Download the FREE Bullet Tooth Summer 2012 Album Sampler NOW!
10 songs from AFFIANCE, Throw The Fight, The Paramedic (UNRELEASED!), Deception Of A Ghost (UNRELEASED!), Serianna, I, Omega, DEAD ICONS and more.
GO! http://www.BulletTooth.com/download
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Stone Says: Cool bands & Free Rock ‘N Roll. Is there anything better than that?
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LONG LIVE BULLET TOOTH.
Stone.
2012-07-27 – On the upcoming Wacken friday (August, 3rd), the new DORO 4 track EP Raise Your Fist In The Air will be released. DORO already performed the track on last years Wacken open air, while opening the biggest Metal party of the world, with the all-star band SKYLINE.
This year DORO will have another premiere: the new videoclip for Raise Your Fist In The Air – which will be shown on every 3 festival days.
You can watch the clip before VOLBEAT play on thursday, before HAMMERFALL on friday and right before the SCORPIONS enter the stage on saturday.
The video was shot at the Bronx in New York, far away from the American glitter world.
There will also be a signing session, on the Wacken saturday (August 4th) between 18.30 – 19.15 CET.
MCD + Vinylto be ordered here: http://www.nuclearblast.de/suche/doro
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(Source: Nuclear Blast News)
* For more info on DORO, click on the links below!
http://www.facebook.com/DoroOfficial
http://www.twitter.com/DoroOfficial
http://www.youtube.com/DoroOfficial
LONG LIVE DORO.
Stone.
LYNYRD SKYNYRD – The thirteenth studio album from Southern Rock’s legendary Lynyrd Skynyrd will be released on August 21st, 2012, via Roadrunner / Loud & Proud Records. Last Of A Dyin’ Breed has 11 songs that carries on the proud, patriotic and influential tradition of this Southern Rock institution.
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Last Of A Dyin’ Breed
One Day At A Time
Homegrown
Ready To Fly
Mississippi Blood
Good Teacher
Something To Live For
Life’s Twisted
Nothing Comes Easy
Honey Hole
Start Livin’ Life Again
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* For more info on LYNYRD SKYNYRD, click on the links below!
http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com
LONG LIVE LYNYRD SKYNYRD.
Stone.
KISS – The 20th studio album, Monster, from the everlasting and iconic KISS won’t be released until October 16th, 2012; in the meantime you can still get your KISSaholic fix from Monster’s lead single: Hell Or Hallelujah. The mp3 for this new offering from KISS is currently for sale at Amazon.com and iTunes. Hell Or Hallelujah was released back on July 3rd, via UME.
I really dig this song and its classic KISS meets 2012 relevance of sound. The vocals of Paul Stanley are purely classic. The backing vocals of Gene Simmons are the stuff of legend; not to mention his booming bass parts too. Tommy Thayer on guitar and Eric Singer on drums have slowly and surely eased themselves up the KISS legacy ladder; their absorption into KISStory has allowed this Rock ‘N Roll franchise to carry on and subsequently kick some serious Heavy Rockin’ ass.
If I was forced to rattle off three bands from the seventies, that have been ultra consistent while becoming bigger, bolder and more badass with age, it’s Cheap Trick, Motörhead and… KISS. And still, all three of these beyond legendary bands have been ignored by the clueless “voters” of The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame.
Getting back to Hell Or Hallelujah and its totality of KISS power, pizzazz and totality of psych-you-out vibes. As I listen each time to this song, I float back to my days as a young lad who became mesmerized by a larger-than-life band called KISS. As I listen each time to this song, I am STILL mesmerized by this once-in-a-lifetime Heavy Rock band called KISS.
KISS may no longer be the loudest band in the world, thanks in part to the also legendary MANOWAR; only KISS is the most persevering band in the world, spanning 5 decades, that continues to create quality albums coinciding with unparalleled tours for generations of their loyal fans. I listened to KISS before my family introduced a color television to our household. Holy shit, that’s truth. I now crank up KISS so my kids can think that their dad is “somewhat” cool and also cause I’m a KISSaholic.
My life with KISS has NEVER been hell. My life with KISS has always been… hallelujah. Metal be thy name.
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* For more info on KISS, click on the link below!
LONG LIVE KISS.
Stone.
(Photo Credit: Jimmy Hubbard)
July 25, 2012, Philadelphia – Yellow & Green, the third album from Baroness, has debuted at #30 on Billboard’s Top 200.
The album sold 12,660 copies in its first week of release, the highest debut in Relapse Record’s history.
Baroness spent the entirety of 2011 writing, demoing and recording Yellow & Green, marking the East Coast-based band’s first lengthy break from touring in eight years. John Congleton co-produced the 18-track release, which was recorded at Water Music in Hoboken, N.J. and Elmwood Studio in Dallas, Texas. The album was released on July 17 and is currently streaming at baroness.bandcamp.com.
A video for “Take My Bones Away” premiered yesterday via Rolling Stone’s website (http://www.rollingstone.com/music/videos/premiere-baroness-take-my-bones-away-20120724). The live clip was filmed by Jimmy Hubbard during the band’s Spring tour with Meshuggah.
Baroness performs tomorrow in Basel, Switzerland at the Sommercasino. The band returns to the States with an Aug. 29 performance at House of Vans in Brooklyn.
TOUR DATES ARE:
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(Source: Speakeasy PR & Marketing)
* For more info on BARONESS, click on the links below!
http://twitter.com/YourBaroness
http://www.youtube.com/baronessmusic
LONG LIVE BARONESS.
Stone.
Legendary Queen of Metal, DORO PESCH, will release Under My Skin – A Fine Selection Of Doro Classics in North America via AFM Records next month. Set for release on August 14, 2012, the mammoth career-spanning retrospective — which already entered the German charts at #53 upon its first week of release overseas — includes more than 30 tracks spread across two CDs.
Compiled in close collaboration between AFM and DORO herself, the gorgeous package offers an abundance of DORO staples as well as rare B-side singles and hand-written liner notes. Under My Skin… is also available in a limited wooden fanbox edition (1000 copies; import only) which includes a two-CD digipak, flag, patch, bracelet, a postcard and a certificate of authenticity. For more info, point your browser HERE.
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Under My Skin – A Fine Selection Of Doro Classics Track Listing:
CD 1
01. All We Are (Version 2007)
02. You’re My Family
03. I Rule The Ruins
04. Celebrate
05. The Night Of The Warlock
06. Strangers Yesterday
07. Walking With The Angels
08. Metal Tango
09. Thunderspell
10. Herzblut
11. Warrior Soul
12. My Majesty
13. Für Immer
14. Love Me In Black
15. Always Live To Win
16. Running From The Devil
17. Above The Ashes
18. Let Love Rain On Me
CD 2
01. Celebrate (Full Metal Female Version)
02. Rescue Me
03. Rare Diamond (Acoustic Version)
04. Angel In The Dark
05. 1999
06. In Liebe Und Freundschaft
07. I Lay My Head Upon My Sword
08. Tausend Mal gelebt
09. Wildfire
10. Breaking The Law
11. She’s Like Thunder (Version 2005)
12. The Queen
13. You Won My Love
14. Lonely Wolf
In related news, DORO was recently added to the third annual 70000 Tons Of Metal lineup. The original Heavy Metal cruise takes place in January 2013 and features 40 Metal bands and 2,000 fans from all over the world seafaring the Caribbean on a luxury cruise ship for a 5-day/4-night ocean adventure. Sporting the biggest open air stage to sail the open seas, the world’s biggest floating Heavy Metal festival will include: Ensiferum, Lacuna Coil, Nile, In Flames, Immolation and more! For more info, go to THIS LOCATION.
DORO was recently featured in Decibel Magazine’s August 2012 special “Women In Metal” issue. In an interview conducted by J. Bennett, DORO discusses her new Raise Your Fist record, reminisces about quitting her job in 1986 to tour with Judas Priest, what her one-year stint in a hospital years ago taught her, and the nexus of attitude and being dignified. If you missed it, you can still secure your copy HERE.
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(Source: Earsplit PR)
* For more info on DORO, click on the links below!
http://www.facebook.com/DoroOfficial
http://www.twitter.com/DoroOfficial
http://www.youtube.com/DoroOfficial
http://www.myspace.com/DoroBand
http://de-de.facebook.com/afmrecords
LONG LIVE DORO, THE QUEEN OF HEAVY METAL.
Stone.
BLACK TORA – Okay. I get it. Black Tora is messing with Stone. Guitarist RazorDave is messing with Stone. They think they can just put out a new song, a new music video and psych my Heavy Rockin’ brains out. They think they can get my Heavy Metallin’ adrenaline to reach the psych-out boiling point. Well… they did. Metal be thy name they did. Okay… holy Heavy Rockin’ shit they did. Black Tora has all their talented, Hard Rockin’ and Metal glistening cylinders spinning hot on their new song Never Enough.
Never Enough is from the forthcoming EP, Raise Your Fists, from Black Tora. It’s never enough times for my ears to take in the Hard and Heavy vibes, from this good-time grooves saturated song! This song is the well deserved Heavy Rockin’ kick-in-the-ass that I needed today… and tomorrow too. Take several looks and listens below of Black Tora as they belt out… Never Enough. Don’t forget to turn up the F’n volume too! Metal be thy name, Black Tora has landed.
Alright… now that the Never Enough video has kicked your Metal and Heavy Rockin’ lovin’ ass… check out the teaser video for the forthcoming Raise Your Fists EP:
Chris Daniel – Vocals/Bass
RazorDave – Guitar
Nicky X – Drums
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* For more info on BLACK TORA, click on the links below!
http://www.facebook.com/officialblacktora
http://www.twitter.com/blacktora
LONG LIVE BLACK TORA ROCK ‘N ROLL.
Stone.
An excerpt as stated on Steve Harris British Lion.com:
EMI Music are proud to announce the release of Iron Maiden founder Steve Harris’ debut solo/side project album. Entitled ‘British Lion’ and comprising ten songs that Steve and his collaborators have been working on for the past few years between Iron Maiden tours and releases, it is an album that will surprise and delight music fans the world over.
With a decidedly heavy rock-vibe this roaring debut paints with a full palette of sounds; brooding, melancholic, righteously indignant and exuberantly heavy. With Kevin Shirley at the mixing helm – whose credits include Iron Maiden as well as Led Zeppelin, Journey and Rush among many others – this is an album to sink your teeth into.
To read more, go here: www.steveharrisbritishlion.com
This Is My God
Lost Worlds
Karma Killer
Us Against The World
The Chosen Ones
A World Without Heaven
Judas
Eyes Of The Young
These Are The Hands
The Lesson
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Stone Says: I and Best Metal Buddy Scott Coverdale absolutely cannot wait to hear this album! Steve Harris is a Metal icon… ’nuff said. Whoa and Metal be thy name.
Special thanks to Scott Coverdale for researching this story.
* For more info on STEVE HARRIS BRITISH LION, click on the link below!
www.steveharrisbritishlion.com
LONG LIVE STEVE HARRIS.
Stone.
The cat’s out of the bag! 69 CHAMBERS are going to support Delain on their “We Are The Others Tour 2012”, which is kicking off in October!
This is the perfect chance to listen to songs from the band’s new album “Torque” live, which was released in late April 2012.
69 CHAMBERS recently played at Montreux’s Jazz Festival. Here are some impressions from the band’s gig and soundcheck:
Diabulus In Musica will join Delain and 69 CHAMBERS on tour.
Here are all confirmed tour dates:
We Are The Others Tour 2012 – Delain, 69 CHAMBERS, Diabulus In Musica
11.10.2012 FR Montpellier – Rockstore – www.facebook.com/events/135564739917114
12.10.2012 ES Barcelona – Razzmatazz 2 – www.facebook.com/events/248716195247236
13.10.2012 ES Madrid – Sala Caracol – www.facebook.com/events/186459498151662
14.10.2012 FR Bordeaux – Theatre Barbey (Rock School Barbey) – www.facebook.com/events/477117715650628
16.10.2012 DE Memmingen – Kaminwerk – www.facebook.com/events/481850715177463
17.10.2012 DE Aschaffenburg – Colos-Saal – www.facebook.com/events/339031349509807
18.10.2012 DE Essen – Zeche Carl – www.facebook.com/events/161191174017149
19.10.2012 DE Osnabrück – Rosenhof – www.facebook.com/events/426153474090274
Besides playing with Delain, 69 CHAMBERS will play here too:
21.10.2012 BE Wieze – Metal Female Voices Fest – www.facebook.com/events/251758121591564
30.11.2012 CH Yverdon-Les-Bains – L’Amalgame – www.facebook.com/events/375275229206817
01.12.2012 CH Delemont – Forum St.Georges – www.facebook.com/events/418438608207330
29.12.2012 CH Winterthur – Eulachhalle (Eluveitie & Friends) – www.facebook.com/events/413987758639463
Listen to and get your copy of 69 CHAMBER’s “Torque” here:
http://massacre.musiclogistics.net/releases/14099?lang=en
* Stone Says: Torque is one of the very best albums I’ve listened to from 2012; that includes both Hard Rock and Metal genres. The key to 69 Chambers is their ability to weave so many styles together; to form a unified sound that ROCKS like there is no tomorrow! Metal be thy name.
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Nina Vetterli-Treml (Bass, Vocals)
Tommy Vetterli (Guitar)
Diego Rapacchietti (Drums)
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(Source: Massacre Records)
* For more info on 69 CHAMBERS, click on the links below!
http://www.twitter.com/69chambers
http://www.soundcloud.com/69-chambers
http://www.massacre-records.com
LONG LIVE 69 CHAMBERS.
Stone.
JORN – Bring Heavy Rock To The Land is the new studio album from JORN and it’s a Heavy Rockin’ ride to catch onto. The seventh studio album from JORN, Bring Heavy Rock To The Land, features the bonus track Live And Let Fly; a song that showcases the premiere Heavy Rock vocals of Jorne Lande and his blazingly talented band that backs him.
Take a look and listen below at the official video for Live And Let Fly and turn up the volume with Heavy Rock pride! Metal be thy name.
* JORN – Bring Heavy Rock To The Land was released in Europe back on June 1st, 2012 and on June 5th in North America, via Frontiers Records.
* To read my album review for Bring Heavy Rock To The Land, (posted back on May 23rd, 2012), click on the link below!
JORN “Bring Heavy Rock To The Land” – Some Metal Thoughts On This Heavy Rock Keeper
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* For more info on JORN, click on the links below!
LONG LIVE JORN.
Stone.
Following up a triumphant stretch of West Coast dates earlier this Summer with Torche, Black Cobra and Gaza, this Wednesday, North Carolina crossover revolutionaries CORROSION OF CONFORMITY will kick off a four-date run with New York Metallers Prong. The short but epic run will commence in Huntington, West Virginiaand steamroll through Winston-Salem, Wilmington, and Savannah.The tour serves as a precursor to their Euro festival takeover this August (see full listing at THIS LOCATION)!
In addition, the band will appear on this year’s Hopscotch Music Fest. The three-day event is set to take place on September 6 – 8, 2012 on their home turf of Raleigh. The band will play alongside a throng of artists from all genres including Sunn O))), The Roots, Baroness, Yo La Tengo, The Jesus And Mary Chain and many more.
CORROSION OF CONFORMITY were also added to the colossal Barge To Hell lineup where 40 of Metal’s finest acts along with 2,000 headbangers from around the world take over a luxury cruise ship for a five-day/four-night trip to the Caribbean. The Barge sets sail on December 3 from Miami, Florida. Others bands scheduled to appear include Behemoth, Six Feet Under, Enslaved, Rotting Christ, At The Gates, Possessed, Municipal Waste and more!
7/25/2012 V Club – Huntington, WV
7/26/2012 Ziggy’s – Winston-Salem, NC
7/27/2012 Soapbox – Wilmington, NC
7/28/2012 Jinx – Savannah, GA
9/6-8/2012 Hopscotch Music Fest – Raleigh, NC
12/3-7/2012 Barge To Hell – Miami, FL
Founded by three teenagers in 1982, CORROSION OF CONFORMITY began as an underground band and went on to transform heavy music, challenging boundaries and serving as what Decibel Magazine called “a crucial stylistic lynchpin in the bridge between metal and punk” that “irrevocably reshaped crossover’s sonic possibilities.” Thirty years and many changes later, COC’s original trio is back with a self-titled release for London-based independent Candlelight Records.
Released Stateside this past March Corrosion Of Conformity was recorded at Dave Grohl’s Studio 606 in Los Angeles, produced by the band in cooperation with long-time collaborator John Custer and mixed by John Lousteau (Foo Fighters). The 11-track offering features the esteemed Animosity lineup of vocalist/bassist Mike Dean, guitarist Woody Weatherman, and drummer/vocalist Reed Mullin and closes a six-year recording gap for the band.
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(Source: Earsplit PR)
* For more info on COC, click on the links below!
http://www.facebook.com/corrosionofconformity
http://candlelightrecordsusa.com
LONG LIVE CORROSION OF CONFORMITY.
LONG LIVE PRONG.
Stone.
KISS – Destroyer – { Resurrected } from the super legendary KISS will be released on August 21st, 2012, through Universal Music Enterprises, (UMe). The iconic 1976 studio album, Destroyer, has been remixed from the original master tapes by Bob Ezrin, the albums original producer. { Resurrected } will also include rare photos, a new essay by Bob Ezrin and the originally intended album cover artwork (see above).
* Destroyer achieved certified gold status by the RIAA on April 22nd, 1976 and reached platinum status on November 11th, 1976. Destroyer was the first KISS album to go platinum.
* Sweet Pain (Original Guitar Solo) looks to be in place of the unlisted closing track Rock and Roll Party (heard on the original Destroyer album). I’m not sure if this is just a “rename” or an actual guitar solo this time around.
As any KISS fan would (hopefully) agree: has there ever been a better time to be a KISS fan or what? I suppose each decade since the 70’s has been a grand time to be a KISS fan; with each passing decade being a bounty of KISStory. On October 16th, 2012, the 20th studio album from KISS, Monster, will be released in North America! Add in KISS – The Tour with Mötley Crüe and it’s probably safe to say: 2012 is the year of KISS.
I will be buying this remixed edition of Destroyer { Resurrected } and it will serve me right! I am looking forward to buying the vinyl version and holding the album jacket, while the needle plays these classic KISS songs! Getting my hands and ears on this KISS album the old school way… is the right way for me.
Metal be thy name.
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Detroit Rock City
King Of The Night Time World
God Of Thunder
Great Expectations
Flaming Youth
Sweet Pain
Shout It Out Loud
Beth
Do You Love Me?
Sweet Pain (Original Guitar Solo)
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* For more info on KISS, click here: KISS
LONG LIVE KISS.
Stone.
Listenable Records is chuffed to announce the signing of 70’s-tinged U.S. Hard Rock band Blood Of The Sun. The band’s newest album. Burning on the Wings of Desire, is scheduled for a late-2012 release on Listenable Records. Get ready for a catchy overdose of vintage Hard Rock!
Blood Of The Sun was formed in 2002 by Henry Vasquez (Saint Vitus, Archie Bunker) on drums and Dave Gryder (Storm at Sunrise) on keyboards. Blood Of The Sun’s goal from the beginning has been to carry on the tradition of the Classic Rock style of the ’70’s, including highly respected seventies icons Derek St. Holmes from Ted Nugent and John ‘O Daniel and Rusty Burns from Point Blank.
In 2004, the band released their self-titled, first release on the independent brain ticket label. This initial line up included Las Crucis singer Mark Zamarron, Sub Oslo bassist Miguel Veliz, as well as Archie Bunker guitarists Jay Benfield and Rich Christopher.
For their 2007 sophomore release “In Blood We Rock”, personnel changes included Richard Hurley and Ty Thompkins on guitars and Henry Vasquez on vocals. In 2008, Death Ride was released with Derek St. Holmes from Ted Nugent on vocals as well as Erik Schmidt from REO Speed Dealer and Mike Doty from The House Harkonnen on guitars.
In addition to touring the states, the band toured Europe extensively in 2007, 2008 and 2009 and has subsequently been preparing their newest release “Burning on the Wings of Desire” which includes John O’Daniel and Rusty Burns from Point blank and Tony Reed (Stone Axe, Mos Generator).
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(Source: ClawHammer PR)
* For more info on BLOOD OF THE SUN, click on the link below!
LONG LIVE BLOOD OF THE SUN.
Stone.
Swedish Blues Rockers GRAVEYARD have played an amazing gig at this years Rock Hard Festival in Gelsenkirchen, Germany. Seven songs of the gig have been recorded by Germany’s renowned WDR Rockpalast and are now available for streaming at THIS location! The band is currently working on their third album which is planned for a late October release. Before the release of the album, a special 7″ vinyl single will also be issued. Keep your eyes and ears open!
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(Source: Nuclear Blast News)
* For more info on GRAVEYARD, click on the links below!
http://www.facebook.com/graveyard-official
http://www.twitter.com/graveyardsongs
http://www.youtube.com/graveyardsongs
LONG LIVE GRAVEYARD.
Stone.
NIGHT RANGER – That’s it at the top! That really cool (and authentic) autographed photo of Night Ranger came to me, courtesy of Best Metal Buddy Scott Coverdale. Back in 2010, he went to see Night Ranger perform at the Wolf Den at Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Connecticut.
Coverdale had a blast seeing Night Ranger live; he said they were pretty amazing that night. I believe him. I’ll also be thanking Coverdale for this really cool autographed photo, until I’m in my 90’s. Metal be thy name.
Night Ranger, from left to right in the above autographed photo: Christian Cullen, Kelly Keagy, Jack Blades, Joel Hoekstra and Brad Gillis.
Back on June 21st, 2011, Somewhere In California, the tenth studio album from Night Ranger was released via Frontiers Records. I can admit without hesitation, that this Night Ranger album is one of the best from their catalog; if not the very best. Somewhere In California is a Night Ranger album that pumps up my Rock ‘N Roll adrenaline; what more could I possibly ask for from any album that I listen to? Metal be thy name.
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* For more info on NIGHT RANGER, click on the link below!
LONG LIVE NIGHT RANGER.
Stone.
WINCHESTER REBELS – They’re from Santa Barbara, California. They play memorably cool Hard Rock and are as relevant as the F’n oxygen we’re all breathing in today. In other words, Winchester Rebels are one credibly talented band to catch onto. They’re song Private Angel is Stone’s Metal Pick Of The Day. Metal be thy name.
Private Angel is a slick and Hard Rockin’ song from Winchester Rebels’s debut album Three Sheets To The Wind. Give a listen to Private Angel below… crank it up LOUD for maximum Hard Rockin’ and psyche-you-out vibes!
Nick Hunt – vocals
Nick Fitzgerald – guitar
James Longoria – guitar
John Livergood – bass
Barry Carter – drums
Buy Winchester Rebels debut album “Three Sheets To The Wind”
http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/three-sheets-to-the-wind/id471258639
* Three Sheets To The Wind was released on October 13th, 2011.
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* For more info on WINCHESTER REBELS, click on the links below!
http://www.reverbnation.com/winchesterre…
http://twitter.com/#!/WinchesterRebel
http://www.youtube.com/user/winchesterre…
http://www.myspace.com/winchesterrebels
LONG LIVE WINCHESTER REBELS.
Stone.
(Photo Credit: Paul Harries)
As previously announced, Eagle Rock imprint Armoury Records, in conjunction with Hamburg, Germany-based earMUSIC, are preparing to release the first ever live solo offering from legendary Finnish songstress/former Nightwish soprano, TARJA TURUNEN. Act I will be unleashed to North American fans on September 4, 2012 in 2-CD, 2-DVD and Blu-Ray format.
A monumental undertaking recorded and filmed with 10 HD cameras at the breathtaking Teatro El Círculo in Rosario, Argentina earlier this Spring, Act 1 offers up an elaborate track listing of solo tunes, Nightwish classics and various covers including a rendition of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “The Phantom Of The Opera,” Gary Moore’s “Over The Hills and Far Away,” Whitesnake’s “Still Of The Night” and a variety of video extras. Check out the stunning cover art and official video trailer at THIS LOCATION.
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* For related and prior press release info, click on link below:
TARJA – Finnish Vocal Maven To Release First Ever Live Solo Release, “Act I”, This Fall
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(Source: Earsplit PR)
* For more info on TARJA, click on the links below!
http://www.facebook.com/tarjaofficial
LONG LIVE TARJA.
Stone.
Nashville, TN—Coming off of a highly successful 2011 marked by the release of the critically acclaimed “Testimony 2” and an enthusiastically attended tour throughout the U.S., Mexico and Europe, Neal Morse could easily have justified going on a creative hiatus to catch his breath. But that would fly in the face of his convictions and the sense that he is being led to build upon the swell of success he is experiencing.
In January 2012, Morse was pondering the possibilities of a change in direction. After all, it had been a decade since he left the Progressive Rock stalwart Spock’s Beard to pursue a solo career that would allow him to write more freely about his personal faith. And in that time he had recorded 6 impressive studio records that were heralded for their unique hybrid of epic compositions that tested the boundaries of musicianship while maintaining a remarkable sense of melody through irresistible hooks and addictive choruses. He could have taken a break. Or gone in an entirely new direction. But he felt led otherwise, as summed up in the new record’s title track: “You’ve got some new momentum, you better keep going.”
Morse’s long time studio partner and friend Mike Portnoy had a small window in January 2012 when he could record. The only problem was, there was only one song and a few bits and pieces written. Taking a leap of faith, he scheduled a recording session with the drumming legend and longtime bass player Randy George in two weeks, hoping that the music would arrive before the musicians. And boy did it ever.
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“Momentum” features five exceptional stand alone songs and one longer conceptual piece. In addition to the accessible title track, there’s the quirkily clever, Gentle Giant-inspired “Thoughts Part 5,” which follows in the footsteps of the previous “Thoughts” tracks penned by Morse with Spocks Beard. “Smoke and Mirrors” trods an introspective, acoustic path, while “Weathering Sky” offers a raucous cry for deliverance and renewal from a searching soul. Rounding out the shorter tracks is “Freak,” an upbeat, strings-charged song unlike anything Neal has recorded to date. Last comes “World Without End,” a near 34-minute, six-part epic that contains everything that defines Morse as a master of the genre.
Another highlight of this record is that, in addition to a masterful solo by guitar wizard Paul Gilbert, there are contributions from Adson Sodré, Bill Hubauer and Eric Gillette; three musicians who were selected as members of Morse’s new touring band through an exciting YouTube driven open audition process.
While “Momentum” propels Morse forward and further cements his standing as a prolific Progressive Rock icon, it steers clear of the potential “more of the same” trap, and features fresh musical angles and some of the finest performances to date by the Morse, Portnoy, George team.
The release of “Momentum” on September 11 will be quickly followed up by a North American tour that spotlights the fresh talent of his new live band, with stops in such cities as Nashville, Jacksonville, New York, Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles, Seattle and Mexico City.
Much to the delight of progressive Rock Fans around the globe, Neal Morse is moving ahead with “Momentum” and there doesn’t appear to be any kind of end to his unique creative talent in sight.
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Momentum (6:25)
Thoughts Part 5 (7:51)
Smoke and Mirrors (4:38)
Weathering Sky (4:15)
Freak (4:29)
World Without End (33:39)
i Introduction
ii Never Pass Away
iii Losing Your Soul
iv The Mystery
v Some Kind of Yesterday
vi World Without End
Total Length: 61:17
Written and Produced by Neal Morse
“Thoughts Part 5”—Written by Neal Morse and Randy George
“Smoke and Mirrors” and “The Mystery”—Music by Neal Morse, Lyrics by Chris Thompson and Neal Morse
Mixed by Rich Mouser
Neal Morse – Keyboards, Guitars, Vocals
Mike Portnoy – Drums
Randy George – Bass
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Paul Gilbert – Guitar solo on “Momentum”
Adson Sodré – Guitar Solos on “World Without End”
Bill Hubauer – Clarinet, flute, guitar and additional keys on “The Mystery”
Eric Gillette – Additional vocals on “Thoughts Part 5”
Wil Morse – Additional vocals on “Thoughts Part 5”
Chris Carmichael – Strings
Rick Altizer – Additional vocals on “Weathering Sky” and “Smoke and Mirrors”
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(Source: Glass Onyon PR)
* For more info on NEAL MORSE, click on the links below!
nealmorse.com | facebook.com/nealmorse | twitter.com/nealmorse
Radiant Records: Official site
LONG LIVE NEAL MORSE.
Stone.
JON LORD – The legendary Jon Lord passed away, at age 71, on Monday, July 16th, 2012. A musician, songwriter and best known as the founder and keyboardist of the also legendary Deep Purple; the Rock Music world has benefited immensely from his contributions. Jon Lord has left us all with an unbelievable Rock ‘N Roll legacy. Metal Odyssey expresses condolences to the family, friends, bandmates and fans of Jon Lord.
Stone.
The highly anticipated new album Minus The Machine from Knoxville hard rockers 10 Years will be out on Tuesday August 7th. If you want a taste of the new jams before they hit the streets, be sure to check out their new single “Backlash” which Loudwire.com gave 4 out of 5 stars, calling it “classic 10 Years, featuring carefully placed guitar lines that splatter into a thick, dark chorus.” Check out the review HERE! The band also put together an exclusive iTunes deluxe offering of the new album, featuring bonus acoustic tracks & one B-side. This 15-track package is only available from iTunes – so be sure to pre-order today!
> CLICK HERE TO PRE-ORDER “MINUS THE MACHINE” ON ITUNES!
And don’t miss 10 Years on their headlining “Minust The Machine Tour” which is currently underway! Hitting U.S cities nationwide, see the below link for dates and info.
> CLICK HERE FOR 10 YEARS TOUR DATE INFORMATION!
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(Source: Independent Label Group Newsletter)
* For more info on Independent Label Group, click on link below!
LONG LIVE 10 YEARS.
Stone.
If you’re a band or musician and would like your music reviewed or be interviewed by Stone, please click the link under the “ALBUM REVIEWS ARCHIVES” section below!
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