The band will play Frontiers Rock Festival, taking place next weekend at LIVE MUSIC CLUB, with none other than U.S. singer, Fiona Flanagan joining on guest vocals! This will be an incredibly special treat for all fans in attendance.
Originally formed in 1986 by former American Tears, Touch, and Michael Bolton keyboard player Mark Mangold, together with singer Al Fritsch, Drive, She Said released three successful albums before taking a hiatus. Resurrected at the end of the 90’s, two more albums came before now coming back yet again with another heavenly AOR/Melodic Rock album in the style of greats like Foreigner and Journey. A MUST for all of our AOR lovin’ fans out there!
Enjoy FOUR Super Memorable SONGS From The New Album:
Stone Says: Man, this new album from DRIVE, SHE SAID flat-out ROCKS! This is what Classic Rock/AOR is all about, both then and now! Great songs, lyrics, vocals and musicianship go a very, very long way! Whoa! Pedal To The Metal is an album that made my lousy week I’ve had thus far turn into a fantastic week! That’s no junk, I’m speaking truth here!
Pedal To The Metal should come with a caution sticker that reads: This album will undoubtedly make you feel freaking good. BUY this album and be happy this band exists! Metal Be Thy Name!
After tours with HammerFall and Gamma Ray in 2015 and the release of their highly successful debut album (“As Daylight Breaks”), Melodic Metallers SERIOUS BLACK are busy working on songs for their upcoming sophomore album. The band now also has unveiled the dates for their upcoming first headlining tour (support acts will be Sinbreed and Messerschmitt).
On April 19th, 1980 – The magnificent JUDAS PRIEST had their sixth studio album, British Steel, ranked at #6 in the United Kingdom.
On April 19th, 2016 – The newly released cover song album, Origins, Vol. 1, from the great ACE FREHLEY is ranked at #1, on the iTunes Top 100 Heavy Metal Albums Chart. Long Live Space Ace!
On April 19th, 2016 – ASKING ALEXANDRIA have their third studio album, The Black, sitting at #4, on the iTunes Top 100 Heavy Metal Albums Chart. Yup.
On April 19th, 2016 – OTEPGeneration Doom (Deluxe Edition) is ranked at #12, on the iTunes Top 100 Rock Albums Chart. Long Live Otep Shamaya!
On April 19th, 2016 – OTEP is scheduled to perform at the Knitting Factory Concert House in Boise, Idaho. This is one of many stops on the Generation Doom Tour for OTEP. Supporting OTEP will be: September Mourning, Doll Skin, Through Fire and Abaasy. Whoa!
Faithsedge is returning with ‘Restoration’, their third and most melodic release to date. Fronted by mastermind singer / songwriter Giancarlo Floridia, the band returns with a stellar line-up featuring Stryper bass player Tim Gaines, Ace Frehley / Mr .Big drummer Matt Starr and former Dokken guitarist Alex De Rosso. Both Keys and production have been handled by Alessandro Del Vecchio (Hardline/ Revolution Saints).
The approach is very melodic with an old school feel: 80’s style hooks, big drums, slamming bass, epic keys and big production. At the same time the album keeps a current up to date feel with lyric content of today’s world mixed with a competitive Metal feel. Giancarlo’s songwriting approach mixed with each members experience and skills takes the album to new heights .
With different supergroups that come and go, Faithsedge is more than just that, the band members worked together as a tight team and the result and chemistry show in the end result. The album will be released on Scarlet Records in Europe and North America on June 24th and on Spiritual Beast in Japan, Korea, China, Hong Kong and Taiwan on June 15th.
Thrash legends DESTRUCTION are set to release their new Thrashterpiece Under Attackon May 13th! Here’s some freaking cool news:
DESTRUCTION has released the first digital single Second To None. The song is now available as an instant gratification track (free download) when you pre-order Under Attack via iTunes:
German Metal unit I Am Noah has revealed the cover art and track list for its debut album, The Verdict.
Produced by Aljoscha Sieg at Pitchback Studio, the album questions the long-existing, yet unchallenged barriers of the mind that humanity has grown to accept. In 12 songs, unapologetic intensity meets empathy, devotion and structure.
Sonically rooted in ambient Metalcore, the album is defined by its progressive riffing and percussive assault. The lyrics are written from the perspective of the album’s fictional anti-hero, Noah.
“I Am Noah and I’m tired. I’m tired of people who distinguish themselves with their income, uniform, skincolour, religion, gender or nationality to affect everything and everyone. I’m tired of being closely watched. I’m tired of living in a society, which dictates who to be or not. I’m tired of facing people’s failure in their attempt of making life better, whilst being deported and called illegal or haunted just because of their religion. I’m tired.. I’m done. I just want to abscond from this routine. Who’s in? I Am Noah. Who are you?”
The Verdict will be released May 13th via Bastardized Recordings.
The Verdict – Track List:
1. Defendant
2. Rise Of Mankind
3. Embrace The End
4. The Verdict
5. If Life Could Be The Answer
6. Unlearned
7. Deafblind
8. What Is Dead May Never Die feat. Dennis Fries
9. Drowned
10. One Man Wolfpack
11. Hourglass
12. Conquer The Thrones
BREAKING NEWS:Frontiers Music Srl is excited to announce JORN’s new album, Heavy Rock Radio, due for release on June 3rd! One of the greatest rock singers of our time, Jorn Lande returns with a unique album of covers of classics from artists and bands that have meant something special to him and helped forge this talented man’s own unique style.
Through Jorn’s extensive career, which includes more than 40 albums of mostly original songs, he has also recorded great versions of several rock classics such as Thin Lizzy‘s “Are You Ready”, UFO‘s “On and On”, Deep Purple‘s “Perfect Strangers”, and many more. Jorn also recorded a successful Ronnie James Dio tribute album, released in 2010. Every song JORN covers is treated with the utmost respect and “Jorn-ized” accordingly. A good example is his heavy sounding version of “I Walk Alone”, first released by Tarja Turunen (ex-Nightwish).
“Heavy Rock Radio” is not an ordinary album of cover songs, it is truly a songbook of hits. Featured – among others – are great versions of the Eagles‘ “Hotel California” and Kate Bush’s “Running Up That Hill”, which gets the Jorn style treatment to become very powerful and epic, without losing its commercial touch. More great classics included are John Farnham’s “You’re The Voice”, Queen‘s “Killer Queen”, and two absolute melodic rock evergreen gems in Journey‘s “Don’t Stop Believin'” and Foreigner‘s “Rev On The Red Line”.
The original concept of the album was to create a sort of jukebox of radio hits, but to avoid leaning too much on the pop side of rock, JORN decided to blend the track listing with a few more up tempo rock tracks as well, such as “The Final Frontier” by Iron Maiden (“probably the closest you get to anything commercial with Iron Maiden,” says Jorn), “Live to Win” by Paul Stanley (a song which was also featured on the popular television series South Park), and a few hard rock classics show up as well from Deep Purple (“Stormbringer”), Dio (“Rainbow In The Dark”) and Black Sabbath (“Die Young”) to complete the mix.
Jorn says: “The most important thing was to treat these songs with respect towards the original versions, my goal was always to think that the original artist would be honoured and find my version relevant. At the same time my intention was never to try to compete with the original song and artist, but make it a strong alternative version to enjoy. At the same time it is a well deserved homage to these artists and bands, who influenced me strongly, and I have wanted to record these songs for quite some time but was always too busy writing and recording my own songs to make it happen. Originally I had a list of 40-50 songs I wanted to do, but I had to strip it down to about 15 songs before deciding on the final track list. This means that there are some unfinished business musically, and I will most likely record more of these songs in the future.”
Jorn Lande
Since releasing the critically acclaimed Dracula “Swing of Death” album last year, Jorn has also been working on an album of brand new songs, which will be the successor to the 2013 Jorn album “Traveller”, to be released in early 2017. Jorn’s catalogue is getting too long to include in brief press statements, and his innovative and creative skills have led to him selling millions of albums worldwide and being a frequent entry on sales charts around the world including Billboard. Worth a mention is his years with German based MasterPlan, whom he recorded three albums with. Claimed to be the biggest selling Norwegian musical export, since the pop band A-ha, Jorn continues his rock crusade, and there are no signs of him slowing down yet.
The title “Heavy Rock Radio” came quite naturally, as the sound of this album feels like if it’s tailor-made for any rock radio station, and while Jorn’s voice can be enjoyed on more than 40 albums in different rock and metal styles, this record is a special treat which will tide over all the fans waiting for the new original album which is being worked on at the moment. Enjoy!
Jorn Lande – Vocals Trond Holter – Guitars Francesco Iovino – Drums Thomas Bekkevold – Bass Alessandro Del Vecchio – Keyboards
Except as follows:
“Rainbow in the Dark” Jimmy Iversen and Tore Moren – guitars Nic Angileri – bass Willy Bendiksen – drums
“Stormbringer” Jorn Viggo Lofstad – guitars Sid Ringsby – bass Willy Bendiksen – drums
Devil You Know will kick off their first-ever North American headlining tour on April 15th in Fresno, CA. The tour, dubbed “Make America Metal Again” will also feature the band ONI as direct support. Expect a long-ass set, sweaty and packed, intimate shows for a very low price.
The band is also offering VIP ticketing packages at each show, where for only $50 you get a guaranteed group photo with the band, as many autographed items as you like and a free t-shirt of your choice from our merch booth. They are on-sale now at the link below. Meet and greets will be at 6PM sharp each day.
On April 12th, 1954 – Bill Haley And His Comets recorded (We’re Gonna)Rock Around The Clock for Decca Records. The rest is Rock and eventual Metal history, folks.
On April 12th, 1975 – SWEET had their huge hit Fox On The Run reach #2, in the UK.
On April 12th, 1977 – The iconic LED ZEPPELIN performed at the Met Center, in Bloomington, Minnesota. Whoa!
On April 12th, 1986 – OZZY OSBOURNE performed at the Johnstown War Memorial (Arena), in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. The Special Guest was: METALLICA. Pretty cool stuff, huh? By the way, this venue is now known as: Cambria County War Memorial Arena.
I was fortunate to see OZZY and METALLICA on this tour, at the New Haven Coliseum in New Haven, Connecticut. This was OZZY‘s The Ultimate Sin Tour. It was good Metal times!
On April 12th, 2002 – The super legendary OZZY OSBOURNE received a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame. Ozzy’s star is located in front of the Ripley’s Believe It or Not Museum at 6780 Hollywood Boulevard. Yup.
“We wish to inform you that Dimmu Borgir and Nuclear Blast once again put pen to paper, acknowledging the past, present and future by opening another chapter in the history of extreme music! Stay tuned and watch this space for more updates on the new album and the Forces of The Northern Night Live DVD/Blu-Ray release as it becomes available!”
WITHEM is an upcoming Progressive Metal band from Norway, inspired by the likes of Symphony X, Pagan’s Mind, Dream Theater, and Circus Maximus. Withem’s music incorporates elements of Progressive Metal, Symphonic Metal and straightforward Heavy Metal. “The Unforgiving Road” is the band’s sophomore release and is set to put the band on the radar of all Prog Metal fans thanks to virtuoso musicianship and the amazing soaring melodies!
The Unforgiving Road releases on June 3rd, 2016, via Frontiers Music SRL.
36+ CITY TOUR TO KICK OFF JULY 7TH IN BOISE, IDAHO – TICKETS ON SALE BEGINNING FRIDAY APRIL 15TH – at: http://www.kissonline.com/tour
America’s # 1 Gold Record Award Winning Group of all time KISS, has announced its 2016 Summer American “Freedom To Rock” Tour and will visit 36+ cities nationwide with more markets being announced soon. The long-awaited & highly anticipated “Freedom To Rock” Tour will kick off on July 7th in Boise, Idaho and will travel the country throughout July and August and will close September 10th in Huntington, West Virginia.
Tickets will go on sale beginning Friday April 15th for all concert dates (The Grand Rapids, MI and Youngstown, OH shows go on sale Monday April 18th).
A KISS ARMY Fan Club Exclusive Pre-sale will begin April 12th.
The KISS “Freedom To Rock” Tour will bring epic rock to 25+ cities it hasn’t been to in over 10+ years and four brand new cities as well. KISS specifically wanted to take the “Freedom To Rock” Tour to its fans in markets that haven’t had the chance to see them in some time or ever at all. This 36+ city tour will rock those markets and allow fans across the country to see America’s favorite rock band of all time, KISS.
Opening for KISS will be Recording Artist Caleb Johnson (American Idol Season 13 winner) for shows July 7 – August 10 while the All-Star rock band THE DEAD DAISIES will open for KISS for shows August 10 – September 10. The “Freedom To Rock” Tour is produced by: National Shows 2 (nationalshows2.com), Frank Productions (frankproductions.com), and CMoore Live (cmoorelive.com).
“Freedom To Rock” Tour Dates Include:
July 7 Boise, Idaho – Taco Bell Arena
July 9 Eugene, Oregon – Matthew Knight Arena
July 10 – Kennewick, Washington – Toyota Center
July 15 – Spokane, Washington – Spokane Arena
July 16 – Bozeman, Montana -Breeden Fieldhouse
July 18 – Colorado Springs, Colorado – World Arena
July 20 – Independence, Missouri – Silverstein Eye Centers Arena
July 22 – Lincoln, Nebraska – Pinnacle Bank Arena
July 23 – Springfield, Missouri – JQH Arena
July 25 – Wichita, Kansas – Intrust Bank Arena
July 27 – Sioux City, Iowa – Tyson Events Center
July 29 – Cheyenne, Wyoming – Cheyenne Frontier Days
July 30 – Minot, North Dakota – North Dakota State Fair
August 1 – Mankato, Minnesota – Verizon Wireless Center
August 3 – Duluth, Minnesota – Amsoil Arena
August 5 – Moline, Illinois – iWireless Arena
August 6 – La Crosse, Wisconsin – La Crosse Center
August 8 – Milwaukee, Wisconsin – BMO Harris Bradley Center
August 10 – Green Bay, Wisconsin – Resch Center
August 12 – Fort Wayne, Indiana – Allen County Memorial Coliseum
August 13 – Grand Rapids, Michigan – Van Andel Arena
August 15 – Saginaw, Michigan – Dow Event Center
August 17 – Springfield, Illinois – Illinois State Fair
August 20 – Rockford, Illinois – BMO Harris Bank Center
August 22 – Dayton, Ohio – Nutter Center
August 24 – Toledo, Ohio – Huntington Center
August 26 – Youngstown, Ohio – Covelli Centre
August 27 – Erie, Pennsylvania – Erie Insurance Arena
August 29 – Rochester, New York – Blue Cross Arena
August 30 – State College, Pennsylvania – Bryce Jordan Center
September 1 – Allentown, Pennsylvania – Great Allentown Fair
September 3 – Worcester, Massachusetts – DCU Center
September 4 – Portland, Maine – Cross Insurance Arena
September 7 – Bridgeport, Connecticut – Webster Bank Arena
September 9 – Richmond, Virginia – Richmond Coliseum
September 10 – Huntington, West Virginia – Big Sandy Arena
We’ve just launched our new Flotsam and Jetsam landing page! Find out a little more about the band’s brand new album, the formats available and… don’t stop before scrolling down to the bottom… you really should… a little surprise is waiting for you there
U.S. Thrash veterans FLOTSAM AND JETSAM have released a first brand new track taken from the upcoming self-titled studio album, which will drop on May 20th! Debuting their crushing new (tribute) track called “Iron Maiden” and no it’s not a cover of the Iron Maiden classic. Pure original Flots ’til death!
Listen to “Iron Maiden” below! This song is so freaking amazing! This is an ass-kicking song! I am so excited about this “Iron Maiden” song! True Thrash!!! – Stone
The only song missing on this Metallica (gulp) album is: Thanks For The Memory.
OZZY OSBOURNE – Scream
By far, the worstOzzy Osbourne studio album. Ever. If I wrote anything positive about this album in the past, it was because I ate too many wild mushrooms. To this day, I’m embarrassed for Gus G having to play guitar on this record.
PHILM – Harmonic
I got sucked into this album due to the great Dave Lombardo (of Slayer fame) being a founding member and drummer for PHILM. Honestly, it’s one of the worst albums I’ve ever listened to of any genre.
GUNS N’ ROSES – “The Spaghetti Incident?”
This cover song album features a song written by Charles Manson and performed by GNR. Classless. ‘Nuff said.
ICED EARTH – Horror Show
I absolutely love ICED EARTH, still, this album is not their crowning glory. Horror Show goes on and on and on, like a bad dream. I truthfully fell asleep numerous times while trying to listen to this album. It was a grand idea though, with wicked excellent cover art to boot.
Guns N’ Roses are having a reunion tour! Who gives a shit!? Not me.
GHOST won a 2016 Grammy for “Best Metal Performance” and… who gives a shit!
AC/DC are gonna tour with “guest” lead singers. AC/DC might as well see if Jim Nabors and/or Anne Murray are available to sing for them too.
What the freak is Baby Metal? NO, I don’t really give a shit.
IRON MAIDEN is still NOT in the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, while Madonna was inducted into the hall back in 2008. What a bunch of stupid, stupid shit.
Supposedly, man walked on the moon. Guess what? I’m a billionaire.
A neighbor of mine still has their Christmas tree lit up at night, outside their front door. For real. Now, that’s some crazy shit.
My local Best Buy has Sunday store hours of 11:00AM to 8:00PM. Now, that’s some messed up shit. By the way, my local Walmart, Marathon and Kroger are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Someone should remind Best Buy that it’s 2016 and NOT 1980.
In the USA, the minimum wage back in 1988 was $3.35 per hour. In 2016, the minimum wage in Ohio is $8.15. You do the math and then look up what our USA politicians are worth. It’s bullshit.
Vancouver, Canada’s ASTRAKHAN are proud to announce the upcoming release of debut full-length album, Reward in Purpose, on CD and vinyl formats. The highly anticipated follow-up to 2014 EP A Tapestry of Scabs and Skin will be released June 10 on War on Music and Sunmask Records. Check out the Reward in Purpose teaser video at this location or below:
Recorded by Jesse Gander and Mastered by Stu McKillop at Rain City Recorders, Reward in Purpose stands as a singular piece of music and is meant to be taken as it is; the whole is indeed bigger than the sum of its parts. This album explores the perceptions and experience of the band over the last few years together and culminates with the realization that the true reward for which we search with any passionate endeavour is ultimately a matter of experiencing the highs and lows that come with the pursuit of pure expression. It is simply a matter being occupied with something that matters to you.
A video of the band performing new song “Omajod” at Vancouver Psychfest can be viewed at this locationor below:
Album artwork comes courtesy of Nick Patterson. ASTRAKHAN vocalist/guitarist Rob Zawistowski created the design and layout. Thanks to Amy Ray Photography for band photos, including the album’s back cover.
Track Listing:
1 .Omajod
2. Turgid Waters
3. Of Sage and Other Herbs
4. The Traveler
5. Hatchet
6. Rabbits
7. Microcosmic Design
8. Forgetfulness
9. Hand on the Stone
QUIET RIOT will forever have a place in my Metal heart; their #1 studio album Metal Health is one incredible reason why. Oh, the good-times memories of partying to QUIET RIOT. Whoa. Both Scott Coverdale and I must mention QUIET RIOT to each other at least twice a week; perhaps at times, twice a day.
Without question, QUIET RIOT exploded onto the Heavy Metal scene with their groundbreaking 1983 Metal Health album along with their historic performance at the 1983US Festival on Heavy Metal Day (March 29). The rest is QUIET RIOT history that shall never be ignored here at Metal Odyssey.
Scott and I have picked our top 5 songs from QUIET RIOT, respectively. Check ’em out below and agree or disagree, please feel free to comment! Please list your top 5 QUIET RIOT songs as well, for the more the Metal merrier! Metal Be Thy Name. – Stone
Stone’s Top 5 QUIET RIOT Songs:
Metal Health – Metal Health (1983)
Winners Take All – Condition Critical (1984)
The Wild And The Young – QR III (1986)
Don’t Wanna Let You Go – Metal Health (1983)
Mama Weer All Crazee Now – Condition Critical (1984)
Scott’s Top 5 QUIET RIOT Songs:
Metal Health – Metal Health (1983)
Mama Weer All Crazee Now – Condition Critical (1984)
AFM Records will celebrate its 20th Anniversary, on July 6th, with a special “label night” on this year’s Rockharzfestival in Ballenstedt, Germany. Confirmed live acts are U.K.’s Thrash icons ONSLAUGHT, German Hard Rockers KISSIN’ DYNAMITE, Swiss riff rockers SHAKRA, Finland’s Melo Death grandmasters MORS PRINCIPIUM EST and Germany’s fun Metal chart breakers J.B.O..
ROCKHARZ OPEN AIR will take place July 7th thru 9th, 2016.
Cinema tickets for the BIGGEST global one night film event that is KISS ROCKS VEGAS are now AVAILABLE in EUROPE! Head over to www.kissmycinema.com/cinemas to grab yours!
More European and worldwide screens to be announced soon. Stay Tuned!
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!
Metal Odyssey's Rock, Hard Rock and Heavy Metal Hall of Fame! These Are The Rock And METAL Legends Wrongfully Ignored By "The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame"
Metal Odyssey > Heavy Metal Music Blog 
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