SCORPIONS – Sting In The Tail (2010)
After the release of STING IN THE TAIL, and a three-year mammoth tour, which will take them across five continents, one of the most successful rock bands in the world, SCORPIONS, will be ending their career.
During their 40-year career, SCORPIONS sold over 100 million albums and received many awards, such as the World Music Award and several Echos (the German equivalent to the Grammy).
Today they still play sold-out venues around the world. Not long ago, 152,000 South Americans came to 15 SCORPIONS concerts between Rio de Janeiro and Mexico City.
Their song “Wind of Change” has become an anthem for the fall of the Iron Curtain.
The tour will launch in the band’s home country Germany in May.
After that, they will be touring through North America before they continue their journey through five other continents until 2012.
Guitarist Rudolf Schenker tells that the prospect of ending Scorpions is indeed “really sad, and I don’t even want to think about it.”
But he explains that the band and its management ultimately feel it’s the right move to end the band on a high note with its new album, “Sting in the Tail”, rather than risk a slow decline.
“You can’t think about Scorpions at 70, not moving on stage, playing ‘Rock You Like a Hurricane’ — but on stage it’s not like a hurricane, it’s a very small wind,” he says.
“There’s no stinger, and that’s not good. You’re going back down hill, from big hall to small how, small how to club…Everything has it’s end; the question is it a good end or bad end?
In this case we want to do these things and make it a good end.”
Regarding the Scorpions members’ future plans, Schenker says that guitarist Matthias Jabs has a musical instruments store in Munich, while drummer James Kottak has his own band, Kottak.
Rudolf himself intends to publish his book, “Rock You Live,” in the U.S. and plans a collaboration with his brother a Michael Schenker — which may include Scorpions’ singer Klaus Meine on some songs.
Good and last album from the legend Scorpions with an ’80s feel, to rock the World!
1. Raised On Rock
2. Sting In The Tail
3. Slave Me
4. The Good Die Young
5. No Limit
6. Rock Zone
7. Lorelei
8. Turn You On
9. Sly
10. Spirit Of Rock
11. The Best Is Yet To Come
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NEWMAN – The Art Of Balance (2010)
It’s been a few years since we heard any new material from Steve Newman, the veritable one man band behind seven previous Newman releases.
The album starts with over a minute of news reports about dead pop and rock stars mixed together.
There’s Cobain, Hutchence and Jackson all lining coffins, paving the way for a very lively song called “Hero To Zero”, about the price of fame. Although the intro is certainly odd and a bit overlong, the song that follows sets the tone for the album perfectly.
It’s fast, melodic and catchy as hell, something Newman has a real talent for producing.
There’s no true influence here, and instead you can take several bands and throw them all in to get an idea of the Newman sound.
Try Brother Firetribe, Ten, H.E.A.T and Foreigner (but not the wussy stuff) for starters and you’ll get some idea of what we’re dealing with.
When Newman turns on the power he is simply brilliant.
The faster tracks on “The Art Of Balance” are by far the best, and “Edge Of The World”, “Endless” and “Stronger” kick some serious ass.
There are plenty of mid paced tracks as well, with some admirably fiddly guitar work throughout.
As well as playing and writing the majority of the album, Newman also delivers a great sound as producer, one I can’t fault in any way.
Vocally, he’s always had a strong voice, and whilst not one of the greats he has a similar range to Eclipse’s Erik Martennson which shows he is no slouch in this department.
If you’re the sort of person who appreciates solid, guitar driven, catchy melodic hard rock, then Newman is someone you really need to be introduced to.
01 – Hero To Zero
02 – Edge Of The World
03 – Endless
04 – The Miracle
05 – Stay With Me
06 – Tumble Down
07 – Wish You Well
08 – Find My Heart
09 – Your Surrender
10 – Break It Again
11 – Forever
12 – Stronger
320
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RECKLESS LOVE – Reckless Love (2010)
Reckless Love is a four-piece group from Finland that plays exceptionally good rock n’ roll.
With it’s rousing and joyful attitude the band offers a true alternative for today’s rock scene where everything seems too dull, dark and serious.
Reckless Love’s formula is simple; big melodic hair hard rock just for the fun of it!
The band was founded in 2001 and started to gradually gain underground reputation as an energetic live act.
Olli Herman (ex-CRASHDIET) joined the band, and finally took it’s current form and found it’s own recognizable sound.
The result is their blasting self titled debut.
The front and back cover is more than reminiscent of old Motley Crue vinyl records, a shiny chrome logo with the SS of Kiss and the V of Van Halen.
Leather, long hair, a pink motorbike, no “Steel Panther style” irony: oh yes, hair metal is most definitely back.
Let’s call it what it is: HAIR METAL. How did this happen?
Maybe there was a couple of big corporation guys sitting down the pub and deciding this was what we were going to listen to next.
Or maybe, after years of overworking themselves 24/7 in the name of career and mortgages and having everything taken away from them by the recession, people feel, once more, the need for two days a week of good old, shallow, sex, drugs & rock’n’roll.
I’m sure the reasons for this comeback will be thoroughly analysed when, again, the world will turn to grunge.
For now, brace yourself and stock up on the hairspray, because this is just the beginning.
Reckless Love’s self-titled debut album does exactly what it says on the cover.
Just like the logo, the music is loud, sparkly, very retro, well produced and it picks bits here and there from Kiss, Van Halen, Motley Crue, Def Leppard and… you know what I’m talking about.
Cheesy? Sure. Cliché? Maybe. Nothing new? I guess so. Do I care? Honestly, no, I don’t.
This album brought me back to when music was fun.
When people used to dance in clubs rather than just pose, and a night of no strings sex was a safe bet when you were taking home someone of the opposite gender.
Shallow? Bring it on! If everyone would treat themselves to a shallow weekend of sex and rock’n’roll every now and then this world would be a better place.
Crank It to 10 and enjoy!
Highly Recommended.
01 – Feel My Heat
02 – One More Time
03 – Badass
04 – Love Machine
05 – Beautiful Bomb
06 – Romance
07 – Sex
08 – Back To Paradise
09 – So Yeah!
10 – Wild Touch
11 – Born To Rock
Olli Herman – Vocals
Pepe – Guitar
Jalle Verne – Bass
Hessu Maxx – Drums
320
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HUMAN TEMPLE – Murder Of Crows (2010)
Finland’s premier melodic hard rockers Human Temple are back!
Their 2004 debut “Insomnia” received rave reviews, and the fans have been eagerly awaiting a follow-up.
Now the wait is over, so be prepared for a “Murder Of Crows”.
The foundation of the Temple was laid way back in the late eighties, when vocalist Janne Hurme and drummer Petri Lehto formed their first band.
The guys were highly impressed by Kiss, Dokken, Crüe and the likes, so the style of the music just had to be hard rock, yet always with a keen ear for a good melody.
In 1998 he and Petri formed Human Temple, determined that this band would take the next step and become something bigger than their previous bands.
Their first album saw the light of day in the summer of 2004.
The next years passed quite fast, and the band went through a few line-up changes.
In the summer of 2009, they felt that the time was right for album number two.
They entered the Noise camp studio in Turku, chose the best 10 songs from their selection of new tracks, and started the recording process.
With a little help from some friends like Jani Liimatainen (ex-Sonata Arctica, Cain’s Offering), Erkka Korhonen (ex-Urban Tale, Ari Koivunen band) and Vesa Virtanen (Twilight Guardians), they created a worthy successor to “Insomnia”.
“Murder Of Crows” stays true to the sound of the debut, while adding some new elements to it.
Next to the band’s highly melodic AOR anthems such as “Just One Night”, “Ghost Of You” and “What About My Broken Heart” you’ll find some more metallic tracks, flat-out hard rocking and even atmospheric pop-rockers.
This is a great album filled with hook laden songs and if you love keyboards then you will get plenty on Murder Of Crows!
1 – Not My Fault
2 – Empty Stages
3 – Just One Night
4 – Promised Land
5 – Lie
6 – Yours Cold Blooded
7 – Ghost Of You
8 – Emily
9 – Secret
10 – What About My Broken Heart
JANNE HURME : Lead Vocals
HARRI KINNUNEN : Bass
PETRI LEHTO : Drums
JORI TOJANDER : Keyboards
VBR
MICHAEL ANGELO BATIO – Hands Without Shadows 2: Voices (2009)
“Hands Without Shadows 2 – Voices” is an all vocal CD of amazing renditions of some of Michael’s all time favorite songs and artists.
The album begins with “Tribute to Dimebag” . This version is so intense and ferocious, you would think that Dime himself played the rhythm guitar tracks.
Michael adds his signature lead guitar playing to every song making these renditions truly unique and all his own.
Virtuoso drummer Joe Babiak performed on the entire CD as well as new comer Warren Dunlevy, Jr. on vocals.
Warren is a truly great singer. When you listen to the record it is hard to imagine that just one singer sang all of the songs.
Warren’s voice seems to change to sound like a completely different singer on each song.
Some of his vocal highlights are “Symphony of Destruction” where you would swear that Dave Mustaine was singing, or “EVH” where Warren really captures the essence of David Lee Roth.
What Michael does on the arrangements is seamlessly weave many different songs of each Artist into one cohesive and unified track.
These are like “MAB style Mashups!” Special guests on “HWS 2 – Voices” include “Creed” and “Alter Bridge” guitarist Mark Tremonti, “UFO” guitarist Vinnie Moore, solo artist George Bellas, “Exit the Ride” guitarist Bill Peck and “DSG” guitarist David Shankle.
Michael has 3 Shrapnel Records alumni on this CD.
MAB, Vinnie Moore and George Bellas have all been on records released by Shrapnel and all 3 of them are featured on the song ”Symphony of Destruction!”
Triple the virtuosity on one track!
Michael has also added, as a bonus track, an instrumental song with solos performed by members of the MAB Forum!
MAB Forum member Maxwell Carlisle wrote and recorded the track.
“I feel that this is a great way to get the fans involved as well as feature new guitar talent” quotes MAB.
Michael performs the ending solo on the song.
A sincere thanks to Max and all of the MAB Forum members and MAB Forum “shredders” that are on the track.
01. Dial in that Frequency 0:24
02. Tribute to Dimebag 7:36
03. Clapton Is God 6:04
04. Metallica Rules (feat. Mark Tremonti and Bill Peck) 8:40
05. EVH 7:59
06. Symphony of Destruction (feat. Vinnie Moore and George Bellas) 6:43
07. For Jimi: All Along the Watchtower 5:40
08. Tribute to Randy 2: You Can’t Kill Rock and Roll 3:53
09. On The Double (feat. David Shankle) 3:31
10. MAB Forum Shreddathon 9:46
Michael Angelo Batio – Guitars, Bass
Warren Dunlevy, Jr. – Vocals
Joe Babiak – Drums
320K
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EDGE OF FOREVER – Another Paradise (2010)
Edge Of Forever is back stronger than ever!
The album has all that an AOR record needs: strong melodies and impressive backing vocals, sophisticated arrangements, power-house drums, stunning guitars and keyboards; bombastic production and big sing-along choruses.
The new line-up features EOF veteran keyboardist extraordinaire Alessandro Del Vecchio stepping up his game to take over the job of lead vocalist too.
And you wont be disappointed!
His intense interpretations and melodic vocal lines will capture any rock fans heart and quickly conquer their soul.
Comparisons with the likes of Jon Bon Jovi, James Christian, Russel Arcara and John Sykes are the bands confirmation that their crucial decision to make Del Vecchio lead vocalist was the right one!
The mastering was done by well-known award-winning German producer and engineer Michael Voss from Casanova, Bonfire, Mad Max and Voices Of Rock.
1. Distant Voices
2. Another Paradise
3. Lonely
4. Edge Of Life
5. I Wont Call You
6. My Revenge
7. What Ive Never Seen
8. What A Feeling
9. Eye Of The Storm
10. Against The Wall
Alessandro Del Vecchio – Vocals and Keyboards
Walter Caliaro – Guitars
Nik Mazzucconi – Bass
Francesco Jovino – Drums
Bob Harris – Backing Vocals (Axe, Frank Zappa, Steve Vai)
Roberto Tiranti – Backing Vocals (Labyrinth)
Jgor Gianola – Guitar Solo (U.D.O., Gotthard, Jorn)
Carsten (Lizard) Schulz – Backing Vocals (Evidence One, Domain)
VBR
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LIBERTY N JUSTICE – Light It Up (2010)
Founded by songwriter Justin Murr, Liberty N Justice’s ‘Light It Up’ is “melodic rock with a message.”
Liberty N Justice expands their all-star talent roster into a line-up that can be considered the best collection of hard rockers assembled to date.
This is an album consumed by a very spontaneous flow and this is largely attributed to Murr himself in choosing musicians who bring diverse amounts of variety to each and every song.
One look at the list of participants in this project should convince:
this album features, among others, members of: L.A. Guns, King Kobra, Bride, Vixen, Twisted Sister, Firehouse, Danger Danger, Bloodgood, Stryper, Dokken, Trixter, Fozzy, Def Leppard, Harem Scarem, Bulletboys, W.A.S.P., Warrant and XYZ.
WOW!
01. Light It Up (feat. Phil Lewis & JK Northrup)
02. The Other Thief (feat. Dale and Toy Thompson)
03. Blink (feat. Lynn Louise Lowrey & Eddie Ojeda)
04. Do What You Believe (feat. CJ Snare & Bill Leverty)
05. Man vs. Mother Nature (feat. Ted Poley & Vic Rivera)
06. Treading On Serpents (feat. Les Carlson & Oz Foz)
07. Uncle Sam (feat. Sheldon Tarsha & Jeff Pilson)
08. Every Reason To Believe (feat. Kelly Keeling & Kerri Kelli)
09. Wrestling With God (feat. Pete Loran & Steve Brown & Ron ‘Bumblefoot’ Thal)
10. Best Time You Never Had (feat. Chris Jericho & Phil Collen)
11. Beautiful Decision (feat. Harry Hess & Pete Lesperance)
12. Drunk Dead Gorgeous (feat. Marq Torien & Chris Holmes)
13. Greed (feat. Robert Mason & Jerry Dixon)
14. For Better Or Worse (feat. Shawn Pelata & Stephen Chesney)
Personnel:
Phil Lewis (LA Guns)
JK Northrup
Lynn Louise Lowrey (Vixen)
Eddie Ojeda (Twisted Sister)
CJ Snare & Bill Leverty (Firehouse)
Ted Poley (Danger Danger)
Oz Fox (Stryper/Bloodgood)
Jeff Pilson (Dokken/Foreigner)
Kelly Keeling (Baton Rouge/TSO)
Pete Loran & Steve Brown (Trixter)
Phil Collen (Def Leppard)
Harry Hess & Pete Lesperance (Harem Scarem)
Marq Torien (BulletBoys)
Chris Holmes (WASP)
Robert Mason (Warrant/Lynch Mob)
Eric Rango, Terry llous (XYZ)
and more…
VBR
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DELANY – Blaze And Ashes (2009)
Delany is a brand-new fascinating project with internationally well-known musicians such as Lana Lane, David Readman and Davy Vain.
The concept album “Blaze & Ashes” is based on Wolfgang Hohlbein’s continuation of his successful fantasy novels “Chronicle of the immortal”.
The concept of “Blaze & Ashes” was launched by Volker Leson (from the german band Wizard)
Besides of Volker Leson, Davy Vain is one of the main songwriters / lyricists.
Davy knows, like no one other, how to create great song structures with catchy melodies so that each song becomes his very own special vibe and emotion!
Beside Volker and Davy, a young and talented guy of the new generation of rock is the third songwriter: Torsti Spoof of Finnish hard rock band Leverage.
As to Lana Lane, it is not even necessary to announce her in a fancy manner. Lana is an international star, when we are talking about progressive & symphonic metal and classic rock.
Along with Lana Lane in the first row is also David Readman of Pink Cream 69, Adagio and Voodoo Circle.
David is a fascinating charismatic singer who convinces not only in the studio, but electrifies his live audience with his voice and charisma.
The ex-Wunderkind Jamie Scott (Vain), who already joined the legendary metal band Vicious Rumors at the age of 16, played guitar on the album together with Dano Boland from Wizard.
Tommy Rickard is responsible for all drums on the album and no one else as keyboard mastermind Erik Norlander is doing keyboards on “Love Tears”.
Dennis Ward is known for brilliant and powerful productions and once again he refined “Blaze And Ashes” with his mix and mastering.
01. Blood and Ashes (vocals by David Readman)
02. Here Comes Lonely (vocals by Davy Vain)
03. Love Tears (vocals by Lana Lane)
04. Incarnation (vocals by David Readman)
05. Web Over London (vocals by David Readman)
06. Eternity is Yours (vocals by Lana Lane)
07. Planets Turning (vocals by Davy Vain)
08. Shadow on Your Heart (vocals by Lana Lane)
09. Distance of Love (vocals by David Readman)
10. Dead Undead (vocals by David Readman)
11. London Bridge (vocals by David Readman)
Lineup:
LANA LANE – Vocals
DAVID READMAN – Vocals
DAVY VAIN – Producer, Songwriter, Vocals
TOMMY RICKARD – Drums
JAMIE SCOTT – Rhythm and Lead Guitars
VOLKER LESON – Songwriter, Bass
DANO BOLAND – Rhythm Guitar
PETER WEIGEL – Engineer
320Kbps
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WINGER – Karma (2009) [limited digipak edition]
WINGER reunited after more than a decade in 2006 for the release of the successful come back album entitled “IV” a record that pushed forward the boundaries of WINGER classic sound to new heights.
Kip Winger: “When the chance came up to do a new Winger record, I envisioned a upbeat totally rocking record that was a cross between the 1st Winger album and Pull.
So Reb and I sat down and wrote all the music in a month or so.
I worked for 6 months to finish it in the classic Winger style”.
The title itself “Karma” represents Winger completing its full musical circle.
“Usually Winger fans don’t “expect” anything because they know we do what we feel like doing artistically” explains Kip.
“It is not a commercially driven band. I can say that the songs are very upbeat”.
Reb Beach adds: “It’s a very up-tempo riff driven rocking record.
It has the elements of vintage Winger from ‘89 but has the blood, sweat and tears of years 20 years of writing, recording and touring!”
01. Deal With The Devil
02. Stone Cold Killer
03. Big World Away
04. Come A Little Closer
05. Pull Me Under
06. Supernova
07. Always Within Me
08. Feeding Frenzy
09. After All This Time
10. Witness
11. First Ending (Bonus Track)
Kip Winger (bass, vocals)
Reb Beach (lead guitars)
John Roth (guitar)
Rod Morgenstein (drums)
320Kbps
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GRAND DESIGN – Time Elevation (2009)
Swedish Pelle Saether, former vocalist of Zeelion, Zello and Schizophrenic Circus and also producer/engineer for bands like Cryonic Temple, Axenstar, Steel Attack is now ready with a new band called GRAND DESIGN.
It all had started in 2006 as a project inspired by bands such as EUROPE, SCORPIONS and DEF LEPPARD.
The first thing after writing all songs was to get hold of a good drummer.
Richard Holmgren, a very talented drummer and former member of VANESSA ,now playing in WOLF, joined the band.
Guitarist Peter Ledin (ex VANESSA) was next, his style of playing is perfect for this project that now had turned into a band.
Peter understood quickly the vision of GRAND DESIGN, and after Fall 2006 songs like “Air it out”, “Love Sensation”, “Sad Sound of Goodbye” and “Sheik Iddup” had become reality.
During Spring 2009 all bass was done by Anders Mood, a good friend and also a member of WOLF.
Dennis Vestman (ex STEELATTACK) performed some extra guitars and Saether himself took care of the vocals.
The singer/ producer comments the sound of GRAND DESIGN:
“We wanted that Leppard sound to it. You know: 96 channels of choirs just running you over – and we nailed it!!!
This album features a big 80’s rock sound combined with great songs with BIG choirs.
With songs like “Air it out” and “Love Sensation”, “Time Elevation” is gonna be a rock sensation.
GRAND DESIGN will bring the rock of the 80’s back into your players and to the big stages.
1 – Love Sensation
2 – Slugged Out
3 – Air It Out
4 – Piece Of The Action
5 – Sad Sound Of Goodbye
6 – No Time For Love
7 – Hello Mr. Heartache
8 – Let’s Go Down Fighting
9 – Sheik Iddup
10 – Love Will Know
P. Saether (vocals, backing vocals)
P. Ledin (guitar, backing vocals)
R. Holmgren (drums, backing vocals)
D. Vestman (guitars)
A. Modd (bass)
If you like the good DEF LEPPARD, don’t mis this swedish band!
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