, who was part of that line-up confirmed to me that he has no knowledge of this release and certainly hasn't worked with the band since the original days. But there is a track listing now available. It is: Love And Affection . After The Rain . More Than Ever . Only Time Will Tell . Won't Walk Away . Keep One Heart . A Girl Like That . Cross My Broken Heart . Tell Me . Do You Believe In Religion? . Too Many Dreams . It's Judgment Day (New Bonus Track) . Invincible (New Bonus Track) . Say It Isn't So (Bonus Track) . Just Once More (Bonus Track). BRING ON IRON HORSE'S NEW RELEASE: The title says it all - Bring It On. Ron Keel & IronHorse are ready for anything and everything, back in the saddle with a new CD that promises to thoroughly entertain an audience as diverse as the music this disc contains, while shifting the band's career into high gear. This 12-song collection covers a lot of ground carving a unique niche for this act best labeled as Hard Rockin' Southern Country Metal. The new disc comes in the form of an Enhanced CD, featuring 12 audio tracks, plus two music videos and interview footage that can be viewed on your computer. IronHorse has signed with the Compendia Music Group, the official release date being locked in for September 21. Excellent distribution through Koch Entertainment ensures the disc will be available in major retail outlets, including Wal-Mart stores, Kmart, Best Buy, Musicland, Transworld, Barnes & Noble and Borders Books. It will be sold through all major Internet sites such as Amazon.com and CD Now, and will be available for download at iTunes. The disc will be available on the band's web sites <a href="http://www.ironhorseband.com" target="new">www.ironhorseband.com</a>, and <a href="http://www.ronkeel.com" target="new">www.ronkeel.com</a>, beginning July 12. The bulk of the tracks were produced, recorded, and mixed by Kevin Beamish, who has numerous platinum and gold releases under his belt in several musical genres, making him the ideal choice to record the new IronHorse music. His accomplishments include REO Speedwagon's High Infidelity (15 million sold) as well as classic albums by Saxon ("Crusader 2 million sold), Michael Schenker, Y&T, and Ron's previous band Keel he produced Rock & Roll Outlaw for the "Dudes" Movie Soundtrack. The music videos contained on the CD were filmed, directed, and edited by Peter Lippman, who directed the classic KEEL videos Tears Of Fire and Because The Night. The Best Move was filmed in the studio during the recording sessions; "American Thunder" was filmed during the band's headline performance at Texas Motor Speedway in September 2003. Bring It On, the new release from IronHorse. Get ready for one hell of a ride. MILLENIUM'S RALPH MOVES CAMP: This in from Ralph Santolla - I'm printing it, as it came directly from him on Friday, but I remain surprised.... "Hello everyone. I have decided to leave Iced Earth. There are several reasons for this decision, and for the moment I will keep them to myself. The other guys know my reasons, and hopefully this won't turn into a public pissing match. On the other hand, if it does, at least execution by musketry has gone out of style. I made some great friends, played some great , albeit difficult (!) metal tunes ,and learned a lot from the experience. Whatever anyone else says about Jon, he IS a phenomenal rhythm guitarist. On a different note, I am the new lead guitarist for Sebastian Bach. We start playing July 22nd, and I can't wait. We'll do a new album later this year, so look for that, and I hope to see some of the cool people I met on tour with I.E. at some of these gigs. I am also in talks with Steve DiGiorgio, Gene Hoaglan, and Tom Englund from Evergrey about making an epic, orchestral metal album called "ex Cathedra". More on this later...Ralph." SITE UPDATES: <a href="mr-x/index.html">MR-X</a> has been updated - online now are a few new MP3 goodies. Members will have to log in to find out just what! There are also new videos online. Featured this week are: Arcade - Nothing To Lose, Bad Company - Shake It Up, Bad Moon Rising - Belligerent Stance, Faster Pussycat - You're So Vain, Firehouse - Reach For The Sky and FM - Someday. <a href="releasedates.html">CD Release Dates</a> has been updated. Check out the updated listing. <a href="reviews/reviews.html">New Reviews</a> are online now! At your leisure, check out new reviews for Heart, Frontline, Jeff Scott Soto (EP), Human Temple, Token, War & Peace, Spin The Bottle (Kiss Tribute), Bill Leverty and Dead Heart Beating. The interactive <a href="reviews/featurereview.html">Feature Reviews</a> forum has been updated. You can now add your own reviews for: Heart / Jupiter's Darling; Frontline / The Seventh Sign; Dokken / Hell To Pay; War & Peace / These Walls Have Eyes; Stan Bush / Shine; Ten / Return To Evermore; Avril Lavigne / Under My Skin; Voodoo Hill / Wild Seed Of Mother Earth.  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#008080" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#008080"> <div align="center">Friday, July 02, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> MTM SIGN SWEDEN'S NIGHTVISION: MTM Music have signed Swedish rock band Nightvision. Nightvision has been writing songs and have rocked a lot of souls on local pubs n´ bars since the start of 2001. Peter Högberg on vocals is very much influenced by Ray Gillen-Badlands. By the rest of the members you can hear a lot of Zakk Wylde, John Bonham, John Lord etc… The members of Nightvision has also played in many different constellations of bands before, like rock-pop-blues and of course hard rock. Style wise the band delivers songs in a mix between Pink Cream 69, Ozzy, Magnum etc… Songs like Soldier Of A Dark Land, Enemy Lines and Thin Line Between Love n' Hate are some of the heavy melodic songs on the coming debut album coming soon. And news from 707's Kevin Russell - "MTM Music & GB Music will announce soon that 707 will have two releases coming this fall. The long awaited record The Bridge will finally be out in September (on MTM) - it will also contain 'bonus tracks"....followed by 707 Live Gems recorded from the bands various tours (on GB Music.) There has been offers for a 707 "fly's again tour" this fall across the US as part of a "classic rock tour package...". The boys in 707 have been discussing plans with fellow bands, agents & managers...we'll keep you posted on that as it develops." AOR HEAVEN GO DIGITAL FOR THIER LABEL RELEASES: The new age of legal downloads on the world wide web has begun and the currently changing market also changes the rules of music distribution. AOR Heaven are happy to announce the signing of a worldwide co-operation deal with Humbucker Music on the online distribution field! This agreement will guarantee the online availability of the whole back catalogue of the label (including the sublabel Metal Heaven) for legal download on various major internet platforms all over the world - incl. AOL (<a href="http://musikdownloads.aol.de" target="new">musikdownloads.aol.de</a>), Musicload (<a href="http://www.musicload.de" target="new">www.musicload.de</a>), Bild (<a href="http://bto.musicload.de" target="new">bto.musicload.de</a>), CTS Eventim (<a href="http://www.eventim-music.de">www.eventim-music.de</a>), Popfile (<a href="http://www.popfile.de" target="new">www.popfile.de</a>), RTL (<a href="http://rtl.musicload.de" target="new">rtl.musicload.de</a>), WOM (<a href="http://www.wom.de" target="new">www.wom.de</a>) and many more to come soon. Files for all songs of all AOR Heaven's artists are currently being uploaded and should be fully available for download within the next weeks. Through this modern and currently increasing distribution method, music fans in the future will get global access to a massively growing, huge database of songs for legal download and therefore will be able to compile their own CDs with own track lists or to buy whole albums in MP3 format for a reasonable price. SAMMY HAGAR GETS HIP FOR NEW COMPILATION: The release of Sammy Hagar's latest Best Of compilation may be out of his hands, but at least the he worked closely with the label and put some work into the release to make it as good as it possibly could be. Good move Sammy. This is the track listing for the upcoming The Essential Red Collection release, out August 10 on Universal's Hip-O label: Bad Motor Scooter - Montrose . Thinking Of You (pre-Capitol demo) . Call My Name (pre-Capitol demo) . Red . I've Done Everything For You (Rare studio version) . Heavy Metal - from the soundtrack Heavy Metal . I'll Fall In Love Again . There's Only One Way To Rock . Fast Times At Ridgemont High - from the Fast Times At Ridgemont High soundtrack . Your Love Is Driving Me Crazy . Two Sides Of Love . I Can't Drive 55 . The Girl Gets Around - from the Footloose soundtrack . Winner Takes It All - from the Over The Top soundtrack . Give To Live . Eagles Fly . High Hopes . Little White Lie . Marching To Mars . Mas Tequila. NEW RHINO BUCKET ONLINE FOR SAMPLING: Rhino Bucket has released an exclusive new music video via their website at <a href="http://www.rhinobucket.com" target="new">www.rhinobucket.com</a> entitled She Rides. Live footage of the video was filmed at a recent gig at Rooster's Roadhouse in Alameda, California and also features some skateboarding clips courtesy of Faster Skateboards. The band is currently working on tracks for an upcoming album to include new tunes such as Hammer & Nail, Smile, Word and Bust it Up. Often compared to old school AC/DC, Rhino Bucket's new tunes is guaranteed to set them apart as a solid, back to basics rock n' roll band that the music scene is sorely lacking. Rhino Bucket is currently scheduled to appear at Rooster's Roadhouse again on July 17,2004 and at the Hard Rock Café in Universal City, California on August 22, 2004. To find out more updates, stop by the band's website and also their street team, THE R.O.S.T.'s website at <a href="http://www.rhinobucketstreetteam.com" target="new">www.rhinobucketstreetteam.com</a>. UPDATE TO COME: Lots of page updates due next week - stay tuned. New reviews online Monday.  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#0000a0" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#0000a0"> <div align="center">Wednesday, June 30, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> JEAN BEAUVOIR PLAYS CHAMELEON ON NEW SOLO RELEASE: Jean Beauvoir, prolific artist of Plasmatics, Voodoo X, Little Steven and Crown Of Thorns fame is to release his first real solo album in years on Frontiers Records and ulfTone music. Entitled Chameleon, Beauvoir could not have found a more fitting title. As diverse as the artist himself, this album features Beauvoir stepping effortlessly over stylistical borders without ever missing a beat. From the opening chords of the Lionel Richie co-write I Wanna Know (incl. excerpt of "You") to the closing lines of Angel, Beauvoir touches the limits of musical imagination whilst retaining his strongest blessing writing hook lines that are catchy without losing depth. After having focused on hard rock material with his own band Crown Of Thorns, this album brings back the Beauvoir that had worldwide #1 success with the single Feel The Heat and the successive album Drums Along The Mohawk and that wrote countless hits for artists as diverse as KISS, The Ramones (including the single off the movie School Of Rock), N-Sync and many others; this time mixing it with state-of-the-art production and remarkable diversity in the songwriting. Jean Beauvoir is definitely back full strength with Chameleon which includes the following tracks <a href="http://www.frontiers.it/JB-IWanna%20Know.mp3">I Wanna Know</a> (incl. excerpt from You) (click on the song title to hear an mp3 sample); <a href="http://www.frontiers.it/JB-Higher.mp3">Higher</a> (click on the song title to hear an mp3 sample); I Don't Need Ya; Where The River Runs Deep; I Want To Lay Here; Something To Believe In; Even More; Addicted To Us; <a href="http://www.frontiers.it/JB-DyingEnd.mp3">Dying End</a> (click on the song title to hear an mp3 sample); Teenager; Amazing; Angel. Who knows, maybe Chameleon will bring the long-awaited success that peers and fans have been knowing should have happened all along... Release date is scheduled for August 30 on Frontiers Records worldwide, except for Germany, Austria and Switzerland where the release will be handled via ulfTone Music/Edel.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/jeanbeauvoir-chameleon.jpg" width="219" />xx<img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/jeanbeauvoir-2004.jpg" width="179" /></div> PULSE WORLDS APART WITH MTM: As announced earlier, Pulse have signed to MTM Music for the release of their new album World's Apart. From MTM: Pulse mainman Vince O'Regan came to prominence playing in Magnum vocalist Bob Catley's solo band, playing on all tours since 2000 & the highly acclaimed When Empires Burn album. One of the most striking elements of the Pulse material is the superb vocalist Simon Abbotts. Following the release of the debut album, the band quickly set the standard on the live circuit with appearances opening for Company Of Snakes, Toby Jepson (Little Angels) and appearing at the prestigious Gods Of AOR festivals in both 2001 and 2002. The new album Worlds Apart (produced by Vince) sees the band adapt a stronger guitar feel, with the silky vocals of Abbotts and memorable keyboard lines which makes the album so memorable. Joining Vince & Simon in the studio for the new album are Andy Mills on bass and Scott Barrow on drums. Worlds Apart is a classic slice of pure british AOR in the vein of vigilante era Magnum, Heartland, Atlantic and early Dare. The new album is expected for a September release. AND THE WINNER IS...: You might heard about the contest by Music Buy Mail between June 1 and June 20, 2004, to win a trip to the Deep Impact Open Air Festival, taking place in Munich (Germany) July 24, 2004. The lucky winner is Richard Foster from the United Kingdom! Congratulations! You won a flight ticket to Munich, hotel expenses, a festival ticket plus backstage pass! Top acts playing at the DEEP IMPACT Open Air Festival in Munich include (<a href="http://www.deep-impact2004.de" target="new">www.deep-impact2004.de</a>) Gotthard, TNT, Primal Fear, Dare, Kingdom Come and Fate. CHINESE DEMOCRACY FOR LAST QUARTER 2004?: I've received word from a source that Universal Music is currently looking at a fourth quarter release for the long awaited, long delayed Guns N Roses opus Chinese Democracy. The source states: "As far as I know the album is complete, but Axl is still holding up it's release." Time will tell... NIGHT RANGER'S FITZ ON LOAN TO VAN HALEN: I ran news of Night Ranger currently using the services of Great White's Michael Lardie on keyboards in replacement of band regular Alan Fitzgerald. Well, the move isn't permanent and I wasn't sure at the time, but I confirmed Alan is again currently on loan to Van Halen as they work their way through their current tour. This is not the first time Fitz has been used by the band - he has been positioned behind the stage on at least 2 previous tours in the Sammy Hagar era. Night Ranger frontman Jack Blades confirmed this today for me. Jack says: "Yeah, Fitz is out with Van Halen on their tour and Michael is our guy..." Jack also confirmed the dates for the TMG tour of Japan - it runs July 29 thru Sept 7. TWO FROM THE VAULTS: Two archive releases coming up from Rick Springfield. Traders of 10th generation VHS tapes will be pleased to learn that his classic 1982 concert Live & Kickin' is to be released on DVD on August 3. The set list and track listing for the DVD is: Kristina . The Light Of Love . Love Is Alright Tonight . Everybody's Girl . I Get Excited . Just One Kiss . What Kind Of Fool Am . Calling All Girls . Inside Sylvia . April 24, 1981 . Carry Me Away . Red Hot and Blue Love . Don't talk To Strangers . Jessie's Girl . I've Done Everything For You. And the soundtrack to the 70's TV show Mission Magic is finally being released on CD July 13. Rick composed music for the show - the double LP set was originally released in 1974. The track listing is: We're Gonna Have A Good Time . It's Driving Me Crazy . Free And Easy . You Can Really Do It (If You Try) . On The Other Side . You Can't Judge A Book . Love Is The Key . You'd Better Think Twice . Welcome To The Rodeo . I Want You . Just Gotta Sing . If We Help One Another . Starlight, Starbright . Catch Me If You Can . I Know That It's Magic . Theme From Mission Magic . Speak To The Sky - (Bonus Track).   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/rickspringfield-aliveandkickin.jpg" width="143" />xx<img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/rickspringfield-missionmagic.jpg" width="215" /></div> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#008000" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#008000"> <div align="center">Tuesday, June 29, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> MELODICROCK.COM CD VOLUME 2 - FIRST DETAILS!: I am very pleased to announce initial details for the second MelodicRock.com CD Compilation! Planning for the disc has been underway on and off since the completion of the first volume, but has recently intensified as final arrangements fall into place. If all goes to plan, the CD will be finalized by the end of July and a pre-sale campaign can commence August 1st. The CD should then be ready for shipping September 1. Once again, only 1000 will be printed and once they are sold out, they are gone for good. Full details of the CD will come to light shortly as I lock in the final artists, but what better time than to announce a few plans? This time around something a little different – a 2 Disc set! Disc One will feature mostly familiar names in melodic rock circles; Disc Two will feature mostly less known names – some new up and coming talent and some unsigned talent. Over the two discs you will be treated to some of the best music available – as covered by this site. There is quite a diverse variation of music on offer, from an acoustic ballad to straight ahead hard rock and metal, mixed with some lush AOR and melodic rock tracks and even a couple of nu-breed rockers for good measure. I have to say that the overall vibe of the main disc is pretty rocking. It's heavier and darker than the first compilation and features some great classic melodic hard rock. Even the AOR artists included are featuring some rocking tunes. Now to some of the artists… I am very excited to announce that the Riverdogs will debut a brand new track on this compilation! I've heard from Paul Liszewski of Pure Music, (Riverdogs management) that Melodicrock.com will have use of one of the first tracks for the 2004 compilation CD. Original band members Rob Lamothe, Vivian Campbel, Nick Brophy and Marc Danzeisen are all involved in the project. I am also very pleased to announce the return of Mass! The classic American hard rock outfit is back together and has been recording new material all year. The guys will debut their new material on the compilation via a hard rocking track titled Empty Soul. More news on the guys shortly. The compilation will also preview the first brand new solo material from Push frontman Martie Peters! Martie is finishing up work on his debut solo album and the original mix of one of his brand new songs will appear on the CD. Dare I say that the track – The Beast Inside - is quite a stunning track! Talon and Teer will both give very early previews of brand new tracks from album's that will appear from the guys (most likely) early next year. Fans of Dogface will be excited to learn guitarist/composer Martin Kronlund has been busy writing new songs for a third Dogface album, as well as two other projects. One is titled Gipsy Rose and they will also make their debut on this compilation with a great classic melodic rocker titled Promise To Stay. Final Frontier are a popular band with fans of pure AOR and I'm pleased to say that an unreleased uptempo rocker called Borrowed Time will be featured on this CD. Danny Danzi and Johnny Lima are two popular characters of the melodic scene and I couldn't feature one without the other. Danny has delivered a fabulous uptempo guitar driven instrumental and Johnny will debut a track from his current sessions – re-recording his long out of print solo album. Fans of Made In California will love Little Runaway (2004). The partnership of vocalist Johnny Gioeli and Japanese guitarist Jun Senoue are better known as Crush 40. The guys will be featuring a great uptempo rocker titled What I'm Made Of, which was featured on the Japanese only release Sonic Heroes. Shugaazer is the modern rock band that features former Danger Danger frontman Paul Laine. Paul has sent in an exclusive unreleased track from the band, 13th Love Song, which is a great little Beatlesque pop ballad. A couple of familiar names from the last volume are set to make return appearances. I am honored they wished to be part of this once again. Tommy Denander will debut a brand new track - exclusive to this CD only and Mike Tramp will also appear on a previously unreleased track. More details shortly – but let me say that I am packing this CD with as many tracks as will fit on! I have a couple more surprises to announce, but you can also count on seeing Attraction 65, Urban Tale, Gary Moon and Doogie White as part of this compilation. CD2 will feature some great new talent including Australia's best melodic hopes Teargas, Redcircle and Heaven Scent. Lec Zorn will offer another preview of his upcoming album, Suburban Love Junkies will show why they are being head-hunted by major labels and One Short from Canada will show just how good nu-breed can be – especially when you are being produced by Harem Scarem's Pete Lesperance. More details will be announced shortly, but I hope this teaser will wet your appetite for the pre-order! Questions/comments - <a href="mailto:ajm@melodicrock.com?subject=MRCD2">please e-mail</a>. I'll get back to everyone ASAP. JSS IN OZ - TOUR UPDATE: <table> <tbody> <tr> <td><img alt="" height="204" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/jeffscottsoto-oz2004.jpg" width="180" /></td> <td>Time to update everyone on Jeff Scott Soto's Down Under jaunt! Jeff arrives in Australia September 1 for a 2 week stay that takes in live dates in Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Hobart and Melbourne. The full dates are: <div align="center">Australian Tour Dates are as follows: Sydney – Bar Broadway - Thursday, September 2 Sydney – Bar Broadway - Friday, September 3 (Queen Show) Brisbane – Indie Temple – Sunday September 5 Adelaide – Enigma Bar - Thursday, September 9 Hobart – Republic Bar - Saturday, September 11 Hobart – Republic Bar - Sunday, September 12 (Queen Show) Melbourne – Corner Hotel – Tuesday, September 14 (Queen Show) Melbourne – Corner Hotel – Wednesday, September 15 (Solo Show & End Of Tour Party)</div> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> Ticket sale details will be announced very shortly – next week in fact. Final details are being sorted right now. For the cities featuring two shows there will be tickets available for each individual show plus a dual ticket offer. Jeff is bringing his full American band with him and the shows are designed to cover his entire career and blow your minds! I am in the process of lining up a couple of in-store appearances, which will be announced next week also. Jeff will be bringing his full arsenal of merchandise to each and every show! That includes all his CDs and DVDs and Jeff always makes the effort to meet and greet everyone post-show and will sign any merchandise purchased on request. A special bonus for Sydney folks – the solo show will be recorded/filmed! It's not known what will come of this at this early stage, but nevertheless, it is being filmed professionally thanks to a company who has volunteered their services. I am very pleased to announce that the support act for the Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide shows will be Melbourne rockers Teargas. Check the guys out at: <a href="http://www.teargas.com.au" target="new">www.teagas.com.au</a>. The band will also support Brides Of Destruction in Melbourne in August. One last note – the final show of the tour – Melbourne Wednesday September 15 will be a very special gig. We'll call it the end of tour party, so as well as the usual show, you can expect an extended finale that will feature some very special guests! Stay tuned... If anyone has any questions / comments – <a href="mailto:ajm@melodicrock.com?subject=JSS Tour">please e-mail!</a> I will be travelling with the band for the duration of the tour, looking after what needs to be looked after as well as running the merchandise and looking forward to meeting everyone that comes along to support this great tour. More details @ <a href="jeffscottsoto-oz2004.html">The JSS Oz Tour Page</a>. SHORTINO TO PREMIERE LIVE HIS POWERFUL NEW SINGLE FREEDOM: Los Angeles, June 29, 2004: Renowned to many as the outrageous Duke Fame in the quintessential rockumentary This Is Spinal Tap, veteran hard rocker Paul Shortino is best known for his stellar vocal pyrotechnics with Rough Cutt and Quiet Riot. Over the years, he's also won acclaim for a diverse array of independent projects and collaborations, and next week, he'll perform in concert with the blues-fueled rock band Heaven & Earth, whose forthcoming album Screaming For Redemption features Shortino on lead vocals. The special show is part of the 3rd Annual July Fourth Extravaganza at the Valley Cultural Center in Woodland Hills, CA. Shortino and Heaven & Earth are expected to take the stage around 7:30PM, with fireworks following their set (for details, log onto <a href="http://www.valleycultural.org" target="new">www.valleycultural.org</a>). Shortino, with J. T. Garrett, wrote Freedom during sessions for his last album, Paul Shortino's The Cutt: Sacred Place, released in 2002. He ultimately felt the track, a blues & country-influenced rocker, wasn't right for that hard rock tour de force, which Shortino describes as "Plant & Page meet Soundgarden meet Aerosmith." Freedom will instead make its album debut on Paul's next solo CD, currently in progress, and the single—featuring a guitar-driven version plus a take with an added violin track—is available now through <a href="http://www.paulshortino.com" target="new">www.paulshortino.com</a> and <a href="http://www.musicworks1.com" target="new">www.musicworks1.com</a>. Although there are no direct lyrical references, Freedom was originally inspired by the events of September 11th. The heartfelt song is a tribute to the fallen and the heroes from that day, our troops serving around the globe, and the freedom our nation celebrates on Independence Day. Shortino felt that a musical salute to freedom on the 4th of July is the perfect way to honor the American spirit. In addition to recording his own material, Shortino is busy with the production company MusicWorks Entertainment and affiliated label Rock Quarry Records that he recently launched with keyboardist, entrepreneur and longtime friend J.T. Garrett. Rock Quarry's first-ever release, Simplexity, the Shortino-produced debut album from alt-rockers Level, is available now. For more information, log on to <a href="http://www.musicworks1.com" target="new">www.musicworks1.com</a>. Meanwhile - thanks to Paul and co., take a preview list to <a href="audio/PaulShortino-Freedom-Edit.mp3">Freedom</a>!   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="198" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/paulshortino-freedom.jpg" width="200" /></div> SITE UPDATES: New <a href="minibytes.html">Mini-Bytes</a> have been added to the site today for the kick ass debut Tak Matsumoto Group album (featuring Jack Blades and Eric Martin) as well as clips from the debut Billy Klippert album (featuring the guys of Harem Scarem). <a href="#cdshowcase">Showcases</a> have been added for the new MTM Ballads 5 compilation and the re-issue of the classic Fate album A Matter Of Attitude. And three new interviews have been uploaded! Glen Burtnik talks in detail about his epic new album and life in Styx, Stan Bush talks about his new solo album Shine and Jamie Rowe talks about his new band London Calling. <a href="e-interviews.html">Check them all out!</a>  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#804000" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#804000"> <div align="center">Monday, June 28, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> 38 SPECIAL'S DRIVETRAIN SITE LAUNCHED: The revamped 38 Special Drivetrain website is now up and running. Check out a real audio stream of the first single from the album Hurts Like Love. Additionally, the discography section has the new album lyrics online. Check it all out at: <a href="http://www.38special.com" target="new">www.38special.com</a>. LYNCH GETS FURIOUS: A full track listing is now available for the George Lynch covers album Furious George. It goes like: Space Station #5 . Sins A Good Mans Brother . All Along The Watchtower . Stormbringer . I Want You/She's So Heavy . Blood Of The Sun . Bridge Of Sighs . Precious And Grace . I Ain't Superstitious . One Way Or Another . You Shook Me . Dancing Madly Backwards. JOURNEY DAY AT CHICAGO'S WRIGLEY FIELD: Wrigley Field, Home of the Chicago Cubs, will host Journey Day on July 15, 2004! Neal and Jonathan will be performing the National Anthem. Jonathan will throw out the first pitch and also join Steve as they perform Take Me Out to the Ballgame during the seventh inning stretch. WGN will televise this game as the Chicago Cubs take on the Milwaukee Brewers at 7:05 p.m. (USA CDT). NIGHT RANGER LINE-UP CHANGE: Night Ranger has replaced longtime keyboardist Alan Fitzgerald with Great White's Michael Lardie! No reason is known for the switch. The band's current set list from as recently as this week passed is: Sign Of The Times . Sing Me Away . Seven Wishes . Rumours In The Air . Touch Of Madness . Secret Of My Success . Eddies Coming Out . Once Bitten, Twice Shy . Sentimental Street . High Enough (Acoustic) . Goodbye . Four In The Morning . When You Close Your Eyes . Coming Of Age . Don't Tell Me You Love Me . Sister Christian . You Can Still Rock In America.   <table> <tbody> <tr> <td>FIREWORKS MAGAZINE KISSES GENE'S ASS: Fireworks Magazine #16 out this week. Features exclusive interviews with Ten and the reformed Tyketto, as well as Gene Simmons, Heart, WASP, Todd Rundgren, Power Quest, Dragon Force, AdrianGale, Kerry Livgren, Pyramaze and more. Melodic rock fans in the UK should know that the magazine is now available at all 22 Borders stores, as well as selected Virgin and HMV superstores. Information on obtaining subscriptions and single issues can be obtained at: <a href="fireworks.html">www.melodicrock.com/fireworks.html</a>. MAD MARGRITT IN TWO SUPPORT ROLES: Mad Margritt will be opening for Kiss and Poison August 4th at The Hi-Fi Buys Amphitheater in Atlanta, Georgia!!! Tickets for the show are available through Ticket Master (<a href="http://www.ticketmaster.com">www.ticketmaster.com</a>). Mad Margritt will also be opening for Great White July 3rd at The Suncoast Grand Prix Festival in Sarasota, Florida!! Come celebrate Independence Day weekend with Great White and Mad Margritt.</td> <td><img alt="" height="283" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/fireworks16.jpg" width="200" /></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> NEW DOWNLOAD MAGAZINE MAKES ONLINE DEBUT: Antenna presents Antenna Magazine issue # 1 - a print-on-demand .pdf magazine for free. Antenna Magazine # 1 is made available for download now from: <a href="http://www.metal-reference.com/magazine.php" target="new">www.metal-reference.com/magazine.php</a>. Antenna Magazine # 2 is due September 1st ´04. Contents in issue # 1 - 38 pages featuring interviews with Ayreon mastermind Arjen Lucassen as well as four of the vocalists, Blackie Lawless from W.A.S.P, Blaze Bayley & two Mayhem members alongside an article about the best selling hard rock albums in history. DLR SEARCHING TO REVIVE A NEW CAREER: It just keeps getting wackier! From the NY Daily News: <a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/front/story/206086p-177878c.html" target="new">www.nydailynews.com/front/story/206086p-177878c.html</a> Legendary rocker David Lee Roth, the famed front man for the '80s megaband Van Halen, is apparently reinventing himself as an emergency medical technician. The other night at the Four Seasons restaurant, the 48-year-old millionaire musician revealed to dinner companions that he has been living in a modest apartment on the lower East Side and showing up most days for EMT training. "I used to be a surgical orderly in South Central L.A.," he told me yesterday. "I started that when I got out of junior college in the early '70s, and that led to a variety of things in the outdoor medical fire force and training with the Green Berets. ... My father was a surgeon and uncles and my cousins were also in the medical community, so I come by it natural." Roth, who said he has relocated to New York from his estate in Pasadena, Calif., specifically to train as an EMT, said he hopes to obtain his certification in November and work as a volunteer one weekend per month. "I want to be working in the outer boroughs. This city promises great color and insight in each and every neighborhood," Roth said. "On the upper East Side, it's gonna be heart attacks and stomach aches. But in other neighborhoods, it's all trauma."  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#ff0000" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#ff0000"> <div align="center">Friday, June 25, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> RICHIE KOTZEN GETS UP NEW RELEASE: Frontiers Records is very proud to present Richie Kotzen new solo album entitled Get Up! Richie is an accomplished guitar player and singer who has played with such multi-platinum selling bands such as Poison (on Native Tongue in 1993) and Mr. Big (on the studio releases Get Over It and Actual Size ). As a solo artist he started even earlier with an all-instrumental album for Shrapnel Records in 1989, followed by several other releases, which helped him in creating a reputation as one of the most creative, original and gifted musicians around. In time, Richie has also explored and developed his vocal abilities and his brand new album Get Up is a testament to a mature musician and songwriter. The new album includes eleven smoking hard rock tracks with great emphasis on riveting guitar riffs, hooklines that stick like glue and of course amazing solos. Tracklisting of the Frontiers version is as follows: <a href="http://www.frontiers.it/Kotzen_LosinMyMind.mp3">Losin' My Mind</a> (click on the song title to hear a sample!); <a href="http://www.frontiers.it/Kotzen_Fantasy.mp3">Fantasy</a> (click on the song title to hear a sample!); Remember; <a href="http://www.frontiers.it/Kotzen_Get%20Up.mp3">Get Up</a> (click on the song title to hear a sample!); So Cold; Such A Shame; Made For Tonight; Still; Never Be The Same; Special; Blame On Me* * Exclusive bonus track   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/richiekotzen-getup.jpg" width="200" />xx<img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/richiekotzen-2004.jpg" width="252" /></div> RIVERDOGS TO ROCK N ROLL LIVE IN AUGUST: The Riverdogs are set to blast back into action with a series of Californian live dates planned for August. The band have just completed work on the first 3 new tracks featuring the original line-up of the acclaimed debut album. More news from the Riverdogs next week! The live dates are: Wednesday August 18, 2004, 9:00pm / The Whiskey A Go Go, 8901 Sunset Blvd. Hollywood, CA 90069, 310-652-4202 <a href="http://www.whiskyagogo.com">www.whiskyagogo.com</a> Friday August 20, 2004, 10:00pm / Brick By Brick, 1130 Buenos Ave. San Diego, CA 92110, TIX-(619) 275-LIVE <a href="http://www.brickbybrick.com">www.brickbybrick.com</a> Saturday August 21, 2004, 9:00pm / Lestats, 3343 Adams Avenue, San Diego, CA 92116, 619-306-5777 <a href="http://www.lestats.com">www.lestats.com</a> Sunday August 22, 2004 8:30pm / The Gig, 7302 Melrose Ave. Hollywood, CA 90046, 323-936-4440 <a href="http://www.liveatthegig.com">www.liveatthegig.com</a>. INXS AND REALITY TV FIND A HOME: From Billboard.com: CBS Nabs INXS Reality Series - After a healthy bidding war, CBS has landed the Mark Burnett-produced reality series in which aspiring musicians will compete to become the new lead singer of Australian rock band INXS. Originally pitched as "Rock Star", the now untitled reality series is described as a cross between "American Idol" and the hit Burnett series "Survivor," set in the world of rock music. After a multi-continent search with auditions in cities throughout the United States and Canada, as well as London, Tokyo and INXS' hometown of Sydney, about a dozen male and female finalists will be selected to live together in a Hollywood Hills home. The winner will embark on a worldwide concert tour with INXS and sing on the group's next album. The series is set to premiere in summer 2005. It will feature two hours of programming each week: a combination of taped segments that focus on the relationships between the contestants in the house, live performances and a weekly elimination determined by viewers, judges and INXS band members. How the two hours will be broken down into broadcasts is yet to be determined. "INXS is one of the world's premier rock bands, and this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for someone," Burnett said. "Rock stars are colorful personalities and charismatic performers who make great reality TV characters. Add to that a global format, elimination-style competition and the enormous stakes of becoming the lead singer in a successful group, and you have a unique environment for compelling unscripted drama." In addition to his four-year "Survivor" relationship with CBS, Burnett said he was attracted to the network for the new project because of the additional opportunities stemming from CBS' hosting of the Grammys and the network's sibling music-oriented cable and radio properties, including MTV and VH1. <a href="http://www.billboard.com/bb/daily/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1000550917" target="new">www.billboard.com/bb/daily/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1000550917</a>  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#374646" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#374646"> <div align="center">Thursday, June 24, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> HEAVEN & EARTH BACK ON THE ROAD WITH PAUL SHORTINO AT THE WHEEL: Stuart Smith has been in contact with new information on Heaven & Earth - included below, with an exclusive sneak preview of the new lead track! Heaven & Earth has been in the studio writing and recording tracks for their new CD to be released later this year which will be entitled Screaming for Redemption. Paul Shortino is the new vocalist. The band has recorded an 8 song limited pressing EP which will be released at a show the band is playing to 35,000 people in Woodland Hills, CA on July 4th. The line-up for the show will be Paul Shortino (Rough Cutt) on vocals, Stuart Smith on guitar, Richie Onori on drums, Dave Chamberlain (Glenn Fry) on bass and Scott Warren (Warrant/Berlin/Dio) on keyboards. The EP and the next CD will be released on the bands own label Black Star Records which already has worldwide distribution, will announce some exciting new signings over the next couple of months, some you know and some you don't. On the EP which will be entitled A Taste of Heaven there will be 4 tracks from the first Heaven & Earth CD and 4 new songs with vocalist Paul Shortino. The tracks are 1. Screaming for Redemption (Shortino/Smith), 2. Heaven (Kyle/Leese/Smith), 3. Nasty Piece of Work (Smith) and 4. It'd Be True (Doah, Hansen, Leese, Smith). In a few weeks Black Star Records will also re-release Stuart Smith's Heaven & Earth with 2 unheard bonus tracks. Says band founder Stuart Smith, "We're really excited to have our own record company, this is going to be a revolutionary label run by musicians for musicians where the artist will get a fair deal. The idea of the limited pressing EP is to let the people at the show on July 4th have a taste of what the Heaven & Earth sound is about and after so many requests from people all over the world who are finding it hard to get a copy of the first C.D. as the license has run out for any other labels to press it we'll be glad to get the album that started it all out again. We also have some great artists signing with us which we'll let you know about in the next few weeks." Download a 90 second sample of the new track <a href="audio/Heaven&Earth-ScreamingForRedemption-Edit.mp3">Screaming For Redemption</a>.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="241" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/heavenandearth-2004.jpg" width="350" /></div> TONY'S SWEDEN ROCK BLAST: Tony Harnell has joined in sending me feedback from the Sweden Rock Festival. Tony says of TNT's performance at the show: "We had a blast at Sweden Rock Festival and the fans were absolutely tremendous. Definitely the high point of our tour so far. Plus I got to meet one of my all time heroes Mr. Rob Halford and see Priest again for the first time in many years. TNT is right now preparing to release another single off of My Religion in Norway and we are getting ready for Deep Impact in Munich and The Lorca Festival in Spain."   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="223" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/tnt-swedenrock1.jpg" width="295" />x<img --="" .="" 10="" 1991.="" 1995="" a="" achieved="" act="" acts.="" album="" albums="" all="" also="" alt="" although="" always="" an="" and="" anything="" are="" artist="" as-yet-unannounced="" ashes="" at="" band="" bass="" bassist.="" be="" been="" being="" besides="" bliss="" brad="" brides="" but="" by="" called="" calls="" chris="" classic="" collaborate="" color="#ff0000" country="" couple="" cover="" culled="" darren="" deal="" debut="" deep="" developing="" doing="" down="" drummer="" early="" edge="" especially="" estimated="" fellow="" first="" font="" for="" forces.="" formed="" former="" fortune="" four="" from="" from:="" fronted="" going="" gold="" got="" greatest="" group="" guitarists="" guitars="" had="" handles="" hangng="" hard="" harem="" harlan="" harry="" has="" have="" he="" heaven="" his="" hits="" href="http://jam.canoe.ca/JamColumnBliss/jun10_bliss-can.html" i="" idea:="" if="" in="" independent="" into="" is="" it="" it.="" italian="" its="" japan="" joe="" joined="" joining="" june="" just="" karen="" keep="" kept="" know="" known="" lady="" last="" laughs.="" lead="" left="" lesperance="" licensed="" line-up="" lion="" live="" long="" lot="" luca="" lyn="" m="" majority="" make="" material="" max="" mcquade="" melodic-metal="" member="" mike="" million="" modern="" money="" more="" music="" my="" name="" new="" nine="" none="" not="" now="" number="" of="" olp="" on="" one="" ont.="" original="" originally="" other="" our="" out="" own="" owns="" particular="" pays="" pete="" plan="" play="" plus="" point.="" pop-rock="" pre="" producing="" project="" project.="" re="" re-issued="" record="" recorded="" recording="" recordings.="" reformed="" rehearsal="" released="" releasing="" reportedly="" ritchie="" rock="" s="" says="" scarem="" self-titled="" should="" showcase="" shows="" signed="" since="" singer-songwriter="" so="" sold="" soldier="" solo="" some="" songs="" songs.="" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/tnt-swedenrock2.jpg" start="" started="" state="" stella="" still="" story="" studio="" t="" tara="" target="new" tentative="" than="" that="" the="" then="" they="" third="" this="" through="" to="" together="" toronto="" tour="" tribuet="" tribute="" turn="" turner="" two="" under="" upcoming="" used="" using="" various="" vein="" velvet="" vespa="" vocalist="" vocals="" warner="" was="" we="" wea="" week="" when="" where="" which="" while="" who="" width="295 height=" will="" with="" work="" worldwide="" writing="" wrote="" years.="" /> Roger Scott Craig e-mailed in an update. It goes like this: "We should have the Best of Harlan Cage CD available in July and AORHeaven and MTM (and others) will be carrying it. It will be on our own Record label, Gypsy Rock Records. We just had a re-union of the old Fortune band and we will be releasing the 1985 album Fortune on CD in August plus three bonus tracks (two old recordings from 85, plus an old song re-recorded by all five original members which was a blast). Several bootlegs of this album are already out, so we figured we might as well do it ourselves since nobody wants to pay us!" SITE UPDATES: New <a href="#cdshowcase">CD Showcases</a> have been launched today, with a few big titles featured! Previews are now online for the new Grand Illusion album Ordinary Just Won't Do, Hodson's This Strange World, the new Jeff Scott Soto EP Believe In Me, the long awaited Waysted re-issue Save Your Prayers (Feat. Danny Vaughn), not to mention two debut albums - Zillion and Mind Key. Click on the CD covers for previews.   <div align="center"><a href="showcase/jeffscottsoto-believeinme.html"><img alt="jeff scott soto-believe in me" border="0" height="125" src="/files-archive/news/jeffscottsoto-believeinme125.jpg" width="125" /></a>x<a href="showcase/hodson-thisstrangeworld.html"><img alt="hodson - this strange world" border="0" height="125" src="/files-archive/news/hodson-thisstrangeworld125.jpg" width="125" /></a>x<a href="showcase/grandillusion-ordinaryjustwontdo.html"><img alt="grand illusion - ordinary just wont do" border="0" height="125" src="/files-archive/news/grandillusion-ordinaryjustwontdo125.jpg" width="125" /></a> <a href="showcase/zillion-zillion.html"><img alt="Zillion" border="0" height="125" src="/files-archive/news/zillion125.jpg" width="125" /></a>x<a href="showcase/mindkey-journeyofaroughdiamond.html"><img alt="Mind Key" border="0" height="125" src="/files-archive/news/mindkey-roughdiamond125.jpg" width="125" /></a>x<a href="showcase/waysted-saveyourprayers.html"><img alt="Waysted" border="0" height="125" src="/files-archive/news/waysted-saveyourprayers125.jpg" width="125" /></a></div> <a href="mr-x/index.html">MR-X</a> has been updated once again. Online today is a new Feature Album - Aussie rockers BB Steal's hard to find one and only album On The Edge (produced by Leppard's Phil Collen). Also online are several new video clips: Alias - Waiting For Your Love, Bangalore Choir - Loaded Gun, Bonham - Change Of A Season, Dennis De Young - This Is The Time, Icon - On Your Feet, Journey - Why Can't This Night Go On Forever, Little Angels - Kicking Up Dust, Richie Sambora - Stranger In This Town and Orion The Hunter - So You Ran. <a href="mr-x-intro.html">MR-X Membership Details</a>. The Mini-Bytes have been updated with new previews from Mike & The Mechanics, U-Turn, Lit, Stephen Pearcy, Tiles, Jerry Gaskill and the new AC/DC Tribute - We Salute You. <a href="minibytes.html">Check them out</a>.</div>  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#eabd35" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#eabd35"> <div align="center">Wednesday, June 23, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> KINGDOM COME'S PERPETUAL NEW RELEASE: Two years after the highly acclaimed album Independent, Lenny Wolf has created a new masterpiece! Taking the formula that made Kingdom Come a household name during the late 1980's and mixing it with fresh production elements and some of his strongest songwriting to date, Perpetual will be a surefire pleasure for new and old Kingdom Come fans alike. After performing on some of the main summer festivals such as Deep Impact, Sweden Rock Festival and Bang Your Head, Kingdom Come will head to Lithuania for two shows in August and will then embark on an extensive headlining trek starting this October. "I can't wait to perform the new material on stage" says Wolf, "and I can guarantee you an evening of Kingdom Come that will satisfy your every need." Perpetual will see the light of day worldwide on Frontiers Records on August the 30th 2004 with the following tracklisting: Gotta Move Now; <a href="http://www.frontiers.it/hangemhigh.mp3">Hang 'em High</a> (click on the song title to hear a sample!) Crown of Moscow; <a href="http://www.frontiers.it/timetorealign.mp3">Time to Realign</a> (click on the song title to hear a sample!); Silhouette Paintings; <a href="http://www.frontiers.it/withthesuninmind.mp3">With the Sun in Mind</a> (click on the song title to hear a sample!); King of Nothing; Borrowed Time; Connecting Pain; Watch the Dragon Fly; Inhaling the Silence. 2004 could very well be the year where never selling out nor following cheap trends will pay off for Kingdom Come!   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/kingdomcome-perpetual.jpg" width="200" />xx<img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/kingdomcome-2004.jpg" width="133" /></div> CHRIS CATENA COVERS BLACKMORE AND FREAKS OUT ON VIDEO: Chris Catena, has just recorded the song Mistreated for the forthcoming second volume of the tribute Blackmore's Castle to be released by Lion Music. This song will feature Chris on vocals and backing vocals, Matteo Filippini on guitars, Aleks Ferrara on bass, Daniel Flores on drums and strings arrangements and Alessandro Del Vecchio on keyboards. "Thanks to Lasse of Lion Records, I got the chance to record this masterpiece. It's a dream come true! We have tried to keep the bluesy sad mood and in the same time we decided to create some sort of psychedelic intermission during the instrumental part, something which can reminds you a Paul Kossof/Robbie Krieger meets Paul Rodgers/Jim Morrison, ah ah, yes strange to describe but listen with your ears...of course I am neither Jim nor Paul but I love the guys and their magic voice as I love David interpretation of the song. The finale burst in a triumphal epical crescendo with strings, choir harmonies, guitar solos. I hope it will be appreciated." On Saturday, June 19, Chris shot the Freak out Tonight! video clip in the big and marvelous rock club "Stazione Birra" in Rome, directed by the international Filmmaker M. Debora Farina. "It has been a great and funny experience! We have had the chance to be supported by a real crazy and hot audience!!! A great energy was in the air and we made around 20 takes of the song with the guys still rocking like crazy at the groove of the track. The temperature was extremely high and I think we lost some kilos...Debora Farina made a real great job and she really had the capacity to capture the real mood of a live performance. A real great experience- The footage is simply great and highly professional and the band on stage with me composed by Marko Pavic, Marco Capasso, Daniel Flores, Aleks Ferrara, Jimmy Bax, Jonna, as well as the two beautiful dancers almost naked, have an incredible impact!! You'll see." The video will be ready by the end of July and will accompany the release of Freak Out! in Japan by Nippon Crown on July 22. It will be available after worldwide.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/chriscatena-video1.jpg" width="288" />x<img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/chriscatena-video2.jpg" width="297" /></div> MELODIC BRIEFS: Pulse have secured a record deal for their long awaited second record, World's Apart with MTM Music. This long overdue disc will be out in September. An expanded full press release will be made shortly. Please visit either <a href="http://www.likeshine.com" target="new">www.likeshine.com</a> for info/updated photos, etc, concerning the upcoming worldwide release from Tampa, Florida band Likeshine (formerly MCA act Sugarspoon). The first single Satellite went to over 60 radio stations nationwide (USA) for adds this week. Bruce Kulick is currently working on material for a new acoustic album. He will also be saving some "crunchier riffs" for an album with his brother, Bob. And who should pop up at the AFI (American Film Institute) Lifetime Achievement show for actress Meryl Streep? None other than Steve Perry, spotted enjoying the show from one of the guest tables. The show aired at 9pm June 21 in the USA. CDThen is the new home for what was Renaissance Records - a US re-issue label that features several good classic rock releases. Check them out at: <a href="http://www.cdthen.net" target="new">www.cdthen.net</a>. GARY BRANDON'S FAST MACHINE ON TRACK: Former White Sister member Gary Brandon was kind enough to send in an e-mail update on his Fast Machine project: "Despite the lengthy silence, the debut Fast Machine CD is still alive and kicking. A parade of set backs has frustrated progress, with the latest one being the departure of our second drummer in late April. But we remain indefatigable. In times of difficulty you look to your friends for help and I am very pleased to report that, my dear friend Ron Wikso (The Storm, Gregg Rolie Band) has come to our aid and will be setting us back on track. He skillfully replaced the drum tracks on our upcoming song Smile (mp3 sample pending) and is slated to guest on upcoming recordings as well. We are immensely thankful for all his help and are excited that he will be working with us in the future! Also, there is a new monitor mix of Regular Guy posted at our website (<a href="http://www.fastmachine.net" target="new">www.fastmachine.net</a>). Regular Guy will be one of the songs on our next 2 or 3 song CD single release. We post rough versions as well as finished versions of our music so that the project is "transparent" to all who might be interested in watching things progress. OUT SOON IN JAPAN: Some melodic release updates from the land of the rising sun: George Lynch's new covers album Furious George is due out July 22. Band covered include Mountain, ZZ Top, Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, Jeff Beck, Jimi Hendrix and Uriah Heap. Metal Church's new album Weight Of The World gets a Japanese release July 22. The album features new vocalist Ronny Munroe (ex-Rottweiler). Millenium's Best Of compilation gets an early Japanese release August 4. The album features a different set of tracks from the European edition and the second disc features cover tunes and demo versions. Ring Of Fire's new album Lapse Of Reality is out in Japan July 22. The release features new member Steve Ewingart (keyboards). Special package & sticker for the first press only. John Wetton will release an acoustic live album in Japan on July 25. Titled Amata, the release features Martin Orford and John Mitchell. Includes tracks from album Rock of Faith. All For One: The Finest Collection Of is a special compilation for Blackmore's Night. Due September 1, the Japan-only release features a CD-Extra promotional clip for Way to Mandalay. Includes 2 tracks never before been released in Japan - All Because of You (new remix) and Once In a Million Years (Wenn aus Liebe Sehnsucht wird). Richie Kotzen has finished work on his new album Get Up. The 13th solo album by the ex-Mr. Big guitarist/vocalist includes a Japan-only bonus track Shapes of Things which features Stevie Salas (b) and Brian Tichy (ds). It's released in Japan August 25. Angra's new album is released first up in japan on August 11. It's described as the heaviest album ever by the band and is produced by Dennis Ward. Japan-only bonus track(s) are expected. This is something I can't confirm, but hope to have ore details about shortly. There is a Japanese listing for a new Nelson album - Greatest Hits +4. At this stage it is due for release August 25 and apparently features "newly recorded versions of the group's past hits, performed by the reunited original members! 11 tracks, with 4 bonus tracks for Japan (demo track, brand new track etc.)." Stay tuned... Chastain's new album In An Outrage is released in Japan August 4. It's the 8th album by the Heavy-Metal band which celebrates their 20th anniversary this year. Includes 3 bonus tracks for Japan. First-pressing will come with a sticker. HUBI MEISEL PRESS NEWSLETTER: The production of the Hubi Meisel's 3rd album is in progress and Hubi has just entered the studio again. Like EmOcean, the next album will become a complex concept album with international top-class musicians. The new line up is: Hubi Meisel - vocals; Vivien Lalu - keys (Shadrane); Marcel Coenen - guitars (Sun Caged); Jorge Salán - guitars (José Andrea, Mago de Oz); Daniel Flores - drums (Mind's Eye); Johan Niemann - bass (Therion). The release is scheduled for spring/summer 2005. On June 25, the debut album of Lion Music's new international Power Metal project Book Of Reflections will be released. Hubi has recorded lead vocals for 3 tracks of this album, which features Vitalij Kuprij (Artension), Andy Engberg (Ex-Lion's Share), Lars Eric Mattson and more! The album will also be released in Japan via King Records. Further information & MP3s on <a href="http://www.HubiMeisel.com" target="new">www.HubiMeisel.com</a>. The album is also available at a fair price in Hubi's online shop! LIVE LIVE LIVE: Puerto Rico's biggest Christian Music festival The Rock Summer Fest is scheduled for July 24. Dove award winner and Latin Billboard award nominee Salvador will headline. As special guest, Guardian's former frontman, Jamie Rowe, premiering his new CD Songs of Heaven and Earth. This is the fifth edition for this event. Former headliners for previous editions of the mentioned festival include Petra, Supertones, Stryper, Five Iron Frenzy and more. Rock In The Park Festival is to be held July 17 in Genova Italy. Glenn Hughes will play with local band California Jam. Two other bands will play there, Rock It and Wine Spirit. More info: <a href="http://www.glennhughesitalia.com" target="new">www.glennhughesitalia.com</a>, <a href="http://www.deep-purple.it" target="new">www.deep-purple.it</a> and <a href="http://www.winespirit.it" target="new">www.winespirit.it</a>. A FEW NEW NAMES TO WATCH: 2nd Skin is a Belgian classic rock band and currently working on an album with songs of their own, expected to be finished at the end of the year. If you want to know more about 2nd Skin you can visit our site on <a href="http://users.belgacom.net/2ndskin/" target="new">users.belgacom.net/2ndskin/</a> Madison Paige have just released their debut CD Famous Last Words. Check them out at: <a href="http://www.madisonpaige.net" target="new">www.madisonpaige.net</a>. Melbourne based glam rockers The Deadthings are celebrating the release of their debut 6 track EP When Hell Sleazes Over. The Deadthings are currently in discussions with overseas labels and hope to have something finalised shortly, until then the EP is available through their website. Download the lead single Welcome To The Horror Show now at <a href="http://www.thedeadthings.com" target="new">www.thedeadthings.com</a>. Three more to check out: <a href="http://www.buffdaddyrocks.com" target="new">www.buffdaddyrocks.com</a> / <a href="http://www.wayoflifeband.com" target="new">www.wayoflifeband.com</a> / <a href="http://www.stellartuesday.com" target="new">www.stellartuesday.com</a>. THUNDERHEAD REFORM: Here is an article from Eric from Maximum Metal (<a href="http://www.maximummetal.com" target="new">www.maximummetal.com</a>), who e-mailed this in, believing it would be of interest to readers of melodicrock.com. I agree!: Former Sinner/Primal Fear Guitarist Reforms Thunderhead! "Those who visit Maximum Metal frequently may have noticed that among the cutting-edge metal filling up the reviews section were a number of slightly older albums. Among the oldies but goodies in the bunch was a review of Thunderhead's 1994 live showcase "Classic Killers Live!", penned by yours truly. And while timeliness was not the foremost concern in choosing to dust off that album (it was about ten years late for that!), the timing of the review proved to be rather fortuitous and oddly appropriate. What made the timing right was that after several years of near-complete silence, a few odd rumblings were coming from the Thunderhead camp..... well, half of it, anyway. As alluded to in the aforementioned review, former Thunderhead guitarist Henny Wolter and bassist Ole Hempleman have reunited, along with new drummer Curt Donner, to form Donnerkopf, which roughly translates into English as, er.... Thunderhead. As the familiar band moniker suggests, things have come full circle for these guys to a certain degree. After the demise of Thunderhead in the late nineties, Henny Wolter had a productive stint with German metal heroes Sinner and that band's increasingly popular offshoot, Primal Fear. Although both bands were doing reasonably well, however, he eventually needed a break. "Being in both bands and living in another part of the country was a lot of work and traveling", says the guitarist. "I don´t mind traveling, but I knew every tree along that highway to Stuttgart. I very much appreciate having been in both bands and I love to work with PF and Sinner just the same. But I felt it was time to break up and start something new." That something new started out as a power trio performing Motorhead covers for fun (with some Thunderhead selections thrown in as well) in his hometown of Hannover. And with that in mind, what is different about Donnerkopf that allows Henny to devote his time to the band? "We are our own bosses and we play what we like. It is also a Hannover-based band, which means I don't have to travel 550 kilometers to each rehearsal." In addition to travel concerns, Henny says that this newfound freedom of direction allows him to play with more of a raw, ballsy, rock 'n roll feel than was evident in his last two bands. So the new band seems to work in a mold more in keeping with the Thunderhead sound. However, a perusal of the band's web site (<a href="http://www.donnerkopf.de" target="new">www.donnerkopf.de</a>), and specifically the new mp3 files posted there, will reveal one major departure from what was heard on albums like Killing With Style; The lyrics are written in the band's native tongue. "We prefer to write German lyrics, because we are not native English speakers", says Henny. "When I write lyrics, I can only come up with some really good nasty, ironic, word-play kind of stuff in German. I think [Thunderhead front man] Ted Bullet was good at this in English....makes me not wanna try to write English." With more and more inquiries about the band coming from outside of Germany, Henny and Ole, who share vocal duties, have decided that an English version of their forthcoming album is in order. In the meantime, however, Henny offers the following insight into the band's witty word-play. "My favorite Donnerkopf song as far as lyrics is Ich Godzilla (Du New York). The song is about making love and the chorus (I Godzilla, you New York) speaks for itself. It sounds really funny in German.... I guess it sounds funny in English as well." As for the music, the MP3s currently posted on the band's website seem to indicate a very Thunderhead-like direction, with plenty of those ballsy and slyly inventive riffs that made Henny and Ole's former bands a respected metal institution. According to Henny, however, the band are not exactly killing themselves trying to achieve worldwide fame this time around. "As we started Donnerkopf it was just for our pleasure and I wish it will remain that way. So we don´t really go by what record companies or other music business-people tell us. We will just write and play the stuff that we like." And when asked to offer advice to aspiring young musicians, Henny takes much the same philosophy. "Go by what you like. You'll find that you don´t want to please everybody, so let your own taste guide you and you'll be fine as long as you have fun at what you're doing." Now that, my friends, is speaking from experience. Eric Compton, Maximum Metal / <a href="http://www.maximummetal.com" target="new">www.maximummetal.com</a>.  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#3c59e6" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#3c59e6"> <div align="center">Tuesday, June 22, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> SOUL SIRKUS ALIVE ONLINE: The Soul Sirkus website has been launched today. And best of all, you can now sample what the band are all about via 6 MP3 previews from the upcoming album. The tracks previewed are: Highest Ground . Praise . Periled Divide . Coming Home . Soul Goes On . Closed The Door. The full line-up is: Neal Schon – Guitar; Jeff Scott Soto – Vocals; Marco Mendoza – Bass; Deen Castronovo – Drums. View more details and comments at the base of this page - nice to see some of those comments on the official site! View the site at: <a href="http://www.soulsirkus.com" target="new">www.soulsirkus.com</a>   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="225" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/soulsirkus-logo.jpg" width="200" /></div> WOLFIE JOINS DAD EDDIE ON FATHER'S DAY WEEKEND: Things seem to be going ok so far for Van Halen on their comeback tour with Sammy Hagar. Fan response to the gigs has been very positive and the band look to be having fun on stage. Eddie's son Wolfgang joined Dad on two recent shows in Worcester, MA. Kevin was kind enough to send in a report on the show: "Three of my friends and myself traveled 500+ miles from the far northern reaches of Maine to attend the Van Halen show in Worcester, MA on 06/19. This was their first VH show and my fourth. I warned them that it was going to be one of the most intense things they would experience. After the show they agreed, all saying that it was the best show they've attended. What a show!!! The show started off promptly at 8:30 pm and a great experience began. The stage setup was fantastic as there wasn't a bad seat in the house. We sat in the second balcony off on the right-hand side of the stage and had a great view. Sammy made sure that all fans got a good view as he worked every part of the stage. From the first song to the end, it was heaven. The boys seemed tighter that ever. As we watched the show with anticipation of a special guest, I spotted a youngster standing behind Eddie's amps. I tapped my friend's shoulder and pointed. There he was watching his father play, but would it happen? He was running around backstage trying to get a glimpse of his father without being noticed. It was then Eddie's turn to do his solo and the energy from everyone grew. Eddie was getting towards the end and then it happened. Wolfgang appeared and the crowd exploded. Wolfgang played about 5 minutes with his father, trying to mimic all the moves of the master. In the end, father and son embraced each other for probably the most intense moment of the night. VH went on with the show and finished it up with two encores, with a show running about 2 hrs 15 mins. Once again when the show was over Wolfgang appeared with the others and bowed to the crowed. Sammy made mention of Michael's birthday on the 20th and then motioned towards Eddie and Wolfgang and noted that Father's Day was tomorrow and the show was going to mean even more. Wish I could have seen that one. BAD BOYS OF METAL TOUR INVADING CITIES COAST TO COAST THIS SUMMER: Three of metal's legendary figures are coming together for what promises to be one of the can't miss bills of the summer... Kevin DuBrow of Quiet Riot, Jani Lane [formerly] of Warrant and Steven Adler [formerly] of Guns 'N Roses have joined forces for the inaugural "Bad Boys Of Metal" tour, which will bring these heavyweights to the same stage doing separate sets for the first time in their illustrious careers! As lead singer of Quiet Riot, Kevin DuBrow made history as the first metal artist to chart with a debut album at #1 with the album Metal Health, which spawned the international smash hits Cum On Feel The Noize and Bang Your Head. He'll also be performing songs from his new solo album In For The Kill. Always outspoken and unpredictable, you have to be there to see and hear what he'll do next... Jani Lane established himself as one of the genres most charismatic frontmen with the multi-platinum selling band Warrant... he will bring his one of a kind showmanship to the bill while performing standards such as Cherry Pie, Down Boys and Heaven. Jani's songwriting and vocals are a radio staples in every city in the nation. Steven Adler is firmly entrenched in metal history as part of the classic Guns 'N Roses lineup that recorded Appetite For Destruction (widely regarded as one of the most important albums of all time). He will be performing Sweet Child O' Mine, Welcome To The Jungle and Paradise City among others. Guns 'N Roses "Greatest Hits" is currently #16 on the Billboard charts! Opening the show will be Bang Tango in their first national tour in 10 years. They feature frontman Joe Leste of Beautiful Creatures and will be touring in support of their new album out soon on Shrapnel Records. They will be playing their classics like Someone Like You, Dancing On Coals and many more. This tour will be talked about all summer - don't miss out! Tour dates will be announced soon.  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#397171" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#397171"> <div align="center">Monday, June 21, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> GREGG GIUFFRIA CHECKS IN: I took a phone call from Gregg Giuffria last week - super cool to hear from the Giuffria and House Of Lords founder and keyboard master. Gregg has been busy working on putting his studio back together after it was destroyed by fire last year. Gregg was on the verge of commencing work on a new solo album when the fire struck. He says he is very thankful for record label Frontiers Records having patience in waiting for his to be ale to start work again, which he hopes to do shortly. He also wanted me to let fans know he really appreciates the positive comments and well wishes sent - these comments do get back to him and he thanks you for that. We talked about doing a full feature interview once the new album is nearly done, which will cover everything in Gregg's career right up until th present day. One thing Gregg did add - he has read several interviews promoting the last House Of Lords album and found some comments made about him amusing. Sounds like an interview to look forward to! I'll keep you posted. BILLY WHO?: Who is Billy Klippert? Most will draw a blank, but Canadian readers might find him a more familiar name. I must thank Dave in Canada for bringing him to my attention. Billy was 3rd place getter in 2003' Canadian Idol competition. Billy has just released his debut album, which features some familiar names! The album was produced by Harem Scarem's Harry Hess, who also provides the backing vocals, Pete Lesperance plays guitar on almost every track and Creighton Doane also appears on drums. The album features covers of the Harem Scarem classic Waited as well as Harry's solo track Just Another Day. Elton John's Levon is also covered, but the remaining tracks - all in a nu-breed/modern pop-rock vein are written by Billy himself. The album can be purchased at <a href="http://www.amazon.ca/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0002CHLGC/qid%3D1087349093/701-1305910-9275558" target="new">Amazon Canada</a>, but more info can be found at: <a href="http://www.orangerecordlabel.com" target="new">www.orangerecordlabel.com</a> Some info from Billy's bio: "Billy plays guitar, piano and bass and has taught guitar at the family store. In 200l, he packed his bags and moved to Australia where he picked fruit, chipped cotton, slept on beaches and eventually became a professional musician in a most traditional manner. He played a variety of sidewalks in towns up and down Australia's Gold Coast, his patrons, passers-by who would occasionally throw a few coins into the busker's guitar case. He didn't have a permit but the cops liked his sound and would show up now and then and request their favourite tunes. The pay wasn't great but it beat picking cotton and the experience ignited his passion to make music his career. Back home in Calgary, Billy formed a band with his brother, a hard rock outfit called Kovered In Lies. The band developed a loyal local following, Billy's gravely-edged voice, his commanding 6'2" frame and blonde-spiked hair making him a compelling front man. It was Billy's sister who re-directed Billy's fate. She insisted that he audition for a new television talent show that was holding auditions in Calgary. She went so far as to get into line at 3 o'clock in the morning with the hundreds of other talented and not-so talented Canadian Idol aspirants. A call at about 5 in the morning from sister to brother convinced Billy to come down to the audition and replace her in line. The rest, as they are fond of saying, is history. By 9:30 pm that same day, Billy had his ticket to Toronto and the Canadian Idol finals. And for any of you who have been out of the country for a year, Billy was the 2nd runner-up, a position that his loyal fans still debate and ponder. In the winter of 2003, Billy was approached by The Orange Record Label. The fledgling label, recording home for singer/songwriters, were intrigued by something they saw in those TV appearances, a talent who seemed to be ill-suited for a talent show, an artist whose fans adored him, a songwriter whose voice and stage presence could make him a successful recording artist. Partnered with producer Harry Hess (singer for Harem Scarem), Billy Klippert has recorded an album that stays close to his rock roots while maintaining a link with his broad fan base. Billy has writing credits on 6 of the album's 11 songs. First single from the album is "Levon", an ode to his fans and the song that made him a household name across Canada." MR. BIG'S HITS PACKAGE THE SECOND TIME AROUND: Mr. Big Greatest Hits is the new release which updates the previously released Big Bigger Biggest (release worldwide except for North America). Their first U.S. retrospective gathers the best of their pop-savvy metal hits from their Atlantic catalog, plus Strike Like Lightning from the Navy Seals soundtrack (now available only on this release). The track listing is: Addicted To That Rush . Big Love . Take A Walk . Strike Like Lightning . Green-Tinted Sixties Mind . Daddy, Brother, Lover, Little Boy (The Electric Drill Song) . Alive And Kickin' . Just Take My Heart . To Be With You . Wild World . Colorado Bulldog . Price You Gotta Pay . Take Cover . Dancin' With My Devils . Superfantastic . Shine . Suffocation.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/mrbig-greatesthits.jpg" width="226" /></div> MELODIC BRIEFS: Thanks to David for bringing this to my attention - Former Journey singer Robert Fleischman is offering a classic 1977 Journey concert (featuring himself obviously) available to download for free via his website: <a href="http://www.robertfleischman.com/FreeConcert.html" target="new">www.robertfleischman.com/FreeConcert.html</a>. A new Christian/Positive Melodic Hard Rock/Metal internet radio station has been launched. They claim to play the best in 80's - Present Christian/Positive Hard Rock/Metal 24/7. Check them out at: <a href="http://www.classicgod.com/trirock.htm" target="new">www.classicgod.com/trirock.htm</a> Jeff Pilson recently told BW&BK that he will be recording his September 19th show at the Cavern Club (where the Beatles got their start) for an upcoming War & Peace live album. The set list that night will includes songs by War & Peace, Lynch/Pilson and Dokken. The evening may also be filmed for a DVD, but no decision has been made at this point. The Live CD is expected to be released in time for Christmas. Classic Canadian rockers Prism have a selection of rare tracks available to download from their website at: <a href="http://www.prism.ca/vault.php" target="new">www.prism.ca/vault.php</a>. AXEL RUDI PELL AT SWEDEN ROCK!: Axel Rudi Pell e-mailed in with some feedback on his performance at last week's Sweden Rock Festival. Axel says: "We played the Festival Stage (Main Stage) and really had a blast ! The show was really cool with much fun and great other artists. There are a few pics more at my homepage in the Gallery section at: <a href="http://www.axel-rudi-pell.de" target="new">www-axel-rudi-pell.de</a>. Here`s our setlist: Tear Down The Walls, Nasty Reputation, Strong As A Rock, The Masquerade Ball / Casbah, Short Drumsolo, Follow The Sign, The Temple Of The King (Rainbow Coverversion), Carousel w/ short Keyboardsolo, Fool Fool, Call Her Princess (including jamming part and guitar/keyboard duel).   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="225" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/axelrudipell-2004-live.jpg" width="300" /></div> GRAND ILLUSION'S BEST IS YET TO COME: The full track listing and running order for the European release of the new Grand Illusion album Ordinary Just Won't Do, is: Devils Advocate . The Best Is Yet To Come . Gone For Good . Heaven Or Hell . A New Beginning . 1982 . Pull You Down . Love Is Buried . Back To Yesterday . And This Is Why . When You Were Mine . On Time. The Japanese release features an alternative running order and the bonus track: Forever And For Always. The album comes out in Europe July 26.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/grandillusion-ordinaryjustwontdo.jpg" width="200" /></div> SITE UPDATED: Added to the site today are 3 new CD Showcases - for Ten's Return To Evermore, the new Praying Mantis compilation and a solo instrumental album from guitarist Bob Katsionis. <a href="#cdshowcase">Check them out</a>. The <a href="bestof/2004sofar.html">Best Of 2004 So Far</a> has been updated, summarizing the best albums and songs of the year to date.  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#bd615b" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#bd615b"> <div align="center">Friday, June 18, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> MORE OF TEN'S EVERMORE: Ten's new album Return To Evermore is due for release in Europe on June 23, via the newly formed label Intensity Records. Here are previews of 3 more tracks from the album! <a href="audio/Ten09.mp3">The One</a>, <a href="audio/Ten10.mp3">Lost Soul</a> and <a href="audio/Ten11.mp3">Stay A While</a>. Click on the tracks to download. And if you haven't already sampled the full length download, go for it now! Download: Ten - <a href="audio/Ten-TempleOfLove.mp3">Temple Of Love</a>. The album will be available at all your favourite online retailers, but you can order directly from the band via: Intensity Records, Unit 6, Maritime Street Industrial Estate, Copse Road, Fleetwood, FY7 7BP, United Kingdom. Cheques and Postal Orders for 10.00GBP (UK Only) - For orders outside the UK, please include an extra 2.00GPB for postage. Intensity are also proud to announce that the first 2000 will be exclusive limited edition signature copies, personally signed Gary Hughes and dedicated to whatever name you nominate when ordering your copy. Cheques are to be made out to "A. STELFOX".   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="204" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/ten-returntoevermore.jpg" width="200" /></div> SR-71 RELEASE RE-TITLED AND RE-TRACKED FOR US RELEASE: Interesting news from the SR-71 Newsletter: "Hey Everybody, By now you have already heard the rumors about some 'BIG NEWS' that we are about to announce. We wanted you guys to hear it first before we posted it on our site. We are not releasing the next CD as SR-71 in the States, It will be released as just ... Mitch Allan. That's right...it won't be an SR-71 record. Now before anybody says "what the"???....THIS IS NOT THE END OF SR-71!!!! This is just something else we need to do right now. As you know, Our new CD, Here We Go Again just came out in Japan. We will also be touring over there soon so don't worry...this is just a way for us to put out some new material that doesn't quite fit under the SR-71 name. That means (if you read between the lines) that the American release will have different songs then the Japanese one. There will be some crossover like In Your Eyes and Mosquito, but there will also be new songs that are a little more singer/songwriterish... thus the moniker, "Mitch Allan". Also, just so you know, the band is not changing at all. It will still be myself, John, Mike and Pat and we will still be playing some of the SR songs live, but as of the 21st of June, we will be playing more of the new stuff and trying to get you guys to call all your radio stations and request In Your Eyes by Mitch Allan. Think about this as a new chapter in the bands evolution. We have just signed 2 new record deals and have a completely new management team. Along with that we have merely added Mitch Allan as a new spin-off group. We think you guys are gonna love the new material. If you don't already have a copy of Here We Go Again then hurry up and buy the import, there's gonna be another CD before you blink. Thanks for everything you guys, we could never have made it this far without you. I'll be writing a new letter next week that lays out a game plan for the new single, In Your Eyes, and for the new CD, Clawing My Way To The Middle - M I T C H" BRIDES OF DESTRUCTION TO TOUR OZ!: The new band formed by Motley Crue legend Nikki Sixx and featuring Tracii Guns (from L.A. guns) is Brides of Destruction. They play Glam soaked Rock N Roll the way it is meant to be played, Sticky, Sweaty, Sleazy, and Savage! You have been sufficiently warned! The Brides of Destruction have just released the debut album Here Come The Brides a gloriously gritty album of sneering, hook-filled gutter rock, delivered with fuck you swagger. Drawing as much from Black Sabbath and the Sex Pistols as from Cheap Trick and early Kiss the Brides music is raw, dark, sexy, melodic and utterly electrifying. The Brides of Destruction is high energy Rock N Roll at its best. These three Australian showcases will be a rare opportunity to see a Rock N Roll outfit in their prime, up close and personal. HERE COME THE BRIDES AUSTRALIAN TOUR 2004 Thurs 12 August Prince of Wales - Melbourne With Special guests Sebasrockets and Teargas ON SALE Monday 28 June, Gaslight, Polyester, Missing Link, Greville and POW Phonebook 9536 1168 or online <a href="http://www.princebandroom.com.au" target="new">www.princebandroom.com.au</a> Fri 13 and Sat 14 August - Gaelic Club Sydney With Special guests Hell City Glamours and The Specimens ON SALE Monday 28 June, Phone Charge (02) 9211 1687... plus all MOSHTIX OUTLETS <a href="http://www.moshtix.com.au" target="new">www.moshtix.com.au</a>. SITE UPDATES AND MR-X UPDATED - BIGTIME!: <a href="mr-x/index.html">MR-X</a> has received a monster update! There is no less than 6 CDs worth of rare and live material to download featured in this update. Included are some various rare and unreleased tracks, plus 3 unreleased Lazarus Dream tracks - this being the project started between Carsten Schultz and Markus Pfeffer. Thanks to those guys for the tracks. Also featured is the 2CD Live radio broadcast from last weekend's appearance at the Sweden Rock Festival by Europe and a some of the best most rocking Starship tracks about. There's a couple of other surprises included. And don't forget the classic unreleased Mr. Mister album Pull is still available for a short while longer. And 5 new video clips have been uploaded. They are: Boogie Knights - Get Down Tonight , Foreigner - With Heaven On Our Side, Nelson - After The Rain, Tyketto - Wings and End Of The Summer Days. <a href="mr-x-intro.html">MR-X Membership details</a>. The <a href="#cdshowcase">CD Showcase</a> has also been updated with MP3 previews of the new Millenium album Jericho. There are also 3 more new reviews online today - Dokken, The Creek and Avril Lavigne. <a href="reviews/reviews.html">Check them out.</a>  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#003d79" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#003d79"> <div align="center">Thursday, June 17, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> FRONTIERS RECORDS AND ULFTONE MUSIC TO JOIN FORCES: After careful and long-ranging negotiations, Berlin-based ulfTone music and Napoli-based Frontiers Records have decided on a long-term cooperation on ulfTone's Melodic-Rock-Repertoire. UlfTone music will still release and market all of its other artists and releases independently via their own distribution channels.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="63" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/frontiers-logo.jpg" width="300" /></div> Artists such as Kingdom Come, Crown Of Thorns, Jaded Heart and Jean Beauvoir as well as other projects that will be announced shortly, will be released worldwide via Frontiers Records, under exclusive License from ulfTone music. A&R-duties, as well as the German promotion for such titles, will still be handled by Ulf Zick and his team, all manufacturing, marketing, promotion and other exploitation will be handled by the Frontiers staff, led by Serafino Perugino. "I feel that Frontiers has the best possible set-up for marketing and selling Melodic Rock worldwide and it was a logical step to me to join forces with Serafino, Mario and their team. It is the best that could happen to me as well as the artists I am bringing into this deal. They remain signed directly to ulfTone music and we are collaborating on implementing marketing and promotional strategies that will take them to the next level. Something that I needed a strong and reliable partner for", says Ulf Zick. "We are excited to welcome Ulf and his artists to our label and feel that we are able to provide excellent and powerful services that will, in the end, only benefit the artist's careers. It is clear that with this setup we will be able to each do our job more efficiently and we will all benefit from it. I am proud of the position we have as a label and feel that this is one more step in fortifying our position as the leading force in Melodic Rock worldwide", says Serafino Perugino. "After all, this could be the model for the modern day record label. Instead of working as competitors, working as partners makes much more sense for everyone involved and is the legitimate approach in these difficult times." DEADLINE CONTINUE TO RE-ROLL OUT THE CRAP: I regret to report that Deadline/Cleopatra Records are at it again - repackaging old releases with new artwork and titles without any word of warning that it is just a re-release. This time it's Mike Tramp being toyed with and he's not happy either. Mike sent me this message after I asked after the release: "They are re-releasing Mike Tramp remembering White Lion. I am not involved with this, and it's wrong that they are using a new cover and new title." So just for the record - here is the new cover and the original - don't be fooled into thinking this is a new release! This is just a sneaky re-release of Remembering White Lion.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/whitelion-lastroar.jpg" width="200" />xx<img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/miketramp-remembering.jpg" width="200" /></div> ECLIPSE LIVE IN HONOR OF EUROPE: News from Eclipse! The Swedish rockers will perform live on the "Europe - The reunion convention" arranged by Europe Supporters Club (Italy/Sweden) and held in Stockholm. Eclipse will play two sets during the evening. The first set will be an Eclipse-set and the second set will be an Europe-set-exclusively. ECLIPSE - 19 June - Stockholm, Sweden - Europe Reunion Convention at Mondo (Medborgarplatsen). NO QUIET RIOT RE-UNION HERE: Kevin DuBrow will be appearing in support of his solo release In For The Kill for two selected dates at the Hard Rock Cafe Orlando, FL on June 24th and at the Crobar in New York City on June 28th as part of his summer solo tour. Kevin DuBrow will be joined by Frankie Banali (drums), Chuck Wright (bass) and Billy Morris (guitar) for these two events. This is not a Quiet Riot reunion, but only a temporary arrangement for DuBrow as he tries to honor previous commitments. He had been using Jani Lane's band, but the latter didn't work out (as detailed at <a href="http://www.metal-sludge.com" target="new">metal-sludge.com</a>) Reached for comment, Frankie Banali issued the following statement: "Kevin and I have managed to continue our relationship as friends away from Quiet Riot. I'm glad he's out on the road promoting his new solo record and doing dates. When he asked if I would be available to perform at these two dates along with Chuck Wright and Billy Morris, I was available and accepted to have some musical fun. Chuck is a great bass player and Billy is very talented and I've always enjoyed his company. I know that Kevin had some issues recently with some of the musicians he's been working with. I'm sure the rumor mill will be hard at work with some sort of "QUIET RIOT" reunion talk, but that is simply not the case. At best you might be able to call it "Half a QUIET RIOT" as coined by Kevin, but this is nothing more than a group of like minded musicians getting together for a few shows to enjoy music and all that Orlando and Manhattan has to offer. This is no "QUIET RIOT" and will not be booked or billed as such for all the obvious reasons. No more and no less. Kevin has his own group of musicians that he regularly tours with and I don't see that changing in the foreseeable future. Chuck is busy with House of Lords who recently released a new CD and Billy continues to tour with Jani Lane and I am busy doing sessions in LA. No QUIET RIOT reunion here."  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#b7c93a" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#b7c93a"> <div align="center">Wednesday, June 16, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> A FEW RANDOM THOUGHTS, OR - HOW THIS SITE WORKS: Hi folks…it's been quite some time since I wrote a general address to all readers, so I hope you will take some time out to read through this post. Below are some updates about the site, what's going on and also an outline of some possibilities for the future. If at the end of it you have any comments or questions, feel free to <a href="mailto:ajm@melodicrock.com?subject=Site Feedback">e-mail!</a> I'll get right to the big one right off the bat! Reviews! Something was brought to my attention a couple of weeks ago and I have debated how to address it ever since. Recently I was made aware of forum on another website that featured a post suggesting that I would take money in exchange for a favorable review. I was quick to defend myself and this site and quickly received an apology via e-mail from the poster. In the apology it was said that they meant no offence, but had heard this bit of gossip from someone within the "scene". That admission speaks volumes to me – it shows just what a bitchy little scene this can be sometimes and how a few individuals work behind the scenes to undermine others. I will let many things slide, but not something like this. Let's first cut right to the chase. The notion that my reviews are anything other than my own independent and personal impressions of any give release is totally absurd. To verify the accuracy of my reviews one only has to turn to the Interactive Review forums, or most obviously – sample the album yourself via the MP3 preview samples that are supplied for all releases. This site remains an environment where the accuracy of any review can be tested instantly. I put these mechanisms in place to ensure my reviews would be open to scrutiny. If you venture further than the score achieved and read the actual text of the reviews, I guarantee you will get a clear understanding of what the record is like. Match those comments with the MP3 samples and you can't go wrong. I'd like to add that as a result of my reviews I have only lost money! Yes, sadly some folks haven't appreciated my honesty. Too bad. I'm happy to promote various releases in a number of ways, but my integrity is not for sale and any prospective sponsor or PR client would do well to understand that clearly. The fact I have raised these issues is to show I will defend my integrity and my site record. The issue of site sponsorship is something long time readers and site regulars are well aware of, but perhaps some others are not as aware. I have never hidden any details surrounding sponsorship of this site and the way I have managed to turn it into a full time job. But as new people discover the site, maybe a history lesson is called for and perhaps a brief description of my sponsor's roles within the site wouldn't go astray. Sponsor's Role Within This Site: To explain the sponsor's role within the site is pretty easy. There are 3 different forms of advertising incorporated into the site. Artist PR, CD Showcases and Banner Ads. - The banner ads are easy – they speak for themselves and also include the top of page quick-links for the retail outlets featured. If you want to find anything featured within this site – talk to those guys and support them, as they are helping these releases reach the people – the most important thing. - Artist PR or MelRock PR is something I set up 12 months or so ago as an outlet for artists who were doing everything themselves and need some extra PR and promotion above and beyond what's normally featured here. MelRock PR is available to help promote said release with some extra news headlines, a CD Showcase and additional offsite promotional options. The only stipulation in regards to a review is the promise to get one online in a timely fashion. The contents of any review are not guaranteed, and are not for sale. However, I do not take on each and every request for PR. I only take on projects that I believe in and that I believe I could help. I have turned several down, believing the material not strong enough to warrant the extra promotion. - I also have several record label sponsors. They are also linked from the frontpage, and in addition to those links, the label's releases are highlighted by the CD Showcase area. These work in the same manner as magazine ads – which are found in each and every music magazine on the planet to help cover running costs. Yet, these ads are interactive, in that you get to sample the tracks off each album via the MP3 samples. And that is it – that is the grand sum and total of all advertising and sponsorship on the site. I hope it has been of help. Now that has been explained please note that every other aspect of the site operates free - without fees or conditions. All news updates are printed for free, reviews are done for free, <a href="minibytes.html">soundbytes (Mini-Bytes)</a> are added free and I'll do whatever I can in the name of helping someone out. However, I will note that not everything is possible given the constraints of time – I do what I can with the time given. I had one comment from an unsigned band sent to me basically upset that only the big names get any airtime on the site. Guilty as charged, sadly. I am really disappointed I haven't had a section for new artists on the site and on several occasions have moved to fix that oversight. The only reason is my personal lack of time to deal with these additional reviews. I don't think I've ever said no to a package being sent out to me and I appreciate those bands spending a dollar so I can hear their music. I continue to get new music almost daily and even this week spent some time sorting out new artists to feature, more on that shortly. Let's talk about the good stuff – what's going on here! Basically I have reached a point where I have to say goodbye to some old releases that I have not yet reviewed. I am just getting too far behind with the plethora of new titles released each month. So I'm going to cover all the most recent and new titles out with reviews over the next 10 days. I'll then try and cover some of the missing ones via a big In-Brief Review update, just to touch on them and give anyone curious an idea of their quality. These are all titles which deserve bigger write-ups – all albums really do deserve that, but there isn't always enough time. You can always check out the Mini-Bytes area, as all titles released are covered there. MelodicRock.com CD Volume 2: I'm very pleased to announce that work is well underway for the next compilation CD! Yes, MelodicRock.com CD Vol. 2 will be released in a few months and I'll announce some details of the compilation very soon. I will fill you in on something though. I am looking at the option of putting out a 2CD set, with the 2nd Disc featuring the best of the unknown/new/struggling artists out there. If you have sent in a CD for reviewing/featuring and are interested in being featured on the second disc, then drop me an <a href="mailto:ajm@melodicrock.com?subject=MRCD2">e-mail</a>. If you are a more prominent/established artist that has something you think would fit the first disc, then there is still a little room left. <a href="mailto:ajm@melodicrock.com?subject=MRCD2">E-Mail now!</a> The 2nd CD is shaping up to be quite different from the first volume. It just has a different vibe, but I do hope it's received as warmly as the first volume was. A move to bigger premises! What else? Well, maybe the biggest change to MelodicRock.com ever! I'm soon to move base from my local webhost (split between Hobart and Melbourne…yeah, data in 2 different cities – no wonder the Noticeboard is slow some days!), to new high-speed dedicated hosting in the USA. With that will come much greater capacity – both with space for files (some 40 times my current limit), plus greater data transfer options. There is going to be several positives from this – a few new options can be added to the site that my current ISP and location prohibit and I will be able to expand several areas of the site that have been quiet over the past few months to keep data transfer to a minimum. Additionally MR-X will be expanded with more of everything – especially downloadable video clips! The other benefit of dedicated hosting will be the ability to host other sites. MelodicRock WebHosting is coming your way – so if you are looking for a new place to host your band/music site, then that may be possible right here. It's a couple of months off, so stay tuned for details, but should you be interested, you can always <a href="mailto:ajm@melodicrock.com?subject=WebHosting">e-mail me now</a> and I'll keep you posted. I hope this brief hasn't been too lengthy or boring! I appreciate you taking the time to read through it and understand where I am coming from and where the site is heading to. Any questions, comments, enquiries, please <a href="mailto:ajm@melodicrock.com?subject=Site Feedback">e-mail without hesitation</a> and I'll do my best to get back to you as soon as is possible. Further information on MelodicRock.com CD2 and WebHosting will follow soon! INXS CONFIRM THEY ARE LOOKING FOR ROCK STAR SINGER: Inxs have confirmed they are the band at the center of the new reality TV show Rock Star. To those interested - I do not as yet have any details of where auditions will take place. But here is the latest from online industry source <a href="http://www.fmqb.com/article.asp?id=28397" target="new">FMBQ</a>: "The reality TV craze has invaded the world of Rock & Roll, as INXS will hold a competition to find their new lead singer. Reality TV producer extraordinaire Mark Burnett (Survivor, The Apprentice) will use his new series Rock Star to help the veteran Australian Rock group replace their late singer Michael Hutchence, who passed away in 1997. In a statement on inxs.com, Burnett says, "I am a long-time fan of INXS and feel very fortunate that INXS approached us with this idea and have entrusted us with their future. I feel there's room on TV for more than one great music-based show, and I feel that Rock music has been totally left out of that mix." Since Hutchence's passing, INXS have played a handful of gigs with Jon Stevens filling in on lead vocals [Note - this is Inxs chosing to rewrite history - Stevens was a fully fledged member for several years]. Auditions for Rock Star will be held across five continents, and the winner will join INXS to record the group's first studio disc since 1997's Elegantly Wasted, followed by a world tour. Unlike the popular American Idol, viewers will not be the only ones involved in the decision-making process. According to Billboard, the members of the band themselves, along with "leading entertainment industry specialists" will help choose the new singer. INXS member Andrew Farriss told Billboard, "Times have changed and television is now a valued medium to reach people all over the world. [Burnett's] record speaks for itself - he is an amazing producer and we are confident that together we are going to create something very different and very special." DURAN DURAN READY FOR EPIC RELEASE: Duran Duran have signed to Epic Records for the release of their long awaited new studio album. From the AP Newswire: NEW YORK -- Duran Duran, who regrouped last year for a successful tour, are reuniting again - this time, for a new album on a new record label. Lead singer Simon LeBon told The Associated Press that the band has almost finished working on the untitled disc, which will be released in the fall on Epic Records. It will mark the first time the original band members - LeBon, John Taylor, Nick Rhodes, Roger Taylor and Andy Taylor - have recorded an album together since 1983's Seven & the Ragged Tiger. Working together again has been seamless, LeBon said. "It's very similar to how it worked 20 years ago. Everybody's a little bit more open to how they feel about stuff." REMINDER - EDGUY LIVE IN AUSTRALIA: Support live dates and more will follow! Edguy are on their way to Australia for select live dates. The band is supported by local metal outfit Dungeon. The dates are: BRISBANE Thursday June 24 - Indie Temple (Doors 7:30pm) 210 Wickham Street - Fortitude Valley Tickets available at Skinnys & Rocking Horse Monday May 24 SYDNEY Saturday June 26 - Manning Bar - ALL AGES - (Doors 5:30pm) Manning Bar, House University Of Sydney Tickets available at Utopia and Red Eye Monday May 24 MELBOURNE Sunday June 27 - The Esplanade - (Doors 7:30pm) The Esplanade (The Espy Gershwin Room) 11 The Esplanade St. Kilda Tickets available Friday May 21 at Radical Records plus more TBA MELBOURNE Friday July 2 - The Esplanade (Doors 8:30pm) The Esplanade (The Espy Gershwin Room) 11 The Esplanade St. Kilda Tickets available Friday May 21 at Radical Records plus more TBA   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="180" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/edguy-2004.jpg" width="368" /></div> MELODIC RELEASE DATE UPDATE: A massive update of the <a href="releasedates.html">Release Dates</a> page has been completed. <a href="releasedates.html">Check it out</a> for a complete list of up and coming melodic titles. Further to that update - here are some extra details of upcoming titles: Butch Walker has revamped his website which now features updated news of his Letters album, now due August 24 and a preceding EP titled The Heartwork. Artwork and track listing available now at: <a href="http://www.butchwalker.com">www.butchwalker.com</a>. Japanese CD stores have the new American Hi-Fi album Hearts On Parade listed for a July 14 release date. The track listing is: Maybe Won`t Do . Hell Yeah! . The Geeks Get The Girls . Something Real . We Can`t Be Friends . Seperation Anxiety . The Everlasting Fall . Highs And Lows . Baby Come Home . Where Did We Go Wrong? . Hearts On Parade. Hollywood Rose is the original band featuring Axl Rose and Tracii Guns from the mid-80s. The music of the band is about to be unleashed officially for the first time via the release Hollywood Rose - The Roots Of Guns N' Roses on June 22 via Cleopatra Records. The album features the following tracks: Original Demo Versions - Killing Time . Anything Goes . Rocker . Shadow Of Your Love . Wreckless Life. Newly Remixed By Gilby Clarke - Killing Time . Anything Goes . Rocker . Shadow Of Your Love (feat. Tracii Guns - overdub guitar) . Wreckless Life (feat. Tracii Guns - overdub guitar). Newly Remixed By Fred Coury - Killing Time . Anything Goes . Rocker . Shadow Of Your Love . Wreckless Life. This is no doubt an interesting release, but 5 tracks only in 3 different mixes for a 15 track CD? That's typical of Cleaopatra Records for ya. They may have been clean and sober but Mötley Crüe proved themselves to still be the baddest boys in rock with 1989's Dr. Feelgood, the band's #1 best-seller. That album in its entirety kicks off the second four-CD box set installment of the complete history of Mötley Crüe, Music To Crash Your Car To, Volume II (Hip-O/UMe), released June 29, 2004. Full details online now at: <a href="http://www.hip-o.com/releasedetail.asp?id=B000283902" target="new">www.hip-o.com</a> SITE UPDATES: An interview with Mickey Thomas has been added to the site. Mickey is currently promoting the release of his acclaimed Over The Edge project. <a href="interviews/mickeythomas.html">Read the interview.</a> For all those looking to add their 2 cents worth, the <a href="reviews/featurereview.html">Feature Reviews</a> have been updated. You are now free to add your own reviews of the following releases: Glen Burtnik / Welcome To Hollywood, SR-71 / Here We Go Again, Velvet Revolver / Contraband, Stage Dolls / Get A Life, Pete Lesperance / Down In It, London Calling / You're So Lucky, Scorpions / New Generation, Dare / Beneath The Shining Water. <a href="reviews/featurereview.html">Get to work!</a>  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#b11b1c" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#b11b1c"> <div align="center">JEFF SCOTT SOTO - AUSTRALIAN TOUR ANNOUNCED</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> MelodicRock.com proudly presents Jeff Scott Soto in Australia! It is with great pleasure and much excitement that I announce that Jeff Scott Soto's first ever tour of Australia is confirmed to go in September! The highly respected vocalist is heading to Australia in the first week of September for his first ever concert tour of Down Under. The dates will be the first in Jeff's extensive 2004 Lost In The Translation tour. His new solo album is scheduled for release on Frontiers Records also in September. It has long been a desire of Jeff's to play in Australia, having conquered the UK and Europe in recent years. It has also been a long time wish of mine to be able to help organize and support such a tour – bringing such a world class melodic rock artist to Australian shores. The Jeff Scott Soto Band will play dates in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Hobart. The JSS Band is: Jeff Scott Soto – Vocals; Howie Simon – Guitar; Gary Schutt – Bass; Dave Dzialak – Drums. In addition to his famed career spanning solo shows, Jeff will also perform a few Queen Tribute shows, bringing his acclaimed Queen set direct to Oz from sold out performances at the UK Queen Convention 2003 & 2004. <table> <tbody> <tr> <td><img alt="" height="299" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/jeffscottsoto-2004oztour.jpg" width="175" /></td> <td>This will be a real treat for Australian fans long starved of quality rock n roll. Jeff will bring his full American band with him and will perform his full solo show, filled with past classics as well as new tracks from his upcoming second solo album Lost In The Translation. Jeff's history in the music business is as long as it is varied. His first foray into the business was as vocalist for Yngwie Malmsteen's Rising Force. His contribution to Yngwie's first two releases remains a fan favourite. From there it was onto the much loved melodic rockers Eyes, then to his best known band Talisman, formed with fellow ex-Yngwie band member Marcel Jacob. Jeff also performed lead vocals for Axel Rudi Pell on four of the German guitarist's studio albums. There are various other projects such as Human Clay, Takara and the 70's funk cover band Boogie Knights, which gained him another cult following in Los Angeles. In 2000 Jeff worked on songs for the hit movie Queen Of The Damned. Sadly those sessions were never released. But later that year and into 2001 work on another movie soundtrack was released. Jeff wrote on material for the Box Office hit Rockstar, staring Mark Wahlberg and Jennifer Aniston.</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> Two tracks made the soundtrack and additional vocals were featured throughout the movie. The hit track Stand Up (written by Sammy Hagar) was performed by Jeff and is featured in his live set along with the best of his material with Talisman, Yngwie Malmsteen, Axel Rudi Pell, and of course, his new solo material. Jeff is also known for his work paying tribute to other artists, having been featured on tribute albums for Queen, Van Halen, Ozzy Osbourne, Jason Becker, AC/DC, Pink Floyd and The Sweet. The last 18 months saw Jeff busy releasing his first solo album, completing work on his second CD and also releasing a brand new Talisman album titled Cats & Dogs. Most recently however, there has been an exciting development, with Jeff joining up with Neal Schon (Journey, Bad English) for a new band Soul Sirkus. Work on their debut album is currently in progress. Jeff Scott Soto's solo show is acclaimed whenever he performs and his following continues to expand rapidly following the huge response and word of mouth from his solo shows. He is one of rock n roll's most energetic frontmen and anyone who sees his solo show will not forget it in a hurry.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="230" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/jeffscottsoto-live2004.jpg" width="300" />xx<img alt="" height="230" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/jeffscottsoto-believeinme.jpg" width="230" /></div>   <div align="center">Australian Tour Dates are as follows: Sydney – Bar Broadway - Thursday, September 2 Sydney – Bar Broadway - Friday, September 3 (Queen Show) Brisbane – Indie Temple – Sunday September 5 Adelaide – Enigma Bar - Thursday, September 9 Hobart – Republic Bar - Saturday, September 11 Hobart – Republic Bar - Sunday, September 12 (Queen Show) Melbourne – Corner Hotel – Tuesday, September 14 (Queen Show) Melbourne – Corner Hotel – Wednesday, September 15 (Solo Show & End Of Tour Party)</div> Ticket prices, availability and on sale dates will be announced shortly, with further show information and times. WebLinks: <a href="http://www.jeffscottsoto.com" target="new">www.jeffscottsoto.com</a> / <a href="http://www.howiesimon.com" target="new">www.howiesimon.com</a> / <a href="http://www.garyschutt.com" target="new">www.garyschutt.com</a> / <a href="http://www.talismanworld.com" target="new">www.talismanworld.com</a> / <a href="http://www.rockstarmovie.com" target="new">www.rockstarmovie.com</a> These gigs will be promoted closer to the dates, but I am also looking for Australian fans to help spread the word of Jeff's tour dates. <a href="mailto:ajm@melodicrock.com?subject=JSS Tour">Please e-mail me</a> if you have any questions regarding the tour, promotion of the dates or anything else that comes to mind. Supporting this tour will mean it won't be the last time you see Jeff in this country and it will hopefully open the doors to other artists looking at Australian live dates. It is now confirmed that Soul Sirkus is the adopted name of the new Neal Schon/Jeff Scott Soto project. The full line-up is: Neal Schon – Guitar; Jeff Scott Soto – Vocals; Marco Mendoza – Bass; Deen Castronovo – Drums. The quartet has been busy recording tracks for their debut album. 11 songs have been written and recorded recently in San Francisco at Jonathan Cain's studio, with the album to be shopped to potential labels soon. The band was born out of the ashes of Planet Us, the project featuring Journey's Neal and Deen with Sammy Hagar and Michael Anthony – who have returned to their roles in Van Halen. Planet Us demoed two tracks – Peephole and Vertigo, but disbanded without going any further. Neal had heard of Jeff's reputation and the pair first jammed at LA's 2004 Winter NAMM Convention in Los Angeles. From there the pair quickly got working collaborating on songs and the results will be heard on their debut album. Neal Schon recently commented to me: "The new stuff is cool, melodic and has plenty of edge. We are very much looking forward, to getting it out soon and playing live. I definitely feel we have the goods. It is sounding very cool to say the least."   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="211" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/soulsirkus-2004.jpg" width="350" /> Soul Sirkus - Jeff Scott Soto, Deen Castronovo, Neal Schon & Marco Mendoza.</div> I have now heard several of the new Soul Sirkus tracks. And the news is all good – I think fans of all concerned, plus melodic hard rock in general, will be more than impressed with the end results. A few comments on some of the tracks: Coming Home – A classy mid-tempo AOR ballad with some outstanding soulful vocals and slow guitar work and that classic Journey sound. Highest Ground – An epic rocker, with a monster groove and tight rhythm section. Will be popular with Talisman and Hardline fans. Praise – A true boogie rocker with another snappy fast paced groove and some outstanding guitar work. The chorus is classic Jeff and Neal is all over this track. Soul Goes On – An epic 6 minute plus slow and sultry soulful ballad featuring some outstanding slow guitar soloing – classic Schon. Periled Divide – A slow, dark and intense track with a hard edged guitar riff in place. Definitely a touch of Hardline albeit, slower and darker. Closed The Door – A sultry mid-tempo melodic rocker with a big nice solo. In addition to 10 new tracks to be featured, the 11th track is a re-recording of the Planet Us track Peephole. The band is working on a website, which you will be able to find in time at: <a href="http://www.soulsirkus.com" target="new">www.soulsirkus.com</a>. And finally, the guys have confirmed their first two live dates! Watch for details of the August gigs to be announced soon. The details will be sure to excite. Stay tuned for more!  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#a65e87" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#a65e87"> <div align="center">Tuesday, June 15, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> TOMMY DENANDER STARTS GETTING RADIOACTIVE AGAIN: Tommy Denander is back in the studio working on a new Radioactive release - a follow up to Yeah, which received enthusiastic feedback. Powerplay Magazine stated among others "The album is full of great songs bristling with an impressive wealth of ideas, haunting melodies, passionate vocals by the world-class guest singers, and Tommy Denander's extra-ordinary guitar playing. No matter how hard I struggle, it's impossible to give any of the 12 songs a negative review. ... Go and listen for yourself!" On the new album you can expect classy AOR songs and as usual Tommy managed to get some big names as guest musicians: Steve Lukather, Neal Schon, Fergie Frederiksen, Bobby Kimball, Jim Peterik, Yngwie Malmsteen, Tony Franklin, Reb Beach, Michael Landau, Michael Thompson. The album is scheduled for early 2005. And don't for get - there is still 6 days left for your opportunity to win BIG! If you place an order from <a href="http://www.musicbuymail.com/" target="new">Musicbuymail</a> between June 1 and June 20, 2004, you might win a trip to the Open Air Festival Deep Impact, taking place in Munich July 24, 2004. This price includes all travel and hotel expenses, which will be covered by Musicbuymail!!! If you live long distance from Munich, or even on a different continent, we will also pay for the flight! The winner will also be the proud owner of a backstage pass and will be able to meet all the musicians personally! Top acts playing at the DEEP IMPACT Open Air Festival in Munich include: Gotthard, TNT, Primal Fear, Dare, Kingdom Come, Fate and Skew Sisken. WebLinks: <a href="http://www.musicbuymail.com/" target="new">Musicbuymail</a>, <a href="http://www.deep-impact2004.de" target="new">www.deep-impact2004.de</a>, <a href="http://www.garagedeluxe.de" target="new">www.garagedeluxe.de</a>, <a href="http://www.mtm-music.com" target="new">www.mtm-music.com</a>   <table> <tbody> <tr> <td><img alt="" height="311" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/miketramp-2004.jpg" width="200" /></td> <td>MIKE TRAMP TO ROCK AUSTRALIA AGAIN: Rock and Roll comes ALIVE when Mike Tramp returns to touring down under after rave reviews from his April tour. "All in all, a superb evening of rock and roll by one of the most underrated performers in the business. Tramp is the real deal. Be sure to catch him next time he is town." Beat Magazine May, 2004. Mike Tramp is a rare breed of performers who will never allow rock and roll to die while he has any say in it. A child star in Denmark (his place of birth) and the frontman and writer for New York's, White Lion in the mid '80's through to the early 90's. Moving forward to today, Mike has released four solo albums and has spent much of the past 5 years performing around the world non stop including a series of stadium shows in Indonesia last year that were seen by an unheralded 200,000 people. Australia – surprisingly the country Mike now calls home, is once again to see Mike play. Mike will be available to meet his fans after the performances for photos and sign autographs for them. He will also have available his newly recorded double solo album, Rock and Roll Alive which was recorded on his 2003 European Tour.</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> Mike will also have his previous solo releases available for sale including his acclaimed 2003 release More To Life Than This. Tramp might just even throw in the odd White Lion classic for the fans! ArtistLink: <a href="http://www.miketramp.com" target="new">www.miketramp.com</a> <div align="center">Australian Live Dates are: Melbourne - The Corner Hotel, Thursday 15 July, 2004 Hobart - The Republic Bar, Saturday 24 July, 2004 Sydney - Friday 30 July at The Marquee Geelong - Barwon Club, Saturday 14 August Melbourne - The Espy on Thursday 19 August</div> IT'S ALL ABOUT THE LIVE SHOW: This weekend past saw an unprecedented list of melodic rock gigs played across the globe, from the massive Sweden Rock Festival, to Van Halen's first live dates back with Sammy Hagar and the very latest in a new round of Journey dates. Here's a run down of information and set-lists, with thanks to those that reported in from the gigs. Us poor folk that didn't get to the shows will just have to read with jealousy! First up - The Sweden Rock Festival! <table> <tbody> <tr> <td>This in from Danger Danger's Ted Poley - "I just got back from Sweden Rock Festival, the show and festival were amazing! it was completely sold out! I had an amazing time and got to hang out with Tony and Ronnie from TNT, as well as most of the other great bands too! During our set, I was having so much fun that I went crazy and jumped into the crowd and surfed, it was one of the most fun gigs I have ever done…thanks to the great fans who attended and rocked with us!...I was out of my fucking mind. Here's a few cool photos. D2 is back, and better than ever!" Morten Christiansen of Rock Power, Copenhagen also sent in some Sweden Rock details. Morten says: "I just got back from Sweden Rock, and I thought you might find it interesting with some set lists from the festival. Attached are set lists for Judas Priest, Scorpions, Y&T, UFO and Europe. Those where the ones I had the time and opportunity to write down. It was a great festival this year." Morten rated Montrose, Danger Danger, April Wine, Coney Hatch, Europe, Y&T and Scorpions as his pick of the shows. He rated Judas Priest last. stating they were " a major disappointment."</td> <td><img alt="" height="300" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/tedpoley-swedenrock1.jpg" width="200" /> Pic: Henrik Hildebrandt <a href="http://www.henrik-hildebrandt.com">www.henrik-hildebrandt.com</a></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/tedpoley-swedenrock2.jpg" width="267" /> Pic: Steve Martensson <a href="http://www.metalshrine.se">www.metalshrine.se</a></div> Here are the set lists: Europe – Sweden Rock Festival, Festival Stage 12/6 2004. Seven Doors Hotel . Wings Of Tomorrow . Superstitious . Time Has Come . Ready Or Not . Heart Of Stone . The King Will Return . Scream Of Anger . Sign Of The Times . Stormwind . Carrie (acoustic) . Open Your Heart . Let The Good Times Rock . Yesterdays News . Cherokee . Rock The Night . Start From The Dark (new) . The Final Countdown. On a side note, Kaj from <a href="http://www.melodic.net" target="new">www.melodic.net</a> writes in with information from today in the Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet. In an article Europe guitarist John Norum said that the new album has the working title Start From The Dark and the style is more heavier like on the earlier albums. It is set for a release in September. Judas Priest – Sweden Rock Festival, Festival Stage 10/6 2004. The Hellion/Electric Eye . Metal Gods . Heading Out To The Highway . The Ripper . A Touch Of Evil . The Sentinel . Turbo Lover . Victim Of Changes . Diamonds And Rust . Breaking The Law . Beyond The Realms Of Death . The Green Manalishi (With The Two Pronges Crown) . Painkiller . Hell Bent For Leather . Living After Midnight . United . You´ve Got Another Thing Coming. Scorpions – Sweden Rock Festival, Festival Stage 11/6 2004. New Generation . Love ´Em Or Leave ´Em . Bad Boys Running Wild . We´ll Burn The Sky . The Zoo . Deep And Dark . Coast To Coast . Lovedrive . Through My Eyes . Remember The Good Times . Tease Me, Please Me . Bass/Drum solo . Blackout . Blood Too Hot . Guitar solo – Mathias . Big City Nights . Still Loving You . Rock You Like A Hurricane . Hit Between The Eyes . When The Smoke Is Going Down. UFO – Sweden Rock Festival, Rock Stage 11/6 2004. Mother Mary . Let It Roll . When Daylight Goes To Town . I´m A Loser . This Kids . The Wild One . Fighting Man . Only You Can Rock Me . Baby Blue . Too Hot To Handle . Love To Love . Lights Out . Rock Bottom . Doctor Doctor . Shoot Shoot. Y&T – Sweden Rock Festival, Festival Stage 11/6 2004. Open Fire . Lipstick And Leather . Eyes Of A Stranger . Dirty Girl . Meanstreak . I´ll Cry For You . 25 Hours A Day . Wild If I Wanna . I Make Believe . Hurricane . Summertime Girls . Black Tiger . I Believe In You . Resque Me . Forever. And Van Halen's 2004 Best Of Both Worlds tour is underway! It kicked off Friday in Greensboro, North Carolina and has already ticked off dates in Hershey, PA and Buffalo, NY. Next up is Philadelphia, PA tomorrow. The set list for Greensboro was: Jump . Runaround . My Generation (intro)/Humans Being . Up For Breakfast . Mike Solo . Somebody Get Me A Doctor (Mike on vocals) . Poundcake . It's About Time . Alex Solo . Top Of The World . Unchained . Why Can't This Be Love . Eagles Fly . Deeper Kind Of Love (Sammy solo tunes) . Learning To See . Best Of Both Worlds . Eddie Solo . Dreams . Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love . Right Now . Encore: You Really Got Me . Panama . When It's Love. Now for some fan feedback! Jacob Barr writes: "I attended the first show of Van Halen's reunion tour Friday night in Greensboro, North Carolina (I live in Florida). It was AWESOME!!! The sell-out crowd was on their feet from the opening (Jump) until the final song (When It's Love). The band was full of energy and sounded better than at any other time (I have seen them 3 other times). They played about 20 songs....six Dave-era tracks...the rest were all Sammy-era VH...including the 3 new tracks. No let downs at all....great time....definitely recommended to anyone that can catch one of the shows." Terry Bowles writes: "I won tickets from my local radio station....First of all, that was more than a concert, it was an event. The 2 pits in the ring on the stage were the 1st I had seen of anything like that. The guys were very tight and ready to go, after some songs they would relish the fact that crowd was very into it and that they were together again and touring. Eddie got very emotional after his guitar solo when the crowd was chanting "Eddie, Eddie, Eddie", he was very gracious. Sammy dedicated his solo part to Ray Charles. On the new songs, it was probably the first time a lot of the fans had heard them, I was familiar with It's About Time and was able to sing along. I am sure after the new CD comes out, fans in the upcoming shows will be more familiar with the 3 new songs. I really enjoyed them. Michael and Alex were in great form also. After the show the crowd was still very charged on the way out, a lot of hooting and hollering." Tommy Hundley wrote: "Just a note to tell you the Van Halen show was great. It was a packed house in the Greensboro Coliseum...at first it looked like ghost town but at 8.30 when the band came on it was packed. The crowd chanted Eddie Eddie to get them fired up... I was a bit disappointed that Wolfie wasn't there.... I had heard that he may be there playing the guitar with his dad during Eddie's solo... Hopefully they will be adding some additional tour dates in our area... so I can catch it again... " And Rocky Wall also wrote in: "Just wanted to send you a note to let you know the VH show in Greensboro, NC was fantastic. The guys seemed to be genuinely having the time of their lives. The crowd ate it up. Sammy was signing autographs for the folks down front. He also played bartender for them for a bit. Eddie was moving quite good for a guy with a fake hip. Although he was plugged in, so he didn't get to run around the rings like Sammy and Michael. Sammy did Eagles Fly and dedicated it to Ray Charles. They had an updated version of the Right Now on the video screens, including one scene that said Right now a 13 year old is illegally downloading this song. Thought that was interesting after reading what Michael had to say. There was also a 911 tribute in it. It was a solid 2 hours of ass kicking rock & roll." And two site regulars caught Journey in Del Mar, CA on the start of their latest live dates. It seems the and has really mixed things up this time around and the fan reaction has been very positive. Ricardo Felix travelled up from Northern Mexico to see the show. He wrote in: "The show started at 7:30 p.m. with Be Good To Yourself and from then I could tell it was gonna be a great show, the guys were awesome. Though it wasn't Steve Augeri's finest hour, he sounded great. After a few songs he said something like now we have one of the many surprises tonight, our drummer Deen Castronovo is gonna sing the next song - then they go into Suzanne! I have to say, Deen is a heck of a singer, he sounds a lot like Steve Perry too, I'd never heard him sing before but I wasn't the only one surprised by his voice, and funny thing, Steve Augeri kept turning to him to hit those really high notes on songs like Higher Place, The Party's Over and a few others." And Troy posted this to the Noticeboard this morning: "I had 3rd row seats for Journey in San Diego last night and it was a rocking show with a few surprises. First of all they pulled out some stuff that hasn't been played live since the Raised On Radio tour or before even. Second Deen Castronovo sang about 4 songs...Neal Schon did 1 and Jonathan Cain did 1. Deen is a monster on lead vocals, he is actually a deadringer for Perry vocally and I am hoping they let him sing a track or 2 on their next studio album. Not only an awesome drummer but singing at the same time and holding his own with Perry note for note, he was awesome!!! Third they played around 24-26 songs. How often do you get that at a show in today's world?" The set list for the night was: DVD Intro . Be Good to Yourself . Only the Young . Star Spangled Banner (Neal Scon solo) . Stone in Love . Wheel in the Sky . Higher Place . Suzanne (Deen Castronovo Vocals) . Lights . Kiss Me Softly . Happy to Give (Deen vocals) . Chain Reaction . Voodoo Chile (Neal vocals, Hendrix cover) . Keep on Runnin' (Deen vocals, with Steve) . Jonathan Cain solo . Send Her My Love . Open Arms . Mother, Father (Deen vocals) . Opened the Door . Rubicon . Edge of the Blade . Just the Same Way (Jon vocals) . Escape . Faithfully . Don't Stop Believin' . Separate Ways . Any Way You Want It . Encore: Lovin' Touchin' Squeezin' (w/ Jon on harmonica to intro) . The Party's Over. Further on Journey, Jonathan Cain's latest independently released solo album Bare Bones has been picked up by AAO Music Inc. and will be released exclusively through <a href="http://www.fye.com" target="new">www.fye.com</a> and FYE stores, starting on June 22nd. A bonus track - a new jazzed up version of Who's Cryin' Now and a new cover is included for this release. And finally - The first reviews and pictures of the Arrow Rock Festival are online at <a href="http://www.classicrockfestival.info" target="new">www.classicrockfestival.info</a>. MELODIC BRIEFS: Wounded Bird Records are again busy getting new titles set for re-issue on CD. Planned are titles from artists such as: Kim Mitchell, Joe Lynn Turner, Roger Daltrey, Peter Cetera, Malice and Ambrosia. Jeff Reid, former bass player for SR-71, Honor Among Thieves, and Lofton passed away on Friday from Cancer. RIP Jeff - yet another sad loss. Martie Peters debut solo album is almost done. He will be in Jailhouse Studio with legend Tommy Hansen (TNT, Helloween, Pretty Maids) taking care of the mix of the final 8 tracks in June. <a href="http://www.martiepeters.com" target="new">www.martiepeters.com</a> has been updated with news, pictures and sound samples. I've mentioned it before, but mr.com regular Brian sent me a link to post for the Survivor Starbucks commercial. If you haven't seen it as yet, check this out: <a href="http://content.collegehumor.com/media/movies/starbucks.mov" target="new">content.collegehumor.com/media/movies/starbucks.mov</a>. CHRIS CATENA POWERS AHEAD WITH FREAK OUT RELEASE: American Blast Magazine have awarded Italian rocker Chris Catena with the Diamond Ring - their reward to high quality artists! Their message to Chris read: "I have attached to the email a diamond status award for you to use at your website. The award is something special I give to the artist for their musicianship and quality of music. I know in this business especially here in the States that most of the time great CD's are over looked because everyone is more concerned of record sales than the quality of songs and or music." Check out Chris' Freak Out album via the <a href="showcase/chriscatena-freakout.html">CD Showcase</a>. This debut album features an impressive list of special guests such as Glenn Hughes (duet vocals on Freak Out Tonight); Bruce Kulick; Tony Franklin; Tommy Aldridge; Eric Singer; Myron Dove; Dave Meniketti; Doug Wimbish; Virgil Donati; John Taylor; Stephen Ferrone; Chester Thompson; Jeff Scott Soto (duet vocals on What You Gonna Do When Your Love Is Gone), John Lawton (duet vocals on It's A Long Way To Go), Chuck Wright, Vitalij Kuprij, Micky Moody, Bernie Marsden, Kelly Simonz, Johnny Olhin, Nobby, Stevie Salas, Al Kooper and many others. Chris remains busy working on his next album - Return Of The Galactic Freakboy. Blues Saraceno (Poison) has recorded the songs Won't Get Fooled Again (The Who) and Always On The Run (Lenny Kravitz); Kee Marcello (Europe) recorded It's Just The Beginning, an acoustic version of the Europe track and Saturday Night's Alright For Fighting (Elton John); Jimmy Crespo (Aerosmith) recorded the song Cry Me A River (recorded in the 80's by Aerosmith).   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/chriscatena-freakout.jpg" width="200" />xx<img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/chriscatena-freakboy.jpg" width="200" /></div> DANNY DANZI GIVES FANS AN UPDATE: Danny Danzi has posted an update to his website. Bass player/producer Wayne Davis has unfortunately left Danny's band after landing a production gig in New York as an audio editor for a company associated with national acts. Danny says: "We'll miss you Wayno, wish you all the best of luck and always remember you will have a home here in the event anything changes." Andy Slostad has offered to take over the bass duties for now, and all the guitar parts will be taken care of by Danny. He adds: "We are gearing up to go out on the road and thank you all personally with a killer show. We'll hopefully be hitting parts of the East Coast, as well as a possibility of the UltraSound show in California this year." And finally: "We all thank you for your support and friendship all through the years, and are pleased that DanziLand has been so well received. I hope you all are well, and hopefully we'll see you sometime this summer or in the fall." To read the full news update, log onto: <a href="http://www.dannydanzi.com" target="new">www.dannydanzi.com</a> PROGPOWER EUROPE COMPLETES LINE-UP: Press Release: The line-up for ProgPower Europe 2004 is complete the unique indoor festival that will be held for the 6th time this year, again in Sjiwa, Baarlo (L), The Netherlands, 2 & 3 October. Canadian Devin Townsend has completed the line-up, he will headline the event on Saturday October 2. The headliner for Sunday October 3 will be no other than Dutch band The Gathering. Again we tried to book a line-up that exists of known bands, up and coming talents and bands that do not play that much in The Netherlands, and we think we really succeeded in this. We also tried to book a line-up as diverse as possible, but still all related to the prog, power and gothic rock & metal scene. You can judge yourself, but we think it is the most diverse line-up we have had. Well, the complete line-up is (alphabetical order): Adagio (France), Alchemist (Australia), All Too Human (USA), Amaran (Sweden), Devin Townsend (Canada), Katatonia (Sweden), Morgana-X (The Netherlands), Platitude (Sweden), Symphorce (Germany), The Dust Connection (The Netherlands), The Gathering (The Netherlands), Tomorrow's Eve (Germany). We have just started advance ticket sales through our website only, and right now only weekend tickets are for sale. The weekend tickets are € 40, no further reservation costs. We do accept payments through PayPal, bank transfer or cash money, all relevant information how to order your tickets is available on our website. On the website you will also find a lot of information regarding the bands, and in the next couple of weeks we will update the site with other relevant info. So check it out and we hope to see you all in October. WebLink: <a href="http://www.progpower.com/pp_europe/index.htm" target="new">www.progpower.com/pp_europe/index.htm</a> SEBASTIAN RUNNING WILD ON DVD: Sebastian Bach fans can check out an e-Card for his new live DVD out shortly. View it at: <a href="http://www.eaglevisionusa.com/ecards/Bach/index.htm" target="new">www.eaglevisionusa.com/ecards/Bach/index.htm</a> The self-serving PR reads: "This DVD boldly announces the return of one of rocks golden voices to the rock world. The live concert was shot in 1998 at Los Angeles Whisky A Go-Go, and includes a mix of solo material and classic Skid Row material that helped shoot Sebastian Bach into the public eye. Intertwined in the program are full clips of some of Sebastian's favorite moments from his stints as host of VH-1s Forever Wild show and the video for the Bach-fronted Last Hard Men tune Sleep, which appeared in the Robert Tucker film Final Rinse. Bonus footage will include previously unaired footage and outtakes from VH-1's Forever Wild, an interactive discography, commentary on all of the songs in the show, and a live clip of Sebastian Bach and Friends performing This Is The Moment, one of Sebastian's favorite songs from Jekyll and Hyde, in front of his rock and roll crowd." MORE HAIRSPRAY FOR PERRIS RECORDS: Perris Records is proud to announce the complete track listing for Hollywood Hairspray III. HH3 is jam packed with brand new and unreleased tracks from some of today's favorites as well some new up and coming artists. CD features over 70 mins of music. The complete track listing and running order is as follows: 1. Stampede Queen "In It For The Money" (Amazing new studio recording not found on the "Nights At The Cockfights" cd) 2. Funny Money "Bad Luck" (Amazing new track featuring Steve Whiteman, Jimmy & Ronnie of KIX) 3. Mad Margritt "Straight Through the Heart" (New track from their upcoming album) 4. Cherry St. "Comes Around Goes Around" (Unreleased track) (First time on CD) 5. Tigertailz "King Of The World" (Steevi & Ace return with great new track) 6. Shameless "Realize" (Brand new recording from German Glam Band, Features Steve Summers on vocals) 7. Gemini Five "Babylon Rockets" (New glam kings of Sweden) 8. Machinegun Kelly "White Line Offside" (Andy Pierce & co. amazing sleaze band. The "White Line Offside" received an amazing KKKKK (5K's) in Kerrang magazine) 9. Switchblade "Switchblade Serenade" (Sleazy Dirty Rock from Denmark, Ken Anthony on vocals) 10. Crazy Lixx "Death Row" (Amazing dirty Rock 'N' Roll from Sweden) 11. Eat The Gun "Welcome To The Show" (Great new hard hitting rock band from Germany) 12. Nineteen88 "Big Rawk" (Ballsy hard rock from the mid-west. features Mick Rowe, brother of Jamie Rowe) 13. CRASHDÏET "Riot In Everyone" (new Swedish glam band) 14. Schroeder "Doesn't Do A Thing For Me" (Melodic hard rock band from New Jersey.) 15. Tommy & The Love Tribe "Million Times" (N.Y. sleaze band once featured in Metal Edge) 16. Sleazy Dream "Backslide" (Glam / Sleaze band from Finland) 17. Tracy Gang Pussy "Play It Hard" (French Glam / Sleaze band) Look for Hollywood Hairspray III on July 15th, 2004. Hollywood Hairspray the DVD is coming in August 2004. A RUBBERY COMPETITION FOR HAREM SCAREM FANS: Harem Scarem's RubberZone together with Bullseye Records of Canada introduces the first SCARY RUBBER contest, made especially for you die hard fans. This is your chance to win some stuff you've been dreaming about! Prizes are: 1st place: Live At The Gods DVD, CD, and Weight Of The World AUTOGRAPHED by the whole band and T-shirt from haremscarem.net. 2nd place: Live At The Gods DVD with T-shirt from haremscarem.net. 3rd place: Live At The Gods CD with T-shirt from haremscarem.net. Log onto <a href="http://www.haremscarem.net" target="new">www.haremscarem.net</a> for full details.  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#a570e0" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#a570e0"> <div align="center">Monday, June 14, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> FRONTIERS RECORDS - NEWS UPDATE: Frontiers Records announces the worldwide release of a new Pride Of Lions single entitled Black Ribbons (Voices Of The World) on August 30.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="110" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/prideoflions-logo1.jpg" width="310" /></div> The song represents the band's fitting tribute to the terrorist attacks happened in Madrid on March 11th, 2004 which caused the death of 190 innocent victims. Enjoy a 90 sec. mp3 sample - <a href="http://www.frontiers.it/blackribbons.mp3">Black Ribbons</a>. Songwriter Jim Peterik says: "The song Black Ribbons is our heartfelt tribute to the people of Spain who just endured such an immense national tragedy on March 11th, 2004. The song just poured out of me when I saw the news on CNN - the senseless loss of lives, the mourning families and a country in shock. The black ribbons that the people were wearing and displaying in windows seems to be a fitting symbol of this day. Hopefully Pride Of Lions will help remind everyone in the pride we all take in our freedom and safety in this world. "Voices Of The World, rise today in prayer"- and pray that better days will come and that this humble music can make some sort of difference in this confusing world." Part of the profits of this release will be donated to the Spanish Association of the Victims of Terrorism. The single will also include two previously unreleased Pride of Lions live recordings of Gone and of the Survivor classic I Can't Hold Back.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/prideoflions-2004.jpg" width="115" />xx<img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/prideoflions-blackribbons.jpg" width="204" /></div> Frontiers Records is pleased to present the new cover artwork of the highly anticipated return from Danny Vaughn - singer of Tyketto and Vaughn to melodic rock in the studio project called From The Inside.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="94" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/fromtheinside-logo.jpg" width="300" /></div> Enjoy now a sound sample of two tracks: <a href="http://www.frontiers.it/FTI-Suddenly.mp3">Suddenly</a> (click on the song to hear a 90 second mp3 clip) and <a href="http://www.frontiers.it/ftiisanybody.mp3">Is Anybody Watching Me?</a> (click on the song to hear a 90 second mp3 clip). Release date for this amazing album has now been scheduled for August 30th 2004 on Frontiers Records.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/dannyvaughn-2004.jpg" width="134" />xx<img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/fromtheinside.jpg" width="200" /></div> And don't forget! Jeff Scott Soto, in cooperation with melodicrock.com, presents his first Australian tour in support of the release of his forthcoming album Lost In The Translation. Sydney - Bar Broadway - Thursday, September 2 Sydney - Bar Broadway - Friday, September 3 (Queen Show) Brisbane - Indie Temple - Sunday September 5 Adelaide - Enigma Bar - Thursday, September 9 Hobart - Republic Bar - Saturday, September 11 Hobart - Republic Bar - Sunday, September 12 (Queen Show) Melbourne - Corner Hotel Tuesday, September 14 (Queen Show) Melbourne Corner Hotel - Wednesday, September 15 (Solo Show & End Of Tour Party) Ticket prices, availability and on sale dates will be announced shortly, with further show information and times. Frontiers Records is very proud to announce that the bands Empty Tremor and Mind Key have been chosen by Dream Theater to be their supporting acts on the forthcoming Italian tour in July 2004. The tour will happen as follows: Sat. - Jul 03, 2004 - Roma - Centrale Del Tennis Foro Italico (EMPTY TREMOR only) Mon. - Jul 05, 2004 - Firenze - Piazzale Michelangelo (EMPTY TREMOR only) Tue. - Jul 06, 2004 - Bergamo Lazzaretto Dream Theater drummer, Mike Portnoy commented "These guys sound really excellent!" And about Mind Key - "one of the most promising newcomers in the Italian prog-metal scene in years!" Mind Key's debut CD Journey Of A Rough Diamond is already getting amazing responses on the Italian specialized press with: ROCK HARD - DYNAMIT - 9/10; FLASH Album of The Month - July; METAL HAMMER 5/6.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/mindkey-2004.jpg" width="269" /></div> Empty Tremor, the prog-metal band lead by Genius rock opera composer Daniele Liverani, will present to the Italian crowd their new singer Oliver Hartmann formerly of At Vance and the songs taken from their amazing new album The Alien Inside.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/emptytremor-2004.jpg" width="348" /></div> Singer, keyboardist and songwriter Paul Hodson presents the songs featured on the Hodson highly anticipated debut album This Strange World to be released on Frontiers Records on July 12th 2004! 'This Foolish World' - This song was inspired by September 11th and the horror of that day. It is also about all situations where people commit such horrors against other people who have the desire to commit violence instead of dialog. This was the first song written for the album. 'Jelunda' is a village in India that I visited many years ago. It was a very poor village with many people starving or without housing but their spirit and belief in their Gods kept them alive it seemed. 'The Calling' is about a soldier who seems to think that fighting and war is the only answer to any situation. It seems that there are people like this in the world who are born to fight and not listen or talk. 'English Rose' - This is simply a story about medieval England and the tale of the War of the Roses. 'My Saviour' is my belief that we all have a spirit which controls us and even if we do evil, there is still something or someone that can take us to good. Some people call the spirit God, or it may just be a person. 'Shaman Eyes' is about a shamanism. This is a religion where techniques practised can deliver complete ecstasy. 'The Swan' is a love story between a child and her mother and how, when the time is right, we as parents need to break the chains and set our children into the world to become themselves. 'Soulman' is the story of a leader and what he is to the people that he rules. The album also includes a storming version of the Rainbow classic A Light In The Black originally included on the Rising album. This shining version features the Dio-esque interpretation of Paul Hodson at his very best!!!   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="199" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/hodson-thisstrangeworld.jpg" width="200" /></div> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#ff0000" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#ff0000"> <div align="center">Friday, June 11, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> A GRAND UPDATE FROM ANDERS: I received a note from Grand llusion's Anders Rydholm regarding his work with Steve Newman, as reported yesterday: "I must correct on thing you had on your notice board yesterday regarding a post about me Steve Newman and Mike Reno. Mike Reno is NOT involved in this project in anyway. Steve and myself have been written a lot of songs but it's still not decided who is going to be the lead singer on those songs. For the moment my focus is on the new Grand Illusion album, Ordinary Just Won't Do, that will be out July 22 in Japan and July 26 in Europe." RIP RAY CHARLES: And I can't log off without mentioning the death of the great Ray Charles. What a legend. RIP Ray. Anyone curious about his best melodic friendly work - look no further than the awesome My World album. SITE UPDATES - REVIEWS AND MR-X: A massive Reviews update! Online today are reviews for upcoming, new and recent releases from: Ten, Stan Bush, Voodoo Hill, Stage Dolls, Glen Burtnik, Razorback, Kee Marcello, LA Guns, AOR, Vick Lecar, Pete Lesperance, Velvet Revolver, Helix, London Calling and Stage Dolls. <a href="reviews/reviews.html">Go check them all out</a>. I hope you find some music to impress. <a href="mr-x/index.html">MR-X</a> has also been updated. Online today is a new Feature Album - Surrender's self titled cult classic. Don't pay $1000 on EBay ! Check it out here. Also online is a Bad English live boot titled When I See You...Live. Great band... New videos have also been uploaded. Online now: Boogie Knights - Lady Marmalade, Foreigner - Lowdown And Dirty, Jorn Lande - Living With Wolves, Mr. Mister - Something Real, Rock City Angels - Deep Inside My Heart and Scorpions - Alien Nation. <a href="mr-x-intro.html">MR-X Membership Details</a>.  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#0000a0" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#0000a0"> <div align="center">Thursday, June 10, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> MTM IN JULY - FATE AND BALLADS 5: MTM's next compilation release is due July 12. Ballads 5 will feature the following tracks: Dare - Silent Hills (recent album "Beneath The Shining Water") TNT - Perfectly (recent album "My Religion") Human Temple - Desert Rain (recent album "Insomnia") Joe Lyn Turner - Love Don't Live Here (recent album "JLT") Greenhouze - Train Song (forthcoming album "Greenhouze") XYZ - Deny (recent album "Letter To God") Faro - Coast To Coast (recent album "Dawn Of Forever") Edge Of Forever - The Road We Walked On (recent album "Feeding The Fire") S.I.N. - A New Tomorrow (recent album "Somewhere Into Nowhere") Crystal Blue - Sylvia (recent album "Detour") Sayit - Longing For Someone To Hold (recent album "Sayit - Louder") Shylock - Late Night Show (recent album "Welcome To Illusion") Shiva - Loosing My Child (recent album "Desert Dreams") Shortino/Northrup - Like A Storm (recent album "Afterlife") Broke N Blue - Heaven In My Hands (recent album "Northern Light"). MTM Classix will re-release Fate's A Matter Of Attitude July 5. The details of the release are as follows: Tracklist: I Won't Stop . Hard As A Rock . (I Can't Stand) Losing You . Point Of No Return . Hunter . Summerlove . Farrah . Get Up And Go . Limbo A Go Go . Do It . Hardcore Romance (unreleased bonus track) . Memories Of You (unreleased bonus track). Line-Up: Jeff "Lox" Limbo - Lead vocal, Bob Lance - Drums, Pete Steiner - Bass, Keyboards, Hank Sherman - Guitar.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/mtm-ballads5.jpg" width="200" />xx<img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/fate-amatterofattitude.jpg" width="200" /></div> WHITE SISTER'S DENNIS CHURCHILL DRIES CHECKS IN: I was pleased to hear from White Sister's Dennis Churchill Dries this week, just dropping me a line with an update on his return to making music. Dennis tells me he has started weekly writing sessions with Rick Chadock and has started singing again, adding: "I have to say it's been cool to get back in front of the mike. After only playing bass on the last couple of projects, I it feels like home again." Dennis is not yet sure if these songs are White Sister material or not quite yet, but the due also have original drummer Rich Wright on the hook, and local keyboardist/vocalist Kyle Frost working with them. The first couple of tracks they have going are VERY melodic, Dennis says "my voice is a little raspier with old age, and Rick seems to toughen up everything we do, and that makes it interesting." He finishes by stating: "I always thought we had something to offer, with WS and Tattoo Rodeo, but after all the years I wondered if Rick and I had anything left. The industry has a way of crushing your spirits, but it's always in the blood. I m encouraged by what Rick and I have come up with, so we're gonna do it like we used to, before it got all corporate!" I'll be sure to check in with Dennis for further updates over the coming months. UP FOR MORE VAN HALEN TUNES?: The second and third new Van Halen tracks have been played on radio in the USA - Up For Breakfast and Learning To See are now in the public domain. Both are interesting tracks and go with It's About Time quite nicely. I have to say I really dig Learning To See the most - a very intense track! So here they are - direct from a US radio broadcast on WRIF. Thanks to the guys at <a href="http://www.vhlinks.com" target="new">VHLinks.com</a> for the files. Download: Van Halen - <a href="audio/VanHalen-UpForBreakfast.mp3">Up For Breakfast</a> and <a href="audio/VanHalen-LearningToSee.mp3">Learning To See</a>.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/vanhalen-bestofbothworlds.jpg" width="233" /></div> FOREIGNER WITHOUT LOU GRAMM AGAIN: I have confirmed that moves are being made to secure a new vocalist for a revamped Foriegner line-up. Management have reached out to at least one singer that I know of. Where this leaves Lou Gramm is anyone's guess, but on the road with Mick Jones is sadly unlikely. Stay tuned... BROKE N BLUE SIGN TO MTM FOR SECOND ALBUM: Broke [N] Blue have singed to MTM Music. BNB is an AOR project from Sweden playing the original music of guitar/keyboardplayer Lars Abrahamsson. The vocals are shared between Eva Eggesjö-Abrahamsson and Peter Gustavsson. Ulf Vestlund plays bass and drums and produces their music together with Lars. Stylewise Broke[N]Blue delivers good melodic songs in a mix between Heart and Roxette, due to the double vocalists. Influences are wide and varied from bands like Journey, Toto, Foreigner, Def Leppard and Van Halen. The debut album Northern Light gained a lot of good reviews and the concept with shared male/female vocals turned out to be a winner, giving a new dimension and great variety to the whole CD. During 2002-2003 new songs were written by Lars, and a new album was planned, but was postponed due to lack of time for all involved in the project. The work with the new album is proceeding for a planned release later this year. Lars own words about the new album "It will be the same style, keyboard-dripping guitar driven melodic songs with great vocals, this time maybe leaning more to a classic rocksound with piano and organ, and not so much of those synthesizersounds of the 80's". LabelLink: <a href="http://www.mtm-music.com" target="new">www.mtm-music.com</a> ESCAPE TO RELEASE HIGHLY STRUNG PAUL JANZ LP: Escape Music once again bring you some wonderful news in their quest to bring out the very best of music that has not seen a release in CD format. This time we bring you the much acclaimed High Strung album by Canadian Paul Janz. Many fans of Paul will know that High Strung is his first solo album, originally released on A&M in 1985. At this time Paul had already won a Juno award for the most promising male vocalist. His first hit single I Go To Pieces is taken from the album and this spawned another three hit songs...an achievement indeed. Paul's work is typical Canadian melodic pop rock, but he has such a marvellous voice that he became a household name both sides of the Atlantic. This is such a beautiful recording and we are so proud to be associated with this wonderfully talented artist. Release date 26th July 04.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/pauljanz-highstrung.jpg" width="200" /></div> UFO TO TRY AGAIN FOR US TOUR: UFO have re-scheduled their American tour dates! The last set of dates was cancelled at the last minute due to singer Phil Mogg being denied entry to the USA. The new dates are as follows: 22 Sept 04 Baltimore MD - Thunderdome 23 Sept 04 Glenside PA - Keswick 25 Sept 04 Hampton Beach NH - Hampton Beach Casino 26 Sept 04 Sayerville NJ - Starland Ballroom 28 Sept 04 Pittsburgh PA - The Rex Theater 29 Sept 04 New York NY - B. B. Kings 1 Oct 04 New York NY - B. B. Kings 2 Oct 04 Poughkeepsie NY - The Chance 6 Oct 04 Sauget IL - Pops 8 Oct 04 Detroit MI - Magic Bag 9 Oct 04 Cleveland OH - Odeon 10 Oct 04 Chicago IL - House Of Blues 11 Oct 04 Chicago IL - House Of Blues KEE MARCELLO'S 12 MINUTE SWEDISH GIG!: Kee Marcello's gig last night in Stockholm turned into a farce after the promoter changed the game plan 3 minutes before Kee was due to hit the stage! In an apparent last minute change of heart, the promoter deemed the music "too hard" and would potentially "scare away the eating and drinking guest in the area!" It was finally decided that they could play 3 songs and no more, so the gig started 35 minutes late and lasted for about 12 minutes. The team behind getting Kee to play are furious and have stated this was a contract violation and are looking at taking further action. Kee did tell the audience about it, who thankfully accpeted it wasn't Kee's fault. Sweden's major newspaper Aftonbladet were quickly on the scene and have reported about the incident in today's issue with the headline; "Europe guitarist stopped - music to hard." webLink: <a href="http://www.aftonbladet.se/vss/noje/story/0,2789,488366,00.html" target="new">www.aftonbladet.se/vss/noje/story/0,2789,488366,00.html</a> 'PLUG IT OUT' (LIVE AT THE BEDFORD ARMS) DVD NOW AVAILABLE: Thunder's new DVD is available to purchase online now. Filmed on December 16th and 17th 2003, this single DVD (PAL) features all the best bits of both these semi acoustic shows. Including special guest musicians and singers, there are some great new takes on Thunder classics, as well as some interesting cover versions. Track Listing: Stand Up . River Of Pain . Everybody's Laughing . Streetfighting Man . Numb . Castles In The Sand . Everybody Wants Her . Low Life In High Places . Resurrection Shuffle . Higher Ground . You Can't Live Your Life In A Day . When I'm Dead & Gone . Joy To The World. Extras - Find It Out - The hilarious Q&As; Snap It Up - Photo gallery; Plug It In - 3 songs from The Avo Sessions in Basel Switzerland (Nov 2003); plus extra Secret Footage. Visit <a href="http://www.thunderonline-shop.co.uk" target="new">www.thunderonline-shop.co.uk</a> now to buy your copy. Please note that this DVD is available EXCLUSIVELY from the Thunder Shop and will not be available anywhere else!!! The Thrill Of It All re-issue will now be a 2 Disc set!! The album is scheduled for release on Monday 26th July through Castle/Sanctuary Records, catalogue number CMQDD 984. The track listing is currently set to include the following, but please be aware that may be changes made to this between now and the release date. CD1 - Pilot Of My Dreams . Living For Today . Love Worth Dying For . Don't Wait Up . Something About You . Welcome To The Party . The Thrill Of It All . Hotter Than The Sun . This Forgotten Town . Cosmetic Punk . You Can't Live Your Life In A Day. CD2 - Don't Wait Up (Edit) . Hirsute Boogie (B-side of Don't Wait Up) . Every Word's A Lie (B-side of Don't Wait Up) . Somebody To Love (B-side of Love Worth Dying For) . Lethal Combination (B-side of Love Worth Dying For) . Bed Of Roses (B-side of Love Worth Dying For) . Something About You (Acoustic Version) . Bring It On Home (Acoustic Version) . You Can't Live Your Life In A Day (Acoustic Version). The CD is available to pre-order from Townsend Records NOW at <a href="http://www.townsend-records.co.uk/thunder.htm" target="new">www.townsend-records.co.uk/thunder.htm</a> Townsend are offering a 10% discount throughout June for all Thunder fans who pre-order by simply stating 'Summer Sale' in the special instructions field. RIP RAY HERNANDEZ: A message from Paul Shortino and friends: "It is with great sadness that we must announce that Musicworks beloved friend, and very own session drummer, Ray Hernandez passed away on May 29th, 2004 due to multiple organ failure. Ray most recently just finished recording all of the drum tracks for the Level Simplexity CD along with the Paul Shortino track Freedom. Ray is survived by his wife Debbie Starr-Hernandez. A Benefit is being arranged by Paul, JT and the rest of the staff of Musicworks in Ray's memory. We will post the details once they have been finalized. Dan, Paul, JT, Carman and the rest of the Musicworks Family." RIP Ray. MELODIC BRIEFS: Brides Of Destruction are heading to Australia for live dates. Details shortly. This will be one to watch - apparently the Rock in Rio Festival organization just announced that next year's edition of the festival will take place in Sydney, Australia! Announced were: 2005 - Sydney, Australia; 2006 - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and 2007 - Lisbon, Portugal. Sonata Arctica's new album will be called Reckoning Night. Tracks to be included are: White Pearl, Black Oceans..., The Boy Who Wanted to be a Real Puppet, Ain't Your Fairytale, Wrecking the Sphere, Blinded No More and My Selene. Steve Newman has just finished work on his Butterfly Tattoo material - songs of a heavier and more modern direction than his AOR based Newman records. He'll start talking to distributors shortly about a release. Steve is also working on a project with Anders Rydholm of Grand Illusion. Robin Beck's continually delayed album is now due out in Europe June 28. STATETROOPER CALLING TO OLD FANS: Statetrooper first put pedal to the metal in the summer of 1985. The new outfit was originally envisioned as the solo venture for the legendary Gary Barden following his departure from highly-successful Michael Schenker Group. Barden first recruited dynamic drummer Bruce Bisland from NWOBHM stalwarts Weapon and Mausoleum recording artists Wildfire. Being impressed by the manifest talents of Bisland, Barden would soon take advantage of the opportunity and recruit the former's Wildfire colleagues guitarists Martin Bushell and Jeff Summers, bassist Jeff Brown as well as earlier-discovered keyboardist Steve Glover. The seminal and self-titled Statetrooper album was unleashed in 1987. Armed with outstanding songs like the hook-laden Shape Of Things To Come, the hard-driving and catchy Veni Vidi Vinci and even a live version of MSG's Armed And Ready Statetrooper's album had generated very favourable reviews from some of the most influential music commentators of the time. One journalist had claimed that Statetrooper were "the saviours of British Rock Music." Comments like this would be borne out by the passage of time. With the album's release in full swing and sales figures climbing Statetrooper was soon invited onto the road as very special guests to the legendary Blue Oyster Cult in 1986. Fans were not surprised when, despite opening for a very successful and renowned act, Statetrooper managed to steal the show at many of the large and sold-out venues across the United Kingdom. The immediate effect of the tour was the word of mouth which had travelled faster than the band. Rock, hard rock and heavy metal fans would turn up at the shows clutching the recently-released album demanding autographs and more information about the band. Journalists had caught the buzz as well and consequently Barden and the boys were invited to many print, radio and TV interviews. It was therefore astonishing that despite all this interest and the numerous appearances around Europe (including several sold-out shows at the original and now defunct Marquee Club on London's Wardour Street), the day's musical climate had conspired to hinder Statetrooper from ascending to the next level. This, even though by 1987, original lead guitarist Martin Bushell had been replaced by former Wild Horses, Thin Lizzy and Motorhead guitar hero Brian Robertson. However, it soon became apparent that the music scene was changing, and so statetrooper decided to call it a day. That was 1987, but the fans never gave up on the band. In 2003, the band members bowed to fan pressure and re-released the first album, at first via the internet, and then through a deal with Escape Music. Realising that there was still a great affinity for the band, and with healthy sales on the reissue, the band decided to reform and record a new album. Barden, Bisland and Summers now form the back bone of the band, along with new guitarist Martin Mickels, (and Steve Glover appearing live with them). The album has been recorded and is widely regarded as stronger than the original, highly acclaimed material. The Calling is an apt name, as Jeff Summers explains, We all realised that there was something missing in our lives & and it was the band. We all felt the calling to return to the band, and release the songs that have been clamouring to get out for all these years! But following their experiences of the past, the band were wary of signing deals with the music industry that had disillusioned them back in the late 80's. After long discussions, they decided that the best way to deal with it, was to set up their own label and release it themselves. And thus, CIC Records was incorporated. The Calling is released worldwide on CIC Records on July 19th 2004.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/statetrooper-thecalling.jpg" width="200" /></div> GLENN HUGHES ROCKS MOONSTONE: Glenn Hughes does it again!! The "Voice Of Rock" will sing on Where Did You Hide The Blues You've Got for the Moonstone Project - <a href="http://www.moonstone.it" target="new">www.moonstone.it</a>. It's a bluesy & emotional song which also features Ian Paice on drums. Another special guest is Kelly Keeling. Kelly is a great singer who worked with John Norum, Don Dokken, Michael Shenker, Stuarth Smith, Erik Norlander, George Lynch, Carmine Appice & many others. He sings on Slave Of Time, a straight rocker with a southern feel. Other guests announced soon. The recording sessions will continue until first days of July. Then mixing process is supposed to begin. These days the management has started to negotiate with record labels and it seems everything is going well. VAN HALEN - 1 DAY TO GO: A little more for you Van Halen hungry fans, being that we are only 1 day away from the start of THE tour we thought would never happen. This from a USA today article. Alex Van Halen is the man speaking: "As for other stuff, I'll speak for myself. We made a mistake. The whole thing unraveled. We were buddies for 11 years, and all of a sudden it stopped. We were rash, things blew apart very fast and uncontrollably, and it ain't going to happen again." "We're all grown-ups," he says, "and we'll take full responsibility for what happened, but there were outside forces that tried to drive wedges between people, and you don't always get the full picture. Before you know it, decisions are being made for you and you look back and say, 'How the hell did that happen?'" Very good news! The radio single It's About Time is continuing to do good business. Check out: <a href="http://www.radioandrecords.com/Charts/rock_Home.htm" target="new">www.radioandrecords.com/Charts/rock_Home.htm</a> And just today, another article from Reuters news agency: <a href="http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=musicNews&storyID=5388133" target="new">www.reuters.com</a> Quoted from that article: "While the tour has been all the buzz in the music industry, promotion and publicity for the reunion was purposely underplayed", band manager Irving Azoff says. "Because the whole Van Halen reunion had been shrouded in secrecy and admittedly dysfunctional, the band and I felt that less is more," he says. The group did very few interviews and did not release new promotional video footage. And - "Hagar admits that the vibe now between him and the Van Halen brothers is "intense and wacky," but despite their highly publicized breakup, music and friendship are the ties that bind them." THE CLASSIC METAL SHOW TALKS ADRIANGALE: The Classic Metal Show will be doing a New Music Listening Party for Adriangale's Crunch this Saturday, June 9th live beginning at 9pm EST (USA). Along with that, guitarist Vic Rivera will be calling into the show for a live interview. Anyone interested in listening can do so at <a href="http://www.theclassicmetalshow.com" target="new">www.theclassicmetalshow.com</a>. The Classic Metal Show is all live and all request, featuring "classic metal" from the 80s and beyond. Also featured on the show will be a new music listening party for the new Velvet Revolver album Contraband. MELODIC BRIEFS: Asia's new Silent Nation album has been delayed in release for about a month. The release dates are now: August 30 in Europe and August 31 in USA. J Records has pushed back the release of the anticipated debut Silvertide album until September 28!! Sadly the album will no longer be available in time for the band's support gig with Van Halen. 38 Special's Drivetrain album is due for release July 27. Further details at: <a href="http://www.38special.com" target="new">www.38special.com</a> MAJESTIC ROCK RECORDS - JUNE RELEASES: Pete Way will release an acoustic album titled Acoustic Animal through Majestic Rock Records on June 28. The release information reads: Pete Way as you've never heard him before! No longer lurching around with a Gibson Thunderbird bass hanging from his neck, this remarkable CD finds the man in reflective mood playing songs on an acoustic guitar in an altogether more intimate nature...Hey, though, this ain't Bob Dylan. This is still rock n' roll. Let's face it, that's all Pete knows how to do! Don't expect sweet natured songs about flowers n' trees, puppies n' kittens – this is a man singing about the things he knows all about. The seedy side of life has been home to Pete Way for a long time. Here are his thoughts and memories. Share them with him… Also from Majestic Rock in June: Snowblind – Snowblind - From 1985 comes the overdue CD release of this British Pomp/AOR cult classic. Originally available through European label Mausoleum Records, This deluxe reissue comes with extensive sleeve notes and unseen photos and four bonus cuts in the shape of the band's highly regarded Friday Rock Show session. Never as successful or as widely known as many of their contemporaries, Snowblind nonetheless have a place in the great European melodic rock boom of the mid eighties. Guitarist extraordinaire Andy Simmons narrowly missed out on joining the re-formed UFO in the late nineties, Instead, he worked with UFO keyboard man Paul Raymond on his Man On A Mission album. Tracks: Walk The Line . Chasing The Dragon . Possession . Sierra . Now Is The Hour . Losing My Place . Hold On . Possession (Reprise) . Hold On (BBC session – bonus track) . Chasing The Dragon (BBC session – bonus track) . Losing My Place (BBC session – bonus track) . Walk The Line (BBC session – bonus track). Quartz – Stand Up And Fight - Birmingham based rockers Quartz had already released a couple of albums prior to this, their one and only album for MCA records – most famously their debut album for Jet Records, produced by Black Sabbath's Tony Iommi and featuring Ozzy himself on backing vocals. They may well have had friends in high places, but that didn't mean that they didn't have to work hard. On the contrary, QUARTZ worked damn hard to establish themselves, and this album was the reward for all that hard work. Produced by Derek Lawrence – notable for production work with an early Deep Purple and Angel - Stand Up And Fight snarls at the listener, a veritable animal of an album. This is a band fighting for it's place in the world and it's position in the rock hierarchy…it kicks ass! Tracks: Stand Up And Fight . Charlie Snow . Can't Say No To You . Revenge . Stoking Up The Fires Of Hell . Rock n' Roll Child . Questions . Wildfire . Circles (Bonus Track).   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="190" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/peteway-acousticanimal.jpg" width="190" />xx<img alt="" height="190" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/snowblind.jpg" width="190" />xx<img alt="" height="190" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/quartz-standupandfight.jpg" width="190" /></div> FOREIGNER - WHERE THINGS STAND RIGHT NOW: Let's sort out the Foreigner mess a little further. It seems Lou Gramm is absolutely no longer in the band - preferring to set out on his own again, touring under the Lou Gramm Band and more interestingly, sometimes it seems billed as Foreigner, with original vocalist Lou Gramm (as was the case for a gig in Tijuana, Mexico this week). Mick Jones did not fire him and said recently on air their relationship remains amicable. I know other vocalists have been approached by band management to join Mick Jones in a new band line-up. Whether he names it Foreigner also remains to be seen. Former Bad Company singer Brian Howe confirmed to me he has approached. Lou has recently said that he is planning to record a new solo album, and has stated in his local newspaper that he thinks it's doubtful he will sing with Foreigner again. Stay tuned... DEF LEPPARD - A CHANGE OF MIND?: Here we go again....this is from <a href="http://defleppard.senff.com" target="new">defleppard.senff.com</a> - a website run by Def Leppard's own webmaster. In response to more recent news of a covers album from the band, this was posted this week: "In an article about his house, Sav mentioned that the next Def Leppard album would be a compilation of cover tunes from the 70s, to be released in September. Even though it's from the band's bass player, don't count on it too much. The interview was done a long while ago and plans have changed (a lot) since. Some 70s cover tunes HAVE been recorded, but whether they will be released on the next album, remains to be seen at the moment." This is frustrating to say the least - the whole veil of secrecy thing, the whole leaking of track listing joke/fiasco and now the possible changing of minds due to the under whelming response to news of a covers album. I was also told by a good friend (that sometimes works with one of the band's members) that the next album was covers and was nearly completed. But yes, things can change. But personally, I'm totally burnt out on all things Def Leppard. If you are looking for updates on the and keep an eye on <a href="http://www.defleppard.com" target="new">defleppard.com</a> for official announcements. FROM CHEAP TRICK TO DVD: Multi-platinum rock legends Cheap Trick are set to release From Tokyo To You on June 15th, 2004 via Big3 Records/Cheap Trick Unlimited. The DVD will feature live performances, exclusive interviews and behind the scenes footage from the band's 2003 Japanese tour. Cheap Trick is no stranger to Japan, as the 1979 release At Budokan is one of the most celebrated live recordings of all time, reaching quadruple-platinum. Footage from this show is seen as the band reflects on the momentous occasion. Featuring the band's trademark high-powered pop, From Tokyo To You includes blistering live versions of hits from their three decade-long career, including "I Want You to Want Me," "My Obsession" and "Surrender." Members of Cheap Trick - Rick Nielsen (guitar), Robin Zander (vocals, guitar), Bun E. Carlos (drums) and Tom Petersson (bass) offer a rare glimpse into their world with candid, humorous insight into personal and band history. "This is Cheap Trick- the H-O-L-E story… hilarious, outrageous, loud and exciting," says Rick Nielsen. Performances on the DVD include: Just Got Back . Big Eyes . Best Friend . Pop Drone . Words . If You Want My Love . My Obsession . Fan Club . Carnival Game . Lookout . Special One . Dream Police . Scent of a Woman . Surrender . California Man. The release of From Tokyo To You adds another chapter to Cheap Trick's legacy as they continue to reinvigorate American rock'n'roll with a unique sound that has been the foundation and inspiration of many of today's hottest acts. The band has numerous successes under its belt, including four platinum albums and seven gold LPs, a number-one single with The Flame, several other Top 40 hits and a gold-certified video compilation entitled Every Trick in the Book. With more than 25 years of world touring, Cheap Trick has sold out shows in America and Japan, playing with the likes of AC/DC, Pearl Jam, Queen, The Smashing Pumpkins, KISS and the 1996 Lollapalooza Tour. They can currently be seen touring North America through June in support of their latest studio release, Special One, with fellow legends Aerosmith. SCORPIONS UNBREAKABLE IN THE USA: German Rockers The Scorpions will release their 20th album, Unbreakable, in the USA on June 22. The set will feature singer Klaus Meine, guitarist Rudolf Schenker, guitarist Matthias Jabs, drummer James Kottak and new bassist Pawel Maciwoda and will be the band's first for Sanctuary Records. In addition to the new album, a three-CD box set, Box of Scorpions, was just issued by Hip-O/Mercury/UMe. It includes 51 digitally remastered songs spanning the band's career from 1972 to 2002, as well as a deluxe booklet with an essay and song-by-song commentary from the band members. The complete track listing for Unbreakable is: New Generation . Love 'Em or Leave 'Em . Deep and Dark . Borderline . Blood Too Hot . Maybe I Maybe You . Someday Is Now . My City My Town . Through My Eyes . Can You Feel It . This Time . She Said and Remember the Good Times. Look for The Scorpions on tour later this year. BOSTON'S GARY PHIL TALKS UP NEW MUSIC AND POSSIBLE DVD: Boston's Gary Pihl was interviewed recently at ClassicRockRevisited.com. To read the full interview, check out: <a href="http://www.classicrockrevisited.com/Interviews04/Boston's%20Gary%20Pihl.htm" target="new">www.classicrockrevisited.com</a> Discussed with the interview were a couple of very interesting points. There's the rumored re-mix of the Corporate America album: "We had the idea that we would re-release it with some new tracks. We were a bit disappointed with the sales and weren't really happy with the distribution of the last album and so the thought was to re-release it because not too many people knew it was out there and at the same time, because we re always writing new stuff the idea was to put a few new tracks on there as well which will be one more reason for people to buy it." And plans for a live DVD: "We've been discussing these seriously. I'd love to see them if for nothing else just for the historic value so we could get it down live for everyone to see."  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#004080" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#004080"> <div align="center">Monday, June 07, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> THE FIRST TMG ALBUM READY TO ROCK: TMG - the Tak Matsumoto Group have completed recording their debut album, titled TMG 1. The much anticipated album is set for release in Japan June 23. TMG features Tak Matsumoto (guitars), Jack Blades (bass), Eric Martin (vocals) and Brian Tichy (drums). There are two options for the initial release - a regular CD or a limited edition CD/DVD combo, at a slightly higher price. The full track listing is: Oh Japan ~Our Time Is Now . Everything Passes Away . Kings For A Day . I Know You By Heart . I Wish You Were Here . The Greatest Show On Earth . Signs Of Life . Red, White And Bullet Blues . Trapped . My Alibi . Wonderland . Train, Train . Two Of A Kind . Never Good-Bye. The band will undertake an extensive Japanese tour in August/September.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/tmg-tmg1.jpg" width="234" /></div> VAN HALEN TO PREMIERE NEW TRACKS VIA RADIO BROADCAST THIS WEEKEND: New York, NY – June 3, 2004 – Westwood One (NYSE: WON) presents "Van Halen – 2004 Tour Special and World Premiere", airing on the weekend of June 11-13, 2004. The one-hour special marks the legendary band's first radio interview in more than eight years. The special includes an exclusive interview with Eddie, Alex, Michael and Sammy discussing their upcoming tour and the new album, The Best of Both Worlds. "Van Halen – 2004 Tour Special and World Premiere" on the Westwood One Network will air on more than 120 stations nationwide in top US markets including WAXQ-FM, New York; KLOS-FM, Los Angeles; KCBS-FM, Los Angeles; WLUP-FM, Chicago; WZLX-FM, Boston; WARW-FM, Washington D.C.; WRIF-FM, Detroit; KZPS-FM, Dallas; WZGC-FM, Atlanta and many more. The upcoming tour marks the return of Sammy Hagar who fronted the band from 1985 to 1996. In addition, the special will showcase three new Van Halen tracks included in the upcoming 36-song, two-disc Van Halen – The Best of Both Worlds. For more information: <a href="http://www.westwoodone.com/Press%20Releases/2004/06/06_03_04(vhalen).asp" target="new">www.westwoodone.com/Press%20Releases/2004/06/06_03_04(vhalen).asp</a> Also in the world of Van Halen this week: The Best Of Both Worlds will be released July 20, 2004 (USA) and July 19 (Overseas) on Warner Bros. Records. Watch for a special Internet pre-sale coming soon! <a href="http://www.van-halen.com" target="new">VH.com</a> have a brand new contest open now. Your chance at a pair of tickets to sit INSIDE the stage during the show will be available for selected shows throughout the tour. The first contest kicks off with a pair of stage tickets in Greensboro, NC. Point your browsers to <a href="http://www.van-halen.com/newsite/stagetickets.html" target="new">www.van-halen.com/newsite/stagetickets.html</a> to enter. New shows have been added to the tour in Atlanta, GA, Cincinnati, OH, Louisville, KY and Biloxi, MS! Go to The Road for more info. Additional shows will be announced shortly. And here is another live feed link from the rehearsal show last week: <a href="http://reuters.feedroom.com/ifr_main.jsp?st=1086569816530&rf=bm&mp=WMP&wmp=1&rm=1&cpf=true&fr=102003_065253_60d0ebxf859c80395xw2705&rdm=358644.87885014503#frtop" target="new">reuters.feedroom.com</a> ArtlistLink: <a href="http://www.van-halen.com" target="new">www.van-halen.com</a> MAJESTIC ROCK RECORDS UPDATE: Here is an update from the newsdesk of <a href="http://www.majesticrock.com" target="new">Majestic Rock Records</a>: "We sometimes feel that we don't keep you guys up to speed with what's happening down at Majestic Towers....so here are a few snippets of news that may -should! - be of interest. Million enter Jonsered Studio (just outside Gothenburg, Sweden in case you wondered) in the next day or so to begin recording their fifth album - though first for Majestic Rock - for release at the end of October. It'll be entitled Guts! and will kick your butts harder than they've been kicked in quite a while, we would imagine. Work on Waysted's come-back album Back From The Dead is nearing completion at a studio in Buckingham, UK with a planned release for the end of September. The sleeve is done, and as soon as our web master can make it happen (Hi, Mark!), we'll let you see it. For the NWOBHM fans out there - and we know there are lots of you! - comes news of a planned release for a whole bunch of early Bitches Sin material in the next couple of months through Majestic Rock. Containing the band's original demos and their BBC session, this goes right back to the beginning of it all for the band. Housed in a sleeve featuring a previously unused (and therefore unseen!) photo from the Always Ready For Love Neat Records single shoot, this is big news for NWOBHM fans and acts as a nice opening salvo for the planned release of the band's classic Predator album and it`s follow up Invaders later in the year." MAGNUM START BOOKING UK DATES: Magnum are gearing up for a UK tour in support of their new studio album Brand New Morning, which is due out August 30. The dates announced at this early stage are: Fri 09/24/04 Glasgow, UK The Garage Sat 09/25/04 Bradford, UK Rio's Sun 09/26/04 Manchester, UK MDH Mon 09/27/04 Nottingham, UK Rock City Tue 09/28/04 Norwich, UK Waterfront Wed 09/29/04 Wolverhampton, UK Wulfrun Hall Fri 10/01/04 London, UK The Astoria Sun 10/03/04 Bristol, UK Bristol Bierkeller AXEL READIES HIS 3RD BALLADS COMPILATION: In August, the Axel Rudi Pell band will record three new songs for the upcoming new album The Ballads Vol. 3, which will be released on October 25th, 2004. Amongst the new tracks will be a cover version of Rainbow's Temple Of The King which recently could be heard live on the first leg of the ARP 2004 tour. ...and don't forget to rock with Axel & the boys at their gig on June 10th at Kulturfabrik in Krefeld, Germany or next weekend at Sweden Rock Festival! Axel Rudi Pell are: guitars - Axel Rudi Pell; vocals - Johnny Gioeli; drums - Mike Terrana; bass - Volker Krawczak; keys - Ferdy Doernberg. For the latest news check <a href="http://www.axel-rudi-pell.de" target="new">www.axel-rudi-pell.de</a> regulary. A WORD FROM JIM PETERIK - PRIDE OF LIONS, 38 SPECIAL AND IDES OF MARCH: The always busy Jim Peterik has posted a lengthy update of his recent activities on his website: <a href="http://www.jimpeterik.com" target="new">www.jimpeterik.com</a> Here is a summary of a few items of particular interest to melodic rock fans. To read the full update, log onto: <a href="http://www.jimpeterik.com/latestnews.htm" target="new">www.jimpeterik.com/latestnews.htm</a> Right now, Jim is the midst of editing and mixing the Ides of March DVD entitled A Vehicle Through Time - which is a documentation of the band's March 13th concert at the Arcada Theater in St. Charles. Jim writes: "John Anderson (the brilliant video editor who did the new Brian Wilson concert DVD) is handling our editing. (He is also one of the 3 cameramen along with Steve Lane and Ed Flynn). Larry Millas is currently bunkered down at my World Stage studios doing the 5.1 surround mix. This is a first for us and the sound is spectacular. Our own merchandise man (along with Amy Blaze) is handling the design of the package and it looks great. It should be ready for sale in mid to late June. Pre-orders will soon be taken on this site and <a href="http://theidesofmarch.com" target="new">theidesofmarch.com</a>. The price is 30.00 plus shipping. The DVD is truly the musical story of the Ides - complete with narration and actors on stage (Toby Bermann making his cameo as one of our former managers and RC McWilliams as the man that discovered us - Dutch Winzloff). Dick Biondi of WJMK is host. The DVD includes the many testimonials from people like Dick Clark, Penn and Teller, and Steve King and Johnnie Putman from WGN." Work on the next Pride Of Lions album is also underway - it sounds rather interesting to say the least. Jim had this to say ont he subject: "I just started the tracking for the next Pride of Lions record. I have been writing non-stop for the last 2 months getting together new material for Toby Hitchcock and I. The record company (Frontiers) and I have set the bar really high for this release. Anything short of spectacular is unacceptable after the amazing reviews world wide of the first one. Out of the first batch of song demos I sent to Serafino Perugino (Frontiers prez and exec producer) he rejected two songs. After the requisite 2 days of pouting anger - I got to work and wrote 2 songs that really "got it". I always do my best work under pressure and for the people and ears that I really respect. This situation brings out the best in me for sure. The first session on May 20th went great. Ed Breckenfeld was behind the skins. Klem Hayes holding down the bottom, Mike Aquino ripping on guitar and Christian Cullen shimmering on keyboards. (He's got some amazing new synth patches that take me all the way back to the 80's when I had my Roland Jupiter 8 synth). So we're off and running. This upcoming week - more POL sessions. Hilary Jones is coming in later in the week to play some drums on a few more progressive tracks (think Rush meets Survivor) that seem to call for her fusion style. By the way - I had my drum room re-done. Acoustic consultation was handled by Sam Lynn Halonen and construction by D.K. Davis (yes- the rock-a-billy singing star!) Expect the best sounds yet from World Stage Studio on Pride of Lions and future Ides recordings. Release date is November to coincide with the possible Pride of Lions Euro tour with the full band." And lastly, Jim chimes in some added enthusiasm for the upcoming 38 Special record, which is really beginning to sound like something special. His comments read: "I am really excited about the release of the new 38 Special album entitled Drivetrain. I must say I am totally blown away! This thing rocks. Don Barnes had been prepping me to expect a harder sound but nothing could have prepared me. The band is TIGHT! To me some of the standouts of the ones I had the pleasure of co-writing are the opening cut Something I Need (written a few years back during one of my trips to Atlanta to write with Danny and Don), Hurts Like Love which I just found out will be their first single, Quick Fix, which I wrote with Donny Vanzant (great vocal, Donny- you've never sounded better), Make Some Sense Of It, (written in Jacksonville ) and the real sleeper, Sheriff's County Line. (Also written in Jacksonville with 38 and the extra help of Johnny Van Zant). This last one is a real story song which tells the tale of the sheriff of Sheriff's County, his lovely but flirtatious daughter Estelle, and his favorite deputy named Calhoun who ultimately betrays him. Film at 11. This song I am particularly proud of because it goes where few songs of mine have ever gone. Please check it out." ELP'S ULTIMATE RELEASE: Sanctuary Records have scheduled Emerson Lake & Palmer - The Ultimate Collection for release on Monday June 14. The 3 Disc album features 24 of the best tracks from the band's career, with limited edition versions including a bonus disc of previously unreleased live recordings. Check out the cover, full track details and TV ad for the compilation at this location: <a href="http://www.sanctuaryrecordsgroup.co.uk/elp/index.html" target="new">www.sanctuaryrecordsgroup.co.uk/elp/index.html</a> THE SYSTEM FAILS MEGADETH: The new Megadeth album is to be titled The System Has Failed and will be released September 14 through Sanctuary Records. The recording line-up for this Megadeth album is: Dave Mustaine, Vinnie Colaiuta (drums) and Jimmy Sloas (bass), with guest Chris Poland (guitars). The full track listing is: Blackmail The Universe . Shadow Of Death . My Kingdom . Of Mice And Men . Truth Be Told . The Scorpion . Kick The Chair . Something That I'm Not . Tears In A Vial . Die Dead Enough . Back In The Day. MINI-BYTES UPDATED: The Mini-Bytes page has been updated as promised. New MP3 samples are now online for: Stage Dolls, Velvet Revolver, Richard Marx, Helix, Stryper, Uli Jon Roth, Rembrandts, Quireboys, The Calling, Dead Heart Beating, Midnite Sky and Buddahead. <a href="minibytes.html">Go check them out!</a> OZ FANS TAKE NOTE: Stay tuned until tomorrow for a very special Australian Tour announcement! I'm sure Oz readers will be very pleased with what they read. News online tomorrow AM!  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#2db9e8" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#2db9e8"> <div align="center">Friday, June 04, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> TEN - TEMPLE OF LOVE DOWNLOAD: I've got another Ten preview on offer today, but this time you have the good fortune of downloading and checking out a full track from the upcoming album Return To Evermore. Release details can be found under the news of Wednesday June 2. Download: Ten - <a href="audio/Ten-TempleOfLove.mp3">Temple Of Love</a>. THE ULTIMATE SURVIVOR ARTWORK: Here is the very first look at the artwork for the upcoming Survivor compilation Ultimate Survivor! The CD is out through BMG in July. And before anyone else e-mails, yes, I am very aware of the Survivor Starbucks commercial! And yes, that is the actual band, featuring Jimi Jamison on vocals. I'm still not sure whether the commercial is a great idea, but you know what they say about publicity - there is no such thing as bad publicity!   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="199" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/survivor-ultimate.jpg" width="200" /></div> JUDAS PRIEST KICK OFF COME BACK TOUR IN EUROPE: Judas Priest played their first re-union gig this week in Hannover, Germany. The set list was: The Hellion . Electric Eye . Metal Gods . Heading Out to the Highway . The Ripper . Touch of Evil . The Sentinel . Turbo Lover . Victim of Changes . Diamonds and Rust . Breaking The Law . Beyond the Realms of Death . The Green Manalishi . Painkiller . Encore: Hell Bent For Leather . Living After Midnight . United . You Got Another Thing Coming. Indecently, I neglected to post the set list for this week's Van Halen rehearsal show. It was: Jump . Runaround . Humans Being . Up For Breakfast . Bass Solo . Somebody Get Me a Doctor (Mike on lead vocals) . Poundcake . It's About Time . Drum Solo . Top Of The World . Unchained . Why Can't This Be Love . Eagles Fly (Sammy Solo Acoustic) . Deeper Kinda Love (Sammy Solo Acoustic) . Learning To See . Best of Both Worlds . Guitar Solo (Featuring Wolfgang Van Halen) . Dreams . Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love . Right Now . You Really Got Me . When It's Love. MELODIC BRIEFS: Foreigner's Mick Jones was on Rockline this past week and hinted that he might be putting a new Foreigner line-up together. No mention was made of singer Lou Gramm. Daryl Hall & John Oates are currently in production on a new "soul" album which will feature their patented blend of Philly style soul and melding harmonies on favorite classics as well as original material, slated for a Fall 2004 release. It is tentatively titled Our Kind of Soul. Robin McAuley in concert, July 16th, 2004 @ the Paladino's Club in Tarzana, CA. For more information/tickets visit <a href="http://www.robinmcauley.com" target="new">www.robinmcauley.com</a>. Robin also has new T-shirts available at his site. LION MUSIC NEWS UPDATE: House of Shakira will release their fourth album called First Class in June. The worldwide release date is the 18th of June, while it will be released in Sweden two days earlier (16/6). The band will appear live and unplugged at "Rocklassiker 106,7" on the 9th of June at seven o clock in the morning (Swedish time). The show is hosted by Europe's drummer Ian Haugland and you can listen to it at <a href="http://www.rockklassiker.se" target="new">www.rockklassiker.se</a> - Tune in and enjoy. It's been four years since the bands last release. During these four years the band took some time off and travelled, exploring new music and made more babies. So, can you expect something new from the AOR band that is, according to the critics, "always pushing the limits of this tight genre"? To be honest, you'll have never heard the band play so much straight ahead rock as on this album. Welcome to travel First Class with House of Shakira in 2004! The songs in the words of the band: 1. Ain´t Your Crowd - A basic rock n roll track with a locomotive groove that will make your head nod or bang! 2. Uncontrolled - More straight-ahead rock n roll with an intense tapping solo by Mats and Per. 3. You Are - A mix of melodic rock, Spanish guitars and retro synthesizers makes this song stand out from your ordinary AOR. 4. Hey Lord - Basic rock n roll riff with a gospel chorus with soaring background vocals. 5. Black And Blue Skies part 1 - This one was written for our third album but we didn't get the groove going then. So this is the "original version" with a new chorus and you will find it very different from the version on III. 6. Creep - A song that pretty much only consists of choruses, every part is so melodic! 7. Black Barn - This song has a chorus so big it simply crushes every resistance to sing a long. 8. State of Grace - A very simple song that pretty much wrote itself. Everything just came in one piece and it took like 5 minutes to write it down. Then we just pushed the rec button and hit it. 9. Landing - One of the first songs we wrote for this record and then we tried a lot of different arrangements before we returned to the original. 10. Celebration Bound - Featured on the melodic rock CD "revealed and revisited", but here it comes in a fully produced version. 11. Sunshine Song - The ambition was to write a long epic song and I think we really captured what House of Shakira is all bout in this very song. 12. Chicago Blue - This is the best song we've ever written. An acoustic song with a strong melody, groovy percussion a kind of sentimental mood. Lion Music are proud to announce the signing of Winterlong who will record their third album for us. After the successful Valley of the Lost and The Second Coming, Winterlong's guitarist and main composer Thorbjorn Englund has been recording and producing the second Star Queen album Your True Self which is to be released at the end of July. Your True Self is the second album of the unique project StarQueen, and the second part of the concept which started 2002 with Faithbringer. There is only a light motive connecting the two albums. The sound is much more powerful and definitely more gothic and melancholic. The long solos and power metal elements are replaced with darker lyrics, more melodies and harmonies. The progressive structure of the songs and the classical heavy metal background are the trademarks of Winterlong's guitar player Thorbjorn Englund and his style of arranging and producing. The singer and composer Stella Tormanoff has done the artwork this time and developed the fairy-tale of the Faithbringer into the philosophical and existential quest of being Your True Self. The vocals are so syncrethic, so there is not so much to compare them with. The album features two new members of the band - Peter Uvén (bass) and Mats Holma (drums). They are both from Sweden. Peter Uvén is showing very original bass playing more typical for the 70´s and quite unusual for today's heavy metal. Valensia's debut-album arrived in January 1994 and was awarded with both a Silver Harp and an Edison (Holland's most prestigious music award). With the Gaia-video - the most expensive video clip ever made for a Dutch artist - Valensia became a pioneer in computer-animated clips in Holland. Internationally, attention was gained when the video was broadcasted on MTV Europe. Worldwide, Gaia sold over one million copies. Valensia's Queen Tribute has been awarded as the best tribute album ever made. We are proud to announce our release of this album in an exclusively limited edition digipak with a rare bonus track in selected territories. Lion Music might possibly be known for it's good guitarist releases and we haven't totally forgotten about this genre - actually in July we will release a bunch of these. First out is Patrik Carlsson who is about to release his debut album Phraseology on July 23. Partik is perhaps the best guitarist we have heard from of Sweden since Yngwie...We are sure that Patrik will turn a lot of heads around. This is definitely one of the best guitar albums ever! Patrik is influenced by Steve Vai and just like Steve he really has got some killer chops, a great sense of humour and knows how to write a good song! Faraz Anwar is another killer guitarist more in the fusion school, influenced by Allan Holdsworth and Frank Gambale. Faraz comes from Pakistan, perhaps not exactly a country known for it's guitarists...where he already is a very well respected musician. This guy has a lot of chops and he is also a very good composer. The recently released albums Shawn Lane Remembered and The Spirit Lives On - The Music Of Jimi Hendrix will both be followed up by their second volumes. More info at: <a href="http://www.lionmusic.com" target="new">www.lionmusic.com</a> CD SHOWCASES ADDED: Several new <a href="#cdshowcase">CD Showcases</a> added today for you to sample some recently released titles. Click on the covers to check them out.   <div align="center"><a href="showcase/metalmajesty-thisisnotadrill.html"><img alt="metalmajesty-this is not a drill" border="0" height="125" src="/files-archive/news/metalmajesty-thisisnotadrill125.jpg" width="125" /></a>x<a href="showcase/tearsofanger-stillalive.html"><img alt="tears of anger-still alive" border="0" height="125" src="/files-archive/news/tearsofanger-stillalive125.jpg" width="125" /></a>x<a href="showcase/mcm-ritualfactory.html"><img alt="mcm-ritual factory" border="0" height="125" src="/files-archive/news/mcm-ritualfactory125.jpg" width="125" /></a>x<a href="showcase/thebyronband.html"><img alt="the byron band" border="0" height="125" src="/files-archive/news/thebyronband-lostandfound125.jpg" width="125" /></a> <a href="showcase/dirtytricks.html"><img alt="dirty tricks" border="0" height="125" src="/files-archive/news/dirtytricks125.jpg" width="125" /></a>x<a href="showcase/vision-ontheedge.html"><img alt="vision-on the edge" border="0" height="125" src="/files-archive/news/vision-ontheedge125.jpg" width="125" /></a>x<a href="showcase/shawnlane-remembered.html"><img alt="shawn lane - remembered" border="0" height="125" src="/files-archive/news/shawnlane-remembered1125.jpg" width="125" /></a></div> Next week - a few major announcements coming your way! Not to mention a monster Mini-Bytes update, featuring a stack of up and coming titles.  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#b11b1c" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#b11b1c"> <div align="center">Thursday, June 03, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> ALL THINGS VAN HALEN: <a href="http://launch.com" target="new">Launch.com</a> reports that Sammy Hagar is set to continue his association with country star Toby Keith: "Sammy Hagar will sing a duet with Toby Keith on Keith's upcoming album, released in November. The song is one that Sammy and Toby have pinned together ... What Happens in Cabo, Stays in Cabo". Sammy and Toby have been jamming together for about a year now, last appearing together at Sammy's Super Bowl Bash, also joining Sammy and the Waboritas during the opening of the Tahoe Wabo. In related news, the artwork for Van Halen's Best Of Both Worlds compilation has been revealed. Gotta say I'm a bit under whelmed by it. It's not that bad, but it could have been a little better. And I've had a ton of e-mail about the Van Halen track It's About Time. Now that folk have had some time to live with it, the verdicts are pouring in. It seems most are pleased, but not totally blown away. And everyone is asking what I think - well, I like it. I think it's a very good song, without being a great song. I have heard better and I expect better in the future, but it's a solid start to a re-united line-up and I'm looking forward to whatever comes next. I'm just happy to hear the guys rocking again and I'm glad the lead track is a rocker, not a ballad. I still seriously love Humans Being and had hoped to hear the band continue where they left off with Sammy - which It's About Time does to some degree. The main problem I can see with the song is the fact the band had several years of inactivity to make up for with just one song and not everyone was as impressed as they had hoped for. But it's a good start nevertheless. Thanks again to Rob and his mate, here are some pics from last night's rehearsal gig in LA: <a href="http://www.ofoto.com/BrowsePhotos.jsp?showSlide=true&Uc=hvxudoh.50ef5dm1&Uy=s6ozyd&Upost_signin=BrowsePhotos.jsp%3fshowSlide%3dtrue&Ux=0" target="new">www.ofoto.com</a> Additionally, KTLA TV Los Angeles reported on the event and have a live feed of their news item here: <a href="http://ktla.feedroom.com/iframeset.jsp?ord=851643" target="new">ktla.feedroom.com/iframeset.jsp?ord=851643</a> (Thanks to the good folk at <a href="http://www.vhforums.com" target="new">VHForums</a> for the link.)   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/vanhalen-bestofbothworlds.jpg" width="233" /></div> ALIEN REFORM WITH JIM JIDHED AT THE HELM: Swedish rockers Alien are back together for a new album. Tony Borg and Jim Jidhed, having topped the Swedish charts in 1988 with their debut platinum-selling album are currently in the studio putting the finishing touches to an album that only the best in rock chemistry can produce. When asked "why now?" for an Alien reunion, Borg said "It just felt right. I'd started working on a number of ideas with Bernt and Jan and then Jim and I met up again." Jidhed continues: "Tony and I met up in Gothenburg on a brilliant winter's day at the beginning of 2004 and it just sparkled like we'd never been apart!" To complete the team, Borg recruited two musicians, Bernt Ek and the drummer Jan Lundberg to fill the drum and bass slots. Borg and Jidhed are delighted that has Bo Reimer (Backstreet Boys, The Darkness, Busted) has mixed the first two tracks. Tatiana Oscarsson, daughter of Cannes winning Swedish actor Per Oscarsson and long-time friend of Borg has written many of the lyrics with Canadian Idol competitor Scotty Newlands providing additional lyrical input. The first two tracks finished will be available as a demo to record companies in June 2004 with the album finished by August. Alien have plans for some low key concerts in Sweden, the UK an continental Europe during 2004 with full touring support for the album in 2005. Their 1988 debut album Alien peaking at no. 2 in the Swedish charts, produced a platinum selling single, the Bee Gee's cover Only One Woman that topped the radio listening charts even longer. The album was released worldwide on Virgin International and the album received an acclaimed American release. Even today, the internet demonstrates Alien's lasting appeal with the debut album receiving reviews as far afield as Japan and recently being featured on melodicrock.com. Keep up to date with re-union plans at: <a href="http://www.alien-music.info" target="new">www.alien-music.info</a>   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="196" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/alien.jpg" width="200" /></div> LEPPARDS' NEWIE DUE IN SPETEMBER...AND GUESS WHAT?: Where have I heard this before? Def Leppard's next album will be a 70's covers album! And it's not just me saying that this time - Leppard's Rick Savage has gone on record in a newspaper interview with the following reported in the UK's Mail on Sunday: "Def Leppard's latest project is a covers album of hits from the Seventies for release in September. 'We are playing songs from all the great rock bands, including David Bowie and Roxy Music. It originally was a bit of fun for us and then the record company got excited.' Rick has also designed the master bedroom suite running along the entire back of the first floor, with the bedroom overlooking the two-tiered garden and countryside. It leads on to a dressing room and en suite with his and hers sinks and a wet room with two showers - 'the bigger one is like standing under a warm downpour,' he says." Of course, last I heard from Leppard officials was "...all I can say about the next Def Leppard album, is that it is NOT a covers album featuring songs of the 70's..." Thanks to Michael for the story link! <a href="http://www.hoovers.com/free/news/detail.xhtml?ArticleID=NR20040530670.4_0cfd0042b24152a0" target="new">www.hoovers.com</a> MADISON PAIGE HIT THE AIRWAVES: (Hollywood, CA) June 2, 2004 - Can it be? An unknown melodic hard rock band getting airplay on a giant commercial station in one of the most influential music markets in the United States? Not only is it true, it is set to happen on June 6th at 11:00 PM when the Los Angeles radio giant 95.5 KLOS FM will premier several tracks from Famous Last Words, the recently released debut album from U.S. hard rock hopefuls Madison Paige. The young band's sound, which is a refreshing blend of arena rock anthems with contemporary sensibilities, is already drawing comparisons to everyone from modern-day Bon Jovi to Stone Temple Pilots. Yet despite the diversity of their self-produced debut, the band retains a uniquely identifiable sound all their own. Madison Paige, featuring Paul Caroul (vocals), Will Arkosy (bass), Damon Valley (guitar) and Richie Rivera (drums), will be performing live at The Gig in Hollywood (7302 Melrose Ave., Hollywood, CA) on June 11th and is confirmed to appear at Vinny's (2700 S. Union St.) in Bakersfield, CA on July 3rd. A discount flyer for The Gig is available from the band's website at <a href="http://www.madisonpaige.net" target="new">www.madisonpaige.net</a>. A full summer itinerary is to be announced shortly.  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#ff0000" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#ff0000"> <div align="center">Wednesday, June 02, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> BELIEVE IN JEFF SCOTT SOTO, WHILE STAN BUSH SHINES: Frontiers Records is delighted to present all details about the release of the forthcoming Jeff Scott Soto EP Believe In Me. Believe In Me is taken from the forthcoming album Lost In The Translation scheduled for release in September 04 - is an amazing melodic rock up-tempo written by Jeff with Neal Schon of Journey who appears on all guitars. This song is a total must for all the Journey-addicted melodic rock fans! Enjoy an MP3 sample clicking on the link <a href="http://www.frontiers.it/Believe%20In%20Me%20sample.mp3" target="new">Believe In Me</a> As a special bonus, the EP also features a bunch of rare non-album tracks performed by Soto during the years in different projects. As I Do To You and This Ain't the Love are taken from the Three Kings demos featuring Jeff with Talisman band mate, drummer Jamie Borger and Swedish guitar player Goran Elmquist, Lonely Shade of Blue is taken from the Slam demos, while Still Be Loving You was written by Jeff and former Bad English and Babys bass player Ricky Phillips (now with Styx) for the Ku-De-Ta project. As a special bonus, the video for the track Believe In Me is added to witness the full-frontal visual attack that Soto has as a performer! The EP will be released exclusively on Frontiers Records on July 21st 2004.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="199" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/jeffscottsoto-believeinme.jpg" width="200" /></div> Stan Bush's long awaited new album Shine is already getting excellent responses from the media. German magazine Rock It! has awarded the album with a #2 on the soundcheck of the forthcoming issue with a glowing 9 out of 10 review. Sven Lohnert from Breakout magazine in Germany wrote "A fantastic album of an outstanding songwriter - buy or die!". melodicrock.com said: "The songs are all top quality and the performances and production are among some of Stan's best work. Easily his best album since Every Beat Of My Heart." The album gained also excellent reviews on Metal Heart (8,5/10) and Rock Hard (7/10) in Germany. Nicky Baldrian at aordreamzones.com reviewed the album with a 80/100 mark saying Shine" "is the most enjoyable album I have heard from Stan since "Heaven" and this record is even better than that, its the feeling of each songs that makes the album a winner." Frontiers Records would therefore like to present Shine with a few words from Stan Bush himself! The title song "Shine" is about making it happen! It's a very uplifting song with an important message about believing in yourself. Each of us has the potential for greatness deep down. If we can just tap into it, amazing things can happen! "Falling" is about the feeling of helplessness you get when you realize you're in love. We all tend to put up walls to close ourselves off from other people, trying to stay 'safe' by not allowing ourselves to be close to other people. It's scary when we fall in love, because we're vulnerable. I think you have to let down your guard to truly be happy, or you end up alone. "I Will Be There" is a big love song. In this song, it's the girl who has reservations, but the guy is telling her that no matter what, he'll always be there for her. The chorus says 'it's the heart that gives, that someday learns to live', which means when you give love, you get back more love. We just have to be open. "I Turn to You" is about a guy who's spent his life searching for something real. He's been around and seen all these things and met all these people. Then he says. 'when I've had enough, and as I look for love, I turn to you.' She's the one thing is his life that's the real thing. "What You Mean Tonight" is about a guy who's been pretty much a rolling stone. He's never been the kind to stay in one place or with one girl, until he met this one. Then the suddenly the earth moves, he's totally in love with this girl. He's trying to find the words to tell her what she means tonight. In "Say It Ain't Love", the guy is in denial. He's always been a love 'em and leave 'em kind of guy. In the chorus he's saying 'say it ain't real, tell me this ain't love'. He's afraid of love, so he's trying to pretend it isn't happening. "Have You Ever Believed" is kind of about faith. We sometimes have to roll the dice in life. Anything worthwhile has to be taken on faith in the beginning, to have a chance of succeeding. We all have dreams, and in this song, the guy is reaching out to the girl, asking her to take a chance and believe in love. "If I Could Do It All Over" is about a guy who's looking back, remembering the love they shared. He doesn't want to lose her, and he's saying if he could do it all over, things might be different. But at the end of the chorus he realizes he would probably do everything the same again. "The Chance You Take" says to live life all the way! You shouldn't care what people think, or worry that if you fall in love, your heart will break. Then it says "Work like you don't need the money, life, life is the chance you take." When we live life half way, we're setting ourselves up to fail. Only by going for it, can we really live. "When I Dream" is about a guy who's a long way from home (on tour) and he's missing his lady. He's telling her he'll be coming back soon, but until then he'll be with her in his dreams. MP3 PREVIEWS OF TEN'S RETURN TO EVERMORE: As previously reported, Ten's new album Return To Evermore is due for release in Europe on June 23, via the newly formed label Intensity Records. The new album will feature the following tracks: Apparition . Dreamtide . Evermore . Sail Away . Temple Of Love . Even The Ghosts Cry . Strangers In The Night . Evil's On Top Of The World . The One . Lost Soul . Stay A While . Tearing My Heart Out. The album will be available at all your favourite online retailers, but you can order directly from the band via: Intensity Records, Unit 6, Maritime Street Industrial Estate, Copse Road, Fleetwood, FY7 7BP, United Kingdom. Cheques and Postal Orders for 10.00GBP (UK Only) - For orders outside the UK, please include an extra 2.00GPB for postage. Intensity are also proud to announce that the first 2000 will be exclusive limited edition signature copies, personally signed Gary Hughes and dedicated to whatever name you nominate when ordering your copy. Cheques are to be made out to "A. STELFOX". To kick things off - here are previews of 3 tracks from the album: <a href="audio/Ten02.mp3">Dreamtide</a>, <a href="audio/Ten03.mp3">Evermore</a> and <a href="audio/Ten04.mp3">Sail Away</a>. Click on the tracks to download.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/ten-returntoevermore.jpg" width="200" /></div> VAN HALEN SHAKE IT ON STAGE FOR THE FIRST TIME THIS DECADE!: Van Halen have just completed their dress rehearsal gig for the 2004 tour kicking off next week. One person at the show was melodicrock.com reader Rob Golenberg, who e-mailed this in immediately upon getting home from the show: "Just got home from the Van Halen dress rehearsal at Sony studios in LA. What a show. They did the whole show and it rocked. Set is cool. Opened with Jump and did a total of 5 DLR era tunes (including Somebody Get Me A Dr.). During Eddie's solo, Wolfgang comes out and plays with him. 2 hr show which will not disappoint! A must see when they go out." The set also features the 3 brand new songs from the upcoming compilation Best Of Both Worlds; namely, It's About Time, Up For Breakfast and Learning To See. I'm sure there will be further reports from the show online shortly. In related news, the 90 second sample I featured of the new track It's About Time broke a mr.com download record, with 34,654 people downloading the track. A further 11,000 downloaded the full length version I featured for a few days! NOTHING EXTREME ABOUT VINCE'S MAKEOVER!: Rocker Vince Neil begins a three-month extreme makeover today for MTV's version of "The Swan." "I call him `The Mallard,' " said Lia Gerardini, Neil's girlfriend. At 43, the frontman of the legendary rock group Motley Crue is the first rock star to join the reality re-do craze. The new Neil will be revealed August 28, after seeing a lot of a trainer, a plastic surgeon and a lifestyle counselor. Starting today, he consults with a plastic surgeon and cuts out drinking. "It's not just for me, but for my career," said Neil, who is in negotiations to reunite in January with Motley Crue, if he and former drummer Tommy Lee can get past their feud. MTV is billing the show as "The Remaking of Vince Neil." At stake for Neil is a recording contract and the opportunity to work with a top producer and a recording artist. Neil, a Las Vegas resident on and off since the 1990s, was one of the few who emerged from The WB's celebrity-based reality show "The Surreal Life" with some dignity intact. A movie about the band is also being discussed. Story from: <a href="http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2004/Jun-01-Tue-2004/news/24006776.html" target="new">www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2004/Jun-01-Tue-2004/news/24006776.html</a>  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#003d79" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#003d79"> <div align="center">Tuesday, June 01, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> ASIA'S SILENT NATION SET TO CHANGE COURSE FOR THE BAND: A note from the Asia Armada newsletter, with some additional details on the band's forthcoming album: "With special thanks to Ace Trump and Siren Management, we are proud to finally unveil the cover design for Asia's new album, Silent Nation. In addition, InsideOut Music has announced that the album will be released in two versions - a standard version, and a special edition that will include a DVD called "The Making of Silent Nation". This will include footage of the band recording the album in the studio as well as new interviews. More information on that as we get closer to the release dates of July 19th (Europe) and July 20th (North America). And now back to the matter at hand. To view the entire over design of Silent Nation, simply drop by Asiaworld and click on the banner for the new album <a href="http://www.asiaworld.org/index.php" target="new">www.asiaworld.org/index.php</a>.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/asia-silentnation.jpg" width="200" /></div> SIN REACH THEIR EQUILIBRIUM: German rockers SIN are still busy working on the follow-up to their debut Somewhere Into Nowhere. The new album title will be Equilibrium and the tracks set to be featured on the album are: 93 . Fight For My Life . For Getting Over Us . It's Forever . Johnny's Running . Nail It To The Wall . Nightwinds . One Small Voice . The Reason . Walk Away . Winding Road. The band promise the album will be quite heavier than their debut and will feature much more guitar work. Please visit <a href="http://www.sin-band.com" target="new">www.sin-band.com</a> for more updates. DOOGIE JOINS STEFAN IN M3 FOR UK: Doogie White will be making a special guest appearance alongside Stefan Berggren in the upcoming M3 UK dates. M3 will feature Bernie Marsden, Micky Moody, Neil Murray, Jimmy Copley, Mark Stanway and guest vocalist Stefan. June 2004 M3 MINI JAUNT 2004 11th June JB's , Dudley Tickets £13.00 adv . £14.00 door Tel 01384 253 597 <a href="http://www.jbsdudley.co.uk" target="new">www.jbsdudley.co.uk</a> 12th June Burnley Mechanics, Burnley Box office 01282 664400 Tickets £14 adv and £12.50 concessions (students etc) <a href="http://www.burnleymechanics.co.uk" target="new">www.burnleymechanics.co.uk</a> 13th + 14th June Lochgelly Centre, Fife Tickets £10,00 Tel 01592 418141. THE WEATHER BOYS?: Pär Holmgren and Pererik Åberg, the two most famous meteorologists on Swedish national TV (SVT), have put together a band that will perform at this year's Sweden Rock Festival. The band, dubbed Spridda Skurars ("Scattered Showers" in Swedish), will perform well-known hard rock classics with re-written lyrics in Swedish based around the weather and the greenhouse-effect theme. The media interest is huge and in addition to performing at the festival on Saturday, June 12, the band will hold a press conference on Friday, June 11 (with former "Headbanger's Ball" Europe host Vanessa Warwick). The show will be recorded by Swedish national radio and filmed for a DVD. The stage show will include a lot of "crazy" surprises, including smoking guitars, snow machines and film sequences on wide-screen backdrops. Backing Holmgren and Åberg on stage will be well-known names from the Swedish rock and metal scene Lars Chriss (Lion's Share) on guitar, Thomas Broman (HTP, Electric Boys, John Norum) on drums, Sampo Xelsson (Glenn Hughes, Crawley) on bass/guitar, Dr. Rock (106.7 RockKlassiker, Hiroshima) on drums and Janne Hellman (Highway Stars) on keyboards/vocals, plus a "very special secret guest." A warm-up show took place on Sunday (May 30) at Fredmans in Uppsala, Sweden.  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#400080" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#400080"> <div align="center">Monday, May 31, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> RIP DEREK FRIGO: Sadly, we must start with the week with the unfortunate and sad news of the death of former Enuff Z Nuff guitarist Derek Frigo. Derek also featured in Le Mans in past years. Derek died suddenly outside of his girlfriend's home over the weekend. A posting on the official Enuff Z Nuff web site reads simply: "The sad news has come that we have lost our brother Derek. An official statement will be released soon." A tribute page has been established for fans to read and sign at: <a href="http://iconofan.com/fanspeak/boards/Forum890/HTML/000615.html" target="new">iconofan.com</a>. In further bad news for Enuff Z'Nuff fans, <a href="http://www.metal-sludge.com" target="new">Metal Sludge</a> reports that drummer Ricky Parent is currently battling colon cancer. JEFF KOLLMAN AND VIRGIL DONATI ROCKING IN LA: Guitarist Jeff Kollman (Glenn Hughes, $ign of 4) will make an appearance at the Baked Potato, 3878 Cahuenga Blvd W., in North Hollywood, CA on Thursday, June 3 for a special one-night only performance with drummer extraordinaire Virgil Donati (Planet X, Steve Vai), celebrated German bassist Jörg 'J.K.' Kleutgens, and keyboardist Hans Zermuehlen (Glenn Hughes, Frank Gambale). The impromptu quartet will be performing material from various sources, including songs from Kleutgens and Kollman's catalog. Kollman will be back at the Baked Potato the following Thursday, June 10, with his regular trio, Cosmosquad, featuring drummer Shane Gaalaas (B'z, Glenn Hughes, $ign of 4) and bassist Christopher Maloney (Hardline, Dweezil Zappa), who is filling in for Barry Sparks. HAREM'S GODS PACKAGE BURNING RUBBER IN CANADA: BullsEye have released Live At The Gods 2002 CD and DVD in Canada. As you can see, it has different cover artwork and it was released under Rubber banner. The track list is the same as on the European and Japanese editions, it's region free (playable worldwide) and NTSC. For more visit BullsEye Canada website, mail them at <a href="mailto:info@bullseyecanada.com">info@bullseyecanada.com</a>, or call 416-284-7067. Thanks to Dan at <a href="http://www.haremscarem.net" target="new">www.haremscarem.net</a>.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="203" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/rubber-liveatthegods.jpg" width="200" /></div> BLACKMORE'S NIGHT SET OUT ON TOUR: Blackmore's Night featuring legendary guitarist Ritchie Blackmore will start their summer tour in Stockholm, Sweden on June 8th and then move on to Finland, Russia, Turkey, Hungary, Czech Republic and Germany. In autumn Blackmore's Night will visit USA and Japan. For complete tour dates go to: <a href="http://www.blackmoresnight.nu" target="new">www.blackmoresnight.nu</a> TAGE MAHAL NOW A 3 PART EPIC: Jon Oliva's Tage Mahal and SPV Records are proud to announce the beginning of what will now be a 3-record series released over the next few years. Metal-lover's all over the globe can expect the first release of Volume I in Sept/Oct. of this year followed by a systematic and timely release of the following 2 records. Jon has already begun writing music for Volume II. There are plans to begin work on the second release in December 2004, with the very real goal of releasing this second installment in time to perform at some of the major European Festivals for 2005. Volume III will follow along the same time line as I and II. Once that task has been complete, 'Tage Mahal will release a box-set of all 3 -volumes along with DVD's of both live performances and the comedic studio/touring footage from those 3 records. Volume 1 is now mixed/mastered and we hope to announce an official release in the coming weeks. The artwork is near completion and once SPV has received the "complete package", they will set the release date for the debut album from 'Tage Mahal. SITE UPDATES FOR MONDAY: Lots of updates today! First up - new reviews. Added today are just a few reviews to start the ball rolling - House of Shakira, Dare, House of Mirrors and Edge Of Forever. <a href="reviews/reviews.html">Check them out</a>. Also added are 3 new <a href="e-interviews.html">e-Interviews</a>. Under the microscope today are Hobbit (discussing All For The One), Daniele Liverani (discussing Genius & Daily Trauma) and Tim Donahue (discussing Madmen & Sinners). <a href="e-interviews.html">Check these out</a>. And lastly - a monster <a href="mr-x/index.html">MR-X</a> update! Added today is some super cool rare stuff. Mr. Mister's classic unreleased forth album Pull is now featured, as are some cool unreleased demos from Paul Laine and more than a dozen classic Journey live tracks taken from concerts in Japan 2001 and USA 1983. And if that isn't enough - new videos are now online to download. They are: Boston - Corporate America, Cinderella - Don't Know What You Got Till It's Gone, Distance - Give It Up, Jack Blades - Shine On and Roxus - Where Are You Now. Join MR-X now! <a href="mr-x-intro.html">Details here</a>.  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#bc4785" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#bc4785"> <div align="center">Friday, May 28, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> FRONTIERS RECORDS NEWS UPDATE - MIND KEY, HARDLINE & MADMEN & SINNERS: <div align="center"><img alt="" height="114" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/mindkey-logo.jpg" width="282" /></div> Frontiers Records is pleased to announce the details of the release of Italian prog-metal hopefuls Mind Key with their debut album Journey Through A Rough Diamond. Mind Key is a band based around the talents of founding members Dario de Cicco (keyboards) and Emanuele Colella (guitars) who put up the band back in 1999, with the task to form a unit capable to recreate the elements of the sound of such symphonic metal bands as Symphony X, Elegy, Dream Theater and Royal Hunt with major emphasis on melodies and a more song oriented approach. After several line-up changes and a demo which received excellent responses from the Italian specialized rock and metal press, the band was signed by Frontiers Records back in 2003 and went to the studio to record the debut album Journey Through A Rough Diamond. The band's line-up now includes also Francesco Mormile on bass, Marco Basile on vocals and Andrea Stipa on drums.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/mindkey-roughdiamond.jpg" width="198" />xx<img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/mindkey-2004.jpg" width="269" /></div> Journey Through a Rough Diamond includes the following tracks <a href="http://www.frontiers.it/SecretDreams.mp3">Secret Dream</a> (click on the song title to listen to an exclusive Mp3 sample); <a href="http://www.frontiers.it/LoveRemainsTheSame.mp3">Love Remains The Same</a> (click on the song title to listen to an exclusive MP3 sample); Deep Inside; Memory Calling; Lord Of The Flies; World Of Illusion; Without Rain; Waiting For The Answer. The band will exclusively showcase the songs from the new CD at the Magna Grecia Metal Festival in Napoli, Italy on June 25, where they will support Vision Divine and Marshall. Worldwide release date of Mind Key's Journey Through a Rough Diamond has been set for July 12 on Frontiers Records. Hardline singer Johnny Gioeli was kind enough to send an update about his current activities. Firstly Johnny has now an officially dedicated website called <a href="http://www.johnnygioeli.com" target="new">www.johnnygioeli.com</a> featuring a full biography, discography, news, pictures and trivia. There is also a forum where the fans can meet and discuss the various items related to Hardline and the singer's career. Johnny is also saying about Hardline III, the album currently in the works: "The record has a working title of Just Add Water ...It will have an even closer sound to the Hardline I album... power ballads... killer melody... my best work yet! I feel excited like a hooker on 5th Avenue... Tracking of the album is set to commence during the summertime with delivery expected later in the fall." Frontiers Records is pleased to announce to have reached an agreement for the license in the USA of the Tim Donahue's Madmen & Sinners featuring James La Brie album through Cleopatra Music Group. This will allow all US music fans to purchase the latest progressive metal piece with a domestic price. More details on the release date as soon as they become available. Due to some problems with our server there was a delay in the uploading of the new issue of Melodic Rock Fanzine featuring reviews and interviews of House Of Lords, Madmen & Sinners, Crossfade, Deacon Street, Jorn, TNT, Eclipse, Evil Masquerade, Empty Tremor, Tesla and much more! We are pleased to announce that the issue # 2 can be downloaded now in Adobe Acrobat format following this link: <a href="http://www.frontiers.it/melodic_rock_03.pdf" target="new">www.frontiers.it/melodic_rock_03.pdf</a> Frontiers Records has therefore finalized the following release schedule for the coming new months: June 17: Kee Marcello's K2 - Melon Demon Divine Praying Mantis - The Best Of Praying Mantis June 23: Voodoo Hill - Wild Seed Of Mother Earth Stan Bush - Shine July 12: Hodson - This Strange World Lana Lane - Return To Japan 2 CD Lana Lane - Storybook Tales From Europe And Japan DVD Mind Key - Journey Through A Rough Diamond July 21: Zillion - Zillion Jeff Scott Soto - Believe In Me Mini CD Don't forget to check out your favourite music shops to purchase the brand new Progressive Metal masterpiece Genius Ep. 2 In Search of The Little Prince together with Daniele Liverani's instrumental album Daily Trauma released last Monday, May the 24. THE BEST OF BOTH WORLD'S FOR VAN HALEN: Two great Van Halen interview/articles have appeared this week. One at: <a href="http://www.billboard.com/bb/daily/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1000521197" target="new">www.billboard.com</a> and the even better one thanks to <a href="http://www.livedaily.com/news/6583.html" target="new">www.livedaily.com/news/6583.html</a>, which I decided to print in full here also: May 27, 2004 06:57 PM - Reinstated Van Halen frontman Sammy Hagar and drummer Alex Van Halen talked to reporters on Thursday (5/27) about Hagar's return to the group, the band's upcoming summer tour and a forthcoming hits compilation that includes three new cuts. "The simple answer is: It just felt right," Alex Van Halen said of the decision to reunite after splitting on bad terms eight years ago. "Sammy and I got together [late last year] and it was like we hadn't missed a beat. We picked up right where we left off. The moment we hit the studio and started making music--which, for us, is ... where it [all] began--that kind of solidified it. That was it. Making music is the center of this band--that, and the friendship. So it was a no-brainer." "We just felt like, 'Wow. The time is right,'" Hagar added. "If we'd have tried it maybe two years ago, it could've blown up, or maybe two years from now, it might be too late. Who knows? It just feels right." In the months following Hagar's 1996 departure, both parties fired bitter parting shots at each other in the press, but all of that has been forgotten, according to Hagar. "The whole point of being older is time going by, water going under the bridge, whatever it is, you kind of forget what happened, or why you were mad to begin with, or what you said," said Hagar. "All that stuff goes out the window. ... We decided that, rather than go to therapy like some of these other bands and dig through the dirt, we said, 'No, no, here's what we're gonna do: we're gonna pretend like it never happened. We're gonna, like, rise above it.' It's really what we did. I think we elevated, and it hasn't even come up." Hagar recalled his return to Van Halen's recording studio, 5150, which is located on guitarist Eddie Van Halen's Southern California estate. The singer said the visit was planned as nothing more than a social encounter, but that a jam session quickly ensued. "We jammed probably for five or six hours, 'til my voice was completely worn out," he said. "The chemistry between the four of us is very, very special. Even as long as we did it, you start taking it for granted--you forget about it--and then you come back and you walk in and you go, 'Oh, wow! This is exactly like it always was.' And that's a great, great thing to still have it sitting there waiting for you, and not have to look for it and not have to reinvent it." Hagar, the Van Halen brothers and bassist Michael Anthony launch a summer tour in Greensboro, NC, on June 11, and will issue a two-disc hits compilation---originally billed as "The Very Best of Van Halen", but since renamed The Best of Both Worlds --on July 20. The new title--which is also that of a song housed on 1996's 5150, the group's first album with Hagar--is a reference to the compilation's inclusion of material that the band recorded during Hagar's tenure, as well as material from its days with original frontman David Lee Roth. Ironically, it was Hagar's opposition to releasing a best-of set in 1996 that contributed to his departure from the group. The singer said that the circumstances are much different this time, however. "I'm not down on doing a greatest-hits record at all this time," said Hagar. "Last time I was ... I didn't wanna do it at that time in my life, for whatever reasons. But, at this time in my life, it's the only way we could've gotten this tour out this year, and I think the fans need it, and we need it. We want it. It just has to happen." The band recorded three new songs with Hagar for the best-of set, one of which--titled It's About Time--hit radio stations on Wednesday (5/26). "Ed and Al probably had 10 other songs that we could have worked on, and if there'd have been time, we'd have loved to have done a whole record," Hagar said. "But the idea of, 'Do you wanna go out on tour this year or next year?' was like, 'Let's go now! Let's go now!'" Hagar said the group was working on a fourth song, but had to abandon the idea of including it on the hits package in order to focus on tour plans. Alex Van Halen said that the band was not concerned about fans downloading the three new songs from the Internet rather than purchasing the complete hits compilation. "No concern at all," he said. "The music is there, and if people figure out a way to get it, more power to 'em. I think the ultimate goal of music is that, once you've made it, as many people as possible hear it. That's basically our feeling about it." NOW & THEN NEWS UPDATE: From now on the UK distribution and marketing of French label NTS will be handled by Now And Then. The first two titles to be released are - Pyramaze Melancholy Beast - Incredible new melodic metal act featuring musicians from Denmark with American singer Lance King (ex-Balance Of Power). "A range of dynamic influences...drawn from acts as diverse and far reaching as Royal Hunt, Kamelot, Stratovarius, Judas Priest and Queensryche. A blistering debut from a band with the potential to go all the way. Frighteningly good!" Dave Cockett, Destiny Catalogue "The production is huge, Lance's vocals are perfect and the songs are very impressive. People into BALANCE OF POWER, KAMELOT, 80`s era QUEENSRCYHE, etc will absolutely love the debut of PYRAMAZE." Strutter Magazine. "What a debut album "Melancholy Beast" is! King's voice - a mixture of Geoff Tate and James LaBrie - and enough complexity to make progressive metal freaks drool over this - a high dose of melody and power to satisfy even the most exigent power metal fan and an audiophile-safe glass clear sound." 5/6 ROCK REPORT Magazine. Patrick Rondat An Ephemeral World - Patrick Rondat returns with 10 new songs and a special interpretation of a Bach Partitia for Violin Solo. Another vibrant and powerful album. Refreshingly different, demonstrating once again why he is highly respected as the guitar hero of France. This multi talented guitarist has also accompanied Jean Michel Jarre on stage and in studio and worked as a member of the Dutch band Elegy for the last 4 years. In 1998 Patrick played the 14 French dates of the G3 Tour with Joe Satriani, such is his reputation amongst other players. The album just received a 9/10 review on the highly respected Rock United website. Over the next few months there will be releases by Adagio, Superior, Manigance, Ark Storm and Angra, to name a few. Half The World - "Imagine a bowl full of razor blades with sweet candy syrup poured over them". That's how one journalist has described this stunning new band from the U.S. who are taking the underground scene by storm. Half The World have also been described as Evanescence without the Celine Dion moments. The bands debut album, Bigger Than You, is currently being played on well over 100 U.S. college radio stations and the band has opened for the likes of Third Eye Blind as well as playing as many of their own shows as possible. Based in Boise, Idaho, they play modern rock with sharp riffs and in Dutch born beauty Mary Magill they have a stunning front woman with a voice like an angel. Now And Then Records is delighted to be able to announce the European release of this top class album in late June. Song samples will be placed on the website soon but for the moment we'll leave the last word to the review in Fireworks Magazine - "A more aggressive, less polished Evanescence" says Mike Newdeck, "with cutting, down tuned guitar riffs big enough to fell a Canadian Redwood and a solid production-a requisite for this genre of music-'Bigger than You' is ample evidence that Half the World, given the right backing and associated airplay, can compete creditably with their more famous counterparts." Bob Catley & Vince O'Regan will be performing an acoustic set at Gilberts Bar in Willenhall (West Midlands) on Sunday 30th May, this is a 2 day charity rock gig organised by Pete Boot (ex Budgie) there will be many bands playing over the 2 days, including label mates Lost Weekend. The charity is for Parkinson's, Multiple Sclerosis, Motor Neurone disease and Dystonia. For further information please check the 'Fill Your Head With Rock' website - <a href="http://www.fillyourheadwithrock.com/home.html" target="new">www.fillyourheadwithrock.com/home.html</a> The highly rated Spanish band Nexx has started the recordings of the demos for their second album. Some of the potential songs for the album have already been showcased live, including Praying For A Life, Hey Dad (I'm Not Used To) or Again, and it seems, from the excellent public reaction, that the band is going in the right direction. The next NEXX show will be in BARCELONA, Saturday June 5th, with Hardreams and Blowzy, in Mephisto venue at 20:30 h. Tickets in advance at 8 euros (10 euros at the door of the venue). <a href="http://www.webnex.com" target="new">www.webnex.com</a> CHEAP TRICK'S BUN FAINTS AT SHOW: On Saturday, May 24th, after the Cheap Trick show in Seattle, WA Bun E Carlos fainted from exhaustion and dehydration. He checked himself into a hospital for observation. Bun was released and flew home on May 25th. Today Bun E got the medical results and passed all the tests. He received a clean bill of health. The diagnosis is exhaustion, dehydration, and low potassium levels. Daxx Nielsen played drums for Cheap Trick at the May 25th show in Boise, ID. MELODIC BRIEFS: After 15 years of being active in the German music-scene Markus Pfeffer has finally managed to compile anything he has ever recorded and produced and get <a href="http://www.markuspfeffer.com" target="new">www.markuspfeffer.com</a> online. Included are over 45 MP3s (e.g. Winterland, Scarlett, Solo-albums and projects such as e.g. Lazarus Dream which featured Carsten Schulz of Evidence One and Domain on vocals), plus over 250 pictures and live-videos. The cover design for Asia's new album, Silent Nation, can now be viewed on the official Asia web site: <a href="http://www.asiaworld.org/index.php" target="new">www.asiaworld.org/index.php</a> Check out Ivory's debut album co-written, performed and produced by Chip Znuff and Ivory: <a href="http://www.ivorymuzic.com" target="new">www.ivorymuzic.com</a> and <a href="http://www.cdbaby.com/ivorymuzic" target="new">www.cdbaby.com/ivorymuzic</a>. The new Butch Walker CD, Letters, will hit stores July 20th on Epic Records. He shot a video for first single, Mix Tape. It will be hitting airwaves in the next few weeks. Salty Dog founding member Michael Hannon will be our live guest on King Hesh, 'The Hair Apparent' on Friday, June 4th, simulcast on <a href="http://www.lvrocks.com" target="new">www.lvrocks.com</a>. We'll talk to Michael about his former band Salty Dog, his stint with Dangerous Toys, and play music from his new release Red, White, Black and Blue from his band American Dog. Show Info: has been on for 3 years and plays music from the 'Era Of Hair', 80's and early 90's. It's a three hour show from 8pm-11pm(PDT). Visit the Kingdom of Hesh at <a href="http://www.kinghesh.com" target="new">www.kinghesh.com</a>. Check out Kurt Vereecke's Frozen Rain website for full details of their forthcoming album, set to feature such guests as Ollie Oldenburg Ollie, Johan Waem Johan and Tommy Denander. All online at: <a href="http://www.frozenrain.be" target="new">www.frozenrain.be</a>. Up and comers Jesse Bolt will be appearing Sat. June 12 at the Thunderdome in Baltimore Maryland with Columbia recording artists Facedancer. JSS FOR OZ?: Jeff Scot Soto live in Australia? You better believe it! Things are moving forward at a great pace and I hope to have some good news for all next week! Thanks to everyone that e-mailed in support of such a possibility. Looks great! If you want to know more, e-mail <a href="mailto:ajm@melodicrock.com?subject=JSS Tour">ajm@melodicrock.com</a> And Mike Tramp is set for another round of Aussie shows - stay tuned for details, but for local readers, there's a Hobart gig booked for July 24! SITE UPDATES: <a href="minibytes.html">Mini-Bytes</a> have been updated with new preview MP3s from: SR-71, Dokken, Aquila, Stephen Pearcy, Aina, Schugar/Schenker, Flaw, Requiem, Drama Queen Die, Vicious, Memorized Dreams and Renegade. More next week! A <a href="#cdshowcase">CD Showcase</a> has been added for the new Frontline album The Seventh Sign. More Showcases also due up early next week. Reviews - a few new reviews will be online Monday, with plenty to more come - barring any natural disasters, sickness, mutinous appliances etc of course.... I didn't get the first batch finished this week - basically I've still got the flu and that has lead to earaches - and playing rock music at loud volumes isn't a good cure! Hope to be back to 100% next week. All a bit sad really, isn't it?!  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#008000" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#008000"> <div align="center">Thursday, May 27, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> THE ULTIMATE SURVIVOR: For the past few months BMG have been working on a new Survivor compilation. That has now been completed and I'm very pleased to be able to bring the details of this compilation to you. Ultimate Survivor is a new 18 track compilation, featuring full-length album versions of the songs, which are also digitally remastered from the original master tapes. The CD is released in the USA July 13. This will be a worldwide release from the label, but the only date available so far is the US launch date. The track list and sequence is: Eye Of The Tiger . Poor Man's Son . I Can't Hold Back . Is This Love . The Search Is Over . Burning Heart . First Night . Across The Miles . High On You . Man Against The World . Desperate Dreams . American Heartbeat . Caught In The Game . Didn't Know It Was Love . Rebel Girl . Summer Nights (Full Length Version) . Somewhere In America . Rockin' Into The Night (Previously Unreleased Original Version). Total CD length is 76:37. There are two great rarities on offer -- the original 1980 single version of Rebel Girl, which is very rare and in-demand, and the previously unreleased Rockin' Into the Night. This is the original Survivor studio version recorded in 1979 for their first album -- this is the recording that John Kalodner brought to .38 Special's manager, from which 38 learned the track. Jim Peterik and Dave Bickler share the vocal. The booklet is 16 pages, full color. There are a couple great, never before seen photos, as well as images of classic Survivor memorabilia. Liner notes are 4000 words long and feature commentary on all the tracks and the band's history from Frankie Sullivan, Jim Peterik and Jimi Jamison. The best thing - all interview quotes are brand new, from interviews conducted February through May 2004 with the guys, including lots of never-before-heard stories. Frankie Sullivan, Jim Peterik and Jimi Jamison all participated in various aspects of this release, which I think all will agree, is a very pleasing thing to hear. WIN A TRIP TO MUNICH - FROM ANYWHERE!!!: Here's a major chance to win big folks.... If you place an order from <a href="http://www.musicbuymail.com/" target="new">Musicbuymail</a> between June 1 and June 20, 2004, you might win a trip to the Open Air Festival Deep Impact, taking place in Munich July 24, 2004. This price includes all travel and hotel expenses, which will be covered by Musicbuymail!!! If you live long distance from Munich, or even on a different continent, we will also pay for the flight! The winner will also be the proud owner of a backstage pass and will be able to meet all the musicians personally! Top acts playing at the DEEP IMPACT Open Air Festival in Munich include: Gotthard, TNT, Primal Fear, Dare, Kingdom Come, Fate and Skew Sisken.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="136" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/deepimpact-lineup.jpg" width="332" /></div> Event arranged by: GARAGE GmbH, Grafinger Str. 6 / 81671 Munchen. Stage: Absolutely weatherproof built stage in form of a large terrace, 27 x 12 meters. Deep Impact additional program: Presentation, meet & greet of musicians & fans, extra autographing area, beer garden, CD exchange, arts and crafts, after show party in the Rock Club Garage and lots more. Backstage: Rockclub Garage Info: <a href="http://www.deep-impact2004.de" target="new">www.deep-impact2004.de</a> + <a href="http://www.garagedeluxe.de" target="new">www.garagedeluxe.de</a> THE BASTARD VOCALISTS ARE A GO: The Bastards Of Metal Tour is a go! The concept is to take some vocalists out on the road with a powerhouse band backing them. The line-up consists of: Drop; Steven Adler doing the Best of Guns N Roses with Joe LeSte on Vocals with Alex Grossi (guitar) and Chuck Wright (bass); Kevin Dubrow - doing the best of Quiet Riot (featuring Alex Grossi on Guitar; Matt Star on drums; Chuck Wright on Bass (House Of Lords, Ex-Quiet Riot), and selected songs from his new solo album; Stephen Pearcy doing the best of Ratt. Stephen will be using his own band. Players TBC. Dates announced here shortly. ULI JON ROTH'S LATEST METAMORPHIS: Metamorphosis is the title of a new state-of-the-art production by the enigmatic guitar genius Uli Jon Roth & Sky Orchestra recently released in the US on SPV Records. Beautifully packaged with a stunning 64-page booklet of artwork designed by the man himself, Metamorphosis is one of those rare albums which defies categorization. Produced at Roth's own castle in Wales, Skylight Manor Studios, the sonic quality of this masterpiece is setting a new standard in the Classical/Rock cross-over genre. The first half of the album consists of an intense rendition of Vivaldi's Four Seasons, masterfully performed by U.J.R. on his legendary 7-string Sky Guitar together with his own orchestra. This leads into the Metamorphosis Concerto written by Roth, which is loosely based on some of Vivaldi's more salient themes and is a breathtaking display of melody, blazing guitar and emotionally moving moments. A soundtrack featuring narration is separating the various movements and helps to achieve a feeling of a magical journey into another time and age. Additionally, Uli Jon Roth has written extensive poetry depicting the more metaphysical aspects of the Seasons. The quality of the prose poems is on a par with that of the artwork, which is simply stunning. The overall result is a very rounded, totally unique concept album, where music, poetry and artwork are forming an organic whole. Roth¹s artistry on all three levels is of the highest calibre throughout. Metamorphosis is simply a must for all guitar aficionados and lovers of intensely magical music. For more information on Uli Jon Roth, his art, his music and up-coming tour dates, see <a href="http://www.ulijonroth.com" target="new">www.ulijonroth.com</a>. PUNCHING INTO SOUTH WALES FOR MELODIC-FEST: Punchline Promotions is delighted to be able to announce details of their first ever live event within the South Wales area. X-Fest is the first ever classic melodic rock festival dedicated to promote stellar bands in South Wales, who normally don't get the chance to play in front of a Welsh crowd. The one day show will take place at Swansea's Railmen's Club and will feature four bands. Now and Then signings Lost Weekend are the first to confirm their appearance and will close the evening of high quality music. The other three bands will be announced within the next few weeks and tickets will be on sale soon after. Festival details: Venue The Railmens Club, (bottom of) Wind Street, Swansea. OVER 18s ONLY... Date & Time Saturday 4th September 2004. 6pm to 12pm Line-up Lost Weekend + guests (four bands in total) Ticket Prices £10 adv. £12 door - on sale from early/mid-June. Details to follow...Drinks Prices You can recoup the ticket price as all the drinks at the venue are extremely cheap. Pint of lager £1.35, etc. For more information keep checking out the site or email us at <a href="mailto:webdesign@punchlinepromotions.co.uk">webdesign@punchlinepromotions.co.uk</a> with the subject line "X-Fest". Watch out for a mini site dedicated to X-Fest at <a href="http://www.punchlinepromotions.co.uk" target="new">www.punchlinepromotions.co.uk</a>. Punchline Promotions is a NON PROFIT organisation whose sole purpose is to give eXposure to great bands within South Wales and to pay them fairly. Any monies made from this and/or future events will be re-invested back into the organisation to ensure that the next event is bigger and better than the previous one.  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#003d79" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#003d79"> <div align="center">Wednesday, May 26, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> IT'S ABOUT TIME FOR A VAN HALEN PREVIEW: If you haven't yet been able to sample the new Van Halen single It's About Time - then now's the time! I am not featuring the whole song, but I do have a 90 second preview of the track that you can download right now. Thanks to the good folks that sent me links to it, or the track itself - appreciated! Download: Van Halen - <a href="audio/VanHalen-ItsAboutTime-Edit.mp3">It's About Time</a> (90 Second Edit). Relating to the single, industry journal FMQB had this to say: "A brand new Van Halen single, It's About Time, featuring Sammy Hagar, will arrive at radio stations at 6 a.m. EST Wednesday morning in the form of an MP3 e-mail download. The song officially goes for adds on June 1. The track will be included on The Very Best of Van Halen, a two-disc set due later this summer. It will also include the new songs Learning to See and Up For Breakfast, as well as tracks from throughout the band's career. VH's tour with Hagar kicks off on June 11 in Greensboro, NC and dates are currently booked until the end of September. More shows are expected to be added." DANNY VAUGHN FROM THE INSIDE: Frontiers Records is particularly proud to announce all details of the upcoming studio project featuring Danny Vaughn from Tyketto on all lead vocals, called From The Inside.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="94" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/fromtheinside-logo.jpg" width="300" /></div> This brand new studio project came from the idea of bringing back Danny to the melodic rock sounds that launched the Nashville-based singer into the stardom, that is to say Tyketto's first album Don't Come Easy. "In many ways, it's the most melodic rock album I've done in a long time", says Danny, also adding "There are definitely some unusual things on it and some opportunities for me to try new things as a singer. Listening back to it finished, I think we took some interesting chances but still made one of the most AOR recordings that I have done in a long time."   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="199" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/fromtheinside-2004a.jpg" width="300" /><img alt="" height="199" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/fromtheinside-2004b.jpg" width="300" /></div> The album took just a few months from its inception to be completed. Danny started the vocals during January 2004 on the sound basis prepared by producer Fabrizio Grossi (Vertigo, House of Lords, Over The Edge) in Los Angeles. Danny contributed to the project with 3 brand new of his tracks and another 2 co-written with Grossi. "My favourite", continues Danny, "is a song written by the producer, Fabrizio and myself, called Nothing At All." The recording and the mix have been completed during April 2004 when Danny flew to LA to shoot a video for the song Nothing At All. The album caught immediately the interest of the prestigious Japanese label Marquee / Avalon who signed the project immediately when heard it and coordinated with Frontiers a release for late August 2004. More info will be unleashed soon. In the meantime enjoy an MP3 sample of <a href="http://www.frontiers.it/FTI-NothingAtAll.mp3">Nothing At All</a> (click on the song title to hear!). MTM MUSIC UPDATE - THE ARTISTS SPEAK: MTM Music have sent out a recording update of forthcoming releases: The new Shy album is nearly finished. Tony Mills speaks: "The material is guitar based, both electric and acoustic. Shy have decided to continue along the lines of a writing style that moves away from keyboards, utilising acoustic guitar to colour the sound rather than using strings and pianos. Initial sounds remind me of a heavy Journey, mixed with previous Shy material as you would expect." Roy Davis: "We're all doing pretty good. There are some great ideas for the new album, up to now there are about 12 songs in the melting pot that need to be sorted out. It sounds very much like Unfinished Business, but with a natural progression, and remember we have two guitar players now so it will be massive. A fairly commercial album all round, with Mr. Harris utilising his new found habit of playing long guitar solos as much as he did on 'Unfinished Business'. A very, very, guitar based album. However, saying that, we have drafted in a session keys player in Joe Basketts. Joe worked for me on the first half of the solo project and can get the best of a keyboard upside down and inside out. I think Paddy McKenna has moved to Bristol now, so he obviously didn't have any intentions with regard to recording with SHY again. Quite a surprise, really. We have made moves to record with Sound Engineer and all round sonics whizzkid Simon Bishop. Simon has recorded several projects that I've helped produce, and is front man to an awesome band called Seven Cycles. I managed Simon for a while in the late nineties and gathered interest in London for him. Above and Beyond this, he is a remarkable sound engineer and I am eager to be working with him again. Simon has his own studio in Highgate, Birmingham and it may be that we record at his place instead of the Music Station after all." It's lookin' to be a twelve track album, with a running time of around 60-70 minutes and a fall release date. Safe Haven, featuring Michael Vesera: "The recordings or going great!! We've just finished all the guitars and they sound killer. Eric Rordan did a great job with the guitars, very melodic. We will be finished with the vocals sometime next week. The drum tracks (Phil Suarez of Soundscape), bass (Chris McCarvill of Jeff Scott Band, XFactorX, Obsession) and keys (Eric Riordan) are also finished and sound great as well. We will begin mixing the following week and off to be mastered and delivered. The whole CD sounds amazing (songs, playing, etc.), all the guys did a great job. Mats Olausson was meant to guest on the CD, but his scheduling didn't allow it. Mats will most likely be part of the touring group and the next Safe Haven CD." Edge Of Forever - guitarist Alessandro DelVeccio speaks: "This week the Feeding The Fire is released worldwide but we are closed in the studio writing and recording the new material for the next record! We have 10 new fresh songs...I can assure you that are really killer songs...in the vein of the first record....but stronger in the music...I am e-mailing with Bob Harris about the recordings and Bobby Barth will produce the new album! We have booked the flights from 24th August till 14 September...Bob will join us in September so that we can talk about the vocals and shoot the photographs..." Greenhouze - Lars Levin Berget: "As Mario told me, the release of the 1st Greenhouze album will be early fall 2004, right? I think I will be finished with the cover-packaging design and the remix of "Waterline" remaster in the middle of June." Greetings from Solli: "We celebrated the signing together last Thursday, as we live far apart, and Norway is a long Country. I'm already into auditioning live-musicians for Greenhouze, and I have gotten positive feedback from some top-players. I'll get back to you later with that. I'm also looking at a place to install my studio gear nearby my apartment in Oslo, as we will start recording demos for the 2.album during the fall of 2004. Just too much going on at one time - I guess you know what I'm talking about... I will also design a new web-site during the summer." Heartplay - Sakari Salli: "Heartplay start recording their new album 30.5.2004. There has been lot of talk about the way that this record should be done, should we record everything live, even without a click track, which I suppose is quite rare these days, or then the usual way, first drums and bass and then everything else. Now it seems that we are going to do both ways since the songs are bit different to each other. There are going to be very Heartplayish classic rock songs with Kimmo Blom´s soaring voice, but also few, could we say, deeper and dramatic songs. As this record is going to be ready by July 2004 it's going to be very, very busy June for us, but as we have done our pre-production very carefully there's no worries. We are going to record 15 songs and then decide which songs end up to the upcoming album! best regards, Sakari." Kick Axe - Larry Gillstrom: "Things are falling into place quite well for North America. The mastering is now complete. We used Craig Wadell at Gotham City studio, he is considered one of the best in this part of the world, and he did a great job. I'm just trying to raise enough money for our video production and the US publicist. Yes, the 6th of September is confirmed. I expect to have the final artwork and the master recording to you by the first week of June." Seven Wishes - Tony Westgård: "Drums and almost all bass parts has been recorded. Toby will begin to record the guitar (hopefully) on Wednesday or Thursday, and after that we'll start to record the vocals. All the trax are almost finished (Just some lyric lines for me to take care of) I think I've mentioned it earlier, we would like to call the album Destination Alive." More information and updates can be found at: <a href="http://www.mtm-music.com" target="new">www.mtm-music.com</a>. NO SURRENDER FOR ESCAPE MUSIC RE-ISSUES: Escape Music has battled once again to bring you classic material from the halcyon days of melodic rock. This time the early exploits of Canadian favourite Alfie Zappacosta have been captured in the form of the two classic recordings Surrender (1979) and the EP No Surrender (1982). These two fine recordings have always been much respected and a milestone in Alfie's own career before he became a solo artist. The recordings will of course be treated in the same manner as all other Escape re-issues and fans will not be disappointed in the quality of the end result. More exciting details to follow soon... Surrender: Alfie Zappacosta (vocals, guitar); Steve Jensen (guitar); Peter Curry (keyboards); Paul Delaney (drums); Jeff Waddington (bass). Surrender's roots began as part of the R & B act Janette Brant Lee, which featured three female vocalists, a horn section and sequined three-piece jump suits. This three ring circus had become too much and some of the members decided to form an original rock and roll act in by utilizing Zappacosta (vocals, guitars), Delaney (drums) and Jensen (guitar). With keyboardist Currie and bassist Waddington, they formed Surrender in 1979. The band quickly became a bands band incorporating elements of Rush, Triumph and Yes in their music over the course of two excellent albums characterized by extended guitar-keyboard interplay. After getting signed by Capitol Records they recorded their self-titled debut later that year. After touring and several member changes, Surrender returned to a three-piece line-up of Zappacosta, Delaney, and Jensen. In September 1981 they released the EP No Surrender which produced two singles - It's All Been Done Before and Start Again. Capitol agreed to another album and send them off to LA to work with Ed Thacker. In 1983 Zappacosta began selling himself as a solo act and just as he was about to sign a management deal with American agents Leber-Krebs, he received a call from manager Lou Blair (Loverboy) who enticed Zappacosta back into the Canadian talent pool. With a fresh vision the new team decided to revive the finished Surrender album, but it needed an overhaul. With Dee Long and John Jones' new ESP studios (which was home to many other Capitol recording acts) the record was reworked and remixed by Dee Long (Klaatu) in three weeks. The 1984 result was named Zappacosta and featured several members of Surrender (Steve Jensen, Paul Delaney and Gerald O'Brien) and guest appearances by Mitch Starkman and Jeff Jones (Red Rider) on bass and Gerry Mosby (The Hunt, Rhinegold) on background vocals. The album featured remakes of "It's All Been Done Before" and "Start Again" and spawned several hit singles including the Bob Ezrin co-write "Passion". The album landed Zappacosta a Juno Award for 'Most Promising Male Vocalist Of The Year'.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/surrender.jpg" width="200" />xx<img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/surrender-nosurrender.jpg" width="200" /></div> KISS GO INSTANTLY LIVE: Instant Live Concerts have announced a partnership agreement with Kiss for their forthcoming 2004 US tour. "We've been promising big announcements, and it doesn't get much bigger than "The Greatest Rock 'N' Roll Show on Earth"! Instant Live is teaming up with Kiss to offer high quality CDs of every show on their Rock The Nation tour. Kiss is heading out on the road with a new show, new stage, and set lists featuring rarely heard gems from the entire Kiss catalog! Be there for the spectacle that over 78 million fans have already experienced, but this time you get to take a piece of history home! It all kicks off June 10 in San Antonio!" WebLink: <a href="http://instantliveconcerts.com/index.php3" target="new">instantliveconcerts.com/index.php3</a>  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#7d0ed8" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#7d0ed8"> <div align="center">Tuesday, May 25, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> TEN RETURN TO EVERMORE AND THEIR EPIC BEST ON NEW STUDIO ALBUM: The new studio album from acclaimed British rockers Ten will be released in Europe June 23, via the newly formed label Intensity Records - created by Gary Hughes specifically to release this album. The new album is titled Return To Evermore and will feature the following tracks: Apparition . Dreamtide . Evermore . Sail Away . Temple Of Love . Even The Ghosts Cry . Strangers In The Night . Evil's On Top Of The World . The One . Lost Soul . Stay A While . Tearing My Heart Out. The Japanese release adds one bonus track - It's You I Adore and is released the same date - featuring an alternative cover. The credits for Return To Evermore are as follows: Produced and written by Gary Hughes. Recorded at Arena Studios. Drums recorded at Mastertone Studios. Mixed at Mastertone Studios by Pete "Peewee" Coleman. The European release will feature exclusive Chris Achilleos artwork - Chris was also responsible for the awesome Once And Future King covers.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/ten-returntoevermore.jpg" width="200" />xx<img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/ten-returntoevermore-jp.jpg" width="200" /></div> Gary Hughes was recently interviewed for a major feature in the next issue of Fireworks Magazine. I've snapped up a couple of quotes about the album from that interview. <table> <tbody> <tr> <td><img alt="" height="307" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/ten-2004.jpg" width="200" /></td> <td>Gary on the album's sound and style: "There was no specific plan. Basically, each time we make a record we try and look at the strengths of the past albums. You know, you try things all the time on different albums and certain things work - other things don't work quite so well for bands like Ten. Every band has their niche and I just try to take the strongest essences of everything that was Ten and try and bring it forward for the new album ... if you like, to try and make an album that felt like the best essences of Ten. That was really the only preconceived idea." On the return of that "epic" Ten sound: "On Far Beyond the World we hadn't really touched the epic side of what Ten do. We had tried to make a more commercial album, basically because all the time you're trying to cross over, if you can, especially with the state of the rock music industry at the moment. And we've done this to a certain extent with this album - there's two or three songs in the middle which are very, very commercial, but this time I thought it was important to try and get some of those really epic sounding songs together. And also, the certain stylisation of previous Ten albums where you get track 1 seguewaying into track 2 -- I wanted to do that this time, and that's what we did with Apparition and Dreamtide. And also with 'Apparition' having an overture at the end of it, it adds to the overall epic feel of what's going on." </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> On the distinctive CD artwork: "Chris is a great guy, and he was bitten very heavily on the Whitesnake Love Hunter album cover, and it put him off the idea of working with bands, and he hasn't for years and years. And he's still very against working with rock bands and the rock establishment. But I got to meet him a few years ago when we all went down, and I kept in touch and kept the friendship going. And also a close friend of mine, Jason Thanos, is very close with Chris and made it possible for us to approach him over the Arthur albums, and he said that basically, if we wanted a synonymous link with an artist that he would be happy to do that, so he's provided us with yet another fantastic piece of art, and hopefully now each Ten album is going to feature a piece of Achilleos art. Again it's a beautiful piece, and is very colourful and will probably make great posters and things like that." The album will be available at all your favourite online retailers, but you can order directly from the band via: Intensity Records, Unit 6, Maritime Street Industrial Estate, Copse Road, Fleetwood, FY7 7BP, United Kingdom. Cheques and Postal Orders for 10.00GBP (UK Only) - For orders outside the UK, please include an extra 2.00GPB for postage. Intensity are also proud to announce that the first 2000 will be exclusive limited edition signature copies, personally signed by Gary Hughes.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="207" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/ten-returntoevermore-center.jpg" width="400" /></div> THE FIRST NEW VAN HALEN MATERIAL IN 6 YEARS HITS STORES IN JULY: I must admit to being a bit slow with the Van Halen info over the past week or so. There's a lot of info flying around that most people have seen, so I'll try not to go over it all too much - just the facts of the release are below, with a few extra tidbits of info. The Very Best Of Van Halen release has been almost finalised and the details are as follows. The 2-Disc set will hit stores July 20, with the first single - It's About Time - set to hit radio in America this week. It seems there was considerable debate between executives whether the release would be via Warner Bros or the off-shoot re-issue label Rhino. Wisely, the release is now credited as a Warner release. The final track running order is still not set in stone - stay tuned for any updates regarding that. As it is currently listed, the compilation sees Disc 1 runs 76.32 and Disc 2 runs 77.57. The new tracks features are confirmed: It's About Time (4:15), Learning To See (5:14) and Up For Breakfast (4:57). The tracks are described as classic Van Halen, with a progressive twist. Warner's press release states the following: * Van Halen is the #20 biggest selling band of all time with over 50 million records sold in the U.S. alone. * Van Halen's self-titled debut album and 1984 have both been certified 10x platinum! * The first-ever career-spanning 2-CD retrospective from the multi-platinum superstars! * Liner notes written by David Wild (Rolling Stone - yeah, the same magazine that rated Eddie #70 in their Best Ever Guitarists list!). * Also includes 3 brand new tracks with Sammy Hagar, produced by Glen Ballard & Eddie Van Halen. * AS SEEN ON TV! Supported by a massive $1.8 million (media value) direct response television advertising campaign to kick off on June 4th. * U.S. arena tour kicks off on June 11th! Their first concert tour in more than 6 years, featuring Eddie Van Halen, Alex Van Halen, Michael Anthony and Sammy Hagar. They will be playing all their hits from their 25-year career. * Advertising running in Rolling Stone, LA Times & more. * Syndicated Van Halen Radio Special to air this summer nationwide with emphasis in Top 20 markets. * Major New Media initiative - grassroots and community outreach, wireless promotions, traditional online marketing including AOL First Listen and much more. * Street Teams in top 10 markets. Broaden awareness as it relates to lifestyle events and outlets, slanted towards attracting and connecting with a younger culture/NEW VH audience. Plus Moto-X crossover marketing. Now, what I can add: * The July 20 release date stands and is now also the re-issue on DVD date for Live Without A Net. * There remains some fear within the Van Halen camp about the re-union lasting. There are no firm plans past the release of the Best Of and set live dates, pending an evaluation on how things went. * Sammy Hagar has been put through a rigorous exercise regime to get in perfect fitness for the tour. * Word has it he three new tracks will all feature in the live set. * It looks like Aussie fans will have to wait until August for a local release of the Very Best Of... * It's About Time was set for an earlier release, but was re-mixed for a more commercial (radio friendly) vibe. That's about it folks - not too much to add. It's now wait and see time! It's 5150 time! DOKKEN RETURNS WITH NEW STUDIO ALBUM 'HELL TO PAY' ON SANCTUARY RECORDS: If the group Dokken ever heard the famous quote by Andy Warhol that everybody gets 15 minutes of fame, it seems someone forgot to tell them. After 20 years the group continues to have a major recording contract as well as a loyal fan base allowing them to "still follow their bliss and make a living at it" as singer and founder of the group Don Dokken puts it. The group is slated for a July 13, 2004, release for their latest recording Hell to Pay on Sanctuary Records. "I used to think if you had talent that's all you needed to survive the music business. After all these years I've come to realize you need an equal amount of luck!" says Don. The 12 songs on Hell to Pay include "The Last Goodbye," "Don't Bring Me Down," "Escape," "Haunted," "Prozac Nation," "Care for You," "Better Off Before," "Still I'm Sad," "I Surrender," "Letter to Home," "Can You See" and "Care for You (Unplugged Version)." The group kicks off yet another world tour June 17 to promote their new CD "and have some fun" as drummer "Wild" Mick Brown puts it. Unlike some of their peers, the group has survived member changes, drugs, alcohol and egos, almost! Qualities that seemed to be almost mandatory during the '80s and '90s for a rock band. They have been often lumped into the title of hair band, even though the group had already been established as a multi-platinum arena act by 1983. Their videos were a staple in the early days of the then fledgling MTV and continued on into the late '80s. "We've always taken our music very seriously. But I think it's healthy when you can be self-deprecating," says Don, commenting about a recent show. "We were headlining a concert last summer with a lot of other '80s bands. When we arrived in town we heard a radio commercial that the show was being promoted as a hair ball fest. We bought a can of extra-hold Aqua Net and put our hair as high as we could get it. When we hit the stage we were laughing so hard at each other we barely made it through the first song. We've never considered ourselves a pop band, we've had commercial hits but we've always prided ourselves for our heavy edge." Dokken has shared the stage with rock acts such as AC/DC, Metallica, Aerosmith, Judas Priest, Van Halen, Kiss, Scorpions, as well as Bon Jovi, just to name a few. "When people ask us who we've toured with we just say EVERYBODY!" says Don. The band hit stadium status in 1988, playing in front of over a million fans in just five weeks. Their current LP at the time Back For the Attack had sold over 1 million copies in just 21 days. It seemed Dokken was on the verge of superstardom. But like so many other bands that have come before and after them Dokken broke up in 1989. "It's tough to go from nothing to everything and no one to guide you or say stop. We made millions and spent millions but none of it on therapy," says Don dryly. In 1994 the legendary A&R man John Kalodner moved to Sony Music. Kalodner has been credited for reviving many groups' careers with similar breakup problems most notably Aerosmith. Even though it was at the height of the Seattle grunge sound phase and groups like Dokken were out of vogue Kalodner offered Dokken a recording contract on the condition the group had to be original members. "I hadn't spoken to the other members in five years but I made the call anyway to the other members. I figured we'd had five years to grow up," says Don laughingly. The group released the appropriately titled Dysfunctional in 1995 selling 250,000 copies which by the mid '90s was considered by industry standards very respectable. Dokken was really happy and excited, but just as they were on the verge of releasing a second single, filming a video, starting a world tour and "taking it all the way," as Don puts it, the baggage from their past reared its ugly head, and again the group began to unravel. Soon after guitarist George Lynch again left the group. "It was really a shame," says "Wild" Mick Brown. "We were on a roll! It seems lead singers and guitarists are always at odds, it's been going on since before the Beatles." Don Dokken on surviving fame: "I think it should be mandatory that all recording contracts have the stipulation that their artists go to marriage counseling together at least once a month." The group signed to CMC International/Sanctuary Records in 1995 and continued to forge forward. With new guitar wizard Jon Levin on board the group has "gone back to their roots," as he puts it, with Hell to Pay, their sixth CD for Sanctuary. "We just recorded what we liked not what's in fashion musically this week," says Levin. In the last year between recording their new CD Dokken has performed with a crop of new groups such as Sevendust, Trapt, Eve 6 and Staind. "It's really a trip when a new generation of fans knows all the words to your songs even though some of them were written 15 years ago or more. It puts a big smile on your face and reminds us that good songs can stand the test of time," says Dokken bassist Barry Sparks on performing with Staind to a sold out audience of 10,000. Dokken exploded out of the boiling hard rock/heavy metal scene in Los Angeles in the early 1980s. 1983's 'Breaking the Chains,' with its catchy title track, set the stage for Dokken becoming the most dominant creative and commercial force in the world of melodic hard rock. 'Tooth and Nail,' 'Under Lock and Key' and 'Back For the Attack' all became platinum selling smashes and the live 'Beast From the East' went gold. Songs like "Alone Again," "Just Got Lucky," "Into the Fire," "In My Dreams," "Unchain the Night," "Dream Warriors," "Burning Like a Flame" and "Heaven Sent" are among the genre's finest. Not only has Dokken survived and kept their loyal fans in a time when people's tastes change as fast as Britney Spears' wardrobe, they have been embraced by a whole new generation of rock fans. They say a cat has nine lives and it seems Dokken is enjoying more than a few as well. For all the latest Dokken news and up-to-date tour information, visit <a href="http://www.dokken.net" target="new">www.dokken.net</a> and <a href="http://www.sanctuaryrecordsgroup.com" target="new">www.sanctuaryrecordsgroup.com</a>   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/dokken-helltopay.jpg" width="200" /></div> SKYNYRD GO LYVE FOR NEXT RELEASE: Last year's Vicious Cycle release was a triumph for Lynyrd Skynyrd, and by far the biggest highlight of the band's 2003 30th anniversary. It was Skynyrd's biggest selling studio album in decades, and contained Classic Rock's #1 song of the year, Red White and Blue. Not long after came the filming and release of the soon to be Gold DVD, Lynyrd Skynyrd Lyve. The audio from this release has since been remastered for the ultimate Skynyrd sound and the companion double CD set. Recorded live on July 11, 2003 at Amsouth Amphitheatre in Nashville, TN, Lynyrd Skynyrd Lyve contains 19 tracks and runs 105 minutes. Disc One - That's How I Like It . What's Your Name . I Know A Little . Pick Em Up . Simple Man . That Smell . Red White & Blue . Down South Jukin . Gimme Back My Bullets . Double Trouble . The Ballad Of Curtis Loew . Tuesday's Gone . Mississippi Kid. Disc Two - Workin . Gimme Three Steps . Call Me The Breeze . Sweet Home Alabama . The Way . Free Bird.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="197" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/lynyrdskynyrd-lyve.jpg" width="199" /></div> HELLO FROM MARK SLAUGHTER: A good friend of mine ran into Mark Slaughter in Nashville yesterday, who past on his best to melodicrock.com readers and Slaughter fans hello and reminded us all that Slaughter will be out almost every weekend this summer, and look for them all across the country. They just did a show in Utah this weekend with Rik Emmett - with Mark getting up on stage and jammed with Rik in an impromptu jam session. Keep up to date with the show dates at: <a href="http://www.slaughterweb.com" target="new">www.slaughterweb.com.</a> GLENN HUGHES ON THE FUZE: Todd from The Fuze wrote in to plug a new interview with Glenn Hughes that he has just posted over at <a href="http://www.the-fuze.com" target="new">www.the-fuze.com</a>. The interview is a preview of the upcoming Tommy Bolin Music Festival, which Glenn Hughes will be headlining once again. Glenn talks about his days in Deep Purple with Bolin, where he fits among the Blackmore's and Moore's of the world, and mentions a few projects to look for later this year. MR-X UPDATED: <a href="mr-x/index.html">MR-X</a> has been updated, with one maybe 2 more updates due this week! Added today is a new Classic Feature Album - Jimmy Harnen's perfect AOR release Can't Find The Midnight (with some bonus live cuts added for good measure) and tracks from Cinderella's rare-ish Live Train From Heartbreak Station Japanese EP. And there are some more preview MP3s added too! Videos and more to be added later this week.  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#ff0000" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#ff0000"> <div align="center">Monday, May 24, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> FRONTIERS TO RELEASE DOUBLE PACK OF LANA LANE GOODIES: Frontiers Records is proud to announce Lana Lane's newest live release, Return to Japan, a double CD release over 2 hours in length that chronicles the vocalist's last four Japanese tours from 1998 to 2002. Disc One contains full band performances from the concerts at Club Citta (2002) and Club Quattro (1999) and Disc Two contains acoustic duo performances of Lana Lane and Erik Norlander recorded in Japan from 1998 - 2002 along with remastered full band versions of Lana's renditions of the classics In the Court of the Crimson King and Long Live Rock 'n' Roll from Club Quattro in 1999. Return to Japan includes a full color 20-page booklet with extensive liner notes by producer Erik Norlander and great live photos from the Japanese tours. While they do not have identical track listings, Return to Japan is the CD companion to the new Lana Lane DVD, Storybook Tales from Europe and Japan.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="199" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/lanalane-returntojapan.jpg" width="200" /></div> The 3-hour dual layer "DVD-9" disc contains 20 songs recorded on tour between 1997 and 2003 along with extensive interviews with the performing musicians discussing each song and candid "behind-the-scenes" footage. Both stereo and 5.1 surround audio is offered, and the DVD will appear in PAL format, Region 0 on the Frontiers Records version. <table> <tbody> <tr> <td>Lana Lane - Return to Japan Performing Musicians are: Lana Lane - vocals; Erik Norlander - keyboards; Don Schiff - NS/Stick; Mark McCrite - guitar, vocals; Neil Citron - guitar, vocals; Peer Verschuren - guitar *; Kelly Keeling - vocals *; Tommy Amato - drums; Vinny Appice - drums. * indicates new tracks recorded by these musicians in the studio for this release in November, 2003. Lana Lane - Return to Japan Track Listing: DISC ONE - Lana Lane Band - Introductory Medley . Dark Water Part III . Fanfare for the Dragon Isle . Garden of the Moon . In the Hall of the Ocean Queen . Escher's Staircase . The Beast Within You . Rainbow's End . Queen of the Ocean . Project Shangri La . Evolution Revolution . Frankenstein Unbound . Athena's Shadow . Night Falls . Astrology Prelude . Redemption Part II . Secrets of Astrology. DISC TWO - Acoustic Live and Special Events - Take a Breath . Stardust . Symphony of Angels . Dream On . Alexandria . Autumn Leaves . Let Heaven In . Dreamcurrents . Avalon . Seasons End . In the Court of the Crimson King . Long Live Rock n'Roll.</td> <td><img alt="" height="282" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/lanalane-storybook.jpg" width="200" /></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> Lana Lane - Storybook Tales From Europe And Japan - DVD Track Listing - Introductory Medley: Dark Water Part III - Fanfare for the Dragon Isle - Garden of the Moon - In the Hall of the Ocean Queen . Escher's Staircase . Project Shangri-La . Queen of the Ocean . Destination Roswell . Rainbow's End . Frankenstein Unbound . Before You Go . Under the Olive Tree . The Beast Within You . Evolution Revolution . Through the Rain . Seasons . Love is an Illusion . Avalon . Symphony of Angels . Astrology Prelude / Redemption Part II . Secrets of Astrology. Both the titles are scheduled for simultaneous release in Europe of Frontiers Records on July 12th 2004. RIP ALEX NELSON: Lizzy Borden guitarist Alex Nelson was tragically killed in a car accident last week. <a href="http://lizzyborden.com" target="new">lizzyborden.com</a> has a statement and further details. RIP Alex. SCORPIONS BREAK USA IN JUNE: I've had several e-mails requesting information on a US release of The Scorpions album Unbreakable. Sanctuary Records will release the title in North America - it will be in stores June 22. DOMAIN GOES LEGAL DOWNLOAD BY INTERNET: From now on, all Domain songs, which have been released as regular albums so far, will be available as legal downloads as well! Domain are proud to get the two biggest German providers of legal download-portals, <a href="http://www.popfile.de" target="new">www.popfile.de</a> and <a href="http://www.eventim.de" target="new">www.eventim.de</a>, for a worldwide cooperation. More providers will follow in the next days. Finally, it's possible to create your own Domain Best-of CD, with exactly these songs and track lists you always wanted to listen to. Worldwide available, open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and guaranteed legal. WARRANT UNDER THE MICROSCOPE: WARRANT - Uncle Erik's Cabin - By Mitch Lafon. In the fifteen or so years that Warrant have been on the hard rock scene, they've never failed to entertain. In the beginning it was their monster ballads and catchy riff driven rock songs (not to mention the all white leather suits), but in the past few years it was former vocalist Jani Lane's off-stage antics that provided the entertainment. However, this past January the much-maligned frontman packed up his ball and went home leaving bassist Jerry Dixon and guitarist Erik Turner out to dry. Without skipping a beat the two remaining members enlisted the help of Black 'N Blue vocalist Jamie St. James and reunited with original axeman Joey Allen and drummer Steven Sweet. Now, with a near full reunion of the classic line-up that started it all, the band has set its goals high and plans to re-conquer the rock world with their music and not backstage drama. Guitarist Erik Turner sat down with BW&BK with insights on the new Warrant. "It feels fresh and we're having a lot of fun," begins Turner explaining how it feels to be playing with Joey and Steven. "It's nice to have them back and be able to change the set list and play all the songs the fans want to hear. It's a blast from the past and it sounds really good." This 2004 reunion nearly materialized a few years earlier as Erik continues, "Over the years Joey had expressed an interest in coming back to the band. Jerry, Obi (manager) and myself met with Steven and him in 2000 about doing a reunion tour." However, it was then frontman Jani Lane's veto that killed the idea, "Jani wasn't ready for a reunion at that time because I think he liked the way things were going," opines Turner. "From a fan's and a business standpoint to have the five guys together would have been great. So, when Jani dropped the bombshell on us in January we saw it as a good opportunity to get Joey and Steven back in the band and move forward." With the departure of Lane seen as a chance for a fresh start the band turned to long-time friend, Jamie St. James. "The first singer we had in mind was Jamie," begins Erik, "he's a professional singer, has a big heart and is a good guy. He's also enthusiastic about the project and wants to be here," he adds seemingly taking a jab at the departed Lane. "Over the last few years, Warrant as a band was just going through the motions. Show up, play, get paid and onward, but now we've spent a lot of time rehearsing, in the studio and on our gear. We're writing a lot of songs and putting a lot of TLC back into the band. I want to make it what it can be. I know how good this band can be and we are setting our goals high." Though very energized by the band's new configuration, Erik hints that Warrant's days with Lane may have another chapter written, "I'm not going to be like all these people that say never again or I'll never play with this person again, but do we have any plans to get together with Jani Lane in the future… NO!" As for the new Warrant, they are moving along with plans to release a new album and DVD (though no time table exists) as Erik explains, "We're writing songs right now, have four recorded and are in the process of recording four or five more. We have a studio set up at Joey's house and Pro-Tools set up at my house so the recording process is moving along quite nicely. We're trying to make awesome songs, but we're not trying to re-invent Warrant. Quite the opposite in fact; we haven't made a real Warrant record since Dog Eat Dog. Ultraphobic and Belly To Belly had strong grunge elements, but that's not what Warrant is. Warrant is a melodic hard rock band and that's what the new stuff is going to sound like." As for the DVD, "we've been filming photo shoots and rehearsals. The rough idea for the DVD is to tell the story of how the band started after Jani Lane left. There will also be some live stuff on it and maybe even a whole live show." As for the future Erik states, "write Warrant, play Warrant and work on Warrant all the time." For more visit: <a href="http://www.warrantweb.net" target="new">www.warrantweb.net</a> or <a href="http://www.erikturner.com" target="new">www.erikturner.com</a>. SITE UPDATE: Hi folks....there's still a bunch of stuff to get online and some pages that need updating. Sorry for the delay in news and updates. This Flu has been a killer and we are both still trying to get over it. I feel like I've had a migraine for a week now. Hardly inspiring stuff sadly. This week will see several big updates and in the next day or two I'll have a statement about some other issues online for all to read. A few new <a href="#cdshowcase">CD Showcases</a> online today. Three new June releases from Frontiers Records are now featured, along with Atenzia Records' London Calling release - which is Jamie Rowe's modern rock band. Click on the covers to check them out.   <div align="center"><a href="showcase/stanbush-shine.html"><img alt="stan bush-shine" border="0" height="125" src="/files-archive/news/stanbush-shine125.jpg" width="125" /></a>x<a href="showcase/voodoohill-wildseed.html"><img alt="voodoo hill-wild seed" border="0" height="125" src="/files-archive/news/voodoohill-wildseed125.jpg" width="125" /></a>x<a href="showcase/londoncalling-youresolucky.html"><img alt="london calling-youre so lucky" border="0" height="125" src="/files-archive/news/londoncalling-youresolucky125.jpg" width="125" /></a>x<a href="showcase/keemarcello-melondemondivine.html"><img alt="kee marcello - melon demon divine" border="0" height="125" src="/files-archive/news/keemarcello-melondemondivine125.jpg" width="125" /></a></div> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#ff8000" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#ff8000"> <div align="center">Friday, May 21, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> CLASSIC DALTON AVAILABLE ON CD FOR A LIMITED TIME: Both albums by Dalton are very rare and therefore nearly impossible to find on CD. Thus, they are part of numerous want lists we receive from all over the world. We at <a href="http://www.musicbuymail.com/" target="new">MUSICBUYMAIL</a> are proud to have managed to get hold of a limited stock we can offer to all devoted fans and everyone else interested in finest Scandinavian Melodic Rock from the 80s. Drummer Mats "Dalton" Dahlberg formed the band after leaving Treat. The debut album sees songwriting contributions from Jon Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora and Desmond Child, Michael Bolton and Martin Briley. Order from: <a href="http://www.musicbuymail.com" target="new">www.musicbuymail.com</a> or e-mail: <a href="mailto:order@musicbuymail.com">order@musicbuymail.com</a>   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/dalton-injection.jpg" width="200" />xx<img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/dalton-theraceison.jpg" width="200" /></div> THE VERY BEST OF VAN HALEN?: Van Halen's Best of Volume 2 has dissolved into a 2-Disc set The Very Best Of Van Halen, due out through Warner Brothers own re-issue label Rhino. The release date looks like being July, with a $25 price tag. The track listing was announced on <a href="http://van-halen.com" target="new">van-halen.com</a> yesterday, but Billboard.com refers to a "spokesperson" who says the listing has not yet been finalized. As printed yesterday - the listing was: Disc 1 - Eruption . Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love . You Really Got Me . Jamie's Cryin' . Runnin' With the Devil . Beautiful Girls . Dance the Night Away . And the Cradle Will Rock... . Everybody Wants Some!! . Unchained . Dancing In the Street . (Oh) Pretty Woman . Hot For Teacher . Jump . Panama . I'll Wait . Why Can't This Be Love . Dreams . Best of Both Worlds . Love Walks In. Disk 2 - When It's Love . Finish What Ya Started . Feels So Good . Black and Blue . Poundcake . Runaround . Right Now . Top of the World . Can't Stop Lovin' You . Not Enough . It's About Time (NEW!) . Learning To See (NEW!) . Up For Breakfast (NEW!) . Ain't Talkin 'bout Love (Live) . Jump (Live) . Panama (Live). Billboard also revealed that the live tracks are only cuts from the Right Here Right Now live release - how seriously disappointing! There are some more Van Halen tidbits, but I'll save them for an update over the weekend. ACT RE-ISSUE THEIR IMAGINARY ALBUM: Swedish pro-rockers ACT will re-release their long unavailable second album Imaginary Friends. It has been re-mastered, redesigned and comes with a previously unreleased track in form of a cover (Say No More) plus an 11-minute multi-media movie called The Making of Imaginary Friends. The album will be released in Scandinavia via Atenzia Records on June 2 and in the rest of Europe on June 28.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/act-imaginaryfriends.jpg" width="200" /></div> JEFF SCOTT SOTO IN AUSTRALIA?: Calling all Aussie rock n rollers! There is a very real chance we can get Jeff Scott Soto to undertake an Australian tour. I've mentioned this in the past and continue to work on the logistics of it and have been talking to venues and Jeff all week about it. I do have a batch of e-mails collected a while ago about such tours in Oz, but if you would like to re-confirm your support for such a tour, then let me know now so I can call upon you when it comes time to announce the actual dates (should we get it sorted!) <a href="mailto:ajm@melodicrock.com?subject=JSS Tour">E-Mail now!</a>   <table> <tbody> <tr> <td><img alt="" height="265" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/chriscatena-2004.jpg" width="200" /></td> <td>FREE MP3s FROM CHRIS CATENA: Two versions of Freak Out Tonight featuring Chris Catena and Glenn Hughes remixed by the Swedish DJs Flower Mountain inc. to download for free on Chris Catena website - <a href="http://www.chriscatena.com" target="new">www.chriscatena.com</a>. Regarding the great forthcoming Moonstone project of the Italian guitar player Matteo Filippini, Chris Catena has written the lyrics and the melody lines for Beggar Of Love sung by James Christian (House Of Lords) and City Of Lights sung by Steve Walsh (Kansas). Chris' current solo album Freak Out! can be previewed in the <a href="showcase/chriscatena-freakout.html">CD Showcase</a>.</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> SITE UPDATE: Please forgive the lack of updates this week. Basically I'm off sick, having been hit by a pretty impressive flu. My wife has it even worse, so we are both feeling pretty average! I've managed to get this news update online and will see how things are over the weekend for a bigger and better round up of all the news that is currently sitting in my in-box. Site pages and this week's MR-X update, plus replies to that always building stack of e-mail will come from Monday, when hopefully things are all back in order. It's our post flood Flu Cath says! Cheers for your patience. I'd like to add that there are a lot of things going on behind the scenes right now and I'll look forward to updating you all with those details next week.  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#7762a2" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#7762a2"> <div align="center">Tuesday, May 18, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> FRONTIERS SIGN GERMAN ROCKERS ZILLION: Frontiers Records is pleased to announce the signing of a new phenomenal German hard rock trio called Zillion! The guitar player and singer of the band is Sandro Giampietro. Sandro is best known as guitar player for the band Supared, which featured former Helloween lead singer Michael Kiske. The German magazine Hammer rated him as one of the top guitar players in Germany. He is also been working with such national artists as Ian Cussik, Helge Schneider and others and has been doing workshop for Marshall and Yamaha music. Bass player is Jens Becker a well known face in the German heavy metal and hard rock scene. He is currently the bass player in the metal superstar band Grave Digger and he has also worked in the past with Running Wild and Kingdom Come. On drums, Mike Terrana is the guarantee of a thunderous and technical drumming! Currently drummer for Rage, Mike is one of the most respected drummers in the hard rock world boasting collaborations with Artension, Axel Rudi Pell, Yngwie Malmsteen and countless others.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="186" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/zillion-2004.jpg" width="409" /></div> Zillion is the result of a strong collaboration between such talented musicians. With a pretty original sound which melts influences from classic and melodic hard rock and classic heavy metal music, Zillion plans to be very soon a force to be reckoned with in the music scene. Zillion's self-titled debut album will be released in Europe on July 22 on Frontiers Records, with the following track listing: <a href="http://www.frontiers.it/zillion1.mp3">You And Me</a> (click on the song title to hear a sample); <a href="http://www.frontiers.it/zillion2.mp3">This Day Is Gone</a> (click on the song title to hear a sample); Dirty Little Secret; Never Down; Kryptonite; The Smile; Wonder Why; Take It Away; Day Or Night; The Hose; Say Goodbye. Release in Japan will happen at the same time on Marquee / Avalon Records.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/zillion.jpg" width="200" /></div> VAN HALEN SET TO BREAK THEIR SILENCE: Looks like Van Halen will talk after all. Guitar World Magazine are promoting a new exclusive Van Halen interview which will be featured in their July 15 issue. The band break their silence it reads! A JPG of the promo-ad can be viewed by <a href="vanhalen-guitarworld.jpg" target="new">clicking here</a>. I have a VH update in the works, but don't have much new to add until I hear more from sources. When I do, I'll print what I have! LONG LONG WAY TO GO IS GOOD ENOUGH FOR LIONEL: If you ever needed more proof on the fact Universal completely screwed up their promotional campaign for Def Leppard's X album, then this should convince you. Pop crooner Lionel Richie is using a cover of Def Leppard's Long Long Way To Go as a bonus track on the US release of his new album Just For You. Ok, so the band didn't actually write that track, but it was a killer ballad and was a single release - given any kind of promotion it would have been a hit me thinks! Let's see if Lionel does anything with it. NASHVILLE IRON HORSE AND SKID ROW MEET AND GREET: Here is some info for a meet and greet/autograph session at Rock Block Guitars before the Skid Row / IronHorse show in Nashville, TN on Thursday, May 20th. The band would love to see as many folks as possible turn out to meet the bands and for the show later that night at the Boots Reverb Theatre in Nashville, TN. Pre-Show "Meet & Greet" with Skid Row and Ron Keel & IronHorse - Thursday, May 20, 2004, 4:00-6:00 PM, Rock Block Guitars, 2113 Elliston Place, Nashville TN 615.321.0317. More info: <a href="http://www.IronHorseBand.com" target="new">www.IronHorseBand.com</a> REMBRANDTS PUT TOGETHER SOME CHOICE CUTS: The Rembrandts have just released a new album entitled Choice Picks, which includes re-recorded favorites picked by their fans as well as a brand new song, Chasin' Down A Rainbow. In honor of the Friends finale, the theme song, I'll Be There For You is also included. The CD is available exclusively through <a href="http://www.therembrandts.com" target="new">www.therembrandts.com</a> and <a href="http://www.awarestore.com" target="new">Awarestore.com</a>.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="202" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/rembrandts-choicecuts.jpg" width="200" /></div> MELODIC RELEASE UPDATES: A few bits and pieces from Japan on some up and coming releases: The Japanese labels do occasionally get a little ahead of themselves, but Universal Japan have just listed the new American Hi-Fi album as due for release June 23. The album is produced by the great Butch Walker. Beware that the release could be pushed back. Hoobastank's hit album The Reason is getting a Japan-only limited edition release. From June 30 it will be coupled with a bonus DVD featuring video clips and "making of" footage (30mins approx.). Angra's Rebirth World Tour: Live In Sao Paulo is a live DVD release preceding the release of the band's new album scheduled for this summer. It's due out June 23. Eyes Of Shiva are a new Brazilian metal band. Their debut album Eyes Of Soul is out shortly in Japan and is produced by Dennis Ward (Pink Cream 69). MELODIC BRIEFS: Forgive me, but I neglected to mention that Rudy Sarzo (Ozzy, Quiet Riot, Whitesnake) is now the official new bass player for Dio, the official announcement is at: <a href="http://www.ronniejamesdio.com" target="new">www.ronniejamesdio.com</a>. Speaking of Dio related things, former guitarist Doug Aldrich has a new demo online to listen to via: <a href="http://www.dougaldrich.com/dougradio.html" target="new">www.dougaldrich.com/dougradio.html</a>. Another streaming video link has been forwarded to me by the band's US label. If Alien Ant Farm interest you, check out their new song Drifting Apart from the band's latest CD truANT: <a href="http://boss.streamos.com/wmedia/geffen/alien_ant_farm/video/truant/drifting-apart/300_hi.asx?siteID=melodicrock" target="new">Windows Media</a> or <a href="http://boss.streamos.com/real/geffen/alien_ant_farm/video/truant/drifting-apart/00_hi.ram?siteID=melodicrock" target="new">Real</a>. The new Official Blitzkrieg website is now up and running at <a href="http://www.blitzed-alive.com" target="new">www.blitzed-alive.com</a>. A new live CD entitled Blitzkrieg - Absolutely Live! was released by the band on April 26th 2004 through tthe Metal Nation Label - featuring 16 tracks / 73 minutes. Includes tracks from all their albums & from pre-Blitzkrieg days with Satan's Blades Of Steel. Also includes the mighty Blitzkrieg cut covered by Metallica. David Coverdale has leaked a couple of "provisional" UK dates on his message board at <a href="http://www.whitesnake.com" target="new">www.whitesnake.com</a> - Manchester Apollo - Sunday October 10th and Hammersmith Apollo - Wednesday October 20th. The Graham Bonnet Rocks website review page has been updated with concert reports & photos from European fans covering the recent Elektric Zoo tour. Check it out: <a href="http://www.bonnetrocks.com" target="new">www.bonnetrocks.com</a>.  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#0000ff" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#0000ff"> <div align="center">Monday, May 17, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> JEFF & NEAL'S SOUL SIRKUS THE ONE TO WATCH FOR: Last week we had an update from Jeff Scott Soto, and his anticipated upcoming solo album Lost In The Translation. See the May 13 top story for details. Today some other matters are addressed - including the most eagerly anticipated details surrounding Jeff's project with Neal Schon, Deen Castronovo and Marco Mendoza. Jeff's update reads: The new Schon/Soto/Castronovo/Mendoza band has been going under the name Soul Sirkus as a potential keeper for the new project name. 11 tracks are completed & will be handled & shopped by Irving Azoff Management, who also handle Journey, Van Halen, Seal & Christina Aguilera, this summer while Journey is on tour this summer. The tracks are in a contemporary, heavy vibe, giving the band a huge flexibility of melody & muscle. One can predict the elements of Neal & Jeff's pasts are heavily apparent, yet the sound is a new, fresh one combining the best of their influences. More as it develops, potential sporadic live dates could be booked this summer. In other JSS news - Another victorious show comes to an end at this year's annual Queen Convention in Prestatyn, North Wales. Jeff & band (Howie Simon, Gary Schutt & new drummer, Dave Dzialak) went in with a re-tooled show of Queen songs, this time clocking in at 3 HOURS, & exhausted the anticipating audience once again. No footage or recordings were made this time out, but the memories are still being highly touted by the many in attendance on May 8, 2004. Jeff & band also went on to do some additional JSS shows throughout England during the visit & it's apparent, UK fans are now catching onto Jeff in a big way. Jeff's 2003 appearance at the convention can be found now on Double CD as well as on DVD. Check out <a href="http://www.jeffscottsoto.com" target="new">www.jeffscottsoto.com</a>. JSS With SAS Band, 10th Anniversary Show - Jeff has been asked to join in the celebration of the SAS Band with Spike Edney & Co. on July 31 at the Eastleigh Music Festival in England. Since it is the band's 10 year anniversary, look out for many surprise guest artists to be added in the weeks to come. Jeff has already confirmed the beginning stages of a tour to promote the new Lost In The Translation album, starting in Sao Paolo, Brazil on October 1 & 2, with a possibility of Rio on the 3rd. They'll go straight on to Spain to do 4-5 dates starting in Madrid on Oct. 8 & move on throughout portions of Europe, ending up in the UK again in November. Dates, cities & venues are being booked as this posts so all updates can be found here 1st. Talisman Double DVD Almost Completed - Gary Schutt has been given the task of compiling 13 years of footage & video data for a 2 Disc Talisman DVD to be released sometime by the end of 2004. The contents will include archives from the band's beginnings to the most recent festival dates in 2003 at the Lokerse Festival & Sweden Rock Festival. The impressive package has been delicately & carefully edited to bring forth never before seen videos, appearances, backstage & insightful clips. JSS & Talisman fans will be surely pleased with this 1! I'd like to add that I'm taking one last gasp in trying to secure some Australian JSS dates. Man it's freeking hard to get venue's to support such a gig, but we are all trying and Jeff is being his most accommodating best to try and ensure this happens one day not too far away! A DIVERSE BALANCE FOR NEW CD: The Chicago-based band Balance (one of the discoveries on the MR.com CD1) has just finished recording the basic tracks to their new CD in Chicago this past week. Stylistically the band is extremely unique and wide reaching, but should please fans of the progressive rock, fusion and melodic rock worlds. The Balance line-up: Brian Moritz - producer, guitars, keyboards, vocals; Vince Claps - lead and backing vocals; Rod Morgenstein - drums and percussion; Dave LaRue - fretted and fretless 5 and 4 strings bass; Joel Kaplan - keyboards. LOU GRAMM ON THE ROAD IN 2004 - AGAINST THE ODDS: In case you hadn't read up on the subject, or had forgotten, here is a link to a brief newspaper story/interview describing Lou Gramm's current health situation, which appeared recently in Lou's local newspaper. Lou of course suffered a brain tumor in recent times, but is fighting back and doing his best to overcome the lasting effects of that tumor: <a href="http://www.foreignerfiles.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=16" target="new">www.foreignerfiles.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=16</a> And Lou is also touring this year on his own - check out his 2004 schedule at his Official Lou Gramm Band website: <a href="http://www.foreignerfiles.com/lougrammband/mnpglgb.htm" target="new">www.foreignerfiles.com/lougrammband/mnpglgb.htm</a> STREAMING STYX'S CLASSICS: Styx Anthology is a 2 CD complete history of Styx music. It's the only compilation to include 35 songs from their 30 year Anniversary of making music! Styx has sold 31 million albums worldwide, and continuously sells 3,000 copies per week and over 200k each year! A few Video Streams from the compilation are available to check out: Babe - <a href="http://boss.streamos.com/wmedia/ume/styx/styx_babe.asx" target="new">WindowsMedia</a> or <a href="http://boss.streamos.com/real/ume/styx/styx_babe.ram" target="new">Real Media</a>; Come Sail Away - <a href="http://boss.streamos.com/wmedia/ume/styx/styx_comesailaway.asx" target="new">WindowsMedia</a> or <a href="http://boss.streamos.com/real/ume/styx/styx_comesailaway.ram" target="new">Real</a>; Mr. Roboto - <a href="http://boss.streamos.com/wmedia/ume/styx/styx_mrroboto.asx" target="new">WindowsMedia</a> or <a href="http://boss.streamos.com/real/ume/styx/styx_mrroboto.ram" target="new">Real</a>; Blue Collar Man - <a href="http://boss.streamos.com/wmedia/ume/styx/styx_bluecollarman.asx" target="new">WindowsMedia</a> or <a href="http://boss.streamos.com/real/ume/styx/styx_bluecollarman.ram" target="new">Real</a>. A NEW OUTLET FOR ROCK RADIO IN THE UK: CMRPulse is a new radio project mixing Country Music and Rock Programs in specific time slots each week broadcasting on Sky Channel 913, and in the near future via the Internet. For listeners in Europe we have the full frequency details available on our web site: <a href="http://www.cmrpulse.com" target="new">www.cmrpulse.com</a> Initially CMRPulse will be broadcasting 54 hours a week from their studios in London using the Apple FM channel 913 on Sky. The proposed launch date is May 24th at midday with Lee Williams and 'The Country Lunch'. A full 24/7 service will come later in the year. CMRPulse is the trading name of Pulse 202 Radio Ltd owned by the founder Paul Gibbs and Geoff Bowry. Lee Williams who ran Country Music Radio for a number of years on Satellite has been brought in to be program controller for the new station with Adam Lewis being the technical advisor. Both Lee and Adam will host shows on CMRPulse. The broadcasting times are 12 – 6 pm weekdays and 12 noon – 12 midnight weekends. The weekdays will be all styles of Country Music with the weekends being all styles of rock except for Sundays 3 - 6 pm when Tim Rogers will broadcast his popular Classic Country Show that was recently dropped by Classic Gold. CHARIOT BACK IN THE RACE: The re-issues of their 1984 album (Warrior) and 1986 album (Burning Ambition) by Majestic Rock and the release of the DVD Sweating Blood - Live At The Marquee (this was the last ever live recording/video to be shot at the Marquee in Wardour Street, London, prior to its closure) have been a major success for seminal London rockers Chariot. Chariot main man, Pete Franklin in the meantime had been in the studios putting together a solo release. He called in ex-Chariot members John Smith (Bass) and Jeff Braithwaite (Drums) to assist and obtained the services of Guitar 'Virtuoso' Paul Lane. So successful has been this working partnership that it has been decided that Chariot should reform with Paul Lane replacing Scott Biaggi. The band will be managed by Franklin & Z-Roxx Management (under Steve Price who, ironically, used to be their tour manager/lighting tech in the 80's) and have already had a number of offers from labels attempting to sign the band. Negotiations are taking place and it is hoped a Worldwide album deal will be signed in the next few weeks. Chariot are currently in the studios completing their comeback album, 5 tracks have been completed, and it's hoped that the album will be out in the Autumn/Fall 2004. Tour dates will follow and will be preceded by a one-off London show in the Summer. For up to date info on Chariot, check out their new website at <a href="http://www.chariot-rocks.com" target="new">www.chariot-rocks.com</a> which will be launched on 24th May 2004. The site will include exclusive downloads for Chariot fans. SOUTHERN JAM ONLINE: "The Southern region of the United States has always had an amazing music scene – I just want to do my part to make music fans even more aware of that fact on a global scale. The internet is a wonderful tool for just that type of project." This is the driving sentiment behind founder Marc Bryant's new web site dedicated to artists spanning from the coasts of the Carolinas straight down through the great plains of Texas. "Southern Jam Online will be a source of press and support for both the established artist who has already gained national status as well as the up and coming band that just wants to have their Demo heard by a wider audience." Featuring CD/Demo reviews, the latest news, Feature Interviews with national acts and an Independent Spotlight section for bands on the rise, the only requirement of an artist looking for exposure is that they are from the South. Working in cooperation with journalists and editors from several other web sites such as East Coast Romper and Children At Play, things are planned to kick off in May of 2004 with interviews from Jerry Gaskill (King's X), Jacob Bunton (Lynam/Mars Electric), Over October, Fifth Year Crush and Copper. "I've been promoting other people's music for years – this seems like a natural progression and I'm really looking forward to seeing where things go from here." If you are an artist or business who wishes to be featured on this new music site, contact Marc at: <a href="mailto:southernjamonline@yahoo.com">southernjamonline@yahoo.com</a> FEATURE REVIEWS UPDATED: Updated today is the Interactive Reviews page. This one could get interesting! Feel free to now add your own reviews for the following albums: Gene Simmons - Asshole, Shortino/Northrup - Afterlife and Over The Edge (Featuring Mickey Thomas). <a href="reviews/featurereview.html">Go to it!</a>  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#00bb00" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#00bb00"> <div align="center">Friday, May 14, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> RUSH PROVIDE FANS WITH NEW FEEDBACK: Rush have surprised fan with news of a new release to celebrate their 30th Anniversary. An 8 track EP of covers has been recorded for release June 29. The EP - titled Feedback will feature the following tracks: Summertime Blues . Heart Full of Soul . The Seeker . For What It's Worth . Shapes of Things . Mr. Soul . Crossroads . Seven & Seven Is.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/rush-feedback.jpg" width="200" /></div> CHEAP TRICK GIVE TOKYO TO YOU ON DVD: Cheap Trick have completed work on a new live DVD - From Tokyo to You. "The release of From Tokyo to You adds another chapter to Cheap Trick's legacy as they continue to reinvigorate American rock 'n' roll with a unique sound that has been the foundation and inspiration of many of today's hottest acts. The band has numerous successes under its belt, including four platinum albums and seven gold LPs, a number-one single with The Flame, several other Top 40 hits and a gold-certified video compilation entitled Every Trick in the Book. With more than 25 years of world touring, Cheap Trick has sold out shows in America and Japan, playing with the likes of AC/DC, Pearl Jam, Queen, The Smashing Pumpkins, KISS and the 1996 Lollapalooza Tour. They can currently be seen touring North America through June in support of their latest studio release, Special One, with fellow legends Aerosmith." Track List: Just Got Back . Big Eyes . Best Friend . Pop Drone . Words . If You Want My Love . My Obsession . I Want You To Want Me . Fan Club . Carnival Game . Lookout . Special One . Dream Police . Scent Of A Woman . Surrender. DVD includes behind the scenes footage, interviews, Summersonic Experience footage, the Tokyo Dome NFL Halftime show from August of 2003, and has audio available in Dolby 5.1 surround sound or Dolby 2.0 stereo. Region 1 encoding. This DVD will be released on June 15, 2004. TEER NOW OFFICIALLY ONLINE: Teer has officially launched their "official" website! Visit <a href="http://www.teerband.com" target="new">www.teerband.com</a> to find out where Teer will be playing next, and to keep track of their progress as they work on their highly anticipated CD. Teer merchandise can be purchased, and photos from the band's reunion show on May 1st, 2004 are online as well as some "old-school" pics of Teer. The site will remain under constant construction, so please check back regularly for updates, pics, sound bytes, contests, and all kinds of mayhem. A message board will be in place sometime in the future, too. 2004 is shaping up to be a great year for the band, and will culminate in a tour of the UK with Tyketto and Deadline in November! We're looking forward to seeing our friends overseas again. Thanks & Best Regards, Shane French, Nathan Boone, John Teer, Dan Michaels & Rob DeVore. MITCH MALLOY BOOKS INTO UK & EUROPE WITH HIS GUITAR: Mitch Malloy will be playing a range of solo acoustic shows in Europe throughout September and October. Although not all dates are confirmed here is what is so far in place: Sept 8th Limelight, Crewe Sept 10th Empire, Belfast (TBC) Sept 12th Boardwalk, Sheffield Sept 13th Stripes, Brentford Sept 17th Rock Cafe 2000, Stourbridge Sept 19th Z Rock 04, Liverpool More dates are being looked at and Mitch looks almost certain to play Holland, Belgium, Spain, Norway and Portugal too. Tickets will be priced at £7 for most UK shows (subject to booking fee!), so I look forward to seeing you there! More information at: <a href="http://www.rpm4music.com" target="new">www.rpm4music.com</a> and <a href="http://www.mitchmalloy.com" target="new">www.mitchmalloy.com</a>. MR-X UPDATED: <a href="mr-x/index.html">MR-X</a> has been updated! And there's lots to check out. First up - two new competitions have been launched. One features Talisman, with several goodies up for grabs - 4 autographed copies of their Live At Sweden Rock CD, guitar picks, a backstage pass and 2 Genesis T-Shirts! Then there is the Grand Illusion competition with T-Shirts and rare TV Soundtrack CDs from Anders Rydholm & Peter Sundell, plus copies of their pre-GI CD Promotion. New rare/demo/cool MP3s have been added for Tigertailz, Slash with Jon Stevens, House Of Lords, Erik Turner, plus no less than seven unreleased Wildside tracks from their ditched second album. And that's not mentioning a few extra surprises! And lastly, new Videos are online to download from: 38 Special - Caught Up In You, Alan Frew - Healing Hands, Haywire - Dance Desire, Haywire - Standin' In Line, Honeymoon Suite - What Does It Take and Impellitteri - Stand In Line. <a href="mr-x-intro.html">MR-X Membership details</a>. A FIRST CLASS SHOWCASE: House Of Shakira's upcoming album First Class is now featured as a CD Showcase. <a href="showcase/houseofshakira-firstclass.html">Check it out...</a> REVIEWS UPDATED: A few new reviews added today, with more due next week. Online today are reviews for Shortino/Northrup, Gene Simmons, Jettison Eddy and Daniele Liverani. <a href="reviews/reviews.html">Check them out.</a>  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#1da3c9" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#1da3c9"> <div align="center">Thursday, May 13, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> SOTO'S NEW TRANSLATION AND JOSEPH'S AT THE MOVIES: Singer Jeff Scott Soto was kind enough to send an update about the recording of his forthcoming solo album entitled Lost In The Translation. So far 13 songs have been completed for the inclusion on the album: Believe In Me (1st single co-written with Neal Schon of Journey and featuring Neal himself on guitars); Drowning; Dulce Lady; If This Is The End; Lost In The Translation; Soul Divine; Doing Time; Find Our Way; On My Own; Beginning 2 End; Turned The Page; High Time. The album's release - planned for mid September - will be anticipated by an EP entitled Believe In Me which will also include four non album tracks entitled As I Do 2 U; This Aint The Love; Lonely Shade Of Blue; Still Be Loving You (co-written with Ricky Phillips of Bad English / Styx fame) and the video for the title track Believe In Me. The Believe In Me EP will be released on July 23rd on Frontiers Records. In the meanwhile, British fans can enjoy Jeff performing live according to the following schedule: May 13 - London, UK - Underworld May 15 - Brentford, UK - Stripes Joseph Williams, former singer of Toto and currently the singer behind the Vertigo project, has also sent an update about his many activities. He recently performed successfully at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York, together with long-time friend and manager Joey Carbone on keyboards, AOR cult-hero Richie Zito (Heart, Bad English, White Lion, Eddy Money, Cheap Trick etc.) on guitar, Mark Patasian on drums, Tony Ventura on bass joined by Sly on sax. The group performed "Rosanna", "Hold the Line" , "Can you Feel the Love Tonight", "Angel Eyes" (composed by Joey Carbone) and "Scream and Shout" (composed by Williams and Carbone). Angel Eyes and Scream and Shout will appear in the soundtrack for the upcoming movie "Tony 'n' Tina's Wedding". Pictured below the line up, joined by singer Miari Peterson, after the show.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/josephwilliams-2004.jpg" width="286" /></div> On a related note, Joseph and Joey will start working on a second Vertigo album during the summertime. RUNNING BACK TO THE STAGE DOLLS: The Stage Dolls are back with a new lease of life after the smash success of their compilation release Good Times - The Essential Stage Dolls. Their new album is titled Get A Life and is released May 24 in their native Norway. The first single lifted from the new album is a cracking new melodic rock anthem titled Running Back To You. It's an absolute winner and makes anticipation for the new album intensify. Bonnier Amigo Music has issued a press release in Norway and I thank Geirs for translating it for me. It reads: "2002 became a fantastic year for Stage Dolls, the band that released their first album back in 1985. They toured all over the country and the album Good Times sold over 60,000 copies! Though they had a long career, new songs and albums don't happen very often (in 19 years they released only 5 studio albums and 1 solo album from Torstein). Torstein Flakne has penned songs for other artists as Morten Harket, Ole Edvard Antonsen, Sanne Salomonsen and others. He also did write the anthem for the Norwegian soccer team, Alt for Norge (sung by Jørn Lande) in 1994 and most of the songs for the best national soccer team Rosenborg (with Dag Ingebrigtsen). May 24th is the release for Stage Dolls - Get A Life. <table> <tbody> <tr> <td><img alt="" height="201" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/stagedolls-getalife.jpg" width="200" /></td> <td>11 new songs penned by one of Norway's most respected songwriters and presented to you by Stage Dolls. Recorded in Trondheim (Nidaros Studios) and with Mark Spiro in Carlsbad, California!! Here you have a perfect mix of up tempo party rocker's and ballads in good old Torstein Flakne tradition. Get A Life is produced by Ronny Wikmark and Torstein Flakne. Now, how about a teaser? For your listening pleasure, here is a taste of the first single, with a 1 minute edit! Download: Stage Dolls - <a href="audio/StageDolls-RunningBackToYou.mp3">Running Back To You</a>.</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> A FEW FIRST CLASS MP3 PREVIEWS: Here's another cool preview for you quality lovin' rockers. The new House Of Shakira album First Class is out this time next month through Lion Music. Check out the label at: <a href="http://www.lionmusic.com" target="new">www.lionmusic.com</a> and the band at: <a href="http://www.house-of-shakira.nu" target="new">www.house-of-shakira.nu</a>. I've been a fan of these guys since their debut and they just keep on delivering. First Class contains a bunch of classics - so why not sample a couple now. Download: House Of Shakira - <a href="audio/HouseOfShakira03.mp3">You Are</a>, <a href="audio/HouseOfShakira01.mp3">Ain't Your Crowd</a>, <a href="audio/HouseOfShakira09.mp3">Landing</a> & <a href="audio/HouseOfShakira06.mp3">Creep</a>.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/houseofshakira-firstclass.jpg" width="200" /></div> NO MORE PRAYERS, WAYSTED IS FINALLY ON CD: Here it is at last! Waysted - Save Your Prayers. Finally available on CD, the long lost melodic rock masterpiece featuring Pete Way and Paul Chapman (UFO) and vocalist Danny Vaughn (Tyketto / Vaughn). Easily the band s best album a superb mixture of the Waysted of old and the melodic AOR that became such a staple of the 80 s hard rock scene Save Your Prayers contains the classic Heaven Tonight, a re-recording of a song previously recorded by the band that benefits here from the vocal work of Danny Vaughan. Bolstered for this CD release by two bonus tracks, including a version of John Fogerty's Fortunate Son, this is an absolute must for lovers of hard and melodic rock everywhere! A fantastic album that is long overdue a CD release...and it was worth the wait! Release date 31/05/04. Available for pre-order now at <a href="http://www.majesticrock.com" target="new">www.majesticrock.com</a>.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="193" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/waysted-saveyourprayers.jpg" width="194" /></div> NEW GROUP CATCHES STOCKHOLM SYNDROME: Holy Happy Hour, the debut album from Stockholm Syndrome is a bracing and revelatory intersection of captivating songs, deep grooves and virtuosic playing that marks the arrival of an important new band in no uncertain terms. This is genre-transcending music…scratch that—it's genre-shredding music, the product of gifted, attuned and adventurous artists pushing each other past the normal limits to a place that is rarely visited. Given the group's back-story, it wouldn't be inaccurate to state that the five band members were as stunned by what they had collectively summoned up as listeners will be when they hear it. The band features: Jerry Joseph - guitar, vocals; Dave Schools - bass; Eric McFadden - guitar; Danny Dziuk - keyboards; Wally Ingram - drums. Full details and a full length MP3 track can be found at record label Ulftone's homepage: <a href="http://www.ulftone.de/stockholmsyndrome/index-e.html" target="new">www.ulftone.de/stockholmsyndrome/index-e.html</a>   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="153" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/stockholmsyndrome.jpg" width="145" /></div> TYKETTO LIVE BEYOND THE UK: Tour dates for Tyketto in the USA and Europe have been confirmed. They are as follows: USA - Thursday , November 25th 2004, The Starland Ballroom, Sayerville, New Jersey. This will be the ONLY USA appearence by Tyketto on home soil. Europe - 17 November - De Kade Zaandam Holland. 18 Nov - Biebob Vosselaar Belgie. 19 Nov - Plato Helmond Holland. 20 Nov - Caracol, Madrid , Spain. 21 Nov - Venue t.b.a., Bilbao, Spain. ONLINE AND COMING UP: Online tomorrow - MR-X update and more new Reviews and if time permits a couple of other page updates. Online today - a few new <a href="#cdshowcase">CD Showcase</a>s for you. MTM's June releases are now online, featuring the new Dare album Beneath The Shining Water plus newcomers Token with their second album and Human Temple with their first. Escape Music's next release - Finland's very cool House Of Mirrors is also featured. Click on the album covers to preview.   <div align="center"><a href="showcase/dare-beneaththeshiningwater.html"><img alt="dare-beneath the shining water" border="0" height="125" src="/files-archive/news/dare-beneaththeshiningwater125.jpg" width="125" /></a>xx<a href="showcase/houseofmirrors-nightflight.html"><img alt="house of mirrors - night flight" border="0" height="125" src="/files-archive/news/houseofmirrors-nightflight125.jpg" width="125" /></a>xx<a href="showcase/humantemple-insomnia.html"><img alt="human temple - insomnia" border="0" height="125" src="/files-archive/news/humantemple-insomnia125.jpg" width="125" /></a>xx<a href="showcase/token-punch.html"><img alt="token - punch" border="0" height="125" src="/files-archive/news/token-punch125.jpg" width="125" /></a></div> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#000000" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#000000"> <div align="center">Wednesday, May 12, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> ESCAPE MUSIC ANNOUNCE CASANOVA'S SIGNING AND NEW ALBUM: Escape Music are delighted to announce the recent signing of Casanova. The band have returned with three original members, to the forefront of classy melodic hard rock with a brand new album - All Beauty Must Die. Casanova released three great albums in the early nineties (Casanova, One Night Stand, Some Like It Different), so this should be a welcome return for fans old and new. All Beauty Must Die features twelve tracks of killer melodic hard rock, featuring a liaison with Russ Ballard (Kiss, Rainbow) in the track Would I Lie To You. A release is due in August and the full track listing is: On My Love . Happy . Would I Lie To You . Not Over You . Lying . Last Of The Runaways . Shine . Dreamer . After The Love Goes . Under My Skin . Psycho Lisa . The Guitar Man. Thanks to Escape Music we have an exclusive track to download - <a href="audio/Casanova-PsychoLisa.mp3">Psycho Lisa</a>. Click to download. LabelLink: <a href="http://www.Escape-Music.com" target="new">www.Escape-Music.com</a>   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/casanova-2004.jpg" width="302" /></div> FEEDING THE FIRE WITH EDGE OF FOREVER: Edge Of Forever's debut album is called Feeding The Fire and features 10 pure hard rock songs and a video as a bonus track for the song Feeding The Fire. Mastermind Alessandro Del Vecchio talks about the album for you: "The album is produced by Marcel Jacob, worldwide known for being bass player in Talisman, Rising Force and many others. It's been a really hard work, but everything sounds as we wanted at the beginning of the production phase. Imagine listening to a mixture of Rainbow, Yngwie Malmsteen, Whitesnake, Axe and a little touch of Talisman, and I think you get an idea of how the record sounds like. I'm very happy of Marcel Jacob's work, the perfect producer for this kind of records and for Edge of Forever. He's really into Rainbow, Deep Purple so it was not difficult to let him understand our way of playing. He is very professional and was successful in making our sound less 'metal' and more melodic. We worked together on the arrangements and, even if at the beginning everything was quite strange to us, now everyone loves what we created. We began recording 28th September and we stopped mixing 1st November, so little time to do everything in the right way, but with many cups of coffee and cappuccino we got it! We closed ourselves at Conquest Studio in Gallarate, Italy, with Alex Festa, the sound engineer, for four weeks; Bob Harris reached us a week later, and left for the USA after 17 days. We recorded 12 songs but in the end we decided to put only 10 in the record." The final ten songs are: "Feeding The Fire - this is a song I really like! It's a song about how much distant we are from the human nature thanks to the progress; we always want more, but we risk to go too far from the real meanings in life. The song sounds really 80's with big choruses and high technical keyboards and guitar solos. I like how Bob sings the verses, in his melodic style. Axe fans will love to listen to Bob singing this tune. A video was shot for the song and it'll be included on the album as a bonus track. Birth Of The Sun - a song built on the chorus vocals. We were inspired by Uriah Heep, Kansas and Queen. I like the canon à la Brian May Matteo plays at the beginning of the song. This is the softest/AOR song of the record and we wanted to make it sound like Cheap Trick. A great production work was done to let it work this way. Something reminds me of Thin Lizzy's guitar harmonizations. Prisoner - this songs features superb Jeff Scott Soto in a duet with Bob, Igor Gianola in a great rock guitar solo and Marcel playing a guitar lick in the middle of the song in a very Blackmore way, very close to a cool bass solo by Christian. It was cool to work with Jeff; he reached us in the studio while he was touring in Italy with his own band, and was so funny to see Bob and Jeff working together on the song. Then Igor came with his Gibson Les Paul and did a very cool solo - it rocks!! no doubt about it! It's like being Savatage playing rock'n'roll. Whatever Comes - it's simply about love and how difficult is to get through hard times together with your woman. It sounds like the blend of Ozzy's No More Tears style with Beatles/Enuff'z'Nuff/Extreme melodic choruses. The instruments are rough and D tuned, but , even if the vocals are strong in the verses, they're really wide-melodic in the choruses. Mother Of Darkness - a typical Martin-era Black Sabbath song. We had the inspiration by listening to `Tyr' album. Marcel made me record an intro for this song and I wanted to play it in a 70's way, like Tony Carey and David Stone did in Rainbow - and this is what I got. Bob sings this song as you never heard him do before. He's really into the drama of the song. Have you ever thought of him singing epic/dramatic songs? Never heard him sing so high! Now you have him doing these stuffs. Jeff sings the choruses main voices. Bloodsucker - a song in the style of Dio-era Rainbow...with double kick and neoclassical solos. I really like this kind of solos fast, classical, keys-guitar battle and with diminished frygian mode scales. Jeff Scott Soto sings in a very powerful way the choruses background vocals. Francesco plays the drums like his masters Cozy Powell (R.I.P.) and Tommy Aldridge. Marcel wrote the main lyrics about this `bloodsucking' woman. The Road We Walked On - a typical love ballad with wide choruses, great melodies and melodic guitar solos. Bob put all his soul in this song. This is about the memory of a relationship very important I had in my life. Dance Into The Fire - a really positive tune. Bob and Marcel worked on the main vocal idea of the song to let it become more melodic than the demo version which was really into class metal. The result is cool! We have a 70's chorus with Bob reminding me of Timothy B. Schmitt's backing vocals, with funny Hammond parts inside! This songs features the other solo Igor played on the record. This guy is incredible - just at first take. The Gates Of Hell - our personal tribute to Ronnie James Dio and to Rainbow. A very classic rock song with neoclassical solos, drums and bass pumping and again Bob singing his soul off in a epic-dramatic way. Won't Be A Fool No More - really into Whitesnake. Jeff sings with us the background vocals; we wanted to have a 80's wide arena chorus. We needed his rough powerful voice ;-) The songs goes straight to the top, with Hammond and guitars playing very 70's. At the end, we can't but be satisfied of this work. It took sleepless nights and very hard work, but it's been a pleasure for all of us ... everyone played and worked at his best.." LabelLink: <a href="http://www.mtm-music.com" target="new">www.mtm-music.com</a>   <div align="center"><a href="showcase/edgeofforever-feedingthefire.html"><img alt="" border="0" height="198" src="/files-archive/news/edgeofforever-feedingthefire.jpg" width="200" /></a></div> MELODIC BRIEFS: A few additional tour tidbits - Warrant is not touring with Great White as such, but they are doing about 6 shows together. Jani Lane & Kevin Dubrow are doing 20 shows together -- "An evening with Jani Lane and Kevin Dubrow." Lynyrd Skynyrd (and former Damn Yankees) drummer Michael Cartellone has just released a series (5) of prints depicting life on the road. Go to <a href="http://www.michaelcartellone.com" target="new">www.michaelcartellone.com</a> for more details. Mitch Lafon talked with Zakk Wylde this week, who reported that he's currently working on a new (full metal) BLS album. A release depends on Ozzy's own plans. If Ozzy's tour goes long and gets extended to Europe in the fall -- then the release is pushed back. If Ozzy's tour is shortened, he'll get back to work on it ASAP. ZZ Top's Greatest Hits The Video Collection DVD is released June 15, featuring 12 of the band's always popular video clips, mixed in 5.1 audio. On the same date, a 2CD compilation titled Rancho Texicano - The Very Best Of ZZ Top is released. Lynn Allen have a brand new DVD out now, and the band is still playing clubs around in the US. Check out details at: <a href="http://www.lynnallen.com" target="new">www.lynnallen.com</a>. New rockers Jesse Bolt will be playing at the Thunderdome in Baltimore Maryland on June 12 with Columbia Recording artists Facedancer and the Rob Fahey Band (formerly the Ravens). Kings X drummer Jerry Gaskill has a new solo album out titled Come Somewhere. To check out the album, sample the official e-card at: <a href="http://kxol.blue-echoes.com/JerryGaskill.swf" target="new">kxol.blue-echoes.com/JerryGaskill.swf</a>. King's X is currently on tour in the states until July, their tour schedule can be viewed at: <a href="http://www.kingsxonline.com/tour.html" target="new">www.kingsxonline.com/tour.html</a>. (Very) tentatively scheduled for release later this year (November) via Cleopatra Records is the original demos from Hollywood Rose, the band featuring Axl Rose and Tracii Guns before the duo went on to form their own bands. TNT/Westworld frontman Tony Harnell gives an entertaining interview in Metal Sludge's latest 20 Questions: <a href="http://www.metal-sludge.com/20QuestionsHarnell.htm" target="new">www.metal-sludge.com/20QuestionsHarnell.htm</a> IRON HORSE SIGN NEW ALBUM DEAL: IronHorse has signed with Compendia Music Group/VTone Records, with the release date for the new CD set for September 7. The album will be an Enhanced CD, with 11 audio tracks plus music videos and video footage that can be viewed on your computer. Excellent distribution through Koch ensures the disc will be available in major retail outlets, including all Wal-Mart stores nationwide. It will be sold through all major internet sites such as Amazon.com and CD Now, and will be available for download at iTunes. Exact track listing, title, cover art, and other details will be announced here soon. The band wishes to thank George Collier at Compendia for his belief and support, Sam Lowe & LoweRider Entertainment, and all the friends, fans, and families who have shared the music and the dream. Also, IronHorse is playing with Skid Row in Nashville, TN on Thursday, May 20th. The new IronHorse site has been updated with a new look and features as well as new show dates. Check out <a href="http://www.ironhorseband.com" target="new">www.ironhorseband.com</a> for more details. A TRIBUTE TO FIREHOUSE: Sleaszy Rider Records from Greece proudly announces a great upcoming release: All They Wrote - A Tribute To Firehouse. The preparations have began and they have already started booking bands for participation in this tribute. More bands are welcome. Probable release date: September 2004. For more info about the label's bands, releases etc, get in touch: Sleaszy Rider Rec., Tolis G. Palantzas, Gardiki Acheronta, 46031 Greece Tel.:+30-26660-41830, +30-6974-399540 e-mails: <a href="mailto:sleaszyrider@yahoo.com">sleaszyrider@yahoo.com</a>, <a href="mailto:info@sleaszyrider.com">info@sleaszyrider.com</a> / website: <a href="http://www.sleaszyrider.com" target="new">www.sleaszyrider.com</a> SNAKES FRONTMAN FILLS IN WITH CLASSIC SNAKES: Stefan Berggren, lead singer with Snakes in Paradise and former Company of Snakes frontman will be stepping into the spotlight for the forthcoming M3 dates in June. You all know Stefan's pedigree; he is an excellent blues rock vocalist who knows the Classic Whitesnake material inside out, so will be an excellent addition to the band for these shows. M3 are keen to point out however that this is not a permanent arrangement; the concept that M3 will feature revolving guest players around the core of Moody, Marsden and Murray is still valid. WHEN KISS RULES THE WORLD: From Kiss Kollector Fanclub / <a href="http://www.kisskollector.com" target="new">www.kisskollector.com</a> VH-1 is doing another Kiss special, this time it's called "When KISS ruled the world". The one hour special will air in June, to coincide with the kick off of KISS' US Summer tour with Poison. Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons plus original KISS roadie Peter 'Moose' Oreckinto ('73-76) as well as KISS Kollector correspondent Jacques van Gool have already been interviewed, while people such as former KISS drummer Peter Criss (who had to cancel the first time due to a funeral), former KISS manager Bill Aucoin and producer Eddie Kramer will be interviewed later on. VH-1 is also trying to set up an interview with former guitarist Ace Frehley. Additionally - the Gene Simmons Asshole album is released here in Australia Monday and comes (while stocks last) with a promotional poster. KARL COCHRAN COMES UP FOR AIR ON NEW VOODOOLAND RELEASE: <a href="http://www.karlcochran.com" target="new">KarlCochran.com</a> is proud to announce the official release of Voodooland's new album entitled Give Me Air. Featuring performances by: Karl Cochran (Ace Frehley, ESP, Joe Lynn Turner); Joe Lynn Turner (Rainbow, Deep Purple); John Corabi (Union, Motley Crue); Brent Fitz (Union, Vince Neil); Bob Daisley (Ozzy Osbourne, Uriah Heap). Additional Performances by Bruce Terkildsen, Paul Dileo, Al Fritsch! Special Bonus Track featuring Ace Frehley and Eric Singer of Kiss. If you're a fan of the classic rock sound with a modern edge, check out: <a href="http://www.karlcochran.com" target="new">www.karlcochran.com</a> KEVIN DuBROW IN FOR THE SOLO KILL: Shrapnel Records will release Quiet Riot vocalist Kevin DuBrow's first ever solo album titled In For The Kill on May 25. The album is a collection of DuBrow's favorite songs from the 1970's. The track listing is as follows: Burn On the Flame - Sweet . Good Rocking Tonight-Montrose . Black Sheep Of The Family - Quatermass/Rainbow/Chris Farlowe . Speed King - Deep Purple . Stay With Me - The Faces . Red Light Mama, Red Hot - Humble Pie . Gonna Have A Good Time - The Easybeats . Drivin' Sister - Mott The Hoople . Razzmatazz - Nazareth . 20th Century Boy - T-Rex . Rollin' With My Baby - Silverhead. "I know that like myself many people are apprehensive about an album of cover songs, and usually for good reason. But I think that this CD has it's own unique sound, personality, and still kicks ass. I feel that we stayed true to the original songs while at the same time did our best to make them our own. It's not a 'Karaoke Kevin' album!" says DuBrow. The players are Kevin DuBrow - Vocals, Kevin Curry - Guitars, Gunter Nezhoda - Bass, Jeff Martin - Drums and Michael Lardie - Keyboards and Harp. The album was produced by Kevin DuBrow and Michael Lardie. The album also reunites DuBrow with original Quiet Riot Bassist Kelly Garni who did the photography for the CD package. The release date is May 25, 2004 on Shrapnel Records in the U.S and shortly thereafter on Mascot Records in Europe. DuBrow will be on tour all summer in support of the new album.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/kevindubrow-inforthekill.jpg" width="200" /></div> LOVE/HATE RAID THE UK: Love/Hate are about to touch down in the UK for a tour. The dates and details are as follows: Tour Info. 07971 984 144 14th May Bradford Club Rio 01274 735549 15th May Sheffield Corporation 0114 275 0262 16th May Dudley Jb S 01384 253597 18th May Crewe Limelight 01270 251929 19th May London Underworld 020 784 1932 20th May Glasgow Cathouse Club 0141 248 6606 21st May Leicester Princess Charlotte 0116 255 3956 22nd May Nottingham Rockcity 0115 941 2544 AQUILA ARE MEN WITH A MISSION: Aquila have a new album out now in Japan - Man With A Mission. It was released on April 21st in Japan by JVC. The album is a follow-up to the band's debut Say Yeah. The band was formed out of the ashes of Terra Nova.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="171" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/aquilla-manwithamission.jpg" width="173" /></div> LIQUOR AND POKER MUSIC LANDS THE HELLACOPTERS: Liquor and Poker Music has successfully inked a deal with one of the most influential, High Energy Rock n Roll bands in the game today, The Hellacopters! With five highly acclaimed records and more than five years of successful world tours under their belts, Liquor and Poker Music is set to release the band's most highly acclaimed record to date in North America, By The Grace Of God. Not only is Liquor and Poker Music releasing By The Grace Of God, but the best label in rock will also be releasing the second installment of collected non-album works - Cream of the Crap! Vol. 2. What Kiss, Cheap Trick and Thin Lizzy are to countless rock fans past and present, Stockholm, Sweden's The Hellacopters are the rock band to beat in the here and now. Unlike most rock acts out today who seem to be struggling aimlessly for originality, The Hellacopters are a band with a true sense of identity and a clear idea of what their place is in rock history. The band s songs have a strong tradition of being timeless and honest that can only come straight out of their hearts and souls and their pure love of everything that is rock n roll which is captured perfectly on the band's fifth studio release, By The Grace Of God. Liquor and Poker Music has added two bonus tracks, two videos and an EPK that make this release even more of a treasure. On top of all those reasons to rock, Liquor and Poker Music will also be serving up the much-anticipated Cream of the Crap! Vol. 2 for all to enjoy. Cream of the Crap! Vol. 2 has 22 tracks of singles and b-sides that will make your Hellacopters collection complete and make you cooler than you ever have been before. Every once and a while a record falls out of the sky like a bomb that smashes everything you have listened to previously and alters your outlook on the future forever. The Hellacopters have dropped two bombs that will no doubt be the rock records to beat in the U.S. for 2004. Liquor and Poker Music are proud and honored to bring you By The Grace of God and Cream of the Crap! Vol. 2 because we all know there are a whole lotta people out there that need some rock n roll salvation right about now! Michael Monroe, front man of legendary street rockers Hanoi Rocks, just wrapped up a 12-day American press tour to promote the group's comeback album, Twelve Shots On The Rocks, which has received rave reviews from the likes of Kerrang! ("the band Guns N' Roses stole all their best ideas from"), Rolling Stone ("the missing link between punk and glitter"), Guitar World ("demonstrates to current and forthcoming glam upstarts just how it's done") and Blender ("ample repeat-play fodder for those who have worn out their Darkness album"). Monroe's U.S. adventures began on March 17, when he flew from Finland to New York City. The next day was highlighted by interviews on XM satellite radio and Alice Cooper's syndicated radio program. On March 19th, Michael flew to Austin Texas home of South By Southwest. In addition to another round of interviews, Michael and the Liquor and Poker staff dropped by Emo s and witnessed killer gigs by the likes of Danko Jones, The Wildhearts and The Hives. March 22 saw Michael return to Los Angeles for the first time in more than a decade. After a day of sightseeing, a busy three days of promotion commenced, with more than 20 interviews - two radio appearances, lunches, dinners, in-person chats, photo shoots and tons of telephone interviews were done. While in Los Angeles, Michael also visited the global headquarters of Liquor and Poker Music to deliver a videotaped message to Hanoi Rocks fans. Check out the Liquor and Poker Music site to see Michael's video greeting in its entirety. On March 25, after 10 solid hours of promotion, Michael put in an appearance at Hollywood's Club Vodka before calling it a night a mere five hours before waking up, heading to the airport and catching a morning flight back to New York City, where two high-profile radio interviews were scheduled that night. The next two and a half days were jam-packed with even more promotion - 30 interviews in all - before Michael's flight home departed from JFK on March 29. Plans for Hanoi Rocks' first American concerts in nearly two decades are currently in the works! LabelLink: <a href="http://www.liquorandpokermusic.com" target="new">www.liquorandpokermusic.com</a>   <table> <tbody> <tr> <td>DIGIPACK POLL - YOUR VOTES!: The results of the DigiPack poll are in! From 800+ votes, the biggest vote earner is the worst option for record labels - over one third of total respondents hate digipacks! I must say that I'd rather a jewel case over a Digi any day of the week, but on the rare occasion they can be dressed up to look pretty interesting. But here's a tip for labels - if you are going to do a DigiPack and also include a booklet, how about supplying a pocket for the booklet to sit in! The US release of the Hanoi Rocks album is a Digi with booklet, but each time you open it up to get the CD out, the bloody booklet falls out! Rather bothersome to say the least! MOONSTONE PROJECT GATHERS THE BIG NAMES: Fresh news about the upcoming Matteo Filippini's Moonstone Project. Steve Walsh (Kansas) will appear on the Moonstone Project as special guest. Steve will sing on The City Of Light, a powerful mid-tempo written by Matteo Filippini & Chris Catena! Chris will sing on Fire Woman which also features Ian Paice on drums & Tony Franklin on bass. Graham Bonnet and Howie Simon completed the sessions for Not Dead Yet assisted by sound engineer Tim Luce. For more news, please visit: <a href="http://www.moonstone.it" target="new">www.moonstone.it</a>  </td> <td><img alt="" height="351" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/digipackpoll.jpg" width="170" /> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> SITE UPDATE: Added to the site today are new MP3 Mini-Byte previews from albums by: Gene Simmons, Avril Lavigne, Living Loud and Ayreon. <a href="minibytes.html">Go check them out!</a>   <table width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td bgcolor="#000000"> <div align="center">PRE-VIEWS</div> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> A few initial thoughts on some upcoming albums before I expand upon my views in full reviews due shortly: Dare - Beneath The Shining Water (MTM Music/Legend Records, June 9) - Basically it's another Dare album - classy, flawlessly mixed and immaculately produced and as usual filled with angst ridden songs all wrapped up in a moody and melancholy mix of AOR and layers of lush keyboards and vocals. The album is an exact cross between the last album Belief and the third album Calm Before The Storm. One note - I was surprised not to hear more guitars, as Darren was talking up the fact this would be rockier. It's not - it's very laid back again, but it's still very classy. House Of Shakira - First Class (Lion Music, June 18) - Talking of class, this album title say it all. This album sees the guys further maturing and feeling evermore comfortable in their own skin. Each album they have released has been different and this is no exception. The guys grow and mature with each release and this one sees all their classic trademark's included, yet also expanded with a tougher and more experimental set of songs. Trademark anthems and ballads are surrounded with more complex and original arrangements. One of the best band's on this planet without a doubt. Soundbytes soon! Gene Simmons - Asshole (Sanctuary Records, May 19 / June 8) - I went into this album with an open mind. I expected a diverse album of songs as suggested by the rather over the top press release issued recently, but I was still very much taken by surprise. Surprised at how bloody awful this is. This is just horrid. Simply put this album has no direction, no balance, no quality control and no songs. Gene does 70's rock to 90's techno, acoustic ballads to heavy grunge and psychedelic pop and everything else in between. There's no comfort in getting used to any one style, as every track is different and the whole album smacks of being thrown together. Utterly horrendous - even more so for such a high profile name. Avril Lavigne - Under My Skin (Arista Records, May 25) - Make no mistake - Avril was under a whole world of pressure to come up with another winner, but the girl has made a mockery of her young age with a truly great set of songs that will ensure this album doesn't carry the sophomore jinx. Largely helped along by Rock God Butch Walker, Avril expands her repertoire with a darker, heavier and moodier album with a lot more attitude and some very personal songs. Her vocal range is also tested and expanded successfully and the songs in general all have hit written all over them. Stan Bush - Shine (Frontiers Records, June 23) - For his brand new solo album Stan has plugged that electric guitar back in and returned to the very polished melodic rock sound that most fans favor. This is a simple, stripped back rock n roll record with a strong melodic rock/AOR feel that fans of the classic Barrage album will be pleased to hear. The songs are all top quality and the performances and production (both with help from the classy Curt Cuomo) are among some of Stan's best work. Easily his best album since Every Beat Of My Heart.  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#003d79" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#003d79"> <div align="center">Tuesday, May 11, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> HODSON'S STRANGE WORLD DUE IN JULY: Frontiers Records are excited to announce all the details of the release of the anticipated debut album from the British band Hodson entitled This Strange World. Hodson is a new, exciting Melodic Hard Rock band, brainchild of current Ten keyboard player Paul Hodson. Formed in 2003, Hodson consist of Paul on vocals and keyboards, Vince O'Regan (Pulse, Bob Catley) and guitar and Josie Vespa on bass with help from Lynch Radinsky (Pulse) on drums.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="214" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/hodson-2004.jpg" width="250" /></div> Paul Hodson is also best known as the producer and songwriter of Bob Catley's highly successful and critically acclaimed last studio album When Empires Burn. With a tour planned for September, Hodson look to be set from going strength to strength. Musically the album wets the appetites of those who are into classic and epic hard rock music in the style of Rainbow, heavier Magnum and Whitesnake. This Strange World will include the following tracks <a href="http://www.frontiers.it/Hodson_ThisFoolishWorld.mp3">This Foolish World</a> (click on the song title to hear a Mp3 sample); <a href="http://www.frontiers.it/Hodson_Jelunda.mp3">Jelunda</a> (click on the song title to hear a Mp3 sample); The Calling; My Saviour; English Rose; Shamen Eyes; Soulman; Light in the Black (a storming cover of the Rainbow classic!); The Swan. Plus This Foolish World - video. Frontiers Records plans to release the release of the album on July 12th, while the Japanese release will happen on Marquee / Avalon Records. Hodson are an act to watch out for and a bright reality of the current British rock scene!   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="199" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/hodson-thisstrangeworld.jpg" width="200" /></div> A FAMILIAR JOURNEY: A new Journey compilation is released in Japan next week titled Open Arms. The CD is more or less a re-release of the classic Greatest Hits album with one additional track added to update the collection - that being When You Love A Woman. The full trac listing is: Open Arms . Only The Young . Don't Stop Believin` . Wheel In The Sky . Faithfully . I'll Be Alright Without You . Any Way You Want It . Ask The Lonely . Who`s Crying Now . Separate Ways (Worlds Apart) . Lights . Lovin`. Touchin`. Squeezin` . Girl Can`t Help It . Send Her My Love . Be Good To Yourself . When You Love A Woman.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/journey-openarms.jpg" width="227" /></div> BOB CATLEY ACOUSTIC GIG: Bob Catley acoustic show - as special guests to Jeff Scott Soto, Bob Catley along with his guitarist Vince O'Regan will be performing an acoustic set at The Underworld in Camden on Thursday May 13th, this will be this years only acoustic show by Bob and Vince. <a href="http://www.theunderworldcamden.co.uk" target="new">www.theunderworldcamden.co.uk</a> IN BRIEF: Jackyl, LA Guns and Dokken are set to head out together for a 6 week US tour starting in mid-June! Download the new Megadeth track Kick The Chair right now at: <a href="http://www.megadeth.com" target="new">www.megadeth.com</a>. KEVIN BACK TO SQUARE ONE ON NEW CHRISTIAN SOLO ALBUM: Two Fires and The Storm frontman Kevin Chalfant has recorded a new solo album - of Christian / Spiritual songs. From Kevin's own words: "Faith is really what drives me, especially in this day and age when the world has so much negativity going on.....Somehow I wanted to let that show through a batch of songs more than I typically would on a rock record." The results are found in this unique collection - the inspirational standards collection Back To Square One. Chalfant first got the idea shortly after The Storm's first spurt of fame from then manager Herbie Herbert. "He actually suggested me doing a gospel blues album," Kevin recalled. "Ten years later I seem to have taken him up on it, but I'm actually going at it with a more rootsy, stripped back tone in mind." The full track listing is: I Have Decided To Follow Jesus . Room At The Cross . Oh How He Loves You And Me . Softly And Tenderly Jesus Is Calling . I'll Fly Away . How Great Thou Art . Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus . The Old Rugged Cross . Victory in Jesus. To order the album log onto: <a href="http://www.cliquerecords.com" target="new">www.cliquerecords.com</a>. Kevin is also touring under the name Kevin Chalfant & The Storm. This is not a reunited line up of The Storm, but rather a line up featuring Kevin and guitarist Josh Ramos.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="195" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/kevinchalfant-backtosquareone.jpg" width="200" /></div>  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#54d52f" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#54d52f"> <div align="center">Monday, May 10, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> PREVIEW DARE!: Time to dip Beneath The Shining Waters with Dare! Thanks to Darren Wharton and MTM Music, here is a sample of what to expect on the band's new album, due out June 9. Preview - <a href="audio/Dare02.mp3">Days Gone By</a>, <a href="audio/Dare04.mp3">Beneath The Shining Water</a> and <a href="audio/Dare03.mp3">Silent Hills</a>.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/dare-beneaththeshiningwater.jpg" width="219" /></div> VAN HALEN WITHOUT A NET ON DVD: Van Halen's classic live video Live Without A Net is finally coming to DVD! The concert was filmed in New Haven, USA in 1986 celebrating the band's first tour with new vocalist Sammy Hagar. The video remains a favourite amongst fans and to this day is a spectacular watch and easily blows the more hyped Right Here Right Now live release out of the water. The first release of this much anticipated DVD is due out in Japan July 22. There is no advance word on a worldwide release, but if Warner Japan are doing it, you can guarantee it will surface in other territories eventually. While we are on the subject of Van Halen re-issues, the timing of DVD release is no coincidence, I'm told we can all expect the Sammy Hagar era van Halen re-masters at some stage too - possibly before the end of this year. BOSTON LINE UP NEW DATES AND LIVE DVD: From <a href="http://Pollstar.com" target="new">Pollstar.com</a>: Classic rockers Boston have announced dates for their 2004 summer tour. The band will play concerts in 21 cities they were unable to reach last year, when they embarked on their first tour in six years. Founding songwriter/guitarist/producer Tom Scholz will once again reunite with original lead singer Brad Delp on the trek, which commences July 13 at the Civic Center in Glens Falls, N.Y. Joining Scholz and Delp will be Kimberley Dahme (bass, vocals), Anthony Cosmo (guitar, vocals), Fran Cosmo (vocals, guitar), Gary Pihl (guitar, keyboards, backing vocals), and Jeff Neal (drums, vocals). Although the band has never made a music video or performed on television, they're planning on documenting their wildly popular live show with a concert video/DVD to be filmed this summer. Their latest album, Corporate America, was released in late 2002. The band is currently in the studio working on new material, where several of the new members are contributing as songwriters. [For the record - I have no updates as to whether any new songs are actually being worked on - but there was a report Tom was re-mixing the album for a re-release. Stay tuned...] Story Link: <a href="http://www.pollstar.com/news/viewnews.pl?NewsID=3309" target="new">www.pollstar.com/news/viewnews.pl?NewsID=3309</a> RENEGADE ON THE EDGE WITH NEW RELEASE: Canadian rockers Renegade will release their second album entitled On The Edge due out May 11th 2004 on <a href="http://www.renegadesounds.com" target="new">www.renegadesounds.com</a>, distributed worldwide by <a href="http://www.aorheaven.com" target="new">www.aorheaven.com</a>. The CD contains 9 melodic rock songs produced by Jim Buckshon including the brand new tracks: Angel of Love and On the Edge. Also featured are Friends & Lovers, Call to Glory and Take a Chance on Romance which were hugely popular songs in the 80's as well as the tracks It's My Life, Testify, It's Only Make Believe, and Kids Runnin' Wild - all recorded between 1985-7 and engineered by Joel Van Dyke. The songs and line-up on this Renegade CD predates Back From The Dead but has just been released, and features Steve Foster on vocals, with the rest of the band - Geraldo Dominelli, Kenny Geatros, Paul Minshall and Jim Buckshon. Renegade Sounds is proud to present this latest offering to all their fans. Some short song samples are available on the website now: <a href="http://www.renegadesounds.com" target="new">www.renegadesounds.com</a>.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="198" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/renegade-ontheedge.jpg" width="200" /></div> THE DARKNESS SNARE MUTT LANGE!: From UK music journal NME - boy, did this one take me by surprise! The Darkness have recruited legendary producer Robert "Mutt" Lange to produce the follow-up to their mega-selling debut CD, Permission to Land, according to <a href="http://NME.com" target="new">NME.com</a>. Lange, who is married to country/pop superstar Shania Twain, has previously produced a number of classic rock albums from such artists as AC/DC, Def Leppard, Bryan Adams and Foreigner. - Now this is a real shocker - Mutt's returning to rock n roll producing and it's The Darkness that have secured him! Wow, all I can say is good luck to The Darkness! I remain a fan of their music, but still think the singer needs major surgery! Perhaps Mutt can tame him long enough to prove that the band aren't just taking the piss. It looks like the guys won't be known as one album wonders and the bottom line is the fact that this is a huge vote of confidence in the band by their record label, as Mutt does not come cheaply! MELODIC BRIEFS: The Hooters have announced a rather impressive list of tour dates all over their second home - Germany. Check them out at <a href="http://www.thehooters.de" target="new">www.thehooters.de</a>. Richard Marx's new album My Own Best Enemy is due out in August, but the single When You're Gone is released next week. <a href="http://www.richardmarx.com">www.richardmarx.com</a> has a preview of the track now. Those waiting for Marx to return to rockier territory may not be totally satisfied though. The new material is very good - immaculately produced and executed, but still very laid back and in a similar vein of Days in Avalon. John Wetton recently did an interview with the Delicious Agony web site. In the interview, he reveals that the working title of his next solo album is The Eighth Ring. To hear the interview, click here: <a href="http://www.deliciousagony.com/interviews/John%20Wetton-%20Interview%20with%20Don%20Cassidy.mp3" target="new">www.deliciousagony.com</a> Norwegian AOR stars Return are in the studio working on a new album for release later this year. Kick Axe IV has a confirmed release date - The worldwide release date for Kick Axe IV is September 7th, 2004. Kick Axe has negotiated several distribution deals for the new album. It will be released by MTM Music in Europe, SongHaus Music in the United States, and Elfin Stone Music in Canada. TINA'S THE NEXT TRIBUTE SUBJECT: What's Love? A Tribute To.. Tina Turner is the next tribute album to emerge from the States. Versailles Records has put it together, with the track listing and artist line up as follows: What's Love Got To Do With It - Tiffany . Be Good To Me - Richard Kendrick . Beyond Thunderdome - Jane Child . I Don't Want To Fight - Rose Reiter . River Deep Mountain High - Darlene Love . Rock Me Baby - Michel'le / Tony Janflone Jr. . I Can't Stand The Rain - Alannah Myles / Jeff Healey . Private Dancer - Jasy Andrews . The Best - Nancy Kerrigan . Proud Mary - Ross Stephens . What You Get Is What You See - Deniece Williams . A Love Like Yours - Kip Winger . On Silent Wings - Wendy Jans . River Deep Mountain High - A Cappella - Darlene Love / Richard Kendrick. NEW LIVE DATES FOR CAGE: San Diego, California heavy metal band Cage have officially confirmed the following concert appearances: May 8, 2004 - Longshot Saloon - San Marcos, California May 21, 2004 - El Foro - Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico (Headliner) June 12, 2004 - FEX - Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico (Headliner) June 25, 2004 - BANG YOUR HEAD festival - Balingen, Germany July 4, 2004 - Camp Pendleton (USMC) - Oceanside, California July 16, 2004 - 4th and B - San Diego, California (Opening for W.A.S.P.) Additional dates will be announced soon. In addition, the new official CAGE website will be unveiled in the coming weeks at the following location <a href="http://www.cageheavymetal.com" target="new">www.cageheavymetal.com</a> EDGUY DOWNUNDER 2004: Blade Promotions & Metal Warriors proudly present Edguy on their Downunder 2004 tour. The famed progressive metal act will tour in June/July with local metal act Dungeon as support. The date are: BRISBANE Friday June 25 - Waterloo Hotel SYDNEY Saturday June 26 (All Ages) - Manning Bar MELBOURNE Sunday June 27 - The Esplanade MELBOURNE Friday July 2 - The Esplanade More events to be announced soon. Tickets on sale May 17. Keep posted to <a href="http://www.metalwarriors.com" target="new">www.metalwarriors.com</a> for further information in the coming days. HELIX READY FOR TAKE OFF: By Mitch Lafon. It's been thirty years that the kids have all been shakin' to the heavy metal love of Canada's premiere rock band, Helix, and if lead vocalist Brian Vollmer gets his way the band will keep runnin' wild far into the 21st century and it all begins with the release of their new album, Rockin' In My Outer Space. "When people think of Helix, they think big drum sound and big everything. It's stadium rock and I don't care if it's in fashion anymore. I just try to write good songs and when I get enough I go from there," begins the singer. "This album is about having a positive attitude in life. They're just fun songs with no real deep meaning and a lot of them are about my life and my viewpoint." Like most bands that have been around for more than a decade, Helix has undergone many necessary line-up changes, but as Vollmer observes, "a journey of a thousand miles begins with one step. I try not to lose sight of that on any given day because it's not always about the big gig, the big deal or the big song. A lot about staying in the music business for thirty years has to do with dealing with the mundane and doing business you don't really want to do and dealing with people you don't really want to deal with. These are the 'good old days', at least for me, I can pick and choose the gigs I want to do and I can record the way I want to record. My wife and I run Helix and to keep going at the level we're at – it's like being in the playoffs all the time. We get no spare time. We're working seven days a week and it can be stressful at times, but we get up at five or six in the morning and go all day long to keep this band going." As for the future, the release of Rockin' In My Outer Space is only the first step to a busy 2004. "There will be a 30th anniversary album coming out right after this new studio album," says Vollmer. "It'll be a greatest hits plus unreleased tracks and it's called Never Trust Anyone Over Thirty. I'm also putting together a history of Helix DVD with incredible footage of Traci Lords, Robin Williams and all sorts of people and it's called Three Decades Of Helix: No Rest For The Wicked. All will be available from <a href="http://www.planethelix.com" target="new">www.planethelix.com</a> and finally there's the 30th anniversary show on July 17th at the Sanderson Centre in Brantford, Ontario." KIX - BLOWN FUSE REPAIRED: By Mitch Lafon. Former KIX frontman, Steve Whiteman, checked in with BW&BK to talk about this fall's slate of KIX reunion shows and his new album, Skin to Skin. "Well, it's still an un-doable thing because of Donnie," he says of the reunion shows. "We call this 4/5th of KIX. It's been nine years since we've done a show together and the demand for the band is there. The money is stupid and we'd be fools not to cash in." However, don't expect to see the band in the studio or on the next Poison tour anytime soon. "There are no plans for KIX," cautions the singer. "My priority is Funny Money and I'm more interested in creating new music and performing with my band. I don't know how to explain KIX other than it's a hoot to go up and play with those guys once in awhile, but it isn't something I want to do on a long term basis." When asked if he'd like to see Donnie Purnell join the reunion, Whiteman offers the following, "Donnie has nothing, but contempt for me and the rest of the guys. He has no desire to be involved, but if he called me tomorrow and said 'it's all water under the bridge' I'd have no problem working with him, but I don't know about the rest of the guys. Donnie likes to take control and I think they would fear that he'd take the fun out of it." Don't expect to see or hear 'the fun' on DVD or CD anytime soon as Steve explains, "I know that nobody can stop us from performing, but there would be some legal matters if we tried to release it." Apart from the KIX shows, Steve has been busy with his band Funny Money and promoting their new release. "I'm excited about Skin To Skin," says the singer. "It's the best album we've done and if you're a KIX fan, you're a Funny Money fan. My whole premise for writing is to have music that's fun and not preachy. I grew up with Aerosmith, AC/DC and the Stones and I'm all about 'hey, leave your problems at the door, forget reality and let's have some fun.'" For more visit: <a href="http://www.funnymoneyband.com" target="new">www.funnymoneyband.com</a>.  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#ff0000" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#ff0000"> <div align="center">Friday, May 07, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> FRONTIERS RECORDS UPDATE - PRAYING MANTIS & OVER THE EDGE: Frontiers Records is pleased to announce to have secured the rights for the European release of Praying Mantis The Best of Praying Mantis album for a release on June 17th 2004! The album encompasses all classic of a more than 20 years long career for one of the prime movers of the N.W.O.B.H.M scene, including timeless classics such as Cheated (in a driving live version), rare cuts - such as Turn The Tables (only previously available on a rare single released in 1982), through to more recent songs taken from their Frontiers releases Nowhere To Hide and The Journey Goes On. The full track listing shall be as follows: Cheated (live); Can t See The Angels; A Cry For The New World; Letting Go; Journeyman; Only The Children Cry; Turn The Table; Don't Be Afraid Of The Dark; Best Years; Forever In Time; Nowhere To Hide; Naked (re-recorded version); A Moment In Life (exclusive European bonus track). During 2004 Praying Mantis have decided to take a break from recording and decided it was time to issue a collection which could give the fans an overview on the long career spanning over two decades. The resulting Best Of is a poignant collection of British hard rock masterpieces which is an essential addition to all serious rock fan collection.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="197" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/prayingmantis-bestof.jpg" width="200" /></div> Following the stunning critical acclaim which blessed Mickey Thomas' long awaited return with the Over The Edge album, we are please to offer a track by track comment written by the amazing singer from Starship: "Over The Edge - We needed a title cut to define the concept of the album. Jack and Fab nailed it! One World - The first song I picked for this project. A great blend of love and social consciousness. I'm deeply indebted to Jack and Neal for giving me this gem. Thief - A well crafted pop song that nudges the C.D. a little more to the modern side. Surrender - Another winner from Jack and Neal. No nonsense rocker that I can't wait to perform live. Eyes Wide Open - Never let the hurt from the past prevent you from welcoming love with eyes and arms wide open. Classic Jonathan Cain Ballad. Again a big thanks from me. Man In Between - Written by Fab and Freddy Curci especially for the project. We wanted something a bit more bluesy and earthy and they delivered with an AOR Pearl. Forest For The Trees - I've wanted to do something with Steve Lukather since 1978 and finally I get my chance on this song that I think is a great blend of modern and classic rock. Turn Away - This song more than anything else on the C.D. reminds me of the "STARSHIP" sound of the 80's. All that's missing is Grace Slick to share the vocal with me. Cover Me - One of the 1st songs I chose for the project. A song about love on the spiritual plane and the healing power of love. Glory Days - My personal favourite. The last song written for project. This song really touches me on an emotional level. I love the paradox of the melancholy optimism. Once again Jack and Fab come through with a song that perfectly completed the puzzle." Below are some comments gained by the album through the main websites: Melodicrock.com 97% - Quite possibly the most consistent and rewarding album of Mickey's career - Andrew J. McNeice. Rockunited.com 9/10 - the first strong "Album Of The Year" candidate has arrived! Kimmo Toivonen. Melodic.net Being an AOR fan, I am proud of this album Kaj Roth. Strutter 8.5/10 A great AOR comeback CD from MICKEY THOMAS Gabor Kleinbloesem. The Missing Piece Highly Recommended! John Ferguson. Rock Report 5/5 If AOR is your thing, then you have to run to your record shop tomorrow. Chris. Crossrocks.com 91/100 - Mickey Thomas succeeds with a successful return with this record. Aordreamzones 80/100 Absolutely sensational and essential! Nicky Baldrian. AORMusic.com 9.6/10 - If you are into Journey or Starship this record is a must. One of THE best records so far this year! Classic Rock 4/5 Don't go thinking Over The Edge are the result of some dry, sanitized production line, because you couldn't be further from the truth. Dave Ling. STEVE VAI BRINGS ALL-STAR BAND DOWN UNDER: Guitar legend Steve Vai is bringing his awesome talent back to Australia this July! Last here in 2000, Vai left audiences raving at his unparalleled mastery of the guitar, and his upcoming shows promise to be even hotter. Steve Vai's unique musical vision remains unclassifiable. During a career that has spanned more than 20 years Vai continues to display an unbridled guitar virtuosity and soulful artistry to wring emotion from his instrument. A two time Grammy winner Vai's musical resume reads like a who's who of rock… he graduated from Frank Zappa's band to team with Alcatrazz, David Lee Roth and Whitesnake, amongst others, before fronting his own bands in the 90's. With worldwide album sales nearing six million Vai continues his ongoing musical evolution, with recent peaks including the performance of a concerto for electric guitar with the 100 piece Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra and his live album Alive in an Ultra World, an album Vai considers "the high point of his conceptual efforts". Vai is not only a musical visionary but a musical philanthropist & humanitarian. Having founded the Make A Noise Foundation in 1988 with Richard Pike Vai regularly auctions his music gear to raise money for the foundation, which provides musical instruments and education to young musicians who cannot afford them. His most unlikely funding stream comes from beekeeping something he fell into by chance but which has now become a hobby, an unexpected source of relaxation and a source of charitable donations. Steve Vai's musical vision, technical skill and soulful poetic artistry is legendary and has been and continues to be a major influence on numerous guitarists (both air and real) around the globe, including such prominent fans as both Korn and Incubus. Witness the guitar man with an allstar band featuring some of the most influential rock musicians of the last 20 years: Billy Sheehan - Bass, Tony MacAlpine - Guitars & Keyboards, Jeremy Colson - Drums, Dave Weiner - Rhythm Guitar. Don't miss this combination of extraordinary talent Thursday 22-July Perth Metro City Saturday 24-July Adelaide Thebarton Theatre Sunday 25-July Melbourne The Palace Monday 26-July Sydney Enmore Theatre Tuesday 27-July Brisbane The Arena TICKETS ON SALE MONDAY MAY 17 ** Except Adelaide on sale TUESDAY MAY 18. ZYCHEK'S ROCK N ROLL HEART STILL BEATING: In 1978 David Zychek joined the group Airborne with Beau Hill, destined to be an influential force on 80's rock music, as a guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter. A co-writer of 5 songs on their debut album on Columbia Records, David Zychek has since been regarded as a highly proficient guitarist and songwriter, embracing technique, technology, and tone, but possessing a soulful approach that was honed by his formative musical years in Texas. "Blues based rock has always been my first love, musically speaking, and if it wasn't straight out of Texas from Johnny Winter, Freddy King, or early ZZ Top, then it was the stuff being done by Zeppelin, the Yardbirds, and Cream that shook me up" says Zychek. This is a major musical statement that showcases Zychek doing what he loves the most - combining high energy rock music with just the right amount of Texas blues influence. Think early ZZ Top, Led Zeppelin with a little Aerosmith thrown in for good measure. Though constantly in demand as a studio guitarist, vocalist, engineer, arranger, producer and songwriter, most of the general public aren't aware of what Zychek has done in between the Airborne days and the current Dead Heart Beating project. David had his own band in Texas during the early 80's called The Groove Kings, who backed up Bo Diddley on some of his Texas dates. In 1984 when Ken Hensley of Uriah Heep was forming his own band, David was picked for guitar and vocals. In '87 Zychek was all over Los Angeles as a studio guitarist, doing projects with members of The Steve Miller Band and Eddie Money. Between the years of '89 and '91, David had his own band again, The Zychek Band, that recorded with Larry Wallace, engineer with Pink Floyd. With this collection of Zychek songs, the project was signed to a development deal with BMG, but nothing was ever released. Then in 1994 producer David Prater (Firehouse, Dream Theater, Diving For Pearls) called enlisting his help on what was to become Feeding off the Mojo by Night Ranger. The band loved David's arranging and guitar work, so the collaboration turned into a full time job as David was asked to join Night Ranger as guitarist, keyboardist, and backing vocalist. "Working with Brad Gillis was the highlight of those years and I regard him as the best guitarist I've ever worked with" says Zychek. Dead Heart Beating isn't the only project currently taking up David's time. He and best friend David Prater have just finished up work on the new Diving For Pearls release, entitled Texas on the Atenzia label. David helped arrange most of the material, and contributes guitar, bass and keyboards to the project. "This is surely David Prater's finest production work to date, something to watch and listen for" says Zychek. "He also helped me immensely when I was in the mixing process of "'Dead Heart Beating".   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="203" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/deadheartbeating.jpg" width="200" /></div> VANILLA FUDGE RE-TAKES AMERICA WITH 2 NEW DVD RELEASES: New York – Legendary psychedelic rock band Vanilla Fudge is returning to the music scene this year in a very major way with 2 separate DVD-releases. The band, featuring Carmine Appice; Tim Bogert; Bill Pascali and Teddy Rondinelli; will release in the late-summer Vanilla Fudge Live In Europe, to be followed up in mid-fall with When Two Worlds Collide, a DVD of their historic performance last year on a soundstage with the 65-piece San Fernando Orchestra. The initial release is a compilation of their recently completed two-month European-tour; which is highlighted by an appearance by Robert Plant, from Led Zeppelin, showed up at their show in Britain and performed with the band. Appice said the sudden visit brought back a well-stream of memories, as The Fudge had the Zeppelin as an opening act … effectively introducing them to the States. "It was," says drummer Appice, "Just a wonderful moment. When they told me Robert was outside in the audience, I thought it was a joke… but there he was! To perform with him again was just as inspirational as it was the first time I met him… he is without question the genuine article." The DVD also features appearances by Appice's drummer-brother, Vinny Appice, who played drums for The Lizards, the Fudge's opening act. Adds Appice, "There are also several scenes of the so-called 'drum wars'… Vinny and I playing together... very competitively." The bands visited 9 countries, including Germany and Italy, and were greeted with mass adulation. Says Appice, "Our following there has always been strong, but on this just completed tour, it was simply incredible. The DVD effectively captures what happened." The band performs such Fudge-staples as 'Shotgun", "People Get Ready", "She's Not There", and their signature song, "You Keep Me Hangin' On." The record was mixed by Appice and Pat Regan, who has worked with Kiss and Ritchie Blackmore, among others, and will be released worldwide by Germany-based company ABC-Entertainment (no relation to ABC TV/Disney), and its U.S. affiliate Universal. When Two Worlds Collide is the much-anticipated visual documentation of the band's concert late-last year with the 65-piece San Fernando Orchestra. "For years, people have been saying to us that we should stage a performance with an orchestra, because our music always had that orchestral-feel to it. Well… we did it! And the results were so spectacular that we're actually working on setting up a few additional performances with orchestras around the world." Appice is currently finishing mixing that DVD and notes that the package will contain an abundance of archival information on the band; including snippets of The Fudge's appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show as well as a short historical documentary on the group. It will also have rehearsals with the orchestra narrated and a 'pop-up photo section', where Carmine and Tim Bogert go through some historical Fudge memorabilia, including several photos, and tell us what they are about, and a 'Boy Ba+ND Section'… pertaining to the covers of the Backstreet Boys and *Nsync that The Fudge do with the Orchestra. The DVD will be released with the same German-concern ABC-Entertainment (no relation to ABC TV/Disney) and in the U.S. via Universal. SIMMONS RECORDS/SANCTUARY SET FOR DEBUT RELEASE OF GENE SIMMONS NEW SOLO ALBUM: Here's the just issued press release for the Gene Simmons solo album - a highly entertaining read as are most press releases dealing with major releases. We shall see if it lives up to the hype shortly. <table> <tbody> <tr> <td><img alt="" height="316" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/genesimmons-2004.jpg" width="172" /></td> <td>New York, N.Y. - SIMMONS RECORDS/Sanctuary Music Group is pleased to announce the release of the highly anticipated solo album from Gene Simmons entitled, Asshole, on June 8. This release will mark the second solo album from the God Of Thunder since his self-titled platinum solo album in 1978. Produced by Simmons, this forward thinking, genre splitting effort, is an ambitious musical tour-de force through Simmons' psyche, revealing yet another side to the multi-talented artist. "Doing a solo record is important because I write so many different kinds of songs. I literally have hundreds of songs that are demoed up that aren't right for KISS, and some songs that weren't used on Kiss records I still like, like Carnival Of Souls and Sweet & Dirty. In assembling the album, I went and reviewed over a hundred songs that I had lying around, and then it was by process of elimination I determined what would go on the record. But at the end of the day, above and beyond style, I had to like the songs." stated Simmons. Like his 1978 self-titled solo album, Asshole is a model of versatility, drawing together an eclectic swath of styles including hard rock, blues, thrash, neo-psychedelia, Beatlesque pop, rap, prog-rock and even power ballads. </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> "My taste is eclectic and all over the place. I love all kinds of artists, from Patsy Cline to the Beatles, Motown to Hoobastank. As for the record s stylistic diversity, I'm a child of The Beatles. They created this sort of hybrid white version of American music. They could do it all -- Little Richard, country, pop, soul, psychedelia. They had no rules. That had a major effect on me and that influence comes through on the record." Transcending genres and confounding expectations, Asshole resounds with a surprise at every turn. Like the artist s self-titled solo effort, a number of musical luminaries join in on the fun. Bob Dylan and GENE co-wrote the album's Waiting For The Morning Light. Frank Zappa and Gene share co-writing credit on Black Tongue and the Zappa Family - Dweezil, Ahmet, Moon, Gail and Frank himself sing and play guitar on the song . Other guests featured on the album include Dave Navarro, ex-KISS members Bruce Kulick and Eric Singer, new Simmons Records/Sanctuary Music Group signing Bag, as well as Gene's longtime live in Shannon Tweed and their two children, Sophie and Nicholas. Drawing together over three decades of record making, Asshole is a grand, and swaggering portrait of Simmons in the 21st Century, a brave musical statement from a man unafraid of pushing the envelope and exploring new boundaries. Track listing is as follows (order subject to change): Asshole . Carnival of Souls . If I Had A Gun . Weapons . Waiting For The Morning Light . Whatever Turns You On . Sweet & Dirty Love . Beautiful . Dog . Now That You're Gone . Black Tongue . I Dream A Thousand Dreams . Firestarter.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/genesimmons-asshole.jpg" width="222" />xx<img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/genesimmons-asshole2.jpg" width="222" /></div> ARIZONA'S PREMIERE MELODIC METAL BAND HAVE RE-EMERGED: Wycked Synn have returned with a few new changes intact and a new release in the works. After their successful and much talked about debut The Vision, the band did some gigging and took some time off to reflect what they had accomplished in such a short time. During this time, vocalist Gary Grant and guitarist Gary Carillo decided to depart and pursue other interests. Reaching out to the music masses, WS along with new music company Deadlocke Music, conducted a worldwide search for a new vocalist not only to handle what they have achieved but to take the band to new heights. DLM and WS are happy to announce the new throat of the band Tom 'TC' Collett. 'TC' brings years of experience as well as a 4 actave range along with pure metal know how when it comes to the metal throat. Wycked Synn are currently recording the follow up release entitled In For The Kill. In speaking with guitarist and mastermind Ken Orth, Ken assures everyone that if you thought that The Vision was good wait until you hear IFTK. Without a doubt it will be a little heavier and more guitar driven but yet still retain what got us noticed. For more info checkout the newly revamped <a href="http://www.wyckedsynn.com" target="new">www.wyckedsynn.com</a> or <a href="http://www.deadlockemusic.com" target="new">www.deadlockemusic.com</a>. NEW REVIEWS UPDATE: The <a href="reviews/reviews.html">Reviews</a> page has been updated with new reviews of Adriangale, Genius, Liberty & Justice, Wicked Sensation, Alyson Avenue, 707, Earl Slick and White Skull. Check them out. Also updated is the <a href="reviews/featurereview.html">Feature Reviews</a> page, where you can now add your own reviews for Adriangale and Liberty & Justice - not to mention a stack of other new and recent releases.  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#a82487" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#a82487"> <div align="center">Thursday, May 06, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> MTM IN JUNE - DARE, HUMAN TEMPLE AND TOKEN: MTM Music have issued final details of their upcoming June releases, headed by the long awaited return of Dare. The details for the three releases are as follows: Dare - Beneath The Shining Water (Released June 7) - Track listing: Sea Of Roses . Days Gone By . Silent Hills . Beneath The Shining Water . The Battles That You've Won . Allowed To Fall . I'll Be With You . Where Darkness Ends . Storm Wind . Last Train. Recording line up - Darren Wharton (Vocals & Keyboards), Andrew Moore (Guitars), Gavin Mart (Drums) & Richard Dews (Guitar). "After three long years of waiting, fans and critics have finally been rewarded for their patience with a new album. With Beneath The Shining Water, Dare sets a new standard. The players we already know from the last album are back in action and in full cry again. Sensitive songs and ballads full of feelings are like a mirror to the soul and a door to the heart of this unique songwriter. Beneath The Shining Water sounds like the green countryside of North Wales, like the rough shoreline of the land and arouses the hearer's yearning for something he has been looking for and never wants to give away or let go." Human Temple - Insomnia (Released June 21) - Track listing: I'm Sorry . Goin' All The Way . Dreamchild . Out Of Love . Desert Rain . Animal . Walk Between The Shadows . Judas My Brother . On A Night Like This . Till The Day I Die . Forever. Line-Up: Janne Hurme: vocals; Jari Salo: guitars, vocals; Tony Green: keyboards, vocals; Harri Kinnunen: bass; Petri Lehto: drums. "The hard rock and metal boom of the eighties left a lasting impression on millions of teenagers. Among them, two young guys in Turku, Finland got an extremely bad case of hard rock poisoning. In 1986 it got really bad, and they decided to form their first band. Those guys were vocalist Janne Hurme and drummer Petri Lehto, and that band, whatever it was called, lead them to a road of no return...and ultimately to Human Temple. Just to add a little extra flavour to the album, a few guests were invited to take part: three Finnish top lead guitarists, Emppu Vuorinen from Nightwish, Jani Liimatainen from Sonata Arctica and Erkka Korhonen from Urban Tale added their solos to one song each. One of the best metal shouters of the country, Taage Laiho of Altaria fame provided backing vocals. Finally, in February 2004 the album was mastered by Mika Jussila at the world-famous Finnvox studio." Token - Punch (Released June 14) - Track listing: Punch In (Intro) . Tear Down The Wall . Free I'm Gonna Roll . Sometimes . Wake Up . Falling . Dreaming . On The Move . Save Me . The Sin . Media Doll . I Can't Heal . Turn Back The Time . Punch Out (Outro) . Tear Down The Wall (video bonus track). Line-Up: Johan Sjöberg - guitars, Mattias Ahlén - vocals, Mikael Rosengren - keyboards, Niclas Holmkvist - bass guitar, Patrik Johansson - drums (Yngwie). "Punch is the brand new and matured album by Token, which brings us back two well-known musicians: Mattias Ahlen - the new voice of Token - replaces H.B. Anderson who could be heard on the first album. On Punch, Mattias guides the listener through the songs with his powerful and melodic vocals, which sometimes even let you feel his heartache. Another band member is Patrik Johansson, who is known for his collaboration with Yngwie Malmsteen. He unites Token and adds a great extra punch to this second album. Some songs on Punch are in the same vein as those on Tomorrowland but at the same time Token takes you to a modern, sometimes heavier level without losing the feel for catchy and strong melodies that will surely convince the listener."   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/dare-beneaththeshiningwater.jpg" width="200" /><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/token-punch.jpg" width="200" /><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/humantemple-insomnia.jpg" width="200" /></div> HERE SR-71 GO AGAIN: SR-71 are set to return to active recording duty with the world-first release of their new studio album Here We Go Again in Japan on May 21. The track listing is: Axl Rose . In Your Eyes . Gone . 1985 . Mosquito . Here We Go Again . All American . Blue Light Special Life . 15 Minute Idol . The One . Everything . Blood & Bourbon . She Was Dead (Demo)(Bonus Track). A US release is currently planned for late June, but no label has yet been named.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/sr-71-herewegoagain.jpg" width="200" /></div> STAGE DOLLS GET A NEW LIFE: It just keeps getting better! Stage Dolls have wrapped up work on their new studio album and will unleash it in their native Norway May 24! The new album - titled Get A Life has been previewed to Scream Magazine, who have added a feature on this to their website here: <a href="http://www.screammagazine.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=106" target="new">www.screammagazine.com</a> SILVERTIDE ROCK, HAGAR TALKS: Up and coming rockers Silvertide have signed on to open up for Van Halen on all dates so far announced for their 2004 tour. The band had this to say on their website - <a href="http://www.silvertidemusic.com" target="new">www.silvertidemusic.com</a> - "You may have heard the rumors but they just became fact. Starting June 11th in Greensboro, NC we will be heading out on the road with Van Halen to support them on the first leg of their tour. By popular demand we're also heading over to the UK from June 2nd to the 9th to play four shows including the Metal Hammer Awards." Sammy Hagar remains the only Halen talking and has done two interviews this week. Both have been posted online - one at radio station KSHE's website: <a href="http://www.kshe95.com" target="new">www.kshe95.com</a> Another interview conducted for the Contra Costa Times was posted by at the <a href="http://VHForums.com" target="new">VHForums.com</a> website by a dutiful fan! To read the full interview - <a href="http://www.vhlinks.com/forums/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=UBB2&Number=522487&page=0&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=&fpart=1" target="new">click here</a>. Highlights from the interview included the following: "I ran into Alex (Van Halen), and we spent about 10 hours together, talking and having the time of our lives," Hagar says. "I just knew I'd see one of those guys somewhere, and it would either be '(Expletive) you, man,' or 'I love you, man.' We called Eddie (Van Halen) the next day, and it just came together." The reunion became possible when Van Halen fired manager Ray Danniels, whose hiring back in the '90s fueled the split. Among other issues, Hagar has said that Danniels pushed the band to demand the singer work on a greatest hits package instead of spending time with his wife and new baby after a grueling tour. Hagar says he chose his family. This is still a sensitive subject, something about which the band has agreed to disagree, though Hagar admits, grinning, that there have been a few "I told you so" moments. "Oh yeah," he says, laughing. "It was something like, they said 'I told you so' about something, and I said 'Yeah, yeah, OK, but I told you about Ray.' "We still haven't really hashed (the split) out. We tried to talk about it, but some people have different memories about what happened. But we decided to leave it at that. We started out like it never happened." Hagar says everyone is healthy and ready to go, which was a prerequisite to his return. Yet it's not quite the same as the 1985 lovefest, when Hagar replaced Roth. Things are moving a bit more deliberately now. "We're having fun," Hagar says. "The first day back there were hugs and we shot the (expletive) in the other room and just laughed." But the true test, he knows, will be "when we hit the stage." He says the new music is "vintage Van Halen with a modern twist" and is comparable to their first record together. "It's going good. The new stuff will blow people away. It's about time this happened." Hagar swears he'll rest this fall, after the tour. "I'm going to take some time off after the VH tour," he says, prompting Christie Brinkley-look-alike wife Kari to roll her eyes. "I think I'm going to reflect on everything. I can't say for sure what I'm doing next. I'm sure (the reunion) won't be a one-time deal, but I can't make any decisions right now. I'm going to play music the rest of my life. I'm doomed to be a musician the rest of my life." And lastly, re-issue label Hip-O has scheduled a new Sammy Hagar compilation Definitive Collection for release June 22. MELODIC FRIENDLY RELEASE UPDATES: Avril Lavigne's new album Under My Skin is also out shortly - May 25 to be precise. The track listing is: Take Me Away . Together . Don't Tell Me . He Wasn't . How Does It Feel . My Happy Ending . Nobody's Home . Forgotten . Who Knows . Fall To Pieces . Freak Out . Slipped Away. Much of the album was produced with the great Butch Walker.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="190" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/avrillavigne-undermyskin.jpg" width="190" /></div> AC/DC are rumoured to name christened their new album Strap It On. Richard Marx's new studio album My Own Best Enemy is due through new label EMI on August 10. InsideOut have scheduled the release for Asia's Silent Nation for July 19th in Europe and July 20th in North America. The release in Japan is still under negotiation. Duran Duran are rumoured to have signed to Epic for the release of their long awaited new studio album - now due in September.  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#00bb00" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#00bb00"> <div align="center">Wednesday, May 05, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> VAN HALEN GET UP FOR BREAKFAST: Straight from the online pages of industry mag Hits - <a href="http://www.hitsdailydouble.com/news/rumormill.cgi" target="new">www.hitsdailydouble.com/news/rumormill.cgi</a>: "STRIKE UP THE VAN: The first single from the retooled, Sammy Hagar-fronted Van Halen will be Up for Breakfast, one of three tracks produced by Glen Ballard. The other two are Learning to See and It's About Time. The band are set to hit the road this summer." I am working on additional information right now and hope to present an update of goings on shortly. I will add now a quote from one source with info from Warner Brothers, who are responsible for putting the new compilation together: "It's About Time is a given. It'll be on the release. The reason you "haven't heard it" is because the final product isn't done yet. Some people (at the label) thought it wasn't commercial enough." So it seems a more commercial tune has been selected as the lead single! And the compilation will not be released in June - later in July was the last I heard. Stay tuned for that update... KISS SET MIXES IT UP FOR 2004 TOUR: This in from Mitch Lafon - Word out of rehearsals has the Kiss set list for the current tour looking this way -- Please note that the set list is made up of NEVER played live songs or rarely played songs with a couple of necessary hits: All The Way . Love Her All I Can . Sweet Pain . Flaming Youth . Creatures Of The Night . Unholy . God Gave Rock N Roll To You . Deuce . Detroit Rock City . Rock N Roll All Night...and other songs from Revenge, the 80's and most obscure stuff.... Keep in mind this is only what has been going on in rehearsals.... The final set list may vary....Also, Eric Singer is going to play the songs like Eric Singer would play the songs -- He will not be limited to playing like Peter Criss as he has been on previous tours... RAZAMANAZ SCORES WILL VIA STAELLITTE: Perris Records is proud to announce that Razamanaz has been the MOST REQUESTED band on XM Satellite Radio's The Boneyard. The response for Urgency & Make You Mine has been overwhelming. Razamanaz has been getting more requests than any other band currently been played on The Boneyard. The Boneyard will start putting Feel It, Seasons Of Wither & King Of The Night Time World into heavy rotation very soon. The e-mail response has been amazing and we would like to take this time to thank everyone who has purchased the CD & e-mailed The Boneyard, Razamanaz & Perris Records. Thank You very much for your support and keep it coming!! JON OLIVA'S TAGE MAHAL IN MIX-DOWN: Savatage mastermind Jon Oliva and Tage Mahal are now completing the final mix for of his solo debut, at Morrisound Studio's in Tampa FL with Jim Morris at the helm. Eight tracks have been completed and the remaining mixes and mastering will be finalized within the next few weeks. Worldwide distribution is close to being inked and will be announced in the coming weeks. An extensive tour schedule is a high priority for the band and will be announced as soon as the release date has been set. Please check out the studio highlights and pictures online in the forum section of <a href="http://www.jonoliva.net" target="new">www.jonoliva.net</a>. SITE UPDATES: The <a href="#cdshowcase">CD Showcase</a> section has had sever titles added for featuring new albums from Glen Burtnik and Edge Of Forever. New Progressive/Metal titles from Lion Music have also been added for Under Radio, Smeer and their new Jimi Hendrix tribute. And from Escape Music, the digi-pack Double CD re-issue of the two The Creek titles is also featured. Click on the covers to preview the albums.   <div align="center"><a href="showcase/glenburtnik-welcometohollywood.html"><img alt="glen burtnik - welcome to hollywood" border="0" height="125" src="/files-archive/news/glenburtnik-welcometohollywood125.jpg" width="125" /></a>x<a href="showcase/edgeofforever-feedingthefire.html"><img alt="edge of forever - feeding the fire" border="0" height="125" src="/files-archive/news/edgeofforever-feedingthefire125.jpg" width="125" /></a>x<a href="showcase/thecreek.html"><img alt="The Creek" border="0" height="125" src="/files-archive/news/thecreek125.jpg" width="125" /></a> <a href="showcase/underradio-badheirways.html"><img alt="under radio - bad heir ways" border="0" height="125" src="/files-archive/news/underradio-badheirways125.jpg" width="125" /></a>x<a href="showcase/smeer-loudandclear.html"><img alt="smeer - loud and clear" border="0" height="125" src="/files-archive/news/smeer-loudandclear125.jpg" width="125" /></a>x<a href="showcase/jimihendrixtribute.html"><img alt="jimi hendrix tribute" border="0" height="125" src="/files-archive/news/jimihendrixtribute125.jpg" width="125" /></a></div> <a href="minibytes.html">Mini-Bytes</a> have been updated with MP3 previews of new albums from Adriangale, Scorpions, Pete Lesperance, Nightwish, Kevin DuBrow, Jizzy Pearl, James Reyne, Sophie B Hawkins, the Stars N Bars compilation and Laidlaw. <a href="mr-x/index.html">MR-X</a> has been updated! Online now are several new MP3s, including a rare Mike Shipley remix of Trixter's Once In A Lifetime, an original demo of Cinderella's Nobody's Fool and the bonus track (Fire Of Love) from the current Johnny Lima album. The MR-X Feature Album has been updated - this month featuring the debut Great King Rat album and there is also an updated Live Feature - Bryan Adams, Live Into The Fire - USA 1987. A few new video clips have also been added - Hooters - Satellite, HSAS - Top Of The Rock (Live), Corey Hart - With A Little Love, Stan Bush - The Touch, Talisman - I'll Be Waiting and Toto - I Will Remember. <a href="mr-x-intro.html">MR-X Membership details</a>.  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#8080c0" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#8080c0"> <div align="center">Tuesday, May 04, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> METAL HEAVEN SIGN MILLENIUM'S LONG AWAITED JERICHO OPUS: German based label Metal Heaven (the sub-label of AOR Heaven) is happy to announce the signing of American metal outfit Millenium for the territories of Germany, Austria, Switzerland (GAS), Benelux and Sweden! The new studio album Jericho will see the light of day on July 19th, 2004 and brings us the return of original singer Todd Plant (Eyewitness, Cryptic Vision) who has replaced Jorn Lande (Masterplan) on vocals. Musically, the band - centered around guitarist Ralph Santolla (now playing with Iced Earth) - tends into a much heavier direction than on the album's predecessors and offers a dynamic mix of heavy riffs and grooves for all you true metal heads out there! The album's track listing is: My Saving Grace . Heaven Awaits . My War . Heresy . Morning Star . Above This World . Enemy Of The Sun . Wheel Of Fortune . Let There Be Light . Burning Again. Millenium 2004 are: Todd Plant - vocals, Ralph Santolla & Shane French - guitars, Steve McKenna & Tere Bertke - bass, Mike Prator - drums.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/millenium-jericho.jpg" width="200" /></div> DOKKEN DELAYED, BUT BARRY'S NOT LOOKING BACK: The release of Dokken's new Hell To Pay album has been postponed until July 13, with CMC/Sanctuary issuing this message: "This is an incredible Dokken CD and the label, both here in North America and in Europe want to build and wind up a great campaign surrounding this release. It will be well worth the wait." I hope so! Meanwhile, sample 3 tracks via the Dokken website - <a href="http://dokken.net/index2.html" target="new">dokken.net/index2.html</a>. Features are the tracks The Last Goodbye, Escape and Prozac Nation - along with John Levin's guitar solos from those tracks. The album's full track listing is: The Last Goodbye . Don't Bring Me Down . Escape . Haunted . Prozac Nation . Care For You . Better Off Before . Still I'm Sad . I Surrender . Letter To Home . Can You See . Care For You (Unplugged Version). Dokken's bass player Barry Sparks has also been busy finishing work on his solo album Can't Look Back. The album is available now via Barry's website - <a href="http://www.barrysparks.com" target="new">www.barrysparks.com</a> - and features the following tracks: Between The Sun and Moon . Long Time Coming . Simple Plan . Breathe . A Soul For Sale . Mexico . Fooled Again . Can't Look Back . You and Me . She's The One . Liberty . Dear Father . Into The Sun . Something.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/barrysparks-cantlookback.jpg" width="200" /></div> STATETROOPER CALING FANS TO LONDON ALBUM LAUNCH: Statetrooper will release their new album The Calling, worldwide on June 14th 2004. To mark the occasion, they are performing at a one off launch party gig in London on May 15th. The gig is to be held at the Underworld, Camden, and will showcase tracks from the new album, as well as previous fan favourites. The album has been produced by Michael Voss, and will be released on CIC Records. Some of the tracks have been sampled and sections are available to hear on their website, <a href="http://www.statetrooper.co.uk" target="new">www.statetrooper.co.uk</a>. For more information, please contact Rupert Withers at Vigilante Music on 44 208 740 4204 or e-mail <a href="mailto:vigilante@tesco.net">vigilante@tesco.net</a>.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/statetrooper-thecalling.jpg" width="200" /></div> ANOTHER METAL ROCK OPERA DUE: Is Aina - Days Of Rising Doom - The Metal Opera the biggest release of it's kind? It certainly ranks up there with the most epic releases in recent memory. Here are just some of the details of the release: This super deluxe packaging comes as a 2xCD and a DVD + 72-pages booklet. A concept story that becomes the ultimate symphonic metal opera as it features over 30 musicians and choirs! Disc 1: Aina - Days Of Rising Doom (Total Playing Time 70.42); Disc 2: Aina - The Story Of Aina (Total Playing Time 55.19); DVD: Aina - Beyond The Borders: 1. The Beast Within (Single Version) 3D Computer Animation, 2. The Making Of Aina, 3. The Story Of Aina - Moving Story Board, 4. Slide Show, 5. Artwork, 6. Audio Settings, 7. Credits DVD - Dolby Digital 5.1, DTS 5.1, Dolby Digital Stereo 2.0. All regions NTSC. Aina - The Creators: Sascha Paeth Producer & Add'l Arrangements; Robert Hunecke-Rizzo Producer, Drums, All Guitars & Basses (except where indicated) & Arrangements; Amanda Somerville Artistic & Literary Conception, Story & Lyrics, Vocal & Linguistic Coach; Miro Keyboards, Orchestral Arrangements & Effects. The Voices: Sebastian Thomson, Michael Kiske, Damian Wilson, Amanda Somerville, Tobias Sammet, Glenn Hughes, Thomas Rettke, Candice Night, Sass Jordan...and more. Aina guest musicians: Olaf Reitmeier Acoustic Guitars on 'Revelations' & 'Serendipity'; Jens Johansson Keyboard Solo on 'Revelations'; Derek Sherinian Keyboard Solo on 'The Siege Of Aina'; T.M. Stevens Bass on 'Son Of Sorvahr'; Axel Naschke Organ on 'Son Of Sorvahr'; Thomas Youngblood Guitar Solo on 'Lalae Amêr'; Emppu Vuorinen Guitar Solo on 'Rebellion'; Erik Norlander Keyboard Solo on 'Rebellion'. Keep track of upcoming details at: <a href="http://www.theendrecords.com" target="new">www.theendrecords.com</a> PULSE WORLDS APART FROM A NEW LABEL: First Hearing Media have decided not to start up their label and this now leaves Pulse looking for a new home for World's Apart. This is a major blow for Pulse and their fans, as it was hoped that the new CD would be released during the Spring of 2004. If you are part of a label and are interested in working with Pulse - please e-mail them at <a href="mailto:webinfo@rock2pulse.co.uk">webinfo@rock2pulse.co.uk</a>. For more information about Pulse, check out the band's official site at <a href="http://www.rock2pulse.co.uk" target="new">www.rock2pulse.co.uk</a>. ROBIN McAULEY RUNS THROUGH THE CLASSICS LIVE: Eric Ragno from Vox Tempus, dropping you a quick note about Robin McAuley's return to action. "Robin McAuley's show in North Hollywood this week has been touted as the return of one of the true voices of rock - so there was much anticipation at the packed Paladinos nightclub last night. From the moment that Robin and his band hit the stage it was note-for-note payoff, starting with a four-song barrage of classic MSG hits - Save Yourself, Bad Boys, Gimme Your Love and Anytime. Robin sounded amazing, as the crowd was on its feet and singing along to songs spanning his entire career, with special emphasis on his powerhouse hits with the McAuley Schenker Group! McAuley's all-star band (which included Takara's Bjorn England, Craig Anderson of Seven Witches and Stu Simone of Poison) also performed lively renditions of When I'm Gone, Lonely Nights and Love Is Not a Game, closing with UFO's Doctor Doctor and a free for all version of Rod Stewart's Stay With Me. McAuley doesn't appear to have aged a day since he first recorded these AOR classics! Pictures can be found at <a href="http://chynablue.topcities.com/Robin/" target="new">chynablue.topcities.com/Robin/</a>. On a down note, I stopped by my car to give Craig Anderson (Engine) the latest Vox Tempus mixes, only to find that my car had been vandalized and the discs were now gone, baby gone! Several other cars along the street had been broken into as well. I went back inside and joined Phil Wolfe (Impellitteri), who described other vandalism and fighting at this club in recent weeks. This is one of the more popular rock venues in the Valley, and I hope they hire some security to look after their diehard AOR fans. But who knows, maybe some urban youth will be turned on to melodic rock. Be sure to visit Robin's website at: <a href="http://www.robinmcauley.com" target="new">www.robinmcauley.com</a>. THE LIZARDS RULE LIVE: NYC – 4/04 – The Lizards, classic hard rocking outfit from NY, hot on the heels of their recent studio release Rule, have just issued a new live CD, They Live, and live DVD, Live At B.B.King – NYC. Both releases are now available on Hyperspace Records, and prove once again that The Lizards are a driving force in rock music to be reckoned with. The Lizards have recently completed a successful European tour with the reformed Vanilla Fudge (feat. Tim Bogert, Carmine Appice), spreading their special blend of classic hard rock to the uninitiated. On this particular tour the band included regular members, Randy Pratt (bass, harp), ex-Sir Lord Baltimore John Garner (vocals), Patrick Klein (guitar) and filling in for drummer Bobby Rondinelli (BOC/Rainbow) ex-Dio/Sabbath skin pounder Vinnie Appice (this marked the first time the Appice Brothers had appeared together on the same bill.) On one special gig in the UK, legendary Led Zeppelin vocalist Robert Plant ripped it up with The Lizards during their encore – news of which has spread like wild fire throughout the rock community. The Lizards They Live CD and Live At B.B.King – NYC DVD are audio and visual documentaries of this brilliant hard rock ensemble in action on two separate dates. These two thunderous releases are essential to any fan of hard rock, heavy metal and classic rock music and are available now from your local record store or the internet. Currently The Lizards are completing their 3rd studio album, and are planning a national tour in the Summer/Fall of 2004. For more information check out: <a href="http://www.thelizardswebsite.com" target="new">www.thelizardswebsite.com</a> MELODIC BRIEFS: American Hi-Fi are back at work on album number 3, with the ever popular Butch Walker set to handle production duties. The album is due later this year. <a href="http://www.americanhi-fi.com" target="new">www.americanhi-fi.com</a> According to the Taxiride message board, Tim Watson has left Taxiride to go solo and the remaining two guys will continue on as a duo. That's very disappointing if it turns out this way. Stay tuned... Another review of Hobbit's acclaimed prog masterpiece All For The One can be viewed on the Sea of Tranquility rock and metal web site: <a href="http://www.seaoftranquility.org/reviews.php?op=showcontent&id=1320" target="new">www.seaoftranquility.org/reviews.php?op=showcontent&id=1320</a> I've been asked to mention there is a Starz message board for all Starz fanz old and new. It has just started and can be found at: <a href="http://b4.ezboard.com/bstarzfanzcentral" target="new">b4.ezboard.com/bstarzfanzcentral</a> Coming up tomorrow - a stack of MP3 updates and that long awaited MR-X update!  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#0000a0" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#0000a0"> <div align="center">Monday, May 03, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> FRONTIERS SIGN KEE MARCELLO'S MELON DEMON DIVINE: Frontiers Records is pleased to announce the European release of the highly anticipated album from Kee Marcello's K2 entitled, Melon Demon Divine, on June 17, 2004. This release will mark the long awaited return from the Guitar God former member of Europe and Easy Action since his self-titled solo album, Shine On in 1995. Kee Marcello, is the former guitar player of Europe, one of the most popular hard rock bands ever, with sales in excess of 10 million units and of the glam band Easy Action. Together with Europe, Kee recorded two highly successful albums (Out of This World and Prisoners In Paradise) and did three world tours including the one in support of the release of The Final Countdown. Melon Demon Divine is the first result of Kee Marcello's new venture into recording at producing at his newly built studio called GEM Recording. Musicwise it can be described as an heavily guitar oriented metal, throbbing production with melodic songs in trio format or, as Kee likes to say "A power fucking trio from the outer space of hell!"   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/keemarcello-melondemondivine.jpg" width="200" /></div> Combining heavy riffs with grooves and strong songs with the signature melodic solo playing of Kee, this album is an ambitious musical tour-de force displaying a variety of styles in the melodic hard rock genre. The official line-up of K2 features Kee handling guitars and vocals with Snowy Shaw (King Diamond, Dreamevil) on drums and Ken Sandin (Alien, Transport League) on bass (bass on the CD is played by Klaatu). Track listing is as follows: Pre-Fix; <a href="http://trancecontrol.dyndns.org/kee/_mp3/emd.mp3" target="new">E.M.D.</a> (click to listen !) ; <a href="http://trancecontrol.dyndns.org/kee/_mp3/enemies.mp3" target="new">Enemies</a> (click to listen !); <a href="http://trancecontrol.dyndns.org/kee/_mp3/blood.mp3" target="new">Blood</a> (click to listen !); Epic; Raptor; If; Falling Apart; Hey Romeo; Evil Ways; Tattoo For Patto; Comin Home; Ride On; Can I Be The One; Raptor (instrumental version). The instrumental version of Raptor, from the soundtrack of the US motion picture Blood Shot and Can I Be The One co-written with tennis star Niklas Kroon, the Tennis Masters Cup official theme song, are bonus tracks exclusive on the European version of the CD. More sound samples of all the album tracks can be heard at <a href="http://www.keemarcello.com" target="new">www.keemarcello.com</a>. Watch out for K2 live premiere at the Underworld in London on May 27, 2004 ! The first gig in their home country will be at the <a href="http://www.metaltown.se" target="new">Metaltown Festival</a> in Gothenburg on June 19 where the Swedes will perform, among others, with Alice Cooper, Brides of Destruction, In Flames and Dimmu Borgir.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="250" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/keemarcello-2004.jpg" width="378" /></div> ORDINARY WON'T DO FOR GRAND ILLUSION: Escape Music is pleased to announce that the new Grand Illusion album title Ordinary Just Won't Do, is now finished and mixed by the legendry engineer Tommy Hansen and set for release on the 26th July 04. You can preview the album right now though, via a full-length download of track 4 from the album - The Best Is Yet To Come. The track was written by Anders Rydholm and Steve Overland. Download: Grand Illusion - <a href="http://www.jailhouse.dk/grand_illusion/04-The_best_is_yet_to_come.mp3">The Best Is Yet To Come</a>. WebLinks: <a href="http://www.godispascen.se/gi/index_2.html" target="new">Grand Illusion</a> and <a href="http://www.escape-music.com" target="new">Escape Music</a>.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/grandillusion-2004b.jpg" width="302" /></div> JEFF NORTHRUP TALKS AFTERLIFE: Jeff Northrup talks track by track about his new album with Paul Shortino - Afterlife: "Hi, JK Northrup here. First I want to say what a pleasure it is to work with Paul Shortino again. It's been over 11 years since our Back On Track record first came out and it's about time we did a new one. On "Back On Track" we had a lot of great guest recording artists. This time we wanted the focus to be on the songwriting and our personal skills. Paul, Nir Averbuch (keyboards, XYZ), B.E Haggard (drums) and myself all agree that we did accomplish this. "Never have I been in a recording session where everyone is so relaxed and confident about the material" says Paul. We all agree on that too. Johnny Edwards (Foreigner, JK Northrup, Royal Jelly) co-wrote 3 songs and sang a duo vocal with Paul on Crazy Mind. Also, Tommy Denander (Radioactive and many others) did an awesome guitar solo on the song Feel Again. Here's a few words about the songs; "Here I Am" is a song about a traveling free spirited person, a vagabond. Traveling from town to town, never staying in one place too long. A great cruising song! "Here I am, Another Day and everything's alright". This was the last song on the album we cut. B.E. Haggard's favorite track. "Afterlife" is about finding your true soul mate. One of the first songs we recorded and it turned out great! "I'm Living in my Afterlife before die" is the part of the chorus that sums it up. "Like A Stone". Well this was a song I had to write. It is about the end my 17 year relationship that ended last year. As you'll hear in the lyrics, it's something that will never make sense to me. "Like a Stone, a beautiful Diamond that won't shine anymore". I'm sure a lot of people will relate. Paul's vocal on this song is incredible!! It made him weep. "Crazy Mind" - what can I say. Johnny Edwards wrote the lyrics and sings along with Paul. This is one of my favorite songs. It just ROCKS!! Two of the best Rock/Blues singers on the planet on one tune. "Come on down for a little while and waste a little time, Do anything you want to, Get outta your Crazy Mind"! "Feel Again" is another song I had to write for closure. It's about licking your wounds and moving on with life. With all of the negative there comes a positive. Fortunately I'm back on the positive side. Tommy Denander does a great guitar solo on this track! "Crossfire" is slammin jammin slide guitar song. Very bluesy with a touch of Whitesnake and Aerosmith. Another one of my faves. "Slave" is about human addiction. Whether love, drugs, sex or collecting stamps, if it's something you are passionate about and can't stop, "You're A Slave to the Feeling". Another lyric by Johnny Edwards. "Gypsy Soul" - A dream girl that you'll never have. Sounds familiar huh?? A man tortured by the one thing he can't have. Although she pretends to show interest she'll never let him have her. "You're sittin like a cat on my window sill, waiting for me to bend your will". Lyrics by Johnny Edwards. "Mark My Words"..this is an instrumental that I put together for my biggest fan and brother-in-law, Mark Valentine. We had a lot of fun on this track. Nir Averbuch plays a beautiful solo on keyboards. "As I Fall" This song has another classic Shortino vocal track! Just amazing. It's about the moments in our lives where we doubt ourselves. "Drowning in the ocean of doubt that's in my mind". This song will make you turn up your speakers and scream! "Prisoner" ..Simply a love song. A ballad. "I'm a prisoner to your heart but I don't mind, I threw away the key so long ago". On behalf of the band and guest musicians, we hope you enjoy the record as much as we did making it. Peace, JK Northrup." JESSE HARMS WESBITE MAKES IT'S ONLINE DEBUT: Sammy Hagar parted ways with long time collaborator/band mate/keyboardist/friend Jesse Harms late last year/early this year and since that time Jesse has kept a pretty low profile. Well, he's now returning to active duty and has launched his own solo website - <a href="http://www.jesseharms.com" target="new">www.jesseharms.com</a>. Here is a message from Jesse from the website: "Hi from Jesse Harms, Sorry It's taken me so long to respond. I wanted to get my website Jesseharms.com up and running first. I am no longer a member of the Waboritas, at this point I'm keeping it clean. Sammy and I had different goals. He's been working at getting VH back together for 3 Years, good for him. I don't see him doing anything meaningful with the Wabos so I'm taking the opportunity to make my own CD and work on other projects. Thanks for your interest and support, it means a lot to me. The CD wrote and produced for Blues legend Guitar Shorty is in stores now, check it out. Please view my website and I'll keep you posted on new developments. Sincerely Jesse Harms." Check out the site and download the extremely good JH demo of Things've Changed - the track Sammy used on his last solo album. MAJESTIC ROCK RECORDS SIGN MILLION: Majestic Rock Records are proud and honored to be able to announce the signing of Swedish hard rockers Million to a world-wide recording deal for the band's up and coming fifth studio album. The label's A&R director Geoff Gillespie has this to say about their new acquisition: "In the used car lot of hard rock, Million are a low mileage Mercedes amidst a plethora of VW Beetles! There simply isn't anyone else who does what they do as well as they do it. One listen to their latest demo was enough to convince us that we needed this band. That they are not a household name is to the eternal shame of their previous labels....and we won't be making the same mistake!" "After 4 albums, fantastic reviews and successful - though too little! - touring, it's time to be seriously promoted and distributed", says Million's bassist and main shake B.J.Laneby: " We were contacted by several labels, but Majestic Rock just feel genuine and right. They have the knowledge, enthusiasm and capacity to present us to a bigger audience. Million's current line up and the new songs are the best ever, don't you doubt that for a second We intend to make one hell of an album, and the goal is to make our new label and all our fans worldwide really proud. Can't wait to record and then see You all on tour. Cheers everyone, these are exciting times!". WebLink: <a href="http://www.majesticrock.com" target="new">www.majesticrock.com</a>   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/million-2004.jpg" width="299" /></div> LION MUSIC UPDATE: News from the world of Lion Music: Dear Friends, we are pleased to announce that we will release Valensia's highly acclaimed Queen Tribute in selected countries in an exclusive digipak version with one extra bonus track and a 16 page booklet. The release date for this album will be June 18. The album will be preceded by the release of Valensia's Metal Majesty which will be released on May 28. We have signed to totally unbelievable good guitarists Faraz Anwar and Patrik Carlsson. Faraz Anwar comes from Pakistan while Patrick is a Swede. Your first opportunity to hear Patrik will be on the May 28 release Shawn Lane Remembered which also features Alex Masi, Stephan Forte, Craig Erickson, Dave Martone, Charly Sahona, George Bellas, Goncalo Pereira, Rusty Cooley, Marcel Coenen, Tony Smotherman, Francesco Fareri, Joop Wolters, Lars Eric Mattsson, Mistheria. Vision who are doing a comeback with singer extraordinaire John Jeff Touch are giving away a free radio edit of the song Susanna from the coming album On the Edge - check out the download section of our website... Also to be released on May 28. Tears of Anger's debut album Still Alive. Benny Jansson Guitar, Björn Jansson Vocal, Daniel Flores (Mind's Eye) Drums, Johan Niemann (Therion) bass. Benny's solo album Save the world is still available and features Goran Edman (vocals) and Jens Johansson (keys). MCM - Ritual Factory - (Alex Masi, Randy Coven, John Macaluso) This album is totally revolutionary! House of Shakira just returned from a very successful mini tour in Spain. It is possible that the band will return to Spain for the release of their new album First Class (June 18). Also to be released in June is Book of Reflections - Andy Engberg, Hubi Meisel and Mikael Holm - vocals; Vitalij Kuprij - keyboards; Rusty Cooley - guitars; Lars Eric Mattsson - guitars and bass; Eddie Sledgehammer - drums. The debut album of Book of Reflections is being released with one exclusive bonus track while the Japanese version released by King Records contains another exclusive bonus track. The very powerful music could be described as power metal with neoclassical and progressive influences. At the same time Star Queen are releasing their second album Your True Self which marks a giant step forward for this progressive band. The band features singer Stella Tormanoff, guitarist Throbjorn Englund (Winterlong), keyboardist Bob Katsionis and bass player Peter Uven. Sun Caged will play both at Sweden Rock and ProgPower USA's pre-party. Lion Music will attend Sweden Rock. Chris Poland's OHM is scheduled to play a 60 minute set at the Crossroads Festival (USA) on Friday June 4th from 5:00 - 6:00 pm. LabelLink: <a href="http://www.lionmusic.com" target="new">www.lionmusic.com</a> NOW AND THEN RECORDS UPDATE: Now And Then Records is delighted to be able to announce the signing of the Kentucky based AOR band U-Turn for the release of their acclaimed No Filler CD. U-Turn released No Filler in 2003 on their own label, Bonote Records, with U.S. distribution by Trans World Entertainment. The band gigs relentlessly and sacrifices personal attachments to build their dream into a solid reality and a substantive future. To that end they have employed independent record promoter Jon Flanagan with almost unheard-of results for an unsigned band. The history of U-Turn goes back to 1995 when Jamison Todd received a call from a former band mate about a position for a lead singer. Jamison jammed with this prospect of a band and quickly realized only guitarist Scott McClure had what it takes to go professional. So they left the group to form a three-piece band with bassist Nathan Gossett and no drummer. Focusing on song writing, they performed acoustic shows in Owensboro & Bowling Green KY as well as Evansville IN. When Jamison ran into Jeff Phelps, a rock and roll drummer from High school, they jammed and the band was finally complete. Booked before they even had a name, they decided upon Surrender before the first big gig and attacked the club scene with original music. Club owners wanted the security of cover tunes, so Surrender surrendered and mixed covers amongst their own songs. The hot audience response though was mostly for their original music, which prompted more writing. In the ensuing struggle to be creative, the bass player lost interest and left the band. The group stopped performing, intensified their writing efforts and focused on finding the right bass player. In a "fated" chance meeting Josh Wilson stopped by to show Jamison a new bass he had received from a friend. An immediate audition lead to his becoming the final member of the present group, which the members decided to rename U-Turn. Developing recorded material in a style that might be called modern or 21st century "classic rock," the band began sending out demos. Soon E.S.P.N. producer Rich Kleiman called with interest in U-Turn's song "Survive" for an E.S.P.N. show called Life. A New Jersey showcase netted the band a production deal with renowned producer Brian Drago (Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, Kool & The Gang and Sting) and U-Turn went into the studio with rock engineer Joseph Borges (Puddle Of Mudd, Limp Bizkit, Sheryl Crow) to complete the masters for their first CD, No Filler. With elements of the more acoustic based rock side of Bon Jovi and Firehouse, crystal clear production and strong musicianship, U-Turn is set to make quite an impact this year. Radio stations in the U.S. are picking up on the material and the constant touring is building up a loyal following. Now it`s the turn of European audiences to catch up when the album is released in late May. Bob Catley has announced two solo acoustic shows opening for Jeff Scott Soto. These are - Monday May 3rd 2004 The Limelight - Crewe Thursday May 13th 2004 The Underworld - Camden - London This will very likely be the last chance to catch Bob as a solo artist in 2004 as he will be busy with Magnum for the rest of the year. A new solo album will be released next year and planning is already taking place to ensure that 2005 is Bob's most active year as a solo artist. More details to follow at the relevant time. Power Quest - A whole batch of new reviews have been added to the relevant section on the website. To catch this exciting up and coming melodic metal act in the live setting check them out at the following shows next month - June 24th - Adelphi - Hull June 25th - Rio's - Bradford. June 26th - One Big Day 2004 - Pontypool (Talywain RUFC) June 27th - Camden UnderWorld - London. June 28th - Joiners - Southampton. Seasons Of Storms - The hugely promising Swedish symphonic metal band now has their own website at: <a href="http://www.seasonsofstorms.com" target="new">www.seasonsofstorms.com</a> where MP3s and information are available. For updates / further info check out the Now & Then website at <a href="http://www.nowandthen.co.uk" target="new">www.nowandthen.co.uk</a>, email us at <a href="mailto:info@nowandthen.co.uk">info@nowandthen.co.uk</a> or ring us on 01942 513298. TYKETTO TO LAUNCH 15TH ANNIVERSARY REUNION TOUR IN NOVEMBER 2004: Tyketto has officially announced plans to tour Europe and the UK to commemorate the 15th anniversary of their classic debut album, Don't Come Easy. The band will perform limited dates in England, Ireland, Holland, Belgium and Spain. A single US appearance on Thanksgiving night is scheduled as their tour wrap concert. The original lineup of Danny Vaughn, Michael Arbeeny, Brooke St. James and Jimi Kennedy will be performing onstage together for the first time in over a decade. November 2004 - Christmas comes early for the many faithful fans of New Jersey's favourite melodic hard rock act, Tyketto. As a one off reunion, the four original members Danny Vaughn, Michael Clayton Arbeeny, Jimi Kennedy and Brooke St. James will once again lay waste to various stages throughout Europe to celebrate the fifteen year anniversary of the inception of the band. Joining Tyketto on tour are without doubt the hardest working band in the UK right now, Deadline. They have just released a four track EP Is Anybody Paying Attention which has sold amazingly well, and are preparing to record their first long player during the summer. In between all this they have also been confirmed as support to Danny Bowes and Luke Morley for a number of shows later this year and have just finished up a slew of shows in their native Yorkshire, including a wonderful performance in Sheffield Corporation opening for Vaughn and Firehouse. Florida's Teer, who boast Shane French (Millenium/Circle to Circle/John Oliva) as their chief axeman also join the tour. With a new album currently in the pre production stage, Teer are delighted not only to be back in Europe again, but also to be opening for Tyketto who they cite as major influences. The tour kicks off on November 5th and runs through November 22nd. A full list of dates below. Questions, comments or enquiries to <a href="mailto:k_dargan@hotmail.com">k_dargan@hotmail.com</a> Tyketto/Deadline/Teer European Tour 2004-05-01 Friday November 5th……………….Wolverhampton Wulfrun Hall Saturday November 6th……………. The Empire, Belfast Monday November 8th………………Rock City, Nottingham Tuesday November 9th………………Trillian's, Newcastle Thursday November 11th…………….Sheffield Corporation (Classic Rock Society) Friday November 12th……………….The Underworld, London Saturday November 13th……………..JB's Dudley Sunday November 14th……………….To be Confirmed TYKETTO ONLY Wednesday November 18th……………….Belgium venue t.b.c. Thursday November 19th …………………Holland venue t.b.c. Friday November 20th …………………….Holland venue t.b.c. Saturday November 21st…………………..Caracol, Madrid, Spain Sunday November 22nd……………………Bilbao, Spain JOHNNY'S SONGS IN DEE OUT NOW: Full details of the album have been printed previously (see <a href="http://www.melodicrock.com/news2003.html" target="new">www.melodicrock.com/news2003.html</a>, December 24 update), but now Honeymoon Suite vocalist Johnnie Dee has launched his solo website and solo CD - Songs In Dee. The site is still under construction, but at least the very good CD can be ordered via his website now - <a href="http://www.johnniedegiuli.com" target="new">www.johnniedegiuli.com</a> CHRIS CATENA FREAKS OUT IN JAPAN: The version of Chris Catena's Freak Out!, which will be released by Nippon Crown in Japan will include the song Summertime which is not in the European edition. Catena is now working on his cover album The Return of the Galactic Freakboy whose release will be within the year. The album features among the songs "Rock Steady" (Bad Company), "Saturday Night is Allright For Fighting" (Elton John), "The Mexican" (Babe Ruth version), "Queen of Hearts" (David Coverdale), "Deeper Underground" (Jamiroquai), "Sail Away" (Deep Purple), "Cry Me A River" (Aerosmith version), "Mickey's Monkey" (Mother's Finest version), "Ain't Seen a Love Like That" (Mr. Big), "Just The Beginning" (Europe acoustic version), "Theme for an Imaginary Western" (Mountain version), plus two unreleased original tracks "Come and Get It", and the second to be announced. 38 SPECIAL ALBUM FILLED WITH BIG GUITARS!: 38 Special are wrapping up work on a brand new album which has been descried by frontman Don Barnes as the "...Hardest rocking CD yet from 38 Special, full of BIG guitars." How cool does that sound? The band is currently in the studio putting the finishing touches on a CD due to be released in July. The guys are moving into the mix phase of the recording and Don's other description of the album I found was: "Exciting, Loud, and RUDE, in your face power CD that is sure to grab your attention right from the opening seconds!!" Stay tuned for updates. GLEN BURTNIK WELCOME TO HOLLYWOOD: Glen Burtnik's super cool and rocking new album Welcome To Hollywood will be released throughout Europe on June 2 (in the UK on June 28). Included with the first pressing is a bonus DVD - which will be region-free! Glen had this to say about the album: "My new album Welcome To Hollywood is kick ass. The songs are perhaps the strongest I ve ever written, and the production is about as big a sound as I ve ever heard come out of two speakers!" WebLinks: <a href="http://www.atenzia.com" target="new">www.atenzia.com</a> and <a href="http://www.glenburtnik.com" target="new">www.glenburtnik.com</a>   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/glenburtnik-welcometohollywood.jpg" width="200" /></div> KICK AXE TO RELEASE NEW ALBUM ON SONG HAUS SEPTEMBER 7, 2004: Kick Axe has signed a licensing deal with Song Haus Music for their new album titled IV for the USA territory. Song Haus Music reissued the first two Kick Axe records on their highly successful "Rewind" label. Also included in the deal will be the reissue of the long sought after third album Rock The World. For more info go to: <a href="http://www.kickaxe.net" target="new">www.kickaxe.net</a> The album will be released in Europe through MTM Music. Also on Song Haus, Airborne's David Zycheks has a new band - Dead Heart Beating. Their debut album is done, with Dave Prater (Dream Theater, Firehouse, Diving For Pearls) coming on board to mix it. A release is due shortly. Stay tuned for more details. KIX RETURN FOR THE SUMMER: Kix are reforming for some reunion shows this September! Vocalist Steve Whiteman has got 4 out of the 5 original guys back together for a trip down memory lane. Donnie Purnell, the band's bass player is not involved. Mark from Funny Money will be playing bass for the Kix shows. BLACKIE LAWLESS - THE IDEA OF WASP, By Mitch Lafon: Over the last twenty years Blackie Lawless has wanted to be somebody, fuck like a beast, be a crimson idol and more recently a neon God. Doing the press rounds to promote his latest album, Neon God (part I), Blackie reflected in amazement that he's still here, "It's stupid," he begins. "When you start out you never say I'm going to be doing this for twenty years. I couldn't even dream that and I'm sincere when I say that there's hardly a day that goes by where I don't think about how lucky I am. I've been incredibly blessed with this die-hard fan base." Turning to his latest opus, a concept album that has been divided onto two CDs to satisfy retailers, Blackie offers this explanation, "It all started with one idea. I was looking for that great common denominator. That thing that nags at us: Who am I? Does my life mean anything? Is there a God or not? So, when I came up with the concept of 'Oh, my Lord tell me why I'm here. I thought that encapsulated all of those things and the journey we all take trying to find ourselves… trying to make sense of it all." When asked if the story could have been told in ten songs or so Lawless muses, "when I think back to the Crimson Idol, I am always frustrated because there were gaping holes in that story that needed to be filled. So, from a creative point of view I'd say no." With each WASP release comes a necessary game of musical musician chair, this time around it's no different with drummer Frankie Banali on the album, but Stet Howland on the tour. "Well, their styles are similar," begins Lawless. "So, it's not really going to affect the way we sound live. Everything they do is pretty compatible. So, it makes it easy." However, many fans do not feel the same way and have shown disappointment that Frankie won't be on the road with the band, an opinion that Blackie refuses to accept, "there were never any concrete plans that he would. I think it's something people cooked up in their heads and just assumed," he scolds and adds, "quite honestly it's down to musicianship and this incarnation of WASP would be tough to beat. I know that people romance in their heads what they would like to see, but from a musicianship point of view this version of the band would be very hard to top. I know it sounds like I'm tooting my own horn, but they're superior musicians." With the mercurial nature of the band members has Blackie ever thought of going solo? "I've thought about that, but I think of WASP as being an idea similar to how Jethro Tull is an idea. Ian Anderson is still there, but it's an idea. I think Motorhead is the same way. Motorhead is Lemmy, but Motorhead is an idea." As the conversation winds down, Blackie turns his attention to the upcoming tour, "It'll be more serious. There will still be theatrics. It will be dark and moody, but it's not 'Fuck Like A Beast'. For now, it'll be a greatest hits tour and we'll see how it evolves as it goes along." Will it lead to a DVD release, "Not at this moment," says Lawless, "but I'm sure we're going to film during the tour." With that he adds, "I look forward to getting back up to Canada and seeing familiar faces that we haven't seen in awhile," and invites all to visit the band's official web site at <a href="http://www.waspnation.com" target="new">www.waspnation.com</a> FINALLY - A RESUMPTION OF REGULAR SERVICE!: Hi folks. A return to (almost) regular service is here! The last week has been a nightmare to deal with and we are a long way from normality, but there is plenty of good news. We are back in the house after a total floor re-fit - with new carpet installed Friday. We moved back in Saturday and have returned most of the house to normal. I am also back in my office - which remains the one disaster zone! Basically the entire office remains packed into boxes waiting for me to re-organize. That'll have to wait, because there's work to do and I'm pleased to say that there is a stack of rock n roll to report on and news updates will begin today and regular daily updates all week. Thanks to everyone that e-mailed over the last 10 days - I'll get to the replies ASAP.  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#b11b1c" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#b11b1c"> <div align="center">Wednesday, April 28, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> FRONTIERS RECORDS NEWS UPDATE: Frontiers Records is delighted to offer two previews of the highly anticipated new album from Voodoo Hill - the studio project featuring Dario Mollo and Glenn Hughes - entitled Wild Seed of Mother Earth. Download 90 second MP3 samples of <a href="http://www.frontiers.it/MakeBelieve.mp3">Make Believe</a> and <a href="http://www.frontiers.it/StillEvergreen.mp3">Still Evergreen</a> (click on the name of the song to hear)! In the meanwhile, guitar player Dario Mollo is on tour with Elektric Zoo, an all star band featuring Graham Bonnet (Rainbow/Alcatrazz/Impellitteri) on vocals, Roberto Gualdi on drums, Maurizio Belluzzo on keyboards and Guido Block on bass. Check them out live: 29th April, Madrid (Spain) MACUMBA 30th April, Barcellona (Spain) RAZZMATAZZ 2 1st May Pamplona (Spain) ARTSAIA 4th May Stourbridge (UK) ROCK CAFE 6th May Crewe (UK) LIMELIGHT 7th May Bradford (UK) RIO'S 8th May London (UK) WEST ONE FOUR 10th May Aberdeen (Scotland) CAFE DRUMMONDS The band will also showcase some songs taken from the forthcoming Voodoo Hill CD!   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="204" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/voodoohill-wildseed.jpg" width="200" /></div> The second episode of the Genius saga entitled In Search of the Little Prince will be released in Europe on May the 24th. In the meantime the samples from the Genius rock opera have been uploaded on the official website: <a href="http://www.geniusrockopera.com/EpisodeTwo.htm" target="new">www.geniusrockopera.com/EpisodeTwo.htm</a> and of course, <a href="showcase/genius-episode2.html">right here</a>. Sound samples of Daniele Liverani's instrumental albumDaily Trauma are <a href="showcase/danieleliverani-dailytrauma.html">available here</a>. The incredible studio project Over The Edge featuring Mickey Thomas, the mighty Starship singer is having getting amazing reactions and reviews: MelodicRock.com 97% RockUnited.com 9/10 - "the first strong "Album Of The Year" candidate has arrived!" On a related note the album is going to have an official release in the USA! A licensing deal has been struck with Cleopatra / Deadline Music (distributed via Navarre). More info about the release shall be available soon. The album will be released on May 3 in Europe. Frontiers Records is pleased to announce to have reached an agreement for the release of the House Of Lords long awaited return CD in the USA through Cleopatra / Deadline Records! More info about the release date shall be available shortly. The album shall also have an official release in South America in may through a Brazilian company called Wet Music. For more details check out <a href="http://www.wetmusic.com.br" target="new">www.wetmusic.com.br</a> Frontiers Records and Now & Then Records inform that the Millenium best of album (featuring several unreleased tracks from the Jorn Lande and Todd Plant era) has been delayed until late August 2004 because of conflicting schedules. More info shall be available soon. The new issue of Melodic Rock Fanzine, the bi-monthly magazine for all the melodic rock fans, is ready to be released... 24 colour pages featuring interviews, reviews, previews and trivia... completely free! The third release of the Frontiers Records successful magazine is available for free all over the world through record shops, mail orders and every fine dealer carrying the Frontiers Records releases. This new issue includes reviews and interviews of House Of Lords, Madmen & Sinners, Crossfade, Jorn, TNT, Eclipse, Evil Masquerade, Empty Tremor, Tesla and much more! Here are the previews of the two Melodic Rock Fanzine covers.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/frontiersmagazine-2.jpg" width="285" /></div> The great Italian melodic rock band Green has uploaded to their official site <a href="http://www.thegreen.it" target="new">www.thegreen.it</a>, the video clip of the single I Still Love... , the song from their debut album Life released on Frontiers Records in may 2003. The video can also be downloaded through the Rock Hard Italia website <a href="http://www.eutk.net" target="new">www.eutk.net</a>. Here you can also see some frames from the video.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="234" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/green-clips.jpg" width="292" /></div> Jeff Scott Soto and band are hitting the UK in May! The dates are: - Monday 3rd May The Limelight Club, Hightown, Crewe 01270 251929 for tickets Plus Support - Bob Catley & Vince O'Regan (Acoustic Set) £10.00 - Thursday 6th May The World's Worst Kept Secret Gig - Sneak Preview of Forthcoming Queen Fan Club Gig The Cavern ,Mathew Street, Liverpool +44 (0)151 236 1965 noon - 9.00pm £5.00 - Saturday 8th May The Official International Queen Fan Club Convention Prestatyn, Wales (to attend please you must book for the whole event) - Tuesday 11th May The Boardwalk, Snigg Hill, Sheffield 0870 145 1207 (24HR) 0114 276 7093 (Local) (Plus support) £8.00 - Wednesday 12th May The Roadhouse Music Venue Wharfside Complex, Lifford Lane, Stirchley, Birmingham 0121 624 2920 £6.00 (Members £4.00) - Thursday 13th May The Camden Underworld 174 Camden High Street London nw1 0ne T 020 7482 1932 F 020 7482 1955 £8.50 - Saturday 15th May 'Stripes' Brentford FC, Braemar Road, Brentford, TW8 0NT Plus Support - THE BONE IDOLS £10.00 If you have difficulty getting tickets please mail to: <a href="mailto:hillock.studios@clara.co.uk">hillock.studios@clara.co.uk</a> M3 SPILT WITH TONY MARTIN OFFICIAL: The official press release confirming Tony Martin's departure from M3 has been released: "M3 have parted company with lead singer Tony Martin, following the completion of their Russian mini-tour. Bernie Marsden, guitarist and driving force behind the band states, "Tony completed one year with the band and we all agreed it was time to part company. Tony brought a unique style and twist to the old Whitesnake songs but the whole format of M3 is based around a solid core, with the ability to mix and match complimentary musicians for the other parts. It's time for us to adopt another singer to breath new life into these songs. We want M3 to stay fresh and energised. We all want to wish Tony the best of luck, both with the 'Whole Lotta Metal' tour and any other projects he has lined up. We've been talking to possible replacements and will make an announcement very soon". Later this year M3 will release Volume 2 of the acclaimed 'Classic Snake Live' CDs, also offering the product as a paid for live download. Volume 2 will contain some surprises and will be a worthy addition to Volume 1." To add to that, the band are not looking for singers to send in audition tapes. I quote a source: "The band have had a number of offers since Tony's departure became public and they do not wish to receive any more offers or demos from interested parties for a position that does not exist. A new album of material is due later this year and the band are working hard on new original material to present to their fans". PERRIS RECORDS ANNOUNCES CURRENT TITLES: Perris Records is very proud to announce the signing of Canada's own Stampede Queen. Stampede Queen will release A Night At The Cockfights on May 11th, 2004. Stampede Queen was featured on the 2002 compilation Hollywood Hairspray with the track Woman In A Fast Car on Perris Records. "A Night At The Cockfights" features 14 tracks of in your face, hard driving rock 'n' roll in the vein of AC/DC, KISS, Junkyard & Guns 'N' Roses. The first single will be "Never Turn Your Back On Rock 'N' Roll" and the video will be featured on Perris Records first ever DVD Release "Hollywood Hairspray - The DVD" coming this summer. Perris is also proud to announce the signing of Machinegun Kelly from Sweden. Machinegun Kelly is releasing White Line Offsides. The band is fronted by none other than Andy Pierce of Nasty Idols fame. White Line Offsides was originally released in 1995 in Sweden and it is now being released here in the U.S. fully remastered and with new artwork done by Andy himself. "White Line Offsides" will be released on April 27th, 2004. Machinegun Kelly takes the Nasty Idols to the next sleazy level. You don't want to miss this one!! Coming soon news on Hollywood Hairspray III & Hollywood Hairspray - The DVD. Go to <a href="http://www.perrisrecords.com" target="new">www.perrisrecords.com</a> for more info. AYREON LOCKS IN ON THE HUMAN EQUATION: Dutch musical mastermind Arjen Anthony Lucassen (aka Ayreon) is releasing his most ambitious release to date on May 25th through Inside Out Music America, a 2-CD rock opera entitled The Human Equation. As with all previous Ayreon releases (and his highly successful Star One project), Lucassen hand-picked a vibrant roster of vocal & instrumental talent to bring his new vision to life. Spotlighted on The Human Equation include legendary Dream Theater frontman James LaBrie, Strapping Young Lad madman Devin Townsend, Opeth's golden-throated Mikael Akerfeldt, and the influential Uriah Heep keyboardist Ken Hensley. An enticing video trailer for 'The Human Equation' is available for download here: <a href="http://www.arjenlucassen.com/media/wmv/the_human_equation_trailer.wmv" target="new">www.arjenlucassen.com/media/wmv/the_human_equation_trailer.wmv</a> SITE UPDATE: Just a few press releases online tonight, just to remind you I am alive and well (but no longer resembling anything close to sane). It's possible it could be close to business as usual from Monday next week. The house has been stripped of carpet, the place finished drying out today and new carpet begins to be laid tomorrow. Subsequent repairs and the big clean up can begin once that's completed. Thanks to everyone that's mailed in - I'll get to those e-mails and everything else ASAP!  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#574726" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#574726"> <div align="center">Friday, April 23, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> HERE IS GENE'S ASSHOLE: Details have been released for Gene Simmons' solo album Asshole. I hear that Gene will hold Asshole parties, only inviting those he feels are real assholes! Just something I heard! The album's track listing is: Sweet And Disty Love . Firestarter . Weapons . Waiting For The Morning Light . Beautiful . Asshole . Now That You're Gone . Whatever Turns You On . Dog . Black Tongue . Carnival Of Souls . If I Had A Gun . I Dream 1,000 Dreams. I hear the Japanese version will feature 2 bonus tracks - Everybody Knows & You're My Reason For Living.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/genesimmons-asshole.jpg" width="222" /></div> MELODIC BRIEF'S: Tony Martin has left M3. The Moody/Marsden formed Whitesnake tribute act will now need another lead singer - number 4 I believe. <a href="http://www.van-halen.com" target="new">Van-Halen.com</a> has been updated with a new look and a new Press photo of the re-united band. Wet Music are a new Brazilian rock label, who have licensed Richie Kotzen and Pride of Lions from Frontiers as their first releases. Check them out at: <a href="http://www.wetmusic.com.br" target="new">www.wetmusic.com.br</a> NEW REVIEWS: Slow news day...well, at least you have some <a href="reviews/reviews.html">new Reviews</a> to read! Online now are new reviews of: Over The Edge, Impellittteri, Hugo, Lionsheart and Altaria. Additionally, you can add your own reviews for the Hugo and Impellitteri releases via the updated <a href="reviews/featurereview.html">Feature Review</a> page.  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#000000" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#000000"> <div align="center">Thursday, April 22, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> STAN BUSH SHINES IN JUNE: Frontiers Records is pleased to announce the signing of Stan Bush for the worldwide release of his brand new album Shine on June 23. Stan has been recording and writing the songs for this new album in the past few months, together with producer/co-writer Curt Cuomo and then he added Rob Jacobs, a world class engineer (Eagles, Don Henley, U2, Alanis Morisette), to record the album in Curt's state-of-the-art SSL studios.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/stanbush-2004.jpg" width="294" /></div> The musicians featured on Shine are the cream of the crop of the melodic rock world including guitar player Tim Pierce (Rick Springfield, Rod Stewart, Phil Collins, Bon Jovi, Celine Dion, Joe Cocker, Goo Goo Dolls etc.), bass player Matt Bissonette (Rick Springfield, David Lee Roth, Gino Vannelli, Steve Perry, Peter Frampton, Joe Satriani etc.), Curt Cuomo on keyboards (Eddie Money, Robin McAuley) and drummer Kenny Aronoff (Lynyrd Skynyrd, Tony Iommi, Celine Dion, Amanda Marshall, Richie Sambora, Rod Stewart, Rolling Stones, Meatloaf, Jon Bon Jovi etc.), with former Boston, King Of Hearts and Airplay singer Tommy Funderburk helping out on background vocals. "Curt Cuomo and I decided we wanted to write a great rock album with fun, upbeat songs and killer ballads", says Bush, "the songs have really positive lyrics about love and 'going for it' in life". Stan adds "My career as an artist has been very good. I've had the chance to work with some of the best people in music - Jonathan Cain from Journey and Jim Vallance (Bryan Adams), as well as singing tons of commercials, movies and television (including the 1996 Olympics theme). I've also sang on many records, toured in Europe and Japan and here in the States, even won an Emmy! I've released nine solo albums. But this is the album I've always wanted to make!" Shine will include the following -- tracks <a href="http://www.frontiers.it/Bush-Shine.mp3">Shine</a> (click to hear a one minute MP3 sample!); <a href="http://www.frontiers.it/Bush-Falling.mp3">Falling</a> (click to hear a one minute MP3 sample!); I Will Be There; I Turn To You; What You Mean Tonight; Say It Ain t Love; Have You Ever Believed; Do It All Over; The Chance You Take; When I Dream. The album will also feature a multimedia bonus the video of the song Falling plus a Stan Bush video interview. The Japanese release will happen on Nippon Crown Records in early July 04.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="207" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/stanbush-shine.jpg" width="200" /></div> THE FACE OF JUPITER'S DARLING: The artwork has been revealed for Heart's new album Jupiter's Darling. Check it out below. The UK release date is June 7 (via Eagle Rock) and the US date is June 22 (via Sovereign Artists). METAL CHURCH TO HEADLINE BW&BK 6-PACK WEEKEND: It took a while to locate the band, who were in the process of recording a new album. Then they had to sort out plans for overseas, but BW&BK is proud to finally announce that Metal Church will headline the second annual BW&BK 6-Pack Weekend. In preparation for the release of a new album, Metal Church will mark their return to the live stage with an EXCLUSIVE appearance at the BW&BK 6-Pack Weekend, June 2-5, 2004, in Cleveland, Ohio. Be the first to see/hear the new material, as well as all the Metal Church classics. Mainstay/guitarist Kurdt Vanderhoof is excited, "I told Kirk (Arrington, drums) the other day, 'We've probably got the best line-up we've ever had and no one knows about it. We're going to change that!" Fast becoming the North American festival to attend, the line-up features the best in many styles of metal Traditional, death, thrash, power and doom, from the stars of today, yesterday and tomorrow! Tickets are available through TicketMaster, The Odeon box office, the Brave Words website and select music stores in the Cleveland metro area. The BW&BK 6-Pack Weekend takes place June 2-5 (including warm-up shows on Wednesday & Thursday, separate admission required) at The Odeon, in Cleveland, Ohio, with performances (many EXCLUSIVE to this event) by Katatonia, Primal Fear, Grave Digger, Dismember, Flotsam & Jetsam, Doro, Shok Paris, Brainstorm, E-Force, Seven Witches, Shadowkeep, Dreams Of Damnation, Ion Vein and Lilitu. See <a href="http://www.BraveWords.com/6pack/" target="new">www.BraveWords.com/6pack/</a> to order, for updates and discounted hotel info. ZENO TALKS NEW ALBUM AND THOSE RE-ISSUES: Zeno Roth has updated fans on the upcoming re-issues of his Zeno back-catalogue. But at the same time, these re-issues have again been postponed from their Japanese release date. No new date has yet been assigned. Zeno's message reads: "When I "broke up" the first Zeno in 1989, I did not anticipate that I would still be active in the music field in the new millennium. However, here we are, soon all three previous Zeno albums will be re-released in a dramatically enhanced way, along with an eagerly anticipated new release (Zenology II). In addition to that, my next "official" studio album will come out soon after those releases. I have been working on this album for quite some time now, and it is of great importance to me. (A newsletter with more details will be sent out soon). Let me also take this opportunity to express my apologies to all those, who have asked or enquired about how to obtain earlier Zeno albums, especially the first one (s/t), which has been unavailable for quite a time. I do hope that the news of these releases compensates for the disappointment of not receiving news earlier. Thank you for preserving the Zeno spirit over all these years, which I truly appreciate. I know that the "gap" between releases sometimes looks (and feels) extremely long, however, I do feel that Art (and this is what I hope I am creating) should not be subjected to time considerations of any sort. Regarding the launch of the new website (and other future projects), things will start to happen fairly soon. However, please retain some patience, as we are very busy at the moment." WebLink: <a href="http://www.zenoroth.com/news.htm" target="new">www.zenoroth.com/news.htm</a> WHITESNAKE'S LIVE ALBUM IS MEGA-BOLLOCKSY!: This item is from <a href="http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=21628" target="new">Blabbermouth</a>: Whitesnake frontman David Coverdale is currently compiling material for a two-disc live album recorded on the group's recent American and European tours. "I am assembling the live album from over 60 shows," Coverdale said. "It is taking FOREVER!!! But, it is extraordinarily consistent stuff, I'm delighted to say, and I am very pleased. I will be adding songs that we didn't play in Europe, and songs we didn't play in the States. It's shaping up grand, and mega-bollocksy, thank you very much. It seems it will feature at least 14 songs. I will probably start mixing in about a month. I hope to have it out (ahem) around the time I start touring Europe in August." Adding to that, there is a Whitesnake petition running, set up by fans from Portugal, eager to have the band tour there when they next hit the road. To add to the petition, go to: <a href="http://www.petitiononline.com/WSnakePT/petition.html" target="new">www.petitiononline.com/WSnakePT/petition.html</a> LIVE LIVE LIVE - GARY MOON'S MOJO RE-UNION: Gary Moon fans - a last minute gig has been announced in Conneticut - and he's joining Kelly Keagy and Brad Gillis! Last minute gig on Friday, April 23! Gary will be replacing Billy Childs from Britny Fox at the Metal Health Benefit in Hartford CT. Proceeds donated to the Connecticut Children's Medical Center. Gary will be teaming up with his ol' Night Ranger buddies, Brad Gillis and Kelly Keagy for a 45 minute set. Tickets $10 in advance - $15 at the door. Also appearing U.P.O. Splitshift Doubledrive (Acoustic) Ethic, Shiner. Venue Up or On the Rocks 50 Union Place Hartford, CT 06103 Phone (860) 247-6257. LIVE LIVE LIVE - KEE MARCELLO IN THE UK: Kee Marcello is playing Thursday, May 27, 2004 at the Underworld Camden, London. Andy mailed the info in with a comment that the gig has not been promoted very well at all. I have to agree, it's the first I have heard of any Kee live dates, so UK fans - you have been warned! For more info visit: <a href="http://www.theunderworldcamden.co.uk/index.asp" target="new">www.theunderworldcamden.co.uk/index.asp</a> LIVE LIVE LIVE - MIKE TRAMPS ACROSS AUSTRALIA: Mike Tramp is about to hit Australia with a fresh round of live dates. Those dates are: MELBOURNE – The HiFi Bar – Thursday 29 April, 2004 GEELONG – Barwon Club 30 April, 2004 ADELAIDE – Enigma Bar – Sunday 2 May, 2004 CANBERRA – The Green Room - Saturday 8 May, 2004 SYDNEY – Caringbah Bizzo's - Sunday 9 May, 2004 TICKET INFORMATION: Melbourne: Available in advance from Gaslight Records and the HiFi Bar Geelong: Available at the door Adelaide: Available from Enigma Bar in advance and at the door (discount available for advance purchasers) Canberra: Available at the door Sydney: Available from Bizzo's, Guitar Zone, Code Orange Miranda and Jolly Rogers Cronulla. LIVE LIVE LIVE - BRIDES OF DESTRUCTION IN THE USA: Brides Of Destruction are hitting the road. Their US tour dates are as follows: 05/01 West Springfield, VA Jaxx 05/02 Norfolk, VA The Norva 05/03 Baltimore, MD Thunderdome 05/05 New York, NY CBGB 05/06 Boston Paradise Rock Club 05/07 Hartford, CT Webster Theater 05/08 Sayreville, NJ Starland Ballroom 05/09 Philadelphia, PA Trocadero 05/11 Toronto, CANADA The Opera House 05/12 Pittsburgh, PA Mr. Small's Theater 05/13 Cleveland, OH The Odeon 05/14 Detroit, MI Majestic Theater 05/15 Chicago, IL The Metro 05/17 Milwaukee, WI Rave 05/18 Minneapolis, MN Fine Line 05/20 Denver, CO Ogden Theatre 05/21 Salt Lake City, UT In the Venue (formerly Bricks) 05/22 Sparks, NV New Oasis ArtistLink: <a href="http://www.bridesofdestruction.com" target="new">www.bridesofdestruction.com</a> DANGER DANGER - LIVE WITH TED, NUDE WITH PAUL: Bud Mitch Lafon caught up with Danger Danger's Steve West for a breif chat about the future with Ted Poley and that up and coming farewell live album featuring Paul Laine. - In 1993, Danger Danger spilt acrimoniously with frontman Ted Poley and replaced him for the next eleven years with Paul Laine, but a couple of weeks ago the band shocked the world by announcing that their long time nemesis would be returning to the fold. BW&BK caught up with drummer Steve West to find out more about this water and oil reunion. "We saw Ted at a Kiss convention about two years ago," recalls West of the chance meeting that helped pave the way to the reunion, "and there was still a lot of bad blood, but he came over and apologized. Then he reached out to Bruno via e-mail and we all started talking, which was nice. He mentioned that if we ever wanted to work together again he was up for it, but we didn't think too much about it 'cause we were happy with Paul." As the years slid by, it was obvious that Paul wanted to move in a different direction and continued fans' demand for Ted's return helped convince the band that the time was right for the singer's comeback. Is the drum-man concerned about working with Poley? "I don't think it'll be awkward," he opines. "We'll just pick up where we left off, laugh a lot and talk about things. I'm really looking forward to getting into a room with him and playing the songs. It's not going to be a weird thing." With the pieces of the playing live puzzle in place will this also mark a return for Poley, West and Ravel into the studio? "Not necessarily," cautions West. "The main purpose of us getting together is to go out and play the songs people want to hear. We have no thoughts of writing any new stuff or doing any Danger Danger records, but we'll see how things go." When pressed on the issue, he concedes that, "if we write new stuff, it'll be melodic and catchy. We're not going to change. Danger Danger is well written hard-rock pop and we'll stay within those parameters." While the band re-acclimatizes itself and looks to land on a summer package tour, fans can satisfy their craving for live Danger Danger with their new release, Live & Nude. The album is certain to confuse fans as West explains, "the live record is with Paul from the last tour. It's Paul final bow and it'll give fans a chance to hear how good he was. It'll be weird with Ted in the band now, but it's a great sounding record and hopefully the fans will pick it up." As for the immediate future, Steve reveals that, "we're thinking of doing a live DVD with Ted, but first we gotta do a few shows, get the machine working and ensure that we're happy with the way we're performing. The rock will continue and we'll try to spread the word to a new younger generation." In closing he adds, "we're very excited about this and when you guys hear it like you heard it back in the day hopefully we'll make an impression and bring back some memories. So please spread the word that Ted's back and we're going to be playing." To pre-order the new live CD or for current tour dates visit: <a href="http://www.dangerdanger.com" target="new">www.dangerdanger.com</a> TOR TALLE WORKS WITH TONY MILLS AND PETER SUNDELL: Tor Talle checked in from the studio..."Tony Mills (of Shy and Siam) has just finished the vocals on When I Close My Eyes, and he is in the studio as we speak working on Where There's Still Time, and I can tell you it sounds AMAZING! I can promise you that you have never heard Tony sing this cool, as he comes off sounding like a rough mix of Steve Perry and Tony Harnell. Peter Sundell (Grand Illusion) has also laid down some great tracks on I Will Follow You which I feel will be the radio hit on the album, and I can tell you Peter really sings his heart out this time. His performance is very cool, melodic and just overall great! I've got more great singers in store for my AOR project, and I'll send you more information on that soon. My new website will also be up and running in the near future with soundbytes, pictures, news etc..." SLAVEMACHINE SIGN TO REALITY ENTERTAINMENT: Forest Hills, CA. – California based record label, Reality Entertainment, has just signed North Carolina based Metal band Slavemachine to a two album deal which will see their 2003 album Disfigured Consciousness re-released internationally throughout major markets and distributors in August. Reality Entertainment's current roster boasts the talents of former major label stalwarts Godhead, Krokus, Warrior, Marcy Playground, and more. Although Slavemachine's line-up has changed considerably since the initial release of the album last summer, the band's singer, Ryan Taylor, has high praises for his new band mates and their new label. "Reality Entertainment offered us exactly what we were looking for", Ryan says. "It's a shame that the offer came as the previous members were heading out to do their own things, but the new lineup holds true to what we've been doing the past 4 and a half years. There is a renewed dedication, intensity, and excitement in the new band, and I think it will show when we all hit the stage." Slavemachine has also welcomed back into the fold their former manager and Artist Relations/P.R. guru Craig Stegall of B2 Management & Artist Development. Ryan explains that Stegall's departure from the camp in November of 2003 was a mutual decision, but one that he knew would not be permanent. "Craig thought he managed to get away from this beast", Ryan laughs, "but I knew when the offer hit the table, he was the guy to seal the deal. He left late last year to pursue his love of producing, but I had to call him up and pull him back in", Taylor says. "It's wasn't too hard. It made sense. We had always been good friends, and he was the one who made the contact with Reality in the first place. It was the full circle, and the only way it should go down." Stegall himself admits, "I missed working with Ryan because we always saw things in the same way, it was the perfect working relationship, plus we were very close as friends. I thought I could make an easy transition over to producing music and it would be a clean break from the hustle and bustle of managing and promoting bands, but I couldn't. It's in my blood and when Ryan called to ask me if I'd consider handling the structure and completion of the record deal for him, I knew what he was really trying to say, and honestly, the feeling was mutual. I still had so much more that I wanted to do with the band and now I'll have the opportunity to do it on an international level. How could I say 'No'?" Stegall also does Artist Relations for Funny Money, a band made up of Steve Whiteman and Jimmy Chalfant formerly of Platinum Selling, Atlantic Recording Artists Kix. ArtistLink: <a href="http://www.slavemachine.com" target="new">www.slavemachine.com</a> FATAL SMILE ARE NEO NATURAL FREAKS: Fatal Smile - Neo Natural Freak's?!?! The Fatals are entering the studio to record their upcoming album Neo Natural Freak´s. The producer is once again HP Camper aka Jonas Östman (Yngwie Malmsteen) and the album will be mixed by Stefan Glaumann (Rammstein, Backyard Babies etc.) The album will be recorded in studio Gig and Soundtrade studio in Stockholm. No date is set for the realese yet, but in the late summer / early fall the album should be available. The songs featured on the album are as follows: II Learn II Love II Hate . Bleeding Kiss . (C'mon, C'mon) Common People . ColorBlind . Crush & Burn . Dead Man Walking . Eleventh Hour . Neo-Natural Freak . Practice What You Preach . Quiet Chaos . The Inner Voice. Keep an eye on Fatal Smile's official site <a href="http://www.fatalsmile.nu" target="new">www.fatalsmile.nu</a> for more information.  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#ff0000" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#ff0000"> <div align="center">Tuesday, April 20, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> PREVIEW TIME - ADRIANGALE & JETTISON EDDY: A couple of full length MP3 downloads for you music hungry fans today. I am very pleased to be able to bring you an exclusive preview of the new Adriangale album Crunch! I've heard two tracks from the album thus far and can happily report that it sounds like the band are right on top of their game. Crunch will be released in a couple of weeks and is the premier of new guitar slinger Scott Miller. Pre-orders are taking place at <a href="http://www.kivelrecords.com" target="new">Kivel Records</a> right now. But for now - check it out! Download track 3 from the album - Adriangale - <a href="audio/Adriangale-Faith.mp3">Faith</a>.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/adriangale-crunch-full.jpg" width="400" /></div> Also online today is a full length sample of the recently re-released album from Jettison Eddy. JE are a US based modern melodic rock band with a good knack of writing melodic and catchy songs, but wrapped in a modern style that wouldn't sound at all out of place on any given FM radio playlist. Comparisons can be made to Matchbox Twenty, Three Doors Down and the like. The album's crisp and clear sound can be attributed to famed producer Keith Olsen. The album has been around for a while now, but has been picked up by Nuerra Records for a wider release. Download: Jettison Eddy - <a href="audio/JettisonEddy-LongBreak.mp3">Long Break</a>.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="203" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/jettisoneddy-trippinontime.jpg" width="200" /></div> KISS GET IN YOUR FACE IN AUSTRALIA: Kiss have announced three very special theatre shows in Australia, known as KISS - IN YOUR FACE... * May 15 - Palais Theatre, Melbourne * May 18 - Hordern Pavillion, Sydney * May 22 - Brisbane Convention Centre, Brisbane Tickets for these shows are available by invitation only, normally to only those who already purchased a ticket to a existing Australia show. Kissonline has made arrangement to extend the exclusive invite to all KISSONLINE members. The shows go on sale on Thurs 22 April. Get your invitation at: <a href="http://www.kissonline.com/tickets/2004austinvite.jpg" target="new">www.kissonline.com/tickets/2004austinvite.jpg</a> Speaking of Kiss, the Kiss tribute album Spin The Bottle is out April 27. Soundbytes are online in the <a href="minibytes.html">Mini-Bytes</a> area.   <div align="center"><a href="http://www.kochentertainment.com/kiss_tribute.htm" target="new"><img alt="" border="0" src="/files-archive/news/KissTributeBanner.gif" /></a></div> FATE CONFIRM GIG LINE-UP: Fate have announced their line-up for the reunion show at the Deep Impact open air festival in Munich in July. Sørren Hoff - guitarist, Claus Lindy - drums, Peter Steincke - bass, Finn Zieler - keybords (guest musician from Beyond Twlight), Per Johanson - vocals. Drummer Bjarne Holm is unfortunely busy with other festivals. Tickets are available @ <a href="http://www.musicbuymail.com" target="new">musicbuymail.com</a> TNT'S TONY ON AIR: TNT vocalist Tony Harnell will be a special guest of The Classic Metal Show this Saturday, April 24th at 9pm EST. Listeners worldwide can tune in at <a href="http://www.theclassicmetalshow.com" target="new">www.theclassicmetalshow.com</a>. Tony will be talking extensively about the new TNT album My Religion, Westworld, Morning Wood and anything else that could come up. Fans are invited to e-mail questions into the show at <a href="mailto:request@theclassicmetalshow.com">request@theclassicmetalshow.com</a>, and we'll get as many answered as we can. SOPHIE B HAWKINS FIGHTS FOR HER RIGHTS: More from pop rocker Sophie B Hawkins. Check out her new video for Beautiful Girl at: <a href="http://sophiebhawkins.com/bg_video.htm" target="new">sophiebhawkins.com/bg_video.htm</a> And Sophie's been in the news for other reasons. Here's part of a recent press blurb: In taking control of her career, Sophie B Hawkins is prepared to take on not only the music industry, but also the people who are corrupting it. When her lawyers cease and desist letters had no effect, Sophie decided to take the case in her own hands by filing in Santa Monica small claims court. The singer, songwriter and musician is headed to court this Tuesday (April 13) to get back the $300 she paid to retrieve an advance copy of her Wilderness CD that was put up on an Internet auction five months ahead of its release. "I am hoping to send the message that as a songwriter you need to take action every time a CD is illegally sold," Hawkins said. "It is not about the money, it's about the principle and putting a message out there. My fan paid $300.00 for this record and I am going to get his money back and buy him a copy of my CD and send it to him. I appreciate the fans; they shouldn't be ripped off, and neither should I." HAIR ALERT FOR ZACH MARTIN: New York -- Q104.3's producer/air-personality Zach Martin will lend his expertise to Sirius Satellite's Hair Nation beginning tomorrow Thursday, April 15, from 12:00 midnight to 3:00AM EST. Says Martin, "Hair Nation is a tribute to the terrific and gravity-defying bands of the wonderful era known as the '80s, including Poison, Motley Crue, Whitesnake, and Dokken. Let's face it; you won't hear this on mainstream radio and you'll only see it on VH1 Classic." Martin, who also serves as producer for the legendary radio-personality Scott Muni (whose seen his own fair share of hair attacks), has actually interviewed quite a few of them for Muni's show. "Carmine Appice from Blue Murder, whose played and toured with Rod Stewart and Ozzy, can recite chapter and verse ... because he was there. Many of these bands are still active, touring and better than ever." Martin, whose radio career includes stints at some of the legendary hair stations, like, WZZQ in Terre Haute; KAZY in Denver; and 98 Rock in Baltimore sees the audience growing in double digits. "This is a great thing Sirius is providing ... because the audience that was there ... still is and developing like never before. The new listeners have never heard these bands before and are just as transfixed as we all were when we first saw them!" Martin continues his own Saturday evening show at Q104.3 and Sundays at WMMR. UPDATES: The interactive <a href="reviews/featurereview.html">Feature Reviews</a> area has been updated. Please feel free to add your own reviews of the following albums - Aerosmith / Honkin' On Bobo, Mike Reno / Renovation, Tim Donahue / Saints & Sinners, Crossfade / White On Blue and Panik / A Page Torn. Go to it - <a href="reviews/featurereview.html">Feature Reviews</a>. <a href="minibytes.html">Mini-Bytes</a> have been updated once again, with new clips now online from LA Guns - Rips The Covers Off and an interesting independant UK release paying tribute to The Police & Sting. <a href="minibytes.html">Check them out.</a> <a href="#cdshowcase">CD Showcases</a> has been updated again with another two feature albums. Online today are two Ulftone releases - 20th Century Boys (featuring Michael Bormann and Michael Voss) and Skew Sisken's Album Of The Year - which was released last November, but is worthy of checking out if you haven't already and have a taste for modern hard rock. <a href="#cdshowcase">CD Showcases</a>  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#ff8000" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#ff8000"> <div align="center">Monday, April 19, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> UFO CANCELS US TOUR: Yes it's true, UFO have cancelled their US tour - on the very eve of the scheduled dates. But it's not a line-up problem that caused the cancellation, rather US authorities not granting the band work visas. A statement from Vinny Moore was posted at the UFO website: <a href="http://www.ufo-mistygreenandblue.co.uk/UFO/latest.html" target="new">www.ufo-mistygreenandblue.co.uk/UFO/latest.html</a>. It reads: "WOW..........this totally sucks man. HELLO.......2 to 12 weeks?? We have a tour people....come on?? Is this another FBI UFO cover-up? We are not little green men. We only want to ROCK. All joking aside, we here in the UFO camp are all seriously stunned. Management, band members, booking agent, and tour manager have all been communicating by telephone and there have been many conversations with very little words spoken and haunting silence. We just don't know what to say. We were all geared up to leave for the tour this coming Monday. We are SPEECHLESS! What makes it really bad for us is that we don't want to disappoint the fans. These shows were selling really well and everything looked great! The fans have been so supportive of this band and we just don't want to let anyone down. Fuck!!!! This is not what this band needed to happen to us right now. We have a lot of momentum and had planned on keeping things rolling full speed ahead. Unfortunately, as we all know, UFO has a history of cancelling tours. It doesn't matter who has been responsible or why, this negative stigma is unfortunately attached to the band. We all have been really aware of this and the new line-up has been really focused on giving our best effort to change this perception. We knew that if we went out there and toured like crazy we could create a positive feeling and gain confidence from the booking agents, club owners, and most importantly - the fans. Now this???? I am trying to look at the bright side which is that this is only temporary. Unfortunately though, many people are going to be adversely affected and I hope that everyone is somewhat understanding and doesn't hold the band responsible. The last thing we wanted to do was to leave a bad taste in the mouths of the club owners, promoters, booking agents....etc. Also, we have hired a crew who put this time aside to be working with us and now don't have a job. A bus was reserved; a travel agency was hired to make travel arrangements; both international and domestic flights were booked; new gear was purchased....on and on and on. The band and management has lost thousands of dollars but so what. The most important thing to us is the fans. We don't want anyone to lose faith in us. I don't really know what else to say other than 9-1-1 has really changed things. It is a different world we live in right now. It kinda sucks that a singer in a rock band has to be looked at as a potential terrorist, but if this is the way it has to be, then so be it! I hope that we will see you all later in the year when we eventually do tour in the US. I am so sorry to all of you who have bought tickets that this has happened. Please believe in us and know that WE WILL BE BACK. shaken but not stirred, Vinnie" Here is an update from management: Dear fans and friends in the United States of America Warning! The following message only contains bad news… Today, the U.S. Embassy in London refused Phil Mogg, UFO's lead singer, a Work Permit Visa. As you may know, without a Work Permit Visa, no non-American is able to work (i.e. performing a commercial concert) in the United States. This seriously impacts our upcoming U. S. tour (April 22 through May 16, 2004) The band members all applied for their Work Permits (as usual) several weeks before the U. S. tour was to begin. Their Work Permits were approved and ISSUED on March 9, 2004 by the Bureau Of Citizenship and Immigration Services, located in the United States. Due to the new immigration and Work Permit laws, it is now also necessary for the applicant to attend a personal interview, in his home country, at the U.S. Embassy. During Phil's interview, today, in London, England, his name turned up in the government computer. The comment was that 'at some time in the past' his finger prints were taken while in the USA. When, where and why was not disclosed. It is true, Phil's finger prints were taken in the USA 24 years ago (!!) in Buffalo, New York. The Immigration Authority did not think, at that time, his Visa was adequate so this fingerprinting occurred. His Visa was then reissued, straight away, and everything was in order. During the intervening 24 years, Phil has returned to the USA 12 times on Work and Visitors Visas. Unfortunately, the only thing that matters now is that finger prints were taken. Under current immigration law, whether impacted by the war or not, a person having been finger printed promptly ceases the Visa clearance process. Finger prints now have to be retaken from Phil. They are sent to the FBI and, according to the information we have been given, only when the FBI gives their approval, will it be possible for Phil to acquire a Work Permit Visa. This procedure, the Embassy advises, can take from 2 to 12 weeks. The band is, therefore, forced to postpone its tour until this matter is resolved. The new dates are currently being scheduled and announced shortly. Stay tuned. We all respect that the United States must protect itself. We will, of course, cooperate. We are, however, puzzled and very perplexed at this unhappy last minute surprise. We hope, with all our hearts, that you will understand and join with us in the rescheduling process. Sincerely, Peter Knorn (UFO management). A BASTARD OF A DVD FROM STEPHEN PEARCY: Live in Las Vegas, NV in February 2004. This is a great show featuring Stephen Pearcy and his Rat Bastard's performing 17 songs, including a couple of acoustic tunes. This is by far the best quality DVD we have to offer. Great picture, sound and multi camera shots. This DVD is now available! For the first 200 orders OR until Saturday 4-24-04 (whichever comes first) we will randomly put a certificate good for one (1) PAIR of Stephen Pearcy's personal guest VIP passes. These will be good for his upcoming 2004 Bastards of Metal tour. 10 pair in 200 copies that's a 1 in 20 chance of winning. Track listing: Wanted Man . I'm Insane . Freak . Ya Talkin To Me . You Think You're Tough . Lack of Communication . Lay It Down . You're In Love . Lovin You is a Dirty Job . Back for More . Slip of the Lip . In Like Pink . - Acoustic - Heartbreak Hotel . Walkin The Dog . - Pluged Back In - Way Cool Jr. . You've Got Another Thing Comin . Round and Round. To order visit <a href="http://www.stephen-pearcy.com" target="new">www.stephen-pearcy.com</a> SYKES IN JAPAN: John Sykes is in Japan playing some solo live shows with his band, which includes drummer Tommy Aldridge. The set list from one of these just completed shows in Osaka was: We All Fall Down . Cautionary Warning . Billy . Bad Boys . Cold Sweat . Crying In The Rain ~ Tommy Aldridge Drum Solo . Jelly Roll . She Knows . Defcon 1 . I Don't Wanna Live My Life Like You . Is This Love . Still Of The Night . -encore- Please Don't Leave Me . Look In His Eyes . Thunder And Lightning. Thanks Russ for passing on the details. DURAN DURAN IN THE UK: And Duran Duran are back in the UK headlining their own shows. Site regular Paul saw their Manchester show and sent in this set list: Sunrise . Hungry Like The Wolf . Is There Something I Should Know . Union Of The Snake . Come Undone . View To A Kill . What Happens Tomorrow . New Religion . Planet Earth . I Don't Want Your Love . Tiger Tiger . The Chauffeur . Beautiful Colours . Ordinary World . Save A Prayer . Notorious . Reflex . Careless Memories . Wild Boys . Encore: White Lines . Girls On Film . Rio. AND ASIA IN AMERICA: Asia are doing a few live dates in the run up to the release of their new studio album. A recent set list for them was: The Heat Goes On . Days Like These . Awake . Military Man . Wherever You Are . Bad Asteroid . Who Will Stop The Rain? . Don't Cry . Downes Solo Electroglide Followed By An "Orchestral Version" Of Video Killed The Radio Star . Wildest Dreams (Downes And Payne Only) . Ready To Go Home . Sole Survivor . Free . Only Time Will Tell . Go . Heat Of The Moment (Encore). UPDATES - NEW MP3 PREVIEWS: A few updates just added to the site. There are new <a href="minibytes.html">Mini-Bytes</a> now online previewing albums from: Razorback, Johnnie Dee, two of the very tasty Talisman re-issues, new Black Label Society and classic Vandenberg. There are a few new <a href="#cdshowcase">CD Showcases</a> online as of today - The rock opera Genius (Episode 2) plus Daniele Liverani's solo instrumental album, the classic AOR re-issue from 707 (with unreleased bonus tracks), some inspiring metal from Finland's Altaria, and some melodic modern rock new comers Jettison Eddy. Click on the covers to check out the music and information.   <div align="center"><a href="showcase/genius-episode2.html"><img alt="Genius" border="0" height="125" src="/files-archive/news/genius-rockopera2125.jpg" width="125" /></a>xx<a href="showcase/altaria-divinity.html"><img alt="altaria - divinity" border="0" height="125" src="/files-archive/news/altaria-divinity125.jpg" width="125" /></a>xx<a href="showcase/jettisoneddy-trippinontime.html"><img alt="jettison eddy - trippin on time" border="0" height="125" src="/files-archive/news/jettisoneddy-trippinontime125.jpg" width="125" /></a> <a href="showcase/danieleliverani-dailytrauma.html"><img alt="daniele liverani - daily trauma" border="0" height="125" src="/files-archive/news/danieleliverani-dailytrauma125.jpg" width="125" /></a>xx<a href="showcase/707-megaforce.html"><img alt="707 - mega force" border="0" height="125" src="/files-archive/news/707-megaforce125.jpg" width="125" /></a></div> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#003d79" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#003d79"> <div align="center">Friday, April 16, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> DOKKEN'S HELL TO PAY SET TO ROCK: The artwork to Dokken's Hell To Pay album has been released, with the album still scheduled for release May 18 through Sanctuary Records. I caught up with Dokken guitarist John Levin this morning on the phone, for a quick update on the album. John is extremely happy with the result, as is Don apparently. He says Hell To Pay is much closer to what Dokken used to be and is heavier than the last album, with more guitar solos. The band have spent a full year on this album, writing and recording it. John says he and Don started writing in April last year and wrote 35 or 40 songs for consideration, of which 11 have made it to the final stage. A remix of one album track will be a bonus 12th cut on the release. The recording line-up on Hell To Pay is: Don Dokken, John Levin (guitar), Barry Sparks (bass) and Mick Brown (drums).   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/dokken-helltopay.jpg" width="200" /></div> PREVIEW ALTARIA'S DIVINITY: How about a special preview of the hot new up and coming metal release from Finland's Altaria. The quite excellent metal release will be released in Europe May 24 on AOR Heaven's Metal Heaven sublabel. Divinity is the second effort by the Finish melodic metal masters Altaria who are centered around Sonata Arctica guitarist Jani Liimatainen; the first to feature vocalist Taage Laiho (Kilpi, Therion). The track list will be as follows: Prophet Of Pestilence . Unchain The Rain . Darkened Highlight . Enemy . Falling Again . Divine . Haven . Try To Remember . Stain On The Switchblade . Discovery . Will To Live . Final Warning. Preview: Altaria - <a href="audio/Altaria01.mp3">Unchain The Rain</a>, <a href="audio/Altaria07.mp3">Falling Again</a> and <a href="audio/Altaria12.mp3">Final Warning</a> by clicking on the tracks.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/altaria-divinity.jpg" width="200" /></div> CHRIS CATENA FREAKS OUT WITH MORE PROJECTS AND A JAPANESE RELEASE: Chris Catena, the Italian rock singer who released the successful album Freak Out! starring great artists of the international rock such as Bruce Kulick, Eric Singer, Bernie Marsden, Micky Moody, Tony Franklin, Tommy Aldridge, Glenn Hughes, Jeff Scott Soto, Dave Meniketti, John Taylor, Stephen Ferrone, to name a few, is going to record a couple of songs for Matteo Filippini's Moonstone project. One of the ong called Fire Woman will features Ian Paice on drum and Tony Franklin on bass. Chris is even going to record the vocals for two other projects, the first is called Pavic and this is the project of the Serbian guitar hero Marko Pavic. It will be a Whitesnake meets Europe project. The second is the Prog Metal Opera "Neurastasia" from the band Shadrane featuring Chris Catena on vocals, Vivien Lalu on keyboards, Joop Wolters on guitars and Daniel Flores on drums plus great international guests. Regarding Freak Out!, Catena signed a deal with the famous Japanese label Nippon Crown which will release the album in Japan on July 22. Check out Chris' album <a href="showcase/chriscatena-freakout.html">right now</a>. GARY CHERONE WORKS ON NEW SOLO PROEJCT: Gary Cherone is busy recording his first solo album. Giving Tribe Of Judah a rest, Gary is calling the project Cherone and is recording an album that as usual won't conform to the norm. I'm told not to expect a rock record, but rather hints of soul/R&B. It was described to me as: "Enchanting and the music has a luxuriant vibe.... very mood oriented. The songs are well crafted and very mature. Lush Harmonies, stunning melodies and the trademark Cherone voice..." Sounds interesting, keep an eye out for further updates. RECORD FAIR TIME FOR SWISS METAL FANS: The 6th Annual Metal Record Fair is on again in Switzerland in May. The details are: Zofingen (approx. 40 km west of Zurich), Stadthalle (Weiherstrasse), 8th May 2004, Doors open 10am-4pm. Entrace fee: Swiss Francs 5 More info by e-mailing: <a href="mailto:smoresi@swissonline.ch">smoresi@swissonline.ch</a> This Record fair is for Hard Rock & Metal Fans only. No other stuff just Metal etc. Quite a few dealers who have a wide range of Melodic Rock CD/LP's for sale will be there. There is everything from LP's/CD's/DVD's/Videos/Books/T-Shirts/other memorabilia for sale. MELODIC BRIEFS: Statetrooper's website at: <a href="http://www.statetrooper.co.uk" target="new">statetrooper.co.uk</a> has just been updated with new MP3 samples from the forthcoming Trooper CD The Calling. A little more on Heart - their new the label, Sovereign Artists, is owned by none other than Tommy Funderburk! Thanks to Phil Ashcroft for the detective work! The Whole Lotta Metal tour has been announced, with dates now available at: <a href="http://www.wholelottametal.com">www.wholelottametal.com</a>. The touring line-up includes vocalists Tony Martin & Carl Sentance. UPDATES: A small update to the reviews page today, with new Reviews for Aerosmith, Mike Reno, Robin George and Tygers Of Pan Tang available to <a href="reviews/reviews.html">check out now</a>. A <a href="#cdshowcase">CD Showcase</a> has been uploaded featuring the new Paul Shortino / Jeff Northrup release Afterlife. A fine slice of melodic rock. Several other new showcases will be online Monday. <a href="mr-x/index.html">MR-X</a> has been updated with a few new rare MP3s from the likes of Warrant, Mitch Malloy, Beautiful Creatures, Jackyl, Dan Reed Network and Steve Overland. <a href="mr-x-intro.html">MR-X details</a>.  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#397171" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#397171"> <div align="center">Thursday, April 15, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> STEVE LUKATHER ADDS HIS VOCALS TALENT TO VAN HALEN'S COMEBACK: From Steve Lukather's website: <a href="http://www.stevelukather.net" target="new">www.stevelukather.net</a>: Recently the re-united rock icon Van Halen recorded three new tracks produced by Glen Ballard. Two tracks are scheduled for appearance on the Best of Volume 2, to be released later this year. Steve Lukather did some background vocals on the new Van Halen tracks. Luke "Yes I DID do some BG's on the new Van Halen stuff. Ed and Al are brothers from the 70's and I love those cats a lot! The new stuff is REALLY cool and sure to make VH fans rabid for more. It was cool they asked me. I think I am a good luck charm for them. Every VH record I have sung on entered the charts at #1! Too bad it doesn't work for me, hahaha." This post makes reference to two tracks being lined up for the best of, but we do know that the band have also recorded a third track. At this time the make up of the forthcoming compilation is not finalized - so let's hope there is indeed room for 3 enw tracks. HEART'S DARLING TRACK LISTING: More information on Heart's upcoming Jupiter's Darling release. The track listing for the album is: Make Me . Oldest Story In The World . Things . The Perfect Goodbye . Enough . Move On . I Need The Rain . I Give Up . Vainglorious . No Other Love . Led To One . Down The Nile . I'm Fine . Fallen Ones . Lost Angel . Hello Moonglow. And there is news of a release date for the UK. It seems the album will appear on Sovereign Artists June 22, an independent label, with two additional bonus tracks - How Deep It Goes and Fallen Ones (Unplugged). The line-up appearing on Jupiter's Darling is: Ann & Nancy Wilson, Gilby Clark and Craig Bartock (guitar), Mike Inez (bass), Ben Smith (drums), Darian Sahanaja (keys). SALES - JOURNEY'S DVD STILL GOING STRONG, TESLA ROCK PAST 60,000 UNITS: An update on the ever popular question of who sold what! There remains only one official tracker of sales and they report on US based sales only - and thanks to an industry contact, I can pass on news of how US released titles are fairing. As far as Japanese and European sales go - sorry folks, no one reports these numbers and labels are hesitant to offer any details. But I can report on US sales and the updates are: Journey - Greatest Hits DVD - 75,000 (now certified Platinum - Platinum for DVDs in the U.S. is 100,000 shipped, so since they have sold 75,000 and are still moving almost 2000 a week, the title will certainly pass 100,000 sold) Tesla - Into The Now - 68,242 Rick Springfield - Shock Denial Anger Acceptance - 16,697 Brides Of Destruction - Here Come The Brides - 25,338 Shortly I will launch a dedicated page for sales figures and will list classic and new titles with their units sold from US sales since 1991 when Soundscan was launched. AFM UPDATES - DORO AND MASTERPLAN: The Metal-Queen Doro has signed a deal with AFM Records. Doro is actually working on their first album for AFM. Their press release makes little sense, but from what I can decipher, the release will be a re-recorded best of compilation, with 3 new tracks arranged with the "Metal Classic Night Orchestra." The release is planned for the second half of this year. An EP will be released on August 9. Also from AFM, Masterplan are working on a follow-up to their acclaimed debut. The same line-up are at work with producer Roy Z in Los Angeles. A new EP is scheduled for October 2004 and the album will be release on beginning of 2005.  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#676734" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#676734"> <div align="center">Wednesday, April 14, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> MTM SIGN KICK AXE & GREENHOUZE: Two great new MTM Music signings - Kick Axe - During the 80s the Canadian hard rockers Kick Axe released 3 albums - Vices in 1984, Welcome To The Club in 1985 and Rock The World in 1996. Now, after many years, frontman and guitarist Larry Gillstrom decided to do another album - titled IV, which will be released on MTM Music. The direction of the song writing is similar to what the band was known for - brilliant rough hard rock. All their fans will think there was no break ever. A great come back! Greenhouze - With Greenhouze MTM signed a fantastic, very promising Norwegian melodic rock act. Their music style could be described as a mix of Red Rider, Dare and Dire Straits. The brilliant singer is Solli, who was vocalist in 21 Guns and Sons Of Angels. He also worked very briefly with Vagabond before joining ex-Iron Maiden guitarist Adrian Smith in Psycho Motel. Lars Levin did the outstanding electric/acoustic & bass guitar work on the album. He also contributed keyboards and backing vocals. Additional musicians Frank Tostrup - Drums & percussion, Celio de Carvahlo - percussion, Leif Johansen - backing vocals. The release is scheduled for the early fall 2004. WebLinks: <a href="http://www.mtm-music.com" target="new">www.mtm-music.com</a>, <a href="http://www.greenhouze.com" target="new">www.greenhouze.com</a>.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="198" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/kickaxe-4.jpg" width="200" /></div> VENICE LIVE ONLINE: Venice is cybercasting a concert next week from the Paradiso Theater in Amsterdam. Tuesday, April 20, at approximately 8:00pm Holland time. (Which is 11am Pacific Standard Time in California). Info and access are both here: <a href="http://www.venice.fabchannel.com" target="new">www.venice.fabchannel.com</a> This page will even calculate the time difference for you! The show is part of the Festival Express tour, which celebrates the music of the 1970s. So in addition to their own hits, Venice will perform covers from artists like Janis Joplin, The Band, Steely Dan, Joe Cocker, CCR, Free, Marvin Gaye, Van Morrison, and others. EVERGREY ACOUSTIC ON AIR: Inside Out recording artists Evergrey will perform a special acoustic mini-concert for a small audience of 50 people on Sunday, April 18th at 2pm at Lava Room Recording (<a href="http://www.lavaroomrecording.com" target="new">www.lavaroomrecording.com</a>) in Cleveland, OH. Lava Room Recording is owned by former Warrant guitarist Billy Morris (<a href="http://www.billymorris.net" target="new">www.billymorris.net</a>). The band will appear prior to their show that evening with Iced Earth. The show is part of a new live concert series "Metal Show Unleashed" being produced by <a href="http://www.themetalshow.com" target="new">The Metal Show</a>, which airs Sunday nights from 8pm-10pm on 92.3 WXTM FM in Cleveland. The concert will be recorded for airplay on the show. Fans can visit The Metal Show's official website <a href="http://www.themetalshow.com" target="new">www.themetalshow.com</a> to register for their chance to attend this special performance. Bands and labels interested in participating in the series can email The Metal Show at <a href="mailto:churchofmetal@923xtreme.com">churchofmetal@923xtreme.com</a>. Century Media artists and Ozzfest participants God Forbid are also booked for the series on Thursday, May 6th with future artists soon to be announced. NEWS FROM SWEDEN: Former Kiss/current Grand Funk Railroad guitarist Bruce Kulick was at Stockholm, Sweden's Canvas studio (<a href="http://www.jkproductions.org" target="new">www.jkproductions.org</a>) on Saturday (April 10) recording guest appearances for the new Lion's Share and Audiovision albums. The recording session was overseen by producer and Lion's Share guitarist Lars Chriss. Lion's Share (<a href="http://www.lionsshare.org" target="new">www.lionsshare.org</a>) follow-up to 2001's Entrance will be recorded this fall/winter and will feature new vocalist Patrik Johansson and drummer Mats Karlsson. The solo project of Narnia singer Christian Rivel, Audiovision's (<a href="http://www.rivelrecords.com/audiovision" target="new">www.rivelrecords.com/audiovision</a>) debut CD will include additional guest appearances by such hard rock/heavy metal luminaries as Lars Chriss, Jeff Scott Soto, Tony Franklin, Mats Levén, Mic Michaeli, Michael Höglund, Thomas Broman, Thomas Vikström, Tommy Denander, Janne Stark, Carl Johan Grimmark and Andreas Lindahl. The self-titled album will be released later in the year through Rivel Records. WARRANT LOOK FORWARD TO NEW DVD AND CD: Bud Mitch Lafon spoke with Warrant's Eric Turner today, who had nothing but good news to report. The band are now very seriously behind plans for a new Live DVD and a new studio album. Erik is also interviewed by fitness guru Don Lemmon at this link: <a href="http://www.uncensoredentertainment.com/celebrity-interviews.html" target="new">www.uncensoredentertainment.com/celebrity-interviews.html</a> ASIA BREAK WITH TRADITION FOR NEW ALBUM: Asia has signed with InsideOut Music for the world, excluding Japan. Asia's new studio album Silent Nation will be the first album under the new deal and it is scheduled for release in Summer 2004. Asia includes keyboardist Geoff Downes, vocalist/bass guitarist John Payne, guitarist Guthrie Govan and drummer Chris Slade. More information about Silent Nation is forthcoming. Tour plans are being solidified as well. For more information, visit: <a href="http://www.insideoutmusic.com/news.php" target="new">www.insideoutmusic.com/news.php</a> and <a href="http://www.asiaworld.org/index.php" target="new">www.asiaworld.org/index.php</a> MORE SOUTHERN ROCK FROM MANASSAS RECORDS: Formed in Orange County, California by guitarist Craig DeFalco and slide guitarist Buzzy James, Laidlaw is a tear-it-up, hard rockin' band with a distinctive Southern rock flavor. Their story is one of true determination, from playing the club circuit to opening for ZZ Top and Lynyrd Skynyrd. Originally influenced by Lynyrd Skynyrd, the Allman Brothers and Bad Company, DeFalco and James founded Laidlaw in 1990. Over the next 12 years, they continued to evolve, resulting in the current lineup including Darrell Millar (Drums), Garry Nutt (Bass) and Joey Pantera (Vocals). The band spent the spring recording, and in September 2003 released their second CD on their own label, Yessir Records. The first single, Nascar Superstar, is a driving, rock anthem for race fans, featuring background vocals by the 'Redneckettes' (Scorpions drummer James Kottak, Athena Kottak, Joey Pantera, Buzzy James and Craig DeFalco). Other tracks include the very Eagles-influenced Everything's Gonna Be Alright, featuring pedal-steel guitar by Steve Sturm (Travis Tritt Band). As well as a remake of the Head East classic Never Been Any Reason with Carol Chase (Lynyrd Skynyrd Honkettes) singing a duet and Michael Anthony (Van Halen) on background vocals. Plus, the echoing Ode To Ronnie (Lynyrd Skynyrd Tribute) to Ronnie Van Zant. With Carol Chase and Stephanie Rose singing background vocals. The self-titled sophomore release announces the comeback of Laidlaw, incorporating the band's diverse influences. From southern and hard rock to country and blues, this release featuring Joey Pantera's vocal talents, is more melodic than their debut CD. Released in 2000, First Big Picnic showcased their Southern-Flavored hard rock sound. Their big break came when Motley Crue bassist Nikki Sixx got his hands on one of Laidlaw's demo tapes. Apparently, he liked what he heard because he not only gave them the opening slot for Motley Crue, he also signed them as the first act on his new label, Americoma Records. Nikki invited Laidlaw to open for the Crue in Phoenix in Dec. of 97'. Introduced to the crowd by Sixx, Laidlaw played their first large-scale show at the America West Arena to an audience of 10,000. They've since opened two full tours for the Crue, and their drive continues stronger than ever. "We're an old school rock group," DeFalco says. "We're a live band and we want to get out there and play. We don't try to sound like anyone but ourselves," he continues. "And that's finally paid off for Laidlaw." The album will be released by Manassas Records shortly. Keep an eye out for info at: <a href="http://www.z-roxx.com/manassas.htm" target="new">www.z-roxx.com/manassas.htm</a> Track Listing: Intro . Are You Living Your Dream . 5 Knuckle Shuffle . Everything's Gonna Be Alright . Something To Say . Never Been Any Reason . Bag Full Of Pills . Fly Away . Ode To Ronnie (Lynyrd Skynyrd Tribute) . Brings My Baby Down . This Must Be Love.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="192" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/laidlaw.jpg" width="200" /></div> STARCASTLE BENEFIT SHOW: Hello all...An update and news of The Gary Strater Benefit Show which will take place on Sunday April 25th at the Fat City Saloon in Champaign, IL. The original Starcastle with Gary, Steve Tassler, Steve Hagler, Herb Schildt, Matt Stewart and Terry Luttrell will perform a set and the new Starcastle will perform originals with Jeff Kohenke, Bruce Botts and Al Lewis at the end of the all day benefit which also will feature local artists from the Champaign-Urbana area. For more information vist Matt Stewart & Lisa Boucher's FPM Records site at <a href="http://www.fpmrecords.com/events/strater.html" target="new">www.fpmrecords.com/events/strater.html</a> Gary's condition has taken on a new sense of urgency, with a second cancer taking over his liver which has required surgery in the short term and kemo therapy as a follow-up. Our prays and thoughts are with Gary and his family and it's important that Starcastle fans write to Gary via though myself or posting messages on the guestbook. Give 'em your support! If you wish to contribute in helping the Strater's cope with the ever increasing medical costs, you can do so through: Gary Strater Benefit Fund, c/o Bank of Illinois, 217-351-6500, 100 West University Avenue, Champaign, IL 61820 This concert will also feature an auction of Starcastle memorabilia, and all band members will be on hand for autographs etc. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at: <a href="http://www.starcastlemusic.com" target="new">www.starcastlemusic.com</a> VAN HALEN UPDATE: DJ's The 2 Dorks reached Eddie Van Halen via phone again, if only for a minute, it was still interesting and can be found at: <a href="http://www.2dorks.com/junk/vanhalen0409/index.htm" target="new">www.2dorks.com/junk/vanhalen0409/index.htm</a> And Sammy Hagar has gone on record confirming what most believed - the "special guests" at his Cabo Wabo launch in Tahoe. Sammy's statement read: "On Thursday, April 29 the WABORITAS will be performing at the Cabo Wabo/South Shore Showroom at Harrah's with your friend and mine ... Ted Nugent. That's right! TED NUGENT. We love this guy. You love this guy, I love this guy. It's gonna be a great night with more surprises yet to come for this one. Tickets will go on sale this Tuesday, April 13. Tickets will be $20. Check back here for details and updates. Van Halen will absolutely NOT be performing. Would be great, but we are in the middle of VH rehearsals and I'll be slammin' to make it up to Tahoe myself." PAMELA MOORE'S RETROSPECTIVE EP: While Pamela Moore is out on the Queensryche tour she will be making available a brand new EP release entitled Pamela Moore - A Retrospective. The track listing is: Power Of Money . Shot Down . Mirror Mirror . Lookin' For Love . Reminds Me Of You . Win Your Heart. The EP will be on sale during the QR Spring tour. This is a limited edition. So grab yourself a copy while your at the concert! If you miss the show and still would like to get ahold of the new EP, we will be making it available through Pamela's site very shortly. <a href="http://www.pamelamoore.net" target="new">www.pamelamoore.net</a>   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/pamelamoore-retro.jpg" width="200" /></div> DARIO MOLLO TEAMS WITH GRAHAM BONNET FOR TOUR: Not content with the upcoming release of the new Voodoo Hill album, guitarist Dario Mollo has a new project together called Elektric Zoo. The project is set to feature a rotating vocalist, but first on board for some European live dates is Graham Bonnet. The dates can be found at: <a href="http://www.elektriczoo.com/TheTour.html" target="new">www.elektriczoo.com/TheTour.html</a> More info and the full band line-up at: <a href="http://www.elektriczoo.com" target="new">www.elektriczoo.com</a> and <a href="http://www.dariomollo.com" target="new">www.dariomollo.com</a>. KISS AND POISON - FIRST 2004 DATE ONLINE: It's official - the first date for Kiss US Summer tour with opening act Poison has been announced by Clear Channel Entertainment: 7/09/2004, Kiss with Poison - Tinley Park, IL On Sale 4/25/2004 Future dates will be listed via the link: <a href="http://cc.com/artist.html?artist_id=13886" target="new">cc.com/artist.html?artist_id=13886</a> For all your updated Kiss information, plus a track by track run down of Gene Simmon's new Asshole album, check out: <a href="http://www.kisskollector.com" target="new">www.kisskollector.com</a> FIRST CLASS MELODIC ROCK FROM HOUSE OF SHAKIRA: House Of Shakira are previewing 4 tracks from their upcoming release First Class via their website. Log onto: <a href="http://www.house-of-shakira.nu" target="new">www.house-of-shakira.nu</a> for previews of Black Barn, Uncontrolled, You Are and Chicago Blue. The boys have come up with another winning release and I look forward to bringing my own preview of it to you shortly, with a full review to follow. MICKEY THOMAS FOR TOAD SUCK 2004: Last year it was Night Ranger playing the free concert at Toad Suck Daze in Conway, Arkansas. This year, it's Starship featuring Mickey Thomas and Brian Howe, plus the Charlie Danials Band. All concerts are free. The link for the information is: <a href="http://www.toadsuck.org/entertainment.html" target="new">www.toadsuck.org/entertainment.html</a> JADED HEART RE-ISSUE FIRST RELEASES: Jaded Heart will re-issue some of their earlier releases - re-worked and re-mastered. Inside Out with 4 additional and unreleased bonus tracks and Mystery Eyes with 3 unreleased bonus tracks. The whole affair is just a limited pressing of 500 copies ea, which will be on sale on their upcoming tour and through AOR Heaven. MELODIC BRIEFS: Condolences to Weird Al Yankovic who lost both his parents in a tragic accident at their house. RIP. Full story: <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,116773,00.html" target="new">www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,116773,00.html</a> A new website for Heart and news that their new album Jupiter's Darling will be released in June. heart-music.com Guitarist Scott Moughton performed with Queensryche lead singer Geoff Tate on Tate's self-titled 2002 solo album, but has now been embroiled in a identity theft ring broken this week by police. Full story: <a href="http://www.heraldnet.com/Stories/04/4/8/18452525.cfm" target="new">www.heraldnet.com/Stories/04/4/8/18452525.cfm</a> A correction to a link posted last week. Guitarist Vick Lecar's website address is in fact: <a href="http://www.vick-lecar.com" target="new">www.vick-lecar.com</a>. Please go there unless you are in fact looking to enlarge your (or your partner's) member! You can preview the new Nightwish album Once online now at their website: <a href="http://www.nightwish.com" target="new">www.nightwish.com</a>. Some phenomenal sounding previews! Kevin Lee and band featuring Brent Seatter - Guitar, Dann Morr - Bass & Tom Jasek - Drums will play the Chicago International Pop Overthrow Festival April 20 at Wise Fools Pub. More info always at: <a href="http://www.kevinleeonline.com" target="new">www.kevinleeonline.com</a> SOPHIE B HAWKINS RETURNS FROM THE WILDERNESS: Sophie B Hawkins is back April 20 with the release of her new album Wilderness. Here's the press release: On Wilderness - her first independently recorded, conceived and released album, co-produced with production wizards Christian and Frank Berman (Amber, Baha Men, Real McCoy)--the provocative singer/songwriter declares her freedom with, paradoxically, the most accessible project of her career. "What's so beautiful about this record is that I trusted my instincts as a musician and a songwriter but more fully as a human being," she says. "So many people are throwing up their hands because the world has gotten so dark, but I went against the current and I actually found more light and positive energy. That was a great feeling." Freedom and contrariness Two important elements in this artist's character play pivotal roles on Wilderness. As mistress of her own fortune and helmswoman of Trumpet Swan Records with her manager Gigi Gaston, Hawkins experienced her most liberated creative process on this album since before being signed by Sony. Light splashes through these tracks The dizzy downtown swirl of Meet Me On The Rooftop, the sly tease of Surfer Girl, and the festivity of Blue reflect her state of mind as much as her delight in thwarting expectations. But this wouldn't be a Sophie B. Hawkins project without some darkness, and it does crop up, most notably in Angel Of Darkness, whose wounds bleed through subdued verses and break in an anguished chorus, and the sole cover on Wilderness, a rendition of Feeling Good that seems haunted by invisible yet irresistible danger. All of this comes from a new clarity in how Hawkins looks at herself and her world. "The danger of Wilderness is in just seeing reality," she explains. "The reality is that we're all in the Wilderness, and we have to survive on our own, and things constantly change and if we don't accept that, then we're just trying to fool ourselves. But the beauty of Wilderness is that sometimes you can wake up in the morning and feel so sweet and whole." Working out of her home studio near Los Angeles Hawkins wrote and laid down the tracks for these songs on a variety of instruments guitar, cello, drums, keys, plus the exotic percussion that has fascinated her since her studies while growing up in New York with African drum legend Babatunde Olatuni and at the Manhattan School of Music. On Wilderness, these elements flow through nuanced arrangements, in which echoes of Nina Simone, Laura Nyro, and other influences only enhance Hawkins' unique sound. More info: <a href="http://www.sophiebhawkins.com" target="new">www.sophiebhawkins.com</a>  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#b11b1c" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#b11b1c"> <div align="center">Tuesday, April 13, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> SUPER LINE-UP FOR RAZORBACK ANGRY RELEASE: The new Razorback CD Animal Anger is due for release very shortly. The band's line-up should be of particular interest to many! Razorback are: Stefan Berggren - Vocals; Rolf Munkes - Guitars; Marcus Bielenberg - Bass; Pierre Fienhold - Drums; Chris Heun - Guitars with special guest Joakim Svalberg - Keyboards. At <a href="http://www.razorback-online.com" target="new">www.razorback-online.com</a> you can download three brand new sound samples from The Hymn, One By One and Fire And Rain. The release date is April 26th. The full track listing is: The Hymn . One By One . A New King In Town . Kiss Of Death . Fire And Rain . Release Me . Lone Wolf . The Eye Of The Storm . Bastard . Dead Man's Song.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/razorback-animalanger.jpg" width="200" /></div> THE WHO TO AUSTRALIA: Today, promoter Michael Chugg announced The Who with Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey will play Sydney's Entertainment Centre on July 28 and Melbourne's Vodafone Arena on July 31. Tickets go on sale Monday 22nd April. "The Who are an immeasurable force paving the way; changing the way. I'm privileged to be the Australian promoter bringing them here. This is Australia's most important concert tour of the year possibly the decade." The Who - Pete Townshend (guitar), Roger Daltrey (vocals), Keith Moon (drums) and John Entwistle (bass) were, says Steve Sutherland, NME Originals editor, "rock in its rawest, most vital phase." Melody Maker wrote in 1965, "Their music is defiant, and so is their attitude. Their sound is vicious. This is no note-perfect showbiz' group." Townshend penned the torment, but Moon lived it and died tragically in 1978 at just 31. Much of his problem was that he believed he was indestructible. It was his big mistake, lamented Townshend. The band released Who Are You just a few days after Moon's September 7 death and put the Faces' Kenney Jones on the drum-stool. Townshend said, after Keith died, that he wanted The Who to extend its line-up with keyboards and brass; that they had to expand because he wanted the sound level on stage to be quieter. The amplifier levels they were using were too deafening. He got his keyboardist by way of John Rabbit' Bundrick in 1980. In 1999, Ringo Starr's son, Zak Starkey took over the drums. Sadly, Entwistle died in 2002 of heart failure in a 'Vegas hotel room on the eve of their North American Tour. Long-time Townshend collaborator Pino Palladino became the bass man. On rhythm guitar and vocals Townshend's younger brother, Simon has been involved on and off with The Who since 1975. He joined the Quadrophenia tours of 1996 & 1997, and will play Australia with them on this tour. The Who's ship still sails Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey captaining. These guys are a live powerhouse, says Chugg. Their experience gives them incredible authority. The Who are the crème de la crème, even today, when it comes to live shows. Now in 2004, The Who - Pete Townshend (lead guitar/vocals), Roger Daltrey (vocals/guitar/harmonica), Zak Starkey (drums), John Rabbit' Bundrick (keyboard), Pino Palladino (bass) and Simon Townshend (rhythm guitar/vocals) return with their latest release and their first tour in Australia since the infamous 1968 visit. Then and Now is a best of collection featuring the first 2 NEW recordings in over 22 years from the band, Real Good Looking Boy and Old Red Wine. The album also includes the hits "My Generation"; "Behind Blue Eyes"; "Who Are You"; "The Kids Are Alright" and "Pinball Wizard". With a reputation as one of the country's finest live outfits, The Who will be joined on tour by one of Australia's most respected & influential bands - You Am I. For early warning ticket offers go to <a href="http://www.whostouring.com" target="new">www.whostouring.com</a>.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/thewho-thenandnow.jpg" width="200" />xx<img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/thewho-classic.jpg" width="295" /></div> TWILIGHT ODYSSEY SIGN NEW LABEL DEAL: Twilight Odyssy have signed a record deal with Italian label Steelheart Records for their upcoming debut album slated for release in the summer of 2004. The album will be recorded in New York and will contain ten tracks of the band's signature brand of classic style metal. Three of the tracks to be included are those featured on the band's 2003 demo. The album will also include such fan favorites as Under the Black Flag and Near Dark, as well as new material being written specifically for the release. Steelheart is an imprint of Adrenaline Records located in Milan, Italy. Fans of bands such as Judas Priest and Iron Maiden and even groups such as Fates Warning and Watchtower should enjoy this release. WebLinks: <a href="http://www.twilight-odyssey.com" target="new">www.twilight-odyssey.com</a> and <a href="http://www.adrenaline.it" target="new">www.adrenaline.it</a> LORD TRACY RE-UNITE FOR SOME SHOWS: American hard rockers Lord Tracy will be doing some reunion shows this summer - 2 in Memphis and a couple in Dallas. The band are best known for their Deaf Gods Of Babylon album. You can check out guitarist Jim Rusidoff's website: <a href="http://www.jimmyr.net" target="new">www.jimmyr.net</a> for more info. MORE Y&T TO BE UNEARTHED: Dave & Phil are at it again...they're assembling the next volume in the UnEarthed series. More Y&T demos and previously unreleased recordings from the past 30 years are soon to be unearthed from the vaults. Look for UnEarthed, Volume 2 to be released mid-summer 2004.  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#007500" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#007500"> <div align="center">Friday, April 09, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> BENEATH THE SHINING DARE ALBUM: I thought it time to catch up with Dare frontman Darren Wharton for a quick chat about the band's new album Beneath The Shining Water. The album is due out in Europe through MTM Music June 7, with a preview song Sea Of Roses currently available. I caught Darren in the midst of the final mix - the very last track to be done in fact. He describes the album as a mix of Out Of The Silence and Calm Before The Storm and definitely rockier than the band's last album Belief. But don't expect anything like Blood From Stone. Darren is adamant he won't record anything as heavy as that again. The album features a couple of very radio friendly tracks which Darren hopes will catch the attention of radio programmers in the UK, just as White Horses did from Belief. The rest of the album is a little darker and moodier. And Darren also apologizes for the lack of Dare website updates. He has been "killing himself" getting Beneath The Shining Water completed and hopes to spend a little more time on the web soon. So don't forget the album is due out June 7 and Dare will appear live at a few European festivals over the summer, including the Deep Impact Open Air Festival in Munich, July 24! (<a href="http://www.deep-impact2004.de" target="new">www.deep-impact2004.de</a>). A sneak preview of the new album will hopefully be available here sometime soon! HUGO'S FIRE IN THE NIGHT TRACK BY TRACK: Hugo's new studio album Fire In The Night is shipping now! Order a copy and it will ship straight away. You can purchase copies online via PayPal at: <a href="http://www.hugothisway.com" target="new">www.hugothisway.com</a> I just completed a new interview with Hugo, which you can read in full now - <a href="interviews/hugo.html">Hugo: The Fire Still Burns</a>. Hugo also completed a track by track run down on the new album. Read below, and listen to the samples via the <a href="showcase/hugo-fireinthenight.html">CD Showcase</a>. Hugo on Fire In The Night: Hand In Hand - This song basically has to do with making a commitment and following through. Together we can do anything. This one was written with John Mennen. He had the words Hand in hand in an old metal song that he had written and played it for me - we took the groove and rewrote the lyrics and melody to create a cool upbeat rocker. It's The Love - It's a song about the feeling when you're first falling in love and how it evolves into standing in love.... It was demoed about 2 years ago. It was the song that hit me in the head and said "wake up and make a new record!" Fire In The Night - I chose this as the title track. It's very upbeat and the message is clear........you really can do anything. I wanted an upbeat tune as a title track. I made it have journey type feel and strong, positive message. I really love this song - I figure while I can sing this high, I may as well record it (just kidding)!! I'll Learn To Live Without You - This is a song about what everybody goes through at one time or another. It's one of those songs that came together quickly. I painted the picture in my mind and words and music just followed. Dawn - An upbeat rocker that I had written for the Open Skyz album. It never made it on the album, but I liked the way it moved and knew it would make it on an album. Producer Richie Zito thought it was cool but as we later found out, his hands were secretly tied as well! It was close to being on the album, though. Just So You Know - It's just a cool ballad. I picked up the guitar one day and messed around with a few chords, simple three chord thing and it was done. I did a play on the lyrics.... I don't think about you or dream about you..... I'm just going crazy without you!! (Don't Wanna) Say Goodbye Tonight - I love this song because it just rocks!!! Cool intro, powerful guitars, in your face...just love it!! A cool rock anthem song - just a good time song with the guitar Eddie and Gus wall of sound!!!! Every Time You Walk Away - I wanted a song that opened with just voice. It's a cool mid-tempo rocker with a good melody. I played this live recently with Evolution and it was received well. This is the first song that we mixed-it came together real well and it turn out to be the song that all the others could measure against in terms of mix/production!! Just To Be With You Tonight - I wanted to break up the album with something acoustic and fresh. This song was just written a few months back for the album. I love the way it moves!! This is a combination of some different influences - Journey, CSN. Cool harmonies and easy flowing guitars - it was a bit of a different approach for me and I really like the way it came together!! It was written only a few months back! Here I Am - This is the song that I wrote for my wife Donna for our wedding day. A song for love......It's a tribute in honor of finding that forever someone!! Hold Me - This has kind of a haunting feel to it. Very powerful and clear message....it's the feeling you have when you find the one! This is definitely one of my favs! It has the cool vocal harmonies in the chorus and a real dreamlike vibe. AEROSMTIH HONKIN' AT #5: Aerosmith's new blues covers album Honkin' On Bobo made it's Billboard Top 200 debut at #5, selling 160,582 copies! Ironically, the album narrowly beat out Eric Clapton's new blues covers album! Clapton came in at #6. LA GUNS RIP THE COVERS OFF SOME COVERS!: LA Guns have completed work on their new album - which also features covers. Here's the press blurb from Mascot Records in Europe: "L. A. Guns emerged on the scene as an L. A. supergroup in the late 80's and struck gold with a series of albums that appealed to metal fans but were steeped in the time honored tradition of rock and roll. Vocalist Phil Lewis has long been one of rocks great frontmen, possessing a distinctive voice that at times reveals his British heritage. Having much more in common with groups such as the Stones, AC/DC, and the New York Dolls than most bands from the metal scene, L. A. Guns are one of the few bands from this era who have maintained a healthy fanbase and tour schedule. "Rips The Covers Off" is a tongue and cheek reference to the songs on the album which are like a sound track to the lives of the members of L A Guns. Covering songs by Led Zeppelin, Rose Tattoo, David Bowie, Iggy Pop, and Aerosmith to name a few, the boys knock these songs out with as much fire and energy as if they had written them. produced by Andy Johns - this album is killer!" The Track listing and original artist details look to be set as the following: Rock 'n' Roll Outlaw - Rose Tattoo . Nobody's Fault - Aerosmith . Custard Pie - Led Zeppelin . Until I Get You - Hanoi Rocks . Wheels of Steel - Saxon . I Just Wanna Make Love To You - Foghat . Moonage Daydream - David Bowie . Marseilles - Angel City [The Angels for Oz readers] . Tie Your Mother Down - Queen . Hurdy Gurdy Man - Donovan . Search and Destroy - Iggy Pop. Mascot is busy with a few other notable releases due over the next few months. John Norum has almost finished his new solo album which is expected some time mid summer. Kelly Keeling's (Blue Murder, MSG, Baton Rouge, Guitar Zeus) new album is being mixed at the moment. It's titled Giving Sight to the Eye and is described as "...melodic and progressive rock with several guest such as Kerry Livgen (Kansas), Carmine Appice, Don Dokken and Roger Daltry. Powerful and melodic hard rock in the style of Whitesnake and Led Zeppelin." George Lynch will be releasing his new album in summer 2004 on Mascot, as will Kevin DuBrow. The label will handle the European release of his In For The Kill solo album. SPIN GALLERY STAND TALL: Another new interview is online today. Spin Gallery frontman and album co-writer and co-producer Christian Antblad talks about the band and how they got started, and all about their great pop debut. <a href="e-interviews.html">Check it out.</a> SITE UPDATES: That's it for the weekend folks...enjoy the Easter break and stay safe and happy. I'll be back after the long weekend for a news, reviews and general site update Tuesday. In the meantime, please enjoy a substantial MiniBytes update - now featuring clips from: Impellitteri, Hanoi Rocks, The Black Sweden, War & Peace, King Karma, AOR, Arena, Bad Habit, Sick Trigger, Neil Zaza and Kingcrow. <a href="minibytes.html">Go to it!</a>  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#000000" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#000000"> <div align="center">Thursday, April 08, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> ADRIANGALE CRUNCH FANS APRIL 30: Production of Adriangale's new album Crunch will be completed over the Easter weekend, with the album set to be released April 30. Crunch is the new 12 song studio album that features the following tracks: Breaking Stride . Crunch . Faith . Without A Moment's Notice . Tougher Than It Looks! . When In Rome . Long Gone . The Thin Line . Question . Freedom . This Time . Last Call. Kivel Records are taking pre-orders right now: <a href="http://www.kivelrecords.com" target="new">www.kivelrecords.com</a> Adriangale guitarist Vic Rivera has done a detailed track by track commentary on the album. To read his comments, follow the link: <a href="adriangale-crunch.html" target="new">Adriangale Crunch</a>.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/adriangale-crunch-full.jpg" width="400" /></div> JORN LAUNCHES NATIONS CD LIVE: Jorn Lande will launch his new Jorn album Out To Every Nation at the Ritz Nightclub in Skien Norway, May 1st. There will be a performance from the band and Jorn & Pagan Snakes (Jørn Lande with Pagans Mind). AMERICAN ROOTS ROCKERS 'THE BLASTERS' RELEASE FIRST LIVE CONCERT DVD AND CD: Shout! Factory announces the release of The Blasters Live: Going Home on DVD and soundtrack CD, both in stores on February 24th. Known for their blood-pumping and soul-searing live shows, The Blasters first and only concert video was filmed at the closing night of their "final" reunion tour on August 13, 2003. Shot in Orange County, CA at the Galaxy Theatre, the performance features the original lineup of Phil Alvin, Dave Alvin, John Bazz, Bill Bateman and Gene Taylor. The reunion concert marks not just a return to their Southern California stomping grounds, but to their musical roots as well. Heavily influenced by blues and traditional R&B, The Blasters invited their musical heroes to join them onstage throughout the evening, including Sun Records revered rockabilly guitarist Sonny Burgess, Chicago bluesman Billy Boy Arnold and a stellar backing vocal group comprised of members of California doo wop legends The Calvanes and The Medallions. The Blasters Live: Going Home DVD includes performances of 18 songs from the Galaxy show, including such favorites as "Marie, Marie," "Border Radio," and "American Music." The disk features the original stereo and 5.1 audio mixes of the concert, (by longtime Dave Alvin and Blasters collaborator Mark Linett), interwoven with rare insights from the Alvin brothers, all original band members and the featured artists. Notorious for their fraternal feuding, the Alvin brothers' mutual acrimony, respect and love is evident whether trading barbs on stage or in separate candid musings on their origins, influences and music. Fans new and old will appreciate the "classic" Blasters' performances from the early '80s included as bonus material on the disk. The current Blasters band line-up is also represented as a bonus with a second version of "American Music" and "Daddy Rollin' Stone" taken from the '03 Hootenanny event in Los Angeles. The companion soundtrack CD was produced by Mark Linett and The Blasters, and features 16 tracks from the live concert. The Blasters Live: Going Home DVD and CD will be available for $19.98 SRP and $18.98 SRP respectively. The Blasters have long been called American roots music at its finest. Embraced by punk rock audiences, yet sometimes categorized as rockabilly, The Blasters mixed blues, country and rock-n-roll together for a new generation of music fans. Hailing from Southern California, brothers Phil and Dave Alvin launched The Blasters during the L.A. musical renaissance in the early '80s that bore the bands X, Los Lobos and the Beat Farmers. Bruce Springsteen has cited the group as a major influence, and the band's four studio albums remain critical favorites. Shout! Factory is a multi-platform integrated entertainment company that was started by Richard Foos -- co-founder of Rhino Records, Bob Emmer – former Warner Music Group and Rhino executive and Garson Foos – former Rhino executive. It focuses on audio music catalog development and home video/DVD projects and television properties. Conceived as a broad-based retro pop culture entertainment label, Shout! Factory video and DVD projects range from live music and music documentary programs to offbeat special interest titles ranging from animation to sports content. Shout! Factory DVDs and CDs are distributed by Sony Music. NEW BOYSVOICE FOR SUMMER 2004: GerMusica Promotion & Management most recently has added classic German hard rock outfit Boysvoice into it's management roster and will from now take over all business affairs for the Munich guys centered around lead singer Mani Gruber. The band most recently has demoed 4 new songs which have resulted in various offers by very well-known and established international hard rock labels which are currently being sorted out. News about this will follow shortly! The new, yet untitled album of the band will be finished recording in late Summer 2004 and feature the original line-up of Boysvoice that has created the self-titled, classic debut album in 1990 - same guys, same power...new album!  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#400080" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#400080"> <div align="center">Wednesday, April 07, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> ESCAPE'S HOUSE OF MIRRORS: Escape Music is pleased to announce the release date for House Of Mirrors' Night Flight To Paradise album - due June 14. House Of Mirrors are: Pekka Rautiainen - Vocals, Jaakko Niitemaa - Guitar, Jonne Valtonen - Keyboards, Juha Paananen - Bass, Jimbo Makelainen - Drums. Additional musicians: Timo Haanpaa - Acoustic guitar. The album was produced by Timo Haanpaa + Jaakko Niitemaa + Pekka Rautiainen. With thanks to Escape Music, I have an exclusive preview from the album. Download: House Of Mirrors - <a href="audio/HouseOfMirrors-NightFlightToParadise.mp3">Night Flight To Paradise</a>.   <div align="center"><img alt="" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/houseofmirrors-2004.jpg" />xx<img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/houseofmirrors-nightflight.jpg" width="200" /></div> FRONTIERS RECORDS ANNOUNCE MILLENIUM COMPILATION AND : Frontiers Records and Now & Then Records are pleased to announce the European release of the Millenium Best Of album which will also include a bonus disc featuring 10 unreleased tracks, as follows: I Surrender (Rainbow cover) - vocals Jorn Lande . On And On (MSG cover) - vocals Jorn Lande . Jane (Jefferson Starship cover) - vocals Jorn Lande . Love Is Like Oxygen (The Sweet cover) - vocals Jorn Lande . Rain - vocals Jorn Lande . Anybody - vocals Jorn Lande . Gone Are The Chances (demo) - vocals Todd Plant . I Lost It (demo) - vocals Todd Plant . Heresy (demo) - vocals Todd Plant . Sea Of Sadness (demo) - vocals Todd Plant. Millenium is the band also featuring current Iced Earth guitar player Ralph Santolla and former Circle II Circle guitarist Shane French. Current Deep Purple keyboardist Don Airey also appears on much of the material, including reprising his performance on the Rainbow classic I Surrender as he was a member of Rainbow at the time that track was recorded. The release, which will be completed with a disc containing a selection of the best tracks from the Hourglass, Angelfire and self titled debut album, will see the light on June 23. More details to be unleashed at a later stage.   <table> <tbody> <tr> <td>Frontiers Records is pleased to announce the release date of the second Voodoo Hill album Wild Seed of Mother Earth which has been set for June 23. The album will also be released in Japan through Nippon Crown and Brazil via Hellion Records. Voodoo Hill is the studio project featuring Italian guitar hero Dario Mollo with the Voice of Rock, Glenn Hughes on all lead vocals. The album will include the following eleven songs all written by Dario Mollo (music) and Glenn Hughes (lyrics): Make Believe; Dying To Live; Still Evergreen; Atmosphere; Wild Seed of Mother Earth; My Eyes Don't See It; Can't Stop Falling; Nothing Stays The Same; Soul Protector; She Cast No Shadow; 16 Guns.</td> <td><img alt="" height="204" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/voodoohill-wildseed.jpg" width="200" /></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> Fretless guitarist and Madmen & Sinners mastermind Tim Donahue, was kind enough to send some comments on each track included the self-titled album featuring James LaBrie to be released in Europe on April 5. Million Miles - A cynical look at the Cold War and the insanity of atomic war. Featuring actual 1950's USA Civil Defence announcements, the track comes to a thunderous conclusion with the launch of a nuclear missile and climactic explosion. A scary track indeed. Let Go - The anguish of innocence lost. A cathedral-like ambience sets the mood for this ballad, which features authentic pipe organ, acoustic guitar and passionate vocals. My Heart Bleeds - Another cynical theme, this time regarding religious hypocrisy. An ostinato intro section features tempting demonic voices, layered with thick synthesizer textures. The main body of the track features heavy, intricate instrumental work, climaxing with a large cathedral chorus. Feel My Pain - A powerful mixture of heavy metal and jazz fusion, this track features unusual but catchy melodic moments, coupled with equally bizarre fretless guitar work. The track concludes with lots of intricate band interplay. Morte Et Dabo (The Gift Of Death) - Authentic Gregorian chant sung in Latin, composed within a modern harmonic framework. Church bells and eerie poetry create a dark ambience, preparing the listener for the next track. Children Of The Flame - Dark and complex, this track takes a cynical look at those that believe in Judgement Day. Slowly building, the track finishes with a massive climax depicting the end of the world. "...burning ashes start to rain, on the children of the flame". Almighty God is angry! The End - Contrasting with the complexity of Children Of The Flame, this straightforward track deals with the guilt of love and sin. The track features passionate fretless guitar and vocal work throughout. Wildest Dreams - The romantic story of forbidden love and fantasy, beautifully arranged for Gregorian chant, vocals and acoustic guitars. Master Of The Mind - The story of a mental patient wrongfully committed to a insane asylum, where the neurosurgeons themselves are insane. The track features fast unison interplay and neo-classical elements. Madmen & Sinners - a 15+ minute suite, combining instrumental and lyrical themes from tracks 1-9. This lush composition includes mysterious Gregorian chant and orchestration, heavy guitar and vocal work. These elements come together in the end, and conclude the album in a powerful climax. MTM PREVIEW UPCOMING RELEASES AND ANNOUNCE THE RETURN OF FATE: MTM Music are proud to announce the re-union show of Fate @ the Deep Impact Open Air Festival in Munich, July 24! (<a href="http://www.deep-impact2004.de" target="new">www.deep-impact2004.de</a>) The Danish band had timeless hits like I Can't Stand Loosing You, Walk On Fire and Diamond In The Rough just to name a few. The band will be back with a re-issue of Matter Of Attitude featuring two unreleased bonus tracks before they strike back with a brand new album!   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="153" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/fate-logo.jpg" width="226" /></div> MTM have also revealed the artwork for their three May releases. The details are as follows: 707 - Megaforce (MTM Classix, Release 10.05.2004) MTM Music is proud to announce the release of 707's classic Megaforce album on CD for the first time. The members of this album included Kevin Chalfant (lead vocals), Kevin Russell (guitar), Todd Howarth (keyboards), Phil Bryant (bass) and Jim McClarty (drums). The group released 3 albums in the early 80's. The title track Megaforce hit Number 11 on the Billboard charts and was the theme to the movie "Mega Force". Shortino / Northrup - Afterlife (Release 17.05.2004) JK Northrup and Paul Shortino have recorded a high quality AOR album with strong songs and catchy melodies. JK already released his Best Of album on MTM and was involved into the latest XYZ album. Tommy Denander will appear on a song as guest musician as well as Johnny Edwards on a duet with Paul! Edge of Forever - Feeding The Fire (Release 24.05.2004) Edge of Forever is a concentration of 80's Hard Rock, filled with rousing melodies and neoclassical atmospheres. The band features fantastic singer Bob Harris, who worked with Frank Zappa, Steve Vai and is actually part of legendary band Axe. Mastermind Alessandro Del Vecchio, keyboard player, has gained valuable experience besides some bigwigs of the world's rock and metal scene, energetic performer, has worked live and on records featuring Glenn Hughes, Patrick Rondat, Time Machine and many more. The album was produced by Marcel Jacob, the extraordinary bass player and producer, who is the founder member of Talisman with Jeff Scott Soto. Jeff sings a duet on one song together with Bob Harris and contributes most of the backing vocals on the album. The album features a video of the Song Feeding The Fire as bonus track! LabelLink: <a href="http://www.mtm-music.com" target="new">www.mtm-music.com</a> ArtistLinks: <a href="http://www.paulshortino.com" target="new">www.paulshortino.com</a> / <a href="http://www.jknorthrup.com" target="new">www.jknorthrup.com</a> / <a href="http://www.kevinrussell.com" target="new">www.kevinrussell.com</a> / <a href="http://www.kevinchalfant.com" target="new">www.kevinchalfant.com</a>   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="180" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/shortinonorthrup-afterlife.jpg" width="180" />x<img alt="" height="180" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/edgeofforever-feedingthefire.jpg" width="180" />x<img alt="" height="180" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/707-megaforce.jpg" width="180" /></div> MAJESTIC ROCK RECORDS GET UP TO DIRTY TRICKS: Majestic Rock Records presents re-issues of the three Dirty Tricks albums on CD. All three titles are due for release in Europe April 26. The debut album from British hard rockers Dirty Tricks is long overdue a CD release – not least of all because their sound perfectly bridges pure 70's hard rock and the NWOBHM sound that was to follow. Kenny Stewart's distinctive vocals and the wonderful guitar playing of John Fraser-Binnie helped set this band apart from their contemporaries. Originally released by Polydor records in 1975, Dirty Tricks is classic British rock with a hard blues-based edge. It is no surprise at all that, in later years, this excellent band has found cult status around the world…listen and believe! Added to this classic debut are a clutch of live tracks recorded in London in 1975. Tracks: Wait Till Saturday . Back Off Evil . Sunshine Day . If You Believe In Me . Too Much Wine . Call Me Up For Love . Marcella . High Life . Hire Car (B-side - Bonus Track) . High Life (Live - Bonus Track) . Back Off Evil (Live - Bonus Track) . Call Me Up For Love (Live - Bonus Track). 1976's Night Man was a worthy successor to the band's debut album. By this time, the USA was starting to take notice of this brash, enthusiastic and exciting young hard rock band and, on the strength of the Night Man album, shows were booked in America. A selection of tracks from this trip are included here, along with a single b-side and two US re-recordings of tracks from the Dirty Tricks debut album. Dirty Tricks became one of rocks hardest working and most highly regarded acts, and it was in the live arena that they really shone. The vocals of Kenny Stewart, the guitar work of soon-to-be Rogue Male Johnny Fraser-Binnie and the rhythm section of bassist Terry Horbury and drummer John Lee played hard and aimed high…as the bonus tracks on this CD ably show. Tracks: Night Man . Weekend Raver . Armageddon (Song For A Rainbow) . Fun Brigade . Play Dirty . Now You're Gone . You Got My Soul . Black Diamond . I'm Gonna Get Me A Gun (B-side - bonus track) . Wait Till Saturday (US recording - bonus track) . Too Much Wine (US recording - bonus track) . You Got My Soul (Live - bonus track) . Play Dirty (Live - bonus track). By the time of Dirty Tricks third and final album, 1977's Hit And Run John Lee had vacated the drum stool in favour of Andy Bierne - later to play with Grand Prix and NWOBHM heroes Lionheart. Musically, its business as usual - hot blooded hard rock with heavy blues overtones. Added to this release are two bonus tracks recorded live in late 1976 at Randy's Rodeo Club in San Antonio, Texas. Dirty Tricks are no more, although the members continue to work together, with the exception of vocalist Kenny Stewart, in a much lauded Led Zeppelin Tribute act called Stairway To Zeppelin. They can be found most nights of the week somewhere in the UK or on the continent playing to a large and enthusiastic audience. Check them out…and remember what came before. Tracks: Hit And Run . Get Out On The Street . The Gambler . Road To Deriabah . I've Had These Dreams Before . Walkin' Tall . Last Night Of Freedom . Lost In The Past . You Really Got Me (Live - bonus track) . Get Out On The Street (Live - bonus track). These titles can be ordered and more information obtained from the Majestic Rock website: <a href="http://www.majesticrock.com" target="new">www.majesticrock.com</a>   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="180" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/dirtytricks.jpg" width="180" />x<img alt="" height="180" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/dirtytricks-hitandrun.jpg" width="180" />x<img alt="" height="180" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/dirtytricks-nightman.jpg" width="180" /></div> KICK LAUNCH UPDATED WEBSITE: Kick have re-launched their official website with an all new look and content. You can now download soundbytes for the tracks of their third release, New Horizon. Also check out their new improved photo gallery with some great promo shots and live photos. Plus there is more to come. The site can be viewed at <a href="http://www.kickuk.co.uk" target="new">www.kickuk.co.uk</a> and/or <a href="http://www.kick-uk.com" target="new">www.kick-uk.com</a>. 707'S KEVIN RUSSELL RELEASES NEW SOLO RECORD: In addition to the re-release of the classic 707 album Mega Force, founding member Kevin Russell has new solo album almost ready for release. My Generation is an instrumental album of covers, which include the title track, plus What's Goin' On and more. The CD can be purchased via Kevin's website and other online retailers shortly. <a href="http://www.kevinrussell.com" target="new">www.kevinrussell.com</a> KEVIN DuBROW HITS THE ROAD: Quiet Riot vocalist Kevin DuBrow hits the road this week to begin his first ever solo tour. He'll be performing all the Quiet Riot classics and songs from his soon to be released CD. He will be on tour all through the summer in support of his upcoming solo album titled In For The Kill coming out on Shrapnel Records in May. April 9 Caledonia, OH - The Wet Spot April 10 Girard, OH - The Dome April 22 Hudson, WI - Dibbo's April 23 Hurley, WI - Studio To The Stars AprilÂ 24 Lake Lillian, MN - Horseshoe Bar April 30 Watertown, NY - Club 342 May 1 Buffalo, NY - Rock And Roll Heaven May 20 Worcester, MA - Lucky Dog Music Hall May 21 Orange/New Haven, CT - Corner Pocket May 22 Springfield, MA -TBA May 23 Hartford, CT - Webster Theater MORE CDs SOLD IN AUSTRALIA THAN EVER BEFORE: This is a pretty interesting article from the Sydney Morning Herald on the buying habits of Australian entertainment consumers over 2003. Thanks to Eric for the link. Figures show that we're buying albums in record numbers, despite the internet 'freeloaders', writes Steve Cannane. The Australian record industry has just had its best year ever. But it doesn't want you to know about it. This month ARIA announced its sales figures for last year. In its press release, it talked about Delta [Goodrem], it talked about falling CD singles sales, it talked about the rise in DVD sales, but at no stage did it tell us it was the industry's best year ever. Why bury the good news? Record industry types aren't usually shy about success. But this time their success is a little embarrassing. For the past few years the industry has argued that file-sharing and CD burning is having a negative impact on sales. But, unfortunately, their own sales figures don't back up their arguments. ARIA's press release was slugged with a bizarre headline: "Music DVD continues its rise whilst CD singles slide further". A mixed year, you might think. Not so. It took a canny finance reporter, SBS's Peter Martin, to decode the spin. He had access to ARIA sales figures going back to the early 1980s. He worked out what ARIA knew but decided not to share: when sales cracked 50 million albums for the year it was the first time this had happened. And combined sales of all formats for last year climbed to more than 65 million for the first time. Full story: <a href="http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/03/28/1080412234274.html" target="new">www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/03/28/1080412234274.html</a> TALKING RELIGION WITH TONY HARNELL: An interview with TNT vocalist Tony Harnell has just been uploaded. Tony talks from his temporary base in Norway as the band continue to do press in support of the release of their classic My Religion album. Tony talks about the trials and tribulations of getting this album written, recorded and promoted. Read <a href="interviews/tnt.html">TNT - Their religion is our religion</a>.  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#003d79" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#003d79"> <div align="center">Tuesday, April 06, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> IT'S ABOUT TIME FOR ANOTHER VAN HALEN UPDATE: The re-union has been announced, the tour dates have been posted and the tickets are selling fast. it's all good in the world of Van Halen. But the band remains extremely quiet, choosing a low key approach over one of hype and mass exposure. It seems the band will be content on letting the music and their upcoming live performances speak for themselves. I am informed there will be little - if any - media interviews for either the tour or the Best Of Volume 2 release! It seems the band is well aware of the many questions that have arisen over the past few years and don't plan on addressing those anytime soon! Rather, they plan on just getting out there, playing and putting the past where it belongs. Work continues on Van Halen's Best Of Volume 2 release. Confirmed for release sometime in early June, (June 8 seems to be holding firm), the collection is - at this stage - set to mirror the format of the band's first compilation package, Best Of Volume 1. I have been sent some details of the package from a long time contact, which I will include below. But I must state that these details are not yet finalized and true to form within the music industry (and Van Halen!), any or all details could change at the last minute. It seems Best Of Volume 2 will follow the same format of chronologically organized Volume 1. That is Roth tracks moving into Hagar tracks and finishing with the new tracks. There are a couple of rumors that I have not personally received any word on - that the compilation could be expanded to a 2CD set - and that the release may feature 1 unreleased David Lee Roth track from the sessions that took place in 2000. But those 2 points remain rumor only. The info I was sent says at this stage the CD is a 1 disc compilation, just as Best Of Volume 1 was. And the tracks under consideration for the set include: You Really Got Me . Ice Cream Man . Beautiful Girls . Everybody Wants Some . Mean Street . So This Is Love . I'll Wait . Hot For Teacher . Best Of Both Worlds . Love Walks In . Summer Nights . Finish What Ya Started . Black And Blue . Runaround . Top Of The World. What will create great debate is news that two Gary Cherone era tracks are also under consideration. They are apparently: Without You and Fire In The Hole. Please note that this is not the final track listing, but rather the tracks in the front running for inclusion, as sent to me by one of my reliable sources. My source suggests the Cherone material could be dropped altogether, with Warner trying to keep the track listing to 16 songs. Then of course we have the two new tracks - which seems to be the favored option by the label - despite the band recording three new tracks. I have a little info on these tracks. It seems the two tracks that are to be included on the new Best Of are both rockers! One of them was described to me first hand - It's About Time is a rock track and apparently "vintage" Van Halen, but with a "modern" sound and a "progressive / techno twist" and some very fitting and funny lyrics. The new tracks are being produced by Glenn Ballard. Glenn was also at the helm of the new tracks included on Best Of Volume 1. I am told the album art has two possibilities. One is to be the same as Best Of Volume 1, but with the colors reversed (gold background with black logo and letters). Another possibility is the same logo look, but with an Eddie guitar design as the background. Now that sounds interesting, as the USA Today advertisement featured a similar pattern, as does the updated <a href="http://www.van-halen.com/newsite/index2.html" target="new">Van-Halen.com</a> website.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="183" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/vanhalen-2004.jpg" width="400" /></div> So folks, that's what I have as of right now. Naturally I'll provide any updates should I receive anything new from my few sources and confirm the final details when they are just that - final and unchangeable! As for the future past this tour? Personally I don't anyone is looking that far. I think the consensus is to finish these new tracks, get out on the road and see how things fly. A long term future and new studio album won't be contemplated until the tour is complete. There is no suggestion at all that anything with David Lee Roth is being considered for the future. And I should add that there are rumors of an Australian leg of the tour being planned for early 2005. I have a contact with Warner Australia and will update if and when anything further is mentioned regarding this. JOURNEY FOR THE HALL OF FAME: Fans working to get Journey into the Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame via an online petition is also going strong. The petition has hit 10,000 signatures! Check it out and sign up if you haven't already at: <a href="http://www.petitiononline.com/jrnyhof1/petition.html" target="new">www.petitiononline.com/jrnyhof1/petition.html</a>. There is also a committee which is working with the fan club and the band to continue the push forward to get the attention of the Hall of Fame. You can contact the committee at <a href="mailto:HOFJourney@aol.com">HOFJourney@aol.com</a> TOM RE-MIXING HIS CORPORATE AMERICA: In what I can only describe as a bit of a bizarre twist, Boston boss Tom Scholz is apparently in the studio re-mixing the Corporate America album for re-release in the coming months. As printed on the Boston <a href="http://www.bandboston.com/boston_news_01.htm" target="new">website</a> yesterday: "...the band's last album, Corporate America, in 2002, got only a tepid response. These days, sequestered in the basement studio of his house outside Boston (the city, not the band), Scholz is remixing Corporate America songs for re-release this spring." I don't think re-mixing the album is going to see any better result than what's already been achieved. I think the overall fan reaction highlighted the need for more songs featuring vocalist Brad Delp and in the vein of the wonderful opening track, not a different mix of what was included. I'll be interested to hear the result. One would also think the album will be released by a new label, seeing that Tom is still suing Artemis Records. Boston are also no longer represented by Irving Azoff Management. MATCHBOX TWENTY SHOWCASE KILLER LIVE SHOW ON DVD: Press Release: Rock sensation Matchbox Twenty played the show of a lifetime to fans and followers at Philips Arena in Atlanta, GA on June 28, a stopover on their More Than You Think You Are Tour 2003. Rolling out hit after hit, the band played with the intensity of the multi-platinum artists they are, while creating an intimate atmosphere reminiscent of their early club days. Reaching new visual and sonic heights, this classic DVD was shot in state of the art high definition format with 17 cameras, utilizing multiple angles, capturing all the nuances of a stellar live performance. Matchbox Twenty can be heard with depth and clarity, as this DVD was recorded in 5.1 PCM stereo. A Night In The Life Of Matchbox Twenty will be released in 16:9 format, and offered in Dolby Digital Stereo, Dolby 5.1 Surround Sound, and DTS Digital Surround Sound. Accessible to every household, this DVD is also compatible with Sony Play Station. With nineteen songs, spanning three enormously successful albums, this double DVD also includes documentary footage, and a behind the scenes photo gallery from one of rock's most prominent bands. A Night In The Life Of Matchbox Twenty is more than an evening to remember. Track Listing: Cold . Real World . Soul Disease . Could I Be You . 3 Am . Mad Season . Feel . Hand Me Down . If You're Gone . Bright Lights . Bent . Unwell . Back To Good . Downfall . You're So Real . So Sad So Lonely . Longday . Push. CASANOVA'S LOSS IS DOMAIN'S GAIN: Due to personal and musical differences ex-Demon Drive and Boysvoice bass player Jochen Mayer has decided not to be a part of the newly reformed Casanova again and rather join German melodic-metal band Domain on their upcoming album The Last Days Of Utopia. Jochen Mayer, a good friend of the band for many years, has taken place in the band after his predecessor Sandro Lo Giudice decided to step back for being a performing musician to turn to focus more on the management side of the business. Jochen has already started the recordings of the bass parts for the new Domain album and will finish them shortly. The whole band would like to thank Sandro for his huge efforts, his creative inputs and his reliability in all cases and in the same way to join Jochen with the same heartiness and a big "Welcome". ArtistLink: <a href="http://www.domainband.de" target="new">www.domainband.de</a> CD SHOWCASE UPDATED: Three new <a href="#cdshowcase">CD Showcases</a> added today for your enjoyment. Added are the three Frontiers Records releases due out May 3 - Lionsheart's Abyss, White Skull's The XIII Skull and the brand new AOR project from Mickey Thomas - Over The Edge. I must say that fans of Mickey Thomas/Starship/Journey and good, well produced melodic rock/AOR are going to get a kick out of Over The Edge. The album features songs by Jack Blades, Jonathan Cain, Neal Schon & Jack Blades and a couple of cool covers, including Theif by Martin Stenmark and Forest For The Trees by Australia's own TaxiRide. Click on the CD covers to check out the previews.   <div align="center"><a href="showcase/overtheedge.html"><img alt="over the edge" border="0" height="125" src="/files-archive/news/overtheedge125.jpg" width="125" /></a>xx<a href="showcase/lionsheart-abyss.html"><img alt="lionsheart - abyss" border="0" height="125" src="/files-archive/news/lionsheart-abyss125.jpg" width="125" /></a>xx<a href="showcase/whiteskull-thexiiiskull.html"><img alt="white skull - the xiii skull" border="0" height="125" src="/files-archive/news/whiteskull-thexiiiskull125.jpg" width="125" /></a></div> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#304250" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#304250"> <div align="center">Monday, April 05, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> WALTHAM BACK IN THE STUDIO: Some killer news for fans of modern melodic rockers Waltham. The band hits the studio this week to begin recording a 6 - 7 song EP. The guys are hoping to have it done and released some time in May. The songs the band are recording for consideration for the EP are: June (a.k.a. You Gotta Let Me In) . Joanne . Where I Wanna Be (There was a demo of this on the DVD) . Fast Times At Waltham High . Intro of Rock . Love Is Alright Tonight (Rick Springfield cover!!) . 1983 . I'll Do Anything. Some other songs that are still works-in-progress might also be recorded. And the band will, of course, film everything! TRAGEDY FOR MOLLY HATCHET GUITARIST: GREEN COVE SPRINGS, Florida (AP) -- The wife of the lead guitarist for the Southern rock group Molly Hatchet was found dead Thursday, police said. Stephanie Ingram was found at home here, about 25 miles south of Jacksonville, said Clay County Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Mary Justino. She was 33. An autopsy was scheduled. <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2004/SHOWBIZ/Music/04/02/people.mollyhatchet.ap/index.html" target="new">Full Story</a>. MELODIC BRIEF'S: Rumor mill warning - plans are apparently underway for a full Black Sabbath re-union, with the possibility of the band headlining this year's Ozzfest in place of a solo Ozzy show. Apparently Tony Iommi recently suggested negotiations are underway for the reunion, but nothing is yet confirmed. Patient fans of Robin Beck will be pleased to hear her new solo album Wonderland will finally be released throughout Europe on May 3 from Reality Entertainment. A date of April 13 was set, but appears to have been changed just this week. There appears little fanfare or promotion behind the release, but it should be in most stores around this date. Trends are indicating a rise in the popularity of Classic Rock. USA Today ran a lengthy article on this last week. The text has been included on the Message Board. <a href="http://www.melodicrock.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?p=57949" target="new">Click to read the interesting article</a>. Cool Finnish nu-breed/modern rockers The Rasmus have now had their album Dead Letters released in the USA. The entire Triumph catalog was re-mastered in December with a re-released planned for later this year. The catalogue was previously remastered and re-released in the early/mid 90's, but only in Canada. This release will be through the band's own label and features fresh re-mastering. LEVIATHAN RECORDS NEWS: Metal legends, Chastain, return with a vengeance on their new recording In An Outrage. Joining guitarist David T. and vocalist Kate French are new additions, drummer Larry Howe and bassist Dave Starr. You may recognize their names as they were the rhythm section during the "classic" Vicious Rumors' years. In An Outrage is the band's first release since 1997's In Dementia. That CD rocked the metal world with its intense sophistication and Kate's dominate voice. David states, "In Dementia was the stepping stone from pre-Kate Chastain to the current model. We are now touching on influences that run the gamut of old school and new school metal. Overall the sound of the CD is very strong. Probably the best mixed CD of the Chastain discography." For more info go to: <a href="http://www.leviathanrecords.com/chaslist1.htm">www.leviathanrecords.com/chaslist1.htm</a> The new Chastain CD In An Outrage will be released in early June on Leviathan Records in the US and Toshiba-EMI in Japan. Also at about the same time Leviathan Records will be releasing Chastain The 7th & The Voice. This release is a remastered, repackaged, reissue of the classic Chastain albums The 7th of Never and The Voice of the Cult, on one CD. Both albums featured the studio lineup of David T. Chastain on guitar, Leather on vocals, Mike Skimmerhorn on bass and Ken Mary on drums. Both true metal classics. Joe Stump's Reign of Terror will return in April for another European tour. Then he will do an instrumental tour of the United States. Joe has also just finished his first new studio instrumental CD since 1998's Rapid Fire Rondo. Joe is leaning towards titling the CD Speed Metal Messiah! Southern Gentlemen are also finishing up their third CD. The band's second CD Double Your Pleasure is still outselling all other Leviathan Records titles. For further info on the above please go to: <a href="http://www.leviathanrecords.com" target="new">www.leviathanrecords.com</a> HEIR APPARENT HEAD TO GREECE: Heir Apparent, whose Graceful Inheritance CD was the first-ever compact disc released in Europe by an independent label (Black Dragon), and still holds up today as a true progressive metal classic, are coming to Greece in May 2004! Three dates include: May 21 - Thessaloniki; May 22 - Larissa; May 23 Athens. Joining them on this jaunt is former Nightshade drummer Jeffrey McCormack. The group will return to the US in June to begin work on a new album. The current Heir Apparent Lineup is: Peter Orullian - vocals, Terry Gorle - guitars, Bobby Ferkovich - bass, Op Sakiya - Keys, Jeffrey McCormack - Drums. More information about Heir Apparent can be found at <a href="http://www.heirapparent.com" target="new">www.heirapparent.com</a> SOMETHING FOR MAGNITUDE NINE FANS: You can read a new full interview with Magnitude Nine guitarist Rob Johnson here at <a href="http://www.virtuosityone.com/robjohnsonint.htm" target="new">this link</a>. Also, for guitar fans out there, Rob has a new guitar lesson Video/DVD that will be released in April - titled Rob Johnson's Shred Tactics, which displays string skipping, arpeggios, picking licks, etc. E-mail Rob direct for info at <a href="mailto:magnine@aol.com">magnine@aol.com</a> YES GO UNPLUGGED ON DVD: "Every so often a band comes along that truly embodies rock and roll. It's power, emotion and ability to connect with its audience resonates far beyond the boundaries of most other recording artists. That band is YES…You are truly legends" - Keith Girard, Editor in Chief, Billboard. Following a hugely successful year for the band in 2003 with the release of Yesspeak (DVD-Classic Pictures), The Ultimate Yes: 35th Anniversary Collection (CD-Warner), and sold-out tours in the USA, Asia, Europe, Australia, the pioneers of Progressive Rock, Yes, continue to celebrate their 35th Anniversary Year in 2004. Classic Pictures are pleased to announce the release of the DVD Yes Acoustic recorded live in front of a Los Angeles studio audience on January 26th, 2004. Presented with 5.1 Dolby Digital, 5.1 DTS & Dolby Stereo sound options and DVD artwork designed by Roger Dean. The live acoustic set was originally premiered on the big screen and simultaneously broadcasted by satellite across 21 Regal Cinema theatres in the USA, following the showing of a 75 minute version of Yesspeak – The DVD. The recent success and resurgence of the band has led to a Yes Special Tribute Issue of Billboard (Nov 1st 2003), which has become the No.1 selling issue of 2003, a Top 10 UK chart entry with the Ultimate Collection CD, a big screen premiere of "YESSPEAK" shown simultaneously across 21 theatres in North America, amidst a whirlwind of national TV & Radio appearances and in-store performances. In addition, YES members Steve Howe, Rick Wakeman and Jon Anderson have even found the time to treat fans to international solo tours in between their YES duties – This is one of the hardest working bands in Rock and there is more to come… The 'Classic' line-up of Jon Anderson (Vocals), Steve Howe (Guitars), Chris Squire (Bass), Alan White (Drums), Rick Wakeman (Keyboards) will embark on an Arena Tour of the USA (April/May) and Europe (June/July). Roger Dean, legendary for his design work with Yes in the 70's and artwork for classic 'top selling' albums such as 'Fragile' and 'Close To The Edge' will collaborate with the band once again to create a phenomenal stage set for the forthcoming 35th Anniversary Tour. DVD Ttrack list includes: Long Distance Runaround, South Side of the Sky, Show Me, Roundabout, Your Move/All Good People, Time is Time and more. UK & Europe Release Date: 21st June 2004 For further information visit: <a href="http://www.yesworld.com" target="new">www.yesworld.com</a> and <a href="http://www.classicpictures.co.uk" target="new">www.classicpictures.co.uk</a> EVERGREY PREPARE THEIR INNER CIRCLE: Sweden's Evergrey Releases Ambitious The Inner Circle & Embarks on Extensive Spring North American Tour with Iced Earth and Children of Bodom. The career of Swedish melodic metal outfit Evergrey is a far-reaching journey; a kaleidoscopic expedition that ventures deeper into the human psyche with each progressing release, while simultaneously broadening the band's sphere of musical vision. April 27th, 2004 will see Evergrey enlighten the world with The Inner Circle, an adventurous conceptual album exploring the nuances of religious cults and the depth of Evergrey expanding musicianship. The album will be released through Inside Out Music America. The follow-up to 2003's lauded Recreation Day (which yielded 2 videos still in rotation on MTV2's Headbangers Ball I'm Sorry & Blinded), The Inner Circle sees Evergrey intensifying their musical ability with the utilization of a string quartet, courtesy of the Gothenburg Symphonic Orchestra, as well as handling all of the production duties themselves. The band (vocalist/guitarist Tom S. Englund, guitarist Henrik Danhage, bassist Michael Haykansson, keyboardist Rikard Zander, and drummer Jonas Ekdahl) unleashes an album that retains the band's signature brand of infectious songwriting while experimenting with new ideas, thoughts, and sonic imagery. Englund explains, "We never had any plans to go in any direction, and it is one of the things that makes Evergrey unique. We have always tried to be a complex band, but we have always maintained a pop-structure' to the songs. We are happy that we are evolving as songwriters, and we are fortunate not to repeat ourselves. With Recreation Day, we wrote recorded and released it within 5 months. With this one, we took a lot more time with it." Audio clips for A Touch of Blessing and More Than Ever can be sampled here: <a href="http://www.evergrey.net/audvid.php">www.evergrey.net/audvid.php</a> More info and tour dates at: <a href="http://www.evergrey.net" target="new">www.evergrey.net</a> and <a href="http://www.insideoutmusic.com" target="new">www.insideoutmusic.com</a> LOVE/HATE ROCK THE UK IN MAY: New World Enterprises Proudly Presents: Love/Hate +Kickback +Mudmen - Wasted In The UK 2004 Tour. Tickets Now On Sale! Tour Info. 07971 984 144 14th May Bradford Club Rio 01274 735549 15th May Sheffield Corporation 0114 275 0262 16th May Dudley Jb S 01384 253597 18th May Crewe Limelight 01270 251929 19th May London Underworld 020 784 1932 20th May Glasgow Cathouse Club 0141 248 6606 21st May Leicester Princess Charlotte 0116 255 3956 22nd May Nottingham Rockcity 0115 941 2544 MR-X UPDATED: MR-X has been updated. Added today are the new Feature Album, Feature Live and Feature Single downloads. The Feature Album is the debut out of print debut Alien album, which features the great Jim Jidhed on vocals. The Feature Live title is a Van Halen's bootleg Got The Miracle Fingers - Live in Japan 1989. <a href="mr-x/index.html">Enter MR-X</a> - <a href="mr-x-intro.html">Join MR-X</a>.  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#397171" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#397171"> <div align="center">Friday, April 02, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> CINDERELLA OFF THE ROAD FOR SUMMER, BUT REMAIN INTACT: Cinderella have cancelled their US summer tour plans. And amid rumours that Tom Keifer quit Cinderella Mitch Lafon contacted bassist Eric Brittingham today and was told this: "Tom did not quit Cinderella. I have no idea where that rumor came from. I called him this morning and told him about it and he just laughed. The tour isn't going to happen though. We had been exploring our options to tour this summer and were hoping to make it happen, but decided to hold off for now." PROG FESTIVALS FOR THE EAST AND WEST USA: Two new festivals have appeared on the progressive rock scene this year and both coasts of the US are represented. On Saturday and Sunday, April 24th and 25th, the first annual Rites of Spring Festival will be taking place in the little town of Phoenixville, a suburb of Philadelphia, PA. Over two days, eight bands at the forefront of the new progressive rock scene will be performing. The bill consists of Orphan Project, Izz, and the first US performances from both Alias Eye and headliner Jadis. On the second day, the artists will be Sonus Umbra, Little Atlas, Salem Hill and the US debut of RPWL. Tickets are going fast, so if you are going to be anywhere near the east coast of the US, don't miss this event. <a href="http://www.rosfest.com" target="new">www.rosfest.com</a> For the left coasters, what better time than Saturday July 3rd to experience CalProg 2004? This other new event will feature another stellar lineup of progressive artists in a similar theater setting. The Mike Keneally Band, Enchant, Izz (again!), Erik Norlander and special guest Neal Morse will provide a full day of musical enjoyment in the college town of Whittier California outside of Los Angeles. Tickets go on sale April 10th and are sure to go quickly. <a href="http://www.calprogday.com" target="new">www.calprogday.com</a> THE STAND CD (FEATURING CHRIS CHILDS) NOW AVAILABLE: The Stand is the new solo project from Thunder's bass player Chris Childs. Featuring the stunning vocal talents of Ray Brown, Moon And The Sun includes 10 original tracks penned by the duo. Musically a mixed bag, there are elements of Bad Company, Del Amitri, Paul Carrack and The Eagles, providing a blend of styles guaranteed to satisfy all fans of classic rock. Go to <a href="http://www.thestand.org" target="new">www.thestand.org</a> for sound samples and more information, or order online from <a href="http://www.townsend-records.co.uk/thestand.htm" target="new">www.townsend-records.co.uk/thestand.htm</a>. Go to <a href="http://www.thestand.org.uk" target="new">www.thestand.org.uk</a> to download a FULL free mp3 of one of the tracks from the album. THUNDER TO TOUR WITH DEEP PURPLE AND PETER FRAMPTON: Thunder have announced that they will be playing U.K. arenas in November with Deep Purple, Peter Frampton and one more act to be confirmed. The full list of dates are as follows: Saturday 6th MEN, MANCHESTER Monday 8th SECC, GLASGOW Tuesday 9th SHEFFIELD ARENA Wednesday 10th METRO FM ARENA, NEWCASTLE Friday 12th NEC, BIRMINGHAM Saturday 13th WEMBLEY ARENA, LONDON Sunday 14th CIA, CARDIF Tuesday 16th BRIGHTON CENTRE Wednesday 17th PLYMOUTH PAVILLIONS MELODIC BRIEFS: Fans of Daniele Liverani and the Genius rock opera should keep an eye on the two official sites featuring info on these releases: <a href="http://www.geniusrockopera.com" target="new">www.geniusrockopera.com</a> and <a href="http://www.danieleliverani.com" target="new">www.danieleliverani.com</a> You've seen the petition to get Rush into the Hall Of Fame, but now there's another targeting Styx! Check it out at: <a href="http://www.petitiononline.com/styxhof/petition.html" target="new">www.petitiononline.com/styxhof/petition.html</a>. Would it be nice to see Styx, Rush and Van Halen names as inductees for 2005? If you are looking to purchase the Tears For Fears album via paid download, you can do so at: <a href="http://www.buymusic.com" target="new">www.buymusic.com</a>. Robin McAuley has an official web site now online at: <a href="http://www.robinmcauley.com" target="new">www.robinmcauley.com</a> Fans (and not) of The Darkness should all enjoy an online interview with the band's over the top frontman Justin Hawkins: <a href="http://thecelebritycafe.com/interviews/justin_hawkins_2004_03.html" target="new">thecelebritycafe.com/interviews/justin_hawkins_2004_03.html</a>  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#b11b1c" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#b11b1c"> <div align="center">Thursday, April 01, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> DANGER DANGER WELCOMES BACK TED POLEY: It has just been officially announced that Ted Poley has returned to Danger Danger as lead vocalist and that Paul Laine has left the band. Steve West just e-mailed to say it's all set and done and to confirm that the band will play the Sweden Rock Festival! Below is what all the guys have to say on the re-union, direct from their updated website: <a href="http://www.dangerdanger.com" target="new">www.dangerdanger.com</a> Beneath that is some additional statements Steve and Ted sent me today. D2's Press Release: You've heard all the rumors, now here's an official statement from founding members Bruno Ravel & Steve West. "After 11 years apart, we are very pleased to welcome Ted Poley back to Danger Danger. Our past differences have been well documented, but time truly does heal old wounds. We buried the hatchet a few years ago, and have spoken from time to time since then. It's always great speaking with Ted and reminiscing about "the good old days." We had never given any serious thought about getting back together, until just recently. Our short tour of Europe last year was quite an eye opener for us. We came to realize a few things from that experience. As most of you know, our set list was/is predominately filled with songs from our first 3 recordings, and although our fans were really supportive and excited to see us with Paul Laine fronting the band, a majority of our fans really wanted to see and hear the band, complete with the original voice that they so fondly remember. We actually felt kind of bad for Paul, because with the exception of 3 or 4 songs in our set, he was basically singing in a cover band, and that could never be truly fulfilling for a singer/songwriter as talented as he is. That's not the bands fault, or the fans fault, it's just the reality of the situation. We also felt that, with the recent formation of Paul's awesome new band Shugaazer, and newly released CD, he was growing weary of his role in D2, and while he enjoyed writing & recording with us and loves us like brothers, maybe singing the older D2 material was just not cutting it for him anymore, and he wanted to focus his efforts on his own band right now. Our assumption was correct. This was an extremely tough decision for us to make because of our close friendship with Paul, but we knew that it was the best thing for all of us. It was then, that we started entertaining the thought of reuniting with Ted. We then called Paul, and told him what we were thinking, and asked him how he felt about it, and he agreed it was the best thing for the fans, the band and himself." <table> <tbody> <tr> <td><img alt="" height="250" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/dangerdanger-logo.jpg" width="250" /></td> <td>Here's what Paul had to say about the recent events; "What do you say after 10 great years working with two of the most talented people I have ever met? Thank you almost seems trite when you consider the wealth of memories and experiences I have gained. In the winter of 1993, when I showed up in New York City, it was all about the music. Working with Steve and Bruno gave me a chance to stand outside my own self as a writer, and look at music from another perspective. It's now 10 years later and it's all about the friendship. The brotherhood that is Danger Danger has defined an era in my life, and I will always be a richer man for it. For the fans and friends of the band that we met while touring ...thank you for always making me feel welcome. Every night I went on stage wondering if was going to be accepted, and every night I left feeling humbled by your gratitude towards us and the music. God bless you all...</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> A third era is dawning for Danger Danger now, and I hope it is as rich of an experience for Steve and Bruno as the last two. Ted is coming back to do some touring, and I think that it will be great for the fans to hear his amazing voice behind this band once again. I have always felt Ted was a great singer...very hard to fill his shoes on those songs from the first 2 albums ... I hope I did them justice. Let me also say welcome back! I know you must have missed playing with Danger Danger, because I know how much I will. But I know the fans of D2 will embrace this, and that is so worth it ... In closing, I just want to say many humble thanks to everyone I met along the way....you changed my life......Paul" Bruno and Steve continue: "Paul has, is, and always will be our brother. The Viking! You'll find no bigger fans of Paul and his music than the two of us. From Stick it Your Ear to Shugaazer's Shift, his stuff just flat out rocks. We hope that you will show him the same love and support that you have shown us all these years. We are, and will always be open to working with Paul again on future projects. That door will never be closed. As of this moment, we have no plans to record any new D2 material. That could of course change in the future, but we've decided to focus our attention on touring for now. We are as excited to have Ted back, as he is to be back. The three of us are anxious to begin this next chapter for D2, and we look forward to all of you being a part of it. See ya on the road ..." Bruno & Steve That's not all. Ted Poley had this so say to me earlier today: "I am very happy about the news and for the opportunity to get out there again in D2 and re-live some of the greatest times of my life! I am psyched for an amazing time ahead! It's great to be back with my old friends and look forward to having as much fun as we can with all of our fans and friends around the world. Looking forward to seeing you all at a show real soon!" And Steve West also e-mailed in some additional thoughts: "I just want to say that we are excited to have Ted back in the band. We know a lot of our fans have missed him, and we're excited for them as well. The number one reason we still make records and play is because we know how much joy it brings our fans, and having Ted back will only add to that. We've been very fortunate that our fans so graciously accepted Paul into the band 11 years ago, and we are hoping that they will just as graciously welcome Ted back. We are optimistic about the future and what it will bring. We will be hitting the road sometime in May and plan on touring as much as possible. We are also happy to announce that we will be performing at Sweden Rock in June. We're looking forward to seeing you all real soon! Peace. Westy"   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="204" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/dangerdanger-classic.jpg" width="300" /></div> WHITE LION - THERE WILL BE NO RE-UNION: It's a day for breaking news - this just in - there will be no White Lion re-union. Nor will there be any touring done under the White Lion name this summer. Although several festivals have booked White Lion to appear, this will no longer be happening. A full update on this and a statement from Mike Tramp will follow ASAP. GLEN BURTNIK WELCOMES YOU TO HOLLYWOOD: <table> <tbody> <tr> <td><img alt="" height="255" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/glenburtnik-2004.jpg" width="170" /></td> <td>Glen Burtnik's new solo album Welcome To Hollywood will be released by Atenzia Records in Europe on June 2. "My new album Welcome To Hollywood is kick ass. The songs are perhaps the strongest I've ever written, and the production is about as big a sound as I've ever heard come out of two speakers." (Glen Burtnik) There are over a dozen of songs on the album, mostly snapshots of life in the cult of American celebrity, and a postcard from Glen's five years of touring the United States performing rock shows. The album ranges from gigantic arrangements to the barest of productions, and the dynamics of the material is inarguable. From a whisper to a scream Welcome To Hollywood is densely packed with music and a number of extras. The album will be released on June 2, the first edition will contain a bonus DVD and the album has loads of extra tracks and info all packed in a nice slipcase!</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> YOU'RE SO LUCKY TO HEAR LONDON CALLING: London Calling will release their new studio album You're So Lucky through Atenzia Records on June 2. London Calling is: Jamie Rowe on Vocals and Guitar, Jon Gilbert on Guitar and Piano, Matthew Martin on Bass and Drummer Derek D. Sorrells. <table> <tbody> <tr> <td>With a style that is best referred to as "Explosive Pop", the self-proclaimed King Of Bands is all about the good things in life. "We are a very optimistic band", says Derek, "Our musical mission is to create songs that will not bring you down or depress you" adds Matthew, "We all like the same kinds of bands so our common influences tend to shine through London Calling. I think others will love this band as much as I do!" Influences in the music recall modern rock bands such as Fountains of Wayne, American Hi-Fi, Sugarcult, and Lit while still giving a serious nod to bands of yesterday such as Cheap Trick or The Sweet. </td> <td><img alt="" height="170" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/londoncalling-2004.jpg" width="239" /></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> HUGO'S FIRE AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER NOW: Hugo's new album Fire In The Night is available for pre-order right now! The CD will begin shipping shortly. A preview of the album can be found at the <a href="showcase/hugo-fireinthenight.html">Hugo CD Showcase</a>, launched today. The CD is available specially autographed, or personalized and can be pre-ordered here: <a href="http://www.hugomusic.net/hugoswag.html" target="new">www.hugomusic.net/hugoswag.html</a> Coming up is a brand new interview with Hugo and of course, a full album review.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/hugo-fireinthenight.jpg" width="200" /></div> SPECIAL OFFER ON BLACK SYMPHONY T-SHIRTS: A very limited number of Black Symphony T-Shirts have been made available to those interested. The shirts and photos were designed for the "1997 Black Symphony European Tour" but would unfortunately never would see the light of day (unitil now), due to line up changes and delayed opportunities. This is the original Black Symphony line up featured in this photo which also reflects the line up of players on their first self - titled record. This makes it rather unique and somewhat of a rare / collector's item for the dedicated fan, especially when considering the group disbanding and Jeff Martin most recently joining Leatherwolf. The shirts are high quality "Anvil" 100% cotton pre shrunk and are available in Large or XL. A B&W Promo Photo which will be included with the shirt free of charge.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="236" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/blacksymphony-promo.jpg" width="300" /></div> Prices for the shirt and photo will be as follows: $8.50 + $4.00 (S&H) = $12.50 USD. Order each additional shirt with only $2.50 (S&H) Wholesale Inquires Welcome! Online Paypal payments will be accepted shortly. Those paying with check or money order can do so by mailing to this address: Michael Phelan, P.O. Box 9232, Mesa, Az. 85214 Any Questions addressed to: <a href="mailto:symphonyshirts@hotmail.com">symphonyshirts@hotmail.com</a>.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/blacksymphony-tshirt.jpg" width="400" /></div> SRF ADD TNT, DANGER DANGER AND MONTROSE: Sweden Rock Festival, taking place June 10 -12 in Solvesborg, have added the last few names to the line-up. As well as featuring the reformed Danger Danger, the festival has also added Montrose and TNT to the show. More infomation at: <a href="http://www.swedenrock.com" target="new">www.swedenrock.com</a> TMG'S TIME IS NOW: TMG - the Tak Matsumoto Group has their debut single released in Japan this week. Oh Japan, Our Time Is Now can be sampled via this Real Audio link: <a href="http://switchboard.real.com/player/email.html?PV=6.0.12&link=http%3A%2F%2Fsound.being.co.jp%2Fsound%2Fbmcv%2D5006%2Fbmcv5006.ram" target="new">Oh Japan</a> - it's quite a rocking track! Also recorded was another new track Trapped. TMG features Tak Matsumoto (guitars), Jack Blades (bass), Eric Martin (vocals) and Chris Frazier (drums). The tracks were written by Blades/Martin/Matsuoto. A full album is being recorded in LA right now - due to be completed by the end of April. A 7 week tour is planned for Japan starting at the end of July. Some tour dates are already available via Eric Martin's site: <a href="http://www.ericmartin.com/main.asp?Action=2&SubLink=2" target="new">www.ericmartin.com/main.asp?Action=2&SubLink=2</a>   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="190" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/tmg-ohjapan.jpg" width="168" /></div> SOUNDSCAN US MELODIC ROCK SALES UPDATE: This weeks US Soundscan sales figures are in and these are the big players in the melodic rock scene. Guns N Roses' Greatest Hits release makes a huge splash and will debut at #3 on the Billboard Top 200 with 168,736 units sold. Tesla will find themselves at #115 next week, with a further 10,000 units sold - an awesome effort. Hall & Oates' Ultimate compilation also shipped another 10,000 units and will chart at #119. The Brides Of Destruction CD sold 3269 copies this past week. Rick Springfield sold an additional 1440 units. HERE SR-71 GO AGAIN!: SR-71 are only a couple of steps short of their comeback release. The new album Here We Go Again will find itself released in Japan first up, currently scheduled for release May 21. DEEN-O'S NEW DRUM SET REVEALED: Deen Castronovo's new drum set for the upcoming Journey tour has just been revealed on his own site! Check it out at: <a href="http://www.deen-o.com" target="new">www.deen-o.com</a>. It is a one of a kind from DW Drums and only the second to be made in the world with custom graphics built right into the finish on the drums. The first was for Rush's Neal Peart! RELEASE DATES UPDATE: A substantial update has been uploaded for the Release Dates page. There might still need to be a couple of adjustments, but the new list is as up to date as possible and has a number of new titles and dates added to it. <a href="releasedates.html">Check it out.</a>  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#374646" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#374646"> <div align="center">Wednesday, March 31, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> HERE COMES THE BRIDES - LIVE: Brides Of Destruction, the much-talked-about new band featuring bassist Nikki Sixx (Motley Crue), guitarist Tracii Guns (L.A. Guns), vocalist London LeGrand and drummer Scot Coogan, will begin their first headlining tour in April 2004. Dubbed the "Honeymoon from Hell" tour, BRIDES - who have already turned in electrifying performances on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" and "The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn" - are ready to hit the road and show people why the New York Post called them "an all star metal band (that) delivers the three V's volume, velocity and virtuosity." The tour finds Brides Of Destruction out to promote Here Comes the Brides, (Sanctuary) which was released to much fanfare, including a packed in-store appearance and performance at Tower Records on the Sunset Strip. Dates consist of stops across the U.S. and Canada, including a special show in New York City at the legendary CBGB's. One of the support acts on the tour is Amen, and another act will be added. "Brides Of Destruction gives me the same feeling I had on the first Motley Crue tour. I feel brand new again and am looking forward to getting out there and bloodying some lips and blacking some eyes, old school rock and roll style. The BRIDES are out to put the danger back in rock and roll!" says Nikki Sixx. With Here Come the Brides, Brides Of Destruction has created a volatile concoction of metal, punk and garage rock. The result has been rave reviews from the likes of Rolling Stone, Associated Press, New York Post, Blender Magazine, Metal Edge and others. Brides Of Destruction will be touring through out the month of May in the U.S. and Canada, and then will be headed off to Europe for the month of June where they'll be playing major festivals alongside bands such as Metallica, Korn and Red Hot Chilli Peppers. They will then return to the U.S. for additional dates in July. For updated tour dates, online ticket sales, and more information visit bridesofdestruction.com. Brides Of Destruction's current U.S. tour dates include: Friday, April 30th Clifton Park, NY Northern Lights Saturday, May 1st West Springfield, VA Jaxx Sunday, May 2nd Norfolk, VA The NorVa Monday, May 3rd Baltimore, MD Thunderdome Wednesday, May 5th New York, NY CBGB's Thursday, May 6th Boston, MA Paradise Rock Club Friday, May 7th Hartford, CT Webster Theatre Saturday, May 8th Sayreville, NJ Starland Ballroom Sunday, May 9th Philadelphia, PA Trocadero Tuesday, May 11th Toronto, ON The Opera House Wednesday, May 12th Pittsburgh, PA Mr. Small's Theatre Thursday, May 13th Cleveland, OH Odeon Friday, May 14th Detroit, MI Majestic Theatre Saturday, May 15th Chicago, IL Metro WARRANT COMING TO YOUR TOWN SOON: Warrant will get down and dirty playing all of their hard-hitting biggest hits. Hitting 7 million in record sales worldwide, 5 top 40 hits and 5 top MTV videos, the "Down Boys" can still leave the crowds wanting more. Performing their popular songs Heaven, Down Boys and of course Cherry Pie, Warrant gives the fans what they want, non-stop. Warrant's line-up consists of original members Erik Turner (guitar), Jerry Dixon (bass), Joey Allen (lead guitar), Steven Sweet (drums) and new addition Jaime St. James (vocals). April/May 2004 Shows: 09-Apr Minot ND The Original 10-Apr Fargo ND Playmaker's Pavillion 21-Apr Hilton Head SC Monkey Business 22-Apr Charlotte NC Amoms South End 23-Apr Winston/Salem, NC Ziggy's 24-Apr Columbia, SC Headliners 30-Apr Forth Worth, TX The Asylum 01-May Monterrey, MX El Arena Monterrey 02-May San Antonio, TX Rivercity Bikefest HUMAN TEMPLE SIGN TO MTM MUSIC: Human Temple have signed to MTM Music for the release of their new album. Petri Lehto together with well known vocalist Janne Hurme, a solo artist has achieved sales of 150,000 albums, (his breakthrough single Kirje was one of the biggest hits of the last decade in Finland), founded Human Temple in 1998 in Finland. In early 2003 the band decided that it was time for the first album. Guitarist Jari Salo handled the production duties, as he's been doing studio work for years. Just to add a little extra flavour to the album, a few guests were invited to take part three Finnish top lead guitarists, Emppu Vuorinen from Nightwish, Jani Liimatainen from Sonata Arctica and Erkka Korhonen from Urban Tale added their solos to one song each. Finally, in February 2004 the album was mastered by Mika Jussila at the world-famous Finnvox studio. A must for everyone into melodic hard rock, AOR or even melodic, 80's styled metal. The album Insomnia is scheduled for June / July 2004. TEARS FOR FEARS LOOKING FOR A HAPPY ENDING: I got a few enquiries regarding Tears For Fears and the news I printed yesterday - just to confirm, even though not yet officially announced, the band has indeed been dropped from Arista Records due to the shakeup between Arista and parent company BMG. The future of their album which was just about to be released is currently on hold. PREVIEW ANTHRAX'S MASS DESTRUCTION: Metal legends Anthrax will attend a very special screening of their long awaited DVD Music Of Mass Destruction on April 7 in Los Angeles. Filmed in December 2003 at the Metro in Chicago, Music Of Mass Destruction captures Anthrax in an unforgettable performance that drummer Charlie Benante describes as "one of the highlights of our career." The DVD captures the band performing to an ecstatic crowd of Anthrax faithful performing all of their classics including "Caught in A Mosh," "Only," "Antisocial" and many more! The DVD will come with a companion live CD and will be released on April 20 through Sanctuary Records. Here are the details for the event: Wednesday, April 7, 7:30 p.m., Laemmle Sunset Theatre, 8000 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. Fans can go to <a href="http://www.anthrax.com" target="new">www.anthrax.com</a> to RSVP and there will be a limited number of seats available day of show. The seating is limited so fans are encouraged to get there early. The band will also appear live that evening on KDLD 103.1 at 11pm. As previously announced, Anthrax perform a very special show at the legendary Whiskey club on Sunset Strip on April 8 that will serve as a warm-up show for the band's upcoming tour of Australia and Japan. The much talked about video for What Doesn't Die has been completed and will begin airing on Headbanger's Ball and FUSE in April. AXL DOES A WOBBLY PART 213: As reported throughout much of the Western World in the last 12 hours - Axl is not happy! The statement was picked up from the official Business Wire news server: Guns N' Roses Not Able to Perform at Rock in Rio; A Message from W. Axl Rose LISBON, Portugal--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 30, 2004--Guns N' Roses will not be performing as scheduled at Rock In Rio - Lisbon. Axl says: "The band has been put in an untenable position by guitarist Buckethead and his untimely departure. During his tenure with the band Buckethead has been inconsistent and erratic in both his behavior and commitment - despite being under contract - creating uncertainty and confusion and making it virtually impossible to move forward with recording, rehearsals and live plans with confidence. His transient lifestyle has made it impossible for even his closest friends to have nearly any form of communication with him whatsoever. Last time I talked to Bucket, he called to tell me he had bought a bootleg DVD off EBay and how proud he was to be in Guns and how impressed he was with everyone's performance. Then, in February we got word from Brain that Bucket had called him and said he was back in Guns!? Apparently, according to Bucket he had been "Gone" but had turned himself around and was really excited to do Rio-Lisbon and a European tour. Somewhere in the following month things changed once again. According to those who have actually spoken with Buckethead it appears his plans were to secure a recording contract with Sanctuary Records which I encouraged my management to make available to him, quit GN'R and to use his involvement in the upcoming Guns release to immediately promote his individual efforts...Nice guy! There is not a member of this camp that is not hurt, upset and ultimately disappointed by this event, and more to the point - if not this individual, certainly this individual's choices. Regardless of anyone's opinions of me and what I may or may not deserve, clearly the fans, individuals in this band, management, crew and our support group do not deserve this type of treatment. We as a whole, definitely feel that we afforded Bucket every accommodation perhaps so much so that it may be that we or more precisely, I may have done Guns a disservice and unintentionally allowed Guns to be put in this position. On behalf of Guns N' Roses and myself I apologize to the fans who planned to see us at Rock In Rio - Lisbon. The festival and its tradition mean a lot to me personally and I sincerely do not enjoy being robbed by one of our own of the opportunity to be the first artist to play it for the third time. I would also like to express my gratitude to those who chose to embrace Buckethead's role in Guns and support our new line up. We greatly appreciate Bucket's contributions and remain open to "discussions" as there are obviously several issues to resolve. In the meantime rather than dwelling on the negative, Guns will be moving forward and surprisingly (without giving away any details) this unfortunate set of circumstances may have given us the opportunity to take our recording that one extra step further. Regardless we hope to announce a release date within the next few months. Sincerely, W. Axl Rose. *The Festival will shortly announce the name of a new headliner to perform with Evanescence and Kings Of Leon amongst others. DAVE JOINS THE MOB: I must thank Douglas for writing in and going to the trouble of lifting a pic from the HBO website. For those not in North America or hooked into HBO and The Soprano's, David Lee Roth made a cameo on the episode just aired this week. Doug says: "He appeared in a scene with Tony Soprano and the boys while they were playing cards. He had only two or three speaking lines. His last, and perhaps the best, was during a discussion of taxes and Dave responded, "I used to be able to deduct condoms." Classic Dave! Here's the pic:   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="188" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/ep56_tony_davidleeroth.jpg" width="300" /></div> E-INTERVIEWS UPDATED: Three new <a href="e-interviews.html">e-Interviews</a> online today. Vocalist Danny Bowes talks about the music behind the new Bowes & Morley album and what's in the pipeline for Thunder in 2004. <a href="interviews/dannybowes-04.html">Read</a>. Shylock guitarist Johannes talks about their hard rocking new album, which sees the band step up and deliver a cool European hard rock release. <a href="interviews/shylock.html">Read</a>. Shiva's duo of Mats and Anette talk about their new harder rocking release and life in general. <a href="interviews/shiva.html">Read</a>.  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#0a55a9" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#0a55a9"> <div align="center">Tuesday, March 30, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> MTM'S WICKED AND EXCEPTIONAL APRIL RELEASE: MTM Music has sent out some comments from Wicked Sensation guitarist Michael Klein, talking about the tracks featured on their new release Exceptional, due out April 26. 1. Intro - A very cool sounding Intro written by our Keyboarder Bernie. Bernie loves to write Intro`s, as this is the only way to introduce himself in our Band...hahaha...Ok, just kidding but it really sounds great! 2. Shining Light - This is the perfect Song as Opener for the Album!!! Shining Light has a really cool drive because of this fast Riff. As Fernando first heard this Track, he finished the Vocal lines at the same evening, it was magic. The Chorus part is definitely ear catchy and you cannot get it out of your mind, i promise! 3. Back to My Bed - Probably a Song with a theme that everybody had experiences with, before. Back to my Bed is about to much Party, to much alcohol, to much of everything. I`m sure everybody knows what we mean with a line like "It`s banging in my Head, get me Back to my Bed....." It`s just pure fun, with a great groove! 4. We Arise - I wrote this song around the Beginning Riff, which is a bit Rock`n Roll like. I felt straight away that this Song needs an Hammond Organ Sound. Before the lyrics was written we only called this Song "Hammond" for a long time. The Chorus is great as well, with incredible Backingvocals in my opinion! 5. Your Beat Inside My Heart - Sang wrote this one. One day he came around with this groovy guitar riff and it ended as a very cool Song called "Your Beat inside my Heart". The whole song is very melodic, especially Fernando`s singing in the Verse. Basicly the Piano on the beginning of the song was written on guitar, then we decided to make an Pianointro to give Bernie another Chance to show up...hahahahaha (don't take me serious!) 6. The One You Love Ain`t Me - Great groove, this song is based on an old guitar riff that Sang and me used years ago. The Verse has a modern and aggressive touch, while the Chorus comes up very melodic and great to sing along. 7. Exceptional - Our Title song! Some people already said it sounds a bit epic. The Chorus comes out very direct and it kicks ass big time. A real Rocker in my opinion and surely a great live song. By the way, we first had this song, then we used it for the Album title as well. 8. Kiss it Away - I really like this Song. The Verse Riff in combination of the whole Rhythm section is groove pure. The Backing Vocals in this catchy Chorus are just amazing!!! 9. Dying With the Wind - Dying with the Wind is our Ballad on this album. Actually, it`s not like a typical slow Love Ballad. It`s more a song with the dramatic real theme about the transitoriness of mankind. Lines like" Soon we are history, archaic and fantasy, no trace of us there to see" or " life is a flame it`s dying with the wind" should give us to think that we´re just one of a billion. 10. Time Will Pass Me By - Another very melodic Song with big Backings. This was the first Song that Fernando started to record for the album. It was unbelievable how great he sang this song, because he had a real bad cold that weekend. After this song we had to take a break until his cold was gone. Good Job Fernando -) 11. My Own Misery - It's fast, it's hard, this is "My own Misery". I think a song like this, should be on each album just like a ballad. All Metal fans who like to Bang their Heads, can do so on this one. 12. Rain On Me - Rain on me, was the first song i start to wrote for Exceptional. Basically it's a simple Song but everybody knows " sometimes the simple songs are the best". Well, Rain on me is a song in the traditional American hard rock style of the 80`s. Fernando went wild and crazy while he sang this one in the studio. We was all blown away by his performance and singing, and ok I have to be honest...I like my guitar solo on this song…hahahaha..ok forget about that last line! I hope you will enjoy our new album "Exceptional" just like we enjoyed writing and recording this album. LabelLink: <a href="http://www.mtm-music.com" target="new">www.mtm-music.com</a> RICHIE SCARLET LINES UP LIVE RELEASE: The new solo release by Ace Frehley Band guitarist Richie Scarlet - Live Stage To Stage is released April 6. Distributed Exclusively Worldwide by Front Row Seat Media, the CD is Richie's 4th solo album featuring 10 songs recorded live at different shows on a recent US tour. The press release reads: "Millions of rock fans have heard the six-string antics of veteran rocker Richie Scarlet. He has been a longtime member as guitarist with the Ace Frehley Band / Frehley's Comet. Richie also made his presence known as guitarist with Sebastian Bach & Friends from 1997-2001. Currently, he is touring with Mountain as bass player along side Leslie West and Corky Lang....Blues infused working-man Rock & Roll is delivered with power and vitality showcasing originals and renditions of such classics as Roy Buchanan's instrumental The Messiah Will Come Again and Eddie Cochran's Rockin' My Way." Wholesale and retailer discounts available. Full color retail posters available. More information at: <a href="http://www.frontrowseatmedia.com" target="new">www.frontrowseatmedia.com</a> Also available exclusively from Front Row Seat Media - The Alchemist Songs From the Westside, available on April 6, 2004. Light Prog rocker with all-star line-up including Glenn Hughes (Deep Purple), Ian Crichton (Saga), Tim Pierce ( Toy Matinee, Goo Goo Dolls), and Carl Kennedy (Greg Lake Band). ROBIN McAULEY LIVE IN LA APRIL 30: The great and always groovy Robin McAuley is putting on a solo show in LA, Friday April 30. See the show at Paladino's - 6101 Reseda Blvd, Tarzana, CA, 91335. Robin will be performing songs from MSG, Grand Prix, Solo and UFO. Call 818-342-1563 for additional info. RUSH TO THE HALL OF FAME PLEASE: 4000 have already signed a petition to get Rush inducted into the Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame. Add your name to the list and see if the powers that be listen. Check out the petition by logging onto <a href="http://www.classicrockrevisited.com" target="new">www.classicrockrevisited.com</a> and clicking on "Rush." BALANCING WORK ON TWO HIGH PROFILE MELODIC RELEASES: I got an e-mail update from Brain Moritz about his Balance project and also his work with Joe Vana on new material. You might recall one preview track from Balance on the MelodicRock.com CD1. The Balance CD is set to feature a couple of very high profile session guys. Details of that will follow. For now, Brian's update reads: "Things are going great, we've got the studio booked and the flights set for May 9-16. I spent the last weekend working with Vince [vocalist] on demos. He sounds a lot like Don Henley/Richard Marx so it's a pretty cool combination, like the Eagles meets Toto meets the Dixie Dregs." BAD HABIT PROPOSE DVD RELEASE: Amazing news from one of the most underrated Swedish band that even in 2004 still sees a strong cult following - We're talking Bad Habit here! There is the ultimate possibility of a Bad Habit (Double) DVD to see the light of day later this year following the highly acclaimed re-release of the band's sophomore effort Revolution/REDUX! The DVD will be more than just a trip through nostalgic times as it will be done - rest assured - with heart blood, passion and the band's love of being creative! It will not only include all video clips of the band (that being Need Somebody, Never Find Another You, More Than A Feeling, Rainbow and Another Night) - all digitally remastered of course! - but also live gigs covering the complete career of the band throughout the years and the "something extra" to make the product worth of a cult release. Hal, Doc and the band are still browsing their archives to get the utmost done to have a DVD that will live up to the fans' wishes and requests. The band has always faced a strong demand for video footage and this should be the real deal for any Bad Habit fan. Negotiations for the DVD are already taking place. I for one had a lucky glimpse at the framework already and was completely blown away by sound, design, contents and quality! If you want more info you can mail in <a href="mailto:badhabit@email.de">badhabit@email.de</a> - why not sign up for the Bad Habit/Arena Sweden newsletter then? Line up (1987-2000): Hal Marabel (Acoustic & Electric Guitars, Keyboards, Vocals), Bax Fehling (Lead and Background Vocals), Sven Cirnski (Lead Guitars), Patrik "Doc" Shannong (Keyboards), Patrik Södergren (Bass), Jaime Salazar (Drums). For the complete discography please <a href="http://hem.bredband.net/b234600/Page-Music/Page-Music.htm" target="new">click here</a>. Check out Hal's new outfit Arena Sweden here <a href="http://www.arenavip.com" target="new">www.arenavip.com</a>.  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#527650" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#527650"> <div align="center">Monday, March 29, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> IT'S ABOUT TIME FOR VAN HALEN: A new week begins, but the top story of the weekend was still Van Halen. It's About Time? It seems so - that's the title for the first single from the upcoming Best Of Volume 2, now said to be released in June. Despite the public confirmation of the re-union and the release of tour dates for the first leg of the 2004 tour - Sammy Hagar remains the only person that has commented publicly. A little bizarre, but hopefully the rest of the guys will speak soon. Maybe we will even get to unravel the last 5 years one day soon! At any rate, Sammy Hagar has handled the press duties so far, with an appearance on the Howard Stern radio show and an updated comment at his own website. Sammy posted this comment at: <a href="http://www.redrocker.com" target="new">www.redrocker.com</a> "Sorry I couldn't keep everyone up to speed on the VH stuff but until it was final we all swore to secrecy. So lay off my webmaster!! First of all, the Wabos are great! They will be on pay through all this and everything is upfront with them. They might be doing gigs in Tahoe at the Wabo with other artists this year and writing new songs at our new studio (Red Rocker Recording). We're gonna have a blast at the opening of the Tahoe Wabo and the Tequila bash in Atlantic City. Then I'm off to VH rehearsals. I'm totally excited about the tour. The music's a w e s o m e! It's About Time - 1st track, Yikessssssss!! See ya at the b-bash in October! Love ya, Sammy." Sammy also took a call from Howard Stern, who ribbed the singer about past comments about Van Halen and grilled him about working with the guys again over the last 3 months. A full run down of the conversation can be read at: <a href="http://www.marksfriggin.com/news.htm#fri" target="new">www.marksfriggin.com/news.htm#fri</a> <a href="http://Van-Halen.com" target="new">Van-Halen.com</a> are also advertising Special Ticket Packages for the currently listed dates, which will online March 30 at 10:00 AM EST. CINDERELLA'S ERIC BRITTINGHAM TALKS: Mitch Lafon talked to Cinderella's Eric Brittingham about his new Naked Beggar release: Tired of waiting for legal issues with Sony Music to be resolved, Cinderella's bassist Eric Brittingham has set off on his own to record new music with his wife, Inga, under the heading of Naked Beggars. "I got some demos done for my wife's band before Cinderella toured last time and when I got back I wasn't doing anything so I got more involved. Then I started doing gigs with them and the further it went the more involved I got. I got suckered into it and it's like my band now," jokes Eric. "It's a real project," continues the bassist. "I'm shying away from saying it's a side-project because I'm putting more work into this than Cinderella at the moment. I love Cinderella," he adds quickly, "but I'm tired of waiting and not feeling active. Doing this project has re-energized me. I can't really plan on doing anything until the Cinderella tour is done, but we'll be out touring this fall. We might do some dates with Bret Michaels." Turning to the topic of Cinderella, "it's really frustrating," he says candidly. "We got back together in '98 and signed with Sony, but it just dragged on and on and on. They wanted to hear more songs, but we were really just being jerked around. Then they decided they didn't want to do the record nor honour their obligations to the contract. We had sixty songs ready to go, but when it came time to line up a producer they pulled the plug. Then they tried to cut and run, but they owed us money. The contract says you owe us this much, plus we had been footing the bill (out of our own pockets) for the demoing costs and our travel. They argue that they could have done the album, but nobody would buy it. So, until we get this settled we can't put anything out. For every step forward it's two steps back. Everytime we come close to settling this thing; they change lawyers and keep pushing it back. The song Discombobulated on the Naked Beggars CD was one of the Cinderella demos." As for the summer tour, Eric states that "from what I've heard it's us with Dokken, Vince Neil and Sebastian Bach for about a month and a half. Then a couple of months on the Rock Never Stops tour with Ratt, Slaughter, Vince Neil and Jani Lane. I wish Stephen (Pearcy) would do the tour. If the band (Ratt) hates him that much, he could ride on our bus if he has to! For the Ratt fans it would be great!" Till then Eric is hoping readers will check out <a href="http://www.nakedbeggars.net" target="new">nakedbeggars.net</a>, as well as <a href="http://www.ericbrittingham.com" target="new">ericbrittingham.com</a>. BRET MICHAELS SET TO WALK DOWN A COUNTRY PATH: The <a href="http://www.tennessean.com/celebrities/archives/04/03/48762358.shtml" target="new">Tennessean</a> reports that Poison lead singer Bret Michaels "...is a whisper away from signing a country deal, on new indie label Lofton Creek Records." The paper goes on to say: "Bret, who lived here for a few years in the late '90s, spent much time here during the Country Radio Seminar with singer-songwriter Jeffrey ''Buns of'' Steele. And he met Jeffrey's label chief, Mike Borchetta, and voila! Mike ain't skeered of Bret's bad-boy image. ''He has been the perfect gentleman every time I've seen him,'' Mike reports. Yes, Bret is planning a country version of Every Rose Has Its Thorn. And Bret's country career has already started. He makes a cameo in the upcoming Tracy Lawrence video for the next single, It's All How You Look At It. Stay tuned." Bret has previously recorded a demo of country tunes and seems set to have another go at the southern slant. This weekend just past saw Michaels in the studio working on the new country tunes. MELODIC BRIEFS: BMG Records has secured control of the Survivor back catalogue. And the label seem to be interested in doing something with it. The label secured the catalogue via a purchase of Zomba Records. BMG are already planning a new compilation for release later this year. Cornerstone's awesome Once Upon Our Yesterday's album will be released in Japan May 19. The Japanese release adds one bonus track - Walk With Me. Meanwhile, if you go to <a href="http://www.cornerstonemusic.dk/index1.htm" target="new">www.cornerstonemusic.dk/index1.htm</a> you can download a video clip of Wounded Land from Cornerstone's recent live show in Copenhagen. Pyramaze is a band you will be hearing more from. Their debut album Melancholy Beast is also getting a European release, but a Japanese date has just been announced. May 26 will be the release date for this melodic metal band from Denmark. They featuring ex-Domain guitar Michael Kammeyer, and new singer Lance King (ex-Balance Of Power). Included 1 bonus track The Wizzard for Japan only. Leatherwolf has a new lead singer. Michael O. has departed and Jeff Martin (Racer X) is the new vocalist. The band has written some new songs with Jeff and have recorded a new 3 song demo. And you can sample one of these tunes right now via: w<a href="http://ww.leatherwolfmusic.com/Burned.mp3">ww.leatherwolfmusic.com/Burned.mp3</a> The Storm/Two Fires/Hardline guitarist Josh Ramos has his own website now online. Check it out at: <a href="http://www.joshramos.net" target="new">www. joshramos.net</a>. Tears For Fears have been dropped by label Arista and are now shopping their long delayed new studio album to other prospective labels. There is no updated release date for the troubled album. Jackyl's Jesse James Dupree reports that the band is set to unleash a new DVD, new tour dates, new web site and are writing new songs. It's nothing to do with music, but it gave me a laugh. If you need one, log onto: <a href="http://www.boreme.com/bmr/MAR04/a/m_rainbow/fr.htm" target="new">www.boreme.com/bmr/MAR04/a/m_rainbow/fr.htm</a> John Kalodner has apparently asked REO Speedwagon to do a record for Sanctuary Records. The band are in the middle of writing new material. SITE UPDATES: It's time to post your opinions on a few new CDs recently released. The Feature Reviews page now features interactive reviews for: Rick Springfield / Shock Denial Anger Acceptance, Jorn / Out To Every Nation, Kick / New Horizon, Spin Gallery / Standing Tall, Chris Catena / Freak Out!, UFO / You Are Here and Hobbit / All For The One. <a href="reviews/featurereview.html">Go to it!</a> My list of The Best Melodic Rock CDs Of 2004 (So Far) has been updated. <a href="bestof/2004sofar.html">Check it out.</a> MR-X UPDATE: No <a href="mr-x/index.html">MR-X</a> update last week, but two for ya this week! I didn't update the members area last week due to that extended outage that affected this site and the speed of all downloads. But the first of two updates are now online. Added today is several new rare MP3s (including the new Harlan Cage track Stacy and a 3 track preview of a new Journey tribute album, thanks to Evolution.) Also online now are some new Video Clips: Bonfire - Hard On Me, MSG - Love Is Not A Game, Valentine - No Way, Victory - Cyberia, Winger - Down Incognito. <a href="mr-x-intro.html">Join MR-X.</a>  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#46314f" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#46314f"> <div align="center">Friday, March 26, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> VAN HALEN - SAMMY HAGAR RETURNS, TOUR STARTS JUNE 11: <a href="http://www.van-halen.com" target="new">Van-Halen.com</a> has both been updated to reflect the official release of 2004 Summer tour dates for the re-united band. There's still no press release or statement from any band members, but the band members pages of the official Van Halen site now list a vocalist - Sammy Hagar. And what's more, there's a new press picture available. Full tour dates - or at least the first 29 dates between June 11 and August 19 - have been listed at: <a href="http://www.van-halen.com/newsite/road.html" target="new">www.van-halen.com/newsite/road.html</a>. Good news indeed!   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="183" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/vanhalen-2004.jpg" width="400" /></div> Earlier today - straight from the pages of <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/life/2004-03-25-coming-attractions_x.htm" target="new">USA Today Online</a>: "Ending months of speculation, Van Halen is confirming a summer reunion tour, with singer Sammy Hagar rejoining the band. They hit the road June 11 in Greensboro, N.C., with dates scheduled through August. Tickets go on sale April 3, and pre-sale tickets will be available through AOL starting Wednesday. A best-of compilation is due in June. The return of this lineup, in place from 1985 to 1996, follows prolonged public feuding, the band's brief stint with singer Gary Cherone and Eddie Van Halen's battle with cancer. Van Halen has been inactive since 1999, but Hagar co-headlined a 2002 tour with David Lee Roth, VH's original singer. Among confirmed dates: June 16 in Philadelphia; June 22 in East Rutherford, N.J.; July 10 in Detroit; July 19 in Chicago; Aug. 1 in Denver; Aug. 5 in Phoenix and Aug. 19 in Los Angeles. See all 29 announced dates at <a href="http://life.usatoday.com" target="new">life.usatoday.com</a> [Info not online as yet]; additional shows will be posted at <a href="http://van-halen.com" target="new">van-halen.com</a>." Ok - so there are the first official dates and confirmation that Sammy Hagar has returned to the band. Word has it a full page add has been taken out for inclusion in Friday's (USA time) edition of the paper. Let's hope so, but let's hope there is also some statement from the band and Sammy also. Fans have been hanging out for anything official from Van Halen since 2001 - say hello to the fans guys! FRONTIERS ANNOUNCE LIVERANI DOUBLE HEADER: Frontiers Records is glad to unleash all details for the release of the highly anticipated second episode of the Genius Rock Opera entitled In Search Of The Little Prince. The entire cast of singers is composed by: Mark Boals (Ring Of Fire; ex Malmsteen) as 'Genius'; Daniel Gildenlow (Pain of Salvation) as 'Twinspirit n. 32'; Russell Allen (Symphony X) as 'Dream League Commander'; Edu Falaschi (Angra) as 'Jason'; Jeff Martin (Racer X) as 'Seventree'; Rob Tyrant (Labyrinth) as 'Oddyfer Guardian'; Eric Martin (ex Mr. Big) as 'Mr. Niko'; Johnny Gioeli (Hardline; Axel Rudi Pell) as 'Oddyfer'; Liv Kristine (ex Theatre Of Tragedy) as 'Klepsydra' with Philip Bynoe (Steve Vai, Ring Of Fire) as 'The Storyteller'. All Choirs - Oliver Hartmann (Empty Tremor) As usual, all instruments are performed by the Italian multi-instrumentalist Daniele Liverani with Dario Ciccioni on drums. The second episode of the Genius Rock Opera is full of action and is going to offer many surprises to the listeners. In Search of The Little Prince is another phase of Genius amazing mind trip into the unknown parallel dimension where dreams are created and conducted for humans. The final track listing will include the following songs: He Will Die; Playing In Their Dreams; You Won t Escape; Valley; Beware; My Dear Son; What He Has To Say; All My Fault; To Be Free; Fight Again; Far Away From Here. The music style is very varied featuring a unique and spectacular blend of Melodic Rock, Heavy Metal and Progressive Metal styles for 74 minutes of music powered by a winning cast of some of the best singers from all the ages and styles... Release date for Europe is slated for May 24. The album is also set to be released by King Records in Japan, Hellion Records in Brazil, Rock Empire in Taiwan and CD-Maximum in Russia.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/genius-rockopera2.jpg" width="200" />xx<img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/danielliverani-dailytrauma.jpg" width="200" /></div> In addition to this, Frontiers Records will release in mid-price on the same day Daniele Liverani's instrumental solo album entitled Daily Trauma. This album has been recorded before the Genius Trilogy and features some songs excerpts and ideas which later have been developed into the opera Genius. In Liverani's own words: "We have an original story written in 1997, an instrumental album recorded in 1998 and then from 1999 onwards I started to work on the 3 album Genius Rock Opera. Influences range from Liquid Tension Experiment to classic opera sounds and the result is a complement for all the Genius opera fans!" LILLIAN AXE BID FAREWELL TO RON TAYLOR: It's been unofficial news for a few weeks now, but overnight US time it was made official. Ron Taylor has left Lillian Axe. Here's the information as posted by Steve Blaze: "I would like to take this time to announce the truth about the rumors that Ron Taylor, vocalist for Lillian Axe, is leaving the band. After 15 years of singing for Lillian Axe, Ron has decided to leave to pursue other musical interests. Ron is and has always been a great friend and amazing singer, and the band wishes him all the best. We have been together through many ups and downs, tours and recording sessions, and it will be very difficult to find someone to fill this position. However, we have a new album recorded, except for the vocals, and we are prepared to start a nationwide search for the right individual. We will not miss a beat. I feel that this new record has the best material we've written so far, and we will work our hardest to please our fans. We hope that Ron is successful in all of his future endeavors, and due to the magnitude of his talent, I am sure he will be. We hope that our fans and friends will continue to support Lillian Axe as we continue forward. The important thing to remember is that Lillian Axe has always been about the music, and that will always be our top priority. We are taking all serious professional inquiries. Call Dale Carline at (225) 749-8890. Sincerely, Steve Blaze on behalf of Lillian Axe. ArtistLink: <a href="http://www.lillianaxe.com/News-Main-Page.html" target="new">www.lillianaxe.com/News-Main-Page.html</a> SEBASTIAN BACH'S FOREVER WILD ON DVD: New York, NY - Sebastian Bach just returned from sunny Southern California where they wrapped up the shooting of his third episode of 'Bach Does The Gilmore Girls'! Bach states, "I cannot divulge any details on the show itself but I can tell you that I am super-psyched for you to check it out, as this episode also guest-stars Mr. Michael York, whom sci-fi buffs worldwide will recognize as the iconic 'Logan' from Logan's Run, one of my all-time favorite movies!" An airdate for the episode hasn't been set yet, but 'The Gilmore Girls' airs on the WB Network every Tuesday night at 8PM EDT. Bach is also prepping for the release of his first ever DVD, Forever Wild, out through Eagle Rock Entertainment on June 1, 2004. Forever Wild includes a full live concert from the Whiskey in Hollywood, behind the scenes and "Forever Wild" TV footage, special guest stars Joey Ramone, Vince Neil, Drea DeMateo (The Sopranos,) Ted Nugent and much more. Keep an eye out for more info on the Forever Wild DVD as the release date nears. Track details of the DVD - Bach At The Whiskey: Slave to the Grind . Piece of Me . Frozen . Here I Am . Parasite (Kiss Cover) . 18 & Life . Blasphemer . Riot Act . Sweet Little Sister . In A Darkened Room . Monkey Business . The Most Powerful Man In The World . I Remember You . Eternal Life (Jeff Buckley Cover) . Youth Gone Wild. Forever Wild (extras): Bach In The Basement . Hangin' With Ted Nugent . Race Car Driving With Vince Neil . Bach Fu . Golf Cart Madness. Bonus Bach: Unaired "Forever Wild" Footage: One Dead Asshole (with Ted Nugent) . Welcome to Filth Mart with actress Drea DeMatteo ("The Sopranos") . Why Rock Stars Should Not Have TV Shows . Bach In The Pit. REVIEWS UPDATED: A stack of new reviews have been added to the site today. Several will be opened up on Monday for your own comments. But for now, you can read through new reviews for albums by: Rick Springfield, Jorn, Tim Donahue, Kick, Eclipse, Spin Gallery, Crossfade, Panik, Power Quest, Chris Catena, Deacon Street Project, Double Cross and Evil Masquerade. <a href="reviews/reviews.html">Go check them all out!</a>  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#a4604d" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#a4604d"> <div align="center">Thursday, March 25, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> MUNICH BASED OPEN AIR FESTIVAL SET TO ROCK IN JULY: Details of the 2004 Munich Deep Impact - Open Air Festival has been finalised with a very healthy rock n roll line-up planned - TNT, Dare, Gotthard, Kingdom Come, Primal Fear & Skew Sisken! On July 24 the event will host 10,000 rock fans at the Kultfabrik in Munich. The area is better known as the former "Kunstpark Ost", a one of a kind clubbing area in the heart of Munich with more than 24 clubs, bars, concert halls, gambling alleys and lots of arts and craft shops. The area has just recently been renamed in Kultfabrik. It is perfectly suited for an event like this, because it is located in the center of Munich, within walking distance from public transportation and equipped with parking and public restrooms.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="136" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/deepimpact-lineup.jpg" width="332" /></div> Event arranged by: GARAGE GmbH, Grafinger Str. 6 / 81671 Munchen. Stage: Absolutely weatherproof built stage in form of a large terrace, 27 x 12 meters. Deep Impact additional program: Presentation, meet & greet of musicians & fans, extra autographing area, beer garden, CD exchange, arts and crafts, after show party in the Rock Club Garage and lots more. Backstage: Rockclub Garage Info: <a href="http://www.deep-impact2004.de" target="new">www.deep-impact2004.de</a> + <a href="http://www.garagedeluxe.de" target="new">www.garagedeluxe.de</a> SOUNDSCAN SALES DATA FOR THIS WEEK: A Soundscan sales update from a few releases currently doing the business in America. Tesla's acclaimed comeback album Into The Now drops from first week sales of 30,284 to 12,445, for a two week total of 42,729 units. Brides Of Destruction's debut falls from 13,694 to 4,557 units for a two week total of 18,251. Rick Springfield's Shock Denial Anger Acceptance continues to click along, with 1805 units sold last week, for a four week total of 12,700. This weeks' biggest melodic rock seller was a new compilation from Hall & Oates! Ultimate Daryl Hall & John Oates came out this week and sold 19,213 copies. AN UPDATE ON MAGNUM'S BRAND NEW MORNING: Magnum bass player and cover artist Al Barrow sent me a more precisely detailed list of tracks from the upcoming Magnum album Brand New Morning. Al also added a few words about the album. He says: "I know this is a slightly biased statement but the Magnum boys as a group feel very positive about this album. The vibe in the studio was that we have done a great album and are very proud and excited about this release." The running order and track times are: 1. Brand New Morning (6.17) . 2. It's Time To Come Together (4.37) . 3. We All Run (4.53) . 4. The Blue And The Grey (5.54) . 5. I`d Breathe For You (6.27) . 6. The Last Goodbye (6.28) . 7. Immigrant Son (5.35) . 8. Hard Road (5.21) . 9. The Scarecrow (9.50).   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/magnum-brandnewmorning.jpg" width="200" />xx<img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/magnum-2004.jpg" width="315" /></div> MTM PROMO SAMPLER HITS THE STREETS: A new MTM Music promo sampler is out! 23 tracks (not full songs - 2 minute clips) of recent and forthcoming MTM releases are featured, including one brand new Dare track off the forthcoming album Beneath The Shining Water. The sampler track listing is: 1. Dare - Sea Of Roses (Forthcoming Album "Beneath The Shining Water") - Rough Mix 2. Edge Of Forever - Feeding The Fire (Forthcoming Album "Feeding The Fire") 3. TNT - Lonely Nights (Recent Album "My Religion") 4. Crossfade - Loving Eyes (Forthcoming Album "White On Blue") 5. Wicked Sensation - Shining Light (Forthcoming Album "Exceptional") 6. Shylock - Welcome To Illusion (Forthcoming Album "Welcome To Illusion") 7. Street Talk - Astray (Recent Album "Destination") 8. Danny Danzi - Wild & Dangerous (Forthcoming Album "Danziland") 9. Shiva - Crucified (Recent Album "Desert Dreams") 10. Northrup/Shortino - Slave To The Feeling (Forthcoming Album "T.B.A.") - Rough Mix 11. Greenhouze - Highway In The Sun (Forthcoming Album "Greenhouze") 12. Token - Tear Down The Wall (Forthcoming Album "T.B.A.") 13. Seven Wishes - Goes Around, Comes Around (Forthcoming Album "T.B.A.") MTM Classix - Recent And Upcoming Releases: 14. 707 Mega Force - Mega Force (Forthcoming Album "707 Mega Force") 15. State Of Mind - Up On The Top (Forthcoming Album "Memory Lane") 16. Fate - Losing You (Forthcoming Album "A Matter Of Attitude") 17. Erika - Together We're Lost (Recent Album "Cold Winter Night") 18. Reckless - Back In Town (Recent Album "Reckless") 19. Annica - So Devine (Forthcoming Album "Badly Dreaming") 20. Snake Charmer - She Made Me Fall In Love (Recent Album "Backyard Boogaloo") 21. Raw - Ran Out Of Love (Forthcoming Album "First") 22. Axia - Angela (Recent Album "Axia") 23. Far North - Never Trust A Stranger (Recent Album "What ?!") Get the sampler for free with each order at: <a href="http://www.musicbuymail.com" target="new">www.musicbuymail.com</a> CHARIOT SET FOR DVD DEBUT VIA MAJESTIC ROCK RECORDS: <table> <tbody> <tr> <td><img alt="" height="218" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/chariot-spittingblood.jpg" width="149" /></td> <td>Majestic Rock Records presents Chariot Sweating Blood - Live At The Marquee '86. "Come with us back in time to a sweaty, beer drenched April evening in 1986 as NWOBHM warriors Chariot take the stage by storm and lay waste to all before them in a frenzy of sonic terrorism! You just don't see gigs like this anymore. Now available on DVD for the first time, this is what heavy metal is all about - hard, fast and in your face! See it as if you were there on the night with excellent sound and a great video transfer." Tracks: When The Moon Shines . Take Your Hands Off Me . Burning . Love Or Leave Me . Strangers . So Blind . Meet My Match . Play To Win . Horizon . Screams The Night . Run With The Pack. The DVD is released in Europe March 29.</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> HARLAN CAGE TRACK LISTING FINALIZED: Roger Scott Craig e-mailed in. He says that after discussions with Larry Greene this morning, a final track choice has been made for the band's upcoming The Very Best Of release. A release date will be locked in shortly. Roger says that the CDs will be made available on many sites and hopefully on their own <a href="http://www.harlancage.com" target="new">www.harlancage.com</a> site. That listing now reads as follows: My Mama Said . No Sunday Bride . Two Ships In The Night . No Turnin' Back . Can't Tame The Raven . Stacy . Half Way Home . New York Morning . As You Are . Hell Is Such A Lonely Place . Pay The Devil His Due . Chinatown . Three Nights Running . Wooden Cross . One Naked Kiss . Blow Wind Blow. RUSH'S ALEX CHARGED, BUT FREE TO TRAVEL: Rush guitarist Alex Lifeson has been formerly charged with two counts of battery on a law enforcement officer after a New Year's Eve brawl at a Florida hotel. If convicted, Lifeson could face up to five years in prison for each charge. A tentative trial date is set for May 17, according to the Naples Daily News. The paper also said that Lifeson's bond allows him to travel, so he could participate in Rush's upcoming 30th anniversary tour while the case awaits trial. More information at: <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2004/US/South/03/23/rush.guitarist.charged.ap/index.html" target="new">www.cnn.com/2004/US/South/03/23/rush.guitarist.charged.ap/index.html</a> HANOI ROCKS RETURNS WITH TWELVE SHOTS RELEASED IN NORTH AMERICA': Press Release: The music world needs Hanoi Rocks now more than ever, and now, 19 years after its original demise, the Finnish band has returned with a new album, Twelve Shots on the Rocks. It is available in North America on Liquor and Poker Music. Once again Hanoi Rocks proudly blends punk and hard rock influences and elements of other styles to create a distinctive, swaggeringly original sound that serves as a defiant example of true rock 'n' roll. Hanoi Rocks is one of the leaders of the recent resurgence of rock. Immediately upon Hanoi Rocks' initial formation in 1980, the band was leading rock 'n' roll in exciting new directions. By bridging punk and classic rock Hanoi Rocks was a uniting force at a time when these genres were often disrespectful toward each other and suspicious of each other's motives. The 1981 debut Bangkok Shocks, Saigon Shakes, Hanoi Rocks kick started the band's career. Success quickly followed in Europe, Japan and the rest of Asia with the release of several subsequent albums. The United States was starting to fall under Hanoi Rocks' spell and 1984's Two Steps from the Move was poised to become a major success when tragedy struck. The sad story is well known but it's difficult to ignore from a personal and historical standpoint. On December 8, 1984, drummer Nicholas "Razzle" Dingley was killed in a car crash while riding with Motley Crue vocalist Vince Neil, who was driving drunk. Hanoi Rocks was already dealing with some internal problems but Razzle's death was the final blow. They lost a close friend and an important musical partner. They toured briefly with former Clash drummer Terry Chimes but everything fell apart by mid-1985. Vocalist/multi-instrumentalist Michael Monroe soon struck out on his own and 1989's Not Fakin' It started to take off stateside behind the standout track Dead, Jail or Rock 'N' Roll but he says various business and management actions stalled his solo career here. The history of hard rock arguably would have been completely different had Hanoi Rocks not splintered apart in 1985. Hanoi Rocks is the godfather of glam. The band's music predated what the likes of Guns N' Roses, Poison, Cinderella and, ironically, Motley Crue would create and have enormous success with later in the decade. Monroe, who sings lead and plays saxophone, guitar, harmonica, keyboards and percussion, and lead guitarist/background vocalist Andy McCoy first reunited in 2001. "We didn't really keep in touch over the years but a Hanoi Rocks box set was being released in Scandinavia in 2001 so we ended up jamming together at a club where a record release party for the box set was being held," Monroe says. "We then played two festival gigs as Hanoi Revisited and they went so well that we started writing songs together again. It was easy and the songs all came together very naturally. A lot of ideas were ones we'd had before the band broke up. We gave it a lot of thought before deciding to reform Hanoi Rocks. We're taking this reformation very seriously. I never thought it would happen." Joining Monroe and McCoy for the recording of Twelve Shots on the Rocks were three members of Monroe's solo band guitarist/background vocalist Costello, bass guitarist/background vocalist Timpa and drummer Lacu. The Liquor and Poker Music version of 'Twelve Shots on the Rocks' has been remixed and remastered in accordance with Monroe and McCoy's wishes, and includes five extra songs in addition to the original dozen. The 17 songs on Twelve Shots on the Rocks are "Intro," "Obscured," "Bad News," "New York City," "Delirious," "A Day Late, A Dollar Short," "In My Darkest Moment," "People Like Me," "Whatcha Want," "Moonlite Dance," "Gypsy Boots," "Lucky," "Watch This," "Designs on You," "L.A.C.U.," "Are You Lonely Tonight" and "Winged Bull." The remarkable thing about this album is the musical diversity. Hanoi Rocks admired early punk and glam innovators like Mott the Hoople, the New York Dolls, the Dead Boys, the Stooges, Sweet, Alice Cooper and others while also embracing '50s rock, blues-rock and classic rock notables such as Little Richard, the Rolling Stones and Aerosmith. "Rock 'n' roll was part of the culture in America. In Finland we were exposed to these bands on the radio -- and my father was a well-known radio announcer here -- but for a long time rock 'n' roll was mostly looked upon as something that strange-looking kids enjoyed in moldy basements," says Monroe. Hanoi Rocks did not get the chance to fulfill its promise until now. 'Twelve Shots on the Rocks' is the right album at the right time, and Monroe is especially pleased about his development as a songwriter. "I believe I've really come into my own as a songwriter. I didn't really write much for Hanoi Rocks the first time around and, to be honest, I didn't really like our albums except for 'Two Steps from the Move.' I guess it was a matter of taste. There's more Michael Monroe on this album, and I'm much more comfortable in the studio now. I even played a couple of the guitar solos," says Monroe, who was hit with yet another tragedy a few years ago when his wife died, thus inspiring the haunting In My Darkest Hour. Monroe remarried last July and is a happy man again thanks to his new wife and the rekindling of Hanoi Rocks. He is looking forward to the future, especially the road ahead with his partner in crime McCoy. A promotional tour is planned for the duo this spring followed by a full-blown Hanoi Rocks tour. "A new generation is discovering us. There are no limits with Hanoi Rocks," says Monroe. "We rock viciously and violently." WebLinks: <a href="http://www.hanoirocks.com" target="new">www.hanoirocks.com</a> and <a href="http://www.liquorandpokermusic.com" target="new">www.liquorandpokermusic.com</a>. MUNICH'S HARDEST HITS NUMBER 5: Germany's No.1 Melodic-Rock-Radio in the Internet presents brand new CD-compilation. Munich's Hardest Hits' (<a href="http://www.munichshardesthits.com" target="new">www.munichshardesthits.com</a>) brand new CD-compilation Melodic Rock is Back Vol. 5 will be released on April, the 5th. Besides 13 fantastic tracks of some of the most promising new Melodic Rock-acts it features a brand new previously unreleased track from Statetrooper's forthcoming album The Calling and an awesome power-ballad from Ken Tamplin. Pre-orders are available as from now over <a href="mailto:order@munichshardesthits.com">order@munichshardesthits.com</a>. The track listing is: Renegade - Standing Out In The Rain, Prior Park - Nothing's Gonna Bring Me Down, Statetrooper - Casablanca, De Allen - Hold On To The Fire, Jon Quinn - Just Needed To Know, Dark Illusion - For Just Another Night, Ken Tamplin - Let Me Be The One, Andy Urbeck - Always By My Side, Bogart's Touch - Poisoned Love, Fatal Attraction - Stay On The Line, Sahin feat. Ludvik - I Am The Cure, Nordica - Give It All, Faithfull - Light This City, Seven Ltd - Wherever You Are, The Ivory Tower Project - Burning.  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#29afa2" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#29afa2"> <div align="center">Wednesday, March 24, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> A BRAND NEW MORNING FOR MAGNUM: Magnum's new album Brand New Morning, which will be released through SPV, is due for release on August 30th 2004. The album features just 9 tracks, but given that the running time has not yet been mentioned, a couple of epics could be part of the make-up. One of the band's most loved albums of their career was the 9 track Wings Of Heaven. Track listing: Brand New Morning . It's Time To Come Together . We All Run . The Blue And The Grey . I'd Breathe For You . The Last Goodbye . Immigrant Song . Hard Road . The Scarecrow.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/magnum-brandnewmorning-pr.jpg" width="200" /></div> FRONTLINE'S SEVENTH SIGN: AOR Heaven & Frontline have revealed the cover artwork for their June 28th release The Seventh Sign. The cover once again was designed by Sebastian Kozak (Silver, Crown Of Thorns) WebLinks: <a href="http://www.aorheaven.com" target="new">www.aorheaven.com</a> and <a href="http://www.frontline-music.com" target="new">www.frontline-music.com</a>.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/frontline-theseventhsign.jpg" width="200" /></div> FOR FANS WITH MUCH LOOT!: Kiss fans with $$$$ - keep reading....here's a press release for the wealthy: A VERY few additional Platinum Ticket Packages have been added to the following shows: All reserved seats are in row 1-5 of Asylum/Paradise seating! * MAY 11 - Adelaide - Entertainment Centre * MAY 13 - Melbourne - Rod Laver Arena * MAY 17 - Sydney - SuperDome * MAY 20 - Brisbane - Entertainment Centre Platinum Ticket Package / Price Per Ticket - $1000 USD. Plus shipping and handling fee. How much would you pay, or have you paid, for a ticket right up front? What if we can guarantee you a seat right up front AND you would also get a real KISS VIP laminate that allows you a backstage experience with KISS in makeup and get a photo? Now how about also getting a set of REAL KISS guitar picks and a exclusive t-shirt that is ONLY available to members of the Platinum package? Finally we throw in a coupon for $50 that is good in the KISS store! Now what do you think! Each ticket purchased receives the following items: * One ticket premium price level ASYLUM/PARADISE(rows 1-5 reserved) location, AND access to HEAVEN (GA front of floor) * One Show Only Official KISS VIP laminate. * Band Experience with individual photo. * Exclusive Platinum event t-shirt, size M, L, XL, XXL. * Set of real guitar picks. * Collectible autographed by all four members. * Merchandise coupon for online purchase, value - $50 on purchases of $50 or more. * Invitation to the official opening of the KISSWORLD retail store in Australia. * A 10% discount off first purchase at the KISSWORLD retail store. * Limit 2 tickets per show. * Ticket and backstage pass will be delivered at will-call the night of the show. * Internet only offer. Band Experience * Backstage experience with KISS in makeup. * One individual photograph per ticket with band's professional camera. No fan cameras permitted. Head over to <a href="http://tickets.kissonline.com" target="new">tickets.kissonline.com</a> to purchase your Package! Ticket offerings can change without advance notice. LATEST VAN HALEN ROUND-UP: News of the Clear Channel Van Halen dates is slowly making through to mainstream press, not to mention those cities posted on the official band website. Here are a couple of press links: <a href="http://www.billboard.com/bb/daily/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1000469581" target="new">www.billboard.com</a> and <a href="http://www.vh1.com/news/articles/1485917/20040323/van_halen.jhtml?headlines=true" target="new">VH1 & MTV</a> In related news, David Lee Roth has signed a European distribution deal for the release of his Diamond Dave album. Demolition Records will release it in the UK and Europe in late May. INTRODUCING KING KARMA: Z Records are extremely proud to announce the signing of King Karma. The label believes that the bands debut album which will be released on May 10th is a sure fire contender for debut album of the year. The band deliver classic hard rock with a raw blues feel and their sound whilst drawing influences from acts such as Bad Company and Badlands also has a modern edge. Based out of Vancouver, Canada King Karma garnered the attention of famed producer Jimmy Johnson and Steve Melton (Lynyrd Skynyrd, Rolling Stones, Cry Of Love) who flew the boys to Muscle Shoals and recorded the quartet's awe-inspiring debut CD, combining the astounding talents of vocalist Shaun Williamson from Tallahassee, Florida and Canadians, Markus Wolfe on guitar, bassist Todd Ronning and drummer Rick Fedyk. The buzz on the band is growing fast and appears to have no borders or boundaries. As of late, the band has been playing live showcases close to home, leaving a trail of blown away fans, while gearing up for that inevitable next step to world wide touring. The road ahead for King Karma is becoming clearer with each passing day, leaving all those surrounding them with a feeling of excitement and anticipation of what's to come!  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#ff0000" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#ff0000"> <div align="center">Tuesday, March 23, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> DEF LEPPARD - THE FINAL WORD: I promised one last Def Leppard post. It's a bit watered down on what I was going to print - I've had time to cool down. But the fact remains that I was set up and the track list was intentionally planted by the organization. I have confirmed this since Friday via some good friends and once again thank everyone for some really positive support. Persons within the Leppard organization thought this would be a "bit of a laugh" and put it together with the intention to mis-lead. There will be denials and the usual rhetoric to make this go away quickly - but I will remain very disappointed in the whole episode. In any regards, this is my last post on the subject. VAN HALEN - IT'S ON, IT'S NOW: Could this be the worst "Official Reunion Announcment" of all time? Lets hope a press release follows soon!! Just check out <a href="http://www.van-halen.com/newsite/index2.html" target="new">Van-Halen.com</a> right now for a brief description of upcoming Van Halen tour locations! These were just added moments ago, March 22PM (March 23AM local Oz time) Under News Headlines in today's date - via a Tour Info link on the frontpage - cities listed are: Detroit, MI East Rutherford, NJ Greensboro, NC Hershey, PA Kansas City, MO Las Vegas, NV Philadelphia, PA St. Louis, MO St. Paul, MN Wilkes-Barre, PA Wocester, MA Concert promoter Clear Channel (via their website), have a few Van Halen dates already listed. However, these dates are not viewable via searching under the Van Halen name, but were found by rabid (and bored!) fans at the <a href="http://www/vhforums.com" target="new">VHForums.com</a>. Nice one guys! Still, the validity of the dates and the details are yet to be confirmed. As they are not officially announced as yet - take it as they could change before they are official. For the record - those dates listed and the details are: Jun. 13 - Hershey, PA @ Hersheypark Stadium (Clear Channel) Jun. 16 - Philadelphia, PA @ Wachovia Center (Clear Channel) Jun. 19 - Philadelphia, PA @ Mann Music Center (Clear Channel) Oct. 10 - Pittsburgh, PA @ Mellon Arena (Clear Channel) On Sale April 3, 2004 - 10:00AM Reserved 1: $87.50 / Reserved 2: $67.50 / Reserved 3: $57.50 / Reserved 4: $45.00. MELODIC ROCK VIA SATELLITE: NEH Records announced today that they have reached an agreement with XM Radio to provide them with selected CDs for airplay on channel XM41 (The Boneyard) which specializes in AOR music. NEH Records and XM Radio are also actively pursuing strategies aimed at introducing many of the melodic rock artists featured in the NEH Records online music store to a larger US audience through collaborative marketing efforts. NEH Records maintains a market leadership position as a retailer of melodic rock music within the US. They have experienced phenomenal growth since the business launched in 1996 with the operation of their popular online retail music store (<a href="http://www.nehrecords.com" target="new">www.nehrecords.com</a>). NEH Records also actively services selected entertainment media outlets in the US with music in the AOR genre. XM Radio is the world s largest satellite radio service currently operating two satellites in geosynchronous earth orbit covering the entire United States with uninterrupted, commercial free music. XM Radio currently has over 1.5 million subscribers and expects to exceed 2.8 million by the end of 2004. Their strategic partnerships with such industry giants as General Motors (which offers XM radios as optional equipment on their new cars), DirectTV, Circuit City, Walmart, Sears, Best Buy and Clear Channel has helped them to experience unprecedented growth in this revolutionary emerging media market. GREAT WHITE CONDEMN UNAUTHORIZED RELEASE: Press Item, By Associated Press, 3/22/2004 PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) The band whose pyrotechnics sparked a nightclub fire that killed 100 people said it has nothing to do with a recently released cover album titled Burning House of Love. A manager and a lawyer for the 1980s rock band Great White said the CD is an unauthorized release and the title is in bad taste. The band is exploring legal action against Horizon Italy, the label that released the album. The Feb. 20, 2003 fire at The Station nightclub in West Warwick began when the band's pyrotechnics ignited flammable foam placed near the stage as soundproofing. Great White guitarist Ty Longley was among the dead. In addition, more than 200 concertgoers were injured. The album is comprised of covers of other bands' songs performed by several of Great White's musicians. The CD is being sold on Internet sites, including Amazon.com. ''It's a horrible thing. I'm sure the victims (of the fire) are outraged,'' said Ed McPherson, a lawyer for Great White. McPherson said he's looking into whether Horizon Italy has the legal rights to the recordings. The band's manager, Obi Steinman, said the title track is a cover of a song by the band ''X'' that Great White recorded before the nightclub fire. Steinman said sometimes labels re-release albums under new titles, adding he believes the Italian label is trying to capitalize on the band's current notoriety. A phone listing for Horizon Italy could not immediately be found. Great White's Web site <a href="http://www.mistabone.com" target="new">www.mistabone.com</a> A LITTLE LIGHT READING MATTER: Nashville-based music writer Sterling Whitaker has announced his next project, an unauthorized biography of the superstar rock group Styx entitled The Grand Delusion. He expects to complete the book by the end of 2004. "I have been working on this for several years already," Whitaker states, "and I'm close enough to completion now to talk about it." The author was recently featured on the VH1 program True Spin, in an episode featuring the story behind Styx campy classic "Mr. Roboto". "It was great that VH1 asked me to do that," Whitaker said. "They came to my house and shot for an hour and a half a few months ago. I wound up in the final edit for about nine seconds," he added with a laugh. "But they spelled my name and the title of the book correctly, and that's all I can really ask for." Drawn from archival interviews and footage, as well as the authors personal interviews with band members, business associates, friends and family, The Grand Delusion will be the first biography written about Styx, one of the best-selling rock acts of the past thirty years. The group has sold more than 35 million records since its inception in 1972, and is the only rock group to earn four consecutive Triple Platinum albums in four consecutive years. Styx Top Ten hits include "Lady", "Come Sail Away", "Too Much Time On My Hands" and "Babe", which won Song of the Year in the 1979 Peoples Choice Awards. "The Grand Delusion is more than just some lurid tell-all book about a rock group," Whitaker said. "It's the story of a band that started in a Chicago basement and became one of the biggest bands in the world. Its really about the hard work and sacrifice it takes to make it. It provides a glimpse inside the music business and what its really like, the high price that performers pay for success." The author shrugs off critics who dismissed Styx, giving the group largely negative reviews throughout its career. "I know there are some detractors who will think, What we really need is a book about a band that we think is terrible," Whitaker said, laughing. "But I disagree with the critical assessment of Styx. It had as much to do with business politics as the actual quality of the music. Thats why the band has never been nominated for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, which is absolutely ridiculous when you consider some of the acts that have been nominated. I believe The Grand Delusion could change some peoples minds about Styx." For More Information Contact Sterling Whitaker: <a href="mailto:Sterlingwit@aol.com">Sterlingwit@aol.com</a> A new Metallica hardback coming out on Omnibus shortly (see <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0711996008/qid=1079620273/sr=2-1/ref=sr_2_11_1/202-9541540-2204646" target="new">www.amazon.co.uk</a> for info) features a detailed look inside the band and their history. MELODIC BRIEFS: Gotthard rumor mill - yes Mandy has left and the band has hired the ex-guitarist from China. Tony Harnell has a solo home ont he web! <a href="http://www.tonyharnell.com" target="new">TonyHarnell.com</a> has just been launched. The site also carries merchandise for Tony, WestWorld and Morning Wood. The new Chris DeBurgh album is already released in the UK and Europe, with US release due shortly. Up and coming rockers Badway will open for Twisted Sister in Barcelona on April 3rd. Way to go guys. Kim Mitchell is interviewed for <a href="http://www.bravewords.com/features.html?id=1000297" target="new">Brave Words</a> and is promoting a special gig at the Hard Rock in Toronto on March 26. ROX DIAMOND CONTINUE STUDIO WORK: Rox Diamond completed basic tracks (drums and bass) for 12 songs recently for the new "upcoming" release due late summer. The tracks were recorded at "Clearlake Audio" studios located in North Hollywood, California. Owner and engineer, Brian Levi, has also worked w/ No Doubt of late. Paul and the guys had recorded and worked w/ Brian previously back in the late 80's while they were recording demos. Photographer and friend of the band Loni Spector, was on hand to shoot the band w/ some shots to be in the popular LA-based "musicians publication" called Music Connection. Rox Diamond will complete the new CD at a different studio located in West Hills, California. Paul Daniels from the band says "This group of songs are definitely going to please the people and fans that have followed the group and that like "where we come from w/ our music, but there are some "surprises" on this record, that I can't wait for people to hear." TUFF ANNOUNCE RANGE OF DVD RELEASES: It's 2004 and with technology moving along what better time than now, to add Tuff to your growing collection of DVDs. But don't add just one, add all four. That's right; RLS Records & Tuff are issuing all three of their original Home Videos on DVD and a new piece to make it an even four pack. There is a theme with each DVD and with over 6 hours of footage you can t go wrong when choosing these digitally enhanced clips. The newly added menu section and graphics are out of this world with sound bites, flyer collages, rare pictures and more. No more re-winding or fast forwarding to get to your favorite video, backstage clip or section of choice. These DVDs can be purchased each for $20.00 or the entire Tuff DVD 4-Pack is only $ 75.00. Please take a click on over to <a href="http://www.tuffcds.com" target="new">www.tuffcds.com</a> to find out more. Tuff What comes around goes around The Videos. This DVD includes videos for the following songs The All New Generation, So Many Seasons, Ruck-A-Pit Bridge, Lonely Lucy, Spit Like This & the #3 Dial MTV request I Hate Kissing You Goodbye. There is also a bonus video for Down on Sinner Street which was originally recorded by the band in early 1989. This DVD also includes various outtakes and footage from the bands first ever major label (Atlantic/Titanium) supported tour of the US & the UK during 1991. Running Time 60 Minutes. Tuff Religious Fix The Making of... This DVD includes videos for the following songs Tied To The Bells , Better Off Dead & In Dogs We Trust. This DVD shows in great detail how the band spent the summer of 1994 self financing & filming a trilogy of videos for their self released (RLS Records) Fist First EP. That EP became a full length and was re-released as Religious Fix after 3 additional tracks and a new major label (BMG//Mausoleum) was added. This DVD as a whole is very much-like the Guns n Roses release entitled Making F**king Videos. See for yourself how the band made use of a closet crawl space, their backyard pool, and a sprinkler system to make these high quality clips. Running Time 60 Minutes. Tuff Decade of Distant Memories 85-95. This DVD includes videos for the following songs I Like What I See , Makes Me Sick , The All New Generation Live , Tied To The Bells Live , God Bless This Mess Live , Spit Like This Live , & In Dogs We Trust Live. This DVD will show you in great detail some of the highest and lowest points of the bands exciting career. It s packed full of killer footage of the band on the road, in the studio, backstage and behind closed doors. This DVD will show you about the good times, and the bad. It s a reality filled look at what a band really goes through daily while out on tour. Running Time 120 Minutes. Tuff Rock n Rarities. This DVD is packed full of over two dozen rare Tuff performances. You will be taken to gigs from the mid 80s thru the mid 90s and into some of the worlds most famous Hollywood clubs like Gazzarris, The Whisky-A-Go-Go, & The Troubadour. Tuff will also take you on tour with them when they played in Minnesota, Ohio, Colorado, Michigan, Indiana, Wisconsin & more. See Tuff perform the b-sides from their releases like Wake Me Up , Simon Says , Follow The Loser , & Disaster. Also see Tuff perform rare demo cuts like Put Out Or Get Out , Don t Complain , Money Talks , What Comes Around Goes Around , & Bang-Bang. You ll even see Tuff cover their favorites like Ratt, Metallica, Ted Nugent, & Black Sabbath. Running Time 120 Minutes. Info @ <a href="http://www.tuffcds.com" target="new">Tuffcds.com</a> - RLS Records PO BOX 371202 Reseda, CA 91337  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#008000" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#008000"> <div align="center">Monday, March 22, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> WELCOME TO LIBERTY & JUSTICE'S REVOLUTION: Press Release: 3 Chord's All-Star CD, Liberty n' Justice's Welcome To The Revolution ships this week (March 22) for all that pre-ordered it. You can still order the CD for $15 plus s/h at: <a href="http://www.3chordrecords.net" target="new">www.3chordrecords.net</a>. The CD features lead vocals by: 1. Lou Gramm of Foreigner . 2. Bob Carlisle . 3. Michael Sweet of Stryper . 4. John Schlitt of Petra . 5. Greg X Volz of Petra . 6. Robert Fleischman, ex- Journey . 7. Jamie Rowe of Guardian/ London Calling . 8. Scott Wenzel of White Cross . 9. Doug Phelps of The Kentucky Headhunters . 10. Harry Hess of Harem Scarem . 11. Jeff Fenholt of Black Sabbath and TBN . 12. Ken Tamplin of Shout . 13. Mitch Malloy . 14. Mitch McVicker . 15. Dale Thompson of Bride . 16. Rick Florian of White Heart . 17. Mike Roe of The 77's . 18. Paul Q Pek of One Bad Pig There will be links through our website to websites that have reviewed the album, so check back often. You can also buy L n' J's 2000 CD Bargain Bin at a discounted price. Radio singles are being sent out this week as well....... so call your local radio stations and start requesting: A/C = Adult Contemporary Liberty n' Justice feat. Bob Carlisle - "Do You Know" CHR= Christian Hit Radio Liberty n' Justice feat. Lou Gramm - "Shed My Skin" CR= Christian Rock Liberty n' Justice feat Jamie Rowe - "Noise" Only through you can we make this "Revolution" a success!!! We are already in pre-production for the next All-star record, we have already named it and have the artwork done. ArtistLink: <a href="http://www.3chordrecords.net" target="new">www.3chordrecords.net</a> RANDY'S PLACE IN HISTORY CEMENTED IN ROCK WALK: LOS ANGELES (AP) - Randy Rhoads, the guitarist behind Ozzy Osbourne's most acclaimed solo work, was posthumously honored with a bronze bust on Hollywood's Rockwalk. About 200 fans turned out to see the ceremony Thursday and hear from Osbourne himself, who praised Rhoads' virtuoso brand of heavy metal guitar playing. "I will never forget Randy, he was a small guy with giant talent,'' Osbourne said. "Not a day goes by that my family doesn't think about him. He will never die in our hearts.'' Added wife and manager Sharon Osbourne "This is a testament to Randy after 22 years on how great his talent is that we don't forget him. We'll never forget him.'' Rhoads' bust was set in a wall next to another rock guitar hero, Jimi Hendrix. Barely into his 20s, Rhoads left the hard rock band Quiet Riot in 1979 and joined Osbourne, who was forming a group after leaving his former band, Black Sabbath. Rhoads' guitar prowess, particularly his solos, was compared to a fusion of classical, heavy metal and blues. During his time as Osbourne's guitarist, he recorded the albums The Blizzard Of Ozz, and Diary Of A Madman. The dedication was timed to the 22nd anniversary of Rhoads' last public performance. He died in a 1982 plane crash in Florida at 25. [The ceremony was marred by a mis-spelling of the guitarist's last name - Rhodes instead of Rhoades. It was later fixed.] Chuck Wright attended the ceremony and send in a couple of the official pictures and some comments: "I was very pleased to see so many fans, friends, and so much media coverage of the event. A true testament to one of the most talented, sweetest and charismatic guys I was ever lucky enough to know. Rudy Sarzo and Sharon Ozbourne were moved to tears when speaking to the crowd about Randy. It was all very touching and humorous at times when fans would yell out "we love you Randy"..or "Sharon!!!"…or chanting Ozzy fading in Randy" I thought Frankie Banali's testimonial was outstanding. Sadly, one of Randy's best friends, Kevin DuBrow, was not in attendance as he lives in another state. Original Quiet Riot drummer Drew Forsyth was there too... Aside from the spelling mess up, it was an extra special day for a very special talent. God only knows how good he would be now..." Frankie Banali had this to say via his website: <a href="http://www.wtv-zone.com/DRUMA/RR.html" target="new">www.wtv-zone.com/DRUMA/RR.html</a>   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/randyrhoades-rockwalk1.jpg" width="278" />xx<img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/randyrhoades-rockwalk2.jpg" width="112" /></div> MIKE TRAMP ROCK AND ROLL ALIVE ACROSS AUSTRALIA IN 2004: Rock and Roll comes ALIVE! when Mike Tramp returns to Australia for his second solo tour of this country in April/May this year. Mike Tramp is a rare breed of performers who will never allow rock and roll to die while he has any say in it. A child star in Denmark (his place of birth) and the frontman and writer for New York's, White Lion in the mid '80's through to the early 90's. Moving forward to today, Mike has released four solo albums and has spent much of the past 5 years performing around the world non stop including a series of stadium shows in Indonesia last year that were seen by over 300,000 people. Australia – surprisingly the country Mike now calls home, is next on the list. Mike last toured Australia solo in 2002. Mike will be available to meet his fans after the performances for photos and sign autographs for them. He will also have available for the first time in this country his newly recorded double solo album, Rock and Roll Alive which was recorded on his 2003 European Tour. Mike will also have his previous solo releases available for sale including his acclaimed 2003 release More To Life Than This. Tramp will even throw in a few White Lion classics just for the fans. For more information, please contact the venues. MELBOURNE – The HiFi Bar – Thursday 29 April, 2004 GEELONG – Barwon Club 30 April, 2004 ADELAIDE – Enigma Bar – Sunday 2 May, 2004 CANBERRA – The Green Room - Saturday 8 May, 2004 SYDNEY – Caringbah Bizzo's - Sunday 9 May, 2004 TICKET INFORMATION: Melbourne: Available in advance from Gaslight Records and the HiFi Bar Geelong: Available at the door Adelaide: Available from Enigma Bar in advance and at the door (discount available for advance purchasers) Canberra: Available at the door Sydney: Available from Bizzo's, Guitar Zone, Code Orange Miranda and Jolly Rogers Cronulla. STILL NO RATT REUNION: Stephen Pearcy, founder and original lead singer once again say's no to a Ratt re-union, despite rumors to the opposite: "There is NO Ratt! I have NO interest in getting back together with my band Ratt. Without Robbin or Juan there is no Ratt. I am trying to protect my interest's in the band I started in (1982) to this day, (4) years after my in- voluntary withdraw. I also find Blotzers recent futile and very desperate attempts to contact me (to tour) will only keep them in the court. We are still involved in court proceedings as we speak. To think I would consider an offer to clean up their mess after all the damage caused to myself and RATT"! Pearcy Say's, "As for Touring, I'm touring around the NHRA Drag Races Series (Revolver/Top Fuel Dragster) and will be introducing names for the up coming "Bastards of Metal" Summer Tour soon. (Start up date late July 2004). There have been so many of these Bastards trying to find their place for the summer. We'd rather wait and see other options, maybe asking Billy Idol or who knows? Top Fuel Tours will hook up with a Major Sponsor(s) and take careful steps to cement the "Bastards Tour" as not just a one off event. We (Top Fuel Entertainment.com) have projects in many area's of Entertainment, Racing and Media development to keep the year more than exciting!" Check: <a href="http://www.stephen-pearcy.com" target="new">www.stephen-pearcy.com</a> for info and updates on Stephen Pearcy and the "Bastards of Metal" Tour! MORE WHITESNAKE TOUR DATES, BUT NO SIGN OF ANY CD RELEASE: David Coverdale's wife Cindy recently launched her Food That Rocks book. Present at an in-store signing in Califiornia was David and Doug Aldrich from Whitesnake, alongside a few other rockers. Rocker and site regular Reggie Boyle talked to David and Doug and filed this report: "David said he's still very upset with the lack of support from the label on his latest solo effort. He's also said "he's very aware that his loyal fan base that wants to hear new material". There are offers out there from some labels that have shown some promise that has drawn his attention with a greater commitment to promotion. The decision is still up in the air as to a greatest hits live package with the current line up of David, Doug, Marco Mendoza, Reb Beach, Timothy Drury & Tommy Aldridge or a new studio CD or maybe even both. It looks like a summer overseas with a U.S. tour at the end of the year with a much better support package. Everyone was excited to see what happens & we should find out very soon as the summer touring news is just around the corner. David was at a book signing for his wife Cindy who co-wrote "Food that Rocks" at the Virgin Mega Store in West Hollywood. Also on hand to sign autographs & lend support was Alex Ligertwood (Santana), Frankie Banali (Quiet Riot), Tony Franklin (Whitesnake, Blue Murder, the Firm) all parties contributed to the cook book. The book can be found at <a href="http://www.amazon.com" target="new">www.amazon.com</a>. HARLAN CAGE'S VERY BEST DUE IN MAY: An update on the Harlan Cage release of Friday: Roger Scott Craig & Larry Greene have finished up work on the new Harlan Cage Very Best Of release, which will now appear in May. The 16 track set features 3 new tracks alongside 13 classics. Included in the new tracks is an updated 2004 version of the song Stacy, a popular track from Fortune - the band Harlan Cage formed out of. The full track listing is: My Mama Said . No Turning Back [New] . Two Ships In The Night . Blow Wind Blow . Half Way Home . Stacy [Updated Version] . Can't Tame The Raven . New York Morning . No Sunday Bride . As You Are [New] . Hell Is Such A Lonely Place [New] . Pay The Devil His Due . Chinatown . Three Nights Running . One Naked Kiss . Wooden Cross.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/harlancage-verybestof.jpg" width="200" /></div> BOB HALLIGAN JNR LAUNCHES VOA: Z Records are extremely proud to announce the signing of the all new project VOA to an exclusive World-Wide deal. Whilst VOA are at present unknown, the people behind it are not. Heading the project is non other than multi talented songwriter Bob Halligan Jr. Bob has been responsible for many of the melodic rock anthems of the past few decades including material recorded by such respected artistes as Kiss, Judas Priest, Icon, Kix, Cher, Blue Oyster Cult and Lee Aaron to but a few. The album will be released late 2004 / early 2005. The long awaited album from Life White Flowers has been delayed - the album will now be released on April 12th.  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#000000" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#000000"> <div align="center">Friday, March 19, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> DEF LEPPARD TRACK LISTING CONSPIRACY!: Sadly, the Def Leppard track listing ran here late last week seems to be false. I aplologise for the misleading information. I've been waiting to further verify the information - which now seems to indeed be false - but this is not your average dupe. Nothing is printed without a reason and this case was no different. Was I set up by someone close to the band? Let me explain... First up - although not confirmed officially as yet - the upcoming Def Leppard album is a covers album featuring songs of the 70's - all British artists I'm told. I first exposed information of the new album on March 2. I announced that it was to be a covers CD and that news was shot down soon after by the <a href="http://" target="new">DefLeppard.com</a> webmaster. But it is a fact. On March 11th, I got an e-mail from an "insider" with a tip on where I can find the track listing for the album. A URL was provided: <a href="http://www.defleppard.com/final_trs.txt" target="new">www.defleppard.com/final_trs.txt</a> Yes, that's right - I got the track listing from the Official Def Leppard website. The info I printed was copied from a text document residing on the dl.com server. Now, how and why was this file there in the first place? The e-mail I received said the following: "All this will be officially announced on Def Leppard's web site within the next few weeks. Further proof can be given because this tracklisting does reside on the official Def Leppard.com server (<a href="http://www.defleppard.com/final_trs.txt">www.defleppard.com/final_trs.txt</a>) although I am sure it will be removed once the word gets out." And yep, sure enough - the file is now gone. I am not sure why I did not get a screen shot of it as further proof, but all I can do is detail these events for you now and let you be the judge of why this was done and by whom. Regardless of who did it, it seems an unfair payback for my major support of the band's last album X, which I still rate extremely highly and did my best to promote at every opportunity. Thanks a lot guys. TRIUMPH TO RELEASE CONCERT DVD 'A NIGHT OF TRIUMPH LIVE': The Canadian hard rock trio Triumph not only created fantastic music but a spectacular stage show second to none. Triumph's arena concerts were always filled with enough lights, lasers and pyrotechnics to be seen from outer space. The band was always recognized as technical innovators and was regularly honored by the concert industry trade publication Performance Magazine. The new DVD A Night of Triumph Live will be released on March 23, 2004, on TML Entertainment Inc. It captures a concert in its entirety by Triumph's guitarist/vocalist Rik Emmett, bass guitarist/keyboardist Mike Levine and drummer/vocalist Gil Moore during 'The Sport of Kings' tour on January 16, 1987, at the Metro Centre in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The 10,000-seat arena was packed to the rafters with fans eager to see the power trio (which was augmented on this tour by guitarist/keyboardist Rick Santers). A Night of Triumph Live is the follow-up to the acclaimed 2003 DVD Live at the US Festival. The 12 songs on A Night of Triumph Live are: Tears in the Rain . Somebody's Out There . Allied Forces . Lay It On the Line . Midsummer's Daydream . Follow Your Heart . Take a Stand . Magic Power . Rock & Roll Machine . Spellbound . Rocky Mountain Way and Fight the Good Fight. A Night of Triumph Live was directed by Tom O'Neill and produced by Gil Moore at Triumph's own famed Metalworks Studios facility in Mississauga, Ontario. The DVD is presented in full-screen video format, and the sound, remixed from the original master tapes, rocks hard in Dolby Digital 2.0, Dolby Digital 5.1 and DTS 5.1 audio options. Extras include a behind-the-scenes documentary "Backstage at the Spectrum" shot in 1985 at the Spectrum in Philadelphia, PA, on the 'Thunder Seven' tour, a photo gallery and the bonus videos When the Lights Go Down taken from 'Triumph Live at the US Festival' and Just One Night. From the beginning Triumph always believed in delivering the total package to its fans -- excellent music and an exciting stage show. The band's uplifting, positive music -- which contrasted directly with much of the doom-and-gloom hard rock and heavy metal of the time -- was a visionary approach and one factor that separated it from the crowd. Witnessing Triumph in concert completed the experience, and the Halifax crowd saw the band at its peak. "We always believed the bottom line is you have to put on a great show. The effects are there to enhance the music. Anytime anything is presented on a big stage it becomes theater," says Levine. "It was a great show and a great crowd that night in Halifax." Having a mind-blowing stage show was important to Triumph from the moment the band formed. Moore was the band member most directly responsible for the evolution of the Triumph spectacle. "I had my own sound and lighting company before I joined Triumph. Early bands that I played in were PA-deficient, so I thought 'Somebody's got to know about all this.' I learned how to build sound systems, lighting and pyrotechnics. Necessity is the mother of invention. I blew myself up a few times experimenting with gun power, flash powder and magnesium," Moore says. "By the time Triumph started in 1975, people would judge you by your gear. So we would cram all this gear of ours into the clubs and just amaze people." Over the years, the show got increasingly extravagant. There was a lot of trial and error involved in the planning and evolution of Triumph's stage show, both on paper and with experimental models. Effects got progressively more expensive, especially lasers. But the band members didn't hesitate to limit their imaginations. "We always felt 'Go big or go home.' I remember seeing Jimi Hendrix play in Toronto at Maple Leaf Gardens. I had a lousy seat and there was very little lighting, effects or proper sound," says Moore. "Of course technology improved and that allowed us to put on a great show sonically and visually for the fans whether they were in the front row or all the way in the back." "It was an investment in our future. As we became more successful, the show became bigger and better," Levine says. "We wanted to make sure the special effects Triumph used were really special. We called it the NGF -- the Net Gasp Factor. If something we devised for our stage show didn't create NGF we didn't use it." Safety and common sense were extremely important considerations for Triumph and its crew. Intense, weeklong rehearsals were undertaken before tours, and the band used the same lighting, sound and laser companies for years. Triumph's groundbreaking live show thrilled fans for more than a decade by providing an unparalleled combination of thunderously powerful music and mind-blowing visual effects, and it is preserved forever on 'A Night of Triumph Live.' WebLink: <a href="http://www.triumphmusic.com" target="new">www.triumphmusic.com</a> THE SCORPIONS ARE UNBREAKABLE: The Scorpions have updated their website with soundbytes from the new album Unbreakable, now due out May 3. To sample each track, go to: <a href="http://www.the-scorpions.com/forum/main.asp" target="new">www.the-scorpions.com/forum/main.asp</a> Unbreakable features the final track listing of: New Generation . Love 'em Or Leave 'em . Deep And Dark . Borderline . Blood Too Hot . Maybe I Maybe You . Someday Is Now . My City My Town . Through My Eyes . Can You Feel It . This Time . She Said . Remember The Good Times.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="198" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/scorpions-unbreakable.jpg" width="200" /></div> UPDATES: <a href="minibytes.html">Mini-Bytes</a> have been updated. New MP3 samples are now online for: Steve Morse, James McMurtry, Force of Evil, Tarot, Persuader, Heavenly, plus tracks from the new Koch Records Kiss Tribute - Spin The Bottle and Manassas Records' new southern rock compilation Stars N Bars. CD Showcases can now be found for new releases for: State Of Mind, Wicked Sensation, Missa Mercuria, Ohm and Takara. <a href="#cdshowcase">Check them out.</a>  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#7d6b35" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#7d6b35"> <div align="center">Thursday, March 18, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> FRONTIERS UPDATE - PRIDE OF LIONS, ECLIPSE & THUNDER: Pride of Lions, the new melodic rock sensation led by Jim Peterik (Survivor) with extraordinary vocalist Toby Hitchcock, will perform a special live appearance in Barcelona, Spain. Venue: Sala Ambar (Barcelona), Avda. Barcelona 83 - 85 (edif biblioteca Martí i Pol) Date: 1st of April 2004, Time: Doors open 19:30, Pride Of Lions 21:00. Jim and Toby will play an unplugged set with some musical background. The band will also specially showcase at the event a brand new song - entitled Black Ribbons - that Jim Peterik wrote on the wave of emotions after the terrorist attacks that hit Spain on March 11th. Pride of Lions are also in advanced stages of the writing sessions for their second album. The band plans to enter the studio during April in order to unleash the follow up to the highly acclaimed first album during November 2004. Eclipse, the Swedish melodic hard rock band, have now settled an agreement with Hard Rock Cafe in Stockholm where the band will be having the release party for the brand new album Second to None. The event will take place April 2 (Friday) and Eclipse will also perform live during the evening. The same morning, Eclipse will host the well know radio show Rockklassiker (Rock Classics) in Stockholm. They will perform live in the studio and push for the album and the release party. Radio host for the show is no one less than Ian Haugland, drummer from Europe. In the meanwhile some early reviews describe the album as: "Second To None has all you need on a 40 minute long CD.......like ear candy if you get the point!" (Kaj Roth - Melodic.net). Second To None will be released on Frontiers Records on April 5th 2004. Danny Bowes, singer of Thunder has recently stated that writing is in progress for the next Thunder album and recording is likely to begin in early May for a release planned for end October. In the meanwhile the band will be busy with a few concerts and appearances during spring and summer time all over Europe according to the following schedule: April 20 Thessaloniki, Greece Pyli Axiou May 22 Borstrock Festival, Holland July 3 Coburg, Germany Schlossplatz July 8 Roeselare, Belgium Schwung Festival July 9 Weert, Holland - Bospop July 10 - Lennestadt, Germany Sauerlandkasserne July 11 - Leipzig, Germany - City Park More dates to be announced soon. TELSA ROCKING INTO THE CHARTS: Sales figures for two key hard rock releases came in overnight local time, with Tesla's Into The Now the clear winner over the debut Brides of Destruction album Here Come The Brides. Tesla sold 30,284 units for a chart debut at #31 and Brides Of Destruction sold 13,694 units and came in at # 92. Rick Springfield's Shock Denial Anger Acceptance trailed off further in it's 3rd week, with 2200 units of a total just under 11,000 to date. ANOTHER GNR PROBLEM - BUCKETHEAD CONFIRMS DEPARTURE: From MTV.com news - "After fours years as a member of Guns N' Roses, during which time the band canceled more shows than it played and released no original material, guitarist Buckethead has had enough. The eccentric musician, who wears a fried-chicken bucket on his noggin and talks only through a hand puppet, has walked out before but has always returned to the fold. This time, however, it looks permanent. At the end of last year, Buckethead became fed up with Guns' inability to complete an album or tour and stopped working with them, his manager said. Guns N' Roses are scheduled to headline the Rock in Rio festival in Lisbon, Portugal, on May 30. It is unclear whether the band will have a new guitarist by then. Guns N' Roses' label would not comment on Buckethead's departure." Full Story: JEFF SCOTT SOTO PARTS WITH LONG TIME DRUMMER: A note in overnight from Jeff Scott Soto: "It is with great regret, I have to inform you that my drummer, Alex Papa, and I have recently parted ways amicably. Alex has decided to pursue other avenues in his career, I and the rest of the band support his decisions and wish him nothing but every success in his future endeavours. I felt it important to make this news known 2 all whom he befriended over the last 2-years of our involvement so that there is no unexpected disappointment when he is not with us for my upcoming events. I'm working with two separate drummers, for my next solo album, Lost In The Translation, and for live dates, including my upcoming mini-tour of the UK. Glen Sobel (Impellitteri, Beautiful Creatures) will be handling the 'skins' duties for the album and a native of Buffalo, NY native, Dave Dzialak (a close friend from Howie's home town), will join us for the upcoming live dates. Both are extremely talented and will help us bring a whole new dynamic to the recordings and live shows. I am very excited with the additions of these guys on my next efforts and we are very much looking forward to presenting you with the new goods!! Yours truly, JSS." CHRIS CATENA SIGNS ON TO NIPPON CROWN FOR JAPANESE RELEASE: Great news for newcomer melodic rock artist Chris Catena. His debut album Freak Out! will get an official release in Japan on July 22, through label Nippon Crown. Chris' album contains a whole range of special guest artists such as Glenn Hughes, Jeff Scott Soto, Bruce Kulick, Eric Singer, Dave Meniketti, Steveie Salas, John Lawton and more... Soundbytes are available via Chris' <a href="showcase/chriscatena-freakout.html" target="new">CD Showcase</a>. A review of the CD will be online shortly. Here is a track by track commentary from Chris about the album's songs: Crazy Man - The heaviest song of the album. a great rhythmic section formed by Tommy Aldridge and Frank De Groot and three great virtuosos...Vitalij Kuprij, Johnny Olhin (from Dyonisius) and Kelly Simonz. Freak Out Tonight - I could not believe it listening to Glenn Hughes singing my words on my music. It was an enchanting moment. I'll remember for the rest of my life. Hey Man (Freedom Calls) - This song is 9 years old. it has a great groove. Tony Franklin at the bass, lead the song with his fretless sound and the two guitars of Stevie Salas with his loops and effects and Yuri Roveri with his vintage sound, give a very original mood to the track. According to me, of course! Lady Starlight - Probably my favourite song. the initial riff is simply great ! Hats off to Bernie Marsden !! Desire - Funk 'n' groove. Desireee...I luv that chorus. I have a version fully sang by Bernie Marsden but i keep it for myself...his psychedelic solo break in really cool. Ferrone is the groove machine and Taylor shares with him this role. Take Me Away - This song is written by a Serbian guitar player, Marko Pavic. he is a brilliant song writer. i liked a lot this song and I decided to include it in my album. i added an Hammond intro played by my great French friend Vivien Lalu and what to say ? Meniketti!!!! He added one of the best guitar solos of my album. what a sound men !!! To A Friend - This song is dedicated to my best friend Stefano Luciani, passed away in the summer of 2002. i was heartbroken ! he gave me few ideas about the album and he was excited to hear his idols, Eric singer and Bruce Kulick playing on my stuff....he died before! I will never forget him. this album is even his album. What You Gonna Do When Your Love Is Gone - Another hard funk song with a great performance of Jeff Scott Soto sharing with me the vocals and a great Doug Wimbish on bass. what to say about Chester Thompson ? I have grown up with his drumming when he played with Zappa, weather report, genesis. Great feeling. Sweet Talker - Whitesnake is one of my favourite band! Moody and Marsden together with Wright and singer gave me a great moment of glory. Don't Stop Running - a song with a 80's sound. Someone thinks it could have been kept out of the album but what to say? I luv it. I love such kinda powerful chorus. Follow Me - A bluesy tune on the style of few songs you can hear in the previous Whitesnake repertory, such as wine, women and song or black and blue, bloody mary.... Gimme Your Love - This is another song I love. I especially like the groove of it and the twin guitar effect in the solo by Salas and max Spurio. Getting Tighter - One of my favourite songs of the purple era with Hughes! The Stronger You Are, The Harder You Fall - This song has been composed by me in 1989 when I was with Silverz Cat. At that time I could not find the right lyrics. two years ago I discovered a tape of a live rehearsal, one of the last with my band and there was this song. i had to record another song with Kulick and singer and I thought, why not this one ? it can remind a Kiss tune. I like it and I don 't care about if it is in the style of "Heaven's On Fire" or "Lick It Up"...I love Kiss and they influenced me a lot It's A Long Way To Go - for me this song has an epic approach. it talks 'bout freedom. I wanted to recreate a sort of Uriah Heep seventies atmosphere to share a great moment with a wonderful singer, Mr. John Lawton. i love the solo of my old friend Marco Capasso, really emotional as well as the power of the rhythmic section composed by Aleks Ferrara and Mauro Munzi. ArtistLink: <a href="http://www.chriscatena.com" target="new">www.chriscatena.com</a> MELODIC BRIEFS: Jeff Pilson was recently interviewed at GlamMetal.com: <a href="http://glam-metal.com/jeffpilson.html" target="new">glam-metal.com/jeffpilson.html</a> Deen Castronovo is selling his drum set and wanted to let the fans know. <a href="http://www.bananas.com/productdetail.asp/productname_DW+7+Piece+Custom+Built+Drum+Kit" target="new">www.bananas.com</a>. Check out <a href="http://www.asiaworld.org/index.php" target="new">www.asiaworld.org/index.php</a> for updated info on the nearly completed new Asia album and a couple of new live dates. The CD is expected to be released mid-year. The Outfield's new album Any Time Now is out right now, available exclusively on ther website: <a href="http://www.theoutfield.com" target="new">www.theoutfield.com</a> MELODIC RELEASE DATES UPDATE: Dokken's new album Hell To Pay is now confirmed for release on May 18 on Sanctuary Records. Dio's Sacred Heart is a DVD release of a 1986 concert at Philadelphia's Spectrum. The release comes from Rhino Records and is due March 23. Sophie B. Hawkins' new album Wilderness is due from WEA April 20. The Scorpions Unbreakable is due out in Europe April 19. Judas Priest's Metalogy - a 4CD box set is due out via Columbia/Legacy, May 4. I wasn't previously aware of this fact, but the new Calling album Two is produced by Clif Magness. The album is released in the USA June 1. Savage Garden are the subject of a Greatest Hits record, which will feature two bonus tracks. The compilation is out worldwide June 1. New American rockers Silvertide's anticipated debut album Show & Tell (produced by Oliver Leiber is finally scheduled for released via J Records on June 8. Capitol/EMI are re-releasing the Pat Benatar albums In the Heat of the Night, Crimes of Passion, Precious Time and Live From Earth on June 15. No word yet on whether they have been remastered or feature any bonus material. Tommy Stinson's (The Replacements/Guns 'N Roses) solo album is due out via Sanctuary Records July 27. Chris de Burgh is recording a new studio album under the title The Road to Freedom. It's set to be released through his own label - Ferryman. Neil & Tim Finn are collaborating on a new album together, under the moniker The Finn Brothers, set to be titled Finn 2. Gary Moore has a new blues/rock solo release due for Sanctuary Records mid-late year. U2's new studio release has again been delayed - this time the new release date is September. The Who's Then and Now! 1964-2004 compilation features the two new tracks Real Good Looking Boy and Old Red Wine. It's due out March 30. Joe Satriani's new album Is There Love in Space? is due for release via Epic on April 13. The new James Reyne studio album Speedboats for Breakfast will be released by Liberation Music Australia April 19. A full update of the <a href="releasedates.html">release dates</a> page is overdue and coming up shortly. ANOTHER TRASHY CASH-IN RELEASE: Yesterday I gave details of a new Warrant release, but I pulled the information almost immediately, as it just didn't make sense. Cherry Pie - All The Hitz 'N' More is not what it seems. Some retailers have been billing the release as re-recorded hits from the new line up, including new vocalist Jamie St. James. Not so, it is infact a re-release of the Greatest & Latest album, featuring the former line-up and released only a couple of years back. This release boasts a new cover and the addition of two tracks sung by Jani Lane on past Deadline Records tribute albums for Def Leppard and Bon Jovi. Yes, it's at a new lower price, but the fact remains that this release is a very bad cash-in. The track listing given is: Cherry Pie . The Jones' . Down Boys . Southern Comfort . Hollywood (So Far, So Good) . Uncle Tom's Cabin . Sometimes She Cries . 32 Pennies . Heaven . Thin Disguise . I Saw Red . Bad Tattoo . Lay Your Hands On Me . Photograph. And while we are on Warrant – what the hell is going on with those guys?? This just in from Mike Fasano via <a href="http://www.totalposer.com/news.htm" target="new">www.totalposer.com/news.htm</a> "Got a conference call from the senior partners today, Thought they were wishing me a Happy St. Patrick's Day. But to my dismay, The Sack is out today, I know this must sound gay, Steven Sweet [Original Warrant drummer] is here to stay. Check out my new band, the Gloryhole U.K. Formerly the 7th and 9th drummer of Warrant, Mike."   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/warrant-allthehits.jpg" width="200" /></div> STRYPER'S 7 WEEKS ON THE ROAD CAPTURED FOR LIVE CD: Stryper 7 weeks: Live in America, 2003 is a new live release from the band that will initially be available through <a href="http://ww.stryper.com" target="new">Stryper.com</a> - the first 500 being autographed by the band. The release date is May 18. The live CD features the following tracks: Sing Along Song . Makes Me Wanna Sing . Calling On You . Free . More Than A Man . Caught In The Middle . Reach Out . Loud 'N Clear . The Way . Soldiers Under Command . To Hell With The Devil . Honestly . Winter Wonderland . Closing Prayer. LIVE AID CONCERT TO HOPEFULLY FIND IT'S WAY TO DVD: The 1985 Live Aid concert is to be released on DVD for the first time. Organisers will auction the rights to release the DVD after pirate copies were found for sale on the internet. They are hoping to raise "a few million pounds" for charity and are aiming for a Christmas release. Proceeds from the DVD release will go to the Band Aid Trust, which still exists to relieve poverty and hunger in Ethiopia and the surrounding area. KEVIN MOORE'S CD DOUBLE HEADER: Former Dream Theater keyboardist Kevin Moore looks like taking his project Chroma Key on the road in Europe later this year. A new Chroma Key record is in progress and the release is slated for the summer. In the meantime, Inside Out Records will be releasing a soundtrack album by Kevin within the next month or so. The album is a soundtrack to the Turkish horror film Okul. ArtistLink: <a href="http://www.chromakey.com/news.php" target="new">www.chromakey.com/news.php</a> CHRIS POLAND - WORK WITH OHM AND MEGADETH: Former Megadeth/Damn The Machine guitarist, Chris Poland hits the road with his power trio OHM (also featuring Kofi Baker on drums, son of Ginger Baker) and Frank Gambale, Grammy award winning guitarist of Chick Corea and Vital Information. Also watch for Chris Poland's appearance on the upcoming Megadeth record later this year. OHM's new live album, due out shortly through Lion Music will be showcased here tomorrow. MADISON PAIGE AND THEIR FAMOUS LAST WORDS: (Los Angeles, CA) Madison Paige are giving fans the inside track on their highly anticipated debut album, Famous Last Words. The band's website, <a href="http://www.madisonpaige.net" target="new">www.madisonpaige.net</a>, has opened a special section that not only reveals sound clips and lyrics for all of the album's 13 songs, but also provides a chronology of the recording process and insightful track-by-track commentary from the band members themselves. Set to be released on the group's own Without The World Records on April 5th, the self-produced disc was funded entirely by advance orders from the die-hard fan base the young band has spent the last two years cultivating on the Los Angeles club circuit. The album finds Madison Paige, which features Paul Caroul (vocals), Will Arkosy (bass), Richie Rivera (drums) and Damon Valley (guitar), blending elements of modern rock, AOR, and heavy metal to forge a refreshing sound that redefines arena rock for this millennium. Head over to <a href="http://www.madisonpaige.net" target="new">www.madisonpaige.net</a> for all the details. UNIVERSAL CELEBRATE THE BRITISH INVASION: Universal Music have released some streaming audio from their The British Invasion 1963-1967 Box Set. Gerry & The Pacemakers - <a href="http://www.hip-o.com/streaming/britinv/01FerryCrossTheMersey.asx">Ferry Across The Mersey.</a> Spencer Davis Group - <a href="http://www.hip-o.com/streaming/britinv/09ImAMan.asx">I'm A Man.</a> The Troggs - <a href="http://www.hip-o.com/streaming/britinv/16LoveIsAllAround.asx">Love Is All Around.</a> The Who - <a href="http://www.hip-o.com/streaming/britinv/03ICantExplain.asx">I Can't Explain.</a> DESTINY MAKE CURRENT AND FUTURE PLANS: On March 3 Swedish Gothenburg band Destiny releases its first album in six years and it's already remastered. Future of the Past (GMR) is the band's fifth album since the debut Beyond All Sense in 1985. Future of the Past is the band's first album on new label GMR. The music has been recorded in Destiny's own studio, DRS, during three years before Christian Silver finally mixed it in Studiomega. When the CD was finally to be printed the master copy proved to be defect and the band then took the opportunity to remaster the whole thing which led to a better and heavier sound. A blessing in disguise, one could say. The cover was designed by Staffan Falkenström and was completely created in 3D and can be enjoyed in the 16 page booklet. Yes, there are actually two covers with almost the same picture, one for the slipcase which the jewel box is hidden in and one on page one in the booklet in the jewel box. Videos for two of the songs - Sabotage and Shadow of the Rainbow, are also under production. Destiny will use the moments they're not spending on stage completing two special releases which are planned to be released during 2005. On March 13 2005 it's in fact exactly 20 years since Destiny released it's debut album and it would be a treat to release a re-recording of this long since out of print, but still sought after album. Beyond All Sense 2005 will contain re-recordings of all songs from the debut plus two newly recorded bonus tracks from the same period that newer made it onto vinyl back then. However Kristoffer will write entirely new lyrics to these tracks, since the old ones are no longer in existence. In addition a DVD is planned in time for the 20 year anniversary of Beyond All Sense. Of course an entirely new Destiny album is in the pipeline. The recordings are tentatively scheduled for late 2005, but until then only live gigs to promote "Future of the Past" are on the agenda. WebLinks: <a href="http://www.destinymetal.com" target="new">www.destinymetal.com</a> and <a href="http://www.bahnhof.se/destiny/press" target="new">www.bahnhof.se/destiny/press</a>. PAUL NELSON TO GUEST WITH JOHNNY WINTER: Guitarist Paul Nelson has just completed laying down guitar tracks for Rock/Blues legend Johnny Winter's new release a CD which he will appear on as both guitarist and songwriter. Nelson is now part of an elite group of guitarists to have recorded with the famed Texas guitar slinger one other among those being none other than Rick Derringer. Produced by Dick Shurman, CD drops mid-May 2004 on Virgin Records America. WebLinks: <a href="http://www.paulnelsonguitar.com" target="new">www.paulnelsonguitar.com</a>, <a href="http://www.johnnywinter.net" target="new">www.johnnywinter.net</a> and <a href="http://www.virgin.com" target="new">www.virgin.com</a> 11H ANNUAL TOMMY BOLIN MUSIC FESTIVAL: Date: July 23rd & 24th, 2004 - venue: Surf Ballroom – Clear Lake, Iowa. All Star Musical Lineup To Be Announced Soon! This year's Festival begins a new decade for Bolin Fest. The event has had an amazing first ten years, highlighted by performances from Glenn Hughes, Buddy Miles of Hendrix' Band of Gypsys, Pat Travers, Rick Derringer, Savoy Brown and many more. This year's Festival – its second year at the legendary Surf Ballroom - is shaping up to be the best to date! We will release our entertainment list and event schedule as soon as the information becomes available. For all of the latest OFFICIAL Tommy Bolin Festival updates and information, please visit the following websites: The Tommy Bolin Foundation - <a href="http://www.tommybolin.org" target="new">www.tommybolin.org</a>, The Surf Ballroom - <a href="http://www.surfballroom.com" target="new">www.surfballroom.com</a> BORMANN AND VOSS INTO THE 20TH CENTURY: What happens if two of Germany's best rock singers team up with some exceptionally gifted musicians to pay tribute to one of their favourite bands? The result could be this amazing album! Michael Voss (Mad Max, Casanova) and Michael Bormann (Jaded Heart, The Sygnet, Bonfire) took the songs of T-Rex and translated them into their own language, naming 20th Century Boys. From London Boys, Children Of The Revolution to Telegram Sam – this album is nothing but good, clean fun – and you can hear the fun everyone had in every single note.... The track listing is: London Boys . Soul Of My Suit . Children Of The Revolution . Metal Guru . I Love To Boogie . Jeepster . 20th Century Boy . Get It On . Hot Love . Telegram Sam . Life's An Elevator. PAYING TRIBUTE TO JOURNEY: Journey tribute band Evolution will have their first ever studio recordings included on a Brazilian and European released Journey Tribute Album, along with Fiona and Frank Dimino (of metal band Angel). Evolution also supplying the music for some of the other artists that are to be included on the album. The tracks included are: Feelin That Way (Evolution), Lights (Evolution w/Fiona) and Keep On Runnin' (Evolution w/Frank Dimino). More details shortly. Frontiers, the premiere tribute to 80's rock icons Journey, announces the release of their first live CD, Recaptured – Vol. 1. The CD is a collection of Journey's best known hits, as well as some lesser known songs, as performed by Frontiers during their December 6th 2003 performance in Salem, Virginia. "What we did not want to do was another 'tribute' or Greatest Hits CD," says Frontiers cofounder and vocalist Jeremey Hunsicker. "There's enough of that out there as it is. As a tribute to Journey, we really don't strive to perfectly emulate the nuances of every note Journey ever played. We're a live band, a performance group that's every bit musical theater as it is rock and roll." Hunsicker explains the group's approach to creating the CD, noting that "Our shows are an attempt to capture a little bit of that lightning in a bottle that was Journey in their heyday. The energy and the emotion - to really explore the differences between what you would hear on vinyl versus what you would hear live, on the road, surrounded by 100,000 screaming Journey fans." This CD is not a tribute to Journey. It's an attempt to capture a Frontiers show, live. To capture the energy that Frontiers recreates, the magic that is Journey's legacy. "It's different in the sense that we wanted to put out some of the songs Journey never released on their live CDs," says Hunsicker. "To give people the chance to hear something like 'Mother, Father,' or 'Good Morning Girl' in a completely different context…I really think anyone who's been to a Frontiers show understands what it is we're doing up there, and hopefully by getting this CD out, we're bringing this experience to a much wider audience." Frontiers continues to tour the Eastern seaboard throughout 2004, headlining in some of the regions top clubs, and opening for some of classic rock's greatest names. For more information on Frontiers and Recaptured – Vol. 1, please visit the band's web site at <a href="http://www.journeytributeband.com" target="new">www.journeytributeband.com</a>. A NOD TO THE NEW & UNSIGNED ARTISTS OUT THERE: As per usual, there are not enough hours in the day and I am struggling to get the work completed that needs to be done to keep all you regular site readers content! A downside of the increased workload here is that there is less time to do some of the things I really enjoy and some of things I really want to do - like give new and unsigned bands some PR and reviews. In hope that you will follow the links and take in some new music, here are some details of some new acts doing the rounds currently. I hope to make this a regular feature. J3 - <a href="http://www.j-3.biz" target="new">www.j-3.biz</a> - Tommy Lee's guitarist who did the Never A dull Moment Tour. His debut album is coming out soon, Tommy play drums on 2 songs. Hipnostic - <a href="http://www.hipnostic.com" target="new">www.hipnostic.com</a> - "Blistering Hard Rock..." Shining Force - <a href="http://www.eternityministry.org" target="new">www.eternityministry.org</a> - A Christian Metal band. "In your face metal with a few melodic tunes.." Anubis Gate - <a href="http://www.intromental.com/anubisgate">www.intromental.com/anubisgate</a> - "A new Danish band in the power metal style, with a sound rooted somewhere between classic era Iron Maiden, the powerful epicness of Savatage and Queensryche and the darker and more progressive identity of Fates Warning". Phideaux - <a href="http://www.bloodfish.com" target="new">www.bloodfish.com</a> - A hard rocking band that are offering their album for free download via the site! John Kalishes & Michael Hill - <a href="http://www.cdfreedom.com/johnkalishesmichaelhill" target="new">www.cdfreedom.com/johnkalishesmichaelhill</a> - "With a nod to Zep, the Fab Four and other more recent rock tastes, this wildly off-kilter duo has musically bridged old school with the new order." Uprisin - <a href="http://www.uprisinband.com" target="new">www.uprisinband.com</a> The Killer Klowns - <a href="http://www.thekillerklowns.com" target="new">www.thekillerklowns.com</a> - "A style that hangs in the late 80's with a little hint of modern here and there." Seventh Seal - <a href="http://www.seventhsealmetal.com" target="new">www.seventhsealmetal.com</a> - Metal from Brazil! Jonah Koslen - <a href="http://www.jonahkoslen.com" target="new">www.jonahkoslen.com</a> - Founding member of the Michael Stanley Band and Breathless. New CD Windows & Mirrors.  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#ff8000" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#ff8000"> <div align="center">Wednesday, March 17, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> TRACK BY TRACK WITH MTM'S CROSSFADE: MTM Music have sent out some track comments from Crossfade's Lars Hallbäck, talking about the songs from their sensational debut White On Blue. Lars says: "Crossfade stands for Transition. Transition through all the inspiration and heritage we carry and have gathered through the years. You can hear influences from the, 60´s, 70´s, 80´s up till modern days transform into the sound of Crossfade. Of course we lean toward the music one might call Westcoast/AOR but we have tried to take it a bit further. You can hear vocal arrangement sounds from the 60´s as well as the 70´s ,80´s and with a production that transforms it into the 21 century. We tried to bring a mix of songs that crossfades/transforms into something new and fresh and not like a remix of something previously done. The fans of Toto, Foster, Sting, Graydon, Pages, Michael McDonald, Steely Dan, Don Henley and Mr. Mister will hopefully find their appetite satisfied here." The songs: The day the music died 9/11 - A song about Sept 11 2001 NYC. We wrote this song shortly after the terrorist attack on the twin towers. Like everybody else we where shaken by this horrible act, and the way it changed our lives. The song starts with a drumloop that evolves as the drums and percussion takes on. It sets the mood for the album. Did you really - About a relationship which is over-and it´s all for the best. A jolly tune with dark lyrics. "Manhattan transfer" big vocal arrangements on the verses moving into rockier courses, with a great lead guitar and a smokin´ synth lead at the end, you can also hear the horn moving in on the bridge. Vanity Fair - About stardom/fame, a variation of the old blues theme Nobody knows you when you're down and out. Fame at any price. A cool smooth song with Per playing along the synth drum all trough the song - amazing. Nina joins on background vocals. Could be a single. Flying - A song about letting go, daring to take chances. You have only got one life so you had better do something with it since there's no dress rehearsal. A smooth jazzier east coast song. Very cleanly instrumented laid back with a great sax solo in the end by Wojtek. A favorite. A deeper shade of love - About a close person who's passed away. A sad song filled with love. A piano ballad with fantastic performances by Göran and Richard. Göran added some nice gospel arrangements. Normally such a song would have been placed last but we liked it so much that we thought it was a good idea to put it in the middle. Thorns of life - No matter what you do or who you are- in the end you are all alone. A song in a slightly more progressive style. A reflection on loneliness. Loving eyes - Remembering old love. A traditional southwest song with a "hit potential". Possible single. Time - Time will heal and time will tell. A ballad with great vocals from Göran and lots of "wire" guitars and choirs. Don't really matter - Is there such a thing as perfect love? A small epic from your next-door bar. 70´s groove. You - Traditional rocker and yet a love song. We wanted the traditional rocker that everyone is familiar with including speedier solo to finish up the album. GUNS N ROSES SAGA SOURS FURTHER: As some would have already read, the Guns N Roses saga of recent years got a lot worse this week, with the band attempting to stop label Geffen Records releasing the quickly assembled Greatest Hits record. The lawsuit has been thrown out of court and the release remains on schedule. Here's a summary of press releases and articles from this week's turmoil: From Hits Magazine: The U.S. District Court in L.A. turned down Guns N' Roses' petition today seeking a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction against Geffen Records seeking to prevent the label from releasing a greatest hits record from the band. The suit claimed that GNR hasn't been given the opportunity to approve the choice of songs, the artwork, the release date or the re-mastering done on the tracks included on this compilation. Today's decision clears the way for the album to come out as scheduled on March 23. A press statement from the band stated that the greatest hits set would hinder the release of the band's long-awaited new studio album Chinese Democracy. Sources say that the label has advanced Axl Rose $10 million over the past six years for production of the album, which was slated to come out last year in the fourth quarter, but remains unreleased. From a Reuters Press Article via Blabbermouth: A Universal Music spokesman has dismissed as "meritless" the lawsuit brought by Guns N Roses singer Axl Rose against the company seeking to prevent them from releasing a "greatest hits" album. "Fortunately, since the court has denied their application for a temporary restraining order, the album will be released as scheduled on March 23," Universal's Peter LoFrumento told Reuters. Although Geffen (a unit of Universal Music Group under Vivendi Universal) officials had no further comment on the dispute, a source familiar with the situation told Reuters that the label has been waiting seven years for Rose to deliver Chinese Democracy and has poured $13 million into production of that album after repeated promises that he was about to finish the project. "Every year there's been a new reason why Axl is not done with the record," the source told Reuters, adding that Geffen went ahead with the greatest-hits package only because Rose failed to come through with "Chinese Democracy". "Had he delivered this record like he promised seven years ago, this would not be happening right now." From MTV News: On Monday, three original members of Guns N' Roses announced they were suing Geffen Records to stop release of the band's Greatest Hits record, and that same day a U.S. District Court judge in Los Angeles ruled in favor of the record label. The court turned down the band's petition for a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction against Geffen. The disc will come out March 23 as planned. Greatest Hits features 14 songs, including such hit singles as Welcome to the Jungle, Paradise City, November Rain, Patience and Sweet Child O' Mine. Singer W. Axl Rose, guitarist Slash and bassist Duff McKagan had joined forces to block the release of the record because they claim they had no say in the choice of songs, artwork, release date or remastering. In a press statement, the band's management said, "Not only will audiences be misled into believing that the planned compilation is an authorized release, but [the Greatest Hits album] will hinder the release of the band's long-awaited new studio album, Chinese Democracy." The press statement added that "there has been a massive outcry among the band's loyal audience against the Greatest Hits record" and that the fans "believe the track selection is fundamentally flawed, does not reflect the band's best work and is clearly not the ultimate package that would be selected by the band or their fanbase if they were given the opportunity." A Geffen spokesperson refused to comment. Additional rumors suggest Geffen has well and truly lost patience with the band and gaining momentum this week is word that guitarist Buckethead is now out of the band. TEER CONTINUE COMEBACK PLANS: A press update from the guys of Teer: "Teer has been writing and rehearsing some killer new material for the past few months and we hope to begin recording our latest CD around June. We are also preparing for our first live show in over two years, which we will play in our hometown May 1st. The show will include songs from our entire ten-plus years together, as well as new songs and some of our favorite covers. Our comeback show should be quite an event for our local fans, and there will be audio and video recording in this intimate club that may end up as part of a DVD or live bonus tracks on our new CD. Several more live dates for the central Florida area are being planned, and there's a possibility of some overseas dates late in the year. A new website for Teer is in the works too - <a href="http://www.teerband.com" target="new">www.teerband.com</a> should be up anytime. If anyone wants to contact the band, send an e-mail to <a href="mailto:teer@earthlink.net">teer@earthlink.net</a>. Thanks for the continued support, Shane, Nathan, John, Dan & Rob." STYX TO TOUR WITH FRAMPTON AND NELSON: Not sure what happened to the proposed Night Ranger, Ted Nugent & Styx summer tour bill - sadly it has failed to materialize. Instead, Styx will team with Peter Frampton and Nelson from May 6 until June 27. Further on Styx, some additional information on the new Anthology release. It's full title is Come Sail Away: The Styx Anthology which is due on May 4, along with a new archive DVD release - Caught In The Act Live. EVIDENCE ONE SIGN TO NUCLEAR BLAST: Evidence One has signed a worldwide record deal with Nuclear Blast Records for their second album Tattooed Heart. In Japan, the album will be available through Marquee Records. The band state that in order make sure that the album will be a worthy follow up to Criticize The Truth, it is necessary to again delay the album to November this year. The mainman behind the signing of Evidence One to Nuclear Blast is none other than Sinner/Primal Fear boss Mat Sinner: "We're proud to announce the signing of Evidence One, which are without any doubt an international highlight in the Melodic Metal genre. Fantastic songs at an unbelievable level of dynamics, combined with a first class singer lets Evidence One set standards." WebLink: <a href="http://www.evidenceone.de" target="new">www.evidenceone.de</a> CRY HAVOC'S INDIE OFFERING TO FANS: Scottish melodic rockers Cry Havoc have a self financed CDR available through their website at: <a href="http://www.cry-havoc.co.uk" target="new">www.cry-havoc.co.uk</a>. Recorded in 1996 at The Stuffhouse Recordings Studios in Glasgow it features 5 tracks that made the Chavis Records 2002 release Fuel That Feeds The Fire from the Glasgow outfit and one unreleased track Heartland. There is also an additional bonus unreleased demo titled Beat The Bullet. Bassist Paul Logue explains "Whilst sifting through my collection of tapes I came across this live recording of the band from 1996 when we were in our prime. The energy captured on some of the songs is great, and there are a few bum notes here and there, but the essence of the live is truly caught on tape. Many who enjoyed the "Fuel..." CD will never get to see this band live and this is a great opportunity to hear us at our best and also hear some unreleased tracks". Anyone keen on purchasing a copy, which is going CHEAP can contact the band at: <a href="mailto:info@cry-havoc.co.uk">info@cry-havoc.co.uk</a> Copies will be available on EBay direct from the band: <a href="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4002546589" target="new">cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4002546589</a> Stevie Durrand and Paul Logue have also commenced the writing & recording of the second Cry Havoc album which currently has a working title of Caught In a Lie. The band are currently without a deal as their deal with the now defunct Chavis Records has expired. RIK EMMETT AND RANDY JACKSON NY GIG: An Intimate Evening with Rik Emmett (a format like MTV's Storytellers...), with special guest Randy Jackson of Zebra. Sat April 24, 2004, 8pm at The Kings Club, 1800 Middle Country Road, Centereach, NY 11720, 631-716-2582. Tickets and additional info at: <a href="http://www.jzmusicandproductions.com" target="new">www.jzmusicandproductions.com</a> PBF'S ULTIMATE RELEASE: Pretty Boy Floyd's Ultimate Pretty Boy Floyd is due out through Cleopatra Records on March 30. It features the following tracks: Gangster Of Love . Department Of Youth . Hands Off My Radio . Shout It Out Loud . Leather Boyz With Electric Toyz . 48 Hours . Some Kind Of Voodoo . Your Momma Won't Know . We've Got Rock N Roll . Restless . Shut Up . Set The Night On Fire . Saturday Night In The USA . Rock & Roll Outlaws . Good Girl Gone Bad.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/prettyboyfloyd-ultimate.jpg" width="200" /></div> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#0000a0" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#0000a0"> <div align="center">Tuesday, March 16, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> SAMPLE HUGO'S FIRE IN THE NIGHT: Hugo's new album Fire In The Night is only a few weeks away from release, so what better time than to feature a few soundbytes from the upcoming album. Fire In The Night will feature the following finalised track listing: <a href="audio/Hugo01.mp3">Hand in Hand</a> . <a href="audio/Hugo02.mp3">It's the Love</a> . Forever: Endeavor . <a href="audio/Hugo04.mp3">Fire in the Night</a> . <a href="audio/Hugo05.mp3">I'll Learn to Live Without You</a> . <a href="audio/Hugo06.mp3">Dawn</a> . Just So You . Know . Don't Wanna Say Goodbye Tonight . Every Time You Walk Away . Just to Be With You Tonight . Here I Am . Hold Me. WebLinks: <a href="http://www.hugomusic.net" target="new">www.hugomusic.net</a> and <a href="http://www.hugothisway.com" target="new">www.hugothisway.com</a>   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/hugo-fireinthenight.jpg" width="200" /></div> LION MUSIC DETAIL HOUSE OF SHAKIRA'S FIRST CLASS RELEASE: Lion Music have announced further details of the upcoming new House Of Shakira studio album. "The new CD from House of Shakira called First Class is now mixed, mastered and ready to be delivered to the world. The band will play 2 dates in Spain; 23 April in Madrid and 24 April in Bilbao, as a start to promote the new record. The theme for this fourth album of is different kind of journeys. A lot of the lyrics have been written during journeys in the world, other is just about the travelling you do in your own inner archipelago. Official release date is yet TBA." Track listing: Ain't Your Crowd . Uncontrolled . You Are . Hey Lord . Black And Blue Skies (Part 1) . Creep . Black Barn . State of Grace . Landing . Celebration Bound . Sunshine Song . Chicago Blue. WebLinks: <a href="http://www.lionmusic.com" target="new">www.lionmusic.com</a> and <a href="http://www.house-of-shakira.nu/home.htm" target="new">www.house-of-shakira.nu</a>   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/houseofshakira-firstclass.jpg" width="200" /></div> SPIN GALLERY MAKES CHART DEBUT IN SWEDEN: Press from Tommy Denander: "It is with pleasure that we inform you that Spin Gallery's new album Standing Tal" has entered the official Swedish rock charts at number 11. Who said that quality music was dead?? The album is getting fantastic reviews from all over and is already being called a modern classic. Featuring musical guests like David Foster, Randy Goodrum and Michael Thompson, plus song writing help from Richard Page (Mr Mister), Cliff Magness (Planet 3) and Steve Porcaro (Toto). Atenzia is doing a brilliant job with the marketing over here, full page ads in all major magazines and more than 400 promo albums sent out just in Scandinavia alone. Kind regards, Spin Gallery + Tommy Denander." CHEAP TRICK ON THE ROAD IN THE USA AND EUROPE: Some Cheap Trick news, with thanks to Mitch Lafon: Jon Brant will replace Tom Peterson for the entire month of March; while Tom attends to a "pre-planned personal matter". In his absence, the band plans on adding many "Jon Brant era" songs to the set list -- songs being talked about are The Doctor and Looking Out For Number One. The band is slated to play a one hour set as the opener for Aerosmith. After the Aero tour the band will hit Europe (in July) with Status Quo & Deep Purple. There will be a High Definition DVD release of their August 4th 2003 Sendai, Japan show. The DVD is also said to include footage from the entire 2003 Japanese trek. - Expect an early April release. Rick Nielsen reported in a written note in "Trick News" that the band have finished more new "song ideas" in the studio. HEART'S JUPITER'S DARLING ONE FOR THE FANS: News from the pen of Nancy Wilson and the Heart website: "Gird your grit for a big one 'cause here comes the new album! (not to mention the summer tour with cool surprises) Just heard the final master of Jupiter's Darling and it SO RAWKS. It's hard to type while jumping up and down. We cannot wait to share it with you all because, quite frankly, we did it FOR YOU! So, strap in, turn it up loud and we'll be seeing you around the ole' rock and roll corral! It's all about love ~ Nancy" AXEL RUDI PELL ANNOUNCES EUROPEAN TOUR DATES: Axel Rudi Pell will play the following tour dates in support of his just released Kings & Queens album. Support comes from Finnish rockers Thunderdome and Germany's Pump. Dates: April 24 - Vosselaar, Biebob - Belgium April 25 - Bochum, Zeche - Germany April 27 - Hamburg, Markthalle - Germany April 28 - Ludwigsburg, Rockfabrik - Germany April 29 - Frankfurt, Batschkapp - Germany May 1 - Kaufbeuren, Zeppelinhalle - Germany May 2 - Paris, La Locomotive - France May 4 - Nürnberg, Hirsch - Germany May 5 - Pratteln, Z7 - Switzerland WebLinks: <a href="http://www.axel-rudi-pell" target="new">www.axel-rudi-pell</a>, <a href="http://www.thunderstone.com" target="new">www.thunderstone.com</a> and <a href="http://www.pump-rocks.com" target="new">www.pump-rocks.com</a> JONATHAN CAIN JOINS THE WALK OF FAME: Press Release from Journey: As we announced a couple weeks ago, Jonathan Cain is being inducted to his high school alma mater's Wall of Fame. This exciting private event will take place on May 17th at East Leyden High School in Franklin Park, IL. Jonathan will be on hand not only to accept this honor, but to talk with students and alumni about his road to success in the music industry, as well. Now here's the REALLY FUN part: While the induction itself is private, Jonathan will be doing a solo performance which will be open to the public. Seating will be extremely limited for this intimate show. There may also be a small meet and greet for the first 50 people to purchase tickets. All proceeds will benefit the East Leyden High School Scholarship Fund. The show will be on Monday, May 17th at 7:30pm. Tickets will be available during the first week in April. We're working to secure a block of tickets for Journey fans. If you are interested in attending please email <a href="mailto:tracy@jonathancain.com">tracy@jonathancain.com</a>. We'll get the specific details to you in the next couple of weeks. WebLinks: <a href="http://www.jonathancain.com" target="new">www.jonathancain.com</a> and <a href="http://www.journeymusic.com" target="new">www.journeymusic.com</a> MELODIC BRIEFS: Steve Lukather is another guitar legend that has been invited to join the Eric Clapton Crossroads event in Dallas Texas. He'll be playing on the Saturday night, which is to be hosted by Steve Vai. Tune in each week to hear another full length preview from the new Aerosmith album at: <a href="http://www.sonymusic.com/artists/Aerosmith/countdown/" target="new">www.sonymusic.com/artists/Aerosmith/countdown/</a> Styx will release yet another new compilation album before the start of the US summer. This time it's a 35 track 2CD set titled the Styx Anthology. The Fuze website has a couple of new interviews online - keyboardist Don Airey of Deep Purple and bassist Bob Daisley of Living Loud. WebLink: <a href="http://www.the-fuze.com" target="new">www.the-fuze.com</a> Cinderella bassist, Eric Brittingham, has just released his first non-Cinderella CD. The self titled Naked Beggars album features his wife Inga on vocals and is straight ahead rock. To order visit <a href="http://www.nakedbeggars.net" target="new">nakedbeggars.net</a> or <a href="http://www.ericbrittingham.com" target="new">ericbrittingham.com</a>. ENCHANT FANS FLY IN FOR DVD: A note sent in for any Enchant fans out there: Eric from Vox Tempus, dropping you a quick note about a very special weekend hosted by the rock band Enchant. The group performed a phenomenal live show this weekend in Oakland, California, which was recorded for their upcoming live DVD and double CD for Inside Out. The performance, over two hours long, featured selections from all seven of the band's studio albums. Fans flew in from as far as Germany and Brazil for this special headlining event, which included an intimate pre-show party to sit down and meet the band. Those who couldn't travel to the show were able to enjoy the live webcast, and chat with other viewers in real time. (The band paused their set at one point to read some of the posts out loud from the monitors on stage!) These guys really love their fans, and spent a lot of time afterwards meeting everyone and signing everything. I met a lot of very grateful rock fans this weekend, who are still sending pictures that I am posting at <a href="http://chynablue.topcities.com/enchant/" target="new">chynablue.topcities.com/enchant/</a>. Check out the band's website at <a href="http://www.theoasis.cc" target="new">www.theoasis.cc</a>. SOLO DEBUT FOR JOE BECKER: Guiarist Joe Becker has just released his first solo album Warped Sense. The album is a compilation of private recordings [some of which are available as low-quality versions on the website] and intentionally produced recordings meant to fit nicely in any guitar-freak's CD collection. WebLinks: <a href="http://www.joe-becker.com" target="new">www.joe-becker.com</a> and <a href="http://www.cafeshops.com/joebecker.10215817" target="new">www.cafeshops.com/joebecker.10215817</a> SITE NEWS - MR-X & SHOWCASE UPDATED: Escape Music celebrate their 100th title on March 29, with the release of Canadian modenr rockers Panik and their debut album A Page Torn. A <a href="#cdshowcase">CD Showcase</a> is online now for the title. A nice big update for <a href="mr-x/index.html">MR-X</a> today. MP3 goodies is the game today, with demos and rare tracks posted from Europe (5 tracks), Eyes (Featuring James Christian)(5), Robin Zander (1), Richard Page (2), Glenn Hughes & Don Dokken (4) and 4 live acoustic tracks from Zebra's Randy Jackson. Also posted is a couple of new bonus tracks and several new videos - Axe - Heat In The Street, Black N Blue - I'll Be There For You, Blue Murder - We All Fall Down, John Sykes - Cold Sweat, Pretty Maids - Future World and Signal - Does It Feel Like Love. <a href="mr-x-intro.html">Join MR-X now!</a>  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#ff0000" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#ff0000"> <div align="center">Monday, March 15, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> ADRIANGALE CRUNCH FANS WITH SURPRISE NEW ALBUM: <table> <tbody> <tr> <td>Kivel Records has been quiet recently with one of their acts. Well today they break their silence. Adriangale are back and are ready to crunch some ears in April! Can you believe that? I really didn't see the band making a new record anytime soon, if at all, but I'm happy to be proven wrong. And from what I heard down the phone line, this new album will give the band's debut a run for it's money. Here's what the label had to say about the new album! "Crunch - the new 12 song studio album from Adriangale is set for an April release! AG just completed recording of the album a few weeks ago in NY, while Jamie had time off from his band London Calling. The album is now in the mixing stages. Vic Rivera had this to say: "There were some criticism of the last record that galvanized me to put a little bit more depth into the new songs, both sonically and lyrically. Also, John Kivel had been busting my ass since day one to write "barnburner" type song. So I finally gave him one - and then some!"</td> <td><img alt="" height="266" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/adriangale-vic.jpg" width="200" /></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> "As for why we kept things hush hush in the studio - we felt that, If you want to get a person's attention, tapping them on the shoulder just won't do. You have to hit them with a sledgehammer - and then you'll discover that you have their complete attention. So we thought wed just pop up and go SURPRISE...new album here ya go! These are my best riffs ever and they cover a lot of ground, stylistically - but you can still tell it's us. Jamie Rowe delivers his best vocal performance to date on a AG album. As for the guitar slot, AG welcomes Scott Miller to the AG fold. Scott has been a friend of the band's for some time and much in the same way Eddie was the only choice for lead guitarist when we put this whole thing together, it was with little question that Scott was the natural and only consideration to step into that vacated guitar slot. Scott simply slays.... Plus, the guy is almost as rabid about Star Wars as me, so on that count alone from where I stand he was in by default." Kivel Records will be taking Pre-Orders starting March 17th at <a href="http://www.kivelrecords.com" target="new">www.kivelrecords.com</a> ANOTHER BAND TO WATCH: And Adriangale aren't the only band back on the block today - Danger Danger fans should keep a close eye on <a href="http://www.dangerdanger.com" target="new">dangerdanger.com</a> this week sometime....An interesting development, that's for sure... VAN HALEN SIGN TO WILLIAM MORRIS AGENCY: For those that are still interested - more from Van Halen over the weekend - Billboard announced they have signed to William Morris Agency for future touring plans, which are rumored to be kicking off in June. The band was signed by Peter Grosslight, worldwide head of music for the WMA in Los Angeles. WMA is a big company and it's again disappointing to see no official document from the band about the news. KISS DO IT AGAIN IN OZ: Press Release: Three years after their last sell-out Australian concerts, Kiss will be back for a national tour in May. And they're coming back with a mighty big bang! With very special guests the mighty Grinspoon and opening with Machine Gun Fellatio, the May tour is going to be one giant night of rock'n'roll mayhem! But that's not all. Nearly 40,000 fans experienced the incredible one-off Kiss Symphony concert teaming the band with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra at Melbourne's Telstra Dome in February 2003. Resulting in a huge selling and acclaimed DVD and live CD, the concert was such an amazing experience, the band is keen to do it all over again. So Kiss has invited 12 members of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra to join the tour in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane for a special 30 minute encore performance. The original arrangements scored by US conductor David Campbell, which married the symphony and rock, were extraordinary and fans who missed out last time are in for a treat. After Kiss Symphony, the band toured the U.S with Aerosmith in one of the highest grossing rock tours of 2003. Gene and Paul have also been working on solo albums due for release soon. With 32 albums, more than 90 million record sales and every accolade imaginable bestowed upon them, Kiss are still rockin', it's that simple. Lineup-wise, Tommy Thayer continues as lead guitarist and Eric Singer who played on the last Australian tour, is back behind the drum kit. Special guests are local acts Grinspoon and Machine Gun Fellatio […And you thought Korn were going to suck as an opening act!] Dates: MAY 8 - Perth WACA MAY 11 - Adelaide Entertainment Centre MAY 13 - Melbourne Rod Laver Arena MAY 17 - Sydney SuperDome MAY 20 - Brisbane Entertainment Centre VELVET REVOLVER'S CONTRABAND DUE IN JUNE: The title to Velvet Revolver's album has been confirmed - Contraband. Featured on the album are the following songs: Slither . Headspace . Falling To Pieces . Superhuman . Illegal Eye . Big Machine . Do It For The Kids . Loving The Alien (Sometimes) . Set Me Free . Spectacle . Suckertrain Blues . You Got No Right. The first single from the album (Slither) is featured as a streaming audio track at the <a href="http://www.velvet-revolver.com" target="new">band's website</a>. RCA will release the album June 8. TB RECORDS, UK NEWS UPDATE: TB Records have sent our their latest newsletter. It reads as follows: "The first important date for your diaries will be the 16thApril where we have a DVD launch party for Enuff Z'nuff – Suck it and See. This will be Enuff Z'nuff's first ever release on this format and contains videos and interviews spanning their entire 20 year career. Also on the bill will be Double Cross, making their debut UK show, and Malibu Stacey (featuring ex-Terrorvision). This event will be held in Nottingham @ Junction 7. Tickets are priced at £6 in advance. Each advanced ticket will go into a draw for a first prize of £300 worth of merchandise. For more details contact Junction 7 on 0115 9116959 or Mark on 07973 393 484, or email <a href="mailto:tbrecords@aol.com">tbrecords@aol.com</a> April also sees the release of Drama Queen Die's debut album featuring guitar virtuoso Andrew Walker, Chip Z'nuff and Ricky Parent. If you like your music from the 80's hair days then this record is for you. Moving into more modern territory we have Supergarage – Elvis was bigger than the Beatles. Hailing from Toronto, Canada, they have produced an album that crosses the boundaries of garage rock to power pop. Look out for another attack of guitar crunching rock from Canada, only this time throw in some bagpipes. With their 9/10 album review just published in Powerplay look out for Mudmen in the UK in May. With forthcoming press in Burn magazine (<a href="http://www.burnonline.co.uk" target="new">www.burnonline.co.uk</a>) the Mudmen will be playing the following shows as special guests to Love/Hate. Fri 15th May – Bradford Rio's Sat 16th May – Sheffield Corporation Sun 17th May – Dudley JBs Tue 18th May – Crewe Limelight Wed 19th May – London Underworld Thur 20th May – Glasgow Cathouse Fri 21st May – Leicester Charlotte Sat 22nd May – Nottingham Rock City Further Mudmen shows to be announced. Finally Avoidance of Doubt will be finishing off in the studio very soon, so look out for their debut album coming out early June. More news on them next issue but with a new management deal and a lot of interest from Germany and U.S.A, the future is looking bright for AOD. Check them out at <a href="http://www.avoidenceofdoubt.com" target="new">www.avoidenceofdoubt.com</a>. REVIEWS - FIRST UPDATE OF THE WEEK ONLINE: The first <a href="reviews/reviews.html">new reviews</a> update is online. Today – 3 new reviews from Progressive Reviewer Phil Ashcroft (Hobbit, Magellan and Empty Tremor) and 3 new ones from me (UFO, Bulletboys and Snakeryder) Lots more reviews to flow over the next 2 weeks, which should see me up to date and in advance of what titles are needed to be featured or ones that are a little late (sorry). Read the new <a href="reviews/reviews.html">Reviews</a>.  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#81962c" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#81962c"> <div align="center">Friday, March 12, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> MICKEY THOMAS GOES OVER THE EDGE: Frontiers Records is pleased to announce the completion of the Over The Edge featuring Mickey Thomas album. Mickey Thomas is the singer of the band Starship and is the mighty voice behind all time hits such as Jane, Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now, We Built This City among others.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/overtheedge-2004a.jpg" width="132" />xx<img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/overtheedge-2004b.jpg" width="134" /></div> The album will be released in Europe on Frontiers Records on May 3, 2004 and will feature the following track listing: Over The Edge; One World; Thief; Surrender (featuring Neal Schon of Journey on guitar); Eyes Wide Open; Forest For The Trees (featuring Steve Lukather of Toto on guitar)[TaxiRide cover]; The Man In Between (featuring Richie Kotzen); Cover Me; Turn Away; Glory Day. The album will also feature as special multimedia bonus the video of One World, the leading track written by Jack Blades of Night Ranger/Damn Yankees and Neal Schon for this project and also a Mickey Thomas video interview. Click to hear now a clip of <a href="http://www.frontiers.it/OneWorld.mp3" target="new">One World</a>!   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/overtheedge.jpg" width="210" /></div> The album is expected to cause a major buzz between AOR fans of Bad English, Journey, Def Leppard and Starship as it features songwriting contributions from Jack Blades (Night Ranger, Damn Yankees), Neal Schon and Jonathan Cain (Journey), Steven Cristol (Starship), Freddy Curci (Alias) and Fabrizio V.Zee Grossi (Vertigo, Perfect World) among others. Nippon Crown will release Over The Edge in Japan and there are plans for an official US release to follow up before the summer. More details to be announced at a later stage. FRONTIERS RECORDS UPDATE - JEFF SCOTT SOTO, POWER QUEST, SEVENTH KEY: In addition to the brand new yet untitled band project with Neal Schon, Deen Castronovo (both of Journey) and Marco Mendoza (Whitesnake, Blue Murder and Thin Lizzy); singer Jeff Scott Soto has started recording his highly anticipated third solo album tentatively titled Lost In The Translation - following up the huge commercial and critical acclaim that blessed Prism in 2002. Jeff has confirmed that Neal Schon will co-write a song & appear on the album, along with the members of the classic line-up (Howie Simon on guitar, Gary Schutt on bass and guitar and drummer Alex Papa) of the Jeff Scott Soto band who performed on Prism & the European stages of Jeff's 2003 tour. Jeff promises a heavier and more rocking release, but still firmly set in the melodic rock mood. Jeff will return to Brazil with the full line-up to do 2 shows (1 regular set, 2nd acoustic) on Sat Sept 26th & Sun the 27th. Other dates in South America are being looked into as well, so look out for a possibility for ground breaking appearances in Argentina & possibly Chile. Jeff is also appearing with the SAS Band for 2 gigs in April: Friday, 2nd April - SAS Band warm-up gig at The Boom Boom Club, Sutton United FC, The Borough Sports Ground, Gander Green Lane, Sutton, Surrey. Telephone 020 8644 4440 (or 5120) Saturday, 3rd April - SAS Band, Shepherd's Bush Empire, Shepherd's Bush, West London. Tickets £18 in advance, £20 on the night. The second Seventh Key album The Raging Fire has entered the national Hard Rock sales charts in Sweden on # 5 in the first week of release! On a related note, the album will have an official domestic release in the North American market on Inside Out Music (USA, Canada and Mexico) on March 16th 2004. The Anglo Italian Power Metal band Power Quest are getting excellent reviews from the specialized metal press. Comparisons are being made with the power metal of Stratovarius and Freedom Call mixed with big melodic rock influences from TNT and Van Halen combined to create something different and special. In the meanwhile the band has announced the following gigs in support to the album's release: Power Quest plays the following co-headline dates with Intense. Special guests Mercury Rain June 25th - Rio's - Bradford June 27th - Camden Underworld - London June 28th - Joiners - Southampton (4 bands....one tbc) Also, they play the following show: June 26th - One Big Day 2004 - Pontypool (Talywain RUFC) Stroy, Gutterstorm, Flip Finger + 2 tbc Finally, as special guests of Threshold they will play: September 2nd - Camden Underworld - London (with Balance of Power) September 4th - Classic Rock Society - Rotherham SPRINGFIELD'S SECOND WEEK DECLINE: Sales for Rick Springfield's Shock/Denial/Anger/Acceptance album dropped significantly second week out, after initial fan-base driven sales saw 5931 copies sold in the first week. Not so good for week two - with 2747 units added to the tally (now 8678). A fair bit of work is still needed to reach Karma's tally of around 47,000 units. MTM ANNOUNCE DARE IN MUNICH. CD DUE IN JUNE: MTM Music are happy to announce a live performance of Dare on July 24th! Darren Wharton and his mates will perform the Deep Impact open air in Munich together with Gotthard, Kingdom Come and others. More details at <a href="http://www.mtm-music.com" target="new">www.mtm-music.com</a> and <a href="http://www.deep-impact2004.de" target="new">www.deep-impact2004.de</a>. The new album Beneath The Shining Water comes is scheduled for June. AOR HEAVEN PRESS UPDATE: AOR Heaven have sent out an update via their press newsletter. It reads as follows: "First of all we have great news from Sweden again regarding the AOR Heaven release Blind Alley - Infinity Ends. After the success at the Swedish album hard rock charts during the last couple of weeks, the story continues now with the today revealed charts entry at the official Swedish top 100 album charts at #31 - the 5th highest new entry in total this week! On further news, Altaria mastered their new album Divinity at Finnvox Studio in Helsinki, Finland last week. Be prepared for a high class melodic metal album with a typical Scandinavian approach to great hooks and melodies! Unfortunately, Hammerfall vocalist Joacim Cans had to cancel his contribution to the bonus track for the digi-pack version of the CD, a cover of Accept's Balls To The Wall, in the last sort of minute due to a bad cold. A fine 'replacement' was found with Andy Engberg (Dreamsfall, Lions Share) who stepped in for a fantastic duet with Altaria vocalist Taage Laiho (Kilpi) on this track. The pic below shows bassist Marko Pukkila and guitarist/ keyboarder Jani Liimatainen (Sonata Arctica) at a press listening session at Finnvox last week. The album will be released on May 24th on the Metal Heaven sublabel.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/altaria-2004.jpg" width="296" /></div> On the business side, AOR Heaven would like to reveal their new distribution network throughout Europe which will look like to following from the Altaria release on: Germany – Soulfood, Scandinavia – Sound Pollution, Italy – Audio Globe, Benelux – Bertus, England – Cadiz, France – Season Of Mist, Greece – Cosmic Storm, Austria – Edel, Spain & Portugal – Mastertrax, Poland – Metal Mind Records, Switzerland - Musikvertrieb. ZEBRA ON THE TONIGHT SHOW WITH JAY LENO??: Press Release: Well, not really. John Melendez (a.k.a. Stuttering John), will be joining the NBC Crew on March 29th, 2004. Supposedly, Zebra has been a big part in John s life while growing up in the Tri-State area. Felix Hanemann and his wife Lisa have recorded a spotlight piece with NBC to air on March 29th. Call your friends, call your family, and tune in for this historical event. If you go to <a href="http://www.nbc.com/The_Tonight_Show_with_Jay_Leno/index.shtml" target="new">The Tonight Show webpage</a>, sign in and suggest Zebra as a musical guest for the show. Were hoping John can get them on a show in the near future. The more people who watch the show and email their wishes, the better our chances of getting these talented musicians on the air, and possibly a grand tour in your hometown as well. Mark your calendars now. TRAVERS & APPICE BAND - NAME CHANGE - CD ENTITLED IT TAKES A LOT OF BALLS: New York - Because of another existing band with the same name, the forthcoming new recording project from drummer Carmine Appice and Pat Travers will now be called Travers & Appice. Their forthcoming CD (produced with Greg Hampton), to be released worldwide on the German-based SPV label has now been re-titled It Takes A Lot Of Balls. Says Appice, "Things happens... we had to change the name, but it's a killer project nonetheless ... rock-ing very hard. Bassist TM Stevens, who played on a Fudge tour a few years back, is on it too. I'm very proud of this one. SPV is releasing it worldwide and we expect to have an instant smash." Appice debuted a rough cut of one of the tracks on NY's WAXQ last week when he appeared on the Scott Muni Show (with producer Zach Martin) with his brother Vinny. A first for the drumming brothers Appice left on March 8 for a two-month tour of Europe with The Fudge (Tim Bogert; Bill Pascali; Teddy Rondinelli) , who release their next CD entitled When Two World's Collide; the recording they did late-last year with the 52-piece San Fernando Symphony Orchestra. The Lizards, from Long Island is the band's opening act. And from Kivel Records - Recently It was announced that Travers and Appice would be launching a new band by the name of TNA. However, there already was another TNA, which have already released two albums on Kivel Records (Finger On The Trigger and Branded). Contact between both parties were made regarding the matter resulting in a freindly and amicable resolution of not using the name.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="231" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/traversandappice-2004.jpg" width="200" /></div> NIGHT RANGER BOOK DOUBLE-HEADER: Night Ranger will be playing two shows (6pm and 8pm) at the Alameda County Fair in Pleasanton on Friday, July 9, 2004. The shows are free with Fair admission, and tickets will be available for advance purchase for only $6.00! More information is/will be available at the Fair's official website: <a href="http://www.AlamedaCountyFair.com" target="new">www.AlamedaCountyFair.com</a> CYNDI LAUPER'S LOST ALBUM: Fresh from her new deal "back home" with Epic Records, Cyndi Lauper's "lost" 2001 album Shine will finally see the light of day in April. The Japanese will get first look at the album on April 21 - with fresh cover art. The album's track listing is: Shine . Hard To Be Me . Madonna Whore . Wide Open . Rather Be With You . Who Let In The Rain . Comfort You . Eventually . Valentino . This Kind Of Love . Higher Plane . Waters Edge . I Miss My Baby.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="197" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/cyndilauper-shine.jpg" width="199" /></div> MELODIC BRIEF'S: Robby Valentine's 7th album Most Beautiful Pain is said to be a Japanese only affair. The 17 track album is due for release April 21 and features the following tracks: I Should Have Known Better . A New World . I'm Going Under (Sedated) . One Of These Days . The Cold And Lonely Lie . She (Abandoned Heart) . Magnum Opus . Everyday Hero . Supernova . Magical Hero . How Many Times . Mickey + 5 more. Giant's keyboard player turned Jazz pianist will release a new album under then moniker Alan Pasqua Trio. The CD, titled Body & Soul features the line-up of: Alan Pasqua (piano), Derek Oles (bass), Peter Erskine (drums) and was recorded in December 2003. Biffy Clyro's new album The Vertigo Of Bliss might be one to watch for fans of modern rock. Their second album has been produced by the awesome Chris Sheldon (Gun, Therapy, Skin, Big Country, Almighty) and is released in May. Plenty coming up for Avril Lavigne fans. Her new studio album Under My Skin is released May 12 and the single Don't Tell Me is out in April - the single is produced by Butch Walker (which is something I haven't seen confirmed before). The Japanese will get in on the party by releasing her first album Let Go with four bonus vocal-less tracks for those that just can't say no to Karaoke. Velvet Revolver's debut album looks like it has had it's title set to Contraband. Four tracks set to be included are: Suckertrain Blues . Big Machine . Headspace and Falling To Pieces. Pete Lesperance's debut solo album Down In It features guests: Harry Hess (vo/g), Barry Donaghy (b/vo) and Creighton Doane (ds/vo) as well as an appearance from former Harem drummer Darren Smith. American Hi-Fi's new album is produced by Bob Rock and will get it's first single released in Japan on May 12. The album is due in June/July. QUEENSRYCHE TO RELEASE LIVE DVD 'THE ART OF LIVE' ON SANCTUARY RECORDS: The extraordinary live show of the progressive metal band Queensryche is captured on the new DVD The Art of Live scheduled for release by Sanctuary Records on April 20, 2004. The Art of Live was filmed in summer and fall 2003 on Queensryche's tour promoting the Sanctuary studio album Tribe. The summer tour was a co-headlining run with Dream Theater. Vocalist Geoff Tate, guitarist Michael Wilton, guitarist Mike Stone, bass guitarist Eddie Jackson and drummer Scott Rockenfield perform Queensryche classics, the finest Tribe songs and a cover encore of The Who's "Won't Get Fooled Again" featuring Dream Theater. The songs on The Art of Live include: Tribe . Sign of the Times . Open . Losing Myself . Desert Dance . Great Divide . Rhythm of Hope . My Global Mind . Roads to Madness . Della Brown . Breaking the Silence . The Needle Lies . Best I Can and Won't Get Fooled Again. 'The Art of Live' was shot in black and white and is presented in full-screen picture format with 5.1 and DTS audio options. Bonus extras include an "on the road" travel documentary shot by the band members themselves, as well as backstage footage. VH1 Classic is sponsoring Queensryche's headlining U.S. tour in spring 2004. Joining Queensryche on tour is vocalist Pamela Moore who will perform her "Sister Mary" character's vocal parts when the band plays songs from its legendary Operation Mindcrime album. WebLinks: <a href="http://www.queensryche.com" target="new">www.queensryche.com</a> and <a href="http://www.sanctuaryrecordsgroup.com" target="new">www.sanctuaryrecordsgroup.com</a> NOTE: This is the official press release that I just printed....but - "The Art of Live was shot in black and white..." Really?! Personally I'm a big fan of full color!!  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#b11b1c" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#b11b1c"> <div align="center">Thursday, March 11, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> VAN HALEN UPDATE #5149: Van Halen fans won't have much longer to wait before the official announcement of Sammy Hagar's return is made, along with the band's long anticipated summer tour plans. While I still do not have any confirmation of a likely announcement date (some tip March 16 one possibility) - I do have something else to run with. It seems that all financial arrangements have now been settled, with all four guys happy. As reported last week, Warner Special Markets is said to have negotiated a deal with Van Halen for a new greatest-hits package featuring three new songs. I hear that the deal was for an advance in the vicinity of the US$1 million mark. And further to that - I've previously talked about an established contact of mine that has got me occasional updates from a contact at Warner Bros. I got an interesting update from this contact today. Before you read and debate the information, please be aware this is something I cannot personally verify, but thought it worthy of printing. I have had some comments passed on about the three possible new tracks to be included on Best Of Volume 2!! I'll include these now, but we really won't know until the record comes out just how accurate they are, but the source at least, is good. The comments read: "One is a rocker. I'm told think of Black and Blue meets Panama meets I Can't Drive 55. Another is a ballad type of song. I'm told it's like Love Walks In meets When It's Love meets Dreams. The third is like Right Now meets I'll Wait." And the e-mail adds: "The label will possibly take only two new songs for the Best of II." I'm sure you will agree that makes for interesting reading. And what else is going on? Well, even the official Van Halen website has been updated! It's only one new graphic (of the band's logo), but another sign that things are about to get kicking! WebLink: <a href="http://www.van-halen.com/newsite/index2.html" target="new">www.van-halen.com</a> NEAL SCHON JOINS GUITAR GREATS IN DALLAS: Neal Schon shot out a quick e-mail to me. Neal has been personally invited by Eric Clapton to join him, and all the other great guitarist at the Crossroad's event, in June at the Cotton Bowl, Dallas / Texas. Here's the official press release and relevant links for the event: "Eric has announced a three-day Crossroads Guitar Festival to take place Friday, June 4 through Sunday, June 6 at Fair Park in Dallas. This one-time event, created for music enthusiasts around the globe, will raise money for Crossroads Centre Antigua, the treatment and education center founded in 1997 by Eric Clapton and now an independently run entity. This unique event at Fair Park will kick off Friday, June 4 with the opening of the Guitar Center Village, coordinated by Guitar Center, the national retailer of musical instruments. The festival will be the first of its kind to create a unique bridge between fans and musicians through leading guitar manufacturer exhibits and guitar clinics. Attendees will be offered once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to be in an intimate setting as artists give fans the ultimate look into their craft. The Guitar Center Village activities for Saturday, June 5 include live music performances on three stages. SIRIUS Satellite Radio, as a supporting sponsor will host one of these stages and will broadcast from the Festival. The Crossroads Guitar Festival culminates on Sunday, June 6 with an All-Star special benefit concert at the Cotton Bowl Stadium. The concert, which will begin at 1:00 p.m. and continue through Sunday evening will include performances by Eric Clapton and Doyle Bramhall II, J.J. Cale, Larry Carlton, Robert Cray, Buddy Guy, David Hidalgo, Eric Johnson, B.B. King, Sonny Landreth, Brian May, Pat Metheny, Robert Randolph, Otis Rush, Carlos Santana, Hubert Sumlin, Dan Tyminski, Steve Vai, Jimmie Vaughan, Joe Walsh, Neal Schon and ZZ Top. The extraordinary "house bands" will be none other than Booker T & The MG's, Jimmie Vaughan's band and Eric Clapton's band. Other artists will be announced as details are confirmed. On June 24, 2004, Christie's, the New York based auction house will present "Crossroads Guitar Auction ~ Eric Clapton and Friends for the Crossroads Centre." This auction will feature more than fifty guitars personally owned by Eric Clapton, as well as a group of guitars donated by musician friends including Pete Townshend and Steve Vai. Pre-sale exhibitions will be organized in Dallas during the Festival (June 4-6), in Los Angeles (June 8-12) and New York (June 19-24). The proceeds of the sale will benefit the Crossroads Centre in Antigua. Crossroads Guitar Festival Hours Friday, June 4 4:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Guitar Center Village open to the public Saturday, June 5 1:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Guitar Center Village open to the public and live entertainment on three stages. Sunday, June 6 11:00 a.m. Guitar Center Village open all day to the public & doors open to stadium. 1:00 p.m. - TBD Cotton Bowl Concert Tickets to each day of the Crossroads Guitar Festival will be sold separately and will be available starting March 13 through Ticketmaster at <a href="http://www.ticketmaster.com" target="new">www.ticketmaster.com</a>. Tickets are priced $15 for Friday, $30 for Saturday and $60 for Sunday. About Crossroads: Founded in 1997, Crossroads Centre, Antigua was created to provide treatment and education to chemically dependent persons, those with other compulsive addictive behaviors, their families and significant others. Treatment is provided through residential care, family and aftercare programs. The pathway to recovery is founded on the movement toward a change in lifestyle. Crossroads Centre, Antigua also operates a 16 bed halfway-house called The Bevon House (exclusively for local Antiguan residents) and facilitates a school-based education series, Breaking the Cycle, in all local schools." WebLink: <a href="http://www.crossroadsantigua.org" target="new">www.crossroadsantigua.org</a> / Source: <a href="http://www.eric-clapton.com" target="new">www.eric-clapton.com</a> Newsletter MUSICAL VISIONARY TODD RUNDGREN TO RELEASE FIRST ALBUM OF ALL NEW MATERIAL: After dedicating the past 25 years to constructing a bridge between music and multimedia, Todd Rundgren announces the release of a new album that is a work of sophisticated songwriting and musical brilliance. Liars, in stores April 6th (Sanctuary Records), is an orchestral, complex, and cleverly witty collection of songs all built around an ambitious central concept that weaves seamlessly throughout the album. From the frenetic opening track, Truth, to the blue-eyed soul in Sweet and Soul Brother, to his signature guitar howling on Liars, Rundgren exposes white lies, happy lies, lies with dire consequences, and lies so woven into the fabric of our lives that we don t even notice them anymore. "Most of my recent albums have been either collections from recent and old recordings. Liars is an album of all brand new material that I've been thinking about for about 10 years", says Rundgren. "When I started writing material for this record, I didn't have a whole concept yet, but the first song I did was The Wondering. It was my reaction to the 2000 presidential election, and the completely surreal nature of it. It really made me see that we go through life thinking certain things are true, and then reality is thrust upon you and you realize you've been living a lie, a complete lie. That you don t seem to be able to count on anything anymore. Almost a year passed before Rundgren found the inspiration to write another song. Afterlife was a reaction to religious beliefs about what happens when we die, despite a complete lack of proof on the matter. I don t expect the afterlife to be much different than what it is now, he laughs. While writing the song, he realized that there was a rich load of material to be found in examining human beings as dishonest creatures. Either you are compelled by society or sometimes by morals to be dishonest, he explains. Self-delusion, dishonesty, its all there even if you don t realize it. The album s cover captures the concept in its simplest form the Easter Bunny. It s a myth and everyone knows it s a myth. It doesn't even have the history like Santa Claus - there was never a giant bunny that delivered Easter eggs and candy. But we're asked to perpetuate this myth." While Rundgren is renown for his guitar performances, it's his dexterity as a multi-instrumentalist that shines through on Liars. The keyboard and piano often take center stage, so much so that Mammon is as much a piano concerto as it is a Gothic chant. "I was going for a certain kind of sound", describes Rundgren, who played all the instruments on the album. I did start to gravitate toward a B3 and Fender Rhodes piano for the central element. To me it's old fashioned, and I wanted it to resemble all my influences & some Mose Allison, semi-Beatles things. And there s always a bit of Marvin Gaye in there somewhere. But I'll always make a point of re-interpreting their sound, not imitating it. Track Listing: Truth . Sweet . Happy Anniversary . Soul Brother . Stood Up . Mammon . Future . Past . Wondering . Flaw . Afterlife . Living . God Said . Liar. WebLinks: <a href="http://www.tr-i.com" target="new">www.tr-i.com</a> and <a href="http://www.sanctuaryrecords.com" target="new">www.sanctuaryrecords.com</a> ZAKK WYLDE'S BLACK LABEL SOCIETY RELEASE NEW ALBUM HANGOVER MUSIC, VOL. VI: HOLLYWOOD (March 8, 2004) Hangover Music Vol. VI is an album that will change all preconceptions about Zakk Wylde & Black Label Society. Hangover Music, Vol. VI is an emotionally fueled work of genius, mixed with brilliant piano concertos and guitar solo mastery that has become Zakk Wylde's signature. After many requests from fans, for Wylde to record another Book of Shadows, an earlier solo work of his, Wylde chose to take BLS into another direction for this latest album. Wylde wrote more rock based music than metal, unlike BLS' previous albums. "What would be the point of putting out the same damn album each time?" exclaims Wylde. "This one's darker and heavier than some of our previous CDs, maybe in the vein of when Alice In Chains did "Jar of Flies" but its still a BLS record. I loved it when GNR did mellow shit like Lies.....those are the CD's we listen to during 20 hour bus rides or after a night of "brewtality". Hangover Music Vol. VI is a thought provoking, passionate and absorbing collection of songs that expose the beauty and the beast in Zakk Wylde's personality. Wylde reveals his true diversity with the hypnotic opening strains of Crazy or High to a poignant vocal-piano rendering of Procol Harem's 1967 hit A Whiter Shade of Pale. The album continually travels between moments of claustrophobic density Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow to the uplifting She Deserves A Free Ride. It also contains a song called Layne, a moving tribute to the late Alice In Chains front-man Layne Staley. The new Black Label Society album "Hangover Music Vol. VI" will be released on April 20th, 2004. Expect the first single House Of Doom to hit airwaves sometime soon. The players that helped Wylde create this masterpiece are Craig Nunenmacher on drums (John Tempesta makes a guest appearance on track 14). Mike Inez, James Lomenzo, and J.D. all share bass duties. Track-listing for the album is as follows: Crazy or High . Queen of Sorrow . Steppin' Stone . Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow . Takillya (Estyabon) . Won't Find It Here . She Deserves A Free Ride (Val's Song) . House of Doom . Damage is Done . Layne . Woman Don't Cry . No Other . Whiter Shade Of Pale (Procol Harum cover) . Once More . Fear. FEATURE INTERVIEWS - DANNY DANZI & JACK BLADES: A couple more interviews are online today - this time two <a href="feature-interviews.html">Feature Interviews</a>. First up a great in-depth and personal interview with Danny Danzi. Danny has proven to be one of the more popular personalities on the melodic rock scene and in this interview provides some interesting and honest insights into the making of his new solo album DanziLand and surviving the last 4 years. Check out: <a href="interviews/dannydanzi.html">Danny Danzi - Welcomes You To Danziland</a>. And the second interview is with the always popular Jack Blades. Jack is always a good interview - interesting conversationalist and of course there is always a dozen projects to talk about at any given time - including the new Shaw/Blades album and recent Night Ranger activities. This is my forth official interview with Jack and he remains as entertaining as ever - talking mainly about his current passion, a recently released solo album. Check out: <a href="interviews/jackblades-04.html">Jack Blades - 20 years to make a solo album!</a> WOUNDED BIRD'S FIONA RE-ISSUES OUT NOW: Wounded Bird Records have just released their long awaited re-issues of the first two Fiona albums. They are available via the label's website now and will also be in stores in the next week. Fiona Beyond The Pale features the track listing: Tragedy / Hopelessly Love You / Living In A Boy's World / Thunder & Lightning / Tender Is The Heart / Running Out Of Night / In My Blood / He's On My Side / You Better Wait / Keeper Of The Flame. Her self titled debut features the tracks: Hang Your Heart On Me / Talk To Me / You're No Angel / Rescue You / James / Love Makes You Blind / Over Now / Na Na Song.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/fiona.jpg" width="200" />xx<img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/fiona-beyondthepale.jpg" width="200" /></div> PILSON PREVIEWS WAR & PEACE RELEASE. GYPSY ROSE RETURNS: The latest addition to the Z Records roster, War & Peace; featuring Jeff Pilson have confirmed that a total of fourteen tracks will be featured on their forthcoming album The Walls Have Eyes. The CD will be released on April 19th. The track listing will include an exclusive European bonus track which is a new version of Dokken's Walk Away. The track listing will now be: Calling . Reflections . City In Flames . The Walls Have Eyes . Stranger In My Own Land . Rock And Roll Breakdown . No One Is Listening . You Haunt Me . The Shell . Black In The Mirror . Desperate Hearts . The Line In The Sand . Finale . Walk Away - (European Bonus Track, remake of the Dokken song done with string quartet). ArtistLink: <a href="http://www.jeffpilson.com" target="new">www.jeffpilson.com</a> Z Records have signed Gypsy Rose for a brand new studio album. The band's critically acclaimed debut Prey was released during 1990 by Simmons / BMG, and spawned the MTV / Radio and club hit Poisoned By Love. During February 2004, Michael Ross completed the deal which will finally see Gypsy Rose back in action after fourteen long years. Michael made the following comment: "I'm really looking forward to recording a new record, touring / playing live and meeting all the Gypsy Rose fans again." MORE DURAN DURAN GOODIES ON CD & DVD: Hollywood, CA, March 10, 2004 - Capitol Records/EMI will reissue the concert film Arena (An Absurd Notion & The Making Of Arena) DVD, the Sing Blue Silver DVD tour documentary, and the Arena live concert CD on May 4, 2004. These releases offer special insight into the lives of Duran Duran and the hysteria that engulfed them. Nearly every moment of Duran Duran's 1984 Arena world tour (51 shows in 43 cities over 79 days for over half million fans in the United States and Canada) was captured by a documentary film crew. Both DVDs have been remastered and capture mesmerizing live performances from one of the most important and innovative tours of the decade. The Arena CD is remastered with two bonus tracks. Arena (An Absurd Notion & The Making Of Arena) DVD Arena is the legendary Duran Duran concert filmed in Oakland, CA by director Russell Mulcahy. Part live concert and part sci-fi adventure, Arena finds the band in battle with the original Duran Duran (actor Milo O'Shea) from the cult film "Barbarella". Elements of Max Headroom and Mad Max (as seen in the video for "Wild Boys") are combined with one of the most exhilarating live concerts of that decade. The remastered DVD shows the concert in extraordinary sight and sound. Included is a host of unreleased extras is the "Making of Arena", a documentary that reveals the creative processes involved, how each band member contributed ideas and how 1 million pounds were spent on extraordinary sets, stunning costumes, original dance sequences and visual effects. It also helps to explain director Russell Mulcahy's motto "If I can imagine it, then I can film it". Extras include the film trailer, TV commercial, video megamix, the video for "Save A Prayer" live and an interview with Simon LeBon. The Arena DVD will be packaged in a clamshell box containing an 8-page poster booklet, and a sheet of stickers of the band members and characters from Arena. Sing Blue Silver DVD The entire North American leg of the Arena tour was filmed for this documentary. Sing Blue Silver, while not as well known as Arena, is a brilliant look into the life of the world's biggest pop band at that moment. It provides true behind the scenes footage offering a fascinating portal into the fun, glamour, agony, ecstasy and ultimate glory of 3 months on the road. Witness Simon, Nick, John Roger and Andy thriving on the pressures, psyching themselves up pre-stage and then delivering incredible shows night after night to thunderous responses. Inner workings of backstage are revealed through the production manager, tour manager and road crew who are frequently fraught with last minute panics and touring nerves. Hoards of hysterical Duran fans are seen stampeding into arenas and chasing down the band's limo. Sing Blue Silver provides the best pure live footage from various shows on the Arena tour. Mixed in 5.1 surround sound, Sing Blue Silver sounds remarkable. Sing Blue Silver captures the excitement and hysteria that was, and still is, the live Duran Duran experience. Arena CD with bonus tracks The Arena CD is the live Oakland, CA concert on CD. It includes all the mega-hits like "Hungry Like The Wolf", "Save A Prayer" and for the first time, Girls On Film and Rio have been added to the reissue. For a band that utilized the video format as vibrantly as the their music, these releases give the Duran Duran fan vehicle to re-experience the magic of a phenomenon. These releases follow in the success of the recently released Duran Duran Greatest 2-disc DVD that compiles most of their legendary music videos. "Greatest" has just been certified platinum by the RIAA. Duran Duran has recently reunited with the original line-up from the Arena tour. The five original members of Duran Duran Simon LeBon (vocals), Andy Taylor (guitars), Roger Taylor (drums), John Taylor (bass) and Nick Rhodes (keyboards) are currently playing stadiums and arenas in their home country, England through April and May. They are recording a new album and have one new song Sunrise featured on the recently released Capitol Records soundtrack to the hit TV show "Queer Eye For The Straight Guy". Track listing for Arena CD: Is There Something I Should Know? . Hungry Like The Wolf . New Religion . Save A Prayer . Wild Boys . The Seventh Stranger . The Chauffeur . Union Of The Snake . Planet Earth . Careless . Girls On Film . Rio. MELODIC BRIEFS: There is a detailed review / photo / setlist from the recent Daytona Beach show by Night Ranger and Warrant at: <a href="http://www.angelfire.com/band2/mollyhatchet/warrant-night_ranger.htm" target="new">www.angelfire.com/band2/mollyhatchet/warrant-night_ranger.htm</a> On The Rise have a new website URL. It is: <a href="http://www.ontherise.info" target="new">www.ontherise.info</a> Those interested in rock photography and on stage pictures should check out a website for photographer Joe Louis: <a href="http://www.jlphoto.net/photopage.htm" target="new">www.jlphoto.net/photopage.htm</a>. More Jeff Scott Soto UK tour dates are now online: <a href="http://www.hillockproductions.com/jss2004.htm" target="new">www.hillockproductions.com/jss2004.htm</a> Here is a link to an MP3 Download of Brides of Destruction's first single, <a href="www.sadisticcreations.com/bite_this/Shut%20The%20Fuck%20Up.mp3">Shut the Fuck Up</a>, from their debut album, Here Come the Brides out now. Aussie John Farnham may have stopped full scale touring, but he has just signed a new label deal for 5 studio albums over 10 years. Let's hope none as as lame as his middle of the road Last Time opus from last year. Mike Levine from Triumph is the subject of an in-depth interview at: <a href="http://www.metal-exiles.com" target="new">www.metal-exiles.com</a>. Secret Smile are already at work on a follow up to last year's The Road Less Traveled. Expect a release in Fall 2004 on Metal Mayhem. Axel Rudi Pell's Kings & Queens album is ranked #14 on retailer <a href="http://www.Ginza.se" target="new">Ginza.se's</a> online site. CD SHOWCASE UPDATED: New <a href="#cdshowcase">CD Showcases</a> online today, highlighting the best new releases from some of this site's sponsors. Online today are previews of the hot new Kick album New Horizon, Robin George's new solo effort Blue Songs, Eclipse's rocking new album Second To None, Evil Masquerade's Welcome To The Show and the great new Tim Donahue album Madmen & Sinners, which was a long time in the making and sounds like it. Featured vocalist on this melodic metal/progressive release is Dream Theater's James LaBrie. <a href="#cdshowcase">Go check them out!</a> MINI-BYTES UPDATE: The Mini-Bytes page has been updated. Added today are new MP3 previews from Jorn, Mike Reno, Planet 3 and Axxis. <a href="minibytes.html">Check them out.</a>  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#397171" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#397171"> <div align="center">Wednesday, March 10, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> WARRANT DRUMMER MIKE FASANO TALKS: Good friend and BW&BK journo Mitch Lafon spoke with new Warrant drummer Mike Fasano and was happy to send along the results of that conversation for us. I just wanted to know how the band sounds with Jaime? At this time Mitch the new Warrant ensemble has only rehearsed about ten times, and we have rehearsed about half as many times with the Saint (we live in Los Angeles and he lives in Portland, Oregon, which is already way more rehearsals than when the Jani Lane was in the band) and we only have one show under our belt. We played last week in Daytona Beach Florida for Biker Week supporting Night Ranger (they are really great guys and rocked might I add) with that said....... I think as a band we all are re-learning the Warrant tunes and trying to gel as a unit. The Saint is kicking ass! I wouldn't want to be the dude filling that spot in the Warrant line up!!!!! It is cool? Sound the same? Or other? It's really cool, lets face it no one can replace Lane heck I'm just trying to fill 8th Warrant drummer Key-van Fares' shoes it's a tall order and my plate is full, i heard that he rocked with Warrant so I'll give it my best! The band sounds great!!!! We're doing original versions and tempos and arrangements of all the classic Warrant numbers and a few that the original members Erik Turner, Jerry Dixon, and Joey "the Squealer" Allen haven't played for the Warrant fans in about ten years!!!!!! It's definitely not crap Mitch. The die hard Warrant fans are gonna love it and the "haters" are just gonna hate us even more!!!! Other than that -- who else you been working with? I've started a new band/project with Keith Nelson of Buckcherry fame called Gloryhole U.K. It's something that I'm really proud of. we have a studio that we share together his half is called "The Spot" and my half is called "The Miss Factory" we've been collaborating on songs for the past six months or so and are just taking our sweet ass time in putting the whole thing together, I think your gonna like it. Check out the site it should be up soon!!!! <a href="http://www.gloryholeunitedkingdom.com" target="new">www.gloryholeunitedkingdom.com</a> Outside of that I've done a bit of my drum sound/tuning chores on Weezers new record and am currently in the studio with Oaland's finest Green Day making Tre's drums rock!!! And in early April I start work on the Judas Priest record. UNITED ROCK RADIO TO WORLD PREMIERE DANZILAND: (Mesa, AZ - 7 March, 2004) Marquee / Avalon and MTM Music recording artist, Danny Danzi will premiere his long awaited album, Danziland on 12 March 2004 at <a href="http://www.unitedrock.com" target="new">www.unitedrock.com</a>. At 7:00pm PST Danzi will be interviewed live on the air by United Rock Radio DJ, "MANIC EGO" for approximately two hours while the two discuss Danny's new album and new record deals, his band members, Somewhere Lost In Time and much, much more. Questions from fans will be taken from the United Rock chatroom and via Instant Message. Danziland was released in December of 2003 in Japan and will be out on 15 March, 2004 in Europe. For more information on the interview, please go to <a href="http://www.untedrock.com" target="new">www.untedrock.com</a>. DESIGNER MATTIAS NOREN UNVEILS NEW SITE: Swedish CD artwork designer Mattias Norén, known for his work for bands like Evergrey, Ayreon/StarOne, Into Eternity, Vagh, Wolverine and Lost Horizon has just released his new website with brand new artwork for amongst others Ayreon, Kotipelto, Vigilante, Evergrey, Vagh and Unholy Ghost. WebLink: <a href="http://www.progart.com" target="new">www.progart.com</a> JON OLIVA'S TAGE MAHAL: "Jon Oliva's - 'Tage Mahal is now the official name for the solo project of Savatage mastermind, Jon Oliva. Although The JOP (Jon Oliva Project) was an easy way for fans to associate it with Jon, the band has been looking for a variety of creative ways to promote the new record and thought the name didn't leave much to the imagination. Along with the name change, The web-site will be undergoing a series of changes in the coming weeks to reflect the name and the attitude of the new record. 'Tage Mahal will be performing a "sneak preview" of the new record at Prog-Power V in Atlanta, GA. on September 16 & 17. This is the premier metal festival in the US. Make your plans to be there and remember that this show sold out in under 2 weeks last year. Tickets go on sale May 1. Further information can be found at <a href="http://www.progpowerusa.com" target="new">www.progpowerusa.com</a> 'Tage Mahal is currently in week 2 of recording. Jon is joined, both in the studio and on tour, by the former members of Circle II Circle - Chris Kinder, Kevin Rothney, Matt LaPorte and John Zahner. The album is scheduled for a late spring/early summer release. Further information regarding Jon Oliva's Tage Mahal can be found at the official site <a href="http://www.jonoliva.net" target="new">www.jonoliva.net</a> THE CALLING READY FOR NUMBER TWO: An update from The Calling, via their Internet Newsletter: "Hey there, just want to fill you all in on what is coming up. We're spending the next month rehearsing with our new backup band, shooting a video, finishing two new songs for the album, and getting ready to launch a worldwide tour. We had auditions recently and have put together a great new band that's really sounding amazing. Aaron and I just wrote the treatment for the video of Our Lives that we'll be shooting in the next two weeks. We were having a hard time finding the right idea to portray the meaning of this song in a video, so we took it to ourselves to create exactly what we want and I can tell you right now that this video is going to kick serious ass! We're going back into the studio next week to complete two more new singles for Two and finally finish this record for good! In the end of March, we'll be leaving to Europe, Japan, and America to begin a world promo tour that will quickly evolve into a full show tour throughout the world. The first single, Our Lives, will be at radio stations internationally the middle of next month and in America the end of next month. Stay tuned for more updates on the album release dates, but be assured that you will all be hearing our new record Two soon! With the famous Clive Davis executive producing our incredible new album, and the best fans in the world, we couldn't be more confident that this is going to be an incredible year. Stay safe and we'll see you soon! All the love!"   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="201" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/thecalling-two.jpg" width="200" /></div> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#000000" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#000000"> <div align="center">Tuesday, March 09, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> UNDER THE MICROSCOPE: A couple of new interviews today, featuring artists I am currently working with. McQueen Street was another classic American hard rock act that was swept aside by the grunge revolution. But thanks to persistent fans, good music and the Internet - they're back! I talked to frontman Derek Welsh about the road to their second CD release 2. Check out soundbytes on their <a href="showcase/mcqueenstreet-2.html">Showcase</a> and read the interview - <a href="interviews/mcqueenstreet.html">McQueen Street: 2nd Time Around.</a> <a href="http://www.mcqueenstreet.com" target="new">www.mcqueenstreet.com</a> Chris Catena has recently released his debut album, self financed and self-released. On the album Chris pays tribute to the music of his life - classic hard rock. But even better, many musicians he has admired over the years have come along for the ride - including Glenn Hughes, Jeff Scott Soto, John Lawton, Chuck Wright, Bernie Marsden, Micky Moody, Stevie Salas, Bruce Kulick, Tony Franklin, Tommy Aldridge, Eric Singer, Myron Dove, Dave Meniketti and more! I talk with Chris about the album, it's songs and how it works for him being an independent artist. Check out soundbytes on his <a href="showcase/chriscatena-freakout.html">Showcase</a> and read the interview - <a href="interviews/chriscatena.html">Chris Catena: A stellar line-up for a stellar debut.</a> <a href="http://www.chriscatena.com" target="new">www.chriscatena.com</a>   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/mcqueenstreet-2.jpg" width="200" />xx<img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/chriscatena-freakout.jpg" width="200" /></div> THE FINAL DAYS OF THE VAN HALEN SAGA?: Well, the Van Halen leaks continue unabated, while my direct sources have suddenly gone very quiet. Expect something official very very shortly! I have nothing new to add to what I have already said and what else is out there, but to summarize, the last few days has seen KLOS-FM in LA state that Van Halen are booking concert dates, with two are scheduled for Southern California this summer. They also state that they will have ticket information by the end of the month. Let's hope they - or someone at least, does! The only real unanswered question out there right now is when will it all be announced? Rumors suggest as early as this week, others point to next week as a possibility. What do my sources have to say? Nothing, nadda, zip....everyone has gone quiet, so I cannot update you any further personally at this stage. More as soon as possible of course... NEW BARNES PROJECT IS LIVING LOUD: Full details of the Jimmy Barnes all-star project Living Loud have been released, including a final track listing and a preview of the lead single at the band's Liberation Music website: <a href="http://www.liberation.com.au/artists.cfm?id=32" target="new">www.liberation.com.au/artists.cfm?id=32</a> Living Loud features: Jimmy Barnes (vocals), Steve Morse (guitar), Bob Daisley (bass), Don Airey (keyboards), Lee Kerslake (drums). The album is released April 26 in Australia and was recorded in just 21 days. The track listing (including a stack of Daisley era Ozzy Osbourne covers) is: Last Chance . I Don't Know . Every Moment A Lifetime . Crazy Train . In The Name Of God . Flying High Again . Pushed Me Too Hard . Mr. Crowley . Tonight . Walk Away . Over The Mountain.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/livingloud.jpg" width="200" /></div> OUT TO EVERY JORN CD: Jorn's Out To Every Nation has been detailed previously, but here is the cover art for those interested. The album is released in Japan March 24 and in Europe April 26.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="190" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/jorn-outtoeverynation.jpg" width="190" /></div> VICK LeCAR'S BAD INFLUENCES: Vick LeCar is back with his new release Bad Influence. The album covers some of classic rock's finest artists, with Vick lending his own signature to the tracks. Vick is releasing the CD himself on March 17. It will be sold thru <a href="http://CDBaby.com" target="new">CDBaby.com</a> and through his site, <a href="http://www.vick-lecar.com" target="new">www.vick-lecar.com</a> - under Aries Records. Viock says the CD: "...is paying tribute to some of the bands and artist who influence my musical carrier." Playing on the CD is: Vick LeCar: All Guitars, Vocals, and Back-ups, Cello, and Violins, Dino Castano: Drums, Wade Parker: Bass, Erik LeCar: Keyboards. The track listing (and original artist info): Stormbringer (Deep Purple) . Out On The Tiles (Led Zeppelin) . Stone Cold (Rainbow) . Hope You're Felling Better (Santana) . Tie Your Mother Down (Queen) . Holy Man (Deep Purple) . Fire (Jimmy Hendrix) . Open Invitation (Santana) . Let It Ride (BTO) . Long Live Rock & Roll (Rainbow). Log onto <a href="http://www.vick-lecar.com" target="new">www.vick-lecar.com</a>, or send $14.99 plus $3 dollars shipping and handling, (Out of USA add another $2 dollars) to: Aries Records, PO Box 294, Cibolo TX 78108.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/vicklecar-badinfluence.jpg" width="200" /></div> SUNSHINE JIVE VOCALIST TURNS SOLO: Tommy Dempsey, former front-man and singer for the rock bands Sunshine Jive and Superzero, has finished and finally released his first solo EP on his own label and is currently touring the US to support it. The mostly acoustic record is much more personal in tone, yet still delivers the passionate vocal style that has become his trademark. To purchase the CD and to get more info, log on to <a href="http://www.tommydempseymusic.com" target="new">www.tommydempseymusic.com</a> MELODIC BRIEFS: Jimmy Bain has left Dio, leaving Ronnie James Dio, guitarist Craig Goldy and drummer Simon Wright to start work on the new Dio studio album later this month. A replacement bassist has not yet been named. Skid Row drummer Phil Varone has been welcomed back into the fold and will take over the duties of his short lived replacement Tim DiDuro immediately. Span are working on additional tracks to supplement a US version of their Mass Destruction album. Producer Kevin Shirley reports working on one track, for the album which will feature up to 4 additional tracks and a revised running order. Fans of modern rock and the nu-breed melodic rock sound should go to this site and check out a track download from a "mystery band": <a href="http://misteryband.faithweb.com" target="new">misteryband.faithweb.com</a> There is a new Legs Diamond compilation on its way, which will include one new song. And the guys are busy writing songs for a totally new album in the near future. Hubi Meisel's EmOcean is featured here currently. But Hubi is also offering a free online single to download from the album. Check out the track <a href="http://www.hubimeisel.com/audio/mp3/SARGASSO.mp3">Lost in the Waters of Sargasso</a>. A new super group is coming together in LA featuring Billy Duffy (The Cult) and Jerry Cantrell (Alice in Chains) on guitars, with John Corabi (Motley Crue/The Scream) on lead vocals. FAITHFULL CHANGE LINE-UP: Some news from Faithfull - The guys want to present the new line-up - bass player Nuno Ledesma was forced to leave the band, due to personal reasons. The guys state that he is still very close to the band and is helping with the promotional work. To replace him, the band welcomes Mário Barbosa. Meanwhile, keyboard wizard Rui Rocha was also recruited to join the team. Faithfull are preparing a tour to present Light this City... these are the dates for the next couple of weeks: March 13th - FNAC Forum (Chiado - Lisbon) March 16th - Hard Rock Cafe Lisbon April 2nd - FNAC Forum - C.C. Colombo (Lisbon) Pictured: from left to right, Sérgio Ramos (drums), Mário Barbosa (bass), Sérgio Sabino (vocals), Rui Rocha (keyboards) and Rui Martins (guitars).   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="171" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/faithfull-2004.jpg" width="250" /></div> NORWAYS WIG WAM ABOUT TO IMPACT: Norwegian glam band called Wig Wam (<a href="http://www.wigwam.no" target="new">www.wigwam.no</a>) are releasing their debut album this week. Wig Wam contains members from bands like Dream Police, Evenrude, Sha.Boom and Artch. Their music is melodic hard rock / glam in the vein of Bon Jovi, Sweet, Def Leppard. Over the weekend Wig Wam performed as part of the Norwegian portion of the European Song Contest. Apparently they went down very well - coming in 3rd overall with their song Crazy Things - a song a bit similar to It's My Life by Bon Jovi. Members include Trond Holter (guitarist in Dream Police) and Bernt Jansen (bass in Artch). 2 of the songs on the album produced by AOR guru Ole Evenrude. THE ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND SET TO RELEASE ONE WAY OUT: The Allman Brothers Band, one of rock's most acclaimed live acts and 1994 Hall Of Fame inductees will release a new double live CD March 23 on Peach/Sanctuary Records. Titled One Way Out, it documents the band's 'March Madness' run at the Beacon Theatre last year in New York City and features the 12-minute tour de force "Instrumental Illness," for which the band has been nominated for a Grammy this year in the "Best Rock Instrumental Performance" category. One Way Out includes songs seen on last year's DVD Live At The Beacon Theatre--which is nearing platinum status--as well as additional live tracks from the Beacon performances. Meanwhile, look for the Allman Brothers Band--Gregg Allman (vocals and keyboards), Jaimoe (drums), Butch Trucks (drums and tympani) Warren Haynes (vocals, lead and slide guitar), Oteil Burbridge (bass), Marc Quiñones (congas and percussion) and Derek Trucks (slide and lead guitar)--to perform Tuesday, March 16 on "Late Night With Conan O'Brien" in advance of this year's "March Madness" Beacon shows beginning March 18th. The 18-track One Way Out mixes Allman Brothers Band classics (among them "Dreams," "Midnight Rider" and "Whippin' Post") with six songs from their critically acclaimed Hittin' The Note, the band's latest studio album and their first album of new material in nine years (released last spring on Peach/Sanctuary Records). As Steve Morse noted in his Boston Globe review (3/28/03) "...one listen will convince you that the Allmans are really hitting a new peak," while Jay Lustig raved in the Newark Star Ledger (3/16/03) "It often approaches and sometimes reaches the level of Allman recordings of yore." Jay Babcock, writing in the LA Weekly (9/05/03) summed it up when he said "...the general consensus is that the Allmans are stronger now than they've been in years; their stunning new album Hittin' The Note certainly makes that case." Known as one of rock's best live acts, the Allman Brothers Band were one of only two artists whose live albums ranked in the top 50 of Rolling Stone's recently published list of the "500 Greatest Albums of All Time." The Allman Brothers Band was honored for At Fillmore East (while James Brown was saluted for Live At The Apollo). <a href="http://www.allmanbrothersband.com" target="new">www.allmanbrothersband.com</a> Track Listing: Disc 1: Statesboro Blues . Don't Keep Me Wondering . Midnight Rider . Rocking Horse . Desdemona . Trouble No More . Wasted Words . Good Morning Little Schoolgirl . Instrumental Illness. Disc 2: Ain't Wasting Time No More . Come & Go Blues . Woman Across The River . Old Before My Time . Every Hungry Women . High Cost Of Low Living . Worried Down With The Blues . Dreams . Whippin' Post.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/allmanbrothers-onewayout.jpg" width="200" /></div> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#808080" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#808080"> <div align="center">Sunday, March 07, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> NO DENYING A GREAT SPRINGFIELD PACKAGE: Rick Springfield has announced the full details of his Limited Edition version of the new Shock/Denial/Anger/Acceptance album. The release is limited to 3500 Numbered and Hand Signed Copies. The 3-Disk set includes 2 Audio CD's and one Compilation DVD. The track listing is as follows: CD 1: Love Screws Me Up (unreleased track from "Karma") . Revolution Day (unreleased track from "Karma") . Rhythm of Love (unreleased '88 song)[a very smooth rocker] . Her Body Makes Vows (unreleased track from "Karma") . Faithful (different version from the DVD) . When You Dream (original song for Houdini sequence in EFX. Later replaced by 'Forever') . Rhythm of the Beat (original version with extra verses) . Forever (EFX version) . Rock of Life (home demo '86) . Affair of the Heart (home demo '82) . Souls (home demo '82) . Dont Talk to Strangers (home demo '81) . Poison Pen (unreleased demo from SHSMY) . American Girls (live from the Troubadour '74) . Fire Brigade (track from unreleased '74 Springfield' album) . Sweet Teaser (track from unreleased '74 Springfield' album) . Will I? (AC radio mix) CD 2: The s/d/a/a album that is now at retail, + 1 bonus track - Forever (re-recorded for SDAA sessions) DVD Disc 3: Making of SDAA: Interview, Retrospective: Where's All the Love, Mission Magic, High Tide Trailer + a bonus surprise. Booklet Includes: Full Lyrics to SDAA - Including Forever; Rick's spin on the unreleased songs, when they were recorded, with whom, & what his favorites were. Never before seen photos from the SDAA photo shoots. The shipping date is April 1 and pre=sales will commence this week via <a href="http://www.ricksmerch.com" target="new">www.ricksmerch.com</a> A very tasty selection of goodies for Rick fans and what looks to be one of the year's best packages. The price tag on this LE package looks like being $89 - which realistically I think is a little pricey. Somewhere around $50 would have made it killer value. But nevertheless, will be shelling out for a copy, so expect a review in due course. GOTTHARD STRIKE ANOTHER HURDLE: Gotthard guitarist Mandy Meyer is to leave the band. This fresh turmoil comes on top of last week's news that the band are looking for a new label and new management. Thanks to my Swiss bud Peter for the info. MR-X UPDATE: <a href="mr-x/index.html">MR-X</a> has been updated. Online this week is a new Feature Album - the self-titled, hard to find (and out of print) album from US rockers Bigg Mouth; a few Feature Single - Izzy Stradlin's 4 track Pressure Drop single (with unreleased tracks) and a Live Feature from 1991 - The Storm. Sadly it's only a few tracks, and an audience recording. These guys should really have taped some shows for a release. Enjoy! <a href="mr-x-intro.html">Join MR-X instantly!</a>  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#8000ff" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#8000ff"> <div align="center">Friday, March 05, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> RICK'S NARROW CHART MISS: Rick Springfield's new album Shock/Denial/Anger/Acceptance has narrowly missed making a mark on the US Top 200 first week in. The rocking new album sold 5931 copies in it's first week. That's not a bad result considering the state of the market place for classic rockers and also considering that it's an independent release. The unfortunate side of the story is the fact that Rick only missed charting in the Top 200 by a mere 225 copies. The promotion of an upcoming Limited Edition version has seen many fans hold off on purchasing the album, which looks to have had a significant impact on initial sales. JOIN TNT'S RELIGION: Tonight, March 5 (tomorrow midday Oz local time) join DJ, Manic Ego as he talks with Tony Harnell about the My Religion album, earlier TNT stuff, Morning Wood, Westworld, etc at 7:00pm PST at <a href="http://www.unitedrock.com" target="new">www.unitedrock.com</a>. If you haven't yet had the chance to check out the new TNT site this is a great time to do so! We are running a contest RIGHT NOW, where you can register to win a copy of the imported Japanese version of TNT's new album with a special edition TNT sticker! <a href="http://www.tnttheband.com" target="new">www.tnttheband.com</a> Pre-orders for the US release is also being taken at this location: <a href="http://www.ccnow.com/cgi-local/cart.cgi?tharnell_TNTMRUSA1_continue-page" target="new">www.ccnow.com/cgi-local/cart.cgi?tharnell_TNTMRUSA1_continue-page</a>. All Pre-Orders will also have rare special edition downloadable multimedia that will be available via a username/password on the TNT website. A detailed listing will be posted shortly. OH JAPAN, HERE'S OUR SINGLE: Here is the artwork for the TMG (Tak Matsumoto Group) single Oh Japan, Our Time Is Now. TMG features Tak Matsumoto (guitars), Jack Blades (bass), Eric Martin (vocals) and Brian Tichy (drums). The single features another new track Trapped and is released in Japan March 31.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="190" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/tmg-ohjapan.jpg" width="168" /></div> MELODIC BRIEFS: Glam-Metal.com have a new feature interview online with Warrant's Erik Turner. <a href="http://glam-metal.com/erikturner.html" target="new">glam-metal.com</a> Eclipse are back and will unveil their new album Second To None in April. The band wants fans to know there has been a URL change to their official website. The new URL is <a href="http://www.eclipsemania.com" target="new">www.eclipsemania.com</a>. Texas troubadour James McMurtry has a new live album available. James McMurtry and the Heartless Bastards Live In Aught-Three is out now on Compadre Records. This set features 14 songs that span McMurtry's six-album catalogue. Butch Walker fans can check out a new studio track Mixtape at this link: <a href="http://www.sxsw.com/music/showcases/pages/3350.html" target="new">www.sxsw.com/music/showcases/pages/3350.html</a> Two more albums coming up from Sanctuary Records - Dokken Hell To Pay (due April 20) and WASP The Neon God - Part 1 (April 6th). House Of Shakira's new studio album is set to be titled First Class. The artwork is below. Full details on the release shortly.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/houseofshakira-firstclass.jpg" width="200" />xx<img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/wasp-neongod1.jpg" width="242" /></div> CRISS IS KISSED OFF: As previously reported, Peter Criss has officially been left off the Kiss map for 2004. This was posted to his website this week: "I have been receiving thousands of fan mail as to what is going on with Kiss. Today, my contract ran out. No one, again no one has called me, or my attorney about an extension for future touring. As a founding member I find this to be disrespectful to me, and to the fans that have made us one of the biggest bands in the world. You will always get the truth from me, I have no reason to lie to the people that gave me such a wonderful life. And that's the god's honest truth. God bless, Peter Criss." In other Kiss related news, another tribute to the band is planned. The Kiss Army Norway are putting together this one, with full details available at: <a href="http://www.kissarmynorway.com" target="new">www.kissarmynorway.com</a> The first single will be released April 20 according to a press release sent this week: "The first single from our upcoming KISS Army Norway tribute album will be God Of Thunder performed by Shirleys Temple. The bands vocalist/guitarist Frank Tostrup are known as the songwriter for the song Asshole witch Gene bought for his solo album. Shirleys Temple are Gene's backing band on the song as well. Now as Gene has done a cover of Shirleys Temple it's kind of cool that Shirleys Temple cover a KISS song too. The admiration goes both ways. The God Of Thunder single is a taste of what to come while the Norwegian fans wait for the full album release. The album is expected to be released around the new year and will include contributions by some of Norway's biggest artist." UNRELEASED PLANET 3 UNEARTHED: The second Planet 3 album - Gems Unearthed - with songs and performances by Jay Graydon, Clif Magness and Glen Ballard is now released and available via Jay's web site: <a href="http://www.jaygraydon.com" target="new">www.jaygraydon.com</a> I'll supply some soundbytes and a review shortly. THUNDER TO HEADLINE THE DERBY ROCK & BLUES FESTIVAL: Thunder have confirmed that they will be headlining the 2004 Derby Rock & Blues Festival on Friday 30th July 2004 at Coney Gray Farm, Pentrich, Derbyshire. Tickets are £25 each. For more details check out <a href="http://www.rockandblues.uk.com" target="new">www.rockandblues.uk.com</a> (new website coming soon) Thunder fan Jamie Branagan is auctioning off his spare signed copy of Live At The Bedford Arms on ebay. We don't normally promote ebay auctions here, but this one is for a good cause. All winnings will be donated to charity - the Cleft Lip and Palate Association (CLAPA). Good luck Jamie! Check out the auction here: <a href="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3801812427" target="new">cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3801812427</a> PERRIS' MAKEOVER: The Perris Records website has undergone a extreme makeover - featuring a new logo, search engine & a secure online shopping cart. The new website was designed by Ravenart graphics. Perris Records is now soliciting artists for Hollywood Hairspray Volume III. Previous artist have included Enuff Z Nuff, Razamanaz, Jetboy, Nasty Idols, Pretty Boy Floyd, Nitro, Heaven, & many more! Your band could be next! Hollywood Hairspray 'I' & 'II' received worldwide press and radio airplay. Interested artist contact Perris Records at <a href="mailto:perrisrecords@ev1.net">perrisrecords@ev1.net</a> Perris Records will be soliciting artist for the first Hollywood Hairspray DVD series. If your 80's rock or glam band has a video send them in by March 30th. Your video must be sent to us on a VHS video or NSTC DVD format! Perris Records, Attn; HH DVD series, P.O. Box 783, Cedar Park, TX 78630 Perris is now Accepting CD's or CDR's for Possible Label Consideration and Distribution Deals Worldwide. Perris Distribution includes the following Countries U.S.A., Canada, Germany, U.K., Italy, Brazil, Czech Republic, Sweden, France, Denmark, Japan, Spain, Australia, The Netherlands, Greece, & Argentina. <a href="http://www.perrisrecords.com" target="new">www.perrisrecords.com</a> FIREWORKS 15: Issue 15 for UK rock magazine Fireworks is about to be unleashed. Featured in this issue is interviews with: Cornerstone, Crystal Ball, Danny Danzi, Enchant, Firehouse, House Of Lords, Jaded Heart, Jack Blades, Nickleback, Primal Fear, Seventh Key, Starz, Steve Vai, Stratovarious, Tesla, Zon.....and more!! For purchase and subscription information, view the <a href="fireworks.html">Fireworks Page</a>.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="283" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/Fireworks15-small.jpg" width="200" /></div> STAGE DOLLS IN THE STUDIO: News from the Stage Dolls website. The band have been rehearsing in January preparing for their new album. They started recording on the 9th of February in Nidaros Studios, Trondheim. The album will be recorded by Ronny Wikmark at Nidaros who is also co-producing with Torstein. This will continue through Feb/March and April and the album will be out in Norway in May. The songs are said to be 'classic' Stage Dolls-material and the band have never been so pleased after their pre-production before. Stage Dolls DVD-concert from Trondheim Sept. 2003 will either be released together with the album or later in 2004. JACK RE-ORDERS HIS SOLO ALBUM FOR US FANS: Jack Blades' self titled debut album is released in the USA via Sanctuary Records in April. The release features the same track listing as the European release, albeit in a different running order. The US listing is: Shine On . Sea Of Emotions . We Are The Ones . Sometimes You Gotta Have Faith . Natures Way . Who You Wanna Be . Someday . Don't Want To Be Alone Tonight . On Top Of The World . Breaking It Down . To Touch The Sky. SITE NEWS: I am very pleased to say that visits to this site continue to increase and over the past month have again shot upwards. I'm not sure what I am doing differently to bring a rise in visitors, but whatever it is, it will continue! Over the last month, the site frontpage has averaged of 13,000 hits a day - a total of 388,807 hits for the month Of February. In the past week, that average has risen again to nearly 15,000 a day. Last month the site delivered over 380GIG of outbound data. And the site just passed 11 million hits! Thanks to everyone that continues to support this site, the artists featured here and good music in general. Sadly, no other updates besides news today. I plan on having this week's <a href="mr-x/index.html">MR-X</a> update online Sunday. My PC crash earlier in the week screwed up things royally, so reviews, several more interviews and new soundbytes will all have to wait until next week. Thanks for your patience.  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#0000a0" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#000080"> <div align="center">Thursday, March 04, 2004 :pm update</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> VAN HALEN MACHINE ALMOST READY TO ROLL: Los Angeles radio station KLOS-FM have been running a Van Halen teaser campaign all day, promising exclusive Van Halen news, also adding a teaser banner to their website: <a href="http://www.955klos.com/home.asp" target="new">www.955klos.com/home.asp</a> The banner is pictured below. Sadly the station hasn't made any announcment after teasing fans all day. Were they asked not to, or are they just dicking fans around? The next 24 hours should bring some answers. The facts however, are clear. Sammy Hagar is back in the band - as I said in November last year when first contact was initiated and a plan for 2004 put in place. There is a tour that is almost fully planned and booked that will take place over the coming American summer. Coinciding with the tour, of following it, will be Van Halen's Best of Volume 2, featuring new tracks with vocalist Sammy Hagar at the helm. The exact release date is unknown, with various sources suggesting May, August and September. I was told September, but that could easily change, as I also confirmed recently the new tracks were due for completion at the end of February. Various leaks from tour promoters and venues have been surfacing, with more this week. It seems an official announcement is due the week of March 15. That's to be confirmed, but Monday March 15 is the hot date right now. It's suggested tickets could be on sale by the end of this month! In further news surfacing today, industry magazine Hits has provided another tidbit of info. It was Hits that announced Irving Azoff would manage Van Halen back in November - the same time I announced Sammy's return. Today the magazine added this to <a href="http://www.hitsdailydouble.com/news/rumormill.cgi" target="new">their website</a>: "MONSTERS OF ROCK In non-restructuring-related business, Warner Special Markets is said to have negotiated a deal with Van Halen for a new greatest-hits package featuring three new songs. A tour to support the album is also said to be in the works, reportedly to include Sammy Hagar. While still unconfirmed, some close to the action confide that they think the album and tour will happen." So folks...it's all good for Van Halen fans. The speculation and rumors will soon be replaced with facts. Stay tuned for updates.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="124" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/vanhalen-klos.jpg" width="363" /></div> MTM NEWS UPDATE: Shortino / Northrup - Afterlife (Release 17.05.2004) MTM Music is proud to announce the signing of JK Northrup and Paul Shortino. Both are high respected artists and are working on a hard rock / AOR album. JK already released his Best Of album on MTM and was involved into the latest XYZ album. Both are gathering their experiences and you can expect a high quality AOR album with strong songs and catchy melodies. Tommy Denander will appear on a song as guest musician as well as Johnny Edwards on a duet with Paul! One song can be heard on the recent MTM Music Compilation 9, which was released last October. Edge of Forever - Feeding The Fire (Release 24.05.2004) Edge of Forever is a concentration of 80's Hard Rock, filled with rousing melodies and neoclassical atmospheres. The band features fantastic singer Bob Harris, who worked with Frank Zappa, Steve Vai and is actually part of legendary band Axe. Mastermind Alessandro Del Vecchio, keyboard player, has gained valuable experience besides some bigwigs of the world's rock and metal scene, energetic performer, has worked live and on records featuring Glenn Hughes, Patrick Rondat, Time Machine and many more. The album was produced by Marcel Jacob, the extraordinary bass player and producer, who is the founder member of Talisman with Jeff Scott Soto. Jeff sings a duet on one song together with Bob Harris and contributes most of the backing vocals on the album. The album features a video of the Song Feeding The Fire as bonus track! NOW & THEN NEWS UPDATE: Now And Then is delighted to be able to announce the signing of Swedish symphonic metal band Seasons of Storms. The band was formed in spring 1999 by main songwriter/lead guitarist Johan Lindgren and rhythm guitarist Andreas Stenlund. Over the next 4 years the duo recorded three demos and went through several line-up changes before they finally settled on the right people. In late spring 2003 they entered the studio once more to record their fourth demo, entitled Face of The Evernight. The new songs had heavy symphonic influences but without losing the speed or the traditional power metal feeling. By this time Seasons Of Storms had hooked up with a truly great metal singer, Simon Åkesson who did an awesome job and joined the band. The songs were placed on MP3.com and in just a few weeks they had been downloaded thousands of times. The demo received a great response from the bands existing fans and excellent reviews on internet fanzines. After the Face of the Evernight demo was released the hunt for a full-time drummer began, culminating in Tobias Lundgren, a great prog-metal drummer joining the band. The Face of the Evernight demo caught the attention of Now and Then Records and a worldwide multi-album deal was soon signed. The band is currently writing and demoing new material with a view to recording their debut album and having it released before the end of 2004. A band website is also being put together at present and MP3 samples will be available on it within the next few weeks. Now And Then's first power metal signing Power Quest continues to pick up excellent reviews for their soon to be released NeverWorld opus. Check out the reviews section of the Now And Then website for further proof of this bands quality. Comparisons are being made with the power metal of Stratovarius and Freedom Call mixed with big melodic rock influences from TNT and Van Halen combined to create something different and special. The band also has superb new "NeverWorld" shirts available to purchase from their website at <a href="http://www.power-quest.co.uk/index3.html" target="new">www.power-quest.co.uk/index3.html</a> Power Quest plays the following co-headline dates with Intense. Special guests Mercury Rain. June 25th - Rio's - Bradford June 27th - Camden Underworld - London June 28th - Joiners - Southampton (4 bands....one tbc) Also, they play the following show - June 26th - One Big Day 2004 - Pontypool (Talywain RUFC) Stroy, Gutterstorm, Flip Finger + 2 tbc Finally, as special guests of Threshold they play - September 2nd - Camden Underworld - London (with Balance of Power) September 4th - Classic Rock Society - Rotherham Nexx play the following shows - Saturday March 6th, there will be a party for the first anniversary of the website rockangels.com. British band Pride will play and there will be also some mini-acoustic shows by Danny Vaughn, Badway and Patricia and Fran. Sunday March 7th, 1830 h. NEMELROCK 3 Firehouse, Vaughn, Nexx and Hardreams. The venue will be Caracol, Madrid. Tickets are being sold very quickly so if you want to go, buy your ticket now! more info <a href="http://www.taperock.com" target="new">www.taperock.com</a> Saturday April 24th NEXX + HOUSE OF SHAKIRA + HEYSER. 2130 h. Azquena venue, Bilbao. 10 euros (12 at the door of the venue). Nexx are very glad to share the stage with their friends from Sweden, House of Shakira, a band that they have met during several festivals. Thanks to David from Hard2Love, Nexx have uploaded a video taken from the show they did in Madrid in October. The song is After the storm, that is played in a very special way. The video will be only for limited time at <a href="http://www.webnexx.com" target="new">www.webnexx.com</a> in the Misc section. Just a reminder that the excellent Firehouse, Vaughn and Pride play the following shows in the UK over the coming couple of weeks - Friday 5th March - Rock City, Nottingham (Firehouse + Vaughn) Tuesday March 9th - Corporation, Sheffield (Firehouse + Vaughn + Pride + Deadline) Wednesday March 10th - The Limelight, Belfast, N.Ireland (Firehouse + Vaughn + Pride) Thursday March 11th - Renfrew Ferry, Glasgow, Scotland (Firehouse + Vaughn + Pride + Deadline) Saturday March 13th - The Underworld, London (Firehouse + Vaughn + Pride) SOLD OUT Sunday March 14th - Jb's, Dudley (Firehouse + Vaughn + Pride) Please support the live scene in the UK and attend at least one of these shows! For updates / further info check out the Now & Then website at <a href="http://www.nowandthen.co.uk" target="new">www.nowandthen.co.uk</a> ERIC MARTIN ON DESTROYING MONSTERS: Another interview online today with a few more also just about ready. This time we have Eric Martin talking about his current solo album Destroy All Monsters, plus that new project with Jack Blades, the Mr. Big tribute album and life in general... Check out <a href="interviews/ericmartin-04.html">Eric Martin - Destroy Those Monsters</a>.  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#004000" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#004000"> <div align="center">Wednesday, March 03, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> HUGO'S NEW ALBUM SET TO FIRE IN APRIL: Hugo's new album is ready to go! It looks as if the album will be ready for distribution April 5 and will be available for pre-sale at Hugo's website: <a href="http://www.hugothisway.com" target="new">www.hugothisway.com</a> shortly. Fire In The Night will feature the following finalised track listing: Hand in Hand . It's the Love . Forever: Endeavor . Fire in the Night . I'll Learn to Live Without You . Dawn . Just So You . Know . Don't Wanna Say Goodbye Tonight . Every Time You Walk Away . Just to Be With You Tonight . Here I Am . Hold Me. Fresh, updated soundbytes will be previewed here shortly. WebLinks: <a href="http://www.hugomusic.net" target="new">www.hugomusic.net</a> and <a href="http://www.hugothisway.com" target="new">www.hugothisway.com</a>   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="250" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/hugo-fireinthenight.jpg" width="250" /></div> ESCAPE MUSIC ARE UP THE CREEK: Escape Music is pleased to announce the release date for The Creek S/T and Storm The Gate. Both albums will contain 4 bonus tracks all digitally re-mastered on 24-bits with a new front cover. The band formerly were known as Sugarcreek. The double CD will be released as a digipak limited editions of 2000 copies only!! Release date: 26th April 2004 CD1 - The Creek - Six Days To Sunday . Dialing Numbers . Love Will Stay . Just Another Fool . Lead Me Down That Road . Love Found Me (Ain't That Enough) . Reach & Touch . Arthur Whiteside . You Don't Owe Me . Institute Of Rock N Roll . Love Found Me (Ain't That Enough) '85 (Bonus Track) . Best Of Both Worlds (Bonus Track). CD2 - Storm The Gate - Storm The Gate . Rock Me Tonight . Foxy . Girl Is Crying . I Love . Hanky Panky . Passion . The Climb . Fountain Of Youth . Bad Light . On My Way . I Like It Loud . Keri Anne . High Roller (Bonus Track) . 911 (Bonus Track).   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="203" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/thecreek.jpg" width="200" /></div> FIRST LOOK AT IMPELLITTERI'S NEW METAL: Impellitteri's Pedal To The Metal is due out in Japan March 24. I've covered the album's details previously, but now here is the artwork (sorry the pic is a little rough):   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="188" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/impellitteri-pedaltothemetal.jpg" width="190" /></div> LION MUSIC SIGN METAL MAJESTY FOR EUROPE: Lion Music are happy to announce the signing of Valensia's Metal Majesty which will be release at the end of May 2004. The music of this album features some of the best harmony vocals since Queen's A Night At the Opera, actually the whole album is a tribute to that kind of sound. Lion Music's version will contain 3 more songs than the Japanese release and is also fully remastered. UPDATES - INTERVIEWS - HOUSE OF LORDS & BRET MICHAELS: A couple of new interviews online for you today. The new House Of Lords album has a lot of people talking. Everyone has an opinion on this record, especially two of the people behind the record - bassist Chuck Wright and vocalist James Christian. Here is what they had to say about the recording and release of The Power & The Myth! Both interviews make for an interesting read. Check out - <a href="interviews/houseoflords.html">House Of Lords: A new decade, a new sound</a>. And for our second interview, something a little different for you. Some of my phone interviews are lovingly transcribed by the rather awesome Ron and Don Higgins. Much appreciated guys! Anyway, they asked if they could possibly team up and interview Bret Michaels on behalf of the site - which I thought was a great idea. The interview is a nice in-depth look at the Poison frontman, who last year also released his new solo album Songs Of Life. <a href="interviews/bretmichaels.html">Check out - Bret Michaels: Poison and solo - the best of both worlds.</a> The <a href="reviews/featurereview.html">Interactive Reviews</a> section has been updated. There are some major releases out over the next week, so once you get them or if you already have them - add your own reviews. The new titles available for your reviews to be added are: House Of Lords / The Power & The Myth, TNT / My Religion, Danny Danzi / DanziLand, Pink Cream 69 / Thunderdome, Axel Rudi Pell / Kings & Queens, Jaded Heart / Trust, Brides Of Destruction / Here Comes The Brides. <a href="reviews/featurereview.html">Add your reviews.</a>  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#ff0000" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#ff0000"> <div align="center">Tuesday, March 02, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> TYKETTO REFORM FOR EUROPEAN TOUR!: Popular US melodic rockers Tyketto are to reform and tour the UK this November. The original Don't Come Easy line up of: Danny Vaughn, Michael Clayton, Jimi Kennedy and Brooke St James will once again return to live action for the first time since 1992. The announcement has just been made by the tour promoter, Kieran Dargan. It reads: "The European tour will kick off in Belfast on Saturday November 6th and finish in Spain on November 21st. The vast majority of shows are already booked in England and will be announced before the weekend. For those who have longed for the return of the classic line up this will represent a major opportunity to once again see just why Tyketto are still regarded as one of the finest live acts ever to grace the stage. It has taken a while, but all the guys in the band are absolutely chomping at the bit and looking forward immensely to meeting their many old friends throughout the tour. A full list of shows on the UK leg will be available very shortly as well as ticketing arrangements. It looks like 2004 is going to be yet another excellent year for melodic hard rock. And it just got better!" Yes, fabulous news indeed. And there's more good news coming...It's unrelated to this announcement, but another popular melodic rock outfit from the same era as Tyketto will soon announce their original line-up are to return! Stay tuned!! DEF LEPPARD SET TO COVER THE 70'S: Def Leppard have finished several weeks worth of recording which will make up their next album, due mid-year. But the album is set to be all covers, with British bands of the 70's the theme of the record. I don't want to pre-empt an official announcement, but if this is true, I'll be disappointed. The band has consistently delivered well crafted cover tunes as bonus tracks for b-sides to their singles which have been enjoyable to listen to, but at this stage of their career, do we really need a whole album's worth? I still enjoy playing the X album and think the band were stiffed by the record label with their lack of promotion, but I don't believe that a covers album is the answer. CALLING ALL UK ROCKERS!: A few words from the promoter for the Firehouse/Vaughn/Pride/Deadline Tour 2004. If you have not yet got tickets, please correct that oversight now! "Only days to go until the first show of the Firehouse/Vaughn/Pride/Deadline tour and it's been pretty hectic. Things have been moving along nicely and to be honest the huge amount of goodwill and support offered by fans all over the UK has been amazing. There have been a few things that have cropped up in the course of the last few days that may be of interest to you. Firstly, Firehouse will perform in the Virgin Megastore in Belfast City centre on March 10th between 12.30 and 1.30 pm lunch time, as a taster of what to expect later on that night in the Limelight. It's hoped that Danny Vaughn and some of his band will also be able to perform later on that afternoon, although this is not confirmed yet as travelling schedules are slightly different for both bands, but if it can be arranged you'll be the first to know. The Virgin Megastore appearance is free, so please come along and enjoy the sneak preview. I'm sure it will whet the appetite for the 'real thing' later on that night. Secondly, the London Underworld show on March 13 is SOLD OUT. Yes, sold out. A huge thank you to everybody who has bought tickets. You can't imagine the delight at being able to say those words….they sound so good I'll say them again….SOLD OUT!! All the other venues are reporting brisk ticket sales, Sheffield being particularly impressive hitting the 500 mark, Dudley and Belfast not too far behind. Dave Herron at Rock City is reporting excellent sales as well and it looks like this show could also sell out shortly. However, for all the good ones, Glasgow is still doing poorly……108 tickets sold so far , and truth be told unless there is a significant increase in pre sales this show could be pulled. Nobody wants to pull the show, least of all the bands, but financial suicide is not an option either. Some people have emailed wondering why it costs so much to keep a band on the road, well, very simply, the cost of keeping this tour on the road is approximately £4000 a day, and the bottom line is you have to cover your costs. Tour buses, drivers, diesel, crew, show fees, equipment, hotels, flights, daily expenses…….they all add up. That's it in a nutshell. If you are intending travelling to the Renfrew Ferry show in Glasgow, please get out and get your tickets sooner rather than later. The Ferry box office can be contacted on 0141 429 1010 (please note the box office operates during normal office hours Monday to Friday) or tickets are available for on line purchase at <a href="http://www.secctickets.com" target="new">www.secctickets.com</a>. The next week will tell the tale as to whether the show goes ahead or not, so if you need to persuade, blackmail, coerce or force others to come along, now is a very good time to do it!. All the bands will be bringing merchandise, Firehouse will have tee shirts and will also be selling their new CD Prime Time as well as Bill Leverty's new solo CD Wanserlust. Vaughn will be selling all the Vaughn CDs as well as an excellent new tour shirt , designed by Sleazy H of Total Rock fame (who will also be acting as tour DJ) , so if you want to put a face to the name pop over and say hello…and Pride…well along with their shirts I expect you'll find them hanging out at the bar. Finally, Friday March 12th is a day off for everyone on tour , so, with that in mind we're having a little get together in Wigan between 8pm and 2am pm that night in Café Nirvana. We would like to invite everybody along to share a beer or two and generally have a good time. It's rumoured that there may even be some jam sessions ……..we won't know until we get there but if you're in the area please come along and say hello anyway. Well that's all for now……..we look forward to seeing everybody somewhere on the road….thanks again for your support, it's GREATLY APPRECIATED. If you have any questions or queries just drop a mail to <a href="mailto:k_dargan@hotmail.com">k_dargan@hotmail.com</a> and I'll do my best to answer. NEW ROCK FANZINE ISSUE FOR DOWNLOAD: The second issue of the Melodic Rock Fanzine, the bimonthly magazine for all the melodic rock fans, is out NOW... 24 colour pages featuring interviews, reviews, previews and trivia... completely free! In this issue - Interviews: Shiva - Jack Blades Shadowman - Blind Alley - Jaded Heart - Vitalij Kuprij - Seventh Key - Eric Martin -Spin Gallery - Last Autumn's Dream - Bowes & Morley Reviews: Mister Kite - Outland - Frameshift - Mike Tramp - Jack Blades - Chris Catena - Blind Alley Orphan - Baltimoore - Eric Marin - Shylock - Street Talk - Seventh Key Shiva - Jaded Heart - Statetrooper Orion Riders - Coastline - First Shot - Alex Masi - Influences & Connections Mr. Big Vol 1 - Vitalij Kuprij - Bowes & Morley - Last Autumn's Dream - Axia - Spin Gallery - Axia - Erika - Shadowman Melodic Rock Fanzine is available free of charge in the best music stores of your city or it can be read online as a PDF eBook. (AdobeAcrobat Reader version 4.0 or later is required) at the following url <a href="http://www.frontiers.it/melodic_rock_01.pdf" target="new">www.frontiers.it/melodic_rock_01.pdf</a> Melodic Rock Fanzine is looking for new writers, if you are interested contact us at the this email address: <a href="mailto:mrf@visibilitymedia.net">mrf@visibilitymedia.net</a>. Melodic Rock Fanzine is not associated with melodicrock.com LEGACY TAG WARRANT AND ALDO NOVA FOR RE-ISSUES: Columbia/Legacy have put together a couple of interesting re-issues. Warrant and Aldo Nova. Warrant's Cherry Pie and Dirty Rotten Filthy Stinking Rich are due for release April 13, fully remastered and with new liner notes and bonus tracks. The details are: Cherry Pie: Cherry Pie . Uncle Tom's Cabin . I Saw Red . Bed of Roses . Sure Feels Good to Me . Love in Stereo . Blind Faith . Song and Dance Man . You're the Only Hell Your Mama Ever Raised . Mr. Rainmaker . Train, Train . Ode to Tipper Gore . Game of War (unreleased 1988 demo) . The Power (1991 demo, appeared on the soundtrack to the 1992 film Gladiator). Dirty Rotten Filthy Stinking Rich: 32 Pennies . Down Boys . Big Talk . Sometimes She Cries . So Damn Pretty (Should Be Against the Law) . D.R.F.S.R. . In the Sticks . Heaven . Ridin' High . Cold Sweat . Only a Man (rare 1988 demo version) . All Night Long (rare 1988 demo version). Aldo Nova's self titled debut is also due up for a re-release, adding the bonus track Fooling Yourself - Alternate version. CHEAP TRICK'S ESSENTIAL COMPILATION: Cheap Trick - The Essential is a two disc set that includes songs from every Cheap Trick album including Scent Of A Women from Special One, Woke Up With A Monster (from the album of the same name), Hard To Tell (live) from Cheap Trick '97, Gonna Raise Hell (Live), Mandecello (with Billy Corgan - Live), Everything Works If You Let It (full version) & If You Want My Love (alternate with extra bridge version) & an unreleased version of Walk Away featuring The Pretenders' Chrissie Hynde (outtake version with louder Chrissie Hynde vocal). The two-disc set totals 35 tracks in all. NIKKI SAYS NO, FACTS SAY YES: Fresh from last week's update - Nikki Sixx has scoffed at plans for Brides Of Destruction to be a part of a BOD/Poison/Kiss tour line-up. Despite what he says, it seems that line-up remains the plan. I missed the boat with this one thanks to PC problems all weekend, but <a href="http://www.metal-sludge.com/MainPage.htm" target="new">Metal Sludge</a> has a nice write-up of it online now. MELODIC BRIEFS: An update from Gotthard. Apparently the live CD and DVD are now on hold, even though it seems the DVD has already been completed. Gotthard are currently re-organizing their management and record label issues. Preview Aerosmith's Honkin' On Bobo album right now at: <a href="http://www.sonymusicstore.com/store/catalog/MerchandiseDetails.jsp?merchId=62108&mname=CD" target="new">www.sonymusicstore.com</a>. The final track listing is: Road Runner . Shame, Shame, Shame . Eyesight To The Blind . Baby, Please Don't Go . Never Loved A Girl . Back Back Train . You Gotta Move . The Grind . I'm Ready . Temperature . Stop Messin' Around . Jesus Is On The Main Line. Kane Roberts is to self-release his new album Touched via his website: <a href="http://www.kaneroberts.com" target="new">www.kaneroberts.com</a>. The album features 8 tracks of varied style and will be available shortly as a CD or online download. Harlan Cage will have an eighteen track best of compilation ready for release in April - featuring six brand new songs. More details about the release and just where you can get it will be online later this week. It just keeps getting better for old Timo. Stratovarius' Timo Tolkki was attacked by a crazed fan while travelling in Spain. For those that just have to see pictures: <a href="http://www3.soneraplaza.fi/musiikki/artikkeli/0,3634,6211_199869,00.html" target="new">www.soneraplaza.fi</a> AOR HEAVEN SIGN SPEEDY GONZALES: Swedish melodic hard rock outfit Speedy Gonzales will return to the scene with a new album to be released in July on the AOR Heaven label! Founded in early 1990 by Thomas Vikström (vocals; Talk Of The Town, ex-Candlemass), Tommy Denander (guitars; Radioactive, Deacon Street, Sayit, Rainmaker, AOR) and Dalton Dahlberg (drums, Dalton) the band immediately managed to gain themselves a big management deal with Anders Tengner who these days works as editor in chief of Sweden's biggest pop magazine OKEJ, and played their first live show together with Candlemass & Pretty Maids at December Festival in 1990 that took place in a big hockey arena in Sweden. The band wrote a couple of songs and finally recorded an 8 track demo which Anders brought to America where Speedy Gonzales received two offers from major labels. The media immediately took notice of the band but unfortunately after some personal battles inside, Tommy decided to quit and after some failed attempts to replace him, Speedy Gonzales finally caught it a day. Later on, Tommy Denander started to work on projects such as Radioactive and Deacon Street Project, Thomas Vikström joined Candlemass and performed in big musicals whereas Dalton Dahlberg quit playing two years after the split of Speedy Gonzales. Throught the years, the 8 track demo Speedy Gonzales had recorded has become a cult classic and pretty hard to find, only one known bootleg CD excists and it's been really hard to get. Thomas and Tommy had talked a few times over the years about re-recording them for a real album and once Georg Siegl at AOR Heaven heard about this he offered them a deal right away. So here we are, 14 years later and the songs are just about to see the light of day on a propper release produced by Tommy Denander himself. The album features seven newly recorded original songs from the demo plus a new version of the Talk Of The Town hit Free Like An Eagle as well as 4 new songs written by the guys now. The band today consists of: Thomas Vikström - Vocals, Tommy Denander - Guitars & keyboards, Marcel Jacob (Talisman) - Bass, Pat Thern (AOR) - Drums. AOR Heaven release schedule: 22.03.04 Deacon Street Project - s/t / 26.04.04 Alyson Avenue - Omega / 24.05.04 Altaria - Divinity (ltd. edition digi-pack +1) / late June '04 Frontline - The 7th Sign (ltd. edition digi-pack +1) KICK'S NEW HORIZON DELAYED UNTIL MARCH 26: Majestic Rock Records have pushed back the release date for Kick's New Horizon to March 26th. Apparently European distributors have asked for more time to sell the awesome album into retailers. The label sent out this press release: "Now, we all want to see the band sell as many albums as they deserve to, right? Because of this, we've decided to put the album's release date back until March 26th. BE AWARE that this only affects retail sales. If you have already ordered via this site, you will receive your CD well in advance of this date. If you haven't...well, what are you waiting for? Also the label are selling (from today) a very limited edition run of the popular Paralysed EP for £3.99. Please see the label's official site for more details (<a href="http://www.majesticrock.com" target="new">www.majesticrock.com</a>) You can now download the following track snippets at <a href="http://www.kickuk.co.uk/noize:">www.kickuk.co.uk/noize:</a> 1 :: <a href="http://www.kickuk.co.uk/noize/electricstorm.mp3">Electric Storm</a> / 2 :: <a href="http://www.kickuk.co.uk/noize/newhorizon.mp3">New Horizon</a> / 3 :: <a href="http://www.kickuk.co.uk/noize/high.mp3">High</a> / 4 :: <a href="http://www.kickuk.co.uk/noize/foreveryours.mp3">Forever Yours</a> Expect more previews and a full review here shortly. THUNDER LIVE AT THE BEDFORD ARMS: Thunder fans can now pre-order the extremely limited Live At The Bedford Arms CD, recorded at the bands fantastic Christmas shows last December. Please note that this CD is available from Thunder Online only - you will not be able to buy it in the shops. Orders will not be sent out before Monday the 15th March. Stocks are limited so please order early to avoid disappointment. Full track listing is: River Of Pain . Everybody's Laughing . Something About You . Streetfighting Man . Numb . Living For Today . Castles In The Sand . Everybody Wants Her . Low Life In High Places . Resurrection Shuffle . You Can't Live Your Life In A Day . The Man Inside . When I'm Dead & Gone . Triangle (Q&A) . Thunderwear (Q&A) . Chestnuts (Q&A) . Dessert Island (Q&A) WebLinks: <a href="http://www.thunderonline.com" target="new">www.thunderonline.com</a> and <a href="http://www.thunderonline-shop.co.uk" target="new">www.thunderonline-shop.co.uk</a> SITE UPDATES: New week - new disaster. I've been offline since Friday with a fried PC. Apologies for the lack of updates. Things are about 80% back to normal, but the work and e-mails backing I hope to be back tomorrow with a huge news update and a couple of interviews. Then to everything else that needs doing.  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#000000" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#000000"> <div align="center">Friday, February 27, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> GRAND ILLUSION COMPLETE RECORDING OF NEW CD: Escape Music is pleased to announce that Grand Illusion have finished recording of their fourth album, and will commence mixing with Tommy Hanson (TNT, Pretty Maids, Halloween) on the 15th of April. For fans of the band and newcomers alike - here is an exclusive rough mix of a song from the album. Download: Grand Illusion - <a href="audio/GrandIllusion-DevilsAdvocate.mp3">Devil's Advocate</a>. The album will be released on the 21st July 2004. Here are the songs: 1982 . The Devil's Advocate . Gone For Good . Heaven Or Hell . Love Is Buried . Pull You Down . Forever And For Always . New Beginning . The Best Is Yet To Come . And This Is Why . Back To Yesterday . When You Were Mine . On Time.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/grandillusion-2004.jpg" width="250" /></div> FRONTIERS RECORDS SIGN LIONSHEART FOR EUROPE: Lionsheart, the early '90s British melodic hard rock outfit fronted by former Grim Reaper/Onslaught singer Steve Grimmett, have inked a European deal with Frontiers Records for the release of the group's fourth studio album, Abyss, due out on May 3. Abyss, was recorded at the Warehouse Studio in Oxford, U.K. throughout May/June 2003 and was engineered by Steve Watkins. He gave the album an uncluttered, raw production whilst maintaining the melodic overtones. The complete track listing for Abyss is as follows: Screaming . Nightmare . All I Got . I Need Love . How Can I Tell You? . I'm Alive . Don't Waste My Time . If You Cut Me . Save Me . Witchcraft . How Long? . Abyss. Lionsheart are back with the line-up that has been together for the last three years including Steve Grimmett on vocals, Ian Nash on guitars, Eddie Marsh on bass and Steve Hales on drums and keyboards.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/lionsheart-abyss.jpg" width="200" />x<img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/lionsheart-2004.jpg" width="311" /></div> Dynamic, full of spectrum of dark and light, Abyss is an album guaranteed to reach the hearts and minds of metal fans across a worldwide market! Real Audio samples from Abyss are already available on the band's official website <a href="http://www.lionsheart.com" target="new">www.lionsheart.com</a>. A few tracks can also be sampled in MP3 format in the <a href="minibytes.html">Mini-Bytes</a> area. MTM TO RE-RELEASE CLASSIC 707 ALBUM: MTM Music is proud to announce the release of 707's classic Megaforce album on CD for the first time. In the late 70's Kevin Russell formed 707. They came from Detroit, playing mainstream rock. The members of this album included Kevin Chalfant (lead vocals), Kevin Russell (guitar), Todd Howarth (keyboards), Phil Bryant (bass) and Jim McClarty (drums). The group released 3 albums in the early 80's. The title track Megaforce hit Number 11 on the Billboard charts and was the theme to the movie "Mega Force". Expect the CD in April Singer Conny Lind is the main man behind State of Mind. He had been the vocalist in an early incarnation of Great King Rat. The band released an 5-track promotional album entitled Dream Those Dreams in the summer of 1993. Soon after it's release they were contacted by Jeff Paris and became his backing band for a short European tour. State Of Mind is a strong hard rock band in the same melodic genre and school as Lynch Mob, Slaughter and at times, Whitesnake. MTM Classix is now re-releasing their album Mother, which was released in Japan only, together with Dream Those Dreams and the new title Good Old Times, plus two unreleased bonus tracks on April 19. The compilation is titled Memory Lane. After the great debut album Reflected, Wicked Sensation is working on their new album, which will be produced by guitarist Michael Klein and mixed by Dennis Ward (PC 69). Beside him, Wicked Sensation have a great helping hand in the form of Andi Derris from Helloween. Andi really liked the pre-production and immediately decided to help the band! Some of the tracks included are: When Time Will Fly Me By, Exceptional, Your Beat Inside My Heart, Back To My Bed, My Own Misery and Do You Remember. This album wil see the introduction of new singer Fernando Garcia (ex-Victory).   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="190" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/707-megaforce.jpg" width="190" />x<img alt="" height="190" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/stateofmind-memorylane.jpg" width="190" />x<img alt="" height="190" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/wickedsensation-exceptional.jpg" width="190" /></div> MORE EUROPE - BEST OF DETAILS AND A PRODUCER PICKED FOR NEW CD: Thanks to Marco, here is the final piece of the Europe Rock The Night puzzle....the CD track listing: CD 1: Rock The Night . Superstitious . I'll Cry For You (acoustic version) . Cherokee . Stormwind . Sweet Love Child (single B-side) . In The Future To Come . Here Comes The Night (outtake from Prisoners In Paradise session) . Sign Of The Times . Dreamer . Seventh Sign . Yesterday's News . Got Your Mind In The Gutter . Ready Or Not . Aphasia . The Time Has Come (live at Solnahallen, Stockholm 1986) CD 2: The Final Countdown . Halfway To Heaven . Open Your Heart . Long Time Coming (single B-side) . Mr. Government Man (outtake from Prisoners In Paradise session) . Carrie . Seven Doors Hotel (single B-side) . Girl From Lebanon . The King Will Return . More Than Meets The Eye . Prisoners In Paradise . Wings Of Tomorrow . On Broken Wings . Scream Of Anger . Heart Of Stone . Let The Good Times Rock (live at Ahoy Stadium, Rotterdam 1989) Furthermore, there has been an update from the band via their website. It reads: "We are rehearsing right now with Kevin Elson. Kevin was the producer at our Final Countdown album and it feels great to work with him again. We will start working in the studio in March and then record our new CD that will be released this autumn. Our best of CD and DVD will be released the 3rd of March in Sweden, but more dates in other countries will be confirmed later on. If you have plans to go to Sweden in the near future please visit one of our signings, Gothenburg the 10th of March or Stockholm the 11th. And finally, please visit "tourdates" once in a while. More dates will be confirmed soon." ArtistLink: <a href="http://www.europetheband.com" target="new">www.europetheband.com</a> IMPELLITTERI'S METAL TRACK LISTING: The new Impellitteri album Pedal To The Metal is due out in Japan March 24. The finalized track listing is: The Writings On The Wall . Crushing Daze . Destruction . Dance With The Devil . Hurricane . Judgement Day . The Iceman Cometh . P.U.N.K. . Propaganda Mind . Stay Tonight . The Fall Of Titus (American Metal vs. Swedish Metal)[Yes, that is the song title!]. AFM RECORDS PREVIEW JORN: AFM Records have two MP3 previews online from the upcoming Jorn album Out To Every Nation. Log on to sample the tracks Living With Wolves and Out To Every Nation. LabelLink: <a href="http://www.afm-records.com" target="new">www.afm-records.com</a> KISS TO TOUR WITH POISON AND BRIDES OF DESTRUCTION: Kiss news! The guys have finalized their summer tour plans and will now take Poison and Brides Of Destruction out on the road with them. Brides will open, with Kiss obviously headlining each night. And there is a change in the Kiss line-up. Eric Singer replaces Peter Criss, joining Tommy Thayer, Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons. Expect a formal announcement April 1 - yes, that is what I was told! In additional news, Brides Of Destruction will work on a live DVD for release later in the year. MR-X UPDATE: MR-X has been updated! Added today are several new video clips to download: Accept - Slaves To Metal, Axe - Heat In The Street, Dave Meniketti - I Remember, Shadowking - I Want You, Stan Meissner - One Chance, Rick Springfield - Will I (Live Wayne Brady 2004) and Sponge Bob Square Pants - Sweet Victory (David Glen Eisley fans might want to check this out! Thanks to Sanket!) Additionally, a couple of new MP3s have been added - Mike Tramp (Live), Dare (Unreleased), Raine (Unreleased) and Foreigner (Live). <a href="mr-x/index.html">Enter MR-X</a>. <a href="mr-x-intro.html">Join the MR-X area</a>. No reviews this week. Sorry folks, but I've had a pretty bad cold all week and the last thing I needed to do was a dozen or more CD reviews with hearing in only 1 ear! Next week for sure....as well as a couple of overdue Interviews and maybe some replies to about 200 e-mails that have been left unanswered. Sorry for the delay!  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#234672" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#234672"> <div align="center">Wednesday, February 25, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> MTM CROSSFADE'S NEW PROJECT IN APRIL: MTM Music is proud to announce the signing of Crossfade. The album White On Blue is supposed to be one of the most wonderful Westcoast albums ever recorded! The Swedish band consists of well known and experienced musicians and producers and the album sounds like a monster production! First of all there is Göran Edman on vocals (Yngwie Malmsteen, Street Talk, Kharma, Madison) and Per Lindval on drums and percussion - he has played with everyone that's anyone in Scandinavia and is considered to be the best drummer in the country. He has worked with everybody from ABBA to Michael Ruff, singer/songwriters to Big Band and has been touring lately with A-Ha. Next up is Sven Lindvall on Bass - also a session player and producer, also tours with A-Ha at the moment. Lars Hallbäck handles guitars - he has played in bands since the 70`s when he was in Hard Rock acts, during the 80´s AOR type band and is founder of Crossfade together with Richard. He also worked in studios, as producer and engineer and engineered and produced the White On Blue album together with Richard. Richard Stenström is featured on keyboards and is one of the best players who has also played in a lot of sessions. There are a lot more musicians (vocals, horn section) involved in the band, those will be introduced later. Crossfade is a absolute highlight and the release is scheduled for release April 5! Also due from MTM in April is State Of Mind's Memory Lane on April 19 and Wicked Sensation's new album Exceptional on April 26.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/crossfade.jpg" width="200" /></div> MORE CLUES OR MORE SPECULATION...WHATEVER - AT LEAST IT PASSES THE TIME: Nice to see the Official Van Halen Newsletter re-activated. Now, don't tell me that was done for no apparent reason! One the subject of grasping at any clue that comes along - here's another interesting piece of the seemingly CIA protected Van Halen puzzle. Kevin Goldammer mailed me some info from the USA. It seems Kevin signed up for concert updates from the venue in his area - the Sioux City Orpheum (<a href="http://www.orpheumlive.com" target="new">www.orpheumlive.com</a>). One such update was in fact an e-mail survey about potential upcoming performers. This survey reads as follows: "Once again thank you for the overwhelming response to the surveys we have sent out for potential performers in the past. We have a new list of performers listed below, some to perform at the Orpheum and some at the new Tyson Event Center, which opened for concerts this week....This is an exciting time for entertainment in Siouxland, and we continue to ask for your help in giving us feedback so we can continue to have successful shows at our venues. We would like to ask for your help again. Please hit reply, to this email, and let us know how many, if any, tickets you would purchase to see the performers listed below. Please leave the subject line intact as that helps us route the email correctly: Santana . Incubus ($32.50 Ticket) . Van Halen With Sammy Hagar . Boston . Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers . Journey (At Ballpark) . Hillary Duff . Josh Groban . Brian Setzer Christmas Show . Merle Haggard . Kiss (With Poison)." End survey. Now, is it just me, or are we getting seriously close to an official announcement?! SANCTUARY UPDATES THEIR RELEASE SCHEDULE: Sanctuary Records have updated their release schedule - it contains a few interesting releases, as detailed below: March 9 - Brides Of Destruction - Here Come The Brides March 23 - The Allman Brothers Band - One Way Out (2CD) April 6 - Queensryche - The Art Of Live (DVD), Blondie - The Curse Of Blondie & Anthrax - Music Of Mass Destruction (DVD) April 20 - Gene Simmons - Asshole. RIP: Sadly, a couple of recent deaths to mention today. Carl Anderson (Jesus Christ Superstar)(<a href="http://www.cstone.net/~dgarlock/carl/index2.html" target="new">www.cstone.net/~dgarlock/carl/index2.html</a>) passed away last week. And Bob Mayo, a member of Peter Frampton's touring band has also passed away on Monday. Frampton is said to be deeply upset and has cancelled his remaining tour dates. RIP Bob and Carl. SECOND LONDON GUITAR SHOW ANNOUNCED: With axe-wielding movie School Of Rock currently wowing cinema-goers across the world and The Darkness grabbing Brit awards in style, it would appear that loud and proud guitars are very much the order of the day. And the London Guitar Show 2004, to be held at Wembley Conference Centre on 8 and 9 May, will play host to the loudest and proudest guitars and artists around. Presented in conjunction with XFM 104.9, the capital's most exciting radio station, the London Guitar Show returns to Wembley for the second year and promises to be bigger and better… A huge range of fabulous, desirable guitars and amplification will be on display from the world's most famous brands including Fender and Marshall. And no matter whether visitors are experienced players or complete novices there will be plenty to suit every wallet and taste (or, indeed, lack of it) – the London Guitar Show is the perfect opportunity to get hands-on with dream guitars. Provided there's no Stairway To Heaven of course. Aside from the gear, the line-up for the weekend's live stage includes classic Brit-rockers Thunder and premier-league AC/DC tribute act Back In Black alongside the UK's favourite Hendrix-inspired bluesers The Hamsters. More details on all that LGS 2004 has to offer will be available from <a href="http://www.londonguitarshow.co.uk" target="new">www.londonguitarshow.co.uk</a>. A mailing list is currently available for email up-dates. Tickets for the show are priced at £11, or £8 if booked in advance (includes booking fee) – under 12s get in for £5.50 and children under 5 are free. Call MB Media on 01954 252983 to book tickets. News editors contact: Alison Clarke at Red Pepper PR on 01371 877716 or 07885 360843 ANTHRAX TO UNLEASH MUSIC OF MASS DESTRUCTION DVD: In every band's career they have that one show that stands out from the rest. Whether it is their breakthrough or their crowning glory, there is always one that stands the test of time. Be it Shea Stadium, Budokan, Madison Square Garden, or Red Rocks, some performances transcend the realms of the live concert experience. For Anthrax, their show at a sold out Metro in Chicago on Friday December 5th 2003 will forever stand as the show to define the bands legendary career. And it was captured on film! One band, eight cameras, and thousands of crazed fans all came together for what will prove to be one of the most lethal live albums and DVDs of all time. Ninety minutes of pure destruction covering the entire career of this influential band. From their raw debut Fistful Of Metal through their critically acclaimed latest We've Come For You All its all here. Songs like Metal Thrashing Mad, Caught In A Mosh, Be All End All, Only, and Safe Home, and a slew of others were performed with all the power and passion that Anthrax has been known for throughout their 20 year career. According to Charlie Benante, In the entire history of the band, this show was 'the one.' From the moment we went on until the very last note we played it was on. The drummer continues, I'm really glad we documented this show, so everyone can see what I mean, it was so Metal. Going by the title Music Of Mass Destruction, this DVD will feature a vast array of bonus materials including separate band segments, a featurette on famed comic book artist/painter/creator Alex Ross (Who, in addition to his amazing cover for last years We've Come For You All, will be providing the art work for this release), 5.1 Surround Sound, two songs filmed in Hyper Angle, as well as a bunch of hidden extras. This widescreen DVD package will also come with an audio CD that will include highlights from the show. The DVD tracklisting contains: Contact . What Doesn't Die . Got The Time . Caught In A Mosh . Safe Home . Room For One More . Antisocial . Nobody Knows Anything . Belly Of The Beast . Inside Out . Refuse To Be Denied . I Am The Law . Only . Be All End All . Indians . Bring The Noise. Bonus Tracks - Fueled & Metal Thrashing Mad. The CD counterpart contains: What Doesn't Die . Got The Time . Caught In A Mosh . Safe Home . Antisocial . Nobody Knows Anything . Belly of the Beast . Inside Out . Refuse To Be Denied . I Am The Law . Only . Fueled . Metal Thrashing Mad. Look for Music Of Mass Destruction to be unleashed in the U. S. on April 6 through Sanctuary Records. UPDATES: Lots of great updates today for those that just can't get enough music. Firstly, the Mini-Bytes page has been updated with clips from new albums from: Warrior, Lionsheart, Bill Leverty's Wanderlust, Story Of The Year, Owsley, Crush, Span, Krokus, Hoobastank, Cryptic Vision, Jun Senoue, Jonny Lang, Flame and a new Swedish tribute to The Sweet. <a href="minibytes.html">Go check them out!</a> And several new <a href="#cdshowcase">CD Showcases</a> once again, highlighting just how many new melodic releases are out there vying for your hard earned cash. Take a listen and support the ones you dig:   <div align="center"><a href="showcase/spingallery-standingtall.html"><img alt="spin gallery-standing tall" border="0" height="125" src="/files-archive/news/spingallery-standingtall125.jpg" width="125" /></a>x<a href="showcase/valensia-thebluealbum.html"><img alt="valensia-the blue album" border="0" height="125" src="/files-archive/news/valensia-thebluealbum125.jpg" width="125" /></a>x<a href="showcase/raw-first.html"><img alt="raw-first" border="0" height="125" src="/files-archive/news/raw-first125.jpg" width="125" /></a>x<a href="showcase/pattravers.html"><img alt="Pat Travers" border="0" height="125" src="/files-archive/news/pattravers-puttingitstraight125.jpg" width="125" /></a> <a href="http://www.vinnyrecords.com/bandas/hardreams.htm" target="new"><img alt="Hardreams" border="0" height="125" src="/files-archive/news/hardreams-callingeverywhere125.jpg" width="125" /></a>x<a href="http://www.vinnyrecords.com/bandas/silence.htm" target="new"><img alt="Silence" border="0" height="125" src="/files-archive/news/silence-nostalgia125.jpg" width="125" /></a>x<a href="showcase/hubimeisel-emocean.html"><img alt="" border="0" height="125" src="/files-archive/news/hubimeisel-emocean125.jpg" width="125" /></a></div> MELODIC ROCK RADIO UPDATED: And I'm pleased to announce a new MelodicRock Radio update! Tune in and listen to new full length tunes from Rick Springfield, McQueen Street, Hobbit, Shadowman, House Of Lords, TNT, Eric Martin, Jaded Heart, Pink Cream 69, Final Frontier, Wanderlust, Firehouse, Mike Tramp, Lionsheart, Danny Danzi, Shiva, Shylock, 7th Heaven, Power Quest, Axel Rudi Pell and many more. Check out the updated full <a href="melodicrockradio.html">current playlist</a>.   <div align="center"><a href="melodicrockradio.html"><img alt="" border="0" height="82" src="/files-archive/news/logo-melodicrockradio-mini.jpg" width="300" /></a></div> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#973557" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#973557"> <div align="center">Tuesday, February 24, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> THE TAK MATSUMOTO GROUP REVEALED - FEATURING JACK BLADES & ERIC MARTIN: The cats out of the bag...Jack Blades and Eric Martin have been working on a hot new project for a Japanese label. The project name is TMG - Tak Matsumoto Group - Tak being the guitarist from B'z, the extremely popular Japanese group. This is his solo project and for it a line-up featuring the best American rock musicians was hand chosen. The full line up is Tak Matsumoto (guitars), Jack Blades (bass), Eric Martin (vocals) and Brian Tichy (drums). The first release is a single titled Oh Japan - Our Time Is Now, which is out March 31. The album is due to follow at a date to be determined. I talked to Eric Martin about the project. He had the following to say: "A couple months ago I received a phone call from Tak Matsumoto (guitarist for the famous Japanese band B'z) asking me if I would be interested in joining his new solo group. Tak knew that Jack Blades and I had written songs together and asked me if the two of us would like to come to the B'z show in San Francisco to discuss working together. To cut to the chase, Jack, Tak, Brian Tichy (drummer for Billy Idol/Zakk Wylde) and myself have written and recorded three songs so far. The music is melodic hard rock with a few twists and turns. One of the songs Oh Japan - Our Time Is Now has been chosen as the single (with a March release date) as well as an Olympics theme song for the Japanese. We're still working, with Jack and I traveling back an forth from SF to LA, and Tak from Tokyo to LA. We have a promotional tour of Japan coming up in April. I hope to tour this record when it's done, but only time will tell. I really have a good feeling about this one. It's great to be back in the saddle." Meanwhile, Jack Blades' solo debut will be released in the USA via Sanctuary Records on April 6. ZENO'S CATALOGUE RESURFACES IN APRIL: Zeno's back catalogue is scheduled for re-issue in Japan on April 28. The CDs were originally due late last year, but will now appear in April with exclusive bonus tracks included. The details are as follows: Zeno + 5 - Signs On The Sky [Alternative ver.], Far Away [Alternative ver.], Don't Tell The Wind [Alternative ver.], Love Will Live [Alternative ver.], Don't Count Me Out [Unreleased] Listen To The Light + 3 - Troubled Love [Unreleased], World Of Tomorrow [Unreleased], Together [Tommy Heart version] Zenology + 4 - Eastern Sun [Alternative ver.], Out In The Night [Alternative ver.], Heart On The Wing [Alternative ver.], Love Will Live [12" version] But that's not all for Zeno fans! April 28 will also see the release of Zenology II, a 12 track compilation of rare tracks. Some of the songs included on this release will be: Good Game Bad Game . Victoria . Keep Your Love . On My Way . Free Again . Tonight . Dreaming The Night Away - Featuring Michael Flexig & Tommy Heart on vocals. MAJESTIC ROCK ANNOUNCE MARCH RELEASES: Majestic Rock Records have announced details of their forthcoming releases. The details are as follows: Kick - New Horizon (March 26) - The third album from British rock act Kick is so badly needed at the moment it positively hurts! Kick are where hard rock should be in 2004, a real alternative to fabricated sounds and meaningless postures that promise so much and yet deliver so little. Kick are the anti-Darkness! Kick are strong on tunes and big on melody, as anyone who's managed to get within listening distance of their previous two albums can testify. Now, the band are ready to take that step up to the plate to bat with the big boys. This is one of the most eagerly awaited records of the year, and that it has come so early in the year can only be a good thing! Available as a strictly limited edition digi pack containing a second disc featuring 8 previously unreleased or rare tracks and the video for the track Blue. Tracks: Electric Storm / New Horizon / Paralysed / Something To Hold On To / High / Power Within / Forever Yours / Watch Me Fly / Access Denied / Bone / In 2 Deep Ltd. Edition DigiPack CD 2: Up Close and Personal – Acoustic / Children Of The Sun – Acoustic / Crazy Summer Night – Acoustic / Abandon Me - (New Track) / Painless – Orchestral version / Twisted / Say Goodbye Star - (New track) / Blue - Video (Quick Time) [Expect a preview of the album and full review shortly.] The Byron Band - Lost And Found (March 26) - David Byron is one of the legendary voices of hard rock, every bit the rock star and front man that Plant, Gillan and his other contemporaries were. His work with the Uriah Heep stands up as some of the best and most important hard rock of the period. That his life was cut so short is ultimately one of rock's greatest tragedies. This 2 CD set collates studio, demo and live recordings from his first post Uriah Heep project. Featuring a young Robin George on guitar, this release belongs in the collection of any fan of Uriah Heep, Robin George or classic seventies rock in general. CD1: (Demos – London '82) Learn The Dance / I Need Love / Fool For A Pretty Face / Safety In Numbers / Bad Girl / One Minute More / Bad Girl (Live Demo) / Fool For A Pretty Face / She Was A Dream / She Got Pride / Untitled Melody / Learn The Dance. CD 2: (Rehearsal '81) How Do You Sleep? / Safety In Numbers / I Need Love / Piece Of My Love / Goodnight Blues / Last Chance Jam (Live Liverpool '80) / Bad Girl / Start Believing / July Morning / How Do You Sleep? / Sweet Lorraine / Piece Of My Love / Liverpool Blues / Roll Over Beethoven / Angelsong. Saxon - Alternative Innocence (March 26) - There were three bands that came through the whole NWOBHN thing with flying colours. Iron Maiden, Def Leppard…and Saxon. Still very much active today, albeit with a different line-up, Saxon can lay claim to having been one of the most successful hard rock acts of the '80s. This fascinating release, pulled from the personal archive of guitarist and founder member Graham Oliver, contains alternative and unused versions of songs that made up the band's 1985 release Innocence Is No Excuse, along with three unreleased tracks being heard here for the first time. Graham Oliver also contributes informative sleeve notes, making this an absolute must for Saxon fans everywhere! Track Listing: Broken Heroes / Devil Rides Out / Everybody Up / Raise Some Hell / Rock n' Roll Gypsy / Rocking Again / Shout It Out / Call Of The Wild / Give It Everything You Got / Running Hot + 3 further tracks still to be confirmed. Robin George - Dangerous Music Live '85 (March 26) - Robin George's 1985 Dangerous Music album was, in the very real sense of the word, a landmark recording. With this superb album, Robin ushered in the age of techno AOR – a vein so richly mined by the likes of Rick Springfield, Mr. Mister et al. No body had ever really heard anything like it before. The man took to the road in support of this milestone release, and this live album is culled from a number of shows on that tour. All of the classics are there – Spy, No News Is Good News and, of course, Heartline. For anybody with even a passing interest in AOR & melodic rock, this one's a keeper! Track Listing: Showdown / Shoot On Sight / Spy / No News Is Good News / In The Night / History / Hitlist / Heartline / Dangerous Music / Go Down Fighting / Shout / Don't Turn Away.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="180" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/kick-newhorizon.jpg" width="180" />x<img alt="" height="180" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/robingeorge-dangerousmusiclive.jpg" width="180" />x<img alt="" height="180" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/thebyronband-lostandfound.jpg" width="180" /></div> SPRINGFIELD'S SHOCK DUE IN STORES TOMORROW: Rick Springfield's new album Shock Denial Anger Acceptance is in stores late tonight local time (Tuesday AM USA time). A few CD quality 1 minute samples are <a href="minibytes.html">online here now</a> for you to check out. I've given the album a few full spins through and have to say it's a very aggressive and hard rocking affair, with a distinctly modern rock/nu-breed feel to it. It's going to take a while to digest and definitely offers something new for long-time fans. Expect a review as soon as I think I have made sense of it all. Meanwhile, check out out for yourself tomorrow. Here's the official press release in support of the album's release: Multi platinum singer/songwriter Rick Springfield set to release "shock/denial/anger/acceptance", all new music, on February 24, 2004. Rick Springfield, the Grammy and American Music Award winning musician is set to release his latest CD, shock/denial/anger/acceptance. Seventeen tracks will showcase the four emotions contained within the title. Rick has stated that "shock/denial/anger/acceptance" is among his most personal writings. His first release of original music in years, the CD is due in stores on 2/24/04. Hard rock fans take note - this is the hardest rocking collection of songs Rick has ever recorded. While remaining true to himself, and presenting a very emotional glimpse into his world, he takes his listeners through the four emotions with such an intensity that it is sure to not only please his old fans, it will likely bring many new, younger fans into the fold. Rick has included a masterful reworking of the song I'll Make You Happy, a tune from Rick's own childhood, along with the angry Idontwantanythingfromyou, (the ultimate breakup, get out of my life, song) the haunting Angels of the Disappeared (inspired by Elizabeth Smart's disappearance) and the hard rocking first single, Will I? The seventeen song disc can be previewed on <a href="http://www.shockdenialangeracceptance.com" target="new">www.shockdenialangeracceptance.com</a>. The album will be released in North America on February 24, 2004. Springfield completed a highly successful run in Las Vegas' EFX Alive in December 2002. He starred in the Las Vegas spectacular musical for nearly two years of sold out shows at the MGM Grand's EFX Theater. MGM reworked the show when he took the role to incorporate his rock and roll style; two original songs were written by Springfield to add his own footprint to the musical show. Upon completion of the show, Springfield headed into the studio to begin work on shock/denial/anger/acceptance. Springfield has 17 top forty songs to his credit, including such recognizable titles as Jessie's Girl, Don't Talk To Strangers and Affair of the Heart amongst them. Because of his active and enthusiastic fan base, he has in the past five years sold out venues ranging from intimate clubs to large amphitheaters. Audiences are amazed and impressed with his energy and intensity. Rick asserts, "The music has always been where it's at for me. This record is much like my 'Working Class Dog' album and full of three minute hard rocking songs. It sounds big and loud." The rawness and simplicity of the songs are what will strike a chord with most listeners. Engineer Matty Spindel (Santana, "Supernatural") states, "This is the best I've heard from him yet. Everyone will be blown away by how great it sounds."   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="198" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/rickspringfield-sdaa-new.jpg" width="200" /></div> THE DARKNESS LIMITED EDITION CD COMES TO LIGHT: The Darkness will release a limited edition version of their much debated debut Permission To Land in Japan on March 24. The LE will feature a bonus DVD featuring an interview, video clips (Get Your Hands Off My Woman / Growing On Me / I Believe In A Thing Called Love) and live footage (Get Your Hands Off My Woman / Growing On Me / I Believe In A Thing Called Love). MELODIC BRIEF'S: The Japanese edition of UFO's You Are Here features the bonus track Messing Up The Bed. House Of Lords' The Power & The Myth features the Japanese bonus track Havana. Take a listen to a preview edit of the new Avril Lavigne track <a href="audio/Avril-DontTellMe.mp3">Don't Tell Me</a>. Sounds like another winner for fans of her debut. Japanese rockers Shinichiro Ishihara (Earthshaker) and Reibun Ohtani (ex-Marino) teamed up recently to perform an acoustic live set which has now been imortalized by the release Rock Ballads: Secret Live At Tokyo. Due out April 7, the duo cover such tracks as Aerosmith's Dream On, Gary Moore's Parisienne Walkways, Whitesnake's Is This Love and Journey's Open Arms. A special DVD is enclosed for the first pressing only! EUROPE ROCK THE NIGHT ON DVD: With many thanks to Per in Norway, here are the details for Europe's Rock The Night DVD release, as previewed in yesterday's news. Videos: The Final Countdown . Rock The Night . Carrie . Cherokee . Superstitious . Open Your Heart . Let The Good Times Rock . Prisoners In Paradise . I'll Cry For You . Halfway To Heaven Bonus material: - Rock SM 1982 final (Swedish Rock Contest), Europe performs In The Future To Come and The King Will Return + participation in award of prizes. - Television-interview in "Casablanca" (1983) after winning the Rock SM. - From the television program "Bagen/Rocksungen" in 1984. 4 songs, Scream Of Anger, Ninja, Dreamer and Memories, performed live at Studion in Stockholm. - News report from the 1986 tour-premier in Örebro, Sweden. - Coverage from the television program "RITZ" 1988, Europe on tour in the USA. TNT REVAMP THEIR WEBSITE: <a href="http://SorceryStudios.com" target="new">SorceryStudios.com</a> has redesigned the TNT website - <a href="http://www.tnttheband.com" target="new">www.tnttheband.com</a> to coincide with the bands latest release My Religion. Using a simular concept of the album art as an outline, this is our attempt at bringing the album art to life and putting the fans themselves within the pyramid on the cover. We are also currently taking US preorders which will include with each purchase access to a secure section of the bands site where you will be able to download several bonus multimedia materials! Details on these items will be posted shortly on the bands website. SON OF LUKATHER!: Coming up soon is an extensive interview with Toto guitarist Steve Lukather. Within the interview, Steve talks about his son Trevor, who has his own band Hydra. The name might sound familiar! Check the guys out via a new feature about their promo EP at <a href="http://www.stevelukather.net/Article.aspx?id=13" target="new">www.stevelukather.net</a> and log into their website and download some samples at: <a href="http://www.hydramusic.net" target="new">www.hydramusic.net</a> EXTREME CD SALE: Online retailer <a href="http://www.loudmetal.com" target="new">Loud Metal</a> are doing a super sale - in fact, it's their Extreme Sale - 90 CDs from Lion Music and some other labels in a box for US$360. Details at: <a href="http://www.loudmetal.com" target="new">www.loudmetal.com</a> TOUR DATES - GEORGE LYNCH BAND AND YNGWIE: Tour dates have been announced for George Lynch Group Live (with Yngwie Malmsteen). The Lynch line-up is: George Lynch - Guitars (Dokken/Lynch Mob), Marten Andersson - Bass (Lizzy Borden/Legacy/Jonas Hansson Band), Kelly Keeling - Vocals (Baton Rouge, Blue Murder, MSG, John Norum) and Jeff Martin - Drums (Racer X, Badlands, UFO). All Dates are with Yngwie Malmsteen. Except Where Indicated By An* <table> <tbody> <tr> <td>3/5/04 Houston, TX Club V 3/6/04 San Antonio, TX. The Cadillac Bar* 3/7/04 Dallas, TX Trees 3/9/04 El Paso,TX Club 101/E9 Nite Club* 3/10/04 Scottsdale, AZ The Venue 3/11/04 Tucson, AZ The Rialto 3/12/04 San Juan Capistrano, CA Coach House* 3/13/04 Bakersfield, CA Vinny's* 3/14/04 West Hollywood, CA Key Club 3/16/04 Portland. OR. Berbati's Pan* 3/17.04 Spokane, WA. Gatsby's* 3/18/04 Seattle, WA. Graceland* 3/19/04 Sparks, NV The New Oasis *, (With LA Guns) 3/20/04 Salt Lake City, UT. Club Expose* 3/22/04 Denver, CO Ogden Theatre 3/23/04 La Crosse, WI. 324 Live* 3/24/04 Chicago, IL Joe's 3/25/04 Flint, MI Purple Moon Night Club 3/26/04 Sauget, IL. Pop's </td> <td>3/27/04 Cleveland, OH Peabody's 3/28/04 Poughkeepsie, NY. The Chance 3/30/04 Cheektowaga, NY. Rock N Roll Heaven* 3/31/04 Wantagh, NY Mulcahy's 4/1/04 Sayreville, NJ Starland Ballroom 4/2/04 Springfiled, VA JAXX 4/3/04 Baltimore, MD Thunderdome 4/4/04 Clifton Park, NY. Northern Lights 4/5/04 Orange, CT Corner Pocket Cafe* 4/6/04 Allentown, PA Crocodile Rock Cafe 4/8/04 High Point, NC Hartley's House of Rock 4/9/04 Atlanta, GA. The Masquerade 4/10/04 Tampa, FL The Masquerade 4/11/04 Tbd - Louisiana 4/13/04 Tbd 4/15/04 Scottsdale, AZ. Chasers 4/16/04 Tarzana, CA. Paladino's* 4/17/04 Anaheim, CA. Pressbox* </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> GENE SIMMONS RELEASES HIS ASSHOLE: Another week, another album title for Gene Simmons - here's the latest press release as run by <a href="http://Billboard.com" target="new">Billboard.com</a>. If you thought Dog was a bad title for the album - think again... NEW YORK (Billboard) - Kiss bassist/singer Gene Simmons will inaugurate his own label April 20 with the release of his second solo album, Asshole. The set is a follow-up to Simmons' 1978 self-titled solo debut, released in conjunction with albums by each of the original members of Kiss -- guitarist Ace Frehley, singer/guitarist Paul Stanley and drummer Peter Criss. Issued on the Casablanca label, Gene Simmons peaked at No. 22 on The Billboard 200 albums chart. "Doing a solo record is important because I write so many different kinds of songs," Simmons said. "I literally have hundreds of songs that are demoed up that aren't right for Kiss, and some songs that weren't used on Kiss records I still like. In assembling the album, I went and reviewed over a hundred songs that I had lying around, and then it was by process of elimination I determined what would go on the record. But at the end of the day, above and beyond style, I had to like the songs." The self-produced Simmons Records/Sanctuary Music Group set's title track will be delivered a week earlier to U.S. rock radio outlets for airplay consideration. Like his last solo album, Asshole is said to be a versatile affair, featuring everything from hard rock and blues to power ballads. "I'm a child of the Beatles," Simmons explained. "They created this sort of hybrid white version of American music. They could do it all -- Little Richard, country, pop, soul, psychedelia. They had no rules. That had a major effect on me and that influence comes through on the record." Simmons co-wrote the track Waiting for the Morning Light with Bob Dylan, while Frank Zappa is listed as co-writer of Black Tongue. The recording of the latter includes the late artist's vocals and guitar, as well as contributions from Zappa's wife Gail, and his children Dweezil, Ahmet and Moon. Other guests on Asshole include Jane's Addiction guitarist Dave Navarro, one-time Kiss members Bruce Kulick and Eric Singer, and Simmons Records artist Bag, as well as Simmons' longtime girlfriend Shannon Tweed, and the couple's children Sophie and Nicholas. Kiss spent much of 2003 on the road on a co-headlining tour with Aerosmith, pulling in just under $50 million in 43 shows reported to Billboard. Stanley is also planning his second solo release. A week after Simmons' solo album is released, Koch will release an 11-track Kiss tribute album, Spin the Bottle. And while on Kiss, Limp Bizkit have stated scheduling conflicts as the reason they won't be accompanying Kiss to Australia in May. Yeah, ok... ANNOUNCING THE SOUTHERN ROCK RENEGADES!: Music's newest supergroup, the Southern Rock Renegades, is an all-star celebration of Southern Rock that includes founding members of its greatest bands, performing timeless hits that have helped define the very fabric of our culture. Ed King – Guitars – formerly with Lynyrd Skynyrd: An original member of the quintessential Southern Rock band, Ed King played on such classics as "Sweet Home Alabama", "Free Bird", and many of the other songs that shaped the genre. Jeff Carlisi – Guitars – formerly with .38 Special: This founding member of one of the generation's most successful bands was instrumental in such hits as "Hold On Loosely", "Rockin' Into The Night", and many more. Henry Paul – Vocals, Guitar, Mandolin – BlackHawk, formerly with The Outlaws & The Henry Paul Band: from The Outlaws ("Green Grass & High Tides", "Hurry Sundown"), to fronting the Henry Paul Band ("Keeping Our Love Alive") and BlackHawk ("Goodbye Says It All"), Henry Paul has broken down the barriers between rock & country with huge hits in both styles (note: Henry Paul is still a full time member of BlackHawk and will participate in The SRR Tour as his schedule permits). George McCorkle – Guitars – formerly with the Marshall Tucker Band: The man behind the masterpiece "Fire On The Mountain" and other classic MTB hits. Jimmy Hall – Vocals, Harmonica, Saxophone – Wet Willie, Hank Williams Jr.: The voice that delivered "Keep On Smiling" and "Dixie Rock" as lead vocalist of Wet Willie. Robert Nix – Drums, Vocals – Atlanta Rhythm Section: Robert played on and composed the biggest ARS hits such as "So Into You" and "Imaginary Lover". Alison Heafner – Special Guest Vocalist. IronHorse – Opening Act/Backup Band – Southern Rock's next generation provides both an opening act for the show and a backing band for the Southern Rock Renegades. They have come together to deliver the concert event of the year – an all-star show filled with time tested, tried-and-true Southern Rock classics played and sung by the men who made it all happen in the first place. And from time to time as their schedules permit, other stars from the Southern sky will be joining the tour for special guest appearances. The Southern Rock Renegades are hitting the ground running, with concert dates being confirmed daily, a live DVD planned for release, and a full media blitz including major television appearances. ArtistLink: <a href="http://www.southernrockrenegades.com" target="new">www.southernrockrenegades.com</a> (under construction). Stay tuned for updates.  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#00699b" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#00699b"> <div align="center">Monday, February 23, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> NEAL SCHON AND JEFF SCOTT SOTO FRONT NEW SUPER-PROJECT: Guitarist Neal Schon has recruited vocalist Jeff Scott Soto for a brand new supergroup project. The as yet unnamed band are right in the middle of writing and recording tracks which will be shopped to prospective record labels over the coming weeks. The line-up was born out of the demise of the Planet Us project which featured vocalist Sammy Hagar. Featured in the project are: Jeff Scott Soto (vocals), Neal Schon (guitars), Deen Castronovo (drums) and Marco Mendoza (bass). Jeff had this to say to me about the project - "Things are going beyond well here. The talent is ridiculous in this line-up. I'm working my ass off!" And Neal is equally excited. He added: "We are working on some of my song's and it is sounding very cool to say the least. I've got some great new stuff coming." Jeff has issued a press statement today: It's official, Jeff is now working with Neal Schon, Deen Castronovo (Journey) & bassist Marco Mendoza (Thin Lizzy, Whitesnake, Blue Murder) on a new band that is an extension of a project called Planet Us, featuring Neal, Deen, Sammy Hagar, Michael Anthony & Joe Satriani that disbanded late last year. Jeff & Neal met for the 1st time at the Winter Namm Convention in LA. After jamming together with Jeff's band, Alex & Gary, immediate plans were set to write & record together which has now flourished into the new band. 6 songs were recently recorded recently in San Francisco at Jonathan Cain's studio & will be mixed for shopping this month. Look out for potential live dates in the US soon to present the new band...as of yet, the band is unnamed but this will change in the next days as the guys are making final decisions on their choices. HAGAR CONTINUES WORK WITH VAN HALEN: A small Van Halen update to start the week off. You can count on more updates as they become available. Nothing new here, but one of my best sources over the last couple of years e-mailed in a brief update. This source is the one that brought me the exclusive "Sammy Hagar is going back to Van Halen" news I reported in November last year. What I have got is good news - Sammy has re-confirmed to an associate that he won't be doing any solo dates this summer as he will be working with Van Halen and he confirmed that he has been in LA working to get some tracks completed by the end of February for the Greatest Hits Volume 2 release. Stay tuned for more! JEFF SCOTT SOTO ROCKING FROM SWEDEN TO BRAZIL: The hardest working vocalist in rock n roll, Jeff Scott Soto, has issued an update on a whole host of topic involving his current plans. The Queen Fan Club in England have made a unanimous decision to bring Jeff & the guys back for another ass kicking show at their convention in Prestatyn on Sat May 8, 2004. After the overwhelming response to the show & live DVD, the attendees insisted the entertainment on their headline night would be none other than the guys again. Unfortunately the show is exclusive for fan club members, but the guys will do a live dress rehearsal on May 6th at the Cavern Club in Liverpool as a warm up for the convention, which will not only be open to the public, but tickets will be at a very low cost as it IS a live rehearsal of the show that will be duplicated 2 days later. More info on this & other tour dates will be posted soon. Plans are underway for the Jeff & the guys to do the Sweden portion of the European Tour which stopped in Nov. last year. The attentive dates for Gothenburg, Stockholm, Lulea & others will be between April 17-30. Stay tuned for details as the confirm. Nearly 2 years ago, Jeff made his solo debut in Sao Paolo, Brazil along with Alex in tow at the Hard N Heavy anniversary party. This time, Jeff will return with the full lineup to do 2 shows (1 regular set, 2nd acoustic) on Sat Sept 26th & Sun the 27th. Other dates in South America are being looked into as well, so look out for a possibility for ground breaking appearances in Argentina & possibly Chile. The infamous SAS Band are doing a few shows in April, the main being a concert raising funds for the Phoenix Mercury Trust Fund, which is the AIDS foundation affiliated with Freddie Mercury on Sat April 3. Jeff will be singing along with the rest at this year's event. After many requests, the exclusive JSS Live At The Queen Convention will now be available on CD, 1st at this year's convention, then in the JSS Store (around May 15th). Prices are set for $18 US & Canada, $22 Overseas, Price includes postage & handling. Jeff has been a slave to the grind with the many projects on his plate, but work is commencing on his 3rd solo outing, attentively titled Lost In The Translation - recordings will begin early March. The album is still expected to be released by mid/late Sept 2004. Between this, the new Neal Schon venture, live shows including the JSS live sets, Queen set & various Boogie Knights appearances, Jeff will little time to sleep in 2004. ArtistLink: <a href="http://www.jeffscottsoto.com" target="new">www.jeffscottsoto.com</a> EUROPE READY TO ROCK THE NIGHT: Rock The Night is the title for the new Europe Best Of compilation, due out March 3 in Sweden, on CD and DVD, followed shortly after in the rest of Europe. The CD tracks are completely remastered, but other than that, the rest of the details besides the artwork remains a bit of a mystery at this stage. I'll have an update with more details shortly.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="250" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/europe-rockthenight-dvd.jpg" width="177" />xx<img alt="" height="250" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/europe-rockthenight.jpg" width="250" /></div> THE ALARM PULL A SWIFTY: Press Release: LONDON (Reuters) - An aging UK rock group gave themselves a facelift by getting a group of teenagers to stand in for them on the video of their latest song, helping them score their first chart hit for some 15 years. Convinced the music industry is prejudiced against wrinkly rockers, The Alarm gave themselves the pseudonym The Poppyfields and persuaded a group of fresh-faced youths to mime their part. "They did it to show they wanted to be judged on music and not on their image and haircuts of 15 years ago," said a spokesman for the band. The single, 45RPM, went into the UK charts this week at number 28. The Welsh band were previously best known for 1983 hit 68 Guns and said they pulled the stunt to show how much image affected sales in the music industry. RICHARD MARX SIGNS WITH EMI FOR NEW ALBUM: Press Release: Hot on the heels of his song of the year Grammy win earlier this month for the Luther Vandross-sung Dance With My Father, singer/songwriter Richard Marx has signed with EMI/Manhattan Records. Marx, famed for late '80s hits such as Hold on to the Nights and Right Here Waiting, is putting the finishing touches on an album slated for a summer release. Over the past few years, he has been writing songs and producing records for such top acts as 'N Sync and Josh Groban. This marks a reunion for Marx and EMI Jaxx & Classics president/CEO Bruce Lundvall, who first signed Marx to Capitol Records in 1987. "I asked him if he wanted to make a record, and his first response was, 'For whom?"' Lundvall said. "There is no question that Richard is a first-rate songwriter and performer with an inimitable voice." Marx, who in the course of his career has sold about 30 million albums, landed on the music scene in 1987 with his self-titled debut. He released his most recent studio album, Days in Avalon, independently in 2000. RANDY JACKSON OF ZEBRA LIVE ON THE INTERNET: Coming in June 2004, Randy Jackson will be playing a private acoustic show in the USA. Last year, we tested this theory of a live broadcast via broadband connection to over 50 people worldwide. This year, we are looking to be in the thousands. If you haven t witnessed Randy Jackson and his acoustic shows, they are nothing short of phenomenal. From his classic Zebra tunes to his collection of favorite hits from The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, David Bowie, Elton John, and many others. Don't miss this once in a lifetime opportunity to witness the raw talent of a truly gifted musician. To get more information, visit <a href="http://www.thedoor.com" target="new">www.thedoor.com</a>, and sign up to be a member. There you can speak to others who have witnessed this show last year, and to people are flying in from other states, just to be a part of history. Stay tuned for more details as they come available. STRATOVARIUS OVERLOAD: Could it get any sadder? The whole Stratovarius fiasco is quickly turning into an irreversible embarrassment for all involved. First this latest gem from the increasingly insane Timo Tolkki: "World peace, tolerance to other people's feelings and opinions, systematically refusing to cooperate with EVIL, world without armies, world without hate, love... My eyes have opened finally. These fucking things are just UTOPIA. They can never be achieved. I was once stupid because I honestly, wholeheartedly believed that these things could be achieved and that we human beings could learn from the past and just live in peace. I've got news for you baby, IT'S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN. So why not just have good time, you never know when your days are numbered. It could be tomorrow you know! So don't wait ANY MORE! MAKE YOUR LIFE A MASTERPIECE! MAKE A DIFFERENCE!! FUCK EVERYBODY WHO WANTS TO STOP YOU!! ADOLF HITLER IS ALIVE AND WELL IN THE WORLD. I FUCKED HIM LAST NIGHT. WE ARE ALL HITLER AND WE ARE ALL CHRIST. AND HITLER IS WINNING!!" And this follow-up from the band's webmaster! "Today I received a phonecall from Timo Tolkki. He sounded like being in a very confused state of mind and was talking about red Kabbalah ribbons and how when he was reading Madonna´s biography he felt warm waves all over his body and that the spirit of Jesus entered him and that now he really has found something he has been searching for all his life. I am very worried about him, he sounded like completely crazy. From this day onwards I will not take the responsibility of whatever is being released on this Website. As long as my paycheck arrives, I will continue putting on the site whatever Tolkki asks me to put there. But there is nothing I can do about it. I just work here." One can only wonder what will come next. PSYCHOSIS FOR LONDON: Lock 17 in Camden is set to be the newest rock club in London, with the launch of Psychosis! Set up by Sleazy H, one of the most popular DJs on radio station, Total Rock, Psychosis will run on every last Sunday of the month between 8pm - 1am, starting on February 29th, at the venue formerly known as Dingwalls. The music will be a mix of the Classic Rock and Metal that Sleazy H is famous for on her Midnight Dynamite show, with some newer/heavier stuff thrown in for that extra kick! From Kiss to Audioslave, Motley Crue to NIN, AC/DC to Type O Negative, Psychosis will be the place to rock out. Information, and a chance to download the flyer that will give a reduced admission price is available on <a href="http://www.clubpsychosis.com" target="new">www.clubpsychosis.com</a> Sleazy H hosts the show between 12 and 3am, Monday night - Thursday night (UK time). Catch the show internationally via <a href="http://www.totalrock.com">www.totalrock.com</a>. As well as the best in Classic Rock & Metal, catch interviews with all the major rock bands. Midnight Dynamite has been host to such luminaries as David Coverdale, Alice Cooper, Twisted Sister & Thunder.  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#008000" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#008000"> <div align="center">Saturday, February 21, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> 1 YEAR ON FOR RHODE ISLAND: It's February 21 here in Australia - which makes it February 20 in the USA, the 1st anniversary of the Station Fire Disaster in Rhode Island. No words can summarize the year that has past for those involved that night and those families that lost loved ones. Great White have sent out the following message: "As we approach the anniversary date of February 20, 2003, words will not now, nor will they ever, begin to express the sorrow we are all feeling. Although it has been a year, we are all only at the beginning of the healing process. We will always fondly remember our friends that we lost, as will as our band member and brother Ty Longley. To everyone that was affected, by this terrible tragedy, we send our love, prayers and encouragement. Jack Russell & Great White." Additionally, melodicrock.com regular and fire survivor George Dionne has written a new article about that night. Please take some time to read it at: <a href="http://www.rockrage.com" target="new">www.rockrage.com</a>. RIP to those that lost their lives. Please don't forget to visit the <a href="http://www.stationfamilyfund.org" target="new">Station Family Fund</a>, who continue to raise money for these families.  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#695c58" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#695c58"> <div align="center">Friday, February 20, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> FRONTIERS RECORDS PRESS RELEASE: Press Release: The long awaited House Of Lords come back album The Power & The Myth has been hailed with some excellent reviews over the specialized hard rock and metal press. Some of the marks and reviews that the album has achieved so far include: BREAKOUT Magazine (Germany) Over The Top (march issue), METAL HEART Magazine (Germany) 9.5 / 10, ROCK IT Magazine (Germany) 8.5 / 10, ROCK HARD Magazine (Italy) Album of The Month (march issue), METAL HAMMER Magazine (Italy) 5/6, BURRN Magazine (Japan) 84/100. Frontiers Records hopes to announce shortly other exciting news about the band. Dario Mollo finally reports that the second Voodoo Hill album has been completed after more than one year of hard work in the guitar maestro studios in Ventimiglia, Italy. The album title shall be Wild Seed of Mother Earth and will include the following eleven songs: Make Believe, Dying To Live, Still Evergreen, My Eyes Don t See It, Wild Seed Of Mother Earth, Nothing Stays The Same, Can t Stop Falling, Soul Protector, Atmosphere, She Cast No Shadows, 16 Guns. The album is heavier and more straight forward if compared to the previous Voodoo Hill CD and features some of the heaviest tracks Glenn Hughes has ever sung in his career! The lineup featured on the album includes Dario Mollo on all guitars, Glenn Hughes on lead vocals, Roberto Gualdi on drums, Dario Patti on keyboards and Fulvio Gaslini on bass. Frontiers Records hopes for a late spring release of the album. Frontiers Records is proud to present the new issue of Melodic Rock Fanzine. The second release of our successful magazine is available for free all over the world through record shops, mail orders and every fine dealer carrying the Frontiers Records releases, including AOR Heaven, Loud 1, NEH Records, Sweet Music, Negative, etc. This January/February issue includes reviews and interviews of Seventh Key, Jack Blades, Jaded Heart, Shadowman, Shiva, Blind Alley, Vitalj Kuprj, Eric Martin, Frameshift featuring James LaBrie and much more! Melodic Rock Fanzine is not connected with melodicrock.com   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="215" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/frontiersmagazine-2.jpg" width="300" /></div> Following some rumours and statements which appeared on the Internet, singer Joe Vana has recently issued the following statements regarding the Ambition album featuring Joe and Thom Griffin on lead vocals: "Contrary to what has been said, the album is definitely on and several songs are currently being considered for the inclusion on the CD. We are looking forward to doing this album with Frontiers, as well as our first time working with Fabrizio Grossi as the producer", says Vana, adding also that he is looking forward to return to his status as one of the top AOR Voices. The schedule of the recording has also been fixed with hope to complete all the work within the beginning of the summer. HAREM SCAREM GUITARIST RIGHT DOWN IN IT: Harem Scarem guitarist Pete Lesperance has completed work on his solo album Down In It. The CD will be released in Japan April 21, with other territories still to be decided. The album will be in the vein of Rubber, which previously featured Pete on a couple of lead vocals. Dan at <a href="http://www.haremscarem.net" target="new">www.haremscarem.net</a> sent in the album cover for us to preview. Thanks Dan. More info shortly.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="199" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/petelesperance-downinit.jpg" width="200" /></div> SWEDEN ROCK 2004 LINE-UP UPDATED: Coney Hatch and Axel Rudi Pell have been added to the 2004 Sweden Rock line-up! NOW AND THEN RECORDS UPDATE: Now And Then is proud to announce the label's first ever South American signing. Magistral is a superb new power metal band originally hailing from Santiago, Chile. The founding core of Magistral is comprised of Francisco, Moises, and Danilo. Growing up in the same neighborhood, Moises, Francisco and Danilo were already playing in a band together. In 1998 they begun searching for a lead singer that would help them to complete their sound, a unique style of power metal. Their search ended when they met Lucho Silva. Lucho impressed them with his amazing vocal range and magnetic stage presence. With Lucho firmly in place as the new vocalist and lyricist, Magistral was born. Magistral got their first break when they were discovered in Santiago and recorded their first demo, Their first single Awake, was well received and obtained significant local radio play. At this point, Lucho, who already had lived in Houston, convinced the other band members to pursue their dream in the U.S. One by one they migrated to Texas and began the next chapter in the development of the band. Having opened for several major metal bands, Magistral have built up a strong local following and after hearing their demo, Now And Then knew they had to sign this promising talent. The band are currently writing material for their debut album which will be released later this year. To hear some demo samples and for more info check out the bands website at - <a href="http://magistralweb.com/intro.html" target="new">magistralweb.com/intro.html</a> UK melodic rockers Lost Weekend embark on another set of shows around the recording of their fourth studio album. They play the following shows - 27.02.2004 - Bar 15, Halifax 12.03.2004 - Transport Club, Rochdale 08.05.2004 - The Golden Lion, Halifax 30.05.2004 - Fill Your Head With Rock Festival, West Midlands Full details of the shows are available at <a href="http://www.lostweekend.org.uk" target="new">www.lostweekend.org.uk</a> In preparation for Power Quest's excellent NeverWorld CD being released on March 15th we have added soundbytes to the multimedia section of the website and added a couple more reviews of the album. Full details of the bands June tour will be announced next week. For updates / further info check out the Now & Then website at <a href="http://www.nowandthen.co.uk" target="new">www.nowandthen.co.uk</a>, email us at <a href="mailto:info@nowandthen.co.uk">info@nowandthen.co.uk</a> or ring us on 01942 513298. VON GROOVE GET HOT IN 2004: Canadian rockers Von Groove are currently recording the final selection of songs for their forthcoming third album for Z Records entitled 99 in The Shade. Lead singer Mike Shotton described the material as totally rocking, fans of the bands highly acclaimed 2001 release The Seventh Day will be more than pleased! The tracks selected for the album are: Watcher of the Open Skies . 99 Degrees in the Shade . Walking on a Fine Line . Egypt . Hand of the Master . Lay Down Your arms . Rock Solid . Runaway Angel . Live It Up . I Can't Stop Loving You. A mid to late summer release can be expected! Californian act Rox Diamond have started work on their long awaited second studio release. The album is planned for release during late summer 2004. MR-X UPDATE: MR-X has been updated. Added today are the bi-weekly "Feature Updates". This week's Feature Album is the self-titled I Napoleon album, the Feature Live album is a 1991 audience recording of Harem Scarem live, titled Canadian Wind and the Feature Single is from the Johnny Edwards era Foreigner and the song I'll Fight For You. <a href="mr-x/index.html">Enter MR-X</a>, <a href="mr-x-intro.html">Join MR-X</a>.  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#003d79" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#003d79"> <div align="center">Thursday, February 19, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> ALTARIA SET FOR DIVINITY IN 2004: Altaria's new album Divinity will be released in Europe via Metal Heaven on May 24. The album is currently being mixed and will be mastered on March 4th, 2004 by Mika Jussila at Finnvox Studios in Helsinki, Finland. Divinity is the second effort by the Finish melodic metal masters Altaria who are centered around Sonata Arctica guitarist Jani Liimatainen; the first to feature vocalist Taage Laiho (Kilpi, Therion). The track list will be as follows: Prophet Of Pestilence . Unchain The Rain . Darkened Highlight . Enemy . Falling Again . Divine . Haven . Try To Remember . Stain On The Switchblade . Discovery . Will To Live . Final Warning . Balls To The Wall (bonus track) The bonus track Balls To The Wall will only appear on the ltd. digi-pack first pressing of the album and is a cover version of the Accept classic. Taage Laiho will share the vocals with none other than special guest Joacim Cans from Hammerfall. More info at <a href="http://www.altariamusic.com" target="new">www.altariamusic.com</a> & <a href="http://www.aorheaven.com" target="new">www.aorheaven.com</a>   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/altaria-divinity.jpg" width="200" /></div> AOR Heaven / Metal Heaven's release schedule for the next few months is: 29.03.2004 Deacon Street Project, 26.04.2004 Alyson Avenue - Omega, 24.05.2004 Altaria - Divinity June - Frontline - TBA (available as ltd. edition digi-pack with a Journey cover version as exclusive bonus track) MORE VAN HALEN TEASERS: <a href="http://www.96rock.com/main.html">http://www.96rock.com/main.html</a> More Van Halen teasing....this time not from me! 96 Rock FM have posted this message on their website: The Reunion They Said Wouldn't Happen They formed in 1973, became their namesake in '74, 96rock brought them to Atlanta for the first time on April 23, 1978 at the Fox Theater, and it's been six long years since they last played the A-T-L. Keep listening for a major concert announcement...SOON! There's also a picture of Eddie Van Halen next to the news item. I did want to have something of my won to add to this, but alas, no new info as of right now, apart from word that things are progressing. No clue as to when an official announcement might come - about a tour or the planned Best of Volume 2 release. Last I heard, the Best of was tentatively scheduled for September. Lastly, this week has seen renewed rumors of Sammy Hagar and David Lee Roth both fronting Van Halen on tour. I've heard nothing to suggest this and stick to my original announcement of Sammy Hagar's return to the band. AXL MAY SUE OVER GUNS N ROSES COMPILATION: An update on the Guns N Roses Greatest Hits CD from <a href="http://Billboard.com" target="new">Billboard.com</a>. Note the confirmed release date. Australian fans get the CD April 11. "While work continues on Guns N' Roses' endlessly delayed album Chinese Democracy, Geffen has set a March 23 release date for Greatest Hits, compiling 14 of the hard rock act's best-known tracks. This is the third archival Guns N' Roses release since last fall, when Geffen issued DVDs of the home videos Welcome to the Videos and the two-volume Use Your Illusion. However, according to sources, the band did not give its consent for Greatest Hits to move forward and may pursue legal action to block its release." STATION FIRE DISASTER - 12 MONTHS ON: 12 months on from the Station Fire in Rhode Island, things are tougher than ever for the survivors and the families that lost loved ones. A couple of good articles on the fire have been published this week. Rolling Stone Magazine has a feature that talks with some of the survivors, while <a href="http://Billboard.com" target="new">Billboard.com</a> talks with Great White's Jack Russell about his feelings of the year past. WebLinks: <a href="http://www.billboard.com/bb/daily/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=2091302" target="new">www.billboard.com</a> and <a href="http://www.rollingstone.com/features/featuregen.asp?pid=2789" target="new">www.rollingstone.com</a> STATETROOPER CALLING OLD FANS BACK: Press Release: Statetrooper, the band originally a solo vehicle for Michael Schenker Group vocalist, Gary Barden, have reformed. The band still consist of Gary, Jeff Summers (guitars), Bruce Bisland (drums), and Jeff Brown (bass) and have been joined by new boy Martin Mikkels (guitar). They are currently in the studio with producer Michael Voss recording the follow up to the recently reissued self titled album. The album, entitled The Calling is planned for a May 2004 release. The band will also be touring around Europe to support the release, and will also be performing a launch gig in London prior to the release. Check out the website <a href="http://www.statetrooper.com" target="new">www.statetrooper.com</a> for details. A re-issue of the first Statetrooper album is available now on Escape Music. BRET MICHAELS SOLO RIGHT NOW, RIGHT HERE: Los Angeles, CA -- February 11, 2004 -- Right Now, Right Here is the new single from singer/songwriter Bret Michaels. A tour in support of Right Now, Right Here and the Songs of Life album kicks off March 31, 2004 in Cincinnati, Ohio at Annie's. Confirmed dates for the tour take Bret Michaels through the Midwest and East coast through April, with additional dates to follow. The tour will return to such venues as Jaxx in Springfield, VA; Exit/In in Nashville, TN; Joe's in Chicago, IL and will once again return to the Hard Rock Café in Bret's hometown of Pittsburgh, PA, where he has appeared twice before to sold out crowds. Some new venues as well on this tour are The Heartland in South Bend, IN and The Royal Oak in Michigan. This 2004 tour will once again be sponsored by VH1 Classic. Confirmed dates for the "Right Now, Right Here" tour: March 31, 2004 - Annie's - Cincinnati, OH April 01, 2004 - Coyote's Music & Dance Hall - Louisville, KY April 02, 2004 - Royal Oak Music Theatre - Royal Oak, MI April 03, 2004 - McCools - Valparaiso, IN April 04, 2004 - The Eagles Club - Milwaukee, WI April 05, 2004 - Pops - Sauget, IL April 07, 2004 - Checkered Flag - Appleton, WI April 08, 2004 - Fine Line Music Cafe - Minneapolis, MN April 09, 2004 - The Heartland - South Bend, IN April 10, 2004 - Joe's - Chicago, IL April 13, 2004 - The Cellar - Struthers, OH April 14, 2004 - Hard Rock Cafe Pittsburgh, PA April 15, 2004 - The Warehouse @ Goodfellas Cafe - Pottsville, PA April 16, 2004 - Stone Pony - Asbury Park, NJ April 17, 2004 - Mulcahy's Rock & Roll Sports Bar - Wantagh, NY April 18, 2004 - Webster Theatre - Hartford, CT April 22, 2004 - The Lincoln Theatre - Raleigh, NC April 23, 2004 - Jaxx - West Springfield, VA April 24, 2004 - Ziggy's - Winston-Salem, NC April 25, 2004 - Exit/In - Nashville, TN OZZFEST 2004 LINE-UP ANNOUNCED: The full line-up for Ozzfest was recently announced. The bands taking part in this year's tour are: Main Stage: Ozzy Osbourne, Judas Priest, Slayer, Dimmu Borgir, Superjoint Ritual, Black Label Society. Second Stage: Slipknot, Hatebreed, Lamb Of God. Rotating: Atreyu, Bleeding Through, Lacuna Coil, Every Time I Die, Unearth, God Forbid. One note - joining Zakk Wylde in Black Label Society on this tour will be bassist James Lomenzo! TNA TRAVERS & APPICE COMING IN SPRING ON GERMAN SPV LABEL: New York Legendary rock-drummer Carmine Appice has announced the completion of his collaboration with guitarist Pat Travers, to be titled TNA. The disc will initially be released on the German-based label SPV. According to Appice, who kicks off a month-and-half European tour with Vanilla Fudge March 10, "The recording just flowed and we essentially wrote the album in the studio. We went in thinking maybe one track or two, but it just kind of wrote itself. It's some of the best music I've ever wrote and recorded. My thinking is that our audience will just eat this up. I've admired Pat for years and the collaboration was well worth the wait." Meanwhile, Appice is finishing up mixing the next release from Vanilla Fudge, to be titled When Two World's Collide - it's the recording and DVD the group made late-last year with the 52-piece San Fernando Symphony Orchestra. "We thought about recording with an orchestra for years and the collaboration was just amazing! This recording is a gift to our fans," adds Appice. The TNA project will be released in the States later in the year. A NEW UK HOME FOR SOUTHERN ROCK: Z-Roxx are pleased to announce that we are launching their own Southern Rock label, Manassas Records, in March 2004, the first release from which will be a awesome collection of 15 Bands on one budget priced compilation, called Stars N Bars. The full colour booklet will contain liner notes written by Michael Buffalo Smith of Gritz Magazine. If you want to know what the latest and newest Southern Rockers sound like this will be the ideal way to find out. There will also be some exclusive stuff never released before, including a brand new song from Grinderswitch! Track listing: Road Dawgs - Softail, Dukes Nightmare - Yesterday Is Gone, Bounty Hunter - The Bigger You Love, Sulentic Brothers Band - South Bend, Michael Buffalo Smith - Life Behind The Mask, Alligator Stew - Louisiana Man, Medicine Hat - Too Far Gone, Blackberry Smoke - Sanctified, Southern Rock Allstars - Stump Jumpin', Ghost Riders (Steve Grisham/Billy Rapp)- Roots, Chigger Red - Hangover Hotel, Messenger - Rain, Rebel Storm - Livin' On The Tracks, Flatman - Mama Told Me (previously unreleased), Grinderswitch - Dixie Flyer (previously unreleased Limited Edition Bonus Track) Stars N Bars will be available on March 1. Dukes Nitemare are from Charlotte NC and have one track (not on their album, Another Town) included on the new compilation Stars N Bars which is being released in March on Manassas Records. The line-up is: K D Miller – Vocals, Guitar, Johnny Scott – Drums, Donnie Christianson – Guitar, L A Stubbs – Guitar, James A Johnson – Bass. Another Town was produced by long time Music Industry stalwart Alan West. The idea behind this release is to get a bit of exposure for the band and put out a full length album later - at the end of 2004. This release is priced at 8.99GBP and is available from <a href="http://www.z-roxx.com" target="new">www.z-roxx.com</a>   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="199" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/dukesnitemare-thosegames.jpg" width="200" /></div> NEW ONLINE AUCTION SITE FOR ROCKERS: Press Release: The wildly popular website <a href="http://www.classicrockrevisited.com" target="new">Classic Rock Revisited</a> has just launched a new music website auction called All Things Sound - <a href="http://www.allthingssound.com" target="new">www.allthingssound.com</a>. The goal of All Things Sound is to provide a safe and reliable place for music fans to buy and sell items related to every area of music including Guitars, Amplifiers, Recording Equipment, CDs, DVDs, T-shirts, Memorabilia and more. Sellers Wanted! In order for All Things Sound to be a success we need people who want to sell items! We are looking for Power Sellers as well as the average music fan. If you help All Things Sound get launched then we have a deal for you. All Standard Listings are free until April 1, 2004 (this is not an April Fools Joke). If you sell an item for $5.00 and choose no extra options then you will get $5.00. You pay All Things Sound nothing. The only way you could owe us between now and April 1, 2004 is if you choose extra listing options such as highlighting or bolding items for sale. If you just do a regular listing then you keep all the money! Even after April 1, 2004, All Things Sound will only change a fee of 5.25% of the sale price for Standard Listings. If you sell an amp for $100 then you only owe All Things Sound $5.25. Not bad eh? For all details on what can be sold and how to register and list items for sale visit <a href="http://www.allthingssound.com" target="new">www.allthingssound.com</a> today! Buyers Wanted. We want people to come to All Things Sound <a href="http://www.allthingssound.com">www.allthingssound.com</a> today to start bidding on the CDs, DVDs and Concert T-shirts we already have listed for sale. All you need to register is a credit card (this helps us protect against user fraud). All Registration Information is kept 100% confidential and will never be sold to mailing lists. All Registration and Bidding is done on a secure server providing you a safe and secure area to do your bidding. To sign up and start bidding go to <a href="http://www.allthingssound.com" target="new">www.allthingssound.com</a> Our goal is to become much more than an auction house. We want to be the home for true music lovers to buy and sell with others who have the same love of the music that we do. In the worlds of Judas Priest's Rob Halford "United We Stand, United We Never Shall Fall" Help spread the word. Post this release on websites, magazines or just forward it around to your business associates. Together we can keep the spirit of the music alive at All Things Sound! For more information you may contact Jeb or Patty Wright at <a href="mailto:jwright52@cox.net">jwright52@cox.net</a> or visit All Things Sound at <a href="http://www.allthingssound.com" target="new">www.allthingssound.com</a> ALL-START CHRISTIAN PROJECT AVAILABLE FOR LIMITED EDITION PRE-ORDER: For a limited time you can order the all-star project, Liberty n' Justice Welcome To The Revolution from <a href="http://www.3chordrecords.net" target="new">www.3chordrecords.net</a>, and it will include all "18" tracks! This is a limited run of these CD's and we are selling them for $15.00 each plus s/h. You can purchase with your credit card, checking account, or a m/o. This is your first chance to buy it before it hits the stores in North America which only has 15 tracks. The CD features guest lead vocals by.... 1. Lou Gramm of Foreigner . 2. Bob Carlisle . 3. Michael Sweet of Stryper . 4. John Schlitt of Petra . 5. Greg X Volz of Petra . 6. Robert Fleischman, ex- Journey . 7. Jamie Rowe of Guardian/ London Calling . 8. Scott Wenzel of White Cross . 9. Doug Phelps of The Kentucky Headhunters . 10. Harry Hess of Harem Scarem . 11. Jeff Fenholt of Black Sabbath and TBN . 12. Ken Tamplin of Shout . 13. Mitch Malloy . 14. Mitch McVicker . 15. Dale Thompson of Bride . 16. Rick Florian of White Heart . 17. Mike Roe of The 77's . 18. Paul Q Pek of One Bad Pig HTP TAKE OVER EUROPE: Hughes Turner Project are about to hit Europe in a big way - the dates are as follows! <table> <tbody> <tr> <td>23.02.04 - Mo - Moscow, Russia - "Heroes Of Fate" Festival 25.02.04 - We - Ufa, Russia - TBA 26.02.04 - Th - Chelyabinsk, Russia - TBA 28.02.04 - Sa - Ankara, Turkey - Saklikent 29.02.04 - Su - Istanbul, Turkey - Maslak 01.03.04 - Mo - Athens, Greece - Rodon 02.03.04 - Tu - Thessaloniki, Greece - Pele Axiou 04.03.04 - Th - Madrid, Spain - Macumba 05.03.04 - Fr - Barcelona, Spain - Bikini 06.03.04 - Sa - Pamplona, Spain - Artsaia 08.03.04 - Mo - Bergamo, Italy - Motion 09.03.04 - Tu - Ingolstadt, Germany - Ohrakel 11.03.04 - Th - Pratteln, Switzerland - Z7 12.03.04 - Fr - Graz, Austria - Orpheum 13.03.04 - Sa - Wien, Austria - Planet Music 14.03.04 - Su - Salzburg, Austria - Rockhouse 16.03.04 - Tu - Budapest, Hungary - Wigwam </td> <td>17.03.04 - We - Nitra, Slovakia - PKO 18.03.04 - Th - Liberec, CR - Kulturni dum 19.03.04 - Fr - Zlin, CR - Golem Club 21.03.04 - Su - Bochum, Germany - Zeche 23.03.04 - Tu - Hannover, Germany - Blues Garage 24.03.04 - We - Copenhagen, Denmark - Pumpehuset 26.03.04 - Fr - Eskilstuna, Sweden - Blå 27.03.04 - Sa - Gothenburg, Sweden - Stora Teatern 28.03.04 - Su - Stockholm, Sweden - Klubben 30.03.04 - Tu - Helsinki, Finland - Nosturi 01.04.04 - Th - Borlänge, Sweden - Bolanche 02.04.04 - Fr - Karlskrona, Sweden - 03.04.04 - Sa - Jönköping, Sweden - Planet Rock 04.04.04 - Su - Hamburg, Germany - Fabrik 06.04.04 - Tu - Bradford, UK - Rios 07.04.04 - We - Dudley, UK - JB's 08.04.04 - Th - London, UK - Mean Fiddler </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> PULSE BACK WITH WORLD'S APART: UK melodic rockers Pulse are back with new material and a new website. <a href="http://www.rock2pulse.com" target="new">www.rock2pulse.com</a> is the new address which includes soundbytes from the new album Worlds Apart. The new album also features a downloads section of unreleased, live and demo material. AOR'S BEST OF FOR JAPAN: Smooth AOR/Westcoast act AOR have a best of compilation scheduled for release in Japan. Nothing But The Best is a fully remastered collection of songs, taken from the band's first 3 albums, with the added bonus of 3 brand new tracks. Vocalists on these new tracks are Dane Donahue (2) and Fergie Frederiksen (1). The CD features alternate versions & different mixes of several songs that were on previous albums. The CD is released April 10 on Cool Sound Music.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/aor-nothingbutthebest.jpg" width="200" /></div> KELLY KEELING TEAMS WITH GEORGE LYNCH FOR NEW CD: Kelly Keeling is recording an album with George Lynch, with a two month tour with Yngwie Malmsteen to follow. He starts work on this at the end of the month. Meanwhile his solo album has been completed and will be mixed during March. Keeling's website is currently selling CD-Rs of unreleased music. The two items available are: L.A. Sessions - $15 each - 14 songs including out-takes and new versions of songs featuring the Laurel Canyon Orchestra Laurel Canyon - $15 each - 10 tracks featuring new versions of songs all recorded in L.A. More details on Kelly's <a href="http://www.kellykeeling.com" target="new">website</a>, but I'll chip in and suggest that $15 for CDRs is a tad over-priced. MELODIC BRIEF'S: Sadly, Mel Pritchard, the drummer with the great Barclay James Harvest, died on 28 January. Full details on <a href="http://www.bjharvest.co.uk" target="new">www.bjharvest.co.uk</a>. Deen Castronovo's drum tech Jim Handley has his own website online now! Take a look around: <a href="http://www.jimhandley.com" target="new">www.jimhandley.com</a>. What a sensational line-up for this Festival for melodic rock fans in Canada - <a href="http://www.manitobasummerfest.com/bands.php" target="new">www.manitobasummerfest.com</a> According to <a href="http://www.davidshanklegroup.com" target="new">www.davidshanklegroup.com</a> the ex-Manowar guitarist Dave Shankle's band is looking for a vocalist. Producer Keith Olsen has a new business that is doing very well. MSR Studio Panel is custom built sound-proofing solutions for the average home and garage studios. Full details can be viewed at: <a href="http://www.msr-inc.com/studiopanel.php" target="new">www.msr-inc.com/studiopanel.php</a> Joe Lynn Turner is interviewed in the last issue of Swedish heavy rock magazine Red Hot Magazine. He talks of the Blackmore/Turner rumors and apparently says he and Richie have discussed recording a blues album some day in the future. JLT is also a featured interview at: <a href="http://www.the-fuze.com" target="new">www.the-fuze.com</a> According to vocalist Kevin Cronin, REO Speedwagon are working on new song ideas with a view to record a new studio album later this year. ArtistLink: <a href="http://www.kevincronin.com" target="new">www.kevincronin.com</a> Electric Boys frontman Conny Bloom has a new band - The Groovies Incorporated. They are currently recording their debut album Welcome To The High Times. Meanwhile Sweden Rock Records will release remastered versions of the Electric Boys back-catalogue in April. ArtistLink: <a href="http://www.connybloom.com" target="new">www.connybloom.com</a> RELEASE NOTE BRIEF'S: Australia's The Angels will release an archive live DVD mid-year. The concert was filmed in 1979 at Latrobe University in Melbourne. The Calling will release their second album Two first up in Japan on April 21. A US release isn't due until June. Krokus' acclaimed Rock The Block album is getting a US release in June. Aerosmith's Honkin' On Bobo gets an early release in japan on March 24. The CD also comes as a limited edition pressing with original "Harmonica Key Chain" enclosed. A Japanese pre-release bulletin has Joe Satriani's new album listed as due out in Japan March 31. It also has a listing for a solo album from Harem Scarem guitarist Pete Lesperance, titled Down In It. The release date is set at April 21, but I have not yet heard back from Pete to confirm those details. Aquila's new album is due out in Japan March 24. The band features former Terra Nova vocalist Fred Hendrix. Anthrax will celebrate 20 years of music with an album featuring their classic tracks, re-recorded by the current line-up. Metallum Maximus Aeternus will include tracks such as: Caught In A Mosh, Among The Living, I Am The Law, Be All End All, Metal Thrashing Mad, Madhouse, Indians, Antisocial and Got The Time. Josh Todd's solo release You Made Me gets a Japanese release March 24 with one bonus track and a video for the track Shine. A European release is also on it's way. Shark Frenzy is a self-titled CD project due out in Japan March 3. The music is keyboard player/composer Bruce Foster's rare tracks, which feature Bruce's friend Richie Sambora (Bon Jovi) on guitars. METAL NEWS - NOISE RECORDS BLASTS INTO 2004: Celebrating 21 years in bringing the world the best in refined heavy metal music, Noise Records is proud to introduce a host of new releases, and new artists, for spring 2004. Metal fans can look forward to an exciting year of diverse new releases by the likes of Gamma Ray, Heavenly, Frost (featuring Seven Witches guitarist Jack Frost), Debase, Dragonforce, and debut releases from promising young talent like Persuader, Beyond Surface and Dyecrest. Available on March 9th is the new solo effort by Seven Witches journeyman guitarist Jack Frost (also known for his work with Savatage, Metalium, and the Bronx Casket Co.). Under the moniker Frost, the album Raise Your Fist To Metal celebrates a diversity in both songwriting and guest talent. Jacks' very intense and sensitive method of playing the guitar adds a very special touch to the various compositions, and for this release, he has brought along a number of friends from different musical backgrounds to bring the Frost project to fruition. Such guests include Gonzo Sandoval (Armored Saint), Johnny Dee (Doro, Britny Fox, Waysted), Mike Duda (W.A.S.P.), Joey Vera (Armored Saint, Fates Warning, Seven Witches), Billy Childs (Britny Fox), Mike LePond (Symphony X), Harry Hess (Harem Scarem), Bobby Lucas (Exhibition, ex-Seven Witches), Joe Comeau (ex-Annihilator, ex-Overkill, ex-Liege Lord), Steve Braun (Azlan), Jack Emrick (Life After Death), and Rob Rock (ex-Impellitteri, ex-Warrior, ex-Axel Rudi Pell). In keeping with the diversity of talent, Frost also offers 2 cover songs on Raise Your Fist To Metal, impressive takes on Kansas' Fight Fire With Fire, and Ratt's Lack Of Communication. With this release, Jack Frost continues his tradition of finely crafted heavy metal. A MP3 of the track Stay can be heard here <a href="http://www.noiserecords.com/stream/frost/stay.mp3" target="new">www.noiserecords.com/stream/frost/stay.mp3</a> Also available March 9th is the highly anticipated 3rd release from France's Heavenly, a conceptual album entitled Dust To Dust. Mixed and mastered by the masters of symphonic power metal Philip Colodetti & Sascha Paeth (Angra, Rhapsody, Kamelot), Dust To Dust is an epic 3-chapter story narrating the tale of a man coping with the consequences of becoming a vampire. Many of the themes presented on the album are also designed to mirror life in the 21st century. Heavenly has truly outdone themselves on this release, which is both more aggressive and powerful than their previous efforts, but retains & enhances the band's brand of class and sophistication. A special multimedia Heavenly e-card is available here <a href="http://www.noiserecords.com/heavenly/dust/ecard/send.asp" target="new">www.noiserecords.com/heavenly/dust/ecard/send.asp</a> March 9th will also finally see the release of the legendary Gamma Ray's special double-live album Skeletons In the Closet. This, the band's second live album of their career, is unique in that the setlist for the live album was actually chosen by fans who participated in the online promotion at the official Gamma Ray website. Over 100 minutes of epitomic Gamma Ray perfection spans the 2 discs. Another distinctive fact about the album is that the track listing represents songs that had been rarely or never performed live during the course of the band's 13-year career. Bandleader Kai Hansen explains, "The idea to to a tour with rarely or never live performed tracks was slowly born out of three facts No. 1, was fans who, after every show asked us why we didn't play this or that, respective songs that we did not take into consideration because they were not rated as Gamma Ray hits' by the pros. No. 2 was that for our own fun and satisfaction, we have again and again felt the selfish need to play something different than for instance Land of the Free to keep us from getting bored with it sooner or later. No. 3 was the realization that if we felt so, some, or quite a few of our fans might feel the same." The album will be released in both standard jewel box and limited edition digipack (which features a 32-page booklet, 2 bonus videos and backstage footage in an enhanced segment). Fans can get a glimpse of what happens on the road with Gamma Ray in this special tour diary: <a href="http://www.noiserecords.com/gammaray/skeletons/tourdiary1.shtml" target="new">www.noiserecords.com/gammaray/skeletons/tourdiary1.shtml</a> Coming April 20th are the debut releases from the 3 winners of the Young Metal Gods competition, a contest in which seven magazines from six different European countries voted on demo tapes submitted to them. The five finalists were invited to perform a 'finals' live show in Bochum, Germany, and based on that performance, the three best acts prize was a record deal with Noise Records and a debut album recorded under the guide of revered producer/musician Piet Sielck (Iron Savior, Blind Guardian). The winners were Persuader from Sweden, Dyecrest from Finland, and Beyond Surface from Germany. More information on the competition can be found here: <a href="http://www.noiserecords.com/youngmetalgods/default.html" target="new">www.noiserecords.com/youngmetalgods/default.html</a> Noise Records has many additional amazing surprises in store for 2004, including new releases from Dragonforce, Iron Savior, Lake of Tears, Silent Force, and Seven Witches. WebLinks: <a href="http://www.noiserecords.com" target="new">www.noiserecords.com</a> and <a href="http://www.sanctuaryrecordsgroup.com" target="new">www.sanctuaryrecordsgroup.com</a> TODD PLANTS NEW CRYTPIC VISION: Progrock Records Press Release: Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 16 February 2004 – Cryptic Vision, a Sarasota, Florida-based, original progressive rock band has been signed to Progrock Records of Southern California. Their style is accessible and unique with a strong appeal for fans of artists like Kansas, Saga, Rush and Spock's Beard. Their debut CD Moments Of Clarity was written and performed by the nucleus of Rick Duncan and Todd Plant (Millenium), who have been working together on various projects since the late 80's. The album also includes special guest violinist David Ragsdale from Kansas on a number of tracks. The music is passionate and sweeping with great vocal harmonies. Jerry George and Shawn Gordon (A&R Director and President, respectively) from ProgRock Records jumped at the chance to sign Cryptic Vision as one of their growing list of fantastic artists. "I am really digging this music. So many different styles wrapped together in an inspiring and well done package. Cryptic Vision has what it takes to get noticed in today's fast developing prog scene.", said Jerry George, A&R director for the upstart label. "This was one of those few CD's I get that I liked within moments of popping it in to the player, I'm really pleased to have Cryptic Vision as part of our family", said Shawn Gordon, President of ProgRrock Records. Moments of Clarity is the ProgRock Records debut release from Cryptic Vision. It is a milestone album for the progressive rock community, containing a unique blend of musical styles that are accessible to both the progressive rock purist and the general community of indie rock lovers. It is available for immediate order at <a href="http://www.progrockrecords.com" target="new">Progrockrecords.com</a> Soundbytes and a review will be available shortly. TWO THINGS IN LIFE ARE CERTAIN!: Los Angeles area rock act Death & Taxes, is scheduled to release their new CD in mid-April 2004. The buzz on this band is that they are destined to become America's next "supergroup". Their new CD, titled Waste of a Perfectly Good CD, is a blend of straight ahead old school rock, reminiscent of rock's glorious past, brought up to speed with a definite twist. Jay Link, lead vocalist, and his bandmates, started this project on a whim. The three original band members had all played together in the 1980's. They went into a Los Angeles studio and, after four days, came out with four songs. They started sending the four song EP around to see if it had any merit. Since putting out the four song "teaser" CD in April 2003, thousands of fans have expressed a huge interest in Death & Taxes. During the last eight months of 2003, Death & Taxes was played on over 40 internet radio stations worldwide. Two of their songs have had incredible chart success: Trust, which charted at #6 for 2003 in the Radio Wave End of Year Rock Charts, and Serenity, which charted at #36 in the Rock Charts. The band has also had 12,300 downloads of their songs on Kazaa/Cornerband during the past 6 months. The band has been very fortunate to work with Grammy nominated producer/engineer Eric Fahlborg. The nucleus of Death & Taxes are Jay Link on lead vocals, Michael Cutting of Holy Soldier fame on Guitars, David Starkey on Bass, and Paul Monroe of XYZ fame on the drums. Currently, the band is a self-produced, self-managed, independent act, who will be putting the finishing touches on the 11 song CD in late January 2004. Look for a summer 2004 tour to follow. Additional info can be found on the band's website: <a href="http://www.death-and-taxes.net" target="new">www.death-and-taxes.net</a>. ROCK ICON JOE COCKER SELECTS HIS 20 BEST: After 19 original albums, decades of hit singles, and a career marked by truly classic records, Joe Cocker, one of rock's most intense and passionate performers, has chosen 20 of his favorites for his most expansive career retrospective to date. Joe Cocker: Ultimate Collection (A&M/Hip-O Records), released January 13, 2004, offers most of his biggest hits and more from 1968 to 2000, spanning his years on A&M, MCA, Island, Capitol, Sony and Eagle Records. In addition, the package's booklet spotlights an essay by J.P. Bean, author of the September 2003-published Joe Cocker: The Authorized Biography, along with song annotations and rare photos. Ultimate Collection features his unforgettable renditions of songs written by The Beatles ("With A Little Help From My Friends," "She Came In Through The Bathroom Window"), Leon Russell ("Delta Lady"), Jimmy Cliff ("Many Rivers To Cross"), Randy Newman ("Sail Away," "You Can Leave Your Hat On"), Lovin' Spoonful ("Summer In The City"), Leonard Cohen ("First We Take Manhattan"), John Hiatt ("Have A Little Faith In Me") and Billy Preston ("You Are So Beautiful"). Even though others recorded them first, the version of the song we remember is usually his. Also heard are such artists as Jimmy Page, Brenda Holloway, Rita Coolidge, Bonnie Bramlett, Sly & Robbie, Clarence Clemons and Bryan Adams, along with Newman, Russell, Cliff and Preston. Cocker's debut album, With A Little Help From My Friends (1969), featured his studio version of that '60s anthem which he sang at Woodstock and Traffic's "Feelin' Alright" (U.S. Top 40). Later that year, he again went Top 40 with "She Came In Through The Bathroom Window" and released "Delta Lady." In 1970, Cocker and Russell assembled a tribe of musicians and their live performances became an album and landmark concert film: Mad Dogs & Englishmen featured The Box Tops' "The Letter" (Top 10) and Dinah Washington's "Cry Me A River" (Top 20). In 1974 he scored with his #5-charting cover of "You Are So Beautiful." Ultimate Collection picks up in the next decade with "I'm So Glad I'm Standing Here Today," a duet with The Crusaders. From the acclaimed Sheffield Steel are "Sweet Little Woman" and "Many Rivers To Cross." Also in 1982 he earned his biggest hit to date, his #1 duet with Jennifer Warnes, "Up Where We Belong," the love theme from An Officer And A Gentleman which scored both a Grammy and an Oscar. Other '80s tracks are "Shelter Me," "You Can Leave Your Hat On" (which accompanied a scorching scene in 9½ Weeks) and the Top 20 Bryan Adams/Jim Vallance/Diane Warren-penned "When The Night Comes." The '90s are represented by "Now That The Magic Has Gone," a new rendition of "Unchain My Heart" he recorded for a "best of" album (note: this was a remix w/ some overdubs) , "Summer In The City," "Have A Little Faith In Me," "Sail Away" and "First We Take Manhattan." Today, Joe Cocker is not only one of rock's ultimate survivors but remains one of its genuine icons. More information: Joe Cocker E-card - <a href="http://www.universalchronicles.com/cocker" target="new">www.universalchronicles.com/cocker</a>, Joe Cocker video streams: With A Little Help From My Friends - <a href="http://www.hip-o.com/streaming/joecocker/video/with-little-help-hi.asx" target="new">High Res</a>, <a href="http://www.hip-o.com/streaming/joecocker/video/with-little-help-lo.asx" target="new">Lo Res</a> <a href="http://boss.streamos.com/real/ume/joecocker/with-little-help-hi.ram" target="new">Real Audio</a> When the Night Comes - <a href="http://www.hip-o.com/streaming/joecocker/video/when-night-comes-hi.asx" target="new">High Res</a> <a href="http://www.hip-o.com/streaming/joecocker/video/when-night-comes-lo.asx" target="new">Lo Res</a> <a href="http://boss.streamos.com/real/ume/joecocker/when-night-comes-hi.ram" target="new">Real Audio</a> TOM PETTY GOES DIGITAL: On Tuesday, January 27th the entire Universal Music Group catalog of classic Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers albums will be available for digital download on all the major digital music websites. Included in the catalog are some of Tom Petty's best-selling albums, including Damn the Torpedoes, Full Moon Fever and Into the Great Wide Open, and hit singles like Don't Do Me Like That, Free Fallin' and Refugee. This month marks the first time the albums have been available for purchase as downloads. Albums available include: Damn the Torpedoes, Hard Promises, Long After Dark, Southern Accents, Pack up the Plantation: Live!, Let Me Up (I've Had Enough), Full Moon Fever, Into the Great Wide Open & Greatest Hits. Participating online retailers include: Buy Music, FYE, iTunes, Liquid Audio, MusicMatch, Napster, Rhapsody and Tower. Visit: <a href="http://www.tompetty.com" target="new">www.tompetty.com</a> for additional information. SEVEN WISHES READY TO ROCK 2004: Seven Wishes mailed in a new update. The band are: "...busy like hell, writing and recording new songs for the forthcoming album. So far so good, and we're (of course) very pleased with the new material! Some of the titles: Fortuneteller, All That I Wanted (co-written with Lion's Share's Lars Chriss) Follow The Stars, Goes Around Comes Around, Time To Say Goodbye, Like A Cardhouse...) Our goal is to have it all recorded and mastered by the end of February. The album will be released through MTM during spring this year. No title decided so far. The new Enuff Z'nuff tribute from CD Smash is out now! We participate with the track Freak." Tony will also play some gigs with the Swedish well known cover band The Poodles. Loads of hard rock from the 80's. Europe, Bon Jovi, Priest, G'n'R, Iron Maiden... MOONSTONE PROJECT HONES IN ON CLASSIC HARD ROCK SOUND: Moonstone is the new musical creature from the Italian guitarist Matteo Filippini. It'll feature special guest appearances by rock giants like Ian Paice (Deep Purple), John Lawton (Ex-Uriah Heep), Glenn Hughes, Carl Palmer, Tony Franklin and others musicians not confirmed yet. The musical direction is a genuine British oriented 70s classic rock....you'll find bits of Free, Hendrix & Deep Purple...sounding as a 2004 record. Matteo is recording these days in the beautiful town of Bergamo (Italy) at Silicon Groove Studios. There's no a confirmed record deal at the moment. Recording sessions will continue until next Spring. Hopefully the CD could hit the streets on late summer/early fall. Stay tuned! ArtistLInk: <a href="http://www.moonstone.it" target="new">www.moonstone.it</a> TYRANT FINALLY RELEASE THEIR THUNDER DOWN UNDER: Tyrant's latest CD, Thunder Down Under has finally been given a domestic release date in Australia, Monday 23rd of February. The CD is to be distributed via the Melbourne based company, Automatic Distribution and will be available through Moonstruck Records at most record stores nationwide. The new CD is a follow up to the bands' 2001 critically acclaimed debut CD, Freaks Of Nature and has already picked up good reviews overseas and is being given airplay in a number of regions including the US, Argentina as well as some airplay on selected Australian radio stations. The first video clip off the CD for the song, Perfect World will be aired on the ABC-TV's "Rage" programme within the next 2 weeks. The clip was shot in Sydney by up and coming film producer, Greg Van Borrsum whom Tyrant worked with last year during the filming of the short film, "Sixteen G's" which stars Angry Anderson. Both Tyrant & Rose Tattoo have contributed songs for the soundtrack for the film and it should see release to Video/DVD formats in the not too distant future. Meanwhile Tyrant has relocated their base to their original home state of Tasmania. Four 'full length' mp3s off the CD are currently available through the bands' web page at <a href="http://www.geocities.com/tyrantau" target="new">www.geocities.com/tyrantau</a> TRIPPING TREE'S COZY POWELL TRIBUTE: Tripping Tree Music have a couple of new CD releases available. New York session Drummer Ken Serio put out a tribute to Cozy Powell called Through The Gate in 1998. It features a lot of Cozy's solo instrumental tunes and featured guitarists Bruce Gatewood and Blues/Rock guitarist Victoria Warne. The label has also just re-released Victoria Warne's Live At The Savoy CD, which is an energetic live set of hot blues/rock and features a tribute to her favorite guitarist, Rory Gallagher on Follow Me, I Wonder Who and Alexis. Warne's brand new CD Fluorescence is also available. All these CDs are available on <a href="http://Amazon.com" target="new">Amazon.com</a> and through there site <a href="http://www.trippingtree.com" target="new">www.trippingtree.com</a> BRUCE DICKINSON AND GUESTS ON TRIBUZY ALBUM: Bruce Dickinson (Iron Maiden), confirmed his participation on Tribuzy's new album, Execution, during the tour of the new Maiden's album Dance Of Death in Rio de Janeiro. Bruce and Tribuzy met up for breakfast at Iron Maiden's hotel, where they enjoyed a long conversation about various projects and gigs. Bruce will record his parts next month in Los Angeles, with the producer and guitarist Roy Z, that is also performing on Execution. The album has already confirmed stars like Kiko Loureiro, Chris Dale, Michael Kiske and Rolland Grapow and is planned for release in mid-2004. Click on the link below, then click on Execution's button on the top of the screen, and choose which others Execution pics you would like to see! <a href="http://tribuzy.apolo.net2.com.br/english/pictures/pictures.htm" target="new">tribuzy.apolo.net2.com.br/english/pictures/pictures.htm</a> IT'S QUEER EYE FOR THE TOUR BUS RADIO SHOW GUY!: (New York, NY) Starting this week host of The Tour Bus syndicated radio show---Ralph Sutton---goes from "headbanger to head-turner" on Bravo's Queer Eye For The Straight Guy. The first show featuring Ralph airs Tuesday, February 17 at 10pm Eastern with the episode repeating through the end of March. Ralph reflects, "I had a rough 2003. I had a large tumor removed from my throat which lead to my losing a possible TV gig (couldn't host w/ a bandage around my neck!). I also broke up with my girlfriend of 5 years and gained 40 lbs along with a few other crazy things. I felt a change to kick off '04 would be great and luckily the Fab 5 Came to my rescue!" Ralph Sutton can be heard all over the world on The Tour Bus, which celebrates the hard rock of the 80s (Motley Crue, Poison, Rainbow, Bonjovi, etc.) and also showcases new releases by these artists. But over a dozen times between now and the end of March, he'll be seen all over the USA on the Bravo channel's wildly popular makeover show (Episode #17). Is Sutton worried that his head banging fans and rock star friends will think he has lost his hard rock edge? "No," says Ralph, "Honestly I don't embarrass easy. I honestly felt if I absolutely HATED anything I could always change it back." It appears that Ralph has the ultimate single straight-guy life he spends a lot of time at home in sweats, he produces and co-hosts a weekly radio show where he makes up the playlist and many nights he's surrounded by half-naked women while getting paid to spin discs as a strip-club DJ. But, as Ralph leaves the wild and crazy days of his 20s behind, he aspires to bigger and better things home decor he can really enjoy, a more modern hairstyle and wardrobe and a serious relationship with a woman who doesn't wear a thong to work. Enter The Queer Eye's "Fab Five." They attempt to help Sutton freshen up his apartment most notable for its various unpleasant aromas and scary furnishings. The QE guys conquer Ralph's shoulder-length hair, five-day stubble and long sideburns. One of his fashion dilemmas is his height and size. At 6' 5" with a size 15 foot, he buys pretty much anything he can find that fits---and it shows. Sutton's new look was debuted at a live broadcast during a Vince Neil (Motley Crue) concert. He also looks forward to having one or more members of the Fab Five as special guests on The Tour Bus later this spring. For more details on the show, episode 17, photos, video clips and dates/airtimes go to <a href="http://www.bravotv.com/Queer_Eye_for_the_Straight_Guy" target="new">www.bravotv.com/Queer_Eye_for_the_Straight_Guy</a>  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#400040" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#400040"> <div align="center">Wednesday, February 18, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> FREAK OUT TO CHRIS CATENA: Chris Catena's debut album is really something for fans classic Deep Purple style, straight ahead blues based melodic hard rock. His self-released album Freak Out is available in Europe now via distribution from Frontiers. Chris Catena is an Italian rock singer with almost 20 years of experience in the Italian rock and hard rock scene. This debut album features an impressive list of special guests such as Glenn Hughes (duet vocals on Freak Out Tonight); Bruce Kulick; Tony Franklin; Tommy Aldridge; Eric Singer; Myron Dove; Dave Meniketti; Doug Wimbish; Virgil Donati; John Taylor; Stephen Ferrone; Chester Thompson; Jeff Scott Soto (duet vocals on What You Gonna Do When Your Love Is Gone), John Lawton (duet vocals on It's A Long Way To Go), Chuck Wright, Vitalij Kuprij, Micky Moody, Bernie Marsden, Kelly Simonz, Johnny Olhin, Nobby, Stevie Salas, Al Kooper and many others. Full track listing of the album is: Crazy Man . Freak Out Tonight . Hey Man (Freedom Calls) . Lady Starlight . Desire . Take Me Away . To A Friend . What You Gonna Do When Your Love Is Gone . Sweet Talker . Don't Stop Running . Follow Me . Gimme Your Love . Getting Tighter . The Stronger You Are . The Harder You Fall . It's A Long Way To Go. The Mini CD Single includes Freak Out Tonight (Edit Remix), I Found A Woman (Glenn Hughes cover / unreleased), Turn Turn (unreleased). This project is a mélange of hard rock of the seventies, funk, freak, metal, blues, soul - Whitesnake meets Trapeze, Deep Purple Mrk 3 meets Kiss, Glenn Hughes meets Stevie Wonder and so on. The artwork was specially designed for the release by none other than Derek Riggs (Iron Maiden, Stratovarius). You can investigate 1 minute clips of each track from Chris' album via the <a href="showcase/chriscatena-freakout.html">Chris Catena CD Showcase</a>, uploaded today. An interview with Chris will follow shortly and anyone interested in featuring Chris' album on their website/magazine should <a href="mailto:ajm@melodicrock.com?subject=Chris Catena">drop me a line ASAP</a>.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/chriscatena.jpg" width="497" /></div> JEFF SCOTT SOTO INVOLVED IN HOT NEW PROJECT: In my <a href="bestof/2003.html">2003 MelRock Awards</a> I promised that 2004 would be the year of Jeff Scott Soto. It's going to be all that and more! Jeff is hard at work on a project that is going to excite melodic hard rock fans big time. Whether you are an established JSS fan, or not, this news is going to impress! An official announcement will be forthcoming! Stay tuned for the full details of this super, off this planet project that will attract the attention of another group of fans too! Meanwhile, Jeff is also working on more solo live dates - mid-April/May around the UK & Sweden and I am still working with Jeff on a debut Australian tour, most likely to happen towards the end of the year now (September maybe). Stay tuned! 2003 MELROCK AWARDS UPDATED: And speaking of the <a href="bestof/2003.html">2003 MelRock Awards</a>, if you missed them, check them out now, it's quite a long read. I've also updated the page. Added are comments about 2003 and 2004 from Now & Then's Mark Ashton. The comments didn't make the publishing deadline, but have been added now. Well worth a look as Mark always has some interesting comments. And I have pulled the link for the Readers Poll 2003. It seems no one really cares, so that's fine! FIREHOUSE'S BILL LEVERTY TALKS: Two new interviews are now online from Firehouse guitarist Bill Leverty. He is speaking about the band's latest release Prime Time, their upcoming UK tour and also about his own solo project Wanderlust. And there's a live Firehouse DVD in the works... Check them out at: <a href="http://www.la-nites.com" target="new">www.la-nites.com</a> and <a href="http://www.shipwreckislandstudios.com/levinterview.htm" target="new">www.shipwreckislandstudios.com</a> HELL TO PAY FOR DOKKEN FANS: Dokken crowned their new studio album Hell To Pay. The album is due late April (around the 20th I'm told). Featured on the new album is: Don Dokken (vocals), Barry Sparks (bass), Mick Brown (drums) and John Levin (guitar, ex-Warlock, not Europe!). Kelly Keeling also appears. KISS OFF LIMP BIZKIT!: The Australian Kiss tour, which was previously announced by Aussie promoter Andrew McManus Presents for April, is now set to take place in May. Final details are still being negotiated, including a new support act now that fans Down Under have made it clear they do not appreciate Limp Bizkit to appear on the same stage as Kiss. They're currently looking in at acts that are much more suitable for a KISS show. For the US Summer tour that Kiss is planning to kick off in June, Nikki Sixx's new band Brides Of Destruction (also on Sanctuary Records, like Kiss's releases on their Kiss Records label) is being considered as an opening act. For more news check out <a href="http://www.kisskollector.com" target="new">www.kisskollector.com</a> And Poison are another contender. Vocalist Bret Michaels was on US radio last week saying that this has not been finalized, but the two sides are talking. Apparently he sounded very excited at the prospect, since Poison are such big Kiss fans.  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#004000" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#004000"> <div align="center">Tuesday, February 17, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> House Of Lords - the songs of The Power & The Myth through the eyes of Chuck Wright. Read thru Chuck's interesting comments and listen along via the <a href="showcase/houseoflords-powerandthemyth.html">House Of Lords Showcase</a>. Coming shortly are interviews with Chuck Wright and vocalist James Christian. 1. Today - After having several of our new songs rejected by our label for failing to follow their strict guidelines of their required sound, we submitted this song. I first heard it at a party and approached the writers about having House Of Lords record a version on our new release. There was something about the chorus that reminded me of the song "I Wanna Be Loved" from our debut on Simmons/R.C.A. I loved the groove and it had an anthem stylized chorus with a great keyboard orchestration throughout. This song was not intended to be the opener of the album but apparently our label felt it represented the signature HOL sound best. This resequencing was a big disappointment for us. 2. All Is Gone - Lanny, Pat Torpey (from Mr. Big) and I put this together and Ken Mary finished the song with us in the studio. We used an old Jethro Tull type harmony part for the bass and guitar riff. Lyrically it falls under Lanny's sometimes existential point of view. We live, we rock, we die. A great groove and interesting bridge section...not what you'd expect from us.. 3. Am I The Only One - A ballad with a twist, a moodier track with Eastern/Indian guitar influences, and powerful drums in an odd time signature from Ken. There's an outstanding, beautifully melodic guitar solo from Lanny. Lyrically a sad story of loss of love. "Am I the only one Who still believes - In you and me" Another one put together by Pat Torpey, Lanny and myself. 4. Living In Silence - Welcome to the jungle baby!! Drums, drums and more drums!! A bit of a modern style mixed into the melodic structure with rockin' heavier guitar riffs, and yes big drums! A song for the silent majority. They want to speak out but there is only silence. This song was originally written by James in the mid 90's and had a different verse part. The middle section of the song really gets outside. Put on your head phones. 5. The Power And The Myth - A short instrumental filled with majestic melodies that brings back memories of our debut, especially the amazing keyboards which are performed by Derek Sherinian (formerly of Dream Theater) coupled with a tasty Jeff Beck style melody from Cordola. I came up with the music for this in England while on tour with Alice Cooper. We wanted to have that HOL traditional instrumental opener alas this was not to be as the label now has it sandwiched in the middle of the record. 6. The Rapture - Originally written for an earlier 90's HOL release which didn't happen. This song has been compared to the Led Zeppelin Moroccan street musician record but this was put together long before that. Lanny plays a lot of unusual exotic instruments. This instrumentation was integral to getting across the musical landscape and mood of the lyrics. There's some amazing violin playing by Charlie Bissoret (from Bob Dylan's band) . All the instrumentation is real, no samples Sitar, Bazouki, Cello, and ethnic percussion. It's a biblical piece about Armageddon. I'm glad it finally found it's way to the House Of Lords record where it was intended to be. Lanny, James and I performed it live in London for a Gods festival in the mid 90's and we had planned on doing a new record together at that time. 7. The Man Who I Am - Another outside song discovered with the song "Today". A catchy modern ballad with a sentimental lyric. Famed rock singer and James Christian's wife, Robin Beck, shares the bridge with James on this one. This is probably our most commercial song on the record. 8. Bitter Sweet Euphoria - This song opens with an assault of slammin' drumming from Ken Mary. It is little darker than you 'd expect but has a really strong melodic chorus that brings to mind The Beatles meets Led Zeppelin. 9. Mind Trip - This one has a seventies retro vibe ala Deep Purple's "Machine Head" days. It's very raw and we really get to show off our chops. A display of power and fingerboard pyrotechnics! There's a musical breakdown section in the middle where Ken get's out of control. Lanny and I are big fans of the prog rock days and bands like King Crimson so we thought we'd throw this into the mix. 10. Child Of Rage - By far one of James Christian's best vocal performances ever. A powerfully massive melodic ballad that opens up with the sound of children playing fading into Accordion, Mandolin and Hammond B-3 . It has an almost Gospel feel. We created a choir using multi tracks of a few Gospel singers. Sandra Stevens is featured on this one along with some nice slide guitar playing from Lanny. Some of the tracks were originally recorded in the mid-90's. We had to bake the 24 track tape. A process that allows you to save the carbon molecules so you can make a copy. Interesting process and we're all glad it worked!   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="202" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/houseoflords-powerandthemyth.jpg" width="200" /></div> WARRANT CONFIRM LINE-UP AND WELCOME BACK ORIGINAL GUITARIST JOEY ALLEN: HOLLYWOOD (February 16, 2004) Warrant, spanning nearly two decades of rock, is proud to announce their 2004 line-up. Having parted ways, with long-time front-man Jani Lane, the band has re-grouped and is keyed up about bringing the new Warrant to life. The new Warrant line-up consists of original members Erik Turner (guitar), Jerry Dixon (bass) and original member Joey Allen (lead guitar). "It's been a blast to play the music again," explains Allen. "I haven't played these songs for eight or more years. I am totally comfortable being side-by-side with Jerry and Erik again. It feels like home." Allen joined Warrant in March 1987. His addition to the band became the first official Warrant lineup. Playing Gazarri's, that same month, Warrant broke the attendance-record previously held by Van Halen. Also joining the new addition is Jaime St. James (vocals) and Mike Fasano (drums). Jaime St. James is best known as the front-man for the band Black & Blue. "I've known the guys in Warrant for many years when they were still playing The Sunset Strip," states St. James. "We have the same tastes in music and love to rock. I am thrilled to play with my long-time friends." Mike Fasano played in Warrant from 2001-2003 and returns for 2004. "As soon as I heard that '˜The Squealer' was back (A.K.A. Joey Allen), I was in," says Fasano. "The positive energy that Jaime brings to the band is contagious," states Erik Turner. "Having Mike Fasano, The Dean Martin of Rock, back behind the kit makes us come full circle. Jerry and I very excited about the future and the making of a new Warrant record. We hope to have it out in fall of 2004." "I was surprised that the transition from Jani to Jamie had gone so smoothly. It feels like this new combination is meant to be," explains Jerry Dixon. "I think people are going to be blown away when they hear us. Having Joey back also brings that original Warrant sound back to the band." With a new line-up, a fresh sound and band members in place, Warrant is getting ready to head out on the road starting this March. "Playing in this band is fun again. Hearing Joey playing guitar on all the Classics is awesome," exclaims Erik Turner. "Rainmaker, Sure Feels Good & Ridin' High are kicking my butt at rehearsals and I can't wait to play them live for our fans." In regards to the official announcement that vocalist Jaime St. James has now joined Warrant, St. James says that he and Black 'N Blue will still complete work on their new album entitled Hell Yeah!, which is currently scheduled for release in May. In regards to touring, St. James says "my commitments are with Warrant, however I do not rule out the possibility of playing dates with Black 'N Blue in support of the new album".   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="250" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/warrant-2004.jpg" width="250" /></div> THE WHO READY TO ROLL IN MARCH: Press Release: The Who are officially back in action. The band -- consisting of Pete Townshend, Roger Daltrey, Ringo's son Zak Starkey on drums and Pino Palladino on bass -- have booked their first official UK shows since their tour in 2002. According to an announcement at The Who sub-site of PeteTownshend.com, the band will play three nights at London's Forum - March 22nd, 24th, and 25th. The dates will serve as a "warm up" for their upcoming Royal Albert Hall gig on the 29th of March. Tickets went on sale Friday, and are available online at HarveyGoldsmith.com. GENE SIMMONS SOLO CD WILL DEFINITELY BE A DOG: Press Release: Gene Simmons' long-awaited solo record has had a change of heart, title-wise. According to a posting Gene himself made on his Web site, the album will not, in fact, be called Firestarter, but will instead be called Dog. Yes, Dog. Here's what Gene wrote "The release date of my solo record is fast approaching. And, to say I'm excited would be an understatement... As you are all aware by now, we have had a change of heart and are looking to call our album Dog. Some of you may think it's for obvious reasons. I leave it up to you." He then adds "I want to thank each and every one of you for sending in your Firestarter art. We may post your creations in the near future. So, for now, kindly stop sending in cover art ideas. We are nearing a 'point of view' and of course, a title change." Of course, that's not all there is from Gene. Simmons says his Speaking In Tongues DVD, which is taken from his lecture series in Australia from a year ago, is currently in production. FORMER JUDAS PRIEST DRUMMER FOUND GUILTY: Press Release: Dave Holland, the former Judas Priest drummer who was recently convicted of attempted rape of a teenage boy, went to jail on Friday. The Associated Press reports he'll serve eight years at the Northampton, England jail in conjunction with the conviction. The judge who convicted Holland said that the abuse of the 17-year-old boy was premeditated and also ordered the drummer never to work with children again. Holland, who is 55, has denied that he abused the boy. JACKSON BROWNE CAREER SPANNING BEST OF DUE IN MARCH: Press Release: On March 15th, Jackson Browne will be inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, but the following day, he'll be saluted in another way. On March 16th, Rhino will release The Very Best Of Jackson Browne, a two-disc set featuring all of Jackson's hits and more. Of course, Brown was first known for writing songs for other artists The Byrds, The Eagles and Nico, but at some point, Browne decided he had to sing his songs as well as write them. "At a certain point, I just thought, this is what I'd like to do, to write. And later, the more I heard other people sing my songs, I thought, I better do this myself. Because you know, they were very dramatic, the songs were very dramatic and if you didn't sing them casually enough, if you just didn't like, kind of throw them away when you sang them, they'd come out very melodramatic, they'd come out overly, you know?" Jackson Browne is also out on a solo acoustic tour starting later this month - his first date is at the Caesar's Tahoe on February 27th. NIGHTWISH SIGN TO NUCLEAR BLAST: Press Release: Nuclear Blast is very proud to welcome Finland's No. 1 Symphonic/Gothic Metal act, Nightwish, within the label family. The band will release their forthcoming, album Once Europe-wide via Nuclear Blast, while Spinefarm/Universal Records will issue the record in Finland, Brazil, Mexico and Chile. The new songs emerged in cooperation with members of the London Session Orchestra which recently recorded the soundtracks of The Lord Of The Rings and Harry Potter. The first single of the new album shall be Nemo, due in middle of April - Nightwish are going to shoot a video clip for this track together with director Antti Jokinen who already worked with Celine Dion, Shania Twain and Eminem. In other news, Nightwish will set off for a North America tour in August, check the tourdates below. 16.08.2004 TORONTO, ONT - Opera House ( USA) 17.08.2004 MONTREAL, QUE - Metropolis ( USA) 19.08.2004 PHILADELPHIA, PA - Trocadero ( USA) 20.08.2004 WORCESTER, MA - Palladium ( USA) 22.08.2004 MANHATTAN, NY - B.B. King´s ( USA) 23.08.2004 CLEVELAND, OH - Phantasy Theater ( USA) 25.08.2004 CHICAGO, IL - House Of Blues ( USA) 26.08.2004 MINNEAPOLIS, MN - Quest Club ( USA) 28.08.2004 DENVER, CO - Cervantes ( USA) 30.08.2004 PHONIX, AZ - Cajun House ( USA) 31.08.2004 ANAHEIM, CA - House Of Blues ( USA) 02.09.2004 HOLLYWOOD, CA - House Of Blues ( USA) 03.09.2004 SAN FRANCISCO, CA - Slim´s ( USA) 05.09.2004 SEATTLE, WA - Graceland ( USA) RUSH NOMINATED FOR LIVE DVD AND PREPARE NEW LIVE DATES: Rush will be announcing 30th Anniversary tour dates on Tuesday, Feb 17! Stop by <a href="http://www.rush.com" target="new">Rush.com</a> on Tuesday and see where the band will be playing. Rush in Rio has been nominated for a Juno in the category 'Music DVD of the Year'! The 2004 Juno awards show will be held in April in Edmonton, Alberta. Visit <a href="http://www.juno-awards.ca/2004/homepage/homepage.php" target="new">www.juno-awards.ca</a> for more information about this year's show and nominees. VANILLA FUDGE'S BILL PASCALI RELEASES SOLO CD: Press Release: New York: Vanilla Fudge keyboardist Bill Pascali is set to release his first-ever solo CD, entitled Where Broken Hearts Go (Hyperspace Records), under the moniker of The Pascali Project on Tuesday, March 2. Pascali, who has long been involved in the rock-and-roll scene, has performed with such iconic groups as Steam; The 1910 Fruitgum Company; The Crests, as well as such notable artists like Chubby Checker; Gary US Bonds; and Frankie Ford. Pascali officially joined The Vanilla Fudge in 1998 and has performed on their current CD release titled The Return as well as their upcoming DVD - When Two World's Collide. Pascali first toured with The Fudge in 1999 and is set to embark leave on a month-long European tour with The Fudge commencing on March 10. Pascali says the CD is an assemblage of his many years in the rock and roll arena, which has earned him the nickname of the 'ghost of rock and roll.' Says Pascali, "The nickname was bestowed on me many years ago just stuck … everyone always said the spirit of rock and roll lived within me. Also, Carmine Appice from The Fudge was terrifically encouraging as well. He said there was so much there to record… go for it!" "I always wanted to do a project with a sense of purpose; something that people could make use out of in their everyday lives." Pascali constructed the project out of his enduring love of the music using songs that resonated in a special way throughout his career. "It always amazed me how songs from our past can spark memories. Play a song from the past and be instantly hurled back to a special time and place. That's magic. It's personal too. Music controls our emotions and temperament, so why not sooth the broken hearted?" The Pascali Project (14 tracks) collection is bracketed by original poetry written by Bill and performed by legendary radio-personality Don K. Reed, from WCBS-FM. Pascali also welcomes the vocal talents of Freddie Scott and Dean Parrish. Bill even includes Cookie Sirico from the legendary Delrons in the mix, as well as Art Loria of The Jive 5 and Teddy Rondinelli from The Vanilla Fudge. "I wanted to include as many friends as possible… and it was a long list. Each of them poured out their heart-and-soul into the process and I'm very grateful to them all." Pascali also includes an original blues tune in the CD called Afterglow, which he adds "initially started as just a studio jam… the improvisation and inspiration flowed. Perfect closer for the package!" Bill produced the CD and Randy Pratt (from The Lizards) executive produced it. It will be released on Tuesday, March 2. WebLink: <a href="http://www.wherebrokenheartsgo.com" target="new">www.wherebrokenheartsgo.com</a> NEW PLANET 3 ALBUM UNEARTHED: Press Release: Jay Graydon Releases new Planet 3 Album! Yes, what you just read is true! In a few weeks Jay will release the second Planet 3 album. It is called Gems Unearthed and it is an album that indeed lives up to its title! The music style is adult contemporary pop with many strong melodies - power ballads mixed with tough 80s synth rock, in the spirit of Toto, Chicago and the like. There are fun and raw uncut diamonds with major energy like Push It In, blended with glowing precious stones like the beautiful ballad Tonight You're Mine. "Old" Planet 3 fans will love it and be happy that the second Planet 3 album is finally to be released and "new" Planet 3 fans will find this album to be a rare gem to discover. This second Planet 3 album opens up a jewel case of treasures in the shape of many previously unreleased songs. Jay says in the liner notes... "We simply had too many songs to choose from so these were most likely for a follow up album so about 15 years later, here is the follow up album!" This is ear candy for quality music lovers, so stay tuned for upcoming details on how to get this must-have jewel! VENICE'S ROYAL DVD RELEASE: <table> <tbody> <tr> <td><img alt="" height="199" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/venice-livedvd.jpg" width="140" /></td> <td>Venice have a brand new concert DVD available titled Venice Live at the Royal Carre Theatre. It's mixed into DTS 5.1 surround sound. The track listing is as follows: We're Still Here . Hideaway Hill . Circle of Life . The Only Love I Had . Road To Where You Are . Starting Here Again . Precious Stone . Sweet Aloha . Welcome to the Rest of Your Life . Family Tree . Stuck in the Middle With You . Always . Baby's Calling . Most of Us . End of the World . World Upon My Back . The Man You Think I Am . Think Again . If I Were You . One Quiet Day. Bonus Material: Adobe Hacienda . Scarborough Faire . Documentary . Photo Gallery. In America, the NTSC (American standard) version of the DVD is on sale exclusively at Venice Store, a division of Venice Central (the band's official website) <a href="http://www.venicecentral.com/store/" target="new">www.venicecentral.com/store</a></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> Outside of America, the PAL (International standard) version is on sale at many different online stores, including <a href="http://www.aorheaven.com" target="new">AOR Heaven</a>. After over 20 years together as a band, this is their very first live release ever, in any form! KISS FANS DUMP ON LIMP SUPPORT ACT: A little bit of good news from my good mate rotten John Dokken - thanks cobber.....If you haven't already heard the good news, Limpbizkit have apparently been taken off the impending Australian Kiss tour. This news has also been reported on Triple M radio. [This would explain the delay in announcing dates originally scheduled for April!] It seems complaints from upset Kiss fans finally got through to the promoter. This was going to be the most ridiculous pairing of two bands ever. It just goes to show that when Kiss fans speak, people listen!! No confirmation of who the replacement band will be, but the promoter (Andrew McManus) must surely realise it has to be someone from the same music genre'.........stay tuned! THE SCORPIONS UNBREAKABLE AT SWEDEN ROCK: The Scorpions have been added to the headlining bill of Sweden Rock Festival 2004. Additionally, their new album Unbreakable, due out in April will feature the following tracks: New Generation . Love 'em Or Leave 'em . Deep And Dark . Borderline . Someday Is Now . Blood Too Hot . Can You Feel It . Maybe I Maybe You . My City My Town . She Said . Remember The Good Times . Through My Eyes . The Song That Won't Go Away. CINDERELLA LIVE CD UPDATE: As expected, the Cinderella In Concert CD out today is a cheap repackage of the Live At The Keyclub release. Shame Deadline, shame... MR-X UPDATE: Two <a href="mr-x/index.html">MR-X</a> updates this week, as last week got skipped due to a few issues. Added today are the new Video Clips. More cool stuff Friday. Video's added today are: Gun Better Days, Sammy Hagar VOA, Fair Warning Burning Heart and James Young Wild Dogs In The Night. REVIEWS UPDATE: A stack of new reviews online late yesterday - in case you didn't see them....Check out the final verdict on albums by TNT, House Of Lords, Danny Danzi, Shylock, Brides Of Destruction, Bowes & Morley, Pink Cream 69, Axel Rudi Pell, Faithfull, Reckless, Coastline, Velvet Creams, M3 and a new Metallica tribute. <a href="reviews/reviews.html">Read the reviews.</a>  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#ff0000" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#ff0000"> <div align="center">Monday, February 16, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> JORN CALLS OUT TO EVERY NATION TO BUY HIS NEW CD: Jorn's new album Out To Every Nation is due for release in Japan March 24 and in Europe on April 26. The new solo album features the line-up of vocalist Jorn Lande, guitarist Jõrn Viggo Lofstad and drummer Stian Kristoffersen (both of Pagan's Mind) and bassist Magnus Rosèn (from Hammerfall). The track listing is: Young Forever . Out To Every Nation . Something Real . Living With Wolves . Vision Eyes . One Day We Will Put Out... . Behind The Clown . Rock Spirit . Through Day And Night . When Angel Wings Were White . Big (Japanese Bonus Track) Meanwhile, Masterplan are now writing and recording their new album with Roy Z in Los Angeles. The new album will be released in the beginning of autumn, with a headliner tour to follow. GEFFEN COMPILE THEIR BEST GUNS N ROSES TRACKS: Guns N Roses Greatest Hits will be released worldwide the week of April 11 via Geffen Records'. It seems the label has again been frustrated by the lack of news from the band on the Chinese Democracy record. The track listing is: Welcome to the Jungle . Sweet Child O' Mine . Patience . Paradise City . Knockin' On Heaven's Door . Civil War . You Could Be Mine . Don't Cry (Original) . November Rain . Live and Let Die . Yesterdays . Ain't It Fun . Since I Don't Have You . Sympathy For The Devil.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="150" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/gunsnroses-greatesthits.jpg" width="150" /></div> DO YOU REMEMBER TNA'S NEW SONG?: Kivel recording artist TNA and their new single, Do You Remember (from their new release Branded), was debuted by Stacy X of New Jersey's WRAT (The Rat) recently on The Tour Bus radio program, and is being played nationwide on the syndicated show, reaching over 50 stations! CBC Radio in Ottawa, Canada will also be adding both TNA albums, Branded and Finger On The Trigger, to their play list in the coming weeks. Lots more exciting stuff to come, so please keep checking the band's website for the latest news on the band. Click here to visit <a href="http://www.tnarocks.com" target="new">www.tnarocks.com</a>. We have also been informed that Branded placed #11 on NEH Records' Top 30 Sales list for January 2004, up from #21 in December 2003! Thank you to everyone who purchased the album. A NEW CINDERELLA LIVE RELEASE?: What exactly is the Cinderella In Concert release, due out tomorrow? This one caught me by total surprise. The CD is due from Deadline Records and is only a mid-price, so it makes me think that it's a re-hash of an earlier release. I'm sure to have more details tomorrow.  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#804000" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#804000"> <div align="center">Friday, February 13, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> WARRANT'S NEW LOOK?: <a href="http://www.metal-sludge.com" target="new">Metal Sludge</a> are reporting that the new Warrant line-up will consist of: Erik Turner (guitar), Joey Allen (guitar -- re-joining the band after leaving in 1993), Jerry Dixon (bass), Mike Fasano (drums) and Jamie St. James (vocals replacing Jani Lane). THE OUTFIELD RELEASE CD ANY TIME NOW: Multi-Platinum rock band The Outfield will release their 6th studio LP later this month. Over an hour of music with 3 bonus tracks thrown in for good measure! Following the release of their first single in over a decade, It's All About Love, the new CD Any Time Now will be available via exclusive web distribution. Track List: This Love Affair . Give It All You Got . It's All About Love . Slow Motion (Original Mix) . The She Goes . The Sound Of Love . Heaven's Little Angel (Groove Mix) . No Fear . To Be With You . Seven Days . My Only Friend . Photograph . Same Old Story . Two Hearts . Broken Heart . Tiny Lights (New Millenium Mix) . Rainbows End. A KISS TRIBUTE? WHY NOT!: <a href="http://Billboard.com" target="new">Billboard.com</a> is reporting details of yet another Kiss tribute album. Spin the Bottle is due out April 27 via Koch Records. The 11-track set was executive produced by longtime Kiss associate Bob Kulick and features appearances by one-time Kiss members Bruce Kulick and Eric Singer. The full track list is: Detroit Rock City, Dee Snider; Love Gun, Tommy Shaw; Cold Gin, Mark Slaughter; King of the Night Time World, Chris Jericho; I Want You, Kip Winger; God of Thunder, Buzz Osborne; Calling Doctor Love, Page Hamilton; Shout It Out Loud, Lemmy Kilmeister; Parasite, Doug Pinnick; Strutter, Phil Lewis (L.A. Guns); I Stole Your Love, Robin McAuley (McAuley-Shencker Group). Full details: <a href="http://www.billboard.com/bb/daily/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=2088932" target="new">www.billboard.com</a> DOMAIN'S LAST DAYS OF UTOPIA: Three months ago, Domain found their way back into the Meadow Recording Studios, working at their new album. For the very first time, the band's working at a concept album, basing on the story The Last Days Of Utopia, written by vocalist Carsten Schulz, composed by guitarist Axel Ritt and keyboarder Erdmann Lange. The story will be told in 12 chapters, containing the whole musical spectrums of the typical Domain tunes like epic metal-hymns, classical ballads and high-speed power songs. Likewise, a dream of producer Axel Ritt came true to record a whole album with a symphonic orchestra. Some rumors tell that the arrangements of the ten different strings - and brass groups made him sweat a lot! The exact release-date of the new album is not fixed at the moment, but one's for sure, it'll be the most heavy and powerful Domain album ever.  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#0f6a3f" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#0f6a3f"> <div align="center">Thursday, February 12, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> FRONTIERS RECORDS UNVEILS MARCH RELEASES: Frontiers Records have announced the final details for their April 5 releases. The details are as follows: Tim Donahue's Madmen & Sinners - Success is defined by today's MTV icons through material gain. Real artists like guitarist Tim Donahue and Dream Theater singer James LaBrie define success as the progression and evolution of their music; if fame and fortune happen to be part of the end result, so much the better. Over two years in the making, Madmen & Sinners is a leap forward for Donahue, a project that demanded heart, soul and every drop of his talent. For LaBrie it was a chance to explore some surprising new territory within the progressive metal genre. Track listing: Million Miles; Let Go; My Heart Bleeds; Feel My Pain; Morte Et Dabo; Children Of The Flame; The End; Wildest Dreams; Master Of The Mind; Madmen & Sinners. Evil Masquerade - Welcome To The Show has already been detailed. See the news update of February 6 for more. Track listing: Intro (Ride of the Vakyries/Grand Opening); Welcome To The Show; The Wind Will Rise; Oh Harlequin; Surprises In The Dark, But You Were Smiling; Children of The Light; Lucy The Evil; Badinerie (bonus track); Deliver Us; Evil Masquerade. Eclipse - Second To None has also been detailed. See the news update of January 26 for more info and soundbyte previews.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/madmenandsinners.jpg" width="200" /><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/eclipse-secondtonone.jpg" width="200" /><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/evilmasquerade-welcome.jpg" width="200" /></div> IMPELLITTERI PUT THE PEDAL TO THE METAL IN MARCH: Impellitteri's Pedal To The Metal has been scheduled for a Japanese release on March 24. The band is scheduled to go to Japan in March for a full press tour including fan meeting events. The band will follow this with a tour around summer. Impellitteri will also release Pedal To The Medal in Europe with different songs. The band made this decision in order to stop import competition between countries. WHAT ARE AEROSMITH HONKIN' ON?: Aerosmith's new album Honkin' On Bobo [what were they thinking when discussing CD titles?!] will be released March 30 via Columbia Records. The track listing and cover art is as follows: You Gotta Move . I'm Ready . Eyesight For The Blind . Back Back Train . I Never Loved A Girl Like I Love You . Temperature . Stop Messin' Around . Baby, Please Don't Go . Roadrunner . Jesus Is On The Main Line . Shame Shame Shame . Into The Grind.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/aerosmith-honkinonbobo.jpg" width="200" /></div> PURPLE HIT AUSTRALIA AS BARNES GETS LOUD: Deep Purple look set to tour Australia in late April, playing theater size venues. And Jimmy Barnes' project with Steve Morse and Don Airey is now titled Living Loud. The debut album Relentless is due out in April. MONSTER SHOWCASE UPDATE: Plenty of new MP3 samples to check out today, thanks to a substantial <a href="#cdshowcase">CD Showcase</a> update. And today there is something for everyone. There's the diverse new House Of Lords, the pure AOR of Deacon Street, the melodic hard rock of Danny Danzi, the melodic metal of Power Quest, the progressive styled Frameshift and Empty Tremor. Click on the covers to go directly to each Showcase page.   <div align="center"><a href="showcase/houseoflords-powerandthemyth.html"><img alt="house of lords - power and the myth" border="0" height="125" src="/files-archive/news/houseoflords-powerandthemyth125.jpg" width="125" /></a>x<a href="showcase/powerquest-neverworld.html"><img alt="power quest-neverworld" border="0" height="125" src="/files-archive/news/powerquest-neverworld125.jpg" width="125" /></a>x<a href="showcase/dannydanzi-danziland.html"><img alt="danny danzi-danziland" border="0" height="125" src="/files-archive/news/dannydanzi-danziland125.jpg" width="125" /></a> <a href="showcase/emptytremor-thealieninside.html"><img alt="empty tremor-the alien inside" border="0" height="125" src="/files-archive/news/emptytremor-thealieninside125.jpg" width="125" /></a>x<a href="showcase/deaconstreet.html"><img alt="deacon street" border="0" height="125" src="/files-archive/news/deaconstreet125.jpg" width="125" /></a>x<a href="showcase/frameshift.html"><img alt="frameshift" border="0" height="125" src="/files-archive/news/frameshift125.jpg" width="125" /></a></div> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#400080" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#400080"> <div align="center">Wednesday, February 11, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> TNT'S TONY TALKS RELIGION: Tony Harnell has sent out a few comments about some of the tracks on the upcoming TNT album My Religion. Invisible Noise - A killer Ronni riff, with a cool start-stop feeling running through the entire song. I love this one. Kind of angry lyrics, (which is fun). She Needs Me - Another great riff, a cool and interesting song that rocks the way only TNT can. Lonely Nights - great TNT pop-metal tune. I think this song will appeal to all the old fans of the band. My Religion - a fun rocker, killer Ronni riff, sing along chorus. I think this will be a great live track! Perfectly - one of my favorites. I love this song. It's very personal to me and I think it is one of the best Ronni and I have written. You'll Be There - Another great TNT hard pop song. I think it shows how well Ronni and I write together. Older fans will love this one as well. Everybody's Got A Secret - Just a fun song, a good straight ahead rocker with a great chorus and energy. Song 4 Dianne - a lovely song that was written very late at night. I wrote the lyrics for someone special. Oh and my wife plays the recorder and sings with me on this one. I love it.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="60" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/TNT_banner.gif" width="468" /></div> Due to the overwhelming feedback on the forthcoming TNT album, MTM Music have decided to do a strictly limited edition digipack. This digipack features the songs Satellite and Hey Love, which have been previously released on the EP Give Me A Sign, as well as two original introductions by Tony Harnell and Ronni Le Tekro. The digipack also features a great full colour sticker. You can pre-order the digipack at: <a href="http://www.musicbuymail.com" target="new">www.musicbuymail.com</a> MARCIE FREE WORKING TOWARD NEW SOLO RELEASE: Marcie Free is back in the studio. She has built and continues to build her home studio up and actually started laying tracks down. Marcie has a plethora of fantastic AOR material to chose from. No release date is yet set, but her website has recently been revamped: <a href="http://www.marciefree.com" target="new">www.marciefree.com</a> MASQUERADE SIGN NEW DEAL FOR CD AND POSSIBLE DVD: SorceryStudios Media Group has signed Sweden rockers Masquerade for a new CD to be released in the spring as well as a possible live DVD due in the summer. The CD will contain material in the vein of the debut release. No title or cover at this time. A new website for the band should be launched soon, until then go here for more info: <a href="http://www.sorcerystudios.com/masquerade/" target="new">www.sorcerystudios.com/masquerade/</a> PEARCY FUELED FOR NEW SOLO RELEASE: Stephen Pearcy's new solo album Fueler has been completed and will be released through Top Fuel Records in April/May. A similarly titled DVD will appear soon after, featuring live, backstage and offstage material. Frankie Banali (ex-Quiet Riot) plays drums on three of the tracks on Fueler. The CD track list is: Kill Kitty . God Smack . Drive With Me . Send Me An Angel (cover of the track by Aussie 80's act Real Life) . Indispensable . Luv On The Rocks . Young And The Damned/King . Fueler . Spy Vs Spy . Let The Big Dog Eat . Under World . That Sick Thing . Overdrive . Dream Machine . Wide Open. The CD line-up: Stephen Pearcy - Lead Vocals / Lead & Rhythm Guitars, Erik Ferentinos - Guitar L/R, Mark Zavon - Guitar L/R, Frankie Wilsey - Guitar L/R, Todd Roberson - Drums, Frankie Banelli - Drums, Matt Thorn & Troy Johnson - Bass. WebLinks: <a href="http://www.stephen-pearcy.com" target="new">www.stephenpearcy.com</a> & <a href="http://www.topfuelrecords.com" target="new">www.topfuelrecords.com</a>   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/stephenpearcy-fueller.jpg" width="200" /></div> MELODIC BRIEF'S: Good Lord! Tell me it isn't true! First there was <a href="http://www.lfi.co.uk/scripts/kws30pre.exe?site=LFI&picktype=GfxOnly&type=GfxOnly&maxhits=24&FLFA_FIELD=&SEARCH_FILTERA=&search=LFNY+005162&hmessage=MINI%20KISS%20PERFORM%20IN%20CONCERT%20AT%20THE%20CUTTING%20ROOM.%20NEW%20YORK%20CITY.%20PICTURES%20JOY%20E%20SCHELLER/LFI&submit=lsearch" target="new">Mini-Kiss</a>, now there's <a href="http://www.lilgnr.com" target="new">Mini Guns N Roses!</a> A translation to yesterday's link to the Europe DVD - Rock The Night - The Video Collection... And More. The legendary 80's band Europe are back. This time with a video-collection with all their hits. Also, bonus material will be featured. More info to come. Release date 2004-03-10 Cover art is not confirmed yet. No track list or label is stated. It also says the DVD is not region-coded. Thanks Per for the translation! TYGERS OF PAN TANG BACK WITH FRESH NOISES: Press Release: Tygers of Pan Tang are back with a new studio album Noises From The Cat House. 25 years after the emergence of the NWOBHM movement, and the band are still going strong, releasing arguably their best ever album, Noises from the Cat House on Communiqué Records. The album, out now, was mixed by the bands long term producer, Chris Tsangarides, famed for his production work with, amongst others, Judas Priest and Yngwie Malmsteen. Robb Weir is still at the helm, ably backed up by new vocalist Richie Wicks, and the rest of the Tygers, Craig Ellis; Dean Robertson; & Brian West. Robb formed the Tygers back in 1977 when he was joined by Brian Dick, Rocky & Jess Cox. A very successful career followed, which also jumpstarted the careers of some of the bands members [including Jon Deverill, and John Sykes (who went on to play with Thin Lizzy and Whitesnake)]. The current line up has been performing since 2002 around Europe, which also spawned the recent live album and DVD, Live in the Roar and Visions from the Cat House. 2004 sees the band embarking on a large European tour, and discussions are in place regarding the band visiting the US and Japan. Noises From The Cat House was released on Communique Records February 9, 2004. JEFF PILSON FINDS A HOME FOR NEW WAR & PEACE RECORD: Press Release: Z Records are proud to announce the signing of Jeff Pilson's (Dokken, MSG, Dio, Wild Horses) War & Peace. The band's forthcoming release The Walls Have Eyes will be released during April 2004 and features guitar ace Alex Masi and many more. The Walls Have Eyes is possibly Jeff Pilson's finest work in ten years! The full track listing is: Calling . Reflections . No One Is Listening . Rock n Roll Breakdown . The Walls Have Eyes . Stranger In My Own Land . You Haunt Me . The Shell . Black In The Mirror . Desperate Hearts . The Line In The Sand . Finale. JUDAS PRIEST SCHEDULED TO RELEASE CAREER-SPANNING BOX SET: Judas Priest has reigned supreme for 30 years as the most influential and commercially successful pure heavy metal band, and the masters are being honored with the career-spanning, four-CD, 65-track box set Metalogy, scheduled for release on May 4, 2004, by Sony Music/Legacy Records. The worldwide reverence for Judas Priest has resulted in sales of 20 million albums and countless sold-out concerts. Metalogy, the first-ever Judas Priest box set, was assembled with the full participation of the band and it covers music recorded worldwide for the Gull, Sony Music/Columbia, CMC International, SPV, Atlantic and JVC labels between 1974 and 2002. Remastered hits, fan favorites, live rarities, B-sides and a previously unreleased demo are included. And as a bonus, the initial pressing of 'Metalogy' will include a live DVD of a complete concert filmed on December 12, 1982, at Mid South in Memphis, TN, on the 'Screaming for Vengeance' tour. This show was released on home video as 'Judas Priest Live' but it has been out of print for many years, and fans have often requested that it be reissued. This new DVD is mastered in pristine 5.1 Surround Sound for the ultimate Priest live concert experience. Fans will be thrilled with the packaging of Metalogy. The 7"x7" box is appropriately wrapped in leather and metal studs. The 7"x7" full color book features a full discography, biographical essay, timeline and numerous previously unpublished photos. Metalogy compiles the phenomenal musical achievements of Judas Priest's first three decades, and the next phase of the band's career begins later this year with the release of a highly anticipated new studio album and world tour from recently reunited vocalist Rob Halford, lead guitarist Glenn Tipton, lead guitarist K.K. Downing, bass guitarist Ian Hill and drummer Scott Travis. Full Box details, incuding the DVD track listing can be seen at: <a href="http://www.billboard.com/bb/daily/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=2086989" target="new">www.billboard.com</a> EARL SLICK PLAYS ZIG ZAG: Earl Slick is celebrating the New Year with his newly released album Zig Zag (out now on Sanctuary Records) and U.S. tour dates through February 7 as part of a global tour with David Bowie on "A Reality Tour." Zig Zag is the acclaimed guitarist's first album of new material in 12 years and features collaborations with vocalists Bowie, the Cure's Robert Smith, Def Leppard's Joe Elliott, Spacehog's Royston Langdon and Martha Davis, each of whom wrote their own melody and lyrics. David Bowie, who worked with Slick on the song Isn't It Evening (The Revolutionary) declared "Earl is a legendary guitar star and a musician of great feeling…His playing is earthy, timeless and never less than stellar." The cool melodic breeze on the current single Believe came courtesy of Robert Smith, who says "Ever since hearing him on Bowie's Station To Station album and seeing him onstage in London 1976, Earl Slick has been one of my guitar heroes...Collaborating and singing with Earl on 'Believe,' and having him play on 'A Forest' with The Cure are the stuff of dreams come true!" Joe Elliot joined forces with Slick on the dark rocker Psycho Twang. The famed singer says he came up with the lyrics and melody in a plane at 30,000 feet "I started in Spain and wrote the thing as I traveled over Portugal, France and all the way back to Ireland…It's a little bit of a story of a guy that was institutionalized who basically is climbing the walls to get out." Elliot confesses to first meeting the guitarist when Slick's band Overnight Angels "played a festival in England on the second of June, 1977. Me and a couple of friends snuck backstage and knocked on the dressing room door, and who opened it but Slick. I said, 'Can we come in, man?' and he said 'Yeah, man, come in.' So Earl Slick was the first person in a band I'd ever really met." Finally, Martha Davis of The Motels, who painted a trippy picture of New York City's east village on the spiraling St. Mark's Place, said "Earl Slick is a timeless guitarist, and a great guy with a wonderful new album...I am honored to be a part of it." Track listing: Dancing with Eleanor . Believe (Vocals Robert Smith of The Cure) . Isn't It Evening (Vocals David Bowie) . 1735 . Zig Zag (Vocals Royston Langdon of Spacehog) . Pike St. . Crunched . St. Mark's Place (Vocals Martha Davis of The Motels) . Psycho Twang (Vocals Joe Elliot of Def Leppard) . The Cat. SITE UPDATES: <a href="minibytes.html">Mini-Bytes</a> have been updated with new MP3 samples available from Shannon Noll (runner up in Australian Idol - includes a cover of Moving Pictures and an unreleased Bryan Adams song), 7th Heaven (Def Leppard fans take note), Tygers Of Pan Tang, Majesty, Primal Fear, a new Styx Tribute, UFO and Dakota. The <a href="#cdshowcase">CD Showcase</a> has been updated with the new single releases from Atenzia Records - 40ft Ringo's Inside Your Head EP and the debut Spin Gallery track Am I Wrong. RIP: RIP Graeme Paine. A rocker, a great drummer, a mate, a family man and an all-round good bloke.  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#ff8000" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#ff8000"> <div align="center">Tuesday, February 10, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> VANDENBERG'S DEFINITIVE CD RELEASE: The new Vandenberg compilation The Definitive Vandenberg is due from Warner Music in Europe on February 27. The compilation features the following tracks: Disc 1 - Burning Heart 2004 (Symphonic Version) . Your Love Is In Vain . Wait . Too Late . Different Worlds . This Is War . Heading For A Storm . Waiting For The Night . All The Way . Voodoo . Dressed To Kill . How Long . Alibi . Once In A Lifetime . Pedal To The Metal . Fighting Against The World . Kamikaze . Burning Heart (original version) Disc 2 - Back On My Feet (Demo) . Ready For You (Demo) . I'm On Fire (Demo) . Out In The Street (Demo) . Out Of Cash (Demo, previously unreleased) . Friday Night (Live In Japan) . Welcome To The Club (Live In Japan) . Roll Through The Night (Live In USA) . Burning Heart (Unplugged) I'll replace the cover art as soon as I can get a better copy! Thanks to Peter for forwarding it to me.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="140" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/vandenberg-definitive.gif" width="140" /></div> RECORD COLLECTOR MAGAZINE SHREDS IN MARCH: The Editor of Record Collector Magazine in the UK, Tim Jones was kind enough to e-mail me and let me know that the March Issue (out February 19) of Record Collector will include a major feature (about 20 pages) on shred guitarists, with interviews with Joe Satriani, Steve Vai and John Petrucci, plus a long and very funny one with Yngwie Malmsteen. There's also a major discography on him, plus mini ones for nine other artists featured (Satch, Vai, Chris Impelliteri, David Chastain, Steve Morse, Eric Johnson, Vinnie Moore, Tony MacAlpine and Paul Gilbert). The issue also has features on Hendrix and the Darkness. Nice one Tim! Copies can be ordered via <a href="mailto:janice.mayne@metropolis.co.uk">janice.mayne@metropolis.co.uk</a> or Janice on (UK) +44 0870 732 8080. SICK TRIGGER TAKE A STAND ON FRONT ROW MEDIA: Front Row Seat Media is proud to announce the signing of Sick Trigger for Worldwide distribution of their debut album The Stand. Sick Trigger are currently one of the top drawing, and certainly the most talked about, metal acts on the Sunset Strip and throughout Southern and Central California...Their music does the talking and the word is spreading worldwide FAST. Their fans are given in to the empowering vocals of Keith, the harmonic convergence of guitarists T. Sick and Rick Trigger (brother of Adema guitarist Tim Fluckey) and the freight train rhythm section of bassist J.D. Dolen & drummer Curly Ford......their live performances showcase songs that are so incredibly powerful and infectious.....now these songs are available on their debut CD The Stand. Recommended to fans of Alice in Chains, Iron Maiden, Metallica, Judas Priest. For CD Cover art, photos, and further information, please go to <a href="http://www.frontrowseatmedia.com" target="new">www.frontrowseatmedia.com</a> MELODIC BRIEFS: Butch Walker has signed a new record label deal and moves to yet another major label home! Butch will be releasing a live CD and DVD first, with his long awaited studio album later - all through his own indie imprint off Epic Records. Maybe this time he will get promoted properly and the world outside this scene will get to hear more of him. Is this the first look at the new Europe DVD? <a href="http://www3.discshop.se/LIVE/shop/ds_produkt.php?DISCSHOPID=deede8a6046ac9451754cbd9b3d253dd&lang=&id=38449" target="new">Click</a> I have heard that Inxs have their eye on a replacement for singer Jon Stevens, who has now finished his live obligations with the band. Apparently the new singer is an unknown name, last seen fronting an Inxs tribute band. Stay tuned for further info on that... The Cozy Murakami Project - A Tribute To Cozy Powell is just as it reads - a tribute to the late, great drummer by a range of Japanese artists. The album is set to feature songs by Rainbow, Black Sabbath, Whitesnake and MSG. All drums by Katsutoshi Murakami (ex-Blindman) and guests from the likes of Anthem, Concerto Moon, Sixride and Dead End. The CD is released April 7 in Japan. A new Praying Mantis compilation album is due out in Japan March 17. It's their first "best of" release and will feature tracks like: Captured City . This Time Girl . Can't See The Angels . Letting Go . Only The Children Cry . Don't Be Afraid Of The Dark . Nowhere To Hide . Naked (Re-recorded Version) and more. RIOT TEXAS SHOW DELAYED UNTIL MAY 1: Riot's upcoming show in San Antonio Texas has been changed to Saturday May 1st 2004. The band sent out this message: "It's due to the fact that one of the bands had to cancel and the promoter has been getting lots of great responses from all of you and because of that he would like Riot to headline the festival on Saturday May 1st 2004. This is great news because Riot is celebrating 25 years, we will have a big light show including video screens with images from the past, so don't miss this show as we may be recording this both in sound and video for a future live DVD." BRETT GARSED AND BUDDY WHO'S NOT HIS BUDDY: Ex-Nelson and long-time John Farnham guitarist Brett Garsed has had trouble with a guy named Buddy Hayden, who has been sending music from Brett's Big Sky album to online radio stations, passing the music off as his own and gaining a bit of support in the process. Now Brett is a really good guy, so if you happen to come across this Buddy clown, beware! Brett has made comments on the situation via his website: <a href="http://www.brettgarsed.com" target="new">www.brettgarsed.com</a> "Hey everyone, I have a very interesting story to share with you all! I received an email from the US about 2 days ago from a fellow asking if I'd played guitar on the Jesus Christ Superstar tour here in Australia. I replied and told him it was Stuart Fraser that did the tour and the album in its entirety. He then emailed me and asked if I could go to a website for an online radio station called Progressive Soundscapes and identify a song which was part on an online interview with a guy from Melbourne named Buddy Hayden (remember that name!). To my surprise, the opening song was Breathe from Big Sky. So as I listened this Buddy Hayden guy was being interviewed by a female DJ from the US. She was asking him about his inspiration for this great song! He went on to state with great arrogance how he was influenced by Eric Johnson, he wanted to "open his heart" and play with emotion blah, blah, blah. The sad thing is that I actually know this guy. He works for a major guitar company and I've met him through that company. I couldn't hear the whole interview as I had to run out for a gig but he called me at the venue and after I'd assumed it was a genuine mistake or a mix-up he confessed to having sent the station MY song and claimed it was his! At first, I was so shocked that I made light of it (trouble with being too nice a guy) but warned him that this was very serious indeed and he was lucky that I know him and it wouldn't lead to legal action. After the gig, I returned home to some shocked emails from the people at Progressive Soundscapes saying that this guy had been claiming that the song was his and bragging about it on chat rooms etc. They'd had an incredible response to the material (MY songs) and he was taking all the credit. I then listened to the entire interview and after he'd claimed to have written "Breathe" he then went on to claim that he'd played on the Jesus Christ Superstar tour and album; they played another song that he claimed was his. It was in fact from an album by Keith Stone who is a local bassist here in Melbourne. Then after Buddy enlightening us with his words of wisdom they then closed the interview with another of "his songs". It was "Undoing" from Big Sky! He'd re-named it "Moods". If you ever hear of this guy or meet him beware! He's a compulsive liar and crook. I could tell by the tone of his voice in the interview that he's never done anything as a musician and is probably a crap player who is jealous of others hard work and dedication to their art. PLEASE, if you're a songwriter, protect your music and copyright it. Be careful who you play unreleased demos to and don't ever let them take copies home before it's protected. I never thought this would happen to me let alone it be done by an Aussie who I have met personally. These are the kind of people who are currently poisoning our industry so beware, you never know where they'll strike next." SIN LINE-UP NEW BASSIST: S.I.N. finally found the perfect support in the bass department. From now on Ursula "Ouzo" Raschke will play the bass guitar for this German/English formation. Like the other Germans in the band she lives in southern Germany near Pforzheim and has played in several local bands there. On top of that, in March the band will start to work on their new album which will follow their debut Somewhere Into Nowhere. The songwriting is finished, the arranging is almost done, and in the beginning of march the drums will be recorded. Middle of march they will start with the bass which will already be played by Ouzo. The record consists of 11 songs which will again please all kinds of melodic rock. For more information visit the band on <a href="http://www.sin-band.com" target="new">www.sin-band.com</a> NO BLEEDING ON SINOPOLI'S NEW CD: Rock vocalist Joey Sinopoli and partner in crime Joe "Ciid" Birardi are producing the next Sinopoli CD at East Coast Mastering and mixing in Toms River, New Jersey. The all new ass kickin' CD will be titled Don't Bleed On My Parade and will be released in Europe on Generation Records. Track listing: Kickin It Round . Smoke there's Fire . Shake Me . I'm Eighteen . I Was Made For Loving You . Never Fall in Love Again . Freedom . Down To The Levy . Hard Luck Women . Forno Special guest appearances - The almighty Jack Ponti (Bon Jovi, Alice Cooper, Doro) on lead guitar teams up with the Sinopoli brothers for an over the top version of Alice Cooper's, I'm Eighteen; Jack Leslie (Sam The Band, Casablanca Records) proves he's still one of rocks best keyboardist today on, Down to the Levy.  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#008080" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#008080"> <div align="center">Monday, February 09, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> TESLA IN DAMAGE CONTROL - NOW DENYING VAN HALEN TOUR OFFER: A little more Van Halen, but not much - just a follow up on a previous note. Radio DJ Eddie Trunk last week had a live call in with Tesla lead singer Jeff Keith. It seems Jeff explained that the rumours of a Summer 2004 tour with Van Halen are just that, rumours, and the band knows nothing about it. It seems the guys have been told to do some damage control. Nice attempt to put out the flames guys, but the fact remains that Tesla were offered a support slot and have already gone on record about it during various interviews over the last month or so, not to mention singer Jeff Keith also telling me personally about the offer and the band's thought's on it only a few weeks back. RHINO BUCKET DVD PLANNED: Rhino Bucket are scheduled to perform two shows at Gussie L'Amour's in Honolulu on February 21 & 22, 2004. The band is planning to film both shows and release it on DVD format. The DVD, which will be available through their website at <a href="http://www.rhinobucket.com" target="new">www.rhinobucket.com</a>, will also include uncensored, behind the scenes footage of the band's mini Hawaiian vacation and adventures in paradise. WICKED SENSATION SIGN JAPAN DEAL: Wicked Sensation have signed a Japanese deal. The release date for the new album Exceptional - featuring new singer Fernando Garcia (ex-Victory) - is set for the 21th of April in Japan, and the 26th of April in Europe (via MTM) and U.S. More info at: <a href="http://www.wicked-sensation.com" target="new">www.wicked-sensation.com</a> EUROPEAN TOUR DATES FOR JADED HEART AND SKEW SISKEN: Tour Dates! Jaded Heart - Trust Tour: 06.05.04 Lübeck - Riders Cafe 07.05.04 Hamburg - Headbangers Ballroom 08.05.04 Bochum - Matrix 09.05.04 Ludwigsburg - Rofa 11.05.04 München - Garage 12.05.04 Frankfurt - Nachtleben 13.05.04 Heidelberg - Schwimmbad 14.05.04 Villingen - Rockhouse Amber 15.05.04 Nabburg - Kitchenclub 16.05.04 Aalen - Rock It 18.05.04 Nuernberg - Hirsch 19.05.04 Ingolstadt - Ohrakel 20.05.04 Fulda - Kulturkeller 21.05.04 Bremen - Meisenfrei Tickets <a href="http://www.mano.de" target="new">www.mano.de</a>, 07251-981672 Skew Siskin: 13.03. Andernach, Live Club 14.03. Osnabrueck, N8 15.03. München, Garage 16.03. Ludwigsburg, Rockfabrik 17.03. Ingolstadt, Ohrakel 19.03. Heidelberg, Schwimmbad 20.03. Annaberg, Alte Brauerei 21.03. Kassel, Fiasko 22.03. Hamburg, Logo 23.03. Berlin, Knaack Club 25.03. Nuernberg, Hirsch 26.03. Nabburg, Kitchen Club 27.03. Villingen. Rockhouse Amber 28.03. Aalen, Rock it 31.03. A-Wien, Planet Music 01.04. CH-Uster, Rock City 02.04. F-Sannois, EMB 03.04. F-Le Mans, 24 Std. Rennen Tickets <a href="http://www.mano.de" target="new">www.mano.de</a>, 07251-981672 MELODICROCK E-BAY GOODIES: I currently have several items up for grabs on E-Bay and will add to those over the week ahead. Only a few days left to go on these titles!! Please view and bid big! LOL Up for grabs right now are rarities from DeMont, Atlantic, Steve Morse Band, Charlie Sexton and Vital Escape. Lots more to come.<a href="http://cgi6.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewSellersOtherItems&userid=rockwombat&include=0&since=-1&sort=3&rows=50" target="new">E-Bay Auction Titles</a>  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#000000" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#000000"> <div align="center">Friday, February 06, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> FRONTIERS ANNOUNCES EVIL MASQUERADE: Frontiers Records is pleased to announce the signing of the Danish brand new metal sensation Evil Masquerade. The band is brainchild of guitar shredder Henrik Flyman (ex-Moahni Moahna, Zool, Wuthering Heights) who brought the concept of this new band after more and more frequent nightmares in his sleep. After some time music and strange symphonies started to occur, until he finally found the perfect partner in the original Royal Hunt vocalist Henrik Brockmann. The two jammed together and quickly gave birth to the songs that now appear on the debut CD entitled Welcome to The Show.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/evilmasquerade-welcome.jpg" width="200" />xx<img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/evilmasquerade-2004.jpg" width="267" /></div> The album will include the following eleven tracks: Intro (Ride of the Valkyries/Grand Opening); <a href="http://www.frontiers.it/EvilMasquerade_TheWindWillRise.mp3" target="new">Welcome To The Show</a> (click to hear a sample); <a href="http://www.frontiers.it/EvilMasquerade_WelcomeToTheShow.mp3" target="new">The Wind Will Rise</a> (click to hear a sample); Oh Harlequin; Surprises In The Dark; But You Were Smiling&; Children Of The Light; Lucy The Evil; Badinerie (bonus track); Deliver Us; Evil Masquerade. The line-up of Evil Masquerade is completed by Dennis Buhl (Sinphonia) on drums and by Kasper Gram (Wuthering Heights, Manticora) on bass guitar. Mats Olausson (Yngwie Malmsteen), André Andersen (Royal Hunt) and Richard Andersson (Majestic, Time Requiem, Space Odyssey) guested on keyboards. Evil Masquerade's debut CD Welcome To The Show is a unique slice of melodic and neo-classic symphonic metal with a strong emphasis on theatrical arrangements. The album will be released in Europe on April 5th 2004 on Frontiers Records. LION MUSIC NEW PROJECTS UPDATE: MCM - Alex Masi – guitar, Randy Coven – bass, John Macaluso - drums. These are three musicians from different musical and geographical backgrounds who felt like trying expanding a horizon or two ... right after the initial idea of recording something together was suggested over the phone MCM (at the time still "unnamed") was contacted to perform a few shows and music clinics in Mexico city. Alex flew in from Los Angeles while randy and john arrived from new York City. "We got together as a trio for the very first time in a little dingy room inside someone's house in a wild Mexico City neighborhood for the purpose of working out some numbers to play at the gig the following night" recalls Alex, "we had pretty much nothing worked out and the equipment available in that room was atrocious but after a moment of panic something clicked and we just jammed away till they had to drag us out of that hole..." Those shows in Mexico City turned out so good that everybody involved, from the three musicians to the crew to the audience itself "felt" that something magical was at work there. Back in the US the now "newly baptized" MCM had to get down to the business of recording an hour's worth of music that could do justice to what happened on those stages in Mexico City. The process followed was more intuitive than rational. one idea from one of the three set off a chain reaction of ideas from the other two at different turns and the whole operation was made even more "abstract" by the fact that the bass and drums were recorded 3000 miles away from where the guitars were going to be recorded and nobody really knew what to expect from what the others were doing. it was almost like playing on a "psychic" level. The result is Ritual Factory - eleven numbers that span from progressive rock to experimental jazz, from funk fusion to Indian rhythms and phrasing with the addition of "black market" a weather report classic that MCM jammed on the stages of their first tour and was wildly received. Musically the sky is the limit for MCM as they have barely scratched the artistic surface of what promises to be an intense collaboration among three diverse and forward looking musicians. In the studio or on stage at a metal, jazz, ethnic and even pop event MCM will blow people's minds for a long time to come. Watch out of the debut album to be released on Lion Music. Smeer is a modern metal band from Canada that will release their debut album on Lion Music in April 2004. The band was originally formed approximately 5 years ago and the current line-up has been a cohesive unit for close to three years. Smeer has performed more than 100 shows since January 2002! Ryan Leclair - lead vocal; Deny Boucher - guitars and backing vocals; Bryan Cote - bass and acoustic guitars; Niall Mellors - drums Torben Enevoldsen (Section A) is working on his new solo album, which probably will be titled Flying Solo as well as the second Section A release. Lion Music are also working on a tribute to the amazing guitarist Shawn Lane. This tribute will be spread out over 2 albums and will feature such musicians as Mistheria, Valediction, Goncalo Pereira, Paul Nelson, Tony Smotherman, Double Heart Project, Jon Padget with Chris Poland, George Bellas, Stephan Forte, Rusty Cooley, Chris Steberl, Carl Roa, Rob Sbar, Charly Sahona, Alan Lennon, Tom Kopyto, Marcos de Ros, Francesco Fareri, Dave Martone, Richard Daude, Joop Wolters, Marcel Coenen, Luis Moreno, Patrik Carlsson, Torben Enevoldsen, Lars Eric Mattsson and Alex Masi. Under-Radio are following up their very well received debut album with Bad Heir Ways. The release date will be announced soon. Progressive rock/metal with a modern and original twist from Eric Zimmermann. Under-Radio also features the rhythm section of Mark Zonder (Fates Warning) and Gregg & Matt Bissonette (David Lee Roth, Joe Satriani.) LabelLink: <a href="http://www.lionmusic.com" target="new">www.lionmusic.com</a>  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#b11b1c" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#b11b1c"> <div align="center">Wednesday, February 04, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> MR-X UPDATE - A CALL FOR FURTHER SUPPORT: MR-X has again been updated. The Members Area is receiving great feedback and I thank everyone that has joined for their support. It's now updated weekly and this month will see the introduction of a mailing list for express delivery of press releases, breaking news flashes and the odd exclusive! But I am definitely in need of further support in the form of new members. The AOR/Melodic Rock scene is famous for its lack of passion, so this is a challenge to fans to prove that wrong and help guarantee the viability of this site. If you enjoy this site and want more music, please consider the benefits of joining MR-X. For the US$35 annual fee, you are guaranteed over 30 full albums of material to download and keep via CD quality MP3s. Add to that at least 200 video clips in the year ahead, plus some special live footage and rare promo footage as well as some rare and unreleased material. The member's area also contains details for 10% discounts at Perris Records and MetalAges.com, a 10% discount at Wishing Well and a 5% discount at Z-Roxx. I hope many will see this as great value for money. If you want to join MR-X, or require more details – <a href="mailto:ajm@melodicrock.com">e-mail me</a> or please view this page: <a href="http://www.melodicrock.com/mr-x-intro.html" target="new">www.melodicrock.com/mr-x-intro.html</a> Another way to support the site and get something in return is the MelodicRock.com CD. There are still some copies available, so if you want a cool selection of unreleased and preview tunes, please check out the details: <a href="cd/index.html">MelodicRock CD Volume 1</a>. In further site news, the very popular full-length Feature MP3 Soundbytes section of the site has been removed for the time being. The tracks featured there are for classic melodic rock albums and I have received some great feedback from the ones featured over the years. Sadly I have issues with bandwidth and need to cut back somehow, so the full length tracks are first to go for the time being. Today's updates to MR-X: A dozen new rare and unreleased tracks, featuring Jeff Pilson, Glen Burtnik, Styx and more. Some classic Bonus Tracks and new video downloads for: FM - Frozen Heart, Giuffria - Out Of The Blue (Live), Jeff Beck - Ambitious, Loverboy - Lovin' Every Minute Of It, Michael Morales - Who Do You Give Your Love To and Toto - Stranger In Town. The new Feature Album is the classic and OOP hard rock CD from Heavy Bones and the Feature Single is Def Leppard's Tonight, with 3 unreleased B-Sides. And it isn't the clearest CD quality sound you will hear, but check out the full 10 track unreleased album from Moon Over Paris - featuring Moon Calhoun and Jeff Paris. <a href="mr-x/index.html">Members - Enter MR-X</a>. Full membership details and <a href="mr-x-intro.html">links to join right here</a>. Thanks for your support. MIKE RENO RESTORES LOST SOLO ALBUM: Mike Reno has finally released his solo album! Yes, that came with a landslide of publicity didn't it? The much sought after solo album - yes, the one that was recorded and remained unreleased since the early 90's is now available via Mike's website - <a href="http://www.mikereno.com" target="new">www.mikereno.com</a>. The CD has been re-titled Renovation and features 11 tracks. Except there is a problem. You can't buy the album unless you are a member of the "Inner Circle" Members area of Mike's site. To join the Inner Circle costs $19.95. The purchase of the CD is additional to the entry price. Sadly, you can't even view what tracks are on the CD without first joining the members area. I don't know what track 11 is, but I will presume 1 thru 10 are the tracks that made up the CD which has been widely traded for several years now. Those tracks are: Affection . Dream Machine . Still In Love . 60 Years From Now . New Messiah . Take Me Back . Guilty As Charged . I Say So . Burn Down The Bridge . I Don't Want To Stop. It is indeed a classic release and features Mike in full swing and it even rivals Loverboy at their best. Let's hope Mike can find a better way of making it more widely available to those that would love to buy it. UK MELODIC ROCK FANS - SHOW YOUR SUPPORT FOR LIVE GIGS: You've read through my MR-X update. Here we see another case of a dedicated supporter of the scene in need of a little support. Please read and if you are UK based, vote with your feet. Firehouse, Vaughn, Pride…….A Word from the Promoter. "Well, just less than five weeks to kick off and things are looking quite healthy. This is the part where I am supposed to tell you to run quickly to the nearest ticket outlet to grab the last few available for each show, but , me, being me, I have decided to lay it on the line a little about the forthcoming tour. First off I would like to say a huge THANK YOU to everybody who has taken the time to send an e mail, offer encouragement, or indeed hand out flyers and stick up posters in whichever part of the world you are in, your enthusiasm and effort are greatly appreciated. It's a funny old world, this melodic hard rock land. We are led to believe that melodic hard rock is dead and buried, and that the last remaining few of us are hanging on to the last threads ads they slip rapidly out of our grasp. Initially, when I put this tour together it was, and still is, a labour of love. I endured the usual "you're mad", "are you nuts?" "you'll lose your shirt" "nobody will go" comments, but despite all those reasons I still decided to plough ahead and do it. Now with just a few weeks to the opening show in Nottingham, I have to say, it's looking good. These days , promoters and labels alike are reluctant to tell you the facts, but I'll do my best to tell it exactly like it is. Nottingham is selling extremely well, in fact judging by the pre-sales it looks like it could sell out totally….not bad for starters. Tickets can be purchased from <a href="http://www.alt-tickets.co.uk" target="new">www.alt-tickets.co.uk</a> or through the Rock City web site at <a href="http://www.rock-city.co.uk" target="new">www.rock-city.co.uk</a>. Belfast, what a gig, the crowds there are completely nuts, well Belfast has started to move very well in the last week or so with close on 50% of the venue now pre-sold. Tickets can be purchased from Hectors House, North Street, Belfast or from Katy Daly's (next door to venue) Ormeau Avenue, Belfast. On line booking is not available for this show, but those wishing to reserve tickets can e mail <a href="mailto:davy_65@hotmail.com">davy_65@hotmail.com</a> or <a href="mailto:k_dargan@hotmail.com">k_dargan@hotmail.com</a> and tickets will be reserved for you for collection on the evening of performance. The Classic Rock Society show in Sheffield is absolutely amazing. In excess of four hundred tickets sold to date, this too looks like it could be house full on the night. Classic Rock ticket hotline 01709 702575 or <a href="http://www.wayahead.com" target="new">www.wayahead.com</a>, <a href="http://www.ticketline.co.uk" target="new">www.ticketline.co.uk</a> or directly from The Corporation, Sheffield on 0114 276 0262. Glasgow, now here's the worrying part. Despite the Scots pouring south of the border in relatively large numbers for the Gods show amongst others, The Renfrew Ferry gig is the slowest on the tour. We have poured over 10,000 flyers and posters in there in the last two weeks, but things still remain slow. Come on guys…..it's not every day you get three top quality hard rock acts right on your door step. Let's make this a success and prove that Scotland still is one of the greatest places to play. Tickets can be purchased directly from The Renfrew Ferry on 0141 429 1010 or from <a href="http://www.secctickets.com" target="new">www.secctickets.com</a>. JB's in Dudley is a damn fine rock venue as anybody who has attended a gig there previously will tell you. Tickets are moving along very nicely and it looks like it's going to be a big turnout. It's a particular stronghold for Vaughn and they are looking forward to rocking out with their many friends there. Tickets available from <a href="http://www.wayahead.com" target="new">www.wayahead.com</a> or the credit card hotline on 0115 9129000, or in person from the venue. The Underworld, London ……well, what can I say but a major thank you to everybody who has decided to get off their collective arses and book tickets early .There are less than 100 tickets still available for the show and , in all sincerity, if you are intending to go it would be a good idea to get your tickets as soon as possible. Not scaremongering by any means, just the facts. Tickets for the Underworld show are available from <a href="http://www.stargreen.com" target="new">www.stargreen.com</a>, <a href="http://www.ticketweb.co.uk" target="new">www.ticketweb.co.uk</a>, <a href="http://www.tickets-online.co.uk" target="new">www.tickets-online.co.uk</a> or from The World's End pub, next door to the venue. Well, there you have it, straight from the horses mouth so to speak. Some venues great, some very good, and only one downright ugly! (well not really but it sounded good at the time!) All in all it's looking like it could be a great tour. The bands are ready to give it 110%, Firehouse in particular are chomping at the bit at the prospect of their first European gigs in almost thirteen years. It's been way too long and they intend to put that right in no uncertain terms! What we need most is the continued support from fans such as yourselves, please get out and support the shows, bring friends and family, spread the word to everybody you know, even those who are not already rock fans, you'd never know , they might have the time of their lives!!! There are quite a number of people travelling from overseas, Belgium, France, Denmark, Sweden, Germany and even the good old USA. But to my mind the people travelling from Argentina take some beating! If some of these guys can travel half way around the world, then maybe a 50 odd mile trek by car ain't the hassle it sounds like. Please feel free to drop me a mail at <a href="mailto:k_dargan@hotmail.com">k_dargan@hotmail.com</a> if you have any queries or questions, and I'll do my best to help you out. Look forward to seeing everybody somewhere on the road. Thanks Again. Kieran." In related news - Danny Vaughn, The voice of Tyketto, Live and Acoustic. Date Friday Feb 20th - Venue The Isaac Butt, Store Street, Dublin 1, Ireland. Time Doors 8 pm, Danny Vaughn on stage 9.30pm, following by rock club til late….Tickets Euro 10.00 each Ticket availability Sound Cellar, Nassau Street, Dublin 1 or directly from the venue. Or by e-mailing <a href="mailto:k_dargan@hotmail.com">k_dargan@hotmail.com</a> and advising the quantity you need. Tickets can be collected at the venue on evening of performance @ a cost of Euro 10.00 per ticket. Please note there is only a limited quantity of tickets available for this intimate acoustic performance and early booking is advisable. Danny will of course be delighted to hang on afterwards and sign CDs, shake hands and have a beer or two with everybody. TODAY'S SITE UPDATES: The <a href="reviews/featurereview.html">Feature Reviews</a> section has been updated. You can now add your reviews for these recent and just about to be released titles: Tesla / Into The Now, Final Frontier / The Second Wave, Seventh Key / The Raging Fire, Jack Blades / Jack Blades, Dream Theater / Train Of Thought, Rush / Rush In Rio, Last Autumn's Dream / Last Autumn's Dream, Eric Martin / Destroy All Monsters & Influences & Connections / Volume 1 - Mr. Big. My personal <a href="playlist.html">CD Playlist</a> has been updated for the first time in a while. As has my <a href="wanted.html">CDs Wanted</a> page. <a href="bestof/2004sofar.html">The Best Of 2004</a> is a new page to track the best albums and individual tracks for 2004 as it rolls along. Looks healthy already!  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#0b0b73" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#0b0b73"> <div align="center">Tuesday, February 03, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> NOW & THEN NEWS UPDATE: Now And Then is very pleased to be able to announce that cult AOR hero Phil Vincent has joined the label's roster with not one but two of his forthcoming band projects. First up is Tragik, whose line-up includes Phil Vincent (Vocals and Keyboards), Damian D'Ercole (Guitars and Bass) and Dirk Phillips (Drums). Their first release, Poetic Justice shows off their melodic hard rock muscle. Phil Vincent has several CDs to his credit and one in particular is the 2002 Circular Logic release on which Phillips played drums. The seed for Tragik was planted. And after Vincent met D'Ercole, a 21 year old shredder brought up on a steady diet of Black Sabbath and Metallica at a KISS concert, the idea became reality and Poetic Justice was born. The CD opens up with a short plaintive, dramatic piano introduction before the rest of the instruments kick in with an uplifting theme and the journey begins. 11 further tracks follow which are melodic, driving numbers that are without doubt the most rocking of Vincent`s career. The other band is Circular Logik. This time Vincent hooks up with session guitarist Paul Colombo. The band's first creative adventure was the Colombo penned Shadow in the Night with it's Dio style riff and melodic vocals. Circular Logik is what you would get if you combined Black Sabbath riffs with Boston melodies! The debut CD, One, contains a perfect blend of heavy melodic rock with modern textures. Guesting on the CD is former Airborne guitarist David Zychek! Further details/release date information will follow in the next couple of weeks. Nexx's debut CD, Colours, has achieved great results in many end of year polls. It has been ranked as 6th best album of 2003 by the prestigious Australian website melodicrock.com. In the AOR category Colours reached number 3 whilst the track Arches of Faith was ranked as 9th best song of 2003. Colours was also chosen as best national album of 2003 by the audience of Metal Transfer (Radio Montblanc), 13th best CD of 2003 by readers of Rock Report and 4th best album in AOR/Melodic Rock of 2003 by readers of <a href="http://www.rockangels.com" target="new">www.rockangels.com</a>. Also the Jeff Scott Soto + Nexx tour has been voted as the best tour in 2003 on the same website. The band is extremely happy with these results. Also, Nemelrock 3 festival featuring Nexx, along with Firehouse and Vaughn, has changed venue from Caracol to Copérnico (formely Revolver) in Calle Fernández de los ríos 67. This is a bigger venue. Don't miss this festival!!! For further info check out <a href="http://www.webnexx.com" target="new">www.webnexx.com</a> THERE'S LIFE IN LEIF'S PROJECT: Well, I was skeptical of it's arrival, but Leif Johansen's (21 Guns, Phenomena) project Life has a new release date. The album, White Flowers is due for release March 15th in Europe and features the following tracks: White Flowers . Hogtied . Til Daylight . Devil Wears White . Without Your Love . For You . You'll See . One . Ray of Light . This Dream . Barefoot . The Key. KULICK IN OZ - 1 WEEK TO GO: Only one week to go before Bruce Kulick, Kiss guitarist from 1984 - 1996 hits town for his third solo tour of Australia to pay homage to his 12 Kiss years. Being Kulick's third tour downunder, Bruce has given the set list a huge shake up, performing some of the rarest of Kiss' songs including several that the band has never before performed live. Many of the songs have been selected through fans emailing Bruce direct, even the Kiss hit God Gave Rock and Roll To You which hasn't been performed by Kiss since Bruce departed will be dusted off for the traditional fists in the air and sea of cigarette lighters. Best of all, the tickets are reasonably priced at a low $35.20 (Melbourne, $40 on the night at the door) and $38 (Sydney) Tickets to the shows are selling fast and as the shows in 2002 and 2003 sold out, all fans are encouraged to get their tickets in advance. These shows are a Kiss fan's dream come true, getting up close and personal with one of their heroes and getting to hear tunes that they haven't heard even Kiss perform in many years. Kulick can't wait to get back on stage to let his fans know he is OK after being shot twice in LA after attending Motley Crue's singer Vince Neil's performance – he survived the shooting AND the concert! Bruce will hang around after each performance and sign autographs and meet the fans. Bruce will be performing with an all-Australian band including members of Stand and popular Kiss cover band, Dinissty. Kulick has performed with some of the rock greats including Meat Loaf, Grand Funk Railroad, Michael Bolton and Billy Squire. He is endorsed by Marshall Amplifiers and ESP Guitars. Concert and Ticketing Details: Melbourne The Corner Hotel Thursday 5 February On Sale at The Corner Hotel or Ph 03 9427 9198 or <a href="http://www.cornerhotel.com" target="new">www.cornerhotel.com</a> Sydney Bar Broadway Saturday 7 February On Sale at the venue For further information, please visit <a href="http://www.kulick.net" target="new">www.kulick.net</a> and <a href="http://www.stand.net.au" target="new">www.stand.net.au</a> ENCHANT PERFORMANCE FOR LIVE CD/DVD: The progressive rock band Enchant are performing a special headlining show on March 13 in Oakland, California, to be recorded for an upcoming DVD and double live CD. The performance, sponsored by Inside Out Music, will include material spanning all seven of the band's well-received studio albums, as well as some surprises. Fan interviews will also be filmed for the DVD. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for Enchant fans to witness a full blown, two hour performance of the bands' classics in their entirety. Tickets are available on a limited basis, and the band has already received reports of fans planning to fly from overseas for this retrospective event. For more information, check out the Enchant website at <a href="http://www.theoasis.cc" target="new">www.theoasis.cc</a> GREGG BISSONETTE ACCEPTING DRUM STUDENTS: The legendary Gregg Bissonette, known for his work with David Lee Roth, Joe Satriani, and a veritable who's-who of the rock world, will be accepting a limited number of drum students in the LA area. More information can be found at <a href="http://www.vox-tempus.com" target="new">www.vox-tempus.com</a>  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#400040" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#400040"> <div align="center">Monday, February 02, 2004 (early update)</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> VAN HALEN - RIGHT NOW - AS THINGS STAND: Rumors are flying that Van Halen could make a surprise appearance at this year's Super Bowl half-time show due shortly (Feb 1, PM USA time). Speculation intensified after broadcaster CBS and entertainment provider MTV announced that a surprise guest would be added to the bill, which already features Janet Jackson, Sean "P. Diddy" Combs, Kid Rock and Nelly. Sadly, the surprise guest is not Van Halen. Despite Sammy Hagar headlining pre-game activities, there will be no Van Halen sightings or involvement in the super Bowl in form. For the record, the "surprise" guest is Justin Timberfake. (A MTV event with Justin involved....yeah, big surprise...) But there is news on Van Halen to report. As usual, these updates come from the same sources that have been tried, tested and proven. There are still folk that don't believe anything is happening, but since breaking the news in November 2003 that Sammy Hagar was set to return, lots of activity has been going on behind the scenes. The very latest info is that the re-union is finally set, with legal and financial arrangements now agreed upon. The only issue that could possibly halt any continuation of Van Halen with Sammy Hagar at the helm is if personal differences again arise between Sammy and Eddie. But at this stage, it's all systems go and I've just been informed that the new tracks required for the release of the Best of Volume 2 compilation need to be completed by the end of February. The Best of Volume 2 is set to be released after the US summer, with two new Hagar fronted tracks included. I've been told the label are also trying to get an unreleased David Lee Roth track for the compilation. Speculation over tour plans continues too. Yes, Tesla were approached offered a support slot for a Van Halen US summer tour, but have yet to accept. There a couple of other developments that remain unresolved, but I need more information before mentioning those. What is included above are the facts as they stand as of last week. A SUPER BOWL NEWS SEQUEL: By now everyone would have seen the Super Bowl and seen that Van Halen did not appear and in fact, as mentioned first thing this morning, the surprise guest was the quite lame Justin Timberfake. But at least he did provide some entertainment - pulling at Janet Jackson's top to give viewers a quick thrill and through the staged incident created enough news headlines to keep the pair happy for weeks to come. The half-time show was as lame as it comes though, wasn't it? Kid Rock did ok, but the parade of "currently need to be hyped" stars was utterly forgettable. It seems the MTV staged performance and the boob stunt has upset the NFL. This just posted: Statement by NFL Executive Vice President Joe Browne regarding the Super Bowl halftime show: "We were extremely disappointed by elements of the MTV-produced Halftime show. They were totally inconsistent with assurances our office was given about the show. It's unlikely that MTV will produce another Super Bowl halftime." McQUEEN ST. BACK FOR ALBUM 2: Hard rockers McQueen Street are back! Their only album to date has now been joined by a 14 track CD - their unreleased 1993 album, which was recorded as a follow up to their popular debut. The album II is available now from the band's official website <a href="http://www.mcqueenstreet.com" target="new">www.mcqueenstreet.com</a> The track listing is: Scream . World Machine . Somebody Love Me . Psychosis . What About Jane? . No Colors . Strange Dreams . Bad Moon . The Last Breath . White Junk Monkey . No Sacrifice . I Don't Understand You . Fear The Night Time . The Journey Check out further details on the album and sample 1 minute clips of each track at the <a href="showcase/mcqueenstreet-2.html">McQueen Street Showcase</a>. An interview with the band will be featured shortly.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="179" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/mcqueenstreet-2.jpg" width="179" /></div> BLACKMORE/TURNER RUMORS GATHER PACE: News is spreading that Richie Blackmore and Joe Lynn Turner's management teams were in discussions with each other. This has immediately lead to speculation of a Rainbow re-union. I am told that the current discussions involve Joe Lynn Turner guesting on the next Blackmore's Night album. It's always possible a Rainbow re-union could happen, but it seems that is not the immediate plan. KEVIN DuBROW UNPLUGGED IN VEGAS: Quiet Riot vocalist Kevin DuBrow will be playing his first solo/acoustic show at The Palms Hotel in Las Vegas, NV on Monday February 2. The show is part of The Palms "Rock The Lounge" series that takes place in the hotel's Palapa Lounge. DuBrow will be performing acoustic versions of Quiet Riot classics and a few choice cover tunes. "After 28 years of fronting one of the loudest bands in the history of rock music, this is a welcome opportunity," says DuBrow. "As much as I love loud, headbanging Heavy Metal, this show gives me the rare chance to really connect with these songs in their most basic form." Performing with DuBrow will be Michael Lardie on Guitar and keyboards (Great White) and Kevin Curry on guitar. Both musicians appear on DuBrow's forthcoming solo album to be released on Shrapnel Records. TOKEN FINISHING UP WORK ON SECOND OPUS: Token are currently recording their second album and the songs will soon be ready to mix. The release is scheduled this spring. The band have two new members - Patrick "Putte" Johansson (currently with Yngwie Malmsteen) on drums and Mattias Ahlen on vocals. The band says they have made a great improvement to their sound, which is heavier with modern touches. Last week they recorded a video for the new song Tear Down The Wall. It was produced by Jens-Peter Sjöberg, who worked with "Lord of the Ring" movies. The guys have a new website address, which is <a href="http://www.token.se" target="new">www.token.se</a>. FIREHOUSE/VAUGHN/PRIDE LIVE IN THE UK: Don't forget to book/purchase tickets to the hot European tour featuring Firehouse, Danny Vaughn and Pride. The tour dates are as follows: Friday 5th March - Rock City, Nottingham Firehouse + Vaughn Saturday March 6th - Pre Nemelrock Party Inc Pride + Danny Vaughn Acoustic Sunday March 7th - Caracol, Madrid, Spain Firehouse + Vaughn + Nexx + Hardreams Tuesday March 9th - Corporation, Sheffield Firehouse + Vaughn + Pride + Deadline Wednesday March 10th - The Limelight, Belfast, N.Ireland Firehouse + Vaughn + Pride Thursday March 11th - Renfew Ferry, Glasgow, Scotland Firehouse + Vaughn + Pride + Deadline Saturday March 13th - The Underworld, London Firehouse + Vaughn + Pride Sunday March 14th - Jb's, Dudley Firehouse + Vaughn + Pride Monday March 15th - Limelight, Crewe Vaughn + Support Tuesday March 16th - Trillions, Newcastle Vaughn + Support Sunday March 21st - Cavern, Liverpool Vaughn + Support VANILLA FUDGE TAKE THE LIZARDS FOR A RIDE THROUGH EUROPE: NY - The legendary Vanilla Fudge (Carmine Appice, Tim Bogert, Bill Pascali and Teddy Rondinelli) have announced their upcoming tour of Europe, beginning March 10, 2004, in London. The tour will cover Scotland; France; Belgium; Germany and Switzerland, and will feature tracks from their current release The Return, as well as their new CD When Two Worlds Collide (which will be released later this year in DVD-format as well); the album that The Fudge recorded late-last-year with the 52-piece San Fernando Symphony Orchestra. The show will also feature the track Do You Think I'm Sexy which leader-Appice co-wrote with Rod Stewart (whom Appice appeared with for 7 years). Also featured will be the track Superstition which Appice, Bogert and Jeff Beck recorded. Says Appice, "We love playing in Europe and from our last tour there in September, the demand was overwhelming for us to return. Great crowds ... great enthusiasm." Appice is just starting up recording a new CD with guitar-legend Pat Travers, called Travers N Appice - TNA. That package will be released later this year. Opening all of the dates for The Fudge will be The Lizards (John Garner, Patrick Klein, Randy Pratt and Vinny Appice). Appice - brother of Carmine and a notable drummer in is own right (Vinny played with the original line up of Dio for many years and last played with Europe with Black Sabbath's original line up including Ozzy) - subs for regular-Lizards drummer Bobby Rondinelli, who has conflicting dates with Blue Oyster Cult. Says The Lizards Randy Pratt, "With the two Appices in tow and our vocalist John Garner, who used to play drums in the legendary Sir Lord Baltimore, we have one of the most impressive drum-family trees in all of classic rock." Tour Dates: March 10-Camden Underworld/London, England March 11-Irish Centre/Leeds, England March 13-Rock Cafe/Stourbridge, England March 14-The Limehouse Crew/England March 15-Renfrew Ferry/Glascow, Scotland March 17-Cooperative de Mai/Ferrand, France March 18-Excaliber/Yerville, France March 19-La Luciole/Alencon, France March 20-Le Plan/Ris Orange, Paris, France March 21-Spirit of '66/Verviers, Belgium March 23-Downtown Blues Club/Hamburg, Germany March 24-Harmonie (TV show)/Bonn, Germany March 25-Quasimodo/Berlin, Germany March 26-Gewerkschaftshaus/Erfurt, Germany March 27-Blues Garage/Hannover, Germany March 28-Frankfurter Hof/Mainz, Germany March 30-Backstage/Munich, Germany ADDITIONAL DATES TO BE ANNOUNCED... INTERVIEW UPDATE: Plenty of stuff to read besides news with today's update. I've added 3 new interviews. First, I've added a brand new <a href="feature-interviews.html">Feature Interview</a> with legendary record producer Keith Olsen. Keith talks in detail about his production work, the artists he has worked such as Sammy Hagar, Rick Springfield, Fleetwood Mac, Dare, Magnum, Pat Benatar, Kingdom Come and more. He also talks about his role in the record industry's fight again piracy. Keith was very generous with his time, so there's lots to read! <a href="interviews/keitholsen.html">Read - Keith Olsen profiled</a>. Also added are two new <a href="e-interviews.html">e-Interviews</a>. Last Autumn's Dream is a double interview, with vocalist Mikael Erlandsson and guitarist Andy Malecek both quizzed about their excellent debut. <a href="interviews/lastautumnsdream.html">Read the interview</a>. And Cage's Sean Peck is interviewed about the band's current metal smash hit Darker Than Black. <a href="interviews/cage.html">Read the Interview</a>. Coming up during the week - Poison's Bret Michaels. And soon - Jack Blades, Eric Martin and Seventh Key's Billy Greer. And even more after that with both Steve Lukather and TNT's Tony Harnell giving Feature Interviews. CD SHOWCASE UPDATES: Two very cool <a href="#cdshowcase">CD Showcases</a> added today. TNT's massive My Religion CD is due out in just over a month, so this is your chance to preview each track from this great CD. <a href="showcase/tnt-myreligion.html">Go to the TNT Showcase</a>.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/tnt-myreligion.jpg" width="200" /></div> And as previously mentioned, McQueen Street have a new CD out, so <a href="showcase/mcqueenstreet-2.html">preview that</a>. Coming up in the next week or so - previews for House Of Lords, Danny Danzi, Power Quest and Spin Gallery.  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#008000" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#008000"> <div align="center">Friday, January 30, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> ERIC MARTIN POSTPONES UK TOUR: Eric Martin has had to postpone the UK tour he had planned due to a project he's involved in now, which will keep him busy through until August. He is hoping to reschedule his UK tour for sometime this year. EDGUY READY FOR HELLFIRE: Edguy's new video King Of Fools has been posted online at the website of Nuclear Blast. You can watch it by following this link: <a href="http://www.nuclearblast.de/media/video/NB_1240.ram" target="new">www.nuclearblast.de/media/video/NB_1240.ram</a>. King Of Fools comes from the upcoming EP, due on February 2nd. The next full length album of Edguy, Hellfire Club, will be released on March 15th. ANTHRAX WON'T DIE: Anthrax have posted several photos of the shooting of their new zombie video clip What Doesn't Die online. You can find the pics under: <a href="http://anthrax.com/html/ANTHRAX_alphaMail.htm" target="new">anthrax.com/html/ANTHRAX_alphaMail.htm</a>. The filming took place at the wicked Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles on January 19th. Guitar player Scott Ian about the material: "The video shoot for 'What Doesn't Die' was incredible. The footage I saw on the monitor looked spectacular!" IOMMI/HUGHES ALBUM SET FOR OFFICAL RELEASE: Tony Iommi and Glenn Hughes teamed up for a sequel to Black Sabbath's Seventh Star album in 1996. The material has been widely bootlegged in average quality under the title Eighth Star, but later this year an official release will finally appear. The album also features Don Airey and Dave Holland. The release looks likely to be via the Internet. MELODIC BRIEFS: Boston's Kimberley Dahme is interviewed at <a href="http://www.411mania.com/music/news/article.php?news_id=4746" target="new">www.411mania.com/music/news/article.php?news_id=4746</a> Jean Beauvoir is finishing up work on his new solo album Chameleon. The CD is said to pick up where Drums Along The Mohawk left off. Kingdom Come's new studio album Perpetual is described as a deeper, hookier, more multi-faceted album than it's predecessor Independent. UPDATES: <a href="reviews/reviews.html">New reviews</a> have been added today. Now online are verdicts for new releases by: Tesla, Final Frontier, Jaded Heart, Shiva, Shadowman, Erika, Blind Alley and Street Talk. New interviews with Last Autumn's Dream and a lengthy chat with producer Keith Olsen didn't quite get finished in time for today's update - they are up next.  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#804000" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#804000"> <div align="center">Thursday, January 29, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> SEVENTH KEY TRACK BY TRACK: Monday week is the official release date for the new Seventh Key album The Raging Fire. An interview with vocalist/bassist Billy Greer is coming up shortly, but for now, here is a track by track profile of the album. Listen along with the profiles by sampling the tracks in the <a href="showcase/seventhkey-theragingfire.html">Seventh Key CD Showcase</a>. The Sun Will Rise: I think this song has a great 'Arena Rock', 'Everybody Sing along' Chorus. I love it. Always From The Heart: This song was written around Thanksgiving of 2002. I had just returned from a trip to Los Angeles to begin writing the songs for the new CD. Mike called and said what do you think about this, and played the verse and chorus music idea over the phone. When you get excited hearing something over the phone, you know it's gonna be a good song. You Cross The Line: At our first writing session, Mike was showing me some of the new toys that he had bought. One of them being this keyboard module that had all these great sounds on it. He pushed a button it started playing the percussive loop that starts the song. I started playing the chords that are now the verse and the songs kinda started writing itself. An Ocean Away: Mike wrote the music for this song about 3 and a half years ago He sent it to me and I worte the lyrics about three years ago. We just shot a video for the song in Los Angeles. The Raging Fire: Again, the magic keyboard. Mike programmed the loop, I started playing the bass riff and before you know it, you have the title song for your new CD. Sin City: All about having fun in one of the most fun cities in the world. Stays open 24/7 and anything goes. Awesome to see at night. It Should Have Been You: Every good melodic rock album has to have at least one big sounding "You broke my heart" power ballad. Run: Mike had used the opening riff in an instrument song. I loved it and we stole it and wrote the song around it. This is one of my favorite tracks. Pyramid Princess: Unusual song! While we were working on the music, Mike happened to say, "This almost sounds Egyptian", Well, you see what happened after that. Winds of War: This song was written just before we went to war in Iraq. Every day we smothered with rhetoric about the need to go to war. We felt like we needed to say something.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/seventhkey-theragingfire.jpg" width="200" /></div> BLUESONGS FROM ROBIN GEORGE AND NEW MAJESTIC RE-ISSUES: Majestic Rock Records have announced details of their February releases. At the front of their release schedule is a brand new album from Robin George due out February 23. The details are as follows: There can be very little doubt that Robin George is one of the most talented men in rock. He may also be just about the unluckiest. On a number of occasions, like when Bronze Records went bust just as his career was about to go stratospheric in the mid-eighties or when Phil Lynott sadly died just as he had secured the job as Thin Lizzy's new second guitarist, fate has stuck two fingers up at the man. Not that he lingers on these cruel turns of event. He's been too busy working over the years producing – Diamond Head and a number of other notables have benefited from his studio acumen – writing for the likes of Glenn Hughes, Robert Plant and many others and playing in Magnum, Asia, his own touring projects….and very nearly Duran Duran! Bluesongs is business as usual for the man who almost single handedly ushered in the age of techno AOR with 1985's seminal Dangerous Music. Times may change, but Robin George is still a force to be reckoned with…and Bluesongs is the proof of that! Track Listing: Bluesong . Love is an Anarchist . Just a Man . Pride . American Way . World . Mother Love . Believe . Love, Power & Peace . Heaven A EP to promote the album is also due February 23. American Way is that rare combination of the right song at just the right time. With world events having taken such a Stars n' Stripes direction over the last year or so, song writers are bound to find this influencing their song writing. And so it is with American Way. Not a political song per se, but definitely thought provoking...though in a up-beat, rock n' roll way. This ain't Dylan, after all! This CD EP contains the single edit and full album version of American Way, album track World and, as an added bonus, the very enjoyable American Way video.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/robingeorge-bluesongs.jpg" width="200" />xx<img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/robingeorge-americanway.jpg" width="200" /></div> Also due from Majestic on February 23 are two re-issues from Chariot and one from Tytan. Chariot had a huge following in the UK, right across continental Europe and in Japan. Their sound found favour among those who liked their metal hard, fast and to the point. Guitarist, Vocalist and main songwriter Pete Franklin led his men into battle in fine 'take-no-prisoners' fashion. If you ever saw the band live, this album will undoubtedly bring back memories. If you didn't, this is what you missed. London four-piece Chariot's 1984 debut album is a true blue, 24 Karat, solid gold NWOBHM cult classic, and here it is on CD for the very first time! For many, the band's abrasive sound was too basic and lacking in subtleties. Subtleties? This is heavy metal! There shouldn't be any room for subtleties. And so it is with The Warrior – this album goes for the jugular, gets a firm grip and doesn't let go for it's duration. The second album from the band saw a slight maturing in the song writing – but not at the expense of the all out, bombastic attack that had been so prevalent on their debut The Warrior album. Chariot's knew only one way to play music – hard n' heavy! This album and it's predecessor are prime slabs of eighties British hard rock. They don't make 'em like this anymore, that's for sure! From the ashes of NWOBHM behemoth Angel Witch rose one of the movement's truly legendary bands. Tytan was formed in 1982 following the split of the classic Angel Witch line-up. Guitarist and vocalist Kevin Heybourne went into a period of soul searching before reforming the band with a new rhythm section. Bassist Kevin 'Skids' Riddles and drummer Dave Dufort wasted no time at all in putting together their new outfit, along with Birmingham based vocalist Kal Swan (later of LA based acts Lion and Bad Moon Rising) and guitarist Steve Gibbs. By the time Rough Justice, the band's only album release, finally surfaced in 1985, Tytan had already split up. What they left behind, however, is a towering monument to what could have been. Part NWOBHM monster, part melodic rock crowd pleaser, the album is full of great songs and big riffs. Finally available on CD, this is a genuine must have for fans of 80's metal and hard rock in general.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="180" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/tytan-roughjustice.jpg" width="180" />xx<img alt="" height="180" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/chariot-burningambition.jpg" width="180" />xx<img alt="" height="180" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/chariot-thewarrior.jpg" width="180" /></div> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#1c5162" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td -="" .="" 12="" 15="" 1999="" 2="" 2004="" 23="" 2cd="" 3="" 30="" 45="" 7:45pm="" 7pm="" 891-5035="" 9.="" a="" able="" about="" accepted="" acclaimed="" act="" activity="" acts="" actually="" added="" added.="" additional="" agreed="" ahead="" album="" albums="" alex="" align="center" all="" allow="" alone="" already="" also="" alt="" am="" an="" and="" anders="" andrew="" announce="" announces="" another="" any="" appearance="" april="" arch="" are="" area="" area.="" around="" artists="" as="" association="" at="" at:="" attention="" axel="" band="" bands="" based="" be="" been="" being="" below="" benefit="" best="" better="" bgcolor="#fdfee2" border="0" box="" brazen="" brett="" brides="" british="" but="" by="" cage="" california="" call="" call:="" calling="" can="" cd="" cds="" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" changing="" chicagoland="" children="" circulated="" click="" color="#ff0000" coming="" commonly="" communicate="" compilation="" concert="" considering="" contact="" contact:="" contacted="" country="" critical="" currently="" darker="" date="" dates="" decision="" def="" definitely="" departure="" depends="" developed="" difference.="" disappointed="" div="" do="" donated="" drummer="" due="" dvd="" dvd.="" dvds="" e-mail="" earl="" early="" eddie="" efforts="" enthusiastic="" established="" event="" events="" example="" expect="" face="helvetica" fact="" famed="" families="" families.="" family="" fearing="" feature="" features="" february="" finnish="" fire="" first="" flyer="" follow="" following="" font="" for="" form="" forward="" friday="" from="" full-array="" fund="" fund:="" fundraising="" funds.="" gave="" get="" getting="" giving="" globe="" go="" good="" government="" greatest="" growing="" guys="" halen="" hall="" hammerfall="" happy="" has="" have="" he="" heavy="" height="259" here="" him="" his="" hits="" hope="" href="#cdshowcase" humanitarian="" i="" idea="" if="" il="" img="" immediate="" in="" in.="" include="" information="" intense="" interested="" internationally="" interviews="" into="" invited="" iron="" is="" island="" issues="" it="" it.="" its="" january="" johansson="" john="" join="" journey="" just="" keith="" keps="" kick-butt="" kinds="" known="" larger="" last="" later="" latest="" lead="" leaking="" leg="" length="" line="" link="" lion="" little="" live="" lives="" locked="" looked="" looking="" los="" lost="" loved="" luck="" m="" making="" many="" march="" masterpiece="" material="" may="" me="" media="" membership="" message:="" met="" metal="" metal.="" michael="" mini-bytes="" minute="" mister="" money="" months="" more="" mountain="" much="" music="" musical="" musicians="" my="" myself="" name="" names="" national="" needs="" network="" new="" news="" not="" now="" of="" offered="" official="" oklahoma="" oklahoma.="" on="" on.="" one="" one.="" ones="" online="" open="" opening="" opportunity="" options="" or="" organizations="" other="" out="" out.="" p.o.="" part="" partners="" performances="" performers="" permanent="" permanently="" petition="" place="" place.="" planned="" planned.="" plans="" play="" playing="" please="" possibility="" possible="" possibly="" prepare="" press="" previews="" proceeds="" producer="" project="" proof="" prove="" questions="" quick="" quite="" r="" radio="" rainbow="" raise="" rapidly="" record="" recording="" regarding="" release="" release:="" releases="" remains="" reputation.="" rescue="" resolve="" rhode="" ri="" right="" rock="" rockers="" rudi="" s="" said="" same="" sammy="" sample="" san="" satellite="" saturday="" scheduled="" schenk="" search="" second="" see="" seem="" seems="" seen="" selected="selected" separate="" september="" set="" several="" shortly.="" should="" showcase="" sign="" since="" sing="" singer="" sirius="" sister="" size="" so="" some="" something="" sometime.="" songs="" sort="" soundboard="" special="" spirits="" spoke="" spouses="" spring="" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/rock2therescue-small.jpg" stage="" stand="" start="" statement="" station="" steady="" step="" sterling="" still="" stream="" struck="" struggling="" studio="" success="" supporters="" supporting="" suspect="" t="" table="" take="" target="new" td="" tesla="" than="" that="" the="" theatre="" their="" them="" there="" these="" they="" this="" those="" throughout="" thunder.="" time="" timo="" to="" today="" todd="" together="" told="" too="" took="" top="" tour="" tour.="" tr="" tracks="" tragedy="" true="" tunes="" u="" under="" understand="" underway="" unite="" unites="" universal="" up="" updated.="" updates="" us="" valign="top" van="" vault="" very="" vice="" victims="" view="" visit="" vitalij="" volume="" want="" was="" wasted="" we="" website="" well="" were="" which="" width="100%" will="" willing="" willingness="" wish="" with="" word="" work="" worked="" world="" worthy="" would="" year="" year.="" yet="" you=""> Nikolo Kotzev updated us earlier with news of a Brazen Abbot documentary DVD. Now some more details thanks to Nikolo: "The movie will be released on DVD and is 1h49m long. It features interviews, rare footage and live performances of the following songs: Mr. Earthman . Slip Away . Supernatural . Feeling Like A Rollingstone (acoustic) . The jam (acoustic) . Stone Cold . Guilty As Sin . I Surrender . Can't Let You Go . I'll Be Free . One Life To Live . Road To Hell. It is still not clear who will release and when, but obviously it must be within 2004. I hope to tour Europe in the Spring and the Summer, lets hope I can adjust the release in accordance with the tour." BLACK N BLUE NOT READY FOR UK - YET: Contrary to previous reports stating that Black 'N Blue would be touring Europe and the UK with LA Guns in February, these reports are incorrect. There has never been any plan to take part on the tour as Black 'N Blue are still in the studio completing their new album, Hell Yeah!, which will see a European release during late Spring through Z Records. Future plans for a European tour after the release of the album are expected. CHRISTIAN RIVEL'S AUDIOVISION FEATURES HOT GUEST LINE-UP: Jeff Scott Soto (Talisman, ex-Yngwie), Tony Franklin (ex-Whitesnake, Blue Murder, Firm), Mats Levén (Krux, At Vance, Dogface, ex-Yngwie) and Mic Michaeli (Europe) are among the special guests set to appear on the debut album from Christian Rivel's Audiovision, the new solo project from Narnia frontman Christian Rivel. According to an official press release, the vision for the project is "to create good heavy metal with strong melodies and lots of harmony vocals like Queen & The Sweet. Everything will be packed in a superb production by producer & guitarist Lars Chriss from Lion's Share, who has co-written most of the songs together with Rivel. The first chance for anyone to hear Audiovision will come with the release of the band's contribution to the Swedish tribute to The Sweet titled The Sweet According To Sweden. Audiovision recorded the album's opening cut, Love Is Like Oxygen, featuring a duet between Rivel and Jeff Scott Soto. The album is scheduled for release on February 9. (for more info. visit <a href="http://www.rivelrecords.com/sweettribute" target="new">www.rivelrecords.com/sweettribute</a> The album will feature contributions from some of the best musicians in melodic hard rock and heavy metal. Confirmed guests include: Jeff Scott Soto (Talisman, Ex-Yngwie Malmsteen); Tony Franklin (Whitesnake, Blue Murder, Firm); Mats Levén (Krux, At Vance Ex-Yngwie Malmsteen); Mic Michaeli (Europe); Michael Höglund (Punchline, Ex-Thunder, Great King Rat); Thomas Broman (Hughes & Turner, Glenn Hughes Band, Ex-Electric Boys); Thomas Vikström (Brazen Abbot, Ex-Candlemass, Talisman); Lars Chriss (Lion's Share); Tommy Denander (Radioactive); Carl Johan Grimmark (Narnia); Andreas Lindahl (Platitude); Jörgen Schelander (Mercury Fang); Michael Andersson (Cloudscape) More big names will be announced later this year at <a href="http://www.rivelrecords.com/audiovision" target="new">www.rivelrecords.com/audiovision</a> BILL'S WANDERLUST AVAILABLE NOW: Firehouse guitarist Bill Leverty has his debut solo album out now. The project has the band name Wanderlust. The CD can be previewed via the new website <a href="http://www.wanderlustband.com" target="new">www.wanderlustband.com</a> The album's track listing is: Playing A Game . Honey . You're Not Getting Over . Wanderlust . Anytime . Never Going Home . Forever Rolling On . Don't Give Up . All My Life . Not Dysfunctional.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="206" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/wanderlust.jpg" width="200" /></div> WATSON/MARTIN SET FOR 2004 HIGHLIGHT: Jeff Watson confirms that he and Eric Martin will record an album this year together. Jeff says: "We are sort of reforming the 1976 Jeff Watson Band, of which Eric was the original singer!)." More information will be posted when available, but the guys should start work on the album mid-year. VANDENBERG FOLLOWS DVD NEWS WITH CD PLANS: More on Vandenberg. Fresh from the news of a DVD comes this - Adrian Vandenberg has apparently teamed up with the members of Vandenberg again for a new version of Burning Heart (with strings and acoustic guitars). The CD will also include new versions of other legendary Vandenberg songs. It`ll be released early spring this year. This was reported on National Dutch TV. Thanks to Stefan for mailing this in. COREY HART FORMS NEW LABEL: Hot on the news of fellow 80's rocker/songwriter Jack Ponti, comes news of classic Canadian melodic rock Corey Hart has forming his own record label. From: <a href="http://jam.canoe.ca/JamColumnBliss/jan13b_bliss-can.html" target="new">jam.canoe.ca/JamColumnBliss/jan13b_bliss-can.html</a> By KAREN BLISS -- For JAM! Music Corey Hart and Warner Music Canada have entered into an international licensing agreement for the artist's new label Siena Records. Sire/Warner Bros. will have the first right of refusal in America. Hart, whose songs have been placed on two Celine Dion's albums, 1997's Let's Talk About Love, and 2002's A New Day Has Come, will be writing and producing most of the acts he signs. "At least for the beginning," he notes. "It's an opportunity for me to write and produce, and instead of me doing one or two cuts, to be able to have more control over the whole record and be able to shape and guide creatively what I see to benefit an artist that I like." Hart doesn't collaborate in terms of his songwriting so he isn't looking to sign singer-songwriters. "It would be more interpreters, artists that don't write their own material," he says. "I think that in the years to come that I would want to work with someone that I didn't write or produce, but, to me, the whole benefit of (Siena) is not because I want to be a record mogul and sign artists that go on to have success, it's to be able to write and produce. That's what I like doing right now." The Montreal-born Hart, who now lives in Nassau, Bahamas, has put his own recording career on hold (his albums have sold in excess of 11 million copies worldwide) to be an active father to his three girls (his wife, Julie Masse, is expecting again). "How can you do both?" he asks. "How can you take them to school every day, do their homework when they come back from school, take them to their lessons, their birthday parties? Not every dad wants to do that, but I want to do that." Instead, Hart has been selective with his work commitments, choosing to write and produce for other artists, such as Dion, Quebec artist Garou and Lava/Atlantic singer Cherie, whose debut will be released in April. Full article: <a href="http://jam.canoe.ca/JamColumnBliss/jan13b_bliss-can.html" target="new">jam.canoe.ca/JamColumnBliss/jan13b_bliss-can.html</a> JUAN SAYS NO RATT, BUT PEARCY ROLLS ON: No more Ratt N Roll? This in from Ratt's Juan Croucier. "Hi Friends...I guess it's time for me to finally put this to rest once and for all. The original Ratt, minus Robbin Crosby, of course, is not going to get back together. Not now and not in the foreseeable future. There are way too many issues that would need to be worked out and I have serious doubts that they can ever be worked out. For a while, I did have hopes of them coming to their senses but that hope is now gone. I frankly don't even want to discuss the subject anymore. My personal future plans are going to make it even harder, if not impossible, for me to ever be a part of Ratt again. So, enjoy the records we made, videos and bootleg -- live videos that are out there, because that is as close to the original Ratt as you are going get. I'm sorry and I won't be responding to this matter anymore." But for those intent on a Ratt fix, singer Stephen Pearcy has just about finished work on his album of re-recorded Ratt classics, which featured guitarist George Lynch. The material is said to be heavy with a modern twist. SEVEN TEN LOSE GUITARIST: Metal Mayhem Music recording artist Seven Ten wish to announce the departure of lead guitarist Johnny Searing. "It's a brand new day and things could not be better", says vocalist Michael St. Allen. "We will not sling mud but to say that things did not work out between the band and Johnny Searing. Johnny was headed in a very different direction with his personal goals, music style, and business dealings." Johnny replaced Kenny Lee last November when the band played the Star Plaza Theatre in Merrillville, In. The band is speaking with Metal Mayhem about possible choices for the guitarist slot. There have been rumors of original guitarist and co-founder Lees returning, but nothing official has been announced. The band has already talked with Lance King (ex-Balance Of Power) about doing some harmony vocals for the band's follow-up to last year's Love and War CD - currently available from Metal Mayhem and other online retailers. Check out <a href="http://www.sevententheband.com" target="new">www.SevenTenTheBand.com</a> in the coming weeks for an official announcement. MELODIC BRIEFS: Charlize Theron was kind enough to thank former Journey vocalist Steve Perry at last night's Golden Globe awards. Perry oversaw some of the musical placements in Theron's movie Monster, including Journey's Don't Stop Believing. Starz have a DVD of last year's re-union show available to buy via their website: <a href="http://stazcentral.com" target="new">stazcentral.com</a> Biloxi are aiming to have a new CD ready for release mid-year. VH1 will feature Extreme on their new series Bands Reunited tonight (Jan. 27 US local time). WebLink: <a href="http://www.vh1.com/shows/dyn/bands_reunited/74722/episode.jhtml" target="new">www.vh1.com/shows/dyn/bands_reunited/74722/episode.jhtml</a> Joe Lynn Turner will be co-hosting video blocks on VH1 Classic the weekend of Jan. 31. VH1 is coming to Australia. An expansion of viewing channels on Foxtel and Austar PayTV services will include the popular classic rock channel. MELROCK AWARDS UPDATE: Lots of feedback on the 2003 MelRock Awards. Thanks to everyone that read through it all and e-mailed in their thoughts. There were of course several e-mails pointing out artists I should have/could have included in the summary. Sorry to those that missed out - they will no doubt be featured right here on the frontpage during the year ahead. Something that I did not do (surely something to do with the double vision after trying to get that all finished and online!) was link directly to the 2003 Readers Poll. Last year no poll was posted, after I lost everything in an e-mail crash. Very professional I know! This year's e-mail's will be backed up! To vote in the <a href="bestof/2003-bestframe.html" target="new">2003 Poll - click here</a>. To read the <a href="bestof/2003.html">2003 MelRock Awards</a> - click here.  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#003d79" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#003d79"> <div align="center">Monday, January 26, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> PREVIEW TNT'S NEW RELIGION: Ok, here we go folks! A preview of one of the year's most anticipated releases! TNT's My Religion is a monster of an album and is due out in Europe March 8, via MTM Music. Thanks to TNT and MTM, turn the speakers up to 11 and download a special preview of TNT - <a href="audio/TNT-LonelyNights.mp3">Lonely Nights</a>.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/tnt-myreligion.jpg" width="200" /></div> NEW ECLIPSE ALBUM SECOND TO NONE!: Frontiers Records is pleased to announce the worldwide signing of the Swedish hard rock band Eclipse for the release of their brand new CD entitled Second To None. <div align="center"><img alt="" height="126" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/eclipse-logo.jpg" width="400" /></div> Eclipse is a Stockholm based band formed in 1999 by singer Erik Mårtensson. The MK I line-up consisted of Erik Mårtensson (vocals, guitar and bass), Anders Berlin (keyboard and drums) and Magnus Henriksson (guitar). They released the highly acclaimed debut The Truth And A Little More in 2001. As they began the pre-work with their new album Anders Berlin decided to leave the band whilst Magnus Ulfstedt (drums) and Fredrik Folkare (bass) were added to the line-up. After spending some time writing new killer songs they headed for Wing Studios and Blowout Studios to record their second album, entitled Second To None. This time knowing exactly how they wanted the album to sound like they decided to produce the album themselves. Not having recruited a permanent keyboard player, the band instead invited keyboard phenomenon Mats Olausson (Malmsteen) to handle the keys on the album. The current line-up (MK II) is Erik Mårtensson (vocals and guitar) Magnus Henriksson (guitar) Magnus Ulfstedt (drums) and Fredrik Folkare (bass). Track lsting of Second To None will be as follows: <a href="http://www.diemmepi.it/frontiers/Always_Standing.mp3">Always Standing</a> (click to hear a soundclip); All I Do; <a href="http://www.diemmepi.it/frontiers/Second_To_None.mp3">Second To None</a> (click to hear a soundclip); Street Of Gold; I'll Ask For You; <a href="http://www.diemmepi.it/frontiers/Nothing_Between_Us.mp3">Nothing Between Us</a> (click to hear a soundclip); Road To Forever; Body And Soul; Something You Do; Season of Life; Better World. Second To None promises to appeal to all fans of such bands as Talisman and Europe due to the heavy guitar approach and the big melodies of their songwriting. Release date is scheduled already for April 5 for Europe on Frontiers Records, while the Japanese release will be handled through Nippon Crown.  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#ff0000" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#ff0000"> <div align="center">Friday, January 23, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2">  <div align="center"><a href="bestof/2003.html" target="new">The 2003 MelRockAwards</a></div> The 2003 Annual MelRock Awards are now online! The 2003 feature is the biggest ever and covers both Album Of The Year and Song Of The Year, plus all the runners-up. Additionally, there is the 2003 Year in Review and a look at 2004 Year Ahead. Plus the all important MelRock Awards and comments from the labels themselves. And to finish up, a chance for you all to post your own views and vote in the 2004 readers poll. <a href="bestof/2003.html" target="new">Check it out.</a> SPIN GALLERY STAND TALL IN 2004: <a href="http://www.atenzia.com" target="new">Atenzia Records</a> have announced the full details of their next full length release - the debut Spin Galley album Stand Tall. Due for release on February 25, Spin Gallery consists of three highly skilled lead-vocalists whose musical experiences already is bigger than most musician's gains in a lifetime! Spin Gallery which is Christian Antblad, Kristoffer Lagerstrom and Magnus Weidenmo has made an album that can be described as some sort of rockier advanced pop with quite a lot of guitars and high skilled vocal harmonies. The roots are clearly from the eighties when the melody was the King and driving force. Legendary AOR writer Dave Reynolds describes the album as "The best I've heard in ten years…" Produced by Tommy Denander & Christian Antblad, the album features the following tracks: Standing Tall . Heartache . Am I Wrong . I Still Recall . No Looking Back . My Heart . Satisfied . Need To Be Free . Living Without Lovin' . Waiting In My Dreams . To Hell And Back . Grace. Thanks to Atenzia, it's time to preview 3 tracks - these are 90 second previews. Enjoy! Download: Spin Gallery - <a href="audio/SpinGallery01.mp3">Standing Tall</a>, <a href="audio/SpinGallery04.mp3">Living Without Loving</a> and <a href="audio/SpinGallery05.mp3">To Hell And Back</a>.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/spingallery-standingtall.jpg" width="200" />xx<img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/spingallery-2004.jpg" width="200" /></div> KICK LOOK AT NEW HORIZONS: UK hard rocker's Kick will finally get to release their 3rd studio album in March. K3 has been re-titled to New Horizon and will be released March 8 via a new deal with Majestic Rock Records. The guys have issued a short press release about the new album: This, their highly anticipated and much delayed third album, is released on March 8th and is available as a regular CD and a limited edition 2 CD digipack (the second disc containing rare tracks, acoustic versions of material from their previous releases and the video for Blue). With this album, Kick step up to the plate to bat with the big boys. New Horizon is a stunning release and sounds exactly how melodic hard rock should sound in 2004. A new website will be launched shortly. Keep an eye on: <a href="http://www.kickuk.co.uk" target="new">www.kickuk.co.uk</a>   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/kick-newhorizon.jpg" width="200" /></div> SLAUGHTER ON THE ROAD WITH DVD PLANS: A few updates have come through from Slaughter. Good news for fans to see the band active again. Slaughter is featured in Las Vegas Weekly out today in the Vegas area. The publication is free and can be located in most areas. The band has been booked on a number of solo spot dates. They are still being finalized. An East Coast date will announced shortly along with a few others. They will play at the Kewdin Casino in Sault Sainte Marie, MI on January 24th. Vince Neil is also on the bill. This date is almost sold out so pick up tickets soon if you plan to attend. Slaughter will be releasing a hits and rarities CD through Capitol next month and will also be touring this summer and releasing a full length DVD at that time as well. There are no new studio CD plans at this stage. GRAHAM BONNET GIG CANCELLED: Sadly, the Graham Bonnet Friday gig at Paladino's is now OFF. Graham has serious sinus infection. Graham has been seeing the doctor to see if there would be something he could do to get through the gig, but now he has to go through many tests as he also has very low energy. So there seems to be no other choice but to cancel the gig at this point. To those of you who were planning to trip to the venue, we are very sorry for this short notice, but we would appreciate your understanding. <a href="http://www.bonnetrocks.com" target="new">www.bonnetrocks.com</a> UPDATES: 3 new <a href="#cdshowcase">CD Showcases</a> are online today! Added are clips from - Bowes & Morley's new album Mo's Barbeque, Shylock Welcome To Illusion and the self-titled re-issue from Reckless. Shylock's showcase contains track by track comments from the band. <a href="#cdshowcase">Check them out.</a> Didn't quite get the new reviews finished, so that will have to wait a few days. Expect them next week along with a preview of a hot upcoming album.  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#ff8000" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#ff8000"> <div align="center">Wednesday, January 21, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> WILL I RELEASE A SINGLE SAYS RICK SPRINGFIELD?: The first single from Rick Springfield's shock/denial/anger/acceptance album will be the track Will I?. The track is described as an adult contemporary rock tune. Apparently the promo single is in production now and should be released to radio just prior to the release date of shock/denial/anger/acceptance - due February 24. Many have e-mailed in anticipating some sort of preview of the album or ad advance review. It seems this will be unlikely, as Rick has not issued promo copies of the album to anyone or any media. I hope this changes, as I know there are a lot of questions regarding the album and what it sounds like. I'll bring you a review as soon as is possible. ArtistLinks: <a href="http://www.shockdenialangeracceptance.com" target="new">www.shockdenialangeracceptance.com</a> and <a href="http://www.rickspringfield.com" target="new">www.rickspringfield.com</a> JAY SCHELLEN MOVES ONLINE: Hurricane and session drummer Jay Schellen has his own dedicated website now online. The site is designed and maintained by Dan from <a href="http://haremscarem.net" target="new">haremscarem.net</a>. The official site includes news, tour dates and a forum to discuss drum techniques and all music related things. There also available clips from the upcoming Hurricane - Live at the Pallace CD, originally recorded in LA in 1990, which will be released in the near future. ArtistLink: <a href="http://www.jayschellen.com" target="new">www.jayschellen.com</a> UDO's 2004 THUNDERBALL: The new U.D.O. studio album Thunderball is due shortly, but to fill in time before it's release, a special advance teaser DVD will be released on February, 23rd 2004. It will include: 2 non-album-video-clips including a "making of" the song Thunderball as an advance -audio-track + video clip; 2 additional bonus non-album-audio-tracks and a U.D.O. interview done by Andreas Schoewe (Metal Hammer). The special thing about this interview is that the fans had the chance to suggest their most wanted questions for it. MR-X UPDATE: <a href="mr-x/index.html">MR-X</a> has been updated with new video clips. Featured today are: Babylon AD - Hammer Swings Down, Fair Warning - Angels Of Heaven, Giuffira - Do Me Right (Live), Impellitteri - Warrior, Rock City Angels - Deep Inside My Heart and Toto - Till The End. <a href="mr-x-intro.html">More details.</a>  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#43764a" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#43764a"> <div align="center">Tuesday, January 20, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> VEGAS FOR DAVE?: A little further Van Halen news. Basically, more proof that Hagar is the man and David Lee Roth will never be. While appearing at NAMM over the weekend, Van Halen's estranged bass player Michael Anthony is quoted as saying: "the brothers are talking with Sammy, there are some hurdles but everything is moving in the right direction." I might have an update soon on the time-frame in place for the re-union...stay tuned... And this in today, as posted at FM station 106.7 The Drive website: "Former Van Halen star David Lee Roth is joining Sheena Easton, Wayne Newton and Celine Dion in landing his own Las Vegas show. The colorful "Jump" rocker is in negotiations to star in his own X-rated long-term show in Vegas. The producers of topless revue X are the brains behind the venture. Spokeswoman Angela Sampras says, "We are creating a whole new show for David. With our creative genius and his talent for comedy, I think we can have yet another hit show." Good Lord! ArticleLink: <a href="http://www.1067thedrive.com/script/headline_newsmanager.php?id=251262&pagecontent=musicnewsclassicrock&feed_id=25" target="new">www.1067thedrive.com</a> A NEW SIGNING FOR MTM: MTM are proud to announce the signing of Heartplay. The band was founded by Sakari Salli and Kimmo Blom, who is already well known with AOR gurus Urban Tale! In 2001 a debut album, titled The Album was released. Some last copies are still available at <a href="http://www.musicbuymail.com" target="new">www.musicbuymail.com</a>. Heartplay achieved success in Finland as many radio stations played the song I'll Be Your Shelter. A music video was also made by director Jyri Kähönen and band played live in the pop music show Jyrki. Sakari Salli has been composing new songs in a past few year and now Kimmo is taking care of the lyrics for those songs. This new album will be ready by summer 2004 and hopefully Heartplay will play some festivals next Summer. LabelLink: <a href="http://www.mtm-music.com" target="new">www.mtm-music.com</a> LIVE NEWS - AEROSMITH, JUDAS PRIEST & EUROPE: Aerosmith has announced a 40-city North American tour in support of their 14th studio album, Honkin' On Bobo. Scheduled to kick off in the U.S. in March 2004, the tour will hit cities in both the U.S. and Canada through June. Cheap Trick has been announced as the tour's special guest. Universally renowned as America's premiere rock band, Aerosmith's tour promises to be nothing short of spectacular with the band performing classic hits from their 30+ year career, as well as new material from their upcoming album, Honkin' On Bobo. Aerosmith's 2004 arena tour comes on the heels of their co-headlining tour with Kiss, which received critical acclaim from both fans and critics alike, and was also one of 2003's top-grossing concert outings. Aerosmith also recently announced that they will headline the Super Bowl XXXVIII pre-game show at Reliant Stadium in Houston on Sunday, February 1st. Aerosmith opened the NFL season with a performance in Washington, D.C. at "NFL Kickoff Live," will perform in the finale of the pre-game show featuring a tribute to NASA. ArticleLink: <a href="http://www.1067thedrive.com/script/headline_newsmanager.php?id=252905&pagecontent=musicnewsclassicrock&feed_id=25" target="new">www.1067thedrive.com</a> Hot rumor - Judas Priest to headline Ozzfest this year. Europe will headline Sweden Rock Festival on June 12, closing the 2004 show. Organizers say they are very proud and happy to present one of Sweden's most successful rock bands at this years festival. It will apparently be their only show in Sweden. WebLink: <a href="http://www.swedenrock.com" target="new">www.swedenrock.com</a> RELEASE BRIEF'S: Black Label Society's new CD will most likely be titled Hangover Music, Vol. 1. It's due through Spitfire this year. There's also an upcoming DVD from Wylde titled Pentatonic Hardcore. Former Iron Maiden/Wolfsbane singer Blaze Bayley will release his new Blaze album Blood & Belief in the first half of 2004. Enuff Z' Nuff's new studio album is due out first in Japan - on February 18. It's the band's 11th studio album and features Donnie Vee (vo/g/p) & Chip Znuff (b/vo). Stormwind's Legacy is a 2CD live release. The second CD features rare tracks like Wings Of Tomorrow, Seven Seas [Radio Edit], Miramar and Spellbound. G3 Live: Rock'In The World is a recording of one of last year's G3 show - Missouri, October 21 - featuring Steve Vai, Yngwie Malmsteen and Joe Satriani. The 15 track CD is released in Japan February 25. Expect a US release shortly thereafter. MELODIC BRIEF'S: The Scorpions have a new bass player. He is Pawel Maciwoda. The band's new album is said to be titled Unbreakable. It's being reported that Vandenberg has made a new DVD featuring the old video clips of the band, plus other television appearances from the 80s. The DVD will come out in February/March 2004. More fun with Stratovarius. A new interview with Timo and new vocalist Miss K has been posted on their website. Interesting to say the least: <a href="http://www.stratovarius.com/index2.php?section=interview" target="new">www.stratovarius.com</a> Pretty Maids have recently started writing materiel for their next studio album which is set for release in the autumn 2004, followed by a full scale tour. More at: <a href="http://www.prettymaids.com" target="new">www.prettymaids.com</a> STREAM'S NOTHING IS SACRED RE-ISSUE DUE: From <a href="http://www.kisskollector.com" target="new">www.kisskollector.com</a>: Eric Singer can be heard on the upcoming Stream album Chasin' The Dragon which will be out on January 26th. It's a re-release of their 1998 album Nothing Is Sacred, including 4 bonus tracks and new artwork. The line up of Stream is made up of Peter Scheithauer, Singer plus bassist Bob Daisley (ex Ozzy/Rainbow/Uriah Heep/Gary Moore/Yngwie Malmsteen) and singer David Glenn Eisley (ex Giuffria/House Of Lords/Dirty White Boy). There's some involvement on the album by people like Pat Regan, David Reece, Pat Torpey, Chuck Wright and Mike Duda. Now I might add that this album is not for melodic rock fans - it's heavy and modern to say the least! RAZORBACK SIGN WITH MASSACRE RECORDS: Razorback, the new band consisting of Stefan Berggren (vocals, ex-Company Of Snakes), Rolf Munkes (guitar, Majesty, Empire), Marcus Bielenberg (bass, ex-Vanize), Pierre Fienhold (drums, ex-Vanize) and Chris Heun (guitar, ex-Shylock), have inked a deal with Germany's Massacre Records. The group are currently finishing up the recordings for their debut, and are scheduled to begin mixing the tracks in early February at Munkes' new studio (<a href="http://www.empire-studios.de" target="new">www.empire-studios.de</a>). A release is due April 26. The band will have a website running soon at <a href="http://www.razorback-online.com" target="new">www.razorback-online.com</a>.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="225" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/razorback-2004.jpg" width="300" /></div> WARRIOR'S WAR OF GODS: Warrior's new album The Wars of Gods and Men features Marc Storace (Krokus) on lead vocals. The album is due for release in the USA February 24. It's produced by guitarist Joe Floyd and Warren Croyle (Halford, Dickinson, Godhead, Gwar), and is described as "old school metal with a modern day vibe that should appeal to young and older metal fans alike." More info and a full Warrior bio is viewable at: <a href="http://www.krokusonline.com" target="new">www.krokusonline.com</a>   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="197" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/warrior-warsofgods.jpg" width="200" /></div> RELIEF IN SIGHT FOR CANADIAN HAREM SCAREM FANS: BullsEye Canada will be releasing four Harem Scarem related projects within the next few months in North America. Live At The Gods DVD & CD under the name Rubber' - same as the Japanese version, different band name. February 2004. Harem Scarem The Early Years - August 2004. Creighton Doane solo album - title to be announced. May 2004. Recorded, written and produced by Creighton Doane at Goldfish Music in Toronto...Will feature guest appearances by Harry Hess, Pete Lesperance, Mike Borkosky, and Melanie Doane. Thanks to Dan @ <a href="http://www.haremscarem.net" target="new">www.haremscarem.net</a> for the update. HOBBIT TOGETHER AGAIN - ALL FOR THE ONE: Don't forget to sample Hobbit, a band currently being featured and promoted here. The guys have roots going back over 20 years, but in 2003 have released a brand new concept album, based around the famous story of the Lord Of The Rings. The CD, All For The One is available now. Hobbit's style of music is prime 70's pomp / progressive and will appeal to fans of Yes, Styx, Kansas and early Magnum. As if the 80's and 90's never happened, All For The One has now been released. It's currently available via <a href="http://www.cdbaby.com/hobbit3" target="new">www.cdbaby.com/hobbit3</a> and <a href="http://www.nightmare-records.com" target="new">www.nightmare-records.com</a>. A new page promoting the album at the band's website is up now: <a href="http://www.hobbitcd.com/AllForTheOne.htm" target="new">www.hobbitcd.com/AllForTheOne.htm</a> But you don't have to look any further than right here to get a taste of Hobbit and what the All For The One album offers. A CD Showcase has been established to preview the album, with MP3 samples to download, an extensive Track By Track commentary to read along with and more details on the band. <a href="showcase/hobbit-allfortheone.html">Check it out.</a> In addition to that, thanks to the guys from the band, we have a full length MP3 for you to download and enjoy. From the album All For The One, download Hobbit - <a href="audio/Hobbit-InMordor.mp3">In Mordor</a>.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/hobbit-allfortheone.jpg" width="200" /></div> FORMER JUDAS PRIEST DRUMMER IN TROUBLE: This article was sent it last week - must admit, I hadn't heard about it previously, but here it is now: Lifted from: <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/northamptonshire/3400375.stm" target="new">news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/northamptonshire/3400375.stm</a> A rock band drummer is accused of raping 17-year-old boy A former drummer with rock band Judas Priest sexually abused a 17-year-old youth with special needs who visited his home for lessons, a court was told. David Holland, 55, who played with the heavy metal band in the 70s and 80s, faces one charge of attempted rape and five counts of indecently assaulting the teenager. Spiros Laouitaris, 22, who also stayed at the musician's cottage, is charged with four counts of indecently assaulting the same teenager. Mr Holland, of The Green, Stoke Bruerne, Northamptonshire, and Mr Laouitaris, of Bourne Crescent, Kings Heath, Northampton, deny all the charges. The letter revealed that things were happening at his drum teacher's house that should not have been happening Maria Savvides, prosecuting Maria Savvides, prosecuting at Northampton Crown Court, said the alleged incidents came to light in December 2002 when the teenager sent a letter to his parents implying the abuse. The boy's parents had encouraged the drumming lessons to improve their son's self-esteem. As the relationship between teacher and pupil grew, they had allowed their son to stay over at his home on a number of occasions. "The letter revealed that things were happening at his drum teacher's house that should not have been happening," Miss Savvides told the court. The teenager, now 18 but not named for legal reasons, described in a video interview the assaults and the attempted rape during the seven months he visited Mr Holland's house. He also alleged that Mr Laouitaris joined in assaults. Miss Savvides said the boy had managed to stop Mr Holland from raping him in his house but said he had been abused in other ways. Referring to the rock drummer as Dave, the boy described how the assaults began at Mr Holland's cottage six months after he began having lessons. The teenager said he had felt "uncomfortable" when Mr Holland tried to perform a sex act on him. Earlier the court heard the teenager had suffered problems at school from an early age and took part in a number of activities to improve his learning difficulties. The trial was adjourned.  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#65644e" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#65644e"> <div align="center">Monday, January 19, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> HOUSE OF LORDS PREVIEW - THE MAN WHO I AM: The long awaited new House Of Lords album The Power & The Myth is released in Europe from Frontiers Records March 15. This is your very first chance to preview a track from the album. Here is a 90 second clip of a track (track 7) titled The Man Who I Am. Further previews from the album will follow in the next few weeks. For now, download House Of Lords - <a href="audio/HouseOfLords-TheManWhoIAm.mp3">The Man Who I Am</a>.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/houseoflords-powerandthemyth.jpg" width="200" /></div> JEFF AND NEAL ROCK NAMM!: Well, Jeff Scott Soto and Neal Schon rocked the NAMM convention this weekend! The guys jammed for 30 minutes and had a ball. Reports in over the weekend speak of a very impressed crowd and Neal was heard talking up the talents of JSS around the room that night. The pair had only just met that day. Let's hope there is more to come. Eric Ragno from Takara sends in this report from the Jeff Scott Soto/Neal Schon performance: "Andrew, I wanted to take a break from this weekend's NAMM festivities to thanks you for getting the word out about tonight's late-breaking performance. The convention is still going strong, and there have been a host of amazing performance over the past few days. However, nothing could prepare us for the thrill of watching the legendary Neal Schon take the stage with the ever-popular Jeff Scott Soto. The two shared some remarkable chemistry, which was amazing to watch from the side of the stage (where I took several pictures that I will upload in the next few days). Jeff's band (Gary Schutt - bass, Alex Papa - drums) was very tight, and laid down a nice foundation for some extended jamming (and awesome soloing) by Mr. Schon - who was incredibly friendly, and smiled all evening. The set list was short, but showcased both Neal's phenomenal fretwork and Jeff's stunning vocal acrobatics. With extended solos and audience participation, the set lasted just over half an hour, and included the following Rock & Roll (Led Zeppelin), Separate Ways (Journey), Superstition (Stevie Wonder), and a tasty blues jam leading into a full blown, audience sing along of Lovin/Touchin/Squeezin (Journey). The crowd was filled with diehard fans, who went wild at the opening notes of Separate Ways! Among the attendees in the packed house were Bobby Rondinelli, Carmine Appice, Robert Mason (Lynch Mob), Jack Frost (Seven Witches, Savatage), Glen Sobel, and members of Vox Tempus. Thanks Eric! For those interested, check out Eric at: <a href="http://www.ericragno.com" target="new">www.ericragno.com</a>, <a href="http://www.takararocks.com" target="new">www.takararocks.com</a> and <a href="http://www.vox-tempus.com" target="new">www.vox-tempus.com</a> KISS AND LIMP BAND TO HIT THE ROAD TOGETHER: News is spreading of who will accompany Kiss on their 2004 tours....yes, it's none other than Limp Bizkit. The tour starts here in Australia in April. Anytime I make negative comments about Kiss I get e-mails, so I'll remain silent on this piece of news! COUNTDOWN TO WHAT?: Just what is Frankie Sullivan up to with his Survivor website? Is the countdown to a big announcement? A new album, a new archive release? No, just the unveiling of the new website. Plus I hear there are 3 dates so far confirmed for March. ArtistLink: <a href="http://www.survivormusic.com" target="new">www.survivormusic.com</a> CHEAP TRICK TAKE UP WITH AEROSMTIH FOR 2004: Cheap Trick will be touring with Aerosmith in the spring. Dates will be announced soon. Tom Petersson will be off the road during the first part of the tour; Jon Brant will be filling in for Tom during that time. PRETTY BOY FLOYD LIKE IN THE UK: Pretty Boy Floyd Tour Dates. Support from Renegade Playboys unless * Sunday Feb15th London Underworld ** Also with Plastix Monday Feb 16th TBA Tuesday Feb 17th Stourbridge Rock Café **Also with Plastix Wednesday Feb18th Crewe Limelight ** Also with Headrush Thursday Feb 19th Mansfield Town Mill ** Also with Plastix Friday Feb 20th Bradford Rio`s ** Also with Plastix Saturday Feb 21st Nottingham Rock City * Support Being Paul Stanley Sunday Feb 22nd TBA Monday Feb 23rd Sheffield Corporation Tuesday Feb 24th TBA Wednesday Feb 25th Newcastle Trillions COMING UP THIS WEEK: The 2003 MelRock Awards and Best of 2003 page! And more new reviews....stay tuned. MR-X members - please log into the <a href="mr-x/index.html">MR-X page</a> for a short message!  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#456a8f" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#456a8f"> <div align="center">Friday, January 16, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> NAMM SHOW JAM PROMISES TREAT!: The world famous annual NAMM show is now underway in LA. It's a huge show where musicians and music gear companies, such as instrument and amp makers, show off their latest gear and technology. And it's a great excuse for artists to showcase that gear and themselves, with the who's who of rock-n-roll always on hand. Who will forget Eddie Van Halen's appearance at last year's show? Tommy Shaw will be there and speaks in detail about the show on the <a href="http://www.styxworld.com/listingsEntry.asp?ID=121728&PT=STYX+News " target="new">Styx website</a>. Anyway, this year a very special jam will take place at the Gibson stand (Friday night, LA local time). A reliable source says Jeff Scott Soto is going to jam with Journey's Neal Schon! Joining Neal and Jeff will be members of Jeff's solo band - Gary Shut and Alex Papa. I'll be sure to get a report back on the jam from my source. We all know Jeff's love of Journey! Watch for that late in the weekend or Monday. STRATOVARIUS WOES CONTINUE!: Things go from bad to worse or strange to stranger in the Stratovarius camp. It seems main man Timo Tolkki is in deep doo-doo with fans and now his record label. In late 2003 the band signed a $3 million worldwide deal with Sanctuary Records. But then Timo lost the plot and members of the band, including the very popular vocalist Timo Kotipelto. This week Timo has announced a new singer - a female! Certainly a change of direction and maybe an attempt to cash-in on the popularity of Evanescence and Nightwish. But seriously folks - could they have picked a worse photo to promote the new singer? [See picture...] And even worse, due to the change in line-up and the uncertainty of how fans will respond, Sanctuary Records has now demanded repayment of 1 million Euro's (nearly $1 million US) from the advance! Here's the update from the Stratovarius website: "The vocal talents of this sultry Finnish lady vary from raunchy rock to classical operatic. Her voice range is over 3 octaves and she is capable of transforming Stratovarius sound to something unique, something that has never been heard in Metal before. <table> <tbody> <tr> <td>She is 30 years old and has a background in gymnastics, where she has twice become a Finnish Champion, and in acting. She has until now been singing in some local bands and has done over 200 gigs. Drummer for the next album will be Anders Johansson, the brother of Jens Johansson. After selling over 1,500,000 copies of their previous records, Stratovarius is now ready to take the next step in their career. The band will enter the studio, a secret place, in May to record 11th studio album, which has a working title PopKiller. The album is due February 2005 followed up by massive World Tour. In legal news, Sanctuary Records is asking Timo Tolkki to pay back 1 Million Euros from the recording agreement advance. Tolkki refuses to pay it, and comments: "They have sent me a notification and are asking me to pay that amount back. Their position is that the agreement was for the old line up. My legal staff doesn't interpret the agreement this way, and have advised me not to agree to this demand. It means that we might be going to court in Berlin, but I am confident I will win this case and that justice will prevail." Stay tuned for more!</td> <td><img alt="" height="270" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/stratovarius-missk.jpg" width="180" /></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> CARMINE APPICE SIGNS WITH SLINGERLAND DRUMS: New York – Legendary rock drummer Carmine Appice (Vanilla Fudge, Ozzy, Rod Stewart) has signed on as an exclusive-spokesperson for the U.S.-made Gibson/Slingerland Drums, effective immediately. "Slingerland has always been the premier drum company and I couldn't be happier with this new arrangement. It will be an honor to represent them and I look forward to developing several new lines with them," says Appice, who is not only a consultant for the Slingerland drum company, but is also the ambassador of music for the Gibson Company. Slingerland has recently revived production of the U.S.-made drums. The classic 'Radio King' snare, as well as the 'Studio King' and 'Tour Series' drum kits are available again. Appice will play a key role in the rebirth of the American-made Slingerland. Appice, whose career has spanned over five decades working with some of the most prestigious names in the industry, including Ozzy Osbourne, Jeff Beck, Pink Floyd, as well as a ten-year stint with Rod Stewart and his own aggregations: including Cactus; Blue Murder; and DBA. Appice also leads the current incarnation of his signature group Vanilla Fudge, who's current CD The Return, was released last year. Appice's collaboration with the classic Slingerland Drum Company will officially kick-off at the upcoming NAMM show (January 15-18) in Anaheim, California, where Appice will appear at the company's booth - both meeting and demonstrating on the new 'Leopard-Carmine Appice' drum kit. Appice will also talk about Slingerland's invaluable contribution to the music world – Appice's own drum heroes including 'Gene Krupa' and 'Buddy Rich' were Slingerland-users – as well as his upcoming designs for products. Appice, who was the first-ever drummer from the rock world to hold an authorized drum clinic, will then embark on a series of Slingerland-sponsored clinics to trump not only his new association with the company, but to raise funds for charity. Appice, through a previous association, raised in excess of $50,000 which he donated to UNICEF. Appice will also be promoting Slingerland and his new drum kit on the forthcoming VF Tour 2004 (which will cover the US, Asia and China) in support of this year's Vanilla Fudge DVD (When Two World's Collide), which features The Fudge performing in tandem with the 52-piece San Fernando Symphony Orchestra. And an exclusive update on Carmine - he and Pat Travers are collaborating on a new CD... they're in the studio right now. 2003 MEGADETH RUMOR TRUE!!: Now, didn't I post a rumor of this back on October 23?!! As posted on <a href="http://www.megadeth.com" target="new">www.megadeth.com</a> by Dave Mustaine...New Megadeth Record. "I started last year in October working on a new record and was unsure if it was going to be a Megadeth record or the first record of my career-post Megadeth. But there was too much good music that was written during the Megadeth era that was left incomplete and unreleased that I had written and I decided to assemble that music first. It is frikkin' heavy and most people that have been around are surprised it was never released. Regardless of being unable to come to an agreement with the RIP line-up, I am excited to say that Chris Poland is in the studio with me in Arizona, working on this new record. Vinnie Colaiuta and Jimmy Sloas played drums and bass with me on this record and I should be done somewhere around the end of March. Don't worry, they rip! I have heard the rumors and I don't pay them any mind; I know that the people who are saying they are "insiders" or have "inside info" are talking out their asses, and that some of them have been right by way of "a guess," but that's it. If these people say they are friends of mine and are disclosing private information about me, then I can tell you they are not considered a friend by me." ANOTHER JON OLIVA UPDATE: Press Release: It is with great pleasure that we are finally able to share the next phase of The Jon Oliva Project with all of you. We know you have been chewing your fingernails to a nub and we think that you have all been through quite enough anxiety! The JOP, consisting of Savatage mastermind Jon Oliva and the former members of Circle II Circle, will begin pre-production next week for the first solo release by Jon Oliva. The record label that will release this highly anticipated record has not been confirmed at this point,....but who cares right now anyway,....that will all be worked out in the short term. What matter's is getting this music out to all of you!....ASAP!! The mission is for a late spring 2004 release,.....yes we said 2004, just in time for the Euro-festival run and anywhere else we can perform in Europe while we are there. Talk of a U.S. tour has always been in the works and it is our goal to make that happen..... Some of the material you may have heard on the sound-clips section of our web-site will be on this release. Everyone should anticipate a return to the darker-heavier sound that has been the trademark of the Moutain Kings musical library!.........YES! Tell everyone you know what is happening,......stay tuned,.........and prepare yourself for the resurrection!!! For the fans in the US, help get the buzz going with the promoters and festival organizers here in the states such as the Prog-Power Festival in Atlanta. Glenn Harvester is a big fan of Jon, so let's put some pressure on him to get Jon and the rest of us back again this year! ArtistLink: <a href="http://www.jonoliva.net" target="new">www.jonoliva.net</a> SITE UPDATES - SHOWCASE, MINI-BYTES AND MR-X: A new <a href="#cdshowcase">CD Showcase</a> has been uploaded for the excellent new Jaded Heart album Trust. The material matches some of the band's best, so <a href="showcase/jadedheart-trust.html">check out the samples</a> on offer now. The <a href="minibytes.html">Mini-Bytes</a> page has received it's first update for 2003 with some great new tunes! How about new MP3 samples from Tesla, Final Frontier, Kane, Kurt Nilsen, Jettison Eddy, a Metallica Tribute and American Heartbreak. <a href="mr-x/index.html">MR-X</a> has been updated again with 5 new exclusive tracks, including a very special first look preview from Axel Rudi Pell. Members can download in full, the first track from his new album Kings And Queens. The track is titled Strong As A Rock. A second Pride Of Lions live track is also on offer. Many thanks to Axel Rudi Pell and Jim Peterik for the exclusives.  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#400080" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#400080"> <div align="center">Thursday, January 15, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> FRONTIERS RECORDS SHOWCASE MARCH RELEASES: Frontiers Records have announced details and artwork for their three upcoming March releases. All three albums will be available March 15. They are: House Of Lords - The Power And The Myth, Power Quest - NeverWorld and Empty Tremor - The Alien Inside. House Of Lords - The Power And The Myth In 2001, the original House of Lords reformed and inked a production deal with Frontiers Records. Over two years in the making, the new album, entitled The Power And The Myth, has the band returning to the fold with stunning production and an updated sound. Gregg Giuffria bowed out of the recordings to concentrate on a solo career. The keyboard spot is more than adequately covered by such stellar musicians as Derek Sherinian (Dream Theater), Alan Okuye (Rat Bat Blue), Sven Martin (Tattoo) and Ricky Phillips (Bad English, Styx). Altogether, the group rises to the occasion and delivers a solid and lively collection of melodic hard rock tomes poised for the new millennium. The Power And The Myth marks a new chapter in the ongoing odyssey of one of the great hard rock bands of the last 20 years, House of Lords. The track listing is: Today . All Is Gone . Am I The Only One . Living In Silence . The Power And The Myth . The Rapture . Man Who I Am . Bitter Sweet Euphoria . Mind Trip . Child of Rage. Daniele Liverani and his band, Empty Tremor have finally completed the work for their long awaited new CD entitled The Alien Inside. The final track listing of the CD is: The Alien Inside . I Found You . A New World . Who You Really Are . Don t Stop Me . Stay . The Love I've Never Had . The Alien Outside. Power Quest's NeverWorld, the follow up to Wings of Forever, was recorded at Thin Ice between June 10th and July 18th, with production handled by Karl Groom. The recordings were then taken up to Mastertone studios in Runcorn where the mixing was done by Pete Coleman (AC/DC/ Paradise Lost/Gary Hughes etc). The results are superb to say the least. Power Quest bring a whole new dimension to the Power Metal Genre. Along with the traditional galloping rhythms, soaring vocals and triumphant choruses of tracks like "NeverWorld (Power Quest Part II)", "Sacred Land", "Well Of Souls" and the stunning "Temple Of Fire" the band adds huge balladry ("When I`m Gone") and incredible melodic rock tracks such as "Edge Of Time" and "For Evermore", where elements of TNT and Royal Hunt meet up to deliver huge anthemic slabs of rock. Track listing: NeverWorld (Power Quest II); Temple Of Fire; Edge of Time; Sacred Land; When I'm Gone; For Evermore; Well of Souls; Into The Light; Lost Without You.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/houseoflords-powerandthemyth.jpg" width="200" /><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/powerquest-neverworld.jpg" width="200" /><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/emptytremor-aliensinside.jpg" width="200" /></div> NEW REVIEWS ADDED: New reviews added today - Jack Blades, Seventh Key, Orphan and Statetrooper.....plus something a little different. In all my years running the site, I have handled all the reviews myself. With the exception of 1 or 2 guest spots, every review has been written (painstakingly) by me. I have done this for one reason – consistency. From reading the many reviews posted here, you should be able to get to know my writing style, my feel for what I think makes a good album and a bad album and regardless of individual scores, you should be able to determine whether any given album will appeal to you. I would rather be a little slow posting a review to guarantee the consistency of the catalogue of reviews I have written to date. But....as the site has grown and the demand for reviews grows accordingly, I find myself with a ton of progressive styled albums to review and feature. This genre is not my forte. I could do extensive training for it (!) - I do like certain elements of progressive rock – love Rush for example…..but truth be told, I already have too many albums to review. So what better than to add a progressive rock specialist! And when contemplating such a move, who better than my great friend in the UK, Phil Ashcroft. To those that do not know Phil, he currently writes for Fireworks Magazine, but has a resume that dates back many years and a fabulous knowledge of all things progressive that dates back some 30 years. As of today, Phil will handle progressive reviews for the site – which means 1) You will actually get progressive reviews! 2) They will be as in depth as they deserve to be. When I get organized, progressive reviews will be posted to their own page, but for now, they are in with the rest of the regular reviews. Added from Phil today are new reviews for Rush, Dream Theater, Transatlantic and Neal Morse. <a href="reviews/reviews.html">Check out all the new reviews</a>. PERRIS RECORDS SIGNS MICHAEL RIESENBECK: Perris Records is proud to announce the signing of the Dutch multi instrumentalist Michael Riesenbeck. His sensational AOR/Melodic Rock album Shouting Silence will be released world wide on the 3rd of February 2004. This album features besides Riesenbeck on guitars, drums, bass and keyboards a host of guests on vocals, bass and keyboards. To name a few Jeff Pilson (Dokken), Tony O'Hora (Praying Mantis), Ed James, Kimmo Blom (Urban Tale), Eric Ragno (Takara, Vox Tempus), Lec Zorn, Phil Vincent and Bryan Woolley (The Machine). The result is an album with catchy melodies and big chorusses which you'll not be able to get out of your head for days! Soaring vocals, pounding drums, tasteful basses, multilayered keyboards and of course top notch guitar playing by Riesenbeck himself. Riesenbeck is known for his work on the Toto Tribute album Fanfields, as well as being a well respected session player on many albums. Riesenbeck's style is a mix between Steve Lukather, John Sykes, Dann Huff and Neal Schon. Shouting Silence features 11 songs in the vein of Toto, Journey, Giant, Whitesnake, FM, Strangeways, Le Roux, etc. For more info and soundclips check out the websites: <a href="http://www.michaelriesenbeck.com" target="new">www.michaelriesenbeck.com</a> and <a href="http://www.perrisrecords.com" target="new">www.perrisrecords.com</a> The press about Shouting Silence: Melodicrock.com: Impressive, solid debut album worth checking out - 79 out of 100 points StrutterAOR: a great high quality AOR album with catchy hooks and memorable choruses - 9 out of 10 points RockUnited: Definitely recommended to any melodic rock fan who likes the more progressive moments of Toto and the rocking moments of Journey and the alikes - 8 points AOR Dreamzones: an excellent release and one of the best albums from an unsigned artist this year - 80 out of 100 points Rock Avenue: Classy Album (Special tip) Glory-Daze: Michael keeps the AOR flag flying high with 'Shouting Silence'. Very Good! - 80 out of 100 points Peitersen.com: 4 out of 5 points RockReport: Lots of catchy melodies and big choruses Sonny1968.de: 8.5 out of 10 points BLAZING BACK FROM THE PAST: Z Records has set February 2nd has been set as the re-release date of Flame's highly praised debut Blaze which was originally released during 1989. Re-packaged, the album features eleven hard rocking numbers: Lorelei . Ride . Ball and Chain . New Love . Givin' Me Lies . Get It All . Automatic . Fascination Touch . Bound N' Tied . Freight Train . Don't Look Down. A new studio album will be released during late 2004. MR-X UPDATED: MR-X has been updated. Competition winner have been announced and there is a tasty 20 track compilation to check out and enjoy. One note about MR-X - if you see something you are interested in - join, as there are so many things to feature, old features and exclusives are continually changed over for new ones. Whatever is currently online today will be gone next week for new goodies! Thanks again for the much needed support. <a href="mr-x-intro.html">Follow this link for Membership details.</a>  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#000000" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#000000"> <div align="center">Wednesday, January 14, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> MELODIC BRIEFS: Aerosmith have been added to the entertainment line-up for this year's Superbowl. The band will headline the pre-game show. Ted Nugent was injured this week on the Texas set of his reality show when a chain saw cut through his leg. He required 40 stitches to repair the injury. The Darkness have "shipped" Gold in Canada with 50,000 units of their album now on retail shelves. However, to date only 10,000 of those copies have been sold. The band have also been nominated for 4 British Music Awards. The sheriff investigating the arrest of Rush lead guitarist Alex Lifeson is telling fans of the rock band to let him complete his probe. It seems everyone has an opinion on what happened that night, however <a href="http://Billboard.com" target="new">Billboard.com</a> reports that: "Don Hunter, a sheriff in Collier County, Fla., wrote a commentary in the Naples Daily News about Lifeson's arrest New Year's Eve at the Naples Ritz-Carlton hotel. Lifeson, whose real name is Alex Zivojinovich, was arrested for what police described as drunken, violent behavior. Hunter said some of Lifeson's fans have spoken in his behalf and have attacked his agency, the deputies, the hotel, the city and the community. "None of the fans appear to have been present as witnesses," he wrote." A new interview with Joe Lynn Turner has been posted at: <a href="http://www.foundrymusic.com/bands/displayinterview.cfm?id=66" target="new">www.foundrymusic.com</a> Mike Tramp fans should definitely take a look at the latest Metal Sludge Exposed feature. <a href="http://www.metal-sludge.com/ExposedMikeTramp.htm" target="new">Too funny...</a> TNA's current album is Branded - check the guys out on the web at their new site: <a href="http://TNARocks.com" target="new">TNARocks.com</a> JON OLIVA WEBSITE OPENS: A website for the new Jon Oliva project is now up and running. You can find out all things J.O. and the Jon Oliva Project including sound clips of his upcoming solo release and recent concert photo's. 2004 is going to be a very busy year for Jon..... Information on his solo release, Tour schedule, and anything Savatage will be posted at the site. ArtistLink: <a href="http://www.jonoliva.net" target="new">www.jonoliva.net</a> JEFF KOLLMAN UPDATE: The Jeff Kollman Band, featuring guitarist Jeff Kollman (Cosmosquad, Glenn Hughes), bassist Paul Shannon (Scott Henderson), and drummer Charlie Waymire (EGH, Speak No Evil), will make a pre-NAMM show appearance at the Baked Potato, 3878 Cahuenga Blvd W., North Hollywood this coming Wednesday, January 14. In addition to songs from both Cosmosquad releases and Jeff Kollman's Shedding Skin solo outing, the trio will also be performing select songs from Kollman's collaborations with UFO vocalist Phil Mogg, Mogg/Way's Chocolate Box and $ign Of 4's Dancing With St.Peter, respectively, featuring Kollman himself on lead vocals. Set times are 9.30pm and 11pm. For more info call (818) 980-1615. In related news, Kollman has been busy finishing up the Crumb Bros. record with with vocalist/producer Mark Renk and Cosmosquad band mate, Shane Gaalaas (B'z, Glenn Hughes, Uli Roth). "It's a new group of mine with the same moniker as the name of our production company (The Crumb Bros.). It sounds a bit along the lines of Pink Floyd and Radiohead - artsy, folksy, dark, and melancholy. Great songs!" No release date has been set as of yet.  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#004080" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#004080"> <div align="center">Tuesday, January 13, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> GLENN HUGHES ROCKS SPECIAL SHOW: Reports are in from the Glenn Hughes live show / DVD & CD shoot in LA. Melodicrock regular and writer for <a href="http://www.the-fuze.com" target="new">www.the-fuze.com</a>, Todd Seely sent me this report: "I just returned from the very intimate Glenn Hughes DVD shoot in LA! The shoot was held at Sound Image studio (run by Jim Crichton of Saga), which was host to about seventy-five lucky Hughes fans. Glenn's band included guitarists JJ Marsh and George Nastos, Impellitteri/Montrose keyboardist Ed Roth and Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith. Lending a hand on backing vocals were Santana vocalist Alex Ligertwood and Quiet Riot's Kevin Dubrow. The band blazed through all eras of the Voice of Rock with the following set list: In My Blood . First Step of Love . Medusa . Seafull . Higher Places . Written All Over Your Face . Can't Stop the Flood . Coast to Coast . Wherever You Go . Mistreated . Blue Jade . Getting Tighter . You Keep On Moving Also in attendance Jeff Scott Soto, guitarist Howie Simon, guitarist Alex Masi, former teen singing sensation Tiffany and Hughes-Thrall/Quiet Riot/WASP drummer Frankie Banali. Glenn also announced another US date - April 12, when he is tentatively scheduled to appear at the Palms in Las Vegas." Pictures from the event can be viewed via this link: <a href="http://fanforum.ghpg.net/2/OpenTopic?a=tpc&s=714094744&f=340099154&m=5753001667&r=5753001667#5753001667" target="new">fanforum.ghpg.net</a> A CHANGE OF PLAN FOR RICK'S LIMITED EDITION SET: Another update from Rick Springfield - the limited edition version of the Shock Denial Anger Acceptance album will now not be available until after the regular edition hits the streets. The regular 17 track version of the album is out February 24, while the limited 2CD set + DVD will be available online mid March. This decision may be met with some disappointment from some fans, but can see the logic in it and think it's actually a good idea. Rick is working on ensuring the CD is available in all retail outlets for the February street date and first week sales will be his best shot at getting a chart position for the release and therefore getting wider publicity and added exposure. Any online limited edition sales would detract from Soundscan tracked numbers going towards that possible chart position. However, with this in mind, the limited edition set will have to be priced very fairly, as it's now obvious a number of fans will buy both releases. NOW & THEN RECORDS NEWS UPDATE: Now And Then is very pleased to be able to announce the signing of the exciting new Swedish talent Cloudscape to it's roster. Always on the lookout for fresh new artists, Now And Then believes that Cloudscape has the potential to really establish themselves on the scene in 2004. Having picked up rave reviews for their demos, the band consisting of Micael Andersson (Vocals), Bjorn Eliasson (Guitars), Patrik Svard (Guitars), Hans Persson (Bass) and Roger Landin (Drums), plans to enter the prestigious Roasting House Studios in early April with Anders "Theo" Theander (Last Tribe, Pathos, Pain Of Salvation etc) at the production helm. Having already been favourably compared to the likes of Conception, Last Tribe, Queensryche, Malmsteen, Section A and Moving Target era Royal Hunt, Cloudscape promises to deliver a great melodic, symphonic, progressive metal album! Demo samples can be heard at the band's website - <a href="http://www.cloudscape.just.nu" target="new">www.cloudscape.just.nu</a> Spanish Melodic Rockers Nexx will play at the third edition of the Nemelrock Festival. This time, the festival will be headlined by Firehouse, multi-platinum Grammy awarded band, and Vaughn, ex-Tyketto Danny Vaughn band. The show will be opened by Harddreams a new band from Barcelona. More info <a href="http://www.webnexx.com" target="new">www.webnexx.com</a> After the Christmas/New Year break I've decided to begin part 2 of my e-bay auction. Already listed are titles from China Sky, Frontline, Lana Lane, Arcangel, Shortino, Pretty Maids, Kee Marcello, Fifth Angel, Alien, Honeymoon Suite, Robin Beck and many more. The list will updated daily so keep checking back for newly added titles. To view the list of available titles click the following link - <a href="http://tinyurl.com/upbn" target="new">tinyurl.com/upbn</a> SKID ROW LOSE DRUMMER: Drummer Phil Varone has left Skid Row. Mitch Lafon reports back on Rachel Bolan's comments regarding the departure: "He left due to personal stuff. We already have a new drummer we will announce soon. Touring will go on as planned." JACK PONTI FRONTS NEW RECORD LABEL: Songwriter/producer Jack Ponti has positioned himself to front a new record label. Bardic Records is due to be launched with bases in New York and London and will have it's focus on developing new artists. Not necessarily rock music based either - whatever the label feels is quality. One such artist scheduled is a hard rock outfit from Syracuse called Brand New Sin.  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#5a2fa4" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#5a2fa4"> <div align="center">Monday, January 12, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> TNT'S NEW RELIGION REVEALED: TNT's My Religion is released via MTM Music March 8 and in Japan February 23. Here's the quite excellent cover art from Eric Phillipe. Click on the cover for a larger view of the artwork.   <div align="center"><a href="tnt-myreligion-large.jpg" target="new"><img alt="" height="250" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/tnt-myreligion.jpg" width="250" /></a></div> Singer Conny Lind is the main man behind State Of Mind. He had been the vocalist in an early incarnation of Great King Rat. The band released an 5-track promotional album entitled Dream Those Dreams in the summer of 1993. Soon after it s release they were contacted by Jeff Paris and became his backing band for a short European tour. State Of Mind is a strong hard rock band in the same melodic genre and school as Lynch Mob, Slaughter and sometimes Whitesnake. MTM Classix is now re-releasing Mother which was released in Japan only together with Dream Those Dreams under the new title Good Old Times with two unreleased bonus tracks. Shylock release party - February 13th / Rockfabrik Nürnberg. AXEL REVEALS HIS KINGS AND QUEENS: Axel Rudi Pell has released the artwork to his new album Kings And Queens. The new album is due out in march from SPV.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="250" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/axelrudipell-kingsandqueens.jpg" width="250" /></div> WARRANT LOOK FOR NEW BLOOD AFTER LANE BAILS: Jani Lane has left Warrant, to head out on a full time solo career. Erik Turner and Jerry Dixon will continue on, pursuing a new vocalist to work with. An official statement can be found at: <a href="http://www.warrantweb.net/home.html" target="new">www.warrantweb.net</a> UNITED ROCK RADIO HITS THE WORLD WIDE WEB: (Mesa, AZ - 2 December 2003) United Rock Radio is the newest addition to the World Wide Web's hard rock wars. Headquartered in the Greater Phoenix, Arizona area, United Rock spans the entire spectrum of rock, ranging from the classic rock of the 70's to power pop, hard rock, heavy metal and today's modern rock trends. With an array of disc jockeys and syndicated specialty shows, United Rock operates twenty four hours a day, seven days a week. The station's website, which can be found at <a href="http://www.unitedrock.com" target="new">www.unitedrock.com</a> features news updates, reviews, brief soundclips, various contests, a monthly Featured Artist and much more. MAGNUM'S BRAND NEW MORNING: An update from the Magnum website: <a href="http://www.magnumonline.co.uk" target="new">www.magnumonline.co.uk</a> Work on the album which we can reveal will be titled Brand New Morning is well underway, even Christmas and New Year haven't stopped the bands work in the studio with recordings going on in the days up to Christmas and they have are already been back at work straight after New Year. It's hoped that the album will be released around May with a UK Tour around the same time, more details will of course be sent and posted on the website as soon as everything is confirmed. This album will see the debut in terms of recording with the band the appearance of the loveable "Cockney Geezer" Harry James on drums from Thunder. We can't reveal tracks as yet as songs are still being worked on etc etc but from the initial recordings we've heard the Album is certainly sounding great and up to the usual high standard. Breath of Life was a great return for the band and whilst the album charted in the UK just outside the Top 100 we here at Magnum HQ have higher aspirations for this forthcoming new album and want to target a Top 75 chart placing where many a past Magnum album charted. In the coming weeks its our intention to keep you updated on the progression of the album and of the bands plans for this year, so if we don't have your e mail address on our mailing list please send it for inclusion should you want direct updated info on Magnum. Lets make 2004 a very special year for the band. June 25-26 2004 Bang Your Head Festival, Balingen Messegelände. <a href="http://www.bang-your-head.de" target="new">www.bang-your-head.de</a> FIREHOUSE/VAUGHN CHANGE OF VENUE: Due to large demand for tickets for the Tuesday 9th March Firehouse/Vaughn/Deadline/Pride tickets, and the risk of outselling the present venue it has been decided that the gig is to move from the Rawmarsh Leisure Centre to the much larger Sheffield Corporation (<a href="http://www.corporation.org.uk" target="new">www.corporation.org.uk</a>). Tickets are still available as usual from the Classic Rock Society (<a href="http://www.classicrocksociety.com" target="new">www.classicrocksociety.com</a>) box office +44 1 709 702575, email <a href="mailto:mhudson.rok@virgin.net">mhudson.rok@virgin.net</a> - and all current Firehouse tickets are valid for the Corporation. MUSICMAX SORRY (SORT OF) FOR CRAPPY HAIR SPECIAL: I ran news of MusicMax TV in Australia running a "Hair" special a couple of weekend's ago. They didn't - it was nothing short of a joke. Here (for the record) is their apology. "Our intention was to run as many of the older clips of those big hair bands as possible however when compiling those clips we found that they were limited in numbers which is why we decided to feature blocks of songs in each of the hours rather than running complete hours of bands/acts with big hair. Granted, some of the selections were a little short on the big hair and with some exploration we are hoping to uncover more big hair gems so that next time it will really get your curlers going." MELROCK T-SHIRTS AND CAPS STILL AVAILABLE: I did have MelodicRock.com merchandise available, but have taken that option offline for the time being. Unfortunately there were problems with the company behind the merch and until that is sorted, I am not willing to promote it. I do have a few T-Shirts and Caps right here with me if anyone would like to buy these before they are sold out. I have the following available: 3 Medium Black T-Shirts 2 Large White 3 Large Black 1 Extra Large White 2 Jnr Black "Never Too Young To Rock" T-Shirts and 10 MelodicRock.com Caps. T-Shirts are US$17 and Caps are US$13 (Both prices include shipping worldwide). <a href="mailto:cath@melodicrock.com?Subject=MelRock Merch">Please e-mail first</a> to check availability if you are interested. Payment via Paypal or if via other option, please let me know within the e-mail.  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#800000" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#800000"> <div align="center">Sunday, January 11, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> THE LATEST ON THE NE"VH"ER ENDING SAGA: There was no Van Halen re-union talk from Sammy Hagar yesterday (Friday night, US local time) at his Walnut Creek, CA show, but there was a surprise revelation from Eddie Van Halen himself - that news on Van Halen would come sooner rather than later. It was no surprise that Hagar kept mum on the re-union plans, but Eddie Van Halen took another phone call from DJ's Dwyer & Michaels, the morning crew on rock radio station Q106.5 Davenport, Iowa. Their full 20 minute interview with Eddie will be online Monday US local time at their website: <a href="http://www.2dorks.com" target="new">www.2dorks.com</a> A couple of months ago Dwyer and Michaels called Eddie and talked to him on air. They repeated that feat, but drew no exclusive statements from Ed, although the interview is said to be an interesting listen. I've some of the stuff talked about and the guys made light of the rumored announcement from Sammy, which Ed played down. Eddie also referred to Michael Anthony as "that cat" who he hasn't seen in two years. He also claimed he didn't have any problems with Sammy - and never did - sticking to his original claim that Sam wanted to be a solo performer and quit. Site regular George Pitcher tuned in and reports to me that Eddie also talked at great length about his son Wolfie - and his natural skills at playing bass, and drums, Wolfie's recent introduction to his father's music, and what young Wolf thinks of popular music. Tune in Monday for what will be an interesting listen. Preview the interview <a href="http://www.vhlinks.com/media/jan9promo.mp3" target="new">here</a> (thanks to <a href="http://www.vhlinks.com" target="new">VHLinks</a>) As far as Van Halen announcements, like Eddie said - sooner rather than later. Updated info has been slow to come through for me, but the very latest I have received is that an agreement has been reached between Sammy Hagar, Michael Anthony and Eddie & Alex. Best of Volume 2 is still the hot favourite for the next release, but is seen as more of a way for the band to ease back into gear while finishing up the new studio album. That's the last I heard and hope to hear more in the next week or so, but as always, it's unconfirmed and even if it was - details can change quickly! Either way, definite news soon, you can count on it.  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#004000" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#004000"> <div align="center">Friday, January 09, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> LOG INTO SHOCK DENIAL ANGER ACCEPTANCE: Rick Springfield is one step closer to the release of his eagerly anticipated new studio album, with a new dedicated website for it launched this week: <a href="http://www.shockdenialangeracceptance.com" target="new">www.shockdenialangeracceptance.com</a>. The new site offers fans a glimpse of the new album Shock Denial Anger Acceptance. The title sets the scene for the music within - "17 new songs, 4 raw emotions..." says Rick. Soundbytes are yet to be added, but there is a preview of Rick's track by track song diary, plus lyrics to four songs. Purchase information will be added shortly. The CD has a street date of February 24, via Rick's own label Gomer Records. The limited edition version is being sold online only and is tentatively set for a February 14 release. s/d/a/a has undergone a revamp of it's track listing. No new tracks, but a revised running order, which now looks like this: Perfect . I'll Make You Happy . Will I? . God Gave You to Everyone . Idontwantanythingfromyou . Jesus Saves . Beautiful You . Wasted . Shoot Your Guru . Alien Virus . Angels of the Disappeared . Eden . The Invisible Girl . My Depression . Your Psychopathic Mother . Every Night I Wake Up Screaming . Open My Eyes Rick's main website also has an update on the album. From <a href="http://www.rickpringfield.com" target="new">www.rickpringfield.com</a>: "The release of "shock/denial/anger/acceptance" will be done through Rick's new record label, Gomer Records and distributed through Red Distribution. The cover image that we have grown accustomed to, with the four faces, has been moved to the inner sleeve of the jacket, with a new photo gracing the CD cover. According to Ron Weisner Management, the release will be in all normal distribution outlets in the US and Canada (in stores that agree to carry it as well as various online outlets). Check out <a href="http://www.shockdenialangeracceptance.com" target="new">www.shockdenialangeracceptance.com</a> for lyrics, purchase information, a song journal written by Rick as well as song clips and extras as they become available. The Limited Edition has a tentative sale date of 2/14 with an extensive track listing planned as well as a bonus DVD contained on the disc. Look for more updates on the Limited Edition sale shortly. Rick's Official Merchandise will be the sole distributor for the Limited Edition of shock/denial/anger/acceptance." More info at <a href="http://www.shockdenialangeracceptance.com" target="new">www.shockdenialangeracceptance.com</a> and <a href="http://www.rickspringfield.com" target="new">www.rickspringfield.com</a>   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="236" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/rickspringfield-sdaa-new.jpg" width="202" /></div> TESLA MOVE INTO THE NOW IN MARCH: Tesla will release their eagerly anticipated new studio album, Into The Now, on Sanctuary Records on March 9, 2004. The original lineup of vocalist Jeff Keith, guitarist Frank Hannon, guitarist Tommy Skeoch, bass guitarist Brian Wheat and drummer Troy Luccketta spent more than two years writing and recording Into the Now. Tesla co-produced the album with Michael Rosen. Into The Now track listing: Into the Now . Look @ Me . What a Shame . Heaven Nine Eleven . Words Can't Explain . Caught In a Dream . Miles Away . Mighty Mouse . Got No Glory . Come to Me . Recognize . Only You. According to an official press release, Tesla changed their entire way of working for Into the Now and that included serious personal and musical reconnections as the foundation for the new album. After such a long layoff, the band members wondered whether they would be able to write strong songs and produce an album largely by themselves. Keith, Hannon, Skeoch, Wheat and Luccketta agreed that they had to be satisfied with the songs, and that wasn't always the case in the past. They realized how important this new album was going to be, and the quality of the songs was the most important consideration. The band often rewrote full sections or entire songs and sometimes recorded as many as three different demos for each one. Writer's block was a problem at times and the members would not settle on songs they weren't comfortable with. They knew instinctively which songs were great and which ones were not. "To try to get away from a Tesla feel just wouldn't be natural, but we still tried new things. The songwriting process was exciting and rewarding but was, at times, very hard and aggravating. I was a little scared. 'Can I still write?' thoughts were poisoning my mind. But our songs have to have heart. We must believe in them and feel it," Keith says. "Producing the album largely by ourselves added an extra element of fun too." "The trick on the whole is to keep the Tesla style in place and yet still grow musically and satisfy yourself but not change so much that your fans are caught offguard," says Wheat. "We wrote about 20 or 30 songs and these were the 12 best." "The whole songwriting process was different from previous records. We didn't settle for the first thing we wrote," Hannon says. "A lot of that had to do with us being better friends and being more together than ever. It felt totally comfortable. Having the songs totally ready before recording is like sanding a house before painting it the foundation has to be there." "Looking back at it now, it was all worth it. It was scary producing it on our own but it turned out great. And we really focused on every nook and cranny on every song. We couldn't have written and produced the new album without the newfound communication within the band," Skeoch says. "The emphasis had to be on great songs. About half the material was written before the Rock Never Stops summer tour in 2002 and the other half was written after that. We were really eager to get a new album out there, but then we realized that the songs had to be great and that we shouldn't hurry. Why do it if it's not great?" The give-and-take guitar interplay between Hannon and Skeoch has always been crucial to Tesla's music, and that natural relationship was even more important on 'Into the Now'. "There's always been a magic between us. I can't put my finger on it," Skeoch says. "We've never fought over solos or who was going to play what part. It just works out. For example, there were some guitar solos on this album that we each tried but it just didn't feel right until the other one did it. Words Can't Explain and Got No Glory were re-tracked a couple of times, and 'Heaven Nine Eleven' and 'Recognize' were rewritten with different chords and verse structures." "When we were writing songs, we were able to live with them. We relied on a voting process to decide which ones we loved and were going to use. That was something new for us," Hannon says. "A song took a majority vote three out of five votes to get it approved. It worked. We'd always feel better after making a decision," Luccketta says. "I knew we'd pull it together. This was our biggest growth spurt. We're tighter than ever. We've learned a lot of lessons." "Each song is a snapshot of an event that took place during the making of the record. There were a lot of experiences we had to go through during these last two years. A lot of pain and growth. For example, several friends of ours died during this time," Hannon says. "I have really learned a lot making this record. There are so many benefits to taking your time and making sure songs stand up months after you've written them and you're still working." One major luxury Tesla had making Into the Now was recording in Hannon's Sacramento studio. Hannon worked on the pre-production demos there as well. Using this studio gave them plenty of time and saved a lot of money. Producing and recording the album themselves offered unlimited creative flexibility. Rosen helped with engineering and restructuring the tempos of certain songs. For example, Hannon says that Rosen's tempo suggestions for Heaven Nine Eleven resulted in a "street beat." The autobiographical title track Into the Now is one of the most intriguing songs. It addresses the past while also becoming a statement of purpose about the present and future. Musically speaking, its relentlessly pounding rhythmic thump explores new territory. "A big part of production was the writing and, sometimes more importantly, the editing. There were several songs where there were sections that just didn't work, so we'd just cut those out and tighten things up," Hannon remembers. "And we are more aggressive with rhythm guitar parts on this album than ever before too. Using technology is a balancing act, but one of the fun things that it allowed us to do was manipulate some sounds. There's a part on the song Into the Now that sounds like it's record scratching but it's actually a guitar sound that we got." "There were a lot of things to write about. I wrote most of the lyrics although Frank was a big help. He wrote all the lyrics himself for Heaven Nine Eleven which was inspired by September 11 and what it was like witnessing this terrible tragedy," Keith says. Tesla enjoyed the creative freedom that modern recording technology provided but it was important that the songs could be performed live. "We did use overdubs, but we have to be able to play our songs live. We don't want to have a keyboard player behind the scenes or anything like that. If people aren't believing it's you on stage playing the music then it loses the magic," says Keith. Luccketta puts it simply "We are a live band."   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="201" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/tesla-intothenow.jpg" width="200" /></div> GLEN BURTNIK COMPLETES HIS WELCOME TO HOLLYWOOD: Glen Burtnik has updated fans via his poplar newsletter. The January update centers around his completion of the new solo album Welcome To Hollywood. The album sees Glen returning to his melodic rocking ways, but with a beefed up modern twist. The newsletters make for great reading, so I've uploaded the January edition tot he site. If you care to read it, <a href="glenburtnik-jan04.htm">please click here</a>. SAMMY HAGAR MAKES JESSE HARMS DEPARTURE OFFICIAL: Sammy Hagar has finally announced officially that Jesse Harms is no longer a Warborita. His message was posted to his site a couple of days back. It reads: "Jess wants to spend more time producing and writing his own material and this takes away from being on the road. So the Waboritas and I came down as a 4 piece band. Lean and mean rock n roll machine. See ya in Houston!! Sammy." KISS AND KISS WORLD IN AUSTRALIA: Kiss kick off the next leg of their "will they ever retire" tour in Australia in April. While downunder, the band will open a Kiss World shop in Melbourne. I believe there is already one open in Germany, with Tokyo to follow Australia. JEFF SCOTT SOTO IN OZ?: Just to keep folks updated, plans are still underway to bring Jeff Scott Soto and band to Australia for some live dates. E-mail if you want to be kept updated, but expect full details to be announced right here if and when it can be finally put together! MR-X UPDATED: MR-X has been updated - the first update for 2004. Updates will now happen weekly - what better value for money could you ask for? And don't forget discounts of 5% and 10% are available via a few retailers to MR-X Members. Please note that the content changes all the time and as I don't have the space requirements to keep it all online. <a href="mr-x-intro.html">Join now if you don't want to miss anything!</a> Today's update features 5 new videos: Europe - Danger On The Track (Live), Fastway - All Fired Up, Femme Fatale - Falling In And Out Of Love, Kansas - All I Wanted and Toto - Don't Chain My Heart Also added are tunes from new modern rockers Silvertide and a new Feature Album - Dan Lucas' absolute classic 2000! and a new live Feature.   <table width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td bgcolor="#000000"> <div align="center">PRE-VIEWS</div> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> A reviews update is due next week with major titles such as Seventh Key, Jack Blades, Shadowman, Shiva and more due to be featured. But here's a few thoughts on three albums in constant rotation here! TNT - My Religion (MTM Music, March 8) - I'm not sure I can put into words how much I love this album. Just wait until you wrap your ears around this. In my opinion, TNT could not possibly have recorded a better album. There's a very strong chance this could be their best album ever. Between Ronni's playing and Tony's inspired vocal performance, not to mention the sheer quality of the songs, there is not a second of wasted space on the album. A full review will come in the next few weeks, but I could not wait any longer to talk about just how good this is. Basically the band have nailed the formula for success in the modern age. The album features the band's most loved trademarks - soaring vocals, huge harmonies and memorable choruses, intense guitar solos and riffing - mixed with some more contemporary elements, with a few tracks as dark, moody and heavy as the band have ever been. Now add an utterly flawless, crisp and clean production. I've been lucky enough to live with this for a few weeks now and there isn't a day past without it being played and it's the only CD in my car right now. A monster album to get 2004 off to a flying start. Fans of TNT are going to go nuts, I guarantee. Tesla - Into The Now (Sanctuary Records, March 9) - There was a lot of pressure for these guys to come up with the goods after a long time in the wilderness and further time writing and recording this album. I am very happy to report that the Tesla are another band that have got things very right. The band has delivered a fabulous hard rocking album that is destined to impress the absolute majority of their fans. This album rocks from start to finish with a couple of classic Tesla ballads included to balance the flow. Overall this could be rated one of the band's heaviest albums ever. The sound is largely updated, with a focus on today's guitar tones and song delivery. But the classic Tesla style, vocals, melodies, lyrical depth and integrity remain in tact. This is Tesla 2004 and I am looking forward to delivering a full review shortly. Danny Danzi - Danziland (MTM Music, March 15) - Danny has spent as long as Def Leppard do in the studio working on his new album, a follow up to the well liked debut. The extra effort and time is easily heard on Danziland. This album picks up where the last left off and delivers a range of guitar driven uptempo stadium rockers that will appeal to classic American hard rock fans. Seriously melodic and filled to the brim with big choruses and breathtaking guitar riffing. Danny has done himself proud and should be very pleased with the results - as will his fans be. Take the debut, add better production, better songs, bigger hooks and even more guitars and Danziland is the result. Great stuff.  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#5075b4" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#5075b4"> <div align="center">Wednesday, January 07, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> MAJESTIC ROCK PAT TRAVERS RE-ISSUES DUE JANUARY 26: Majestic Rock Records have announced updated details for their re-issues of the Pat Travers catalogue. The details are as follows: Pat Travers, Makin' Magic, Putting It Straight and Heat In The Street are all released in Europe January 26. All 4 titles are remastered and feature original artwork and new liner notes. Pat Travers: When Pat Travers exploded onto the scene in 1976, people sat up and took notice. This young Canadian played guitar with a passion and an intensity that took everybody by surprise. This, his debut album, is one of the great debut albums of the period. Tracks like 'Makes No Difference' and 'Medley Parts 1 & 2 are classic slices of 70's hard rock. There was, however, much more to Pat Travers than a Marshall stack and a Fender Telecaster screaming for mercy. Pat's roots lay in the blues, and it's that raw earthiness that runs through the music on this CD. As great as this undoubtedly was, though, better was to come... Makin' Magic: The second Pat Travers album 'Makin' Magic' is, to many, the best of the man's early albums. It's easy to see why people feel this way. It's a harder rocking release than the debut album - witness the thunderous title track and the classic 'Rock n' Roll Susie'. The album is also memorable for the appearance of one Nicko McBrain on drums alongside long time bassist 'Mars' Cowling. The album's highlight is, though, perhaps Pat's heartfelt message to his own brother 'Stevie'. 'Makin' Magic' is where the Pat Travers story REALLY starts... Puttin' In Straight: Pat Travers' second album release in the year 1977 - picks up perfectly from where 'Makin' Magic' left off. Having found the hard rockin' formula that worked, Pat continued to gig hard with his trusty three piece, 'Mars' Cowling and Nicko Mcbrain making up the numbers admirably. Guests on the album include Thin Lizzy's Scott Gorham on 'Speakeasy' and Rainbow's Tony Carey on the instrumental 'Off Beat Ride'. 'Speakeasy' and 'Life In London' , affectionate odes to his new home, show an international side to Pat Travers and his work. Next came America... Heat On The Street: The fourth Pat Travers album in two years saw the transition from club act to US stadium rockers complete. Gone was Nicko McBrain - to French rockers Trust and then on to Iron Maiden. In his place was the magnificent Tommy Aldridge and, also added to the line up, guitarist par excellence Pat Thrall. This was a killer band - and 'Heat In The Street' was a killer album! Check out 'Killer's Instinct' and 'Hammerhead' for grade A hard rock! Order the titles via: <a href="http://www.majesticrock.com" target="new">www.majesticrock.com</a>   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="125" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/pattravers125.jpg" width="125" />x<img alt="" height="125" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/pattravers-makinmagic125.jpg" width="125" />x<img alt="" height="125" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/pattravers-puttingitstraight125.jpg" width="125" />x<img alt="" height="125" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/pattravers-heatinthestreet125.jpg" width="125" /></div> AOR HEAVEN UPDATES CURRENT PROJECTS: AOR Heaven Press Release: Welcome to our first press newsletter in 2004! Blind Alley - The first AOR Heaven release for 2004, Swedish AORsters Blind Alley's album Infinity Ends is due for release on Jan. 26th. Band members Magnus Olsson and Hans Dimberg are currently available for phone & e-mail interviews. Please, contact us when you're interested in a feature about the guys. Any other feedback from you such as reviews, review links & playlists will be appreciated as well! Alyson Avenue - The Swedish female-fronted rockers are currently about to finish off their 2nd, yet untitled album. Expect another crunchy release from this classy 80's hard rock outfit ~ March 2004! Deacon Street - New in the AOR Heaven rooster is this brand new Swedish Westcoast outfit which is centered around mastermind Tommy Denander (Radioactive). The band is currently about to complete it's debut album which should hit in the shops some time in Spring '04. Altaria - ...are currently putting final hands on the recordings of their 2nd album entitled "Divinity" before they'll go on the road again in Finland for another short Finnish tour later on this month. "Divinity" will be released in late May on AOR Heaven's sublabel Metal Heaven. Frontline - ...are also due for the release of a new studio album in early Summer '04 on AOR Heaven. Their current demos promise another great rockin' album in typical Frontline style! More about that one will follow shortly. Tourdates: Altaria Invitation Tour Pt. 2 15.01.04 FIN-Kupio Henry's 17.01.04 FIN-Turku Downtown 21.01.04 FIN-Tampere Hella 22.01.04 FIN-Helsinki Tavastia Club* 23.01.04 FIN-Vaasa Hullo Pullo 24.01.04 FIN-Oulo Loop * with support act Urban Tale DLR HITS THE UK IN FEBRUARY: David Lee Roth has rescheduled his UK tour and will kick off the new dates February 25. Support from the tour is in the form of The Quireboys. Full dates: February 25 - Clyde Auditorium in Glasgow 27 - Carling Apollo in Manchester 28 - Carling Apollo Hammersmith in London March 1 - Wolverhampton Civic Hall in Wolverhampton UPDATES: More CD Showcases added today. That should be it for a week or so now! Added today are the new January releases for MTM Music - Street Talk, Shiva and Erika. <a href="#cdshowcase">Check them out.</a> The first MR-X Update will be online tomorrow. MR-X Members - it's you last chance to grab what's there currently, right now!  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#008000" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#008000"> <div align="center">Tuesday, January 06, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> TRUST JADED HEART - THEY WILL ROCK FEBRUARY: Jaded Heart, German melodic rockers extraordinaire, are due to release their latest effort Trust on ulfTone Music in February 2004. As an exclusive preview via melodicrock.com, the label offers an entire new track (Anymore) for download: <a href="http://www.ulftone.com/jadedheart/Anymore.mp3">www.ulftone.com/jadedheart/Anymore.mp3</a> Everybody that pre-orders the CD in ulfTone's webstore from now until the release date will receive the album as an exclusive, hand-signed, limited edition DigiPak plus an ulfTone compilation CD in addition for absolutely no extra charge. Shipping will start in early February so you will have it before it s in the stores! To order: <a href="https://ssl.kundenserver.de/s25785817.shoplite.de" target="new">https://ssl.kundenserver.de/s25785817.shoplite.de</a>   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/jadedheart-trust.jpg" width="200" /></div> LANNY'S GUITAR DON'T LIE: A very unique and one-of-a-kind guitar that belongs to guitarist Lanny Cordola is up for sale. The 1989 B.C. Rich doubleneck guitar has the House of Lords coat of arms imprinted on the guitar's body. It appeared in the video for Love Don't Lie from the 1988 debut album. To learn more, check out <a href="http://www.vintagerock.com/Guitars/doubleneck.html" target="new">www.vintagerock.com/Guitars/doubleneck.html</a> NEXX TO PLAY NEMELROCK 3 ALONGSIDE FIREHOUSE & VAUGHN: Spanish melodic rockers Nexx will play at the third edition of the Nemelrock Festival. This time, the festival will be headlined by Firehouse, multi-platinum Grammy awarded band, and Vaughn. The show will be opened by Hardreams - a new band from Barcelona. Nexx will play songs from their debut album Colours (Now & Then, 2003) and some new songs too as they're now writing stuff for their second album. Don't miss it! NEMELROCK 3 FIREHOUSE, VAUGHN, NEXX, HARDREAMS Sunday, March 7th, 1900 h., Caracol Venue in Madrid (Spain). Tickets 25 euros until January 31st, 28 euros from February 1st until March 6th and 30 euros at the venue. More info <a href="http://www.webnexx.com" target="new">www.webnexx.com</a> / Management <a href="mailto:necessaryprod@yahoo.es">necessaryprod@yahoo.es</a> / Label contact <a href="http://www.nowandthen.co.uk" target="new">www.nowandthen.co.uk</a> CD SHOWCASE UPDATE: A few new CD Showcases have been added today. First up two from Lion Music - Orion Riders and Baltimoore. Two live releases from Majestic Rock Records are also featured - Grand Slam and Pete Way. Check them out via the <a href="#cdshowcase">cover links to the left</a>.  </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#ff0000" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#ff0000"> <div align="center">Monday, January 05, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> EVIDENCE SUGGESTS VAN HALEN NEWS IMMINENT: The Van Halen rumor machine is really rolling along now. A few very positive developments from the last few days. The first development comes from Sammy Hagar's own website administrator. She has remained tight-lipped since I broke news of Hagar's move back to Van Halen on November 20. But this week she was again asked two questions - 1. Is Sam working with "Van Halen" again? and 2. Is the rumored "Best Of Vol 2" a reality?" Her reply: "Number 1 and 2 you'll hear soon..." Ok, then this...from Grant Fisher of the now closed VHND. He posted this e-mail he received: "A friend of mine named (removed) has been friends with Sammy Hagar for years. Anyway, he told me tonight that it's official that Sammy is back with Van Halen and that Sammy is playing some show in Walnut Creek, CA and he is going to make the announcement." I've asked my sources to look into this new info and will keep you posted. More info on the show (this Friday US time) here: <a href="http://www.arf.net/About_ARF/Events/arf_rocks.html" target="new">www.arf.net/About_ARF/Events/arf_rocks.html</a> And finally, A&R guru John Kalodner responded to a question e-mailed to him via his site: Q: Looks like we may see the return of Van Halen with Sammy Hagar! Do you think they will sign with Sanctuary or try for Warner Bros. again?? Plus do you think we will see a Best Of vol.2 before we see any new material? And will we have to wait till fall 2004 for VH to return? John's answer: "I'm not sure about any of this. I think Sammy may be back with Van Halen, but I'm not positive. I think there may be one or two new songs for a second volume of Best Of. I would love to sign them to Sanctuary, but they may want to stay with Warner Bros. I would love for them to tour again. Nothing is definite and we'll just have to wait and see what lies ahead for Van Halen." All adds up to an interesting situation. Stay tuned! I should also take this opportunity to mention that Jesse Harms is officially no longer a member of Sammy's Waborita's. I have confirmed this is indeed accurate, occurring a couple of weeks ago now. I hope to have more news on Jesse and his future plans soon. RUSH'S ALEX LIFESON ARRESTED - COP BEAT UP - OR MEDIA BEAT UP?: Most notable news over the last few days has been the arrest of Rush guitarist ALex Lifeson. Thanks to everyone that e-mailed in weblinks. Here's one of the first reports posted: Rock band guitarist, family arrested for New Year's Eve scuffle with deputies By JOHN HENDERSON, <a href="mailto:jfhenderson@naplesnews.com">jfhenderson@naplesnews.com</a> January 2, 2004 The lead guitarist for a renowned rock band faces criminal charges after a scuffle with Collier County sheriff's deputies at The Ritz-Carlton, Naples, on New Year's Eve. Alex Zivojinovich, a founding member of Rush, known on stage as Alex Lifeson, was arrested after what deputies describe as a drunken, violent outbreak at the posh hotel. Zivojinovich, 50, faces six charges that include aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer, resisting an officer with violence, and disorderly intoxication. Also arrested in the brouhaha were his 33-year-old son Justin Zivojinovich and his wife, Michelle, 30. Deputies say they had to use a stun gun on Alex Zivojinovich, 8787 Bay Colony Drive, Apt. 804 in Naples, and his son during the fracas. And in their reports they accuse Alex Zivojinovich of pushing a female deputy down a hotel stairwell during the struggle, and of spitting blood on a deputy's face. But his son Justin, who was visiting his father on vacation from Canada, gave a very different account of what happened during an interview Thursday night. He said his father, who was still in the Collier County jail as of late Thursday, had his nose broken by deputies, and as he was spitting out the blood from the injuries, deputies assaulted him again. He also said his father did not push the female deputy down the stairs as stated in arrest reports. Instead, Justin Zivojinovich said, the deputy tumbled down the stairs as she pushed him down the stairwell. He said the trouble began after he got up on the stage where the house band was performing at the hotel. "I was singing Happy New Year's, that's all I was doing, singing to the whole crowd. That's all I said, 'Happy New Year,'" Justin Zivojinovich said. "Everyone was enjoying themselves. That's when someone apparently started yelling for one of the security guards. There was no violence on our part. "I was ready to leave. I was asked to leave, and I said, 'OK, I'm going to go. I'll grab my wife and be out of there.' They didn't want that. They didn't want me to leave on a high note. They felt they would lose. They decided to aggravate me. They stunned me, as well as my father, with a stun gun." Justin Zivojinovich said they have hired Naples defense lawyer Jerry Berry to represent them. Rush has scheduled a global 30th anniversary tour in 2004, and Justin said he did not know whether this arrest might affect those plans. "If we don't get off of these charges, we're going to start seeking lawsuits against a lot of people," Justin Zivojinovich said. ArticleLink: <a href="http://www.naplesnews.com/npdn/news/article/0,2071,NPDN_14940_2547066,00.html" target="new">www.naplesnews.com/npdn/news/article/0,2071,NPDN_14940_2547066,00.html</a> KROKUS START 2004 FIRING GASOLINE: The full details have been announced for the upcoming Krokus double live CD and DVD release Fire & Gasoline, due out in Europe January 24. Those details are as follows: CD1: Heatstrokes - Mad World - Flying Through The Night - American Woman - I Want It All - Bad Boys Rag Dolls - Tokyo Nights - Stayed Awake All Night - Down The Drain - Fire - Rock'n'roll Tonight CD 2: Throwing Her China - Screaming In The Night - Rock City - Easy Rocker - Backseat Rock'n'roll - Rock The Block - Long Stick Goes Boom - Eat The Rich - Bedside Radio DVD: Recorded At The Montreux Jazz Festival On July 20th 2003 - Dolby Digital 2.0 & Surround 5.1 + Bonus... Tracklisting: Long Stick Goes Boom - Mad World - American Woman - I Want It All - Fire - Down The Drain - Screaming In The Night - Stayed Awake All Night - Rock City - Rock'n'roll Tonight - Easy Rocker - Heatstrokes - Bedside Radio Credits: Audio CD's recorded live at SwedenRock Festival, Zurich, Herisau, Solothurn during the Rock The Block Tour. Recorded live by Thierry Mas. Mixed by Patrick Aeby, Dominique Favez & Michel Gallone. Produced by Patrick Aeby & Dominique Favez & Co-produced by Fernando Von Arb DVD filmed and recorded at the Montreux Jazz Festival. Recorded by David Richards & Michel Gallone, Mobile studio LE VOYAGEUR II. Mixed by Michel Gallone. Produced by Patrick Aeby & Michel Gallone. TV Director: Romain Guélat Edited by Jessie Fischer for Treibhaus Postprod AG. All graphics and DVD menu designed by T42DESIGN. Thanks to the Montreux Jazz Festival founded and directed by Claude Nobs. These details from the Krokus website: <a href="http://www.krokusonline.com" target="new">www.krokusonline.com</a>   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="200" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/krokus-fireandgasoline.jpg" width="222" /></div> FRANKIE SAYS NEW SURVIVOR ALBUM UNDERWAY: An update from the Survivor camp. Here is the statement from guitarist Frankie Sullivan, with a few comments from myself below: "Well, the date is set and the time is near. On January 5 2004, we will converge on Chicago and begin the songwriting/pre-production process for what will be the next Survivor Record. We have decided to setup and play like a band for the first part of the creative process as we have always had great luck with writing in this way. Many songs begin simply with a drumbeat and a guitar riff - it is rock n' roll, pure and simple. It is also great fun to have the availability to get on our instruments and play together as the inspiration moves us, at moment it happens. When listening to tapes of everyone's ideas it is often very cool to grab the first instrument in your path and join in! At the moment, we have no timeline set and I will keep you posted as things develop. Who knows how the process will move this chemistry about? Songwriting is intense and time consuming on one hand and pure rock 'n' roll and vibes on the other. For me, it is finding the place where the two come together that matters most. We want to thank you all for visiting our site here in cyberspace and wish each one of you and your family the very best this holiday season. May 2004 bring you all that you have worked hard to attain along with the best of health. God Bless, Love, and Long Life -- Frankie Sullivan" Well folks, I'd love to see new material from Survivor and Jimi as much as the next person - Jimi's one of my all time favourite singers. But I'll believe it when I see it. Jimi's been back with the band more than 3 years now and there is no sign of any new material, nor has their been since some unreleased tunes from the late 90's escaped. This update is indeed positive, but we are a long way yet from a new studio album. Former Survivor vocalist Dave Bickler has been keeping busy, but no sign of his solo album yet. <a href="http://www.mizzou.edu/~npvytc/Budlight/Budlight.html" target="new">www.mizzou.edu/~npvytc/Budlight/Budlight.html</a> KEVIN DuBROW WORKS ON SOLO DEBUT: Quiet Riot vocalist Kevin DuBrow is currently recording an album of his favorite cover tunes from the 1970's. "This album's a real labor of love" say's DuBrow. "When Mike Varney of Shrapnel Records approached me about doing this I already had the songs selected" The album will feature songs originally done by Humble Pie, Mott The Hoople and Silverhead just to name a few. The recording is being done at Field Of Dreams studios in Las Vegas, NV features Kevin DuBrow on vocals, Kevin Curry on Guitar, German Bassist Gunter Nezhoda and former Badlands/UFO drummer and Racer X vocalist Jeff Martin. The album is being engineered by former Great White member Michael Lardie who also adds keyboards to the album. The album is being produced by Kevin DuBrow and Micheal Lardie and will be released on Shrapnel Records sometime early 2004. DANNY VAUGHN UK LINE-UP: With the Firehouse/Vaughn tour getting closer by the day, Danny Vaughn has put the finishing touches to his line up. Joining Danny will be some well known as well as lesser known (although that will soon change given their outstanding talents) musicians. Tony Marshall formerly of British hard rockers Contagious will occupy one of the guitar slots. Tony not only is a very competent guitarist but possesses a mighty set of pipes that will provide the perfect foil for Danny's heavy duty live delivery. Pat Heath formerly of much loved British AOR band Passion Street and most recently Brave New World will slot in to the other guitar slot. Pat is regarded by all who have heard him play as one of the brightest talents to emerge in the last decade. His mastery of the fret board is second nature to him with incisive, innovative and searing lead work the order of the day. The rhythm section will need absolutely no introduction to melodic hard rock audiences anywhere. Steve McKenna and Greg Morgan the long standing rhythm section of British hard rock idols Ten will be the men in the engine room for the tour. Steve's ability is well documented and has seen him play with a selection of stars such as Zack Wylde (at the Hard Rock Café Tokyo) amongst others. Danny is delighted that Steve was able to clear his schedule and come on board. Greg Morgan, who first came to prominence with classic English aor act Dare, playing on their Blood from Stone opus is regarded as one of the finest rock drummers on the scene at present. Greg's availability further strengthens the line up and adds the final touch to the Vaughn band, that will deliver 110% each and every show. Danny is very excited to get back to playing with a band and has spent a number of months putting together what he feels is by far the best group of musicians he could wish for. Vocal exercises are the order of the day for anybody attending the shows, don't say you haven't been warned! In addition Steve McKenna has played bass on the new Millennium album which features Ralph Santolla on guitar & Todd Plant back on vocals. The album should hopefully be released in 2004. PRETTY BOY FLOYD IN THE UK: Pretty Boy Floyd are playing at Nottingham RockCity on Sat Feb 21 2004. Support for this event will be "Being Paul Stanley". This is members of dressed to kill and parasite without the make up, covering Paul Stanley solo material and some rare kiss songs. Tickets on sale now priced at £10.00. UPDATED SHOWCASES: Online today are two very special showcases. Here is your advance preview of two big releases for February - the debut Jack Blades album and the new Seventh Key album The Raging Fire. Go check them out now!! <a href="showcase/jackblades.html">Jack Blades</a> and <a href="showcase/seventhkey-theragingfire.html">Seventh Key</a>.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="300" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/showcase/Jack-Blades-26.jpg" width="200" />XX<img alt="" height="300" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/showcase/7K-2.jpg" width="200" /></div> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <table bgcolor="#000000" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#000000"> <div align="center">Friday, January 02, 2004</div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#fdfee2"> HAPPY NEW YEAR: Welcome to 2004 - Happy New Year folks. Here's to a year ahead that will hopefully be a great year for you all. All I am hoping for is a year that will be easier than 2003 was. 2003 had it's challenges - to say the least! I'll be sure to expand on that thought in my Best Of 2003 summary coming soon. In any regards, I wish everyone the best. A little New Year gift for you! With thanks to Jim Peterik, Toby Hitchcock, Larry Millas & Frontiers Records, plus everyone behind Pride Of Lions - here is a free live MP3 download from Joe's in Chicago on Nov 21st. Download: Pride Of Lions - <a href="audio/PrideOfLions-BurningHeart.mp3">Burning Heart</a> (Live version of the Survivor classic). More info on Pride of Lions at: <a href="http://www.aprideoflions.com" target="new">www.aprideoflions.com</a> <a href="http://www.frontiers.it" target="new">www.frontiers.it</a> and <a href="showcase/prideoflions.html">POL CD Showcase</a>.   <div align="center"><img alt="" height="301" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/prideoflions-live1.jpg" width="200" /><img alt="" height="301" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/prideoflions-live2.jpg" width="200" /><img alt="" height="301" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/prideoflions-live4.jpg" width="200" /> <img alt="" height="199" src="/files-archive/news//files-archive/news/prideoflions-live3.jpg" width="300" /></div> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>     <div align="center"> <h1><a href="news2003.html">News From 2003</a></h1> </div>   </div><div class="field-item odd" property="content:encoded"><div class="row"><div class="col-md-12"><div class="box-social"><div><label>Share this:</label></div><div 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