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Friday, November 9, 2012

Dio – The Very Beast of … Vol. 2 album review

 
 
Dio – The Very Beast of … Vol. 2 review
Released through: Niji Ent. Group. Release Date: Available now.
 
 
I for one have been a big Dio fan, Ronnie James Dio that is, since his Rainbow days, all the way through Black Sabbath, Dio the band and his final Heaven and Hell band and yes of course like so many others, I was devastated when the world learned of his tragic passing two years ago.
The man really was THE legendary voice, to me and I know many other rock fans, in far surpassing what Ozzy Osbourne did in Black Sabbath and no, I am not knocking Ozzy’s classic work with Sabbath, I just think Dio’s voice has been and will remain, superior to anything Ozzy does. Period! - Er, that's like full stop for my good old UK readers!

 
Ed’s comment: I can feel the backlash coming now!!!

 
So what of this second volume of ‘The Very Beast of Dio – Vol. 2’ then?
For starters, the cover is awful, there I said it!!!

 
For one thing, to many folks around the globe this comes as a surprise release, especially since 'Volume 1' was only ever released officially in the USA and Canada … Perhaps there could’ve been a repackaging of the first to capture both versions, I think personally that would’ve been better, let’s face it, new ‘Best Of’s’ of artist's are issued again and again anyway, so why not get this one done right?
That’s just my take on it and to be completely honest, that request is twofold …
     Why? It’s like this, put simply and again I love the voice of R.J.D., but the selection for 'Volume 2' is simply nowhere near as strong as 'Volume 1,' I wish it was …
I don’t believe Ronnie would’ve agreed with the track selection for release.
 
'Volume 1' contained from the first album alone, ‘Stand Up and Shout’ – The ultimate! – ‘Holy Diver’ – Killer! – ‘Rainbow In The Dark’ – A crossover track that fans of many genres accepted and enjoyed. – and ‘Straight Through The Heart’ – Just monster!
Then absolute unforgettable gems like ‘We Rock,’ ‘The Last In Line,’ ‘Mystery,’ ‘King of Rock and Roll’ and it just goes on for the other eight masters, all taken from the first six studio albums and the live ‘Intermission’ release.
 
'Volume 2' is compiled of tracks from the last three official Dio studio releases in ‘Angry Machines,’ ‘Killing The Dragon’ and ‘Master of the Moon’ and a few bonus goodies. 
Now and forgive me Ronnie (RIP) but … These last few studio albums have some great material and absolutely great players including guitarists the likes of Doug Aldrich, Craig Goldy and Tracy G, as well as Jimmy Bain and Jeff Pilson (Bass), Scott Warren (Keys) and two great drummers in Vinnie Appice and Simon Wright, but I just don’t feel the songs are overall quite as strong.
Very good, but I think I think the majority missed a lot of the hooks and melody from the earlier albums.
 
All that said ‘Killing The Dragon,’ I think is certainly of the better material on the compilation which includes four cuts here from the album of the same name.
It’s a great song to open any Dio album, Dio fans will know it well no doubt …
‘Push’ is next again from the same album and this became a popular track, quite possibly helped by the entertaining video that accompanied it at the time featuring a certain Jack Black in his Tenacious D guise.
Indeed again a very good studio and live track.
 
Next up ‘The Eyes’ I think is a bit of a cult favourite, of course a great vocal performance from Ronnie and quite a dark number, but I felt it was OK personally, it's not one of my fav’s and is taken from the ‘Master of the Moon’ album.
 
‘Along Comes A Spider’ next from the ‘Killing …’ album grabs my attention once more, great up tempo Dio number.
The last material here from ‘Killing …’ is ‘Better In The Dark,’ which whips along nicely too in classic Dio fashion. Love it!
 
‘Fever Dreams’ from ‘Magica’ next almost follows a ‘Man On The Silver Mountain’ song structure through the verses.
It’s a track that I feel isn’t one of the Dio’s better songs and yes I still like it, it’s just it feels a little like it’s missing something.
 
From possibly my least favourite Dio album ‘Angry Machines’ comes ‘Black,’ and it’s just too weird for me, I’ll leave it there.
‘Feed My Head’ from ‘Magica’ really doesn’t do too much for me either really, but then ‘Magica’ was a concept style album, which perhaps was in a little too much of a Prog rock / metal type direction.
I’m sure it’s someone’s favourite, it’s just not mine!
 
‘Shivers’ next from ‘Master of the Moon’ is a dark, creeping up on you style track, nice guitar solo but kind of doesn’t go that far for me. It’s a steady chug along rocker.
 
A live version of ‘Hunter of the Heart’ from ‘Angry Machines’ up next … It’s really not a Dio classic to me …
It’s a prime example of why I don’t think the track selection for the compilation is the best.
There’s nothing wrong with Ronnie’s voice on any of the songs that aren’t favourites of mine, they just don’t feel like – to me – that they are the ‘best of’ or ‘Beast of’ Dio’s latter work.
The opening track from ‘Master of the Moon,’ ‘One More For the Road’ is next and it’s a pretty steady rocker.
Still enjoyable to me!
 
‘Lord of the Last Day’ from ‘Magica’ is chug along rocker, if somewhat plodding …
 
So to the first of the ‘Bonus tracks’ and ‘Electra’ is first which it says in the albums sleeve notes is taken from ‘Magica 2’ … I cannot find any record of a ‘Magica 2’ having been released anywhere …?
Anyway, it’s a slower paced rocker which I like, but it does feel a little directionless and really does go around and around on itself to be honest. Certainly feels appropriate to be a part of a concept release.

‘As Long As It’s Not About Love’ from ‘Magica’ is certainly still of the concept styling with the first two and a half minutes being a beautifully sung ballad like intro and then wham! In crash power chords, actually in doom laden style, before the song gets back on the song track and the epic style of the song continues to drive the track home.
 
The saving grace perhaps from ‘Angry Machines,’ is the beautiful and almost Queen like ‘This Is Your Life.’
It’s a truly moving piano and vocal track; I love it, perhaps ironic for Ronnie too ...
 
‘Metal Will Never Die’ is a track that was unearthed by Ronnie’s cousin and former band mate in Elf, David ‘Rock’ Feinstein.
It’s a solid, steady rock anthem like track that sadly could have been finished better on Ronnie’s vocal mix.
It seems as though the vocal was pushed up in the mix, but not done right as it distorts as the track gets heavier. Shame …
 
The final track here is ‘The Prisoner of Paradise,’ which was originally only available on the Japanese release of ‘Master of the Moon.’
It’s actually a really enjoyable track to close to compilation with.
 
So overall, I’ve already told you that – IMHO - I don’t think it was the best overall choice of tracks for the ‘Very Beast of Dio – Vol. 2.’
I’d love to say that everyone on here, like on the first ‘Very Beast of Dio,’ was a winner, but really the first three Dio albums were the first lineup of Dio, perhaps the classic lineup?!
The fourth Dio album ‘Dream Evil’ was really equally as good to me to be honest too, where Craig Goldy had stepped in for Vivian Campbell to play in a classy style, which is something I think he’s always done.
After that I think with the frequent lineup changes Ronnie’s own band had, it was hard to keep the consistency of the songwriting, but of course there was still plenty of class work.
If you’re a Dio fan, then of course you’re going to want this, for the bonus tracks alone.
As a Dio fan of old, I was disappointed by the horrible cover; I thought Uriah Heep’s ‘Abominog’ cover was bad for looking pretty gruesome. This certainly tops that!
Shame it couldn’t have been a little more tasteful, maybe with a rainbow somewhere there, Ronnie always loved to sing about ‘em!
 
Rating: 3.5 out of 5 – For poor choice of track listing.
I cannot knock the musicianship at all though, so your call there folks!
 
 
Also folks, if you are a fan of the music of Ronnie James Dio, please, I urge you, go and check out Dio Disciples - Not so sure on name choice, but it shows dedication I guess?! - the band made up of Ronnie's former Dio bandmates, of course with the exception of the vocalists involved and the bassist.
The current lineup features:
 
Tim "Ripper" Owens (Judas Priest, Yngwie Malmsteen) and Oni Logan (Lynch Mob) on Vocals 
Craig Goldy - Guitars (Ex-Dio)
Bjorn Anglund - Bass (Yngwie Malmsteen)
Scott Warren - Keyboards (Dio,Heaven & Hell)
Simon Wright - Drums (Dio, AC/DC, UFO).
 
 
 Dio Disciple tour dates can be found at the below Dio website.
 
Official website:
 
 
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Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Rock News Update for Wednesday November 7th, 2012

 
 
Well folks, sadly the sickness that wiped me out at the weekend came back and hit me again, late Monday morning when first thing I actually had felt great.
So Monday afternoon I was laid out again and all day today, I've been sick, although Rhonda picked up this evening, my anti-biotic the Doc called in for me and so I've felt a little better.
Hopefully it's not false hope!
Anyway, sorry I don't have much for you here, but I'm really not 100% yet so it is what it is.
 
I guess we now have the Presidential Election over and done for another four years.
Barrack Obama it seems has been re-elected ... In my eyes, I really don't know if it's a good thing or bad thing, as so many politicians lie or cannot come through with promises made during their campaigning.
Did US readers vote? Boy, it seemed to be a very close one this time for a while there, but I guess not ...
If you didn't vote though, when you are entitled to, don't be bloody moaning about the outcome!
 
No doubt there are other's like you thinking there's no point, it's fixed or whatever, but I say nothing ventured, nothing gained!
 
No vote for me, Green card boy, no citizenship as yet but I do plan on applying for dual citizenship, why? So I can continue to as Night Ranger say, 'Rock in America!'
Read on peeps!
 
Cheers, Al
 
 
 
JOURNEY AND WHITESNAKE ANNOUNCE
2013 UK TOUR
WITH SPECIAL GUESTS THUNDER
 
 
Journey and Whitesnake, along with special guests Thunder, are set to appear onstage together for the first time ever in May 2013, taking in eight dates across the UK. Tickets go on sale 10am on Friday 9th November priced at 45 (regionally) & 48.50 (London) (subject to booking fee) and are available from www.livenation.co.uk or www.ticketmaster.co.uk

Journey, one of the most popular American rock bands of all time, are responsible for creating some of the best-known songs in modern music. Over the years they have gained multiple accolades - including 19 Top 40 singles, 25 Gold and Platinum albums and single 'Don't Stop Believin'' holding the #1 digital catalogue song in history. In 2011 they drew nearly a million fans to their 2011 Eclipse World Tour which included a sold-out UK leg and ranked in the Top 15 Tours of the year. In the same year the band were awarded the prestigious "Legend Of Live Award"at the Billboard Touring Awards in honour of the band's significant and lasting contributions to live music and the touring business, and in acknowledgement of their commitment to the fans and the art of performing live. Journey will be joining the tour with their line-up of Neal Schon (guitars, backing vocals), Jonathan Cain (keyboards, backing vocals), Ross Valory (bass, backing vocals), Deen Castronovo (drums, percussion, backing vocals) and Arnel Pineda (lead vocals).
Journey's Neal Schon said of the tour: "Looking forward to getting back to the UK and playing our best for you all. You guys are the very best, cheers and see you soon. We will be rocking!"
Co-headlining the 2013 tour are the legendary Whitesnake who carry a rightful & righteous reputation as one of the world's leading rock'n'roll bands. Founded and formed by Deep Purple singer David Coverdale, the band have earned multi-platinum albums and multiple top 10 hits worldwide, including 2 number 1 singles with 'Here I Go Again' and 'Is This Love' as well as the unforgettable hammer of 'Still Of The Night'. Bombast, bravado, talent and passion have helped establish Whitesnake as the perennial platinum favourite they have become and they're back with a vengeance in 2013, with plans to release a live DVD ahead of the tour as well as a double album. "Unfinished business..." as Coverdale says slyly. "We all wanted the last tour to continue as we got closer to the end...After a year in the studio we're ready to rock on stage again...We're coming back for more..."
Harnessing Coverdale's blues and soul roots & fueled by incendiary guitarists Doug Aldrich & Reb Beach you have all the elements needed to shape the 'Snake's hard rock identity.

Special guests Thunder will also be joining the UK dates. In 2009 the band went their separate ways, only to return in 2011 for a triumphant live performance at the High Voltage festival in London, followed by 2 sell out Christmas shows. Thunder returned for another 2 sell-out Christmas shows in 2012, with the date first selling out in just 6 hours. The band has been lured back on to the stage for next year's tour with Journey and Whitesnake. Perhaps this could re-ignite their desire for more.

Singer Danny Bowes says: "We'd already discussed possibly doing some shows next year, so this is perfect, and it's a great bill, like they used to be back in the day, it'll be a brilliant night out".
Journey, Whitesnake and Thunder will play the following:
 
MAY 2013

 Saturday May 18th - Glasgow SECC
 Monday May 20th - Motorpoint Arena Sheffield
 Wednesday May 22nd - Metro Radio Arena Newcastle
 Thursday May 23rd - Manchester Arena
 Saturday May 25th - Capital FM Arena Nottingham
 Sunday May 26th - Motorpoint Arena Cardiff
 Tuesday May 28th - LG Arena Birmingham
 Wednesday May 29th - Wembley Arena London
 
 
 
 
Offical weblinks:
 
 
 
 

Asia on TV November 7th (Tonight!) on AXS TV!
 
 

Yes, as I post this, it is already Wednesday 7th November here in Detroit and I have to say, I would have posted this yesterday, but, being wiped out as I was,
it just wasn't going to happen. Sorry.
 
This show, featuring the fantastic Asia you really need to check out folks!
I saw the band on the second night of their current US dates and it was a really enjoyable show.
Review link:

The band has so much history, so much talent and you should see this band live!
John Wetton, Geoff Downes, Steve Howe and Carl Palmer collectively ARE Asia!
 
The band's show in San Francisco, CA, at The Regency Ballroom, is to be broadcast live!
 
Check out this AXS TV promo to see for yourself:
 

For all other things Asia, the original Asia with all four original members, go here:
 
 
 
 
US PRESS RELEASE
MASCOT LABEL GROUP ANNOUNCES RELEASE OF STEVE
LUKATHER'S TRANSITION ON JANUARY 22, 2013
 
 
 
 
New York -- The Mascot Label Group has announced a January 22, 2013 release date for Steve Lukather's Transition.  The guitarist has been busy since the release of his last solo album All's Well That Ends Well, enjoying current tenure in Ringo Starr's touring band, appearances across the globe in G3 with Joe Satriani and Steve Vai, and bringing Toto back arenas overseas.  The new album finds Lukather delivering that perfect balance of style, power and imagination as he takes risks and challenges himself as he has for  nearly four decades, as his career has gone from the studios of Los Angeles to the world’s biggest concert halls.
 
Lukather shares, "I’ve got a lot to be thankful for, and now is a perfect time for me to take stock of that, which is part of what Transition is about."  Over the previous decade a series of trials including divorce, the death of his mother and business hassles had dampened his joy in music making — a passion that drove Lukather to excel since seeing the Beatles on the Ed Sullivan as a seven-year-old growing up in San Fernando Valley. But today the guitar guru is happy, healthy and strongly reconnected to his muse, and the lushly expressive Transition, his second Mascot album, finds him at a creative pinnacle.  Lukather offers, "I equate recordings to paintings and I wanted to make Transition a big, beautiful album with lots of fine details and shadings and colors. That’s what I do and what my favorite albums — Sgt. Pepper’s, Dark Side of the Moon, Electric Ladyland, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road — are all about. So if it’s a sin to make massive sounding records with huge production values, then I’m going to Hell.”
 
Transition’s heavenly sonic architecture — erected with the help of such A-list musical friends as Def Leppard’s Phil Collen, superstar bassists Lee Sklar, Nathan East, John Pierce, and Tal Wilkenfeld,  live band members Steve Weingart, Renee Jones, and Eric Valentine, along with mega-drummers Gregg Bissonette, Chad Smith of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Tos Panos, and Lukather’s longtime keyboard foil and co-writer / co-producer C.J. Vanston — actually weaves a tale of redemption.   Beginning with the snarling rhythmic heartbeat of the cutting “Judgment Day” and the evil kiss-off blues “Creep Motel,” the album builds to the pivotal title track.   Lukather reveals, "‘Transition’ is a turning point for the album and a turning point for me.  As we were writing the songs, I was thinking about everything I’ve seen — all the people I’ve lost in my life, the great and the difficult experiences I’ve had, and how ultimately it was time to get it together and embrace things for what they are, because we’ve only got one life to live and we’ve got to make the most of it.”
 
Transition finds Lukather singing better than he ever has.  He shares, "I’ve been working really hard on my vocals.  For me, these days it’s all about the song and the performance. I’m not interested in being the fastest gun in the West. I want to make beautiful music that means something."  Transition was recorded over a 10-month period during breaks in Lukather’s juggernaut 2012 touring schedule, which included dates with Deep Purple’s Ian Gillan, the reunited Toto, the guitar-riffic G3 tour with Satriani and Vai, and Ringo Starr.  He reflects, "Honestly, playing with Ringo and Joe Satriani and Steve Vai, and my high school friends in Toto helped make this the best year of my life.  Getting the call from Ringo was a childhood fantasy realized.  I play music because of the Beatles, and to be standing on stage playing a Beatles song while I look back at the drum kit and see Ringo… unbelievable! He’s such a wise, funny and gracious man.” 
Lukather has also worked with George Harrison and Paul McCartney — just part of a historic resume that began when he was in his teens, playing recording sessions in LA and learning about life on the road with Boz Scaggs after Scaggs’ landmark album Silk Degrees.
 
A five-time Grammy Winner and member of the Musicians Hall of Fame, Lukather has worked with an A-list of fellow guitar giants: Eddie Van Halen, Robben Ford, Lee Ritenour, Larry Carlton, Slash, Zakk Wylde, Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton, Carlos Santana, and Joe Bonamassa among them. He’s also co-led Toto with fellow founder David Paich through every twist of the band’s platinum lined history while playing on albums by Michael Jackson, Warren Zevon, Aretha Franklin, Stevie Nicks, Don Henley, Miles Davis, Roger Waters, Cheap Trick and other rock and pop royalty. And he’s done all that while writing hits for the Tubes and George Benson, plus maintaining a parallel solo career of his own that began with his 1988 solo debut Lukather.
 
Seven solo albums later, Lukather reflects: “I’d like to say this is the best album I’ve ever made, but that’s a cliché. But I do think I’ve realized my goal of moving forward, so let me say that Transition is possibly the best reflectionl of who I am in 2012.”
 
Official links:
 
 
 
 

Frontiers Records Presents
20th Anniversary - Special Edition
Royal Hunt
 
 

Frontiers Records is pleased to announce the release of ROYAL HUNT celebrative Box Set release entitled “20th Anniversary – Special Edition” on November 23rd in Europe and January 21st in North America.
 
After the highly successful 20th anniversary tour in support of their latest album "Show Me How To Live", ROYAL HUNT celebrate the band’s 20th Anniversary with this very special “Best of” package including 3 CDs and one DVD.
 
The release will include the best Royal Hunt songs from all 11 albums, a brand new song plus 3 newly recorded acoustic version of three additional songs and a DVD including all the promotional videoclips shot by the band during their long ride...
 
The tracklisting shows the incredible amount of amazing songs that the band wrote and performed during their long and successful career.
 
Disc 1:
Flight; Kingdom Dark; Stranded; Clown In The Mirror; Wasted Time; Epilogue; Time; Far Away; 1348; River Of Pain; Tearing Down The World; Message To God.


Disc 2:
Cold City Lights; Follow Me; Surrender; The Mission; Can’t Let Go; Paper Blood; Season’s Change; The First Of Rock; Tears Of The Sun; The Well; Shadowman; Hard Rain Is Coming; Half Past Loneliness.

Disc 3:
Save Me (New song); One by One (new recording, unplugged version) ; Bodyguard (new recording, unplugged version) ; Restless (new recording, unplugged version); Bad Luck; Double Conversion; U-Turn; Sixth Sense; Day is Dawning.

Disc 4 DVD:
Videoclips for:
Land of Broken Hearts, Day In Day Out, Clown in the Mirror, Far Away, Last Goodbye, Stay Down, River of Pain, Tearing Down the World, Martial Arts, Third Stage, Wasted Time, Interview, Message to God.


 
Royal Hunt mastermind, writer and keyboard player Andre Andersen says: “To our fans, this will be a great journey through memory lane and for the new fans, a chance to poses a sample of the BEST there is to offer from the Royalty itself! Enjoy!”.
 
 
ROYAL HUNT is:


Andre Andersen - keyboards
DC Cooper - vocals
Allan Sorensen - drums
Andreas Passmark . bass
Jonas Larsen - guitars
 
Official weblinks:



 
 
And Finally ... And by no mean least ...

FIREFEST 2013
 
Melodic hard rock fans around the world are you ready for the annual premier event of the AOR / Melodic Rock world, that takes place in the UK, every October?
 
Yes, it's Firefest 2013 - 10th Anniversary event!
No bands / artists named yet, but they promise it will be special!
Here's the poster to get you warmed up!
 
 
 
Official weblinks:
 
 
 
 

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Monday, November 5, 2012

Rock News Update for Monday November 5th, 2012


Hi folks,

Well the cold and flu got a hold of our household this past week and as effective and timely as it was, it decided to knock me for six from Friday evening, really until early evening Sunday ... Nice, steal my weekend away from me and my family, wicked germs ...

Ah well, hope you enjoyed the Asia review, it was a great gig, such talent.
Anyway, on with some updates and again apologies if some of you have already read these stories on other sites. I really would have posted them sooner, but it was a hectic week last week.

Here's wishing my UK readers a Happy (Hopefully safe!) Guy Fawkes night!

Hope you have a good week folks,
Cheers, Al 
 

Michael Schenker announces "Temple of Rock: Live in Europe" CD / DVD / Blu-Ray release


 
 
 
inakustik is pleased to announce the December 3rd release of Michael Schenker’s “Temple of Rock: Live in Europe” that will be released on CD, DVD, Blu-ray and as a Limited Deluxe Edition containing all 3 formats.
This essential live rock’n’roll release includes songs performed live in Tilburg, The Netherlands in May 2012, and at London’s High Voltage Festival in 2011.
 
 
Schenker sees his music as a building block in the construction of the Temple Of Rock. "The Temple is almost finished," explains Michael. “The foundation was laid in the 60s by Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple and Black Sabbath. The walls were then built by UFO and others in the 70s. By the 80s it was further reinforced by the likes of the Scorpions, and many more influential rock bands.”
 
 
The Tilburg gig,  recorded May 2012, features Schenker (lead guitar), Doogie White (vocals), Herman Rarebell (drums), Francis Buchholz (bass) and Wayne Findley (rhythm guitar, keyboards). London's 2011 High Voltage Festival features Michael Voss (vocals), Rudolf Schenker (The Scorpions) who plays rhythm guitar on “Rock You Like a Hurricane”, “Hanging On” and “Doctor Doctor”, UFO’s Pete Way who plays bass guitar on “Doctor Doctor”, and vocalists Jeff Scott Soto (ex-Journey) and Doogie White, who both sing on “Doctor Doctor”.
 
 
Live In Tilburg – Track Listing
1.      Into The Arena
2.      Armed And Ready
3.      Lovedrive
4.      Another Piece Of Meat
5.      Hanging On
6.      Cry For The Nations
7.      Let Sleeping Dogs Lie
8.      Coast To Coast
9.      Assault Attack
10.  Before The Devil Knows You’re Dead
11.  Lights Out
12.  On And On
13.  Let It Roll
14.  Shoot Shoot
15.  Rock You Like A Hurricane
16.  Rock Bottom
17.  Holiday
18.  Blackout
19.  Doctor Doctor
 
 
Live At High Voltage - Track Listing
1.      Armed And Ready
2.      Another Piece Of Meat
3.      Rock You Like A Hurricane (ft. Rudolph Schenker)
4.      Hanging On (ft. Rudolph Schenker)
5.      Doctor Doctor (ft. Rudolph Schenker)


Click HERE to read the official online press release.
Click HERE to read about Schenker’s April 2013 UK Tour.
 
Official website:
 



ASIA Resonance : The Omega Tour to be released in a Deluxe CD/DVD package by Frontiers in November



Frontiers Records is pleased to announce the release of ASIA’s newest live package "Resonance" on November 23rd in Europe and November 27th in North America to coincide with the band’s forthcoming tour.

Recorded on May 4th 2010 in Basel, Switzerland, this new ASIA live 2CD / DVD captures the band, featuring the original line-up of Geoff Downes, Steve Howe, Carl Palmer and John Wetton in front of an ecstatic audience during one of the shows on the “Omega” World Tour.

Filmed with 18 HD cameras, this live recording is truly a rewarding experience for all ASIA fans. After the polished Japanese DVD "Fantasia", ASIA released ’Spirit of the Night’ from the Cambridge Festival two years later. ’Spirit’ was a high-energy, end-of festival document. This is Asia resonating the Z7 on an “Omega” night in Central Europe: “ASIA live on the road, in-your face and for your pleasure,” says John Wetton.

The set list features songs from their first two reunion albums “Phoenix” and “Omega”, along with a selection of the classics from the 1982 debut album and their 1983 follow-up 'Alpha.' The recording is a historical document of where the band was at the time and a snapshot of their musicianship, camaraderie and passion.

This live 2CD / DVD is released exclusively in a lavish digipak edition and is an irreplaceable companion to the studio album.
"Resonance" tracklisting includes:

CD1: I Believe; Only Time Will Tell; Holy War; Never Again; Through My Veins; Don't Cry; All’s A Chord; The Valley Of Rocks; The Smile Has Left Your Eyes; Open Your Eyes.

CD2: Finger On The Trigger; Time Again; An Extraordinary Life; End Of The World; The Heat Goes On; Sole Survivor; Go; Heat Of The Moment.

DVD: I Believe; Only Time Will Tell; Holy War; Never Again; Through My Veins; Don't Cry; All’s A Chord; The Valley Of Rocks; The Smile Has Left Your Eyes; Open Your Eyes; Finger On The Trigger; Time Again; An Extraordinary Life; End Of The World; The Heat Goes On; Sole Survivor; Go; Heat Of The Moment.

Enjoy a sneak peak of the forthcoming DVD - Only Time Will Tell - following the link below: http://youtu.be/_5Jkw9tQVvU




ASIA is
Geoff Downes: keyboards
Steve Howe: guitars
Carl Palmer: drums
John Wetton: lead vocal and bass

ASIA TOUR DATES:

Already played:

31st October 2012 Pittsburgh, PA Carnegie Hall of Homestead United States - Gone
1st November 2012 Royal Oak, MI Royal Oak United States - Gone
Review link here:
http://www.chambersofrock.blogspot.com/2012/11/asia-live-at-royal-oak-music-theatre.html

2nd November 2012 St. Charles, IL Arcada Theatre United States - Gone
3rd November 2012 Sloan, IA Winnavegas Casino Showroom United States - Gone

Remaining live US dates:

7th November 2012 San Francisco, CA The Regency Ballroom United States
8th November 2012 Santa Ynez, CA Churmash Casino United States
9th November 2012 Agoura Hills, CA Canyon Club United States
10th November 2012 Las Vegas, NV Green Valley Casino United States
11th November 2012 San Juan Capistrano, CA Coach House United States
13th November 2012 Scottsdale, AZ Talking Stick Casino United States
15th November 2012 Houston, TX House of Blues United States
16th November 2012 Dallax, TX Granada Theater United States
17th November 2012 Austin, TX One World Theatre United States
19th November 2012 Atlanta, GA Variety Playhouse United States
20th November 2012 Clearwater, FL Capitol Theatre United States
21st November 2012 Orlando, FL FL Plaza Theatre United States
23rd November 2012 Manistee, MI Little River Casino Resort United States

UK live dates:

15th December 2012 Tavistock The Wharf United Kingdom
16th December 2012 Holmfirth The Picturedrome United Kingdom
17th December 2012 Edinburgh Queens Hall United Kingdom
19th December 2012 Salisbury City Hall United Kingdom
20th December 2012 Birmingham Town Hall United Kingdom
21st December 2012 Manchester RNCM United Kingdom
22nd December 2012 London Shepherds Bush Empire United Kingdom

Official Website:
www.originalasia.com


URIAH HEEP US TOUR
BREAKING NEWS
 
 
 
 
Uriah Heep are another band that has had to make some tour date changes due to the effects and devastation of Hurricane Sandy.

The band is still on tour in support of last studio album, the excellent 'Into The Wild.'

Due to the hurricane and rescheduling, some venues have had to be postponed to next year.
That the band was all set to come in last Wednesday as planned but then American Airlines cancelled their flight into JFK and were not able to fly the whole party into Raleigh, the only other airport operating within tour bus distance of the first venue.
 
Additionally, many East Coast roads remained closed, trailers have been banned in some areas, and the band’s agents could not get the necessary unequivocal assurance that all venues would be open.
 
For these and other reasons, the tour had to be rescheduled and so these are the new live dates starting tonight in Pennsylvania:
 
11/05/2012 Warrendale Jergel's Rhythm Grille Pennsylvania
11/08/2012 Potawatomi Casino / Northern Lights Theatre Milwaukee WI
11/09/2012 Potawatomi Casino / Northern Lights Theatre Milwaukee WI
11/10/2012 Durty Nellies Palatine IL
11/11/2012 Twisted Spoke Saloon Tremont IL
11/12/2012 Jergel's Rhythm Grille Warrendale PA
11/13/2012 Havana New Hope PA
11/14/2012 B.B. King Blues Club New York NY - Rescheduled from Nov. 4th.
11/15/2012 Maryland Live! Casino Hanover MD
11/16/2012 River Spirit Casino Tulsa OK 

  
Ed's note: Still wish they'd added a Detroit date ... How long has it been ...?!
Sadly been missed from the last three US Tours by the band too, ah well ...

Official website:



Classic Quo to hit the road
 
Status Quo's classic line up featuring Francis Rossi, Rick Parfitt, Alan Lancaster and John Coghlan have regrouped and agreed to play limited live UK dates, following the interest in the documentary 'Hello Quo.'
The live dates are:
Glasgow Academy March 10
Manchester Apollo 12
Wolverhampton Civic Hall 13
London Hammersmith Apollo 15-17
Tickets are £50/£42.50 for London and £48.50/£38.50 for the other dates, and go on general sale at 9am on Friday, November 16.
The band say that this does not change any of their plans with the current Quo line up's December live dates.
Official website:



TRACER add Glasgow concert to April 2013 UK Tour




Following their “Best New Band” nomination at Classic Rock’s Roll of Honour Awards, Australian rock band TRACER have added the Glasgow o2 ABC (April 13) to their 2013 UK tour.
Their return to the UK dovetails the follow-up to their debut album “Spaces In Between”.


The new, as-yet-untitled album will be produced by Kevin Shirley (Iron Maiden, Led Zeppelin, Cold Chisel), and is planned for March release.
Tickets for next year’s tour can be booked online from ordered from www.thegigcartel.com, or call the box office on 0844 478 0898.

Tracer features Michael Brown (guitar, vocals), Andre Wise (drums), and new bassist, Pat Saracino. Tracer has received unanimous praise from the UK’s rock press, including Classic Rock, Metal Hammer, Total Guitar, Powerplay, Guitarist, Rock Sound and Fireworks.
The promo video for the explosive single Too Much has generated 100,000 hits on YouTube.

Official Tour Dates:

Tue 09 April    London Scala
Wed 10 April   Bristol Tunnels
Thu 11 April    York Fibbers
Fri 12 April      Sheffield Plug
Sat 13 April     Glasgow o2 ABC

Read the official press release here:

http://www.noblepr.co.uk/Press_Releases/tracer/april-tour.htm



Gregg Allman "I'm No Angel: Live On Stage"
Available on December 11 
 



 
On December 11, Cherry Red Records will release Gregg Allman "I'm No Angel: Live On Stage" in North America via MVD Entertainment Group.

The DVD features a full length concert from Gregg Allman and his band at The Cannery, Nashville, USA in November 1988. Amongst the songs featured are Billboard chart hit single 'I'm No Angel' and a version of Blind Willie McTell's 'Statesboro Blues' (a famous part of The Allman Brothers Band's live sets).
 


 
 



Tracklist:1. Don't Want You No More
2. It's My Cross To Bear
3. Sweet Feeling
4. Just Before The Bullets Fly
5. Fear Of Falling
6. Demons
7. I'm No Angel
8. Statesboro' Blues
9. Slip Away
10. One Way Out
Gregg Allman is one of the most celebrated rock musicians of all time. He first came to prominence with his brother Duane as The Allman Brothers Band in the early 1970's. As lead singer and keyboard player, Gregg was a vital part of the band's huge success on albums such as "Idlewild South" and "At Fillmore East".

After Duane Allman's death in 1971, Gregg continued with The Allman Brothers Band in its various guises - scoring four US top ten albums, and also launched his own solo career.
 


Allman continues to record and play live to present day, both solo and as part of The Allman Brothers Band, who were inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in 1995 and were given the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2012.

Preorder: 
 
Official Allman Brothers website:
 
 
 
 
 
VENREZ SPEAK THEIR MIND ON THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE WITH NEW SINGLE/VIDEO, "SELL THE LIE"
 

The recent debates between U.S. President Barack Obama and the Republican Party's nominee for President in the 2012 election, Mitt Romney, has been one of the main topics of discussion in the media.
And while Venrez's song, "Sell the Lie," was written prior to the debates, the group's singer, Steven Berez, couldn’t help but realize the aforementioned song tied in with his feelings about what he witnessed on television.
 
 
 
 
As Berez explains, "When I began watching the current 2012 election debates, the art of selling lies became so crystal clear that I felt it was absolutely necessary to re-edit the video off our current album, which is also the title track, 'Sell the Lie.'"
 
"Both candidates flipping back and forth on their positions, both accusing the other of not being the right man for the job. My view is that they are both right. Neither one deserves to be president. Our great country needs an honest leader who will always feel the needs of our people with their heart and soul, and love our country for all the right reasons. We don't need lies, we need compassion and leadership."
 
Originally, it was another set of events that served as the song's basis, however. "I wrote the song a couple years ago when I was feeling disdain for the loss of the lives of our boys and girls in the Armed Forces, while fighting wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. I was horrified by the collateral damage resulting in the death of innocent men, women and children who lived in those countries. To me it was easily explained as blood for oil and high level corporate greed."
And now, a video has been shot for "Sell the Lie," which features footage the band filmed on their tour this past summer (while opening for shock rock legend Alice Cooper), and can be viewed on their official site - http://venreztheband.com/.
 
Comprised of Berez (whose last syllables of his first and last name serve as the group’s nom de plum), guitarists Jason Womack and Alex Kane, bassist Michael Bradford, and drummer Ed Davis, the Los Angeles-based group issued their debut full-length, ‘Sell the Lie,’ via Monarch Music Group, LLC (distributed through Megaforce/RED/Sony) on February 28th, 2012, and have since toured with some of rock's biggest names, including Cooper and Fuel, among others, with west coast dates this November with Trapt.
 
It is Venrez's hope that more artists and citizens in general will start to demand more from their leaders. And with the new single/video, "Sell the Lie," the group is making their voice heard - loud and clear.
 
FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT: http://venreztheband.com/
 
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