Fatal Vision – Twice
product: Fatal Vision – Twicerelease date: 23.06.2023format: CD & digitalterritory: world June 23rd, 2023 marks the triumphant return of Canadian melodic rock band Fatal Vision, with the release of their sophomore album Twice on the Pride & Joy Music label. Fatal Vision’s debut album Once re-introduced the band in 2022, charting at #10 on the Japanese import chart, and in Canada, Mexico and Switzerland on the iTunes rock chart, followed by the singles “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” (#15, Canada) and “Breakers” (#13, Canada). Once featured a series of videos telling the story of “The Lead Singer and The Heartbreaker”, which have yielded over 300,000 YouTube plays and have driven the band’s Instagram and TikTok metrics ever higher. Featuring lead singer Simon Marwood, who co-founded the band in 1988, guitarist Juan Miguel Gomez Montant, keyboard player Scottie Irving, drummer Alex Wickham and bassist Andrew Burns, Twice shows Fatal Vision continuing to delve into a rich tapestry of sounds both familiar and modern. The thirteen tracks nod to Fatal Vision’s key influences, including Survivor, Bad English, Loverboy, Night Ranger and REO Speedwagon. The first single, “In My Fantasy”, is a hard rocker reminiscent of Bon Jovi at their peak, followed by the post-apocalyptic, Asia-like “Tomorrow Never Comes” and the obvious Alice Cooper influences of “Welcome to my Nightmare.” The album also features power ballads “End of the Dream” (a duet with upcoming Nashville female artist Christine Corless, also featured on Once), “The Last Summer Night”, and “Don’t Fall In Love With A Dreamer” (which includes a record-setting 26-second final note by Marwood) as well as the mid-tempo duet (again with Corless) “Time Has Left Us As Strangers”, the melancholic offering “Ghosts of Yesterday”, rock number “In The Middle Of The Night” and the triumphant conclusion “Start Again.” Videos are being filmed for each of these tracks as an ongoing story of a lost love and the possibility of second chances is played out. Once again, the album has been graced by hard rock royalty, including Alessandro Del Vecchio (Edge of Forever, Hardline), Harry Hess (Harem Scarem), Paul Laine (Danger Danger, The Defiants), Marc Lafrance (Loverboy, Motley Crue), JK Northrup (King Kobra, XYZ) and Jeff Scott Soto (Journey, Trans-Siberian Orchestra) on backing vocals, Mark Holden (Boulevard) on saxophone, and Northrup and Derry Grehan (Honeymoon Suite) contributing additional guitars. The album is mixed by Northrup and Ron Nevison (Heart, Survivor), with production by Del Vecchio, Hess, Marwood, Montant and Northrup. Track list:1. Dominoes, 2. In My Fantasy, 3. Thick as Thieves, 4. End Of The Dream, 5. Middle Of The Night, 6. That Was Then (And This Is Now), 7. Time Has left Us As Strangers, 8. Start Again, 9. Ghosts Of Yesterday, 10. Welcome To my Nightmare, 11. The Last Summer Night, 12. Tomorrow Never Comes, 13. Don’t Fall In Love With A Dreamer
Heart Line – Rock ‚N Roll Queen
product: Heart Lyne – Rock ‚N Roll Queenrelease date: 23.06.2023format: CD & digitalterritory: world One year and a half after their debut album that created surprise in the world of AOR / Melodic Rock, French group Heart Line founded by guitarist Yvan Guillevic is once again „back in the game“ with a new album that will be released on June 23, 2023 on the German label Pride & Joy Music. As always rich in catchy melodies and sharp riffs, „Rock’n’Roll Queen“ offers a concentrate of AOR/Melodic Rock enhanced with a touch of Classic Rock offering the listener 12 powerful titles in the pure verve of the glorious 80’s. Following the release of their first album in November 2021, Heart Line were given chance to perform their music live a number of times and get appraisal from audiences as well, something that can easily be detected with „Rock’n’Roll Queen“. Emphasized by a sparkling production, the songs sound mature and intense. From the vocals of Emmanuel Creis to the solos of Yvan Guillevic, the bold keyboard lines by Jorris Guilbaud and the sharp rhythm section driven by Dominique Braud (Bass) and Walter Français (drums), everything now sounds bigger and louder. https://www.facebook.com/Heartlinebandofficial Track list:1. I am The Night, 2. Till The End Of Times, 3. Call Of The Wild, 4. The Last Time, 5. Rock ‘N Roll Queen, 6. Living My Dreams, 7. Hard To Believe, 8. Call Me, 9. Hard Life, 10. Reach For The Stars, 11. The Fire Still Burns, 12. Keeper Of Desire
Midnite City – In At The Deep End
product: Midnite City – In At The Deep Endrelease date: 23.06.2023format: CD & digitalterritory: world (excl. Japan) Since bursting out onto the scene with a vengeance in 2017, Midnite City have taken on the world and hustled themselves to the top of the pile to be crowned the true kings of Hair Metal. The band have released three critically acclaimed albums, with their second album ‚There Goes The Neighbourhood‘ being voted 5th best album of the year in Classic Rock magazine, as well as being voted one of the best albums in the 35 year history of Burrn magazine in Japan. Since then, the band have headlined tours of the UK, played high profile festivals in Europe, alongside sold out shows in Japan and Australia, and continue to dazzle a growing legion of die hard fans (The Midnite Army) around the globe with their high energy, feel good, melodic party rock. Hot on the heels of their 2021 album ‚Itch You Can’t Scratch‘, Midnite City return in 2023 with the release of their highly anticipated fourth album ‚In At The Deep End‘. Mixed by Grammy award winning producer Chris Laney (Europe, Crash Diet, Crazy Lixx), the band deliver their strongest album to date, ticking every single box when it comes to late 80’s style Hair Metal. From party rock anthems, to melodic rock monsters, to heartfelt power ballads, its all here in abundance. Singer and songwriter Rob Wylde had this to say,‚It’s not often we can sit back after an album is done and be 100% happy with it. But in this case, we can whole heartedly say that we are. This is the quintessential Midnite City album, and we hope you enjoy it as much as we enjoyed making it for you‘. Track list:1. Outbreak, 2. Ready To Go, 3. Someday, 4. Hardest Heart To Break, 5. Good Time Music, 6. All Fall Down, 7. Girls Gone Wild, 8. Beginning Of The End, 9. Raise The Dead, 10. It’s Not Me It’s You, 11. Like There’s No Tomorrow www.facebook.com/midnitecityuk
Weapon – New Clear Power
product: Weapon – New Clear Powerrelease date: 19.05.2024format: CD & digitalterritory: world NWOBHM band Weapon, led by vocalist/front man Danny Hynes, were formed in 1980. Within 6 months they had signed a worldwide publishing deal with Virgin Music and opened for Motörhead on their 32 dates ‘Ace Up Your Sleeve’ UK tour. They released the double A-sided single ‘It’s A Mad Mad World’/‘Set The Stage Alight’ which reached number 2 in Sounds Magazine’s Top 20.Due to poor management the band split after a couple of years. Fast forward to 2005… The original line-up was invited to play Headbangers Open Air festival in Germany to a rapturous reception. Danny and long-time guitarist Jeff Summers decided to write some songs together and in 2010 they reunited on a permanent basis. Original drummer Bruce Bisland was unable to commit as he was (and still is) a full time member of 70’s Glamrockers Sweet and unfortunately original bassist Baz Downes was too ill to take part (Baz sadly passed away on the 16th of November 2020). The band would release three critically acclaimed albums; „Rising From The Ashes“ in 2014, „Set The Stage Alight – The Anthology“ (featuring the 1980 recordings) in 2018 and „Ghosts Of War“ in 2019 (which featured ex-Thundermother vocalist Clare Cunningham on the title track).Weapon have toured Europe extensively over the years rebuilding a loyal following. 2020 when the pandemic hit, and everything stopped guitarist Jeff Summers quit the band. 2021 Danny decides to totally reinvent WEAPON and make it more powerful than before and to really embrace the „NWOBHM-label“. With his good friend Robert Majd (Metalite/Captain Black Beard) alongside him they begin writing songs for the next album. Although still receiving treatment for prostate cancer, long time Weapon-bassist Tony Forsythe records his bass parts for the entire album remotely in London. Meanwhile Robert recruits a bunch of Sweden’s finest musicians to record at Wing Studios, Stockholm. The album, titled „New Clear Power“, also features guest appearance’s by Steve Mann (MSG/Lionheart) and Tino Troy (Praying Mantis) and will be released in May 2023 via Pride & Joy Music. Other musicians on the album include Oscar Bromvall (Palace), Magnus Ulfstedt (Ginevra), Marcus Johansson (Deathstars) and Mano Lewys. Track list: 1. Drumbeats Of War, 2. Take It Or leave It, 3. Electric Power, 4. In For The Kill, 5. LiveFor Today, 6. Remote Control, 7. Hard Road, 8. Diamon Lil’, 9. Shoot You Down,10. Riding With The Angels https://www.facebook.com/Weapon.UK
Hit The Ground Runnin‘ – Control Yourself
product: Hit The Ground Runnin‘ – Control Yourselfrelease date: 19.05.2024format: CD & digitalterritory: world Control Yourself was originally recorded between 1990-1991 as the intended follow-up release to Hit The Ground Runnin’s debut album Sudden Impact. The band at this time was offered opportunities in TV/Film and the song Back Again was written and submitted to production for the movie Rocky V, and also Surrounded By Fire for the movie Backdraft. With a strong management and production team behind them; the band was able to secure a record deal with a major label, but with the changing musical trends of the early 90s the album was eventually shelved and the band soon moved forward to other projects. The album was first released to fans worldwide in 2001 on Smash Records. The original pressing has been a hard to find collectors item in the AOR music scene and fans have been asking for a much awaited re-release. Much like the demand from the band’s first successful release Sudden Impact (1989), Control Yourself is being offered this re-release on Pride & Joy Music with new artwork and 3 additional bonus tracks; one previously unreleased song Melva Devine, a demo of Back Again with original guitarist Alan Augunas and an alternative demo version of the song Pain. The album features a wide variety of professional high quality tracks in the Hard Rock, AOR genre. Track list: 1. Control Yourself, 2. Back Again, 3. Shanghaid, 4. Lost, Still Life Lover, 5. Born To Be With You, 6. Pain, 7. Holding You, 8. I.C.U., 9. Dirty Girl, 10. Surrounded By Fire, 11. Melva Devine, 12. Pain (Alternate Version), 13. Back Again (Lead Guitar Alan Augunas)
Stormburst – III
product: Stormburst – IIIrelease date: 19.05.2023format: CD & digitalterritory: world STORMBURST was formed in July 2014 with the intention to make high quality Melodic Hardrock music without any compromises, whatsoever. No more covers so to speak, just all original song material. Bass player Kent Jansson (Six Feet Under, Keen Hue, Steam) and guitarist Thomas Hansson (Steam, Coastline) started out with singer Lars-Åke „Plåtis“ Nilsson (Keen Hue) and to achieve the special sound they were looking for. Keyboardist Peter Östling (Six Feet Under) was sent a demo and pretty much joined immediately. In late 2019 original drummer Peter Ytterberg quit for personal reasons and was soon replaced by Mr. Pelle Hindén of Eternal (Of Sweden). Stormburst as a band and unit is all about uncompromisingly doing what you believe in, even if you have a headwind. When the wind blows hard in life sometimes (as it really does), the love of music is still in all conditions strong and sustainable. Stormburst has the ability to reflect this with their own music and lyrics and their style can best be described as a combination of traditional Melodic Hardrock & AOR. The band is based in the heartland of Sweden, Dalarna and all members contribute to the song-writing and arrangement process. Stormburst have released two albums so far: „Raised On Rock“ (2017, AOR Heaven) and “Highway To Heaven“ (2020, AOR Heaven). Now, “III” is the third album by Stormburst which will be released on May 19th, 2023 via Pride & Joy Music. All songs were written by Nilsson, Hanson, Jansson, Hinden, and Östling and recorded At Studio Plåtis Vansbro and Studio Bakery Äppelbo between December 2022 and February 2023. Track list:1. Get Up On Your Feet, 2. Peace Of Mind, 3. When The Worlds Collide, 4. Wild And Crazy, 5. Higher Power, 6. Lost In Paradise, 7. Rockin’ On The Radio, 8. Make It Through The Night, 9. Hold On, 10. Love That Rock N’ Roll, 11. Self Destruction, 12. Little By Little
Bad Sister – Out Of The Business
product: Bad Sister – Out Of The Businessrelease date: 19.05.2023format: CD territory: world „Out Of The Business“ is the second CD by the Hamburg melodic hard rock band BAD SISTER. The album from 1991 is one of the classics of the AOR genre, was not available on CD for years and was sought after by fans as a rarity. After the success of the current album „Where Will You Go“ (2022), Pride & Joy Music is now releasing the band’s classic – remastered and with a bonus track. 32 years after its release, „Out Of The Business“ by BAD SISTER is available again on CD. At the end of the 1980s the Hamburg band attracted attention with their debut album „Heartbreaker“ (1989) – finest classic rock, AOR and melodic rock which they play in the style of Heart, Journey, Foreigner, Giant, Survivor and others. In the 1990s the band gave already rise to much comment when they supported Deep Purple singer Ian Gillan and Detroit rock shouter Mitch Ryder. Their first album „Heartbreaker“ is considered to be one of the classics in the international AOR scene. The second album „Out Of The Business“ was released in 1991 in Europe, USA und Japan. During the following years the band played many shows and open air festivals. They appeared several times on the main stage of the Wacken Open Air. „Out Of The Business“ is full of great AOR tunes and melodic hard rock – catchy uptempo-rockers („Stop This Game“), smashing midtempo-hits („S.O.S.“) or groovy shuffles („How Much Love“). „The reissue is also a memory to our first singer Petra Degelow“, says drummer Kai-Ove Kessler. Petra died in 2013 at the age of 53. „She was the heart and the voice of the band“. And there is a special guest on this classic album: Alex Conti, guitarist of German band „Lake“, played two guitar solos. And the band has another surprise: On the reissue of „Out Of The Business“ there is a 2023 version of the hit „How Much Love“. The current version is sung by Andrea Löhndorf, the voice of BAD SISTER. All songs on the record were remastered in the studio and now sound fresh and powerful. Track list: 1. Stop This Game, 2. Bad Attitude, 3. S.O.S., 4. How Much Love, 5. Can’t Do It Right, 6. Heart’s Diversion, 7. Cry In The Night, 8. Inside Out, 9. Heaven Or Hell, 10. No Scarface, 11. Angel Eyes, 12. Hide Your Love, 13. Breakdown, 14. How Much Love (2023)
Imperium – Never Surrender
product: Imperium – Never Surrenderrelease date: 19.05.2023format: CD territory: world Imperium is the solo project of Finnish drummer & songwriter Mika Brushane. Mika has been playing drums and percussion in various bands since 1981, has played all genres from jazz to metal and composed songs for different genres and this legacy of mixed genres can be heard in the IMPERIUM songs! The music is Melodic Rock/ AOR and it has a big dose of 80’s feelings and sounds in it. The project started in 2012 when Mika composed a new song for the new STRIKE album “We’re back” and realized that there was more songs in him that needed to be released. He then wrote the first single called “Victory”. IMPERIUM during the following years have released three albums on AOR Heaven (Dreamhunter – 2016, Beyond The Stars – 2018 and Heaven Or Hell – 2020). In this project Mika is responsible for the song-writing and playing all drums, keyboards, Vst-bass and singing all backing vocals. Mika is also the producer of Imperium. All the lead vocals are sung and guitars are played by various very talented musicians from the rock/metal scene all over the world. Also the albums post production was handled by top pro’s. The album was mixed by Erkka Korhonen (Dark Sarah, Urban Tale, Northern Kings, Ari Koivunen, Raskasta Joulua Tour) and mastered by the legendary Mika Jussila (Nightwish, Children of bodom, Stratovarius, HIM etc.). Line-up on “Never surrender”: Mika Brushane (FIN) – Music, lyrics, drums, keyboards, vst-bass (Rogue Icons, STRIKE) Robbie LaBlanc (USA) – Lead & backing vocal (T3nors, Find Me, Fury, Blanc Faces, East Temple Avenue) Michael Bormann (GER) – Lead & backing vocals (Michael Bormann’s Jaded Heart, Silent Force, Jaded Heart, Bonfire, J.R.Blackmore, Zeno, Bloodbound, Redrum, Rain) Stefano Lionetti (ITA) – Guitars (Lionville) Mikey K Nilsson (SWE) – Guitars (Arkado, Sapphire Eyes, Alyson Avenue, Anette Olzon, Bai Bang, etc.) Special guest Joel Hoekstra (USA) – Lead guitar on “The one” (Whitesnake, Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Cher, Night Ranger) Track list: 1. The One, 2. Never Surrender, 3. Together Forever, 4. I Still Believe, 5. Never Say Never, 6. Break The Spell, 7. The Dream, 8. Out Of This World, 9. You Never Will Take Me Down, 10. Greatest Desire
Jukebox Heroes – Jukebox Heroes
product: Jukebox Heroes – Jukebox Heroesrelease date: 14.04.2023format: CD territory: world In 1989, a promoter located in Milwaukee, WI reached out to five unconnected regional gunslinger musician/vocalists with the concept of creating an exceptional AOR/ROCK band with a format that few bands could emulate. After meeting each other, “Jukebox Heroes” took the stage “literally” five weeks later to an oversold house at Starz on 100 in Milwaukee with a waiting line out the door. The tour began, and soon “JBH” was in demand throughout the Midwestern US. The schedule had the group sharing the stage with the likes of 38 Special, Starship, Georgia Satellites, Styx, Robert Palmer, Kansas, REO, The Guess Who, Survivor, The Turtles, Marshall Tucker Band and ELO, some on multiple occasions. The group headlined a stage at Summerfest, the largest music festival in the US located in Milwaukee, on multiple occasions drawing thousands of fans. Jukebox Heroes, the self titled CD, was released in 1992. The remastered version was done by Justin Perkins at “Mystery Room Mastering”. Six bonus tracks are on the CD version, three by “Floppy Disc” and three by “Knee Deep” are two of Kalista’s previous projects. “In Each Others Eyes” features Kalista along with “Keedy” (Arista Records). Jukebox Heroes, the self titled CD is a unique combination of stellar musicianship, vocals and harmony arrangements in an AOR/Pop Rock genre. Line-up: Dennis Panneck – guitar & vocals; Tony Roland – guitar, flute & vocals; Steve Marino – keyboards & vocals; Jim Praefke – bass & vocals; Ron Kalista – drums & vocals Track list:1. Rock & Roll Star, 2. Mission, 3. If Ever You Fall, 4. Time Flies, 5. In Each Others Eyes, 6. Heartbreakin’ Story, 7. We Are Not Alone, 8. Cheat On Me, 9. The Homeless, 10. Alien Fowlers, 11. Soldier Of Fortune, 12. Don’t Ask Me Why, 13. My Back Pages, 14. Everybody Knows, 15. It’s Gonna Take Time, 16. Freedom
Czakan – Unreal
product: Czakan – Unrealrelease date: 14.04.2024format: CD & digitalterritory: world 2023 is going to be a very busy year for south German based hardrock band CZAKAN! After the re-release of the much acclaimed Czakan debut-album´State of Confusion´ in February 2023, which was awarded record of the month in ‚Metal Star‘ when it was released the first time back in 1989 and sold around 25,000 copies in Germany at the time, the new record and therefore the first new release of Czakan within more than thirty years, is imminent! On April 14th the follow up „Unreal“ will be in stores worldwide and feature 14 red hot new songs all composed by Czakan. And for sure – like it always has been – in the original Czakan line-up from 1989! “Unreal” was produced and recorded by guitar wizard Oliver ‚OG‘ Güttinger in the band owned Greenbox-Studios and mixed by keyboard player Tom Fein, who can look back at more than 20 years experience as a live sound engineer and technician for bands like ‘Die Toten Hosen’. He also did a great job for several years as first engineer at Horus Sound Studio Hanover for Guano Apes & The Donuts – the studio in which Czakan recorded their famous ‚State of Confusion‘ album back in 1989. Assistant engineer at the mix for ‚Unreal‘ at Greenbox was Oliver ‚OG‘ Güttinger. OG created the complete artwork for ‚Unreal‘ as well. Even with mastering, Czakan didn’t change the winning team from ‚State of Confusion‘ and used the help of Robin Schmidt with his 24-96 Mastering Studio in Karlsruhe again. Photo shoots for ‚Unreal‘ were done by Thomas Zigann for ‚Artist and People Photography‘ exclusively. Lorenza Maluku from Curacao did a great guest job with singing backing vocals on ‚Breaking all the Rules‘. With ‚Unreal‘ Czakan were holding all the keys. You can feel this strategy in each and every song. Starting with the rocking opener ‚Free Line‘ – which will be the first single and video of the album – up to the final – the potential hit ‚Show me all your Love‘ – everything sounds as all of one piece. There will be several live shows throughout this year as well. Be sure not to miss them! Czakan are back, stronger and more creative than ever. A storm is brewing! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100085605874815 Line Up: Michael Schennach – Vocals, Oliver Güttinger – Guitar, Tom Fein – Keyboard, Randy Arcachon – Drums, Frank Schrafft – Bass Track list:1. Free Line, 2. Getting Hungry, 3. Breaking all the Rules, 4. Livin’ in a Nightmare, 5. Get Down, 6. Burns Like a Fire, 7. Under the Gun, 8. City Nights, 9. Masquerade, 10. She is a Woman, 11. Winners don`t Cry, 12. My Sweet Love, 13. Locked in a Cage, 14. Show me all your Love