Friday, May 7, 2010

The Scorpions - Sting In The Tail CD review

The Scorpions – Sting In The Tail CD review
The Scorpions, to be honest and if you really think about it, have had just as impressive a career as possibly any other major rock act and so no surprise that they are looking to call it quits in the game, on a high!
Why do I say that? Well, the new album here, ‘Sting in the Tail’ is a release that should really please most of the bands loyal fans, especially after their last release, ‘Humanity Hour 1’ that seemed to receive a mixed reception from fans of the band. I for one thought it was an excellent release, a little different and definitely looking for that conceptual angle in its overall presentation.

The band is probably best known for its live act, which I can certainly bare witness to, having seen the band live on 4 of their UK tours and twice here in the US and I’m hoping to see them on this tour too as they have certainly not disappointed me!
It’s ironic also because typically The Scorpions seem to have been a band that will often shift more album sales, after a tour just because of how good they are live, but what I can tell you here, is this album seems to capture possibly the best elements of their many years of recorded material.

Starting with what to a certain degree sounds like a re-write of ‘Rock You Like A Hurricane,’ in ‘Raised on Rock,’ so no bad thing there! Have to laugh a little as Klaus Meine even sings, ‘I was born in a hurricane …,’ in the very first line! Little side note though, is it just me or does the verse almost come across a bit like ZZ Top’s ‘Sharp Dressed Man,’ with how the song is phrased?!
Oh and yes, the lyrics I have to say are just a little on the clichéd side, but it all works here!

Title track ‘Sting in the Tail’ is next and I have to get this off my chest right now, it almost sounds like ‘Lovedrive’ period Scorpions and that guitar solo, if I didn’t know better I’d say was Michael Schenker!

The tone and style just reeks of Rudolf’s brother Michael’s playing …
The track does have a part that I’m not over keen on with the sub-rap pre-chorus, ‘Yo yo, I got to go …,’
But otherwise the song is true to Scorpions style.

In ‘Slave Me’ it’s stop start riffing from the start, with a grinding vibe, in say a fashion like ‘Sammy Hagar’s 'Heavy Metal,’ which is OK but the sub-spoken piece just before the guitar solo is a little disappointing, but then again the song is in general something that keeps the band current, even with it being the last studio release, apparently …

‘The Good Die Young’ has Klaus again doing the sub-talk routine for each verse, but the chorus is great stuff and musically the song is right where Scorpions fans should be pleased.

Drums kick off next track ‘No Limit’ which cranks with true Scorpions pace and then ‘Rock Zone’ gives a slight nod to AC/DC or even G ‘N’ R if you ask me, intense is too small a statement and the band is seriously rocking out here and the solo is immense!

Time to take things down with a ballad next, that we all know The Scorpions can write all too well and ‘Lorelei’ is no exception to the rule with its haunting vibe. Nice stuff.

‘Turn You On’ is a mid paced, almost chug along rocker that then takes an interesting turn mid way through prior to the solo and again it’s big choruses that resound throughout this album and strong hooks. It’s probably a lot more instant than the last release, ‘Humanity Hour 1.’

‘Sly’ tells an emotional tale and is true power ballad material which again is nicely done.

Is it me or does ‘Spirit of Rock’ start with an almost ‘Born to be Wild’ like riff into the verse, before the strong chant chorus which almost rises with Boston like harmony vocals in places, but a fairly basic rocker overall.

Ending with ‘The Best Is Yet to Come’ is an ironic statement if this really is the bands last studio release. It’s almost written in a ‘Winds of Change’ manner to be honest and there’s nothing wrong with that but it does mean surprisingly that it’s power ballad time again for the third occasion on ‘Sting In the Tail.

I guess we’d have perhaps expected these guys to go out in a blaze of rockin’ glory, so 3 of the 11 tracks here being on the lighter side is to me, a bit of a surprise.
Still, all said and done these guys have really come up with an album that as I said before grabs elements of the bands very best material, so good stuff in my opinion.

How original is the new material? It’s really not and yes, there are many clichés here but I think overall Scorpions fans will be very happy with this release. Here’s to that farewell tour!
Raised on rock, oh yeah, you’d better believe it, even with the ballads taken into account, there’s much here to prove the Scorpions still have a sting in their tail!
Rating: 4 out of 5.
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Rock News for Thursday 6th May, 2010

Heaven and Hell 2010 Tour Dates cancelled

It seems something is not quite right in the Heaven and Hell (Dio era Black Sabbath) camp, who had set up a reasonable amount of European tour dates ahead in 2010, although it had previously been stated that all was dependant upon Ronnie James Dio making a full recovery from cancer.

At the Heaven and Hell website - http://heavenandhelllive.com/site/ - a statement was posted - by management or who? - as follows:
"We have to announce that all forthcoming Heaven & Hell European shows have been cancelled as sadly Ronnie isn't well enough to tour this summer. We hope that everyone understands and want to thank fans and industry colleagues for their continuing support at this time."
Heaven & Hell - May 4th, 2010

Then you look at the Dio website and a message appears that perhaps could be interpreted, that Ronnie (himself) and Wendy Dio are perhaps not happy with this decision ...?
The message there reads as follows:

Message From Ronnie 5/4/2010 3:09:34 PM
I would like to voice my great disappointment on the cancellation of the Heaven And Hell summer tour. Wendy, my doctors and I have worked so hard to make it happen for all of you, the ones we care so much about, that this set back could be devastating, but we will not let it be.
With your continued love and support, we ... will carry on and thrive.
There will be other tours, more music, more life and much more magic. RONNIE JAMES DIO

Interesting, watch this space I guess ...?!

UFO replace bass player

No, don't be thinking it's Pete Way that's been kicked out, nothing could be further from the truth. Although we all wonder when he may come out of the shadows, as it's been over a year since it was first announced of his illness for a liver complaint ...
UFO at that time back in February 2009 posted this message:

For a while now, Pete has been dealing with a medical condition which affects his liver, and he's currently undergoing treatment to cure it. The medication he's on makes him tired and dizzy, and he feels that taking part in the recording sessions and the hectic touring schedule would be too much for him at the moment, so he'll be taking some time out from UFO until he is match-fit.

But as we all know with Pete, he won't be able to stay away from rocknroll for long - so it's very likely that he'll be doing a few gigs here and there with Waysted.
We all wish him the very best and hope for a swift and full recovery.
We love ya Pete! Get well soon man.

No the latest news from the UFO camp is that tour bassist Barry Sparks has had to pull out due to a family member being seriously ill. This posted at UFO's website:
After the show in Bruchsal, Barry Sparks sadly had to leave the tour to fly home to Arizona

where a member of his family is seriously ill.
Hannover's Peter Pichl, who played bass on The Visitor album, has immediately travelled to Osnabrück
to stand in for Barry for the final three shows of this leg of the tour.
Our love and best wishes go out to Barry and his family. 
http://www.ufo-music.info/news.htm
Not good news at all and I also wish Barry's family well.

Win a pair of tickets to go to the movies with Rob Halford!

Enter for your chance to join Rob Halford of Judas Priest and celebrate the 30th Anniversary of British Steel! Click here to sign up for a chance to win a pair of tickets to attend the May 10th screening of the 30th Anniversary of British Steel in NYC! The screening is at 7pm and winners will also have the opportunity to watch a live question and answer session with Rob!

For more information or to sign up, click here: http://www.iheartradio.com/cc-common/contests/britishsteel2010

Info from here:
http://www.judaspriest.com/news/fullstory.asp?id=E9686B71-38EE-4720-9E6D-6DB5E6AD8F2B

Y & T Facemelter album preview available

Over at the online Y & T store, you can preview tracks off the forthcoming new album, 'Facemelter' due to be released soon!
Go here to listen to tracks:
http://store.meniketti.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=YTCD-FACEMLTR#

Asia announce last date to be added to 2010 US tour

As previously announced here, the original Asia line up will be touring the US from August and into September and the band has just announced the last date that they will add to their existing tour dates, in support of new album 'Omega.'
This from their website:
Final Date Added To US Omega Tour - Thursday, 06 May 2010
One more date has been added to the band's itinerary:
Aug 23rd - Majestic Theatre, San Antonio, TX
http://originalasia.com/index.php


The full US tour dates are as follows:
August 2010
Aug 2nd - Zeiterion Performing Arts Center, New Bedford, MA

Aug 3rd - Birchmere, Alexandria VA
Aug 5th - Penn's Peak, Jim Thorpe PA
Aug 6th - Theatre at Westbury, Westbury NY
Aug 7th - Showboat. Atlantic City NJ
Aug 8th - Ridgefield Playhouse, Ridgefield CT
Aug 10th - Bergen PAC, Englewood, NJ
Aug 12th - Market Block Party, Syracuse, NY
Aug 13th - House of Blues, Cleveland, OH
Aug 14th - Armory, Rochester, NY
Aug 15th - Carnegie Hall of Homestead, Pittsburgh, PA
Aug 17th - Memorial Auditorium, Raleigh, NC
Aug 18th - Variety Playhouse, Atlanta, GA
Aug 20th - House of Blues, Dallas, TX
Aug 21st - House of Blues, Houston, TX
Aug 22nd - Paramount Theatre, Austin, TX
Aug 23rd - Majestic Theatre, San Antonio, TX
Aug 25th - Celebrity Theatre, Phoenix, AZ
Aug 26th - Veijas Casino at DreamCatcher, Alpine, CA
Aug 27th - Club Nokia, Los Angeles, CA
Aug 28th - The Grove, Anaheim, CA
Aug 29th - The Uptown, Napa, CA
September 2010
Sep 1st - Laxon Auditorium, Chico, CA
Sep 2nd - Fox Theatre, Bakersfield, CA
Sep 3rd - Ovation at Green Valley Resort & Spa, Henderson, NV
Sep 4th - Peppermill Casino, Wendover, NV
Sep 5th - Nugget Casino, Sparks, NV
Sep 7th - Aladdin Theatre, Portland, OR
Sep 8th - Moore Theatre, Seattle, WA 

Jason Bonham update (From April 30th ...)

Yeah, one I missed while I was away, but when I saw it, I thought it was worth sharing, although quite who's involved besides Jason Bonham is beyond me.
Anyway, this was posted at: http://www.jasonbonham.net/diary.html

Jason Bonham's Led Zeppelin Experience - April 30, 2010
Well looks like the cat is out of the bag!
First off, I would like to correct the news that broke today on the world wide web. I read today that I would be performing the Led Zep story! Well, what I will be doing is 30 shows in memory of my father, as its 30 years since he left this world this September 25th, 2010.


I have always loved playing the music of Led Zeppelin and after such a great night back in 2007 at the 02 Arena, I took an opportunity to do a very special show which would look at my life with the music of Led Zeppelin. Old photos, home movies and videos would help take you on a journey into my life, from my earliest memories right up to the 02 show .


There is still a lot of work to do on this project and I want to make sure it's done tastefully and with the detail it deserves! Thanks for all the emails and good wishes and even the bad ones, it all helps, really it does.
- Cheers JB
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Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Rock News for Wednesday 5th May, 2010

Hi all, yes I'm back and it's been a long day - Up since 4am UK time and it's now 8.50pm here in the US of A! - and the rest of the Williams clan is out for the count, I'm sure I won't last too much longer!
Anyway, without any further delay, here we go!

Bret Michaels looks set to make full recovery!

Well, I'm happy to have some good news to start with, based on this story posted on the BBC website.
It seems, Poison singer Bret Michaels has been discharged from hospital and is expected to recover completely from a brain haemorrhage, doctors have said.

The 47-year-old has been advised to wait up to six weeks before resuming regular activity.
Medical experts have declined to say when the rock star might resume touring.
Doctors at the Phoenix medical centre where the singer was treated said they will examine him every two weeks until he is declared fully fit.

"This produces a great deal of stress on the body. This is like being involved in an accident from inside," said Dr Joseph Zabramski.
He also declined to confirm whether Michaels had gone home or into a rehabilitation facility.
For the full story go here:

It also seems that Michaels has already been speaking to People magazine as well, based on this posted at Classic Rock magazine from news at the rockers website:
Michaels revealed to the People magazine exactly what has got him through this terrifying ordeal:

“I opened my eyes and was like: ‘I am so thankful. I’m lucky to be alive.’ It just wasn’t my time yet! I’m a believer it’s a combination of will and faith [that kept me alive]. Will — and good medical attention — and faith.”
More on that here:
His website is here:

Michael Schenker updates continue - 30th Anniversary tour

This 'Note from Michael' over at his website, indicates the that his current 'MSG World Tour' will continue on into 2010!

'The MSG - 30th Anniversary - (Special Line-up) World Tour will continue in Europe and North America celebrating 30 Years of The Michael Schenker Group!
All the best
Michael'
The dates posted at his site currently read as such:

MSG 30th Anniversary World Tour — European Dates
May 2010
MAY 21 2010 Faktoria D'Arts Terrassa ESP
MAY 23 2010 Sala Heineken Madrid ESP
MAY 27 2010 Millennium Music Hall Cardiff WAL
MAY 28 2010 Civic Hall Wolverhampton ENG
MAY 30 2010 02 Academy Liverpool ENG
June 2010
JUN 02 2010 Shepherd's Bush Empire London ENG
JUN 04 2010 Tell Saal Ostermundigen SWI
JUN 05 2010 Halles des Congres La Bresse FRA
JUN 11 2010 Sweden RockFestival Sölvesborg SWE
July 2010
JUL 01 2010 Ulmer Zelt Festival Ulm GER
JUL 02 2010 Classic Rock Night Ratshaussen GER
JUL 03 2010 Open Air Holledau Unterempfenbach GER
JUL 09 2010 Culturpodium Boerderij Zoetermeer HOL
JUL 10 2010 Spirit of 66l Verviers BEL
JUL 11 2010 Bospop Festival Weert HOL

MSG 30th Anniversary World Tour 2010 — North American Dates
DATE VENUE CITY COUNTRY
July 2010
JUL 15 2010 Brixton Redondo Beach, CA USA
JUL 16 2010 Galazxy Theatre Santa Ana, CA USA
JUL 18 2010 Brick By Brick San Diego USA
JUL 21 2010 Back Stage Live SA San Antonio, TX USA
JUL 24 2010 Zoo Amphitheatre (Rock N America Festival) Oklahoma City, OK USA
JUL 27 2010 Showcase Live Foxborough, MA USA
JUL 28 2010 Altar Bar Pittsburgh, PA USA
JUL 29 2010 Starland Ballroom Sayerville, NJ USA
JUL 30 2010 Jaxx Springfield, VA USA
JUL 31 2010 The Fillmore New York at Irving Plaza New York, NY USA
August 2010
AUG 01 2010 The Crazy Donkey Farmingdale, NY USA
AUG 02 2010 The Hideout Binghampton USA
AUG 04 2010 Scatz Nightclub Middleton, WI USA
AUG 8 2010 Tower Theatre Fresno, CA USA
AUG 11 2010 Studio Seven Seattle, WA USA
AUG 13 2010 The Last Day Saloon Santa Rosa, CA USA
AUG 14 2010 Pepperbelly's Fairfield, CA USA
AUG 15 2010 The Avalon Santa CLara USA

INTHESTUDIO CELEBRATES 35TH ANNIVERSARY OF BAD COMPANY'S STRAIGHT SHOOTER

U.S. syndicated radio show InTheStudio celebrates the 35th Anniversary of Bad Company's second album Straight Shooter. InTheStudio producer and Host Redbeard interviews Paul Rodgers, Mick Ralphs and Simon Kirke about life in the band while recording this sophomore effort.

To find out where to listen or to listen online, visit: http://www.inthestudio.net/
Also:

Triumph to appear on Rockline Radio

Triumph will be the featured guests on the nationally syndicated radio show Rockline with host Bob Coburn on Wednesday, May 19, 2010 at 8:30 pm PDT/11:30 pm EDT. Fans are encouraged to speak with the band by calling 1-800-344-ROCK (7625). For a station near you and for information regarding how to log onto the Internet for the broadcast go to http://www.rocklineradio.com/ This broadcast will be available for two weeks on the Rockline website beginning the evening of the day following the show.

This will originate at Q107 studios in Toronto. The Mighty Q may not carry the show. Call the station to insist that they do!!!!

ROB HALFORD CONFIRMS MONTREAL HEAVY MTL FESTIVAL APPEARANCE - JULY 24th, 2010!

Rob Halford has confirmed his solo band 'Halford' will perform July 24, 2010 at Montreal, Canada's 2nd Annual Heavy MTL Festival. Tickets and additional details available soon at http://www.heavymtl.com/ and http://www.robhalford.com/
“I am excited to re-introduce the Halford band: Mike Chlasciak and Roy Z. on guitars, Mike Davis on bass and Bobby Jarzombek on drums to the Metal fans in Canada this summer,” explains Rob Halford. “We are looking forward to performing a strong set and unveiling a new track for the Montreal Heavy MTL Festival.”

Metal God Records and Rob Halford are pleased to release 'Halford - Live In Anaheim' Original 2CD Soundtrack (6/21), 'Halford Crucible - Remixed & Remastered' (7/12) and 'Halford - Live In Anaheim DVD' (8/3) a 5.1, 23-Song, 2+hour film documenting Rob Halford's 2002 - 2003 solo release (Crucible) and tour.

Armed with Metal's most diverse band of the decade, Halford - Live In Anaheim is an intimate, in-your-face, solo performance featuring Halford, Fight and Judas Priest classics: Golgotha, The Heretic, Sun, Into The Pit, Light Comes Out Of Black, Painkiller, Rapid Fire, Never Satisfied, and more. Also featured are Bonus LIVE tracks from Halford's Tokyo, Japan performances February 2003.

Stay in touch with Rob Halford and his Halford band members at http://www.robhalford.com/ throughout 2010 for NEW Halford music, digital releases and Metal God Apparel, limited concert ticket giveaways, limited meet-and-greets, tour dates, news and more!!

New unreleased STYX song available for download FREE!

A new unreleased STYX song is available for download, absolutely FREE!
This posted over at the Styx site:

STYX - Difference In the World

"Difference In the World," a brand-new and previously unreleased STYX song is available for FREE here on http://www.styxworld.com/! Just click here - http://store.styxworld.com/mailinglist/ - to join our mailing list and get the song!

 Foreigner announce new drummer

Jason Sutter To Be New Foreigner Drummer!


Following a three year stint with Chris Cornell, drummer Jason Sutter will hit the road with Foreigner this month replacing Brian Tichy. Said band founder Mick Jones "Since Brian rejoined the band over two years ago he has helped propel Foreigner to new heights. We all have nothing but love and respect for him and wish him all the best for the future." The bands' summer tour with Kansas and Styx takes them on a 35 show nationwide tour that will be followed by a number of European festival events.
Follow Foreigner updates here:

NEW EXTREME VIDEO RELEASED - First Of 4 Videos
AOL & NOISECREEP - 24 HOUR EXCLUSIVE PREMIER APRIL 28TH  - ‘KING OF THE LADIES”

“TAKE US ALIVE” NOW RELEASED IN THE USA

HOLLYWOOD, CA (April 27, 2010) –Never before seen video KING OF THE LADIES from EXTREME’S studio album Saudades De Rock premiers live on AOL Music and Noisecreep on April 28th at 11am EST - http://www.noisecreep.com/ or http://www.music.aol.com/

This is one of four videos created and directed by EXTREME guitar virtuoso Nuno Bettencourt.
The video is from their critically acclaimed 2009 studio release Saudades De Rock, which released upon their reunion after a 13 year hiatus. KING OF THE LADIES is also 1 of 4 bonus videos on their new live CD and DVD release TAKE US ALIVE out May 4 on Frontiers Records USA.

TAKE US ALIVE captures EXTREME at the peak of their game with a renewed enthusiasm led by Gary Cherone’s spellbinding stage performance and powerful vocals, Nuno Bettencourt’s ferocious guitar, Pat Badger’s flawless bass and Kevin Figueiredo’s pounding drums not to mention the Extreme trademark, spot on, back-up vocals.


This brilliant performance was recorded on the last night of their tour at the House of Blues August 8, 2009 in EXTREME’s hometown of Boston, MA . “We wanted to do something really special for our hometown fans that were there for us since the beginning… the club days,” states Nuno. “It was the last night of the tour and we couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate than by bringing it back to where it all started… Boston.”

“Classic Albums” - Eagle Rock’s Highly Acclaimed DVD Series Erupts With The Story Of
BLACK SABBATH - PARANOID - Honoring The Album’s 40th Anniversary ~ On DVD and Blu-ray June 29


New York, NY (April 26, 2010)—It was big, menacing, controversial…and an absolute masterpiece.
On June 29, Eagle Rock Entertainment’s acclaimed and award-winning Classic Albums series will uncover the story of its making. Black Sabbath: Classic Albums – Paranoid is released, just in time for the 40th anniversary of the album.

The Classic Albums series unwinds the threads of mystery behind artistic genius, recounting the experiences behind the board and through every chord. Unearthing the creative process of definitive albums from Elvis Presley, The Doors, Frank Zappa, Nirvana, Meat Loaf, Phil Collins, Bob Marley and many others, it will now dive into Black Sabbath’s 1970 tour de force.

Throughout the 97 minutes of this documentary, original members Ozzy Osbourne (vocals), Tony Iommi (guitar), Geezer Butler (bass), and Bill Ward (drummer), along with their original engineer, deliver the story behind Paranoid. The DVD chronicles the creation of the locomotive force and unrelenting energy behind these tracks, which ignited an electrified and unforeseen brand of blues-rock. The comprehensive collection of interviews, demonstrations, archive videos, and feature cuts from timeless epics such as “War Pigs,” “Iron Man,” and the title track, is complemented with 40 minutes of bonus features. For the first time a classic album title is also released on Blu-Ray.
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