Posted in Cd Reviews

Lion Music

In 2005 DUSAN PETROSSI`S IRON MASK released this stomper, which is now re-released in a very limited run. The band consisted of Dusan on all guitars, iron lung vocalist Goetz “Valhalla Jr” Mohre, and Oliver Hartmann as a guest, keyboard wizard Richard Andersson, and the Russian rhythm section of Vassili Moltchanov on bass and Arnold Arkhipov on drums. What can this sound like then…

Well first up the sound is very ok. If you have ever heard a wild Swede by the name of YNGWIE MALMSTEEN you will feel at home most of the time. Second up I don´t get the use of a guest vocalist as Goetz does a prime job. But all in all this is perhaps to a large extent summed up by opener “Holy War”...

Posted in Cd Reviews

Frontiers/BAM

PRETTY MAIDS has a pretty unique outlook, they can capitalize on both their success of the eighties, and in present times. Arguably their finest releases all came in the heyday of heavy metal around the mid-eighties, but 2010´s “Pandemonium” offered a plethora of prospect titles for future best of albums. 21 massive tracks, and an impressive effort of original members vocalist Ronnie Atkins and guitarist Ken Hammer. The rest of the band has spent less time in the band but are important additions nevertheless; drummer Alan Tschicaja (ROYAL HUNT, MISSING TIDE), keyboard player Morten Sandager (MERCENARY) and bass player Rene Shades of MIKE TRAMP fame. On with the show…

The atmospheric stormy weather intro progresses into “Pandemonium”, which may surprise a few since it i...

Posted in Press Releases

Guitar maestro Gwyn Ashton’s back with Radiogram, a hard-driving renegade rock and blues album. On this outing, he’s joined by some big names in rock and roll history.

A truly accomplished master of electric, acoustic and slide guitars, singer / songwriter / guitarist Ashton was voted third place as “Guitarist of The Year 2001” by French readers of Guitar Part magazine, behind Jeff Beck and Gary Moore at number one and two. Ashton’s abilities have been acknowledged by Italian company Liutart, which recently presented him with his own signature model guitar.

Radiogram boasts nine self-penned tracks plus a phat groove version of Willie Dixon’s “I Just Wanna Make Love To You” and has the Ashton trademark stamped all over it...

Posted in Press Releases

From their early roots touring with The National and Gang Of Four, to releasing their debut with an elaborate 80-page flipbook hand designed and put together by band member Danny Seim, they have always had the creative intent to match the music. On their breakthrough record, ”Friend and Foe”, and the first through Barsuk, they celebrated the release of the album with Justin Harris assembling a 25-member choir who he taught the various vocal layers of the new material with the help of his mother Diane, a trained opera singer. The album received 8.5 on Pitchfork and went on to sell well worldwide. The artwork on the album was from the wonderful graphic novelist Craig Thompson, he of Blankets and this year’s Habibi, and it was subsequently nominated for a Grammy for ”Best Recording Package”.

Posted in Press Releases

Nico’s 1974 album, The End, was her fourth solo release, her fifth collaboration with John Cale (including The Velvet Underground & Nico) and her third with him as producer. John Cale had signed a new contract with Island records in 1973 and Nico was also brought to the label by A&R man Richard Williams, although The End would be only full album she recorded for the label.
The album was recorded in 1973 at Sound Techniques in London, with John Wood (who had also engineered the earlier Desertshore) and Cale. He chose Brian Eno and Phil Manzanera of Roxy Music to work on the album with him; between them providing the entire instrumental framework to Nico and her harmonium...

Posted in Press Releases

MOTÖRHEAD – THE COMPLETE EARLY YEARS

19TH NOVEMBER 2012
Sanctuary / UMC

In celebration of over 35 years in the business for Motörhead, Sanctuary/UMC is very excited to officially announce the release of Motörhead’s, The Complete Early Years boxed set. This limited collector’s edition, housed in a unique Motörhead case, is a truly remarkable set, containing eight albums, seven singles and a 7” vinyl.

Also included is a limited edition family tree plus a photo book and collectors guide, making the The Complete Early Years box set a must-have for any Motörhead fan. Excitement has already been growing amongst fans as they have been speculating and discussing the set on sites and forums.

Motörhead’s iconoclastic frontman, Lemmy formed the group following his unceremonious sacking f...

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ENSIFERUM, THE highly visual troupe who’ve long been a market leader when it comes to stirring, armour-plated anthems, have unleashed their brand new video for ‘In My Sword I Trust’; this is the lead track from the Finnish outfit’s forthcoming fifth studio album, ‘Unsung Heroes’, set for release via Spinefarm Records on August 27th.

You can watch the video below

Recorded in Wrocklaw, Poland, and directed by Rafal Szermanowicz for Grupa#13, the clip – according to Ensiferum – “Tells how ordinary town people rebel against a greedy and cruel king and the upper classes. There are swords, corpses and drinking; pretty much all you need for a great video! We are looking forward to playing this new Ensiferum anthem to our fans around the world. Folk on!”

The Finnish quintet r...

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SHINING
SHINING ANNOUNCE TITLE AND RELEASE DATE OF UPCOMING ALBUM, NEW WEBSITE NOW OPEN…

Sweden’s SHINING have today announced that their new album will be called “Redefining Darkness”.
Unlike all previous SHINING albums, “Redefining Darkness”, which will be the band’s eighth full-length release, will not preface its title with a number.
According to founder and frontman Niklas Kvarforth: ”The use of numbers to describe their albums is no longer something that SHINING is interested in doing. The new album is without a doubt the darkest thing I have ever done or heard. People will be upset for sure – and hopefully its divine genius will destroy the lives of thousands”
“Redefining Darkness” is set for release via Spinefarm Records on October 29th 2012.
In other news from the ...

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REDLIGHT KING
CANADIAN ROCKERS ANNOUNCED TO APPEAR AS SPECIAL GUESTS TO SHINEDOWN ON OCT/NOV EUROPEAN TOUR…

REDLIGHT KING, the touring and recording project centred around vocalist/guitarist/songwriter Mark Kasprzyk, will join Shinedown on their European tour featuring seven UK dates. Tickets are on sale now.

UK dates are as follows:
24/10 – Southampton
25/10 – Exeter
27/10 – London
28/10 – Birmingham
29/10 – Manchester
31/10 – Edinburgh
01/11 – Sheffield
02/11 – Cardiff
04/11 – Norwich

In addition to this, Redlight King will release their debut album in the UK on August 27th via Spinefarm Records.

Titled ‘Something For The Pain’ and Produced by WAX LTD, whose previous credits include Muse, The Rolling Stones and New Order, this 11-track outing features the singles ‘Old Man’, which includ...

Posted in Press Releases

THE TREATMENT
YOUTHFUL UK ROCKERS ANNOUNCE DIGITAL RELEASE OF COVERS EP, ‘THEN AND AGAIN’, VIA SPINEFARM RECORDS AS THEY CONTINUE US MEGA-TOUR WITH KISS & MOTLEY CRUE…

PROUD BRITISH rockers, The Treatment, have confirmed the digital release of their five-track covers EP, ‘Then & Again’.
Originally limited to 300 signed physical copies and recorded in celebration of Record Store Day on April 21st 2012, ‘Then & Again’ was produced by Airrace guitarist/songwriter Laurie Mansworth, who also produced the band’s debut album, This Might Hurt, released through Spinefarm in September 2011.
You can now get your copy through iTunes.
The track-listing for the EP – a choice selection of ’70s covers – is as follows:-

Motorbikin’ – originally recorded by Chris Spedding
Let’s Work ...