Osukaru – Starbound
product: Osukaru – Starboundrelease date: 18.10.2024format: CD & digitalterritory: Shop Exclusive Swedish melodic glam metal band OSUKARU 14 years ago first was just an idea in the mind of guitarist Oz Hawe Petersson (formerly known as Oz Osukaru) and it would take two more years and just as many EPs before they released their debut album „Salvation“ in the spring of 2012. Back then OSUKARU was merely a band formed around Oz as he saw his vision come alive. A few years and line-up changes later, the 3rd full length release suitably titled „Transition“ (2015) came out. That was, according to Oz himself, when OSUKARU truly started to become a band. With roots in classic stadium rock, the first few releases had a more clear and pure AOR flavour to them. With „Transition“ however, you could hear hints of a heavier spark deep within the tracks. Going forward, OSUKARU really started to gain a unique, harder yet melodic sound and with their last album „House of Mirrors“ (2018) they landed a rock & roll homerun on which they have built upon to create the comet ride titled „Starbound“ (2021). A new, yet untilted album by OSUKARU will be released in the first half of the year 2025 via Pride & Joy Music. On October 18th, 2024 Pride & Joy Music Classix will re-issue the sought after OSUKARU albums ”Transition”, ”House Of Mirrors” and ”Starbound” with several bonus tracks each as Vol. 12, 13 & 14 of their series. All 3 titles are limited to 300 copies only and available via shop.prideandjoy.de „Transition‘ and ‚House of Mirrors‘ have both been out of print for a long time“ Oz says, „and when we released ‚Starbound‘ a few years back, we got a lot of requests from people all over to put them back on the market. What a wonderful thing! I never would have anticipated that.“Oz continues „For our next album, we got in contact with the amazing label Pride & Joy Music to continue our catalogue moving forward and when I brought up the fact that there’s been a few requests as of late to reissue some of our older material, they happily took it upon themselves to help us make them something special, also adding our now sold out album ‚Starbound‘ to the mix as well.“ „Transition“, „House of Mirrors“ and „Starbound“ have all been graced with a 20 page booklet each including rare and never before published photos alongside brand new liner notes digging deeper into the mindset from when creating each album. „We are so bad at keeping the bread crumbles we drop while making a record“ Oz laughs. „So when they asked me for bonus tracks, I had a few issues finding anything interesting as we never really make demos. What I did instead was to put both our original bonus tracks from ‚Transition‘ (we had one for each format) onto the disc, as well as two instrumental demo mixes from the ‚House of Mirrors‘ sessions onto that album. Here you can really hear what’s going on behind the lead vocals. For ‚Starbound‘ we collaborated with Erik Modin (drummer of Wildness and Houston) and his side hustle Taekwondo for an instrumental synthwave rendition of ‚Tainted Heart‘. We sent Erik some of our recorded material and had him go nuts. He ended up making an absolute brilliant piece out of it.“ Oz Hawe Petersson – guitar, keyboards, backing vocalsFredrik Werner – lead vocals, guitarOlof Gadd – bass, backing vocalsC.D – drums & percussion Track list:01. Starbound02. Rise of the Underdog03. Tainted Heart04. Somewhere Sometime Somehow – feat. Mark Holden05. Joker (In the House of Cards)06. Go For the Legends07. Shut It Out08. On the Streets Again09. Within the Depths of Love10. All Up11. Tainted Heart (instrumental synthwave mix) – feat. Taekwondo
Osukaru – House Of Mirrors
product: Osukaru – House Of Mirrorsrelease date: 18.10.2024format: CD & digitalterritory: Shop Exclusive Swedish melodic glam metal band OSUKARU 14 years ago first was just an idea in the mind of guitarist Oz Hawe Petersson (formerly known as Oz Osukaru) and it would take two more years and just as many EPs before they released their debut album „Salvation“ in the spring of 2012. Back then OSUKARU was merely a band formed around Oz as he saw his vision come alive. A few years and line-up changes later, the 3rd full length release suitably titled „Transition“ (2015) came out. That was, according to Oz himself, when OSUKARU truly started to become a band. With roots in classic stadium rock, the first few releases had a more clear and pure AOR flavour to them. With „Transition“ however, you could hear hints of a heavier spark deep within the tracks. Going forward, OSUKARU really started to gain a unique, harder yet melodic sound and with their last album „House of Mirrors“ (2018) they landed a rock & roll homerun on which they have built upon to create the comet ride titled „Starbound“ (2021). A new, yet untilted album by OSUKARU will be released in the first half of the year 2025 via Pride & Joy Music. On October 18th, 2024 Pride & Joy Music Classix will re-issue the sought after OSUKARU albums ”Transition”, ”House Of Mirrors” and ”Starbound” with several bonus tracks each as Vol. 12, 13 & 14 of their series. All 3 titles are limited to 300 copies only and available via shop.prideandjoy.de „Transition‘ and ‚House of Mirrors‘ have both been out of print for a long time“ Oz says, „and when we released ‚Starbound‘ a few years back, we got a lot of requests from people all over to put them back on the market. What a wonderful thing! I never would have anticipated that.“Oz continues „For our next album, we got in contact with the amazing label Pride & Joy Music to continue our catalogue moving forward and when I brought up the fact that there’s been a few requests as of late to reissue some of our older material, they happily took it upon themselves to help us make them something special, also adding our now sold out album ‚Starbound‘ to the mix as well.“ „Transition“, „House of Mirrors“ and „Starbound“ have all been graced with a 20 page booklet each including rare and never before published photos alongside brand new liner notes digging deeper into the mindset from when creating each album. „We are so bad at keeping the bread crumbles we drop while making a record“ Oz laughs. „So when they asked me for bonus tracks, I had a few issues finding anything interesting as we never really make demos. What I did instead was to put both our original bonus tracks from ‚Transition‘ (we had one for each format) onto the disc, as well as two instrumental demo mixes from the ‚House of Mirrors‘ sessions onto that album. Here you can really hear what’s going on behind the lead vocals. For ‚Starbound‘ we collaborated with Erik Modin (drummer of Wildness and Houston) and his side hustle Taekwondo for an instrumental synthwave rendition of ‚Tainted Heart‘. We sent Erik some of our recorded material and had him go nuts. He ended up making an absolute brilliant piece out of it.“ Oz Hawe Petersson – guitar, keyboards, backing vocalsFredrik Werner – lead & backing vocals, guitarOlof Gadd – bass, backing vocalsVidar Mårtensson – drums & percussion Tracklist:01. Past the Present02. You’ve Been Waiting03. Ritual04. Ain’t Too Late (For Love)05. X Marks the Spot06. Until Forever Ends07. All Guns Blazing – feat. Magnus Mild08. MacGyver It09. Red Heat10. Inception – feat. Anna Savage11. Felicity Drive12. Ritual (instrumental demo mix) – bonus track13. MacGyver It (instrumental demo mix) – bonus track
Osukaru – Transition
product: Osukaru – Transitionrelease date: 18.10.2024format: CD & digitalterritory: Shop Exclusive Swedish melodic glam metal band OSUKARU 14 years ago first was just an idea in the mind of guitarist Oz Hawe Petersson (formerly known as Oz Osukaru) and it would take two more years and just as many EPs before they released their debut album „Salvation“ in the spring of 2012. Back then OSUKARU was merely a band formed around Oz as he saw his vision come alive. A few years and line-up changes later, the 3rd full length release suitably titled „Transition“ (2015) came out. That was, according to Oz himself, when OSUKARU truly started to become a band. With roots in classic stadium rock, the first few releases had a more clear and pure AOR flavour to them. With „Transition“ however, you could hear hints of a heavier spark deep within the tracks. Going forward, OSUKARU really started to gain a unique, harder yet melodic sound and with their last album „House of Mirrors“ (2018) they landed a rock & roll homerun on which they have built upon to create the comet ride titled „Starbound“ (2021). A new, yet untilted album by OSUKARU will be released in the first half of the year 2025 via Pride & Joy Music. On October 18th, 2024 Pride & Joy Music Classix will re-issue the sought after OSUKARU albums ”Transition”, ”House Of Mirrors” and ”Starbound” with several bonus tracks each as Vol. 12, 13 & 14 of their series. All 3 titles are limited to 300 copies only and available via shop.prideandjoy.de „Transition‘ and ‚House of Mirrors‘ have both been out of print for a long time“ Oz says, „and when we released ‚Starbound‘ a few years back, we got a lot of requests from people all over to put them back on the market. What a wonderful thing! I never would have anticipated that.“Oz continues „For our next album, we got in contact with the amazing label Pride & Joy Music to continue our catalogue moving forward and when I brought up the fact that there’s been a few requests as of late to reissue some of our older material, they happily took it upon themselves to help us make them something special, also adding our now sold out album ‚Starbound‘ to the mix as well.“ „Transition“, „House of Mirrors“ and „Starbound“ have all been graced with a 20 page booklet each including rare and never before published photos alongside brand new liner notes digging deeper into the mindset from when creating each album. „We are so bad at keeping the bread crumbles we drop while making a record“ Oz laughs. „So when they asked me for bonus tracks, I had a few issues finding anything interesting as we never really make demos. What I did instead was to put both our original bonus tracks from ‚Transition‘ (we had one for each format) onto the disc, as well as two instrumental demo mixes from the ‚House of Mirrors‘ sessions onto that album. Here you can really hear what’s going on behind the lead vocals. For ‚Starbound‘ we collaborated with Erik Modin (drummer of Wildness and Houston) and his side hustle Taekwondo for an instrumental synthwave rendition of ‚Tainted Heart‘. We sent Erik some of our recorded material and had him go nuts. He ended up making an absolute brilliant piece out of it.“ Oz Hawe Petersson – guitar, keyboards, backing vocalsFredrik Werner – lead & backing vocals, guitarCecilia Camuii – lead & backing vocalsVidar Mårtensson – drums & percussion Track list:01. Arrows02. Strangled Emotions03. Edge of a Broken Heart03. Play04. Blinded Eyes06. FM Rocks 98.5 [Redux]07. Tell Me You’ll Stay (2015)08. Out of Touch (2015)09. Mafia Rules (2015) – feat. Jules Millis and Erik Heikne10. Promised Land (2015)11. Change of Heart [reimagined] – bonus track12. City Lights [reimagined] – bonus track
Nationwide – Echoes
product: Nationwide – Echoesrelease date: 18.10.2024format: CD & digitalterritory: world In 2023 longtime friends and songwriters Carl Berglund and Peter Ledin decided to put together the band that they dreamed of, a band that would close the gap between classic AOR and modern rock and bring something new to the melodic rock scene. They teamed up with bass player Mikael Hagström (ex- Age of Reflection), drummer Richard Holmgren (ex: Scaar, Grand Design, Wolf) to form the new melodic rock group NATIONWIDE. The band searched for a completely new voice and are happy to introduce singer Daniel Groth. Daniel was an immediate perfect match, and his voice became the color and nuances that completed the musical artwork that Peter and Carl had begun sketching. NATIONWIDE is all about the refuge that music means to us all. That music has no national borders, it is NATIONWIDE. Recorded & produced by: Carl Berglund at Studio RainRoom, Västerås, SwedenMixed & Mastered by: Erik MartenssonArtwork by: Carl BerglundPhoto by: Patrik Hellstrom Line up: Carl Berglund: Guitar, Keyboards, Backing Vocals; Daniel Groth: Lead Vocals, Keyboards; Peter Ledin: Guitar, Backing Vocals; Richard Holmgren: Drums, Backing Vocals; Mikael Hagström: Bass, Backing Vocals Track list:1. Fade Away2. Dreams3. Can’t Get Over You4. Without You5. In Your Eyes6. Passion Ignite7. Echoes8. The One9. The Last Goodbye10. Reason11. The other Side Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NATIONWIDESweden
Winding Road – Fill My Sails
product: Winding Road – Fill My Sailsrelease date: 18.10.2024format: CD & digitalterritory: world Winding Road was formed in 2018 by Jan Hedlund (Coastline) and Magnus Åkerlund (Blender). The two musicians have played in numerous bands and played loads of different genres touring all over Sweden before. Their true love however was Melodic Rock and AOR. First, Winding Road recruited singer Jonas Tyskagen (Domino Drive) and began writing songs with the intention to make an album, i.e. their self-titled debut which was released in March 2021 on AOR Heaven. Now they are back with Pride & Joy Music as their new label and the follow-up release entitled “Fill My Sails” which once again includes 11 songs of pure melodic rock/AOR, again produced, mixed and mastered by Magnus Åkerlund. “Fill My Sails” also features some great guest musicians like Thomas Larsson (Glenn Hughes) and Fredrik Folkare (Unleashed). Line Up:Jonas Tyskhagen: Lead VocalsMagnus Åkerlund: Guitars, Bass, Keyboards and Background VocalsJan Hedlund: Drums and Background Vocals Track list:1. Close My Eyes In Tokyo2. Fill My Sails3. I’m Alive4. I’ll Give My Heart To You5. Love’s Walking Out Of Sight6. Hang Tough7. Devils Daughter8. Closer To The Truth9. Healing Touch10. Jackie Lee11. When The Lights Go Down https://www.facebook.com/WindingRoadSweden
Hydra – ReHydration
product: Hydra – ReHydrationrelease date: 20.09.2024format: CD & digitalterritory: world Swedish AOR group Hydra returns on September 20th, 2024 with their sophomore release “ReHydration”!With a stable line-up, the band still consists of long-time friends from the Swedish rock scene, i.e. song-writer/ musician Henrik Hedström (First Signal, Angelica), drummer/ producer Daniel Flores (Find Me, First Signal etc.), bassist Jonny Trobro (First Signal, Find Me) and singer Andi Kravljaca (Aeon Zen, Seventh Wonder). Hydra once again delivers a high-class AOR release with some obvious influences from the Westcoast genre as well. The opening track “We Belong” will be released on August 16th, 2024 as single in advance. Line-up: Henrik Hedström – keyboards, backing vocals; Andi Kravljaca – lead vocals, guitars; Daniel Flores – drums, keyboards, backing vocals; Jonny Trobro – bass Discography: Tracklist:1. We belong2. Marionette3. Still the same4. Eye of the storm5. Made up stories6. Clown without a circus7. Two of a kind8. I remember9. Out in the cold10. Love remains11. Me minus you Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/henrikhydra
Heartwind – Heartwind III
product: Heartwind – Heartwind IIIrelease date: 20.09.2024format: CD & digitalterritory: world Heartwind is a Swedish hard rock band that was formed in Stockholm in 2017. The current line-up consists of the three core members: Göran Engvall (guitars), Mikael Rosengren (keyboards) and Peter Svensson (drums). The band plays melodic hard rock with influences from the classic rock bands of the 80s such as Journey, Whitesnake and Europe and has released two albums, “Higher and Higher” (2018) and “Strangers” (2020) so far which both received positive reviews from fans and critics alike, showcasing the band’s ability to create powerful and emotional songs with strong melodies and choruses. In early 2024, Heartwind reached 1 million streams on Spotify. After signing a new record deal with German label Pride & Joy Music, Heartwind’s third album, Heartwind III, is set for release on September 20th 2024. It features 10 new original songs feat. an amazing line up of guest singers and musicians! The single from the album, “Struck by Love” featuring rock legend Matti Alfonzetti on vocals, was released in December 2023 in advance. Other songs on Heartwind III feature the great talents of Nalle Påhlsson (Treat), Rick Altzi (Gathering of Kings), Fredrik Folkare (Unleashed), Jakob Samuel (The Poodles), Henrik Bergqvist (Prins Svart/The Poodles), Thomas Vikström (Candlemass/Therion), Andreas Novak (House of Shakira) Robert van der Zwan (Remedy), Carl Berglund (Age of Reflection/Nationwide), Matt Marinelli (Borealis) and Nina Söderquist (solo), to name a few (or not so few)! 1. Warrior2. Facing the Night3. Struck by Love4. Now is the Time5. One Reason6. Blink of an Eye7. Cry for Love8. Brothers9. Crying in the Rain10. Rocking Heroes https://www.facebook.com/Heartwindtheband
Neptune – End Of Time
product: Neptune – End Of Timerelease date: 20.09.2024format: CD & digitalterritory: world Neptune is a Melodic Metal band with a long and vibrant history dating back to the early 1980s. Influences from classic heroes such as Judas Priest, Black Sabbath, Deep Purple, and Accept, but of course, with a more modern touch that belongs in the 21st century are obvious. During the 80s, the band recorded several demo tapes which led into meetings with multiple record labels. Ultimately, one of these labels funded the recording of an EP that was never released, causing the band to lose momentum, and eventually split up for what was believed to be for good. It wasn’t until 30 years later, specifically in 2018, that these recordings from the 80’s were released along with several of their early demo recordings, resulting in the album „Land of Northern.“ This release reignited the band’s passion, leading them to record a completely new album in 2020 entitled „Northern Steel“ which still featured three original members from the 80’s line-up. Now, Neptune releases the album „End of Time“ on September 20th, 2024 via Germany based Pride & Joy Music which is a musical continuation of the previous record. Since all band members contribute to songwriting, the material covers a wide range of styles and emotions. Neptune’s lyrics often have a connection to their ancient Nordic history, and as a sounding board or creative engine, they often use an underlying narrative for their albums. This time it’s based around the last known Viking, Harald Hardrada and several somewhat fictionalized stories about his life and existence. It inspired them to several of the lyrics on the album, especially Harald’s final battle at Stamford Bridge that was fierce and relentless, culminating in Harald Hardrada’s passing, marking the end of the Viking Age. His followers then celebrated this event as the „End of time.“ Produced and mixed by Jan Tosh Ason; Co-produced by Neptune; Recorded at Stockholm Soundroom; Mastered by Hoffe Stannow/Cosmos Mastering; Artwork by Spoil; Photos and Graphics by Anders Olsson Neptune are:Row Alex – VocalsAnders Olsson – GuitarsJan Tosh Ason – Bass & VocalsJohan Rosth – KeyboardsJonas Wikström – Drums Track list:1. Metal Hearts2. Brightest Steel3. The End Of Time4. Revenge5. Motherland6. Sun Goes Down7. Nepturion8. Power9. Highlands10. Northern Warriors
Danger Zone – Shut Up!
product: Danger Zone – Shut Up!release date: 20.09.2024format: CD & digitalterritory: world Danger Zone, one of the most popular, veteran Italian Hard Rock bands, began their musical journey in the early 1980s. After releasing several demos and undergoing numerous line-up changes, they debuted with their EP, „Victim Of Time,“ in 1984 and four more studio albums to follow (“Line Of Fire” recorded in 1989 but released in 2011); “Undying” (2012), “Closer To Heaven” (2016) and “Don’t Count On Heroes” (2019). The pandemic in 2020/21 hindered the band’s ability to fully promote their album, leading to a temporary hiatus. They reconvened in 2022, resuming live performances and writing sessions. During this time, they decided to return to a sound reminiscent of the golden era of American melodic hard rock, characterized by catchy choruses, loud guitars, pounding drums, and dreamy keyboards. This new chapter in their musical journey is encapsulated in their upcoming album, „Shut Up!,“ set for release on September 20, 2024, by Pride & Joy Music. The album’s first single, „Evil,“ precedes the release, showcasing the band’s commitment to standing out while staying true to their unique style and will be released in advance on July 26th, 2024! Danger Zone are:– Giacomo Gigantelli: Lead Vocals– Roberto Priori: Lead Guitar– Paolo Palmieri: Drums– Matteo Minghetti: Bass– Danilo Faggiolino: Guitar– Pier Mazzini: Keyboards & Vocals Tracklist:1. I Like It2. Evil3. Tell Me The Truth4. I Don’t Care5. Too Late6. Run (From The Madness)7. I’ll Make It Right8. Hurt9. When You Broke My Soul10. Faithless Ways11. Straight Down The Line www.dangerzoneweb.com www.facebook.com/dangerzoneweb
Atlantis Drive
Atlantis Drive Brand new multinational band Atlantis Drive is the brainchild of German guitarist Markus Pfeffer (Barnabas Sky, Lazarus Dream). With the creative goal of celebrating and reviving the Melodic Rock sound of the 80’s, he embarks on a musical journey together with vocal legend Mark Boals (Ring Of Fire, Shining Black, ex-Yngwie Malmsteen’s Rising Force), French keyboardist Jorris Guilbaud (Devoid, Heart Line) and drummer Markus Kullmann (Glenn Hughes, Sinner, Voodoo Circle). Beyond short-lived trends, Atlantis Drive stylistically celebrates the spirit of the 80’s with thick and shimmering keyboards full of hooklines, groovy guitar riffs, filigree solos, catchy choruses and bombastic vocal arrangements. Mark Boals hasn’t been heard in such a melodic context for a long time and those who know him primarily from neoclassical bands and projects will certainly be very positively surprised by the unbelievably catchy hooklines and choruses that he conjures out of his hat with Atlantis Drive. In terms of content, Boals’ lyrics, which are really worth listening to, cover a wide range of topics from nostalgic retrospectives („Way Back When“), faith in oneself („Faith“), one’s own finiteness („Time“, „Curtain Falls“) and betrayal („Medusa Smile“) to missing our musical heroes in the eight-and-a-half-minute closing epic „Heroes“. Mark Boals: Vocals, Background VocalsMarkus Pfeffer: Guitars, BassJorris Guilbaud: SynthsMarkus Kullmann: Drums Mix, Production: Markus PfefferMastering: Rolf Munkes, Empire Studios (www.empire-studios.de) Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/atlantisdrivemusic Releases Atlantis Drive – Atlantis Drive TRACKLIST: 1.Way Back When, 2. Medusa Smile, 3. Living For The Moment, 4. Brand New Start, 5. United, 6. Curtain Falls, 7. Faith, 8. Time, 9. Farewell To A Friend, 10. Heroes Videos Playlist 2 Videos ATLANTIS DRIVE – Way Back When (Offical Lyric Video) 4:31 ATLANTIS DRIVE – Faith (Official Lyric Video) 4:46