Hi all, sorry it's been so quiet on here.
As Rhonda and I prepared to travel back for my Mum's funeral, next week, there's seems to be just so much that 'we' need to get done before we leave.
Work has also of course got crazy, I guessing since they know I'll be away for a week, they want to hit me up with as much as possible before I go, so I was travelling on business the last 2 days, hence why there were no updates Thursday and Friday ....
Anyway, trying to catch up with things now, but updates will be limited as we still have much to do before we go.
By the way the Phenomena update below, I know is an older piece of news, as the album is out next week, but I still wanted to share it, as I'm guessing a lot of you may well be interested in it, due to the players involved.
Finally, birthday greetings to my friend Scott Gorham, a classy lead player from Thin Lizzy and 21 Guns. Happy Birthday man!
Cheers folks, have a good weekend!
Al
Phenomena - Awakening coming on Escape Music
Tom Galley's latest masterpiece in the Phenomena series of albums is due for release worldwide on Escape Music, March 23rd, 2012.
Feat. Mat Sinner (Sinner, Primal Fear), Toby Hitchcock (Pride Of Lions), Terry Brock (Strangeways), James Christian (House Of Lords), Ralf Scheepers (Primal Fear), Lee Small (Shy), Mike DiMeo (Riot, Masterplan), Mike Slamer (Steelhouse Lane), Rob Moratti (ex-Saga).
People should learn to expect a little awe and mystery. Phenomena take us upon a journey where there is nothing pretty about the protagonists of the story that we shall meet along the way. The subject is good against evil.
The story began in the year 1983, when Tom Galley wrote a couple of short stories with a transcendental background. Backed by record label Bronze, the recordings for the album "Phenomena" started soon which finally hit the stores in 1985. Besides the extra-ordinary concept story both musicianship and the names involved with the project are highlights to mention. Names such as Glenn Hughes (DEEP PURPLE, B.C.C., HTP), drum legend Cozy Powell (RAINBOW, WHITESNAKE, E.L.P., M.S.G., BRIAN MAY, BLACK SABBATH.), Don Airey (DEEP PURPLE), Neil Murray (WHITESNAKE) - the elite of the British Hard Rock scene had joined the project. "Phenomena" received high critical acclaim in the press and extremely good sales.
The second PHENOMENA album "Phenomena II - Dream Runner" was released in 1987 and was welcomed with a similarly warm response. The musicians around the Galley brothers had changed slightly, so that this album in the end featured contributions from Ray Gillen (BADLANDS, BLACK SABBATH), John Wetton (ASIA, KING CRIMSON, UK), Scott Gorham (THIN LIZZY, 21 GUNS) and Max Bacon (GTR, BRONZ) amongst others.
With new label Parachute involved, in 1991 the time was right for "final part" of the conceptional story; "Phenomena III - Inner Visions". Besides Brian May (QUEEN) and Keith Murrell (AIRRACE, MAMA'S BOYS), you'll here also find performances by Michael Sturgis (A-HA) and Scott Gorham (THIN LIZZY). 'The Complete Works' were released in a triple fold out Digipack by Escape Music (ESM142).
However, the PHENOMENA concept continued in 2006 under the banner "PsychoFantasy", (ESM125 ecolbook and 125r regular version) which strictly follows the traditions of its three predecessors. Besides the concept story background, you will once again will find a whole bunch of amazing artists performing on this record: Tony Martin (BLACK SABBATH), Glenn Hughes (DEEP PURPLE, B.C.C.), Keith Murrell (AIRRACE, MAMA'S BOYS) - and Mel Galley (WHITESNAKE, TRAPEZE).
In September 2010 a new chapter began with a whole host of musicians, and "Blind Faith" (ESM216) was born to explosive effect. With new Vocalists like Robin Beck, Terry Brock (Strangeways) and Rob Moratti (Saga) a whole new world was unveiled and the concept became so fresh again. The rock audience once more were thrilled to hear the latest in this timeless story.
In 2012 we will all hear the new Album "Awakening", an album chock full of new ideas and featuring James Christian (House of Lords), Lee Small (Shy) and Toby Hitchcock (Pride of Lions) as well as familiar faces like Rob Moratti, Terry Brock and Mike DiMeo. Powerful songs executed by some of the finest rock musicians make this a hugely enjoyable album and it boasts a fine production from Tom Galley and Martin Kronlund. Here you will find straight ahead rockers with powerful melodies along with up-tempo ballads and beautiful choruses.
Awakening is a fantastic way to start 2012, it is another chapter in the engaging story that Tom Galley began in 1983.
In Short, a must!
Tracklist:
01.Smash It Up
(Lee Small on Vocals, Mat Sinner Bass, Magnus Karlsson Lead Guitars)
02.Reality
(Toby Hitchcock on vocals and Mike Slamer on Lead Guitars)
03.Homeland
(Rob Moratti on vocals and Martin Kronlund on all Guitars)
(Rob Moratti on vocals and Martin Kronlund on all Guitars)
04.Going Away
(James Christian vocals and Tommy Denander Martin Kronlund on Guitars)
05.Gotta Move
(Ralf Scheepers on vocals and Christian Wolff &Tommy Denander on Guitars)
06.How Long
(Lee Small on vocals and Martin Kronlund on Guitars)
07.Shake
(Mike DiMeo on Vocal and Martin Kronlund on Guitars)
08.Fighter
(Terry Brock on vocals and Steve Newman on Guitars and backing vocals)
09.Dancing Days
(Niklas Swedentorp on Lead Vocals with all Coldspell members)
10.Stand Up For Love
(Chris Antblad with JAVA Gospel Choir)
Martin Kronlund: Guitars, and Bass
Tom Harlan: Guitars & Keyboards
Imre Daun: Drums.
Henrik Thomsen: bass
Per Aronson-Andersson: Hammond, keyboards
Tom Harlan: Guitars & Keyboards
Imre Daun: Drums.
Henrik Thomsen: bass
Per Aronson-Andersson: Hammond, keyboards
JAVA Gospel on "Stand up for love"
Additional Musicians:
Carl Anthony Wright - Guitars
Christian Wolff - Guitars
Tommy Denander - Guitars
Mike Slamer Guitars
Magnus Karlsson - Guitars
Mat Sinner - Bass
All COLDSPELL members
Steve Newman - Guitars and backing vocals
Fredrik Bergh - Keyboards on "Smash It Up" And "Gotta Move"
Fredrik Bergh - Keyboards on "Smash It Up" And "Gotta Move"
Produced by: Tom Galley and Martin Kronlund
Recorded and engineered by Martin Kronlund / Executive Producer: Khalil Turk
Recorded and engineered by Martin Kronlund / Executive Producer: Khalil Turk
Marco Mendoza further update
Ricky Warwick and Marco Mendoza with Yours truly, after a great Thin Lizzy gig.
I managed to catch up with Marco Mendoza (Blue Murder, John Sykes, Ted Nugent, Thin Lizzy, Whitesnake, Soul SirkUS) a couple of days back, as he was looking forward to last night's gig at 'The Baked Potato' in L.A.
'It's great to be home bro, although this L.A. traffic is worse than ever it seems. I don't miss this when I'm away!
Life is good though and the European dates went so well, I'll be heading back to Italy for about 8 more dates.'
Marco went on to add about his upcoming UK live dates in April, that should feature the same guys that backed him up on his European solo dates last time.
'Yeah that should be great man, there's also some possible clinics being lined up in the UK too while I'm there.'
I also asked him what kind of a set he'd be playing and would it include anything other than material from his two solo albums, 'Live For Tomorrow' and 'Casa Mendoza?'
'Man, you know it would cool to do some other stuff, who knows? Maybe something from the Ted (Nugent) days, maybe some (Thin) Lizzy or something from my days playing with Neal (Schon) or even Whitesnake, who knows?! I'd love to man, we'll see ...'
For other European fans, he did say there's a possibly of some Eastern European dates too, maybe Poland and the Czech Republic as well.
Clearly there's no sign of any letting up from Marco anytime soon!
He's also recently done a radio interview, with L.A. station Kong Monster Rock, but the stream is not available yet. Once it is, I'll post it here on Chambers of Rock.
Meanwhile their site can be found here:
http://tunein.com/radio/KONG-MonsterRocknet-s136877/
Make sure you go and see him play live, if he's near you. The guy is so committed, he just loves to play live!
Official weblinks:
http://www.marcomendoza.com/
New music from Honeymoon Suite
Canadian rockers Honeymoon Suite have just 'quietly' released a new track through iTunes, their first new music since 2008's 'Clifton Hill.'
The band featuring original members Johnnie Dee (Vocals), Derry Grehan (Guitars), Gary Lalonde (Bass), Dave Betts (Drums) and Peter Nunn replacing original keyboard player Ray Coburn, have a new track called 'If Tomorrow Never Comes' available for download for just 99c!
The link to buy is here:
http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/if-tomorrow-never-comes-single/id509180316
Official band site:
http://www.honeymoonsuite.com
BENEDICTUM- Enlist Jag Panzer drummer Rikard Stjernquist !!!
Rikard Stjernquist Photo Credit Mark Briody
Benedictum and The diabolical mistress “V” Veronica Freeman are proud to enlist new drummer Rikard Stjernquist to the team!!!!
Rikard Stjernquist started his career with Stockholm based Bronze Puppet. Rikard brings a multitude of talent from his longevity as the drummer for power metal legends Jag Panzer of 25 years and nine records to his studio production capabilities. Rikard will surely assist the team in writing new material for their next release with Frontiers Records worldwide.
Rikard Stjernquist states “I have been very fortunate in my long career to have recorded and performed with some exceptional people / musicians, and Benedictum is no exception. I’m very excited about the future with Benedictum and having the opportunity to perform for their amazing fans all over the world. Thank you Veronica Freeman, Pete Wells and Chris Shrum for this amazing opportunity”
Benedictum played select US dates for the East Coast in late November 2011 in support of their current release “Dominion” out now on Frontiers Records. Everyone who attended the select dates got a a taste of what the European market already knew.
This year and 2013 will prove to be an exciting year for Benedictum with much more activity in the worldwide.
Coming soon will be more exciting news regarding their next release!!!!!!
Benedictum is Veronica Freeman (lead vocals), Pete Wells (lead guitar), Chris Shrum (bass) and Rikard Stjernquist (drums/percussion).
Benedictum discography includes “Ulceration”, “Seasons of Tragedy” and “Dominion”.
Weblinks:
Veronica Freeman: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=736850320
Veronica Freeman: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100002710835082
Facebook Band Page: http://www.facebook.com/Benedictum.Official
Facebook Group Page: http://www.facebook.com/groups/benedictum/
Record Label: http://www.frontiers.it
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