Stuff by Woody
House Of Lords return next February with their latest album Precious Metal released on Frontiers Records. As a huge fan of the band I’m excited to hear this new one especially as the snippets I’ve heard indicate a fresher sound from the guys. I found their last album Big Money a little formulaic so it’s great to hear they have shaken things up a bit! Don’t forget House Of Lords will be supporting and backing Robin Beck on their European tour early next year which includes a date at The Robin in Bilston on 24th March!
Keep your eyes peeled for a new super group Legacy X whose debut album is slated for release in Spring 2014 via Frontiers Records. Legacy X features Joe Lynn Turner (Vocals), Jeff Watson (Guitars), Carmine Appice (Drums) and Tony Franklin (Bass).
Unsigned Manchester AOR rockers Angels Or Kings have won the unsigned Firefest competition. They have now been added to the Final Firefest line-up next October kicking the whole thing off on Friday.
For the jet set amongst us you’ll be curious about the line-up for Melodicrockfest 4 happening in Chicago, USA next October. So here you go, the three day line –up
Friday October 3rd – Stan Bush, Work Of Art, Adriangale, Johnny Lima, Maxx Explosion, Faith Circus and Crossing Rubicon – with a special late night set from 7th Heaven.
Saturday October 4th – H.E.A.T, Mitch Malloy, LRS, Mecca +, Lost Angeles, Paul Laine, Loud Lion (mini acoustic set), House Of Shakira, Talon and Romeo Riot.
Sunday October 5th – The Poodles, Guardian, Heaven’s Edge, Shooting Star, Tango Down, Bombay Black, Grand Design, Degreed and The Radio Sun.
Primal Fear have unleashed their latest official video for the song ‘When Death Comes Knocking’. It’s lifted from their forthcoming album Delivering The Black which will be released via Frontiers Records at the end of January.
When it rains it pours – it seems like vocalist Steffen Berggren has been very quiet in recent years then bam we have two new projects featuring him in close succession. That’s the recently released Revolution Road album and now the Berggren Kerslake Band with The Sun Has Gone Hazy, which is out in late January via AOR Heaven.
Following the recent death of original Vixen guitarist Jan Kuehnemund, the other original members along with Gina Stiles who performed under the JSRG moniker have now decided to officially call themselves Vixen and pay honour to Jan throughout 2014 with many live shows planned.
Rock Candy sprinkle their magic touch over a new bunch of re-releases this month, look out for – REO Speedwagon ‘Good Trouble’ & ‘Wheels are Turnin’, Lou Gramm ‘Long Hard Look’, Frehley’s Comet ‘Second Sighting’, Shakin Street ‘S/T’, Dirty Looks ‘Cool From The Wire’.
Check out the new official lyric video from Royal Hunt below for the song ‘A Life To Die For’. It’s lifted from the bands recently released album out now on Frontiers Records.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=97KICGmPzmI
German comeback kings Fate have released their first video from their new album If Not For The Devil which is out right now on Avenue Of Allies. It’s for the ultra radio friendly ‘Feel Like Making Love’ check it below and crank it up!
Yes FM have filmed and released another video from their acclaimed album Rockville check out ‘Wake Up The World’ below. It has been dedicated to the memory of the recently passed Nelson Mandela.
One to look out for next spring on Kivel Records is a new band called Romeo Riot! It features Mark Giovi (Ex-Far Cry) on vocals ably backed by Bombay Black members Erik Johnson, Ty Sims, Rob McCauley along with Justin Velte. I’ll be keep my ears out for this one, promises to be killer!
Curran has recently announced they will be the main official support for The Quireboys on their forthcoming Unplugged and Upfront tour. The Midlands shows are 30th Jan – Rescue Rooms, Nottingham, 7th Feb – The Attic, Northampton, 2nd Feb – The Robin, Bilston, and 12th Feb – Zephyr Lounge, Leamington Spa.
Re-Vamp and current Nightwish singer Floor Jansen has been announced as the lead singer on the second Timo Tolkki’s Avalon album. There are also plans in the works for a European tour, so keep your eyes peeled!
Kivel Records have been on a bit of an announcement rampage this month including news about new albums from Tango Down, Adraingale, Maxx Explosion, No Love Lost and Livesay all due in 2014.
Another Major Kivel announcement to add to the rampage is the January release of LA hard rockers Madman’s Lullaby who release the album Unhinged via the label.
Love/Hate will release an independent EP called Crucified in January ahead of their UK tour and HRH AOR appearance in March. Jizzy Pearl has called time on the band following disputes over the use of the band name amongst other former members. Any mention of this version of the band will be Jizzy Pearl’s Love/Hate for the future. Then that’s it – Jizzy will concentrate on his new role in Quiet Riot.
Lover Under Cover will release their second album Into The Night in January via Escape Music. It includes the tracks ‘Miracle’, ‘Life Is Easy’ and ‘Closer To The Truth’.
US melodic hard rockers Talon have announced the return of original vocalist Michael O’Mara and are hard at work on their forthcoming fourth album which should be release late spring 2014.
Dutch Guitarist Adrian Vandenberg has a new band and new album due for release early next year via the Mascot record label. Vandenberg’s Moonkings will also play a live show at The Robin in Bilston on 23rd April one of only two shows in the UK.
Heart will release a brand new live album Fanatic Live from Caesars Coliseum through Frontiers Records next February.
Vanden Plas will release a stage opera next February, written in collaboration with Wolfgang Hohlbein. It’s called Chronicles of The Immortals (Netherworld path 1) and will be released via Frontiers Records.
Rubicon Cross which features Firehouse vocalist CJ Snare has signed a record deal which will see their debut album hitting the shelves in early 2014!
Jake E Lee’s Red Dragon Cartel will be playing this year’s Download festival as well as a fistful of UK club shows including The Slade Rooms in Wolverhampton on 8th June, a great opportunity for Jake’s new band whose new album on Frontiers Records will be released in late January.
earMusic have just released Anette Olzon’s debut solo digital single ‘Falling’. It’s available from all good download websites and you can check out the official lyric video below.
UK rockers Tainted Nation returns with a new video for the ultra catchy ‘Dare You’, personally I think this should have been their first video. It’s lifted from their F.E.A.R album released last year on Massacre Records.
The long promised W.E.T live album / DVD is ready to hit us in February on Frontiers Records. One Live In Stockholm features a whole host of W.E.T favourites as well as a couple of bonuses from Talisman and Eclipse.
FM front man and extremely well respected vocalist Steve Overland has yet another solo album ready to pounce on us, Epic will be released in February on Escape Music. Again Steve has worked with guitarist Mike Slamer and includes the following tracks, ‘If Looks Could Kill’, ‘Liberate My Heart’, ‘If Your Hearts Not In It’ and ‘So This Is Love’.
Stoke rockers Lawless have released their first video to accompany the song ‘Heavy Metal Heaven’. It’s taken from the band’s debut album Rock Savage which is out now via Escape Music.
Julian Angels Beautiful Beast will release their brand new album Kick Down The Barricades on January 24th via Platinum Blonde records.
It’s with great sadness I have to report the death of George Kristy the drummer of Australian AOR’sters White Widdow. Sadly George decided to take his own life on December 19th, R.I.P George.
Greek rockers Redrum who are fronted by German vocalist Michael Bormann have released a second video from their second album Victim Of our Circumstances. Don’t forget Redrum will return to the UK next October as part of Firefest, check out ‘You Can’t Buy No Hero’ below.
Little Caesar will be hitting the UK next April for a string of live shows including a Midlands show at Wolverhampton Slade Rooms on 8th April.
Australian rockers The Radio Sun have signed to Melodicrock Records. Their debut album Wrong Things Right is scheduled for release in March/April of 2014.
That’s it for this month, happy New Year!
