Stefan

Is there any worse than these Christmas albums? Yuck.

Featuring artists like Jesse Damon, Paul Sabu, Zak Stevens, Steve Grimmett, Rob Rock, Danny Vaughn, Danny Martinez Jr. From Pride & Joy Music: The new all-star hard & heavy project BARNABAS SKY comes from the mind of guitarist, composer and multi-instrumentalist Markus Pfeffer (Lazarus Dream, Winterland, ex-Scarlett) from Kaiserslautern/Germany. The debut album full of catchy hooklines, edgy-groovy rocking guitar riffs and filigree guitar solos is titled "Inspirations" for a certain reason: Pfeffer was able to hire singers from internationally known bands for it, which had influenced him significantly during his musical beginnings: Jesse Damon (SILENT RAGE), Steve Grimmett (GRIM REAPER/LIONSHEART), Danny Martinez Jr. (GUILD OF AGES), Rob Rock (IMPELLITTERI/AXEL RUDI PELL), Zak Stevens (SAVATAGE) and Danny Vaughn (TYKETTO) do the lead vocals on the album. TYKETTO's "Don't Come Easy" was one of the first CDs Markus Pfeffer listened to on an endless loop as a schoolboy in 1991. Three decades later, he composes two songs together with TYKETTO's golden throat Danny Vaughn, the appropriately titled epic opener "Legends Rise" and "Say Farewell To Darker Days" with elaborate vocal arrangements and poignant lyrics. SAVATAGE singer Zak Stevens contributed lyrics about the psychological effects of the pandemic for the heavy stomping track "What Lies Beneath", which is underpinned with down-tuned guitar riffs and subtle orchestral arrangements, and he sings about a legendary figure of Russian folklore in the form of a bird with a woman's head on "The Alkonost". GUILD OF AGES frontman Danny Martinez Jr. from Denver/Colorado dominates the melodic hard rock songs "Breathe Again" and "In My Mind" with his very own timbre and velvety voice. The latter is the album's first video track with a more than hooky guitar riff and lyrics about the increasingly important attention to mental health. SILENT RAGE's smoky-throated frontman Jesse Damon carries the epic ballad "Till The End Of Time" and the rocker "Youngblood", with AOR legend PAUL SABU contributing backing vocals for both tracks. Nostalgia fact on the side: Interestingly, the Hollywood classic movie "The Thief of Bagdad" starring Sabus's father was Markus Pfeffer's favourite film during his childhood. Damon recorded his vocals in North Hollywood at the studio of Bill Metoyer (FATES WARNING, ARMORED SAINT etc.). Melodic metal siren Rob Rock (AXEL RUDI PELL, IMPELLITTERI, M.A.R.S. etc.) takes over the mic on the riff monster "Yesterday's Gone" and GRIM REAPER's Steve Grimmett's unmistakable voice convinces on the straight rocker "Never Enough". As a tribute, Pfeffer has adapted the title tune of the seventies TV series "Timm Thaler" in a "GARY MOORE way" and provided it with deliberate sonic and stylistic reminiscences of Moore's classic "The Loner". Musical guests on the album are keyboardist Thomas Nitschke and pianist Michael Weickenmeyer, drummer/percussionist Thomas Rieder and bassist Bernd Schreiber. The album's artwork was designed by well-known French artist Stan W. Decker (RAGE, BLUE ÖYSTER CULT, MASTERPLAN) and mastering was done at Rolf Munkes’ (CREMATORY) Empire studios in Bensheim, Hessia. The names of the contributors speak for themselves - there can hardly be more arguments to lend BARNABAS SKY's debut album an attentive ear. TRACK LISTING 1. Legends Rise (feat. Danny Vaughn) 2. What Lies Beneath (feat. Zak Stevens) 3. In My Mind (feat. Danny Martinez Jr.) 4. Yesterday’s Gone (feat. Rob Rock) 5. Till The End Of Time (feat. Jesse Damon and Paul Sabu) 6. Say Farewell To Darker Days (feat. Danny Vaughn) 7. Breathe Again (feat. Danny Martinez Jr.) 8. The Alkonost (feat. Zak Stevens) 9. Timm’s Theme (Instrumental) 10. Youngblood (feat. Jesse Damon and Paul Sabu) 11. Never enough (feat. Steve Grimmett) 12. Till The End Of Time (Piano-Version) facebook

New song 'Strong'.

From his website: New Album ‘Alive’ Out October 22, 2021.I’m excited to announce that my new album ‘Alive’ is scheduled for release on October 22, 2021. ‘Alive’ was three years in the making and it’s well worth the wait! This is a big melodic rock/pop album with a few surprises. Hopefully it can be a little distraction from what’s going on in the world at the moment. The first promotional single ‘Waiting For That Day’ will be released in September along with an official music video. ‘Alive’ will be available on all popular streaming/download platforms worldwide. It will also be available on CD as well as Digital Download in FLAC and MP3 format directly from my website dionbayman.com. The CD insert will feature introductory liner notes written by David Hutcherson from MelodicMusicReviews. I can’t wait for you all to hear it! More info to come soon!

New song 'Bring Me To Life' (Evanescence cover).

Video for 'Outrun'.

New song 'Tomorrow' featuring Samantha Fox.

New single 'Outrun'.

Fuck me, this sounds great. From rocknloadmag.com: FLORENCE BLACK ANNOUNCE DEBUT ALBUM ‘WEIGHT OF THE WORLD’, SET FOR RELEASE ON SEPTEMBER 17 Bowed by their fans exultant reaction to their latest single ‘Sun & Moon’ last Friday, fast-rising Welsh rockers FLORENCE BLACK have unveiled plans for their debut album. Set for release on September 17th and titled ‘Weight of The World’, the ten-track beast was laid down in Wales at Long Wave Recording Studio with producer Romesh Dodangoda (Bring Me The Horizon, Motorhead, Sylosis, Holding Absence). Charismatic vocalist Tristan Thomas, who designed the album’s artwork as well, states, “‘Weight Of The World’ is the culmination of our time as Florence Black. It’s a mixture of songs written at our very beginning and brand new material just created, blended together and shaped into one. The pressure and anticipation of releasing our debut album, feels like we have the weight of the world on our shoulders, especially with waiting what has felt like since the beginning of time to get it recorded and released. We wanted that reflected in the title and the artwork. Not to mention, with Romesh Dodangoda’s production, the sound is as heavy as Planet Earth too!” The track listing is: 1. Zulu 2. Inside Out 3. On The Ropes 4. Sun & Moon 5. Can You Feel It? 6. Grove Street 7. Black Cat 8. The Deep End 9. So Far Away 10. The Light For the uninitiated, Merthyr Tydfil’s FLORENCE BLACK are a young band of self-taught, childhood friends: lead vocalist/guitarist Tristan Thomas, bassist/backing vocalist Jordan Evans, and drummer/backing vocalist Perry Davies. The group have released three EPs to date, with previous single ‘Bird On A Chain’ clinching #1 in the UK iTunes rock chart and amassing over 2.1 million streams to date. Before announcing the album, the band shared two early singles to give fans a hint of what’s in store – the pile-driving rocker ‘Can You Feel It?‘, with a video directed by While She Sleeps’ Aaran McKenzie, and the summery, toe-tapping smash ‘Sun & Moon‘, with a self-made video in the beautiful Welsh countryside local to them. Both tracks blasted straight into the top echelons of the UK iTunes rock chart on release. Such is the ground swell of support for the band, FLORENCE BLACK have already captured Classic Rock’s fan-voted Track Of The Week accolade, not once, but twice. www.florenceblack.uk facebook.com/florenceblackUK

New video for 'Stuck'. Great song. Press release from Frontiers: Memoria Avenue is a new Melodic Rock/AOR band from Norway showcasing an artistic union between guitarist Tor Talle and the awesome new singer Jan Le’ Brandt. The band's self-titled debut album will be released on November 5, 2021 via Frontiers Music Srl. Tor is a skilled and well known musician, best known for the Northern Light project and the band Skyscraper. He has also worked, either writing songs and/or performing with, on records from melodic rock giants such as Joe Lynn Turner (Rainbow, Deep Purple), Fergie Frederiksen (ex-TOTO), Rob Moratti (ex-SAGA), Steve Overland (FM), and the late Tony Mills (TNT, Shy). Jan Le’ Brandt, a relative newcomer to the melodic rock scene, has a voice that is sometimes hoarse and rough, but can also move into a more delicate and sensitive style. Jan masters the whole spectrum to the fullest, with his soulful presence both on stage and in the studio. He has already previously released some material as a solo artist, appeared with the cover band Svigermord, and formerly sang for Big City (also signed to Frontiers recently), but Memoria Avenue is his chance to truly shine. Keyboard player Dag Selboskar (who also plays in ZELBO, another new signing to Frontiers), has been touring since 1980 with several bands including Da Vinci, Evenrude, Street Legal, and Trine Rein. He started his own band, ZELBO a couple of years ago with Ken Hensley and Wonderworld guitarist Ken Ingwersen. Bassist Svenn Huneide started touring in his early teens and has released several albums with Norwegian AOR band Stoneflower. He has released solo albums spanning from pop to rock to country and played bass with Norwegian AOR legends Da Vinci. Bjørn Olav Lauvdal is one of the most experienced heavy rock drummers in Norway and is known as a heavy hitter. He started playing drums at an early age and toured the club circuit in Norway early in his career. He has toured, recorded, and released albums with Street Legal, The Wheel, and Da Vinci. He has also recorded album tracks on releases by Carnivora and Ken’s Dojo, among others. Live, he has also played with Evenrude, Ozzmosis, Dee Snider, etc. Melodic Rock and AOR fans will have much to enjoy with the self-titled debut from these talented Norwegians!

Sweeeeeeet.

Eric Clapton just released a song about the pandemic 'This Has Gotta Stop'. From The Irish Times: ‘This Has Gotta Stop’: Eric Clapton releases song criticising pandemic response The musician also appeared on Van Morrison’s anti-lockdown track last December Eric Clapton, a staunch critic of measures designed to tackle the Covid pandemic, has released a song entitled This Has Gotta Stop. While the song does not directly mention lockdown measures or vaccines, the musician has performed on anti-vaccine songs in recent months. His latest offering has been interpreted by some as an attack on the measures recommended by health officials. “I can’t take this BS any longer, It’s gone far enough, You want to claim my soul, you’ll have to come and break down this door,” Clapton sings. Other lyrics include: “I knew that something was going on wrong, When you started laying down the law, I can’t move my hands, I break out in sweat.” Clapton has previously talked about the negative reaction he had to a vaccine dose he received. According to Rolling Stone, he said: “I took the first jab of AZ [AstraZeneca] and straight away had severe reactions, which lasted 10 days… The reactions [to the second] were disastrous. My hands and feet were either frozen, numb or burning, and pretty much useless for two weeks, I feared I would never play again.” He referred to extensive scientific research, which has found the vaccines on offer in the UK to be safe and save lives, as “propaganda”. Clapton has also said he will not perform at any venues that require attendees to show proof of vaccination. Vaccine passports In response to the UK government announcement that vaccine passports will be required to access nightclubs and venues by the end of September, the musician issued a statement saying he would not play “any stage where there is a discriminated audience present”. Clapton also appeared on Van Morrison’s anti-lockdown track Stand and Deliver last December. The Stand and Deliver lyrics likened coronavirus lockdown measures to slavery. “Stand and deliver, You let them put the fear on you, Stand and deliver, But not a word you heard was true… But if there’s nothing you can say, There may be nothing you can do, Do you want to be a free man, Or do you want to be a slave?”

I knew you would

New song 'Running Away From Home'.

'Delirium' - live at NSL (Nordic Sound Lab)

Interesting to watch Jason Newsted's unboxing video. The guy sure has a great memory, remembering pretty much every photo session and gigs throughout the years.

No love for Bad Habit?! New video for 'Reason To Believe'.

At least you still have cops in Canada, soon to be called 'peace officers' in Minneapolis. And soon in the rest of US. "Defund the police!" Wankers.

I'm just waiting for Jez to agree with me.

What do you mean? We all knew it was gonna be great in the first place.

From AOR Heaven: SIX SILVER SUNS is a recent addition to the Finnish rock field, but the band's members are all well known musicians. Janne Mannonen on the drums is known from Finnish legendary band, YUP. Vocalist Markku Kuikka has been heard on many of heavy and hard rock albums. Guitarists Toni Bite and Harri Petjakko, bass player Teo Lehto and keyboardist Sammy Tabermann have released dozens of records with several bands. Helena Haaparanta is heard as a background singer. Six Silver Suns has emerged from the desire to wander back to the golden years of rock and pop music: the 70s and the 80s. The band’s inspiration comes from progressive rock, goes towards Blue Öyster Cult, and combines all with the catchy tunes and melodies from AOR and Hard Rock scene. Their first release is entitled "As Archons Fall”. The album includes ten versatile songs which have beautiful harmonies and melodies all the way. "As Archons Fall" is a fantastic journey to the Six Silver Suns Universe, where any song can lead a listener into different kind of cosmic soundscapes. You cannot underline just one song only because "As Archons Fall" is an entire experience for the listener. There is also pleasant cover song, The Mamas and the Papas - "California dreamin`". The album's opening song - "Lord of the Southern Tower" lead you into distant worlds and tune you in to following songs. Until you have reached the song "A Night upon My Shoulders", you will understand the whole. Of course there is some pieces to pick up as a enjoyable moments as you like. "Six Silver Suns has two main composers, and both have a strong vision. On my other band YUP, I felt I did not have much to offer as a composer, while now I feel like I’m more on my own field, musically. When Toni and I started to write music for Six Silver Suns, we soon realized we work really well together, even though our tastes in music are quite different”, explains Janne Mannonen. "Six Silver Suns has given me a chance to sing in a completely new musical environment. Our goal has been to take influence from the 70s and it was surprisingly easy to find that natural groove. We all have been playing in quite different type of bands, but all that experience came together nicely in Six Silver Suns, and - at least to my ears - we sound good! " Vocalist Markku Kuikka says. “This record is an awesome and casual journey into the world of rock music where there are no rules. Imagination and the freedom to compose without frames was a key element of this record for myself. I think this record will be a joy for many people for a long time to come”, explains Toni Bite Line up: Markku Kuikka-vocals Toni Bite-guitar Janne Mannonen-drums Harri Petjakko-guitar Teo Lehto-bass Sammy Taberman-keyboards Track listing: 01 Lord of the Southern Tower 02 To the Unknown 03 Children of the Stars 04 Fading by Light 05 Sweet Promethean 06 Cosmic Bitter Blues 07 The Stranger 08 Vultures of Nevermore 09 Edge of Forever 10 A Night upon My Shoulders 11 California dreamin` (The Mamas and the Papas cover) www.facebook.com/sixsilversuns

New song 'Walking In A Hurricane' (John Fogerty cover).

Oh yeah, they're back! Awesome. Press release from Nuclear Blast: 2021-08-20 - The future has begun: Today, heavy metal heroes BEAST IN BLACK start into a new shimmering metallic era of their bright future. The band announces their new album "Dark Connection"and reveals the cover artwork for this fantastic masterpiece, catapulting the listener into the exciting world of cyberpunk. "Dark Connection" marks the third album of the international high-flyers and will be released on October 29th via Nuclear Blast Records. Guitarist Anton Kabanen states, "Enter cyberpunk. Flying cars, sprawling metropolis, valleys of neon lights, emotionless killers, gynoids, femmes fatales, shadowy characters, lethal lust, forbidden passion, love larger than life, space travel... All this and much more is what Dark Connection holds within. Such cyberpunk animes as Armitage III, Cyber City Oedo 808, AD Police, Battle Angel Alita and Bubblegum Crisis have essentially served as sources of inspiration, as well as the immortal classic film by Ridley Scott; Blade Runner. And as always, a Beast In Black album wouldn't be a Beast In Black album without a heavy impact of Berserk, the manga and anime creation of Kentaro Miura. Sadly, the beloved author passed away while we were still making this album. Thus, Dark Connection is dedicated to Kentaro Miura." A first musical appetizer of "Dark Connection" called 'Moonlight Rendezvous' will be released on September 3rd. Keep an eye on the band’s and label’s channels to not miss any news. Anton continues on the artwork, "The instantly captivating album artwork was once again done by Roman Ismailov. Its visual emphasis significantly correlates with the recurring themes of Dark Connection. The tense gaze shared between the Beast and the drop-dead gorgeous femme fatale gynoid, Cynthia, speaks of an exciting, arousing, dangerous, mysterious and even questionable connection on a physical, emotional and moral level. They say a picture is worth a thousand words, well, this certainly is the case!" The track list for "Dark Connection" reads as follows: 1. Blade Runner 2. Bella Donna 3. Highway To Mars 4. Hardcore 5. One Night In Tokyo 6. Moonlight Rendezvous 7. Revengeance Machine 8. Dark New World 9. To The Last Drop Of Blood 10. Broken Survivors 11. My Dystopia 12. Battle Hymn (MANOWAR Cover) 13. They Don't Care About Us (MICHAEL JACKSON Cover) beastinblack.com facebook

New video for 'Change'.

From AOR Heaven: Swedish melodic glam metal band OSUKARU are ‘Starbound’ with their 6th full length studio offering, standing high on the success of their last record ”House of Mirrors” (2018). With one foot in melodic rock & roll, the other in classic heavy metal and all eyes aimed towards tomorrow, ”Starbound” offers everything you want from a new OSUKARU album, if not more. Going back 11 years, OSUKARU was just an idea in the mind of guitarist Oz Hawe Petersson (formerly known as Oz Osukaru) and it would take two more years and just as many EPs before they released their debut album ”Salvation” in the spring of 2012. Back then OSUKARU was merely a band formed around Oz as he saw his vision come alive. A few years and line-up changes later, the 3rd full length release suitably titled ”Transition” (2015) came out. That was, according to Oz himself, when OSUKARU truly started to become a band. With roots in classic stadium rock, the first few releases had a more clear and pure AOR flavour to them. With ”Transition” however, you could hear hints of a heavier spark deep within the tracks. Going forward, OSUKARU really started to gain a unique, harder yet melodic sound and with their last album ”House of Mirrors” they landed a rock & roll homerun on which they have built upon to create the brand new comet ride titled ”Starbound”. Produced by the power team Oz Hawe Petersson (guitar, keyboards) and Fredrik Werner (lead vocals, guitar) with Svein Jensen (Sister Sin, Transport League, Outshine) once again handling the mixing duties. The album was mastered by Christoffer Borg (Art Nation, Six Foot Six, Atlas) and features an extraordinaire guest appearance from saxophone player Mark Holden of Boulevard. The cover artwork sees OSUKARU expand their visual concept even further, with loads of details and easter eggs throughout. Starbound” will be available October 22nd where good music is sold. Line-up: Oz Hawe Petersson (Rhythm & lead guitar, backing vocals) Fredrik Werner (Lead vocals, lead & rhythm guitar) Olof Gadd (Bass, backing vocals) CD (Drums, percussion) Track listing: 01. Starbound 02. Rise of the Underdog 03. Tainted Heart 04. Somewhere Sometime Somehow 05. Joker (In the House of Cards) 06. Go For the Legends 07. Shut It Out 08. On the Streets Again 09. Within the Depths of Love 10. All Up www.facebook.com/osukarumusic