Contents Issue 29 November - December 2008: 04 Tesla 06 Thunder 07 Robert Berry 08 White Lion 09 Lost Weekend 10 Richie Kotzen 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 Jimi Jamison track-by-track 16 TNT 17 China Blue 19 Ecliptica 21 Jimi Jamison
Melodic Rock Fanzine The Official Frontiers Records Newsletter
November - December 2008 Issue 29
January 23rd, 2009: - VISION DIVINE “9 Degrees West Of The Moon”
Editor-in-chief: Primo Bonali Executive Editor: Elio Bordi Writers: Bruce E.J. Atkinson, Rob “Ezy” Bone, Fulvio Bordi, Duncan Jamieson, Barry McMinn, Marco Spaeth.
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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
- JORN “Live In America” DVD - PLACES OF POWER “Now Is The Hour” - TALL STORIES “2”
February 13th, 2009: - PLACE VENDOME “Streets Of Fire” - JEFF SCOTT SOTO “BEAUTIFUL MESS” - HARDLINE “Just Add Water”
TESLA has always been about songs, uncompromised Rock attitude and great music. . Their new album, the amazing “Forever More”, is no exception: the band is back with 13 brand new songs offering a ride of energy that doesn't come easy for a band of rookies much less a band who’s been doing this for over 20 years! And - as the perfect accompaniment TESLA offers us a concert recorded in Minnesota in February 2008 that gets on DVD and released for the first time in Europe! At the sold-out show, Tesla treated fans to numerous classics such as “What You Give”, “Signs”, “Modern Day Cowboy”, “Love Song” and “Little Suzi”. It's Tesla's first long video released in 17 years (since 1991's “Five Man Video Band”) and is filled with over two hours of live music, over an hour of special behind-thescenes footage and never-before-seen material, including footage of TESLA interacting with fans, giving viewers a personal tour of Seattle, and an up-close look at their touring equipment and guitars. At first congratulations for the wonderful new album! “Forever More” sounds classically Tesla, more than the previous studio album “Into The Now”, which had a more up-todate production. Do you agree? If so, why did you choose this classical approach? Tesla: Well, I would say it sounds very modern as well as Classic Modern in the approach and 04 Melodic Rock Fanzine
songs. “I Wanna Live” is a smash hitsingle, absolutely amazing. How did you write it, and what do you think about this song? T: It started with the drumbeat, then I started messing about with the verse chords and then took it to the rest of the band. Terry (Thomas) finished it. I think it has a very catchy chorus …very TESLA! The album was produced by
Terry Thomas. Is it because you liked his work with Bad Company? T: No, actually he did a record of ours called “Bust A Nut”, in 1994. We really liked working with him back then. He’s one of the best out there. He’s a real producer: he plays guitar and writes songs. He co-wrote all the songs on this album. The songs of the album have
been recorded in one session, or did you compose them over the years? T: We started writing in December of 2007. All the songs were worked on, from December 2007 thru completion in August 2008. Is there a past Tesla album that you would compare to “Forever More”? T: No, but I would say it’s closest to “Into The Now”. Your first album "Mechanical Resonance" is considered one of the greatest Hard-Rock debut. How do you feel now about it? T: Very thankful. I think that, when you look at careers of bands like Tesla or any band that has been around for 20 years or so, their first album always leaves a lasting impres-
sion. “Five Man Acoustical Jam” is the first great unplugged album that reached a top success. Do you feel like pioneers in this sense? T: I’ll tell you a story. About two years after “Five Man Acoustical Jam” came out, I met one of my all time-heroes, Jimmy Page. I was talking to him and he told me he really liked “Five Man...”. I was surprised and told him I didn’t think he even knew who I was and he said: “Are you kidding? You did the first live acoustic album!”. So my answer is yes, we did the first live acoustic album, but we didn’t start the whole unplugged thing. I would have to say Led Zeppelin did with “Led Zeppelin 3”. I love also the album “Bust A Nut”, which was underrated beacuse it was released in the
Grunge period. What do you think about it? T: I think it’s a good album but disjointed at times. We were not in a very good state while we were making it... but, having said that, it does have its great moments! (by Alessandro Ariatti courtesy of “Rock Hard Italy”)
“Comin’ Atcha Live 2008!” the new DVD by Tesla: review page 12
“Forever More” the new album by Tesla: review page 11
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Thunder enters their 20th Anniversary year with a blistering new album, “Bang!”, their 9th studio LP recorded in a seriously old castle in the west of England. The resulting record is a great collection of songs, assembled and delivered in the way only Thunder know how. Several are surely destined to become future Thunder concert classics! Hello! “Bang!” marks Thunder’s 20th anniversary! Would you like to introduce us to this new release? How would you describe it? Thunder: The most important purchase you will make this week! How did you decide a so “funny” and partucular title for the album? Has it, in some ways, a meaning to display your musical attitude? T: The title is supposed to grab your attention and demand that you listen to it. A little like a petulant child! I know you’ve recorded the album in a very peculiar place, giving songs a real particular sound. Would you tell us something about it? T: A wonderful friend of the band owns a fabulous castle and she kindly lent it to us. It consists of eight turrets and the “Keep”. The turrets are the most amazing place to record drums, and give a real “John Bonham”-feel to the sound. Will it be difficult to recreate this sound playing live? T: Not if we take a leaf out of Richie Blackmore’s book and only play in castles, eh, eh eh! 06 Melodic Rock Fanzine
Which ones have been your very first impressions since you finished the recording session? T: How much I like the sound of the record and the pride I feel in the fact that the band produced this album from concept to delivery. Any tour dates fixed right now? T: We have a UK tour in November. We will be coming to Europe on the 16th February and playing Holland, Belgium, Germany, and Switzerland. Details at www.thunderonline.com Every time I listen to a Thunder release, one of the first thoughts coming in mind, besides enjoying the music, is the fun you communicate. Thunder looks like a band really happy to make its music, record it and play it live. In your opinion what’s the secret to keep the same enthusiasm alive after so many releases done? T: I think we are lucky that all the members of Thunder keep their egos well and truly in check and we truly enjoy what we do for a living After so many years and releases,
what do you think any of you Thunder musician has learned each one from the other? T: That no matter how hard you try it’s very difficult to recognise a tune from just the drums! (by Fulvio Bordi)
“Bang!” the new album by Thunder: review page 11
Rober t Berr y is a name that needs lit tle intr oduction. W ith experience in bands such as HUSH, 3 (with Keith Emerson and Carl Palmer), AMBROSIA, GTR (with Steve Howe of YES) and ALLIANCE + 5 solo r eleases Rober t is a singer/pr oducer/multiinstrumentist whose name stands as a guaran tee of good music, both in the Pr ogr essive and in the Melodic Rock fields! Robert, your new album “The Dividing Line” is more a Melodic Rock album than what we're perhaps used to; was this your intent from the off? Robert Berry: Yes, it was my intent. I had written myself a note when I first was asked by Frontiers to do a new album about what I wanted this album to be like. And it turned out just the way I had hoped. One of the favorite times in my life was when I had the band with Keith Emerson and Carl Palmer. We were trying to bridge the gap between the more progressive music and the melodic Rock format. It is a style that comes very natural to me and I still can use some progressive touches within the style. I also tried to accomplish this with GTR and Steve Howe when I played with him. When working on an album like this, what comes first the lyrics or the music, or is it a mix of the two? RB: Songwriting comes in all directions for me. But usually it is created all at the same time. I get a phrase or a series of words I like, and instantly the melody and chords come to me. Sometimes I write these down in a song book I keep, and other times I'm actually in the studio and just set out right then to record the first demo version. Do you take a different approach to writing solo material, to say Alliance or other band material? RB: Yes, I do. Alliance is what I call a straight up American Rock band. My lyrics revolve more around relationships and circumstances. And Gary and I do most of the music writing together so it is really guitar-driven. With my solo material I tend to write about what kind of per-
son I am trying to be, or something with a positive slant. It is actually much more personal and it expresses my inner most beliefs. Who actually features in the band behind the music on “The Dividing Line”? RB: Well, that is something I don't talk about a lot. On “A Life Worth Livin” I have used my band-mates from Alliance, Gary Pihl and David Lauser. They have both been such a big influence in my life that I just couldn't do an album without asking them to be on it. The rest of the album is just me doing what I love to do. Many people don't know this but what I do at my studio almost every day is produce music tracks for solo singer-songwriters. They bring in their song and I go about working on the stucture with them, arranging it and then playing all the instruments. Not a fake computer version of instruments. I play the real instruments. I love doing this and it has given me the most incredible job in the world. Every day I help somebody bring a new song to life. Ah, I should have been a doctor, ah ah! I thought the new Alliance album is a masterpiece; do you have plans for a fourth album yet? RB: I am so glad to hear you say that. That was such a long, hard journey to get it done. And by the reviews we got it was worth every bit of it. We have already started working on songs for the 4th album. But we only know one thing for sure: it won't take 9 years to get it done! We are thinking sometime in 2010. With such a vast career behind you, what keeps Robert Berry motivated
these days? RB: Well, some of it I explained already with the artists I produce. I do it fairly inexpensively so I am just busy all the time. I charge a writer one thousand dollars to produce a complete music track. There isn't a day that I don't do some kind of original work for somebody. And a lot of what I do is new Rock and Pop stuff. Say something in the style of a Fall Out Boy or Foo Fighters. Or even a Britney or Madonna pop tune. I do all kinds of styles. Now this probably seems odd to some of the people that like my music. But what it does is it keeps me fresh, keeps me currrent and keeps me motivated. Life is good! (by Barry McMinn)
“The Dividing Line” the new album by Robert Berry: review page 11
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The brand new WHITE LION DVD r eflects the magic of an unforgettable night at the “Bang Your Head Festival” in Balingen, Germany on June 2005, with amazing r enditions of all the band’s hits and signatur e songs. A testament of what was and a statement for the futur e who br ought the successful studio r eturn album “Return of the Pride”. Hi Mike! Congratulations for this very interesting White Lion DVD concert! Would you present it to the band’s fans? Mike Tramp: Well, it’s the first DVD concert from the band ever, so it is a good feeling having something out there for the fans that can’t come the shows or never get to see us ‘cause they live in other countries, etc. Which are your best memories about that concert at “Bang Your Head Festival” in 2005? MT: It was an amazing feeling going out there, even more because no one knew we were there ‘cause we were a surprise guest. The greatest thing was that the heavy fans judge the band on its performance and talent and not on the past. I spent almost 5 hours hiding in the dressing room before the show, so noone would know it was White Lion that was the surprise guest! So I never got to see the stage or crowd before I walked out. When I walked out and saw the big crowd it was incredible, and that to me was the greatest moment; and also in the final song, “Radar Love”, when the ramp goes up in the air and I stand up in the sky looking over the big crowd! What about production? Who did work on it? And are you totally glad about the DVD final result? MT: One of the camera-men edited it and we mixed the audio. At the same time, we have to remember that this was not just our concert and it wasn’t planned that we 08 Melodic Rock Fanzine
were going to be captured on film. When other bands do it, they plan it for a long time; we just went out there and got captured on film. But at the same time it’s a very cool concert. In your opinion, which are the main live-performances’ differences between today’s White Lion and the classic 80’s line-up? MT: You have to include that it’s 17 years later and everything has changed. But this is a much more music line-up. We go back into the songs and see where we can make it better without changing it. Do you think this concert is the best way to display all the actual White Lion’s live potentialities? MT: I think it’s for the Rock fans that like this kind of stuff... nothing beats being at a real concert! And, looking back, is there a particular concert you have great memories about among all the ones the band did in the 80’s? MT: There were so many, we were moving so fast and never thinking about what we were doing. But I would say the three shows we did at the “Marquee club” in London in 1988, that was very special and anyone who was there will say that. Please, tell us about the next White Lion steps? Any new live dates or new studio release scheduled for 2009? MT: A new album next year. Touring and some other surprises. Right now we are just finishing a year of touring and we need a little break.
Now that your main band White Lion is back on track, are you going to make other solo releases as you did in the last decade? MT: Yes, I am and, yes, I will. With White Lion back, I am able to do what I want to do with my solo music and that has nothing to do with White Lion or Hard Rock. Please, leave your fans a final message... MT: This actually is the first White Lion concert on DVD, so now fans around the world that likes the band but never got to see the band can be part of what the rest of us have been for a long time! Rock’n’Roll always!!! (by Fulvio Bordi)
“Live at the Bang Your Head Festival 2005” the new DVD by White Lion: review page 12
Lost Weekend have been together for 15 years. They are made up of musicians who over the last 25 years have rocked the stages of Britain, Europe and the world. With a slight change in personnel, the band are now a twin guitar based band resulting in a heavier sound more akin to the likes of the Scorpions, UFO and Thunder to name a few... Hello to everyone in Lost Weekend! Recently you have parted ways with Z Records; please bring us up to date on what is happening with Lost Weekend? Lost Weekend: Hi Bruce! Regarding Z Records, we just felt the new album needed a label with a better track record for getting the product to the music fans; with Escape Music we really don’t think there is a better label out there for this genre of music! Lost Weekend have an history dating back to the 1990’s; has this been a long haul for you? LW: We really have been busy now for the last 15 years honing our craft, recording not just for us, but - as you might know - also the Bob Catley solo album “Spirit Of Man” and, indeed, touring around, even managing to visit your wonderful country, and hope to again in support of the new album! It seems that you are in rejuvenating period; is that a fair assesment? LW: Yes, rejuvenating is a good description! Over the years we have had keyboard-players and that really gave us one sound, so we opted for a
second guitar player and this worked so well... in fact writing this album became so easy as we could work to remit of making the album very organic and british-sounding. Basically we stripped back the sound from being very keyboards-AOR influenced and went back to our roots... the end result is a powerful mix of Rock riffs, vocals with great melodies and production to die for. You have come through some difficult times; what drives you and keeps you keeping on? LW: Being in a band over many years is like a marriage: you have great times and bad times, you have to work at it all the time. What you have to remember, at the end of the day, is that we are all working for the same goal, but sometimes we arrive at that a different way that all. I wish you well in the future, and as is my tradition, please leave our readers with a few parting thoughts... thanks again for taking the time in answering my questions, and thanks ever so much for your past Musical Nuggets. May the
future hold for you, good fortune and good health! LW: We would just like to say we hope you enjoy the new album “Fear And Innocence”, and really hope to see you out on tour in the New Year. Keep checking the Lost Weekend website and myspace sites for updates... oh, and have a peaceful Christmas and a happy New Year! Keep rocking!!! (by Bruce Atkinson)
“Fear And Innocence” the new album by Lost Weekend: review page 12
A perfect complement to the recent CD-only release “Live in Sao Paulo”, the “Bootlegged In Brazil”DVD is the first ever solo video live performance from the former Mr Big a n d P o i s o n g u i t a r p l a y e r, r, R i c h i e K o t z e n . Hello Richie!! This is your first ever solo video DVD. When did you decide it was the right moment to release it, at last? Richie Kotzen: There are some DVDs that I’ve put out, but they were sort of homemade - just for the hardcore fans. But this is a pretty cool show that we did down in Sao Paulo, and we had the opportunity to have the cameras there, and have the “Pro Tools” there to record everything the right way. So it came out pretty well. I’ve been so much appreciating this DVD since the first shot! Is there a particular reason that made you decide for this concert in Brasil? RK: No specific reason. We happened to have the situation come together where there was the option of filming made available to us. The idea was that if the show was an inspired performance then we would review the footage with the idea of releasing a DVD from the show. Lucky for us everything came together! Is there a particular thought or memory coming into your mind every time you start watching it again? RK: To be honest I have not watched it since we finished it. There is so much time spent putting it together that once it is finished the last thing I want to do is keep watching it. I do remember that tour as being a lot of fun. We had some great crowds to play in front of. That is usually
what makes a great show: the enthusiasm of the audience combined with the band being inspired. What do you mostly appreciate about the people coming to see and listen to your shows? RK: I think it is a great thing to be able to go around the world and perform my music with my band in front of so many different people. It is a great feeling to know there are people interested in my work. The band features Johnny Griparic on bass and drummer Dan Potruch. Please, tell us about them... RK: I knew both of them years prior. When I was recording “Go Faster”, I was at a studio and Dan was there. We got to talk and - once I found out that my drummer at that time was not available to tour - I remembered how much I liked Dan's drumming. I asked him to do the tour and he said “yes”. The situation with Johnny was very much the same. And what about interplay? Are there some particular inputs, notes, rhythms, or feelings their way to perform that give you and make you particularly inspire when you’re improvising? RK: Yes, there is. With any live-situation it is about feeding off the other players. Especially
in my type of music. So much of the improv comes out of the reaction of the other musicians. What they play, what we all play influences each other. In your opinion, which are the main differences when you listen to your same song played live and in studio? RK: Well, the studio performance does not change. Live it is always a little different, especially in the songs where we stretch out the solosections. Those sections are a little different every time. That is what keeps the show fresh and exciting. What about next steps now? Have you already got some new material or compositions for a studio release? RK: I am writing all the time. I’m not sure when I will release another studio Cd, but I would guess sometime in 2009. As for touring, I am booked in Europe Jan/Feb 2009. I am also making plans to tour North America early next year which I have not done in a long time. South America is booked for April 2009. (by Fulvio Bordi)
TESLA - “Forever More” (Frontiers Records) Tesla are back again with their undistinguishable full hard rock energy with the brand new studio release “Forever More”. All the band is well inspired and in perfect shape since the opening title-track notes, with a so smart, particular combination of heavy sounds with a clean guitar arpeggio. Jeff Keith’s aggressive voice gives songs the right trademark and melodic lines, the rhythm section kicks powerful as should ever be done, while guitars sound so heavy. The very first word coming in mind carrying on listening song after song is “variety”. While the band’s personality and musical trademark keep stable for all the twelve tracks, at the same time compositions sound like different not just as chapters each from the other, but in their inner structure too. Just find out the different songwriting and arrangements approach among songs like “I Wanna Live”, “One Day At a Time”, “Breaking Free”, “In A Hole Again”, “So What” and “Just In Case”, just to name a few. “Forever More” is a new perfect release for all the die hard Tesla fans and raw, straight sound hard rock lovers. (Fulvio Bordi) 95
JIMI JAMISON - “Crossroads Moment” (Frontiers Records) Oh! My goodness... he’s back! And with a vengeance! Jimi Jamison found himself at a crossroads and recorded the experience for all of us to immerse ourselves, enjoy and be inspired! “Crossroads Moment” feels and sounds like Jimi has fallen in love with singing once again! Teamed up with long time friend and musical mate; Jim Peterik, Jimi has returned to the musical universe with a smashing Work. Fourteen very melodic and timeless creations, this record harkens back to the peaks of Survivor and reaches beyond…all in one fell swoop! Mr. Jamison’s vocal prowess just keeps getting better through the years, and he puts in stellar performances each and every time. Mr. Peterik’s contributions are also huge, having written all the material, however through the inspiration of his long time musical friend, “Crossroads Moment” is a grand collaboration of these two musical giants. A most refreshing Creative Work. (Bruce Atkinson) 98
THUNDER - “Bang!” (Frontiers Records) Every time a new Thunder album gets released, be sure a brand new heart shaking Hard Rock chapter is here to show us how today making brilliant old school Hard Rock, as only few bands right now are able to do, is still possible. As the title suggests, this new Thunder release, irrupts to our ears bringing twelve new gems of heart-performed Hard Rock. “Bang!” is their 9th studio release and marks in the best way possible the band’s 20th Anniversary year. Sound comes out great and all the songs have been recorded in a very particular way: into a castle in the west side of England, choosing different rooms giving a very peculiar sound for each one of them. So, all the tracklist has been recorded almost totally live, with the only exception of few guitar lines and percussions overdubs. About songwriting, well, anyone who already loves this band and all the true melodic Hard Rock lovers won’t miss the opportunity to enjoy “Bang!”and its genuine compositions played with verve and excellent melodic hooks. Today Thunder is a band to be trusted with both eyes closed. (Fulvio Bordi)
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CHINA BLUE - “Twilight Of Destiny” (Frontiers Records) The origin of this record goes back to the late 80s when keyboard player Eric Ragno and lyricist Tom Gasbarro teamed up to create China Blue. Now, finally this project has come to fruition. Alongside Eric, there’s some melodic rock big hitters; Ramos (Hardline, The Storm) on guitar, JK Northup behind the mixing desk and Fabrizio Grossi shows up to supply some additional bass. It’s Tony Mills’ (Shy, TNT) distinctive vocals that have the biggest effect on how this album turns out. His tenure with TNT has received a mixed reception but if you hanker after the sound of Shy during their “Sky Diving” era then look no further. Ramos’ melodic solos have room to stretch out and Eric’s keyboards augment the melodies well. Lyrically, “Twilight of Destiny” is about those pivotal moments in life when the boy gets the girl or the boy loses the girl. It takes a few spins before songs reveal their separate identities but it’s worth the wait. Songs as strong as “Changing Ways” (Touch-esque) or “Take Me As I Am”, have you thinking, “Boy, they don’t write songs like this anymore”. Fortunately for us lovers of AOR, China Blue still do. (Duncan Jamieson) 93
ROBERT BERRY - “The Dividing Line” (Frontiers Records) Anyone who caught the Alliance album “Road To Heaven” earlier this year will know what a talent Robert Berry is, even if you hadn’t heard of the man himself before then and with his new solo album “The Dividing Line”, Berry has once again shown its Melodic Rock pedigree with yet another stunning release. This is pure timeless Melodic Rock from beginning to end as things get underway with the opener and title track “The Dividing Line” and this is where the man’s talent for pure un-littered smooth rock begins and grows as each song unfolds. This pure bliss of the album continues to impress with the semi- acoustic “One Good Man” before the wonderful “Listen To The People” and the superb “This Life”, songs that reflects fact that Melodic Rock can be saved as long as this high calibre of songs are still coming out of the genre. You just have to admire the man’s fortitude to keep on putting out great albums after one another whether as a solo artist or in a band. This sort of talent doesn’t come round everyday, so people embrace it and buy it when released! (Barry McMinn) 95
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ECLIPTICA - “Impetus” (Frontiers Records) From the first stream of notes…one quickly realises that Ecliptica, a sextet hailing from Austria, mean “serious business”! “Impetus”, their first full length album, belies the ‘youngness’ of the group. Highly talented - the six musicians gathered here create a deep ocean of emotive Progressive Metal that does not let-up! An unique line-up that comprises of two vocalists, Elisabeth Fangmeyer & Thomas Tieber, accompanied by founding member; guitarist Markus Winkler, along with Bernie Scholz also on guitar. The group is rounded out with the relentless rhythm section of drummer Roman Klomfar and bassist Florian Thur. Ecliptica deliver 10 mature, and stirring musical creations. Powerful by nature, “Impetus” will undoubtedly resonant for years to come! There is so much depth to this Recorded Work, so much Talent, that there is not enough space in this Review to adequately describe what you are about to discover! However, take it from me: Ecliptica are six of the finest and most gifted musicians, singers and songwriters we have today! “Impetus” is a most powerful debut. Ecliptica: a new generation of Progressive Metal Rockers, and more than deserving of your support! (Bruce Atkinson) 93
TNT - “Atlantis” (Metal Heaven) Following the band’s “The New Territory” release, Le Tekro and Mills have come under some flack about the sound the direction the band was taking and - to be honest - this comes as a surprise to me because every TNT album to date has had something different than its predecessor, and the trend continues with their latest album “Atlantis”. Like Le Tekro’s solo release, the band have gone for a heavily influenced late sixties/early seventies vibe on some of the tracks but there is just a sprinkling of classic TNT there as well. The album gets underway with such a song “Hello, Hello”, a great opener that must have had laid down the impression to the die-hard Melodic Rock fans that the band had turned a corner, but this is short lived as that Brit Pop vibe comes back to haunt them with the likes of “Peter Sellers Blues” and “Baby’s Got Rhythm”. But this album is what Tony Mill’s vocals were meant for, the mix of highs and lows really give Mills a chance to shine and he does on numerous occasions. This might not win the band any new fans and those who found “The New Territory” hard will find this much of the same, but if you persevere with this album it will grow on you. (Barry McMinn) 81
LOST WEEKEND - “Fear And Innocence” (Escape Music) Lost Weekend are back with the brand new album. With this “Fear And Innocence” the band shows a new face always with their irresistible trademark that made the band one of the best melodic act in Europe. Still with great melodies and great chorus, Lost Weekend’s music now is a journey into great riffs and very intensive guitar works. With a slight change in the line-up the music points in elements like twin guitar resulting in an heavier sound like Scorpions, UFO and Thunder to name a few. With four albums on sale around the world and band on the eve of the best release to date with their new album on Escape titled "Fear and Innocence" the band goes from strength to strength! (Vitale Nocerino)
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STEELHEART - “Good 2B Alive” (LiveWire) Brilliant! I think the best way to enjoy and really appreciate this new Steelheart chapter is to completely forget what this band was almost twenty years ago. Today Steelheart music is a complete Miljenko Matijevic’s brainchild: since all the songwriting work, then going to production, vocals and most of the guitar lines. “Good 2B Alive” comes to be an entire autobiographical set of ten compositions, giving music a deep, heavy, dark mood. Talking about the style Miljenko’s true love for Led Zeppelin is now revitalized and well mixed together with modern influences and sounds. His incredible talented voice now carves its lines on heavy, huge and hypnotic musical carpets, where instable, and cutting riffs give their support to incredible suspended notes, high vocal peaks and very particular atmospheres. Be aware this is not music easy to be understood, listening to it time after time will give us the necessary stairs to reach its musical and lyrical message. Don’t be diffident listening to it since the first time, just wait to understand it, give it time and you won’t get disappointed. (Fulvio Bordi) 88
WHITE LION - “Live At the Bang Your Head Festival 2005” DVD (Frontiers Records) White Lion are back with this great DVD filmed during the bang Your Head performance in 2005. Even if the band is new, they play perfectly all the songs taken from all the band’s history. Mike Tramp voice is amazing and the quality of the show is of really high level. This DVD reflects the magic of an unforgettable night with amazing renditions of all the band's hits and signature songs. Highlights of the concert are incredible performances of “Lights And Thunder”, “Broken Heart”, “Fight to Survive”, plus a special interview to Mike Tramp, the slide show, the section called “Lights and Thunder across the USA” (Live performance of songs from the USA tour) and - as Easter Eggs - “Hungry. It's Over” (Live in the USA). A must-have for all melodic lovers! (Vitale Nocerino)
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TESLA - “Cumin Atcha Live 2008” DVD (Frontiers Records) Tesla has released a new concert DVD that shows the band is one of the most underrated live groups of their generation. A Tesla concert is a huge experience with soaring guitars, raw vocals and tons of rock n' roll energy. Recorded at “The Myth” in St. Paul, Minnesota, Tesla put on a show full of their greatest hits and album cuts. Front man Jeff Keith is a ray of sunshine as he forcefully grabs the microphone and sings from the lungs. His smiles and nods to the crowd show how much he loves his job. He is one of the most genuine vocalists in the game today. Newbie Dave Rude fills in nicely for the missing Tommy Scheoch while Frank Hannon puts on a fret board display of massive proportions. Hannon is a guitar god who has never got the respect he deserves. Watching him on "Comin' Atcha Live," "Heaven's Trail," and the UFO cover "Rock Bottom" will go a long way in convincing the masses that he is the real deal. Dispersed throughout the performance are band interviews where they discuss their career and the songs that have made them famous. This DVD will suffice until Tesla comes to your town and you can see them live and in person! (Jeb Wright - classicrockrivisited.com) 95
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RICHIE KOTZEN - “Bootlegged In Brazil” DVD (Frontiers Records) After so many solo studio releases done along the years, Richie is ready to put on the track a solo DVD concert, at last. This is the very first solo DVD live release aver done from this extremely talented guitar and voice artist and, as the bio states, it is the perfect complement to the live CD “Live In Sao Paulo”, out just a couple of months ago. In my opinion, this DVD really displays how a great concert should ever be: three very talented musicians, performing their music in front of an amazing crowd response, with an absolute instrumental quality, wide improvisation moments, deep feeling and a tracklist of hard rock/blues compositions only a real, artist such as Richie Kotzen is able to create. This is a DVD for any true music lover, who looks for a “concert”, more than a “show”. Plus I’m sure this is the release I would absolutely suggest to anyone who would like to get in touch with Richie Kotzen’s music for the first time, because this DVD concert is the real, complete manifesto of what this artist and his music are: only music, deep inner feelings with absolutely no futile compromises. An absolute must 93 have. (Fulvio Bordi)
ZZ TOP - “Live In Texas” (Eagle Records) Here the Tres Hombres (who have been together around 40 years!) are on home soil blasting out 16 of their bonafide rock classics on what is, unbelievably, their first official full length live recording. There’s also a DVD version, but you don’t need to watch them in their diamond studded, beardy weirdy glory to enjoy the aural brilliance of their fuzzy blues. Track wise it’s balanced between the older 70s classics and their MTV conquering zenith, although disappointingly there’s nothing post 1987. Live, their tone is so down and dirty the Texas mud gets under your fingernails, and Billy and Dusty’s vocals are deeper than a Texan oil well. Their madcap humour and an ageless coolness are so infectious that you feel life really would be better if you donned a pair of dark glasses and grew a beard down to your waist. I defy anyone who says they like rock music not to submit to the final one, two knockout punch of the turbo charged “La Grange” (which pilfers a John Lee Hooker riff) or the salacious “Tush”. More archive live material in the future would spice up our lives more than this trio’s favourite Mexican Burritos. (Duncan Jamieson) 93
THEOCRACY - “Mirror Of Souls” (Metal Heaven) You know that feeling when you suddenly get hit behind the neck and are completely pole axed? Now if you put that feeling into when you here a piece of outstanding music, then that’s the feeling I had when I first put on the new Theocracy album “Mirror Of Souls”. To say this is an exceptional piece of Progressive Metal would be a mammoth understatement, this is just a superb slice of Prog Metal that will shake your very foundations. It’s hard to believe this band started out as a one man project by Matt Smith who played and sang on all tracks on the bands self-titled debut in 2003 and now five years later the band are grown three-fold with Jonathan Hinds and Shawn Benson now joining Smith. Although the album boasts only eight tracks they are eight stunners with the pierce de resistance being the twenty-three minute magnum opus title track ‘Mirror Of Souls’. The album gets underway with ‘A Tower Of Ashes’ and from this monstrous start there is no looking back as the album unfolds a plethora of soaring guitars, gigantic booming rhythms and some of the best Prog Metal melodies you’ll here this side of heaven. A must-buy album. (Barry McMinn) 95
MARSHALL LAW - “Razorhead” (DR2 Records) There must be something being added to the water in the Birmingham as it has given us the godfathers of all that is dark, Black Sabbath, and all that’s meta, Judas Priest. It’s also given us Marshall Law, from Birmingham, who are darker and more metal than either of those Rock legends. Six albums into their career and there’s no sign of them lightening up. This is heavier than the Devil’s Anvil (incidentally, a song on this CD). Leader Andy pyke growls menacingly in a way that you wouldn’t want him living next door to you. With lyrics about “Decaying Flesh” and “Ripping Your F**king Spine Out” it’s not one for your granny’s Christmas stocking. Songs “Razorhead”, “Night Terror” and “Another Bullet” possess catchy choruses and the horror riffs of “Headtrap” and “Hell on Earth” have a certain flesh creeping charm. After 15 tracks of punishing, pounding corrupting metal you feel somewhat violated. If inside you feel like a screaming banshee who thinks being defiled sounds like fun then this is everything you could want in an album. (Duncan Jamieson) 80
CRYONIC TEMPLE - “Immortal” (Metal Heaven) Just when you think there can’t be another new Swedish Power Metal band along comes Cryonic Temple. Well, they’re not exactly new as this is there fourth album but vocalist Glen Metal has gone taking his Steve Grimmet (Grim Reaper) and Bruce Dickinson style vocals with him. In his place is Magnus Thurin (Mindscape) who has a stronger voice and indicates the bands burgeoning ambition. Previously on the likes of the “Blood, Guts and Glory” album they had a predominately True Metal a la Manowar type battle cry. Yes, that still exists on the likes of “Fight to Survive”, but “Where Sadness Never Rests” with its gentler verse comes across like Jethro Tull if they ditched the flute and turned power metal as it gallops towards the chorus. “Fear of the Rage” and “Time” also show how this band is broadening their metal sound. It’s still macho stuff and probably not one for the modern metro sexual man. For existing fans there’s still enough of the signature sound to enjoy. With Thurin’s added brio and the newer dimensions this record should bring on board new fans of this genre but some of the songs remain strictly foot soldiers. (Duncan Jamieson) 83
CRYSTAL EYES - “Chained” (Metal Heaven) Marking their sixth release, “Chained” is the latest effort from Sweden’s Crystal Eyes, and the second for new vocalist Nico Adamsen. Seemingly, the line-up of Crystal Eyes has once again solidified, giving way for the group to concentrate delivering another set of solid Heavy Rock to the masses. “Chained” is nine slabs of granite with such titles as ‘The Devil Inside’, ‘The Fire Of Hades’, and ‘Guardian’, creating a dark and driven atmosphere. A no nonsense collection of molten Metal that should satisfy any and all fans of this group. Stand out tracks: ‘Dying In The Rain’, ‘Shadow Rider’ and ‘Guardian’.
(Bruce Atkinson)
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AXTON - “Bad Desire” (Heart Of Steel Records) It looks like the Italian label Heart Of Steel lately is specializing into reissues of long-forgotten gems of the golden era of the ‘80s. So – after reissuing the very well worth debut-albums of Dark Lord and Lyin Rampant, plus the 2nd neverreleased chapter of Serena - the Italian label put its hands on another jewel, the debut-album from Class Metal act, AXTON, originally released - only on vinyl format - in 1990. The band (from Lecco, Italy) was, back then, clearly influenced by the European Melodic Hard Rock scene, and by names like BONFIRE, SCORPIONS & VICTORY. Songs like “Symbol Of My Sex”, “Don’t Break My Heart Again” or “Turnin’ Wheels” are shining examples of the then-called “Class Metal” (have someone used this term since then?), and they show a band that knew how to play powerful riffs and offer to their audience sing-a-long chorus, with a singer who was never trying super-high notes, but he used his very warm voice to give the songs a pleasant and charming sound. To be noticed that the Cd reissue features a completely remastered sound from the original master-tapes and that has been enriched by 7 bonus-tracks featured on the band’s very first professional demo-tape called "Time To Kill" (1987). (Rob “Ezy” Bone) 93
LIZHARD - “Lizhard” (Perris Records) Rock’n’Roll is back, assuming from their opening-track. The “mission” of this four-piece act coming from Italy is clear. So is their attitude and their music: pure 80s-influenced Hard-Rock full of big guitars, solid rhythms & catchy vocals. This is their debut-album, after they spent some years playing as a cover-band, and it’s a really good one. Maybe “originality” would not be the best word to describe their music, yet they have much to offer to all the fans of this “classic” Hard Rock sound. Especially singer Luke Marsilio delivers an hell of a performance in this Cd, his voice recalls the heavenly one of Mr. Joey Tempest, and this already should be enough for all guys into Europe, Dokken, Firehouse and early Warrant to try getting a copy of this cd immediately! A couple of heart-breakin’ ballads and a cover of Eagles’s classic “Life In The Fast Lane” complete the picture. Only the production could have been better but, hey, we can’t have it all. We have a great, young and hungry band… and that’s enough! (Rob “Ezy” Bone) 88
HARMONY - “Chapter II: Aftermath” (Ulterium Records) The Polar Icecaps aren’t being melted by the sun, but by the vibrations caused by the hoards of Swedish bands blasting out Power Metal. This is Harmony’s sophomore album and fans of Darkwater will recognise the names of Bath on vocals, Sigfridsson on guitar and Engbert on drums, as they make up most of that band too. Less progressive than Darkwater, Harmony operate at the catchy melodic end of the power metal spectrum. Bath’s vocals soar majestically and he articulates the lyrics clearer than a bell; definitely one of the genre’s better singers. The guitars and drums thunder along with a pleasing urgency and the keyboards fill out songs with symphonic splurges and old school jamming. All of this is evident on standout track “Rain” which even throws in some nicely stacked vocal harmonies from Bath. The best tracks are racked up at the front of the album; the catchy “Prevail”, the harder “Aftermath” and the brooding “Kingdom”. The band have Christian leanings which aren’t obviously apparent or likely to spoil your fun if you’re not a believer. Heavy yet brimming with melody and well worth checking out if you have a weakness for Power Metal. (Duncan Jamieson) 82
NOIZE MACHINE - “The Jumping Clown” Noize Machine is the new project band headed by talented Italian axeman Dario Mollo and this debut release entitled “The Jumping Clown” won’t miss to satisfy anyone who loves the good combination of Deep Purple, Black Sabbath, Glenn Hughes and Thin Lizzy elements well fused together and played with a very aggressive and heavy approach. Compositions such as “Ready To Fight”, ”I Like It”, “The Count”, Who Are You” have excellent vocals, melodic hooks, a solid rhythm section with crazy drumming performances, while guitar riffing sounds so heavy and dark. “Stormweather” shows very good particular keyboard parts well combined with guitar lines; “So Far Away” gets a Led Zeppelin and early eighties Deep Purple east flavored verse leading to a very wide breathing beatelesque refrain. “The Jumping Clown” is a Hard Rock release composed and performed with passion, intelligence and technique. Don’t ignore it, it would be a crime! (Fulvio Bordi) 88
NEONDAZE - “Neondaze” Hot on the heels of the likes of the Backyard Babies and the rest of the sleaze driven rock out of Sweden, comes Neondaze, a band that are about to shake the very foundations they stand on when they hit the stages of Europe next year with their infectious guitar driven mix of Glam and Hard Rock. The band are the LA Guns of the new millennium with the likes of vocalist Marcus Lundgren and guitar wiz Lars Boquist behind the band, the foundation is there for a great all guns blazing rock n’ roll band. The album is a high octane riffs filled frenzy from the off with ‘Intoxicated’ getting things underway, with the vocals of Lundgren the feature point of this and most of the other tracks, with Boquist’s fine guitar work a close second. This is good time rock n’ roll Swedish style, with some of the more memorable tracks being ‘Million Miles Away’ and the Girl like ‘Hold Me’, before the sublime ballad ‘Oullbemi Vampire’, which is the bands ‘Ballad Of Jane’ and a song that wraps up a great debut from a band that will surely make waves in 2009. (Barry McMinn) 86
TRAGEDIAN - “Dreamscape” Known as a Power/Speed Metal assemblage, Tragedian have released their full-length album in “Dreamscape”. Although this group is made up of some very talented musicians, this collection seems to get bogged down in its own creation. Unfortunately, nothing inspired, although the production and execution of each musical piece is precise, the songs come across empty, void of emotion and feeling. An ambitious effort, yes, as technically Tragedian are a great Speed Metal band... however, after repeated listenings, “Dreamscape” just comes out short…. (Bruce Atkinson)
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“Battersea” - I thought we were finished with this album when Peterik called me and said “get your butt down to Chicago, I just wrote the opening track”. Well I did - and it is!! “Can't Look Away” - One evening Jim and I were having a drink at a local pub and on the TV there was a news flash of the latest high school massacre and suicide. We wanted to ignore it and continue to celebrate a good day's session. But we couldn't ignore it. We couldn't look away. The next day we tracked the song Jim had stayed up all night writing. “Make Me A Believer” - I guess I've always been kind of a doubting Thomas. I sang this song with a lot of feeling because I was thinking about my daughter and how her birth gave me something to believe in. “Crossroads Moment” - This song means so much to me because this is exactly the point of life I was at when Jim first played it for me. I really was at a crossroads between my past and all the options of my future. Recording this album helped me find myself and take all the right turns. “Bittersweet” - One of our most emotional songs... the moment we find the right person and fall in love. You have to take all the good and the pain that always seems to come along for the ride. I was lucky enough for my dear friend Mickey Thomas to come to Chicago and duet with me. Just like back in 1984 our voices blended like magic. Thanks Mickey! “Behind The Music” - This was the song
we recorded to see how this new team was going to work. It is also what convinced Frontiers to move full steam ahead with the project. They heard in it the sound of the past and the future. In a way this song tells the story of Jim and I. He has always been a mentor to me. “Lost” - “Dear St. Anthony I'm asking you for your kind and urgent help". Jim called me with that line and we talked about a man that is lost without the woman he loves. Later that day Jim called and sang it over the phone. Even through an intermittant cell phone the desperation came through. “Love The World Away” - I guess you could say I got the ball rolling on this one. I was watching a movie one night. There was a scene of a couple making love so passionately that they didn't even hear the sirens outside their window. Turns out their hotel was on fire! Peterik thought this would make a great concept for a song. I think it's one of the most rocking songs on the album. “She's Nothing To Me” - I always loved that John Waite smash “Missing You”. When Jim first played me this one a heard the same contradiction in the lyric. This man is desperately trying to convince himself that she doesn't matter to him one bit. “As Is” - When Mickey came to Jim's studio to sing I sat him down behind the console and played him a rough mix on this one. When he turned around he had a tear in his eye. He said that the song was a classic and that it was one of my best vocals. I don't know if it is or isn't but it sure was nice hearing that from one of my favorite singers
of all time. “Till the Morning Comes” - I can't get enough of this song. It reminds me of the first time Jim and Frankie played me “Is This Love”. It is pure Pop with a Rock edge. I hear echoes of the Doobies, Hall and Oats and of course vintage Survivor. “That's Why I Sing” - This is the most joyous song I've ever sung. Every harmony. Every melody. Every lead line puts a smile on my face. This is all about the reason I fell in love with music in the first place. The music fills my heart - that's why I sing. “Friends We've Never Met” - This song is our tribute to the true royalty in Rock and Roll: the audience. I think I recall almost every show I've played through the years. It never stops being a thrill when the crowd connects with a band and suddenly it's just one big band. People singing along, clapping, laughing - really another member of the band. I've made thousands of friends over the years friends I've never met. “When Rock Was King” - This song is our tribute to the larger than life 80's. Helping me celebrate that era is some of my best friends: Mickey Thomas, Joe Lynn, Don Barnes, Jim Peterik, Dave Bickler, Mike Reno, all weigh in with their signature vocal style. “Big hair - big dreams - big visions” says it all. It's not like any of us have stopped moving forward and growing, but it is fun to look back at an era “when Rock was king!”.
A f t e r To n y H a r n e l l l e f t t h e b a n d i n 2 0 0 6 , T N T f o u n d i n To n y M i l l s ( e x Shy) the perfect singer for the band. After a creative period in Ronni's studio the band made lots of new material which resulted in the album c a l l e d “ T h e N e w Te r r i t o r y ” a n d i n t h e u p c o m i n g e f f o r t “ A t l a n t i s ” . Hello guys! Firstly congratulation on another ground breaking TNT album! Again the band have gone against the “expected” formula for what is described as a Melodic Rock band. Is this definitely the new way forward for the band? Tony Mills: Thanks! I think there's enough traditional Rock foundation in the music without unnecessarily following a certain genre or style for the sake of it. I think the band all agree that we definitely do not ever intend to write product for groups of people who “expect” something from the band. I think this band is what Tony Mills’ voice has been crying out for, the depth and variety of songs really brings out the best in you... TM: Actually, you are quite right. TNT have bought out a lot more scope from me as a singer than previous projects I've been involved in. The song keys vary considerably which allows me a greater range to perform and that has helped me considerably. The album has definite “British late sixties and early seventies”-vibe going on with it; are these the musical generations that really inspire you? TM: Yes, I think so. Both Ronni and myself were bought up on music of the 60's/70's and the inspiration behind that led us to do what we do today. There are definite tributes in sound toward some of the artists from that era. The album “The New Territory” got some quite adverse reviews but those who’ve followed the band know the different levels each TNT album has; do you think these reviews were unjustified? 16 Melodic Rock Fanzine
TM: Adverse reviews have come from people who don't know the band and consequently don't know what to expect from the band. I think there have been fans that have favourite albums and wish for a similar style once more round, but that won’t happen and my best advice for any of these people is to expect the unexpected and you won’t be disappointed. Over and above that, of course, has been the line-up changes in the band, and that can be a kick in the teeth for the ardent fan; but this is rock’n’roll and life, of course; change comes to us all... There are some quite poignant tracks on the album and “Me and Dad” is one of them; is there a particular story behind that song? TM: No. I did not write “Me And Dad”, and I have spoke to Ronni about this song. He insists that it isn't really personal about his own father, rather a song about “Dads” the world over. Do you have any personal favourites off the album and - if so - which ones and why those particular songs? TM: Well, “Tango Girl” excited me when we first started playing it live, because of the heavy bounce it has, and it works great for the audience, but now I think “Atlantis” has surpassed that for me, because it has a great guitar base and has a dream state feel to it. The band has a tremendous following in Norway and always pull in thousands of fans at their live shows; any plans to spread your wings and tour outside of Norway next year? TM: Yes. We promised ourselves after thir-
ty months performing in Norway and Sweden, we would get a flight south and start to break back into Europe during 2009. I think we start with Spain in January 2009. Finally if you had to explain what TNT means to you, which three words would you use? TM: Unpredictable. Groundbreaking. Controversial. (by Barry McMinn)
“Atlantis” the new album by TNT: review page 12
CHINA BLUE is a brand new All Star Melodic Rock Project masterminded by Eric Ragno, former member of TAKARA, now with VOX TEMPUS. Together with Eric there are some familiar faces such as Tony Mills (ex SHY, now with TNT) on vocals, Josh Ramos (ex The Storm, now with Hardline) on guitar, Doug Odell on bass and Zane Petersen on drums. Musically the debut album “Twilight of Destiny” is an absolute delight for all fans of classic Shy, Journey and The Storm music with a slight Progressive edge! You dreamt up this project back in the late ‘80s. Why has it taken so long from the original inception to final releasing this great CD? Eric Ragno: This album has been a lifelong ambition for me. The idea came when I was between bands and looking for some vindication, some new direction. Then something would come along, and China Blue went back on the shelf. This happened a few times, until finally my band Vox Tempus went on hiatus and I had a half dozen songs left over that I was very proud of. It seemed like the time to pull it all together and finish the China Blue record - and include some friends I made along the way! Which songs were written in the ‘80s and which ones were written more recently? ER: “Don’t Be a Stranger” came from that era, as did “Passions”, “A Last Goodbye” and pieces of others songs like “Crimes”, “Movin On”, etc. Others were Vox Tempus demos like “So Wrong”, “Take Me As I Am”, “What Do You Need But Love” and most of “Crimes”. I am always writing and you never know where the songs will end up! Michael Riesenbeck brought in the initial ideas for “Changing Ways” and “Lost”, and we built upon those. We re-recorded everything and streamlined the album to keep it consistent. Tony Mills’ vocals have a huge effect on the overall sound of the CD. Did you always have him or his type of voice in your head when you were writing the songs? ER: As you mentioned, some of these songs pre-date my association with Tony. He sent me his initial demo of “I Feel Like Dying” and my jaw hit the floor! I love
what Tony did with this record, many feel this is his best work to date. I didn't know who would sing on the album until the music was 70% written. I kept writing and believing that things would fall into place when the time was right. We needed a singer who could hit the high notes and bring it all home, and Tony nailed it with easy. He is a good friend, we spent some time together in the U.K. and I just love the guy to bits. His friendship has been a blessing. I really hope Frontiers green-lights a follow-up record as we've hit upon some real magic together. Another well known name on the CD is Josh Ramos who supplies the great guitar sound. How did you find working with him and how much did his playing affect the way the record turned out? ER: Josh is a great man and a deep soul. We built a real bond while working on the Ramos/Hugo album together - we would lock ourselves up in a house and just write for a week at a time. And we did this more than once. I was a big fan of The Storm - I wrote the end of “Don't Be a Stranger” years ago as a tribute to Josh's work on “Show Me the Way”. I never thought I'd have Josh playing it! Our original guitarist Michael Riesenbeck quit due to family obligations and Josh was the obvious choice - he's so easy to work with, you just point him in the right direction and he shreds! But his only availability was between Christmas & New Year, so I sent the family away to New York for that week and spent the time producing Josh's parts, eating fine dinners and enjoying the holiday season with my friend. Ronny Smith recorded many of the rhythm parts, so Josh only had to worry about the solos, which he appreciated a lot! Josh's solos were the last layer to go down, so we went through it section by section and filled the spaces
with pure melody. I have a lot of good memories with Josh, we speak frequently. Do you think there's a chance of seeing you guys getting together and playing some live shows soon? ER: Ha ha ha! You sound like them! All of the guys are bugging me to put together some sort of touring scenario. They are all busy guys but each of them wants to hit the road with China Blue, Especially Josh & Tony. This isn't some anonymous project; these guys are all friends of mine, and they work well together. It would be great to have the chance to perform at some festivals in 2009. Can you imagine the possibilities of the set list we could do with the legacy of these guys? Be sure to give our manager, Ron Vining, shout as he’d love to put a tour together with the right promoter. (by Duncan Jamieson)
“Twilight Of Destiny” the new album by China Blue: review page 11
SONATA... I N THE ALPS! Hello guys! Let’s begin with the forming of Ecliptica: you hail from Austria; please introduce yourselves for our readers…. Ecliptica: The band was founded originally as a solo-project, but since mid 2005 Ecliptica exists as a band with a constant line-up. In December 2006 we had our live-debut in front of 400 maniacs supporting Dead Soul Tribe. After we released our first demo “The Awakening” in April 2007, we promoted the CD with several gigs: we supported Symphony X, and - as the winners of the “Austrian Metal Battle” - we played at the legendary “Wacken Open Air” in Germany last year, then the “Donauinselfest” in Vienna and we’ve done a small club tour in Austria last autumn. After that we entered the studio to record our first album “Impetus”. A six member group, with two vocalists, this must open up limitless opportunities for you… E: We are actually five band members. But, yes, with two vocalists there are many opportunities to work with. We just did two gigs with only one vocalist in the last weeks. It worked quite fine in meantime, but we will consider if we will work with a second voice again. Let's see what happens the next weeks. Ecliptica is such a young group, yet your music is so mature; does everyone contribute or are there a couple of main songwriters? E: Basically our songwriting process works that way: I write a song, a rough building with some melodies and lyrics. Then I take the idea to the rehearsing room and introduce it to the guys. If they like it, we finish the song together. The working-process is a bit like building a
house! It is nice to hear a blending of Heavy Metal and Progressive Rock; take us through some of your influences and how they inspired you… E: The members of Ecliptica have many different influences. Some like the traditional Metal stuff from the 80s, and some like Extreme Metal genre too. Somehow everything is floating together and becomes a strong mixture. I would say that bands like Queen, Iron Maiden, Savatage and some bands especially from Scandinavia and Germany like Thunderstone or Edguy are the main influences. Let’s talk about how you got the attention of Frontiers… E: We were searching for a label that would release our new album “Impetus”. Listen up Music (the company of Visons of Atlantis’ Drummer Thomas Caser) helped us to get some good connections to different record labels. After a while we got some good offers and chose for simply the best opinion in our mind: Frontiers Records. We know the company for a long time because of their work with musicians we like. Musically we fit perfect to the label and they offer us a strong support as well as good possibilities for the future. If we look at your home country, is there a good music scene in Austria? E: Austria have a really strong underground scene with a lot of very good bands and a few really engaged people, companies and presenters which offers some good opportunities to make music and develop your band. But if you take a look at the commercial scene there are ignorant radio stations (most of them public), wrong or no investments, less record
ECLIPTICA is a Heavy Metal band from Austria found ed by guitarist Markus Winkler in 2005. They played a live-set at the world famous “WACKEN OPEN AIR” in Germany and their music is defined in their musical roots: blending the tradi tional Heavy Metal of the 80’s together with intricate rhythms and Pr ogr essive ele ments with the use of two vocalists (male and female vocalists)...
labels with international standards, managers who are acting just for their own wallet and a whole lotta people who are just looking to present themselves in the name of helping the Austrian musicians. All in all it is very difficult to take your music from the underground to international stages if you are in Austria. Please tell us what is behind the name “Ecliptica”? E: As I started the work on my solo project back in 2003, I was thinking about a good band name. Influenced by the first Sonata Arctica Album, I am a big fan of this band, impressed of the wonderful and mystic sounding word, I finally chose ECLIPTICA. Guess it is like a poetic version of the word “eclipse”… (by Bruce Atkinson)
“Impetus” the new album by Ecliptica: review page 12
JIMI JAMISON is the former SURVIVOR singer, one of the voices that helped shaping the Melodic Rock genre and that brought it to the highest levels. He is the voice of such timeless songs such as “Burning Hear t”, “The Search is Over”, “I Can’t Hold Back” & more. After his depar ture from Survivor in 2006, Jimi has teamed up again with the other ex Survivor Jim Peterik . The result is “Crossroads Moment”, a true Melodic Rock masterpiece bringing back the music of the most exciting Survivor days... Greetings, Mr. Jamison, it’s good to finally have this opportunity to interview you! First, congratulations on the release of “Crossroads Moment”! I know it has been a long anticipated album. Could you elaborate on the writing and recording process? Jimi Jamison: Hi Bruce, good to talk to you! Early 2007 I began recording demos for a different kind of project altogether. Meanwhile I had been in contact with Serafino at Frontiers about doing a solo record. When we decided to do the solo-cd, I asked Jim to be involved in the writing. We did a couple of songs in the studio and we were both pumped and songs began to flow out of Jim Peterik. We recorded the Cd in spurts of time as both, he and I, had live shows we were commited to. It took a few months to complete because of this but it also gave us more time to come up with some great ideas. When Jim agreed to be a part of the project, it inspired me to be the best that I could be and made me want to work harder.
Long hours pass in a studio and without inspiration it can get quite tedious. We had plenty of inspiration based on the respect we have for each other. That made the recording process a lot easier and a lot more fun. Jim put a lot in to this project with his songwriting and producing but, more importantly, he put his heart into it! Yours and Jim’s relationship is quite unique; he actually wrote the lyrics, but “through you”. How did this creative process work? JJ: I don’t know if I would say he wrote them “through me”, but we talked a lot about what each other had been up to and how life is treating us now. We pretty much just throw our life out on the table and see what shines... a lot of ideas come from just what is going on around you and from the words you use to express your feelings. I’ve actually written songs based on a conversation I had with someone. You have also surrounded yourself with some great talents, so please tell
us who else is playing with you on “Crossroads Moment”... JJ: For my album I used some of the best musicians in Chicago. They happen to be part of Jim Peterik’s World Stage band which are also part of Pride of Lions: Ed Breckenfeld on drums, Klem Hayes on bass, Mike Aquino on guitar, Jim Peterik, Christian Cullen and Jeff Lanz on keys, Joel Hoekstra on shred guitar. They made sure that they got inside my head so that it would really reflect my style. They were amazing to work with and I'm really happy with the results. Working hard became fun with these guys. There is a concept to this record; give us a little peek into the story... JJ: I think there comes a time in everyone’s life when they have to make a decision on which way to go. A decision that can change your life depending on what you choose to do. I’m not a problem solver for lifes problems or decisions, but maybe lisMelodic Rock Fanzine 21
tening to this album will at least put someone in the right mindset to face their crossroads moment. “Crossroads Moment” is your first recording since your last effort with Survivor; how different was recording this work from how you recorded with Survivor? JJ: You know, recording is recording, no matter what you are working on, so it wasn’t a drastic change. The biggest difference was the actual time I had to be away form home. With the Survivor records I would always be gone at least a month. It was a much shorter time away with this record. Also recording at Jim’s studio was almost like being home anyway... working with people I’ve known for years! Now, you have completed and released this fantastic slice of music. Are you preparing a road band, and if so, whom will be
playing with you? Are any dates confirmed as of yet? JJ: I am planning to tour with this Cd but there are no dates as of yet, and, as far as band members, I have several great players in mind but haven’t rehearsed with anyone yet. With the people I have in mind I don’t think a lot of rehearsing will be necessary. It’s going to be a great band. This is a big release and has gotten the attention of Frontiers Records, who are solidly behind this effort; is this just the beginning and are you planning more recordings with Frontiers? JJ: I am so thankful and proud to be a part of the Frontiers Records family. They are a “music first” record label. They know good music and they take care of their artists. If you take a look at their roster, they have some of the biggest bands of all time doing new records. They bring so much great music to the world. I’m really hoping for a long relationship and many more
records. Is “Crossroads Moment” internationally released through Frontiers or are you licensing the release to other labels throughout the world? JJ: I’m going to have to speak to Serafino about that one. His input is invaluable in that area. Being in this crazy business for a long time, what changes are you seeing, from when you entered and now… JJ: It’s a different world now from the way it was. Constant touring was the main way to promote your record when I first started. With the advent of the Internet it’s almost like learning all over again. Radio has changed but the popularity of different styles of music seems to flow in cycles; with Country music being the “in” thing at one minute, then Rock, etc... I think music does come full circle after awhile. Do you feel that the business-side of things is healthier in Europe and Asia than in North America... or is this not a fair question? JJ: Yes, it’s a fair question and, yes, I think it is a healthier situation in Europe and Asia. The economy in the US is at a low point and the corporate music industry is shrinking. I think is tough for a new band to realize even the most basic things like from who and how they earn money. Well, Jimi, it’s good to see you back and recording! You have fans all over that can’t wait to snap up this album! As is my tradition, I like to leave the last words to my guests... so please feel free to leave us with some final thoughts! JJ: I would just like to say thank you to Frontiers and also to all my friends in Europe and Asia. I really think you are going to like this Cd. I’m very proud of it. (by Bruce Atkinson)
“Crossroads Moments” the new album by Jimi Jamison: review page 11