[27 December 2006]

TALISMAN will postpone their Farewell tour. Here's a statement from Jeff Scott Soto:

"Hello everyone, I speak for myself & the rest of Talisman regarding the recent tour dates announced.

I regret to inform you that the planned Farewell Tour for Talisman has had to be postponed. The team had done everything they could to ensure that the whole band be 100% available and, having waited for the various announcements we pressed the send button. However some of the dates were awaiting full confirmation and there were still one or two pending questions whether the timing worked alongside myself and one other band member. If we're to do this tour, it is imperative to us & you the fans to get the lineup you're expecting on a farewell tour, it wouldn't make sense to bring in a former member or even new player in closing this chapter of one of the most important entities of my career & life.

I hope you do realize it's nothing further than simple timing preventing us moving forward with the existing dates, I do hope & plan to readdress this whole thing, possibly adding more dates than were posted, later this year when some of us are freed up of prior commitments. My apologies to all our fans & friends alike, we are all disappointed now but know this is for the better so we can do it properly later... & potentially longer!"
www.jeffscottsoto.com

TIMO KOTIPELTO will release his new single "Sleep Well" on 10 January. The song is the theme song to the new movie "V2 - Jäätynyt Enkeli", which will premiere two days after the single release. The single will also contain a previously unreleased track "Te Amaré", a ballad with spanish lyrics. The third Kotipelto album "Serenity" will be released later, no official release date has been announced.
www.kotipelto.com
Kotipelto at MySpace

BIRD OF PREY is pleased to announce a reenergized lineup. Complimenting the nucleus of vocalist Kyle Michaels (Ravage, Masi, Animal, Geezer Butler), guitarist Andrew Haller (Original Sin) and bassist Danny Weymouth, are drummer Dean Maltese (Radakka, Slick) and guitarist Jack Frost (Savatage, Seven Witches, The Bronx Casket Company, Metalium).

A wealth of collaborative material is currently being demo’d, and rehearsals being coordinated. BIRD OF PREY would also like to thank the many talented producers and musicians who have taken an active interest in the band.
Bird Of Prey at MySpace

WINGER will release a double CD collection featuring all of the demos recorded in preparation of their three albums in the late eighties/early nineties. "Demo Anthology" will be released on 23 March 2007 by Frontiers, and it will include several tracks not on any Winger album.

Tracklistings for the albums (* = non-album track):

CD1 - Madalaine; Hungry; Seventeen, State Of Emergency; Time To Surrender; Hangin' On; Headed For A Heartbreak; Only Love (*); Can't Get Enough; Loosen Up; Easy Come Easy Go; Rainbow In The Rose; In The Day We'll Never See; Under One Condition; Little Dirty Blonde; Star Tripper (*); You Are The Saint I Am The Sinner; In The Heart of The Young.

CD2 - All I Ever Wanted (*); Skin Tight (*); Never (*); Someday Someway (*); Blind Revolution Mad; Down Incognito; Spell I'm Under; Hour Of Need; Junkyard Dog; The Lucky One; In For The Kill; No Man's Land; Like A Ritual; Who's The One; Written In The Wind (*); Until There Was You (*); Without Warning (*); Give Me More (*)

"I think this is a very interesting release from a fan's perspective" says Kip Winger, "it shows how much the songs progressed from the early stages and also gives the fans the possibility to discover some hidden gems never released on any album, but that I thought was time to somehow release officially".

In addition, Winger have lined up an U.S. tour to promote their latest album "IV". More dates might be added to the tour, including possible Spring shows in Europe.

Dec 31 2006 - Station Square Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Feb 1 2007 - Mulcahy's Long Island, New York
Feb 2 2007 - Harper's Ferry Boston, Massachusetts
Feb 3 2007 - Stone Pony Asbury Park, New Jersey
Feb 5 2007 - Webster Theatre Hartford, Connecticut
Feb 7 2007 - Amos' Southend Charlotte, North Carolina
Feb 10 2007 - The Culture Room Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
Feb 11 2007 - State Theater St. Petersburg, Florida
Feb 12 2007 - Mojo Room Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 15 2007 - House of Blues Cleveland, Ohio
Feb 16 2007 - Alrosa Villa Columbus, Ohio
Feb 17 2007 - Harpo's Detroit, Michigan
Feb 18 2007 - House Of Blues Chicago, Illinois
Feb 22 2007 - The Yukon Loveland, Colorado
Feb 23 2007 - Jake's Tavern Gilette, Wyoming
Feb 24 2007 - Hubba's House of Rock & Roll Denver, Colorado
Feb 25 2007 - Mesa Theater Grand Junction, Colorado
Mar 2 2007 - Velvet Jones Santa Barbara, California
Mar 3 2007 - Galaxy Anaheim, California
Mar 5 2007 - Metal Skool @ Key Club Los Angeles, California
Mar 8 2007 - The Palladium Dallas, Texas
Mar 9 2007 - Scout Bar Houston, Texas

PLACES OF POWER is a new band featuring two familiar names for the AOR fans. Bruce Turgon (ex FOREIGNER, SHADOW KING, LOU GRAMM, ATOMIC PLAYBOYS) and Philip Bardowell (ex UNRULY CHILD, MAGDALEN) have started working together on a blistering set of new songs and have christened this new partnership as PLACES OF POWER: a name which, according to Turgon, "is very strong and meaningful to this project".

"Philip and I have a great working relationship and we have both a personal and shared inner vision" comments Turgon about this new venture, adding "we've spoken a lot about the kind of record we wanted to make and we found out we were exactly on the same page musically".

The fans can expect a magnificent melodic Hard Rock release, set to blend the best elements of Turgon's songwriting and musicianship together with the acclaimed powerful vocals from Bardowell, in order to create a real musical milestone akin to the best FOREIGNER and SHADOW KING albums. Something to get very excited about and that is planned to be released at the end of the summer 07.

THUNDER have announced the European tour dates for their 2007 Spring tour in support of the newly released album "Robert Johnson's Tombstone". Those are:

Thursday 1 March - SPAIN, Madrid, Heneken
Friday 2 March - SPAIN, Barcelona, Razzmatazz 2
Saturday 3 March - SPAIN, Bergara, Sala Jam
Monday 5 March - FRANCE, Paris, La Boule Noire
Tuesday 6 March - BELGIUM, Vosselar, Biebob
Wednesday 7 March - HOLLAND, Zoetemeer, Boerderij
Friday 9 March - DENMARK, Copenhagen, The Rock
Saturday 10 March - DENMARK, Frederikshavn, Det Musiske Hus
Sunday 11 March - NORWAY, Oslo, Rockefeller
Tuesday 13 March - FINLAND, Tampere, Pakkahoune
Friday 16 March - POLAND, Warsaw, TBA
Saturday 17 March - CZECH REP., Prague, Retro Music Hall
Sunday 18 march - AUSTRIA, Vienna, Szene Wien
Tuesday 20 March - AUSTRIA, Salzburg, Rockhouse
Wednesday 21 March - GERMANY, Munich, Metropolis
Thursday 22 March - GERMANY, Hannover, Capitol
Saturday 24 March - GERMANY, Bochum, Matrix
Sunday 25 March - GERMANY, Stuttgart, LKA
Tuesday 27 March - ITALY, Milan, Rainbow
Wednesday 28 March - SWITZERLAND, Pratteln, Z7

THUNDER's brand new video "The Devil Made Me Do It" is available on Youtube.com:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Z9fb98jgDc

KINGDOM COME have launched their new video for the title track of their brand new album "Ain't Crying For The Moon" on Youtube.com as well! Check out these links: br>www.youtube.com/user/KingdomCome2006
www.youtube.com/watch?v=FRxx6sTpDU4

FRONTIERS are previewing four of their latest signings on their new MySpace page,
www.myspace.com/frontiersrecords . Fans will be able to discover INDIGO DYING, TWO OF A KIND, LOS ANGELES and one track from the upcoming DANTE FOX new album.

The new INDIGO DYING album, due in April/May 2007 was produced, recorded and mixed by Fabrizio Grossi at Noize Factor in Canyon Country, California with additional recording at The Studio in Huntington, New York by Don Chaffin. The lineup is formed by Gisa Vatcky (vocals), Mordechai "Mordy" Hauser (guitar), Fabrizio Grossi (bass, orchestrations, programming) of GLENN HUGHES / STARBREAKER fame, John Macaluso (drums) ex YNGWIE MALMSTEEN / RIOT / TNT, Jamie Teramo (keyboards, piano) with special appearances of Michael Kiske and Mark Boals (ex MALMSTEEN, RING OF FIRE) who will both appear singing duets with the female singer.

TWO OF A KIND is a new Melodic Rock combo masterminded by TERRA NOVA's Fred Hendrix together with not one, but two female singers: Esther Brouns and Anita Craenmehr. After a few writing sessions, Fred submitted the plan for his new band with a great melodic rock edge in BOSTON meets HEART style to Frontiers Records, who immediately loved the material and signed the band ! The self-titled debut album will be released in March 2007. Lookout for live dates in the summertime !

DANTE FOX are coming back after a 7-years hiatus with their third studio album entitled "Under The Seven Skies". Together with founding members Sue Willetts (vocals) and Tim Manford (guitars), we have now three new faces onboard: Mick Hales on drums (a veteran of the midlands rock scene), bass player Mike Dagnall and keyboard player / guitarist Roman Wieckowski. Recorded at the Mad Hat Studios (used by MAGNUM), the band has considerably gained maturity with their songwriting and offers a blazing new release which will please the existing fans and will gather new ones. The first track recorded: "Breakin' Me Down" has already had heavy rotation on Steve Price's Show on ARFM, with great reaction and support. DANTE FOX are looking forward to the release of the album scheduled for March 2007.

LOS ANGELES presents the shining talents of Michele Luppi: an Italian amazing singer that cut his teeth in Los Angeles with Robin Randall (co-writer of hits for FM, Mark Free, James Christian etc) as his musical coach. Upon his return to Italy, he gathered considerable experience playing live with his band Mr Pig and later joining Prog Metal heroes VISION DIVINE. LOS ANGELES is Luppi's personal tribute to the AOR greats that shaped his singing and songwriting abilities and also features Fabrizio Grossi, Tommy Denander and Frankie De Grasso. While Luppi's astounding vocals can be described as Mark Free meets Eric Martin, LOS ANGELES is a true AOR beauty not to be missed when it will be released in the Spring '07 !
www.myspace.com/frontiersrecords

[20 December 2006]

Jeff Scott Soto has been officially named the new lead singer of Journey. He had been filling in for Steve Augeri, who had to leave the U.S. tour with Def Leppard shortly after it began on June 23 due to illness.

“We are so grateful to Steve for all the years he dedicated to Journey,” says Journey in a joint statement. “We thank Steve for all his hard work and we wish him only the best in his future endeavors. Over the past few months, we've come to realize that Jeff has proven himself above and beyond that he can sing the hell out of our songs and we're happy to officially welcome him as part of the family. We're excited to start a new chapter with Jeff and we're excited about what the future may bring.”

Steve Augeri states: “Singing for Journey these last eight years have been the most challenging and the most rewarding of my career. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the band, and especially the fans, for the privilege of being part of a musical legacy that has touched so many hearts and souls. I wish my fellow bandmates success and happiness as they continue to make great music in the future, as I will strive to do the same myself.”

Steve Augeri is currently recording his debut solo album, In The Moment, due out the summer of 2007. He's also putting the finishing touches on the much-anticipated follow-up to the AOR classic Tall Stories album, launching early next year. For more info, visit www.steveaugeri.com.

Jeff Soto also adds, “With delight & pleasure, I am accepting the offer to continue my tenure with Journey now as their permanent vocalist after the amazing past months we've spent together on tour. I also pay high respect to Steve Augeri for coming in and helping Journey continue their legacy for nearly the last decade and to Steve Perry for co-creating this legacy. I hope to now add and help drive Journey into the next stage of this band's future.”

Journey--Neal Schon (guitar), Ross Valory (bass), Jonathan Cain (keyboards), Deen Castronovo (drums) and Jeff Scott Soto (vocals)—are currently mapping out plans for 2007.
www.journeymusic.com
www.steveaugeri.com
www.jeffscottsoto.com

In related news to the above, Talisman's current album 7 looks like being their last, as will be the tour dates to be announced soon.. JSS comments: "The latest T-man album was discussed as our last before the Journey gig came about. Even when I was there as a 'fill-in', Talisman has basically run it's course as most of us are pursuing other arenas. It's not to say we'll never address this band again or that my working relationship is done with Marcel, but as we speak today, 7 is our swan song as are the tour dates being booked through Europe after the short Journey run in the Spring."
Visit www.melodicrock.com for more!

THE 69 EYES US tour dates have been announced. The band will be supporting CRADLE OF FILTH.

23.01.2007 Starland Ballroom, Sayreville, NJ, USA + CRADLE OF FILTH
24.01.2007 Trocadero, Philadelphia, PA, USA + CRADLE OF FILTH
26.01.2007 The Palladium, Worcester, MA, USA + CRADLE OF FILTH
27.01.2007 Theatre Du Capitole, Quebec, QUE, Canada + CRADLE OF FILTH
28.01.2007 Metropolis, Montreal, QUE, Canada + CRADLE OF FILTH
29.01.2007 Phoenix Concert Theatre, Toronto, ONT, Canada + CRADLE OF FILTH
31.01.2007 House Of Blues, Cleveland, OH, USA + CRADLE OF FILTH

01.02.2007 Newport Music Hall, Columbus, OH, USA + CRADLE OF FILTH
02.02.2007 Harpo´s, Detroit, MI, USA + CRADLE OF FILTH
03.02.2007 The Eagles Club, Milwaukee, WI, USA + CRADLE OF FILTH
04.02.2007 House Of Blues, Chicago, IL, USA + CRADLE OF FILTH
06.02.2007 Gothic Theatre, Englewood, CO, USA + CRADLE OF FILTH
08.02.2007 Edmonton Event Centre, Edmonton, ALB, Canada + CRADLE OF FILTH
09.02.2007 Mac Ewan Hall, Calgary, ALB, Canada + CRADLE OF FILTH
11.02.2007 Commodore Ballroom, Vancouver, BC, Canada + CRADLE OF FILTH
12.02.2007 Showbox Theatre, Seattle, WA, USA + CRADLE OF FILTH
13.02.2007 Roseland Theatre, Portland, OR, USA + CRADLE OF FILTH
15.02.2007 The Fillmore, San Francisco, CA, USA + CRADLE OF FILTH
16.02.2007 The Avalon, Hollywood, CA, USA + CRADLE OF FILTH
17.02.2007 Marquee Theatre, Tempe, AZ, USA + CRADLE OF FILTH
18.02.2007 House Of Blues, San Diego, CA, USA + CRADLE OF FILTH
19.02.2007 House OF Blues, Anaheim, CA, USA + CRADLE OF FILTH
21.02.2007 White Rabbit, San Antonio, TX, USA + CRADLE OF FILTH
22.02.2007 Palladium Ballroom, Dallas, TX, USA + CRADLE OF FILTH
23.02.2007 Meridian, Houston, TX, USA + CRADLE OF FILTH
24.02.2007 House Of Blues, New Orleans, LA, USA + CRADLE OF FILTH
26.02.2007 Roxy Theatre, Atlanta, GA, USA + CRADLE OF FILTH
27.02.2007 House Of Blues, Lake Buena Vista, FL, USA + CRADLE OF FILTH
28.02.2007 Revolution, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, USA + CRADLE OF FILTH

02.03.2007 The Norva, Norfolk, VA, USA + CRADLE OF FILTH
03.03.2007 Ram´s Head Live, Baltimore, MD, USA + CRADLE OF FILTH
04.03.2007 Irving Plaza, New York, NY, USA + CRADLE OF FILTH
www.69eyes.com
The 69 Eyes at MySpace

OLYMPOS MONS seeks new label. The band wasn't safisfied with their former label, and couldn't solve their differences, so at the moment they are looking for a label for their completed new album "Medievil". Samples can be found at the band's website and MySpace page.
www.olymposmons.com
Olympos Mons at MySpace

MACHINE MEN will release their new single "No Talk With The Giant" on 17 January 2007. It's the first taster of their third album "Circus Of Fools", and it'll contain two bonustracks, a non-album track "’Till The End Of Her Days" and an acoustic track "October", which was previously released on the Japanese edition of their "Elegies" album. Video is in the works.

Machine Men has been called "the modern day Iron Maiden" by Metal Hammer, and they've toured extensively in Europe. Their next tour will start in January, and dates are below.

MACHINE MEN ON THE ROAD:

26.01.2007 Levi (FI) @ Hulluporock
27.01.2007 Levi (FI) @ Hulluporock
09.03.2007 Kuopio (FI) @ Henry's Pub
16.03.2007 Lahti (FI) @ Nightlife
17.03.2007 Oulu (FI) @ Teatria
23.03.2007 Jyväskylä (FI) @ Lutakko
24.03.2007 Helsinki (FI) @ Tavastia
28.03.2007 Tampere (FI) @ Klubi
29.03.2007 Turku (FI) @ Klubi
30.03.2007 Mikkeli (FI) @ Zic Zac
31.03.2007 Salo (FI) @ Bar Maksim

EARTHSHAKER ROAD SHOCK TOUR 2007
with Finntroll, After Forever, Tarot, Die Apokalyptischen Reiter, All Ends

27.04.2007 Antwerpen (B) @ Hof Ter Lo
28.04.2007 Osnabrueck (D) @ Halle Gartlage
29.04.2007 Hamburg (D) @ Markthalle
30.04.2007 Adelsheim (D) @ Live Factory
01.05.2007 Berlin (D) @ Postbahnhof
02.05.2007 Muenchen (D) @ Backstage
03.05.2007 Frankfurt (D) @ Batschkapp
04.05.2007 Nürnberg (D) @ Hirsch
05.05.2007 Wien (AT) @ Planet Music
06.05.2007 Padova (I) @ Sottosopra Est
07.05.2007 Pratteln (CH) @ Z 7
08.05.2007 Essen (D) @ Zeche Carl
09.05.2007 Saarbruecken (D) @ Garage
10.05.2007 London (UK) @ Scala
11.05.2007 Heerhugowaard (NL) @ De Waerdsetempel
12.05.2007 Strasbourg (F) @ La Laiterie
13.05.2007 Paris (F) @ Locomotive
www.machinemen.net

VANITY INK from Helsinki, Finland has completed their debut album "On Your Skin". It'll be released on Olennainen Välittyy -label in Feburary 2007. Distribution will be handled by Playground Music Scandinavia.
www.vanityink.net
Vanity Ink at MySpace

[12 December 2006]

"Perfect Skin", the new video from THE 69 EYES is available at www.emi.fi/jukebox/play/466/perfectskin. The song is already a major radio hit in Finland, and it's the first taster from the band's next album "Angels", to be released in March, 2007.

SALEM have signed a record contract with French label Season of Mist. The new album "Necessary Evil" will be released in the first quarter of 2007.
www.salemband.com
Salem at MySpace

Veteran Finnish hard rockers HORSEPOWER are celebrating their 20th anniversary with a compilation CD "Best Offah" and select gigs. The album will include 17 of their most popular songs and three previously unreleased tracks, ”Illusion Of Love”, ”Baby Come back” and ”Motormouth”. The album release date has been set to 17 January and the label is Poko Records.

Horsepower will be doing a few gigs during 2007. First two dates confirmed will both take place in the band's hometown Tampere, 20 December 2006 they'll play at Yo-talo and on 13 January 2007 they'll be appearing at Rock House.

The third and final episode of the GENIUS ROCK OPERA, written and performed by the Italian multitalented musician DANIELE LIVERANI, will be released on February 16th 2007. This last chapter of the trilogy entitled “The Final Surprise” will reveal what happened to Genius and his guide Twinspirits 32 at the end of their long journey into dreams' world. Running through almost 80 minutes of various music styles, the listener will be led by the storyteller (Philip Bynoe) through the final events of the saga and discover what happened to Genius once he woke up to go back to reality world. You will finally learn if the little prince will be saved, and if the dreams world will be safe forever.

Lots of titanic vocal duels are featured in this episode including the amazing duet performed by characters Twinspirits 32 (Daniel Gildenlow of PAIN OF SALVATION) and Apikor (Jorn Lande, ex MASTERPLAN) and between Twinspirits 32 (Daniel Gildenlow) and Genius (this time performed by a majestic DC Cooper of SILENT FORCE). Other great singers give their interpretation of the characters in this final episode: Eric Martin as Mr. Niko, Toby Hitchcock (of PRIDE OF LIONS) as Senator Jeramus and Andrea Dätwyler (of LUNATICA) as Kokeshi Doll. This breathtaking episode of Genius' is the final act and an amazing mind trip into the unknown parallel dimension where dreams are created. The dream is over but don’t miss the surprises this Opera still has in store!

Drum tracks for the album were laid as usual by Dario Ciccioni, while Oliver Hartmann took care of the monster chorus vocal work. Release date of the album has been set on February 16th 2007 on Frontiers Records, with a release in Japan scheduled on King Records.

Tracklisting of the album includes the following songs:
Toy Warehouse; No More Chances; Save Me From My Destiny; Alive and Safe; Jump Off This Train; Let Me Live; Inside These Memories; I Die; Back To Life Again; Dream In Liberty; The Final Surprise.

Samples:
Toy Warehouse
No More Chances
Save Me From My Destiny
Back To Life Again

The third ROCKIN' HELLSINKI concert will take place in the Icehall of Helsinki on 23 May, 2007. The first concert under the title was headlined by Mötley Crüe in 2005, this year the bands were Gary Moore and George Thorogood, while the next year's bands are the legendary hard rock bands DEEP PURPLE and THIN LIZZY. In addition to the gig in Helsinki, the bands will play also in Joensuu on 24 May, at Joensuu Arena. More details (in finnish though):
www.menolippu.fi/showevent.asp?id=1119

LORDI has sold triple-platinum in Finland! Over 90.000 copies of "The Arockalypse" have been sold, and the album has been the biggest selling album of the year. The band's new single, the balladic "It Snows In Hell" has just been released, accopanied by a new video, directed by Pete Riski. The Cd single will feature the song "EviLove", previously only released on the special edition of "The Arockalypse".

[11 December 2006]

CRYSTAL BALL have been signed to MTM MUSIC. The Swiss rockers have recorded five albums so far, the latest being the conceptual "Time Walker", produced by Stefan Kaufmann (ex-Accept, U.D.O.). The band has toured relentlessly in Europe with bands like GOTTHARD, KROKUS, DOKKEN, DORO, U.D.O., PRETTY MAIDS, BONFIRE, PINK CREAM 69, with almost 500 gigs under the belt!

CRYSTAL BALL has already entered the studio for a brand new studio album. The line-up is as strong and tight as ever with long-time singer Mark Sweeney, guitar player Scott Leach and Marcel Sardella on drums. The album is scheduled for April / May 2007 and the band have already announced some festivals, while a proper tour will follow later the year. Mark Sweeney says: "We are ready to rock and you can a expect a great piece of Swiss Hardrock!"

Updated tour schedule for the ANGRA – Aurora Consurgens Tour 2007, with special guests: Firewind and Power Quest

France
16.02.07 Nancy / Pagney - Chez Paulette
17.02.07 Strasbourg - La Laiterie
18.02.07 Reims - La Cartonnerie

Switzerland
20.02.07 Pratteln - Z7

France
22.02.07 Lyon - Ninkasi Kao
23.02.07 Paris - Elysee Montmartre
24.02.07 Bordeaux - Barbey Theatre
25.02.07 Toulouse - Havana Café

Portugal
27.02.07 Lisbon - Cino Teatro de Corroios

Spain
01.03.07 tba
02.03.07 tba
03.03.07 tba
04.03.07 tba

Italy
06.03.07 Rome - Alpheus
07.03.07 Milan - Alcatraz

[7 December 2006]

PRIDE OF LIONS will release their third album "The Roaring Of Dreams" on Frontiers Records (Zink Music/Bonnier Amigo) in 16 February 2007. Guitarist/vocalist/keyboardist Jim Peterik promises that the album is a step back to the style of their debut: "we strove to emphasize all the elements that we are best noted for: big hooks, soaring melodies, clever modulations, inspiring messages, the rock-solid Pride Of Lions band and of course Toby Hitchcock’s amazing vocal range and talent".

Songs on the album include the City Boy inspired “Let Me Let You Go” and the non-stop drive of “Defying Gravity”. Another standout is “Language Of The Heart: “I must admit I was thinking of the song we used as our opener in my Survivor years, “Feels Like Love” when I wrote this one. It has the same energy and drive” says Jim. In this and every other track, the power of Ed Breckenfeld on drums, Klem Hayes on bass, Mike Aquino on guitar and Christian Cullen on keyboards is stronger than ever. Also, the production team of Jim Peterik and Larry Millas is back in force and the sound is clearer than ever.

The themes that Jim’s songs are noted for are all present and accounted for. The title track, “The Roaring of Dreams” traces the lives of two frustrated people whose only escape from their humdrum lives is the dreams that they hold sacred in their hearts - the hope for a better future. “Book of Life” challenges us to be all that we can be, “Are you just a footnote, or will you rise to fill it’s pages, you were born to rock the ages, write a brand new chapter in the Book Of Life”. And to find the definitive song on a man dealing with infidelity, you need to look no farther than the album’s closing track, “Turnaround” featuring a cameo vocal by Tori Hitchcock, Toby’s gifted 21 year old sister. The song plays out like a mini operetta complete with vocal counterpoint and soaring guitar leads shared by Mike Aquino and Jim Peterik.

Final tracklisting: Heaven of Earth; Book Of Life; Love’s Eternal Flame; Language of The Heart; Let Me You Go; Faithful Heart; Defying Gravity; Secret of The Way; Astonish You; Tall Ships; Turnaround; The Roaring of Dreams.

Samples:
Heaven Of Earth
Book Of Life
Language Of The Heart
Secret Of The Way

NIGHT RANGER is the latest of the big 80'ies AOR bands to find a new home at Frontiers Records! Their new studio album "Hole in the Sun" will be released during the spring of 2007.

Night Ranger has sold over 16 million albums during their long career, and have scored a number of hit singles during the AOR-friendly eighties. The current line-up includes the orginal members Jack Blades (bass, vocals), Brad Gillis (guitar), Jeff Watson (guitar) and Kelly Keagy (drums, vocals). Keyboard player Michael Lardie (Great White) is in the bands' touring line-up.

Writing and recording sessions for a brand new studio album started at the end of 2005, with progresses in between the busy schedules of the band members. "I can't believe it is almost 2007!" admits bass player and singer Jack Blades "Most of the songs were written at the end of 2005 and recording happened at my Barn Studio (The Cock and Bottle studio) and Jeff's studio (Camp Watson)".

"I think you just keep making records and writing the songs that are in your heart", continues Blades. "As long as we continue to write and record with passion and integrity, (which we have done) I believe the fans will enjoy the ride. I personally am very proud of all the records Night Ranger has made over the 20 plus years of our career. This record reflects the years of touring so it rocks pretty hard. It also speaks to where the band is musically in 2006. Lots of split vocals and dual guitars".

With song titles as "There is Life", "Tell your Vision", "Drama Queen", "Rock Star", "White Knuckle Ride" and "Whatever Happened" NIGHT RANGER music and attitude has now come full circle. "Great melodies, blazing guitars and fun crazy rocking live shows...it is all we know how to do", admits Blades.
www.nightranger.com

MECCA have added a new guitarist to their line-up, and he is no stranger to melodic rock fans - Mr. Tommy Denander from Sweden! Alongside of the great Bobby Kimball (TOTO) and Joe Vana on Lead Vocals, the MECCA line-up consists of Shannon Forrest (Drums), David Hungate (Bass), Gordon Mote (Keys) and Christian Wolff (guitar), with Steve Lukather and Steve Farris making an appearance as guest players on the album. The line-up is complete and stronger than ever.

The new album "Catharsis" will feature 8 songs co-written by Vana and Denander and another four provided by Richard Page. "The writing synergy between Tommy and I so far has been amazing, we think so much alike in terms of melody and space but sounds very different melodically than what we both have done separately, so it truly is a union of ideas... this album will be a mix between Peter Gabriel and Mecca", says Joe Vana. Samples of the first two songs by the duo can be checked out at
www.myspace.com/meccaofmusic

JOURNEY's European tour schedule has been updated:

Thu 01 March Sheffield, UK - Sheffield City Hall
Fri 02 March Newcastle, UK - Newcastle City Hall
Sat 03 March Glasgow, Scotland - Clyde Auditorium
Mon 05 March Nottingham, UK - Royal Centre
Tue 06 March Manchester, UK - Manchester Apollo
Wed 07 March Manchester, UK - Manchester Apollo
Fri 09 March Cardiff, UK - Cardiff International Centre
Sat 10 March Bournemouth, UK - Bournemouth International Centre
Tue 13 March Birmingham, UK - National Indoor Arena
Wed 14 March London, UK - Hammersmith Apollo
Thu 15 March Newcastle, UK - Newcastle City Hall
Sat 17 March Karlsruhe, Germany Europahalle
Mon 19 March Cologne, Germany E-work
Tue 20 March Amsterdam, Netherlands Paradiso
Thu 22 March Pratteln, Switzerland Z7
Sat 24 March Madrid, Spain La Riviera

Epicus Records is a new label started by Thomas C.Hansen of the Norwegian Power Metal band Gaia Epicus. The first release will be "Victory", the new and third album from Gaia Epicus. The release date has been set to 27 January, 2007. The label will first focus on the music of Gaia and other projects that Hansen might be doing, but with time they will sign and release other bands too.
www.epicusrecords.com

The doctor is in.. SOUL DOCTOR that is, and they will be "Live In Italy" this weekend! Bologna Rock City prodly announce the italian tour of SOUL DOCTOR, featuring the Fair Warning vocalist Tommy Heart. Here are the dates:

Friday, 8 December
SOUL DOCTOR + guests
MOTOROCKAS - MOZZATE (VA)
In cooperation with Black Dahlia

Saturday, 9 December
SOUL DOCTOR + BLACK ROSE + BURNING BLACK
DERKINDERGARTEN - BOLOGNA
In cooperation with Eagle Booking

Sunday, 10 December
SOUL DOCTOR + MARKONEE + GUESTS
STAZIONE BIRRA - ROME
In cooperation with Secondo Avvento Produzioni

Infoline: info"at"bolognarockcity.it
tel. 347/4824371

[5 December 2006]

ROYAL HUNT has uploaded a live video of the song "Never Give Up" on their web site.

"Royal Hunt 2006" – a new "live in concert" DVD / double album has been released from November 22nd 2006 (depending on territories) by following companies : Marquee/Avalon (Japan, SE Asia), Frontiers (Europe) and Soyuz (Russia)... more territories will follow shortly.

Video was filmed in high definition and edited at Illusion Films to a double layer DVD format, which gives you full show – non-stop - with uncompromised/uncompressed picture/sound.

Track list : Paper Blood – Time – The Mission – Never Give Up – Can´t Let Go – Last Goodbye – Follow Me – Cold City Lights – Martial Arts – Surrender – Running Wild – Far Away – Lies – Wasted Time – Message To God – SK 983 – Epilogue and on top of that you´ll see a 20+ minutes of “behind the scenes” extravaganza with comments from every member of the band... while the album will include a bonus track – Long Way Home (unplugged).
www.royalhunt.com

MAPLE CROSS, one of the oldest thrash/speed metal bands in Finland, will release their new album "Heimo" on 31 January 2007. The release is preceeded by a release of a free on-line single "Journey of a Wolf", which will be available on the Independence Day of Finland, 6 December.

"Heimo" is a theme album, based on a true story about the World War II. The first chance to listen to the album will take place on 8 December at restaurant Lentävä Lautanen in Oulu, where a pre-listening session is to be held, in collaboration with Miasma Magazine. The session will start at 22:00 and is free (age restrictions apply).

Album tracklisting:
01. Intro, 02. Train To Cape Stone, 03. The Battle of Joyhill pt.1 - Chaos Parade, 04. The Battle of Joyhill pt.2 - Last Straw, 05. 24 Hours, 06. District of Hate, 07. Journey of a Wolf, 08. Smell of Fear, 09. Death of Killing Machine, 10. Seven Miles of Hell, 11. Subconscious Delusion of Reality, 12. Outro
www.maplecross.net

EXCALION, a melodic metal band from Finland will get a wider release for their album "Waterlines". Orginally scheduled to be released this year, the release of the album will now take place in February 2007 through Limb Music, with whom the bands' label Sound Riot has signed a worldwide licensing deal. In Japan, the album has been licensed to Stay Gold/Art Union Records and it will be released there in March 2007.

The first 21 bands have been confirmed to Sweden Rock 2007. With more than 50 to follow, the line-up looks like this at the moment:

HEAVEN & HELL (UK)
BLIND GUARDIAN (D)
MOTÖRHEAD (UK)
REO SPEEDWAGON (US)
THE AUSTRALIAN PINK FLOYD SHOW (AUS)
TROUBLE (US)
KREATOR (D)
UDO (D)
SUZI QUATRO (UK)
GOV'T MULE (US)
HARDCORE SUPERSTAR (S)
BLACK OAK ARKANSAS (US)
THUNDER (UK)
THE ANSWER (UK)
AXEL RUDI PELL (D/US)
CIRCUS MAXIMUS (N)
RANDY PIPER´S ANIMAL (US)
TOKYO DRAGONS (UK)
ELDRITCH (I)
LION'S SHARE (S)
FALCONER (S)
MEMFIS (S)
www.swedenrock.com

[1 December 2006]

MAD MAX have been confirmed as the support act on AXEL RUDI PELL's "Mystica Tour 2007".

30.01.2007 (D) FULDA / Kreuz
31.01.2007 (D) AUGSBURG / Spectrum
02.02.2007 (E) MADRID / Heineken
03.02.2007 (E) BERGARA / Jam
04.02.2007 (E) BARCELONA / Razzmatazz 2
06.02.2007 (CH) ZÜRICH / Rohstofflager
07.02.2007 (D) HEIDELBERG / Halle 02
08.02.2007 (GB) LONDON / Mean Fiddler
09.02.2007 (NL) HELMOND / Plato

The tour is presented by ROCK HARD, ROCK IT, MUSIX, MusicBuyMail.com, and ticket inquiries for German show can be directed to Ticket-Hotline METALTIX, 04627/18 38 38.

Most of the program of the FINNISH METAL EXPO 2007 has been released. The event will take place at Kaapelitehdas, Helsinki, on 16-17 February. On Friday 16 Feb the confirmed bands are Battlelore, Misery Inc., Moonsorrow and Suburban Tribe, while on Saturday 17 Dec the bands include Amon Amarth, Coldworker, April, Before The Dawn, Brother Firetribe, Cyan Velvet Project, Insomnium, Turmion Kätilöt, Tacere. There will be various clinics, sales stalls and activities on both days. The traditional Finnish Metal Awards will be handed out on Friday. On thursday, there wll be a special warm-up show at Tavastia Club with Tarot and Leverage.

E-Z Sounds and MIKEY JONES are in festive mood. For a limited period of time, you can purchase Mikey's solo debut album for £6 (incl. P&P). This offer is open until Friday 15th December and both parties will honour the exclusive deal for any purchase across the Globe. So if you've yet to purchase a copy, now is an ideal time.

To order, just log onto www.paypal.co.uk and make a payment of 6GBP to "shop@mikey-jones.co.uk". If you don't have a paypal account please email us at shop@mikey-jones.co.uk with the subject "Xmas Offer" and we will forward on details for orders via cheque, etc. All orders will be shipped before Saturday 16th December so that you should have you CD before Christmas (depending on The Royal Mail).

Don't forget you can hear 3 complete songs from THE LIGHT OF DAY at www.myspace.com/ezsoundsartist, which also includes the smash hit FREE downloadable single - "SWEAR BLIND".

We would like to thank all who have supported Mikey and E-Z Sounds in 2006. It is has been a great year for us and we look forward to an exciting New Year. E-Z Sounds and www.mikey-jones.co.uk will be taking a well deserved break from Monday 18th December and will return to action on Monday 8th January 2007.

www.myspace.com/ezsoundsartist
www.myspace.com/ezsoundsuk
www.punchlinepromotions.co.uk
www.mikey-jones.co.uk

Good news for Finnish rock fans: now that the only national rock radio station RADIO CITY has gone off the air, there will be another one launched in the beginning of 2007. RADIO ROCK will be carrying the torch for rock music, with former Radio City persons Jussi Heikelä and Aki Linnanahde in the staff. Klaus Flaming, the legendary voice of Metalliliitto -show is a part of the team as well.

Archived news:
Nov. 2006
Sept. - Oct. 2006

 
 
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