for modern rockers they think it's got the "old school" sound and if you play it for people who like the old school sound they think it sounds a bit modern, he, he. I think that must be perfect! Fans of TNT and Last Tribe are probably already aboard. But, the modern sound should bring a new set of fans. What kind of feedback from fans have you received since the debut? TH: So far from the few songs on Myspace and various places it's been 100% positive, so I am excited for people to hear the entire thing to get the whole picture and it would be great to also have some new fans jump on board! After your split with TNT in 2006 you took some time off to recharge
your batteries before returning to start work on this Starbreaker album in 2007. This gave you plenty of time to reflect. Did you come to any conclusions during that time? TH: Oh many conclusions, too many to go into here and I won't air any dirty laundry, but I am glad that part of my life is over. It had the highest highs and the lowest lows and everything in between. But it's good to be free of that ball and chain once and for all. Now I can focus on my private life and songwriting which is all I want to do. The first Starbreaker album was recorded thanks to modern technology: Max in Europe, Fabrizio in LA and Tony in NYC. How did recording differ this time round?
TH: About the same, except we substituted Utah for L.A. Magnus and I did write songs together in Sweden to get things rolling and set the direction of the album but then he recorded guitars in Sweden. The vocals were done in New York as well as drums and bass in Utah. What do you think now about the Starbreaker debut album? TH: I think it's great. And I think this album is a good step forward. I think it's hard to record an album in different countries on a small budget, but we make it work somehow. I think we do a very good job under those conditions. Did you hear any new album that impressed you in the last months? TH: I think One Republic is a great band with excellent songs. Is Starbreaker goin' on tour to support the album? TH: Probably not... but we'll see. It is not in the cards right away as Magnus and I and Jonni and John are all busy with other commitments but we will always take a look at any real offers that come in. Are you satisfied with the deal with Frontiers Records? TH: Sure! Anything else you would like to add about “Love’s Dying Wish”? TH: It was a fun album to make, I think Magnus and I hit on something special with this one. We are both very proud of it and I hope we can work together again soon on another Starbreaker album or something else. (Alessandro Ariatti - courtesy of Rock Hard Italy)
“Love’s Dying Wish”
the new album by Starbreaker: review page 11
Contents issue 27 July - August 2008: 04 Extreme
06 From The Inside 07 Silent Rage
08 Richie Kotzen
09 Marcello-Vestry
10 Michael Vescera 11 Reviews
- The most important releases of Hard Rock and AOR music that you will find in your favourite music stores during the next months.
15 Dreamtide
16 Ronni Le Tekro 17 Land Of Tales
19 Harem Scarem 21 Starbreaker
Melodic Rock Fanzine
The Official Frontiers Records Newsletter
July - August 2008 Issue 27
Editor-in-chief: Primo Bonali Executive Editor: Elio Bordi Writers: Bruce E.J. Atkinson, Rob “Ezy” Bone, Primo Bonali, Duncan Jamieson, Barry McMinn, Marco Spaeth.
_______________
Main Office: Frontiers Records - Via Gonzaga 18 - 80125 Napoli - Italy Tel: +39.081.2399340/7753 - Fax: +39.081.2399794 email: info@frontiers.it
_______________ Chief Editorial Office: email: info@metal-force.com
_______________ Editor and Publisher: Frontiers Records
Copyright © 2008 by Frontiers Records. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. Printed in Italy
September 19, 2008: - BOB CATLEY: “Immortal”
- CROWN OF THORNS: “Faith” - NIGHT RANGER: “Rockin’ Shibuya 2007” Live CD
October, 2008:
- RAMOS/HUGO: New Album
- HONEYMOON SUITE: New Album - JOE LYNN TURNER: Live CD - ECLIPSE: “Are You Ready To Rock”
“Saudades de Rock” is EXTREME’s first studio album in thirteen years, which will coincide with their first world tour in over twelve years! The iconic rock foursome - vocalist Gary Cherone, guitarist Nuno Bettencourt, bassist Pat Badger and new drummer Kevin Figueiredo – recorded their fifth studio offering at “NRG Studios” in Los Angeles with Bettencourt at the helm as producer. “Saudades de Rock” boasts 13 tracks (plus one exclusive bonus track for the European edition) including the infectious roar of “Star”, the groove-laden, swagger of “King”, a raw funk rock anthem called “Learn To Love” and the expressive ballad “Ghost”... Hello Nuno! “Saudades de Rock” marks the Extreme coming back at last. Would you tell us how this reunion took place? Nuno Bettencourt: It never happened because the band never really split. What happened was that at a certain time of our careers our paths led us to follow different directions. But it was very natural at a certain point to be back together again for a single show first, then for a tour and finally with a new studio recording. I really love “Saudades De Rock”, the songs still grow up on me time after time I listen to the album. This is another demonstration how Extreme don't use to 04 Melodic Rock Fanzine
get simply the “easiest way”. Have all of your life and musical experiences done along these last years been precious for this release, or did you start from where you left? NB: During the past years I have worked on several projects, but nothing is comparable to Extreme. It’s like if you like to travel, you go around the world, visiting beautiful countries, but nothing makes you feel like when you’re at home. Extreme have been and will always be my home, my refuge, a place where I feel 100% comfortable. You may even have again the need to see the world and try different lifestyles, try new
food, but at the end you will always feel the need to go back home, with your family. How long did both, the songwriting and the recording sessions, take? NB: To be honest with you, I really don’t know. So much time passed since we worked together last that we really didn’t know what could come out from our collaboration again. That’s why when we decided to record a new album we locked ourselves in the studio and see what would come out of that. And that was crazy! With Gary it seemed we never stopped working together. We have been
Hello Tony! The new album is quite different from the first one: were there any differences in the songwriting process? Tony Harnell: On the fist album Magnus wrote the music tracks and I just wrote melodies and lyrics over them. This time we spent some time writing together and talking abut what we wanted so we were working together on it from the beginning. Would you agree if anyone defined the sound of “Love's Dying Wish” modern melodic metal? TH: I guess so. But I think if you played it for a young person who like modern Melodic Hard Rock they would think it sounded quite 80's! How do you feel the songs on this album differ from your debut? TH: I think it sounds more like a band now, like we have been together and it sounds like we have established a style and a sound that we can go forward with if we choose to make more albums. Normally bands cite their classic rock influences but who are the modern bands that you’re listening to these days? TH: I would still cite classic bands as influential here as well. But we just played with some elements that give
Starbr eaker ’s self-titled debut album caused a stir in the HardRock world, upon its release in spring 2005. Following Tony Harnell’s departure from TNT in 2006, the priority for the singer became Starbreaker. “Love’s Dying Wish” is a very special album that pr ogr esses fr om wher e the Starbreaker debut left off, with a fr esh diversity that spans fr om pounding Metal to deep moody passages wrapped in a dark and beautifully melodic package.
it a more moody vibe. It is a dark album musically and I think lyrically as well but yet it is still as always hopeful. Please tell me something about the title-track and its meaning... TH: Well, it's about many things including the fact that we are facing hard times as a race. It’s about love being slowly killed by the human race. We've all but abandoned real love. She is not being fed by society, there is war and genocide in the world, people do not love enough so she dies. In the song she comes to the narrator in a dream and tells him her dying wish which is basically that we learn to love and bring her back to life. I was very impressed by the song “Unknown Superstar”: please tell me more about it... TH: It's probably the most “retro” song on the album. It's about all the talented and special people in the world who are not famous. Everyone from all the wonderful mothers and fathers who give so much to their children and to life itself all the way to small town singers or artists who are incredible but not known. It's a tribute to the unsung heroes. Tony, you left TNT, while Magnus
joined Primal Fear; what about the future of Starbreaker? TH: At this point Starbreaker is not my major commitment now, it actually is still a side project. My solo career is my main focus now. What about your other projects like Westworld, Brazen Abbot, etc.? TH: As far as other side-projects, only if they are extremely interesting to me; I don't really like doing a lot of them and feel I did too many in 2005, but I did have fun. I just think when you can't control the final product yourself then sometimes you can get disappointed in the final result so I really like to be involved in the production and the entire process from start to end to ensure it's quality. So we'll see... The production is very up-todate: did you inspire to any models in particular? TH: Not really. We just wanted to make a cool sounding album! Starbreaker are very modern sounding. Is this something you consciously considered during the song writing phase? TH: As I told you, I don't think it's that modern, I think it is contemporary. In fact if you play this album
Melodic Rock Fanzine 21
writing something like 3 songs a day and the music was so good that the more we wrote and worked on it, the more the desire to share it with others grew. Are all the ideas coming from the same sessions or do they belong to different periods along the years since the last “Wainting For The Punchline”? NB: All is from the same sessions and all songs are new! How did the band work on songs this time? Has the process been different from the past releases? NB: It is always the same way of working together. Like I told you before we locked ourselves in the studio and create new songs. Surely the chemistry between me and Gary has changed, because for more than 10 years we have not been working together. In this period we are both changed, grown up and this has definitely had an influence on our current relationship. Keep in mind that the chemistry within a band is something that changes very easily according to different feelings and is extremely unstable. However what has remained firm is our soul. Then, yes, we changed, we are more mature now, but this does not necessarily mean we are older. We have simply learned to see what happens around us under a different perspective. Once time passing by, the pauses in what we do were seen like a waste of time. Now we see everything under differ-
ent lenses and this can be an inspiration to write new songs. We are now less selective than it was in the past and everything that happens around us can become a song. I’d say that with time we learned to find an inspiration even from the negativity of life or from the most insignificant things. I think the sound comes out great from the speakers. Since the amazing “III Sides to Every Story”, the band decided to verte the sound to be less effeced, dry and straight on. The same is for this new release and the songs look like the band is playing live just in front of the listener. Do you agree? NB: Yes, this is what we want from our sound. We are a live band so what you hear on the cd is what Extreme is live. We do not want to sound different from what we record on our albums. Why did a so great band such as Extreme break up for a while? I've been a great fan of yours since the beginning and I never have been thinking the reason could be some kind of lack of creativity... NB: Like I told you before it never happened, because the band never really split. What happened was that at a certain time of our careers our paths led us to follow different directions... Is “Saudades De Rock” meant to be a new Extreme's starting point for more
new releases to come? NB: Extreme is our life, it is part of us all, so since we are here, there will be always evolution and new creations from the band... Any tour-dates planned? NB: We’re playing some shows to get in the mood and the feeling is great. The way we play the old songs is incredible as we thought some really interesting new “dress” compared to the originals. I am sure you will enjoy them as much as we did! Check out tourdates on www.extremeband.com (by Fulvio Bordi)
“Saudades De Rock”
the new album by Extreme: review page 11
Melodic Rock Fanzine 05
Forever Young!
The second chapter (after the acclaimed debut of 2004) for Danny Vaughn (Tyketto) new project is a truly amazing Melodic Rock album with a harder edge: a flawless collection of extremely well-written songs, with tight musicianship and the vocals... well, this just may be Danny Vaughn's greatest vocal performance to date. “Visions” will absolutely take your breath away!!!
Hi Danny, please tell me something about the songwriting process, and how do you put together the band and the material for “Visions”... Danny Vaughn: As with the previous Ffrom The Inside, the band was nothing to do with me. All the big things were organized by Fabrizio. He put together the band and got the ball rolling with the songs. He and Eric Ragno presented me with a lot of very good music and I was able to come up with melody and lyric ideas right away. My parts were all written and performed from my studio at home after the band had put down their bed tracks. The album is a very classical AOR one, with songs on the Journey and Foreigner style. Do you agree? DV: Absolutely. Our intention was simply “what would Journey do?”. Having recently toured with Journey in the UK, I think the vibe rubbed off on me. I was reminded about how much I truly love their style of music. So we tried to emulate them in our own style. I was very impressed by the song “Making Waves”: tell me something about it... DV: Thank you. Along with “Visions” I think it’s the song that hits closest to the mark we were aiming for. When I got the music for it the song just wrote itself right there I front of me. I love it 06 Melodic Rock Fanzine
when that happens. Last year you made a solo album, quite different from “Visions”: what do you think now about it? DV: I think the "Traveller" album is the best thing I’ve ever done! I know you released a Tyketto album lately, “The Last Sunset”: how did you put together the songs on it? DV: All of those songs were found in a box amongst my things when I moved house. They were all the demos that Tyketto did over the years. Lots of leftovers and songs that didn’t quite make it onto an album. It was simply a very lucky thing to find. They were all on cassette! And we mastered from that and made the cd sounding as good as we could get it. Mostly Brooke and Michael did all that and I think they did an excellent job. Do you think there will ever be a new Tyketto album in the future? DV: You never can tell! If you had to choose, which are the best albums on your career? DV: I am always amazed that people still ask questions like that. Would you walk up to a parent and ask him which of his children are his favourites? I think people just don’t understand the effort that goes into creating an entire album. I’m afraid I’m not much of a one for lists, so I’m going to pass on
that question. Are you supporting “Visions” with some live gigs? DV: Not at the moment. But I am doing 2 acoustic shows with several band members at the end of the year as part of my acoustic Christmas tradition, and I’m sure 1 or 2 songs from “Visions” will be in the set. Thanx and congratulations for the new album! DV: Thank you! I’m very excited to see what my fans think of it. (Alessandro Ariatti - courtesy of Rock Hard Italy)
“Visions”
the new album by From The Inside: review page 11
I read that your new release, “Hope”, is going to be the final album for Harem Scarem; would you care to tell us why? What has made you decide to bring the group to an end? Harry Hess: It feels like it’s time. It was difficult to put this record together because of everyone’s schedules (I was probably the worst) because of other commitments with production and mixing. Also, after 20 years of making records we felt we have said everything we have to say with Harem Scarem. Obviously this question has been asked of you by many other journalists, but I’ll ask it again! Why the title “Hope”? Being Harem Scarem’s final record, what message should we derive from the album-title? HH: Hopefully a positive one. We really don’t want this to be a negative experience for the fans rather than a celebration of our work with a final release. I feel that we are actually going to hear more from you; as individuals, no doubt, but maybe there is a collaboration in the future? HH: Yes, I still plan on making records and Pete and Creighton will always do music too, but we all felt we needed a change. We are still working together on other projects. As I started the interview, on the sad
HAREM SCAREM is one of the most well known and legendary bands in the MELODIC HARD ROCK genr e. Such albums as “Harem Scarem”, “Mood Swings”, “Believe” and “Weight Of The World” are between the milestones of this particular style of music. “Hope” is the band’s new album and the very last of their history as the guys have decided to move on to other things. So... don’t miss it!
note of “Hope” being your final album, what a way to close the book, a fantastic piece of Work! Please run us through the recording of the album… HH: Well, it took awhile for us to mentally get into it but once we did and the direction became clear it was business as usual as far as the writing and production goes. I’m personally really happy with it. Both of you, Pete and Harry, are accomplished producers; is it difficult to produce yourselves, keeping an objective view of things? HH: No, we really enjoy that part because we feel we know what Harem Scarem should sound like more than anyone ever could, so it feels very natural for us to handle the production. Do either one of you have some projects in the fire, regarding producing? HH: Yes, I just produced an artist from the U.K named Sean Mac which will be out in November through Sony/BMG in Europe and I’m also producing the Dutch Idol winner and did two tracks for the Belgium Idol winner along with many other projects that I’m mixing. We will be looking forward to your contributions in the future, and I want to thank-you for the many
years of great music... Harem Scarem is a mainstay for thousands of music lovers around the world! Please close with a few words to our readers... HH: Well, thanks for the kind words and I do remember the Chilliwack interview believe it or not. We have a great deal of gratitude for the fans because they have stuck by us for 20 years and really made this an incredible ride… You know who you are… Thank you! (by Bruce A.J. Atkinson)
“Hope”
the new album by Harem Scarem: review page 11
SILENT RAGE ar e one of the legends of US Ar ena Rock of the 80’s. W ith two ver y successful r ecords r eleased at the end of the decade (one of which pr oduced by non other than KISS bassist Gene Simmons) which both became n. 1 in the impor t r ock char ts in Eur ope, SILENT RAGE gained a faithful armada of fans. In 2008 Silent Rage ar e back with their 4th studio album entitled "Four Letter Word". The new material continues as a nat ural pr ogr ession fr om their “Don't Touch Me Ther e” CD, blending hard driving r ock with big memorable cho ruses! Hi guys, you have returned after “Still Alive” (2002) and signed a deal with Frontiers: are you satisfied with this new deal? Jesse Damon: Yes, we appreciate this opportunity to work with Frontiers. They’re a very good record label with an extremely strong roster of Rock bands and solo-artists which extends internationally. Most of the releases from this label are phenomenal with quite a few notable big name artists that our band respects, and that I love listening to. We're looking at this as only the beginning, and would definitely welcome the chance to release more material through Frontiers. The album sounds more aggressive and less Pomp Rock than your previous 80's releases: do you agree? JD: Yes, but I think there is a mixture on the new release. I do agree that some of the more aggressive songs are probably some of the most heaviest we've written, recorded and released like “Man Or Machine” and “Trouble”, although I feel we still have a balance of some traditional melodic tracks to offer like the title track “Four Letter Word”, “Feel My Love” and the ballad “Close Your Eyes”, just to name a few. What can you tell me about the production of Gilby Clarke? JD: He definitely has his own style and it rocks! His production skills and sound delivers a continuity throughout the entire album, and it's a mixture of power and rawness that highlights and captures the classic sounds of the instruments, amps and drums used during the recording of our new album! Silent Rage has continued to write and record for this album the same way as we always have, but I would have to say that Gilby gave us a more contemporary production sound this time around on “Four Letter Word”. I look at it as an evolution for us. Not only our sound, but we have three different lead vocals on some of the songs, and that's a another change we started back on
“Still Alive” CD, and have continued that on this album also. You have also some guests like Bruce Kulick (ex Kiss) and Bobby Blotzer (Ratt). How did you involve them? JD: We met Bruce while working with Gene Simmons on the “Don't Touch Me There” CD; Bruce co-wrote one of the songs for that disc. Kulick has always been in our circle of friends & a supporter of Silent Rage. We always admired his guitar virtuosity, plus he's a great guy. Knowing he lived nearby our recording-studio, we had to ask him to do a jam on the CD. We thought it fitting to have him perform on “Man or Machine” since originally, that song was an idea that Gene Simmons & I started a few years back. Bobby Blotzer is a good friend of ours, and EJ and Bobby hang out quite a bit, so when the band decided to include some friends to guest perform on the new album Bobby was at the top of the list. He kicked some ass on the tracks he played on, he's a great rock drummer that has a prestigious history and legacy with his band RATT, and it is an honor to have him perform with us on the new record! Talkin' about your past, “Shattered Hearts” was produced by Paul Sabu and released through Simmons Records. What do you remember of that album? Are you still in contact with Paul? JD: Yes, Paul Sabu produced “Shattered Hearts” but, it was released by Chameleon Music Group. I loved making that record. It was our first one, and it was the first time working with Paul . I think it was a big learning experience for the band, to see the whole process and get to work with such a talented guy as Paul Sabu. He showed me, and taught me a lot in the recording studio when it came to singing and guitar playing, and also taught the whole band a lot with his producing and mixing style technique. It was magic! He's very talented. I am still in contact with Paul these days. It's exciting to
work with him, because of his quality talent that he brings to the table on any given project. He also produced my first solo album in 2002 called “The Hand That Rocks”, and again on my third solo CD in 2006 called “Rebel Within”. I'm writing with him now and will begin to start recording for a fourth solo album soon. “Don't Touch Me There” was your second album: what do you think about it now? JD: I think it has some of the band’s best material. It was a labor of love to write and record with Paul Sabu and with Gene Simmons. There are so many great memories from the making of that CD, that that's an interview all in itself... I think “DTMT” still holds up very well with today's songs, and it has a definite classic 80's sound. So I feel we made our contribution to the 80's with some integrity! (Alessandro Ariatti - courtesy of Rock Hard Italy)
“Four Letter Word”
the new album by Silent Rage: review page 11
Melodic Rock Fanzine 07
RICHIE KOTZEN, former guitarist for MR BIG and POISON has now a ver y str ong cult following in Eur ope as a solo ar tist, with a series of ver y consistent and quality r eleases. "Live in Sao Paulo" is Richie Kotzen’s first-ever live album which came about when Kotzen after much pr ompting fr om fans, chose for the purpose a stellar performance fr om his South American tour in 2007. His live performance r eflects the guitar style's that has defined his car eer as a vir tuoso! Hello Richie! Why did you decide to record this live album in Sao Paulo? Richie Kotzen: We decided to make a live recording from the south american tour. We had the chance to record things the right way and recorded 2 shows. One in argentina and one in Sao Paulo, which was the last show. Unfortunately the files from the Argentina show were lost, so the only option was to use the Sao Paulo show. I feel we were very lucky to have the chance to record this show and were also lucky to have a great audience as well. I’m very excited to have released my first ever live Cd. There’s also a video from the same show that is being sold exclusively at richiekotzen.com. The dvd is called “bootlegged in brazil”. I saw you live in Verona some months ago, and the version of “Doin' What The Devils Says To Do” was one of the highlights of your show. The same is for this live album: how do you feel about this song? RK: It is one of my favorite songs to sing. For some reason I never get tired of doing that song. Maybe it’s the words or just the general feel of the entire song, but it’s always inspiring for me... In this album you have Dan Potruch on drums, but I saw you playing with Pat Torpey (Mr.Big). Who is your drummer now, and how did you contact again Pat? RK: After the south american tour Dan was meant to continue on with me in 08 Melodic Rock Fanzine
Italy. Due to Dan’s schedule it was not possible for him to continue with me, so I contacted Pat. Pat was excited to come back on board as my drummer and has done a fantastic job bringing the live show to life! Your feeling with Johnny Griparic seems absolutely great, for musicianship and attitude. You played with one of the best bass-player in the world, Billy Sheehan: what do you think about Johnny in this sense? RK: Johnny is perfect for my music. He plays the style of bass that makes sense for the music I write. My music demands a solid foundation in the drums and bass with the ability to react to what I play at any given moment. It starts with the vocals and drums. Everything else must fit around that. Pat and Johnny are doing a great job and delivering everything Ineed in order to perform an inspired show. The next album will be a band-album or a solo-album: didi you already write any songs? RK: I am always writing music. It’s what I do. When i have a collection of songs that I feel are true to the inspiration I start considering putting together a record on that music. The truth is I have been focused on touring lately, so I do not have any plans for a new studio Cd at this time. “Into The Black” was a very intimistic and dark album, but their songs, in live version, sound beautifully...
RK: Yes, I think they translate well in the live sense, because there is not much difference in the instrumentation between the Cd and the live performance. That record is very raw in the sense that it’s pretty much guitar-drumsbass and vocals, and that is what the live band consists of. There is great revival of the 70's and 80's Hard Rock: if you were offered to rejoin Mr. Big, would you accept the offer or would you go on on your own? RK: I am so happy doing what I’m doing. To be honest I have never been this satisfied with my creative world. I see no reason to spoil it. (Alessandro Ariatti - courtesy of Rock Hard Italy)
“Live In Sao Paulo”
the new album by Richie Kotzen: review page 12
Land of Tales is a brand new band based in Finland masterminded by two guys, Kristian (guitar and vocals) and Palle (keyboards). The Land Of Tales sound is an equal union of keyboards and guitar, crafted with catchy melodies and BIG choruses! The result is a somewhat original and peculiar approach to songwriting and music that makes them stand apart from many other bands of the Melodic Rock genre...
Hello guys, and congratulations for your album. How did you form the band and how was the songwriting process for this album? Palle: Hey, thank you so much! Land of Tales was formed more or less by itself. The record deal came so fast that we didn't have much time to think and we didn't want to take any risks with new faces. That's why Land of Tales is a group of old friends. Two very good friends of us helped us out by writing many great tales and then Kristian started composing the songs! Kristian: Sometimes you can write a really good song during a day, but sometimes it takes weeks and it still might not be as good as you wanted. Let's just say that every song is a different adventure. We couldn’t accept many good songs, because they didn't sound same as the rest of the album. Your sound is very class-oriented, full of great melodies and wonderful parts of keys/guitars. Which are the most important bands for your background? Kristian: There are so many of them... most of the bands comes from 70s and 80s. There are such a names as Warrant, Van Halen, Kiss, Journey, etc. Melodic Hard Rock is the kind of music we like to listen, but all well played and wellproduced music goes. Palle: The first big band for me was Van Halen and pretty soon came Iron Maiden too; I trained to play guitar solos and riffs with keys. Later I found
Jean-Michel Jarre. Are there any songs on the album that, in your opinion, reflects particularly the Land Of Tales sound? Palle: They all do that! If we have to say any songs, they have to be “Outlander” and “Silence”. Those two came first. After that the band got its name. Kristian: I especially love the song “Slow Waters”, because the lyrics, and the music matches perfectly. How did you get the deal with Frontiers, and are you satisfied with it? Palle: We got the deal by "traditional" way, sending the demo-cd, letter and a photo. We had already our MySpace profile and it was pretty busy. Few previews were written and they were very positive. That all together with a good quality demo did the trick. Frontiers Recirds is probably the best possible choice for us, everything works and we have pretty free hands with the music. Are you touring to promote the album? Palle: Any touring date is not settled yet, but that will take place in fall. We want first to see how the album sells and where the people who wants to see us are... Where does the monicker Land Of Tales come from? Why did you choose it? Palle: We wanted the name which describes our music. When name Land of Tales came out, we didn't believe that
there is not a band called Land of Tales already, but there was no. The name is perfect for us and it's easy to remember. Did you listen any album or bands that impressed you particularly in the last months? Palle: Last time we were very impressed was in Sauna Open Air Festival. There were Sebastian Bach and the Scorpions. Both gigs really kicked ass. When we were in studio, all we listened was Land of Tales! Now we have time to catch up the rest of the world (Alessandro Ariatti - courtesy of Rock Hard Italy).
“Land Of Tales”
the new album by Land Of Tales: review page 12
One the most influential guitarplayers in the Melodic Rock field, Ronni Le Tekr o has led his band, TNT, since their incarnation in the early eighties. Mor e, Ronni is able to adopt a variety of musicalstyles and he can play almost any instrument, so this new soloalbum, “Kingdom Of Nor way”, comes not as a surprise... Hello Ronni! Your new album “Kingdom Of Norway” is a very eclectic mix of musical styles; was this your intention from the beginning? Ronni Le Tekro: It was meant to be a follow up to the “Extra Strong String” album (Escape Music). I wanted to continue the mix of power Pop, Hard Rock, Ambient and Psychedelia... You’ve obviously been influenced by some of the greatest artists in the world. I can hear touches of Bowie and The Beatles and even a little Ozzy in the album; how much have these bands influences you over the years? RLT: Greatly. I’m a big fan of The Beatles (and LP collector) as well as a huge Sabbath-fan... I was lucky to spend some hours with them at the age 19! And Bowie has my deepest respect. My biggest influences though are City Boy, Steve Hillage, BeBopdeLuxe. Is this purely a studio album or will you be taking it on the road; if yes, who would form part of the Ronni Le Tekro band? RLT: I`m currently on the road with my band RONNI LE TEKRO’s KINGDOM OF NORWAY. Line-up is: Ronni (guit/voc), BP Hovik (drums), Markus Klyve (Keyboards/Voc), Jon Johannessen (2nd guitar),Victor Borge (bass/voc). The album has quite an unusual cover version on it, the Jimmy Rogers song “Missing Mississippi and You”; why did you work on this particular song? RLT: I love music composed between 1919 and 1950. How long did this album take to put together from its initial conception to
the final mixing? RLT: About 6 weeks. You’ve decided to do the vocals yourself on this album; was there any point where you thought about bringing in another vocalist? RLT: Not really, not on this kind of material. A typical Hard Rock singer would for instance not work on this material and I might have a closer relationship to the material than an external singer would. But for my next soloalbum I will. Andy McBride (british singer) will do guest-appeareances on quite a few of the songs on that one. I`m starting recording of that material late November 2008. Stepping away from the solo album for a moment, how is the work on the new TNT album going? RLT: TNT is going great, we are all excited about all of the 12 new tracks and we are 70% done with the album. What can the fans expect from the new album? RLT: The album has great songs, groovy and tasty, in good old TNT style! And do you have a title yet? RLT: No title yet... Back to “Kingdom of Norway”, do you have any tracks that your particulary proud of any why? RLT: The title-track cause it has got some new groundbreaking musical elements; “Happy” because it’s a sweet timeless Rock song. You’re involved with a lot of different projects and bands; is there one band or project we should look out for in
the future? RLT: 1349: guest-appearance as “sir Williams” (candlelight USA). ENSLAVED: guest-appearance on the new album. WILDSIDE: producer (ZINK MUSIC). Finally do you have any words of wisdom for your fans or budding guitar-heroes out there who wish to follow the Le Tekro road to fame? RLT: Keep on shredding! Enjoy the summer. Love and respect.... (by Barry McMinn)
“Kingdom Of Norway”
the new album by Ronni Le Tekro: review page 12
Rob Marcello, guitarist for Melodic Rock GODS Danger Danger, releases his debut solo-album... and - to cut a long story short - it’s a blast! An album that recalls the classic sound of the 80s, US Arena Rock at its best. Rob tells us something more behind this project and delivers some news on the Danger Danger camp... Hello Rob, it’s great to have to chance to speak to you, being myself an avid Danger Danger fan !!! And your new solo album really kicks some serious ass!!! It’s an album that reminds very clearly the golden age of the ‘80s US Arena Rock (but with an updated production) , obviously not far from what Danger Danger used to do in their first releases with Ted Poley era… so, was this your intention? Rob Marcello: WOW! Thank you very much! Im really happy that you like the CD! I grew up in the 80’s and loved all the HairMetal stuff, and I still do. The “Screw it” Album by Danger Danger is one of my all time favorite CD’s and I always wanted to make an album in that style. How did you get in touch with Frank Vestry? Was Frank your first choice as singer on this project? RM: I didn’t have a singer when I got the deal with Mario at “NL Distribution”; I mean I had a few people in mind and I spoke to a few guys but nothing worked out. I spoke to Bruno Ravel and he told me about his friend Frank Vestry. I sent Frank a couple of demos and I was COMPLETELY blown away by what he sent me back. He is the BEST singer I have ever worked with! What about the songwriting? Was a collaboration between you two’s or did you take care of everything by your own? RM: It was definitely collaboration between me and Frank. Bruno helped out a LOT as well. Frank wrote 99% of all the lyrics and melodies and I wrote all the music. After we had the songs finished, we played them for Bruno and he gave us suggestions. For example, there’s a song on the CD where Bruno told us to change the key for the chorus and it made the song soooooo much better. Some of the songs were quite different at first from how they turned out on the album. Bruno is our “Mutt” Lange ha, ha! How the album was recorded? I mean,
have you recorded the album being physically together in a studio or anyone of you worked in its own studio and exchanged mp3 files thru the net? I’m asking this as I think the production on the album is great, sounding very natural and warm… RM: Oh cool! Thanks a lot man! Bruno is responsible for the production and I completely agree with you, he did an AMAZING job! As for the recording, I did all the guitars and keyboards at my studio and sent the files to Bruno. We did everything else at his studio (“Soundcheckers”). That’s whats so amazing about technology today, you can make an album with someone on the other side of the world without ever being in the same room. Talking about your main band, Danger Danger, can you give me some updates on the new album? When is it going to be released? RM: We are gonna start doing basic tracks any day now. The songs are really really awesome. I’m sure that all D2 fans are gonna love it. I’m a HUGE D2 fan and I LOVE every single song! The band is looking at a fall release. Can you give us some details about your entry in the band, back some years ago? I mean, were you chosen by an audition, or what? RM: Sure man, I met Bruno at a “NAMM” show in 2002 and I told him that I’ve always loved DangerDanger. We spoke for a while and exchanged information. About 6 months later he called me and said that they needed a guitar player. I went to his house and we played a couple of songs. I must tell you, I thought I REALLY sucked because I was so nervous ha, ha, ha. He called me the next day and told me I had the gig. I know you’re going to play “FireFest” in UK, October 2008, along with bands like
Firehouse, Tyketto, Harnell’s TNT, Rox Diamond, Tall Stories, Pink Cream 69, White Sister, Valentine, etc… so many great bands that used to be very popular in the 80s! Do you think it’s gonna be a sort of return of this Classic Rock/Hard Rock sound? RM: “Firefest” is gonna be a great time. Me and Bruno are playing with Paul Laine as well at the show. Which is gonna be super cool because I love Paul’s voice and he’s a really great friend. I think the music scene here in the U.S. is really good. Poison tours every summer with a couple of other bands and they sell out 10.000 seat venues. And I get tons of emails from young kids that tell me that they love the music and that they are discovering this kind of music by listening to their parents Album collection. I think that good Rock n’ Roll is always going to be around. It’s like the Twisted Sister song “You cant kill Rock n Roll” hahaha! (Primo Bonali)
“Marcello-Vestry”
the new album by Marcello-Vestry: review page 13
Michael Vescera r ose to Metal popularity as vocalist of bands like Obsession, Loudness and Yngwie Malmsteen band. After these, Vescera star ted his solo pr oject, M.V.P., and r eleased 3 CDs. He has r ecently finished r ecording his new solo CD; joining Michael on this ar e Jim Bell and BJ Zampa (House of Lords), Chris McCarvill (Obsession), Mats Olaussen (Yngwie Malmsteen, Ark), and mor e gr eat musicians... Hello Michael, and congratulations for your new great album. What the songwriting-process for this album? Did you write all the songs by yourself? Michael Vescera: Thank you for your nice words! Songwritingwise, I had written 3 or 4 songs about a year ago. When I signed the deal with Metal Heaven I sat down and began the real writing process. I did write the songs specifically for this CD. I was also able to co-write with some great players as well. Which musicians have joined you on this new album, “A Signs Of Things To Come”? MV: So many great artists! Let’s start with Jim Bell and BJ Zampa, of House of Lords-fame! Then, Chris McCarvill (Obsession, Jeff Scott Soto), Mats Olaussen (Yngwie Malmsteen, Ark), Scott Boland, John Bruno and Jay Mezias (Obsession), Todd Kennedy and Tony Mei (XFactorX). Then, on this CD you’ll be introduced to two of the world’s newest “guitar-master” discoveries: Joey Concepcion, a 17 year old guitar prodigy from Connecticut, and Ango Tasso, a newly discovered shredder from Taiwan!!! Where the album was recorded? Who did produce it? MV: The album was produced, engineered & mastered by myself in my own
studios, “Toy Room North” (Milford, Conneticut) and “Toy Room South” (Nashville, TN). Actually I co-own both studios, that’s why recently I moved to Nashville. Are there any songs on the album that, in your opinion, reflects particularly yourself or your style? MV: No, not one in particular. As I think they all reflect me in some manner. I’ve been fortunate to able to work and cowrite with so many great artists through the years, so I try and bring all those different styles and influences into my writing. Your sound is amazing... I love it! Which are the most important influences (bands and asrtists) in your background? MV: I was a huge fan of Queen, Kansas, and Beatles, when I was growing up. Later on I think bands like Rainbow or The Scorpions had a great influence on my style. Are you satisfied with your new record label? MV: Metal Heaven has been great!! I’m really happy with them. I hope to have a long and successful relationship with them. Are you touring tp promote the album? MV: I do hope to tour and promote the
album. I’ll be speaking with some promoters soon and try and put it together. Did you listen any album or bands that impressed you particularly in the last months? MV: I really haven’t had a chance to listen to anything new in a bit. I’m always busy in the studio either producing stuff or singing, so I don’t get to listen to as much as I would like to. I still listen to some of the old classics when I get a chance! (by Fulvio Bordi)
“A Signs Of Things To Come” the new album by Michael Vescera: review page 12
After the r eleases of “Her e Comes The Flood” (2001) and “Dr eams For The Daring” (2003), DREAMTIDE r eturns with “Dr eam And Deliver” (on August 28th). The r ecord once again of fers what the fans of this ger man five-piece love about them: high quality musi cianship, distinctive guitar rif fs, intelligent arrange ments and catchy melodies!
Back again for album number three! It’s been some time. Your last album “Dreams for the Daring” came out back in 2003. What took you so long? Helge Engelke: Yes, it's been some time. There were many reasons why it took so long. Some of them are: looking for new record-companies, as we were, to say the least, not really happy with what we got. Touring and recording with other bands, CC and me did a Fair Warning record in 2005/2006 and later toured with it, Olaf went on tour with Uli Jon Roth, which was a very positive thing because that's how we got in touch with Francis, our new bass player. Writing a lot of songs, picking what we thought best and a very extensive time of arranging, recording and producing “Dream And Deliver”. With a whopping14 tracks of commercial yet diverse and complicated Rock music was it a long recording process? HE: Yes it was. And it was a very good time. We never got stuck, we just felt we could go on and on to make songs, arrangements and production better. Atmosherics are a big part of the Dreamtide sound and image. Is there anything you do in the studio to create the “dream”-vibe? HE: No, we just try to give the song what it asks for. This may sound a bit weird but when you start working on songs it sometimes feels like the song would talk to you and say: “Hey, is this all you can do for me? Nah, that's not good enough, try harder!”. My promo-copy doesn't mention who writes what this time. So tell me, who is responsible for which songs? Also, there are a lot of different styles within songs. What influences does each of
you bring to the tracks? HE: Songs 1-12 and 14 are written by me, title 13 (“Help Me”) is written by Olaf. There are quite a lot of influences. First, when I write songs I try to not be repetitive. I record demos with a pretty clear vision of how it should sound like. Next I play it to the other guys. In this stage with this record Francis had a big influence making suggestions of changes, pointing out weak spots and so on. Sometimes Torsten, our keyboarder, would go and say: “Well, I like the song but the intro you have is real crap”, and I'd go and say (annoyed, of course!): “do something better then!", and he does. When it comes to recording, the songs are undergoing changes again. CC, for example, would first play what I suggested and then sometimes come up with something completely different and the moment he plays it we feel, that it's simply better. While recording vocals Olaf sometimes comes up with new ideas. For example “The Vow” features a monk-like choir setting which came about while we were sound checking and Olaf was just fooling around. Hearing what he did I said “Wait a moment, let's try this for real!”. With you (Helge), CC and Thorsten also being parts of Fair Warning, what does Dreamtide allow you to do that you can't with Fair Warning? HE: It is a different balance of songwriting, a different chemistry and a different understanding of music. Which tracks do you think best capture the essence of Dreamtide and which tracks do you think are more of a departure for you? HE: None I would consider a departure,
they all arrive where we think Dreamtide is and stands for. I played in bands where some members and record-companies basically wanted to repeat the same song over and over again. This is not what Dreamtide is all about. Dreams are free. With the album on the shelves this summer what lies in store for Dreamtide now? HE: We hope to play live in autumn or the beginning of next year. For now there's a lot work to do promoting the album. Finally, for those who are new to your Dream world. How would sum up what Dream tide is all about? HE: Songs, energy and well performed sound. (by Duncan Jamieson)
“Dream And Deliver”
the new album by Dreamtide: review page 14
KING BABY - “Find My Way” (Bad Reputation)
King Baby centres around the talents of Lance Bulan (ex Baton Rouge) and his Louisiana roots shine through on these commercial hard rock tunes with a Southern flavour. There’s a great production job here which reveals Lance’s ear for a melody and allows his vocals to take centre stage. There’s a cool vibe throughout. His voice recalls The Georgia Satellites’ Danny Baird on ‘Lay It on Me’. On ‘Trouble’ there’s a hint of Spike from the Quireboys, but better and less forced. There’s a Cult feel on ‘New Orleans’. Aerosmith should record the groovy ‘Find my Way’. Lance and Matt Bachman’s guitars support the songs with the laid back groove of Skynyrd or ‘Diamonds and Debris’ era Cry of Love. In a better world you would hear ‘Back Burner’ with its almost Ray Davis vocal and ‘Skeletons or Monkeys’ on the radio or in bars. ‘You’ the ballad eschews guitars altogether relying only on piano and strings but still holds your attention. Despite all the comparisons to other artists King Baby have come up with a worthy Creole rock sound all of their own. (Duncan Jamieson) 90
DREAMTIDE - “Dreams And Deliver” (AOR Heaven)
Dreamtide now on their third album are seasoned musicians and you can hear this on the thoughtful compositions throughout this disc. It’s a bold affair with 14 tracks weighing in at over 70 minutes. They cover prog rock with ‘A Fools Crusade’, ‘King of Scum’ and ‘The Vow’. ‘I Don’t Want to Wait’, ‘Download a Dream’, ‘Your Beat’ and ‘To Everybody’ are commercial orientated rock which nod to the other day job of Engelke(guitar), Luderwaldt (keyboards) and CC Behrens(drums) in Fair Warning. ‘Same Star’ is almost pop and ‘Dancing When the Night Falls’ takes a moody number and stretches it out with both acoustic and electric guitar solos. In fact many of the tracks allow the band room to create instrumental passages that live up to their Dreamtide moniker. Engelke’s fluid guitar parts come in for particular praise and Olaf Senkbeil’s distinctive European vocals carry the melodies and mood to give the band a sound quite separate from Fair Warning. Fans of their previous albums will find plenty to like here and it should appeal (Duncan Jamieson) 85 to those who like a bit of prog mixed into their melodic rock palate.
CHARING CROSS - “We Are Charing Cross” (Metal Heaven)
They must be injecting hormones into Toblerone if this air punching debut from the Swiss outfit Charing Cross is anything to go by. This is distinctly old school European metal. Heavy accented vocals, metal riffs and dual charging guitar runs designed for the unwashed long haired head banger everywhere. Spinal Tap moments abound; clichéd lyrics with titles such as ‘Kick ass Rock N Roll’, the daft menacing whispered intro on ‘Palace of Fate’ and ‘Long Time Ago’ the power ballad that will make your black eye liner run. However, the chanted chorus of ‘Going Down’ is contagious and the twin guitar attack on ‘Forever Rockin’, ‘Broken’ and ‘Aint Got no Time’ does exactly what it sets out to do. In the end you find yourself wanting to curl your lip, raise a leather studded arm, fist (Duncan Jamieson) 72 clenched in defiant Metal triumph.
JAM PAIN SOCIETY - “Black Light Messiah” (Locomotive Records)
Led by the formidable vocal talent that is Leah Kirby and the guitar wizardry and song writing of Chris Hill, Jam Pain Society are set to inject their fiery mix hard rock, dance, metal, industrial, funk and pop on an unsuspecting world with their new album “Black Light Messiah”. Forget the likes of Amy Lee, the new kid on the block is Leah Kirby who mixes the massive rock styling of Ronnie James with the soul of Aretha for a voice that is as savage as it is soulful. With Hills mix of traditional metal guitars with the more Korn and Tool styling to produce an mean angry guitar sound that will tear flesh of the bone with its intensity. The album is a quite unique mix and works really well with Kirby the shining light throughout, along with Hills soaring guitar work especially on the likes of the opener “So Here It Is”, the thumping “You Made Me” and “Secret”, along with the tremendous riff filled “The Ride”, which by the way features the one and only Ace Frehley, a great endorsement if ever there was one! This is raw energy Rock’n’Roll at its finest with more bite than a tank full of Piranhas. (Barry McMinn) 87
PAT MAC MANUS - “In My Own Time” (Bad Reputation)
Pat McManus (ex guitarist with the much underrated Mama’s Boys and Celtus) is back on his own and this time playing the blues. Pat, a consummate musician, like Gary Moore has a genuine feel for the blues but sufficient fire to sate the more Rock orientated appetite. His vocals are warm and have enough gravel to convince. This is a set of twelve original songs that show Pat’s versatility. “Low Down Dirty” is country blues, “Juggernaut” is an electrified hoedown complete with Pat playing fiddle. “Return of the G.man”, an acoustic number, sounds like the great Rory Gallagher and lyrically name checks many of Rory’s tunes. However, on the electric numbers Pat’s guitar tone is cleaner and more bell like than Gallagher’s incendiary approach. “Just Got Back Today” is a Louis Jordon style jump blues number with great retro horn sounding guitars but best of all is the slow brooding majesty of ‘The Fool’. The guitar has real depth, topped off with a nice Dr John like vocal and is proof that in the blues it’s feel rather than flash that counts and Pat has this in spades. Classy. (Duncan Jamieson) 88
KJETILBY - “Unrequited Love” (HitMusic)
We melodic rockers often mourn the passing of the eighties when our favourite form of music disappeared from the airwaves and record shelves. However, recently there has been an AOR renaissance. Hardly a week goes by without a new killer album being released. Take Norwegian guitarist KjetilBy, hardly a household name, who delivers this disc of prime drive time music. It’s his third but easily his best album. Car stereos were invented for this kind of music; mid tempo rock songs that do just that-rock. No metal histrionics here just straightforward tunes, and a voice that works within its range. Morthy Black (TNT) and Steiner Krogstad (Stage Dolls) are on board and you can hear the Doll similarities. Also Michael Furlong, Carl Dixon and Danny Wilde (pre-Rembrants) spring to mind. The female vocals on ‘These are the Days’ have a Roxette feel. It’s summer and this album is the perfect accompaniment to the hot weather with high calibre songs such as ‘Unrequited love’, ‘Burning’ and the duet ‘Loved and Lost’. With so many mid paced numbers the inclusion of a faster number would have been welcome. KjetilBy is a name to remember if you can! (Duncan Jamieson) 85
14 Melodic Rock Fanzine
EXTREME - “Saudades De Rock” (Frontiers Records)
Excellent! This would be the one, if I had to give a single word to describe this Extreme's fifth studio chapter released after about thirteen years of silence. Extreme, since the same-titled debut in 1989, has always been a very original and creative band, fusing together different styles in a unique, indistinguishable musical identity. Release after release, passing through “Pornograffitti”, “III Sides...” and “Waiting For The Punchline”, this band has always been showing us how they love to make always a step forward time after time, avoiding to make the same all soup, as many artists use to do. That's the reason why I really thank God for this new brilliant “Saudades de Rock”. This is the fifth manifesto of what Extreme is: a band of creative, original musicians, really into the music, in the groove and never afraid to involve any kind of influence coming to their mind, making every song a little gem of a new musical experience. Nuno's excellent riffing is hot, stunning and perfectly fuses together with the rhythm section in a whirlpool of groovy flavors. Gary Cherone is still on top, performing with a so high interpretative quality level. This is WHAT a real Extreme fan has been waiting for since so many years on. An absolute cracker! (Fulvio Bordi) 100
STARBREAKER - “Love’s Dying Wish” (Frontiers Records)
Starbreaker’s debut caused quite stir on its release. Tony Harnell (ex TNT) and Magnus Karlsson (Allen/Lande, Primal Fear) have again come up with a heavy modern sounding record that helps further distance Tony from his TNT sound. After the first album this was always going to be less of a surprise. However, there’s a sharper production job this time and if a trendier band for example 30 Seconds to Mars had recorded these tracks then you would be hearing them on heavy rotation on MTV. Magnus’s blistering heavy guitar compliments Tony’s powerful high searing vocals. The post 90’s rock structure of soft, heavy, etc. is favoured and there’s piano on the verse of ‘Building a Wall’ and strings on ‘The Day Belongs to Us’ to offer variety. ‘Evaporate’, ‘Love’s Dying Wish’, the infectious ‘Unknown Superstar’ and big chorused ‘Hello, Are you Listening?’ stand out. More variety between some songs could have raised the bar even higher but this is a band with real crossover appeal; heavy enough for the metalheads, modern and with enough angst for the new generation of rock fans and with enough (Duncan Jamieson) 90 melody to please everyone else.
HAREM SCREAM - “Hope” (Frontiers Records)
“Hope” - a paradoxical title - as this is the final album from these Canadian Melodic Rock legends…after twenty some years, the group’s members are set to explore new musical plateaus. With such song titles as “Watch Your Back”, “Days Are Numbered”, “Beyond Repair”, and “Calm Before The Storm”, “Hope” is a somewhat darker album than what we have come to expect from Harem Scarem. However Harry Hess and company raise their own standards higher and deliver a outstanding collection of music. With earnest songs performed to perfection, this release is a grand way to close out the book of Harem Scarem. The group is definitely going out with “a bang”! A very muscular effort that leaves us with the hope that we can share in the members’ future musical explorations. (Bruce Atkinson)
FROM THE INSIDE - “Visions” (Frontiers Records)
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The From the Inside project is back. Many people thought this would be a one off project but listening to the strength of songs on offer here we are lucky it wasn’t. The first album saw Danny Vaughn team up with Fabrizio Grossi to sing on a collection of overtly melodic rock tunes. Well, it’s the same this time round but better. Fabrizio has created a great sound full of bombast with no little help from House of Lords’ guitar maestro Jim Bell. Tom and James Martin compositions, “If it’s Not Love” and “One More Night in Heaven” work particularly well evoking Khymera and House of Lords.” “Light Years” kicks off the album with huge melodic intent. ‘Making Waves’ is the type of song that magazines like this exist for. You have to puff out your chest to this musically pompy story of a girl striving for her independence. “Days of Hunger” echoes Danny’s previous solo albums to good effect. “Up tempo “Telemetry” keeps the quality top notch right until the end. Danny sings these stirring anthems as well as he ever has. It’ll be interesting to see what his next move is. (Duncan Jamieson) 93
SILENT RAGE - “Four Letter Word” (Frontiers Records)
When I saw the release roster for Frontiers Records for 2008, one the most anticipated releases for me was Silent Rage’s “Four Letter Word” and low and behold this release really was worth waiting for. It may be six years since “Still Alive” but those years weren’t wasted as the band have put together a quite outstanding album that is well worthy of the Silent Rage name, with EJ Curse, Jesse Damon and Mark Hawkins each providing some quite fine vocals to the album, as well as some superb musicianship that you’ve come to expect from a band of such quality. The band also managed to bring in Bruce Kulick and Bobby Blotzer for a few tracks just to add to the who’s who list of artists involved the even managed to get Gilby Clarke to produce the album. The album is as high class a Rock album I’ve heard this year, with every track a winner in my book, featuring such future classics like “Feel My Love” with its early Kiss feel, the hard rocker “Man Or Machine” and the melodic ballad “Close Your Eyes”. This was well worth the six year wait but let’s hope it’s not six years before the next! (Barry McMinn) 90
Melodic Rock Fanzine 11
LAND OF TALES - “Land Of Tales” (Frontiers Records)
A self-titled debut from a Finnish quartet that is centred around two long time friends and musicians (Palle & Krristian) with a huge sound, Land Of Tales makes quite the splash, first time out. The music is a excellent combination of keyboards and guitars pushing these 11 creations out into the stratosphere! The group is now whole with the addition of Sami Rajala on bass and percussionist Sami Ojala…allowing Palle & Kristian to concentrate on pushing the limits of their instruments of keyboards and guitars, respectively. A classic Melodic sound, tough and hard in places, but always heartening and strong in performance. Kristian takes on the vocal duties as well, and delivers on a consistent level…with rich tone and a sensitive delivery. “Land Of Tales” is a very fitting name, as the group seem to have a lot to say, play, and sing about, and they do so-so delightfully. Land Of Tales - an (Bruce Atkinson) 92 instant classic - deserving of any Melodic Rock music lovers’ ears!
RICHIE KOTZEN - “Live In Sao Paulo” (Frontiers Records)
Oh! Mama... let him play! “Live In Sao Paulo” is Richie’s first ever live-offering and what a performance this is! Considered one of the best guitarists in the world, Richie Kotzen exemplifies the best in both Rock-Blues and Soul... and as the vocal prowess to match. “Live In Sao Paulo” is an experience - that you can become part of the audience and totally absorb yourself in the hot-heady and soulful stage work of a musical genius. Richie is “don’t touch”-hot and so is his band. Each song delivered with jaw dropping skill and inspiration... and filled to the brim with affecting musical expressions. There is a innate and organic “feel” on this release, and I can just imagine that those that have seen Richie live have witnessed a natural transformation of the man into a pure “musical entity”, becoming one with his instrument, the total embodiment of his poignant, rocked up performances. Richie Kotzen“Live In Sao Paulo”... re-live this heart rendering soul filled command performance time and time again! Oh, mama... let him play...and play... and play... (Bruce Atkinson) 90
LEVEL C - “Level C” (Locomotive Music)
Hailing for Cleveland Ohio, Level C have been labelled as America’s “Heaviest All Female Metal Band” and on the evidence of this their self titled debut release, Level C certainly live up to that label and so much more. The band are about the take the predominately male Metal genre by the throat and shake it to its very foundations with this release, as the girls grind and growl their way to undoubted stardom with their uncompromising metal. Led by Christine Maynard who provides those massive angst filled vocals, deliver a punch not heard since early Rage Against The Machine and Pantera. Together with the streaming guitars of Christina Crago, the punishing rhythm section of Janean Marie Buch on bass and Misty Everson on drums, the band are ready and willing to take on the world. The album is a massive punchy slice of metal with monstrous tracks like “Fly” and “No Control”’ to the pummelling tones of ‘Bully’. This is hardcore female Metal like you’ve never heard before so you have been warned! (Barry McMinn) 82
RONNI LE TEKRO - “Kingdom Of Norway” (Escape Music)
One the most influential guitar players in the Melodic Rock field, Le Tekro has led the band TNT since their incarnation in the early eighties and Ronni has always been able to put his hand to almost any instrument and is able to adopt a variety of musical style as his various projects show. This solo album is no different, with each listen you’ll pick up various influences throughout his vast career with slices of Bowie, Floyd and the Beatles instantly recognisable and even a little Country gets into the mix, along with the more traditional Melodic Rock that Le Tekro is more famed for. This is quite an eclectic mix and for some it will take a few listens to appreciate the talent that is Le Tekro. I have a couple of personal favourites like the “Kissing Disease”, the gentile instrumental “From A Birds Perspective” and the Bowiesque “She Stole The Magic”, just to name a few. As I said before this is quite a diverse album that I’m sure will have something for everyone, no matter how different your musical taste... (Barry McMinn) 85
MICHAEL VESCERA - “A Sign Of Things To Come” (Metal Heaven)
Hopefully this is not a sign of things to come from established vocalist Michael Vescera, as nothing gets interesting until deep in this album. “Shine On” is where the energy picks-up, both instrumentally and vocally. Overall, though, much of this effort is run-of-the-mill Metal, predictable and dare I say “safe”. I guess I was expecting something quite different from such a talented musician; the exceptions are, of course, “Shine On” and “Make Your Move”, “When You’re Cryin”, and “Say the Word”. Maybe “A Sign Of Things To Come” should have been released as an EP and not a full length album...just too much filler for my liking! (Bruce Atkinson)
ELEVENER - “When Kaleidoscopes Collide” (AOR Heaven)
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When the 90’s came the world of Melodic and AOR was throw aside by the big labels in favour of the five minute wonder generation, who followed the Grunge scene and the Nu-Metal genres, the scene we loved so much became an almost underground scene, but from 2001 to the present day the scene has been very much on the upwards march again with more and more bands reinventing the genre. One of those bands is Elevener, the joint venture of Million keyboard player Johan Bergquist and Andreas Brodén. Like the genre itself the pair have come full circle and the two are again producing good honest Melodic Rock and it also gives us a chance to here what a fine vocalist Bergquist really is. From the opener “This Heart Is Mine” is clear to all the direction the pair intended for the album as good an AOR opener you’ll not hear this year. From this point on it’s pure class all the way with Bergquist the shining light throughout the album with some great vocals especially on the likes of “Shooting Star”’ and the sublime ballad “All Of My Life”. A clear candidate for newcomers of the year for me! (Barry McMinn) 95
12 Melodic Rock Fanzine
PLEASURE DOME - “For Your Personal Amusement” (Escape Music)
Quite possibly the makings of a Melodic Rock supergroup, Pleasure Dome’s “For Your Personal Amusement” is the quintet’s first release. Made up of five mainstays in the Melodic Rock galaxy, Pleasure Dome is: Ted Poley on Vocals, David Tsien on Guitars, Charlie Calv on Keyboards, Ed Avila on Bass, and Drummer John Hummel. “F.Y.P.A” is a collection of impressive and energetic rock songs. There seems to be something for everyone in the twelve tracks, that make up this debut. One can rock out to “Trapped” and absorb the emotions of “One & Only”, and “Praying For A Miracle”. Expertly produced and mightily performed, “F.Y.P.A” will stay with you for a long time…from the evocative melodies of “Praying For A Miracle” to the high energy of “Always Tomorrow” and others…this is a solid, strong and hard hitting (Bruce Atkinson) 85 debut. Stand-out Tracks: “Seems Like A Dream” and “I Won’t Cry”!
APPEARANCE OF NOTHING - “Wasted Time” (Escape Music)
Another album “hot” of the press this month from Escape is the fantastic debut album for Swiss Symphonic Prog Rockers Appearance Of Nothing. The band are set to make a stir in their particular genre with this quite outstanding release as they mix the Prog sound with heavy guitar riffs and two quite contrasting vocal style of Pat Gerber and Omar Cuna on an album that soars as high as the mighty Matterhorn itself. The band are obviously big Pink Floyd fans as the vocals of Gerber are very similar to that style, although the band have a much heavier guitar sound, which together with the contrasting more gruff vocal of Cuna, the band have one of those unique qualities these days, their own sound. I’d like mention a couple of my personal favourites, firstly “The Gambler” with its gigantic keyboard and heavy bass opening its twin vocals. The superb Jethro Tull folkish sound of “Drifting Away” but without the flute, and finally track of the album for me the three-part epic “The Science Of Light”. If you’re into the Symphonic or Prog sounds even just a little bit, then this is a must buy album. (Barry McMinn) 83
ROSE HILL DRIVE - “Moon Is The New Earth” (Megaforce Records)
Rose Hill Drive are a Power-Trio in the true sense of the term. Their music is a hard driving ‘rootsy-blues’ Rock combination with energised vocals and an intensity that will totally overcome you. “Moon Is The New Earth” is the group’s second effort. Twelve very catching creations that will undoubtedly put this three piece ahead of the pack. Based out of the States, Rose Hill Drive conjures up comparisons to the Black Crowes, amongst other southern flavoured American Rock groups, but hold to their own unique interpretations of a classic music style. What with glimpses of musical genius, this second effort will unquestionably open up many doors for the three lads that (Bruce Atkinson) reside in Rose Hill Drive.
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POLUTION - “Overheated” (Escape Music)
Now, right from the ‘git-go’, this quintet grabs you by the nuts and don’t let go! A riff-laden guitar driven soundscape - this five piece delivers each and every time, and with lethal blows! Pascal Gwerder’s vocals are just as hard and rhythmic as his band mates musical performances. The lyrical content can be quirky, but in the end they make sense…a lot of sense, and the group have a great sense of humour, and is forefront in some of the compositions. Come on...a band that has the balls to write “Same Shit-Different Day” and “Sweet Little Girl” deserves your undivided attention! You’ll find yourself singing and dancing to each and every musical creation and welcoming their no-nonsense and honest attitude. There is no pollution in this debut…just unadulterated Rock, musically and attitude-wise. Stand-out Tracks: “Overheated” “Don’t Know” “Going Down” and “Five Years”. (Bruce Atkinson) 78
GYPSY ROSE - “Another World” (Escape Music)
Gypsy Rose were one of those bands who became a victim of the Grunge scene and the fall of Melodic/Hard rock bands in the eighties/early nineties, with their debut album being shelved on two occasions it finally saw the light of day in 2004. Now, in 2008, the band have returned with their latest release, “Another World”, and what an album it is! The band have been joined by David Reece of Accept and Bangalore Choir fame for what for me is Escape Music’s finest Hard Rock release this year. With Reece at the helm the band have gone for a more dramatic vocal sound courtesy of Reece’s immense power with tracks like ‘Angels’ and ‘Nothing Really Matters’. The crunching guitars of Martin Kronlund and the gentle soundings on ‘When I Call Your Name’ are just a few of the many highlights, but you must check out ‘Hellhammer’, as this has anthem written all over it. This is an album that will be on my play list over the next few months at least. (Barry McMinn) 85
MARCELLO/VESTRY - “Marcello-Vestry” (NL Distribution)
The Marcello-Vestry self-titled debut is a perfect release done for all the ‘80s Hard Rock lovers! The project is a brainchild from Rob Marcello (the actual Danger Danger axeman) and the talented vocalist Frank Vestry. Compositions move along the pure “golden” eighties-style, with irresistible refrains, intense background vocals, melodic hooks, lovely and iperskilled guitar riffs and solos and heavenly keyboard carpets. Everything looks perfect since the very first shots, with brilliant, sparkly songwriting and crystalline sound production. The Marcello soloing is excellent, of course; and as many Danger Danger and Melodic Rock maniacs fans already know, licks, melodies, scales and arpeggios flow on fast and clean and won’t miss to astonish any Hard Rock guitar style lover. All the songs sweat all the pure magic from classics like early Danger Danger and Bon Jovi, Hardline, Steelheart, Tyketto and Y&T, to name a few. Great album! (Fulvio Bordi) 90
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