GIVEAWAY | IAN ANDERSON’S ‘THICK AS A BRICK 2′ CD
Include your name, e-mail, and snail mail address!
Total Assault Music and Hardrock Haven are giving one lucky winner IAN ANDERSON’S THICK AS A BRICK 2 CD …
Following the recent announcement of a 19-date tour to commemorate the 40th anniversary of ‘Thick As A Brick,’ on April 2nd (April 3rd in North America) Ian Anderson will release a sequel to the original album.
Ian Anderson says of the album, “As we baby-boomers look back on our own lives, we must often feel an occasional ‘what-if’ moment. Might we, like Gerald, have become instead preacher, soldier, down-and-out, shopkeeper or finance tycoon?” Adding, “And those of more tender years – the social media and internet generation – may choose to ponder well the myriad of chance possibilities ahead of them at every turn…..”
Thick As A Brick 2 (‘TAAB2’) tracklist [CD, digital]
1. From A Pebble Thrown
2. Pebbles Instrumental
3. Might-have-beens
4. Upper Sixth Loan Shark
5. Banker Bets, Banker Wins
6. Swing It Far
7. Adrift And Dumfounded
8. Old School Song
9. Wootton Bassett Town
10. Power And Spirit
11. Give Till It Hurts
12. Cosy Corner
13. Shunt And Shuffle
14. A Change Of Horses
15. Confessional
16. Kismet In Suburbia
17. What-ifs, Maybes And Might-have-beens
‘Thick As A Brick 2’ will be released as a standard jewel case CD and digital download, and in a Special Edition 2-disc package with DVD featuring 5.1 stereo mixes, 24-bit stereo mix, video of the making of the album, interviews with the musicians and Ian Anderson reading the lyrics in various locations.
On the Web: http://www.j-tull.com/musicians/iananderson/
Contest Ends April 30, 2012
GIVEAWAY | Candlelight Red The Wreckage Prize Pack: Signed Poster, CD, T-shirt
Include your name, e-mail, and snail mail address!
Total Assault Music and Hardrock Haven are giving one lucky winner a Candlelight Red The Wreckage Prize Pack which includes a Signed Poster, CD, T-shirt …
Hailing from central PA, the band (which includes vocalist Ryan Hoke, guitarist Jeremy Edge, bassist Jamie Morral, and drummer Brian Dugan) recently released its first full length CD, ‘The Wreckage,’ issued via Imagen Records and overseen by Grammy-nominated producer David Ivory.
Right out of the gate, CLR has been turning heads, as the group’s lead-off single from ‘The Wreckage,’ titled “Closer,” reached #42 Mediabase Active Rock with wide nationwide radio support including strong spins at Octane for over six months. And earlier, CLR beat out over 10,000 other bands to win the 2010 national Guitar Center “Onstage” contest, which landed them an opening slot for KISS. Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley of KISS specifically chose the band from among 22 regional contest winners. As a result, CLR had the honor of opening a show for KISS in Pittsburgh in late 2010.
On the Web: Candlelight Red
Contest Ends April 30, 2012
Guitarist Chris Bickley releases Debut CD Tapestry Of Souls
Hailing from New Haven, CT, Guitarist Chris Bickley has released his first solo CD, Tapestry Of Souls on the label Shredguy Records. It is the 14th release for Shredguy Records and the release date of May 1st coincides with the label’s 4th anniversary. The album was produced by Vic Steffens and Mastered by 10 time Emmy award winner and two time Grammy award nominee, Jim Chapdelaine. Written and recorded over a two year period, the initial inspiration came from a friend -Drummer Gaetano Nicolosi-, who inspired Chris by laying down the drum tracks for what became the first two songs. Says Chris, “creatively I just pick up the guitar and I become inspired. I don’t consider myself an enigma, but when I pick up the guitar it just flows out of me.” Read more
Jay Parmar | Circle of Fire
March 15, 2012 by Publisher
Filed under CD/DVD Reviews
by John Kindred
Staff Writer –
Jay Parmar returns with his sophomore studio release titled Circle of Fire on Steve Vai’s label Digital Nations.The album follows up his 2005 debut release, Strange Day, and tracks his musical progress and growth over the last seven years. Although it seems like quite a stretch in between releases, Parmar has been busy with building his studio, writing and demoing this forthcoming release and touring as second guitarist in the band Eden’s Curse in 2009. That tour produced a live album, Condemned to Burn, which featured Parmar on two of the recorded songs.
Parmar finds himself in great company on Circle of Fire. His hard work and networking ability has led him to becoming friends with fellow musicians Carsten Lizard-Schulz (Evidence One/Paradise Inc), Andreas Novak (House of Shakira/Mind’s Eye), Pete Newdeck (Eden’s Curse/Tainted Nations), Tim Wallace, Mike Rotella and guitar legend George Lynch, all of whom contributed to Circle of Fire. And, as all of Parmar’s friends and fans know, George Lynch is a good friend and inspiration to the guitarist.
The core of Circle of Fire is built around the original arrangements written by Parmar. He worked with Pete Newdeck to arrange and record the foundation of the music. Newdeck handled the drums, while Parmar provided the bass, keys, rhythm guitar and his lead solo tracks. From there, each of his “guests” continued to bring the music to life, contributing lyrics, vocals and additional guitar solos. Circle of Fire comprises 12 songs, all of which maintain a cohesive vibe even though different vocalists sing throughout the CD.
Although the inspiration may come from his influences, Parmar pushes forward, letting his voice be heard compositionally and vocally. The music is melodic hard rock, and the vocalists reflect this as they perform melodic and catchy vocal melodies. Newdeck and Schultz handle the majority of the songs, while Novak only is the featured vocalist on “Test of Time,” Wallace appears on “Harm’s Length.” Parmar makes his singing debut on “When Angel Cry.” Circle of Fire delivers great all-around vocals from everyone involved. At times, they fall in between the AOR and Melodic rock world, almost pushing into the ‘80′s stadium-rock-arena on several occasions.
There is no getting around the fact that George Lynch has had a major influence on Parmar’s own guitar style. He won’t deny it. You can hear it within the context of his rhythm guitar work, but it is more evident in his solos. His legato phrasing, attack, harmonic squeals and guitar sound pull a lot from Lynch. It would be bad if he did a poor job of it, but Parmar is extremely accomplished. It’s almost as if the torch is being passed from one legend to the next generation of shredders. Hopefully, as Parmar continues to write and record, his lead guitar work will evolve into a signature style that is all his own. For now, he nails it song after song.
Parmar and Newdeck build a solid foundation for the 12 songs that comprise Circle of Fire and deliver inspired, melodic hard rock bliss. Rotella and Lynch, both, deliver amazing fret board acrobatics alongside Parmar. The slick production magnifies the high caliber of musicianship that comprises Circle of Fire. Unlike a lot of independent artists out there today, Jay Parmar has taken the time to learn his craft, with his guitar and in the studio, before unleashing himself on listeners with sub-par studio albums. His approach and music is a mature and confident. This is reflected on Circle of Fire in his songwriting ability and the quality of professional musicians who brought the album to life.
Highlights: “Hell Is The Place,” “Walking In Circles,” “Dragon,” “Circle of Fire”
Genre: Melodic Hard Rock
Line-up:
Jay Parmar (g)(b)(k)(v)
Pete Newdeck (d)(v)
Carsten Lizard-Schulz (v)
Tim Wallace (v)
Mike Rotella (main solo on “Hell Is The Place”)
George Lynch (intro/main solo on “When Angels Cry”)
Track Listing:
1. Walking In Circles
2. You’re Not Alone
3. Test of Time
4. Lost In You
5. Now You’re Gone
6. Hell Is The Place
7. Stop Laughing
8. Guilty
9. Harm’s Length
10. Circle of Fire
11. The Dragon
12. When Angels Cry
13. Circle of Fire (Single)
Label: Digital Nations
Web: http://www.jayparmar.com/wp/
Hardrock Haven rating: 9/10
DESERT CD “STAR OF DELUSIVE HOPES” AVAILABLE NOW
DESERT was founded in 2002 by guitarist Max Shafranski in one of Israel’s industrial and cultural centers, the city of Beer-Sheva. The band’s name was chosen for a reason – it was located in the middle of biblical sands where Moses has led his people to the Promised Land ages ago. Read more
Kory Clarke | The Trial
February 17, 2012 by Publisher
Filed under CD/DVD Reviews
by Steve Beebee
Guest Staff Writer –
The most important thing to know about The Trial – this remarkable, squalling, sneering, despairing riot of art rock – is that this is the proto-Warrior Soul. The place, for Kory Clarke, that it all truly began.
By the time Warrior Soul started swinging blows of timely warning from the shadows of New York City, Kory had abandoned his drum kit and was standing up front – all hair, raised fists and metallic street poetry. Nothing has changed. Those that truly supported him then truly support him now. But how many of those people are aware of The Trial, the origins of Warrior Soul and an important band and album in its own right? Even the most ardent fan probably only knows of The Trial by name, and fewer still will have ever heard their music.
That time has now ended, with the release of this extraordinary and pivotal album, a release that quite incredibly hails from 1983, not merely years before the rise of grunge and alternative metal, but even pre-dating the Hollywood hair metal era that that scene usurped. If you wanted any further evidence of Kory’s artistry and forward thinking, here it is.
Confrontational and steeped in reverb, The Trial’s music stalks the dark underground channels between the first Warrior Soul album and classic Killing Joke. “Where do I fit in?” roars Kory in 9th Grade, the start of a quest that continues today. Songs like this, the fiery New Rock and the deliciously cynical Human Beings, fight the fight for the underdog and the disenfranchised, the self-proclaimed losers that don’t fit. Drenched in psychedelic, seething guitars – a sound familiar to those who freaked out to Warrior Soul’s Trippin On Ecstasy – the canvas is colored in dark hues. It is propelled by Kory’s exhausting rhythmic barrage and, of course, his voice – a voice that sounds like the last voice at the end of the last bit of everything. Last decade, dead century anyone?
It’s impossible to listen to this decades-delayed work and not picture the doubtless head-fucking spectacle of the band playing live. Kory at the back, singing and playing drums simultaneously (no small achievement in itself!) but projected to the audience on big screens at the front. Footage interspersed with disturbing images of corpses, of porn and American TV advertisements. This already was an artist seeking to challenge people’s preconceptions, to disturb, probe and ask questions. The wicked riffs and anti-establishmentarianism that pummels “Ruler” along is yet another sign of things to come. The skittering guitars and shout-out-loud hooks of “Skeleton Dance” follow suit.
Much has been written, not least of all by this writer, about how Kory Clarke and Warrior Soul were among the most important artists to emerge in metal’s turn-of-the-Nineties rebirth, and that by rights they should also have stood alongside its biggest selling. No feeling of injustice, however keenly felt, can ever re-write history but, satisfyingly, this early project confirms that we were right all the time. For Warrior Soul fans past and present, it’s time to stand Trial.
Track Listing:
Casper Hauser
Helicopter
Human Beings
Jailhouse
New Rock
Romans
Ruler
Skeleton Dance
Hardrock Haven rating: 8/10
[Steve Beebee is a journalist, author and broadcaster, best known for his work with Kerrang! magazine. Beebee is one of the magazine's longest serving writers.]
Iron Mask | Black as Death
February 5, 2012 by Publisher
Filed under CD/DVD Reviews
by Nikiforos Skoumas
Staff Writer –
It is arguable that Belgian neo-classical metal band Iron Mask put out one of the best albums of the genre in early 2010 with the release of their third album Shadow of the Red Baron. At that time guitar hero and band leader Dushan Petrossi had been credited for saying that if the album’s commercial life-cycle was significantly impeded by illegal downloading, that would be the last of Iron Mask as a band.
Two years past that time, Iron Mask seem to have won that bet with Shadow of the Red Baron, resuming their activity with a new album Black as Death and a bigger label, being the German AFM Records. Still, it seems victory has its price and Iron Mask have suffered losses in their line up. Gone are drummer Erik Stout, keyboardist Andreas Lindhal and powerful vocalist Val Halla Jr.
Never the less, reinforcements were never far away; enter drummer Rami Ali (Frontline, Kiske-Somerville), renowned Swedish keyboardist Mats Olauson and on lead vocals, arguably the most iconic of all neoclassical singers, Mark Boals.
As your intuition probably tells you, Iron Mask have developed into something greater than the personal outfit of the Belgian guitar virtuoso; It’s a neo-classical metal force to be reckoned with, hence going no longer under the moniker ‘Dushan Petrossi’s Iron Mask’ (which served as the band’s full name up until the previous album), but plainly ‘Iron Mask.’
And it is all entirely justifiable since the changes in line up brought along changes in the musical style. Songwriting wise, the album is substantially heavier in terms of rhythm section and guitar riffs than anything Petrossi has attempted in the past (add to that the fact that Black as Death was produced by Denis Ward, and it all makes perfect sense).
Not only are we presented with a heavier album but with a thematically darker concept as well. From the majestic opening of the title track to its melodic yet sorrowful chorus (an epic composition that only Mark Boals can pull off so convincingly) one more-or-less gets the picture of what Black as Death is all about. That is not to say however that long term fans of the band are not going to find the characteristic neoclassical scales and vibrato-based vocal harmonies that have defined the band’s sound since their debut.
It is not a question of stronger songs over weaker tunes; simply tracks like “Broken Hero”, “God Punishes I Kill,” “Rebel Kid” and “The Absence” are expected to connect with the listener from their opening note, while “Black as Death” and “Feel the Fire” should require more plays for one to feel at home with all their musical twists and turns.
Believe it or not, with Black as Death, Iron Mask are actually pushing the creative boundaries of neoclassical metal in 2012 and that alone is a major accomplishment. One strongly feels that through Black as Death, Iron Mask offer something challenging but ultimately rewarding to the listener.
Genre: Neo-classical Metal, Melodic Metal
Line up:
Mark Boals – Vocals
Dushan Petrossi – Guitars
Vassili Moltchanov – Bass
Roma Siadletski – Vocals/Shouts
Mats Olausson – Keyboards
Ramy Ali – Drums
Track Listing:
01. From Light Into The Dark
02. Black As Death
03. Broken Hero
04. Feel The Fire
05. Genghis Khan
06. God Punishes, I Kill
07. Rebel Kid
08. Blizzard Of Doom
09. The Absence
10. Magic Sky Requiem
11. Nosferatu
12. When All Braves Fall
Band website: http://www.iron-mask.com/index.php
Label: AFM Records
Hardrock Haven rating: 9/10
Vengeance | Crystal Eye
February 5, 2012 by Publisher
Filed under CD/DVD Reviews
by Marcel ”Mars” Groeneveld
Staff Writer –
“We did it again, ha ha ha ha,” that is how Vengeance’s 1987 classic Take It Or Leave It starts off. Although a lot has changed over the years since their breakthrough album Leon Goewie, the driving force of the band, has certainly managed to once again put Vengeance back on track after a difficult time. Having gone through a lot of musical ups and downs, personal issues, the sudden and untimely death of guitarist and friend Jan Somers last year, you might say they have reached an all time low.
So much to everyone’s surprise, a new era has kicked in and another gem Crystal Eye see’s the light of day. With new players, help from some old friends and a new record company, SPV, the future looks bright again for Vengeance. The album’s sensational all-star cast is just as spectacular as the new material. Alongside original vocalist Leon Goewie, Crystal Eye features drummer Chris Slade (ex-AC/DC), guitarist Keri Kelli (ex-Alice Cooper), and bassist Chris Glen (Michael Schenker Group). This line up is also known as Chris Slade’s AC/DC cover band Steel Circle that plays throughout Europe.
The material for Crystal Eye, Goewie composed mostly in collaboration with producer Michael Voss (Mad Max, ex Vengeance), except for the title track written by former Vengeance guitarist Arjen Lucassen (Ayreon, Star One). The CD consists of 11 straight forward, kick you in the face songs. They all have that quality of being melodic, good sing along songs, with strong choruses while keeping that crunchy edge, do to Kelli’s guitar playing. Kelli is also helped by Michael Voss and Timo Somers (Jan’s son and also ex-Vengeance).
Even after 30 years Goewie is still exploring and developing his vocal abilities as he already has a very unique recognizable voice. As he sings in a lower register on parts of “Back To The Bone” and also the beautiful ballad “Missing,” Gary Barden (MSG) comes to mind. The beautiful bluesy ballad “Promise Me” brings out the pain and more serious side of Vengeance. You have to strap on the seat belts for “Whole Lotta Metal,” a number which Tony Martin (ex-Black Sabbath) contributed tailor-made for Goewie and Vengeance, rocks you socks off.
The album closes with the instrumental, “Jan’s End Piece,” which features the last solo recordings of Jan Somers as a tribute to him. Jan will not be forgotten as the band use the old Vengeance logo as an arch between the past and the future. The only negative remark on the album is the title song “Crystal Eye,” although a great song, is a little out of place when compared to the rest of the album.
Genre: Melodic Hard Rock
Line Up:
Leon Goewie – vocals
Keri Kelli – guitar
Chris Glen – bass
Chris Slade – drums
Guest musicians: Michael Voss – guitar, vocals / Timo Somers (Delain) – guitar
Jan Somers – guitar, artwork; cover and illustrations.
Track Listing:
1. Me And You 04:02
2. Bad To The Bone 04:51
3. Barbeque 03:31
4. Shock Me Now 03:28
5. Five Knuckle Shuffle 04:10
6. Desperate Women 04:03
7. Whole Lotta Metal 04:11
8. Promise Me 03:43
9. Crystal Eye 06:13
10. Missing 04:51
11. Jans End Piece 01:16
12. Paint This Town 03:25 (bonus track digi pack)
13. Barbeque – radio edit 03:35 (bonus track digi pack)
Website: www.vengeanceonline.nl
Label: www.spv.de
Hardrock Haven rating 9.3/10
Amaranthe | Amaranthe
February 5, 2012 by Publisher
Filed under CD/DVD Reviews
by Nikiforos Skoumas
Staff Writer –
It’s been over two years since Dreamland singer Jake E. and Nightrage guitarist Olof Morock sat down to discuss the possibility of forming an original band/concept in Swedish metal. Knowing that Jake’s background is melodic metal and melodic hard rock and Olof’s melodic death metal, experienced fans can imagine what the end product would sound like; well not quite.
The outcome of this collaboration is Amaranthe, a band-project fronted by three singers of different vocal disciplines. Jake handles clean vocals, Andres Solvestrom performs brutal vocals and (the incredibly talented) Elize Ryd adds the female vocals. The rest of the line up features band-leader guitarist Morock, bassist Johan Andreassen and drummer Morten Sorensen.
The foundation of Amaranthe’s sound is the well identifiable Swedish heavy-melodic style while the vocals provide a major area of differentiation for the band. Obviously the lion’s share of vocal lines goes to Elize who exchanges lines with Jake while Anders ads his brutal attack between the verses and choruses.
Speaking of choruses, Amaranthe have probably the catchiest, lengthiest and most melodic choruses in contemporary melodic metal. That is very much due to the technical proficiency of Elize who carries the majority of vocal harmonies accompanied by Jake. Songs like “Hunger,” “One Million Light-years,” “Automatic” and “Rain” bare choruses with such mainstream quality, definitely providing a point of concern for the so-called ‘true’ metal fan.
Moving to the instrumental aspects of Amaranthe’s style, the rhythm section is not far from the characteristic melodic metal rhythm section with refined bass and drum sound and the occasional double-bass drum attack. Morock once again proves himself the melodic shredder adding inventive guitar lines and substantial melodies during the solos. Truth be told his riffs come out as a bit too obvious yet he compensates by dressing his rhythm guitar with keyboard harmonies which performed by himself.
Overall Amaranthe is a somewhat original concept in 2012 metal attempting to bind together melodic metal, death metal and female fronted metal in an album that, for the biggest part, makes sense. Those who have followed the respective careers of the artists and bands mentioned above should definitely try this fast rising Swedish hybrid.
Genre: Melodic Metal, Death Metal, Female Fronted Metal
Line up:
Elize Ryd – clean female vocals
Jake E – clean male vocals
Andreas Solveström – guttural vocals
Olof Mörck – guitar & keys
Morten Løwe Sørensen – drums
Johan Andreassen – bass
Track List:
1. Leave Everything Behind
2. Hunger
3. 1.000.000 Lightyears
4. Automatic
5. My Transition
6. Amaranthine
7. Rain
8. Call Out My Name
9. Enter The Maze
10. Director’s Cut
11. Act Of Desperation
12. Serendipity
Hardrock Haven rating: 8.5/10
Diamond Eye | Sound of the Guns
February 4, 2012 by Publisher
Filed under CD/DVD Reviews
by John Kindred
Staff Writer –
Who doesn’t love their hard rock or metal from down under? Australia, that is, which has given us bands like Airbourne and AC/DC, now delivers up Diamond Eye. Formed in Perth, Western Australia in 2007 by vocalist Will Kelly and guitarist Greg Faucet, the duo recruited bassist Chase Cameron and Danny Torre on drums to complete the band. Their debut EP Sounds of the Guns highlights five songs that, in the bands own words, “…captured” the essence of Diamond Eye.
Sounds of the Guns was produced by Matt Gio, and while reflecting the band’s influences, the compositions are a creative canvas that is exclusively Diamond Eye. The band combines those influences into a bag of tricks that features all that we love about Melodic Hard Rock; memorable hooks, great vocals, bombastic guitar solos, heavy bass and tight percussion.
“Waiting For Me” opens Sound of the Guns with the band’s signature crunchy-driven hard rock sound. Kelly’s vocal are clean, audible and extremely listenable. The band uses harmony vocals to thicken up the choruses. The song breaks into the solo in dramatic fashion. Faucet takes his first opportunity to impress with flashy-melodic chops that embellish the song. “Waiting For Me” truly is a good starting point for Diamond Eye to showcase their talent. “Closer to the Sun” gets started with a heavy riff and a melodic twin harmony solo. Torre shows his skill, throwing in double-bass kicks in the first verse. Again, Faucet unloads with a blistering solo with plenty of aggression and attitude. “Atlantis” lives on the back of driving percussion and a heavy riff. The song features a cool rhythmic breakdown before the solo. More of the same from Kelly, at this point, it would be nice to hear a little more diversity and dynamic to his vocal presentation.
Kelly achieves this, if ever so slightly, on the next song “Machine.” The opening riff has an eerily familiar groove, which isn’t good if you’re trying to sell your own originality as a band to a new audience. It has a heavy, grinding and grooving vibe. Kelly’s vocals, again, are beefed up with additional harmony vocals during the choruses. The title track, “Sounds of the Guns,” closes the EP. Opening with a acoustic-electric arpeggiated melody and melodic solo, the song quickly kicks in gear. Moving into a distorted rhythm, the song shifts into an up-tempo rocker. Torre, again, puts double-kick drum in play. The chorus has a big anthem like feel, which is very dramatic. The song continues to increase the momentum as it pushes to the finale. Kelly and Faucet, both, take the song to its conclusion with a solo performed alongside the finale chorus.
Here is a band that visually gets it right; long hair, decked out in black and members who have the attitude and sound to back up their presentation. They have room for growth and improvement, but Sound of the Guns is an impressive independent studio release. With the EP available now on their website and upcoming album, which will be recorded and released in 2012, Diamond Eye is poised bring its message and musical vision to the world.
Genre: Melodic Hard Rock
Band:
Will Kelly (v)
Greg Faucet (g)
Chase Cameron (b)
Danny Torre (d)
Track Listing:
1. Waiting For Me
2. Closer to the Sun
3. Atlantis
4. Machine
5. Sound of the Guns
Website: www.diamondeyeofficial.com
MySpace: www.myspace.com/diamondeyerocks
Hardrock Haven rating: 7/10
