04 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 17 19 20 22
CONTENTS
Asia Extreme Auras Tesla Big Ball Sven Larsson Crashdiet Reviews The Glitterati Neverland Serpentine FM Crazy Lixx Alan Parsons Treat
Melodic Rock Fanzine
The official Frontiers Records magazine Year #6 - Nr. 2 / Issue #37 Editor-in-chief: Elio Bordi Design: Elio Bordi Writers: Bruce E.J. Atkinson, Fulvio Bordi, Duncan Jamieson, Barry McMinn, Vitale Nocerino, Rob “Ezy” Bone, Fabio Mainardi. 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 Copyright©2010 Frontiers Records. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. Printed in Italy.
Band: Asia Album: Omega Interview with: Geoff Downnes Interviewed by: Duncan Jamieson
Focus on:
4 | MRF
ASIA - Omega (Frontiers Records)
This is their second album since the original classic line-up reformed in 2006 and maintains the high standards that we’ve come to expect form Wetton, Palmer, Howe and Downes. The rockers “Finger on the Trigger” and “I Believe” sit shoulder to shoulder with the finest radio friendly moments from their past. There are also the signature prog elements but where it differs from the comeback album “Phoenix” is the sprawling eight minute epics have been ousted for more focused five minute compositions such as “Holy War” and the cheery pop meets prog optimism of “Listen Children”. Unusually a couple of mid tempo numbers “I’m Still The Same” and “Don’t Wanna Lose You Now” tap a slight Beatles’ vein and “There Was a Time” has a hitherto unheard folk feel. Man of the match award goes to Downes whose keyboards are inventive throughout. Include a mix of serious and fun lyrics and it all adds up to an eclectic set that should keep the faithful happy. Duncan Jamieson (92/100)
Question: Welcome back to Melodic Rock. How’s life in Asia at the moment? Answer: Thank you. We’re having a good time and very much looking forward to the release of the new album, Omega, and of course the tours later this year. There are also plans for beyond 2010, but that’s another discussion! Q: After re-uniting to mark your 25th anniversary in 2006, did you envisage then that you’d stay together and have a couple of albums under your belt by the end of the decade? A: I don’t think anyone could really have predicted back in 2006 exactly how long it would last. I think having the opportunity to make a couple of albums has actually cemented the idea within us all, brought us closer together, and given us extra momentum to go out and achieve more for the band in the long term. Q: The comeback album “Phoenix” had a couple of sprawling prog tracks on it whereas on this album the songs seem more focused, radio friendly (although you still prog out a little) and some things we haven’t heard from you before. Was this a deliberate move before you started recording the album? A: When you embark on a new album, although you have certain ideals in mind as to how it will eventually turn out, they inevitably change course during the making of an album. The main thing is, that what we do is original and keeps us refreshed musically throughout. I guess we just do it, and it turns out the way it turns out. Sure, on Phoenix there are a couple of quite extended tracks, but on Omega we didn’t necessarily feel that was the direction to go. Q: There’s real variety of tracks from radio friendly rockers to weighty subject matter on the likes of “Holy War” and some lighter material like “Emily”. It sounds like there’s an interesting story behind that song. Would you care to elaborate on it? A: I think this is a ‘heavier’ album than Phoenix. Variety is an important part of what we do, and dynamics in the music are really important as well. It’s great to be able to show off the band in a number of different lights. I think on Omega, you can here a whole host of influ-
ences at play. ‘Emily’ is a song that could quite easily have been written in any of the last 5 decades. John penned the subject matter of the song so he’s probably the best person to ask there re: the content, but as far as I know, it’s about a lesbian! Q: There’s an uncharacteristic folk melody on “There Was A Time”. How did that song come about? A: John & I were playing around with some ¾ time signature song ideas, and we found that we had a couple of compatible sections, which we crafted into a folk-sy type melody. It’s one of my favourites off the album, as it’s so different from anything we’ve done before. It’s almost like a Celtic hymn. It has a certain purity & richness, with John singing the song in a low register. Q: “Still The Same” and “I Don’t Wanna Lose You” have an almost Beatles vibe. Were they an inspiration in your formative years and who do you draw inspiration from these days? A: Yeah, well that’s quite a good call on your behalf, because I think the Beatles influence is fairly evident on these 2 tracks. It’s hard as a British musician, particularly from our generation not to have had some exposure to & a direct influence from the Beatles. It’s not a bad thing. In fact if you listen across the whole album you will hear a plethora of wide-ranging styles of music. You can hear pop, jazz, symphonic, electronica etc etc. All sorts. Investigating all these musical avenues keeps the idea of making a new ASIA album exciting to us. Q: With a European tour ahead of you which new songs do you imagine will make it into your live set? A: Well I’m pretty sure we’ll be looking at some of the more power-orientated tracks such as ‘I Believe’, ‘Finger On The Trigger’, ‘Holy War’ for sure. This stuff lends itself to the big stage, but as I expressed before, variety is important to us too, so we’ll be selecting a couple more less intense tracks also. Q: With the opportunity to do the Wetton and Downes records how do think that affects the direction of Asia’s material? A: I think it’s great that John and I rekindled our writing partnership quite a few years back now. It’s certainly helped writing for Icon, as in many ways
that has also paved the way for creative activity in the Asia reformation. Of course we address the songwriting aspects very differently for each, but it’s driven us forward, and we never seem to have any problems coming up with stuff for either. It’s a very natural process. Q: How have the band’s dynamics changed since your reformation compared to when you started out in the 80s? A: When we first got back together again, it was like the clock had been turned back 25 years. We were always about dynamics in the music and the special sound that occurs when the four of us are in a room together is still very apparent. I think we see the music through the same eyes, and this involves the interplay between us all. Hence, the dynamics are created naturally. Look at any style of music, and it’s pretty much all about light and shade. Q: You’re well known for other spin off groups (e.g. GPS or Qango). Are there any other projects on the horizon? A: Neither of the bands you mention I was involved in, so I am not really the best person to make comment on that. However regarding future Asia solo activities, all four of us do have our own individual projects which are ongoing. I am in the process of making another New Dance Orchestra album, but only envisage spending time on this when and where there is a window in the ASIA schedule, which is currently fairly busy as you can imagine. Q: How does it feel to be immortalised in South Park? A: Over the past few years, we seem to have enjoyed a real resurgence of interest in the older ASIA material. It was great to be featured in the film “A Forty Year Old Virgin” too. This only helps to perpetuate the name and rekindled interest in the music. The Cartman episode was very funny, and I loved seeing Carl’s Heat Of The Moment drumbeat featured in such an amusing manner in the courtroom scene in South Park. Q: Have you any closing words for Asia fans who might be reading? A: Yeah. Thanks for sticking by us over the years, and hope to see you out there on tour this time round in 2010. Hope you all like Omega as much as we enjoyed making it. Cheers! MRF | 5
Band: Extreme Album: Take Us Alive Interview with: Nuno Bettencourt Interviewed by: Fabio Mainardi Question: Hey guys, what a come back I must say, “Saudades de Rock” release, a huge world tour and now this live recording, unstoppable!!! Better to record a new album or playing live? Answer: Thanks. They are both 2 totally different experiences for us. I love writing, creating and recording but getting the opportunity to play the songs live has always been my preference. Making a record is a tedious process. Playing the songs live capture a whole other element of what Extreme is about and what we are capable of doing on a performance level. Q: Time passed from the old club days but the energy and the participation of your fans is still there, what are your feeling about? A: Well actually, after the “old club days,” we graduated to theatres and arenas so now it’s the “old arena days!!!” I was really surprised to see all the great support from the Extreme fans as well as all the new fans that recently discovered the band. Before we officially got back together, I was in Europe touring with Satellite Party and all these fans were showing up wearing Focus on:
6 | MRF
Extreme shirts. They really expressed how much the band meant to them and I called Gary with some fans from Europe and told him, “You have to see what’s going on here!” When Extreme returned to Europe for the first time in 13 years, we didn’t know what to expect as we have been absent so long, but we were shocked by the fans response. We are so grateful to have this level of support from our friends and fans. Q: Some times bands release live albums picking up the best performances all over a tour, while you went straight to this one shot goal, any fears about, while performing? A: Ha, actually this was the last night of the tour and it was in front of our hometown so we had no choice but to deliver. The band was really consistent on this tour so we didn’t have any reservations about pulling this off. Gary was really on top of his game vocally and the guys were all in peak form. Q: It’s so evident how all of you enjoy playing together and what a chemistry is there on stage, is it
the same out of the stage or you prefer to have most of your time separate lives? A: Extreme has always been a family. We have all known each other since we were kids and all grew up in Massachusetts. So the circle always remained tight. Even Figg comes from my hometown so as newcomer, it was an easy fit. As far as our chemistry goes, it just comes natural from playing together so long. Before we decided to make Saudades, we went into a rehearsal space to see if there was still that chemistry you mention… and it immediately just felt like home to us. I think we all compliment each other well. Q: Well, thanks so much for your time talking with us and…what’s next for Extreme? New album and tour? A: Yes, both. I have been working on a really interesting concept for the next Extreme record that I think the fans are really going to appreciate. Gary and I are going to write together while I am on the road with Rihanna. We have some amazing ideas and can’t wait to start putting this all together.
EXTREME - Take Us Alive (Frontiers Records)
After 13 years in limbo, 2008 saw Extreme come back with their war cry “Saudades de Rock”, soon after the band embarked on the “Take Us Alive World Tour”, throughout US, UK, Europe and Asia. The Take Us Alive concert DVD/CD, was recorded at the House of Blues August 8th 2009 in Boston, MA. on the very last night of the tour. Without a doubt this release perfectly captures what Extreme is all about, four great musicians at their peak: Gary Cherone (vocals), Nuno Bettencourt (lead guitars and backing vocals), Pat Badger (bass, backing vocals) and Kevin Figueiredo (drums, backing vocals) excited the huge crowd with their trademarked and consolidated unbeatable stage performances. The stellar track listing will drive you with all sort of astonishing material both from their come back album as well with classics from their previous discography like the self titled debut album, Pornograffitti, III Sides to Every Story and Waiting For the Punchline. And if this wasn’t enough a mind blowing rendition of the Zeppelinsh “Comfortably Dumb” together with several other high moments will bring you in this a surreal live settings together the Extreme overwhelming audience participation. Fabio “Deuce” Mainardi (95/100)
Band: Auras Album: New Generation Interview with: Gui Oliver Interviewed by: Bruce Atkinson Question :I would like to begin with the signing to Frontiers… this is quite the story in of itself, would you like to tell it? Answer: Well it was really a dream come true to us... we always wanted Frontiers to be our label, not only because they have on their catalogue lots of bands that we love but also because we knew how the label is professional and how they respect their artists. The contact was really fast... we received an email from Mario de Riso asking for our demo album for evaluation, after some days we received an email from Serafino Perugino asking if we wanted to be part of their crew... it was fantastic! Q: The group is so young, being formed in 2007, however your musical maturity is far beyond those years… take us through your backgrounds, how did you get started and how did the two of you meet? A: Well... I started very young... my father was a DJ back in the 70's and Focus on:
he is definitely a music lover, when I was a kid I used to listen with him all his albums from Bad Company, Badfinger, The Guess Who, America, The Eagles, The Doobie Brothers, Blood Sweat & Tears, Poco... my love for music started when I was really a kid! So my father bought me an acoustic guitar and after, of course, an electric guitar... I wanted to be the new Ritchie Blackmore... hehehehehe... fortunately in my home town I couldn't find a lead singer to be in my first band and I decided to handle the lead vocals for some time... since then I never stopped to sing! Q: Let’s continue our conversation with the recording of the debut. “New Generation” is such a powerful record… care to take us through your creative process? A: I'm always writing songs... everywhere I go I'm with the guitar in my hands... so I'm always with melodies in my head. When we
signed with Frontiers we had just five songs ready so we have to write and record more than ten songs to complete the album. But I can tell you that it wasn't a tough time... all the songs came naturally... I believe that we are very blessed and I believe also that when you're happy and when people believe in your work things come easily. Q: Are you currently writing, as well as performing? A: At this moment we are rehearsing a lot, we are preparing all the things for the upcoming concerts... Anyway... We are always writing songs also... but we are focused right now on rehearsing and preparing everything for the concerts... Q: Looking into the future, what are you hoping to happen, and have you plans to collaborate with any of your musical heroes? A: Well... we did a song for the upcoming Fergie Frederiksen solo album, it was amazing... this opportunity was really a dream for us.
AURAS - New Generation (Frontiers Records)
They are from South America…Brazil specifically and simply put: they create gorgeous music! The debut from ‘Auras’; “New Generation” is chalk full of high energy, soaring and melodious Rock! This music is BIG! — explosive rhythms coupled with soaring vocals equalled by huge guitars and keys… Formed by Gui Oliver and Ferpa Lacerda… ’Auras’ reach for the stratosphere and more often than not, make it there! Not just content with re-living 80’s style Melodic rock, in the vein of Toto — Styx —Journey & et all… the group breathes new life in this gracious style of music. Delivering punchy, rhythmic musical soundscapes with lyrics that push forward Hope, Dreams, Faith and a better way, and prove it each and every time! A “new generation” of Big Symphonic Rock, dripping with emotion, that is ‘Auras’… touching the stratosphere and taking us with them! Bruce E.J. Atkinson (90/100)
MRF | 7
Band: Tesla Album: Live Across Europe! Interview with: Jeff Keith Interviewed by: Fabio Mainardi Question: Welcome back in the old Europe!! After crisscrossing our countries with your shows now here it is this cool live recording. Can we rightly say this album must be considered your first live electric album? Answer: As far as Europe, yes it is our first live electric album. Because Replugged was our first live record in the United States. Q: What about the track listing? Is there a sort of “chronological order” or you preferred to replicate the concerts set list? A: Yes we would like to follow the concert set list as much as possible because we try to make a live show flow. We like to follow that format as much as possible. Q: You come from the wide spaces of California, what about touring on the other side of the pond? A: We love it! European audiances are second to none. Q: While touring last year did you set up differently your gears in order to get your
music recorded live or did you go straight with your usual settings? A: I am not so hip on the technical stuff but I do believe we try to just push into the red in the most natural setting possible. Q: During the last years Nikola Tesla's work and ideas were so re-valuated and brought to a new light, giving them a little bit of justice. Do you follow the scientific debate on his figure? A: Absolutely he invented alliterating current and wireless technology which everybody applies today in ever household and on every stage as well as he was always an underdog and rock and roll has always been an underdog so his name represents us well. Q: Story tells us normally live albums are somehow doctored. Were you fully satisfied with the sound of your live recordings or you had to go back in the studio to do some fixing? A: We absoultely kept it completely live as we feel that is what the
audiance deserves as raw as it may be. Q: Where does the main inspiration for your songs come now? Do you take it form reality or fantasy? A: Tesla is always been about reality and always will be and any effort coming from us is always from the heart. Q: What are the new bands you admire more today? Is there anybody you consider at the same level of the classic eighties-band? A: Nickelback, Saliva, Papa Roach, and Staind. I believe those are some of the best that rock and roll has ever had to offer. They were all inspired from days of old. Q: After this amazing picture of you concerts, what’s next? Have you new material in the works? A: New material is in the works as we speak. We are defenetely looking forward to a new record already, but there is still a lot of work to do to complete the project.
Focus on: TESLA - Live Across Europe (Frontiers Records)
Tesla, the multi-platinum-selling rock band formed in Sacramento, California, back in 2009, after the successful release of their latest studio effort “Forever More” yet on Frontiers Records, has massively toured Europe in the summer of 2009. Now you may grab what must be considered a very fond snapshot of where the band is at the moment in their electric live environment. Jeff Keith (vocals), Frank Hannon (guitars), Brian Wheat (bass), Troy Luccketta (drums) and Dave Rude (guitar) recorded live shows on various locations during the “Forever More” support tour. “Live Across Europe” displays the high energetic live performances of such classics in Tesla career like “Modern Day Cowboy”, “Signs”, "What You Give”, "Little Suzi" together with songs from the latest studio effort such as the title track “Forever More”, the single “I Wanna Live” and many other gems. This album is like a 25-year musical journey that will please the loyal hardcore fans and the newcomers in the fold; dig it and you’ll smell the vibe and energy of their live setting together with the excitement of their followers. Fabio “Deuce” Mainardi (92/100)
8 | MRF
Band: Big Ball Album: Hotter Than Hell Interview with: Thomas Gurrath Interviewed by: Primo Bonali Question: Hi guys, and congratulations for your debut-album, “Hotter Than Hell”! It looks like in Germany you still love that traditional Hard Rock sound, eh!!! On your website I read this sentence: “they sound like Australia, but they are coming from Germany. If you think AC/DC sucks you will hate us the same...”. Which is a good way to admit that AC/DC is your bigger influence, isn’it? Answer: If you like AC/DC there is a good chance you will like Big Ball too, if you hate AC/DC then, yes....f*** off. That sentence is for all the haters. I`m sure there will be people saying stuff like Big Ball is a new AC/DC clone, or I heard that riff before etc. I don`t care. Big Ball is for people who love Hard Rock like myself. I love AC/DC for years now, I`m only 29, and my first AC/DC show was at 1996 on the Ballbreaker tour. But I like many other Hard Rock bands too. My first CD was Guns N Roses, Appetite For Destruction. Later followed by bands like Ugly Kid Joe, Krokus, Saxon etc. So I think I`m just something like a Metal and Hard Rock Maniac. Q: Which are your sensations and
impressions about "Hotter Than Hell"? What would you tell to someone who never listened to your music to describe your sound? A: Yeah it`s obviously AC/DC style. Standard hard rock groove, cool guitar riffs and leads, and voive like a buzz saw. Q: Please let us know something about your band. When was it formed, if you had some previous musical experiences… a bit of history of BIG BALL… A: I recorded Hotter Than Hell in August last year. Afterwards I found some musicians who wanted to play it live and that`s it. There`s not so much of a history. We played a lot of Death Metal in the last 7 years and still play it. The CD Hotter Than Hell is the first life sign of Big Ball and we played our first show at sunday as support for SAXON. Q: Apart the obvious AC/DC influence, which other bands influenced your sound? A: As mentioned above bands like SAXON, Ugly Kid Joe, GunsNRoses, WASP, Halford and Judas Priest, Krokus etc. Q: How did you get in touch with
Focus on: BIG BALL - Hotter Than Hell (AFM Records)
AFM Records? A: I`m at AFM records with my Death Metal band. I gave them the Big Ball cd and that was it: cool Rock N Roll, we want it. Q: I know you’re going to open the upcoming European tour of SAXON: what are your expectations about? How do you feel to play with such a legendary band? A: We are fucking nervous. Our first show was like, OK that`s Biff, goddamn it. I mean, I`m buying there CDs for over 10 years now. Never thought that I would play in their support band one day. It`s a very special honour. They are legends... Q: Other planned live shows? A: Yes we will play some more shows. But I`m starting the booking right now. I hope I will get some other cool stuff... Q: What do you think about the actual Hard Rock scene? A: I don`t know, when AC/DC play there are 100 000 people, the show is sold out in ten minutes. I was at a Rhino Bucket show, a cool Hard Rock band too, there were about 150 people. I don`t think too much about it. From 150 to 100000 everything is possible.
Oh well, a brand new band with a name that obviously sounds a bell on me. And the title of the album too speaks very clear for itself. So I was well ready to listen to some traditional Hard Rock influenced by the big bands of the genre. I was wrong. The influence is one and only one: the mighty Ac/Dc! And talking about a “simple” influence is not correct. These guys breathe, eat and play Ac/Dc music! And they admit it, as – according to their website: “they sound like Australia, but they are coming from Germany. If you think AC/DC sucks you will hate us the same...”. “Hotter Than Hell” contains 13 powerful songs full of guitar-riffs and rough vocals (a la Brian Johnson), and definitely played with big balls… Ac/Dc fans will love it! Fun and energy; should we ask more? Naaah! Primo Bonali (87/100)
MRF | 9
Band: Sven Larsson Album: Sunlight And Shadow Interview with: Sven Larsson Interviewed by: Bruce Atkinson Question: “Sunlight and Shadow” is an interesting title, does this reflect on the theme of the album? Answer: I have spent a lot of time watching TV with my five year old son. And he loves wildlife documentaries. We watched a documentary about two species of big wild cats in Africa. One of them lives in the sunlight out in the savanna. The other lives in the shadow in the jungle. The name of the documentary was “Sunlight and Shadow”. That´s how I came up with the idea of the lyrics to that song. But that doesn´t mean that the lyrics are only about the cats. For most of the time I try to write lyrics with more than one meaning. Then later when Gregor Klee of my label Avenue of Allies and I were talking about the album title he came up with the idea of using “Sunlight and Shadow” as the album title. And to me it was a very good idea. Q: You are well known by your work with “Street Talk”, did you utilise any of the talent from the group for this Recorded Work… and whom else did you involve in Focus on:
10 | MRF
the recording? A: The drummer from Street Talk, Christian Johansson, played on the whole record. and Street Talk’s bass player Björn Lodmark played on many of the tracks. There is also another bass player named Per Lindström. I have played with these guys in many different situations, so it was very natural to use them on this record. Street Talks Fredrik Bergh played keyboards on a track. And then there is a couple of keyboardplayers named Sören Karlsson and Pelle Larsson. Another drummer, Lasse Vänngård, did some percussion on a few tracks and finally a couple of singers helped me out with the backing vocals. One of them named Thomas Eriksson also did the lead vocals on two songs. The other guy is the lead singer from the Swedish Progressive Rock band Wolverine, Stefan Zell. The album was recorded at Studio Soundcreation and mixed by Per Ryberg. Q: Sven, are you planning to take this ‘on the road’, and have you solidified the band line-up? A: I have thought about it. We´ll see happens. There is no line-up at the
moment. But I know that it wouldn’t be a problem putting together a lineup when that day comes. Q: Let’s talk about your relationship with Avenue of Allies…and can we expect more solo work from you? A: I am very satisfied with Avenue of Allies. After it was decided to release my material we worked together with the running order of the songs. I am very satisfied with the result. And I am very happy to get a chance to release this album. And of course I want to get a chance to do it again. Q: …Touching back on your new album, you have ‘rocked out’ a little…is this an area that you will explore in future? A: I think so. It´s always fun to play music, that’s a little bit harder. I have been listening to a lot of heavy rock through the years. I´m still influenced by bands like Deep Purple and Van Halen. And many of my favourite guitar players seems to be in this genre. Like Gary Moore, Yngwie Malmsteen and Steve Vai. But I like all kinds of music and I don’t want to play only one kind of style or one kind of music.
SVEN LARSSON – Sunlight And Shadow (Avenue Of Allies)
Well known Swedish guitarist, Sven Larsson has finally stepped out and unleashes his first solo album. In keeping with his varied style and wide spectrum of influences, Sven takes us on a complicated — but fresh musical journey with “Sunlight And Shadow”. Mr. Larsson also makes his singing debut on this effort…and quite a decent vocalist he is! Throughout “Sunlight And Shadow” we definitely hear the vastness of Sven’s guitar playing talent…however this solo outing is far from being over bearing or self indulgent. “Sunlight And Shadow” is a diverse collection of musical jewels that showcases this musician’s highly developed song writing sensibilities, as well as his very tasteful guitar stylings. Sven delivers a ‘complete package’ in “Sunlight And Shadow”— balanced, very well produced and splendidly performed. “Sunlight And Shadow’s magic is in the details and begs to be listened to… time and time again! Bruce Atkinson (80/100)
Band: Crashdiet Album: Generation Wild Interview with: Peter London Interviewed by: Vitale Nocerino Question: What are for you the main differences between ‘The Unattractive Revolution’ and ‘Generation Wild’? Answer: It's funny you ask because the last days I've been blowing my ears off with the “Unattractive” Album so it's fresh in my memory :). While the “Unattractive Album” was a bit of an experiment “Generation Wild” is taking us back to our roots, pure sleaze in the same spirit as on "Rest In Sleaze", but of course, still updated with a new fresh sound. I've never been into looking-back-retro kind of rock. What's been has been, you know. But I can definitely say that lovers of sleaze are gonna love this album for sure! Q: How long did it take to write and record ‘Generation Wild’? A: About a year probably. A quite intense year, as we had more than 50 songs to choose from when it was time to record the actual album.... The plan was to record the whole album in an intense 10 days-session, well, we did 10 very intense days but we went far behind our schedule and spent weeks in another studio laying down choirs, guitar solos and such... Focus on:
But, all in all, it took about one year of continuous work I would say. Q: How has your approach to writing, recording and touring changed over the years? A: I guess we've learned alot from everything we've been going through. I wouldn't say things are easier now but maybe we know how to work more effectively. We're more focused and much tighter as a group than we have been in a long time. Q: What's the one track that you're the most proud of? A: Although I wasn't really involved in the writing of it, I'd say "Native Nature" for sure, as this one shows our new line-up of CRASHDÏET at our best, in all categories. Eric is doing an amazing work on the drums and the vocals are just.... Perfect, in my ears! Q: What are the goals of the band for 2010? A: Worldwide touring and a worldwide release of "Generation Wild" is probably #1 on my list. Q: Do you have any idea how Crashdiet might progress on future releases? A: A bit too early to say, I guess. But
we definately have no plans for a drastic change in any direction. I guess we have found our home now, so to speak... Q: How important is image to the band? A: Well, if you plan to play live with your band, I would say that style is as important as the music. You must be able to stimulate both the ears & eyes on a regular concert visitor, or else you will dissapear next to rest of the 100's bands of today. However, lot's of styling but a lack of musical performance makes it no good either.... Q: Do you like to play live? And what would you like to communicate to your fans when you play? A: Yeah, playing live is definately the best part of this job, or what one should call it. I just wanna make them happy, they make me happy by showing up to our gigs so I wanna give that back to them. And I want them to feel as involved in CRASHDÏET as we are, you know, as a member of our community. Together we will fuck the world, haha!
CRASHDIET – Generation Wild (Frontiers Records)
Here we are with the new CRASHDIET album “Generation Wild”. After the first two successfull albums “Rest In Sleaze” and “The Unattractive Revolution”, the sleaze masters are back with a sound that is the pefect unuion of both sides of their music expressed on their productions. “Generation Wild” is what CRASHDIET is now, the perfect way of playing sleazy rock today. You can find influences from the American Hard-Rock giants of the 80 '/ 90' (DEF LEPPARD, SKID ROW, RATT, TESLA, WINGER, WARRANT, POISON, QUIET RIOT, DANGER DANGER...) with a great production that will you pump up the volume. Highlights of the album are “Armageddon”, “So Alive”, “Generation Wild”, “Chemical” and “Bound To Fall”, but I think you will love the album from the beginning to the end. Buy Or Die! Vitale Nocerino (90/100)
MRF | 11
NEVERLAND - Ophidia (AFM Records) “Ophidia” is the second album (after the debut “Reversing Time”) for this greek/turkish band, Neverland, put together by a strong collaboration between greek singer Iris Mavraki and the Turkish Power/Prog Metal band Dreamtone. Their music might be described as Progressive/Melodic Metal with a lot of symphonic parts, recalling bands like Shadow Gallery, Evergrey and late Angra. And I’ve named these bands for a reason, as Gary Wehrkamp (of Shadow Gallery) and Tom Englund (Evergrey), along with Hansi Kursch (Blind Guardian), collaborated with the band on their debut, and on this new one we can find Edu Falaschi (Angra) and the “big” Jon Oliva (Savatage, etc). Now you have the picture, right? Enriched by majestic arrangements and precious details, the Cd needs some spins before you’ll fully discover its glory and musical vision… Primo Bonali (85/100)
BANGALORE CHOIR - On Target (Metal Heaven) Formed by David Reece and guitarists Curt Mitchell and John Kirk, former Hericane Alice members Ian Mayo (bass) and Jackie Ramos (drums), Bangalore Choir rapresent one of the best highlight of the hard rock scene. This debut album was produced by Max Norman and this reissue is Re-mastered by Martin Kronlund in Sweden and includesa the video clip of the song “Loaded Gun” as a bonus. If it is the first time you are reading about this band, try to listen to tracks such as "Loaded Gun", "Doin' The Dance" and "Freight Train Rollin'”, they are really amazing. The ballad "Hold On To You" is a classic. For all the melodic lovers there is also the cover of Autograph's "Angel In Black". BANGALORE CHOIR are currently recording a new album which will be released later this year always on Metal Heaven; so, buy this album and get ready for this incredible come back. Vitale Nocerino (80/100) GRIFFEN - Life–A Way To Die (Steelheart Records) “Life–A Way To Die” is the debut-album for this swedish five-piece band, featuring members of the well-known Heavy Metal band TORCH and other Swedish bands. After a couple of well received demo-tapes and reviews on many international magazines and websites, GRIFFEN release now this incredible full-length album, offering a sound clearily influenced by some “classic” names of the genre such as R.J. Dio, Iron Maiden and Whitesnake and not too far from the music-offer that artists like Jorn Lande and Jeff Scott Soto brought to the Hard Rock/Metal fans during these last years! Especially the singer, Jorgen Soderberg, uses his voice with that typical vibrato that reminds me of a singer like Bruce Dickinson. And I really love it! Apart from that, the songs here show a tight and solid band that can deliver some great Metal stuff as well as some more melodic tunes. And everything has been enriched by a powerful production. Fans of Melodic Metal and powerful Hard Rock should not lose the chance to check out this Cd! Rob “Ezy” Bone (90/100)
CHRIS LANEY - Only Come Out At Night (Metal Heaven) Swedish Rock n Roller Chris Laney is back with another high-octane straight-in-your-face soloalbum filled with songs that will make you think of the classic hardrock and metal albums from the 80´s. It is obvious where Chris Laney has his musical roots. Chris Laney is a guitarist and singer who´s been a member in bands like Randy Piper´s Animal, Zan Clan and many more and he is also known as a brilliant songwriter and producer. The second new work, his first solo “Pure” was released in March 2009, “Only Come Out At Night” is a natural continuation of the sound of the first LP and, just as on the first solo-album, he invited some of his friends to play with him: Bruce Kulick (KISS), Brian Robertson (Thin Lizzy, Mötörhead), Conny Bloom (Hanoi Rocks, Electric Boys), Ian Haugland (Europe), Zinny Zan (Shotgun Messiah, Zan Clan), Nalle Grizzly Påhlsson (Therion, Treat, Randy Piper´s Animal) and many others. Qualty and energy are the elements you will hear on this amazing album. Vitale Nocerino (80/100) SEDONA - Golden Valley (Avenue Of Allies) Yes, ‘tis is a re-release of the French band Sedona’s third effort “Golden Valley”, which was their first in English. Surfacing in 1995, this lushly produced salute to ‘Westcoast AOR’ did not get much attention outside of Sedona’s homeland. Now, music lovers from all over the globe can experience the elegant sounds of ‘Sedona’! The group are presently recording what will become their fourth album, slated for release later this year. In the meantime, we can get acquainted with Sedona through “Golden Valley” — explore their exquisite sun filled musical forays and languish in their soothing rhythms! The songs range from rocking tracks like “Surfing State Of Mind” and “The Story”, in the vein of Tim Feehan, Joseph Williams, Jay Graydon’s Planet 3 and Beckett, to the midtempo cuts “Golden Valley” and “California Ballad” à la King Of Hearts, L.A. Cowboys and Michael Ruff. The album will also be embraced by friends of classic bands like Toto, the Little River Band, Dakota,Boulevard and Nielsen/Pearson. “Golden Valley”—a promise of greater things… keep a watchful eye on Sedona… they have much more to sing and play about! Bruce E.J. Atkinson (75/100)
12 | MRF
N.O.W. - Force Of Nature (Escape Music) There are more classic rock influences here than straight AOR – there's Queen, Foreigner and Boston even and a strong does of 70s pomp. The man behind the music Alec Mendonca and his band hail from Rio, with additional drums recorded in Sweden with producer Martin Kronlund, who mixed this record to perfection. Vocalist for the project is the always impressive Philip Bardowell, who brings a certain authentic feel to the album. Song highlights are many - Listen To Your Heart has a Journey Be Good To Yourself feel mixed with 1985 American radio; Lonely Soul has that classic 70s/80s American radio feel to it – something Alliance are very good at producing; and You has a pomp/epic Queen feel to it. Idol's Grace is bombastic and dramatic and rocks pretty hard; Peace Of Mind is pure Rick Springfield AOR; No Time For Goodbyes features some of the album's better guitar work.A very mature and somewhat original sounding release considering what else is on the market currently. It takes a good few listens to get into, it isn't an instant record at all. But once you get into it, there are some amazingly annoying hooks that last in your head for days at a time. Andrew McNeice - Melodicrock.com (91/100)
Band: The Glitterati Album: Are You One Of Us? Interview with: Paul Gautrey Interviewed by: Duncan Jamieson Question: The last album had Mike Clink (Metallica, Guns ‘N’ Roses) at the production helm. This time you’ve got Matt Hyde (Bullets for My Valentine, Slipnot) producing. What difference do you feel this has made to the sound of the record? Answer: First of all Mike was amazing to work with, that was a dream come true for us. We had known Matt for a long time he was the assistant engineer on our first ever recording I believe matt is the best up and coming rock producer around, so we have been really lucky working with matt and mike on our two albums. Matt became like a member of the band whilst we recorded this album, he helped us get the sound we wanted which was a bigger more aggressive sound than the first album. Matt is known for his work on big metal albums, which helped us getting a bigger sound, but hes much more of a fan of our kind of band, so it still sounds like us. Q: Can you tell us about the recording of “Are You One Of Us?” A: When we started two of the band members had just quit, we didn’t have any money or label and things weren’t looking great to be honest. We were approached by a few producFocus on:
ers about working on this album, but all they seemed interested in was the album budget, which was basically nothing, Luckily for us Matt loved the songs and believed in the band enough to make it work, we sold everything we owned to fund the recording, the recording took us a while because we kept having to sell more things to afford more studio time, and Matt kept disappearing for months at a time to work with Slipknot and Bullet for my Valentine, because of this the recording which was meant to take a few weeks ended up taking the best part of a year, but this worked well for us as it gave us time to find two new band members and also get everything exactly as we wanted it. Q: There’s a great mixture of high energy and even higher energy songs on the CD. Which tracks do you think out punch what you did on the first record? A: I love the song “Your Idea” as its great to play live and its just and out and out rocker start to finish, also the last single “Fight Fight Fight!” was really well received and that has a dark and dirty vibe to it, I think all the songs have a bigger more aggressive sound than
the first record because that’s what we wanted, but I also think we managed to keep all the hooks and big choruses that has always been a part of our sound. Q: You’ve toured with a real mix of acts from Dave Lee Roth, The Wildhearts and WASP to Kings Of Leon and Avril Lavigne! How did life differ backstage? A: Well The Wildhearts were my absolute favourite band to tour with, they are such a good band I loved watching them and they were great people to be around and so good to us on that tour. Dave Lee Roth was great too,a larger than life character like youd imagine, Avril didn’t mix much with us,neither did the Kings of Leon but they were cool, and we only really got to meet W.A.S.P towards the end of the tour but sometimes its like that. Q: Is there a chance that you might come to mainland Europe to promote this record? A: As I said earlier its one of the main things we want to do, we would love to, we feel we didn’t get to do it on the first album for some reason and that was a shame, but this time im sure we will definitely be coming over, the sooner the better for us.
THE GLITTERATI – Are You One Of Us? (DR2)
These young upstarts from Leeds deal in feisty sleazy rock with a modern edge. On a song like “Overnight Superstar ” they sound like Oasis if Oasis had been influenced more by Guns ‘N’ Roses than Stone Roses. They shine brightest when they marry their up-tempo rock with catchy pop hooks such as on “Fuck Me Up” and “Too Many Girls”. They’ve taken the old school mantra of sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll and given it some youthful vigour. It rips along at frenetic pace with fiery guitars and a rabid rhythm section. There are traces of 80s glam metal and 90s pop punk throughout and a touch of noughties emo on “Lola it ’s Over ”. “Keeping Me Down” even has a Red Hot Chilli Peppers flavour. Paul Gautrey’s vocals are strong enough to give the band some raw character. Worth a listen if the likes of the Wildhearts is up your alley. Duncan Jamieson (86/100)
MRF | 13
Primo Bonali: Hello guys! I was quite surprised by your new release “Ophidia”, as I didn’t know the band before, and you came out with an hell of an album! So let’s start with a quick presentation of the band… when and where was it formed… Oganalp Canatan: Thank you for your kind words Primo! I am glad that you enjoyed what you heard. Well, we were two separate names back in 2005, Dreamtone as a Turkish prog power metal band, and Iris Mavraki being a classical singer. By pure chance, we met with Iris and over the net, we started to talk of collaboration ideas. First we thought of having a symphonic rock concert, which turned out to be a full album in 2008, titled Reversing Time. So since when we released the first album, the taste was so sweet that Neverland became a band rather than a collaborative project that we are all members of. This is the basic story. PB: How could you label your music? Do you think that "Symphonic Metal" could explain your sound? OC: Tagging the music is the hardest thing if you ask me. We can be best addressed as Symphonic Prog-Power band I guess. When people ask us of our sound, I prefer giving band examples rather than a generic genre. Like it is probable that anyone liking after Imaginations From the Other Side era of Blind Guardian has a chance to like what we are doing. Or anyone loving Symphony X, especially after Odyssey can find quite interesting stuff in our music and so. To be sincere, I am into game soundtracks nowadays more than listening to bands and so, therefore, it is hard of me to give much genre specific explanations. Symphonic Metal sounds ok to me but then you can tag a black metal like album to be symphonic as well. It overwhelms my "genre description" ability haha. PB: Your album features - as very special guests – Metal-heroes like Jon Oliva (Savatage, Pain) and Edu Falaschi (Angra, Almah). How did you get in touch with them? OC: Well, you know, we worked with guest albums on our previous cd, Reversing Time, as well so we had some courage and experience on how to contact with such important names and what to present. We prepared demo tapes and picked songs that would be fititng to the guest artist's voice and expression, then we wrote our statement of purposes and included our previous discography and achievements information. Of course, the key part is for them to like what they are doing. If they don't like the song, you cannot convince them to do anything. So basicly, I guess we managed to give them a fitting song. Rest came swiftly. We also worked with Hansi Kürsch (Blind Guardian), Tom Englund (Evergrey) and Mike Baker, Gary Wehrkamp (Shadow Gallery) on our previous disc and all of these names joined us after listening to our music and seeing our ambition, which is a good thing I guess. PB: Any plans for live-shows? OC: Yes we are currently planning some European dates as well as some shows in Turkey. We announced only three dates now in Turkey but there are 10 or so confirmed ones at the moment, just waiting the NDA time to be over to announce. We also have a European tour like thingy coming up but there are still some minor tweaks we are working on, before we go out and announce it. Hopefuly, we will be seeing some European fans in the 3rd quarter of 2010. 14 | MRF
Band: Serpentine Album: A Touch Of Heaven Interview with: Gareth Noon Interviewed by: Barry McMinn Question: Can you give us brief history of the band and tell us how Tony Mills got involved with the band? Answer: Serpentine originally started in April of 2007. I had known bassist Gareth Vanstone for years and we’d always talked about putting a band together and had even written a few songs and done some basic demos, but nothing had ever come of it. That April, Gareth mentioned that his younger brother’s best friend, a guitar player called Chris Gould, had heard a couple of the rough demos we’d put together and really wanted to audition for us. We got together one afternoon to check him out and there was just instant chemistry…we just clicked exactly the way you hope to when you jam with someone for the first time. Of course at this point we didn’t have a singer, and we spent a few months writing and making demos in a whole variety of different styles until we managed to start working with a singer via the internet, an American guy called Greg Flores who’d previously been in the AOR band Kamera. Unfortunately, as time wore on we realised that working with someone on another continent wasn’t going to work out as things were taking far too long to get done, and we began looking for a new singer a little closer to home. We were actually getting pretty depressed about the situation, because we jammed with a few more Focus on:
guys none of them were any good! Then, in about November of 2008, Chris happened to be engineering a recording session one evening and ran into Bob Richards, the drummer from Shy. Small world, eh? Chris played him a few of our rough demos and he suggested we get in touch with Tony to see if he was interested. He was in Oslo at the time working with TNT, but we had a long chat after he got back and started working together, first on a song we’d already finished writing with Greg called ‘We Belong’, and then on some collaborative material. Tony works as fast as we do, which was a nice change, and things began taking shape for the album really quickly after that. Q: How long did ‘A Touch Of Heaven’ take to put together? A: We wrote about 20 or so songs for the album, but the majority of the stuff that actually got on the record was done around the summer of 2008 to the spring of 2009. Before we started working with singers, our material lacked the direction that we found through working with Greg and then Tony, so some of the material we’d written wasn’t really suitable stylistically for the record. After we started working with Tony, which was in the December of 2008, things moved along really quickly, and we finished up writing the album inside a couple of months, before moving into M2 Studios in the Summer of ‘09 to
record. Q: The whole album is pure melodic gold, when putting the album together did you have a plan of how you wanted to sound or did it evolve in the studio? A: Well, a bit of both to be honest. We were lucky enough to have a good quality home studio to do the demos on, so by the time we had finished those we had a good idea of how the album would end up sounding, but the reason we wanted to work with outside producers was to get the best out of the album that we possibly could. When we found out that Mark Stuart (Magnum) was available to do the album, which he did along with Sheena Sear, we knew that they were the type of producers who could make the material sound really great and they’ve done a great job. They’ve given us a really fresh sounding record, and we’ll definitely be doing the second album there as well. Q: When you do put the second album together will you joined by Mr Mills? A: Definitely. One of the main reasons we stopped working with Greg Flores was that we were starting to feel like Serpentine was more of a project than a proper band and we don’t want that. Serpentine is a band, of which Tony is lead vocalist, so he’ll definitely be with us for the second album, which we are writing at the moment.
SERPENTINE - A Touch Of Heaven (AOR Heaven) Who’d have thought it back in the 80’s that the words “Melodic Rock” and “Underground” would come to be so well used together in the nineties to describe a scene that was so poignant and was the mainstay of many radio stations and MTV, but the arise of the Grunge scene saw the demise of a sound that many of us love. The British AOR and Melodic Rock scene took more of a beating than most of our European counterparts, with many bands hailed as the saviour of our scene falling by the wayside. But fear not a new band is about to set the scene alive with its blend of youth and experience. The youth coming from the musicians in the band and the experience coming in the form of vocalist Tony Mills. This album is seven parts youth and three parts experience as regards to song writing. But all in all a tremendous Melodic Rock album and an album the will send waves of delight not just to the British Melodic Rock scene but worldwide. With great tracks like ‘Whatever Heartache’ the superb ‘Lonely Nights’ being two real gems. Then there’s the likes of ‘For The Love Of It All’ for those of you who like their rock on the gentle side, alongside the rockier tracks such as ‘Let Love Rain Down’ and the excellent ‘Love Suicide’. I don’t want to say this is another band set to bring UK fans flocking back to Melodic Rock, but they certainly have all the right ingredients to tick all the boxes needed by the fans of the genre. Barry McMinn (85/100)
MRF | 15
Band: FM Album: Metropolis Interview with: Pete Jupp Interviewed by: Barry McMinn Question: ‘Metropolis’ is the bands first full-length album in so many years. When the band came together for the album, did you want it to have the old FM vibe or did you want this to be a new chapter for the band? Answer: When we decided to record a new album after the success of Firefest IV in 2007 we had no idea how the band was going to sound. We did consciously decide to try and take what we felt were the best elements from each of our previous albums but we also wanted it to stand up against modern day albums content and sound wise. From the reaction so far it seems we are on the right track which is good to hear. Q: Who did the song writing for the new album, was it joint effort? A: On Metropolis it was mainly myself, Steve and Merv but Jim came in and he wrote "Hollow" with Steve which is a great track. He also contributed to "Wildside" and of course had a major part in the instrumental track "Metropolis". So I think the next album we'll all be more involved. Q: How did the studio work go, did you all get together or was Focus on:
it more of a file sharing thing? A: There was a little bit of file sharing as Jim and I have small studios, but when it comes to drums and guitars you need a studio with a proper live area to record the drums and you need to crank the amps. We were lucky that we were able to do some recording at the world-famous Metropolis studios in London, where Queen recorded. The piano on "Days Gone By" was the same piano as used by Freddie Mercury on some Queen songs. More recently The Who and Black Eyed Peas have been in so we are in good company. We also found a fantastic studio near Worcester called The Vale. It's in an old manor house and has a vintage Neve mixing desk and is a fantastic facility. Q: How would you rate ‘Metropolis’ against albums like ‘Indiscreet’ and ‘Closer To Heaven’? A: Personally I think this as strong an album as we've ever done. I'm very proud of how it has turned out. Everybody worked very hard on making it as good as it could be. Our loyal fans deserve a great new FM album and hopefully this has been achieved.
FM - Metropolis (AOR Heaven)
Has this album been put on hold since 2007, since Andy left the band? A: Andy loved the Firefest gig but seemed to lose interest when the writing for the album commenced. He was reluctant to put forward any of his ideas but now it seems he was keeping them back for other projects. The rest of us just kept on writing so no, his departure didn't really hold us up at all. Q: So how did Jim Kirkpatrick become the newest member of the band? A: Steve has worked with Jim on numerous projects and thought he would be an ideal replacement for Andy and it turns out he was 100% correct. The fans have taken to Jim too. He is a real fan of Chris Overland's playing and loves playing the early songs, something which Andy never did. In fact Andy would refuse point blank to play songs like Dangerous. Q: How do you think the Melodic and Hard Rock scene has changed since then to present day? A: I think the melodic scene is on the up but also I think fans are more open-minded to a wider range of rock music and just take the songs at face value.
Well it’s been a long time coming but the wait has been all worth while as Britain’s leading Melodic Rock band FM return with their tour de force album Metropolis. This is album is 13 of the best from the guys and will have the bands die-hard fans in raptures, right from the opener ‘Wildside’ to the aptly titled closer ‘Still The Fight Goes On’. Steve Overland is at his uncompromising best, as are the entire band. There is no doubting this is one of the most anticipated releases in the melodic rock calendar and the band have come up trumps for sure. A couple of tracks of note have to be the opener ‘Wildside’, for those who didn’t get the EP of the same name, the groove filled ‘I Don’t Need Nothing’ and the title track ‘Metropolis’. For those fans who’ve had to dine on the likes of Shadowman and The Ladder for their fix of FM, be prepared to fill your boots with an album that once again sees FM flying the flag for British Melodic Rock. Barry McMinn (90/100)
MRF | 17
Band: Crazy Lixx Album: New Religion Interview with: Danny Rexon Interviewed by: Barry McMinn Question: Can I just say from an old glam fan I just love the new album! Now on to the questions, how did the band come together in the first place? Answer: From the original line-up me, Vic Zino and Joél Cirera all played in a heavy metal band before I started Crazy Lixx so we all knew each other quite good. Vic and Joél had been playing together in a cover band even before that. Then me and Loke Rivano, who plays the bass now, we were both guitarist in another metal band called Crucible and when we had to let our firts bass player go Loke joined. Andy Dawson was the last member in, he was recruited after Vic left for Hardcore Superstar in 2008. Q: This is the band second album, how do you think this album compares from the debut release? A: It’s a lot better, every aspect of it. The songs, the guitars, the vocals, lyrics everything. I also think we’re getting closer to a more personal sound on this album. Q: The debut album charted at No.2 in Sweden, not bad for a debut release, how did you take this news? Focus on:
A: We were very happy of course, we really felt like things could take off for real. But a couple of weeks later we were without a guitar player and things kind of slowed down for us. Q: What is it about Sweden that produces great bands like yourselves, all in the name of "The New Wave of Swedish Sleaze”? A: I always get this question and I never really have a good answer. I think Sweden has always been a great nation when it comes to music, not only hard rock or metal. I know a lot of bands in other countries are trying the same thing, it’s just that the bands from Sweden seem to be of a higher quality. I don’t mean to sound elitist or nationalistic but that’s the only explanation I can give, there’s no special reason why we should be better, other than tradition perhaps. It just doesn’t cut it to be half good in Sweden, there’s too much competition for that. Q: With the debut album receiving such critical acclaim was there any pressure on the band to deliver again on the second album? A: We knew right from the start what we had to do: If we couldn’t come up with an album that was better than
the first then we might as well just give it up. The pressure was hard at times and it took us a while before we had all the material but in the end I think it payed off. But the pressure was all from ourselves. We had no demands from producers, labels, fans or anything. In fact most people in the industry seem to have thought that we were finished when Vic left the band. Q: If you could pick one track off the new album that reflect Crazy Lixx as a band, which would you choose and why that particular track? A: I think the opening track ‘Rock and a Hard Place’ is a good measure of how we sound. A steady midtempo beat with memorable riffs, big choruses and great melodic hooks. All packaged in that great 80’s / 90’s hair metal sound that we all love so much. Q: The band has been labelled as a glam band, but how would you describe the music you play? A: Hard rock, heavy metal, sleaze rock, glam metal, hair metal, arena rock. There are many names for it. I like to think we play hard rock the way it was before grunge came and killed it of in the early 90’s.
CRAZY LIXX - New Religion (Frontiers Records)
As a die-hard Glamster I’ve longed for those days when the Sunset Strip paraded the best of the hair bands of the Eighties. Then just when you thought those days would never come back, a new generation of Glamsters labelled "The New Wave of Swedish Sleaze" come our way. The likes of Hardcore Superstar, Backyard Babies, Fatal Smile, Babylon Bombs and Vains of Jenna have taken to waving the spandex and leather flag from their native Sweden and leading the pack are Hard Rocking Glamsters Crazy Lixx. The band’s debut album ‘Loud Minority’ reached the dizzy heights of the Swedish charts in 2007 reaching #2, so expect this latest release to reach the top spot. This album is just a joy to listen to, right from the opener ‘Rock And A Hard Place’ to the closer ‘What Of Our Love’ and all points in-between. Mixing the sounds of Def Leppard, Warrant, Danger Danger with the Scandinavian panache for sleaze driven rock, this is a hell of an album. Take tracks like ‘21 ‘Til I Die’ and ‘Lock Up Your Daughter’ and you’ll be forgiven into thinking you’re listening to Danger Danger, then there is ‘My Medicine’ with it’s Jovi / Leppard cross over sound, once again wrapped in the that Scandinavian swagger. There aren’t going to be many albums this year to blow me away like this one has and that’s for sure. Barry McMinn (95/100)
MRF | 19
Band: Alan Parsons Album: Eye 2 Eye Interview with: Alan Parsons Interviewed by: Duncan Jamieson Focus on:
20 | MRF
ALAN PARSONS - Eye To Eye Live In Madrid (Frontiers Records)
Famed for his part in the production of Pink Floyd and The Beatles , his own Alan Parson’s Project went on to score a number of album and single successes throughout the 70s and 80s. If you’re looking to rock hard, look elsewhere but if you want adult pop with prog elements and smooth production this should be on your list. All Parsons’ best tracks can be found here on this warm live set. There are the big hits such as the crowd pleasing “Sirius/Eye In The Sky”. “Psycho Babble” benefits from the added dimension the live setting provides, rocking a little more than the studio version. The blue eyed soul of “I Wouldn’t Want To Be Like You” is worth rediscovering and the new (ish) “More Lost Without You” shows they still know how to pen a good tune. The band’s harmonies work a treat and the whole ensemble all work together to recreate the polished studio sound live with the overblown keyboard sound prominent in the mix. Parsons’ fans or those looking for an introduction to his music would do well to pick up this consummate example of symphonic rock. Duncan Jamieson (90/100)
Question: This is your first live album and DVD but it was recorded in 2004. Can you explain why did it take so long to be released? Answer: We had been selling it with different artwork at shows and online but the first proper label deal with Frontiers just happened at the end of last year. Q: I believe your current band is still the same as on the DVD. Do you feel it a sort of definitive band? A: The band has three new members - Alastair Greene on guitar, Danny Thompson on drums and Guy Erez on bass. That is the band for the current tour. Manny Focarazzo (keyboards) will be replaced by Tom Brooks for our summer shows. Q: During the most successful years with the Alan Parsons Project apparently Eric Woolfson wanted to tour but you didn’ t like the idea, is it true? Were you maybe seeing yourself more as a magician of the recording studio? A: It was a mutual decision that The Alan Parsons Project did not tour. The technology improved a great deal in the late 80s and early 90s. Eric and I stopped working together in 1990. The idea to play live was a team effort by previous collaborators Ian Bairnson, Stuart Elliott, Andrew Powell and myself. Our first tour was in 1994 to promote the album "Try Anything Once". Q: In recent years, however, you are touring quite regularly. What did it change your mind? A: A simple answer - tickets sell more than CDs! People will always pay to hear live music. Internet downloads have made the sale of music too cheap or free. If the consumer has the choice he will choose free. Q: Even if you do some lead vocals yourself, your albums doesn’t feature a single vocalist, but different guests, and in fact even this recording features all the band members singing, doing a great work on harmony vocals and alternating the lead vocals duties. Was it a deliberate choice to keep the band less identifiable, did you fancy the idea having different vocalists? A: Always felt that artists who had only one singer would ultimately make the listener tire of that voice. It was a deliberate decision to feature different
vocalists between tracks and between albums. I carried that idea through to the Live Project. Q: The Alan Parsons Project was born as a joint venture between you and Eric Woolfson. The relation between you and Eric has not always been idyllic, but there was a great mutual respect. Now that sadly he’s not among us anymore, what is your personal recollection of him? A: He was a very talented songwriter and a gifted businessman. We made a very good team. It's a shame that largely for business reasons we were driven apart. In the later years it became more difficult for us to agree on creative matters and it was clear that our goals and musical tastes became different. Eric wanted to go into musical theatre but I wanted to continue making rock albums. Q: How would you describe the alchemy which came from the Alan Parsons Project? You said once that Eric was the main composer, but you defined the sound of the band, do you still agree with this definition? A: I have always given credit to Eric for writing the majority of the songs. I collaborated with him now and again - usually by coming up with a hook line or riffs and chord sequences myself and we would knock it into its final shape together. I was more involved compositionally with the instrumental tracks. Of course as the engineer and producer, the sound was my department, but the songs themselves also contributed to our identity. Q: All the Alan Parsons Project albums had a strong concept idea. Did you feel comfortable with this, or would have you preferred just to put together individual songs? A: It was fashionable in the 70s and 80s to make conceptual albums. I have always felt comfortable having a theme, but sometimes I have been criticized for doing so. It actually makes songwriting easier if you have a subject to start with. Q: The Alan Parsons Project music has often been described as cold, mainly for the use of many synthesized sounds, but apparently the audience enjoys this music on stage, so what is your point of view?
A: The fact is that many of the sounds you might think are synthesized are actually real organic instruments. Sadly the new generation of listeners do not know what an orchestra sounds like. I always thought we were more guitar intensive than synth intensive. Q: In recent years the Alan Parsons Project albums have been re-released in expanded versions. After so many years, which album stands as the best in your opinion? Is there anything you would do differently with the hindsight? A: The first album " Tales Of Mystery And Imagination" will always be my favourite. It was like having a first -born child. The album broke rules and was the first "Producer's" album. I also had the opportunity to remix it in 1987 - I think it was an improvement. Q: Is it true that the song “The Raven” from “Tales Of Mistery And Imagination Edgar Allan Poe” is the first one featuring a vocoder? A: The Raven, using the EMI digital vocoder was one of the first commercial uses. Herbie Hancock was not far behind! Q: Do you feel the end of the Alan Parsons Project and the beginning of your solo career as a dividing line or do you thinks it is all part of your personal evolution as an artist? A: It was obviously different without Eric, but I sought the same ideals and applied the same philosophies to my later work. Q: After the end of the Alan Parsons Project, you have released four solo albums, the latter being 2004’s “A Valid Path”. Did you compose new music and have you the wish to publish new material in a near future? A: I recently recorded a new song specially for an educational project I have devoted most of my time to for the last year and a half. The series is called "The Art And Science Of Sound Recording". It covers the entire recording process in 24 sections. Half of the program is already online for download at www.artandscienceofsound.com. It is narrated by American actor, Billy Bob Thornton. The new song is called "All Our Yesterdays" and will be released on Billy's record label in April. I hope to make an album later this year for release in the autumn or early 2011.
MRF | 21
Band: Treat Album: Coup De Grace Interview with: Ander Wikstrom Interviewed by: Fabio Mainardi Question: Hi guys and thanks for spending some time with us. Let me welcome you back to the folds! How do you feel with this new record under your belts? A: Well, we already got back together in 2006, to release the "Weapons of choice" compilation album on our own initative, basically because we missed playing together, but also because we wanted the old songs to get another chance to be heard by new fans in a good package. Then we toured for a while, shot the "Live at Firefest 3" DVD as well as kept rereleasing stuff, "Scratch and Bite" for instance. In 2008 we decided to either split up or give it a serious go at a new album! In hindsight I´m happy we choose to go on:-) Q: Coup The Grace is definitely a mature record that marks an important evolution in the band, what can you tell us about it? A: I would say It´s the ultimate Treat live show captured in the studio:-) I know that´s a cliche´but as the producer of the album, I gave everybody the freedom and responsibility to use all their experience as players to really focus on doing theír very best, which Focus on:
22 | MRF
was easy, as everyone in the band really loved the songs writtenand knew this was gonna turn into something special, we also had no pressure timewise and full control over which songs to record. Q: It's great to finally see a band of grown up men who don't pretend they're in their 20s. Did you ever have any second thought about this? A: No ,not really, we actually think this is the bands prime time, we´ve never been better and the life experience we have today, makes everything so much easier to handle We make all descisions based on what we want to achieve and what is possible for a bunch of bums like us. We know our strenghts and limitations. Q: Any particular episode that you'd like to remember about the recording and songwriting process? A: The Songwriting part started a little chaotic as I had a bunch of new ideas that we met up to rehearse in the fall of 2008. It became clear to me that some of my songs didn´t go down too well with some bandmembers, so the album nearly grinded to a halt right there. I
TREAT - Coup De Grace (Frontiers Records)
knew i was on the right track ,so I went to my studio and recorded full demo versions of the songs to get the ideas across, It was a strange period, but as soon as I got back to the rehearsals in the beginning of 2009 it all fell into place and we all really picked up the same vibe again. The recording itself is the longest we´ve ever done, I mean, 8 months back and forth in several studios, but as we´re all so busy with other music projects, it was the only way to complete what we set out to do, me personally have never spent so much time on a single project.. and I have been recording and producing albums since 1985!! There has been some really fun days in the studio, and also days where I damned the whole album as the most stupid thing i´ve done:-) Now I´m happy again!! Q: How are you planning to promote the new record live? A: We will most definetely perform several songs from Coup De Grace in the new live set. There´s so many songs that just gotta be translated into a live situation and we will find cool angles in the show as well... personally I can´t wait!
25 years has passed since their debut album “Scratch and Bite” but the fire and energy are still there. After ups and downs, changes in line ups Treat are back with another classic rock masterpiece. Next to original founding members Robert Ernlund (vocals) and Anders Wickstrom (guitars and background vocals), current Treat line up sees Patrick Appelgren on keyboards, Jamie Borger on drums and Nalle Pahlsson on bass. Big guitars, catchy melodies and a production that will blow your minds and ears. “Coup de Grace” is a full circle in Treat history, after 6 albums and almost 13 years of silence this album represents the best you may expect from this Swedish melodic rock legends. With old school classic rock mixed with nowadays recording technologies “Coup de Grace” gives you a right-in-your face shock. From the Prelude that opens the tracklisting to the power ballad “A Life To Die For” passing through weapons such as “The War Is Over” and “Roar”, Treat show up with their talented musicianship with a renewed vision and themes to sing of. Passed the time where only booze and party were the words, Anders Wikström and his band mates talks us also about real life with the fears and hopes that walks next to all of us. Great songs that will surely stand the test of time. Fabio “Deuce” Mainardi (90/100)