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SHAKRA – Back On Track: Swiss Hard Rock Band Is Blazing Forward!

Posted in Hard Rock, hard rock albums, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , on May 13, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

SHAKRA – Watch out… before you dive your eardrums into this new Shakra studio album Back On Track, bear in mind this veteran band is aiming to kick your Hard Rockin’ and Heavy Metalin’ ass! I just cannot resist warning you all. When an album of 13 songs ROCKS this HARD, HEAVY and MEMORABLE, by God I am gonna raise some noize about it. Released on May 3rd, 2011 via AFM Records, Back On Track has Shakra on track for worldwide Hard Rock domination. Glory be to Metal, this album is a non-stopper… I just can’t hit the stop button when it is playing. I could have easily taken the easy road, by just giving this album a three word review like this: buy this album. Alas, I have to rant and rave about Back On Track.

Based in Switzerland, Shakra is following up on their last album Everest, which soared to #4 on the Swiss album charts back in 2009. I honestly see Shakra making gigantic strides in the States, with enough promotion and (hopefully) consistent radio play, be it FM or satellite. Shakra is tailor made for the Hard & Heavy Rock that makes 80’s old schoolers proud and play with enough relevance for todays younger generation to dig… big time. In a Metal nutshell, Shakra caught my undivided Hard Rockin’ attention from the opener B True B You to the unbelievable closer: Stonger Than Ever. This last song puts the thunder stamp on this album where I’m left muttering… holy crap that was one hell of a goooood listen!

Shakra now has a new lead singer with John Prakesh, (replacing Mark Fox) and he is damn good. Damn good. There are moments where I hear some Marc Storace (influence?) in John’s vocals, only don’t think for one second that John Prakesh isn’t an original. His vocals are a reminder to me, that a band can be elevated by it’s front man. This guy sings the Rockin’ daylights out of this album, Metal be thy name and hallelujah to all. Shakra plays as a cohesive unit, with their energy and Heavy Rock spirit coming through LOUD and very clear on Back On Track. Blazing is the most adequate adjective to describe the sound and total vibe I receive from Shakra, these guys are running on all Hard & Heavy Rock cylinders with Back On Track.

Revved up guitar leads and Hard Rockin’ riffs? Check. Hooks? Check. Melodic and memorable songs? Check. Pumped up chorus? Check. Thumpin’ rhythm section? Check. Psyche-you-out sonic thrills by the minute? Um… check again. Look, I would never praise an album that is the equivalent of bird crap on a windshield. Shakra has created an album that is the equivalent of a Hard & Heavy Rock celebration. This celebration called Back On Track MUST be shared to all fellow Hard Rock and Heavy Metal fans alike. Shakra for all intents and purposes, have smacked it down and let it loose with Back On Track. Spread the Hard Rock word: SHAKRA.

* Recorded and produced with Shakra’s own guitarist Thom Blunier, at Power Ride Studios.

* Back On Track entered the official Swiss Album Charts at #2, the highest charting SHAKRA album ever. Back On Track entered the German Album Charts at #84.

* Back On Track is the eighth studio album from SHAKRA.

SHAKRA:

John Prakesh – vocals

Thom Blunier – lead guitar

Thomas Muster – rhythm guitar

Dominik Pfister – bass

Roger Tanner – drums

Track Listing:

B True B You

I’ll Be

Crazy

Back On Track

When I See You

MMTWGR

Yesterday’s Gone

Someday

Eternity

Lonesomeness

Unspoken Truth

Brand New Day

Stronger Than Ever

* For more info on SHAKRA, click on the links below:

http://www.shakra.ch

http://www.afm-records.de

LONG LIVE SHAKRA.

Stone.

3 Comments »

WARRANT – ROCKAHOLIC: Hard Rock Glory Has Risen Again!

Posted in classic rock, Hair Metal, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , , , on May 9, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

WARRANT –  With a new vocalist in place to front the multi-million selling Hard Rock band we all know and embrace as Warrant, Rockaholic (Frontiers Records) comes at me with a new-found attitude and revved up Hard Rock sound that crunches. Robert Mason (Lynch Mob, Cry Of Love) is now the voice behind Warrant and it’s a return to Hard Rock glory for this group. The stereotypical Hair Metal posturing of years gone by is not the sheen of elegance anymore with Warrant, instead Rockaholic comes at me with more Hard Rock relevance than I ever could have expected.

With original members Jerry Dixon (bass), Erik Turner (rhythm guitar), Joey Allen (lead guitar) and Steven Sweet (drums), the backing vocals they all provide on Rockaholic lends a cool-fueled, feel-good atmosphere and tribute to their legendary Hair Metal roots. The ballad Home reminds me that Warrant still has the fever for making a memorable tear jerker. An inspirational ballad it is, the lyrics aren’t sappy… they just hit home. A well written ballad that has substance… and ballads don’t usually impress me. This one does.

Candy Man is a groovy Rocker that hits on all melodic cylinders. A song that is heavy and filled with gimme more hooks, I can understand if Candy Man becomes a strip club favorite. Sunshine has the up-tempo and sing-a-long savvy to be a live favorite. Something about Sunshine makes it a cool candidate for a beer drinking song for some reason. Sunshine is yet another song on Rockaholic that proves these Warrant dudes know a thing or two about playing some good time Rock ‘n’ Roll.

Life’s A Song has Robert Mason giving Jon Bon Jovi a run for his Hard Rock money. This song should hopefully be on Warrant’s live set list for their 2011 Summer gigs. Cocaine Freight Train embodies the heavier personality of Warrant, with a pedal to the Metal tempo and guitar licks that resonate Classic Rock Americana. What Love Can Do is all about the good-time vibes. Crank this song up, roll down the windows and let the breeze hit you in the face while Warrant makes your lazy day cruise Rock! Metal be thy name, this Warrant album is Hard Rock goodness.

Rockaholic is 14 songs, which have the Rockin’ bookends of Sex Ain’t Love opening and The Last Straw closing out. Both of these songs are critical for Sex Ain’t Love sets the Hard Rockin’ tone of Rockaholic from the onset, while The Last Straw makes me wish this album would go on for another six songs or more. Metal be thy name once again. Ring that Hard Rock bell of glory and tell ’em Stone told you to do so.

Dusty’s Revenge resonates with it’s Rock ‘n’ Roll outlaw sound, courtesy of Joey and Erik’s guitars and Robert’s vocals. This is perhaps my favorite song on Rockaholic, being carried by Robert’s vocals that embody the essence and mystique of a Classic Hard Rock performance. If there is to be more praise handed out here, it’s that Warrant is one band from the late 80’s era that knew how to evolve as a band. Did someone say bubble gum? I respond by saying kiss my Metal lovin’ ass. Warrant Rocks.

The hardened sound of Warrant today coupled with Robert Mason’s vocals, makes this entire album scream: It’s a new beginning! Warrant has surprised me with Rockaholic, fans of Warrant should surely be psyched-out of their minds by this new album. Even those few who may have shunned Warrant over the decades, just might realize, Rockaholic is a Hard Rock powerhouse of an album after just one listen. This is a band that never buckled under to nuthin’ and their fired-up and rejuvenated brand of Hard Rock is in the here and now. Warrant is back… and that is a Hard Rockin’ matter of fact!

* Rockaholic releases on May 13th in Europe and May 17th in the U.S., on Frontiers Records.

* Rockaholic was produced by Keith Olsen and mixed by Pat Regan.

Rockaholic Track Listing: 

Sex Ain’t Love

Innocence Gone

Sanke

Dusty’s Revenge

Home

What Love Can Do

Life’s A Song

Show Must Go On

Cocaine Freight Train

Found Forever

Candy Man

Sunshine

Tears In The City

The Last Straw

* For more info on WARRANT, click on the link below:

WARRANT ROCKS

LONG LIVE WARRANT.

Stone.

6 Comments »

SHINEDOWN – Somewhere in the Stratosphere: Madness LIVE from Washington State (Electric)… Electrifies!

Posted in alternative metal, alternative rock, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , , , on May 4, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

SHINEDOWN – After listening to the 17 live songs on Somewhere in the Stratosphere: Madness LIVE from Washington State (Electric), my conclusion is Shinedown electrifies with their live performance. The quality of sound and all encompassing production of this live album is astounding. The sounds of the audience are captured perfectly, with plenty of exaltation and sing-along moments, making this a true live listen into this Shinedown concert.

Before I listened to this live Shinedown album, I did not hear one song prior. I was hoping for high energy from this live concert album, coupled with the commanding spirit of musicianship that Shinedown so dramatically exemplifies. Well… Shinedown sounds electrifying on this live album and I wish I was there to experience this live concert.

Shinedown have released three studio albums with immense commercial success. Leave A Whisper (2003) has gone Platinum, Us and Them (2005) has gone Gold and The Sound of Madness (2008) has reached Platinum status. All three of these studio albums from Shinedown I admire greatly, from the lyrics to the music and all vibes in-between. Shinedown has sold millions of albums for good reason. Albums just don’t sell that easy these days. It’s my guess that the song writing and lyrical themes of Shinedown’s songs obviously touches the human spirit and relates, plus this band really can play lights out.

I’ve always considered Brent Smith to be a premier vocalist in the world of Heavy Music and all of Rock for that matter. Brent has that gift of spilling out real emotion into the lyrics that he sings, nothing has ever come across as fabricated to my ears. To hear these 17 Shinedown songs live, with Brent’s vocals being as inspirational as ever, is riveting. Hearing live versions of Brent singing I Dare You, Heroes, The Crow & The Butterfly and Diamond Eyes (Boom-Lay Boom-Lay Boom) is proof positive that he was meant for the live stage.

Throughout this live album, the entire band plays tighter than the knots in my daughter’s sneaker laces. All the while, I can feel the enthusiasm of Shinedown through these live songs, it just comes through to me this way and I’m not complaining. The pumped-up and heavy grooves that erupt from Sound Of Madness are so lively it’s downright wild. Fly From The Inside is brought to the live stage brilliantly. The cover song of the Lynyrd Skynyrd classic Simple Man is played in acoustic Southern Rock glory. The last verse of Simple Man has Brent Smith inviting the audience to sing-along and it’s simply put… cool and fun stuff.

Second Chance ends this live album of 17 songs by scarring my arms and face with ostrich bumps of emotion. A perfect song to cap off this concert and album. Thank you, Shinedown. Metal be thy name. This new live album from Shinedown should recruit even more new fans into their Rockin’ stable. Longtime fans of Shinedown should presumably be thrilled to hear and own this album. It is my Metal opinion, this is one of those live albums that will be looked upon as being one of the best of it’s generation.

SHINEDOWN:

Brent Smith – vocals

Zach Myers – guitar

Eric Bass – bass

Barry Kerch – drums

Track Listing:

Intro (Scary Fairy)

Sound Of Madness

Devour

I Dare You

Cyanide Sweet Tooth Suicide

If You Only Knew

Diamond Eyes (Boom-Lay Boom-Lay Boom)

.45

Burning Bright

Heroes

The Crow & The Butterfly

Her Name Is Alice

Save Me

Left Out

Simple Man

Fly From The Inside

Second Chance

* This live album was released on May 3rd, 2011, on Atlantic Records.

* For more info on SHINEDOWN, click the links below:

SHINEDOWN – Official Website

SHINEDOWN – facebook

SHINEDOWN – twitter

LONG LIVE SHINEDOWN.

Stone.

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9 CHAMBERS – Hard Rockin’ Studio Update: Through Sights and Sounds!

Posted in Hard Rock, hard rock albums, hard rock bands, Heavy Metal, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , , , on May 1, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

(Left: Ed Mundell, Right: Greg Hampton)

(Photo Credit: Rockframe Media/Karen Murphy Mundell)

9 CHAMBERS – Rockin’ right along in the studio and currently making cool progress on their forthcoming debut album is the Hard Rock supergroup known as 9 Chambers. The lineup for 9 Chambers with their storied backgrounds: Vocalist and guitarist Greg Hampton (Alice Cooper, The New Czars, Lita Ford, to name a few), guitarist Ed Mundell (ex-Monster Magnet), Jorgen Carlsson on bass (Gov’t Mule) and Vinny Appice (Black Sabbath, Heavn & Hell, DIO) on drums.

The Rock world is a better place, when musicians such as 9 Chambers can unite and create their unique brand of Hard Rock! Check out the video below for the newly released sights and sounds collection that is 9 Chambers… as they’re recording in the studio right now!

http://youtu.be/ZlGxTbDv68c

* Stay tuned to Metal Odyssey for constant updates on 9 CHAMBERS, as they progress closer to their debut album’s finish and release date!

* Read the initial cover story about 9 CHAMBERS, as it was posted on Metal Odyssey back on April 8th, 2011 by clicking the big header link below!

9 Chambers – Hard Rock Supergroup Of: Greg Hampton, Ed Mundell, Jorgen Carlsson and Vinny Appice!

* For more info on 9 CHAMBERS, click on the links below:

9 Chambers – Official Website

9 CHAMBERS – Official facebook

9 Chambers – Reverbnation

9 Chambers – Audio Samples

LONG LIVE 9 CHAMBERS.

Stone.

2 Comments »

SEETHER – Holding Onto Strings Better Left to Fray: Releases May 17th, 2011!

Posted in alternative metal, alternative rock, Hard Rock, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , , on April 25, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

SEETHER –  Following their incredibly successful 2007 studio album Finding Beauty in Negative Spaces, Seether will be releasing Holding Onto Strings Better Left to Fray on May 17th, 2011, via Wind-up. With 12 new songs on this hotly anticipated Seether release, the deluxe edition includes 4 bonus tracks! Holding Onto Strings Better Left to Fray features Country Song and you can currently purchase this new Hard Rockin’ slice of Seether on iTunes!

Stone says, about Country Song:

Country Song re-establishes Seether as an Alternative Metal/Hard Rock band that leaps away from the Rock norm, while leading by example. The flirtatious Country Rock vibe gives way to the heaviness that is Seether. The combination of Shaun Morgan’s vocals and heavy guitar, with foot stompin’ and fist raising rhythms, inventively elevates Country Song into a stratosphere of Modern Hard Rock perfection. Great music happens, with great song writing.

SEETHER:

Shaun Morgan – lead vocals, guitar

Dale Stewart – bass, backing vocals

John Humphrey – drums

Troy McLawhorn – guitar

Track Listing – Holding Onto Strings Better Left To Fray:

For Cue

No Resolution

Here and Now

Country Song

Master of Disaster

Tonight

Pass Slowly

Fade Out

Roses

Down

Desire For Need

Forsaken

* The Deluxe Edition includes the following bonus tracks:

Dead Seeds 

Yeah

Nobody

Effigy

* For more info on SEETHER, just click the links below:

SEETHER – Official Website

SEETHER – Official facebook

SEETHER – myspace music

Wind-up

LONG LIVE SEETHER.

Stone.

1 Comment »

9 Chambers: In Studio and Recording “Goin’ The Other Way” – See The Video Here!

Posted in Guitar, Hard Rock, hard rock music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , on April 24, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

Left: Ed Mundell, Right: Greg Hampton

(All Photo Credits: Rockframe Media/Karen Murphy Mundell)

9 CHAMBERS – Led by multi-instrumentalist and producer Greg Hampton and ex-Monster Magnet guitarist Ed Mundell, the new Hard Rock supergroup of 9 Chambers is currently in the studio and recording for their forthcoming debut album.

The lineup for 9 Chambers with their storied backgrounds: Vocalist and guitarist Greg Hampton (Alice Cooper, The New Czars, Lita Ford, to name a few), guitarist Ed Mundell (ex-Monster Magnet), Jorgen Carlsson on bass (Gov’t Mule) and Vinny Appice (Black Sabbath, Heavn & Hell, DIO) on drums.

“Some guest drummers of recognition will be on board to finish off a few songs”, Greg Hampton has recently told me. Stay tuned for more updates, videos, song samples and news as it breaks from 9 Chambers… it will all be covered right here on Metal Odyssey! Check out Greg Hampton and Ed Mundell below, trading off and playing their guitar licks while recording “Goin’ The Other Way”:

http://youtu.be/Jbi8IvoujEQ

Jorgen Carlsson – bass

Vinny Appice – drums

* Check out some very cool song samples from 9 Chambers by clicking this link: 9 Chambers – Audio Samples

* For more info on 9 Chambers, click on the links below:

9 Chambers – Official Website

9 CHAMBERS – Official facebook

9 Chambers – Reverbnation

* Related post (click below) on 9 Chambers, featured on Metal Odyssey:

9 Chambers – Hard Rock Supergroup Of: Greg Hampton, Ed Mundell, Jorgen Carlsson and Vinny Appice!

LONG LIVE 9 CHAMBERS.

Stone.

2 Comments »

EGYPT CENTRAL – White Rabbit: Releases May 17th, 2011! Exclusive Live Concert Photos From 2011 Tour!

Posted in concerts, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, metal odyssey, metalcore, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , on April 22, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

EGYPT CENTRAL  – Memphis Tennessee’s Alternative Metal/Hard Rock foursome of Egypt Central will be releasing their ultra-anticipated sophomore album, White Rabbit, on May 17th, 2011, via Fat Lady Music. As a follow-up to their successful self-titled debut album, White Rabbit has 12 new songs for fans to get revved up for!

EGYPT CENTRAL:

John Falls – vocals

Joey Chicago – bass

Blake Allison – drums

Jeff James – guitars

Back on March 19, 2011, I had the opportunity to check out Egypt Central perform live at The Crocodile Rock Cafe in Allentown, Pennsylvania. Egypt Central opened for Modern/Alt Rock legends COLD on the: A Tour Of The American Dream, with Oceans Divide and Kopek also lending support . Local favorites and rising Hard Rockers Maddam Ink. capped off the evening of Heavy Music.

With the talented eye and lens of Metal Odyssey’s staff photographer Tom Coderre, these very cool photos (below) were taken at that show. Egypt Central kicked some major Rockin’ ass that night. ‘Nuff said. This is a band that took ownership of the stage and had their fans psyched-out beyond belief.

(Left: John Falls on vocals, Right: Jeff James on guitar)

(Joey Chicago – bass)

(John Falls – vocals)

(Jeff James – guitar)

(Blake Allison – drums)

Track Listing For White Rabbit:

Ghost Town

White Rabbit

Goodnight

Kick Ass

Change

The Drug (Part 1)

Down In Flames

Enemy Inside (Part 2)

Blame

Dying To Leave

Surrender

Backfire

* All live photo credits: Tom Coderre

* White Rabbit was produced & mixed by Skidd Mills for Skiddco Music LLC

* For more info on EGYPT CENTRAL, click on the link below:

EGYPT CENTRAL – official myspace

EGYPT CENTRAL – Official Website

FAT LADY MUSIC

LONG LIVE EGYPT CENTRAL.

Stone.

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9 Chambers – Hard Rock Supergroup Of: Greg Hampton, Ed Mundell, Jorgen Carlsson and Vinny Appice!

Posted in classic rock, Hard Rock, hard rock albums, Heavy Metal, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , , , , on April 8, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

(left: Ed Mundell, right: Greg Hampton)

(Photo credit: Karen Murphy Mundell)

9 CHAMBERS – Anytime I have a conversation with multi-instrumentalist and producer Greg Hampton, he will light up like the Time Square ball on New Years Eve when Classic Rock and Hard Rock is talked about. Greg has assembled a new band, a “supergroup” if you will, that has more reverence and experience in their Rock and Roll veins for that Classic Hard Rock sound than you can shake a Metal stick at. 9 Chambers makeup has four star musicians who know a thing or two about playing Classic Hard Rock, not to mention Heavy Metal as well. With 9 Chambers, it’s a Hard Rock venture that I’m eagerly anticipating.

Check out the lineup for 9 Chambers: Vocalist and guitarist Greg Hampton (Alice Cooper, The New Czars, Lita Ford), guitarist Ed Mundell (ex-Monster Magnet), Jorgen Carlsson on bass (Gov’t Mule) and Vinny Appice (Black Sabbath, Heavn & Hell, DIO) on drums. Whoa. Greg Hampton was not kidding around when he told me he was putting together a new band that would psyche out the Hard Rock community! It doesn’t get any more legit than this lineup… Metal be thy name. You can listen to 4 song samples from 9 Chambers by clicking here: 9 Chambers – Audio Samples

Greg Hampton is aiming for an August 2011 release date for the upcoming debut album from 9 Chambers, while negotiating a record deal with management. Greg states they have close to twenty songs written, so there are obviously many cool choices to be made for their debut album. Greg is enthused that he and Ed share common ground on what “old school” Rock music they both listen to, with Free, Armageddon and Captain Beyond, to name a few. The 1983 Black Sabbath release of Born Again has been getting worn out from playing in Greg’s car as of late too, further noting where his heavy music interest lies.

“Some guest drummers of recognition will be on board to finish off a few songs”, Greg added. On what to expect from the Hard Rock sound of 9 Chambers, Greg stated: “We wanted to stick to our original vision as to how the Hard Rock of 9 Chambers should sound, throw in a Soundgarden variable in the equation with both a 90’s and Crooked Vulture vibe to it. There’s a little Stoner vibe happening as well. This album is a lot less progressive than what I’ve done in the past. There are no synths or drum loops. It’s a purist approach of four guys playing Hard Rock”.

* For more info on 9 CHAMBERS, click on the links below:

9 Chambers – Reverbnation

9 Chambers – Official Website

9 CHAMBERS – Official facebook

LONG LIVE 9 CHAMBERS.

Stone.

5 Comments »

FAIR TO MIDLAND – Announce New Details On Upcoming Album “Arrows and Anchors” and New Song Streaming Now!

Posted in alternative metal, alternative rock, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, progressive metal, progressive rock, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , , , , on April 4, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

(New York, NY) — FAIR TO MIDLAND will release their brand new full length entitled “Arrows and Anchors” on June 14th, 2011. This is the band’s follow-up to the highly acclaimed record “Fables from a Mayfly: What I Tell You Three Times Is True” released in 2007. The first single off the new record, “Musical Chairs” is streaming today exclusively at Artistdirect.com.

Hear “Musical Chairs” by clicking the link below:

http://bit.ly/eYGDng

“We are a band that makes albums and this is the best one that we’ve ever made. It might be the heaviest non-Metal album you will hear this year,” says front man Darroh Sudderth.

The band recently signed a worldwide deal with eOne Music. This time they enlisted producer Joe Barresi (TOOL, QUEENS OF THE STONEAGE, COHEED AND CAMBRIA). Not wanting to sit still, the band recently embarked on a month long headline tour with friends in PERIPHERY and SCALE THE SUMMIT. The tour has spanned coast to coast with roughly ten shows remaining. Remaining dates can be seen below. With a new record on the horizon, fans can expect summer tour dates announced soon.

4/6/11 – New York, NY – Santos Party House

4/7/11 – West Springfield, PA – Jaxx

4/8/11 – Knoxville, TN – The Cider House

4/9/11 – Asheville, NC – The Orange Peel

4/10/11 – Atlanta, GA – The Masquerade

4/12/11 – New Orleans, LA – The Parish at HOB

4/13/11 – Little Rock, AR – Juanita’s

4/14/11 – Tulsa, OK – The Marquee

4/15/11 – Oklahoma City, OK – Conservatory

4/17/11 – Austin, TX – Emo’s Inside

4/18/11 – Houston, TX – Warehouse Live

4/21/11 – Dallas, TX – Trees

Founded in 1998 in the quiet farm town of Sulphur Springs, Texas, FAIR TO MIDLAND quickly became one of the Lone Star State’s fastest rising bands, earning critical acclaim for their first two independent releases, 2001’s “The Carbon Copy Silver Lining” and the 2004 “inter.funda.stifle”.

Since the release of “Fables From a Mayfly,” they have shared the stage with bands such as the Smashing Pumpkins, Flyleaf, Chevelle, Dir en Grey, Alice In Chains, and Serj Tankian throughout the U.S. & Europe. The band has made appearances at festivals such as Coachella, Bamboozle, Download Festival, Rock AM Ring and Rock IM Park.

FAIR TO MIDLAND is Darroh Sudderth (vocals), Cliff Campbell (guitar), Brett Stowers (drums), Matt Langley (keyboards) and Jon Dicken (Bass).

(Source: eOne Music)

* For more info on FAIR TO MIDLAND, please visit:

http://www.ftmband.com/

http://www.myspace.com/fairtomidland

http://www.facebook.com/ftmband

LONG LIVE FAIR TO MIDLAND.

Stone.

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THE TREWS – “Hope & Ruin” Releases April 12th, 2011! Track Listing, Album Art and Info…

Posted in alternative rock, alternative rock bands, Hard Rock, hard rock albums, hard rock bands, metal odyssey, Music, rock and roll, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , , on March 29, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

“Big riffs, bigger hooks, anthemic choruses – Canadian Alt-Rockers The Trews bring all of that and more” – Guitar Edge Magazine

THE TREWS’ fourth full-length studio album, Hope & Ruin, due out on The Trews Records on April 12, is a level-raising evolution for the Toronto-based rock band with two gold records, 10 top-10 singles and 800-plus concerts logged. After wrapping up the first leg of touring for 2009’s  Acoustic – Friends & Total Strangers retrospective, The Trews found themselves with time off and a blank canvas in front of them for the first time in years. The band decided to retreat to Tragically Hip’s fabled Bathhouse Studio’s, which is an old converted lake house just outside of Kingston, Ontario.

Recorded live-off-the-floor, they captured lightning in a bottle, resulting in a sound that is raw, electric and igniting. Of course, the ripping rockers that have made front man Colin MacDonald; his brother, guitarist John-Angus; their cousin, drummer Sean Dalton; and long-time friend, bassist Jack Syperek one of Canada’s top live acts are still present with the heavy “The World I Know,” unrelenting “Misery Loves Company” and pummeling “People of the Deer.”

“We haven’t forgotten how to rock, but there’s new ground being covered,” says Colin. The Trews have never made an album in the manner in which they recorded Hope & Ruin, and it’s an album they never could’ve made before now. There’s a certain connection, comfort and intuition that’s needed to write and record in such an off-the-cuff, inspired manner. And that takes years to develop.

As the “Hope & Ruin” single continues to climb up the Active Rock charts in The Trews native Canada (currently at #7), the band is receiving accolades from around the globe. Performer Magazine here in the U.S. claims that “The Trews are, without a doubt, the greatest rock band of their generation” and upon their departure from their Australian tour  this month, famous native and rock affectionado Russell Crowe tweeted “Bon Voyage @thetrews hope you make it back to Australia soon. They came, they saw, they rocked”

The Trews will be touring the U.S. this Spring.

Hope & Ruin Track Listing:

Misery Loves Company

One By One

People of the Deer

Stay With Me

Hope & Ruin

If You Wanna Start Again

The World I Know

Dreaming Man

I’ll Find Someone Who Will

Love Is The Real Thing

Burned

You Gotta Let Me In

* I’ve listened to One By One, a song currently streaming from Hope & Ruin several times over. The Alternative Rock sound blended with a relevant Classic Rock feel and vibe, makes One By One erupt with all things fabulous about quality songwriting, memorable lyrics and guitar driven Rock Music. I’m really looking forward to landing my ears into this entire new album from The Trews.

* For more info on THE TREWS and to hear One By One streaming, click the links below:

THE TREWS – Official Website

THE TREWS – myspace music

LONG LIVE THE TREWS.
Stone.

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REV THEORY – “Justice” Billboard Chart Positions For Week of March 5th, 2011! Some Metal Thoughts…

Posted in Hard Rock, hard rock albums, Heavy Metal, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , , on March 2, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

REV THEORY – For the week of March 5th, 2011, the third studio album, Justice, from the Hard Rockin’ Rev Theory debuted at #75 on the Billboard 200 Chart. This is refreshing news, especially when the Billboard 200 Chart is saturated with watered down, commercial, bubble gum and flavor-of-the-month (ahem) “music”. Now, it’s time for Rev Theory to serve up some “Justice” on the Billboard charts.

I will readily admit, Justice is one heavy hitter for my ears. This album is loaded with songs that are guitar driven and packed with melodic crunch. The first three songs alone are very memorable: Dead In A Grave, Justice and Hangman just lead right into a complete album of songs that prove Rev Theory weren’t aiming to play it safe.

Rich Luzzi sounds tough as ever on vocals, with not one note being over stretched. The guitar duo of Julien Jorgensen and Lixx are more potent than ever, with Dave Agoglia (drums) and Matty McCloskey (bass) laying down some of the smoothest and coolest beats I’ve heard in a very long time. If your shopping around for a newly released Hard Rock album that kicks some genuine ass, Rev Theory ‘s Justice is the answer.

* Justice was released on February 15, 2011, on Interscope Records/DGC Records and produced by Terry Date.

GO GET ‘EM REV THEORY!

REV THEORY – JUSTICE Billboard chart (debut) positions for the week of March 5th, 2011:

Billboard 200 – #75

Rock Albums – #20

Alternative Albums – #11

Hard Rock Albums – #5

REV THEORY:

Rich Luzzi – lead vocals

Julien Jorgensen – guitar

Rikki Lixx – guitar, backing vocals

Matty McCloskey – bass, backing vocals

Dave Agoglia – drums

Track Listing For Justice:

Dead In A Grave

Justice

Hangman

The Fire

Loaded Gun

Guilty By Design

Enemy Within

Wicked Wonderland

Say Goodbye

Never Again

Hollow Man

* For more info on REV THEORY, click the links below:

REV THEORY – myspace music

REV THEORY – Official Website

LONG LIVE REV THEORY.

Stone.

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KOPEK – “White Collar Lies” Releases March 1st, 2011!

Posted in Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, metal odyssey, modern rock, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , , on February 28, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

KOPEK – Ireland’s increasingly embraced, Hard Rock trio KOPEK will be seeing their debut album White Collar Lies releasing on March 1st, 2011… that’s tomorrow!! If you are a fan of Rock, Hard Rock or Modern Hard Rock that isn’t representative of the status quo club, then you will absolutely NEED to get your ears into this KOPEK album! Since January of this year, KOPEK have been touring the U.S.A. and are receiving rave reviews for their live shows!

Stone says this KOPEK album is a MUST buy! I very rarely state these words and I’m laying all the Hard Rockin’ cards out on the table, especially when I endorse a band’s album this highly. KOPEK is going to be HUGE.

* White Collar Lies is being released on Religion Music via SIN/Sony Independent Network.

KOPEK:

Daniel Jordan – lead vocals & guitar

Brad Kinsella – bass guitar

Shane Cooney – drums

Track Listing For White Collar Lies:

Cocaine Chest Pains

White Collar Lies

Fever

Love Is Dead

Floridian

Sub Human

The Easy Way (D.B. Cooper)

Bring It On Home

Love Sick Blues

Bigger Than Us All

Sin City

* To read my complete album review on White Collar Lies, just click on the large header link below:

KOPEK “WHITE COLLAR LIES” – DEBUT ALBUM IS A PRESENT & FUTURE STANDOUT OF MODERN ROCK

LONG LIVE KOPEK.

Stone.

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BONFIRE – Celebrates 25th Hard Rockin’ Anniversary In 2011 With New Studio Album! Launches Official Facebook Page!

Posted in classic rock, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, melodic rock, metal odyssey, Music, rock and roll, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , , , on February 21, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

BONFIRE IS BACK! – Celebrating their 25th Hard Rockin’ Anniversary in 2011 is Rock & Hard Rock Legends… BONFIRE! Metal Odyssey extends a huge Metal congrats to BONFIRE… may there be many more years to come of their melodic and memorable hard driven Rock ‘n’ Roll! BONFIRE is on a Hard Rockin’ roll with their newest studio album BRANDED just being released in the U.S. on February 15, 2011 (LZ Records) and their “official” Facebook page being launched on February 20, 2011! You can visit the “official” BONFIRE Facebook page by clicking here: BONFIRE – Official Facebook

Track Listing For Branded:

Deadly Contradiction

Just Follow The Rainbow

Save Me

Let It Grow

Better Days

Do Or Die

Close To The Edge

Crazy

Loser’s Lane

Hold Me Now

I Need You (bonus track)

Rivers Of Glory (bonus track)

Twenty five years ago, BONFIRE was founded in Ingolstadt, Germany. The 2011 BONFIRE lineup features original members Claus Lessmann (vocals) and Hans Ziller (lead guitar). The first BONFIRE studio full-length album, Don’t Touch The Light, was released back in 1986, on RCA Records. Since 1986 13 studio albums (including a German version of 1996’s Feel’s Like Comin’ Home) have been released. From 1993 to 2009, nine BONFIRE compilation and/or live albums have been released.

(BONFIRE Don’t Touch The Light – 1986)

BONFIRE:

Claus Lessmann – lead vocals, acoustic guitar

Hans Ziller – lead guitar, acoustic guitar, sitar, slide guitar

Dominik Hülshort – drums & percussion

Uwe Köhler -bass

Chris “Yps” Limburg – rhythm guitar

* For more info about BONFIRE, just click the links below:

BONFIRE – Official Website

BONFIRE – myspace music

* For more info on Cargo Records UK, click here: CARGO RECORDS UK

* I have found a great number of BONFIRE CD’s are available on Amazon.com, including Branded. Cargo Records UK is selling Branded. I did not find Branded available on iTunes.

* Feel free to leave any cool info you may want to share about BONFIRE through a comment, it is always appreciated by Stone.

LONG LIVE BONFIRE.

Stone.

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