CONTENTS 04_Glenn Hughes 05_Graham Bonnet Band 06_Roth / Brock Project 07_FM + D. Mollo’s Crossbones 08_Night Ranger 09_Eternal Idol 10_Herman Frank 12_Reviews 14_L. Turilli’s Rhapsody 15_Narnia 16_White Widdow 18_Boneyard Dog + Enbound 19_Enuff Z’Nuff 20_Hevidence 21_Theocracy 22_Pretty Maids Melodic Rock Fanzine The official Frontiers Music s.r.l. magazine Year #12 - Nr. 6 / Issue #77 Editor-in-chief: Elio Bordi Concept, Graphics & Design: Elio Bordi Writers: Bruce E.J. Atkinson, Duncan Jamieson, Barry McMinn, Vitale Nocerino, Rob “Ezy” Bone, Primo Bonali. 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 Facebook: facebook.com/frontiersmusicsrl Twitter: twitter.com/FrontiersMusic1 Editor and publisher: Frontiers Records s.r.l. Copyright©2016 Frontiers Records. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. Printed in Italy.
Artist: Glenn Hughes
Questions: Can you please tell us how this new album “Resonate” comes out? Answer: I started to work with Black Country Communion in 2010. I used to release a solo album every 48 months, so I would’ve released one in 2010, but I was getting ready to release Black Country. Of course, we did three albums and a DVD, then I had a year with some surgeries, then I worked on California Breed. That took another 18 months, which led me to early last year where I decided I was going to come back and start doing solo shows. Obviously, I knew that this year, while recovering from knee replacement, that I would be home and recorded some music. I went in the studio and wrote the songs you’ve heard for Resonate. That’s why it took so long. I just wanted to be clear headed and focused and to be ready. Q: How was the recording process? Can you tell us something about it? A: It was all real special because I was kind of directing the traffic as well as writing the album. This was the first time I actually stood in the middle of the room and produced a record knowing full well what I wrote and knowing full well what 4 | MRF
Interview with: Glenn Hughes
I needed to get it over the finish line. I have worked with producers that have been very good, but they didn’t have the vision to complete the song, so for me, I wanted this album to be something where I could say this is really a Glenn album. I should have done this 20 years ago, but I didn’t. And when I completed the album I said to myself now you know who is going to produce your next record. Q: What about the production? A: I was at his studio and I wrote all the songs and I needed help getting over the line, over the punch line we didn’t have a lot of time and I needed his help to make that happen for me so I chose Soren simply because he’s my right-hand man. It would be good for him to have his name on this album for him because it’s business for him. He did a great job he worked hard. But I knew these songs I wrote them and I knew what needed to be done. So, all and all it was a great effort from everybody. Q: What inspire you in music? A: What comes from within for me, what’s going on with me internally and is probably going to happen to you or those people around us. Because I don’t write
Interview by: Duncan Jamieson
about fictional things, I write about the spiritual condition, I write about what goes on within, the good, the bad, the indifferent from birth to death, what goes on in between, some fear, some lack of faith, some finding faith, some losing love, some finding love, seven deadly sins stuff that people will relate to. Now when I was 22 years old I didn’t really relate to most of these things. When I look at my lyrics from when I was 22 and 23 years old with Purple and with David, I’m looking through my lyrics and I was thinking what? What was I writing (laughing) I think Lennon and McCartney and Townshend were the only three real great, great lyricists from Britain back in that period who were thinking about stuff that they hadn’t lived yet. So I think writing lyrics for me is vitally important. Q: What’s next? A: Well you know for me finishing Black Country and getting the songs down and ready, going into next year to do Black Country. Then touring America for Resonate and then coming back into Europe to do Glenn Hughes Resonate festivals.
Band: Graham Bonnet Band
Questions: Firstly, this is the first album under the Graham Bonnet Band name, so why incorporate classic tracks with the new instead of a whole album of new material? Answer: It is a whole album of new material, CD 1 is “The Book”, the brand new album, Cd2 is a bonus cd with re-recordings of some of my older tracks that we play live. At the recommendation of our label Frontiers we did this. Q: The band itself has some stellar musicians, I caught you live at this year’s Frontiers Festival in Milan, but how did the band come together? A: Myself and Beth-Ami starting working on a project, and she recommended Conrado Pesinato. Once he came in on guitar things started heading in a hard rock direction and finally we found Mark Zonder on drums. We have just recently added Jimmy Waldo on keys who was with me in Alcatrazz and Blackthorne, he plays on the new album and will be touring with us from 2017 onward. Q: The new songs on the album are just awesome did you write the songs specifically for this album or were they old songs revisited? A: These are songs written by the band for this record, with the exception of one or two which I have had for a while. Q: Looking back over your career you
Interview with: Graham Bonnet
must have had some extraordinary moments, but what has been the most memorable highlights? A: Monsters of Rock 1980 stands out, as does working with the Bee Gees with my early band The Marbles... There have been many highlights. Q: You’ve been around in this business for many years now, what do you feel are the biggest changes in the music business over the years, both bad and good? A: These days it's hard to sell a record, people are listening just as much I think, but sales are a fraction of what they used to be, therefore its harder to cover the costs of recording new material. On the plus side, I think that because of the internet music that perhaps was harder to find is now accessable in just a few seconds. Q: Back to the new songs on the album, how long have you been working on them? A: The album took about a year to make. Q: You’re taking the band on the road later this year, but does touring and playing live still have that same spark now as it did when you first started? A: It does, but like albums sales, it has become harder, but we are doing ok and plan to tour this album for a long time. Q: Talking about your past, we couldn’t miss to ask you about your experiences
Interview by: Barry McMinn
with MSG, Alcatrazz and Rainbow as well: from the point of view both of the singerand frontman, what are the differences in singing with these bands? A: Every band is a different experience and all three of these were fantastic. Q: And well, by the way, in your career youplay live and make records with incredibly famous guitarists like YngwieMalmsteen, Steve Vai, Michael Schenker, Ritchie Blackmore and Chris Impellitteri, just guys with not exactly easy personalities. What memories do youhave of them and how did you find with them professionally and on a personal level? A: I've been incredibly fortunate to play with some amazingly talented guitar players. Each experience was also very different and I have fond memories of all of them. Q: Looking back over your career is there any one thing that you would change for whatever reason, if so what and why? A: Maybe I would have staying in Rainbow for a bit longer, I think that would have helped me in the long run. Q: Apart from touring, where does The Graham Bonnet Band go from here? What does 2017 have in store for you? A: Lots of touring and promoting the new album “The Book”. MRF | 5
Band: Roth / Brock Project
Questions: This is a great melodic rock release... How did you hook up to do this record? A: Thank you. We are excited about this record! Back in 2009, Terry and I had worked together on Giant's Promise Land record, and had co-written a couple of songs on the album. I called Terry in the fall of last year to see if he would be interested in making a record for Frontiers, and that's basically how the Roth Brock Project was born. Q: There's a great chemistry between the vocals and the guitar playing... Tell me about the song writing credits. A: One of the cool things about this album is that the songs were all written by Terry and I. Either co-written between the two of us, or one of us working with another writer. By the time that I contacted Terry, I already had a handful of songs written and another batch of song ideas started. Terry had 3 songs written that we felt would be great for the album as well as the song "I Don't Know Why" which he had previously recorded on his Diamond Blue record. So when it was time to get together and work in the studio, we set about the process of recording Terry's vocals on the songs that were 6 | MRF
Interview with: John Roth
already written as well as finishing the writing of the songs that needed to be completed. Q: There are some lovely arrangements on songs that suggest a lot of care went into the making of the record. What was the recording process, and how long did it take? A: Terry and I don't live anywhere near one another, and we are both very busy touring with different artists, so the recording had to be planned around our busy touring schedules. I would record the guitars, bass and keys on the tracks between tour dates, then we would plan several times for Terry to come up to Memphis and record his vocals. The drums were recorded in Nashville by my long-time friend and bandmate Scott Trammell, who is currently on tour with Nelson. The album was recorded and mixed within about 8 months. Q: You played together on the last giant album. What do you remember of that experience? A: I am very proud to have worked with Giant, and was so honored to be asked to play on the “Promise Land� record. Mike Brignardello and David Huff are both amaz-
Interview by: Barry McMinn
ing musicians and very inspiring to work with, and to be asked to come into a band and play guitar after Dan Huff was scary. Time was definitely of the essence as well, and I remember that we did the bulk of the recording for that album in about 10 or 11 weeks. I also ended up writing three of the songs on the album, two of which were cowritten with Terry Brock, which forged our relationship that led to this project. Q: It would be great to see you play this material live. What are the chances? A: We would both very much like to be able to perform this material live. We've only jammed together live a few times, once with Winger and a couple of other times in Memphis, so it would be great to do a real show together. Logistically, that would be a challenge, considering our touring commitments, but you never know what the future may hold. Q: Any signs of new Winger or Strangeways music in the future? A: Terry hasn't mentioned anything to me about plans to do another Strangeways album, but it would be great if they did. There is a chance that Winger may do another record, but no news yet.
equally... Q: Obviously you felt that the recording techniques and studio capabilities have progressed greatly since the first sessions… A: Yes recording albums has changed so much since the original was recorded and we wanted to make a version that sounds like F.M 2016,we're pretty happy with the way it turned out. Q: So, when the decision was finalised, and you all went in to the studios, were you tempted to also re-write some of the material?
A: Oh no, I think if we had tampered with the songs too much we would upset a lot of fans, so I changed a few melodies and they are just subtle changes. Q: I realise that you were already in a recording session for future material, so how did the energy created by those sessions influence the re-recording of “Indiscreet”? A: I think taking a break from the new stuff to record Indiscreet 30 meant it was given the same energy and creativity as the new material, it was quite a challenge going back to an album we recorded 30 years ago. Q: Also on the new ‘Indiscreet’, you are including several bonus tracks. Are any of these re-worked versions of older FM material, or are they brand new creations? A: The studio tracks are b-sides and there is one brand new song we recorded for the album. Some of the b-sides are quite rare and are tracks left over from the last four albums. Q: Upon listening to the new release, I must say your decision was a wise one…congratulations! So, I must ask, where does FM go from here? A: I'm so pleased you like the new version. We are now carrying on with the new album which we are really excited about, it'll be set for release next year and an extensive tour will follow and we hope to play everywhere so we will see you then.
Probably the way I compose songs influence the singer to write in a certain way. I love the vocal melodies, my main purpose is to write good songs and to facilitate the singers to achieve the best possible result. Q: Now, it seems that you are going ‘fullcircle’… Bringing back your first band, “Crossbones”… How different is today’s “Crossbones” then, say, the late eighties version? A: The main difference is the huge experience I have acquired over the years composing and recording songs. In this new
album there is only one original member of the band, the drummer Ezio Secomandi. The bass/Keyboard player Dario Patti is a stable member of my team for a long time. Q: Let’s talk a little about Carl Sentance, your singer. He is sounding so full filled, what I mean is… It sounds like he can fully paint the musical tapestry and not be limited in any way… A: Carl Sentance is huge addition on to the band, he is one of the best singers I know, the state of the art, he write wonderful melodies and his voice is so powerful and strong. I will surely work with him in the future, he did an amazing job on the album, I will never cease to thank Don Airey for letting us meet. Q: Do you write with Carl, or are you the sole writer for the group? A: As usual I write the music and Carl the melodies and the lyrics. Q: I must ask, is this a solid line-up or are you kind of testing the waters, so to speak with “Crossbones”? A: Regarding the studio work this is a solid line-up, I hope the same for live shows. Q: What we hear on ‘Rock The Cradle’ is so energetic and sounds like you guys have been playing together forever! Is there any material from years back or is each piece new? A: This is totally fresh material, I just got some ideas from the past in the song Fright written in 1995.
Band: FM Interview with: Steve Overland Interview by: Bruce Atkinson
Q: I would like to start with the question, what brought forth the decision to rerecord “Indiscreet”? Answer: Re-recording of the Indiscreet album came about by accident really. We were in the studio recording new material, the session was coming to an end and we just started playing That Girl, just having fun we didn't know the engineer was recording it. When we heard it we thought wow! That has so much power and sounds so different. Everybody we played it to said you have do more, so we decided to do it for the fans, hopefully they will like both versions
Band: D.Mollo’s Crossbones Interview with: Dario Mollo Interview by: Bruce Atkinson
Question: Your work with both Tony Martin and lately with Glenn Hughes has been stellar! With you involved, it seemed to me that you elevated both Artists and inspired them to explore musical plateaus that they may not have done otherwise… Answer: Thank you Bruce. I generally write the songs in total freedom and very often I don’t know who will gonna sing them. Once I have enough backing tracks recorded, the singer starts to write the melody and the lyrics.
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Band: Night Ranger
Question: 35 years have passed. What are the main differences during all theses year compared to the today life? Answer: I think the technology moved us along quickly I mean it was only in the late 80's early 90s when the Internet started to become very popular. Since then everything is doubled and quadrupled the speed that things can be done and that the amount of things that have been invented and how much media content there is. It's crazy how quickly things move now days. Take music for example and the technology that we used to make it. We just use our computers now to make music or to capture music and it's accelerated everything to the point of you can make a record very quickly these days and you don't even have to be in the same room to do it. Q: I guess many are asking you this lately, but would you have ever expected such longevity back then? A: No, I think that when we were doing our first interviews during the Dawn Patrol record, we we're telling everybody that we hope to make a second record after this tour. We still look at each other across the stage and go "Hell yeah we're still here" we are very fortunate and lucky to be here and we don't forget it. Q: One thing I like about Night Ranger is that you don’t try to cash in with a weak nostalgia act like some other bands that made it big in the 80s. Sure, you go out and play the hits people want to hear, but you also keep releasing new music that sometimes it’s even better than your classic works. For example, I think ‘High Road’ is one of my favorite Night Ranger albums and surely one of your 8 | MRF
Interview with: Kelly Keagy
best. How do you keep it so fresh? A: We like being together and we like playing together and that makes a huge difference when you're trying to create together. We laugh and make jokes and cut up together. You should see us before we go on stage most time it's like being at a comedy club. We like having a good time, that intern comes out in the music. Q: Was there ever a key moment in your career when you thought “wow, we’ve made it. This is really working”? And if so, when was it? A: Of course it had to be 1983, 84, 85, when radio and MTV were playing our songs 24/7. And radio was playing three or four tracks at a time. On the Dawn Patrol tour, we were just a young band and we would hear our songs being played on two or three different stations at a time, that's when we knew things were exploding for us. Within a matter of a few months we were playing to a lot of people every night. Q: You played hundreds (or probably thousands) of concerts over the years. If you had to pick one and just one as the most important (for whatever reason) which would it be, and why? A: I think it's got to be in 1980 or 81 we had a really disastrous show in Southern California at a club opening for Ronnie Montrose. Everything wrong that could've happened did happen technically. Equipment went down lighting boards went down, Keyboards went out of tune. But in the audience was Pat Glasser who produced the first three records for us and even though the show went bad, he saw something in us and in the music and took us into the
Interview by: Barry McMinn
studio and we recorded 4 songs and those songs ended up being the tapes we shopped to the record company. Those tapes were the songs that got us a record deal with Boardwalk Records. Q: You also answered to hundreds of interviews. What’s the weirdest thing you’ve been ever asked? A: The interviewer asked me to review a Sammy Hagar record and criticize it and he was one of our friends. The sky was probably afraid to do it himself because he probably realize that Sammy would be upset at him. That had to of been the most uncomfortable question I've ever had. I think somebody asked me what my favorite color was once! HA! Q: Tell me something you miss from the old days in the 80’s and something from that time that you’re happy is gone/different now. A: The camaraderie of those times with all the bands and people we met. All of us seem to be so isolated nowadays. I think it's partly because a lot of us have families and we have all that going on now. Back in the 80s we were all single most of us so we had a hell of a time. Q: Is it always easy to find new goals that spur you to keep doing your best, with 35 years of achievements under your belt? What would you still like to do? A: Wherever you go on any given day you can find inspiration in people in your surroundings and hopefully it's all good and positive and you bring those things into your world to inspire you and then use that to make music with. It's tough with the way the world is now days to find it, but it's there if you look.
Band: Eternal Idol
Question: Tell me how Hollow Haze evolved in to Eternal Idol. Camillo: For those who are familiar with Hollow Haze history, we had several singers on the various albums we released. After “Memories of an Ancient Time” with Mats Leven, we really wanted to go out live, so we started looking again for someone who could stick with us. After many auditions, Nick Savio (main composer and guitarist of the band) asked me to give my daughter Giorgia for a chance (yes, I'm her father). She grew up being a professional singer so while it was weird on one side, it was also very natural for us to have her around and luckily everything went well with her so far. Last year we spoke with Fabio Lione again (he sang on Hollow Haze fifth album, “Countdown To Revenge”) and together we planned this new project. Q: For those who are familiar with Hollow Haze, how would you say the sound of Eternal Idol differs? C: Eternal Idol sound has a lot of differences from Hollow Haze. We used to have a more ordinary hard rock and heavy metal band sound, while Eternal Idol's
Interview with: Camillo and Giorgia
musical attitude is more varied and modern. I do like to think that we kept our own way to compose the songs. Obviously the two lead singers play a primary role in the writing process and the new songs are very different between each other. For me the new music is certainly more difficult to define... but I like it! Q: Giorgia Colleluori is a great new talent. How did you find her? C: Well...I have been knowing her for a long time indeed! I never proposed Giorgia in the Hollow Haze years because she is my daughter and because of the clichés connected to the male singers in Heavy Metal music, you know. But this time Nick changed the rules and she is good enough for the job! And of course I do agree with you she is a great talent and I am proud to be her father! Q: Why did you decide to go with two lead singers: male and female? C: We planned to record the seventh Hollow Haze album with the idea of having Fabio again as a guest singer. But when we spoke to him, we came up with a different musical concept. So we thought it was best to “reboot” the band and start
Interview by: Duncan Jamieson
from scratch with a new band with two lead singers: male and female. It seemed like a good idea and something new and exciting also for Fabio. Q: How are the songs written? Giorgia: Just like in the Hollow Haze days, Nick Savio is the main composer. However Fabio Lione has contributed with a lot of vocal melodies and lyrics on the songs. My own contribution is mostly with lyrics and some melodies. However in the arrangements and in the studio, everyone from the band gave inputs. Q: There's a story through this album which will continue with the next releases. What's that story about? G: We started from a concept about seven deadly sins. The story has male and female characters and after many events, they come to a new consciousness. Shadows and lights play a dangerous game. And this is just the beginning… As we say in the title of the album, the secret will be revealed. Q: Do you intend to do any live shows? G: Yes, of course!!! Soon we will announce, together with Frontiers all the gigs planned from January 2017 onward! MRF | 9
Artist: Herman Frank
Question: First, ‘may I say that it seems that AFM is truly supporting the band, what with the re-release of Herman’s first two solo efforts, and now the Herman Frank band effort “The Devil Rides Out” is about to be released… This must make for a great work environment and helping in solidifying your efforts… Rick Altzi: Yes of cause, the rerelease of the two previous albums is really great thing because they never got the attention they deserved. Now with AFM we have the chance not only to get the new album out, but also get our new and old fans the opportunity to get all three albums. Q: So, let’s continue with the new album… It seems the approach is absolutely a band effort… Right? Would you talk about the song writing process? Do all four of you contribute? RA: Songwriting is done by Herman and me but during the recordings, Michael and Andre was contributing with their own personal sound and style. Q: This might sound like a silly ques10 | MRF
Interview with: R. Altzi / H. Frank
tion, but I’ll ask anyhow, what are your hopes for this new recorded work, and the band as a whole? RA: We absolutely need to get out there and show people that we are a band that not only can deliver great albums but also show that we can follow this up with a solid live performance as well. Q: I also take it…that you are seriously looking at more touring in 2017, correct? RA: Yes, as I said before we are hoping to get out there and play live. We have a new booking agency so we are pretty confident that we will show up here and there in 2017. What about your ontributions to ACCEPT? Herman Frank: I mean, that's the reason why I left ACCEPT, finally. I thought they mind change their mind, or, let's face it, I thought Wolf [Hoffmann, ACCEPT guitarist] would change his mind and give me a chance to show a little bit of my talent, but hey, it didn't work out, so what can you do? And then, after the last five years, I said to myself, I don't wanna stay the rest of my life on
Interview by: Barry McMinn
the right, standing in the dark on stage and covering somebody's guitar. It's easy like that. Sorry, that's the truth. I really wanted to do my own thing. I was doing so many albums and composed so many songs, and I missed this. I didn't wanna be just equipment. I mean, I was getting tired. This was a one-day street for me. Q: What are the main differences between Tornillo and his predecessor, original ACCEPT frontman Udo Dirkschneider. HF: The biggest difference between them is their character of voice. I mean, it's kind of similar, but they're two different persons. They both are excellent singers and excellent showmen, and you shouldn't compare them. And to tell differences? They're two different persons — easy like that. Everybody tells his own story. Q: So, where can we hope to see this line-up of Herman Frank? RA: I'm not sure yet, but I hope that you can see us at the major festivals next season as well as a lot of smaller and more local festivals!
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GLENN HUGHES “Resonate” (Frontiers Music s.r.l.) The voice of rock is back under his own steam, writing and producing his first solo record in over eight years after his recent collaborations with Black Country Communion, California Breed and Voodoo Hill. Musically though, It’s business as usual for Hughes as he mixes his hard rock, funky music with his off the scale soul vocals on a varied set of songs that are packed with his signature energy. Not surprisingly, he gives the production sound a big fat bottom end that lets you hear that bass of his laying down the potent groove. Soren Andersen supplies the guitar work and new recruit Lachy Doley on keyboards is given lots of space to splatter the disc with organ solos. First song ’Heavy’ sets the tone for a disc that rarely lets up. ‘Flow’, ‘Stumble And Go’ with a riff re-harvested from Neil Young’s ‘Keep On Rockin’ In The Free World’ and the passionate ‘Long Time Gone’ are just some highlights but there are no turkeys. Hughes keeps on going; his creative juices and zeal remain undimmed through time. A class act who shows no signs of losing his mojo anytime soon. DJ (92/100)
FM “Indiscreet 30” (Frontiers Music s.r.l.) Now, with just one listen, we know that FM made the right decision, when they proceeded with the re-recording of their critically acclaimed album “Indiscreet”! Performing the songs the way the group performs today was also a compelling motivation, and one that certainly puts a new gloss on these gems. We hear a much fuller sound; with each song sounding as fresh as a blooming Spring flower! Not exact copies, but musical gems that have a new found sheen, and urgency that we most likely missed thirty years ago! “Indiscreet 30” also gives us a glimpse in the musical direction that the current FM is taking. With several bonus tracks, including the brand new “Running On Empty”, we certainly can see that FM are not throwing in the towel, there is much more life and energy from these veterans of AOR and Melodic Rock! BM (90/100)
ETERNAL IDOL “The Unrevealed Secret” (Frontiers Music s.r.l.) This jumps out of the speakers like a symphonic orchestra moshing on a bouncy castle. The draw initially might be the fact Rhapsody Of Fire and Angra singer Fabio Lione contributes but this is a band effort. Giorgia Colleluori shares lead vocals and she steals the spotlight from Lione . She carries the songs with her soaring voice and handles the choruses and it’s not until the fifth track , ‘Blinded’ that Lione takes a more prominent lead. Kudos also goes to Nick Savio whose songs, guitar work and keyboards create a sonic blast of symphonic melodic metal that should find favour with the symphonic metal crowd, the power metal and even the melodic rock crowd. “Evil Tears”, “Another Night Comes” and ‘Awake In Orion’ are infectiously bombastic. ‘Desidia’ sees them flirting with the tempo more. There’s a theme that runs throughout the record and promises to continue on further records from this band which is good news for anyone who likes symphonic melodic metal done with the kind of panache that Italian bands do so well. DJ (92/100)
L.TURILLI’S RHAPSODY “Prometheus: The Dolby Atmos Experience” (Nuclear Blast) Luca Turilli is, for me, a musical genius, and one that has a generous heart, his spirit is filled with outward concern. These attributes can be heard in his music, and in his live performances. “Cinematic And Live” double cd set is the live documentation of his gracious compositions and themes. This is simply a beautiful body of music that is performed with full orchestral and choral elements. Taken from his live presentations of “Ascending To Infinity” as well as his latest, “Prometheus”. The recordings are excellent, and fully display the musical talents of the members of Luca’s “Rhapsody” group. You will be completely immersed in the ocean of sound and music that is laid out in front of us, shimmering and shining. For the first time in music history, a full musical movement is being treated to the Dolby Atmos Sound rendering procedure! What better way, than such an uplifting and inspiring musical Work from one of our foremost composers, to fully experience a musical odyssey in natural three dimensions! BA (96/100)
GRAHAM BONNET BAND “The Book” (Frontiers Music s.r.l.) ‘The Book’ is the new album featuring legendary vocals Graham Bonnet, containing songs both old and new in two great CD’s. With this new album comes a new band consisting of Beth-Ami Heavenstone on bass, South American guitar sensation Conrado Pesinato on lead guitar, exAlcatrazz man Jimmy Waldo on keys and Mark Zonder (Warlord and Fates Warning) on Drums. The first album is full of new tracks, where the man from Skegness, England opens quite literally a new chapter in his legendary career, as he takes his new band and shows you can’t keep an old dog down. From the opener ‘Into the Night’, the man still has one of the most recognisable and powerful vocals in the business. The blistering guitar from Pesinato lights up this opener, providing us with the first taste of the guitarist wizardry that dominates the album. These ten new tracks are just pure Bonnet and take in everything the man has done from Rainbow to heavier side of things in Impellitteri and put them into a tight package. Throw in a bonus CD of classic’s from days gone by and you have one of best albums Bonnet has ever done. BM (95/100)
THEOCRACY “Ghost Ship” (Ulterium Records) Fourth studio album for the melodic Power Metal act from USA, and another good one to add to your discography: 10 powerful new songs that showcase the band's heavy still melodic sound, influenced by both, the classic/traditional US Metal style and the Swedish Power Metal wave (Stratovarius, Sonata Arctica, early Yngwie Malmsteen). Led by vocalist and songwriter Matt Smith, Theocracy might well be a Christian band with one-directional lyrics, but – same as their country-mates Stryper – their songs are heavy and epic, with majestic arrangements and some furious double-bass parts that could compete with most speed Metal bands (listen to the fast tempo of “The Wonder Of It All” or the damn solid “Wishing Well”). Add to the mix a nice Progressive-flavour overall (who said Queensryche?), mostly clear in the last, epic 10 minutes long song called “Easter”, and I'm sure you'll understand that there's plenty of reasons here to be attracted by this great work. PB (88/100)
NIGHT RANGER “30 Years and a Night in Chicago”(Frontiers Music s.r.l.) Out of the ashes of San Francisco’s Rubicon / Stereo they came, Jack Blades, Brad Gillis and Kelly Keagy, before changing their name to Ranger, then later to Nightranger, as a Country and Western band had already laid claim to the name. The band set out its stall early with their critically acclaimed debut ‘Dawn Patrol’ the rest they say is history. Now in their 35th year a milestone that many bands can only dream of, the band celebrates in true Nightranger style with their new live album and DVD recorded on 7 May 2016, this concert at the House of Blues in Chicago, Illinois. This two CD and DVD album has all the classics, many that have donned some of the biggest movies of the 80’s and still stand the test of time to this day. The album shows the band at their live best, as they show they still have a fire in their bellies and can still put on one hell of a rock n’ roll show. This is just the aperitif to prepare us for the new album due out in the spring of 2017. A must for all fans of great rock, both old and new. BM (90/100)
WHITE WIDDOW “Silhouette” (AOR Heaven) White Widdow is now returning with their fourth album, “Silhouette”. Formed in Melbourne, during 2008, and centered around the Millis brothers Jules (Vocals) & Xavier (Keyboards), White Widdow never denied their influences (that typical '80s Melodic Rock sound!) and the bands that showed them the way (Survivor, Dokken, Night Ranger, White Sister & Giuffria). That said, what really gives White Widdow an unique yet recognizable trademark is the melodic, warm, yet somehow “subtle” voice of Jules Millis; pure heaven for a sound that the band itself describes as "pure 80’s styled AOR, straight from the heart". I can't find here any “better” song than the others (maybe the most notable one is the first single “Surrender My Heart”, capable to provide many sweet candies for any AOR-lover, like me!); it's the whole album that is solid and catchy. Definitely a worth followup to the previous successful “Crossfire”. Fans of the classic '80s melodic Rock sound: here's something for ya all! PB (90/100)
7HY “The Stories We Tell” (Lions Pride) ‘The Stories We Tell’ is the new album from 7HY (Seven Hard Years), a band formed by former Shy drummer Alan Kelly (guitar, bass, drums, keyboards and backing vocals), along with Shawn Pelata (lead and backing vocals), and follows their 2014 opus ‘No Place In Heaven’. But don’t be fooled, this is no Shy clone, this is Kelly bringing his own sound to the masses and takes up where ‘No Place In Heaven’ left off, as once again Kelly is joined by the vocal might of Pelata and a host of guest musicians who together have put together one hell of an album in ‘The Stories We Tell’. From the opener ‘I’ll Survive’, the band set the bar high and carry on delivering with big slab of hard rock on the likes of ‘Break the Spell’ and the melody rich ‘Don’t Believe a Word’. Pelata shines on the likes of ‘Only Human’ and the heavier ‘Church’, creating all in all, a great somaphore album and a surprising release. One well worth checking out. BM (91/100)
PRETTY MAIDS “Kingmaker” (Frontiers Music s.r.l.) An aggressive, commanding and rich slice of molten Rock, “Kingmaker” is also full of piercing social commentary lyrically. And, we wouldn’t expect anything different from these masterful musicians. With such titles as “Face the World”, “Last Beauty On Earth” and “Civilised Monsters”, we cannot help but sit up and take notice! Ronnie Atkins and Company lays it all on the line, and then some! “Kingmaker” takes us on a pounding, energized journey that follows a melodious vein of music throughout. Powerful songs, powerful lyrics and an album that rocks us hard. All done with a crystal clear and thick and juicy production! Fat n’ Heavy, soundscapes that keep the power needles pinned to twenty-five! An album that stimulates our intellect and pumps our musical veins with vigor and excitement! It seems that each and every “…Maid” have upped their game, and expanding their craft-both individually and collectively. Combining all seamlessly to give us what perhaps is the group’s strongest yet! What with all the differing sound vistas we hear on “Kingmaker”, it certainly isn’t going to be a passive listening, no, ‘Pretty Maids’ engages us with every note, flourish, riff and lyric! An ever winning and exciting record, sonically brilliant and challenging! And… We couldn’t ask for anything more! PB (95/100)
D.Mollo’s CROSSBONES“Rock the Cradle” (Frontiers Music s.r.l.) Dario Mollo began his career with ‘Crossbones’ in the early eighties. His musical journey took him to other collaborations with the likes of Tony Martin and Glenn Hughes. 2016 sees Dario bringing back “Crossbones”, and in a huge way! “Rock The Cradle” is the stellar result and one that not only showcases Mr. Mollo’s guitar skills, but those of every member of this juggernaut of a band. Long time friend and collaborator, Dario Patti is by Dario’s side on keyboards and bass… And Dario has brought in original ‘Crossbones’ drummer Ezio Secomandi. This new version of ‘Crossbones’ features the outstanding vocal talent that is Carl Sentence (Nazareth).This Italian powerhouse of a rock group is set for world domination, and “Rock The Cradle” will be the spark! Each track is a showcase of enormous talent, huge riffs, soaring fills and bombastic shots throughout. “Rock The Cradle” is a gigantic album, one that will redefine Hard Rock as we know it!! BA (90/100)
ENUFF Z’NUFF “Clown’s Lounge” (Frontiers Music s.r.l.) Songs written back in 1988/89 that lay in the vaults until now have been dusted off, rerecorded and spruced up to good effect. It’s been a bumpy ride for this underrated power pop band over the years; mis-marketed by record labels and the band’s own drug issues suggest a darker underbelly than their perfectly concocted sugar coated hooks suggest. Donnie Vee’s personal travails see him unable to continue for the time being. The only remaining original member Chip Z’Nuff steps up to the mic and does a good job of keeping their hybrid Cheap Trick/ Beatles/ hard rock sound alive. Hooks like ‘Dog On A Bone’ the irresistible pop rock groove of ‘Back In Time’, the punchy ‘Radio’, the decedent sounding ‘Good Luv’ and the poignant ‘One More Hit’ would fit comfortably on any of their previous albums. Despite Jani Lane and James Young of Styx guesting on ‘The Devil Of Shakespeare’ it’s not a highlight as it has a rather shaky vocal at its heart. A couple of the tracks see the band jamming out at the end and some tracks could do with more lyrics but, nevertheless Enuff Z’Nuff soldier on, their pop rock nuggets are still good Enuff, hitting the mark more often than not. DJ (90/100)
HERMAN FRANK “The Devil Rides Out” (AFM Records) Coming together with Rick Altzi on vocals, Andre Hilgers on drums and bassist Michael Muller, ‘Herman Frank’ is a hardened Metal band and they are giving us “The Devil Rides Out”, certainly a display of musical force from all four! Releasing two solo albums, this exercise sees Herman fully engaged in a band atmosphere, ready to explore musical plateaus of his own choosing and finding companions of like mind and a commitment to musical excellence. The four spurn each other on to greater heights in performing, songwriting and arranging. One can almost feel the excitement that each of the members must have felt during the recording of this record! As the group prepares for some live dates in early 2017, they should have no trouble in gathering the faithful, and should even add to their numbers! “The Devil Rides Out” does not let up… And nor will the live performances! I just feel sorry for those that will follow this group on stage!! BA (89/100)
HEVIDENCE “Nobody’s Fault” (Frontiers Music s.r.l.) Hevidence is a brainchild of Italian guitar player Diego Reali of DGM. Reali wanted to stretch himself musically and took steps into blues, indie and even country around 2006, but Reali couldn’t forget his roots and returned to Metal in 2010, with brother Stef Reali on drums and Andrea Arcangeli (on bass), and started a new band called Evidence. With a few member changes consisting of Corrado Quoiani on vocals and Emiliano Bonini on drums, and a slight name change to Hevidence, Reali returns with the monstrous ‘Nobody’s Fault’. Reali has honed the Hevidence sound into a full-frontal Metal attack on senses, power driven riffs, a hell bound rhythm section and in Quoiani, a vocalist to bring this new band to life. The varying elements on ‘Nobody’s Fault’ could have me waxing lyrically for ages, but the meat and bones of this album is Heavy Metal for the new age. Tracks of note the excellent ‘Miracle’, the stunning ‘Ave Maria’, the superb ‘Overdrive’ and the riff fuelled bluesy tones of ‘Pack Your Bags’. I urge you to check out this album, you will be surprised at what you hear. I was blown away! BM (97/100)
BONEYARD DOG “Bluesbound Train” (AOR Heaven) Boneyard Dog is an Irish Classic / Blues Rock Band founded in 2015, the brainchild of German / Italian Rock Singer Rob Mancini (Hotwire, Crush) and Irish Blues guitar hero Davy Kerrigan, along with Ron Wikso on drums. The album is pure classic rock with that Emerald Isle charm that’s smother than a pint of the black stuff. Bands like Boneyard Dog are few and far between, which is pity because this is what British and Irish rock was all about, chunky guitars, dirty bass lines and massive awe-inspiring drum and in Mancini, a raspy vocal that is a mix between Lemmy and Phin Lynott. From the opener, proper ‘Kingdom Of Your Company’, right down to the closer ‘Boneyard Dog’, this album is pure class. Check out the likes of ‘Lonely Road’ that features Marc Lynn from Gotthard and the raucous ‘Lay Down The Law’. Look out guys there’s a new top dog on the prowl and they are Boneyard Dog, so be prepared to take a no holds barred ride on the Bluesbound Train. BM (94/100)
ROTH / BROCK PROJECT “S/T” (Frontiers Music s.r.l.) John Roth and Terry Brock played together on the controversial, Dan Huff absent, Giant album but they return this time under their own names to deliver a record of knockout, throwback melodic rock. Brock's voice may be raspier and a little lower than his Strangeways days but he's on fine hard rock form here, adding the necessary emotion to chest beating rockers and soaring ballads. Roth impresses too. In Winger, he often plays second fiddle to Reb Beach but he's all over the disc here, whipping out melodic riffs and blistering solos. There's the heartbreak balladry of Strangeways on 'Never Givin’ Up' but it's when they rock harder as on the opening one, two of 'Young Gun' and 'What's It To You' or ‘We Are’ and 'Fighter' that this disc really catches fire. 'If That's What It Takes', a sing a long melodic rocker would have been a hit back in the day. There are lots of nice little touches with arrangements on songs, such as the vocal bridge on 'Reason To Believe', which suggests time was spent trying to get it to sound just right. This pairing finds both men empowered, full of energy and ideas to win you over. BM (90/100)
NARNIA “Narnia” (Ulterium Records) Swedish Melodic Metallers Narnia return in 2016 with the 7th studio album simply entitled ‘Narnia’, some twenty years since their debut ‘Awakening’. Together they have produced a fine slice of Melodic Heavy Metal that shows that you can’t keep an old dog down. ‘Narnia’ the album is purebred Metal that has a modern edginess that really hits the mark and will sure to have those metal horns aloft when played live. This non-stop Metal assault opens up with ‘Reach For The Top’ and from here on in, it’s heads down all the way, with such metal delights as ‘I Still Believe’, the excellent ‘One Way to the Promised Land’ and even the ballad ‘Thank You’ is worth a mention. The band might be 20 years old, but they can still deliver the goods. So once again, let’s enter the wardrobe and step into the wondrous land that is Narnia. BM (91/100)
ENBOUND “The Blackened Heart” (Ulterium Records) The second album from the Swedish power metal band is more focussed than their first and thankfully no Michael Jackson covers this time round. Marvin Flowbeg’s guitars and Mike Cameron Force’s drums whirr throughout the record like a Catherine wheel, fast but some light is offered with the odd piano part. To hold it together is Lee Hunter (or Lars Sarfeld as he’s also known; the lead singer with AOR band Work Of Art). He has a clean, crystal clear voice, less rapsy or gruff than many who operate in this field. There are still comparisons to be had with the likes of Sonata Artica and Kamelot. ‘Falling’ and ‘Give Me Light’ are a couple of the strongest tracks while ‘Get Ready For’ has the most clear cut hook. ‘They Don’t Really Know’ is atypical to the rest of the album, a ballad that admirably resists going hell for leather like the rest of the album. The production and musicianship are very good but the songs could do well to find some hooks as big as Hunter’s other band to help them get noticed in what is a crowded marketplace. DJ (89/100)
Band: L.Turilli’s Rhapsody
This is not the ordinary interview you are used to from me in the pages of ‘Melodic Rock’, I am bringing you the essence of a very special conversation. As you know, there was a parting of ways between Luca and “Rhapsody Of Fire” back in 2011. Many factors came together for the musicians to set upon different musical paths, and pursue other plateaus. Moreover, it was a friendly split and one that has seen “Rhapsody Of Fire” progress steadily as well as Luca, with his Luca Turilli’s Rhapsody. As Luca struck out on a more solo path, he found that with a home studio, amongst other things, that he could explore in depth the areas of music that he has so much passion for..and since time was his own, I think he explored his own passion much more deeply. During our conversation, I framed a question on his style of composing-coupled with his passion for the cinema and movie soundtracks, but I tried to limit it to more of the fantastical and fantasy type movies! Well, Luca certainly set me straight on that one!! He has a passion for almost all movies, and how the soundtracks of said movies further the story along and enhance the mood and/or situation each scene is portraying. Now this brought my understanding to a much higher 14 | MRF
Interview with: Luca Turilli
level and to experience the musical genius this man possesses! He absorbs himself in true cinematic composition, which is inspired by the attributes of cinema and its music. We hear this and much more in Luca’s own Recorded Works. Luca has surrounded himself with equally stunning musicians, to accompany him in his quest for unique musical soundscapes. He is also a most generous musicians and individual… And all through our conversation, his generous nature as well as his genuine outward concern for others shone through! Those attributes are always present in his original musical creations. Today, Luca Turilli is extra excited and most thankful for new developments that have taken place recently, for him and his music and quite by accident I may add! So we entered our conversation in these recent events concerning the Atmos Sound experience and how he got involved. Producer Chris Heil had heard some of the material from Luca’s latest studio album, and immediately thought that what he was hearing would be what is needed to show the fantastic attributes of the developing Dolby Atmos sound format, and in the process bringing it out of Movie Soundtracks and embracing
Interview by: Bruce Atkinson
music as a whole. When Luca and I talked about this, the excitement in his voice grew…he was humbled that someone thought of his music in this way, and would take the time to work with him on it, transforming his music to the object-based recording method of Dolby Atmos. As we talked we went into detail about the process, Luca’s own experience with working with Chris as well as his vision in regards to future compositions and performances. Alas, I do not have enough space here to bring those details in this story. Suffice to say, that the brand new Blu-ray Audio disk from Luca Turilli’s Rhapsody is the result. Exposing all of us to a truly remarkable sound experience! True to the generous nature of this fine musician ‘Prometheus: The Dolby Atmos Experience plus Cinematic And Live” is a release that has his latest, “Prometheus” totally re-mastered in Dolby Atmos, and in addition a new Live document, “Cinematic And Live” in full stereophonic sound! So, we are treated to a breath-taking new experience in surround sound, and an awesome 2-cd offering “Cinematic And Live”—containing majestic and epic performances of Luca Turilli and his Rhapsody!!
Band: Narnia
Question: Firstly congratulation on new album and this the bands 20th Anniversary! Answer: Thank you Barry so much. It feels wonderful to be back again, deliver a great come back album where the passion and fire still is there! Q: The band takes is name from the magical land created by CS Lewis, has the last 20 years been magical? A: It has been an adventures journey. First eight years between 1996 – 2006 was a blast where we reached many countries such as Japan, Mexico, Faroe Islands and Europe and built up a reputation as a great live act. Touring with great metals band such as Dio, Stratovarius, Sonata Arctica and many more so the first decade was really magical. In 2008 I left the band for personal reasons and their were a lot of line-up changes and guitarist and co-founder of the band with me CJ Grimmark close the door in 2010. It was good to have a break so in early 2014 we went out public again that Narnia is back with a goal to make the best album so far. It took two years to write and record and the feedback has been overwhelming. So 2016 has been a great year and the magic is back. I am not ashamed to say that Narnia is one of the top band in melodic metal today. Q: What made you decide to release this new album as a self-titled album?
Interview with: Christian Liljegren
A: The reason was to summary our career and start a new chapter of Narnia. We wanted the best possible elements and you have it. Dynamics, power, symphonic, bombastic, emotional, epic, passion, fire with a heavenly toch and hope in our lyrics. Q: The album itself is pure Narnia, as we hear the influences of Malmsteen and of course Rainbow (the Dio Years), has this been a constant for the band over the years? A: Yes we don´t deny our roots and influences from Europe, Yngwie Malmsteen & Rainbow but still we have our own brans and in my opinion the album is the best since we formed Narnia 20 years ago. Q: This new album is the bands 7th studio album since your formation back in 1996, if you could have changed anything over the past 20 years knowing what you know now, would you? A: No, I don´t think so. You learn so much by experiences both the good and the bad ones. We have much more control and we do what our heart tells us to do. Q: The band are all Christians, but the world of metal is seen by those outside the genre as the devils music. So has this been any difficultly in getting across to others that Metal and Christianity can walk hand in hand? A: For us it is a natural thing as we all
Interview by: Barry McMinn
are raised up in Christian homes. When I got the vision for the band I wanted us to be a powerful band with a heavenly hope in our lyrics. People need hope and love these days. Many fans Christian or non-christian love our albums because of the spirit and uplifting lyrics in our songs and all of us can relate to them in one or another way! Some people have tried to fool us but very few. Q: The bands sound has been described as everything from Neo Classical to Power Metal, so where would you feel you yourselves feel you fit into this multi sub-genre we call Metal? A: We are a melodic metal band. Q: The world of Metal has seen a resurgence of the past few years but where would you like to see the world of Metal in 5 years? A: I think it is cool that metal has so many blends and I think we have reached the end. We will see cool new evolution in metal music the next coming years. Q: Will the band be taking to the road to promote the new album in 2017? A: Our plan is to reach as many places and countries as possible during 20162018 and mark that Narnia is back and we are a metal who loves to tour and show the world, hope, fire & passion during our concerts. MRF | 15
Band: White Widdow
Question: Hello guys! So, the brand new (and amazing, in my opinion!) “Silhouette” is White Widdow’s fourth album; what do you think mostly changed in your songwriting and playing – thru the years? Answer: Hey there! Thank you for the kind words on the new album. I think since we wrote and released the first album, we have refined how we write songs together. Particularly when my brother and I write tougether. We used to butt heads on some of each other ideas, now we both understand each other much better and usually work towards the same outcome. Its a very rewarding feeling when you can create a song the way that you hear in your head. Q: Is there something you did in a different way for “Silhouette” compared to your previous three albums? What about the recording sessions? A: Most of the songs were written by myself and my brother in his studio where we recorded the new album. Enzo, Ben and Noel contributed to a few songs also. This is similar to what we did with our second album "Serenade", and I think as a result it has more of an AOR feel to it than our previous album "Crossfire" did, which was an album that had a lot of songs built up from riff ideas that Enzo had. This time around we also had a lot more control with the mixing of the album, as my brother Xavier produced, engineered and 16 | MRF
Interview with: Jules Millis
mixed the whole album, with only the mastering being done by Harry Hess. So we were able to get the sound we wanted much faster. Q: Have you one or two personal favorite tracks on the album and why? A: My personal favorites on the new album would be "Stranded" and "Living For The Night", mostly because they are the sort of AOR songs that I love. Also "Damage Is Done" is a special song to me, as it’s a very personal song about my brother and I growing up and how we've always been there for each other through thick and thin. Q: You're clearly inspired and influenced by the Rock sound of the '80s. The thing is that some people are always comparing all of these “new” albums with the classics of the '80s. What can you say about? Don't you think it's totally unfair to make this kind of comparison – considering that everything changed in the industry during these last 30 years? A: Yes we are very influenced by 80's Melodic Rock and AOR, I personally don't mind at all being compared to 80's classic albums or bands, I understand that for a lot of people it’s an easy way to describe how a new band might sound, using the classic bands and albums as a reference. As far as White Widdow is concerned, it was always our mission to replicate that classic 80's AOR style and sound, so to be compared to them is an
Interview by: Primo Bonali
honor. Q: How has been the reaction to your latest CD “Crossfire”? I personally think it was an hell of an album, one of the best of 2014... A: Thank you very much! It was received very well by both the press and Melodic Rock fans, it was released just after a very difficult time for us with the passing of our drummer George Kristy, so the album definitely has a darker feel to it than the first two albums. And the new album " Silhouette" is probably closer in style to the first two albums, but with better songs in my opinion. Q: I know you're going to play HEAT Festival in Germany this month; what are your expectations about? Will you play more dates in Europe after this? What about a proper tour? I think that – after 4 albums – the time has come... A: We are very excited about performing at HEAT festival again, we last performed there five years ago. This time we expect more people will be aware of the band as we have been around for 6 years now and by the time of the festival we will have released four albums. We are also including shows in Switzerland, Sweden & Greece as part of our tour. We would like to be able to tour more countries, however this time around we were not able to, hopefully we can add more countries on the next tour!
Question: Can you please explain us your story? Answer: I first met Rob at a local gig I was performing at, he approached me and asked if I would be interested in laying down some guitar tracks on a solo album he was planning to record. I of course offered to do so and after a few meeting in his studio we hatched a plan to start an old school blues rock project based on the classic bands we grew up and listened to from yesteryear and devised our plan to take over the world.. Boneyard Dog was born. Q: How did you hook up with the drummer? A: Rob got in touch with his friend John Pratt in Los Angeles who he previously did some work with and to ask him if he wanted to do some backing vocals for one of our songs. Ron was John’s drummer on his solo album “Turn the page” so he suggested to give him
a call. Initially we had planned to feature him as a guest drummer on a just few songs, but when he sent back is takes we were just blown away. Ron is an incredible drummer, especially when you let him do his own thing, so we talked things through and Ron joined the line up for the full album. Q: How the songs came out? A: The songwriting process was usually as follows: I would turn up at the studio with a riff/chord structure for the song, Rob and myself would put lyrics together and between us the song would start to take shape. Rob done all the arrangements based on the ideas and next thing the foundation for the songs were set, so basically to answer your question..yes, Rob and myself wrote all the material for the album Q: What are your favourite bands? What about your main influeces? A: Well speaking for myself, my influences
are as long as your arm, Rory Gallagher, Joe Bonamassa, Gary Moore, Mark Knopfler and Pat Mc Manus from Mama’s Boys to name but a few. These guys were, and still are, very important to me from an early age and helped me to shape the player I am today. I love all the classic bands, Whitesnake, Thin Lizzy, AC/DC etc and all these guys probably had an impact on the songwriting for this album as well. I love any type of music that is inspirational and can leave an imprint in your mind both spiritually and emotionally (kinda sounds a bit deep but I’m sure you know what I mean). Q: What areyour favourite tracksof the album? A: I love all the tracks on the album because Rob and myself put so much time and effort into the project and they are all our babies, but if i had to choose it would be between “100 Guns” and “Hell And Back”, two songs which are the polar opposite from each other. “100 Guns” for the power and structure and of the song and “Hell and Back” for the lyrics amazing backing vocals done by the great John Pratt, oh and because I’m singing it! Q: What’s next? A: At the moment we’re concentrating on the release of the album, the promotional work attached to it and trying to sort out a touring schedule for 2017. We have big plans and working on some opportunities here and overseas. Apart from that, we are already working on new material, so we will definitely doing another album next year, but our focus now is to bring our music to the people live.
that's private and stays in each dude's own history book for now. Q: How would you say the band have developed since that debut? A: There are two different aspects to this question we believe. On one side, as kind of just mentioned, we know each other better. During these five years time has naturally been spent on different social activities between us to complete this record. Which has brought us closer, so to speak. It was easier doing the second half of the album than the first half. This is nice, and of course it helps us working together when using the same language etc. The other side is the Enbound sound. And She Says
Gold does not sound bad, the Blackened Heart just sound better! And for TBH we think we have found what Enbound is, and probably was, supposed to sound like. That does not necessarily mean that it will sound like this forever, but serves as our foundation for what eventually comes next. Q: Why did you choose the title 'The Blackened Heart?' A: Ever since we chose our black and gold theme, it was the natural step to take – doing the “black” part now, after we did the gold part on ASSG. We wanted the artwork to be gloomy and colder. For whatever reasons someone has bad intentions, this album cover is our way of imagining the inside of such an individual could be. Cold, dark and desolate. Q: You also have guest stars involved such as vocalist Linnéa Wikström [Kamelot, Therion] on "Falling" and Mike LePond (Symphony X) on "Feed My Flame". How did you get them involved? A: All we did was to ask nice and they both accepted to work with us. Both was our first choices, which made it even more fun. As the songs progressed we felt we needed something special for Feel My Flame. And somehow we got the idea about two consecutive bass solos by two different performers, something we didn't know existed before in a ordinary album track. Maybe it does, but we don't know if so. And for Linnéa we thought she'd be perfect for pushing the vocals to another level. You may not think about it at first, but the way she improves what's going on in the background, is helping the foreground and main song reach higher. They both got free hands to do what they seem fit, and the result was perfect! Many thanks to both of them!
Band: Enbound Interview with: Swede Interview by: Duncan Jamieson
Question: I can't believe it’s been 5 years since you released your debut “And She Says Gold”. What have you been doing between then and the new record 'The Blackened Heart'? Answer: The short answer is: we've been doing The Blackened Heart! But being a bit more serious, we noticed early in the process that we did not want to rush things. We needed this time make this album the way we wanted it to be. Hopefully, another album won't take as long now that we have found a good work flow and fine tuned our communication. And unfortunately there were some personal matters that needed attention on the way. But 18 | MRF
Band: Enuff Z’Nuff
Question: There are some great pop/rock songs on the album. The songs are written by you and Donnie Vie back in 1988/89. Why did you decide to dust them off now and re-record them? Answer: Derek Shulman over at Spitfire Records contacted us and was interested in putting out another Enuff Z’nuff album. Our relationship goes back 25/30 years with him. He’s the guy that discovered Enuff Z’nuff. And going through our archives I found so much material that was just sitting in the vault. They were strong songs. Great recordings - all in analog. And I thought this is the perfect time to release these songs to the public. Our fans deserve them. Our good friends who have passed, who have sacrificed years with the band deserves to hear them. And I think the band deserves to put these songs out there as well. It was only a matter of time and the time is now. Q: How much work did the material need to get it up to the standards needed for the CD? A: Frontiers is a major label. They insist on putting out nothing but quality work. I listened to the material and thought the songs are strong and there is a great energy Donnie and I thought we had here. However, they needed a little bit of tweaking just to make them sound up to date. That’s when I went into action calling Chicago Recording Company, called Chris Steinmetz over at Stonecutter Studio in Chicago who works with Ozzy and Styx and all the big bands and
Interview with: Chip Z’Nuff
I had my studio as well. Within six weeks of going through these songs with a fine tooth comb we found a happy medium. I think the songs are strong and we were happy. If it passed the test with Enuff Z’nuff – it’s good enough for everybody to listen to. Q: You’ve stepped to the mic as the lead singer. Why did you decide to take on that role and how does it feel? A: I had no choice actually. I never wanted this job. Through my whole career I’ve worked with one of the greatest singers of my generation, I think, in Donnie Vie. However, Donnie left the band in 2013 disillusioned by the business and with some health issues. I decided, well, maybe I’ll have Monaco step up to the plate. He’s been singing – he’s got a wonderful set of pipes. But early in 2016 I got a text from Johnny Monaco saying, “I can’t do the gig anymore. I need at least 6 months off. I have a bad hand.” Didn’t say anything about his voice but evidently in his text it sounded like he just couldn’t do it so I called him on the phone. I asked him what he wanted to do and he said I can’t do it anymore and right now I need a break and that’s when I decided well, if I’m going to continue Enuff Z’nuff I gotta do it myself. After that I called Tony Fennell from Ultravox who is a wonderful singer and guitar player. I called my old guitar player, Tory Stoffregen and asked if he would be interested in coming back into the fold and the guys all agreed. This might be a lot of fun. Let’s check it out. We went to the recording studio in Chicago
Interview by: Duncan Jamieson
and had a couple of rehearsals and bingo – there ya go – the band sounded great. I cowrote these songs. I sing on every single Enuff Z’nuff album. And it’s only fitting that I’m in the front now. People who come see Enuff Z’nuff, they go, “Hey, that’s really Enuff Z’nuff.” They see the face. They see one of the guys that started this 30 years ago. That’s why I did it. We owe it to the fans to continue to keep playing these songs. You go into a record store to try and find our records. They’re not really easy to find in a used record bin. Why? Because the fans clamor to them. They love our songs. We are a blessed group of individuals who’ve come up with over 20 full length records and I’ve still got gas in the tank and I’m going to continue to move ahead and take this choo choo train to the next place. Q: Do you think Donnie will ever be back in the band? A: Your lips to God’s ears whether he comes back to this band or not. He doesn’t owe anybody anything right now. He’s given his whole life to Enuff Z’nuff. If he’s able to come back one day his place is wide open because his brother is singing the songs right now. No matter what - any records I put out I will make sure his pipes are on there. He’s a huge part of our sound. I look at Enuff Z’nuff right now as we take a little break with how it used to be – when Peter Gabriel left Genesis, Phil Collins came in and started singing and that’s what we’re doing. That’s the template we’re using with Enuff Z’nuff. MRF | 19
Question: This new album is different than your ‘Evidence’ album, so why the change in direction and also the name change to Hevidence? DR: Well to be honest me and Andrea passed through a lot of changes in the band during the last years and when Frontiers guys suggested us a change in the name to underline these changes we thought it was a great idea. We decided all together for this new moniker that fits the old name giving other shades about the meaning of our
want to write good songs… That’s the main goal. QThe line-up for Hevidence differs from Evidence, so how did the likes of Corrado Quoiani and Emiliano Bonini become part of this new vision? DR: I needed a new drummer ‘cause my brother Stef was involved in other projects. I met Emiliano after long time and I found again a good friend and the best drummer for Hevidence. About Corrado, I have been known him from a very long time and we used to play together in different situations, so he was the first choice for me when I decided to record this new album! His voice is great and it's perfect for our new sound! Q: The album takes on a lot of different styles and influences, so did you Band: Hevidence have a vision for this new album from the off, or did it just evolve over the Interview with: D.Reali/A.Arcangeli writing and recording process? DR: My goal was to make an album full Interview by: Barry McMinn of beautiful and different songs everything merged by the sound of a band. I'm music. personally inspired by every kind of music Q: As a member of DGM, how important but each song was born spontaneously with was it for this album to be a different ani- no a starting idea, once we had all the songs mal than the DGM albums? we tried to take the best ones and we started AA: I personally knew Diego since 2000 and to give'em a unique direction. I already faced his guitar playing, his way to Q: Do you see Hevidence as full blow write songs and the way he usually band or just a project? approaches new material and I always felt DR: I really love to consider Hevidence like home with him… So it was not a new experi- a band, because it is since many years now ence and I feel myself in both bands. even if we faced some hard periods in the DR: We are not trying to be different from past but we are here to show how strong our other bands or from my past band... We just passion is!!!
Band: Theocracy
Question: Hello guys! So, “Ghost Ship” is your fourth album, and it's a really great one, a mix of Power and Progressive Metal, enriched by amazing melodies, that I'm sure could please a lot of fans of both styles; what can you tell me about? When did you start writing the songs for this album? Did you focus on a particular style or did the songs come out naturally this way? Answer: Thank you! I'm glad you like it. I started writing the songs in 2012, and worked on them off-and-on for the next few years. There wasn't really a particular plan; the songs just came out naturally as they are. In fact, this was probably the least "planned" album we've done-it was like, "Here's the deadline, here are the songs we have... go!" Q: Why a title like “Ghost Ship”? Is this a concept album? Or is there a common theme behind the songs? A: Many kids were coming up to us after shows and telling us their stories,and a lot of them were searching for purpose and a place to fit in. Having grown up as an awkward and unpopular kid myself, their words really stuck with me. I started thinking about what a band of misfits Jesus’ disciples were: fishermen, tax collectors, and people of little consequence in the eyes of the world. Sometimes the ones most people don’t see, or choose to look straight through, the ghosts of society, as it were, dead to the world, end up having the biggest impact. That’s where the title and idea for “Ghost Ship” came from: all the misfits, the uncool,the outcasts, there is a place where you do fit in. Although Ghost Ship is not a concept album, this is a
Interview with: Matt
recurring theme, particularly in the title track and “Castaway.” Q: Which do you think are the main differences between this new album and your previous three ones? A: It is always difficult for me to compare, because I love all the albums and could never choose a favorite. I have always said I will never be one of these “Our new album is the best!” guys, and I won’t because they’re all equally important to me. I can at least say objective things, like the production and mix has gotten better on each album, so Ghost Ship is our best album sonically. I think this album is also maybe a little more concise, and flows really well. I think as soon as it is over, you want to play it again, which isn’t necessarily usually the case with Metal albums. A lot of that is down to the length, I think it’s the perfect length. I’ve been trying for four albums now to release a 55-minute album, and I finally did it, haha! It’s also maybe a little more positive, I really wanted to write an album that was really encouraging to people. That’s what was on my heart this time. Q: Talking about the band, generally, which have been your most important influences? I can find some Queensryche, Stratovarius and Iron Maiden “traces” here and there, still your sound is quite unique and personal... A: Well, growing up, there was a lot of Southern Gospel in the house, and we would sing in church, which is probably where my ear for harmony came from. When I discovered Metal, I loved the power and intensity of it, and
Interview by: Primo Bonali
Queensryche was the band that really set me on a new trajectory, I was blown away by the complexity and intelligence of what they were doing, and it opened a whole new world for me. I got into some of the thrash stuff like Metallica and Megadeth, which ormed my love of rhythm guitar, as well as more progressive bands like Dream Theater and Fates Warning, which introduced me to odd time signatures and unorthodox arrangements. I also discovered European melodic power metal bands like Sonata Arctica, Edguy and Nightwish, and I loved the huge choruses and goosebump melodies of those bands. All of these influences helped to form what I do today, and while Theocracy doesn’t sound like any one of those bands, you can hear the influences here and there. Q: I know you've toured Europe a few times already (and you're currently on tour over here now); so what do you think are the main differences between the european crowd and the american one? A: Well, our crowds are definitely bigger in Europe, but it's hard to say specifically because each crowd is so unique. I'm fascinated by this, actually. For example, the two shows we played in Germany on this tour could not have been more different, even though geographically they weren't that far apart. It's not like in the U.S., where everything is so spread out. In Europe it's much closer together, but still vastly different from city to city. I think Europeans may also be a bit less trend-driven when it comes to music. They're loyal, and maybe not so worried about what the latest cool trend is. MRF | 21
Band: Pretty Maids
Question: How have you composed the songs of this new fantastic album “Kingmaker”? Answer: Well yeah we’re sort of split out all over Europe these days, which obviously make things much more complicated! I put my ideas down on my I phone when I got them, so does Ken. And then we meet everyonce in a while to sum it all up. But the major part is normally written prior to getting to the studio. Somehow we always had to work under pressure. Same thing when I’m writing lyrics resally! Q: And what about the recording sessions? A: Well me and Kenny spent quite some time in January this year working things out before meeting up with the rest of the guys in late January to do the preproduction. Then we entered the studio on February 1st. Did all the basic recordings and keyboards. Kenny did his solo parts seperatly. I did my vocals during may after I returned from touring with Avantasia. Three of the songs were actually written in the studio in this period. Q: I like the way Jacob Hansen updated your sound and that goes for ‘Kingmaker’ too; Pretty Maids seem to 22 | MRF
Interview with: Ronnie Atkins
know how to evolve through different decades, isn’t it? A: Well thank you. Yeah he’s been a treat to the band really since we did the “Pandemonium” album. But I also think that we started writing better songs in recent years, coincidentally. Jacob was a good choice! It was actually Michael Poulsen from Volbeat who recommended him back then! I think it’s very important to update yourself and be in the right here and now! Gotta keep moving or you slowly die! Q: Kingmaker’s got some different moods through the tracklist, that’s usual for a Pretty Maids album but I feel like some of Hammer’s riffs are harder than ever, is it something you planned since the writing sessions? A: Not really! I guess this is just how PM are supposed to sound in 2016. To me it’s a bit more dark and melancholic! But still very melodic. I like that. Q: I’ve read somewhere that Germany and Japan were your biggest markets, did things changed over the last years? A: Well in principle yes! But yes in recent years we’ve achieved a better following all over the world in general. But Germany and Japan and Scandinavia as
Interview by: Bruce Atkinson
well for that matter have always been essential markets for us. Especially in the tough nineties! But we love our fans and supporties all over the world and would love to perform for them if possible! Q: After ten years since ‘Wake Up To The Real World’, how’s working with the guys at Frontiers Records? A: It’s cool! I think a company like Frontiers has done a lot for hard rock and heavy metal during the last many years. I’m sure a lot of bands would agree to this. Q: 35 years’ career and still going strong, that’s amazing. Would you like to just pick some of your favourite highlights? A: Wow, that’s a tough one. Well as I mentioned the last 5 or 6 years has been great really. Besides that we had our heydays back in the eighties, which was amazing when I think about it! But being young and naïve we probably didn’t value it as much as we would have done today. Guess it comes with age. Those were good times. Actually the beginning of the ninetees wasn’t too bad either! Anyway! We’re still around so it all couldn’t have been that bad.