REXORIA
The Swedish melodic heavy metal band REXORIA is now back with their second album ‚Ice Breaker‘ which delivers a lot of power, speed and metal feeling! Band members are Jonas Gustavsson (b/g), Cristofer Svensson (g), Martin Gustavsson (d) and the charismatic singer Frida Ohlin. Together they create a sound with various folk and power influences which will bring you right into the dark forests and up on high mountains! ‚Ice Breaker‘ has been mixed and mastered in the famous studio Studio Fredman in Gothenburg by Fredrik Nordström. Joining the band as a guest singer on their Swedish song ”Vår Verklighet” is Niklas Isfeldt (Dream Evil). Jobert Mello created the artwork (Sabaton, Primal Fear). The four-piece has been touring and sharing the stage with bands like Battle Beast, Bloodbound, Thobbe Englund (ex Sabaton) and Dynazty. So if that’s the type of music you like, you should make sure you check out REXORIA and their new album ‚Ice Breaker‘! Pride & Joy Music releases: Queen Of Light (2018) ice Breaker (2019)
Spiral Key
Spiral Key is a UK-based symphonic progressive metal band formed in 2012, specializing in melodic, thoughtful and heavy music, diverse themes and a subtly dark sense of humour. The band features the distinctive voice and intricate guitarwork of David McCabe and the thunderous bass work of Ken Wynne (Cut the Wire). Spiral Key released their debut “Perfect Machine” in 2013, a diverse collection of songs with a focus on melody and featuring themes of love, loss and identity. Recorded, mixed and mastered at Bentham Studios in Ken’s home town of Swindon in the UK, the album was self-released. After a short hiatus and gathering live assistance from up-and-coming drummer Chris Allan (ex-Malefice, now session/independent)) and guitarist Dan Carter (Belial), Spiral Key burst onto the stage in 2016 supporting a number of bands across the spectrum including Kingcrow and Votum. After that successful year, Spiral Key’s second album “An Error of Judgement” was recorded at Outhouse Studios in the UK in early 2017, and will be released by Pride and Joy Music on January 19th, 2018. John Mitchell (Frost*, It Bites, Arena) contributes a guitar solo to the track “Dark Path”, vocalist Miguel Espinoza (Persefone) features on the track “Possessive”, and Dan Carter displays his inimitable style on the track “Sanctimonious”. Mixing and mastering were handled by David Castillo (Katatonia, Opeth) and Tony Lindgren (Angra, James LaBrie) at Fascination Street Studios in Sweden. Artwork is the product of the mighty genre luminary Mattias Norén of ProgArt Media, touching on the paths described in the album. “An Error of Judgement” examines the many misdeeds of mankind, from the major themes of disunity and disempowerment to the close-up and personal failings of people themselves. Darker and heavier, it elevates Spiral Key’s trademark progressive sound to new symphonic heights, while still making space for the band’s trademark humour and melody. The first video for the album is for the track “Hollywood Dreams”, by Patric Ullaeus (Evergrey, Amaranthe) in Sweden. Pride & Joy Music releases: An Error Of Judgement (2018)
Ammouri
AMMOURI (Marina Ammouri), is a Swedish female metal artist, rock singer, songwriter, music producer and model. Being a classical schooled pianist, and graduated sound engineer from SAE college, she previously has composed and produced songs in different genres for other artists in Sweden and abroad, among them are Therese (Terran) Andersson Lewis, Regina Lund, Ivorian band Les Patrones, Portuguese singer Mila Ferriera and more. In 2012, her songs represented Sweden in the Baltic Song Contest with Swedish actress and singer Regina Lund and East European Band MMadCatz as front artists. Three years later she wrote and produced a crossfade opera song for a Swedish opera group Opera Light, and after a successful song release which was keeping a place in Lust Kammare at the Swedish Royal Palace, she decided to stop songwriting for others artists and to start her own solo artist carrier. And this step marked the return back to her roots, the music she burns for most from all: Rock and Metal. In January 2017 AMMOURI released her first self-written single ”Fill Your Heart With Love”, from her upcoming debut album “Dare To Be Happy”. She received art once remarkable feedback for her special powerful rock voice, an original sound, and rock listeners and rock forums labeled her the ”new Doro Pesch”. Many Metal Female internet communities featured the single and Marina in October 2017 was chosen as face of the ”Metal Female Voices Community”. In spring 2017, the Swedish multi-talent was invited to collaborate with Maestro Mistheria, the creator of Vivaldi Metal Project. They went on an unplugged promo tour in Italy in October 2017 with Vivaldi Metal Project, where they performed a couple of songs from Vivaldi and introduced for the first time her second, upcoming single ”Monster of Your Own Creation” and songs from the upcoming AMMOURI album ”Dare to Be Happy” which will be released on January 12th, 2018 on Pride & Joy Music. For the album, she was joined by an impressive bunch of musicians which includes Pontus Egberg (bass, the Poodles, King Diamond) on all of the songs and also as co-producer of six tracks. Exceptional guitarist Staffan Österlind (Paul Dianno, Iron Maiden and more) played guitar on ”Monster Of Your Own Creation”, ”More than Everything”, ”Bad Illusion”, ”Not Anymore”, ”Starlight” and also a co-produced the track ”Bad Illusion”. Tony Borg (guitars, Alien) co-produced the song “Fill Your Heart with Love” and played a solo on the tune “Bad Illusion”. Drummer Johan Kullberg (Therion, Hammerfall), John Berg (guitar, Manipulation, Dare to Be Happy) and more can be heard on this CD. Pride & Joy Music releases: Dare To Be Happy (2018)
The Soul Exchange
The Soul Exchange is a band that mixes Classic Hard Rock with a contemporary Metal sound. They have taken influences from the 70’s Hard Rock scene and created their own unique style of Metal infused, guitar driven hard rock, with great attention to the melodies and grand vocal arrangements. The lyrics deals mostly with subjects from the darker side of life such as insanity and evil in various forms. The seed that eventually became The Soul Exchange was sown when guitarist and songwriter Hans von Bell began writing songs for a solo album back in 2013. After the albums’ release in January 2015, Hans immediately started to work on new material for a follow up and realized he wanted to put together a proper band as the new material required a different sound and thus, The Soul Exchange was born. The band name came from a song off the 2015 solo album. In 2016 the band found their formula and sound with the current line up consisting of Daniel John vocals & keyboards, Hans & Thomas von Bell guitars, Patrik „Patte“ Ekelöf on bass, and Benny White drums. Although mostly unknown to the wide public, all band members have long careers in music behind them. The band released the critically and likewise publicly acclaimed album “Bloodbound” in March 2017 on the Mervilton Records label. In the fall of 2017 The Soul Exchange have been working on an, in between albums, five track EP titled “Vow Of Seth” that is set for release on the Pride & Joy Music label on December 8th. The EP will be preceded by a digital single and video release of the EP’s title track on November 17th. The Soul Exchange once again working with the renowned Swedish producer Magnus „Tank“ Ljungqvist who also produced the “Bloodbound” album. The new EP has taken the band to an even darker place lyrically and with a tad harder sound. Stating that „this EP will show the way for the next full length album penned for release in 2018″. Hard Rock with a great portion of modern Metal influences, and importantly, the vocal arrangements and melodies will always have a major focus in The Soul Exchanges’ otherwise riff oriented music“. Pride & Joy Music releases: Vow Of Seth EP (2017) Edge Of Sanity (2018)
Eigensinn
About zombies, monsters and evil fairies – Persona non Grata will rise! “Persona Non Grata” is the name of the third full-length release from the dark rockers EIGENSINN from Southern Germany. More than two years of hard work has left its mark on an album that will stand out from the crowd! During the cold and snowy January 2017 the band retired on a lonely farm house in Saxony. The magical and dark atmosphere of the abandoned landscape deeply engraved itself into the new songs. The outcome is a complex and brute Industrial Rock album, on which you can sense the sinister emotions living within each song as they touch upon subjects taboo to many. The bands lead singer Nemesis takes the listener on a journey from a morbid story teller rising up to a strong willed freedom fighter The eleven ostentatious hard hitting tracks all stay true to EIGENSINN’s trademark sound. Mastermind Kai Stahlenberg’s production at the renowned Kohlekeller studio has produced an album that is both raw and punchy staying true to the bands hard hitting roots. The album will be released on Pride & Joy Music on December 1st, 2017. EIGENSINN will tour all over Germany this November to support the US NDH legend HANZEL+GRETYL together with Reptil, to promote their new album. Pride & Joy Music releases: Persona Non Grata (2017)
Vice
VICE was founded in Munich Germany in the late 80’s and signed by major label BMG Ariola back in 1988. The former line-up consisted of Jörg Hargesheimer (guit), Peter Juhre (bass), Roland Schmidt (drums), Chris Limburg (guit), Jan Ghiantinie (vocals 1st album), Alan Keen (vocals 2nd album). These two records brought the band charts positions and several tours all over Europe. With more than 100.000 sold copies, VICE had a huge presence on TV and radio. They became quite famous and attracted their fans with their rather simple & rocking songs and positive attitude on stage. Now after almost 30 years, VICE is back for more…The new album “Veni Vidi Vice” was produced, recorded and mixed by Chris Limburg at lictoc studios in Munich, will be released on November, 17th and continues the old style of VICE in a modern way. The first single & video for the song “Where do I belong” was released in advance in Summer 2017. Further singles will be available soon, as well as an “hot summer night” release party on October 21st in a Caribbean atmosphere, near Munich at “Roberto Beach” (www.robertobeach.de) Pride & Joy Music releases: Veni, Vidi, Vice (2017) 3 Fingers Up (2019)
Secret Rule
SECRET RULE was formed at the beginning of 2014 with the intention to create a special sound with powerful rhythms and catchy melodies. During these six years, the group conquered its space in the metal scene. The band is fronted by the powerful and crystal clear vocals of Angela Di Vincenzo, masterminded by lead guitarist Andy Menario, with accurate bass playing of Michele Raspanti and the powerful drumming of Alex Beccati. Secret Rule on stage is a bomb of energy, a mix of heavy guitar riffs, with electronic elements and incredible keyboard lines. The band released four albums: “Transposed Emotions” (2015), “Machination” (2016), “The key to the world” (2017) and „The 7 Endless“ (2019), and 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), Henning Basse (Mayan, Firewind). SECRET RULE played a lot of shows all over Europe, including headlining European tours, sharing the stage with great bands such as Delain, Beyond the Black, Xandria, Serenity, Kobra & the Lotus, Blaze Bayley, Visions of Atlantis and Cellar Darling and performing festivals including the Barcia Metal Fest, the Wings of BEA, the Metal Fest Event – Femme, the 9° Camorock, Festo Die Hydria. “Against” now is their fifth studio album which will be released on February 21st, 2020 on Pride & Joy Music. In April 2020, the Italian Heavy Metal band will support Brazilian Melodic Death Metal SEMBLANT on their European tour. Pride & Joy Music releases: The Key To The World (2017) The 7 Endless (2019) Against (2020)
Black Paisley
From Stockholm, Sweden comes debuting BLACK PAISLEY with a musical combination of Classic Rock, AOR and Modern Country. The band is formed by some of Sweden’s most experienced studio and tour musicians backed up by a new songwriter and vocalist. The album consists of nine songs with a spread from heavy rockers as “Run Run Run” and “Ordinary Day”, via more melodic radio tunes like “Way To Something” and “Coming Home” but also touches the southern rock influences with “It Ain’t Over” and “Easy”. All engineered and produced by legendary Mats Lindfors giving the classic rock songs a more modern and crisp sound. In the Autumn 2014, BLACK PAISLEY started the journey towards a first album. The Black Paisley Project is a spinoff from StephMetal – a Swedish cover band that had existed for many years featuring Stefan Blomqvist (vocals, guitar), Jan Emanuelsson (bass), Robert Karaszi (drums) and Birger Lundgren. Stephmetal won the Swedish “Company of rock” in 2009 and gigged frequently both in Sweden and abroad (UK, Fr, Ne and No) during the 2000’s. In 2009 Robert Wirensjö also joined the band on keyboards, adding a new touch of professionalism to the band and their gigs. Robert had both recorded and toured with several of Sweden’s greatest artists like Michael Rickfors, Andreas Johnson among others. The dream of making an album with own songs had often been discussed during the time of Stephmetal. Blomqvist had for years written material partially tested both live and in the rehearsal room, and subsequently felt that now was the time to make this dream of an album become reality. The recording project was named BLACK PAISLEY, after Ritchie Sambora’s Fender signature guitar. In autumn of 2014 the recordings started outside Sundsvall with producer Johan Dereborn (former Gaston, E-type, Takida others), where we recorded the backgrounds live and also mixed the songs “Autumn” and “Kickin” during a couple cold November weekends. During the Sundsvall sessions guitarist Ulf Hedin came onboard – likewise an experienced musician and songwriter. Ulf was to become a central musical engine in the whole BLACK PAISLEY project onwards. Friendly and talented drummer Mikael Kerslow, also guested in an honorable way in Sundsvall. In spring of 2015 the band continued recording ”It ain’t over” and “This Is My Day” in Stockholm, where we found spare space in Mikael Wikman’s fine drum studio (used by Rammstein and others).In autumn of the same year, they decided to put more efforts into the project and came in contact with Mats „Limpan“ Lindfors (Norum, Talisman, Meshuggah, Petter and others) who now took over the lead of the project, both recording, mixing and production together with Robert Wirensjö. The rest of the songs were recorded at the prestigious Sound Trade Studios in Solna, where bands like Abba, Europe, and Michael Bolton recorded. Final mastering was done at Cutting Room Stockholm, by Mats Lindfors. Pride & Joy Music releases: Late Bloomer (2017)
The Radio Sun
Australian melodic hard rock band The Radio Sun will release their fourth full-length album “Unstoppable” on October 20th, 2017. Vocalist Jase Old and guitarist Stevie Janevski have written a bunch of new catchy, well constructed melodic rock songs with the guidance of producer Paul Laine (solo, Dark Horse, The Defiants). Lush vocals and soaring solos are a big part of the band’s sound, further enhanced by bassist Anthony Wong and drummer Gilbert Annese. Andy Shanahan of Australian AOR favourites Roxus is a special guest on the forthcoming new album ‚Unstoppable‘. The Radio Sun guitar player Stevie Janevski goes on to say, „it’s awesome to have Andy play keyboards on the song “ and be a part of our new album. Roxus were by far the best AOR band Australia has had – a real honour!“ The Radio Sun will launch the new album with touring right around the world. The boys head to Japan in November and back to Europe in March 2018 with shows at HRH AOR Fest amongst others. “Unstoppable” was mixed by Paul Laine. More shows for Germany, the UK and Greece are currently being booked. Pride & Joy Music releases: Unstoppable (2017) Beautiful Strange (2018)
Incertain
INCERTAIN was founded in October 2012 in Andernach, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. Being a very young band back then, they tried first on stage within their local scene. Only Luis Strietholt (drums) had went through several live experiences with his former Indie Rock project Celebrate Simon before. The five-headed Germans are musically influenced by Speed and Thrash metal legends like Overkill, Exodus or Testament, but also found inspiration in songs of the essential Death Metal representatives Vader, furthermore in modern acts like Lamb of God. These influences find evidence not only in INCERTAIN´s instrumental songwriting, but especially in singer Liane Walter’s growling in traditional Death Metal manner. Being well related to one of the best known local live locations, Juz Live Club in Andernach, many chances to play at established festivals such as „A Chance for Metal Festival“ & „Loud!Fest“ occurred. In May 2016, INCERTAIN performed as co-headliner in front of a fulliflatched festival tent, comprising 1000 people at the “A Chance for Metal Festival”. Furthermore they supported the German Thrash Metal heroes Tankard from Frankfurt at one show of their „Rest in Beer“- tour at Juz Live Club. The response on their live shows was constantly positive from crowds of all ages, and INCERTAIN soon went on stages in Cologne, Frankfurt, or also as part of the warm-up show of MISE Open Air and Taunus Metal Festival in Hessia. The first INCERTAIN album “Rats In Palaces” was recorded by Michael „Freio“ Haas (Sober Truth, The Gate, Sic Zobe, Erzfeind) at Big Easy Studio near Hennef, Germany from August 2016 to July 2017. Subsequently, the record was mastered by Aljoscha Sieg at Pitchback Studios (Eskimo Callboy, August Burns Red, Vitja, We Butter The Bread With Butter). Costin Chioreanu (Twilight Media), who designed artworks of Arch Enemy, Grave, Vader and Entombed, made the cover and booklet for “Rats in Palaces”. For the upcoming music video and single release of the song „Amok“, INCERTAIN worked with Pete Kunz, singer of the band Bloodspot from Limburg. Pride & Joy Music releases: Rats In Palaces (2017)