Stefan

New song 'Striking Back'.

Press release from Alpha Dog 2T/UMe: The legendary rockers–James ”JY” Young (lead vocals, guitars), Tommy Shaw (lead vocals, guitars), Chuck Panozzo (bass, vocals), Todd Sucherman (drums, percussion), Lawrence Gowan (lead vocals, keyboards) and Ricky Phillips (bass, guitar, vocals)–will release their 17th album June 18 on the band’s label, Alpha Dog 2T/UMe, which will be sold as clear vinyl, black vinyl, CD, and on digital platforms. Fans can pre-order it here and at Styxworld.com starting Thursday, May 6. The song ”Crash of the Crown” itself breaks some brave new world ground for STYX. Actually, it’s the first cut in the band’s storied canon to feature three lead vocalists, seeing how it has James ”JY” Young unleashed at the starting gate, Tommy Shaw heading up the heroic stacked-vocal middle section, and Lawrence Gowan leading the vocal charge for the final verse. ”I’m always looking for the one different thing we can do and still have it be STYX,” the ever-ebullient Gowan notes, ”and that’s the song I’m most proud of. The beauty of it is that it’s the culmination of all our talents crammed together into one song, ABBEY ROAD-style. I also got to use some gear I never thought I’d have the chance to play on a STYX record like Tommy’s Hammond B3 organ, my Minimoog, and my Mellotron.” Efforts to record CRASH OF THE CROWN began in earnest at Shaw’s home studio in Nashville during the fall of 2019, with Gowan — STYX’s criminally minded showman extraordinaire and keyboardist/vocalist since 1999 — in the room together with Shaw and the album’s producer, Will Evankovich, as he conjured up the album’s first song to be recorded, with cosmetic flourishes that reign over the insistent, yearning call for togetherness, ”Common Ground.” But the global pandemic that inevitably transformed the way we all wound up living in 2020 changed the course for how many of the band’s home-and-away recording sessions ultimately had to set socially distanced sail. Safety precautions took precedent for all involved STYX bandmembers and production compatriots with much diligent quarantining and testing required before any one of them could travel to Shaw’s tranquility homebase to spread the uniquely ingrained STYX stardust that’s been duly sprinkled across the album’s cosmically chosen 15 tracks. Of all those who made the trek to Nashville, original STYX bassist Chuck Panozzo — who, along with his late twin brother, drummer John Panozzo, formed the initial nucleus of STYX when they began jamming together in their basement on the south side of Chicago in 1961 — is hands down the most effusive about the experience. ”I’m constantly amazed at how Tommy’s songwriting continues to connect with the social consciousness that spans across generations,” marvels Chuck, who plays on ”Our Wonderful Lives” and ”Lost at Sea,” Lawrence’s all-too-brief aquatic fever dream. ”Both he and Will have been able to tap into the core elements of the human condition, which is something that’s not going to change that much in 50 years — or even 500 years. That’s why STYX remains relevant after all this time, because we’re part of the human condition.” Whether it’s the heady rush of the groundwork-laying opening track ”The Fight of Our Lives,” the wistfully observational treatise of ”Reveries,” the cautionary extended hand of comfort and redemption that frames ”Hold Back the Darkness,” the undeniable uplift of ”Our Wonderful Lives” (a beautiful sentiment further embellished by a most welcome, first-ever appearance by a banjo on a STYX album!), or the elegiac clarion call for shared grace in ”To Those,” CRASH OF THE CROWN is music that is both concurrently of its time and truly timeless all at once. Although the official release date for this landmark album may be time-stamped as 2021, the omnisciently observational content of CRASH OF THE CROWN readily brings to mind an amalgamation of historical events that occurred in 1066, 1455, 1775, 1861, 1941, and even 2001 without citing any of them by name — Winston Churchill’s prescient wartime observations that permeate the pervasive pleas of ”Save Us From Ourselves” notwithstanding. In essence, CRASH OF THE CROWN (or COTC, for short) is a modern-day sonic chronograph of the endless regenerative cycle of the rise and fall — and rise again — of our shared human experience. We’ve never been a protest band. We’re more like a gospel caravan trying to send out positive messages wherever we go,” observes CRASH OF THE CROWN co-creator and overall visionary Tommy Shaw, who joined STYX in December 1975 as a guitarist/vocalist and instantly became one of the band’s most important songwriters. ”In order to share those positive messages, you have to look at what the problems are first to figure out all the ways you can help make sure everything’s going to be alright. That’s a very important part of how we do what we do.” Though COTC takes a hard look at some inherently dark subjects, the prevalent light at the end of the tunnel eventually becomes each song’s focal point — a persistent fervor to keep moving forward and achieve the greater good. STYX’s holy mission for cutting CRASH OF THE CROWN was crystal-clear to its co-creator from the get-go. ”Absolutely no obstacles were going to get in the way of how we approached creating this album,” Shaw concludes about the herculean recording efforts of his fellow COTC makers. ”And everything came out exactly the way we wanted to hear it.” CRASH OF THE CROWN is the follow-up to STYX’s 16th studio album, THE MISSION (their first in 14 years at the time, which critics called ”a masterpiece”) which was released June 16, 2017 on the band’s label, Alpha Dog 2T/UMe. The highly anticipated two-disc reissue of THE MISSION was released on July 27, 2018 via Alpha Dog 2T/UMe, which includes a CD of the original album, as well as a Blu-ray of the album mixed in 5.1 surround sound accompanied by stunning visualizations for each of the album’s 14 songs based on the album artwork. It originally debuted on various Billboard charts, including: #6 Top Rock Albums, #11 Physical Albums, #11 Vinyl Albums, #13 Current Albums, #14 Billboard Top Albums, #16 Retail, #17 Mass Merch/Non-Traditional, #29 Digital Albums, and #45 Billboard 200 (includes catalog and streaming). Additionally, for Record Store Day on Saturday, June 12, STYX will also release THE SAME STARDUST EP on blue 180-gram 12-inch vinyl only, which will feature two brand-new songs on side one (”The Same Stardust” and ”Age of Entropia”), as well as five live performances on side two of some of STYX’s classic hits previously heard during their ”STYX Fix” livestreams that have been keeping fans company during the pandemic on their official YouTube page, including ”Mr. Roboto,” ”Man In The Wilderness,” ”Miss America,” ”Radio Silence,” and ”Renegade.”

New song 'This Is Us'.

New song 'White Jeans'. www.facebook.com/thenightflightorchestraofficial

This album sure is a good one. Rest of the album:

New song 'Venus'. Back on track again, a good one.

New song 'Testify'. Press release: Frontiers Music Srl is excited to announce the signing of Big City, a melodic metal band from Norway, to a multi-album deal. Fans of bands such as Firewind, Queensryche, Magnus Karlsson's Free Fall, Europe, Fair Warning, and the like should look forward to being introduced to this exciting band. The band's new album, "Testify X" will be released on July 16, 2021. Of first single 'Testify', guitarist Daniel Olaisen says it "is about confessing to things to get weight off of your conscience in order to have a better life...or keep them a secret and live a lie. This is the very first song I/we wrote for the album and it has it all. Melodic and acoustic intro, a real catchy hook line on the guitar, great vocal lines and a modulation at the end!" "We have pretty different influences in the band. From jazz/fusion to extreme metal. The foundation however is our passion for melodic and nostalgic 80's metal/hard rock!" adds Olaisen. Big City was originally put together by guitarist and songwriter Daniel Olaisen. His plan was to use a vast amount of song ideas and 80's metal influenced guitar riffs that he had stockpiled over the years for a batch of songs with the right players. Frank Ørland, who also played with Daniel in Scariot (prog/thrash/heavy band featuring Communic and Spiral Architect members), was an obvious choice to bring to Big City as the second guitarist. Frank Nordeng Røe (Withem, Maraton, session drummer for Circus Maximus and Leprous) was brought in on drums after being discovered by Daniel via some internet research. The band was then completed with Jan Le Brandt on vocals and Geir Inge Olsen, who was brought in as a session bass player. The band's debut album, "Wintersleep", was initially released in 2014 and later on re-released by the Greek label Rock of Angels in 2018 as part of a deluxe edition of their second album, Big City Life. Big City played their very first live shows the same month of the international release, including Norway Rock Festival and Rock the Boat with Miguel Pereira (Withem) joining the band as their new permanent bass player. In 2019, the band started working on a new album and brought in a new singer, Jørgen Bergersen from Rock the Night (Europe cover band) and the new demos caught the interest of Frontiers who moved swiftly to sign the band. "The new album will introduce our new singer. He's done an incredible job and there's more punch and heaviness in his voice. The songs are still varied, from super chill ballad to heavy and light-progressive tunes. Melodies are still in focus and there's plenty of that, as expected. It's simply the best Big City album so far!" says Daniel Olaisen. Line-up: Daniel Olaisen – Rhythm, lead and acoustic guitars Frank Ørland – Lead, rhythm and acoustic guitars Frank Nordeng Røe – Drums and percussion Jørgen Bergersen- Vocals Miguel Pereira – Bass guitar Tracklist: 1. The Rush 2. Dark Rider 3. Testify 4. I Will Fall 5. Running Away 6. Conception 7. Winds Of The Road 8. Heart's Like A Lion 9. Graveyard Love 10. How Dark Does It Get www.facebook.com/bigcitynorway

Indeed. I love the guitar on this track.

Track list for 'Rise': 1. Liberation 2. The Night Is Over 3. Take Me 4. Ain’t It A Wonder 5. Ships In The Night 6. Say A Prayer 7. Age (Simple Man) 8. All Night 9. Listen To My Heart 10. Dreams 11. Your Beating Heart 12. Heart, Mind & Soul 13. Ships in The Night (1990 version, bonus track) 14. Aint It A Wonder (1990 version, bonus track)

New lyric video for 'Dangerous Tonight'. Finnish ‘Hard Rock Supergroup’ KING COMPANY releases 3rd album “Trapped” with a new singer. King Company was formed in 2014 by drummer Mirka ”Leka” Rantanenb (Raskasta joulua, Warmen, ex-Thunderstone, ex-Kotipelto, etc.) to fulfill his longtime dream of melodic hard rock/metal band with good friends and musicians. His former Thunderstone colleague Pasi Rantanen took the vocal duty, Antti Wirman (Warmen, Children Of Bodom) joined in for the guitars and after Jari Pailamo (Kiuas) with Time Schleifer (Enfarce) answered the calls for keyboards and bass, the band was ready to start working. Soon King Company signed a record deal with Frontiers Records and released “One for the Road” 2016 and “Queen of Hearts” 2018 - the latter with Italian singer Leonard F. Guillan as Pasi Rantanen had to leave the band due temporarily losing his voice. The albums were supported by touring in Finland, Spain and Italy, and gave King Company a notice as ‘Newcomer of the Year - Brightest Hope’ in Japanese Burrn magazine and 7th position in Finnish album charts, respectively. The misfortune with vocalists continued. Ilkka Keskitalo became the new singer in 2019, with whom King Company began to produce its third album. In 2020 the first demos sent to AOR Heaven resulted in signing a deal. The recordings took over one year in several sessions and it was mixed and mastered by Jesse Vainio (Sarah Brightman, Apocalyptica, Sunrise Avenue, Gregorian, etc.) The band describes the new production as well balanced and more rocking than the previous releases - A world class sound created by elite sound engineer Mr. Vainio makes it a pleasant, stunning and energetic trip to the world of hard rock. Plans for 3rd tour in Spain are already in place. With the latest repertoire “Trapped” KING COMPANY proves to be one of the most spectacular and eminent acts of the scene since the legends Whitesnake and alike! KING COMPANY are: Ilkka Keskitalo – Vocals; Mirka Rantanen – Drums; Antti Wirman – Guitars; Time Schleifer – Bass; Jari Pailamo - Keyboards

From www.metalforcesmagazine.com: Stockholm, Sweden-based band Fans Of The Dark have filmed a music video for the track 'Life Kills', which can be viewed below. Speaking about the song, drummer Freddie Allen commented: "We move forward by keeping in mind that life is sacred and that sooner or later, it will end. This song is a reminder to make the best of it and truly appreciate it." 'Life Kills' is the first single released from the band's forthcoming debut full-length studio album, which is scheduled for issue later in 2021. Fans Of The Dark's line-up is as follows: Alex Falk (vocals) Oscar Bromvall (guitar, Palace) Robert Majd (bass, Metalite) Freddie Allen (drums, ex-Houston) www.facebook.com/fansofthedark

Press release: Custard Pie is a rock project that came together during the 2020 lockdown. Led by Les Warner (drums; formerly of The Cult) and Rowan Robertson, (guitars; formerly of Dio), it features the great talents of Girish Pradhan (vocals; of Firstborne and also Girish and The Chronicles), and Yogesh Pradhan (bass; of Girish and The Chronicles). Custard Pie has released "Eye of the Storm" plus two additional songs: "Lone Wolf" and " Fool in Love", featured here, in this video. "Eye Of The Storm" is an epic track that will transport listeners through an adventurous sonic journey, reminiscent of such 70s hard rock acts as Led Zeppelin and Yes. Girish and Yogesh devote their full-time commitment to Girish and The Chronicles (Frontiers Records) but have devoted a wealth of artistic capital to Custard Pie. Girish and Yogesh feel they’ve "created something special" and feel they "share a chemistry and love for the golden era of rock records," which they feel they express through their work with Custard Pie. Yogesh Pradhan plays bass on "Lone Wolf" and "Eye Of The Storm". The "Fool In Love" video was shot across multiple locations: Girish’s sections were shot by Noorhanaz Khatoon and the footage of Rowan and Les was shot by Thaddeus ‘Christian’ Hager and Adam Gorodetzer. The video was edited by Prabal Deep.

New song 'Skygazer'.

Artwork for 'Twenty-Three'.

New song 'Perceval'.

New album 'Come On, Come All' out August 6 through Frontiers.

'Rise' out June 25 through AOR Heaven. Press release: Devils in Heaven started out as a school covers band in Launceston, Tasmania during the mid-1980’s. After a couple of years of gigging around Tasmania, the boys left their comfy confines in March 1989 and joined the thriving Northern Queensland circuit of touring bands. It was a baptism by fire, but the boys learned to adapt to different type of audiences and built up their stamina and resilience through the constant playing. It was on this circuit that they were discovered by a band manager, who introduced them to the flourishing Sydney music scene. Here in Sydney is where the industry heavyweights became aware of the band, who by now were playing their own original music for about half of their shows. The band began recording demo recordings, but their demos didn’t seem to land on the right music executives’ desks. In 1991, the band accepted an offer to appear on the nationally televised talent show, Star Search. The band went on to appear a total of eight times, eventually winning the band section of the Grand Final. But the band didn’t strike while the iron was hot. Instead, their debut single, Say a Prayer, was released six months later. By then, the hype surrounding their Star Search win had somewhat subsided. At this time in April 1992, the music landscape was starting to change with the likes of Nirvana and the grunge scene taking over the airwaves. After the lack of support for their debut single, the Devils decided on having a last-ditch effort into cracking the big time by recording an E.P. entitled “Liberation” in Hollywood, Los Angeles during March of 1993. Unfortunately, Liberation didn’t even make an indentation on the charts, and the boys decided to part ways in October 1993 as the musical landscape was changing in Australia and it was becoming increasingly difficult to make a living as a live/ touring band. Now that almost thirty years have passed, their music helps keep the band living on.

He has better things to do and I don't blame him. This board has become pretty lame in the last few years. I'm also at the point of doing the same, having better things to do...

Cornerstone - Whatever Cobra Starship - While The City Sleeps, We Rule The Streets

New live video for 'Hurt'.

Excellent song, my favourite song at the moment. Been playing this several times on a daily basis since I discovered it this week. I'm suprised no one else recognize great music, you guys have a lot of earwax

Are you also a leftist? Maybe Dan had a finger in it?

Always the positive person...

If that is what it takes to get the attention of you fuckers, then be it...