HEAVY PARADISE, THE PARADISE OF MELODIC ROCK!

Thursday, December 13, 2018

BEST OF 2018 : HEAVY PARADISE'S MELODIC AWARDS !!!!!

This is the time of the year that Heavy Paradise releases its "BEST OF" lists!!! It will sound a bit cliche, it's true, 2018 was yet another very good year, musically speaking.

It seems that the music that we all love and we all grew up with continues to fill up our lives, hearts n' minds with tons of good music. Of course it's always been a matter of personal taste but c'mon....it's only rock 'n' roll here! Those bands, musicians, record labels, promoters e.t.c. give their all to keep the fire alive, to keep the fire burning!

As always, the same this year, I have to say a HUGE thank you to all the Heavy Paradise's readers, followers and those who give this webzine their support to continue (hopefully for many years,,,at the end Heavy Paradise is a web-zine that's only for the love and passion of this music, nothing more nothing less). A HUGE thank you, also, to all the bands/record labels/managers e.t.c and of course, a HUGE thank you to all my close people that support me all of those years!!

.........thank you!!!!! Words are not enough!!!!!

So, this is it for now ladies and gentlemen.....I hope you'll enjoy the following lists and enjoy the music. At the end, the one thing that matters the most is THE MUSIC!!!

HEAVY PARADISE'S MELODIC AWARDS

* BEST 20 ALBUMS OF 2018 *

#1. PERFECT PLAN :: ALL RISE (FRONTIERS MUSIC)

#2. DYNAZTY :: FIRESIGN (AFM RECORDS)

#3. CREYE :: CREYE (FRONTIERS MUSIC)

#4. MIDNITE CITY :: THERE GOES THE NEIGHBOURHOOD (AOR HEAVEN)

#5. OUTLOUD :: VIRTUAL HERO SOCIETY (ROAR!ROCK OF ANGELS RECORDS)

#6. WHITE WIDDOW :: VICTORY (AOR HEAVEN)

#7. VEGA :: ONLY HUMAN (FRONTIERS MUSIC)

#8. ODYSSEY DESPERADO :: DON'T MISS THE SUNSET (LIONS PRIDE MUSIC)

#9. OSUKARU :: HOUSE OF MIRRORS (CITY OF LIGHTS RECORDS)

#10. STATE OF SALAZAR :: SUPERHERO (FRONTIERS MUSIC)

#11. MAGIC DANCE :: NEW EYES (FRONTIERS MUSIC)

#12. CARE OF NIGHT :: LOVE EQUALS WAR (AOR HEAVEN)

#13. IMPERIUM :: BEYOND THE STARS (AOR HEAVEN)

#14. ATLAS :: IN PURSUIT OF MEMORY (AOR HEAVEN)

#15. NORDIC UNION :: SECOND COMING (FRONTIERS MUSIC)

#16. TREAT :: TUNGUSKA (FRONTIERS MUSIC)

#17. FIRMO :: REHAB (STREET SYMPHONIES RECORDS)

#18. BIG CITY :: BIG CITY LIFE (ROAR! ROCK OF ANGELS RECORDS)

#19. MAVERICK :: COLD STAR DANCER (METALAPOLIS RECORDS)

#20. HANK ERIX :: NOTHING BUT TROUBLE (LIVEWIRE/CARGO RECORDS UK)

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* BEST 5 SONGS OF 2018 *

#1. PERFECT PLAN :: NEVER SURRENDER

#2. MIDNITE CITY :: YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND ME

#3. OUTLOUD :: AND I TRIED

#4. ODYSSEY DESPERADO :: RUSH OF THE WAVE

#5. CREYE :: STRAIGHT TO THE TOP

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* BEST 3 VIDEOS OF 2018 *

#1. NORDIC UNION :: BECAUSE OF US (FRONTIERS MUSIC)

#2. CREYE :: DIFFERENT STATE OF MIND (FRONTIERS MUSIC)

#3. TREAT :: BUILD THE LOVE (FRONTIERS MUSIC)

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*BEST DEBUT OF 2018 *

PERFECT PLAN :: ALL RISE (FRONTIERS MUSIC)

A few words out of my review : "Seems like the guys in PERFECT PLAN had the perfect plan to release the perfect album!!!! Yes, "All Rise" is one of these records that every single track is an absolute killer! I think that you got the picture of how "All Rise" sounds.........."

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* BEST FRONT COVER ARTWORK OF 2018 *

CREYE :: CREYE & ODYSSEY DESPERADO :: DON'T MISS THE SUNSET

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*BEST MUSICIAN OF 2018 *

BOB KATSIONIS (FIREWIND, OUTLOUD)

Without any doubt Bob Katsionis 'earned' the category of best musician of 2018 here in Heavy Paradise not only 'cause with OUTLOUD he released a killer record, not only 'cause he released yet another monster solo album but for the reason that he deserves a much wider recognition as an artist. A very talented and gifted musician.....

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So, this is it! Another year wents by. Another year with Heavy Paradise and for damn sure, another year that in my humble opinion, gave us some excellent releases, some classic albums.

The one last thing that I have to add here is that I want to wish to each and every one of you a Merry Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year.

Vassilis

Sunday, December 9, 2018

REVIEW : Evergrey --- The Atlantic (AFM Records, RELEASE DATE : 25 January 2019)

The progressive metal band of Evergrey started its music journey back in 1993 and since then it released some timeless albums that stood through the test of time. Lead vocalist/songwriter Tom S. Englund and his gang achieved to make the name of Evergrey synonymous with quality, technically and the depth lyrics. For sure, Evergrey is not your ordinary progressive metal band. It's a band that combines all the above mentioned things plus a lot more. The fans are already expecting more and more with each release and the band knows it.

REVIEW (CLASSIC ALBUMS) : COLD SWEAT --- Break Out (20th Century Music RELEASE DATE : 26 October 2018)

Cold Sweat is yet another case of "they could become huge back then'. They got the big hair, they got the image, they got the right attitude and, for damn sure they got the songs to rocket them straight to the top.

UK's new classic rock outfit MATT MITCHELL & THE COLDHEARTS have announced the release of their first single 'Black Diamonds' on January 25, 2019. The song is taken from the self titled solo record which was recorded at the iconic Rockfield Studios, Wales earlier this year. MATT MITCHELL & THE COLDHEARTS just launched their brand new website: www.mattmitchellmusic.com today.

REVIEW : Wake The Nations --- Heartrock (AOR Heaven, RELEASE DATE : 25 January 2019)

Wake The Nations is a band that for sure knows how to write catchy, up-tempo and powerful melodic rock songs. The living proof of that is called "Heartrock"!! "Heartrock" will blow up your minds on January 25th next year (2019) through AOR Heaven! The band's debut opus, "Sign Of Heart", was released back in 2015 and gained positive feedback from both fans and music press.

SECRET RULE is not a newbie in the melodic hard n' heavy world. With already three ,“Transposed Emotions” (2015), “Machination” (2016) and “The key to the world” (2017), full-length albums and a strong live experience (they toured with bands such as Delain, Beyond the Black, Xandria, Serenity, Kobra & the Lotus and Blaze Bayley to name a few ) SECRET RULE are now ready to conquer the modern melodic heavy rock scene with their brand new opus with the title "The 7 Endless".

::: SECRET RULE release “The 7 Endless” on January 25th, 2019 :::

Secret Rule was formed in the beginning of 2014 with the intention to create a special sound with powerful rhythms and catchy melodies. During these five years, Secret Rule conquered their space in the metal scene.The band is fronted by the powerful and crystal clear vocals from Angela Di Vincenzo, masterminded by lead guitarist Andy Menario, with accurate bass playing by Michele Raspanti and the powerful drumming from Nicola Corrente.

Secret Rule’s live shows offer a lot of energy and consist of a mix of heavy guitar riffs with electronic elements and incredible keyboard lines – a total impact between metal music and awesome melodies.
Three albums, “Transposed Emotions” (2015), “Machination” (2016) and “The key to the world” (2017), so far have been released. The group built a solid fan base, supported by their live activity and featured special guests like Aylin (Sirenia), Stefan Helleblad (Within Temptation), Henrik Klingenberg (Sonata Arctica), Timo Somers (Delain), Sander Zoer (Delain, Leah) and Henning Basse (Mayan, Firewind).

ATHANASIA is a power trio playing a highly original hybrid of classic and modern heavy metal, consisting of singer/guitarist Caleb Bingham (Ex- FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH), bassist Brandon Miller, and veteran drummer Jason West (Ex- MURDERDOLLS/WEDNESDAY 13). ATHANASIA is hell bent on ensuring that loud, guitar driven heavy metal music will continue as an art form until the end of time itself!

Hometown: Los Angeles, CA

We proudly announce today the signing of a multiple album deal with ATHANASIA and welcome the band to the Rock of Angels roster.

ATHANASIA is:

Caleb Bingham - Guitar / Vocals
Brandon Miller - Bass / Vocals
Jason West – Drums

https://www.facebook.com/athanasiametal

Web: www.roar.gr FB: https://www.facebook.com/RockofAngelsRecords

SILIUS sign with ROAR! Rock Of Angels Records! The band's furious second album is being recorded and more details will be announced soon!

SILIUS is a modern thrash metal band hailing from Austria and they were founded at the end of 2013. After almost a year in the rehearsal room they performed their first gig and since then they have a constant live presence! In 2015 the band won two national band competitions (Wacken Metal Battle and Metalchamp). As an outcome, they performed at the world's biggest metal festivals like Wacken Open Air, Metal Days, Nova Rock and they also played along Arch Enemy, Soulfly, Biohazard and Crowbar just to name a few. The band recorded their debut album "Hell Awakening", produced by Lia RD Liapakis and released in September of the same year.

Fast forward to 2018, SILIUS' second full length album is in the making and the band is planning to release it via ROAR! Rock Of Angels Records in 2019. This will definitely be a hella busy year for the band!

We proudly announce today the signing of a multiple album deal with SILIUS and welcome the band to the Rock of Angels roster.

SILIUS is:

Mario Haui Haueis - Lead Guitar
Ralph Jurschitsch – Drums
Martin Storch - Bass & Backing Vocals
Matthias Thurner - Lead Vocals

https://www.facebook.com/Siliusband/

LAST UNION Release 'Most Beautiful Day' Music Video Feat. MIKE LEPOND (SYMPHONY X) and ULI KUSCH (ex HELLOWEEN)

Italian progressive metal band, LAST UNION have released a new music video and single for ‘Most Beautiful Day’ featuring Mike LePond (SYMPHONY X) on bass and Uli Kusch (ex-HELLOWEEN, ex-MASTERPLAN) on drums. The track is taken from their debut album ‘Twelve‘, which also features DREAM THEATER vocalist James LaBrie on three songs, and will be releaed on December 21, 2018 through ROAR! Rock Of Angels Records. The effort was mixed and mastered by Jens Bogren, best known for his work with ARCH ENEMY, SYMPHONY X, DEVIN TOWNSEND, ANGRA and OPETH, to name a few.

The video can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/uFgiGhdgYnA

DOWNLOAD THE TRACK IN WAV FORMAT: https://www.dropbox.com/s/sqgsynlopykbo05/01%20-%20Most%20Beautiful%20Day.wav?dl=0

German heavy metal band, BLOODY TIMES, have released a 100 copies limited single CD + 2 bonus tracks and a free sticker for 'Alliance' feat. ROSS THE BOSS (ex-MANOWAR) and JOHN GREELY (ex-ICED EARTH). The track is taken from the forthcoming album 'On A Mission'. A video trailer feat. ROSS THE BOSS can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/0lrAq7iBVvk

::: WAKE THE NATIONS – new Melodic Rock signing from Finland! :::

In 2009, Risto Tuominen got interested in a band that was being established by Janne ‘Gekko’ Granfors: a grunge-type of band with Krister Stenbom on the lead vocals, Tuomas Pelli on drums, and Gekko on guitar. They were after a bass player, but since Risto came along, Gekko took the bass guitar. A hard rock band ‘Villa Sucka’ was formed. They wrote songs actively and recorded an EP during the spring of 2010. In the same year, Risto got recruited to a melodic rock/AOR band ‘Human Temple’. Gekko soon followed him. In those times, Jori ‘Jorge’ Tojander was the keyboard player of Human Temple.

As Human Temple was having a break, Risto decided to start recording his solo album in 2012. During the past years, he had written some songs that were never published. Risto asked Jorge, Gekko and Kalle Saarinen, all from Human Temple, to help him with the record. Also, Tuomas got an enquiry whether he could join. Initially the idea was to record already written songs just for his own sake, with good quality. But things got more and more ambitious... Risto came up with a thought of ‘Wake the Nations’ project band. Janne Hurme (Human Temple) and Petri Kitti (Violent Code) permitted him to record two of their songs as well, and so the album became to form an entity of its own.