Melodic Rock Fanzine Issue 34

CONTENTS 04 06 07 08 10 11 12 14 15 16 19 20 22

Mr. Big House Of Lords W.E.T. Preview Lynch Mob Grimmstine Pink Cream 69 Reviews Mob Rules Blanc Faces Preview Danger Danger Fab Box Winger Jaded Heart

Melodic Rock Fanzine

The official Frontiers Records magazine Year #5 - Nr. 5 / Issue #34 Editor-in-chief: Elio Bordi Design: Elio Bordi Writers: Bruce E.J. Atkinson, Fulvio Bordi, Duncan Jamieson, Barry McMinn, Vitale Nocerino, Primo Bonali, Alessandro Ariatti.

Headquarters and general contacts: Frontiers Records - Via Gonzaga 18 80125, Napoli - Italy Tel: +39.081.2399340/7753 Fax: +39.081.2399794 E-mail: elio@frontiers.it Website: www.frontiers.it Myspace: www.myspace.com/frontiersrecords Editor and publisher: Frontiers Records US Headquarters: usa.frontiers.it CopyrightŠ2009 Frontiers Records. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.

Printed in Italy.

Band: Mr. Big Album: Back To Budokan Interview with: Eric Martin / Billy Sheehan Interviewed by: Fulvio Bordi

Focus on:

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MR. BIG - Back To Budokan CD / Back To Budokan DVD (Frontiers Records)

Even the stones know Mr. Big is one of the best concert performers bands in Melodic Rock/Metal history; so that it’s the right, natural consequence to celebrate their come-back into the classic original line up (featuring monster musicians Tony Martin, Paul Gilbert, Billy Sheehan, Pat Torpey) with an incredible sold-out concert the band did at the Budokan in Tokyo in front of a crazy, enthusiastic audience. Produced in both double CD version and double DVD package, the tracklist features songs from all the releases done as with the original line-up plus bonus material. Particularly, the CD version includes two new studio bonus tracks (“Next Time Around” and the Argent cover “Hold Your Head Up”), while the DVD release has the “Nex Time Around” videoclip and the bonus acoustic performance done at Hard Rock Cafè in Tokyo in February 2009. Sure this is the best live ever made by Mr. Big. So glad this band is back in business, I can’t wait for a new studio release as well!

Fulvio Bordi (98/100)

Question: First of all, let me give my best welcome back to one of my favorite bands ever. Which was the spark that started it all again and made all of you decide it was the right time to take Mr. Big back around? Is it meant to be a stable reunion? There was some bad blood between the members...

Billy Sheehan: Well, you change your ways. Change your point of view. Evolve. Grow up a little bit more. And forgive, and forget.

Without un-acknowledging what went on before, we had a deal where Richie Kotzen was in the band for a while. We love Richie, Richie is a dear frend of all of us.

Paul’s, Eric’s, mine and Pat’s.

And we just thought, if we’re going to do it again, and make a lot of people happy… (my inbox is packed with e-mails, and they’re just very pleased people.) we kinda… it’s our duty to make it happen for real, and do it for real.

So to make sure these things don’t crop up again, we just sat down and had a long conversation about everything that went on. I think we cleared the air very well, very effectively. Some of the elements that were around us before are no longer around us.

As I said, we’ve evolved, all of us have evolved as people, and as players. And it happens with every band. It happens all the time. It happens with every relationship. You move on. You figure it out and move up. So, I’m real happy to be back with all the guys. Even if we weren’t playing, just the fact that we’re all friends again, is… it makes me very happy. So, that’s good.

On top of it, the icing on the cake is that we are playing together again, yeah, which is fantastic.

Q: Now is it difficult from the business side to bring it back together? And the reason I ask is because, as you come back… Eric has a manager, and you have a manager, and Paul has a manager… it’s bringing a lot to the table.

BS: Yeah. We actually allowed one manager to take care of everything. One guy. So we have a unified thing, one manager behind… he’s just a fantastic, experienced, world-reknowned expert. He knows exactly what to do, and we’re very confident with him. That he’s running this show and doing great, and keeping things from the band, so we can get on with making music and not to get involved with any of that stuff. With all the prob-

lems before. So that’s a real good thing that we put in right away that fits right up, to make sure that things go smoothly and easily, so that’s really good. The business side pretty much takes care of itself. Once the promoters found out we were back together, the offers came rolling in, in Japan. And Budokan…

Budokan sold out. I tell people Budokan sold out in 5 minutes, but in fact it sold out in 3 minutes.

Q: Let’s turn the sight to this new live release.

This Budokan concert displays, still more than the sold-out itself, the incredible people’s excitement to see a Mr. Big live show again. Please, tell us something about that night and about the feelings among the band before starting the concert.

Eric Martin: It’s wonderful to be back together after all these years, all the sins are washed away and I feel rejuvenated. I genuinely love and respect these guys so much. It’s a joy to be singing these songs again.

A: I think “Back To Budokan” is the best way to celebrate the coming back of a band such as Mr. Big. I mean, since the time of your debut release, not so many bands have been able to display live shows’ energy as you guys do. Your live shows are always something special, your “natural dimension”.

Maybe, besides being great musicians, the key is the fun you give when you perform.

What’s your opinion about?

BS: Well, we just had some stuff from long ago that we kind of retweaked. Oddly enough, it was the perfect song, because it’s called Next Time Around.

The lyrics are about having something that happened a long time ago, that we can move on from, and now the next time around, we’re going to get it right. That just happened again by chance, too. Now it’s starting to look like we planned it, but in fact we didn’t. We have since worked a lot together, shooting a video, been on a PR trip to Japan, and it’s just like getting back on a bicycle again, where you… the same thing comes back. The same comedy comes in to play. It is quite a comedy festival backstage, and sidestage, so we”re just having a wonderful time. Things are cool, no problems at all.

Q: The release features your new studio song “Next Time Around”. Is it a song coming out from past writing ses-

sions, or a new one? Shall we consider it as a particular taste from a new upcoming studio effort?

EM: “Next time around” was written and recorded for “Lean into it”, I think we didn’t use it because it sounded similar to “Green tinted 60’s mind”. So we re-wrote it for the album “ Bump Ahead” and once again it got kicked to the curb. I wanted use that song so many times for my solo albums but it just wasn’t in the stars. When we started to talk about the possibility of getting back together I brought up the Idea that we should use “ Next time around” as a theme song for our reunion. It’s funny how things all work out.

Q: What do you put in the new Mr. Big of your solo experiences?

EM: Somewhere along the way I grew a pair a balls, I’m a much more confidant singer in the studio and I’m way more prepared than I use to be. I was never very comfortable in the studio back in the old days, it always seemed sterile. That’s why I like having people in the studio when I’m singing on an album, reading their expressions tells me way more than a producer can.

Q: "Mr. Vocalist" albums were a your great success in Japan but they are not well known outside that country.

Can you tell us anything about it?

EM: I was approached by Sony records to record a concept record similar to what Rod Stewart did when he sang American standards, except their vision was to have me sing famous Japanese love songs (translated to English) made popular by women hence the name “ MR. Vocalist”. The first album sold more than 200,000 CD’s so the good folks at Sony signed me up to record a few more. My loyalty lies with my long lost brothers in Mr. Big, so if I’m not too burnt out to do both than I can split my time between careers.

Q: Looking back at your career, is there anything you would like to change?

EM: I was incredibly insecure in the old days (Wow a singer whose insecure… that’s a shock) and to deal with problems I use to unleash my silver tongue and spit this sarcastic venom at anybody who pissed me off. So if I offended anyone, I’ll buy you a beer. I’m a much more secure and gentler soul these days. Of course I’m under a doctors care and have to be locked up at night.

MRF | 5

Band: House Of Lords Album: Cartesian Dreams Interview with: James Christian Interviewed by: Alessandro Ariatti

Question: The last two albums were very acclaimed by critics and fans, bringing the name of House Of Lords to the old splendour. Did you feel any pressure writing "Cartesian Dreams"?

Answer: At this point in my career, I did not feel the pressure, because I feel confident that the material will always be strong. If it is not, then I am not going to release it.

Q: Can you explain the meaning under the title of the album?

A: Cartesian Dreams, meaning is from a French Philosopher.

Basically it asks the question, what is everything we do on a daily basis is all really just a dream, what if all the things we do are not really happening. How do we know? It could all be a Cartesian Dream.

Q: You wrote again with Mark Baker after many years from "Demons Down". How did you feel?

A: It felt incredible, It is a real high to work again with someone who is as intense as I am when it comes to writing and recording. I always get so involved in the process that I sometimes forget everything else around me. Mark Baker is like that also. We also really have the same likes and dislikes when it comes to songs. And most important his has been my close friend and business Focus on:

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partner for many years. I just so glad we were able to do another record together.

Q: Do you think that this line-up will be considered at the same level of the classic HOL line-up?

A: Well all things considered,all the musicians in HOL, from the early days to present are world class players. I love them all. But looking forward, I still have the same guitar player, drummer and bass player on three records. I do not have that with the earlier version of the band.

I think every album plays an important part in the development of a group. Good & Bad. Q: A very impressive thing about this new album (and also the last two) is that there are no fillers, and that every song has its importance. Do You agree?

A: Yes I do agree, although sometimes you hear a reviewer make a comment like "the album was really great but there were a few fillers on the CD. The funny part is, most of the time each reviewer picks a different song as the one they think is a filler. This has more to do with reviewers who review a song based on personal taste rather than the composition and execution of a song. Personally when we write a song, it has to pass the test of getting past me, and then the Frontiers

Record Company President. That alone is no easy task. I have a five albums worth of songs which I consider fillers, but nothing that I would consider filler is going on an album I do. I guess you could say One Man’s filler is another man’s Classic..

Q: "The Power And The Myth" is a quite unique episode in your career, with its connection to the 70's progressive sound of bands like Rush. How do you judge it now?

A: Quite honestly, As much as I appreciate the musicianship of that record, It is not something I would want to do over again. I am a Rock Singer, and possibly R & B and Blues, But an alternative singer I am NOT. That period of music has a lot of ANGST and Anger, two things which I try to avoid in life.

"POWER & MYTH" is really an extension of the musicians who wrote the material. It is expertly executed, but there was no room in the songs for me to put my stamp on it. I got hammered in the press for my vocals on that CD. It made me realize that I have a strong fan base and they were pretty happy with everything up to that point.. So I now do what I love best when it comes to writing and singing a song.

HOUSE OF LORDS - Cartesian Dreams (Frontiers Records)

James Christian has proved through these years that the House Of Lords “concept” can survive in every situation, Gregg Giuffria or not. The key to success is always the same: writing great songs, and the american vocalist knows definitively how to make a great job. “Cartesian Dreams” is the third opus of House Of Lords “Mark II”, after the transitory experiment of “The Power And The Myth”, an album that disappointed the great majority of the fans, despite of its seventies quality and attitude. This new cd stays true to the classic “Sahara”-sound but, at the same time, brings new blood to the majestic style of the band. For the occasion, Christian worked again with the old writing mate Mark Baker, already partner on the “Demons Down” record (1992), and also Tommy Denander decided to put his contribution on a few tracks. “Cartesian Dreams” lies in a perfect balance between great pomp/epic episodes and other more radio-friendly moments, so this new configuration of House Of Lords shows an outstanding maturity, that has nothing to envy to the classic line up of the 80’s. Simply beautiful!

Alessandro Ariatti (90/100)

Mario de Riso: What are your feelings / hopes for the launch of WET? Jeff Scott Soto: I knew this was the kind of album a LOT of people wanted me to make so I am quite hopeful it will be amongst one of the biggest things I have done in my career thusfar. I have never heard or felt such a buzz for something I am a part of and I couldn't be more proud with my 'brothers in arms', Erik & Robert, for helping create what shall hopefully become a Classic masterpiece.

Erik Martensson: In the beginning it was just a project set up

by Frontiers but somewhere along the process of making it, it evolved into something greater then the project we had started with. We had a fantastic flow in the song writing and when Jeff recorded his lead vocals it all fell into place. I would love to go out and play live with this band and I would surely love to make a follow up album for it.

MdR: Do you see WET as a one off project or do you think it will have some follow up in terms of live appear-

ances of following albums?

JSS: Well the buzz is already quite high for this album to be released, I believe if it does well enough, we would be silly not to take it on the road. Possibly start with a few select dates to get our feet 'wet' then see what time & schedules permit.

The thing to remember here is we are of 3 separate & completely different careers that are all currently in motion but in my heart of hearts, I feel this is the beginning of something that will be around for a while, not just a one off!

MdR: What is your favourite track off the record?

JSS: It changes weekly actually, it started with the songs we did the videos for but as you have to hear them over & over from the shooting to the editing to the playing them to friends, you find elation in some of the other nonsingle tracks. Of the ones we didn't do a video for that I cant stop listening to are One Day At A Time & I'll Be There... oh yea, & If I Fall!!

MdR: What are your feelings / hopes for the launch of

WET? JSS: I'm very excited about the WET project. What a brilliant idea of Frontiers to put the three of us together.

I think the album turned even better than we hoped for and I can't wait to see the reactions from the melodic rock fans. I'm really proud of this record and I think a lot of people is gonna 'wet' there pants once they get to hear it!

MdR: Do you see WET as a one off project or do you think it will have some follow up in terms of live appearances of following albums?

Robert Sall: If the album does well enough and if our different schedules allows it, I would love to go and play live with WET. And I have pretty good feeling this is not the first and last record from WET:-) MdR: What is your favourite track off the record?

RS: The three songs with shot videos for, "One Love", "Comes Down Like Rain" and "Brothers In Arms" are my favourite tracks.

MRF | 7

Band: Lynch Mob Album: Smoke And Mirrors Interview with: George Lynch Interviewed by: Duncan Jamieson Question: How did you happen to go back in the studio again with Oni Logan after all these years?

Answer: I think we both realized in hindsight that we had hit nerve with the wicked sensation record back in '90 and we had both gotten to the point where we were ready to recommit ourselves to Lynch Mob full force...

Q: Did you find the same type of chemistry with Oni as it was back in the days?

A: Yes, our biggest obstacle was not getting in our own way, not over analyzing the music and the process and just letting it happen...

Q: Does it feel like a classic Lynch Mob album to you?

A: Yeah… it does, but evolved, older, wiser, you know. We were just much more efficient

with our time and money this time. Between the writing, the mixing, recording, it was stretched out over some time.

If you squeeze it all together it was about six weeks. But the writing was really spread out over several months because we would play some shows, come home and write, go back out on the road again. But the actually recording was done in four days, guitars, bass and drums. The vocals took some more time.

Q: Why the title Smoke And Mirrors?

A: Just something that hit me.

For me a record is like a brand, it has to be catchy and easy to remember, but it also has implications on different levels.

Like in a political framework, things are not what they seem.

On a musical level you can say

on one hand maybe if your listening to something and you know what went into the process its not what it seems either and there’s a lot that goes into it.

Like by listening to the music you may think I am a really good guitar player but when you listen to the recoding of the tracks its not true, hahaha, no I’m just kidding. No, but it was a pretty honest record, like the solo for ‘Let the Music Be Your Master’ was all done in one take. I mean there are some punches here and there on the album but really not too much smoke and mirrors.

Q: Let's talk about the songwriting that led you to 'Smoke and Mirrors'...

A: Oni flew in from Switzerland, came to my studio, we got re aquainted and started writting

Focus on: LYNCH MOB - Smoke And Mirrors (Frontiers Records)

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It’s nineteen years since singer Oni Logan and ex-Dokken guitar shredder George Lynch teamed up for Lynch Mob’s great debut “Wicked Sensation” and now they’re back where they left off. A terrific new rhythm section of Marco Mendoza (Whitesnake, Thin Lizzy) on bass and Scott Coogan (Brides of Destruction) on drums provide a bigger bottom end than J-Lo, lending the record a loose limbed bluesy groove and cohesive band feel.

While less immediate than the Danger Danger or H.O.L albums also out this month on repeated listens it reveals songs and performances of real depth. Logan is in fine voice, showing off his impressive range, especially on belter “21 Century Man” and the bluesy title track (pleasingly like Robert Mason era Mob!) and lyrically he eschews the usual rock clichés and gives the optimistic “Lucky Man” a Mott the Hoople vibe. Lynch, too, is on blistering form be it on the psychedelic Hendrix solo of “Let The Music Be Your Master” or the industrial scratching of “Timekeepers”. Corking tunes like “The Phasist” and “Where Do You Sleep At Night” marry melody and virtuoso ensuring Lynch Mob fans and discerning rock fans will love this.

Duncan Jamieson (92/100)

on acoustic guitars.

The first batch of songs was had a southern bluesy vibe to it... the only song we used from that batch was "Smoke and Mirriors", the title track. Later on, after we had put the band together with Marco and Scott we amped things up and started writing a little heavier... and we were gigging also so we arer tightening up and coming into our own as a band so the material improved dramatically in a relatively short period of time.

Q: What about the new guys in the band.

How where they recruited?

A: Our original drummer was going to be Tommy Aldridge but when the Cinderella tour fell through Tommy went to Thin Lizzy...

Then Fred Courry from Cinderella played drums for those summer festivals... after that we hooked up with Scott Coogan whos played on the record... he was in Brides of Destruction and also plays with ace frehley... Marco is really our secret weapon... he is a ridiculous musician and a saint...

He really pushes the rest of us the our limits. theres no slouching with Marco in the band, he keeps everybody on their toes..you dont wanna let your guard down and have Marco upstage with a 6 string fretless bass solo!

Q: How would you describe 'Smoke And Mirrors' musically?

A: A mix of Fleetwood Mac and Meshuggah.

Q: What about the lyrical themes behind the songs?

A: Oni is a poet... that combined with his unique signature vocal style makes him a timeless rock singer...

Q: What's ther biggest goal you have with this new incarnation of your band?

A: To be able to live to fight another day, to make people aware of our music, promote the hell out of it by any means possible and be able to continue to make Lynch Mob records.

Q: Looking back at your career, do you have any regrets?

A: Well, of course, but then, it’s like "its a wonderful life"; if you try and fix one thing, everything else would have changed as well... so i accept the mistakes as necessary instead of regretting them.

Q: Do you consider the modern rock scene as relevant as it was in the '80? Do you like any of the modern bands or are you still listening to the old stuff?

A: Of course... both old and new... Mastodon, Johnny Winter, Opeth, Humble Pie, Children Of Bodom, Raging Slab, Killswitch Engage, Mountain, Lamb of God, early Who, As I Lay Dying...

Q: Do you have a favorite guitar and why?

A: Well it changes but last year the GL 56 was indispensable to me, I mean I move around all the time. Right now we are the road with Souls of We and I like ESP Relix Strat.

I also started using some of my custom ESPs, the Headhunter guitars you can check em out online, I built those myself. Totally customized, distressed all the metal, carvings and all that. We start off with ESP wood necks and just tear 'em apart.

Q: Let's talk about your touriong plans.

When will you be back in Europe?

A: No definite plans yet...

MRF | 9

Band: Grimmstine Album: Grimmstine Interview with: S. Grimmet/S. Stine Interviewed by: Rob “Ezy” Bone

Answer: Hi guys! How are you? First of all, my big congratulations for your great debut-album, which is a powerful album of melodic and solid Power Metal, full of classic Heavy Metal / Hard Rock influences, enriched also by a few modern elements. Do you agree with me?

Steve Grimmett: Yes, entirely.

Whilst we haven't set out with any of these goals in mind, its just turned out tgat way.

Steve Stine: I certainly do! That really was the point, to draw from all the great elements of metal, past and present.

A: So, let’s start with a short history of the band. I guess it was legendary vocalist Steve Grimmett who put together the band, right? How was the band musical vision since the beginning?

SG: I didn't put the band togethFocus on: GRIMMSTINE -

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er. Steve & I met 3 years ago & decided that we wanted to write together. Once we made the decision to put together a band, Steve got in contact with Hat & Dave. There started Grimmstine.

SS: Actually, Steve was visiting the states in my hometown of Fargo, North Dakota, when I first met him, and basically we decided to work together pretty much right away, and the vision for me was to write songs that not only fit Steve’s abilities, but to also push his talent to new levels.

A: Which are your most important influences, musically talking?

SG: I do admire many vocalists including Rob Halford & David Coverdale, but they do not influence the way I sing or write as I like to think I have a unique style.

SS: Being a guitar player/performer and teacher all my life, I am influenced by so many things Grimmstine (Metal Heaven)

past and present, from melodic stuff like Journey and Kansas to thrash metal to modern metal and everything in between. I have always enjoyed songs that are a bit intricate, but still have powerful vocals and choruses.

A: I always loved Grimmett’s vocals in Grim Reaper and, of course, mighty Lionsheart.

His vocals add that “plus” to all the songs on which he sings…

SS: He is truly one of the great vocalists; I never stop being impressed by his abilities as a singer and songwriter.

A:Your monicker,Grimmstine, is obviously referring to Steve Grimmett, which is an understandable choice. Any comments about it?

SS: It is a combination of his last name, Grimmett, and my last name, Stine.

Thus, GrimmStine…

Band created by the union of very well known English vocalist Steve Grimmett (Grim Reaper, Onslaught, Lionsheart) and US guitarist Steve Stine, Grimm-Stine delivers traditional Heavy Metal-‘80s style with some (just a few) modern touches here and there.

Their debut album, released months ago as a self-production, is now available thru Metal Heaven, a very good label that is growing month after month, with his now larger-than-ever number of artists and bands. This Cd, 15 songs in total, combines Hard Rock and Heavy Metal with the eyes always wide open for melodies. Some readers of this mag could not like Grimmett’s vocals, maybe a little bit too harsh for the typical Melodic Rock listener, but if you like also the heavier part of this genre, you’ll find here some material worth checking out. Ok, we don’t have here the typical songs that you can sing after only one play, but if you’ll give the Cd a try, it will surely grow on you...

Rob “Ezy” Bone (78/100)

Band: Pink Cream 69 Album: Past and Present Interview with: Kosta Zafiriou Interviewed by: Fulvio Bordi

Question; What do you particularly remember about that exhibition? Is it to be considered the best concert PC 69 have done till now with the actual line-up?

Answer: It was a very good show, but DVD shows, especially when they are at home and all friends an families come to see the show are always a bit difficiult. For some reason, cameras seem to change a concert when the red light is on, even with very experienced bands.

Nevertheless, the feeling for us was very special and the night was one to remember for all of us!

Q: Which other great live dates do you particularly remember in the band’s history?

A: As we mention in the interview section of the DVD, there´s many of them: The first tour, the European tour with Europe, playing Rock am Ring Festival, playing in New York, playing in Japan... there is so many to mention!

Q: Besides the CD package release, I love so much the DVD one, featuring the entire CD concert, plus an huge quantity Focus on:

of bonus material, such as past concerts with the previous lineup featuring Andy Deris, and a sort of behind the scenes documentary. Please, give us your impressions about it.

A: The idea was to give the fans an entire overview of Pink Cream 69´s activities. We´ve been around for a long time, we lived through many things, recorded albums and travelled the world touring and playing concerts. We tried to show the buyers of the DVD as much as possible.

Q: In your opinion, what is the most important moment among the ones the band spends just before each concert?

A: I think this is very individual for each person. I always get very tired and sleepy the last hour before a show, until I start warming up a few minutes before the show. It seems like my body is gathering all energy it can get for a little while, just to release the power for the concert.

Q: Today PC 69 is a different band comparing to the early days. Its musicians have been evolving so as performers than

as composers, and the line-up is not the same one as on the early releases. Are there some peculiar qualities the band has been keeping along the years without denaturizing them?

A: Of course we have our musical trademarks which we made sure to keep throughout the years, but in general it has to be a strong song for us with the right muxture between heavyness and melody.

Q: …And what is the most important quality the band has been gaining in the last years with the actual line-up?

A: I think working effective and bringing it on the point is a quality we are pretty strong about, if I compare with other bands. We know each other´s strength, have experience and know what the band is all about.

Q: Next steps? Are you already working on new compositions at the moment?

A: Yes, we are! Although we don´t have a precise timing for the release of the new album, we already have several ideas and work on new material.

PINK CREAM 69 - Past & Present DVD / Live In Karlsruhe CD (Frontiers Records)

This is how a live release should be done. Produced in both double CD and double DVD packages, this release features the 20th anniversary concert the band made in their hometown Karlsruhe. The setlist features songs from each release since the twenty years ago debut ‘till the last studio effort “In10sity”. The band performs in great shape and the songs flow easily one by one until the end. The concert is a great show of Hard Rock in pure Pink Cream 69 style and the early material from the Deris era is now sang with great energy by David Readman giving them a new different intense passion. The DVD package features bonus material such as a backstage documentary, plus the great “Size It Up – Live In Japan” filmed in 1992 with Andy Deris on vocals, eight official videoclips, a five songs gig from the “Monsters of Rock” and three songs from “Das Fest” festivals. The CD release, instead, features the same entire twenty years celebration concert, plus two bonus from the “Das Fest” festival. Well, this is THE concert. Every pure Melodic Hard Rock and PC 69 lover shouldn’t miss both CD and DVD releases. You’ll find tons of live material and it is the ideal starting point to know about this great Hard Rock band. Perfect!

Fulvio Bordi (90/100)

MRF | 11

WASP - Babylon (Demolition) Oh well, I must have put the wrong diskette into my Cd player! The cover explains that it is the new W.A.S.P. album, but what I have here is “Wild Child” as openingtrack!?! Oh no, sorry, my mistake... it’s really a brand new song, called “Crazy”, but... hey, the opening guitar-riff and the first verse are so close to the “Wild Child” ones that anyone could be mistaken!

Jokes apart, it’s with real pleasure that I welcome the “real” returns of Blackie Lawless & friends to the classic sound of their “hey-days”, aka “The Last Command” and “Inside The Electric Circus”! The thing is that the band opted once again for a concept-album, this time based around the biblical vision of “the four horsemen of the Apocalypse”, but – at the end – the albums sounds less epic and dark than their previous ones, more direct, yet very dramatic and powerful. Plus it contains, besides 7 original songs, 2 covers, the all-times classic “Burn” from Deep Purple and Chuck Berry’ “Promised Land”. To sum up, a must-buy album!

Primo Bonali (90/100) RONNY MUNROE - The Fire Within (Metal Heaven)

TOJA - Train Of Life (Avenue Of Allies)

Train Of Life" is the third album

by German Heavy Rockers ToJa and their most ambitious one to date. The band has created ten songs with an impressive musical range, pushing back the common genre boundaries.

The powerful tracks will appeal as well to fans of Gotthard and Zeno, Kamelot and Masterplan, as to followers of classic stuff by the likes of Judas Priest, Savatage and Accept. ToJa admirably manages to create a Rock solid musical unit of hymn like Melodic Rock songs, fast paced Heavy Rockers, acoustic ballads and sophisticated epics with pompous orchestral parts.

I think this is a relly good release and all the melodic rock and heavy metal lovers should give a try.

Highlights of the album: Train Of Life, No Cross, All Of My Life and the last song Circle Of Lies.

Vitale Nocerino (80/100) JORN - The DukeBox (AFM Records)

Underrated and unlucky Americans Metal Church who allied a melodic edge to elements of thrash have thrown in the towel. Their sixth (!) and final vocalist Ronny Munroe steps out on his own and unleashes his debut solo album. It’s as metal as an iron girder and Ronny’s big metal voice is dark, menacing and booms commandingly over the really rather good songs. Ex-Metal Church guitarists Ricky Van Zant and Kurt Vanderhoof (in a production role) join Ronny and it outguns Metal Church’s last disc “This Present Wasteland”. Johnny Ringo’s drumming on “What You Chose To Call Hell” is like a Black and Decker nail gun and “Deafening Hypocrisy” has enough energy to raise the dead. “Far”, “Delirium” and “Evil Genius” are classy power metal tunes and “Ivory Towers” welds several songs into one epic. Epic too is the Ronnie James Dio sounding ballad “Across The Sea Of Souls”, a comparison further compounded by a strong cover of Rainbow’s “Man on the Silver Mountain”. Add an atypical sleaze rocker “Ride Me” and you have a heavy, diverse album that should ensure, that despite Metal Church’s demise, Munroe still has a healthy future ahead.

Duncan Jamieson (83/100)

As one of the finest vocalist’s around in the Melodic Metal/Hard Rock world Jorn Lande has always produced some mighty fine solo albums.

Since his departure from Masterplan in 2006 this has never been more so.

Now with news of his return to the band that projected Lande onto the international stage, AFM have released ‘Dukebox’, a selection of Lande’s prime cuts from his solo material. This is a real smorgasbord of the man’s powerful and majestic songs, everything from the heavier ‘Young Forever’ and ‘Starfire’, to the majestic tones of ‘We Brought The Angels Down’, ‘Soul Of The Wind’, the superb ‘Lonely Are The Brave’ and who can forget ‘Duke Of Love’? There is something here for every Jorn fan, but this is not just a fan album, this is also an insight into the material of Lande for those unfamiliar with his solo albums. It’s a real starting block for those wanting to get into the man and his music. This could very easily have been a double CD as the man has much more to give than these 16 tracks.

Duncan Jamieson (92/100)

“Need To Believe”! Yes, today all of us Melodic Rock lovers have to strongly believe in who still makes true, sincere Hard Rock as always should be done. Perfect, Gotthard are the one and are back with another not to be missed musical pearl! Gotthard, since their first releases in the beginning of the 90’s, has always been a band to be always trusted by the real Hard Rock fans.

Straight compositions, with tough attitude, superb melodic hooks and arrangements, and great performing qualities, have always been elements making the Gottard’s trademark and this brand new “Need To Believe” doesn’t absolutely make the exception. It is, of course, too early to say, but songs such as the opener “Shangri La”, “Unspoken Words”, Unconditional Faith”, “Don’t Let Me Down” and so on, are here to make us know that this brand new Gottard’s effort is one of the best releases ever done by the band, and always the best of all. Plus, as special limited package, the release features deluxe boxed CD including tour pass!

Fulvio Bordi (90/100)

Last Look At Eden features a more 70s driven retro sound, heavy on orchestration and big rootsy, blues grooves. While I still prefer several of the standout tracks on the last two albums; I do think this album is the best of the three and certainly the most consistent.

I think the fillers here are minimal and the highlights plentiful. The only thing I would ask for is more emphasis on some big melodies and a few more instant hooks. There are a couple of instances where the song stops for a more melodic interlude (Gonna Get Ready the most obvious), where the melody itself seems almost at odds with the rest of the song and the slide in and out of the interlude doesn't seem natural. More attention here would make a perfect Europe album closer to reality. As far as this album goes – intense is the best description. It's so heavy in places and the guitar riffs rule this record. Simply a monster guitar sound! The Beast being a prime example of just how powerful!

Adrew McNeice - melodicrock.com (93/100)

GOTTHARD - Need To Believe (Nuclear Blast)

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EUROPE - Last Look At Eden (Edel)

FOREIGNER - Can’t Slow Down (Walmart)

Can’t Slow Down is the band’s first album with new material since 1994’s Mr. Moonlight.

This CD/DVD set includes a CD with all new material, a second CD with Foreigner classics rerecorded with the band’s current lineup and a DVD with the band live in concert. Twelve tracks on the new album are produced by Mick Jones and Marti Frederiksen (Aerosmith and Buckcherry), with celebrated Grammy-winning producer Mark Ronson (Amy Winehouse) contributing the Mick Jones-penned “Fool For You Anyway.”The DVD captures the band performing many of its hits live in 5.1 surround sound. The DVD also contains performances filmed during the band’s recently completed European tour. Also featured is a behind-the-scenes look at the creation of the album. An good come back that will agve some amazing spins to the die hard fans. If you want discover the band it’s better to listen to their classisc like “4”.

Vitale Nocerino (80/100) GRAND DESIGN - Time Elevation (Metal Heaven)

Soaring Vocals…

Grand Harmonies…

Hard Hitting rhythms this debut has it all!

Grand Design; five highly talented musicians rocking out and we are invited. Gathered together by Pelle Saether, Grand Design has developed into a finely tuned Hard Rock quintet set to take on the world! “Time Elevation”, the group’s debut, is a showcase of muscular Hard rock coupled with Super-charged vocal styling’s and ringing harmonies. This record ROCKS!! A set of ten energy packed songs that fittingly display each members’ musical prowess. On the Press Release… Grand Design are compared to “’80’s hard rock”…however, it is this scribes’ notion that this reference should be changed to “Hard Rock for the 21st century”. “Time Elevation” is effortless vocals…soaring guitar and a hard driving rhythm that will propel you to higher levels, song after song. A grand debut from an equally grand ensemble of musicians.

Bruce E.J. Atkinson (88/100)

LIVING COLOR - The Chair In The Doorway (Megaforce)

I read from the band they “fill like this is the best record they’ve made yet”. I’m personally not totally sure of this, but sure this is the best come-back album Living Colour could ever make after the last “Collideoscope” dated in 2003.

“The Chair In The Doorway” sets the band’s return to a more melodic and song structured side than the experimental oriented previous one, but even with their will to carry on with the musical and sound research. All the fans of the band won’t be disappointed of this new chapter, Living Colour today get up refreshed their unique mix of rock, metal, funk, soul, hip hop and amazing usual instrumental skills under a new deal with Megaforce and the sound comes out great with a straight, solid sound power with a modern impact. The CD is produced in digipack version and has been totally recorded and mastered at Sono Studios outside of Prague in the Czech Republic during the fall of 2008 and the spring of 2009. A perfect release from an incredible band.

Fulvio Bordi (80/100)

BERT HEERINK - Better Yet (AOR Heaven)

With something like twenty years away from the Hard Rock scene former Vandenberg’s vocalist Bert Heerink returns with a powerful message that he’s back and even ‘Better Yet’.

Although the song writing has been provided by some of the biggest names in the rock world, Heerink has made each song his own with his Gary Barden like vocal (it’s easy to see why Michael Voss paired Heerink up with Michael Schenker on his ‘Voices of Rock II album’). This is a real top notch release which shows you can’t keep an old dog down. From the opener ‘Panic Attack’ right down to the final track ‘Significance’, Heerink shines from the upbeat rockers to the tremendous ballads. This is a must for all Melodic Hard Rock fans. A fantastic return and with Michael Voss on production duties you know the quality is going to be there in bucket loads. Let’s hope this is the start of a beautiful partnership because albums like this don’t deserve to be one offs.

Barry McMinn (90/100) LAROXX - Laroxx (Steelheart Records)

The press-release that comes with the promo briefly explains the story behind this CD and this band. Laroxx was a quite popular Glam/Street Rock band in Italy back in late ‘80s, and they recorded this debut-album in 1992 for a possible release in USA and Japan thru a major-label. A short promotional tour in the States was also set up, with gigs played at famous “Troubador”, “Foundation Forum” and “F.M. Station” in Los Angeles. Unfortunately things went bad and the label supposed to release the album suddenly dropped the offer. So that the band shelved the master waiting for the right chance to release it (hey, where have I already heard this kind of story, eh?). Luckily, italian label Steelheart Records (specialized in reissues of “lost gems from the 80s”) put its hands on it and... here we are, with a great Cd of unadulterated Party/Glam/Street Rock, 12 songs that recall the “classic” sound of US bands like Tuff, Poison, Pretty Boy Floyd and early Motley Crue, enriched by a killer production. A perfect soundtrack for your crazy, crazy nights! Rob “Ezy” Bone (88/100)

BRAINSTORM - Memorial Roots (AFM Records)

German´s Brainstorm are one of Europe´s leading Power Metal bands - for a reason. The Swabian bunch has delivered some of the best tunes with their albums “Soul Temptation”, “Liquid Monster” or the latest piece of work “Downburst”, juts to name a few. For “Memorial Roots” Brainstorm again worked with the highlyacclaimed producer team Sascha Paeth & Miro, from Wolfburg´s Gate studios. These two men are well-known and also do work with bands like Kamelot, Avantasia, Edguy and Rhapsody (Of Fire). The massive experience of the producers as well as the great songwriting of the band make “Memorial Roots” one of the most interesting and strong Power Metal releases of 2009.

It´s obvious that Braistorm were aiming a more Rock-like production sound (in fact it sounds more up-to-date but still rough and not too polished). Just give a listen to the hymnal “Forsake What I Believe” with its hypnotic verse and the catchy chorus; or the fast “Shive”. Brainstorm have never sounded better. Vitale Nocerino (90/100)

MRF | 13

Band: Mob Rules Album: Radical Peace Interview with: Matthias Mineur Interviewed by: Vitale Nocerino

Question: Congratulations for your new album “Radical Peace”.

I´m sure nobody will disagree that this is the best Mob Rules album so far.

A: Thanks a lot, we appreciate this.

We spent nearly two years of preparing, writing, arranging and recording the songs, a lot of work but in the end it was all the hard work worth.

We are really proud of the album.

Q: When did you start writing songs for your new album? The latest Mob Rules studio album dates back from 2006...

A: We did a tour after ETHNOLUTION A.D., then had a short break and started in early 2008 with the first songs. We threw our different ideas together, tried several things out and then worked on the whole concept with some shorter tracks and an 18minute long epic piece, the continuation of the ETHNOLUTION idea.

Q: “Radical Peace” includes the 18-minute long track “The Oswald File” which lyrically deals with the murder of John F. Kennedy. It´s the most impressive epic Metal track that has been heard in years. Why did you Focus on:

14 | MRF

choose this topic?

A: The Kennedy assassination in 1963 is one of the most thrilling files in political history. It´s never forgotten and there are still lots of open questions. With the election of Barack Obama there now seems to be a similar spirit in the USA as in the early Sixties when Kennedy was the US president.

All these things inspired us to write a song about Lee Harvey Oswald and the question, if he is really the Kennedy murderer.

Q: Beside the long track there are a lot of typical Mob Rules songs. Very straight, melodic and powerful. The sound of “Radical Peace” is even better than on previous efforts and even more convincing. Would you agree?

A: Yes, I agree. We always try to make the best sounding album and this time we feel that this is a really strong, energetic and dynamic Metal record. Thanks to our sound engineer Markus Teske, who mixed the record, we succeeded in developing our style and sound. But it all depends on the very dynamic song

MOB RULES - Radical Peace (AFM Records)

writing.

Q: A 5-track EP called “Astral Hand” will be released on October 9th. What can you tell us about it?

A: ´Astral Hand’ was inspired by the well-known Michelangelo fresco ‘The Creation of Adam’ in the Vatican, a straight Metal track with a catchy chorus and some dynamic guitar riffings.

The song already had its baptism of fire at the Wacken Rocks Seaside festival, the Bloodstock Festival in Derby, England, and the Ginetarock festival in Spain, and it went very well.

Q: What are your expectations and hopes for your sixth album “Radical Peace”, now that the band is heading towards its 15th anniversary?

A: With a new record company (AFM) and a new strong album like RADICAL PEACE we hope to make the next step in our career, which means to sell more records, play more shows, reach more fans and get good press reviews all over the world. And then we hopefully can put all our eyes to the next 15 years!

Melodic and power unite in the new Mob Rules album „Radical Peace“. The band was always a warrant for quality but their new piece of work easily tops everything they have done in the past. It starts with the gutsy “Children Of The Flames” a stomping killer song with a doomy guitar outro. Followed by “Trial By Fire”, a faster track with a strong guitar solo part.

The first single “Astral Hand” comes up with great hyper melodic chorus and some nicely added, slighty progressive elements. Every song on the album is a winner, but the “heart” of “Radical Peace” is undoubtedly the 18-minute track “The Oswald File” that is split into 6 parts, but overall it´s just one big epic track. A song like this hasn´t been heard in years, comparisons to other bands nearly completely fail. Just imagine a masterly executed rollercoaster journey through the finest territories of Melodic Metal, with elements reminiscent to bands like Queensryche (Operation: Mindcrime I), Savatage and Avantasia. Mob Rules have developed and improved in every way. This album is a must! Vitale Nocerino (95/100)

Frontiers Records presents BLANC FACES

"Falling From the Moon" Out on November the 6th 2009

In 2005 one of the brightest new stars on the Melodic Rock scene appeared during the hot summer time. In July of that year Blanc Faces, headed by the brothers duo, Robbie and Brian La Blanc debuted with their self titled album showing the world that the time for big harmonies was not over. With a stunning production (with a mix courtesy of Dennis Ward of Pink Cream 69) and some truly brilliant songs, Blanc Faces managed to catch the attention of the entire Melodic Rock oriented press and loads of new fans.

Following the huge responses, Blanc Faces appeared for the first time in Europe at the first edition of the United Forces of Rock Festival in Ludwigsburg, Germany where they literally took the crowd by storm.

Little by little the two brothers (who by the way have an outstanding career in music including providing background vocals on music involving Toto lead singer Bobby Kimball and legendary singer Ronnie Spector) started putting together musical material for the second album which they completed in the summer of 2009.

Not wanting to touch a team that gave superb results on the debut record, Blance Faces worked again with Kyle Woodring (Dennis DeYoung/Styx; Survivor; John Mellencamp) on drums, Jeff Batter (Cannata) on keyboards, and Butch Taylor and Michael Patzig on lead guitar. Just a few weeks after the completion of the record the sad news of Kyle Woodring passing reached everyone, so the entire album is dedicated to this amazing musician.

Dennis Ward (Pink Cream 69) delivered once again a superior quality in the mixing sessions so once again the end result is an astonishing album that restores the faith in Classic AOR / Melodic Rock music. If you are a fan of Journey, Foreigner and Survivor, you will love this recording!

MRF | 15

Band: Danger Danger Album: Revolve Interview with: Bruno Ravel / Ted Poley Interviewed by: Alessandro Ariatti

Question: This is the first album you make together from "Screw It". Did you feel any pressure composing and recording it?

Bruno Ravel: Sure, there’s always pressure, but it’s self-inflicted. We are our toughest critics. If we can please ourselves, then the rest usually falls into place.

Q: From your reunion in 2004 you only played live, but didn't write anny new material. How was finding again in a studio after a so long time?

BR: For me, it was no big deal because the recording studio is where I spend most of my time.

Most of the recording went very smoothly, but there were times Focus on:

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that were very frustrating as well.

Q: "Revolve" is an outstanding album. It sounds 100% Danger Danger but, at the same time, it is quite up-to-date. Do you agree?

BR: Yes, that’s what we were striving for. We wanted to write and record an album that had great songs, and didn’t sound dated. I think that’s exactly what we did.

Q: Well, this is your first effort since a long time. Now that the day of release is coming closer, how do you feel? Is there still some kind of electricity in the air, even after all these years?

Ted Poley: YES! I personally am very excited to see what happens next, and I know from the fans

that they are very excited about the new cd. We have been having alot of fun since 2004 when i rejoined the band , and now with a brand new kick ass cd coming out, things look like they are going to get even more fun!

Q: How did it go, summarily, the recording process? Do you feel totally satisfied of the final product; is there something that you would like to say as a comment on this latest studio experience?

TP: It was very relaxed and developed a routine that worked well for us. I show up at the studio with my egg sandwich and coffee and i would eat that as my vocal warm up, and then Bruno and I would

DANGER DANGER - Revolve (Frontiers Records)

Danger Danger is for sure one of the “hair metal” kings coming from the 80’s. The first homonym album, dated 1989, is considered a classic of this genre, and the second one “Screw It” solidified the reputation of the band, also thanks to the huge American tour with Kiss. After that record, the vocalist Ted Poley left Danger Danger, and only now he rejoins his old mates Bruno Ravel (bass) and Steve West (drums) for a brand new studio album. Actually he entered the band again in 2004, but they played only live, and didn’t test any new track. “Revolve” sounds absolutely Danger Danger, and that’s a fact!

Great attitude, big production, and a fabulous collection of songs that can be compared to the last Ted Poley album, titled “Smile”. Ted is the real star of the situation, with his everlasting teen-aged voice, that shines at its best in songs like the melodramatic “Ghost Of Love”, the kicking-ass opener “That’s What I’m Talking About” or the fresh and pure “Keep On Keepin’ On”. 18 ‘til I Die, just to quote the verse of this last song? Oh yeah, that’s still the philosophy of Danger Danger. Damn, how I like it!

Alessandro Ariatti (95/100)

rock out in his studio and I would sing the song and then commute home like a businessman does every day. It was very smooth, because I didnt argue about much, I trusted Bruno to get the best vocal performance out of me,,so I didnt argue when he liked or disliked something, that was fine...in the end,,it came out just as i had hoped,,Bruno made me sound really great, he is a top producer. I am very happy with the cd.

Q: Through the years, did you follow each other your respective career? And what was the motivation that put the band together after a so long time?

BR: I don’t really understand the first part of that question, but if you’re asking me if I followed Ted’s career, the answer is not really. It was only in the last few years before we reunited that I was aware of what he was doing and the records he was making.

The reason we put the band back together was because Steve and I felt that Danger Danger with Paul Laine had run its course and realized that if we wanted to continue, we had to get Ted back.

Q: How really important is the connection with the eighties for the music of DD? BR: It was a special time in our lives and its influence on us and our generation is undeniable but we all grow up and learn new things and hopefully progress at what we do,so I think we are actually stronger now than ever,and now its almost 2010, I cant remember much from the 80's!

Q: Are there any tracks that you are most proud of, and that you would like to talk about?

BR: I don’t know if it’s because we haven’t made an album in so long, or because I’m so close to it, but I’m really proud of all the songs on this record. My favorites at the moment are “Rocket To Your Heart”, “F.U.$”, and “Hearts On The Highway.”

Q: If you look back at your classic albums like the first one or "Screw It", how do you place the new "Revolve"?

BR: It’s hard to say, but the way I feel right now, I’d put “Revolve” at the top of the list.

Q: What do you think now of the album you made with Paul Laine? Which is your favourite one?

BR: I think all the records we made with Paul were great. There were some limitations as far as the production, and my skills as an engineer, but I think that for the time, they were all good records. My favorite has to be “Dawn.”

Q: Your first reunion show was at the 2004 Sweden Rock Festival. What do you remember of that gig?

BR: It was a lot of fun, the crowd was awesome... One of the best shows we’ve ever done. I hope we can play that festival again next year!

Q: Did you listen to any album that impressed you particularly in the last months? And in general, which kind of music are you usually listening recently?

BR: It’s pretty hard for any new album to impress me these days, because I’ve been exposed to so much great music over the years, but there’s always one or two new records that pop up, that surprise me, and that’s always inspiring. There are no recent ones that I can think of off the top of my head. As far as what kind of music I listen to these days,? I listen to everything. All styles. If a song catches my ear,? Then I will seek out the band and see if there are any other good songs they have to offer. I don’t limit myself to one style of music.

Q: I imagine you have also planned a great tour to support "Revolve". Which countries are you visiting, and what do you expect from this tour?

BR: We plan to play in every country that will have us!

Most likely that will include Spain, Italy, Greece, England, and the U.S. Hopefully they’ll be other countries that will show interest in having us come over.

We’ll see...

MRF | 17

Band: Fab Box Album: Music From The Fab Box Interview with: F. Ugolini / M. Bozzi Interviewed by: Gregor Klee Question: Can you please tell us a bit about your musical roots and influences?

A: Thank you, the main influence for the songs on the album are the sounds of the 80s with bands like Bryan Adams, Richard Marx, Bad English, Toto and Journey. And we love just about everything that the amazing “Mutt” Lange has produced, no matter if it’s AC/DC or Shania Twain. When we grew up we listened to different stuff, ranging from Hard Rock and Heavy Metal (Fabrizio) to the Hard Rock and Progressive Rock of the 70s by the likes of Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, Pink Floyd, Genesis and Kansas (Massimo). But we are interested in many different musical genres, for example we also listen to Italian Pop and New Country. The sound of “Music From The Fab Box” came very naturally and you can say the songs are among the best ones we have written as a duo over the past decade. We love nice melodies and catchy hooklines and we always try to combine our Rock and Pop influences to create that trademark “Fab Box-sound.”

Focus on:

Q: You recorded most of the instruments on the album in your own studio, but you also invited some guest musicians. Let us know some facts about the recording sessions.

A: We had the freedom to work in a studio without the worry of having to finish everything quickly and that allowed us to go back to the tracks several times until we were fully satisfied with the results. We personally know all the musicians who played on "Music From The Fab Box" for many years and they are above all our dear friends for many years.

Guys like Elyan Fernova (drums) and Fabrizio “V.Zee” Grossi (bass) gave their best to leave their special note on this work. In particular the splendid guitar solos of our great lead guitar players Paolo Pedretti, Tonino Landini and Paolo Gennari on the individual songs are a highlight of the album.

Q: The songs on the album were all written by the two of you and on two tracks you worked with some well known co-writers, namely Joseph Williams (former

lead vocalist of Toto) on “Together” and Danny Vaughn (Tyketto, From The Inside) on “Always”. How did this come about ?

A: In the 80s I (Fabrizio) used to be in a band called “Brando” and Fabrizio “V.Zee” Grossi (Robin Beck, James Christian and Tommy Funderburk) was in the same band for a while, when he still lived in Italy. After he moved to the States we kept in touch, so when he began to work on projects for Frontiers Records like “Vertigo 2” and “From The Inside”, he asked us if we could write some songs for them and we were more than happy to do so.

Q: I just watched the video of the song “Always” and I was amazed, it looks like you had some fun.

A:Thanks a lot, the video really turned out great and we are very happy with the result. Everybody involved was very supportive, the owner of the mansion and the car, the beautiful model, the band and the local crew and our label Avenue Of Allies.

FAB BOX - Music From The Fab Box (Avenue Of Allies)

Okay…picture yourself exploring the Mediterranean Coast on a very hot day, taking in all the wondrous sights and being constantly refreshed by a variety of cool refreshing array of drinks. Now, that is Fab Box: Music From The Fab Box…the debut from accomplished songwriters Fabrizio Ugolini and Massimo Bozzi! This debut is thirteen adventurous light refreshing melodies…most of which are up-tempo. Both Artists put their heart and soul into this Work…exquisite musical journeys that waft on a gentle breeze blowing in from the West. Linked to late ‘80’s and early ‘90’s Soft Rock or WestCoast stylings; “Music From The Fab Box” will bring forth the most uplifting and gentle memories and create easygoing airy feelings within the listener. A shimmering statement of musical & vocal stylings that lay light on a music lover’s soul… Nicely done gents!

Bruce E.J. Atkinson (82/100)

MRF | 19

Band: Winger Album: Karma Interview with: Kip Winger Interviewed by: Fulvio Bordi

Focus on:

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WINGER - Karma (Frontiers Records)

The more you listen, the more you see. What a masterpiece from one of my fab five bands ever! After the memorable “IV”, the most progressive and experimental chapter among the band’s discography, “Karma”, as the title suggests, comes to bring and fuse today all the band’s experiences done until now in an unique release. And the result is brilliant. “Deal With The Devil”, “Stone Cold Killer” recall early Winger and are going to fist hard into your face. “Big World Away” and “Pull Me Under” have both huge whirling guitar riffing inspired by “Pull”, but then leading to a refrain of such a beauty that will bring you in ecstasy. “Come A Little Closer” is a masterpiece arranged with symphonic elements and close to the “IV” style; while “Supernova” has some progressive elements . “Always Within Me” and “Witness” are two class melodic gems with early Winger keyboard arrangements. “After All This Time” is a ballad inspired by bluesy moods. No other words, mates, you have simply to listen to. IN MY OPINION, MONSTER RELEASE OF THE YEAR! Fulvio Bordi (98/100)

Question: As the title “Karma” suggests, it seems that all the Winger band has done before comes up as today’s result.

I think it is not a so easy thing to do, it takes a tough work on it to regroup all the past elements together and to select away others. Is your opinion different from mine?

Answer: We always go about writing and recording in the same way. But yes, we wanted to combine all the best elements of the band and also keep it very uptempo. It's a good mix of old and new.

Q: So, as for in life, there may be a Karma in music?

A: Maybe, i've had a very interesting life and so has the band.

A different path then most.

Karma was the word I would sum it all up with.

Q: The tracklist is simply brilliant, there are absolutely no weak points in it. I’ve been loving it since the first shot and in the last couple of days I listened to it even four or five consecutive times not getting tired of it and discovering new elements I didn’t note the previous time. Which is, in your opinion, the most important element an artist has to work on for making ideas fuse together in the best way possible?

A: The most important thing is to not believe anything too much. always question everything until the record is in the mastering. continue to make better and better. it was my intention to rock your face off on the first 5 songs before we introduced a slower song.

Q: What about the writing and recording sessions?

Did all the entire band take an active part to compositions?

And did you record the songs at the first take as you did for the previous “IV”?

A: Reb and I wrote the bulk of the record. there are a few outside writers. Donny Purnell from 'Kix' wrote the words to “Deal With The Devil” for example. But most of it was done by Reb and

me.

Q: Could you tell me about “Deal With the Devil”?

A: The first song we wrote.. but i didn't really like the words I was writing so i contacted donny Purnell from the original line up of "Kix". I asked him to write something AC/DC - Judus Preist like... he did a fantastic job.

Q: “Come A Little Closer” is a perfect combination between the “Pull” riffs and the “IV” experimental attitude. That’s the point, I mean “Karma” shows us also different, multiple ways to get an original result: from the “Come a Little…” progressive side, passing through the straight dynamicity of songs like “Deal With The Devil”, “Stone Cold Killer” or wide atmospheres as in “Witness”. So what’s the meani ng t o be ori gi nal or “progressive” now? Many artists seem to mean it as being and sound “strange” at any cost, but the result often is not the one they wish to get.

A: Thank you, I lke come a little closer as well... like i said, focus on the quality of songs and you'll be fine. Reb and I really understand each other at this point so as long as we like the riff we're working on , the rest is pretty easy.

Q: Going on into the tracklist, “Supernova” merges to bring us even elements from your Xcarnation project.

Did Cenk Eroglu take part to its composition? And will we listen to a new Xcarnation release? I honestly think it has been a very interesting experiment.

A: No Cenk didn't work on this record except for a bonus cut remix for Japan. You may hear the similarity from the modality in the song itself. Not sure about the future of Xcarnation.

Q: “Always Within Me” gets me thrill. I would define it a real magic moment in which poetry, mental landscapes and heart give life to an unique gem. Please, would you tell us how this song came up?

A: This song came to me in 5

minutes basically. So you’r correct.

It was pure inspiration. First the chords then the melody. It was finished in one afternoon. I cant take much credit for that one... it was like channeling.

Q: Nowadays album sales are declining and the money is to be made with the touring.

How do you feel about this evolution and what’s the impact of this on the Winger situation?

A: Everyone feels the impact of it. Obviously the internet is good and bad. But it is never going away, so there is nothing anyone can do that will bring the sales back to what they use to be. Live performing is the asnwer to artist who want to make a shit load of money. Or buy a lottery ticket.

Q: Is it difficult for you to alternate the band's career with your own as a solo artist?

A: No usually i'm ready to switch gears when the time comes.

Q: In november of 2007 the ‘Live’ record was released.

Whose idea was this?

A: Everyones, we had never made a proper live record. So I wanted to make sure I capture the band live on the IV tour.

Q: Will you support “Karma” on tour as you did for the previous release? And will it be with the same line-up, or are you going to add a stable keyboard musician too?

A: Yes, we will be in Europe from Nov. 17th through Dec 14th with the same line up.

Q: It think maybe, among all the releases Winger made until now, this is the most addicted to be played live.

Choosing the songs to perform will be very difficult, each one of them has its own particular verve and impact to be part of a concert.

Do you agree? Would it be possible to perform all of them into an entire tracklist?

A: We will probably do “Deal With the Devil”, “Stone Cold Killer” and “Pull Me Under”'.

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Band: Jaded Heart Album: Perfect Insanity Interview with: Peter Östros Interviewed by: Duncan Jamieson Question: It doesn’t feel like two years since the last record.

Answer: I totally agree. A lot of things has happend since then.

Touring, writing songs and so on, and now we are here again with a new record. As we say in sweden: Time flies when you are in a coma.

He he Q: How do you feel the band’s sound has developed over the last three records since Johan and Peter were added to your ranks?

A: It has definitely gone to a more heavy and metal sound as we all want to in JH. Still with big melodies though. We don’t want to change that. I love metal with nice melodies. We all do, so that is a JH trade mark.

Q: The production sound, courtesy of Dennis Ward, Chris Lausmann and Michael Voss, really packs a punch. You must be happy with their contribution to the sound.

A: Those guys are true professionals. It was a pleasure to work with Focus on: JADED HEART -

22 | MRF

Mr Voss during the recording sessions. I never worked that fast with him behind the weels. We punched in the rhythm guitars in 3 days... 13 songs! God, I was exhausted afterwards. ;) Lausmann did a exellent job with the mix again. Dennis did the final tuch as last time with the mastering with a great result. Yes, we are very happy with the bombastic heavy sound!

Q: There are some big melodious metal songs on the record. I particularly like “Love is Killer”, “Hell just Arrived”, “Come To The Feast” and “Rising”. Which ones do you think work best on the record and why?

A:” Love Is a Killer” is one of the songs that really grew during the recording/mixing process. It was kind of "one song among the others" in the pre-production stage, but turned out to be an opener for the album. I think that one is a great straight forward rock song that have the groove you are searching for that could be hard to find sometimes. "Freedom Call" is another Perfect Insanity (Frontiers

one that turned out well with a chorus I love and has a guitar solo that was fun to record. He he, a guitarist answer of course...

Q: How do you feel about your forthcoming tour with Primal Fear?

A: Gonna be great fun of course. We really think that this is a good tour for us considering the fans Primal Fear and Brainstorm have. Gonna be good for us to be able to play these shows in front of some metalheads we never played for before.

Looking forward to see our old fans again as well! The PF guys are nice fellow as well, so its gonna be a blast for sure! Could be some Sweden shows as well. That would be something for me and Johan...

A: What kind of live set list can fans expect to hear and what new songs are you keen to try out on stage?

A: It´s gonna be a good mixure of songs from the present and the past. Maybe 4-5 new ones. Its always a plesure to try to decide which ones to play. We will see... :) Records)

This is now the third album with Swede Johan Fahlberg twirling the mike stand since Michael Bormann’s departure. Fahlberg has a more traditional metal voice; big, gruff and capable of a Halford style helium yell when required compared to Bormann’s more mainstream AOR sensibility. The Jaded Heart signature sound remains, albeit a heavier version, with huge slabs of melody in the chunky guitar and keyboard riffs, and the layered choruses. Most tracks go hell for leather; opener “Love Is A Killer” recalls Gamma Ray or Edguy with its duelling guitar. “Hell Just Arrived” has a very Scandinavian metal sounding chorus reminiscent of Saint Deamon whereas “Freedom Call” will appease anyone who liked Impellitteri’s recent release with its fretboard flurries. “Rising” is a slice of catchy German melodic rock more in keeping with the band’s original sound and a varied arrangement on ballad “One Life One Death” works well showing they haven’t completely turned their backs on their softer side.

About to go on tour with label mates Primal Fear, it’s a pairing that makes sense as the present Jaded Heart, like Primal Fear, now deal in muscular, melodic Teutonic metal. Duncan Jamieson (90/100)