Firebrand Magazine Issue 25

Issue 25 – October 2014

firebrandrr.co.uk www.facebook.com/Firebrandmag *All content and layout are copyright of Firebrand Magazine. Any attempt to distribute Firebrand Magazine to another site for purposes of download is strictly prohibited. All Firebrand Magazines are property of Firebrand. *

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So once again I have been asked to step into the breach for an editorial as our illustrious leader was distracted by a photograph of a meerkat running around wearing a tasseled jacket and is currently on safari trying to catch the offending meerkat to add to his growing collection. He was last seen yelling his battlecry of 'simples' while waving a huge net around.

In this months issue we have an exclusive interview with one of the hottest rising AOR bands out there right now in TEN, as well as an interview with one of the most under rated bands that the metal scene spawned during the grunge filled era in the early 90s in Kerbdog - yes they are back with a vengeance.

Add that to our normal collection of reviews of the latest releases, games news and the latest top ten from the Firebrand chart and all available for free so with that in mind I will leave you to enjoy the rest of the magazine.

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Turbowolf Reveal New Single Currently on tour as special guests of Royal Blood, Turbowolf have marked their return with a stunning new single, ‘Rabbits Foot’, which has also been blasted out across Radio 1, following its worldwide premiere on the Radio 1 Rock Show. Stay tuned for a highly entertaining video . Newly signed to Universal in a worldwide deal, the band have just announced the release of their new album Two Hands in 2015.

The Bristolian alt-rockers head out on their own headline tour in December, culminating at Dingwalls, London on Dec 9th.

Skarlett Riot confirmed for Gus G UK tour!

Young British quartet Skarlett Riot have been confirmed as opening act for Ozzy Osbourne/ Firewind guitarist Gus G upcoming UK tour.

The band have been hard at work in the studio working on the follow up for their critically acclaimed debut ‘Tear Me Down’, the new CD is due for release February 2015.

The band recently released a lyric video for ‘House Of Cards’. Check it out below

Giving an impassioned performance, which showcases a voice as big as her personality, Sky sings “I’m your favourite bitch / I’m your favourite problem / I’m the one you can’t live without”, and reminds the whiners that, whatever they say, they’ll always look to life’s big characters to keep things interesting.

The frontwoman is now urging other larger-than-life characters to share the traits they’re always being told they have in excess, by using the Twitter hashtag #FavouriteBitch. The best responses will then feature in the video for the forthcoming single. “Too honest? Too blunt? Too loud?”, Sky asks, “tell us with #FavouriteBitch for a chance to be in our next video. We’ll also include the other side of the story, for those not so strong characters. Too shy? Too nice? Get it off your chest!”.

The campaign will run from October 31st, with the best comments being chosen after two weeks. Fans can get involved by posting comments to their own Twitter feeds, followed by #FavouriteBitch, or posting to the band’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/StoneWireUK. ‘Favourite Bitch’ is the first single to be taken from StoneWire’s debut album ‘When Crow Flies’, which is due for release on December 1st. www.twitter.com/stonewiremusic / www.facebook.com/stonewireuk www.stonewire.net 36 Crazyfists Sign To Spinefarm Records

Southern blues rockers invite Twitter users to get something off their chest and feature in the video for new single ‘Favourite Bitch’, out 24th November via 22:11 Records Explosive new female-fronted Southern blues rockers StoneWire have launched a Twitter campaign today, inviting users of the site to contribute to the video for their next single, ‘Favourite Bitch’.

Set for release on November 24th via 22:11 Records, the anthemic track hears charismatic frontwoman Sky Hunter respond to all the critics and complainers who’ve ever accused her for being too loud, too outspoken, too opinionated and just too damn much, and yet always come back for more.

Like a bear native to the Alaskan tundra, 36 Crazyfists have emerged from a four-year recording hibernation to sign a worldwide deal with Spinefarm Records. The label welcomes the Alaska-originated band – celebrating its 20th anniversary this year – to its formidable and expanding roster, boasting the best in hard rock and heavy metal.

The new album, Time and Trauma, is due out in February 2015.

"We have found a new home at Spinefarm Records. and although the label is new to us, some of the staff are old friends and we couldn't be more grateful to unleash the beast that is Time and Traumawith their help,” says frontman Brock Lindow.

"20 years in and it feels like Spinefarm is a killer home to hang our hats. See you all on the road in 2015!"

Spinefarm Senior Director of Marketing Tim Brennan echoed that sentiment, saying, "We are thrilled to have 36 Crazyfists be part of the growing

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Spinefarm family! They are a genuine band of brothers that has grinded for 20 years to create a truly committed fan-base. Time and Trauma is an incredible way to begin the next 20 years for the band.”

36 Crazyfists released their debut Bitterness the Star via Roadrunner Records in 2002. The follow up, 2004's A Snow Capped Romance, is largely considered a sleeper classic in the post-hardcore realm. The band also released several additionally beloved albums, including Rest Inside the Flames (2006) via the now-defunct DRT Entertainment, as well as The Tide and Its Takers (2008) and Collisions and Castaways through Ferret Music. Their Spinefarm debut is their first album in four years and their first since Collisions and Castaways, released in 2010.

To celebrate the fresh label partnership, the band has shared the new song "Also Am I", which is available as a stream. Listen to it here:- https:// soundcloud.com/spinefarmrecords/36-crazyfistsalso-am-i/s-tl3pm This new song is merely a taste of what’s to come…

36 Crazyfists will close out 2014 with a slew of US tour dates, including a December anniversary show in their native state. Here's to 20 more years of bringing the rock!

raucous promo for ‘We Are The Ones To Fall’ (currently packing the air-waves with righteous riffs, positioning itself as the most played track on Radio Rock in Finland!), and features the four running amok and partying hard – much to the dismay of their long-suffering manager…

Watch the video for ‘Wasted ‘N’ Wounded’ here: http://vevo.ly/H6KWHv Since the ‘Wasted ‘N’ Wounded’ video, s**t got real and the band have put down the whiskey, swallowed a couple of headache pills, and headed into the studio to record their second album – to be released via Spinefarm Records in 2015; this will be the follow-up to 2013’s ‘Screaming For Adrenaline’ debut, also on Spinefarm.

This second instalment is set to be more fun than a box of bunnies, and is sure to display musicianship as impressive as a cow walking down the stairs (cows can’t do that… something to do with the way their knees bend, apparently?!). Expect skilfully-crafted, party-minded, rocket-powered rock ‘n’ roll that’ll get a whole new generation on their feet!

Santa Cruz will be playing material old and new at a one-off UK headline show confirmed for November 17th at The Barfly in North London; support comes from Amorettes.

Tickets are available here: www.seetickets.com/event/santa-cruz/barflycamden/813972 Metal Machine 'Nailed To The Cross' Lyrics Video Prior to this, Santa Cruz will appear at this Released year’s Halloween-themed Hard Rock Hell Festival in “Nailed To The Cross“, a brand new lyrics video from North Wales on November 14th, followed by a show metallers Metal Machine, can be viewed below. The at the Waterfront in Norwich on the 15th, appearing on a bill that also includes Heaven’s Basement & track is taken from the band’s new album, “Free Nothing More.

Nation“, which was released on October Tickets for Hard Rock Hell on the official 24 via Dream Records. The video was created

by Gustavo Freeze at Elborato Productions in Spain website: www.hardrockhell.com; tickets for Norwich Waterfront available here: www.ents24.com/ and edited by Axel W. of RockNGrowl. norwich-events/the-waterfront/heavensbasement/4026665 The band will then head to the US to play a very special show at the Webster Hall in New York (December 12th), with more US & UK appearances to be announced.

Digital pre-orders of single Wasted ‘n’ Wounded are live now via iTunes, as well as a very special limited run of 7” records + t-shirt bundles, available via their DTC store here: https:// store.universalmusic.com/spinefarm/Santa-Cruz/ For more information check out: www.facebook.com/santacruzband Santa Cruz Reveal Brand New Single And Video ‘Wasted ‘N’ Wounded’

Search and Destroy Announces Global Label Partnership with Universal Music’s Spinefarm Records

Santa Cruz reveal their vibrant & wild video (directed

by Ville Juurikkala) for brand new track, ‘Wasted ‘N’ Wounded’. This clip follows the Finnish band’s equally International artist management company Raw Power Management has announced a new global

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partnership agreement for its successful record label imprint Search and Destroy.

Search and Destroy, which has launched bands such as Mallory Knox, Don Broco, Axewound, Crossfaith and While She Sleeps among others, has joined forces with the recently reinvigorated Spinefarm Records to sign both new and established talent moving forward.

Part of Universal Music Group, Spinefarm has offices in London, New York, and Helsinki, as well as a network of support around the world in association with Caroline– the global label services division of UMG. The Spinefarm roster features Electric Wizard (whose new album just debuted in the top 75 in both the U.S. and the UK), Amaranthe, Godsmack (ex-US), Venom, Killing Joke, and the recently inked Toothgrinder. In addition, Spinefarm has served within the UMG system as an international partner for the promotion and release of seminal acts including Ghost BC, Rammstein, Seether, Five Finger Death Punch, and Black Veil Brides, among others.

Raw Power Management have enjoyed international success in recent years with artists such as Bullet For My Valentine, Bring Me The Horizon, Of Mice and Men, Don Broco, Modestep, Charlie Simpson, Funeral for a Friend, Mallory Knox and many others. As well as its core artist management activities and Search and Destroy imprint the company has a growing music publishing operation, Raw Power Music.

The first artists signed under the new agreement are UK-based Turbowolf, who are appearing as Special Guests on the current Royal Blood UK tour. Their new album, co-produced with Tom Dalgety, will be released worldwide in April 2015. Signing simultaneously in the USA is the acclaimed band Atreyu, who will release their first new material in five years in Spring 2015.

Craig Jennings, Founder and CEO of Raw Power Management, said, “Search and Destroy is an important part of our growth plan so we are really pleased to have this new agreement in place with Spinefarm. Their enthusiasm for what we are trying to achieve with the label made them the obvious choice for a global partnership, and their company philosophy is a great fit with our own. We already have a really exciting release schedule and look forward to working with Jonas Nachsin and his team around the world. ” Jonas Nachsin, Worldwide GM of Spinefarm, said, “The principals and staff of Raw Power/Search and Destroy represent an exact fit for us in this new and exciting phase of Spinefarm’s evolution. They are music people, dedicated to working with and developing great rock bands, and have a great track record in doing so. That’s exactly what we are doing here, in a serious and determined way, and are thrilled to be locking arms with S&D in a common cause. With our staff, along with Craig Jennings,

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Don Jenkins, Matt Ash, and the whole team there, we represent an amazing home for rock talent.”

BBC Radio 1 esteemed programmer Dan P Carter will be heading up A&R efforts for Search and Destroy. Carter commented: “Having the show I do gives me an incredible opportunity to support the bands and music that I love. I get sent a lot of stuff from artists that have no label, publishing or support outside of what they've built for themselves, and to be able to help those bands and bring them to an audience is a beautiful and gratifying thing. I'm going to be able to help some of those artists and give them an outlet, support and a home on the label... exciting stuff.”

Jennings added: “We are delighted that Dan is joining our S and D team. He has been responsible for breaking several British rock and metal acts in his role at Radio 1, and we look forward to him bringing that expertise to the label.”

Counting Crows Reveal New Single And Announce A Uk Tour Following in the wake of critically acclaimed album Somewhere Under Wonderland, Counting Crows have unveiled their new single, the glorious fired-up blast of rock 'n' roll entitled, ‘Elvis Went To Hollywood’, impacting on December 15th. It’s a full throttle statement from the band as they return to the UK on November 1st for a full headline tour and appear on Later With Jools tomorrow. They visit London for two headline Roundhouse dates on Nov 10th and 11th 10th Studio Album Announced For Thunder After announcing their first ever UK arena tour for March 2015, and just returned from Tokyo where they played a gig to 15,000 fans, British rock legends Thunder are set to play a very special free show at London’s Brooklyn Bowl for 500 competition winners on November 6th. These lucky few were pulled from almost 6,000 eager entrants. After a genre-defining career in rock spanning 25 years, the London quintet will also be returning with a brand new album, their long-awaited tenth studio set, due for release in early 2015.

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If one band is truly justified to be proud of its rich legacy and their musical landmarks and achievements throughout their career, this would definitely be TEN, who, since their inception in 1995, are still able to stir the interest of both the press and the fans alike all around the world, receiving warm accolades with every single one of their releases. From the band’s debut album “X” in 1996 until their latest offering “Heresy And Creed” in 2012, an album which even brought the band into the top-30 of the UK Rock Charts upon its release, the mighty TEN have maintained their majestic presence on the genre, while the prospect of the release of their eleventh studio album entitled “Albion”, poises the band to return on the forefront once again as one of the leading bands of the genre.

“Albion”’s release proved to be the perfect opportunity for us to conduct an exclusive interview with the band’s leader Gary Hughes and the band’s new lead guitarists Dann Rosingana and Steve Grocott, so read on to see what they had to say about both the new album and about the band’s future plans!

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Hello Gary, how are you? “Albion” will be released very soon and early indications and the reactions so far deem it as a classic TEN album already!

How do you feel about that?

Hello! I have to say that I'm very pleased about the album and about the fact that the initial reactions have been so positive. It's always a daunting task to prepare a new set of material for release! It's rather like having a prototype car in the workshop. I'm never quite sure what will happen when I turn the ignition key.

where the three guitars are all playing essentially the same riff. It is something that works very well for them. In Ten it's more orchestral. Our three players are playing different layers, countermelodically. I think it will catch on. It adds a certain symphonic value to the general soundscape and brings a new dimension to the band’s overall sound.

The lead guitarist position in TEN has always been considered a hot seat of sorts, yet, I can’t shake the feeling that this time around things seem to be as hopeful as it was back in the early days, So “Albion” is the band’s eleventh studio album. when the band met unprecedented success all around Europe and Japan. Would you agree with Tell us a bit about the album itself and the that? mindset under which you worked on the new I sincerely hope so. I have been blessed in my songs. Was there a particular style you were career. I have worked alongside some immensely going after when you started working on them?

In all honesty, I have listened to the fans a great deal talented players like Chris Francis, Dan Mitchel, Neil Fraser and of course the supremely talented Vinny over the past couple of years. They are very Burns. Each has brought his own flavours into the forthcoming about what they like about the Ten sound and what they would love to hear from us, so Ten set up and I hope that I have in return managed to bring the best out of their abilities with the with this collection of material I've really tried to material I’ve written during their time in the band. cater for their wishes. This time I have completed 22 tracks and so there will be a second album from Having said that though, it's always been quite difficult to bring in new player without drawing this batch of songs in the not too distant future. obvious, yet irrelevant comparisons to their predecessors, despite the fact that each was a very So, what’s the inspiration behind the album’s different player from the last. No matter what title? How did you come up with it?

Albion is the oldest recorded name for the collective though, I have always tried to bring talented musicians to the fore. Dann and Steve for instance British Isles, dating back to the time of Queen had been on my radar for a while and now will Boadicea. She was the Warrior chieftain and she hopefully begin to get some of the accolades they so was famous for fighting the Romans. The song much deserve.

“Albion Born” chronicles the eve of such a battle. It recounts the thoughts of the men around the Listening to the album, I’d say that “Albion” campfires and their war prayers to their Pagan sounds like a cross between the band’s first six Gods. studio albums and Stormwarning. How would you describe the album yourself and how did it feel “Albion” is also the first album featuring the going back to the roots in sense, having forsaken band’s new and revamped lineup – namely the for the time being the more Symphonic elements band’s two new lead guitarists, Dann Rosingana the band has always been well-known about? and Steve Grocott. What prompted you into the It really just a return to the pure essences of Ten. decision to acquiring the services of two instead We have simply developed each song as its own of one axemen? animal without a pre conception of style or depth.

I’ve always felt that there was room for another guitar player in Ten in order to enable us to present Believe me, if one of these songs actually needed a symphonic overtone it would definitely have one. This live as accurately as possible the many layers of collection of songs though could very well stand up Ten's studio sound. Dann and Steve are complementing each other perfectly. They are both on just an acoustic guitar and a voice. This to me is the true mark of a good song - Whoever records it. very melodic and technical players and it is very interesting how the Ten sound has developed since Which tracks from “Albion” would you say are the their arrival. We now have the twin harmony leads that have always been missing and the band’s sound ones that describe the album the best and what is more complete and full than ever before. I have to can you tell us about them?

If I had to pick three tracks I would say “Alone In The say I’m really happy with the final result!

Dark Tonight”, “A Smuggler's Tale” and “Sometimes Do you feel that this new first for TEN will mark a Love Takes The Long Way Home”.

The former (Alone In The Dark) is a good new reference point on the genre and may find example of the riff oriented basis of the whole more imitators in the (not-so-distant) future? album. It is powerful, yet laden with commercial Without a doubt. It widens the sound for any band.

Bands such as Iron Maiden have done it in situations hooks and overtones. As far as its lyrical concept is

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concerned, it is based on Emily Bronte's book 'Wuthering Heights'. The idea is that a Heathcliff style character is roaming the cemetery garden of the undead for centuries, mourning his long lost love. `“A Smuggler's Tale” is exactly what the title itself suggests. It is based on Daphne Du Maurier's book “Jamaica Inn” and tells the tale of a ship which was wrecked on the rocks during a storm. Granted the opportunity, the smugglers were claiming their bounty by bludgeoning any survivors in the shallows.

A gruesome tale really.

Sometimes Love... on the other hand is a big Ten ballad. It is the true representation of the softer side of the album and Ten's legacy towards the strong ballads that are always present in our albums.

All three of the aforementioned tracks are giving a pretty good idea of the range of flavours on our new album.

been one of my favourite albums from the band, would you ever be looking to go back to the Symphonic sound?

Of course. The symphonic edge is very much a part of Ten's battery of weapons now. Yet when it comes to the songs, each one gets what it requires. It's as simple as that. It’s important to state here though that I absolutely love the symphonic sound since it’s actually allowing me more freedom to exercise my classical background.

A very interesting track for me from this album is “Gioco D’Amore”, with the chorus being sung in Italian! How did that come about?

Each time I write a song I'm looking for a different angle. No songwriter wants to repeat him or herself and it’s much harder when it comes to writing a ballad, because practically a love song is a love song.

Earlier this year I caught a Boccelli concert on TV and I remember thinking how well Italian as a language rolls of the tongue. So, I just thought that it would be nice to do a song with a universal chorus sung in a different language.

I really enjoyed the experience and I hope I've done it justice.

I’ve read more than a couple of reviews that are praising the album’s production, noting that it’s up to the standard of the Mike Stone era. As you did on “Stormwarning” and “Heresy And Creed”, you’ve worked with Dennis Ward again. Were you not tempted to work with someone new this time around?

It's a catch 22 situation when you make a leap of faith like that. It's always exciting to work with someone new and hear things afresh, but when you have a situation that you are more than happy with, then this could also be a musical suicide.

I loved the mixes that Dennis has done for me over the years and I figured with so many other aspects of the band changing for this album, why change a part that I already know that’s working fine? Dennis knows me very well now and he knows what I want from a mix. At the end of the day, Dennis, Mike (Stone) and Tommy Newton are the three favourite mix engineers I've ever worked with.

Seeing as I mentioned the band’s tendency to Symphonic rock/metal, I have to state here that as “The Twilight Chronicles” album has always

One of the most impressive trivia facts about TEN is the fact that both TEN and you as a solo artist helped kickstart not one, but three record labels of the genre altogether. How do you feel about that?

Very proud indeed. There's a lot of pressure when you’re the first of anything.

With Now and Then Records the success of my solo album literally determined if another band would get to make Now and Then release number 2 and so on. I remember money was very tight then.

Similarly, Frontiers Records were just European distributors for Now and Then Records in the beginning. Never Say Goodbye was their very first release and they ended up with a very extensive roster as a standalone record label. I am proud to have been afforded this trust by both labels and pleased to be able to say that both labels flourished to extensive catalogues from that point on. I am hoping that Rocktopia will be the third label in my career to benefit from the same luck. It is nice to be able to pay something back for the belief and investment that these labels have made in my music.

Looking at your official website, it’s nice to see the band having such a strong international presence, with fan-clubs spawning all around the world. How do you feel about it?

I'm simply made up with the new site. It's fabulous and a great credit should go to the guys who have worked so hard on it behind the scenes. We are incredibly fortunate to have certain individuals (Michael and Jason) in our ranks, who work constantly and selflessly on the things that the band would simply never be able to keep on top of. Our new website is an example of this and we are tremendously grateful.

It feels like a close family where everyone works together. Our fans of course being another very important element of this extended family and we treasure and cherish them too. I am really grateful for all their support all these years!

I know that you just did Firefest, how was that?

Firefest was a blast. It was great to see fans there from all over the world.

I am hoping that TEN will do a great many live shows next year in support of Albion and it's

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and it's follow up album.

Since 2015 is the 20th year anniversary for the band, I’ll be guessing that we shall be expecting more live dates during the year?

Yes indeed. We're hoping to play extensively all around Europe and visit as many places as we can with this new line-up.

We are also planning to finally return to Japan to tour for the first time since 2003.

Setlist-wise we will be presenting our new material and also include an Anniversary selection of songs spanning the history of the band so far.

There is also some talk of TEN playing some shows specifically to perform selected albums in their entirety to celebrate this 20 year landmark. So, I can safely say that there are some very exciting things coming up in the very near future, so… Watch this space!

As you mentioned before Gary and as it was also announced via the band’s official outlets, there is also going to be a second album, which will be released in early 2015. What can you tell us about it?

This is true! I found myself in a situation not unlike I found myself in at the beginning of TEN where 24

songs became the “Ten” and “The Name Of The Rose” albums. This time we actually recorded 22 tracks. Unable to pick from them we simply decided (as we did back then) to divide them into 2 separate releases. The songs on “Albion” were chosen not because they were stronger than the others, but because these particular ones sat together very well as a collection. The second half of this particular batch is equally as strong and promises to be a very worthy follow up to Albion. It is very exciting to be able to repeat history as we did about 20 years ago!

Thank you so much for the interview Gary! Please leave a message to our readers!

My pleasure as always. Your readers and the fans must remind themselves that THEY are what matters in all this. Albion is an album for the fans and I hope that they will enjoy our humble offering.

I’m absolutely looking forward to seeing as many of you guys as I can during our tour next year!

Until then… Keep safe!

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Hello and welcome on Firebrand Magazine! How are you today?

Steve Grocott: Marvellous my dear chap!

Dann Rosingana: I'm fine thanks!

So, you were recently announced as one of the two new lead guitarists of TEN. Can you tell us a little about it and how it all fell into place?

Steve Grocott: Basically I was reading the forum on the Melodic Rock website and it was announced that Dan Mitchel was leaving the band due to health reasons. So I sent an email to TEN stating that “I am a Guitar player please check out my website” and to my amazement within the space of half an hour I had a reply from a Mr Jason Thanos entitled “Possible Work” so before I actually read it you could have stuck a peace of coal up my ass and you would have had a diamond in two minutes. To be honest I never really expected a reply, I’m glad I did as it was telling me that the demos that I recorded for my website did have the potential to grab the attention of the more shall we say, classier heavier style rock connoisseur so to speak. After several conversions with Jason auditions were arranged and we took it from there.

Dann Rosingana: Well I've known Gary for quite a while. In 2001 my band were going to record a CD for Frontiers and Gary was going to produce it.

However, the band split while we were doing rough demos for a full length recording. Then around 2006 I started getting a strange problem with my arm and so I had to stop practicing, writing and recording altogether, so ended up disappearing from the scene. Just doing a gig a week with my covers band was all I could manage. I tried lots of treatments over the years for my arm but nothing really cured it so I pretty much gave up on writing and recording. Then Gary phoned me asking what I was up to and if I was interested in trying out for Ten. I said I was but I hadn't done anything for 7 years and was out of practice. I went and had a jam with the band but after 30 minutes my arm problem was giving me trouble so it was a worry, but Gary still liked what I'd done which was great. I realised that unless I sorted my arm out I wasn't going to be able to join. I could still play, but not for any length of time, so I couldn't practice and get my chops up to standard as they had fallen off during this time. I went to see someone in Manchester around May and they noticed what my problem was and were able to temporarily fix me straight away. I contacted Gary and told him that it looked like I was going to be OK for it. I then had about 10 days to get practicing as much as I could and amazingly enough my arm was fine for the first time in 8 years. I started recording my solos just 14 days later. So it's been a very hectic last 4 months, I'm not totally cured and I'm having physiotherapy regularly, but I'm really thankful to get this opportunity to play and record again.

This is actually the very first time in the band’s history that TEN are featuring two lead guitarists instead of one. How does it feel sharing the lead guitar duties and how did you pick the solos you’d perform on each corresponding track?

Steve Grocott: I used to be in a twin guitar band so I’m kinda used to the dual guitar thingy. It’s funny whenever there’s more than one Guitar player; especially when you’re in a rock band you always feel compelled to enter the ego “Gladiator School of Guitar - Face Off”. Thankfully this couldn’t be further from the truth as I’m not that kind of player, you play the way you do and that’s it. It’s all about individuality and what you can bring to the song table. Solo wise it was just what felt natural so it was just a case of having a go on a particular track that pricked your ears up. There were some tracks that I really wanted to play on so you just had to get on with it do your best and hoped it made the grade.

Dann Rosingana: It's great, it's been 15 years since I was in a band with two main guitarists. That was a covers band though playing lots of The Eagles, The Beatles and Rolling Stones, so it was very different to Ten. Steve and I agreed to just go and listen to the tracks and then give each other a ring when one of us had got something going on a particular track, luckily we'd both been working on separate songs anyway which was a bit of luck.

I’m sure you’re aware of the fact that the lead guitarist position in the band has always been considered a hot seat of sorts. Do you feel any kind of pressure being part of the band?

Steve Grocott: Absolutely, just take a listen to any TEN song.

Dann Rosingana: Yes, lots. In fact I've never replaced a guitarist in an original band before. All the original bands I've been in have had me as the guitarist from the start. Also, Ten have made a lot of albums over the years and I'm trying to do my best to keep with the feel of the original versions of the songs. All the previous guitarists are great and brought a different sound to the albums they played on. It is a big challenge, with my arm problem I've only been gigging with my covers band (who I've been with for 20 years) this last 8 years. But we are well rehearsed and we know the set so well we can play without even thinking about it, which is great but I'd become very comfortable with just doing that. So joining Ten was jumping in at the deep end I suppose, especially without having much time after getting my arm sorted. So yeah, lots of pressure in many different ways.

So, which tracks from "Albion" would you deem as personal favourites and why?

Steve Grocott: “Battlefield” just love the way the track builds up great chorus and Guitar solo. Myself and Dan both recorded solos for this song but I

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never got to hear what Dan had recorded and vice versa. It was really weird because what we had recorded sits over each other perfectly. The finished product just blew me away.

“It Ends This Day”. Awesome melody on the chorus, you will be humming this one for weeks.

“Sometimes Love Takes The Long Way Home”.

Absolutely haunting classic TEN ballad.

Dann Rosingana: I'm not really sure I have a favourite, I think Gary has done some great stuff on this album and all the songs are very strong. I'm very pleased with my solos on “It's Alive” and “Die For Me”, which I actually recorded in the same afternoon.

I have to ask this… How did it feel working with Gary in the studio? How did it feel shaping these very strong songs into what we can hear now?

Steve Grocott: I have my own studio so it was a natural progression to record my guitar parts at my place then once completed I’d send them over to Gary to overview, if there were any parts that needed tweaking / editing I’d go over to his studio to edit. I recorded many parts for the same song so that he could pick and choose as he saw fit. Gary has a natural ability for getting the best out of people, let’s be honest without blowing wind up his ass the guys a natural songsmith and he’s not going to let any old shit near his songs. When I first heard the demos of the songs on “Albion” you just instantly knew this was going to be massive.

Dann Rosingana: It was great, Gary was very laid back. I was a bit nervous before we started as it had been 8 years since I'd done any recording. So I decided the best thing was to start with some of the less challenging solos i.e. the ballads and ease my way back into it. Most of the ideas I had ready before I went, but I also like to have a jam too with the song while we are recording as sometimes you can get some good bits happening. We did that one afternoon and we came up with a whole new part for a song, which was great.

Dann Rosingana: Thank you. Well I've not played on many recordings of other bands before, only about 5 songs I think. It's always been songs that I've written myself, so it was a new challenge. Some of the songs I write are of a similar style and I've been listening to Ten for years. I also think being in a covers band also helped quite a bit, playing lots of songs from various bands I think has given my playing more variety and I hope that has come across quite well on the album.

Generally, what does this album mean to you personally? What does “Albion” stand for fore you and how would you describe the music presented?

Steve Grocott: This album has restored my faith in human nature, let’s be honest music is a cut throat business with broken promise’s thrown in for good measure. It was just “wuckin” awesome experience to be guided to that light at the end of the tunnel after so many let downs over the years. The title “Albion” without sounding like a pretentious twat suggests strength, brotherhood, mutual respect and pride in this green and pleasant land and in the face off all adversity... blood, sweat and definitely no tears.

The songs on the album have light and shade in abundance, in one word classy. Mr Hughes has definitely raised the bar on this one!

Dann Rosingana: It means a lot. I've done lots of original bands over the years playing progressive rock, blues rock, guitar instrumentals and AOR but they never progressed any further than demos. Then with my strange and not easy to diagnose arm and hand problem it crossed my mind that I might never get back to recording or releasing anything. So to finally play on this CD is something I very proud of and I hope to continue my progress and play on more albums over the next few years. I think the music on this CD has a few styles, some slightly progressive, some bluesy and with some AOR too.

Despite the fact that this is actually your very first album with TEN, I feel that you’ve already managed to bring in a personal element and a sense of melody with your solos and guitar playing in general that without a doubt brings back memories of the early years of the band. Was that an intentional move and how did this artistic freedom affect the final outcome in your opinion?

Steve Grocott: When you are presented with songs as strong as those found on “Albion” they guide you to the point where and you can almost instantly hear in your head what the finished outcome would be like, without getting too deep it’s a bit like an artist as he paints a picture he just knows what detail to add. I just hope that the TEN fans like what we have done.

Above all melody is key... the rest will follow then just have to try and convince the Boss LOL.

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Tell us a few words about your musical background. How did you get started in the first place and which guitarists would you say have influenced you the most to pick up the instrument?

Steve Grocott: I have been playing guitar now for over three decades, pretending at an early age by gonking in the mirror with a tennis racquet to some of favourite bands (long before "Guitar Hero" came out,). At the age of 12 after my tennis racquet needed new strings I managed to convince my Mum (bless her) that I wanted to play guitar and somehow she managed to scramble a bit of cash together to buy me my first electric guitar and practice amp. It was a copy of a "Gibson ES 335" and the amp that came with it had an amazing thing called "overdrive" built in much to the annoyance of our neighbours.

I cut my teeth live playing in different bands covering a broad range of musical styles over the years ranging from Tribute, Corporate, Pub/Club to original Rock/AOR bands supporting name artists at prestigious venues up and down the UK. It’s a bit of a cliché but I am heavily influenced by "Classical" music and have been for many years but not to the extent of trying to bore people. The fusion between melodic rock with a sprinkling of classical expression is exactly that, class. "Film Score" also has a real added interest for me but one of my mainstay passions is Melodic Rock.

I used to be in a share lead and rhythm Guitar duties in an AOR band called "Sevendayz" which had a good following on the live circuit. In May of 2008 whilst supporting “House Of Lords" we were fortunate enough to be signed to an American record label based in New York who flew us over to the states in November of the same year. But sadly as the album was being finished off the band "Imploded".

Being in TEN has seen my return to the live circuit after a bit of a hiatus. I’ve spent the last couple of years trying to get into session playing and building up my studio. I play every day without fail.

Early influences range from Randy Rhoads, Early Malmsteen to Tony McAlpine, John Sykes, John Norum, Gary Moore etc. Now I’m an old git influences have matured a bit now it’s more Steve Lukather, Neil Schon, Trevor Rabin, Dann Huff and Tommy Denander the list goes on. ...............

Dann Rosingana: I first started playing Piano when I was about 6 and started Guitar when I was 10. My dad and my uncles played in bands so it made it a bit easier to get started. My favourite players at the start were Ritchie Blackmore, Alex Lifeson and Jake E Lee. Then later George Lynch, Vinnie Moore, Yngwie Malmsteen, Neal Schon, Steve Lukather and John Petrucci. There are many others but they’re way too many to mention here.

really like the 24 ¾” scale. Frets on my guitars have to be Jescar Evo Gold they give this mid-range sweet spot that sounds killer and never wear out they’re not as hard as Stainless Steel but harder than the standard German silver that’s used on a lot of guitars. I’ve tried lots of gear over the years and like a lot of players I’ve yet to find the Holy Grail straight out of the box. I love the sound of the big rack fairy light systems so I do like the preamp, FX, power amp set up one thing though, pre and power amps definitely have to be Valve.

I like the idea that with the right components at the flick of a switch you can get any sound you can dream of........maybe one day eh?

Dann Rosingana: My gear is very basic these days. I used to have a big rig but sometimes it wasn't always practical so I slimmed it down. I use a VHT (now called Fryette) amp head that I've had for 15 years now with a Marshall cab. I also have a Boss delay and Boss Chorus. My guitar is an Ernie Ball Axis Super Sport.

Let’s get back to TEN for a bit here… Which tracks from the band’s back catalogue are you most looking forward to playing live and why?

Steve Grocott: Any of the early classic TEN back catalogue really, too many to say I’m just enjoying getting back into the scene. I have to say though I do like the album “Babylon”.

Dann Rosingana: I'm looking forward to playing anything really, it's something new for me and it's good to have a fresh batch of songs to play.

2015 Marks the 20th Anniversary for the band how do you feel about what is to come with TEN following the release of the next two albums?

And… What shall we expect to hear on the second one?

Steve Grocott: It’s too early to say at the moment I’m just going to follow my nose as all this is still new to me but there is definitely no doubt in my mind that these two albums will further enhance the band TEN to be one of the stronger, shinier links in the long chain of great rock acts. All I can say about the next album............just wait till to you hear it !!!!!!

Dann Rosingana: It should be a good time for the band, I'm glad I'm part of that milestone too. Gary has put so much work into it over the years I'm pleased he's getting this 20th anniversary. The next album has some slightly different solos, some being quite long and a bit more twin lead too.

Let’s talk a bit about your equipment … Favourite guitars and gear?

Steve Grocott: Favourite Guitars, definitely Gibson I

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Thanks for taking the time out for an interview.

This one will probably fall into my category of fan boy ones unfortunately I’m afraid due to listening to you guys back when I was finishing high school so feel free to put me back on track if it goes too far fan boy. (laughter) that’s cool

name, changed the C to a K and that was it really.

We were then known as Kerbdog and it was as simple as that. There is no great mystery behind it.

Did you grow out of the BMX scene eventually or do you still follow that type of thing?

I don’t follow it at all but our drummer he’s big into bikes and he runs a bike shop now so he’s back into Reading through your Wikipedia I noticed that as all that kind of stuff. He was sort of fan boy of it all band you started off when you were in high school really. He’s still living the dream in terms of BMXs (which explains why I thought you looked so young and that kind of stuff. Certainly with me it was a back then when seeing you in the likes of Kerrang childhood phase. BMX, skateboards, space hoppers, and all that). What was it like going from that type Rubik’s Cubes and all that type of stuff was just a craze for me. But that’s where we got the name of start to being signed in such a short space of from because we couldn’t think of anything else at time? the time.

It was amazing because it happened very very quickly. What happened was we was a covers band to begin with and I failed a year of college so I wrote Interestingly enough you mention about the shop a few songs and we made a demo in June of 1992 and like a lot of bands seem to be doing you guys all have day jobs to supplement your music. How and sent it off and thought we would hear nothing. do you fit all that stuff in?

Then we got contacted by every record company that we had sent it out to and they all descended on I would say that we do music to supplement our day our small town in the South of Ireland. People came jobs really because we all have day jobs and all that from America, Tom Zutaut who was Guns N Roses kind of stuff and this music that we are embarking on at the moment is something to feed our souls to a& r man was there with all these guys in a pub in make us feel human and to give us something rural Ireland. A day after we did the show case Mercury records offered us a deal straight away on outside of the normal familiar type living and go back to the new reality of being a touring band and the Sunday and that was it. All within a matter of weeks which was just bizarre. It was a dream come bringing out records and all that type of stuff. Maybe it could be called midlife crises rock or something true and felt like winning the lottery. like that I’m not really sure but that’s what it is all Yes I remember all the stuff popping from around about for us. then. I think I have still got the single with the photo of you dressed as a Crossing Guard knocking around somewhere. (laughter) Yes I was dressed as a Lollypop man. (laughter) Yes it was pretty mental back then.

How much truth is there to changing the original band name (Rollercoaster) to the Kerbdog one due to an ‘obsession with a Californian BMX team’ ?

We were all into BMX’x in the 80s when we were kids. I think what happened was that there was a tour going around Europe featuring bands like Jesus And The Marychain, Dinosaur Junior as a package and it was called the Rollercoaster tour so we thought we can’t call ourselves Rollercoastrer and that we would have to think of something else and we was all into BMX stuff in college and these guys were a California BMX team so we just stole their

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Over the years you guys have achieved a lot of things to be fair in the short time that you was active as a band, what do you think the bands greatest achievement that the band has done so far?

The biggest achievement was to bring out the album ‘On The Turn’. We are still very proud of that record and we certainly believe that it could have been an absolute monster. I think it our calling card really. At the time it was the right album but at the wrong time in the wrong place really with it coming out in the middle of the Brit Pop wars it didn’t have a chance.

Our biggest achievement is that to have that document. That album is something that we are very very proud of. There are many things that we have done over the years but that really stands out. It also depends upon how you measure success as well.

You could also look at the whole thing as a complete failure and it never got exposed to the max like it should have been but I think it will be our lasting success and the posthumous success that we had since we broke up.

You have just released the live album. Has there been much feedback from it at all?

Yes the feedback has been brilliant. It’s the second What do you put the resurgence in the interest in best live album ever from Ireland with the number one always being ‘Live And Dangerous’ by Thin Lizzy the band to? but I’ll take that, and also we did a new track called I don’t know. I think what happened was when we broke up after we got dropped by Mercury we didn't ‘Electricity’ and it weaves in nicely. Generally when a band comes back and does a new song it sounds realise that in the interviening years people were passing our music between each other, burning cds, terrible in my experience and I was afraid that it making tapes, downloading stuff and all that type of would happen to us but it didn’t and the feedback we have had off it has been overwhelming and this is stuff, and we seemed to have this posthumourious success and had no idea that we was gaining loads from the internet where people can say its shit and and loads of fans until we decided to do a gig for fun troll you and call you losers etc. we had none of that and haven’t been attacked by anybody which is after I sent a drunken text message to the lads, which sold out immediately. We ended up doing the extraordinary.. We can’t wait to get out there and do same venue in cities all around Ireland two nights in nine gigs in a row and get back out onto the road with our arses sticking out of the back of a van again. a row and played to all these people who we had never seen before and I was curious so I asked people how they had heard of us and they said oh a Now you mentioned about the new track. I will friend gave me a tape, or I was too young to go and have to ask you this or I will get lynched. Are we see you at the time or wasn’t allowed, I got into you likely to see any new studio stuff coming out from on the internet. It just seemed to have been a word you? of mouth thing that had happened after we had gone You know what, the experience of doing that new track and the ability to things so fastly and cheaply which we only discovered by accident. If I hadn’t now has opened up that question again. Before this organised that gig in the first place none of this the answer would have been no but now I would say would have happened. We would never have the answer probably is yes. I can only imagine that discovered all the new fans that are out there. we will get in a studio maybe sometime next year and put out a new album because it can be done.

Yes it’s a hindsight thing isn’t it.

Yes. My advice to a band is going out there, make a We don’t have to fly to LA, we don’t have to spend one thousand pounds a day on a studio anymore it really good album, and then break up. Come back together again 10 to 15 years later and Bobs your doesn’t work like that and people dig the crowd fund album these days the whole thing has changed. The uncle. You will be fine (laughter). whole dynamics on the way the music would is treated has been turned upside down as we found Quite a lot of bands are doing that lately out with this latest album.

Yes (laughter)

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Yes the entire thing keeps changing. Have there been any more changes like that which you have noticed since last time around?

Everything has changed, absolutely everything has changed. Record companies don’t make money off cds anymore because no one is really buying them.

Music is virtually free really. As soon as people bring out albums and it’s on the internet within seconds.

You might as well consider your music to be free where as a short time ago people used to do gigs to promote records so that hopefully some of the people who would go to your gig would buy the record. It’s the other way around now. You give away your music for nothing hoping that they will come and see you play live. It’s harder and harder for a band, especially young and up and coming bands, to viable do it as well. Getting from venue to venue costs money, everything is free now which is making it much harder for people to be professional musicians. But that is the internet . It is a double edged sword. It gives you access to all this music but it has in some ways devalued it because anything that you don’t have to pay for becomes intendant and you don’t put any value on it yourself. It’s ever decreasing circles. I think the whole thing is still in the middle of a massive change which hasn’t stopped yet and a new model is still emerging which has been happening for the last ten years but hasn’t came out but it will.

thought they would do.

I noticed that you had sold out one of them. Was it Glasgow?

Yes Glasgow has sold out and Nottingham is about to sell out, Dublin will probably sell out. The London and Manchester ones are in huge places with lots of bands playing them. They are mini festivals really.

We will have to see where those ones go. It’s been surprising really. The Ritz in Manchester is a huge venue and if we sell it out it would be a tall order but yes it’s been surprising and judging from the ticket sales so far it’s going well and we are going to have a serious amount of fun.

It’s got to be done really.

Yes. We are going to drink a lot of beer and have a lot of fun.

OK final question as I am going to have to wrap this up now. Are there any messages that you would like to pass on to the fans?

I like to say thanks for following really and thanks for finding us. We don’t care how you found out about us and how you found our music because we don’t care about money or anything like that. We just want to say to people come along to the gigs and see us do what we do best and you will have a good time. We don’t take ourselves too seriously and you will have a very good time with us on the night. Life is short.

Enjoy yourself. Come and see Kerbdog. That should You mentioned the tour earlier is your ticket sales be on your Bucket list. doing well? https://www.facebook.com/kerbdogband?fref=ts Yes they are – they are doing a lot better than I http://www.kerbdog.com/

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Sponsored by

Interviewed by Phil Schofield 26

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For decades, Martina Edoff has been a familiar name in the Swedish music business. As the backing vocalist for Dr Alban, E-Type and more Swedish artists than we’ve got space to mention, her phone number has been the one to have whenever you’ve needed a pro behind the star.

She has recently released her self titled debut album featuring ten strong rock songs together with guitarists Martin Hedström, Benny Jansson and Johan Randén, bassist Thomas Lindberg and drummer Per Lindvall, all produced by Robert Wellerfors As the worthy Band of the Month winner for September, our very own Phil Schofield caught up with Martina to discuss her career to date.

Hi Martina, firstly. let me ask you how you felt about winning the band of the month?

It was wonderful, I didn’t expect it at all

but as soon as I had done it and got home I started to write my own rock music again.

Now talking about rock music you touched briefly Now you’ve just released your first debut solo on it before and that is your love of the Wilson album and can you tell us a little about the kinds of Sisters and on a National TV talent show , you sang Hearts Alone? musical style the readers can expect on the Yes I did , I was 18 or 19 I guess when I was a album? competitor on this show Well this is a hard question because I write the songs and I don’t have this thought of what style but I know the people want to know what kind of music is So what year would that have been? Can you it, what does it sound like and I think it comes from remember? my influence maybe erm whether it is AOR ,maybe Oh it would have been sometime at the end of the classic rock or whatever, its just my kinda music that nineteen eighties I guess.

I wrote and so hard to answer that question.

So the song wouldn’t have been that old then Well I’ve listened a few times to the album and we would it? had a little chat off air beforehand & I would tend No it was quite new when I sang it to agree that when you listen to the songs, they What was the reaction on the show? are very soulful, very melodic and maybe fit an AOR style but really when you place yourself in the On the show it was a good reaction, I didn’t win at female rock vocalist category its good to see quite that time but I still remember it made quite an impression to do that song. a lot of light and shade on the different tracks, some up tempo songs and even a little crossover into some slightly country styles would you agree Indeed , im not a fan of these kinds of shows as we have them here in the UK like The X factor & The with that?

I’ve heard some people say that yes, that was not my Voice but I’m always intrigued as I pay a lot of attention to the countries equivalent shows like intention but maybe it came out that way.(Laughs) for example in the US where Chris Daughtry Can I ask you then to give the readers as little us a launched a career as a rock vocalist from coming runner up on a similar show American Idol. So little bit of your background as its been a very interesting musical journey to where you are now. even in a similar way, from singing a rock song it must of inspired you to carry on at a later stage, Well. I started when I was very young singing with different kinds of bands, doing all the kinds of talent rather than be a backing singer for other artists competitions and on National TV one song I sang why not go on and record my own album. was a song from Heart . From there I moved on to Yes absolutely that was one of my biggest dreams be a freelance singer for many years. but its been kind of difficult to do, to make someone else offer me to do a record.

You sang with quite a few artists, although Firebrand is known as a rock radio station we cast So what kind of things have you been doing in our net far & wide and I believe you sang with Dr between and up to recording the album this year?

Alban ?

I’ve been out with bands singing, solo performing Yes that’s true and that’s one of my experiences as I many kinds of music, working in the studio a lot & I got to travel the whole world and sing as a backing also did another TV show In Sweden called the Fame singer , even though I might not have loved the music Factory as well as travelling and touring, writing in my heart, it was fun to do it, to see many places music…so many things

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And also you became a mother in 2005?

Yes that’s true So how many children have you got now?

I have one boy he’s nine now.

So moving slightly off the subject what musical influence have you created for your children what kind of music does he like to listen to ? Does he like any particular music?

You know as a musician parent. I have tried to force him into liking the music, you know... “shouldn’t you start to sing this is very funny?”, “wouldn’t you like to play an instrument this is also fun”…but he say’s “no I hate everything about that“, but then after a while I can hear him sitting in his room listening to music that I have presented to him. Finding it himself on the internet, in fact listening to some really old music sometimes.

Take My Heart) that was quite surprising, what influenced you to pick that track?

Well you know, since I like that kind of music that fits into the era of Heart & all that kind of thing. I thought that maybe I should do a cover and I didn’t want to do the most well known so I listened to it and chose one that I though was a good song, they are all great songs but I chose this one.

Also I want to give people a link to the video for “ On the Top” on You Tube (below) what was that like to drive that car? Did you drive it?

Yes I did it was fun, it was really fun but it was quite hard because we had cameras on the back and sides of the car so I had to be very careful when I drove it but still sing and still act.

It’s a crazy video , for anyone who’s not seen it, you’re driving along, yes , singing the track and then along the way picking up hitchhikers as you Yes I understand that. I have a similar situation in go then you get a very,very crazy one at the end that having brought up three girls, when they were who is dressed as a drag queen. So I was trying to growing up, a lot of people said being a DJ playing work out what has this got to do with the video? music and working with bands surely your No it was just funny all over. This song is about influencing them also. But in fact children tend to (lyrics) I’ve been sitting alone for a while and I’m not find when they pick their own songs , they like to going to be afraid anymore, I’m open just to go out any meet anybody who is happy and you know I go for feel they invented or found the music. Like the feeling when you pick up and listen to say a Heart it. I’m on the Top , I feel good and we then we thought album for the first time and from their jump left & about this for the video so we were just playing around with some ideas to represent this. So we right & discover your own musical tastes.

Its so interesting to hear children playing music that I thought maybe I should just drive a car and pick up a listened to when I was a child and that they found it guy here & there and in the end they are all wrong for you so you don’t want anyone of them so just just themselves. kick them out and go away with these bikers coming On the album, you also chose a Mr Big track (Just along.

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thing in Sweden.

So we started a band in 1999 doing it just for fun because at that time everyone really didn’t want to hear those types of songs. So we did it all in, with the hairbands & all the make up and everything & people really really liked it. Then of course I decided we have to have a name so that people will know what this is all about so I came up with The Poodles & we were out touring for a few years in Sweden.

Then I decided to go my own way & later then they found Jacob Then really with a nod & a wink the Poodles should really thank you for starting it all off.

Ahhh no they wouldn’t but (laughs) no we were just playing covers at that time but now they are known for their own music of course. But then when we were out we were out we were doing all these famous covers like every body knew like The Final Countdown, Holy Diver & Bon Jovi songs Twisted Sister , Iron Maiden etc Yeh ,that was very funny to look and see you as I didn’t remember you being in The Poodles Yeh, I was there before they were famous Well maybe you should get some of the royalties then shouldn’t you No (laughs) but its there So from the album being released have you gigged the album?

No we did the release party but you know it’s quite hard because the music has to be on the radio a lot before the people get to know it so we are waiting and trying to get on a tour later on.

Well its been great talking & thanks taking time out of your schedule to talk about your career. Can I thank you on behalf of the Firebrand listeners & wish you all the success with the album Thank you very much http://www.martinaedoff.com

That’s interesting because when I think of female rock artist singers & indeed the Swedish & Scandinavian bands also, maybe you’re thinking of getting on a support tour with a band?

Yes I would like to do that, I was only talking about that yesterday.

Maybe a support slot or some showcase shows, who knows because I certainly think the album is strong enough.

Yes we would start with shows in Sweden , I have my own band now and then we would hopefully find a way to go and play abroad as well.

Yes , going through the biography, I had a quick look and noticed in the early days you played with The Poodles is that right? So take me back and tell us what kind of songs you were playing with the band at that time.

Haha, this is a funny story because ne and my boyfriend at the time, we were in Thailand listening to a band in Peepee Island playing the most famous rock songs from the eighties. So we were sitting there and thought about doing the same

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I often hear the excuse that ‘people just don’t buy music anymore’ from, frankly, most musicians trying to sell albums. And until recently this was something I too believed to be true.

to win X-Factor and consequently sign your life away.

There just isn’t enough money in the industry anymore. So, if you are serious about earning money as a musician, you have to treat your band as a business. And you have to run this business and put Of course the internet has changed things the hours in. Albums, merchandise and concert considerably. File sharing and sites like Napster have tickets are your product which you have to shift. As made music easy to pirate, dirt cheap to stream and with all businesses, you have to invest in your extremely plentiful. It’s tougher than ever to stand business, not only when it comes to producing quality out from the crowd. Yet bands still expect to recordings, but also with PR, advertising and most produce an album with some nice artwork and importantly your time. expect it to fly off the shelves just because they’re ‘awesome’. It just doesn’t work like that.

Another important thing to realise is that hardly anyone will buy music from a band or artist they A band may have invested in some magazine don’t know. If you send someone to your iTunes page advertising and got some reviews and some radio they may have a little listen at best, but they won’t play, thinking that should do the job. Nope – afraid buy. So how does a relatively new band overcome not. Think about it: - when did YOU last see an advert this? for a band and immediately went out to buy the album? Chances are, you may have thought: ‘This looks interesting. I must check it out.’ And more often than not forgotten about immediately afterwards.

Same with radio play. You hear a new track and think ‘this is great!’. But chances are you didn’t catch the name and it’s not until you’ve heard the same track several times you start clocking who it is. And even then you may still not remember to buy the album.

So, what has changed my mind that people do, in fact, still spend money on music? Well, it was a couple of marketing courses, which concentrated on musicians and the basic psychology of selling. I laboured through these over the course of a few months and of course had to give what I learned a go. And, amazingly, it works! I have sold 10 times as many albums in a month than I have all year.

Now I cannot condense months of study into one article, but I would like to point out some important truths.

The days of having a magical manager sorting everything out for you are gone, unless you happen

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The truth is, it’s a combination of factors. Firstly you have to get your name out there to a degree. And this is where reviews, interviews, radio play etc are extremely valuable. It shows that you’re a serious artist. It gives you visibility. People can find you if they decide to google you. They won’t buy at this stage, but your name will start to sink in on at least a subconscious level.

will start to see a big difference. A band’s biggest asset are their fans, and you have to know where they are and how to contact them.

And if this approach for a marketing nightmare like myself, being multi-genre and non-niche, works so well, then it’ll work even more for a band who is set in a defined market. If you’re still saying ‘no-one buys albums any more’ then you’re not doing enough about it.

But what tips the balance is personal connection.

For people to spend their hard earned money on your product, you have to sell them a dream, an Doris Brendel identity. They have to like you and want to be part of www.dorisbrendelmusic.com your tribe. You can never go in with ‘buy my album!’ or they will switch off. Imagine seeing an ad on social media which has targeted you and your musical tastes, and you think you recognise the name. Well it’s only 1 click to find out more – something press and radio ads cannot link to. And then you are directed to a page with very compelling copy giving you some free music. Well you might as well, right?

Nothing to lose. And then you receive some really nice, compelling, perhaps funny, emails directly from the artist. Now you like the music and you like the artist. Now – you may well buy an album. And believe me, this approach works. And will earn you some life-long fans to boot.

In short, if you’re good, people will buy your albums.

To be honest, even if you’re mediocre people will buy your albums if you approach them in the right way.

You just have to make it personal and take out the ‘corporate’ approach we have been told makes us look ‘professional’. Combine a targeted personal approach with reviews, interviews and radio and you

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Stream Dream original documentary now live on GOG Film-maker Rob VanAlkemade (Training for the Aplocalypse, What Would Jesus Buy) pairs up with Devolver Digital to (rather hilariously) investigate the booming democratization of the gaming media via the suddenly hugely popular and important YouTube and Twitch streamers such as Pew Die Pie, Smosh, Angry Joe, and more.

shows in their bedrooms to Beverly Hills studios and Disney representation changed the way people learn about new games from big publishers and indie developers alike? And how are they tied to the wave of new global indie development talent changing the landscape of content creation for games? What does it all MEAN!?!?!?!?

Grab Stream Dream now for only $3.99 on GOG.com http://www.gog.com/news/ movie_release_stream_dream Ubisoft® reveals Far Cry® 4 system requirements

How have these personalities who have gone from

Ubisoft ® announced have announced the PC system requirements for its upcoming title Far Cry® 4.

Developed by Ubisoft Montréal in collaboration with other Ubisoft studios, Far Cry 4 will be available worldwide on November 18 for PlayStation®4 and PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system, Xbox One, Xbox 360 games and entertainment system from Microsoft and Windows PC. System requirements: - Supported 64-Bit OS: Windows® 7 (SP1) x64 / Windows® 8 x64 / Windows® 8.1 x64

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- Processor: 2.6 GHz Intel® Core™ i5-750 or 3.2 GHz AMD Phenom™ II X4 955 (2.5 GHz Intel® Core™ i5-2400S or 4.0 GHz AMD FX-8350 or better recommended) - RAM: 4 GB (8 GB or greater recommended) - Video Card: 1 GB DirectX® 11–compliant with Shader Model 5.0 or higher o Supported Video Cards at Time of Release: AMD Radeon™ HD 5850 / 6000 / 7000 / R7 / R9 series, NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 460 / 500 / 600 / 700 / TITAN series - Sound Card: DirectX-compatible (5.1 surround sound recommended) - DVD-ROM Drive: Dual-layer Hard Drive Space: 30 GB Peripherals Supported: Windows-compatible keyboard, mouse, optional controller (Xbox 360 Controller for Windows recommended) - Multiplayer: 256 kbps or faster broadband connection - Note: This product supports 64-bit operating systems only. Laptop versions of these cards may work, but are not officially supported. For the most up -to-date minimum requirement listings, please visit the FAQ on our support website at support.ubi.com.

With Far Cry 4 players will experience the most expansive and immersive Far Cry ever, in an entirely new, massive open-world. Players will find themselves in Kyrat, a breath-taking, perilous and wild region of the Himalayas struggling under the regime of a despotic self-appointed king. Using a vast array of weapons, vehicles and animals, players will write their own story across an exotic open-world landscape.

To live the full experience please visit: www.farcry4.com For more information about Far Cry 4: https://www.facebook.com/farcry For more information about the PC requirements and the Pick your Path campaign by Nvidia, please visit: http://www.geforce.co.uk/pick-your-path-gamebundle For the latest news on Ubisoft collectible merchandise, please visit and like the page www.facebook.com/ubicollectibles.

Heroes & Legends: Conquerors Of Kolhar Mobile Version Now Available On Ios And Android Phoenix Online Publishing today announced that epic fantasy strategy RPG Heroes & Legends: Conquerors of Kolhar is available for Apple and Android devices. With fast reaction-based mobile gameplay,the game invites players to battle over 130 monsters in both story-driven and random encounters, craft their own weapons and armor, and unlock special abilities and powers as they play through an epic fantasy adventure. The game is available in the App Store (https:// itunes.apple.com/app/id902133400) and Google Play (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details? id=com.postudios.HeroesAndLegends) for $3.99.

In Heroes & Legends: Conquerors of Kolhar, players are invited to build their own weapons and armor and lead a party of wizards, warriors, assassins, and other characters into battle against waves of lethal adversaries as they race to stop an ancient evil. Armed with both might and magic, heroes will wield the powers of ice, fire, and lighting against their adversaries as they take the fight to their enemies, gaining in experience and collecting wondrous mystical artifacts of every kind along the way. The deeper players delve into this epic tale, the more challenging scenarios they unlock, and host of new friends and enemies they'll make as they experience the adventure of a lifetime.

Key Features: Fast-paced mobile gameplay Epic blend of fantasy role-playing and strategy Fight for glory in story-driven quests and random adventures Craft your own custom weapons and armor More than 100 bloodthirsty monsters to battle Dozens of powers and special abilities to pick from Heroes & Legends is also available for PC, Mac, and Linux on Steam, the Phoenix Online Store (store.postudios.com) and other online retailers. For more information, see www.POStudios.com.

Nexon Europe Announces New Content for Counter-Strike Nexon: Zombies Free-to-Play Shooter to Receive New Classes, New Events, and New Content.

Luxembourg, 6th November 2014: Nexon Europe is pleased to announce that the hugely popular competitive shooter Counter-Strike Nexon: Zombies will receive a wealth of new content in a brand new update, further intensifying the fun.

Starting 5th November, players can choose from two new Zombie Classes, Deimos and Ganymede, and receive valuable items by participating in the Daily Login Event.

Deimos, the first of two new zombie classes, is an advanced AI-controlled zombie type available in

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Zombie Scenario mode. It can emit a ‘Shock’ wave-like attack that can forcefully strip a targeted human's primary or secondary weapon.

While the aforementioned Ganymede has the same speed and strength as Deimos, the pair differ dramatically in the skill department. Ganymede has the ability to ‘Rush’ towards any human opponent, temporarily becoming very difficult to knock back; a particularly useful technique when hunting the human enemy.

In addition to the new zombie classes, players will be able to try their luck in the Mass Weapon Give Out Event, a revolutionary new way for players to earn in-game items.

During the event, players will receive a random letter of the alphabet for every kill, and those letters can be used to unlock keywords in the Mass Weapon Give Out table. By unlocking each keyword, players can receive different items that range from diverse weapons to the best quality Blueprints and Durables.

“We’ve seen great success with Counter Strike Nexon: Zombies and wanted to reward our players for getting so enthusiastically sucked into the action,” says Paul Lee, Product Executive at Nexon Europe. “The Mass Weapon Give Out is a good way of doing this, and we’ll continue to bring in more players in the coming months. Stay tuned!”

To play the game for free, just head to the Steam page at https://store.steampowered.com/ app/273110 For more information, follow the official Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/en.CSNZ and Twitter at https://twitter.com/CSN_Z November 11th 2014: Mudcrab Plush

time, Magic 2015-Duels of the Planeswalkers is available for download on next-gen platform Xbox One. The game's latest expansion,Garruk's Revenge, will also release today on Xbox One, iPad via the iTunes Store, PC via Steam, Android via Google Play and Amazon Marketplace, with Xbox 360 coming soon.

Garruk's Revenge puts the fate of Garruk Wildspeaker, the deadliest hunter in the Multiverse, in players' hands. With four new Campaign levels and an expanded Explore level, players take on the role of Garruk, using his deck to battle their way through challenging foes. With every victory, Garruk's deck strengthens, becoming more and more corrupt.

The Expansion features a collection of fan-favorite cards from the Shards of Alara block, which players unlock to later modify their own deck creations as they hunt their prey across the planes of the Multiverse.

Along with the release of Garruk's Revenge, all cards available to players in the original Magic 2015 campaign, Hunt Bigger Game, and the Expansion are now entirely earnable through gameplay.

Garruk's Revenge is available today on Xbox One, PC via Steam, Apple iPad, Android via Google Play, and Amazon Marketplace for $4.99, with Xbox 360 to follow.

The Hunt Bigger Game Campaign is available on all platforms, including Xbox One, for $9.99.

Arma 3 Helicopters DLC now available Bohemia Interactive today released the Arma 3 Helicopters DLC – the second premium DLC for Arma 3. Featuring the highly detailed CH-67 Huron and Mi-290 Taru, the DLC adds new helicopters, the Sling Loading showcase scenario, and helicopter Time Trial challenges (watch new trailer).

Greetings once more from Gaming Heads!

Throughout 2014, we have revealed multiple exciting products for the excellent MMORPG; The Elder Scrolls Online, including our Breton and High Elf statues, and our plush of the Guar.

Adding to this already impressive line-up, we are introducing a new plush for Elder Scrolls fans and collectors to add to their collections: The Mudcrab.

In addition to being an adorable plush, the package includes a special downloadable content code which will allow collectors to own the mudcrab in-game too!

It doesn’t matter if the lowly mudcrab is destined to become crab meat stew or a vanity pet, we hope that fans of the series will like this plush as much as we enjoyed creating it.

The Mudcrab plush is in stock and available now, and can be ordered/pre-ordered for $19.99 (exc shipping)! Click here to be taken to the product page.

Until next time!

-Gaming Heads

The CH-67 Huron is a twin-engine, tandem rotor heavy-lift helicopter. Its primary role is the transportation of troops, vehicles and cargo – and is available in both an armed and transport variant. The Mi -290 Taru is a heavy utility helicopter with coaxial rotors and a unique modular construction. Various mission pods enable the Taru to serve many different roles. It can transport cargo, troops, and provide battlefield Magic 2015 - Duels Of The Planeswalkers Now supplies (ammunition, fuel, repair facilities, and medical equipment). Both helicopters are also capable of sling Available On Xbox One loading, which is a brand new feature in Arma 3 - and is Wizards of the Coast today announced that for the first further demonstrated in the premium Sling Loading

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showcase scenario. The Helicopters DLC also features four exclusive Time Trials, where helicopter pilots can show off their skills by winning the gold medal.

The Helicopters DLC is supported by a free Arma 3 platform update - released today alongside the Helicopters DLC. The 1.34 update includes the brand new Support multiplayer mode, where players need to provide various types of helicopter support – such as troop transport and medevac – in a Sector Control multiplayer scenario. In preparation of the new multiplayer mode, players can enroll in the brand new VR Training helicopter stages, and learn the ropes of rotary flight. In addition, Arma 3 content creators will be happy to learn that a variety of new in-game objects, ranging from landing platforms to military decorations and more, have also been added in the new update.

The Arma 3 platform update also introduces several major new features to Arma 3. For instance, players can now choose to enable the optional RotorLib helicopter flight model, which is an upgraded version of the flight model used in Bohemia Interactive’s Take On Helicopters, and provides an even more authentic helicopter flight experience. Furthermore, the platform update includes the aforementioned new ability to sling load cargo, which places a stronger emphasis on the importance of logistics on the battlefield. Last but certainly not least, the update implements the much-anticipated firing-from-vehicles feature - enabling passengers to engage targets while seated in a vehicle.

“With this DLC, we've turned our attention towards enhancing helicopter flight, but there's much more to it than that alone. With our new features and content, combined arms gameplay in general has benefitted, and the Arma 3 platform is all the better for it!", said Jay Crowe, Creative Director on Arma 3.

The Arma 3 Helicopters DLC is now available for 12.99 EUR/10.99 GBP/15.99 USD on Steam and Store.bistudio.com. People can save 25% by purchasing the Arma 3 DLC Bundle, which includes the Arma 3 Karts, Arma 3 Helicopters, and the upcoming Arma 3 Marksmen DLC, for 19.99 EUR/16.99 GBP/24.99 USD on Steam and Store.bistudio.com.

For more information about Arma 3 Helicopters, please visit helicopters.arma3.com and/or follow Arma 3 on Facebook, Twitter andYouTube

shooter featuring an amazing cast of heroes and set in an all-new Blizzard game universe.

The action of Overwatch takes place in a technologically advanced, highly stylized future earth. In a time of global crisis, an international task force of soldiers, scientists, adventurers, and oddities known as Overwatch had come together to restore peace to a war-torn world. After many years, the group’s influence waned, and it was eventually disbanded. Overwatch might be gone now . . . but the world still needs heroes.

With an emphasis on accessibility and pure fun, Overwatch brings Blizzard’s signature easy-to-learn, hard-to-master gameplay to the FPS genre. Harnessing the power of their hero of choice, players will join forces in teams of six and battle each other across a range of futuristic global locations, from the hologram-lit streets of London to a bazaar in the shadows of a high-tech Egyptian pyramid. Every battlefield is iconic and built to highlight each character’s unique abilities, and fights can shift from streets to rooftops to open skies within the span of a breath.

“Overwatch is our take on a vibrant, near-future universe with amped-up characters and action-packed team-based gameplay,” said Mike Morhaime, CEO and cofounder of Blizzard Entertainment. “With every new Blizzard game, we look at our favorite aspects of a genre and put our own spin on things. Our goal with Overwatch is to create an awesome FPS experience that’s more accessible to a much wider audience while delivering the action and depth that shooter fans love."

The heroes of Overwatch each bring their own distinct weapons and superabilities to bear. Here’s just a glimpse of the numerous heroes that will ultimately fill Overwatch’s rosters: Tracer, a former British test pilot who shrugs at danger, can execute impossible acrobatic assaults thanks to her ability to teleport, drop energy bombs, and even reverse time.

Reinhardt, a hulking German soldier in battle armor, can charge great distances and pin his enemies to a wall or slam the ground with his rocket hammer to knock them off their feet.

Hanzo, a bow-wielding Japanese mercenary, has the ability to scale walls with his bare hands, fire off a tracking device that illuminates nearby enemies for his team, and unleash a huge spirit dragon that does grievous damage to all enemies in its path.

Symmetra, an Indian architech, manipulates light and energy to shield her allies and damage her enemies—and she can turn the tide of any battle by building Blizzard Entertainment Reveals Supercharged a device that instantly transports her teammates to the Team-Based Shooter, Overwatchtm front lines.

World premiere of brand-new Blizzard game universe at While each hero represents a formidable force on BlizzCon® their own, players can amplify their potential by Show attendees go hands-on with Overwatch, running assembling into a well-balanced team and creatively live on 600 BlizzCon PCs combining powers. No matter which hero or playstyle Beta coming in 2015; sign-ups NOW LIVE they prefer, players will be able to team up and at www.playoverwatch.com accomplish the incredible in Overwatch.

In front of a live crowd of more than 25,000 At BlizzCon this weekend, Overwatch is fully BlizzCon® attendees and an expected online audience playable and running on 600 PCs, and attendees there numbering in the millions, Blizzard Entertainment today are the first in the world to play it. Gamers at the show announced Overwatch™, a pick-up-and-play first-person are able to select from a current roster of 12 playable.

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heroes and go 6v6 against each other, capturing or defending points and attacking or delivering payloads across three wildly different maps. New heroes and maps will continually be added to the game as development progresses, and beta testing will begin in 2015.

Learn more about Overwatch, including all of the heroes and maps revealed at BlizzCon, and sign up to participate in the upcoming beta test at the official website, www.playoverwatch.com. Further details about the game will be announced there in the months.

Goblins Vs Gnomes Coming To Hearthstone®: Heroes Of Warcraft® This December Explosive first expansion will feature over 120 new cards. Blizzard Entertainment today revealed plans for an explosive new addition to Hearthstone®: Heroes of Warcraft®—Goblins vs Gnomes™! Announced at the company’s eighth BlizzCon® gaming convention, Goblins vs Gnomes is the first expansion for the game and will introduce over 120 new goblin- and gnome-infused cards for players to add to their collections.

Goblins vs Gnomes immerses Hearthstone players in an epic rivalry between goblin engineers and their gnomish counterparts. Though wildly brilliant, these pint-size tinkerers don’t always have the upper hand on the mechanical contraptions they create, and the results can be wonderfully unpredictable. The new cards coming in the expansion are filled with wild and wacky inventions as well as some faces that will be familiar to World of Warcraft® and Hearthstone players.

“Goblins vs Gnomes is going to turn Hearthstone on its head ,” said Mike Morhaime, CEO and cofounder of Blizzard Entertainment. “It introduces a ton of new cards with all-new options for decks and strategies, and we can’t wait to see all the crazy combinations players come up with.”

Coming this December to PC and iPad®, Goblins vs Gnomes card packs will be winnable in the game’s Arena mode and purchasable with in-game gold or real-money. Specific details on pricing and launch timing will be announced in the weeks ahead.

To take a peek at the latest schematics and read up on all things Goblins vs Gnomes for Windows, Mac, and iPad, visit www.playhearthstone.com.

Starcraft® Ii: Legacy Of The Voidtmwarps Into Blizzcon® 2014 Blizzard Entertainment reveals epic conclusion to the StarCraft II saga before packed house at Anaheim Convention Center during BlizzCon gaming festival Next chapter of StarCraft II will be a standalone product, not requiring Wings of Liberty® or Heart of the Swarm® Blizzard Entertainment today offered the first glimpse of StarCraft® II: Legacy of the Void™, its highly anticipated conclusion to the StarCraft II trilogy, and a

standalone game experience. Attendees of the company’s BlizzCon® gaming festival were the first in the world to play Legacy of the Void, with single-player campaign missions, a new cooperative gameplay mode—Archon Mode, and multiplayer battles featuring several new playable units all on display. Another gameplay mode, Allied Commanders, was also announced at the event.

StarCraft II: Legacy of the Void continues the story of Blizzard’s award-winning StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty® where the first expansion, Heart of the Swarm®, left off, with a new campaign that brings the sci-fi saga to an epic conclusion. Protoss legends Artanis and Zeratul attempt to unite their race in an intergalactic fight for survival against an ancient evil from the Void that threatens the universe. The fates of Terran hero Jim Raynor and Kerrigan, the Queen of Blades, also hang in the balance.

“Legacy of the Void will deliver the quintessential StarCraft II experience,” said Mike Morhaime, CEO and cofounder of Blizzard Entertainment. “The new single-player campaign will wrap up the massive story, and we’re excited to share new game modes that will open up different ways to play the game and additional units that will expand the rich strategic depth of StarCraft II multiplayer.”

Archon Mode, a competitive multiplayer mode unveiled at BlizzCon, is a new way to enjoy StarCraft II with friends. In Archon Mode, two players share control over a single base and units as they take on an enemy duo in multiplayer action. By sharing the responsibility of commanding troops and managing resources, players can focus on their own areas of the battle and execute more intricate strategies.

Allied Commanders is another gameplay mode new to StarCraft II. In this objective-based, cooperative experience, players can team up and take on the roles of powerful commanders from the StarCraft saga. Each commander offers unique abilities and upgrades and bestows special bonuses on their armies. Players are able to battle through a series of special scenarios together, leveling up their commanders' capabilities as they progress.

Multiplayer battles in Legacy of the Void will be fought with an array of new units, as well as upgrades to veteran forces. Zerg swarms will welcome the return of the Lurker, a classic creature from the original StarCraft that lays waste to infantry with deadly spines that burst from the ground. The Protoss field a new weapon called the Disruptor, which can use massive energy spikes to wreak havoc through swaths of ground forces. And the Terrans have engineered some new technology, such as Tactical Jump, which allows their Battlecruisers to teleport to any location on the battlefield. Several more new units and abilities were exhibited at BlizzCon, showcasing the new strategic and tactical options in store for players with Legacy of the Void.

Blizzard also revealed that Legacy of the Void will include functionality that enhances online multiplayer play with automated tournaments, providing players with ongoing events that support the active StarCraft

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II community. Legacy of the Void will be a standalone expansion that does not require a license of the base game, StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty, or the first expansion, Heart of the Swarm. Further details about Legacy of the Void, including pricing and availability, will be announced at a later date.

and make empire allies, they will also create bitter enemies. The strong will prevail, while the weak will die.

New Cinematic Trailer For Total War: Attila Heralds The Coming Of The Apocalypse

Clash of Kings Throws Android Mobile Gamers Into Intense, Action-Packed Battles New Real Time Strategy (RTS) Game Calls on Players to Build an Empire and Control Massive Fantasy Kingdoms!

Empire Game Studio today announced the launch of Clash of Kings (#clashofkings) for Android (#android).

Thrust into a massive fantasy world, this real time strategy (RTS) game challenges players to build an empire and conquer seven magical kingdoms to survive while battling for the King’s throne. To succeed, players will need to build their armies, attack their foes, raise a tower defense, find and secure goods and gather resources to win. Clash of Kings is available now for free onGoogle Play at https://play.google.com/store/ apps/details?id=com.hcg.cok.gp&hl=en Clash of Kings pits players against friends and enemies from around the world. As players build their empires, they will explore the fantasy kingdom and battle challengers from near and far as they seek to become the most powerful fantasy hero throughout the land. To be victorious in Clash of Kings, players will have to use their skills and smarts. The game allows players to create and join alliances, so that they can share resources and help each other on tasks and quests. But aside from working together, players can attack each other, with the winning team gaining additional resources as rewards. The players that wisely choose their partners, and know who to trust and who to fear, will have the upper hand as the battles rage on.

Clash of Kings calls on players to wisely manage their resources, so that they are not exposed on the battlefield. After building an army, players can seek the resource fields on the in-game map and try to occupy them. If a field is already occupied by another army, it is time to go to battle to win control of the field and increase experience points and resources. The best armies know when to attack and when to avoid conflict.

To further immerse players in the fantasy world, Clash of Kings places a massive amount of control in the players’ hands. From building hospitals and barracks, to acquiring wealth and weapons, a long term plan will help the best competitors succeed and thrive. Players will also need to train their troops for the battles ahead. In addition, the game features a huge number of quests that will take players throughout the kingdom to perform a wide range of tasks, with an amazing array of rewards awaiting the victors.

Clash of Kings brings together the best of “city building” games with the best of fantasy and strategy!

Players will defend their empire by creating big defenses and using war strategy, and building a massive empire to build up their army. As players build a massive empire

“And I saw, and behold a white horse, and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him, and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.” –Revelation 6:2 As the world descends into the mists of the Dark Ages, civilization begins to crumble. Early Christians of Western Europe clamor to repent, stricken by looming omens of a divine apocalypse. In this climate of turmoil, the Eastern Roman Empire stands at a crossroads.

Secure behind the impenetrable walls of Constantinople, there are opportunities for fresh conquest. But with the warlike Visigoths to the North, the heathen Sassanids to the East, and their closest ally to the west stretched thin and tearing itself apart in its greed, is now truly the time to ride out and expand the Empire? And who will rightfully wear the crown?

Total War™: ATTILA is due for release in 2015. To follow The Four Horsemen and see how key themes of these cinematic trailers created using the ATTILAengine are brought to life in gameplay, subscribe to our YouTube channel at:

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Stone Wire - When The Crow Flies Record Label: 22:11 Records

8/10

Released: 1 December 2014

Highlight of the album: One Last Time Website: http://www.stonewire.net/ Reviewer: Rob Birtley

I have to say I have been enjoying the renascence of British 70’s style Blues/Rock spearheaded by young bands such as The Answer, Black Wolf, The Temperance Movement and Crowsaw etc. So I was more than a little curious what a new band playing this kind of music with a female lead vocal would sound like.

title track ‘When The Crow Flies.’ This one too is slower tempo. I just love the way the guitar chimes in melodically as if to complete the sentence of each line of the lyric perfectly rounding it off then delivering a shuddering Blues beat in the breaks. Singer and Guitarist playing in perfect counterpoint with a unique harmony that is at StoneWire are a five piece hailing from London and the the core of the Band’s sound. ‘Don’t You’ see the South East. They consist of Sky Hunter Vocals, Gaz re-emergence of the gravel edge to Sky’s vocal. The Annable – Guitar, Dan Murphy – Guitar, Steve Briggs – vibe well its Zeppelin mode with a touch of Black Stone Bass and Rob Glasner – Drums. Their sound well it’s Cherry especially in the rhythm line. A mellow crafted from their influences such as Aerosmith, Led Hammond opens the track in time honoured fashion.

Zeppelin, The Black Crowes. It’s a heavy amalgam of The guitar line reminds me of early Rival Sons flushed classic British Blues/ out and substantial with a Rock, slight tinge of soulful wail. ‘One Last Country done down and Time’ slows things down dirty with a Red Neck nicely. The characteristic Blue collar beat. ‘When light touch on the guitar The Crow Flies’ is their during the quieter first full studio album moments is in full and a effect fingers floating follow up to the selfbarely touching the titled 2012 EP. strings until the solo rips out. The vocal delivered in The first track ‘Walk classic heartfelt Blues The Line’ opens like the mode. It’s a song you’ll go first bars of a Spaghetti back to on lonely Western film heading evenings when you’re for show down before missing someone close running head on into to you again and again riffage that is full on and again. It’s compulThe Answer at their sive, enveloping and thumping best. gripping just like the bare Although Female all guitar solo. ‘Blues fronted this band isn’t River’ as the name as silky smooth as suggests is the most Lynne Jackaman and straight forward Blues St. Jude. No this vocal track on the album but is more Robert Plant territory. There is a gravel laced loses nothing in impact or quality for that. It also has edge to the singing and the band is really going for it. some of the best guitar playing on the album amongst ‘Favourite Bitch’ has Sky sounding like a young Tina its chords. Unfortunately I don’t have time or space to Turner circa ‘Nutbush City Limits’ all be it with more go into this release track by track here suffice it to say Blues than Soul but the vibe is the same. This song also each song is a gem, a couple sparkle more than has a classy Blues break riff which the band slip others. seamlessly into. I guess all the folks reading this will know of one member of the opposite sex that is If you are looking for the meeting point of Saint Jude, ‘challenging’ in a good way and that’s what this song is The Answer, Rival Sons, Black Crowes, The all about. ‘Southern Honey’ sees the band take their Temperance Movement and Black Stone Cherry set foot off the gas slightly and go more melodic bluesy. your compass bearing on StoneWire. When you reach Opening with a repeating Blues break the vocal comes your destination you will have found a new home and in and it’s more laid back and smooth dripping with then you’ll love these guys. I’m also told on good heat-break overtones. This track has all the hallmarks authority that the Band is just as good life something of a 24 carat Delta Blues torch song. Next up is the I’m anguish to check out for myself.

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Billy Idol - Kings And Queens Of The Underground Record Label: BF I Records

8/10

Released: 21 October 2014

Highlight of the album: Postcards From The Past Website: http://billyidol.net/ Reviewer: Gavin Griffiths

If you cast aside scattered live shows, TV spots, a greatest hits compilation and uh, a Christmas album?… the last time we properly heard anything new from Billy Idol, was nearly a decade ago, through 2005’s ‘Devil’s Playground’, but just as you thought his career was winding down, 2014 sees us get a double dose of the iconic punk rocker. Not only has he self-penned his brand new autobiography; ‘Dancing With Myself’, an honest and frank documentation of his life and career to date, but he’s coincided that with a brand new full length album. Entitled ‘Kings And Queens Of The Underground’, what does this member of rock royalty have to say for himself?

little more indie sounding but it’s got a belter of a sing-along chorus, great stuff here.

Kicking off with ‘Bitter Pill’, we’re greeted with some almost country-inspired guitar but it’s essentially an up-beat melodic rock song, lyrically sounding quite deep and personal, despite its seemingly positive delivery.

‘Can’t Break Me Down’ has more of the classic soft-punk sound Idol’s renowned for, it’s got a simple beat, a huge radio friendly chorus and it sounds like the former Generation-X frontman’s under a new lease of life. ‘Save Me Now’ continues with the same theme, a

Some might suggest the album is here to boost the sales of the book, or vice versa, but no, they’re meant to accompany each other, both encapsulating in their own ways where Idol sees himself in this moment in time, think of the album as an audio-book if you will, the stories are there, but told with more artistic merit. It may be mellow, and not as edgy as we’d expect from Idol, but that’s the whole point. It’s good to have him back.

The album truly comes to life with ‘Postcards From The Past’, a full on nostalgia trip harking back to the days of early hits such as ‘White Wedding’ and ‘Rebel Yell’, it’s got that core sound we all know and love from Idol and long-time collaborator, guitarist Steve Stevens, before the title track, an acoustic number for the most part is a beautifully played eulogy to his own career in a way, reflecting upon all that’s been and gone, choices made whether good or bad, and it’s an appreciative nod to all those that have stuck by him, a lovely song indeed.

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Eternal Fear - UK Damnation Live In London 2013 Record Label: Burning Halo Records

7/10

Released: 26 October 2014

Highlight of the album: Army From Hell Website: https://www.facebook.com/eternalfear.sweden Reviewer: Rob Birtley

For those among you not familiar with Eternal Fear the band formed in their hometown of Karlskoga, Sweden in 1995 and took to refining their sound via recording of demo tracks and performing at the local live venues before releasing their first album ‘Never Ending Existence’ in 2002. Further albums followed with ‘Evil Deeds’ in 2007, ‘Embraced in Darkness’ in 2010 and in 2013 the highly acclaimed and most successful release to date came with ‘Eternal Damnation’ which has proved popular throughout the metal world.

The band are made up of five members, Ove Johnsson on Vocals, Daniel Henriksson – Guitars, Mattias Thomasen – Guitars, Stefan Almqvist – Drums and Mattias Lovdal – Bass. The album contains thirteen songs which are taken from the bands back catalogue with a strong emphasis on tracks from the ‘Eternal Damnation’ album which the band was promoting at the time including ‘Army From Hell’, ‘World Comes Down’ and ‘G.O.D’ and was recorded live at the Intrepid Fox venue during the first ever ETERNAL FEAR show in London. With influences from Paradise Lost, Black Sabbath and Iron Maiden to Running Wild, Megadeth and Motorhead, Eternal Fear have broken out of the stereotype that all Swedish metal bands perform death metal this lot have a bit more in their locker.

The album begins with the title track of their latest studio album ‘Eternal Damnation’. Right away you will recognise the twin guitar interplay so reminiscent of Iron Maiden and the song rocks on in that manner. The lyric well reminds of the gloom of early Sabbath and so does the thudding bass line. Ove Johnsson’s vocal covers the full spectrum from melodic to screeching in the space of the song but is always accessible and musical. Next up is ‘Child Of Darkness’ this song sounds like the heavier stuff from the Tyr era Sabbath.

The vocal does have some of echo of Tony Martin’s

dulcet tones. The guitar is distorted and thuds along like Iommi in his darkest moods using the same time changes, the drums firing the track along. ‘G.O.D’ or ‘Grab Of Doom’ follows on. Have to say in style and structure this track has a lot in common with Paradise Lost tracks ‘Say Just Words’ only not as brutal or defined and may be slightly less weighty. ‘Embraced In Darkness’ starts with a vintage Sabbath riff. The vocal veers from Dio’esque to well at times heads up into Halford territory hitting the high notes. I do have to say this is fine singing live and is one of my highlights on this release. ‘Army From Hell’ sees the band heading back towards Maiden territory. It’s the biggest attempt at story telling on the album and has a grand scale to it not quite ‘For Whom The Bell Tolls’ but what is.

‘World Comes Down’ is the most accessible and radio friendly track on the release. Melodic in the Maiden sense with some nice guitar interplay and tempo chances it also owes something to Paradise Lost and is a definite crowd pleaser. ‘King Of Sorrow’ has the sound of later Metallica ringing through it. The tension and pace is maintained from start to finish and it has some classic guitar phrase woven in. From first track till last the atmosphere of the venue and the crowd is captured on this album and it’s evident a ‘Good Time’ was had by all.

How do you measure a live album? For me the acid test is would you want to see the band live after listening to it. David Coverdale once said ‘I’ve always thought live albums were cop-outs’ and listening to some of his latest efforts you can understand just what he meant. With Eternal Fear you have a band in fine voice doing their thing, it may not be the most original or innovative but it is full blooded and vital and I for one would like to catch them live after hearing it.

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Firebrand Magazine

Knighthood - Bad Habits Record Label: Self Release

5/10 Released: 11 December 2014

Highlight of the album: Widow Ride Website: https://www.facebook.com/Knighthoodrock?fref=nf Reviewer: Phil Kane

It doesn't matter what you do with the old 'DC sound; add to it, strip it back, metalize it, even southern fry it, but it's still the old 'DC sound. Plenty have tried to bend it to their will over the years, some even managing to earn a living from their efforts, while others have just flipped into parody. Now we have Knighthood giving it a go. An outfit that resulted from a chance meeting of vocalist Frank Knight (ex Wild Knight/X-Wild and collaborator for Accept, UDO, Jorn etc...) and guitarist Paul Curtis (ex Gypsy/Lady Luck/Balance of Power/ Tytus Groan/Faithealer... no, me neither), Knighthood was completed by the drafting in of session drummer John Powney and bassist Luis Antonio Gutarra. With guests Bruce Dickinson (Little Angels) and Matt Sizer (Apollo) the band have had a go at bringing us yet another dose of gritty boogie in the time honoured ‘DC tradition.

'Permission To Ride' are reasonable Accept-lite slowies that along with the rest lack the oomph needed to make the album stand out from the herd. Plodding along, ‘Bad Habits’ cries out for a proper heads down, nuts out rocker or two; a ‘Fast As A Shark’, say, or a ‘Kicked In The Teeth’ sort of thing to break up the sameness and dispel the suspicion of desperation to be put it out of its misery. The shame of it is the boys have obviously got what it takes; the production, musicianship, the groove, it’s all there, they just haven't paid enough attention to the demos, ignored the obvious pacing issues, missed the wood for the trees at final playback. Given its gestation period, ‘Bad Habits’ should’ve been a stone cold killer, not the pedestrian run out we actually get.

If you have a yearning for that certain Aussie overdriven Gibson SG sound and are partial to a bit of ‘Bad Habits’ has taken a couple of years to put southern tinged Euro grunt ‘Bad Habits’ should prove a together, it's sound the metalized boogie thing so moderately satisfying album to have on while you tinker beloved of the Teutons, which is surprising considering with yer hog's clutch. In the grand scheme of things the band's Cumbrian roots. It's gutsy big balled biker though, with the good stuff remaining widely available rock with the grunt of a Harley, though admittedly one and the old guard still popping off quality product at will with timing issues. For a debut it ain't bad, it just leans (‘DC are even rumoured to have a new album in pre too heavily on its 'DC crutch, though the vocal is more production as I write) Knighthood are gonna have to akin to a less hysterical Dirckschnieder and Storace ignore the sycophantic camp followers, have a rethink, than Johnson and Scott. The band take tried and ditch the ‘that’ll do’ attitude and get their shit together tested ideas and, well, er, don’t do a lot else with them, if they want to escape the heaving mass of the mid paced 'Too Much Too Soon', 'Widow Ride' and sound-alikes, wannabes and plagiarists.

'Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is' are about as rampant as it gets, 'Crying to The Moon' and

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Heart & Friends - Home For The Holidays Record Label: Frontier Records

2/10

Released: 10 November 2014

Highlight of the album: Nil Of Note!

Website: http://www.heart-music.com/ Reviewer: Phil Kane

Oh dear, how the mighty have fallen.

corny old Bing Crosby and Andy Williams Chrimbo specials; modern American festive Vaudeville that There was a time, y'know, when rock ‘n’ roll was seen sticks to the letter of the American Dream handbook as the devil incarnate. Regarded as fearful stuff it was as well as in your craw. The bulk of the album is made regularly banned by the good ol' BBC, its perceived up of festive ditties and doesn't step into rock territory threat to society even made The House on more than until eleventh track ‘Barracuda’, and even then it’s one occasion. It was provocative, violent, sexy, and put woefully sanitized and bland as is ‘Stairway To Heaven’, the fear of God into our fine upstanding citizenry. In serving only to illustrate Heart’s Zepp soft spot. Overall, short, it was a fucking drug addled blast. any rough edges have been polished out, all the grit sieved, the album castrated and inoffensive. To drive Now? Well, Elvis died a bloated drugged up delusional the insult home the release weighs in at a seasonal mess, the punks are now nothing more dangerous nineteen quid (c'mon Frontiers, ferfuxsake) and it's not than photogenic cartoons for London’s tourist industry, even the full gig! Perhaps that comes on the DVD the mods ‘n’ rockers era reduced to fodder for those (which wasn't available for review). As Christmas nasty over priced compilation CDs you find at motoralbums go, this is a nice, easy listen for aging Heart way service stations. Johnny Rotten advertises butter, devotees and the pious ‘Songs Of Praise’ armchair appearing recently on Loose Women too, Iggy pushes faithful, but for the rest of us? Na, Michael Bublé does insurance, da Ramones bruddas did the Pepsi bop, this sort of thing far, far better.

‘Born In The USA’ a regular feature of U.S. presidential elections (you’ll have to go figure that one out for If you buy into the cheesy illusion of Christmas yersel’). Skynyrd, Aerosmith, ZZ Top, Kiss et al have all surrounded by family, festive decs and maudlin done corporate residencies from Vegas to Dubai, even sentimentality wrapped up in the warm glow of a Motörhead has its own fucking cruise fer Christ sake; roaring log fire while several thousand tonnes of global ‘This Is Spinal Tap’ didn’t see any of that coming did it? warming falls on your neighbourhood then this cash-in will probably grab yer grits. Otherwise go and get Now we have Heart, or more precisely the Wilson yourself a CD of Yuletide Gregorian chants instead, or sisters with some accomplices… er, sorry… pals tune in to the BBC’s annual ‘Carols From King's’ gig, at (Richard Marx and Sammy Hagar among them), doing least they will be relevant, authentic and have a hell of a the wholesome all American home-for-Christmas lot more faith and conviction. shtick with the industrial strength schmaltz of their new 'Home For The Holidays' CD/DVD set. A recording Yep, the mighty have fallen a long, long way, their of the band’s 2013 Christmas show performed at the abandonment of any self respect and artistic integrity Benaroya Symphony Concert Hall in Seattle, it is in the graceless scramble for the all powerful Yankee unerringly virtuous, contrived, and awful. It's dollar utterly contemptible. orchestrated to within an inch of its life, just like those

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Firebrand Magazine

Harem Scarem - Thirteen Record Label: Frontiers Records

8/10 Released: 5 December 2014

Highlight of the album: Stardust Website: http://www.haremscarem.net/ Reviewer: Stephen Brophy

These Canadian AOR Legends hardly require an introduction, but here's a brief one anyway. Hailing from Toronto, Harem Scarem have had their fair share of success over the years and being fronted by the vocal talent of Harry Hess they have released some stunning albums since their inception in 1987, such as Mood Swings and their self titled debut album, which spawned a number of charting singles in the Canadian Charts and also ended up with most of the album being used in a Canadian teenage TV show which was very popular at the time.

intro to "Whatever It Takes" is wonderful and almost carries you into the rest of the song, A really nicely crafted piece, bit of an arm waver possibly live. The vocals are wonderful as always and there really is a touch of class that surrounds what this band creates, again a nice solo on this one, just a really good song. Next up is "Saints And Sinners" which lifts the pace a little, one of the higher tempo songs on the album, and helps keep the balance good. "All I Need" is a little bit different again, with a booming chorus that just needs to be belted out, which works quite well here. There is a lot of quality in this album and the good work is kept up with "Toubled Times" which is another good rocker and is elevated with another chorus that just lifts off, this is followed by the penultimate track "Never Say Never" which is a little bit slower in delivery rather than the underlying music which steadily runs along in the background, not a ballad, but still a nice mid paced rock song and doesn't stay still and lifts and drops here and there with a really nice feel to it, one thing about this album is that there mightn't be many absolutely stand out tracks here but there's a lot of quality and you quickly find yourself remembering each of the songs on offer, and that certainly isn't the case most of the time with an album these days. For me the stand out track however is the closer "Stardust" which is pretty much a ballad and a damn good one at that, and there's some lovely guitar work throughout again which just adds to it, this is for me the song that will stick with me most.

Thirteen is the first studio release for over 6 years and it comes on the back of the re-release of 1993's Mood Swings album (remastered and recorded as Mood Swings II) and a successful Tour which included a terrific performance at Firefest 2013. Aptly titled as this is in fact their thirteenth studio album. So can the band still create a meaning full album after a lengthy layoff, well it's not like the guys have been doing nothing, Darren Smith has been fronting Jake E. Lee's Red Dragon Cartel, Harry Hess has been busy with a number of projects as have the other guys.

But to me this band has always been a class act, this album kicks off with "Garden Of Eden" which is a nice little opener, everything you would expect from a Harem Scarem song, all of the classic elements, great vocals, backing vocals some really nice catchy and punchy hard rock, nice guitar work too with a cool solo.

For me the track that follows it "Live It" doesn't quite keep up with the opener, it rolls along quite nicely and there's nothing wrong with it, just doesn't really grab At the end of the day this isn't my very favourite Harem me like a lot of the other songs do.

Scarem album but it's a fine release, there's plenty on offer to please any fan of the band, it's a great "Early Warning Signs" puts us straight back on track, comeback after the recent period of inactivity, and it's a rollicking ride, which mixed things up nicely hopefully this is just a really good start to the next backed by a solid rockin' groove of a riff and some nice chapter of the band. This one is well worth checking changes of pace right through the song, really like this out when it's release in early December. one. "The Midnight Hours" and "Whatever It Takes" are two of my favourite tracks on the album and both have had me singing along without me even knowing I'd got them in my head - I love that about a song, it's not that I've listened to them a hundred times, just that they have left that mark and I want to hear them again, the

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Lawless - R.I.S.E Record Label: Escape Music

8/10 Released: 21 November 2014

Highlight of the album: Heavens Rising Website: http://www.lawlessofficial.com/ Reviewer: Rob Birtley

Lawless are a four piece hailing from Stoke on Trent.

The band consists of Paul Hume (Demon) – Vocals.

Rhythm Guitar, Howie G - (Ex Persian Risk) Guitars, Neil Ogden (Demon) – Drums and Josh (Tabbie) Williams (Ex Headrush) - Bass. R.I.S.E is there second album and is a follow up to the 2012 release ‘Rock Savage’.

The sound of Lawless and this album in particular is definitely 80’s Hard Rock with a Metal edge catapulted kicking and screaming into the 21st century with the aid of slick production and recording. The band expand on their influences such as Dio, Y&T, Black Sabbath, Scorpions and Saxon to create something all their own.

The album opens with ‘1914 (Ghosts of No Man’s Land)’. The intro is a chilling clip of spoken word telling of the fate of the hapless Pipers who led the troops over the top and out of the trenches armed with only the skirl of the bagpipes to assault the Hun. Just like a WW1 bombardment with all the sound and fury it Rocks Out soon after with Paul Hume’s vocal soaring over the carnage like the Angel of Mons.

Next up is ‘Pain’ this is another fist clenched Rocker.

The riffing of Howie G drives this track along with a nice short piece of shredding thrown in. This track also sees the first mention of Rise a word used in a number of tracks. If this album has a theme I’d have to say it’s ‘Looking up and pulling together to make the world a better place’ you may say that’s clichéd I’d say especially in today’s world it’s a positive message we could do more of. ‘Rise Up’ is a Funk fuelled Rocker the opening well reminds me of Thunder. Then it heads soulfully into the realms of Jagged Edge. ‘Twisted and Burned’ opens slowly before building ominously almost Dio like use of thudding guitar. Hume’s vocal well grips the song round the neck and rings every drop out of it. All in all a fine piece of Hard Rock. It’s at this point the band slow things down with the Rock Ballad ‘Song for a Friend’. I

can tell you this is the favourite song of the singer Paul Hume on the album at the moment, it’s a very personal track about the time he spent with a friend who was going through a very emotional and public break up.

The vocal takes you every step on the journey. ‘Kiss my Glass’ has the stamp of ‘Moody/Marsden’ Whitesnake all over it. Yes it’s a real old school Blues Rocker complete with the traditional acoustic opening before the blues riffage thuds in. ‘Dead Man Walking’ opens up with a guitar riff right out of Pyromania and roars on like a big cat from there. The harmonies on this track once again are reminiscent of Jagged Edge in their pomp. ’Heavens Edge’ has a Middle Eastern acoustic opening before scorching into a guitar attack almost Sykes like in ferocity and technique.

Howie G certainly pulls out all the stops and puts all the knobs up to 11 on this one. The drum and bass line also has an eastern flavour that could have been carved out of Dio’s ‘Egypt (The Chains are on)’ and there is an RJD quality to the vocal. ‘How Long’ sees the tempo slow just a bit and is also the vehicle for some more fine guitar playing from Howie G. The last track ‘End of the World’ has a ring of Ozzie circa ‘Diary of a Madman’ about it but with superior singing. It rocks along and is a great way to round off the album.

I do know the band’s debut album received 10/10 from the Mag when it was reviewed. I didn’t write that review but I have heard the album and I will say that R.I.S.E is a fine follow up to a great opener. Gene Simmons recently declared that the Rock genre is “dead,” and went so far as to say it was “murdered.” I can only guess that he has been listening to some of his own release and tell you that with bands like Lawless Rock is in pretty good shape thanks very much. Would I recommend this album to you well Hell Yeah I would.

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Firebrand Magazine

My Own Ghost - Love Kills Record Label: Secret Entertainment

8/10 Released: 13 October 2014

Highlight of the album: Beautiful Music Website: http://www.myownghost.com/ Reviewer: Rob Birtley

My Own Ghost is a female-fronted band from Luxembourg, Germany which was founded in 2013 by guitarists Fred Brever & David Soppelsa and bassist Joe May. The full line-up is Julie Rodesch (Providers, Seven Days On Fire) vocals, Fred Brever and David Soppelsa guitars, and Joe May bass with Michael Stein (Red Circuit) on drums. ‘Love Kills’ is the band’s debut album and is a kind of pop/rock style with some electronic elements included and has plenty of melodies woven in throwing in a big guitar solos when they can. Singer Julie Rodesch has a strong and capable melodic voice, nice enough to suit the pop sensibilities but equally at home when the band decides to rock band has a similar quality as Within Temptation’s Sharon den Adel. The album has Gothic Metal sensibility and at the same time fuses elements of alternative and indie rock and there are a good mixture of both power pop ballads and more harder tracks throughout the recording.

Track 1 is ‘Crimson Ground’. It opens with atmospheric tolling bells and a radio inset from a war somewhere before the drums burst in and blocked Gothic Metal guitars explode. The vocal also tending towards the Metal end of the spectrum may be with a bit of Emo going on as a sub-plot. As openings go this is an interesting intro and the song is filled out by a couple of nice guitar lines and driving drums subtle keyboards.

The second track ‘Lost’ has more keyboards going on right from the techno pop intro and is more Classic-Emo fuelled Goth in flavoured. It’s the archetypal lost love song right down to the mentioning of ‘Fallen Angel’ in the lyric you know for whoever was ‘Lost’ it won’t end well. ‘Waiting In The Wings’ picks up the pace again being more guitar driven in structure and having more attack despite the keyboard opening.

This track is definitely going in the direction of Evanescence in sound and tempo, the vocal reminds

you of Amy Lee right down to the way it trails off at the end. ‘Crystal Ball’ is the song they've chosen to use in the traditional promotional video and it's a passable slab of power-pop with rock pretentions. I suppose it’s fair to say it’s the appetizer but it’s not representative of the rest of the albums more moody and heavy content. ‘Bad Love’ opens with the drum track then the rest of the rhythm section follows in a tense procession. The pace quickens and the vocal reminds you of Charlotte Wessels in her Delain phase as does the whole song, the phrasing is great and the performance full of emotion. ‘Beautiful Mistake’ opens with a repeating quirky keyboard opening before the drums come in with a thudding heart type beat. It’s another love lost piece bemoaning the loss of a love rather than celebrating it. The intensity builds as the song darkens. The track is dramatic and contains a short but compelling guitar break.

My Own Ghost have definitely put their own spin on this variant of Goth/Rock with imaginative use of guitar, refined use of keyboards and powerhouse drumming.

Julie Rodesch has a fine voice for this genre and her performance throughout is moving and emotionally rich. The production Markus Teske from Bazement Studio in Germany, renowned for his quality work on albums of Vanden Plas, Symphony X, Spock’s Beard and Patrick Rondat for an additional mix and the mastering of the album have created a pin sharp sound stage for the music . This is an album you will listen to when you are in a particular mind-set, it’s not in any sense up beat, moody and brooding yes in spades and it’s not going to lighten your mood. Now this is going to sound sexist but it’s still true the balance of emotional content is going to appeal more to female listeners then male as it’s all voiced from the female prospective.

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Jimmy Barnes - 30:30 Hindsight Record Label: Mushroom

9/10 Released: 27 October 2014

Highlight of the album: No Second Prize/Ride The Night Away Website: http://www.jimmybarnes.com/ Reviewer: Phil Kane

Down here at the bar in The Hole, Jimmy is a genuine, copper bottomed class A1 legend. His is a voice that could dig a trench or punch holes in tarmac when belting out rockers, but sounds just as good crooning old soul numbers (which he has done quite a bit over the years) or wailing the blues. Too gutsy for the herd Barnes has never really gained the worldwide recognition he deserves and certainly here in good ol' Blighty, he remains sadly neglected. Though he’s has never really stopped fighting his demons he is practically untouchable in his adoptive Australia, and as rock and soul singers go he is arguably one of the few who come close to giving the great, and fellow Glaswegian, Frankie Miller a run for his money.

gets a new lease of life with the addition of a horn section and Little Stevie on lead guitar, the still driving ‘Working Class Man’ strips out a lot of the original's AOR floss, replacing it with a jangling Petty style intro and a tinkling almost southern piano. Neal Schon and Bonamassa are restrained revelations on 'Going Down Alone', 'Stone Cold' and the reinterpretation of classic AOR ballad ‘Too Much Ain’t Enough Love’ as a slick blues. 'Love And Hate' (with NZ’s alt rockers Shihad) is about as close to metal as it gets. ‘Stand Up’ is turned into a hell of a snare driven soul stomper and the orchestrated ‘Still On Your Side’ shows Barnes can tone things down when he wants. Kevin Shirley’s production job gives the whole affair the feel of one off live in-the-studio first takers, particularly opener ‘Lay For this retrospective, Barnes has taken tracks from Down Your Guns’. A word to the wise though, if you are across his thirty year solo career (he came to already aware of the man and his work, cherry pick the prominence with his earlier fractious tenure as vocalist downloadable version as disc two of this twinset is in Cold Chisel) and rerecorded them with the help of disappointingly (comparatively speaking) just a straight some pretty big hitting pals; Joe Bonamassa, Little compilation, which makes the nineteen quid asking Stevie Van Zandt, Journey, The Living End (sadly minus price for the hard copy a bit rich, though I guarantee collaborator Ash Grunwald) amongst them. Barnes it’ll still send seasoned Barnestormers digging out explains, “I wanted to do something special for the those old solo and Cold Chisel albums.

30th anniversary. There was talk of a tribute album, but that idea would have taken me out of the picture.

‘30:30 Hindsight’ is not without its detractors, some So then I thought of a much better idea, I’ll get all my calling Barnes a mere screamer and one particular favourite artists and sing with them!” The tracks are idiot decrying the lack of a duet with INXS's Michael redone more in the style of gritty stripped back guitar Hutchence on the reworked 'Good Times' (here heavy tales of the new west Americana given a big beat featuring Keith Urban). DOH! None of the revisions are treatment than the sun burned Great Divide AOR of overly radical, and it does get a bit ballad heavy, yet it’s the originals. ‘I’d Rather Be Blind’ and ‘No Second Prize’ his voice, that voice, which is the star of the show here; are simply exceptional motoring rockers that scream simply awesome. for blue skies and open roads, ‘Ride The Night Away’

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Firebrand Magazine

TEN - Albion Record Label: Rocktopia Records

10/10 Released: 21 November 2014

Highlight of the album: A Smugglers Tale Website: http://www.tenofficial.com/ Reviewer: Rob Birtley

My first encounter with Ten came rather late in the day.

It was around 2010 when I heard the track Epic track ‘10 Fathoms Deep’ on an internet radio show hosted by a certain Blond with a sultry voice, both were and still are a turn on. Why and how I missed this band first hand is still a mystery but after that first track in true compulsive obsessive fashion I dug deep into all things Ten including catching the band live and discovered a treasure trove of Great story telling Music.

Albion is the band’s 11th studio album and the line up on this release is as follows. Gary Hughes – Vocals, Guitars, Programming, Dann Rosingana – Lead Guitars, Steve Grocott – Lead Guitars, John Halliwell – Guitars, Steve McKenna – Bass Guitars, Darrel Treece Birch – Keyboards, Max Yates – Drums and Percussion. I guess you will immediately notice this 7 man line up has twin lead guitars and a rhythm player something I haven’t come across before in a Melodic Hard Rock band and is part of the plan of Gary Hughes, the driving force behind all things Ten, to really magnify and expand their sound especially for Live performances something Ten have always had a great name for.

Albion begins with ‘Alone in the Dark Tonight’ which is to be released as a single soon. From the first note this is ‘Classic’ Ten only more so. It begins with a brief keyboard run then the rhythm guitar line chimes in before picking up the twin solos. One thing that always marks out a Ten song is also in evidence a plenty. Just how Gary manages to pack in such intricate and clever lyrics into a song and still keep it musical and rocking along. A phrasing master-class as always that spins and grows the tale as the song evolves. Gary’s voice well it’s never been better and is the template for perfection in this genre. In the break the twin guitars bounce off each other giving you a shiver down the spine with anticipation of seeing this song performed live. Next up is ‘Battlefield’. Gary opens on vocal with part of the chorus refrain. Once again rhythm plays back drop to twin lead pyrotechnics. I dare say we all have known times in life and love when it does seem to be a battlefield and this is what the song is all about. The bridge has an intricate intertwining spiral from lead guitars then skilfully the rhythm leads out towards the satisfying conclusion with the lead guitars repeating at the end. ‘Albion Born’ is the album’s trademark Ten Epic track in the same rich vein as ‘The Robe’ or the ‘Name of the Rose’. This time ancient British history is Gary’s source of inspiration. It begins just with Gary’s vocal and his words echoed in perfect harmony invoking times long gone by and oral traditions of storytelling of the Bards around many a camp fire eons ago. ‘Albion’ which

derives from ancient Greek is the oldest known name of the island of now known as Great Britain. The track about the original history of how Great Britain was formed and its back theme is the warrior Queen Boadicea of the Iceni (who's also depicted on the cover of the album). ‘Albion Born’ is a call to arms on a grand scale and if this song doesn’t raise your blood and stir up some of your Celtic heritage well I guess you just must a pasty faced Anglo-Saxon. Track 5 is an out and out ballad Sometimes Love Takes The Long Way Home’.

It begins simply with a keyboard and piano line. The song reminds me of the tracks on ‘Storm Warning’ and I should add it also brings to mind the Whitesnake tear jerker ‘Looking For Love’ in places yes it’s that good. It’s more stripped back and simple in construction than the earlier songs but its foundation is so strong it more than holds its own. ‘A Smugglers Tale’ is a Nautical Epic that stands toe to toe with ’10 Fathoms Deep’ in its swashbuckling scale and scope. This is storytelling Ten at its best you can almost feel the recoil from the flintlocks and smell the gunpowder from the Revenue Men firearms and see the masked figure on the headland with the lantern guiding the ships to an illegal landing. The playing is also on a grand scale and it is a definite future favourite for playing live. ‘Die For Me’ is the current single and what an appetizer for the album it is. The intro is led by the rhythm guitar and has a feel of the rhythm work of John Sykes circa 1984 and the whole track has that vibe including the vocal that powers along like a later day Coverdale. The hook in this song is so huge you could land Jaws 1, 2 and 3 with it.

Add the fine Sykes inspired lead solos and the way this song Rocks along you really don’t need to be Stephen Hawking to figure out why this song was chosen to be the lead-off single. ‘Gioca D’Amoure’, or loosely translated ‘Game of Love’ is another ballad. Being partly sung in Italian this is another first for Ten. The song showcases Gary’s amazing vocal talents to the full as he goes into old school Crooner mode. This song in places rekindles memories of Matt Monroe and a number of his movie tunes; it’s easy to imagine it being the soundscape for a film.

To sum up ‘Albion’ finds Ten back at their expansive and explosive best. There are no half measures here and the scale and complexity of the sound from this souped-up line-up is truly impressive. As to the final addition well I can only recall the words of a Scouce builder working in Germany when a lady of the night asked him for payment in the German currency.

‘Marks? Well 10 out of 10 love, 10 out of 10.’ I should add ‘Albion’ is not the end for news music coming in the immediate future from Ten. Another release is scheduled for early 2015 and I for one can hardly wait.

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Bailey - Long Way Down Record Label: Frontiers Records

7/10 Released: 5 December 2014

Highlight of the album: Long Way Down Website: http://baileyrocks.com/ Reviewer: Rob Birtley

Bailey is the solo project of Three Lions frontman Nigel Bailey. Although a relatively new name on the Melodic Rock scene recording wise the Bradford born Singer/ Songwriter has served a long apprenticeship and fully paid his dues. By 14 he was fronting a rock covers band that had been formed at school. He played the local pub and club scene with various bands and his range, power and emotive vocals kept him in high demand in the scene. In October 2012 Nigel was introduced to Vinny Burns (Dare, Ten, Ultravox, Asia) by Serafino Perugino, President of Frontiers Records with the intention of writing together, however, as soon as they started composing they both realised that the music they were creating needed a full blown band the result was Three Lions.

name. This is just the kind of song Fire Fest die-hards queue up to hear in their droves. The fourth track ‘Bad Reputation’ is more Bluesy in a later year’s Bad Company way and the vocal has a Brian Howe. The song doesn’t get anywhere near as down and dirty as the Thin Lizzie song of the same name but there are parallels in the approach and intensity. The title track ‘Long Way Down’ starts off with a dense and distorted piece of rhythm riffage and powerhouse drumming which runs right through the track. The lighter solo is a fine contrast as works well. This track also has a Bad Co. vibe going on and personally I think Nigel’s voice suits the heavier material like this and ‘Name of the King’. This is a Rocking song not as fierce or guitar driven as ‘Lonely at The Top’ by the Tygers of Pan Tang but heading in that The players on ‘Long direction in a Bluesy Way Down’ are Nigel way. ‘Spend the Night’ Bailey: Lead and is the out and out Backing Vocals, power ballad of the Bass, Guitars Mario album starting off in Percudani: Electric, time honoured fashion Acoustic and Slide Guitars Alessandro Mori: Drums with acoustic guitar and just Bailey’s understated vocal Additional backing vocals by Andy Bailey and till the song builds and the rest of the band chimes in.

Alessandro Del Vecchio, Keyboards by Alessandro Del It’s a song that conquers up Def Leppard in their Vecchio. Nigel wrote the majority of the songs between quieter moments in a sort of ‘Love Bites’ way but 2011 and mid 2012 it was recorded at Ivory Tears equally you could close your eyes and hear Steve Music Works in Somma Lombardo Italy July 2012 and Overland singing this one. The song does showcase the produced by Alessandro Del Vecchio. The style well control and range of Nigel’s singing to the full. This much a kin to the Three Lions release, may be a bit torch song really does have all the classic ingredients harder edged and slightly heavier but still firmly and is a fine piece of work. ploughing the fruitful furrow of classic British Melodic Hard Rock.

When I first sat down to listen to this album I still had the Three Lions release echoing in my mind so it was ‘Long Way Down’ begins with ‘Feed The Flames’ The obvious that at some point I had to compare and opening guitar line sounds like UFO in the ‘Lights Out’ contrast. For a debut solo release ‘Long Way Down’ era and goes on that way until Nigel’s vocal and the has a lot going for it. The singing taken as read is vocal harmonies kick and slightly sweetens and lifts the excellent. The songs well never less than entertaining melody. One thing that strikes you right away just like and it does have a gem or two. The playing well as Three Lions is Nigel’s distinctive and powerful vocal he you’d expect it’s of a high standard but it just seems to is just such an authentic voice for this kind of material. lack something compared to the Three Lions debut ‘In the Name of the King’ is more in the style of which has a Band sound written all over it from the Rainbow with Joe Lynn Turner at the mike and is the first note to last and not the sound of a solo project. lead-off single for the album. The song rocks along and Taste is an intangible and the some of the whole of this is more to the heavy side with thudding rhythm guitar album didn’t draw me in as much as excellent Three bouncing off the drums and bass, coupled with a nice Lions debut. All in all a good solo debut rather than Blackmore style solo on lead. Next up is ‘Dirty Little great.

Secret’ and it’s a step towards the lighter end AOR in a similar style to FM harmonies and guitar parts as well and a nod of the head to the Bon Jovi song of the same

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Sister Sin - Black Lotus Record Label: Victory Records

9/10 Released: 27 October 2014

Highlight of the album: The Jinx Website: https://www.facebook.com/SisterSin Reviewer: Stephen Brophy

Swedish rockers Sister Sin burst onto the scene in 2008 with their second album release Switchblade Serenade and haven't looked back since, with both True Sound Of The Underground (2010) and Now And Forever (2012) being received well by fans and critics alike. So the band have kept up the schedule of releasing an album every two years with the release of Black Lotus and this time out we get nine tracks of ballsy metal that is a solid as a rock.

drawn in more and more, and with some excellent playing backing her up it gets the head moving. "Stones Thrown" is another of the top tracks on the album, this one just blasts along, with such a strong solid rhythm and everyone going for it at the same time, really love this track, flying guitars when it's fit to do it, nice. "The Jinx" brings the pace down a bit again, but this time it's just excellent, this is almost like a ballad for them, the song develops as it plays, and has a maturity that just brings a smile to the face, everything doesn't have to This album really attacks right from the start with the be 100% full volume to have effect, the aggression in excellent "Food For Worms" a hard edge rocker with a the vocals doesn't have to be on every song to have the nice aggressive kick to it, Liv Jagrell unleashes just the required effect, this one for me is the stand out track, right amount of venom in her vocal delivery and it has everything in different shades and just everything just works so well. The guitars are just works. Only two tracks left "Ruled By None" is back to slicing in another angle to the attack, great opener to straight out metal, and another excellent track, as with the album. Next up is "Chaos Royale" which didn't grab all good albums the more you hear the more you want me straight off, but is one of those tracks that just to listen, this is the one of the anthems on display and grows on you a bloody good the more you one it is too. listen. "Au Finally we are Revoir" is the presented with opposite grabs "Sail North" you straight which mixes away with solid things up a little riffing, with some nice powerful track backing vocals that motors from guitarist along at a Jimmy Hitula decent pace and is a really and again nice track to keeps the flow finish with. going. The pace slows The more I listen slightly, but not to this album the to the more I love it, detriment of absolutely the album with cracking piece of "Desert work from start Queen" which again has enough bile and aggression in to finish and I really can't remember the last time I liked it despite being a slower track, and one thing that a female fronted metal release this much, Sister Sin works really well on this on as it does really throughout have just come out and smashed this album through is the additional layers of accompaniment. The band my face, excellent piece of work and long may it really seems to be working in great harmony on this continue. If you are looking for crazy ten minute epics album. here you have come to the wrong place, this is an album of anthemic Metal songs of a very high quality, "Count Me In" opens with some orchestral and I'm not trying to say that the tracks here aren't accompaniment which works well with the song as it very well written and put together, just that there's no builds and gets more aggressive, and it runs right the posturing, it does exactly as it says on the tin - and me way through with some nice cutting solos wrapped for one I'm delighted to get a band doing what they say around it, another pretty much balls out vocal and I they do, long may it continue. think from start to finish it's Liv that's the real star her, even with aggression in her vocal delivery you are just

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Neonfly - Strangers In Paradise Record Label: Rising Records

9/10 Released: 1 December 2014

Highlight of the album: Songs Of Liberty Website: http://www.neonfly.net/ Reviewer: Rob Birtley

Now and again I get the last minute ‘Hot’ release ~needed for the next issue dropped into my lap at short notice that was the case for ‘Strangers In Paradise’ and usually these albums tend to be more interesting than most be it for good or bad they never tend to be indifferent.

London based Neonfly first saw the light of day in 2008. Immediately hitting the ground running and making a name for themselves with their debut EP ‘Clever Disguise’. Then followed a number of high profile support slots these guys earned their spurs out on the road where it counts. This young band is crafted for success. I not going to repeat the lurid biog line from their FB page read it yourself it’s quite entertaining just to say the consist of Willy Norton – Vocals, Frederick Thunder – Guitars, Patrick Harrington – Guitars, Paul Miller – Bass, Boris Le Gal – Drums.

Strangers In Paradise is the follow up to their 2011 debut album Outshine The Sun. Their sound well pitch in AOR sensibilities with rapid guitar work more akin to Dragon Force so this is full force and fast pace Melodic Metal played with style and panache.

One thing immediately strikes you like a sledge hammer is the capacity of Nelson to range his vocal from soft crooning to the Halford scream arena seemingly effortlessly. The band also musically mix and match from full blown Speed Metal to mainstream AOR equal ease. Melodic Power Metal is about as near as I can get to it.

The album opens with the up with ‘Whispered Dreams’ is a prime example in how to pen an earworm of Melodic Metal, with a big chorus, lightning fast guitars and the soaring vocals of Willy Norton. Next up is ‘Highways To Nowhere’ it opens with simple acoustic guitar but soon speeds up and becomes all together more metallic. Have to say including the fierce vocal there is a definite touch of Judas Priest happening here. The drum rhythm pounds along trading off with the bass and the guitars are full bore. ‘Better Angels’ is a quick fire track verging on Metal yet never loses sight

of the melody and is one of the lead songs off the album. It also shows the bands range merging Metal with a superior Power ballad. It’s an anthemic song built no doubt for rocking arenas. ’Rose In Bloom’ brings to mind a Nightwish track ‘While Your Lips Are Still Red’ not quite as flowery or mawkish but in that vein mixed in with one of the quieter tracks off ‘Fortress’ ‘Lover’ minus the killer guitar of Mark Tremonti but packed with a full on AOR hook. ‘Heart of The Sun’ picks up the pace and is a slab of prime Hard Rock with a symphonic undertow going on filling out the sound. It explodes into a fast pace guitar solo break then the vocal roars back with intricate harmonies going on. ‘Aztec Gold’ is also marked out by its orchestration and use of strings as the guitars let rip.

Being solely instrumental it enforces just how good a bunch of players these guys are. ‘Fierce Battalions’ is full on Power Metal yet made to shine more brightly by the vocal that spans the full right of light and dark whilst being emotionally full of expression. ‘Sons Of Liberty’ illustrates the use of keyboards and orchestral flourishes that really help lift the quality of the songs at the same time varying the pace and gripping the attention of the listener.

Shades of Royal Hunt come through fast and furious on this track. The album closes with ‘Falling Star’ the lyric is AOR poetry echoes of Journey and Styx come through and only goes to show again the breath these guys span. Radio single material and a band showcase song well undoubtedly.

I’m finding it hard to sum up this album. Power Metal well obviously, highly Melodic with Hard Rock AOR element certainly and it’s played with a panache and style all of its own and has a multi-voiced multi-talented singer at the mike. It’s something of a standalone and a distinctive mix. A mix that well and truly fires along on all cylinders from first to last. It’s been a while from the origins of the band in 2008 to today but if this release is anything to go by it’s been well worth the wait.

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Fugitive - In Transit Record Label: Cat Records Music Label

7/10 Released: 1 June 2014

Highlight of the album: Janie Website: https://www.facebook.com/fugitiverock Reviewer: Rob Birtley

Reviewing for Firebrand isn’t always taking a look at the latest efforts from well-known outfits. Quite often Editor Lee sends me an album from some band that I’ve never heard of before with the simple tag line ‘Give this a listen think you may dig it’ and a number of times I had to say the guy was spot on the money. So when ‘In Transit’ arrived in my dropbox I was wondering just what I was going to find this time.

Fugitive are a four piece hailing from the other side of the Mersey from me the Wirral. The line-up consists of Mikee Lead Vocal and 2nd Guitar, Ranko Lead Guitar, Paul T Bass and Backing Vocals with Wils on Drums.

This is a band whose history goes back to as far as November 1990 making their live debut in a small smoky room in Crosby, Liverpool, front of about 40 people early 1991. Since then they managed to rack up over 1000 live performances becoming fixtures on the Biker Rally scene amongst other venues playing their own mix of original material and Rocking covers.

So as you can imagine I was in the very least expecting the album to be well honed and tight which it undoubtedly is. Their sound well it takes me back a bit further than 1990 to that period of the 80’s when N.W.B.H.M and Hard Rock AOR bands were slugging it out toe to toe. Bands like Tobruk, Jagged Edge, Tyketto, Liverpool Legends Nutz and Export come to mind. Mix in a little Thunder and later Rainbow with a bit of UFO and you are in the Ball Park.

The album opens with the up with ‘Alive’. This is an anthem for all us Weekend Warriors; I know I’m not the only one who’s wanted to tell a boss just what to do with his 9 to 5. Ranko chips in with two nice guitar parts and the whole song Rocks along nicely. Fugitive’s Motto is “Rockin is our business. Beer drinking and hell raisin is what we do” and yes you can tell that from the song. Next is ‘Behind Closed Eyes’ it’s a ballad a bit in the Bon Jovi mould including some nice acoustic guitar

and has a country feel. Guess you could say it’s the lighter in the air moment done in a superior fashion.

‘Look inside Your Heart’ follows on. The tempo is picked up but the vibe is similar. The guitar line is chunkier but a few twiddle bits are thrown in and the whole brings to mind some of FM’s better efforts a definite track for our AOR lovers. ‘Overnight Sensation’ has the craft of a good Tyketto song about it only in a British way with Mikee sounding more like Danny Bowes than Danny Vaughn. It also has some of the best guitar parts in to be found on the album. Like all this release the vocal harmonies are tight and spot on filling out the sound.

‘Temptation’ is a Rocker in the Rainbow/Jagged Edge style. The opening reminds me of ‘Street of Dreams’ and the whole song has that otherworldly compulsive feel with guitar work heading into the Blackmore realm.

Track 7 ‘Janie’ opens with just the bass line then begins to build. The vocal from Mikee starts quiet and plaintive then soars on in. The attack on this song is midway between Rainbow and UFO with a hybrid rhythm and bluesy groove. The guitar solo is more Schenker than Blackmore and the track ends with the statutory drum roll rocking right to the end. Have to say this is one of the most radio friendly tracks on the album. ‘This Ain’t Love’ is in the style of the sleazier Def Leppard songs with a touch of Motely Crue thrown in for good measure slowed down slightly and shaken with Blues.

Fugitive list their interests as ‘Playing loud 'n' hard.

Rallying and drinking’ and this makes perfect sense of ‘In Transit’. It’s a ‘feel good goodtime’ album. You will need to turn up the volume and crack open a can or three maybe light up the Barbecue and slap on some burgers as well because it puts you in the mood to Party Biker style and in my book that’s never a bad thing. Last thing at least check out the bands FB page there you will find two tracks to download FREE so you can try before you buy.

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I.C.O.N - New Born Live EP Record Label: Burning Halo Records

10/10 Released: 25 August 2014

Highlight of the album: Shotgun Karma Website: https://www.facebook.com/icon.uk Reviewer: Graham Pritchard

Old school rock is a term thrown around quite a lot at present and never has it been more appropriate to use it when talking about I.C.O.N, Anyone who has seen them live will tell you that they are an in your face straight up no bull hard rock band that never fail to deliver.

7 tracks including the title track new born lie and my personal favourite all time I.C.O.N track Shotgun Karma being on their so that’s me happy. Just Ultraviolet omitted from this which is a shame as it is a cracking track. If I had to pick one negative it would have been nice to hear at least on new track.

Having had the privilege of both seeing and meeting I.C.O.N on a few occasions I can say that these lads are not only really great guys to know, but also one of the hardest working bands on the planet. So I can’t say a lot about them that has not been said already on many occasions by a lot of people.

This album showcases the band at their best and where they belong, on a big stage in front of a crazy audience and is a stand out album in its own right.

With a new Drummer Larry Paterson from New Zealand who really looks the part complementing the aggressive vocal talents of Mark Sagar and the incredible guitar skills of Scott Knowles who by the way So what of the new EP? Titled New Born Live, nothing looks like a metal version of Thor, throw in the mix the new to hear on this, no new tracks just good rock n roll very talented Reece Bevan on Bass and they can only played live. Recorded at the Excellent Out Of The Ashes go from strength to strength. If you have never seen or festival at the Vauxhall Sports Centre Ellesmere Port Heard I.C.O.N before check them out ASAP you won’t Cheshire UK on Saturday the 27th of July 2013. This be disappointed. OH and no Keyboards used in this. seems to be a bridge between the first album New Born Lie and the second one which is coming soon I’m told.

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Amon Amarth January 2015 18 Bristol Thekla 19 Nottingham Rescue Rooms 23 Oxford O2 Academy 25 Manchester Academy 2 27 Glasgow Classic Grand Arch Enemy December 16 Birmingham The Institute 18 London The Forum Babymetal November 08 London O2 Academy Brixton Behemoth December 09 London The Forum 10 Glasgow O2 ABC 11 Cublin The Cademy 12 Birmingham O2 Academy 13 Manchester Academy Black Star Riders March 2015 05 Glasgow O2 ABC 06 Glasgow O2 ABC 07 Newcastle O2 Academy 10 Nottingham Rock City 11 Cambridge Corn Exchange 14 Wolverhampton Civic Hall Blackwolf November 10 Bristol The Exchange 11 Birmingham The Oobleck 12 Manchester Academy 3 14 Milton Keynes The Crawford Arms 15 Pwllheli Hard Rock Hell 16 Glasgow Audio 18 London The Dome Centiment December 01 Newcastle Think Tank 02 Glasgow Audio 03 York Fibbers 04 Chester The Compass 05 Birmingham Alfie Birds Collisions March 2015 26 Manchester Sound Control 27 Newcastle The Globe

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Hard Rock Hell 13-16 November Diamond Head, Electric Mary, Vardis, Bonafide and many more Genesis November 01 London Eventim Apollo 02 Salford The Lowry 03 Guildford Glive 04 Birmingham Symphony Hall Goatwhore November 17 Brighton Audio 18 Cardiff Clwb Ifor Bach 19 Glasgow Cathouse 20 Dublin Voodoo Lounge 21 Manchester Sound Control 22 Wolverhampton Slade Rooms 23 London Garage I AM I November 20 Nottingham Rock City 21 Grimsby Yardbirds 22 Doncaster Diamond Live Lounge 23 Sheffield Corporation 24 Bolton Railway Kamelot March 2015 13 Pwllheli Hammerfest VII Kerrang! Tour 2015 February 06 Norwich Nick Rayns LCR UEA 07 Leeds O2 Academy 09 Southampton O2 Guildhall 10 BristolO2 Academy 13 Cardiff University Students Union 14 Manchester Academy

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15 Newcastle O2 Academy 16 Glasgow O2 Academy 18 Liverpool O2 Academy 19 Birmingham O2 Academy Lords Of The Riff - Vol.2 November 05 Leeds The Key Club 06 Glasgow Classic Grand 07 Liverpool Arts Club 08 Newcastle O2 Academy 2 09 Nottingham Rescue Rooms 10 Manchester Academy 3 11 Colchester Arts Centre 13 Birmingham 02 Academy 14 Bristol Thekla 15 Stoke Sugarmill 16 London Garage Lynyrd Skynard April 2015 21 Glasgow Clyde Auditorium 22 Manchester O2 Apollo 23 London Eventim Apollo Machine Head December 06 London Roundhouse 07 London Roundhouse 09 Portsmouth Guildhall 10 Bristol O2 Academy 11 Plymouth Pavilions 13 Glasgow O2 Academy 14 Leeds O2 Academy 16 Manchester O2 Apollo Madness December 04 Nottingham Capital FM Arena 05 Cardiff Motorpoint Arena 06 Brighton The Brighton Centre 08 Plymouth Pavillions 09 Bournemouth International Centre 11 Leeds First Direct Arena Mostly Autumn December 04 Norwich Arts Centre 05 Manchester Academy 3 06 Bilston Robin 2 07 Glasgow Renfrew Ferry 12 Hull Fruit 13 Rotherham Montgomery Hall 14 Milton Keynes The Stables 15 Southampton The Brook Motorhead November 06 Birmingham NIA 08 London SSE Arena Richie Ramone December

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20 London Forum Status Quo December 06 Liverpool Exho Arena 16 Cardiff Motorpoint Arena The Temperance Movement November 16 Bristol O2 Academy 17 Manchester The Ritz 20 Birmingham The Institute 21 London The Forum December 02 Glasgow Venue TBC Turbogeist December 03 Exeter Cavern 04 London The Garage 05 Bristol Thekla 06 Sheffield Winter Rock Fest 07 Manchester Academy 3 08 Glasgow Cathouse Turbowolf November 06 London Electric Ballroom 07 London Electric Ballroom 08 Cambridge The Junction 10 Portsmouth Pyramid 11 Oxford O2 Academy 12 Bristol The Bierkeller December 01 Nottingham Recue Rooms 02 Manchester Deaf Institute 04 Cardiff Clwb Ifor Bach 05 Bournemouth Sound Circus 06 Birmingham Institute Temple 08 Norwish Waterfront Studio 09 London Dingwalls Tyketto November 14 Glasgow Garage 18 Nottingham Rescue Rooms 19 Manchester Club Academy Volbeat November 14 Nottingham Rock City 15 Glasgow Barrowland 16 Manchester Academy 17 London Roadhouse 19 Portsmouth Pyramids 20 Norwich Nick Rayns LCR UEA

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