On February 29th, 1972 – The astonishing LED ZEPPELIN performed at Festival Hall in Brisbane, Australia. As a sidenote, the Academy Award for Best Picture went to The French Connection, back in 1972.
On February 29th, 1992 – MR. BIG had their smooth Rockin’ ballad, To Be With You, ranked at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart. This song is featured on MR. BIG’s second studio album from 1991: Lean Into It.
On February 29th, 2016 – The fourth studio album from the amazing ANTHRAX, Sate Of Euphoria, is ranked at #47 on the iTunes Top 100 Heavy Metal Albums Chart. This album was released back in 1988. Ronald Wilson Reagan was President Of The United States, back in 1988, as well. Whoa, man!
On February 29th, 2016 – The newly released studio album, Dead Dawn, from ENTOMBED A.D., is ranked at #56 on the iTunes Top 100 Heavy Metal Albums Chart. Whiz-bang!
On February 29th, 2016 – Maryland’s very own Hard Rocking beacon, aka KIX, have their fourth studio album, Blow My Fuse, ranked at #86 on the iTunes Top 100 Heavy Metal Albums Chart. This dope album features the huge hits: Cold Bloodand Don’t Close Your Eyes.
COOL FACT ABOUT FEBRUARY 29TH: February 29th only appears on the calendar every 4 years. Holy shit! Therefore, 2016 is a Leap Year. So, Leap Years are added as a necessary means of keeping our clocks and calendars in sync with our beloved Earth and its 4 seasons. Yup.
On February 27th, 1972 – The great LED ZEPPELIN performed in Sydney, Australia, at Showground. I was six years old in 1972. Whoa.
On February 27th, 1988 – DAVID LEE ROTH had his second studio album at #6 on the Billboard 200 Albums Chart with Skyscraper. This would be DLR’s second and final top ten solo album in the United States.
On February 27th, 2016 – The eleventh studio album, For All Kings, from the mighty ANTHRAX is ranked at #1, on the iTunes Top 100 Heavy Metal Albums Chart. Damn straight it is.
On February 27th, 2016 – The newly released studio EP, Post Society, from the legendary VOIVOD is ranked at #17, on the iTunes Top 100 Heavy Metal Albums Chart. Yowzer!
ADRIAN SMITH Of IRON MAIDEN
Photo Credit: Iron Maiden Facebook
Adrian Smith was born on February 27th, 1957. Happy Metal Birthday, Adrian Smith! As a remarkable guitarist for Iron Maiden, Adrian Smith has also written songs for the band and lends his backing vocals too.
Adrian Smith had released a studio album titled Awoken Broken, with his side-project Primal Rock Rebellion, back in 2012.
On February 23rd, 1980 – The iconic QUEEN had their Rockabilly hit single, Crazy Little Thing Called Love, ranked at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart. This song is featured on QUEEN’s eighth studio album from 1980: The Game.
On February 23rd, 1991 – WARRANT had their hit power ballad, I Saw Red, ranked at #10 on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart. This song is featured on WARRANT’s 1990 studio album: Cherry Pie. Rest in peace, Jani Lane.
On February 23rd, 2016 – Minnesota’s AFTER THE BURIAL have their newly released studio album, Dig Deep, ranked at #1 on the iTunes Top 100 Heavy Metal Albums Chart. Freaking whoa!
On February 23rd, 2016 – The debut album from supergroup LAST IN LINE is ranked at #5, on the iTunes Top 100 Heavy Metal Albums Chart. This album titled Heavy Crown (via Frontiers Records) features DIO‘s original band members of Vinny Appice on drums, the late Jimmy Bain on bass and Vivian Campbell on guitar. Andrew Freeman (Raiding The Rock Vault among others) is the lead vocalist. BUY this album! Rest in peace, Ronnie James Dio.
MICHAEL WILTON of QUEENSRŸCHE!!
Left to right: Me (Stone) and Michael Wilton. Back in 2011, this photo was taken by Metal Odyssey photographer Tom Coderre. Whoa.
On February 15th, 1969 – The amazing LED ZEPPELIN performed at Thee Image Club in Miami, Florida, USA. I was 3 years old, when this concert took place. Holy shit.
On February 15th, 1969 – THE DOORS peaked at #3, on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart with their hit song: Touch Me. This song is featured on the fourth studio album from THE DOORS, titled: The Soft Parade.
On February 15th, 1975 – The fabulous RUSH released their second studio album: Fly by Night. This was RUSH’s first studio album with the great Neil Peart on drums; replacing original drummer John Rutsey.
On February 15th, 1995 – ZZ TOP filed a trademark infringement lawsuit against the Steridyne Corporation. This company made a one hundred-dollar gel-filled mattress bed-sore product that was named: the ZZ Topper. Lesson of this story is: don’t mess with ZZ TOP.
On February 15th, 2016 – The recently released studio album from MEGADETH, Dystopia, is firmly planted at #1, on the iTunes Top 100 Heavy Metal Albums Chart. Hell and yeah and whoa!!
On February 15th, 2016 – California’s HOLY GRAIL have their newly released studio album, Times Of Pride And Peril, ranked at #22, on the iTunes Top 100 Heavy Metal Albums Chart. HAIL HOLY GRAIL!!
OAK – This very cool band known as Oak are not your run-of-the-mill Stoner Rock meets Desert Rock outfit. Oak have absolutely entertained my brain with their self-titled debut EP. This four song EP was released back on November 15th of 2015. I fell for the grooves, the fuzz, the vocals, the bold riffage and sincerity of Oak from the very first listen. To me, Oak should be able to satisfy a vast majority of fans from 70’s Black Sabbath to The Sword, with Masters Of Reality in-between. Dig it.
Andrew Wisbey has damn strong vocals and I admire his ability to channel a touch of Ozzy Osbourne, Glenn Danzig and Rob Zombie. Andrew is an original, however. Hell yes, he is. Kevin Germain on guitar is happening, man! I love his post-psychedelic 70’s guitar tones and his monster licks; all which occur on each song.
Photo Credit: Renatha Bianchi
Scott Masson on bass and Rob Emms on drums are two more reasons why their EP sounds so damn good. Nothing fancy, just straight-up, in-your-face with heavy beats this rhythm section serves up. I like to call Oak an underground, old-school Stoner Hard Rock band; hell, that’s what my ears and brain tells me anyways. Now go get yourself some Oak, below. Whoa.
OAK Band Bio:
Formed in the summer of 2015, London-based fuzz-heads Oak combine the bluesy groove of early British Rock acts like Cream with the spaced out Desert Rock of Kyuss and the aggression of Hardcore Punk Rock.
Their brand new self-titled EP was recorded completely live (withstanding a couple of vocal and guitar overdubs) in the space of 24 hours, using vintage gear and microphones to capture the raw sound of the bands they idolize.
Fronted by bearded mad-man Andy Valliant, Oak are itching to unleash their pummeling live show upon the British Stoner/Doom scene in the new year.
On January 9th, 1985 – The great DEEP PURPLE peaked at #17 on the Billboard 200 Albums Chart, with their studio album Perfect Strangers. This was DEEP PURPLE‘s first album with their Mark II lineup in eleven years. Perfect Strangers went on to sell Platinum in the United States.
Above: IRON MAIDEN (circa 1996) – From L to R: Dave Murray (guitar), Steve Harris (bass), Blaze Bayley (vocals), Janick Gers (guitar) and Nicko McBrain (drums).
On February 9th, 1996 – The masterful IRON MAIDEN performed at Auditorium de Verdun in Montreal, QC, Canada. This date was on The X Factour, with Blaze Bayley as lead singer of IRON MAIDEN. Whoa.
Above: ABBATH – L to R are King (bass), ABBATH (vocals & guitar) and Creature (drums)
On February 9th, 2016 – The debut studio album from ABBATH is ranked at #46, on the iTunes Top 100 Heavy Metal Albums Chart. HAIL ABBATH!!
On February 9th, 2016 – The new studio EP from Belgium’s ABORTED, Termination Redux, is ranked at #70, on the iTunes Top 100 Heavy Metal Albums Chart. Freaking hell and yeah!
“This time for real.” Everybody’s using this phrase generously, nobody really means it, but it sounds good. Not for The New Black, though. When a band like this is saying “this time for real”, it comes from a bunch of musicians that released three records since 2009, that played Wacken and Rock am Ring and that shared stages with the likes of AC/DC, Black Label Society and Alter Bridge. So what that hell has not been “for real“ before?
So this time for real. For these Heavy Rockers it means: Working their asses off with a real producer in a real studio. Harder than ever. “We’ve reached a limit after self-producing our first three albums,” guitarist Christof Leim explains. “At some point you just go in circles, sound wise and with the songwriting.” The New Black however did not ask just any producer for the sake of it. They recorded with Danish icon Jacob Hansen, a proven master of kick ass Rock, the guy Volbeat committed to ever since their first album. Naturally, The New Black and a producer like that get along like a house on fire. Working on the album together in The New Black’s hometown Würzburg and in the Danish city of Ribe is what rocketed the band onto an entirely new level. “The cooporation was totally worth it,” main songwriter Fabian Schwarz agrees. “They’re still our songs, but they’re better and they sound better, too. At some point, you lose focus, you are too close. Some tracks are two years in the making or have been played live already which makes you focus on your own parts naturally. That’s why even the biggest bands work with producers.” Now, also The New Black did, in order to get that important outside perspective.
The results? They jump right at you. “A Monster’s Life” sounds like an album should sound that starts off with a smasher called “Long Time Coming”. As if the three years since the last record steered the band to this singular point. The New Black are still The New Black. Only much bigger. The trinity of heaviness, melody and groove has new kings, the songs are built to last and highly explosive, the production is massive on an international level. Hansen neither gave the band a typical Metal edge nor a classic Hard Rock sound, but chose to take the middle way. The nonchalant, too-cool-for-school Heavy Rock kick in the ass is still in full effect. The music has just put on a new black shining leather jacket, if you will – and still works fine with a few cans of beer.
“Ten tracks, no bullshit, no dead weights”, vocalist Fludid sums up the fourth album’s fundament. By now, The New Black can offer more than enough unique bravado to fearlessly step into any ring. Said opener “Long Time Coming” is self-confidently sowing the fields of Heavy Rock with enthusiastic uptempo riffing and a boldly anthemic chorus, “Blockbuster Life” convinces with breakneck speed and gang shouts. “With A Grin” is stomping through town like a monster only to erupt into a capital XXL chorus before the atmospheric “Send In The Clowns” throws in some epic hooks. Talking about epic: “That’s Your Poison, Not Mine” delivers a chorus written for stadiums. Seriously. In the loose rocking “Dead In The Water”, The New Black even sing about all those who claim that the band won‘t go anywhere anyway – and how much fun the five-piece has regardless.
The New Black put all their hearts as well as an incredible amount of time and energy into this record. They went for broke, all in – and now they reap what they sowed. Aside the enviable thick guitar sound and the ballsy drums, Hansen‘s production is predominantly highlighting Fludid’s impressive vocals. “He’s our trump card anyway”, bass player Günt Auschrat and drummer Chris Weiß add with quite some understatement. This time around, they have more than one trick up their sleeves. Just like the huge lizard on the album cover that can’t wait to trample down Tokyo, “A Monster’s Life” will gather momentum and will shake our floors – on the record as well as on their tour early 2016. This time for real indeed.
“Eat Me” is a mash-up of full-tilt boogie Rock, droney Zeppelin-esque riffs, and alt-psychedelic acoustic ballads. Equal part American bluesy riffs and Swedish production technique, the album balances grit & polish.
“This is truly an American hybrid album” quotes guitarist Adam Arling. “Some may call it ‘rock’, however its more ‘pop trash’. There’s even a song entitled “Hot Fudge” w/ a nasty Moog riff just waiting to rule a dance floor. It’s ridiculous”.
“Eat Me” was recorded in near lightning pace, in advance of singer Chad Cherry‘s relocation to Los Angeles over the summer.
“I was over in Sweden on a reality TV show for 2 months, when the guys decided to do another album. We had less than 3 weeks to write songs, rehearse, then schedule recording before Chad split.” quotes drummer Nathan Arling. “We wanted to capture the energy of a tight deadline and approach the material without looking back or over-thinking anything”.
The Last Vegas tracked “Eat Me” at Johnny K’s hit-making Groovemaster Studios in Chicago, a spot familiar to the band where they recorded critically acclaimed ‘Bad Decisions’ and 2013’s ‘Sweet Salvation’.
The fast pace worked to the band’s favor; as they adopted a “first-thought, best-thought, only thought” approach.
“We gathered some favorite demos lying around, added a few fresh ideas and rehearsed the hell out of the songs for about 8 days” says singer Chad Cherry. “We were tracking vocals up through the night I left for LA. We recorded like 12 songs in about 11 hours at Groovemaster, and it felt like we were making our first album again. It was awesome”.
The Last Vegas initially decided to self-produce ‘Eat Me’, after working with some industry heavyweights (2010’s ‘Whatever Gets You Off’-Nikki Sixx; 2012’s ‘Bad Decisions’-Johnny K; 2013’s ‘Sweet Salvation’-Roy Z).
And luckily TLV’s vision was perfectly complimented by a musical contact Nathan Arling came across while in Sweden filming the ‘Allt For Sverige’ TV series; Engineer/Producer Chris Laney. Mr. Laney mixed the album “Eat Me” in Stockholm, Sweden, song by song, as The Last Vegas fed him sessions built-in Chicago at the TLV studio space.
“We chipped away at each track’s session, layering guitars, Moog synths, bongos, bells, wind chimes, and even an old-school talk-box” says guitarist Bryan Wilkinson who makes his debut on “Eat Me”. “Chris’s mixes just kept blowing us away. Chris asked if he could go crazy in the mixes, and we demanded he do so.”
“Eat Me” is the first time The Last Vegas have collaborated with a European production team (Sweden’s Grammy-nominated Classe Persson is mastering). Being long-time fans of Scandinavian rock production and influenced by records from The Hellacopters, Turbonegro, Nomads and more, The Last Vegas were thrilled with a new approach in making an modern-day album; and the results of the inter-continental experiment.
“There’s a lot of feeling in this record. It’s fascinating what you can express musically when you record songs quickly, never second-guessing your gut instinct. We found the soul in Rock’n’Roll; from both Chicago and Stockholm” says Adam Arling. “But let’s not get too serious, I mean the album is called “Eat Me” after all. Catch you on tour in 2016.”
On February 5th, 1972 – Glam Rock/Hard Rock pioneers SLADE had their huge single, Look Wot You Dun, ranked at #1 in the UK. Whoa and whoa again! By the way, this SLADE song is very, very cool.
On this day in KISSTORY – February 5, 2002 – The sensational KISS kicked off the New York City Fashion Week with a rockin’ performance at the Lane Bryant Fashion Show. The band performed Shout it Out Loud, Lick it Up, Love Gun, God of Thunder and Rock and Roll All Nite. Yup.
On February 5th, 2016 – The newly released studio album from DROWNING POOL is ranked at #1, on the iTunes Top 100 Heavy Metal Albums Chart. This album has a most Metal appropriate title too: Hellelujah.
On February 5th, 2016 – MEGADETH’s fifth studio album from 1992, Countdown To Extinction, is ranked at #26, on the iTunes Top 100 Heavy Metal Albums Chart. The Earth begins to rumble…
BONUS HISTORICAL FACT!
On February 5th, 1919:
United Artists Was Created! Read all about it with link below:
On February 2nd, 1981 – The iconic IRON MAIDEN released their second studio album, Killers, in the UK. Yes, the legendary Paul Di’Anno was still the lead singer for this studio album and would be his last with IRON MAIDEN. If you don’t own this album, you are obviously not a legitimate Metalhead.
On February 2nd, 1990 – NELSON had their huge hit single, After The Rain, sitting at #6, on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart. NELSON Forever. So there.
On February 2nd, 2008 – DON DOKKEN performed at House of Blues in Chicago, Illinois, USA. Shown above: April, 1988 Rock Beat cover feature of DON DOKKEN. Freaking whoa!
On February 2nd, 2013 – The mighty OVERKILL performed at House of Blues in West Hollywood, California, USA. Dig it.
On February 2nd, 2016 – Ghostlights (Bonus Version) from Tobias Sammet’s AVANTASIA is ranked at #3, on the iTunes Top 100 Heavy Metal Albums Chart. Yup. Very cool.
On February 2nd, 2016 – The new studio album from Germany’s PRIMAL FEAR, Rulebreaker, is ranked at #15, on the iTunes Top 100 Heavy Metal Albums Chart. By the way, this new PRIMAL FEAR offering kicks enormous Metal ass. Yes, it does.
On February 2nd, 2016 – The powerful MANOWAR are scheduled to destroy at Konserthus in Stavanger, Norway. This is one of many dates on MANOWAR‘s Gods And Kings World Tour 2016. Hell, yes and Hail MANOWAR!
On January 30th, 1971 – The iconic LED ZEPPELIN had their hit single, Immigrant Song, ranked at #16, on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart. Immigrant Song isfeatured on the 1970 studio album: LED ZEPPELIN III.
On January 30th, 1973 – KISS performed their first live show at the Popcorn Club in Queens, New York. Ten or fewer people witnessed this historic Rock event. Yes, you can look that up for yourself, if you don’t believe me. The rest is KISStory.
On January 30th, 1988 – STRYPER had their power ballad Honestlyranked at #23, on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart. Holy moly!
On January 30th, 2004 – The unbelievable IRON MAIDEN performed at the Universal Amphitheatre in Universal City, California, USA. This concert was during IRON MAIDEN’s Dance Of Death Tour. Hail IRON MAIDEN!!
On January 30th, 2016 – The fifteenth studio album from MEGADETH, Dystopia, is ranked at #1, on the iTunes Top 100 Heavy Metal Albums Chart. Killer album!! Buy it or else!!
On January 30th, 2016 – MEGADETH Greatest Hits: Back To The Start is ranked at #19, on the iTunes Top 100 Heavy Metal Albums Chart. This compilation album was released back in 2005.
RICHARD FORTUS & DIZZY REED DEPART THE DEAD DAISIES
BAND RECORDING NEW ALBUM WITH MARTI FREDERIKSEN IN NASHVILLE FOR SPV RECORDS
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From The Dead Daisies newsletter:
New York, NY (January 28th, 2016) – The Dead Daisies are proud to announce the addition of Doug Aldrich to the lineup as lead guitarist of the powerful music collective. Guitarist Richard Fortus and keyboardist Dizzy Reed will be stepping aside to be a part of a momentous project in 2016.
Aldrich is currently in Nashville with the Daisies working with producer Marti Frederiksen (Aerosmith, Gavin Rossdale, Mötley Crüe, Buckcherry) on their follow-up to the album Revolución, released last year following the bands trip to Cuba, where the classic rock group were part of a cultural exchange as guests of the Cuban Ministry of Culture, Cuban Institute of Music and the Cuban Rock Agency. The still untitled album will be released globally on SPV Records later this year.
Aldrich joins bassist Marco Mendoza (Thin Lizzy, Whitesnake), guitarist David Lowy (MINK, Red Phoenix), John Corabi (Mötley Crüe, The Scream) on vocals and Brian Tichy (Ozzy Osbourne, Billy Idol) on drums.
“I’m very, very happy to join my friends Marco, Brian, John and David in the next chapter of The Dead Daisies,” proclaims Aldrich. “I love the band and I’m looking forward to getting busy on the new record. This band is bringing back a raw, back to the bones sound that a lot of groups go for but The Dead Daisies are looking to nail. At this point in time, we are looking to have a kick ass Rock ‘n’ Roll album in the can by spring 2016.”
Fortus couldn’t be happier, saying: “When we started speaking about finding someone to replace me, the first suggestion I had was Doug Aldrich. It doesn’t get any better than Doug in my book. I am so happy that he is able and willing to step in and take over. I think that it will elevate the band to the next level. Thanks to everyone that has supported the Daisies over the last couple of years. Stay tuned to see what they come up with next. I’m sure you won’t be disappointed!”
David Lowy, one of the original founders of The Dead Daisies said: “We’re really going to miss Richard and Dizzy. It’s been a privilege and a pleasure to write, record and perform with such talented world-class musicians and all-around great guys. I’ve personally learnt so much from both of them. We’re very excited to announce Doug Aldrich will be joining The Dead Daisies in the lead guitar role. Doug was Richard’s first pick to replace him. He’s a highly accomplished musician, performer and songwriter and we’re really looking forward to Doug joining us as the Dead Daisies adventure rolls on.”
Marco Mendoza couldn’t be more excited as well, of course: “Doug and I shared the stage for many years with Whitesnake and have been involved in many recording sessions and projects. He is a powerful guitar player and performer, can’t wait to bring him in on our next efforts in the studio and on the road. VIVA LA ROCK!”
Since exploding onto the scene in 2013, The Dead Daisies have taken the Classic Rock world by storm, releasing two albums to date & touring with the biggest names in rock including: ZZ Top, Aerosmith, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Bad Company, Judas Priest, KISS and Def Leppard.
2015 was a banner year that saw the band release their 2nd album, make a historic visit to Cuba, join the line-up for some of the biggest European Rock Festivals including Download and Graspop, tour around the globe with Whitesnake and KISS as well as play a sold out triumphant headline show in Paris. The band then returned to the UK for the first time in two years to play a series of Sold Out club shows, including the special guest slot at Planet Rock Stock in Wales.
With the year having just started, The Dead Daisies are well underway to continue to rewrite the book on Classic Rock. With a killer new album in the works, massive touring being booked and fueled by their ever-growing fan base, the band is showing no signs of letting up.
Rock ‘n’ Roll is alive and well!!
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“The Dead Daisies’ all-star cast do a sterling job of banishing hangovers
with slick-as-a-vaselined-otter Classic Rock.”
– Kerrang!
JIMMY BAIN – Distinguished bassist Jimmy Bain passed away over this past weekend. Jimmy now reunites with his former legendary bandmates Ronnie James Dio, Cozy Powell, Gary Moore and Phil Lynott; an unbelievable list of musical greats that are now performing on another heavenly plane. Born in Scotland, back on December 19th, 1947, Jimmy Bain was only 68 years old.
Jimmy Bain was a long-time member of DIO, being featured on several of DIO’s studio albums. Jimmy Bain also recorded and toured for Rainbow in the mid 70’s. He later co-founded in 1978 the British Rock supergroup: Wild Horses.Before his passing, Jimmy Bain was the bassist for Last In Line; an all-star band of past DIO musicians.
Metal Odyssey expresses condolences to the family, bandmates and friends of Jimmy Bain. Rest in peace, Jimmy Bain.
The ‘Evilution’ of Evilyn Strange will be released on March 7th through Thirteen772 Music. Featuring five tracks, the EP precedes a new 11 track album to be released later in the year. As well as announcing the release date the band have also revealed the artwork (above).
Frontman Phillip Strange and guitarist Mikael Johannesson have written a hard rocking follow-up to their debut album Mourning Phoebe. Says Phillip: “We’re definitely rocking a lot more this time out even though it wasn’t what I would call a conscious decision. We sat down and threw all sorts of influences into the mix with no restrictions. Mike’s playing on ‘Evilution’ is phenomenal, he’s on fire!”
Each of the five songs brings a unique flavour to the table. Continues Phillip: “The opening track ‘Let It Rain’ deals with the inevitable bumps in the road that life throws at you. The message is simple, do what’s right for you and yours; don’t let anyone hold you back or put you down… believe in yourself! ‘Invisible Man’ is about the side to you that you lock away from the rest of the world, where internal battles can make or break you. It’s about fighting your demons and keeping your head above water. It’s something most of us struggle with but is rarely discussed openly.”
Track three ‘Storm Clouds’ is perhaps the heaviest that Evilyn Strange have ever sounded. Says Phillip, “Mike wrote this insane riff with a thunderous rhythm part. I got really excited by it and we ended up with ‘Storm Clouds’, a real headbanging anthem. The subject matter is about getting yourself in a spot of bother by not thinking things through. It’s that common trap of being so focussed on one thing that the important things pass you by. I’m sad to say it’s very autobiographical, ha, ha!”
“The last two tracks, ‘ Never’ and ‘Stay’ are possibly the most obvious links to ‘Mourning Phoebe’. ‘Never’ is about struggling against the odds and trying to achieve the seemingly impossible. It’s often on the eve or succeeding that you feel at your lowest… hang in there!”
Of the final track ‘Stay’, Phillip concludes, “Some situations are so painful it’s all too easy to bury your head in the sand or run away. Of course, you can’t run from reality so eventually it’s gonna bite you on the ass one way or the other. Sometimes it’s better to stand and fight, however painful that may be.”
Produced by the band, ‘Evilution’ will be available to pre-order, from January 27th, in the CD format and digitally via iTunes, Amazon, Spotify and other popular providers.
I’ve had the pleasure to listen to the first single, from the forthcoming debut studio album from Wishing Well, courtesy of Inverse Records. I’ll have to admit the song Hippie Heart Gyspsy Soul is a bonafide blast of Classic Hard Rock that has made my week! Wishing Well ROCKS this song to the Moon and back!
One all important reason this song soars is that Graham Bonnet shows off his distinctive and memorable vocals like the tried and true Hard Rock legend he is! Wishing Well features the great Graham Bonnet on this one song for their debut album and that alone makes this band very, very lucky indeed. Metal Be Thy Name – Stone
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From Inverse Records:
Wishing Well are a Hard Rock band hailing from Helsinki Finland. “Hippie Heart Gypsy Soul” is the first single taken from the “Chasing Rainbows” debut album to be released on 5th of February via Inverse Records. For the single the band joined forces with legendary Hard Rock vocalist Graham Bonnet (Rainbow, Michael Schenker Group, Alcatrazz) and came up with a catchy and melodic Hard Rock song.
“We wanted something extra to boost the album and when we wrote “Hippie” we instantly realized that Graham would be a perfect vocalist for the song in many ways. I’m a lifelong fan of Graham myself and it’s fantastic that we made it at the end of the day. Pete (vocalist Peter James Goodman) had no problem with it since he’s a big fan too! I’m proud and pleased with the result and it’s just amazing that at 68 he’s still delivering the goods” says Anssi Korkiakoski, the song writer and guitar player of Wishing Well.
Graham Bonnet will be very busy this year since he’s releasing a new album on Frontier Records and an authorized biography later on this spring, written by Steve Wright. He’ll also play live in Finland in April after his Australian tour. “The guys got in touch and after I heard the song I was immediately ready to give it a go. It’s a catchy tune and perfect for my range. I like the lyrics too. We recorded my vocals in LA and the guys took care of the rest of it in Finland. I’m always ready to cooperate if it’s a serious band with a good song. I wish the guys all the best.”
The band is now promoting the single and CD with plans to play live as much as they can later on this year. The band consists of Anssi Korkiakoski (guitars), Rip Radioactive (drums), Richard Becker (bass) and Peter James Goodman (vocals), all experienced musicians who have cut their teeth in many other bands before Wishing Well.
WHALES & LEECHES FOLLOW-UP SLATED FOR FALL RELEASE VIA RELAPSE RECORDS
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Jan. 11, 2016, PHILADELPHIA – Red Fang, who recently celebrated their tenth anniversary with a trio of Northwestern U.S. performances, return to the studio in February, recording the follow-up to Whales & Leeches with famed producer Ross Robinson.
“I’ve never been more excited about making a record in my life,” said drummer John Sherman. “The writing process for this album has been super fun and full of energy and good vibes. And the opportunity to work with Ross Robinson is so crazy – I’ve got goose bumps just talking about it!!”
“Red Fang is the extreme mix of cool, wisdom, fire, life dedication and taste,” offered Robinson. “I’m stoked to see who they are at the deepest level on tape; anyone touched by Red Fang swim in coolness, they are true messengers of inspiration.”
The band, who are trekking from Portland to begin recording at Robinson’s Venice, Calif. studio, will play two shows en route: Feb. 17 at Jub Jub’s in Reno and Feb. 18 at The Catalyst in Santa Cruz.
Whales & Leeches was released in October 2013 via Relapse Records. The 11-song album landed the band on The Late Show with David Letterman and in a world of trouble in the zombie-infused video for “Blood Like Cream,” which featured guest Fred Armisen (https://youtu.be/elfuaxHQWlQ).
Alternative Press said Whales & Leeches was “bigger, bolder, heavier, catchier and even more savagely fun.”
Canadian Heavy Metal band SNAKE EYES SEVEN is in the final phase of completing their third release titled ‘Medicine Man’. Currently being mixed by renowned producer and lead guitarist Cam MacLeodat the Wolf Den in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, ‘Medicine Man’ will prove to be their best effort to date. “Just like ’13 Crows’ was leaps and bounds over our debut, ‘Medicine Man’ will crush anything prior to what we’ve done.”says founding member, guitarist, and chief song writerCole ‘The Madman’ Stevens.
Once mixdown is completed the project then heads to L.A. to be mastered. When completed the album will contain 9 blistering tracks of heavy metal and some of the finest songwriting/music in the band’s history. Two videos were shot on location in December 2015 at the Twin D Ranch (Site Management-Dan Folkstra) in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada and edited at Studio B in Victoria, British Columbiafor the tracks ‘Medicine Man’and ‘Can You Hear Me Calling’. Both videos were produced by Danny Deane, executive produced by Cole Stevens and executive assistance by Cat in the Hat Productions.
SNAKE EYES SEVEN has seen their share of tragedies, heart breaks, and band turnover through the years but that hasn’t deterred Stevens from moving forward. SNAKE EYES SEVEN has continued to evolve just as a great band should, musically and professionally. The new SNAKE EYES SEVEN is a group of seasoned music veterans. Cam MacLeod validates the band’s credibility and solidifies the musicianship as a whole. Bassist Mike Cillis yields the ‘heaviness’ to catapult the songs forward. Yet it’s the driving force of drummer Erik Young that wraps the package neatly into a monstrous metal sound. The Sabbath-esque qualities of SNAKE EYES SEVEN still remain evident but vocalist Danny Deanehas the pure talent to deliverstrong and powerful vocals with warm melodies yet he retains that raspy growl when necessary.
SNAKE EYES SEVEN is the complete package now.“I finally have ‘the’ band now says Stevens. It is a full team effort with all hands on deck. The guys are hungry and this is honestly the best band I’ve had musically, and professionally”.
Former Warrant and current Tuff guitarist BILLY MORRIS has signed a multi release deal with the independent label HighVolMusic. The American Rock guitarist hails from Cleveland, OH earning his stripes early on in his musical career with the band Kidd Wicked. Billy later went on to perform with several projects including as a touring guitarist for Quiet Riot (2005), and with Mr. Big guitaristPaul Gilbert. Billy performed with Paul on the Beehive Live project playing in front of a sold out crowd in Seoul, Korea.
Spending 5 years as the lead guitarist in the platinum selling band Warrant, Billy has played every state in the USA as well as in Japan, Korea, Mexico, Australia and many other countries across the world. Touring with bands like Poison, Whitesnake, Ratt and many others, has taught Billy a high level of professionalism and excellence that he brings to the stage today.
Billy performed and recorded on one Warrant release, the Under the Influencealbumon which he sang lead vocals on the cover of AC/DC‘s ‘Down Payment Blues’, as well as playing guitar on the whole album.
Billy later went on to form the BILLY MORRIS BAND who which recently supported Tom Keifer (Cinderella) and also Ratt on several dates.
BILLY MORRIS and co-writing partner Mike Szuter (Paul Gilbert, The Szuters, Magna Fi) are currently holed up at Riverside Recording Studio in Cleveland, OH working on brand new material for a summer 2016 release. Billy is working up what will be a high energy rock and roll record with a few surprises tossed in.
The deal with HighVolMusic includes several additional projects and also plans for a book release. Details to be unveiled later this year! For more information and show dates on BILLY MORRIS visit: www.billymorrisband.com
On January 8th, 1970 – The magnificent LED ZEPPELIN performed at Colston Hall in Bristol, UK. Whoa.
On January 8th, 1977 – ALICE COOPER had his song I Never Cry, ranked at #12 on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart. This song is featured on the 1976 studio album: ALICE COOPER Goes To Hell. Yup.
On January 8th, 2016 – California’s Metal warriors, EXMORTUS, have their newly released studio album, Ride Forth, ranked at #2 on the iTunes Top 100 Heavy Metal Albums Chart. Hell and yes.
On January 8th, 2016 – The super legendary BLACK SABBATH have their third studio album, Master Of Reality, ranked at #25 on the iTunes Top 100 Heavy Metal Albums Chart. This album was originally released back in 1971. I was five years old back in 1971. Holy shit.
Eddie Van Halen – In this world exclusive, Edward Van Halen reveals all the intricacies, details and secrets behind his live rig that powered Van Halen‘s monumental 2015 U.S. Tour.
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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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