heavyharmonies

Not until the donation drive is over and the drawing is held.

Comin' down the home stretch with 2 weeks left to go in the donation drive. Donations have fallen off a bit, to be expected. Total donations thus far amount to $635, which will cover just short of 3 months of operating costs. The ending total of last year's drive was about double this amount, so I'm hoping Santa drops in early this year. Thanks to everyone who has donated!! -Dan P.S. Thus far ONE person has correctly identified the CD in question. I'm shocked actually...

Meh. Overall does nothing for me and I loved Sound of Madness. The chorus is solid enough, but the background annoying guitar lick and the whole boom-lay-boom crap just ruin it for me. -Dan

Metal Mind Productions presents the complete discography of one of the best and most influential prog-metal bands of the 80’s – Crimson Glory. The exclusive 5 CD box entitled “In Dark Places…1986-2000” contains all of their studio albums: “Crimson Glory”, “Transcendence”, “Strange And Beautiful”, “Astronomica” (2CD). The box also includes bonus tracks, such as songs taken from singles, videos, live or demo tracks plus a 60 pages booklet. All recordings are remastered using tube technology. Box is limited to 1000 numbered copies and is a must-have for all fans of the band as well as for the lovers of the progressive metal genre! Crimson Glory’s origin reaches the 80’s, when the band emerged with a dazzling combination of early Queensryche style, fascinating guitar melodies and distinctive, emotive vocals. The line-up, consisting of Ben Jackson (guitars), Jon Drenning (guitars), Jeff Lords (bass), Dana Burnell (drums) and Midnight (vocals) recorded two albums – Crimson Glory and Transcendence, both bringing the band a large number of devoted fans. The unique musical mixture, followed by a characteristic image (all band members wore silver masks) marked the beginning of a prog metal legend. But the band did not wish to be captivated in only one musical style. With their third album, Crimson Glory reached far beyond simple power metal musicianship, replacing it with complex, precise songwriting, controversial both in sound and structure. Strange and Beautiful turned out as an epic musical experience, filled with elements borrowed from prog metal, as well as blues and hard rock. For some fans the band explored far too commercial regions, but others greeted Crimson Glory’s evolution enthusiastically. Unfortunately, after the release of their third LP the group stepped down from the scene for six years. It wasn’t until 1997, when Jon Drenning and Jeff Lords decided to reunite Crimson Glory. Ben Jackson’s return was a great start to the process; however it was soon clear that this trio will be the only remaining members of the original line-up, as vocalist Midnight was at that time not interested in recording a new album. Drenning, Lords and Jackson had a tough decision on whom to set as a replacement for the charismatic singer. The final choice was Wade Black, whose vocals sounded much more powerful and aggressive, brining a totally new quality to Crimson Glory’s music. After adjoining ex-Savatage drummer Steve Wacholz the band was ready for a definite comeback. In 1999 Astronomica saw daylight. The album proved the band’s great form, being both a nod to the past as well as updated for the present, retaining some of the classic guitar harmonies with a slightly more dynamic approach. Although soon after its release Black left the band to front Seven Witches and Leash Law, Crimson Glory did not cease to exist. On May 2010 the band announced that a new singer, Todd La Torre, had joined the band. La Torre made his first (and as yet only) public appearance with Crimson Glory at ProgPower USA X as one of seventeen guest performers paying tribute to Midnight, the band's original singer who passed away in 2009 The band is currently working on their new material. Metal Mind Productions will release “In Dark Places…1986-2000” on 23rd August in Europe and 5th October in USA (via MVD). Crimson Glory “In Dark Places…1986 - 2000” Label: Metal Mind Records Cat. No.: MMP 5CD BOX 007 Barcode: 5907785036055 Format: 5 CD Box + 60 pages booklet (limited edition of 1000 copies) Genre: progressive metal Release date: 23.08.2010 Europe / 5.10.2010 USA Tracklist: CD 1 - CRIMSON GLORY 1. Valhalla 2. Dragon Lady 3. Heart Of Steel 4. Azrael 5. Mayday 6. Queen Of The Masquerade 7. Angels Of War 8. Lost Reflection Bonus track: 9. Dream Dancer CD 2 – TRANSCENDENCE 1. Lady Of Winter 2. Red Sharks 3. Painted Skies 4. Masque Of The Red Death 5. In Dark Places 6. Where Dragons Rule 7. Lonely 8. Burning Bridges 9. Eternal World 10. Transcendence Bonus Tracks: 11. Lonely (Re-Mix) 12. Lonely (Videoclip) CD 3 - STRANGE AND BEAUTIFUL 1. Strange And Beautiful 2. Promise Land 3. Love And Dreams 4. The Chant 5. Dance On Fire 6. Song For Angels 7. In The Mood 8. Starchamber 9. Deep Inside Your Heart 10. Make You Love Me 11. Far Away Bonus Track: 12. The Chant (Videoclip) CD 4 – ASTRONOMICA 1. March To Glory (Instrumental) 2. War Of The Worlds 3. New World Machine 4. Astronomica 5. Edge Of Forever 6. Touch The Sun 7. Lucifer's Hammer 8. The Other Side Od Midnight 9. Cyber-Christ 10. Cydonia CD 5 – ASTRONOMICA 1. War Of The Worlds - Remake 2. Astronomica - Demo Version 3. Touch The Sun - Demo Version 4. Edge Of Forever - Demo Version (bonus track) 5. Dragon Lady - Live 6. Eternal World - Live 7. Painted Skies - Live 8. Queen Of The Masquerade - Live 9. Lost Reflection - Live All the best, Agnieszka Świątnicka-Kulpińska -------------------------------------- Metal Mind Productions - Promo Dept. e-mail: agnieszka.kulpinska@metalmind.com.pl www.metalmind.com.pl / www.myspace.com/metalmindproductions Become a fan on www.facebook.com/metalmindproductions tel.++48 32 205 25 00 fax: ++48 32 205 36 65 ul. Czajek 31, 40-534 Katowice POLAND

http://www.heavyharmonies.com/cgi-bin/audio.cgi 2010 is turning into a real barnburner! -Dan

Update at the half way point in the donation drive: A bit over $500 has been donated thus far, enough to cover a bit over 2 months of expenses. This puts us a bit behind last year's pace, but I sorta expected that. To those who have donated so far, THANK YOU! To those who haven't donated, I now have to pull the obligatory guilt trip and sniffle and cry, and make up a story on how my ailing grandmother needs a liver transplant, yadda yadda yadda. Seriously though, whether it's $5, $10, $20, or more, every bit helps, and the voluntary donations help keep HH free for everyone. Heck, $20 is roughly the equivalent cost of one CD (yeah, I realize that $15 is closer but I don't have a $15 donation button so work with me here) and the donation drive is only once a year. So if ya uses HH and ya likes it, howsabout ya pony up to the bar and pays yer tab? [seriously though, all assistance is appreciated and I'm just trying to spur it on a li'l bit, that's all. ] -Dan

Ex HAREM SCAREM singer Harry Hess returns with FIRST SIGNAL paying tribute to his former band classic sound! Napoli, June 2010 – Frontiers Records will release on August 27th 2010 in Europe and September 14th in the USA the new album from FIRST SIGNAL, a new exciting Melodic Rock studio project presenting the alliance between two well known faces in the scene: Canadian singer Harry Hess (ex Harem Scarem) and producer/bassist Dennis Ward (Pink Cream 69, Khymera etc.). The concept behind this recording is to bring back the classic Harem Scarem sound which after the band decision to split is very much missed by many fans. Records such as “Mood Swings” and “Weight of the World” are regarded as true masterpiece albums and they were the inspiration behind the First Signal songs which of course are also open to some new twists and interpretations. "The record is very reminiscent of the songs I grew up listening to and fit my vocal style", says Harry "It definitely reminds me of the songs we were writing very early on in Harem Scarem. I haven't been involved with anything even close to this style musically since Harem Scarem, so it was a lot of fun for me and if the fans really like it I'm sure there’ll be a future First Signal!" Harem Scarem have displayed throughout their 12 official studio albums a vast array of styles, from AOR, to Arena Hard Rock and Power Pop in the “Rubber” years. Still the fans have always asked the band to go back to a guitar riffs oriented sound which melted the influences from the Melodic Metal of the 80’s with more contemporary sounds. A great team of songwriters, including brothers Tom and James Martin (Khymera, Sunstorm, House of Lords), Erik Martensson (W.E.T., Eclipse), Ronny Milianowicz (Saint Deamon), Robert Sall (W.E.T., Work of Art) and Mark Baker (Signal, House of Lords) among others, had the task to recreate that magic sound, which is now back in all its glory thanks to a monster vocal performance from Harry and a crisp production and arrangement work from Dennis Ward. Other musicians on the album include Chris Schmidt on drums, Michael Klein on guitars and Eric Ragno on keyboards and the necessary background vocals contribution from the other ex Harem Scarem member Darren Smith. “First Signal” final tracklisting includes the following tracks: This City; When You Believe; Part of Me; Crazy; Goodbye To The Old Times; First Signal; Feels Like Love; Into the Night: When November Falls; Yesterday Rain; Naked Desire. The songs “This City” and “Yesterday Rain” can exclusively be listened in full in streaming on the Frontiers Web radio from June 21st. Tune in at: www.frontiers.it/webradio Musicians: Harry Hess: lead and background vocals Darren Smith: background vocals Dennis Ward: bass, background vocals, guitars Eric Ragno: keyboards Michael Klein: guitars Chris Schmidt : drums Weblinks: www.frontiers.it / www.myspace.com/frontiersrecords SAMPLES: http://www.frontiers.it/m/uploads/audios/first_signal_-_01_-_this_city.mp3 http://www.frontiers.it/m/uploads/audios/first_signal_-_03_-_part_of_me.mp3 http://www.frontiers.it/m/uploads/audios/first_signal_-_06_-_first_signal.mp3 http://www.frontiers.it/m/uploads/audios/first_signal_-_10_-_yesterdays_rain.mp3

It's really buggin' ya, ain't it? Now, if I were an incredible DICK, I might have pulled something like "The CD that impossibly unseated Treat - Coup de Grace from its #1 Contender slot is... the JAPANESE release of Treat - Coup de Grace with the bonus track." But that would be amazingly dickly, possibly bordering on Lonnie-ish, so I won't do that. I will say this though: Thus far ONE donor has guessed the correct CD. It's gunna be REAL small drawing... -Dan

Every donation helps and is appreciated. Some people can afford more than others; and some people are more comfortable donating than others. That's fine, it's a personal choice. Whether it's a $2 donation or a $500 donation (I wish! ), they all help support the site. Thanks to everyone who has donated (and even to those who don't donate, but participate in the HH community)! -Dan

Ya needs to pick one... or make 2 more donations. -Dan Nah, I was just funnin' with ya. Your first donation was large enough. Thanks, -Dan

Ya needs to pick one... or make 2 more donations. -Dan

I'm actually shocked that no one has guessed it, given how much I love the CD. Furthermore, given its style, I would think it's one that folks here would be raving about. Maybe not enough people have given it enough spins for it to grow on them. In my case, no growing time was necessary; it kicked me in the balls from song 1 and only gets better with replays. I don't want influence the contest, but people need to think outside the above-mentioned few CDs... -Dan

Recently Pres. Obama announced that over the next 90-days he is going to work to cut 100-Million dollars of spending out of the Federal Budget. This is great! A college student explains Obamanomics. Very well done! This is worth spending one minute and thirty eight seconds to watch! http://www.wimp.com/budgetcuts/ (w/sound)

Fairly impressive, especially the coordinated drumming bit in Wipeout. That must have taken some practicing...

It's fun watching all the conjecture. I'll give this hint: it's not an upcoming release; it has already been officially released on CD. -Dan

STORMSPELL RECORDS PROUDLY PRESENTS 3 NEW RELEASES OUT ON JUNE 15, 2010: LICH KING - World Gone Dead CD SSR-DL46 Release date: June 15, 2010 Format: Jewel case CD, 12-page booklet Limited to 1000 hand-numbered copies 3rd album by the Bay Area thrash mongrels via Amherst, Massachussetts. Hated by thousands, loved by dozens, one is for certain - this band never leaves you indifferent. As intense and headbanging as ever. For fans of: EXODUS, VIO-LENCE, early SLAYER, and G.W. Bush's personal favorites - NUKILAR ASSAULT ;-) For the most avid fans we've got a very limited "World Gone Dead" CD + T-shirt combos: A special combo item including the upcoming "World Gone Dead" CD + silk-screened t-shirt in VERY limited quantities! This combo will be available on preorder basis only and will be discontinued on June 15th or until supplies last, whichever comes first. Buy now or cry later! Preorder now at: http://stormspell.bigcartel.com LAST DESCENDANTS - One Nation Under God +4 CD SSR-DY47 Release date: June 15, 2010 Format: Jewel case CD, 12-page booklet Limited to 1000 hand-numbered copies Arcane cult power/thrash from Bay Area with progressive overtones. This is a re-release of their 1988 Album "One Nation Under God" originally released on the cult collector's label AAARRG Records out of Germany. Now digitaly remastered, and expanded with the WORLD WAR III Demo 1986 as bonus tracks. Also comes with thick booklet crammed with tons of archive photos, all lyrics, band bio written by Gary Morton, and exclusive interview by William C. Ackerman. You can save the $200+ this CD (and bootlegs) fetch on eGay and get it for a regular price, at last. For fans of: ARTILLERY, BELIEVER, SENTINEL BEAST, TOXIK, MEKONG DELTA, TARGET, to name a few Preorder now at: http://stormspell.bigcartel.com STEEL HORSE - Wild Power SSR-DL48 Release date: June 15, 2010 Format: Jewel case CD, 12-page booklet Limited to 1000 hand-numbered copies Traditional heavy metal in the ways of the olde. For fans of: JUDAS PRIEST, IRON MAIDEN, SAXON, TYGERS OF PAN TANG, early TOKYO BLADE, WILD just to name a few Preorder now at: http://stormspell.bigcartel.com Label Contact: Stormspell Records P.O. Box 641852 San Jose, CA 95164 USA Web: http://www.stormspell.com E-mail: metal@stormspell.com

Well, let's not forget the new NKOTB album...

Update after a week. The donation drive has raised $250 thus far, or a little over one month's worth of operating expenses. All donations, no matter how large or small, are gratefully appreciated! Thanks, -Dan P.S. No one has correctly guessed the CD yet.

And if you're into High-Def, some Blu-Ray recommendations: Bon Jovi: Live at Madison Square Garden Eagles: Farewell 1 Tour - Live From Melbourne Heart: Alive in Seattle Metallica: Francais Pour Une Nuit Styx: One With Everything Toto: Live in Amsterdam Within Temptation - Black Symphony -Dan

If the whole set is like this, it will be one to pick up. The only things is how many friggin' hours will it take to input the box set into the HH database?

Really good batch of new stuff just added: Grimm Jack - Partners in Crime: Accessory After the Fact Terra Nova - Come Alive Tony Harnell and the Mercury Train - Round Trip Jorn Lande - Dio (awesome tribute!!) YOSO - Elements (classic AOR supergroup) http://www.heavyharmonies.com/cgi-bin/audio.cgi

Yeah, that's why I'm quietly hopeful about this to be honest, especially with Dan saying it needn't cost too much to make. Hopefully it's not more than us$20. Well let's not get STUPID now... Realistically, I can see a price in the $150-200 range for a 25-CD box. If it comes in lower than that I'll be pleasantly surprised. My guess is that most people will opt for the mp3-based options (my guess: $69-99). -Dan

I think replying that a boycott on supporting RSC and future projects in the future, was a valid response to be honest Dan. I have no problem with that at all. It was leykis's post threatening to do violence, and the next post that quoted his post that I deleted. -Dan

Post that could be construed as a threat and a response to it deleted. There's no place for that here. -Dan

Not necessarily. If all the CDs are in cardboard sleeves rather than jewel cases, it shouldn't be too bad. For example, here's a 170 CD boxed set: http://www.amazon.com/Mozart-Complete-Works-170-Box/dp/B000BLI3K2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1275436316&sr=8-1 It's less than $1 per CD. I bought one for my mom for her birthday 2 years ago. She loves it and says the quality is great.