London, UK – Much to the excitement of music fans across the planet, Dutch rock legends Focus will be undertaking a worldwide tour beginning November 2012 in support of their forthcoming CD Focus X. With their unique brand of progressive rock, Focus manifested themselves at the start of the ’70s as the most successful and appreciated of all the Dutch pop-rock exports. Fronted by founding member Thijs Van Leer, and best known for their hits “Hocus Pocus”, “House of The King” and “Sylvia”, as well as critically acclaimed albums ‘Moving Waves’, ‘Focus 3’ and ‘Hamburger Concerto’, the iconic Dutch music masters are back with their tenth album, which is guaranteed to please their legions of fans!
After a comeback in the early 2000’s, which resulted in the well-received albums ‘Focus 8’ and ‘Focus 9’, the band regrouped with a fantastic new line-up. Along with Thijs van Leer on vocals, flute and keyboards, back on the drums is famed Focus drummer Pierre van der Linden, who joined the group on their second album ‘Moving Waves’ in 1972. Internationally renowned for his rhythmic skills, Pierre remains a defining factor in the Focus sound. Bassist Bobby Jacobs, who comes from a well-acclaimed Dutch musical family and guitarist Menno Gootjes, who participated in Focus at an earlier stage, completes the band’s current line-up. Recently, Focus’s biggest hit “Hocus Pocus” was used in a 4-minute Nike commercial before the World Cup broadcast. Focus music can be regularly heard on Top Gear and Saxondale TV.
A new Focus era has arrived! There is a rejuvenated passion in the new compositions that adorn the new album ‘Focus X’, which features a full-scale Roger Dean painting on the cover. Says Thijs van Leer, who holds the distinction of being the first ever knighted musician in Holland, “It’s a thrill to have finally completed ‘Focus X’; we are all ecstatic and looking forward to playing the new material on the forthcoming Focus X Tour.”
The first interview I had with Gordon Brown was just after his amicable departure from Heavy Rock legends IronClaw; that interview was posted here on Metal Odyssey practically a year ago to this day, on October 21st, 2011. Now, with a fresh start and always the positive outlook on the future, Gordon Brown has started a new band: DeltaOne Six.
A Scottish gentleman with music flowing from his soul, Gordon Brown has a bluesy voice that fits right into any decade of Rock and Roll. This past year, Gordon Brown shared many of his songs that he has recorded throughout his life, via Soundcloud. (See link at bottom of post). The “open-book” approach that Gordon Brown has taken, with the music he’s created, shows to me the honest-to-goodness personality of this man.
Since I’ve known Gordon Brown, he has always taken a nothing to hide approach with his music and has never dodged a question. This is an artist I’ve been rooting for since I first heard him sing. Recently, Gordon Brown answered another round of questions, being his typical friendly and polite self! I’m proud to present to you, this second interview with Gordon Brown:
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Stone: Can you give more (untold) details as to why the Iron Claw partnership ended?
Gordon: Very simply, the band wanted to play a heavier style of music than I did. Once the recording of the album was finished things just didn’t work out – if it isn’t right it’s time to move on. There’s no animosity, we don’t see each other as we live in different towns, but I dare say at some point we’ll have a pint or two. At this stage it appears unlikely that Iron Claw will perform live again, I was speaking to Alex Wilson recently and told him that I would consider writing lyrics and singing on any future recordings. As far as I’m concerned that door is not shut, only it would have to be music that appealed to me. The music from “A Different Game” lives on in a live sense though, currently I’m doing Southern Sky with a view to possibly adding some others further down the line.
Stone: How has “life after Iron Claw” been treating you?
Gordon: Life has been good, I am working on some collaborations with songwriters in the USA and have started a new band “Delta One Six”, we’re due to go live on November 9th and have a song being included in a compilation of Scottish Blues acts due for release in November. Throughout my musical career I have been fortunate enough to play with some truly amazingly talented musicians, the boys in Delta One Six are an absolute delight to play with.
People have had the chance via You Tube to see some of the very early practice sessions, they were recorded using a mobile phone, the sound quality, despite being taken from one side is pretty good – I think people will enjoy what we’re looking to create – a tiny amount in the way of effects, just ass-kicking blues/rock played with passion.
Check out Delta One Six below, jamming during a rehearsal this past August! This is cool stuff! Metal be thy name!
Stone: You list the music you “err towards” as British Blues, Southern Boogie, Chicago Blues and “a hint of Bluegrass chucked in for good measure” on your bio. You’ve obviously excelled, on a grand scale, with (Bluesy) Hard Rock with Iron Claw. What is the one genre you want to sing, that comes straight from your heart and soul?
Gordon: The bluesy thing will remain, it suits the way I like to sing. I always end up coming back to the Blues, having said that I’m not a huge fan of Delta Blues, I much prefer the electric sound. It’s fair to say that I do like ballads as well, the Blues I do is a mash-up of Free, Whitesnake, The Allmans and too many others too mention.
Stone: While growing up as an aspiring musician, what records were in your collection?
Gordon: It kinda went in stages, I started off listening to my elder brothers and sisters music, The Beatles, Stones, Cream, Fleetwood Mac (with Peter Green), the first record I remember listening to was Jigsaw Puzzle Blues, it was the B side to Albatross. When I started secondary school I was a big fan of a band called Slade for a couple of years – then came the Black Sabbath period, but I was also listening to all manner of things like, Atomic Rooster, Wishbone Ash, The Sensational Alex Harvey Band, Pink Floyd, The Groundhogs, Frankie Miller, Blue Oyster Cult, Humble Pie, Thin Lizzy and in particular one band which has stuck with me since that time – the mighty FREE (and Bad Company ), I’m a huge fan of Paul Rodgers.
Southern Rock came along in the shape of Lynyrd Skynyrd at about age 15 and I’ve loved that genre ever since. Punk arrived when I was 17 – I didn’t think much of it, so pretty much ignored it. The NWOBHM didn’t really shake my boat either – I did enjoy gigs by Saxon and Iron Maiden, but found myself still listening to the things I grew up on and I still do! My little confession is that I’ve always wanted to do a blues/rock cover of At The Car Wash by Rose Royce. Unfortunately, so far no-one shares my vision for it!
Stone: Which well-known bands and/or musicians of today would you want to work with on a “special guest” level of recording?
Gordon: Warren Haynes, Paul Rodgers or Greg Allman would be top of my list, Glenn Hughes, Buddy Guy and so many more including Iron Dave from Diablo Canyon. I think the real answer would be “anyone who asked”!
Stone: These are turbulent times in the world right now; many countries economies and wars have taken it’s toll on the human spirit it seems, yet music seems to be the universal language of peace, hope and friendship that unites fans and bands worldwide. What are your thoughts on the power of music to unite and heal?
Gordon: I agree with you 100% that music brings people together and I would say one genre more than any other to do that is Metal. Music does much already to unite people to combat famine etc. in terms of providing money to assist, alas, I think we humans are too wrapped up in making a profit and fighting over oil.
Stone: If you could change the record industry overnight, what changes would you mandate?
Gordon: Fair contracts for bands. Too many bands sign themselves away just to become a “signed band” and end up being ripped off or having their recordings buried. The most important thing for most bands to understand is that you get back what you put in, if you don’t work hard you’ll go nowhere – the music business is 90% business and 10% music – sad but true!
Stone: Gordon, there is no denying you have an amazing voice and music is in your soul. For all aspiring vocalists out there, what are the golden rules to follow in protecting your voice? Is a true lyricist born or made?
Gordon: Don’t smoke, don’t drink alcohol, avoid air-conditioning and take lots of exercise while eating a healthy balanced diet. Well, I drink, smoke and probably don’t exercise as much as I used to. My simple Golden Rule is practice, practice, practice! I probably sing somewhere between 1 and 2 hours per day (most days!). There are certain songs I use as “training songs” in which I simply sing along to a record and try to match the high and low notes, (for example) Ronnie James Dio singing Heaven and Hell and Catch the Rainbow, maybe a bit of David Coverdale and always some Paul Rodgers, I find it helps with the way I like to phrase songs, I don’t try to imitate them, quite often I’ll do a harmony to their vocal, if possible get some lessons and learn how to breathe properly.
On stage I am always accompanied by Vocalzones, Strepsils, Vicks (for up my nose!) a flask of hot tea and about 3 litres of water, before a gig I do lots of breathing exercises and some scales just to warm up, occasionally I’ll gargle a glass of whisky (sometimes I might even drink it!) but my firmly held view is that when I’m on stage I’m working and therefore no excessive alcohol intake.
Lyricists, I think they can be both born and made, probably more born than made though, I think you have to be in tune with the music and let it talk to and guide you as to the direction the lyrics should take. Unless of course you have the lyric but no tune to go with it, I think that’s harder to do and those who can put a tune to lyrics are born.
Stone: You have showcased your musical evolution on Soundcloud. I find this “open-book” approach to your musical resume commendable and inspiring. What and/or who has been most influential to you, in creating your life’s soundtrack?
Gordon: In everything you do, there is something that shapes the person you become, every person you meet from your parents onwards define your path. Personally, I think I’ve led a full and interesting life so far, it’s had its highs and lows, but I’m very much an optimist, if you get knocked down, get up, brush yourself down and keep moving forward. The open book approach and putting up videos of band rehearsals and recordings that weren’t the greatest was a gamble, it could have put people off completely and fortunately that hasn’t been the case.
Very simply, I think that people can appreciate an honest approach, they know that live music isn’t about every note being perfect (even the best bands/artists make mistakes), live music is about finding a vibe and making the audience believe in what you’re doing.
Stone Says: I’d like to thank Gordon Brown for this interview and for being such a cool long-distance Metal Buddy!
DIO DISCIPLES are currently on the road, spreading “A Celebration of the Life and Music of Ronnie James Dio!”
Dio Disciples is comprised of singers Tim “Ripper” Owens (Judas Priest) and Oni Logan (Lynch Mob), guitarist Craig Goldy (Dio), bassist Bjorn Anglund (Yngwie Malmsteen), keyboardist Scott Warren (Dio,Heaven & Hell), and drummer Simon Wright (Dio, AC/DC, UFO).
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Check out the tour dates below to see if Dio Disciples will be jamming near you!
10/24 Hawthorne, Portland OR
10/26 Hard Rock On The Strip, Las Vegas NV
10/27 Club Red, Tempe AZ
10/28 Ventura Theater, Ventura CA
10/30 Brick By Brick, San Diego CA
10/31 Avalon Theater,
2nd Annual RJD Stand Up And Shout Gala, Hollywood CA
11/3 House Of Rock, El Paso TX
11/4 Trees, Dallas TX
11/7 Underground, Sandusky OH
11/8 Pierre’s Ft. Wayne IN
11/10 Harpo’s Detroit MI
11/11 Tap House, Akron OH
11/13 Asylum, Portland ME
11/15 Starland, Sayerville NJ
11/16 The Met, Providence RD
11/17 Revolution, Amyityville NY
11/18 The Chance, Poughkeepsie NY
11/20 Crocodile Rock, Allentown PA
DIO – THE VERY BEAST OF VOL. 2 was released on October 9th, 2012, via Niji Entertainment. My strong Metal advice is buy it and celebrate the legacy of Ronnie James Dio… loud and proud! Horns Up! Metal be thy name.
Candlelight Records confirms November 6 as the North American release date of CORROSION OFCONFORMITY’s Eye For An Eye. This special reissue has been remastered/packaged and includes the EP Six Songs With Mike Singing. Both titles have been out of print for years. It follows the successful release of the band’s self-titled album earlier this year. A deluxe digibook edition of the album, limited to 1000 for North America, will be available at limited retailers and via Candlelight’s official webstore. The digibook version includes extended liner notes and a rare pictorial gallery.
Twenty-six songs showcase the early sonic years of the North Carolina-based band. Far more punk than their later recordings, the album found an immediate fanbase. Amazon customers over the years have called the album an “undisputed classic,” while noting it is “for the true skaters of the mid-to-late-‘80s,” and “brings me back to a good time of hardcore/punk.”
Guitarist Woody Weatherman comments: “We were just kids when we wrote and recorded these tunes.” Vocalist/bassist Mike Dean notes, “Making that album was our dream and we worked hard to make it happen because it was the vehicle to allow us to go out and play two hundred shows a year, like the bands we looked up to – Black Flag, Bad Brains, D.O.A.”
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Originally released in 1984, Eye for An Eye featured the original lineup of Weatherman, Dean, drummer ReedMullin, and vocalist Eric Eycke. Reissued to incorporate the 1989 EP by Mike Dean (who left the band between 1987-1992), Eye for An Eye is raw in sound but focused on message. The years that followed would see the band rise to worldwide popularity with breakthrough and Billboard-charting releases Blind and Deliverance.
Formed in Raleigh in 1982, CORROSION OF CONFORMITY quickly transformed heavy music. Politically charged and socially aware, the band has influenced countless others and today remains humble about their accomplishments. With over 1.1 million albums sold in the United States, the band continues to find new fans via nonstop touring.
“We had a lot of fun doing it and it’s great to have this album officially back out there again,” says Weatherman. “I had basically written this off as being our sloppy beginner’s effort but listening to it now, I really hear a few songs that hold up well,” adds Dean.
RUSH – Canada’s greatest Rock & Progressive Rock band ever. You can even throw in Canada’s greatest Hard Rock band ever too, if you like. Simply put, one of the greatest bands in Rock Music history. RUSH has been ignored by The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame for what reason(s) again? I would certainly like to know the reason(s) for RUSH not being enshrined inside that building in Cleveland, Ohio.
Let’s face it, the legendary RUSH has been influencing countless bands and musicians, while psyching-out their fans, going on 5 decades now! RUSH is a pioneering Progressive Rock band that makes credible all-time lists at every turn, with absolutely no sign of stopping! Whoa! Metal be thy name!
The musical excellence that Geddy Lee (bass & vocals), Alex Lifeson (guitars) and Neil Peart (drums & percussion) radiates from their vast catalog of studio and live albums is mind-boggling to me… and I shall never stop saluting this unreal important band.
Okay, with all that cool stuff blabbed, it’s time for your voice to be heard! Take the poll below and answer this simple question: Shouldn’t RUSH be in the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame by now?
RUSH – Stats Of Note:
* Debut/ST album released in 1974
* Inducted into the Canadian Music Hall Of Fame – Class Of 1994
* Inducted into Canada’s Songwriting Hall Of Fame – Class Of 2010
* Bestowed the Order of Canada – 1997
* Have earned 24 Gold Records
* Have earned 14 Platinum Records
* RUSH has sold more than 40 million records worldwide
* 3 records have gone multi-platinum
* 7-time Grammy Nominee
* Winner of 8 JUNO Awards
* Awarded a star on both the Hollywood Walk Of Fame (2010) and Canada’s Walk Of Fame (1999)
EVILYN STRANGE are proud to reveal the new artwork for their forthcoming album Mourning Phoebe. The band is also happy for people to hear a sample of the six-minute epic Everything taken from the debut album. This latest sample showcases the work of Al Strange (drums) and Mikael Johannesson (lead guitar). The debut album artwork and sample of the music can be seen and heard below!
This follows the recent release of the band’s debut single “The Ballad Of Evilyn Strange”
The full version of The Ballad Of Evilyn Strange can be heard on Soundcloud, just click the link below!
Stone Says: Evilyn Strange are part English and Swedish. There’s no question in my Metal mind that Evilyn Strange are seriously on to something very special here, with their Melodic Metal meets Hard Rock sound. They’re modern and (then again) their Classic Rock influences seem to have taught them very well. With confident and astute musical vibes swirling about, there is something different about this band’s heaviness and melodies that makes them sound so damn refreshing to my ears… and I totally dig what I’m hearing! Metal be thy name.
“DEVIL’S RAIN” LTD ED ORANGE VINYL LP W/ LENTICULAR COVER–ONLINE EXCLUSIVE FROM MISFITS RECORDS!
Available while supplies last-this special Misfits Records online exclusive pressing of “The Devil’s Rain” 12-inch LP is limited to 250 pieces worldwide! Pressed on solid “Halloween Orange” opaque vinyl, and unavailable anywhere else, the incredible lenticular cover must be seen to be believed. Photos do not do it justice. Once removed from the shrink-wrap, the 3D litho of the fiendishly ferocious cover art by Arthur Suydam (Marvel Zombies), stands apart from the record jacket and is suitable for framing. Gatefold LP features photos, art, complete lyrics, and includes a full color paper sleeve insert housing the vinyl inside.
This item is scheduled to ship by or before October 31st.
Pre-order now at the Misfits Records online store and guarantee one in your collection before they’re gone! These will go fast Fiends…
BLACK SPLATTER VARIANT – AVAILABLE EXCLUSIVELY ON TOUR
A black splatter on Halloween Orange variant edition of the 12-inch vinyl will be available exclusively at live Misfits shows this Halloween! The variant edition, limited to 250 pcs worldwide, also includes the lenticular cover art shrink wrapped with the gatefold LP. Fiends attending a live Misfits show in your city, look for the “Devil’s Rain” Tour exclusive variant LP at the Misfits merch booth, starting Halloween week and available throughout the Fall 2012 Tour while supplies last.
Lizzy Borden bass player Marten Andersson will be jamming at the Rock Harvest/Fallen blue charity with guys like Don Dokken, Doug Aldrich, Mark Boals, Keith St. John and many more.
Digitally restored video & audio, with two previously unreleased tracks! In stores October 22!
On July 5th, 1968, The Doors took to the stage of the Hollywood Bowl for a concert that has since passed into legend. The Doors were performing on the back of their 3rd album release “Waiting For The Sun” and the US No.1 single “Hello, I Love You”. They had been honing their live performances over the previous 2 years and were on absolute peak form.
Now for the first time the original film footage from the Hollywood Bowl has been digitally scanned and restored to present the show better and more complete than it’s ever been seen before, with 2 previously unreleased tracks (Hello, I Love You & The WASP (Texas Radio And The Big Beat)) returned to the running order and with sound newly remixed and mastered from the original multitrack tapes by The Doors’ engineer and co-producer BruceBotnick. This is now the definitive edition of this famous performance and features over an hour of bonus material!
Oct. 16, 2012 – Los Angeles, CA – Much to the excitement of Progressive Rock fans worldwide, multi-instrumentalist, producer/engineer, singer/songwriter Billy Sherwood is releasing his new solo CD ‘Art Of Survival’ on October 5, 2012. As well as being band member/producer of bands such as CIRCA:, YES, World Trade, Conspiracy and more recently The Prog Collective and The Fusion Syndicate, this CD marks the 6th solo release from Sherwood, who performs all instruments and vocals, as well as delivering his signature sonic spectrum in the production.
Billy broaches a number of controversial and topical subjects in ‘The Art Of Survival’. Songs with titles such as “Drone Decipher”, “Chosen By Divinity”, “The Military Industrial Complex” and “Whose Side Are We On” explore topics such as the idea of extremes in surveillance, paranoia, propaganda, geo-politics, modern age warfare, technology, faith and the art of survival. “The idea of the CD is how the integration of politics, technology, faith and zealotry mix and mingle,” explains Billy.
In other news, along with the release of ‘The Art Of Survival’, Billy has been producing a number of projects including the latest release by UK prog legends Nektar, The Prog Collective and The Fusion Syndicate projects, Days Between Stations second release and others. “I produced/recorded/mixed Nektar’s new studio record called ‘Time Machine’, coming soon,” says Billy. “The Prog Collective is an all original record I wrote/produced/mixed and then played on, featuring many great artists from the prog genre. It is a very special record containing some of progs biggest names. I am currently writing the next PC record as we speak.” The Fusion Syndicate is a similar production as The Prog Collective, following the same model except in the fusion-jazz genre. Also, CIRCA: recently performed a series of successful shows in Brazil. Says Billy, “We are assembling music from various live performances and looking forward to releasing a live record as the next CIRCA: CD. We are discussing making a new studio record as well.” Lastly, Billy will be producing and writing material for legendary actor William Shatner’s new solo CD; a concept album featuring amazing guest artists!
Join Billy Sherwood and the Prog Collective on the Moody Blues’ Moodies Cruise! Setting sail to Jamaica March 20-25, 2013, along with the Moody Blues, the Prog Collective (featuring Billy Sherwood and Tony Kaye) will be joined by The Strawbs, The Zombies, Little River Band, Ambrosia, Stephen Bishop, Asia Feat. John Payne and Joe Williams of Toto. For more information on this unique cruise check out the website at http://moodiescruise.com/
In conclusion, Billy has this to impart to his fans and listeners: “I appreciate the support and hope you enjoy this new record.”
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Please visit the online store to purchase ‘The Art Of Survival’ along with other Billy Sherwood solo works: www.billysherwoodhq.com
Stone Says: I’ve read some excerpts already from this Peter Criss book and they are heartwarming, heartbreaking and hilarious. I don’t think you need to be just a KISS or Rock ‘N Roll fan to buy this book; all you need to be is a fan of life. I simply cannot wait to buy this book and read it entirely. Metal be thy name.
KISS KOLLECTIBLES – That’s it at the top! That’s my KISS Peter Criss (Johnny Lightning) die-cast race car I bought many years ago. Each member of the Klassic KISS lineup was featured on a die-cast in this Johnny Lightning series. This series was featured as “Racing Dreams” and referred to by Johnny Lightning as “the greatest race cars that never were!”
Stone Notes: Yes, as any loyal visitor to Metal Odyssey knows, I keep most of my KISS Kollectibles sealed in their original packaging… unless they’re CD’s, magazines, comic books or books. Uh, you get the Metal point.
A (Johnny Lightning) KISS trading card was also a part of this package (see above photo). My Peter Criss car came with an Ace Frehley trading card; it is #20 of a 50 card set. Along with being card #20, “Ace… ready for a good time!” is the card designation within the set. I do own 1 die-cast of Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons and Ace Frehley from this Johnny Lightning series as well.
I don’t own the complete trading card set from this line; maybe someday I’ll track the set down (for a reasonable price) and buy it. The year of issue for this really cool die-cast was 1997 (the date is found on the back of the packaging). Remembering which retail store I bought this KISS Peter Criss die-cast is fuzzy; Walmart or Kmart would be my best guesses for I’ve bought many die-cast cars at both locations, over the decades. Metal be thy name.
Depicted on the hood of this die-cast car is the Peter Criss solo album portrait:
With one laughing and one crying eye, KRAMPUS have announced that their drummer Carlo is no longer a part of the band effective immediately. He has, in fact, been struck by lightning and considers himself lucky to not have been killed. Thankfully Carlo survived, but he will not be able to play the drums for some time to come as he rehabilitates himself.
KRAMPUS comments, “Carlo is a great friend of ours, and we would like to thank him for the great effort and dedication he has had for the band. We wish him well and a full recovery, and all the best for his future endeavors.”
KRAMPUS will continue their music juggernaut and are already lining up a replacement for Carlo. The band offers one hint on their new drummer: “He’s a very talented musician, and you have most likely already heard of him with his current band!”
KISS – Okay. Unless you’ve been living on the Moon or have been out-of-touch with humanity for the past year, there is a brand new KISS album for sale and it’s called: MONSTER. The 20th studio album from the ICONIC KISS was released this past Tuesday, on October 9th, via UMe. Yup, this new album is exactly that… an F’n MONSTER and I mean that in the most grandest way too. Metal be thy name and ring that KISS Army bell. Tell all the naysayers and posers to go to F’n hell.
You see, being a lifetime KISSaholic, how could I write an album review for MONSTER with just one post? I did write reviews in the past for other KISS albums; where I cover the album’s songs and how it sounds, feels, blah, blah, blah and F’n blah again. This time around, for MONSTER, I’m gonna do things a tad different. I’ll write about one song, about the album cover or whatever the hell I want to write about, in reference to this ABSOLUTE ROCKING KISS ALBUM. One F’n post at a time. Metal be thy KISSaholic name and tell all the naysayers… SHAME!
What’s my favorite song on MONSTER? Which song have I played over and over and over and Rock And Roll Over again? That’s easy. Here it is:
LONG WAY DOWN
I’m telling you right now, this song has CLASSIC ROCK oozing from it’s every crevice and the guitars are the HUGE giveaway here. For those who never thought KISS could make a song that would elevate them into the upper stratosphere of ROCK RELEVANCE… think again. With Long Way Down, KISS reached back into their CLASSIC HARD ROCK ROOTS and have delivered a very (un)KISS-like sound that somehow sounds like… KISS.
Paul Stanley sounds SUPERB on vocals while Gene Simmons, Tommy Thayer and Eric Singer sound simply invincible as musicians on this song. (Aw, hell, that pretty much sums up KISS on this whole album). Listen for yourself and maybe you’ll agree… that KISS MONSTER is 100% KICK-ASS KISSTORY.
Uh, oh. Stone gets a tad pissed off here:
It’s funny how all the BIG NAME mags and newspaper Rock critics all want to be a part of the KISS ARMY now that they’ve listened to MONSTER. Where were all these naysayers and posers since KISS Dynasty was released? KISS MY ASS is what I say to them all. KISS it baby. SSSMMMAAACCCKKK!
Okay, Stone is mellow again. Um, Kinda.
Stay tuned for some more Fun & Rockin’ Thoughts From Stone regarding MONSTER… I promise to keep the blah, blah, blah out of the mix and the constipated KISS naysayers pissed! Metal be thy name.
Features performances by members of the biggest names in Fusion and Prog including Mahavishnu Orchestra, Yellowjackets, Brand X, Soft Machine, Spyrogyra, Yes, Dream Theater, King Crimson, Tool, Porcupine Tree, Hawkwind and more!
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October 10, 2012- Los Angeles, CA – One of the most amazing collection of jazz-fusion and progressive rock legends ever to assemble on one CD has happened with the new release by The Fusion Syndicate, available October 16, 2012 on Purple Pyramid Records. Brought together by multi-instumentalist, producer Billy Sherwood (Yes, CIRCA:), who gave us the fascinating release by the Prog Collective earlier this year. Now, Billy has produced, recorded and written tracks for a new jazz-rock-fusion supergroup of musical virtuosos – The Fusion Syndicate!
Featuring!Rick Wakeman, Jerry Goodman, Nik Turner, Jimmy Haslip, Steve Stevens, Jordan Rudess, Mel Collins, Billy Cobham, Jay Beckenstein, Billy Sheehan, Gavin Harrison, David Sancious, Larry Coryell, Derek Sherinian, Eric Marienthal, Chester Thompson, Steve Morse, Jim Beard, Randy Brecker, Percy Jones, John Etheridge, Tony Kaye, Chad Wackerman, Steve Hillage, Scott Kinsley, Theo Travis, Justin Chancellor and Asaf Sirkis – Produced by Billy Sherwood
“When I was asked to write/produce a fusion record I jumped at the chance. I’ve always had a deep love of Jazz and Fusion music having grown up listening to Weather Report, Return To Forever, the Mahavishnu Orchestra among many others in the genre. The record has become a musical dream team, including some of the world’s most reknowned players in the field. The music reflects a time when virtuosity was the standard and incredible musicianship was the order of the day. Each artist sharing their talent and skill, blending it all into a bigger musical picture, creating an amazing expression of unity and purpose. I’m honored to be a part of it all and I thank all the artists who joined me on this journey, they have all lifted the music to a higher level.” – BillySherwood, producer
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Tracks include:
Random Acts Of Science – Rick Wakeman (Yes), Jerry Goodman (Mahavishnu Orchestra), Nik Turner (Hawkwind), Jimmy Haslip (Yellowjackets/Alan Holdsworth)
Stone Cold Infusion – Steve Stevens, Jordan Rudess (Dream Theater/Liquid Tension Experiment), Mel Collins (King Crimson), Colin Edwin (Porcupine Tree), Billy Cobham (Mahavishnu Orchestra)
Molecular Breakdown – Jay Beckenstein (Spyrogyra), Billy Sheehan (Steve Vai), Gavin Harrison (Porcupine Tree), David Sancious (The E Street Band)
Particle Accelerations – Larry Coryell, Derek Sherinian (Dream Theater/Black Country Communion), Eric Marienthal (Chick Corea Elektric Band), Chester Thompson (Genesis/Frank Zappa)
At The Edge Of The Middle – Steve Morse (Dixie Dreggs/Deep Purple), Jim Beard (Mahavishnu Orchestra), Randy Brecker (Blood, Sweat & Tears/Brecker Brothers), Percy Jones (Soft Machine/Brand X)
Atom Smashing – John Etheridge (Soft Machine), Tony Kaye (Yes), Chad Wackerman (Frank Zappa),
In The Spirit Of – Steve Hillage (Gong), Scott Kinsey (Tribal Tech), Theo Travis (Steven Wilson Band), Justin Chancellor (Tool), Asaf Sirkis (The Orient House Ensemble)
“Always a pleasure to work with Billy Sherwood and all the other musicians he chooses. Add some great music and the combination is complete.” – Rick Wakeman
“Fusion music gave me a way to relate to jazz. I liked the rock energy, and the unexpected twists, turns and rhythms that made it fun to play. So, it’s a big influence on the direction I took.” – Steve Morse
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The Fusion Syndicate is avaliable from Purple Pyramid Records and can be pre-ordered at:
BAND’S FIRST LIVE DATES IN NEARLY A DECADE THIS MONTH
Oct. 4, 2012, San Francisco — Tomahawk, the alt-rock super group featuring Duane Denison (The Jesus Lizard, Unsemble), Mike Patton (Faith No More, Fantômas), John Stanier (Battles, Helmet) and TrevorDunn (Melvins Lite, Mr. Bungle), give fans an early listen to Stone Letter, the first single from Oddfellows (Jan. 29, Ipecac), via Spin’s website (http://www.spin.com/articles/tomahawk-first-lp-in-six-years-stone-letter).
The band’s first live dates in nearly a decade kick off later this month with a half-dozen performances including stops at the Voodoo Music Experience and Fun Fun Fun Fest. Tour dates are:
October 27 Nashville, TN Exit/In
October 28 New Orleans, LA Voodoo Music Experience
October 29 Memphis, TN New Daisy Theatre
October 31 Dallas, TX Granada Theatre
November 1 Houston, TX Fitzgerald’s
November 2 Austin, TX Fun Fun Fun Fest
“Stone Letter” will be released as a limited edition 7″ on Record Store Day’s Black Friday event on Nov. 23. The digital release is set for Dec. 4. The b-side will be an original etching by famed cartoonist and comics scholar Ivan Brunetti.
October 30, 2012sees the release of KILLING JOKE’s new album, MMXII, on Spinefarm Records.
2012 is the perfect year for KILLING JOKE to be releasing an album that is as dense and dark as the surrounding swirls of madness in the world. At a time when the news is on fast-forward and the planet seems to be descending into lunacy, who better than KILLING JOKE to reflect such a sentiment?
When their original lineup of Jaz Coleman, Geordie, Youth and Big Paul reconvened in 2008 after working together intermittently, that strange voodoo once again filled the room. Individually, they have a power, but together they have something sulphurous and strong that few bands can match. KILLING JOKE are not an average band with an average agenda; they lock the door and let the ritual commence, and MMXII is the result.
MMXII’s 11 tracks are an avalanche of sound — empowering whilst jolting you awake. They are as fascinating as chatting with Coleman, as he talks of future humans living forever but with no emotions, and of the Age Of Aquarius and the cycles of time, the shift in the earth’s electro-magnetic field, the end of extreme capitalism, the Arab Spring and how his trips to Cairo to record music have added to his belief that when Cairo falls everywhere else follows… MMXII is possibly KILLING JOKE’s best album ever;a dense and multi-layered work. The songs are great washes of sound – a death disco with huge slabs of guitar that soundtracks these dangerous times. It’s an end-of-time album that somehow finds moments of optimism in the downward swirl of the planet. Finding hope in the apocalypse, this album just could be their masterpiece.
The album’s key is the end of times, an age of flux, a shift in consciousness. Coleman comments: “I can’t see the point contemplating extreme life extinction — it’s good for nothing. It’s nihilism in the absolute even considering it.”
This kind of thinking sets the tone for this powerful record, with 2012 and the state of flux the key issue.“It’s in many different calendars – the great unveiling, the sky and the earth coming together. It’s a significant date. Everything is speeding up. It’s not just our minds shrinking. We are heading towards the Eschaton and no-one really knows what’s going to happen.”
The album reflects this dark vision, but Coleman sees the great change in a more positive light — the dawning of the Age Of Aquarius. “All the remote viewers I know, myself included, cannot penetrate beyond. This year is about getting our collective dreams in order, restoring the biosphere, the idea of well-being as opposed to economic growth, the idea of partnership and co-creation with fellow human beings, moving away from national boundaries and more towards what Schiller and Beethoven were saying in some of their work.”
The album’s themes are political, anti-capitalist and forward-looking. “If we can concentrate on what it can be, the dream of clean streams, of re-forestation, of permaculture, of disengaging all the banks — identifying all the majority shareholders of the top 100 corporations and dismantling them. If we start dreaming of a fairer system and defining what an elite should be — an intellectual powerhouse and not international bankers.”
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MMXII Track Listing:
1. Pole Shift
2. Fema Camp
3. Rapture
4. Colony Collapse
5. Corporate Elect
6. In Cythera
7. Primobile
8. Glitch
9. Trance
10. On All Hallow’s Eve
KILLING JOKE is Jaz Coleman, Geordie Walker, Youth and Paul Ferguson. More dispatches to follow shortly – You have been warned.
Oct. 2, 2012, Philadelphia — Baroness, in a letter to their fans, have issued their first post-accident update since August. The statement, with new photos, is available via baronessmusic.com.
The four band members and five person crew suffered a variety of injuries in the harrowing Aug. 15 accident which saw the band’s bus plummet 30 feet down off of a viaduct outside of Bath, England. The East Coast-based band were in the final week of an extensive European tour following the release of their critically acclaimed double album, Yellow & Green.
Singer/guitar player John Baizley broke his left arm and leg, drummer Allen Blickle and Matt Maggioni each suffered fractured vertebrae while guitar player Pete Adams was treated for minor injuries.
Baroness previously announced all remaining 2012 tour dates are cancelled.
HELLDORADOS released their self-titled debut album on July 13, 2012 via Massacre Records.
The album reached #64 at the Amazon Hard & Heavy Charts on the first sales day. Promotion concerts followed, for example at this year’s Bang Your Head Open Air in Balingen and the legendary Wacken Open Air.
The first HELLDORADOS music video “You Live, You Learn, You Die” (http://youtu.be/m3f7iPd-at8) received 5000 clicks within one month on YouTube and is also very popular everywhere else.
“This was a good start for us, but now we have prove ourselves on stage,“ said singer Pierre.
A few concerts are planned this year, before they’re going on festival tour in 2013. However, a real highlight is going to happen this Monday, October 1st!
HELLDORADOS are going to support The Darkness at their only concert in Germany on October 1st in Frankfurt!
Steve, the band’s guitarist, commented:
“The inquiry of the promoter came really unexpectedly for us, but we are proud and are glad about a wonderful concert evening in Frankfurt!”
Wanna know what recently released album has psyched-me-out-of-my-Rock-‘N-Metal-mind? Just look at the above album cover! No, it’s not just the cover that has me psyched; it’s the Hard Rockin’ sonic bliss that TheDarkness are playing on Hot Cakes that has put me in such a whirlwind of glee! What an album of instantly memorable songs!
This is the third studio album from this amazingly fun British band from Lowestoft and it’s a gem to feed my ears with. This Hot Cakes album has me believing that good, old-fashioned Glam/Hard Rock is alive and well once again. Do yourself a favor and buy Hot Cakes, especially if you like your Hard Rock that kicks the politically correct school of thought right in the ass!
It’s hard to believe we will be entering October tomorrow! To me, it feels like Summer was put on fast forward. With that said, I am a huge fan of Autumn and the spooky swirls of Halloween. With Halloween falling on a Wednesday (hump day) this year, it will obviously fall within two days of two weekends. I imagine that’s pretty cool, especially if you’re planning a Halloween party; you’ll basically have two weekends to choose from for your ghoulish get-together!
Once Autumn and the Halloween season begins, there are select bands and/or albums that I’ll gravitate to all themore for those creepy Rockin’ vibes! One such band is Helloween and their 1985 full-length debut: Walls Of Jericho. A Helloween classic and a classic within the pages of Heavy Metal history, this album is, in my Metal opinion.
Everything about DANZIG just screams Halloween. Seriously. From Glenn’s music, to his band logo and album artwork. I once encountered a wise-old Metal troll along a treacherous and densely wooded path in the Northern woods of Pennsylvania. This troll stated to me: “Stone, y-y-you best g-g-get some DANZIG into y-y-your F’n ears d-d-during Halloween s-s-season.” I’ll have to admit, that wise-old Metal troll was no dumb-ass.
Other albums and bands that I’ll listen to in ushering in the Halloween season: King Diamond, the 1970 debut and self-titled album from Black Sabbath, MISFITS, Iron Maiden (especially their first 3 albums), White Zombie, Rob Zombie, Six Feet Under, Cannibal Corpse, Zombiefication, Angel Witch, Satyricon and… well, you get the Metal point!
Here’s a Metal news item of importance for all you REVERENCE fans out in Europe:
As reported on REVERENCE facebook on September 29th:
“Reverence Cancel’s European Tour: To all the fans, promoters and venues, due to unforeseen circumstances beyond our control, we are being forced to cancel our upcoming European tour. We were looking forward to playing for our fans and making new ones. This is something we don’t take halfheartedly and want you to know this is not the end of Reverence, we will definitely be heading to Europe in 2013. Although this seems like bad news we are taking this opportunity to begin writing new material for the next release and various other things to be heading your way in the months to come.”
Stone Says: REVERENCE is such a grand Classic Metal band! True Metal. If you haven’t picked up their debut album, WhenDarkness Calls, you are hereby told to do so! REVERENCE has easily earned themselves the “top-spot” for Greatest Metal Surprise Of 2012. Metal be thy name.
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