Friday, September 2, 2011

Rock News Update for Friday 2nd September, 2011

Welcome 2 My Nightmare
Alice Cooper Returns with a New Album, New Nightmare
The Long-Awaited Sequel to his 1975 classic out on September 13, 2011
Alice Cooper’s widely anticipated new album, Welcome 2 My Nightmare, will be released September 13, 2011, by Universal Music Enterprises. Recorded with longtime collaborator Bob Ezrin, who produced the original multi-platinum Welcome To My Nightmare album in 1975, the album picks up right where they left off, with Alice trapped in his own warped mind.
The original release is an all-time rock classic that spawned a worldwide theatrical tour and pioneering U.S. TV special, and certified Alice Cooper as a visionary trailblazer whose influence persists today in rock, metal, pop, punk, theatre, television, film and much more.

More than 35 years later, Alice and Ezrin have resurrected the horror and humor for a new generation.
“This is Alice’s nightmare 35 years later,” explains Alice, “Bob and I created this character and we know how to write for him. I play the part but we’re not writing for me, we’re writing for Alice. We kept the first Nightmare album very personal to us, on this one we found more humor and we were more open. This was our world and we want to present it to the fans. The original album was my first solo album after all those huge hit records with the original band and now that nightmare is exposed, this one can be a little bit more open. The music crosses all sorts of boundaries; we went where the lyrics took us.”
There is an array of collaborators on the new album, including original Alice Cooper members Denis Dunaway, Michael Bruce and Neal Smith reunited on 3 tracks; global pop superstar Ke$ha, who affectionately calls Alice “dad”; and legendary Alice and Lou Reed guitarist Steve Hunter, who is part of Alice’s current touring band and featured prominently on the first Nightmare album.
Musically, the album ranges far and wide, from trashing disco to garage punk, pop balladry to a rocking number, very much in the spirit of the Rolling Stones. And then there’s the ballad “Something To Remember Me By,” described by Alice as “the prettiest song we have ever released.”
Glimpses of themes from the original album are intertwined throughout, each track representing a different aspect of Alice’s nightmare.
From the opener, “I Am Made Of You,” through the already established live favorite and first single “I’ll Bite Your Face Off,” to the surprising duet with Ke$ha, “What Baby Wants,” this album is a reminder that albums just aren’t made this way anymore.

And musicians do not play together like Dennis Dunaway, Michael Bruce and Neal Smith anymore.
“I wanted a ‘70s feel for ‘When Hell Comes Home,’ says Alice, “and I didn't even have to ask for it, it's just how they play and they did it live in the studio. When they got done playing the basic track, Bob and I just looked at each other, that sound is built into their DNA. We didn't need to go and fix anything. The way they finished was a little bit ragged, and that's the way we used to finish songs, that's what I like about it.”
Co-writers on various songs include the aforementioned Bob Ezrin, Ke$ha, Dunaway, Bruce and Smith, plus Buckcherry’s Keith Nelson, Desmond Child (who famously co-wrote and produced “Poison” with Alice), longtime collaborator Dick Wagner, current touring band member Chuck Garric, and film composer Jeremy Rubolino.
“That’s my rebellion,” says Alice of the more surprising guests, “I like people that don't belong and yet what they're doing works perfectly. I don't care where it comes from, as long as it's right. If you tell me something doesn't work, I’ll work my head off until it does then shove it down your throat.”
“I think a lot of my audience is going to go 'KE$HA!?', but she probably wrote the most wicked lyrics in the song – we had to rein her in. I like people to know that just because artists are put in a pigeon hole, that doesn't mean that's what they are. Give people a little room.”
With Steve Hunter, one of rock's great guitarists, added to the band's lineup of guitarists Damon Johnson and Tommy Henriksen, bassist Chuck Garric, and drummer Glen Sobel, Alice has been tearing up venues worldwide on his 2011 “No More Mr. Nice Guy” tour.
Now of course Alice had added something or should that be someone 'extra' special in guitar wonder girl, Orianthi (Michael Jackson, Steve Vai, Carlos Santana), who replaces Damon Johnson on lead guitar in the live set up, as Johnson is leaving to join Thin Lizzy, as they prep for their Fall US tour with Judas Priest later this year.
Alice gave fans an up close and highly personal experience in June with a surprise performance at London’s legendary 100 Club, when actor Johnny Depp joined the band on guitar. Alice showcased the powerful band that had blown away the Download Festival crowd the previous weekend.
This year, the original Alice Cooper group was inducted into the Rock ’n’ Roll Hall of Fame, and Alice was honored with both the Kerrang! Icon Award in the U.K. and the Revolver Golden God Award in the U.S.

Tracklist:
1. I Am Made Of You
2. Caffeine
3. The Nightmare Returns
4. A Runaway Train
5. Last Man On Earth
6. The Congregation
7. I’ll Bite Your Face Off
8. Disco Bloodbath Boogie Fever
9. Ghouls Gone Wild
10. Something To Remember Me By
11. When Hell Comes Home
12. What Baby Wants
13. I Gotta Get Outta Here
14. The Underture

Alice Cooper official website:




Black Country Communion to Release Double Concert DVD “Live Over Europe” on October 24, 2011

2-discs include 17 original live songs shot in HD and surround sound; bonus features include 20-minute reality footage featurette

Los Angeles, CA, September 1, 2011: Black Country Communion, the English-American rock supergroup featuring the talents of bassist/vocalist Glenn Hughes (Deep Purple, Trapeze, Black Sabbath), blues rock guitarist/vocalist Joe Bonamassa, drummer Jason Bonham (Led Zeppelin), and keyboardist Derek Sherinian (Dream Theater), will release their first concert DVD Live Over Europe on October 24, 2011 (Blu Ray to follow November 15, 2011) on the J&R Adventures imprint. Watch the official trailer on YouTube here: http://bit.ly/bccexclusive.


The 2-DVD live set was filmed with 14 HD cameras and 5.1 surround sound during the band’s debut tour in the summer of 2011. Over three nights, playing to packed venues in the German cities of Hamburg, Munich and Berlin, the 18-song set list (17 originals and 1 cover) hits on both of BCC’s albums – 2010’s debut and 2011’s sophomore release '2,' which The Sunday Mercury praised, “This is classic rock goes large, an album that lives up to its heritage. It may not be bettered this year.”
Live Over Europe highlights include the songs “Black Country,” “One Last Soul,” “Save Me,” “Man In The Middle,” “Cold,” and “Song of Yesterday,” which fans can sign up to receive as a free audio track download, available Sept. 8, here - http://bit.ly/bcclive.
Bonus features include an exclusive 28-page collector’s booklet and DVD with a 20-minute “behind the scenes” featurette and photo collection.

Producer Kevin Shirley explains, “We saw that this live act could be an awesome force of nature to behold; one that promised legendary performances like those of our heroes of Classic Rock. The plan was to get them out there for the entire world to hear. Records allow a certain musical finesse, but live performance promises so much in the very transient nature of a gig; chances are taken, boundaries are crossed and the most exciting performances explode. Two studio albums built a repertoire big enough for a full concert which allowed us to unleash the monster for all the world to see and feel.”

BCC recently completed their debut tour, visiting a select number of cities in North America and Europe.
On June 10, the band played to a near sold-out crowd in Anaheim, CA where The Orange County Register exclaimed, “The four members of BCC truly recast the heavy rock of the '60s and '70s and yank it into the 21st century as well as anyone in recent memory.”
At the Wolverhampton Civic Hall, The Birmingham Mail called their performance “rip-roaring” and “breath-taking.”

As part of J&R Adventures’ strategy to use social media as an integral part of the initial marketing launch of Live Over Europe, they created the Facebook BCC Event Page. Facebook members can join the page here http://on.fb.me/loebcc to receive an exclusive glimpse of the new DVD and a chance to download the live free track Song of Yesterday.”

Live Over Europe Track List:
1. Revolution of the Machine
2. Black Country
3. One Last Soul
4. Crossfire
5. Save Me
6. The Battle For Hadrian’s Wall
7. Beggarman
8. Faithless
9. Song of Yesterday
10. I Can See Your Spirit
11. Cold
12. The Ballad of John Henry
13. The Outsider
14. The Great Divide
15. Sista Jane
16. Man In The Middle
17. Burn
18. Smokestack Woman
Bonus Features
-Forging BCC – The Making of Live Over Europe
-Photo Collection – Live On Tour
-Photo Collection – Behind The Scenes

About J&R Adventures
J&R Adventures was founded by Joe Bonamassa and longtime manager Roy Weisman. The company prides itself on its ability to diversify and stay nimble in the ever-changing music industry landscape using a vertically integrated business model to meet the needs of the artist and the fans. Since its inception, J&R has been able to combine customary label operations with artist management, album production and mastering, merchandising, publishing, licensing and concert promotion – all under one roof. Through these methods, together with the utilization of social media (Facebook, Twitter, YouTube), J&R has also been able to give control to its artists, allowing the artists to work hand-in-hand with the label to achieve their shared vision.
Get your free download of BCC’s song “The Outsider” here - http://bit.ly/outsider2011
Watch the band’s official music video for featured track “Man In The Middle” here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hy6WLBvBXaI.
Get your free download of Joe Bonamassa’s song “Dust Bowl” here - http://bit.ly/jbdust
Get your free download of the Beth Hart & Joe Bonamassa song “Well, Well” here - http://bitly.com/hartandbonamassa

Essential Links:


Hurricane Irene Destroys Doro Pesch's home in Long Island
 
 
When Doro "Metal Queen" Pesch flew into New York from Düsseldorf, Germany yesterday three days after Tropical Storm Irene made landfall, she encountered a heap of ruins that used to be her home.
 
 
"I saw the pictures of Irene on TV when I visited my mother in Germany on the weekend. When a red rubber raft appeared canoeing through a road on Long Island, I already assumed the worst," Doro states mournfully. "The damage is disastrous. The whole ground floor was flooded. It stinks, electricity failed, and everything's wrecked inside of the house. From the TV to the fridge to the furniture. Everything's grime-stained, defective, unusable. The worst thing is that pieces of my stage costumes and lots of my souvenirs and presents from fans from all around the world are lost forever now."
 
 
Despite the damage to her house, Doro's previously announced concerts in conjunction with the North American release of her 25 Years In Rock 2-DVD/CD set will go ahead as scheduled.
"The shows will take place, of course," Doro says. "For now, I've found accommodation in a hotel in New York and will have to see where things will go from here."
Weblinks:


JOHN 5 – RELEASES FIRST SINGLE FROM NEW ALBUM
“BEAT IT” Available to Download NOW!
BEAT IT, the long awaited track from John 5 is out now and available to download from all good online music retailers. BEAT IT is a cover of the Michael Jackson classic and has been timed to be released around Jacksons’ birthday~
 
 
This is also the first single to be released from the long-awaited new solo album from John 5, GOD TOLD ME TO, which will be the 6th solo studio instrumental album John 5 has recorded.
 
 
Grab your copy of BEAT IT now – all retailers listed on www.john-5.com!
Leave some feedback as J5 would love to hear from you!

Thursday, September 1, 2011

News Update for Thursday 1st September, 2011

Check out 'Monsters of Rock Cruise' February 2012

Isn't it funny how for years, most of your old mates and yourself think to yourselves ... 'You'll never get me on one of those old cruises, that's for old folks!'
'Who'd want to be stuck on a ship for all those days with the same scenery, day in, day out ...'
Well, for one thing, really when you think about it, it's no different going to some resort, is it really?

Anyway, where I was going with this is that these days, it's all change and now there's rock cruises going on all over the place and some of them look bloody brilliant!
What's a rock cruise you say? Well, yes, it is one of those 'boat trips,' but it's with a serious difference! It's with a bunch of artists you've always loved, that because you're on the boat / ship, with them .., you even get to hang out with them. Now, how cool is that?!

I must say that these events have become hugely popular, certainly over the past year or so and while I haven't posted this stuff that much, it's because there are so many!
I'm posting this one, because it perhaps looks a little more fun than a lot of them as not only are there some killer bands, but good old Eddie Trunk will be on there too!
Now us folks here in the US need to realise that most rock fans in the UK have no clue who the hell Eddie Trunk is?! All I can say is folks, go over to VH1 Classic and search Eddie Trunk, he has a great TV show on VH1 called 'That Metal Show' and he also has a great radio show on 'The Boneyard' which you can find on Sirius XM every Monday night.
Well, enough from me, I could go on all night about this stuff, read on for yourselves!
  

It all began one special day in August 1980 at Castle Donington, Leicestershire, England … Seven Metal Bands and thousands of rabid fans converged on the soggy turf of Donington Park and became part of rock history as a legendary event was born…the Monsters of Rock!
Fast forward to February 2012 … Now you can become part of music history, as the tradition of the Monsters of Rock is reborn, this time in the Bahamas aboard a luxury cruise ship.
We proudly announce the Monsters of Rock Cruise, the greatest floating 80’s heritage rock festival to ever sail the seven seas!
It all begins in Fort Lauderdale, FL, sailing from February 25 – 28, 2012 aboard the MSC Poesia, destination Nassau, Bahamas and Key West. This epic event will feature some of the greatest artists of the era, including Cinderella, Tesla, KIX, Stryper, Y & T, Lynch Mob, Firehouse, Black ‘N Blue, Bang Tango, Faster Pussycat, Keel, XYZ, John Corabi and Eric Martin. This is much more than a “Concert Cruise” event … it is fantasy camp for metal fans that will be talked about for many years to come!
The fun will begin the moment you come aboard the beautiful MSC Poesia, meeting new friends poolside during the kickoff Sailaway Concert. This will set the tone for the next 3 days, enjoying a myriad of over the top Special Events, including the Monsters Rock & Roll Prom 1989, “So You Think You Can Shred” Competition, Shotgun Wedding Vow Renewal, Artist Meet and Greets and much, much more.
In addition, you’ll appreciate the inviting Music Venues & Events, featuring our incredible artists on the Main Stage plus the Monster’s Coffee Shop, Back-Alley Stage and the Pool Deck Showcase for partying under the stars! You wont want to miss Eddie Trunk from VH1’s That Metal Show, as he moderates up close and personal Q & As with our artists called Rock ‘N Roll War Stories. Finally, our other celebrity guest, Rock of Love’s “Big John” will always be there to keep the party going…like you needed any more encouragement!!
We are about to rekindle the Spirit of Donington and set the bar at a new level with the Monsters Of Rock Cruise. You simply must be there…see you aboard!

Late additional note from the Editor:  I also believe UFO will be playing it too!
They have a new banner of the event on their webpage as well as it being included in their tour dates!

Website:

Rush Signs To Roadrunner Records!



Roadrunner Records is pleased to announce a new worldwide partnership with Anthem Records and rock trio Rush. The band will remain on Anthem/Universal Music in Canada only.

“We have tremendous respect for Roadrunner Records, and what Cees Wessels and Jonas Nachsin have built on a worldwide level. After years of Roadrunner pursuing the band, Tom Lipsky presented a deal that worked and the timing was right. We wanted to be at a label focused on the rock genre – and that’s Roadrunner,” said Ray Danniels, manager of Rush.
“In another life I worked with Rush and their great management team more than 30 years ago and to have Rush finally on the Roadrunner label is a dream come true. I am grateful for Ray Danniels’ confidence in this new partnership,” said Cees Wessels, Roadrunner Records Chairman.

“Rush has a tradition of excellence and independence, both in the studio and on the live stage, and they remain as prolific today as at any point in their career. We are excited to be their label partners,” said Tom Lipsky, President of Lipsky Music, LLC, who brokered the significant deal for Roadrunner.
The first release from Rush through this deal will be various live configurations, recorded during their highly successful Time Machine tour that wrapped earlier this summer. Details of the release will be revealed in the coming weeks.

With more than 40 million records sold worldwide and countless sold-out tours, RushGeddy Lee, Alex Lifeson, and Neil Peart – is not only one of the most inventive and compelling groups in rock history, but remains one of the most popular. The RIAA has certified Rush for the third most consecutive gold/platinum studio albums by a rock band, topped only by the Beatles and the Rolling Stones. Rush’s vast catalog includes such classics as 1974’s self-titled debut, 1976’s 2112, 1981’s Moving Pictures, 1996’s Test For Echo, and 2002’s Vapor Trails. Rushs most recent studio album, 2007’s Snakes & Arrows, debuted at #3 on the Billboard 200, marking the band’s highest chart debut since 1993, as well as their eleventh top 10 album in the U.S. Their 20th studio album, entitled Clockwork Angels, is due in 2012.

In addition to their commercial success, Rush has also been recognized with a number of Juno Awards and multiple Grammy nominations, including one for the acclaimed documentary Rush: Beyond The Lighted Stage at this year’s gala event. Enjoying a recent pop culture renaissance, Rush made a rare television appearance - their first in over 30 years - on Comedy Central’s The Colbert Report” and a memorable cameo in the film I Love You, Man. A career-chronicling Rolling Stone feature summed up the renowned rock trio’s continuing artistic vitality by observing, “It’s true that Rush doesn’t mean today what it did in ’76 or even ’96. It may mean more.”
For more information about Rush, visit www.rush.com.             

Guitarist Orianthi to Join Alice Cooper


Alice Cooper announced today that eminent guitar prodigy Orianthi will join his band, replacing departing guitarist Damon Johnson, for the next leg of his 2011 “No More Mr. Nice Guy” world tour starting September 22,2011 in Auckland, New Zealand. Currently in progress, the tour hits ninety plus cities, covering five continents, including Europe and North America twice over.


At the young age of 26, Orianthi has already experienced what most aspiring musicians only dream of. She's opened for her hero, Steve Vai; backed Carrie Underwood; traded solos with Carlos Santana; shared the stage with the King of Pop (Michael Jackson) and accompanied Alice during his live performance of “School’s Out” on the 2010 season finale of American Idol.

"It’s very difficult to find someone to match the talents of Damon Johnson,” commented Cooper, “but not only did we find someone who is more than up to the challenge…she also looks WAY better."
Orianthi will join world-renowned guitarist Steve Hunter (toured and recorded with Cooper and Lou Reed) and Tommy Henriksen (co-wrote and played on Cooper’s upcoming release); drummer Glen Sobel and Alice's longtime bassist Chuck Garric round out the band.
“I’m super excited to go on tour with Alice,” said Orianthi. “It’s a huge honor to be able to get on stage and jam with an icon.”

Orianthi will debut with the band for a performance on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Friday September 9, 2011 on NBC.
Story source:


Steve Hackett to release Beyond the Shrouded Horizon




Steve Hackett's new album BEYOND THE SHROUDED HORIZON will come out via Inside Out Music on 23rd September in Germany, 26th September 2011 in UK and Europe and 27th September 2011 in USA and Canada.
Pre orders are available via HackettSongs Webstore.

Beyond the Shrouded Horizon is available to pre-order from the HackettSongs webstore and every pre-ordered copy ordered before 26th September will be signed by Steve.



Additional info
Beyond The Shrouded Horizon is available as a regular CD, deluxe edition double CD plus book, double vinyl (with download code) and as a deluxe digital download. There are also some very special packages available with exclusive signed art prints and t-shirts.
Keep checking back on www.hackettsongs.com and our WEBSTORE for more information.

Beyond the Shrouded Horizon - Comment by Steve

My new album Beyond the Shrouded Horizon breaks free from its moorings in early autumn and sets sail through choppy riffs and sudden electric storms to the odd romantic isle...
From Sinbad seas to Startrek oceans of deep sky, it's an odyssey. Invisible chords link pop to pomp, blues to baroque, embracing all genres discovered along the way. Let ethonic guitar forces and power of song take you to where waves crash through de-tuned orchestras over the edge of charted territories.

Official website:


Classic Aerosmith Columbia Records Catalog to Debut on the iTunes Store Tuesday, September 6th
Pre-Order is Available Now!

Aerosmith, Get Your Wings, Toys in the Attic, Rocks, Draw the Line & More Career-Defining Masterpieces From America's All-Time Top-Selling Rock Band Finally Available Digitally
The classic Columbia Records catalog recordings (1973-1987) of Aerosmith, America's all-time top-selling rock and roll band, will be available for the first time digitally on the iTunes Store beginning Tuesday, September 6. Pre-orders for the full albums begin today on iTunes (www.itunes.com).

An essential canon of music from one of the world's greatest and most enduring rock bands, Aerosmith's recordings for Columbia Records in the 1970s and 1980s defined an epic career trajectory and the cultural epoch that surrounded it.
Over the years, Aerosmith's patented blend of knowing pop-craft and roiling libidinous id has sold more than 150 million records worldwide, with more than 66 million of those in the US alone.

The classic Aerosmith catalog will be available to purchase and download on iTunes and other digital retailers as full albums or individual tracks.
 For further details go to:


Gary Moore "Live at Montreux 2010"


"2010 saw Gary Moore make a return to rock music after a long period of time exploring the blues.

He was writing and working on a new rock album when all was brought to a halt by his untimely death on 6th February 2011. This concert from Montreux in July 2010 was his last performance to be filmed. The setlist draws heavily on his hugely successful rock albums of the eighties, stirs in a couple of his classic blues tracks with some memorable hit singles and includes three brand new songs that would have featured on the album left sadly uncompleted on his death. Gary Moore was one of the finest and most respected guitarists the British Isles have ever produced. This concert shows just what a talent we will miss."

Eagle Rock Entertainment will release "Live at Montreux 2010" in three formats: CD, DVD and Blu-Ray, while in Japan it will be available in limited DVD+2CD and Blu-Ray+2CD versions also.

Track list :

1. Over The Hills And Far Away
2. Thunder Rising
3. Military Man
4. Days Of Heroes
5. Where Are You Now?
6. So Far Away / Empty Rooms
7. Oh Wild One
8. Blood Of Emeralds
9. Out In The Fields
10. Still Got The Blues
11. Walking By Myself
12. Johnny Boy
13. Parisienne Walkways

Bonus material - Live at Montreux 1997 ( Not on CD release)
1. One Good Reason
2. Oh Pretty Woman
3. Still Got The Blues
4. Walking By Myself

Release dates:UK/Europe - 19th September 2011
EU - Eagle Rock - EAGCD434 (CD)
EU - Eagle Vision - EREDV877 (DVD)
EU - Eagle Vision - ERBRD5078 (Blu-ray)

Gary Moore website:



Beth Hart announces UK concerts to follow "Don't Explain" album

Following the September 26th release of Beth Hart’s “Don’t Explain album - a soul covers collaboration with guitarist Joe Bonamassa – she’ll perform two intimate UK concerts in November.
The first date will be The Flowerpot, Derby on Monday 28th November, followed by London Dingwalls on Tuesday 29th November. Tickets for both concerts are available from 0845 413 4444, www.seetickets.com, www.ticketline.com and www.alt-tickets.co.uk. Further press information for Beth’s UK concerts is available here.
Already a platinum selling solo artist across mainland Europe, Beth’s collaboration with Bonamassa on the Gil Scott-Heron classic, “I’ll Take Care Of You”, was recently BBC Radio 2’s “Record of the Week” and has since been added to the playlist; the “Don’t Explain” album also recently reached #5 on the Amazon UK pre-order chart.
Compared vocally to the likes of Janis Joplin and Etta James, Beth Hart’s November UK concerts will showcase tracks from the new album, including a brilliant rendition of Tom Wait’s “Chocolate Jesus”, as well as songs from her back catalogue such as the emotionally moving “LA Song”.
Produced by Kevin Shirley (John Hiatt, The Black Crowes, Black Country Communion), “Don't Explain” combines Hart's raspy and soulful vocals against Bonamassa's signature guitar sound. The pair collaborate on a stunning collection of hand-picked soul classics from the likes of Delaney & Bonnie, Billie Holiday, and Aretha Franklin. Read the official “Don’t Explain” press release here.

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

News Update for Wednesday 31st August, 2011

Former Toto singer FERGIE FREDERIKSEN tells the world that "Happiness is the Road" in his new album
Frontiers Records is particularly pleased to announce the release of FERGIE FREDERIKSEN new album “Happiness is the Road” for a release on October 14th in Europe and October 18th in North America.



Mostly known for being the former vocalist of TOTO (The “Isolation” era), Fergie has been involved in a lot of other outstanding musical projects too. Trillion, LeRoux, Frederiksen/Philips, Mecca, Frederiksen/Denander and David London (solo album, under pseudonym) are simply a few worthy of mention. In 1999 he debuted as a solo artist with “Equilibrium”, an album which garnered great reviews in Europe and Japan. In short Frederiksen is certainly one of the most esteemed singers in the Melodic Rock scene and his vocal abilities have blessed some real masterpieces of this music.

In June 2010, Frederiksen announced he had been diagnosed with liver cancer. The following months were obviously very difficult for the singer who used music and the recording sessions of this album as a therapy to regain confidence in himself and his strengths. He also found the time and energy to collaborate with Jim Peterik (ex Survivor) on the songwriting of the album’s title track, a real motivational manifesto for a positive approach to life. Fergie says “It was hard doing the sessions. I had side effects of the drugs, after the operations and then with the pills I'm taking. I had to stop many days and just go home to bed to try and do it again the next day. It has been a huge victory for myself. When I was first diagnosed with cancer I wanted to stop recording. It didn't feel like I could do it. But my friend Alex Ligertwood said I need to finish it. He was right of course and I thank him for the tough love. I am proud that I did.”

About one year later, in the summer 2011, Fergie had two great things to share with the World: the first being the completion of the recording of the new album and the second is the positive results to the cures he was under, with the cancer now being close to be defeated. “I am feeling great right now” tells Fergie. “I am close to cancer free. Not what all the doctors thought would happen and they are almost as excited about it as I am. I seem to be an exception to the rule. I am very glad to be because the alternative sucks big time”.
The new album musically shows a different side of Fergie. “It’s hard to compare this new album with Equilibrium” continues Frederiksen, “That was a CD that I co-wrote most of the songs, so I guess you could say I was more connected because of that. In the same breath I must say that this cd is very important because of where my world is at right now. The title song, 'Happiness Is The Road,' is the saying I have lived by for the past few years even before I became ill. It means a lot to me to have other people examine it's meaning. If you think about it real hard, you will find joy and love in your life you have been missing. At least I hope people do. The songs a real good songs. Being I co-wrote only one, it is a change for me but a good one. It is what it is, a cd with good songs and hopefully good vocals. Thanks to Serafino at Frontiers for his vision.”
“Happiness is the Road” is a story of love and passion to tell and of course of so many great songs expertly produced by Dennis Ward (House of Lords, Pink Cream 69, Place Vendome and Angra) and written by Jim Peterik (ex Survivor), David Roberts (Bad English), Mark Baker (Signal, House of Lords), Robert Sall (Work of Art), Joe Vana (Mecca), Dennis Ward and more.



Fergie Frederiksen is involved in raising awareness of Hepatitis C, a disease he has been struggling with himself. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is the most common chronic blood-borne infection in the United States. Fergie has arranged benefit shows for the American Liver Foundation, with the cause of fighting Hep C. He went through a successful treatment in 2005, which he is fighting for other patients to receive too.

Well, the future is once again bright for Fergie, so keep going on in your life as “Happiness is the Road”.
Happiness Is the Road includes the following songs:
Angel (Mirror To Your Soul); Elaine; First To Cry; Follow Your Heart; Happiness Is The Road; I Still Believe In Love; Lyin’ Eyes; Love Waits For No One; Writing On The Wall; The Future Ain’t What It Used To Be; The One; The Saviour.

The first single from the album “Angel” can be exclusively listened in full in streaming on the Frontiers Records webradio www.frontiers.it/webradio

Fergie Frederiksen - Vocals
Dennis Ward - Bass Guitar, Guitars, Keyboards and Background Vocals
Dirk Bruinenberg - Drums
Nathan Eshman - Guitars
Eric Ragno - Keyboards

Produced by Dennis Ward


The Melodic Rock Sexy Diva ISSA is back with a Storming second album!
Frontiers Records is pleased to announce the worldwide release of the second ISSA album entitled “The Storm” on October 14th in Europe and October 18th in North America.




Since her debut “Sign of Angels”, the Norwegian Rock Diva has often been compared to such music stars as Celine Dion, Avril Lavigne and Amy Lee (Evanescence). Issa however has created her own style and approach to Melodic Rock, by mixing her peculiar and unique melodic sensibility with a rocking attitude which is unseen in today’s Pop singers.

Not metal and certainly not easy listening Pop, Issa’s music has everything and more to appeal to the vast masses: real rock with a commercial sheen.

Unlike the debut self-titled album, the “The Storm” has Issa taking a shot at songwriting and together with the Martin brothers (Vega, House of Lords, Khymera, Sunstorm), she offers up tracks on the new album like “Invincible”, “We’re on Fire” and “The Storm”, the album’s title track. Issa explains “The songs I wrote on this album show more of my personality and direction. Some of them have been written straight from my life and it’s exciting for me to finally show some of my own work for the first time. I knew Tom and James Martin through the last album on which they wrote some fantastic tunes. We’ve worked together a lot since then and these songs are very personal to me. “Invincible” especially is a song that I feel very close to.”
Songwriting contributions also came from Robert Säll (Work of Art), Randy Goodrum (Steve Lukather, Toto, Steve Perry), Daniel Palmqvist, Johannes Stole (Xorigin), Daniel Flores, Sören Kronqvist (Crash the System, Sunstorm), Chris Laney, Magnus Karlsson (Place Vendome) and more !

The Storm” shows a different side of me continues Issa. “I’ve had the most life changing year of my life and this also reflects on the new album in many ways. It’s a more honest performance from me and I think every song captures a feeling or something we all can relate too: everything from the fun times to the deeper side of us. I think its so important to have an album that can touch more than one feeling.”




Produced by Daniel Flores, The Storm shows that Issa is a solid Rock Music star and a true uprising Rock diva, who is set to alight hearts and minds of Melodic Rock fans for the years to come !

“The Storm” includes the following tracks:
Looking For Love; Please Hold On; Take A Stand; Invincible; Two Hearts; Black Clouds; You're Making Me; Gonna Stand By You; We’re On Fire; Too Late For Love; What Does It Take; The Storm. Includes bonus videoclip: Looking For Love.
The first singleLooking for Love can be listened in full in streaming on the Frontiers Records webradio www.frontiers.it/webradio
Weblinks: www.frontiers.it / www.myspace.com/isabelloversveen

ISSA Issa (Isabell Oversveen) Lead vocals
Guitars - David Sivelind
Bass - Johnny Trobro, Daniel Flores, David Sivelind
Drums and keyboards - Daniel Flores

Guitar solos: David Sivelind (The Storm), Robert Säll (Looking For Love), Christian Wolff (Too Late For Love / We’re On Fire), Mats Lindfors (Take a Stand), Christopher Vetter (Black Clouds / You’re Are Making Me), Gabriel Forsman (Gonna Stand By You), Daniel Palmquist (Two Hearts).
Produced by Daniel Flores


Def Leppard and Motley Crue announce UK tour



This year's upcoming holiday season, UK fans will be treated to something special: Def Leppard is coming home for a UK arena tour -- and they're bringing Motley Crue along with them!
To top it all off, Special Guests Steel Panther will warm up the crowd each night on the tour.

Joe Elliott said: "I can’t tell you enough how thrilled I am to announce this tour. We always strive to make our shows an event and to have Motley Crue and Steel Panther along for the ride makes this an event that just can’t be missed for rock fans across the UK."

Nikki Sixx had this to say about the tour: "Motley Crüe is excited to do some destruction with long time peers Def Leppard on tour this holiday season. We have never toured together so hopefully there will be some de-virginizing of each-others fans and in the end one f*cking wild party together!"
Presales for the shows, which are listed below, start this Thursday, September 1st, followed by the general sale on Friday, September 2nd and will be available at Live Nation.
DEC 6: Birmingham, LG Arena
DEC 8: Nottingham, Echo Arena
DEC 9: Glasgow, SECC
DEC 11: Manchester, MEN Arena
DEC 13: Sheffield, Motorpoint Arena
DEC 14: London, Wembley Arena


Official websites:
http://www.defleppard.com
http://www.motley.com/


Primal Fear shares 'Unbreakable' update



Ralf Scheepers of German power metallers PRIMAL FEAR has finished laying down vocals for the band's forthcoming studio album, "Unbreakable", which is scheduled for a January 2012 release on Frontiers Records. He states, "I know that every musician will always praise his new work as his best so far, but what the whole team have created here is simply outstanding! I am sure you guys will love what you hear."
"Unbreakable" is being recorded at House Of Music studios in Winterbach, Germany.
The CD, which is being produced by Mat Sinner and engineered by Achim Köhler (EDGUY, MASTERPLAN), will feature the following songs:

* Blaze Of Glory
* Marching Again
* And There Was Silence
* Night Of The Jumps
* Give 'Em Hell
* Born Again
* Where Angels Die
* Bad Guys Wear Black
* Strike
* Metal Nation
* Conviction
* Raise Some Hell


Regarding the musical direction of the new PRIMAL FEAR album, Scheepers recently stated in an interview, "You can really expect an album which is somehow skipping back again to the very basics of PRIMAL FEAR, with very rough metal riffs and screaming vocals and good melodies on it. So people can really expect a pure PRIMAL FEAR album with melody and beating drums and very harsh guitars." He added, "Of course, every musician will somehow advertise his own album, but I'm really convinced that people will like this one, because it's got very catchy hooklines and it's a really 'bang-your-head' metal album."

"When you look back on the [PRIMAL FEAR] back catalog, from the very first album to this album now, I think there were quite some changes — on 'Seven Seals', for instance, and also when we came [out with] 'New Religion'. We somehow now have a combination in between a good, bombastic sound with more back-to-the-basics guitar riffing stuff. Also we have two ballads on it, which are not [really] ballads. There's one mid-tempo song with some acoustic guitars in it and one song which has a little bit more keyboards. It's still not an acoustic-guitar ballad— it's still with drums and stuff — so I think it's a pretty tough album [overall]."

Official weblinks:



Chickenfoot confirm UK release date of new album




Highly anticipated would be an understatement... Chickenfoot – guitar hero Joe Satriani, drummer Chad Smith, former Van Halen bassist Michael Anthony and frontman Sammy Hagar – have announced details of their second album Chickenfoot III, the follow-up to 2009’s award-winning eponymous debut album.

Following weeks of online rumours and escalating hype, the band themselves have finally set the record straight in an official announcement which cnfirms the album’s title, release date, and full track listing.

Chickenfoot III (not IV as previously implied) - UK Limited Edition Fan Pack is set for simultaneous worldwide release on Tuesday September 27th. The album, which was produced by Mike Fraser (AC/DC, Metallica), will come complete with specially designed 3D packaging.
The Fan Pack comes with two exclusive bonus tracks - "Down The Drain" (Live in Phoenix) and "Oh Yeah!" (Live in Phoenix) - plus a 132-page magazine dedicated to one of the worlds greatest supergroups. The Fan Pack magazine is 100% Chickenfoot-approved and contains exclusive interviews with Sammy Hagar, Joe Satriani, Michael Anthony and Chad Smith talking about their new album, plus their respective careers as part of some of the biggest bands in rock.

The Fan Pack also tells the story of the making of the band's new video, how they created a 3D album cover, an overview of their solo careers and the story behind each and every song on the new record. The magazine is also packed with rare shots of the band, an exclusive muso section as well as a Guitar Pick Pack, 3D glasses and a 3D CD digital book pack with postcards.
The non-Fan Pack version of Chickenfoot III, will be available on CD, CD & DVD Deluxe Edition & 12" Vinyl. Due for release on Monday October 24th.

Check out this promo link for the album:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXafvx8Tn1g&feature=player_embedded

Band website:
http://www.chickenfoot.us/



Magnum - Evolution more album details



MAGNUM "Evolution" - celebration of the last 10 years since the reunion
Hugely influential British melodic hard rock group MAGNUM are set to release "Evolution", on Steamhammer / SPV, on November 14th (Germany November 11th, USA/Canada end of November) which comes in a high value ecol book , and have confirmed 3 exclusive UK dates November/December 2011.

The line up of guitarist / songwriter / producer Tony Clarkin, vocalist Bob Catley, keyboard player Mark Stanway, bassist Al Barrow and drummer Harry James, have excelled themselves on ‘Evolution’, one of the strongest and most unusual best of albums in their illustrious (near 40 year) history to date.

‘Evolution’ contains eight songs from their previous comeback albums which were partial re-recorded and fully re-mixed , two from their much acclaimed "The Visitation" album (which cracked the Top 20 in Germany and made it to #3 in the UK Rock Charts as well as high chart entries in Sweden and Switzerland) and two totally new recorded songs.

"Evolution": Re-recorded ..... great! - Re-mastered ..... even better! - Re-visited.....go for it!

Tracklisting "Evolution":
1. THAT HOLY TOUCH : 4.47
Re-recorded drums, bass, guitar & some vocals (remixed)
Originally on “Breath Of Life”


2. JUST LIKE JANUARY : 4.38
Re-recorded drums, bass & guitar (remixed)
Originally on “Breath Of Life”

3. BRAND NEW MORNING : 5.52
Re-recorded bass, guitar & some vocals (remixed)
Originally on “Brand New Morning”

4. IMMIGRANT SON : 5.31
Re-recorded bass & guitar (remixed)
Originally on “Brand New Morning”


5. WHEN WE WERE YOUNGER : 6.48
Re-recorded drums, bass, guitar & some vocals (remixed)
Originally on “Princess Alice & The Broken Arrow”


6. OUT OF THE SHADOWS : 6.38
Re-recorded drums, bass, guitar (remixed)
Originally on “Princess Alice & The Broken Arrow”


7. ALL MY BRIDGES : 4.40
Re-recorded bass & drums (remixed)
Originally on “Into The Valley Of The Moonking”


8. BLOOD ON YOUR BARBED WIRE THORNS : 6.50
Re-recorded bass (remixed)
Originally on “Into The Valley Of The Moonking”


9. THE VISITATION : 5.48
Taken from “The Visitation”


10. WILD ANGELS : 5.40
Taken from “The Visitation”


11. THE FALL : 5.38
New recording


12. DO YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE? : 6.49
New recording


Website links:

http://www.magnumonline.co.uk/



Guitar Guru RICHIE KOTZEN To Release New CD

24 HOURS – To Release 11.11.11 On Headroom-Inc.

 FIRST SINGLE “24 HOURS” AVAILABLE ON ITUNES SEPTEMBER 1st


HOLLYWOOD, CA (August 30, 2011) – After 2 years of extensive international touring, guitar virtuoso, singer/ songwriter Richie Kotzen is back to unleash his new album 24 HOURS, releasing November 11 on Headroom-Inc.

24 HOURS reflects the guitar style’s that has defined his career as a virtuoso, while taking it to another level of playing. “I feel like I have reached a new level of soloing on the opening track 24 HOURS,” explains Kotzen. “I stopped using a guitar pick on electric a few years ago and my playing has evolved in a different way. Some of the solo lines I play on the song 24 HOURS, and others as well, are lines I would have never been able to play with a guitar pick. So I would say

24 HOURS is an album that has been in the works since Kotzen started playing guitar. The guitar virtuoso burst onto the heavy metal scene as a teenager with a lightning-fast guitar techniques. With his talents Kotzen has played with some of the best musicians; securing such major collaboration with the band Mr. Big and renowned jazz great Stanley Clarke as well as his own solo projects. “I have been lucky in the sense that I have been able to play with guys who I could learn from,” explains Kotzen. “The biggest musical lesson for me was playing in a band with Stanley Clarke and Lenny White. Obviously these guys are jazz musicians and I am not, but I learned so much from the time we recorded and toured together. My favorite rock bassist is Billy Sheehan and we were in Mr. Big together for 3 years which was awesome.”


24 HOURS was recorded and produced in Kotzen’s studio Headroom-Inc. 24 HOURS will be released on 11.11.11.
Expect the first single, title track '24 HOURS' to hit airwaves sometime soon.

For more information go to www.richiekotzen.com.