Archive for rock albums 2012

New York’s WAYNE KRANTZ Sets Release Date For New Album HOWIE 61 – Out April 17TH On ABSTRACT LOGIX

Posted in Guitar, guitarists, Hard Rock, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , on March 20, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

Celebrates With 5-Night Stint At The Iridium Nightclub in NYC

(Los Angeles – March 13, 2011) Ever-evolving and improvisational New York guitarist, Wayne Krantz, announces the release of his tenth album, Howie 61, on April 17 through Abstract Logix Records. Better known for his preference of the trio format, the musical main-stay now enlists a multitude of world-class musicians in a variety of lineups, including Vinnie Colaiuta (Jeff Beck, Frank Zappa, Sting), Tal Wilkenfeld (Jeff Beck, Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock), Pino Palladino (Jeff Beck, The Who, Eric Clapton), and Anton Fig of The Letterman Show’s “World’s Most Dangerous Band”, among many others (Keith Carlock, James Genus, Nate Wood, Henry Hey, Owen Biddle, Charley Drayton, John Patitucci, John Beasley, Jeremy Stacey, Paul Stacey, Yasushi Miura, David Binney, Kenny Wollesen and Gabriela Anders).

The title, Howie 61, refers to Bob Dylan’s 1965 song, Highway 61 Revisited, an iconic blend of blues-based rock n’ roll riffs. Krantz sends a respectful nod to the musical great through the new format of his latest effort. The result is another step forward for Krantz – a striking album that melds his group improvisation and compositional approaches. Now, Krantz has re-invented himself, yet again, with a stunningly creative recording, and a bold new direction. Highlights include such rocking tracks as “The Bad Guys” and “Can’t Stand To Rock” – both high energy tracks propelled by Krantz’s searing guitar work. On the tongue-in-cheek “U Strip It,” David Binney, a frequent Krantz collaborator, delivers a smoldering sax solo over a playful, driving groove.

___________________________________

Krantz continues to push his artistry even a step further by blending new vocal content into his music; a method more complete and tightly integrated says Krantz, then any of his earlier vocal efforts. “It’s another step in a direction I’ve been making since Long To Be Loose”, he explains. On whether this is the pinnacle of his long career, Krantz says, “This record is not the completion of that journey at all, but it is a step in the direction that’s been in my head now for a really long time.”

Just prior to the album release, Krantz will be joined by a group of friends for a 5-night stint at the famed NYC Iridium Nightclub.  The first night will see Krantz join the Les Paul Trio for a special start to the week.  Over the next two nights, he will be joined by Cliff Almond on drums, “Cliff has been playing with me in various bands for years and he played on my record, Your Basic Live ’06”; jazz star Chris Potter, on saxophone, who, Krantz toured and recorded with in the band “Underground”.  Finally, there is Anthony Tidd on bass who Krantz describes as “the new face for these nights. He’s played with sax legend Steve Coleman as well as producing here and in London.”

For the last two nights, Krantz will be joined by his longtime trio; Keith Carlock (Steely Dan, John Mayer), drums, and Tim Lefebvre (Chris Botti), bass, who held a weekly residency at the 55 Bar in NYC for the last six years. Together, they’ve toured around the world and recorded on Krantz’s last three records.

___________________________________

WAYNE KRANTZ – 5 Night Stand At The Iridium:

April 9 – Les Paul Night with Wayne Krantz

April 12- Wayne Krantz with Chris Potter, Anthony Tidd and Cliff Almond

April 13- Wayne Krantz with Chris Potter, Anthony Tidd and Cliff Almond

April 14- Wayne Krantz with Keith Carlock and Tim Lefebvre

April 15   Wayne Krantz with Keith Carlock and Tim Lefebvre

_______________________________________________

(Source: MAD Ink, PR)

LONG LIVE WAYNE KRANTZ.

Stone.

Rodrigo y Gabriela, My Battle With Bronchitis and Go Get ‘Em Lehigh University

Posted in acoustic rock, Guitar, guitarists, latin rock, Music, rock albums, rock music, rock music news, sports with tags , , , , , , , on March 17, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

I’ve been putting up with a doozy of a cold this past week, coupled with a nagging cough that spells: bronchitis. I wanted to write another album review or two these past days as well, only trying to “concentrate” on writing when you’re coughing up a storm doesn’t help matters! With today being Saturday, it has been eight days of feeling under the weather, regardless, I feel like I’m getting a ton better.

I’ve been listening to Rodrigo y Gabriela and C.U.B.A.Area 52 quite a bit lately. This guitar duo are amazing players and the Cuban musicians that they recruited for their new album are superb. Just a thoroughly cool listen is this entire Area 52 album. Honestly, the tones that resonate from the guitars of Rodrigo y Gabriela along with the rhythms from their songs have made me feel pretty damn good this past week, especially when I needed that necessary “lift” in spirits.

C.U.B.A. stands for: Collective Universal Band Association. Again, I cannot emphasize enough, what an excellent sound that this Cuban orchestra gives to this Rodrigo y Gabriela album. If you’re looking for a must Summertime album to chill, dance or Rock out to, then Area 52 is one damn fine candidate. Hopefully, I will write a more detailed review for this Rodrigo y Gabriela album in the near future. For now, get it, especially if you appreciate instrumental guitar and/or Latin Rock.

___________________________________

I very rarely write about sports on Metal Odsyssey. I “use to be” a sports nut. Do I still follow sports? Of course I do. The difference now is, after spending years of watching entire games on television, I am now content to catch a minute of action here and there, while getting updated scores via the internet whenever I feel like it. Congratulations to Lehigh University!

Ha, ha Duke. Ha, ha again. Every year, the NCAA Tournament “committee” finds it necessary to seed Duke at either #1 or #2, then they place Duke within a 60 mile radius of their home campus for tournament play. Favoritism. It’s been going on between Duke University and the NCAA for decades now. Well, Lehigh University let Duke know just how “great” they are this past Friday.

On Friday, March 16, 2012, the #15 seed Lehigh University defeated the #2 seed Duke 75 to 70. In Greensboro, North Carolina, the backyard of Duke, Lehigh University got it done. Ha, ha Duke. Ha, ha NCAA. The “brain-trust” of the NCAA probably thought that Duke would “roll” Lehigh University too. Think again NCAA. Don’t worry, next year that same NCAA “selection committee” will have Duke at #1 or #2 again, only next year they won’t have them paired up against Lehigh Universtiy.

Long Live Rodrigo y Gabriela.

Go Get ‘Em Lehigh University.

Stone.

PHILM SIGN WITH IPECAC – Announce May 15th Release For Debut Album “HARMONIC”

Posted in Hard Rock, heavy metal news, Music, rock bands, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , on February 21, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

Photo credit: Cammy Kinney

LOS ANGELES TRIO FEATURES DAVE LOMBARDO (SLAYER), PANCHO TOMASELLI (WAR) AND GERRY NESTLER (CIVIL DEFIANCE)

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 21, 2012 – PHILM, the Los Angeles power trio featuring Slayer’s Dave Lombardo, War’s Pancho Tomaselli and Gerry Nestler of Civil Defiance, have signed to Ipecac Recordings and will release their debut album, Harmonic, on May 15.

“When people hear about my involvement in PHILM, they automatically assume that it will compare to Slayer’s sound,” explains Lombardo. “They couldn’t be more different.  I have scaled down my drum set to a four-piece, reminiscent of the drummers from the late ’60s that influenced me. Each song is unique in itself, I like to refer to it as ‘rhythmic emotion.”  It’s almost like taking all the heavy songs of the ’60s and bringing that era to a modern plateau, then blending them with the modern trance and psychedelic sounds of today.”

“We decided to record Harmonic in the intimate setting of a home, with various vintage recording equipment. ” says Lombardo on the band’s debut album. “The music was written collectively in an improvisational manner, unlike the majority of recordings I’ve done before. This was very important given this is my first recording where I’m carrying the title of Producer and performer. The album achieves a dense, unholy convergence of tones and discords.We also touch on haunting, desolate, ambient sounds. Our music tends to be written in a manner where we never know the outcome until we listen back to what we recorded. A Harmonic journey.”

A highly anticipated release, PHILM officially took form in late 2010 with a handful of tour dates and an early four-song demo that quickly began to make the rounds of in-the-know music critics.  Noisecreep said the band “has crafted a crunchy, thrashy, yet thoroughly unclassifiable sound” and the OC Weekly said of the trio: “PHILM’s ability to melt down metal influences and mix them with the elements of funk, ambient jazz and punk… is potent and has left audiences wondering how so much noise could emanating from just three musicians.”

PHILM’s next show is Apr.28 at The Ruby Room in San Diego with  more tour dates to be announced soon.

_______________________________________

Harmonic – Track Listing:

01.  Vitriolize

02.  Mitch

03.  Hun

04.  Area

05.  Way Down

06.  Harmonic

07.  Exuberance

08.  Sex Amp

09.  Amoniac

10.  Held in Light

11.  Dome

12.  Killion

13.  Mezzanine

14.  Mild

15.  Meditation

(Source: Speakeasy PR)

_____________________________________________

For more info on PHILM, click on the links below:

www.facebook.com/PHILMOfficial

www.ipecac.com

LONG LIVE PHILM.

Stone.

MR. BIG – Live From The Living Room – Is An Acoustic Ride To Revel In

Posted in acoustic rock, classic rock, classic rock bands, Hard Rock, Music, rock albums, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , , on February 21, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

MR. BIG – Releasing on February 24th in Europe and February 28th in North America, via Frontiers Records, is Live From The Living Room from MR. BIG. This album documents the first ever live acoustic performance from MR. BIG, which took place back in late January of 2011, at the WOWOW TV Studios in Tokyo, Japan. With the idea of an acoustic performance already in place, MR. BIG also embraced a string quintet to add to the overall ambiance of this live acoustic production. The arrangements were provided by Takashi Miyazaki.

If there are two bands from the world of Hard Rock that can pull off a live acoustic set, one is Tesla and the other certainly is MR. BIG. Too often the word acoustic can send shivers down a Hard Rock die-hard’s spine, the mere thought of MR. BIG (gulp) watering down any of their songs surely can bring tears to my eyes. For Metal sakes, this is MR. BIG and they did receive my personal pick of “Best Hard Rock Album of 2011” with their ultra-fabulous What If…

Undertow psyches me out. This acoustic version um… psyches me out too. Is it the overall melody? Can it be the groovy acoustic strings that Paul Gilbert is playing? Billy Sheehan’s signature sound on bass? I don’t know exactly, it’s a cumulative thing happening here and it sounds very cool. Eric Martin never sings in any “acoustic sort of way” either, therefore there is an underlying Hard Rock backbone that is ever-present from his vocals.

Yes Virginia, them Hard Rock dudes that play acoustic sure can shred. Paul Gilbert doesn’t hold back on Still Ain’t Enough For Me. Eric Martin sounds fantastic throughout this entire performance and really shines on Voodoo Kiss, Stranger In My Life and As Far As I Can See. Take Cover just resonates the undeniable richness of sound that translates from an acoustic version. MR. BIG makes it sound just too easy… and fun too. To Be With You doesn’t stray far from its original package and is an acoustic showstopper.

Even if you are not a fan of MR. BIG, this just might be the album to make you one. You will hear four top-tier musicians in their prime, playing their songs in celebratory fashion, courtesy of an acoustic approach. Despite any lack of Hard Rock power, these songs still play-out as MR. BIG and sound like the band I’ve admired for many years counting. Yes, take this acoustic ride with MR. BIG and don’t be afraid to sing along to the songs either.

Okay, there is one drawback about this live acoustic album from MR. BIG. I’m very disappointed that these guys didn’t choose my living room to perform and record in. Maybe next time.

MR. BIG:

Eric Martin – lead vocals

Billy Sheehan – bass & backing vocals

Paul Gilbert – guitar & backing vocals

Pat Torpey – drums, percussion & backing vocals

__________________________________________________

LIVE FROM THE LIVING ROOM – Track Listing:

Undertow

Still Ain’t Enough For Me

As Far As I Can See

Voodoo Kiss

Take Cover

Around The World

Stranger In My Life

All The Way Up

To Be With You

Nobody Left To Blame

____________________________________

For more info on MR. BIG, click on the links below:

http://www.mrbigsite.com

FRONTIERS RECORDS

LONG LIVE MR. BIG.

Stone.

ROYAL THUNDER CVI – Debut Album Set For May 22nd Release On Relapse Records

Posted in Hard Rock, hard rock bands, Heavy Metal, heavy metal news, metal music, Music, rock music, rock music news, stoner metal, stoner rock with tags , , , on February 9, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

Photo credit: Christy Parry
_________________________________
Atlanta Quartet Touring with Black Tusk; Stop at SXSW
_____________________________
PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 9 – Royal Thunder, the Atlanta four-piece Brooklyn Vegan described as “Johnette Napolitano of Concrete Blonde fronting Black Sabbath,” have completed recording their debut album, CVI.  The album will be released on CD/2xLP/Digital on May 22 via Relapse Records.
__________________________________________________________________________
“We poured all of our hard work and passion into this 10-song LP,” says vocalist/bass player Mlny Parsonz of the band’s mid-2011 recording sessions at Aria Recording Studio in Marietta, Ga. “We saw highs and lows along the way, but in the end we made it. We made something we are so proud of. We look back on our past efforts and take with us the good, and strive to keep going and growing. We can’t wait to see what the future holds and we hope this new album is an inspiration and light in the lives of everyone who listens to it.”
_________________________________________________________________________
The band, which includes the aforementioned Parsonz as well as founder Josh Weaver (guitar), Lee Smith (drums) and Josh Coleman (guitar) will join Black Tusk for a half dozen dates leading up to performances at SXSW (specific showcase information to be announced shortly). Royal Thunder will also perform at this Saturday’s Scion Relapse Showcase at The Roxy in Los Angeles.
_________________________________________________________________________
Royal Thunder released a self-titled EP in 2010 which won praise from a wide variety of outlets including Paste Magazine (“blues-infused rock’n’roll, wrapped in protective barbed-metal packaging”), NPR (“a revved-up Southern hard-rocker that howls like Led Zeppelin astride a psychedelic unicorn”) and Terrorizer (“‘Royal Thunder’ grabs you right from the first listen”).
_________________________________________________________________________
(Source: Speakeasy PR)
__________________________________________________
* For more ROYAL THUNDER info/tour dates, click on links below:
___________________________________________
www.facebook.com/royalthundermusic
www.relapse.com
LONG LIVE ROYAL THUNDER.
Stone.

EARTH: Spin Magazine Premieres New Track From Contemporary Legends

Posted in drone metal, drone rock, Music, rock albums, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , on January 12, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

Following the release of EARTH‘s praised Angels of Darkness, Demons of Light I, released by Southern Lord in February 2011, the public’s first chance to hear a number from the 2nd installment of the series has arrived.

While conceived in the same sessions as the first installment, recorded by Stuart Hallerman at Avast and mastered by Mell Detmer, Angels of Darkness, Demons of Light II invokes even more improvisational and unrestrained energy than its predecessor. Traces of this progression are evident in the track “His Teeth Did Brightly Shine”, the second song from the upcoming album as premiered worldwide on January 11th, 2012 by Spin Magazine, click: at this location.

Angels of Darkness, Demons of Light II will be released by Southern Lord in North America on February 14th via CD, 2xLP and digital download.

EARTH:

Adrienne Davies – trap kit and percussives


Dylan Carlson – electric guitar and devices 


Lori Goldston – cello and devices


Karl Blau – electric bass guitar

(Source: Earsplit PR)

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

http://www.thronesanddominions.com

http://www.facebook.com/thronesanddominions?ref=ts

http://www.southernlord.com

LONG LIVE EARTH.

Stone.

FOOLS FOR ROWAN – Launch Kickstarter Campaign, To Release New Album & Music Video In 2012

Posted in Hard Rock, hard rock albums, hard rock bands, Music, rock albums, rock bands, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , on January 5, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

Los Angeles, CA – Fools for Rowan, the Nashville based Rock band, is set to release a new album and music video in 2012. It has been almost two years since the band has released new material. Fools For Rowan has written most of their record while on tour over the last year and recently started recording the new songs. In order to achieve the aforementioned goal, the group needs the help of their dedicated fans. The band has launched a Kickstarter campaign to assist in their efforts.

The powerhouse rock group, Fools For Rowan, is defined by their soaring vocals, powerful guitar licks and intense personal lyrics. The band has grown a large committed fan base partly due to the success of their first album, Twisted. Tied Up. Tangled. The album’s first single, “Burnt Around the Edges” received acclaim from the college-age demographic in both the U.S. and Canada.

In addition, the second single, “Dead” received spins on Top 40, College and Modern Rock radio. In addition, the video for the song was featured on Fuse TV. Due to their zealous live performance, Fools For Rowan has recently had the privilege of sharing the stage with such artists as: Evanescence, Trapt, Halestorm, and Sick Puppies.

Kickstarter is an online pledge system that funds creative projects. The Kickstarter campaign, that will raise money for the band’s new album and a music video, has already been initiated online. Fools For Rowan offers a fantastic array of different prizes such as an autographed drumstick, a concert set list, band merchandise, arm wrestling contests, and even a dinner date with members of the band!

“It’s been two years since our last album, so we’re really anxious to get our new music into the hands of our fans,” says lead vocalist, Erin Mullins. Fans will have until January 2st to help the band meet its goal. As always, the group is looking ahead. Fools For Rowan will continue to tour the U.S. in hopes of spreading the power of rock ‘n’ roll!

To learn more about Fools for Rowan’s Kickstarter campaign visit here.

Check out the band’s website here.

(Source: LaFamos PR & Branding)

LONG LIVE FOOLS FOR ROWAN.

Stone.

EARTH – Announce New Album Details

Posted in drone metal, drone rock, rock albums, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , on December 6, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

The second half of Seattle drone icons EARTH‘s Angels of Darkness, Demons of Light is being prepared for release on Southern Lord in North America this February 14th on CD, LP and digital download formats.

Recorded in the same two-week session as 2011’s lauded Angels of Darkness, Demons of Light I by Stuart Hallerman at Avast and mastered by Mell Detmer, Angels of Darkness, Demons of Light II carries on in the freely and folkloric vein of the last release and invokes even more improvisational and unrestrained energy than its predecessor.

Angels Of Darkness, Demons Of Light II is striking in many ways, not least in the wildly improvised nature of this particular recording. The songs “Sigil Of Brass” and “The Corascene Dog” perfectly emphasize how the interplay between the foursome has evolved even further since the first installment. Meanwhile, the track “His Teeth Did Brightly Shine” veers further into an entirely other direction, recalling sounds of the great British Acid Folk generation. This new material brings forth some highly original and deeply mesmerizing tones throughout, at times more hopeful and less dark and death oriented than previous work. Angels Of Darkness, Demons Of Light II is ultimately a completely unanticipated direction for EARTH, and a very welcome one at that.

The line-up again consists of Dylan Carlson on guitar, Adrienne Davies on drums and percussion (on this release there is more percussion of all sorts), Lori Goldston (Nirvana, David Byrne, Black Cat Orchestra, Laura Veirs) returns on cello, and Karl Blau (K Records, Laura Veirs, Microphones) plays bass. This also marks the first time the band on the record has toured outside of the US West Coast in preparation for the album. As with the first part, it again has truly amazing artwork by Stacey Rozich. View the cover art and more at this location.

(Source: Earsplit PR)

Angels Of Darkness, Demons Of Light II – Track Listing:

Sigil of Brass

His Teeth Did Brightly Shine

Multiplicity of Doors

The Corascene Dog

The Rakehell 

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

http://www.thronesanddominions.com

http://www.facebook.com/thronesanddominions?ref=ts

http://www.southernlord.com

LONG LIVE EARTH.

Stone.