Last but not least, you contacted Tobias
Sammet. Is it because you like his work
on Avantasia and Edguy albums, or just
because you appreciate his kind of
vocals?
TT: Because I like his voice and because
he owed me a favour, he, he! I helped him
a lot in the beginning of his career when I
produced “Vain Glory Opera” and I
played on “Avantasia”. I taught him all I
know about music business and I thought
that now would be a good time to return
the favour. I am really proud of him, he
has grown to be such an excellent frontman and entertainer.
If you had to choose, which are the
songs that most represent the “New
Era” of Timo Tolkki and why?
TT: “Heroes” because I think that is what
we all are: heroes of life trying to make it
through
each
day,
“Revolution
Renaissance” because of its message and
“I Did It My Way”, which I wrote for
Kotipelto.
Before this album, you released your
solo “Shaana-Warrior Of Light”, with
a completely different style. Do you
want to spend some words about this
record and its concept?
TT: “Saana” is my child, a very dear project for me. Two parts, first one being
something what I think nobody has done
before. It is very ethearal and mellow setting the stage for the part two and its
Grande Finale. “Saana” is so far my most
important album and like many composers best works, I don’t think many
people will understand what it’s all about.
But it contains my whole life philosophy
and is a very metaphysical album.
I know you had some problems with
Frontiers for the release of “Shaana”.
Is everything solved now with them?
TT: Yeah we had a big fight about this,
but I understand them. They were expecting a totally different album and I think
they thought I deliberately fucked them up,
which I didn’t at all. It’s just that I am an
artist and I compose without restrictions. I
don’t like to be pushed to any formulas, not
that Frontiers tried that, but it was just a big
misunderstanding. Now we have settled
this matter and we can concentrate on the
music. I am releasing “Saana” only through
my www.timotolkki.com website and I like
this kind of a direct interaction with the
fans. It also allows me to put the Cd prices
really down.
Going back to Stratovarius, which is the
person you had most problems with, and
which is the one you felt most close?
TT: Most problems I would say I had with
Jörg Michael and Jens I felt most close
until he broke my heart with the vengeful
statement by calling me a “greedy narcistic
Faust”.
You made your second solo album
"Hymn To Life" and then you had a
breakdown. What do you remember of
that period?
TT: The breakdown was during Spring
2004, so 2 years after “Hymn to Life”. It
was an awful dark period of my life when I
was totally alone. Nobody from the band
“saved” me. Jens tried to help me by calling me sometimes. That time was the closest I came to commit suicide. It was in the
middle of a 7 month long depressive period
and I already had 100 sleeping pills and a
note and I was sitting by the seashore ready
to end it all. This, by the way, is exactly
how “Saana” begins. Then suddenly it
started to snow, but it seemed to come only
above me and I looked to the side and I was
in a middle of a very strange snow storm.
Just 100 meters wide or so. I decided that I
cannot do that to my loved ones and that I
am here for a reason and that reason is
music and I must continue even no matter
how much emotional pain I would be facing...
(Alessandro Ariatti courtesy of Rock Hard Italy)
“New Era”
the new album by Revolution Renaissance
review page 11
Contents issue 26 May - June 2008:
04 Journey
06 Glenn Hughes
08 Kip Winger
09 Jaded Sun
10 Tygers Of Pan Tang
11 Reviews
- The most important releases of Hard
Rock and AOR music that you will find in your
favourite music stores during the next months.
15 Glenn Hughes: Track-by-Track
17 Michael Kiske
19 Jorn
21 Revolution Renaissance
Melodic Rock Fanzine
The Official Frontiers Records Newsletter
May - June 2008
Issue 26
Editor-in-chief: Primo Bonali
Executive Editor: Elio Bordi
Writers: Bruce E.J. Atkinson, Rob “Ezy” Bone, Primo Bonali, Duncan
Jamieson, Barry McMinn, Marco Spaeth.
_______________
Main Office:
Frontiers Records - Via Gonzaga 18 - 80125 Napoli - Italy
Tel: +39.081.2399340/7753 - Fax: +39.081.2399794
email: [email protected]
_______________
Chief Editorial Office:
email: [email protected]
_______________
Editor and Publisher:
Frontiers Records
Copyright © 2008 by Frontiers Records. All rights reserved.
Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.
Printed in Italy
July 4th, 2008:
- LAND OF TALES
- SILENT RAGE
- HAREM SCAREM
- RICHIE KOTZEN LIVE CD
August 2008:
- STARBREAKER
- FROM THE INSIDE
- CROWN OF THORNS
- NIGHT RANGER LIVE CD
The first album to feature the angelic voice of Philipino singer Arnel Pineda, “Revelation” is
Journey running on no less than twelve cylinders, a fine-tuned offering that sounds every bit
like a band hitting their stride. Schon and Cain penned all 11 of the new tracks on
“Revelation”. There is no lack of chemistry in Journey, beginning with the songwriting core of
Schon and Cain. The brand new record will be released on June 6th 2008 in a beautifully packaged 2cd-set which will include 11 new songs and 11 re-recorded classics.
First of all, I'd like to give you my
best congratulations for this new
Journey's release. Would you like to
introduce this beautiful brand new
Journey's work, “Revelation”, to our
readers?
Neal Schon: Thank you very much for
your words. We feel this album is one of
the strongest Journey album we have
ever done. We now have our new great
singer Arnel Pineda and the band
sounds amazing. “Revelation” is what
Journey is now and it follows perfectly
our views and sounds. There are amazing uptempos, soulful ballads and great
performances by everyone in the band.
We are all very happy about the final
result.
“Revelation” is a title just giving the
listener impact still before starting to
listen the CD. Where did it come
04 Melodic Rock Fanzine
from? Has it a particular meaning
behind?
NS: This is exactly what we want when
you read the album title. There could be
a lot of meaning but we feel that every
one can reach their meaning reading the
word “Revelation” and listening to the
album.
Those new eleven songs are surely
going to satisfy all the die-hard
Journey's fans, with that typical
trademark only this band is able to
give, but, at the same time and as the
title would suggest, it seems something new is going to be “revealed” in
your sound. Surely there's a new,
concrete energy flowing, making
these tracks different than what the
band did before. Would you agree
with that?
NS: We gave our best to have the best
album out and we feel the
“Revelation” music has a lot of energy and influences plus our classic
touch and Journey sound. I think all
Journey fans will find their sound
inside this album and will love every
single note just because it is 100%
Journey!
Kevin Shirley is back at the production helm. What about the
sound’s final result? Are you completely satisfied about it?
NS: We have already worked with
Kevin in the past and we think he is
the best. We love the way
“Revelation” sounds and we are completely happy about the final result.
Let's start talking about this new
surprising talented singer, Arnel
Pineda. How did you get in touch
with him?
N e w Vi s i o n s
Timo Tolkki is one of the legendary names of the
Heavy Metal Music, and his band, STRATOVARIUS, became a legend with such records as
“Episode”, “Visions” and “Dreamspace”. When
Timo decided to quit STRATOVARIUS he
started his band, REVOLUTION RENAISSANCE. Debut-album, “New Era”, is a masterpiece of melodic Power Metal, taking the listener straight back to the “Visions”-era. As this is
the record that was meant to be the next
Stratovarius album...
Hello Timo! So, you tried to continue
with Stratovarius, after the first split,
with a new album (“Stratovarius”) and
a tour, but now you have decided to
break up that band and start with this
new project Revolution Renaissance.
What made you decide this way?
Timo Tolkki: First of all RR is not a project, but a real band although the first
album is more with guest appearances. As
I am writing this, I am looking for permanent members. The whole story with
Stratovarius for the last 4 years is a very
sad one. Basically I was betrayed by the
people who I thought were my friends,
who slowly behind my back when I was
really ill, started taking over the band
with the help of the management finally
to get rid of me by pressuring me out
from the band. Anyway I wrote a couple
of long letters to explain the real truth
behind this story and I posted’em on my
website: www.timotolkki.com. So anyone interested to know what was behind
this split should go visiting my site...
In your own website you said that the
firing/leaving of Jari out of
Stratovarius was quite ridiculous:
what happened between him and the
band?
TT:
Again, in the letters I posted on my site
there’s the truth behind this split too. In
short, at some point it just became too
stressy to handle with him so I fired him.
There really was no other choice...
You always said that “Elements 1” is your
favourite Stratovarius album. Do you
think that “New Era” has some characters of that one?
TT: That’s one of my favourites along
with “Episode” and “Visions”. “New
Era” has nothing to do with “Elements
“records, it’s more old-fashioned Power
Metal album with catchy and melodic
songs.
Many of your fans are linked to the
period “Episode”/”Visions”. How do
you think that they will react to the
songs of “New Era”?
TT: I don’t know. I really don’t think
about these things. I would assume they
like it because to me it has a “Visions
“like feel. I’d like to think that
Stratovarius fans are linked to the
“Stratovarius spirit” that is represented in
the lyrics and in the live shows so far.
Michael Kiske is one of guest-star
vocalists of this new album. In a recent
interview, for the promotion of his new
“Past In Different Ways”, he said that
he hates the Metal scene because it is
linked to satanism and denies love,
God and all the positive things. Indeed,
he said that Metal is hypocrite because
the bands make just the albums that
the fans want to hear, exactly like Pop
music (Britney Spears, etc.). Has he
ever talked to you about his opinion?
And which were his feelings working
to your songs?
TT: I think he liked my lyrics. As you
know I usually try to incorporate a message in the songs I write and I think
Michael could really identify with the
lyrics. The vocals in the title track are one
of the most emotional ones I have ever
heard from him. As for his statements
about Heavy Metal, I would really
avoid generalizations. I for example
don’t deny love and God and I am not
linked to Satanism, but I do play Metal.
I also think that it is easy to twist his
words because he always is a very
direct, as I am too. I would not take his
words too seriously, but he is indeed a
very spiritual person and those people
have it very hard in this world. We also
should not forget that he has given us
some great moments and vocals in the
history of Power Metal. He is searching for new ways and I truly wish him
well. I am eternally thankful that he
sang these songs on “New Era”.
Is there any chance to see on stage
the duo Tolkki/Kiske on tour?
TT: No there is not. Unfortunately.
Another great vocalist that I personally love on “New Era” is Pasi
Rantanen; what made you decide
that he was the right person to sing
on the album?
TT: My whole idea after I decided to
split Stratovarius was to finish my
“Saana” opera and, after that was done,
I started thinking what to do with these,
what I believed to be great Power
Metal songs. So I just thought about
who would be the best voice for each
song. Pasi Rantanen has a rougher edge
that I like. Very much like Dio, so he fit
into those songs extremely well. I
knew him of course from Thunderstone
and he is a nice guy.
Melodic Rock Fanzine 21
NS: I was frustrated about not having a
singer, so I went on “YouTube” for a
couple of days and just sat on it for
hours. I was starting to think I was
never going to find anybody. But then I
found The Zoo and I watched a bunch
of different video clips they had posted.
After watching the videos over and
over again, I had to walk away from the
computer and let what I heard sink in
because it sounded too good to be true.
I thought: “He can’t be that good!”. But
he is that good, he’s the real deal and so
tremendously talented. Arnel doesn’t
sound synthetic and he’s not emulating
anyone. I tried to get a hold of him
through “YouTube” and I finally heard
from him that night, but it took some
convincing to get him to believe that it
really was me and not an imposter. And
the rest, as they say, is history!
How much important has his contribution been for this brand new
“Revelation”?
NS: Arnel brings a soulful and passionate voice to Journey. His personality is
very well-suited to our music. He’s a
sincere, authentic person with a great
smile and a big heart. I think fans are
really going to love him. With Arnel’s
soaring tenor, Journey returns for good
to the heritage sound.
Which are the elements Arnel can
give to still develop the band's sound
and style for the future? I mean: how
a so important element such as a new
singer can influence the band’s work
in songwriting process?
NS: We feel reborn. I think there’s a lot
of chemistry between the five of us. At
first we were going to go into the studio
and just write 4 songs, but now it’s
escalated to a lot of great new and
diverse material. The stuff sounds
tremendous. Everyone’s so stoked
about it! We truly feel very fortunate to
have found Arnel.
When did you develop the idea to
make a second bonus cd re-recording
eleven among your best hits? Still
focalizing on the Arnel’s performance, are there some re-interpreted
classics you’ve been particularly
impressed by?
NS: I think this is the best choice to
present our new great singer to our
fans. The songs now have a little modern touch and a very fresh sound. This
present shows how Arnel was what
we were lookin’ for and how suits
Journey sound 100%.
Will we see the band on tour soon?
Have you already planned tourdates right now?
NS: Sure we have the tour already
planned. We are going to hit UK,
Ireland, Germany and other European
countries in June, and then we’re
going to have a very big tour in the
USA. This is probably the biggest
effort we’ve been doing in the past
years and I am sure the fans will love
the show we are putting together.
Please, leave a final message to
Journey’s faithful fans all over the
world...
NS: Thanks a lot for your love and
passion for Journey. See you on
tour!
(by Fulvio Bordi)
“Revelation”
the new album by Journey:
review page 11
Melodic Rock Fanzine 05
GLENN HUGHES, former
singer of DEEP PURPLE, the
“Voice of Rock” is back with
his brand new all original
studio album, the latest chapter in an extraordinary musical evolution, and is quite
possibly the most compelling
and positive musical statement in an incredible career.
Chad Smith of RED HOT
CHILI PEPPERS joined
Glenn, who has rarely – if
ever- sounded more inspired,
written with such grace, or
sung with more passion...
Hi Glenn, it’s a honour speaking
with you, as always! “First
Underground Nuclear Kitchen” is a
particular definition, but it turns out
in this acronym: F.U.N.K.! Is it a
funny play on words, or not? What
does Funky music still represents to
you in 2008?
Glenn Hughes: Yes, it is a play on
words. I planned it that way. Funk
music runs through my veins. It is
everything I need and everything I
desire. I am the king of Funk! Let’s
shout it from the rooftops...
Almost all of these new great songs
are fit to be listened and loved inside
a small, intimate club... same as it’s
been seen on your “Live In
Australia” DVD. In your career you
played in stadium too; so, which
dimension of these are able to set at
your own ease?
GH: I am at ease in both settings. I
love playing to 100.000 people.
Playing to 1.000 means I can actually
touch them and see their eyes. It is all
good to me.
We don’t have any information
about musicians (except for Chad
Smith) who are on this album. Can
you help us, adding also some statements about human and artistic
thrust they put in this project?
GH: Chad Smith: my compadre. And
06 Melodic Rock Fanzine
he’s my wife! He is always with me.
JJ Marsh: is on two songs, my longterm guitarist.
Luis Maldondo: my new guitar-player
who adds the funk and groove to my
record. He is also a great guy. He cowrote 5 of the songs on the record with
me.
Anders Olinder: my live keyboard
player comes from Jazz. He is my
secret weapon and nobody plays
Fender Rhodes like him. I told him to
go listen to Stevie Wonder.
Luis, JJ and Anders will be on tour
with me, with Matt Goom on drums.
You’ve just finished shooting a
promo
video
for
“Love
Communion”, album’s hit single.
Has it been boring, enthusiastic or a
simple routine’s job? What can you
anticipate about its environment?
GH: It was recorded in a studio, at my
home and at the beach. I love making
videos. Great energy and fun making
this video, as it’s such an upbeat, joyous song. The camera loves me: can
you feel it?
Have you ever thought to express
yourself through a different Art?
Seldom we see you smiling on photos...
GH: I smile a lot in my photos; you
just haven't seen the ones in which I
am smiling! I have a Hollywood smile.
It costs me a fortune!!!
Which has been the best regard
you read (or heard) about your
astonishing voice, songs and
music? Is there anything in your
career you’d like to erase in people’s memory?
GH: Stevie Wonder called me “his
favourite white singer”. That is the
best thing! Other great singers like
Paul Rodgers love my voice. And as
far as regrets, the Black Sabbath
tour in '85 was horrific. I hated it
and I never should have done it.
You were born in U.K., but you
still live in U.S. Where your spirit
and mind are better close to?
Some says that “America is the
ass-hole of the world”... do you
agree with that?
GH: I am offended that anyone
would say that of my country. I have
been to every country in the world
and all are beautiful but all have
problems. I live on the coast of
California in a beautiful home and
setting. I am in the freest country in
the world with the kindest people.
Sometimes people are jealous of
America and Americans!
One about private life: how do
you spend your spare-time?
GH: I write music all the time. Walk
down to the beach and I spend time
Brave New World
After close to 30 album releases with various
projects (last of them has been Masterplan),
working with some of the best musicians
around, Jorn is now ready to unleash upon the
world yet another masterpiece Once again,
get ready for another unique and classic
Hard-Rock masterpiece from this productive
and gifted Norwegian Viking. Jorn is one of
our greatest Rock Giants: his strong and
diverse voice and solid songwriting skills have
become powerful trademarks in the Hard
Rock world. “Lonely Are The Brave” is Jorn's
5th solo album of original material, recorded
under the steady direction of Tommy Hansen
(Helloween, Pretty Maids, TNT) at “Jailhouse
Studios” in Denmark.
Hi Jorn! Can you please describe
“Lonely Are The Brave” (excellent
stuff, as usual) to our readers?
Jorn Lande: “Lonely Are The Brave” is
an essential and genuine album with solid
roots in classic Hard Rock music like
Deep Purple, Black Sabbath, Dio and
Whitesnake. It has a bridge to the past,
but it's power and energy exceeds our
forefathers and brings us the flavor of a
more modern hard rock sound.
Our promo copy doesn’t contain the
two bonus tracks that will be featured
on the special edition in slipcase.
“Stormbringer” and “Like Stone In
Water” are titles that don’t sound new
to us. What can you say about it?
JL: We have played “Stormbringer” live
on several occations, and it was always
one of my favourite Deep Purple songs.
Since we all knew the song very well, and
we all enjoyed playing our version of it,
we decided to add it as a bonus track.
“Like Stone In Water” is a new song and
it didn't fit that well with the rest of the
album, so we decided to keep it as a
bonus-track for the special edition. At
first I tried hard to include it in the running order of the album, but it disturbed
the continuity and flow of the album as a
whole.
Make us laugh, Jorn, and tell us the
strangest situation happened during
your latest tour...
JL: Once I had hired a driver who turned
out to be paralyzed and stuck in a wheel
chair. Our original driver was held up,
and this man was his replacement on
short notice. I had to feed this man, bath
him and take him to the venue before the
show. This of course took time, and by the
time I got to the venue, the rest of my
band was already waiting impatiently, to
go on stage. At the door was me, along
with my paralyzed friend, being denied
access to my own concert. I told the security who I was, and that I had to get on
stage right now, but the huge security-guy
just looked at me and said “yeah...right! I
heard it before...”. Anyway, the concert
was delayed and it wasn't until the crew
went out looking for me, that the situation
was sorted and I was allowed to get on
stage to do the show.
Most of your celebrity is given by your
great number of collaborations. This
way Jorn Lande could be seen as gear
of a complex machine, and not as a real
creative man who currently released
strong records. I think is a bit bothering, isn’t it?
JL: It doesn't bother me at all. I am a
complex machine all on my own, and my
creative force is very strong. I'm a better
writer and composer when I'm under
pressure, so my productivity does not suffer from working on other projects, especially when I don't have to write, produce
and record everything myself. It is much
easier and less time consuming for me,
naturally, to sing on various projects, than
writing my own material. But of course,
writing my own material is the real me,
and without doing it I could not continue
as an artist.
You’ve been featured as special-guest
on the newest Ken Hensley, Tobias
Sammett and Ayreon records. Except
Ayreon, how could you describe
working method of those two great
artists, far from each other in terms
of style and age?
JL: Ken was a part of an era that influenced artists like Tobias and me, therefore me and Tobi come from the same
roots. It was a pleasure working with
both of them, but of course more natural and easier to work with Tobi, as we
are closer to each other musically. Both
me and Tobi use elements from bands
like Uriah Heep, Deep Purple,
Rainbow, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest
and other great bands of the 70's, and
we have adapted it to today’s Hard
Rock expression...
(courtesy of Metal Hammer Italy)
“Lonely Are The Brave”
the new album by Jorn:
review page 11
with my dogs and cats. I play
pool with Chad Smith. He
hates it when I beat him. I
hate it more when he beats
me!
You’re a very hard worker:
never repeating, never tired
about something. Where do
you find this energy?
GH: I get my energy from
walking and I don't smoke,
drink and I get plenty of
sleep. I have a tremendous
amount of positive energy. I
don't remember the 80's but I
tell you this, I am making up
for it now.
Which are your next steps,
in terms of collaborations,
guest-apparitions, tours
and releases?
GH: I don't have that many
collaborations right now. My
manager gets 3 or 4 offers
every month. I normally do 3
a year! It all depends on who
it is with and what the music
is like. We will tour Europe
in May for 6 weeks, beginning in Norway and ending
in London. We play Bologna
and Milan on this run. Then I
go to New Zealand. Also, fest
vals in Europe, and hopefully
Russia, Ukraine, Spain, Far
East in the Autumn.
Thanx, Glenn! If you
wanna, add something...
GH: I look forward to playing in Italy. I used to have an
apartment in Rome in the
70’s and I love Italy. It is my
2nd home!
(courtesy
of
Hammer Italy)
Metal
“First Underground
Nuclear Kitchen”
the new album by
Glenn Hughes:
review page 11
Melodic Rock Fanzine 07
No Boundaries!
Kip Winger third all-original solo
album is once again a true masterpiece,
a record where the words “Music” and
“Art” find their truest representation, a
flow that has no boundaries. The album
sees musical contributions from Rod
Morgenstein and Ken Mary on drums,
Andy Timmons on guitar, Cenk Eroglu
on songwriting, keyboards and guitars.
“From the Moon to the Sun” - like the
title suggests - brings the listener in a
journey in a kaleidoscope of different
moods...
Hi Kip! “From The Moon To the Sun”
comes out as a very variegated work, so
many different musical landscapes
mixed together. If I had to find out differences with your previous “Songs
From…” and “This Conversation
seems…”, I’d say this time you wanted
to mark out, more than before, the difference of each song from the other. It
seems you wanted to be completely free
to follow the inspirational mood of the
moment, not being linked by a leading
stylistic line for the entire CD. Is it the
right impression? What do you think
about?
Kip Winger: That is correct, this record
is a wider range of music. I’m in music to
express the human condition, which is a
very vast landscape.
In the track-list, four songs come out
from the “Xcarnation”-sessions. Were
they the ideal starting point for the rest
of the album’s writing sessions?
KW: In a way. We started in 2004 and
wrote about 11 songs. Then Cenk did
Xcarnation, and used some of the songs. I
kept the other ones. I love working with
Cenk, he’s a very creative guy and the
work is unique. I will work with him in
the future, definitely.
I’ve been reading from you that you’re
”looking forward to push beyond your
musical borders”. Well, some compositions develop the pure structure of the
songs, while others (“Every Story
Told”, “Nothing” or the “Monster’s
08 Melodic Rock Fanzine
New Dress”) keep exploring and fusing
together very different directions such
as eastern flavours and innovative programming sounds: two completely different starting points to develop creativity. Are there some influences
you’d still love or particular kind of
folk music you never have been using
for your songs and you’d love to
explore from now on?
KW: Yes, I'll continue to experiment with
all kinds of music. Music is a miracle, 12
notes in western harmony and you can
have an infinite template.
Cenk Eroglu co-wrote most of the
songs. Did you follow a different songwritingstandard than on your previous
collaboration on the Xcarnation debut?
KW: My songwriting style is always the
same, whether I co-write or not: it starts
with music and then lyrics. I only co-write
with a few people, I have two co-writers
on this record and the process was the
same. The only process different is the
classical piece.
If some new comers musicians asked
you suggestions to follow for being creative in what they do, what would you
tell them?
KW: Don’t settle for ideas you know
aren’t the best you have. Set your stadard
as high as you can imagine. Write every
single day of your life whether you feel
like it or not.
Most of the music scene today looks
like being immobile. In your opinion, is
this because most of the people in
music use not to really research anymore, or as many use to say, there’s no
more real space in music for creativity, because everything has already
been “told”? Did this kind of topic
catalyze your attention? What’s your
point of view?
KW: I don’t think everything’s been
done. Life is still evolving, so is music.
For those who say it's all been done, let
them die off.. this is a very creative
time!
(by Fulvio Bordi)
“From The Moon To The Sun”
the new album by Kip Winger:
review page 11
Let me be myself!
This much-talked-about CD includes acoustic and
stripped down reworked versions of some of
HELLOWEEN's classics that Michael Kiske wrote
and recorded in his early days with the legendary
German heavy metal band taken off the two
“Keeper” albums, “Chameleon” and “Pink
Bubbles Go Ape”, plus the brand new song
“Different Ways”. The album was recorded and
mixed in Hamburg under Michael Kiske's direction
and features longtime collaborators such as Sandro
Giampietro on guitar, Fontaine Burnett on bass
and Karsten Nagel on drums.
Hi Michael, how are you? On your new
album you re-visit old Helloween songs
in an acoustic setting. How did the idea
and project come about?
Michael Kiske: Serafino brought it up; I
would never have come up with this. I
also didn't want to do it at first, but it's
finally good for my soul that I did it.
How different was it approaching 11
songs acoustically in the studio rather
than cranking it up, and did you have
fun changing the arrangements?
MK: It came all very easy and was no
problem at all. Right away when listen to
the old CDs again to find out the chords
it already fell into place.
Which songs in particular on the
record do you think have benefited
most from this makeover?
MK: The first six. Vocal-wise ALL are
better!
I couldn’t help thinking listening to
this record how well it would work live
in a small intimate venue. Any plans to
do that?
MK: Yes, maybe next year with a new
label and a new record of my own
released. I might sneak one of those
songs in.
As with your previous release this
record may split the faithful: some
frustrated by the lack of Metal and
others happy to see you trying a new
direction. How do you respond to the
criticism?
MK: If you listen to the gossip you will
NOT survive as a musician and human
being. DON’T EVER try to please other
man! You lose yourself over it!
Recording an all acoustic album,
including a song that is just short of 8
minutes, sounds like a musician who is
willing to take chances. How true is
that of you?
MK: It's my music; so it's all fully true. I
generally don't need to justify my doings
and myself (there are just too many idiots
out here who believe that). I am not trying to kiss anyone's ass with this, if that's
what you mean! If that would be my goal
this album would not have been a fully
acoustic album. The next one is going to
sound different again anyway. I create
and don’t fake. I see it all this way:
Helloween treated me like shit and made
me look like a clown in the eyes of our
fans! So now I take my music back. This
makes morally total sense to me! And I
don't care about smart-ass-critics or the
stupid war Mr. Weikath planted in many
people’s heads...
In some of the promotional material
accompanying this release you’ve said,
“I connect big human disappointments
with the last years of that time. And in
spite of the fact that I strongly felt for
the last couple of years that I rather
have to build myself a new base of
friends, it's always good to make peace
with your past”. Could you elaborate
further on this statement?
MK: I did above and explained myself
enough, don't you think? Too much
actually... it’s a never ending story.
Now you’ve done your “past in different ways”, what does the future
hold for you?
MK: I don't know yet. I either need to
find a label that finally let me be
myself freely, but that's seems to be
impossible these days somehow. So I
will probably make my own label now
and sell my CDs over the Internet. And
I will promote it with playing live
again. We'll see!
(by Duncan Jamieson)
“Past In Different Ways”
the new album by Michael Kiske:
review page 12
“IMPERFECTION”:
Along with “Satellite”,
another personal fave. I
really wanted to pull everything back, and feature my
voice, and let the listener a
little closer into my “space”;
the melody and lyrics are
bitter
sweet. Anders
Olinder's Fender Rhodes is
Beyond provocative and
sensual... I was born for this
moment... I'm not afraid to
cry...
“NEVER SAY NEVER”:
The Bass groove was written and recorded on my little
digital recorder, along with
half a dozen riffs one fine
summer’s day last year.
When my manager heard
this riff he freaked, and said,
“go finish it”. I came up
with the a Rack Verse, a little edgy, so when that Funk
thang chorus kicks in, the
party's onto a new level...
the Bass it don't lie...
“ W E G O T O WA R ” :
Written the same time as
“Crave”, one of the first
ones. It really showed me
where I was headin’ with the
grooves on the album... tip
of the hat to Stevie Wonder
on the Chorus. Love the
horns, really 1969... how
many brothers and sisters
have to go to senseless
wars?
“OIL AND WATER”:
Needed some aggression
here... it's ok to own my
anger, it's mine after
all...this one’s all about the
disease of addiction, it is
deadly. It doesn't wanna hurt
people, it wants them dead,
and it makes me angry... it is
the perfect beast within'. I
have told my beast within' to
f*** off... some have been
less fortunate...
“TOO LATE TO SAVE
THE WORLD”: I love
writing songs that have
many parts, and this is the
one on this album: from the
sadness and despair of the
Verse to the full throat roar
in the pre chorus, to the simple melodic chorus. I love
the string section here... this
song is a ride...
“WHERE THERE”S A
WILL”: Written on my
acoustic, up in the livin'
room, with my dogs sleepin'
at my feet; it was very, therapeutic for me to write this
song.... reminiscent of
Coast to Coast, written in
Mom's Kitchen. This one
again is about the breathin’... when mixin', I wanted
you to hear everything inbetween the words, such as
the sighs, the breath, as if I
was sittin' next to you singin' it in your ear... I gave
myself permission to write
and use Chords that are
never written on Rock
Records... it is one of the
things that I want to be
remembered by... I feel it is
my invention! I have never
enjoyed singin' like this
before. I feel like I'm finally
free...
With love,
Glenn Hughes
Los Angeles, March 2008
Our Gipsy Road...
Hello guys! How long has Jaded Sun
been together, and where are you
based from?
Gavan Murray: We've been together for
5 years and we're based on the northside
of Dublin.
Now, it seems that there is quite a
Rock-revival happening in Ireland,
being that you have some very good
company with groups like The Answer,
Glyder and all; are we seeing the New
Vanguard of Rock?
GM: Hope so! It would be good to see
that happen here.We've got a great Rock
history here that some people seem to
have forgotten about. It’s nice to know
that bands like The Answer and ourselves
are getting people back into Rock music
again!
So, the band is now 5 years old, and
you have released your debut album;
which doesn't sound like a debut, but
maybe your fourth album... it is that
rich and deep! Have you been writing
this one for the past couple of years?
GM: Not entirely. Two or three of the
songs on the record have been around for
a while. We spent about two weeks in
pre-production writing the rest.
As mentioned, “Gypsy Trip” is very
rich, layered and has enormous depth
both lyrically and musically; take us a
ways through your creative process...
GM: Well, it varies - to be honest.
Sometimes Sean (the guitarist) would
have a rough structure of a song finished,
bring it in and we just polish it and
arrange it a little. Other times maybe
Eorann (2nd guitarist) would do the
same, or maybe somebody else would
have an idea and people just add on to it.
We write as a group and individuals.
When one listens to the record, there
are some obvious influences; please
share with us those artists that have
come before you that have really
inspired you?
GM: I think a lot of ideas that people
had always wanted to try out on an
album over the years did so on the
album. I think thats what makes it versatile. Some songs have Deep Purple
influences, some would have Pink
Floyd or Skynyrd or some Outlaws
influences. There’s some Led Zeppelin
in there, some Aerosmith too...
Now, may we go on about the actual
recording of “Gypsy Trip”; where
did you record and who has produced this musical treasure?
GM: We were fortunate enough to
record in Los Angeles with producer
Richie Mouser (Weezer, Tears For
Fears, Dream Theater). It didn’t feel
like we were making a record at times
because he’s such a very patent and
inspirational guy and he is able to make
you relax and have fun and not worry
about screwing up, which he tries to
capture on the recording. We loved
working with him!
“Classic Rock” has you mentioned as
“ones to watch”, and that certainly is
right! As I began this interview with a
wave towards a new Vanguard, what
with your sound and others from the
Irish isle, I would go further and state
that you are definitely part of an
intense revival of solid Blues-based
Rock, and not to add any pressure,
but do you not feel that you are a
main contributor to this revival?
This
sleazy
blues
drenched debut album
from Irish classic HardRock band Jaded Sun is
a thunderous, powerful,
guitar driven, bluesy
effort which bounds
from the speakers with
all the exuberance of a 7
week old bull terrier
puppy! We decided to
know more about the
band...
GM: We've never really thought so.
We didn’t make this album to create a
revival. We just enjoy playing that style
of music. It’s how we were brought up.
We never cared wether it was popular
or not, it was just something we were
into. That said, if a revival were to happen, that would pretty cool to be told
you were the reason it happened. The
thing about this music is that there will
always be fans of it. It’s very easy to
relate to!
You are about to go on an extensive
road trip, so where are you going to
appear, and when?
GM: We’ll tour around Europe at the
end of June and then in September
we've got a much bigger tour planned
around Germany, France, Austria, etc
so people can check our myspace to see
exactly where we are going to be.
(by Bruce Atkinson)
“Gypsy Trip”
the new album by Jaded Sun:
review page 12
“Animal Instinct” is a great come-back for
this NWOBHM glory. It is out on the line
at last! The band was reformed in 2001 and
released just the mini-Cd “Back &
Beyond” in 2007. Why did you take so long
to release this brand new full length?
Robb Weir: The line-up that plays on
“Animal Instinct” has been together since
2004 and are the longest serving members in
the band’s history. We needed to get the infrastructure right backstage in the organization
before we could re-build the band. We signed
to a new management company a year ago
who have really supported the bands vision
and the progress has been unbelievable since.
We may have got off to a slow start but are
really burning it up now.
I love the new CD! The songs, the melodies
and the riffs really kick ass! Please, give us
your first whole impressions...
RW: Well, thanks for your kind comments,
when you record a new album you always
think it is the best material ever and then
when you hear the final mix and a few plays
later it loses its sparkle a little. We knew
“Animal Instinct” was a good album but
when we got the mix back from Ben
(Matthews of Thunder) it just came alive and
gets better every play. I think the fans have
found this because they are saying it is a vintage album and they are the best judges.
3) Do all the songs come from the same
writing session, or do they belong to differ-
ent periods along the years?
RW: The songs on “Animal
Instinct” are mainly from the
album’s writing-sessions, but
there are also songs that were
conceived well before. Craig
(Ellis – Drums) brought to the
table a song that has been in his
head for 10 years. That song is
“Cry Sweet Freedom” and is one
of my favourite tracks on the
album.
In your opinion, how “Animal Instinct” has
to be considered? The first chapter of the
new band’s life, or the logic follow-up from
where the band left?
RW: Both I think, I am really proud of the
Tygers’ history and would never want to
ignore it, so if the fans want to view the album
as the natural successor to “Crazy Nights”
then that’s great. If they want to see this as the
kick start of the Tygers, then that’s great too.
As long as the fans like the album and we have
given them value for money I am happy.
Please, would you present us the line-up?
Particularly, tell us about your new italian
singer Jacopo Meille. How did you get in
touch with him?
RW: This line up has been together since 2004
and are like my brothers, they have my utter
respect for there professionalism. We are me,
Robb Weir, guitarist and proud founder of
Tygers of Pan Tang; Dean Robertson, a fantas-
Animal Magnetism
tic guitar-player (some of the ideas he came up
with for solos just blew me away); Brian West on
bass (Brian is the band leader who just drives
you all the time for better. He did a fantastic job
re-arranging “Animal Instinct” and keeps the
live show in some form of order. By the way he
is a great bass-player too!); Craig Ellis on drums
(he’s a super drummer who just keeps the engine
of a song going all the time); finally, Jacopo
Meille on vocals... Jack is a phenomenal singer,
with an huge range and great stage presence.
Jack auditioned after we sent an agent to find the
best talent in Europe, we heard him once and just
knew he was right. It was as quick a decision as
when I first heard John Sykes play. We offered
him the gig straight away!
Tygers are back to roar again! Please, give the
older and new fans a final message...
RW: Thank you once again for the continued
support and for the younger reader who is not
familiar with the band please check us out on
www.tygersofpantang.com. (by Fulvio Bordi)
“The Making of F.U.N.K.”
The beauty of makin’ music, for me is to
have a vast blank canvas. To completely
open myself up to the universe and the
spirits, that these days, live with me day
and night.
I am no longer in fear of the dark, or
what lurks behind door number 13...
The songs on my new album were written in and around my Los Angeles
home, sometimes in semi consciousness, sometimes, in a dreamstate, sometimes fully alert, as I was in full jog
down by the harbour...
Songwriting makes me complete, or at
least keeps me on an even keel, with my
personal centre...
These new songs are a true vindication .
And realization, of the gift of a serene
life, one day at a time... there has been
no greater high, not a drug, no sexual
experience, has even come close... then
why now? I do not question this, it is not
for me to answer, I show up, and the rest
is outta my hands. I am willing, I am
teachable. This record has changed the
way I think, given me a little more
insight as to who I am, and what is to be.
Tonight I will go to sleep a little easier
knowin’ that it’s OK to give myself
COMPLETELY to my art...
Believe me, people, it's great to live in
the Garden...
“Track-by-Track of F.U.N.K.”
“CRAVE”: One of the first songs I
wrote; the chorus came first. I heard in
my head, the multi layered vocal
endin’... givin’ the verse a street Funk
groove is a good marriage... it's all about
the swagger....
“F.U.N.K.”: Find the right beat on the
drum machine...stand up, throw on my
bass, and wham! This song wrote itself.
A lil’ Sly and the Family Stone influence...hail to the source!
“SATELLITE”: Personally speaking, I
think this song is was of my all time
greatest songs, my vocal is very understated, the breathing so important.... It's
a very personal song for me. I had been
dealing with the death of a friend, and
some other close friends who were ill
at the time of recording this song...I
was in a private spiritual place....It all
comes back to me when I hear it.... I
hope can feel the vibe here....
“LOVE COMMUNION”: As I was
warmin' up in my studio, Luis asked
me, “hey what's that”. I said: “Huh?”
It was a riff that I started playin’ as
soon as my bass had landed on my
lap! It’s a mover, the chorus was written around my love of minor 9ths and
Major 7ths. They appear on a lot of
my songs....they are not conventional
Rock Chords, I am not a conventional
Rock Artist. “In like a thief, and I'm
gone...”
“WE SHALL BE FREE”: Let's be
clear, this has got to be some of funkiest, music ever to be recorded...yeah,
that's what I said....the greasiest Verse,
and the Chorus that enables to be
vocally free......what a rush singin' this
song...and Tommy Bolin lives here in
the shape of Luis Maldonado... if you
don't dance to this, you might be
dead...wait, even if you're dead, you'll
probably get up an cut the rug!
EVA - “The One” (Heart Of Steel Records)
After the release of the incredible (and successful) new EVA CD “Blue”, still in heavy rotation on my Cd player (a
pure AOR jewel!), Heart Of Steel Records re-issues the debut-CD of this awesome italian band, originally out for
AOR Heaven/Point Music back in 2001 and unavailable since years now. To make things even better, this new edition features one unreleased bonus-track, a brand new cover-artwork (still keeping the original cover-concept), a
full-colour 16 pages booklet with all lyrics and unedited pics, and a completely remastered sound! The music featured here is Classic AOR a la Bad English/Journey/FM/Strangeways, with singer Angelo Grassi who sounds sooo
close to mighty John Waite! Songs like opener “Angel” or the heavenly ballad “Blue Sky” might be well considered worth of many classic hits in this genre, yet the whole album is a must for all the AOR fans. Another
nice surprise from this very active label from Italy! Recommended.
(Rob “Ezy” Bone) 90
DARK LORD - “The NightTime Years: 1986-1988” (Heart Of Steel Records)
Dark Lord has been one of the most popular Melodic Metal band from Italy in the ‘80s, having opened gigs for
bands like Saxon, The Cult, and more, as well as having headlined many clubs in Italy. The band disbanded in 1988
when singer Emanuel Jenée died for AIDS, after having released a few demos + 2 EPs (this material can be found
on the DARK LORD “The Metal Years:1982-1985 CD, released a couple of years ago) and a great full-length
album, “It’s NightTime”, featuring no less than ex-Dokken/Headrush/Serena Rock Band/Shadows Fade/Vertigo sixstrings wizard Alex DeRosso, one of the best ever Rock guitarists coming out of Italy! This Cd reissue gives us the
chance to listen once again this great Work, completely remastered from the original master-tapes, featuring a fullcolour 16 pages booklet with many pics, all lyrics and a story of the band, + 8 bonus-tracks taken from a 1987 liveconcert. The music is a “Class Melodic Metal” as bands like Dokken & Ratt used to play in the glorious ‘80s.
A Cd to remember how great were these years!!!
(Rob “Ezy” Bone) 87
ROBBIE DUPREE - “Time And Tide” (Zink Music)
His first recording in five years, “Time And Tide” should re-acquaint us with this amazing veteran Rhythm and Blues
Artist. Growing from the same musical plateau as the great blues players of America, Robbie has been involved in
music since the late 1960’s. An extensive singing, recording and performing career, Robbie has gifted us with many
musical gems throughout the last five decades and “Time & Tide” is no exception. His compositions on this record
may just be his finest. Some are quite personal, others political, and all very rhythmic and set in a groove that just
keeps you rolling! “Time & Tide” draws you in and allows Robbie to weave his magic - creating sensuous musical
moments intertwined with a smokey bluesy atmosphere. Time and tides seem to have no affect on Mr. Dupree,
(Bruce Atkinson) 77
his music and voice are timeless. Rhythm & Blues as it should be.
TYGERS OF PAN TANG - “Animal Instinct”
The long awaited come back from the NWOBHM masters comes after more than seven years founder member Robb
Weird put the band together again. Tygers Of Pan Tang released a five-piece EP entitled “Back And Beyond” after
the new singer Jacopo Meille joined the band, and now a new full lenght marks their real come back. The CD kicks
ass! Since the opener "Rock Candy", passing through "Cry Sweet Freedom", "Let It Burn", we can listen to a really
hungry band, ready to unleash all their power and potential inner instinctive impact. Tracks flow with so much energy and a so fresh genuine sound looks like the band is playing right now live on stage in front of you! I love it! The
raw and direct guitars wall looks like a fist right to listener's face, as for in "Hot Blooded", perfectly combining axes
with a vocal performance ready to aggress listener. The rhythm section pushes the songs with a surprising intensity,
just listen to "Cruisin" to have an idea about. Tygers Of Pan Tang couldn't come back with a better release than
this, here to show us how the band is alive again, ready to surprise their long date fans and amaze new ones!
87
(Fulvio Bordi)
AMERICAN DOG - “Hard On The Road” (Bad Reputation)
This live CD and DVD package filmed in France gives you the beer soaked essence of American Dog. Influenced
by Ted Nugent, Twisted Sister, Motorhead and Blackfoot, American Dog are a large motorcycle boot in the crotch
of political correctness. To quote front man Michael Hannon, “I love rock n roll. I live it. I breathe it. I shit it”. It’s
heads down and boogie from the off. As Steve Theodo, the guitarist says in the great candid interview on the DVD,
“Keith (Pickens) starts a drumbeat, I start a riff and Michael starts spewing out dirty words.” Although Michael is
charismatic with a good stash of lewd one liners his vocals can be rougher than cheap bourbon at times and it’s
Steve’s well worn riffs that really make this work. On their sex, booze and rock n roll anthems such as the supercharged ‘Shitkickers’, ‘Barely Half Alive’, ‘Sometimes you have to Eat the Pussy’ and ‘Another Day in
Paradise’(cool interplay) they sound like the uncouth, inbred cousins of George Thorogood or ZZ Top at
45RP. Buy this and Michael can give up his day job grooming dogs. I kid you not! (Duncan Jamieson) 82
SOUL DOCTOR - “That’s Live” (Metal Heaven)
And here we are with the Soul Doctor live album. After 4 albums the band decided to record some shows and put
together the best performances during this two years touring. The band sounds good, maybe “too” good for a live
performance! I think a rock’n’roll show is good also for the "not so clean" sound and the energy that should give
to the audience. Listening to this album is like listen to a Soul Doctor compilation of studio tracks. The point is that
this album is perfect for people who don’t have any idea of what Soul Doctor is and want to give a try to this band.
My general impression is that this live-album is done just because “after 4 albums you have to release a livealbum”, and not because it has a particular meaning. “That’s Live” will be released in Europe as limited, exclusive
double CD package. Whilst CD 1 contains the live-recordings, CD 2 offers bonus-tracks from the archives.
A release for the Soul Doctor die-hard fans and for Melodic Rock completists...
(Vitale Nocerino) 58
14 Melodic Rock Fanzine
JOURNEY - “Revelation” (Frontiers Records)
Here it is at last, and the title couldn’t have been more predictive than this. “Revelation” comes to us revealing a
new Journey’s course, with a new amazing singer, Arnel Pineda. His voice, so close to the Perry’s timbre, won’t
absolutely disappoint the die-hard fans; but, at the same time, the singer brings a so considerable charge of new
melodies and ideas as well, giving songs a new, intense verve. We can find it out both in first CD with new material and in the second bonus one featuring some band’s classics re-interpretated with the new voice. "Never Walk
Away" is an opening anthem recalling the "Raised on Radio" period, with a killer guitar work and great background
vocals. "Change of The Better" is a brilliant rocker with very different emotional moments: a real rollercoaster starting with a great odd tempo in the verse, to lead in a melodically wide airy chorus and a whirling guitar solo. No
Doubt "Wildest Dream" and "What It Takes To Win" have already to be considered among the band’s absolute classics, "Like A Sunshower", "After All These Years", "Turn Down The World Tonight" won’t miss to touch
our hearts with that unique Journey’s ballads’ trademark. Another absolute gem!
(Fulvio Bordi) 100
REVOLUTION RENAISSANCE - “New Era” (Frontiers Records)
With some 22 years in the business Timo Tolkki knows when something has run its course and a “New Era” must
begin and with Revolution Renaissance his new project, the Stratovarius guitar wiz, producer and songwriter has
let the water run under the bridge with Statovarius and come to pastures new with a new album and a new outlook
on life. The material on this album was intended for a new Strato album but then when Timo decided to disband
the band, he wasn’t gonna let this material die, so he has brought in three outstanding vocal talents for this album.
Firstly Edguy’s Tobias Sammet, secondly the mighty Michael Kiske and finally Thunderstone’s Pasi Rantanen,
these three along with Tolkki are joined by Mirka Rantanen (drums), Pasi Heikkila (bass) and Jonas Puolukka
(keys) for one of the most outstanding Power Metal albums to be put to disc. The three vocalists each bring something different to the album and all bring life to Tolkki’s vision with thunderous tracks like “Heroes”, “We
(Barry McMinn) 97
Are Magic” and the mellow majesty of “Angel”. This album has it all. Great stuff!
JORN - “Lonely Are The Brave” (Frontiers Records)
I can’t believe he did it! As everybody already knows, today Jorn is among the best melodic hard/heavy singers
around, a brilliant songwriter and a polyhedric performer. Of course he always picks the target anytime he comes
out with a new release, but until today I have been considering he could hardly come out overpassing what he did
with the brilliant "Worldchanger". Well, I was wrong. After so many times I’ve been listening to this newcomer
"Lonely Are The Brave", I can confirm my starting impression I had since the first shot! Every word, every note
sang by Jorn is perfectly carved into the music, giving life to an extremely high emotional swirl. Songwriting is so
inspired since the very first notes and melodies come more mature flowing on the powerful carpet guaranteed by a
so well reliable band: solid guitar riffing really cuts like a knife, while rhythmic section scans every beat with
incredible energy and precision. I’m not able to mention just a bunch of songs, trying to find out some of the best
representative CD’s chapters, it would be a delight. All the track list shines by its own light and there are
(Fulvio Bordi)
absolutely no weak moments left. Great!
95
KIP WINGER - “From The Moon To The Sun” (Frontiers Records)
In today's musical scene, almost completely unable to be creative and to find out new melodic, stylistic and sound
trails, Kip Winger is the rare exception. "From The Moon To the Sun" is another demonstration of how he wants to
go over the borders, trying to create and develop in every direction, without any kind of conventional restriction,
simply following all the new ideas coming into his mind. So, while in some episodes ("Every Story Told",
"Nothing", "Reason To Believe", "One Big Game"...) he keeps inserting electronic percussions and particular loops
together with eastern arrangements, in other songs he wants to explore the song's structure, the pure melody, the
acoustic approach to arrangements, or the orchestral one. The delicate melody, fused together with an absolute class
arrangement work, shines in beauty with masterpieces such as "Pages And Pages", "In Your Eyes…", "California",
while "What We Are" reveals Beatles recalls. The instrumental contribution for arrangements and performances is
guaranteed by great musicians such as Andy Timmons, Cenk Eroglu, Alan Pasqua, Rod Morgenstein and Ken
Mary. Don’t be afraid to discover the unknown, just start flying "From The Moon To The Sun" to visit a new
90
musical dimension.
(Fulvio Bordi)
GLENN HUGHES - “First Underground Nuclear Kitchen” (Frontiers Records)
OK, I know that Glenn is known as the Voice of Rock-but he could also easily become known as the Master of
Funk. Throughout his career, Glenn Hughes has displayed many sides of himself musically, with a powerful leaning towards Hard Rock and undercurrents of Funk and Soul. Now, he is bringing the Funk to the forefront—holding back nothing. Deep inside “The Voice” lays the heart of a soulful, funky musical child that is growing to great
heights. Just listen to the first two songs on “F.U.N.K” if you don’t believe me! When I listen to this album, there
is no denying the power that is Glenn Hughes - however, there seems to be a more confident and relaxed, fresh feel
from the performances. There are musical passages throughout that can leave you breathless, and then there are
some that stir you to dance and move to the most energetic funk-filled rhythms heard in a long time. “F.U.N.K.” is
a very fluid album, where Glenn lets himself and his band mates to broaden musically and vocally. A powerful and
confident musical statement, Glenn displays his love for the funky side with both his vocal and instrumental
talents, and again stretches the boundaries of his Rock side as well... with everything delivered with the passionate soul that is the very essence of Glenn Hughes!
(Bruce Atkinson) 90
Melodic Rock Fanzine 11
MICHAEL KISKE - “Past in Different Ways” (Frontiers Records)
Kiske’s sophomore solo album for Frontiers finds the ex-Helloween revisiting old Helloween songs in an intimate
acoustic setting. Like his previous record this CD is going to divide the faithful. Some will welcome the chance to
hear these stripped down versions with Kiske’s vocals very much to the fore, soaring and swooping spectacularly,
but for others craving the metallic punch of Helloween, it may be a case of ‘Past Indifferent Ways’. Forget the latter disgruntled view because there’s plenty of inventiveness on the likes of ‘Your Turn’ and up-tempo ‘Going
Home’ to hold your interest. The centrepiece of the record is ‘I Believe’ which is just shy of 8 minutes. It starts
atmospherically with a Middle Eastern feel and has a great midsection where Kiske drops to a lower octave, then
the song builds and builds and by the end you long for an electric guitar to take it even further. ‘When the Sinner’
with its trombone and vocal effects has a Beatles vibe. Often his phrasing recalls those progressive singers
such as Gabriel, Fish and Waters. He has moved on to new pastures and we should respect his motives.
(Duncan Jamieson) 88
STEVE OVERLAND - “Break Away” (Escape Music)
Steve Overland (FM, Shadowland, The Ladder and ex Wildlife) has an AOR voice to die for. If he sang the telephone directory he would still manage to tug at your heartstrings. Imagine if FM after ‘Tough it Out’ had chosen a
more pop rock direction than the bluesier route they did choose, then it may well have sounded like this debut solo
effort. The odd heavier riff and a few computer bleeps such as on “Break Away” indicate that this CD was produced
in 2008 and not 1988 but generally these are embellishments as this is a record hewn out of classic soft rock. Anders
(Grand Illusion) Rydholm’s production, guitars and keyboards have helped create a great sound but it’s Steve’s baby
and he puts in great performances on the likes of the gospel style ‘The River’ and on the up tempo ‘Evangeline’.
On ‘Heartache Calling’ he gives a master class on how to reach those hard to hit high notes, ‘Mad, Mad, World’ is
an FM sounding number and ‘Lost in Paradise’ starts acoustically before sweeping you up onto a sea of
(Duncan Jamieson) 90
melodic bliss. This is a worthy addition to his classy CV!
MICHAEL BORMANN - “Capture The Moment” (AOR Heaven)
“Capture The Moment” is the second solo release from ex-Jaded Heart singer Michael Bormann, but Michael is not
just a singer in a rock’n’roll band, he is one of the most sought after producers in the AOR and Melodic field, and
with his own studio and label RMB, his departure from Jaded Heart has opened up many doors; but singing is his
first love and from the quality of this effort it plain to see why. The album is some of the finest AOR and Melodic
Rock you’ll hear this year, with no less than 14 stunning stirring tracks that will melt your heart and rock your
world. The album opens up with “When Push Comes To Shove” and from this opener the class of Bormann stands
out for all to see and continues on throughout the entire album with stand out tracks like the ballad “Love Is Magic”,
the up more rockier tracks like “Live Your Life” and “Glory And Pain”. However, there is more to this album than
just these three tracks, to be honest I can’t fault any one of the fourteen tracks and in today’s climate there
aren’t many albums that you can say that about. Don’t just take my word for it though, check out one of the
(Barry McMinn) 90
finest releases this year for yourself.
M.ILL.ION - “Thrill Of The Chase” (Metal Heaven)
I first came across M.ill.ion a few years ago when they played “Firefest” and that day they were one of the highlights for me. Since then the band have had a series of labels but now the band have hooked up with Metal Heaven
for their latest release entitled “Thrill Of The Chase”. The band haven’t lost any of that power and grace from that
day and after their very successful “Kingsize” release, this new album carries on where that left off with the band’s
mix of old school styles and new Melodic Metal to great effect with the power of Ulrich Carlsson vocals towering
over the superb guitar work of Jonas Hermansson. The two are the back bone of the whole M.ill.ion sound as they
power through the likes of “Menace To Society” and “Slave To You” and the more mellow tracks like “Lonely In
A Crowded Room”. This band are the full package and should be more widely known in the world of rock,
so let’s hope this new album will give the band the spotlight they deserve.
(Barry McMinn) 86
LAUREN HARRIS - “Calm Before The Storm”
Launched in 2005 by Russ Ballard, who didn’t know she is the legendary Iron Maiden bassist and mastermind
Steve Harris’ daughter, Lauren Harris, before releasing this brand new solo debut album entitled “Calm Before The
Storm”, made an intense live-activity supporting all over Europe acts like Iron Maiden, Within Temptation, Alice
Cooper, Korn, Heaven And Hell and Stone Sour. This CD can’t miss to satisfy anyone who looks for good Hard
Rock, sang and performed with deep talent and intense passion. Steve Harris performs on bass in three songs and
sound production from Tommy McWilliams contributes to give the songs’ final result the best sound possible. Plus,
the package features a bonus DVD containing two songs and live footage. A very surprising debut!
85
(Fulvio Bordi)
JADED SUN - “Gypsy Trip” (Sian Records)
So, I was floored when I first heard The Answer; then when the Editor of Melodic Rock assigned Glyder to me, it
was deja-vu! Now, I’m shaking in ecstasy with Jaded Sun! This Dublin quintet has legend written all over them! A
couple of decades or more ago, we enjoyed the emergence of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal; now, we are
witnessing the rise of the Wave of Real Rock, Irish style! Like The Answer & Glyder before them, Jaded Sun write,
record, perform, breathe and bleed Blues-based Hard Rock in its highest form! “Gypsy Trip” is their first fullfledged album, however it has the depth and maturity of, say, their fourth effort. Every single song is full of high
energy riffs, deep rhythms just oozing out of the speakers, and a voice that just continues to reverberate throughout. “Gypsy Trip” takes you back to what real Rock is all about; there is no holding back on this album! The songs
are commanding to the nth degree, even when the lads bring it down a couple of notches….they will stay with
you for a good long time. Jaded Sun—five very talented and indomitable Rockers, bringing their musical
(Bruce Atkinson) 90
journey to the masses, and what a journey it will be... ”Gypsy Trip”; what a rush!
12 Melodic Rock Fanzine
DANIEL ANDERSSON - “Days In L.A.” (Zink Music)
Deeply entrenched in the musical Westcoast scene, Daniel Andersson may be a new voice, but he is an “old
soul”. Delivering up a brew of soulful, fluid and funky songs reflecting on his “Days In L.A.”. Daniel’s
voice is both silky smooth and “husky”, bringing a textured sound throughout this debut album. Some may
consider this music to be “middle of the road”, however it is classic, rich and melodic, and created with a
high degree of authenticity, keeping true to the original Californian West Coast music force of the early
eighties. A guitarist as well, Daniel’s creations are full of tasteful keyboard and guitar interplay, laying the
rhythmic foundation for his voice to flow directly to your heart? A gifted songwriter and singer, “Days In
L.A.” is an absolute delight by this Swedish musical talent.
(Bruce Atkinson)
80
PETER FRIESTEDT - “LA Project II” (Zink Music)
This is pure Westcoast AOR. Music for the highway, top down and palm trees swaying. The Swede has surrounded himself again (after LA Project) with a bunch of great vocalists and players from the LA scene whilst he plays
his soft rock guitar with a distinctive light jazz touch. Every note played or sung is polished until it’s shiny. Not
surprisingly with Joseph Williams on board for two songs Toto‘s spirit is evoked and Bill Champlin on the jazzy
Cheyenne makes you yearn for those days when Chicago ruled the airwaves. Lou Pardini and Stefen Gunnermann
sing the same soul rock that has made Michael MacDonald and Michael Bolton the housewives’ favourites.
Michael Ruff offers a cool,groovy number and Bill Cantos takes you to a cocktail bar on ‘There Ain’t Nothing’.
The instrumental ‘Closer to Home’ and closer ‘Waiting For You’ stray a bit too far into MOR. Overall though, this
is a CD that harks back to more innocent days when grown men could sing sentimental love songs without
embarrassment, the days before grunge raised its ugly head and declared everyone had to be miserable.
(Duncan Jamieson) 82
MAGELLAN - “Innocent God”
That’s the seventh Magellan’s studio release and I guess it won’t miss to get everyone surprised. “Innocent God”
brings the band to a more straight approach to composition. Of course, the band headed by the Gardner brothers
keeps its progressive musical development, but this time compositions get less symphonic, but more concise and
direct with a wide range of new unusual electronic sounds. “Invisible Bright Man” can immediately catalyze listener with a chorus with very captivating melody and background vocals. Some episodes, as in “Innocent God”,
seem to bring us to a mix of Yes, Rush, Dream Theater and some light moments recalling World Trade. “Found”
looks more on the Pink Floyd side and “My Warrior” puts the band back to more symphonic atmospheres. I think
“Innocent God” can become a real turning point for the band, longing to develop and exploring the sound and the
atmospheres still more than the suites’ complexity. Next release will clear out my impression, but now let’s
(Fulvio Bordi)
taste this brilliant release of so much inspired Progressive Rock.
78
NEW FOUND GLORY - “From The Screen To Your Stereo Pt II” (Drive-Thru Records)
In the great tradition of cover albums, even South Florida’s New Found Glory got into the act with their 2007
album “From The Screen To Your Stereo Part II”. The band took it upon themselves to take the Pop Punk sound
and turn it on its heels with their own unique sound that has been copied by numerous bands since their incarnation in the late 90’s. The quintet of Jordan Pundik, Chad Gilbert, Steve Klein, Ian Grushka and Cyrus Bolooki
brought their career to a head with this groundbreaking release and set the kids alight with tunes that they would
never dream of listening to with the likes of the classics ‘The King Of Wishful Thinking’, ‘Iris’, ‘Kiss Me’ and
‘Hungry Eyes’ all are given a complete makeover here and without destroying their original classic status. The
album is a great preview and an introduction to those unfamiliar with the band and to the bands current release
‘Tip Of The Iceberg’ & ‘The International Superheroes Of Hardcore Takin It Ova’, which will undoubtedly
be riding high in the more commercial press when released.
(Barry McMinn) 76
KORITNI - “Red Live Joint” (Bad Reputation)
This release gives you 3 live performances on the CD and 2 on the DVD. The first set on the DVD is their own
material with a couple of covers (The Angels, Skid Row) thrown in, whilst the second set is exclusively made up
of Guns and Roses tunes. Hailing from Australia (and France) people have made lazy comparisons to AC/DC ,
compounded by the cover of “High Voltage” on the CD, but Lex Koritni’s vocals are much more like another
Aussie, Jimmy Barnes. Put this vein popping voice over a slightly sleazy twin guitar rock sound and you have
Koritni. Best tracks ‘Red Live Joint’ and ‘Dirt Letter’ have an old school strut. To Koritni’s credit the neutral crowd
grows, headbangs and applauds more as the first set goes on. The second set of G’N’R covers really gets the festival crowd going, but here’s the rub. Unless you were there why would you want a live DVD of a cover’s band?
Hopefully ‘Lady Luck’ (their Angel’s cover) will be with them and more people will be turned onto Koritni’s
own brand of Aussie sleaze to save them from becoming just another tribute band. (Duncan Jamieson) 76
THE UNDERWATER - “Forces Sample EP” (The Biggest Label Ever)
Hailing from York, Pennsylvania, The Underwater have been on a steady rise since their inception in late 2001.
The band are due to release their latest album entitled “Forces”, and - as a taster - they have put out a four-track
EP that gives a little incite into what the Pop Punksters have in store with the new album. The four tracks on this
EP are modern Pop Punk that will have the youth of today in raptures with its tuned down plinky guitar sound that
give the band a modern U2 vibe starting off with “Maybe Love” and the harder edged “Fallen One”. The final two
tracks deliver a punchy groove firstly its “Red, White and Blind”, my personal favourite of the bunch, finishing of
with a quick snippet of rest of “Forces”. So tie down your wallets as your kids will be raiding them to buy this
one for sure.
(Barry McMinn)
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Melodic Rock Fanzine 13