Melodic Rock Fanzine #81

CONTENTS

0 4 _ M r. B i g 06_Kryptonite 07_The Nights 08_Accept 10_Lionheart 11 _ Te n 12_Reviews 15_All 41 1 6 _ D a Vi n c i 17_Orden Ogan 1 8 _ Graham Bonnet Band + Circus Maximus 1 9 _ Wo r l d Tr a d e 21_Riverdogs 22_Quiet Riot

Wayward Sons “Ghosts of Yet to Come” Steelheart “Through Worlds of Stardust” Kee of Hearts “Kee of Hearts” Hell in the Club “See You on the Dark Side” Dirty Thrills “Heavy Living”

Melodic Rock Fanzine The official Frontiers Music s.r.l. magazine Year #13 - Nr. 4 / Issue #81

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, Fabiana Spinelli.

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©2017 Frontiers Records s.r.l. - All rights reserved.

Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. Printed in Italy.

Revolutions Saints “Light in the Dark”

L.A. Guns “The Missing Peace”

Phantom 5 “Play to Win”

Tyketto “Live From Milan”

Bigfoot “Bigfoot”

Robin Beck “Love Is Coming”

Fabiana Spinelli: HI Paul! Defying Gravity' is almost out and I really loved it from the very first listening! But, let's start at the beginning: these famous six days in a Los Angeles studio to record the album. Can you tell me something more about this amount of time?

Paul Gilbert: Well, that was the time we knew we had to stay all together in the studio, the time we scheduled with our producer too. We said "Oh you know what? Let's try it! We'll see how it works!" and I think it works great! We prepared it a lot, we wrote all the music, I prepared a lot at my own.

You know, we worked on all the music, but we arrived at the studio with an idea of what to do. We tried to put all our energy into it, of course we knew that we had only six days, so we prepared and I prepared my solos, but... we wanted a gig together, that's it! And we did most of the things in those six days!

FS: Why calling back producer Kevin Elson (who was behind the boards for the band’s 1989 self-titled debut, 1991’s Lean Into It and 1993’s Bump Ahead)? To recreate the atmosphere of that time in the Nineties? How was the experience with all your career between 'Bumpp Ahead' and 'Defying Gravity'?

PG: Oh, working with Kevin, also in the early days, is always amazing for me! I was still in Racer X and I met Kevin Elson at Michael Jackson' concert, he was his sound engineer... I mean Michale Jackson! The biggest star in the world! So I was just amazed to work with this guy, and then we did the Mr. Big album together and I learnt so much by working with him because he works with so many bands! And it was fine to come back in studio with him, not only for his experience but because he's very cool, very relaxed where he's in the studio. I never saw him angry, he's very patience and he pays attention to details: he really cares about the music. There's a song in the album called 'Nothing Bad (About Feeling Good)' and itìs a very difficul song to record, because verses and chorus are very different from each other and at a first play really doesn't works! So I said "Ok, give up on this one!" and Kevin would'nt give up, he said "Let's try this idea and this and this... " until it works. When you work with Kevin you can be sure thaat every idea has a chance!

FS: Another important person was in the studio, Matt Starr. How do you you choose him to help Pat Torpey?

PG: The goal is to have the drum inside naturally, because Pat and Matt work together as a team, Pat has a problem with physical

strenght but he's got all the ideas, he knows what's better with our style. He created all the drum parts, with the producer and Matt make it happens. Matt is great, he understand what we need and he's able to work with us all day. Matt was involved from "...The Stories We Could Tell ", we tried to use programs and midi, but it was so slow, it's much better to have a real drummer in the studio, play together live, we just feel better.

FS: Defyning Gravity' is a genuine album, fresh and direct... we can all hear how much you love improvisation! So, from where do you find inspiration? What are you listening to?

PG: Well, you know... some inspiration come from music and some inspiration come from life. Musically, I love blues and soul music, people like Nina Simone, Ray Charles, BB King, I'm really deep in playing blues with the guitar, but also with the music I grew up with, like Robin Trower, an amazing rockblues guitar player. In a line, I tried to write the songs like when I was a teenager, it was always very hard to write the lyrics because I always did my guitar and not much more else. But you know, now I am fifty years old, I was married twice, I have a child, I've been able to travel all around the world, play with people for decades... everything it's just experience, it's life.

FS: I saw from you Instagram profile that you're interested in astronomy and paleontology, so do you find inspiration also from stars and from prehistory?

PG: Ahah yes! Of course, I'm really interested in science and history! I try to read, study and understand what I see; it's not

Instagram, but then I saw everybody using it on tour and I decided to try. I found it interesting, it's not only a way to show the world what you're during every minute!

FS: Mr. Big are going to close a circle, a phase, with this album? Another one will start?

PG: Uhm that's interesting! I understand the question, but I really never think about it in these terms, I think this could be a good point of reflection. But let me tell you, I see every Mr. Big album like a point in the line, I have a bunch of new amazing songs to play all over the world and this is the most important thing to me! I really can't wait to play again and again our new songs, so I don't know if this is a circle to close or just going on and on with our music, in a straight line.

FS: So Paul, thank you for your time, you

easy and I think today we can learn a lot more, with all this amazing science shared all around. I follow CERN, NASA, lots of interesting stuff... maybe I understand 1% of what they share, but I think it's amazing to know and discover the world all around us.

And I think social media could be a good vehicle too, I really didn't know how to use

can send a message to your fans if you want to say something more!

PG: Oh yes, I can't wait to see all of you out there. You're italian and we'll see at the end of the year in your beautiful country, I really love to play in Europe and especia lly in Italy, where the crowd is always amazing, singing all the worlds! So, see you on tour!

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Barry McMinn: So, a brief history lesson, how did Kryptonite come into being?

Jakob Samuel: The initiative came from Serafino who asked me if I wanted to be involved in singing and writing the music together with Alessandro for an album with a new all star project he had in mind. I had just listened to Revolution Saints that he just finished and really liked his work so that was an easy decision to make.

BM: This is one of those bands that was put together and never met each other until you started shooting the videos for the albums, is that right?

JS: Yes, it's a funny experience doing a whole album like this but on the other hand we're all used to work long distance online now a days but when we hooked we had a great time.

BM: So, when the band was put together, was there vision of how the band and its music would sound,or was is just musical evolution?

JS: To be honest the musical vision was ready and mainly set by Serafino, Alessandro and myself when the band was set but everybody's done their part very

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professional and on a high level, I'm proud do play with these cats.

BM: So, did the songs come first and the band later?

JS: Yes, the music came first then the band so it was the other way around this time.

BM: The whole Kryptonite rumour mill was one of the worst kept secrets, so was it great to finally unveil the band and its music to the world?

JS: Well we were to busy writing and recording to know about ant rumors but it's always nice to present new music and cooperations and find that people appreciate and cherish what you do and also it's been a long process so it feels really good to have it out of the crypt.

BM: The term supergroup used to be just studio projects,but in recent years these bands have become full blown bands and gone on to big things, is the way for Kryptonite?

JS: This is all due to the amount of success and excitement this album will raise so who knows, but we are all great live performing artists so it would be fantastic to do live shows with this. We really hope

the opportunity will appear, I think this would be a really great live act!

BM: Alessandro de Vecchio is probably one of the most prolific producers and songwriters around, what was it like working with him on this album?

JS: I think we both enjoyed working together. He's a great guy and a very productive man to say the least, we both put a lot weight in this production, we wrote the lion part album together and he produced it, so obviously he's been a big part of it. I hope to work more with him in the future.

BM: I know it’s perhaps too early and the new album hasn’t seen the light of day yet, but are there plans for album number two?

JS: Like you say, very early but I would like to and I'm sure there will be more to come from this camp.

BM: Will the band be taking to road to promote the new album before the end of the year?

JS: No plans apart from some radio shows etc but there seemed to be a lot of good things happening right now and I would love to take this on the road.

Bruce Atkinson: Let’s start with what inspired you to form “The Nights” Sami Hyde: Oh man... I still remember it so vividly. Just like it was 2 minutes ago, even though it happened on a sunny summer tuesday evening at 5.35PM CET and the year was 2015. I was watching Baywatch, while listening Listen To Your Heart By Roxette, when suddenly... my iPhone 5 rang. I really didn't want to answer, because I felt extremely lazy and you really don't want to talk when your mouth is full of smashed potatoes and bacon, like I had. But somehow... I encouraged myself to get up from the floor and answer the phone anyway. Oh boy am I glad I did, because it was the call that changed my life... Yes... it all started back in summer 2015. Ilkka called me and basically just said:”Hey Sami! Let’s form a band and make music that we both like. ”Hmm… so what am I to say about that? “OF COURSE, LET’S DO IT!!” And in a nutshell, that’s what happened.

We already knew each other through different projects, so we had a history and a common taste for the music we would like to do.

Since we don't live in the same town, we started to send ideas via voicemail. It was easy and very productive way to work.

The first song we wrote and recorded together was NOTHING BUT LOVE. BA: It seems that you are prepared to give this excursion your ‘all’…the fact that you have already showcased the band in a live situation back in April…are you presently seeking other touring opportunities?

SH: Absolutely! We'd love to tour all over Europe, Japan, US... you name it. These things just aren't that easy to accomplish as you may know, but we are working on it!

We're happy to announce that we've got a deal with Rockhopper Agency. The future of THE NIGHTS looks very positive.

BA; Ilkka and Sami being the founding members, how did you come about picking Jan-Erik and Harri?

SH: Well, Ilkka knew the boys already.

Years ago he had been in a same band with Harri. Ilkka also produced a band in which Jan-Erik was playing drums. So it kinda happened just like that. We asked them to join THE NIGHTS, and fortunately they said yes! I think it also helped a lot that they actually liked the songs too. They are great guys and amazing musicians. We got very good chemistry together.

BA: Following in the same area..being musicians with quite the extensive experience, are you better at avoiding the pitfalls that may lay before you?

SH: At least we want to think so. We keep our feet on the ground, if that's what you mean.

To avoid something that may still hit you in the face... you better to stay home, right?

Well, we won't.

BA: Going back to the actual recording…is there a main songwriter, composer or does everyone contribute equally?

SH: All the songs are written by me and Ilkka.

It's 50/50, even though there are songs that I've composed by myself (Take Me To

Heaven, In a Blink of an Eye, Hold On, You Belong to Me Tonight) and some that Ilkka's composed by himself (I Will Never Stop Loving You) Ilkka produced the album and we recorded it in 4 sessions. 1st included : Nothing But Love, Take Me to Heaven and I Will Never Stop Loving You. 2nd: Hold On, Juliette and You Belong to Me Tonight. 3rd: In a Blink of an Eye and Elegy. And 4th: I Wanna Be Your Superhero, Welvome to the Show and We Can Rule the World Tonight.

We found out very quick that it was the right way for us to work, since Ilkka's schedule is pretty much booked 24/7, as a producer/songwriter for other music acts. What comes to the writing process: You know, I come from the University of BJL (Bon-Jovi-Lyrics) so obviously, I'm not creating anything new here.

I just try my best to write lyrics in a way so everyone can relate to them. Sometimes the approach is tongue-in-cheek , sometimes more serious. Overall... it's happyhappy funfun. That's kind of my thing!

BA: May I ask, what are your collective hopes for this debut, and for the group as a whole?

SH: I’m sure that every band out there with a record deal and a brand new album, would like to take it out on the road.

That is our driving force for sure!

We want to get up on the stage and have some serious fun with our audience!

And of course, it would be nice to sell something like 10million copies. (I'm counting on you mom...)

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Bruce Atkinson: “The Rise Of Chaos” will be out in early August, and I must say a surprise—as you and “Accept” have been so busy with both recording and touring in the past three years — you all must be workaholics!...

Wolf Hoffmann: We are on a roll and have a hard time to believe, that all this is happening!!! I am creative like never before – inspired by the tremendous enthusiasm by the fans worldwide. They want it – they get it!

We could not be happier…

BA: Although, you have a lot to say, and listening to this new album… some very important messages. Let’s discuss the theme of “The Rise Of Chaos”… There are several themes present here—however the dominant, for me, is your warning of our world-wide society being broken down…

WH: Not so much about SOCIETIES breaking down – consequently backlashes of Nature, breaking down the environment and forcing the all living creatures to think about survival… I mena everything that lives – EVERYTHING. BA: Another comment..I like that you do not mince words…and as we seem to be

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falling down the hill, we need some strong warnings—so I imagine that the energy we hear from the group is a direct result of what you see happening…

WH: it is not a warning alone – it is our observation …unattended consequences of ignoring the signs of what happens all around us.

But I want to say something important as well – Human kind has survived a lot and I can not believe, that we are not able to do what only humans can do: Find a way to save Planet Earth!

BA: Being that we are in 2017, it also seems that “Accept” is ageless! Any secrets you would like to reveal in how you maintain such a strong stand?

WH: Live an honest and respectful life!

Everything else will make life harder!

BA: The creative energy is also so high…and with that, where do you find the inspiration, especially since you have been with us for such a lengthy time…

WH: The people around me, the fans, the ability to write music, he ability to see reality and to live a life I could not even have dreamed of.

BA: So with all the turmoil we are seeing, what does Wolf Hoffmann and “Accept” see

for us in the near future?

WH: Awakening – when enough people talk about how to have mercy with the planet and the Universe and the better side in us is getting engaged we can change the future! I am100% convinced!

BA: I would like to close out this interview with this…”The Rise Of Chaos” is such a timely album, and one that will solidify the leading skills of “Accept”! An album that is fresh, bold and reaches a high point, not only for the group but for Metal music of all types. So, maybe an unfair question—but where to from here—what lies ahead for “Accept”?

WH: Not unfair at all …It has been many years later, that we slowly absorbed, that our music has been historically defining Heavy Metal Music and - opened the door for many to come after us! As a songwriter, what you do is – at least I do – following your moment in time. I give a slice of my TODAY world and what becomes of that is up to the fans and history. You decide, what we will be remembered for and as it looks like, we are not finished yet. Where there is THAT …there is more!

Duncan Jamieson: When Dave Herron, promoter of the Rockingham Festival, called were you surprised and what do remember of that reunion gig?

Steve Mann: Yes, we were all surprised because we honestly thought that no-one remembered who Lionheart were. Dave said that he'd love to see a Lionheart reunion because he had been a big fan, so we thought – why not? It will be fun so let's do it.

We had just 2 days of rehearsals before Rockingham and the moment we all played together again – we knew instantly that this was going to be something magical. Then the reaction we had from the audience, and also the press, was absolutely fantastic and after the gig we had a lot of people telling us we should record a new album. In the end we decided, yeah, why not? Let's see what comes out. 7 months later we'd finished the album and were starting to realise that Lionheart was back in a big way!

DJ: Chad Brown sang on your debut but you’ve got the great Lee Small for ‘Second Nature’. How come? And, what was it like working with Small?

SM: We asked Chad if he wanted to take part in the reunion but he told us he wasn't involved in the music business anymore and would rather not do it. So we found ourselves in a situation of looking for a singer.

Someone recommended Lee to us, and as soon as we tried him out we knew that he was exactly the right man for the job. Not only that, we felt that he really added and

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enhanced the Lionheart sound, so we were very happy with his singing capabilities.

When it came to recording the album, I was personally a little nervous because I didn't know how song-writing would work out with him. As it turned out, my worry was completely misplaced because his creativity and inventiveness is astonishing. We very quickly established a great song-writing partnership and this is something that will develop with all the members of the band on the next album. He's also an exceptionally nice guy!

DJ: How many of the songs have been newly written and how many have been in your back pocket for a while?

SM: 7 of the tracks have been newly written in the last 7 months which we are very happy about because the songs are so strong.

When you have very little time to pull something out of the bag, very often the songs end up as fillers, and really there are no fillers on this album at all. We decided to mix the new songs with some old songs which had only been demoed before. Great songs like Prisoner or Give Me The Light which have really come up trumps with modern production. We had lots of ideas in our back pockets, but we never had the time to develop them for this album so we definitely will for the next one.

DJ: You had a lot of bad luck at the hands of the industry. When did you think luck wasn’t on your side , back in the day?

SM: We were very resilient back then. Yes, we seemed to only have bad luck back in the

1980's but we kept going because we all so strongly believed in Lionheart. But after 5 years of being pulled around, messed around and changed by people in the industry into what they wanted you to be, rather than what we really were – well that grinds you down after a while. After we recorded the Hot Tonight album we really thought that our perseverance had paid off, but then we had more bad luck with major support tours being cancelled, and a year later we realised that Lionheart's time was simply not going to come.

DJ: You’re touring with Praying Mantis and Airrace. What can we expect?

SM: You can expect fantastic evenings of some great Classic Rock from some of the best musicians in the business! Really – all the guys in all 3 bands have done the rounds and have been in the business for around 40 years. If anyone knows how to deliver Classic Rock in all its glory it's these guys. We are all really good friends with each other too and as I speak we are on our way to Japan with Praying Mantis for 2 shows in Osaka and Tokyo. I think these are going to be fantastic shows! Likewise the tour with Airrace later in the year is going to be something very special. We are very lucky this time around because there seems to be a real interest in the Classic Rock of the 1980's at the moment – and that is exactly what we have all never stopped playing. Maybe we are pioneers of the New Wave of British Classic Rock!

Barry McMinn:The name Ten returned to the fold after another hiatus, now with 3 new albums under your belts with the current line-up, are Ten finally back?

Gary Hughes: We never went away. I am very proud of the albums we did with Rocktopia.

Both Albion and Isla De Muerta served to solidify this line up of the current line up and our time with Rocktopia was a very positive and productive time for Ten on the whole. I was allowed total artistic licence during that time and I think that manifested itself in two fine albums.

Rocktopia’s demise left the door open for Ten to return to Frontiers. Rocktopia did have options on more product from Ten but like all great adventures it came to a very amicable end.

Everything happens for a reason. It ushered in a new renaissance for Ten on Frontiers and our working relationship together is stronger for it.

This time on Frontiers things feel different.

Much better than before and I think Gothica is testament to the creative freedom I have been afforded in making this album. My father passed away during the making of Gothica and Frontiers could not have been more supportive.

We have refined ‘the sound’ of the band now and it continues to evolve with every release.

BM: Let’s talk ‘Gothica’, there is a dark thread running through the album, so why go down this path for this album?

GH: It just felt right that our 13th studio album should contain darker subject matter. There is always a certain ‘feel’ to a Ten album. On Albion it was Medieval Times. On Isla De Muerta it was Pirates and Privateers. Babylon was Ten’s only concept album to date, but I think its fair to say that although most Ten albums aren’t concept albums they are albums full of individual concepts. . I think it’s a very eclectic collection of songs this time. Something for everyone.

Lyrically, the album is very rounded this time despite its complexities. It all works. The guys already have songs that each of them is des-

perate to play live and that’s always a good sign. Authors are constantly pushing the boundaries of their work and the results are captivating. Myself, I’m heavily into Historical literature.

Factual accounts as well as Classical Literature. History in particular is so much a part of each of us and there’s so much to read and understand. Sometimes there is not much room for interpretation but where there is I take full advantage.

BM: When putting any Ten album together, how much research do you put into the subject matter of each song or concept?

GH: Most of the songs on Gothica are based on classic gothic horror and SiFi literature. Bram Stoker's Dracula, Robert Louis Stevenson's Jekyll and Hyde and H.G Wells book The Time Machine to name a few. I was always fascinated by these as a boy. I love the film genre too.

The old Hammer Horror films. Classic tales of the supernatural. I decided early on that the album would have this darker feel to it. After all it is our 13th studio album for those of you who are superstitious. This genre and these novels examine the darker side of romance and the occult. The inner battle between good and evil, love and hate. It echoes everyone’s battle with the light and the darkness within ourselves.

Seriously though I do love a good book, and especially the classics. Timeless stories that are as infectious today as they were a hundred years ago. ‘Dracula’, ‘Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde’, ‘The Time Machine’ alongside modern classics such as ‘A Song of Fire and Ice’. It isn’t hard to be inspired by such works and the research is a pleasure. My songs have to tell a story and I can’t get my teeth into anything bland or insipid.

BM: Putting stories to music and making them your own takes a special gift, but what keeps you focused to produce this kind of music?

GH - I just write songs really. I also stick to the tried and tested processes. I always start off an

album with more than I need. Then it becomes an intensive whittling down process to arrive at the final 10 or so tracks. Lots of thing are considered at this point. The blend on the album.

Which songs sound good together as well as the right combination of songs with varying tempos. There comes a point in all this where only the selected songs are developed further. I am proud of the flavours and signature essences that make up Ten’s sound and they have served us well making Ten different over the years.

Sounding like Ten obviously comes easy to us and it would be hard, no impossible, for us to sound any different. If this process makes us guilty of remaining Ten in sound and essence then we’ve succeeded in making a good album.

We know that our following like our style and sound so we consider that too.

BM: Stan W. Decker handled the artwork for the album, he has been associated with a few Frontiers albums, did you have any input there?

GH: I had a great deal of input on the concept.

Some fabulous artworks have adorned our covers over the years and we have been blessed with connections to many great artists. In all honesty my original plan was to approach my friend Chris Achilleos to create the artwork but Serafino recommended Stan Decker having had previous dealings with him and so we gave him a try. I’m really glad we did. I emailed Stan about a concept based on a film I had seen called Inkheart. In the film a man has the ability to read characters from the pages of a book and the characters would come to life. So the concept for the piece was born. An enchantress reading incantations from an ancient book and summoning then from the pages with her words.

The characters summoned are the main characters from the songs contained on the album which is a nice touch and the finished article is truly stunning. He’s a very nice guy to deal with too over alterations and fixes.

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eviews

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Mr. Big “Defying Gravity” (Frontiers Music s.r.l.) - Try to imagine Eric Martin, Paul Gilbert, Billy Sheehan and Pat Torpey (with a great help from Matt Starr, filling in for him due to a recent diagnosis of Parkinson's disease), closed in a Los Angeles studio for six days and reunited

with producer Kevin Elson (who was behind the boards from 1989 to 1993). Can you imagine it? Now add a bunch of new songs, an overwhelming beat, amazing groove and you'll have this new 'Defying Gravity', basically played live in the studio. Songs like 'Open Your

Eyes' and 'Defying Gravity' are simply genuine Mr. Big style, for a deep dive into Nineties. Be sure to listen to 'Damn I’m In Love Again' with a girl by your side, to fall in love in three minutes, but keep her close to you because there's 'Forever and Back' to finish what you

started. A brilliant performance by Eric Martin is offered in 'She’s All Coming Back to Me Now', a shining example of melodic hard rock. Enjoy Gilbert and Sheehan's improvisations and an entire powerful album full of energy and blessed by a magical chem-

istry. One of the best chapters after 2009 reunion, a taste of Nineties and all the experience of a careeer melted togheter for this great result. Mr. Big are classy and they are here to demonstrate this once again: and they absolutely win. Fabiana Spinelli (90 / 100)

Riverdogs “California” (Frontiers Music s.r.l.) “California” marks the group’s fifth album, coming to us six years after the “World Gone Mad” comeback. What we hear is the original core of the “Riverdogs” do what they do best… infectious Rocked out Blues with a touch of soul!

Each song is fresh and vibrant, just as the morning sun is young! And as we know, most of the members of the band went on to other groups and projects through the course of years, but never forgetting that original vision and dream that brought them together in 1990!

“California” will become known

as a natural progression from their debut and early albums, slightly harder, but still wrapping that rock sound solidly around a core of blues. Rob Lamothe’s vocals are still full of soulful textures, yet able to lay down the ‘rock’ when needed.

The stringed interplay between Rob and Vivian Campbell will

bring to the fore, those memories of one of Rock’s hottest guitar duos! Of course, consistently driving the message and music directly to the musical heart: we have Nick Brophy on bass and Marc Danzeisen on the skins. A mesmerising collection, “California” is a stellar set of eleven songs, music that

is performed to perfection.

Songs that are hard yet emotive, songs that run deep and clear. From the opening “American Dream” to the very last resounding note on the closing piece… this album will put the “Riverdogs” back where they should be, the top!

Bruce Atkinson (92 / 100)

Graham Bonnet Band “Live… Here Comes The Night” (Frontiers Music s.r.l.)

- Pushing 70 now, Bonnet still has the energy and the voice (for the most part) to do justice to his rich back catalogue. This live CD and DVD package was recorded at the

Frontiers Rock Festival in Milan last year. His classic voice was the foil to some of hard rock’s greatest guitarists including Blackmore, Malmsteem, Vai and Schenker. Guitarist Conrado Pesinato has the unenviable task of emu-

lating those players which he does well, adding a heavier live edge to the original studio versions.

The epic ‘Eyes Of The World’ and ‘Desert Song’ suit the live arena. The Alcatrazz material was always more histrionic and quirky but it’s good to

hear the likes of ‘Island In the Sun’ and ‘Will You Be Home Tonight’ again.

However, the real draws here are the Rainbow classics. ‘All Night Long’, ‘Since You Been Gone’ and his solo hit ‘Night Games’ remind you what great rock songs they

were and still are.

Whatever keeps Bonnet going (Viagra maybe?), then I want some because it’s obviously working and it’s great to have this live record of the man that spans his career. Duncan Jamieson (90 / 100)

Kryptonite “Kryptonite” (Frontiers Music s.r.l.) Kryptonite is the new band featuring members of The Poodles, King Diamond. When Jakob Samuel from The Poodles met up with producer Alessandro Del Vecchio, the seeds of a

concept created

by Frontiers president Se rafino Perugino were born, bring in Pontus Egberg, Robban Back and gifted guitarist Mike Palace, and the seed grew into a might oak of a band. This selftitled debut is a corker

and fits right in with today’s Hard Rock albums over recent years. The album is full of great melodies built around the guitars of Palace and seasoned rhythm section of Edberg and Back, all the perfect accompaniment of the

mighty vocals of Samuel.

The album rocks from start to finish, with the single and opener ‘Chasing Fire’ setting the tempo from the off. Other tracks of note the soaring ‘Fallen Angels’, the excellent ballad ‘Knowing Both of Us’, the hard hit-

ting ‘Better Than Yesterday’ and the darker blues drive tones of ‘Across the Water’. But these are just my personal choices, this album has so much to offer the genre, I’m sure fans will find their own favorites.

Barry McMinn (92 / 100)

QUIET RIOT “Road Rage” (Frontiers Music s.r.l.) - It was 1983 and class album ‘Mental Health’ completely changed the way of considering hard rock, with number one position in Billboard chart and million copies sold. Then, a long and rather troubled history

with line-upheaval and the tragic loss of Kevin DuBrow. But today, ‘Road Rage’ is out and everything seems to be on the right place: a new amazing singer, American Idol alumni James Durbin, original member Frankie Banali on drums, the bass-monster

Chuck Wright, Alex Grossi on guitars for a new, fresh and exciting chemistry. The boys are back in town with all their rock and roll attitude on and ‘Road Rage’ is powerful, direct and emotional. “Can’t Get Enough” is pure arena hard rock and tastes like raw meat,

as genuine as ‘Roll This Joint’ and as a real rock anthem like “Still Wild”. It’s simply impossible to stop singing top songs like “Renegades” and “The Road”, highly recommended to old fans and Sunset Strip’ lovers. This is a record with the spirit of the

Eighties on it, but it sounds young and original, an album that should have been published years ago to put Quiet Riot back on track. But it’s never too late, as the saying goes, so welcome back Quiet Riot, you’re here to stay.

Fabiana Spinelli (90 / 100)

the band return to Ten “Gothica” (Frontiers Frontiers Music for what Music s.r.l.) - Ten have is probably is the been one of the fan favourites in the Melodic / strongest album of their 13 studio releases, Hard Rock genre, led by ‘Gothica’. As you might frontman Gary Hughes, have guessed by the title, the main song writing this is darker outing from force of Ten, since their the band, as it takes up inception. Now in 2017

All 41 “The World’s Best Hope” (Frontiers Music s.r.l.) - This combines the considerable talents of Terry Brock on lead vocals (Giant, Strangeways), Robert Berry (Three, Alliance) on bass and lead vocals, Gary Pihl (Boston, Sammy Hagar, Alliance)

Circus Maximus “2016” (Frontiers Music s.r.l.) Last year we saw the release of the fourth studio album ‘Havoc’ from Norway’s Circus Maximus, with this came the tour, with one show in particular having spe-

The Nights “The Nights” (Frontiers Music s.r.l.) “Welcome To The Show” opens up this luscious self-titled debut of the four piece; “The Nights”.

With just one listen you will most willingly come to their show! The group was founded

by Vocalist Sami Hyde and Guitarist and renowned

on guitar, and Matt Starr (Ace Frehley, Mr Big) on drums. That’s a pretty good line up and they do serve up a fluffy mix of classic sounding aor. After Brock’s recent hard rocking collaboration with John Roth, this initially comes across as much tamer.

cial meaning for the band, as they recorded their first live album and DVD at the Rockefeller Club in Oslo. The DVD is just spectacular, filmed in High Definition the show is totally old school, from the massive

Producer Ilkka Wirtanen. The two create some refreshing melodic rock journeys that absolutely soar! Adding razor sharp edges to each creation are Harri Kokkonen on Bassseveral types in fact- and Percussionist Jan-Erik Iivari.

These four combine their vast musical talents and perform

the subject matter than would have been seen on the pages of 19th-century publishing phenomenon Penny Dreadfuls, songs around Jekyll and Hyde, Dracula and more are the inspiration for the album.

The soaring melodies

However, it is a grower and there are some terrific performances from the band members. Brock wrings emotion out of everything he sings and Pihl is a pleasingly old school guitarist who brings lots of melody and flair to his solos. At its best the

lighting rig, pyros and high reaching sparks, this one has it all.

Watching the DVD you’re just transported to the night, as the army of fans paid homage to their heroes, as they rocked through not only

‘bigger than life’ molten melodies that excite, stimulate and inspire! They produce a huge musical soundscape that will constantly surprise as well as draw one in. As we dig into this record, we are met with soaring love songs, hard hitting social commentary and all wrapped in musical torrents that

we’ve been accustomed are in here in spades, the trio of guitarist really bring out the best in the album. Previous Ten albums have received much scrutiny by their fans, more than most, but this album is sure to tick

Storm-like ‘AfterThe Rain’, the rocking ‘Cyanide’ and ‘Show Me The Way’ are awash with harmonies, heartfelt lyrics and stinging guitar. Berry contributes lead vocals to three tracks here ‘Down Life’s Page’,‘Who Knows’ and ‘The World’s Best Hope’.

songs from ‘Havoc’, but also their previous albums like ‘Sin’ from the debut, ‘Abyss’ from the sophomore release ‘Isolate’, the excellent ‘Namaste’, ‘The One’ and ‘Game of Life’ from the 2012 album ‘Nine’. The

are bombastic, textured and full of melody. The production and arrangements are just as inspiring as the music… and they can perform everything as stunningly on this record in a live situation as well! They have already taken their enormous sound to the stage and plan to do more in the future! Be pre-

all the right boxes, from open ‘The Grail’, to the closer ‘Into the Darkness’, Hughes has really raised the bar on the song writing front.

One of the best Ten albums in years. Barry McMinn (90 / 100)

While they are sturdy, well penned tracks they miss the fire of some of Alliance’s better tracks.

Not convinced this is ‘The World’s Best Hope’ but for lovers of 80s aor this does have some heavenly moments. Duncan Jamieson (92 / 100)

majority of the set included songs from the critically acclaimed ‘Havoc’. This is just wondrous stuff from the Norwegians, this is one of the best live albums I heard in a long time.

Barry McMinn (95 / 100)

pared to be greatly impressed if you have the chance to see “The Nights” at your local concert hall. This self titled debut is at the highest level of modern Melodic Rock, with an extra shimmering of Melodic Metal to go! “The Nights” are definitely worth checking out!! Bruce Atkinson (91 / 100)

World Trade “Unify” (Frontiers Music s.r.l.) This is a welcome return for the LA melodic prog rockers. All their trademarks are here; the classic prog rock sound with the hi-tech polish of Rabin era Yes and rich layered harmonies that combine rock

and pop melodies. It’s driven by Billy Sherwood’s vocals out front, sounding like Peter Gabriel at times.

The lyrics tackle adult themes like technology’s influence and the intolerance often found in the modern world. The music supports his voice with the

Unruly Child pairing of Guy Allison and Bruce Gowdy adding their deft, classy playing to the disc. Allison provides the atmospheric keyboards while Gowdy’s guitar playing is understated, never showing off but it’s blissfully melodic. ‘The New Norm’, ‘Pandora’s

Box’ and the title track are the pick of the bunch, all note perfect. The approach of Sherwood’s harmonies and the musical accompaniment can get similar though over the course of 10 tracks but, ironically considering its title, ‘the Same Old Song’ offers a

fresh spin on their signature sound, adding a psychedelic edge and the inclusion of acoustic instruments. Mature prog rock that’s accessible to melodic rockers, this on par with their debut.

Duncan Jamieson (90 / 100)

Orden Ogan “Gunmen” (AFM Records) - Four German Master Musicians make-up this group… Seeb Levermann: Vocals and Guitars, Niels Loffler: Bass, Tobin Kersting: Guitars and Dirk Mever-Berhorn: Drums… and these four are responsible for the mighty rivers of sound that we hear on

“Gunmen”! Combining this type of Power Metal with equally massive chorals of voice, this gives the group’s fifth record the potential to become “Metal Album Of The Year and they would certainly deserve it! From the opening title track to the huge “Finis Coronat Opus”.

Each piece marches onward,

constantly building, with each performance showcasing each of these ‘gunmen’s stellar talents!

The guitar riffs and leads are breathless. The voice(s) are inspiring and colossal. The rhythm section pushes forward with command and smoothness.

Throughout each performance we experience surge after surge

of melodic metal and power that exceeds measure! As we explore this fantastic musical statement, “Orden Ogan” put forth some very interesting scenarios through the lyrics.

Matched perfectly, the music makes each scene complete and delivers each with a seamless flow that envelopes the lis-

tener. Each track on “Gunmen” is a stand out. However several deserve special mention: “Fields Of Sorrow”, “Come With Me To The Other Side” and “The Face Of Silence”. I could go on, but then I would list all ten! Orden Ogan—“Gunmen”, just Bloody Marvellous!! Bruce Atkinson (93 / 100)

Accept “The Rise of Chaos” (Nuclear Blast) - Rich, powerful, and precise rhythmic and melodic, (with a hard edge), “The Rise Of Chaos” finds a truly recharged group in “Accept”. This collection of music deals with a set of current and troubling issues that we are facing worldwide. Chaos, hatred and vio-

lence are on the rise and “Accept” are dealing with it head on. No mincing of words, Wolf Hoffmann and mates are giving us the warning. The music echoes the seriousness and intensity of what we are witnessing. The opening cut, “Die By the Sword” is a direct and unsympathetic message… one that

sets the stage for what becomes a highly energized, perfectly executed excursion of Heavy/Hard Metal. Rocked out to the n’th degree! We continue to be driven by the solid thundering back beats and dramatic fills of drummer Christopher Williams, and bassist Peter Baltes, and driven most willingly from epic to epic!

Those commanding vocals of Mark Tornillo are spot on, sending us those messages with authority. Crunching power, soaring leads, and speed that is lightening fast… “The Rise Of Chaos” is the message. The music? It is exact and hits the heart time and time again. An emotional cry for us to keep our

heads up and our hearts open “Accept” deliver an Epic! “The Rise Of Chaos” is a warning and a shot across the bow, meant to wakes us all up and not to sink to the levels of chaos; presented with strength, thoughtfulness and musical perfection. All we need to do is ‘Accept’ it! Bruce Atkinson (92 / 100)

Rage “Seasons of the Black” (Nuclear Blast) Many moons ago formed from the remains of rampant Heavy Metallers Avenger, Rage was born.

Since their incarnation band members have come and gone, but the

dominant force behind the band Peavey Wagner still remains. Now in 2017 the band’s 23rd studio album takes up where last years ‘The Devils Strikes Again’ left off. Again, no-holds barred, riff laden Heavy

Meta,l this is the second release with current lineup of Peavey, guitarist Marcos Rodriguez and drummer Vassilios "Lucky" Maniatopoulos, and the trio have gelled into a formidable metal force to take the Rage

name forward. The album itself hits hard and fast, as you would expect from a Rage album. Peavey is at his angsty vocal best with the likes of the title track ‘Seasons of the Black’, the thumping ‘Blackened

Karma’, even the darker more Bloodshed in Paradise is classic Rage. The band might be in it’s 33rd year of being, but like a classic wine, they just improve with age. Barry McMinn (88 / 100)

Dirkschneider “Live Back To The Roots Accepted!” (AFM Records) - Under his new monicker DIRKSCHNEIDER (he always used "U.D.O." till now), worldwide famous exACCEPT singer Udo Dirkschneider releases a new Live-album, available

as as DVD/2CD, BluRay/2CD and Triple Vinyl in two different colors. On one side, this might come as an unexpected work, having the singer released only last year another livealbum, "Navy Metal Night“, as result of a successful collaboration with the German

Navy Orchestra; on the other side, an album like this "LIVE – Back To The Roots - Accepted!" is a great gift for all the fans who attended the amazing "Back To The Roots"-Tour, built on a only-ACCEPT songs setlist. Recorded in Brno (Czech Republic), during

December 2016, the show features 24 classic Metal tracks from Udo's Accept era, enriched by an incredible live-sound. And - as bonus track on the CD and Vinyl formats - there's also a cover-version of Frank Sinatra's "My Way"; such a strange choice, and not the

best cover I've ever listened to (just my idea). Udo stands for HEAVY METAL, and this album is so full of Metal-hymns that I'm sure you couldn't stop singing out loud all of them. To the neighborhood's delight, hahaha! Primo Bonali (88 / 100)

Lionheart “Second Nature” (AOR Heaven) 33 years after the classic debut ‘Hot Tonight’, the UK band are finally back with a follow up. It’s been worth the wait as their mane is as shiny as ever and their roar as loud.

Coming out of the flames

DA VINCI “Ambition Rocks” (AOR Heaven) Incredible return for the AOR-gods from Norway, after no less than 25 years!

"Ambition Rocks" is their comeback-album and I can tell you it's an AOR-monster, pure '80s Scandi Melodic Rock / AOR, in the vein of

Serious Black “Magic” (AFM Records) - An ambitious concept album about the past, love, witches and the afterlife see the supergroup deliver their best album to date. Urban Breed really inhabits the story. His vocal range continues to impress and

Kissin’ Dynamite “Generation Goodbye Dynamite Nights” (AFM Records) - Enormous Talent and here on this double disc and DVD package, one can hear it and see it! Loud, clear and live! The group were captured performing from

of NWOBHM, Lionheart pursued the smoother, more commercial aor direction which was in vogue in the 80s. The singer on their debut Chad Brown hasn’t returned. In his place is the dependable Lee Small who has the warm

classic Europe, Treat, Skagarack, Alien and... obviously Da Vinci! With only two albums previously released, the self-titled debut (1987) and the amazing ”Back in the Business” (1989), the norwegian act became one of the topbands of the Melodic scene

there’s bags of melody.

Bob Katsionis (Firewind)and Dominik Sebastian(Edenbridge) ’s guitar playing mix power metal and melodic rock into a blistering collection of tracks that manage to stay different, never repeating what’s gone before. It gets

a home town stage in Stuttgart, playing material from all five studio albums. And what a show! On this show, they start on a high note, and keep that pace going throughout this lengthy set. Applause and screams, power chords &

timbre necessary to fit the music and he gives an impassioned performance here. The NWOBH roots show through on the slightly tougher ‘Prisoner’, ‘Time Is Watching’ and ’30 Years’ but it’s on the pompy aor anthems that they excel;

back then, and for a reason, as these albums contain tons of immense songs.

"Ambition Rocks" follows the same path, although if with a new line-up, featuring Erling Ellingsen as vocalist, Roy Funner as bass-player and Bjørn Olav Lauvdal as drummer to join guitarist

bruisingly heavy on ‘Skeletons On Parade’ but I think works best when they balance the power and melody more such as on ‘’True Love Is Blind, ‘I Can Do Magic’ and ‘Serious Black Magic’. ‘Mr Nightmist’ has a great guitar hook that is power metal nirvana

riffs, meaty drums and soaring vocals to pulsating rhythms, this is indeed a raucous affair!

Much to delight of the audience gathered and now to their fans the world over! Having a reputation of creating high-quality music, they

‘Heartbeat Radio’, ‘Angels With Dirty Faces’ and ‘Give Me The Light’ (which sounds more like Airrace than Airrace do) have big addictive choruses. Best of the lot though, is arguably, the cover of Chris deBurgh’s ‘Don’t Pay The Ferryman’

Gunnar Westlie and keyboard-player Dag Selboskar. The music is first-class keyboards-driven AOR, with incredible vocals and great guitar-parts.

Listen to their first single (and video-clip) "I've come all this way" and you'll be immediately driven back to

as you would expect with the Firewind guitar slinger on board. The story has the feel of a grandiose theatre production full of bold stage moves and shadowy characters. It’s all wrapped up in a sound that is heavy yet crystal clear and the rhythm section offers bom-

now have the same for their live appearances!

The group are absolutely on fire and light the musical fires of everyone that attended this show back in December of 2016.

Even when the lads slow things up a bit… it is mesmerising, building the

which trumps the original, recasting it as an infectious rocker with a huge chorus. Unlike the debut, there are no saxophones on this one but fans of classic UK aor will want to get their paws on this one. Duncan Jamieson (90 / 100)

the golden '80s "where the grass was green and the girls were pretty"... ooops, this is not the band I was really thinking of, but I guess you have the picture, haven't you? Lol. All in all, a VRA: Very Recommended Album! Primo Bonali (90 / 100)

bast and restraint . It must have taken a lot of time and energy to put the whole concept together lyrically and musically and as a result rewards the listener with a rich experience worth returning to.

Duncan Jamieson (90 / 100)

passion ever higher! A double disc plus DVD… “Generation GoodbyeDynamite Nights” will be a highlight release in 2017 and should rocket “Kissin’ Dynamite” to the upper echelons of the Hard Rock world! Bruce Atkinson (89 / 100)

Reviews

Edguy “Monuments” (Nuclear Blast) - Silver anniversary for Edguy: 25 years of music with a deus ex-machina, unstoppable Tobias Sammet, planning everything in the band from the very beginning of the story. Edguy are going to party with all their fans on

“The Best Of The Best Tour” next autumn, but first a little bit of celebration: a double CD/DVD with all the best hits from the band's catalogue, five brand-new tracks, all the German quintet’s promo videos and a complete concert filmed in Sao Paulo on the legendary

“Hellfire Club” tour from 2004. The limited edition will further include an extensive coffee-table book containing material covering the entire history of Edguy.

An amazing way to celebrate a career full of success, with a fine product, excellent production, lovely

packaging: every single detail seems to be perfect here. What about the best part of it, five new tracks?

Genuine Edguy-style, powerful with a grain of pure rock and roll. “Ravenblack” is one of the typical Sammet-highlights, grovy and intense; “Wreste The

Devil” and “The Mountaineer” stand out for power and attitude, but of course we need a full new album to get an objective opinion. Now it’ just time to celebrate and hope that Edguy will be with us for a long time. Fabiana Spinelli (80 / 100)

Blind Guardian “Live Beyond the Spheres” (Nuclear Blast) - The Progressive Power Metal Pioneers Blind Guardian have always been force to be reckoned with, when it comes to the Prog Metal genre, but for the full Blind Guardian experi-

ence, you have to capture them live. Now you can feel to true power of this band with their new 3 cd package ‘Live Beyond the Spheres’, the band’s first live release in 14 years.

With songs taken from numerous venues during their successful 2015

tour, that included not only the fans favourites, but also some rarely played live songs, are mixed in the 22 tracks over the 3 CD’s and for vinyl lovers, this is also being made available on 4 discs for your delight.

But the likes of ‘The

Bard’s Song (In the Forest’) and ‘Mirror Mirror’ still have the crowds in raptures, along with the rarities such as ‘And Then There Was Silence’. Even though the album was recorded at ten separate venues you can’t tell, because the

band deliver the A-Game at every show, every night and this can be felt when you listen to this album. A must for fans of the band and those who like to indulge in a bit of grandiose power infused Metal. Barry McMinn (85 / 100)

Masterplan “Pumpkings” (AFM Records) - An ex Helloween-member (guitarist Roland Grapow) recording an album of rerecorded HELLOWEEN Songs... what should we think about? Similar to the concept of the new Udo Dirkschneider's work (here

reviewed by your truly), "PumpKings" consists of reworked-versions of songs from albums that Grapow played on, during his time in the legendary German power metal band; which means songs from albums like "Pink Bubbles Go Ape", "Chameleon", "Master Of

The Rings", "The Time Of The Oath" and "The Dark Ride". What we can say about these songs? Some of them are Metal masterpieces, like "The Chance", "Mankind" and "The Time Of The Oath", and the other ones are all great tracks too. The question is:

do we really need an album like this, considering also the fact that the songs have not been covered in a totally different way and that they "try" sounding quite close to the original?

Without mentioning the fact that singer Rick Altzi's voice cannot compete with

Andi Deris' unique tone and technique! Pumpkins' die-hard fans could enjoy the album, anyway, but honestly - I think that there's quite more interesting stuff available around, on the Heavy Metal- market. Primo Bonali (75 / 100)

Reviews

Duncan Jamieson: How did you all get together?

Robert Berry: I have to tell you that when I was first approached about being a member of a band that Frontiers was putting together I wasn't sure it would work.

Would there be any musical magic? Could we find common ground or a style of our own? There were two things that made it possible. First, I have done a lot of work with Frontiers Records president Serafino. Serafino really knows the music world and is committed to putting out great melodic rock records. The second thing was when Serafino told me that my long time friend and musical partner, Gary Pihl, would be playing guitar. Gary is a real pro so I knew at that point the possibilities were endless. Serafino also suggested a fantastic, very solid drummer.

Matt Starr is the kind of drummer that gives a strong foundation and groove to a track. We found we had similar tastes in how a rhythm section should support a song. Frontier's was trying to get Terry Brock as our singer. They also wanted the both of us to trade off on some lead vocals. I know Terry is a great vocalist but us trading off? At first I couldn't imagine that would work. I was pleasantly surprised how that actually sounded. It was a great blend. It made All 41's sound a lit-

tle more unique. I believe that was our producer Alessandro Del Vecchio's idea.

We are all very pleased with the combination of players, singers, and maybe most importantly - personalities.

DJ: What was the brief behind the band?

RB: At first it was long distance. Emails, phone calls, sharing demos. But it all wound up in LA where we did the video for After the Rain.

DJ: Who came up with the name?

RB: That was Gary's idea. We liked it right away. And he says it's All 41 not All for one. Hard not to see it right?

DJ: Were songs written specifically for this project or did you bring songs you already had?

RB: We were all asked to contribute songs that we thought would make it a solid album. And of course Alessandro is also a great songwriter. One of my contributions is the title track "The Worlds Best Hope".

I gave a listen to some of the previous work from our respective careers and began to write some songs that I felt included our new band's best qualities.

DJ: How much did the songs change as each artist added their input?

RB: The band got the complete set of chosen songs from Alessandro. At that point we all went about adding our own unique

piece to the puzzle. We stayed close to the original demos but the final recording gave the songs life. The power and the beauty of each song came together at that point.

DJ: How was the writing process? How did you decide which songs you were going to sing with Terry Brock?

RB: As I mentioned earlier I wasn't sure this was going to work. It was completely Alessandro's idea and he chose what he thought would work the best. Until we heard it we had no idea if it would work or not. Our voices are a little similar but actually quite different. I have to say that when I heard the second single, Cyanide, I almost couldn't tell where Terri left off and I started. Even though we are different it was a really good blend.

Alessandro's idea was a very good one indeed.

DJ: What songs do you think stand out on the record?

RB: That is a tough one. I think as an artist you are always drawn to the songs you write. My focus was about the struggles going on in the world right now. Both my songs, The Worlds Best Hope and Down Lifes Pages speak to that. But I do like our first single After the Rain a lot. I think the whole album has great songs and good continuity.

MRF | 15

Primo Bonali: Hello guys! It was a great surprise to have you back on the scene, after 25 years long years! So, first of all, please let us know how this reunion happened, who first got the idea and how things moved from then...

Dag Selboskar: When we broke up, Gunnar Westlie and I continued writing songs together.

Even if we were busy with other projects, we never ended the musical relationship. We're still good friends, and we make great music together. We always wanted to bring Da Vinci back to life and there have been some attempts through the years that never really materialized. We started discussing it for real in the beginning of 2003, but ended up starting another band called Eidsivating instead, mainly because the songs we were making had more of a prog feel to them. Eventually we had to do some changes in the line-up with Eidsivating, where vocals were done by Leif Digernes and drums by Sons of Angels drummer Geir Digernes.

They were more into blues feel, but Gunnar and I were writing music with more of an AOR feel, so we ended up leaving Eidsivating to go work on a new Da Vinci project. After Georg Siegl from AOR Heaven contacted us saying he was interested in the old demos, we also decided to re-record them so they could sound better. Now we have 12 new songs recorded and the old demos are also in the works.

PB: Your new album "Ambition Rocks" follows definitely the path you traced with your previous two albums, the self-titled debut and the amazing ”Back in the Business”, which means classy Scandi Melodic Rock / AOR that made bands like Europe and Treat so famous worldwide. Was it your intention from the beginning to write an album like this or did it just come out spontaneously?

DS: We have always liked bands such as Journey, Deep Purple, Toto, Rainbow -- bands with good musicians and good songwriting, but also the 70's jazz/progrock scene and American west coast like

16 | MRF

Vannelli, Pages etc. This new record could easily have been written in the mid 90's. We have always been into the same style of melodic rocksongs, some with prog feel, some more AOR or west coast. When it comes down to it, we make music we like to hear and that we like to play, and we don't try to lock it down to a specific genre.

PB: "Ambition Rocks" features a new line-up, with Erling Ellingsen as vocalist, Roy Funner as bass-player and Bjørn Olav Lauvdal as drummer; what have these guys added to the Da Vinci-sound and haven't you tried getting some of the former band members aboard?

DS: I’ve known Bjørn Olav Lauvdal since the late 80’s. Actually he started a band called Street Legal with former Da Vinci bassist Bjørn Boge in the early 90’s. I also played in the band at the same time as Bjørn, and it was a natural choice to pick him for Da Vinci's new lineup. He brings a more "heavy" feel to the band and that suits us well. Roy Funner and I played 15 years together in Monsterpop, an 80's tribute band. Roy is the former bass player for Boston Tea Party and Gazpacho, and a good friend. Couldn't find any better man for the job! We needed a new singer after trying out a few that didn't quite fit in. We contacted Erling after hearing him sing with a classic rock tribute band. He's a more undiscovered singer because of his relatively young age. He sang amazing and he was the perfect choice for Da Vinci. Gunnar and I have tried over the years to get the old gang together again, but it didn't work out. Lars has quit the music business, Boge is occupied with his projects, and Jarle has moved far far away up north. It took us a long time to get this new lineup together even though we have known some of them for many years. I think they are amazing musicians and they have really contributed to bringing Da Vinci a step further. We are going to kick ass live!

PB: How the recording-process has been managed? Have you recorded the "old school" way (all together in the studio) or the "new way"

exchanging files via mail and building the songs piece by piece?

DS: First we put together all the songs and demos in my personal studio and then we moved on to rehearsing them together before entering the studio. All the basic tracks were recorded the «old school way» live in the studio with all of us in the same room. We had amazing energy in the studio when we recorded the songs and I think you can feel the energy coming trough the recording. It was great fun! Actually some of the songs on the album are “one takers”. Guitar solos, some keys, and vocals were added later.

PB: Your new singer Erling Ellingsen really shines on the entire album; can you let us know something more about him?

DS: Erling has been singing for many years and he's been involved in a wide range of projects and productions including rock tribute bands, musical theater, and various stage shows. I think he even sang in an opera choir at one point. When you sing stuff from Les Miserables to Mozart and then go on stage and belt out rock tunes from AC/DC, Journey, and Toto, you bring a certain flexibility to the table that can be very beneficial to the band.

PB: Looking back to your history, what was the reason behind your split-up in 1993? And what has been your best moment and your worst one in your career?

DS: The split-up was basically a result of too much traveling all the time, but also disagreements on musical directions and the fact that everyone in the band had started family and gotten a bunch of kids. Our best moment? Playing on Wembley Arena as a special guests with Status Quo. :-) Also getting the first record deal back in 87 and the fact that we were the opening act for the Norwegian Music Awards in 88! Worst? When Forever in My Heart went up to the number one spot on Norwegian charts and we ended up playing for only 10 people in Halden! But we made a big party and a kick ass rock show for all those 10 people.

Bruce Atkinson: It is my understanding that “Gunmen” is your fifth effort, so may we just bring everyone up to date on “Orden Ogan’s” journey so far…

Sebastian Levermann: Hey Bruce, Nice talking to you. Yeah, “Gunmen” is the fifth record after our debut in 2008 (Vale), Easton Hope (2010), To The End (2012) and Ravenhead (2015) that were all released on AFM records, who did a great job all these years establishing the band in the scene. A common misunderstanding is that the band is around since 1996 – that's not correct. Orden Ogan as you know it today was formed 2008.

BA: Now, let us concentrate on the new album, “Gunmen”. This time around, you self-produced this release… Were there any special challenges that you encountered?

SL: The only real challenge for me was the massive amount of work being a singer, guitar player, keyboardist, producer, editing- / mix - and masteringengineer – all in one person. But I love my job and I worked many years getting better in engineering and mixing to be able to “translate” the vision in my head into actual music that you can listen to. In between recording and mixing Orden Ogan I also was mixing the new Rhapsody of Fire record (Legendary Years) that

took quite some time as well and that made the whole process for both productions quite stressfull, but it was worth it in the end. I think we made two great records.

BA: When preparing for this album, did you have a set theme in mind?

SL: All our records have a special “setting” on their own. “To the end” for example took place in a post apocalyptic ice-world scenario, “Ravenhead” was in the spooky swamp. We always wanted to do our dark-fantasy-version of the wild west – with ghost cowboys and all that and when we were songwriting for “Gunmen” the first two songs had melodies in it that somehow reminded us of the movie scores by Ennio Morricone. It somehow sounded a little bit like Western Music, so we thougt – OK, then this might be our darkside-wild-west record...

BA: Although your sound is very distinct, whom has been your influences on a musical basis?

SL: I am a thoroughbred musician to the core.

Although everything that you encounter in your live, from little children whistling tunes on a playground to a popsong you hear in the radio, can possibly influence your work or give you ideas, I don't see myself “getting inspired” by specific influences. Orden Ogan Songs just come natu-

rally – this is the kind of music that comes out of my head and my heart – and I personally think this is the only way that a band can possess originality.

BA: Your last effort, “Ravenhead” charted quite high, and you conducted your first headlining tour last year… So I think it is safe to say that the momentum of “Orden Ogan” has risen a notch or two — which is good… So obviously you are looking to increase that…

SL: we are totally blown away by what is happening here right now. We entered the official german record charts on #8. I mean, top ten for a metal band – that's kind of crazy. And also worldwide we made a lot of great other chart entries and a many Top 100, Top 50 and even Top 10 chartings in the official iTunes charts worldwide. We've even been #2 in Brunei.

BA: Will you be able to expand your already extensive roadwork?

SL: We will be on a headlining tour in October/November, supported by our friends in Rhapsody of Fire, which is very cool. It was a pleasure working with the guys in the studio, so I am very happy that we can take them on the road with us as well. There are also plans for 2018, but nothing 100% set yet.

MRF | 17

Duncan Jamieson: This has been a good creative spell for you Graham.

What’s brought this about?

Gaham Bonnet: It had been so long since I had done a record I really wanted to get back to it, I think with this record we have the older Rainbow / MSG / Alcatrazz sound and brought it into 2017 also.

DJ: This album captures you in fine voice, impressive as you approach seventy. How do you take care of it?

GB: I try, some days it works better than others, I try to do all the right things, eating well and all the stuff you are supposed to do.

DJ: The live album covers a broad swathe of your back catalogue. Do you have a particular band that you enjoyed playing with more than the others?

GB: All of them were great! I am very lucky to have played with so many talented people and players!

DJ: When you were in Rainbow having a singer with short hair was very rare, not like these days. Can you remember any flak you got for having your own image and not the generic rock look back in the day?

GB: I did stand out as a bit different yes, I think they accepted me for my voice in the end and not how I looked, but yes there was a few people very concerned and thought “who is this guy?”

DJ: The live album eschews songs from your recent studio album. Would you like the chance to add some of these songs to a future live release?

GB: The live album was recorded in early 2016 , before the new record came out, therefore our next live album which has already been done , live in Tokyo does have new album songs on it.

DJ: What plans have you got coming up for the Graham Bonnet band ?

GB: We have just finalized the GBB / Alcatrazz Tokyo show live albums , we did a special show there with both bands , so there will be a love album from each coming up , but right this moment we are working on the next album with our brilliant new guitarist Joey Tafolla!

Barry McMinn: Let’s start off by saying ‘Live in Havoc’ is just a stunning DVD that captures the band at your very best. You must be very pleased on the outcome?

Truls Haugen: Yes, we are! We decided to "up our game" for this particular show with all the extra bells and whistles you can cram into a rock show. I think we succeeded quite well.

BM: How much were the band involved in the pre-production of the DVD? TH: We were involved in pretty much everything. From the lighting, to the sound, to the stage set up, on were to place the cameras. You name it.

Everything really...

BM: So why did you decide at this particular time in the bands career to do a live DVD? TH: I guess after 4 albums and 10+ years into our career, we thought it was about time to do a full scale live production. We also wanted to to show off what we could do live as well. That's why we do this in the first place... to play gigs in front as much people as possible and have fun doing it.

BM: This is probably a no brainer, but why did you choose the Rockefeller Club to record the show?

TH: Rockefeller Music Hall is a very special venue for us. It's the place we went to all our favorite bands growing up since it's basically in our "back yard". It feels a bit like home too.

BM: When putting the setlist together for the show, was it important to include both new songs along with the fan favourites, as you are trying to promote the new album on these tours?

TH: The gig was supposed to be like a release concert for the new album "Havoc", so the set list was going to be heavily represented by the new album. You also have to put in some of the "classics" too...Hehe. We decided to film and record the gig since it was going to be an important event for us. Playing that particular venue and having that amazing turn up of people really marked a turning point for us as a band. It would've been unwise not to record it.

18 | MRF

Duncan Jamieson: Why was the time right to get World Trade back together?

Billy Sherwood: I Had been producing various records with Frontiers... Including my last solo cd " Citizen " and shortly after that the latest Circa: Cd " valley of the windmill ", when the label asked could I gather the original cast for a new World Trade cd. I rang up the guys and it so happened all of us had openings within our busy schedules, so we agreed to go for it.

DJ: Tell me how you recorded the album?

BS: We tracked the basic drums and bass stuff at Uncle studios in the San Fernando valley, LA. After that I went to my studio to track vocals, Bruce went to his place for the guitars and keys along with Guy. We sort of brought it all together as it were and mixed at Bruce's studio. Unlike the first record we decided to produce it ourselves.

DJ: How much of the writing did you do, and how much did the others bring in?

BS: Bruce was responsible for the music side of things, just as he had done for the debut record. I wrote the lyrics and melodies. For me a big part of what world trade is.... Is Bruce doing his creative thing.

I had a few things musically to bring in but at one point thought it better to just let him do what he does. I was afraid to bump the musical trajectory into my solo or Circa: sound, rather than the world trade sound.

DJ: How differently do you approach song writing in World Trade to your other commitments?

BS: Well... As I explained in the previous question I let Bruce be more of the path finder as far as the musical side of things, I come in when the lyrics and melodies are ready to be addressed. I trust Bruce and his creativity and so in a manner of speaking don't want to get in his way. Obviously I'm capable of writing material, when I do my solo stuff it's a kind of selfish process in that I do it all from tip to tail (with the exception of Citizen where I purposely invited other artists to be a part of it). But for world trade I really like Bruce taking point and I'm always happy to come in after he has something cooking.

DJ: The songs have some lyrical depth. There’s a sense throughout that the world has lost its way and a change is needed .Tell me about where the ideas for some of the songs came from?

BS: I have always been interested in current events and world politics. There is plenty to draw from. The first world trade record had a song called "the revolution song" which was about a religious zealot with dangerous ideas... This was pre 9/11.

As it so happens nothing has really changed, here we are in 2017 up against the latest forms of terrorism. It's a scary world we live in. The lyrics reflect these ideas and look at things from all angles. I write lyrics about what interests me and tend to have sarcastic slant to them at times... Peace and love are noble concepts and certainly something I adhere to but there are dark forces out there working in

the exact opposite direction. We live in a world where we have to be forever vigilant and have are heads on a swivel so to speak.... As the song title "the new norm" speaks to. This new world trade record is lyrically filled with these notions because it's something that I have concerns about. I never want to tell anyone what they should think or feel but rather try to write in a way where it does make you think, when you have individuals blowing themselves up at rock concerts, killing innocent men woman and children... It makes you think. I'm for freedom for all but sometimes those freedoms are challenged, it's been the way of the world since the dawn of man.

DJ: How do you think ‘Unify’ holds up to your classic debut?

BS: I've always been proud of that first record and of any record I've made, otherwise one wouldn't bother perusing these things. To that end I'm as proud of "unify" as I am the debut.

DJ: You never had the chance to tour as a band. Is there any hope that you can work together live this time to promote the album?

BS: In a perfect world yes of course, we would love to. It comes down to schedules, logistics and finance. I this day and age it's very expensive to move a lot of gear and crew etc... Those factors combined with my current situation, touring with Asia and Yes makes it tricky to predict. That said if we could we would, so we shall just have to see where the path leads us.

MRF | 19

Bruce Atkinson: I would like to begin with a hearty welcome back!

“California” is a breath of fresh air and no-nonsense Rock… congratulations!

Rob Lamothe: Thank you! I am still beyond thrilled that the 4 of us got the opportunity to make a new album!

BA: Now, all of you are accomplished musicians, and obviously involved with a number of high profile groups—so what inspired you to reform “Riverdogs”?

RL: Frontiers (Record Label) invited us to consider making a new album with a decent budget… We thought about it for maybe 5 seconds and said… ‘Hell, yes, we’ll write and record an album!

BA: From what I hear on “California”, you seem to have captured that initial sound you fashioned in the ‘80’s… yet is chalk full of today’s sensibilities… does this observation make any sense?

RL: That is exactly what we were aiming for, so yes, it makes sense… and we keep hearing that kind of feedback. We are very pleased we reached our goal for the sound of this record. The debut was ‘organic’sounding… There was not a lot of studio ‘trickery’ involved, just beautiful sounding instruments and amps recorded very well.

Our producer/bassist Nick Brophy did quite a bit of research regarding the sound of our debut (released in June 1990), to understand the signal paths involved in capturing the music. The right microphones, big rooms for recording drums, particular analogue ‘chorus’ and ‘delay’ effects for mixing. Nick consulted with Jeff Glixman, who mixed out debut CD and Jeff shared all the top-secret techniques…

BA: I can also see that overall, the music contained within your new effort, should open up a whole new audience for the band…

RL: We really just thought about making an album that our loyal fans and our friends would dig… We figured if we wrote and recorded songs that turned our cranks, we’d be okay!

BA: Knowing how busy everyone is with the other musical efforts you are involved in, is there a possibility that we will be able to see the “Riverdogs” live?

RL: There is some discussion about playing a showcase in Los Angeles in December and from there… who knows? I imagine it depends on whether someone can make some money by putting us on the road.

We’ll entertain the idea, that’s for sure.

BA: Now, going a little deeper in what we hear, are you approaching both the writing and recording any differently

than when you first started out?

RL: Every summer for the past 14 years, I’ve run a songwriting camp up here in Canada, for young writers who are 12-18 years old. I’ve learned a lot from the experience and maybe the most important thing for me is to not be to ‘precious’ about songs. They aren’t written in stone, they are just what they are at the moment.

Songs change over the years, which is beautiful and kind of liberating. The original meaning can change radically for the writer and/or the listener. As the years go by, I change as a person and as a singer! So, I’m not locked-in to whatever the song ‘meant’ to me when it was written. Time passes, the listener changes, the singer changes, the bloody world changes! My mantra is ‘Create without fear, Edit without mercy’. The best songs are never ‘done’.

BA: Who produced “California”?

RL: Nick Brophy, our ace bassist / engineer / producer / mixer! Every band should probably have a Nick Brophy, but we’re keeping him.

BA: The Riverdogs' career has survived several breaks. You've been on a rock scene for almost three decades. How has it changed in your opinion all these years?

Vivian Campbell: Riverdogs were never a trendy band, so I think that as long as we stay true to the roots of the band every-

thing will be okay with us and our fans.

Fans of the early Riverdogs want the same things as we do. However, it is true to say that the music business has changed dramatically in recent years, but that never had an impact on Riverdogs.

BA: Some of these songs were written a while back, right? If so, which of these gems are the latest? And with that, again — was the approach any different?

RL: These are all new songs, written since May, 2016.

BA: You look more "free" to express your talent away from Def Leppard ... are Riverdogs your outlet?

VC: Both Riverdogs and Last In Line are very different bands compared to Def Leppard. There’s a lot of creative freedom within Def Leppard, also, but it’s a very specific process by comparison. With Riverdogs and Last In Line, all the songs start with guitar riffs and jamming. Def Leppard don’t write songs that way. Plus, there’s a lot more emphasis on guitar solos with LIL and Riverdogs than there is with Def Leppard.

BA: Your period with Dio is probably the more heavy metal of you career. What was the most pleasant aspect of it?

VC: The original Dio band was an incredible musical unit. We were very powerful and had a great chemistry between us when we played. Unfortunately other forces beyond the music broke us up. In recent years it’s been very thrilling for me to play with Vinny Appice and Jimmy Bain again and to revisit that musical period of my life.

For many years it was difficult for me to recognize it because of the bad business associated with it, but since Ronnie’s passing and other aspects in my own personal life I can now relate to it in a different light.

Unfortunately we lost Jimmy in early 2016, but the band has continued with Phil Soussan on bass and will begin recording our second album this September.

BA: Obviously the music here truly reflects that there is so much more that you want to explore… can we look forward to more of the “Riverdogs” in the years to come?

RL: I hope that we’ll get to make more albums. Based on the response ‘California’ has already gotten, I imagine it may well happen… and the world-wide release isn’t for another 2 days! July 7, 2017!

BA: Thanks for this, and again, congratulations on “California”…and may this be just the re-beginning!!...

RL: That you, Bruce! I am enjoying the ride!

MRF | 21

Fabiana Spinelli: We were waiting for ‘Road Rage’ from april, but finally here we are and the waiting has been rewarded with a poweful album! So, can you please tell me something more about these months of frenetic rhythm with arrival of James Durbin on vocals?

Frankie Banali: The story of Road Rage actually began in mid 2016. I was looking for a singer to record the new songs for the record and my first choice had always been James Durbin. But at that time he had just signed a contract to appear in Las Vegas for an extended period of time and therefore not available. My second choice was a singer who had recently left another band but I didn’t know that the reason he had left was because he didn’t want to tour anymore. I needed a singer both for the record and to continue touring with Quiet Riot. I had no choice but to go with another singer who I didn’t know and I was told about by another person but that did not work out. James was always the first choice. It was a hectic time to have James write completely new original lyrics and vocal melodies in such a short period of time. But since the music had already been written by me, my writing partner Neil Citron as well as the music to one song having been written by our guitarist Alex Grossi and with contribution to one song by our bassist Chuck Wright, all the original QUIET RIOT music was ready for the new vocal tracks.

FS: James wasn’t even born yet when “Mental Health” was on Billboard’s top, but he perfectly fits songs like “Freak Flag” and “Still Wild”. So, I think it means that he’s absolutely a perfect choice for the band and that Sunset Strip’ taste is

22 | MRF

pretty much explained in “Road Rage”!

What do you think about?

FB: A number of years ago I saw James on the American Idol TV show and I thought he was a fantastic vocalist. I thought he would do well in the crazy world of Rock & Roll, but at the time I had no idea that he would be a part of the crazy world of Quiet Riot. In some ways he reminds me of my dear friend the late Kevin DuBrow, He has a lot of the same energy Kevin had when I first met Kevin and thought his career with Quiet Riot. James also has an incredible vocal range that you can hear on the Road Rage record and his vocal range makes it possible for him to sing the older classic Quiet Riot songs live. He truly is a great live performer as well.

FS: Where and when did you find the courage to be back with Quiet Riot after the tragic loss of Kevin?

FB: Once you understand that Kevin was my best friend for almost thirty years, you can then understand how difficult those times were for me when Kevin died. For three years I did nothing serious in music. It wasn’t until I spoke with Kevin’s mother who is like a second mother to me that I realized not only how much I missed Kevin, but that I also missed Quiet Riot. I had spent half of my professional career in Quiet Riot. Kevin’s mother said to me that Quiet Riot was not just Kevin, Quiet Riot was both Kevin and Frankie. There was an awards show in Las Vegas that was going to honor Kevin and asked if I would speak and play the song Metal Health live.

Once I did that I knew it was time to do Quiet Riot again, but I also understood that it was going to be difficult, but I was now ready for the challenge and the hard work to rebuild Quiet Riot. Nothing worth doing is ever easy.

FS: You’ve never been scared of going off the grid, with raw rock and roll on top of the chart. Do you think that this is what we need in everyday life, to be more genuine and wild? Do you think music can still change the world?

FB: I think in life you have to take chances and fight for what you believe in. You have to keep moving forward no matter what. Being true to yourself is to remember where you came from and to know where you are going.

That has been what I have always done and in a way it is the same with the songs on Roar Rage. Some are similar in style to earlier Quiet Riot songs. That’s the remembering where you came form part. Other songs are very different from older Quiet Riot songs.

That’s the knowing where you are going part.

Quiet Riot records from the past have always had the Quiet Riot sound, but there were always songs that were new and different to the Quiet Riot sound and Road Rage is exactly that to me.

FS: “Road rage” is a bomb, a record full of energy and fun! What can we expect from new songs on stage?

FB: We have already started performing live the first single “Freak Flag” and it has been received really great by the fans both old and new. I think Freak Flag is in the spirit of the Quiet Riot songs from the Metal Health record era, so that fits really well in the live set. We are rehearsing “Wasted” to add to the live show which is another song similar to past Quiet Riot style of songwriting, but at the same time also very different from what Quiet Riot has written in the past. We will also be adding “Can’t Get Enough” to the live show very soon as well. Each of those songs are pure Quiet Riot!