Kiske / Somerville - City Of Heroes

[Stefan]

 

 

From Frontiers Records:

 

Five years of waiting for KISKE / SOMERVILLE new masterpiece album “City of Heroes” to be released worldwide in April on Frontiers

Frontiers Music Srl is excited to announce the release of the anticipated new album from KISKE / SOMERVILLE entitled "City of Heroes" on April 17th in Europe and April 21st in North America.

KISKE / SOMERVILLE is the musical collaboration between vocalists Michael Kiske (ex-Helloween, Unisonic, Place Vendome) and Amanda Somerville (Trillium, Avantasia) and this new recording is certainly going to be one of the highlights of the season in Rock music. Kiske’s soaring overtones seem to blend perfectly with the ethereal quality and diverse range of Amanda's voice and this time the results are truly over the top.

This brilliant new album sees Mat Sinner (Primal Fear, Sinner) and Magnus Karlsson (Starbreaker, Primal Fear) handling most of the songwriting (with a song contribution “Breaking Neptune” from Sander Gommans formerly of After Forever and Amanda Somerville herself) and with Sinner overseeing the production in various recording studios in Europe. Jacob Hansen (Volbeat, Amaranthe, Primal Fear, Pretty Maids, Doro etc.) then took care of the mix of the album ensuring a sonic quality second to none.

The first KISKE / SOMERVILLE self-titled album instantly aroused enthusiasm in the rock and metal community. The two videos off the album -“If I Had a Wish” and “Silence” – amassed a total of approximately 3,000,000 plays to date, which means that these songs can legitimately be considered as nowadays Rock classics!

Considered a Metal Diva in the European symphonic metal scene, Amanda Somerville is an American singer-songwriter from Flint, Michigan whose catalogue of projects, guest appearances and live shows garnered to date is an impressive body of work. Since 1999, she has divided her time between the US and Europe, primarily Germany and the Netherlands. She co-wrote the metal opera "AINA," and has also been a vocalist, songwriter, producer and / or vocal coach for many bands like AVANTASIA, EPICA and KAMELOT, giving her more credibility in metal circles than she ever bargained for. Some of her most recent endeavors include working with renowned artists Alice Cooper, Bonnie Tyler, Ian Gillan (DEEP PURPLE) and many others.

Hamburg-born singer Michael Kiske is best known as the former lead vocalist for the German Metal Gods Helloween. After his departure from the band, Kiske recorded four solo albums, participated on various metal and rock related projects, such as Place Vendome and he also performed with numerous bands as a guest vocalist. In late 2009, he formed the hard rock/heavy metal band Unisonic, together with his former Helloween bandmate Kai Hansen and began touring again after 17 years.

 

 

“City of Heroes” will be released in CD, Deluxe edition with a bonus DVD and 2Lp vinyl gatefold sleeve.

Tracklisting includes: City of Heroes; Walk on Water; Rising Up; Salvation; Lights Out; Breaking Neptune; Ocean of Tears; Open Your Eyes; Last Goodbye; After The Night Is Over; Run With a Dream; Right Now.

DVD includes: City of Heroes (video); Walk on Water (video); “Making of” documentary

Musicians
Lead & Backing Vocals by Michael Kiske & Amanda Somerville
Guitars & Keyboards: Magnus Karlsson
Bass & Backing Vocals: Mat Sinner
Drums: Veronika Lukesova

 

 

[Geoff]

I honestly can't even remember if I checked out the debut or not, and if I did, obviously, if was very forgettable. That sample sounds exactly, 100% what I expected it to sound like. Very, very generic. Not inspiring any great desire to listen to this, but we'll see.

[KarpetRydOFunk]

I honestly can't even remember if I checked out the debut or not, and if I did, obviously, if was very forgettable. That sample sounds exactly, 100% what I expected it to sound like. Very, very generic. Not inspiring any great desire to listen to this, but we'll see.

 

Yep. I feel the same way about the debut, and I haven't even listened to this, yet. For some reason, these two together are simply bland.

[Dead Planet]

It isn't anything new or groundbreaking but I like it and will be picking it up.....

[Glen]

Oh dear.

 

Zzzzzz

[phaffas]

LOVED the debut. Buying this. I want Karlssons baby.

[Delbert]

Once again, music to my ears. I am a huge fan of melodic Metal, layered with voices, keys, double drum beats and searing guitars. Music to my ears, did I mention that?

[Stefan]

Once again, music to my ears. I am a huge fan of melodic Metal, layered with voices, keys, double drum beats and searing guitars. Music to my ears, did I mention that?

 

Mention what? Music to your beers?

 

 

 

 

 

[DaHun72]

This is actually better than I though it was going to be. Debut was underwhelming.

[KarpetRydOFunk]

This is actually better than I though it was going to be. Debut was underwhelming.

 

I heard one-and-a-half samples, and I agree. Still don't think I'll pursue it, though.

[Stefan]

[Delbert]

Very melodic track which was enjoyable to hear..................

 

Very nice drummer that was enjoyable to see........................

[heavyharmonies]

Considerably better than the debut IMO.

[Geoff]

What is wrong with people these days? How does no one involved in that film clip or in production realise how awful it is? Kiske leaning against that piano the whole time looking like some creepy old dude about to shoot a POV porn clip with an 18 year old, and he as the pensioner. The very busty Somerville lady just standing in the middle awkwardly, not that it matters, with that bust. And yeah, the drummer probably is okay, not like you can tell, though, because the stupid fucking clip keeps fading in and out of focus. Just terrible.

 

Anyway... the song isn't bad at all. Don't really like duets, but it's not bad.

[Nightrain]

An 8/10 song which probably will wear off to 7 or 7.5 after some time

[Geoff]

An 8/10 song which probably will wear off to 7 or 7.5 after some time

 

So beat it to the punch and just rate it a 7/10 straight off the bat.

[Stefan]

[Gotthardline]

Wow, this one took me by surprise. Fantastic album from start to finish although the first 3 tracks are probably the best of the lot. Wasn't really that excited for this one but it is up there with revolution saints and Station for my favourite album so far this year

[Geoff]

Yeah, I'll admit it. I really like this one too. If you like Allen/Lande mixed with Place Vendome, this'll sit very well with you. Very, very consistent and good quality. Diggin' it.