HEAVY PARADISE, THE PARADISE OF MELODIC ROCK!: December 2015

Tuesday, December 22, 2015

LAST AUTUMN’S DREAM is back with a new album!!

Mikael Erlandsson from Gothenburg is one of the best singers/ songwriters in Sweden today. Beside LAD he has since 2006 been the front man in the Swedish super group Secret Service on live tours all over the world.

He has recorded four successful solo albums and his Japanese record company together with XTC Productions came up with the idea of putting him together with the fantastic guitar player Andy Malecek from the successful German hard rock band Fair Warning for an album project.

Mikael and Andy were both hooked by the idea and a plan for the album began to grow. Ian Haugland, Mic Michaeli and John Leven of Europe-fame were asked if they were interested to join - which they did, and the band LAST AUTUMN'S DREAM was born in 2003!

Motorfingers are ready to step into the recording studio to record their sophomore full-length album, the first with the new lineup, which includes the original members Max and Spezza on guitars and Alex on drums, plus the new entries Abba on vocals and Faust on bass.

"We are still here - says proudly Max - four years away from the studio but not far from the stage: the concerts helped us strengthen the spirit and the chemistry of the new line-up, that has recently undergone two major changes. But now we are ready for an exciting new adventure in the studio! In the last months we've worked hard to conceive and prepare new songs! Stay tuned."

The first Motorfingers' album, "Black Mirror", was released on May 21st, 2012 for logic(il)logic Records.

Web:

http://www.motorfingers.com / http://www.facebook.com/Motorfingers-350397726327 / http://www.logicillogic.net

Sunday, December 20, 2015

"......and the Oscar goes to......" * HEAVY PARADISE's AWARDS FOR 2015*

Here we are at the end of 2015, another great year (musically speaking), with this year's top lists. I would dare to say that 2015 was a difficult year regarding the financial crisis here in Greece but, also, a lot of 'bad' things happened across the world (terrorism e.t.c.). Here in Heavy Paradise my goal is, was and will always be..., to present you all the latest news from our beloved music. No matter if it's called AOR, Melodic Hard Rock, Metal or Power Metal. I tried to present you, through the reviews, many new stuff and I hope that I helped you to decide what to buy or not. Even if this web-zine needs many hours, it's still here, alive and kickin' after these 6 years and I hope that it will be alive for ages.... At this point, I need to say a huge THANK YOU : to Heavy Paradise's readers, to the artists and to my family and friends for all the support. Thank you from the bottom of my heart! But enough with the talking, grab yourself a cold beer and enjoy the HEAVY PARADISE'S AWARDS FOR 2015.

BRIDGE TO MARS release self-titled 70's Hard Rock debut on February 26th, 2016 on Pride & Joy Music!

With influences like Led Zeppelin, Thin Lizzy, Yes, The Black Crowes, The Who, Soundgarden, Rush, Black Sabbath, Van Halen and yes … ABBA!... BRIDGE TO MARS from Stockholm, Sweden, have managed to create their own unique sound.

JJ Marsh and Thomas Broman played together when they were in Glenn Hughes’ band and also with the Hughes Turner Project. Marsh has made nine albums with Glenn Hughes and the Hughes Turner Project and has written a number of songs for Hughes. Thomas Broman was in Hughes’ touring band for four years and also played two European tours with the Hughes Turner Project.

After having toured with each other for years, backing other rock-stars up, the Swedish high class musicians though it was about time to do something together as a band - which they did in 2013 when they founded BRIDGE TO MARS. The trio later was completed by bearded bass-master Robert Hansen.

REVIEW : NORDIC UNION / Nordic Union (2016)

NORDIC UNION is the new 'hot' name in the melodic hard rock/metal scene, built by Frontiers President Serafino Perugino, and consists of the legendary singer Ronnie Atkins of the Danish Hard Rock monster band of PRETTY MAIDS and the amazing Swedish songwriter and producer Erik Martensson (ECLIPSE and W.E.T.).

Victor Smolski's new band, ALMANAC, will release their debut album called »Tsar« on March 18th, 2016 via Nuclear Blast Records. Victor Smolski himself was responsible for the production of the record. Mixing was completed by Sebastian "Seeb" Levermann (ORDEN OGAN).
The cover artwork was created by famous Hungarian artist Gyula Havancsák (WISDOM, ANNIHILATOR, TYR, DESTRUCTION, ELVENKING,...)

The tracklist of »Tsar« racks up as follows: 01. Tsar, 02. Self Blinded Eyes, 03. Darkness, 04. Hands Are Tied, 05. Children Of The Future, 06. No More Shadows, 07. Nevermore, 08. Reign Of Madness, 09. Flames Of Fate

More on »Tsar«:
Studio Trailer #1: https://youtu.be/GOJME_1_YAE

The band played recently at Winter Masters Of Rock in Zlin, Czech Republic. Watch a documentry about ALMANAC's trip here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cCuDihyBHtI

ALMANAC are:
Andy B. Franck - vocals
David Readman - vocals
Jeannette Marchewka - vocals
Victor Smolski - guitars
Armin Alić - bass, fretless bass
Michael Kolar - drums
Enric Garcia - keyboards, piano
feat. Orquestra Barcelona Filharmonia

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More info:
www.victorsmolski.de
www.facebook.com/almanacvs.band
www.facebook.com/officialvictorsmolski
www.youtube.com/channel/UC3Cl8YfVLLr_ekHX8msUdeQ
www.nuclearblast.de/almanac

REBECCA DOWNES ANNOUNCES SECOND ALBUM ‘BELIEVE’, ALBUM LAUNCH & SPRING 2016 TOUR DATES

Rising blues star Rebecca Downes returns in 2016 with her highly anticipated second album BELIEVE, released on 4^th March. The release will be celebrated with a special album launch show at London’s iconic 100 Club on 23^rd February.

Written by Rebecca with co-writer Steve Birkett and produced by Mark V Stuart (Magnum, Jim Lea, Diamond Head and more), BELIEVE is the follow up to Downes’ 2015 debut album 'Back To The Start', which garnered critical acclaim from press across the board, with support from Radio 2's Paul Jones, BBC Introducing, Planet Rock Radio, and making Blues Magazine's Top 50 albums of 2015 in their end of year edition.

Veteran New York heavy metal power trio THE RODS have re-recorded the song "Crank It Up" which originally appeared on their 1981 self titled album, as part of the album's upcoming 35th Anniversary celebration.

The re-recorded song is available for purchase via itunes, Amazon and CD Baby.

Danish hard rockers SECTION A, featuring guitarist Torben Enevoldsen (Acacia Avenue, Fate, Fatal Force) will release their new album, "Wall Of Silence", in Europe/Asia on February 26 and in North America on February 12 via Mausoleum Records.

Tainted Nation comprises of five musicians who have all in their own right been involved in world tours, festivals and recordings. Boasting members and ex-members of Helloween, Firewind, King Diamond, The Poodles, Eden’s Curse, Lionsheart and others. This line up has so far released an acclaimed debut title F.E.A.R, which hit like a hammer across the loins of Rock music.

Possibly a slightly unexpected direction taken in this hard hitting commercial slice of music, the album has helped Tainted Nation to move forward at a rapid pace. With live appearances in the UK and Europe, including festivals and a hugely successful tour of Spain. All of these received some great reviews.

REVIEW : Wigelius – Tabula Rasa (2016)

Wigelius was formed in late 2011 by Anders Wigelius. A record deal with Frontiers Records brought the amazing debut "Reinventions" in 2012 that immediately gained the attention of the Melodic Rock press and fans. Nowadays, the band is back with the brand new "Tabula Rasa" (Tabula Rasa is latin for "Blank slate") and this time the band is ready for bigger things!

LORDS OF THE TRIDENT launch Patreon crowd soucing campaign / Announce Re:Quests EP

After a successful opening slot as special guests of Steel Panther in their hometown of Madison, Wisconsin, metal conquistadors LORDS OF THE TRIDENT are celebrating by launching their brand new Patreon pledge campaign!

Lords of the Trident vocalist Fang VonWrathenstein has checked in with the following metal news flash:

As many of you know, the music industry has changed drastically over the past 15 years. Gone are the days of gold-plated-shark-tank-bars and artists actually making a living after signing a record deal. A Patreon campaign seeks to change that situation by cutting out the middle man – the record company – entirely.

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NEW ALBUM WITH STAR PRODUCER ON BOARD!
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During the last weeks, it's been a bit quiet around Cornerstone , here are some amazing news: the band is busy at the moment with the recordings for their new album, and HARRY HESS, a Canadian producer, is also involved in this project. Hess, himself singer of Harem Scarem, is mainly known as a producer through its collaboration with BILLY TALENT, SIMPLE PLAN, MUSE, etc.. So, more than one reason to be curious about the new album (working title: "Reflections"). Its release is scheduled for 05/20/2016 - incidentally in 2011, "Somewhere in America" was published on the same date, hopefully a good sign. Also in planning is a European tour, first dates in the UK and Germany are already confirmed and will be announced soon.

Italian progressive rock metallers HERETIC’S DREAM to announce the signing with ALPHA OMEGA Management. The release of their third album "Floating State Of Mind" is scheduled for February 2016 via Sliptrick Records and the band will be unleashing a new video in January 2016.

MOUNTAIN TAMER reveal cover artwork and full song

Heavy Psych trio MOUNTAIN TAMER (Santa Cruz, CA) reveals cover artwork and a full song from their “Self titled” forthcoming album. Taking over a year of writing and recording and having massive influence of living near the powerful Pacific Ocean and the mythical Redwood, “Mountain Tamer” is a kaleidoscopic sonic journey through 60’s and 70’s classic psych rock and heavy vibes, transcending time and space.

Spanish heavy metallers KILMARA has parted ways with singer "Christian Wolfgang Kohl" and has replaced him with North American singer "Daniel Ponce".

The break with singer "Christian Wolfgang Kohl" has been done in a friendly manner, the rest of the band members intend on continuing to forge, maintain and increase the status that they have worked so hard in building these past 15 years with KILMARA.

Atomic Stuff Promotion is very pleased to announce the latest addition to its roster, Lola Stonecracker, whose debut album “Doomsday Breakdown” was published by This Is Core Records. A video for the first single “Jigsaw” was shot and it's online on the band's YouTube channel (https://youtu.be/LIznfCn8Gvk).

REVERENCE premier 'Gods Of War' Music Video

American power metal band Reverence, featuring Todd Michael Hall (Riot, Jack Starr’s Burning Starr), Bryan Holland (Tokyo Blade, Arrest), Steve “Doc Killdrums” Wacholz (Savatage, Crimson Glory), Pete Rossi (Overland, Sanxtion), and Michael Massie (Overloaded, Inner Recipe), premieres a new video for the band's new full-length album's title track "Gods Of War".

'Gods Of War' video: https://youtu.be/9U3y6FJ8X_8

The Twisted Sister movie 'We are Twisted F*cking Sister!' a documentary film by Andrew Horn to be released in Europe on January 29, 2016 via MONODUO FILMS. The film, lenght 137 minutes + over 2 hours bonus material will be available on VOD (iTunes & Vimeo on Demand) and as DVD (Amazon Europe and Monoduo Films Shop). The DVD cover and movie trailer can be viewed below.

'We are Twisted F*cking Sister!' movie trailer: https://vimeo.com/117275694

Featuring: Twisted Sister, Dee Snider, Jay Jay French, Eddie Ojeda, Mark “The Animal” Mendoza, A.J. Pero
Produced by Andrew Horn

How fitting that 2016 marks the release of the documentary film, “We Are Twisted F*cking Sister!” a documentary film by german filmmaker Andrew Horn, which recounts the untold story of Twisted Sister’s beginnings, at the same time that the band mounts their last ever tour, making their final farewell to performing after 40 years. As the band gears up for the big finish, the movie shows how it all began.

REVIEW : Colour Of Noise / Colour Of Noise (2015)

Colour Of Noise is a new sensational classic rock band that consists of guitarist Bruce John Dickinson (Little Angels, b.l.o.w) , singer Matt Mitchell (Furyon and Pride), Randy Nixon on drums (Magic Bullet Band), Dan Lundholm (rhythm guitars) and ‘Silent’ Ben Daniels on bass.

Members from Hungryheart, Hardline, Room Experience, Soul Seller and many others under the name of I.F.O.R. recording the Melodic Rock Anthem "We Still Rock".

It's not that unusual, into the past and present music scene, that artists and musicians reunite themselves together for celebrating something special, and this exactly what unexpectedly happened over the last months in the north of Italy, where some of the most appreciated names of the national melodic rock scene proudly united their forces under the moniker of "I.F.O.R" (aka Italian Forces Of Rock).

Based stone-rockers OAK that were formed in 2015 in London are releasing their EP, which includes four tracks and combines perfectly the classic Brit rock sound with groove, heavy guitars and lots of attitude!!

UK classic rockers COLOUR OF NOISE have released a music video for “Can't Take It With You“, the track is taken from their self-titled debut album, due to be released on December 4 via Colour Of Noise/Townsendmusic: http://colourofnoise.tmstor.es. It will also be available via iTunes, Spotify and Amazon Music.

The video can be streamed here: https://youtu.be/sqZsDImlh4A

The album was produced by Gez Walton and Andy Nixon. All tracks recorded by Gez Walton at Stronghold Studios. Studio Assistant: Paul Lennox. Except ‘Head On’ & ‘Great Day For Rock & Roll’ recorded by Nick Brineat at Rockfield Studios. Mixed by Mike Fraser (Aerosmith, AC/DC, Bad Company, Blue Murder, The Cult, etc.).

ECLIPSE (Sweden) announced new drummer!!

The band states : "We are very excited to introduce the new Eclipse drummer Philip Crusner. A true showman and drummer extraordinarie that fits right in to what Eclipse is all about. Give him a warm welcome!

We are also excited to announce that we will be in the Eurovision Song Contest of Sweden 2016."

KARA AND THE DAMN BAND release "Shepherd" video.

San Antonio, Texas based melodic hard rock band KARA AND THE DAM BAND have released their new video for the song "Sheperd" which can be viewed at the following link:

Kara and the Dam Band - "Shepherd" video link

Kara and the Dam Band vocalist Kara Stevens has checked in with the following update:

The song "Shepherd" was inspired by my grandmothers passing. "No one really knows what lies beyond this life, yet the mystery and our faith keeps us in wonder and eager to witness something beautiful and my grandmother was very mush eager to see her shepherd meet her at the gate and call her name. The making of our music video was very important. After all, I wanted to make it very much like death..... Very mysterious..... having that fear of getting old.....but most importantly the rebirth from death into light."