Sede Vacante
Sede Vacante is a heavy Goth Metal duo from Greece formed in 2013 which consists of Michael Tiko (male vocals, guitars and synths) and Constantine Alex (female vocals). Both members are highly educated in music – with Michael Tiko having studied at Berklee College of Music, Boston, USA (Master in Guitar Performance) and Constantine Alex having studied in The National Academy of Music “Prof. Pantcho Vladigerov”, Sofia, Bulgaria. Both members have got an extensive live experience. Tiko was the lead guitarist of the Goth/Power metal band “Rage of Romance” (feat. Vicky Psarakis on vocals, The Agonist) and also played as a session guitarist in many local bands, even in the Jazz genre. Alex has been singing for more than 10 years and been a session vocalist in numerous swing, jazz and rock bands. “Skies Infernal” is their debut album which will be released on Pride & Joy Music on November 18th, 2016. The logo and the band’s symbol were made by Gustavo Sazes (Arch Enemy, Firewind etc.), and the record was mixed by drummer and sound engineer Fotis Benardo (ex- Septic Flesh, Six4Nine) and mastered by the Jens Bogren (Fascination Street Studios) in Örebro, Sweden. Releases on Pride & Joy Music: 18.11.2016 Skies Infernal (CD)
Berggren, Stefan
STEFAN BERGGREN is one of Sweden’s best known singers, musicians and song-writers. In his almost 30 years lasting career he played in acts such as Snakes In Paradise, M3, Company Of Snakes, Razorback and Berggren Kerslake Band amongst others and shared the stage with musicians from Whitesnake, Deep Purple, Brian May Band, Uriah Heep und Black Sabbath. Most recently he stepped in as singer for Uriah Heep at a gig in Rosenheim and played in the UK together with Don Airey (Deep Purple) and Neil Murray (Whitesnake, Black Sabbath), Germany. „Stranger In A Strangeland“ marks the release of the first solo album from this exceptional artist and features appearances from old friends such as Bernie Marsden (ex Whitesnake), Stephen Bentley-Klein (Deep Purple), Neil Murray (Black Sabbath, Whitesnake), Tomas Pomma Thorberg (Snakes In Paradise, Four Sticks, Plankton), Sebastian Sippola (Four Sticks ,Plankton), Marcus Jidell (Avatarium, ex Evergrey), Joakim Svalberg (Opeth), Lars Karlsson (Diamond Dogs) and more. The album „Stranger In A Strangeland“ was produced by Stefan Berggren at Berggren Studios in Stockholm, Sweden and mastered by Pete Lynam (California Breed, Glenn Hughes, Slash, Rival Sons) at Infrasonic Sound Studios in Los Angeles, USA. Pride & Joy Music release: 21.10.2016 Stranger In A Strangeland (CD)
SEDE VACANTE – Skies Infernal
product: Sede Vacante – Skies Infernal release date: 18.11.2016 format: CD & download release territory: world Sede Vacante is a heavy Goth Metal duo from Greece formed in 2013 which consists of Michael Tiko (male vocals, guitars and synths) and Constantine Alex (female vocals). Both members are highly educated in music – with Michael Tiko having studied at Berklee College of Music, Boston, USA (Master in Guitar Performance) and Constantine Alex having studied in The National Academy of Music “Prof. Pantcho Vladigerov”, Sofia, Bulgaria. Both members have got an extensive live experience. Tiko was the lead guitarist of the Goth/Power metal band “Rage of Romance” (feat. Vicky Psarakis on vocals, The Agonist) and also played as a session guitarist in many local bands, even in the Jazz genre. Alex has been singing for more than 10 years and been a session vocalist in numerous swing, jazz and rock bands. “Skies Infernal” is their debut album which will be released on Pride & Joy Music on November 18th, 2016. The logo and the band’s symbol were made by Gustavo Sazes (Arch Enemy, Firewind etc.), and the record was mixed by drummer and sound engineer Fotis Benardo (ex- Septic Flesh, Six4Nine) and mastered by the Jens Bogren (Fascination Street Studios) in Örebro, Sweden.
BERGGREN, STEFAN – Stranger In A Strangeland
product: Stefan Berggren – Stranger In A Strangeland release date: 21.10.2016 format: CD & download territory: world STEFAN BERGGREN is one of Sweden’s best known singers, musicians and song-writers. In his almost 30 years lasting career he played in acts such as Snakes In Paradise, M3, Company Of Snakes, Razorback and Berggren Kerslake Band amongst others and shared the stage with musicians from Whitesnake, Deep Purple, Brian May Band, Uriah Heep und Black Sabbath. Most recently he stepped in as singer for Uriah Heep at a gig in Rosenheim and played in the UK together with Don Airey (Deep Purple) and Neil Murray (Whitesnake, Black Sabbath), Germany. „Stranger In A Strangeland“ marks the release of the first solo album from this exceptional artist and features appearances from old friends such as Bernie Marsden (ex Whitesnake), Stephen Bentley-Klein (Deep Purple), Neil Murray (Black Sabbath, Whitesnake), Tomas Pomma Thorberg (Snakes In Paradise, Four Sticks, Plankton), Sebastian Sippola (Four Sticks ,Plankton), Marcus Jidell (Avatarium, ex Evergrey), Joakim Svalberg (Opeth), Lars Karlsson (Diamond Dogs) and more. The album was produced by Stefan Berggren at Berggren Studios in Stockholm, Sweden and mastered by Pete Lynam (California Breed, Glenn Hughes, Slash, Rival Sons) at Infrasonic Sound Studios in Los Angeles, USA.
AlmaH
ALMAH, led by former Angra singer Edu Falaschi, since the very beginning has been in the focus of the metal head’s attention world-wide as one of the most significant representatives on the Brazilian rock/metal stage. Edu Falaschi, Almah’s leader, composer and singer, has sold more than one million albums in his 25 year spinning career. ALMAH went on a lot of national and international tours and performed at some of the most important events in the world, like the world famous Rock In Rio Festival 2013. In the same year the band played an European co-headlining tour performing 18 shows in Italy, Spain, Germany, France and many more countries. In 2015 the Brazilians took part in ProgPower Festival in the USA and many others important festivals and shows around the globe; more than 100 shows during the band’s history in total. Since their founding in 2006, the band already has released four full-length albums world-wide (‘Almah’, ‘Fragile Equality’, ‘Motion’ and ‘Unfold’). E.V.O is the 5th release in their career.This is a conceptual album which is based on the evolution of the people’s mind and soul during the new age that the world is about to live in – called Age Of Aquarius. The author, Edu Falaschi, visited different subjects that are connected with the main concept, creating a very positive lyric and album atmosphere. Musically, E.V.O brings a fresh and powerful album, with the modern and heavy Almah touch but also a direct connection to the Angra album “Rebirth”. Angra’s album (The first Angra’s album with Edu’s voice). In E.V.O the vocal lines are very powerful, classical and it has a higher pitch comparing with the previous Almah releases. It’s very melodic, clean and more into the bel canto style. Like the old times of Edu Falaschi’s vocals.The compositions are a pleasant travel between Modern Power Metal, Contemporary Rock and Prog Metal. The artwork shows all elements which represent the main concept – especially the woman in the center who visualizes the Aquarius constellation, and also brings – for the first time – the band’s logo in a golden color and a very bright and shiny yellow cover, that fits perfectly with the positive vibration of the record. Pride & Joy Music releases: 23.09.2016 E.V.O
Hartmann
The history of HARTMANN started in 2005 with the debut ‚Out in the cold‘, often reviewed as ‚Album of the month‘ in a wide range of rock magazines all over the world. With their successful followers ‚Home‘ (2006), ‚3‘ (2009), ‚Balance‘ (2012), the live & acoustic DVD/CD ‚Handmade‘ (2008) and the compilation ‚The Best Is Yet To Come‘ (2013) the band has meanwhile worked out their status as being one of Germany’s best modern hard rock bands that is offering international high-class melodic rock. The band also enjoys the good reputation as an outstanding live band and has been called to tour with rock legends as Toto, The Hooters, Uriah Heep, Edguy, Mother’s Finest, Y&T and others. Their latest album ’Shadows & Silhouettes’ (2016) has been accompanied again with a club tour and many festivals last summer. Now the forthcoming new album ’Hands On The Wheel’ – way more rough and rocking and than its predecessor – will be released May 18th 2018 on the artist’s label Sonic 11 Records in cooperation with Pride&Joy Music/Soulfood, again co-produced by Sascha Paeth (Avantasia, Beyond The Black, Kamelot). Including the participation of guest musicians as Jimmy Kresic (The Roots, Rock Meets Classic), Karolina Galbavà & Irena Morisakovà (Hans Zimmer), the album will contain the catchy singles/videoclips ’Don’t want back down’ and the very special duet ’Simple man’ feat. Mr. Big vocalist Eric Martin, accompanied by a huge promotion-/video-campaign of Germany’s No 1 rock radio station Rockantenne and a special Facebook & online campaign. Since the late 90’s founder Oliver Hartmann is known as a highly respected singer and guitarist on the international music scene due to four albums with the band At Vance, studio work for hard rock and metal acts as Hammerfall, Rhapsody, Helloween or Edguy, as a long time studio and live member of top sellers as Avantasia and as part of ‚Rock Meets Classic‘ that is featuring the big names of the international rock scene: Alice Cooper, Ian Gillan, Uriah Heep, Status Quo, Thin Lizzy, Paul Rodgers, Eric Bazilian, Jimi Jamison, Midge Ure, Steve Lukather, Chris Thompson, Bonnie Tyler and many others. Besides that Oliver Hartmann is also fronting the successful Pink Floyd Tribute Echoes that climbed up to No 20 of the German charts in 2015 with their acoustic live DVD ’Barefoot To The Moon’ and received outstanding critics world wide. Pride & Music releases: 30.09.2016 – Silhouettes & Shadows 30.09.2016 – Handmade (Deluxe Edition, CD & DVD) 18.05.2018 – Hands On The Wheel 18.05.2018 – Out In The Cold (back catalogue) 18.05.2018 – Balance (back catalogue) 17.04.2020 – 15 Pearls And Gems 17.04.2020 – 3 (re-issue) 16.09.2022 – Get Over It
HARTMANN – Handmade (Deluxe Version)
product: Hartmann – (Handmade Deluxe) release date: 30.09.2016 release territory: world format: CD+DVD (digi-pack) The history of HARTMANN began in 2005 with the successful release of their debut album ‚Out in the cold‘, many times chosen as ‚album of the month‘, and with their follow up ‚Home‘ released in 2007. After their support tour for THE HOOTERS where HARTMANN performed acoustic versions of their material for the first time the band decided to play two exclusive shows at Pegasus theater in Bensheim/Germany in late 2007. Supported by three female background singers as special guests both evenings were recorded for the live CD/DVD ‚Handmade‘ released in 2008. It is uniting outstanding material like real ‚handmade‘ versions of the first two studio albums and previously unreleased tracks. ‚Handmade‘ has always been considered as one of the most impressive outputs of HARTMANN and this re-release now contains both CD and DVD as special limited deluxe edition. In addition, the digital version of the CD will also be released as “deluxe edition” – now containing audio versions of all songs. Oliver Hartmann is also well known as being a member of the mega seller Avantasia and as frontman of the successful Pink Floyd Tribute Echoes with their latest release ‚Barefoot To The Moon‘ (German charts No 20 in Oct 2015). Line-up: Oliver Hartmann (guitar/vocals), Mario Reck (guitar), Armin Donderer (bass), Dario Ciccioni (drums), Juergen Wuest (piano/vocals), Ina Morgan (vocals), Kolinda Brozovic (vocals), Tiffany Kirkland (vocals)
HARTMANN – Shadows & Silhouettes
product: Hartmann – Shadows & Silhouettes release date: 30.09.2016 release territory: world format: CD After numerous tours as part of Avantasia, Rock Meets Classic and as mastermind of the successful Pink Floyd Tribute Echoes the exceptional singer and guitarist Oliver Hartmann now presents his new fifth studio album „Shadows & Silhouettes“ with Hartmann after nearly four years break since the latest release „Balance“. The new album will be released on 30th of September on the artist owned label SONIC11 in cooperation with Pride & Joy Music. Supported by guest musicians as the well-known session keyboarder Jimmy Kresic (Rock Meets Classic, The Roots, Soundtopia), Miro Rodenberg (Avantasia) and also the Prague cellist Irena Morisáková and violinist Adéla Pecková the album contains 12 extra class songs combining modern melodic Rock („Irresisitible“, „Glow“ „High on you“, I would murder for you“) with many acoustic („The letting go“, „Shadow in my eyes“, „Still the same“) and partly very intimate moments („Jaded heart“, „Last goodbye“) pointing up the broadness and complexity of Hartmann. The catchy single „When your mama was a hippie“ will also be released as video clip. The album has been co-produced again by Sascha Paeth (Avantasia, Edguy, Kamelot, Beyond The Black, etc.) and mixed/mastered at Gate Studios Wolfsburg/Germany.
ALMAH – E.V.O
product: AlmaH- E.V.O release date: 23.09.2016 release territory: Europe format: CD ALMAH, led by former Angra singer Edu Falaschi, since the very beginning has been in the focus of the metal head’s attention world-wide as one of the most significant representatives on the Brazilian rock/metal stage. Edu Falaschi, Almah’s leader, composer and singer, has sold more than one million albums in his 25 year spinning career. ALMAH went on a lot of national and international tours and performed at some of the most important events in the world, like the world famous Rock In Rio Festival 2013. In the same year the band played an European co-headlining tour performing 18 shows in Italy, Spain, Germany, France and many more countries. In 2015 the Brazilians took part in ProgPower Festival in the USA and many others important festivals and shows around the globe; more than 100 shows during the band’s history in total. Since their founding in 2006, the band already has released four full-length albums world-wide (‘Almah’, ‘Fragile Equality’, ‘Motion’ and ‘Unfold’). E.V.O is the 5th release in their career.This is a conceptual album which is based on the evolution of the people’s mind and soul during the new age that the world is about to live in – called Age Of Aquarius. The author, Edu Falaschi, visited different subjects that are connected with the main concept, creating a very positive lyric and album atmosphere. Musically, E.V.O brings a fresh and powerful album, with the modern and heavy Almah touch but also a direct connection to the Angra album “Rebirth”. Angra’s album (The first Angra’s album with Edu’s voice). In E.V.O the vocal lines are very powerful, classical and it has a higher pitch comparing with the previous Almah releases. It’s very melodic, clean and more into the bel canto style. Like the old times of Edu Falaschi’s vocals.The compositions are a pleasant travel between Modern Power Metal, Contemporary Rock and Prog Metal. The artwork shows all elements which represent the main concept – especially the woman in the center who visualizes the Aquarius constellation, and also brings – for the first time – the band’s logo in a golden color and a very bright and shiny yellow cover, that fits perfectly with the positive vibration of the record.
DARKEST SINS – The Broken
product: Darkest Sins – The Broken release date: 21.10.2016 release territory: world format: CD Darkest Sins is a five-piece Melodic Metal band from Ålesund, Norway founded by Marius Danielsen and Anniken Rasmussen in 2009. For the last three years, the five-piece has been working on their debut album “The Broken” which now will be released on Pride & Joy Music on October 21th, 2016. Previously, Darkest Sins have released a demo album back in 2011 and an EP in 2013. So, “The Broken” marks the first real album coming from Darkest Sins. The CD was mixed and mastered by Piet Sielck (Iron Saviour) who also has mixed albums for Blind Guardian, Gamma Ray, Grave Digger, Paragon and many more. Darkest Sins has a female and a male lead vocalist who share the vocals 50/50 both live and in the studio. This creates a great diversity in the music and makes the band stand out. Even though the Norwegians are a Melodic Metal band, they like to experiment with many different genres in their music but their roots and main influences come from classic metal bands such as Iron Maiden, Judas Priest and the 80’s era of Black Sabbath. Darkest Sins has proven itself as a strong live band and played shows around the most part of Norway. They have had many great special guests at their shows including Fabio Lione from Rhapsody of Fire and Tony Mills from TNT. In July 2016 they supported Anthrax in Norway. The next step will be an European tour in support of “The Broken”. Members from Darkest Sins have also worked on different studio projects with musicians such as Tim Ripper Owens, Timo Tolkki, Mark Boals etc. More info can be found on www.mariusdanielsen.com Darkest Sins’ keyboard player also plays in the band Tindrum with 80s legends from bands such as Europe, TNT and Jorn.